Parshat Bereshit | Candle Lighting 6:39 PM | Havdalah 7:46 PM | | |
PARSHA PERSPECTIVE
🎥WATCH · 2 MINUTES
In the Beginning
As we return to the very beginning of the Torah, Head of School, Rabbi Jordan Silvestri, reflects on Parshat Bereshit and what a new beginning can ask of us.
Watch this week's parsha perspective →
| | |
THIS WEEK AT RMBA
Remembering October 7
RMBA students came together this week to mark October 7 through meaningful, age-appropriate programs of remembrance, reflection, and unity.
In Upper School, Rabbi Johnny Ouzzan shared words of reflection before students watched two short testimonial videos, lit memorial candles, and joined together for El Malei Rachamim (the traditional memorial prayer) and the singing of Hatikvah.
Our 4th and 5th grade students also gathered to learn, remember, and focus on the strength and unity of the Jewish people. Students recited Tehillim (Psalms) together and reflected on the importance of standing together, before contributing to a collaborative “K’ish Echad B’Lev Echad” (as one person with one heart) display now in our lobby.
Across both programs, students were given space to remember those we lost, honor those impacted, and reflect on the responsibility we share to remain connected to one another and to Am Yisrael.
| | |
Music in Motion
Ms. Alex’s EC students were making music in more ways than one this week, using instruments, singing together, and adding hand motions to bring each song to life. Along the way, students practiced rhythm, listening, coordination, and following cues, all through the kind of joyful, hands-on music-making they love.
| |  | |
Hebrew in Action
Last week, Morah Gila’s 3rd grade Hebrew students learned about Simchat Torah through the iTaLAM program, combining workbook activities with interactive online learning. Through songs, games, reading, listening, and vocabulary practice, students strengthened their Hebrew skills in a way that was active, engaging, and fun.
| | | |
History Through Story
Mr. Duke’s 6th grade Social Studies students have begun a unit on the Holocaust, exploring both the history of the Shoah and the lessons that can be drawn from it. As an entry point, students are reading Art Spiegelman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic memoir Maus, which portrays different groups as animals: Jews as mice, Nazis as cats, Americans as dogs, and others. As they read, students are being challenged to look beyond the metaphor itself and think critically about both its power and its limitations as a way of telling such a complex and deeply human story.
| | | |
Finding Their Voice
High School students participated in a special Israel advocacy session focused on how to respond thoughtfully and confidently to some of the difficult questions and claims they may encounter about Israel. Using a series of challenge cards, students practiced identifying what was actually being claimed, considering what information might be missing, and building a response grounded in evidence rather than emotion. The goal was not simply to give students “the right answer,” but to strengthen their ability to think critically, ask better questions, and communicate in a way that is calm, clear, correct, and concise, skills they can carry with them well beyond the classroom.
| | | | | |
There's so much more happening every day
FOLLOW RMBA ON INSTAGRAM:
| | |
🤍 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, Laura Volshonok, Sigal Yeudai
| | |
- October 9: PTO Drop Off Club Breakfast (7:45 AM - 8:30 AM)
- October 9: Pop-Up Flu Clinic at RMBA (9:00 AM - 11:30 AM)
- October 11: J-Teen Art Scene Reception 4:00 PM (Art Gallery at the ERJCC)
- October 18: Plant & Create in Uri's Grow Torah Garden (4th/7th Grade Families)
- October 20–21: Middle School Retreat
- October 25: Early Childhood Open House (for prospective families)
- October 26: Early Childhood Parent Teacher Conferences (4:15 PM–5:30 PM)
- October 28: Annual Giving Day
| |
ATHLETICS UPDATE
Home Court Energy
It’s been a tough stretch on the volleyball court, with Middle School falling to Pasadena First Baptist last week and High School coming up just short in a very close match against Grace Christian. This week, Middle School also faced a tough loss to The Honor Roll School.
Both teams are back at home today, and we’d love to see the gym packed with support! Middle School takes on St. Mark’s Episcopal at 5:00 PM, followed by High School vs. Westlake Lutheran at 6:00 PM. Bring the energy, cheer loud, and help give our Stars that extra home-court boost!
And looking ahead, basketball season begins the week of October 26 for all teams. We’re excited to get another season underway!
| | | | COMMUNITY EVENTS & FLYERS | |
Shabbat Shalom! Wishing our community a peaceful and restful Shabbat!
Robert M. Beren Academy | www.berenacademy.org
| | | | |
