Immanuel College and King Solomon School (Israel) Unite in Solidarity.
Immanuel College proudly hosted 130 students from King Solomon School from Israel for a meaningful day of collaboration, learning, and solidarity with Israel. The event, which brought together students from both schools, aimed to strengthen Jewish identity and express unity with the Israeli people, particularly in support of the hostages still held in captivity.
Students were welcomed by Rabbi Yoni Golker, Deputy Headteacher, who introduced the programme and set the tone for the visit before emotional renditions of Acheinu (by Jacob Tapnack) and Mishebeirach (by Eliav Stafler, Head Boy); a prayer for the well-being of those in need.
Following the introduction, students enjoyed an interactive session engaged in discussions on Jewish identity in Israel and the Diaspora, led by King Solomon staff alongside Immanuel’s Beit team.
A highlight of the day was the whole-school solidarity photo, which took place during break time on the All-Weather Pitch. In a moving display, students and staff formed a giant Israeli flag formation, with a Star of David in the centre, visually demonstrating their unwavering support for the hostages. Immanuel College students filled in the outer lines of the star, while King Solomon students stood at the core, symbolising the unity between the two schools.
To further highlight the significance of the event, 59 yellow balloons were raised in solidarity with the hostages still held in captivity. Additionally, three orange balloons were held in memory of the Bibas family, representing the profound loss Israel has endured. This poignant act served as a visual reminder of the ongoing pain and hope within the Jewish community.
After the photo, the Israeli visitors and student ambassadors moved to the gym for the second part of the visit, where they took part in Sixth Form sports activities and a mini chess tournament.
The event was a resounding success, reinforcing the deep connections between Jewish students in the UK and Israel. The visit provided a powerful opportunity to stand in solidarity with those affected by recent events, while also fostering lasting relationships between the students.
Dan Endlar, Head Master at Immanuel said “It was an honour and privilege to be able to host King Solomon School for an event of such meaning at a time where our unity and solidarity is more important than ever. We are proud to foster such deep connections between our students and look forward to more opportunities to work with each other and support our communities in the future.”
Rabbi Cobi Ebrahimoff, Executive Headteacher of the King Solomon School said “It was beautiful to see students from Israel and the UK learning, playing and sharing memorable experiences. May this be the beginning of an exciting partnership between the two schools”
Am Yisrael Chai!
For further information, please contact: Rabbi Yoni Golker, Immanuel College
