Ahead of Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, the SAR Jewish school in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, New York, purchased pins from the Dam Hamaccabim Project – an association working to cultivate and nurture the red everlasting flower (Helichrysum sanguineum) known as Dam Hamaccabim (Blood of the Maccabees) in Israel which became one of the symbols of Israel’s Remembrance Day.
The school's administration also decided to donate 500 flower pins made by the project using a unique drying technique for the students of the Pelech school in Jerusalem in memory of their principal, Sergeant Major (res.) Yossi Hershkovitz, 44, who was killed in clashes against terrorists in Gaza.
Several years ago, Hershkovitz went on a mission to the United States, taught at the SAR school, and was responsible for Memorial Day ceremonies held there. Thanks to the school’s donation - born following an emotional connection formed between the Dam Hamaccabim Project and the school, with the assistance of the Amit La’Derech association managed by Amit Levi - Hershkovitz's students in Israel and across the ocean will wear the flower pins in his memory.
Hershkovitz, who lived in the settlement of Gevaot, and is survived by his widow Hadas and five children, was enlisted in the reserves in the 551st Brigade on the morning of October 7. He fell on November 10 as a result of a charge thrown toward the force he fought with. Three other soldiers were killed in the incident and six were injured.
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Sergeant Major (res.) Yossi Hershkovitz at Pelech High School in Jerusalem
(Phto: Rachel Gelman)
"Their initiative deeply moved me. Both schools were part of Yossi's life, and his legacy continues to resonate in both," recounted his widow, Hadass, who also taught at the SAR school. "Yossi was very important to the students, an Israeli figure who they looked up to.
"Besides the memorial ceremonies we produced together, we wrote Hebrew study programs for the students, which included the war stories from across Israel, including those of the fallen and the wounded. When Yossi was killed, it was the first time the American students personally knew a fallen soldier, and a person who was so dear to them at that."
According to her, "Yossi believed that Israel’s future lies in education. He had the ability to see every student and professional on an equal footing. He was a trailblazer, a visionary, who rushed to get things done – he did exactly what he said. He had a lot of plans and dreams for the future, which were cut off in a moment."