Highlights
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Wednesday, November 26, 2014
| Friday Candles 4:04 p.m. | | 4 Kislev 5775 | Torah Portion Yayetzei |
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Highlights, published weekly and distributed via e-mail, is an official publication of the Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford. It contains information of school activities and notices which are essential information for all members of the school community.
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WE DO EXCELLENCE, JEWISHLY!
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 Principled Thoughts |
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A Jewish Connecticut Yankee at Thanksgiving
Growing up in Hartford, I was raised in a home that celebrated Jewish and civic traditions. Our family built a Sukkah for the fall festival, and flew an American flag outside our front door on July 4. The same tablecloth and flatware that adorned our Shabbat table were used as the setting to serve turkey on the fourth Thursday of November. It was an opportunity to validate my self as a Jew living in the United States.
This blending of tradition is a significant part of my life in the diaspora. Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, zt"l, termed America the 'Midinah Shel Chesed,' a country of kindness. It is significant to note that one of the members of his extended family, Rabbi Meir Soloveitchik, currently the Rav of the Spanish and Portugese Synagogue in New York City, has done some scholarly work to show that the basis for Thanksgiving has Jewish roots. According to Rabbi Solovetichik, in his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789, George Washington wrote, 'Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-that we may then all unite in Him our sincere and humble thanks..'
Living in America provides us with a level of security that has been elusive for Jews throughout history. The values of America as found on every dollar bill, 'In G-d we trust' are foundations of our lives for which we give daily thanks.
Part of being thankful is the ability to recognize goodness. Those who approach life negatively cannot truly be appreciative of the blessings of the Creator. Our daily prayers remind us of the requirement to be cognizant of the acts of nature that are with us at all times, and of a Creator who renews the elements of creation on a daily basis. It is with this perspective that my colleagues join me in our daily challenge to share the blessings and goodness of the secular and Jewish worlds with our students.
Recognition of goodness is enhanced when others share our perspective. Such expressions validate feelings and reinforce our own beliefs and values. This week, the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE) has recognized the place of our school within the community by awarding us an Atidenu grant to assist us in recruitment and retention. This is an eighteen month relationship which will advise and assist our school to increase enrollment. Our school's acceptance into this program provides outside validation of our goals and mission as an enterprise of Jewish education which must be sustained and nurtured. Our thanks to Shayne Kesler, Neil Brittman, Dr. David Glahn and Karen Schlossberg for their dedication in bringing this to fruition, and we salute the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford for their support and encouragement.
Our school stands as a community anchor to create the next generation of Jews who are loyal to their faith and civic-minded people who exemplify the values of the American founding fathers.
For all of this we have much to be thankful.
Happy Turkey Day.
Rabbi Eliot Feldman
Head of School
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| Experience & Explore @ the Hebrew Academy |
Dor L'Dor
Next session will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014.
Please note special time: 6:00 -7:00 p.m.
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Shlock Rock Concert
Don't forget to register at our website. Encourage your friends throughout the community to join us and register too.
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| Around the School |
Dor L'Dor Program
The first session of Dor L'Dor presented as part of the "Explore and Experience" program was held this past Saturday, November 22nd. Led by Rabbi Aaron Jaffee, the program was well attended and enjoyed by all. The next session will be Saturday December 6th.
The Sigel Hebrew Academy at the Federation
Students presented a check for $218.00 which represented the proceeds of 'Federation Week' activities. Receiving the check on behalf of the Federation is Mr. Howard Sovronsky, Interim CEO.
Lentil Soup
In Toldot, last week's parsha, Yaakov made lentil soup and so did students in preschool and Kindergarten. Students went to the kitchen and worked hard preparing the soup. They needed some encouragement to taste it at Shabbat party, but once they did, everyone liked it.
Turkey Feathers
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All Hebrew Academy classes were involved in a colorful Thanksgiving activity sponsored by Student Council. Each class was given a turkey that was in need of feathers. Students made creative feathers and wrote what they are thankful for on the feathers, that now decorate their class turkey. Come and see the turkeys on display in the school lobby.
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7th Grade Use a Scale to Learn Algebra
7th grade math students enjoyed using a scale to model solving equations to find the hidden number. They learned the golden rule of algebra: do unto one side of the equal side as you do unto the other.
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Playful Pals Playgroup
The final of the fall sessions of this successful series was this week. We met several new families and many little friends. Look for a new series to begin in the Spring!
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| Notices for Parents |
Yahrzeit Tribute to Mrs. June Mishkin, a"h
Academy Chanukah Cabaret
Wednesday, December 17, 2014 - 5:30 p.m. -- 2nd Candle
An Evening of Fun and Entertainment
Chanukah Candle Lighting ** Student Performances ** Dinner
Dinner to include Soup, Salad, Pasta and Dessert
Family seating, $7/Adult, $5/Child
Maximum $36 when reserved by 2 p.m. Friday, December 12, 2013
$10 surcharge/family for reservations after that date
Please make reservations beginning 5 p.m. Monday, November 24
by calling our school office at 860.243.8333
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Grandparents and Special Friends Morning
Monday, December 22, 2014 -- 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.-- Sixth Day of Chanukah
Experience and Explore -- Special Event
Spend a morning in the classroom ** School-wide craft activity ** School Tour ** Brunch
R.S.V.P to Karen Schlossberg at kschlossberg@sigelacademy.org by 2 p.m. December 12
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Migration to Google Apps for Education
This week the school began the migration to Google Apps as the host for e-mails. Due to some possible downtime during the migration process, some correspondence may have been lost. Please resend any notes which have not received a timely response.
Email addresses have not changed.
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Picture Retakes
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| Celebrations, Appreciations and Acknowledgements |
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A note of appreciation to to Shayne Kesler and Juanita Moss for their planning of the Playful Pals playgroup and to Deb Levine for leading the program. Watch for the next session in 2015.
DONATIONS
The Bess & Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy acknowledges with grateful thanks, donations from the following:
Mazel Tov to Ida Frankfurter on birth of great-grandson Moishe Chaim Yarimi from Helga Allweiss
Happy Belated Birthday to Jack Resnick from Elijah Kesler
In memory of David Glahn's mother, Beverly Scarborough, a"h, from Don and Helene Hirschfeld
In memory of June Mishkin, a"h from Don and Helene Hirschfeld
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| PTO |
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University of Hartford Basketball Kosher Night
The PTO is sponsoring a fun family night out. Kosher food is included with the price of admissions and will be available in The Commons, across from the stadium from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Kid friendly food will be served. It is suggested that families eat prior to attending the game.
Make your reservation now by emailing office@sigelacademy.org or calling 860.243.8333. Reservation deadline is Monday, December 1st for payment.
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Cash Back Programs to Help The Hebrew Academy
This year, the Sigel Hebrew Academy will be participating in the Box Tops for Education program. My name is Ilana Bernstein and I am the Box Tops Coordinator for SHAGH. Clipping Box Tops is an easy way for you to help our school buy what it needs. Box Tops are each worth 10 cents and they quickly add up to reach cash for our school. This school year, our school's earning goal is $1,000. To help our school, just look for pink Box Tops on products, clip them, and either glue or tape them (no staples) to the collection sheet. Bring each full sheet into school. For more information on the Box Tops for Education program, including a list of participating products for our school's progress, visit www.BTFE.com. Be sure to become a member to receive exclusive coupons and recipes and learn about extra way for our school to earn. Questions should be directed to Ilana Bernstein, 860-922-0448 or via e-mail to ilana.bernstein79@gmail.com .
 Do you have a Target REDCard? If so, make sure it's designated to the Hebrew Academy and Target will donate an amount equal to one percent (1%) of your Target Credit Card, at any Target store and Target.com. Target will track purchases and will distribute the accumulated donations to schools in September of each year. As of August 2014, Target will donate $92.12 to the Hebrew Academy.
Cumulatively Target has donated $690.50 to the Hebrew Academy through this program.
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Classroom Parents List
Nursery 3: Ilana Weinberg
Nursery 4: Levy Lomasky
Kindergarten: Shayna Gopin
1st grade: Rivka Peck
2nd grade: Batsheva Goldfischer
3rd grade: Judy Brenner
4th grade: Elisheva Davidovics
5th grade: Marc Resnick
6th & 7th grade: Miriam Silberman
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| Calendar |
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Events for the coming week:
Thursday and Friday,
November 27 and 28 | Thanksgiving Break, School Closed
| | Wednesday, December 3 | Picture Retakes | |
Thursday, December 4
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Songs of the Heart Concert, 7:30 p.m.
Children's choir includes HAGH choir
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Saturday, December 6
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Dor L'Dor, 6 - 7 p.m. (Note Special Time)
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Looking ahead on the calendar:
| Wednesday, December 10 | Hartford Hawks, Women's Basketball, Kosher Night
Game - 7:00 p.m., Kosher food beginning at 4:30 p.m. | Friday, December 12
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Yahrzeit Tribute to June Mishkan, a"h, 9:00 a.m.
| | Saturday, December 13 | Shlock Rock Concert
| | Tuesday, December 16 | First candle of Chanukah (p.m.) | | Wednesday, December 17 | Second candle of Chanukah (p.m.) Academy Chanukah Cabaret - 5:30 p.m. | | Thursday, December 18 | Third candle of Chanukah (p.m.)
Grades 4-7 entertain at the Hebrew Home | | Sunday, December 21 | Sixth candle of Chanukah (p.m.) Choir to sing at Chanukah on Ice program in Blue Back Square | | Monday, December 22 | Sixth Day of Chanukah
Grandparent & Special Friends Day
Staff meeting -- 3:00 p.m. Dismissal |
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| Aim Chai |
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Joint Professional Development Day
THREE LOCAL SCHOOLS DEMONSTRATE POWER OF COLLABORATION
(GREATER HARTFORD, November 20, 2014)
Seventy-five teachers from three independent schools joined forces to learn from one another last week, just one example of a new collaboration that's changing the future of these schools. The message of the day was 'keeping pace with student innovation' and discussion centered around how teacher can keep pace with the current level of technology and new ideas students enjoy experimenting with taking today.
"The sessions were interesting and engaging, but it was also great to meet faculty from other schools and see what they were doing," said Jason Kariel, technology coordinator at Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford. "I had great conversations about technology and its applications in the classroom. I hope to continue those conversations moving forward."
Hosted at the Hebrew High School of New England because of its state-of-the-art facilities, the day long conference demonstrated the expertise within the faculty itself. Each session was led by one of the three schools' teachers. Rabbi Eliot Feldman, head of the Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford was the organizing force behind the day. Sessions ranged from exploration of applied technologies to strategies for improving study skills to teaching specific aspects of the Torah.
The joint professional development day was born of a new collaboration among Jewish Hartford's three-day schools to catapult academics in an exciting direction. The Day School Transformation Fund, part of the Aim Chai Endowment Campaign, seeks to build on and accelerate the curricular developments at Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy, Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford and Hebrew High School of New England.
The goal of the Day School Transformation Fund is to create integrated curricula for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, taught so as to capture student imagination and prepare them for the challenges of the future. The three participating schools will provide students with the academic rigors of STEAM and the critical thinking and ethical grounding of Judaic studies.
The Aim Chai Endowment Campaign (www.aimchai.org), led by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, is an unprecedented collaboration of more than 25 partners. Each brings a unique value to the community and its varied demographics, including synagogues, day schools, health care and social service agencies, student organizations, community programs and more. To date, the endowment has raised nearly $30 million in funds, and is fueled by an energy and commitment that has already surpassed expectations.
"I was very happy to see the increased collaborative efforts among the day schools. The success of this conference bodes well for the future of our community," said Stephen Bayer, senior vice president and chief program officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford.
"The Day School Transformation Fund is taking our Jewish day shools to a new level of cooperation, which makes every school - and every student - stronger for it," said Michael Johnston, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. "The professional development conference is a terrific example of the ripple effects of this work for every aspect of the schools."
Through the Day School Transformation Fund, the schools have a new partnership with the Connecticut Science Center and are working on others. The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford oversees all grant making and deliverables.
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| Community Events |
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In Support of the Beth David Synagogue
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Chanukah Cantata
Several Hebrew Academy students from grades 3-7 are participating in an extra-curricular choir event. Internationally renowned cantor and composer, Joseph Ness, will conduct a performance of "Chanukah Cantata" for children's choir, adult choir, cantor (tenor) soloist and instrumental ensemble, on Thursday, December 4, at Beth El Temple in West Hartford. The composer of the work, Cantor Raymond Goldstein of Jerusalem, is the soloist and composer-in-residence for this performance.
This performance of "Chanukah Cantata" is open to the public.
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The Psalm that United the Continental Congress:
A Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams
September 16th, 1774
Having a Leisure Moment, while the Congress is assembling, I gladly embrace it to write you a Line.
When the Congress first met, Mr. Cushing made a Motion, that it should be opened with Prayer.
It was opposed by Mr. Jay of N. York and Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina, because we were so
divided in religious Sentiments, some Episcopalians, some Quakers, some Aanabaptists, some
Presbyterians and some Congregationalists, so that We could not join in the same Act of
Worship. Mr. S. Adams arose and said he was no Bigot, and could hear a Prayer from a
Gentleman of Piety and Virtue, who was at the same Time a Friend to his Country. He was a
Stranger in Phyladelphia, but had heard that Mr. Duche (Dushay they pronounce it) deserved
that Character...Mr. Randolph our President, waited on Mr. Duche, and received for Answer
that if his Health would permit, he certainly would. Accordingly next Morning he...read several
Prayers, in the established Form; and then read the Collect for the seventh day of September,
which was the Thirty fifth Psalm. You must remember this was the next Morning after we heard
the horrible Rumour, of the Cannonade of Boston. I never saw a greater Effect upon an
Audience. It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that Morning...
I must beg you to read that Psalm. ...It will amuse your Friends to read this Letter and the 35th
Psalm to them...
I long to see my dear Family. God bless, preserve and prosper it. Adieu.
John Adams
The 35th Psalm
Of David. O Lord, strive with those who strive against me, battle my foes. Grasp a shield and encircling armor, and rise to my assistance. And arm Yourself with a spear and bar the way before my pursuers; say to my soul, "I am your salvation." May those who seek my life be shamed and embarrassed; may those who plan my harm draw backward and be abashed. Let them be as chaff before the wind, with an angel of the Lord thrusting them. May their way be dark and slippery, with an angel of the Lord pursuing them. For without cause they have hidden for me a pit, yea a net; without cause they have dug it for my soul. May their way be dark and slippery, with an angel of the Lord pursuing them. May darkness that he does not know come upon him, and his net that he hid shall ensnare him; in the darkness may he fall into it. And my soul shall exult in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation. All my bones shall say, O Lord, who is like You, Who saves a poor man from one stronger than he and a poor man and a needy one from one who robs him. False witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I know not. They recompense me with evil instead of good, death to my soul. But, as for me, when they were ill, my attire was sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting, and may my prayer return upon my bosom. I walked about as though it were a friend or as though it were my own brother; I was bowed with gloom as the mourning of a mother. And, when I limped, they rejoiced and gathered; lame people gathered about me, [why,] I do not know. Were they to tear, they would not draw blood. Because of the flattery of scorn for food, they gnash their teeth at me. O Lord, how long will You look on? Return my soul from their darkness, my only one from young lions. I will thank You in a large assembly; in a mighty people I will praise You. Let them not rejoice over me, those who are my enemies for an unjust cause, neither shall those who hate me for nought wink their eyes. For they do not speak peace, and against the crushed people of the earth they think words of deceit. And they opened their mouth wide against me and they said, "Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen [what we desired]." You saw, O Lord, do not be silent; O Lord, do not distance Yourself from me. Arouse Yourself and awaken to my judgment, my God and my Lord, to my cause. Judge me according to Your righteousness, O Lord, my God, and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, "Our soul rejoices." Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up." Let them be ashamed and abashed together, those who rejoice at my misfortune; let them be clothed in shame and disgrace, those who raise themselves haughtily over me. Let those who desire my vindication sing praises and rejoice, and let them constantly say, "May the Lord, Who desires the peace of His servant, be magnified." And my tongue shall utter Your righteousness, Your praise all day long.
translation from www.chabad.org
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| Mission Statement |
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To offer the highest level of Judaic and general education
to children and families of all affiliations in the community,
and to develop Jews who are proud of their heritage,
involved in their community and devoted to
G-d,
Torah,
Klal Yisrael, the Jewish people
and Eretz Yisrael, the land of Israel.
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Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy
53 Gabb Rd,
Bloomfield, CT 06002
ph. 860.243.8333
f. 860.243.3986
info@sigelacademy.org
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Check Us Out Online
www.sigelacademy.org
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