On Tuesday, February 20th, the Senior class had an amazing opportunity to learn more about one of the great Torah thinkers of our time, Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Through an enlightening video presentation, "The Lonely Man of Faith," the students learned about the Rav's early days in America, his shiurim and Talmidim at Yeshiva University, his deep, intellectual learning, and his involvement as a leader of the larger Jewish community. They gained a deeper understanding of the true magnitude of this great man. Special thanks to Rabbi Billet of the Young Israel of Woodmere and to our own Rabbi David for sharing their personal stories with us. This incredible presentation is an experience that will not be soon forgotten.

This past week, the eleventh and twelfth grades were privileged to see Rabbi Benji Levene’s "The Four Faces of Israel." The performance featured Rabbi Levene as four characters: a Meah She’arim rabbi, and Israeli bus driver, a cosmopolitan French-Jewish artist (who was not presented due to time restrictions), and a wealthy American tourist who gives millions to Israel but prefers Jewish life in America.

The presentation forces people to see themselves as others do-to and encourages people to face their stereotypes of other Jews. Amidst the laughter, the audience is hardly aware that it is confronting issues of Jewish identity and unity. At the conclusion of the show, Rabbi Levene appeared on stage-this time, as himself- and offered a poignant discussion on the message of the show. The performance was very entertaining but at the same time educational and thought provoking.

On Monday, February 5th, and Monday, February 12th, two important workshops were held for freshman and parents. The first and introductory program for students, called “No Body’s Perfect,” led by FEGS educators, involved student discussions focusing on stereotyping, “weightism” and self esteem. These discussions served as an introduction to prepare students for the Eating Disorders program which took place one week later for the students and their parents.

Dr. Judith Rabinor, renowned psychologist and clinician specializing in the identification and treatment of eating disorders, was the key note speaker at the eating Disorders Program . She was joined by Ms. Orna Neutra, social worker and program coordinator from FEGS, in an active and candid discussion with the parents. The movie “Understanding Eating Disorders,” was shown and a community parent shared his experience dealing with his daughter’s eating disorder.

The students heard from Ms. Aliza Stareshefsky who spoke of her personal eating disorder struggle and the participated in groups led by FEGS educators allowing the students to process what they had heard and connect it to their discussions from the previous week.

We thank Ms. Ilana Keehn, our school social worker, for coordinating this very special and thought provoking program. We plan to continue speaking with the students about this topic in the weeks to come.

The Senior class had the opportunity to see an incredible dramatic performance called "Flowers Aren't Enough" by Naomi Ackerman. Although this was only a one-woman-show, it was extremely entertaining as well as educational. With her amazing acting skills, Mrs. Ackerman portrayed the thoughts of the character Michal, a woman in an abusive marriage. She gave us a deeper understanding of the feelings of women in such relationships and how they end up in such difficult situations. However, it was the discussion afterwards that was truly enlightening - Mrs. Ackerman spoke to the girls about how to avoid becoming "Michal" in their lives.

Special programs for our Senior class will continue on March 7th, when they will have their own "Health Day."

Where is everyone going?!? That's what people wanted to know as they watched SKA students all week running through the parking lot to and from the pre-school. "To volunteer as Kulanu Shadows," was the excited answer they received.

Each year during the vacation week of the schools in which these special needs children are enrolled, Kulanu provides a service to them and their parents, by placing them in HALB's Lev Chana Pre-School. But, the program would not be viable without the SKA girls to serve as Shadows enabling the children to acclimate into their new environment.

A big thank you to Samantha Snyder, Shira Wadler, and Shevi Zinberg, who coordinated the more than 75 girls who volunteered, and to everyone who helped out!

SKA beat Si Huanaka in last week's Preliminary Mock Trial match. Kudos to their absolutely amazing lawyers and witnesses, and, of course, their incredible coach, Mr. Isaac Zucker. They now move on to the next round with their "eye on Albany." B'Hatzlacha!

Mrs. Wendy Shalit, a renowned lecturer and author of "A Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue," spoke in an auditorium filled with HALB mothers and daughters this past Tuesday night on the topic of "Does G-d Really Care If I Cover My Elbows?" This fourth lecture in the SKA Community Wide Lecture Series for Women left much room for discussion. The questions asked by the audience were intriguing, and the answers by Mrs. Shalit were inspiring, giving us a newfound appreciation for tzniut. Her innovative ideas made us all recognize the deeper power that lies beneath when one exposes not a body, but a neshama.

This week, the halls of SKA were filled with simcha as the month of Adar began. Candy and decorations were everywhere and the students were reminded that Purim is coming. On Tuesday, our wonderful G.O. got into costume and planned a special program during the afternoon break featuring an ice-cream party for all. It was “deliciously fun!”

On Friday, the students got a special visit from the Rosh Chodesh committee! A lottery game and Hamantanshen got them into the Purim spirit, and a set of brain teasers and other games invited them right into SKA: HappyLand! With all the costumes and festivities, this one will definitely be an Adar to remember!