7:24 The story is told of a young, secular Jew who desperately searched for a meaningful life. His complicated journey ultimately led him to Israel where he continued his search. On the Friday night prior to his scheduled return to America he visited the Kosel and fervently prayed, “If there truly is a G-d, please show me a sign.” A moment later, he was tapped on the shoulder by none other than Rabbi Meir Schuster, longtime Jewish outreach activist, who asked if he would be interested in a Shabbos meal in Yerushalayim! Kiruv, outreach, should not be a task limited to the dedicated professionals who toil diligently on its behalf; rather each of us share in this sacred obligation to bring estranged Jews back to their roots. This week's parsha begins with an introduction to the laws of a korban, the sacrificial offering. The root of the word korban is karev, to bring closer. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, zt"l, writes: It is regrettable that no word in the Hebrew language truly captures the idea which lies in the expression of the Hebrew word korban. A korban is more than a sacrifice -- it is the action of developing a closer relationship with G-d. Happiness is found only in the proximity of Hashem’s Presence, and all material prosperity loses its attraction if it causes estrangement from Hashem. There, in Hashem’s Presence, all of life’s problems evaporate: Life's happiness waxes and wanes in accordance with one’s proximity or distance from G-d. Ohr HaChaim comments that the words, Adam ki yakriv mikem, when a man among you brings an offering (1,1), teach us that man is to be mekarev levavos, to strive to bring Jews close to their Father in Heaven and that he who inspires another individual in such a manner is worthy of the honorable title, Adam, Man, and that such merit absolves him from sin. Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman, zt"l, once expressed that darkness is defeated by a single candle, for it only takes a small amount of light to dispel a significant amount of darkness. Sharing a bit of knowledge of our mesorah, spending limited time in chavrusa study, inviting someone to experience the beauty of a Shabbos meal, or just extending ourselves through a dose of warmth and acceptance – all of these bring people closer to Hashem. Sometimes it can be so easy! The teshuvah movement has taken our generation by storm. Swimming against the tides of assimilation are hundreds of thousands of Jews – around the world – who have embraced yiddishkeit and have returned to their roots. Yet they, too, require guidance, support and understanding to steady themselves and guide their families throughout the arduous process of this life changing transition. Even after – or perhaps especially after -- they have made their commitment to an observant way of life they should not be left alone. We wait in anticipation for the day of redemption when Eliyahu HaNavi will return the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of the children to their parents – v'heshiv lev avos al banim v'lev banim al avosam (Malachi) -- and in the meantime, let us take the steps that will bring this great day closer. Have a wonderful Shabbos! APRIL 3-16 Pesach Vacation • • • • • • APRIL 17 School Resumes • • • • • • APRIL 24 & 26 Yavne Parent Teacher Conferences 7:30-9:30 p.m. בס’’ד פרשת ויקרא | ב' ניסן תשפ''ג | 2023, 24 March N.Y. prices with Midwest service only at Plaza Auto Leasing! Call Will Evans at 216-707-9000 or email [email protected] for your next vehicle!
Inside the Academy | Page 2 | March 24, 2023 80th HAC Scholarship Tribute Dinner You had to be there to experience the incredible feeling of being a part of something so special and so unique with a sell- out, capacity audience of 950 guests. The event was the Academy’s 80th annual scholarship tribute dinner, held for the first Ɵme in the magnificent Atrium of the stately Cleveland Museum of Art. The undisputed feedback is that the event was beauƟful, elegant, heartwarming, enjoyable, and an impressive kiddush Hashem. Tribute was paid to Ivan and Marilyn Soclof; the Alumnus Award was presented to Rabbi Menachem Meisels; and Mr. Gary Gross accepted the Mendy Klein Community Service Award. Chaired by Dr. Louis Malcmacher, aƩendees were addressed Rabbi Elya Brudny and Mr. Dan Zelman both via video, and by Rabbi Simcha Dessler. The HAC Boys Choir, under the direcƟon of Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Mann and accompanied by internaƟonally acclaimed musical arƟst, Shulem Lemmer all did a fantasƟc job. Mr. Lemmer enthralled the audience with an array of Hebrew, Yiddish and English songs while the guests enjoyed dinner and dessert.
Inside the Academy | Page 3 | March 24, 2023 80th HAC Scholarship Tribute Dinner Video presentaƟons highlighƟng the impressive accomplishments of the honorees and the school video enƟtled “Building CommuniƟes. Transforming GeneraƟons; as Told by our Children“ were clearly enjoyed by all. Special recogniƟon was also given to our veteran staff for 15 years of devoted service. Our appreciaƟon to all those who ensured the success of the memorable evening: Thank you to Rabbi Moshe Marcovich, Mrs. YiƩy Dessler, Mr. Yosef Aryeh Greenberger, Davis Caterers, Mr. Dov Berman and Mr. Chaikel Kaufman. Special thanks to our outstanding staff, including: the PTA, the office, journal commiƩee, I.T. staff, maintenance staff, and our faculty and parents who aƩended in achdus. Mazel tov to Dr. and Mrs. Benji Miller on winning the $10,000 raffle! We appreciate all those who parƟcipated in the raffle campaign. A special thank you to all the students who sold Ɵckets and made a difference in the campaign. * Photo credits: New Image Photography and Shmuel Mann Photography
| | Junior High School Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Resnick introduced a new and enjoyable concept in his eighth grade class. Each talmid prepared an amud of the Gemara that the class learned and presented it to the class. The talmidim got a taste of what it feels like to be a Rebbi teaching Gemara. Yasher koach to Mordy Tolchinsky who inspired us with his dvar Torah after Mincha yesterday. Yasher koach to Zevy Joseph and Tzvi Lampert for sharing their talents on many occasions in our division, and, in particular, at a beautiful kumsitz in conjunction with the Bo Bayom of Meir Simcha Burgess yesterday. Yeshiva Ketana An assembly was held yesterday for boys in grades 4-8 to prepare them for the upcoming Ashreichem program. The boys viewed a video from last year’s program and excitement is already in the air. General Studies Art is both fun and engaging in the Yeshiva Ketana. Thanks to the efforts of Art teacher, Mrs. Shoshana Chen, our boys can develop their talents as can be seen here with young artist, Eli Burnstein (3rd grade). Science Special with Mr. Shyken: Weight distribution describes how the mass of an object is spread out over a specific area. This concept is important in many areas but specifically in aviation and automobiles trying to maximize efficiency of movement. Our first graders conducted an experiment to see how much weight disposable cups can hold. We discovered that distributing our weight on multiple cups allowed us to build levels and support weight of not only students but teachers as well. Engaging the boys in learning each and every day is what we do best. Lost and Found Unclaimed items are in the boys coatroom at Oakwood. The items will be given away on the first day of Pesach vacation, April 2nd. If you have lost an article of clothing, please look in the coatroom.
| | Yavne High School Mrs. Schwartz baked with her seventh grade Yavne students after they finished a Lashon unit related to recipes. What a treat for our graduates who are in Eretz Yisrael. The girls enjoyed a Yavne reunion at the home of Mrs. Temima (Goldbaum) Kovel where they shared memories from Yavne High School and spoke about their experiences this year. They also enjoyed a delicious dinner together… Thank you, Mrs. Kovel! Girls Elementary Mazel tov to Miss Schottenstein's class on the completion of Parshas Lech Lecha. The excitement and enthusiasm of the girls was evident as they recited chazak chazak v’nischazek together! Thank you, Miss Schottenstein, for helping them reach this milestone. The sixth grade girls in Mrs. Dimarsky's class launched a new Tehillim contest. They will be reading together with a partner daily. The gain is two fold, the girls are looking forward to complete Sefer Tehilim and practice their Kriah too. To depict what Hashem created on yom reviee, Miss Libersohn's class created an edible art of the sun, moon and stars. The girls had a great time with this special activity and even a better time eating their delicious cookies! What could be a better opportunity than being creative and making someone happy at the same time? Our fifth grade G.O heads in Miss Pollak's fifth grade arranged an exciting activity. The concept was "treat your friend and make her feel good." The girls took a trip to Unger’s to purchase snacks. Thank you to the G.O heads, Racheli Sochaczewsky, Chaya Baila Dessler and Esti Faintuch. General Studies Mrs. Durfey’s 4th graders decided to surprise her with dressing up as their biography studies. Mrs. Durfey surprised them right back with dressing up as a student and having a doll be Mrs. Durfey - along with all mini teacher materials for the girls to complete.
| | Kindergarten All of our kinderlach are hard at work in their Pesach haggados. They are learning so much and we know you will be quite impressed at how well they are prepared for Chag HaPesach! Our afternoon classes enjoyed decorating “Cat in the Hat” hats in conjunction to learning cvc words with the “a” sound in the middle. Early Childhood Morah Feifer and Morah Gitti’s kinderlach have been working all week decorating their Kittels and aprons with fabric markers and paint. Morah Chani and Morah Devorah’s kinderlach decorated pillows and afikoman bags with paint stampers and colorful gems. The children in Morah Naomi and Morah Miriam’s class are working on a Makos booklet where they learn each makka in depth and then color a picture to reinforce what they learned. In Morah Shani and Morah Elisheva’s room, the children created Bedikas Chametz hats to wear while helping to search for chametz. The children are thrilled with their hard work and can’t wait to bring everything home. Girls Elementary (continued) The Taylor Road (temporary) computer lab opens - even during construction! We are thrilled to have Mrs. Gallor leading our Girls Elementary computer classes. Mrs. Gallor has recently started ‘typing boot camp’ in grades 3-6 where the girls will receive typing instruction weekly for 6-8 weeks end then move into a more typical specials schedule of every other week for most grades. Using TypeTastic keyboarding program, the girls will practice proper finger placement and rote typing skills to become more fluent in typing.
| | Condolences to • Mrs. Faigy Chapley on the loss of her brother, Rabbi Yehuda Shomer, ל”ז • Mr. Ben Esraelian on the loss of his mother, Mrs. Hamdam Esraelian, ה’’ע. המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים. Mazel tov! • Rabbi & Mrs. Yaakov Burgess on the bar mitzvah of Meir Simcha • Mr. & Mrs. Nachum Langsner on the birth of a granddaughter to Dovid & Esti Lew Mazel tov to Mr. & Mrs. A.G. Levitansky. • Rabbi & Mrs. Eliyahu Machlis on the birth of a girl • Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Schneider on the birth of a granddaughter to Rabbi & Mrs. Saadia Schneider Camp STEP We are proud to present our camps for summer 2023! We welcome new for this summer; Camp RXG for girls and Camp Yaleh for boys. We would also like to welcome back our outstanding Ktan Tan division! Please see attached flyers for exciting details on the camps. For your convenience enrollment is available online. Please click here: www.hac1.org/camp. Please note that space is limited.
Full Page- $200 Half Page- $100 Quarter Page- $50 Business Card- $25 Greeting- $10 Tehilla Altose Oriya Baskin Sarah Leeba Bloom Meira Bresler Temi Drandoff Shaina Drazin Eliana Farkas Gitti Fertig Shalva Finegold Chana Fleksher Estie Frank Shulamis Frank Aidel Friedman Dina Goldberg Deadline: Monday, May 1, 2023 Yitti Greenberger Riva Halpern Leah Horowitz Elisheva Lebovics Huvi Levin Devorah Naomi Maimon Yehudis Mann Simcha Matitia Yehudit Netanel Tehila Newman Bracha Pister Reena Reichman Sorala Rivkin Yocheved Romanoff Dina Rossman Esther Samowitz Tova Sauber Yael Schultz Malka Chaya Schwartz Aviva Shyken Avigayil Stelzer Dafna Stern Chana Leah Thav Hadassa Weinerman Esty Witkes Dassi Wolovitz To Place an Ad: Go to hac1.org/yearbook. Follow the prompts for ad size, text of ad, and payment. Submit your ad and sit back and enjoy!