| Mark Your Calendar |
Tuesday, March 23rd-Academy and ELC Parent Teacher Conferences - Early Dismissal - 3:00 ELC 3:15 Academy
Friday, March 26th - Wednesday, April 7th - Pesach Break, No Sessions
Don't Forget to Count the Omer!!
Thursday, April 8th - Classes resume
Monday, April 12th- Yom Hashoah
Wednesday, April 14th- Thursday, April 15th- Rosh Chodesh Iyar
Friday, April 16th- Your Turn to Learn Series 9:30AM
|
Helpful Hints
2010-2011 Registration Packets have been mailed. Please complete and return them by Thursday, March 25th
The packets contain each family's enrollment contract, PTC membership form and personal contact information. |
|
|
| Thank You!! |
| Thank you to Tamar Jonas, Nitzan Beer, and Roni Beer, seventh grade students who graciously welcomed our parents and directed them to the appropriate areas during conferences and also distributed water to our teachers and asked what else they might need.
|
Please only un-opened containers, cans, or packages.
Deadline: Tuesday, March 23rd
Food drop-off table in the atrium.
|
| In Our Community |
Mazal Tov
Mazal Tov to Chavie and Moshe Wilner on the marriage of their daughter Aviva to Daniel Gordon.
Mazal Tov to Leslie (Day Care Teacher) and Mark Belkin on the birth of a baby boy. Mazal Tov to older brothers Jared (K) and Ryan (3N).
Condolences
Condolences to the Abehsera family on the loss of Sarah Cohen, great grandmother of Jacob Abehsera (1Z) and Maytal Abehsera (N1). |
| Spring Parent Forums |
| Please watch your e-mail for an invitation to one of the upcoming Spring Parent Forums which will take place during April and May.
Rabbi Krauss will meet with groups of SAR families to present the results of our recent parent survey, take a look at 2010 and beyond, and answer your questions.
|
Grades 1-6 M'Dor L'Dor Mania
Sent home with your children this week was M'Dor L'Dor Mania, thirty questions about generations. Students in each grade are asked to answer a minimum number of questions and submit it to the correctly-labeled box outside the Teacher's Room by Monday, March 22nd. The questions may be challenging for our students to answer on their own, so we encourage them to ask various generations of family and/or friends to help them out: siblings, parents, neighbors, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Answers can be looked up together, or discussed over the phone. Be creative!
Click here to view the M'Dor L'Dor Mania Question Sheet.
|
| SAR IS FOR GRANDPARENTS TOO! |
| Would you like your parents to have a window into their grandchildren's SAR world?
To receive Chadashot send their e-mail address to:
| |
|
4 Nisan 5770 March 19, 2010
Candlelighting: 6:48 Havdalah: 7:51
Parashat Vayikra |
|
A Message from Rabbi Krauss |
Dear Parents,
We have received a lot of nice feedback on our MiDor L'Dor initiative. Our awareness about and sensitivity to all we have gained and continue to benefit from our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents is being raised as we all immerse ourselves in this study. You will see below a MiDor L'Dor learning opportunity that you can link to, to facilitate conversation between generations.
Mazal Tov to all our eighth grade participants in the Regional Competition for National History Day and to Ms. Jen Pepper for leading this initiative.
We look forward to next week's Parent-Teacher Conferences and to meeting with those of you we didn't have the opportunity to speak with this past week.
Rabbi Binyamin Krauss
|
SAR In Motion
Click here to view a clip of Esther Wachsman speaking with our students.
|
Matzah is . . . (See quotes throughout.) |
| ?מה חדש |
|
*Matzah Baking*
The Model Matzah Baking Factory was fast at work on Monday. Rabbi Mendy came to make matzah with the ELC and Grade One. They saw the small grain pulled off a sheaf of wheat, and the even smaller seed inside the grain. But how does the seed become flour? The students wondered. A volunteer came up to grind the seed and make a fine white powder called flour. Next, the newly inducted Matzah-Bakers donned their matzah-baking hats, and mixed flour and water for the dough. Then it was off to work, rolling, and patting, and rolling some more. When they were done, Rabbi Mendy baked the dough in a very, very hot oven. There was a lot of crunching being done throughout the day!
*Kulanu Mishpacha Achat*
The Junior High students and staff were moved last week by Esther Wachsman's address. Esther mobilized the world in a valiant effort to save her son, Nachshon, from the grips of Hamas terrorists in October 1994. It was understood that Israel Soldiers hitchhiked home in 1994. Now they are prohibited by law from doing so. In 1994, on his way home for Shabbat, Nachshon got into a car and he never came home. "No son of mine is delayed without telling his mother." Esther told her audience. The Israeli Broadcasting Company called her with a video handed to them from Gaza. Her son was bound to a chair and prodded to say on Israeli TV "Prime Minister Rabin if you don't release our Hamas leader and 200 soldiers, they will kill me on Friday."
Every morning of that week, the broadcast began, "Boker Tov, Israel, Kulanu Mishpachat Wachsman" or, "Good Morning, Israel, we are all the Wachsman Family". Mrs. Wachsman focused on the community effort and heroism around her: The two head Rabbis of Israel moved into the Wachsman house, they received support from other Arab countries, France, and US President Clinton. Schools across Israel received the book of Tehillim so students could say three chapters a day for Nachshon. One Friday before Shabbat, the media was outside the Wachsman home. She invited them in as she lit the candles and asked all Jewish women to light an extra candle that night for her son. Many women lit candles who had never lit even one Shabbat candle before. The whole world watched, waited, and prayed for Nachshon's return. But it was not to be.
Nachshon's murder unified moral men and women from every corner of the world. Today, Mrs. Wachsman is an ardent advocate for the families of captured Israeli soldiers, as she has been in the efforts to secure the release of captured soldier, Gilad Shalit.
The Junior High students and staff in attendance were touched by her story and motivated by her energy and positive message. Kulanu Mishpacha Achat. We are all one family.
*National History Day Competition*
 |
This past Sunday, ten eighth grade students from S.A.R. Academy competed for honors in the Regional Competition for National History Day. They submitted documentaries, websites and exhibits, competing with students from across the city to take home awards and advance on to the state competition.
After selecting a historical topic that related to this year's theme - "Innovation in History: Impact and Change" - students conducted extensive research. Over a period of months, with the guidance of Ms. Jen Pepper, they analyzed and interpreted their findings, drew conclusions about their topics' significance in history, and created final projects that presented their work. These projects were then evaluated by professional historians and educators.
Samantha Hollenberg, Ethan Metzger, and Yannai Segal constructed a website on irrigation in ancient Egypt; Ellie Neustein constructed an exhibit on the use of plastics in medicine, Ricki Heicklen and Rachel Rosin created an exhibit on the printing press, Aaron Liberman, Anna Peterman, and Arielle Tannin made a documentary on anesthesia, and Sofie Somoroff filmed a piece on motion picture documentary.
Through this experience, these students developed valuable problem-solving and research skills, as well as an understanding of the issues they studied . Each project was well received by the judges, and the documentary on anesthesia (Liberman, Peterman, Tannin) took third place in its category. Sofie Somoroff's documentary on the history of documentaries took first prize in its category, and she will be advancing to the New York State competition this April.
Students are already looking forward to next year's competition - "Diplomacy and Dialogue in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences".
| Click here to view Sophie Somoroff's presentation. | | |
|
~bread for Passover . . . Ely Neuwirth |
|
This Week in Photos |
|
6th Grade to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The objects studied in class were suddenly "alive": hieroglyphs on a stele, statues of Hatshepsut, a temple bordered by images of Egyptian duties. So many students said, "Are these REAL?" That was the best evidence of engagement and knowledge.
Native American
This week third grade participated in a thoroughly educational and fun day immersing themselves in Native American culture. The multi-purpose room was transformed into a museum with an authentic longhouse and objects from Eastern Woodland tribes and they learned much about American Indian culture from the knowledgeable presenters.
Music Show and Tell
March is National Music in schools. Morah Naomi celebrated this with our students by
inviting them to participate in "Music Show and Tell". One student brought in her iPod to play the song, "Cha Cha Slide," which the girls became inspired to dance to it.
 |
Pi Day The Greek letter Pi (p) is the universal symbol for the relationship between the circumference and diameter of a circle. Pi is approximately 22/7 and is usually calculated to 3 digits, 3.14. Thus 3/14, or March 14th has become Pi day. Unfortunately, Pi Day fell on Sunday this year so Morah Adina Burian's students celebrated on Monday, March 15, with circular food including pizza and the annual Digits of Pi recitation contest. Benjamin Kepecs, our grand prize winner, set a new school record, memorizing Pi to its 280th digit! Runners-up included Ariella Goldman and Rachel Gouldner. Champions from last year, Uri Hoch and Noah Benus attended to cheer on the students.
|
| ~crunchy, bumpy, lumpy, grumpy . . . Maayan Rosenfield |
| It's That "KIND" of Week |
The Hebrew Home
by Zachary Ottenstein
Every year the fifth grade students at S.A.R. Academy go to visit the Hebrew Home for the Aged. Each class goes once a week for five weeks. We go there because these senior citizens are cooped up in a nursing home because of their disabilities and therefore they cannot experience the outside world. I think that visiting the Hebrew Home is a very important experience.
In my group there were six residents. Sometimes new people would come, but there were two residents who showed up frequently: Richie and Cavril. Our group's activity was making a quilt. Each kid was assigned a senior and that student would help their senior make a part of the quilt. At the same time, the kids would try to talk to the seniors. Cavril is an African-American woman who is short, has black curly hair, and is very nice and kind. She used to be a singer and dancer when she was young, and she also was an entertainer for American soldiers. When I was there, it looked like she very much enjoyed the company of children.
During the first week, I really did not know what to expect. I was a little scared and a little disappointed that our class would miss recess! But when I got there, I started to enjoy it. The first week, there was a quarantine and our group couldn't go to the residents' floor. Instead, a very nice man named Mister Nussbaum told us about what life was like in the 1920's and it was very interesting. (He met us in a special exhibit room called "Pickles and Egg Cream") After the week with Mister Nussbaum we went into our normal group. At first, I was very shy and did not talk much. But, as time wore on, I started to feel more comfortable about all of this. During the last week I enjoyed it so much that I kind of wished we could do it for longer.
I think that visiting the Hebrew Home is a very meaningful and important project. I think that as long as S.A.R. exists its should send the fifth graders to the Hebrew Home every week.
My Experience at the Hebrew Home
by Liana Katz
Every Tuesday morning, for five weeks, my class visited the Hebrew Home of Riverdale. We went to bring joy to the residents. This experience was very successful and enjoyable.
My group's activity was planting. We planted with Ruth, Leslie, Mini. Goldi, Miriam, Claire, Lillian and other residents. I specifically worked with Ruth. She was very sweet, loving and proper. She enjoyed making jewelry and every week when I would come, she would be wearing new jewelry. My role in the activity was to help the residents put the soil and seeds into our pot. Ruth and I shared interesting conversations!
The first week we visited the Hebrew Home, I was a little curious. While we were on the bus over, and during the talk before we started, I was feeling a little scared. I work very well with the elderly, so I was also very excited. During the middle weeks, I was comfortable with planting and hanging with the residents. I felt it was easier to socialize and "schmooze" these weeks. I enjoyed the planting as much as the residents did! On the last day we were at the home, I thought about how much we brighten their day. When we left, I just wanted to continue visiting the Home.
In my opinion, this was important and worthwhile. I saw that the residents really enjoyed us giving time to entertain them.
|
|
~something we eat because we need to remember how Hashem took us out of Egypt and we survived on poor man's bread when we were escaping slavery . . . Max Berger |
| Insights . . . by Morah Sarah Richter |
*Pesach Sparks*
The seder, with the Haggadah as a guide, presents a magnificent opportunity for us to recognize and celebrate the individuality of each of our children. On the night of the seder, parents have a biblical obligation of והגדת לבניך ביום ההוא, to impart the educational messages of the exodus to each of their children according to his or her level. In retelling the exodus story, we have a golden opportunity to impart the unique and dynamic relationship Hashem has with us. וכל המרבה הרי זה משובח-It is praiseworthy to elaborate.
With all the shopping, cleaning, packing, unpacking, and cooking that we do to prepare for Pesach, we don't want to lose sight of preparing for the mitzvah of teaching our children at the seder. Think about the following questions:
~What are the values that you would like to impart to your children on seder night?
~What is the best way to include all family members and guests?
~If you are traveling-how can the seder be made most meaningful in the context of your hosts' home or hotel?
~Do you have adequate materials accessible to review and prepare?
I encourage you to read through the first fifteen perakim of Sefer Shmot and to read through the Maggid section of the Haggadah as well. Perhaps a new Haggadah can provide novel insight and help you prepare. You may want to explore Pesach music CDs with your younger children to get into the Pesach spirit.
Each family is unique and has members with different dispositions, inclinations, and needs. Consider different ways that you can bring the story to life for your family. Acting out parts of the Haggada and using props to stress the lessons that we want internalized are a few ideas to get you started. Let's remember not to make our children feel pressured to perform at the seder so that they can experience the holiday with meaning, laughter and fun.
Wishing you a Chag Kasher veSamayach!
Sarah Richter
|
|
~bread that didn't have time to rise . . . Shmuel Crisafi |
| בראשית : ELC News
the beginning steps . . . |
*Learning About Pesach One Page
(of the Haggadah) At A Time*
 |
Students in the ELC busily prepare for Pesach. They learn about the chag by making their own personal Haggadot, singing Pesach songs in classroom and with the Seniors at the Hebrew Home of Riverdale, and modeling some of the
unusual behaviors we practice during each seder.
If students spend the whole day making sure to wash their hands before they eat and after playing outside, what might they be learning about with regard to seder behaviors? And if snack time finds them dipping their food into salt water, what might that teach them? Friday was "favorite sandwich day" lunch. Does that remind you of a part of the seder? And why would students be encouraged to ask questions all day long-besides the fact that they are curious youngsters?
In the dress up area, you may find turbans, pillowcases, yard-stick staffs, baskets, and shields to help the children playact the story of Pharoah and Yitziat Mitzrayim. Every student creates his or her own Haggadah to use at the seder table. They contain lots of pictures, some drawn by the students, some collaged, and some with pictures of the students performing the activity. The students are preparing for model sederim to be held in their classrooms, some held with other classes and some including the children's family members.
|
|
~healthy . . . Aaron Rosenberg |
|
באמצע: JHS News
. . . in the middle of Middle School |
|
*7th Grade Matzah Baking*
by Elana Apfelbaum and Avigayil Yucht
We went to the Matzah Factory in Brooklyn, where we met Rabbi Twerskey. He taught us how matzah needs to be made in 18 minutes or less. But before we started, we had to wash our hands thoroughly. He showed us the oven and we watched as the lulav he threw in burst into flames in just seconds. Then, we were timed as we made the dough, flattened it, and poked thousands of deep holes, and threw it into the HOT oven. There were many rules that needed to be followed in order to have kosher for Passover matzah. For example, the matzah had to be really thin or else it would rise and become thick and hard like a brick. Also, when we were rolling the dough into a ball, we were only allowed to use one hand, or else our hands would give off heat, allowing the yeast to rise. It was fun to scurry around and do our jobs, helping to make kosher matzos. It was a very educational and interesting experience.
|
|
~the bread of poor people . . . lechem oni . . . Avi Roth |
|
דבר תורה |
By: Isaac Shapiro
Grade: 3
Parshat VaYikrah
SAR, SAR [keep reading to find out why I started the Dvar Torah this way]:
In this week's parsha, Parshat VaYikrah, HaShem is going to teach Moshe about how to give korbanot, sacrifices. In the first word of the first pasuk, "VaYikrah," the last letter [א] is smaller than the other letters. The Midrash teaches us that HaShem wanted to show that Moshe was special and important so he used the word "VaYikrah," which is a sign of love. Moshe thought it was showing off to use that word so he asked HaShem to use the word "VaYikar" [without the א] which HaShem used when he called Balaam HaRashah. HaShem did not want to use that same word for Moshe. So Moshe wrote the word "VaYikrah," but he made the א
smaller so he would not be showing off.
The same word teaches us something else. HaShem called out to Moshe ["VaYikrah"] before he started speaking to him about the korbanot. The Gemara teaches us that it is respectful to call out to someone before you start speaking to them. The Torah Temimah teaches us that this is so they can be prepared to listen to what you are saying. Even though HaShem was close to Moshe, he was still respectful to him. We learn from this word that, even with our friends, we have to speak respectfully to them.
|
|
~good with sugar . . . Naama Kobrin |
| This Week In Sports |
Please come out and support the SAR Sting Girls' HS Varsity Basketball Team coached by our Morah Tali Cohen. The team is playing in the Yeshiva League Championship Game!
1:30 pm on Sunday March 21st
at LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Peninsula Blvd. & Arlington Place
2 Reilly Road
Cedarhurst, NY 11516
|
| PTC News |
******************************************************************
Parent Symposium Make-Up Session:
Marcella Moran will speak on April 14 at SAR Academy at 8pm.
This was a widely sought-after speaker on the topic of:
Organizing the Disorganized Child.
Learn some great techniques and strategies to make your child more successful at school....and home. Speaker: MARCELLA MORAN, MA, LHMC is a licensed psychotherapist and educational consultant who works with families to develop positive strategies for students who are disorganized.
*****************************************************************
Volunteers Needed!
We need help packing the Barton's Pesach Candy orders this Sunday evening in Riverdale.
***************************************************************
Join the SAR Community Group and
SHARE THE LOVE
*********************************************************************
The PTC would like to thank Shari Brody and Laura Brem who have been distributing the delicious challot ordered each week to many of your children to bring home. Thanks for coming in each Friday. Kol hakovod. |
|
~yummy . . . Hadas Spivack |
| Community News |
|
Come to the New Rochelle Women's League "Mini" Spring Boutique!!
Thursday, March 18 from 3 pm - 7:30 pm
At the home of Gila Katz
19 Indian Trail
New Rochelle, NY 10804
Featuring:
Krazy Keepas, Hair clips, Barrettes, Headbands, Pony Holders
Hats by Rivka, Itzy Bitzy and Me (baby and kids gifts, clothing and accessories)
Cosmetics and Skincare , A New Anti Aging Product Demonstration, A Brand New Line of Shabbos Makeup, Makeup Brushes, Cosmetic Cases, Novelty and Trendy Costume Jewelry, Kids Watches, Miscellaneous Gifts
Second Annual Rabbi Jacob and Debbie Rubenstein, ZL, Memorial Yahrzeit
The Second Annual Rabbi Jacob and Debbie Rubenstein, ZL, Memorial Yahrzeit Lecture and Program is taking place on Sunday morning, March 21, 2010. The guest speaker will be Richard Joel, President of Yeshiva University, who will speak at 10AM about A Religious Approach to Pluralism: Limitlessness Without Limits. At approximately 11 AM, we will walk to Carpenters Pond for an 11:15AM community-wide dedication of the Rubenstein Memorial Walkway, which will also be attended by various elected officials.
HIR Clothing Drive
HIR Clothing Drive Sunday March 21, 2010 9:30 am to 12:30 pm . Please sort and bag separately men's, women's and children's clothing in sturdy garbage bags. Deposit clothing in the truck that will be stationed outside the HIR. Volunteers are needed . If you are able to help for even a short amount of time please call Steve Pretsfelder or Barbara Gochberg at 718-601-3586 or email spretsfelder@vanwagner.com.
Mad Science Show: "Spin, Pop, and Boom"
When: Sunday March 21st 2010 @ 11:30 AM
Where: RJC Gym
Our Special Event, "Spin, Pop, Boom" is all about awesome experiments! You will witness amazing feats of chemistry as we explore all sorts of spectacular reactions. You will marvel at our demonstrations as we release genies from bottles and spew massive columns of foam with the use of our catalysts! So, get ready to be amazed while you learn, because at Mad Science, all education is entertaining!
RJC Youth members
$10 for 1, $15 for 2 or more
Non-members
$15 for 1, $20 for 2 or more
Email: RJCYOUTH@GMAIL.COM for more info!
Westchester Art Show
"Fay Grajower: Where the Past Meets the Future"
Sunday, March 21, 2010
9:00 am
Westchester Jewish Center Lobby
Rockland & Palmer Avenues
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
Click here for more information
DRISHA INSTITUTE HOLIDAY CLASSES FOR BAT MITZVAH AGE GIRLS AND THEIR MOTHERS AT THE RIVERDALE JEWISH CENTER.
This Bat Mitzvah year, enhance your learning with the Drisha Mother/Daughter Bat Mitzvah Program in Riverdale. For girls ages 11-13 and their mother or other partner. Learn together for two upcoming Holidays. Passover: The Women of the Exodus: Agents of Redemption - Monday Mar. 22 at 7:00-8:00 p.m.; and Shavuot: Learning from Ruth: Hessed and Leadership - Monday, May 10 from 7:00pm - 8:00pm, at the RJC, 3700 Independence Ave. To register: please call Ariella 212-595-0307 ($36 per learning pair for the series).
Free Seder at the HIR
Seders Led by Rabbi Weiss and Rabbi Exler
March 29th and March 30th at 8pm
Click Here for more information
RJC - Great Adventure Trip
Thursday, April 1st 2010 (Chol Hamoed)
6th-12th Graders,
Join us on Thursday, April 1st for our trip to Great Adventure!!!
Bus leaves the RJC @8 AM.
To RSVP call Nataly @ 718-796-4730 ext. 119 or email Eli Lidsky at elidsky@yahoo.com
RMHA Free Educational Event at the Riverdale Y
Sunday, April 18; 9am-2pm
Talks will focus on maintaining mental health and well-being throughout the life cycle, including special focus on children and youth and cutting-edge research and treatment topics.
Our keynote speaker is Dr. Carol Bernstein, the incoming president of the American Psychiatric Association; also speaking will be Dr. Petros Levounis, the Director of the Addictions Institute of New York, and Dr. Donna Demetri Friedman, NYU University and Paul Rosenfield, Columbia University. Click here for more information
NORPAC Mission to Washington
SAVE THE DATE! If you wake up in the morning wondering what happened in Israel overnight then you will want to go on the NORPAC mission to Washington on Wednesday, May 12th . This is a rare opportunity to have private small group meetings with Senators and Congressman to talk about issues vital to Israel's security. Sign up by April 7th and take advantage of the $50 early bird discount. To sign up, go to www.norpac.net. If you have any questions, contact David Frankel at dlrs.frankel@verizon.net
THE PARTY GOES ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FROM YOUR SIMCHA ........TO THE NEXT ...........
SAR IS PROUD TO PRESENT A NEW, EXCITING, ONGOING PROJECT.
ENRICH YOUR SIMCHA BY DONATING YOUR UNUSED PARTY ITEMS TO OTHERS.
WE ARE COLLECTING PARTY GIVEAWAYS (HATS, GLASSES, Wigs . . . . .)
ITEMS AND CRAFT PROJECTS TO GIFT TO THE NEEDY HERE AND IN ISRAEL.
WE WILL EVEN ACCEPT BENCHERS IN QUANTITIES GREATER THAN 50. PERSONALIZED FOIL LABELS WILL BE CREATED FOR POOR BRIDES IN ISRAEL.
PLEASE DROP OFF @ ZELDA'S OFFICE
INQUIRIES TO SHOSHANA @ 914-632-7902; dsnoble@pol.net
MAZAL TOV!
Items will be distributed in Israel by KEDMA.
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. |
|
SAR Academy
655 W. 254th Street Phone:718-548-1717
Riverdale, NY 10471 Fax: 718-601-0082
| |
