In marking Israel's 77th birthday, the students were asked to create a design in celebration of this milestone. Just as we celebrate our own birthdays, we are celebrating this special birthday. The posters needed to include a picture of "you, a friend, or family members", and include the flag of Israel raised high on a rope, with the number "77" or the word "Israel" included. Otherwise, they could use their imagination. While we do not live in Israel, we identify as a people and with the country. We all read the same siddurim, and sing HaTikvah. Israel is the birthplace of the Jewish people, and for over 2,000 years, all Jews pray in the direction of Jerusalem. Israel represents the values of diversity (home to Mizrahi, Sephardi, Ashkenazi, Haredi, Secular, Jews, Arabs, & Christians) and connection (as the only Jewish state it represents home for Jews everywhere, including those of us in the diaspora). In celebrating Israel's 77th birthday, we are conveying our deep pride and joy. We love Israel, the Jewish people, and our shared heritage. We are also messaging TRIUMPH and HOPE -- in a history littered with adversity, we persevere and lead with love. We were inspired by two posters in particular: 1. Kumsitz Poster of 1981, which shows the diversity of the people of Israel and their connection to each other and the broader community; and 2. Ingrid Trandafir's poster because we don't often think of Jews living in Romania and we love the idea that Jews live everywhere.