Hillel Academy

of Pittsburgh

5685 Beacon Street

Pittsburgh, PA

15217

P: (412) 521-8131

F: (412) 521-5150

www.hillelpgh.org

December 2, 2011

6 Kislev 5771

Candle Lighting: 4:36 pm

Havdalah: 5:36 pm

 Parshat Vayeitzei

More Reminders  

U turns in front of the school building are a No No and potentially very dangerous. 

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. 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. 

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

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

Mrs. Chevi Rubin

 Administrative Assistant to the Principal

crubin@hillelpgh.org

Additional contact info for faculty and staff available by clicking here

Dvar Torah

Dear Hillel Academy Parents and Friends, 

More Thanks and Food

Morah Chana - hdorsey@hillelpgh.org

We have been working on a Hakaras HaTov unit which is part of our Middos Program. We are doing activities each week that have to do with expressing our thanks. Last Monday, November 21, we had a special lunch for people who work at Hillel and help us in many ways. We appreciate all they do for us and it was our way of expressing gratitude. The students in grades 1-6 participated in this activity. The first and second graders sang "thank you" songs, grades 3 and 4 made centerpieces, the fifth and sixth grade boys read quotations about saying "thank you," and the fifth and sixth grade girls served the delicious lunch. It was a very special and meaningful day.

Everyone at Hillel Academy is thankful. Did you know that Hillel Academy is Pittsburgh's Fastest Growing Jewish Day School?

The award winning Hillel Herald is available by clicking here. This newspaper is written by students at Hillel Academy's Boys High School. See for yourself why Hillel Academy students are the brightest people in the world. 

It's a really good newspaper, click here to read it.

Within this section of the Hillel Happenings, you'll find brief updates regarding Hillel Academy. These updates all have GRAVITAS. 

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. 

No need for cable news, this week, readers of the Hillel Happenings can enjoy an exclusive interview with Mr. Cain (Hillel Academy's Mr. Cain). Arriving this year, Mr. Adam Cain has introduced a spirit of excitement and energy into the Hillel Academy Physical Education Department. While Mr. Cain's Physical Education classes have resulted in much enjoyment from Hillel Academy students, we are hoping that he will ultimately be receptive to our simple request: membership in the USAPA (United States of America Pickleball Association). The USAPA is the largest Pickleball community in the world. What better way to showcase Hillel Academy's athletic abilities than with a net, wiffle ball, and quasi-ping pong paddle? Join us in our quest for membership in this exclusive group, or don't join us; either way, we encourage you to read this week's interview. For the benefit of our readers, excerpts are provided below. 

HH: Mr. Cain, thank you so much for meeting with us. We'd like to begin by discovering what interests you in physical education?

Mr. Cain: Physical Education has always been something that I've enjoyed. From the time I was in grade school, I was passionate about sports and fitness. A lot of what I teach in class today is modeled from my former teacher at Carmalt Elementary, Mr. John Weaver. He had a way of integrating health subjects into his physical education lessons that helped make the connection of why physical activity is vital to our health and how it's beneficial to our bodies. As a teacher, I find it very rewarding to see a student progress in the different areas of physical education and hope to make an impact that results in lifelong learning and fitness.

 

HH: Wow, that's great. What's on the intramural docket once hockey is finished?
 

Mr. Cain: Nothing is finalized at this point, but I am leaning toward soccer or the possibility of volleyball since the winter months are upon us.
 

HH: Hillel Academy is Pittsburgh's fastest growing Jewish Day School. Why do you think that is?
 

Mr. Cain: I think that Hillel Academy is growing as fast as it is because of the commitment from the teachers, staff, parents, and community. It's refreshing to see so many people involved on various levels such as administration, academics, clubs, sporting teams, and volunteers for other school events and functions.
 

HH: Right, but we want to keep growing. Which local business would you like to see sponsor our Athletic Department?
 

Mr. Cain: The JCC. 
 

HH: The Olympics has featured numerous events that have been cancelled over the years. Which of the following would you rather bring back: Solo Synchronized Swimming (canceled, 1992); Pistol Dueling (canceled, 1906); or Poodle Clipping (canceled, 1900)?
 

Mr. Cain: Of the choices listed, I would have to bring back solo synchronized swimming. As a former lifeguard, water safety instructor, and swim coach, I have a great respect for how difficult an event like solo synchronized swimming would be to do.
 

HH: Every discipline has its faults. What's wrong with Physical Education?
 

Mr. Cain: One fault of physical education is that many teachers still focus too much on skill related activities over fitness related activities. While I find that it's important to learn the skills and critical elements of traditional sports, it's more beneficial to keep kids moving in class. Fitness related activities combine both areas of physical education by modifying lessons and games to keep heart rates elevated. Students should be assessed on participation and progress rather than with an absolute number, such as how many points can you score. I like to focus on improvement of skills, rather than a set mark.
 

HH: Sometimes animals sound like sports; for instance, a woodpecker sounds like a competitive game of ping pong. What sport does a monkey sound like?
 

Mr. Cain: Women's Tennis.
 

HH: Would you rather compete in the Great Pierogie Race or a life-size version of Pac-Man?
 

Mr. Cain: Pac-Man is tempting, but it would be great to beat Jalapeño Hannah, Cheese Chester, Sauerkraut Saul, and Oliver Onion in front of thousands of screaming fans at PNC Park!  
 

HH: What's a must read for every sports lover?
 

Mr. Cain: The Blind Side by Michael Lewis.
 

HH: Squirrel Hill Trivia (because our readers love this stuff): What can you find in the Rite Aid parking lot?
 

Mr. Cain: Cars and empty parking spaces?

Nope, you're not seeing double. Thanks to Picture People, Hillel Academy faculty and staff received two school photos on one piece of paper. Wow, two photos, one amazing school. Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh is America's Greatest Jewish Day School.

 

On a recent Sunday in Pittsburgh, Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh Boys High School student Jordy Kraut traveled to a clock tower at precisely 10:04 pm, waited for a bolt of lightening to strike, harnessed it, and channeled it into the flux capacitor of a DeLorean. More impressively, he did this all while wearing a trendy Hillel Academy kippah and holding up a sporty Hillel Academy magnet. Way to go Jordy!   

Great Scott! How will he find a power source capable of generating 1.21 gigawatts of electricity?

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.

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. 

Flashback Fridays

Hey readers, let the Hillel Happenings take you back to a previous time when glasses were thick, collars were crazy, and everyone looked super groovy. If you can name all of the people in this picture, we'll print your name in the next Hillel Happenings. Email us at hillelhappenings@hillelpgh.org with your guesses.

Reminder