March 16 - Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy of the Capital District

March 16, 2012Issue
Issue Number 53 Volume Number III
Candle Lighting times for March
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Friday March 16th
Friday March 23rd
March 16th
Long Friday’s Begin
Dismissal 3:15
March 17th
HACD Basketball
Fundraiser
8:15
March 22
Science Fair/Israel Fair
12:30-2:30
March 30th
School Wide ONEG and
8th grade send off
—— Light 6:45
—— Light 6:53
Saturday March 17th
Saturday March 24th
—- End 7:46
—- End 7:56
Dvar Torah on Parashat Vaykhel/Pekudei,
by Rachel Anisfeld
I have never done well in lecture classes. Passive listening does not enter my brain in
the same way that active participatory learning does.
I think it was the same for the Israelites in these parshiyyot. They had stood at Sinai and
heard the commandments. Then they had waited passively for 40 days to “receive” the
rest of the Torah that Moshe was bringing down from on high. But reception, kabalat
haTorah, was not enough. They needed to take an active part in their religious life, not
just to be receivers of Torah but to be makers of Torah.
The people’s enthusiasm for active participation is clear from the first of this week’s
two parshiyyot, Vaykhel, in which we find that Moshe’s call for donations and volunteers is met by overabundant giving. Everyone’s heart was moved. They came “men
on top of women,” until the point when they had to call out Day!, enough! Such was
their enthusiasm, the level of their energy. People want to be part of things, want to use
their hearts and their minds and their hands to create a communal space in which God
can dwell. They just have to be given an appropriate opportunity.
The Sefat Emet reads this outpouring as a mark of the Torah Shebe’al Peh, the Oral Torah, that is inside of us, bursting
to come forth. God gave us the (Written) Torah on Sinai, but then He also said: Kekhu me’itkhem terumah
lashem¸”Bring from yourself a donation to God” (Exod. 35:5). Bring from yourself, from inside yourself. Be a contributing member of Torah. Do not just receive, but also give, create, participate.
Such was God’s plan. He gives to us, and we give to Him. It is a dynamic, reciprocal relationship. He created the world
for us to dwell in, and we create a physical space for him to dwell in. Some have suggested that the command to build
the Tabernacle was merely a result of the Golden Calf sin, not an original part of God’s plan. I don’t think so. The dynamic of receiving and giving between God and humans is intrinsic to the relationship -- the Written Torah and the Oral
Torah, God’s word, and our word. The Golden Calf merely marks the border into idolatry, marks the place in which our
word, our work, our creativity is no longer in dialogue with His word, but exists separately, on its own, as a form of hubris, an insistence that we alone are creators. But the need for a dynamic relationship of give and take between God
and humans was always part of the plan.
The Sefat Emet calls this time of giving and creativity in relation to the Tabernacle a time of great simchah, joy. Indeed,
the terms used here for contributions, nasa lev and terumah, both refer to a “lifting,” a lifting of the donation and the lifting of the heart. Giving, contributing, being a part of a divine-human communal project is something that lifts the heart
and the spirit, one of the highest forms of joy.
Just as we imagine that every one of us stood at Sinai and received the Torah, perhaps we should also imagine that every
one of us took an active part in the communal building of a divine space on earth, that every one of us is still engaged in
such a project, each according to the gift and the skill that lifts her heart.
Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy Of The Capital
District Receives
Substantial Support From
Giving Gan the Edge at Camp Givah
Rachael Woren of Albany will be the Assistant Director and Director of the Gan
Yeladim (3-5 year olds) of Camp Givah, Camp Director Dan Scher has announced. In these roles, Rachael will be able to share her passion for all that a
Jewish day camp experience can provide.
Rachael, who will be charged with assisting with the administration of the camp
as well as oversight of programs for children between the ages of three and five,
is familiar to many in the Capital Region. The daughter of Ira and Sheri Woren of
Albany, NY, Rachael received her bachelor’s degree in Judaic Studies at the
University at Albany and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching Hebrew at
Brandeis University. She has previously worked at the Albany Jewish Community Center as a camp counselor as well as at Middlebury College in Middlebury,
VT where she was an assistant in the Brandeis-Middlebury Hebrew Immersion
program. She eventually returned home to the Capital Region hoping to give
back to the community where she spent her childhood. In addition to working at
Givah, Rachael is an assistant teacher in Kindergarten at the Hebrew Academy
of the Capital Region.
“I was not a Givah camper, but I did go to a Jewish day camp,” says Rachael. “I
still remember those days like they were yesterday. I met great friends and had
amazing counselors, some of whom were strong role models.”
Rachael views Jewish day camps as critical toward helping young children become immersed in Jewish culture and build a Jewish identity through song,
dance, language instruction, and just being able to spend time with other Jewish
children.
“I still remember songs and activities that I did growing up, and now, with a master’s degree in teaching Hebrew, I’m able to work with children both during the
year at Hebrew Academy as well as at Camp Givah.” This love of children is part
of what motivates Rachael to give back to her community.
“I feel I am able to engage children on many different levels to feel a part of a
community and can help make sure everyone is comfortable with me, as well as
the other counselors. Most importantly, working at Givah allows me to be there
for the kids, whether as a friend or as a role model.”
Wednesday Weekly
Due to the overwhelming requests for
community emails, HACD will now be sending
out a weekly email update on Wednesdays. If
you would like to send out information to our
HACD community please contact me, no later
than the end of the day on Tuesday.
Amy Piroli
apiroli@hacdalbany.com
New Friday Morning Parsha Class at HACD!!!
Come in for some Torah study on Friday morning’s right
after drop-off, from 8:00-8:30.
Class taught by Rachel Anisfeld, writer of
e-shabbaton’s dvar torah.
Just drop in on any Friday morning in the Bet Midrash.
No Hebrew knowledge required. First-time learners as well
as experienced learners welcome.
Looking forward to learning with you!
The HACD 2012 Science Fair & Israel Fair
will take place on
Thursday,
March 22nd from 1:30-2:30.
Join the
Hebrew
Academy
Facebook
Page
at
www.facebook.
com/
HACDAlbany
Stay connected
with events
happening at
HACD!!!
Spread the
Save The Date!
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
will be held on the afternoon of
Friday ~
May 18, 2012
12:00-3:00 PM
Hebrew Academy is now offering
tutoring for adults in
Hebrew Language.
If you are interested,
please call
Sharon Strosberg 377-2510.
Dear Families, Hebrew Academy is planning on creating a community garden. We would like your help with this awesome new adventure. If you are willing and able to donate any of the following items please contact me by phone 482‐0464 or email pbalmer@hacdalbany.com. We are very excited about this adventure and hope to reap many benefits! HACD Community Garden
Anticipated Materials and Supplies for 6 4ft x10ft raised beds
-lumber for the beds
-seed starter containers
- 24x60x2 = 2880 / 27 = 106 Cu/yards of soil mix
- 4 ft between beds, lined with mulch or wood chips
- 1/4 inch wire mesh to line beds for gopher protection
- (3) 100ft long hose
- (2) 50ft long hose
- (2) 2 way hose connectors
- 60ft of soaker hose (with holes)
- (2) hose sprayers
Tool List
- (20) hand trowels
- (2) watering cans
- wheelbarrow
- (3) Shovels
- (2) hoes
- (2) metal garden rakes (not leaf rakes)
- Seeds
we may also need volunteers to help build the beds,
Weed the gardens etc.
Patty
Volleyball
Practices
Thursdays
3:30— 5:00
Games
3/15
HACD @ Brown
4pm
3/19
HACD @ Brown
4pm
3/29
HACD @ Menands
4pm
8:15 pm
Save the Date!
Heritage Awards Dinner and Auction
Honoring
Amy and Richard Drucker
Marian Alexander and Rabbi Daniel Ornstein
Beverly and Dr. Warren Geisler
for outstanding service and dedication
Also to be honored: Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy
students and graduate classes of
1982, 1992 and 2002
Thursday, May 24, 2012
6:00 p.m.
Temple Israel, Albany, New York
A Special Recognition will be given to our very own
Middle School math teacher Alexandra Schmidt
who recently obtained National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards certification. Through her efforts and
the support of the school and faculty we have an amazing
math program which includes math enrichment and competition opportunities through Mathcounts and the
American Math Competition (AMC-8).
SHOMRAY TORAH ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
DONORS 2011-2012
Todah Rabah to our extended family for your support. We’re over halfway to our
goal for the fall campaign! Help us add more names to our list of supporters by
sending in your pledge.
Grandparents
Elizabeth and Moshe Anisfeld
Irene Ashery
Barbara and Eugene Berkun
Mirian Biskin
Malka and Eitan Evan
Sandra and Jerome Goldberg
Felice and David Gordis
Herbert Horwitz
Nina Israel
Sedell and Bernard Kamenir
Leo Koppel
Rainy and Stu Kovach
Barbara and Howard Levine
Esther and Morris Massry
Adrienne and William Rockwood
Norma Rosen
Evelyn Segel
Florence and Harvey Sharfstein
Valerie and Spike Solomon
Margo and James Strosberg
Ruth and Herbert Swift
Barbara and Harry Ungerman
Diana Yanklowitz
Cydney Yerushalmi
Dora and Mikhail Zelman
Alumni
Rachel and Jeremy Arcus-Goldberg
Ellen and Jonathan Berkowitz
Annette Kriegel Davidoff and
Ravin Davidoff
H.M. Dollinger
Deborah and Hershel Ellenbogen
Tamar Silton and Jeremy Epstein
David Farber
Sarah Farber
Jennifer and Jeffrey Finkelstein
Aaron Friedman
Harry Friedman
Sophie Friedman
Mindy Greene Huber and Josh Huber
Lea and David Kamen
Nadine and Raphael Kieval
Jenny Kovach
Maya Kovach
Nancy Kriegel
Lisa and David Kriegel
Aviva and Jay Leberman
Sarah Magidson
Beena and Steven Levy
Lisa and Jason Packer
Elana Zimand and Simcha Pearl
David Phaff
Wendy Phaff
Helena Rosenstruch
Paul Rosenstrauch
Gina C.R. Fiss and
Joshua M.F. Rubenfeld
Aliza and Daniel Scher
Ariella Segal
Benjamin Segal
Samuel Segal
Talia Segal
Lee Setzen
Ruth and Joel Simon
Wendy and Steven Susswein
Meital and Howie Teitelman
Nehama and Lawrence Teitelman
Alumni Parents
Rochelle and Sheldon Abelson
Ellen and Richard Ancowitz
Les Apple
Sue Swartz and Jeffrey Bernstein
Rabbi Moshe Bomzer
Sally Bratspis
Nanette and Arthur Brenner
Barbara and Karl Brodsky
Sharona Wachs and
Rabbi Donald Cashman
Stacy and David Cohen
Marilyn and Herbert Cohen
Morris Cohen
Arlene and Sol Daum
Martha and Jeffrey Farber
Deborah Biskin Flancbaum and
Louis Flancbaum
Judith and Daniel Flax
Deborah Moskowitz Fleischner and
Arthur Fleischner
Sherry and Marvin Freedman
Beverly and Warren Geisler
Elana and Ephraim Glinert
Harriet and Neil Gold
Judy and Martin Goldman
Sally and Matthew Greenblatt
Nancy and Elliott Greene
Kimberly Hacker
Meridith Englander and Joshua Heller
Abbey Farbstein Herd and
Joseph Herd
Linda and Daniel Hershberg
Jennifer and Richard Honen
Charlotte and Stanley Isser
Laura and Edward Jacobs
Rosalind and Gary Judd
Shelley and Stephen Justa
Lisa and Joseph Kay
Rabbi Rena and Shalom Kieval
Gail Kendall
Marta and Mark Koblenz
Sheila and Paul Koppel
Kim Friedman Landau and
Michael Landau
Ida Leberman
David Levine
Nancy and Norman Levine
Estate of Hannah Lorch
Rabbi Beverly and Richard Magidson
Phyllis and Lewis Morrison
Barbara and Edward Orris
Andrea and Neal Packer
Lenora and Alan Pfeffer
Renea and Larry Pollack
Rona and Louis-Jack Pozner
Anita and Ken Rabinoff-Goldman
Ruth and Steven Rich
Joan and Jack Rosenblum
Claudia and Mark Rosenholz
Pearl and Harris Sanders
Joan and James Savitt
Barbara and Michael Scher
Ellen and Eric Schwartz
Laura and Hilton Segal
Stanley Segel
Nancia and Kenneth Segel
Roberta and Richard Seiden
Malcolm Sherman
Shara and David Siegfeld
Amy and Ron Sohn
Barbara and Les Stein
Lisa and Beno Sternlicht
Joyce Teitelman
Joyce and Melvin Toub
Barbara Wachs
Nini Wu and Ira Zackon
Current Parents
Karen and Mordecai Bienstock
Paula Binyamin
Ana Sobel and George Bizer
Shelly L. Goldman Black and
Johnny Black, Jr.
Linda and Chris Carothers
Elana Gordis and
Mitchell Earleywiine
Amy Gingold-Horwitz
Deborah and Tsvi Gold
Jill and Howard Goldberg
Michele Levy and Daniel Greenblatt
Chana and Mark Israel
Elana and Steven Kamenir
Dale and Richard Katz
Ilana and Robert Kovach
Carolyn and Jim Levine
Marci Galinkin and Stephen Levy
Julie Solomon and Cole Libby
Rachel Anisfeld and Timothy Lytton
Suzanna Randall and
Rabbi Naomi Manon
Naomi Falk and Cantor Rogerio Marx
Jerald O’Brien
Marian Alexander and
Rabbi Dan Ornstein
Rachel and I. Paul Rappaport
Anna and Jonathan Rosen
Amarit Rosin and Seth Rosenblum
Tatyana and Benjamin Schwartz
Karen and Gavin Setzen
Jane and Arkady Shurin
Deborah Greene and
Rabbi Rami Strosberg
Sirafima Rits and Vladimir Vitkin
Tammy and Joel Weingarten
Chava and Adam Weisstuch
Community
Helene S. Ainspan
The Sidney & Beatrice Albert
Foundation
Patty Balmer
Martin Barr
Evalyn and Joseph Basloe
Amy Bloom
Joyce and Sanford Bookstein
Dorice Brickman
Sidney Cohen
Rachael and Yishai Cohen
Nancy Crom
Toby and Arnold Elman
Evelyn and Laurence Farbstein
Joanna and Eric Fried
Selma Goldberg
Neil, Jane, William & Estelle Golub
Family Foundation, Inc.
Cindy and Neil Greenstein
Karen and Gerald Hausler
Michael Kupferschmid
Megan Levine
Karen and Alan Lobel
Davida Manon
Carol Ann and Rodney Margolis
Shirley and Irving Mennen
Kathleen and Ryan Miller
Jerald O’Brien
Pardus Family Philanthropic Fund
Barbara and Peter Rosenfeld
Mary Rosenstein of The Jewish
Community Endowment
Fund of Jewish Federation
of NENY
Lois and Richard Rubin
Lucie and Scott Schuster
Phyllis Silverman
Linda Woodward and Frederick Stein
Gene and Howard Tarler
Philip Ziffer
Names listed reflect
those whose
payments have been
received.