Freshman Banner

Illustrated by Miriam Kagan Naomi Zar

This year, the freshman created a banner to represent the beauty of the Holy Land. The banner displays the beautiful geography of the land, as well as the seven species for which the land of Israel is praised. These include pomegranates, dates, figs, grapes, and more. All of these blessed foods provide nutrition for our bodies as well as our souls. Located in the bottom corner of the banner are rows of crops, symbolizing the fertile soil of Israel, which is one of the factors that allows its people to independently sustain themselves. The Israeli flag flies in the center of the banner, signifying our independence, as well as Israel's constant fight to preserve that. The sunrise symbolizes the beauty of Israel, as sunrise is the most peaceful and angelic time of day. The doves in the sky, one with an olive branch in its mouth, show the purity of Israel, as well as the value of life and the fact that we shouldn't take it for granted. The passuk reads, "לזרעך אתן את הארץ הזאת," which means, "To your children I shall give this land." This quote signifies that the land of Israel is a gift from Hashem to the Jewish nation, and as such, it is our responsibility to take care of the gift we've been given.