Winter 2016 - Hillel Academy

Tampa Bay’s Premier Jewish Community Day School
TK 4 through 8th Grade
A Day in the Life
The most exciting part of being a student at
Hillel Academy has to be the variety of learning
experiences a student has each day. We have
made a focused effort to expand our methods of
teaching to meet the changing needs of today’s
young people. Without compromising the quality
Every week I see so many
examples of amazing learning.
Here is a glimpse into one
of my recent walks through
our halls. Sixth graders were
creating comic books with
Hebrew dialogue. Fourth
graders were learning about
descriptive writing. They
watched an on-line lesson with
writing guru Lucy Calkins and
then had a great time coming
up with words for the five
senses to match the sentence “if
you were kissed by a monkey
I would…” They were having
great fun as they learned
to enhance their writing
Middle school teacher Jack Grace
portraying a member of the Continental
Congress.
Daniela Matilsky working on a music project.
of our instruction, we have learned to incorporate
experiences that teach collaboration, creativity,
on-line research, paired learning, and exposure
to the arts. In the Journal of Education Reform
it states, “The growing use of the term learning
experience by educators and others reflects larger
pedagogical and technological shifts that have
occurred in the design and delivery of education to
students, and it most likely represents an attempt
to update conceptions of how, when, and where
learning does and can take place.”
Warm and cool color Indian corn.
skills. Connecting
Chanukah and
writing, the third
graders were creating
a bulletin board about
the “Light of Their
Lives.” As I entered a
blacked out middle
school classroom
the Continental
Congress was in
session, complete
with seventh grade
representatives from
all the states.
Seventh grade students during the Continental Congress session.
our Isaac B. Solomon Cultural Music Initiative,
Our creative sides were
exposing young people to music from different
represented
parts of the world.
as well. Middle school students
were harvesting radishes from the
We are so fortunate to have
earth box garden and getting ready
a school that allows students
to pickle them for a later snack.
to learn in so many different
Intermediate grades were painting
ways. Our faculty will
in the style of Leroy Neiman as they
continue to hone practices
figured out how to make figures
as we continue to challenge
in motion. The primary students
and engage our students and
displayed beautiful watercolor
create a dynamic learning
Indian corn pictures and the first
environment. Our learning
graders were having a lesson from
experiences will be the
one of our Patel Conservatory
highlight of our days.
instructors about an instrument
made from a squash. Our music
Stella King participating in the
program aligns with the goals of
Continental Congress session.
Hillel Academy presents Gift of Gold on Saturday, February 27th
The 2016 Gift of Gold event is quickly approaching!
For the first time Hillel Academy’s premier fundraising
event will take place at The Ritz Ybor. The theme is “The
Roaring Twenties”. The evening’s festivities include a silent
auction, musical entertainment and a Kosher dinner.
Gift of Gold is the core component of Hillel Academy’s
annual fundraising campaign. As is the case with
many private and independent schools, tuition at Hillel
Academy covers approximately 80% of the school’s
operating costs. Donations and fundraising make up the
remaining 20%. Proceeds from Gift of Gold help fund
scholarships, financial aid, teacher education and campus
improvements.
2016 Gift of Gold Honorees
The 2016 Hillel Academy honorees are Nat and Debbie
Doliner and Rabbi Richard Birnholz.
Nat and Debbie Doliner were proud volunteers at Hillel
Academy for 15 years while their sons were
ordained in 1971. He came to Tampa as Senior Rabbi
students. Nat served on the Board of Trustees as board
of Congregation Schaarai Zedek in 1986 after serving
president. Debbie was a board member and she led
in congregations in Tennessee and Mississippi. In
the PTO as marketing director and as president. She
the early 1990’s Rabbi Birnholz served as a teacher at
directed the school’s “Guiding Jewish Values” Character
Hillel Academy. In 1977 he won the Samuel Kaminker
Education Program.
Memorial Curriculum
Sons Cory and Brett
Award for writing
Doliner maintain
the most outstanding
that Hillel Academy
informal education
provided them with an
curriculum in the
outstanding educational
country. And in 1991,
experience. The caring
the professional title of
2016 ANNUAL GALA
environment that
Reform Jewish Educator
includes Judaic studies,
was conferred on him
Jewish values and an excellent secular education are
by the National Association of Temple Educators (now
reasons the Doliner family holds Hillel Academy so close
known as The Association of Reform Jewish Educators
to their hearts.
– ARJE). In 1996, he was conferred with an Honorary
Degree of Doctor of Divinity by Hebrew Union College
Rabbi Richard Birnholz graduated from Hebrew Union
- Jewish Institute of Religion for serving the spiritual and
College-Jewish Institute of Religion, New York and was
intellectual needs of the Jewish community for 29 years.
Event co-chairs Carolyn Fink and Bonnie AmsterdamMiele said, “We are very excited to honor Rabbi Birnholz
and Debbie and Nat Doliner for our 43rd annual Gift of
Gold. Rabbi Birnholz has been a great supporter of Hillel
for many years. Debbie and Nat are former Hillel parents
and were leaders on our Board of Trustees. They have also
given so much so much back to our community. We are
excited to be honoring them both this year!”
Event tickets and sponsorship opportunities for Gift of
Gold are available. Sponsorship levels range from $10,000
to $250. Please visit hillelacademytampa.ejoinme.org - the
Gift of Gold website for sponsorship details and benefits.
The website also contains information on tributes and
business ads which can be purchased for inclusion in the
Gift of Gold event program.
For further information, call the Hillel Academy office,
(813) 963-2242 or email the Gift of Gold committee:
[email protected].
IN THIS ISSUE
Supporting Hillel Academy
Mission Statement
Hillel Academy is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) and the Florida Kindergarten
Council (FKC) and is a member of the Jewish Community Day School Network and the National Association of
Independent Schools (NAIS). The school is recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education as a Blue Ribbon School.
Hillel Academy offers morning bus service from North Pinellas county and South Tampa.
People News
Spotlight on Science
Character Counts!
Fall Happenings
Hillel Academy | 2020 W. Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33612-1821 | 813-963-2242
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WINTER 2016
www.hillelacademytampa.org
Welcome to Hillel Academy
Rabbi Danielle Upbin
Head of School Amy Wasser is pleased
to announce a new relationship with
Congregation Beth Shalom’s Rabbi
Danielle Upbin. Rabbi Upbin is sharing
her talents and enthusiasm for children
Danielle Upbin graduated with honors
from Barnard College, Columbia
University, with a BA in Political Science.
She was ordained from the Jewish
Theological Seminary of America in 2002
also having received a Masters in Hebrew
Letters.
and Judaism by leading Monday and
Thursday morning services for Hillel
Academy’s second, third and fourth
grades.
Rabbi Upbin lived and studied in Israel,
including a year of intensive study in
Jewish mysticism and art in Jerusalem
and Tzefat. She is actively involved in the
Pinellas County Interfaith Coalition and
Pinellas County Board of Rabbis. She
served on the Florida Holocaust Museum’s
Board of Directors and was the rabbinic
advisor to the Florida Region of FJMC, the
Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs. She was
recently appointed to the Rabbinic Cabinet
of Israel Bonds.
Originally from New York City, Rabbi
Rabbi Upbin resides in Clearwater with
Rabbi Danielle Upbin
Photo Credit: Donna Gauthier
Images
her husband, Rabbi David Weizman, and
their four children.
Teresa Griffith
Teresa Griffith has been engaged as Hillel
Academy’s new business manager. Mrs.
Griffith received her undergraduate degree
in Management and Organizational
Leadership from St. Petersburg College
and she holds a Masters in Business from
University of South Florida. She comes
to Hillel Academy after many years of
experience at Espritu Santo Catholic
School where she managed all financial
aspects of the school: purchasing,
accounts payable and receivable, payroll,
preparation of financial statements,
budgeting and also, human resources.
Says Mrs. Griffith of her new position, “My
goal is to work with all Hillel Academy
Hillel Academy Alumna Spotlight
Nicole Yunger Halpern is an amazing
alumna of Hillel Academy. She graduated
from Hillel Academy in 2003 and attended
Berkeley Preparatory School for high
school. It is almost impossible to describe
her accomplishments in a concise manner!
Suffice it to say that we are very proud
that Nicole spent her formative years at
Hillel Academy before pursuing her higher
education at Dartmouth College, the
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
and the California Institute of Technology
where she is presently a PhD student in
physics. Her area of interest is theoretical
physics, applying and interpreting
mathematics to model our world and to
understand how it works.
To clarify, Nicole states, “I do not perform
experiments in a lab. I specialize in
quantum information theory. Einstein
always asking questions that were a bit
helped develop quantum mechanics, the
‘out of the box.’ As she was a talented
physics of electrons, atoms,
writer, it seemed only
and other minuscule
logical that she would be
systems that behave in
an author. Nicole once
ways we wouldn’t expect.
told me that she wished
We can use quantum
that she could just learn
systems to process, store,
about everything. I
and secure information
can’t imagine a more
in ways that we can’t with
encompassing field than
ordinary hardware. But
quantum physics. Nicole
quantum theory attracts
has and will continue to
me most because of the
make her mark in this
insights it provides about
field.”
the natures of space, time,
information, energy, and
Nicole adds, “Hillel
reality.” Academy helped to instill
Nicole Yunger Halpern
in me a love of knowledge
Photo Credit: Caltech’s Institute for
Quantum
Information
and
Matter
According to Hillel
and understanding. I
Academy teacher Pamela
grew to view myself as
Bromberg, “Nicole was a curious student,
part a millenia-old tradition of intellectual
Faculty Professional Development
Hillel Academy takes great pride in
investing in its academic and professional
staff in numerous ways throughout
the year. This past summer many of
the school’s faculty members attended
seminars and workshops. Students benefit
greatly as their teachers learn best practices
and new and innovative ways to engage
and teach.
First grade teacher Lisa Caine attended
Writer’s Workshop, a four day training
session at Shorecrest Elementary School,
and a 30 hour Ortin Gillingham training
session presented by the Institute for
Multi-Sensory Education.
During the Writer’s Workshop Mrs. Caine
participated in a book study of The Art of
Teaching Writing by Lucy Calkins. She
learned that “teaching children grammar
in isolation or without the benefit of
mentor text or peer and individual
conferencing is not the way to teach
children to become the writers we know
they can be.”
Also the concept of the importance of
storytelling was presented as increasing
numbers of today’s children do not
understand the concept of “telling the
story”. Many are growing up without
the benefit of eating dinner together or
listening to parents, grandparents, aunts
and uncles share stories during holiday get
togethers.
Mrs. Caine also attended Ortin Gillingham
training. The program is designed to
teach children spelling rules systematically
and at the time they are ready to master
spelling and minimize frustration. It
allows the children to learn at their own
pace and comfort level. Mrs. Caine
learned strategies and tools needed to
implement the program to the benefit of
all the children in her classroom no matter
their strengths.
Where does it come from? Where do you
find it? Anything else?
According to Mrs. Caine, the training
session helped her “learn how to teach
the spelling rules and phonics needed
for elementary students as well as those
student who might have gaps.” She joined
a number of our teachers who have already
taken this training.
Ms. Glidden said of the
workshop, “I was especially
interested in learning about
Executive Functioning and
Self- Regulation: providing
preventative support and
interventions for 22 different
brain functions used to accomplish tasks,
ranging from motivation through time
management and organization.”
Third grade teacher Elizabeth Glidden
attended a two day professional
development workshop presented by
the PPPSS (Parentally Placed Private
School Services) Summer Institute of
Hillsborough County Public Schools.
Day one was dedicated to training in
the Expanding Expression Tool, a multisensory program that targets organization
by providing a standard framework which
can be implemented according to the level
of the oral or written goal. Students learn
to answer the following questions (among
others) in order in their definitions and
paragraphs: What does it look like?
staff in a collaborative way, focusing on
streamlining processes and procedures and
Day two explored differentiation
for individual students within
a specific lesson or learning
goal which can be achieved by
variation of content, process
or product based on students’
readiness, interest and learning
style.
Debra Campbell, Hillel Academy’s visual
arts teacher, attended a symposium
presented by Constructing Modern
Knowledge, a minds-on institute for
educators committed to creativity,
collaboration and computing. Mrs.
Campbell was one of only two art teachers
who attended along with 200 educators
from around the world. The symposium
was developed to encourage action on the
part of the attendees rather than listening
to a series of speakers.
Teresa Griffith
ensuring accurate accounting practices.”
Please say hello and introduce yourself to
Rabbi Dani and Teresa when you see them
on campus.
inquiry and debate.”
Nicole has been recognized with
numerous awards and fellowships. She
was co-valedictorian of her Dartmouth
College class and she has been a member
of Phi Beta Kappa since 2010. She has
been published in many journal and
conference publications; she participates in
conference talks and seminars; and she has
served as a student research advisor and
teacher.
Each month, Nicole writes an article for
Quantum Frontiers, Caltech’s quantuminformation public-outreach blog:
http://quantumfrontiers.com/author/
nyungerhalpern/. Her readers range from
Hillel Academy teachers to high school
students to mathematicians.
The participants worked on computer-rich
team projects that connected technology
to their disciplines. Educational experts
Debra Campbell and her project teammates.
concerned with maximizing the potential
of every learner guided the teams.
Mrs. Campbell’s team created a talking,
singing mural of Tampa that included a
component that lit up the Hillsborough
River. She plans to re-create the mural
with her 8th grade students using Makey
Makey boards, a 21st century invention
kit designed to get students excited about
electronics, and SketchUp, a 3D modeling
computer program.
Woman of Distinction
Tampa Jewish Community Center
& Federation Women’s Philanthropy
presented the annual Bobbe Karpay
Women of Distinction program on
Thursday, December 3rd, at Congregation
Schaarai Zedek. Jewish organizations
throughout Hillsborough County
nominated women who exemplify the
missions of their organizations through
leadership and commitment. Hillel
Academy proudly recognized Bonnie
Amsterdam-Miele as the school’s Woman
of Distinction.
Mrs. Amsterdam-Miele has been involved
with Hillel Academy for nine years; her
daughter Brianna is in the eighth grade.
She has co-chaired of Gift of Gold, the
school’s annual fundraising gala, for the
past five years. She has worked on several
other PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)
events including the Chanukah Concert,
Teacher Appreciation Week, Project
Night, Grandparents Day and the Passover
Model Seder. Her involvement with
the community extends beyond Hillel
Academy. She is on the Board of Trustees
at Congregation Kol Ami and
she is an active volunteer at
Weinberg Village and the Tampa
Jewish Community Center and
Federation, and she is a team
captain for the annual walk
for the Crohn’s and Colitis
Foundation of America.
Congratulations to Bonnie
Amsterdam-Miele.
Bonnie Amsterdam-Miele
STEM, STAM, STEAM ­Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math
First Grade STEM Challenges
It was noted by the National Academy of Science,
the National Academy of Engineering and the
Institute of Medicine that there was an erosion in
the United States’ competitiveness in science and
technology. They cautioned that the country’s
position as a global leader might be lost without
an expanded commitment to STEM. In the state
using masking tape and using clear, plastic cups to
build towers. When using
mini-marshmallows and
toothpicks they learned
that a base was needed to
support the structure.
to play including captain, architect and supply
manager. They learned that the better organized
they are, the easier it is to
work together, and there
is less arguing among the
team members.
Another challenge taught
Says Mrs. Fried, “the
the children the difference
biggest part of the STEM
in structure strength
challenges in the first
when they built different
grade is learning to work
shaped structures from
together. It’s very exciting
construction paper.
and the children love it.
The experimented with
Bladen Basham and Naomi Berger demonstrate the They wish they could do
value of teamwork.
rectangular, triangular
STEM challenges every
and cylindrical shapes to
day.”
determine which shape
would hold the most books. They discovered that
the cylinders held the most which was confirmed
For the third year in a row, fourth grade teacher
when they researched real-life structures such as
Sara Wilson integrated STAM (science, technology,
parking garages and learned that architects use
math with the addition of art) concepts into a Baby
cylinders to support parking levels.
Book Project. Each student adopted an element
and designed a baby book including a biography
When working on the STEM challenges the first
of the element with basic
graders are divided into teams and given roles
information such as the
element type, the atomic
mass and number of the
element, and who discovered
the element and when. The
baby books used pictures to
show how to pronounce the
element’s name. Signed birth
certificates are in the books
(students signed as parents),
family trees and a paragraph
outlining possible career
Noa Finkelstein builds her tower.
choices for the elements was
Fourth Grade tackles STAM and STEAM
Alyssa Black-Diamond and Danielle Stein demonstrate
the strength of their cylinder. Arielle Black-Diamond is in
the background working on her project.
of Florida it has been determined that four out
of five jobs will require STEM skills and teaching
these skills will be key to the students’ ability (and
Florida’s economy) to survive, compete and grow.
Therefore, first grade teacher Helen Fried
has integrated STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math) into the first grade
curriculum to increase student skills that will be
necessary in the future.
The first graders have worked on STEM challenges
including building a tower from 16 pieces of pasta
also included. (For example, Chloe Chlorine might
start a house or pool cleaning business.) Students
also wrote poems to teach the other students about
Nate Akri and Sitar Ben-Herut showing their
elements’ baby books.
their elements. The Bohr Model was discussed in
class demonstrating to the students how the model
shows what the elements look like on a structural
level.
On Thursday, December
4th, the fourth grade went to
United Skates of America. In
preparation for the field trip,
they learned about the science
of roller skating, the beat of
music and how to control the
speed of fellow skaters based
on the beat of the music.
It was a lesson in STEAM,
STEM with the addition of art
which in this case was music.
David Caine with his element baby book.
Sea Critters in St. Petersburg
On Friday, October 16th, the Hillel Academy fifth grade
was invited to join marine scientists and sea critters
for the most fun they have ever had out of the water!
Pam Bromberg, fifth grade teacher, said of the trip,
“learning should extend beyond the classroom. Each
year, MarineQuest provides the perfect opportunity for
students to experience, on a grand scale, science topics
that they have learned or will learn during the school
year. How many children have the opportunity to view
cells under a 350,000 dollar electron microscope?”
The students visited Florida
Marine Research Institute (FWRI)
located in St. Petersburg to attend
School Daze, a special version of
MarineQuest that is available to
students in grades four through
eight. School Daze is held each
year for only two days before the
one-day public MarineQuest open
house. Our fortunate fifth graders
Stone crab demonstration at MarineQuest.
spent the first half hour learning
about FWRI through
draw the students into the world of fish and wildlife
interviews with staff researchers combined research and the fascinating things that
with footage of scientists working in the
FWRI scientists discover.
field. Then they went on a guided tour of
MarineQuest stations where staff members “I think that the experience of seeing
led them through activities and provided
a marine institute was very exciting,
hands-on demonstrations to explain their
and that having an opportunity to go to
research projects to the students. Vibrant
MarineQuest was special,” according to
exhibits and displays were designed to
Hillel Academy student Brad Rothbaum.
Fifth grade students enjoying the MarineQuest filed trip.
MarineQuest has come along way since the first
MarineQuest open house was held in 1995. The
original intention was to inform the public about the
research performed at the Institute and to introduce the
community to the world of marine science. In 1996 a
second day was added to provide local schools with the
opportunity to visit. Now MarineQuest has evolved
into a three-day event that welcomes more than 10,000
people each year. The program has been expanded to
include freshwater fish and wildlife and their habitats.
Research device used by marine scientists.
Character Counts! at Hillel Academy
Spirit Day Colors with Meaning
Mensch of the Week
During the 2015 - 2016 school year Hillel Academy is
connecting Spirit Day themes to the school’s character
building program, Character Counts! All students
may wear non-uniform, school appropriate clothing,
in colors chosen for each Spirit Day. In October
students wore blue clothing
representing trustworthiness,
in November they wore
yellow/gold for respect and
in December they wore
green for responsibility. Yet
to come this school year:
January - orange for fairness;
February - red for caring;
and in March - purple for
citizenship.
Going into the 2015 - 2016 school year, revisions were
made to the Mensch of the Week by Head of School Ms.
Wasser and Mrs. Lydia Abrams, our school counselor.
TK - 1st Grade:
Students in this age-range are being
introduced to the concept of being
a “mensch”. All students have a turn
to be “Mensch of the Week” which
allows each of them to be recognized
for their individual strengths and to
feel good about being included in
this program. They are recognized
in the weekly parent emails.
6th - 8th Grade:
Hillel Academy TUB Farm
Hillel Academy partnered with
TUB Farms, Tampa Urban
Benefit Farms, a local non-profit
organization that gives students
multiple learning opportunities
while providing fresh produce to
food insecure
members of our community. The
school is the first school in a pilot
program designed to connect
“farmer” schools with beneficiary
agencies that will distribute the
vegetables and herbs to their
clients while the students learn
about innovative agriculture and
grow systems.
Round Robin Rosh Hashanah Holiday themes and Character
Counts!
On Friday, September 11th, Hillel Academy students
enjoyed the first Round Robin Rosh Hashanah created
by members of the Rosh Hashanah game team: Lisa
Caine, Lisa Cohen, Amy Wright, Tracy Gold and Susan
Guess.
that teachers are incredibly busy, so we designed it as a
program to assist teachers with maintaining the TUB
Farm, as well as to provide guidance on curriculum, give
tours to students and
coordinate the donation of the
vegetables.” “We are only as healthy as the
food we put into our bodies,
and for far too many in our
community who rely on
food assistance, the access to
truly healthy nutritious food
is extremely limited,” says Mrs.
Kirk. “Students at Hillel Academy
and TUB Farms would like to be
part of the solution.”
The first donation was made
Eighth grader Nathaniel Guidine helping first on November 6th to HCFPA,
graders label their TUB Farm plants.
Hillsborough County Family
Partnership
TUB Farm founder Nava Kirk approached Ms. Wasser
Alliance, which helps people in the dependency system
with the idea of placing a TUB Farm on school property. It including foster parents and relative caregivers. Vegetable
was a natural choice to reach out to Hillel Academy as Mrs. donations, including cucumbers, swiss chard, lettuce,
Kirk is a school alumna. Middle School science teacher
squash, green beans and basil, directly benefited those who
Amy Basham serves as Hillel Academy’s liaison and TUB
depend on the HCFPA food pantry.
Farm manager.
“HCFPA is excited about the new partnership with Hillel
According to Mrs. Kirk, “Hillel Academy is a progressive
Academy and TUB Farms. We look forward to sharing
fresh fruits and vegetables with the foster families
and the needy of our community that come to
our food pantry to a receive food on a monthly
basis,” says Kim Hernandez, HCFPA President.
“In my opinion,” says Mrs. Basham, “growing
food crops contributes an incredibly important
aspect to a child’s education. In today’s world
of processed and factory-produced everything,
students often forget that much of their food
originated as a plant that can be grown, harvested
and enjoyed. All branches of science can be
Tal Egosi and Misha Warlawmont harvesting string beans.
taught through the simple process of growing
a vegetable garden. When students are able to
school that I knew would embrace a program like TUB
contribute to growing vegetables, they are able to connect
Farms. The incredible reception from students and faculty with the science, see its validity in their lives, and hopefully
is more than we could have hoped for. We understand
learn to make wise science-based food choices as they grow
Third graders playing the Rosh Hashanah
chicken game, Aim Chai.
Beat the Bees - a honey stick for a sweet New Year:
Shannah Shake - heart sticker to be reminded to be kind
all year:
Make the Mark - shoe key chain to always try to walk in
the right way:
Teshuva Toss All - kick balls with positive saying to
encourage kind behavior:
2nd - 5th Grade:
As of November 2015
Students in this age-range
Character Counts! was
are learning about personal
enhanced and expanded
responsibility and may be
again. Quotes of the
recognized as “Mensch of the Week”
Week were incorporated
TK student Zara Martineau’s respect project.
when observed by a teacher or
to coincide with the
faculty member to exhibit a positive
characteristic of the month.
characteristic. Not all students will
The first quote used in the
be recognized during the course of the school year, and
classrooms was “Respect people’s feelings. Even if it
some students may be selected more than once.
doesn’t matter to you . . . It could mean everything to
them.” Faculty members were encouraged to use the
All students in TK through fifth grade recognized as
quotes during their class discussions and activities.
“mensches” receive a “Mensch of the Week” hanging tag.
Also, class-created cheers have been added to flagpole
on Spirit Day. The cheer is to reflect the character trait
highlighted that month. The first cheer was created
Students in this age-range are enhancing their sense
by Hillel Academy’s third graders and respect was the
of personal and social responsibility and feelings of
month’s character trait.
independence. They are chosen to be “Mensch of the
Third grade created a Character Counts! Respect Poster. Week” when they have been observed by a teacher or
Hillel Academy is not new to gardening. The school has
had an Earth Box vegetable garden for many years but now
the school has a true farm program, and it the first schoolbased TUB Farm hydroponic farm in the Tampa Bay area.
faculty member to exhibit a positive characteristic and
“mensch” behavior. The middle school students are
given a free-dress day pass and are also recognized by
their teachers.
Aim Chai - Kapparot - rubber chicken key chain to
remind us not to do wrong doings:
Fish For Kindness - bracelet with a kind deed on it:
In G-d’s Image - no prize, acting in G-d’s image is the
prize:
Character Counts! intermediate school
banner.
The halls of the primary and intermediate schools were
lined with several game stations staffed by the eighth
graders who helped the younger students play and
conquer the games.
The games reinforced important themes they learned
about the holiday. Each game lasted about ten minutes
and symbolic prizes were won.
up. If we can add an element of donating the vegetables to
serve our community, the experience becomes even more
meaningful.”
The TUB Farm is a school-wide endeavor at Hillel
Academy. Each class attended hydroponic farm lessons
and planted its own tower of
16 plants which they monitor
frequently. By studying and working
with a hydroponic farm the students
also learn that hydroponic growing
methods do not use synthetic
chemicals to treat bugs and disease.
The system uses a sterile, reusable
growing medium, coco coir, instead
of soil. It is also sustainable and
renewable. Using this system the
desired amount of food is
delivered directly to the plant’s roots.
The Earth Box garden was created after a decision was
made that the school and its students would benefit from
the ability to plan, grow and harvest an organic vegetable
garden. Over the years it has been used to grow a large
variety of vegetables which have been used in healthy
A Sweet Life - a Hershey’s kiss to show life must be a
balance of sweet deeds and positive actions:
Bee the Best You can Be - bendable picture frame to
show we can always change:
Grades 4, 5, 6, and 7 played a game based on Al Chet,
the prayer said during Yom Kippur to say we are sorry
for our wrong doings. It lists many “sins’ that people
commit and says that we admit we did them and want to
do better. No prize was given out during this game - the
prize was being a better person.
a couple of levels. Because the TUB Farm is hydroponic.
the plants are grown using a completely different nutrient
delivery system. As a result it
introduces numerous other aspects of plant science. And
as determined by the TUB Farm project’s
mission, the crops grown using the hydroponic system
Jadyn Forman checking crops for harvest.
are donated to HCFPA versus being used for the school
body. The Earth Box garden is primarily a middle school
project where the TUB Farm involves all grade levels.
Almost every student in the school has planted his or her
own seed or sprout. TUB Farms worked with Urban Oasis Farm Technology to
design the school’s hydroponic farm.
Hillel Academy TUB Farm.
Hillel Academy students receive more than a science
education as they work on the school’s TUB Farm. They
practice one of the most important concepts in Judaism,
tikkun olam, repairing the world.
Community service is very important to Hillel Academy
students of all ages. Donating school-grown crops to
HCFPA is a perfect fit.
recipes prepared by Mrs. Basham and the students. Several
times the vegetables have been used to prepare dishes to
serve during Jewish holiday celebrations. It has been an
excellent way for the students to see where food comes
from, become more interested in the science of our food
supply and enhance the science studies already taking place
in the context of the science curriculum.
The TUB Farm is different from the Earth Box garden on
Harvesting Swiss chard.
Hebrew Open Mic for Middle School
Several years ago in order to improve the
Hebrew public speaking skills of Hillel
Academy middle schoolers, Hebrew
teacher Ilana Ladetzky created the Open
Mic program several years ago. The goal
of Open Mic is to increase vocabulary and
improve the students’ ability to speak in
front of their classmates. It elevates their
Hebrew proficiency and helps prepare the
eighth graders for the Israel trip. Their
ability to communicate with local people
in Israel is greatly enhanced after doing
Open Mic during their middle school
years.
Every Friday during Open Mic students
speak on a variety of subjects in front of
their classmates. The sixth, seventh and
eighth grade classes choose a topic each
trimester. Topics include cartoons, favorite
Jewish holidays, movies, television shows,
athletes, recipes (and how to make them)
and vacation trips such as going to the
beach.
key words and third trimester,
10 key words. By the time the
students reach eighth grade,
most do not use cards at all
and most speak longer than the
required two minutes. Students
may use visuals and/or videos
played on mute so while they do
the narration.
Students must be prepared to speak for
a minimum of two minutes. The first
trimester they may use an index card
with 20 key words written on it. Second
trimester they may use a card with 15
Parents tell Mrs. Ladetzky that
Open Mic pays off immensely
after seeing their children’s
Hebrew acumen at their Bar and
Bat Mitzvahs.
After School Athletics
Hillel Academy has a very active after
school athletics program led by faculty
members Grant Slater, Athletics Director,
and Amy Wright, physical education
teacher. All Hillel Academy students are
welcome to participate; no try-outs are
required and uniforms are provided by the
school.
The school is a member of the Florida
West Coast League (FWCL) which follows
rules established by the Florida High
School Athletic Association (FHSAA).
The league is designed to provide
instructional athletics for boys and girls in
many sports and its philosophy is to give
every enrolled
student the
Participation
opportunity
in the athletics
to play. Age
program has
requirements
increased this
are laid out
school year.
in hopes of
Programs
keeping the
offered in
playing field
the lower
equal and
grades bring
enhancing
the children
the sports
in and feed
experience.
the higher
Other schools
grade level
participating
Hillel
Academy
soccer
team.
programs. The
in the league
middle school
are Berkeley
program in particular has benefited from
Preparatory School, Tampa Preparatory
the higher level of involvement by more
School, Corbett Preparatory School of
Hillel Academy students.
IDS, Carrollwood Day School, Odessa
Christian School, Academy of the Holy
Sadie Jacobson and Ariel Gabrielly during their Open Mic session.
Names, Academy at the Lakes,
St. John’s Episcopal Day School
and St Mary’s Episcopal Day
School.
Sports offered by Hillel Academy
include girls varsity volleyball
and coed varsity soccer in the
fall; varsity boys basketball,
varsity girls basketball and
grades 3 - 5 coed intramural
basketball during the winter;
middle school track and field,
middle school boys flag football,
middle school girls flag football
and grades 5 - 8 intramural golf in the
spring.
Hillel Academy is the second smallest
school competing in the FWCL. Coach
Slater is proud to say, “we have won
championships in soccer, in both girls and
boys varsity basketball, and the school
has competed in championship games
numerous times over the years.” Many
student athletes have graduated from Hillel
Academy and gone on to play at the high
school and collegiate level.
Hillel Academy volleyball team.
During the fall 2015 the Hillel Academy
volleyball team made great strides.
Many of the players played since sixth
grade which gave them a year or two of
previous experience. The girls improved
their overhand serving skills and learned
to successfully set and spike the ball.
According to Coach Wright, “they
improved with each game played and
always displayed great sportsmanship and
perseverance.”
Bravo, Brava, Breve - Opera Tampa visits Hillel Academy
On Tuesday, October 27th, the Straz
Center for the Performing Arts’ Opera
Tampa performed for Hillel Academy’s
grades three through eight. Four singers
accompanied by a pianist taught the
students about the numerous components
that make up an opera including the
singers, story, plot, setting, music, gestures,
actions, orchestra, set and costumes. They
were told that opera differs from other
styles of singing in that the performers
have to learn to use their entire bodies
to project their voices over the orchestra
rather than rely on microphones.
The performers explained and
demonstrated the various roles voices play
in an opera. Male voices include tenors
who often play the lead or love interest and
baritones who often play the dark hero
(the hero you love to hate) or the larger
than life, comedic characters. Female
voices include sopranos who play the lead
or love interest and the mezzo-sopranos
who play mothers, grandmothers, witches
and pants’ roles, the roles of young men
whose voices have not changed yet.
in many languages including
English, Spanish, French,
Russian, German and Czech.
Each of the singers told them
which language was the most
challenging for them to learn
and perform. After a rousing
finale from the Barber of Seville,
the Hillel Academy students
taught Opera Tampa to say
thank you in Hebrew - Todah
Rabah!
Students learned that operas are written
Sixth grader Madison Fries and fourth grader Seth Black-Diamond acted
out emotions while listening to opera.
Chanukah Concert 2015 - Hillel Academy performs with Dan Nichols
On Thursday, December 10th, Hillel
Academy came together to celebrate
Chanukah at the annual concert at
Congregation Kol Ami. Classically trained
singer Dan Nichols was the featured
performer who sang in concert with the
students.
after realizing the potential of music to
make powerful connections with Jewish
youth, he established the Jewish rock
band Eighteen. Since that time, Dan and
Eighteen have released 11 albums. Many of
his songs have become Jewish communal
anthems throughout North America.
Mr. Nichols received his Bachelor of
Music degree in vocal performance at the
University of North Carolina. In 1995
Dan Nichols a product of the URJ Jewish
camping movement. He has toured Jewish
summer camps across North America
for the last 15 years. He tours
over 180 days each year often
serving as artist-in-residence
and teacher for congregations
and camp communities. He has
been featured at conferences
and conventions of nearly every
major Jewish movement.
Dan Nichols performing with kindergarten students.
Life & Legacy Program
Hillel Academy was chosen to participate in Life &
Legacy, a partnership program between the Tampa
Orlando Pinellas Jewish Foundation (TOP) and the
Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Through the program
the school received training and marketing materials
to assist in recruiting legacy or bequest gifts. As a
participating organization, Hillel Academy has the
opportunity to be granted $12,000 if the school meets
the goal of obtaining 18 letters of intent in each of the
two years of the program.
The Life & Legacy Program is a meaningful way
for individuals and families to make a gift to Hillel
Academy with no monetary commitment today as a
bequest is a provision made in a will for a gift to made
following the donor’s death. Bequest gifts can be made
through a bequest in a will, an IRA, a life-insurance
policy or other estate vehicles. Gifts may be made in
any monetary amount. Life & Legacy enables donors
to support Hillel Academy in a way they may not have
been able to during their lifetimes.
The Life & Legacy Program runs through 2017.
Thank you to those who have made Life & Legacy gifts
to Hillel Academy.
Hillel Academy Life & Legacy Donors
Nat and Debbie Doliner
Debbi Eisenstadt
Carolyn Fink
Susan Forman
Cathy and Bob Friedman
Laureen Galeoto
Neal and Donna Huneycutt
Barry and Lili Kaufmann
Dennis and Francine LeVine
Michael and Karen Reisman
Rabbi Jason Rosenberg
Amy Wasser
Hillel Academy Contribution Funds
General Fund
Yunger Halpern Scholarship Fund
Maurice Levine Library
Isaac B. Solomon Cultural Music Initiative Fund
Donations go into the general school operating budget.
Donations provide a Jewish child in need of assistance in providing an education at Hillel Academy.
Donations purchase library books and materials for student use.
Building Fund (Campus Development Fund)
Donations support the enhancement and maintenance of facilities.
Mini Jacobson Wolf Scholarship Fund
This fund was established in memory of Isaac B. Solomon by his family. Donations will
enhance the music program at Hillel Academy.
Shelley Herzog Professional Development Fund
Gifts to this fund support professional development.
Donations offer scholarship monies to assist children in need, providing them with a
Jewish education at Hillel Academy.
Hillel Academy TOP Funds
Tampa Orlando Pinellas Jewish Foundation (TOP) was established in 1980 to support the Jewish and non-Jewish communities through creative philanthropy. Individuals and
families can create endowments for their favorite charities or donor-advised funds to support a variety of causes. Hillel Academy is a proud recipient of TOP funding.
Jonathan Anton Memorial
Scholarship Fund
Chernin Family Scholarship
Endowment Fund
Allan Fox Scholarship
Endowment Fund
Ruth Wittenstein Professional
Development Endowment Fund
Hillel Academy
Contributions
Ruth Wittenstein Scholarship
Endowment Fund
Hillel Academy Unrestricted
Endowment Fund
Hillel Academy Library
Endowment Fund
Steve and Laura Kreitzer Hillel
Academy Endowment Fund
School Year: December 12, 2014 to May 31, 2015 (donations listed
as of print deadline)
Annual Fund
Eliezer and Lindsay Akri
Keren Amoyal
Michael and Amy Basham
Rene and Susan Ben-Avraham
Snait and Gil Ben-Herut
Morton Bergen
Peter and Nancy Berman
Melody Briggs-Wisdo
Peter and Saralee Black
Fred and Pamela Bromberg
Stephanie Brown
Lisa and Larry Caine/JP Morgan
Debra Campbell
Alan and Lisa Cohen
David Cohen and Audria Gazzar
Cohen
Julia Galpin Contella
Miriam Lengyel Endowment
Fund
Schilit Family Endowment Fund
Mike Eisenstadt Memorial
Music Fund
Ellen Crystal
Joseph Egosi
Shai and Naomi Egosi
Ruth Ehrlich
Ettleman Family
Barbara Feinberg
Matthew and Carolyn Fink
Aaron and Wendy Finkelstein
Sara and Murray Fisch
Mayer Fishman and Donna Goldman
Alicia and John Flasher
William Fleece
Larry and Helen Freid
Myles Friedland
Ilona Friedman
Joyce Fries
William and Marcy Fries
Cathy and Bob Friedman
Stacy and Jeffrey Gad
Michael and Lorinda Gamson
Tracy Gold
Haim and Mazi Goldenberg
Anthony and Marisse Goldman
Nathan Goldman
Gary and Phyllis Gould
Nancy and Ephram Graff
Wendy Grant
Susan and Richard Guess
Rebecca and Steven Guindine
Rabbi Josh and Carrie Hearshen
Michael Hechtman
Stephen and Deanna Hinds
Neal and Donna Huneycutt
Rosalind Jacobs
Mark and Carol Jaffe
Keith and Guenita Kanarek
Joyce Karpay
Linda Kelley
Robert and Kasey Kelly
Warren and Nancy Kinsler
Sheldon and Clara Kopel
Andres and Ariana Kornworcel
Joan and Andrew Landwehr
Harry and Caren Lever
Stuart and Joann Marofsky
Noah and Paola Matilsky
Elizabeth Miceli-Glidden
Benjamin and Bonnie Amsterdam
Miele
Marc and Robin Ostroff
Michael Ostroff and Esther
Rosenberg
Gabriel and Rachel Pantol
Maritza and Jeff Patet
Leslie and Reva Pearlstein
Pearlene Pearlstein
Burl and Lori Peters
Herta and Sam Pila
Ronald and Susan Pross
Jeff Puretz and Ellen Kopel-Puretz
Bonnie Raubfogel
Mike and Karen Reisman
Matthew and Kerrie Rigberg
Jay and Annette Safer
Marilyn Schleicher
Ronald and Rita Schonwetter
Allen and Ellen Sered
Maurice and Kalie Shaw
Jody and Dennis Sherman
Teresa Silva
Grant Slater
Dana and Justin Sock
Gary and Lisa Teblum
Stanislav and Irene Timofeev
Marc and Sheryl Tindell
Todd and Suzanne Ullrich
Sheila Vider
Stephen and Robin Viders
Sydelle Vogel
Paul and Rae Wallach
Rabbi Shira Wallach
Amy Wasser
Howard Weinstock
Sara and Scott Wilson
Amy Wright
Jan Wuliger
Joel Zack
General Fund
Hilary Black
Ellen Crystal
Lynne and Fred Merriam
Building Fund/Campus Development
Rafael Burgos
Steven and Jeanette Hirschkowitz
Pila-Reiber Holocaust Library
Michael Bahr
Phyllis Frankel
Joshua Pila
Moritz Pila
Norman and Irene Sholk
Howard and Kathleen Zelden
Maurice Levine Library
The Antman Family
Mr. & Mrs. Reams
Galina Shistik-Zeltzer
Sandra and Stephen Szekely
Mini Jacobson Wolf Scholarship Fund
Aaron and Wendy Finkelstein
Burt and Susan Finkelstein
Susan and Richard Guess
Jessica Wittcoff
Allan Fox Endowment
Susan Elias
Shelley Herzog Professional Development Fund
Ellen Crystal
Allan and Marilyn Daniels
Jeffrey and Stacy Gad
John and Chantarat Grace
Todd and Carol Haber
Herbert Herzog
Ilana and Moshe Ladetzky
Dale Solomon
Marc and Sheryl Tindell
Sara Wilson
Isaac B. Solomon Cultural Music Initiative
Black-Diamond Family
Galen and Ranita Gomez
Laurin and Ron Jacobson
Judith Rosenkranz
Saady-Saxe Family
Kevin R. Shelton
Legacy Fund
Jeffrey and Sharon Fox
TOP Funds
Chernin Family Scholarship
Endowment Fund
Kaufmann Family Hillel Endowment
Fund
Trusts, Gift, Matches and Grants
The Herman Forbes Charitable Trust
JP Morgan Chase/Caine Match
Legacy Heritage Fund
Selig Multimedia
Contributions made June 1, 2015 - December 4, 2015.
(Donations listed as of print deadline.)
All Gift of Gold donors and sponsors will be recognized in the
Summer 2016 newsletter.
SAVE THE DATE
January 29
All School Shabbat
Hillel Academy
2020 W. Fletcher Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33612-1821
February 12
Grandparents Day
February 27
Gift of Gold
March 25
Purim Carnival
March 31
Project Night
April 20
Model Seder
April 21-29
Spring Break (Passover)
May 9
Patel Performance
June 1
Graduation
June 2
Last Day of School
Please see the online Hillel Academy
calendar for additional important dates.
Hillel Academy Outreach
Last school year Hillel Academy
entered into a partnership with
Congregation Rodeph Sholom
to sponsor dessert at two of the
synagogue’s Tot Shabbat services. This
year our Tot Shabbat sponsorship
program has grown to include
Congregation Beth Am and
Congregation Kol Ami. Thank you
to Rabbi Hearshen, Rabbi Rosenberg
and Rabbi Judd for working with Hillel
Academy in this way.
If you are a member of one of the
synagogues, please have your child(ren)
wear a Hillel Academy uniform shirt
when attending Tot Shabbat!
Hillel Academy banners reinforce Character Counts!
Tot Shabbats
Congregation Rodeph Sholom Jammies & Jeans
April 8, 2016
Congregation Beth Am - Tot Shabbat
February 19, 2016
Hillel Academy Referral Program
Congregation Kol Ami - Pizza & PJs
March 11, 2016
Meeting Potential
Families
During the fall 2015 Director of
Admissions Cathy Grossman
conducted several talks designed to
help prospective parents find the right
school for their child(ren). Current
Hillel Academy parents opened their
homes to host the talks and Mrs.
Grossman also spoke at the Tampa
Palms Compton Park Social Room.
Mrs. Grossman participated in the first
Greater Tampa Bay Private Schools
Fair which was held at Shorecrest
Preparatory School on Sunday,
November 1st. Hillel Academy gained
visibility and recognition as parents
talked with the area’s top parochial,
private and independent school
options.
Did you know? For a qualified student referral you are eligible for $500 in tuition credit! Please call the Admissions Department, 813-963-2242, for more information.