The Salute to Israel Parade this year, like every year, was an amazing experience. The entire school got off the buses and organized themselves into the appropriate lines. After getting the signal, everyone started marching together, waving their streamers in unison. SKA danced down 5th Avenue with beautiful banners and blue t-shirts. Marching in the parade inspired the realization of how incredibly important it is that we, as students of a Zionistic yeshiva, join others in showing our support for the State of Israel. In the words of one student: "On that sunny Lag Ba'Omer we proved to the world that we back up Israel and appreciate its existence, even though we don't have the opportunity to live there. We hope that next year we will be able to attend the parade, iy"h, but instead of walking down the streets of New York, we will stride down the streets of Yerushalayim."

This past Wednesday night, SKA students had the privilege to participate wholeheartedly in the mitzvah of hachnasat kallah, and truly be "misameach chatan v'kallah" in every sense of the word. Under the inspiring leadership of Nicole Gleitman, the 11th grade planned and participated in a beautiful wedding that the chatan, kallah, and all those present will never forget.

Students were involved in almost every aspect of the wedding, helping to create a gorgeous chuppah, a stunning mechitza for the dance floor, ordering and creating "shtick" to contribute to the festivities, and raising funds for the affair. Moreover, the simcha and enthusiasm that the students brought to the wedding itself helped create an almost tangible air of complete simcha.

Preparation for the wedding began weeks ago when the 11th grade threw a special "shower" at Aliza Abittan's home. There, we "showered" the couple with bridal gifts to help build their new home. And the simcha continued on the day after the wedding, when 10th grade students followed up with a beautiful sheva brachot celebration.

Thank you so much to all the girls - the list is far too long to name - who went above and beyond to make this wedding such a success. Special thanks to Nicole Gleitman for allowing us to partake in this amazing mitzvah and to Sharmel Caterers for their incredible mentchlechkeit and consideration.

On Monday, May 14th , twenty SKA Sophomores participated in a special Shavout program with the HALB Lev Chana three year old nursery classes. The SKA girls introduced the activity by talking about the beautiful flowers that surrounded Har Sinai at Matan Torah and reading "Grow Flower Grow," by Lisa Bruce, a book about a girl who learns what flowers need in order to grow. The Sophomores then used their leadership, teaching, and mentoring skills to work our with nursery children in small groups as they decorated flower pots and planted flowers in each of the pots. The nursery schoolers had an opportunity to interact with the older girls and to make beautiful plants to bring home to their families for Shavuot. Special thanks to Mrs. Debbie Rubel for coordinating the program.

On Thursday, May 17th, SKA held its annual G.O. elections! The candidates moved the crowd with their hilarious speeches and creative costumes. The excitement had been mounting all week and the enthusiasm was contagious. Laughter filled the air as each girl presented her ideas in her own unique way. It was obvious that the candidates put a tremendous amount of effort into their presentations and the work definitely paid off! Mazal tov to newly elected President Avigayil Chesner, Vice President Miriam Kalter, Secretary Jordana Bienenfeld, 12th Grade Treasurer Michal Zlotnick, 11th Grade Treasurer Alana Genuth, and 10th Grade Treasurer Rebecca Najjar. Yasher Koach to the G.O. of 2007 on an amazing year and we are looking forward to much excitement next year with the incoming G.O. of 2008!

Dark skies and thunder showers could not deter the 9th grade's determination to do a mitzvah, for the excitement had been building all week and sponsors had been signing up. As we set out on Friday, May 11th, for our Walk-A-Thon, the rain stopped and the sun shined down. The Freshmen had a blast hiking 2 miles over the Atlantic Beach bridge and all proceeds are going to the family of Roi Klein, a man who sacrificed his life to save his battalion. He is survived by his wife and children. After the strenuous but enjoyable walk, the Freshmen were graciously welcomed by Mrs. Spirn into her home. There they were treated to pizza and fresh-baked cookies. They had a great time while doing a great mitzvah! Special thanks to Devora Finkel and Rivki Weiss for all their help in organizing the event.

Are you stressed out??? Feeling pressure??? Overwhelmed by tests??? Well, thanks to Aliza Schulman, LCSW, our 9th graders should no longer be feeling this way. Over the past few weeks Ms. Schulman came to SKA and taught strategies and techniques relating to how one can handle stress. For instance, if feeling "stressed out," one might find someone to talk to, such as a friend, teacher or parent, get enough sleep and eat right, and finally, make sure to take breaks during the day, even for a quick nap. Ms. Schulman was very honest in her approach by stating that everyone has stress, but the key to healthy stress is knowing how to manage it properly. The girls took a "stress test" to see how stressed they truly are, as well as a post test to see how well they manage their stress. Afterwards, Ms. Schulman presented tips and ideas for better studying and ended with a relaxing tape to calm the girls for the remainder of the day. So, if you're stressed out -- speak to the 9th graders; they'll help you out!

Special thanks to Ms. Aliza Schulman, who returned once again this year to facilitate the program. Thank you as well to Ms. Ilana Keehn, LCSW for coordinating the program and to Mrs. Ronit Haber, 9th grade Guidance Counselor, for working with Ms. Schulman and the students during the program.

This year's Yom Chaverut was a resounding success! Nearly all incoming Freshmen came to SKA on Sunday, April 29th, to get a sneak peek at the SKA experience. From delicious food to relay races, smiles could be seen on all the girls faces. As they poured in through the front doors, each girl immediately found a friend and began to chat. Directed through the halls, the girls made their way to Room 110 where an exciting game of Balderdash took place. Laughter quickly filled the room as Grade Level Advisors Mrs. Gross and Mrs. Leibtag read the guesses aloud. Delicious, hot pizza and salad followed the game as SKA's newest additions ate lunch. After all, what would an SKA event be without food?! Relay races in the Gym with Mrs. Block were next and the achdut already displayed by next year's Freshman class was outstanding! The girls worked hard within their teams to try to win their races. At the end of the day, each girl went home with helpful information about high school, many new friends, and a smile on her face.

This past Wednesday the girls commemorated the 40th anniversary of Yerushalayim since the 1967 war. The program started with a fun quiz that involved both biblical and modern trivia questions on the Old City, with prizes to those who scored the highest. Then, the school gathered in the auditorium to hear an inspiring lecture from Rabbi Becher who, with the accompaniment of a Powerpoint slide show presentation, masterfully presented both the outer and inner beauty of Yerushalayim. The girls then were able to see the answers to the quiz on a fun and informative slide show. The program, however, was not complete without a "taste" of Yerushalyim, and thus concluded with a delicious yerushalmi kugel.

The SKA Softball Team finished their regular season this week with the amazing record of 7-1, putting them at the top of their league! Initially worried by the fact that so many of their starters graduated last year, the defending champion Sonics, along with their new recruits, dominated the baseball field. The Sonics had some amazing games this year against Shulamith, Flatbush, Central, HAFTR, and HANC, where they came from behind, made plays at the plate, and hit RBIs that shocked even them. With the playoffs coming up in the next few weeks, the Sonics hope to bring home the trophy for the third year running. Good luck!!

Last week, the 9th and 10th grade girls had an uplifting Tzemach program about the advantages and power of positive thinking. The girls watched a short movie clip on how the parents of an autistic child, with patience and love, cured their child of his mental disease by entering his world - doing what he did for an hour or two a day. The movie demonstrated so clearly the power of a positive attitude. It is so easy in such a situation simply to give up, but these parents believed they could help their child. He is now the CEO of their treatment foundation created after curing their own child. The program was beautiful and inspiring; it's sad to say it that was the last of the year. Once again, we want to thank Mrs. Sara Leah Haber for such a meaningful program.

The SKA G.O. bid us farewell with a splash this year, creating the first annual SKA "Goodbye G.O." picnic, complete with an amazingly creative slideshow and many exciting surprises. After the slideshow, which highlighted many exciting SKA G.O. events that took place this year and the members of G.O., who worked hard throughout the year for their school, the doors of the auditorium leading to the sunny outdoors opened up and students enjoyed a fun-filled G.O. picnic with many Dunkin Donuts treats - donuts, munchkins, and even orange juice with crazy straws!! Students also had fun lounging on the red and white checkered picnic blankets spread out across the field and creating their very own summer-fun visors!! This was just the last of the fun activities that SKA G.O. 2007 - Yardana Galler, Davina Wadler, Orly English, Sarah Gross, Elana Bindiger, Daniella Nussbaum, and Beth Weinstein - have done for the school throughout the year. As ninth grader, Rachel Lunzer said "We'll really miss this year's G.O. They were awesome!!

The 9th graders recently went on an exciting trip to Al-A-Aish restaurant for an International Fair. With a variety of foods encompassing Israeli, American, and Spanish cuisine, everyone had something to enjoy. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in all three languages and Prakim of Tehillim were recited. Everyone joined in the celebration with stories read and songs chanted. Prior to the luncheon, Mrs. Perlmutter taught the girls Spanish songs and Mrs. Shenker taught them a new poem to read at the restaurant. Mrs. Antman taught them some fun Hebrew songs and everyone in the restaurant loved hearing all the beautiful performances. Speical thanks to Mrs. Antman, Mrs. Shenker, and Mrs. Perlmutter for one of the most memorable experiences of the school year.

It's over! All the AP exams have been taken and the exams have been shipped. The students worked hard during the year and are now sighing with relief. Of course, they also await their results.

166 exams were taken during the week of AP Tests and two more will be taken when our ISEF seniors return from Albuquerque, New Mexico. B'hatzlacha to everyone! A job well done!!

The Seniors are out getting a taste of the real world.

Work study has begun at SKA and the Seniors are involved in lots of interesting internships. Some girls have stayed local and are working in the HALB preschool, local nursing homes, or Claire's Treasures. Others have taken the leap to intern for lawyers and two students are working for the Rockefeller Company in New York City! Five girls have been involved with the School Board Elections and we are particularly proud of the 16 seniors who chose to remain at SKA for the Beit Midrash learning program.

We are sure that everyone is having an interesting experience and we look forward to welcoming all the Seniors back at the beginning of June for Senior Night, the senior trip, graduation (mazal tov!) and, of course...Regents!!!

Mazal Tov to our Valedictorian, Tzippy Wiesenfeld, Salutatorians, Mijal Bitton and Emily Levine, and Keter Shem Tov Awardee, Sheva Odzer. We look forward to hearing their addresses on Sunday morning, June 10th, iy"h.

The speakers for Senior Night are: Ilana Lefkovitz and Danielle Lent.

We are excited to announce that the 10th graders will be participating in a Tikun Layl Shavuot program. It will take place, I"H, Layl Shavuot at the Simpson home at 38 Muriel Avenue, Lawrence at 12:30 AM and the Fogel home at 1007 Greenfield Road, Woodmere at 12:30 AM.


We are excited to announce that the11th graders will be participating in a Tikun Layl Shavuot program. It will take place, I"H, Layl Shavuot at the Kaminetsky home at 743 West Broadway, Woodmere at 12:30 AM.


We are excited to announce that the 12th graders will be participating in a Tikun Layl Shavuot program. It will take place, I"H Layl Shavuot at the Feinberg home at 1036 Westwood Road, Woodmere. Please meet at Aish Kodesh for Rebbetzin Weinberger's shiur at 11:30 and then walk to the Schwalb home at 102 Woodmere Blvd. for another short shiur before going to Mrs. Feinberg's house.