Silver Summary 2/18/2013

Welcome to the Silver Summary!

This weekly publication will be emailed every week to all of our subscribers. The Summary will recap the

week's events at the Silver Academy and inform

readers of upcoming events or dates.

Happy reading and Shabbat Shalom!

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Thank you to Penn State Hershey Medical Center for donating a brand new state of the art AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to The Silver Academy!

MATANOT LA'EVYONIM

"GIFTS FOR THE POOR"

February 6, 2013

26 Shevat 5773

Dear Silver Academy Families,

As we prepare for the joyous celebration of Purim, we remember that there are those who cannot afford to celebrate in a festive way. One of the four Mitzvot of Purim is "Gifts for the Poor" (Matanot La'evyonim). We have the opportunity to fulfill this Tzedakah in an unusually meaningful way.

Od Yosef Chai, Inc. is an organization that seeks out the truly needy in Israel and helps them in sensitive and dignified ways. For example, they give money to employers who pass it on to impoverished employees as salary raises or bonuses. In addition, all the money donated goes to the poor, because volunteers do much of the work and all expenses are underwritten by benefactors.

If you would like to participate in this wonderful Purim Mitzvah, please send in a check, to our school office, made out to "Od Yosef Chai, Inc." Checks sent before February 22nd will be forwarded to Israel before Purim. Checks received after that can still count as fulfillment of the Mitzvah.

May G-d bless us all with a healthy and happy Purim.

Nachum Chasan Rabbi Joseph Gewirtz

Upcoming Calendar Events

Friday, February 15th

Moms n' Muffins Breakfast & School Store

7:15 AM- Wolfson

Everyone welcome!

Click here for more info

Friday, February 15th

Kabbalat Shabbat

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM

Monday, February 25th

Silver Academy Purim Celebration

Thursday February 28th

Open House

5:30-7:00 PM

D'var Torah

זכור את יום השבת לקדשו

CANDLE LIGHTING - 5:23 PM

HAVDALAH - 6:26 PM

SHABBAT PARSHAT TERUMAH - (Exodus 25:1- 27:19)

הסכום - Summary

While Moses was on Mount Sinai, G-d commanded him to tell the Children of Israel to build a Tabernacle.
Moses instructs the Israelites to bring a Terumah (donation) for the building of the Tabernacle.
Concerning the tabernacle, G-d says to Moses, "And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them."
Instructions for the construction of the tabernacle are enumerated, including the ark and the poles for carrying it, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, two gold cherubim facing each other.
Moses is instructed to build a menorah (lamp stand) to hold seven lamps.

SHABBAT SHALOM שבת שלום -

Nachum Chasan

Head of School

Alumni Spotlight

Each week, The Silver Summary will feature one alumnus from our rich alumni network.

Jesse Hervitz

Washington DC

What years did you attend The Silver Academy?

I attended The Silver Academy from 1989-2000

Where did you grow up in Harrisburg?

I grew up in Beaufort Farms.

Where did you go to school after The Silver Academy?

After I graduated from the Silver Academy, I attended Beth Tfiloh Community High School in Baltimore, MD and the University of Pittsburgh

Where do you live now?

Currently, I live Washington, DC.

What do you do?

I am the Associate Political Director for the Orthodox Union. Previously on the staff of Senator Evan Bayh (IN) and Senator Robert Casey Jr. (PA)

What was your favorite class at The Silver Academy?

Science and social studies.

Who was your best friend at The Silver Academy?

With a small class it was easy to have a bunch of best friends!

What was your favorite school lunch?

My favorite food is meatloaf, But I always looked forward to fish-sticks at the Yeshiva.

How many times were you sent to the principal's office?

I was sent to the principal several times in 4th grade. After my mom walked in on me waiting for the principal (she was the 1st grade teacher at the time) it never happened again, trust me :)

What was your favorite memory and/or do you have any funny stories about The Silver Academy?

I remember in 3rd grade having an idea about what a perplexing line in the Parsha that we were learning really meant. After raising my hand and giving my thoughts. Rabbi Kemensky told me that my idea was exactly the same interpretation that Rashi, a prominent commentator on Chumash, had on the same confusing pasuk. Rabbi Kemensky was so happy, that after class he took me to the Principal to discuss my insight. The Principal at the time, Rabbi Berman awarded me 10 passes to the local skating rink that I used for my birthday a few weeks later! I'll never forget that story because it taught me at a very early age the rewards of thinking outside the box and and being confident in your opinions.

What is your favorite sports team?

Pittsburgh Steelers.

What was your favorite thing to do at the JCC?

Play Basketball - On the yeshiva/JCC team, after school, during recess or gym class, you name it.

Who were your biggest role models in Harrisburg?

My biggest role models in Harrisburg are my parents Joel and Debbie Herivtz. They afforded me and my siblings every opportunity to succeed in life by ensuring that we were given a quality Jewish education both at school and at home. Raising four kids and working full time, this was not always easy. However, there was never a day at any point in my childhood that my parents wavered in their commitment. I'll never be able to thank them enough for the sacrifices they made to ensure that the four of us were instilled with a strong sense of Jewish self and a commitment to living a Jewish life.

Inside the Classroom- 1st Grade

Kitah Alef has been learning and doing so much! This past week, students experienced their first big milestone at the Siddur Celebration. They joyously sang songs from their Tal Am curriculum in Hebrew and acted out a play, "Choni Hama'Agail" (Choni, the Circlemaker) to their parents and grandparents. Their families enjoyed the special glimpse into their school day. The celebration culminated in Kitah Alef receiving their very own Siddurim.

They presented "Choni Hama'Agail", a story from the Talmud, in Hebrew. Choni planted "charuvim" carob seeds. The Carob Tree does not bear fruit until its 70th year. The children waited for the rain to water the seeds but there was no rain. When the children called out to Choni, "Ain geshem, B'vakasha T'tpallel", (There is no rain, please daven) Choni drew an Eegool (circle) in the dry dust and said to Hashem, "I will not leave this circle until there is rain, not light rain, not hard rain, but rain for a bracha", rain that will allow the carob seeds to grow. Choni had a special relationship with Hashem and his bracha was answered. As the day grew hotter, Choni lay down to sleep. When he awoke, it was not an hour later, not a day later, but 70 years later. He saw a beautiful Carob tree filled with charuvim (carob fruit). He learned that this tree was not planted by his ancestors but by himself! He recognized that he had been given the rare gift of being able to see for himself the fruits of his labor which he had planted for his children and his grandchildren. In the years to come, it is the hope of the Silver Academy that the siddurim which the children of Kitah Alef received will enrich their lives and bear fruit for them and their families.

Back in the classroom, in the days following their Siddur Celebration, Kitah Alef has been excitedly learning to navigate in their siddurim, and have begun to add new t'filot to their morning davening. With the joy of the Siddur Celebration behind them, their happiness has been increasing as they have been joyously embracing the month of Adar, singing "Mishe Nechnas Adar, Marbim v' Simcha", hearing the story of M'gelat Esther", the Megillah of Esther, playing the game, "Mi Ani" who am I, assuming the role in Hebrew of Esther, Mordechai, King Achashverosh, and Haman and seeing if the others can guess who they are. One of their favorite activities is baking Oznai Haman, also known as Hamentaschen, followed no doubt by eating them!

Kitah Alef and Morah Aviva wish everyone Purim Samayach - A Joyous Purim!!!

Inside the Classroom - 4th Grade

What better way to put our letter writing skills to use than in thanking our military men and women for their service? Heartfelt thoughts of appreciation were written by our fourth graders on Mitzvah Day, as one of the many activities in which they participated. Each student has finished the writing of an original fable and is creating an e-book in Computer class. In addition to exploring figures of speech, the class is currently exploring expository writing that compares and contrasts.

We have concluded our Reading theme about "the creative mind" through the use of folktales and other fiction. A biography about one of the most creative minds of his day, Ben Franklin, was read independently. The children then designed commemorative stamps to honor his life and accomplishments. Look for these on display in our hallway!

In Social Studies we have looked at how Pennsylvania led the way in the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. From the Declaration of Independence to the documents of our state's first government, we are exploring the basic principles and ideals important to our citizens.

The children are currently applying themselves to understanding fractions and mixed numbers in Math, after which we will move into addition and subtraction of fractions. It is wonderful to see the students excitied about their progress and ready for each new challenge!