North Shore Hebrew Academy's Shiriyah 2025 was nothing short of extraordinary!
The high school was electrified with excitement as students poured their hearts into this beloved tradition. More than just a competition or spirit week, Shiriyah is the soul of our yeshiva – a week where ruach and achdut take center stage, and every student has a chance to shine.
From artistic masterpieces to Torah learning, from athletic triumphs to musical harmonies, this truly interdisciplinary program allows each student to express their unique talents while forging deep connections to our heritage, to each other, and to Hashem.
This year’s Purim-inspired theme, V'Nahafoch Hu: Thriving Through Adversity, brought Purim’s powerful message to life, challenging students to find joy even in difficult times. Each grade embraced a fundamental Purim mitzvah, embodying it through collaboration and competition:
- 9th Grade: Charity & Responsibility – How do we succeed as a nation when things seem most dark? We stand together and give to one another.
- 10th Grade: Strengthening Community – What does “community” really mean? It is more than having a society that supports you — it means something you actively contribute to.
- 11th Grade: Joy & Gratitude – How do we find happiness amidst so much sadness? We reflect on gratitude to HaShem for Medinat Yisrael and our brave IDF soldiers — and pray for the transformation of difficult times into joy.
- 12th Grade: Trusting Hashem & Taking Action – What does the Purim story teach us about the relationship between faith and taking action? Both are essential on the path toward triumph.
Shiriyah is always an explosion of energy and creativity, and this year was no exception. Our hallways were transformed into immersive works of art, and students stayed until after dark to study hard and put the finishing touches on projects.
Students showcased their brilliance in over 40 challenges and competitions, including:
- Shark Tank
- Israel Trivia and Purim Panopoly
- Team Choir, Poetry Slam, and Dance
- Tug of War, Capture the Flag, Basketball, and Soccer
- Cake Decorating
- Escape Room
- …and so much more!
The pinnacle of Shiriyah was our closing-night celebration. Faculty, students, and friends joined together for songs, simcha dancing, and uncontainable ruach. It was the perfect embodiment of v’nahafoch hu: even through the despair we are still experiencing as a Jewish people, we are still here and still thriving — coming together with pride in our Jewish identities, in Israel, and in our communal strength.
