SAR Academy Honors Israel’s Past and Celebrates Its Future

Last week, the SAR Academy community came together to mark Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut with meaningful programming.

The week began on Monday evening with a community-wide Yom HaZikaron commemoration at SAR 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 bit.ly/RJCPYomHaZikaron26.

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 ’19, HS ’23) and Eliyahu Najman (HS ’23), and to SAR 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.

SAR 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’ understanding of the resilience and bravery of those who defend Israel.

SAR Academy was also honored to welcome Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, parents of Hersh z”l, 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 SAR 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’atzmaut. 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”l Beit Sefer LaMusika, named after beloved former SAR Academy faculty member Yossi Hershkovitz z”l, which continues to be a meaningful part of the school’s Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration (bit.ly/BeitSeferLaMusika26).

The celebrations culminated with the Rabbi William Z. and Eda Bess Novick z”l Community Yom Ha’atzmaut 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 SAR Academy, 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’s programming, and to the families whose support made it all possible. Through remembrance, reflection, and celebration, the SAR community honored Israel’s past while looking ahead with hope and pride toward its bright future.