This past Monday, we commemorated Yom Hashoah, a day to honour the memories of those who perished in the Holocaust and those who survived, as well as a day to educate the next generation about the atrocities of the past in an effort to prevent them from ever reoccurring.
At 1:40 pm, all girl in Ulpanat Orot were directed to back staircase which was enshrouded in darkness and small flickering flames fought to make their statement in the darkness. As the student ascended the theme of the day, bravery, became immediatley apparent as multiple voices rang out with stories of those who risked their lives to save others during the Holocaust. After everyone was seated, names and bios were read aloud about several people who perished but whose bravery remains in the legacy they left behind. The program continued with the recitation of several poems, intertwined with audio-visual presentations emphasising the need for bravery, both then and now. Then, our speaker, Mrs. Vera Gold, grandmother of our very own Rachel Gold, spoke about her experiences as a child survivor. The program concluded with a candle lighting ceremony, the recitation of E-l Malei Rachamim, a moment of silence and an inspiring schoolwide tefilat Mincha. The Grade 12 girls, lead by their dedicated and talented mechanechet, Mrs. Gemara, truly put in a lot of effort and sensitivity into this moving assembly that inspired all of those present.
