Celebrating Israel through Song
For nearly five decades, Gray Academy (and Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate before it) has hosted the Yom Ha’aztmaut Song Festival, an annual competition that invites students in Grades 5 through 12 to write and perform their own original songs in English, Hebrew or both.
The Song Festival is a highlight of the school year, showcasing the incredible talents of our students and delighting audiences with songs that celebrate Israel and Jewish themes.
On Erev Yom Ha’atzmaut, entrants perform their songs before a live audience and panel of judges. Prizes are awarded to top entries in Novice (Grade 5), Junior (Grades 6-8) and Senior (Grades 9-12) categories.
Mazel Tov to Our 2026 Participants
We are incredibly proud of the 38 student songwriters in Grades 5-12 who wowed the crowd with their original compositions. Yasher cochachem to all participants for their amazing performances. Click here to view the evening’s program, including a link to all songs and lyrics.
Our 2026 winning entries:
Novice Category (Grade 5) 1st Place
- “We Have Hope,” by Zane Flisfeder, Solly Kohn & Oliver Perlov
Novice Category (Grade 5) Tied for 2nd Place
- “We Are Who We Are,” by Hannah Singer Abrams, Romi Borzykowski, Emma Dinenzon, Sophia Endelman, Isabella Mizrahi-Minohara and Miriam Pfeffer
- “Am Yisrael Chai” by Ivy Aronsson & Scarlett Nozick
Junior Category (Grades 6-8) 1st Place
- “You and I” by Coco Catellier & Lyla Bea Chisick
Junior Category (Grades 6-8) Tied for 2nd Place
- “Chai” by Naomi Avidar-Buks, Ethan Cantor & Lillie Catellier
- “We Build Again,” by Lev Chisick, Nath Goldenberg & RJ Silver
Senior Category (Grades 9-12) Tied for 1st Place
- “Sliver of Sand,” by Aaron Kasner Greaves
- “From Blue to White,” by Nicol Derman
Stay tuned for a special 50th anniversary celebration of our Yom Ha’atzmaut Song Festival in 2027!
