Parshat Chayei Sarah | Candle Lighting 5:12 PM | Havdalah 6:20 PM | | |
PARSHA PERSPECTIVE
🎧 LISTEN - TWO VOICES · 4 MINUTES
A Conversation on Chayei Sarah
What can emerge when two Torah educators sit down together and simply talk about the ideas that speak to them in the weekly parsha?
This week’s perspective comes from Rav Tal Ershler, Upper School Judaic Studies Teacher and Robert M. Beren Torah Institute Fellow, and Rabbi Dan Margulies, Upper School Judaic Studies Teacher. In our first Two Voices edition, they share an informal conversation on Parshat Chayei Sarah, exploring the questions and ideas that resonate with them and how the parsha continues to speak to the way we think and live today.
Listen to this week's parsha perspective →
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THIS WEEK AT RMBA
Generations Learning Together
There was something especially moving about seeing our Upper School students sitting side by side with grandparents and special friends, sharing tefillah, breakfast, conversation, and Torah learning together.
As part of the Rabbi Sacks Global Day of Learning, this year’s program explored the question “What Does It Mean to Be a Jew?” through Rabbi Sacks’ ideas of the story we inherit and the future we choose to build. Around each table, teachers helped guide and facilitate conversations between generations, encouraging students and guests to listen, share, and learn from one another.
Together, they considered questions like: Does being Jewish feel more like belonging to a religion, a nation, or a family? What has kept that “family” Jewish across generations? When have we felt united by what has happened to us, and when have we felt united by what we choose to build together? The conversations gave students and their guests a meaningful opportunity to compare perspectives, share family stories, and think together about Jewish identity, responsibility, and continuity.
Thank you to all of the grandparents and special friends who joined us and helped make the morning so memorable. We are grateful for the role you play in the lives of our students and in the larger RMBA community.
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Welcoming Guests
Morah Aviva’s EC4 students had so much fun bringing Parshat Vayera to life through the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests). After learning about Avraham and Sarah, students dressed up, gathered by their classroom “ohel” (tent), and proudly welcomed Kindergarten friends, teachers, and staff with snacks, water, and plenty of warm hospitality. They continued the experience with Ohel Avraham collages, weaving together parsha learning, kindness, creativity, and beginning Hebrew writing skills in a way that felt both meaningful and memorable.
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Passing the Torch
There’s plenty happening in Lower School Student Council as one group wraps up its term and the next gets ready to step in. Our current Student Council is finishing the year with its Shabbatogram fundraiser, helping raise funds for a new LEGO table and giving students a fun way to send Shabbat wishes to friends. At the same time, 4th and 5th graders are gearing up for Student Council elections, creating campaign posters, preparing speeches, and making their case to classmates. Speeches take place this Friday, with voting on Tuesday, November 10. We’re excited to see our students put leadership, creativity, and school spirit into action!
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Math Challenge
RMBA Middle School students put their problem-solving skills to the test in this year’s CIJE Math Competition Series. The national program challenges students to tackle complex problems, think strategically, and build confidence alongside peers from other CIJE schools. The series will continue throughout the year with additional rounds, including Math Live competitions and a Spring Math Challenge. We’re proud of our students for embracing the challenge and representing Beren with curiosity, persistence, and a love of mathematics.
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Voices from Israel
Our High School students had the opportunity to hear directly from two Israeli soldiers visiting Houston for the FIDF Gala. In an open and personal conversation, they shared reflections on their experiences in Israel on and after October 7, spoke about their service in the IDF, and answered thoughtful questions from students. The program concluded with Hatikvah and a Mi Shebeirach for the chayalim (prayer for the soldiers), creating a powerful moment of connection, gratitude, and solidarity with those serving in Israel.
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There's so much more happening every day
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🤍 HAKARAT HATOV
Recognizing the Good
We are so grateful for all our volunteers this week!
A huge shoutout and thank you goes out to:🎉
Debbie Ebner, Ana Garcia, Jacqueline Guttman, Simóne Valera
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🎉MAZAL TOV
Mazal Tov to Sara and Jeremy Morgan ('21) on the occasion of their wedding last week! Mazal Tov to parents Bella and Avi Morgan. Mazal Tov to siblings Ellen, Hailey, and Matthew.
Mazal Tov to Tzivya and Meir Mandel on the birth of their daughter. Mazal Tov to big brother Joe (EC4).
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November 5: Shiur at Young Israel with Rabbi Jordan Silvestri "The Sanctity of Kiddush" 8:15 PM (Men Only)
- November 6: Winter Friday 2:30 PM Dismissal Begins
- November 7: Shiur at Young Israel with Rabbi Jordan Silvestri during Seudat Shlishit "Cognitive Dissonance: The Key to Jewish Continuity"
- November 9: Lower School Parent Teacher Conferences (7:45 AM–5:30 PM)
- November 11: 6th Grade Info Session & Open House (for 5th Grade Families and Prospective MS Students 6:45 PM–7:45 PM)
- November 12–15: High School Girls Volleyball Tournament (Atlanta, GA)
- November 16: Re-Enrollment for 2027–2028 Opens
- November 18: 9th Grade Info Session & Open House (for 8th Grade Families and Prospective HS Students 6:45 PM–7:45 PM)
- November 19: 2nd Grade Mesibat Chumash (3 PM)
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ATHLETICS UPDATE
Ready for the Next One
Middle School Basketball tipped off this week with home openers for both teams. It was a tough first outing, with the MS Girls falling to Emery 48–23 and the MS Boys dropping their game to St. Mark’s Episcopal 57–13. The starts were challenging, but both teams kept competing, and several of our youngest and newest players showed plenty of heart and hustle. One bright spot: the boys’ margin against St. Mark’s was significantly smaller than last year, a sign of real progress even in a difficult game.
We’re hoping these openers were simply the first step in a long season of growth, and there are plenty of chances ahead for our Stars to bounce back.
Next up: MS Boys travel to Logos Prep on November 9, MS Girls head to Bay Area Christian on November 10, and both High School teams face Emery on the road November 10. That HS doubleheader is one we’d love to turn into a strong Beren showing, so come out, bring the energy, and help fill the stands with Stars support.
| | | | COMMUNITY EVENTS & FLYERS | |
Shabbat Shalom! Wishing our community a peaceful and restful Shabbat!
Robert M. Beren Academy | www.berenacademy.org
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