Welcome to the Hillel Happenings!

December 1, 2017 - 13 Kislev, 5778
Parshat Vayishlach
Candle Lighting by 4:36 pm
Shabbat Ends - 5:44 pm

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DVAR TORAH

At the inset of Parshat Vayishlach we read about the dramatic reunion of Yaakov and Esav. At their climactic reuniting Esav declines the bountiful gifts that Yaakov had previously sent him. Yaakov, however, insists that Esav accepts his gifts. He implores, " Please take my birckati blessing that has been brought to you, for G-d has been gracious to me, and I have everything" (33:11).
 
Commentators wonder why Yaakov refers to his gift as birckati, 'my blessing"?  In what sense does the term beracha denote a gift? Rav Simcha Bunim Sofer (son of the Ketav Sofer), in his Sha'arei Simcha, suggests that Yaakov's use of the term beracha relates to his subsequent remark, "for G-d has been gracious to me, and I have everything." Yaakov seeks to persuade Esav to accept his gift on the basis of his having "everything"; the fact that he has been given far more than his basic necessities. Yaakov looked upon his wealth as a beracha, a blessing, from G-d, who had granted him with more than what he required for their basic sustenance. Yaakov intentionally refers to his gift as a beracha so as to emphasize the point that he has already been given more than he needs; that the cattle and sheep he sent Esav were but a beracha, luxury items that Yaakov possessed beyond his basic needs of life.

People by nature tend to never feel content with what they possess. Few people are capable of honestly declaring, as Yaakov did, "yesh li kol" - "I have everything" - or of acknowledging that everything they have is a beracha - a "blessing." While it is not easy, we are to train ourselves to look upon what we have with the perspective of Yaakov, feel grateful for the blessings that G-d has bestowed upon us, and acknowledge the fact that He has truly given us "everything." 


Rabbi Weinberg, Principal                     
      
 

NEWS & VIEWS






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HALLS & WALLS


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HIGH SCHOOL: SOME ADVICE FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS
 
In The Style Of Shakespeare
 
A Compliation by the 10th Grade Girls

Thou shalt receive not a metal chamber
On yon corner or yon stairwell.
 
Turn in the device on which thy call
Unto the enclosure at the end of the hall
For trouble thou shalt wont to acquire
For thine device be taken doth thee desire?
 
The books of chrome support thine efforts,
Especially in leisurely endeavours,
Aside from the fact that the nets beyond
Function always, naught.
 
Thou shalt know which classroom you are in
For if you don't
On a never ending road full of twists and bends you will be
And in the end, late to class thou will be
 
Thine homework thou art assigned
Thou shalt do during the nightfall
Of the day thou art assigned it.
 
Keep thine eyes to thy self,
To avoid taking upon thyself,
A fool's errand, treacherous,
For maintaining contact with the eyes of your teachers.
 
Ay, a sweatshirt you need to keep
For control thou does not have of the heat
Kernels heated shall bring fresh comrades forth.
When boredom lost,
Thine jest shall be 2048 and Tetris.
 
Time shalt beest spendeth
In thy classes that doth cometh ere.
Thou art shalt wrap thine brain
In late worketh during time of other lessons,
Times of blessed frees, and breaketh.
 
Manhandle weights in the gym thou shalt not
Lest thee desire reprimands like fire burn hot
Heads will turn unto thine burning cheeks
As thine eyes shed tears like a well with leaks.
Money in thy backpack you shall have
For in the end thy stomach will rumble
And inevitably vittles thou shalt buy
From canteen.
 
Styrofoam in the microwave thou shalt not put
Melted the cup will be
And the rumbling of the stomach will continue to rumble
For not good your food shall be
 
Bring thy miniscule odor resistant spray / paste
Or alas thou shalt riskth smelling horrendously.
 
To make money is a fierce desire,
Yet 'tis cursed beyond the fires.
Only attractive things are cursed, to a fault.
Otherwise, it ought not be cursed at all!
However, cheaper than canteen ye shall sell.
As then you will obtain the green bill.
 
At which hour pangs of hunger strike,
When thine food pouch doth ache,
Microwavable vittles and nibblets
Thou shalt feed
Then the starvation shall vanish.
 
Whenever a chance comes upon thee of free food
Take it, indeed you shall enjoy the mood.
 
Sweaters bring not in the shivery season
Lest thy scorch while one should by logic be freezin'
In the fiery season bring blankets and rum
So icy figure thou shalt not become.
 
Bring forth a sweet smelling fragrance
And small odor-resistant paste to thy house of  learning.
It will be useful for thee.
 
Stress not in highschool, hear my plea
Or else depressed and tired thou will be
Chilllax you shall on sofa's comfy
But heed my warning if you shall, forget not to study.
 
Late into the inky cloak of darkness thou shalt want coffee,
But alas thou shalt regret consuming the liquid.  
 
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This year, there will be a few different categories. There will be a separate category for children under 5, grades K-3, 4-6, 7-12, parents, and families. If students want to enter, it should be with minimal parental help. Any Chanukiah designed with parents and children will be entered into the family category. It can be big or small; it can be bold, colorful, recyclable, build-able etc. However, one condition! It should be a  Chanukiah that is kosher and can be used to (hypothetically) light candles!
 
You may bring in your Chanukiot starting on Monday, December 11th through Thursday, December 14th. We will display them along tables set up in the front hallway of the school. If you wish to use your Chanukiah to light on Chanuka, then bring it in during that week and we will photograph it and put the picture out on the tables. Please label your entry with your name and for which category it is being submitted (Under 5, K-3, 4-6, 7-12, Parent, Family).
 
For those who are new to the Chanukiah competition, or for those who could use some extra help, you may speak to the returning champions from last year for some advice: Noam Kohanbash, Sam and Yael Henteleff, Sara Baila Lowenstein, Raphael Belman, Ben Davis, Galya Belman, Noam Azagury, Gabe Small, Deena November, and Jason Small.
 
If you have any questions feel free to email me. Chanuka Sameach and happy crafting!
 
- Rabbi Levy
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Ice Hockey Clinic for Children Ages 6 - 15
Sundays 11 am - 1 pm
Schenley Park Skating Rink

We teach fundamental skills of ice hockey in an informal, non-competitive clinic.

During each session we will conduct a warm-up, skills, drills, short skating games, and individual instruction for the first half, and a game for the second half. Students will be in different groups based on their skills.

We require students to have basic skating skills, and to come equipped with a helmet with face cage, stick, and ice skates. Cups, elbow and knee pads are highly recommended but not required.

Cost: $100 for entire season


Register here: goo.gl/vkLqc9



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ALUMNI NEWS



Check out the Hillel Academy Alumni Page on Facebook! 

ANNOUNCEMENTS


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FUNDRAISING


SAVE THE DATE for SUPER SUNDAY DECEMBER 3rd
 
It's that time of year again!  Super   Sunday  is upon us: save the date -   December 3rd  at the JCC. The Jewish Federation is Hillel Academy's largest donor and we want to show our hakarat hatov while simultaneously helping raise money for so many Jews in our community (both locally and globally) by participating in this annual phone-a-thon. Plus whichever Federation organization brings the most participants to the event wins their organization an extra check. Hillel Academy has WON the last few years: let's not lose the momentum (read: money). There are three sessions you can choose from, each with a fabulous Hillel table captain.
 
Session 1- Table Captain: Elena Davis: 9:30-11:30
Session 2- Table Captain: Dovid Knoll: 12:30-2:30
Session 3- Table Captain: Shoshi Butler: 3pm-5pm
 
Please register through the site and also feel free to email your table captain as well to get us PUMPED as we prepare for another winner of a day for Hillel Academy.  

https://www.jfedpgh.org/supersunday

Tizku L'mitzvot,
 
Elena, Dovid, and Shoshi


Did you know the Bnot Sheirut have their own Facebook page? It's filled with lots of pictures and videos! Check it out at:  www.facebook.com/PittsburghBanot

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FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE SCHOOL YEAR 2018-2019

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh awards grants to students who reside in the Greater Pittsburgh area (Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Washington and Westmoreland Counties).

WHAT IS THE CENTRAL SCHOLARSHIP AND LOAN REFERRAL SERVICE?

The Central Scholarship and Loan Referral Service (CSLRS) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh coordinates the efforts of a group of organizations, agencies, and scholarship endowment funds which provide need-based scholarships to local undergraduate and graduate Jewish students.
CSLRS is a program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and is administered by Jewish Family and Children's Service.

WHO QUALIFIES?

Any Jewish high school senior, college or graduate student with demonstrated financial need is eligible to apply. All applicants must be bona fide residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, Butler or Westmoreland counties for at least two years. Individuals are known by number, not name, to ensure confidentiality.

When a student applies for aid, the CSLRS committee matches the student with the funding source or sources for which they qualify. Some funding sources require high academic achievement; all require students to demonstrate financial need.

HOW DO I APPLY?

For school year 2018-2019 Central Scholarship will again be using an on-line application process.
The on-line applications will be available in late November at http://www.centralscholarship.org . First-time applicants must be interviewed by CSLRS staff.

Application deadline is February 12, 2018. Regrettably, applications received after that date will not be considered.

For further information, contact Jewish Family & Children's Service, 
412-422-5627 or [email protected]


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When you  #StartWithaSmile , Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh. Bookmark the link and support us every time you shop.  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/25-1067130   



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At Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, we educate young men and women with unlimited capacity who compete in a superior manner in all challenges undertaken. Our students are Torah observant models of exemplary character, who love G-d, the Jewish people, and the land of Israel. To say that our students possess a love of learning, confidence and the ability to think critically, merely highlights the value of a Hillel education. What we ultimately achieve each day, and have been achieving for 70 years, is the gift of instilling each student with the foundation for a life spent actively serving and leading the Jewish community and society.


Micki Myers, Editor | Hillel Happenings | 412 521-8131 | h[email protected] |www. hillelpgh.org