Tu B’Shvat At SKA Special Children’s Center Annual Max Harari Midwinter Trip

The Annual Max Harari Midwinter Trip 2023 was a huge success, an 8-day trip of love and friendship, with singing, dancing, and warmth. The trip allows parents to spend quality vacation time with siblings; it is planned and orchestrated down to the last detail, including addressing all medical needs. The annual event is a highlight of the year for participants, leaving them with warm memories long after their return. A huge shoutout to our amazing staff and volunteers who made it possible!

The “New Year of the Trees” was celebrated in true SKA style on Monday, February 6, with a shiur, seder, plantings and food! Reflecting on the natural world and participating in environmental activities made Tu B’Shvat at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls so meaningful.

“What do Trees Have to Do with Me?” was the topic of the well-attended shiur given by Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky, SKA’s Principal, Judaic Studies. Connecting Tu B’Shvat to our identity as Jews, Mrs. Kaminetsky explained that just as trees have their roots enabling them to grow, so do we as Jews have our roots in the Torah, empowering us to progress in our emunah. As trees are resilient, so are we as we weather difficul-

He decided to leave his phone in the car, only to hear his house phone ringing as he walked in.

“Did you put in a ticket for Split the Pot at last night’s Chinese auction?”

“Yes, I did.” Finally, some good news! “Did I win?”

“No, but your check bounced, and there is a $25 bank fee.”

Now, if he were truly a tzaddik and well-versed in Shaar HaBitachon of Chovos HaLevavos, he would be dancing together with his neighbor. But that is a very tall order. If he is like most people, chances are that he is sitting at the table with his head down. In a best-case scenario, he is praying for a better day tomorrow. At worst, he is thoroughly depressed.

What about all the other days in their lives — or ours? Days that have both ups and downs. Days that have both promising news and disappointments. Most of the days in our lives will fall in between ty challenges with emunah in Hashem. Refreshing fruit sorbet rounded off the inspiring session. the two extremes. So what happens to us at the end of the day? Are we content and do we smile amiably at those around us? Or are we discontented and revert to don’t-bother-me-now mode?

The SKA students then joined Rabbi Shmuel Diamond in the auditorium for a detailed Seder in honor of Tu B’Shvat. After Rabbi Diamond explained the symbolism of the fruits and nuts particular to this chag, the girls said the bracha on each item and enjoyed the seder fare.

Dean of Students Shira Englander then led a hands-on planting activity with the girls followed by yummy yogurt fruit parfaits, after which Morah Rikki Fishbein held delicious cooking sessions relating to Tu B’Shvat foods with aspiring chefs.

Tu B’Shvat at SKA was a real spiritual connection to the environment.

It really depends on our expectations. If we laugh when there is an unexpected twist to a story, we are happy when things work out better than anticipated. But here’s the point: What do we anticipate?

The more we assume is coming to us, the less likely we are to be happy on that day. When things work out well, there is no surprise. When things don’t pan out the way we think we are entitled to, we are distraught.

The more children are led to believe is coming to them, the less likely they are to be happy. I always stop my kids when they say, “I need a soda,” “I need a bicycle.” You need? Really? Or you would like to have a soda, or a bicycle? The more we “need,” the harder it is to laugh. The less we expect, the greater the surprise.

I heard from a son-in-law of Rav Avigdor Miller that he once told his daughter, “Do you know I thank Hashem that you found such a wonderful shidduch?”

“But Tatte, I’ve been married for more than twenty years.”

“Yes, and I have thanked Hashem every single day all these years.”

The less we take for granted, the easier it is to smile and to cause others to do the same.