School Activity: Gilad Returns Home
Just over four years ago, after Gilad Schalit was captured, Schechter parent Anne Lanski visited Schechter and brought a story that Gilad had written when he was just 11 years old called, When the shark and the fish met for the first time. Gilad's teacher at the time was so inspired by the story that she sent it to Gilad's parents who had it published while Gilad was in captivity.
Our students, then in second, third, and fourth grades, listened to the story and wrote letters to Gilad's family in Hebrew. Yossi Nameri, an Israel educator with Shorashim, delivered those letters to Gilad's mother, and they are in Gilad's bedroom today.
This morning, Yossi returned to Solomon Schechter to speak with those very same students -- now in middle school -- to commemorate Gilad's release.
"We spend so much time learning about history and about events that happened so long ago," said Sager Middle School Assistant Principal Daniel Weinberg. "Today you are learning about history as it is happening -- right now. You are watching videos on YouTube that took place early this morning when Gilad was first reunited with his family. You are living history."
Yossi described the events that transpired that led Gilad to be captured, and the difficult decision that was made by the Israeli government to have Gilad released in exchange for 1,027 prisoners, many of whom are terrorists. Then, he and Schechter parent Amy Shutan read Gilad's book in both Hebrew and English. At the end of the story the shark says to the fish, "you are supposed to be my enemy but maybe we can make peace," and the fish replies, 'b'seder, okay.”
"Rambam is quoted as saying: 'Ayn licha mitzvah rabah k'pidyon sh'vuyim,' -- There is no greater mitzvah then redeeming captives," said Yossi. "Today we watched as Gilad Shalit was released and is now free."
Following the story, Yossi asked Schechter middle school student Idan Chazan to step up to the podium where there was a yellow ribbon tied to Yossi's backpack. Yossi explained that Israelis have been carrying similar backpacks and waiting for Gilad to be released to cut their ribbon. Together, he and Idan cut the ribbon on his backpack and everyone recited a shehehiyanuin honor of Gilad's safe return to his family.
A newsletter sent out from the Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago.
