Jewish Ohr Avner Chabad School launched a new school year

Azerbaijan has launched a new school year September 15th, just as did the Jewish Ohr Avner Chabad School. The 'first-bell' event took place in the school yard and involved more than 400 students, their teachers and parents as well as guests of honor.

To begin with, the school deputy director Samir Khanlarov extended congratulations on the beginning of the new academic year introducing a new director Narmina Agayeva. "In four years the school has formed beautiful traditions and the children's Jewish spirit has grown stronger," she said wishing the children to continue their good work and to display excellent results at studies.

The director's greeting speech was followed by a lively Jewish dance by two little children. The young dancers gained a storm of applause both from the audience and from Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Azerbaijan and General Director of the Ohr Avner School Meir Brook. In his speech, he thanked the parents for entrusting their children to the school and FJC CIS and its President Lev Leviev for the care and attention they pay to the Jewish Educational Complex in Baku. This support allowed the Jewish School to become one of the best educational institutions in Azerbaijan in a very short period. "The increasing number of students studying in the Ohr Avner School is another proof of this fact. This year, the new academic year has begun for 450 Jewish boys and girls," said Rabbi Brook. The new school year being launched only few days before the Jewish New Year, Rabbi Brook also wished the children a sweet new year and asked for the Gd's blessing for the schoolchildren.

A few moments later, the sound of a shofar echoed in the Jewish school building. Traditionally, before beginning the first class, the schoolchildren wrote a letter to Gd. "These words of peace and love we write to You. We learn different sciences at school never forgetting about the Torah. We always try to do good deeds and to be worthy of Your mercy. Here is our request to You: hear us and guide us through, make everybody happy and give them good health and success in this year!" Tied up to a bunch of colored air balloons, the letter flew high up to the heavens which miraculously became clear of rain clouds hanging over the city as if to let the children give a blessing to the start of the new school year.