NYHS Students Walk to Show Support For Israel

Capping a week of reflection on Judaism, , Students, teachers and administrators marched down Island Crest Way Tuesday morning to show their support for the State of Israel.

Wearing matching t-shirts to commemorate the walk, NYHS Students Kalman Clement and Jacob Hanan carried and waved a large Star of David flag — the national flag of Israel – two-and-a-half miles to anyone who would honk.

"Were trying to get 40 honks," Clement said. "Right now we're at 37."

The State of Israel celebrates today — Iyer 5 in the Jewish Calendar — as Yom Ha'atzmaut, also known as Israel Independence Day. Jewish leaders declared an independent state in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948 and celebrate the occasion annually. This year, the holiday falls on May 10, but due to different lengths of the Jewish and western (Gregorian) calendars, the dates do not always stay the same. In 2012, for example, Independence Day falls on April 26.

NYHS, a Jewish school that incorporates study of traditional religious texts into their curriculum, supports efforts that benefit Israel. The Middle Eastern country is seen by many of the Jewish faith as a "homeland" for Jews, said NYHS student Rena Genauer, and the school felt it was important to mark the occasion by walking to the Island's only Kosher-certified restaurant on Mercer Island,. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of all proceeds earned today toward two Israeli children's charities, Sanhedria Children's Home and Alyn Hospital.

"We'll spend this week educating students in history, current events, and try to impart the love that we have for israel to all students," Genauer said.