Phonics in the Fresh Air

Our Student Support Program took advantage of the beautiful weather by bringing learning outdoors. In this engaging lesson, a student practiced reading comprehension by working through a passage and identifying specific ending sounds. After recognizing these sounds, the student organized them into categories, reinforcing phonics skills in a hands-on, interactive way. Learning in the fresh air provided both a change of scenery and an opportunity to make the lesson even more enjoyable and effective!

Happiness: A Choice or Circumstance?



In the spirit of Adar, Rabbi Ouzzan’s Middle School Gemara class dove into a thought-provoking discussion: Is happiness a choice, or merely a reaction to circumstance? Through analysis and debate, students explored different perspectives on joy, personal mindset, and the role of external factors in shaping emotions.

Teaching Military History Through Imagery

This week Mr. Cell's 9th-10th on-level World History class enjoyed an engaging lesson on major wars and battles throughout military history. Students created slideshows featuring only images, without any on-screen text, and used these visuals to teach their peers about the historical events. The students' creativity and understanding were evident as they conveyed important lessons in history through their visual presentations.

Guest Speaker: Noa Shuker



Last week we were privileged to host Noa Shuker who came to speak to our Upper School students. Noa is a third year medical student at Ben Gurion University who has served over 250 days in the IDF reserves. During her talk, Noa shared her experiences from the past year working in hospitals in Israel, where she supported injured soldiers and their families. In addition to her medical work, she served as the central contact for the families of wounded soldiers at both Soroka and Barzilai hospitals, offering invaluable emotional support and coordination during incredibly challenging times.

Self Expression Through Poetry

As a culminating assignment for their current unit, RMBA Middle School students have been composing original poetry that connects to the theme they’ve been exploring. The students are using poetic devices to enhance creativity and imagery, adding layers of meaning to their work while elevating the lyrical narrative and message of each poem.

Leadership in Action

Our high school leadership program led by shlichim Harel and Odeya Maman and Bnot Sherut Yael Kalef and Adi Radziner, has already reached its seventh meeting! Participants are currently exploring the power of youth to create a positive impact on their surroundings and contribute to the community in meaningful ways.

Bat Mitzvah Club

Our Bat Mitzvah Club in partnership with UOS kicked off its first meeting this past Monday and was a wonderful experience! The enriching program helps prepare girls for their Bat Mitzvah celebration, combining lessons on Jewish values, personal growth, and social activities.

Accelerated Reader Program

In Mrs. Schneider's 5th grade class, students strengthened their reading comprehension through the Accelerated Reader program, part of the Renaissance Program. One exciting way progress is tracked is by counting the number of words read, encouraging students to set and achieve ambitious reading goals. This week, the class celebrates a remarkable achievement—Eliana Sprung has reached an incredible milestone by reading one million words over the past few months!

Up, Up, and Away: Exploring Thermal Expansion

Eighth-grade students explored the principles of heat and thermal expansion in an exciting hands-on experiment in science lab. Using hot air balloons, they observed how heated air causes expansion, demonstrating key concepts in physical science. This engaging activity brought learning to life as students tested their hypotheses and watched science in action!

Preparing Poetry Books

The 4th graders in Ms. Morrison's class are diving into the world of poetry as they prepare their very own poetry books! They have been studying different types of poems, such as ballads, concrete poems, acrostic poems, and haikus. As they write, the focus has been on bringing their poems to life by using literary devices like personification, similes, and metaphors. These techniques help paint vivid pictures and add excitement to their words. The students are eager to see their creativity unfold and look forward to sharing their poetry collections with the class.

Crafting Essays



This week, 3rd grade students in Mr. Simon’s class are busy writing three-paragraph essays. Each day, they focus on a different topic. So far, they have written about their favorite desserts and the best ways to celebrate their birthdays. In social studies, they have been studying Thomas Jefferson, and they are incorporating their spelling words, social studies lessons, and food cycle ecosystems into their essays.

Counting, Creativity, & the Kohen Gadol



This week in Morah Sandy’s EC3 class, students learned about Parshat Tetzaveh and the special garments worn by the Kohen Gadol (high priest) in the Mishkan (the tabernacle). They created a craft representing the Choshen Mishpat, the breastplate adorned with 12 gems. This lesson sparked discussions about the special clothing worn for different professions, and students also practiced counting to 12.

Purim Preperations

EC4A students in Morah Aviva's class are eagerly preparing for Purim this week. They are working on a multi-step, multi-skill grogger project and have created their own unique, silly clown faces on paper plates. The class also painted hamantaschen and added their favorite-colored fillings. Additionally, students engaged in role-playing and problem-solving at a special Play-Doh construction table, enhancing their creativity and teamwork skills. fantastic week of fun and learning!

Adar is Here

The arrival of Adar brings excitement and joy! Students in Morah Tsippi's EC2B class are having a wonderful time crafting, singing, and dressing up as they learn about Purim. So far, they have colored vibrant clowns and decorated their own king or queen crowns. There is so much more Purim fun to come!

Yeehaw! Go Texan Day

This past Friday, our Early Childhood and Lower School students welcomed Rosh Chodesh Adar and celebrated Go Texan Day with an unforgettable Wild West adventure. Dressed in their best cowboy boots and western gear, students embraced the Texas spirit through a variety of hands-on activities that blended creativity, culture, and adventure. They crafted and decorated their own cowboy hats, made fresh tortillas and guacamole, and showed off their moves with lively line dancing. Students also raced through an exciting obstacle course and painted beautiful bluebonnets, capturing the essence of the Lone Star State. Adding to the day’s excitement, students learned about reptiles native to Texas and even had the chance to meet and pet Stoic, a friendly bearded dragon. A big thank you to all who helped make this incredible day one to remember!

Houston Kosher Chili Cookoff

RMBA brought heat and heart to the 12th Annual Houston Kosher Chili Cookoff, earning an Honorable Mention in the People’s Choice category! Our secret ingredient—pickles—added a surprising twist that had taste buds buzzing. A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers and to our very own Chef Matt Riklin (EC & LS STEAM teacher and Grow Torah garden leader) for crafting a standout chili that kept people coming back for more! We loved seeing so many RMBA families stop by, grab some swag, and support our booth. Can’t wait to turn up the heat again next year! 

Get Ready to Laugh and Celebrate at the RMBA Gala!

Our 56th Anniversary Scholarship Gala is just around the corner, and we are thrilled to welcome Joel Chasnoff, the acclaimed American-Israeli comedian, as our featured entertainment for the evening! Known for his sharp wit and hilarious takes on Jewish life, Israel, and everything in between, Joel has performed on stages around the world and is sure to bring an unforgettable comedic touch to our celebration. In addition to an incredible night of laughter, we are proud to honor Bonnie Blumberg for her unwavering dedication to RMBA and the Houston Police Department for their commitment to protecting our community. Join us as we celebrate our past, present, and future with an evening filled with inspiration, nostalgia, and joy.

Reserve your spot today!

Deadline: Friday, March 14, 2025