Welcome to the Hillel Happenings!

January 26, 2018 - 10 Shevat, 5778
Parshat Beshalach
Candle Lighting by 5:13 pm
Shabbat Ends - 6:22 pm

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DVAR TORAH

This week we traditionally read the Haftorah from Sefer Shoftim about the prophetess and leader Devora. The verse tells us that she "would sit underneath the palm-tree of Devora" (4:5). The Talmud, in tractate Megilla, suggests an explanation as to why the passuk explicitly tells us that Devora sat under a palm tree. The Gemara explains that "Just as a palm-tree has only a single 'heart,' so does Israel have only a single heart devoted to their Father in heaven." Most trees consist of branches that are similar in shape and appearance to the trunk of a tree, whereas the palm tree's branches are frail and flimsy compared to the singular trunk. The single unified heart in this verse is a metaphor for the singular devotion that Bnei Yisroel had towards Hashem under Devora's leadership. 

Later on in the story, after the victory over the Canaanites, Devora composes a song of triumph. Towards the beginning of the song she describes the horrific state of the nation as it suffered under Canaanites' oppression, adding that this situation prevailed "until I, Devora, arose, until I arose as a mother in Israel" (5:7).  Devora speaks of the "maternal" quality of her leadership; how she cared for the people as a mother tenderly and lovingly looks after her children. It was through this care and devotion that she reached the hearts of the nation, and merged them into "a single heart" firmly committed and devoted to Hashem. 

At Hillel Academy we always like to say we are a family. What is a family? What makes a family different from a school or a work place? A family has a unified beating heart, full of love, care, and kindness - and family is where you feel secure and free of judgement. This past week I had the privilege of traveling to Israel. In Israel we were able to connect with our recent graduates, as well as previous generations of the Hillel family. It was truly remarkable to see how the core values of Hillel Academy are present in all of our graduates, and the incredible sense of family that exists within our alumni. As a Hillel alumnus and parent, I feel truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful family. 
 
Shabbat Shalom, 
 
Rabbi Weinberg, Principal
                            
      
 

NEWS & VIEWS







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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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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 alowenberger@jfcspgh.org


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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 | hillelhappenings@hillelpgh.org |www. hillelpgh.org