Dedicated by Anna and Sol Zuckerman and Family
Volume 3 Issue 2 November/December 2010 Cheshvan/Kislev 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
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY Lessons of Chessed and Community Begin Early at Hillel
Compassion and community begin early As a result, students in Grades 5-8 at Hillel. Upon learning about being thankful promoted a Chanukah collection of toys, this November, Early Childhood students later delivered to JAFCO children by came to school with food to donate to the Upper School. Kosher Food Bank for Thanksgiving. At Hillel’s Chanukah Community One by one, each student put their Event, families wrapped up festivities by canned goods in bags to brighten the holiday collecting more than 300 toys through tables of Jewish families in need. From event admission. Bringing JAFCO to pre-kindergarten through Upper School, Hillel was arranged by Student Council. concepts like volunteerism, community They also arranged a campus blood drive, involvement and tzedakah are infused collecting more than 57 pints from 80 throughout the lessons of a Hillel school Upper School students and faculty as well day. as tour of the Kosher Food Bank before “Community awareness is embedded ECE students collect food for the Kosher Food Bank. an Upper School leadership training in Hillel’s Early Childhood curriculum,” Shabbaton. said Valerie Lustgarten, Lower School Assistant Principal, “Our This year, collection tubs are stationed throughout campus for children learn about the Hillel value of tikkun olam – repairing the monthly donation drives benefiting the Jewish Community Services’ world. They pick up after themselves, plant flowers on campus, help Kids for Kosher Food Bank. Hillel parent Anat Garzon arranged keep their environments in order, collaborate with their peers - be it on this project to create awareness and to strengthen the program that a project or tying each other’s shoe laces.” monthly helps nearly 300 families. Community service is actually part of Hillel’s schoolwide academic “Being involved makes our students better community program, with grade-level requirements of number of hours served members,” said Josh Spodek, Hillel’s Director of Student Life. increasing every year. Schoolwide outreach has brought students, As an example, he reflects on Hillel’s partnership with the parents, faculty and organizations together to create awareness on and Greater Miami Jewish Federation, which recruits students for various off the Hillel campus. Members of the Upper School Chessed Club events. Through Federation, Hillel students recently earned service partnered with Grade 1 to create Thanksgiving cards that students hours helping to prepare baskets for new mothers and ushering at a delivered to a homeless shelter. Upper School students also mentored community lecture. Grade 8 students on a visit to a senior citizen home, singing Chanukah “Federation – and so many other local and national organizations songs and sharing activities. – know they can count on Hillel for their programs,” Spodek said. Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO) recently visited “We truly are a community school with students involved as leaders Hillel to educate students about its programs. of meaningful philanthropic programs and initiatives.”
Hillel students and faculty shared a Sunday afternoon to expand their Jewish education at Global Learning Day, made possible by the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education, Greater Miami Jewish Federation and Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami.
Upper School students mentor Middle School students on a trip to visit senior citizens before Thanksgiving.
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 *Hillel alumnus/a
EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION Head of School Dr. Adam C. Holden 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 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 “Olam Chessed Yibaneh” (Tehillim 89:3)-the entire world is built on kindness. This statement goes a long way to emphasize the importance of chessed, kindness. Was this just an exaggerated statement to create a strong impact, or is chessed truly the single most important force in this world? A fascinating story in the Torah tells us about Abraham and the destruction of Sedom and Gemora. Chazal teach us that these cities were morally corrupt, and the worst thing they did was create an anti-hospitality policy. Guests were not allowed in the cities, and they tried to kill Lot for allowing guests into his home. Moreover, the Torah tells us that the Jewish people wanted to pass through the land of Moav to continue their journey to the Promised Land. We asked them graciously and posed no threat, yet Moav denied our peaceful passage. As a result of their aversion to chessed, a Halacha says that no Jew is allowed to marry someone from Moav. We see from these stories that chessed cannot be viewed as a nice thing to do; rather chessed is the very core of what makes our Torah special. Abraham built the Jewish legacy on his kindness to guests and strangers. The Talmud tells us that Jewish people are innately merciful, modest and kind. Studies show that Jewish people give more charity proportionately than any other people; current events reveal that Israel has provided more aid and crisis relief than most countries 10 times its size. The second core value of our school is chessed. Hillel teachers constantly emphasize the responsibilities to help a friend, to pick someone up when he or she is down, to be thoughtful of the needs of others and to create an environment of kindness. The next time an opportunity arises to help someone, don’t look at it as a nice thing to do. Instead please internalize that this is exactly what makes us special.
Raffle Winners Named! Tickets on Sale for Third Quarter
Congratulations to Michele Scheck and Daphna Bentata who won the second quarter parking raffle. Tickets are on sale through January 20 for the third quarter. Winners can park in the principal’s parking spot for the entire quarter. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Tickets are available in Debra Abolafia’s and Nick Hinrichsen’s offices, the development office or through a HIP/PTA volunteer.
Students Launch Newspaper, Write Web Stories
Hillel Upper School students soon will launch a new school newspaper, The Hillel Quarterly. Under the leadership of co-editors Benjamin Gilinski and Myles Wolfe, the newspaper will feature school and world news, commentary, sports and features. Staff members include managing editor Nicole Marder, news editor Ben Rose, oped editor Ari Givner, features editor Shani Azizollahoff and sports editor Clara Bendayan. Beyond newspaper, students also are writing stories that appear on the school’s Web site. Web journalists include Yael Herman, Margot Romano, Yuval Schneider and Jessica Waissman. Students interested in writing for the site should contact Seth Dimbert, Hillel’s educational technology specialist (dimbert@hillel-nmb.net).
A ROLE MODEL “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, who am I? And if not now, when?” - Pirke Avot 1:14
Student Publishes Community Service Guide to Inspire Others A first step for students to become involved in the community is to open the service guide created by Hillel junior Yoni Bonan. The perfect candidate to author such a book, Bonan has dedicated more than 1300 hours to helping others since entering Upper School three years ago. “I decided to create this guide because of the impact community service has had in my life,” Bonan said. Students can flip through this book to discover community service opportunities available in South Florida. This project took a year and a half to gather and publish all the information. Page after page lists organizations, contacts, phone numbers and addresses all categorized by type of service. It couldn’t get any easier to give time to others. Helping others, Bonan said, is not only a way to do good deeds, but to build character. “I hope my book inspires others to make a difference.”
YONATAN BONAN
“We are very fortunate yet there are many less fortunate people in the world we can help.” he said. “If not us, then who?” As community service representative for student government, Bonan has organized events like the blood drive, a visit from the Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO) and a drive to collect baby toiletries for families at the Kosher Food Bank. He recently collected more than 1000 signatures as a representative of AIPAC to oppose Iran’s nuclear program. Yoni has volunteered at so many organizations but his most memorable efforts were at the Special Olympics and Exceptional Theatre Company. During winter break, Bonan planned to travel to New Orleans on a Young Judea program to help with the rebuilding of its community. “Through the Torah, you learn about helping others. We are blessed yet some people can’t even afford food for Shabbat,” Bonan said. “I have learned at Hillel the importance of chessed, tzedakah and helping others.”
Gap Year and Naviance: Seniors Choose College Path “It’s a great time for Hillel’s road to college features the latest students to find out who they technology to track applications, acceptances “Gap Year is a once in a are in relation to their Judaism, Israel and career choices. It also encourages Gap lifetime experience. I can and the Jewish people, ” she Year, when students hold stateside college added. for one year to experience learning in Israel. take everything I learned at Hillel’s college While applying to colleges, students Hillel and bring it to Israel.” application process has have the option to enroll in a Gap Year. Estee Lichy, Grade 12 become more advanced Representatives from more than 20 programs with the guidance of college counselors have met with Hillel students to provide starting as young as Grade 8, and information about their programs. Hillel senior Estee Lichy will attend Young Judea’s Gap Year Naviance, one of the most comprehensive college and career and earn 30 college credits in the nine-month program. “Gap planning resources offered today. Through Naviance, students Year is a once in a lifetime experience. I can take everything I can track every aspect of the application process online, take SAT learned at Hillel and bring it to Israel,” said Lichy, who will take and ACT prep classes and map out colleges that apply to career classes, complete internships and travel to three countries as a goals. “There is nothing more advanced or sophisticated than volunteer. When senior Taylor Cohen graduates in the spring, she will Naviance,” said Dr. Allan Wolf, Hillel’s Director of College attend Seminary Yeshiva for Girls in Jerusalem. “I wanted a Counseling. It has incorporated every tool a student needs to religious Israel experience,” said Cohen, whose sister Stephanie measure their college application and admission process. Naviance is used by more than 700 colleges and universities graduated from Hillel in 2008 and attended Hebrew University for one year before starting university in the United States. “I will all over the country, allowing students and parents to chart acceptances over the last five years, monitor applications, review continue what I have been learning at Hillel in Jerusalem.” Gap Year gives students a chance to move beyond the test scores, acceptance status and recommendations. Wolf said through technology, programs and experts, Hillel structure of high school and spend some time focusing on selfdiscovery before starting college, said Linda Feigenbaum, Hillel’s provides students every advantage in the college application process. Director of School Counseling. KOL HILLEL 3
Scene
Homecoming Community Event Packs Stadium Families, students, teachers and friends came together at FIU North on October 21 to celebrate Hillel’s Homecoming Community Event. Fans packed the stadium and cheered the Hurricanes as they defeated the Boca Christian Blazers 41-0 to cap the best season in the football program’s history.
Lower School Perform
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e at Hillel Ruach Lights up Chanukah Event Amid the Israeli dancing, hot chocolate and dreidel spinning, more than 600 members of the Hillel community stood together to say the blessings and light the school’s 10-foot tall menorah at the Chanukah Community event. While the evening was ďŹ lled with activities and celebration - the Miami Heat Extreme Dunk Team, petting zoo and Shlock Rock concert - families donated more than 300 toys for JAFCO.
ms for Thanksgiving
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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 Raphael and Flavia Ades Sara and David Bejar Nava and Mike Izak Ori and Jacob Serfati Carol and Mike Shalom Yvette and Idel Woldenberg Ivette and Joseph Woldenberg
Students Enjoy Boutique, Art Project Students enjoyed buying gifts for their family and friends at the HIP/PTA Chanukah boutique. Special thanks to event chairs Leanne Cohen, Debra Hojda and Bettina Strimber. HIP/PTA also sponsored a Lower School Art Project fundraiser, which showcased student artwork and taught the joy of giving for the holidays, said Michele Scheck, HIP/PTA president. Thanks to event chairs Jonathan Morse and Malka Rodrig. Students created artwork that was transformed into mugs, mouse pads and water bottles. Both events raised more than $6000. Coming in the spring are the Guardian of Learning Event and Mischloach Manot Exchange.
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, December 7, 2010
2011 The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School
annual The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High School event
40
The Juda and Maria Diener Elementary School The Henrietta Scheck Middle School
years
Our past . Our present . Our future. Wednesday January 12, 2011
7:30 pm
Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus 20350 NE 26th Avenue, North Miami Beach Keynote Speaker
Wayne L. Firestone
CEO/President, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
Ad Journal
Celebrating 40!
Special Section in Recognition of Past Chairmen Ellis Sinyor, Rafael Russ and Gil J. Bonwitt
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2011 Annual Event Family Philanthropy
2011 Annual Event Corporate Giving
NADIVIM/PHILANTHROPISTS Yonatan and Diana Bursztyn David and Deborah Waxman Anonymous MANHEEGIM/LEADERS Peter and Silvie Dreyfuss Robert and Lorena Lechter Isaac and Susy Mendal CHAYALIM/SOLDIERS Joe and Yael Ackerman Dr. Shalom and Michelle Amselem Raquel and David Bendayan Max and Ruthy Benoliel Ariel and Daphna Bentata Gil and Elise Bonwitt Dr. Raul and Dr. Janet Mitrani Ilan and Lilian Sredni Yizhak and Liat Toledano Eittan and Inbal Vainstein Dr. Joseph and Jaya Zebede Anonymous *At press time, December 7, 2010
Hyman, Spector and Mars LLP
Student Receives Heisman Award Senior Jade Wollschlaeger was selected to receive the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award for outstanding excellence in academics, athletics and community leadership. Wollschlaeger is one of 10 high school senior women selected to receive the award in the state of Florida. Jade was captain and MVP of Hillel’s girls varsity basketball and softball teams, captain of the varsity volleyball team and played varsity soccer. The Wendy’s High School Heisman program recognizes the achievements of Jade Wollschlaeger the nation’s top high school seniors both in and out of the classroom. Similar to the collegiate Heisman Trophy, Wendy’s High School Heisman rewards outstanding students who not only outperform their competition in sports but strive for the highest standards of excellence in all that they do. Mazel tov!
SPORTS ROUNDUP The first season of Hillel sports ended with teams reaching new goals. Hillel’s Middle School girls volleyball team closed with a perfect season, 3-0. Team members include Sarah Angress, Sarah Fiske, Tali Zighebolm, Dalit Merenfeld, Nikki Scheck and Dani Scheck, coached by Hillel Athletic Director Cindy Lyon. Varsity golf ended 5-0, with golfers Elon Rubin, Ari Feldman, Nicolas Wabnik and Michael Ginzburg. Cross country has added Grade 8 students Tali Zighelboim, Danielle Chackman and Talia Korn. Dana Wasserman finished fourth in the last meet. Sean Cohen led with a time of only a minute over the first place winner. Girl’s varsity volleyball finished the season with a 2-5 record. Senior standouts were Rikki Greenspan, Jade Wollschlaeger, Melissa Lanes and Sabrina Zarco. Varsity football ended the season 5-1, defeating Alonzo and Tracy Mourning High, David Posnack, Ransom Everglades, Sheridan Hills and Boca Christian. Hillel recently hosted a fencing tournament when Benjamin Givner came in first place, and Jonathan Woldenberg came in second place. In both Y-14 and Cadet Sabre, Ariel Croitoru and Daniel Givner shared first; Ari Givner ranked first in open Sabre.
Hillel Students Named as AP, National Hispanic Scholars Thirteen Hillel students received recognition as AP Scholars this month and two were named National Hispanic Scholars. AP Scholar awards are part of CollegeBoard, presented to students who achieve a three or higher on three or more AP exams. Alexandra Dreyfuss earned the AP Scholar with Distinction award, scoring a three or higher on five or more AP exams. The AP Scholar with Honor Award, presented to students who receive at least a three on four or more AP exams, was awarded to Itai Bleiberg, Michael Ginzburg, Joshua Kleiman, Melissa Lanes and Judah Makover. The title of AP Scholars, students who receive a three or higher on three or more AP exams, was given to Raquel Franco, Benjamin Gilinski, Ariel Ibgui, Jacob Mizraji, Benjamin Rose, Nathaniel Rubin and Myles Wolfe. Dreyfuss and Melissa Lanes were named National Hispanic Scholars. Dreyfuss is also a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist. The National Hispanic Scholars Program is part of CollegeBoard, which oversees National Merit Scholarship Program. Being selected as a National Hispanic Scholar is “a significant achievement,” said Hillel school counselor, Lois Perlman. “It means that a student will stand out from other candidates when they submit their applications to colleges.” More than 200,000 stuents apply, with only 5,000 selected nationwide.
PERFORMING ARTS
Students Practice for Hillel Theatre
More then 40 Lower School students are practicing for the May production of Cinderella Kids. The students are very excited about the show, said Sophie Sherman, who is directing with Ann Sweet. The cast led by Lower School faculty includes students in Grades 2-5 and two students from Grade 6. Middle School students will perform High School Musical 2, Jr, under the direction of Hillel music teacher Dionne Lockett. The show will run February 2-5. Upper School students will perform Fools, a comedy by Neil Simon which will debut over April Fool’s weekend. The play will be directed by Don Stansfield, Hillel’s Grade 6-12 drama teacher. KOL HILLEL 7
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 19000 NE 25th Avenue North Miami Beach, Florida 33180
IT’S TIME TO RE-ENROLL!
As a thank you from school to home, Hillel families can lock-in this year’s tuition when re-enrolled by February 1, 2011.
IT’S EASY!
Just visit the Hillel Web site. www.hillel-nmb.org
Moving Up!
New Experiences Greet Students
Creativity is sparked as Grade 8 students hand-paint t-shirts in an Upper School art class.
Families toured the Hillel campus, Grade 8 students participated in Upper School activities and Grade 5 students got a taste of Middle School classes. It’s all part of moving up and sharing the Hillel experience. Admissions Director Betty Salinas said the activities were designed to build relationships with students in all areas. Through a three-week period, Grade 8 students participated in Upper School programs highlighting academics, Judaics, extra-curricular activities and community. Families who re-enroll by February 1, 2011, will lock-in current tuition and save. Re-enroll online through BackPack. Tuition assistance applications are available in the ‘Admissions’ section of the Hillel Web site. Hillel looks forward to the coming school year!
Gilinski Hillel Ambassadors lead parents and students on a tour of Upper School during Open House.
Grade 8 students experience community service as Hillel seniors lead them on a trip to visit senior citizens.