Update: 8th Graders in Washington DC

What a busy day in the nation's capital was had by 8th graders today!  In addition to visiting the Washington Mall, and spending time on Capitol Hill and the National Sculpture Garden, the 8th graders also visited the Folger Shakespeare Library, which is the home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare materials. The 8th graders were also met today at the Capitol by a Kadima alum who is speechwriter for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. 

Lunch at Folger Park/Shakespeare Library

 National Sculpture Garden

Dinner at the Hard Rock

Catalina Island: 6th and 7th Graders En Route

The 6th and 7th grade Catalina trip departed EARLIER than expected, with 100% attendance and smiles everywhere...  Be sure to check the blog regularly for updates and pictures. 

En Route on the Catalina Express

Ethan, Zachary and Gabe

Sapir, Dalia and Jonah

Zichron Ya'akov, Druze Village Isfiya, and Yom HaZikaron: The Latest Happenings from the 8th Grade Delegation in Israel

The past few days have been busy for  the 8th grade delegates in Israel.  In addition to visiting Zichron Ya'akov and  Rothchild  park, the students visited the Druze village Isfiya (near Haifa), where they learned about the Druze culture and religion. Delegates also went for a hike in Alona Park and saw the Carmel area that was ravaged by fires this past December.

Kadima students at the Ort Yom HaZikaron Ceremony

For Erev Yom HaZikaron students went to Rokach Elementary school for a community Yom HaZikaron ceremony.  It was a beautiful ceremony covering Israel's 7 wars.  The program included readings, music and a dance show. Family members who had lost their loved ones were there commemorating their loss. 

Earlier today, delegates started Yom HaZikaron with Shiur Chinuch (an Advisory type class), where they discussed the IDF moral and ethical code, its importance, and how it makes Israel's army is unique.  Later in the day, the delegates were part of Ort Singalovski's Yom HaZikaron ceremony - our students, wearing their Kadima shirts, along with Rabbi Bluman and Mrs. Yalovsky read a poem in both Hebrew and English in front of over a thousand people!  During the ceremony the delegates heard from the mother of Alon Avrahami, a graduate of Ort 7 years ago, who was lost to one of Israel's wars. She had managed to deeply touch all of our hearts. 

During our Yoman Masa time, Kadima students discussed all that they have heard, seen and experienced during the last day. Our students were impressed and touched by the sadness around them and how Israel changed for the 24 hour period that is Yom HaZikaron.  They also witnessed traffic stopping as sirens signified a moment of silence in remembrance of 23,000 people who had lost their lives to defend the State of Israel. We know that our students will keep this memory with them for many years to come.

Washington DC: 8th Graders in the Nation's Capital

Yossi, Justin, Michael, Moshe, Gregory,
Aaron, Tyler and Tal at the airport after arriving in Washington.

The 8th grade trip to Washington D. C. culminates the 8th grade research projects for our nation's capital. During this trip, students will gain an appreciation of our country, its democratic government, and the role of history and the men and women who shaped it.  This trip is chaperoned by General Studies Principal, Mrs. Combs, and Social Studies teacher, Mrs. Siegel. 

Tal and Tyler on the Capitol Building steps.

Michael and Yossi.  Capitol building is seen in the background.

Shabbat Shalom & Shavua Tov from the 8th Grade Delegates in Israel

For Shabbat/Friday night dinner, the students spent the evening with their host families. On Shabbat morning they attended services at a Sepharadic temple named Hechal HaNess, where our students and Rabbi Bluman were called for 2 Aliyot and Birkat HaCohanim. The delegation received a blessing from their Rabbi. After services, the delegation met for a picnic brunch at the park. The pictures below are from Saturday evening, where the delegation enjoyed an ethnic music show with Nir Kravitz - it was tons of fun and there were many instruments. After the show, the students went for ice cream in the old city of Jaffa.

Orian, Mika, Leore and Skye

On Sunday, the delegates visited the IDF Museum, where they learned about Israel's wars, Tzahal officers, Israel security forces and what Yom HaZikaron (Remembrance Day) means for Israelis.  They also visited the Rabin memorial, where they learned about Itzchak Rabin, his peace legacy and his assassination, after which they placed a wreath on his grave. After that, they enjoyed an Israeli lunch at Aboulafiya bakery.  

Toby, Edan, Ian, Ronen, and Avi

Delegates at the Rabin Memorial along with Rabbi Bluman, and Mrs. Yalovsky.

8th Grade Delegation Arrives in Israel

The Kadima delegation was greeted warmly upon arriving in Israel.  Each student started their trip by re-uniting with Ort Yad Sigalovski (Ort) students who visited Kadima this past fall.  They kicked off their welcome breakfast, as a group, with an introduction to "Choco BeSakit" (chocolate milk in a bag), followed by a morning discussion and then an art class at Ort.  The delegation also visited a local museum exhibit titled Dialogue in the Dark and experienced an interactive workshop to discover the unseen.  To learn more about Dialogue in the Dark, please visit their website at www.dialogue-in-the-dark.com.

Welcome Breakfast

Morning Discussion

Ort Art Class

Delegates and their hosts outside the Dialogue in the Dark exhibit

Rabbi Bluman along with 3 students

8th Grade Delegation to Israel Departs Today

For the next twelve days, a group of 11 Kadima Day School 8th graders will be visiting Israel.  By this time tomorrow, this group will embark on one of the great experiences of their lifetime.  Together, along with their hosts from Ort Yad Singalovsky, they will establish new friendships, gain knowledge about the state of Israel, and gain new wisdom as Jews. We wish this group safe travels.

8th Graders at LAX getting ready to board their plane, along with their chaperones,
Rabbi David Bluman and Michal Yalovsky, Principal of Hebrew & Judaic Studies

ElAl Airplane in the background
that the group will be boarding. 

Getting ready to depart. 

As they become available, pictures and information will be posted to this blog, not only about the Israel trip, but also the upcoming 6th/7th grade trip to Catalina, the 8th grade trip to Washington DC and the 4th/5th grade trip to Sacramento.