Sept. 9, 2016 6 Elul 5776

Parashat  Shoftim

Candle Lighting 7:22 p.m.
This week's parashah concludes with an unusual ritual. Upon the discovery of a murder victim whose perpetrator is unknown, the leaders and priests of the city closest to the discovery are commanded to sacrifice a calf and publicly deny any responsibility for the crime. Rabbinic interpretation varies about this ritual of eglah arufah (literally: a decapitated calf). While Maimonides suggests a pragmatic reason for this ritual--that this very public display would compel onlookers to seek the perpetrator and bring him to justice, others explain the ritual in more philosophical terms. Biblical scholar Nechama Leibowitz posits that the sacrifice and the accompanying public declaration disrupted daily life intentionally. The murder of an individual is a disruptive act and thus the life of the city cannot continue unchanged by the violence that occurred close by. The ritual, she explains, demands that the leaders, religious figures and inhabitants of the city decry violence and seek justice, reevaluating their commitment to preserving life and recognizing the sanctity of every human being. The mitzvah at the end of the parashah reminds us that not only must we address violence as a serious threat, but we must also educate our communities to take responsibility for everyone in their midst and to preach a message of peace and justice, kindness and accountability.

This morning cour 8th grade presented a meaningful and inspiring program to commemorate the event of September 11, 2001, for the rest of the middle school and middle school parents. Through their various stations, the students demonstrated their dedication to creating a more just world, one in which we come together to heal, rebuild, and shine light on the goodness of humanity.

Shabbat Shalom,

   
UPCOMING EVENTS



Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m.: A Night to Celebrate Jewish Education 
Honoring Leslie and Howard Schultz, founders of Akiba's Schultz-Rosenberg campus, as they receive the CJE Lifetime Achievement Award.  Tickets and sponsorship info here. 

Ongoing: Team sports sc hedules are posted here .

Sept. 13 & 14 : School photos will be taken Tuesday and Wednesday. Order forms were  sent home this week. Retakes are Sept. 21. 

Sept. 20: All students from K'ton Ton through 8th grade will be baking challah for Jewish Family Service's food pantry and Rosh Hashanah meal program. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Tammie Rapps.

For the full 2016-2017 calendar, click here. 

   
REMEMBERING SEPT. 11

Every year, in honor of 9/11, the eighth grade creates and implements a learning program for the rest of the middle school.  This year's program was "Healing and Rebuilding" and explored how Americans have rebuilt since the tragedy.
 
   
   
TRADITION!

First graders blow the shofar with gusto as part of the tradition of Elul, the Hebrew month preceding Rosh Hashana, to hear the shofar every day in prep for the holiday.
 
   
   
BURSTING WITH WORDS 
Kindergartners engaged all five senses with the launch of our new "popcorn words." Popcorn words (formerly known as sight words/high-frequency words) are those words that just keep "popping " up in the books we read. Each week, students will take home new popcorn words for their popcorn box container.
   
       
STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Stop by the front office and meet Kim Young, new assistant to the head of school and educational services coordinator. Kim has spent 15 years working in the hospitality industry, primarily in training, human resources and operations. She lives in Rockwall and has a five-year-old daughter. 




LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER

Morah Sabo's Hebrew class collaborated on projects as they worked in groups. 


FULL STEAM AHEAD

STEAM is a movement designed to focus on the integration of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics into the daily curriculum. The addition of STEAM to Akiba helps empower our students to take ownership of their education and fosters learning that is both skill and process based.  


BNOT SHERUT

Renana and Oriya got into character as they engaged with students in an interactive performance.





PRESCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

As part of the tradition of Elul, the Hebrew month preceding Rosh Hashana, we're making sure students hear the shofar every day in prep for the holiday. Parents and grandparents are invited to blow the shofar for us. Thank you to this week's volunteers: Dani and Noah Meyerovitz, Rabbi Baruch Hecht, and Rabbi Meir Sabo. T o volunteer, contact Jordana Bernstein .
 


Teenoki Alef enjoyed a sensory experience with ice. Little did they know that they were learning about the science of melting ice while they were having so much fun.


Morah Bonnie and Morah Vickie's K'Ton Ton class had an experience with writing while drawing shapes in sand. What a great way to work on those pre-writing skills.



Morah Mooka and Morah Sarah's Nitzanim class did a big mitzvah this week. They called a friend who was sick, wished her a speedy recovery, and sang her "Refuah Shlema."

 

Morah Malka and Morah Vickie's Chaverim class experimented with drops of food coloring, dish soap, milk and Q-tips. Through this science experiment the children are able to make predictions, test their hypothesis, and draw conclusions just like real scientists.



A note of gratitude: Thank you to all of our snack helpers this week, including Tali Rosenberg, Miriam Raphael, Alana Tinnin, Sandy Prager and Caroline Hahn. T o join the Snack Helper Club, make a date with a friend or a spouse, or meet a new friend, and sign up here.

   
 

Challah Distributors Needed:  We need two volunteers to help bag and distribute the challot every Friday morning after drop off. Please consider helping so that we can ensure every child who signed up receives their challah. Email Erica Morenoff  if you can help occasionally or every week.

Get a Free Hot Lunch:  Subscribe to the PTO page on the Akiba website and your family receives one free lunch voucher. 

Back-to-School Donuts in the Park:  All families are invited to join us for donuts, coffee and playing to celebrate the 2016-2017 school year. Sept. 25, 9-11 a.m.,  Preston Hollow Park (Thackery Park) , 6600 Park Lane, Dallas, 75225. 
 
Tell Us How You'd Like to Help:  Tell us how you'd like to get involved! Please fill out this form and return to akibapto@gmail.com . There is something for everyone!


   
COMMUNITY NOTICES  
 

 

 


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 .