Dear Friends,
As we mark one of the most joyous holidays, celebrating the
very soul of the Jewish people, our Torah, I am especially blessed this year. I
have the privilege of spending Simchat Torah with our Muss students in
Jerusalem whom I am visiting for the week. The start of a new school year, paralleling the start of a
new Jewish year and our beginning again the cycle of reading and studying
Torah, energizes us all. I have spent my entire life based on a September school
calendar cycle--first as a student, then as a lifelong educator. So this
yearly opportunity to begin again is a great gift. As we renew Benainu in a livelier and more vigorous format, I hope you
will enjoy the news about the life of our school as the year unfolds. We
anticipate another enriching academic year, enhanced by a new trimester system
and expanded elective courses in all grades.
Chag sameach to you
all,
 Dr. Steven M. Brown
Head of School
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Seniors Recognized by National Merit Scholars Program
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Nine Barrack Hebrew Academy seniors were named
National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists and Commended Scholars.
Seated (l. to r.) are semi-finalists Jake Meyers,
Hannah Kosman, Miriam Rock, and Etan
Weinstein. Standing (l. to r.) are commended scholars Madison
Herling, Judy Zwillenberg,
Sarah Saltz, Rebecca Herzberg, and Hannah Dardashti.
More than 1.5 million high school juniors in 22,000 high schools entered the
2010 National Merit Scholarship Program qualifying test. Less than 1% of the students was named
semifinalists and 2,307 were named commended scholars. The students' photo
appeared in The Main Line Times under the headline:
Barrack Scholars.
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Barrack Welcomes New Teachers and Directors
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Barrack Hebrew Academy welcomes a number of new
teachers and directors to our school family.
Standing (l. to r.) are Rabbi Judd Levingston,
Ronald Demuro, Mitchell Klein and Susan
Marks. Seated (l. to r.) are Jennifer Colter, Cynthia Miller and Dr. Karin
Orenstein. Look for
faculty profiles in upcoming newsletters.
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7th Graders Together at TEVA
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Barrack 7th graders, accompanied by Leslie
Pugach, Upper School Director, and Ronald
DeMuro, science teacher, enjoyed a TEVA trip to Jenny Jump State
Park last week to hike, cook-out, play, sing, observe Shabbat and bond as a
class in beautiful natural surroundings. They learned about edible and
medicinal plants; how to create a shelter, using available materials; and how
cooperation is essential for successful group dynamics. This experience builds
on their 6th grade TEVA trip to Connecticut, where the emphasis was
on becoming Keepers of the Earth. Each trip complements the Middle School's
curriculum of life science, the Core curriculum's focus on governmental
systems, and the Jewish Studies curriculum.
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The Greening of the Library
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Barrack's Library has gone green. Check out the
Barrack E Collection in the library's online catalog, OPALS, for
our list of curriculum related materials. Simply click http://jbha.hl.scoolaid.net/bin/home
and search Barrack E Collection.
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Trips...Trips...Trips
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Sixth Grade Core Trip
Barrack 6th
graders will take their first Core trip of the year on Thursday, October 15,
visiting the Eastern State Penitentiary for an archeology and history tour. The
students will be accompanied by Judith Pransky and Barbara Albert.
Building a Better Mousetrap
Members of the Introduction to Engineering class will visit the
engineering program at Widener University and participate in the university's
annual Mousetrap Engineering Competition. Student engineers include: Ben
Freedman, Holly Hammer, Avital Howard, Oryan Howard, Lena Ladenheim, Safi
Rothschild, Rachel Twersky and Elisheva Yondorf.
They will be accompanied by their teacher and advisor, Mrs. Kathy Saltz.
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Sports Scene
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Boys' Varsity Soccer: What
a season! Our boys' varsity soccer team is enjoying a winning season (7-0-1)
with Gabe Duec '10, scoring 3
goals to help win a recent match against the very competitive Delaware Valley
Friends team, 4-2. Through the first 8 games, Gabe, who has been playing soccer
since he was six years old, has led the unbeaten Cougars with ten goals and 7
assists. "He is also one of the team's co-captains and probably the fastest
runner in the Tri-County League," shares Coach Jerry Kleger, who adds, "I am proud of our whole team and the way
they are playing this season."
Girls' Varsity Soccer:
The Lady Cougars defeated Woodlynde twice in the past week, with a 3-2 vi ctory
in each game. Tamara Moskowtiz '12
had two goals (assisted by Jenna Glassman '12 and Judy Zwillenberg '10.) Valeriy Valtsis '10 added the third goal in the first game. In the
second game, goals were scored by Samara Gordon '10 (Lila Manstein '12 assist), Jenna Glassman '12 (Samara Gordon assist) and Danielle Wachs '12 (Samara Gordon assist.) "Our team's record to-date is 3-3 in league play and 6-5
overall," reports Coach Kim Gillio. "And we look forward to more exciting matches in the weeks ahead."
Girls' Varsity T ennis: This
year's team is led by seniors Shoval Dorani, Jenna Hart, and Jackie Retig,
reports Coach Mike Mooney, who
adds that the rest of the team is all new. Fourteen girls joined the team on
the first day of school and have been practicing hard ever since. The team's
record to-date stands at 4 and 5, with five matches to go before tournament
play. "We anticipate a strong finish," shares Coach Mooney, "and I am proud of
how hard the girls are working to pull together as a team."
Boys' Middle School Soccer: Our Boys' Middle School soccer team remains undefeated at press time,
enjoying a 4-0 record. The team played their first home game against the
Philadelphia School on Wednesday, Oct. 7 and won. Larry
Benek is the team coach.
Boys and Girls' Cross Country: Members of Barrack's
cross country team are off to a running start, with two strong performances in
their first two meets. Senior John Pressman
and sophomore David Kolansky finished among the top
ten in the Girard College Invitational, and personal bests were earned by 8th
grader Lev Ziskind in the Mercy Vocational meet. At the Phelps School
inter-conference meet, 10th grader Ezra Solway
marked the school's second fastest time of the season with a 19:14. Freshmen Jenna
Ferman and Zoe Kress achieved their
personal best times as well. Coach
Jerry Washington invites students in all
grades to come out for the cross country team.
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Student Leadership in Action
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Jewish Leadership Initiative
Congratulations to all members of our Barrack Jewish
Leadership Initiative who planned special celebrations, programs and events
marking the Days of Awe and Sukkot, bringing Jewish traditions, learning and
life alive at Barrack. Sukkot events included Fun and Fondue lunches in the Sukkah for all grades and a joyful
Sukkafest on October 8, enjoyed by students, parents, family and friends.
Barrack seniors apply to become JLI Committee members and are chosen from among
many outstanding applicants. This year, committee members are Dan Becker,
Arielle Belfer, Gabe Duec, Ben Freedman, Samara Gordon, Lena
Ladenheim, Jillian Meltzer, Ben
Miller and Erika Shaid. Sara Waxman is the JLI advisor.
We'll Dismantle Sukkahs
Barrack seniors will dismantle Sukkahs for $36 per Sukkah.
Interested parties should contact Elisheva Yondorf '10.
 Barrack Student Selected as Reta Emerson Fellow
Congratulations to Aria Amrom '10 who has been selected as a Reta Emerson Fellow in
the Teen Assistant Program (TAP) at the Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish
Education. After initial training, Aria will be paired with special needs
students in the Germantown Jewish Centre's Religious School. She will also
attend monthly seminars at CAJE in order to continue assistant teacher training
and receive certification as a Teen Assistant.
Chesed Club Winter Coat Drive
Practicing the timeless Jewish tradition of service to others, members
of Barrack's Chesed Club are collecting warm winter
coats, scarves, gloves, and hats for those in need. Collection boxes are
located in the foyer near Mrs. Rubin's Desk. Please bring in gently used and
clean donations and help adults and children stay warm this winter. The
drive runs through October 28.
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Young Alumni
Thanksgiving Reunion
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Calling all Akiba-Barrack alumni, classes 2004-2009.
Mark your calendars and plan to join us for our annual Alumni Reunion and
Soccer Spectacular set for Wednesday, November 25, 11am
-1:30pm. Meet old friends and classmates, catch-up with your favorite
teachers, enjoy lunch in our dining commons, and participate in a friendly game
of soccer. RSVP at alumni@jbha.org or call
610-922-2326
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Endowment Established
in Memory of Pepi Bloom
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| The children of Pepi Bloom established an endowment in
memory of their mother, a beloved teacher at our school from 1979 to 1991.
Teaching Hebrew, Jewish Thought and History were Pepi's passions, and she
believed that "the fun of teaching is learning." Therefore it most fitting that
her children chose to establish an endowment fund designated for enhanced professional education for Barrack's
faculty. The funds will continue to assure that our teachers have the latest
techniques and tools to prepare Barrack students to succeed in an increasingly
complex world. The Bloom family invites alumni,
former colleagues, family and friends to contribute to the Pepi Bloom Endowment
Fund for the 2009-2010 academic year. For details, contact
Susan Marks, Director of Institutional Advancement: smarks@jbha.org or
610-922-2322.
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Parents' Corner
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Coffee and Conversation with Dr. Brown
Middle School parents are invited to have coffee and
conversation with Dr. Steven M.Brown, Head of School, to learn about new initiatives,
share their thoughts and ask questions in an informal setting. Meetings are
scheduled from 8 to 9:30am in
the Athletic Building's Alumni
Conference Room. Interested parents should
email or call Randi Butow to
reserve a date: rbutow@jbha.org or
610-922-2328. Every effort will be made to accommodate requested dates. Meeting
dates follow:
Monday: 10/19/09
Friday: 10/23/09
Tuesday: 10/27/09
Wednesday: 10/28/09
HSA Bagels and Learning Dates
Mark your calendars and plan to join fellow parents and
community scholars for informal discussions about Jewish life cycles. Meetings
are held from 8 to 9:30am in
the Athletic Building's Alumni
Conference Room. October and November
meeting dates follow:
• Friday,
Oct. 16: "Jewish "Ensoulment"" let by Rabbi Ethan Franzel/Main Line Reform Temple
• Friday, Nov. 20: "Matters of Life & Death: Jewish Perspectives on Organ
Donations & Ethical Wills," led by Rabbi Lisa Malik/B'nai Aaron
We look forward to seeing you!
Mitzvah Mania!
On November 1, all members of Barrack Hebrew Academy's
family have the opportunity to get involved in one of the biggest days of Chesed
that takes place in the greater
Philadelphia area- the Jewish Federation's Mitzvah Mania! Barrack
Hebrew Academy is teaming up with Federation in an effort to protect those in
need from the cold by collecting warm clothing, as well as protect the
environment. Plan to join us by donating to the winter clothing drive and
volunteering to help clean-up Morris Park on Sunday, November 1. For details, contact Sarah Waxman: swaxman@jbha.org
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In The Spotlight:
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Music at Barrack
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Barrack Hebrew Academy halls are ringing with the sound of
music as Dr. Karin Orenstein, our
school's new music teacher, conducts students in a first-ever Barrack choir and
begins orchestrating instrumental ensembles. An experienced music teacher and
concert hall performer with degrees in pedagogy and piano, Dr. Orenstein is
delighted to provide the newly-formed choir with the opportunity to sing
classical, popular and Jewish music and looks forward to forming instrumental
groups. She is currently working one-on-one with students, from violinists to
pianists to percussionists, who will eventually join ensembles. Barrack students
are equally excited about these new opportunities.
Dr. Orenstein is also sharing her love of music through Barrack's
expanded roster of elective courses. Her electives include: Music: Listen Up!
in the Middle School and Song Writing and Composition in the Upper School.
Music, the universal language, is now "spoken" on many levels at Barrack.
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Calendar
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Looking Ahead
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October 13: School-wide Club Fair
October 14: SATs for 10th and 11th Grades
October 15: ADL Leadership Conference for 11th
graders
October 15: 6th grade Core trip to the Eastern
State Penitentiary
October 16 & November 20: HSA's Bagels and Learning
October 19, 23, 27, 28: Middle School Coffee and
Conversation with Dr. Brown
October 19-29: Colegio Tarbut Students Visit from
Buenos Aires
October 21: Senior
Mousetrap Engineering Competition/Widener University
October 29: Middle School Open House
November 1: Mitzvah Mania! November 3:
Open House, 9am to noon Contact Vivian Young, 610-922-2350 November 6:Grandparents/Grandfriends' Day
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Life Cycles
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For Everything There
is a Season...
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Mazel tov to:
Susan
Gordon, Director of Alumni Relations, and her husband Hal,on the birth of their fourth
granddaughter, Ahuva. Rabbi
Aaron Landes, Barrack Trustee and
parent of four Akiba-Barrack alum, on the celebration of his special
birthday! Sharon
Levin, Humanities Department Chair,
who was cited by Akiba-Barrack alumni profiled in Inside Magazine,
as the teacher who greatly influenced their lives and career choices. Judith
Pransky, Core faculty member, and her
husband Robert on the birth of their 14th grandchild, Michal.
B'nai Mitzvah: Congratulations
to the following students who have celebrated or will celebrate their Bar Mitzvah
or Bat Mitzvah this month: Adina Marx '14, Jenna Oppenheimer '15, Eva
Wyner '15, and Zeke Zeff '14. Mazel tov to their families as well.
Heartfelt Condolences to:
The Haber
family on the passing of Marian
Haber, wife of Alan and mother of Gideon '14 and Rafael '15. Funeral services were held on October 5 at
Temple Beth Hillel. Due to the holidays, Shiva will be observed at the
completion of Simchat Torah on Sunday, October 11 at the
Haber home.
Sam and Connie Katz, Barrack supporters and past parents, on the
passing of Sam's father Bernard, beloved husband of Aimee, father of Kathy Katz
Hall and the late Jimmy Katz, and grandfather of Lauren '99 and Liz '04, Philip and Ben. Services were held on
September 29 and Shiva was observed at the Katz's home.
Alumni Life CyclesMazel tov to:
Mitch
Albom '76 on the publication of his
second non-fiction book, Have A Little Faith.
Dory
Brown '96 and his wife Abbe on the
birth of their second son, Robert Joshua and to proud grandparents Dr.
Steven M. Brown, Head of School, and
his wife Shelly.
Josh
Cohen '01 on his engagement to
Marissa Duffy. Josh is the son of Past President Mitch Cohen and Sherry Cohen and sister to Ali '08.
To our three alumni - Jennifer
Groen '91, National
Director of Rosh Hodesh: It's A Girl Thing!; Josh Shapiro '91, Pennsylvania State Representative; and Uri
Monson '87, Executive Director,
Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, who were all cited
in the fall 2009 issue of Inside Magazine as leaders in their 30's and
40's making their mark in Philadelphia.
Aviva
Horrow '03 on her engagement to Yoni
Reinfeld. Aviva is the daughter of Jay Horrow, Barrack Board Vice Presdient, and Mindy
Horrow and sister of Ben '12 and Ellen '00.
Josh
Kern '90 on his marriage to Alison
Rappand.
Kate
Ledger '88 on the debut of her new
novel, Remedies
Eyal
Muscal '89 and his wife Jodi on the
birth of a daughter, Eva.
Dr.
Megan Pugach '95 on her marriage to
Michael Gordon. Megan is the daughter of Leslie Pugach, Upper School Director, and her husband, Rick.
Andrew
Sacks '71 , Director of the
Rabbinical Assembly in Israel, on his presentation, Judaism in the
Jewish State: Yearning for Separation of Religion and Politics in Israel,
at Temple Beth Hillel in Wynnewood.
Jake
Tapper '87 and his wife Jennifer on the
birth of their second child, Jack Raymond, brother of Alice.
Heartfelt
Condolences to:
Sandra
Lorber Sandos '58 on the loss of her
mother.
Jack Rome (Susan) on the passing of his sister Alice Rome Shea,
aunt of Nita '16. Services were held on October 2 in New Jersey.
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Photo Gallery: Sukkot
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 Sukkot Services led by
Jeremy Rudoler '12
JLI members at Sukkah
Fun 'n Fondue
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Submit to Benainu
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Please send Benainu information to Beverly Rosen
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