Hillel Academy

of Pittsburgh

5685 Beacon Street

Pittsburgh, PA

15217

P: (412) 521-8131

F: (412) 521-5150

www.hillelpgh.org

February 11, 2011

7 Adar 1 5771

Candle Lighting: 5:31 pm

Havdalah: 6:32 pm

 Parshat Tetzaveh

Es Gezunterheyt!

As a special addition to the Hillel Happenings, we are pleased to feature the discriminating palate of fifth grader Boaz Bachrach. For the past several weeks, Boaz has visited shuls, senior centers, and random s'machot (celebrations) to prepare for this week's article. Reflecting on his journeys, Boaz shares wth us his candid review of herring: 

I have eaten herring, but I have to admit I don't like it. However, if I had to choose which type is the best (or most edible), I'd have to say pickled herring. 

Teacher Feature

Rabbi Brodie's brother recently moved to Israel. Reb Shaw considers himself a brother of all Israelis. For more information, please read this week's interview.   

Did You Know?   

The lunch menu has two pizza days this month. Usually there is only one.

Everyone is Invited  

The next Hillel Academy Mock Trial Competition is Wednesday (2/16/11) at 5:30 pm on the 8th floor of the City-County Building on Grant Street. Everyone is encouraged to attend. 

Women and girls, are you looking for a great exercise opportunity? How about a personalized trainer who understands your goals? NESM Fitness Group is just what you need. 

Hours are flexible, pricing is reasonable, and the first 15 minute consultation is free. 

To learn more about this great opportunity, please click "This is a great opportunity to get fit. I'm going to call now."

You could also call Shayna Marcus at 412-521-2455 or Naomi Eisenberg at 718-404-4383. You could also email them at [email protected]   

Interested in attending Shira Day Camp this summer? 

Hillel Academy
of Pittsburgh
Administration and Staff

Mr. Daniel J. Kraut
Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]

Rabbi Avrumi Sacks
Principal and Education Director
[email protected]

Mrs. Elky Langer
Assistant Principal GHS
[email protected]

Rabbi Sam Weinberg
Assistant Principal BHS
[email protected]

Rabbi Dov Nimchinsky
Judaic Studies Coordinator Elementary/Middle School

[email protected]

Mrs. Deborah Oz-Halbritter
General Studies Coordinator Elementary/Middle School
[email protected]

Mrs. Yikara Levari
Administrator and Student Activities Coordinator [email protected]

Mrs. Phyllis Harris
Director of Support Services [email protected]

Mrs. Selma Aronson
Executive Administrator
[email protected]

Ms. Hadar Glazer
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]

Mrs. Adina Shayowitz
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]

Ms. Sarah Hartman
Finance Manager
[email protected]

Mr. Adam Reinherz
Director of Community Relations
[email protected]

High School Boys Answer the Call at Fundfest 2011

Rabbi Weinberg - [email protected] 

This past week, the entire Boys High School participated in the Fundfest 2011, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh's annual phone campaign. The campaign runs for about a week and is one of the most important campaigns of the year for the Federation. This year, the Hillel Boys went to the Federation offices in Oakland to help make calls. The students were first given an orientation by Deborah Baron of the Federation, taught how to make "the ask," and how to fill out pledge cards. While making calls was intimidating at first, our students quickly got the hang of it. In about two hours, our boys received around $2,000 dollars in pledges, and a special Yasher Koach to Adir Shimon who secured almost $400 by himself. Mrs. Baron expressed that she was, "very pleased to have their [the High School Boys] participation and happy that Hillel is working to instill a sense of community involvement among your students."  We too were very grateful to participate in such a worthy cause. As one student noted, "Making those calls wasn't easy, but it is important for us to realize that there are people working very hard to fund the Federation, and to in turn fund Hillel Academy. Participating in Fundfest helped us feel more appreciative for everything that is done on our behalf." Hopefully, this will only be the beginning of a career in community involvement for our students.  

By giving back to the community, Daniel Sax, 12th Grade, learned that Fundfest was really Fun Fest.

Life Science Dissects an Earthworm

Mr. Garwood - [email protected]

The Boys and Girls Life Science classes conducted their first animal dissection today. The dissection was of an earthworm belonging to the phylum Annilida. "The worm was very interesting and disgusting," noted Riva Milch. The worm has organs and systems the classes had to observe and describe. "We looked at its intestines and organs, but they were really small," commented Adina Kisilinsky. Yael Itskowitz added that "This dissection helped me learn and understand the worm's body function even though it smelled." Batsheva Langer's opinion was "the worm was very interesting. I thought it was amazing that even though everything was very small, it made the worm work."

Even with dissections, Mr. Garwood makes science come alive.

Interview with Rabbi Brodie

For almost a half a century, Rabbi Brodie has taught students not only to study the Torah, but how to live it. Nearly every graduate who calls the office asks about Rabbi Brodie. As was apparent at the recent alumni weekend, Rabbi Brodie is a beloved figure. Reb Shaw took note of this and decided to decipher what it takes to become beloved, not just at Hillel Academy, but in life. In the process, Reb Shaw studied the intricacies of ice cream trucks, sunny days, and little babies. His discoveries were mind blowing (For anyone interested in Reb Shaw's findings, feel free to email him). Reb Shaw learned much from this ordeal, but even more by speaking with Rabbi Brodie. For the benefit of our readers excerpts of this week's conversation have been reproduced below:       

Reb Shaw: How long have you been working at Hillel Academy?

Rabbi Brodie: This is my 44th year here.

Reb Shaw: Why are Hillel Academy students so happy?

Rabbi Brodie: Kids are happy; they are good kids who learn Torah.

Reb Shaw: I have been privileged to work with you for four years, and it is no secret that you are always looking for innovative teaching methods and ideas. What keeps you so motivated?

Rabbi Brodie: What motivates me? Im ain kemach ain Torah (If there's no flour there's no Torah). Produce or perish.

Reb Shaw: In your free time, besides learning, what are your hobbies?

Rabbi Brodie: Something that relaxes and is enjoyable? Believe it or not, getting to sit down and learn musar. I encourage everyone to do it.

Reb Shaw: I went through a strange phase a number of years ago where I collected etrogs. I now have over 230 in my house. I got to get rid of them. Any ideas?

Rabbi Brodie: Over 230 esrogs, you lost your golden opportunity,  You could have offered them to pregnant women as it is a segulah (good luck) for having a boy, if she bites off the pitom (the top of the etrog). It's not guaranteed, as I have twice as many girls as boys, but even if it works one third of the time you could have had 80 boys in Hillel and we would have our own basketball league.  Stop hoarding the esrogs.

Reb Shaw: Squirrel Hill Trivia (because our readers love this stuff): Murray Avenue used to be a dirt road. When was it first paved?

Rabbi Brodie: When I moved to Pittsburgh the streets were paved, but there were 13 kosher butcher stores on Murray Ave.

Reb Shaw: Potential halachik shaila (question of Jewish law): I lucked out on an ebay purchase and got a yacht for really cheap. I have nowhere to presently store it, but in the event that everything goes according to plan, I'll be detailing the rudder this week.  Regardless, do I need to put a mezuzah on the cabin?

Rabbi Brodie: Yacht - if you aren't sleeping there 30 consectutive days, you don't need a mezuzah. If it's 30 days or longer, ask Rabbi Langer.

Rabbi Brodie is seen in the Hillel Academy cafeteria (where Hillel Academy students eat lots of delicious and nutritious food).

Hillel Pop Culture Grid

Reb Shaw - [email protected]  

Hillel Academy students are the smartest kids I know. Take a look at their answers in this week's grid.    

Readers, we want to hear from you. Is there a question that you want answered? Email [email protected].