November 6, 2025 | 16 Cheshvan 5786 | וירא | | This week, Gan Bet continued learning Parshat Lech Lecha. Hashem told Avraham to leave his home and go on a journey to a place he didn't know. This led to a discussion about how animals go on journeys called migration. We learned that animals travel to find warmth, food, or a place to raise their babies. Using toilet paper rolls, string, and tape, we created our own binoculars and set out on an outdoor adventure! We spotted a flock of birds and shared creative ideas about where they might be going. It was a wonderful week of exploring, imagining, and learning about the journeys of both Avraham and the animals! | | |
We had an amazing week full of discovery and creativity in Gan Hey. During our nature walk, the children eagerly collected leaves, twigs, and other things they found in nature. This hands-on experience sparked many curious questions such as: Why do leaves change color? Why do they fall? And why are they different shapes?
To learn a little more about this subject we read books and watched educational videos together. The children learned that leaves need sunlight, air, and water to make sugar, which serves as food for the tree. They were fascinated to discover that the beautiful orange, red, yellow, and sometimes purple colors were actually present in the leaves all along. When there isn’t much sunlight in the fall, the chlorophyll, which gives leaves their green color, isn’t produced anymore. This allows the other vibrant colors to show through. It was amazing to see the kids' excitement as they pieced everything together.
In honor of Election Day, we held our own classroom election to teach the children about the voting process. The kids learned about how elections work and then cast their votes on whether they wanted to have a pizza party or an ice cream party. The ice cream party won by a landslide! Everyone is already buzzing with excitement and looking forward to celebrating together.
| | After learning Parashat Vayera, all of the first grade students participated in a lively "Ohel Avraham" presentation. The room was set up to look like Avraham's tent, and the students recalled the story in the parasha when Avraham invited 3 guests into his tent, doing the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim. They saw the story in action with our talented student actors, and then were invited to join in the festivities which included dancing, singing and having a snack inside the tent. A fun time was had by all! | | This month, we began current events in 5A, which occurs twice a month. Students choose topics that they deem important, and then select articles from vetted websites. Students are expected to share facts, related vocabulary, as well as field questions after presenting. Last week, students selected articles related to the museum heist at The Louvre, a robotic food chain intervention, and a Guinness world-record setter. Students did a great job of becoming experts and helping to inform their peers of important news stories. | | Members of Yavneh’s Opera Club and their parents attended a performance of “La Fille de Regiment “ (The Daughter of the Regiment) at the Metropolitan Opera. During intermission, the group was treated to a “Meet and Greet” with Met Chorus soprano Lianne Conley-Dispensa, a neighbor of club member Abigail Unterberg. She warmly welcomed the group to the Met and graciously answered questions. The delightful comedy was greatly enjoyed by the group! | | SEL Update: In 4th grade SEL, students explored how the way we think can affect how we feel and act! Through fun games and team activities, they practiced telling the difference between a thought (like “I might fall off the ride”) and a feeling (like “scared” or “nervous”). Students then learned about the SEL Triangle, which shows how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected. Using examples from everyday situations, they discovered how choosing more helpful thoughts can lead to more positive emotions and actions. Our goal is to encourage students to notice their thoughts and reframe unhelpful ones into more optimistic and empowering messages! | | On Wednesday, Yavneh Academy was privileged to have two soldiers join us from the wonderful organization Ami. The chayalim arrived at Yavneh in the morning to a well-deserved hero’s welcome. Our Yavneh students lined the hallways with signs, flags, and posters, welcoming our heroes. After beautiful singing and music, our chayalim headed to the Sara and Leon Broch Beit Midrash. On the way, Rabbi Knapp was able to show our beautiful and newly installed Chayalim Wall. These plaques celebrate our dozens of Yavneh alumni who have served in Tzahal. Kayam and Shlomi joined our 7th and 8th graders and told their harrowing and inspirational stories of serving Am Yisrael while fighting in Gaza. Both sustained potentially life-threatening injuries and, with Hashem’s help, made full recoveries. Students and teachers were so inspired hearing their amazing and inspirational stories. At the end of this inspirational morning the seventh and eighth graders, together with our special guests, sang Hatkiva together. Thank you to our heroes! | | |
Yavneh Academy was proud to participate in a month long Yad Leah chesed campaign culminating last Sunday in the Dash For Dignity for Yad Leah. This run helped raise money to send packages of clothing to Israel. Upon arriving at Overpeck Park there were many familiar faces and an incredible amount of people there who donated and raised money for Yad Leah. At the racing sight, there was face painting, a cotton candy machine, and a large table full of food for all the runners. Upon registration, runners were given a T-shirt and a number to pin onto it. First there was the 5K Run, followed by the Kids Dash and then the One Mile run. There was something for everyone.
Participants finished the race with many people cheering them on and with a delicious breakfast waiting. As the event was coming to an end, there was an awards ceremony announcing some of the fastest runners. This was a fun and fulfilling and way to help families in need.
| | | The 7th graders embarked on a new unit in Advisory called Operation Respect. The goal of this unit is to inculcate skills of empathy through developing a relationship with the Hackensack homeless shelter. A representative of the center spoke to the students on Wednesday and launched their unit of weekly training sessions regarding the steps needed for empathy. She described what their shelter does to help the homeless and what role they can play in making a difference. Many students took the opportunity to ask questions to better understand the plight of the homeless. | | Yavneh Academy is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. | | | | | |
