The final days of April at Kellman Brown Academy were marked by reflection and a ceremony to honor the memories of lives lost in the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on Israel in 2023.
The Voorhees school also acknowledged members of a beloved teacher’s family as it focused on hope, unity and Israeli independence. The 24-hour program began with a solemn Yom HaZikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day – led by the academy’s seventh-grade students, who embraced the responsibility of guiding their peers through the sacred observance while eighth-graders were on a trip to Israel.
“This was a milestone moment,” said school head Rachel Zivic. “Our students led prayers and songs like ‘Acheinu’ with such care and compassion. You could feel how deeply they understood the weight of the moment.”
Central to this year’s academy observance was the unveiling of a custom Torah cover commissioned in memory of the relatives of Morah Adi, a faculty member who lost loved ones during the Oct. 7 attack at Kibbutz Be’eri. The handcrafted design incorporates doves, a floral wreath, golden wheat and open hands – each symbol capturing the themes of loss, legacy and enduring faith.
“The Torah cover is more than just an adornment,” noted Adi. “It’s a living tribute, a tapestry of love, memory and resilience. Through its design, it tells the story of my family and the spirit of Kibbutz Be’eri.”
Zivic noted that commissioning the Torah cover was a way for the academy to transform grief into enduring meaning.
“One of the things that is special about Judaism is our ability to make meaning out of tragedy,” she explained. “This cover will help their memory live on for future generations.”
Kellman Brown’s programming throughout the year has helped students process the events of Oct.7 in age-appropriate, meaningful ways. After the attacks, the school welcomed Israeli families in need of temporary learning environments, integrated Israeli current events into lessons and maintained regular connections with peers and teachers in Israel.
“Our students grow up feeling connected to Israel,” noted Amanda Hollander, Community Outreach and Special Programs Coordinator at the school. “They’re empowered to understand not just the joy and beauty of the state of Israel, but also the sacrifices made to preserve it.”
The program’s transition from Yom HaZikaron to Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) reflected both the sorrow and the strength of the Jewish people. As solemn prayers gave way to music, dance and the vibrant sounds of celebration, the community embraced the resilience that defines their shared history.
“Starting when our students learn to talk, we teach them the Israeli national anthem, ‘Hatikvah,’ which means ‘the hope,’” Hollander pointed out. “We want them to understand that even in the face of loss, there is strength, pride and an enduring hope for the future.”
As eighth-graders sent video messages from Israel that reflected their emotional journey from memorial to celebration, their younger peers back home looked on with admiration.
“At KBA, Jewish education is not only about academics, but about building compassionate leaders with a strong Jewish identity,” Zivic observed. “We believe we are empowering the next generation of Jewish leaders. And it starts here – with empathy, knowledge and the courage to care.”
