SKAppenings
Parshat
Vayishlach
15 Kislev 5769
December 12, 2008
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A Message from Mrs. Spirn
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It is difficult to describe the energy at
SKA these past two weeks but it is palpable!
PRODUCTION FEVER
has overtaken SKA! We are still over a week away from our two
performances at Hewlett High School, but our planning and preparation has
never been so strong. This year's theme is Beracha and we can't wait
to see our students' talents displayed through our Band, Choir, Comedy Skit,
Dance, Musical Drama and Sign Language Ensembles. Mrs. Wagner, our
Production Director, began planning this incredible show with our many
Senior heads last spring and the long term preparation has made an
incredible difference in the overall quality and performance of each pieces
of the show. Undoubtedly, PRODUCTION '08 will be another winner and we look
forward to our students shining in a magnificent auditorium with advanced
technology, a larger stage, more seats, more space and a unique opportunity
to raise the bar of their individual performances and the overall show.
Special thanks to our friends at District 14 who have made this
collaboration possible!
The Hewlett High School auditorium seats
500 and our Motzai Shabbat performance is already sold out. There is
still a block of seats available for the Sunday afternoon performance and we
look forward to welcoming many of our 8th grade applicants at that time. Kol
hakavod to our performers and the many SKA students, friends and family
members who are coming to cheer them on! We can't wait to see more
than half our student body shine on the stage and behind the scenes while
participating in PRODUCTION '08.
SENIOR INTERVIEW FEVER has also
overtaken SKA! Baruch Hashem, the heads of the many seminaries have
enjoyed meeting our students and are impressed with our girls' abilities,
interests and accomplishments. Dr. Meier and I have been receiving
strong, positive feedback from the many interviewers and we look forward to
a few more visits before we conclude this phase of the Israel Seminary
application process. We are proud of our students' performance and
their ability to sift through the options and possibilities. We know
that his isn't a simple time for our Seniors, but it is a time that
promotes self reflection, self awareness and personal growth. We are proud
of our girls and their growing ability to define themselves and their future
dreams. Kol hakavod to the Class of 2009; you are almost there!
Mazal tov to our HALB Dinner Honoreeswho were just announced this week:
Guests of Honor Chanie and Shimie Klein; Grandparents of the Year Sharon and
Mel Gross; Rabbi Dr. Armin H. Friedman Parents of the Year Yardena and
Geoffrey Miller. We thank you all for your efforts on behalf of our
Yeshiva.
I look forward to welcoming our 1,000 guests to
Production 2008 next weekend and seeing so many members of our SKA family.
Have a restful and meaningful Shabbos!
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SKA Hosts SHAC Conference |
This past week, SKA hosted the 3rd
annual SHAC (Shmiras Halashon Action Committee) Yom Iyun. Many different
schools came to participate and it was a great success! The participants
were privileged to hear from two truly inspiring speakers about the
importance of shmiras halashon and how to actualize these concepts. The
girls also watched a video prepared by our very own students portraying
different ways to avoid speaking lashon hara. The participants took upon
themselves to refrain from speaking lashon hara for just one hour (J.O.H.)
using SHAC's motto of the month: "Start small think big." When walking down
the halls, it's hard to miss all of the S.H.A.C. shirts, which were also
handed out at the Yom Iyun. We hope to continue to gain inspiration from
SHAC and to improve in our shmiras halashon through its exciting activities
and monthly meetings throughout the year! Special thanks to Mrs. Jacobs, the
founder of SHAC, for coordinating such a beautiful and moving Yom Iyun!
Ariela Bortz & Shoshana Kaminetsky
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9th Grade Internet Awareness Program |
On Monday afternoon, December 8th, the
Freshmen students were privileged to hear from Mr. Ken Buniack, from the NYS
Clearinghouse for Missing Children, concerning Internet Safety Awareness.
Freshmen parents also attend a workshop that night featuring Mr. Buniack and
Rabbi Storch, Assistanat Principal at DRS, who presented a piece on navigating
Facebook. Mr. Buniack pointed out that although the Internet is helpful at
times, it can lead to some damage. We learned that we shouldn't put any personal
information, peers' information or pictures on the web. This is
extremely important for high school teenagers to learn because the Internet is
such a big part of our lives. Special thanks to Mr. Buniack for educating us on
the significance of Internet awareness and applying
it to our lives.
By: Shira Cohen
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Model UN |
On December 10th, SKA's Model UN team
went to the Young Israel of
Woodmere to compete in the annual Yeshiva League Model UN sponsored by
HAFTR. Each student prepared general information concerning her country
and researched real issues dealt with in the UN. Before splitting up
into the various groups, the students heard from
a member of "Team Israel" in the United Nations. In each group
topics, which were told to the students beforehand, were debated. Also, a
new crisis was brought up in the middle of the debate to stir more
spontaneous discussion without having been prepared in advance. The SKA
students performed beautifully, expressing their opinions and views with
the utmost respect for everyone. Special thanks to Mr. Fiedler for
coaching the girls and accompanying them on this trip.
By: Shayna Nordlicht and Erica Liebman
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Intergenerational Frosty Fun |
This past Thursday, December 4th, SKA's doors
opened to warmly
welcome the residents of the Woodmere Rehabilitation Center. Each year
students and senior citizens look forward to this exciting
intergenerational event. In the holiday spirit, students and the
residents of the Woodmere Rehabilitation Center ate chocolate coins,
delicious donuts and played with dreidels. In addition, the senior
citizens were delighted to participate in an awesome crafts project
using play dough and their creativity to make snowmen. The residents that
come to our school are always insightful, telling many interesting and
funny stories. While enjoying this event, SKA students also had
the opportunity to perform a great chesed! Thanks to Mrs. Segal, Chavi
Glatt, Lisa Klein and Jennifer Selevan for organizing this great
program.
By: Beth Weinstein
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SKA Family Photo
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On the coldest day of the week
A memory we will keep
A club period was made
Our smiles did not fade
For a fire alarm sounded
And a family portrait was founded
Chairs set up in front of the school
From Freshman to Seniors we all looked so cool
The photographer snapped away
What a fun day in SKA!
On Wednesday the fire
alarm rang and we exited the building, first for a fire drill and then for a
school picture. Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors lined up
outside to take an SKA "family portrait" with more than 300 people.
Although it was very cold, one could never tell by the warm smiles on the
girls' faces. What an
enjoyable family experience! We can't wait to see the picture!
By: Shaina Prince & Eliana Lipsky
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Seminary Interviews at SKA |
Walking down the Senior hallway over this past week has been a pretty
fun game of "Can You Guess Who has an Interview Today?" Pleated
skirts, black tights and headbands galore are seen everywhere in the
Senior hallway as the seminary interviews have officially begun!
Representatives from close to fifteen schools have come to SKA to
interview and find out more about their applicants. The girls were a
ittle nervous, but the teachers and faculty prepped them well and they
knew what to expect from the interviews. Good luck to all the
Seniors!!!
By: Naomi Weiss
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SKA Interviews
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Rabbi Rothman and Mrs. Spirn continue to interview 8th graders from a variety of
elementary schools. This seems to be the time when dozens and dozens of
8th graders come for their interviews with their parents and hang out in the
library completing their essays, while meeting lots of SKA students and
teachers. The lobby scene of parents with coffee and muffins schmoozing with
each other, or sometimes with SKA students on the couch, has become a familiar
one! Parents certainly get to feel the special energy and warmth at SKA during
their visits! We look forward to hosting interested students for a return
visit, when they can observe classes and interact with our student body even
more.
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Report Cards/Parent Teacher Conferences
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Report Cards for the first trimester were distributed to the SKA students
on Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Prior to the distribution, Mrs. Spirn met with
the students to discuss how to use the information on the report cards for
continued growth and to emphasize that each student is much more than any one
report card.
Parent Teacher Conferences are on Monday, December 15 , 2008 at 5 pm. We look
forward to meeting you then!
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HALB's 54th Annual Dinner |
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With great pride, we are pleased to announce our honorees for HALB's 54th
Annual Dinner
Chani and Shimie Klein
Guests of Honor
Sharon and Mel Gross
Grandparents of the Year
Yardena
and Geoffrey Miller
Rabbi Dr. Armin H. Friedman
Parents of the Year Awardees
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Please join us for the kickoff breakfast on Sunday, December 21, 2008
9:30 am at the HALB Hewlett Bay Park Campus Lewis
Hyman Hall 291 Meadowview Avenue
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The Dinner will be held Saturday evening, March 7, 2009 at
the HALB Woodmere Campus 700 Ibsen Street
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Rabbi Fohrman Completes Lecture Series |
Torah learning for the SKA parent body continued with the three part lecture
series given by Rabbi David Fohrman. The three part series focused on the
Akeidah and its relationship to the expulsion of Yishmael, the Isha haShunamit
and the sale of Yosef.
We thank Rabbi Fohrman for his very interesting classes and unique approach to
looking at Tanach. We also thank Project Chazon for sponsoring these lectures.
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David Project Class for Parents |
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The students learn about it; why shouldn't the parents?
Sponsored by the SKA Irving and Toni Rosen Israel Studies Program, the David
Project for Parents has come to SKA . Taught by Mr. Chaim Leibtag, Chief
Executive Officer of the National Council of Young Israel and husband of our
very beloved Global Studies teacher and ninth grade GLA Mrs. Sheila Leibtag,
the course focuses on advocacy training for the State of Israel, helping us
all be more knowledgeable about the establishment of the State, current
political issues and the Arab-Israel conflict. Parents can attend any
or all of the three sessions.
The first session has already
taken place; the next two sessions will be held on Tuesday, December 30th at
8:00 pm and Tuesday, January 6th. Please join us for this very
informative and timely experience.
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Lilmod Ule'lamed |
Many thanks to Rabbi Jeff Rothman, Assistant Principal and Torah sheBeal Peh
Rebbe, who just completed his series on Hadlakat Neirot for an eager crowd of
SKA mothers. All three shiurim were sponsored by Yocheved and Roni
Goldberg in memory of her Great Aunt Hannah, Channah Leah bat Rivka Rachel, and
in the zechut that her grandmother, Hena bat Ratzel, should have a Refuah
Shleima
Our next series of lectures will be given by Mrs. Leah
Feinberg, Tanach Department Chairperson at SKA. Mrs. Feinberg will lecture
on "The Eliyahu Stories." These lectures will begin on Tuesday, December
16. They will be held in Room 109 at SKA beginning at 12:30PM and continue
for about 50-60 minutes. Mrs. Irit Wittmann and family are sponsoring the series
in memory of her beloved sister, Liat bat Shlomo, a"h.
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Mrs. Malka Ismach '97 on the birth of a baby boy
Mrs. Barbara Martin on the birth of a granddaughter
Parent Council Chairperson Heshy Schertz and his wife Bonnie on the
marriage of their son. Mazal tov to 9th grade sister Jennifer
Parent Council Chairperson Carol Krauss and husband Steven on the bat
mitzva of their daughter. Mazal tov to 10th sister Elana
Sheri Seidenfeld '04 on her engagement to Josh Guttman
To the Newman, Rauch and Stahler families on the loss
of their beloved father and grandfather, Mr. Alvin Stahler, a"h. Special
condolences to Daniella Newman '08; Debbie '08, 10th grader Rena and 12th
grader Julie Stahler; 10th grader Loni, 11th grader Malki and Lisi Stahler
'04, and Elana Beck Stahler '01.
To the Petrikovsky family on
the loss of their beloved mother and grandmother z"l. Special
condolences to 12th grader Chana Rosa.
HaMakom yenachem etchem
b'toch shear avelei Tziyon V'Yerushalayim.
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SKAppenings Staff
Writing Editors:
Liron Eiger
Rachel Klein
Erica Leibman
Shayna
Nordlicht
Alex Spitz
Jordana Wernick
Technology Editors:
Mrs. Estie Bryk
Rachel Herzberg
Ayelet Lerner | |
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