Sometimes you just have to smile

Last Friday I was walking down the hall, when something caught my eye in the kindergarten class room.  There seemed to be some older children milling around, so I went in to investigate. To my gratification and exultation, Mrs. Martin's 5th graders were reading with the kindergartners.  They were spread all over the room.  Some were sitting with their arms around each other.  Others were relaxed on the floor.  Some of the kindergartners were reading to the 5th graders. Everyone was totally absorbed.  It was a very sweet moment.  Shortly after this, the children were dismissed.  The fifth graders came out of school with the biggest smiles on their faces, still talking about the experience,

 This is only one example of the partnerships we have between classes.  It is one of the great advantages that we have because our school houses students in pr-k 3 all the way up to 12th graders.  The interactions between the older and younger students throughout the year is a shining example of how we promote both leadership and respect, warmth and understanding.  We have the

opportunities to send many important messages home with our students.  Enjoy the pictures below.

Journalism at MHA

Perhaps you are unaware of the journalistic efforts of our students.  They are quite impressive.  Today saw the publication and distribution of both the Junior Journal, our Junior High publication, and the CYHSB Weekly, the boys High School publication.  Coming soon will be the GMSG Weekly.  The Junior High publication comes out monthly.  The boys High School newspaper comes out weekly, and the Girls School entry comes out biweekly. These are all available in the local synagogues on Shabbat.   New this year is the High School Creative Journal which will highlight creative endeavors of the students in a number of different areas.  I am especially proud of these publications.  They show initiative, real journalistic style, and a commitment to finding meaningful and noteworthy topics to address.  They are excellent examples of collaborative learning, not just between students, but between students and their faculty advisors, Talya Tsuna and Ashley Brown.  My husband has always said that any program or publication should be of a caliber that it interests anyone, not just a small, specific audience.  These publications have universal appeal.  They are written thoughtfully, with humor, and reflect contemporary issues and concerns in all areas – the arts, sports, politics, and reflections on school events,  a  little bit of something for everyone! Best of all, there is always a substantial d’var Torah, and a recognition of the importance of upcoming yom tovim and the moods that each one inspires.  They always have a very “Jewish touch,” something which should be fundamental to everything that we publish and distribute.  These publications serve as outstanding examples of our mission statement –“The Margolin Hebrew Academy/ Feinstone Yeshiva of the South is a warm, community-focused, value-driven Orthodox Jewish Day School that empowers and inspires its students with the knowledge and skills they will need to meaningfully contribute to all aspects of society.”

Please look for a copy of our publications.

Preparing for Shabbat

What do you do to prepare for Shabbat – to put you in the mood?  Here at the Academy we enjoy a Friday assembly complete with d’var Torah and class presentations.  Mrs. Gersten has been overseeing this project for the past several years now, and like many other events and activities that we all take for granted, it is a sparkling gem.  This past Friday the 6^th graders took control.  They opened with a delightful d’var Torah that involved the entire audience.  After explaining the importance of a king having his own Torah, each child was given a small rolled scroll, complete with ribbon.  They were invited to write into the scroll their favorite mitzvah; then re-roll the scroll and tie it up.  Everyone went home with his own personal “Torah” – what a lovely idea!

The 6^th graders followed this up with a heartwarming and enjoyable video that they made featuring some important aspects of our IKaRR program.  The link is below.  Please watch, enjoy, and “shep nachos,” as the saying goes.

                http://youtu.be/aSi8Pp06pDA

All of this was followed by a cute presentation by the new Torah Metzion Kollel boys.  They acted out a famous Yiddish story which the audience appreciated. 

Friday assemblies take place at 2:15 on long Fridays.  Come by for a smile and a bit of pre-Shabbat inspiration.