Happenings 5.23.14
Transcription
Happenings 5.23.14
HAFTR Happenings Issue 2 Volume 31 Mazal Tov Mazal tov to Ahuva and Daniel Lilker on the birth of a baby girl and to big sister Orly. If you would like to have your simcha announced in the Happenings Newsletter please [email protected]. HAFTR Early Childhood and Lower School Tours If you have any friends who would like to learn more about HAFTR and may be interested in joining us for a tour or parlor Bemidbar Candle Lighting 7:48 PM Dvar Torah Parshat Bemidbar By Rabbi Stuart Olshan In Perek Gimmel Pasuk Daled it says that Nadav and Avihu died and then adds the words "Uvanim Lo Hayu Lahem" implying, that if they would have had children they wouldn't have died. The obvious question is how that corresponds with all the various reasons why they were punished such as drinking wine before entering the Mishkan, and paskening halacha before their Rebbe? The Chasam Sofer answers that by having children, the zechut of their children who haven't done any aveirot who need their parents to raise them, teach them Torah, and to give them guidance, that would have kept them alive. Having children would have prevented the other issues. A person doesn't fully understand and lacks the sensitivity to realize what a lack of kavod toward a parent truly is until he has his own children. This would have helped them realize the proper respect they need to have for their Rebbe Moshe and most of all for Hashem himself. We can now appreciate what a zechut we have to be able to have and raise children and how beneficial it is for our own personal growth in Avodat Hashem. May this lesson be a zechut for us to have happy and healthy children. meeting, please contact Leslie Gang [email protected] Shabbat Shalom! Sponsorships Available! UPCOMING SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Early Childhood: Birthday Gift $25 Book-of-the-Month - $18 Shabbat Onegs $18 Lower School: Healthy Snack, Grades K-5 - $18 for one day Mishamar, Grade 5 Boys - $36 per week Book of the Month, Grades K-5 - $18 per class Middle School: Mishmar Sponsorship: please contact Rabbi Klapper at [email protected] Va"ani Tefilliti- Siddur Sponsorship ranging from $250 and up. Please contact Rabbi Kupchik at [email protected] Tree Leaf for Etz Hachayim. Please contact Candice [email protected] If you are interested in sponsoring the above activities or learning about additional opportunities, please [email protected]. Early Childhood Highlights What a fabulous week it has been from start to finish. On Monday, it was off to Cedarhurst Park with the Pre-K children. Our tiyul went splendidly. All of our hikers enjoyed the trek to the park where the afternoon just sped by. We were even joined by some grown-up friends. The day could not have been lovelier and the children really proved what we already know - that they have bloomed and blossomed right in front of our eyes. On Wednesday, our little ballerinas had their recital. Morah Sharon Rothchild did an amazing job teaching this very talented group of girls. Their jete's and pliet's were tres bien! From start to finish, the show was a smashing success. It never ceases to amaze me how much our children can accomplish. During the week, each of our classes became scientific labs as the children were witness to the metamorphosis of caterpillars which will soon turn into butterflies. The children not only learned about the changes each caterpillar is going through but they got a wonderful lesson on symmetry. In addition, the children absorbed a valuable lesson on patience. After all, the changes do not occur overnight. What a fitting metaphor for the end of the year as we watch the metamorphosis in all of our children! Our May Book-of-the-Month, Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr. and Lois Ehlert, fits in with our May unit. This beautifully illustrated book follows ten caterpillars, each one a different species, on their journey towards becoming butterflies. The illustrations and the simple rhyming text are perfect for emerging readers. Counting the caterpillars and learning about their escapades make it a great book: each plant and animal pictured throughout the book is labeled in detail, from winter squash to poplar leaves. In addition, we have been as busy as ever continuing with our curriculum. All of the children, from toddlers on up, have been learning all about Shavuot. Everyone read the book Ten Good Rules by Susan Remick Topek. Its beauty is in its simplicity. Please encourage your child to tell you about the 10 good rules that we all must live by. Our three year olds made a special project that included correlating the aleph-bet to the numbers they represent. It was a terrific learning experience. Our classrooms are decorated with flowers and greens for the holiday. Of course, our learning would not be complete if we did not top it off with a little cheesecake. Next week, our talented bakers will make their own, butter, whipped cream, and cheesy delights because we know that the words of the Torah are as sweet as milk and honey. We capped off the week with a wonderful celebration. Today, Friday, we were privileged to be part of Itai Preston's upsherin. All of our toddlers joined in on the celebration and we thank the Preston family for honoring us in this way. Itai was the "King for a Day" as we celebrated his first haircut. We were joined by Rabbi Kupchik who taught the children why we wait until a child is three to cut his hair. Rabbi Kupchik had the children in the palm of his hands as he and the wonderful Morah Leah started the children on their way to a lifetime of Torah learning. We thank the Preston family for including us in their simcha. May we share many more smachot together. When we say we are a family at HAFR, we really mean it. Shabbat Shalom. Cyndy Goldberg Early Childhood Director Lower School Highlights In Israel Lag B'Omer is celebrated singing and dancing around a "medura." At HAFTR, students marked the occasion by going on trips and celebrating with special activities. Everyone had a wonderful time! Kindergarten students enjoyed an outdoor barbeque with the frills of "על האש." It was a real treat for all the students to eat lunch together outdoors, in beautiful weather. Thank you to the families and to the PTA for sponsoring the barbeque. First grade artists visited the Impressionist galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They admired familiar works of art by renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso. Students were enthralled with Van Gogh's doublesided painting and felt sorry that he did not have enough money to purchase enough parchment to paint his works separately. When observing one of Monet's paintings, students remarked that the reason they knew the painting was painted long ago, was because the "people in the painting were not using iPhones or iPads." Students sketched their own works of art and then picnicked in Central Park. It was nice to see parents who met us at our trip. Second grade urban, suburban, and rural planners visited the "world's largest scale model," The Panaroma of New York at the Queens Museum. They compared the architecture of communities. Kayla Fleschner in class 2D commented that the trip helped her understand "the different kinds of communities they learned about in school. You can really see that New York is urban and not rural or suburban." Using cardboard and other medians, students designed their own buildings and then grouped their structures to form communities. A relaxing time was had by both teachers and students as they ate their lunch and played in the adjacent Flushing Meadows Park. Third grade artists, curators, archivists, botanists, architects, and gardeners, (we have many interests and talented students) visited the back galleries at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. They inspected the museum artifacts and storage and compared how third grade students label their artifacts for their upcoming M'Dor L'Dor program. Students also had a tour of the museum portrait galleries. Students lunched outdoors at the beautiful Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. They also admired the Japanese Garden and experienced the different biomes that they learned about in science in the conservatory. We appreciate the help from parents who met us at the trip. Fourth grade musicians participated in the "Orchestra Sings" at the Carnegie Hall Link-up program. This trip was a culmination of their year long music curriculum which included lessons from the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall. Students were prepared with songs that they sang along with the other 2,000 students sitting in the audience. Students were not disappointed and marveled at the full fledged orchestra from their plush velvet seats. The group walked to Central Park where they ate lunch, played, and finally enjoyed some beautiful weather. Thank you music teacher, Mrs. Janet Goldman, for preparing our students with a terrific curriculum. Classes 5C and 5D students visited the New York and Civil War exhibit at the New York Historical Society and the General Grant National Memorial. Our historians viewed documents and artifacts from the Civil War, the very time period that they studied this year in their curriculum. They spoke with a ranger at the memorial who gave a brief overview of Ulysses S. Grant. Students ate their lunch on the great lawn outside the monument. Classes 5A and 5B will be visiting next week. The fifth grade boys' mishmar finale was a trip to Citi Field with the eighth grade Middle School Students. Although not a Mets fan, fifth grade student, Ezra Stern said that he and his classmates had a lot of fun watching the Mets play the Dodgers. Ezra also commented that it was really nice to daven maariv together at the stadium and that he and his classmates enjoyed dinner from Carlos & Gabby's. Thank you to Rabbi Weiss, fifth grade rebbe, for a fabulous mishmar season and to all our sponsors throughout the year. Thank you to all those who attended this week's Parent Workshop. We look forward to seeing you at workshops next year. Mentsch in the Moment... AJ Mandel in third grade volunteered to hold the garbage bag for his friends on the way back from his field trip. Aaron made it convenient for his friends to throw out their garbage by tying the bag to an unused seat belt where students around him could reach it. When exiting the bus, Aaron, voluntarily took the garbage bag with him. Kol HaKavod to Aaron for being so responsible and caring. !שבת שלום Upcoming... Wed., May 28th-יום ירושלים-Assembly and activities, K-5 Space IL program visits with grades 3-5 Special treats will be distributed, compliments of the PTA Thurs., May 29th-5A, 5B Trip to the New York Historical Society and General Grant National Memorial Fri., May 30th-Rosh Chodesh Sivan! Sunday, June 1st-Grades 4 & 5 Join HAFTR in the Celebrate to Israel Parade. See you there! See notices for information. Middle School Highlights It's a Whole New World.... This past Monday evening, a packed audience of parents, students and friends were transported on a magic carpet ride to the mystical world of Prince Ali and Princess Jasmine in our first Middle School musical production of Aladdin. Thanks to the meticulous direction of Mrs. Jenn Winkler, assisted by High School student Chana Chaikin and Mrs. Leslie Gang, all of the students twinkled like the stars they were. The role of Aladdin was mischievously played by Drew Korn, and the beautiful Jasmine was portrayed by Lea Karasanti. Itzik Rauchwerger, as the evil Jafar, had everyone laughing out loud with his contagious laugh and over the top acting. Iago, the trusty parrot, was played by Racheli Gottesman, who somehow managed to really sound like a parrot what acting!, The sultan was played by Elijah Gurvitch who brought a regal disposition to the throne. And if you couldn't tell who the voice was behind the genie mask, it was Arieh Chaikin, as the friendly, helpful, humorous Genie. The troupe of beautiful dancers, Ariel Alboher, Veronica Ambalo, Suzanne Behar, Tess Bistrisky, Yael Davidov, Allegra Gottlieb, Chloe Gottlieb, Susanna Horowitz, Ashley Kanarek, Sigal Karasanti, Jolie Mastey, Efrat Neumann, Rachel Ohana, Makayla Schein performed Arabian Nights under the direction of student choreographer Regina Generowicz. The amazing skeletons, Regina Generowicz, Leora Gershkovich, and Efrat Neumann, had the audience quaking..was it from fear or from laughter? The Tiger God was Johnathan Boxer, The Guards were Kenny Rosenfeld, Tamar Vanderdvelde and Zachary Kaufman, and the juggler ( how high can you jump!) was Gabriel Gonosky. Although you may not have seen her, Emily Zrihen was the Magic Carpet....now that is real magic! Thank you also to all the high school students who helped with the production. Remember - you got your start at HAFTR Middle School. All of the proceeds from the ticket sales are being donated to Meredith Farrell (HAFTR Alumni) who is awaiting a double lung transplant. Susanna Horowitz and Makayla Schein spearheaded this effort as their Bat Mitzvah Chesed Project. What a mitzvah,indeed! Click here to view photos from the show. It's (Not) Debatable..... Our Debate team shines at the last inter-yeshiva debate held on Wednesday at the Yeshiva of Flatbush Arguing the merits of a Capital Punishment, our students were so convincing that the team of Sigal Karasanti and Haley Klein walked away with a trophy. Sigal also received a trophy for being an outstanding individual speaker. Thank you to faculty advisor, Ms. Rebecca Zweibon, for coaching the team throughout the school year and teaching them how to be persuasive (while respectful) arguers. Take me out to the Ball Game! As a terrific culminating event for Mishmar all of the students who regularly attended the Thursday after-school extra-learning sessions were treated to a dinner of Carlos and Gabby's and a night out at Citifield. Over 75 Middle School boys and girls, accompanied by quite a few fifth graders, watched as the Mets were flounced by the Dodgers. We love the idea that you can be a Ben or Bat Torah and still enjoy the fun things in life. Team AwardsOn Thursday evening, all of our team members...Torah Bowl, Debate, Basketball and Hockey, enjoy a barbeque style dinner of hot-dogs and burgers, as they received trophies for their participation in these extracurricular activities. All of the students displayed the characteristics of supportive team members which leads to our slogan "Everyone is a Winner at HAFTR Middle School". Thank you to our athletic director, Mr. Joey Hoenig for coordinating the event. Slushies for Chevron Seventh grader, Elliott Ottensoser, is coordinating an effort to raise funds for a Slushie Machine for Chevron. Throughout next week, during lunch, slushies will be sold to raise money to be donated to the Hebron Fund. The goal is to raise $2000, the purchase price of a machine for the Chevron community, While the slushies will be selling for either $1 for medium or $2 for large , donations of any denomination will be appreciated. (Checks may be written to the Hebron Fund) Mazal Tov to... Jadyn Harari on her becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Zachary Perl on his Bar Mitzvah Molly Vashovsky on celebrating her Bat Mitzvah Ben Horowitz on beginning to put on Tefillin. Mazal tov to all of the families. Save the Dates: May 27th - eighth grade Mother-Daughter superette, 6:45, Beth Shalom May 28-29- eighth grade trip to Washington June 1st - Celebrate Israel Parade June 2- Names Not Numbers screening, Holocaust Memorial Project in conjunction with Lawrence Middle School. June 17th - Middle School Graduation Shabbat Shalom. High School Highlights Bechina Students Take Challenging Jerusalem Exam Mrs. Semadar Friedman and Rabbi Steve Moskowitz have been preparing a group of eleven seniors all year to take the comprehensive Jerusalem Exam, sponsored by The Hebrew University and Makom. The Bechina Yerushalmit curriculum consists of three courses, culminating in the 7 ½ hour exam. The exam, consisting of two parts, is an advanced test of Hebrew and Jewish knowledge, designed specifically for the Diaspora. Some colleges will give students college credit for attaining a certain score on the exam. The students taking this challenging curriculum are: Noffar Amenu, Zachary Baker, Jacob Brickman, Chaviva Freedman, Miriam Friedman, Matthew Goldstein, Riana Harari, Jake Kaufman, Jenna Kaufman, Samantha Lish, and Yael Waxman. Congratulations to our students on their hard work and to Mrs. Friedman and Rabbi Moskowitz for teaching them the challenging curriculum and preparing them for the exam. HAFTR High School Students Take All in Painting Category in Holocaust Exhibit Congratulations to HAFTR High School Art Institute students Natalia Rothman, Dena Gershkovich, and Yonina Keschner, who were honored on Sunday, May 18, at an awards ceremony at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. Natalia Rothman won the first place award, Dena Gershkovich won the second place award, and Yonina Keschner won an honorable mention award, all in the high school painting category. HAFTR had the distinction of winning all of the awards in this category and we are very proud of our creative artists. Technology Students Participate in Young Engineers Conference HAFTR High School hosted the annual Center for Initiatives in Education Young Engineers Conference in the Lower School Gym on Wednesday, May 21. Students in Mrs. Rebecca Reinherz's ninth grade Scientific Technology course and tenth grade Biomedical Engineering course displayed their original research projects. The following students participated in the event: Rachel Sacks, Gila Schein, Jeremy Rubinstein, Marc Gottlieb, Menashe Oved, Josh Plaut, Jenny Moskowitz, Alison Kanefsky, Israel Lallouz, Joelle Vilinsky, Joseph Kahn, William Silber, Emily Kornblum, and Evie Blinder (9thgraders) and Lizzie Wallach, Alyssa Fuchs, Gabe Shore, Eva Decter, Alex Schlesinger, Justin Lish, Brian Nathan, Jacob Hoffman, Jeremy Herskowitz, Emma Alpert, Dana Shamama, Mikayla Fuchs, Deena Kopyto, Josh Hirsch, Jack Winkler, Justin Glickman, Zack Kramer, Emily Wanderer, Haley Ottensoser, Sammy Mandel, Andrew Bokor, Judah Weinerman, and Emily Goldstein (10th graders). College Counselors Attend "Exploring College Options" Meeting Mrs. Joan Parmet, Director, and Mrs. Karen Wolf, Associate Director, joined approximately 60 other public and private school counselors in attending the "Exploring College Options" workshop at the Uniondale Marriott. Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn, and Stanford jointly participate in this workshop to share information about academic programs, study abroad programs, financial aid, graduate school acceptances, and admissions information for the 2013/2014 college admissions cycle. These college admission professionals gave an overview of each of their college offerings followed by a question and answer period. These colleges are among the most selective in the country with overall admission rates for the Class of 2017 of 12% at Duke, 17% at Georgetown, 5.8% at Harvard, 12.2 % at Penn, and 5.7% at Stanford. All of these schools also offer wonderful financial aid packages, without loans, especially for families who earn under $100,000 as well as for many families earning well above $100,000 due to their substantial endowments. In addition, these schools admit a geographically and economically diverse group of students as well as international students, athletes, and students of color (42% of the class at Penn and 43% at Harvard). Some of the Long Island counselors expressed frustration with the low admit rates in general and for Long Island students, in particular. All of the admissions officers agreed that there are many wonderful students who are not admitted, and the Georgetown representative said, "Decisions are not a referendum on students' success, but more on the decision by colleges to build a class based on institutional priorities," such as athletic teams, musicians, legacy, and other factors. These institutional requirements change yearly, and universities do not communicate these needs to counselors or to students. The Duke counselor mentioned that there was one year when all of the bassoonists were graduating, so they were in dire need of bassoonists in the next admissions cycle. The Stanford officer's take on competitive admissions was that being admitted is "not a reward for hard work. We can't admit all of them." This annual meeting was an opportunity to network with admissions officers and college counselors from other high schools. The colleges distributed admission statistics for their colleges, which are available in the college guidance office. While the admissions process is very competitive, our college guidance staff has a strong record of success and our counselors work with each student to make appropriate college matches. College Acceptances Congratulations to the following seniors on their recent college acceptances: Olivia Rudensky to the Bandier Program for Music and Entertainment Industries at Syracuse University Gabriella Shimon to IDC Herzliya in Israel Shabbat shalom! Visit the HAFTR Tattler Online at www.haftrtattler.com The new HAFTR Kippah's are here! See Sharon Fried in the business office to purchase one today. Lower School Sponsorship Opportunities:
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