The Holiday Season at the Children's Home
The holiday season at the Children's Home was marked this year by the excellent ceremonies and special activities organized and initiated by staff and children together.
At the Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony , held in the Home's main dining-hall, not one child or staff person was absent. With interest and attentiveness everyone followed the story told by the Home's executive director, Gerard Pulver, of his own family history during the Holocaust. This very personal glimpse into Gerard Pulver's past had special impact on the children especially, for whom Gerard is an authoritative figure. For the staff as well, the unfolding of Gerard's family's escape from the Nazis' progress in France was a fascinating story, as all World War II stories usually are. The children's presentation that followed, with reading excerpts and musical interludes, was carried out with dignity and respect.
The following week, a special ceremony marking Israel's IDF Memorial Day, prior to the Independence Day celebrations, was held under the leadership and implementation of the 26
boys of the Junior Unit. The main theme of the ceremony centered around letters that were written to the soldiers and letters from the soldiers, who later fell in battle. Amongst those read was a letter written by renowned Israeli author, David Grossman, to his son who fell at the close of the second Lebanese War. Once again, the silence, self-discipline and respect with which all the children conducted themselves was tremendously impressive. The memorial torch was lit, the choir sang, each group placed a wreath at the flagpole with the Israeli flag at half-mast and the texts were read with the solemnity befitting the occasion.
In the evening the celebrations of Israel's 63rd Day of Independence began throughout the country, and at the Children's Home there was anticipation for a special visit the following day. Sure enough, around 10 a.m. a group of 22 soldiers from one of Israel's elite combat units arrived on campus, electrifying the atmosphere and exciting the children by their impressive uniforms and their raring-to-go energy. The soldiers came prepared, organizing groups of children into a variety of games, building a bonfire and, with the children, barbecuing a holiday feast and showering the children with attention and warmth. Their presence on campus until the early afternoon hours passed so quickly as everyone was having a marvelous time. The soldiers needed to continue on to Jerusalem to fulfill their military duties, but as they were leaving they let the children know that this time spent together marked for them the highlight of their holiday.
Here at the Children's Home everyone hopes this unique experience and generous visit from the IDF unit will turn into a traditional Independence Day activity.
More Memorial Day pictures