Oct. 7, 2016 5 Tishrei 5776

Parashat Vayeilech

Candle Lighting 6:44 p.m.
This week I had the opportunity to sit in on Mr. U.'s kindergarten music class. For 40 minutes I watched as our kindergarteners sang and danced with delight as Mr. U. led them through a series of dance movements, gross motor exercises, voice training, and rhythmic activities. The children followed his instruction with visible concentration, seriously focusing on the tasks set forth in front of them. The seriousness of the tasks, however, only added to the complete joy that permeated the class. Giggles and smiles filled the space as music uplifted our young learners.

Music worked similar magic in the Middle School Beit Midrash last night as mothers and daughters from grades 5-8 joined together to reflect on the past year and prepare for Yom Kippur. Part of the evening was spent in song, participants singing Hebrew and English standards about peace and blessings, God and goodness. In this instance, music transformed our group of girls and women into a sacred community; music touched our souls and enabled us to connect with each other.

These two experiences lent me insight into the parashah as I reviewed the following verse, "And now, write for yourselves this song, and teach it to the Children of Israel. Place it into their mouths, in order that this song will be for Me as a witness for the children of Israel" (Devarim 31:19). With this commandment, God through Moshe instructs each and every person to write a Torah scroll for him or herself. God doesn't use the word scroll or book to describe the intended product; instead, God commands that we should each write "this song." The Torah as song is a powerful image. Music and song uplift us, speak to our souls, and revive our spirits. Music simultaneously motivates contemplation and action, thought and dance. In this sense, the metaphor works beautifully. Torah has the ability to uplift, motivate and awaken us. Torah thrusts us into deep reflection and contemplation and inspires us to act, to move, to perform acts of lovingkindness, mitzvot, and to share the music of Torah as God's ambassadors in the world.
Shabbat shalom,
   
   
UPCOMING EVENTS

  •  Rebbetzin Chana Naparstek classes will resume after the Chagim (holidays).
  • Rabbi Rackovsky class will resume after the Chagim.
  • Oct. 10: Sukkot University with Head of School, Tammie Rapps at 8:15 a.m. in the boardroom.
  • Oct. 10: 8th Grade Parents meeting from 7-8 p.m. in the MS Beit Midrash.
  • Oct. 11: Preschool dismissal at 11:30 a.m.; LS and MS dismissal at noon.
  • Oct. 12: Yom Kippur, No School.
  • Oct. 13: Late start at 9 a.m.
  • Oct. 17: No School for Sukkot.
  • Oct. 18: No School for Sukkot.
  • Oct. 20: MS trip to Group Dynamix.
For the full 2016-2017 calendar, click here . 

TESHUVA AND TASHLICH

First graders learned about doing Tashlich during Rosh Hashanah by making pop-up Tashlich posters with the blessing on it.  Tashlich is done between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Yippur with us saying a special prayer by a living body of water to annul our bad deeds.  Children like to throw bread into a living body of water so the fish can eat our sins.

IN THE NEWS

Last year, the current fourth graders raised money through selling handmade and custom designed bracelets.  The money they raised purchased two buddy benches for our students to use during recess.   CLICK HERE to read the Dallas Morning News article.
TIPPING TOWERS

The third graders learned about Newton's laws of motion and build inertia towers during their STEM time.


         A HAND UP

Every Sukkot, we are commanded to live in temporary shelters for eight days and nights.  The Akiba Middle School Chesed committee uses this time to help members of our own Dallas community who are homeless and only have a temporary shelter.  We are asking each grade to donate one type of item.  Over the holiday of Sukkot, we will be using these items to make sacked lunches and toiletry bags and serve them at the Austin Street shelter.  Boxes will be placed in front of the classrooms in the next few days. 
 
Teenoki - Travel toothpaste
K'Ton Ton - Travel mouth wash
Nitzanim - Shampoo and conditioner- travel size
Chaverim - Band aids
Kindergarten - Deodorant
First Grade - Juice boxes
Second Grade - Hand sanitizer
Third Grade - Toothbrushes and combs
Fourth Grade - Snack size crackers
Fifth Grade - Raisins and fruit snacks
Sixth Grade - Peanut butter and jelly
Seventh Grade - Cheese sticks
Eighth Grade - Sliced bread

      A CUT ABOVE

First graders worked on their cutting skills and learned about symmetry.




PRESCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Morah Marni and Morah Marcela's class tried a new fruit for the new year.  Fresh from the Asian market, Morah Marni brought in a jackfruit for the yeladim to try.  They said their bracha "boreh pri haetz" over the fruit and also recited a Shehechiyanu bracha as this was a new fruit for them all.  There were definitely mixed feelings as to whether or not this fruit was tasty; however, the children all enjoyed this "new" experience.

Morah Lauren and Morah Rosa's K'Ton Ton class had a great time in music with Mr. U going on a bear hunt and learning what it means to "echo."










Thank you to our snack helpers for the week: Julia Kaufman, Mollye Finkelstein, Lindsay Hochschuler and Alana Tinnin . We are also still in need of more people to sign up. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO HELP .
   
YEARBOOK ADS FOR SALE

Yearbook ads are now available for purchase.   PURCHASE HERE
   

Dairy Dinner and Dessert in the Sukkah : Mark your calendars to join us in the campus sukkah for dinner, dessert, games, and fun on Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP by October 16th CLICK HERE TO RSVP.

Check out the NEW Akiba Academy PTO Facebook page  HERE!

WRITERS' BLOCK
 
It was Such a Let Down When...
 
It was such a let down when my passport expired.  For weeks I was planning a trip to visit my relatives.  I was looking forward to going to Canada's Wonderland.  I love the scariest roller-coasters, the prizes, and just the fun of being there.  I love going on adventures to my cousins' cottage and ranch.  Going into nature is one of my favorite things to do.  I love swimming and tubing in the refreshing lake.
I was on my way to Canada with my aunt and uncle, and I got a terrible shock.  I walked up to the counter and showed the agent my passport.  She looked up at me with a strange look and said, "Do you know your passport is expired?"  My heart dropped and my head began sweating.  I instantly started crying.  I was really sad and disappointed.  We hoped that we could get my passport updated quickly, but unfortunately I would miss my flight this time.  I was so mad at the airline and I just could not understand why they couldn't make an exception.  I tried to compose myself and take deep breaths.  My grandmother threw her arms around me, and said I could come home with her for a sleep over and hot chocolate.  I felt better snuggled in her arms, and my tears turned into a smile.
-Micah Sacher, Sixth Grade

MAZAL TOV
 
To Sara Mancuso (Marketing and Communications Director) and Kevin Dym, and Akiba student and big brother, Asher, on the birth of a little girl.

To  Jenny and Michael Walters and Akiba students, big sister Emma and big brother Eli, on the birth of a baby boy.

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 .