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November 2, 2012 Parashat Vayera
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THE IMPORTANT PARENT STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW
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I Know How To
This holy grail of day school economic discoveries has been proclaimed at countless Shabbat tables. Over the past 6 years, I have participated in numerous nationwide conference calls and commissions comprised of brilliant lay and professional leaders tackling this vexing issue. You can categorize the suggestions into a number of groups.
Government support is one of the most promising. It can take many forms: services provided to schools, vouchers for underprivileged families or those living close to failing schools, tax credits for tuition paid, or technology and materials. In varying degrees, these subsidies are popping up in states across the union.
Education is totally different in Texas than it is in New York or any other state. Anything not mentioned in the US Constitution is a states right, and there is no mention of education. Funding, curriculum and standards vary widely from state to state.
Our present Texas State lawmakers are sympathetic to independent schools. Legislation which will help keep tuition lower will likely be introduced this term. It is a sha'at hakoshar- a possibly fleeting opportunity - that may not occur again.
Attend the rally at RMBA on Thursday November 14 at 1:00pm to encourage our legislators to help us. Organized and subsidized by the Orthodox Union (OU), politicians and journalists are participating.
Democrats, Republicans and Independents can be pro-school choice. Being in favor of vouchers, etc. does not mean that you are anti-public schools or their teachers unions, or that you do not support the separation of church and state. My wife works and believes in the public schools. This experience has davka led her to be pro-school choice.
RMBA does not endorse candidates or parties. Elected officials and candidates of both parties are invited to speak at our school, and will G-d willing be doing so this year. We call on candidates of both parties to embrace funding independent education to the extent allowable by law!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell
Executive Director
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Candlelighting Times
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Shabbat
Candle Lighting 6:16 p.m.
Havdalah 7:18 p.m.
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Parent-Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Online registration for the Parent Teacher Conference is available
Monday, November 5 8:00 AM to
Monday, November 12 11:59 AM
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!
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Early Friday Pick Up Starts Next Week
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 Starting November 9th Friday pick up
3:15 pm
Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour
This Saturday Night at 2:00 AM
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Come to the School Choice Rally!
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Up High and Down Low
by Yossi Hoffman, Zach Yoshor, David Palla, and Josh Hakakian
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 | Up High and Down Low, Episode 5 Please Watch in HD
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Check out RMBA on the NBA Website!
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RMBA students enjoyed an exciting afternoon visit from Houston Rockets players, Omer Asik and Scott Machado. The players visited the school to thank our community for our participation in last week's Food for Families Food Drive. They were astounded by the amount of food that we collected! See Up High and Down Low for footage of this fun event .
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Parent & Child Nights This Tuesday & Wednesday Nov 6 &7
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Our Rav Gal Makes Headlines! by senior Yoni Lipski
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Rav Gal, soon to be world renowned, is a teacher by day and music connoisseur by night. It's no doubt the Jewish Herald Voice has picked up his story, which you can read
"As a rabbi who teaches at Jewish schools, to go to a show for fun, without attaching any higher meaning, something that I could pass on to my students, wasn't enough" - Rav Gal
Click here to get connected with the show's Facebook page!
Tickets can be purchased here. (Scroll down to "Musicals and Bible")
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Opera is Coming to RMBA
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Hansel and Gretel
a Houston Grand Opera Performance
comes to RMBA
Monday, November 26
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Grades K - 5
Parents Welcome to Attend
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Road To Recovery by senior Daniella Saghian
|  I visited Elisha Cohen in the cancer wing of Texas Children's Hospital last night. Last week, the doctors at Texas Children found a malignant tumor in Elisha's Brain and around his spine. After an 8 hour surgery, hundreds of tefillot, and a plethora of tears, Elisha is on the road to recovery.
Memories of the energetic, lively Elisha running through the shul and playing with the other children filled my mind as I stood there in the hospital. "How could this be the same boy?" was all I could think.
When a challenge like this confronts a loved one in our community, it is a wakeup call from Hashem for all of us to commit ourselves to be better people and better Jews. We all want to do our part to help Elisha recover. There is something that every single one of us can do to help Elisha Meir ben Devorah have a refuah sheleimah. We can join the Cohen Family's Mitzvah Campaign. The way to join is simple; just choose one new mitzvah, good deed, or positive change in your life in the merit that Elisha should have a full recovery. Some suggested mitzvot are:
1) Thank Hahem for 5 things every day
2) Greet everyone with a smile
3) Give Tzedaka every day
4) Think before you speak to make sure that you do not embarrass or hurt anyone
5) Learn torah for 5 minutes a day
6) Talk to Hashem - with or without a Siddur
7) Be more careful with reciting B'rachot on food
8) Be more careful with reciting "Asher Yatzar"
9) Do one act of chesed a day
10) Refrain from Lashon Hara for at least fifteen minutes a day
In the merit of all the positive changes that we will make in our lives we wish a refuah shleimah for Elisha Meir ben Devorah.
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PTO Brunch n' Learn
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 Thursday, November 8 10:30 AM RMBA parents and grandparents are invited Healthy lifestyle consultant, chef, and ACSM-certified personal trainer Aimee Taylor Learn how to prepare fast, fresh, healthy meals! RSVP to drjacquiejaffe@earthlink. net by this Monday, Nov 5 |
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PTO Family Fun Day Sunday, Nov 18
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Lower School Bingo Fundraiser
10:00 AM
Texans BBQ Tailgate Party
11:30 AM
(game starts at 12:00)
Watch the Texans vs. Jacksonville away game on a big screen!
Your check is your reservation
$7.50 pp in advance by 11/15/12 (payable to RMBA PTO - drop off in school office)
$10 at the door
For more information Bev Feldman or Haim Kamman
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Chanukah is Almost Here: Teacher Gifts
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Please make your checks are payable to RMBA PTO and submit to the school office with this form by
 Monday, November 19, 2012.
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Flu Shots Available
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Tuesday, November 13 4:00-6:00pm
Shots will be administered by Randalls Pharmacy
Ages 8 and up
ALL children must be accompanied by a parent
$25
Please bring a copy of your insurance card (front and back) if you would like to see if it is covered.
Please email Nurse Aliza if you plan to bring your children.
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Learning About Hachnasat Orchim (Welcoming Guests)
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This week, the Kindergarten learned about Avraham Avinu and his remarkable trait of welcoming guests (Hachnasat Orchim). In connection to this, all the friends in the Kindergarten class invited their own "Shabbat Guests" (stuffed animals) to the weekly Shabbat Oneg. Each child introduced their "guest" to the other children and was welcomed to the Kindergarten class!
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RMBA Students Travel to AIPAC in DC
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In the face of Hurricane Sandy, five 10th/11th grade students ventured to Washington DC for a special High School AIPAC conference.
The conference consisted of High School students from across the US who have displayed a strong connection and commitment to Israel and have strong leadership qualities. In addition, 50 college students from 40 college campuses joined to help facilitate the programs for the students. The objective of the conference was for the students to be more aware of the impact they can have in strengthening the US/Israel relationship by engaging their respective congressmen and other politicians. The students reviewed and became more familiar with some of the major AIPAC issues; harsher Iran sanctions, maintaining foreign aid to Israel etc.
Our students walked away having learned a lot about how they can get significantly involved, even while in High School, to support legislation srengthening the US - Israeli relationship.
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Middle School Judaics and Me by 8th Grade Zach Pokroy
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I love the Amazing Judaic Education that happens at Beren Academy!
I think the way the Judaic teachers teach at Beren is great because they all put such enthusiasm and excitement into the learning. Even though the classes are a lot longer this year, they are all just so great that they can still keep the students entertained and interested throughout the long period of time. (Don't feel bad, general studies teachers, you guys are great too, and you will hopefully be in a different article soon too!)
Have you ever noticed that all the Judaic teachers seem to be very young? The benefit of that is that they have a lot of energy and can relate to us. They are from all over the world, which adds spice and variety to our school: Israel, Australia, Israel, Canada, Florida, and even Houston. In fact, Rabbi Kellerman, our great Judaic teacher, actually graduated from Beren!
I think that Beren has the most fun Judaic classes and environment ever. As you walk into Beren, you can just feel this inspirational and spiritual Judaic welcoming that I just can't explain (even though I'm a journalist here). The classes are very interesting while we learn about Torah, Navi, Mishnah, Gemara, and how to speak Hebrew.
I think Beren has the best learning environment and teachers, and it is a fantastic Judaic school!
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Read For Houston by junior Sara Shkedy
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 The Buzz's correspondent, Sara Shkedy, took it upon herself to interview student Sam Collins this week. Sam started his own organization that strives to donate books to needy schools and communities. Sara asked Sam: Why did you start Read for Houston?
Sam answered "Throughout my entire life, I have had an inner desire to help. Read for Houston is my way of helping. I created this organization to promote literacy throughout the greater Houston area. More than 34% of Houston is illiterate and rank close to last in literacy rates. Distributing books, especially to younger children, is instrumental to the foundation of their lives as educated people."
 | | Sam recently donated around 250 books to a local K-8th grade school in Clear Lake. The students were sure to send Sam a thank you card! |
Sam Collins has currently given over 30,000 books and collected well over this amount. Through his website, readforhouston.org, he has built up a network of people donating and receiving books. Additionally, Sam has donated well over 1500 books to the Jewish community at large.
"I have learned many things through the community's generosity. My background and solid academic foundation are the reasons why I am not on the receiving end of the donations. I am appreciative of what I have and the family I have", continued Sam.
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Yachad Shabbaton by junior Rebecca Kerzner
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 This past weekend, me and three Beren students, Yael Ghelman (11), Hersh Bootin (10), and Tai Miller (10), participated in a YACHAD national shabbaton in Stamford, Connecticut. There were plenty of inspirational workshops and very friendly people. This shabbaton really strengthened me as a person.
3 things I learned:
- Being around other great people makes you a better person
- Being a leader involves being able to take constructive criticism well and using it in a positive manner
- Putting yourself in new situations makes you a more open person
Not to mention that the hotel as well as the catering were quite good! One thing about this shabbaton which is different from others is how friendly the people are. Everyone wants to say hi and be friends with everyone. If all of this sounds amazing to you, I have great news! Houston YACHAD is hosting Dallas YACHAD for a shabbaton the weekend of December 7-9. It is going to be amazing and I encourage you all to come!
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Bnei Akiva NERF Fight!
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2nd-4th Grade Boys
Sunday, November 11
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
The Battle will be Followed by a Peace Conference over Pizza Bagels
BYOG - Bring Your Own Guns (no automatic)
Early Bird- RSVP by November 7th - $10
After November 7th - $15
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RMBA Anti Bullying Program by senior David Hadar
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Ms. Stacey Laves-Khalifa has wonderfully engaged the 6th grade in a bullying program called Brave. This program has weekly meetings in which the children talk about bullying. They participate in a simulated court case in which they have to decide if the degree of bullying is 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
1st degree is direct bullying, 2nd is when someone is an accomplice or follows a precedent of bullying and 3rd is when someone allows it to happen. Brave teaches the kids not to tolerate even the 3rd degree. Allowing a confrontation to happen is a terrible thing. Ms. Stacey noted, "This empowers the students who normally stand by to take control and be proactive."
The 6th graders enjoy these bully conventions and even made their own comic strips that are displayed in the middle school. They also have a family project that was sent home with them. The 7th graders, who are "Brave graduates" and former participants, already practice the lessons they have learned - and regularly too!
Stay Brave! |
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Nothin' But Net by Junior Yoni Schiff
|  Yo! Or Should I say Yo-ni!
So, last time we met I covered the beginning of basketball at Beren in the NBA and NCAA. Have no fear, this article will be exactly the same (sorry, not much else to cover) but without the NBA and NCAA. I know, I know, don't get too excited. This past week Beren Academy high school basketball kicked off with two games for the Boys Varsity and one game apiece for the Girls Varsity and the Boys Junior Varsity.
The Girls and Junior Varsity Boys both fell to Saint Thomas Episcopal and Lake Houston Home School, respectively, in their season openers. The Varsity boys also opened up with a disappointing loss to Saint Thomas Episcopal after giving up an early 16 point lead. However, they were able to recover in their second game against Lake Houston Home School with a 13 point victory.
When I asked Yoni Schiff what he thought was the difference between he first two games he replied, "Well first of all, I absolutely love your column. In terms of the games, I think that we were able to calm down after the first game, get down to fundamental basketball, and really execute our game plan." Zach, you are welcome for not mentioning your seemingly uncanny knack for committing untimely and costly fouls. Oh wait I just did, my bad! Well, sorry - at least you can dunk.
The school is buzzing with excitement and high hopes over the three high school teams. The girls hope to continue to improve and build off of last year's first time playoff birth in the TAPPS playoffs. The Junior Varsity boys hope to continue to improve and challenge themselves to get better. The varsity boys know that they are capable of great things as long as they continue to put in hard work day in day out, the sky is the limit for them - especially with Zach Yoshor and Drayton Ratcliff, who can practically touch the sky and can dunk (WOOHOOO Jews dunking). Sorry for continuously referencing Beren players' ability to dunk, but it is just pretty exciting to be playing with someone that can dunk, let alone two players that can dunk!
Well, that is all the time I have for this week, I hope you will join me next time for a new topic, but until then this is Yondizzle Shizzle saying peace out.
Shokoiach Atzum
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College Admissions by the Advice Fairy
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Dear Advice Fairy,
I am a senior this year and I'm starting to apply to colleges. My parents really want me to go to the University of Texas, but I would rather go somewhere else. I don't know if I should go where I want or if I should listen to my parents because they are the ones paying. What do you think I should do?
Dear Undecided,
Deciding on college can be a very stressful time, and having a disagreement with your parents probably makes things worse. You're in a tough position right now. While it's important to take your parents' wishes into account, you also need to think of yourself in this case. You are the one who is going to be spending the next four years of your life in the place you choose.
I think that you need to sit down with your parents and tell them your reasons for wanting to go to the school of your choice and then hear their reasons for wanting you to go to UT. Perhaps this conversation can help you reach a compromise or a final decision. I think that in the meantime you should apply to both schools and see if you get into both.
- The Advice Fairy
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Bet on Beren at Casino Night
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Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation by Mrs. Lubel
|  Mrs. Lubel led an exciting and interactive discussion on the benefits of Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic motivation while parents enjoyed coffee and breakfast.
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| Word Assassin by sophomore Roni Buchine |  This week M.A.D, a student-run organization here in Beren, kicked off the year with the game "word assassin". This game might seem easy, but in reality it involves a high amount of serious creativity!
In this game, a person is assigned a word and a person. The person must try to get their assigned person "out" by making them say their word in any way possible. This game is very similar to the game "gotchya", where people get "out" with water instead of words - a game played in previous years.
Already, valiant attempts of getting people "out" have taken place, and nearly half the high school is out. Feelings of paranoia and fear have taken over the high school because of this amazing game. I myself have plotted some pretty creative kills - not just for myself, but for other people too. For the game there is a five dollar entry fee and the winner gets a decent cash prize, with the rest of the money going to tzedaka. I wish everyone good luck with their scheming. Be careful guys, and don't get assassinated!
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Support RMBA!
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Please click on any of these images for more info!
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Tomorrow Night - Nov 3rd
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The Beren Buzz Staff
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Contributors: Yossi Hoffman, Zach Yoshor, David Hadar, Josh Hakakian, Ariel Wadler, David Palla, Daniella Saghian, Rebecca Kerzner, Ari Hoffman, Hersh Bootin, Tai Miller, Sara Shkedy, Shirley Lipski, Roni Buchine
Samantha Steinberg
Director of Admission and Marketing
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell Executive Director
Suggestions? Reach us at Buzz@berenacademy.org
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