February 21, 2014 / 21 Adar 1, 5774
Candle Lighting Time: 5:10
pm
Shabbat Shalom From
Our Solomon Schechter Day School 2nd and 3rd Grade Math Club
Second- and third-grade students at Solomon Schechter enjoy playing Chocolate Fix as
part of a new lunch-time program to develop logical reasoning skills.
Chocolate Fix first came to Solomon Schechter through
MathCounts. At a national level, the MathCounts
Foundation encourages its schools to engage future math
superstars early, and to nurture the foundational skills that
lead to higher-level math success. Last year, the Bezos
Foundation (the charitable foundation of the parents of
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos) made a grant to educational
gaming company ThinkFun to develop new versions of
Chocolate Fix that are tailored for academic use. ThinkFun
then partnered with MathCounts to get the new games into
widespread use, and Schechter participated in the pilot
program. Schechter parent Elisa Mitchell is running our
new lunchtime program on Thursdays. The students play
Chocolate Fix, win prizes, and enjoy time with other
students who share their excitement about logic puzzles.
Solomon Schechter
Day School of
Metropolitan Chicago
Locations, Phone
Numbers, and Website
Sager Solomon Schechter
Day School (K-8)
3210 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
847.498.2100
Solomon Schechter
Early Childhood Center
with the Marvell D. and
Stanley J. z"l Ginsburg
PreK Program
4500 Dempster Road
Skokie, IL 60076
847.674.3206
Shabbat Table Talk
With Rav Uri
An often used strategy in biblical
interpretation is semihut parshiyot or
juxtaposition of sections. The idea is that
two passages that appear consecutively, but
not linked in any other way, are in fact
connected if you simply look deeper. One
of the most famous examples appears in a
Rashi from the beginning of parashat Behar
where he asks, "Why is the sabbatical year
connected explicitly to Mount
Sinai? Weren't all of the commandments
given on there?" The answer given is that just as the curses associated
with the sabbatical year were given on Mount Sinai, so too were all of the
curses for all of the commandments.
www.schechter.org
Honor Someone
Special with
a leaf on our
Tree of Life
Purchasing a leaf on our
Tree of Life
is a great way to honor
someone special.
You can purchase a Gold,
Silver or Copper leaf.
A very special thank you
to our PO for recognizing
our teachers with a leaf in
honor of their work to
make the recent
Hagigat Hagan so special!
Click here
for our Tree of Life
form.
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Schechter News
Another example occurs in this week's parashah, VaYakhel. The
parashah opens with the mitzvah to keep Shabbat followed by the order
to construct and build the mishkan. Following the principle of semihut
parshiyot, many commentators ask what Shabbat and the building of the
tabernacle have to do with one another. It seems like a biblical non
sequitur?! The most classic answer is that this juxtaposition teaches us
about the 39 prohibited types of work on Shabbat, each one derived from
the work of building the mishkan. Another response is that Shabbat and
the mishkan form a complementary pair of holiness - the holiness in time
of Shabbat and the holiness of place in the mishkan. A variation on that
is that Shabbat is for God just as the tabernacle is for God.
All of these are very good reasons, and of course there are other
responses. But they are based on the notion, in some measure, that this
is the only place in the Torah where Shabbat and the mishkan are
mentioned in immediate succession. In fact this is the second time! The
other occurrence was in last week's parashah Ki Tisa. There, however,
the building of the mishkan was mentioned before Shabbat. Now our
question must shift to address a different question. What is the
significance of Shabbat and the mishkan being mentioned together twice,
but in different order?
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel of Apt (The Apter Rav, ancestor of the
great 20th century theologian and philosopher of the same name) also
called the Ohev Yisrael answers this question in the following way: "The
mitzvah of Shabbat is for the perfection of each individual Jew. Whereas
contributing to [and building] the mishkan is for the general welfare of the
nation. Before the sin of the Golden Calf, when the mishkan was needed
in order for the presence of God to dwell in the nation, the Torah put the
mishkan first. But after the Golden Calf, each individual needed to be
repaired. Therefore the Torah put Shabbat first."
We still have Shabbat of course but we no longer have communal space
that works like the mishkan. In light of that absence I would like to
suggest that Shabbat takes on both functions proposed by Heschel. That
is, that Shabbat is restorative for the individual and the
community! Shabbat gives us the opportunity to rest and recharge from
the busy-ness of the week. Shabbat is also a time to reconnect with
those we haven't seen in a while -- to pray together as a community, to
eat together, and to strengthen the bonds of the Jewish people.
May this Shabbat, when we read the second mention of Shabbat and the
mishkan together, be restorative for all of us together and for each of us
individually.
Torah Readers
Shabbat Shalom
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4th Grade
Vayak'hel 2/20
Schechter Shining Moment
by Diane Kushnir Halivni (SSDS '84)
1.) Jacob Arbel
2.) Justin Aronwald
3.) Ari Eisenberg
5th Grade
Vayak'hel 2/20
1.) Elie Romanoff
2.) Sarah Wengroff
3.) Micah Stern
6th Grade
Vayak'hel 2/20
1.) Jazzi Levy
2.) Evan Squire
3.) Orli Sheffey
7th Grade
Vayak'hel 2/20
1.) Micah Shaffer
2.) Kobi Bergson
3.) Yael Bettenhausen
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Announcing a New
Solomon Schechter
Kosher Cookbook
The Solomon Schechter
Cookbook
Alphabet Soup
is a kitchen staple for our
Schechter community
and beyond!
Driving
up to the school, I was imagining how I would feel to hear Eliana (pictured
center with Rabbi Ben Kramer and her fellow Torah readers) read Torah
for the first time in front of her peers. Would laining her parasha "live"
differ significantly from the 100 other times she had practiced it for me in
the living room, in carpool, and before bed?
Now, there will be another
kosher cookbook to add to
the collection, filled with
recipes that are fresh,
enticing, delicious,
and of course, easy to
follow.
We are collecting recipes in
several categories:
Drinks (cocktails, mocktails,
juices & smoothies)
Appetizers (dairy and
pareve)
Soups (dairy and pareve)
Salads (dairy and pareve)
Chicken
Fish
Meat
Vegan
Holidays,
Everyday family meals
Slow cooker meals
and more!!!
As we sat down in the Beit Knesset, Rabbi
Kramer framed the Tefilah session by telling
the students that today was immensely
special because their grade would run the
Torah service from start to finish. After the
preparation of trope, after the gabbai part
was learned, after the aliyot were assigned - they were now ready to add Torah reading
to the list of their acquired skills and be just
like the 4-8th graders who do this every
week.
The build-up mattered for the students, and for me. The tears started to
form. The first aliyah wasn't even called up and already I had that feeling,
OMG - here we go, on an emotional roller coaster ride that not only
included a swelling of pride but somehow on deeper level, a fulfillment of
the dictum of the V'ahavta: V'shinantam L'vanecha -- Teach Torah to
your children when you lie down and rise up, at home, and when you
walk by the way...
With the V'ahavta zigzaging across my mind, Eliana came up and
chanted her aliyah.
I felt like I was standing at Sinai.
Thank you, Rabbi Kramer, for not only teaching our children how to read
Torah, but for making them feel like angels.
With appreciation,
Diane Halivni
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We also plan to include floral
and tablescape ideas so
please send those as well.
If you have a recipe to
submit, please click here
and print and complete the
attached recipe form and
drop off or mail to:
Solomon Schechter Day
School
3210 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
attention: Cookbook
A Conversation with David Wolle,
2013-2014 Development Chair
SSDS Board of Directors
You may also email recipes
to Yvette Stone
at the email address below.
Note: Although we would
like to include all submitted
recipes, we may not be able
to include everything we
receive. Also, please be
conscious of copyright and
plagiarism infringement.
Cookbook Committee
Yvette Stone and Robyn-Lee
Rabin, Co-Chairs
Committee (in formation)
Marissa Levy
Tobi Perlen
Rachel Rubin
More information to follow.
If you are interested in
serving on our cookbook
committee, please email
ystone@its-academic.com
B'tayavon!
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Announcing Our New Line
of Schechterwear
A Must-Have for Every
Schechter Student!
David
Wolle (pictured above with his family) is Development Chair of the SSDS
Board of Directors. He and his wife, Jackie, are the proud parents of
Henry, a Schechter graduate; Sophie, a current sixth grader; and Isabel,
a current second grader.
Q. How long has your family been involved with Schechter?
A. When we relocated to the Chicago area from Toronto 10 years ago,
the first thing we did was google Jewish day schools in Chicago, and we
quickly discovered Solomon Schechter. Little did we know then that the
Schechter community would become our extended family.
Although we knew we would find a community of like-minded families, we
never realized how far reaching and meaningful the decision would
become for our family. I realize now that our children have internalized
their deep connection to Judaism and that Solomon Schechter is playing
a huge role in helping them to become knowledgeable Americans and
Jews who truly care about the world they live in.
Q. What is it that you want to achieve through your role as
Development Chair?
A. I want to make sure that we are providing compelling reasons for
people to recognize and understand the value of Solomon Schechter Day
School, not only for their own children and families but also for the greater
community. Solomon Schechter is such a tremendous asset to our
community -- our graduates are making a significant impact in their high
schools, on their college campuses, and in the communities they live in
all over the country, in Israel, and around the world.
Q. Is there anything that has surprised you in your role?
Thanks to Schechter parents
Tobi Perlin and Rachel
Rubin, we now have a brand
new line of Schechter wear
with an an assortment of fun
and comfortable pieces for
boys and girls at a variety of
price points.
A. I don't know if this is a surprise but one of the greatest benefits of this
position for me has been the opportunity to get to know the school, the
families, and the faculty and staff more intimately. Our families are so
passionate about Solomon Schechter. And to our faculty and staff,
working at Solomon Schechter is not just a job, it is a life choice. I have
also come to understand how costly it is to provide the quality education
that we deliver and to ensure the level of tuition assistance that is
necessary for our families. I am truly humbled working in this role.
Q. What are you most proud of?
A. Our school is not huge by comparison to the public schools that are
located throughout the North Shore, yet we have and continue to build
such a strong community. We have had to raise significant dollars each
year and we have already raised more than $1.4 million this year towards
our fundraising goal. This is something that I believe we all should be
proud of. We have many different stakeholders who are all working
together to ensure that we are well-managed and positioned not only for
educational strength but also for financial strength and stability for today
and for the future.
We are attaching an order
form so you can view the
entire line of Schechter wear
with prices.
Click here to print out an
order form and view the new
line.
Q. What do you want people to know about the Annual Campaign?
A. I want everyone to feel that they have a stake in the present and the
future of Solomon Schechter Day School. While large gifts are important,
donations at every level are needed and valued. We want to demonstrate
to funders -- like Jewish Federation and others -- that there are so many
people that care about the future of Solomon Schechter. We hope that
everyone feels a personal connection and responsibility to be a part of
Please note that we can only
accept cash or checks -- no
credit cards.
To place
your order,
simply
complete
the order
form and
leave in the
administrative office at
Sager or the ECC with
payment. Your order it
should arrive within 6 weeks
and the Schechter wear will
be placed in your child or
grandchild's locker(s).
Don't miss this
great
opportunity to
promote
Solomon
Schechter and
earn dollars for
our school!
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Community News
Moriah All-Judaic Art &
Jewelry Fair Returns to
Northbrook
The Moriah All-Judaic Art &
Jewelry Fair is celebrating its
10th anniversary of the
our Annual Campaign.
People may not realize that we have been moving away from lavish
events and are really trying to keep our expenses down so that
everything that we raise goes directly to education and to tuition
assistance. A financial gift to Solomon Schechter is an investment in
something that we all care about, with returns that are invaluable to each
and every one of us. I want people to know that if you haven't yet
donated to this year's campaign, please consider making a gift to the
school that is meaningful to you and your family.
To make a gift to the 2013-2014 Annual Campaign,
please click on the link. Thank you for your support
of Solomon Schechter!
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Schechter Grandparent Jerry Lidsky
Shares His Family's Story of Survival
with Sixth Graders
Students in Mrs. Eisenman's sixth grade language arts and social
studies were privileged to listen to Schechter grandparent Jerry Lidsky
tell his family's story of survival during the Holocaust. This event was
especially touching because two of Jerry's grandchildren, Jordyn
Eisenberg and Noah Strulovitz (pictured below with their grandfather),
attended the session. After hearing her grandfather speak Jordyn said,
"This was so meaningful. Thank you so much for letting our grandfather
tell our family history."
biennial show, which has
brought one of the finest
juried collections of
contemporary and
traditional Judaic art and
jewelry in the country to the
North Shore of Chicago highlighting the best work of
more than 50 internationally
acclaimed artists from North
America and Israel, each of
whom come to mingle with
guests and forge
relationships that last wellbeyond the show.
This year, the Art Fair is
expanding to include
cutting-edge clothing
fashions by Israeli
designers, featuring
collections that are both
creatively designed and
effortlessly chic.
The 2014 show will take
place on:
Saturday, February 22
from 8:00 pm-11:30 pm
Sunday, February 23
from 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Monday, February 24
from 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Parking and a free shuttle
bus service will be available
at Northbook Court's lower
level, east of NeimanMarcus on both Saturday
night and Sunday.
For more information,
contact Karen P. Walanka,
Executive Director, at
847.948.5340 or
kwalanka@moriahcong.org
"Mr. Lidsky described how his mother and father escaped to America
from Poland but that his mother's sisters were not as fortunate," said Mrs.
Eisenmann. "One of the main points he stressed to the students was that
Holocaust survivors are not going to be around much longer, and how
they need a voice to tell their story. That voice should come from the
children of today. He encouraged the sixth graders to be upstanders and
always speak up when something bad is happening to others. He said
that silence is the worst thing possible when bearing witness to a terrible
event."
A very special thank you to Mr. Lidsky for sharing his story and making an
impact on our students.
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Solomon Schechter ECC Spotlight:
Alim Two-Year-Old Program
Click here for more
information.
__________________
Special Purim Costume
Sale at the
Mayer Kaplan JCC
Sunday, February 23
12pm-4pm
&
Monday, February 24
10am-3pm
at
Mayer Kaplan JCC,
5050 Church Street,
Skokie
All items are gently used
costumes from JCC Theater
productions over the past
10+ years.
Come with a creative and
open mind and you'll find a
great costume. Prices range
from $2-$5 per item. Cash
or Check preferred.
__________________
The Sidney & Frances
Avner Torah Learning
Center of Northbrook
Invites you to the fourth
annual Jack Ogron
Memorial Lecture
If you
want to see our ECC students running, jumping, scooting, rolling,
balancing, and playing, you'll find them in The Gross Motor Room (GMR),
a special room at the ECC with mats, bean bags, tunnels, scooters, and
balls. "The GMR is a well-loved place in the ECC and one that helps our
students develop important skills," said Rachel Sonenthal, Alim teacher.
"Often, when the teachers explain where we are going, cries of Yes! and
Yay the Motor Room! can be heard from the students."
"What Can We Do Next?:
Special Needs Services in
the Jewish Community,
Present and Future"
Sunday, February 23rd at
7:00 pm
Torah Learning Center of
Northbrook
2548 Jasper Court
Northbrook
Introductory Torah thoughts
by
Rabbi Moshe Katz,
Founder and Director of
Chicago Torah Network
Remarks by panel members:
Deni Rosen, Moderator,
Founder, Keshet Ma-Amin
Program
Abbie Weisberg, CEO/Executive
Director, Keshet
Rabbi Stuart Litwack, Judaics
Study Coordinator, Keshet MaAmin Program
Rabbi Zelik Moscowitz,Director,
Stuart I Raskas Friendship
Circle
Gayle Malvin, Director,JCC Day
Camping Services
Brian Rubin, Attorney, Rubin
Law
Sherri Schneider,Founder,
Family Benefits Solutions, Inc.
In the GMR the students are working on gross motor skills as well as
giving their bodies a chance to move in a way that is not possible in the
classrooms. The GMR provides a space for children to engage in more
physical play and to learn to navigate their bodies in a safe and
productive way while playing in a room with other children. Often,
Free and open to the
community
students help each other by holding hands when jumping or walking.
RSVP appreciated 847.272.7255 or
info@torahlearningcenter.com
For more information
www.torahlearningcenter.com
Click here for more
information.
__________________
Mercaz USA- Purim
Connection 2014
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MERCAZ USA Joins With
The American Zionist
Movement's Purim
Connection 2014
Bring a Smile to a Child's
Face - Build a Bridge to an
IDF Soldier - Develop a
Connection to Masorti
Communities.
You can make your presence
felt in Israel by supporting
Soldiers and children from
the Masorti Congregations in
Israel, including the Neve
Hanna Children's Village in
Kiryat Gat and the Mechina
Program at Hannaton, the
first such program affiliated
with the Masorti Movement.
Fifth Grade Beginning Band Performs
A Winter Progress Concert
Parents, grandparents, and guests were delighted, impressed, and very
proud of our 5th Grade Beginning Band on Tuesday evening as the
students performed a phenomenal Winter Progress Concert. The 44member group performed selections from their lesson book,
demonstrating their' amazing musical learning journey so far this year!
Help provide brave members
of the IDF with a traditional
Purim basket.
Click here to support this
important work.
Please respond by
March 3, 2014.
For more information about
the Masorti communities in
Israel go to
www.masorti.org and
American Friends of Neve
Hanna
www.afnevehanna.org
Click here to find out more
about MERCAZ USA.
In addition, many students went above and beyond by learning and then
performing solos and ensembles, such as selections from Beethoven's
9th Symphony, A Waving Flag, Hakuna Matata, and Eleanor Rigby.
__________________
The Jewish National Fund
Invites You to
an Evening of
Empowerment And
Awareness
Explore the Fundamentals of
Krav Maga, Israeli Tactical
Self-Defense
With Lieutenant
Kfir Itzhaki, IDF Special
Forces Unit Instructor
Thursday, March 6, 2014
7:00 pm
Hosted by Kim Mor, Krav
Maga Instructor
The evening concluded with the entire Band performing the song Lovely
Evening in a three-part round.
Party Fantasy
7150 Capitol Drive,
Wheeling, IL 60090
Sips, Snacks and Self
Defense!
$18 registration fee
Open to participants ages
12 and up
Wear Comfortable Attire
Register at
jnf.org/chicagokravmaga
or RSVP to 847.656.8880 by
February 28, 2014.
Sips, Snacks and Self
Defense!
__________________
United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism
presents
A Celebration of Our
Youth
An evening of musical
entertainment
"This is a very special group of young musicians," said Marsha
Rosenson, Band Director. "These wonderful students came together as
a community and not only performed beautifully, they also helped and
supported each other as they learned and performed. I am very proud of
each and every student."
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The 2014 Sager School Musical is Almost Here!
All "Rapped" Up
Sunday, March 9 at 4:30 pm
Monday, March 10 at 7:00 pm
Christian Heritage Academy in Northfield
Sunday, March 9, 2014
7:00 pm
Annual Benefit Concert
Honoring
Dr. David and Suzy
Hakimian
If you missed the promo on Wednesday,
here is one more look!
Suzy is a beloved Schechter
teacher of 25 years and
Suzy and David are proud
parents of three Schechter
alumni
Rebecca '06, Ari '08, and
Joshua '11
The concert is being cochaired by
Schechter teacher Noreen
Ohcana (SSDS '77) and
parent of Schechter alumni
Maya '07 and Noa '10
Click here for more
information.
Solomon Schechter Musical Promo!
__________________
Calling all Schechter
Parents, Faculty and
Staff, and Board for the
Annual Jewish Day
School Night
Save the Date!
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Together, we can continue
to be one of the most
represented Jewish day
schools at this important
event!
Look for an email on Monday
with information on how to purchase tickets.
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Click here for more
information.
__________________
Sager Kindergarten Students Celebrate
100 Days of School
JUF Offers Programs
for Teens
Calling all teenagers!
On Tuesday, Sager kindergarten students celebrated the 100th day of
school! As part of the festivities, each child brought in a collection of 100
items. The two kindergarten classes came together to measure the
collections using a balance. "We recorded which collections were
heaviest and had the opportunity to see what everyone had brought,"
said Kindergarten teachers Daniela Gliksberg and Lucy Kahn.
Are you a teen who wants to
volunteer? Or grow as a
leader? Or research what it
means to be a Jewish girl?
Or explore the ins and outs
of philanthropy? Or learn
more about Israel? If you
answered "yes" to ANY of
those questions, JUF has a
program for you!
JUF is offering FIVE
DISTINCT PROGRAMS in the
2014-2015 school year and
we have something for
everyone!
To learn more and apply for
Diller Teen Fellows,
Research Training
Internship, Voices, Write on
for Israel, and Camp TOV,
click here.
__________________
Please send all Community
News to
Tami Warshawsky
at
tami.warshawsky@schechter.org
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The students also brought in 100 pennies for tzedakah and had a chance
to practice their skills as they counted the pennies by fives, tens, and
ones. They read several 100th day stories and poems, played 100 bingo,
searched for the number 100 on a sheet of paper, and more.
Later in the morning, they made 100th day hats -- and each hat was
adorned with 100 items from foam stickers to thumbprints. "The
kindergarteners looked absolutely fabulous in their hats as they paraded
around the school," Lucy added.
Click the image above to see a short video from the parade
There was also a special 100th day Choice Time where students made
creations with 100 pieces of different materials - connecting cubes,
pattern blocks, Legos and stacking cups.
Of course, the celebration wouldn't be complete without food! The
students enjoyed a special 100th day snack. They spread fluffernutter on
graham crackers and made the number 100 with pretzels. A delicious
way to end a jam-packed, fun-filled, and developmentally appropriate
day!
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Moriah Early Childhood Center Spends the Morning
at Solomon Schechter
On Thursday, students from Moriah Early Childhood Center spent the
morning at Solomon Schechter. From the moment they arrived, they were
immersed in fun activities that utilized all of our facilities including the
classroom, the gym, and the library.
They played Sharks and Minnows in the gym, colored a mural and took
part in other art projects, participated in a morning greeting with our
kindergarten students, heard wonderful stories, and enjoyed a snack and
picnic lunch in our kindergarten classrooms.
Click the image below to see a short video of the children
getting to know each other.
Thanks to Alicia Honan, Bob Kogan, Hollie Rosenberg, Daniela
Gliksberg, Lucy Kahn, Deena Kaplan, Julie Shaoul, Rita Meyers, our
fabulous maintenance crew, and Lynn Weiss for organizing the visit.
Thanks also to everyone at the Moriah Early Childhood Center, led by
Director Jill Kantor.
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Roller Skating Unit Ends With Smiles,
Laughter and Improved Skills
by Alicia Honan and Robert Cogan
As we
complete our skating unit we want to share our excitement of watching
the students improve their skills each time they are skating. Many
students tried inline skates for the first time! Some of the students wanted
to know if we had "tushy" pads.
We were happy to welcome many guests to our gym during this unit both
as skaters and helpers. A special thank you to the parents that were able
to help during kindergarten and first grade skating.
Thanks to your help the students were in their skates and gear much
quicker. The eighth grade played knockout and roller hockey on skates
during this unit and a few of them even hula hooped while skating!
Next up: Volleyball for 3rd through 8th grade and volleyball lead up skills
and games for Kindergarten through 2nd grade!
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Schechter Student Joshua Weisskopf
Donates 50 Games to Chai Lifeline
One of Solomon Schechter Day School's core values is achrayut
(responsibility) and Schechter students learn that we are all responsible
for one another. This sense of responsibility begins with, and extends
beyond, our SSDS community and includes giving tzedakah and
improving our world.
To "live" this core value," many of our students, like Joshua Weisskopf
below, create meaningful mitzvah projects for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Joshua had several mitzvah projects for his recent Bar Mitzvah, one of
which was donating 50 games to Chai Lifeline.
Kol Hakavod to Joshua and all of our students for making a difference in
our community and our
world.
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Alumni News
Rachel Kesner (SSDS '01)
Rachel Kesner (SSDS '01) said she may be one of the few students who
begged her parents to send her to Jewish day school when she was in
third grade! "I couldn't be happier that I spent five amazing years at
Solomon Schechter," she said. "I made life-long friends, developed a
deep understanding of my Jewish identity, and created a very strong
relationship with Israel."
"I always loved learning at my synagogue, NSS Beth El, so when I heard
about Solomon Schechter, it seemed like a great opportunity for me to
learn more about Jewish values and traditions," she added. "It was tough
leaving my friends at public school but I already knew a few students at
Schechter and was excited about making the change."
After graduating from Schechter, Rachel attended Highland Park High
School and then earned a BA in English at the University of Indiana.
Rachel is currently Program Director at Shorashim, where she helps
young adults and teens travel to Israel and strengthen their connection to
the country and the people. Shorashim runs many Israel programs but
they are also an educational organization that helps groups plan the
logistics and some of the educational components to their trips. A few
years ago, Shorashim started working with Schechter on the 7th grade trip
to Washington D.C. Rachel said that traveling to Washington D.C. with
her class was one of the highlights of her Schechter experience. Now that
she works at Shorashim, she will have an opportunity to attend the 7th
grade trip with Schechter as the Logistics Coordinator, so she will have
the opportunity to relive the experience.
Prior to working for Shorashim, Rachel lived in Israel on a program called
OTZMA from 2009-2010 and then started working for the Jewish Agency
for Israel from 2010-2013, helping North American Jews make Aliyah to
Israel.
Rachel is currently enrolled in the Master in Jewish Professional Studies
Program at Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, where
she will also receive a Certificate in Israel Education at the iCenter. She
said that she has many hobbies, which include photography, hiking, core
barre workouts, travelling, and playing at the dog beach with her pup.
Rachel said that she wanted to participate in the Spertus MAJPS
because she knew that her future and passion is in Jewish community
work. "I had been working at the Jewish Agency for Israel for a couple
years already and was looking for an academic challenge and an
opportunity to network and grow. I found exactly that. I've learned so
much in my classes. Each teacher has something new and exciting to
offer. I even got to study with my Beth El Rabbi, Rabbi Vernon Kurtz. It
was really great to have that opportunity again!"
"Out of the seven professionals in my Spertus cohort, three of us are
from the same Solomon Schechter class, Class of 2001, including Becky
Kupchan and Lia Lehrer," she said. "When I walked into orientation, I was
so surprised! I didn't know either of them were signed up but was so
happy to reconnect. I realized how unique and special our class must
have been."
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Looking for Alumni Volunteers!
We would love to have alumni involvement in any of the following
areas. Please sign up if you are interested.
Recruitment Nights - to talk about your Schechter experience
Family events - to help the young children with activities
Phon-a-thons - to help raise money for the school
Volunteer in after-school tutorials, at our Early Childhood Center,
helping the Green Team, assisting in the library/learning center or
kindergarten classrooms
Ushering at the upcoming Sager School Musical
__________________________
Calling all members of the Class of 2010!
Plans are underway for your class reunion!
Do you want to be on the reunion committee?
If so, contact Francine.Ephraim@Schechter.org
We love to
kvell about our alumni!
If you have alumni news, email
francine.ephraim@schechter.org
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Pass it On!
We hope you have enjoyed reading about the exciting 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
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