ICJA Celebrates Yom HaAtzmaut 5786

Today, ICJA transformed into a slice of Israel as ICJA students marked Israel’s 78th birthday.

After a special all-school davening, students enjoyed a gala Israeli breakfast, complete with “Aroma Coffee” brewed in our very own cafeteria. Students then heard an informative briefing about the current state of Israeli politics before heading into a school building that was virtually unrecognizable.

The Learning Commons and Cafeteria housed different Israeli stations: IDF training, humus-making, a limonana station, areas to learn about the giants of Torah learning in the land of Israel, Magen David Adom lessons in first aid, Israeli start-up workshops, drone lessons, and more. In back of our school, Rabbi Segal grilled homemade pitot out of dough our students made by hand. In front, students enjoyed rides on a camel and created a Tel Aviv-style graffiti mural.

Students then headed downtown to Daley Plaza for today’s Israeli flag-raising and Yom haAtzmaut celebration, led by JUF Chicago. Seniors Mina Brandes and Jayden Perlman led the Prayer for the State of Israel in Hebrew and in English, and senior Yehuda Goldstein recited a Mishebera for Israeli soldiers. Another highlight of the event was meeting Israel’s Consul General to Chicago and the Midwest Elad Strohmayer, who met with ICJA students and posed for photographs.

Afterwards, students returned to school for a gala Israeli-style lunch of schwarma, pita, humus, and more, followed by ruach-filled dancing. It wa truly a memorable and joyous celebration.

Thank you to the many teachers and administrators who planned today’s festivities, and to Gertz family who ensure that ICJA students truly celebrate Israel on Yom HaAtzmaut in memory of Doris and Paul Rosenberg, z”l.