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Heschel Commemorates Yom HaShoah

As the community returned to school after Passover, the marking Yom HaShoah was waiting in the wings. Heschel commemorated the Shoah throughout the week through meaningful and age appropriate programming. 

On Monday, Grade 5 heard from Heschel parent Elisha Wiesel about the importance of telling the story of the Shoah. It helped set the stage for Yom HaShoah, where Grades 4 and 5 listened to Gabe Godin, Director of Communications, tell the story of his grandmother.

The High School gathered for a Yom HaShoah program on Wednesday where they had the privilege to hear from Mrs. Ray Kaner, grandmother of Lizzy Kaner (HS '17) and Elliot Kaner (Grade 6). Lizzy introduced her grandmother and reflected on the importance of being a part of a Jewish community, and the magnitude of commemorating the Shoah. Ray shared stories and reflections about both her and her family's experiences during the Shoah, and expressed gratitude that her children and grandchildren were able to live a free life and receive a Jewish education.

On Yom HaShoah, the community entered the building to powerful displays and transformed spaces organized by faculty and the Holocaust Commemoration Committee that both honored survivors and memorialized those who perished in the Shoah.  Heschel grandparent, Sally Frishberg, spoke to Grades 6 and 7 about her personal experiences during the Shoah, and the High School gathered for a memorial service after tefillah.