October 16, 2015 3 Cheshvan 5776

Parashat Noach

Candle Lighting 6:34 p.m.

 

Akiba students have lots of fun playing foursquare at recess!

Psalm 122 has been on my mind-and on the tip of my tongue-all week. In this chapter of Tehillim, we proclaim, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may all who love you, prosper. May peace be within your walls, and tranquility within your palaces." Given the current circumstances in Israel, these wor ds resonate profoundly. As a community that loves Jerusalem and Israel and puts our homeland at the forefront of our mind on a daily basis through our tefillot and interactions and interests, we must join in that prayer. On Sunday, several Akiba moms and one employee will be travelling to Israel with the Jewish Women's Renaissance Project and will be demonstrating their own love of and support for Jerusalem. Their commitment to Israel, to Judaism, and to the Jewish People serves to inspire us and renews our own dedication to our brothers and sisters in israel. Please join me in wishing them a peaceful and prosperous trip. Please also join me in including Tehillim 122 in your prayers at some point over Shabbat to raise our voices and hearts in solidarity with Jerusalem.

Tehillim Chapter 122:
 
א   שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת, לְדָוִד:
שָׂמַחְתִּי, בְּאֹמְרִים לִי--    בֵּית ה' נֵלֵךְ.
1  A Song of Ascents; of David. 
I rejoiced when they said to me: 'Let us go unto the house of the LORD.'
ב   עֹמְדוֹת, הָיוּ רַגְלֵינוּ--    בִּשְׁעָרַיִךְ, יְרוּשָׁלִָם.
2  Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem;
ג   יְרוּשָׁלִַם הַבְּנוּיָה--    כְּעִיר, שֶׁחֻבְּרָה-לָּהּ יַחְדָּו.
3  Jerusalem, that is built as a city that is compact together;
ד   שֶׁשָּׁם עָלוּ שְׁבָטִים, שִׁבְטֵי-יָ-הּ--עֵדוּת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל:    לְהֹדוֹת, לְשֵׁם ָה'.
4  Where the tribes went up, even the tribes of the LORD, as a testimony to Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
ה   כִּי שָׁמָּה, יָשְׁבוּ כִסְאוֹת לְמִשְׁפָּט:    כִּסְאוֹת, לְבֵית דָּוִד.
5  For there were set thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
ו   שַׁאֲלוּ, שְׁלוֹם יְרוּשָׁלִָם;    יִשְׁלָיוּ, אֹהֲבָיִךְ.
6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those that love you prosper.
ז   יְהִי-שָׁלוֹם בְּחֵילֵךְ;    שַׁלְוָה, בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָיִךְ.
7  Peace be within your walls, and tranquility within your palaces.
ח   לְמַעַן, אַחַי וְרֵעָי--    אֲדַבְּרָה-נָּא שָׁלוֹם בָּךְ.
8  For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say: 'Peace be within you.'
ט   לְמַעַן, בֵּית ָה' אֱלֹקינוּ--    אֲבַקְשָׁה טוֹב לָךְ.
9  For the sake of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good. 
JCC Offers Akiba Parents "Day Camp" When Akiba is Closed

The J is trying to provide programs this year on all of the days that Akiba is out of school. Children in grades K-6 grade can come to the J for a day of games, sports, art, swimming and more! The first day coming up is for the Conference Day on November 9. Cost per day is $55 for JCC Members and $65 for JCC Non-Members - there must be a minimum of 8 registrants for the program to happen. To register please contact Abbi Cook at [email protected]. Hours are 9-4 with before and after-care available from 7:30-6:00.
Kindergarten Gets Tech Savvy

 
During Technology Time, kindergartners integrate technology into their curriculum. They are also working on skills such as: collaboration, cooperation, and critical thinking.

Morning Assembly: Building Community in Lower School
Every morning our students in 1st-5th grade meet for a morning assembly. The purpose of the assemblies is to build community, teach Jewish values, and share the joy of learning together in a fun and interactive way. The students are learning sign language and say the Akiba pledge, the pledge of allegiance, the national anthem, and Hatikvah.
Let's cheer for our Cougars!
This week our Volleyball A Team played Heritage, Ovilla and Levine. A great effort was exhibited by our athletes who lost to the first two schools but beat Levine.
B Team Volleyball athletes played Faith and Alcuin.
They lost both games but coach Maya reported that the Akiba athletes did not make it easy for our opponents and their sportsmanship was exemplary.

The Flag Football team beat St. Johns 34-24. Coach Branch complimented our athletes on being great hosts to our visiting team.

Our soccer team lost to the Hurricanes, but we are very proud of their efforts. GO Cougars! 

 

Akiba loves to celebrate the Bar and Bat Mitzvahs of our students at middle school's davening.
Mazal tov to Kayla Rutner (who celebrated her Bat Mitzvah in school this week) and to Joseph Blashka (who celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in school this week).

 

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Akiba Academy provides a superior general and Judaic education to children in preschool through eighth grade. As a Modern Orthodox school, Akiba Academy develops ethical and responsible members of the Jewish people and American society, knowledgeable about and committed to their Jewish heritage and the State of Israel. For more information about Akiba contact  [email protected] .