May 10, 2019 /5 Iyar /Parshat Kedoshim/Candle Lighting: 7:44 PM
Jacob Colchamiro Places at the Top in the
International Chidon HaTanach Competition!
JKHA/RKYHS is immensely proud of Jacob Colchamiro (JKHA '17/RKYHS '21) in placing second in the International Chidon HaTanach Competition that took place in Israel earlier today. Competing against over 80 students from 30 countries, Jacob skillfully reached the top 16 and was proud to stand next to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on the winner's podium. Jacob displayed poise, confidence, grace, and mastery throughout the competition.  
 
Kol Hakavod to Jacob and his teachers and coaches who supported, guided, and encouraged him throughout the process.

Click the image above to view the thrilling moment of Jacob receiving his award.
Yom Huledet Sameach Eretz Yisrael!
JKHA/RKYHS was filled with energy and excitement for Yom Ha'atzmaut as students celebrated Israel's 71st birthday!
Early Childhood/Lower School
Several weeks ago many of the classes in the Lower School made cards for the Lone Soldiers in the IDF. Jonathan Zughaft (JKHA '12/RKYHS '16), a JKHA/RKYHS alum and a Lone Soldier in the IDF, came to speak to the children about his experiences in the IDF, and to pick up their cards to deliver to his fellow chayalim in Israel. Just in time for Yom Ha'atzmaut, the cards from the students at JKHA got distributed to chayalim, specifically to Jonathan's unit in the paratroopers. The soldiers were so happy to receive them! Thank you Jonathan and the Zughaft family for enabling the JKHA students this meaningful opportunity.
Middle School
Sixth grade combined their Yom Hashoah and Yom Ha'atzmaut commemoration with their science classwork. The grade was working on the aerodynamics and science behind airplanes. Also, on Yom HaShoah they read about the Polish Jewish community that was wiped out during the Holocaust. They merged their learning and built and launched airplanes to represent those flying from Israel to Poland on Yom Haatzmaut.
Eighth grade students have been researching Israeli inventions, and developed presentations focused on how the field of science, technology and invention are prominent in Israel. They discovered that many of the inventions are examples of solving real life problems using science. This week they presented their findings to inspire the seventh graders. Both grades were able to explore Israel's phenomenal growth in these areas.
Yom HaZikaron
Using photos, readings, music and videos, both Middle School and High School participated in age-appropriate memorial programs that personalized and brought to life the names of soldiers and victims of terror that paid the ultimate price for the State of Israel.  
 
The day was made personal for the students as Middle School students each received the name and biography of a soldier, and High School students signed up to perform mitzvot and dedicate their Torah learning in honor and in memory of fallen IDF soldiers throughout the decades, so that their memory continues on, long after Yom HaZikaron ends.
Sports
Girls Varsity Hockey defeated Flatbush
Girls Varsity Soccer defeated SKA
Boys Varsity Baseball defeated Heschel 
High School
Former New Jersey Governor Richard Codey paid a visit to JKHA/RKYHS this week. In coordination with Teach NJS and their efforts to increase state funding to Day Schools, Governor Codey met with students and toured the school.
Mrs. Mintz was a guest speaker in the 3rd period art elective class. She presented a lesson about our Hebrew Name Pesukim to the students. They learned the importance of their name pasuk and how to find it in the Siddur, among other interesting facts. The students have been learning calligraphy- the art of writing- and as they recently began Hebrew Calligraphy, they will be writing and illustrating their individual name pesukim for their next project. 
Students from the AIPAC club Skyped
with Gil Hoffman - chief diplomatic correspondent from the Jerusalem Post. Mr. Hoffman analyzed the recent Israeli elections as well as covering some of the critical issues that are happening in Israel today. He gave the students a fascinating, off-the-record briefing followed by questions and answers. 
Daryl Slater from the Star Ledger spoke to the Sports Managment club about his job as the reporter covering the NY Jets. He shared with the students some very critical career tips as well as the path he had to go thru in order to be a sports journalist. He also shared some of his knowledge of the NFL with some early pre-season predictions.
‌
A Look at Research at JKHA/RKYHS
Kushner Torah Videos (KTV)
In this week's KTV, Rabbi Hirshey discusses this week's parsha and what it means to be holy.  

Divrei Torah
Leave No One Out

In the beginning of Parshat Kedoshim we are commanded קְדֹשִׁ֣ים תִּהְי֑וּ כִּ֣י קָד֔וֹשׁ אֲנִ֖י ה אֱלֹהֵקְיכֶֽם which means that Bnai Yisrael must be holy because I Hashem am holy. This passuk is an introduction to many laws that Bnai Yisrael must follow in order to be a holy nation. One of the laws that fall under this category is וְכִֽי־יָג֧וּר אִתְּךָ֛ גֵּ֖ר בְּאַרְצְכֶ֑ם לֹ֥א תוֹנ֖וּ אֹתֽוֹ when a convert lives among you do not taunt him. Why does the Torah need to go out of the way to tell us how to treat converts when we are commanded to be kind to everyone we interact with? What does this emphasis on converts teach us about the way me must behave? This passuk stresses not only the need for common kindness, but also the importance of empathy. We, the Jewish people know how it feels to be a stranger in a strange land and we know the hardships that go along with that. Since we can relate to the feeling of being an outsider, we must make an extra effort to include and protect converts. The Torah's focus on empathy and inclusion to all people is something that makes us a kinder and stronger nation.

Shabbat Shalom
Ms. Danielle Goldstein
Events and Programs
PTC
Discount cards are here! $20 per card. Cards will be available at the school office next week. Venmo @JKHA-PTC or pay via cash or check. Thank you to all the amazing local businesses who have participated!
Lifecycles
We regret to inform you of the passing of Stanley Greenwald, beloved father of Deena Rutner and beloved grandfather of Andrew (6th grade) and Emily (3rd grade) Rutner.   
Development

We Invite You to Dedicate Our 
Children's Torah Learning 
at JKHA/RKYHS
 
If you are interested in sponsoring a Day of Learning, contact Sarah Levinson: slevinson@jkha.org or (862) 437-8001 
If you are interested in dedicating a mezuzah, please contact Lauren Shapiro, Director of Development at  lshapiro@jkha.org  or 
(862) 437-8192
Community