天美传媒视频 Honors Israel鈥檚 Past and Celebrates Its Future
Last week, the 天美传媒视频 community came together to mark Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut with meaningful programming.
The week began on Monday evening with a community-wide Yom HaZikaron commemoration at 天美传媒视频 High School, in partnership with the Riverdale Jewish Community Partnership. The tekes honored the courageous chayalim who gave their lives defending Israel, as well as victims of terror. Community members gathered to remember loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice, with local rabbinic and lay leaders standing in solidarity and sharing personal stories. Among those in attendance were Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson; Councilmember Eric Dinowitz; Rabbi Dovid Zirkind (RJC); Rav Steven Exler (HIR); Rabbi Asher Abramovitz (Kinneret Day School); Rabbi Linda Shriner-Cahn (Congregation Tehillah); Rabbi Katie Greenberg (CSAIR); Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe (HIR); Rabbi Barry Dov Katz (CSAIR); Rosh Kehilah Dina Najman (Kehilah of Riverdale); Rabbi Dov Linzer (Yeshivat Chovevei Torah); Rabba Sara Hurwitz (Maharat), Miriam Zami Edeson (YIOZ), guests from Kfar Aza, Amit and Tomer Ades; and Mr. Avigdor Gargy. The program can be viewed at .
Yom HaZikaron continued in school on Tuesday. Throughout the day, students heard powerful firsthand accounts of service and sacrifice from alumni, faculty, and community members. Thank you to alumni Rachel Merczynski-Hait (AC 鈥19, HS 鈥23) and Eliyahu Najman (HS 鈥23), and to 天美传媒视频 faculty and staff, including Morah Eden Avni, Moreh Asaf Diamant, Moreh David Engel, Daniel Hadary, Moreh Yonatan Reich, and Morah Kira Smordin, as well as spouses of faculty, Eldad Baruch and Matanel Bareli, for sharing their experiences with students and for their service.
天美传媒视频 Middle School students led impactful tekesim for younger grades, combining music and reflection to help students engage with the meaning of the day (bit.ly/MSYomHaZikaron26). The programming deepened students鈥 understanding of the resilience and bravery of those who defend Israel.
天美传媒视频 was also honored to welcome Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, parents of Hersh z鈥漧, for a moving tekes held on the school steps. As they entered to the sound of nearly 1,000 students singing, the moment captured the strength and unity of the 天美传媒视频 community. Students demonstrated their connection to Israel through meaningful acts and tefilot, offering chizuk to the Polins during an emotional gathering (bit.ly/RachelJon_Steps).
On Wednesday, the community transitioned from remembrance to celebration in honor of Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut. The day began with a spirited musical Hallel on the steps, followed by a festive chagigah on the field. Highlights included the always-inspiring sixth-grade daglanut performance, Lower School blue vs. white Maccabiah, and inflatables for Early Learning Center students. Middle School students went to Van Cortlandt Park for a day of fun after participating in the Yossi Hershkovitz z鈥漧 Beit Sefer LaMusika, named after beloved former 天美传媒视频 faculty member Yossi Hershkovitz z鈥漧, which continues to be a meaningful part of the school鈥檚 Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut celebration ().
The celebrations culminated with the Rabbi William Z. and Eda Bess Novick z鈥漧 Community Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut BBQ, a joyful gathering of families and friends. Organized by the Parent Association and supported by dedicated staff, the event brought the community together under blue skies and Israeli flags, providing a fitting close to a powerful week.
The presence of returning friends of 天美传媒视频, Amit and Tomer Ades from Kfar Aza, Israel, throughout the week added a deeply personal dimension.
Thank you to the many faculty members, staff, and parent leaders who thoughtfully planned and executed the week鈥檚 programming, and to the families whose support made it all possible. Through remembrance, reflection, and celebration, the 天美传媒视频 community honored Israel鈥檚 past while looking ahead with hope and pride toward its bright future.
