Bnei Akiva Schools Newsletter September 4, 2015 Elul 20, 5775 Parshat Ki Tavo Candle Lighting 7:29 Havdalla 8:35 In the middle of the curses described in Parshat Ki Tavo that Hashem tells us will befall the Jewish people, the Torah has three verses that do not seem to fit and seem very difficult to comprehend. The Torah tells us that the reason the Jewish people will be punished is "because you did not serve God besimcha (with joy) and goodness of heart, meirov kol (through abundance of everything.)" There are many problems inherent in these pesukim, but most glaring is understanding why, if the Jewish people followed all the laws of the Torah, but not with joy, should that be such a punishable offence? The bottom line is that they kept the Torah should the absence of joy in their service really have such a great impact? So difficult is this concept to understand that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Morgensztern of Kotzk, (the first Kotzker Rebbe) reinterprets the verses entirely to read "because with joy (joyfully) you did not serve Hashem" meaning you took pleasure and enjoyment out of defying Hashem's wishes and going against the Mitzvoth of the Torah. While this explanation is plausible, perhaps there is a deeper understanding that we could offer. Perhaps the message being conveyed is that absent joy in the performance of mitzvoth, observance will ultimately suffer. It is well known that children are more committed to activities that they enjoy and the same can certainly be said of adults. Perhaps our verses are teaching us that an individual who doesn't find joy and enthusiasm and inspiration in the performance of Hashem's commandments will have a hard time sustaining his observance and in many cases will fail. These verses are therefore potentially ascribing punishment for ultimate non performance, but the emphasis is being placed on the lack of joy that precipitated the loss of commitment. This past summer, one of the books I read that really left an impression on me was called Drive, by Daniel Pink. The book talks about what motivates people towards success. Within the book is a chapter focused on purpose, in which he makes the point that absent purpose in one's life, one's levels of success will be limited. In a great quote focusing on businesses and corporations, he says that the "goal is to pursue purpose and use profit as the catalyst rather than the objective." In an educational context, I would say that our goal is purpose and we use education as a catalyst rather than an objective. This past Wednesday we had a full faculty, staff and administrative meeting in which, as a group, we discussed our goals for this coming year. One theme that we focused on was the need to instill a sense of purpose, drive and motivation within our students. There will be many
Parshat Ki Tavo Candle Lighting 7:29 Havdalla 8:35
In the middle of the curses described in Parshat Ki Tavo thatHashem tells us will befall the Jewish people, the Torah has threeverses that do not seem to fit and seem very difficult tocomprehend. The Torah tells us that the reason the Jewish peoplewill be punished is "because you did not serve God besimcha (withjoy) and goodness of heart, meirov kol (through abundance ofeverything.)"
There are many problems inherent in these pesukim, but mostglaring is understanding why, if the Jewish people followed all thelaws of the Torah, but not with joy, should that be such a punishableoffence? The bottom line is that they kept the Torah should the absence of joy in their servicereally have such a great impact?
So difficult is this concept to understand that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Morgensztern of Kotzk,(the first Kotzker Rebbe) reinterprets the verses entirely to read "because with joy (joyfully) youdid not serve Hashem" meaning you took pleasure and enjoyment out of defying Hashem'swishes and going against the Mitzvoth of the Torah.
While this explanation is plausible, perhaps there is a deeper understanding that we could offer.Perhaps the message being conveyed is that absent joy in the performance of mitzvoth,observance will ultimately suffer. It is well known that children are more committed to activitiesthat they enjoy and the same can certainly be said of adults. Perhaps our verses are teachingus that an individual who doesn't find joy and enthusiasm and inspiration in the performance ofHashem's commandments will have a hard time sustaining his observance and in many caseswill fail. These verses are therefore potentially ascribing punishment for ultimate nonperformance, but the emphasis is being placed on the lack of joy that precipitated the loss ofcommitment.
This past summer, one of the books I read that really left an impression on me was called Drive,by Daniel Pink. The book talks about what motivates people towards success. Within the bookis a chapter focused on purpose, in which he makes the point that absent purpose in one's life,one's levels of success will be limited. In a great quote focusing on businesses andcorporations, he says that the "goal is to pursue purpose and use profit as the catalyst ratherthan the objective." In an educational context, I would say that our goal is purpose and we useeducation as a catalyst rather than an objective.
This past Wednesday we had a full faculty, staff and administrative meeting in which, as agroup, we discussed our goals for this coming year. One theme that we focused on was theneed to instill a sense of purpose, drive and motivation within our students. There will be many
programs and activities that will take place this coming year related to that theme. Weunderstand that this can only be accomplished if our learning, programs and activities are filledwith a sense of enjoyment and excitement. We hope and believe that this will lead to a yearfilled with meaningful growth in all areas of school and life.
Wishing you and your family a successful start to a new school year.
Ketiva VeChatima Tova,Rabbi Seth Grauer
Recent Events
Student Orientations Both schools held orientation sessions for all grades. Studentscaught up with each other, met new faculty members and learnedabout new initiatives for the school year. Grade 12s at bothschools had additional leadership sessions, geared at preparingthem for their roles this year. Thank you to teachers andadministrators who ran these sessions. Thank you as well toShlomo Sabovich ('14) for inspiring our grade 9s, reflecting on hishigh school and yeshiva experiences.
Click here to view photos
Welcome BBQsGrade 12s hosted BBQs to welcome our grade 9 students. The12s ran icebreaker games to give the 9s an opportunity to meetand get to know each other. At the YOC BBQ, the students met in"big brother / little brother" groups for the new students to gaininsightful advice from their "big brothers." Ulpana's familyassembly next week will kick off the "sisters" program! Thank you to the Meyer family for hosting Ulpana's BBQ. Thank you to the Lyons family for hosting YOC's BBQ.
Curriculum Night / Meet and GreetYOC's curriculum night will be Wednesday, September 9. Theevening will take a format different from our traditional curriculumnight.Grade 9 parents / parents new to BAS will have a valuableinformation session at 7:00pm.Grade 9 and 10 parents will have formal curriculum night sessionsfrom 7:40pm 9:30pm.Grade 11 parents will have a Judaic studies information sessionat 7:40pm.Grade 11 and 12 parents will have a chance to meet all their son's teachers informally andreview course outlines from all of their son's classes from 7:00 8:30pm.
Ulpana's Curriculum Night / Meet and Greet is Thursday, Sept 17. Further details will be in nextweek's enewsletter.
Yearbook PhotosThis Wednesday, September 9, Grades 911 will have theirindividual and group photos taken and grade 12s will have theirgroup photos taken. Come prepared with a smile!
UO Grade 9 RetreatThe annual Grade 9 retreat will take place from Sunday,September 20, departing from Ulpana at 8am, and will return toUlpana on Monday, September 21 at around 5:15pm. The retreatwill take place at the Kinark Outdoor Centre in Minden. We arelooking forward to a succesful and enjoyable retreat.Please be sure to return all forms as soon as possible:General Information Emergency Release Form Schedule Packing List
YOC Grade 9 ShabbatonGrade 9s will be attending an exciting shabbaton in CampMoshava Ennismore on September 1819. If you have not yetreturned forms and payment, please do so as soon as possible! Bein touch with Mr. Lazar if you have any questions.
YOC Sports and Competition ProgramOn Thursday, September 10, toward the end of the school day, theentire school will be involved in a Sports and Competition program.This program will be a great way for students of all grades to get toknow one another and compete in various events (not just sports!).Grade 12s are working closely with faculty and administration toplan an exciting, valuable afternoon. The program will lead into the first mishmar of the year.Weather permitting, students should expect to spend some active time outdoors (so bring achange of clothing, a hat and sunscreen!).
Upcoming Calendar EventsTuesday, September 8: First Day of ClassesWednesday, September 9: Short Day ScheduleThursday, September 10: First Mishmar at YOCSunday, September 13Tuesday, September 15: Rosh Hashana,No School
See the full online calendar
YOC Lunch FormsYOC lunch forms are now available! Please return the completed form with payment no later than Thursday, Sept 10.
YOC Sukkah Builders YOC Sukkah Builders are available to help you! If you areinterested, please call ShlomoEli at 289.776.6442 or Meron at647.459.2998, or email [email protected]. Reserve as soonas possible limited spots are available! Payment can be made ineither cheque (payable to Yeshivat Or Chaim Student Council) orcredit card (2.75% additional charge will be added).
Summer Mazel TovsEngagements:Naphtali Silverman ('05) and Ava LeighJeremy Syrtash ('06) and Megan WexlerGabi Reiss ('09) and Yaakov FreedmanRebecca Cymbalista ('11) and Yishai Kurtz ('10)Eliana Kleinberg ('12) and Zachary Husynni
Weddings:Sherri Silver ('03) and Hananel Romer SegalChaya Taub ('05) and Yehuda LevySendy Shorser ('05) and Ariella Mandel
Greg Kay ('09) and Deena RogozinskyShifrah Mincer ('09) and Yaakov CoatesDebra Vatenmakher ('12) and Jacob Posluns ('12)Ari Forman ('12) and Aviva WeiserYona Magence ('12) and Efraim Paley
Births:A girl to Miriam (Romberg '93) and Rabbi Aaron Greenberg ('93)A boy to Nir ('96) and Eliza DavidA boy to Ahuva (Wisebrod '98) and Jonathan MarcianoA girl to Michael ('99) and Naomi CollisA girl to Deana (Silverberg '99) and Marshall AltmanA boy to Hanoch ('00) and Yona PrismanA girl to Moshe ('03) and Minde KleinA girl to Penina (Weiss '03) and Etan BukietA boy to Ezra ('04) and Ellie HahnA boy to Lana (Goldrich '04) and Yechiel BobrowskyA girl to Zvi ('05) and Naomi GlusteinA girl to Shauna (Elmaleh '05) and Shlomi RosenbergA boy to Moshe ('06) and Adina RosenbergA boy to Eitan ('07) and Nava UlmerA boy to Enny (Kadoch '08) and Zev Herskovitz ('06)A girl to Rivky (Green '09) and Jesse Nathanson ('09)A boy to Eny (Kadoch '04) and Max AquininA boy to Danit (Allman '04) and Yehuda Javasky ('04)
Aliyah:Elijah Silverman ('15)
Community Events & Announcements
Running with RefanelRefanael Muskal was born and raised in Mazkeret Batya, Israel.He served in the Golani Special Forces unit "Sayeret Egoz". Onthe 20th of July, 2006, Refanael was killed protecting his countryin the "Marun a Rass Battle" during the Second Lebanon War.Refanael was 21 years old when he fell.
To commemorate his memory, an annual race that symbolizes hisvalues and ideals takes place with hundreds of participants, and islooking for support to help perpetuate Refanel's memory.
Learn more about the race in his memory
YU Parent Information session with RabbiDr Jacon J Schacter on Sept 17On September 17th, Yeshiva University Canada will be hostingRabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, a University Professor of JewishHistory and Jewish Thought at Yeshiva University, at ShaareiShomayim for a community lecture during Aseret Yemei Teshuvah(see flyer here). Prior to the lecture, he will be speaking to a prearranged group of parents who might be interested in finding outmore about Yeshiva University, whenever their children are readyto attend (even after one or two years in Eretz Yisrael). This is ageneral informative evening with opportunity for questions andanswers. No pressure or follow up will be applied. If you may be interested in learning moreabout Yeshiva University please contact the YU Canada office 416.783.6960 [email protected].
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