Bnei Akiva Schools Weekly Newsletter

Bnei Akiva Schools Newsletter

September 1, 2017 - Elul 10, 5777

Parshat Ki Tetzei - Candle Lighting: 7:34 - Havdallah: 8:40

Dear Friends,

As we return from our summer breaks and get ready to start school there is at least one community where unfortunately classes cannot begin on time and students and families are not starting the school year with the excitement and joy that generally accomplices these new beginnings. As you are all well aware, the city of Houston and its communities are suffering terribly from the devastating effects of a hurricane and the subsequent flooding which continues to cause havoc and damage. Lives have been lost and for many - life will never be the same.

Here in Toronto it is so easy to ignore the events going on outside our city, but it is vital that we stop and recognize that our connections to Houston and particularly the Jewish communities there, are likely much deeper than we realize. Many of us have close relatives and friends who currently live in Houston and I am sure we all have stories to share and tell. As a school, our newest shelichim, Rabbi Gal and Talyah Ben Meir, spent three years on shelichut in Houston early on in their marriage and they have maintained close relationships with many families there and Rav Yair and Tanya Halevi will be spending Rosh Hashanah in the community in an effort to inspire, strengthen and uplift the spirit and resolve of the people who live there.

There are numerous places throughout Tanach and chazal where we are taught the need and importance behind going out to our brothers and sisters to see, sympathize, empathize, help and ultimately support others in need. It is a strong Jewish value that we often sing when we sing acheinu kol beit Yisrael, but it needs to be much more than just an inspiring song.

At the start of the creation of the Jewish people as a nation it is Moshe who famously goes out to "see" his brothers and sisters. Had Moshe remained in his palace - where would our people be today? Rav Yair even mentioned to me somewhat al pi derech haderush that the reason this week's Parsha of Ki Teitzei has be before Ki Tavo is that you need to go out before you can come in. One needs to recognize everything happening outside before we can truly appreciate everything inside. Finally, this is why in order to truly gain from the upcoming holiday of Succoth we will need to first "tzei medirat keva" leave our permanent, warm and safe homes and only then enter our Succoth. We don't just enter our "dirot arai" - our temporary dwellings, but we must first actively leave the places that make us most comfortable.

Both Ulpana and Or Chaim administrations are already working with Rav Gal, Talya, Rav Yair, Tanya and others on programs and initiatives that we can do with our students so our students feel what it means to be imo anochi betzara - with the community in their time of need. There are of course dozens of organizations that are accepting donations on behalf of the communities there, but we want to see if we can do something that might be a bit more meaningful to our students.

We need to do everything we can to impress upon our students that we cannot live in a bubble, removed and cut off from the world around us. We need to recognize that thousands of children and young adults aren't able to start school this coming week and we need to count our blessings and thank Hashem that we are not currently experiencing these challenges.

Our entire administration, faculty and staff at both Ulpana and Or Chaim have spent the entire summer getting ready for your children and we are excited and ready to go.

May this upcoming school year bring you and your families a wonderful year of growth, development, health and success.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Seth Grauer

Rosh Yeshiva/ Head of School

Recent Events

Orientation

Both schools held informative orientations to welcome students and provide them with necessary information about the year ahead! We look forward to a productive, meaningful school year.

Click here for more pictures

9/12 BBQs

Grade 12s welcomed grade 9s at BBQs. The UO BBQ was hosted by the Aziza family, while the YOC one was hosted by the Zieleniecs - thank you to both families for opening your homes. Grade 9s enjoyed getting to know the grade 12s and look forward to continuing to connect with them during the school year.

Click here for more pictures

Staff Meetings

Throughout the week, faculty met to plan and prepare for the school year: we welcomed new teachers, Rebbes and Religious Guidance Counselors planned valuable programs, and the entire faculty participated in meetings on Wednesday. Thank you to Mr. Rapp for leading the professional development programs for our teachers.

Click here for more pictures

Upcoming Events

First Mishmar

The first mishmar, on Thursday, September 7, will take place at Earl Bales park. Students will play some sports and have a bonfire, with divrei torah and singing. Students will be dismissed at 7pm from Earl Bales. Students may bring a change of clothing (shorts and t-shirts are acceptable - there will be team colours announced on Wednesday) and should bring hats, water bottles and sunscreen.

YOC Grade 9 Shabbaton

We are looking forward to the grade 9 shabbaton, taking place at Moshava Ennismore on September 15/16! Grade 9s who have not yet submitted their forms are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. If you have any questions, if your son wants to lein on the shabbaton or if your son is unable to attend, please be in touch with Mr. Lazar.

Co-Curricular Fairs

Learn about the various clubs, chesed opportunities,
intramurals, and other co-curricular programs available
to you at Yeshivat Or Chaim and Ulpanat Orot!

YOC Fair: Wednesday, September 27

Click here to sign up a new club

UO Fair: Thursday, September 28

The Weeks Ahead

Monday, September 4 - Labour Day, no school
Tuesday, September 5 - First day of classes (grades 9 - 11)
Wednesday, September 6 - Photo day - grades 9 - 11 individual and group photos; grade 12 group photos. Schedules to come.
Thursday, September 7 - IKO Charity Golf tournament; YOC Mishmar (at Earl Bales - dismissal there at 7pm)
Friday, September 8 - Bnei Akiva Hadracha Shabbaton
Sunday, September 10 - YOC School; UO Grade 9 retreat
Monday, September 11 - UO Grade 9 retreat
Tuesday, September 12 - York U visit at lunch (YOC grade 12)
Wednesday, September 13 - York U visit lunch (UO grade 12); Parent Information Evening.
Thursday, September 14 - UO Mother-Daughter Hatarat Nedarim; YOC No Mishmar
Friday, September 15 - Saturday, September 16 - YOC grade 9 shabbaton

In Pictures

Orital Saban ('11), Yaakob Bendayan ('17) and Daniel Cohen (grade 12 student) participated in the Maccabiah games over the summer!

Mazal Tov

Births:

A girl to Israel ('98) and Jennifer Blumenfeld

A girl to Deana (Silverberg '99) and Marshall Altman

A boy to Danny ('02) and Jenn Diamond

A boy to Avi ('03) and Erin Silverman

A girl to Marnina (Koschitzky '04) and Jack Gottesman

A boy to Rabbi Effie ('05) and Tamar Kleinberg

A girl to Sara (Asher '05) and Avi ('03) Feld

A boy to Rabbi Josh ('06) and Mindy Koperwas
A boy to Chana (Weinberg '06) and Simcha Dov Wolfe

A boy to Sarah (Turk '06) and Nechemiah ('06) Dukesz

A girl to Naamah (Jacobs '07) and Yossi ('06) Weltman

A girl to Rafi ('07) and Yardena Herskovits
A boy to Azari ('09) and Navah Shumacher

Engagements:

Tammy Balaban ('98) and Steven Erenberg

Avi Libman ('06) and Rachel Sheps
Daphna Ansell ('08) and Alex Kamensky

Yoni Grunbaum ('11) and Simi Lobell

Ryan Jenah ('11) and Batya Rosenberg
Baruch Margolis ('12) and Danielle Mandelbaum

Jonathan Wesfield ('12) and Deena Felsenthal

Shraggie Berger ('13) and Elisheva Paquette

Gil Piwko ('13) and Nicole West

Weddings:

Aviva Solomon ('01) and David Haziza

David Pellow ('07) and Emunah Levy
Noam Wolynetz ('11) and Lauren Weiss

Serena Kay ('12) and Ari Rubin

Keshet Eklove ('13) and Chanan Naiman

Tammy Assouline ('13) And Shoni Harel ('10)

Racheli Samuel ('11) and Koby Spiegel ('10)

Tamar Gross ('15) and Baruch Wise

Adi Sheinberg ('12) and Noah Gasner ('13)

Aliyah:

Arielle Cohen ('15)

Alumni In the News

Yaakov Green ('12) was featured in York University's magazine for winning the Governor General's silver medal and starting an impactful group, RAK (Random Acts of Kindness).