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Bnei Akiva Schools Newsletter
November 24, 2017 - Kislev 6, 5778
Vayeitzei - Candle Lighting 4:26 pm - Havdala 5:34 pm
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Chanukah: When the Medium is the Message
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, I must be part of Yaakov's family:
- Yaakov's father Yitzchak is tricked by Esav's pretense of righteousness, and then by Yaakov's clothing into thinking he is Esav.
- Yaakov is tricked by Lavan into marrying Leah, and by his children regarding the sale of Yosef.
- Yaakov's son Yehudah is tricked by his daughter-in-law Tamar.
- Yaakov's children are tricked by Yosef in Egypt.
These stories teach us not to trust externals; we are easily deluded.
Nonetheless, externals are useful as advertising. From bumper magnets to team jerseys, our displays broadcast what we care about. So it is that the Torah tells us to display all sorts of symbols to convey the importance of our Jewish identity; in dress, mezuzah, yarmulka and more, we demonstrate the importance of our Judaism to us. These are our bumper magnets.
Because external symbols are both powerful and potentially misleading, we must send our messages with care. I learned this lesson the hard way when I studied in Israel, while volunteering in a program for Ethiopian and Russian immigrants. I entered a classroom with four other yeshiva students, and the first thing the teacher did was put us up against the blackboard, backs to the classroom, so that she could explain to the class the political significance of our different yarmulkas - to her, the knitted yarmulka, leather, and velvet, and their relative positions on our heads, each had a unique meaning. We were taken aback, discovering that we were sending messages we had never imagined. Unfortunately, that teacher latched on to incidentals and misunderstood us entirely - and the experience highlighted for me both the potential for illusion, and the positive power of our externals.
Externals are particularly relevant as we plan for Chanukah. A central focus of Chanukah is pirsumei nisa, publication of our miracles for the world to see. We emphasize hiddur mitzvah, beautifying our mitzvot with ornate, elaborate displays. Onlookers may not grasp the story of Chanukah, but the public nature of our celebration is, in itself, our message: Jews celebrate Divine miracles with pride. May we use our opportunity this year to send that clear message to our families, our Jewish brethren and our non-Jewish neighbours, and enjoy a chag urim sameach!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner
Rosh Beit Midrash, YU Torah Mitzion Zichron Dov Beit Midrash of Toronto
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This year's Ulpana shabbaton was certainly one to remember. All the grades came together for an amazing ruach-filled weekend. We danced, we sang, we cheered and laughed. Thank you to the senior class for organizing the school sweaters, tisch and melave malka. Thank you to all the teachers that joined us for the weekend and last but not least thank you to all the teachers who helped make this weekend possible: Mrs. Munk, Mrs. Kestenbaum, Prof, Mrs. Fixler, Mrs. Weinberg, Mrs. Klein and Elyse.
-Adina Weitzner, grade 12 student
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YOC Grade 12s Pre-Shabbaton
Grade 12s students left Or Chaim on Thursday afternoon to begin the school-wide shabbaton. On the way there, they stopped for an exciting paintball activity. Once arriving at Fern Resort, after BBQing dinner, they had a learning session with Rav Yair. They also enjoyed activities at Fern and spent some time preparing for the rest of the school's arrival. It was a great start and they look forward to leading the rest of the school over Shabbat!
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SFAC
The Student-Faculty-Administration Council is off to a great start with its very first meeting this past Wednesday. The members discussed issues regarding the testing calendar, and specific conflicts it creates for teachers as well as students. Many different approaches and perspectives to solve the issues were deliberated, and a few underlying causes were recognized. Two members of SFAC (one faculty and one student) were appointed to compose possible proposals to solve these issues, and will be presenting them to the rest of the committee at the next meeting (January 30th). Don't forget to talk to your grade representatives so your voice can be heard at the next SFAC meeting. Stay tuned for more information!
-Tehila Greenberg, SFAC Vice-Chair, Grade 12
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Tamir Goodman at UO
Tamir Goodman, the guest speaker for the upcoming YOC shabbaton, spoke to the Ulpana girls about his basketball journey. A basketball player for Towson University and then Maccabi Tel Aviv, Tamir has been dubbed the "Jewish Jordan." The girls enjoyed hearing his inspiring story and the UO Knights really enjoyed practicing drills with Tamir after the speech.
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Rav Don Yahrtzeit Program
Aviad Don, currently a student teacher shaliach at YOC, hosted a yartzeit program in memory of his father, Rav Yaakov Don, z"l. Rav Don is remembered in Toronto for his years of shlichut with CHAT and Bnei Akiva. The Don family appreciated the Toronto community coming together to share memories.
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Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences for UO and YOC take place this Monday, November 27 at YOC from 1-9pm. Sign up at bas.schoolappointments.com. Please be in touch with Mrs. Charney if you have any questions.
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UO Father-Daughter Learning
UO fathers: please join us on Tuesday, December 7
at 5:30pm for dinner and learning.
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YOC Finance Club
Finance Club will be joined by guest speaker Mr. Edward Kholodenko at lunch on Wednesday, November 29.
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Matmidim Update
Matmidim learn together this Wednesday, November 29.
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- Sunday, November 26 - YOC Shabbaton returns
- Monday, November 27 - Parent-teacher conferences, 1pm - 9pm (no classes)
- Tuesday, November 28 - Late start - 9am UO; 8:30am YOC; Lev Hatorah visit (YOC grade 12, period 2)
- Wednesday, November 29 - Hakotel Yeshiva visit (YOC grade 12, time to be confirmed); YOC Finance Club speaker at lunch
- Thursday, November 30 - YOC mishmar (snack first; regular sessions)
- Sunday, December 3 - YOC School
- Tuesday, December 7 - UO Father-Daughter learning, 5:30pm
- Thursday, December 7 - YOC Mishmar
- Sunday, December 10 - YOC Father-Son Learning
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| Ralph Frankel delivered a shiur to members of our Judaic Studies faculty in commemoration of the yartzeit of his father, Aaron Frankel z"l, one of the school's founders. |
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YOC JV Basketball
YOC JV basketball began this week! The team played well and is off to a good start. Their next game is Tuesday, November 28 vs. St. Patrick's at 3:15pm.
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UO Semi-Final Game
UO Knights lost their semi-final game this week. We are so proud of the incredible season the team had, making it to the second round of the playoffs. Thanks to the coaches for guiding the team to success!
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Seeking Donations
The school is looking for a donation of two single beds (frames and mattresses) or hi-riser with mattresses for one of our Shlichim families.
Please contact
Esther Mendlowitz
if you are interested in donating.
Thank you.
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