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SKAppenings |
Parshat Bechukotai
Lag Ba'omer
18 Iyar 5768
May 23, 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
We were excited to conduct our first SKA Walkathon on Mother's Day, May
11th, with the hope of raising funds for the children of Sderot..
It was a glorious day; the sun was shining, yet it was cool and comfortable
to conduct our five mile walk on the Long Beach boardwalk. This was a
day where one could easily feel the beauty of Hashem's creations, "Mah rabu
ma'asecha Hashem". A team of volunteers helped us with checking in and
collecting money, setting up snacks, handing out Mother's Day flowers to all
of our moms and welcoming our walkers on the boardwalk.
We couldn't be prouder! More than 500 people eagerly participated in a
Walkathon on behalf of Sderot. We had the opportunity to create a
Kiddush Hashem on the boardwalk where many people asked us all about Sderot
and what we were trying to accomplish. We were surprised that so many
Jews had never heard of Sderot and the daily Qassams the residents encounter
and we were more than happy to share what we knew. We were thrilled to
see so many students, parents, sibling and graduates be part of the
experience! We appreciated that those who were unable to come sent in
money and expressed their encouragement. We were one large family and were
trying to do something for our brothers and sisters in Sderot! And it
worked!
Baruch Hashem, we reached our goal of $25,000 and are planning our
playground to be built at an AMIT school in Sderot. Many thanks to all of
our supporters, participants and volunteers. What a beautiful and
inspiring Mother's Day morning we shared! May we always be sensitive
to feeling the pain of our brothers and sisters in Israel and throughout the
world and may we be motivated to try and improve their situation! Kol
hakavod, girls! We made a difference!
Mazal tov to our newly
elected G.O. Board!
Enjoy your Lag B'Omer! Have a spiritual and restful Shabbos
and enjoy the long weekend! We are truly in the home stretch!
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Walk-a-thon for Sderot Raises Over $25,000
On Sunday, May 11th, SKA hosted a Walk-a-thon to raise money for Sderot. We met
at HALB Elementary School and walked the Long Beach boardwalk on a glorious day,
feeling good about what we were doing. Even though it might have been
inconvenient for some, it being Mother's Day or the Sunday before an AP, there
was an incredible turnout. Over 500 people showed up, raising upwards of
$25,000. Thank you to Rabbi Zak, Yafa Storch, Franklin Printing, Gourmet Glatt,
HALB Women's League, and the SKA Parent Council; to our volunteers, Michelle
Bodek, Mandy Brecher, Yocheved Goldberg, Mindy Liebman, Bonnie Schertz, Esther
Weinstein, Dasi Weitz, and Jan Wernick; and to our devoted students, Orit
Bitton, Rivkah Herman, Batsheva Jaeger, Melissa Kirschner, Rachel Rose, Stacie
Rosenberg, and Danielle Zucker for their help. We look forward to partnering
with AMIT and building a protected playground for the children of Sderot.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PICTURES!!
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Allstate Teen Driver Awareness Week
This week was an important one in SKA, because we learned about driving safely.
With many of our juniors getting their licenses and driving to school, it is
crucial to focus on the dangers, risks, and responsibilities that come along
with driving. (Remember, no cell phones or texting when driving!) The program
also focused on the importance on being a good passenger as well, which applies
to the younger grades. The week started with an informative slideshow, and has
continued throughout with cute giveaways such as bumper stickers, air fresheners
and bracelets reminding us to be good passangers. Thanks so much to Rabbi
Rothman, Michal Aharanoff, Kayla Mansbach, and Evie Shechter for their hard work
and effort in putting together this incredible week.
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G.O. Elections
The always exciting G.O. 2008-2009 Elections took place this past Wednesday. As
usual everyone piled into the auditorium with eagerness to see this year's
speeches. All the speeches were amazing and so much fun to hear. Mazel tov to
our new President Emi Renov, Vice President Shayna Nordlicht, Secretary Elana
Haar, 12th grade Treasurer Aliza Schwartzblatt, 11th grade Treasurer Penina
Phillips and 10th grade Treasurer Liat Weinstock. We can't wait to add a 9th
grader to the team in the Fall and having a great year! Thanks again to GO
2007-2008 for an amazing year! We'll miss you!
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Lag Ba'omer
Last
night the Juniors had a special program for Lag Ba'omer which was a huge
success! We gathered at the Kaminetsky's for a bon fire and Kumsitz and roasted
marshmellows, made hotdogs, and ate chulent. Mrs. Feinberg told an inspiring
story about doing chesed and Shira Willig played guitar. The ruach was amazing
and we enjoyed singing away! Thank you to Rabbi Zak and Mrs. Kaminetsky for
putting everything together!
On Lag Ba'omer day, we had a Square Dancing program. The students were given
cowboy hants and bandanas and learned how to square dance and "dosi doe" their
corners and partners. A great time was had by all!
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Lag Ba'omer Teaches About Kavod Chavercha
Lag Baomer is the time of the year when Rabbi Akiva's students stopped dying and
we had a program today to help us learn how to prevent another tragedy like that
from ever happening again. We did this by learning to become more aware of our
friends when they need our help. With great discussion groups, we talked about
how we would handle different scenarios when we have to choose between doing
what we want or helping someone else. Then we watched a video that helped bring
the point of this program home to us. It was very nice and really helped us to
understand the true meaning of the idea of kavod chavercha.
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Freshman Holocaust Poem Winners
The 9th grade girls win again! As part of the Holocaust
Journal in English class, Mrs. Shenker encouraged her
students to enter the Poetry Contest sponsored by The
Holocaust Museum and Tolerance Center in Glen Cove, Long
Island. Frumie Ganeles and Liat Weinstock won Honorable
Mention and Ayala Perlysky won Second Place awards. The
girls received plaques and Ayala also received a bond at
a ceremony at the Museum on May 11th. Out of four
running spots, SKA received three of them.
Talia Silverstein, ninth grader, had her poem published.
In Creative Communications. Participation in
contests is encouraged in the ninth grade English
Classes. Mrs. Shenker is so proud of her students! |
Freshman Foreign Language Luncheon
On Tuesday, May 13th, the Freshman class went on a trip to Traditions
Restaurant, for an International festival. English was not the only language
spoken; Spanish and Hebrew were as well. Some students led Spanish, English, and
Hebrew songs, while the other students listened in. It was such a great
experience to see the whole 9th grade together in unison, enjoying a Tuesday
lunch. The food was amazing; there was a variety of Mexican, Israeli, and
American. The girls had a great time! Thank you to Mrs. Antman, Mrs.
Bindiger, Mrs. Leibtag, Mrs. Perlmutter, Mrs. Rotenstein, and Mrs. Shenker
for coordinating this special event. |
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Although the Juniors still have a while before applying to college, it's never
too early to start thinking about it. On Wednesday, May 14th four college
representatives came to SKA College Night to inform the 11th grade about the
college application process. In small, personal groups Barnard, Stern, Queens,
and Touro informed the girls about each college, answered questions, and
jumpstarted the thinking process. It was a very educational program that
really helped the girls realize what was ahead in their future!
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Rabbi Schreier of the OU Addresses the
10th and 11th Grade
This past Monday Rabbi Dov Schreier from the OU (Orthodox Union) and the Rabbi
of Young Israel of North Bellmore came to speak to the tenth and eleventh grade
students about Kashrut. He explained us about the nitty gritty details about
kashrut and how careful we have to be with what we put in our shopping carts,
and even more so, into our mouths. Most of the TSBP classes are learning about
Kashrut so it fit right into the curriculum. He also brought in examples of
foods from popular supermarkets that sell the same items, some of which are
kosher and some of which are not. The examples and personal experiences which he
shared with us really made us sensitive to look out for kosher signs
everywhere!!
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Juniors Volunteer at
Bobbie's Place
On May 12, many Juniors were absent due to APs. The girls who were still in
school heard a speech given by Rabbi Friedman about Pirkei Avot. They then
went to Brooklyn to help out at a clothing gemach called Bobbie's Place.
They went to help organize the clothing there. The woman in charge was very
thankful and pleased with all that they accomplished in only two hours.
After, they went out to lunch in Brooklyn, they came back to school and the
girls davened Mincha. After they davened, the girls had an early dismissal.
The girls had a great, inspirational time. |
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