She spoke about how music, a central part of Yotam’s life, has been a source of healing, and how choosing positivity and connection continues to guide their family.

Tuval z”l played drums and sang Ben Adam, an anthem of unity that our students know well. For months, the Bernstein children led us in this song at the Academy as we prayed for the hostages and chayalim; yesterday morning, Tuval joined them, sharing with all of us an updated, upbeat rendition on the drums. It was a deeply moving moment of strength and light for all of us.

This visit reminded us of the power of resilience and of our responsibility to support one another.

Iris shared a message that resonates deeply: they do not see Yotam z”l as having fallen, but as having risen. Yehi zichro baruch.

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A special pre-dinner panel with Natan Sharansky, Rabbi Avi Weiss, and Rachel Sharansky Danziger reflected on the struggle for Soviet Jewry and the responsibility of Jewish advocacy. Seeing students, educators, parents, and grandparents together was a powerful reminder of our mission to educate the next generation.

The program included shira, reflections, and tributes, celebrating Guests of Honor Diana and Alex Tsigutkin, honoring Shoshi Radinsky with the Audrey Schurgin Memorial Faculty Award, and presenting the Or V’Ometz Award to Natan Sharansky.

Missed a moment or want to relive?

Watch the related videos: bit.ly/sar-57-Playlist
See photos: saracademy.org/galleries
Support the campaign: °µÍřAVDinner.org

The courage of one generation inspires the next — and we are proud to help carry that story forward.

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The °µÍřAV Academy 7th grade boys concluded their Bar Mitzvah and Beyond program, a special weekly after-school program for 7th grade boys and their parents, led by Judaic Studies faculty member Rabbi Steve Moskowitz. The program is designed to prepare students for the milestone of becoming a bar mitzvah.

For the final session, students participated in a hands-on tzitzit lesson, joined by Rabbi Daniel Gottesman, an °µÍřAV High School Judaic Studies faculty member. Rabbi Gottesman taught the students the significance of tzitzit and demonstrated how to tie them. Following the lesson, each student received a bag and a set of strings and eagerly put their new skills into practice.

Kol hakavod to all the 7th grade students and their families for their participation and dedication throughout this year’s program. Special thanks to Rabbi Moskowitz for leading such a meaningful and engaging learning experience!

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On Sunday, May 18, 2025, °µÍřAV Academy (Grades 4–8) and °µÍřAV High School students, along with faculty and staff, proudly represented the school at the “Israel Day on Fifth” Parade. The sun was shining down at this year’s parade, organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and centered on the theme of Hatikvah—”The Hope.” °µÍřAV joined countless schools, synagogues, and organizations in marching up Fifth Avenue in solidarity with Israel.

The °µÍřAV parade shirts—designed by °µÍřAV High School student Liat Bikel (Grade 9)—beautifully reflected this year’s theme. The light blue shirts featured the °µÍřAV logo and a yellow ribbon on the front, while the back displayed hopeful quotes in Hebrew and English, along with a powerful visual message. Liat’s design centered around a yellow flower—echoing the yellow ribbon—growing through cracks, symbolizing the resilience of our nation and the ability to grow and thrive despite the hardships we have endured, especially in recent times. Her thoughtful design captured both the spirit of the day and the strength of Am Yisrael.

The °µÍřAV students represented the school community with pride, marching in solidarity with Israel. They sang, danced, and cheered all the way up Fifth Avenue, as spectators joined in and waved from the sidelines, expressing shared hope and pride. 

°µÍřAV marched alongside local leaders who continue to show support for Israel and the broader Jewish community.

°µÍřAV was also honored to be joined by Hadas Hershkovitz, a former °µÍřAV teacher visiting from Israel. Hadas taught at °µÍřAV with her husband Yossi z”l, who was tragically killed in Gaza in November 2023. It was an honor to celebrate Yossi’s legacy of leadership, kindness, commitment to Torah and education, and unwavering love for Am Yisrael at this year’s parade. Thank you to the parade organizers and to the NYPD for ensuring a safe and uplifting day for all.

Am Yisrael Chai!

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Chazak v’Ematz! What an unforgettable evening of STRENGTH, IMPACT, AND UNITY!

We celebrated the 56th Anniversary of °µÍřAV, honoring the incredible strength and impact of our community. Our program told the stories of alumni, parents, community members, and faculty—whose lives have been shaped by the values we hold dear. From teachers who have devoted their careers to building students’ intellectual and spiritual foundations, to alumni who embody Jewish resilience and leadership, the narrative of °µÍřAV is one of enduring strength and dedication.

We proudly celebrated beloved teachers Tobie Brandriss and Bob Goodman, who have dedicated decades to nurturing students, as well as alumni who carry °µÍřAV’s values into their accomplishments around the world.

Thank you to everyone who made this night so meaningful. Together, we stand tall and move forward! 

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What an exciting day! Israeli supertalent and Eurovision star Eden Golan just had to see the magic of °µÍřAV for herself—and surprised us all with an amazing performance of her anthem “Hurricane” and her recent hit “Older” with our entire school community on both campuses.

Joined by 14 families from Kibbutz Alumim, we filled the Academy building with music, unity, and pride. Eden sang alongside us in Acheinu and Hatikva, witnessing firsthand our students’ deep dedication to Israel—a powerful, unforgettable moment of connection for all.

Eden then sat down with our 7th and 8th graders for an inspiring Q&A, facilitated by Rabbi Krauss. She shared insights into her musical journey, creative process, and courageous Eurovision experience. Rabbi Harcsztark also had the opportunity to ask Eden about her time in the Eurovision competition, how her fellow contestants treated her, and how it felt to return home after such an intense and meaningful experience. Click to view the program at the Academy.

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This morning, we gathered with them on the steps for tefilot for Israel, highlighted by a surprise performance from Israeli music sensation and Eurovision star Eden Golan, who sang her anthem Hurricane and her current hit Older, as our students and guests joined in, their eyes lit with excitement. Together, we sang AcheinuĚý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚýHatikva, our guests witnessing our students’ deep dedication to Israel—an unforgettable moment for all of us.

Throughout the day, the children from Kibbutz Alumim joined our students in meaningful activities, from chesed tent projects to creative time in our arts and ceramics studios. Other highlights of their visit will include Shabbat with their host communities, a visit to the Bronx Zoo, a Knicks game, a performance of The Lion King, and trips to American Dream and Woodbury Commons.

We are deeply grateful to the host families who stepped up on short notice to make this visit possible. This week has already proven transformative for our guests, their hosts, and our entire community, deepening our solidarity with Medinat Yisrael and forging lasting bonds.

If you are able, please consider supporting this initiative. Your contributions will help cover the costs of activities, transportation, and meals for the families. Donations can be made here.

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°µÍřAV Academy & High School students, faculty, and staff stood in solidarity with the families of hostages still held captive, praying for their safe return. We were deeply moved by the powerful words of the families of Yair and Eitan Horn, Oded Lifshitz, and Omer Shem Tov, and we hope they felt strengthened by our students’ tefilot. 

The family members joined °µÍřAV Academy for meaningful Tefilot for Israel “On the Steps.” The school community gathered to recite Tehillim and song as relatives reminded students that their prayers matter.

At °µÍřAV High School, the special guests shared words of hope, spoke about the personalities of their missing loved ones, shared the harrowing stories of their abductions, and described their ongoing efforts to bring them home. May Hashem return all of the hostages.

Leat Ungar, cousin of hostage Omer Shem Tov, says, “Omer loves music and wants to be a music producer. He’s the guy whose shoulder everyone leans on.” Omer was at the Nova music festival when the rocket fire began. He tried to escape but terrorists shot into the car, wounding his friends, and kidnapped him across the Gaza border. His family saw him later that night on a video with other hostages. Today, they understand that he is still alive, though struggling to breathe due to asthma and celiac. He is keeping his faith strong in captivity by rationing his food and reciting kiddush on Shabbat as a way to ensure he doesn’t lose his identity. Leat says, “Some days I cannot get out of bed, but then I remind myself that if Omer can keep his faith in captivity, who am I not to?” 

Oded Lifshitz, a founder of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was always helping his Gazan neighbors by driving them to medical appointments and helping to improve their education system. “He is the only grandfather being held hostage,” says his grandson, Daniel. Oded loved playing piano, working in his cactus garden and sharing Friday night dinners with the family. He says, “He fought in four wars and always promoted peace.” On October 7th, five  terrorists entered Daniel’s grandparents’ home, shot five bullets into the safe room and took them both to Gaza.. “My grandmother lost 22 pounds in 17 days but we were lucky to get her back in the first hostage release in November,” he says. “We thought my grandfather had been murdered but we were told that although he was shot, they had removed the bullet and he is alive, and is being held captive in a house. We pray he will be home soon.” 

Dalia Kushnir, sister of Yair and Eitan Horn, says, “That weekend, the siblings were supposed to have Shabbat together on the kibbutz but my husband decided to stay home. On October 7th, they texted that they were in the safe room and were OK but soon they stopped responding. We didn’t know anything till November 25th when a woman who was released in the hostage deal said that they were alive. Yair was being kept with the soldiers and was fighting dehydration and starvation. Eitan was being kept with a family where he was helping the woman take care of the kids. “I know for sure that Eitan, Yair and all the hostages will return to  Israel,” she says. “I’m doing everything I can to stay strong since they’re going to come back sick and weak and we are going to help them rebuild their lives.” 

The family members fear that people will get used to seeing the hostages on a poster, and will be sad for a second and move on. “Do a small thing every day in the name of a hostage, wear a hostage pin, and help us keep them alive,” says Daniel. Thank you to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum for ensuring this message stays at the forefront of our minds.

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