Remembering October 7 with Anemone/Kaliniyot כַּלָּנִיּוֹת
Beautiful red flowers are popping up all over Israel and worldwide, inspired by Israel’s national flower,
the anemone/kalanit כַּלָּנִית, a hearty cup-shaped flower that covers Israel at the end of the winter.
After October 7, when it became difficult to put into words the sadness and pain in reaction to Hamas
killing 1200 people, capturing 240 hostages, decimating property, and the ensuing war where so many
innocent lives have been lost, artists across Israel began to express themselves by creating Israel’s national flower in clay.
Other artists began collecting paintings to share how hope can inspire remembrance. These wondrous flowers,
captured artistically, are the most natural expression for three reasons.
One, it shows honor/kavod כָּבוֹד to the way Israelis express their remembrance of this most recent war as well as
previous wars. Two, the Jewish concept of remembrance/zikaron זִכָּרוֹן combines prayer with action.
Three, the beauty of these flowers, which burst forth at the end of winter and the beginning of spring,
symbolizes hope/tikvah תִּקְוָה.
For those of us blessed to work with children, as we approach the anniversary of October 7,
we consider the most meaningful ways to elevate the importance of this moment for our
youngest community members and do it in a way that honors their intellect and developmental abilities.
In this document, you will find key articles, Hebrew insights, science resources, directions for making the flowers,
and samples of how to talk to children based on age. Feel free to select the overview description that aligns
with your organization’s philosophy and feels most comfortable for you and the students with whom you are working.
While written for individual classrooms, it can be adapted into an all-school activity.
Please note that in Israel this year, they will commemorate this day on October 7, 2024. Going forward,
it will be marked according to the Hebrew Calendar 24 Tishrei.