Volume 4 Issue 3 April/May 2012 Iyyar/Sivan 5772 Dedicated by Anna and Sol Zuckerman and Family The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High School The Juda and Maria Diener Elementary School The Henrietta Scheck Middle School
Dedicated by Anna and Sol Zuckerman and Family The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High School The Juda and Maria Diener Elementary School The Henrietta Scheck Middle School Volume 4 Issue 3 April/May 2012 Iyyar - Sivan 5772 learning for a lifetime K�� H����� kkv kue s”xc 2011 Blue Ribbon School International Baccalaureate ® IB World School ISRAEL ADVOCACY Students Invited to White House Story on Page 8 The White House has invited Hillel Upper School students to visit May 24, share their views and meet liaisons to the Jewish community and Washington, D.C. Jewish leaders in Washington were so impressed with Hillel students at AIPAC’s National Policy Conference in March, that they have been invited to further advocate for Israel and get a better understanding of the administration’s position on Iran and its threat to Israel, said Rabbi Uri Pilichowski, faculty advisor of Hillel’s Pro Israel Teens Club. “I am extremely proud of our students and of their ability to grasp the issues and advocate for a strong United States and Israel relationship,” he said. “Hillel has taken a leadership role in Israel advocacy and we are now recognized as one of the top school programs in the country.” Rabbi Pilichowski was the only high school educator last year to receive the AIPAC Ally of the Year Award. “Rabbi Pilichowski is nationally recognized,” said Rabbi Josh Spodek, Director of Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language. “His position gives Hillel students a back stage pass into Washington, allowing them invaluable opportunities to meet with congressmen and senators.” Spodek said Hillel’s mission is rooted in Zionism to educate students to become thoughtful, passionate, articulate advocates for the State of Israel. The students who will represent Hillel at the White House are Michele Acherman, Arielle Ben-Ezra, Sophia Brener, Ari Givner, Ari Gontovnick and Ariela Zebede. Every child learns in his or her own way. Thus, Hillel is molding its academic curriculum and welcoming new faculty to focus on personalized instruction to further meet the needs of each student. “We already have made so much progress this year to enhance Hillel’s curriculum to focus on 21st century literacies and personalizing it is the next step,” said Gary Weisserman, Chief Academic Officer. For example, several Upper School departments now are piloting a competency- based curriculum by which progress in mastering high levels is tracked to adjust the curriculum to each student’s needs. In August, new teachers will join returning educators to take Hillel’s faculty to the next level. The enhanced curriculum in their hands will enrich learning schoolwide with some grade levels continuing with their current progress and others introducing new programs. (See highlights above.) 2012-2013 HIGHLIGHTS Early Childhood-Grade 5 ▪ New Digital Media program to teach technology and design ▪ Derech Eretz program that simultaneously ensures a Bully Free Zone ▪ Professional development for Singapore Math and Columbia University Writer’s Workshop Grades 6-12 ▪ More elective, AP, FIU courses ▪ Additional math and science tracks ▪ New math and language arts labs ▪ Increased prerequisites for Honors, AP classes ▪ Revamped bell schedule with class four times every week to maximize the school day “Lower School will continue on our path of excellence, focused on meeting the needs of all learners,” said Tara Solomiany, Director of Lower School, Grades 3-5. “Early Childhood through Grade 5 will expand and grow existing programs.” For Grades 6-12, Hillel is one of a handful of world schools chosen to pilot the International Baccalaureate’s new design-based technology curriculum. New courses for Grades 6-8 include Technology, Information, Content, and Knowledge Literacy; Student Technological Access to Computer Science; and Introduction to Media Arts. Schoolwide, Hillel teachers will have new technology in the fall to track each student and monitor progress, comprehension and skills necessary to move forward. Faculty will decide the best approach for each class, with a range of new tools to see who is learning the material and to develop a plan for students to advance individually or in groups. Story continued on page 2 Chagim Bring Classroom Lessons to Life CELEBRATING ISRAEL 2012-2013 Focuses on Personalized Learning
Transcript
Dedicated by Anna and Sol Zuckerman and Family
The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High SchoolThe Juda and Maria Diener Elementary School The Henrietta Scheck Middle School
Volume 4 Issue 3April/May 2012 Iyyar - Sivan 5772
learning for a lifetime
K�� H�����kkv kues”xc2011 Blue Ribbon School International Baccalaureate® IB World School
ISRAEL ADVOCACYStudents Invited to White House
Story on Page 8
The White House has invited Hillel Upper School students to visit May 24, share their views and meet liaisons
to the Jewish community and Washington, D.C. Jewish leaders in Washington were so impressed with Hillel students
at AIPAC’s National Policy Conference in March, that they have been invited to further advocate for Israel and get a better understanding of the administration’s position on Iran and its threat to Israel, said Rabbi Uri Pilichowski, faculty advisor of Hillel’s Pro Israel Teens Club.
“I am extremely proud of our students and of their ability to grasp the issues and advocate for a strong United States and Israel relationship,” he said. “Hillel has taken a leadership role in Israel advocacy and we are now recognized as one of the top school programs in the country.” Rabbi Pilichowski was the only high school educator last year to receive the AIPAC Ally of the Year Award.
“Rabbi Pilichowski is nationally recognized,” said Rabbi Josh Spodek, Director of Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language. “His position gives Hillel students a back stage pass into Washington, allowing them invaluable opportunities to meet with congressmen and senators.”
Spodek said Hillel’s mission is rooted in Zionism to educate students to become thoughtful, passionate, articulate advocates for the State of Israel. The students who will represent Hillel at the White House are Michele Acherman, Arielle Ben-Ezra, Sophia Brener, Ari Givner, Ari Gontovnick and Ariela Zebede.
Every child learns in his or her own way.Thus, Hillel is molding its academic
curriculum and welcoming new faculty to focus on personalized instruction to further meet the needs of each student.
“We already have made so much progress this year to enhance Hillel’s curriculum to focus on 21st century literacies and personalizing it is the next step,” said Gary Weisserman, Chief Academic Offi cer.
For example, several Upper School departments now are piloting a competency-based curriculum by which progress in mastering high levels is tracked to adjust the curriculum to each student’s needs.
In August, new teachers will join returning educators to take Hillel’s faculty to the next level. The enhanced curriculum in their hands will enrich learning schoolwide with some grade levels continuing with their current progress and others introducing new programs. (See highlights above.)
2012-2013 HIGHLIGHTSEarly Childhood-Grade 5▪ New Digital Media program to teach technology and design▪ Derech Eretz program that simultaneously ensures a Bully Free Zone▪ Professional development for Singapore Math and Columbia University Writer’s Workshop
Grades 6-12▪ More elective, AP, FIU courses▪ Additional math and science tracks▪ New math and language arts labs▪ Increased prerequisites for Honors, AP classes▪ Revamped bell schedule with class four times every week to maximize the school day
“Lower School will continue on our path of excellence, focused on meeting the needs of all learners,” said Tara Solomiany, Director of Lower School, Grades 3-5. “Early Childhood through Grade 5 will expand and grow existing programs.”
For Grades 6-12, Hillel is one of a handful of world schools chosen to pilot the International Baccalaureate’s new design-based technology curriculum. New courses for Grades 6-8 include Technology, Information, Content, and Knowledge Literacy; Student Technological Access to Computer Science; and Introduction to Media Arts.
Schoolwide, Hillel teachers will have new technology in the fall to track each student
and monitor progress, comprehension and skills necessary to move forward. Faculty will decide the best approach for each class, with a range of new tools to see who is learning the material and to develop a plan for students to advance individually or in groups.
Story continued on page 2
Chagim Bring Classroom Lessons to Life
CELE
BRAT
ING
ISRA
EL
2012-2013 Focuses on Personalized Learning
BOARD OF GOVERNORSChairman Jorge WoldenbergVice-Chairman David Wolf*Treasurer Max FischbachSecretary Uri BenhamronImmediate Past Chairman Gil J. Bonwitt HIP/PTA President Dr. Michele Scheck
EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATIONHead of School Rabbi Pinchos HechtRabbinic Head Rabbi Chaim Albert* Chief Academics Offi cer Gary Weisserman Director of Lower School, ECE-Grade 2 Valerie LustgartenDirector of Lower School, Grades 3-5 Tara Solomiany Director of Middle School Joshua Meisels*Head of Upper School Nick HinrichsenDirector of Judaic Studies Rabbi Joshua Spodek and Hebrew Language Director of Special Services Dr. Helen ChasetDirector of Special Programs Eileen Ginzburg
*Hillel alumnus/a
Matt Kuttler*Sherri LebwohlMarya LichterGary Mars*Marion MoscuDana Yemin Schrager*
ABOUT HILLELFrom early childhood through Grade 12, Hillel inspires students to become exemplary global citizens with strong Jewish identity through an innovative curriculum enriched by co-curricular experiences. All of this is set within a nurturing, diverse, traditional community. Hillel is one of the largest Jewish day schools in the nation, Florida’s fi rst Jewish International Baccalaureate® (IB) World School and the country’s only Jewish – and South Florida’s only private – 2011 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. For information, please visit ehillel.org.
ACCREDITATIONHillel is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, accredited by the Commission on International-Regional Accreditation, the National Council for Private School Accreditation, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Association of Independent Schools of Florida. It is affi liated with PEJE (Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education), RAVSAK: The Jewish Community Day School Network, the National Association of College Admission Counseling, Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Jewish Federation of Broward County and the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education. Hillel is a beneficiary agency of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
KOL HILLELThe Kol Hillel is a bimonthly publication of The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School/The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High School, 19000 NE 25th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33180, P: 305.931.2831.
For Kol Hillel sponsorship opportunities, please contact Hillel’s Development offi ce at 305.931.2831 x279 or [email protected].
Greater Miami Jewish FederationTammy and Jorge Woldenberg
HatikvahThe Scheck and Bonwitt Families
Yerushalaim Shel ZahavThe Falic Family
KinneretFlavia and Raphael AdesSara and David BejarCynthia and Michael BerkmanYael and Jose CheremRaquel and David FrankNava and Mike Izak
MassadaYael and Joe AckermanAnonymous (3)Bari Auerbach Zev AuerbachEmily and Aby GalskyDebora and Flavio Hojda
*As of 5.1.12 *Capital contributions not included.As one of the largest Jewish day schools in North America to off er world-class quality academics, Hillel provides tuition assistance to 1 out of every 5 of our students. We do this with strong support from parents, volunteer leadership, faculty and staff , alumni, grandparents and community friends. Please consider joining the Ma’ayan Society. Call 305 931 2831 x279 or write to [email protected]. Your steadfast support for our children is what makes Hillel the number one Jewish day school in North America.
Ma’ayan Society: 2011-2012The following Ma’ayan Society listing includes 2011-2012 donors. Thank you, generous friends. We look forward to your renewed partnership.
Jean Jacques MyaraThe Rok, Moskovitz and Morjain Families
Sapoznik Health and WellnessOri and Jacob Serfati
Carol and Michael ShalomIvette and Joseph Woldenberg
Yvette and Idel Woldenberg
Edith and Sergio KibliskyRebecca and Frank Kriger
Danya LindenfeldJudith and Marian Moscu
Dana and Joshua SchragerDavid Waxman and Family
Grade 12’s Capstone Seminar will personalize instruction in newly outfi tted classrooms by posing meaningful, thematic questions. Each senior will meet daily with Capstone faculty to address Big Questions – defi nitional topics that transcend academic areas. Examples include: • What does it mean to make a good decision?• What will prove to be the most valuable resource of the 21st
century?• What does it mean to be healthy?• Where do I belong?• What does it mean to know something? • What is power?• What effect does technology have on identity?
The Grade 6-12 curriculum breaks down academics into fi ve areas: Engineering, Knowledge Building, Artistic Expression, Civic Engagement and Personal Development. Every class will emphasize at least one area.
Weisserman said, “Individual student achievement and mastery of these core literacies will be our measurement stick for instruction.”
continued from page 1
Curriculum Tracks Student Progress,Off ers More AP, Honors Classes
Six Seniors Nominated for Silver Knight Six Hillel seniors are nominated for Silver Knight Awards. The nominees are Yonathan Bonan - Speech, Myles Wolfe - World Languages, Hannah Landman - Art, Adi Graff - Music and Dance, Nicole Marder - Math, and Andres Elovic - Athletics. The winners and honorable mentions will be announced May 17.
Artist Wins Federation ContestCongratulations to Danit Weitzman, Grade 4, for winning the 5773 Greater Miami Jewish Federation High Holiday Card Design Contest. Her art will be featured on the
Federations High Holiday cards in the fall.
I Make a Difference Hillel senior Yonathan Bonan won the I Make a Difference Award from Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation for his significant community service. He was honored with the award May 6.
Students Win Statewide Stock GameFive Hillel Grade 9 students tracked investments over a 10-week period in Jill Bloom’s algebra class, earning first and third place in the Florida Stock Market Game, sponsored by the Florida Council for Economic Education. With 125 high school teams competing in Dade County, first place went to Moshe Abadi, Hillel Dimbert and Albert Dichy. Third place winners were Nicole Peicher and Elizabeth Silberman. The program teaches students to invest and trade $100,000 for 10 weeks.
KOL HILLEL 3
HaKotelAnonymous
Michelle and Bob DienerRaquel and Jaime Gilinski
Greater Miami Jewish FederationTammy and Jorge Woldenberg
HatikvahThe Scheck and Bonwitt Families
Yerushalaim Shel ZahavThe Falic Family
KinneretFlavia and Raphael AdesSara and David BejarCynthia and Michael BerkmanYael and Jose CheremRaquel and David FrankNava and Mike Izak
MassadaYael and Joe AckermanAnonymous (3)Bari Auerbach Zev AuerbachEmily and Aby GalskyDebora and Flavio Hojda
*As of 5.1.12 *Capital contributions not included.As one of the largest Jewish day schools in North America to offer world-class quality academics, Hillel provides tuition assistance to 1 out of every 5 of our students. We do this with strong support from parents, volunteer leadership, faculty and staff, alumni, grandparents and community friends. Please consider joining the Ma’ayan Society. Call 305 931 2831 x279 or write to [email protected]. Your steadfast support for our children is what makes Hillel the number one Jewish day school in North America.
Athletes NamedMiami Herald All-Dade The Miami Herald named Hillel senior Nicole Marder All-Dade first team in soccer. Marder is Hillel’s first female athlete to earn this recognition. Camila Hojda, Grade 11, was named 3rd team All-Dade for soccer, and senior Sabrina Zarco was
named 3rd team All-Dade for basketball. Mazel tov!
Juniors Rank as National Merit Finalists Two Hillel juniors were named National Merit Scholarhip finalists for 2013 - Ari Gontovnik and Brandon Berman.The students selected to participate in the program are selected based solely on their PSAT scores. Their advancement to semifinalist status will be determined in September based on the highest scorers in the state.
Stars are BornThree students received the Independent Schools of South Florida Star Award. Mazel tov to Raquel Dimitri, Grade 5, Abraham Milhem, Grade 8, and Alberto Mizrahi, Grade 11. An ISSF Star student is an exemplary student who sets an example for others to follow and excels in one or more areas including academics, community service, citizenship, fine art, athletics, student activities, perseverance, effort, dedication, commitment to positive goals, improvement in performance, and attitude.
Students Place in Geography BeeHillel students competed against 11 teams in Dade County at the 12th Annual Independent Schools of South Florida Geography Bee. Hillel’s two teams reached quarter finals and ranked second. Congratulations to Brandon Berman, David Broide, Alex Eibinder, Ari Gontovnik, Elan Kainen, Joseph Mitrani, Eli Soffer, Natan Sredni, David Woldenberg and Myles Wolfe. Team member Daniel Givner was unable to attend.
Hillel seniors Myles Wolfe and Eli Soffer have a few things in common. They both began their education at Hillel in PreKindergarten, and now in May they will stand together as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively.
“Being Hillel’s valedictorian is something I always wanted to achieve. It’s so humbling,” said Wolfe, who was admitted early decision to the prestigious Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business at Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania. The program accepted only 40 students last year.
Wolfe said he emulates the work ethic and values set forth by his grandfather, who came to America after the Holocaust. His father, he said, is also his role model. “They inspired me to work hard,” he said.
Myles Wolfe and Eli Soffer Named Valedictorian, Salutatorian
Myles Wolfe Eli Soffer
Wolfe’s academic record, which includes perfect scores in all of his AP exams, is complemented by community service and enrichments. He studied in China earning college credit and teaches Chinese each week at the Overtown Youth Center.
Soffer credits his Hillel math and chemistry teachers for challenging him to work hard to achieve his goals. “I always had teachers who inspired me to work harder to make the world a better place.”
Soffer, who has completed 1,300 community service hours volunteering at events and tutoring children with special needs, will study engineering at The Cooper Union in New York. He has been involved in athletics, theater, clubs and held positions in student government - all while taking nine AP classes.
Both students say that they have spent most of their lives at Hillel. “Hillel has been our second home,” Wolfe said.
Hillel in the NEWS
Middle School Students Visit Hospital Eight Middle School students and faculty members Whitney Fisch and Ilana Bendel participated in the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim, visiting the sick at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Students JoAnn Battat, Michelle Bandel, Talia Dressler, Michael Finkel, Nicole Hirchler, Shanee Markovitz, Tamar Mizrahi, Ben Shayner and Joseph Wolf, decorated t-shirts with children.
Curriculum Tracks Student Progress,Offers More AP, Honors Classes
Nicole Marder
Denisse HanzPK 3 Teacher
My inspiring moment this year was when the children in my class decided to empty the tzedakah box to buy a gift for a boy who lives in JAFCO!
Phyllis SchenkmanGrade 8 Team Leader
I was inspired last year by my students’ knowledge, concern, and avid interest in the nuclear power plant accident in Japan and the revolution in Egypt. It demonstrated that the students clearly had made a connection between the universal themes in our literature units and the world around them. These were rewarding moments for me as their teacher.
Shoshana KatzGrades 3-5 Hebrew Teacher
Grade 5 students learned a story about Pesach. After reviewing a few words, I read the story once and, in between paragraphs, I asked a couple questions. When I finished reading the story, the students loved it and said, “We understand 100 percent.” Spontaneously I said to myself, “I love these kids,” and they responded, “We love you too.” It really feels good to know that your students enjoy what they are learning and express their feelings.
Craig CarpentieriIB Coordinator, English Department Chair
One afternoon I walked into the Library/Media Center and witnessed something extraordinary. Mrs. Glasserman and Mrs. Oestreich were co-teaching a Grade 10 unit on Jewish history and how to document research in an extended essay. Simultaneously, Mrs. Zack was working with her Grade 10 Chemistry class on how to write a piece of extended writing using research and knowledge of science. The skills were transferring IB at its best? Collaboration at its best? Hillel teachers at their best!
4 KOL HILLEL
James MorrowGrade 7 Team Leader
For me there is no singular moment. It is the daily moments with the kids that inspire me. That flash of insight by a tenth grader in my AP class, when a sixth grader gets the point in Civics or a seventh grader sees the world in a different light, and even when I see an Upper classman helping out one of the Lower School kids carry their book-bag. The moments are here everyday; I simply need to look around to be inspired to continue in this greatest of professions.
Maxine ErvingGrade 5 General Studies Teacher
My inspiration comes from seeing my very first students with their children and having the opportunity to inspire them. Wait, I have another one! A senior came to me last year to share his future plans in biology, reminding me how he was inspired by my sixth grade octopus dissection. Wow. Incredible what they remember.
Robin RimonGrade 3 General Studies Teacher
Ben Carson, a world renowned surgeon, was the focus of our unit on biographies. We read aloud the biography, Gifted Hands, where we learned how he overcame adversity and was the first surgeon to successfully separate Siamese twins. Our class sent a list of questions to him at John Hopkins Hospital, where he works. Addressed directly to our students, he made a video presentation to answer our questions and to inspire our students to continue to read, pray, deal with peer pressure and know they can achieve anything they desire.
Cheryl CooperGrade 1 General Studies Teacher
I had a former student who became a teacher. When she came to visit my classroom, I asked her when she decided to become a teacher. She said, “When I had you for my teacher and I saw how much you love what you do.”
INSPIRINGmomentsHil lel faculty share
KOL HILLEL 5
Audrey ZeigenPreKindergarten 2 Teacher
A very inspiring moment was when one of my mothers recorded her three-year-old daughter and four-year-old son narrating the Pesach story at home. She then showed it to me; it was an incredible “aha” moment that reminded me one more time that I was right when I decided to become a teacher.
Chani KramerJudaic Studies Teacher,Tanach Department Chair
The enthusiasm in Glee Tefila from the students is the greatest way to start my day and creates a great note for the rest of the day. The students inspire me to daven well. Students at Hillel are so eager to learn the Jewish view on topics and have such inquisitive minds that one period does not seem like enough time.
Sarah GoldmanGrade 1 Hebrew and Judaic Studies Teacher
A mother of one of my students told me her son, who was very shy, wanted to learn the Kiddush so he could recite it before his family and guests. He learned the prayer and his family was amazed at how he learned everything by heart. The mom said she was so proud to send her child to Hillel. It made me feel so proud to succeed at my mission.
Arlene FishbeinMiddle School English Teacher
I overheard the following in a Grade 7 class while the students were working on their writing portfolios: ‘OMG! We get to see how all our work paid off. You can actually see the difference from the beginning to the end.’ It is inspiring to see the students totally involved in a project – editing and revising independently – and it’s a pleasure working with them.
Sandra GruskinGrade 2 General Studies Teacher
I found self-stick dry erase sheets at a store in Plantation and used them for math. I attached them in a variety of places in the room so those who needed could stand up and do math problems. They were great for those kinesthetic learners who need to stand more in their day.
Jennifer CohnGrade 4 General Studies Teacher
This year, in fourth grade, each student was instructed to choose a topic that he/she felt strongly about in order to write a persuasive essay. I was inspired by the topics that my students chose. They showed me how much they cared about subjects such as: endangered animals, the environment, healthy eating, and the benefits of exercise. The students worked independently to research statistics and facts to support their arguments in order to draft and then publish an essay. I was very proud of their hard work and the serious topics they chose to research.
Aaron MargolisUpper School Teacher, Technical Director of Theatre
After a good musical theater audition by a sixth grader, she returned to the room and said that even though it is her first show, she can handle a large role and would like the opportunity to prove herself. Later on in the rehearsal process, her ambition was remembered and she was assigned two roles. It was wonderful to have had the opportunity to see this young student’s determination pay off with three great shows!
Amy Lee,Jessica Robertson and James Robertson Physical Education Teachers, Athletic Coaches
We are very proud that three of our varsity athletes have been named to the All-Dade County teams in soccer and basketball. Nicole Marder, Camila Hojda and Sabrina Zarco have accomplished amazing goals that have never been done at Hillel before, in addition to being exceptional students. Nicole, Camila and Sabrina are prime examples of what being a student athlete is and how your hard work can pay off!
Anat AgamGrade 6-12 Art Teacher
This year I was inspired teaching Tefila through Art. Each student was touched by a special tefila and related it through family and life. One girl found a wedding picture of her grandparents when they were breaking the glass. Then she brought to class a picture of her parents at the same moment of breaking the glass. She saw the Woman of Valor prayer in front of her eyes and begin to cry. She said it’s a gift for her mother because the prayer was a real picture of Shabbat for her and when she marries one day she will cherish her memories forever.
moments
6 KOL HILLEL
ALUMNINOTES
2011It is with much joy that we announce the engagement of Hillel alumna Vivi Szerer and Zevi Blumenfrucht. Vivi is the daughter of Margie and Roberto Szerer, and Zevi is the son of Bina and Marvin Blumenfrucht of New York.
2007 Mazel tov to alumna Tiffany Tiferet Agam and Aryeh Fraser on their recent marriage. Tiffany is the daughter of Anat and Moshe Agam; Anat is Hillel’s Grade 6-12 art teacher. Aryeh is the son of Sarah and Zeev Fraser of Jerusalem
2005It is with much joy that we announce the engagement of alumnus Isaac Maya to Jackie Morjain. Isaac is the son of Cuqui and Sabeto Maya, and Jackie is the daughter of Anna and Sammy Morjain.
1999Mazel tov to Meital Cohen, who was married January 15, 2012, to Dr. Daryl Eber. Meital is the daughter of Orit and David Cohen, z”l. Orit is Hillel’s Grade 6-12 Hebrew language coordinator. Daryl is the son of Nancy and Dr. Harvey Eber.
Share your news with the Hillel community! Please email updates and photos to [email protected].
ALUMNIPROFILE
Mazel tov to to Moises Kriger, Hillel grandparent and winner of Hillel’s 8th Annual Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament. Second and third place were alumnus Scott Weisblum (’92) and Chief Academic Offi cer Gary Weisserman.
More than 100 players gathered at the Mardi Gras Casino for the good cause of Hillel’s Annual Scholarship Fund, raising more than $50,000. Hillel would like to thank the generous sponsors and players who helped raise much-needed dollars, all while having a great time. Special thanks to tournament co-chairs Max Fischbachand Rob Moskovitz, the tournament committee, past event chairMarty Scheck, and partners, Sapoznik Health & Wellness, Rok Acquisitions and Koslovsky Realty, Inc, for making the night a tremendous success.
When Yuval Ofi r (‘05) was a sophomore at Hillel, he promised his grandfather he would join the family perfume business. Summers, afterschool and all through college at University of Miami, Ofi r worked along side his grandfather.
As executive vice president of Paris Perfumes, a local distributor of French perfumes, he thrived in business but missed an outlet for his creative energy. In his free time at work, he searched the internet to fi nd events in the Midtown area. Then he began texting the information to all his friends.
Today Ofi r is the founder of YoMiami, a bridge that connects creative people with those in need of creativity.
“I found myself texting so many people that I fi gured it would be easier to post the information on Facebook,” he said. That led to a website and the founding of YoMiami.
“I didn’t have a creative opportunity at my day job. Now I have a chance to be more active in a world of people I admire.”
Ofi r actually found a niche. He doesn’t just post events, he creates opportunities for local artists and musicians.
He organizes events at local venues and festivals, fi nds outlets that bring together artists to showcase their work and talent, and writes blog entries that are followed by nearly 800 people in Miami.He recently opened a studio in Little Haiti that houses seven spaces for artists to showcase their work.
Ofi r’s sisters Lior and Raquel graduated from Hillel in 2009 and 2011. Lior is a student at Pratt, and Raquel is currently in Israel for gap year.
It’s the prefect balance, Ofi r says, “I work with my grandfather and cousin every day and pursue YoMiami in between.”
Yuval Ofi r, ‘05 with sisters Raquel, ‘11 and Lior, ‘09
Alumnus Brings Business and Creativity Together
Hillel Friends Support Scholarship Fundat Annual Poker Tournament
PARENTING
Photography by Gary Burd
KOL HILLEL 7
As part of Hillel’s expanded college preparation program, 14 juniors spent three days travelling 800 miles to visit colleges in Florida.
“The goal of our first college visit trip was to visit six colleges over three days in an effort to introduce the students to a wide variety of academic institutions and hopefully spark some individual excitement for a particular school or two,” said Vanessa Donaher, incoming Upper School Director who attended the trip with college counselor Dana Ponsky and Rabbi Chaim Albert.
Students learned about each campus, Jewish life and participated in walking tours at University of Central Florida, Rollins College, University of South Florida, Eckerd College, New College of Florida and Florida Gulf Coast University.
“The trip was a huge success. Our students were exposed to a wide variety of schools and gained a tremendous amount of knowledge,” Donaher added. Future trips are currently being scheduled. Read Donaher’s complete recap at ehillel.org.
If you visit our Kindergarten, First and Second Grade classes and ask them what “Bucket Filling” is, you will quickly learn about the new social/emotional “language” our students are speaking!
What is Bucket Filling? Bucket Filling is a beautiful way of teaching children about their own thoughts and feelings through the metaphor of an invisible bucket. It is based upon the premise that we are each born with an invisible bucket inside of us.
The bucket is important because it holds all of our good thoughts and happy feelings; when our buckets are full, we feel happy, and loved. Alternatively, when our buckets are empty (or low), we feel lonely, sad, irritable or bad about ourselves.
The essential lesson of Bucket Filling is that you need other people to fill your bucket and other people need you to fill theirs. Each time you do something nice, say something kind, smile, or make someone feel special you fill your bucket and theirs!
Hillel Students Learn Another Language
BUCKETFILLING
By Dr. Nancy Gould, Lower School Guidance CounselorThe metaphor of an invisible bucket is the foundation for the
social/emotional learning that is taking place at Hillel. Teaching our children to be “bucket fillers” is consistent with our core values; when we do mitzvot and give tzedakah we help others, and in doing these things we also feel good about ourselves.
The language of Bucket Filling encourages self-awareness, vigilance, and unity within a classroom. It provides a foundation for teaching assertiveness and conflict resolution skills and encourages positive behaviors. Best of all, it provides opportunities for learning and acceptance. We recognize that all people, even grown ups, have low buckets at times! When we show others that our buckets are low, through our behaviors, we are asking for people to be kind to us.
Finally, Bucket Filling encourages positive thinking and positive behaviors; the way to feel better when we are hurt or sad is to do something kind.
Please join us in speaking our new language! Be a Bucket Filler; you will feel good and someone else will too!
Ensuring the dream of a Jewish day school education for every Jewish child and teen is the thought behind launching Kulanu, Scholarship Awareness Month this May.
Kulanu, meaning All of Us, is designed to create awareness in the Hillel community that many families cannot afford a Jewish education and to celebrate the power of community.
“It is the collective strength of our community that will enable Hillel to create new opportunities for many more students to receive a Jewish education,” said Diana Mundlak, Director of Development.
Currently, one in every five Hillel students receives tuition assistance.The campaign is to ensure tuition assistance goals are met and to grow next year. For information or to contribute, please visit ehillel.org/kulanu.
The Second Annual iRaffle to benefit the Grade 9 Israel Trip scholarship fund raised more than $11,000 this April.
Opher Yunger, Director of Student Life said, “Students in Grade 9 really worked to make sure that each one of their classmates would have the opportunity to attend the trip. This amazing care and ruach allowed them to not only meet but to surpass their goal.”
Thanks to everyone who participated in the raffle and congratulations to winners Hillel parent David Cohen, school nurse Anhie Lora and Hillel student Joel Linkewer.
iRaffle Increases Israel Trip Scholarhips
PARENTING
The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High SchoolThe Juda and Maria Diener Elementary School The Henrietta Scheck Middle School19000 NE 25th AvenueNorth Miami Beach, Florida 33180
The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High SchoolThe Juda and Maria Diener Elementary School The Henrietta Scheck Middle School19000 NE 25th AvenueNorth Miami Beach, Florida 33180
CommencementMonday, May 21, 2012
29 Iyyar 57724 p.m.
Broward Center for the Performing Arts201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
Chagim at Hillel Bring Learning to Life
Commemoration and celebration brought the Hillel community together in April for Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut.
Learning in the classrooms and partipicating in holiday activities are central to the mission of the Student Life Offi ce.“Our main goal this year was to create a curriculum for the classroom to connect with campus activities,” said Opher Yunger, Co-Director of Student Life.
Hillel’s Grade 3-5 students shared tefi lah with their parents to remember the six million Jews and the other victims of the Holocaust on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. These students listened to poetry written by children in concentration camps and heard fi rst-hand accounts of the Holocaust from child of survivors Dr. Helen Chaset, Hillel’s Director of Special Services.
Grades 6-12 read stories of Holocasut heroes, listened to a survivor’s story, and watched and discussed the fi lm Eagles Over Auschwitz.
For Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut, students learned in the classroom about Israel’s fi ght for independence, remembered lost soldiers and discussed how Israel fi ts into the global community. Students celebrated Israel’s independence in every classroom - with Israeli dancing, singing, Maccabi Games, parades and learning about Israel through exhibits and activities. Am Yisrael Chai!
