Dear
Friends,
As the
melodies and beat of Wednesday's concert with master Israeli musician Shlomo Gronich
and the beautiful, talented Sheba Choir mix with the sights and sounds of our
Yom HaAtzmaut tribute, we swell with pride to think that once again our school can stage such a meaningful three-hour event under the leadership of Oded
Philip,
Israel Club advisor, and all the Israel Club members.
On behalf
of our school community, we would like to express our deepest thanks to Oded, the
Israel Club, all the teachers and community members who contributed to this wonderful
recognition. Your planning and execution of both Yom HaZikaron and
Yom HaAtzmaut have left us filled with emotion.
The
commemoration of those who fell in the defense of Israel at the very moving Yom
Hazikaron Assembly on Monday, followed by the joyful celebration of Israel's Independence
Day on Tuesday, strengthened our school's bonds with Israel in every way. Yashar
Koakh to you, Oded, and the Israel Club for your energy and time; the ruakh and image of Israel
have been enhanced because of your dedication and effort.
Kol Hakavod,
Dr. Steven
M. Brown
Head of School
Ray Leven
Hebrew & World Languages Department Head
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For Learning.
6th Graders Research
Ancient Greece and Rome
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Working in small groups, as well as conducting
independent research, Barrack 6th graders are preparing reports
about ancient Greece and Rome in preparation for presentations, including
PowerPoints, posters, and poems that they will share with their peers and
teachers. Topics include: Greek and Roman gods, leaders, architecture, art,
customs, and entertainment. "We're making connections between ancient Greece
and Rome and America today," shares Ruthie Schmidt "and discovering the similarities and differences, " adds Amos Epelman.
"Not to mention the Jewish perspective," chimes in Harrison Brietling.
"It's very exciting working together and researching different topics. It will
be fun to present to the class too," concludes Gabrielle Hoessly. This week the 6th graders visited the Greek and Roman wings of the
University of Pennsylvania Archaeology Museum, further enriching their
understanding of these two ancient civilizations.
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Plays & Politics Inspire
Barrack 7th Graders
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 During their study of the First Amendment and Inherit
the Wind, 7th grade
students in Lee Scarborough-Kirk's class, read
another play, either drama, mystery or comedy, outside of class. While reading,
they traced literary elements and learned about aspects of this genre. As a
culminating activity, students completed artistic and dramatic projects. These
included: set design and construction; costume design and sewing;
pre-television radio broadcast of scenes, including sound effects; paintings of
key scenes; enactments of scenes; and directors' instructions to actors.
Students presented their projects to the class and posted book reviews on the
Barrack Books Wiki.
Student presentations included: Becca Taichman's
set design for A Midsummer Night's Dream and Danny Nelson's for You
Can't Take It With You.
Talia Prusky and Eva Wyner designed
costumes for Arsenic and Old Lace, and Shira
Prusky painted two scenes from Born Yesterday.
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For Leading.
Barrack Vocal Ensemble
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Barrack Hebrew Academy's vocal ensemble had the
extreme honor of performing on Yom Hazikaron at the Community Israel Memorial
Day Ceremony hosted by Congregation Beth Shalom in Elkins Park. In a
ceremony to honor fallen soldiers in Israel, vocal ensemble members ended the
program by singing Livkot Lecha by Aviv Geffen. They
then led the audience of over 500 in Hatikvah. "Our vocal ensemble members were
extremely moved by the speakers, video, and additional music presented during
the ceremony," shares Dr. Karin Orenstein, Barrack's music
teacher and ensemble director. Cantor Tilman also wrote a note to Dr.
Steven M. Brown, Head of School, congratulating the ensemble on their
outstanding performance.
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Lag
B'Omer Festivities To Benefit South African School Children
By Molly Schonfeld '11
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Lag B'Omer
promises to be a day of fun and festivities at Barrack and at the same time
benefit school children who attend the Open Air School in South Africa, a
non-profit government-funded school for physically disabled children who live
in Durban, South Africa, according to Molly Schonfeld '11, Chesed Club officer.
Funding
for the school has been cut, however, due to the current recession in South
Africa. Many of the children now come to school hungry because the situation is
so dire. "Chesed Club members hope our efforts can raise enough money to
help this ailing community by collecting vital supplies and raising funds for
the school," shares Molly.
Prior
to Lag B'Omer festivities set for Monday, May 3, the Chesed Club will sponsor
a drive
for the Open Air School, collecting stationary materials such as pens, pencils,
rulers, felt pens, paints, and glitter, along with clothing such as t-shirts,
shorts, and more.
Lag B'Omer festivities will include a picnic on the Barrack campus,
complete with food grilled and sold by 11th graders; sports
tournaments, including tennis, basketball and volleyball, in which students and
teachers may enter to compete; and the sale of Lag B'Omer t-shirts and a
50-50 raffle. All of the funds raised will be donated to the Open Air School.
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Falling
Whistles Founder
To Speak at Barrack on April 27
by Nicole Becker '12
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The Human
Rights Club is proud to announce that Sean Carasso, the founder of Falling
Whistles,
a non-profit organization that promotes peace in the Congo, will conduct a
Lunch 'n Learn session for Barrack students and faculty in the Barrack
auditorium on Tuesday, April 27. Sean is coming all the way from California to
conduct the session, and Barrack is the only high school location where he will
speak. Falling Whistles provides a small window into the world's largest war.
Originally just a journal written about boys sent to the front-lines of
war armed with only a whistle, readers forwarded it with the same kind of
urgency in which it was written and demanded to know - what can we do? The
Falling Whistles campaign was launched with a simple response - make their
weapon your voice and be a whistleblower for peace in Congo (The whistle that I
wear around my neck everyday is from Falling Whistles). Whistles will be for
sale at Barrack and on-line. All proceeds go to rehabilitate and advocate
for war-affected children.
Sean plans to speak about the issues in the Congo, his story about how
he founded Falling Whistles (which is an incredible story in itself), what they
have accomplished, and how we can get involved in their organization -- as well
other world-benefiting events. Falling Whistles members are all very young and
have mentioned multiple times that they feel it's so important to educate the
next generation. Together, we can become the voice of a growing coalition for
peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. To read the story and find out more
information go to www.FallingWhistles.Comor contact me at Nicole.Becker@jbha.org.
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Sports Updates
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MS School Baseball
Team Shines
Barrack's MS baseball team
defeated Girard College 15-0, improving their record to 3-0. This is the best
start in the last 4 years.
Girls'
Softball Team Excels at Bat
On Tuesday, the Lady Cougars
beat West-Mont Academy 20-8 in a great game. The team now has an
undefeated 3-0 record in the Tri-County League. The Lady Cougars were
very successful offensively with a total of 15 hits. Sarah Saltz '10 missed the cycle
by a single and had a home run, a triple and a double. Third baseman Jenna
Glassman '12 hit a homerun.
After
allowing 12 runs in the first inning, the Lady Cougars went on to win the game 33-18 on Wednesday against Villa Victoria
Academy, with great performances both defensively and
offensively. Behind the plate, catcher Ari Bogom-Shanon '13 only allowed 3 passed
balls. In the field, Barrack continued their double play streak. The team had
14 hits today. Lila Manstein '13 hit a double. Jenna Glassman '12 hit a double and a three
run triple. Sarah Saltz hit a double, a triple, a grand slam and
had 9 RBI's.
Lacrosse
Win: Barrack 7
Collegium
Charter 4
Barrack Girls 'Lacrosse team played a wonderful game to pull out another win
over Collegium Charter School. The score: 7-4. At half time, the score was 6-1, Barrack on top. Goals were made by Tomar Parmet '13 (5) and Danielle
Levin '12
(2).
The defense did well too, allowing only one goal in the first half.
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For Life.
Ten Commandments: Gift
or Burden?
More Excerpts From
Winning Essays
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This issue, we are sharing
three more excerpts from the winning Barrack student essays that addressed the
topic: The Ten Commandments: Gift or Burden? Excerpts follow from the essays by Ivan
Levingston '12, Dara
Engel '14 and Zoe Kress '12.
Today, the Ten Commandments are a necessary reminder of our collective
morals and values. In some instances they restrain people from doing wrong, and
in others they help individuals and communities to reaffirm their beliefs in
God and a way of living that is righteous by the Torah. One can choose to think
of them as self-imposed limits, but they are not. These divine "utterances"
make it possible for those who accept them and live with them to behave in a
holier way. Beneath the specifics of the commandments lie the guidelines and
values that are commonly accepted as rules to a moral life (in Judaism
specifically): honesty, the value of family, respecting others' property, and
keeping God involved daily in one's life through mitzvot. However one may
interpret the commandments, they are necessary for individuals, communities,
and cultures, so that they may define their morals and envision their own
"righteous path."
Ivan Levingston '12
10th Grade
One specific commandment that I believe warrants special attention
for our culture today is "Though shall not covet your neighbors' goods." I feel
that this commandment is important today because, especially in our times,
everyone wants what someone else has, and everyone wants the next new thing.
For example, everybody wanted the iPod. It was the new gadget and it was in
popular demand. Then, the iPhone came out. All of a sudden, everybody wanted
that instead of an iPod. The same goes for the shoe brand, Uggs. These boots
started out as an unpopular shoe that everyone thought was ugly. That was soon
forgotten after one celebrity bought them. Suddenly, that was all people
wanted. In these times, we have to remember to take everything in moderation.
It's okay to want something, but it's not okay to be jealous of someone else
because they have what you want. Without this commandment, people would not
understand that all of these materialistic items in our world are everybody's,
not just your own. Even though we may want something that someone else has, we
have to take into account that they deserve it just as much as we do. This
commandment tells us that you can't always get what you want. It is not right
to be jealous of another. If you really want something, work hard, and you can
have it too.
Dara Engel '14
8th Grade
Over 3,000 years ago, Moshe stood on Mount Sinai and received the
Ten Commandments, a set of rules from G-d that were to guide the future
generations of the Jews. Some people may believe that the Ten Commandments were
only to affect the Jewish people; however, the general purpose of the Ten
Commandments was for all mankind. They were a gift that could help every
society prosper and thrive in its way of life.
Recently in class, a teacher asked, "Where do you get your morals and
values?" The obvious response was: from what we are taught. But who or what
teaches us? I know I learn a lot from both my past mistakes and achievements.
My choices are affected by my family, friends, faith in Judaism, and by the
often-foolish decisions I see people make on TV or in newspaper articles. The Ten
Commandments help me decide what is right or wrong. Lying, killing, and
cheating I know are wrong because G-d commands us not to perform these actions.
On the other hand, commandments such as honoring my parents and obeying G-d are
good; and if I follow these commandments, I know I'll be rewarded. There are
codes of conduct in all faiths, but the Ten Commandments are prominent in the
Judeo-Christian ethic because those religions abide by the Five Books of Moses.
Both faiths have followers that interpret the Ten Commandments literally;
however, the laws are also open to interpretation and lead to establishing a
general code of ethics and morals. The Ten Commandments are needed today to
help people make the distinction between what is good behavior versus what is
bad.
Zoe Kress '12
10th grade
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Parents' Corner:
Urgent Appeal; Help Us Help Sandee
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Dear Barrack Community,
Sandee
Kline, the wife of our Athletic Director Mitch Kline, was diagnosed with
Acute Non-lymphocytic Leukemia, and is in urgent need of a bone marrow
transplant.
Since tissue is inherited, Sandee's best chance of finding a genetically
matched donor lies with those of Jewish ancestry who have a mixed
Sephardic/Askenazi background. A simple swab of cells from the inside of the
cheek (no blood is drawn) will determine if you are a possible match. If you are
interested in becoming a possible donor, please join us on Sunday, May 2,
10am-3pm in our
Barrack Dining Commons. Donors must be between the ages of 18-60 years old and in
general good health, meet the guidelines and be willing to donate to any
patient. Five hundred (500) swab kits will be available free of charge. Donations, however, of
any amount, would be appreciated.
Jessica
Katz '08 recently signed up for the Bone Marrow Registry. This is what she had
to say: "Part
of signing up for the Marrow Donor Registry is becoming a potential Peripheral
Blood Stem Cell donor. This is a new procedure that works much like that for
blood donation. After being matched with a patient, the prep process is 5 days
long. On the fifth day blood is drawn, stem cells and plasma are taken out and
separated, and the rest of the blood is given back to the donor through a
second I.V. line. The process is painless, calm, and as easy as giving
blood! For those patients who need it, this kind of donation is as
life-saving as a bone marrow donation. One quick swab could save someone's
life! Don't pass up the opportunity for such an easy and important
mitzvah."
For
more information on the process of donating, please go to Sandee's Donor
Circle on the Gift of Life website,
And look for the Kline/Crespy family ad in yesterday's Jewish Exponent.
For more information, contact Mitch Kline: mitch24@comcast.net or 215-913-3835. Financial donations are also appreciated. Show your support by
making a donation and joining Sandee's Donor Circle. Tax deductible
contributions can also be made to Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, 800 Yamata Road, Suite
101, Boca Raton, FL 33431.
We cannot thank you enough for your help!
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HSA
Speaker
Dr.
Talia Eisenstein
Dr.
Talia Eisenstein, a licensed psychologist, will present a talk entitled "Get out of my
life...but
first take me to the mall"...What do teens REALLY want and how to
decipher their language on Monday, May 10, 7pm at Barrack. This HSA-sponsored
program is free and open to all Barrack parents and the school community.
Dr.
Eisenstein received her doctorate from Hahnemann University in Clinical
Psychology. For over 30 years, she has provided individual therapy to children,
adolescents and adults focusing on all types of psychological and emotional issues
including: depression, anxiety, development of identity, and self-injury. Her
practice also includes marital therapy, helping couples to address their
marital problems as well as developing and enriching their relationship. Dr.
Eisenstein created and implemented the Montgomery County Court mandated parent
education program for divorcing parents, Our Children First, which is the model
for similar programs in Harrisburg and the State of Delaware. Join us for this
enlightening event.
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Kate Ledger '88 to Discuss
Remedies on May 2
 Kate Ledger '88 will discuss
her highly-acclaimed debut novel Remedies on Sunday, May 2,
6:45pm at Barrack Hebrew Academy. A dessert reception will follow the
program. Ledger's novel grapples with contemporary family issues and medical
ethics with sensitivity and rare insight and will, no doubt, provide a catalyst
for a lively discussion.
For tickets and
reservations, click here.
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In the Spotlight:
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From
Sadness to Joy:
Yom Hazikaron/
Yom HaAzmaut
Israel took center stage
this week at Barrack Hebrew Academy, as our school poignantly commemorated
those who have fallen in defense of Israel and joyfully celebrated Israel's
birthday.
You could
have heard a pin drop in the auditorium on Monday, during the Yom Hazikaron
Assembly
presented by members of Barrack's Israel Club and special guests. Students
silently walked into a darkened auditorium, where prayers, poetry, prose, songs
and candle lighting created a somber and poignant atmosphere and where stories
were shared that touched the hearts of all in attendance. Oded Philip, Israel Club Advisor opened
the assembly; Michal Philip '11, Israel Club president, presented a moving speech.
Michal opened her remarks by saying:"In a few years from now, before we each
graduate high school, we will be faced with difficult decisions. Which college
will we go to? Will we take a gap year? What will be the best for us...the best
for our families? But there is one place where kids our age don't get the
privilege of making these choices, a place where young adults, fresh out of
high school, join the army and fight for their nation...(that place is Israel).
...They are proud to put their lives on the line...proud to as much as die for the
country and nation they love."
Lena
Cox '11 and
Betsy Silverstein '11 then read the poem, "The Silver Platter" in English and Hebrew.
Davida Vogel '11, club
secretary introduced special guests that included Barrack parent Jared
Gordonand his son David Gordon '16 who lit a memorial candle in memory of David's
great aunt who was killed in Operation Entebbe. Dr. David Rabeeya shared stories about
his father, who was active in the Mossad, as well as his family's difficult
early life in Israel. Cantor Eliot Vogel from Har Zion Temple, proud father of Davida Vogel, chanted the Yizkor prayer in memory of the fallen and the El Malai Rahamim memorial prayer for the
dead, and former Barrack parent Tzviah Wexler joined the Barrack vocal
ensemble in song. Students joined in singing of "Eili Eili" and "Hatikvah." Students
were moved by the program and maintained a respectful silence throughout the
assembly.
On Tuesday, during a school-wide Yom HaAzmaut Israel Independence Day
celebration, featuring Israeli food, dancing and a shuk; a Bedouin tent and
storytelling-time with Dr Rabeeya, a moon bounce, cotton candy, and more. The
festivities were climaxed by an amazing concert presented by Shlomo Gronich,
celebrated Israeli musician, and the beautiful Sheba Choir. Students waved
Israeli flags, sang along with the choir, and applauded loudly after every
song. It was a happening. "This is the best audience that we have played for,"
shared Gronich. "It was very exciting to be here and play for your students,
your school." Members of the Sheba
Choir agreed. "We could feel the enthusiasm, energy and love coming from the
audience!"
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Calendar
| Falling
Whistles Lunch 'n Learn
Tuesday,
April 27, 12:40pm
Barrack
Auditorium
Kate
Ledger '88 Program
Sunday,
May 2, 6:45pm
Barrack
Library
Gift of
Life Screening For
Sandee Kline
Sunday,
May 2
10am-3pm
Barrack
Dining Commons
Lag
B'Omer Picnic
Monday, May
3
Barrack
Campus
Open
House
Tuesday,
May 4
9am-noon
9th
Grade Shabbaton
Capital
Camps
May 7-9
HSA
Speaker
Dr.
Talia Eisenstein
Monday,
May 10
Barrack,
7pm
8th
Grade Williamsburg Trip
May 10-13
6th
& 7th Grade Sleepover
Thursday,
May 13
Barrack
Hebrew Academy
Jr.
& Sr. Prom
Monday,
May 17
Upper
School Musical
All
Shook Up!
Sunday,
May 30-June 3
7:30 pm
Bluett
Theatre, St Joseph University
Tickets:
$15 adults; $12 students
Click here to order tickets
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For everything,
there is a season...
| Life Cycles
With great
sadness, we inform you of the passing of:
Ellen
Bierig z'l
, beloved mother of Barrack parent Daniel Bierig (Susan) and grandmother of Zachary
'13.
Funeral services were held on April 21 in Vineland, New Jersey. Shiva will also
be held in Vineland.
Dr.
Martin Cohen z'l (April 5), beloved husband of Sheva Cohen and father of Jaclyn '96 and William '99
Cohen.
Hannah
Lorch z'l,
beloved mother of former Head of School (1980-1986) Steven Lorch (Susanna) and grandmother of Eliana,
Talia and Odelia.
The funeral took place on April 22 in New York. Shiva will be observed at the
Lorch home in New York City beginning Thursday evening and continuing through
Wednesday morning.
Eugene
Winston z'l(April 20, 2010), beloved father of current Barrack parent Ira Winston
(Flaura) and grandfather of Andrew Winston '12. Mr. Winston was 92 years of age. Graveside
funeral services took place this morning, Friday, April 23 at Har Yehuda
Cemetery. Shiva will be observed at the home of Ira and Flaura Winston in
Narberth. Services will be held at 7:30pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
| Alumni Life Cycles
Mazel tov to:
Benjamin
Miller '00
and his wife Aviva on the birth of a son, Matan, in Israel. Our thoughts are also with proud
grandparents and former faculty member Grace and Michael Miller.
Netanya Levin Levitz '91and husband Jason on the birth of Rebecca
Dana Levitz, sister of Jessica and
Hannah.
Rebecca is the granddaughter of Sharon Levin, Humanities Department
Chair, and her husband Jonathan.
Emma Satloff-Bedrick '07, a psychology major at Emory
University, who won the Emory University's Psychology Department Poster
Session for her research experiment entitled, "Don't Worry, Be Happy:
Emotional Stimuli Facilitate Verbal Memory."
With
sadness:
We inform you of the passing of Mitchell
Asher Barron '78 on February 23, 2010. He is the brother of Edward (Ted) Barron '81 (Patti) and son of Dr. Joshua
and Verna Barron.
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Photo Gallery
Vocal Ensemble
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Yom HaAzmaut
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7th Grade Projects:
Plays and Politics
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6th Grade Projects
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Submit to Benainu
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Please send Benainu information to our new email address benainu@jbha.org
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