Kibitzer September 15, 2017

Buddies Gavriel and Joshua making Rosh Hashana cards together last week for the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign who will distribute them to patients in hospitals.

#IlluminateAkiba

From the Desk of

Winston Churchill has been attributed (throughout the internet), as saying, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Unfortunately, the attribution is incorrect and its author unknown. However, even if Churchill didn't say it, I can't think of a better thought for what I witnessed this week.

The week began with our beautiful annual picnic. The event was spectacular, but what struck me was how many volunteers made it happen. Without a doubt, there is no way we could have run such a successful event without those of you who took time out of your weekend to help us. We also had a wonderful Back To School night (the last of 3) this week as well, where I was again inspired to see parents who spent time helping organize and supporting the evening. I was also taken aback by our parent, Mr. Brian Altgold, whose company allows for a day of service on 9-11 and he chose to give that day to us. His help was invaluable, and I am grateful for his choice. This week also marked the first Board meeting of the year, and I am so excited to be working with such a dedicated group of volunteers who give so much of themselves to the school. Lastly, two 7th graders, Shammai Winitzer and Noah Devir, met with Ms. Kass and me this week asking if they can volunteer and run a fundraiser to provide some joy to some of the younger victims of Hurricane Harvey. This was part of a larger discussion in the 7th/8th grade Jewish Thought Class and Chesed Club on ways they can help others impacted by this terrible disaster. I could not be prouder of these two young men, the entire class and their amazing teachers who support these Chesed initiatives.

If this week is any indicator, we certainly have a community of people who understand what it means to "make a life" and I am so appreciative. Thank you to all of those who have volunteered in years past (people like Heidi Amoroso below), this week and in the days, weeks and years to come. We are not Akiba-Schechter without you!

Shabbat Shalom!

Dr. Eliezer Jones

Lunch Volunteer Extraordinaire: Heidi Amoroso

Heidi with Millie, whom she credits for inviting her to volunteer to serve lunch 25 years ago. Welcome back, Millie! (Millie can now be found serving lunch Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.)

Believe it or not, Heidi Amoroso began volunteering, serving lunch, at Akiba-Schechter twenty-five years ago. At the time, she was babysitting a girl who went to Akiba, and she came to know the school and Millie. Before long, Millie asked her whether she'd be willing to help serve lunch. Amazingly, humbly and quietly, Heidi has been doing it ever since. With no grandchildren of her own, Heidi, who is Roman Catholic and grew up in the predominantly Muslim Pagabian City in the Philippines, enjoys being at Akiba because, "I love the kids." She used to teach school in the Philippines, and so a school is a natural environment for her. Being at Akiba, she says, "keeps me around kids." Her daughter, whom she followed to the U.S. many years ago, is now a nurse at a veterans hospital in St. Antonio, while Heidi continues to live in Hyde Park.

Thank you for all your help for all these years, Heidi!

Dvar Torah

Rosh Hashana

by Rabbi Holman

Once there was a king whose son fell into disfavor. The king banished his son to live in a small peasant village in the countryside. Agents were sent to secretly keep an eye on the prince, who eventually became acclimated to his peasant lifestyle. Eventually, the king could not bear to see his son in such a lowly state. He sent him a message, "Your father loves you! Ask from me whatever you want!" When the son heard this message, he said, "Tell the king that I am cold and would like a warm coat." Upon hearing the reply, the king broke down in tears exclaiming, "I gave him a chance to return to the palace, and all he wants is a coat!" On Rosh Hashana, we are given a new chance. Let us realize our priorities. Instead of asking for a "warm coat," let us renew our relationship with "Our Father, Our King," who wants us back, near Him in the palace. Shana Tova!

From Carla Goldberg

Children's Rights

It is so wonderful to be back at Akiba and starting our school year in the Preschool and Kindergarten! When walking into the building the sign on the door says "Welcome Home" which really struck me this year, as we really are a family at Akiba. This truly is a "home away from home" for so many of our teachers, children and families.

Our staff started off the year by thinking about children's rights. This was a hot topic when we traveled to Italy last year and really resonated with all of us on the early childhood tour in Reggio Emilia. As a staff we collaboratively wrote the following piece:

Children have the right to dream, to run, to jump and be loved, to tell their own stories, explore their own interests, grow at their own pace, to be taken seriously, to be joyful and playful, to take risks, to express themselves freely, to be children, to imagine, be independent and get messy!

This year, we hope to fulfill all of these rights for our children and to also listen to parents' voices on what they believe children have the right to. Our parents' voices are represented in our front hallway and we will continue this project by adding the voices of our children. We are looking forward to a meaningful and thoughtful year filled with wonder, exploration and joy.

As we prepare for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, we wish everyone a sweet and Happy New Year from your Akiba family. L'Shana Tova!

Shabbat Shalom!

Preschool

Spotted Thursday at the Hyde Park Farmers Market: Dr. Eliezer Jones was out filming the Blue Room kids on their field trip. Reports have it that apples and honey were also involved in making a video for Rosh Hashana--stay tuned for our Shana tova card!

Welcome to Kindergarten! The kids have been busy renewing old friendships and making new ones.

The Kindergarten children have been working hands-on with apples in their exploration for Rosh Hashana and all that goes along with it - here Elad and Ari are graphing apples by size.

Grades 1-8

In Ms. Friedman's 1st/2nd grade, children save their writing in their own Journey Binders over the course of the year. They learn how to use a three-hole puncher and independently put their work into their binders. They take pride in being able to do this independently.

Kitah Alef kicked off the school year with the children learning their Hebrew names and basic vocabulary to introduce themselves. In their daily meeting they practice greeting each other and sing greeting songs. They continue their meeting with a sharing as well as singing songs to learn the days of the week and the weather. The "Chazanim" (prayer leaders) help with these songs and accompanying posters. As part of learning their Hebrew names, the children drew small self portraits which they use at the start of the day to review who is in class and who is not. They practice their colors, numbers, and basic class instructions all in Hebrew. And of course, learning about Rosh Hashanah is exciting as well.

On Tuesday the 3rd/4th graders in Mrs. Leonard's class were thrilled to meet and greet their Kindergarten buddies. The kids introduced themselves and were able to learn more about each other. The 3rd/4th graders were excited to present their buddies with the awesome Akiba-Schechter flashlight gift. They are looking forward to an incredible year of being role models and friends to their younger buddies.

Aaron, Yaakov and Ava work out a solution to "Stephanie's Water Bottle," while Mayrav presents her solution for the class.

The Cadet Orchestra got right to rehearsing last week.

In Ms. Balson's class, the students are reading and recording for the teacher to listen to and assess later, using the digital iTalAm platform, a new addition to our tools in learning Hebrew.

Hands-on Shofar experience in Mrs. Brackman and Gold's Jewish Thought classes.

After discussing the recent debates and turmoil over Confederate war memorials, the 7th/8th grade Humanities classes have begun a unit in which they will take a deep look at the history and legacy of slavery. Here they are examining primary sources to help them determine the social, legal, and economic status of slaves in the antebellum South.

Yasher koach to all the Middle Schoolers (and a recent Alum Shira) who packed food boxes for Maot Chitim this past Sunday.

The 3rd/4th grade davening group practices blowing the Shofar with Mrs. Basa.

Art with Debbie

1st and 2nd grade artists have been exploring drawing, painting, color, composition, and line by creating self-portraits.

Library Corner

We are thrilled to announce that we now have library coverage in the afternoons. Debbie Lekousis is working in the library on Monday - Thursday, from 1:00 - 3:30 PM. She brings her own personal magic - creativity, an understanding of space, a great love of books and a joyful willingness to collaborate. We invite parents picking up their children after school to stop by the library to browse and check-out books.

Annual All-School Picnic

There was some elaborate face painting happening at last Sunday's All-School Picnic. More photos are on our Facebook page.

A Big Thank You to our Recent Volunteers:

Steve Weigensberg

Jennifer Slack

Kevin Agapay-Read

Jon Beadell

Steve Weigensberg

Marsha Nagorsky

Stephanie Friedman

Rivka Hozinsky

Magdalena Lasota Morales

Linda Szmulewitz

Mark Borowsky

Stina Fish

Terra Schultz

Tricia Berlin

Jessica Allender

Mark Lebowitz

Bob Goldberg

Phil Waitzman

Reed Singer

Malini Moraghan

Aliza Barsky

Miriam Friedman-Parks

Debbie Schwartz

Craig Rosenbaum

Karen Wiviott

Alana Beadell

Jon Beadell

Elissa Goodman

Dan Bochnovic

Terra Schultz

Lulav & Etrog

Order your lulav & etrog through Akiba and pick it up on Monday, October 2. Orders are due by September 25.

2017 Jewish Federation Annual Meeting

Monday, September 18, 2017

10:00 AM

Hyatt Regency Chicago

151 E. Wacker Dr.

The 10:00 AM business meeting will feature the election of Directors, awards to outgoing Board members, and presentation of the annual Samuel A. Goldsmith Award and the Davis, Gidwitz & Glasser Young Leadership Award. This year our "Inclusion in the Jewish Community" project will be highlighted as well.

The noon Luncheon meeting will include the report of the President, Dr. Steven B. Nasatir; guest speaker Dr. Daniel Gordis, Senior Vice President and the Koret Distinguished Fellow at Shalem College in Jerusalem; the presentation of the Julius Rosenwald Memorial Award to Theodore F. Perlman; and special reports.

For more information, please contact 312-444-2095 or email. Register here.