6:30 I write this article from Yerushalayim, a city usually bustling with a cacophony of Jewish sound, which has become eerily quiet. My fingers type the words but my heart refuses to accept the facts on the ground. Eretz Yisrael, our beloved, Promised Land is the source of all blessing. In his commentary, Rabeinu Bachya writes that the Land of Israel is analogous to the human heart. Just as the human heart is the source of life as its blood travels from the heart through the aorta to various arteries, so do the blessings of the world emanate from its source: Eretz Yisrael. At sunrise on Hoshana Rabbah, in an unprecedented spiritual experience, I stood on the rooftop of Yeshiva Aish HaTorah in the Old City overlooking the Kosel, the Har Habayis and Har Hazeisim. We davened at Judaism’s most sacred site in the presence and proximity of tens of thousands of Jews. At that particular moment and in that specific place, the timeless words of our most heartfelt prayers seemed to be more sacred and relevant than ever. And the next morning, on the joyous festival of Shemini Atzeres, the sounds of sirens suddenly pierced the air. Devastation struck and the world shook. We couldn’t possibly imagine the indescribable barbaric events which tragically claimed the lives of 1,300 innocent civilians and injured over 2,500 equally innocent people. Not to mention approximately 100 innocent hostages. There is a Master Plan and we are not privy to understanding it. We can perhaps speculate but we will never know why the terrorists bypassed specific towns and allowed its residents to clutch to the gift of life. Nor will we ever know why the Israeli grandmother, Rachel Edri was able to outsmart five terrorists who held her and her husband hostage at gunpoint for 20 hours in her own home. The terrorists insisted that they were martyrs and were about to murder them. A Jewish grandmother, she was trained differently. Brilliantly fighting terror with dignity, she offered them refreshments and tried to dissuade and distract them for all 20 hours. The fiasco ultimately resulted in the miraculous elimination of all five terrorists while she and her husband emerged unscathed. In this week’s parsha where we learn of the Creation of mankind and the world, the Torah tells us that after Adam sinned, he was banished from Gan Eden. The event is recorded in the following words: Vayigaresh es Adam vayashkein mikedem l’Gan Eden es hakeruvim…., He drove the man out and stationed east of the Garden of Eden the keruvim and the fiery sword to guard the way to the Tree of Life (3,24). What are keruvim? Rashi comments that they are malachei chavala, angels of destruction. Yet, that same word, keruvim, appears in Parshas Terumah and is translated as yenuka, children. The keruvim were shaped in the image of innocent children. How can the same word at once refer to innocence and destruction? Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky zt”l suggests that the same child has both the potential to be sacred and thus worthy of being placed where the Shechina, Divine Presence will rest, or, G-d forbid, to be destructive. We must be cognizant of the “crossroads” confronted by the two keruvim. Thus, we should train our children with love, patience and, at times, tenacity and forbearance. We will then merit children whose place will rightfully be situated within the confines of the Aron Hakodesh. This week, the world was witness to the lowest form of humanity; depravity reflected by horrific brutality and indescribable atrocity. The choices we make define us as individuals and as a people. The Torah is our standard for ethics, morals and mentchlechkeit; that is one lesson we teach our children. The second lesson to be learned is that this recognition must translate into tangible empathy for the victims, the survivors, and the hostages. Regardless of where one stands in life, there is a role to be played. Davening, learning, fighting, giving, advocating, and empathizing are examples of standing together in unity with our brethren in dire pain. In fact, that is what we stand for as Jews and as bnei and bnos Torah. Now and always. Have a wonderful Shabbos! OCTOBER 17 PSAT - Yavne 11th Grade • • • • • • NOVEMBER 6 Parent Teacher Conferences Junior High Boys 7th Grade 6:30-9:30 PM • • • • • • NOVEMBER 7 Parent Teacher Conferences Junior High Boys 8th Grade 6:30-9:30 PM בס’’ד פרשת בראשית | כ”ח תשרי תשפ''ד | 2023, 13 October Only at Plaza Leasing: Sales and Rentals simplified! All of your vehicle needs in one place! Call 216-707-9000 or email [email protected]
| | Kindergarten We are so happy to be back in school with our old friends in kindergarten, and we are also getting to know our NEW friends, the osiyos of the Aleph Bais and the letters of the alphabet. When we are fully acquainted with these, we are excited to move on to the next step: developing our Kriah and reading skills. Early Childhood Without saying much about the current events or its details to our young kinderlach, each class added saying tehilim and songs to their davening routines. Our teachers also encourage the kinderlach to say their brachos and Amen’s loud and clear and to be extra nice to everyone. May Hashem continue to watch over us and may we hear besoros tovos from everyone. For this week’s parsha lessons, our kinderlach learned about בראשית ימי ששת and the story of the snake. It was a pleasure visiting the classrooms and watching the children work so enthusiastically on their beautiful and innovative parsha projects. Our four-year-olds are learning the Aleph Bais. This week, they excitedly started using their beautiful ספר ב"א work books.
| | Girls Elementary We were so excited to welcome the girls back after Succos. The positive feedback and completed Succos charts that the Moros received were a reflection of the learning and growth our girls are experiencing here at Girls Elementary. Here's a sampling of some nachas reports for you to enjoy. • “Hadassa Domb behaved so nicely over Succos. She davened, sat in the succah and shared her room with her cousins.” • “Miri Schwarzmer was the biggest help over the whole chag! I couldn't have done it without her!” • “Rivka Matitia acted like a true Bas Yisrael over vacation. She was a big helper at home with the succa, working in the kitchen, baking and so much more.” • “Esti Meisels was so so helpful over Yom Tov! She also made sure to daven every day of vacation even when we were traveling!” Our Sixth Graders have already began practicing for our theme song and are looking forward to perform the song together with the meaningful message it conveys, to all the classes. As an introduction to learning Parshas Toldos, Miss Libersohn and Miss Levin’s third grade did a hands on demonstration of edible art to help the girls visualize the difference between Yaakov and Eisav. General Studies: In the 6th grade science class, we have been learning about Matter. We have experimented with Solids, Liquids and Gasses over the past couple of weeks. However, learning about matter would not be complete without an Oobleck experiment! Oobleck is a mixture of water and cornstarch, which when combined create a mixture called a colloid. What this means, is that when force is applied the water “moves” out of the way and this causes the Oobleck to change viscosity. Becoming a solid when force is applied or a liquid when it doesn’t feel resistance. The girls had so much fun learning in a fully immersive way! Don’t worry, Oobleck washes right out! As soon as the clothes go into the wash!
Junior High School The Junior High School returned from a productive Succos vacation where our talmidim responded beautifully to the incentive programs that were introduced by Rabbi Kahn prior to vacation. In his regular Thursday morning message, Rabbi Boruch Hirschfeld, Rav, Ahavas Yisrael and Rosh Kollel, Kollel Torah Life expressed three ideas that talmidim here could do to be helpful to the current crisis in Eretz Yisrael. First, every word of Tehillim, every request to the Ribono Shel Olam who is the ultimate Chanun v’Rachum, can help those in dire straits. Thus he expressed that the Beis Medrash is a battle ground for us in America and our tefilos for acheinu bnei Yisrael are potent. Second, the study of Torah protects klal Yisrael and if we dedicate even a small amount of time towards the merit of those in need, that too goes a long way. Finally, Gedolei Yisrael have issued a call to be nosei b’ol, to assist in sharing the pain of others, by experiencing their pain or forfeiting even in the smallest measure of comfort during this time of challenge. | | Yeshiva Ketana Our talmidim were very proud to bring home beautiful projects before Succos. Rabbi Berkman’s class learned Parshas Lech Lecha and made hats which shows where Avrohom Avinu put his tent—to the west of Aye which is in the east of Kerem. Mazel tov to Dovid Weiser on his upsherin in Rabbi Berkman’s classroom. May the sweetness of Torah he experienced during his upsherin grow and last a lifetime, b’ezras Hashem. In an effort to aid the chayallim and our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael who are suffering, as well as a way to be nosei b’ol im chaveiro – to feel the pain and demonstrate empathy for the plight of others - we have launched a two week tzedaka campaign to help raise funds. We hope that this tangible action will not only serve as a benefit to those who will receive this life saving assistance, but that it will also engender in our precious children, a greater sense of achdus and enhance their middos tovos as they take on the role of those who are givers. May the Ribono Shel Olam recognize our actions and bring a speedy end to this and all future tzaros with the coming of Moshiach, bimiheira biyameinu, amen. Avi Grodko, a second grader who went to Eretz Yisrael for Succos (and his father) gave pizza to some soldiers just a few days ago. The smile on the soldiers’ faces and the beautiful parenting message says it all.
| | Yeshiva Ketana (continued) LEAGUES 2023-2024! The boys are settling into the routines of school after yom tov break and the excitement is soaring as we begin this year's 4th-6th grade Leagues Program! This intramural initiative injects an extra dose of competition and enthusiasm while promoting strong student behavior throughout the afternoon program. Before yom tov, classmates voted to select six dynamic team captains. With staff oversight, the captains collaborated diligently to draft this year's teams, trying to be as equitable and fair as possible throughout the process and the teams are now set and ready to begin competition. Boys will have various avenues to contribute points to their teams, including excelling in academics, behavior, and athletics. Students with the highest I-Ready scores in math and reading were already acknowledge at grade level assemblies before yom tov and points were awarded to their respective team. Team Tshirts will be given out next week as we prepare for an engaging, intense, and exciting program that tries to find avenues for ALL students to feel success. Get ready for an action-packed year ahead! Thank you to Dr. Schwartz, Rabbi Grodko and Mrs. Spaulding for overseeing the LEAGUES programming. Yavne High School Yavne Junior High gathered to hear words of chizuk which strengthen our emunah, to show achdus with our brethren, and to help the cause in the best way possible: through tefilla and mitzvos. Thank you, Mrs. C. Samowitz, who organized a “Brachos” party. Hundreds of brachos and thousands of Amen’s were recited, as the girls were provided with a food/drink for each bracha. We also recited תהילים ,our most potent טילים) missiles). May we merit to share besuros tovos for all of Klal Yisroel. Once the news came in from Eretz Yisrael after Yom Tov, the girls immediately wanted to do something for Acheinu Bnei Yisrael who are suffering. Already on Isru Chag, our students joined a phone conference with five other schools where they heard divrei chizuk, said Tehillim together and ended with heartfelt singing of “Ani Maamin.”
Yavne High School (continued) On Tuesday, upon returning to school, high school students were addressed by Rabbi Burnstein who gave chizuk and the proper hashkafa on what is happening. After encouraging the girls to use their koach hatefila, Tehillim was completed five full times, driving home the message of how powerful we can be when were join together be’achdus. After saying Tehillim, the girls joined together to sing “Acheinu Kol Bais Yisrael…” Yehudis Platschek and Tzipporah Klein spearheaded an initiative whereby the girls took on not to text during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah. On Wednesday morning, all girls who remained with the program were allowed to come to school at 9:20, thereafter they were treated to a delicious breakfast. Thank you so much to Yehudis and Tzipporah for organizing such a meaningful program. Yavne High School graduates reached out and asked if they could arrange an evening at Yavne for divrei chizuk and Tehillim. We are in constant contact with our girls who are currently in Eretz Yisrael and two phone conferences were arranged for the girls to hear divrei chizuk from Rebbitzen Barkin. Students have been approaching with questions and feedback that are a clear reflection of all they are doing as a zechus for Klal Yisrael. One student asked where the best place to give $100 to tzedaka would be, others shared how they never realized how many opportunities they have to say Asher Yatzar with kavana. May the tremendous achdus of Klal Yisrael, the increased effort to do mitzvos and the heartfelt tefillos be accepted by Hakadosh Boruch Hu letova and may we hear only good news from here on. Yavne High School’s class of 2023 who are currently spending the year at seminaries in Eretz Yisrael enjoyed a Yerushalayim reunion, hosted by Rabbi and Mrs. Simcha Dessler. The girls appreciated the opportunity to speak and share their experiences with Rabbi Dessler and with each other. Immediately after Yom Tov, in the aftermath of the frightening developments in Eretz Yisrael, Rabbi Dessler personally reached out to each of the graduates to make sure that they were okay. Our thoughts are with everyone in Eretz Yisrael. | |
Mazel Tov! • Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Alevsky on the bar mitzvah of Chaim Mazel tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Leibel Alevsky. • Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Brody on the birth of a son • Rabbi & Mrs. Hillel Drazin on the engagement of Nochum to Hudi Lebowitz (Monsey) • Dr. & Mrs. Rafi Israeli on the bar mitzvah of Daniel Simcha • Rabbi & Mrs. Ariel Klein on the birth of a granddaughter to Shimon & Penina Pransky and a grandson to Avrohom Shmuel & Esti Weinschneider • Mrs. Chaya Gitty Kohn on the birth of a grandson to Meir & Esti Landau • Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Koval and Dr. & Mrs. Michael Rom on the forthcoming marriage of Dena and Shua Mazel tov to Mr. & Mrs. Murray Koval. • Rabbi & Mrs. Avrohom Matitia and Dr. & Mrs. Alan Schlesinger on the birth of a grandson to Yehuda & Alia Schlesinger Mazel tov to Mrs. Edith Matitia, Mr. & Mrs. Jordan Schottenstein, Mr. & Mrs. Jack Klein and Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Kraut. • Mrs. Dassa Munk on her engagement to Mr. Ilan Senders Mazel tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Shimmy Munk and Mr. & Mrs. Cary Senders. • Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Zonana on the forthcoming marriage of Yosef Chaim to Shira Yocheved Solomon Family Fun Guide Reminder Please share your family Chol HaMoed photos with us by emailing them to [email protected]. Condolences to • Mr. Hershel Cohen on the loss of his father, Mr. Murray Cohen, ה”ע • Mrs. Bina Drazin on the loss of her father, Mr. Meyer Emanuel, ה”ע • Mrs. Rivky Gruenebaum on the loss of her father, Rabbi Yehuda Relis, ה”ע המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים. | |
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