Dear SHA Community,
Congratulations to our Eighth Grade Class! We recognized the students’ accomplishments last night at the Graduation Program which was held at SHA in front of over 200 people. Highlights of the evening included: presentations from each student, Athletic Director Jed Davis’ presentation reflecting on over 20 years of coaching girls basketball at SHA and NYHS and the Yearbook Dedication to Morah Katie Regala (K) and Ms. Jamie Kahana (MS). Mazal Tov to each of the graduates and their families. Thank you to Mrs. Kerri Stern, Susan Matalon, Mrs. Sara Weiss and the SHA maintenance department for all of their work to prepare this wonderful program. Please look at pictures below to get a better sense of last night’s festivities.
We have three significant events happening this Wednesday. We will hold Celebrations for the Eagles at 8:45 am in the Plaza and for the Kindergarten at 2:15 pm in the Auditorium. Parents and guests are welcome to attend. SHA is also proud to be hosting the President of Yeshiva University Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman and its Dean for Values and Leadership Rabbi Ari Rockoff. These two esteemed guests will be praying with our students in the morning, touring SHA and speaking to our Middle School students. Thank you to Rivy Poupko Kletenik for all of her work to arrange this visit.
Finally, congratulations to Riley Wieghat and his family on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat!
Devar Torah on Perashat Beha’alotecha
Context from the Perasha
The proverbial wheels are coming off the bus for the Jewish People who are on the cusp of entering the Land of Israel. The people complained excessively about their diet which prompts Moshe to speak to G-d.
Verses from the Perasha (Bemidbar/Numbers 11:14-17)
(Moses says to G-d) “I cannot carry all these people by myself, for it is too much for me. If You would deal thus with me, kill me rather, I beg You, and let me see no more of my wretchedness!”
Then G-d said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy of Israel’s elders of whom you have experience as elders and officers of the people, and bring them to the Tent of Meeting and let them take their place there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will draw upon the spirit that is on you and put it upon them; they shall share the burden of the people with you, and you shall not bear it alone.”
Question
How does G-d’s offer to put His spirit on seventy elders address Moshe’s statement that he is unable to carry all of the people by himself?
One Approach
Nachmanides (Ramban) explains that Hashem’s offer directly addressed Moshe’s challenge. Moshe is asking Hashem for help. Hashem offered to help Moshe prepare seventy teachers who could help appease the people’s anger by speaking to their hearts when they would start complaining. The Jewish People needed teachers who were models of righteousness and Torah scholarship. As importantly, they needed teachers who were dedicated to the people and who would listen to the people and guide them, unconditionally, towards more perfected character traits.
Takeaway
The best teachers reach their students through imparting knowledge as well as through helping their students push through any resistance that they have to growth and development. Great teachers deeply understand their students!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Owen
