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Donna Klein Jewish Academy
April 8, 2016 -29 Adar II 5776
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BE SURE TO CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE!
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Dear DKJA Community,
WAIT FOR IT... I always look forward to "a big reveal." So this week, I really enjoyed participating in the build up, complete with daily riddles and clues, to announcing the name of the 2016-17 drama production. During K-8 morning announcements, and via text messages to Claire and Emanuel G. Rosenblatt High School students and parents, "clues" were communicated...and the guessing began. I am pleased to "reveal" that the very talented singers and actors of DKJA, under the guidance of Mrs. Zoraida Adams, will be presenting The Addams Family next year!
HISTORICAL MOMENT ON CAMPUS
We have so many wonderful activities and events occurring daily at our school and on the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County's campus, it's often difficult to choose which of them to highlight. This week was no exception. Because DKJA and the Federation are so committed to the support of Israel, it was imperative that I focus upon a very significant event that took place on Wednesday of this week. On that day, Governor Rick Scott visited the campus and ceremonially signed a bill into law that prohibits the State of Florida from investing in companies that boycott Israel. The hope is that other states will follow with similar legislation. (The bill was officially signed into law on Thursday, March 10, 2016).  |
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At the event, Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera; Lior Haiat, the new Consul General of Israel to Florida & Puerto Rico; Matthew C. Levin, Federation President & CEO; and bipartisan elected officials, spoke. Many community leaders were present, and I was honored to be among the invited guests. DKJA was privileged to have the opportunity to share the significant moment with six Rosenblatt High School students who were selected to attend because they have consistently demonstrated interest in politics and engaged in the political discourse that takes place both inside and outside of the classroom: Joseph Zilonka, Sarah Haar (pictured), Jordan Nakdimon, Eli Grabelsky, Asher Gritz and Andrew Behmoiras.
Click here to see a video clip. Credit: Sun-Sentinel.com.
Please take a moment to read the remaining articles in this content-rich issue of the HaShavua. It was a very exciting week.
Shabbat Shalom,
Helena Levine
Head of School
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MAZEL TOV, DERECH ERETZ WINNERS
Congratulations to the Derech Eretz winners for January, February and March. These students were honored as students of the month, respectively, for outstanding character and acts of kindness toward fellow students. Kol Hakavod to Adina Hakim (January), Daniel Farkas (February) and Jordyn Schmidt (March).
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GROM SOCIAL VISITS DKJA
Middle School students had the opportunity to hear a presentation from Zach Marks, creator of Grom Social, on Thursday. Grom Social is a highly interactive social media platform, created "by kids for kids." After being banned from Facebook twice by his parents for being underage, Zach Marks envisioned creating a great social media alternative for kids. At age 12, Zach, along with his brothers and sister, developed the platform and brought his vision to life. To do so, Zach began creating a safe, educational and "fun" social media website, Grom Social, for children and teens between the ages of 5-16 ( www.gromsocial.com) Zach's family, his friends, and individuals from all walks of life have rallied around the concept of Grom with great enthusiasm. What began as a family endeavor, in a short three-year span, has grown into an international sensation. Grom has approximately 3 million users in over 200 countries and territories. Grom's strength is to provide original content for kids with major media partners in a safe, educational, fun and highly interactive environment, while promoting responsibility. What makes Grom further unique is that it follows COPPA guidelines (Children's Online Privacy Protections Act) and provides 24/7 monitoring as well as other safety features, including "bad word monitoring." Grom promotes online safety, social netiquette and anti-bullying and good digital citizenship in a safe environment. Zach and company CEO Darren Marks also spoke with Rosenblatt High School students about what is involved with taking a concept and building it into a successful business. This was a great session for students interested in business to learn from a family that has turned an idea into a company that is currently being valued at $60 million (pre-IPO).
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Congratulations to the Rosenblatt High School Moot Beit Din Team, which placed second at Sunday's competition held in West Palm Beach. This competition brought together teams from 29 schools across North America to argue a case on medical ethics based on Jewish legal sources. Mazel tov to Asher Gritz, Abe Waserstein, Dana Lipson, Macayla Gritz and Yaffa Englander.
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KEHILLAH - COMMUNITY - PLEASE JOIN THE DAILY MINYAN
On Thursday, several DKJA parents who regularly attend our daily parents' minyan, led by
Rabbi in Residence Baruch Plotkin, took part in a service that included the naming of Lacy Jerome, the daughter of teacher Mr. Jason Jerome. Sadly, Lacy (Leah) has experienced health challenges for sometime, which led to surgery and a long hospital stay. Lacy is recovering, she smiles and communicates, no longer looking tired and weary.
Names are very significant in Judaism. Every Hebrew name has a meaning. Your name has influence on you, and it can have a profound impact on your character, and in the way one handles his/her life, notes Principal of Lower School Judaic Studies Mrs. Yafa Levit.
"At birth, Lacy was given a Hebrew name Leah, named after one of our four foremothers. Leah is described in the Torah as having tender eyes, and her name signified weariness," said Mrs. Yafa Levit. "In Judaism, our rabbis teach us that changing one's name can create a change of fortune. If someone is ill, it is believed that changing his or her name will change their fate."
Lacy was re-named, Chavah Shayndel. G-d named the first woman Chavah, and the name Chavah embodies both the essence of life and the creative ability to grant life to others. Shayndel in Yiddish means beautiful. We all pray and wish Lacy, Chavah Shayndel, a healthy and beautiful life.
This was a moving ceremony, as after Lacy was given her Hebrew name, a special healing prayer was said incorporating her name for the first time in that prayer.
"This is the importance of having community tefillah...to be there for one another, for our joyful times, and in challenging times. For me, this was a true expression of the genuine kindness of our Jewish community at Donna Klein Jewish Community," said Rabbi Plotkin.
Rabbi Plotkin encourages all parents and members of the DKJA community to participate in the daily minyan, and to join the Park and Learn program on Fridays. More information about these programs is listed below in the newsletter.
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DKJA STUDENTS, STAFF, FACULTY COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT JEROME FAMILY
On Tuesday, S tudents, faculty and staff were encouraged to "dress down" and donate $1, for the Jerome family. In true DKJA style, the entire school community went above and beyond what was anticipated. In addition to this program organized by the Sunshine Committee, raising over $3400 for the family, student leaders took on additional projects. The Middle School Student Government will donate half of the proceeds from after-school snack sales to the Jerome family. Student Hannah Klein (pictured) organized a mobile snack cart for sales after school in Dedication Plaza. All proceeds will go to Mr. Jerome's family. Kol Hakavod!
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Head of School Helena Levine; Mr. Jason Jerome; Leadership Committee Members Jordan Greenbaum, Jessica Ostrow, Chloe Field and Romy Hurwitz; Middle School Lighthouse Advisor Mrs. Sydney Siegel; and Sunshine Committee Chair Ms. Julie Eden at the check presentation to Mr. Jerome.
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 NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
LEGACY PROGRAM
We Are Inspired!
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Jewish tradition teaches us one of our key responsibilities is to make the world a better place for future generations. DKJA is one of the inaugural partners for Create a Jewish Legacy, a community-wide initiative of the Jacobson Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
Our commitment to this program for the first year was to secure a minimum of 18 Letters of Intent. We are proud to announce that we exceeded our goal with 25 commitments, thanks to the support and generosity of our Board of Trustees, community, parents and staff. As a result of our hard work, the Foundation donated $10,000 to DKJA. How proud are we! As we roll out our Legacy Program to our community, please be on the lookout for more information about this incredible initiative. Legacy Gifts help to ensure that DKJA will exist for generations to come.
Although your Legacy Gift is for tomorrow, our All In Campaign is for today. Both of these gifts are equally important and there are a variety of ways to make a difference. For more information on either of these programs, please contact Sharon Kamber, Associate Head of School for Institutional Advancement at kambers@dkja.net, or Scott Ball, Director of Development, at scottb@dkja.net.
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PARK & LEARN & MINYAN PARENTS WELCOME!
Parents are invited to explore how Torah connects to our everyday life, and makes our lives more spiritual and more meaningful, at Park & Learn. It provides an understanding of what is inspiring our children. Park and Learn takes place every Friday morning (when school is in session) from 7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. in the MAC. Click here for details.
Parents and loved ones are also invited to the DKJA Minyan, Monday through Thursday mornings after drop-off, from 7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. in the MAC. Click here for details.
Both programs are led by Rabbi In Residence Baruch Plotkin.
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HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE; DVDs CAN BE PRE-ORDERED
Professional photos of the drama production High School Musical are available. Downloads are $10. Both performances are included. Click here for the link. The password is dkjamusical (all lower case).
Click here to order your DVD of the performance. Performances are this Saturday night (8 p.m.) and Sunday afternoon (1 p.m.)
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IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
School Closings/Holidays/Early Dismissals for
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