Dvar Torah
Shabbat candle lighting time- 5:32 PM
Havdalah – 6:33 PM
Parshat Pekudei
This dvar Torah is dedicated to all the innocent people suffering in Ukraine and around the world and inspired by my awesome and diverse teaching staff.
As we approach the holiday of Purim, we can sense in the air a feeling of camaraderie and friendship that this holiday teaches us. The acts of giving Shaloch Manot (giving gifts to people) and taking care of the poor are designed to create a feeling of Achdut (unity) among us. Yet, we find a puzzling Halacha (law) related to the observance of this holiday.
The Talmud (oral law) in tractate Megillah states that one reads the Megillah on different dates depending on one’s location. Most of us celebrate Purim on the 14th of Adar. However, individuals who live in a walled city celebrate Purim on the 15th and in some cases, the Talmud tells us at different times in history there were people who even read the Megillah on the 11th, 12th, or 13th of Adar. It makes one wonder why a holiday that represents Achdut does not have everyone celebrating the holiday at the same time.
Rabbi Zev Leff, (the Rav of Moshav Mattityahu and Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva Gedolah Mattityahu) a renowned lecturer and educator, explains the true understanding of being a unified people. Achdut does not mean that everyone does the same thing at the same time. Rather, Achdut means that I am happy for you with what you are doing, and you, in turn, are happy for me with what I am doing. Achdut is respecting each other’s differences and appreciating people for whom they truly are.
We are all created in the image of G-d and have something to contribute to society. Baruch Hashem that we are fortunate to live in a wonderful unified SIHA community. Let us all strengthen our respect and admiration for our fellow friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Today more than ever humanity must transmit this message to our children.
I would also like to publicly thank a colleague of mine, from our general studies department, who is not of the Jewish faith, for sharing a great article/dvar Torah with me this morning. Very inspiring and definitely worth a read.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/seeing-hidden-miracles-and-joy-during-the-month-of-adar-619037
This very gestures just underscores one of the reasons that I am grateful for SIHA!
May our unity, love, and respect grant us the merit to witness the ultimate redemption and the rebuilding of the final Beit Hamikdash speedily in our days.
Shabbat Shalom,
—
Chana Uzhansky Ed.D.
Head Of School
Special Announcement
Dear parents.
Happy Rosh Chodesh Adar!
We had a really fun time at our Rosh Chodesh Adar assembly! The 3rd graders put on a fantastic Purim story presentation.
All the students really enjoyed the happy purim clown oodles.
We’re very proud of all the students who are including others and adding paper clips to their class’s chain.
Keep it up!
We can’t wait to see which class will win the ice cream party!
Shabbat shalom!
Best Regards,
Miss Dershowitz
Mrs Ferber
Every day in Siha, middle school, the children expend positive enthusiasm towards Birkat Hamazon. Usually we, Mrs Belli, Miss Ety, and rabbi Kuritsky give out raffle tickets 🎟 to help motivate the children to bentch out loud nicely.
Today, Thursday the first day of Rosh Chodesh Adar #2, the children really gave it their all.
The 7th grade, the oldest class that joins our lunch program, really deserves to be commended!
Every 7th grade student, was saying the words louder clear. They were a true role model for the younger students in middle school
Judaics
Kindergarten and First Grade
We baruch Hashem had a wonderful week in kindergarten and first grade Judaics!
In kriah, the first graders are learning the nekuda kubbutz and are really mastering it! The kindergarteners learned the letter ayin and had a great time playing “I spy with my little ayin” and learning about the midda (character trait) of anavah (humility).
In kesiva, the first graders learned the letter daled and tzaddik and completed their third kesiva booklets!
We continued learning about the upcoming holiday of Purim. Our megillas are looking gorgeous and we are doing a great job filling in the blanks (in Hebrew!) inside.
On Friday, we continued learning about the mitzvah of challah and made beautiful challah covers to use on Shabbat.
Looking forward to another great week!
Second Grade
Time is flying by quickly in 2nd grade. We are mastering our Kriya and vocabulary skills. We know so many Hebrew words. We reviewed the entire Sefer Shimot(Book of Exodus). This Shabbat we are privileged to listen to the last Parsha in Sefer Shimot. For those of us who are privileged to be at the synagogue Shabbat morning we will join with everyone in saying together Chazak,Chazak V’neschazaik which is customarily said after concluding an entire Book of the Torah. We read and discussed highlights of each Parsha in the Book of Exodus. Shimot-Exodus is the second of the 5 Books of the Torah. We are in the Purim spirit and can’t believe Purim is just two weeks away, we celebrated Rosh Chodesh- the new month of Adar with Ms. Yelena and enjoyed singing popular Purim tunes yesterday. Since there are two days of Rosh Chodesh this month we celebrated with other classes at a Rosh Chodesh assembly today as well. Shabbat Shalom!
Third Grade
Welcome back! We had a great week of learning.
We started to learn about the Purim story! They are all so excited.
We also continued to learn the Parshiot. We now know the first 2 books of the Torah.
The students are really knowing their brachot. We say them beautifully each day.
We ended off by a wonderful Parsha lesson which they all participated in beautifully.
This week Lielle Garber was chosen to take home our Siddur. Great job!
Can’t wait for a fun filled week as we prepare for Purim!
Shabbat Shalom!
Morah Ferber
Fourth Grade
Dear Parents,
4th Grade
What an accomplishing week it was.
We started a brand new topic. It was about communication with others. We discussed how powerful words can be. We have to be very careful what we say and when we say it. Words can really make someone feel good or do the opposite.
In Chumash class we learnt that Avrum went back to where his tent was in the beginning. It was tons of fun answering the questions and finding the Shoresh.
Yes. Purim is around the corner. We are learning the story and getting ready and are very excited. We had a special Rosh Chodesh Assembly in Honor of Rosh Chodesh.
Alivia and Matthew are the Students of the week.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Berelowitz
5th and 6th Boys
This week we delved into Hichot Purim. We studied about the fast of Esther, and about although generally the fast of Esther is commemorated on the 13th of Adar [or in cases like this year when there are 2 months of Adar, 13th of the second Adar], there are times when we commemorate the fast on the 11th of Adar!
We learned that we are to hear the threading of the Megillah twice on Purim. Once at night [this year Wednesday evening the 16th of March] and once in the daytime of Purim. We learned about the Mitzvot of Purim;Mishloach Manot, Matanot La’evyonim, reading/hearing the Megillah and the s’uda [the festive meal].
We went through some basics of this week’s Parasha, Parashat Pekudei. We discussed Moshe having the privilege of putting up the walls/beams of the Mishkan. This was a miracle! The beams were extremely heavy. Others tried but were not able. HAshem gave Moshe this privilege in lieu of not having any part in designing the Mishkan or its artifacts. We explained why B’tzal’ail, [who was only 13 years old] received the privilege of being the main designer. When Moshe went up to heaven to receive the Torah, he did not come down as soon as expected. The people influenced by the erev rav [not very sincere converts] convinced the jews that Moshe had died and got the people to create the golden calf a form of idol worship. Chur, Miriam’s son, tried to stop them but was killed in the process. In reward for Chur’s self sacrifice HAshem promised him that his grandson B’tzalel would have this privilege of designer of the Mishkan.
In Mishna, we began a new topic; learning about what is the criteria in kosher s’chach. We also learned that even a material that is kosher has to be put on properly, or else it has to be removed/raised and then replaced.
Thank you again, students and parents for the beautiful and thoughtful gifts that you sent me as a “get well soon” gesture. Much appreciated.
Shabbat Shalom!
7th and 8th Girls
This week we delved into Hichot Purim. We studied about the fast of Esther, and about although generally the fast of Esther is commemorated on the 13th of Adar [or in cases like this year when there are 2 months of Adar, 13th of the second Adar], there are times when we commemorate the fast on the 11th of Adar!
We learned that we are to hear the threading of the Megillah twice on Purim. Once at night [this year Wednesday evening the 16th of March] and once in the daytime of Purim. We learned about the Mitzvot of Purim;Mishloach Manot, Matanot La’evyonim, reading/hearing the Megillah and the s’uda [the festive meal].
We went through some basics of this week’s Parasha, Parashat Pekudei. We discussed Moshe having the privilege of putting up the walls/beams of the Mishkan. This was a miracle! The beams were extremely heavy. Others tried but were not able. HAshem gave Moshe this privilege in lieu of not having any part in designing the Mishkan or its artifacts. We explained why B’tzal’ail, [who was only 13 years old] received the privilege of being the main designer. When Moshe went up to heaven to receive the Torah, he did not come down as soon as expected. The people influenced by the erev rav [not very sincere converts] convinced the jews that Moshe had died and got the people to create the golden calf a form of idol worship. Chur, Miriam’s son, tried to stop them but was killed in the process. In reward for Chur’s self sacrifice HAshem promised him that his grandson B’tzalel would have this privilege of designer of the Mishkan.
In t’filah, the girls are not only davening up, until and including the Bracha of Hashevainu, but quite a few are even “going ahead” on their own, daily!
In Navi Yehoshua, we are delving into the 10th Perek/chapter. The girls were challenged to read the P’sukim aon their own and find out which king was the ruler of which province, that Yehoshua was heading to conquer next. These kings and countries were very scared of the Jews, who obviously had Hashem, G-d of the world, on their side.
While I was out, I was happy to learn that the girls accomplished alot with their substitute. I also understand that not only did they daven nicely, but many davened specifically for my recovery and even wrote nice notes and drew sweet and charming pictures to cheer me up!
Thank you!
Great to be back!
Shabbat Shalom!
7th and 8th Grade
A very accomplishing week it was in our class.
In Biur Tefilla we discussed the beautiful Beracha of Baruch She’amar. We said that Hashem says and does.
In Gemara class we learnt a fascinating Gemarah that says how 2 Sages started their class a certain way. We had a great class discussion why it is important to start a certain day
In Halahcha we started learning the Halachot of Purim. We learnt about the half Shekel and who must bring it. We followed that by learning the laws of Taanis Ester.
Story on Parsha:
From פּרשׁת פּקודי, we heard how the מִשְׁכָּן was to hard to put up. First the Yidden tried to put it up themselves but they weren’t able to, the קְרָשִׁים were too heavy. Hashem then told מֹשֶה that he should put up the קרשים. משה asked Hashem, “How is it possible for a person to lift up the קרשים?” Hashem answered,” You need to try and then I will help.” Even though it was too heavy for משה, when you try your best, Hashem gives you extra strength to finish. We heard a story about Rabbi Moshe Shapiro who once sent a bachur in his yeshiva to go try to raise money for the ישיבה. The bachur tried very hard, but nothing worked out. He didn’t raise any money at all. About a week later, a very rich man came to visit the yeshiva and unexpectedly gave a lot of money to the yeshiva. R’ Moshe went over to the bachur and thanked him. The bachur asked, “Why are you thanking me? I didn’t even ask that man for money.” R’ Moshe answered,
“We need to try our best and you did; after that Hashem helps.”
Keep it up,
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Berelowitz
Elementary School
Kindergarten
Kindergarten had a very fun week! They celebrated the 100th day of school, Dr. Seuss Day, and they had the Social Studies Fair. For the 100th day of school they made necklaces with 100 beads, painted a gumball machine with 100 gumballs, went on a scavenger hunt to find 100 marbles in the classroom, decorated a monster by gluing on 100 pom poms for hair and 100 eyes onto the monster, they made the number 100 using 2 Oreos and a pretzel, and they counted how many different activities they could do in 100 seconds. For Dr. Suess Day they listened to many read alouds, made rhyming Cat in the Hat hats to wear, they made a Horton Hears a Who art project, decorated cupcakes to look like the Cat in the Hat, and they wrote and illustrated a rhyming book similar to the book There’s a Wocket in my Pocket. The entire class did a fantastic job for the Social Studies Fair! I am so proud of how well they did. This week kindergarten also learned how to write a friendly letter and wrote letters to their family members. They practiced spelling ALL words and they continued to work on solving subtraction word problems.
First Grade
The first graders had a busy week preparing for the Social Studies Fair. Everyone was excited to share their knowledge about explorers such as Leif Erikson, Ferdinand Magellan, and Sacagawea. They also mastered the seven continents and five oceans. I’m sure they will give a great performance.
Students have also learned about two-digit addition and place value in Math. We have concluded the Unit about matter in Science. The first graders were surprised to learn about matter in the states of solid, liquid, and gas. In Reading, we explored the concept of folktales by reading “Abuelo and the Three Bears”, a variation of Goldilocks and thw Three Bears. We discovered that this folktale has been told in different t versions around the world. The first graders are learning how to summarize stories by focusing on the main idea.
Second Grade
2nd grade had a very exciting week! This week was the social studies fair! We spent a lot of class time this week preparing for the fair. Our topic was the three branches of government in the United States. Each student memorized their individual presentation of a specific part of one of the three branches of government. We also performed a skit, and created a board together as a class. We presented to Mrs. Adams and the first grade. The children did an excellent job remembering their lines, and preparing the board!
Third Grade
This week Grade 3 students were able to see the fruit of their month long labor. They completed their patriot reports, boards, presentations, and the play. They all had done a wonderful job! During our E.L.A. lessons, we continued to study towards the S.A.T. s as well as analyzing our class novel, James and the Giant Peach. During our Math lessons, we work on converting, adding, and subtracting the measuring units for length ( centimeters, meters, kilometers).
Miss Sasha
Fourth Grade
This week in ELA we are continuing to prepare for the state exam. We are reading passages, answering multiple choice questions, writing short and long responses.
In math we started a new unit The Four Operations on Decimals . Students are adding and subtracting decimals. Also preparing for that state exam.
Fifth Grade
Fifth graders had a very busy week!
In ELA, the students have been preparing for their vocabulary unit test. Everyone worked very hard and took the test on friday! Students also worked on new word roots: hydr, aqu, and mer/mar. They continued their novel studies, and in Social Studies, students prepared for their social studies fair play.
In math, 5th grade finished their unit on decimals.
Middle School
Middle School ELA and Social Studies
6th Grade
Sixth graders had a busy week!
In ELA, they continued their novel study of Watsons go to Birmingham.
In Social Studies, the students practiced for their presentations. Students worked very hard and presented their social studies fair projects on Thursday. Please look forward to the videos to come!
Middle School Math
6th grade is learning how to calculate percent change.
7th grade is learning how to calculate slope and y-intercepts from graphs and word problems.
8th grade finished their unit on polynomials.
Middle School Science
6th grade
The students were able to name each layer of the Earth’s atmosphere; described each layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. The students will be able to define the “Greenhouse Effect”. The students learned about the Ozone Layer and were able to explain the importance of the Ozone Layer.
Students considered heat transfers that occur in everyday situations and investigated three specific ways that heat moves: conduction, convection, and radiation; described and gave examples of the three methods of heat transfer.
7th Grade
As students learn about the nervous system and the brain, they are conducting research. Each student was assigned an organ of the nervous system and/or a part of the brain that they had to investigate. Students researched the importance of their organ and identified the role of their organ, where it is located, what it’s special function is and how it interacts with other parts of the body. Once this was established, students had to investigate using two of the five questions, or create their own question. These were some sample questions provided: How does trauma affect the cerebellum? How does poor diet choices affect the cerebellum? How do toxins affect the cerebellum? What body systems or organs are affected if the cerebellum is damaged? Students plugged their part into the question and investigated various sources to complete a summary. Students then had to state their claim and provide evidence that supports their claim. As they continue to work hard, next week I will publish some of their results. Excellent Job, 7th Grade.
8th Grade Science
8th graders just completed their Diffusion Through Membrane state lab. Students investigated which molecules were able to diffuse through the membrane. Students created a model cell and filled it with glucose and starch solutions. They placed this cell into a beaker with water and iodine and waited 20 minutes to investigate exactly what took place. Students were able to make the conclusions that the iodine diffused into the cell and created a chemical reaction with the starch solution. This was evidenced by the color inside the cell, as it turned a blue/black color. Then students had to investigate even further to determine what happened to the glucose solution, if anything. Students had to undergo a few tests to determine if the glucose did in fact diffuse out of the cell. They had to place water from the beaker into a test tube with Benedict’s solution and Iodine to determine if it did in fact diffuse, but they discovered that this was not the way to test for glucose. So, upon further investigation, they placed water from the beaker that the cell was placed in a test tube and added Benedict’s solution, then they placed their test tube into a bubbling beaker and waited five minutes to determine if glucose did in fact diffuse out of the cell. Upon completion of their investigation they determined that glucose did in fact diffuse out of the cell, as this was evidenced by the color change. Once the test tube liquid was heated in a water bath the color changed to green, then to orange which is indicative of the presence of glucose. This was the conclusion of their lab.
Jewish History
7th grade had a very exciting review of Unit 2, Our Nation’s Founders. The students had beautiful recall of what we learned and had a lot of fun sharing that information as we prepare for a test next week.
8th grade finished learning about the times of the second Bais HaMikdash and began watching a beautiful video about it.