Koll Hillel April 2013

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Volume 5 Issue 3 April - May 2013 Iyar - Sivan 5773

Kol

Juda and Maria Diener Lower School

Hillel

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Samuel and Henrietta Scheck Middle School

Ben Lipson Upper School

Summer Academy

Personalized Opportunity to Accelerate Through Scheck Hillel’s Summer Academy, students have an opportunity to accelerate, enhance skills, explore enrichments and earn academic credits. Classes offer personalized attention in small learning groups for rising Grade 3-12 students, covering a wide variety of disciplines within General Studies, Judaic Studies and special interests like art, violin and personal fitness. Classes offer flexible sessions ranging from one to six weeks. “The acceleration program is completely individualized so that students work on the skills they need to develop further,” said Dina Freeman, Summer Academy Director. “Current teachers will provide a list of skills to the summer teachers so that we provide a seamless transition into the following year.” Summer Academy also is an opportunity for students to possibly progress to the next level.

While Summer Academy reinforces skills, it also offers grade forgiveness to students in Grades 9-12 and is beneficial for those pursuing honor-level classes. “Students’ academics often decline from the end of one school year to the start of the next,” Freeman said. “Academic work between traveling or camp activities can prevent this while still

offering a fun vacation from school.” Based on research, Freeman said that students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer (Downey et al, 2004). She said that on average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade level equivalence in math skills over the summer months and experience earning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer. For information and course options visit ehillel.org/summeracademy or contact Freeman at freeman@ehillel.org.

The Student-Centered Paperless Classroom: Today, Not Waiting for Tomorrow Rabbi Meir Wexler’s classroom looks more like your local Starbucks than it does a traditional lecture hall. Without the coffee, of course. There is definitely no assigned seating. Instead, on any given day, students are spotted on couches and shared tables A classroom devoid of note-taking, you’ll find students working on laptops uploading, downloading and syncing with a range of or tablets. The more digital tools. traditional students work on desktop PCs. This is the new student-centered classroom, and you’ll now find it throughout the Scheck Hillel campus. It is a place where the student is responsible for his/her own learning. Though students are expected to be self-directed, working together to find solutions is encouraged. According to Noa Lalo, Grade 6, “Everyone can work at their own speed.” 2011 Blue Ribbon School

Students can focus on the quality of their work, rather than feel pressured to complete a task by a specific deadline. This “free-form” classroom structure allows Rabbi Wexler and his colleagues to provide something that in the past has been hard to come by for classroom teachers: one-on-one learning. They are free to move about the room and spend time with every student while fully assessing comprehension. Justin Moskovitz, Grade 8, likes Rabbi Wexler’s tech-based Rabbinics class “…because it’s a lot more interesting and challenging.” The technology-driven, student-led classroom approach to learning fosters responsibility, peer-to-peer relations and overall confidence.

International Baccalaureate® IB World School

learning for a lifetime


BOARD OF GOVERNORS Chair Vice-Chair Treasurer Secretary Immediate Past Chairman HIP/PTA President Sara Bejar Uri Benhamron Dr. Judy Dach Michelle Diener Jeffrey Gilbert Myra Lichter

David Wolf* Carlos Berner Max Fischbach Marty Scheck* Jorge Woldenberg Susana Abbo Max Lichy Gary Mars* Marion Moscu Dana Yemin Schrager* Michael Shalom

EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION Head of School Rabbi Pinchos Hecht Chief Academics Officer G ary Weisserman Director of Lower School, ECE-Grade 2 Valerie Lustgarten Director of Lower School, Grades 3-5 Tara Solomiany Director of Middle School Joshua Meisels* Director of Upper School Vanessa Donaher and College Counseling Director of Special Services Dr. Helen Chaset Director of Special Programs Eileen Ginzburg Director of Judaic Studies Rabbi Joshua Spodek and Hebrew Language, Grades 6-12 *Hillel alumnus/a ABOUT SCHECK HILLEL COMMUNITY SCHOOL From early childhood through Grade 12, Hillel inspires students to become exemplary global citizens with enduring Jewish identity through an innovative curriculum enriched by co-curricular experiences. All of this is set within a nurturing, international community united by core values. Hillel is one of the largest Jewish day schools in the nation, Florida’s first Jewish International Baccalaureate® (IB) World School and the country’s only Jewish - and South Florida’s only private - 2011 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. For information, please visit ehillel.org. ACCREDITATION Hillel is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, accredited by the Commission on InternationalRegional Accreditation, the National Council for Private School Accreditation, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Association of Independent Schools of Florida. It is affiliated with PEJE (Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education), RAVSAK: The Jewish Community Day School Network, the National Association of College Admission Counseling, Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Jewish Federation of Broward County and the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education. Hillel is a beneficiary agency of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. KOL HILLEL The Kol Hillel is a bimonthly 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 Hillel’s Development office at 305.931.2831 x279 or give@ehillel.org. For submissions or information, please write to news@ehillel.org. Dedicated by Anna and Sol Zuckerman and Family

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IN THE NEWS Record Number Silver Knight Nominations Nine Hillel seniors were nominated for 2013 Silver Knight Awards. The nominees are Shani Azizollahoff - Journalism, Clara Bendayan - World Languages, Brandon Berman - English, Ari Gontovnik - Social Sciences, Eden Houri - Art, Vanessa Mendal - New Media, Jeremy Rosner Speech, Carli Scheck - Athletics, and Alice Serfati - General Scholarship. The winners had not been announced at press time. Mazel Tov!

National Hispanic Merit Scholars

Five Hillel seniors were named 2013 National Hispanic Merit Scholars. Mazel tov to Alberto Mizrahi, Ari Gontovnik, Alice Serfati, Shani Azizollahoff and Carli Scheck.

Faculty Presents at California Conference Nancy Penchev, Scheck Hillel’s Media and Instructional Technology Director in our Juda and Maria Diener Lower School, has been selected to present at the Association of Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) in California in October 2013. Penchev’s presentation, “Factors for Student Success in Online Learning,” was one of a handful presentations selected for the annual conference; just more than half of submitted proposals are accepted each year. Mazel tov!

Fostering Awareness, Student Achievement Written by Helen Chaset, Director of Special Services and Craig Carpentieri, IB Coordinator; Culture Committee Co-Chairs Hillel faculty and staff began this school year looking inward to see if our practices were supportive of high student engagement, empowerment and achievement. Thanks to the vision of the school’s leadership team and generous funding from parents, our Culture Committee engaged in a long-term plan to build resilience, character, relational capacity, and communication skills. Our goals are to build resilience in ourselves and others, and to foster an environment of high student achievement predicated on caring, connected relationships, clearly conveyed expectations and opportunities for participation. During the fall’s Capturing Kids’ Hearts training, educators learned to set up environments in which the students are self-managed and committed to a set of shared expectations. From October through February, 100 percent of our school staff was trained in Resilience Education, focusing on the verbal and non-verbal communication skills that are supportive of positive growth. The training already has had a positive effect on student attendance, participation and discipline. The training had a great impact on staff as well. “Resilience education learning really made me step back and take a look at my current situation,” said Alex Volkov, Hillel’s staff accountant. “My position comes with a lot of interaction and the training has increased my awareness of how much I listen and respond.” Tova Yemin, Judaic Studies and Hebrew teacher, said the real value of the training was in the interpersonal connections that were made across the divisions and realizing that, as a school, we will need to work together to maintain those connections. Tara Flint, literacy lab coordinator said, “The resilience education training involved unique experiences that encouraged me to become selfaware and aware of others around me. Resilience education has also given me the confidence and skills to engage in the difficult conversations that, in the past, I would have avoided.” Training and collaboration will continue throughout 2013-2014. We look forward to continuing the dialogue.


Campus Expansion

in Action!

Hillel is getting ready to pour the foundation of the Athletic Complex and the entire underground architecture for the water system has just been completed. As the campus expansion continues to move forward, Hillel is mobilizing a general contractor to take it through the next phase of construction, which will be ongoing throughout the summer. The expansion includes a gymnasium to seat 700 fans, and a regulation-sized field covered in synthetic turf for tackle football, soccer, lacrosse, softball and community events - all equipped with digital display boards and an advanced sound system. Hillel’s capital campaign has raised close to $10 million toward the $22 million project. Funds are still being raised for the overall project, which includes a Grade 6-12 Academic Complex of classrooms, labs, media center and Beit Midrash. Naming opportunities are available. To learn more, please visit the Campus Expansion section of eHillel.org or contact Diana Mundlak (305.931.2831 x279).

Four Athletes Named Miami Herald All-Dade Soccer

The Miami Herald named Benjamin Vaisberg to the All-Dade First team in soccer. Daniel Furmanski and Julian Ribak were named to the All-Dade second team and Elan Stiberman was named to the AllDade third team. Athletic Director Cindy Lyon said it’s the first time four Hillel students were named All-Dade. Congratulations to Head Coach Benjamin Magidson and these well deserving student-athletes!

APPS

Play to Learn: An APPetite for APPS by Nancy Penchev Media & Instructional Technology Director Ever been stuck in traffic with cranky children? How about waiting in a doctor’s office trying to keep your children entertained? Well, here is a way to keep your kids’ attention and help them develop practical skills: APPs! Whether you are using an iPhone, iPad, Smartphone, or Android device, there are a multitude of APPs that students can use for play, and they will learn too, but shh! Let’s just keep that between us! For ages two to four years old, APPs with letter recognition, animals, numbers, language practice, and repetitive skills are best. Students in KindergartenGrade 5 have varied skills that need to be improved. Some students may need reading help, while others need assistance improving their math skills. Grade 6-8 students are branching out and discovering a new world of independence and new subjects to learn. APPs expand knowledge as well as help improve study skills. Grade 9-12 students need help developing study skills, organizing their time, and perfecting their knowledge. APPs can be downloaded to create calendars, note taking, flashcards, and SAT prep right from their mobile device! Even parents need a distraction/learning tool on occasion. We are always looking for ways to improve our lives, from scheduling tools to ways to help your home and office run smoothly. There are even some APPs for music, behavior tools, and APPs for helping your child with homework.

Pre-Kindergarten ABC Expedition - letters, numbers, and animals Toddler Flashcards - language development Slide and Spin - develops fine motor skills Wheels on the Bus - interactive songs

Kindergarten - Grade 5

Professor Garfield Cyberbullying - online safety guide Discovery Education - science and history movies Motion Math - games to promote math skills Brain Quest Blast Off - trivia game

Grades 6-8

Presidents vs Aliens - presidential facts Middle School Confidential 1 - interactive novel Reading Trainer - speed reading tutorial 3D Brain - interactive brain model Solar Walk - a 3D solar system model

Grades 9-12 The Chemical Touch - periodic table AccelaStudy Language Flashcards - language education Frog Dissection - interactive life science Free Graphing Calculator - graphing calculator

Apps For Parents Tooth Monster HD Pro - brushing technique Let’s Make a Rhyme - nursery rhymes Sentence Builder - create grammatically correct sentences Polynomial Long Division - problem solving explanations Bean Jar Kids - positive behavior reinforcement Cook IT Allergy Free Mom Maps - finds kid-friendly places Kidopolis - play date scheduler A Family Matters - a conversation game for families

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MAZEL TOV!

Class of 2013

Michelle Archerman Stern College

Blake Burstyn

Victor Alfandary Lesley University

Alexandra Amiel

Florida International University

Carmel Cooper

Shani Azizollahoff

Northwestern University

Jonathan Cula

Joseph Camil Babani Florida Atlantic University

Santa Fe College

University of North Florida

IDC Herzliya-Raphael Recanati International School

Indiana University

Shlomo Dalfin Undecided

Mauricio Fischer

Stephanie Getzel

Elliot Goldberg

Maxim Goldstein Unified Payments

University of Pennsylvania

Moises Daniel Mendal

Vanessa Mendal New York University

Florida International University

Aaron Glen Reich

Leah Rosenberg Undecided

Jeremy Saul Rosner University of Florida

Florida International University

University of Maryland

Florida Atlantic University

Joseph Carmi

Florida International University

Yeshiva University

Alberto Mizrahi

Jose Mizrahi

Florida International University

Lara Ruah Mizrahi

Miami International University of Art & Design

Ettie Aviva Bauer Miami Dade College

Allison Diener

University of Michigan

Ari Jacob Gontovnik

Moises Hazan

Ezekiel Alec Mizraji University of Miami

Young Judaea Year Course

Elon Micha Rubin

University of Michigan

Santa Fe College

Roy Nahum

Ariel Sadon

Yeshiva University

Students received acceptance to: University of Alabama, American University, University of Arizona, Babson College, Bar-Ilan University, Barnard College, Barry University, Bentley University, Binghamton University, Brandeis University, Case Western Reserve University, University of Central Florida, University of Colorado, Columbia College Chicago, Cornell University, University of Delaware, University of Denver, Drexel University, Emerson College, Emory University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida State University, University of Florida, Georgia Institute of Technology, Goucher College, Hofstra University, IDC Herzliya-Raphael Recanati International School , University of Illinois, Indiana University at Bloomington, University of Maryland, Miami International University of Art and Design, University of Miami, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, The College of New Jersey, New York University, Northeastern University, Ohio State University, Pace University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, Polytechnic Institute of NYU, Pratt Institute, Rutgers, Stern College, University of South Florida, St. Edward’s University, Santa Fe College, Stony Brook University, Syracuse University, University of Texas, Tufts University, Tulane University, Vanderbilt University, Washington University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin, Yeshiva University, Young Judaea Year Course

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Clara Bendayan University of Miami

Arielle Ben Ezra Stern College

Bryan Benhamou Santa Fe College

Brandon S. Berman Cornell University

Sophia Brener American University

Alyssa Jillian Budman Stony Brook University

Nicole Dolman Florida International University

Michael Ehrlich Santa Fe College

Arielle Elfassy Young Judaea Year Course

Rachel Falic Florida International University

Samuel Moses Falic Israeli Army

Alan Farca Czastkowski University of Illinois

Eden Houri

Illan Karsenty Undecided

Bianca Kaswan Guenoun Florida International

Talia Nina Kuttler New Directions

Indiana University

Simy Alexandra O’Hayon

Alexandra Okay Undecided

University of Florida

University of Maryland

Reine Shattah

Mordechai Natan Schechter

Chelsea Rae Sheridan

Camila Hojda Emory University

Nicole Nemzer Broward College

Senaya Esther Savir University of Maryland

IDC Herzliya-Raphael Recanati International School

Gabrielle Neuman Florida International University

Carli Scheck

University of Michigan

Emerson College

Alice Serfati

University of Pennsylvania

University

Bar-Ilan University

Ariel Paniry

University of Alabama

Elad Massika

Aaron Pludwinski

University of Wisconsin

Valedictorian Ari Gontovnik, University of Pennsylvania

Salutatorian Alice Serfati, University of Pennsylvania

Mazel Tov to the Class of 2013! Salomon Joseph Sion Berklee College of Music

Andrea Braha Talmaciu University of Miami

Nathanel Wainer

Florida International University

Joshua Hanuch Winograd

cuy kzn

University of Central Florida

Kol Hillel 5

MAZEL TOV!

Class of 2013


Yearly Business Partnership Program

YEARLY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

A special thank you to our year round supporters who generously contribute to Hillel’s Kulanu Scholarship Fund. For sponsorship opportunities visit ehillel.org/yearlypartners, call special thank you to(305) our931-2831 year round generously contribute to Hillel’s x279supporters or write us atwho give@ehillel.org.

A Kulanu Scholarship Fund. For sponsorship opportunities, visit ehillel.org/yearlypartners, Silver call 305.931.2831 x279 or write us at give@ehillel.org.

GOLD

Yearly Business Partnership Program Yearly Business Partnership Program A special thank you to our year round supporters who generously contribute to Yearly Business Partnership Program A special thank you to our year round supporters who generously contribute to Hillel’s Kulanu Scholarship Fund.thank For sponsorship opportunities visit ehillel.org/yearlypartners, call to Yearly Business Partnership Program A special you to our year round supporters contribute Hillel’s Kulanu Scholarship Fund. For sponsorship opportunities who visit generously ehillel.org/yearlypartners, call

Yearly Business Partnership Program

(305) 931-2831 x279 write us at give@ehillel.org. A special thank931-2831 you toor our year round supporters who generously contribute to Hillel’s Kulanu Scholarship Fund. For sponsorship visit ehillel.org/yearlypartners, call (305) x279 or write usopportunities at give@ehillel.org. A931-2831 special youor to write our year supporters who generously contribute to Hillel’s Kulanu Scholarship Fund. Forthank sponsorship opportunities visit ehillel.org/yearlypartners, call (305) x279 us round at give@ehillel.org. Hillel’s Kulanu Scholarship Fund. For sponsorship opportunities visit ehillel.org/yearlypartners, call (305) 931-2831 Silverx279 or write us at give@ehillel.org. (305) 931-2831 x279 or write us at give@ehillel.org. Silver Silver Silver Silver

SILVER

The following Ma’ayan Society listing includes 2011-2012 and 20122013 donors. Thank you, generous friends. We look forward to your renewed partnership.

Bronze

HaKotel

Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Gilinski Greater Miami Jewish Federation Mr. and Mrs. Jorge Woldenberg

BRONZE

Bronze Bronze Bronze Bronze Bronze

Hatikvah

The Scheck and Bonwitt Families Robert Russell The Ethel And Harry The Jack Chester Memorial Foundation Reckson Foundation Foundation Norman H. Lipoff Michael Spritzer, C.P.A. Norman H.Chester Lipoff Robert Russell The Ethel And Harry The Jack Memorial Foundation Reckson Foundation Foundation Chairman Marjorie Baron, Esq. Chairman Robert Russell The Ethel And Harry The Jack Chester Robert Russell The Ethel And Harry The Jack Chester Robert Russell Norman The Ethel And Harry H. Lipoff Michael Spritzer,Foundation C.P.A. The Jack Chester Norman H. Lipoff Memorial Foundation Reckson Foundation Dennis Ginsburg, Esq. Memorial Foundation Reckson Foundation Foundation Robert Russell The Ethel And Harry The Jack Chester Chairman Marjorie Baron, Esq. Chairman FoundationMichael Reckson Foundation Norman Norman H.Memorial LipoffH. Lipoff Spritzer, C.P.A.Foundation Norman H. Lipoff Michael Spritzer, C.P.A. H. Lipoff Memorial Reckson Foundation Foundation Dennis Ginsburg, Esq.Norman NormanFoundation H. Lipoff Michael Spritzer, C.P.A. Norman H. Lipoff Chairman MarjorieMarjorie Baron, Esq. Chairman Chairman Baron, Esq.C.P.A. Chairman Michael Spritzer, Norman H. Lipoff Norman H. Lipoff Chairman Marjorie Baron, Esq. Chairman Dennis Ginsburg, Esq. Dennis Ginsburg, Esq. Chairman Marjorie Baron, Esq. Chairman Dennis Ginsburg, Esq. Dennis Ginsburg, Esq.

PEARL

Yerushalaim Shel Zahav The Falic Family Mr. and Mrs. Philip Solomon

Kinneret

Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Ades Mr. and Mrs. David Bejar Mr. and Mrs. Michael Berkman Mr. and Mrs. Robert Diener

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Izak

Mrs. Danya Lindenfeld

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Serfati and Family Mr. and Mrs. Mike Shalom Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Woldenberg

Massada

Mr. and Mrs. Sergio Kiblisky Anonymous (4) Mr. Frank and Dr. Rebecca Kriger Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ackerman Mr. and Mrs. Marian Moscu Mr. and Mrs. Mijael Attias Rok, Moskovitz, Morjain & Sperling Families Mr. and Mrs. Larry Baum Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Schrager Mr. and Mrs. Lior Ben-Shmuel Mr. and Mrs. Eittan Vainstein Mr. and Mrs. Jose Cherem Mr. David Waxman and Family Mr. and Mrs. David Frank Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Woldenberg Mr. and Mrs. Aby Galsky Mr. and Mrs. Idel Woldenberg Mrs. Fanny Hanono

Campus Expansion Supporters

9th Annual Poker Tournament Title Sponsor 2013-2014 Calendar Sponsor

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2012 Alumni Games Sponsor

Mr. and Mrs. Todd Heller Mr. and Mrs. Larry Abbo Mr. and Mrs. Flavio Hojda Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ades Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Katz Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Ades Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lechter Mr. and Mrs. David Bejar Mr. Zalman Lekach Mr. and Mrs. Uri Benhamron Mrs. Danya Lindenfeld Mr. and Mrs. David Bensadon Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Mimoun Mr. and Mrs. Ariel Bentata Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Mischne Mr. and Mrs. Lior Ben-Shmuel Mr. and Mrs. Marian Moscu Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Berner Rok, Morjain, Moskovitz & Sperling Families Brod and Gorin Families Scheck and Bonwitt Families Mr. and Mrs. Jose Cherem Mr. and Mrs. Joshua P. Schrager Drs. Judy and Jeffrey Dach Mr. and Mrs. Michael Serruya Robert and Michelle Diener Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jack Strimber Mr. and Mrs. Max Fischbach Mr. and Mrs. Warren Struhl Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Fiske Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Woldenberg & Family Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Fiske Mr. and Mrs. Jorge Woldenberg Mr. Phillip Green Mr. and Mrs. David Wolf *As of 5.1.13 Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Wolf


ALUMNI PROFILE

ALUMNI NOTES 1999

We welcome into our community newborn son of Dina (Schwartzberg) (‘99) and Avi Spierer. Mazel tov to the Spierer and Schwartzberg family, especially to grandparents Rhea and Leo Schwartzberg!

2000

We welcome into our community newborn son, Henry, of Jennifer (Feldenkreis) (‘01) and Uzi Hardoon (‘00). Mazel tov to the Hardoon and Feldenkreis families, especially to grandparents Ellen and Oscar Feldenkreis, and Mindy and Isaac Hardoon, and big sisters Hailey (PK4) and Elizabeth (PK2)! We welcome into our community newborn son, Jonathan Lowell, of Lauren (Marks)( ‘01) and Ian Alperstein. Mazel tov to the Alperstein, Marks and Fisher families!

2005

Mazel tov to Hillel alumna Laura Sheridan (‘05) on her marriage to Jonathan Raiffe. Laura is the daughter of Sarah and Marc Sheridan. Jonathan is the son of Sara Adler and Dr. Lance Raiffe. Laura is an art consultant and Jonathan is a real estate developer. Laura was student government president at Hillel, as were her sisters Carly (‘08) and Chelsea (‘13).

2008

Mazel tov to Stephanie Cohen (‘08) who was named a Fulbright Scholar. Stephanie graduates from Brandeis University with a double major in art history and theater design. She was accepted for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Program in Spain, where she will teach and research famous Spanish modern fine artists’ involvement in scenic design and painting. Stephanie is the daughter of Ofi and Barry Cohen. Her brother Brandon (‘05) and sister Taylor (‘11) both are Hillel alumni . Carly Sheridan (‘08) graduated from University of Michigan this year and will attend University of Texas for her Phd.

From Hillel’s Theatre to Broadway... Alumnus Launches Production Company From the bright lights and stage of Hillel’s theater to Broadway, Aaron Grant (‘99) has been following his dream. “I did theater in high school, Israel and college. I just didn’t stop; I didn’t know how,” said Grant, a theater producer and general manager in New York. He launched Aaron Grant Theatrical in March, a boutique general management and executive producing firm, which is basically “producers for hire,” he explained. He provides general company and production management services for Broadway, Off-Broadway and special events. Grant is producing Around theWorld in 80 Days (aroundtheworldinnyc. com), which opens May 30, and a musical adaption of Brave New World, written by Hillel alumnus, Ben Andron. After graduating from Hillel, where he began in Kindergarten, Grant studied for a year in Israel before attending Rutgers and Queens College. “I was acting at Hillel since the fourth grade,” he said. He started as an actor and then moved into producing and general management work. He is described in broadwayworld.com as “one of the brightest of the young, up-and-coming producers in New York City.” Grant said friends held a launch party for him in March. The only drawback: it was Friday night. “I walked home 55 blocks, but it was worth every block and I’m grateful.” To read more about Aaron Grant, visit broadwayworld.com or playbill.com.

Kulanu Scholarship Awareness Month Together as a Community

From students in PK2 creating beautiful artwork to display and auction, to Upper School students volunteering for evening phone-a-thons, everyone united to benefit Kulanu during Hillel’s Scholarship Awareness Month. The Hillel community has been coming together in May to reinforce strength in community, with one in every five Hillel students receiving tuition assistance. Activities have included a Kulanu Tuition/Cash Raffle, Kulanu 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, spirit days, among others. Students also have worked individually to support Kulanu. An eleventh grade student made a donation in honor of her mom’s birthday and Kindergartners independently collected change from grown-ups. More than 100 players gathered for Hillel’s 9th Annual Poker Tournament at the Mardi Gras Casino for the good cause of Kulanu.

Special thanks to the generous sponsors and players who helped raise much-needed dollars for Kulanu, all while having a great time. Kulanu, the Hebrew word for All of Us, refers to our identity as a Jewish community school to raise awareness of our community’s need for tuition assistance, demonstrate core values and give the gift of Jewish education. To make a tax-deductible donation to Kulanu, please visit eHillel.org/kulanu. Many families already have generously contributed to Kulanu this school year, and Hillel is grateful. Whether through a new gift or one that adds to your history of giving, thank you!

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19000 NE 25th Avenue North Miami Beach, Florida 33180

Mazel Tov to our

CLASS OF 2013

HIPPTA

Guardian Event Brings Parents Together

Nearly 150 parents came together in April for HIP/PTA’s 2013 Guardian of Learning Event, a 28year tradition at Hillel. This year’s event featured guest speakers Amy Nobile and Trisha Ashworth, authors of I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids. In preparation for the event, parents formed a book club to read and discuss the book with school counselor Laurie Parker: another opportunity to bring Hillel parents together. At the event, HIP/PTA president Susy Abbo reflected on the year. “We accomplished our goal to bring parents, faculty and students together to strengthen our traditions and values as a community.” This year included a partnership of HIP/PTA and faculty that was stronger than ever, co-hosting the ParentU Series and Meet the Faculty Series. Guardian of Learning Event Co-chairs: Lea Dimitri, Michele Scheck, Gabrielle Shpilberg, “We also focused on promoting the values of HIP/PTA Susy Abbo, Ileana Berenstein, Jill Kurzer, Malka Rodrig and Debbie Abbo tzedaka and family, ” she said. Those programs included mom-daughter challah baking, father-son While building community, funds raised by HIP/PTA support chill and grill, and family scavenger hunt benefiting the Kosher Food programs and campus improvements that benefit all students. Recent Bank. Within this was the annual Mishoach Manot Exchange, which examples include the renovation of the Jordan Alexander Ressler raised more than $50,000 this year. Performing Arts Theatre, Friedman-Uhlar Auditorium, scholarships for Other programs included new parent ambassadors, back to school the Grade 9 Israel trip and faculty/staff appreciation week. fair, class parents, book fair, and the book drive. Box Tops for Education To read more about HIP/PTA, please visit the Parent section of was a success, meeting its annual goal among students and faculty. eHillel.org. Thank you to our parent volunteers!

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