Students and staff at Rambam gathered last week for a special assembly, held by founder and Rosh HaYeshiva of Rambam, Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, to celebrate the release of the hostages from captivity.
The emotional program highlighted the mitzvah of Pidyon Shevuyim, one of the most important mitzvos in Judaism. Attention to the IDF and Klal Yisroel as a whole for all they did to serve and help from the front lines, to Tefillot, to support in the Diaspora. He also recognized the Rambam Alumni who served in the IDF during the war. Prior to the Succos break, Rambam held an assembly to commemorate October 7th. At that assembly, Principal Dr.
Hillel Goldman, opened the assembly by sharing videos and reflections that connected October 7 to Rambam’s ongoing support for Israel. The school also welcomed an IDF soldier and tank commander, brought through the Friends of the IDF (FIDF), who spoke about his experiences defending Israel and expressed the immense chizuk his fellow soldiers feel from the American Jewish community’s support.
The program concluded with heartfelt Tehillim, led by Reb Yitz Milworn, a former IDF soldier, Rambam alumnus, and Director of Student Activities. The October 7th Assembly was held with the hope that the hostages would soon be released. Just a few weeks later, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Friedman were sponsoring breakfast and donuts for the entire school in celebration of their release at this uplifting moment for Am Yisrael.
As Friedman stressed, everyone at the assembly played a role during this time, through prayers, chesed, donations, volunteering, and representing the Jewish people in countless forums. The release of the hostages was the release for all of us, b’yachad.