On Thursday, April 12, the students and faculty observed Yom HaShoah at SAR Academy. As students in grades two through eight gathered on the steps, Rabbi Binyamin Krauss, principal, told the students that on Pesach, we ask questions and today, we also ask questions—many questions that cannot be answered, but we still have to ask and we need to remember the stories. The school was honored to welcome survivors and children of survivors to light nerot zikaron in memory of the six million. Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg, chanted the Kel Maleh Rachamim, and select students participated in readings. The program concluded with Hatikvah, beautifully transitioning towards a hopeful future.

Grades three through eight had the unique opportunity to hear stories of the Shoah directly from survivors or children of survivors. The middle school also participated in a program in which students and teachers recited biographical information about one of their family members who died in the Holocaust, powerfully connecting the students to past generations. Other students read meaningful selections of poetry, and songs were sung in a “slow shira” style. While seventh graders and some eighth graders viewed “Names, Not Numbers©”, a film produced by SAR eighth grade students in which survivors were interviewed by students. Other eighth graders led a Holocaust-themed lesson for sixth grade students.

Throughout the day, every hour, students and faculty stood in silence to honor and remember the six million as Rabbi Krauss recited the names of SAR family members who perished in the Holocaust. The importance of remembering the kedoshim was felt throughout the SAR Academy building and the deep sense of hope was present as well.

Yehi Zichram Baruch.