Hillel Academy
of Pittsburgh
5685 Beacon Street
Pittsburgh, PA
15217
P: (412) 521-8131
F: (412) 521-5150
www.hillelpgh.org
November 4, 2011
7 Heshvan 5771
Candle Lighting: 5:56 pm
Havdalah: 6:55 pm
Parshat Lech Lecha
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Through the Hillel Happenings, we try to provide our readers with a sense of the exciting, engaging, and meaningful work that happens at Hillel Academy. Chizuk, which is Hebrew for strength, is vital to Hillel Academy. This section, thanks to the weekly insights of Rabbi Brodie, is intended to give our readers a little extra strength. Click here to send us your feedback.
Hashem's instruction to Avram to leave his home, was one of Avram's ten tests. What was so difficult about this test Hashem promised Avram seven great rewards. Wouldn't it be obvious that Avram would follow Hashem's directions?
The answer is that the Torah testifies that Avram went "as Hashem had told him," and not for any ulterior motive. This was the greatness of Avram. We too can act as Avram, and earn great reward for doing normal things for the sake of serving Hashem and not for any other reason.
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Syntactical Superheroes
The great minds behind Hillel Academy's exemplary English Department would like you to know:
All together vs. altogether
Students often confuse when to use the words all together and altogether. All together means "everyone in one place." We need to be all together before the bus leaves. Altogether means "entirely" or "completely." The book is altogether too long.
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New Line of Hillel Gear Available
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More Reminders
U turns in front of the school building are a No No and potentially very dangerous.
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Help Hillel
Please donate new items to Hillel Academy's Silent Auction. It is never too early to donate, and now is a great time to get it out of your house. Please bring your tax deductible donations to Hillel Academy.
Don't have the time, or need an item picked up in the Pittsburgh area? Please contact Aviva Kelsey at 412-421-5589. Thank you in advance for your support!
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Mazel Tov
Dr. Bruce and Mrs. Miriam Cohen on the engagement of their daughter, Michal, to Isaac Manaster
Ms. Michal Cohen on her engagement to Isaac Manaster
Ms. Gabriela Corcos and Mr. Sol Horvitz on their recent engagement
Rabbi Mordechai and Mrs. Tzippy Rosenberg on the birth of their grandson Eliezer
Refuah Shleima
Ms. Fayth Aronson - Faygie Devorah bas Shulamit
Would you like to share something with the Hillel Academy family?
If so, please email us at
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Around Town
There will be snif this Shabbat from 4:30 to 5:30 pm at Shaare Torah *Stay tuned for more events coming soon!
Annual Rochel Emainu Women's Gathering
Tuesday,11th of Cheshvan,
November 8, 2011
8:00 pm At the home of Mrs. Leslie Itskowitz 5871 Solway St. (between Murray and Shady)
NCSY Yeshiva Fair:
All 11th and 12th graders are invited to attend NCSY Yeshiva Fair and meet representatives
from more than 30 schools in Israel,
Nov. 11-13 in Cleveland. For more information and to register please go to NCSYce.com
CORRECTION: The calendar in the Jewish Women's League Community Directory mistakenly lists the Shabbos end time for this week, November 5, as 6:02. It should have said that Shabbos ends at 7:02.
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Who Wants an Awesome Kippah?
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Mordy Brown Catering
Every Thursday night, Mordy Brown Catering will be selling pizza for $16.00 a pie. $1.00 of each sale will be donated to Hillel Academy. Help support our school! Click here for a menu and more details.
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Box Tops for Education
Our first collection period has ended. Although we did collect an impressive amount, we have fallen short of our goal. However, the school year is just starting and collections are gratefully accepted. Box Tops for Education™ has a 13-year history of helping our school earn cash we need - from books and computers, to playground equipment. Take advantage of the bonus opportunities each month in Giant Eagle to earn extra Bonus Box Tops. It is not too late to use October offer (Buy 4 General Mills cereals - get 15 Bonus Box Tops) or you can just clip and save and don't forget to send your collection to the office. Remember that our grand prize is Kennywood tickets, so although it is chilly outside, we can look forward to next summer.
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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
Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction, Grades K-12
elanger@hillelpgh.org
Rabbi Sam Weinberg
Assistant Principal
Grades 7-12 Boys and Girls
sweinberg@hillelpgh.org
Rabbi Dov Nimchinsky
Judaic Studies and Educational Program Coordinator
Grades 1-6
dnimchinsky@hillelpgh.org
Mrs. Yikara Levari
Mashgicha Ruchanit
Grades 7-12 Girls
ylevari@hillelpgh.org
Rabbi Yisroel Smith
Masgiach Ruchani
Boys High School
ysmith@hillelpgh.org
Mrs. Phyllis Harris
Director of Special Services
Grades K-12
pharris@hillelpgh.org
Mrs. Barbara Chotiner
Early Childhood Coordinator
bchotiner@hillelpgh.org
Reb Danny Shaw
Coordinator of Athletics and Student Life
dshaw@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
Mrs. Chevi Rubin Administrative Assistant to the Principal crubin@hillelpgh.org Ms. Sarah Hartman Finance Manager finmgr@hillelpgh.org
Mr. Adam Reinherz Director of Community Relations areinherz@hillelpgh.org Additional contact info for faculty and staff available by clicking here |
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Dvar Torah
Akiva Skaist - 6th Grade
In the end of Vayivorach Dovid it says, "You are Hashem, the G-d, who chose Avram, took him out of Ur Kasdim, and gave him the name Avraham." Why does it say "took out?" Shouldn't it have said "left?" Chazal explain that this was the name of the furnace that Avraham was threatened by. As we know, Nimrod gave Avraham, then called Avram, a choice. That choice was to bow down to an idol or be thrown into a furnace. Avram chose to be thrown into the furnace. Hashem miraculously took him out from the furnace. Here, at Hillel Academy, our teachers take us out of the furnace of ignorance, and cool us off in the air conditioner of knowledge. May we all receive Hashem's blessings and have a Good Shabbos!
If you're interested in writing a Dvar Torah for the Hillel
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Message From the Chief
Dear Hillel Academy Parents and Friends,
As many of you know, for the fourth straight year our enrollment has increased. In becoming Pittsburgh's fastest growing Jewish Day School, we should all feel a sense of pride. There are so many people who have facilitated our growth. Our teachers, staff, volunteers, parents, students, and supporters all deserve a tremendous thanks.
Over the next few weeks, you will see a series of reminders regarding our annual raffle. This event helps support various programming and initiatives throughout our school, including individualized and age-appropriate Judaic and General Studies instruction, innovative curricula, technological advancements, and a myriad of outlets for promoting the unique talents of each of Hillel Academy's students.
Join us in our efforts to become America's greatest Jewish Day School by supporting our raffle. Let's continue growing and providing more students with the warmth and nurture that only Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh can provide.
Call the office today at 412-521-8131 and be a part of our success. As in past years, your raffle purchase will entitle you and a guest to attend the Annual Awards Night Dinner, December 12, 2011. To house our new families, this year, the event is taking place
at the JCC's Levinson Hall.
Have a great Shabbos,
Dan Kraut
CEO
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EARLY CHILDHOOD PARENTS:
Please join Barbara Chotiner and Michel Batch (PATHS* Coordinator), for coffee and conversation on Thursday, November 17 at the Hillel Academy Library from 8:00 am - 10:00 am
R.S.V.P by calling 412-521 -8131 ext 216
*Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies
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The Hillel Minute is Under Maintenance.
Pardon the disruption.
Thank you for your patience.
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Parents, please notify the office and teachers of any early dismissals as far in advance as possible.
Thanks.
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Nursery Enjoys the Letter E
Morah Devorah and Morah Leah
This week, Nursery students learned about the letter E. We
discovered that E is for Eitz (tree) which we learned about in the Parsha, Easel Painting, Eggs, which we cooked, matched, and counted, Elephant chain we used to spell our names, Exit (we practiced a Fire Drill), Ezra, our friend in Nursery, and of course an Excellent week in Nursery A and B!
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While Exploring, we realized that it might be time for a new prescription.
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We are looking for at least one new talis for our shul. Call the office if you can help.
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Chol HaMoed Programs = Whole Lot of Fun
Over Chol Hamoed Sukkot, various educational and enjoyable programs took place in the Middle School, and Boys and Girls High schools. Each program was a complete success. In addition to a special learning program for the Boys High School that took place every morning after Shacharit with Rabbi Trachtman, the boys also had a Simchat Beit HaShoeva in the Hillel Academy Sukkah, and a Tikun leil Hoshana Rabbah with Rabbi Smith and Rabbi Trachtman. Similarly, the Girls High School had a Simchat Beit HaShoeva at the home of Mrs. Levari. Like their older counterparts, the Middle School Girls and Boys had their own sukkah parties. While each Simchat Beit HaShoeva possessed elements such as divrei torah and extremely intense games of zap zorch macfigliano, each division's program was unique. The Boys High School sang, the Girls High School learned Torah, the Middle School Boys played basketball, and the Middle School Girls built candy sukkas. Overall, each party was fun and spiritually uplifting. Personally, I feel very lucky to have been a part of each one.
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Roll of Thunder Hear My Cereal, Huh?
Is your breakfast lacking Cassie-um? Have you tried anything from the makers of Joyful O's? These questions begin to make sense once you know that Ms. Clay's Seventh Grade English class recently completed reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. As a final project, students created cereal box book reports. The final projects have games on the back of the boxes, nutritional information, ingredients, reviews, summaries, and even a prize inside! Some of the boxes are on display in the Hillel Academy Library. During your next visit to Hillel, you should definitely check out the hard work and creativity of Hillel's Seventh Graders!
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Boaz Bachrach - Sixth Grade
In an intense match up, the Vipers played The Beasties. The Vipers were down a player, and the Beastie's captain, Nathan Cohen, played with a pectoral injury. The Vipers scored three straight goals. The Beasties scored a goal to try to catch up. It looked like the game was over when Natan Kelsey scored to make it 4-1. But, everything went downhill for the Vipers. First Natan got hurt. Then Yaacov Brown got hurt. Nathan Cohen then scored a goal, followed by Yeruchom Kagan. Moshe Dovid Luzer scored the game tying goal. With 40 seconds left in the game, Nathan gave a pass to Moshe, who shot it on a one-timer and scored! The three stars of the game were, Nathan Cohen, Moshe Dovid Luzer, and Akiva Skaist.
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During a recent trip to Cambodia (yes, that's right), Hillel Academy English guru Mrs. Susan Finder brought the essentials: vaccines, potable water, and a stylish Hillel Academy t-shirt. Though we have not yet heard from the locals, we are confident that the sight of Hillel Gear has brought joy to many throughout the land. Way to go Mrs. Finder!
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How breathtaking! How surreal!
And to think that a picture could capture the tradition, majesty, richness, and beauty...
of an awesome Hillel t-shirt.
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Hey, Hillel Happenings readers, we all know that Hillel nation extends well beyond Squirrel Hill. So here's our chance to prove it. Send a picture of yourself in Hillel gear (uniform, t-shirt, etc.) to hillelhappenings@hillelpgh.org, and each week we'll select the best picture for inclusion in the Hillel Happenings. |
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Within this section of the Hillel Happenings, you'll find brief updates regarding Hillel Academy. These updates all have GRAVITAS. Apples for the Students
$1.1 million dollars in educational awards are available from Giant Eagle. From October 1, 2011 through March 17, 2012, you can earn points for Hillel Academy by registering your Giant Eagle Advantage Card and shopping at Giant Eagle, Giant Eagle Market District, Giant Eagle Express, and GetGo. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-474-4777. Now is the Time The time is now to support the Hillel Academy Athletics Department. We are putting a wind-up clock in a locked box. At some point, the clock will stop. If you pick the time that the clock stops, you will win your choice of either a complete set of the Schottenstein Daf Yomi Edition of Talmud Bavli or $720 cash. Contact the office at 412-521-8131 or dkraut@hillelpgh.org to learn more. |
Parents, please call the office by 8am if your child(ren) will be absent or late. Thanks.
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The Hillel Minute
With each section of the Hillel Happenings, we try to convey the excitement and energy that fills the classrooms and hallways of Hillel Academy. While we all know that Hillel Academy is the greatest school in the world, there are certain aspects of Hillel Academy that are largely unknown. In this section, titled "The Hillel Minute," we present a minute long video dedicated to a particular aspect of Hillel Academy. The objective of "The Hillel Minute" is to provide our readers/viewers an opportunity to enjoyably learn more about one component of Hillel Academy. If you would like to see something featured in an upcoming "Hillel Minute," please email hillelhappenings@hillelpgh.org
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The Hillel Minute is
Under Construction.
Don't cry. All of the previous ones are still here.
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Hillel Academy Library is now accepting volunteers for the 2011-2012 school year.
No previous experience necessary.
Please respond to the school office for more details - (412) 521-8131.
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Reminder
Please remember that if your normal dismissal arrangements change, please notify the office by noon of that day, by phone or email.
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Hillel Academy Dinner Video 2011
Originally airing at the 64th Annual Hillel Academy Dinner, which honored Dr. Robert and Mrs. Lillian Brent for ensuring the future of the Boys High School, this video demonstrates how Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, an Orthodox Jewish Day School, is at the forefront of the battle against intermarriage, instills its students with a love of Torah, and ensures a future for the Jewish people. Watch the video that captivated a dinner by reminding people that Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, with its Jewish Day School education, is the guarantor of a successful Jewish future.
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Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh:
A Blueprint for a Jewish Life
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