Abrams Extra October 6, 2017

 

 

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ABRAMS EXTRA

In This Issue
Candle Lighting
Translate the Extra
Budowsphere
Sukkot Trips
Israeli Flag
Visit to Abrams Residence
Cell Phone Rules
Parent Meetings
Picture Day
Donor Support
Soccer Schedule
Oorah
School Lunches
Security Reminders
Car Pool Rules
Abrams Notes

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October 6, 2017/ 16 Tishrei 
Candle Lighting 6:11pm/Sukkot
 

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Budowsphere

Rabbi Budow
Dear Parents:

 

One of the monumental sports stories of the 20th century occurred during the 1965 World Series when Sandy Koufax refused to pitch because the game was on Yom Kippur. Koufax was not an observant Jew, but he felt that it was important as a public Jewish figure not to show disrespect for his religion on that sacred day.
At that time, Sandy Koufax became a hero to me and my other young friends who thought it was incredible that a sports icon would publically display reverence for a Jewish holiday. Eventually, Sandy Koufax was inaugurated into the Hall of Fame and is considered one of the best pitchers who ever played.
This week I read an article in the Jerusalem Post about Dudi Sela, Israel’s top-rated singles tennis player, who quit playing in the middle of a game because Yom Kippur was about to begin. Sela had asked that the match be held earlier so that it would not interfere with the start of Yom Kippur, but his request was refused. Sela was one set away from reaching his first ATP Tour semi-final in almost nine months and his decision cost him an additional $12,000 in tournament money, as well as the loss of at least 45 ranking points and the opportunity to go further in the competition. Sela is also not an observant person- he just believed that it was important to “do the right thing.”
There is a difference between what Koufax and Sela did; Koufax was already a star when he deferred from playing baseball in the World Series game and went right back to his lucrative career and pitching, but Sela is not a super-star, and his decision cost him financially and professionally. I have also heard some comparison between Sela and Omri Casspi, a basketball player for the Golden State Warriors who missed an exhibition game to observe Yom Kippur, but this was not a game with any meaning, and he is a star player who earns millions of dollars, so I do not think he made a real sacrifice like Dudi Sela did.
Why do I tell you these stories? It is because I believe that everyone has a mission in life; each one of us has a different mission and a particular path to follow to reach his/her goal. Dudi Sela achieved his mission by observing the obligations of his religion and serving as an example to fellow Jews. Not many people have the opportunity to be tested in this public way, and it is terrific to see an athlete who made a real sacrifice to stand up for his beliefs.
I hope that we all think about these Yom Kippur stories and strive to “do the right thing” in our own lives during the New Year.
L’Shalom-

 

 

Rabbi Ira Budow

 

 

 

Sukkot Trips
SCHOOL TRIP DAY
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10. 2017
Some years ago Abrams was evaluated by Independent School Management (ISM), a firm based in Delaware that conducts private school assessments as part of its services. During the process, our consultant, Walter Buckelow, asked me if our students went on a major trip during the year. I answered that we take an annual trip to Israel and asked, “Why are you asking that question as part of a school evaluation?” He said that ISM’s research showed that taking at least one major trip per year is an essential part of the foundation of a school. Trips foster school spirit, camaraderie, and social skills outside of the familiar classroom environment and are proven to be beneficial in many ways.
In light of the above-
 
School Trip Day- Tuesday, October 10, 2017
 
1. Grades 5-8- Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD
 
The D.C. itinerary includes the National Zoo, complete with a scavenger hunt; The Air and Space Museum; and the Lincoln Memorial.
In celebration of Sukkot, students will eat dinner in Baltimore, MD (a vibrant Jewish community) in the sukkah at Ner Israel Rabbinical College. This will give our children the experience of Sukkot in a new and fun environment.
Due to heavy traffic volume on I-95 the buses MUST leave EXACTLY ON TIME at 6:00 a.m. PROMPTLY! Students MUST be at AHA by 5:45 a.m. to leave at 6:00 a.m. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS! 
Please be considerate of everyone else and make sure to be here at 5:45 with your child (ren).
REMINDER: Please send $10 cash per child for IMAX and pizza!
2. Grades 2-4- Lakewood, NJ
Lakewood, NJ is a major U.S. Jewish community, and Abrams is fortunate to have many faculty members who live in Lakewood and are anxious to share their community with our children. Grades 2-4 will travel to Lakewood and participate in many activities during the day, including celebrating in the sukkah with a Lulav and Etrog.

Israeli Flag 
  
    Israeli Flag Flies  at AHA
Alan Vogenberg has generously donated an Israeli flag to fly outside of the building underneath the U.S. flag. He researched the rules to make sure to show the proper respect for each of these flags, and the U.S. appropriately is larger and positioned above the Israeli flag.
As American Jews we are proud to display our love and loyalty to the U.S. and Israel.
Thanks to Alan Vogenberg for his continued support of Abrams.

 

AHA Visit to Abrams Residence
AHA Visits Abrams Residence
 
Rabbi O, Dale Sattin, and Dr. P accompanied the 8th grade to visit the seniors at the Abrams Residence to celebrate the beginning of the year and the Jewish holidays together.
Abrams students immediately began to form connections with the seniors, creating Rosh Hashanah cards, singing holiday songs, and getting to know each other.
Of course, no Jewish gathering would be complete without food, so everyone enjoyed delicious pastries and donuts straight from Lakewood, NJ!
 

 

      

Cell Phone Rules

 

 

CELL PHONE RULES:
Electronic devices have become a common means of communication and information access in today’s society.  However, these devices have the potential of disrupting the orderly operation of school.  Our cell phone/personal electronic devices policy is designed to keep the focus on education.
At the start of the school day, all cell phones must be turned off (NOT in silent mode) and stored in the student’s locker or book bag from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Students are not permitted to carry phones on their person or to use them to make or receive any calls or text messages during the above hours.
If a student has an emergency and needs to be in contact with someone she/he must use a school phone or have the permission of  a faculty member, to use his/her cell phone.  Parents should contact the school office if they have an emergency message for their child(ren).
Electronic devices such as iPods or hand-held gaming devices may be used on the bus/van transportation to/from school, prior to school, and following school.   Students must turn off and place these items in their locker/backpack during school hours.
If any of these items are out at the inappropriate time, they will be confiscated by staff, and given to the director of discipline.
Students will be allowed to bring cell phones on school trips for emergency use only.  Any hand-held gaming device will be the responsibility of the students on a school trip.
The school is not responsible for lost, misplaced, damaged or stolen electronic devices/cell phones.
CONSEQUENCES FOR STUDENTS WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THE ABOVE RULES:
 
1st Offense – Phone confiscated, and returned at the end of the day.
2nd Offense – Phone confiscated, returned at the end of the day, and written notification that requires parent signature.
3rd Offense – Phone confiscated, and parent must pick up phone from director of discipline.
4th Offense – Suspension from school
 Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

 

 

 

 

Parent Meetings
 
Parent Meeting with AHA School Psychologist- Dr. Donna Porwancher
 
Welcome Back to school!
 
The monthly parent meetings allow us to share discussions of topics of interest in a casual setting. 
 
The first meeting will focus on “Talking to boys the way we talk to girls.” 
 
Parents- please suggest topics for future discussions. 
** This year, the parent group will include parents of children in ANY grade.
First meeting: ** NOTE DATE CHANGE
 
Tuesday, October 17, 2017 
8:30 a.m.
Room 24  
 
I look forward to greeting you.
Dr. Donna Porwancher, AHA School Psychologist

 


Picture Day
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AHA Picture Day
 
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017
Abrams is using a NEW company for school pictures. Life Touch School Studios will be at AHA on Thursday, 10-26-17 to take student photos.
More information will follow

 

Support AHA Donor Businesess
Abrams is greatly appreciative of all of the benefactors who donate generously to the school through participation in EITC, LLC, grants, cash donations, etc. Many of these donors are business owners, and Abrams encourages the AHA community to support the businesses of these people whose largess supports the school.
Some of these generous people are:
McCaffrey’s Food Market
Team Toyota
Swartz & Culleton
Rothenberg Law Firm
Flager & Associates
Princeton Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Marcus & Auerbach

 

Marlowe, Zwillenberg & Ghaderi
Your Eyes Center

Espresso Cafe

Center For SmartLipo & Plastic Surgery
* This is not a complete list- we will add businesses throughout the year!
Thank you very much to all of our supporters!

 2017 Soccer Schedule

 

Soccer

 

 

 

 

Game Schedule

 

 

 

 


Tuesday September 26 AHA @ Pen Ryn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, September 28 Life Center @ AHA

 

 

 

 


Monday, October 2 Newtown Friends @ AHA

 

 

 

 


Tuesday, October 3 AHA @ Life Center

 

 

 

 


Monday, October 9 Princeton Charter @ AHA

 

 

 

 


Monday, October 16 AHA @ Doane

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, October 18 AHA @ Barrack

 

 

 

 


Tuesday, October 24 Pen Ryn @ AHA

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, October 26 Doane @ AHA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All games will start approximately 3:50 pm and end at 5:00 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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@abramsonline.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Sept. 14, 18, 19, 25

 

 

Oct. 19, 23

 

 

Oorah
Abrams thanks Oorah, a nonprofit organization located in Lakewood, NJ for all of its financial support to our students.
Oorah sponsors numerous programs that all share the common goal of opening doors for Jewish children and families. The mission is to reach out to Jewish families everywhere with opportunities to make their Judaic heritage more personal, relevant and meaningful.
Abrams received $100,000 in scholarship aid for qualified families this year from Oorah and is extremely grateful for the generosity of this organization.

 

School Lunches

 
Please do not send meat lunches or snacks to school with your children. 
 
Food sent from home must be 
dairy or Pareve only!
 
Thank you very much for your cooperation

Safety and Security Reminders

 

padlock

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 do not send anything with nuts due to 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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