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SKAppenings |
Parshat Emor
4 Iyar 5768
May 9, 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
U'mayafeila l'ora
ume'shibud legeula....."From darkness to light; from slavery to
redemption..."
Such was the experience of our
forefathers in Mitzrayim; such was the experience of our parents and
grandparents during the Holocaust and the subsequent establishment of the
State of Israel. Such is our experience during these post-Pesach days
as we commemorate Yom Hashoah and Yom Hazikaron with sadness and grief and
celebrate with joy the modern day miracles of Yom Haatzmaut.
I trust that all of
our students and graduates had a meaningful Chag Pesach with their beloved
families. I hope that your Seder experience was all the more
meaningful because of the beautiful Haggada that was produced by our SKA
students, under the leadership of 12th graders Leora Lerman and Elisheva
Zinberg and advisorship of Rabbi David Friedman. This year's edition
of AT PTACH was a powerful reflection of our students' creativity, divrei
Torah and artwork. Kol hakavod to all who contributed and participated
in this important project! Our Pre-Pesach Chesed grade projects
performed with Russian adults, our own nursery children, developmentally
disabled adults and immigrant children helped us all prepare for the Chag in
important and exciting ways.
Before we broke for Pesach, we
also noted the second Yahrzeit of our beloved graduate Aviva Aryeh a"h,
Aviva bat Emanuel a"h. In her short time in this world, Aviva inspired
her classmates, her friends, her teachers and all who knew her with her
sensitivity, her non-judgmental respect for others and her appreciation of
life. She exemplified midot tovot and ahavat Torah and displayed a deep
thoughtfulness which accompanied her avodat Hashem and her personal
interactions with others. During her time at SKA, she spread her wings
by being involved in projects and programs that touched her soul. Through
our students' involvement with Moreshet Aviva and our study of monthly midot
in her memory, Aviva continues to touch and inspire all of our neshamot in
countless ways. May her neshama continue to have an aliyah!
At our Yom Hashoah program,
we reflected on the tragedies of the Holocaust and the countless kedoshim
with a three generation program that included our students, their parents
and their grandparents. So too, this week, we marked the loss of more
than 22,000 Jews who have fought on behalf of Medinat Yisrael and who have
been victims in the battlefield and in the war on terror.
It was a zechut celebrating Yom
Haatzmaut with our students and faculty yesterday with our own SKA Israel at
60 Program. At its conclusion, we hosted our 15th Yom Haatzmaut Chagiga and
danced together as a family, as we surrounded the Israeli flag, the symbol
of Medinat Yisrael, in our center. As has become our tradition, we ended the
program with all of SKA singing Hatikva.
We hope that many of you will
join us this coming Sunday for our Family Walkathon on behalf of Sderot at
our Long Beach Campus. We are proud of our girls' efforts and their
desire to build a new protected playground for the children of Sderot. May
we all have the zechut this coming Mother's Day, of marching with our
daughters and families on behalf of the Sderot children and showing our
support for their daily challenge of facing countless Qassam missiles.
May we have the zechut of
feeling the coming of the true geulah speedily.....
Hashta b'agala ubizman kariv!
Shabbat shalom!
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Yom Ha'atzmaut
With blue and white everywhere we turned, SKA was ready to celebrate Yom
Haatzmaut. We began with the entire school reciting Hallel together in the
morning. It was really beautiful to hear the strength of the Tefila as everyone
joined in with a lot of spirit. Later, we viewd an amazing multi-media program,
where we saw how different aspects of Israel
have changed in the past 60 years. The program was both informative and
enjoyable. This was followed by a Chagiga where we had some leibidik dancing and
delicious donuts. What a special way to celebrate this important day! |
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Yom Hazikaron
SKA commemorated Yom Hazikaron with a beautiful program. First, the girls split
up into different classes, where they were given several scenarios of situations
that face Tzahal in Israel. They were asked to decide what they would have done
in that situation, and were then told what happened when this situation actually
arose. This allowed the girls to understand what the chayalim are challenged
with every day, and made them appreciate even more how much they sacrifice for
us.
After this, two minutes were observed as a siren sounded throughout the school
just as it does in Israel. Mrs. Spirn spoke about trying to make Yom HaZikaron a
personal day where one can reflect on individual losses and sacrifices of so
many that contributed to the building of Eretz Yisrael. It is only with that
reflection that we were able to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut hours later.
The girls made their way to the auditorium where they watched a heart-wrenching
and uplifting video about Michael Levin a"h. Michael made aliyah from
Philadelphia, and was killed in battle during the 2006 Lebanon War. He truly
showed what it meant to give your life for Eretz Yisrael.
The program concluded with a tefila for the more than 22,000 soldiers who have
died in battle on behalf of Medinat Yisrael.
Special thanks to Mrs. Feinberg for all her work in putting this inspiring
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Yom Hashoah
On Friday, at the school's 15th Memorial for the Holocaust, we were privileged
to an inspiring and moving program which began with a stirring performance by
our choir. We heard from three different generations of three families.
Dr. Steven Krauss spoke about his childhood, being a child of a survivor. We
were able to hear from his mother, Mrs. Elsa Krauss, on video, about her life
through the Holocaust. Elana Krauss of the 9th grade and Rebecca Krauss of the
12th grade shared with us what they learned from their beloved grandmother. Mrs.
Esther Weinstein spoke about her father and what her childhood was like as a
child of a Holocaust survivor. Tamar Weinstein of the 10th grade told us stories
of her grandfather and how grateful she is for Hashem's protection of her
family. Lastly, we heard from Mr. Robert Margulies who introduced his father,
Mr. Fred Margulies, a Holocaust survivor. We heard his story of escape and about
his sister who unfortunately perished during the war. Talia Margulies, of the
11th grade, taught us the lessons of her grandfather and shared glimpses of
their special relationship.
Frumie Ganeles and Rachel Zehnwirth of the 9th Grade read poems they wrote which
were published in the Holocaust Journal. The choir sang beautifully as we
watched a slide show that was put together by 9th
grader, Ayelet Lerner. We learned the importance of carrying on the memory of
the Holocaust through future generations. We would like to thank Rabbi Zak for a
truly inspirational program and for all his hard work and to Mrs. Leibtag and
the 9th grade for the beautiful Holocaust Journal which was distributed to our
student body at the end of the assembly.
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Mazal Tov to our Valedictorian,
Salutatorians,
and to our Keter Shem Tov Awardee
As the 2008 Seniors complete their four years at Stella K. Abraham High School
for Girls, we would like to wish a special Mazal Tov to Valedictorian,
Elisheva Zinberg, Salutatorians, Lauren Bayer and Michal Zlotnick, and Keter
Shem Tov Awardee, Rebecca Krauss. Mazal Tov to Senior Night speakers, Allyssa
Brody, Rebecca Eichenbaum, and Leora Niderberg. Mazal Tov to the entire Senior
class! We look forward to celebrating with you at Senior Night and Graduation.
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Rabbi Shalom Rosner Speaks at SKA
This week SKA was privileged to have Rabbi Shalom Rosner speak at ourCommunity
Wide Lecture Series for Women. He spoke about our obligation to yearn for the
Geulah every day. Yearning for the Geulah may not be its own mitzvah, but it is
part of the mitzvah of Emunah. We have to believe that just as HaShem took us
out of mitzrayim, he will redeem us in the future! He also taught us the reason
why David Hamelech, who does not have the most pure lineage, was Zoche to have
the Mashiach come from him.
There are four answers to this question, fromwhich we can learn a lot. The
first answer is that when a person has a "bad" past, it forces them to be
humble and not be too haughty, because any person can just come up to them
and say "who are you to think so highly of yourself?! You came from so and
so..." The second answer (from the Shem miShmuel) is that malchus is
impossible for a naturally born Jew because one Jew cannot rule over another
since we are considered to be like one body. A king needs to be independent
in order to be a successful king, so that's why David needed to have a
little Moav (Ruth) in him! The third answer(from Em Habanim S'maicha) which
may be very helpful for us in this dark time of Galus, is that when HaShem
wants to give Bnei Yisroel a really AMAZING present (that will affect
everything), he wraps it in unclean and ugly covers. HaShem didn't want the
persecutors of the Jews to notice that He was giving us something so great,
so he disguised it by not giving David the most amazing lineage. Just like
we try to "confuse" the Satan by blowing the Shofar the whole month of Elul,
because Rosh HaShana is a gift from HaShem, we tried to confuse the Goyim
because no one thought that a leader would come from all these people!
The last answer, from Rav Soloveitchik, is that in each story (Ruth and
Boaz, who was from Moav. Tamar and Yehuda, and Lot),
the situation APPEARED dark, like there was no hope. In each case the person
said NO!! and had hope!!!! We learn from this to yearn for the salvation and
ACT toward it!! This is similar to when a person is Niftar and we say
"yiskadal vyiskadash shmey rabba".. we are looking for hope.. the Geulah
requires the hope and yearning for it!! This is "Reishit Tzmichat
Geulateinu!!!"... the sun is starting to rise little by little... we just
have to keep yearning and working toward it for the sun to fully shine!!! We
should all think about this everyday and make sure that every action we take
moves us closer to the Geula and may we all be Zoche to see the coming of
Mashiach Bmheira Biyameinu!!!
Rabbi Rosner is the Rav of Congregation Bais Ephraim Yitzchak in Woodmere
and the future Rav in Nofei Hashemesh, Beit Shemesh in Isreal.
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Yom Chaverut
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AP's Begin
The tension in SKA is building. Girls are walking around in a daze and are
sleep deprived! AP'S HAVE ARRIVED! We wish them much luck on all their tests and
hope they do well. Always remember girls: GRADES DO NOT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE! (Now
who does that sound like?) |
Rabbi Grosser from Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav Speaks at SKA
On Friday, April 4, Rabbi Grosser of Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav, came to speak to the
SKA students about the eight Kedoshim who were murdered in the Mercaz HaRav
shooting. He spoke about each boy, reflecting on how they were real people with
lives and families; they weren't just stories in the newspaper. He showed a very
moving and inspirational video about the boys and that terrible night in the
Yeshiva. He brought a Sefer, which was in the library at the time, with a bullet
hole right through the middle of it. Seeing the book really brought home the
magnitude of the attack and what really took place. May Hashem avenge the blood
of these boys.
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SKA
Hosts Students in Italian Mission
A
few weeks ago a group of ten Jewish high school students from Rome, Italy
visited the Five Towns. They stayed at five HALB families in Lawrence; four of
whom were from SKA. Eight girls and two boys met at Temple Israel
every morning to start their day. From the minute they arrived in New York until
they departed they were busy doing many activities. They did everything from
shopping at Roosevelt Field Mall, visiting the Empire State Building and coming
to SKA on Friday. For Shabbos they headed to Stern College in the city, for a
meaningful experience. Before heading to JFK airport on
Sunday they went to the Met Game at Shea Stadium. They had a really great time
on their once in a lifetime trip!
Our girls enjoyed the opportunity to host and interact with our Italian friends.
We learned that people are different, and despite our differences, we are all
one family! |
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9th Grader, Ilana
Saltzman Publishes in Creative Communications
A big Mazal Tov to 9th
grader Ilana Saltzman on having her poem
published in Creative Communications, a prestigious compilation of students'
writing.
Thank you to Mrs. Shenker, SKA Writing Coordinator, for her efforts.
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Each grade was involved in a different Pre-Pesach Chesed. The 9th Grade packaged
boxes containing different products for Pesach for Russian Jews. The Maot Chitim
project concluded with a beautiful interactive luncheon with our Russian
immigrant friends. The 10th Grade had a Makot Fair for the Nursery with
different little toys in bags representing the Makot. Each Sophomore worked with
a group of 4 year olds and taught them all about the makot. The 11th Grade made
a Pesach Carnival for Otzar. There was an arts and crafts project, a skit, and
different booths for each Makah. Our Juniors enjoyed the ruach and dancing with
our developmentally disabled guests and friends. The 12th
graders went to Gymnasia where they ran a kiruv program with the younger grade
students. How wonderful it was to enjoy doing chesed and bring the spirit of Yom
Tov to everyone!
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Open Beit Midrash
An Open Beit Midrash program was held a week before Pesach to help the students
prepare for the chag. The night started off with delicious pizza and continued
with an amazing video of what it was like in yetziat Mitzrayim during the time
of the makot. Teachers and madrichot shared some very nice divrei Torah for the
seder, emphasizing the importance of telling over the story of Mitzrayim.
Students then loaded onto a bus and visited a matzah factory where they made
their own matzah and had a blast! It was an evening to remember.
Thank you Ms. Borg! |
Moreshet Aviva
Before Pesach, the seniors had a Moreshet Aviva program on this month's topic of
Zrizut. They had the zchut of hearing from Rabbi Charlie Harari, who spoke
on the intrinsic connection between this midah and the month of Nissan. He
noted that when we get involved with all the minutia of removing chametz, it
sometimes seems like we're "going overboard". But Rabbi Harari explained, this
entire experience is representative of the importance of zrizut in our lives.
The shiur was very interesting and inspiring as well.
Thank you, Mrs. Yudin for making this happen. |
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Sophomore Leyl Iyun
On Thursday night, April 3rd, the tenth grade participated in our
annual Sophomore Leyl Iyun. To kick off the friendship themed
program, a video called "The Love Experiment" was shown followed by interesting
workshops given by some madrichot and various teachers. At
the end of the friendship program, the Sophomores were treated to a video put
together by Rachel Lunzer and Esther Klapholz.
The evening continued with a "Mock-Wedding Murder Mystery" party, in full
costume, of course. Everyone received parts to play and in
the end were shown the evidence in order to determine the murderer.
The fun continued for the rest of the night as girls played games and just hung
out with friends. It's probably safe to say not many girls
slept that night.
Nevertheless, they awoke in the morning for davening, breakfast and a special
challah-baking session with Mrs. Heller, also known as "the challah lady."
Mrs. Heller spoke about the importance of baking challah each week and the
special kavanot all women should have when they perform this great mitzvah.
Leyl Iyun 5768 was truly a wonderful experience of forming new friendships,
enhancing old ones, and having loads of fun!
Thanks to Mrs. Shmulewitz and Mrs. Miller for coordinating evening and to Ms.
Chambre and our madrichot for spending
the night.
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Stress Management Program
Over the past two weeks, the freshman class took a break from their regular
schedule and participated in a two-part stress management seminar, facilitated
by Ms. Aliza Schulman, LCSW. The students welcomed the topic and were eager to
gain insight through interactive discussion about causes and symptoms of stress,
as well as prevention through coping and management. Students had the
opportunity to describe an array of stressful areas ranging from social, home
and school and learned ways to take a break from thinking about all the things
they have to do. The concept of boredom and primary and secondary feelings were
discussed in helping the students gain more awareness about their own personal
stressors and how to channel the stress into something more positive. Surveys to
rate one's own level of stress as well as an in-class guided imagery to teach
relaxation techniques were utilized. The importance and benefit of helping
oneself maintain a relaxed state was highlighted in terms of optimal ability to
perform and carry out every day tasks and functions.
Maintaining a network of friends, eating healthfully and
taking daily breaks and exercise were additional ways
identified to manage stress build-up. The importance of
regularly assessing and achieving a healthy balance
between work, play and social supports, as well as
self-nurturing, was presented as an invaluable life
skill for which we should strive. The fact that
different methods of relaxation work for different
people was also underscored.
During the sessions, students were enthusiastic,
communicative and challenged by the seminars and
benefited from having the opportunity to learn and share
with one another on this important topic. Students found
it especially helpful to receive direct feedback and
intervention from Ms. Schulman about their particular
situations, and realized that others shared similar
concerns.
We thank Ms. Schulman for her warmth, professionalism
and expertise in working with the girls in this area and
hope the girls find what they've gained useful
especially as finals and transition to summer approach!
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Spanish Poetry Contest Winners
On Wednesday, April 30th, Tammy Bodner, Daniella Shayestehfrouz, Adina Hart,
Sivan Shahar, Zissy Turner, Rivki Weiss, Leah Grossman, Emily Feldman, Rebecca
Skurnik, Chaya Leiba Berger, Tova Kutner, and Yocheved Laufer, students in
Senora Perlmutter's Spanish I and Spanish II classes, participated in a Spanish
Poetry Contest at Hofstra University. What great fun to express creativity and
emotion in another language. And what a great job our girls did! Congratulations
to Emily, who won first place, Rebecca, Chaya Lieba, and Tova who won second,
and Yocheved who won third.
Thank you Senora for introducing us to and preparing us for this wonderful
opportunity. We hope we made you proud!
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Students Produce Another Haggadah
Kudos to Seniors, Leora Lerman and Elisheva Zinberg and their staff on producing
a fantastic 5th Edition of "At Petach", our SKA Haggadah. Special
thank you to advisor Rabbi David Friedman. | |
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Lilmod Ule'Lamed for Mothers and Alumnae!
Our Lilmod Ule'lamed Program for HALB mothers and alumnae will continue at SKA
on Tuesday, May 13th, at 12:00 PM. Rabbi Yosef Zakutinsky, Director of Student
Activities and beloved TSBP Rebbi will present his second of three shiurim. His
topc will focus on Kol Yisrael Aravim Zeh B'zeh, Are we really all connected?
Many thanks to last week's
sponsors, The Holzer and Wadler families.
We look forward to welcoming many of you once again for Torah, inspiration, and
coffee. | |
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