Hillel Academy

of Pittsburgh

5685 Beacon Street

Pittsburgh, PA

15217

P: (412) 521-8131

F: (412) 521-5150

www.hillelpgh.org

March 4, 2011

28 Adar 1 5771

Candle Lighting: 5:55 pm

Havdalah: 6:56 pm

 Parshat Pekudei

Shabbat Shekalim

Syntactical Superheroes

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

Though the rule for possessive pronouns usually requires all possessives to get an apostrophe s at the end. "Its" is the exception. Use "it's" when you mean "it is" and "its" when you mean the possessive form of it (belonging to it).

Example:

The Hillel Happenings newsletter is great reading material, especially with its new feature on grammar! It's something I look forward to all week! 

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

Teacher Feature

Mr. Garwood is an avid hunter. Reb Shaw's 2005 Honda Civic has a deer antler as a hood ornament. To find out more about the intriguing lives of Hillel Academy's faculty, please read this week's interview. 

Milky Way Special

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

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?   

Phase 2 of Hillel Academy's backyard renovation is complete. 

Come join us for an hour of Shabbos afternoon fun! Oneg is for girls in Kindergarten through 8th grade at PZ from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm. Can't wait to see you there!

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

Leah Fuhrman - 12th Grade, Girls High School

In this week's Parsha, Pekudei, the Mishkan (Tabernacle) is finally assembled. When the Torah relates this event, it says Hukam Hamishkan (40:17), "the Mishkan was erected." This phrase appears in the passive voice. Why does the verb appear in its passive form? While explaining the words Vayaviu et hamishkan el Moshe (39:33), "and they (the workers) brought the Mishkan to Moshe," Rashi answers the aforementioned question. In his commentary, Rashi relates a sequence of events. Initially, those working on the Mishkan realized that the Mishkan was too heavy to lift; next, they (the workers) brought the pieces of the Mishikan to Moshe. Finally, Hashem told Moshe to try and build the Mishkan; this was because Moshe had no other part in the construction of the Mishkan, and the Mishkan would erect itself. Because the Mishkan set itself up, the passuk uses the passive voice to relate the event. Like the erection of the Mishkan, our education at Hillel Academy is enabled via the support of many parties. The excellent administration, teachers, and resources, collaborate to create an incredible product, which we all appreciate.

סביבה עברית בהלל

Morah Irit - itaasan@hillelpgh.org

העברית בהלל יוצאת מהשיעור ומהכיתה. מי שמבקר בבית הספר שם לב לשילוט החדש שמציף את המזדרונות. על כל דבר יש שלט בעברית - מ'דלת' ו'חלון' עד 'משרד' ו'שרותים'. המילים שהתלמידים לומדים בכיתה מקבלות משמעות חדשה כשהם נתקלים בהן תוך כדי פעילות שוטפת. תלמידים קוראים ספרים ב'ספריה', מתעמלים ב'אולם הספורט' ולומדים מדע ב'מעבדה'. השילוט ברחבי בית הספר הוא בנוסף לשילוט מפורט בכיתות עצמן - מגני ילדים עד כיתות ד' וה

For our 'emerging' Ivrit (Hebrew) readers the following synopsis has been provided:

Visitors to Hillel Academy may have recently noticed Ivrit signs all over the school. There are now signs in Ivrit for everything from doors to the science lab. The placing of these signs throughout the building reinforces the use of Ivrit in everyday life, and compliments the itemized Ivrit labeling that our students see in their classroom. 

Hillel Academy is so great, even the signs smile.

Don't miss the 12,000 Daily Hot Deals only through the Hillel Academy Shopping Portal: 

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This week's HOT DEAL!

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Click onto HOT DEALS and find Home Depot under partner stores. 

Contact bubbierachie@hotmail.com for more details.

Preschool Directors Meeting at Hillel Academy

Mrs. Harris - pharris@hillelpgh.org

Hillel Academy recently hosted the monthly preschool directors meeting. This meeting allows the directors of the Pittsburgh area Jewish preschools to share news, ideas, and resources for the betterment of the community. As a special addition, Dr. Pat Bidol Padva, Executive Director of the Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative, was in attendance. Dr. Bidol Padva's visit stemmed from the recent adoption of the JECEI (Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative) program by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the Agency for Jewish Learning. Via this national program, Pittsburgh Jewish preschools will be provided with resources for enhancing both their general and Jewish education. This initiative is funded through a generous supplemental donation from the Centennial Fund for a Jewish Future. Following the meeting, the numerous preschool directors enjoyed a tour of the Isadore Joshowitz Early Childhood Center at Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh. 

Happy visitors are seen here in the Isadore Joshowitz Early Childhood Center at Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh.

Thanks for the Assist

Reb Shaw - dshaw@hillelpgh.org 

As we work on building Hillel Academy's athletic department, many sponsors have recognized our vision and contributed to helping the athletic department grow. This season has come to an end, and we would like to thank our many supporters, including the Ratchkauskas family. Additionally, Duquesne University donated tickets to four men's basketball games and Supercuts Squirrel Hill donated tickets to a Pitt women's basketball game. Thank you as well to Mark Sindler, Criminal Defense Attorney, for his generous support. Thank you for helping us give our Hillel Academy students a chance to experience the camaraderie of formal athletics. We look forward to next year and building on this year's success. 

"Hey Pitt Panthers, we got next."

Mock Trial: A Retrospective and Senior Moment

Libby Stein - 12th Grade, Girls High School

Mock Trial is a high school competition, sponsored by the PA Bar Association, geared towards students considering a professional career in law, or just students looking for a fun and exciting academic challenge. Mock Trial requires a lot of preparation and time, including nights and weekends, from not only the team, but Mr. Garwood and Mrs. Stein, our coaches. "Mock Trial is an amazing experience. I love working with these exceptional young women. It keeps me feeling young," said Mrs. Stein. It is a team effort that really helps us learn to work together, organize, and strive for a goal without giving up. "Mock Trial was a truly amazing experience," according to Liora Posin (11th Grade). Devorah Cohen-Melamed (12th Grade) added, "Mock Trial was as good and fun the second time around as it was the first. It never gets old! It's always exciting, and I had a great time working on it!" Maia Wiesenfeld (10th Grade) explained, "It was like nothing I've ever done before! I learned so much, more than I expected, like public speaking and analyzing data. I'm really proud of myself, and the team, and I'm looking forward to another awesome time next year!" Working on Mock Trial these last four years, and participating as team captain this year, has definitely had an impact on my high school years and my life in general. Last year, our team went to the semi-finals, moving on for the first time in Hillel history! We missed last year's seniors, Shoshana Bachrach, Chana Lebovits, and Sara Leah Nemoy, a lot this year, but after all of the trials and tribulations going into competition this year, I'm prouder of this year's team than any other! Mock Trial will always hold a special place in my heart. Tamar, Devorah, Dina, Liora, Maia, Rena, Talia, Rivka, I love you guys forever! 

Drama at the Boys High School

Mr. Werber - swerber@hillelpgh.org 

The high school boys have enjoyed electives this year, and many chose Drama. We are focusing mostly on improvisation and the enthusiasm has been amazing. The boys create characters, situations and songs based on suggestions from their classmates and each week they have improved. What is more amazing is on weeks where they have a choice of going home or staying for their elective, MOST HAVE CHOSEN TO STAY. When have you ever heard of a student choosing to stay in school rather than running home? Ask a high school boy about Drama and I'm sure he'll tell you that it has been a great success.

Mr. Werber dramatically gives two thumbs up to Hillel Academy.

Interview with Mr. Garwood

Following our readers' recommendations, Reb Shaw sat down with Hillel Academy's science expert, Mr. Garwood. Originally intending to converse only on curricular matters, Reb Shaw researched various aspects of cells. Accordingly, he prepared numerous questions concerning fuel cells, battery cells, solar cells, and prison cells. After the conversation turned to electrolytic cells, Reb Shaw and Mr. Garwood toasted Hillel Academy on a can of Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray. Refreshed and energized, Reb Shaw and Mr. Garwood briefly discussed wet cells, dry cells, and terrorist cells, but quickly realized that their conversation would be of interest to very few readers. Instead, with their remaining time, Reb Shaw and Mr. Garwood discussed Hillel Academy, Smartboards, mock trial, and the upcoming science fair. For the benefit of our readers, excerpts of their conversation have been provided below:  

Reb Shaw: Hey, Mr. Garwood, thanks so much for meeting with me today. How long have you been working at Hillel Academy?

Reb Shaw: How has the installation of a new Smartboard in the science lab made Hillel Academy students even more excited to learn?

Mr. Garwood: Definitely, Mr. Wizard. Bill Nye is great, but Mr. Wizard is old school cool and really blew stuff up. 

Reb Shaw: With an unlimited budget, what would the Hillel Academy science lab look like? 

Mr. Garwood: A combination of CSI and the NASA Command Center (before the shuttle was scrapped). 

Reb Shaw: The Hillel Academy Science Fair is rapidly approaching. Which project would you be less likely to endorse: Harry Houdini's chain escape or Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment?   

Mr. Garwood: I'd have to nix both, that pesky risk of death puts a damper on the award ceremony at the science fair.

Reb Shaw: Squirrel Hill Trivia (because our readers love this stuff): Where is the closest payphone to Hillel Academy?

Mr. Garwood: Since cell phones have become ubiquitous, I don't think I've seen a payphone in five or six years, so I'd guess the city dump.

Reb Shaw: You're a lawyer, hunter, and science teacher. As faculty supervisor for the Hillel Academy Mock Trial teams, how do you incorporate these interests into meetings with students? 

Mr. Garwood: Hunter and lawyer have much the same skill set so we aim to find the opponent's weaknesses, then write a hypothesis and seventeen step lab experiment to exploit them. In truth, mock trial is really about the process of preparing for what you know you'll see and learning to improvise in an intelligent way for those unanticipated turns. Our students have tremendous commitment to this activity. I am constantly amazed by their skill and drive. These are skills that will serve them well in any life endeavor.

Reb Shaw: Do you have any words of advice for the Girls High School's upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz?

Mr. Garwood: They should use the formulas they learned in Mrs. Kanal's great physics class to calculate the momentum of those flying monkeys when they come crashing from the sky.

Reb Shaw: What's the most rewarding aspect of working at Hillel Academy?

Mr. Garwood: Having the privilege of working with our incredible students every day.

Mr. Garwood is seen here with Hillel Academy students and a window with really cool stickers.