Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School October 7 Commemorations

CESJDS will observe the commemoration of October 7 on Thursday, October 9 in school. At CESJDS, our approach is to mark this day with solemn testimony, special prayers, remembrance of those who lost their lives, and with a renewed commitment to fostering the next generation of proud Jews. As with all commemorations at our school, our programming will be developmentally appropriate across divisions:

Lower School – We will offer special words of solidarity with the people and state of Israel before our daily singing of Hatikvah/The Hope (Israel’s national anthem) and include prayers for Israel and the hostages in our daily prayer services.

Middle School – Students will welcome Col. Karni Guez, a former IDF tank commander who served for six and a half years. She will share her story of bravery and leadership, the decisions she had to make, the responsibility she carried, and her reflections on the war.

High School – Students will participate in a special assembly with award-winning Israeli journalist Lee Yaron, author of 10/7: 100 Human Stories, which was named the 2024 National Jewish Book Award Book of the Year, making her the youngest author ever to receive that honor. She will speak about her book and her experience as an investigative journalist in Israel.

Upper School – Special prayers will be added to Z’man Kodesh in both Middle and High School.