4:46 A humorous story is told of a Chassidic-oriented Jewish immigrant who arrived on Ellis Island. He inquired among his companions for an American sounding name that he could assume for his new life on these shores and was told that the name "Sam Cohen" sounded Jewish and American. He breathlessly ran up the steps at Ellis Island repeating the new name over and over. However, when asked for his name by the immigration official he said in Yiddish -- more to himself that to the official – “shoin fargesen!” (I already forgot). The immigration official responded in an officious tone: "Shawn Ferguson, welcome to America!" Jokes aside, the Hebrew naming process is serious business. A name is chosen carefully and responsibly because it has the power to influence and shape a person’s destiny. The following illustrates this concept: A businessman in Ramat Elchanan financed the construction of the community's new shul. Armed with the naming rights, the benefactor had a number of choices but was unsure what to do. Should he name the shul after his father who perished in the Holocaust or with the name that his late father had chosen for a shul that he had financed in Europe before the Holocaust? The question was posed to Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein, the community's Rav, who recommended that the congregant name the shul, Kesser Torah, as his father had done so many years earlier. The Rav based his decision on the fact that in this week's parshah the Torah tells us that Yitzchak dug the wells of water which were previously dug during the days of his father, Avraham, and that he named them kashemos asher karu lahen aviv, by the same names which his father had called them (26,18). The message in this pasuk is profound. What is in a name? A name represents one's heritage and legacy. Jewish tradition teaches that a child's Hebrew name is carefully chosen because each particular name has the power to influence the individual and be a harbinger of good or evil (Midrash Tanchuma, Haazinu). The Ari zt”l writes that a child's Hebrew name is not coincidental. The name chosen by one’s parents is Divinely predestined in accordance with the individual's potential and inclinations. The Ari zt”l reveals that there is absolutely nothing about a man that is not intrinsic within his Hebrew name. In fact, the Hebrew word for name – shem -- forms the middle of the Hebrew word for soul – neshama – because a Hebrew name defines the essence of the Jewish soul and its destiny. Have a wonderful Shabbos! NOVEMBER 23 Thanksgiving Boys Divisions Only Grades 1-6 School Starts 9:00 AM Jr. High Boys M’Dor L’Dor 7:50 AM Grades 1-6 Dismissal 12:00 PM Jr. High Boys Dismissal 2:10 PM See Bus Schedule Inside • • • • • • NOVEMBER 24 All Divisions Regular Start Early Childhood Dismissal 11:45 AM Kindergarten Dismissal 12:00 PM Grades 1-6 Dismissal 12:00 PM Jr. High Boys Dismissal 12:30 PM Yavne Dismissal 12:00 PM • • • • • • NOVEMBER 8 PICTURE DAY! November 28 Oakwood Boys Grades 1-8 November 29 Early Childhood & Kindergarten November 30 Taylor Road & Yavne • • • • • • DECEMBER 12 NEW DATE!! Chanukah Delights 6:45 PM בס’’ד פרשת תולדות | ד’ כסלו תשפ''ד | 2023, 17 November 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 On Tuesday, Rosh Chodesh Kislev, our kinderlach decorated hats, danced and sang Chanukah songs in our hallways, and Morah Rivky and Morah Rochel distributed “Chanukah Gelt” chocolate coins, as the Chanukah festivities and preparations began. Morah Laya, Morah Chaya and Morah Adina’s kinderlach utilized their fine motor skills to create a master menorah. They worked diligently for hours using a variety of sensory materials, colors and textures. The beautiful piece of art is proudly adorning their outside bulletin board which makes Chanukah come alive for everyone who sees it! In conjunction with this week’s parsha, our kinderlach “cooked” red lentil soup, and learned about twins. They celebrated “Double Day.” Parents were very creative in dressing their children with something double: two yarmulkes, two pairs of socks, two shirts, two ponytails, or two different shoes. The children had a great time examining and figuring out what double things their friends were wearing while laughing and discussing what they were observing. Mrs. Devorah Pollak brought in her yummy identical twins and walked around to all our classes to show them to all our kinderlach. The children in many of our classes made Yaakov and Eisav puppets to help them reenact the parsha story at home. Lots of cutting, coloring and gluing went into making this fun project. Kindergarten The simcha in kindergarten this week was palpable! A huge DOUBLE Mazal Tov to Morah Heigh’s and Morah Sara Eiserman’s classes upon their Aleph Bais Siyum, in celebration of completing the entire Aleph Bais! They are so excited and ready to move on to nekudos, and to soon be reading words! Kislev crowns or stickers and proudly wore them in celebration.
Kindergarten (continued) As a culmination activity for a Brachos unit, Morah Katz’s class had a Berachos Party, and made a stunning Big Berachos Book. The kindergarteners are so proud that they know their brachos so well! We witnessed The Invasion of the Octopus in kindergarten this week, to introduce the letter O and its phonemic sound. From octopus hats to Deep Sea Octopus Adventures (searching “under water” for the letters that have been learned, and marking them with a “Sea Gem” on the octopus card) learning in kindergarten is such fun! And, what could be better than incorporating phonics (letter C) and Math together in one activity in which each child rolled a dice, counted the dots and covered that number on the cookie jar card with Cookie Crisp Cereal. Learning, fun and YUM “rolled” into one! | | Girls Elementary Tuesday, Rosh Chodesh Kislev brought smiles to our girls faces as they walked into the school building to the sound of music and the spirit of Chanuka was felt in the air. Our fifth grades gathered together to daven a beautiful Rosh Chodesh davening and were treated to cups of steaming hot cocoa which was enjoyed by all. Grades 1-6 took turns playing an adorable game of pin the sticker on the menorah and the girls couldn't wait to see who placed their sticker in the perfect spot. Morah Zuckerman's class has been discussing the situation in Eretz Yisrael and the power that the tefilla and mitzvos of younger kinderlach can have in Shamayim. They began saying Perek Kuf Chuf Alef and have been working on saying brachos, particularly Shehakol, out loud with kavana so the rest of the class can answer Smen. Beezras Hashem it should be a zechus for Klal Yisroel.
| | Girls Elementary (continued) Our sixth graders are doing their part in" fighting the war". They have been working to rise through the ranks every week by taking on something special for kavod Shabbos. The program started with every girl receiving her own mission card with her picture. Week number 1 was Kabalas Shabbos. The girls said Lecha Dodi, marked off mission 1 and were given a camouflage bracelet. Week 2 was learning about kavod shabbos and their mission was to do something to make Shabbos extra special. The girls had many great ideas including sharing a dvar torah and not fighting with siblings. Week 3 is Shabbos Mevarchim so the mission was to bentch Rosh Chodesh. After completing our 4th mission they will be having a special "siyum" to celebrate the incredible work the girls put in to this program. Thank you, Moros, for enhancing the girls' Shabbos in such a meaningful way. Yeshiva Ketana Mazel tov to Rabbi Berman’s kitah aleph on celebrating their Chumash Mesiba this past week. With their families in attendance, the boys delivered an outstanding performance as they proudly sang and recited the pesukim they had learned. Their faces shined as they accepted their very first Chumash, eagerly opening it up and reviewing the beginning of Parshas Bereishis. Expressing genuine simcha, everyone then made a circle and danced together. May the excitement which permeated the auditorium continue to grow as we share in the nachas of our budding talmidei chachamim, b’ezras Hashem. Mazel tov to Avraham Matitia on his upsherin which took place in his grandfather, Rabbi Avraham Matitia’s third grade classroom this week. With his parents, grandparents and other family members proudly looking on, Avraham happily pointed to the alef-beis letters. May his family have much nachas from him always! This past Tuesday, the third and fourth graders joined together in our Bais Medrash for the singing of Hallel and for Tefilas Mussaf. They were then treated to a story and an exciting raffle. It was both an enjoyable and uplifting experience for all present!
Yeshiva Ketana (continued) Our talmidim, under the guidance of Rabbi S.Y. Mann, have begun practicing for the upcoming Chanukah Delights choir. Mazel Tov Chaim Shalom Rivkin on finishing Mishnayos Orlah. Siyum was last Sunday. General Studies: Battle of the BooksThis past Monday marked the successful end of our "Battle of the Books" reading incentive program, a celebration of literary exploration and the joy of reading. Congratulations to our outstanding participants, and the entire 4th grade that had at least 1 book read by every single student throughout the competition. As we celebrate the success of this program, let's continue to nurture a passion for reading among our students! | | Junior High School The winter Oneg Shabbos experience for Junior High was inaugurated last Shabbos with an Oneg for seventh grade hosted by Rabbi and Mrs. Zev Busel. This week, Rabbi and Mrs. Barak Strimber will host for eighth grade. Night Seder, in conjunction with Kollel Ateres Nochum Zev, is in full swing. Led by Rabbi Shmuel Dimarsky, there is one on one and group learning, with four yungeleit available to be shoel u’meishiv. This is a fabulous opportunity to establish connections with mentors and role models, our school based Kollel members. On Monday, so many of our Junior High talmidim joined the Kollel in the Beis Medrash for Yom Kippur Katan, a reflection of our collective empathy and fervent desire to daven for our brethren in Eretz Yisrael and around the world.
| | Yavne High School Our Gedolim have urged us to increase in our Torah, Avodah, and Gemilus Chasadim. In light of this, Yavne Junior High students are putting in increased efforts in all three areas. This past week we held a tzedakah auction to benefit displaced and needy Jews in Eretz Yisrael. Students bid for prizes, privileges, and treats offered by their teachers. May our zechusim add up to bring the yeshua bekorov. Last Thursday, 20 Yavne girls travelled to Toronto as Yavne representatives for the Bais Yaakov Convention. Around 800 girls from schools all over America and Canada came together to learn and grow. The theme of Convention was זה ואנוהו קלי .There were many interesting workshops, displays, speakers and discussions which the girls all gained tremendously from. Mazel Tov to our very own Shayna Kutoff who won the Chiddon out of 800 girls, she made Yavne very proud! The following are some quotes from the girls: It was amazing to meet and bond with girls from all over!!; We had amazing hosts who did more then was asked of them!; Inspirational; The achdus was incredible; It was so cool to be in a room with tons of girls my age; Best experience; It was so nice to be with so many Bais Yaakov girls; it was so interesting to see how another school was run; It was an amazing experience; Inspiring to see the achdus of 100’s of Bais Yaakov girls; It was inspiring to be with 100’s of girls like us with the same goal; Besides for the amazing speeches and beautiful program, we got to spend quality time with both girls that I know and got to meet new friends: Inspiring. Thank you to the warm and welcoming Toronto community who hosted our girls. On Monday, Yavne hosted a Yom Tefillah in our auditorium for students in grades 7-12th, mothers were invited as well and it warmed our hearts to see how many attended. We are sure that the Mincha/Tehillim and Bakashos are treasured in Shamayim!
| | Yavne High School (continued) To celebrate Rosh Chodesh Kislev, our GO girls organized a High Tech Game Show. The content was based on Yavne Trivia, questions were posted on the auditorium screen with multiple choice answers, the girls had a device which they used to choose their answer which was indicated by different colors that lit up the device. Many laughs and feelings of connection were enjoyed by teachers and students. Our Tefillah learning program continues with much enthusiasm, and this week Esther Bernstein shared the following with the girls: Nishmas is said after Shiras Hayam to teach us something incredible. By Krias Yam Suf, Bnei Yisrael saw their personal masters’ drown. Hashem did this in order to let us know He was not just paying attention to His nation but to each individual. Once we realize Hashem’s loving kindness to each of us, we then can properly begin to thank Him by saying Nishmas. We say Nishmas in order to exercise the muscle of hoda’ah, thanks. Once we get in the habit of thanking, it will become, individually, a part of our essence. The words Nishmas kol chai show us that a person who lives with recognizing Hashem’s greatness is someone who is truly living and can praise Hashem. Veruach kol basar is there to let us know that we, as flesh and blood, might not be able to understand Hashem’s ways but useromem zichrecha, the memory of us once being under Hashem’s throne IS inside of every Jew! Sometimes it takes a little time but we WILL always remember His kavod. Thank you to our past presenters, Michele Linetsky, Malka Koval, Ahuva Malcmacher, Gila Roth and Adina Klein.
Mazel Tov! | | • Mr. & Mrs. Josh Bennett on the birth of a son • Mr. & Mrs. Elazar Broad on the past bar mitzvah of Yisrael Meir • Rabbi & Mrs. Chananya Goldbaum on the birth of a granddaughter to Shlomo & Meira Deutch • Mr. & Mrs. Shmully Halpern and Mr. & Mrs. Dov Frankel on the engagement of Ari and Kiki Mazel Tov to Mrs. Ita Klein and Rabbi & Mrs. Sherman Frankel. • Mr. & Mr. Yochanan Michael Katz on the bar mitzvah of Yaakov Meir • Mr. & Mrs. Yoni Klein on the forthcoming marriage of Simcha to Shifra Levitan Mazel Tov to Mrs. Ita Klein and Mr. & Mrs. Josh Braunstein. • Mr. & Mrs. Fred Lax on the birth of a grandson to Avi & Chaya Sara Lax • Mr. & Mrs. Eliezer Zamft on the birth of a daughter Bus Schedule for November 23–November 24 Beachwood: No transportation will be provided for Thursday or Friday Shaker and Wickliffe: will provide transportation for Thursday and Friday Cleveland Heights / University Heights: Thursday - AM bussing will be provided for minyan (grades 7-8) and NOT for Grades 1-6 with a late start at 9 AM Thursday - PM bussing will be provided Friday - AM bussing will be provided for regular start Friday - PM bussing will NOT be provided Federation Campaign for Jewish Needs & Israel Emergency Fund Please help us express our hakaras hatov to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland for their partnership with and support of the Hebrew Academy. We are a recipient of Federation funds and we partner with them closely on security issues as well. Their campaign helps to ensure that Cleveland continues to be a vibrant hub of Jewish communal life. Please join us in helping them reach their campaign goals by coming to a campaign outreach event on either Tuesday, November 28 | 6:30 – 8:30 pm (Giving Tuesday) or Sunday, December 10 | 9:30 am – 1 pm. If you are able to join us in this effort (for any amount of time) please RSVP to Mrs. Shirah Stern at [email protected] by Friday, November 24th.
ATTENTION ALL BOYS Sunday, November 19th 3:00-3:30 pm Young Israel of Cleveland *Fathers welcome Endorsed by the Va'ad Harabanim Hebrew Academy of Cleveland is a participating school. עת צרה היא ליעקב During these difficult times let us join TOGETHER in תפילה on behalf of our brothers in ישראל ארץ for all boys of our Cleveland Community
M’Dor L’Dor Brunch For All 5th Grade Boys And Their Fathers And/Or Grandfathers Sunday, November 19th 10:30 AM Learning B’chavrusa In Our Beis Medrash Followed By Brunch in the Cafeteria Mazel Tov On Beginning Your Journey Into The Yam Hatalmud! PLEASE HAVE YOUR SON COME TO SCHOOL IN A WHITE SHIRT IN HONOR OF THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION!
PICTURE DAY! November 28 Oakwood Boys Grades 1-8 November 29 Early Childhood & Kindergarten November 30 Taylor Road & Yavne ORDER YOUR PHOTOS AT CAVANAUGHPHOTO.COM/ORDER NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 3RD FOR CHEAPER RATES AND FREE SHIPPING TO SCHOOL. ORDERS PLACED AFTER DECEMBER 3RD 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]
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! YOU’RE DONE! IT’S THAT EASY! * NEW THIS YEAR! A couple filing jointly can now donate $1,500 together. You no longer need to donate $750 separately! The tax credit maximum cannot exceed a tax payer’s Ohio State liability before withholdings or estimated payments. Please consult with your tax advisor/accountant before participating. For More information or assistance, please contact Rabbi Moshe Marcovich at (216) 727-3008 or email [email protected] 3 EASY STEPS: 1) Make your donation* at everychildeveryfamily.org/donate. 2) Designate Hebrew Academy of Cleveland as your school. 3) Submit the email receipt to your accountant with your tax documents.
We daven for them. We wrote them letters. We sent them Tzitzis. Now, join our menoros for soldiers project $20 for each glass enclosed menorah $100 for 5 menoros $200 for 10 menoros $400 for 20 menoros Deadline: Monday, December 4th Please send contributions payable to HAC marked menoros project to the Main Office in any campus. We are partnering with an organization that aims to supply the candles, olive oil menoros, and glass enclosed menoros. The latter allows them to kindle their menorah outside in the wind. support eretz yisrael and let our soldiers know that we care!