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Parashat:
Acharai-Kedoshim
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NSHA Celebrates Israel at 75! | |
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This week, our boundless love and support for Israel came to life across classrooms and campuses, thanks to our incredible educators and shluchot.
On Yom HaZikaron, students paid tribute to soldiers and victims of terror with beautiful tributes, a moment of silence, and candles to light at home in their memory. IDF veterans Hillal and Ofir, who were wounded during their service, shared their stories of courage and received cheers, high fives, and standing ovations from our students.
| Then, on Yom Ha’atzmaut, our school burst into celebration for Israel’s 75th birthday, as students immersed themselves in the Jewish homeland through song, “snorkeling in Eilat,” IDF obstacle courses, Israeli themed lunches, and so much more. Read about more of the highlights below. | |
A whirlwind adventure in Israel | |
Our youngest students boarded El Al flights to Israel and hit up destinations from Tel Aviv to Eilat, and from Jaffa to Jerusalem. After getting a stamp on their passports, they placed notes in the Kotel, dug up pottery shards at Masada, created shell necklaces in Eilat, drank freshly squeezed orange juice in Jaffa, waved Israeli flags that they designed, and tested their knowledge about all things Israel.
For our elementary school students, life-size backdrops set the scene for skiing on Mount Hermon, parasailing over Eilat, and davening at the Kotel. They were even able to go back in time for a photo op at the Knesset with past Prime Minister Golda Meir.
Lehitra’ot – our students can’t wait to return!
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Hebrew songs of hope and prayer | |
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Our incredible choir performed beautiful Israeli songs for parents and students. Led by Mrs. Marcelline Yellin and with musical accompaniment by Mr. Izzy Kiefer, Mr I., and special guest Rabbi Kobrin on the drums, it was an unforgettable concert.
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Shekels in hand, our elementary students headed to the shuk ready to buy “NSHA Loves Israel ‘75” sunglasses, fresh watermelon slices, Israeli soccer scarves, blue and white cookies, and so much more. | Refuah Shleima at Shaarei Tzedek | During their journey to Jerusalem, students made a special visit to Shaare Tzedek Hospital, where they created personalized cards and care packages for the hospital's youngest patients. These will be hand delivered. | Simulations with Israeli soldiers | Boot camps with ex-IDF soldiers put our students' physical and collaborative skills to the test. With obstacle courses and special challenges, our students practiced teamwork, strengthened their communication skills, and learned self-defense. | Innovation, advocacy, and anti-terrorism | A Yom Iyyun brought our high school students together to explore critical topics related to Israel in 16 sessions all taught by our faculty in their areas of expertise, including Israel’s technology and innovations, how to be an American advocate for Israel, the BDS movement, the IDF's anti-terrorism unit, Sephardic perspectives on Yom Ha'atzmaut, and more. | |
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A parasha approach to
pruning plants responsibly -
This week in Grow Torah in Gan Judy!
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Just as we have laws to help us act kindly towards our fellow humans, we also have laws to ensure that we treat plants and wildlife considerately. In fact, in this week’s parasha, Parashat Acharei-Kedoshim, we learn about farming mitzvot, including pe’ah, not harvesting the corners of the field, and kilayim, not planting various species together.
Together with Farmer Spence, our students explored the Jewish value of achrayut, responsibility, and its role in our food and belongings in our beautiful Gan Judy which is beginning its spring reawakening. Then, students took action with achrayut by planting chives and pruning bolting kale.
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From social psychology to astronomy: NSHAHS presents at Long Island Science Congress Tournament | |
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Our NSHAHS Science Research Program students were put to the test last week, answering tough questions about far-reaching disciplines including exobotany, social psychology, animal behavior, comparative anatomy, environmental remediation, astronomy, and new personal technology at the Long Island Science Congress (LISC) Tournament. As Mr. G. Wykes, who supervises the program together with Mr. Choudhury, remarked, “It would be difficult to come up with nine projects that covered more scientific territory.” Eleven NSHAHS students presented the projects, with three rounds of judging.
Hosted by the Science Teachers Association of New York State, LISC brings together over 800 students and 500 projects in the Senior Division. Experts in each field judge projects based on their scientific methodology, data and analysis, thoughtfulness and creativity, as well as students’ presentations and ability to answer questions about their work. Later in the month, the Research Group will present again at the South Asian American Women's Association (SAAWA) Science Competition at the Merrick Golf Club.
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NSHAHS students are in their element with third place finish at Science Olympiad
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Whether it’s building a gravity-propelled car that hurtles towards a wall, constructing a bridge that can support a thousand times its own weight, or diving deep into the cosmos with images from the James Webb Space Telescope, NSHAHS students showed off their science chops with a third place overall finish at the recent BJE Science Olympiads held last month at Lander College.
Fifteen students, from the ninth, tenth and eleventh grades, competed against 10 other Jewish schools in different events that challenge participants to use math and science concepts, acquiring knowledge and building skills to solve problems and answer questions.
“It is the most intense day of science you can imagine,” said Mr. G. Wykes, 10th grade chemistry teacher and coach of the Science Olympiad team. “Our students train hard, perform advanced mental gymnastics, and go head-to-head in competition against other schools. On competition day, there’s more than 150 students plus coaches and teachers, running around in their different colored team t-shirts. It’s fun and frenetic!”
Symbiotic studying
Mr. Wykes has taught at NSHAHS since its inception, and has at one time or another taught every science course except physics. Science Olympiad, now in its 39th year nationally, has been a part of NSHAHS’s extracurricular program from its beginning in 2001. Each year, more than 6,000 teams from all 50 states participate in the Science Olympiad nationally, and, thanks to Laurie McMillen, Lander College and the BJE, Jewish high schools can get in on the action.
Olympiad students train for months in their area of choice, which can range from subjects in pure science and mathematics to construction and engineering projects like thermodynamics and aerodynamics. Each area of study has an annual challenge. Knowledge competitions include a test, while engineering challenges require students to solve problems by building objects. For the knowledge competitions, such as astronomy, students work in pairs to parcel out the vast subject matter “Their performance depends on the degree of preparation with their partner. Often the duos develop a great symbiosis, exchanging ideas, encouraging each other, and communicating about a fair division of study areas.”
NSHAHS finished second in the Astronomy competition. The school also took top honors in the Chemistry Lab competition, and in Bridge Building where a tiny truss bridge designed and built by student phenom, Aviv, was able to support 15 kilos before falling! But the team score is based on the performance of all pairs in all events, and not necessarily on the number of medals.
“That underscores the team aspect of the whole undertaking, and that, to me, is why the Science Olympiad is special,” explained Mr. Wykes.
Many Science Olympiad graduates from NSHAHS go on to major in STEM subjects in college and to work as engineers, doctors, and scientists. Mr. Wykes and assistant coach Shabbat Choudhury are excited that many of the students pledged to join again next year, cementing a strong team which will benefit from a year of experience. Recruitment for next year’s team will begin in December.
Mr. Wykes also runs the Research Program at NSHAHS, where students conduct research and complete an investigation of their own design. They then present their findings at high-profile regional venues and fairs. He said that while the independent science research direction works well for some students, others love the camaraderie and team spirit of the Science Olympiads.
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