Honoring Impactful PIllars Robert M. Beren (z"l) and David Mitzner (z"l) 

On Sunday, August 25, 2024, Houston’s Jewish community gathered in the Ruth and David Mitzner Synagogue Building at United Orthodox Synagogues (UOS) to honor the enduring legacy of Robert M. Beren (z”l) and David Mitzner (z”l). Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander, President and Rosh HaYeshiva (Dean) of Ohr Torah Stone in Israel, delivered a moving Legacy Address that highlighted the profound contributions of these two remarkable leaders, particularly in the realm of modern Orthodoxy. The event marked the first Yahrzeit of Mr. Beren and concluded with a beautiful brunch in the new Robert M. Beren Event Center at UOS, celebrating the lasting influence of both men.

For more information, read the full article in the Jewish Herald-Voice.

Watch recording of the Legacy Address.

Download the Legacy Address source sheet.

Analyzing Summer Reads

Middle school students in Ms. Ruben's ELA classes collaborated to analyze the plot, themes, symbols, and characters in their summer reading novels.

Inventive History

Mr. Simon’s third-grade class learned about Benjamin Franklin this week. They recognized him as one of the Founding Fathers and discovered his many contributions, including inventing bifocal glasses, the lightning rod, and creating the first fire department. Franklin also developed the U.S. Postal system and invented the odometer. Remarkably, he was the only American to sign the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Treaty of Alliance with France, and the Treaty of Paris, which secured America's independence from England.

Letters and Learning

Alphabet and Alef Bet learning was in full swing in Morah Aviva's EC4A class this week! After a letter “A” word wall circle time, students engaged in letter “A” activities and shared their first letter of the week during Show and Tell. Everyone had fun writing words from the word wall on mini dry erase boards! The class also began their Alef Bet curriculum with the letter Alef. After an Alef word wall lesson, classmates practiced their writing skills with fun Alef tracing activities and created an avatiach (watermelon) pattern on a large letter Alef. They also started their first unit of the year, "All About Me," where the children examined their own fingerprints with magnifying glasses in a special science lesson, demonstrating that everyone’s fingerprints are unique.

Paleolithic Perspectives

This week, Mr. Cell's 9-10th grade AP and on-level World History classes examined competing anthropological and archaeological claims about the nature of Paleolithic societies, focusing on whether these societies were largely egalitarian, which encompasses most of human history.

Hebrew Skills Review

This week, students in Morah Anat's 4th/5th grade Hebrew class engaged in fun activities to review their reading and writing skills in Hebrew. It was a great opportunity to refresh their knowledge before diving into the Ulpan Or curriculum.

Self-Discovery Fun

This week, students in Morah Clara's EC3B class learned about themselves, the bones and organs in their body, by working together to build two bodies while discussing their families and feelings. They also had a great time creating self-portraits using various materials.

Tzedakah in Action

This week, students in Morah Sandy's EC3A class learned about the mitzvah of giving tzedakah from Parsha Re’eh. They used their fine motor skills to create personalized tzedakah boxes to take home and then performed the daily mitzvah of giving tzedakah.

Hebrew Name Fun

Students in Morah Tzippe's Kindergarten Judaic Studies class practiced writing and reading their Hebrew names. They created their names using playdough and Wikistix and wrote them with smelly gel pens on dry erase boards. A lot of fun was had by all!

Last Call for Hot Lunch!

Our new lunch program has been a great success, leaving students with full and happy tummies! They’ve enjoyed a variety of meals, along with a crudité and dip bar, and water flavored with fruits, citrus, or vegetables. The order form will remain open until August 31 for anyone wishing to join. It will reopen in November for those interested in the spring semester. Be sure to catch our adorable lunch reporters almost daily on our Instagram stories, and view the September menu!