JBHS

The Escola Beit Yaacov had been researching yeshivot in America that were similar to its own and reached out to Head of School Rabbi Joseph Beyda, who graciously invited the school to come and tour the campus and spend time with Flatbush students for three days. The Brazilian students were accompanied by Escola Beit Yaacov’s Head of School Gracia Klein, Rabbi Binyamin Karaguilla, Rabbi Toive Weitman, Jewish Studies Director Chani Begun and several faculty members.

“What brings us together is the fact that we are Jews... something so beautiful that we will experience together over the next few days,” said Assistant Principal Rabbi David Galpert.

On the first day of the students’ visit, they were invited into the Khezrie Auditorium with several Flatbush students to watch a slideshow from each school. Freshman Emily Tarrab shared a speech describing “a day in the life” of a Flatbush student, and Gabriel from the Escola Beit Yaacov described his school. The Brazilian school is a trilingual, 1,000-student institution where students speak Portuguese, Hebrew and English. Most of the students possessed a firm mastery of English and were able to speak and mingle with Flatbush students and teachers effortlessly.

Following the assembly, students were dispersed into different classes where they participated in icebreaker activities including rounds of speed-dating-like questions where the students changed seats every few minutes. Afterwards, both Brazilian and Flatbush students helped prepare food for the Sephardic Bikur Holim food pantry during Cooking for a Cause. Next, students took part in an inspirational program led by Dean of Students Rabbi Naftali Besser before enjoying a beautiful dinner.

The next morning, the group spent a day of chesed in New Jersey at the Special Children’s Center where they got a surprise concert from singer Yaakov Shwekey. The day ended with a New Jersey Devils hockey game where the Brazilian students cheered for the home team alongside Flatbush students.

“Our students expanded their borders by making new friends from a country they previously knew little about. We are already looking forward to growing the program for next year,” expressed Rabbi Beyda. Many of the students exchanged contact information so they could stay connected.

On the third day, the Brazilian students were offered a taste of what learning at Flatbush is like. Small groups of the visiting students were placed in classrooms across the school and participated in discussions. A few Flatbush students who spoke fluent Portuguese were happy to translate some concepts to their guests. In one of the math classes, both sets of students were pleased to find they all could practice the quadratic formula together.

For their final afternoon, Rosh Bet Midrash Rabbi Avi Harari gave a shiur about the weekly parashah. As a meaningful memento, the Brazilian students were presented with their own Kol Yaakov siddur. They were happy to learn that there is an everlasting welcome to return to Flatbush on any future New York City trip they might take.

“What we gained most from this trip was the value of hachnasat orchim (hospitality for guests). We were treated well far beyond our expectations – and we had high expectations!” shared Ms. Begun.

Thank you to Rabbi Beyda, Rabbi Galpert and Student Experience Coordinator Esther Spigel for arranging the program and to YOF Board member Jack Mann for helping to make the initial connection.

Cooking for a Cause is dedicated in honor of Marlene and Steven R. Shamah.

Pre-Pesach trips for Elementary School students lets them experience art in a new way.

Three Pre-Pesach trips led students on Biblical discoveries and introduced them to an Impressionist master. Fifth grade classes and Humanities Plus program 8th grade students were guided through the ancient Egyptian halls of The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Met Museum Educator Elana Kaplan. Humanities Plus students also experienced an immersive Monet exhibit, led by Mrs. Barbara Zelenetz, Chair of Liberal Arts and Humanities Plus Coordinator.

In conjunction with their units on both Sefer Shemot in Chumash and Pesach in Dinim, 5th graders were able to see Sefer Shemot through the lens of ancient Egyptian art. During the tour, they saw a woven basket similar to the one Moshe was placed in on the Nile River, as well as huge statues of Pharaohs that helped them understand how subjugated and weak the Jews felt in Egypt. Students discussed Egyptian art from the perspective of a Jewish slave and were able to connect what they saw with stories of Pesach and Yetziat Mitzrayim. Students also participated in a scavenger hunt to learn more about the Temple of Dendur, sarcophagi, and other Egyptian artifacts.

Eighth grade students explored the culture of ancient Egypt through relics and artifacts. When they saw the enormous sculptures of Hatshepsut and discussed who the Pharaoh was at the time of תאיצי םירצמ — the exodus from Egypt — they began to explore the possibility that Hatshepsut could have actually been the Pharaoh of the Oppression and that Thutmose III was the Pharaoh of the Exodus. They also viewed the boat models from the Tomb of Meketre that showed the importance of the Nile and helped them visualize why םד תכמ (the Plague of Blood) was so devastating. The model of Meketre's granary helped the students understand Yosef’s job responsibilities as they learned how grain was gathered and stored.

The highlight of their visit was seeing the Temple of Dendur, where students experienced what ancient Egypt really looked like. After seeing the sculptures of Sakmet (goddess of the plague) and other carvings of deities, the students had a better understanding of why the people of Israel had to leave Egypt in order to worship Hashem.

In early spring, Humanities Plus students took a trip to see “Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience.” This 360-degree digital art exhibition brought Monet’s gardens to life and introduced the students to the artist’s Impressionist work in Giverny. Inspired by the images surrounding them, many of the students sketched flowers at the exhibit that were then incorporated digitally into the moving pictures across the wall. This feeling of virtual reality enveloped the students in the art and made them feel as if they were part of the installation.