Baruch Hashem, we have begun our 16th year at SKA and once again, we are off and running with enthusiasm and a great "bang"! There's a sense of excitement in the hallways and classrooms....about friends, learning, teachers, activities, classes, programs, team tryouts and of course, the upcoming Yomim Noraim!

We are so pleased to welcome our new Freshman Class of 72, the SKA Class of 2012. It was a pleasure and chavaya to spend last Shabbos with all of our freshmen at our 1st Freshman Shabbaton retreat! We all had an amazing Shabbos filled with fantastic ruach, strengthened and new friendships and a growing feeling of achdut. We know our Freshmen will continuously make their mark at SKA over the next four years! Bruchot habaot!

"Tryout fever" was in the air these last two weeks! So many girls opted to try out for our Sports Teams (Basketball,Volleyball, Hockey, Softball and Tennis), Production Casts (Band, Choir, Dance and Drama), Torah Bowl, College Bowl, Math, Debating and Mock Trial teams. We wish everyone mazel as we await the posting of the various teams with great anticipation. Hatzlacha rabba!

It was a zechut to welcome the parents of our 9th grade at Freshman Parent Orientation Night and once again, together with all of our parents at Meet Your Teachers' Night. How wonderful it was to welcome more than 40 moms and graduates at our opening Lilmod Ule'lamed lecture! We look forward to welcoming many more women, graduates and students at our opening Community Wide Lecture, this coming Wednesday night, featuring Mrs. Aviva Feiner. We anticipate a wonderful year of parent partnership and engagement under the leadership of our new dedicated Parent Council Heads, Yocheved Goldberg, Carol Krauss and Heshie Schertz.

Welcome aboard to all of our new staff and faculty who appear in the article below! I want to take this opportunity to welcome our Alumnae Staff; you are important role models for our students and they know that you understand what it's like to be an SKA student! We are so proud to have you come back to SKA; know that you are a tremendous source of nachat to us! A special welcome to our new Alumnae Staff: Chabura leaders Atara Feinberg '06, Tara Friedman '05, Avital Shenker '06 and Lauren Genachowski Sider '05; 9th Grade Madrichot Shanna Naiman '06, Ariella Siman Tov '05 and Jordana Wertheimer '06; 10th grade Madrichot Tali Grushko '05 and Yael Herring '06; 11th Grade Madrichot Atara Feinberg '06, Michal Lebowitz '06 and Lisa Ogorek '06; 12th grade Madrichot Ayala Bindiger '05, Tara Friedman '05 and Lauren Genachowski Sider '06. We also would like to welcome Tzipora Leah Shapiro '06 and Rachel Smith '04, Assistants to Mrs. Taib, our Learning Specialist, and Elana Maslow '05, Assistant to Rabbi Zak, Director of Student Activities. Brucha habaa to Mrs. Judy Hulkower '98, our new Ohel Social Worker and Guidance Counselor and to Mrs. Odelia Weissmann '00, Art and Photography instructor.

We hope that many of our 11th and 12th grade students will attend their Pre-Selichot grade level programs on Motzai Shabbos! Special thanks to our speakers, hostesses and faculty!

Mazel tov to our many graduates who celebrated smachot and accomplishments during the summer months! We tried our best to include the smachot we were aware of, but inevitably, there are smachot we may have omitted or not known about. If we did so, please be sure to email us, so that we can list your simcha in our next SKAppenings!

May your Elul continue to be filled with personal growth as we prepare for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur! Here's to a wonderful year of friendship, religious growth and academic success!

Meet Your Teachers Night

The first evening SKA hallway buzz of the year was created by parents on Monday evening, September 16, 2008, at Meet Your Teachers Night. Mrs. Spirn's welcome, speaking on the impact of parental involvement in schools, set the tone for the evening. And then the parents, equipped with individual schedules reflecting their daughters' daily routines, went from room to room, listening to the teachers and sharing in their excitement for the coming year. We were glad to see new and familiar faces and we all look forward to a wonderful year of learning at SKA!

FRESHMAN SHABBATON RETREAT

This past Shabbos we went on our Freshman Shabbaton to Camp Seneca Lake and we had an amazing time! On Friday, we played Family Ties and it was so much fun to get to know everyone in our families while making new friends. A competitive game of Cats 'N Dogs was next and it was a blast! We spent Shabbos singing zemiros, bonding as a grade, munching on junk food, and playing tons of games. We were also very fortunate to hear from Mrs. Spirn at Seudat Shlishit! On Saturday night we had a scavenger hunt, a melava malka, and we even went night swimming! This was SKA's first Freshman Shabbaton and it was definitely a weekend to remember! Many thanks to our Grade Level Advisors Mrs. Sheila Leibtag and Mrs. Segal, to the faculty, madrichot, and G.O. members who attended the Shabbaton!

CLICK HERE TO SEE A VIDEO OF THE SHABBATON RUACH!!

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PICTURES!!!

We'll Miss You Seniors '08!

As SKA kicks off a great new year, we are delighted to welcome the incoming Freshmen but sad to say goodbye to our 2008 Seniors. We are so proud of them and thrilled that most girls will be spending the year in Israel! We have students learning at fifteen different schools such as Amit, Darchei Bina, MMY, Michlalah, Midreshet Harova, Midreshet Lindenbaum, Midreshet Moriah, Midreshet Tehilla, Migdal Oz, Shaalvim, and Tiferet. We are so excited about the reunion that will take place when Mrs. Spirn and Dr. Meier visit Israel iy''h! Have an amazing year, Class of 2008! We miss you already!

Welcome, Mrs. Ralbag!

It begs the question. What is Mrs. Ralbag always asked upon introduction? "What kind of name is 'Paghit?'" of course!

The posuk "Hateana chunta pageha,"(the fig tree has formed its first small fruits) in Shir Hashirim is the source of her uncommon name; her new path as Chumash teacher and GLA advisor of Seniors is also an unusual one. Attending Michlala and living in Israel for several years is a typical background for limudei kodesh faculty - neuro-science is not! Mrs. Ralbag has a graduate degree from Hebrew University in neuro-biology and has done medical research for several years (working on ground-breaking medications).

New neighborhood (and so welcoming!), new position for her (also very welcoming), new schools for her four children - it's been a little bit of a whirlwind for the Ralbag family! This Shabbos was their first as the newly installed Rabbi and Rebbetzin of the Island Avenue Shul in Woodmere after six years in Staten Island! Giving shiurim and chaburas to high school and post Israel girls established her reputation as an educator and confidant - girls flocked to hear and talk to her. She also made quite an impression on SKA students when she introduced herself to several at orientation!

Her enjoyment of teaching continues in the classroom setting. "I find SKA exciting and I can't get over the exuberance in the hallways! I want to get to know all the girls in the twelfth grade and I hope to know everyone's name by next week!"

We are proud to welcome Mrs. Pahgit Ralbag to the SKA family!

Freshman Outing

On September 10th, we, the Freshmen, went on a grade outing to Grant Park for lunch. When we arrived at the park, everyone hung out on the swings, slides and monkey bars. We fed the ducks and ate Italian ices for dessert. We all had a blast! We experienced the true meaning of Achdut as we spent time together laughing and having fun. We hope to have many more amazing times together throughout the year!

Sophomore Outing

On Wednesday, the Sophomores enjoyed a fun filled afternoon at the home of Leora Englard. Most of the students went swimming while some just relaxed in the sun and ate ices. It was an exciting and joyful day by the pool! Everyone had an amazing time and enjoyed seeing each other again! A special thanks to Mrs. Rivka Gross and Mrs. Ilana Jacobs for helping to coordinate this great day!

Junior Outing

On Wednesday, September 10th, the Junior class went on their grade outing to the home of fellow classmate, Chana Daphna's house. The girls enjoyed interactive games, delicious lunch and an inspiring Dvar Torah given by Ms. Aeder. The piñata and Italian ices were an extra special treat!! Thanks to Mrs. Shmulewitz , Ms. Aeder, Mrs. Sova, and Ms. Chambre for putting together such a fun trip. It was a great way to start off an amazing year.

Seniors '09 Go to Beach!

The Senior Class of '09 has arrived! We started our year off in a fun and relaxed way, by hanging out at the beach. The trip was planned for Tuesday, but postponed until Wednesday due to the rain. The wait was definitely worth it. The 12th graders really enjoyed playing ultimate Frisbee, wading in the water, eating ices, talking, and having a great time with each other. Many thanks to all of the staff who came with us and chaperoned our trip.

Sophomore Chesed Trip to Otsar

Many of the 10th grade students visited Otsar, a day rehabilitation program for adults with special needs. As we entered the recreation room, we were delighted to be greeted with joy and enthusiasm by our new friends. We then had the opportunity to interact with them by collectively participating in holiday themed art projects. Singing and dancing followed, adding to our enjoyable visit. Our chesed filled trip was both rewarding and uplifting and we look forward to our next visit!

Sophomore Chesed Trip to Bobby's Place

On Tuesday,the 10th grade went to Bobby's Place for the for the second year in a row. Bobby's Place is an incredible organization for people that aren't able to afford clothing. Many of the girls helped sort and put away clothing so that the store would be organized and ready for their busiest season of the year. We all felt accomplished and hoped that we were helping people who were not able to afford clothing have a better and more meaningful יום טוב.

Junior Chesed Shel Emet Trip

This past Thursday, the Junior class went on a trip to the Free Hebrew
Burial Society's Cemetery in Staten Island. On the Tuesday before the
trip, the students learned the halachot and tefilot which apply to the
trip, with Rabbi Weinberger, so that their experience could be as
inspirational as possible. The Free Hebrew Burial Society ensures that
every Jewish soul is buried in a halachic manner, but they cannot afford
to upkeep the cemetery and its grounds. Therefore the Juniors
volunteered their time on their Cemetery Restoration trip to help clear away all of the twigs, leaves, and weeds which surround and cover many of the gravestones. After their hard work, the Juniors left with a feeling of accomplishment. They ate lunch in the park after a very moving day.

Senior Chesed Trip to Gymnasia

This past Tuesday, the Seniors went to the Queens Gymnasia to do Rosh
Hashana related activities with the kids there. There was a cute skit
headed by Aviva Klammer and Stacie Rosenberg that was watched by the 1st through 6th grade boys and girls. Ariella Beitler and Sara Benedict were
in charge of creating a coloring book that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders
enjoyed immensely. Talia Margulies and Jenny Moskowitz organized booklets of information to teach to the students in a fun way. Everyone had such a
good time and a really great experience. We can't wait to go back for
the next holiday! Thank you, Mrs. Kobre and Mrs. Ralbag!

Welcome, New Teachers!

This year at SKA, we are so lucky to be welcoming so many new teachers to our faculty!

Ms. Yael Aeder, Ms. Esther Chambre and Mrs. Jaclyn Sova are all participating in the new Intern/Teacher Training Program at SKA and are teaching Navi to the eleventh grade girls. They will also be Class Advisors for the juniors and will be planning exciting and inspiring events for them to take part in and enjoy!

Dr. Neera Kimmel, who is a HALB graduate herself, is now the Honors tenth grade and eleventh grade chemistry teacher after teaching chemistry for a number of years at other school.

Mrs. Elana Jacobs, the founder of SHAC (Shmiras Halashon Action Committee), has joined our faculty after returning from Israel where she lived the past two years. She is a limudei kodesh teacher, a Sophomore Grade Level Advisor, and she will also be helping the students of SKA to make SHAC a more exciting and meaningful experience this coming year!

Mrs. Deena Kobre has taught AP Psychology at various schools in the past and is now the AP Psychology teacher for both the eleventh and twelfth grades in our school. Mrs. Kobre also teaches Jewish History and is the Senior Grade Level Advisor.

After spending time in a medical research facility, Mrs. Paghit Ralbag has joined the SKA family where she teaches twelfth grade Chumash and works with Mrs. Kobre to be the Grade Level Advisors for the Senior class.

Ms. Lisa Statman, a lawyer and an experienced English instructor, teaches English to the freshmen and many of the juniors.

Mrs. Jessie Fischbein, who previously taught Judaic studies and is an author, is now a Limudei Kodesh/Beit Midrash teacher for the twelfth grade.

Mrs. Odeliah Weissmann, a freelance photographer who ran the photography club at SKA last year, is now the art teacher for the ninth and tenth grades. Mrs. Weissmann also teaches photography to the twelfth graders who have developed an interest in this field.

Mrs. Deena Isaacs, an occupational therapist, who has also previously been with the SKA faculty, is welcomed back as she teaches a course about therapy to the seniors.

Mr. Elliot Zomick is also welcomed back as he rejoins the SKA family to teach AP Music to the twelfth grade. Mr. Zomick is a band manager and teaches various music courses at DRS.

We wish a very warm welcome to all of our new teachers! Hatzlacha rabba!

National Merit Semi-Finalist Winner!

Mazal Tov to Shaindy Schiffmiller who is a Semifinalist in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Competition.

We wish her Mazal Tov on her stellar academic achievements. But we are also impressed with who she has become: a young woman who has chosen Beit Midrash learning for her Torah studies, a leader of her peers as an Associate Editor of the Yearbook and Vice President of the Honor Society, and a leader in chesed and community involvement for which she was awarded the John and Agnes Funk Scholarship. Much hatzlacha to her in all her future endeavors and kudos to Shaindy and her family!!

Lilmod Ule'lamed

We were proud to launch our fourth series of Lilmod Ule'lamed, our learning program for mothers with SKA faculty. Over forty women, including several SKA alumnae, joined together on Tuesday, September 16th, to listen to our Director of Religious Guidance, Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky deliver the first of three lectures on Teshuva and Tefillah: Preparing for the Yomim Noraim." This series is being sponsored by Sheri & Richard Hagler in honor of the birth of their granddaughter Rivka Aliza Hagler.

Please join us next week as the series continues on Tuesday at 12:30 PM in Room 109 at SKA. It's a great way to learn some Torah and prepare for Rosh Hashana at the same time.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MRS. KAMINETSKY'S SHIUR!

Summer Shiurim with Rabbi Eisenbach

This past summer on Tuesdays and Fridays, students and alumnae had the zechut to learn with Rabbi Eisenbach, Mashgiach Ruchani, in a warm, inspiring atmosphere. Rabbi Eisenbach devoted his shiurim to finding connections between the parsha and our everyday lives. We learned that the Torah is alive and there is always something in the Torah that is applicable to one's life. He helps us better understand the Torah we learn and helps us to ignite our inner, spiritual flame with his inspiring words. We are so excited that Rabbi Eisenbach has expanded his role in our school as the Mashgiach Ruchani and will be continuing to give over words of Torah and spiritual guidance to our alumnae each Friday afternoon! Thank you to the Lent family who opened their home to host the shiurim on Tuesdays this past summer!

Mazel Tov, Mrs. Rafter

Mazel tov to Mrs Rosalie Rafter, the 12th grade AP English teacher, on receiving the prestigious National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) 2008 High School Teacher of Excellence Award. Only twenty five high school teachers nationwide receive this great award yearly. We are very proud of Mrs. Rafter's great achievement.

The International Book Sharing Project at SKA

The 12th Grade AP English Class, under the watchful eyes of Mrs. Rosalie Rafter, will be involved in the International Book Sharing Project, sponsored by The American Friends of the Ghetto Fighters' Museum. The students will read the book Night by Elie Wiesel and will then be "twinned" with the students of the Ulpana in Meron for discussions in a virtual classroom. We are very excited about this venture, which is part of the Irving and Toni Rosen Israel Studies and Programs at SKA, and look forward to our students developing long distance relationships with the students in Meron.

College Representatives Visit SKA

This week the Seniors met with the representatives from Touro College,
Columbia University, and Cooper Union. The Dean from Touro, Mrs. Soltz
Loike, spoke to us about all of the opportunities that Touro College
offers young women. Columbia's Representative, David Weissboro, and
the representative from Cooper Union told us about the benefits and
advantages that each of their schools have to offer. Each of the representatives were available to answer our individual questions.

Mrs. Bindiger and Mrs. Rotenstein Attend David Project

Two of our Ivrit teachers, Mrs. Tamar Bindiger and Mrs. Sarah Rotenstein attended The David Project course for teachers. They were part of a Summer Teacher Training workshop which presents a fact based understanding of the Arab- Israel conflict in an attempt to build a cadre of educated advocates for Israel in our high school and college youth. Go to the website www.davidproject.org to see highlights of the workshop and to see Mrs.Bindiger and Mrs. Rotenstein.

Mrs. Leibtag currently teaches the David Project course for Israel advocacy to our Seniors. Dr. Brackman is teaching a new course on the History of Israel to our Sophomores.

Parents who are interested in attending a special 14 week David Project course on Israel Advocacy in the evening are asked to email Mrs. Spirn at hspirn@skahalb.org. Details to follow!

JNTP at SKA

The Jewish New Teachers Program has come to SKA!

The program pairs new teachers with veteran faculty members so that the new teachers can be mentored in their craft. Mrs. Leah Feinberg is a mentor for Mrs. Elana Jacobs and Mrs. Brenda Mirsky is a mentor for Ms. Adina Borg.

As part of this experience , we have initiated our own SKA Teacher Training Intern Program for young women who have recently completed their BA degrees and have entered the field of Jewish Education. These very talented young women are each teaching one class while being closely mentored by Mrs. Leah Feinberg, who is coordinating this program. They have the opportunity to observe other teachers and are involved in other aspects of the school, reflecting their particular and individual strengths. Each Intern has also been assigned a group of students with whom she is working closely. We are very excited about this program and welcome Miss Yael Aeder, Miss Esther Chambre and Mrs. Jaclyn Sova to SKA.

SKA Joins The Cornell University Reading Program

SKA is one of the many high schools to join the Cornell University Reading Program. The eleventh graders will read all or parts of Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America by Gary Willis and will use this as a basis for their research papers. Thanks to Mrs. Mirsky, our 11th grade AP English Teacher for bringing this program to SKA!

New Alumnae Shiur At Rabbi Rothman's House

We are excited to announce that Rabbi Rothman, Assistant Principal, will be giving shiurim to our alumnae on Monday evenings at 9:00 PM at his home, 391 Eastwood Road in Woodmere. These shiurim will begin on September 22nd. All are welcome to attend.

New Skappenings Staff!!!

This year, eight new girls have joined the Skappenings team and are very excited to deliver to you the best issues yet! The new Skappers include: Rachel Herzberg, Alex Spitz, Jordana Wernick, Liron Eiger, Rachel Klein, Shayna Nordlicht, Erica Liebman, and Ayelet Lerner! Thank you so much to the old editors who worked very hard on making last year's Skappenings AMAZING!!! A special thanks to Rabbi Rothman who continues to make Skappenings possible!

Mrs. Aviva Feiner to Deliver the Kinus Teshuva Lecture for Women

Engagements:
Rabbi Eisenbach on the engagement of his daughter Rochel to Doniel Rosen
Mrs. Menchel on the engagement of her daughter Sara '04 to Eric Pollak

Batsheva Waltuch '05 on her engagement to Reuven Gross
Rochelle Sonnenberg '05 on her engagement to Shlomo Yaros
Liana Lichtman '04 on her engagement to Daniel Goldmintz
Chana Posnick '04 on her engagement to Eliever Fuld
Jackie Ostreicher '06 on her engagement to Ari Erlichman
Sara Menchel '04 on her engagement to Eric Pollak
Cheryl Taub '04 on her engagement to Jeremy Chernofsky
Garyn Handler '99 on her engagement to Shaya Lieber

Weddings:
Volley Ball coach Michelle Kraut on her marriage to Steven Farbmen

Aviva Bieler '97 on her marriage to Yair Oppenheim
Nina Zoe Cohen '04 on her marriage to Eric Bondarsky
Rifky Fried '03 on her marriage to Natan Obstfeld
Michal Simpser '03 on her marriage to Brad Goldsammler
Rebecca Ostreicher '04 on her marriage to Eliyahu Berger
Rachel Klotz '06 on her marriage to Eli Klein
Ariella Drang '04 on her marriage to Avi Ho

nigsfeld
Naava Stern '05 on her marriage to Yehuda Abelow
Francie Grossman '04 on her marriage to Jason Goldberg
Zahava Schuss '05 on her marriage to David Pfeffer
Yael Haar '05 on her marriage to Noam Horowitz. Mazel tov to 12th grade sister Elana
Sharon Tsadik '06 on her marriage to Jack Freud

Births:
Rabbi Zak on the birth of baby girl
Morah Antman on the birth of a grandson

Morah Rotenstein on the birth of a grandson

Elana Beck Stahler '01 on the birth of a baby boy - Mazel tov to aunts Malka and Loni
Lynn Kraft Weiss '01 on the birth of a baby boy
Jaclyn Joszef Sova '05 on the birth of a baby boy
Dani Peyser '03 on the birth of a baby boy
Danielle Weinberger Stark '97 on the birth of a baby girl

Aliyah:

Dalya Bryk Hutt '03 and family

Sheva Odzer '07

Batsheva Waltuch '05

SKAppenings Staff

Editors:
Liron Eiger
Rachel Klein
Erica Leibman
Shayna Nordlicht
Alex Spitz
Jordana Wernick

Photography Editors:
Mrs. Estie Bryk
Rachel Herzberg
Ayelet Lerman

Contributing Writers:
Jaimie Beitler
Gabriella Fadlun
Daniella Frankel
Ruthie Frohlinger
Adina Hart
Rebecca Konigsberg
Jennifer Strauss
Naomi Weiss