The spirit of Chanukah was certainly pervasive throughout our halls and classrooms and Rabbi Zak, our Grade Advisors and G.O. Board made sure that every student had an awesome week. Individual grade trips, a Chagiga, our annual Tzedaka Auction, a Kumsitz at Mrs. Kaminetsky's home, Rabbi Moshe Weinberger's Divrei Chizuk, Chesed Outings in honor of Chanukah, and edible treats made the Chanukah experience unforgettable. Special thanks to our 11th grade Mechanchot for bringing students to their homes and making parties in their classrooms!

And now, we're in the midst of Production fever. Throughout the building, the excitement is tangible as the dancers, singers, actresses, musicians, and artists put their finishing touches on their performances. We can't wait to welcome parents, faculty and students to our three performances next week.

Please remember that Parent Teachers Conferences will take place on Monday night. We hope that our new automated reservation system made the process easier for our parents.

For the first time, we are providing a link to Israel Info Highway, a content packed publication for high school students, about Israel, current events and political advocacy. The newsletter is produced by the National Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and is sponsored by the Avi Chai Foundation. Our girls are always motivated to learn more about Israel and I know you will enjoy reading the newsletter.

The sophomores are anxiously awaiting their Melava Malka tomorrow night at the home of Shayna Gottesman. Special thanks to the Gottesman family for hosting the program!

Here's to a restful and meaningful Shabbos!

The halls of SKA buzzed with excitement as our students prepared enthusiastically for their annual Chanukah Tzedaka Auction. From Shabbat invitations and class parties to giant teddy bears and Knicks tickets, there was an incredible selection from which to bid. Led by Rabbi Zak and the G.O., the auction took place this past Friday. Not only was there a tremendous sense of achdut between the girls, but the auction cultivated stronger relationships between teachers and students as well. The girls raised almost $5,000 for various Tzedakot. Kol HaKavod to all!

After their day off on Monday, our girls were welcomed back to school with walls decorated with streamers and animal masks. The theme of the Chanukah Chagiga was a safari. Rav Moshe Weinberger from Congregation Aish Kodesh opened the program with uplifting and enlightening words pertaining to Chanukah. Relating stories of his father's experiences during the Holocaust, Rav Weinberger stressed the importance of remembering that even in times of utmost darkness, HaKadosh Barush Hu loves each and every one of us. Following his powerful and inspiring message, the girls danced to lively music, and then ate delicious latkes and sufganiyot. It truly proved to be a most memorable and meaningful Chanukah!

9th Grade
"When can we come again?" was the most often heard comment as the school buses full of freshmen pulled away from Otsar and two HASC schools on the second day of Chanukah. All three of these schools service people with special needs. At each of these locations, smiley freshmen busied themselves, helping create wonderful Chanukah door hangers, coloring, and telling stories. The host schools were delighted and impressed by the sincerity, strength, and sheer happiness our SKA ninth graders exuded. Our trip "lit up" a Chanukah winter day for many.

Chanukah is a holiday when we aim to focus on the "innerness" and spirituality in life. The Greeks tried so hard to negate these values with their constant focus on physical and intellectual abilities. We thought it was especially aprapos to visit some of our fellow Jews who sometimes are misunderstood or neglected because of their inability to create a flawless outer appearance. Our SKA freshman related to the girl, boys, men and women at HASC and Otsar exclusively by way of their inner feelings of Ahavat Yisrael. The appreciation of the host schools was obvious. At Otsar they welcomed us with freshbaked Chanukah cookies and at HASC they created a unique Thank You card and presentation. The day was rounded out by a visit to Boro Park's famous "Mendelsohn's" pizza and then to Amazing Savings to buy grab bag gifts for friends.

The freshmen can't wait till next time! Grade Level Advisors, Mrs. Leibtag and Mrs. Gross are just catching their breath so they can plan and chaperone the next freshman outing. A special thanks to Mrs. Libin our art teacher for preparing the projects, and to Mrs. Storch for accompanying us and coordinating the details of this trip!

10th Grade
ATTENTION SOPHOMORES: YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE DESPERATELY SEEKING A JOB AND YOU HAVE 45 MINUTES TO PUT TOGETHER A PORTFOLIO. YOUR EQUIPMENT: A PORTABLE CAMERA, YOUR IMAGINATION, AND THE ENTIRE TOYS R US STORE. TAKE 24 PICTURES, MAKING SURE EVERY GIRL IN YOUR GROUP IS FEATURED AT LEAST ONCE.

Energized with J-2 pizza, French fries or salad, the tenth grade took up the portfolio challenge and raced around the store as they tried to outdo their peers in creating imaginative photos. They modeled Barbie dresses, posed on broomsticks for Quidditch matches, and blended in with the Potato Head Family. Who will get the job? We'll find out next week, when the judges vote on the most creative portfolios. As for today, every girl enjoyed the time spent relaxing with friends and taking in all the excitement of New York City. Ms. Blisko and Mrs. Haber, you're the best!

See you Motzei Shabbos at the Sophomore Melava Malka!

On Wednesday, December 8th, Chai Lifeline sent a group of SKA students to Memorial Hospital and Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. Tzipora Kuperman, Jackie Ostreicher, Naomi Perry, and Mindi Werblowsky went as representatives of the junior class while Ariella Simantov, Yael Haar, Shaindy Pollak, and Shany Noy went from the senior class. We performed a puppet show for the Pediatric Wards in honor of Chanukah. We then stayed for the annual Chanukah parties at the hospitals, where food was served and donated toys were distributed to all of the patients. We were able to go around with carts of toys for those patients who could not leave their rooms. We had a chance to interact and play games with all of the children at the hospital. It was a really touching experience, seeing the faces of the kids when they got their own brand new toy. Being able to spend time with these kids was the best Chanukah present we could ever get!

On Wednesday, December 15th, the junior AP Chemistry class, along with the freshmen and sophomores in the Science Research class, spent the day at the new Garcia Science Center at Queens College. They heard many lectures on chemistry and physics and they were able to do numerous experiments as well. The students made ice cream from liquid nitrogen, silly putty from Borax, and created styrofoam. The girls had an amazing time and learned how chemistry and physics affect our daily lives. Chemistry is so cool!!!! Thanks, Mrs. Isseroff!

The graduating class of 2004 has finally settled and continues to become familiar with Eretz Yisrael and all that it has to offer. The transition at first was difficult, being away from our families, our homes, and all that we were accustomed to. As the weeks went by we began to love our schools, classes, teachers, and best of all, our new home. Thanks to our SKA education, the language barrier is easier to overcome, and we are able to communicate more easily with the Israelis. We have gained a sense of independence being on our own and having to take care of our everyday needs. Touring the land has become a part of our everyday lives. We are fortunate enough to be able to visit the Kotel and other places of kedusha quite often. We have already learned so much here, and hope to continue growing as the year goes on. After only a few months in Israel we have already began to realize that Shana Bet is the only way to go. Just kidding, parents!

Throughout our four years of high school our grade gradually united. By senior year the achdut was incredible! Although our grade is now divided into many different schools, both here in Eretz Yisroel and back at home, we have still managed to maintain our strong friendships that we formed in high school. Leaving SKA was a big challenge, but coming to Israel was an even greater experience. We would like to thank all our teachers back at home who had such an active role in helping us get to where we are today. We miss everyone in SKA, and we hope to see you all here soon "Bimihayra Viyamaynu"!!

The 9th and 10th grades both experienced an inspiring program about HaKarat Hatov, just one week apart.This Tzemach program began with sophomore comedy skits, which although at a glance seemed very exaggerated, did relate very closely to much of the student population. We then enjoyed a short film titled "Mom on Strike", which portrayed a typical mother and how hard she works. It definitely helped everyone see how much our dear parents do for us and how much appreciation they deserve.

The program concluded in small discussion groups led by Mrs. Haber, Ms. Blisko and Rabbi Zak, who taught us many ways that Hakarat HaTov connects to our own lives. They also shared with us meaningful short stories that will hopefully help us increase our use of Hakarat HaTov everyday. Many thanks to Mrs. Haber for putting together such a wonderful program.

The SKA Drama Department is proud to present

Yisrael Bitach BaHashem

SKA PRODUCTION '04

Performances are on:

Thursday evening, at 7:30 p.m. - SOLD OUT
Sunday matinee, December 26th at 3:30 p.m. Sunday evening, December 26th at 7:15 p.m.

Prices: $18 for adults; $15 for students; SKA students $12.
Special matinee prices: $12 for adults; $10 for students; SKA students $8

Come join us for an unforgettable show!!!!

For tickets, please call (516) 374-7195 ext. 109