This week we were honored to welcome Congressman Ted Deutch to our school. The Congressman spoke at our school-wide assembly and engaged and enlightened our students about the nation's legislative process. He encouraged the students to get involved in their local government. Congressman Deutch also spoke to the 5th grade boys and the 5th grade girls in their classrooms and had a question and answer session. We are grateful to the Congressman for taking time from his busy schedule to join us at our school.

The Second Annual Torah Academy Mega Raffle for a grand prize of $50,000 has just begun. Join our parents, friends and students and buy raffles to support Torah Academy. "This has been such a successful fundraiser for the school," said Mrs. Schochet. She, along with Mrs. Amy Horowitz and Mrs. Freyda Cohen are members of the committee. Not only are the parents involved and encouraged to sell raffle tickets but the students are being given incentives as well. Pizza parties, ice cream parties and sweet treats will be given to classes with the most sales. Please call Torah Academy at 561-347-1821 to purchase your tickets.

Thank you to all of those who participated in the mailing this week:  Sorah Rivka Feinberg, Peninah Feinberg, Shoshana Galbut, RacheliGoldberg, Ilana Makover, Talia Mamman, MollieMarkowitz, Leah Rabovsky, Alana Reichenberg, Dahlya Selig, Meira Selig, Zahava Selig and Dalya  Wiesel.

The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County held a Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration. Torah Academy was well-represented as our early childhood students paraded with other schools in the community carrying flags and school banners. It was a meaningful program for students and families to participate in such a valuable, communal expression of our love and commitment to Eretz Yisroel.

Pre-K learned about and created their very own Israeli flag. Morah Guttman taught the students about the the spiritual nature of its colors. Through song and dance they were able to express the importance of the blue of the water and the blue of the sky.

Our Early Childhood participated in the excitement for Israel this week as they boarded an airplane and headed to the Holyland where they enjoyed singing Israeli songs and eating falafel. "The kids love to experience the taste and touch of Israel," said Morah Anne, as she co-piloted the aircraft.

The fourth and fifth graders gave a tour to the younger students around the four holy cities of the Eretz Yisroel. The students recreated the cities through oral presentations and a power point presentation about each city. They built a Kosel for the students to daven, and they placed Mitzvahs into the Kinneret to help it grow. Touring Tzfat and making fans taught the children about its special Ruach. They also crawled into the caves of Machpelah to learn about our Avos and Imahos. Kindergarten through fifth grade participated in this special program. "It was an opportunity for the students to re-teach the learning they did throughout the year and it was a wonderful assessment and culminating project," said Mrs. Plotkin.