The week of Chanukah is always a very exciting one at SKA, and this year was no exception. The week's festivities kicked off with an amazing Chagiga on Tuesday featuring music, dancing, and a super fun dance-off! Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating Chanukah and bonding with their friends.

The fun continued with a Big Sister/Little Sister outing to Hot Skates Roller Skating Rink on Wednesday. Upper and Lower Classmen were paired up, and everyone had a great time getting to know each other and doing their best to keep their balance on their roller skates.

On Thursday the exciting week of programs continued with the annual Chanukah auction, which raises money for various Tzedakkas. All week long girls bought tickets to enter the Chinese auctions offering many amazing prizes, and on Thursday the lucky winners were selected. Bidding auctions were also held, and girls won prizes as varied as meaningful Shabbasim at their Rabbis' and teachers' homes and free passes for their homework.

Finally, on Friday, Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson spoke to the students, adding Torah/Chanuka inspiration to a fun packed week. Special thanks to Rabbi Zak, the GLA's, and the G.O. for making this a Chanukah to remember!

While enjoying the myriad of Chanukah festivities available to us, we worked hard to ensure that it was a happy one for everyone – even those who are less fortunate.

The 9th grade Chanukah Chessed trip had something for anyone who wanted to help bring Chanukah simcha to others. Those who opted to bring happiness to special needs children brought Chanukah projects to HASC in Brooklyn. The girls broke up into small groups and went into the classrooms to work one-on-one with the kids. Together, they made window decorations and sang Chanukah songs. Those who chose to visit nursing homes first stopped at the Woodmere Rehabilitation Center where they gave a special Chanukah presentation prepared by Juniors, Esti Klein and Avi Chesner. Then the Freshman visited the Nautilus in Atlantic Beach where they had a great time baking Chanukah cookies with the residents. Each group got to go out for lunch and to Amazing Savings where they picked out special gifts for a grade-wide grab bag. It was a great way to wrap up the Chessed day and the girls had so much fun!

“What a beautiful sight!” exclaimed all those who came into the gym and felt the ruach and warmth during SKA’s first-ever Otzar Chanukah party. A very successful trip in September to a dayhab program for adults with special needs left many 10th graders asking when they could have a follow-up activity. So, when it was suggested that we invite Otzar here for Chanukah, the 10th graders were excited for the visit. The guests were greeted warmly as they arrived and soon sat together with the SKA girls, creating Chanukah projects, chatting and getting to know each other. The group soon broke into dancing and singing all kinds of Chanukah songs. After several rounds of very spirited dancing and a lunch of pizza, latkes and donuts it was time for the guests to leave but, not before the 10th grade promised them to do this again some time in the very near future.

The 11th grade devoted two periods to learning about and participating in the mitzvah of Hachnosas Kallah. After a brief introduction by Rabbi Weinberger who explained the significance of the mitzvah, the girls got down to work creating magnificent wedding arches. Exitedly, the girls tied the colorful ribbons as they knew that these arches will soon be donated to Claire Chamsi Hachnosos Kallah where they would be used by kallahs who would otherwise not have arches to beautify their weddings. Toward the end of the activity, Mrs. Nicole Gleitman came to admire the arches and to speak about the different ways that we can get involved in this very important mitzvah – the activity was a great introduction and the eleventh grade is very excited about doing more in the near future.

Last week, the 12th grade had the privilege to host a pre-Chanukah party for Shalsheles, a kiruv high school for Russian girls in Brooklyn. Together, they watched the Aish Hatorah movie, “Inspired,” and then played a fun-filled basketball game. The seniors had a great time with their new friends – dancing together, eating ice cream and just hanging out and getting better acquainted.

Hakarat HaTov to Mrs. Storch for filling out Chanukah with special chesed opportunities!

In an incredible show of selflessness and dedication to chesed , two groups of SKA girls chose to spend their only days of Chanukah vacation running Chanukah parties for those who would other have not had any festivities.

On Sunday morning of Chanukah Yardana Galler, Dani Lent, Adina Seidenwar, Tzippi Weisenfeld and Michelle Zomber threw a Chanuka party for Russian seminary girls who, having completed yeshiva in Moscow, decided to come to America to continue their learning. All alone, without family with whom to celebrate, the SKA seniors took it upon themselves to create a celebration for these young women at the home of SKA graduate, Rivkie Nissel. They began with an ice breaker activity and then played a Tanach- based scavenger hunt that the seniors had created – it was a huge hit. They concluded with some more schmoozing, getting to know each other and hat decorating for “Caps for Kids.” It was a very rewarding experience for all involved.

On Monday morning Rebecca Eichenbaum, Yardana Galler, Marlee Katz, Debbie Stahler and Shevi Zimberg headed to NYU hospital to run a Chai Lifeline Chanuka party for patients in the outpatient oncology ward. Dressed as fairy princesses, they came with dreidls, chocolate gelt and two very exciting projects. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the sick children was really incredible. As they were leaving, one of the girls said, “This was the best Chanukah party I’ve ever had.” The SKA girls certainly felt the same way.

Our Girls Varsity and JV Teams put forth a valiant effort at our College Bowl competition in December. However, the results were somewhat disappointing as the Varsity Team was 1-3 and the J.V results were 0- 3. The matches do not do justice to the team effort because the results do not include how close the score of each game actually was. We are still in contention for a play off spot if we can step it up another level at our February 27th meet at HANC. Special thanks to Mr. Fiedler for all his work in preparing the team!

WHAT'S SHAC?? That was the question on everybody's mind when the students walked into school on Monday, December 4th. SKA was covered with flyers in anticipation of the SHAC breakout. The students quickly learned that SHAC (Shmirat Halashon Action Committee) is a program brought to students by the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation raising awareness about using our speech appropriately. SKA is one of 18 schools who are instituting this program and we are very excited to see the results. The girls got excited to take on this special program as they made their lips sweet with watermelon eating contests and other fun games that helped get to the depths of the problem of lashon hara. We look forward to monthly meetings, where students will have the opportunity to focus on the importance amd benefits of shmirat halashon.

On Wednesday night, December 13, 2006, SKA welcomed its parents to the Parent-Teacher Conferences. Parents signed up “on line” to reserve appointments and both parents and teachers were pleased to have this opportunity to meet in person and discuss the progress of the individual students. The night was so well attended that thought is being given to a two night Parent-Teacher Conference - next year, of course!!

The Freshmen were treated to a "Light Up the Night" melave malka on Saturday night, December 9th. It began with a scavenger hunt in the dark, where all of the lights in the school were turned off and spot lights were turned on in the bowling ally. Everyone got a glow in the dark necklace and bracelet. The night concluded with dinner, dancing, and divrei Torah. A wonderful time was had by all. Special thanks to Mrs. Leibtag for all her hard work in making the evening a success.