AGNON CELEBRATES MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

To celebrate Martin Luther King Day, Agnon students (Grades 3 - 8) attended a special educational assembly on January 17 featuring Bishop Eugene W. Ward, Jr. -- Executive Pastor and CEO of the Greater Love Missionary / Full Gospel Baptist Church.  A leader in the Cleveland African-American community and deeply touched by the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Bishop Ward is also engaged in Cleveland politics and attended the inauguration of President Obama.  He spoke to the students about civil rights.

AGNON EARLY CHILDHOOD ART SHOW

On January 27, Agnon's Early Childhood Division held an engaging art show featuring a variety of student artwork for their families and friends to view.  This special event was attended by 64 adults and 57 children from 33 families.  Everyone who joined this lively program also created festive hats and participated in several other art projects.  In addition, everybody enjoyed making ice cream sundaes.  

FACULTY FOCUS:  MARK WISEMAN

Mark Wiseman began teaching Middle School Tanach to 7th and 8th graders at Agnon this school year.  He also lends Hebrew and Tanach support to Agnon's elementary school students, in addition to coaching Agnon's Boys' Middle School Basketball teams. 

According to Mark, he takes a constructivist approach to teaching.  "I try to prepare lessons that are relevant and touch on current situations.  My message is that people in the Bible were, in more ways than not, just like us, and we can learn from their experiences," Mark commented.

With a Masters in Jewish Education from McGill University in Montreal, Mark also earned a BA from Baruch College in New York and a Coaching Certificate from the Israeli Board of Education and Sports.  He taught Rabbinics at the Solomon Schechter Middle School in Long Island and Hebrew as well as Tanach at the Akiva Hebrew Day School in Detroit.  Mark also coached college basketball at Pace University in New York City for five seasons.

Originally from Montreal, Mark currently resides in Shaker Heights.  He also lived in Israel for six years and served in the Israeli Defense Forces Reserves. While in Israel, Mark lived on a Kibbutz in the northern Galil for four years.

When not at work, Mark enjoys jogging, playing basketball and visiting new places.  In addition, he likes reading midrashic literature and has a modest, but growing, collection of Judaic books from Poland and Russia.  During the summer months, he acts as an administrator at summer camps -- most recently working at Camp Seneca Lake in Pennsylvania as the Athletic Director.

Favorite Food:  Steak, hamburgers, falafel and shwarmah

Favorite Book:  A Separate Peace by John Knowles

Favorite Film:  Sleeper, a Woody Allen film

Favorite TV Show:  Shameless on Showtime

Favorite Music: 70's Rock, Shlomo Artzi and Yehuda Poliker

A CELEBRATION OF LEARNING

Agnon parents recently attended the school's annual Celebration of Learning.  This lively program showcases the school's integrated approach to education, one that blends outstanding general academics with Jewish history, language, culture and values. 

 In every classroom and throughout the hallways, students in Kindergarten - 8th grade demonstrated their knowledge, skills and achievements.  Agnon was filled with art, music, math, science, social studies, essays, poetry, food, dancing, Hebrew, tanach, theater and technology.  

Visitors were able to observe all of the learning that takes place in every grade on a daily basis as well as preview educational programs to come.   

AGNON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS SEND LETTERS TO SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FAMILIES

After discussing the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Agnon Middle School students in 6th - 8th grades wrote letters of condolence to the families of the victims.  These letters were then mailed to Rabbi Shaul Praver of Congregation Adath Israel in Newtown, Connecticut, for distribution.

The following are some of excerpts from these student letters:

We hope that someday soon, you will be able to see the sunshine after all these days of rain.

Most of all, we hope that this tragedy, this terrible stopping point, does not stop you from moving on.

We will pray for you and all of the other families that were touched by this terrible tragedy.

We hope that your children stay in your hearts forever.

"These letters were truly heartfelt," said Dina Rock, an Agnon 6th grade social studies teacher.  "We teach our students that it is important to have empathy and equally important to act on it.  This is tikkun olam - or repairing the world - at its best."