It's hard to believe that we are about to break for this year's intersession vacation and half of the school year's been completed! Baruch Hashem, these months have been filled with excitement, accomplishment, learning, fun and inspiration.

Most students and faculty would agree that Shabbaton and Production 2005 were important highlights of our academic year thus far! How we all loved sharing Shabbat together, dancing with each other and admiring the individual talents of so many of our students at the Swan Lake Hotel and on the stage of SKA!

New Torah learning opportunities for students and moms, during the day and evening, were inspiring new features. Community-wide Rosh Chodesh lectures for women drew standing room only crowds for Judge Dan Butler, Rebbetzin Sarah Meisels, Ms. Ahuvah Gray and Rav Yissochor Frand and a pre-Chanukah get-together featured Mrs. Shira Smiles. Our optional Open Beit Midrash program on select Thursday evenings was appealing and worthwhile to many students! Our Lilmod Ule'lamed program with SKA faculty became a staple for HALB moms and it was exciting having mothers come learn Torah here on a regular basis! A new 11th grade Limudei Kodesh elective taught by Rabbi Cohen and a new 12th grade course in Limudei Haaretz taught by Rabbi Muskat offered inspiration and knowledge for our students. The Irving and Toni Rosen Israel Programs and Studies created opportunities for all of our students to learn more about Eretz Yisrael and feel a deeper commitment to our people and our Medina.

We are proud of the amazing Chesed work performed by our students, completed through school programs and trips, as well as individually by our girls. We are proud of our seniors and the broad range of acceptances they are receiving to so many institutions in Israel. We are proud of the academic growth and accomplishments of each one of our 309 students during this first half of the year.

My personal hakarat hatov to our faculty and support staff for being passionate, compassionate, excellent, warm, dedicated and nurturing educators.

I have personally enjoyed our new birthday rose presentations and freshman lunches in my office. I look forward to starting our sophomore lunches upon our return from intersession. Don't forget! February is marked with exceptional trips and exciting programs for each and every grade!!!

Good luck, girls, in completing your exams and living up to your personal expectations! You certainly deserve a break! Remember what's important, whether you're home or away, as you enjoy your vacations with your families and have a relaxing and meaningful time!

See you on January 30th, iy"h!

Chanukah started off with a bang as SKA enjoyed a stupendous celebration on Monday, the first day of Chanukah. Our fun-filled festivities commenced with an amazing concert by the Neshama Orchestra, complete with spirited dancing by all. Subsequently, the SKA audience was stunned as mentalist Ted St. James read our minds and revealed our hidden thoughts and aspirations. Finally, our grumbling stomachs were indulged with scrumptious donuts and latkes in honor of the holiday. A great time was had by all and we thank our teachers and staff for making Chanukah a true celebration.

Thanks to a special treat from the SKA Parent Council, the entire school took a special Chanukah outing to the Long Beach Ice Skating Arena. The ninth and eleventh grades used this as an opportunity to continue their Big Sister-Little Sister program and it turned out to be a tremendous success. "Sister" pairs enjoyed spending quality time together and with friends. “I fell three times,” laughed an elated eleventh grader. “I still had a great time!”

“It’s nice how our school shows us that our education and development stretches far beyond the classroom setting,” commented one ninth grader with her ice skates and winter coat in tow. “Today, all of our friendships and relationships managed to grow in a strong way - and we had a really fun time too!”

On Thursday, January 5th, we had our annual Chanukah auction. As always, we had a blast, while at the same time raising money for various Tzedakas. Teachers put items up for bid such as Shabbos meals, dinners out, homework passes, etc. Some students also contributed to the auction. There were both a Chinese Auction with nearly 40 items to bid on using pre-purchased tickets, and a live auction led by Rabbi Zak and the G.O. Items up for bid were for individuals, groups, or even whole classes! The excitement was palpable and the money raised was inspirational. Way to go, girls! Hakarat hatov to our teachers for their creative and generous donations.

“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 OTZAR, a program for adults with special needs, left many 10th graders asking when we could have a follow-up activity. They were only too excited to put in the time and effort necessary to prepare the food, decorations, music and activities for the much anticipated Chanukah visit. The room was draped in Chanukah decorations and the guests were greeted warmly as they arrived. Sophomores and guests sat together to decorate pop-up cards, chat and get to know each other. Singing of all kinds of Chanukah songs broke out, and after several rounds of very spirited dancing and a lunch of pizza and latkes, it was time for our guests to leave. But not before we promised to do this again some time in the very near future.

The 9th grade Chanukah Chesed 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 projects to HASC in Brooklyn. Small groups of Freshmen went into the classrooms to work one-on-one with the kids. Together, we made picture frames, colored special coloring books and sang Chanukah songs. Those who chose Bobby's Place learned of the dire need for clothing and coats, especially at this time of year. We were truly moved by the lengths to which the owners of this gamach go to ensure that those in need are not embarrassed, and we were happy to be a part of this huge chesed by sorting, hanging and folding the clothing. After we all met up for a delicious pizza lunch in Boro Park, we headed to Amazing Savings and picked out special gifts for our 11th grade “big sisters.” It was a great way to wrap up our Chesed day and we had so much fun!

Thanks to the initiative and perseverance of SKA Junior Sheva Odzer, we have adopted a school in Israel called Beit Sefer Maalot Chaim. A very poor school in Petach Tikvah comprised primarily of Ethiopian olim, Maalot Chaim very often does not have the funds to provide basic supplies for their students. Upon hearing of this situation, Sheva and a committee of girls pledged to do whatever they could to help out. Their effort began with a Chanukah project. Time was devoted during the regular Ivrit periods to write Chanukah cards to the students in Petach Tikvah. At the same time, tzedakah money was collected to provide them with basic Chanukah needs such as candles and menorahs. A package of the cards and money was sent with somebody who went to Israel for Chanukah and we can’t wait to receive return letters from our newly adopted sisters and to continue this project throughout the year.

In an effort to expand on one of the pervading themes of Chanukah, the 11th grade was treated to a “Bringing Light into the Darkness” session. Representatives from the 11th grade who are involved in kiruv-related chesed work had an opportunity to share their experiences with their friends. Groups of girls who are involved in JEP, Nefesh Academy and Project One by One spoke about the importance of doing kiruv work, how it is done and the satisfaction that can be felt by being involved in the teaching of Torah to the otherwise unaffiliated. We then had the opportunity to watch a very moving clip from the Aish HaTorah film, Inspired. The program was a chance to hear about what some of our fellow classmates have been doing and perhaps to “inspire” ourselves to be more involved.

Our “dreaming of spring” themed intergenerational lunch was fun for all involved! Many SKA girls gave up their lunch period to greet our guests from the Woodmere Rehabilitation Center. After some schmoozing and getting reacquainted, we were ready to start the program. Yonit Penzoh and Tziporah Leah Shapiro prepared a great project – decorating picture frames with spring flowers – that was enjoyed by hosts and seniors alike. Rebecca Mendlowitz, Mindy Koren and Frayde Leifer ran an action-packed game of bingo – the game that bridges all generations. The smiles on the faces of our new friends made us realize how big a difference we could make by just hanging out and having a good time.

The SKA Math Club consists of more than 40 girls and on Tuesday, January 10th, twenty of these girls traveled to DRS to compete with them and HAFTR in a Nassau County Math Competition. Each team of ten was given six complex problems to be solved by the team as a group in 35 minutes. The air was buzzing with the sounds of math and everyone had fun.

On Motzei Shabbat Chanukah, Mrs. Yudin generously opened her home to the seniors for a beautiful Melave Malka. After filling themselves up on bagels, ziti and salad, the seniors took their seats in the Yudin's livingroom to watch the newly released movie, Inspired. Apropos to its title, the girls were certainly inspired by the amazing women featured in the movie who each traveled on their own unique journey toward living a life of religious observance. All in all, everyone had a fun and meaningful time at the Senior Chanukah party. (Thanks especially to the beautiful Yudin children who were wonderful hosts.)

On Motzei Shabbat, January 7th, SKA hosted a 9th grade Chanukah Melave Malka. It was coordinated by grade level advisors, Mrs. Rivka Gross and Mrs. Sheila Leibtag, as well as Penina Davis, Aliza Katz and Michal Konigsberg, the three 9th grade Madrichot, and a committee of students. When they first arrived at SKA, a scavenger hunt in the dark with flashlights awaited the freshmen in order to bring out the theme, 'Light up the Night.' The ninth grade was divided into groups and each group had to gather puzzle pieces which were attached to clues. When each group put their puzzle pieces together, they formed words which spelled out the quote, "Shmonat yemai Chanukah alu, l'hodot ul'halel l'shimcha hagadol." Following the scavenger hunt, all the ninth graders danced and ate food. While dancing, the madrichot gave out glow in the dark accessories. The camaraderie was amazing and the freshmen loved their grade-wide Melave Malka!

On Tuesday, December 27th, the leaders of JEP at SKA threw a Chanukah party for all the girls that are involved in the outreach program. Approximately 40 kids arrived at SKA's auditorium for candle lighting, pizza and jelly donuts and dreidel playing. There was a lovely dvar Torah and as a special Chanukah surprise, we raffled off a stereo system.

This Chanukah party was truly special because we got to share the simcha of the chag with children who do not necessarily learn about it at home. It is fun and exciting to look at these kids and remember how we each felt on our first real Chanukah. It makes you feel truly happy to know that you helped to light up another child’s soul and spirit.

It was another HALB first. More than 90 SKA and DRS teachers and several teachers from the lower school gathered on Wednesday, January 11th, at SKA for a day of learning. There was an air of excitement as everyone gathered in the auditorium and glanced around to see the HALB high school faculty.

Norman Kunc of Axis Consulting and Training, who has often presented at the Harvard Teachers’ Institute, was the guest lecturer and spoke about Rediscovering the Right to Belong. With humor and passion, he noted that belonging and relationships are the basis for self esteem and only when children and people feel that they are accepted can they truly reach their highest potential. As an adult with cerebral palsy, he has felt the sense of not belonging and is an advocate for the rights of the disabled. From the number of people who came up after the presentation to ask questions or just say thank you, it was obvious that the teachers found the presentation to be both informative and very inspiring.

There were SKA/DRS departmental meetings so that the members of the various departments could share their ideas and brainstorm about new possibilities. Rabbi Shlomo Kovitz analyzed Rashi for the Limudei Kodesh teachers, there were full SKA and DRS faculty meetings and, of course, a beautiful lunch ordered by the business office. Thank you, Mr. Hagler.

The consensus: A great day! The best ever! Next year, again...but this time at DRS!

Six freshmen from our school were recently selected to have their poems published in the anthology A Celebration of Young Poets. The winners are Marci Bayer ("Fear"), Bracha Feintuch ("Day by Day"), Adi Fried ("Jeopardizing Downfall"), Shira Haar ("Broken by Katrina"), Allysa Jeret ("Colors of Life"), and Shaindy Schiffmiller ("Only When Reflected"). With the guidance of their English teacher, Mrs. Caroline Shenker, the girls wrote and submitted their poems to the Creative Communication Poetry Contest, an organization devoted to the promotion of Language Arts and the writing, teaching, and appreciation of poetry. The winners are now eligible to move up to the next level of the competition. Kudos to these students for a job well done!

Sixteen faculty members capped an inspiring and stimulating professional development day with a jaunt into the city on January 11th for dinner and a play. Living the theme of the day, creating a sense of belonging, the group included religious and secular subjects teachers, full timers and part timers, as well as former staff. The day was organized by Phyllis Budne who offered the outing to all and provided choices for the play and the restaurant. The travel arrangements themselves turned into a planning challenge with three cars going in to the city, but only two returning. Add the rain and 4:30 traffic into the city and it is easy to see how the three drivers, Tamar Bindiger, Estie Bryk and Sarah Rotenstein are our new heroes.

Dinner was delicious and the walk to the theater was much needed. (Thank you Zipora Antman for the pictures!) The play was light and fun and we returned at 11:30 after a very long but delightful day, full of good cheer, and grateful for all our colleagues and the time outside of school we had together.

Field trips are good things for faculty as well as students!

On Tuesday evening, Gittel Klein and Batya Herzberg had the extraordinary privilege to receive Town of Hempstead citations from Town Supervisor Kate Murray. She presented them with the awards to acknowledge their success in the Siemens Westinghouse Science, Math, and Technology Competition. After taking pictures with Supervisor Murray and a few other government representatives, Supervisor Murray presented the citations to Batya and Gittel in front of the town meeting.