Yom HaAtzma’ut at HAFTR’s ECC

Ambassador Friedman Makes Unannounced Visit to HAFTR. Mr. David M. Friedman, the newly appointed United States ambassador to the State of Israel, made an unannounced visit to HAFTR High School on Friday, April 28. Friedman spoke with students and faculty about his appointment and what he hopes to accomplish in this extraordinarily meaningful role. He pointed out that he was the first ambassador to be appointed by President Trump; his appointment was announced on January 20, the day of President Trump’s inauguration. He asserted that the timing of his appointment, on the first day of the new administration, is reflective of the high priority that the Trump administration places on the U.S. relationship with America’s ally, Israel. He further noted that the members of Trump’s foreign-policy team recognize Israel’s unique role as a vibrant democracy in the Middle East and are strong supporters of the Trump administration’s deeply held commitment to Israel and to the advancement of peace in the region.

Speaking about his own goals, Friedman said that as a proud American he is honored to have the opportunity to represent the United States to the government and people of Israel and to focus his efforts on strengthening the bond between the two countries. In response to a student’s question, Friedman affirmed that support for Israel is a bipartisan issue in the U.S., and he said that during and since his confirmation process, he has continued to reach out to senators and representatives on both sides of the aisle to assure support among Democratic and Republican elected officials.

Yom HaAtzma’ut at HAFTR’s ECC

On a more personal note, Friedman noted his long relationship with HAFTR: he is a graduate of the Hebrew Institute of Long Island (HILI), which merged with Hillel to form the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway. A father of four distinguished HAFTR graduates and a daughter in ninth grade, Friedman recalled that he was an active school leader, including his tenure as chairman of HAFTR’s board of education. A highly successful lawyer, Friedman has left his legal practice of 36 years, 23 of which were as a partner in the law firm Kasowitz, Benson, Torres and Friedman, to assume the ambassadorship.

Ms. Naomi Lippman, principal of general studies, spoke for the entire HAFTR High School faculty and student body when she told Friedman how proud the members of the school community are of his appointment to this auspicious position. “We wish you much hatzlachah and Hashem’s blessings in this critical role,” she said. “You have our complete confidence and our tefillot as you embark on this momentous journey as the United States’ premier emissary to the State of Israel.”

Yom HaAtzma’ut at HAFTR

Yom HaAtzma’ut Sameach! HAFTR celebrated the chag in fashion. In the evening, 800 parents, students, and staff members came together to celebrate Yom HaAtzma’ut as a school. Ms. Hammer opened the assembly and then handed off the program to fifth-grade students who facilitated the rest of the program. As part of the opening ceremony, they raised a flag that belonged to the Kfir Unit in Israel. Through narration, dance, and song, they discovered that all roads lead to Jerusalem. Throughout the evening, a variety of multiple intelligences were integrated into everything that was highlighted, including technology, daglanut, drama, art, and dance. The evening concluded with a tour of a mini-Israel that was created by students in first through fifth grades. The gym was transformed into a giant map of Israel. As you traveled between the many cities, you could learn about key aspects of each. There was also a hands-on component allowing students to fish in Eilat, go skiing in the Chermon, watch student-made advertisements for a variety of the cities, shop in shuk Machane Yehuda, and so much more.

On Tuesday morning, after festive tefillot, students spent the day celebrating Medinat Israel. They participated in a school-wide assembly, took class tours of mini-Israel, ate a special Israeli meal, learned about Israel while participating in class activities, and ended the day by watching the fifth-grade performance, a takeoff of the Wizard of Oz. In “Shvil Yisrael,” Devorah (Dorothy), Toto, and her new friends traveled through Israel to reach “Yerushalayim Ir HaZahav.” A special thank you to Bnot Sherut Lior Nadav and Sagit Shloush for their countless hours in making this year’s programs so special.

Arie Assaraf and Eitan Hazan at HAFTR

Although Israel is always on our minds, Tuesday was a day to reflect on its significance to us and thank Hashem that we have a medinah to call our own.

High-school students started the day with a tefillah chagigit as the entire school davened together with a festive Hallel. Students watched a moving video celebrating the day and many were inspired. This was viewed before Hallel to help better understand and appreciate the miracle of the State of Israel. The celebrations for 69th anniversary of the State of Israel continued with a carnival and lunch from Holy Schnitzel. Special thanks to the PTA for their sponsorship.

The preschool was all decked out in blue-and-white (as were the children) and looked so lovely. Children marched in a mini-parade with flags and crowns. Then they regrouped and sang all the wonderful songs Morah Leah taught them about Eretz Yisrael. During the day, they had special Maccabiah games, and an Israeli-style lunch was served to one and all. And what would a birthday be without treats? Blue-and-white cupcakes were the perfect end to a perfect day.

Before celebrating the birth of Medinat Yisrael, it is crucial to recognize the soldiers who gave their lives to make it a reality. On Monday, third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade HAFTR Lower School students participated in a moving ceremony that commemorated the 20th anniversary of the 1997 helicopter disaster in the Golan that took the lives of 73 soldiers. The presentation highlighted two of the soldiers, Shiloh Levy and Coby Ben Shem, who had ties to the HAFTR family.

Yom HaZikaron was observed with the utmost respect and kavod at HAFTR High School. Students and faculty participated in a meaningful tekes to commemorate Israel’s Memorial Day. The theme of the tekes was remembering the 73 soldiers who were killed in a helicopter accident 20 years ago. This was the largest loss of life in one day in Israeli army history. The soldiers were on a mission heading into Lebanon when the tragic crash occurred. Rabbis, faculty, and students participated in the program to memorialize these soldiers, viewing family members who lost their sons, brothers, and husbands testifying to the tragic event and describing the terrible pain they and all of Israel’s citizens went through. Understanding that the soldiers play a tremendous part in the protection of Israel and its borders is vital. It was an extremely moving ceremony, as there were few dry eyes in the audience. All the soldiers killed in the tragic accident and all other soldiers killed as they were protecting Israel should be remembered, and their families and Am Yisrael should find comfort. Special thanks to Ms. Nitzan Einat and the students who led the program for such an inspiring tekes.

Art Institute exhibit for the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center

Art Institute Students Exhibit at Holocaust Museum. Congratulations to students in the Art Institute program who have been selected to have their work exhibited in the 22st annual Juried Competition at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. The theme of this year’s competition is based on the Martin Niemoller quotation “First They Came For . . .” and the consequences of choosing to make a difference or not. This year HAFTR had the outstanding distinction of winning three prizes in the high-school division of the exhibit. First-place winner was Mariyah Bibi, second place was Grace Chabbott, and third place was awarded to Leora Gershkovich. Drawings and paintings by the following students were selected to be exhibited: Veronica Ambalo, Mariyah Bibi, Grace Chabbott, Celia Cohen, Emily Cohen, Leora Gershkovich, Chloe Gottlieb, Sigal Karasanti, Zoe Klein, Miriam Kopyto, Sarah Kopyto, Shelley Horowitz, Perrin Rudensky, and Kelly Wietschner. The Art Institute is under the direction of Mrs. Dale Malekoff.

This year, with the help of Ms. Lauren Lillien in the English department, they also had one literature entry titled “If Only.” This poem was written by Benny Waxman and Yonaton Sokol. The awards ceremony was held on Sunday, April 30. 

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