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Freshman Alisha Ramani believes that space exploration should not continue to be funded.

Junior Kaavya Mehrotra explores Assistant Head of Upper Campus Haley Hemm’s love for nature.

Sophomore Esha Joshi details the history of Hindu music and provides a firsthand account of performing it.

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NOVEMBER 16, 2023

INSTAGRAM: @PINEWOODPERENNIAL

PINEWOOD SCHOOL, LOS ALTOS HILLS, CA

VOLUME VIII, ISSUE II

THEPERENNIAL.ORG

Community Reacts to the Israel-Hamas War Students Worry About Friends and Family, Admin Hopes to Keep Unity

Illustration by EMMA HWANG

KATIE MAIER Staff Writer

Israel declared war on the Palestinian militant organization Hamas after Hamas’s raids killed more than 1,200 people. Now, Israel is retaliating with attacks that have taken more than 11,200 lives. At Pinewood, reactions to the attacks vary. Though Muslim and Palestinian students attend Pinewood, they declined requests to comment for this article.

Pro-Palestine Students Spread Awareness Some students are fearful that many innocent people, particularly Gaza residents, are affected by the fighting. “It’s kind of expected just because of all the conflict in the region,” Jewish senior Makena Matula said. “But I know that Israel has had a large history of human rights abuses, and civilians are dying.” Matula said that the difference in military strength between Israel and Hamas puts Palestinian civilians in higher danger. “It’s saddening because Israel technically declared war on Hamas, but all Palestinians are affected,” Matula said. “I am just scared for Palestinians.” Palestinian students are experiencing similar emotions, fearing for their family and friends living in Gaza. “[I’ve received] crushing, heartbreaking messages from my sister’s friend who lives in Gaza,” Palestinian-American and Gunn High School senior Deena Abu-Dayeh said in an interview for The Campanile, Palo Alto High School’s student newspaper. “She sent a message saying, ‘My battery’s almost out. If I’m not alive, I want you to spread my message about the Palestinian reality.’”

Jewish Families and Friends Affected For some Pinewood students, the war threatens their loved ones’ safety. Senior Jakob Kleiman, who is the president of the Jewish Student Union, said that the hostages captured in videos circulating on social media reminded him of his friends training for the Israeli Defense Force. “It’s especially spooky because I have a number of friends who are 18 years old in Israel right now that look like that,” he said. Another Jewish student, eighth grader Eli Fooksman, had family at risk in the area. His sister was in a bomb shelter for three days and heard sirens and explosions. Fooksman is keeping in contact with his sister and her boyfriend, who have relocated to Greece to escape the bombings, and said she is handling the situation well. Kleiman and Fooksman have funneled their passion into fundraising and educating. Kleiman’s Jewish Student Union raised $370 for medical aid in southern Israel, while Fooksman writes posts on social media with information he believes the public should know about the war. “In this time of grief, Jews always find a way to bounce back,” Kleiman said. “It’s kind of beautiful to see everyone drop everything to protect the people they love.”

A Unifying Response Pinewood’s administration hopes to keep unity. Head of School Scott Riches, Head of Upper Campus Gabriel Lemmon and Assistant Head of Upper Campus Haley Hemm have each released statements offering unity and support. Lemmon reminded students that

high school and junior high school counselors Stephanie Fugita and Lyndsey Duerden are available to talk to students if needed. All three administrators also provided resources on how to talk about the war. “I was just reading about the increase in both antisemitism and Islamophobia that has happened since the start of this war,” Head of Upper Campus Gabriel Lemmon said. “It’s something that we have to make sure that we counteract at Pinewood.” Lemmon has been communicating with parents and staff about creating a safe environment for Muslim and Jewish students. Lemmon said that he has reached out to those with connections to the area. “I was heartbroken,” Lemmon said. “ My whole job in the world is to ensure the growth and safety of young people so that they can flourish. And war is such a direct confrontation of those things that I value so much.” As schools in the United States experience everything from walkouts in support of Palestinian citizens to arson against a Jewish student’s dorm, they are taking action to ensure the safety of their students. The Palo Alto Unified School District passed two resolutions relating to the conflict. One aims to combat antisemitism amongst students while the other aims to combat Islamophobia amongst students. At Pinewood, the administration hopes that there will be no reports of conflict amongst students and that they continue supporting each other through this difficult time. “We have to make sure that we take care of everybody here, and that the conflict that brings the world apart can’t be something that brings us apart,” Lemmon said.