On Monday our Magid campus students commemorated Oct 7 with a heartfelt student-led assembly. 

Year 12 student Livia led us in a prayer for the welfare of the state of Israel. Principal Marc Light lit a yahrzeit candle and we watched a moving video about the plight of the hostages and their families. Year 11 student Abi spoke about the work being done by Kibbutz Hatzerim, co-founded by one of her relatives in 1946, who are currently building housing for survivors from Kibbutz Be’eri. Abi reminded us that there is hope amongst the darkness, in coming together to support each other. 

Year 7 student Millie led a prayer for the defenders and protectors of resilience. Nana band played Lionel Faretein’s song ‘It could have been me’, which lists the names of hostages. Year 11 student Dylan spoke about the unity in the Melbourne Jewish community and strengthening our communal participation in the face of tragedy. We have come together and recommited ourselves to the Jewish community. Dylan also remarked on the fundraising our school has done for Israel, particularly for Magen David Adom. Year 11 students Mia and Ariel led the prayer for the release of the hostages. 

Ilan Bloch, our Director of Jewish Life and Learning, gave a moving speech. Here is an excerpt:

“During each of our lifetimes we undergo transformational experiences. This is true both as individuals and as a nation. Sometimes the significance of the experience is apparent immediately; it is clear how it changes us and what it will mean for our future selves. But, sometimes it is more fuzzy – it will take years and not months to process. This is especially true for an event which hasn’t yet ended. We are still in the midst of Swords of Iron War, even though it has already been one year. Operation Northern Arrows, Israeli ground operations in Lebanon, just started a week ago. We are still processing. We are still hurting. We are still hoping. And we are still praying.

According to tradition, in a house of mourning, we cover the mirrors. Although we are still mourning, we have to look in the mirror – to see ourselves and to see those around us, in an attempt to work out who we are, what our relationship to those around us is, and where we go from here both as individuals and as a community.

Rav Soloveitchik teaches us that God recreates after destruction. As God creates and recreates so too should we be ready to rebuild and reconstruct, even as previous structures collapse. Abi spoke about rebuilding and reconstructing in Israel; Dylan about recommitting and renewing here in Melbourne. Our task is to do the tikkun – the repair – of ourselves, of our community, of our society, of our nation and of the world. To repair and rebuild, to reconstruct and remain with hope, after the Destruction of October 7, is an immense and difficult challenge to us as students, to us as teachers and to us as a community as a whole. But I think we are up to this challenge.”

Afterschool, staff gathered together to share reflections and consolations. We used cards as prompts to share feelings, and drew to convey messages we wish could be shared. We left feeling more hopeful and proud to be part of our staff community. Thank you Jade Karp for facilitating this reflection session.

We continue to pray for the return of the hostages and for peace. 

Am Yisrael Chai