Kol Hillel: Winter 2015/16

Winter 2015/2016

5776

‫חורף‬

DESIGN EXPLORE your path.

your heritage.

CREATE

your masterpiece.

JOIN

the team.

Juda and Maria Diener Lower School | Samuel and Henrietta Scheck Middle School | Ben Lipson Upper School

‫קול הלל‬

Kol Hillel

FIND YOUR FUTURE Through the writing process, Scheck Hillel students understand the world and themselves.

WELCOME Welcome to Kol Hillel: Scheck Hillel Community School’s redesigned triannual publication! We invite you to “Find Your Future” among the writers, thinkers, artists, athletes and innovators in these pages: the Scheck Hillel students who are becoming exemplary global citizens with enduring Jewish identity and values. Kol Hillel highlights their achievements, recognizes our community’s generous spirit and connects you with our impressive alumni network.

Write to news@eHillel.org with your thoughts and story ideas.

Pola Levy (Grade 5) demonstrates how robots “Dash and Dot” respond to coding as Grade 2 students Nicole Anidjar, Ariella Spodek and Ely Mizrahi observe.

Chair Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary Immediate Past Chair

Sofia Kiblisky (Grade 12)

Goldie Sion (Grade 12)

Susy Abbo Joe Ackerman Michelle Amselem* Mijael Attias Lia Brod Dr. Judith Dach Max Fischbach

2015-2016 BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Carlos Berner Marty Scheck* Uri Benhamron Gary Mars* David Wolf*

EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

Head of School Head of Lower School Head of Upper School and Director of College Counseling Head of Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language and Director of the Arts Director of Lower School Director of Middle School Director of Special Programs Director of Professional Development/ESOL

ABOUT SCHECK HILLEL COMMUNITY SCHOOL From early childhood through Grade 12, Scheck Hillel Community School educates and inspires students to become exemplary global citizens with enduring Jewish identity, values and a commitment to the State of Israel, through a college preparatory curriculum and meaningful co-curricular experiences guided by Orthodox teachings and set within a nurturing, diverse community. Scheck Hillel is the second-largest Jewish community day school in North America, a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and an International Baccalaureate World School.

Fortunee Cohen (Grade 12)

Anita Givner, HIP/PTA Chair Isaac Marcushamer Rafael Russ, Past Chair Dana Yemin Schrager* Ronit Shiro Marcos Singer* Dr. Ezra Levy Dr. Monica Wagenberg Vanessa Donaher

Rabbi Joshua Spodek Shani Biton Joshua Meisels* Eileen Ginzburg Dr. Helen Chaset

*Hillel alumnus/alumna

ACCREDITATION Scheck Hillel is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/AdvancEd, the Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISF), and the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA). Scheck Hillel is also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.

Jordana Zackon (Grade 11)

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KOL HILLEL Kol Hillel is a triannual publication of Scheck Hillel Community School, 19000 NE 25th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33180, P: 305.931.2831. For Kol Hillel sponsorship opportunities, please contact Scheck Hillel’s Development office at 305.931.2831 x279 or give@eHillel.org. For submissions or information, please write to news@eHillel.org.

Student Government Co-Presidents Ilana Woldenberg and Joseph Wolf, both seniors, gave a TV interview on October 19, when Scheck Hillel hosted 1,000 high school students from area Jewish day schools to show their solidarity with Israel.

Cover photo: Evelyn Antebi and Benjamin Cohen, both in Kindergarten, practice writing letters.

EXPLORE YOUR HERITAGE Judaic Studies curriculum: an ideal writing platform Torah. Tefilah. Mitzvot. Shabbat. Israel. Chesed.

Every day, students at Scheck Hillel dip their pens into a deep well of learning through Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language curricula: rich Early ChildhoodGrade 12 programs designed to imbue them with Torah values, concepts and traditions. As they discover the gifts of their Jewish identity, students become learned and literate in Jewish texts, prayer and history. And, as they grow in their command of language, writing evolves as an essential tool for self-expression.

Meytal Miara teaches Hebrew Language and Judaic Studies to Grades 1-5 in a Tal Am language-immersion classroom, where all instruction is conducted in Hebrew. From learning the Aleph Bet to constructing sentences, children listen, speak, read, and ultimately, write to reflect on their learning. The practice of writing for understanding and self-awareness recurs through Grade 12 across the full academic program.

Ben Lipson Upper School Judaic Studies teacher Rabbi Yaakov Boyd challenges his Grade 10 Medieval Jewish History class to use three readings from Talmud to learn about Alexander the Great’s encounter with the Jews.

“They are exposed to the historical narrative and then, through writing, make it real and prove it to themselves,” he said. “This requires analyzing, gathering detail and forming solid conclusions.”

Research shows that when students personally connect to subject matter, authentic writing comes about. “A subject so close to the heart brings out self-expression,” Rabbi Boyd concludes, referring to the power of Judaic content to nurture writers.

WHY AM I JEWISH? Leah Grobman, Grade 8 Why am I Jewish?

A piece of a puzzle, A step on a staircase, A single day in a year, One person out of billions.

I am a piece to the puzzle of Judaism, A step on a long staircase of those before me, A single day in a year, I am one person out of billions.

One person, piece, stair, part of a bigger picture, I am Jewish to be that one piece, I was chosen to complete the puzzle made by those before me.

I am Jewish to complete a bigger picture.

Each detail in a painting creates a larger spectacle, I was chosen, I am who I am, a Jewish person, To complete the picture and to add detail that could make the whole painting.

I am Jewish.

[Written for Arlene Fishbein’s Grade 8 Tefilah]

Austin Ben-Shmuel (Grade 2) practices new Hebrew words in Meytal Miara’s class; Nicole Toledano (Grade 10) reviews her Medieval Jewish History essay.

During the Independence period, the Jewish nation focused on maintaining their sovereignty. In contrast, during the Babylonian exile, the Jewish nation focused on avoiding assimilation as a minority in a larger empire. Yet, during both periods, the Jewish nation was forced to use distinct survival methods in order to adapt to local conditions.

-Excerpt by Monique Bentata (Grade 10)

Adina Heinrich (Grade 3)

“Survival Methods in the Independence Period and the Babylonian Exile”

[Written for Rabbi Yaakov Boyd’s Medieval Jewish History class]

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DESIGN YOUR PATH Through the writing process, Scheck Hillel students understand the world and themselves.

How writers grow: Leah Saporta (PK4) sharpens her fine-motor skills while Alice Lekach (Grade 12) hones her critical thinking skills.

S

hould children learn to become writers? Will writing even matter in the 21st century? The answers to these questions can be found in current educational research and in Scheck Hillel’s classrooms, and they are a resounding “yes and more than ever.” Writing is here to stay, whether the medium used is digital, paper-based or Wynwood’s walls.

What has changed, however, is the reason to write.

Traditionally, writing has been a by-product of learning: read a book, study a history chapter from a textbook, go on a field trip and then report on what was learned. These reasons to write are still valid and useful. But today, Scheck Hillel students are also writing to construct knowledge, not simply to be passive recipients of it. This approach is called inquiry-based learning, and is driven not by pre-established curricula, but by student questions and interests. Florida Standards challenge students not just to master the basic skills, mechanics and conventions of writing, but to promote deeper exploration of subjects and topics that are meaningful to their lives, and then to interpret and share the new knowledge through writing.

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Let’s take a peek at writing instruction and inquiry across the grade levels...

Early Childhood Education In Yazmin Popiol and Eyal Amir’s PK4 class, students engage in pre-writing through multi-sensory exercises that lay the foundation for writing. This is how essential fine-motor skills are developed and strengthened in preparation for holding a pencil or a utensil. Touching, tracing and talking about letters begin to build awareness of the written word. Fouryear-olds also start to see the relationship between reading and writing: two processes that are mutually reinforced. The learning space is filled with stimulating images, hands-on activities and many books. Teachers and students converse as they engage seamlessly with the tasks in front of them.

Kindergarten-Grade 5 In the Juda and Maria Diener Lower School, early literacy skills evolve as letter-sound recognition and beginning spelling skills become a priority. Listening, reading and writing enhance learning and are presented through formal curriculum and extension activities in General and Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language.

In the early grades, writing focuses on spelling and vocabulary development. By Grades 4 and 5, students in writing specialist Marilyn Blatt’s classes are writing rubric-based expository texts.

“Being told is the opposite of finding out.”

-James N. Britton, Educator

“The key to keeping students engaged in writing,” Blatt points out, “is to allow them to choose topics or prompts that are relevant to them.” This is how students begin to take charge of their own learning.

Grades 6-8 Writing for inquiry is at the heart of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, which begins in Grade 6 in the Samuel and Henrietta Scheck Middle School and culminates with Personal Projects in Grade 10. Students experience a significant leap in writing complexity as they are exposed to various genres and themes through literature and other texts. Arlene Fishbein, Grade 7 Language Arts teacher, explains, “Exposure to literature provides models of what makes good writing.” Students begin to build writing portfolios and are encouraged to find their comfortable style, putting more thought and reflection into writing and revising.

“Encouraging students to write about topics of their interest requires an atmosphere of trust in the writing classroom,” she adds. “This type of writing exposes [students] on paper, and they need to feel they are not judged.” The beauty of the portfolio, Fishbein says, is seeing the evolution of students as readers, as writers and as individuals.

Grades 9-12 Every Grade 9 student takes a semester-long writing seminar, an all-digital class in which collaboration and peer review play important roles. Ben Lipson Upper School English Department Chair Andrew Butler begins the class by having students write a personal essay, foreshadowing a future college assignment.

A grammar bootcamp is followed by a unit on sentences and paragraphs: all the building blocks of strong writing. By Grade 12, students write across genres and purposes through Capstone Senior Seminar, pursuing themes that spark academic and personal interest and curiosity.

Upper School teacher Andrew Butler coaches Daniel Strimber (Grade 9). Writing often begins with conversations that lead to unanticipated lines of inquiry.

THE FIRST TIME I WALKED ON WATER On my way to following my brother’s footsteps, I slammed my face into the water.

As he came to the shore of the ocean, I saw a huge smile on his face and decided that I wanted to be happy like that. Seven years ago marked the first time I ever saw my brother gliding through the water on his wakeboard and I thought to myself, that’s what I want to do. My brother approached me and asked one simple question, “You want to give it a try?” ...I realized that this was my moment.

I strapped on the board to my small feet and felt the energy rushing through my body. I waited for the rope to straighten, and for the boat to start. I screamed “Hit it!” and the boat rushed its motor.

Excerpt by David Szkolnik (Grade 9) [Written for Andrew Butler’s Grade 9 writing seminar]

For its role in shaping thought, writing will continue to be a learning priority across grades and subjects at Scheck Hillel.

Grade 9 students Rafaela Hojda, Rochelle Milhem and Danielle Waijman collaborate on a story; Jackson Heller (Grade 3) reads classmate Daniel Biton’s (Grade 3) essay to provide feedback.

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CREATE YOUR MASTERPIECE

The arts provide diverse opportunities for creative expression.

The Jordan Alexander Ressler Arts Program provides creative outlets for Scheck Hillel students through its visual arts, music performance and musical theatre offerings. From experimenting with various types of media to playing instruments, the creative process in itself promotes intellectual, emotional and social growth. From Early Childhood through Grade 12, Scheck Hillel’s arts faculty cultivate individual creativity and a love of the arts as tools to learn about self and the world.

L to R: Sydney Lugo (Grade 6), Arabian Horse by Daniela Hojda (Grade 12), Jack Eilemberg (PK4)

JOIN THE TEAM

Lions roar on and off the field and court.

Invitational Jewish Soccer Classic Spurs New Tradition

Fall Sports Roundup Kol HaKavod to all Scheck Hillel student athletes, whose spirit and dedication during the fall sports season filled school with Lion Pride.

Scheck Hillel proudly hosted the Inaugural Jewish Soccer Classic in October, an opportunity for community members to come together in shared spirit. The Lions swept both the boys’ and girls’ titles in matches against participating squads from David Posnack Jewish Day School, Donna Klein Hebrew Academy, RASG Hebrew Academy and Yeshiva High of Boca Raton. The hope is that this tournament will grow to include Jewish schools from across the country.

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Grade 5 Flag Football team

Varsity Girls’ Volleyball game

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•Grade 4 Flag Football: 5-2 (Jewish Athletic League runners up) •Grade 5 Flag Football: 4-3 (Jewish Athletic League season champions) •Middle School Boys’ Flag Football: 4-2 •Middle School Girls’ Volleyball: 3-4 •Middle School Girls’ Basketball: 4-3 •Middle School Boys’ Soccer: 7-2 (Independent Athletic League runners up) •Varsity Boys’ Football: Overall: 4-4; District: 4-3 •Varsity Boys’ Cross Country: Overall: 2-4; District: 2-3 •Varsity Girls’ Cross Country: 1-4 •Varsity Girls’ Volleyball: 3-6

ALUMNI NOTES

Staying in touch with Scheck Hillel expands the power of your network.

MAZAL TOV

Mazal Tov to Roy Altman on the publication of his article, “Schumer Says the Right Thing on the Iran Deal — Now He Needs to Persuade Eleven More Senators,” in the National Review this summer. Roy is a graduate of Columbia University and Yale Law School, former deputy chief of special prosecutions in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami, and a partner at the law firm Podhurst Orseck.

Mazal tov to Deborah (‘97) ChoninSchwartzberg and Hanan (‘97) Schwartzberg on the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Moshe, in Israel. Proud grandparents are Andrea & Neil Chonin and Dr. Rhea & Leo Schwartzberg. Dr. Schwartzberg is a member of Scheck Hillel’s faculty.

MARRIAGES

Natalie Bursztyn (‘05) and Sion Tesone were married this summer. Natalie is the daughter of Diana & Yonatan Bursztyn. Sion is the son of Marlen & Eli Tesone. Mazal tov!

Gaby Fleischman (’06) and Richard Harris were married in May. Gaby is the daughter of Victorine & Victor Fleischman. Richard is the son of Mary & Stuart Harris. Mazal tov!

Jessica Wiznitzer and Rudi Slochowski (‘06) were married in October. Jessica is the daughter of Mariana & David Wiznitzer. Rudi is the son of Irene & Avishai Slochowski. Mazal tov!

BIRTHS

Mazal tov to Nicole and Daniel (’95) Perez, who welcomed their son, Zack. Proud grandparents are Perla & William Marcovici and Carole & Leon Perez.

Mazal tov to Michelle (Haim) (‘96) and Neil Davidson, who welcomed their son, Harry Robert. Proud grandparents are Fanny & David Haim and Patricia & Ashley Davidson.

Mazal tov to Tila (Falic) (‘99) and Moshe Levi, who welcomed their twins, Eliana Rochelle and Eitan Haim. Proud grandparents are Jana & Simon Falic and Ahuva & Yakov Levi.

Mazal tov to Vickee (Aronowitz) and Jack (’01) Minski, who welcomed their daughter, Vivian.

Proud grandparents are Margarita Minski, Karen & Jose Minski and Francine & Edward Aronowitz.

As of November 15, 2015

BIRTHS

Mazal tov to Eliza and Benjamin (’02) Dach, who welcomed their son, Henry Jay. Proud grandparents are Judy & Randy Stein and Drs. Judy & Jeffrey Dach. Judy Dach is a member of Scheck Hillel’s Board of Governors.

Mazal tov to Pearl (Levy) (‘03) and Mor BenYoram, who welcomed their son, David Gabriel.

Proud grandparents are Ilana & Rafi Levy and Mali & Itzik Ben-Yoram.

Mazal Tov to Nancy and Michael (‘03) Yativ, who welcomed their daughter, Emily. Proud grandparents are Alicia Ferreira and Lilian & Yossi Yativ. Yossi is a member of Scheck Hillel’s faculty.

Mazal tov to Evelyn (Mendal) (‘04) and Joshua Brill, who welcomed their daughter, Liv Dora.

Proud grandparents are Susy & Isaac Mendal, Karen Cheis and Baruch Brill.

ALUMNI REUNIONS

The Class of 1995 20-year reunion took place right at home on September 12, 2015. The gathering was dedicated in memory of classmate Aleza (Baltuch) Winslow (z”l). Seventeen alumni from Scheck Hillel’s fifth graduating class participated. They re-traced the steps they themselves made on campus 20 years ago and toured the new Athletic Complex. Alumna Marisa Laeser commented, “The same warmth is still felt when walking onto the campus.”

Mazal tov to Sara (Feigenbaum) (’04) and Dr. Jesse (’06) Glueck, who welcomed their son, William Leo. Proud grandparents are Linda & David Feigenbaum and Sharon & Steven Glueck.

Linda is a Scheck Hillel school counselor.

Mazal tov to Shena (Falic) (‘05) and Eli Dominitz, who welcomed their son, Benjamin Chaim. Proud grandparents are Jana & Simon Falic and Rivka & Motti Dominitz.

Mazal tov to Keren (Reznik) (‘05) and Isaac Fisboin, who welcomed their son, Natan Gabriel. Proud grandparents are Lily Reznik, Doron Reznik and Rosa Voloj.

The Class of 2005 celebrated its 10-year reunion at YoMiami, an art studio owned by classmate Yuval Ofir.

Shena (Falic) Dominitz and Karen (Reznik) Fisboin organized the gathering and raised more than $1,300 toward the Kulanu Scholarship Fund in memory of their classmate Andrew Shaw (z”l).

Mazal tov to Stephanie and Gabriel (‘05) Gilinski, who welcomed their son, Daniel.

Proud grandparents are Susan Seinjet, Albert Douer and Raquel & Jaime Gilinski.

Mazal tov to Dalia and Daniel (’06) Gutman, who welcomed their daughter, Ariela Mor. Proud grandparents are Mally & Asher Gutman, Elias Sabbagh and Ilana & Leonard Traub. Leonard is Scheck Hillel’s Chief Financial Officer.

Mazal tov to Jennie (Falic) (‘09) and Eliott Rimon (‘09), who welcomed their son, Jacob.

Proud grandparents are Debbie & Jerome Falic and Robin & Avraham Rimon. Robin is a member of Scheck Hillel’s faculty.

Rudi Slochowski (‘06) and bride Jessica Wiznitzer.

Share with us!

We welcome all alumni to contact Joana (Wagenberg) Kirsch (‘95), Associate Director of Development/ Alumni Relations, with your news and accomplishments since your years at Scheck Hillel. You can reach her at 305.931.2831 x195 or write to kirsch@eHillel.org.

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU

With gratitude we recognize those whose generosity helps bring the Scheck Hillel mission to life!

DESIGNATED GIVING

HaKotel Greater Miami Jewish Federation Raquel & Jaime Gilinski Yerushalaim Shel Zahav Scheck & Bonwitt Families

MOMENTUM

Amudim: Pillars Rok, Morjain, Moskovitz, Sperling & Salinas Families June & Jaime Woldenberg Tammy & Jorge Woldenberg Nedivim: Benefactors Susy & Larry Abbo Gisela & Daniel Ades and Flavia & Raphael Ades

Kinneret Anonymous Miriam & Alberto Aghion Tsedaka Fund of the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation Florette & Saul Gilinski Beatriz & Leo Kryss Michelle & Samuel Ohev-Zion Dawn & Jordan Rosenhaus Ori & Jacob Serfati & Family Ivette & Joseph Woldenberg

Bertha & Larry Baum Vanessa & Uri Benhamron Cynthia & Michael Berkman Blomberg & Newman Families Brod, Gorin & Strauss Families Gemma Foundation Miriam & Emilio Di Marcoberardino Falic Families Emily & Aby Galsky Sandra & Morris Kaplan Edith & Sergio Kiblisky Rebecca & Frank Kriger David Lechter (‘20) Danya Lindenfeld Judith & Marian Moscu Rok, Morjain, Moskovitz, Sperling & Salinas Families

Tomchim: Sustainers Sara & David Bejar Jennifer & Lior Ben-Shmuel The Serfati Family

Shutafim: Partners Anonymous (2) Michelle & Shalom Amselem Daphna & Ariel Bentata The Berenstein Family Wendy & Carlos Berner Stephanie & Salomon Esquenazi and Becky & Alberto Esquenazi Colette & Mark Feldman Carla & Max Fischbach Joi & Andy Fiske and Denise & Stephen Fiske Rossana & Alberto Franco Noemi & Johnny Grobman Rita & Todd Heller Rebecca & Frank Kriger Jill & Eliecer Kurzer Lorena & Robert Lechter Sandy & Drew Lieberman Evelyn & Isaac Marcushamer Judith & Marian Moscu Ethel & Harry Reckson Foundation Debbie & Mike Ruah The Saban Family Orna & Michael Serruya Deborah & Marcos Singer

Massada Anonymous Yael & Joe Ackerman Gisela & Daniel Ades Patricia & Isaac Almosny Leslie & Mijael Attias

Tzfat Michelle & Robert Diener The Philip & Joanna Solomon Charitable Fund Tammy & Jorge Woldenberg

Chazonim: Visionaries Robert & Michelle Diener Foundation Scheck & Bonwitt Families

The Jordan Alexander Ressler Endowed Chair for the Performing Arts The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program-Evelyn and Dr. Shmuel Katz

Robert Russell Memorial Foundation HIP/PTA

Yetta & Irving Geszel Stan Smith

Manheegim: Leaders Brod, Gorin & Strauss Families Gemma Foundation Jean & Armand Lindenbaum Danya Lindenfeld Michelle & Samuel Ohev-Zion Dana & Joshua Schrager

Yedidim: Supporters Anonymous Yael & Joe Ackerman Julie & Enrique Assor and Silvia & Miguel Assor Melissa & Stuart Fishman Emily & Aby Galsky Debora & Flavio Hojda The Lekach Family Ariela & Gary Mars Betina & Jack Strimber

Evnei Pinah: Cornerstones Meirav & Raffi Attar Leslie & Mijael Attias Benhamron-Fridzon Tzedaka Fund Annat & Michell Brown The Jack Chester Foundation Eliane & Lando Kravetz Judy & Jonas Mimoun Diana & Simon Mundlak Joanne Solomon & Family The Wakszol Family

Dana & Joshua Schrager Simi Serfati (‘17) Inbal & Eittan Vainstein June & Jaime Woldenberg Yvette & Idel Woldenberg Susan & Samuel Zfaz

Elaine & Ellis Sinyor Lilian & Ilan Sredni Nicole & Ariel Stiberman Robin & Warren Struhl The Family of Otto & Chava Wagenberg Tammy & Jacobo Wengrowsky Natalie & David Wolf and Stefanie & Jeffrey Wolf

To establish or expand your philanthropic vision, please contact Diana Mundlak, Director of Development, at 305.931.2831 x279 or write to give@eHillel.org.

We apologize for any errors or omissions on this list.

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As of December 8, 2015

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19000 NE 25th Avenue North Miami Beach, Florida 33180

Thank you for joining us in connecting the dots between education that inspires today and identity that endures forever. Scheck Hillel’s December 2015 Annual Event raised funds for 14 Kulanu scholarships. Mazal tov to Annual Event Honoree, Immediate Past Chair, David Wolf, and to Alicia Bernal, Jill Bloom, Gerry Cirulnick, Barbara Forte, Jacquie Kapnek, Rabbi Heshy Riesel, Dr. Rhea Schwartzberg, Beverly Silverman and Ann Sweet, who were recognized for their 25+ years of service to our school.

Thank you to HIP/PTA for all you do to enhance the Scheck Hillel experience!

Spirit Store • Tailgate • Book Fair • Monster Movie Night...and more this spring!