Helpful Hints
 Please be sure to inform Chavie (Big Building x1209) or Barbara Goodman (ELC x1215) by 12:00 on the day your child has a dismissal change. |
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THE BEEZWAX
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Click here for our new student initiated Torah publication.
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| SAR IS FOR GRANDPARENTS TOO! |
| Would you like for your parents to have a window into their grandchildren's SAR world?
To receive Chadashot send their e-mail address to:
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| SAR Amazing Fact!
Guess how many sets of lulav and etrog were ordered?
(See the answer below.) |
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| Thank you! |
| Thank you to the following families including a special thank you to the grandparents who graciously hosted us during Sukkot for sukkah-hopping:
Boniuk, Edelman, Fox & Feldschreiber (grandparent), Goldwyn, Gollender & Spitz (grandparent), Greenberg, Haller & Putterman (grandparent), Heisler, Hirsh-Hoffman, Kobrin, Landes, Lent, Maayan, Mandel Benovitz, Mann (& grandparent), Michaeli, Minkove (& grandparent), Rocker, Rosenfeld, Ryman, Steinerman, Sterman, Weiser, Weisz |
| In Our Community |
Mazal Tov
Mazal Tov to Debby and Howard Jonas on the birth of a granddaughter to graduates Natalie Taub Jonas ('00) and Davidi Jonas ('00) and to all the aunts and uncles, including those still at SAR, Miri (2), Tamar (7), Yosef (7), Racheli (10).
Mazal Tov to Shira Samter (4th and 5th Grade Teacher) on her engagement.
Mazal Tov to Richard and Lisa Heisler on the birth of a daughter. Mazal tov to sisters Grace (4N), Isabella (4N), and Sophia (3).
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| SAR Choir |
Do you like to sing? Do you want to sing with a group?
Please join the SAR choir!!!
We meet every Tuesday after school.
Grades 3-4 meet from 3:15 - 4:15
Grades 5-8 meet from 4:30 - 5:25
We have performances already scheduled:
Semester One: Chanukah - sing for the school and at the Hebrew Home; The SAR Dinner
Semester Two: Big, end of the year spring concert, and possibly Yom Haatzmaut
Please sign up with Jennifer Sokol ASAP!
I look forward to singing with you!
Morah Naomi | |
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28 Tishrei 5770 October 16, 2009
Shabbat Candlelighting: 5:57 Havdalah: 7:00
Parashat Breishit |
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A Message from Rabbi Krauss |
Dear Parents,
It was great having our first full week of school after the חגים. As we enter into a routine, two important messages we can take away from the most recent חג, Simchat Torah, are: Torah is assimilated when it is received בשמחה, with joy, and that immediately upon concluding the reading of Sefer Devarim we begin Sefer Breishit. We are never done learning Torah, we are never finished, we are always discovering, we are always learning, and we recognize that there is always more to understand and more to learn.
In Israel, this time of the year is called חרף זמן, the long winter stretch during which routine is uninterrupted. As we too enter a period of routine, it is important for us to keep the messages of Simchat Torah at the forefront in our approach to learning.
Thank you to the many families--parents and grandparents-and communities that enriched our celebration of Sukkot by hosting us during the חג.
I look forward in the months ahead to learning with you and with your children.
Shabbat Shalom,
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| Mark Your Calendar |
Sunday, October 18- Monday, October 19, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan
Monday, October 19- Please have your children wear blue and white for Rosh Chodesh
Monday, October 19th- 6th Grade Boys and Parents Pre-Bar Mitzvah orientation and learning, 7PM
Tuesday, October 20th- Your Turn To Learn with Morah Mindy Reiss, 9:30AM
Tuesday, October 20th- Matan Bat Mitzvah Program, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, October 21- Academy Faculty Meetings Early Dismissal: 3:00 ELC 3:15 Academy
Thursday, October 22nd- Weekly Parenting Forum, 8:45 AM, Harriet's office in the ELC, and every Thursday following
Tuesday, October 27th- Open House for Prospective
Families, 7PM
Sunday, November 1- Change clocks back 1 hour
Tuesday, November 3- Election Day. No New Rochelle District Bus
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What is among the best pieces of Torah you have learned at SAR? (See quotes throughout.)
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| ?מה חדש |
*Talmud Torah*
Just as we watched the Torah scrolled from the end to the beginning this weekend, a new year of Talmud Torah has begun at SAR. The lower grades have scrolled back to the beginning, learning Parashat Bereshit in many creative ways. ELC students learn aspects of the parsha in almost every subject! Through the arts and sciences, ELC students sing parsha songs, act out the story, create art, and learn about the sun, moon, and stars. They learn how the parsha relates to Jewish history and how it can be relevant to our lives today: we observe Shabbat each week because Hashem rested after six days of creation, and we should be kind because Hashem was so kind to us when He created everything we need. Each week parsha study concludes with a story in the Big Building Shul told by Rabbi Krauss.
In first grade parashat hashavua integrates nicely into  the curriculum. As the first graders learn how to say the days of the week in Ivrit, they learn what Hashem created on that day, learning even more Hebrew words. Day by day, the morot show the students on a transparency calendar what was created each day, and how each day adds more and more to the world.  Some second graders read a story based on the Midrash of why the Torah begins with the letter "Bet" for "Bereshit" and not any other letter in the Aleph Bet. Do you have a guess? The Hebrew word for blessing, bracha also starts with the letter Bet, and we say brachot of thanks to Hashem every single day. One fourth grade class has a "Pitgam HaShavua" or "Phrase of the Week" from Parashat Bereshit that they refer to and learn more about each day. Hashem created the world for humans to enjoy, the phrase says, so what should we do with the world? Among other things, we need to take care of it, go green, and recycle. After a week of learning this pitgam, the fourth graders will have a nice dvar Torah to bring to their Shabbat tables.  Beginnings in the Middle School include a special Beit Midrash program to support and enrich classroom curricula and give our students the opportunity to learn something different from their classroom studies. All eight Israeli Fellows join middle school Limudei Kodesh classes for a period and teach in small groups to support the learning for the period, Beit Midrash style. These groups are meant to be entertaining and challenging, to allow the students to approach learning in a new way and for each student to be supported in the best way possible. In addition to this learning style, the fellows will have the opportunity to sit and learn one-on-one with students during the school day. The philosophy and practice of the new middle school Beit Midrash will be to foster a warm and welcoming spirit of Torah into the Middle School.  
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~Devora, because it was cool to see a woman, Morah Shoshi, teaching it really well, so I was really able to learn from it . . . Talia Cohen |
| Sukkot Retrospective |
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Chol HaMoed Sukkot was replete with activity. From the ELC through the eighth grade our students went sukkah-hopping and many grades visited the Hebrew Home to both visit with the residents and have an educational experience in the museum, which is housed on the premises. Sukkot was truly zman simchatenu as students participated in various joyous events including: a chagigah, a concert on our field, Inflatables on our field, eating lunch in our school's sukkot, designing (and eating!) edible sukkot, walking to Wave Hill, having special game time in the gym, holding a Talent Show in sixth grade, and taking trips to Bear Mountain, Brooklyn, and The Museum of Moving Images. Here's the week at a glance:
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~a part of Pirke Avot I learned in Neta that talks about four ways people think about things. Those who think: "What is mine is mine, what is yours is yours, what is mine is yours and what is yours is yours, and what is yours is mine and what is mine is mine." . . . I think this is very true in the context of life because you have to try to be first rate . . . like what is mine is yours and what is yours is yours . . . but even if you're not, there are still good things you can do for the world . . . Hannah Siegel |
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It's That 'KIND' Of Week . . . |
Each year a fourth grade class is selected to sing for the residents at the Hebrew Home. Many of the songs presented are from Hallel, which the children learned in school at tefillah and reviewed in music class. These tunes resonated for many at the Hebrew Home. Even when they didn't know the words the residents clapped along.
This year, 4X performed at three different locations within the Home bringing nachat throughout the facility. The visit allowed our students to both express themselves musically and connect with the people attending. 4X personally introduced themselves and asked the residents what their names were and to tell them something about themselves. They discovered that one resident had been a principal at a Jewish school! Another had sung in a choir. This visit was a great opportunity for our students to bring ruach and simcha during Sukkot to the Hebrew Home.
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~that when you give tzedakah you need to smile . . . Ezra Cohen |
| ?איפה חדש : Borough Park |
On Thursday, the eighth grade visited the Hassidic community in Borough Park. When we first arrived, we were given a basic introduction to the community by one of the rabbis in their shul. We then observed the minyan as they davened mussaf. We also observed the enormous sukkah, in which the men were benching lulav. We then proceeded to another shul in which the Munkatcht Rebbe gave a Dvar Torah about Sukkot and the arbaah minim, and their connection to each type of Jew. We then divided into groups and went on a scavenger hunt, taking pictures of random things from a list. Overall, it was a very enlightening experience.
-Hilla Katz
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~the story of Yosef . . . it's a good story . . . Ami Saad |
| Spoken From The Heart . . . by Aerin Rosenfeld |
 On Thursday September 24th, a group of 8th graders went to the rally outside Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza to protest President Ahmadinejad's speech at the UN. In order to attend, 8th grade students were asked to write a few sentences on why they deserved to go. What I found very nice, was when I gave in my application, I saw a pile of at least 30 applications. Seeing all of those applications made me feel a little warm inside, seeing that so many kids cared about wanting to be able to support Israel.
Being chosen to go to the parade was a very big honor. By going to the parade, I was able to share my support for my country and my people. Most of the representatives from SAR had Israeli flags, which we showed as we walked down the streets (and through the subways) of New York City. I'm sure each one of the representatives had the same energetic and excited feelings as I had. It was an amazing feeling seeing everyone so united, waving flags and holding up signs. There were many speakers at the rally including Governor Patterson and Elie Wiesel. In all, the experience was amazing, and hopefully we will be able to attend another rally and share our support for Israel in the very near future.
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~Shmuel א because I liked the different points of view and the play on words . . . Hilla Katz |
| באמצע : JHS News
. . . in the middle of Middle School |
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*Learning at SAR continues even at night*
 Matan is a Torah Institute for women in Israel, and among its initiatives, is the creation of a Bat Mitzvah program that is used by many schools in both Israel and the Diaspora. The Bat Mitzvah program meets once a month for ten sessions and its topic, "Jewish Women Leaders Who Impacted on the Jewish People" focuses on Jewish women role models from the Tanach through modern times. This program is significant in developing a girl's idea of what it means to be a female Jewish adult.
The program is also an opportunity for mothers and daughters, during the Bat Mitzvah year, to learn together in chevrutot. Through an eclectic, multi-disciplinary methodology incorporating serious text study along with drama, art and music, middot of the role models are highlighted. It is a unique and wonderful opportunity for mothers and daughters to study together in an experiential way about exemplary Jewish women throughout our history, and to explore our connection to the same values and traits they embodied.
This Matan course of study, taught by Morah Dina Najman and Mrs. Adina Steinberg
started this past week with a formidable group of mothers and daughters participating in
this meaningful exploration.
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~Parshat Lech Lecha . . . learning about Avraham . . . it was interesting and was the first parsha I really learned . . . Avi Chefitz |
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דבר תורה |
In the first Rashi in the Torah, Rabbi Yitzchak asks why doesn't the Torah start with the first mitzvah given to Bnei Yisrael as a nation? The Siftei Chachamim adds to the question by saying that we got the Torah so we'd do the mitzvot, so it really seems that the Torah should start with the first mitzvah! The first mitzvah given to Bnei Yisrael was Rosh Chodesh in Sefer Shemot, so if the Torah is a book of mitzvot why do we have a whole sefer before starting the mitzvot?
Rashi answers the question by saying that Hashem created the world, so everything belongs to him. Hashem decides who is worthy of the land and He can take it away from people who don't deserve it. In Sefer Breishit, Hashem promised the land of Israel to Avraham and his children. So even today no one can say to Bnei Yisrael, "You robbers, this is our land," because we can prove that Hashem gave it to us.
I also think it's important that we know that Hashem created the world and everything belongs to Him because then nobody can say about anything, "This is ours," instead we must know that it's really Hashem's.
Shabbat Shalom! |
~ ברוך אתא יי אלקינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו לעסוק בדברי תורה
Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has made us holy through His commandments, and commanded us to occupy ourselves with Torah.
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Guess how many sets of lulav
and etrog were ordered?
201!
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| SAR Open House For Prospective Students |
Please join us on Tuesday Evening, October 27, 2008 at 7:00PM
SAR Academy
Feel it. Experience it. Live it. Love it.
If you have younger children eagerly waiting to attend SAR, click here to let us know if you will be joining us for SAR's Open House or if you would like to be contacted to schedule an appointment. Both choices will help you to begin the application and registration process for all new students.
Be sure to spread the word.
Come to our Open House and feel the excitement of SAR.
Hear about our Early Learning Center for Three-year Nursery, Four-year Nursery, and Kindergarten.
Find out about our First - Eighth Grade program.
Learn about our educational experiences inside the classroom.
Meet our Faculty and Staff.
Discover the breadth of extracurricular activities and community projects.
See how our school can meet the needs of your child. |
| Class Parents Needed! |
Thank you to all those who have already volunteered to serve as class parents for this year! You will hear back from us in the coming week.
We are still looking for class parents for the following classes. If you have a child in one of these classes and would like to get involved in our school community with a minimal time commitment by serving as a class parent, please send an email to classparents@saracademy.org. Thank you!
N2
N6
N7
K3
1Y
1Z
2X
2Y
3X
4W
4Y
4Z
5X
5W
5Z
All of 6th grade
All of 7th grade
8W
8X
8Z |
| PTC News |
The PTC is proud to offer Macabbi Tel Aviv vs. NY Knicks
Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 1:00pm
Madison Square Garden, NY
Two price levels are available:
Section 308 for $65 per ticket
Section 302/303 for $36 per ticket
Get your tickets before October 8th!
To purchase tickets click here.
HUNDREDS OF ISRAELI ORPHANS NEED YOU TO HAVE A BALL ......FOR THE CHILDREN OF MIGDAL OHR.
Please email ptc@saracdemy.org if you have any questions or wish to purchase tickets without using paypal.
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Show Us The Love!
What an enthusiastic response of PTC volunteers!!!
If you haven't responded yet, SAR always needs more LOVE!
Click here to view all of the volunteer opportunities for the year
Our success depends on you
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Join the PTC on October 28 for a Flu Information Evening
Wednesday October 28 at 7:30-8:30 pm in the SAR Academy Gym
A panel of medical professionals, including pediatricians and nurses, will discuss the following:
-Expectations for H1N1 vaccine, who the vaccine is recommended for and sources for further vaccine information.
-When should your children be kept home and for how long.
-General expectations of the illness.
The evening will include a Q & A period with the panel.
Flu Information Evening on Wednesday October 28 at 7:30 pm
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Help SAR and participate in the General Mill's BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION program. SAR has the potential to earn up to $10,000 dollars a school year with the General Mill's BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION clipping program.
This program will allow the PTC to raise additional funds for school supplies, field trips and many other special programs with no additional cost to you!
Clip those coupons and send them in with your child!
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| Community News |
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SENSATIONAL SUNDAY- PARSHAT NOACH PETTING ZOO!
Sunday, October 18th @ 11:15 AM
Join Rabbi Rosenblatt and all your friends for a hands on petting zoo experience @ the Exotic Animal Show.
All children from ages 2-7 (accompanied by parent or adult)
Where: RJC Gym
Time: 11:15 am to 12:15 pm.
For info contact Rebecca Newhouse!
Email: gita90@aol.com
COMEDY EVENT- to Benefit NICU at Shaare Zedek Children's Hospital
The 3rd Annual Children's Champion Comedy Night at Crash Mansion NYC will be on Saturday night, October 24th from 9pm -12:00. Please come and tell your friends and family-it is going to be a great night!
The goal of the Event is to purchase 2 special Neonatal Intensive Care Giraffe Incubators for the NICU at Shaare Zedek Medical Center which has over 12,000 babies born a year. For full details, to buy raffles, sponsorships and to register for the event go to www.acsz.org/comedy.
Shaare Zedek does not receive ANY funding from the Israeli government and therefore they rely on the generosity of donors from around the world to help purchase equipment and to update their facilities.
For more info contact Talia Goldwyn at 917-848-5668 or taliagoldwyn@gmail.com
DRISHA INSTITUTE'S FALL CLASSES ARE BEGINNING
Drisha Institute for Jewish Education, the leader in advanced study of Jewish text offering classes for women, bat mitzvah age girls, and men, is beginning it's fall sessions. Whether you are looking for a full time learning program or a one hour lecture, you will find a class of interest to continue your Torah study. For a full course listing visit, www.drisha.org or call 212-595-0307 for a catalogue. Classes meet at 37 W. 65th St. NYC
CALLING ALL ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Help design a Veteran's Day Card to be mailed to Veterans & Deployed Soldiers to say THANK YOU for the sacrifices they make/made on our behalf each and every day.
For details: www.msawi.org or info@msawi.org on behalf of the Major Stuart Adam Wolfer Institute (MSAWI)
WESTCHESTER JEWISH CENTER ANNOUNCES ART EXHIBITION ON IMMIGRANT LIFE IN AMERICA DURING THE DEPRESSION
"New World Challenges: Jewish life in America in the 1930s," an exhibition of approximately 30 works on paper, tells the story of the immigrants' struggle to assimilate in a new country and culture while upholding the traditional Jewish values instilled in them over generations in Europe. On loan from the Hebrew Union College Museum, the works by Depression-era artists--originally owned by the collector Sigmund Balka--chronicle and interpret the harsh, though sometimes rewarding, challenges of the merchant and working class, particularly in New York. An underlying message in the works is the common thread of faith in a society more sensitive to Tikkun Olam, the repair of the world.
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Place: Irving and Marly Koslowe Judaica Art Gallery
Westchester Jewish Center
Palmer & Rockland Avenues
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
914-698-2960
Refreshments will be served.
Duration of the exhibition: Sept. 13-Dec 10, 2009
Contact: Terri Trieger 914-834-9441
Amy Levine-Kennedy 914-834-6710
Tefilin for Sale
Two mitzvot with one act. Support Israel and purchase kosher tefillin from Israel at a wholesale price. All profits from the sale go directly to the sofrim and the tefillin makers in Israel. Contact Rabbi Drelich for details email drelim@saracademy.org or 718-548-1717 ext 1212. |
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SAR Academy
655 W. 254th Street Phone:718-548-1717
Riverdale, NY 10471 Fax: 718-601-0082
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