Schools
HAFTR News: Blood Drive, Dead Sea Scrolls Visit
Students learn about the "gift of life" and see a piece of history.
is sponsoring its 10th annual blood drive on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The school is working with Long Island Blood Services/New York Blood Services to promote blood donation.
Here in the United States, only 2 percent of the population regularly donates blood. On Wednesday, Feb. 8, a New York Blood Services team visited HAFTR’s sixth grade students during their science classes to educate students about blood, the "Gift of Life."
Mrs. D., the Little Doctors instructor, enlightened students about the three main types of blood in the body and their functions. Students learned about the role of the bone marrow in producing "millions of new red blood cells every minute!"
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The students were enthusiastic and asked many questions as Mrs. D explained that anyone between the ages of 17 to 76 weighing at least 110 pounds can donate blood. Students also learned that 16 year olds could donate with a parent’s written permission.
The class ended with each student promising to ask at least one person to donate blood at the HAFTR Middle School Blood Drive. Each student was given a colorful bracelet to remind them about "The Gift of Life."
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Students Visit Dead Sea Scroll Exhibit
On Tu Bishvat, Feb. 8, a select group of HAFTR seniors went to see the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibition in Discovery Times Square.
The students took a fascinating journey through Israel, with licensed Israeli Tour guide and HAFTR Zionism teacher Tuvia Book, in this once-in-a-lifetime exhibit featuring the famed Dead Sea Scrolls, an actual stone from the Kotel, and more than 500 never-before-seen artifacts from biblical times.
They experienced first-hand iconic objects of ancient Israel that impact our beliefs today. Students saw ancient Teffilin from the Mishnaic period as well as scrolls in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek including Tehillim that are still read today.
“Overall, it was an inspirational experience that we will never forget,” said senior Kymmie Baker.
The exhibit is created by the Israel Antiquities Authority from the collections of the Israel National Treasures.
