March 23, 2017 25 Adar 5777

Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei

Candle Lighting 7:24 p.m.
This week's double-parashah recounts the hard work and communal effort it took to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Moshe explains that God selected Betzalel by name to be the artisan responsible for crafting, weaving, and embroidering the vessels and structure necessary for the Mishkan. Hashem chooses Betzalel as craftsman-in-chief because of his unique wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Despite growing up with exposure only to bricks and mortar, Betzalel possesses an uncanny ability to work with precious metals and gems, fine linen and threads. He has honed his natural talents and has learned the skills to create anew. Endowed with a name that means "in the shadow of God," Betzalel shadows God's role as Creator. By fusing disparate materials and integrating resources in novel ways, Betzalel uses his creativity to fashion the objects dedicated to serving our Creator.

The past two weeks at school we have been showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of young artists from across the independent school network in Dallas. This coming Sunday we will honor those who explore new ideas, worlds, and combinations through art. Please join us at Akiba as 23 independent schools celebrate the creative process at our Private School Art Invitational awards ceremony and reception from 2-3:30 p.m.

Shabbat Shalom,

Tammie Rapps
Head of School

UPCOMING EVENTS
  • March 24: Friday dismissal at 3 p.m.; aftercare closes at 5:30 p.m.
  • March 27: All school dismissal at 3:30 p.m.

  • March 29: No school Early Childhood Program conferences.

  • April 7-19: Passover break
  • April 20 at 7 p.m.: Pollman Lecture with Dr. Lisa Miller, author of "The Spiritual Child."
  • Thursdays, 8:30 a.m., Boardroom : Rabbi Rackovsky's Pathways in the Parsha.


Congrats to this week's three bat mitzvahs: Peri Blashka, Aliza Ruttenberg and Chana Shapiro.

 

Mazel Tov to Leah and Rabbi Levi Dubrawsky, and Akiba students Aida and Mushka, on welcoming a baby boy. 

 

ABOUT ME...
 
3rd graders sharpen their writing skills by working on personal narratives.



SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
 
STEM lessons inspired creativity and curiosity across campus this week. 



PRIVATE SCHOOL ART INVITATIONAL

The area's top middle school artists showed-off their best work recently, and we're proud that so many Akiba students were part of the competition. Nice work  Ron Asoulin-Handelman, Ari  Blumberg,  Simon Cohen,  Adam Eber,  Ella Fartook,  Ben Fartook,  Ariella Garren,  Tova Kam,  Benjamin Schussler,  Gabriela  Schwarz-Mullins and  Avigayil  Tannenbaum.

Reception and Closing Ceremony
Sunday, March 26, 2017
2-3:30 p.m.
Administration Atrium

 


SAFETY PATROL
 
7 th graders learn how to perform lifesaving CPR during an American Heart Association class.



CHILI GOODNESS 
 
Big thanks to the Sabo family, our students and many volunteers for making Akiba proud at the 24th Annual Dallas Kosher Chili Cook-Off. 



PRESCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Throughout the year Mr. U has been coming into our Teenoki classes for music, and starting this week the students took the walk to have music in the music room. The yeladim have really enjoyed getting to know this new space and are especially intrigued by the variety of instruments that they will have the opportunity to get their hands on.













To welcome spring Morah Bonnie and Morah Jenny's K'Ton Ton class observed photos of flowers, then created flowers on paper using forks and finally, went outside to investigate the real flowers. 

  



There are countless benefits for children who spend time working on puzzles. Some of these benefits include:
  • Developing of fine motor and hand-eye coordination skills
  • Enhancing memory, problem solving, and shape recognition skills
  • Developing  patience and learning how to set goals and apply strategies 
Just watch them work!


 

Thank you to everyone who came to the  Preschool and Kindergarten Pasta Dinner. The students donned their pajamas while  our wonderful morahs read to them and taught them crafts.
 

 
Thank you to all the Akiba current and past parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, alumni and friends who have generously supported the 2016-17 Akiba Fund. 


DAY OF LEARNING  
 
Next week, the Uhrman, Rapps, Gordan and Snyder families will make an ordinary day at our school special. They are honoring their loved one through Parnas HaYom, a day of learning.
 
March 30 will be in memory of  Ruth Bale z"l
Rivka Gittel bat Nechemia v' Chana Ita Rachel
Great Grandmother of Rachel, Ruthie, and Ranen Rapps


COMMUNITY NOTICES

Drop off items: Early Childhood Program Building and Lower School


        


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 .