In the Motion IDL unit, 5th/6th graders built Newton's cradle this week.

The entire middle school got to go to Promontory Point on Friday last week as a surprise field trip to celebrate the students' hard work that made it possible for Akiba to be in school for 10 weeks. Students ate lunch outside, explored the lakefront and enjoyed ice cream sandwiches and popsicles!  

Most Recent Health Update (November 12, 2020)

With the seeming conclusion to the election for US President, we as a nation have the difficult task of uniting the country. At the core of the divisiveness is the lack of civility that both sides of the aisle often display. This week’s Torah reading, Parsha Chayei Sarah provides a window into the understanding of the Jewish view on civility. 

As much as Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehudah Berlin of Volozhin (1816-1893) was ensconced in what today would be called the Orthodox movement, he was no obscurantist. His popular commentaries feature the application of scientific study to Jewish texts, rigorous scholarship, and unorthodox thinking. In his introduction to his commentary on the book of Genesis, he discusses why the first book of the Bible is sometimes called Sefer Ha-Yashar, the Book of the Righteous.

The most obvious answer is that the prophets refer to the book of Genesis this way. That is how the NeTZiV, as he is known by his acronym, understands Joshua 10:13 and Second Samuel 1:18. The earliest accounts of Israel’s victories over its enemies, to which these prophetic texts refer, are recorded in the book of Genesis.

The second answer is that the book of Genesis describes in detail the exemplary conduct of the righteous patriarchs (yashar) even in their treatment of idolaters. Among the examples the NeTzi does not cite – though he could have – is Abraham’s interaction with the Hittites when he purchased a burial plot for his recently deceased wife, Sarah.

With considerable detail, the text narrates Abraham’s attentiveness to protocol and etiquette. Though he was a wealthy and powerful chieftain, Abraham acts as if he is a mere beggar. He emphasizes his resident alien status as a way of accentuating his inferior status. The locals, however, reject this ploy, properly perceiving Abraham’s elevated status (Gen. 23:6). But Abraham persists in keeping up the charade because showing respect to one’s interlocutor is always relevant and opportune. Abraham bows to the Hittites as a sign of deference. They do not share Abraham’s faith or values but in the course of interpersonal relations, religious differences are functionally irrelevant.

The details of this episode, so carefully preserved and presented in the text, are intended to show that good Jews are not merely those who adhere to proper rituals but those who also follow the rules of civil propriety, what Rabbi Berlin calls “the ways of the world.” As we watch the US political scene unfold over the next few months, as Americans, whatever side of the political aisle we are on, let us pray that our discourse and interactions return to the hallmark of statesmanship, civility.

Shabbat Shalom!

The Upstairs Preschool children have been talking about friendships and being a kind buddy. They drew buddy portraits, an activity in which one friend drew another friend's portrait, and they made compliments to each other. Here Henry is drawing Addy. He gave her a pink top and purple shoes because she loves those colors.

The Afternoon Explorers are learning about dinosaurs. The children created their own dinosaurs mixing up the body parts. Here Irene is drawing her own, one-of-a-kind dinosaur.

This week were the last days of the first session of Teva. The children put together their nature journals, documenting all of the explorations from the past few weeks. Journals were simply made using paper, a stick and rubber bands.

These days, during the Coronavirus Pandemic, we all appreciate the outdoors more. In particular, we welcome the chance it gives us to gather safely. 

At Akiba-Schechter, we have made good use of our outdoor spaces (two playgrounds, a courtyard, and the park across the street) for gym class (such as playing soccer), eating lunch on the lawn, or playing at recess. If the weather is particularly nice, we'll even hold a class outside.

Akiba-Schechter's preschool, however, has taken outdoor school to a whole new level.

The Purple Room continues to build with all types of materials, from cardboard to wood, plants and leaves to legos. Here Jojo shows her bristle block glasses. Going to the eye doctor has never looked better!

Kindergarteners drew family portraits for Thanksgiving and talked about how thankful they are for their families. 

Mrs. Brackman's Tefillah group took advantage of the beautiful weather earlier this week to pray outside.

The day after the election, Ms. Kass's 5th/6th grade Understanding the Election class learned in their outdoor classroom.

Whenever a presidential election rolls around, we at Akiba-Schechter take the opportunity to teach our students about this civic process and its importance. 

On election day, Principal Miriam Kass had the great fortune of seeing that teaching come full circle when she received the following letter from one of our alumni, Ezra Landman-Feigelson, who is now a senior at Ida Crown Jewish Academy (reprinted with his permission):

In each issue of the Kibitzer, we feature one of our 8th graders. In this edition, it is Gavin Eskilson:

A big thank you from the teachers and staff for all of the grab & go snacks sponsored by generous families! You can sign up here to sponsor.

An important deadline is approaching for the Empower Illinois program. Empower Illinois provides scholarships for eligible students toward the cost of private school tuition. Donors can specify that Akiba-Schechter receive their donations, which become scholarships for students whose families would otherwise not be able to afford an Akiba-Schechter education. Donors receive an Illinois tax credit worth 75% of their donation. You can learn more here. 

Donations must be completed by November 30, 2020 to apply for this school year. For more information, contact Doug Glick.

As part of the response to Covid-19, the CARES Act includes a tax deduction of $300 (individuals) or $600 (married filing jointly) for charitable donations. Taxpayers who take the standardized deduction can take advantage of this direct deduction. Make your gift to the Akiba General Fund here. 

Please tell family, friends and neighbors about these virtual meetings to learn more about Akiba-Schechter:

Tuesday, December 1, 9:00 a.m.

Tuesday, December 15, 12:30 p.m.

Personal Zoom tours and conversations are available upon request.

Friday, November 13, 3:00 p.m.: Zoom link here

Friday, December 11, 3:00 p.m.: RSVP here.