Abrams Extra October 14, 2016

 

 

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ABRAMS EXTRA

In This Issue
Candle Lighting
Budowsphere
Early Dismissal
Picture Day Thanks!
TerraNova Scores
Trip to Washington, DC
Lakewood, NJ Trip
Abrams Bristol Center
Parent Group Meeting
Register for MBM/SBM
Capitol Steps
Revised Soccer Schedule
Lunch Menu
Security Reminders
Car Pool Rules
Abrams Notes

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October 14, 2016/  12 Tishrai
Candle Lighting 6:04  pm/ Ha-azinu
 

Budowsphere
 
Rabbi Budow   

 

Dear Parents:
During the Jewish holidays the binding of Isaac is one of the most powerful occurrences related to us, and that event took place on what is now called the Temple Mount. On Thursday, October 13, 2016, UNESCO adopted a resolution that gave its preliminary approval to a resolution that ignores Jewish ties to its most holy religious sites: the Temple Mount and the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem.  I have to say that I have always thought that the U.N. has historically not been a friend to Israel and at many times has seemed like its enemy, but this latest insult to the State of Israel is particularly upsetting. UNESCO has come forth with a revisionist version of history, much as the Holocaust deniers have done when they refute that the genocide of over 6 million Jews ever occurred. To deny the Jewish connection to the land of Israel and its holy sites is ridiculous and very frightening. It is especially ironic that this vote was taken just one day after the Day of Judgment, Yom Kippur.
After being so upset about the UNESCO vote, I went to espn.com to try and distract myself and saw something that did make me smile. As a child I was a huge Knickerbockers fan, and when I went to the Garden I always looked at a large banner in honor of Red Holzman, one of best known coaches of the Knicks and in the entire NBA. The banner says the number 613, and I was always fascinated and proud that a Jewish coach won 613 games for the Knicks; the same number of mitzvot that Jews are commanded to perform.
When I started scrolling on the ESPN website I saw a video about Amar’e Stoudemire, who is now living in Israel as a member of Hapoel Jerusalem’s basketball team. Amar’e Stoudemire played for the NY Knicks for 5 years before deciding to retire from the NBA last year.  He suffered a number of injuries, but still would have been able to obtain a contract to play in the NBA had he wished to do so. However, he says that he has always felt a connection to Israel- his mother told him that they had Jewish roots, and therefore he decided to play for Hapoel Jerusalem and take his family to live in Israel, making a 3 year commitment to the team.
Stoudemire has quickly become a folk hero to Israelis and is surrounded by huge crowds wherever he goes. The ESPN video shows him walking and visiting places all over Jerusalem, including the most sacred Jewish sites. He observes Shabbat and other Jewish rituals with his wife and children, studies Hebrew, and teaches his children about Judaism and their Jewish roots.
It is ironic that a basketball player recognizes the Jewish connection to Israel and its holy sites when so many countries from around the world are now refusing to do so. In the spirit of Sandy Koufax, Amar’e Stoudemire is a true hero to the Jewish people, and obviously knows more Jewish history than the members of UNESCO.
L’Shalom-
Rabbi Ira Budow

 

 

Early Friday Dismissal
 
 

 
Friday Early Dismissal
2:00 p.m.
Begins Friday, October 21, 2016
 

Thank You to Picture Day Volunteers
 
 
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Thanks to the many volunteers who helped with the Abrams Picture Day.
 
 Abrams is grateful for everyone who took time out of busy schedules to facilitate the photo-taking process for our students and staff.
 

TerraNova Scores

 

AHA Standardized Testing Results
 
Abrams is excited to report on how well our students scored in the standardized national achievement test,TerraNova.
Below are the average scores of our students broken down by grade and by subject matter. These numbers represent the national percentile. This is the percentage of students in the nation taking the TerraNova who scored below a student’s score.
For example, a student who scored at the 65th percentile in Reading indicates that the student scored equal to or above 65% of students nationwide in Reading.
Our students really did remarkably well. Our school average indicates that Abrams students scored better than 79.69% of students in the country taking this exam.
Kol Hakavod to all of our teachers and students for this achievement!

 

Averages
Grade Reading Language Math Total Science
3 61.69 67.25 64.47 67.81 N/A
4 80.82 76.36 71.55 84.91 73.82
5 73.29 70.29 69.64 77.86 N/A
6 70.36 68.95 73.32 77.09 N/A
7 77.25 84.31 81.38 86.06 N/A
8 79.17 79.43 75.17 84.39 68.3
Overall 73.76 74.43 72.59 79.69 71.06
Average
 

Middle School Trip to D.C.
 
  
Middle School Trip to Washington, D.C.
Thursday, October 20th
6:15 Departure from Abrams
 
  • Davening and breakfast at Chabad of Wilmington
  • Tour U.S. Mint 
  • Tour U.S. Capitol
  • Tour Holocaust Museum
  • Mincha/Pizza dinner at Ben Yehudah Pizza
10:15 Arrival at Abrams

 

Every four years Abrams takes the middle school students to visit our nation’s capitol. They experience the excitement of Washington, DC first-hand, and it is always an inspirational, educational, and fun trip for everyone.
**Due to the cost of the buses, this is a very expensive undertaking for our school. 
 
If you would like to help underwrite the cost of the trip, please contact Rabbi Ottensoser, Mrs. Kornsgold, or Rabbi Budow. 
 
***Thanks to those of you have generously contributed to the cost of the trip!

 

Lower School Trip to Lakewood, NJ
 
Lower School (grades 2-4) Trip to Lakewood, NJ
Thursday, October 20th
Abrams lower school students (grades 2-4) will visit Lakewood, NJ to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot.

 

**Due to the cost of the buses, this is a very expensive undertaking for our school. 
 
If you would like to help underwrite the cost of the trip, please contact Rabbi Ottensoser, Mrs. Kornsgold, or Rabbi Budow. 
***Thanks to those of you have generously contributed to the cost of the trip!

 

Abrams Bristol Center Dedication

 Dedication of Abrams Bristol Jewish Center

Rabbis Budow, Leizerowski and Ottensoser led the dedication ceremony and Yiskor service at the Abrams Bristol Jewish Center this past weekend. The service included the recitation of the names on the memorial plaques of former synagogue members, some of whose families were in attendance at the service. Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick spoke at the ceremony, as did a representative from State Representative Steve Santarsiero’s office.
Alan Vogenberg, the leader of the Bristol Jewish Center who facilitated the establishment of the Center at Abrams, talked about the rich history of the Bristol Jewish Center and placed the Mezuzah on the doorpost.
Abrams is proud to ensure that the Bristol Jewish Center will continue to contribute to Jewish prayer and education in its new home.
 
L’Dor V’Dor!

Parent Group Meeting
 
 

Abrams Parent Group Meeting
Thanks to all who came to the introductory meeting on September 27. Our next meeting will be held on:
 
Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.
The topic is: Children’s Temperament
Feel free to email me at dporwancher@abramsonline.org or call me if you have any questions or concerns beforehand.
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Donna Porwancher

Math and Science By Mail

 
MATH BY MAIL AND SCIENCE BY MAIL
Join us after school on Tuesdays for an online world forum of math and science enrichment for grades 4-6 put together by The Weizmann Institute in Israel.
The cost of the program is $60 for one class or $120 for both classes, and will be offered on alternating Tuesdays, beginning with MBM on November 1st from 3:45 P.M. to 4:45 P.M.  Science by Mail will start on November 8th.
Pick up time is promptly at 4:45 P.M. at the front door of the school.  Any children not picked up by 4:45 will be sent to aftercare, and you will be charged for the service.

 

You can register online at:  Registration MBM

 

 

There is one link for Math by Mail, one link for Science b y Mail, and one link if a student wants to participate in both.  Click on your choice of class and follow the directions they provide.
Once you have registered please let Mrs. Lamkey (jlamkey@abramsonline.org) or Mrs. Hamacher (ahamacher@abramsonline.org) know, so that they can give you the necessary paperwork to be filled out prior to the start of the class.

Capitol Steps Performance
 
 

 
Cong. Beth El of Yardley Presents:
 
Capitol Steps
Sunday, November 6, 2016
3:00 pm
Pennsbury High School East Theater
705 Hood Blvd.
Fairless Hills, PA 19054
Tickets start at $45 ($25 full-time students)
 

To order tickets: order on-line at:

smarttix.com; or call 877-238-5596 
 
Need more information?
 
Contact Beth El- 215-493-1707 

 

Revised Soccer Schedule
 
Soccer   
Revised Soccer Schedule 2016
Game Schedule:

Tuesday September 27 AHA @ Pen Ryn
Thursday September 29 Scrimmage at Macclesfield
Thursday October 6 Barrack @AHA
Thursday October 13 Doane @ AHA
Wednesday October 19 Scrimmage at Macclesfield
Thursday October 20 No game-Washington Trip
Wednesday October 26 AHA @ Doane
Thursday October 29 Pen Ryn @ AHA

Note: All games will start approximately 3:50pm and end at 5:00pm. 
 
**Bus transportation is provided back to AHA for away games only. 
 
All home games are played at Macclesfield Park on
River Road. 
 
All practices will be held at Abrams Hebrew Academy. 
 

Please contact Mr. Gowton with 

any questions:

 

 

kgowton@aha.jdschools.org.

 


Practice Schedule (3:45pm-4:45pm):

Sept. 14, 15, 19, 20, 22, 26
Oct 10
 
 
 

Lunch Menu
LUNCH MENU
Monday-Thursday-
 
Food from Espresso Cafe:
Monday:
Penne with vegetables & Feta
 Israeli salad
Tuesday:
American cheese baguette
Caesar salad
Wednesday:
Fettuccine with marinara sauce
Greek salad
Thursday: 
Egg salad & tuna salad sandwiches
Friday:
Pizza
Available Every Day:
Bagels, butter & cream cheese
French Fries
Hash Browns
Egg
Lunch cost:  $5 per day

 

Safety and Security Reminders

 

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Just a reminder of AHA security procedures:

  • All parents should use the front door to enter the school with key cards and not the back doors. Parent swipe cards only work at front door.
  • Please do not ask students to open any doors- parents must report to the front office and check-in before entering the school.
  • No student or other person should use the lunchroom doors other than for dismissal or emergency purposes.

These rules are for our children’s safety.

Thank you for your cooperation!

 

 

 

Car Pool Rules 

All Parents who Car Pool:

 

Please note that the car pool line is for grades N and K only. All other students are to be dropped off in the front of the building.

 

Parents who use the back for drop off should follow the directions of the teachers in the parking lot. They are there to assist students and maintain a safe environment.  

 

Under no circumstances are parents to park their cars in the middle of the line and leave them unattended to walk students into the building.  

 

** We ask that parents refrain from cellphone use in the parking areas while dropping off and picking up their children.

 

Abrams Notes
 

Birthday Celebrations at School
When sending birthday treats into school to celebrate that special day for your child, please consider sending in a healthy treat, such as frozen fruit bars, rice cakes, fruit salad or cups, sugar free pudding snacks, yogurt cake or pie, cheese sticks, light popcorn or air popped popcorn (when age appropriate), pretzels, carrots/celery (when age appropriate).Please avoid nuts because of allergies.

In order to maintain a consistent kashrut policy and to avoid confusion, ALL orders for birthday cakes/cupcakes MUST be ordered from Cramer’s Bakery, 16 E. Afton Avenue, Yardley. Cramer’s will deliver the order to the school at a discounted price.

Please call Kim Pierce at 215-321-5707 to place your cake/ cupcake order.

 

Celebrate Your Simcha at Abrams

 

Abrams Hebrew Academy is a perfect choice to host your family or social affair, business meeting or athletic event.  Whether you’re looking for an inviting space to celebrate a special occasion; a meeting area with state-of-the art technology; a fun, safe environment for a child’s birthday; or a gym or athletic field for a sporting event, Abrams can accommodate your needs and your budget.  For more information on room rentals at Abrams Hebrew Academy, call (215) 493-1800 or e-mail info@abramsonline.org.

Check Your Child’s Assignments with Homework Now

Parents- all homework will be posted on-line by all teachers grades K-8 by Sunday evening each week.

Instructions for use of homeworknow.com:

Click on homeworknow.com

Click on Parent and Student

Click on find school

Click on Pennsylvania

Click on Abrams Hebrew Academy

Click on your child’s teacher

View homework assignments

     

Share Abrams News With Others

Is there a family member (such as a grandparent) or friend who would be interested in hearing about everything going on at Abrams?  Sign them up for our e-mail list today!  Please contact the Main Office.

Information about the Extra

Please submit any information to be considered for inclusion in the Extra to Dale Sattin, Director of Development & Communications: dsattin@abramsonline.org. (215) 493-1800 ext. 22 by

Wednesday of the target week.

 

Abrams Hebrew Academy, 31 West College Avenue, Yardley, PA 19067
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