May 20, 2016 12 Iyar 5776

Parashat  Emor

Candle Lighting 8:06 p.m.
Parashat Emor

This week's parashah includes the instructions for how the show-bread, lechem hapanim in Hebrew, was to be displayed in the tabernacle. The show-bread was 12 loaves that were constantly present in the Mishkan, arranged prominently on the shulchan, golden table opposite the menorah. The placement of these twelve loaves, or rather unleavened flat breads, symbolizing the twelve tribes of the Israelite nation, reflects the purposeful layout of the Mishkan. Each of the major vessels in the Mishkan parallels an element on a face and the configuration of the major vessels in the Tabernacle mirror the construction of a face. The Ark of the Covenant adorned with cherubs represents ears and hearing. The menorah, the source of light in the Tabernacle, corresponds to eyes and vision and rose majestically at one end of the Mishkan. In the center of the stood the golden altar for the ketoret, incense offering, which symbolizes the nose and smell. At the other end of the Tabernacle, the special table exhibited the show bread; the shulchan correlates to the mouth and taste. Resembling a face, the layout of the Mishkan reminds us that all things physical also have the capacity for the spiritual and that each of our own organs should be devoted to sanctifying and bettering the world.
 
Shabbat Shalom,

TINY DANCERS

Nitzanim ballerinas performed a recital at the preschool this week.


PLAY A PART IN THE AKIBA MOSAIC 

Tanya and Al Lampert (grandparents of 8th grader Jessica Lampert) commissioned an artist to work with students to create a mosaic in memory of their late son, Larry, Jessica's father.

Click HERE  to sign up for a time to help students or to show your own artistic flair. 

This original mosaic will adorn the Middle School Beit Midrash, and K'Ton Ton through 8th grade will be able to participate in its creation. The project will conclude by 8th grade graduation on June 5.


FLOWER POWER

Kindergarten's visit to the Arboretum was full of learning about creatures with "wings and tails." 



TRIP TO THE OLD WEST
 
The history of the Old West came alive on the 4th graders' visit to the  Fort Worth Stockyards . Cowboys and cowgirls educated the group on the tools used during the cattle drives of the 1800's. And at the  Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame , students saw horse-drawn carriages and wagons. 
 


CLAY PLAY

Sixth and seventh graders worked with clay artist, James Olney. Students also delved into the science and math behind the tripod clay pots.   




CARS THAT RUN ON SCIENCE

Eighth grade put their physics and chemistry skills to work creating cars fueled by baking soda and vinegar. Click here and here for videos of the students at work. 
THANKFUL BAKERS 

Student bakers made challah in honor of Bnot Sherut Tal and Nerya. The cooking class was sponsored by Dana Feinstein.
 


 
RAISING THEIR STICKS

Kindergarten got competitive during hockey games in the gym.


BIT BY THE ACTING BUG

Akiba's 5th grade performed three American history plays, including  One Big Unhappy Family,  Lost in History and a Scene at  Mount Rushmore . Thank you to parents Joyce Govrin and Amy Eber for helping with refreshments. 


WRITER'S BLOCK

Third graders wrote poems and stories about themselves and their life plans. One of their writing activities was to complete a bio poem. Their poems really show how well the kids know themselves. They are deep thinkers!  Below, Dovi Lewin points out his poem on the wall in the lower school.


BOOK LOVERS

Third through fifth graders celebrated participation in the Texas Bluebonnet Award Program with parties in the library. More than 75 students received certificates and gift bags. Third graders are shown below. 

BNOT SHERUT

Tal and Nerya taught the N itzanim class the Hebrew version of "Old MacD onald Had a Farm." Afterwards, the kids drew the animals and learned the animals' names.

QUIZ CHAMPS

Mazal tov to Jonathan Govrin (5th) grade, Nosson Horowitz (6th) grade, Yosef Weiss(8th) grade and Ari Berke (8th) grade, for winning first place in an Israeli quiz show in honor of Israeli Independence Day.

HAPPY ENGINEERS

This week, 3rd graders put their engineering skills to work.

PRESCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Nevatim explored the concept of "in" and "out." First, by putting balls into a bucket and then taking them out. Next, they crawled into a tunnel and then crawled out. The teachers made sure to use emphasize the words "in" and "out" verbally throughout the various activities in order to help build their vocabulary.


Our Teenoki Bet children got a lesson in using scissors. The children were eager to try out their new skill!

 

Morah Marni and Morah Marcela's K'Ton Ton class took advantage of the beautiful day and our new outdoor art studio, and took their painting outside.



Morah Bonnie and Morah Jenny's K'Ton Ton kids had a blast exploring the ooey gooey mixture of cornstarch and shaving cream, along with some food coloring that provided some color to the mix. 


Morah Dorit and Morah Sarah's Nitzanim children remained extremely focused while they work on drawing their self-portraits.


Inspired by helping with the school-wide collaborative mosaic in the middle school, Morah Marissa and Morah Nitzan's Nitzanim children came back to the classroom and worked on a mosaic matching game. What a great way to extend this amazing experience!




   
UPCOMING EVENTS

May 23: Water safety  class by Lone Star Lifesaver's Jan Emler. RSVP to jbernstein@akibaacademy.org. Boardroom from 8:45-9:45 a.m.
May 26:  Enjoy music from our choir and band, and art from all of our students during Arts and Music Evening, from 5-6:30 p.m., in Pollman Hall main atrium.
June 5 : 8th grade graduation 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Pollman)
June 6 : Nevatim, Teenoki, K'Ton Ton end-of-year party, 9 a.m.
June 6 : Middle School Sports Banquet, 5 p.m., Pollman Hall (registration forms to be sent home)
June 7 : Kindergarten graduation, 9 a.m. 
June 8:  Sign up now for Last Day of School Yiddle League!  This co-ed flag football competition and dinner will be fun for parents and students.  To learn more, or to get involved click  here . Event RSVPs should be emailed to  abonner@akibaacademy.org . (4:30 p.m.)
June 8 : Nitzanim and Chaverim end-of-year program, 11 a.m.
June 8: Last Day of School - all day
   
 
Coffee is on us! 
For parents of 4th-8th graders, enjoy a coffee from the Yiddishe Cup on the PTO when you sign up to set up the artwork ahead of Arts and Music Evening. Please sign up here !

Thank You! 
A huge thank you to Jenny Winton and all of the volunteers who helped make this an outstanding Teacher Appreciation Week.

End of Year PTO Meeting
Our last PTO general meeting will be Friday, June 3, at 11:30 am. We hope you will join us to hear a recap of our amazing year and thoughts on next year!
  

Mazel Tov to Yosef Weiss on attaining his Eagle Scout rank. In addition, Yosef has completed the Ner Tamid award for Jewish scouts. 

Mazal Tov on the birth of their baby girl to Blair and Matan Wolfson and big brothers, Brody and Tanner. 

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  info@akibaacademy.org .