May 27, 2016 19 Iyar 5776

Parashat  Behar

Candle Lighting 8:10 p.m.
Yesterday we celebrated Lag Ba'Omer, the 33rd day between Pesach and Shavuot as we count toward Mount Sinai and the giving of the Torah. The festive observance on this day stems from two separate branches of tradition. 

The 33rd day of the Omer marks an end or a break to the epidemic that ravaged the students of Rabbi Akiva. The 33rd day of the Omer also marks the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, one of Rabbi Akiva's esteemed students entrusted with the transmission of Torah and the impassioned author of the Zohar. How does the single day celebrate both of these Tannaim and the legacy that they represent? I listened to a short online shiur about Lag Ba'Omer given by Mrs. Shira Smiles, who introduced an intriguing and thought-provoking connection to me. She mentioned that each of the seven weeks of the Omer corresponds to one of the shivat haminim, the seven indigenous flora in the Land of Israel. The fifth week of the Omer, the week in which Lag Ba'Omer falls, parallels the rimon, or pomegranate. Perhaps the answer to the question I posed above can be found in this connection. When we think of a pomegranate and what it symbolizes, the lessons of Rosh Hashanah come to the forefront. A pomegranate, with its myriad seeds, serves as a powerful visual depiction of our hopes and desires to perform and be rewarded for abundant mitzvot. The same analogy suits the rabbinic giants associated with Lag Ba'Omer. Rabbi Akiva, a scholar, a thinker, and a visionary, developed his renown in diverse areas of learning and leadership; nonetheless, his most quoted teaching states that loving one's neighbor as his or herself is a major principle of Torah. Rabbi Akiva emphasizes the significance of interpersonal relations and mutual respect. The stories about Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and his life, on the other hand, paint a picture of someone who possessed an intense intellect and passionate focus on Torah study so strong that the secrets hidden deep within the Torah's words were revealed to him. Both rabbis' emphases are integral to a full embrace of mitzvot-and only by assuming the social mitzvot of Rabbi Akiva and the intellectual mitzvot of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai can one truly merit the reward for performing the gamut of the Torah's commandments symbolized by a pomegranate.

A pomegranate signifies the legacies of these rabbis in yet another way. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai discovered through his study that every individual Jew is a part of the Torah and each is important in his or her own right. As such, each is worthy and deserving of kavod, respect, a message articulated by Rabbi Akiva. Both rabbis recognize that within every human being resides a seed of the mitzvot that needs to be cultivated and nurtured, yielding the beautiful fruit of Torah.
 
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom,

ART THAT TEACHES

Tanya and Al Lampert (grandparents of 8th grader Jessica Lampert) teamed up with their daughter Naomi Pollard, and her family, to create a mosaic in memory of their late son, Larry, Jessica's father.

They brought artist-in-residence Rena Fruchter  from Silver Spring, MD, to Akiba to work with more than 350 students on an original mosaic. Jessica, along with her mother,  Melissa, her grandparents, and other parents and staff also participated.   

Read about the mosaic in The Dallas Morning News and Texas Jewish Post. 


WITH HONORS

Teachers celebrated with students who were recently installed in the National Junior Honor Society.

From left: Dr. Beverly Millican, Alex Sheena, Binyamin Robbins, Sarah Liener, Tova Kam, Orly Fass and Eli Burstein (front).
 


PERFORMING POETS

Third-grade's lively poetry slam drew parents, faculty, staff and friends. Check out more photos on the Akiba Facebook page.

STATE FAIR

Fourth-graders hosted a state fair where they showcased their research papers and booths they created to educate parents and lower schoolers on different states. 

They decorated booths with informative trifolds and created games for all to enjoy. Lower school students learned about different states as they played and had fun.  

See more photos in the album on Facebook. 


SHOWER TIME

Eighth-grade's shower pull is an annual  rite of passage for upcoming graduates. This eagerly anticipated ritual provides an important safety service to all Akiba science students by making sure our chemical safety shower is in perfect working order. Coincidentally, the opportunity to soak their heads is highly anticipated by all.
 
Congratulations to our dripping wet Class of 5776!




CAMP FIRE LEARNING

Mrs. Wolk simulated a bonfire with her third-graders for Lag Ba'Omer. She taught them about Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and Rabbi Akiva. They also discussed how Jews living under Roman rule were not allowed to learn Torah. So, Jews went on picnics and visited caves where they studied Torah in secret.
 
PRESCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Teenoki Bet took the opportunity after it rained on Monday to take a nature walk. The children were particularly interested in the water. They stopped at a puddle to make foot prints; had a seat at the amphitheater; and watched the water flow through the canals. 



When reading "Head to Toe" by Eric Carle, Morah Marni and Morah Marcela's K'Ton Ton class took a close look at the illustrations in the book. Inspired by the beautiful artwork, the children then tried their hand at replicating the art.



Morah Lauren's and Morah Rosa's K'Ton Ton class worked together to build an obstacle course with big blocks. Offering children this type of open-ended material challenges their creativity, encourages collaboration and strengthens their gross motor skills.


As they are learning about Shavuot, the holiday when we commemorate the giving of the Torah, Morah Dorit's and Morah Sarah's Nitzanim class represented Har Sinai through a variety of media and materials: with the blocks, at the easel, and in their secret garden.





   
UPCOMING EVENTS

May 31-June 2: 7th and 8th grade trips
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 
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
June 8: Used uniform sale in lower school atrium
   
 
FINAL MEETING

Last General Meeting of the Year
Please join us Friday, June 3, at 11:30 a.m., to hear about our fabulous year and what's in store for next year.
Uniform Swap
If anyone is interested in helping with a uniform swap on June 8, please email emorenoff@aol.com.

Hot Lunch
There are a few hot lunch spots left this school year! Sign up  here.

Thank You
Thank you to everyone who volunteered for Teacher Appreciation Week. It was a huge success, and we couldn't have done it without you!
   

Please stop by the clinic to pick up any prescription and/or over the counter medications left during the year. No medications may be sent home with a student.

Any medications not picked up by 1 p.m. on the last day of school, June 8, will be discarded.  Please see below for forms/ policy to be updated, signed and returned for the 2016-2017 school year.


Remember to restock sunscreen for the summer, as last year's may be expired/ ineffective.

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 .