October 11, 2017 | 22 Tishrei 5778  Candle Lighting | 6:39 p.m.
Vol. XVII 
No. 05
 
Like us on Facebook View our videos on YouTube View on Instagram Follow us on Twitter
In The Sof
FJA Calendar
Student Life | PSAT
Athletics Dept.
Rabbinics Dept.
 
Wed., Oct. 11
Erev Shmini Atzeret
Candle Lighting @ 6:39 p.m.

Thurs., Oct. 12
Shmini Atzeret
- No School -
Candle Lighting @ 7:55 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 13
Simchat Torah
- No School -
Candle Lighting @ 6:35 p.m.

Tues., Oct. 17
Grandparent/VIP 
 Visiting Day
 
Student Life
Homecoming Dance is Oct. 18

Students who plan to bring a non-FJA guest to the Homecoming Dance on October 18 must submit a form to the Student Life office. For a downloadable form, please click here.

 
Performing Arts

"Pippin" Tickets 
On Sale Now 
Playbill Ad Form Available Online

TICKETS FOR FJA's production of "Pippin" are on sale now. The two-day run, which takes to The Berman Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 2-3, 2017, is generating a lot of buzz. 
   To purchase tickets, visit The Berman online, call the box  office at (248) 661-1900 or stroll down during lunch and actually go to the box office.
   The ad sales deadline for ads in the "Pippin" Playbill is November 1. 
   To place an ad, click on the downloadable form here .

 
Student Life

PSAT Registration Begins on Oct. 18; Test is Oct. 25

TIME TO BRUSH up on your bubble-filling: Student Life is announcing that preliminary registration for the October PSAT begins during lunch on Oct. 18 in Handleman Hall.
   The test itself will be administered beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 25 in Handleman Hall. You should plan to be there until 2 p.m. 
   Students are encouraged to arrive by 7:15 a.m. the morning of the test. 
   Questions? Please see Mrs. Rank in the Registrars Office.

Students congregated in and around the FJA succah for Hallel celebrating Sukkot.
THE WEEK THAT WAS

All Sukkot, All the Time

DURING THIS TRUNCATED week of Sukkot Chol HaMoed, a large part of students' time was spent in our succah. 
   Thanks to Parent Council for their help and generosity in providing snacks to the students throughout the week. In that vein, Parent Council has received a ton of response from their push for volunteers and contributions. Let's keep it going.

Hallel in the Succah

ON TUESDAY MORNING, the entire student body gathered in the succah for a school-wide Hallel service. Hallel consists of six Psalms (113-118) recited as a unit on joyous occasions like Sukkot. Led by the acoustical prowess of Rabbi Lazewnik, students packed the courtyard and made the event pretty special. For photos, click here. 
Shadow Visits Kick Off

THIS WEEK SAW the first shadow visits by prospective students looking at FJA for next year. Once the chagim are over, we will be gearing up for our fall Open House at 6:30 p.m. on Tues., November 14. 
   If you know families who may be interested in learning more about FJA, please suggest they contact Director of Admissions Lisa Gilan.

Nineteen students were inducted into FJA's National Honor Society Chapter this year.
Student Life

Students Honored
at NHS Induction
  
ON TUESDAY, OCT. 10, Frankel Jewish Academy held its annual National Honor Society induction ceremony in Handleman Hall as 19 students were welcomed into one of the nation's oldest scholastic honor organizations.
   More than just an "honor roll" club, admittance into NHS requires both scholastic achievement and demonstrated excellence in leadership, public service and upstanding character.
   Founded in 1921, NHS membership recognizes students who exemplify the FJA ethos of academic and personal distinction. The organization estimates more than one million students are members.
   "Our students have 'looked in the mirror' and have chosen to uphold the enthusiasm for scholarship and the love of learning," explained Teri Giannetti, FJA's director of student services. "These young men and women unselfishly render service to their community, stepping up to the plate to lead others and to be true to their core values, which results in strong character." 
   Criteria for NHS membership at FJA includes the following: Students must be entering the 11th or 12th grade; have a cumulative GPA of 3.7 with the requisite earned number of credits per semester; demonstrate the four pillars as laid out by National Honor Society, including scholarship, leadership, character and service; and dedicate at least 20 hours of community service in each year of membership.
   Following the evening's ceremony, the new inductees, their families and attending faculty celebrated the fete in FJA's succah. Yasher koach to the following students:


At-a-Glance:

What is Shmini Atzeret?

ALTHOUGH THE OBSERVANCE of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah generally share the characteristics of Sukkot, there are four significant differences. (As an aside, in Israel, the two holidays are combined; in the Diaspora, they are two separate days.)
   The first is that your lulav and etrog can be retired ... e.g., no more shaking. Second is that although we have our meals and recite in the succah, we no longer say the blessing [to sanctify us through the commandment] to dwell in it like we had previously done. Third is that, after the Torah reading in shul, we recite the memorial prayer (Yizkor).
   Lastly, the special prayer for rain (Geshem) is added to the repetition of Musaf; thus begins the period of an additional call for rain in our prayers, lasting until Passover. 
  The second day of Shemini Atzeret is called Simchat Torah (or "Rejoicing of the Torah"). On this day we conclude -- and begin anew -- the annual Torah reading cycle. 
   The event is marked with great revelry, especially during the "hakafot" procession where we march, sing and dance with the Torah scrolls around the shulchan (reading table in the synagogue). 
   "On Simchat Torah," goes the Chassidic saying, "we rejoice in the Torah and the Torah rejoices in us; the Torah, too, wants to dance, so we become the Torah's dancing feet."

Advertisement