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SKAppenings |
Parshat B'shalach
9 Shevat 5768
January 16, 2008 |
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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
As we are about to embark on vacation, I feel a tremendous sense of pride as
I reflect on this first half of year of school.
Our students have achieved great heights....academically, religiously,
socially and personally.
Girls, you have worked hard
for your midterms and I know you have performed well.
You have learned the power of persistence and diligence and have developed
confidence in your own abilities to reach your potential.
You have deepened your relationships with each other,
making new friends, getting closer with our teachers and administrators,
and becoming an important part of the SKA family.
We have learned to appreciate our differences and reach out to those who may
need our assistance. What a special program we had on
January 1st and how that made us all appreciate the gifts that Hashem
has bestowed on all of us. Of course, you have spread your wings and
developed your talents through Production,
Shabbaton and a myriad of other opportunities.
We have been through difficult
times together and have learned to lean on one another during times of
sadness. We have also seen the
miracles of Hashem, especially this past week and are so grateful that our
beloved Naomi Weiss and her beautiful family escaped the perils of the fire
that destroyed their home. The outpouring of affection from our
girls was inspiring!
Naomi, may you and your family continue to feel Yad Hashem as you go through
this challenging transition time.
We trust that next semester will be filled with wonderful
experiences and growth opportunities for our students too.
We have included links to letters regarding our February getaways for the
various grades. ...Boston, Washington D.C. and places of Jewish interest
throughout the greater New York area.
I am so looking forward to the
two reunions that I will be hosting in Yerushalayim during
Intersession.....one for the Class of 2007 who are learning in Israel this
year and the second for the many SKA graduates who have made Eretz Yisrael
their home. I just can't wait to see everyone!
I hope you all will have a
restful and relaxing intersession and will enjoy the time away from your
academic responsibilities. Remember,
we are all part of one family....the SKA family.... and we are all there for
each other! Girls, continue to live up to your potential and
enjoy the opportunity to spend quality time with your families during
Intersession 2008! |
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Father-Daughter Breakfast
What better way to spend your morning than eating muffins, learning Torah and
playing Jeopardy - with your Dad?!? The 9th grade Father-Daughter
Breakfast on December 25th began just this way!!
Breakfast was sponsored by the Brach, Goldstein, and Zehnwirth families. Mrs.
Spirn greeted our special guests and introduced Rabbi Zak, who honored us with
an enlightening shiur on the importance of family. Fathers and daughters then
moved into three rooms to play Jeopardy- SKA style, with Smartboards and
all. The morning ended with dessert, a D'var Torah by Gila Joseph and an
excellent slide show prepared by Ayelet Lerner.
Each father received a picture frame with a
Tfillat avot al banim on one
side and a portrait of himself and his daughter, taken by Mr. Lobell that
morning, on the other. What a special way to share time with the Dads , learn
Torah and have a great morning!
Special thanks to Rabbi Zak, Mrs. Storch, Mrs. Leibtag and Mrs. Segal for all
their hard work!
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SKA-DRS Faculty In-Service Day
It has become a "tradition" that SKA and DRS faculties join together for an
In-Service Day in the beginning of January. This year
was no different. The DRS faculty joined the SKA faculty at SKA for joint
departmental meetings and a " working lunch" during which teachers exchanged
ideas, looked towards the future and listened to divrei Torah by
Rabbi Eli Storch.During the departmental meetings , the Limudei Kodesh staff of
both schools were treated to an inspiring and thoughtful presentation by
Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer, Rabbi of the Young Israel of West Hempstead.
For the SKA
faculty, the In Service- Day was also the time that the
Middle Sates Self Study was launched.
We will continue to work on Accreditation for Growth during the next few
months anticipating the Middles States Team's visit to SKA in the early spring
of 2009.
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Yom Iyun - Disabilities
January 1st is always a unique day at SKA.
This year, a special Yom Iyun on Disabilities, Understanding our
Differences, was organized by Rabbi Zak and Mrs. Storch and the result was a
beautiful morning of learning, discovering and exploring issues of the disabled
population.
We were thrilled to begin our program with a moving video featuring our own Mrs.
Sarah Leah Haber, beloved SKA faculty member and Grade Level Advisor, who went
on aliyah this summer with her family.
A panel discussion, a video and many amazing speakers changed the perspective of
the SKA students as they met people who are blind or mentally disabled and yet
are able to enjoy life and learn Torah. Seeing the disabled work hard just to do
things that the students take for granted, inspired our girls to commit to use
their strengths and capabilities to the fullest.
Ultimately, the SKA students realized that although people may have more severe
disabilities than they, everyone has limitations and we are all not really that
different.
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Rabbi Wein Speaks at SKA
The SKA Community Wide Lecture Series for Women continued on Wednesday night,
December 26th with
the presence of a world renowned speaker, Rabbi Berel Wein. His speech
focused on the concept of the pleasant ways of the Torah, Diracheha Darhei
Noam. His message, illustrated with incredible stories, was to be
pleasant always; that we should live our lives in such a way that we don't
insult or offend anyone. He noted that living pleasantly is a lifestyle not only
for ourselves, but one which we can also give to others.
The presentation was inspirational, informative and life changing. |
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Moreshet Aviva
Moreshet Aviva,a program founded Liluy Nishmat Aviva Aryeh a"h, meets every
Rosh Chodesh, when women around the world learn about a different Middah.
On Motzei Shabbos, December, 29th, the
SKA Seniors met for their second Moreshet Aviva program this year at
Alex Grossman's house. The Middah of the
month was Hakarat Hatov and Mrs. Yudin presented a shiur focusing on how
Hakarat Hatov is so pivotal in building relationships with our friends and
family. She also noted the significance of having Hakarat Hatov to Hashem and
how we become much happier people when we do. The evening was filled with limud
and inspiration. The girls look forward to many more Moreshet Aviva programs.
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Dr. Meier Visits with SKA Alumnae in Israel
Dr. Meier spent a week in Israel meeting with the SKA students who are learning
in over thirteen seminaries there.
She found the students to
be happy, growing in knowledge, excited about their learning and really
connecting to Torah and the Land of Israel. Many of the
students spoke about their hakarat hatov to the SKA faculty for preparing
them so well for this next step in their lives and all said they missed SKA
terribly. They all say, "Hi."
Mrs. Spirn will be in Israel during vacation and will be hosting two reunions:
one for the alumnae, on Motzei Shabbos, January 19, 2008 at the OU Center and
the other for SKA students learning in Israel for the year, on Monday January
21, 2008 at Michlalah.
She looks forward to seeing all the students, to schmooze and reminisce and to
enjoy the special videos she is bringing. See you there!!!
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PICTURES! |
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Blood Drive a Huge Success
On Thursday, December 27th a Blood Drive was held in the SKA
gym. Many students over the age of 16 donated blood, thus participating in a
huge mitzvah, since the blood can save many lives. Right now America is in need
of blood and the Red Cross was very appreciative of our efforts.
Thanks to Shira
Bindiger,
Tova Joseph, Aleeza Kessler,
Temima Kessler, Rachel Klein,
Talia Margulies, Jessie Rhine,
Sarit Sandowski, and Jordana Wernick for
all their help in organizing this special event! |
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SKA Students Voluteer with Kulanu Children
Every year, while
public schools have vacation, HALB's pre-school hosts Kulanu children for the
week. As in the past, SKA students offered to help out, spending time shadowing
in the pre-school for 2 hours. A rotation was set up so that all
students interested in helping could participate. The SKA students enjoyed the
experience, received chesed hours and learned a lot about Kulanu children and
how special they are. Many thanks to Mrs. Storch for organizing the program- it
was a real success! |
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Rabbi Mechanic of Project Chazon Inspires the Juniors
Once again, Rabbi Mechanic came to SKA to speak to the Juniors with a
Discovery Program designed to answer questions and pose some new,
thought-provoking ones as well. In a highly educational and entertaining
presentation, Rabbi Mechanic discussed the fundamentals of Judaism
"proving" that Hashem is the
borei olam. His main proof for the truth of
Matan Torah was that there were three million people at Har Sinai and no one
person could devise a story claiming that three million other people were
present. Rabbi Mechanic helped the Juniors gain an understanding of why
we are Jewish, which in turn will help the students better serve Hashem and
following His Torah! |
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Lilmod Ule'Lamed for Mothers and Alumnae!
Thank you to the SKA faculty who so graciously gave of their time and learning
on Tuesdays as part of our Lilmod Ule'lamed program. Thank you, as well, to the
moms who took time from their busy schedules to join us for limud Torah. We look
forward to continuing Lilmod Ule'lamed on
Tuesday, January 29th
when Dr. Meier will present a three part series on
Inspiration from the Depths of the Churban: The Words of Yirmiyahu.
The shiur is being sponsored by Mrs. Debbie Benedict, in loving memory of her
father Menashe Nash Kestenbaum, a"h.
If you would like to reserve a date(s) to sponsor this year's Lilmod Ule'lamed,
please feel free to contact Mrs. Spirn at hspirn@skahalb.org or at 374-7195,
ext. 155.
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SAVE THE DATE: February 5th
Phil Rosenthal returns by popular demand!
On the evening of February 5th, following the Sophomore Parent
Elective Orientation meeting and the Junior Parent College Orientation meeting,
Phil Rosenthal, "the Internet Cop" will return for an "encore
performance" with his very informative and extremely important report on
Internet Awareness and Safety. You do not want to miss this excellent
presentation. Mark your calendars for this very important event!
Mr. Rosenthal presented a session in November to our SKA and DRS Freshman
Parents and received rave reviews! Learn more about the Internet,
Facebook, MySpace and the issues facing our kids today!
You
do not have to be a parent of a 10th or 11th grader to attend this
program.
Details to follow!
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SKA Reunion in Israel with Mrs. Spirn
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For the first time ever, PANIM: The Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values
is launching an all girls program Panim L'Nashim. This
exciting development will enable out girls to attend a 4 day leadership seminar
to explore the interaction of Jewish values with political and social activism.
CLICK HERE for more information about the program.
CLICK HERE for an application to the program.
CLICK HERE for more information regarding cost and scholarships.
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Tzeitschem l'shalom
It is with fondness and sadness that we bid farewell to
Chana Spielman, who is leaving her "office post" at SKA.
During the past three years, Chana has lovingly and
competently fulfilled requests of our staff, students,
and parents and has been an important part of the SKA
family.
Hatzlacha Rabba!
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