In line with Yeshiva University High School for Girls’ theme of the month, Positivity in Action, a cohort from Central traveled to Israel to participate in a Mizrachi solidarity mission.
Under the leadership of Central’s Associate Principal, Ms. Leah Moskovich, and Central Programming Director and Judaic Studies faculty member Ms. Sydney Daitch, Central students Atara Feldman (’26), Sarah Galanti (’27), Eliana Goldman (’26), Evie Haar (’26), Shalhevet Koenigsberg (’26), Malka Lavner (’26), Meira Levine (’26), Shirel Shaool (’26), Orly Spinner (’27), and Temima Teitelman (’26) made the trip, along with Central parents Dr. Regine Galanti, Mr. Josh Haar, Mr. Josh Levine, and Mrs. Ziva Shaool, to confront challenging times with hope, intention, and energy.
“So many students and their families said that it’s not enough just to daven, it’s not enough just to think about our brothers and sisters in Israel – we want to actually come to Israel to do our part, and to be a part of this amazing country and people,” said Ms. Moskovich. “It is the biggest z’chus that I’m able to be with my students and their parents, and that we can do this together.”
The mission included four jam-packed days of chesed, including creating and running a carnival for over 60 children from families evacuated from Sderot, planting vegetables in Klachim, visiting wounded soldiers at Soroka Hospital, and helping to move displaced families into housing in Ashalim by cleaning, transporting goods, and running groups to entertain children while their new households were being set up.
Central students also made a barbecue for chayalot at one of the few all-female army bases in Israel. Chesed activities were accompanied by educational experiences: The group had the opportunity to visit Central’s Israeli sister school, Ulpanat Bnei Akiva Lachish, and to reconnect with those who have also become a part of the Central community. The group also met with famed Israeli cartoonist and animator Asher Schwartz, whose work can be found in The Jewish Press, among other places.
A special visit to Yerushalayim was also part of the trip. The students davened at the Kosel, took a tour of the Old City, had a meaningful tour of Har Hertzl, made tzitzis with Rabbanit Shani Taragin at Matan, in addition to making 200 sandwiches at Crave for chayalim at a local army base.
“There were so many incredible opportunities for chesed,” said sophomore Shalhevet Koenigsberg. “[They included] farming, making tzitzis for chayalim, cleaning houses for displaced families. But my favorite chesed was running carnivals for displaced families. Although the tragedy that these families just experienced was horrific, the kids were seen laughing and smiling throughout the carnival, and this showed me what true koach is. I really felt connected to am Yisrael while I was there; I felt like I was putting all my efforts into doing my part in this war.”
The students were particularly grateful to Ms. Moskovich and Central leadership for investing time and care into this mission. “Her kind and nurturing nature made me feel so comfortable and safe,” Shalhevet said. “I really feel like I gained so much from this trip.” The Central community continues to daven for the hostages and all of the chayalim and their families. Am Yisrael Chai!
