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Donna Klein Jewish Academy
April 15, 2016 - 7 Nisan 5776
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When we sit down at our seders in the upcoming weeks, we will reflect on our ancestors' journey out of Egypt, and the story of the Exodus. Passover is a time of gathering together to share special moments and welcome loved ones, friends and family into our homes.
The word for Passover in Hebrew, Pesach, can be described as the combination of two words: "Pe" and "Sach," which together mean "Mouth Tells." In fact, that is why we "tell" the Haggadah, which describes the redemption of the People of Israel from Egypt. Throughout the past week on our campus, model seders took place in preparation for the upcoming family seders that many our students will soon proudly lead. Tradition is such an important part of Judaism.
Included in the Passover tradition is recognizing that we are a community, and that keeping traditions alive through the generations is imperative. On our campus, we are blessed to have many opportunities through which our students are able to interact with, and enrich the lives of, the senior community. Residents of Gould House and Weinberg House wait with great anticipation for the annual Passover seders that are hosted for them, since many of them have no family nearby. They cherish the companionship of our students.
Yesterday, Community Service Coordinator Dr. Yoram Dahav (pictured) was honored by
Sharkey and Associates, which manages HUD housing for Gould House and Weinberg House, for conducting seders there for the past 15 years, as well as at Ruth and Norman Rales Jewish Family Services. What an amazing honor! Kol Hakavod!
This week, we enjoyed so many wonderful events and activities at DKJA, including Middle School Spirit Week (culminating in the Middle School Dance), prom for Claire and Emanuel G. Rosenblatt High School students, and an OUTSTANDING concert by our string orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Gustavo Correa.
In addition to these accolades, I am proud to share with you that DKJA's 2015 yearbook received an honorable mention from Balfour's annual Yearbook Yearbook, ranking in the
top 13% of all yearbooks produced by the company!
Finally, our school is pleased to have officially extended a warm welcome to our newly announced Director of Judaic Studies K-8, Mrs. Jill Spielman Shoshany. We look forward to her joining us for the 2016-17 academic year.
In closing, I would like to wish you and your family a Happy Passover and a safe and enjoyable Spring Break.
Shabbat Shalom,
Helena Levine
Head of School
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EIGHTH-GRADERS PREPARE FOR ISRAEL TRIP IN A SPECIAL WAY
By Morah Sammy Chukran-Lontok, Director of Hebrew & Judaic Studies, Grades 6-8 and Director of Hebrew Studies, Grades 9-12
On Tu B'shvat, eighth-graders worked together to plant lavender and lemon grass in the school garden. Weeks later, they gathered up the plants and soaked them in olive oil. When they were were finished soaking, Morah Tiki Magril cooked the oil mixture with wax to create lip balm. Then, all of the students helped to put the lip balm into small containers. They packaged everything and are planning to take our organic lip balm with them to Israel to give the students of Kiryat Bialik Dafa School as a gift.
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NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
The Office of Institutional Advancement wishes you a joyous and meaningful Passover. What we do today will have great impact on the future of all of our children and grandchildren for generations to come. Please help us fill Elijah's Cup and reach our All In Annual Fund goal with your generous gift! CLICK HERE to make your donation. Please reference the listing of upcoming events, including the Annual Meetng and the June Business and Networking Group (BANG) event. Click here.
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COMMEMORATION OF IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES...
DKJA will commemorate and celebrate important days in May as follows: Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) - Thursday, May 5th at 10 a.m. in Zinman Hall. Middle School and Claire and Emanuel G. Rosenblatt High School students will lead this ceremony. Yom HaZikaron (Israel Memorial Day) Wednesday, May 11th at 8:50 a.m. in Zinman Hall. Seventh-grade students and members of the Rosenblatt High School Hebrew Honor Society will lead this ceremony. Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day) Thursday, May 12th. Students we will celebrate Israel's 68th Independence and Innovation Day from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in Zinman Hall and the MAC. Sixth and seventh-grade students will share Israel's innovations and culture with the Lower School students and guests.
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MEET THE MASTER ARTISTICALLY INSPIRES STUDENTS
DKJA's Meet the Masters program continues to artistically inspire our students. The Meet the Masters parent volunteer team of Mr. Ari Hirschman, art history researcher and professional sculptor, and Dr. Suzanne Khalil, professional artist and lecturer, regularly shares their expertise with students and parents during their docent training sessions and educational visits.
The team is an amazing asset to DKJA's art program. During one of teacher Lynn Goldman's recent eighth-grade classes, docent Mr. Hirschman made the study of artist Alberto Giacometti come alive. Students participated in a demonstration of how sculptures are cast, including the making of the plaster and using molds. Students left their class with a sample of the work produced - a small plaster head. It was a fun experience that allowed students to become part of the creative process. Dr. Khalil also taught students about the works of Man Ray, Meret Oppenheim and Alberto Giacometti, and how these first three chosen artists linked to the final presentation on Amedeo Modigliani. Dr. Khalil's vast art knowledge, and her ability to connect with our docents in a meaningful way, has made her leadership in this program soar to amazing heights
"I wish to express many thanks to Mr. Hirschman and Dr. Khalil, parent docent coordinator Mrs. Stacey Zedeck, and all of the teachers and students at DKJA who have benefited from their talents," said Mrs. Carol Routman, Middle School Art teacher and Meet the Masters Art Coordinator.
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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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