2008 Woodie Awards
YU Community Commemorates then Celebrates: Hundreds Gather in Lamport Auditorium for Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut
Shiffy Staiman
Issue date: 5/13/08 Section: Israel
At 7:30 p.m. on May 7, the YU community gathered in the Wilf Campus's Lamport Auditorium to first remember the fallen Israeli soldiers and then to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut through tefilla chagigit, dancing and falafel.
Many students felt that the program gave them a chance to connect, even while living in the Diaspora. Dana Adler (SCW '09), who trained in an IDF combat unit, remarked that being in YU is the "second best place after being in Israel" for these days.
The ceremony began with student leaders, the seven newly elected presidents of the various student councils, carrying Israelis flags. The Israeli flag in the center was lowered and the organizer of the event, Yael Wolynetz (SCW '08), delivered the opening remarks. Before remembering the Israeli casualties of war and terrorism, Wolynetz took a moment to remember the victims of the recent devastating cyclone in Myanmar.
The remarks were followed by the YU A capella group's beautiful rendition of mah avarech (How shall I bless?), an Israeli song often sung to pay tribute to the soldiers who died at such a young age.
Perhaps one of the most touching moments of the evening was when six students, all of whom had either served in the Israeli Defense Forces or Sherut Leumi (National Service), were called up to light candles. Six candles were lit, each representing a decade of war, tragedy and victims.
Adler, one of the six students, remarked that she is "continually impressed" with the university's attitude to Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Hazikaron in YU. "I thought it was really special because coming back from Israel and the army, I had a mix of different emotions and did not know how things work here. I am surprised and impressed how people react and how Yom Ha'atzmaut is celebrated."
The first speaker, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, was introduced by TAC President Laura Shuman (SCW '09). He opened with the caveat, "I am not going to give any mussar, any drush, any hashkafa; I am going to simply tell you a story." Rabbi Lamm enlightened the crowd with his memories of being a student at YU in 1948. At the time, although far from the fighting in Israel (then Palestine), Rabbi Lamm and his peers felt a strong sense of responsibility and helped in any way they could.
Many students felt that the program gave them a chance to connect, even while living in the Diaspora. Dana Adler (SCW '09), who trained in an IDF combat unit, remarked that being in YU is the "second best place after being in Israel" for these days.
The ceremony began with student leaders, the seven newly elected presidents of the various student councils, carrying Israelis flags. The Israeli flag in the center was lowered and the organizer of the event, Yael Wolynetz (SCW '08), delivered the opening remarks. Before remembering the Israeli casualties of war and terrorism, Wolynetz took a moment to remember the victims of the recent devastating cyclone in Myanmar.
The remarks were followed by the YU A capella group's beautiful rendition of mah avarech (How shall I bless?), an Israeli song often sung to pay tribute to the soldiers who died at such a young age.
Perhaps one of the most touching moments of the evening was when six students, all of whom had either served in the Israeli Defense Forces or Sherut Leumi (National Service), were called up to light candles. Six candles were lit, each representing a decade of war, tragedy and victims.
Adler, one of the six students, remarked that she is "continually impressed" with the university's attitude to Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Hazikaron in YU. "I thought it was really special because coming back from Israel and the army, I had a mix of different emotions and did not know how things work here. I am surprised and impressed how people react and how Yom Ha'atzmaut is celebrated."
The first speaker, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, was introduced by TAC President Laura Shuman (SCW '09). He opened with the caveat, "I am not going to give any mussar, any drush, any hashkafa; I am going to simply tell you a story." Rabbi Lamm enlightened the crowd with his memories of being a student at YU in 1948. At the time, although far from the fighting in Israel (then Palestine), Rabbi Lamm and his peers felt a strong sense of responsibility and helped in any way they could.
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