, and the seventh grade class from Sager Solomon Schechter Middle School joined us for the presentation. We ate a delicious lunch from Taboun, heard from AIPAC speakers, created a mural, sent video greetings to Sderot, learned from Gidwitz residents about their experience around the time of Statehood, enjoyed Israeli dancing, and spent some time getting to know the Buchari community in Israel.
The day ended with the launch of a new initiative, a partnership between the Jewish National Fund and CJHS, called the CJHS-Plant Your Way Program. This initiative has two goals-to raise money for Israel by planting trees, and to help students raise money for their own Senior Israel Experience. Nine students have volunteered to be the first CJHS-PYW Ambassadors. Miriam Merens will be the student head of CJHS-PYW. Watch your inbox and school mailbox for more information in the coming weeks.
Our Deepest Thanks
CJHS wants to thank AIPAC, Shorashim, and the JNF Caravan for Democracy for Democracy for providing the school with grant money to create our celebration. We also want to especially thank Amy Dunn and Susan Millner of AIPAC, who spoke to our students, and Gabe Axler of Shorashim, who was a tremendous partner during the last six months of planning. Our many partners for the day also included the Israel Experience and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Many thanks go to Gila Ansell-Brauner of the Jewish Agency, who sent us multitudes of resources for the development of our reenactment.
We are appreciative of Wendy Miller Gamer, Susan Buchbinder, and the residents at CJE Senior Life/Gidwitz who spoke with our students about their experiences in 1948.
CJHS would like to thank Phillip Moss for leading us in Israeli dance; Spelman Studios, Bobbie Wolk, and Lori Stark for photography; and the Binah family for supplying us with decorations.
We acknowledge the following students who met at lunch, after school, sent emails, ran meetings before the events, ran stations during the event and one student who channeled David Ben Gurion: Shai Kamin, Vanessa Youshaei, Josh Warshawsky, Lilli Flink, David Weltman, Ronni Binah, Iszy Licht, Yael Schwartz, Nicole Wiznitzer, Jeremy Frankenthal, Gabe Rubin, Alex Krule, the entire a cappella group, and all of Va'ad Israel.
Our day would not have been complete without the help and assistance of the entire faculty and staff, especially Ms. Altman, Mr. Guidone, Mr. Kosarev, Mr. Burda, Ms. Robinson, Gvt. Cohen, Dr. Schaffner, Rabbi Barkan, Ms. Spiro, Dr. Miller, Gvt. Amit-Sharon, Gvt. Wasserman, Mrs. Gottlieb, Rabbi Goldberg, and Mr. Rose. Special recognition goes to Mrs. 
Snyder, for developing the artwork that was printed on our t-shirts and mural.
Yasher koach to Rabbi Fryer Bodzin, Gvt. Moskovich, and Ms. Musin for envisioning and managing the tremendous CJHS celebration of Israel at 60, right down to the very last detail.
Chag Sameach, Happy Birthday Israel.
Blessings for this year to be the best year ever.
One Last Look at the Reenactment...
1948 2008
Students and faculty walked into school on May 8 to find a building bedecked in blue and white, in celebration of Yom Haatzmaut. This is always a joyous day at CJHS, but this year, in recognition of Israel at 60, every detail-the programming, the decorations, the delicious food, the davening-was pushed to a higher level. 
