4:52 Rabbi Akiva Eiger and Rabbi Yaakov M’Lisa, known as the Nesivos, two of the great Torah giants of the nineteenth century, once traveled together in a horse drawn carriage. Upon reaching their destination a large crowd was waiting to greet them. As an expression of respect and reverence, the crowd detached the horses and began pulling the carriage themselves. Each Sage—convinced that the crowd was there to greet the other—stepped down from the carriage to participate in this honor; such was their sense of humility. Pirkei Avos begins with the statement that Moshe Rabeinu accepted the Torah from Sinai and transmitted it to Yehoshua. The commentaries question the seemingly inconsistent wording in that just as Moshe accepted the Torah from Sinai, so had Yehoshua accepted it from Moshe, his Master. Why was the Torah transmitted to Yehoshua as opposed to his accepting it from Moshe? In his classic sefer, Ruach Chaim, Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, zt”l, answers that it was Moshe Rabeinu’s humility that rendered him the singular and incomparable mekabel, acceptor, of Torah in the history of Klal Yisrael. When Moshe and Yehoshua were informed that two individuals, Eldad and Medad, had prophesied in the camp—a phenomenon previously experienced by Moshe alone—the revelation elicited two distinct reactions. While Moshe remained unperturbed, Yehoshua wanted them imprisoned. And while Yehoshua’s anger was bred because of his reverence for his master, his rejection that anyone could share leadership with Moshe (a concept foreign to true humility) disallowed his receiving of the Torah to be equal to that of Moshe Rabeinu; the Torah had to be transmitted to him. The Torah testifies that, ha’ish Moshe anav mikal adam…, Moshe was more modest than any man on earth. Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin zt”l asserts that if any future generation would have had in its midst an individual of Moshe Rabeinu's level of humility, then the world would have once again been blessed with a personality like Moshe Rabeinu since Torah scholarship and humility are inseparable. Indeed in this week's parsha (3,11), Moshe asked Hashem: Mi anochi ki elech el Pharaoh, Who am I that I should approach Pharaoh (and take out the people from Egypt?) In his humility, Moshe considered himself to be completely unworthy of fulfilling this command. In fact, it was this very trait of modesty that perfected him for his leadership role. The very next pasuk attests to this in the Almighty's response: I shall be with you and this is your sign. When you take the people out of Egypt, you will serve Hashem—bahar hazeh—on this mountain (3,12). Just as Har Sinai, the lowest of all mountains, would be the place for the Torah to be presented, so too would the humble personality of Moshe Rabeinu be chosen as the worthy presenter and leader of the Jewish people. Today marks the 70th yahrzeit of my illustrious grandfather, Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler zt”l, Founder, Gateshead Kollel; Mashgiach, Ponevez Yeshiva; and author of the acclaimed Michtav Me’Eliyahu. As I reflect upon his accomplished life and the fact that his seforim continue to influence the Torah world seventy years after his passing, I am reminded of the story when he visited the Chazon Ish zt”l. When my grandfather entered the room, and the great gadol rose in respect, my grandfather immediately turned around to see in whose honor the Chazon Ish rose because, in his humility, he couldn’t imagine it was for him! Humility defines the essence and character of man. Have a wonderful Shabbos! JANUARY 6 Camp RXG Reunion 7:45-9 PM • • • • • • JANUARY 10 Yeshiva Ketana/Boys JH Picture Day Picture Day Retake for All Divisions • • • • • • JANUARY 13 Ladies Melava Malka 8:30 PM • • • • • • JANUARY 18 Yavne Finals Begin • • • • • • JANUARY 20 Erev Shira Melava Malka Girls Elementary Grades 4-6 • • • • • • JANUARY 22 Junior High Boys Finals Week • • • • • • JANUARY 28- FEBRUARY 4 Mid-Winter Vacation בס’’ד פרשת שמות | כ”ד טבת תשפ''ד | 2024, 5 January Only at Plaza Leasing: Sales and Rentals simplified! All of your vehicle needs in one place! Call 216-707-9000 or email [email protected]
| | Early Childhood When our children learn about the parsha, their teachers expand and teach about many other topics that correspond with the events and stories that took place in that parsha. This week, our teachers discussed how to care for a baby properly, how to be nice to one another, what hard work means, and how one cannot build a stable building on sand. Morah Shani and Morah Elisheva's class experimented by trying to build things in their sand table. Some classes talked about things that sink and float and experimented with putting various items in a basin filled with water to see if the item sank or floated. Our moros enjoyed meeting with their students’ parents at our Parent Teacher Conferences. Nachas reports were B’H flowing both ways! What better combination can there be than when parents and teachers partner for their children’s success. Kindergarten In conjunction with Parshas Shemos, Morah Blech’s class made a “Shemos” booklet, tracing their Hebrew names back to their roots. It was very exciting for the kindergarteners to share this information, taking pride in the root of their Hebrew name. Letter E brought lots of action to Kindergarten. Morah Shuli’s class filled empty envelopes with a picture corresponding to the letter written on the front of each envelope. The empty envelopes then became mail, which was delivered to Morah Morgenstern (who never gets mail…) so she could see how well the class knows to identify the beginning sounds of words. The ”Fun Friday” culminating activity for the letter e really had the kindergarteners hopping (and jumping and turning and stretching…) as they exercised with Mendy Music! We like to keep our Kindergarten students fit in mind and in body!
| | Girls Elementary Morah Libersohn's first grade celebrated 100 days of thanking Hashem. With edible art, they used their creativity to depict what they are thankful for. Here are some samples from the girls. I am thankful because: “I am a yid”-Sarah Chana Gancz; “I have the best Moros!”-Hadassa Domb; “I have everything I need”-Sarahla Gresack; “I have nice parents. We have a pretty school”-Mindy Perl. Mazel tov to Mrs. Ribiat's class on the completion of Parshas Miketz. The girls celebrated this milestone and were treated to an ice cream party. They created sundaes with a variety of toppings to choose from and played an interactive game using words from the parsha. Mazel tov to Mrs. Resnick's fourth grade on the completion of Sefer Tehillim. As a special treat, each girl received her very own tradition soup in honor of this accomplishment. May we continue to celebrate many more siyumim! When learning the neis of how all of Klal Yisrael fit between the poles of the aron, before crossing the Yarden, Miss Lax stressed the importance of areivus (the responsibility of one yid for another). The girls were given charts to self check and it will hopefully create a sense of this important middah of achrayus in their classroom. Excitement is in the air while grades 4-6 are eagerly preparing and practicing for the upcoming Melava Malka on January 20th. We can't wait for you to see what's in store! General Studies: Mrs. Liebman's 4th graders reviewed for their upcoming test with an escape room! The girls had to find common factors, identify numbers as prime or composite, complete number patterns, list multiples, and solve multiplicative comparisons to escape through six locks before the end of class.
| | Yeshiva Ketana Mazel tov to Mrs. Burnstein’s class on their very first siyum of perek aleph of Parshas Bereishis. The boys enjoyed a delicious breakfast and, after reviewing all of the pesukim, they danced together with tremendous joy exhibiting pure simchas haTorah. Our fifth and sixth grade boys have been studying and reviewing five common Shas milim per week. This past week , they took a bechina on the first 60 milim. Many of the boys have mastered all 60 milim and are eager to add to their growing list. The test scores are recorded and tracked, to monitor the improvement and success of all of our talmidim. This week, the Yeshiva Ketana launched its annual Shnayim Mikra program which includes all grades (1-6). It is a ten week program that continues throughout Sefer Shmos. The goal is to acquaint the boys with the concept of reviewing the weekly parsha twice (shanyim mikra v’echad targum), while simultaneously improving their reading skills. The amount of kriah the boys are responsible for, is age appropriate. While the program is optional, weekly prizes and raffles are awarded to the boys who participate. This wonderful program is generously sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Nati Klein in memory of Mr. Mendy Klein z”l. May it be a zechus for his pure neshama. General Studies: Project Based Learning is a core tenant to our work in the General Studies program. The 4th -6 th grade students are all completing the first semester projects incorporating work in our computer and innovation labs as well as art. The 4th grade is currently working on their States projects, fashioning landmarks of their States, cut out by our laser cutter to match the State’s dimensions, in an artistic manner. Looking forward to sharing the fruits of our hard work in the weeks ahead. Junior High School The Junior High was pleased to host Rabbi Avrohom Maimon, father of our own eighth grade Rebbi, Rabbi Tzvi Maimon and a Rav in Monsey, New York, who addressed the talmidim last Friday. Drawing from the parsha and birchas Yaakov, Rabbi Maimon reflected upon interpersonal relationships, how we view our own strengths and weaknesses and how we view others. The Junior High’s M’Dor L’Dor program this past Monday brought an overflow crowd of fathers and sons to daven, learn and enjoy breakfast together. Thank you to all those who attended! On Wednesday and Thursday, Rabbi Zev Busel, Rosh Kollel and Rabbi Boruch Hirschfeld, Rav and Rosh Kollel, Torah LIFE, addressed the boys and provided an appreciation of the loss sustained by Klal Yisrael with the petira of Rabbi Matisyohu Salamon, zt”l, Mashgiach of Beth Medrash Govoha. An internationally regarded mashpia, Rabbi Salamon was a guest of our school in 2011 when he delivered a hesped at the Sheloshim of Rabbi Nochum Zev Dessler zt”l held at Yavne High School. May he be a meilitz yosher for Klal Yisrael.
| | Yavne High School This past Sunday night, Yavne Junior High’s (Grand)mother/ daughter performance was absolutely spectacular. We are so, so proud of our girls! With (almost) 100% participation, the girls collaborated and prepared for the event; using their considerable capabilities. Through various shows, the girls expressed the evening’s theme: Hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol, our joy and pride in being the am segula, we are a dugma (example) for others, Klal Yisrael is one big family – different, yet part of one big whole, the crucial role our tzadikim and leaders play, and our potent kol kol Yaakov. The girls had the opportunity to spread their wings and try their talents in areas of their choice such as choreography, dance, art, teamwork, leadership, and much more. This would not have been possible without our fantastic moros who guided and facilitated and brought out our girls talents. Our proud parents, grandparents, and staff shepped much nachas as they watched dances, song dances, and dramas. The costumes and digital everchanging backdrop scenery and video made the performance look professional to the next level. The art group created gorgeous wall murals and entranceway décor. After the performance, our students and guests were treated to a magnificent, delicious spread, prepared by Mrs. Esther Schwartz. Thank you to all who made this evening such a success, and we wish for our girls to always use their abilities and develop them to their fullest potential.
Mazel Tov! • Rabbi & Mrs. Binyomin Abramson on the birth of a son • Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Ber Chaikin on the birth of a grandson to Nachman & Chayale Segal • Rabbi & Mrs. Chanan Hanson on the bar mitzvah of Shlomo • Mr. & Mrs. Mordy Katz on the bar mitzvah of Shalom Yehuda Mazel Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Yaakov Joseph. • Mr. & Mrs. Chaim Kaufman on the bar mitzvah of Eli Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Nachman Jacobovitch. • Rabbi & Mrs. Ahron Yoel Kushner on the bar mitzvah of Yaakov Yisroel • Mr. & Mrs. Shalom Roberts on the birth of a daughter Mazel Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Eli Roberts. • Mr. Harry Shapiro on the bar mitzvah of Sruly • Rabbi & Mrs. Mordechai Silverberg on the engagement of Devora to Chisky Rosenberg (Lakewood) • Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuli Sochaczewsky on the birth of a daughter | | PTA: Can You Name It? We are pleased to announce a new project for the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland. We are embarking on creating and designing a new school cookbook! The last HAC cookbook was published in 2000! We are very excited to begin this process and expect it to be a two year project. We would like to tap into the collective creativity of the school community to help find the perfect title for this cookbook. Please submit your ideas here: https://tinyurl.com/HACCookbook or scan the QR code.
PICTURE DAY! JANUARY 10 Oakwood Boys Grades 1-8 AND Picture Retakes for All Other Divisions ORDER YOUR PHOTOS AT CAVANAUGHPHOTO.COM/ORDER NOW THROUGH JANUARY 10TH FOR FREE SHIPPING TO SCHOOL. ORDERS PLACED AFTER JANUARY 10TH WILL BE MORE EXPENSIVE AND WILL INCLUDE A DELIVERY FEE. If you have any questions, please reach out to Cavanaugh Photography at 440-973-4390 or [email protected]
RXG R ON · RXG REUNIXG REUNION · RXION · RXG REUNXG REUNION · RXION · RXG REUNXG REUNION · RXION·RXGREUNMOTZEI SHABBOS JANUARY 6TH PLEASE SIGN UP AT HAC1.ORG/REUNION