It is impossible for me not to think about the terrible bloodshed in Israel being reported every day. It is sadly reminiscent of the Intifadas 13 years ago. So what can we do? Rallies are often the first actions suggested, and although there is nothing wrong with a rally, it is merely a moment in time that does not last. What can we do that will not be a transitory experience for our children?
There is a passage in the Torah that says when Moses lifts his hands to God the Jews are victorious, but when he drops his hand we are unsuccessful. This tells us to turn to God in order to help our fellow Jews.
Therefore, we are purchasing 100 Art Scroll prayer books to be used in the middle school minyans and will ask the Rabbis to choose meaningful passages from the prayers to discuss with the students. There is an extra blessing in the Shemoneh Esrei that our enemies will not be allowed to conquer us, and in teaching my students about this section of the Amidah I realized how attentive they were and how important it is for us as teachers to make the prayers resonate with them. It is not enough to just recite words by rote- those words must have meaning.
A famous Rabbi once said that no prayer goes unheard by God. Asked if that is true, why are some prayers unanswered? The Rabbi’s response was that even if a prayer is not accepted at the moment it is not lost- it is placed in a sort of lockbox that will be opened someday when the time is right for the prayer to be answered and save the day.
I pray that our students’ prayers will be elevated to help Jews throughout the world, and let us all pray for our Israeli brethren.
L’Shalom-
Rabbi Ira Budow
Early Friday Dismissal
Early Friday Dismissal Begins!
October 23, 2015
2:00 pm
Israel Solidarity Rally
Music Teacher
Music Teacher
Abrams is looking for a FUN, CREATIVE and ENERGETIC person to teach secular and Judaic music!
Part-time, flexible hours
K-8
Please contact Rabbi Budow
Thanksgiving Extravaganza
Thanksgiving Extravaganza
Save the Date!
Wednesday morning
November 25, 2015
Details to follow!
Mazal Tov
Abrams sends a heartfelt Mazal Tov to faculty members who are celebrating Simchas this week.
Dorit and Steve Borrus will celebrate the birth of their twin grandchildren this weekend with a baby naming and a bris.
Rabbi O will walk his daughter to the Chuppah on Tuesday evening.
Mazal Tov to Dorit, Rabbi O,
and their families!
Picture Day Thank You
Many thanks to our
Picture Day Volunteers:
Jacki Miller
Wendy Algazi
Beth Fichtel
Annual Community Family Fun Event
SAVE THE DATE
March 13, 2016
First Annual Abrams Family Fun Community Event
Click below for more information from our Event Chair, Joni Glassman!
Please contact Joni Glassman at: (215) 262-9316 or dunkinjg@aol.com.
Abrams Residence Visit
AHA 8th Grade Visits the Abrams Residence
This week the 8th grade visited Abrams Residence and interviewed “their” seniors. It is always heartwarming to see how easily the students interact with the residents, somehow finding common ground despite the age disparity.
Math by Mail/Science by Mail
Math by Mail/Science by Mail
Grades 4, 5, 6
$60 per class;
$120 for both classes
October 20, 2015-May 27th, 2016
MBM/SBM is a math and science enrichment program coordinated by the Weizmann Institute in Israel.
Contact Mrs. Lamkey or Mrs. Hamacher for more information!
Rabbi Budow and Dr. Fuchs to be Honorees
Rabbi Budow and Dr. Susan Fuchs
to be honored with ZOA
Guardians of Israel Award
ZOA
2015 Annual Gala
Wed., Oct. 21, 2015 at 5:30 pm, at
Hilton Philadelphia City Ave.
(4200 City Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131 )
Delicious kosher buffet dinner, drinks, and dessert reception
Contact ZOA for more information at:
610-660-9466
OU Advocacy
Dear OU Advocacy Partner,
Our schools and our children are being hurt by the lack of a state budget.
The state budget provides funding that benefits Pennsylvania’s non-public schools immensely by paying for textbooks, materials, equipment and services that support secular education. Unfortunately, our schools cannot receive these essential materials and services until the state budget is approved and the funds are made available.
In addition, without a state budget in place, Pennsylvania’s Jewish day schools and yeshivas are unable to get the critical funds that they receive each year for scholarships for low- and middle-income families through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program.
Our elected officials need to know how the failure to enact a state budget is directly affecting our schools and our children. Contact your state representatives today and urge them to support legislative proposals that will release funding for textbooks, materials, equipment and key services, as well as for the EITC and OSTC programs that benefit Pennsylvania’s non-public school students, particularly in our Jewish day schools and yeshivas.
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