תושדח Inside the Academy - Hebrew Academy of Cleveland

‫חדשות‬: Inside the Academy
January 8, 2016 | ‫פרשת וארא | כ'ז טבת תשע''ו‬
‫בס''ד‬
www.hac1.org
Educationally Speaking
JANUARY 9
Rabbi Simcha Dessler, Educational Director
Mother Daughter Melava Malka
8:30 p.m. at Young Israel
A prominent pulpit Rabbi tells of the offer he received in 1981 to assume the spiritual leadership of a congregation in a small but prominent southern Jewish community. Having
absorbed the atmosphere of one of New York's prominent yeshivos for twenty years, the
Rabbi was concerned that the southern community might not offer his children adequate
opportunities for spiritual growth and was apprehensive about accepting the position. He
turned to Rabbi Mordechai Gifter, zt"l, late Telshe Rosh HaYeshiva, for guidance. The
Rosh HaYeshiva confidently responded, "You take care of the Ribono Shel Olam's children and He will take care of your children." With these words Rabbi Gifter strongly encouraged him to accept the position that he successfully holds until today. The Rabbi was
concerned about his children’s environment and had the foresight to seek—and follow—
the guidance of daas Torah. Our environment has a profound—if not always perceived—
impact on each of us and our families.
• • • • • •
JANUARY 10
Uncle Moishy Concert 2:15 p.m.
2:15 p.m. at Notre Dame College
• • • • • •
JANUARY 16
Yavne Jr. High Melava Malka
8:00-9:30 p.m.
• • • • • •
JANUARY 23
In Parshas Vaera, Moshe and Aharon came before Pharaoh and, as Hashem commanded, Aharon threw down his mateh, staff, whereupon it was miraculously transformed into
a snake (7:10).
FEBRUARY 17
Rabbi Meir Shapiro, zt"l, Rav of Lublin and founder of the Daf Yomi movement, shared an
important insight regarding the mateh which bore the Shem HaMeforash, G-d’s name.
This unique staff was passed down from generation to generation: from Adam to Shais;
from Avraham Avinu to Yitzchok Avinu; from Yaakov Avinu to Yosef; from Yosef to Moshe
Rabbeinu. Held in the sacred hands of these spiritual giants, the mateh performed wonders sanctifying the Name of Hashem. From Aharon’s hand it was cast down to become
the lowest of all creatures, a snake. The Lubliner Rav drew from this that even the holiest
of objects can be affected by its surroundings. Thus, one must be cautious in choosing
the proper environment since an inappropriate setting can affect even the greatest of individuals. For this reason, Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Prachya mandates, “ Knei lecha chaver,
acquire for yourself a friend” and Nitai HaArbali cautious us to distance ourselves from an
evil neighbor or from associating with a wicked individual (Pirkei Avos 1:6,7).
Community-wide Lecture
Dr. David Pelcovitz
“Raising Your Child to be a
Mentch”
8:30 at Yavne
Are guilt by association and the influence of a negative environment truisms? Rabbeinu
Ovadia Bartenura maintains they are. He employs the parable regarding one who leaves
a tannery and though he did not work the hides or take one with him, he nonetheless
smells of the vile solutions used by tanners.
Kollel Ateres Nochum Zev
Melava Malka
8:30 p.m. at Yavne
• • • • • •
FEBRUARY 3
Midwinter Vacation
• • • • • •
4:55
Children are particularly impressionable and vulnerable, and parents must realize that
their child’s environment has the potential to be transformative and cause real and possibly permanent change in attitude, outlook and behavior. Parents need to be vigilant and
knowledgeable regarding their children—especially after school and on weekends. As
always, the best approach is to balance restrictions by teaching children to use good judgment and make appropriate decisions.
Have a wonderful Shabbos!
I NSIDE T HE A C ADE MY
P AGE 2
Yeshiva High School
Monday marked the yahrtzeit of the Telshe Rosh HaYeshiva, Rabbi Mordechai
Gifter zt”l. Commemorating the yahrtzeit, the Yeshiva was addressed by his son,
Rabbi Zalman Gifter who shared divrei Torah from his father. The concept of
maasei avos simon labanim was brought to the fore and how the middos of the
Avos are ingrained within us. Also mentioned was how the mere fact that the Avos
dwelled in Eretz Yisrael gives us claim to the land. The lessons shared created
awareness of the richness that each one of us possess as a member of Am Yisrael and the obligations that we must live up to.
As an enhancement to the hilchos tefilin learned in the seventh grade, Rabbi
Lichtenstein’s class viewed a "Torah Live” video depicting many of the practical halachos. From a demonstration
of how tefilin are actually made to the different customs of donning tefilin, “Torah Live” enabled these halachos to
come to life. The Yeshiva will utilize this tool to depict the lessons of the classroom and to simplify some of the
more complicated halachos.
Lights, cameras, extra-curricular action! The Yeshiva is now in the midst of creating a video of its own. Under the
guidance of Rabbi Yosef Grodko, many of the high school talmidim are now remaining on Tuesday nights for supper and learning the many facets of creating a production. From script writing and acting to video and editing, the
talmidim are developing their natural talents and putting them to good use. This is a tremendous opportunity to
shine in other areas besides the classroom and to enhance the talmidim’s self-esteem. The Yeshiva wishes
Rabbi Grodko and the talmidim hatzlacha in this endeavor and we can’t wait to see the finished product!
Mazel tov to Rabbi Maimon's and Rabbi Margulies' shiurim on finishing the second perek of Meseches Sukkah.
This perek was learned during the bekius seder where the talmidim concentrate on covering more ground and
finishing the mesechta. May they continue to go m’chayil el chayil.
Yeshiva Ketana
The atmosphere in Rabbi Elias’s classroom is energizing as his 5 th grade talmidim continue to learn Gemara with a geshmak! Rabbi Elias has begun a new learning motivation in which boys who demonstrate notable effort during class earn chances to extract
a prize from a special machine.
This week, the boys were privileged to learn a portion of Tosofos’ commentary on the
latest excerpt of the Gemara, machruzos shel dagim, that the class has been working
on. After posing Tosofos’ question, Rabbi Elias challenged the class to use their critical thinking abilities to suggest a potential answer to Tosofos’ query. While most of the boys were
stumped by the question, less than a minute had passed when one budding talmid chacham, Shmuel Burgess, insisted that he had an answer.
Shmuel proceeded to explain his solution, which turned out to be identical
to the explanation that Tosofos suggests!
Mazel tov to Shlomo Aryeh Blech, grade 5, and Mordechai Blech, grade
4, who both completed Meseches Beitzah and made a siyum this week.
Mazel tov to the proud parents and grandparents and may they continue to
have much nachas!
J AN U ARY 8 , 2016
P AGE 3
Girls Elementary Division
Mrs. Yuspeh’s fifth graders celebrated their completion of Parshas Yisro. One of the highlights of the parsha
was learning about Matan Torah. After the giving of the Torah, the halochos of shechita and forbidden foods
became known to Bnai Yisroel. The utensils which they had previously used were therefore not kosher and so
they ate dairy foods until they had an opportunity to kasher their dishes. The girls felt it would be appropriate
to celebrate their siyum with a type of dairy food…ice cream sundaes. Yum!
Sixth grader, Tzivia Drazin, was one of four winners in the Yated’s Chanukah Miracle Essay Contest. The following is her beautiful essay that depicts the nissim and hashgacha pratis that occurred in her family.
Sirens were blaring, people were screaming, Jewish blood was being spilled. My grandparents heard all
these bloodcurdling sounds, but they weren’t from those people who were hysterical, as they were safe in
their home.
However, Opa, my grandfather, could have been one of the injured, chas v’shalom.
My Opa lives in Eretz Yisroel, and as his usual custom, he called a taxi to drive him to shul for shacharis,
as he uses a walker. He waited for the taxi to come, but it didn’t arrive. My grandfather repeatedly called
the taxi company, nevertheless, it never came. Opa always davens with a
minyan, but since he was
already late, my grandmother begged him to come inside and daven by himself, which he did.
Moments later, sirens were heard. The shul my grandfather always davened at was being attacked. This
day was known as the Har Nof Masascre. Opa davens at Bnei Torah, and because his taxi never came,
he wasn’t in shul that day.
In addition, my grandfather always sits in the back row in his shul. The terrorists came in from the back
and all the people in the back row were killed or injured, besides my grandfather.
The night before this tragedy, my uncle from the United States had left my grandparents after visiting them
and returned to America. If my uncle had still been in Eretz Yisroel, he would have driven Opa to shulBaruch Hashem he had left.
It was hashgacha pratis my grandfather was not in shul for this terrible massacre.
Yavne High School
Wow! What a busy month Teves has been for Yavne! The theme of the
month is “A Time to Embrace.” To encourage ahavas Yisroel, the G.O. introduced the PIO program (Pass It On). Acts of kindness were passed on
and went all over- as far as California, Georgia and North Carolina. The girls
enjoyed “hug” drinks, “free smiles”, a new G.O. charm and “free Shabbos
hugs”.
This past Shabbos Yavne had a most memorable Shabbaton at Embassy
Suites with the theme of “Sheva Yipol Tzaddik V’Kam.” Our guest speaker was the very popular Miss Chevy
Garfinkel. Her dynamic style and engaging personality, coupled with genuine inspiration, kept our girls riveted.
The combination of inspirational divrei torah, beautiful decorations and kits, moving kumzitzes, a student newspaper, workshops and skits ensured that our students enjoyed every moment.
(Continued on page 4)
J AN U ARY 8 , 2016
P AGE 4
Yavne High School (continued)
On Motzei Shabbos, the girls enjoyed spirited dancing with live music and pizza. A special thank you to Rabbi and Mrs. Greenwald for all of their assistance in making this Shabbaton a success, especially for the phenomenal food. Our students’ efforts under the capable direction of Mrs. Berkowitz truly paid off. Thank you, Mrs. Berkowitz!
This past Sunday, the Jr. High celebrated Achdus Day. The girls spent the day enjoying
various activities such as swimming and designing T-shirts with a spirit of unity. It was a
most enjoyable day. The Jr. High is currently busy preparing for our Gala Melave Malka
where we will explore the theme of Eretz Yisroel. Please feel free to stop by on Motzei Shabbos, January 16 th when
you drop off your daughters to see the beautifully decorated lunchroom.
General Studies Division
Writers’ Workshop
Second graders in Writers' Workshop are busy learning
how to write book reviews. They are writing these
reviews in letter form and mailing them to their friends
and family. The final fun step is putting the letters
through the postage meter. Watch your mailboxes.
Classroom Close-Up - Sixth Grade Team
The sixth grade boys have been hard at work this year,
and have many upcoming projects to look forward to. In
Language Arts, Mrs. Miller’s group has been working on
a new novel study approach called “The Book Buffet.”
They have been reading Escape from Warsaw and this
will be their culminating project. The project allows boys
to either choose a partner or work alone to complete projects from the “buffet.” By giving the boys autonomy to
choose which parts of the project they want to complete,
they are actively engaged in their learning. This type of
project allows for children with different learning styles to
share their knowledge. The first “book buffet” will be
completed by the end of January. Projects will be displayed in our classroom. There will be two additional
projects before the school year ends.
Mrs. Schabes’ Language Arts group has embarked on a
foray into journalism, taking turns writing different columns for their bi-monthly newsletter. The “roving reporters” produced a wonderful first edition, and are gearing
up to produce the upcoming January edition at the end of
this month. This project combines non-fiction writing
such as expository and narrative writing with human in-
terest interviews, jokes and puzzles – all the elements the students agreed make for an interesting newspaper! The boys are
also learning to work with a deadline and with a word count. Furthermore, they are honing their
computer skills at the same time
by typing their own columns, including pictures and captions, and formatting the pages.
In Math, Mrs. Silber’s classes have finished the first third
of the Core Curriculum. In order to review all the concepts they have learned about, groups of boys prepared
new board games that included problems reflecting their
skills. Each group or individual designed a theme oriented game board for 2 to 4 players that had math concepts
as the main component of the game. They also wrote
directions for the game and “tested” it out on other students.
In Science, both classes have started to explore the
rocks and minerals that make up the Earth. While learning about crystals, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock, they have been able to model how rocks are
formed. Using magnifying glasses and a crystal guide,
individual crystals were identified, and particles of different types of sand were cemented together to form personal sandstone rocks. The boys have collected rocks
from around the school yard and are learning to classify
them by category and then into individual types.
P AGE 5
J AN U ARY 8 , 2016
General Studies Division (continued)
In Social Studies, both classes are laying the foundations for an end of the
year “Eastern Hemis-fair.” Concurrent with their geography studies of map
skills and timelines, the boys are beginning an independent study of several
countries located in the eastern hemisphere, reading select informational
tour books and solving mystery packets as a review of the information
learned. The boys are aiming to gather stamps on their “passports” to demonstrate their mastery of each
country’s information. Eventually, boys will choose a country to highlight at the Fair, again integrating non-fiction
reading and writing skills with computer skills as they create travel brochures and displays through which they
will share this information with others.
In honor of this week's letters p and j we had PJ party! We loved making pizza and decorating our paper bags to
fill our delicious popcorn (see above).
Early Childhood Division
The mitzrim didn’t like the eser makos (ten plagues), but our preschoolers
certainly do love learning about them. Each of the makkos provides our
moros with opportunities to connect them with science, math, language,
fine motor skills, and gross motor skills. Each of these are goals that we
want to develop in each of our young children.
For the makka of dom (blood) some of the three year old classes mixed
red Kool Aid with water and made faces as they were drinking. For
tzefardea (frogs) the children learned about how frogs develop and then
they jumped around the room, strengthening their leg muscles and imagination. Some of the classes developed their fine motor skills by painting and making tzefardea hats. For kinim
(lice) they did lots of pretending and scratching.
Morah Feifer and Morah Gitti’s children performed an experiment connected to the makkah of sh’chin (boils).
Hashem told Moshe to hold the ashes from both his and Aharon’s hands in his hand. The children tried to fill
their hands with Lego and place all of them in one hand. They realized how impossible this was and what a neis
Hashem made. Barad is one of our favorite makkos. This provided the children with the opportunity to see how
ice is made and the effects fire has on ice. The children were fascinated to see how fire melts the ice and how
the ice turns to water when it gets too close to fire. And of course, this made the neis of this makka even more
remarkable to the children.
In this week’s parsha, the middah of hakoras hatov, appreciation, was stressed. The children learned how
Moshe Rabbeinu had hakoras hatov even for inanimate objects, the Nile and the sand because they both helped
save his life years before. After discussing this important middah, Morah Feifer and Morah Gitti’s
children
each told the morah to whom they have hakoras hatov and why. We try so hard to make learning relevant to the
children. In this way we are, hopefully, raising mentshen with good, solid middos.
We want to thank all our parents for attending parent-teacher conferences earlier this week , enabling us to
share your child’s progress. We encourage your communication with the teachers at any time that you want to
ask a question or discuss a concern. Of course, we all want the best for “our” children.
J AN U ARY 8 , 2016
P AGE 6
2016-2017 School Year
The first day of school for next year will be Thursday, September 1, 2016. Midwinter vacation in 2017 will be
February 1 through February 7. The current calendar is always available on our website www.hac1.org.
Condolences to

Rabbi Nochum Sokol on the loss of his mother, Mrs. Susan Sokol, ‫ע“ה‬
.‫המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים‬
Mazel Tov! !‫ מזל טוב‬Mazel Tov! !‫ מזל טוב‬Mazel Tov! !‫מזל טוב‬

Rabbi Calman Fishman on the birth of a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter

Mr. & Mrs. Herschel Itzinger on the birth of a great-grandson

Dr. & Mrs. Brian Wolovitz on the engagement of Amira to Moshe Berger of Miami
HAC
January 2016
LUNCH MENU
All lunches will include 1/2 cup of salad, 1/2 cup fruit, whole grain bread and 2oz meat alternative.
The salad bar will have a variety of fresh vegetables, tuna salad and flaked tuna and legumes.
8oz milk will be served on all dairy lunch days. Due to religious purposes, juice will be served on meat days.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
NOON DISMISSAL
NO LUNCH
4
5
6
7
8
sloppy joe
pasta w/ sauce
breaded chicken
baked ziti
bagels
mashed potatoes
cheese slices
rice
carrots
cream cheese
tacos/peas
green beans
11 ROSH CHODESH
broccoli
12
tuna/yogurt
13
14
15
chicken nuggets
pizza bagels
deli sandwiches
fish sticks
potatoes
rice
soup
corn
soup
scrambled eggs
broccoli
pickles
18
19
cole slaw
20
yogurt
21
22
hot dogs
toasted cheese
roasted chicken
mac and cheese
bagels
chicken nuggets
soup
rice
green beans
cream cheese
baked beans/pickles
broccoli
25
26
tuna/yogurt
27
28
29
meatballs
fish sticks
hot dogs
pasta w/ sauce
waffles
rice
soup
chicken nuggets
cheese slices
scrambled eggs
broccoli
cole slaw
baked beans
green beans
yogurt
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the
USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation
for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Yavne and Yeshiva High Schools
January Lunch Menu
All lunches will include ½ cup salad, ½ cup fruit, whole grain bread and 2oz meat alternative.
The salad bar will have a variety of fresh vegetables, tuna salad and flaked tuna and legumes.
8oz milk will be served on all dairy lunch days. Due to religious purposes, juice will be served on meat lunch days.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
(1)
No Lunch
(4)
(5)
Hamburgers
Baked ziti
Mashed potatoes
(6)
Falafel, salad
Baked potatoes
Mixed Vegetables
Rice
Pita bread, tehina
Minestrone Soup
Peas and carrots
Cream of zucchini
Soup Tuna
(11)
(12)
Grilled cheese
Pasta salad w/
Vegetable Soup
(13)
(14)
Chicken nuggets
Lasagna
Rice
Mixed Vegetables
(18) (19)
Mashed potatoes
(20)
Macaroni with cheese
Cholent
Mixed Vegetables
Carrots
(25)
Grilled cheese
Rotini pasta
Potato dill Soup
Mushroom barley
Soup Tuna
(21)
(22)
Pizza
Baked potatoes
Roasted potatoes
French fries
Vegetable Soup
Peas and carrots
Mixed Vegetables
(26)
Hotdogs
(15)
Bagels w/cream cheese
Peas and carrots
Carrots, peppers, olives
Fish sticks
(8)
BBQ Chicken
Deli
Carrots
(7)
(27)
Chicken nuggets
(28)
Tuna
(29)
Pizza Bagels
Bagels w/cream cheese
Rice
French fries
Peas and carrots
Mixed Vegetables
Mushroom barley
Soup Tuna
No lunch for Yeshiva High School on Fridays
This organization is an equal opportunity provider and employer
1 ticket for $100
Early Bird Special: $500 Heinen’s gift card
(drawing on February 15, 2016)
The grand drawing will take place on
‫ג‘ אדר ב‘ תשע“ו‬
March 13, 2016
at the 73rd Annual Scholarship Dinner
Last year’s winner: Mr. Kerry Landis, Grandparent, Atlanta, Georgia
Keep the flame of Torah burning in the hearts of 970 children.
Support our school!
To purchase tickets or for more information, please call 321-5838, ext. 160
Tickets can be purchased at the school website www.hac1.org
Girls’ Health Day
Monday Afternoon, January 25, 2016
Grades K-6, 12:30-3:30
Torah message from Mrs. Hefter
Health Information from Medical Doctors
Art Experience
Fitness with Mrs. Chavie Cohen
Dance with Frannie
Hand Washing with GoJo
Healthy (Pareve) Smoothie Tasting and Trivia
Rainbow Eating
For Students Only
Sponsored by GoJo, Mustard Seed,
Trader Joes and our PTA
Boys’ Health Day
Thursday Afternoon, January 28, 2016
Grades K-6, 12:30-3:30
Torah message from Rabbi Burnstein
Health Information from Medical Doctors
Fitness with Joe Solomon
Build a Food Pyramid
Hand Washing with GoJo
Healthy (Pareve) Smoothie Tasting and Trivia
Ninja Warriors with Allen Roth
Rainbow Eating
For Students Only
Sponsored by GoJo, Mustard Seed,
Trader Joes and our PTA
‫בס‘‘ד‬
PRESENTS A COMMUNITY-WIDE LECTURE ON
“Raising your Child to be a Mentch”
Featuring Dr. David Pelcovitz
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Internationally
at 8:30 p.m.
renowned psychologist,
lecturer and author
Hebrew Academy of Cleveland
Strauss Chair in
Beatrice Stone Yavne High School
Psychology and Jewish
2475 South Green Road
Education
Beachwood, Ohio
Azrieli Graduate School
of Jewish Education,
Yeshiva University
Yavne High School
Proudly Presents
Almost home
Dear Friend,
We are pleased to inform you of the upcoming annual Yavne production “Almost
Home”. Our performance will be held at Yavne High School on Monday, February 22nd. The
Yavne students will present an inspiring evening of drama, song and dance which promises
to be most enjoyable.
We hope you will support our efforts and help us defray expenses by sponsoring our
performance and/or by placing your ad in our enhanced playbill which will be distributed
to the large audience on February 22nd. Preferential seating will be reserved for those with
sponsorship tickets. Only holders of a sponsor ticket will be allowed to sit in the reserved
section.
The deadline for sponsors and ads is Monday, January 25th. We thank you most
sincerely for your support.
We look forward to greeting you on February 22nd.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________
SPONSORSHIP TICKETS




$350 Benefactor, 6 tickets
$250 Patron, 4 tickets
$140 Sponsor, 2 tickets
$75 Supporter, 1 ticket
ADS
 $75 Full Page
 $50 Half Page
 $25 Quarter Page
Please include the text of your ad on a separate sheet of paper and submit to the Yavne
office. You may also email your ad or any questions to yavneplay@gmail.com . Please make
checks payable to Yavne. Please be aware that ads will not be printed until payment is
received. Sponsor tickets can be sent home with a Yavne High School student, or picked up
at the door on production day. For any questions please call the Yavne office 216-691-5838
ext. 100.