We were so proud of our Middle School for attending Tuesday's Israel Solidarity Gathering at North Shore Congregation Israel, alongside over 2,000 attendees. It was a very well attended event and our Middle School students represented CJDS beautifully. Our students were well prepared for the outing, beginning with Tefillah in the morning and guided framing by Morah Tamar. As part of their time together, Morah Tamar asked our Middle School students to raise their hand if they have friends or family in Israel. Not surprisingly, the majority of students raised their hands. Most of the room had been touched by the news coming from Israel. We recited special Mi Sheberach prayers and brought additional light into the room with 6 candles of hope and as we sang Hatikvah, all before boarding the buses. Once we arrived at the gathering, it was moving to be surrounded by the Chicago Jewish Community and to hear from Governor JB Pritzker and other elected officials pledging their support to stand with Israel. Am Yisrael Chai.