Schechter School of Long Island
E-Newsletter 
קול שכטר
Kol Schechter
January 31, 2019                                                                                                                
25 Sh'vat  5779    
  
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear  

Even more than usual, this week's Torah portion is concerned with Jewish law. Indeed its very name Mishpatim means laws. The portion describes laws of every variety: tort law, contract law, criminal law, laws about witches and about unfulfilled dowries, laws about taking care of your neighbor's livestock, laws about sexual conduct, laws pertaining to holiday observance, laws of every shape and size. Why are Jews so fascinated by discussions of law, and why do we have so many lawyers among our people? I don't think it's because we are rigid people. To the contrary, what I think fascinates us is nuance, and finding ways in the text and its commentary to support our diverse opinions.

Understanding nuance in text is probably best exemplified by the Torah commentator Rashi. Rashi was all about the minute analysis of the text, grammatically, morphologically and semantically. On the very first words of the Parsha, "V'eyla hamishpatim asher tasim lifneyhem -- and these are the ordinances that you will set before them," Rashi says the following:


"The Holy One Blessed be He said to Moses, "don't think of teaching them chapter and verse two or three times so they will know it by heart, but not trouble yourself to ensure they understand the reasons for the matter and its explanation." That is why it says, "you shall set before them," like a table set with food and prepared for each person to eat from."


Torah is to be studied but also enjoyed, just as a meal serves both sustenance and pleasure. So what better way to spend a day or night than studying?

Yes you caught me; this was all just one big segue to remind you of next week's Night of Jewish Learning (Saturday, February 9th from 7:30 to 10:00 pm at the Upper School Campus), which will bring together scholars from across the Island and beyond to study and teach. This year's theme is "Eilu v'Eilu: Using our diversity to create a stronger Jewish community". I hope you will all come out for this free event, have a nosh and more importantly have a good argument for the sake of heaven. Click here to register.


Dr. Scott M. Sokol
Head of School
Schechter School of Long Island
ssokol@ssdsnassau .org
visit our website at www.schechterli.org 

 


IN THIS ISSUE
Calling ALL Alumni and Parents of Alumni

Do y ou have a special occasion (graduation from college or grad school, acceptance to grad school, an engagement, wedding, birth, or special honor) you would like to share with your Schechter community?  Please send us an email,  here. Photos welcome.
Schechter LI Community News    
Please submit your news of simchas and sorrows to be published in KS to Antonietta Libardi,  here. 

 
Mazal Tovs

Mazal Tov  to Helen and David Marcus (SSLI Parents) on the birth of their son Noah Isaac born on December 30th. Mazal Tov to big sisters Shani (class of 2028) and Eliana and big brother Jacob.

Mazal Tov  to Jonathan
 Steinberg  (SSLI '08) on his marriage to Blair Chizner. Mazal Tov to Ellen and Jay Steinberg (SSLI Parents of Alumni).

Mazal Tov to Alex Steinberg (SSLI '03) on his engagement to Niaomi Eisenstadt . 
Refuah Sh'leima 

Wishes for a full and speedy recovery for  Zoe Mermel . Zoe's Hebrew name is Chava Shira bat Rivkah.


Condolences 

To  Richard Blau (SSLI parent) on the loss of his stepfather, Arnold Suchow. 

To   Rosalie Goldstein  (SSLI Kindergarten Teacher)  on the loss of her father, Asher Strod

To Kenny Duftler  (SSLI parent)  on the loss of his father, Irwin Duftler .

To Jane Swedler ( SSLI parent of alumi) on the loss of her father, David Bassoon.


B'nai Mitzvah   

James B. 
March 21

Jared P.
April 11

Spencer H. 
April 13


This Months Tributes: 
In Honor/In Memory 




SSLI 2018-2019 Yearbook
  
 SSLI K-12 Yearbook
SSLI Photo Gallery

Click on the image below to see our School Photo Gallery.



Generations Society: The SSLI Legacy  and  Endowment Campaign

Founding Members:
Rebecca Amitai and Morty  Schaja  
Sheri and Ira Balsam 
Cindy and Moti Dolgin
Steven Fleischer, in memory of 
Lelah Abel Fleischer z"l      
Mina and Keyvan Frouzan
Janet and Albert Hakim
Fanny and Sheldon Handel 
Judith and Robert Hirsch
Beth and Michael Kohler  
Julie Levi and Richard Blau
Dalia Lisker and Ari Jurmann
Michele and Steven Moscovitz
Vivi and Edmond Nassim 
Orna and Ronen Neutra   
Jennifer and Jeffrey Pravato
Lisa and James Schlesinger
Rachel and Michael Schor 
Robin and Barry Simonson
Ellen and Jay Steinberg
Amy and Peter Tannenbaum
Sylvia Weiser, in memory of 
Cantor Herb Weiser z"l 
------------------------------ -  
Participating in the Endowment and Legacy Gift program ensures that the Schechter School of Long Island will continue to provide affordable, quality Jewish education in the future. Please consider joining this campaign. For further information contact   Eileen Bohrer Ext. 1131 or Julie Levi at 917-697-2205
Support SSLI
In Your Daily Life


This offshoot of Amazon is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Schechter School of Long Island every time you shop at no cost to you! When you shop at smile.amazon.com, a donation is made by Amazon to SSLI.  Your shopping experience will be unaffected - the same low prices, vast selection and convenience as always. Just sign up and designate Schechter Day School of Nassau County.
E-Tribute Cards
Now available . . . 

SSLI is able to send personalized tribute cards through email.  If you would like us to acknowledge a simcha or sorrow through email, please indicate this when you make your donation.

Any questions, please contact Eileen Bohrer, Executive Director ebohrer@schechterli.org  or 516.935.1441 x 1131
 
Volunteers Wanted
From Eileen Bohrer, SSLI Executive Director

Description: The SSLI development team is looking for volunteers - parents, grandparents alumni and parents of alumni , etc. for a variety of programs that we have planned for this year. Your commitment can be for as little as one hour or for several hours weekly on an ongoing basis.

Paw Print Now 
(Click below to read articles written by our students.)
SSLI Bereavement Notifications
If you would like to begin receiving all bereavement notices from Schechter, please email alibardi@schechterli.org and your name will be added to our Bereavement Notice list. 

Please note: Schechter currently sends out bereavement notices based on your child(ren)'s graduating class, with the exception of a few.  
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: If you are unable to see this entire newsletter in your Gmail, scroll to the bottom and click "View Entire Message".

SSLI Night of Jewish Learning - Feb. 9, 2019


This event is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served.  
RSVP's are required. Click here to Register
SSLI Gala 2019 - Place an Ad/Register

Friday Letter: News from the Lower School
From:Sandi Swerdloff, SSLI Lower School Principal

Excerpt from  Friday, January 25th Letter:    
"Back in December, as the holiday of Hanukkah was approaching, I made the decision that the week would be homework free. I asked parents to tell me, either by email or phone, about their experiences. Many parents responded, and after reading their thoughtful comments I decided to make this the topic of my January faculty meeting. I shared the emails I received with the teachers and we spent the morning reflecting on the value of homework and how we could make some changes to make the assignments more meaningful and productive. ...  Click here to continue reading.

Enrollment for 2019-2020





From the Executive Office
 
It has been three weeks since Enrollment Agreements became available and the Admissions and Executive Offices are busy at work processing the agreements we've received to date.  With the demanding lives we all lead, I know some of you may not have had a chance to go into your RenWeb Parent Portal and access the Enrollment Agreement, or you may have started it, put it aside for a more convenient time, and not had a chance to complete it.  I urge you to take the time this week to complete your documents and submit them by Thursday, February 7th in order to take full advantage of the most favorable tuition rate. Click here to continue reading.
 
Champions For Charity - Song Contest Winner...

Congratulations to Vicky Wolkofsky for winning the Champions for Charity
song contest. Vicky will receive a $180 Gift Card. Thank you to all those who participated in our contest and to all those who Shopped for Schechter!
Senior Play - Save the Date
The Hebrew Department Production &
Senior Class of 2019
Present
Sallah Shabbati (סאלח שבתי)
on 4/16/19 at 7:00pm.
Location: Upper school campus.
Everyone is invited including family, friends and community.
(the early day performance - time tbd)
HS Drama Club Presents
The High School Drama Club presents MAMMA MIA on March 14th, 16th &17th at the Long Island Children's Museum.

HS Students rehearsing the iconic flipper dance in Mamma Mia. L-R: Jessica S., Michelle D.,  Sophie T., Ayden L., Mayah T., Gillian L.,  Myles R.
Everyday, some 20 plus high school students stay after school to rehearse this year's spring musical, Mamma Mia. Enthusiasm is running high and a whole new generation has fallen in love with  those iconic Abba songs. Meanwhile, our team of parent volunteers (some of whom are parents of children who have long since graduated!) are hard at work creating costumes, designing sets and helping out at rehearsals. It is truly a community theater at work! Mark the show dates on your calendar. You definitely don't want to miss this show. 
Middle School Trip to the Tilles Center
On Feb. 1st, the entire middle school - both teachers and students -  will travel to the Tilles Center to see a spectacular performance of a dance troupe  called Diavolo. The company describe themselves as Architecture in Motion and their dances explore how we humans interact with the physical world around us. We are anticipating an incredible performance that  will feature dance, gymnastics and acrobatics.  Prior to the visit, the students are discussing such concepts as teamwork, collaboration, choreography and improvisation.
9th Grade Trip to the Opera

On Monday Feb. 4th, the 9th grade class will be attending a dress rehearsal of Donizetti's La Fille du Regiment  at the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center. This is an extraordinary opportunity that is offered to school groups in an effort to introduce young audiences to the world of opera. Prior to the trip, students learned about the opera and listened to selections of the music so they are well prepared and excited to go.  
High School Marks MLK Jr. Day
The HS Tzibur Club, advised by Rebecca Friedman-Charry, brought high school students together to learn about Student Activism in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Junior co-chairs, Ellie J. and Ethan R., told their peers that they were inspired by MLK Jr. not only having a dream, but also doing something to make that dream a reality. Via video-conference, Isaac Bensignor, HS '17, described his actions as a member of the student government at Ohio State University. Students also learned from the president of the Jewish Student Union of Germany, Dalia Grinfeld, who emphasized the importance of avoiding a "someone else will do it" mentality. The video-conferences were followed by student led breakout sessions, giving opportunities for activism through speaking, writing, and graphic design.

Interfaith programs at SSLI this week
Eighth Grade Participates in Generation Global
 
What do SSLI's eighth graders have in common with their peers in St. Louis Missouri; Kharkov and Okhtyrka, Ukraine; Dehadrun and Noida, India; Hyderabad, Pakistan; Kuwait City, Kuwait; and Cairo, Egypt? They are about to find out, when Mr. Maffei's 8th grade Social Studies students participate in Generation Global, a program that facilitates international interfaith dialogue.
 
Our 8th grade students first had three lessons in dialogue skills, taught by Ms Judith May, SSLI's Generation Global coordinator. Students explored the importance of dialogue, the difference between dialogue and debate, and how to disagree respectfully. Meanwhile, around the world, other middle schoolers have been learning the same skills. They will all begin to put their training into action next week, when their group blog opens with the question, "What values and beliefs are important for your community?"
 
The team topic will continue for three weeks, with a new question to explore each week. The blog takes place on the Generation Global website, with all entries monitored by teachers and the Generation Global staff. What will our 8th graders find out about their peers around the globe? What will the world find out about us? We're looking forward to finding out.

NEW! Boys' Common Ground Interfaith Group

On Wednesday, Jan. 30th, a group of 11th grade boys stayed after school for the first meeting of Common Ground, an interfaith dialogue group for boys, coordinated by Ms Judith May. (A parallel program, Common Ground for girls, now in its fourth year.) SSLI boys hosted a group of their peers from Chaminade High School, a Catholic boys' school in Mineola. Conversation was wide ranging, with both groups expressing curiosity about one another's beliefs, practices, and identities. One of the topics of discussion was prayer, which led the group to visit the 11th grade minyan room, where the SSLI students showed their guests the Torah scroll, and demonstrated and explained the use of tallit and tefilin. We look forward to continuing the dialogue at a second meeting in March.  Thanks to our guests from Chaminade for coming over despite the snow, and yashar koach to participants Avi C, Eitan G, Jesse H, Ethan R, and Tyler W, for pioneering this program.
Support The Class of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

Beat the brutal cold, show your pride in the Metro Division's Leaders and support the SSLI Class of 2020 with a cozy fleece 
NY Islanders scarf. 
Get yours today!!  Click here

Join us for the Senior Fashion Show!  Proceeds go to the SSLI Class of 2019 Israel Scholarship Fund - Saturday, March 9, 2019 - 8:30 PM-10:30 PM (Doors and Boutique open at 8:00 PM) at Schechter School of Long Island, Lower School - 1 Barbara Lane, Jericho, NY 11753.  Click here to purchase tickets.
GIFT CARD SALE!!  Purchase Gift Cards to a variety of stores and support the SSLI Classes of 2021 and 2022! Click here to purchase.
SSLI Parent Association - Casino Night - May 9th
SAVE THE DATE
                                               
 
Update Your RenWeb Contact Information
Dear Parents,

Please update all contact information in Renweb for all relatives listed. If grandparents have more than one address, please send an email to Antonietta Libardi, at alibardi@schechterli.org   with each address and the period during which that they will be living at that address.

We need updated information so that we can send mailings (Rosh Hashana cards, Grandparents and Special Friends Day invitations, etc.) to the correct address.
Community Events & News

Take Action Today: Ask Your Legislators to Support Security Funding for Shuls & Schools


Dear OU Advocacy Partner,

The federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), whose creation was spearheaded by the OU Advocacy Center, was funded in FY2018 at $50 million, with a separate $10 million for eligible nonprofit organizations located in rural areas.

Unfortunately, the NSGP is in jeopardy of a 42 percent cut in funding this year.  In the coming days and weeks, the House of Representatives and the Senate will determine whether to decrease the allocation for the NSGP. The program provides crucial security for our communities-each year our schools, synagogues and community centers apply for and receive grants of up to $150,000 to make our communities more secure.  Click here to continue reading.
Please participate in our 2018-2019 Annual Campaign and help Schechter LI thrive.
For additional information, please contact Eileen Bohrer, Executive Director
 at ebohrer@schechterli.org or call 516-935-1441, Ext. 1131