Dear
Friends,
It
was a night of celebration! Ruach, friendship, community and kinship were
palpable as close to 300 supporters of our school gathered on Sunday evening for
our 8th annual Tribute Event and to honor four outstanding leaders
who represent the hallmark of a Barrack education: preparing the next
generation for learning, leading and life.
As
dinner guests arrived, they were serenaded by members of Barrack's string
ensemble, Dobhran
Black '13
and Dina Malka Botwinik '13, Samuel Hamermesh '15 and Joshua Radack
'14,
all under the direction of Dr. Karin Orenstein.
It was also a special treat to have our
honorees' extended families here to witness heartfelt and heart-warming tributes
and to have colleagues and family members present gifts of appreciation that
reflected each honoree's contributions and passions in the realms of learning,
leading and life. Sharon Levin, Barrack's Humanities Department Chair, presented
Susan Weisgrau,
an inspirational English teacher at Barrack noted for sharing her passions for
literature, poetry, and correct punctuation, with a deluxe copy of the Moss
Haggadah,
stating that Susan and the Jewish people are "people of the book." Three of the
Four Katz children, Aimee '08, Jessica '08 and Jaime '02, presented Robin and Steven Katz with a hand blown glass
Yad and
stand, thanking their parents for leading the way at home and in the community,
always celebrating Jewish values, education and life. The Landes sisters, Rebecca
Landes Kolman '77,
Rena Landes Rank '74 and Tamar Landes Rapaport '81 thanked their brother Joshua
H. Landes '80
for his love and support of family, Jewish education and Israel and presented
him with an ancient map of the Jewish homeland. All the presenters described
our honorees as true menchen, and indeed they are.
The evening also included a delicious dinner
catered by Max and David's who transformed our Dining Commons into a
dazzling international scene. Dr. Karin Orenstein played the piano
beautifully throughout dinner, and our talented students took center stage.
Past SA President, Adam Wachs '10, thanked Barrack teachers for preparing him and
his classmates for college and for life, and four members of Barrack's Vocal Ensemble,
Eliana Glanzberg-Krainin '11, Yael Leberman '11, Gillie Strauss '10 and Davida Vogel '11 sang Haleluya. Josh Katz '99, the fourth Katz
offspring, did an amazing job as auctioneer for our live auction. The evening
was capped off by an elaborate, delicious dessert reception enjoyed by all.
The proceeds of the Tribute Event and Tribute
Journal are still being tallied, but to borrow a famous line from advertising,
the entire evening was priceless!
On behalf of the Barrack Hebrew Academy family,
I thank everyone who contributed to the success of this, the major fundraising
event for our school. Your support of Jewish day school excellence benefits our
students today and assures the continuity of a vibrant Jewish community for
generations to come.
Sincerely,
Susan
M. Marks
Director
of Institutional Development
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For Learning.
World Languages Spoken Here
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The first
week of March, as always, was World Languages Week at JBHA - an appreciation
of the importance, value and benefits of studying a world language. "In the
small world we live in, what an advantage it is to be able to communicate with
so many more people, to appreciate their art, music, literature and
culture, while at the same time to expand our own view of the world, learn
history, and understand the formation and development of our own language and
thought," shares Magistra Carol McMichael, Barrack Latin teacher.
Throughout
the week, Barrack world language teachers hosted special activities in their
classrooms and inspired students to create posters and artwork that illustrated
iconic cultural sites and culinary delights. In addition, cuisine from
different countries and cultures was featured for the week in the Dining
Commons. Menus ranged from Israeli cuisine to Spanish and French and from Italian
to Chinese. Plus individual classes and teachers presented programs and videos
during lunch.
"We study locally and think globally at Barrack," concludes Ray
Leven, World Languages Department Chair, "and we thank
everyone who planned, implemented and participated in this year's fun and
festivities."
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Doing as the Romans Did
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Latin students learn about the world of the Romans, as well as their
language. "Sometimes we dress up in our togas and transport ourselves back to
ancient Rome," explains Magistra Carol McMichael,
Barrack Latin teacher.
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Art and Science Combine to
Create Pinball Machines
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The seniors in the Grade 12 Introduction to Engineering
Elective completed their course by creating and constructing working pinball
machines from scratch, reports Kathleen Saltz,
Barrack science teacher and engineering elective teacher. Starting with a mere
peg board, each team designed an attractive, thematic game that included
ball-activated lighting, sound and motion effects. The other students in Grades
6-12 who came to play pinball at the ARCADE enjoyed using the creative and
varied types of plungers and flippers to launch the ball and keep it in play on
the board. "This project represents the type of team work, critical thinking
and problem solving the students used throughout their senior science elective
in engineering this year. Other projects the students worked on this year were
mousetrap cars, lip balm, balsa bridges, bottle rockets, and flood disaster
reduction systems," shares Mrs. Saltz.
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For Leading.
Zachary Taylor '11
PA State Debate Champion
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Congratulations to Zachary
Taylor '11
who won the Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) State Tournament in
varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate in a 5-0 decision. The championship was
held at Susquehanna University. There were 24 qualified teams from the thirteen
PHSSL districts across the state.
Zachary
also recently placed in the Pennsylvania Catholic Forensic League (CFL)
tournament, qualifying him for the National CFL tournament in May in Omaha,
Nebraska.
Lincoln Douglas is a one-on-one
debate that requires applying philosophical theories to real world issues. The
topics are set by the National Forensic League and change every two months.
Debaters must be prepared to defend both sides of the issue. The topic for
these recent tournaments was: Resolved: In the United States, the principle
of jury nullification is a just check on government.
Anyone interested in joining the Lincoln Douglas Debate Team next year, or
learning more about debate, should contact Zachary or Hallie Anderson,
Barrack faculty member and debate coach.
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Barrack Athletes Recognized at
Winter Sports Banquet
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Barrack athletes who participated
in this year's winter season were recognized at the Athletic Awards banquet
last week. Athletes and their families enjoyed a delicious dinner catered by
Max and David's in the Dining Commons, followed by the awards ceremony in the auditorium.
Coach Mitchell Kline, athletic director, thanked the parents for their support and all the
athletes and their coaches for their dedication, team spirit and sportsmanship.
Dr. Steven M. Brown, Head of School, also addressed the gathering, congratulating
the athletes, their coaches, and Coach Kline.
Athletes who received awards at the banquet include:
Girls' Varsity basketball
Athletic Excellence Award - Tamara Moskowitz '12
Most Improved Athlete - Sivan Ben-Maimon '12
Boys' Varsity Basketball
Athletic Excellence Award - Tal Ben-Maimon '10
Most Improved Athlete - Dan Gabbay'11
Swim Team
Athletic Excellence Award - Jordyn Horowitz '11
Most Improved Athlete - Danielle Levin '12
Coach's Award - Gabrielle Hoessly '16
Boys' Junior Varsity Basketball
Coach's Award - Ben Batoff '12
Boys' Middle School Basketball
Coach's Award - Elliot Bernstein
'16
Girls' Middle School Basketball
Coach's Award - Ashira Naftali Greer '14
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New SA Officers
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Elections for Student Association officers were held
this month and the results are in! The new officers are Josh Stein '11,
President; Omri Dorani '11, Vice-President; Zach
Taylor '11, secretary, and Maddie Rosen '11,
treasurer. Congratulations!
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Class of 2010 Graduation Speakers
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The Class of 2010 is pleased to announce that Mrs.
Minna Ziskind, Barrack history teacher, will be the keynote speaker
at graduation and that the following seniors will speak at commencement on June
10, 2010:
Greeting.............................Ben Miller
English remarks..........Harrison Grass
Hebrew remarks...............Dory Kalimi
Closing remarks...............Danny Elkin
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Barrack 9th Grader
Extends Tikkun Olam to Ethiopia
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Shoshana Fishbein, a Barrack 9th
grader, is extending her commitment to "repairing the world" to include orphan
children in Ethiopia."When my aunt in California adopted two orphans from the
Layla House compound in Addis Ababa, I wanted to help the children who still
remain there," explains Shoshana. She first helped raise funds to support
educational efforts and now is raising funds to help rebuild the soccer field
at the orphanage. "The children love to play soccer, "adds Shoshana, "but their
soccer field is in very bad shape and they need soccer equipment. If we can help repair it, they will once
again be able to play sports and enjoy some recreation." Layla House is run by
Adoption Advocates International, an agency licensed in Washington State and an
NGO in Ethiopia. Contributions are welcome. Log onto the Adoption Advocate International Website
and click on the "donate now" button. Layla House is listed on the donation
form. FYI: Shoshana's two cousins from Ethiopia are now attending Jewish Day
School in California.
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New Gateway Editors
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"Please join me in congratulating our fabulous
incoming editors," invites Andrea Rock, Gateway advisor.
They are Jesse Steinbach '11, Editor-in-Chief; Maddie Rosen
'11, Prose Editor; Jessica Wolfson '11, Poetry
Editor, and Michal Philip '11, Art Editor.
"And...please join me in thanking our amazing outgoing editors," adds Mrs.
Rock: Miriam Rock '10, Editor-in-Chief; Becky
Herzberg '10, Prose Editor; and Jesse Steinbach '11, Poetry
Editor.
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For Life.
Senior Shabbaton
by Jackie Retig '10
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The senior class went to
Capital Camps in January for our last Shabbaton. We had an amazing and
relaxing Shabbat,
playing games and participating in peulot (activities). While at the camp, we went
sledding, watched a few movies and shared stories over our meals. The tfilot
we had
as a grade were meaningful and everyone pitched in reading Torah, performing aliyot and leading the
different services. On Shabbat and Sunday we even had the opportunity to do
yoga and meditation with Laura Lyn Stern, our school's art teacher. It was a lot
of fun getting to know the different staff members joining us on the Shabbaton
and
becoming even closer as a grade.
The weekend gave us an opportunity to reflect on our high-school careers
and look to our futures. On Shabbat, we discussed the highs
and lows of the past four years and the values we learned at Barrack which will
help us past school. As Shabbat came to a close, we
were all sad that it would be our grade's last Barrack Shabbaton
experience as a class, but nevertheless grateful for the time we had been given
to share. Once we said our "shavuah tovs" everyone sat in a circle and had a
chance to say something positive to a friend in the grade. With each thing
said, yarn was thrown around the circle and, by the end, we had created a web
that connected all of us. This activity, and the Shabbaton
as a whole, reflected our connections to each other and to the school. I know
the grade really appreciated Sarah Waxman's
planning and leading throughout the weekend!
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Dr. Jake Kriger Presents Moss Haggadot to Barrack Middle School Students
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It's a tradition! For several years, Dr. Jake Kriger,
Barrack Board member and school benefactor, has presented copies of David Moss'
beautifully illustrated and illuminated Haggadot to
Barrack 6th and 7th graders, as well as to 8th
graders new to our school. "These students are old enough to participate in
their family Seders in very meaningful ways" shares Dr. Kriger. "I believe
their own personal Haggadah will serve as a
catalyst for such meaningful participation and also enrich their understanding
of the meaning and significance of Passover." Hannah Cooper '14
agrees: "It is a beautiful Haggadah created by an artist,
and it is an important part of our heritage. It is a wonderful gift."
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Matzah Making and Chocolate Seders Highlight Barrack Passover Programs
by Gabe Duec '10
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This year for Pesach, Sarah Waxman
and JLI have been working tirelessly to make this holiday program the best one
yet! The Pesach program will include two different components for Barrack students.
Middle School students will enjoy their very own chocolate Passover Seder.
Teachers and JLI will lead the middle school in a "mock Seder."
However, this is no ordinary Seder. Everything eaten at the Seder will be made of
chocolate, making it more enjoyable for students to learn about the Seder!
For the Upper School, Barrack's
talented and enthusiastic faculty has been called in to assist in the
programming. Pesach this year will include many different teacher-taught
sessions aimed at educating Barrack Upper School students about the meaning of
Passover. Nearly 14 different teachers and administrators have been selected to
lead two 35 minute mini-lectures about their areas of expertise pertaining to
Pesach. Sessions range from fun learning about Passover to an intense scholarly
look at Pesach laws and include: Matzah-Making to Sephardic Pesach Customs and from
Pesach Movie Time to Decoding the Exodus.
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Kate Ledger '88 to Review her Novel, Remedies, May 2
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Join us for an evening with Kate Ledger '88,
alumnus and author of a highly acclaimed first novel, Remedies,
on Sunday, May 2. Her debut novel has
received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, rave reviews from Kirkus,
the Jewish Book World, Self,
and Baltimore Magazine. Remedies has
also been selected as the "community read" for the 2009 Twin Cities Jewish Book
Fair. A sponsors' reception is set for 6pm, followed by the program at 6:45-7:45pm,
and climaxes with a dessert reception at 7:45pm. Admission is $18; students and
faculty, $15. Sponsorship is $150 and includes 2 tickets, a signed novel and
sponsors' reception.
Click here for full details and a RSVP card.
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Parents' Corner
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Chesed CLUB Sports
Equipment Drive
Chesed
Club
members are collecting new or lightly used sports equipment.
Please look around your homes for items you no longer use or need and
contribute them to students in other schools or agencies who need them. Collection boxes
are near Mrs. Rubin's desk. Thank you!
Mitzvah
Project
For
his Mitzvah Project, Zachary Stein '16 is collecting items for
American soldiers in Afghanistan. "I selected this Bar Mitzvah project
because our family friend, LCPL James D. Speers, is a member of the First
Battalion, 2nd Marines, which has been deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan,"
shares Zachary. "This is an active war zone. I decided to support his platoon
through the Adopt-a-Soldier program of Mitzvah Circle Foundation. Please help
me support Jim and his platoon by contributing travel size toiletries, including:
toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, disposable razors, and tissues; food
items, such as individual snacks, trail mix, and protein powder; clothing, such as
boot black socks; and miscellaneous items, such as playing cards,
small puzzle books, pens, and mechanical pencils. I have put a large green bin
in the school lobby to collect these items. Thank you."
County
Line Day Camp at Barrack;
Enrollment
Open Now
County Line Day Camp, located at Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy this summer, offers
a complete program to help boys and girls, ages 4-12, play, develop talent,
grow strong and enjoy the full benefits of camp life under the guidance of an
experienced adult staff. For complete information and to enroll your children,
please contact Chrissy Hallman, 484-568-1653 / chrissy@countylinedaycamp.org
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Varsity Baseball:
Off to a Winning Start!
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The Varsity
Baseball team began its 2010 season yesterday with a convincing 11-3
win over Stern Hebrew Academy. Coach Kleger's defending Penn Jersey
League champions combined timely hitting and excellent pitching to win
their first game. Daniel Saewitz '10 pitched two innings
and struck out 4. Additional fine pitching performances were made by
Josh Ackerman '11, Elior Gola '12 and
co-Captain Daniel Becker '10, who struck out 3 batters in
the final inning. Seniors Danny Elkin and Eli Taichman each had a
single and drove in two runs in the victory. The Cougars play Valley
Forge Military Academy on Sunday at 2pm at VFMA.
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Support the Drama Department
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Come to the Cabaret!
Come join us for a show-stopping celebration of music
and theater at Barrack's Cabaret, set for this Sunday, March
21, 7pm in our Dining Commons. A fundraiser for the Drama
Department, this one night only production features talented faculty members,
alumni and students. Tickets are $12 and are available at the door.
General Seating is on a first-come, first- served basis. The doors
will open at 6pm and the show will begin promptly at 7pm. Late
arrivals will only be seated at a suitable break in the show.
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In the Spotlight:
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Adam Wachs '10 Delivers Tribute Event Remarks
(Adam Wachs, a Barrack
senior, was invited to present remarks at the Tribute Event. His remarks follow.)
Good evening, and welcome to Barrack's 8th Annual Tribute
Event. My name is Adam Wachs and
as of last Tuesday, I am now the immediate past president of the Student Association
here at Barrack Hebrew Academy. On behalf of all of the students here at
the school, it is my honor to welcome you this evening, and I thank you for
your continued support.
In a short 13 weeks, 59 members of the
Senior Class, including myself, will graduate, moving from the protected
comfort of these hallways through a gateway into a yet unwritten and unknown
new beginning. It is so fitting that only yesterday we finished the Book
of Shmot and recited together: Chazak
Chazak V'Neetchazek - strength,
strength, and may we be strengthened. This famous saying is appropriate
for this occasion, as it moves from Chazak in the singular to V'Neetchazek in the plural. No different than when the
Hebrew people camped together at the base of Mount Sinai; the word camped used
in the text, Va'YeeChan, is
also in the singular. The Hebrew people camped as one people with one
voice and one heart. Likewise, we entered Barrack as 59 unique and
separate individuals, but now we leave as a collective one, a unified group,
b'Yachad, ready to enter the wide
world together. As a group, we leave this school strong in our Jewish
identity, well-prepared academically, and confident in our ability to impact
the world.
Our having been strengthened, both as
individuals and as a class, is a testament to the educators and faculty members
at this school who have so professionally prepared us for learning, for
leading, and for life. As an institution that prides itself on the Jewish
values of Derech Eretz and Tikkun
Olam, we learn what it means to be
a Jew in today's world. Our classes are engaging and interesting, and our
teachers are extraordinary. We thank our teachers who have inspired us to
achieve all that we could and have given us the tools necessary to succeed
outside the nurtured walls of this exceptional school. To all of the
teachers who are present tonight, thank you.
I am excited to be the one to tell you
that the ad book has gone green this year. Behind me on the screen is an
eco-friendly Tribute Journal. Ads are projected on the screen and are
encased in the USB that you will all receive this evening.
Once
again, welcome, thank you for coming, and please enjoy the evening.
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Benainu
will not be published again until after
spring break.
From our Barrack Hebrew Academy Family to yours, we wish you a happy, healthy, sweet holiday and a rejuvenating spring break!
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Calendar
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Passover
Programs
Friday,
March 19
Cabaret:
Curtain Calls
Sunday,
March 21
Doors open
at 6pm
Show
begins promptly at 7pm
Barrack
Dining Commons
Senior
Finals
Tuesday
and Wednesday
March 23
and 24
Spring
Break
Friday,
March 26-April 7
Classes
resume April 8
Yom
Hashoah
April 11
9th
Grade Shakespeare Day
April 14
Kate
Ledger '88
Remedies
Sunday, May 2
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For everything,
there is a season...
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Mazel tov to:
Congratulations to Glenda
Henderson, a member of our business department, and her husband
Aaron, on the birth of Orianna Henderson,
born on Monday, March 16. Erin is Orianna's big
sister.
| Condolences to:
It is with deep sadness
that we inform you of the passing of Jeanne Schachter,
wife of Len and mother of Jonathan '72
(Andrea), David '72 (Debra Adelman '74)
and Avram (Estair). Jeanne taught math at
Akiba from 1949-1993, a 44 year career. The funeral was held on Monday, March
15. The family will sit Shiva from Monday through Sunday morning at the Schachter residence
in Merion.
Alumni Life Cycles
Mazel tov to:
Congratulations to Abigail
Kosloff Greene '92
and husband Alex
on the birth of a daughter, Adina Tova, who joins her four sisters Chaya,
Elisheva, Shayna,
and Hadassa.
Mazel
Tov to Josh Landes '80 on being honored at the Tribute event and to his sisters Rebecca Kolman Landes '77,
Tamar Landes '81
and Rena Landes Rank '74 for their support and participation.
With gratitude to Lainey Simonson
for her consulting help with alumni hall.
Condolences to:
We are
very sad to
inform you of the recent passing of Olga Betesh, beloved mother of
alum parent, Joel Betesh (Joan) and grandmother of David '96, Hannah
'99 and Rachel '01 Betesh. The funeral was held on Wednesday, March 17. Shiva will take place through Tuesday morning, March 23rd at the Betesh home in Bala Cynwyd.
Condolences to Steven (Joyce) Archinow '81 of Oreland and Lisa Archinow '77 (Dr. Jordan Katz) of Roslyn, NY on the death of their mother Sondra Archinow. The graveside service was held at Tiferet Bet Israel Cemetery at 12 noon today, Friday, March 19. Shiva will be observed at the home of Steven and Joyce Archinow this Saturday, Sunday and Monday evening.
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Photo Gallery
Tribute Event
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| Winter Sports Awards Banquet |
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