ICJA Students Raise the Israeli Flag Downtown to Celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut

On May 8, 2025, students headed downtown as the City of Chicago marked the secular date of Yom HaAtzmaut and a JUF-organized ceremony raising the Israeli flag over Daley Center in downtown Chicago.

ICJA was in the center of the ceremony: seniors Ella Kakon and Emily Darlow read the Tefillot for Israeli and the Israeli hostages; senior Avi Chen recited the Prayer for the State of Israel in Hebrew; and senior Ranon Ginsberg recited the Prayer for the State of Israel in English. Students heard from JUF Board Chair Wendy Abrams, Israel Consul General to the Midwest Yinam Cohen, and Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza. Students also had a chance to dance with former ICJA parent Ald. Debra Silverstein.

Yasher koach to our students for providing much of the ceremony’s ruach and singing.