To commemorate Yom Yerushalayim, a day celebrating the reunification of Jerusalem, Israeli Consul General Jacob Dayan addressed Shalhevet students during periods four and five on May 12. The Bat Ami also organized “army simulation” activities and arranged for an Israeli solider to speak.

During his speech, Dayan stressed the importance of Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital, and also emphasized Israel’s technological and scientific contributions to the world. 

“We must change the perception” of Israel, Consul Dayan said. “…You’ll take to the campuses why Israel is important, not only historically.”

After Dayan concluded his speech, a soldier who fought in Operation Cast Lead spoke to the students about how every effort to support the Israeli army is valuable and appreciated.

Then the Bat Ami surprised everyone with the military simulation, kick-starting the event by forcing two students to do pushups in front of the entire school.

Students were then handed dog tags and split into four different teams. Raizie Weissman and Ms. Sabo led the girls’ teams and Noam Weissman and Rabbi Richler led the boys’ teams. Students were instructed to put face paint on and wear either green or black headbands, depending on their group.

The teams were marched to the Sport Court, where everyone then branched off into partners. One person in each pair received a water balloon and had to toss it to their partner, who needed to catch the balloon while simultaneously doing pushups.

There were also two lively, gender-separate games of tug-of-war.

While these festivities were going on, the scene suddenly erupted into chaos –water balloons were randomly thrown at any students unlucky enough to become targets, and a full-fledged water balloon fight soon broke out.

“It was fun because we learned how much the soldiers go through in a really imaginative way,” said freshman Daniella Lavi.