PORTLAND JEWISH ACADEMY At the Schnitzer Family Campus
Think for yourself. Work for the world.
Exclusive updates for our donors and supporters from PJA May 2013 – Iyar/Sivan 5773
A Journey through Generations: The Heirlooms and Artifacts Project By Sam Rosenfield, 5th Grade This project is about having a look in the past so that in the future, the story can be told and can continue living on in other people’s minds. If we honor someone with the chance at living again through our words, it’s worth it. ~ Julia
This project is about finding your meaning and why you are here today. It’s about discovering your ancestors, their story, and the sacrifices they made to get to America. ~ Zach
This project is about going through old family files to find an immigration story; painting a lifetime; listening; and recording a memory for your own children. ~ Basia
On Tuesday April 23, 2013, I joined my fifth grade classmates, along with our teachers, parents, friends, and loved ones, at the Oregon Jewish Museum (OJM) to celebrate the opening of a special exhibit we call A Journey through Generations. The exhibit is the culmination of our unit, Heirlooms & Artifacts, which focuses on a family (or honorary friend’s) immigration story. In order to prepare for the exhibit, we interviewed our subject or family members who still remember our subject’s story; we wrote lots of beautiful poetry and a narrative; and we designed three spectacular panels using collage to showcase our subject’s origins, journey, and establishing a new home. To celebrate our hard work, we had a gala at the OJM to share our work with our family and friends. I was happy to see everyone dressed up and looking fancy, excited, and ready to honor our family and friends.
Guests enjoy seeing family artifacts at the OJM. Before the gala, my classmates told me how nervous they were about presenting their poem and singing our four songs: Tumbalalaika, Those Were the Days, Oyfn Pripetchik, and I Am Your Child. I think my classmates and I did a great job of reading our poems and singing those beautiful songs. After the gala, I caught up with a couple of students and asked them to tell me one thing they enjoyed about the night: “Everyone was so happy and supportive,” Olivia said. “Giving gratitude felt great!” exclaimed Isabella. Abraham and Rishon both agreed that their favorite part was the food! After interviewing some students, I had to find the one who made the project possible. Luckily, I found her! “Everything flowed beautifully! You all made me so proud,” the amazing Ms. Harriet Wingard said. 5th grader Abigail Brown shows off her panels and poem at the OJM.
All in all, it was a memorable night, and to top it off, outside there was a beautiful, almostfull moon. I overheard Sam and Orly commenting that this could be their “moon memory” moment for their moon journals! April 23 was a spectacular night to spend together with the amazing fifth grade stars of PJA.
ROOTS & RAFTERS Planting the Seeds for a Sustainable Future The Roots & Rafters campaign is a pivotal milestone in the advancement of the Schnitzer Family Campus. It will complete renovations, make cost effective advances to infrastructure and implement crucial technological changes. We envision a campus where we can all do more for our children, for ourselves, and for each other.
Current PJA Parents Gail Mandel and Steve Klein Have Committed to Roots & Rafters “The decision to donate to the Roots & Rafters Campaign was easy for us. Our son, Eli, is thriving at PJA and we see the school and the campus as a whole as a vital part of our daily life. PJA students are so fortunate to be able take advantage of the Center’s wonderful facilities. It’s all at their fingertips. Our family wants to help finish the job of revitalizing the MJCC that was started by generous community members in years past in order to sustain the school and the MJCC for generations to come. We want to do our part. We hope that all PJA families will join us in supporting Roots & Rafters. Together we can all make a difference.” - Gail Mandel and Steve Klein Gail with her son Eli Roots & Rafters Pledges as of March 12, 2013. While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this list, if you note any inaccuracies, please let us know right away. We want to acknowledge your generosity! $100,000 Anonymous Lois Schnitzer $50,000-$99,999 Bob and Rita Philip Gayle and Paul Romain Sandra Schnitzer $18,000-$49,999 Bill Frank Holzman Foundation, Inc. Larry and Joyce Mendelsohn Nathan Family Norma Rosenberg and Lee, Nancy and Noa Rosenberg David and Diane Rosencrantz Jerry and Bunny Sadis Saltzman Family Mardi and Tom Spitzer Tom and Mary Jane Stern
$7,200-$17,999 Abrams Family Edy and Dr. Michael Dorsen Jill and Richard Edelson Jonathan and Sarah Glass Lisa and Lewis Horowitz Eric and Anna Kodesch Lora and Jim Meyer Joel Mullin and Sheri Katz Howard S. Paley Irving and Arlene Potter Stan and Madelle Rosenfeld Family Foundation Shlachter Family Fund of the OJCF Ken and Mary Unkeles $5,000-$7,199 Anonymous(2) Barry and Karla Benson Brian Carleton and Caron Kushner Josh and Amy Frankel John and Beth Germain Merrill and Perry Hendin Sheldon Klapper and Sue Hickey
Tony and Priscilla Kostiner Martin and Marsha Mehr Mark New Raymond and Dorothy Packouz Renaissance Foundation/Irving Levin & Stephanie Fowler Stephen and Becki Saltzman Don and Ione Spear Mark and Mindy Zeitzer $2,500-$4,999 Peter and Leslie Beard Milton and Cissi Carl Fund of the OJCF Josh and Amy Frankel Nancy and Jack Fruchtengarten Lauren Goldstein Gail Mandel and Steven Klein Ralph and Sandi Miller Chantal and Eli Rosenthal Kyle Rotenberg Sharon Ungerleider Lorry and Vicky Wasserman Ken and Jennifer Zeidman Paul and Sandi Zimmerman
$1,000-$2,499 Anonymous (3) John and Carol Arnsberg James Barash Stacy Barna Josh and Marielena Blank Marc and Sarah Blattner Stan and Judy Blauer Ian Burns Howard and Linda Davis Matthew Felton David Forman Elaine Friedman and Robert Liebman Geffen Mesher Thomas and Linda Georges Bob and Lesley Glasgow Jonathan and Sarah Glass Gersham and Pauline Goldstein Julie and Cliff Hockley Justin Horowitz Ronald and Ruth Katon Nikki & Yoshio Kurosaki and Stuart & Marcia Weiss Shirlee Lenske Jordana and Ryan Levenick David and Ronnie Malka Stanley and Susan Marcus Walter McMonies Mark and Marcia Meyer Brad Nydahl Douglas Obletz Michael Olds and Gloria Borg Olds Pruzan Foundation Erik Richmond and Annette Demsey Justin and Alison Rosenfeld Robert and Ann Sacks Chuck and Sally Sides Gary and Linda Singer Ann and Howard Sohn Ken and Mary Unkeles Weidenweber Family Fund of the OJCF Jeffrey and Lynn Wolfstone Charlene Zidell $999 and below Anonymous (3) Yoram and Leslie Ariel Jeffrey and Roz Babener Jeremy Babener Ashlea and Rick Barde Jonathan and Bonnie Barg Avraham and Ella Ben-Zaken Gabriel and Phyllis Berg Doug and Amy Blauer Michael and Tami Boardman Ora Botwinick and Bruce Goldberg
Timothy P. Boyle William Brenner and Julia Waco Rabbi Michael and Cantor Ida Rae Cahana Robert Calo and Elizabeth Lamade Norm and Kathy Chusid Reena and Stuart Davis Kathy Davis-Weiner and Michael Weiner Becky DeCessaro Tom and Julie Diamond Serge D’Rovencourt Miles and Robyn Ellenby Becky and Greg Ewer Joel Fishman Noma Floom and David Marcus Karen Smith Geon Simon Gottheiner Dave and Cheri Groth Abby Guyer and Eric Peet Jacob and Jaimie Harper Rick and Catherine Hartoch Fred and Sara Harwin Marjorie and Jathan Janove Tony and Cindy Kaplan Rabbi Michael and Mira Kaplan Michael Kapnick David Karlin Gerald Karp Lisa Katon and Noah Kressel Amy and Jeff Katz Tara Kinateder Ellen and Peter Klein Charles Kobin Michelle and Loren Koplan Robin and Eric Kornblit Steph Kotkins Al and Rosanne Levi Roger and Betsy Mandel Jennifer May and Steven Gelsi Mark and Marcia Meyer Patrick Moynahan Theodore Netzky Simon Newman Jeff, Anne, Josh & Sol Nudelman Robert and Kandis Nunn Larry and Jane O’Glasser Barbara Palmer Peter and Nina Pirogovsky Bryan Powell Stephen Press Brad Raefisch Ken and Mary Rait Scott Rector and Rachel Bloom Bert and Laurie Rogoway Rosen Family Liane and Gavin Rosenberg Eric and Tiffany Rosenfeld
Alan and Eve Rosenfeld Francis X. Rosica and Sara T. Behrman Stan and Pam Rotenberg Sura Rubenstein Kelly Russell Erika Saiers Gaye and Bruce Schafer Gail and Mark Sherman Ron Shutz David and Cantor Barbara Slader John Smalldon Les and Martha Soltesz Marshal Spector and Shari Levinson Marsha Spellman and Adam Haas Harley and Robyn Spring Dan and Barbara Steinfeld Manny Tailblum and Jane Schindler Peter Thackon and Lynn Taylor Allison Victor Michael Volk and Patty Magid-Volk Steve Wasserstrom and Judith Margles Richard L. Weil Greg Williams Brian and Laurie Yablon Rabbi and Mrs. Arthur Zuckerman
Please consider joining Gail and Steve, along with the many donors listed above who have already helped us raise $2.5 million towards a $3.5 million goal by supporting Roots & Rafters. With a matching challenge grant from the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, your gift will be doubled! For more information, please visit our website www.rootsandrafters.org or contact Jennifer Baldwin, Director of Development, at jbaldwin@pjaproud.org or 503.535.3594.
The Impact of the 8th Grade Israel Trip By Hannah Glass, 8th Grade If you ask any PJA eighth grader how their Israel trip was, they will probably say that it was the best two weeks of their lives. On the first day of our trip our tour guide Philip said to us, “We are not in Disneyland, we are in Israel. Even though we are going to have a lot of fun, we are learning about the culture and history of Israel.” The point is this trip is incredibly fun, but it’s not just a class trip that could be to any place, it is really the culmination of our Jewish learning at PJA and the beginning of the rest of our Jewish lives. We did so many things in Israel that we had never done before. We got to be spontaneous, learn for ourselves and as a group. We went to shuks (marketplaces) in Tel Aviv; we went on hikes in the Golan; we saw a double rainbow on a bike ride in the Hula Valley; we went to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum; we saw a sunrise over the desert; we hiked up Masada; and we even rode camels. We also went to a place called Neveh Michael for children who need a place to live while their families are going through hard times. At Neveh Michael we spoke Hebrew and played soccer with kids our ages and younger. It was so amazing to use our Hebrew skills that many of us have been learning since we were in kindergarten. A really meaningful experience for us was staying in Jerusalem for four days. We really got to see and experience the connection that Jews have to Jerusalem. You can feel the history of all our ancestors walking on the same streets we were walking on. In Jerusalem we went to HaKotel Hama’aravi (the Western Wall). It was really special for some 8th graders to see it for the first time and just as special for 8th graders like me to see it again. What was really special about the Kotel for me was the variety of people praying. It didn’t really matter who was who, everyone was in their own thoughts. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had in my life. This trip really was a life changing experience. Being in a place where I felt so connected to the people and so comfortable being Jewish is a truly unique feeling one gets in Israel. Not only did I learn a lot of history and Hebrew words, I also had the most fun ever with my best friends in the world.
PJA Student Earns Recognition at National Poetry Contest Congratulations to 8th grader Gabi Cohen! And her writing instructor Harriet Wingard! Gabi’s poem, “Autumn” won First Honorable Mention by the Manningham Trust Student Poetry Contest, administered and judged by the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. We are so proud of her accomplishment of earning the rank of fourth in the country in her age group!
Autumn
Autumn The word whispers Down the cracked asphalt. It hides in the crooked shadow of the trees, But everywhere it lurks, the leaves turn bright, Awash with scarlet and lemon, Lovely flames that lick the wood And melt away to those tissue paper skeletons. I would collect them by the hundreds If only they didn’t turn to dust Within the day, like leprechaun’s gold. The cold metal chime of autumn Settles into flesh and mind and bones. The tintinnabulation calls the birds to the sky. In preparation for the winter, they flee And the sun is cold like an empty smile Or pulls away, aloof behind the clouds And turns its back, So that the last harvest Of the tiny fig tree, alone in my backyard Cannot offer even its half dozen fruit And even though the final traces of summer are fading Right outside the door, And all I can think about is those sad Minute green figs, Cold and hard and bitter, Exposed to the season’s chill Their demise decreed by Autumn
PJA Celebrates Grandfriends Day on May 24 Grandfriends Day is a great opportunity for PJA students to share a morning or an afternoon with a grandparent or special friend. The children are always excited to show off what they are doing in school and the visitors enjoy seeing the exceptional children in their lives thriving and learning in such a positive atmosphere. This year we will have an all school assembly which will include a talent show and Kabbalat Shabbat, followed by time in the classroom. If you are interested in participating in Grandfriends Day, please contact Jennifer Baldwin at 503.535.3594 or jbaldwin@pjaproud.org. It is a great way to see your donations in action!
Join us for Portland Jewish Academy/Hillel Academy’s Annual
A l u m n i & F r i e nd s Sp a g h e t ti D i nner Sunday, June 9, 2013, 5:00 pm Spaghetti dinner, raffle & children’s activities at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Register Now! www.pjaproud.org/spaghetti
Everyone Welcome!
Tickets: $18 adults in advance/$25 at the door $8 children 4-12 in advance/$10 at the door
Register online, at the PJA office or by mail. Questions: 503.535.3539 or alumni@pjaproud.org
It’s Kosher with meat and vegetarian options.
We are PJA proud of our teachers and alumni! Celinda Llanez – General Curriculum, Kindergarten
Alumnus Profile - Joseph Warton PJA Class of 2012
“One of the reasons I moved to Portland was … the weather.”
Joseph Warton began his academic career at Portland Jewish Academy as a kindergartner and graduated from 8th grade in 2012. Joseph is currently attending Beaverton High School and is excelling academically. He reports that “My favorite subjects are definitely math and science, which were taught wonderfully and extensively while I was at PJA.” Joseph adds, “Best of all, PJA taught me how to think and learn for myself, and how to get help when I need it from teachers.” PJA prides itself on developing these types of critical life skills that will serve students well for the rest of their lives.
True! Plus she had friends, enjoyed the food and community, and was ready to leave El Paso, Texas, where she was born. Of course, she loves to visit Texas, where her parents and siblings still live – all of them teachers or nurses. Celinda started teaching in Oregon at the North Clackamas school district in a half day Kindergarten. But Celinda is a big proponent of full day Kindergarten, and when she saw a position open up at PJA, she did her research on the school, and lucky for all of us, she has now been teaching at PJA for 9 years. Celinda is also the Program Director for PJA’s popular Summer Discovery, which features creative, engaging weekly classes, open to everyone, ages 4 – 6th grade. Currently, Celinda is attending George Fox University to obtain her Master’s in Teaching, with a Reading and Learning Specialist endorsement. Celinda loves the sense of community here at PJA – with students and parents, and the camaraderie she has with PJA faculty. “They’re high-quality teachers, and friends, too.” This year’s 8th graders were in Celinda’s first Kindergarten class here at PJA! Outside of school, Celinda loves to golf – something she shares with her fellow PJA Kindergarten teacher, Tara Cozad. The two teachers work together on the Kindergarten curriculum and joint projects, and are close friends as well. Celinda also loves to sew and knit, and her hobby has found its way to one of her signature projects with Kindergarteners – making dolls and book bags as gifts for children in Africa. “I want my students to have meaningful, and memorable experiences from Kindergarten.” (Both Kindergartens do two plays a year, ‘Hershel and the Hanukah Goblins’, and ‘Peter Rabbit – the Musical,’ plus other amazing projects.) We are so glad that Celinda is here at PJA, one half of the team that makes Kindergarten at PJA truly memorable.
Joseph also remembers fondly the more social and spiritual experiences at PJA. He cites having the same classmates over such a long period of time helped him build strong and lasting relationships with his peers. Additionally, the special Middle School field trips to Outdoor School and Ashland left strong impressions on him. And of the Israel trip, Joseph says “Going to Israel especially was a life-changing experience, emotionally and spiritually.” Joseph also recalls fondly the support and encouragement that he received from his PJA teachers as he pursued his primary non-academic passion – ballet. In particular, Harriet Wingard was one of the teachers who encouraged his ballet training and inspired him to be a better writer. Joseph has been dancing for as long as he can remember. For him, it is both a way to express himself artistically and an excellent physical challenge that has taught him discipline. In fact, based on Joseph’s performance as a part of the Oregon Ballet Theatre School’s recital, he was recently heralded as a dancer with “with a maturity beyond his years and experience, and was a knockout … his pirouettes precise, centered and finished, his joy in the dancing both palpable and infectious” by Oregon Arts Watch. Joseph plans to move to San Francisco in a year to continue his ballet training at the prestigious San Francisco Ballet School. Joseph is pictured above as the Nutcracker Prince from 2008.
Upcoming Events We would love to have you join us at any of the upcoming special events at PJA. Please let Jennifer Baldwin, Director of Development, know that you would like to attend by calling 503.535.3594 or emailing her at jbaldwin@pjaproud.org
Kindergarten: Peter Rabbit the Musical Thursday, May 23 at 7:00 pm MJCC Ballroom
Grandfriends Day
Friday, May 24 (throughout the day) PJA
1st grade: Siddur Ceremony Wednesday, June 5 at 6:30 pm MJCC Ballroom
PJA Alumni Spaghetti Dinner Sunday, June 9 at 5:00 pm MJCC Ballroom
8th grade: Graduation
Thursday, June 13 at 7:00 pm MJCC Ballroom
Special thanks to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and our community for their support of the students and teachers of PJA.
Supported by
PJA • 6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219 • 503.244.0126 • www.pjaproud.org