11 Sep BCHA Enters Year 70 Powered by Gratitude
Pictured From Left to Right (Ariana Karabchevsky ’36, Yael Sosnovich ’36, and Dahlia Garcia ’36)
For kids of all ages, the first day of school can be daunting, the end of summer vacation, the stress of starting a new school year, and the pressure to begin on the right foot. On the campus of the Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy of Connecticut, that nervous energy, however, was nowhere to be found.
Instead, students were greeted by their friends, lively music, and BCHA’s famous red-carpet walk into school. In short, they were welcomed back with Hakarat Hatov, gratitude, a theme that will carry on through BCHA’s 70th year.
Students quickly settled in, whether returning to familiar classrooms or entering their very first one. Soon, laughter, prayer, and camaraderie filled the halls.
As BCHA embarks on yet another exciting and impactful year, the power of gratitude will be a central concept in the everyday lives of students, faculty, and staff. From the classroom to the main office to the Beit Midrash, the concept of gratitude will be intertwined with the work each day.
At the first assembly, Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein, head of school and leader of BCHA’s gratitude movement, personally thanked each student in the crowd. The newest kindergarteners and the eldest high school seniors smiled alike.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you…,” Bernstein said, pointing to each student in the crowd. “Today marks the start of a wonderful year, filled with gratitude, learning, and friendship.” He continued, “It is your energy, commitment to learning, and positivity that make BCHA such a special place and will ensure we have a fulfilling 70th year.”