| A Message from Mrs. Spirn |
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With all of our Purim celebrations behind us, we are
certainly feeling the arrival of spring and the
anticipation of Pesach!
Special thanks to all of our
grade level advisors, madrichot, and SKA families who
hosted our Layl Purim mesibot for our various grades.
Hakarat hatov to Elana Beck, 11th grade
madricha, who coordinated and hosted an amazing
pre-Purim Shabbaton in West Hempstead for the
juniors.
Kudos to the group of seniors who are completing
the
3rd Edition of At Ptach, our SKA
Haggada, and to
Faculty Advisor, Rabbi Muskat. We look forward to
the Haggada's publication and to its distribution to
our entire student body before we break for Pesach.
Mazel tov to our Mock Trial team which has
advanced once again in the Nassau County Mock
Trial Competition and hakarat hatov to Faculty
Advisors Mr. Lewisohn and Mr. Tannenbaum. Our
team is in the "final eight" and is one of 2 yeshivot
remaining in the competition!
Hatzlacha rabba to our SKA Basketball Sonics as they
face Magen David in the Yeshiva High School Girls'
League Championship Game this Monday evening,
March 27th! We look forward to a great
performance
by our team as they are ably coached by Esther
Oppenheimer.
Mazel tov to our Torah Bowl team which has won
the
Regional Championship for the 3rd year in the row.
We can't wait to see our team compete at the
upcoming Championship match under the leadership
of Mrs. Menchel.
Our 2nd Blood Drive this year will take place this
coming Monday and we are once again proud of our
students' efforts in ensuring the chashivut of giving
blood. Way to go, girls! Thank you, Mrs. Storch!
In the two weeks preceding Pesach, we look forward
to some inspiring and fun-filled grade level activities
and dedicated learning involving Pesach and the
Haggadah!
I look forward to welcoming many of you on
Tuesday
evening at Parent-Teacher Conferences and on
Wednesday evening to our Rosh
Chodesh Nissan Lecture featuring Rabbi Mordechai
Becher of Gateways.
Here's to a wonderful weekend and a peaceful and
meaningful Shabbos!
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| Purim Grade Wide Mesibot |
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As has become custom at SKA, each grade had a
chagiga on Monday night, Layl Purim, hosted at a
home in the neighborhood, designed to put to rest
the claim that “there’s nothing to do after megilla if
you’re a girl.” Grade Level Advisors worked long and
hard to prepare fun, exciting evenings for their
students – evenings that enabled girls to dress up,
get together and really bond.
The Freshmen gathered at the Brecher home for
a “black and white” night. From hair accessories to
striped tights, everyone came dressed for the
occasion. Activities included black and white cookie
decorating, a skit presented by the teachers and
madrichot and an inspirational Dvar Torah given by
Nicole Goldstein. Singing, dancing and laughing
topped off a sensational evening. Thanks, Mrs.
Leibtag and Mrs. Gross!
The Sophomores were invited to the
Lerman house
for a fun-filled chagiga. Nahva Hollander and
Rochelle
Schoenfeld, 10th grade madrichot, coordinated an
exciting Jeopardy game, and Rabbi Rothman dropped
by to join in the festivities. Great food, great friends
and great fun made this Layl Purim a night to
remember. Thanks, Mrs. Haber and Miss Kobre!
The SKA Juniors were treated to a special chagiga at
the home of faculty member Mrs. Rachel Block.
Delicious snacks, interesting costumes and a warm
atmosphere created a phenomenal setting for this
inspiring evening. The party was replete with Divrei
Torah by Tziporah Leah Shapiro and Yardana Galler, a
hilarious movie prepared by committee, and dancing
and singing galore. Thanks, Miss Fragin and Mrs.
Belizon!
Seniors celebrated as only Seniors can – renting
a
school bus, decorating it for Purim and traveling from
house to house to sing and dance! Dressed in
costume, the 12th grade visited five teachers’
homes, one friend who was sick and couldn’t join in
and even stopped by the Freshman chagiga to add a
little cheer. Teachers doled out food and drink, said
Divrei Torah and even joined in the dancing. What a
way to be “marbim b’simcha!” Thanks, Mrs. Yudin!!
Special thanks to all of our hosts who so
generously
opened their homes on Layl Purim, the craziest of
nights!
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| Mock Trial Makes it to the Final Eight |
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Last Monday, the SKA Mock Trial team was
victorious
yet again! Anxious during the ride to the
Supreme
Court of Nassau County, the lawyer-witness pairs did
some last minute prep after the traditional Dvar
Torah on the bus. Playing against neighboring school,
Hewlett High, SKA argued, questioned and fought its
way to a close but decisive victory. Lawyers
Leora
Hefter, Elkie Spitzer and Ariela Zenilman
demonstrated their expertise and witnesses Estie
Mallin, Julie Stahler and Lauren Bayer displayed their
cool, calm demeanor. Mazal Tov to all the team
members for working so hard to reach the round of
eight. Much hatzlacha for the next trial this
Wednesday!
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| Torah Bowl Reaches the Championship |
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SKA’s Torah Bowl Team is once again Regional
Champions! The playoff game against HANC was last
week up in Westchester High School and was the
most exciting match of the season. Coach Mrs.
Menchel was in Israel, but Miss Fragin was a
competitive, knowledgeable and exuberant
substitute. SKA came out victorious and will advance
to the Championship round. Mazal Tov to Mrs.
Menchel and the entire team – we are so proud of
you!
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| SKA Hosts Debate |
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On Thursday, March 17th, the SKA Debate Team
played host to nine schools from around the Region.
The amount of preparation for hosting a match is
enormous and the SKA girls did it with dedication,
motivation and tremendous success. Not only did
they work hard to prepare the topic for debate, A
Criminal’s Right to Vote, but they assembled folders
and schedules for every guest debator, moderator
and judge. “Your debate went so smoothly, it
appeared to be flawless,” was the comment from one
visiting captain. A special thanks to coach Mrs.
Sheila Leibtag, as well as the SKA captains, for all of
their hard work and dedication to this event.
Hatzlacha rabba to the entire team in all future
debates this season!
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| College Bowl |
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The SKA College Bowl Team is to be congratulated
for a magnificent performance at their final meet of
the year which took place this past Thursday at
HANC. All the SKAers performed really well, and the
Junior Varsity Team won every game they played!
Yasher Koach to coach, Ms. Linda Trimigliozzi, and
the whole team for a great season of fun,
camaraderie and an amazing mastery of trivia!
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| Chesed Update |
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The initiative and hard work of the SKA girls have
made a significant contribution to the Jewish
community, once again! This year’s student
Mishloach Manot Project raised more than $1000 to
enable our “adopted friend” in the former Soviet
Union to attend a Jewish School. Thanks to Seniors
Lisa Golombeck, Miriam Teper, Adeena Traube and
Jordana Wertheimer who thought of the creative
idea, bought all the items, assembled the packages
and distributed them to the classes.
This project made it possible for the girls to send
mishloach manot to their friends, while at the same
time giving tzedaka. Along with the good feeling that
came from knowing they had participated in such a
big mitzvah, everyone was excited to receive the
movie-themed mishloach manot complete with
popcorn, soda, oversized chocolate bar and much
more. A special thank you to Mrs. Yafa Storch,
Chesed coordinator, for all of her support and
direction, and Mrs. Chana Spielman for all of her work
behind the scenes.
The last soup kitchen trip of the year was one of the
most successful yet. 30 girls boarded the bus to
Manhattan with hot dogs, salad and cakes in toe.
Preparing the food and serving it to people who we
knew had not had a meal in 24 hours was both fun
and meaningful. We were glad to have had the
opportunity to mingle with them as they ate and to
have been a part of such an important mitzvah.
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| Hurricane Hits SKA |
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Mr. Harvey Thurm, a meteorologist at the
National
Weather Service and father of 11th grader Sarah,
spoke last week to Mrs. Alter's A.P.
Environmental Science and Earth Science classes. He
presented a slideshow on the 2005 hurricane
season,
which included pictures and information on the
season's most destructive hurricanes, Katrina, Rita
and Wilma. Mr. Thurm’s presentation seemed to fit
perfectly with what was previously learned in class
and Mrs. Alter’s science students were able to ask
and answer questions on point. It was
fascinating
and enjoyable!
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| Math Contest Winners |
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SKA’s math team members competed in different
levels of the American Mathematics Competition with
some impressive results. SKA’s winner in the Level 10
Contest was Sophomore Elisheva Zinberg. In the
Level 12 Contest, 11th grader Leora Naiman took top
prize and qualified for the next phase of the national
contest. Finishing with honors in second and third
place were Juniors Emily Levine and Rebecca Lasky.
Mazal Tov!
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| Senior Health Awareness Programs |
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The senior class was involved in two “health
awareness” programs.
Dor Yesharim came back to SKA to test interested
seniors and alumnae for nine genetic disorders. The
students were given a number which they will use in
the future to ascertain whether they and a potential
“shidduch” are compatible genetically. Over thirty
girls took part in the testing. Our thanks to Dor
Yesharim, and to Nurse Joan Sherman, who
coordinated
the effort, which was executed seamlessly!
Dr. Jessica Jacob , a well regarded obstetrician and
gynecologist who is also a
parent of two SKA graduates (Elisheva '00 and
Yael '02), gave a lecture to the
senior girls as part of the Jewish Family Life course.
Our thanks to Dr. Jacob for a very
informative session.
The course which is taught by Mrs. Spirn and Dr.
Meier, touches on issues which effect young women
as they look ahead in their lives: Dating, Marriage,
Beauty, Shalom Bayis and Taharat Ha Mispacha to
name a few.
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| Sophomore Layl Iyun |
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On Thursday night, the tenth graders enjoyed a
night
of fun and friendship. Staring right after school,
this
year’s Layl Iyun began with dinner and an inspiring
movie about friendship which introduced the theme
of the evening. Sessions with teachers and a
video
followed about the true meaning of a friend and how
to improve relationships.
Scrumptious snacks and a "murder
mystery," twister,
basketball and dancing all kept the Sophomores
entertained into the evening. Ice cream at midnight
and breakfast in the morning kept up their energy, so
that they could bake Challah on Friday with Mrs.
Heller before going home to get some much needed
rest. This year’s Leyl Iyun was filled with fun,
camaraderie and memories! Special thanks to Rabbi
Zak, Mrs. Haber, Miss Kobre, and Ms. Keehn.
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| REMINDER: |
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| Upcoming Events |
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Adar Israel Program |
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This month’s theme of the Irving and Toni Rosen
Israel Studies and Programs was in keeping with the
spirit of the month of Adar, “The Amalek of our
Generation.” In their Jewish History and Global
Studies classes, the students focused on the history
of the Intifada and the recent election of Hamas to
the leadership of the Palestinian Authority. In their
Torah SheBe’al Peh classes, the girls learned the
halachot pertaining to Amalek in our time.
"My name is Abu Nachmad." With this
introduction,
Mr. Shlomo Horowitz from Crossroads, began his
presentation, giving SKA students and faculty a
glimpse into the mind of a Palestinian-American.
Opening their eyes to the Arab mentality, he
presented their arguments and viewpoints regarding
Jews. With the bang of his clapboard, he
reverted
back to himself, and proceeded to debunk every
argument "Abu Nachmad" had given for hating Jews.
Finally, he explained how we are the correct
guardians over Israel, as he assumed the role of
Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi. Overall, the girls were
enthralled by the presentation, asking questions and
getting involved. Mr. Horowitz definitely sparked the
girls' interest in his creative, informative and powerful
presentation.
SKA CHOIR SINGS IN INTER-YESHIVA
COMPETITION
This past Sunday, a group of SKA girls traveled all
the way to Washington Heights and sang their hearts
out at the annual Kol Birama Nishma Girls Choir
Competition. All profits for the tickets sold
went to
the One Family Fund, an organization that takes care
of people and families affected by terrorist attacks in
Israel. Held at Yeshiva Universtiy, it
was a fun and
incredible fundraising opportunity that also allowed
the girls to see, and compete against, their friends
from many other schools in the Greater New York
area. Many thanks to Miriam Herschman and
Daniella
Morad, the heads of the SKA choir. Yasher Koach –
job well done!
LILMOD ULE'LAMED FOR
MOTHERS
Our current Lilmod Ule'lamed series for mothers
will continue
on Tuesday, March 28th and April 4th. The series is
being taught by Rabbi Danny Eisenbach and will
focus
on "Bitachon as Seen in
Chovot Halevavot." Rabbi Eisenbach's shiurim
begin at 11:45.
Special thanks to Esther and Baruch Weinstein for
sponsoring this past week's shiur in memory of Gittel
bat Zanvel Dov, a"h.
Jody Galler Erdfarb '99 on the birth of a baby boy and
to Aunt Yardena in the 11th grade
Talia Fishman '03 on her engagement to Meshulam
Rapps
Rebecca Galler '02 on her marriage to Ari Geliebter
Shira Lent Kesach '02 on the birth of a baby girl and
to Aunt Danielle in the 11th grade
Mrs. Estie Bryk and her daughter Dalya (’03) upon her
engagement to Ben Hutt
Aliza Blumenthal (’99) upon her upcoming marriage to
Avram Leib Davis, iy”h and to 9th grade sister
Atara
Batya Gross (’03) upon her upcoming marriage to
Moshe Jacobowitz, iy”h
Nava Lauer (’03) upon her upcoming marriage to Zev
Feigenbaum, iy”h
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