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Bnei Akiva Schools Newsletter
January 13, 2017 - Tevet 15, 5777
Parshat Vayechi - Candle Lighting: 4:46 - Havdallah: 5:56
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Akiva Friedman
Shliach, Yeshivat Or Chaim
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Akiva will be returning to Israel at the end of the first semester. Inside and outside of the classroom, Akiva has made valuable contributions over his few months here. We wish Akiva Hatzlacha on finishing his degree with Herzog College and all the best in his teaching career!
הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגֹּאֵל אֹתִי מִכָּל רָע יְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַנְּעָרִים וְיִקָּרֵא בָהֶם שְׁמִי וְשֵׁם אֲבֹתַי אַבְרָהָם וְיִצְחָק וְיִדְגּוּ לָרֹב בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ:
(בראשית פרק מח פסוק טז)
This very famous bracha, Birkat Habanim, is the way Yaakov chooses to bless his grandchildren, Menashe and Ephraim, before he dies. The pasuk focuses on the name, the Shem. Yaakov's blessing is that his name, and the name of his fathers, Avraham and Yitzchak, will be "called" through Menashe and Ephraim. This means, in the simple sense, that anywhere Menashe and Ephraim go they will represent and symbolize the Avot. The Avot will live on through them.
Only four pesukim later, the Torah gives a, seemingly, very different description of Yaakov's bracha to his grandchildren:
So he blessed them that day, saying, "By you shall Israel invoke blessings, saying: God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh." (פסוק כ)
In the future, when the people of Israel will bless their own children they will say: "may G-d make you like Ephraim and Menashe". Here, it seems that the blessing for Menashe and Ephraim is that they will be mentioned any time a Jew wishes to bless his child.
Initially, the bracha is described as the privilege of your name being linked with the Avot. Afterwards, the bracha is described as the privilege of your own name being a source of blessing to others. So which one is it?
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Shalva Camp during Winter Break
This past winter break, a team of dedicated Bnei Akiva Schools students created two kids' day camps - a boys' basketball camp and a winter camp for younger kids - to raise funds for Shalva. We had 11 counselors working in the two camps and together we managed to raise more than $4,500. Our daily schedule varied: we had themed days, sledding trips to a nearby park, sports and art activities. Overall, our 22 campers had a great time and so did our staff.
We'd like to thank Rabbi Grauer and the administration at both schools for supporting this initiative. We would especially like to extend our appreciation to Rav Yair Halevi for advising and overseeing the entire camp and without whom this fundraiser would not have been realized.
-Rivka Werner, Grade 10
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Mr. David Koschitzky spoke to the business club about the history of his company, IKO. It was really interesting to learn about how the family business was started in Europe and has been sustained over so many decades. He spoke about the role of integrity and ethics in business. We were also inspired to hear about his volunteer and philanthropic work within the community.
- Shaul Harris, grade 12 student
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This year's mother-son mishmar was again a truly special event. Mothers and sons learned on the topic of
Birchot Yaakov: Setting the Record Straight. The shiur was led by the incredible husband-wife duo, Rabbi Jonathan Ziring, Sgan Rosh Beit Midrash of the YU Beit Midrash, and Mrs. Ora Ziring, Limudei Kodesh teacher and coordinator of the Women's Beit Midrash at Ulpana.
The evening concluded with Maariv and a dessert reception, highlighted by a cake for student council president Ilan Shields's 18th birthday.
Thank you to all the mothers and sons who joined us!
Thank you to our sponsors:
The Newman family, in memory of Roberta's grandfather, Levi Moshe ben Elimelech, whose yartzeit was on Chanukah.
Shawna and Jeremy Magence and Family in memory of their grandmother and great-grandmother Rose Lazar (Raizel bat Shlomo) whose Shloshim was just observed.
The Nemirov Family in commemoration of the third Yahrtzeit of Ben's Zayde Ze'ev ben Tzvi,z"l the fifth Yahrzeit of his maternal grandfather Yoel ben Moshe,z"l and in memory of his maternal grandmother Chaya Bat Aharon, z"l.
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Special Feature: JS Option Courses
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Each new school year brings new ideas, initiatives, and undertakings. This year we are so proud to have introduced a Judaic Studies elective program for grades 10 and 11, in addition to the electives we initiated last year in grade 12.
The Gemara in Masechet Avoda Zara 19a states: "אין אדם לומד אלא במקום שלבו חפץ", one's connection to Torah learning is strongest in the areas of the Torah in which one's heart desires most. We are all hard-wired to be more passionate about areas of our lives that we arrived at through making choices and acquiring for ourselves. With this principle, we introduced the elective classes to our students, and they have enjoyed the experience tremendously.
Here are some quotes from the girls about their experiences thus far:
1) "Medical Ethics was so interesting and applied to day to day life."
2) "I loved the Thinking Jew in the Modern World. I loved the discussions and debates and hearing other people's opinions."
3) "I can see how my Gemara skills improved from Advanced Talmud"
4) "I really enjoyed Melachim Bet/Yeshayahu because of the small, intimate class size and the interesting material."
5) "Modern Jewish history was a really informative and interesting class. I wish this class continued for the second semester."
6) "I liked how Parshat HaShavua was a course without tests because it gave me a break from my workload but I still learned and gained so much from this course at the same time. The assignments we did were cool and different and offered a fun and new way to learn."
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At YOC, we have continued to offer elective courses in Limudei Kodesh for our grade 11 and 12 students. Here are some brief snapshots of what they have been learning this semester:
In Advanced Machshava, we have attained a mature understanding of Jewish philosophy in a classroom atmosphere that encourages free, open debate. We learn through discussion and directly from primary sources as well.
- Danny Buckler and Natan Snowbell, grade 12 students
In Sephardic History and Halacha, we learned about Sephardi culture, history and their halacha. I have really appreciated learning about a different Jewish culture from the sources we've looked at, what Rabbi Azoulay has taught us and what my Sephardi classmates have added to the discussions.
- Daniel Dalfen, grade 11 student
Learning about Chassidut has expanded my Jewish knowledge on the Chassidic perspective. Rav Yair's teaching style has really brought the material to life. Some school days, I have even come early before davening to continue learning with Rav Yair.
- Yehuda Berman, grade 11 student
We have studied many different meshalim (parables) and learned what role they play in Judaism. For my final project, I have been researching the tower of Bavel, reading about different interpretations of the tower according to different Jewish thinkers.
- Shane Judelman, grade 12 student
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Grade 10 Subject Choice Evening
Grade 10 YOC & UO parents and students are invited to an information session on course selection, taking place Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 7:00pm at Yeshivat Or Chaim.
Since the number of optional courses greatly increases in Grade 11, we will be discussing important considerations for making course selections and planning ahead. Students will be making initial course selections in the coming weeks.
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- Sunday, Jan 15 - YOC School
- Tuesday, Jan 17 - UO Film Club after school
- Thursday, Jan 19 - YOC no mishmar
- Sunday, Jan 22 - YOC no school
- Monday, Jan 23 - Friday, Jan 27 - UO grade 12 regular classes
- Monday, Jan 23 - UO Regular Classes; YOC Regular Classes for the morning
- Tuesday, Jan 24 - UO grades 9 - 11 regular classes for the morning; optional tutorial day in the afternoon; YOC Gemara Exam (entire school; no classes this day)
- Wednesday, Jan 25 - Friday, Jan 27 - Regular classes YOC grades 11 and 12 Exams for UO 9 - 11; YOC 9 & 10.
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| YOC's shlichim hosted a Chanukah sfenj-making party over winter break! |
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YOC Knights
Monday, Jan 16 -
Senior vs. Neil McNeil; Juniors vs. JPII"A"
Wednesday, Jan 18 - Seniors @ UTS;; JV @CHAT
Both YOC Knights teams won games this week! 51-35 for the Seniors and 59 - 42 for the Juniors. Don't forget to follow @yocknightsathletics on instagram for Knights scores and stats.
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UO Knights
Tuesday, Jan 17 -
UO Volleyball at 3:45pm at Linden.
Thursday, Jan 19 -
UO Volleyball at 3:45pm at FKCS
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Births:
A girl to Yonatan ('03) and Gemma Goldstein
A boy to Daniella (Klians '03) and Jeffrey Remin
A girl to Yisrael Mordechai ('08) and Devora Witty
Engagements:
Micha Gasner ('08) and Sean Haber
Lee Abrams ('10) and Avital Moskowitz
Aviva Doctor ('14) and Emmett Levine
Wedding:
Joseph Schwartz ('07) and Katie Matanky
Josh Kramer ('09) and Ayelet Reiter
Mrs. Shari Weinberg, Assistant Principal at Ulpana, on the birth of a grandson.
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Yearbook Ads
It's time to celebrate and honour the grade 12 grads with a "mazel tov" in our Yearbook. The deadline for submitting your ads is January 31st, 2017. Ads can be purchased here:
JostensAdService.com.
Click here to view details and ad options. With the purchase of at least one ad, students receive their yearbook copy with no additional charge. Please be in touch with
Dr. Nadler or the Jostens Help Line if you have any questions.
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Second Semester Lunch Forms
Ulpanat Orot: Our first semester lunches are coming to an end on January 20th. Lunches will resume after exams on January 30th and will continue through the end of May.
Please click on this link to access the order form for the 2nd semester lunches. Orders must be submitted by Monday, January 16th. Cheques should be made payable to Ulpanat Orot Fundraising and submitted to the lunch committee or the office. Please note that lunch orders cannot be processed without payment.
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Community Events & Announcements
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Support Bnei Akiva Schools with your Amazon Purchases
Support us with your purchases on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com through the links above. We earn 4% on every purchase made through this Amazon link.
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