Beren Buzz 💙 February 11, 2021

Parashat Mishpatim

Candle Lighting 5:50 p.m.

Havdalah 6:51 p.m.

Parsha Talk

Toward the end of last week's parsha, Yitro, the Jews received the ten commandments. So parshat Mishpatim starts with great expectations of further heavy-hitting commandments. After all of this buildup, what is the first topic? A Jewish slave! What are we intended to learn from this ironic juxtaposition, going from the highest of highs to someone at such a low position?

Calling All Alumni

Robert M Beren Academy is launching an Alumni Committee. The goal of the committee is to:

Increase connection between RMBA and former students
Increase connection between former students and each other
Increase connection among alumni in Israel
Increase student connection with alumni in Israel
Increase positive connection between the school and the community
Increase alumni support of the school

If you are interested in participating in the committee, please email alumnichairs@berenacademy.org.

We will send you the Zoom link to the first meeting. Feel free to invite any alumni!

"A Mussar and a Mitzvah"

This week's Mussar and a Mitzvah features Sarah Plumb (9th grade) and Rafi Gross (11th grade). Click here to read about a mussar and mitzvah in Parashat Mishpatim.

#instaberen

From the desk of the STEAM Lab

This week in STEAM we are exploring another 2 of our senses, hearing and taste! We’ve had so much learning about new instruments and how we hear the sounds they make as well as trying all of the deliciously sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes that make our palates!

ReelAbilities

The Jewish Family Service Alexander Institute for Inclusion presented short films virtually this week to debut the ReelAbilities program for our Lower School students. This program has been part of RMBA for the past 9 years. The Institute works to foster a community that includes all individuals by striving to eliminate the stigma associated with disabilities. This is part of the JFS Film Festival currently running this month. The videos were especially picked for our classes relative to their social-emotional development. Students also participated in a post-screening discussion that included issues such as isolation, bullying, awareness, and diversity. Each film had many important symbolic lessons. The films viewed were Best Friend and Macropolis for the first through third graders and Quarters of Silence for fourth and fifth grade.

Stars, Stripes, and Clowns Oh My!

Morah Aviva's ECE4 class worked on finishing up their Presidents unit with Stars and Stripes patterning, experimenting with cool shapes on geo boards, and beginning preparations for Purim in the art center. The students had fun making their own silly clown faces!

Campus Life

Rabbi Ouzzan's High School Seminar class was privileged to hear all about Jewish life on campus from Alyssa Silva, assistant Executive Director at Houston Hillel and Jewston.

Doodle for Google

Enter the Doodle for Google competition! Doodle for Google is a great contest for students of any age. This year's theme is: I am strong because...

Strength isn’t only about how fast you can run or how many pushups you can do – it’s also about the strength inside of you. How do you rise above troubles and keep moving forward in tough times? When you make mistakes or get scared, what helps you clear the clouds above your head? When people around you are feeling down, how do you use your inner strength to lift them up?

The theme this year invites you to tell Google what makes you uniquely strong. Click here for more rules and information. Click here for the entry form. Students interested in participating should give Ms. Rantz a copy before submitting their applications. All applications are due by February 26, 2021.

Food Tag

Students in Mrs. Rosenzweig's middle school Spanish elective took advantage of learning from home by playing food tag. The students were challenged to be the fastest to bring different foods that Mrs. Rosenzweig called out in Spanish.

Potato Play

Morah Alissa's and Morah Sandy's ECE3 class enjoyed conducting a science experiment in which they placed potatoes in water to see if they would grow.

Outdoor Fun

Students in Morah Tsippi's and Morah Suzanne's ECE2 class enjoyed developing their gross motor skills while getting some fresh air outside!

Meanwhile indoors they worked on fine motor and sorting skills.

Save the Date

YOM LIMMUD 2021

Sunday, February 14, 2021

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Our event will be entirely virtual this year. This offers our community the incredible opportunity to hear from presenters from around the world! Each presenter will either currently live or have lived in the country they discuss. We will host 20 sessions including a PJ Library program, a family program for middle school ages and up, as well as a teachers' track.

Community Events

Snif This Shabbat

2/13/2021

4:45- 5:45 PM at UOS

Grades 1- 12

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:

Click here

Masks and social distancing required

Torah Pizza Gym!

TPG is back again! Join us for Torah, yummy snacks and a fun sports activity.

For grades 1-6

Motzei Shabbat 2/13 at UOS- in Freedman Hall.

Due to cold weather, TPG will be taking place indoors.

Masks required. Families will be seated in pods. Children may not attend with parents other than their own.

$5 per child (can be paid with exact change at the event or Venmo Aviva-Bneiakiva)

Places limited!

REGISTRATION REQUIRED- click here to register

Bnei Akiva/ UOS/ RMBA Purim Baskets

Order your Mishloach Manot now for family and friends! All proceeds from the baskets go towards the educational programming of Bnei Akiva Houston

click here to order

Password: texas

FINAL DAYS TO PLACE YOUR ORDER! Orders may be placed until Sunday 2/14 (with a $20 late fee)

Questions? contact us at houston@bneiakiva.org

Purim- save the date!

2/21/2021

Join UOS for pre-Purim fun for the whole family!

Sunday afternoon at UOS

more details coming soon!

Send Mishloach Manot to IDF Soldiers!

Click here to treat Israeli Soldiers with delicious mishloach manot!

Let's bake their day!

For more information please email Shelley Kohr at Shelley.Kohr@fidf.org