Kol Hillel February 2013

Volume 5 Issue 2 February - March 2013 Shevat - Adar 5773

Kol

Juda and Maria Diener Lower School

Hillel

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Samuel and Henrietta Scheck Middle School

Ben Lipson Upper School

Rabbi Pinchos Hecht, Head of School, was joined by more than 40 board members and supporters last month to launch the campus expansion.

Rafael Quintero, Hillel’s Chief Operating Officer, said financing is in place to begin the Athletic Complex. The site is being prepared for construction and a vendor has been selected to lay more than 79,000 feet of turf for the athletic field. Plans for the gymnasium floor are also being finalized.

The expansion includes a gymnasium and regulation-sized field covered in synthetic turf for tackle football, soccer, lacrosse and community events, in addition to a softball diamond – all equipped with digital display boards and an advanced sound system.

Continued on page 3

Learning to Think Outside

Creatively solving problems to prepare students for the ever-changing world are some of the concepts of International Baccalaureate Design, a program launched at Hillel this year for Grades 6-10.

“We are preparing students by teaching skills and concepts they can use in any field,” said Opher Yunger, who teaches the Upper School design class. Hillel is one of 12 schools in the country offering IB Design for Grades 6-10.

Students work together to create a real-world advertising agency model. They are presented with a problem and must develop innovative solutions. “Students are learning to solve a clearly defined problem that doesn’t have a clearly defined solution,” said Yunger. “Students realize they can be creative and think of solutions in a different way. ” 2011 Blue Ribbon School

How do you make a good decision? How reliable is your memory?

Hillel seniors are analyzing questions through literature, science, history and Judaics as part of Capstone, the culmination of their Upper School education.

As students think about college applications and graduation in their senior year, Capstone is teaching students how to make the transition to college.

“We are doing something out of the ordinary and it’s very exciting,” said Yehudis Glasserman, Capstone teacher. “Capstone allows students to thrive in a class that is designed to transition them for the next level of education.”

Seniors spend two periods each day where science, literature, history and Judaics are integrated to examine sophisticated topics that are analyzed in a disciplinary way.

“The idea in modern education is not about teaching facts, but learning how to think and process information on your own,” said Andrew Butler, Capstone teacher.

Butler said during the month-long unit of Making a Good Decision, students researched bad decisions made through history, how fatigue affects decision-making, scientifically analyzed teen behavior and read literature relating to the topic.

“It’s a higher level of thinking. Its not memorizing facts, but analyzing a problem on their own and developing solutions,” Butler said.

Some of the units include What Makes You Unique, What Do You Need to Be Successful in the 21st Century, How Reliable is Your Memory.

“We are showing students that in college, there are different ways to look at one topic,” Glasserman said.

Students use the latest software technology to develop branding, logos, poster design, typography and other projects. Students designed the artwork for Hillel’s play Dear Edwina, Jr. and this year’s logo for HIP/PTA Mischloach Manot fundraiser. Students form a budget and concept to build the design process.

Middle school students are learning to navigate Google Drive and understand the design process, said Jennifer Fetchko, Middle School technology teacher. With those concepts, they work on digital game design, video recording and editing, and research projects.

IB Design is helping Middle School students become comfortable with navigating technology. They are exposed to many technology tools, which students can apply to any project or problem in any subject.

International Baccalaureate® IB World School

the Box

IB DESIGN

CAPSTONE

Program Transitions Seniors to College

Varsity Soccer Champs Make History; Athletic Field Clears for Construction The varsity soccer team advanced to the Class1A state championship game for the first time in Scheck Hillel Community School history.

Just as the team earned the title as district, regional and state semifinal champs, the ground was being prepared for construction of the school’s new Athletic Complex.

“This is a huge step in building our competitive athletic teams at Hillel,” said Athletic Director Cindy Lyon. The varsity soccer team are 19-1-1 this season.

“By having our own field, we can host athletic events and state series tournaments. It will make Hillel a premier athletic competitor in the South Florida school system,” Lyon said.

Hillel’s capital campaign has raised close to $10 million toward the $22 million project.

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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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ACCEPTED TO COLLEGE!

Hillel Seniors Earn Early Acceptances More Hillel seniors have applied for early decision this year, earning acceptances to University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, University of Miami, Emory University and Northwestern University.

“We encourage our students to participate in earlier test preparation, which has helped many increase their test scores and prepare earlier in the process to apply to colleges,” said Dana Ponsky, College Counselor.

As of mid January, Hillel seniors have applied to a total of 315 schools, and have received 81 responses, of which 96 percent were acceptances.

Ponsky said she attributes the success to the college readiness program at Hillel. Students take classes in their Junior year to learn about Naviance, the common application, and how to appropriately research schools. Students also take an SAT/ACT review class.

Counselors are also spending more time with juniors an seniors to learn about their goals and expectations in finding the right college.

Students have also earned acceptances to Georgia Tech, Binghamton University, University of Alabama, St. Edward’s University, Pratt Institute, Columbia College, University of Florida, University of Maryland, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Florida State University, University of Denver, Emerson College, Hofstra University, Indiana University, Ohio State University, Rutgers, Tulane University, University of Wisconsin and Yeshiva University.

Jewish Educators Learn at Hillel for JEDcamp Hillel recently hosted the first JEDcamp, a professional development conference for teachers of Judaic Studies.

The JEDcamp South Florida Event brought together 40 educators from 17 different schools, synagogues, institutions and agencies of Jewish education in South Florida.

Seth Dimbert, Hillel’s Educational Technology director and the founder of JEDcamp, said the program is modeled after EdCamp, which promotes organic, participant-driven professional development for K-12 educators worldwide.

“Representatives from 40 organizations and schools were at Hillel to meet and learn from each other,” Dimbert said. The learning experience was facilitated by Dimbert, and faculty members Rabbi Meir Wexler and Rabbi Yossi Kahan.

JEDcamp is an informal opportunity for Jewish educators to gather and discuss what they do and how to do it better.

Dimbert said the feedback from JEDcamp has been so overwhelming that educators are looking into running JEDcamp in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Los Angeles.

The learning experience at Hillel was comprised of 12 thoughtprovoking and inspirational sessions. Some of the topics included, Engaging Teens After Bnai Mitzvah, Experiential Service Learning through Torah Values, Developmentally Appropriate Prayer Practices for Young Children and Creating a 21st Century Judaic Studies Curriculum.

Visit the website at JEDcamp.org.

Miami Herald/Miami Heat on the Court Award

Student Recognized for Good Sportsmanship On the basketball court, middle school athlete Simi Serfati plays competitively and hustles for every ball. But when the game ends, she praises teammates and competing players for a playing a great game.

Win or lose, it doesn’t matter.

Serfati’s good sportsmanship and athletic ability has earned her recognition on the Miami Heat’s basketball court on February 24, where she will receive The Miami Herald/Miami Heat on the Court Award before the Heat/Cavaliers game.

The award is given to student athletes who display good sportsmanship and ability, said Hillel Athletic Director Cindy Lyon, who nominated Serfati for the award.

“She is incredibly respectful, honest and responsible. She is a great leader and players follow her example,” Lyon said.

Serfati, who plays basketball, soccer and volleyball, said she follows the examples of her bother Salo, Grade 10, and sister Alice, Grade 12, who both play soccer at Hillel.

“They taught me that during a game you have to be competitive and to treat all players with respect,” said Serfati, Grade 7.

“During the game, you try your hardest, you aren’t aways going to win. At the end, it’s just a game against other students.

It’s really important to have skills, but you have to have good sportsmanship,” she said.

“What is most impressive about Simi is her character and her work ethic. She is an exemplary student, an athlete, plays in our band and is involved in activities and clubs. I am always impressed with her hard work and efforts,” Lyon added.

At the ceremony, Serfati will receive a certificate of achievement, a Heat gift pack, two Heat tickets and be recognized in the Miami Herald Neighbors section.

“I was surprised and honored. I had no idea that I was going to be nominated to receive an award,” she added.

Simi Serfati

Students Initiate Campaign to Help Devastated Community

It wasn’t enough to simply raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Members of Middle School Student Government wanted to do more and decided to adopt the community of Bayswater, New York.

Students Skyped residents, and community leaders. They contacted the local shul that was flooded and had to relocate its Torahs.

Student leaders Andres Kiblisky and Michael Seidl launched a campaign to help this community buy the supplies it needed.

They stayed up half a night to create and narrate a nearly fourminute video showing the destruction to this community. The video was shown to Middle School students and posted on YouTube.

“We saw how devastating it was, Andres Kiblisky and Michael Seidl and we really had to do something,” said Seidl, student government Chesed Chair. Students launched the Middle School Student Government Bayswater Tzedakah Campaign and raised nearly $1500 selling bracelets and planning dressdown days.

“It felt great raising money to help this community. I feel like we made a change in their lives by helping them buy food and clothes,” said Kiblisky, Student Government Secretary.

“We worked together as a school community to help another community,” Seidl added. “It feels good to help.”

School counselor Whitney Fisch said students worked together in a team effort to organize this student-driven campaign. “It was completely student led and organized.”

Students Create Art for Kulanu Scholarship Fund Students in Anat Agam’s class of Art Tefilah painted 29 tables that were sold at the 2013 Annual Event Hillel is Home to benefit Hillel’s Kulanu Scholarship Fund. Students sanded the wood tables, prepared them with primer and painted based on abstract movement.

Campus Expansion Moves Forward

continued from page 1 The gymnasium will seat over 700 fans, have concession stands, locker rooms, ruach store, weight room and cardiovascular center.

It will be the first time in Scheck Hillel Community School history that the campus has the facilities to host everything from local games and school events, regional and national tournaments, community social gatherings as well as daily physical education classes.

The campus expansion is being spearheaded by Hillel parents Susana and Larry Abbo, Michelle and Bob Diener, Hili and Marty Scheck, and Tammy and Jorge Woldenberg.

Funds are being raised for the overall project, which includes Grade 6 - 12 Academic Complex. It will include classrooms, labs, media center and Beit Midrash.

“We are grateful for the incredible generosity shown by the families that have already committed in the early stages of the capital campaign.

We will be launching a school-wide capital campaign in the coming weeks and every family will be able to participate at a level suitable for them,” said Marc Shandler, Chief Development Officer.

Naming opportunities are available for Hillel’s campus expansion. To learn more, please visit the Campus Expansion section of ehillel.org and contact Marc Shandler (305.931.2831 x195 or shandler@ehillel.org).

Kol Hillel 3

2013 ANNUAL EVENT

Bruce and Amy Gelb

Daniel and Jennifer Naim

Head of School Rabbi Pinchos Hecht and Max Fischbach

Hillel’s 2013 Annual Event: Hillel is Home was an extraordinary, sold out event, that brought together 400 friends raising more than $225,000 for a cause dear to their hearts, the Kulanu Scholarship Fund. The evening also featured a performance by the Maccabeats.

Thank you to all guests and especially to the committee led by Co-Chairs Michele and Steven Scheck, Ronit and Sami Shiro and Inbal and Eittan Vainstein and Program Chair Anat and Abraham Garzon.

Bernie and Ruthy Lewinsky

“The chosen theme of coming home so beautifully reflected what we all so deeply feel about Hillel.

Hillel is our home, and it is up to us to ensure that Hillel continues to infuse our children and generations to come with a frame of reference that will strengthen all that is good in our homes and hearts. If the experience at the event is a predictor, then we are succeeding and have so much to be proud of.”

- Rabbi Pinchos Hecht Head of School 4 Kol Hillel

Chairman of the Board David and Natalie Wolf

Carol and Mike Shalom, Dr. Steven and Nicole Gorin

Joshua and Dana Schrager

Dr. Jacobo and Joana Kirsch and Claudia and Andres Rosen

Wendy and Carlos Berner

Jacobo and Betty Kamhazi

Raquel and Michael Scheck, past Chairs of the Board

Hillel Faculty Jen Fetchko, Mike Norman, Yehudis Glasserman, Ben Magidson, Josh Meisels and his wife

The Maccabeats

Joanna and Philip Solomon

Raphael and Flavia Ades

Rob and Evelyn Moskovitz

Jennifer and Lior Ben-Shmuel

Vanessa and Uri Benhamron

Elaine and Ellis Sinyor, Past Chairman of the Board, and Tammy and Jorge Woldenberg

Hillel Faculty Ann Sweet, Rose Joh and Maxine Erving

Honorable Israeli Consul Chaim M. Shacham

Upper School students Janna Berenson and Ilana Woldenberg sing the Star Spangled Banner Kol Hillel 5

(305) 931-2831 x279 or write us at give@ehillel.org.

Silver

Yearly Business Partnership Program YEARLY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM A special thank you to our year round supporters who generously contribute to

Kulanu Scholarship For sponsorship opportunitieswho visit ehillel.org/yearlypartners, call AHillel’s special thank you to Fund. our year round supporters generously contribute (305) 931-2831 x279 or write us at give@ehillel.org. to Hillel’s Kulanu Scholarship opportunities visit ehillel.org/yearlypartners, call 305.931.2831 x279 or write us at give@ehillel.org.

Silver

SILVER

Bronze

The following Ma’ayan Society listing includes 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 donors. Thank you, generous friends. We look forward to your renewed partnership.

Bronze BRONZE

HaKotel

Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Gilinski Greater Miami Jewish Federation Mr. and Mrs. Jorge Woldenberg Robert Russell Memorial Foundation Norman H. Lipoff Chairman Robert Russell Memorial Foundation Norman H. Lipoff Chairman

The Ethel And Harry Reckson Foundation Michael Spritzer, C.P.A. Marjorie Baron, Esq. Dennis Ginsburg, Esq. The Ethel And Harry Reckson Foundation Michael Spritzer, C.P.A. Marjorie Baron, Esq. Dennis Ginsburg, Esq.

PEARL

Hatikvah

The Jack Chester Foundation Norman H. Lipoff Chairman The Jack Chester Foundation Norman H. Lipoff Chairman

The Scheck and Bonwitt Families

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

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 Mrs. Danya Lindenfeld Mr. and Mrs. Uri Benhamron Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Mimoun Mr. and Mrs. David Bensadon Mr. and Mrs. Marian Moscu Mr. and Mrs. Ariel Bentata Mr. and Mrs. Lior Ben-Shmuel Rok, Morjain, Moskovitz & Sperling Families Scheck and Bonwitt Families Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Berner Mr. and Mrs. Joshua P. Schrager Brod and Gorin Families Mr. and Mrs. Michael Serruya Mr. and Mrs. Jose Cherem Mr. and Mrs. Jack Strimber Robert and Michelle Diener Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Warren Struhl Mr. and Mrs. Max Fischbach Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Woldenberg & Family Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Fiske Mr. and Mrs. Jorge Woldenberg Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Fiske Mr. and Mrs. David Wolf Mr. Phillip Green Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Wolf *As of 2.11.13

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ALUMNINOTES

Class of 2002 Shares Memories at Reunion

2009

It is with much joy we announce the engagement of Hillel alumna Michelle Milhem (’09) to Pepe Douer. Michelle is the daughter of Selmo and Liliana Milhem. Pepe is the son of Alberto and Perlita Douer (Bogota, Colombia).

2007/2009

It is with much joy we announce the engagement of alumni Cassie Scheinman (‘09) to Greg Feldman (‘07). Greg is currently Scheck Hillel Community School’s Digital Media Specialist and the son of Nancy and Elan Feldman. Cassie, a graduate of The George Washington University, is the daughter of Dr. Nancy and Dr. Stephen Scheinman.

2004/2005

It is with much joy we announce the engagement of alumni Yuval Ofir (05) to Lorie Setton (04). Yuval is the son of Dr. Audrey Ofir and the late Eli Ofir (z”l). Lorie is the daughter of Rachel and Joseph Setton. Yuval is executive vice president of Paris Perfumes and founder of YoMiami. Lorie is a middle school learning resource teacher at David Posnack Hebrew Day School. A 2014 wedding is planned.

2001

We welcome into our Hillel community Lauren (Marks ’01) and Ian Alperstein’s newborn son, Jonathan Lowell. Mazel tov to the Alperstein family!

1998

We welcome into our Hillel community Jenna and Dr. David Koslovsky’s (’98) newborn daughter, Mollie Jaye. Mazel tov to the entire Koslovsky family, especially to grandparents Susan and Sid Koslovsky, Gabrielle (’96), Bernardo and Alexander Schpilberg (Kindergarten), Jordana (’01) and Rotem Carmel (’97).

Alumni from the Class of 2002 shared Hillel memories with former classmates and faculty at their November reunion.

“It was really fantastic to get together and catch up with classmates and teachers. Everyone pretty much looks the same, but we have all come a long way in the last ten years,” said Tammy Savin Malvin, who chaired the reunion with Jackie Ginzburg Farzad, Lisa Falic Groisman and Josh Gilinski.

The reunion was held at the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski home, decorated with enlarged pages from the 2002 yearbook and filled with music from their high school years. Farzad said about 60 attended, 33 alumni and guests, and Hillel faculty.

Before watching the class video they made in their senior year at Hillel, alumnae Sandy Shulkes, a Rabbi in Dallas, gave a Dvar Torah. “The video was a tribute mostly to teachers thanking them for all they had done for us throughout the years,” Malvin said.

Alumni Reunite in Israel

1993

We welcome into our Hillel community Faye and Ari Schuchman’s newborn daughter, Noa Hannah. Ari is an alumni of Hillel’s third graduating class in 1993, and currently lives with his family in Jerusalem and Washington, D.C.

Alumni Enjoy 2012 Frye Financial Alumni Games Julie Frye Sanders (’00) and her dad, Austin Frye, enjoy the 2012 Annual Frye Financial Alumni Games.

The event chaired

by Elana Gorin and Paul Feldman, brought together more than 100 alumni to play basketball and soccer against Hillel varsity teams. A reception was held afterward, giving alumni an opportunity to catch up with old friends.

Hillel alumni gathered from all over Israel at the Bet Shemesh home of alumni parents Leo and Dr. Rhea Schwartzberg to celebrate Thanksgiving and Hillel. The 2nd Annual Scheck Hillel Alumni Thanksgiving Dinner brought together 19 alumni graduating from 1997-2012. While 28 alumni had planned to attend, Schwartzberg said nine were forced to cancel due to the Pillar of Defense operation, despite the cease fire.

The participants at the dinner included Rafi (‘02) and Natasha Farber, Yoni Rubin (‘01), Deborah Chonin-Schwartzberg (‘97), and Hanan Schwartzberg (‘97) - (not pictured), Daniel Makover (‘07) (not pictured), Michael Sapoznik, (‘05), Eitan Marks (‘04), Maya Klein, Yoni Bonan (‘12), Ben Rose (‘11), Daniel (‘04) and Beth Laufer, Daniel Sages (‘05), Hillel (‘06) and Sarah (‘06) Konigsburg, Tami Epelbaum (‘07), and Erika Shechter (‘05).

“It was wonderful to see Hillel alumni of all ages sharing their stories of life in Israel, as well as details of their lives at Hillel,” said Schwartzberg, who made aliyah with her husband nearly three years ago. “As a teacher, I feel blessed to have the opportunity to see these former Hillel students as productive adults, involved in the Israeli society.”

Kol Hillel 7

19000 NE 25th Avenue North Miami Beach, Florida 33180

CLASSES ARE FILLING UP! Re-enroll online for the 2013-2014 school year at ehillel.org.

SAVE THE DATE! 9th Annual Hillel Texas Hold’em April 30, 2013 20 Iyar 5773 Sapoznik Insurance - Tournament Sponsor

Students Receive First Chumash Grade 2 students performed for family, friends and the Hillel community before they were presented with their first Chumash. During the presentation, students explained the importance of the Chumash, sang songs about different parashot, and proudly received their Chumash. Mazel tov!

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A Taste of TU B’SHEVAT

Students sampled fresh juice from star fruit, pomegranate and comquat. As part of the Israeli Shuk students created in Rabbi Shmuel Druin’s Grade 5 Chumash class, students researched different fruits learning about Tu B’Shevat, Israel’s Arbor Day. Students selected their own food to showcase from the seven foods of Israel – wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates – or any exotic fruit they wanted. They researched and presented to their classmates and other Lower School students.

Marcela Homsany, Jennifer Rosner and Yodphat Shacham researched star fruit and wrote about its origin and history. On the day of the Shuk, classmates and faculty sampled the fresh squeezed juice.

Homsany said students worked in groups to create project boards outlining their research, which was displayed at the marketplace.

In celebration of Tu B’Shevat, students in Lower School planted, and Middle School students participated in an educational program.

Laurie Marcus of Student Life said all Upper School and Middle School students receive a bag with samples of each of the seven species, along with a brochot card for all the prayers.