This past summer, SKA students and alumnae gathered in the back of E-licious ice cream store for learning, schmoozing, and of course, ice cream! Every Wednesday night, over 30 SKA students and graduates came together to learn Torah with their Mashgiach Ruchani, Rabbi Danny Eisenbach. This gave the SKA students who were home for the summer a chance to learn b'kviut and to socialize with their friends. The girls who attended really looked forward to it each week. This year's attendance far exceeded last summer's inaugural program and we thank Rabbi Eisenbach for all of his efforts in making the program the success that it was. Thanks to Elicious for their warm welcome and to the Lent family for their weekly hachnassat orchim.

All grades greatly enjoyed their respective outings this past Tuesday. The Freshmen packed onto the buses and went all the way to Grant Park, where they ran straight to the swings and playground and ate a picnic lunch with their friends and Grade Advisors Mrs. Rivka Gross and Mrs. Sheila Leibtag. The Sophomores and their GLA's Mrs. Sara Haber and Mrs. Tzivi Zuckermanwent to Broadway and were quite conflicted in their decisions of what to eat for lunch, due to the variety of foods to choose from: Pizza Pious, Qcumber and Gotta-Getta-Bagel, all made the choice a hard one. The Juniors set off to North Woodmere Park, where they enjoyed the scenic views and spent valuable time picnicking with their friends and Advisors Mrs. Rebecca Belizon and Mrs. Esther Segal. The Seniors traveled all the way to Long Beach with their Grade Level Advisors Mrs. Tzipora Weinberg and Mrs. Rivka Yudin, where they were able to eat lunch on the beach, while looking at the beautiful ocean view, a sight for everyone to see. All grades had a great time on their trips and truly enjoyed the free muffin treat, picturesque nature views, and time with their friends and Grade Level Advisors.

The year has started out with an incredible enrollment at SKA. In June, the incoming Freshman Class had 84 girls. Over the summer, four more girls arrived making the total 88 from 13 different schools. The Tenth Grade has five new girls added to their ranks, the Eleventh Grade has a "returning" student, and one new Twelfth Grader is now at SKA.

Amongst the new “SKAers”, there is one student returning from Israel after a year’s visit, and another Israeli who is living with close friends, while her family remains in Israel.

Welcome to all the newcomers and of course, welcome to our returning students! We look forward to a wonderful year!

Bruchim Habaim to the class 2010! Eighty-eight Freshmen entered the halls of SKA for their Freshmen Orientation Program, where they had the opportunity to meet each other, enjoy some fun, and familiarize themselves with the classroom and lockers of SKA. We were excited to see the special ruach of this year's Freshmen class, their openness, and desire to become part of a cohesive whole. Their bowling scores weren't too bad either. Welcome girls, we know it is going to be a great year!

Familiar faces roam the halls of SKA. It’s the SKA alumnae who have returned to serve as Chaburah Leaders and Madrichot to the students. It is a pleasure to see them taking on these new responsibilities and becoming part of our team. Welcome to: Elana Beck, Elisheva Davis, Adena Feinberg, Shira Ganz, Dena Gross, Liana Lichtman, Ayelet Mael, Sara Menchel, Talia Miller, Shira Pasternak, Rivke Pianko, Rochelle Schoenfeld, Michal Shenker, Michelle Singer, Gabby Soep, and Rachel Waldman

There are, of course, two alumnae who have already become regulars at SKA. Welcome to Nahva Hollander and Riki Schwalb, who can be found in and around Rabbi Zak’s office . It’s great to have you with us!

Welcome back to two graduates who have joined our coaching staff: Aliza Katz, Volleyball and Sherri Seidenfeld, JV Volleyball. Finally, many alumnae show up Friday morning, sometimes with friends, to attend Rabbi Eisenbach’s very popular Erev Shabbat shiur. If you’ve missed it, remember, Friday morning at 10:15 am in the SKA library.

The day which, five years ago, shocked our city and our nation was commemorated in a quiet way at SKA. Tefillot in the morning were dedicated l’zecher those who perished and a piece was read after davening on “un-miracles.” The article, written by Amy Dubitsky, spoke of her missing the tragedy by one minute and how thankful we have to be when life goes on normally, with “un-miracles.” What an important message as we approach the Yomim Noraim! Finally, 9/11 was discussed in many of the Social Studies classes.

We pray that 9/11 remains in our past and that we experience health, peace and happiness in the coming year.

Several of our teachers attended Summer Workshops. Mrs. Pearl Berger attended an AP Teachers' Course to further hone her AP Chemistry teaching skills. Mrs. Ellen Lavner spent a day with the Federal Reserve. Rabbi Maryles traveled to the Board of Jewish Education for anAviChai sponsored session with The David Project and information on advocacy for Israel. Finally, Mrs. Rachel Rosenbaum was very excited about a workshop she attended about Children at Risk.

Learning for the SKA faculty never ends!

Once again, two of our students have spent the summer doing research at the Garcia Center in Stony Brook University. Seniors Dani Lent and Emily Levine researched the “Effects of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and Additives on the Revitalization of Recycled Polymers” and are now preparing their work for submission to the Siemens Westinghouse Competition. Good Luck to you both!!

Our first Open Beit Midrash took place this past Thursday night, September 14th, and was a hit! Girls from all grades gathered for a night of learning and fun!! The topic was Tefillah, with a focus on the month of Elul and the Yamim Noraim. Dougie's was served and the girls watched a short comical video relating to Tefillah. We then split into smaller groups and learned various articles with our Madrichot and other alumnae. Rabbi Eisenbach shared inspirational words with us to close the program. We'd like to thank Mrs. Kaminetsky and all of the students who were involved in putting the sourcebook together. We're all looking forward to our next Open Beit Midrash!!! Hakarat Hatov to our program sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. Kal Renov and Dr. and Mrs. Steven Sherman.

Lilmod U'lelamed has started again at SKA.

Every Tuesday at midday, SKA mothers gather for an hour to learn Torah with a member of the SKA faculty. The initial series of classes is being taught by the very beloved twelfth grade Navi Teacher and Grade Level Advisor, Mrs. Rivka Yudin, who is discussing Inyanei Teshuva as seen in Elul and Aseret Yemai Teshuva. Join us at 12:00 on Tuesday for the second session of this series, as we prepare our minds and hearts for the Yomim Noraiim. Please contact Mrs. Spirn if you are interesting in sponsoring any of the Lilmod Ule'lamed Shiurim.

We wish a fond farewell to the Class of 2006! We are proud and thrilled that seventy four students left in recent weeks to learn in Israel. The girls are attending 14 different schools. We have students learning at Bnos Chava, Bnot Torah, Darchei Bina, Emunah V’Omanut, Machon Gold, MMY, Michlalah, Midreshet Harova, Midreshet Lindenbaum, Midreshet Moriah, Migdal Oz, Nishmat, Shaalvim, and Tiferet.

We can’t wait to hear from all of you!

Good luck to those students who have started college this September and to those of you in the New York area, remember Rabbi Eisenbach’s shiur on Friday mornings!!