Our Year 9 students spent a very enjoyable and interesting day last week at the Imperial War Museum (IWM). The whole year group was invited to attend, regardless of whether they are studying for GCSE History or not.

The IWM is a wonderful museum which really brings the experience of war to life. It is a place where students can explore the causes and consequences of conflict, not only with regard to governments, but also how the lives of ordinary people were affected.

One of the activities they took part in was ‘documentary challenge’, which involved filming their own mini documentaries in the First World War exhibition.

Thank you to Rabbi Gaffin, Mrs Joffe, Mrs Abecasis, Mr Neagus, and Mrs Rand for staffing this trip with Mrs Yaros.

This is the day which Hashem has made the day when we can celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut in song and in dance at Hasmonean. To celebrate in a way which includes every student, different events were arranged. The hall was filled with students dressed in varying combinations of blue and white, with a backdrop of flags and balloons. For those who wished to praise Hashem in full voice, there was Tephilla with a rousing, heartfelt Hallel.

Following Tephilla, Rikki Shatzkes, on behalf of the Israel Society, gave a clear and brief speech about the establishment and history of the State. She also shared her personal reflections, including speaking about her brother who made Aliyah age 18 and joined the IDF.

Rabbi Schiff came in to speak about his own reflections on Yom Ha’Atzmaut, and clearly showed his excitement at being in Hasmonean at a time when we do celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut! He recalled his own swearing in ceremony at the Kotel, where another Hasmo Alumnus (now Lord Kestenbaum), said to him: ‘Why did Hashem say to Moshe go up the mountain and lift up your eyes?’ The answer: it is not easy to live in Israel, but this is where we are supposed to be. ‘Lift up your eyes’ and be thankful for all that Hashem has done. Tov le’Hodot L’Hashem. This is the essence of being a Jew- to always recognise the good.

And with that, each student wrote a note describing what she felt grateful to Israel for, tied it to a blue or white balloon and the whole school released those balloons into the sunshine.

Later on in the morning, there was a return to the hall for celebrating, dancing, eating watermelon, drinking ice coffee, face painting, and balloon art! Tov L’Hodot- it was truly wonderful to be able to celebrate the 74th birthday of our homeland in true Hasmonean style.

Thank you to HIPE, the madrichot who joined us, and to the one and only Kevin and site team.

Yom HaZikaron – Girls’ School

For Yom HaZikaron, Devorah and Avi Kay, parents of Eli who was murdered in Jerusalem in November 2021, came to speak to the Year 8 and 9 girls. Devorah and Avi shared lessons learned from Eli’s life, including the importance of personal integrity, Eli’s love of the Land of Israel, and his willingness to help those around him in need regardless of background or religion.

Devorah told the girls how she has been inspired by Eli about the importance of following one’s own sense of what is right and not worrying what others may think. She shared a story of how Eli paid for a stranger’s shoes when his credit card wasn’t working and how he would greet the market vendors in Machane Yehudah by name. Eli was an exceptional young man whose smile and warmth gave joy to everyone he met.

Avi spoke about the importance of choosing to respond to tragedy with strength. The students were given the opportunities to ask questions at the end of the talk.

Over a dozen Year 13 Hasmonean boys played in a gruelling 12-hour football marathon at Power League on Sunday 24th April to raise money for the Jews in Ukraine through World Jewish Relief. Despite being somewhat sore, they raised over £6000 at the time of writing.

Zachy Sager was the driving force behind this football marathon, organising special team shirts, making sure there was food to keep the lads sustained, publicising the marathon, and motivating his friends to take time away from their studies to help others.

Rebbetzin Ehrentreu was the guest of honour at the Hasmonean Girls’ School assembly last Friday. She came to present fifteen girls with certificates upon their completion of Sefer Bereishis in the Master the Chumash programme. This is a new initiative in the Hasmonean Midrasha (Sixth Form Jewish Studies programme) whereby the girls learn three perakim (chapters) of Chumash each week with the aim of finishing the entire Torah during their time in the Midrasha. The advanced track includes learning all of the Rashi as well. The girls are tested monthly on their learning and have achieved consistently high results.

Rebbetzen Ehrentreu spoke about the importance of PAL – having a Positive Attitude towards Learning, and told the girls how impressed she was with their achievement. The girls were spellbound as she told them the story of Rosa Goldstein, whose life was saved because she was determined to keep Shabbos in America – a true example of perseverance to keep mitzvos no matter the circumstances. The entire school was left uplifted by Rebbetzen Ehrentreu’s visit together with the achievement of the Sixth Form girls.

Rabbi Dov Birnbaum, Head of Midrasha, commented: “it was a real honour for us to host Rebbetzin Ehrentreu at Hasmonean and gave us all tremendous chizzuk. A number of students have already asked me to join our Master the Chumash programme for Sefer Shemos!”

Rabbi Golker, Hasmonean’s Menahel, added: “It was an honour to welcome Rebbetzen Ehrentreu to our assembly. As I told our students, we were welcoming Jewish royalty to our school!” It was a wonderful opportunity for the Rebbetzen to see the amazing work that Rabbi Birnbaum is doing in the Midrasha.”