By Theresa Lapore 

Students from Micah Children’s Academy celebrate Israel Independence Day 

Yom Ha'atzmaut, or Israel Independence Day commemorates the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948. In Israel, Jewish people celebrate the day with fireworks, barbecues, and public concerts. Micah Children’s Academy celebrated the day by learning about the Israeli culture!   

MCA students started the festivities by wearing blue and white outfits and parading through the halls of MCA and Congregation Micah all while waving their custom-made Israeli flags. They made their way outside to find the Israeli flag, then stopped to recite a prayer for Israel and proudly sang Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem.  

Micah students journey through the Red Sea 

The students continued their journey and came upon the Red Sea.  They had no choice but to go through it to continue their way to Israel. They suddenly found themselves immersed in the Israeli culture. Melissa Sostrin, our enrichment coordinator, set up stations that gave each child an opportunity to experience part of this vibrant culture. Classrooms were challenged by finding the Hebrew letter that corresponded with the station they were to visit. Once at their station, they were able to experience all things, Israel! Each classroom rotated to each station until they had completed their journey.  

Students explore an Israeli salt map

Students tasted Kadurei chocolates, smelled Israeli aromatics, explored an Israel salt map, and played Israeli games with Noam, our shilcha who is visiting from Israel. We also explored an ancient archeological dig, fished in the Sea of Galilee, decorated a Hamsa and visited and painted the Western Wall. What a trip! Of course, we were exhausted from our trip, but we will never forget the hands-on learning experience this provided us. Happy 74th birthday, Israel!