Dedicated by Anna and Sol Zuckerman and Family
Volume 3 Issue 4 April/May 2011 Adar II/Nissan 5771 The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High School The Juda and Maria Diener Elementary School
The Henrietta Scheck Middle School
A MILESTONE Hillel: Florida’s First Jewish IB World School Hillel raised the bar for the country’s day schools in March when it was named the first Jewish International Baccalaureate® (IB) World School in Florida. Already applied to Hillel classrooms throughout campus, the IB further empowers Hillel students with skills to prepare them for global success as the next generation of leaders. The approach encourages students to ask questions, to critically reflect, to develop research skills, to learn how to learn and to participate in community service. It is recognized and respected by the world’s leading universities. In August, Hillel families will see updates in the form of new course offerings, enhanced extracurricular programs, greater faculty collaboration and deeper family-teacher partnerships through the Middle Years Programme (Grades 6-10). “Proud to serve as a model for other schools, more so Hillel is eager to offer students our enhanced program,” said Rabbi Pinchos Hecht, Hillel’s Head of School.
“We’re developing students so they’ll be ready to embrace the future with enthusiasm, happiness and success in a way that speaks directly to our Hillel mission and values.” “Concentrating on the whole child, the IB focuses less on what the teacher does and more on what the student learns,” said Gary Weisserman, Hillel’s incoming Chief Academic Officer. “It’s a more thoughtful process of learning.” Complementing the IB, Hillel applies Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project to Lower School and offers a Reggio-Emilia-inspired Early Childhood Education program. These initiatives reflect advancement Hillel has experienced in recent years. Complete renovation of Early Childhood Education facilities, the newly constructed Global Learning Lab and other enhancements have led the way for more in 2011-2012. “We have exciting additions in store,” Rabbi Hecht said. “And that’s certainly being heard loud and clear with new families touring campus everyday.” To learn more, visit www.ibo.org.
Hillel Wins Big The 7 Annual Hillel Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament broke records of attendance, fundraising and fun this month! Nearly 200 card players raised tens of thousands of dollars for Hillel’s Scholarship Fund. Leading a roster of generous partners were title sponsor Sapoznik Health & Wellness and featured player Hillel alumnus Michael ‘The Grinder’ Mizrachi and the Mizrachi family at Mardi Gras Casino Florida. First place winners Richard Goihman and Marc Levy split the prize and generously donated back to Hillel. BIG thank you to Tournament Co-Chairs Marty Scheck and Max Fischbach, as well as thoughtful partners. th
Remembering and Celebrating Israel’s Independence The loud siren was followed by moments of silence. As in Israel when on Yom HaZikaron everything comes to a halt to remember fallen soldiers, Hillel’s Grade 6-12 students bowed their heads to pay tribute this year as well. Students heard stories about the lives of different soldiers to remember the men and women who have fallen while defending Israel. The mood was transformed the following day as the school celebrated Yom Ha’Atzmaut, marking Israel’s 63rd year of independence. Students enjoyed activities thougout the day including Israeli music and dancing, drum circles, a parade with parents, falafel and color war.
Sponsors: Rok Acquisitions, L’Chaim Kosher Vodka, CFM, Koslovsky Realty, Imaginare Graphic Design, Zona enterprises, Winslow Design Group, David and Debbie Waxman, Traditions Capital Management - Seinfeld Family, Marty and Hili Scheck, Kriger Family, Jose and Yael Cherem, Michael and Cynthia Berkman, Kaylin, BB&T Insurance Services, Top Source Staffing, Union Credit Bank, Levitats Family, Cassab Family, Smoler, Lerman and Whitebook, PA, Sarousi Family, Sager Management Corp, Saban and Solomon Attorneys at Law, Lundy and Schacter, PA., Intcomex, Higer, Lichter and Givner, PA, Goihman Group, Evan R. Marbin and Associates, PA, and Annat and Michell Brown.
learning for a lifetime
DVAR TORAH BOARD OF GOVERNORS Chairman Vice-Chairman Treasurer Secretary HIP/PTA President
Jorge Woldenberg David Wolf* Carlos Berner Michelle Amselem* Dr. Michele Scheck
Sara Bejar Uri Benhamron Gil J. Bonwitt Helen Broide Max Fischbach Rossana Franco Jeffrey Gilbert Dr. Jan Hockman Frank Kriger Matt Kuttler* Anita Lapco
Sherri Lebwohl Mayra Lichter Rabbi Avrohom Lipszyc Gary Mars* Joanne Papir Marty Scheck* Dana Yemin Schrager* Mike Shalom Sami Shiro
EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION Head of School Rabbi Pinchos Hecht Rabbinic Head Rabbi Chaim Albert* Principal, Lower School Debra Abolafia Principal, Grades 6-12 Nick Hinrichsen Director, Nativ Carole Repensek, Ed.D. Assistant Principal, Lower School Valerie Lustgarten Assistant Principal, Lower School Tara Solomiany Assistant Principal, Grades 6-12 Joshua Meisels* *Hillel alumnus/a ABOUT HILLEL From early childhood through Grade 12, Hillel is a Jewish community day school structured to cultivate and inspire students and to prepare them for college admission. Through meaningful religious and cultural experiences, Hillel strives to deepen students’ commitment to Judaism, the Jewish people and Israel. ACCREDITATION Hillel is a beneficiary agency of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and is accredited by: Commission on InternationalRegional Accreditation, National Council for Private School Accreditation, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Association of Independent Schools of Florida and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. Hillel is affiliated with: Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education, RAVSAK: The Jewish Community Day School Network, National Association of College Admission Counseling, Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Jewish Federation of Broward County and Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education. KOL HILLEL The Kol Hillel is a bimonthly publication of The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School/The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High School, 19000 NE 25th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33180, P: 305.931.2831. For Kol Hillel sponsorship opportunities, please contact Diana Mundlak, (305.931.2831 x279/mundlak@hillel-nmb.net) For submissions or information, please email Jane Yaffe at plainjanegraphics@gmail.com.
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By Rabbi Chaim Albert Rabbinic Head If you were offered one wish, for what would you wish? While thoughts of health, wealth and understanding may pass through your head, the Talmud suggests that shalom – peace – is the best wish. Shalom is the Kli shmachzik brocha, the vessel that holds all other blessings. Why is shalom of such central importance? Aharon was charged with the office of Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. He would bring daily sacrifices, anoint in special oils, wear the exclusive garments for the Kohen Gadol and once a year enter the Holy of Holies to ask Hashem for forgiveness on behalf of the entire people. Yet in addition to all of these exclusive services that only he performed, the Midrash chooses to recognize Aharon for osey shalom ben ish lreeyhu, making peace between friends. If a husband and wife would get into an argument, Aharon would approach each one, listen with an understanding ear and then present the side of the other spouse. He became the glue that held so many relationships and friendships together. The message of Aharon Hakohen is that shalom is the essential ingredient to make life worth living. Individual blessings may be very good, yet they only can fulfill purpose when there is peace. This is the reason peace is the vessel that holds all other blessings and why shalom is also one of the names of Hashem. Shalom is one of Hillel’s most important of our core Jewish values. We promote an atmosphere of shalom among students, parents, faculty and staff. We strongly believe that all of our blessings will realize their full potential when our community is united as a place of shalom. May we all merit to enjoy all of our blessings by leading a life of shalom.
National Art Honor Society
Mazel tov to the students inducted recently into the National Art Honor Society: Grade 12: Janina Sasson, Laura Milhem, Esther Babani, Celia Farca, Tanya Jafif, Ariel Ibgui, Elizabeth Fridman, Michelle Patrich, Kari Menachem, Rebecca Mizne, Helen Menasche. Grade 11: Adi Graff, Eli Soffer, Alexia Furmanski, Golan Barhai, Jenie Rayek, Sabrina Zarco, Salo Beda, Sharone Houri, Tamar Lapco, Tatiana Waserstein, Joelle Sasson. Grade 10: Eden Houri, Allison Diener, Alyssa Budman, Andrea Talmaciu, Carli Scheck, Michelle Acherman, Clara Bendayan, Bianca Kaswan, Moises Mendal, Sophia Brener, Alexandra Amiel, Stephanie Getzel. Grade 9: Dana Sadovnic, Eugenia Behar, Faryn Scheck, Jessica Waissman, Aliza Lichy, Joy Marinoff, Leah Grynsztein, Andrea Almosny, Celia Rayek, Natalie Landman, Nathaniel Rub, Nicole Assor, Shoshi Wolf, Stefanie Rozhko, Rose Simhon, Melanie Lencovski, Vanessa Bursztyn, Yona Narboni, Erika Mars and Margot Romano.
Poetry Anthology Wearing berets upon their head, Their own poetry is what they read. Wearing berets and scarfs and snapping their fingers instead of applauding, students in Grade 5 shared their lives with classmates through verses of personal poetry. Grade 5 teacher Maxine Erving said as part of a month-long poetry unit of study, students learned about the different styles of poetry before filling a journal with their favorite poems and their own verses. “Students really searched their soul for feelings, and those feelings came out in their poems,” Erving said. To celebrate the completion of the unit, Grade 5 classes created a cafe-type atmosphere and proudly shared journals and read poems with topics like hobbies and ambitions, pets and friends, and reflected on the Holocaust. Celebrations are held upon the close of each unit of study to showcase student growth. The atmosphere in the Grade 5 classrooms of Erving, Diane Locane and Nancy Penchev was of fun and enthusiasm as students presented their work. “It’s exciting to read other people’s poems,” said student Tila Lekach. “I liked to listen to other students’ poems because they were all different, and you got a feeling for how everybody writes,” said student Hanna Fiske. “I liked to write and make the decorations on every page of my journal and I really enjoyed reading to the class,” said student Galiana Shneiderman. “I liked making a scrapbook and sharing my poems,” said Daniella Dombey. “I also really liked the idea of having a cafe, because it’s original.”
JEWISH COMMUNITY SERVICES Lower School Students Bene�t from Partnership Sitting in a circle, students in Grade 3 passed around what started as a fresh, clean sheet of paper. Each child was asked to crinkle the sheet and pass it on to the next student. By the time the sheet made it to the middle of the circle, it was shriveled and tattered. “Now I need someone to return the paper to its original condition,” said Zisa Levine, a therapist from Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) who was brought in to work with the children on bullying prevention. “Through this piece of paper we can see that once someone or something has been hurt, it is very difficult to erase or fix that pain.” This session is part of a five-week comprehensive bullying program developed by Jewish Community Services and brought to Hillel this year as part of a free guidance counseling program for students Kindergarten-Grade 5. JCS launched the free program as part of a pilot for Miami-Dade Jewish day schools.
Levine, an experienced clinician, engaged the students on all the aspects of bullying, including: identifying forms of bullying; differentiating between bullying and other forms of interaction; the difference between “tattling” and reaching out for help; the consequences of bullying; and the effects it has not only on the victim, but on the perpetrator. The curriculum included activities, role-playing, journaling and open discussions. JCS also held a session with parents, where they openly discussed their concerns, questions and how to deal with children who are either bullies or have been bullied. Additionally, JCS has a licensed therapist on campus to work one-on-one with children in Kindergarten-Grade 5 every Thursday. Participating children and parents have been very responsive both to the one-on-one counseling sessions and the bullying program, said Liza Shurk, JCS Outreach. Families must fill out a consent form with a referral before a student can participate. To learn more about JCS and its services, visit www.jcsfl.org or call 305.576.6550, or visit Hillel’s Lower School office. KOL HILLEL 3
Scene
PASSOVER As they kneaded and rolled out the unlevened bread, it was difficult to see who was having more fun: the students in Early Childhood or their Upper School partners. The Early Childhood students enjoyed every step of making matzah with the Matzah Factory, and the older students took pride in guiding them through each process.
Hillel’s Segula chapter of the National Honor Society particiapated in the MichaelAnn Russell JCC’s annual Intergenerational Seder. Led by faculty advisor Rabbi Robert Kaplan, the Hillel students met, mingled and shared a traditional seder with senior citizens.
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e at Hillel
PURIM
From superman to Queen Esther, Hillel students of all ages paraded in their Purim costumes and enjoyed a full-day of festivities. Early Childhood students enjoyed a puppet show and a carnival with games, cotton candy and pony rides. Lower School students baked hamentashen and enjoyed arts and crafts. Middle School and Upper School students modeled their costumes in the annual Project Runway. Students in Grades 9-11 visited seven nursing homes to deliver Mishloach Manot, reaching out to the extended community.
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Hillel NEWS Hillel Senior Named National Merit Scholar Hillel senior Alexi Dreyfuss was named a 2011 National Merit Scholar. She is only one of a handful of the nation’s Scholars among 1.5 million high school students. As a National Merit Scholar, Dreyfuss earned a scholarship of $2,500. “Alexi’s accomplishment as a National Merit Scholar is so impressive, especially within the very competitive environment we’re currently seeing in our nation’s high schools,” said Nick Hinrichsen, Hillel Principal of Grades 6-12. “She is a true demonstration of the skills and values Hillel is instilling in students. We are proud of Alexi and congratulate her for being such a fine student role model.” Dreyfuss will graduate to the University of Pennsylvania in May, where she was accepted early decision.
Families Enjoy First Community Shabbaton
Hillel families from Grades 3-5 shared a weekend of inspiring programs, community building, Shabbat meals and activities in Hillel’s first community Shabbaton. More than 150 friends joined together at Aventura Chabad for services, lunch and programs. Rabbinic Head Rabbi Chaim Albert said families celebrated, sang together and shared meaningful programs. Upper School students Ari Givner and Stephanie Dadon ran activities for the nearly 100 children which included an afternoon in the park. Rabbi Albert says he looks forward to planning similar weekends in different communities for Hillel families to participate.
ECE Parents Have New Forum: Blog It!
Early Childhood parents can discuss issues, learn about upcoming events and activities, and look at photos on the newly launched ECE blog designed to facilitate communication about best practices in Early Childhood Education. All Hillel friends are encouraged to participate. Posts include classroom happenings, videos, links to interesting articles and food for thought. Visit the ECE web blog at the Hillel website www.hillel-nmb.org.
Hillel is honored to recognize those who support the school with charitable gifts to the Annual Campaign. Ma’ayan Society members for 2010-2011 follow.* Thank you! HAKOTEL The Greater Miami Jewish Federation Michelle and Bob Diener Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Tammy and Jorge Woldenberg HATIKVAH The Scheck/Bonwitt Families KINNERET Anonymous Flavia and Raphael Ades Sara and David Bejar Cynthia and Michael Berkman Yael and Jose Cherem
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Hillel Athletes Named All-Dade by The Miami Herald
Hillel men’s varsity soccer senior Yuli Prizant was named All-Dade First Team by the Miami Herald. Prizant was one of 14 students named from all Dade County private and public schools. This season Yuli led Hillel to their second straight district championship game. He also played in the Soccer Locker senior all-star game. Yuli will be trying out for professional teams in Israel this summer. Senior Bryan Rub was named All-Dade second team and junior Nicole Marder was named All-Dade third team. Tanya Jafif, Mark Brenner, Kevin Salinas and Sabrina Zarco received honorable mention in basketball.
Students Inducted to Honor Society
Hillel students were recently inducted into the Segulah chapter of the National Honor Society and the National Junior Honor Society. Students inducted into Hillel’s NHS chapter in Grade 10-12 have a weighted 4.5 GPA and Grade 7-9 NJHS members an unweighted 3.5 GPA. Mazel tov! National Honor Society: Shani Azizollahoff, Clara Bendayan, Brandon Berman, Ari Gontovnik, Raquel Franco, Camila Hojda, Michael Kimmel, Carli Scheck, and Alice Serfati. National Junior Honor Society: Nicole Assor, Roi Epstein, Elan Kainen, Natalie Landman, Joy Marinoff, Erika Mars, Yona Narboni, Margot Romano, Stefanie Rozhko, Alex Teichner and Jessica Waissmann. Middle School National Junior Honor Society: Michelle Bandel, Lior Barhai, Ethan Bloom, Eden Bonan, Steven Bursztyn, Danielle Chackman, Andrea Cohen, Benjamin Cohen, Fortunee Cohen, Susy Cohen, Victoria Cohen, Ariel Croitoru, Sarah Dreyfuss, Michael Dorfzaun. Julia Ellis, Ezequiel Freiman, Amalia Fuhrman. Jacobo Fux, Ariel Gelrud, Aileen Guenoun, Avi Hirshbein, Deborah Joels, Daniella Lanes, Alice Lekach, Felix Lichter, Valentina Lustgarten, Adina Mareyna, Sivanne Mendelson, Abraham Milhem, Jade Mimoun, Tamar Mizrahi, Daniella Moreinis, Jake Myara, Michal Paniry, Jessica Rosner, Joel Sadovnic, Abraham Shalom, Sharon Stambouli, Liat Sterenfeld, Aaron Traub, Ilana Woldenberg and Joseph Wolf
KINNERET (continued) Raquel and David Frank Nava and Mike Izak Jean Jacques Myara Rok, Morjain, Moskovitz Families Sapoznik Health and Wellness Ori and Jacob Serfati Carol and Mike Shalom Yvette and Idel Woldenberg Ivette and Joseph Woldenberg MASSADA Anonymous (2) Dalia and Steve Berman Charitable Trust Debora and Flavio Hojda Rebecca and Frank Kriger Alissa and Emilio Romano Dana and Joshua Schrager Deborah and David Waxman *At press time, May 18, 2011
COLLEGE GUIDANCE New Director to Put Rising Seniors to Work This Summer “I was honored to serve the last four Hillel’s rising seniors have years and feel that we helped students homework over the summer as they achieve their goals,” Wolf said. begin their journey through the college Donaher said she plans to create application process. a monthly newsletter with college Vanessa Donaher, Hillel’s incoming information and deadlines. Director of College Counseling, will “I will work to make sure students are work with students this summer to getting everything they need to get into prepare their essays and organize their the schools they choose,” she said. applications before school begins. Next year’s college counseling program The goal, she explained to rising will include increased college visits to seniors in April, “is not to find the best Hillel, expanded technology and resources, school but the right school for each new professional sessions about higher student.” Donaber will move her family Incoming Director of College Counseling Vanessa education options, and the introduction of formal college counseling to Grade 8 next month to South Florida from Donaher meets with rising seniors. families. Connecticut and leave her college Head of School Rabbi Pinchos Hecht said Hillel will be on a counseling practice she founded nearly 10 years ago, through which she guides students each year through the college application course to create a “high-powered, self contained” college guidance program that will model the country’s top schools. process. She replaces Dr. Allan Wolf, who will retire in June. By the end of Grade 8, students will work with the college “Dr. Wolf, who has worked in education for more than four decades, carved out his role at Hillel with such care, knowledge guidance office to map a four-year plan. Students will be guided all and passion over the last several years,” said Nick Hinrichsen, through Upper School on course selection, activities and programs Hillel’s Principal of Grades 6-12. “He guided Hillel students and beyond school that will help them grow and develop and empower forged deep relationships with universities across the country and them for acceptance. Gap Year Programs throughout Israel.”
Seniors Admitted to Top Universities The acceptance letters have arrived! Hillel seniors have been accepted to prestigious universities next year: University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago, New York University, Brandeis University, University of Florida, Vanderbilt University and more. Every year more than 90 percent of Hillel seniors are accepted to their first choice school. The class of 2011 also had a 48 percent acceptance rate to University of Florida. Dr. Allan Wolf, Director of College Counseling, said students were admitted to the most competitive schools and earned more than $1.5 million in scholarships and financial assistance. Students were accepted to: American University, University of Arizona, Babson College Bar-Ilan University, Berklee College of Music, Binghamton University, Boston University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, Drexel University, Emory University, Florida State University, Florida International University, The George Washington University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Hartford, Hofstra University, IDC Herzliya-Raphael Recanati International School, Indiana University, Ithaca College, Louisiana State University, University of Maryland, University of Miami, University of Michigan, Northeastern University, Nova Southeastern University, Pennsylvania State University, Rollins College, St. John’s University, Suffolk University, Syracuse University, Tufts University, Tulane University, Universidad Anahuac and Universidad Iberoamericana. KOL HILLEL 7
Mazel Tov
to the Graduating Class of 2011
Annual Guardian Event Brings Parents Together In the brightly decorated room bursting with beautiful yellow flowers, more than 200 Hillel parents gathered for the HIP/PTA Annual Guardian of Learning breakfast. The event featured keynote speaker Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen who spoke to parents and Upper School Israel Advocacy students about Educating Our Future Leaders. Before the breakfast, the Congresswoman toured Hillel’s campus to get a glimpse of the new Early Childhood classrooms and Upper School’s global learning lab. “The spirit here at Hillel is fantastic!” she said on her tour and tweeted to friends. HIP/PTA president Michele Scheck said more than 100 friends renewed their pledges as Guardians of Learning, making the event, along with the Purim Mishloach Manot Exchange, the biggest fund-raisers of the year.