 |
Bnei Akiva Schools Newsletter
November 3, 2017 - Cheshvan 14, 5778
Vayeira - Candle Lighting 5:46 pm - Havdala 6:53 pm
|
|
|
Last summer, I landed at Pearson Airport and after collecting my bags, I waited outside terminal 1 for my colleague and friend, Mrs. Munk, to pick me up. Just as she pulled up to the curb, I realized that my 3 rings weren't on my fingers and I had left them in a bathroom inside the airport. Frantically, I rushed back inside and asked an Air Canada employee if there was a way I could go through the terminal to the bathroom I had used to collect my rings. Sadly, I was informed that since I had already left the airport, I didn't have security clearance to go back inside the terminal. Determined not to give up, I went to the information desk to see if they could send a message to the terminal custodians to keep an eye out for the rings. The nice gentleman behind the desk offered to go through the terminal on my behalf and find a female crew member to go into the bathroom and try to locate my rings.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Munk sent me a text (she was still waiting for me outside) and told me to recite a special prayer that's said when something important is lost. This is the text of the prayer-
אמר רבי בנימין הכל בחזקת סומין עד שהקדוש ברוך הוא מאיר את עיניהם. מן הכא, "ויפקח אלקים את עיניה ותרא באר מים ותלך ותמלא את החמת." אלקא דמאיר ענני, אלקא דמאיר ענני, אלקא דמאיר ענני. בזכות הצדקה שאני נודב לכבוד התנא רבי מאיר בעל הנס, זכותו יגן עלינו, אמצא את אבידתי.
.
Rabbi Binyamin said: All are in the presumed status of blind people, until The Holy One, Blessed Be He, enlightens their eyes. {Bereishit 21:19}, "And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad a drink."
The verse that's quoted in the prayer is taken from this week's Parsha. After Hagar and Yishmael are kicked out of Avraham's house, they find themselves in the desert. In short time, their water supply runs out and they are on the verge of dehydration. Hagar cries out and an angel responds to her that Hashem has heard her plight and shortly thereafter, G-d opens her eyes and she sees a well of water. The concept is that the well was always there, but Hagar couldn't see it. Only after praying, did G-d open her eyes and she saw what was there all along.
This is true when an object is lost as well. Often times the object is close by, but we need G-d's help to see it. Thankfully, my story had a great ending. After reciting the tefillah and with G-d's help, the gentleman from the information desk was able to find my rings in the bathroom! Hopefully you won't have a need for this prayer, but just in case, I recommend keeping a copy close by.
Shabbat Shalom!
Ms. Miriam Bessin
Student Activities Coordinator and Athletic Director, Ulpanat Orot
|
|
Over 50 families came to our Ulpana Open House last Sunday, enjoying a full morning of speeches, our school video, mock classes, student programming, panels, and refreshments.
We are very proud of all our student volunteers who represented the school so wonderfully, and we are very grateful to our terrific staff for their attendance and support. Thank you all for coming!
|
|
Both Or Chaim and Ulpana were privileged to hear from Saul Blinkoff, a former Disney animator and current film and TV director. Saul spoke to the students about his own personal Jewish life journey as well as the importance of having a goal and how to reach it. The students were very engaged and inspired. Please take some time and watch a recording of his speech, it's worth it!
|
|
Mothers and daughters joined together at Ulpana after school on Wednesday for a beautiful learning program. Following a delicious dinner, there was a performance put on by the young shlichot and some students, an inspiring speech by Rina Deutch, (an alumni of Ulpana and current director of NCSY Family), ending with chavruta learning.
This program was generously co-sponsored by:
- Yaakov and Dalit Cayam-Rand in commemoration of the Yahrzeit of Yaakov's mother Rivka Ruth z"l
- Scott and Devorah Woodrow in loving memory of Corrine Woodrow z"l
- Susan and Fred Birnbaum in honour of all the teachers and students
- Corrie and Dan Diamond in commemoration of the Yahrzeit of Corrie's father, Shlomo ben David, a"h.
- Cemmie and Aliza Green in honour of all the amazing mothers and daughters
- Caroline and Edward Perlmutter, in memory of Caroline's mother Channa Bat Shmuel z"l
Click here for more pictures
|
|
Grade 11 students of Ulpana went on a surprise fun-filled trip to Spin, a downtown venue full of ping pong tables. The girls loved playing ping pong and bonding with their friends and got a well deserved respite from their busy schedules. We stopped off for mandatory slurpees, and when the girls got back they had a celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration.
|
|
YOC Supporting our Family
YOC students traveled to a downtown courthouse to support the family of one of our students, who are challenging a hospital's decision to take a patient off life-support. There was an impressive turn-out from the community. After returning to school, Rabbi Grauer and Rabbi Torczyner delivered a shiur, educating the students about the halachot related to end-of-life decisions. Our continued thoughts and prayers are with the family.
|
|
University Night
Grade 12 students and parents are invited to an informative Post-Secondary Education night, 7pm at YOC on November 7. Information about university and college applications will be presented, and representatives from several institutions will be available to answer questions as well.
|
|
YOC Mirvish Trip (Grades 10 & 11)
Grade 10 and 11 students will be viewing the award-winning stage adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time on Wednesday, November 15. Students will leave during lunchtime, traveling to/from the theatre by school bus. We're looking forward to the show!
|
|
UO Shabbaton
UO students are eagerly anticipating the school-wide shabbaton, taking place November 17-19 at Fern Resort. Please make sure that your daughter brings in her permission form that were emailed out to the office.
|
|
YOC Apparel
YOC Shabbaton apparel is now for sale! The deadline is November 9 - act fast! Order online here. Be in touch with Mr. Lazar if you have any questions or to inquire about financial support.
|
|
Matmidim Update
Monday November 6 5:30-6:30 with dinner
Wednesday November 8 4:30-5:30 with snack
|
|
|
- Sunday, November 5 - YOC Open House, 9am - 12pm; YOC no school
- Monday, November 6 - UO Grade 12 Seminary visits: Midreshet Moriah (10am); Midreshet Amit (11am); Be'Er Miriam Mayanot (11pm); Midreshet Ayin Hanatziv (12pm)
- Tuesday, November 7 - University Night for grade 12 Students and parents (7pm at YOC)
- Wednesday, November 8 - UO Grade 12 Seminary visits: Midreshet Torah V'Avodah (8am); Migdal Oz (10am)
- Thursday, November 9 - Torat Shraga Visit (YOC grade 12 - first period); UO Grade 12 Seminary visits: Machon Mayan (10am); Midreshet Lindenbaum (10am); Bar Ilan Experience (4pm); YOC mishmar (Holocaust Education Week sessions on Pivotal Moments in Post-Shoah years)
- Friday, November 10 - MMY Seminary visit (9:45am, UO grade 12)
- Sunday, November 12 - YOC school; Bnei Akiva Fair
- Monday, November 13- Shaalavim Seminary visit (10:00am, UO grade 12); YOC period 3 - Orayta visit (grade 12); UO McMaster visit (grade 12 UO, lunch)
- Wednesday, November 15 - YOC Grades 10/11 Mirvish trip (PM); Netiv Aryeh Yeshiva visit (grade 12 YOC, lunch); YOC McMaster visit (grade 12 YOC, lunch)
- Thursday, November 16 - YOC no mishmar
- Friday, November 17 - UO Shabbaton
|
|
|
| Grade 11 celebrating 100 years since Balfour declaration with MME teachers. |
|
|
|
| It was another exciting week for YOC's sock club! Students really stepped up their game and wore flashy, fashionable socks. The sock award of the week went to ... Dr. Levy! |
|
YOC's cross country team competed in the TDCAA meet last Friday. The boys did well and had a great day. Thank you to Coach Skarott for his leadership!
|
|
UO Knights
UO Knights won this week's game, 39-19! The team plays twice next week - Tuesday and Thursday at 4pm. Go Knights!
|
Births:
A boy to Pnina (Gutenberg '02) and Dov Nickerson ('98)
A girl to Josh ('06) and Zahava Wesfield
Engagement:
Shlomo Rand ('12) and Naamah Grossman
|
|
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.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
