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November 3, 2017 - 15 Cheshvan, 5778
Parshat Vayera
Candle Lighting by 5:56 pm
Shabbat Ends - 7:03 pm
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Quiz answers, and more!
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Parshat Vayera opens with the well-known story of the three travelers who visited Avraham in the plains of Mamre. The Talmud in Shavuot (35a) teaches from this verse that "Welcoming guests is greater than greeting the presence of the Shechina." This is derived from the fact that (at least according to one view) Avraham seemed to put his conversation with G-d on hold in order to greet these wayfarers. Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (as cited in Rav Herschel Schachtar's Mi-peninei Ha-Rav, p. 271) explains this concept based on the Torah's view of
kavod habriyot
, human dignity. Taking care of the needs of weary travelers, even strangers, speaks to the importance of respecting humanity.
Rav Soloveitchik extends this comparison to the laws regarding Kriat Shema. The Talmud, in Berachot, teaches that one may interrupt his recitation of Shema in order to greet an important person such as a parent or dignitary. Rav Soloveitchik explains that Kriat Shema is our daily affirmation of G-d's kingship and divinity. This inherently includes kavod habriyot - the respect and dignity given to all of G-d's creatures. Therefore, Rav Soloveitchik notes, it would be antithetical to the essential theme of this mitzva to ignore a person of distinction while reciting Kriat Shema.
While Rav Soloveitchik's comments are logical, they are extremely difficult to internalize. In many ways it is easier to respect and fear G-d, than to respect other people. Too often we fail to understand the importance of the concept of "kavod ha-briyot" that Avraham sought to teach. Whether we overlook the needy among us, or disrespect our friends in real life or on social media, we all can improve in this area.
A few weeks ago, in Parashat Bereshit, we learned that G-d created Man "b'tzelem Elokin - in G-d's image." It is important to realize that the dignity of man is rooted in our likeness to G-d. The likeness is shared by everyone - man, woman, and child - and we must do our best to give each other the honor and respect they deserve.
Rabbi Weinberg, Principal
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HALLS & WALLS
Contrary to popular belief and their name, centipedes do not have 100 legs. Adults usually have around 30. See? Far less scary.
Uh-oh! This centipede escaped! It must be hiding somewhere in this issue! help us find it before the High School Girls scream the building down!
NEWS & VIEWS
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Tuesday November 6, 2-8 PM
Sign up link:
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Here are some things you can do to make your writing more readable for people with dyslexia:
- Use a large type size (12 - 16 point)
- Highlight key words and phrases by making them bold
- Structure text with bold headings
- Keep lines short, and aligned to the left
- Create more space between lines (leading)
Try to avoid the following, which make text harder to read because they create visual distractions:
- Don't use italics (slanted text)
- Don't use ALL CAPS
- Don't underline text
- Don't center or justify text
The most easily read "default" typefaces which can usually be found on most computers are: Arial, Century Gothic, Verdana, Trebuchet, and Calibri. In addition, try using a typeface specially designed to be easier for people with dyslexia to read, such as Dyslexie, which can be downloaded for free from dyslexiefont.com.
The first paragraph of this article was written in Dyslexie, in 9 point size, with single spacing (as you can see, using this typeface automatically increases the spacing). (Title is in 12 point size.) The rest is written in 10 point Verdana.
Learn more and Download the
DYSLEXIE typeface at www.dyslexiefont.com
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FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
What do your students call you?
Ms. Kraybill or Ms. K.
How long have you been teaching at Hillel Academy?
This is my first year at Hillel, and my fourth year teaching
.
What is the most rewarding thing about teaching your grade / subject?
One of the most rewarding things about teaching art is it brings so much joy to my students. I love it when they stop me in the hallway and excitedly tell me they have art class that day. I get to witness their growth as artists and they continuously amaze me with what they can create.
What gadget do you rely on most when teaching?
I use a wooden music chime to signal directions to my students.
What phrase do you find yourself using the most during your day?
"Draw light until you get it right."
What three words best describe your class?
Creative, colorful, and practical.
I wish my classroom had
...
A classroom! I've heard tentative plans of a future art room and I hope that some day Hillel artists can have their own art room where messier projects are more feasible.
The most important thing I teach my students is:
That great art doesn't always happen naturally. It takes a lot of practice, an open mind, and sometimes even failing before artists feel confident in their work.
To be silly and curious.
By the time they leave my class, my students know how to:
Create authentic art, revise and edit their work, and persist despite challenges.
My favorite rainy day activity is:
Drinking tea and reading.
W
hat were you like when you were your students' age?
I loved school and was always reading a book. I played soccer and was on the swim team.
What is your motto?
"Work hard and be nice to people."
The most useful lesson I ever learned is:
My dad taught me how to parallel park when I was first learning how to drive. It's a skill that has paid off ever since, especially living in Pittsburgh!
The skill I would most like to have is:
3-D printing.
The most amazing / odd / inspiring place I have been is:
I once visited Capetown, South Africa, where there is a beach with wild African penguins. They waddle around the beach and you can get pretty close to them.
Do you play an instrument? If so, what?
I played the violin starting in third grade all the way through high school. I haven't picked it up since, but I do miss playing in an orchestra.
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by Shira Wiesenfeld and Rivka Kaminsky
The Joshua Sindler Creative Classrooms Art and Music Program
recently acquired a new art teacher, Ms. Kraybill. Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Ms. Kraybill graduated from Eastern University, located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a degree in photography. She taught that, along with digital media, to elementary school students for two years. Once she realized that so much of digital media was using art, and she thoroughly enjoyed doing it, she decided to go back to school and study art. She moved to Pittsburgh in need of a job after living in Washington, D.C. for three years. It just so happened that at the same time, Hillel was looking for a new art teacher! Ms. Kraybill saw the advertisement on Craigslist and came in immediately for an interview. Now she is the art teacher of a whopping amount of students from Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade!
A series called "Up Close" explores form and color through a macro lens.
One extremely intriguing fact about Ms. Kraybill is that she is an identical triplet! When asked about how that was growing up, she laughs and says "It was awesome to always have people to play with. When we were in school, we were in separate classes and it was great to have our own identities. Sometimes we would play tricks on the teachers and switch classes!" Ms. Kraybill also shared an exclusive, hilarious story of the switching that went wrong. "One day, I went to my sister's math class, not knowing she had a math test, and I had to take it! I hadn't learned the information yet so I failed her test! Because of that, we never switched again."
In her short time in Hillel, Ms. Kraybill has already learned that the students here love Sharpies. She prefers that her students avoid pencils because she wants them to "figure out their mistakes and how to fix their mistakes into a beautiful 'oops!'" When doing art on her own, though, she enjoys using watercolors over other art supplies. However, using a camera takes precedence over her other options because of her background in photography. She enjoys and appreciates abstract art, and is drawn to bright, colorful designs, specifically modern art. Like a true art teacher, she enjoys visiting art museums, especially the ones in Washington D.C. and San Francisco, California.
In Hillel Academy, art is a mandatory class for students from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, and an elective for High Schoolers. When asked about why art is necessary for people's lives, Ms. Kraybill notes how "Art is so important because it can be applied to so many different areas in school and in our lives. Art can help students think about how they see the world and how they see themselves. One thing I try to encourage in my art classes is for students to think like artists because that can help them even when they're outside of the art room."
This year in art class, some grade levels will be doing their own projects and others will do the same project as another grade. "At the beginning of the year, students decorated portfolios. As the year goes on, I will see the different levels and work with the art that is right for them. Later on, I'd like to use digital arts," revealed Ms. Kraybill.
Besides teaching art and photography, Ms. Kraybill has also "traveled to Tanzania," where she worked as a photographer. "There was a highway that went right next to an open wildlife reserve and you could see giraffes out of your window," she recalls. She has also visited places in the US, and she relates that "one of the most amazing places I've traveled to in the States was Acadia National Park in Maine, where you can do an early-morning hike to see the sunrise hitting the US for the first time."
After growing up in Lancaster, PA, which is known for its beautiful farmland and Amish tourism, it took her a while to get used to the hustle and bustle of living in D.C. and riding the Metro to teach every morning. "One time I happened to be at the National Gallery of Art just as President Obama and Michelle were leaving, and I got to watch them get into their car," she says. Ms. Kraybill also states that while she does miss D.C., "Pittsburgh fits me well. I love the neighborhoods and how proud people are to live here. Pittsburgh is such a quirky city and I think it's a great place to be an art teacher!
"
Which one is Ms. Kraybill? Can you guess?
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Don't forget! Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend!
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FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE
SCHOOL YEAR 2018-2019
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh awards grants to students who reside in the Greater Pittsburgh area (Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Washington and Westmoreland Counties).
WHAT IS THE CENTRAL SCHOLARSHIP AND LOAN REFERRAL SERVICE?
The Central Scholarship and Loan Referral Service (CSLRS) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh coordinates the efforts of a group of organizations, agencies, and scholarship endowment funds which provide need-based scholarships to local undergraduate and graduate Jewish students.
CSLRS is a program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and is administered by Jewish Family and Children's Service.
WHO QUALIFIES?
Any Jewish high school senior, college or graduate student with demonstrated financial need is eligible to apply. All applicants must be bona fide residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, Butler or Westmoreland counties for at least two years. Individuals are known by number, not name, to ensure confidentiality.
When a student applies for aid, the CSLRS committee matches the student with the funding source or sources for which they qualify. Some funding sources require high academic achievement;
all require students to demonstrate financial need.
HOW DO I APPLY?
For school year 2018-2019 Central Scholarship will again be using an on-line application process.
The on-line applications will be available in late November at
http://www.centralscholarship.org
. First-time applicants must be interviewed by CSLRS staff.
Application deadline is February 12, 2018. Regrettably, applications received after that date will not be considered.
For further information, contact Jewish Family & Children's Service,
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When you
#StartWithaSmile
, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh. Bookmark the link and support us every time you shop.
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/25-1067130
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At Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, we educate young men and women with unlimited capacity who compete in a superior manner in all challenges undertaken. Our students are Torah observant models of exemplary character, who love G-d, the Jewish people, and the land of Israel. To say that our students possess a love of learning, confidence and the ability to think critically, merely highlights the value of a Hillel education. What we ultimately achieve each day, and have been achieving for 70 years, is the gift of instilling each student with the foundation for a life spent actively serving and leading the Jewish community and society.
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Micki Myers, Editor | Hillel Happenings | 412 521-8131 |
h[email protected] |www.
hillelpgh.org
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