Hillel Academy

of Pittsburgh

5685 Beacon Street

Pittsburgh, PA

15217

P: (412) 521-8131

F: (412) 521-5150

www.hillelpgh.org

February 18, 2011

14 Adar 1 5771

Candle Lighting: 5:39 pm

Havdalah: 6:40 pm

 Parshat Ki Tisa

Syntactical Superheroes

The great minds behind Hillel Academy's exemplary English Department would like you to know: 

Commas and periods always go inside of quotation marks, not outside. 

For more on good grammar, please email sfinder@hillelpgh.org or etipton@hillelpgh.org.   

Teacher Feature

Ms. Hartman is a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World. For his eighth grade science fair project, Reb Shaw attempted to build a life-size replica of the Magic Kingdom.   

Milky Way Special

Buy any large pie on Monday and recieve a coupon for the family deal on that following Wednesday.

The family deal consists of one large 18 inch pie, family plain fries, and a 2 liter soda for $20. 

Come get your pie today for your coupon!

Did You Know?   

Blocking in the dumpsters in front of the school will result in a $95 parking citation from the City of Pittsburgh. 

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 nesmfitness@gmail.com   

Hillel Academy
of Pittsburgh
Administration and Staff

Mr. Daniel J. Kraut
Chief Executive Officer
dkraut@hillelpgh.org

Rabbi Avrumi Sacks
Principal and Education Director
asacks@hillelpgh.org

Mrs. Elky Langer
Assistant Principal GHS
elanger@hillelpgh.org

Rabbi Sam Weinberg
Assistant Principal BHS
sweinberg@hillelpgh.org

Rabbi Dov Nimchinsky
Judaic Studies Coordinator Elementary/Middle School

dminchinsky@hillelpgh.org

Mrs. Deborah Oz-Halbritter
General Studies Coordinator Elementary/Middle School
doz@hillelpgh.org

Mrs. Yikara Levari
Administrator and Student Activities Coordinator ylevari@hillelpgh.org

Mrs. Phyllis Harris
Director of Support Services pharris@hillelpgh.org

Mrs. Selma Aronson
Executive Administrator
saronson@hillelpgh.org

Ms. Hadar Glazer
Administrative Assistant
hglazer@hillelpgh.org

Mrs. Adina Shayowitz
Administrative Assistant
ashayowitz@hillelpgh.org

Ms. Sarah Hartman
Finance Manager
finmgr@hillelpgh.org

Mr. Adam Reinherz
Director of Community Relations
areinherz@hillelpgh.org

Dvar Torah

Boaz Bachrach - Fifth Grade

In this week's parsha, Ki Tisa, we learn how to count the Jewish people. Two questions arise from the act of counting the Jewish people. First, why can't we count by going "1,2,3...?" Second, what would happen if the Jewish people were counted "1,2,3...?" In answering the first question, the meforshim (commentaries) explain that the Jewish people should not be counted like cattle, which are counted "1,2,3..." In answering the second question, we learn that Dovid Hamelech (King David), in Shmuel Bet, counted the Jewish people "1,2,3.." and what resulted was that the Jewish people were punished with plagues. The punishment happened because the pasuk says, "Do it so Hashem does not give you plagues." The story of Dovid Hamelech teaches us the lesson to always look closely and listen to pasukim. Hillel has taught me that you should always listen to the Mitzvos no matter how great and holy you think are. 

Hillel Academy and The Jewish Chronicle

Mr. Reinherz - areinherz@hillelpgh.org

Last week, Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh Girls High School students, Maia Wiesenfeld, Sara Nimchinsky, and Chasya Cowen traveled to the offices of The Jewish Chronicle. The students' visit was an outgrowth of a project underway at Hillel Academy. Over the past several months, Maia, Sara, and Chasya have worked diligently on various writing assignments with Angela Leibowicz, Community and Web Editor of The Jewish Chronicle. These tasks have resulted in several publications in The Jewish Chronicle. Collectively, this process has enabled the students to enhance their composition skills, while learning more about the journalistic field. Over the next several months, two more articles are scheduled for publication. To see the students' efforts to date, please click "Article 1 in 4-part student series" or "Article 2 in 4-part student series." 

Aspiring journalists (from left), Maia Wiesenfeld, Chasya Cowen, and Sara Nimchinsky are seen touring The Jewish Chronicle offices.

First Grade Siddur Presentation

Morah Chana - hdorsey@hillelpgh.org

There have been many activities happening inside the first grade Judaic Studies classroom during the past few weeks. If you walked into the classroom, you could sense a feeling of happiness and excitement from the students. There is a good reason for this. The students have been practicing their parts and preparing beautiful songs for their Siddur Presentation. When the students walked into first grade on the first day of school, they knew they had to work very hard to achieve one of the highlights of first grade, receiving their first Siddur (prayer book). They knew they had a big job ahead of them. The students knew they had to continue to learn their letters and vowels on a higher level, master the reading of Hebrew words, and read with accuracy and fluency to receive their Siddurim. These students worked very hard to achieve their goal!

The excitement began the day they took their invitations home to their families for the big day! This was followed by receiving their parts and beginning to learn their songs. The students took a trip to Rabbi Nimchinsky's office to receive their brand new Siddurim. They showed extreme pride and happiness when Rabbi Nimchinsky gave them their Siddurim. You could see it in the expressions on their faces. Many students hugged their Siddurim with fondness. Then they took their Siddurim home to make beautiful covers.

As we got closer to the big day, the class started rehearsing in the Pfeffer Beis Medrash. It was very meaningful to have the program there. The weeks and days went by quickly and excitement grew and grew. As the students brought in their covered Siddurim, their classmates applauded the creativity and beauty of each Siddur.

The long awaited day finally arrived! The students proudly dressed in their beautiful Shabbos clothes and walked into the Pfeffer Beis Medrash as everyone sang Siman Tov U' Mazel Tov to them. The students presented a wonderful program having to do with the words: Siddur, Simcha, and Todah. With big smiles on their faces, the first graders demonstrated how much they had grown and matured. They each showed a sense of pride, happiness, and excitement when they were given their first Siddur. They will always remember this very special day in their lives (I am delighted when a student who is in middle school or high school says to me, "Morah Chana, I remember the day I received my first Siddur!"). The students were attentive and respectful when Rabbi Sacks and Rabbi Nimchinsky congratulated them on this special Simcha. The presentation was followed by a beautiful party with many yummy treats! Morah Chana and Morah Dorsey are very proud of their students and wish them and their parents a heartfelt Mazel Tov. It was a very wonderful day to remember!

Sidduch - first graders Dalya Kraut and Yitzy Berelowitz are matched with their respective siddurim.

The Legacy of the Navajo

Ms. Oz - doz@hillelpgh.org

The fifth grade girls recently studied the Native Americans of North America. From the Tlingit of Sitka, Alaska, to the Iroquois of New York state, Native American cultures stretched from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans. Their lifestyles were influenced by the local landscape and the natural resources available to them. The Navajo people of the Southwest have been master artists and craft workers for hundreds of years. From materials in their environment, the Navajo made blankets, baskets, pottery, clothing and other useful objects. They also created art for religious purposes. Navajo ceremonies often included the creation of a sand, or dry, painting. The designs are made by sprinkling powdered minerals or plants onto a blanket covered with clean, smooth sand. Each symbol in the design has a meaning. A sand painting can take 15 people and an entire day to complete. As a culminating activity to the Social Studies chapter, the students had an opportunity to choose Native American symbols to create their own sand art. They chose arrows (connote direction, force, movement, power), hands (represent the presence of man, his work, his achievements, and his legacy) buffalo (symbolize sacredness, life builder), and horses (connote stamina, mobility, love, devotion and loyalty). The project allowed the girls to show their creative sides. "It was very fun and exciting to learn about Navajo sand art, said Elisheva Ungar." Ayala Biton agreed, "It was fun and creative and we learned a lot about the Navajo." Liora Nimchinsky claimed, "It's a good way to remember about the Navajo." Shira Nimchinsky explained, "It's very colorful, creative and fun, but it was also a challenge getting the sand into the small areas." Finally, Tikva Goldstein added, "We learned about the Navajos' skill in art and tried it ourselves. It's hard and tricky, but fun at the same time."

Hillel Academy: Where culture and creativity come alive.

Interview with Ms. Hartman

Tax season is upon us, and no one knows that better than Reb Shaw. After purchasing tax preparation software, which he attempted to deduct as a business expense, Reb Shaw experienced a nightmarish battle with his computer. After a failed software installation, perhaps due to zombie cookies, super cookies, secure cookies, or Toll House cookies (which mistakenly dropped into the cracks between the keyboard), Reb Shaw watched in horror as the dreaded blue screen of death appeared upon his screen. Refusing to accept that this might be the ultimate end of his trusted G-Chat machine, Reb Shaw passionately disposed of his laptop in an environmentally friendly way. Depressed, dismayed, and disheartened, Reb Shaw aimlessly wandered the halls of Hillel Academy. He longingly looked into the library and watched happy Hillel Academy students enjoying the brand new computers (received by a generous grant, thank you), and said to himself, "Woe is my computer, woe is me." At that moment, Reb Shaw realized that he had still not completed his taxes. Too lethargic to go downstairs, he called Ms. Hartman, Hillel Academy's Financial Manager, from an office phone and began relating this story. Eventually, their conversation developed into an interview, which has been excerpted and provided below for the benefit of our readers:  

Reb Shaw: Hey, Ms. Hartman, thanks so much for speaking with me today. How long have you been working at Hillel Academy?

Ms. Hartman: Since March 2007.

Reb Shaw: Because of your professional responsibilities, and the location of your office, you never see Hillel Academy students. From what you've heard, why are Hillel Academy students the greatest students in the world?

Ms. Hartman: From what I hear they are very proficient in running, tricycle colliding, singing, and moving desks, all great skills that are often overlooked. But rest assured, Hillel students have mastered these tasks and I am sure they will continue to develop into the next generation of great leaders and noise makers.

Reb Shaw: You attended Chatham University, I completed my student teaching there in 2007. My favorite part of Chatham was the fitness center, what was yours?

Ms. Hartman: Oh, I think the best thing at Chatham was the electric 3 hole punch in the library.

Reb Shaw: I forgot about that thing. It's amazing. Next question is a complex mathematical equation (because a financial manager should know these things): Jean is a U.S. citizen living and working in France for all of 2008. She received wages of $150,000, dividends of $10,000 and alimony of $20,000 in 2008. She decides to use the foreign earned income exclusion available to her and file Form 2555. What is the amount of Jean's foreign earned income before any limitations are applied?

Ms. Hartman: Well, foreign earned income consists of salaries and wages, commissions, bonuses, professional fees, tips, and business profits. Foreign unearned income consists of dividends, interest, capital gains, alimony, pensions, social security benefits, and gambling winnings. Dividends and alimony are not considered to be earned income. Therefore, Jean's foreign earned income, before the maximum 2008 foreign income exclusion of $87,600, is her wages of $150,000. Just remember as of 2006, the remaining wages after her exclusions are calculated will be taxed at the maximum rate and not from the base tax rate of the lowered taxable income.

Reb Shaw: What's the code to make color copies?

Ms. Hartman: Wouldn't you like to know...... Here is a hint, take the year you were born, multiply that by the date, subtract your age then divide it by the number of teachers in the building then you will be close.

Reb Shaw: During a conversation with a prospective parent, which of these words are you more likely to use: takke, shkoiach, or zachin?

Ms. Hartman: Hmmm, not sure what those mean, but I'm sure one has to mean something like please make all checks out to Hillel Academy.

Reb Shaw: Squirrel Hill Trivia (because our readers love this stuff): How many hours a day can you find a crossing guard at the corner of Beacon and Murray?

Ms. Hartman: Not enough.

Reb Shaw: As opposed to paper checks, would you rather see payroll distributed through direct deposit or individualized pneumatic tubes like they have in the drive-through line at the bank? 

Ms. Hartman: I really like the swooshing sound those tubes make, so my vote would be for pneumatic tubes sent directly to the main office, direct deposit is just no fun.

Reb Shaw: Your downstairs office windows are about 8 inches by 12 inches. When you travel upstairs to meet with the staff, is the sun exposure trying on your eyes?

Ms. Hartman: I can honestly tell you there are days I have no clue what the weather is like until I leave, more often than not I am unpleasantly surprised.

Reb Shaw: Can I count on you to email this interview to five of your friends?

Ms. Hartman: As we know, using school computers to check and send personal e-mail is against our Internet policy, so at this time, I will give up my chance for fame and notoriety and keep this interview within the Happenings.

Hillel Academy Financial Manager, Sarah Hartman is seen in her tax shelter.

News and Notes from the Boys High School

Rabbi Weinberg - sweinberg@hillelpgh.org

As part of "Operation Inspire," a davening incentive program underway at the Boys High School, the following students recently won a ski trip: Adir Shimon, Binyamin Skaist, Ben Kohane, Andy Joshowitz, Daniel Kohenbash, Steven Kohane, Daniel Sax, Asher Sohnen, Daniel Hertzberg, Yosef Kohenbash, Jarrod Stefflebeam, and Shimmy Harmon. These boys deserve much credit for their devotion and dedication to our teffilah (prayer) service. 

Separately, over the past few weeks, the following Israeli Yeshivot have visited the Boys High School: Derach Etz Chaim, Ohr Yerushalayim, Lev HaTorah, Shaarei Mevaseret Tzion, and Ohr Dovid. In addition to Netiv Aryeh, who visited before break, and a few other Yeshivot, which we are trying to secure for over the next few months, this doubles our total Yeshiva visits from last year. Thank you to Rabbi Smith for helping to arrange many of these visits.

Hillel Pop Culture Grid

Reb Shaw - dshaw@hillelpgh.org  

With the warm weather upon us, Hillel Academy students have been more enthusiastic than ever. Check out these great answers in this week's grid.    

Readers, we want to hear from you. Is there a question that you want answered? Email hillelhappenings@hillelpgh.org.