Dear Hillel Family, 

Parashat Nitzavim continues with Moshe Rabbenu's final speech to Bnei Yisroel. After describing the rewards that will come to Bnei Yisroel if they follow the path of G-d, the verse states,

 "  יא כִּיהַמִּצְוָה הַזֹּאת, אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם--לֹא-נִפְלֵאת הִוא מִמְּךָ, וְלֹא רְחֹקָה הִוא.  יב לֹא בַשָּׁמַיִם, הִוא: לֵאמֹר, מִייַעֲלֶה-לָּנוּ הַשָּׁמַיְמָה וְיִקָּחֶהָלָּנוּ, וְיַשְׁמִעֵנוּ אֹתָהּ, וְנַעֲשֶׂנָּה.  יג וְלֹא-מֵעֵבֶרלַיָּם, הִוא: לֵאמֹר, מִייַעֲבָר-לָנוּאֶל-עֵבֶר הַיָּם וְיִקָּחֶהָ לָּנוּ, וְיַשְׁמִעֵנוּ אֹתָהּ, וְנַעֲשֶׂנָּה.  יד כִּי-קָרוֹב אֵלֶיךָ הַדָּבָר, מְאֹד: בְּפִיךָ וּבִלְבָבְךָ, לַעֲשֹׂתוֹ.      

 This very moving and poetic verse is most simply understood to mean that we all have the ability to acquire the crown of Torah. However, the Ramban explains that this verse specifically refers to the 

 At school this is something we see every day. At Hillel, we are lucky to see our students grow from toddlers or even infants into adults. The innocence and tenderness of small children is something that is unique and spectacular.  As they grow, their innate goodness never leaves. Even when we are jaded, sometimes cynical adults, our inherent goodness is still there.  As Rosh Hashana approaches, it is important that we journey inwards to find that inner goodness that we know is there. 

May this year be a year of blessings for our entire community. Shanah Tovah.

Daniella Appel is this week's alumni feature. You may know her better as Daniella Kanal. She is one of six children, all of whom graced the halls of Hillel Academy. Can you name them all? Daniella and her husband live in Chicago with their daughter.  It is hard, she says, but she stays faithful to her black and gold, even though her husband has tried to cure her. One time she wore a Ward jersey to a Bears vs. Steelers game in Chicago and lived to tell the tale. For the benefit of our readers, the interview is included in its entirety below. Enjoy! 

When did you attend Hillel Academy? 1989-2004

Share a favorite memory or two with our readers? When I was in 6th grade, Fayth Aronson, z"l, and I would stay after school with Mrs. Russell to get help on our homework and she would give us licorice. In high school, we used to go on retreats with Mrs. Milch and Mrs. Langsner and they were always so much fun!

How do you earn living? I am a luthier and piano teacher.

How did Hillel Academy prepare you for the future? Hillel taught me to never give up and follow my dreams.

Share some info about your family. Zach, my husband, is a special education teacher and we have a 22-month-old daughter named Emma.

What do you do in your free time? I play piano, go to the gym and do fun activities with my family.

What was your favorite class? Gym

Did you have a favorite teacher? Who was it and why? Mrs. Milch: she created a connection with her students and always made me feel important, special, and that she would do anything to help me learn. 

 Ms. Stephanie Wontrop is this week's Teacher Feature. Even though she is on staff and a great teacher, we were hesitant to interview her because she is a Ravens fan. She asked if we minded if she put a Ravens banner in her room. We held firm and told Ms. Wontrop she would need to look for a new job. We do want to congratulate her on the O's winning their division. For the benefit of our readers, the interview can be read in its entirety below. Enjoy! 

How did you find Hillel Academy? I actually found Hillel through lots of Google magic. I was searching the internet for various teaching opportunities and I found this gem.

What do you teach? I teach 6th grade English/Language Arts.

What's your favorite book to teach? I love To Kill A Mockingbird. It has a powerful message that extends to so many aspects of life.

You went to Duquesne for undergrad and CMU for grad school.  What is it like being on campus and not being a computer science or robotics major? Duquesne is a great school with an uncommon campus and environment. I loved the small class sizes and the one-on-one work with professors. These intimate classes helped to create many relationships that I still have today. I say its campus is uncommon because it's very green and almost secluded on the Bluff, creating a comfortable, separated campus environment while still being centrally located downtown and close to unique cultural areas. CMU is in a league of its own. Many students call it a "stress environment" because of the rigorous programs and the pressure they feel from all their courses. It was certainly an experience being in the heart of that "stress environment" and, at that, being in a humanities program at a school praised for its technological research. It's almost a little known fact that CMU's drama and humanities programs are actually ranked highly nationwide. It was another unique environment that I was fortunate enough to experience.

How has Hillel exceeded your expectations? The staff, faculty, and students at Hillel have been more than welcoming, kind, helpful, and supportive. I love that everyone offers genuine assistance and guidance and how friendly the students are, including those I don't even teach! Hillel fosters a nurturing environment for its students and faculty alike in which everyone is encouraged to succeed.

What are your thoughts from Meet the Teacher Night? Meet the Teacher night was a bit overwhelming, but in a good way. Discussing class goals for the year, expectations, and addressing questions in a New York minute is a true test of effectively and efficiently communicating information! I'm excited that parents had many questions about their students' goals and work for the year and look forward to building and maintaining strong relationships with them in ensuring every student's success.

Now that our remodeling is about to become public knowledge, can you offer an idea or two for the BHS? A nice little lounge/rest area for those poor teachers who have to run back and forth between school campuses? Maybe?

 What do you do in your spare time? I'm an English teacher, so it should come as no surprise that I read! I also enjoy being active outside, exercising in a variety of ways, going to sports games, baking, watching movies (Netflix is great for binge watching TV shows too), going to concerts, shopping for fun accessories and shoes, and photography.

The Exchange or Heinz Cafe? The Exchange.

McCutchen or Jhay? Adam Jones. Orioles. All day every day. 

Submarine or Carrier? Say what? Is this like soda or pop? Soda...maybe...

Harry Potter or Shakespeare? I'm a Harry Potter nerd. Always.

Who is the most interesting contact in your phone? My Grandma Rita. She's absolutely crazy (gee, wonder where I get it from?) and always has a good story!