Dear Friends,
Barrack
Hebrew Academy's Informal Education Program is designed to enhance Jewish life
and traditions at our school and to foster our students' Jewish identities
through various forms of experiential programming. We focus on creating
experiences beyond the classroom, with the goal of bonding our community,sharing diverse viewpoints on what it means to be
Jewish, and instilling a pride in shared values.
One
of the highlights of our informal education program includes grade level Shabbatonim. These Shabbatonim provide each class an
opportunity to further enhance unity and relationships. Each weekend is
peppered with Shabbat celebration, delicious meals, education and social peulot (programs) and time to
relax and hang out with friends. For example, our 10th grade just
returned from a Shabbaton where  programming revolved around the theme of "Israel:
Defining Your Relationship." Students had a chance to share and discuss issues
surrounding Israeli culture and society today, as well as their own views and
experiences with the country, its people and its land.
The
recently reunited 11th grade class had their Shabbaton during the end of
Chanukah at the Capital Camps and Retreat Center in Waynesboro, PA. The retreat
took place a few weeks after our Muss students returned to school, providing a
perfect opportunity for the entire class to bond again and celebrate the
Festival of Lights. "Healthy Relationships" was the educational theme, with
discussions centering on such topics as how the media influences our
definitions of relationships; how we define love; and how our Jewish identities
play a role in our relationships with others. Faculty members and Akiba-Barrack
alumni also participate in the Shabbatonim, building warm and personal
relationships among our students, teachers, and alumni.
Another
aspect of informal education at Barrack is our exciting and innovative holiday programming.
Through assemblies and special
events, we celebrate holidays as a school community. From Sukkot to Chanukah, and from Pesach to Purim, we bring
the holidays to life here at Barrack. Integral to the success of all our
programs is the leadership provided by the members of our Jewish Leadership
Initiative -JLI-an elective seminar that offers students selected for the
committee opportunities to build their leadership skills through hands-on experiences
with Jewish program planning. Students apply for JLI at the end of their junior
year and complete the program at the end of their senior year. JLI members in 2009-2010 include: Arielle Belfer, Daniel
Becker, Gabriel Duec, Benjamin Freedman, Samara Gordon, Lena Ladenheim, Jillian
Meltzer, Benjamin Miller and Erika Shaid.
It
is quite an exciting job to be part of the vibrant, flourishing, and caring
Barrack Jewish community, and I look forward to sharing more Informal Education
news with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Sarah M.
Waxman
Director
of Informal Education
|
For Learning.
The Buzz: Barrack
Geography Bee Winner is a 6th
Grader
|
Meet Ariel Koltun-Fromm,
a Barrack 6th grade student who won the internal school Geography
Bee Competition and who is now eligible to take a test that could qualify him
to move on to the State Bee in  Harrisburg. Ariel answered questions about
United States geography and cities, and about continents, historical geography
and cultural geography. When asked why he enjoyed geography, Ariel replied: "I
am interested in transportation and like to track how planes, trains and cars
travel from city to city, state to state, country to country. I also like to
study bird migration." Ariel was the winning contestant among seven
participating Barrack Middle School students. Congratulations, Ariel!
|
To Be or Not to Be?
Creative Interpretations
|
 Students in Mrs. Rita Schuman's
12th grade English class are challenged with bringing acts from Hamlet
alive in creative ways. Two groups, each one working
collaboratively, brainstormed unique concepts. One will put Hamlet on trial in
purgatory and determine if he is guilty or innocent regarding the death of
Ophelia. The jury will consist of fellow students, teachers, and staff. The
second group will perform a mélange of musical genre matching the shifting mood
and tone of Act V. The lyrics will come from the play. Rap music will define
the grave digger's scene; operatic music will define the funeral scene; heavy
metal will define the fight scene; and country music the concluding scene. If
only the Bard of Avon could witness this event!
 |
Relaxation
Suits our Students to a "Tea"
|
To help our Middle School students handle the stress
of daily life, Mrs. Kim Gillio, Barrack Health,
Physical Education teacher and coach, is leading a Relaxation elective.
Participating students learn different ways to relax through music, art,
exercise, yoga, humor and more. They also learn about time management. Each
week concludes with a special tea party; herbal tea, of course. Alexandria
(Dria) Gutierrez '16 enjoys this elective for many
reasons: "The class has really helped me cope with some of my more challenging classes
and to manage my time more effectively. Our class is small, so we share ideas
and have developed friendships. Plus it is a relaxing way to end the day."
|
Senora Susan Schwartz Creates Children's Sing
and Sign Language Program;
Signed by Record Company
|
Sunset Recording Company signed a recording deal with children music
producer singer, and song writer Senora Susan Dezenhall Schwartz. The deal brings the label the first in the Sing and Sign, A Language Music Series.
The first release, Spanish, is set to hit stores all over the world on April 13th. And Senora Schwartz is also a Barrack Spanish teacher! Congratulations, Susan!
|
For Leading.
Barrack Vocal Ensemble Performs
at 76ers Heritage Night
|
"Oh, what a fabulous
night," shares Dr. Karin Orenstein, Barrack music teacher and vocal ensemble
director. "We drew a large and appreciative crowd during our performance at the
76ers' Heritage Night, and our students performed beautifully!"
Vocal ensemble members
agree that it was a special night and performance. Gillie Strauss '12, an ensemble member,
comments: "Considering that our school did not have a music program until this
year, it was very exciting to see how much we could accomplish in such a short
time. It was very exciting!" Ben Miller '12 concurs, "It was not
only exciting for our school, but for the Jewish community. It was great to see
so many members of our community together at a sporting event in a huge arena."
Daniel J. Horowitz '15 and Joshua Horowitz '13, brothers who sing in the
ensemble, thought "it was really exciting to get to sing before so many people
and to represent our school."
The vocal
ensemble performed a medley of Hebrew, spiritual and popular songs, including: Bashana
Haba'ah, Blue Skies, Open Arms, Mama Who Bore Me, and Ba Jungel.
Ensemble
members: include: Alexandra Bryant, Anne Prusky, Ari Bogom-Shanon, Ari
Sussman, Adina Marx, Ben Miller, Dan Horowitz, Davida Vogel, Eliana
Glanzberg-Krainin, Emily Simkin, Evan Finkelstein, Gillie Strauss, Jessica
Solomon, Joshua Horowitz, Leah Schatz, Leon Davis, Leonie Cohen, Mira Taichman,
Molly Schonfeld, Rebecca Dadi, Yael Leberman, Yoni Razin, and Tamara Moskowitz.
Bravo to all!
|
Chips
for Charity Casino Night,
To
Benefit Juvenile Diabetes
Research
Foundation
|
On
Wednesday evening, January 26, at 6pm, Barrack Hebrew Academy will be
transformed into a student and parent-friendly Vegas-themed casino themed Chips
For Charity,
a fundraiser to help the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation find a cure for
juvenile diabetes. The night will consist of poker, blackjack, roulette, and
more. A light dinner will be provided by Max and David's, with dessert to
follow. Raffles of all kinds will be offered, with prizes that include an iPod
touch, free spa treatments, jewelry, a six-month free membership to a gym, and
much, much more! Barrack students will perform various songs and demonstrate
how talented they are. This event has been coordinated by sophomores Sivan
Ben-Maimon and
Alison Levin,
along with their advisor, Ms. Sarah Waxman. Alison has been living
with diabetes since she was 7 years old and hopes that one day she will be able
to live disease-free. Everyone, students, parents, and friends alike, are
invited to join in on a fun way to help find a cure for juvenile diabetes!.
Tickets in advance are $15 and $20 at the door.
Tickets include $15 dollars in chips, 3 raffle tickets and dinner. Additional
raffle tickets are a $1 each. Checks should be made payable to Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy and
mailed to Barrack Hebrew Academy, Attention Sarah
Waxman, 272 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Byrn Mawr, PA 19010. Click here for full details and sponsor/family
package opportunities.
|
Barrack Presents Mary, Mary
Upper School Play Bows
Jan. 31-Feb. 3
|
Mary,
Mary,
the classic Jean Kerr comedy, will be presented by our Upper School students
from Sunday through Wednesday, January 31-Febrarury 3, 7pm, in the Barrack
auditorium. Directed by Ben Freedman '10 and brought to life by talented Barrack
actors,the
play will amuse the entire family. Tickets for adults are $10; Barrack students
and faculty tickets are $8. To order tickets, click here or see Dewey
Oriente-Cassidy or a cast member.
As a special treat, Barrack Hebrew Academy's inaugural Winter
Tri-Arts Festival will take place on Sunday, January 31 at 6pm,
prior to the opening night of the play. Art work by Jesse Steinbach
and Sarah Turner, 11th graders, will be showcased, and
Barrack's vocal ensemble will perform. Stay tuned for more details.
|
Total Barrack Team Effort Wins Boys' Varsity Basketball Game
|
Barrack boys' varsity basketball team
had a total team effort in its 66-37 win over Wyncote. Thirteen of the fourteen Barrack players scored, and everyone contributed. Up
by only 3, 17-14 at the end of the first quarter, Barrack outscored Wyncote 11
to 6 in the second quarter and 38 to 18in the second half. Dan Gabbay
led Barrack, scoring 10 of his 16points in the first quarter. Adam Wachs
scored all his 12 in the fourth quarter. Jon Pressman
added eight, Tal Ben-Maimon seven, and Daniel
Saewitz, six.
|
For Life.
Haitian Tragedy: Ways to Respond
|
This afternoon, Rabbi Judd Kruger Levingston, Barrack's Jewish Studies Director, shared some thoughts about the recent Haitian earthquake and a variety of ways our Barrack school community can respond. Click here for Rabbi Levingston's remarks and links to Jewish relief efforts.
|
Thank You from the Klein Branch JCC
|
Dear
Friends,
Thank you and everyone who put the breakfast bags together for our
clients. They have already been distributed as we deliver on Monday &
Tuesday mornings. The bags were beautiful too!
Regards,
Nina
Cohen
Director
of the Emergency Food and Home Delivered Meal Program
Raymond & Miriam Klein JCC
|
Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Monday, January 18
|
There's no
school this Monday, January 18, so plan to join Barrack Chesed Club members and volunteer
to participate in two community events on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of
Service. One will take place at the Lamberton School in Philadelphia and the second is the MLK
Community Carnival at The Haverford School. Interested volunteers should go to the
event of their choice.
|
Upper and Middle School
Essay Contest Reminder
|
We hope that all students in grades 6-12 are working
on their essays for the JBHA essay contest whose topic is The Ten
Commandments: Gift or Burden? Essays are due no later
than January 20, 2010. Cash awards will be
presented to students with the winning entries.
|
Human Rights Speakers Needed
for Feb. 23 Human Rights Conference
|
Barrack's
Human Rights Club is planning its school-wide conference set for February
23,
shares Devra Goldstein, Club president. Club members hope to have at least a dozen
speakers participate in the conference, speaking from a variety of perspectives
about human rights issues that plague our world today. IF YOU HAVE SPEAKERS
TO RECOMMEND,
please contact Devra Goldstein or club advisor Mr. Tom McLaughlin. Thank you.
|
Parents' Corner
|
Sports Hotline: 610-922-2306
Please call the Athletic
Hotline for daily schedule information and schedule changes. In case of
inclement weather, the hotline will be updated daily, with practice and game
cancellation information.
10th
Grade Muss Meeting
Parents
of 10th grade students are invited to hear about Barrack's exciting
trimester of study in Israel on the Muss campus. The meeting is set for Wednesday,
January 20, 7:30pm
in the school auditorium.
Federation
Camp Scholarships Now Available
The Jewish
Federation of Greater Philadelphia is pleased to announce that it has
needs-based scholarships available for families from the Greater Philadelphia
region seeking to send their children to non-profit, Jewish identity day camps
and overnight camps during the summer of 2010. Families reporting net incomes
of less than $100,000 on their 2009 IRS tax returns are encouraged to apply for
awards that generally range between 10% and 40% of tuition. The deadline for
overnight camp scholarships is Friday, February 26, 2010. For day camp scholarships: Friday, March 26,
2010.
For more information, contact Deirdre Mulligan via email or call 215-832-0509. For a complete list of
camps, please visit the Federation website.
Library
Volunteers Needed
We are
seeking volunteers to help in our beautiful Barrack Hebrew Academy Library.
Volunteers should love books and young people. Please contact Wendie Gabay, Head Librarian, 610-922-2356 for details.
|
|
|
|
|
In the Spotlight:
|
First
Barrack
Shabbaton Weekend
Set for
February 5-6
New Lower Priced Package Available Now
"We have
worked very hard to create a New Lower Priced Package for Barrack Hebrew
Academy's first-ever Home and School Association Family Shabbaton Weekend set for February 5-6 at our school,"
announce Lori Levin and Francine Lipstein, Shabbaton Chairs. Barrack hotel rooms
are available for this amazing event on a first come first serve basis. The
special Shabbat event will begin at 4:45 on Friday evening and end at 7:30
Saturday evening
with a joyful community concert performed by world-renowned Jewish entertainer Sam
Glaser,
a jubilant singer, pianist and composer.
Weekend
program highlights include: Glatt-Kosher communal meals provided by Max and
David's in our dining commons; Torah and Havdallah services lead by
participating Barrack students; workshops with Sam Glaser; and time to spend
with old and new friends as we bond as a community.
We're
looking forward to sharing Shabbat with our Barrack Hebrew Academy family!
For full details about the Shabbaton and a reservation
form, with the new pricing, click here.
Sam Glaser Community Concert to Cap
Shabbaton Weekend
| 
The Sam Glaser Concert,
open to the entire community on Saturday
evening, February 6, 7:30pm will take place in the
Barrack auditorium. Seating is limited, so don't miss
this opportunity to bring the
whole family to hear Sam who has been hailed " as the best thing to
happen to Jewish music in decades." Tickets are
$18.00 for adults and $10.00 for children under 12.
Click here for a concert flyer and
ticket reservation form. Tickets will be held at the door.
|
Calendar
|
Save the Date:
March
14 Tribute Event
Honoring
Susan
Weisgrau,
For Learning
Robin & Steven
Katz,
For Leading
And Joshua H. Landes
'80,
For Life
Middle School
Shabbaton:
Capital
Camps
January
15-17
Martin
Luther King Jr.
Day of Service:
Monday,
January 15
School closed. Chesed Club volunteer
activities
10th
Grade Muss Meeting:
Wednesday,
January 20, 7:30pm
in the
auditorium
Chips
for Charity Night:
Wednesday,
January 26, 6pm
Barrack
Dining Commons
Benefiting
Juvenile Diabetes
Foundation
Research
SA Ski
Trip:
Wednesday,
January 27
No
School
Tu
B'Shevat Assembly:
Thursday,
January 28
Upper
School Drama:
Mary,
Mary
January
31-February 3
Barrack's
Tri-Arts Festival:
Sunday,
January 31, 6pm
Barrack
auditorium, prior to Opening Night of Mary, Mary
Barrack
Family
Shabbaton Weekend:
Feb. 5-6
Sam
Glaser Community Concert
Feb. 6, 7:30pm, Barrack auditorium
|
For everything,
there is a season...
|
Heartfelt
Condolences to:
With much
sadness
we inform you of the passing of Rebecca Schofer, mother of Larry Schofer and mother-in-law of Jane Schofer,
former part-time Barrack librarian. Mrs. Schofer was 105 years old
and had a long and eventful life. The funeral will be held in Baltimore
this weekend. Larry and Jane will be receiving visitors at home this Saturday,
January 16th, from 3-9pm.
| Alumni
Life Cycles
Mazel
tov to:
Jaclyn Cohen '96 on her engagement to Nathan
Nussbaum.
Jaclyn is completing her MHS (Masters in Health Science) from the School of
Public Health at Johns Hopkins. Nathan is completing his M.D. degree at Johns
Hopkins Medical School.
Tamar
Cooper '05
on her marriage to Yoni Hanania in Israel.
Rebecca
Landes Kolman '77
and her husband Timothy on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter Rachel.
Todah
Rabah to:
Jonathan
and
Sarah Goldstein '08
and Ira Blum '06
for chaperoning the 10th grade Shabbaton.
Kudos
to:
Avram
Katz '67
upon receiving the Sidney Taylor Book Award from the Association of Jewish
Libraries this year. He is a freelance illustrator in Israel. He is the only
illustrator who received multiple recognitions for book illustrations and
covers. Winning publications include The JPS Illustrated Children's Bible which also received the
National Jewish Book Award,
Harold Kravitz '75, a Rabbi in Minnesota,
who has been named to the Executive Council of the Rabbinical Assembly and to
the Executive Committee of MAZON, a Jewish Response to Hunger.
|
Photo Gallery
Barrack at Super Sunday
|
| 
|
Vocal Ensemble at Heritage Night
|
| 
|
Submit to Benainu
|
Please send Benainu information to our new email address benainu@jbha.org
|
|
Get Connected
|
Not on our mailing list? Join us today to get updates on what's happening at Barrack.
|
|
|
|
