Each school year, Pittsburgh is fortunate to host an emissary (shaliach/shlichah) from Israel to reach out to synagogue schools. This year, Efrat Avramovich is living and teaching in our community. Efrat was raised in Ashkelon; however, she most recently resided in Jerusalem where she worked as a teacher.
A few weeks ago, Efrat shared a lesson about Jerusalem with our religious school students. After each one of the activities, we asked the children to take a few minutes to write their feelings about Jerusalem. Here’s a sampling of what they wrote:

Thou shall love and sing to Jerusalem
Tis a gift to be in Israel
You shall praise and accept it like a brother
The city of love, friendship and peace!
Zachary Sikov
Dalet/Hay Class (Grade 5)

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, city full of history.
You are filled with Landmarks so beautiful.
You will always be filled with education.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, city full of everything.
Jacob Gerszten
Dalet/Hay Class (Grade 4)

I think of Jerusalem to be
A very special place.
It is in a free country and
Beats every city in a race.
It has the Western Wall and
the Jewish people love it.
And the angels in heaven
Are all above it.
David Levin
Dalet/Hay Class (Grade 5)

It is our hope that the children’s experience with the shlichah will strengthen their connection to Israel and to Judaism. We explained that although it would be ideal for all of us to live in Israel, that is not possible. However, Israel depends on those of us in the Diaspora for support. Our shlichah can also be touched by our children’s link to their heritage. One of our students, David Levin, has just taught himself to play “Hatikvah,” the national anthem of Israel on the piano. David was asked if he would play it for Efrat and his peers, and he agreed. Watching Efrat’s emotional reaction as David played “Hatikvah” and the children sang was a special moment for all of us.