Less than two weeks ago, our students were excitedly preparing for end of year ceremonies and graduation. Parents, students, and teachers were looking forward to celebrating the grit and hard work that got us all through an extraordinarily difficult year. But now we’re navigating another war. Schools are closed; ceremonies moved online. And almost every night’s sleep is interrupted by sirens. Whatever one’s opinion on the Iran war, its toll on young people is harsh, and it counters our enduring belief that peace is both urgent and possible here and across the region.
And still—nothing can diminish the pride we feel in all that Hand in Hand has accomplished this year. If anything, our staff and families worked harder than ever for every success. As the odds increasingly rose against us, we doubled down on our commitment to one another. Our educators and staff managed to create a new sense of “normal” for students in a highly abnormal reality, and continued to nourish the rare, precious fabric of our schools and communities.
And where would we be without the parents, who continue to believe in the vision of a shared society, despite everything? Many in our communities have suffered profound losses this past week—including damage to our very own HIH Jaffa “Kulna Yachad” School—and as always, the Hand in Hand family has stepped up with support, generosity, and care. It’s a testament to the resilience of our partnership, and affirms what we’ve known all along: compassion and connection are the best antidotes to fear, loss, and despair.
No one chooses to graduate over Zoom.
And yet, our stellar teachers found a way to make last week’s digital graduation ceremonies extra special and meaningful, despite the less than ideal circumstances.
At our Jerusalem school’s online graduation ceremony, beloved high school civics teacher Daniel De Shalit shared one of his signature hope-filled messages. Choosing love is an act of radical compassion in a volatile, violent reality.
Students in our Wadi Ara and Jaffa communities participated in a love-filled photography challenge this past week—and were tasked with finding hearts in their homes and immediate surroundings. And if they couldn’t find them—they made them!
May we all be able to look at the world with compassion and love, even and especially during dark and bleak times.
