Around The Community
37 THE JEWISH HOME
PHOTO CREDIT SASSOON PHOTOGRAPHY
APRIL 16, 2015
8th Day, Uncle Moishy and Yaniv Meirov backstage at the Chazaq Chol Hamoed Uncle Moishy concert in Queens Bello the Clown entertaining the crowd
Uncle Moishy and Alef the Snowman
HANC High School and the Holy Land Israel is an important part of everyday life at HANC High School. Throughout the year students are involved in various academic and co-curriculum programs related to Israel Education and Advocacy. This year, HANC was privileged to be selected to pilot a program sponsored by Our Soldiers Speak, an intensive six month Zionism course given to all seniors with a focus on Israel and World Relations where students explore the history that leads to issues currently facing Israel. HANC’s Israel Advocacy Committee plans programs throughout the year to engage and educate the student body about Israel and what they can do to make a difference. From organizing a BIG Day to sell Israeli products to counter the BDS movement to screening Beneath the Helmet, a film about Israeli teens’ struggle to transition from civilian life to the army one, the Israel Advocacy Program is always looking for ways to involve students. In addition, HANC students are provided with programming that teaches them to effectively advocate for Israel and to learn ways to combat anti-Israel sentiment. Each year HANC students are selected to participate in the pres-
tigious Write On for Israel Program featured by the Jewish Week. Noted author Yossi Klein Halevi captivated students with his talk about his book Like Dreamers, the story of seven paratroopers who fought for the liberation of Jerusalem in 1967. Recently, students initiated a campaign to write letters to soldiers stationed on the Syrian border. The organization, Stand With Us, gave a seminar to students on how to respond to anti-Israel questions on campus. These types of programs inspire students to take action. When a performance of an anti-Semitic opera, The Death of Klinghoffer, was to be performed by the Metropolitan Opera, a group of seniors went to protest the performance of the opera. The Israel Action Committee and HPAC (HANC’s Policy Awareness Committee) both stepped up with amazing informative programs inviting students to participate in a series of “Lunch Talks.” This included the screening of “Crossing the Line2,” a documentary about the BDS movement on college campuses across the country and “Israel Election for Dummies” which helped students furthers their understanding of the Israeli political process. HANC alum and lone Israeli soldier, Kevin
Hochhausser, stopped in as a surprise for the crowded room of students. The entire student body and faculty also watched Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress. In reaction to the tragic acts of terror in Har Nof, HANC brought in the brother of one of victims who related the impact his brother had on the Jewish community. In addition to lunch time Tehillim groups, a school-wide siyum mishnayot was arranged in memory of the three teenage boys who were mur-
dered this past summer. Most notably this year, HANC High School was awarded AIPAC’s first ever Early Action Exemplar Award, awarded to a school for outstanding efforts to improve the American-Israel relationship by fulfilling fall and spring student initiatives to spread awareness to core student leaders and student body members. HANC is looking forward to celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut with singer Eitan Katz in concert.
SHALOM BAYIS HOTLINE
All calls completely anonymous-9:30pm-11pm S/T/TH Basic Problem solving/Referrals to local therapists
Call: 516 430 5280