Chadashos 12.23.22

December 22, 2022 | ‫פרשת מקץ | כ''ח כסלו תשפ''ג‬

‫בס‘‘ד‬

DECEMBER 22-26 The Torah world is exceedingly familiar with both the writings and the influence of my
grandfather, Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, zt”l whose scholarly discourses and hashkafic
Chanukah Vacation perspectives have shaped the morals, values and intellect of generations of Jews. His
published seforim, Michtav M’Eliyahu, continue to inspire men and women, scholars and
•••••• laymen, young and old.

DECEMBER 27 In 1941, when the world was reeling from the Holocaust and travel was an impossibility, my
grandfather found himself alone in England. His wife and daughter had visited Lithuania prior
School Resumes to the onset of the war and had been displaced to Australia. His only son, my father, had
arrived from Lithuania via Siberia and Japan to the United States of America.
••••••
Although for him it was a period of accomplishment, the extent of my grandfather’s
JANUARY 1 loneliness was transparent in every word of a heartfelt letter he penned to his daughter, my
aunt, on the third night of Chanukah of 1941. His letter, transcribed from Hebrew, reads in
Jr. High Boys part:
M’dor L’dor at 7:50 a.m.
“As I kindle the lights of Chanukah, my thoughts from afar are upon you, my soul is so
•••••• far from you. Who knows whose Chanukah berachos you are hearing and whose kindled
lights you are observing? Tonight, my warm tears descended upon our sterling silver
JANUARY 29-FEB. 5 menorah and its kindled lights. I contemplated the scene before my very eyes and
wondered why haven’t my tears extinguished the kindled lights? But then, nizkarti, I
Mid-Winter Vacation reminded myself of the very words I recited as I kindled the menorah, she’asah nisim
l’avoseinu bayamim hahem b’zman hazeh, the Almighty bestowed miracles in those
4:42 days and, as well, at this time. I was embarrassed to realize that it was none other than
Hashem who safely brought you across the world and who bestows, and continues to
bestow, miracles upon us. How can one cry in the proximity of the very lights which
represent His miraculous salvation? Nischazakti, I strengthened myself and began to
sing Maoz Tzur Yeshuasi, O mighty stronghold of my salvation… I have ceased to cry.
There is no distance before the mekarev rechokim, the One who brings close the
distanced, His salvation is imminent and I am consoled. My daughter, we trust in
Hashem and very soon we shall be reunited and merit good days together because His
kindness will be with us.”

And so it was. My grandfather was ultimately reunited with his family. His correspondence,
though, represents at once a Chanukah message for the ages and a relevant lesson for life.

The Chanukah message is to be mindful of what the kindled lights represent. Of course we
honor the age old tradition to light the menorah but do we do so by rote or do we
contemplate its depth of history, perspective and connection? And of course the relevant
lesson for life is that a Jew is never alone. No matter the challenge, and who is not burdened
with challenge, hope and salvation are on the horizon. Hashem is always with us and we are
never alone.

Best wishes for a freilechan Chanukah and a wonderful Shabbos!

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email [email protected] for your next vehicle!

Junior High School

The Junior High School was privileged to have Rabbi Shlomo Feivel Schustal
daven with us and address us last Friday. Rabbi Schustal commended the
exemplary davening in the Junior High minyan by stating that he did not feel
that he sacrificed davening in his own yeshiva because of the exemplary
davening he experienced in our school. He also participated in the Bris of the
son of eighth grade Rebbi, Rabbi Yaakov Resnick. The baby was named after
Rav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l. Rabbi Schustal later gave a shiur to Kollel Ateres Nochum Zev and addressed Yeshiva of
Cleveland.

The Junior High talmidim enjoyed a wonderful Chanukah Mesiba replete with music, dancing, delicacies and, of course,
divrei Torah by guest speaker, Rabbi Anshel Hellman, Rosh Mechina of Telshe Yeshiva. They also enjoyed a game of
Chanukah Bingo and a carnival in the Gym!

In a new initiative, presented by Rabbi Kahn and Dr. Stern, the Junior High will be
addressed by a talmid every Thursday after Mincha. The talmid will be a student
who displays exemplary midos throughout the full day of Limudei Kodesh and
General Studies. Yasher koach to the first two presenters, Yosef Gross and Naftali
Roffman who delivered divrei Torah.

Inspired by their Science classes, Shaya Evans and Yitzy Silver used their talents to
create an impressive marble run. Great job, boys!

Yeshiva Ketana

Chanukah has definitely arrived in the Yeshiva Ketana! The boys are busy making
dreidels and menorahs and other projects. Rebbeim and talmidim all had parties
either in school or at their homes this week. Lots of donuts and fun! We had an
assembly in the Beis Medrash for Grades 1-4 where we sang Hallel as well as a
few Chanukah niggunim, heard a story and received a treat. Our special
Chanukah raffle campaign to benefit Acheinu Bais Yisrael in the Ukraine was
introduced to all of the grades. Each talmid received a package of raffle tickets to
sell over Chanukah break.

Rabbi Mann's fourth grade was privileged to meet and receive a bracha from
Rabbi Shlomo Feivel Schustal, Zeidy of
Nochum Zev Schiff, who visited our school.

Academy alumnus, Rabbi Chaim Boruch
Alevsky visited our school and showed our
fifth graders the art of making shemen
zayis just in time for Chanukah.

Mazel tov to Gavi Reiss and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Boruch Reiss on Gavi’s
upsherin which was conducted by Rabbi Asher Newman in Rabbi Thav’s 2nd grade
class. May they enjoy much nachas from Gavi!

||

Yavne High School

G.O. Activities: The G.O. treated the girls to creative surprises each
day of Chanuka.

Welcome Club Lunch: Our welcome club, headed by Mrs. Ann Co-
hen, celebrated their first Chanuka in Yavne with a special lunch
outing to Milky Way.

Gila Luncheon: Our seniors and song-dance participants were hon-
ored to be invited to perform at the annual Gila Luncheon. The girls
enjoyed the opportunity to share the convention excitement and to
connect to the wonderful women who attended. Thank you Mrs.
Chaya Gitty Kohn for arranging.

The highlight of Chanuka was undoubtedly the incredible chagiga
organized by our dedicated heads, Tehila Keller, Toby Garfinkel,
Yaeli Stelzer, Sara Leeba Bloom, Rachel Clements, Rivka Clements,
Simcha Matitia and Yocheved Romanoff.

Themed ‫ נעשה נס לשושנים‬the chagiga
featured a rose garden décor, dainty
refreshments, a music video titled
“One More Miracle”, a dance presen-
tation by the heads and the highlight
– the miraculous story of Mrs. Fariba
Diamond with a focus on connecting
the meaningful lessons to the stu-
dents’ lives.

Junior High Performance: After hear-
ing such rave reviews about the per-
formance which the seventh and
eighth grade put on at the Mother/
Daughter Melave Malka, high school
students were excited to have the
opportunity to see the amazing work
the girls did! We are really impressed
and wish the girls a mazel tov on this
accomplishment! (see next page for
photos).

The 8th Grade Robotics class finished building their “Clawbot Robot” and is learning to write code to make their ro-
bot move autonomously. Students successfully programmed their robots to perform a number of tasks, including
moving through a maze and changing directions after bumping into a wall.

||



Girls Elementary

We at Girls Elementary were in for a real treat on Monday, the first
day of Chanukah, when we walked into the auditorium which was
transformed for our special Chanukah Chagiga. The theme was Mi la-
Hashem ailai - Who is for Hashem come to me. The lesson was made
meaningful to the girls and each girl wrote very inspiring paragraphs
which decorated the walls of our auditorium. The girls enjoyed deco-

rating donuts for a fun and
creative edible art activity. Mrs. Perman and Mrs.
Silver added much ruach to the atmosphere with
their singing and music which promoted the in-
volvement of every student including a fun glow
stick activity. The girls all left in high spirits and
"glowing".

All of our third grade classes created a donut/
cookie tower with edible art.

Morah Freedman's class worked together to create a beautiful Chanukah Chagiga! The girls put together a song-dance,
skit, dvar Torah, and game. It's sure to be an unbelievable experience!

The sixth grade girls in Mrs.
Goldstein and Mrs. Dimar-
sky’s classes began to learn
about Gedolim with “A Gadol a Week” program. Every week, they discuss the life of a different Gadol and learn from
stories and how to adopt the lessons of that Gadol.

Congratulations to all the par-
ticipants in the art contest!
Special recognition to Shalva
Goldman, Chana Israeli, Tzali
Botnick, and Sara Rivka Domb
for unique and impressive
work submissions! While the
contest is through the Interna-
tional Synagogue at JKF air-
port, we celebrated with our
participants locally also. If you
are traveling through JKF, you
may see a Cleveland artist’s
work hanging up! Great job HAC girls on all of your art work!

||

Early Childhood

Morah Dena and Morah Chaya’s afternoon class concluded their fire safety unit just in
time for Chanukah! They discussed fire safety, read books about fire safety, and
colored and painted a fire safety book.
The moros spent time demonstrating what “Stop, drop, and roll” would look like in
case of a fire — chas v’shalom. They showed the kinderlach pictures of firefighters in
full gear so if they ever see one, they won’t be scared and know they are there to help

them.
For “hands-on” activities, the children acted as firefighters! Morah
filled a bucket with water and put in a “foam fire” that the kinderlach
“put out” by spraying water from a spritz bottle. The children also
participated in a scavenger hunt for safety objects around the school
building!
Morah Dena brought a real smoke detector and showed the kinderlach
how it works. The kinderlach made fire fighter puppets and went
home with a fireman badge and certificate for a job well done-learning
about fire safety!
On Tuesday in honor of Chanukah, our kinderlach enjoyed hoping and
jumping around on three big bounce houses in the auditorium.

Kindergarten

Our kindergarteners enjoyed a fun-filled week busy with lots of various
Chanukah activities. The children in all of our classes created lots of cre-
ative projects and useful things for Chanukah. We are so proud of their
hard work! Pictured here are our kinderlach at an assembly where they
played “Pass the Present”.

||

Security at Taylor Road

The black security gates around Taylor Road’s main parking area are now active. Parents parking in the Berkeley park-
ing lot can buzz into the office to be let in. When leaving, all cars must leave through the exit gate only. Pull up close to
the gate and it will automatically open. Cars cannot exit through the entrance gate using the sensor, it will not open.
Also, please note that the codes do not work at the entrance doors after 8:45 a.m. If arriving after that time, please
buzz to be let in.

Condolences to

 Mr. Jeff Bookman on the loss of his father, Mr. Stanley Bookman, ‫ז“ל‬.
 Mrs. Elle Esraeilian on the loss of her mother, Mrs. Beverly Hirsch, ‫ע‘‘ה‬.
 Mrs. Henna Klarfeld on the loss of her father, Mr. Avrum Eisenstein, ‫ז“ל‬.

.‫המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים‬

Mazel tov!

 Mr. & Mrs. Michael Adler on the birth of a girl
 Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Dessler on the birth of twin great granddaughters to Elazar and Chaya Rochel Lebovic
 Dr. & Mrs. Baruch Mordechai Diamond on the birth of a girl

Mazel tov to Dr. & Mrs. Moshe Diamond and Mr. & Mrs. Jalal Zobdeh.
 Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Gancz on the birth of a girl

Mazel tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Ber Chaikin.
 Mr. & Mrs. Binyomin Hoen on the birth of a grandson to Mendel & Raizy Gordon

Mazel tov to Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hoen.
 Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Stoll on the marriage of Miriam to Mordechai Rappaport
 Mr. & Mrs. Herschel Weiser on the birth of a grandson to Daniel & Dina Sarah Weiser

||

Established by Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Resnick, Rebbi, Hebrew Academy of Cleveland

!• AVE TH E DATE
NNUAL SCHOL
A 3.19.23
S
‫כ״ו אדר תשפ״ג‬
TE DINNER
• ‫מחיל אל חיל‬
ARSHIP TRIBU

IN TRIBUTE TO

IVAN & MARILYN SOCLOF

GARY GROSS

THE MENDY KLEIN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

RABBI MENACHEM MEISELS

THE ALUMNUS AWARD

Hebrew Academy of Cleveland For ads email [email protected] or call 216.382.3300 x 372
1800 Warrensville Center Road For dinner reservations email [email protected] or call 216.382.3300 x 360
Ads and reservations can also be placed online at hac1.org/apps/pages/dinner
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44121

SPONSORS NEEDED
To get your portion
in this unbelievable
zechus Please

contact Rabbi Y. Kahn
at 443-435-4013

Make this Chanukah one your family will always remember!
Enlighten, Inspire, Invigorate, Rekindle your Family Bond!

Turn off all screens and devices for 30

minutes following the lighting of the

Menorah.

All families who complete this

challenge will receive a coupon for an

Ice Cream in Milky Way-Parents

included!

In addition, they will be entered into a

The challenge is for all 8 nights! raffle for great prizes!
To sign up and accept the challenge Pictures and video of Hadlakah are

Scan the QR code above. permitted. No phone calls!
go to https://forms.gle/1nLThQkazpdx51kw7

or email "[family name] SIGN US UP" to
[email protected]

Signup Deadline:Sunday Afternoon Erev Chanukah

May this program be a zechus for all of us to see only much nachas from our [email protected]

This program is in conjunction with TU, OU, TAG & Project Focus

RAFFLE PRIZES INCLUDE THE BELOW AND MORE!!!

May this program be a zechus for all of us to see only much nachas from our families!

This program is in conjunction with TU, OU, TAG & Project Focus

Want to Donate up to $1,500 to HAC for Scholarships
Without it Costing You a Penny?

Now You can!

Want to Choose What Your State Taxes Support?

Now You can!

Use Your Tax Dollars to Help Our Families!

3 EASY STEPS:

1) Make your donation(s)* at everychildeveryfamily.org/donate
before December 31st.
2) Designate Hebrew Academy of Cleveland as your school.
3) Submit the email receipt to your accountant with your tax
documents.

YOU’RE DONE! IT’S THAT EASY!

* To receive the maximum tax credit benefit of $1,500 for a couple filing jointly,
each spouse will need to give their maximum donation of $750 individually.

For More information or assistance, please contact Rabbi Moshe Marcovich
at (216) 727-3008 or email [email protected]