A message from Rabbi Greenwald
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This past weekend I traveled to the funeral of Dovi Sass, the 11 year old son of Rabbi Dovid and Shoshana Sass. Rabbi Sass is the principal of Menorah Academy in Edmonton. They have been very supportive of our school as well as to our family and myself personally.
Rabbi Sass solicits donations for Akiva, he has hosted our students in Edmonton for Shabbatonim, he shares ideas and advice, and in general has been a very good friend to me. I therefore felt it appropriate (with my wife's permission and encouragement) to travel to New York for the funeral to represent our community and school. Thank you as well to Michael Ullman for encouraging me to go.
While it was and is a terrible and unspeakable tragedy which is so difficult to comprehend, as Jews we always look for the good and positive even at the most bleak times. Many people spoke about what a special young boy Dovi was and the bright future that was taken away from him and his family. There was also a focus among the speakers at the Levaya about what a special and unique family the Sass family is. They are extremely involved with their children's lives and Rabbi Sass is often observed playing ball with his children or studying Torah with them. In general, there was a focus on what a beautiful family and children they are. In the last week of Dovi's life there was an incredible outpouring of Tzedaka and Mitzvot done as a merit for him. Tens of thousands of dollars were raised to help people in need, thousands of chapters of Tehillim were recited and many people from all over the world did acts of chesed as a zechut for Dovi.
Our Torah teaches us that even after a person passes on to the next world we can do Mitzvot as a merit for their soul. We would like to perpetuate Dovi's memory in our school in a meaningful way by dedicating a school wide chesed program this year in his memory. We will highlight and focus many of the acts of kindness that already are done in our school, as well as encouraging classes,students and families individually to take upon themselves new ways to give and help others in our school, our community and in our world. We will dedicate a section of the newsletter as Dovi's Chesed Corner where we will highlight chesed activities or programs that are taking place in Akiva.
Wishing the entire Akiva family a Shana Tova Umetuka, a sweet happy and healthy year.
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Click here for Calendar
Fri, Sept. 30
Rosh Hashana Assembly for whole school
10:45 am in the gym
Mon-Tues, Oct. 3-4
Rosh Hashana
No School/Daycare Closed
Thurs, Oct. 6
Grade 1-9 Camp Horizon Field Trip
Mon, Oct. 10
Thanksgiving
No School/Daycare Closed
Tues, Oct. 11
Erev Yom Kippur
11:20 Dismissal/
Daycare until 4 pm
Wed, Oct. 12
Yom Kippur
No School/Daycare Closed
Mon-Tues, Oct. 17-18
Succot
No School/Daycare Closed
Mon, Oct. 24
Shemini Atzeret
No School/Daycare Closed
Tues, Oct. 25
Simchat Torah
No School/Daycare Closed
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Happy Birthday to Roee M!
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Mazel Tov to Ariel Khavkin upon your Bar Mitzvah!
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Thank you to Mr. Jeff Eichler for donating Apples and Honey for Rosh Hashanah.
Thank you to all the volunteers who came to make phone calls for the UJA campaign
Wednesday
night. It is much appreciated.
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| Rosh Hashana Assembly - September 30 |
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Rosh Hashana Assembly for the whole school will be on
Friday, September 30 at 10:45 am
in the gym.
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| Grade 1-9 Camp Horizon Field Trip - October 6 |
| October Hot Lunch - Switch |
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The hot lunches for October 6 and 14 will be switched. The lunches will be:
October 6:
Salami Sandwich with Chips and Pickles
October 14:
Pargyut and Mashed Potatoes with Salad
We will follow the order for each of the lunches, not the day of ordering. If anyone would like to change their order, please let the office know.
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Students were treated to surprise visitors at lunch
on Thursday
as Rabbi Goldenberg led Grade 6-9 boys into the lunch area playing his saxophone as masked students sang the words to the new Akiva anthem. Students were provided the lyrics so they can learn the words which will be sung
this Friday
at our Rosh Hashana assembly.
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Come on, there's lots to do
Every day there's something new
Learning here, growing at Akiva.
A Torah Jew I'll try to be,
Think of others, not just me
Bags are packed, we've got the tools, at Akiva school.
Akiva - that is the place for me
Akiva - that's where I want to be
Akiva - learn how to lead the world
To joy and harmony
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| Grade 1 Students Visit Chinook Retirement Home |
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Grade 1 students from Akiva led by Morah Miller sang songs of Rosh Hashana for residents at Chinook Centre
on Thursday
. Residents were singing and clapping along and enjoyed it very much. The students made personal Rosh Hashana cards for the residents. Thank you to Mrs. Sivan Raiko for arranging the visit.
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| Morah Safren's grade 6-9 girls showing off their Rosh Hashana project (decorated spoons) |
Rabbi Greenwald testing grade 3 students on the sounds and names of the shofar
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| Morah Safren's grade 3 students working on their Rosh Hashana projects |
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Akiva Academy held its annual Terry Fox Run on Friday, September 23rd. We began the event in the gym with several students sharing their thoughts with the rest of the school. Thank you so much. It was truly an inspirational day as our Kindergarten through Grade Nine students participated in the run. We received many positive comments from some of the observers on how well they ran. Thank you students, staff and parents for making this event such a great success. We raised over $146.50 supporting The Terry Fox Foundation.
John Hadden
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| Grade 6 girls designing their ABN Backdrop Protocol in the rain under the slide |
| Mr. Hadden's Grade 3 Class using our new laptop computers |
| Pre-School climbing through the whale like Jonah |
| Pre-School shopping for Rosh Hashana |
| Sponsorship Opportunities at Akiva |
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We are looking for a co-sponsor of a challah program to provide Challahs to families at a reduced rate. If you would like to participate, please see Rabbi Greenwald
Would you like to sponsor a school event in honour of a relative or friend?
There are many ways to sponsor activities or events at Akiva.
Here are some ways:
A day of Hot Lunch $150
Holiday Assembly $180
Field Trip for a class $250
Sports equipment for recess $54
Pre-School Snack $50
Library Books $36
For more information please see Rabbi Greenwald
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As we are already a few weeks into the school year, our bulletin boards are filling up with beautiful student work. In case you are unable to stop by to see them for yourself, here are a few samples from around the school:
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Our Marketing team is working on redesigning Akiva Academy's website and we would like your involvement.
The team may approach you for one simple question - What key words come to mind when you think of Akiva Academy?
Please list 3-5 words (i.e. family, fun, inclusion, etc.)
To submit your answer please email
[email protected]
. You can also send a text message to Cheryl Wilms
(403)860-5717
or Anna Lourie Kostousov
(403)619-3877.
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| Akiva Community Garage Sale Spring 2017 |
Akiva Academy will be hosting a community garage sale in Spring 2017. Please start saving your gently used sports equipment and children's items (no clothing/small toys please). All proceeds will go towards Akiva Academy. For more information please contact Caroline Linetsky at [email protected].
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| Daycare and After School Care |
Please click
here for the Daycare / After School Care registration form. If you would like to register your child(ren) for the 2016-2017 school year, please return completed registration form to
[email protected].
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Akiva Academy joins Jews all over the world and especially in Israel to mourn the loss of Shimon Peres. Please see the message below from Calgary Jewish Federation
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It is with enormous sadness that Calgary Jewish Federation joins with Jewish communities around the world in mourning the passing of Shimon Peres z"l.
Peres is universally recognized as one of the greatest leaders in Israel's history. As one of Israel's founding generation, Peres' life story mirrored that of the State. A visionary and statesman, he dedicated his life to his country and to the Jewish people. He was an eloquent spokesperson and strong advocate for peace with Israel's neighbours. During his long and illustrious career, Peres held many cabinet positions, served twice as Israel's prime minister, was much respected as Israel's president, and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.
His leadership, vision, and passion will be missed.
May the memory of Shimon Peres be a blessing, and may his children Dr. Tsvia Walden, Yoni Peres and Nechemia Peres; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Bruce Libin
Adam Silver
President
CEO
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| A message from the School Nurse |
A new website is now online that will help parents manage common childhood illnesses and injuries which don't require treatment in an emergency department.
Developed by a team of emergency doctors and clinicians from our very own Alberta Children's Hospital, the HEAL (Health Education and Learning) website will help provide families with easily accessible, reliable information about common minor illnesses and injuries in children.
Information on croup, coughs, common colds, ear pain, nosebleeds, head injuries, vomiting and diarrhea, fever, febrile seizures and rashes is available on the site, including a detailed description of the illness or injury, symptoms, treatment, and when to seek immediate medical attention.
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