With the sun streaming through the front doors of Talmud Torah School the morning of April 26, 2023, Jay Cairns, Executive Director of JNF Edmonton, presented TT students and staff with a beautiful Mezuzah.
The Mezuzah is the creation of Israeli artist Yaron Bob, a world-renowned metal artist.
When Jay Cairns invited Yaron to Edmonton to give a talk to TT families and the Jewish community this time last year, he purchased the Mezuzah with the idea of gifting it to TT. It was decided that Yom Ha’atzmaut would be a suitable time for the dedication, as it easily tied to celebrating Israel’s independence. Jay also brought a copy of Israel’s declaration and spoke about Israel, so that the significance of the today (Israel’s independence and the Mezuzah and what it’s made from) was underscored.
Student representatives from each grade took part in the ceremony and it was live streamed to all classes. Jay offered to set up the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel display outside the Don & Myrna Silverberg Lunchroom. He encouraged students to take a few minutes to read through this important document since, as jay stated, “everything that represents the Jewish people and the formation of the State of Israel” is written here.
It was a heartwarming and meaningful way to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut.