October 28, 2011/30 Tishrei 5772
In This Issue
Shabbat Table Talk From Rabbi Daniel
Rosenberg
Skokie Kindergarten Students are Avid
Readers
Third Grade Families Gather For Ice Cream
Social
Fourth Graders Research Sifrei Torah
Explore Energy Transfer
More on the Poetry Pals Program
Eighth Graders Research Communications
Skills of Animals and Present Their Findings
in Hebrew
Chicago-area Hebrew School Teachers Visit
Sager Middle School Computer Lab
Sager Middle School Hebrew Teachers
Receive Diplomas From Hebrew College
Sager Middle School Student Organizes
Charity Dance Benefit
Alumni News
Shabbat Shalom!
Which Alum from the Class of 2001 designed the cover of
the October issue of the JUF NEWS
and said the following?
"It is amazing seeing former
classmates at Shabbat dinners and
even at the bus stop in Lakeview -the neighborhood often feels like a
mini Schechter reunion!"
Scroll down or click on Alumni News to read about this
impressive Schechter graduate.
Shabbat Table Talk
From Rabbi Daniel Rosenberg
Explore With Us! Science and Discovery...for
Curious 4 and 5 Year Olds
Parshat Noach
Contact Us
Administrative Office
847.498.2100
Middle School Office
847.412.5700
Sager Office
847.412.5600
Skokie Office
847.679.6270
Fall Chess Tournament at Solomon
Schechter
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Check-in 9:30-9:45 a.m
1st round begins promptly at 10:00
a.m. Tournament is complete at 2:30
p.m. You can leave your child with us
and come back at 2 pm.
Location: Solomon Schechter Day
School, 9301 Gross Point Rd., Skokie,
IL 60076 .
Fee: $40 (kosher pizza lunch and
participation medal are included).
Ages: For grades K-8. There will be two
divisions: K-3 and 4-8.
For being so close to the beginning of the Torah,
the early human beings manage to muddle
things up pretty quickly. People make such bad
choices that, by the generation of Noach, God
decides to use a flood to destroy the world and
start from scratch - almost. Noach is a righteous person in his
generation, and God tells him how to survive the flood that is about to
come. Noach must build a tevah, an ark of wood, in which he and his
family will take care of the animals that will repopulate the earth. The
Midrash Tanhuma gives us a midrash that Noach not only built the ark,
but also first planted and cultivated the trees before making the boards
- to give the people around him a chance to see what was coming and
to repent. Sadly, in all of those years, they did not; instead, they merely
mocked Noach and continued to make bad choices.
In his Commentary on the Torah, Richard E. Friedman points out that a
tevah is not a ship. Instead, what Noach built was essentially a big box,
with no rudder or sail (and nearly no windows). During the 40 days and
nights of rain, and the eight months after of being tossed around in the
water until the tevah came to rest in the mountains, it must have been
VERY rocky inside for Noach's family and the animals. Still, it was
because they were kept safe from the storm inside the tevah that they
were able, when the waters receded, to come out and find manoach, a
resting place, that was stable and sustainable.
Questions to take away:
How do you think Noach might have felt during those years when no
one changed their behavior when they saw him modeling his behavior?
Do you think he could have acted differently to make a difference in the
world?
Unrelated to parshat Noach, October has been Domestic Violence
Awareness Month. Quite related to parshat Noach, many in our
community are highlighting on this Shabbat the important work of the
Ark, which has just opened up its northern branch across Landwehr
from our Northbrook school. Both of these opportunities emphasize the
Jewish value of helping those in our communities whose lives and
livelihoods may be threatened in ways they do not control, until they
can get to a manoach. What kinds of organizations do you see around
you that serve as a tevah for people in difficult times? If you needed to
turn to an individual to help you find manoach, whom would you ask?
Number of games: There will be 5
rounds. Each child will play each round.
Awards: Ten top scorers in each
division will receive trophies and
medals. The best school team in each
division will receive a trophy.
Skokie KIndergarten Students are
Avid Readers
Chess sets: Chess sets will be provided.
Click here for registration information
and to print out a registration form.
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Announcing Our New Schechter
Wear Website
What's the newest trend in clothing?
It's Schechter Wear!
Now you can proudly display your
Schechter spirit with any of the great
tee-shirts and more that you'll find on
our new Schechter Wear site. They
make great gifts too.
Click here to see all the different styles
and items.
Show your pride!
Skokie Kindergarten students are busy readers during each day's
Reading Workshop. The students begin with a mini-lesson that focuses
on a particular reading skill. In the beginning stages of Reading
Workshop, the children then read from their Shared Reading
poems/books (familiar reading such as Jack Be Nimble, Days of the
Week, an Alphabet Book, etc) in their folders while the picture books
are "frozen" in a bin on their table.
After about five minutes, the book bins excitedly become "unfrozen"
and children spend more time reading picture/story books. At the end of
Reading Workshop, 2-3 children share the work they did on the skill
taught that day. "It's wonderful to see how much our students love
reading," says Kindergarten teacher Dena Dworin.
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Yom Orchim in
Skokie is
Friday, October 28
Yom Orchim
Skokie Pre-K - 2
Friday, October 28
8:30 am Registration, program begins
at
9:00 am - 11:00 am
For more information and to RSVP:
email
joan.sohn@schechter.org
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Schechter News
Yasher Koach
to Our Torah Readers
Sager
4th & 5th Grade
Noah 10/24
1) Micah Swatez
2) Talia Kalman
3) Adam Kalman
Noah 10/27
1) Ezra Perlow
2) Benjamin Lesch
3) Adam Kalman
Middle School
6th Grade
Noah
1.) Avi Horwitz
2.) Liam Lynch
3.) Margo Morady
7th Grade
Noah
1.) Ariel Saxton
2.) Molly Copley
3.) Sammy Schein
8th Grade
Noah
1.) Rebecca Wittenstein
2.) Ema Finfer
3.) Laura Schickler
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Skokie
10/26......... Sager Poetry Pals Event at the
Skokie School (for 4th Grade students)
10/28......... Skokie Yom Orchim
10/31......... All-School Picture Day
11/2............Pre-K Art Enrichment Class in the
Art Room 1:30-2:45 pm
11/15..........Kindergarten Naming Ceremony in
the Beit Knesset 8:30am
11/16..........Pre-K Art Enrichment Class in the
Art Room 1:30-2:45pm
11/18..........Grade 2 Siddur Ceremony in the
Beit Knesset 8:30am
Hot Lunches
Third Grade Families Gather For
Ice Cream Social
Tuesday, November 1
Turkey Sandwich
Wednesday, November 2
Pasta with Sauce
Thursday, November 3
Schnitzel
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Middle School
10/31.........6th Grade leaves for Outdoor Ed
10/31.........Picture Day for 7th and 8th grade
10/31.........Yearbook in computer lab, 3:30pm
10/31.........LA/General studies tutorial in room
219, 3:30pm
10/31.........Organization lab/Judaic studies
tutorial in room 208, 3:30pm
11/1.........Art Studio open during lunch/recess
11/1.........Judaic studies/Hebrew tutorial in room
206, 3:30pm
11/1.........Jazz band, 3:30pm
11/2.........8th grade Gabbaim meet during
lunch/recess
11/2.........6th Grade returns from Outdoor Ed
11/2.........LA/General studies tutorial in room
213, 3:30pm
11/3.........Art Studio open during lunch/recess
11/3.........Math tutorial in room 217, 3:30pm
11/4.........Early dismissal begins
NOTE: THERE WILL ONLY BE A LATE
BUS IF STUDENTS SIGN UP
Check Edline for sports schedule
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Third grade families gathered early this week for an ice cream social
where they had a chance to meet and socialize as one community.
Fourth and fifth graders will have similar events in the near future. What
a delicious way to spend time together!
Community News
Between Orthodox and NonOrthodox: Obstacles and
Opportunities
Kosher Dinner and Panel
Discussion
Tuesday November 15
6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Three distinguished Chicagoland
Orthodox rabbis will answer questions
posed by moderator DePaul Professor
of Law Roberta Kwall on issues of
belief, women's participation in
synagogue services, and conversion.
Panelists:
Rabbi David Begoun, Founding
Director, L'Chaim Center, and Member,
Milwaukee Kollel
Rabbi Yehoshuah Karsh, Founding
Director, Sidney and Frances Avner
Torah Learning Center of Northbrook
Rabbi Leonard Matanky, Dean, Ida
Crown Jewish Academy and Rabbi,
Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers
Park
------------The Mother-Daughter Connection:
Empowering Mothers & Daughters
for the Middle School Transition
Some mother-daughter relationships
breeze through the transition to
adolescence, while others experience
increasing levels of conflict, challenge
and distance. A ten-week psychoeducational group is now forming to
prepare for the transition to middle
school years and adolescence. The
group is aimed at building skills to
meet the challenges and changes
ahead as well as at promoting a
connection that positively influences a
daughter's self-esteem which can affect
academic performance and social
development.
The group begins in mid January and
meets on subsequent Thursdays from
5:30 - 7:00
at
The Family Institute
618 Library Place
Evanston, IL
To secure a place in the group, the
next step is to call for a free half-hour
consultation with
Cathy Weigel Foy, LCSW, LMFT
at (847) 733 - 4300 ext 612
------------CJHS Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Chicagoland Jewish High School will
celebrate it's 10th anniversary on
Saturday, November 19
at 7:00 p.m.
at the high school
1095 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield.
During the celebration, Schechter
Alumni Parents Ken and Andy Saffir will
be honored for their devotion to Jewish
education. The event is being cochaired by Schechter Alumni Parents
Lynn Schrayer and Jennifer Flink.
For more information, please contact
Stephanie Smerling, Director of
Institutional Advancement, at
847.324.3720 or ssmerling@cjhs.org.
Online registration and details are
available at www.cjhs.org
------------SAVE THE DATE - OPEN HOUSE FOR
PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES
Fourth Graders Research Sifrei Torah
Sunday, November 6
at 1pm
SAVE $500 off Tuition - Submit an
application by Dec. 15, 2011
VISIT US! 1095 Lake Cook Road,
Deerfield
www.cjhs.org
-------------
SAVE THE DATE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Ralph's World is the mega-fun musical
planet where kids rock rock rock and
dance dance dance to their own and
their parents' delight. It's the creation
of Ralph Covert: indie rocker,
songwriter, playwright, and children's
book author who will perform fan
favorite rockin' tunes and selections
from his newest CD "All Around Ralph's
World."
Tickets: $15 per person
Two Shows To Choose From:
12:00 noon or 2:30 p.m.
More Details in October Bulletin or
Visit
www.ralphsworld.com
Click here to print a view a copy of the
flyer
------------ANNUAL HELENE HOFFMAN
MEMORIAL CANTORIAL CONCERT
Proceeds Benefit Elyssa's Mission
On November 13th, starting at 4 PM,
the Helene Hoffman Memorial Cantorial
Concert will take place at Congregation
Beth Shalom of Northbrook.
Three guest cantors will perform an
eclectic program of Jewish music with
influences from Bluegrass, Jazz, Rock
and Gospel genres.
If you'd like more information about
this event, please contact Arnie
Hoffman at 847-559-0909 or
email barterboss1218@gmail.com
-------
Sager fourth graders combined fun and learning during the past month
as they prepared for Rosh Hashanah, studied the seven steps of
Tshuvah (repentance), and celebrated Sukkot and Simchat Torah. To
enhance their understanding, they performed their own research on the
sifrei Torah at the Northbrook Campus. Students took sifrei Torah from
different Tefillah spaces in the school and described them in Hebrew in
terms of size, age, and condition. They also took pictures of the
different scrolls. They completed the project by reading and dancing
with the scrolls on Simchat Torah.
It's never Too Early to Start
Thinking About Ramah Day Camp
If your child will be in kindergarten
through 6th grade in Fall 2012,
consider enrolling them at Ramah Day
Camp.
Both four-week and eight-week
sessions are offered. Located in
Wheeling, IL, the day camp
encompasses all to which Ramah is
committed: fun and learning in an
environment where Hebrew and Jewish
values are integrated into the daily
camp activities of swimming, sports
and making friends. Plus, if you enroll
before November 15, you can take
advantage of our early registration
discount, up to $250!
For more
information, contactinfo@ramahday.com
or 312-606-0444.
Check out the website
at www.ramahday.com. Ramah Day
Camp...where fun and friendship build
Jewish lives.
------Please send all Community News to
Millie Cave at
millie.cave@schechter.org
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More on the Poetry Pals Program
Yesterday you received a special bulletin about the Poetry Pals
program. Below, is the experience of two other sections of Schechter
fourth graders at the Sacred Heart Schools in Chicago.
Last Wednesday, two sections of Schechter fourth graders traveled to
Sacred Heart Schools in Chicago for their first Poetry Pals experience.
During the 35 minute bus ride there were many questions being
expressed, "Will they look different? What will we do? What will we talk
about? What will we have in common?
All of these questions and more were answered during the three-hour
gathering. After the initial 'first look with questioning eyes', the groups
interacted as if they had been friends forever, according to Sager fourth
grade teacher Barb Tatz. The visit to the chapel, explanation of the
rituals, and tour of the school provided our students with a view of
another private religious school. They were able to see how other
parents of different faiths also value religious education for their
children.
"As visitors to another school, our students were well behaved, asked
meaningful questions and looked for ways to connect. The
overwhelming sentiment of the students was excitement and
anticipation of our next meeting," said Mrs. Tatz, who added, "In our
social studies curriculum we are currently learning about the people
who make up the country in which we live. It was a very special
experience for our students to meet some of those people who are
different from those we see every day. First hand experience, meeting
and learning from people of the same age, sharing life's likes, dreams,
and wishes, is part of what makes this program so very unique."
Here are a few of the reactions from our students:
It was interesting because we made poems, I met new friends, learned
their favorite things, and know about other religions.
It was very interesting to see their religious customs -- for example,
when they dip their hands into the holy water and make the cross.
It was also interesting to see how the other kids prayed and learned.
When I saw my group I knew right away that this was going to be a lot
of fun by all of the smiles we had.
The girls at the Muslim school wear head wraps because they only
show their hair to people they know best.
To see the Poetry Pals program in action, click on the photo below.
Eighth Graders Research Communications Skills of
Animals and Present Their Findings in Hebrew
If you want to know about how elephants communicate, feel free to ask
a Schechter eighth grader in Mar Allali or Giveret Lichtenfeld's Hebrew
classes. They recently researched the communication habits between
people and animals, prepared written reports using new Hebrew words
and grammar, produced posters with pictures and fun facts about the
animal, and then made presentations to their classmates on their
findings in Hebrew.
"There were plenty of benefits from this project," said eighth grader
Joseph Weinger. "We learned the basics of typing in Hebrew,
increased our writing skills, and gained confidence presenting our work.
This project was a great addition to the Hebrew curriculum and was a
great way to practice our Hebrew language skills."
Chicago-area Hebrew School Teachers Visit Sager Middle
School Computer Lab
On October 26th there were new "students" in the Sager
Middle School computer lab. Debbie Harris, Sager Middle
School Technology Coordinator, was very excited to share
tech tips in the lab with area supplemental and Hebrew school
principals during the Community Foundation for Jewish
Education's Principal Intensive program in October. Mrs. Osnat
Lichtenfeld, coordinator of the Sager Middle School's Hebrew
program, demonstrated how our Hebrew teachers are using
the SMART Board to enhance Hebrew instruction, and Mrs.
Harris shared ways that middle school teachers are using
VoiceThread and other technology in their classes.
Sager Middle School Hebrew Teachers Receive Diplomas
From Hebrew College
Before teaching the NETA Hebrew curriculum, all Hebrew
teachers participate in an intensive 10-day training program at
Hebrew College in Boston. Additionally, Sager Middle School
Hebrew teachers Avi Allali, Shosh Konstantin, and Osnat
Lichtenfeld took several advanced courses over three
summers to enhance their knowledge. The classes included
two weeks at Hebrew College studying Hebrew literature and
NETA enrichment. The teachers also had to submit six written
papers each year. Shosh and Avi earned a Certificate in
Hebrew Language Teaching for Master teachers, and Osnat
earned a certificate in Hebrew Language Teaching and
Mentoring. Schechter sixth and seventh grade Hebrew teacher
Anna Raiber plans to take the advanced courses this summer.
"The courses were challenging and required a lot of additional
effort on top of our daily work with students," said Osnat
Lichtenfeld, Sager Middle School Hebrew Coordinator.
"However it was really worth it. We gained knowledge, tools,
and ideas that we are able to use in the classroom to motivate
our students and help them achieve." The teachers continue to
meet on a weekly basis to share ideas and plan lessons. "It
makes us a stronger Hebrew department, " she added.
Sager Middle School Student Organizes Charity Dance
Benefit
Sager Middle School student Annee Welbel is organizing a
Charity Dance Benefit that will take place on Sunday,
November 20, 2010 at 2:00 pm at Beth Hillel Congregation
B'nei Emunah. Three dance studios will be performing dances
in jazz, lyrical, modern or tap. Both Annee and her brother Sam
(Schechter graduate 2010) will be dancing, along with many
other talented dancers. Admission is $12, which goes directly
to the charity that Annee has selected, This Star Won't Go Out,
which provides support for families with a child fighting cancer.
Alumni News
Spotlight on Alyssa Zeller
As a child, Alyssa Zeller
(Class of 2001) always had a passion for
art...whether it was with paint, cartoons, or
ceramics. She pursued her love of art at
Loyola University Chicago where she
received a Bachelor of Arts in Visual
Communication and a minor in Studio Art.
While at Loyola, she was active in Hillel
and designed flyers for events. She also
participated in a study abroad program at
the John Felice Rome Center in Rome, Italy.
Alyssa turned her passion into a career as a graphic design intern for a
medical software company. She followed that position with a stint as
the sole graphic designer for two years at a family-owned printing
company on the North Shore where she specialized in creating
invitations for weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and other smachot.
Shortly after moving to Lakeview this August, she was hired as a
graphic designer at the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Chicago, where she recently designed the "What's Your
Destination?" cover of the October issue of JUF NEWS.
When asked about the impact of Schechter on her life, she said:
"Schechter shaped my Jewish identity. I have involved myself in Jewish
activities in high school, college, Rome, and Lakeview. SSDS ignited
the spark in my studying Torah even today. Furthermore, my
knowledge of the Hebrew language has really helped me professionally
and made me more marketable."
"Best of all, I hang out with my Schechter friends on a regular basis,
and they remain some of my closest friends today." added Alyssa. "It is
amazing seeing former classmates at Shabbat dinners and even at the
bus stop in Lakeview - the neighborhood often feels like a miniSchechter reunion!" Alyssa is pictured above with l to r: Lia Lehrer,
Tanya Spektor, and Ellie Hart ( Leyzerovich), all from the Class of
2001.
Alyssa's favorite memories of Schechter include the Shabbat lunches at
all grade levels and Shabbatons in middle school, the band trips, the
Washington D.C. trip, and attending Bar/Bat mitzvah celebrations every
weekend. "Of course, the musicals also stand out in my memory," she
added. "The rehearsals were lots of fun, and I felt proud to put on a
production with my peers."
---------------------------------------------------------------------Does your class have a Class Rep? Here's who has volunteered so
far:
1972
1986
1986
2000
2004
2005
Ari Silverman
Robby Baum
Deborah (Wohlstadter) Goldman
Daniel Bukingolts
Josh Warshawsky
Alex Schwartz
2007
2007
2007
2007
2009
Jaime Borkan
Abe Dube
Daniel Warshawsky
Lisa Wiznitzer
Talia Plofsky
We're looking for two or more volunteers from each graduating class to:




Obtain current addresses and emails
Share news with us about your classmates' accomplishments
Spread the word about upcoming events
Promote our Alumni Facebook fan page
Interested? Email francine.ephraim@schechter.org or call
847.412.5662.
Check out the New Alumni Section and Update Your Information
Schechter is celebrating its 50th year and, to kick off the year, we
recently launched a new website with an expanded alumni section.
Check it out at www.schechter.org.
Please take a moment to update your information.
at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ssdsmetrochicago2.
Explore With Us!
Science and Discovery
for Curious 4 and 5 Year Olds
Explore with Us!
Science and Discovery for Curious 4 and 5 year olds
Sunday, October 30, 2011;
10:00 am - 11:15am




Interactive, hands-on workshops and themed science stations.
Stimulating demonstrations to captivate young scientists.
Explore Schechter's dynamic science curriculum, for Pre-K to
8th grade, with current educators.
Simple, engaging experiments with Mad Science of Illinois will
capture your child's imagination.
FREE OF CHARGE
Space is limited - Advanced registration required
Sponsored and hosted by Solomon Schechter Day School 3210
Dundee Road, Northbrook.
To register contact : 847.412.5617 leslie.rosenstern@schechter.org
Pass it On!
We hope you have enjoyed reading about the exciting and meaningful
programs and activities at Solomon Schechter Day School. If you know
someone who would enjoy reading about our Schechter community,
please forward this to them! Send all comments to
tami.warshawsky@schechter.org.
A partner in serving our community, supported by the Jewish United
Fund/Jewish Federation.