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SKAppenings |
Parshat Ki Tisa
16 Adar I 5768
February 22, 2008 |
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QUICK LINKS |
ATTENTION
ALUMNAE
Please keep us informed of important
happenings in your personal and professional lives. It will be our pleasure
to post your news in our next SKAPPENINGS! Please email us at
hspirn@skahalb.org
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A Message from Mrs. Spirn
Shavua tov, everyone! We hope you all enjoyed our long awaited
Snow Day and appreciated the opportunity to be home on a Friday
(That's two in a row!) and perhaps, frolic in the snow
Trips, trips, trips and more trips!.....Boston,
Washington, D.C., New Square, the Poconos, Newport, Rhode Island, Williamsburg,
the Woodmere Mikva, Baltimore, Crown Heights.....Our students'
itineraries last week were varied and geographically far apart and the nature
and goals of our four trips were very different. Yet, every
grade had an awesome fun-filled experience
and had the
opportunity to feel a heightened achdut and ruach and
more self awareness on their two day outings!
Special hakarat hatov to our full time faculty who chaperoned
these
overnight trips and lovingly gave of their time to their students. We
couldn't have done it without you!
Our school has been buzzing with the ongoing presence of our 8th
grade applicants. We were happy to welcome almost 90 students last week for
our 8th grade Get Together! The program featured an encore
performance by our Senior Class of the Museum of Natural Kindness and a
Luncheon hosted by our animated Freshman Class. Many of our
applicants have been visiting us since then and we are
thrilled to welcome them to our hallways and classrooms, as they prepare to
make important decisions about the next four years! We look
forward to finalizing the registration and formation of the SKA Class of
2012 and will share more details in our next SKAppenings!
We realize that many of you were unprepared for the snow and did not
necessarily bring home the books and notes needed for the tests scheduled
for Monday. Those tests have been rescheduled as follows: 10th
grade Chumash test on Friday, 11th grade Chumash test on Wednesday.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend! I hope to see you all on
Monday.....but who knows what the weather will bring!
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9th Grade Trip to Boston
As
the freshmen boarded the buses last Wednesday morning, they knew they were in
for two days of traveling, excitement, and fun that had been long anticipated.
In just a few hours, they arrived at the historic Touro Synagogue in
Providence, Rhode Island. It is an old, yet well
kept shul that was founded over two centuries ago by Sephardic Jews searching
for religious freedom. They then made their way to the Vanderbilt Mansion,
a big and beautiful estate that was only used as a summer home! Its elegant and
decorative furnishings really kept the interest of the freshman class. Back on
the bus, the students headed to BrandeisUniversity
in Boston for a great dinner and then
retreated to the hotel so "the teachers" could get a good night's sleep.
The following morning after davening and breakfast at Brandeis, the group
visited the Five Wits exhibit, which is a replication of Pharaoh's tomb,with
different tasks and puzzles to complete so the students could advance from room
to room of the tomb. The M.I.T. museum was next with works of art, artifacts,
drawings, photographs and holograms that have been collected by numerous
departments at MIT and the museum itself. The freshman class reunited at the
mall located in the Prudential Center for
down time to relax, eat lunch and enjoy the panoramic, breathtaking view of
Boston and the Charles River
from the 52nd
floor. Pizza and an arcade filled with games, laser tag, rides, and go carts
completed the trip.
The freshmen had
an amazing time. Even on Wednesday when it was pouring and gloomy, the day was
still lit up by the smile on each girl's face. Thank you to
Rabbi Zak, Mrs. Storch, and Grade Advisors Mrs. Leibtag and Mrs.
Segal for making all the arrangements and to the chaperones: Mrs. Bryk, Mrs.
Leibtag, Mrs. Menchel, Mrs. Pomerantz, Mrs. Rosenfeld and Mrs. Segal for
joining the group. The trip was a great way to bond, relax and have a really
good time! Who can forget the achdut and ruach we felt dancing together on the
boat in the harbor?
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PICTURES!!
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10th Grade Trip to Washington D.C.
This
past week, the 10th grade drove
down to Washington, D.C. for the annual SKA Sophomore Lobbying
Trip. On the way down, the students stopped at Shawnee
Mt. where they went snowtubing in the rain, racing each other at record
speeds. Soaked through layers of clothing, they
headed back to the lodge where they dried off and were treated to hot chocolate
and soup, courtesy of Rabbi Zak. Dry and warm, they headed to
Baltimore for dinner at Tov Pizza, whose name says it all!
The ESPN Zone, in Baltimore, was the last stop of the day, where the
students burned off unwanted calories with a variety of sports
related arcade games. After a busy, action- packed day, it
was off to the hotel for the night where the girls fell into bed...but not
before lobbying practice!! The students were assigned to groups
and reviewed the scripts one final time, before presenting them to
representatives of the Congress and Senate.
The students woke up early, ready for the full day of lobbying ahead.
After davening , breakfast and a Dvar Torah by Rabbi Friedman, the tenth graders
drove down to DC to present the issues to the government aides.
Appointments were arranged in advance with multiple Congressional and
Senatorial aides. Each group delivered its views on the
Iran nuclear threat and the Israeli MIA soldiers to each aide and listened to
their responses. The girls discussed the issues and made
their points clearly and cogently.
Many thanks to Rabbi
Zak, Mrs. Storch, Mrs. Shmulewitz and Mrs. Miller for arranging this exciting
trip and to the chaperones: Mrs. Brenner, Ms. Borg, Mr. Fiedler, Rabbi Friedman,
Ayelet Mael, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Shmulewitz. The trip was both
entertaining and informative and left the students with a sense of
accomplishment and empowerment.... a sense that they had made a difference!
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11th Grade Jewish History Experience
On Wednesday, February 13th
the Junior Class went on the famous eleventh grade Jewish History Trip.
They learned about the Satmar insular tight-knit community, the Lubavitch means
of opening doors to every type of Jew, Syrian customs and culture,
Kiruv work on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Yeshiva University's
"Torah Umada" outlook on life and much more. It was an experience that
opened up everyone's eyes to the different types of Jews living around us and
surprisingly revealed the similarities we all share. This trip
erased many of the general assumptions we have about different groups and helped
the junior class be more open minded and feel a stronger sense of ahavat
yisrael.
While the students still might not
be comfortable with some of the traditions and minhagim that they encountered,
they were able to interact with these other Jews and this helped show
the students how similar we actually all are. A Jew is a Jew no matter
what sect and this Jewish Experience trip helped the junior class see
that.
Thanks to Rabbi Zak, Mrs.
Storch, Mrs. Kaminetsky, Mrs. Gross and Ms. Chambre for organizing this trip.
Many thanks to the chaperones: Mrs. Bindiger, Ms. Chambre, Mrs. Feinberg, Mrs.
Gross, Mrs. Kaminetsky, Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Mirsky, Rabbi Rothman and Mrs. Storch.
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12th Grade Snow Tubing Trip
This past Wednesday and Thursday, the Seniors enjoyed a very special program. On
Wednesday, they had their Senior Health Experience, where they learned about the
importance of women's health. They had the privilege to hear from Dr. Jessica
Jacob, a respected OBGYN in the community and from the
Hadassah organization about Breast Cancer Prevention. Our
own Rebbetzin Myrna Weinberger gave a really inspirational shiur about
zerizut and emphasized its significance with regard to women maintaining their
health.. The girls then enjoyed lunch in Qcumbers and made their way over to the
Woodmere Mikvah for a tour which was very inspirational and uplifting.
On Thursday, the Seniors took a "very long" trip to Shawnee Mountain and went
snowtubing. The girls had a blast and really enjoyed spending the day together,
stopping in Teaneck on the way back for dinner. And then on
Friday, they enjoyed their long- awaited day off!!
Many thanks to Rabbi Zak, Mrs. Storch, Mrs. Joan Sherman and Mrs. Rivkah Yudin
for organizing the days and to the teachers who made it possible: Mrs. Block,
Mrs. Lavner, Mrs. Libin, Mrs. Rosenbaum, Mrs. Rotenstein and Mrs. Taib.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PICTURES!!
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TZEMACH
Mrs. Segal put
together what was possibly the most amazing Tzemach program yet! It began
with a fashion show where models, with faces hidden behind paper bags, wore all
different styles of clothing and took to the runway. The students
analyzed what each model was wearing and when their faces were revealed, the
models discussed with students how the clothing they modeled differed from what
they would normally wear. It was an eye opening experience which taught two main
points. One : The way you dress and the
impression you give off with your clothing are important. Two: The
clothing you wear can change the way you act and think essentially suggesting
that "you really are what you wear!!" |
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8th Graders Visit SKA for the Day
The halls of SKA were filled this
week, not only with SKA students running from class to class, but also with 8th
grade girls, who are in the process of making decisions about high schools.
The eighth graders came to visit and to see what a typical day at SKA is like.
They sat through classes, ate lunch together, and "hung out" just like the
high-schoolers did, as they prepared and thought about the next four years of
their life.
We
can't wait to see them next year as freshmen!
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Mock Trial Team Wins Again!
On a dark, foggy night, on an unlit
road, a world-class runner is the victim of a hit-and-run driver.
Who was driving the car? Was the driver of the car speeding?
Was the driver drunk? Was the plaintiff at fault for running
in the road? All of these questions, and others, were
addressed during Round 2 of this year's Mock Trial tournament.
Taking the side of the defense, lawyers Lauren Bayer, Rachel Ehrlich and Elana
Wiesel expertly examined witnesses Danielle Zucker, Gratzia Rose and Ratzel
Kirsch and after persuasively arguing their case, came away with a victory.
Thanks to the stellar performances in Round 1 by Leora Hefter, Ariella Beiler,
Esther Mallin, Rachel Nussbaum, Adi Fried and Rachel Rose. Coupled with this
latest victory, we are moving on to the next round.
See
you in court on February 27th! Good Luck! |
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This past Monday, Mrs. Shenker held another Women Writers Seminar. It
took place during period 6, and many ninth graders brought their lunch as they
listened to the topic of "love poems." Mrs. Shenker gave a copy of three
timeless poems to each girl who attended. An open discussion was held
during which each girl could contribute her thoughts and opinions on each poem.
It was really an incredible way to spend period 6. Keep your eyes open for the
next one!
Congratulations to the following girls whose poems will be published in the
spring edition of Creative Communications. The ninth graders, with the
guidance of English teacher Mrs. Caroline Shenker, submitted entries to the
publication. We all look forward to seeing their poems in print.
Orit Bitton
Frumie Graneles
Adina Hart
Penina Hecht
Elana
Krauss
Aviva Mansbach
Ilana Saltzman
Elana Schreier
Liat
Weinstock
Rachel Zehnwirth |
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TSBP Shabbaton at Rabbi David's House
Last shabbos, Rabbi David's
Eleventh Grade Torah sheBaal Peh Cclass had a Shabbaton in West
Hempstead. After a beautiful davening, the students walked to Elana Weisel's
house for dinner, which was cooked by many students and was delicious. More
importantly, Rabbi David led inspiring zemirot during dinner.
There were special guests for
Shabbos, a panel of four SKA graduates and the students were able
to ask them any question about the first year post-SKA, whether
in an Israel seminary or in a college. Shabbos day began with a
beautiful Shabbos davening followed a scrumptious meal which was also cooked by
many of the girls. For the Seudat Ha'Shlishit, the students made their way to
Rabbi David's and the meal was provided by
his wife, Mrs. David. Overall, Shabbos was filled with friendship, divrei Torah,
zemirot, and FUN!! Thank you to the hosts and to
Rabbi and Mrs. David for a Shabbos the students will always remember. |
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8th Grade Program at SKA!
We were thrilled to welcome close
to 90 students at our special program last week about Kavod Chavercha.
Our Senior Class outdid themselves in their Encore Performance of the
Museum
of
Natural Kindness.
Their exhibits creatively displayed individuals who throughout Jewish History
were able to show Kavod and Chesed to others....within their families, within
their communities or even toward complete strangers. Their message was inspiring
and highlighted their creative, dramatic and organizational strengths! We
were so proud of the achdut within the 12th grade and the seniors' ability to
transform themselves into one powerful museum made of 59 unique parts. They were
truly amazing!
Lunch was spirited and upbeat with our 9th graders serving as hostesses.
Each 8th grader was paired off with a current freshman and together, they
completed a "Fun Book" of puzzles and mazes, participated in raffle drawings and
listened to grammen prepared by our 9th graders. Mazel tov to the raffle
winners and everyone who won CD's.
Our 8th grade visitors and 9th grade students easily filled the
auditorium.....physically and with all of their positive energy! Our freshman
hostesses answered countless questions that only another student could truly
appreciate. Everyone had a chance to experience the freshmen's friendliness and
the seniors' creativity and tried to imagine themselves next year and even four
years later.
We know it was difficult for everyone to leave school in the middle of the day
and were especially gratified that girls came from 10 different elementary
schools. We look forward to welcoming everyone who would like to spend a morning
or afternoon visiting SKA over the next days ahead, especially those girls who
were unable to attend last week's program. Parents are invited to call our
school office for appointments: 516-374-7195, Malki at Ext 108. We hope to see
you soon!
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Lilmod Ule'Lamed for Mothers and Alumnae!
Our Lilmod Ule'lamed program will continue this week on Tuesday, February 26th,
at 12:00 PM at SKA. Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky, Director of Religious Guidance and
beloved Tanach teacher at SKA will be speaking about Tehillim: Dovid Hamelech
and the Relevance of His Words Today."
This series is being sponsored by the Felder family in the zechut of a refuah
shleima for Faiga bat Esther Rivka. | |
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