As the remainder of our students trickled out of Hillel Academy last week, I could not help but be overwhelmed by a sense of excitement for the year that awaits us. This past summer, our dedicated faculty and staff worked tirelessly to ensure that the school year was ready to start without any hiccups or glitches. Sure enough, at 8:00 AM Wednesday morning, the halls were filled with the sounds of tefilah, learning, and joy. The excitement grew as the day progressed, and the positive energy was palpable during the first day of school, programming and orientations.

This was a very difficult summer for Am Yisroel. When we ended school last year, we had only just heard of the kidnapping of Elad, Gil-Ad, and Naftali z''l. The war in Gaza, where close to seventy Israeli soldiers would lose their lives, had not begun. And blatant antisemitism was thought of to be a thing of the past. This past summer has been one that left many of us glued to the news wondering what we could do to help and how we could make a difference. We participated in an incredible community rally for Israel, and hosted our own children's rally where students were able to write letters, make care packages, and design a gift for a hospital in Ahskelon. (See photos of Mr. Kraut delivering our sign to the hospital, and read the incredible story of how the Knoll's letter ended up in the hands of their cousin). This year we will continue with Israel awareness programs and Israel advocacy programs in all of our divisions. While it is very hard to be in America during these times of crises, we must use this as an educational opportunity and show support for our brothers and sisters in Israel.

In this week's Parasha we read about the Mitzva of hashavat aveidah- returning lost objects.  Interestingly, this Mitzva actually counts as two of the Torah's 613 commandments. It contains the positive imperative, "You must take it back to your fellow" (22:1), as well as a negative prohibition, "Lo tukhal le-hit'alem, You must not remain indifferent" (22:3).  Commentators are puzzled by the expression "lo tukhal le-hit'alem," which is literally translated as, "You cannot remain indifferent," as opposed to the expected wording, "You must not remain indifferent." "Lo tukhal" suggests that one literally does not have the ability to overlook his fellow's lost object. Rav Moshe Alshich suggests that "Lo tukhal le-hit'alem" alludes to the ultimate function this Mitzva is to serve: the Torah seeks to bring a person to the point where he treats the property of others with the same concern and vigilance as he does his own possessions. Though at first a person might return a lost item only due to the Torah obligation, ultimately, he should reach the point where he simply cannot ignore and overlook the crisis of his fellow. He literally "cannot remain indifferent" to the circumstances of his friend.

This idea mirrors our goal as educators. Children are taught at a very young age to perform certain actions, not necessarily because they understand their importance, but simply because we tell them to. While this is an important stage, it should only be the beginning stage of their development. The hope is that through their devotion to the rules, eventually they will begin to understand the beauty and reasons behind what they are doing. Ultimately, they too will be "lo tukhal le-hit'alem"- unable to remain indifferent. 

This year we will reboot our Better LYFE (Love Your Friend forEver) initiative. In this program, we will attempt to improve our interpersonal Mitzvot. We will focus on the positive traits of achdut (unity), arvut  (mutual responsibility), hashba'ah (peer pressure), and redifut shalom (conflict resolution). Through various programs, contests, and a new advisory program that is being instituted in K-12, our students will incorporate this idea of "lo tukhal le-hit'alem"- unable to remain indifferent. 

With G-d's help, this will undoubtedly be an incredible school year. On behalf of the entire Hillel administration, faculty, and staff, I would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to help educate your children. 

Shabbat Shalom,

 RSW

• First Day of School Slideshow

  First Day Aug. 2014 Video

• Meet the Teachers Night, K-12 - Wednesday, September 10 at 7:30pm.
• Please it is dangerous for our students, No U turns in front of school.
• Infant and 1's parking along the building
• Please remain in your car during the car dismissal line for 4pm dismissal M-Th and Friday at 2:15pm
• All mini clubs begin next week, full clubs will be sent out mid-September and begin after Sukkot
• We are a peanut free school
• Check our online calendar for Yom Tov/days off schedule
• School Webiste 
• Facebook Page