B"H
September 3, 2023 / 17 Elul 5783
HS Newsletter
Mazel tov,
Shira & Sam!

The Southwest Jewish Congress has announced that seniors Shira Kamisa and Samuel Rael will be recognized at the 2023 Texas Sized Event (Oct 3). We are so proud of these outstanding future Jewish leaders for being trailblazers and role models at AYA and the greater Dallas Jewish community.

— High School Principal Donna Hutcheson, HS Assistant Principal Bonnie Atkins, and Director of HS Judaic Studies Sara Block
Curriculum Spotlight
We are excited to launch the LaHav curriculum in all of our Oral Law, Iyun and Advanced Talmud classes this year. The LaHav curriculum introduces foundational concepts, builds critical skills, and enables students to transfer their knowledge to new areas of learning and experience. Additionally, the LaHav curriculum inspires students to lead rich, meaningful, and informed Jewish lives involving serious and sustained engagement with Torah learning.

We were delighted to provide our Talmud instructors with a unique professional development training this summer to learn LaHav methodologies.
Welcome Assembly
The Judaic Student Board led our High School students in their annual Welcome Back program on Wednesday in the Beit Midrash. Students played games, shared videos of past years at AYA, and debuted a special welcome video for our 2023-24 Freshman class.
Things to Know
  • Our parent-to-school Blue Note communication form has a new look and can easily be found under QuickLinks at the top of AkibaYavneh.org.

  • We are grateful to all parents who attended Meet the Teacher on Wednesday evening. This was a very successful event and it was great to see so many of you!
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
Mon, Sept 4: No School — Labor Day
9:30 pm Sat, Sept 9 — High School Beit Midrash

Congregation Tiferet Israel joins with AYA to invite students, parents, and the greater Dallas Jewish community for a Musical Selichot featuring Rav P'daya Halperin. Join us at 9:30 pm for refreshments followed by Selichot at 10 pm.

Fri, Sept 15: No School — Rosh Hashanah

2:25 pm Mon, Sept 18: Early Dismissal — Tzom Gedalia
7 pm Wed, Sept 20 — Middle School Beit Midrash

All AYA parents are invited to join our Judaic Studies educators for a discussion
of the Jewish month and upcoming holidays. Light refreshments will be served. » RSVP
The Art of Acting
AYA is thrilled to offer an after-school theatre class on Wednesdays in conjunction with the Jewish Community Center. It is a state requirement for graduation that all students in Texas earn one Fine Arts credit (2 full semesters). We will continue to offer art and music classes during our lunch/study hall time. This weekly theatre class is simply another option — but requires an additional $295 fee (payable via UltraCamp) to fund an experienced JCC teacher.
Calling Class Parents
Will you volunteer to be a class parent for our juniors or seniors? Responsibilities include:

  • Creating a parent WhatsApp group and partnering with teacher to support classroom needs  
  • Coordinating grade/class gifts to teachers
  • Occasionally forwarding PTO communications
PTO will follow up with the class parents in the first half of September.
OUR COMMUNITY
Challah may be ordered directly from Ron the Baker (email). Orders will be delivered to your child in their classroom on Friday morning to bring home.
AkibaYavneh.org QuickLinks
Support Jewish Education at AYA