Head of School’s Message

Shalom:

RABBI SCOT A. BERMAN

The Ba-al Shem Tov asks an intriguing question regarding the special prayer insertion we add in our Shavuot prayers – chag hashavuot z’man matan toratainu “the Shavuot celebration – the time of the giving of the Torah.” He questions why we say “the time of the giving of the Torah” and not - chag hashavuot, zman kabalat toratainu “the time of the receiving of the Torah.” Why not stress the receiving of the Torah by the Jewish nation over the giving of the Torah by the Almighty?

Ba-al Shem Tov answers that: at the time of Revelation the only certainty was that HaShem gave the Torah to us. The act of receiving of the Torah – the act of embracing and assimilating the values and the fealty to Torah and halacha on the other hand - is a decision left up to each and every one of us as individuals. According to Ba-al Shem Tov, this is the challenge we stare in the eyes every Shavuot when we annually reenact that moment in history when God presented us with His holy Torah.

Both distinguished honoree couples have heard the clarion call of the Torah and the communal obligations that come with an observant lifestyle. Dr. Martin and Sarah Kornblum receiving the Community Chesed Award have been stalwarts of our school for decades. The value of Religious Zionism has especially animated the Kornblums, and Akiva/Farber Hebrew Day School was that single school in our community promoting such a proud education for their children. They have been involved over decades in every facet of school life. The Kornblum home is also legendary in our community for its warmth and openness to all.

Mikey and Ariella Skoczylas, recipients of the Alumni of the Year Award have been engaged at every level with the school. Mikey has been an active board member and on the Executive Committee for years. He is always volunteering and contributing of his time, ideas, and energy whenever and wherever it has been needed. Ariella is a valued teacher of Jewish Studies and serves as a religious role model for our students. She demonstrates that one can be a well-educated religious women who lives by the Torah values we hold dear. We will sorely miss Mikey, Ariella, and their children and wish them the very best in their forthcoming Aliyah.

We at Farber Hebrew Day School are truly the ones honored by these two special couples and we thank them for all that they do for us and the community and for all they will continue to do for Klal Yisrael.