By: Bailey Spitz (9th Grade)
This past Thursday 17 schools gathered together to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s 71st birthday, at Marlins Park Stadium. Hebrew Academy began the day with a school-wide davening, followed by a bus ride to the stadium where they were greeted with an array of floats, entertainers, soldiers, and captivating speakers.
This years Yom Ha’Atzmaut event was record breaking with 4,000 attendees, 1,000 more than last year. In addition to the Jewish schools attending, two Christian schools joined in on the celebration
“It was really cool to see all of our schools together, and it was really nice to see everybody uniting to celebrate Israel’s birthday,” said Daniella Shakib (11th grade).
As the event went on, the Jumbotron lit up with a lineup of supermodels, former and present NBA and NFL players, designers, and even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, wishing everyone a Happy Yom Ha’Atzmaut.
Despite all the incredible celebrity appearances, the highlight of the event was a performance by Gad Elbaz. The crowd danced to his music, as he sang songs that honored the 71st birthday of the Jewish homeland.
Following the entertainment, students enjoyed a barbecue and caught up with friends from other schools.
“I had the best time because I got to see all my friends from other schools,” said Kaitlyn Lieber (9th).
Attendees said that this year’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut event was joyful and meaningful. Celebrating at Marlin Park allowed for a feeling of unity as everyone came together with a common love for Israel.
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