Schechter School of Long Island
E-Newsletter 
קול שכטר
Kol Schechter
December 22, 2017                                                                                                                                         4  Tevet 5778 
FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear   ,
 
The winter break is about begin. Excitement is in the air among parents, children, faculty and staff alike. Whether you are heading off to the slopes, enjoying the sun's rays on the beach, touring places unknown or taking advantage of the slower pace for an excellent staycation, accept my wishes for a relaxing, rejuvenating and fun vacation. As my mind turns to leaving town, I was pleasantly surprised to watch our alumni stream into the Upper School on Thursday. They came both for a reunion with one another and with their alma mater, and also to provide our juniors and seniors with an insider's guide to today's college campus. Their stories of academic achievement and accomplishments as leaders, tell me that their Schechter education is the foundation upon which they are building their very bright futures. While listening to these co-eds, my eyes were drawn to our seniors. They still walk through our halls and learn from our teachers, yet they have already begun the process of spreading their wings and preparing to leave us. Every day I learn about the colleges to which this impressive group has been accepted. I don't have the space here to list each school, but I would be remiss not to share my pride with you. Therefore, I will list only the schools to which the Class of 2018 has already committed themselves: Boston University (Honors College), Columbia University and Jewish Theological Seminary, Duke University, Emory University, New York University, Washington University and Yale University. Mazel tov! 

Have a happy and safe New Year.


Shabbat Shalom,
Laleh Mourtil, Board President
Schechter School of Long Island

IN THIS ISSUE
Calling ALL Alumni and Parents of Alumni

Do y ou have a special occasion (graduation from college or grad school, acceptance to grad school, an engagement, wedding, birth, or special honor) you would like to share with your Schechter community?  Please send us an email,  here. Photos welcome.
hechter LI Community News    
Please submit your news of simchas and sorrows to be published in Kol Schechter here.

Mazal Tovs


Mazal Tov to Robin and David Hauser (SSLI Parents) on the birth of their son, born on December 22nd. Mazal Tov to big brothers Ian (class of 2020) and Logan (class of 2024).

Mazal Tov to Nissim and Lizet Romano (SSLI 5th grade Judaic Studies teacher) on the birth of their grandson Sam Moshe Romano and Mazal Tov to parents Jenny and Guy Romano.

Mazal Tov to Netta-Lee Lax  (SSLI '10on receiving the 2016 Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Trans-Media Sports Coverage for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad.

Mazal Tov to Max Silverman  (SSLI '10) on his    engagement to Julia Posluns. Mazal tov to parents of alumni Drs. Stacy Rose n and Mark Silverman.


Mazal Tov to  Rachel Schonfeld  (SSLI '09) on her engagment to Michael Blanchard.  Mazal tov to parents of alumni Dorothy and
Larry  Schonfeld

Mazal Tov to  Ilana Kurshan (SSLI Middle School Class of 1992), a finalist o f the 2018 Natan Book Award at the Jewish Book Council.


Mazel Tov to Ari Zelman ( SSLI '07) on his marriage to Rachel Zelman.  Mazal Tov to parents of alumni Ruth and Gary Zelman.


Mazal Tov to Shoshana Klayman  (SSLI '10) on her engagement to Ian Altman .  Mazal Tov to parents of alumni Naomi Reiss and Michael Klayman.


Mazal Tov to Michael Zauderer ( SSLI '06) on his marriage to  Alison Stogel. Mazal Tov to parents  Cheryl  and Jeff Zauderer.


Mazal Tov to Falen Rauchwerger
(SSLI '11) on her marriage to  Joey Nutis . Mazal tov to parents of alumni  Maxine and Jerrold Rauchwerger.



Mazel Tov to Gilit Ullmann Stein (SSLI '94) and Howard Stein on the birth of their son, Zack Austin Stein. Mazal Tov to big sister Mia and big brothers, Dylan and Jake.



Mazal Tov to Aviva Axelrud (SSLI'09) on her engagement to to Jeremy Horowitz. Mazal Tov to parents of alumni  Rochelle and Abraham Axelrud



Mazal Tov to Josh Charry (SSLI Parent) on being elected Chief of Department by the Vigilant Fire Company in Great Neck.

Mazal Tov to Daniella Mullokandov (SSLI ' 12) on her marriage to Emmanuel Cohen. Mazal Tov to Schechter Parents Snezhana and Mishael Mullokandov and siblings David (class of 2023) and Alexandra (class of 2027).

Mazal Tov to Arielle S. (SSLI '20) on   winning this years Yearbook Cover Art Competition.   Mazal Tov to Shoshana B. (SSLI '21) who's a rt piece for the 9th grade coloring book, will be featured as the  back cover. Yearbooks will be available in the spring. 

Condolences 

To Isabela Mulokandov (SSLI Parent) on the loss of her
brother, Basanil Mulokandov.


To Joel Hammer 
(SSLI Parent of Alumni) on the loss of his
father, Jack Hammer.

To Esther DuBow (SSLI Upper School Judaic Studies Teacher) on the loss of her aunt,  Shari DuBow.

To Norman Weisfeld  (SSLI Parent of Alum) on the loss of his father,    Alan Weisfeld .

To Robert & Michael Brochstein  on the loss of their mother,  Leah Brochstein (wife of SSLI past-president Harry Brochstein z"l).

To Scott Gilder (Former SSLI Parent) on the loss of his mother, Eileen Gilder. 

To Susan Adhami (SSLI Parent and Parent of Alumni) on the loss of her father, Iraj Sefaradi.

To Scott Bernstein (SSLI Parent) on the loss of his father, David Bernstein.

Refuah Sh'leima 

Wishes for a full and speedy recovery to Ethan Vizgan (Class of 2017). Ethan's Hebrew name is Shimshon ben Perel.



B'nai Mitzvah   


Simon W. 
March 3

Ashley T.
March 3

Julia B.
March 10

Eli S.
March 17

Sean K.
March 24


SSLI K-12 Yearbook




This Months Tributes: 
In Honor/In Memory 



SSLI Photo Gallery

click on the image below to see our School Photo Gallery.



Support SSLI
In Your Daily Life

Generations Society: The SSLI Legacy  and  Endowment Campaign

Founding Members:
Rebecca Amitai and Morty  Schaja  
Sheri and Ira Balsam 
Cindy and Moti Dolgin
Steven Fleischer, in memory of 
Lelah Abel Fleischer z"l      
Mina and Keyvan Frouzan
Janet and Albert Hakim
Fanny and Sheldon Handel 
Judith and Robert Hirsch
Beth and Michael Kohler  
Julie Levi and Richard Blau
Dalia Lisker and Ari Jurmann
Michele and Steven Moscovitz
Vivi and Edmond Nassim 
Orna and Ronen Neutra   
Jennifer and Jeffrey Pravato
Lisa and James Schlesinger
Rachel and Michael Schor 
Robin and Barry Simonson
Ellen and Jay Steinberg
Amy and Peter Tannenbaum
Sylvia Weiser, in memory of 
Cantor Herb Weiser z"l  
------------------------------ -  
Participating in the Endowment and Legacy Gift program ensures that the Schechter School of Long Island will continue to provide affordable, quality Jewish education in the future. Please consider joining this campaign. For further information contact Dr. Cindy Dolgin Ext. 1107  or  Eileen Bohrer Ext. 1131.
E-Tribute Cards
Now available . . . 

SSLI is able to send personalized tribute cards through email.  If you would like us to acknowledge a simcha or sorrow through email, please indicate this when you make your donation.

Any questions, please contact Debbie Picker, Development Associate at   dpicker@schechterli.org or 516.935.1441 x 1337
 
SSLI Bereavement Notifications
If you would like to begin receiving all bereavement notices from Schechter, please email alibardi@schechterli.org and your name will be added to our Bereavement Notice list. 

Please note: Schechter currently sends out bereavement notices based on your child(ren)'s graduating class, with the exception of a few.  
Paw Print Now 
(Click below to read articles written by our students.)
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: If you are unable to see this entire newsletter in your Gmail, scroll to the bottom and click "View Entire Message".

SSLI 2018 Gala

Schechter Career Night

Click on image to enlarge
SSLI Annual Career Fair 
Tuesday, January  9th
7 - 9 PM

Upper School Campus
6 Cross Street, 
Williston Park, NY 11596

"Alumni  We're so excited to 
reconnect with you!
Please click here to RSVP 
by January 2nd."

- Schechter LI Alumni Association
Friday Letter: News from the Upper School
Schechter Hannukiah
By Ofra Hiltzik, Upper School Principal

"Hannukah is now over, and we prepare to take a break and usher in the start of winter.  But I must tell you that I am still feeling the glow of our Hannukiah candles.  These individual flames grow in number and intensity as the holiday progresses, reminding us of what is important: dedication to our resilience, strength against odds, comfort of family, celebration of togetherness.   Ultimately, we celebrate the light, radiating in darkness and warming our souls." Click here to continue reading.
Lower School Class Newsletters


December monthly    Class  Newsletters written by our  Lower  School Teachers. 
Read and discover all the wonderful activities that are taking place in each of the  lower  school classrooms.


POP UP Shabbat 
    

   Click here for printable flyer






Photos from our most recent  Pop Up Shabbat  - December 14th
SSLI Parent Association

 
SSLI PA Event
Ladies Night Out  

January 11th
8 - 10:30 PM

AriNotes Perform at Woodbury Jewish Center
On Thursday, December 14th, the AriNotes traveled to Woodbury Jewish Center to connect with senior citizens who frequent the shul for monthly activities. The students sang Hanukkah and Shabbat songs and where soon joined by seniors; the room was filled with the beautiful sounds of intergenerational voices. After the performance, the children with the guests together made Hanukkah snow globes.   Click here for additional Photos.

Chanukah Across Campus
Shira L'Hanukkah at the Lower School

This week began with the presentation of Shira L'Hanukkah which was  under the expert guidance of our esteemed music teacher, Mrs. Elana Stern; the children took the story of Hanukkah to new heights. Mrs. Stern wove popular Broadway songs into a story about trying to get the Shamash candle lit on a Hanukkiah that just happens to be on the Great White Way.  Mrs. Stern wrote the script and together with Ms. Rikki Chaskes, they rehearsed the program during lunch and after school until it was ready for opening night. The students in our after-school Broadway program rose to the occasion and wowed the audience from their first musical note to their last, singing every song with excitement, joy and energy. Click here for additional photos.
Hanukah Musical Happenings in the Upper School.

Hanukah provided the upper school musical ensembles with lots of opportunities to show off their stuff.

On Tuesday Dec. 19, students were treated to three performances. The 6th grade Boomwhacker Orchestra (a.k.a. the human piano) played I had a Little Dreidle with a cameo recorder solo by Aaron B. The Middle School Band, under the direction of Mr. Anthony Stelmach wowed the audience with 5 pieces which also included a medley of Hanuka favorites. The program concluded with the MS Choir singing and dancing a piece called "Light the Candles."

The next day, Wednesday Dec. 20th, the HS began its Hanukah workshops with 2 performances. The SSLI Ukulele Club led a grand sing-along of Put on Your Yarmulke - Here Comes Hanukah made famous by Adam Sandler. This was followed up by our HS A Capella ensemble who performed Sivivon Sov Sov Sov, a sephardic version of Maoz Tzur and Ochos Kandelikas. They were accompanied by Muli and Emily on guitars. The concert ended with an invitation to the 11th graders to come up on stage and join the choir in a rendition of Mi Yimalel.
HS Drama Club - Save the Date

On Wed. Dec. 20th, high school students auditioned for the upcoming spring musical, On the Town.

Performances will take place on  March 15th, 17th and 18th at the Long Island Children's Museum. 

Save the date now for what is bound to be a terrific show. 
Kesher Club Organizes Donation Drives
by Diane Chernoff, SSLI '18

Each year, Kesher Club organizes donation drives in time for the winter holidays. This year, Kesher Club will not only be collecting toys, food, and books for families in need, but it will also be sending $150 to the Hispanic Federation for the Puerto Rican recovery effort. Kesher Club encourages students to bring in healthy, sealed food to donate to Island Harvest, a food bank on Long Island. Club members also ask that students bring in toys, crafts, and games for Sunrise on Wheels and books for the Securing Seamless Education Services project. Click here to read more.
3rd Grade Trip to Museum of Arts and Design 
This week the third graders visited the Museum of Arts and Design.   They started their tour with the exhibit of the Israeli artist, Naama Tsabar. The children were able to use the interactive wall of her sonic exhibit to create music. Next, they visited the sonic exhibits, where artist, Julianne Swartz used glass and clay to conduct soothing music. Next they visited a sonic playground where they enjoyed playing and creating music at the same time. At the end of their tour, the children made sound boxes using different materials. 
by Charlie Fisher, SSLI '19

On December 13th, students in grades eight through twelve traveled to New York City to see the Broadway musical Come From Away  by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. In their Judaic Studies classes, students connected the musical to the Bible as well as this year's school theme,    ger veezrach , "the stranger and the citizen." The show is about the 38 planes that made emergency landings in Gander, Newfoundland on September 11, 2001 and the relationships built between the passengers and the townspeople. Click here to continue reading.
SSLI 9th Grade Coloring Book

DON'T MISS OUT!  
Gifts for sale for only $8

Coloring books, created by 9th graders in art class, can be purchased on our Schechter website! Colored pencils are included! These are a beautiful festive gift! Proceeds will offset their senior trip to Israel! 

From the SSLI ShinShinim
Dear Schechter community, 

The months of November and December  were packed with meaningful content and activities with the Shinshinim  as significant Jewish/Israel i dates marked our calendar.   

Arik Einstein bulletin board
The students of both lower and upper school shared discussions about the UN vote on November 29th, 1947, which  recognized the right of the Jewish people to a state.   November 26th, marked the anniversary of the death of Arik Einstein,  the beloved and talented Israeli musician . Being Israelis , we decided to  commemorate  him  be teaching and discussing  his famous song, "Ani ve'ata Neshane et Ha'olam" -  Y ou and I will change the world " The children focused and shared their creative thoughts about how their actions affect their environments  and communities. 
LS students making a human Chanukyiah 

Finally, December/ Kislev, brought with it  HANUKKAH celebrations! All ages engaged in related activities. The lower school students played games and listened to the songs of the famous Israeli Hanukkah show, the "Festigal".
 
We wish the whole Schechter community a wonderful Hanukkah and calm, relaxing and joyful winter break!
 
Your Shinshinim (Guy, Tomer, Yael, Ella and Eden)
SSLI Alumni Visiting Day
On December 21st our Alumni from classes 2014-2017 came together for Alumni Visiting Day at the Upper School campus. 

Click here for additional photos
Volunteers Wanted
From Eileen Bohrer, SSLI Executive Director

Description: The SSLI development team is looking for volunteers - parents, grandparents alumni and parents of alumni , etc. for a variety of programs that we have planned for this year. Your commitment can be for as little as one hour or for several hours weekly on an ongoing basis.

Amazon Smiles

This offshoot of Amazon is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Schechter School of Long Island every time you shop at no cost to you! When you shop at smile.amazon.com, a donation is made by Amazon to SSLI.  Your shopping experience will be unaffected - the same low prices, vast selection and convenience as always. Just sign up and designate Schechter Day School of Nassau County.
Community Events
Click here to see Upcoming Community Events
Please participate in our 2017-2018 Annual Campaign and select where dollars go.
For additional information, please contact Eileen Bohrer, Executive Director
 at ebohrer@schechterli.org or call 516-935-1441, Ext. 1131