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 2025 Song Festival winners:
Novice (Grade 5)
- 1st Place – “Our Place,” by Naomi Avidar-Buks
- 2nd Place – Lily Catellier
Junior (Grades 6-8)
- 1st Place Tie: “One Nation, One People, One Heart,” by Lyla Chisick, Lev Chisick, Coco Catellier & RJ Silver
- 1st Place Tie: “Herzl’s Vision” by Daniel Blinder
- 2nd Place: “Land of Light,” by Ronen Mass, Adam Shepito & Mason Braha-Friesen
Senior (Grade 9-12)
- 1st Place: “לא נשבר” (Unbroken), by Aaron Kasner Greaves, Harry Margolis, Liron Poleschuk and Alex Stoller. Click below to hear this winning entry!
- 2nd Place Tie: “Free,” by Jonathan Friedman-Dalgliesh
- 2nd Place Tie: “Where the Olive Branches Grow,” by Nicol Derman
