Milken Celebrates Israel’s 70th Birthday

Milken joyfully celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) with special programming, music, dancing, speakers, and a falafel lunch on Thursday, April 19. Blue and white Israeli flags adorned the Upper and Middle School campuses, flying high on the occasion of Israel’s 70th birthday.

 

Students at the Saperstein Middle School campus heard from guest speaker Moty Avisar, a former Israeli Air Force officer and co-founder of Surgical Theater— a company which developed flight simulator technology to aid in brain surgery. He talked about the virtual reality technology they use to train surgeons like fighter pilots to preview their surgical procedures. The technology takes an MRI or cat scan and creates a 360-degree virtual reality image.

 

Students saw firsthand how the technology works exploring two simulation programs. Chloe Rastegar ’23 donned the VR headset and was soon flying high in an F16, while Shawn Salma-Torban ’23 examined the brain of a patient with a tumor. Citing that many technological advances come from Israel, Avisar told students to be innovative and special and to make the world a better place than how they find it. He added, “Part of being Jewish and Israeli is helping humankind.”

 

Israel’s history was front and center in the Advisories as students learned about the seven decades of art, music, food, and movies of Israel.

 

In the amphitheater, which was outlined in blue tape representing a map of Israel, students waved Israeli flags while wearing hats they decorated. They marched within Israel’s borders and formed the words “Israel 70.” A drone overhead captured the celebration. The Israeli Dance Company performed, students sang songs from seven different decades, some which they learned during their Hebrew classes, and they performed a dance to the song “Chai Chai,” choreographed by Humanities Teacher and Department Chair Sirida Graham Terk. It was a rousing celebration.

 

The festivities concluded with everyone quietly chanting a prayer for Israel, "Avinu Shebashamayim," as 70 white doves were released into the sky in the dramatic grand finale. Organizer and Hebrew Teacher Jackie Edery hoped that students would come away from the celebration knowing they were “part of Israel our Homeland” and that they would be inspired to innovate.“Am Yisrael Chai [which translates to the nation of Israel lives] at Milken,” said Edery. “It was moving to see 200 students and teachers march, dance, sing, and salute the state of Israel.”

 

The Upper School marked the event with a special Town Meeting in the Margolis Theater. The energetic crowd proudly waved Israeli flags. The Kol Echad sang spirited renditions of the national anthem and “Hatikvah,” and the Israeli Dance Company wowed the audience with several numbers.

 

Rabbinic Director Rabbi Gordon Bernat-Kunin explained, “On Yom Ha’atzmaut, our challenge is not only to celebrate the marvels of Israel’s existence but to marvel at what Israel makes possible … In my experience, the most compelling dimension of what Israel makes possible is the quality of the people who live there.” He shared an example of his good friend who persevered and gave back at every turn. “Like his ancestors, he fulfills the motto of Livnot ulehibanot—to build and be built,” remarked Bernat-Kunin. “He reminds me that one of the gifts of modern Israel is the privilege to struggle and build a Jewish nation and fulfill one’s higher responsibility.”

 

Two student speakers addressed the audience. Yonit Robin ’19 talked about Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers’ contributions to Israel and urged students to write letters to thank them for their service. Nicole Bardi ’19 encouraged everyone to advocate for Israel. She shared that she spent four months in Israel and felt a strong connection with the people because it was the Jewish homeland, it made them family. The Town Meeting ended on a fun note when Dani Dassa, the father of Israeli Dance Team Director David Dassa, led the crowd in a lively dance.

 

It was a fun and exciting day on both campuses as they celebrated the establishment of the state of Israel and their love for the country.