The Lubavich Rebbe is quoted saying, “To be kind is more important than to be right. May times what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks, but a special heart that listens.”
Albert Einstein is known as the genius of the 20th century, and his intellect was so revered that when he died at Princeton Hospital his brain was removed, preserved, and is currently on display at the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia. No one doubts his intellectual superiority, but his life as a person was not as stellar. When one examines Einstein’s family life, it falls sadly short of his academic achievements. His son said about his father, “The only project he ever gave up on was me,” and the other son was schizophrenic and died in an asylum. Despite his genius, Einstein was not as successful in his personal life as he was in the academic world.
I believe that the Rebbe’s words are incredibly profound, and that although being intelligent is good, to be truly successful in life one needs a special heart. I wonder about Jewish families’ approach to Jewish education nowadays. The day schools aspire to be like Ivy League schools, emphasizing academics over middot. In New York Jewish schools administer tests that measure knowledge, but do they also measure good deeds? I believe that most of the facts that students learn in school are forgotten, but learned values of ethics and kindness last forever.
Doctors often have the reputation of not being kind. They are thought of as cold and unfeeling, and it seems that through the years many doctors do tend to lose their empathy for their patients. I live with a doctor, and I am proud to say that she has not lost any of her caring and concern for her patients. My wife gives her cell phone number to her patients, is available to them day and night, and treats people who cannot afford to pay her fees just because they need help and she has kindness in her heart. I know that I am lucky that Susan is both brilliant and kind, but I reiterate that although great intellect is wonderful, kindness is better. I pray that we can all remember the Rebbe’s words and strive to be kind to one another in these turbulent times.
L’Shalom-
Rabbi Ira Budow
EITC Opportunity Update
Update on
EITC Opportunity
for a One Year Commitment
The Jewish Scholarship LLC still has money available to qualified EITC participants, but this opportunity doesn’t last much longer.
If you are able to participate yourself or know someone whom you believe would be interested, please contact Rabbi Budow immediately!
This funding will make a significant positive impact on AHA’s 2018-19 budget- you can make the difference!!
2018 Annual Matching Campaign
2018 ANNUAL ON-LINE CHARIDY MATCHING CAMPAIGN
Our annual matching fundraising campaign (organized through Charidy) will be held for 24 hours starting Tuesday, March 13 at 1 pm. Donations on-line will be recorded as they are made, so you will be able to see your donation and monitor our progress at: charidy.com/abrams.
This is our opportunity to raise the funds we need to ensure that Abrams can continue to provide a stellar education to our children and also honor our dedicated faculty and staff members who have devoted 10 years or more of service to the Abrams community.
It is not too early to make your donation- it will be added to our total on the day of the campaign and will quadrupled in value!
A $100 donation = $400 thanks to our generous benefactors who have provided this great opportunity to maximize your gift.
Please note that all donations of $1,000 and more will qualify for a display ad on our digital monitor outside of the office. Your ad will run for the entire year and be seen by everyone who comes into the school. Send your CAMERA-READY ads to dsattin@abramsonline.org so that they can be uploaded to our monitor as soon as possible!
Volunteers are needed on March 13 and March 14 to make calls! If you are able to volunteer, even for a short period of time, please let Ellen Weiss elkie519@aol.com or dsattin@abramsonline.org know as soon as possible. Last year the volunteers had a lot of fun, so please consider joining us in helping Abrams once again achieve its goal.
More information to follow…..
Wax Museum
AHA Annual Wax Museum
The Abrams gym was transformed into a wax museum by the 3d and 4th grades. Our students outdid themselves assuming the structures and personas of well-known and noteworthy people and sites.
Many thanks to Debbie Marks, Chris Konopka, and Janet Zuazo for presenting another successful event at AHA!
Cholent Bowl
AHA Annual Cholent Bowl
Fun and Tums!
The annual Cholent Bowl was once again a resounding success! After a rigorous debate and lots of tasting, the judges’ results are:
1st place- Kindergarten and 1st Grade- Morah Sonia/Bnot Sherut women
2nd place- 6th grade- Morah Bracha
3d plac2- 2nd grade- Morah Bracha
Many thanks to the brave judges with iron-clad stomachs who tasted and rated all of the cholents: Hillah Gold, Jenni Provda, Morah Sonia, and Dr. P.
Special recognition goes to Joe Glassman, chief Cholenteer, for his 11th year of service as a cholent judge. Joe said, “The winning cholent is the tastiest I have eaten in 11 years.”
Many thanks to the Beirig family for generously donating all of the meat for this event.
IDF Soldiers Visit AHA
Visiting IDF Soldiers
A group of 7 IDF soldiers visited Abrams this week and spoke with our students. The middle school had a fantastic time getting to know these young Israelis and hearing their different life stories.
The soldiers visited various classrooms and described their lives as soldiers, recounted their experiences in military service, and answered student questions.
The visit was sponsored by Lev Echad and was a great experience for the students and the soldiers alike.
Student Government
Celebrate Israel at 70!
Abrams is ready to celebrate Israel’s 70th Independence Day! We have partnered with the Lookstein Center to participate in their 70 challenges for 70 days game.
On February 25, 2018 The Lookstein Center will launch 70 challenges for 70 days. Sign up now and you will receive a daily 5-minute interactive game, at no cost. Each challenge will be offered in four levels of difficulty, and will be available online throughout the countdown to Yom Haatzmaut and beyond.
Please sign up to participate in this fun project:
Abrams parents- if you know people who may be interested in Abrams for Kindergarten next year, please invite them to attend this open house and meet Rabbi Budow:
Please RSVP to Elena Epelboim, Early Childhood Education Director (215) 671-1981; morah.elena@cbscomminitycenter.com
by March 1st, 2018
Jewish Federation KALLAH
Cell Phone Rules
REMINDER: 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 AM UNTIL 3:30 PM. Students are not permitted to carry them on their person or to use them to make or receive any calls or text messages during the given time.
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).
Electric 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
Recruitment
“New Family Recruitment”
Open houses in people’s homes is an effective way to meet with families who are potentially interested in enrolling their children at Abrams. Rabbi Budow and a small group of faculty members are happy to travel to meet informally with your friends and neighbors to discuss the advantages and opportunities that Abrams offers to Jewish children.
If you would like to volunteer to host one of these gatherings, please contact Rabbi Budow.
After School Art
After School Art Club with Donna Moskowitz begins January 22, 2018.
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.
* This is not a complete list- we will add businesses throughout the year!
Thank you very much to all of our supporters!
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
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 Dress Code
Dress Code
Studies have found that appropriate dress influences behavior and learning. Abrams strives through the dress code to maximize the learning environment.
Respect for the sensitivities of others requires that students/parents/guests follow reasonable standards of modesty and privacy. We ask that students/parents/guests dress in a manner befitting a Jewish day school when entering the building.
Dress Code for Grades 1-8
Clothing cannot advertise or advocate the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco or weapons.
Clothing cannot display writing or pictures that are obscene or suggestive.
No writing or pictures on the back of pants.
No sleepwear or bedroom slippers to be worn at any time, unless pre-approved for a special occasion.
Heavy linked chains may not be worn as jewelry.
No extreme hair colors are permitted.
All boys must come to school wearing a kippah. Baseball caps and other head coverings are NOT permitted.
No sleeveless shirts, tank tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, tube tops, crop tops, belly shirts, or tight shirts.
Dress Code for Boys Grades 5-8
Shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, and tee-shirts should be appropriate for school. Students may not wear undershirts.
Pants or denim jeans must be properly hemmed and not dragging on the floor. Pants will not have rips, holes, or fraying and will not be too tight or over-sized.
Shorts must be to the knee.
Pants/shorts will not sag, as underwear may not be visible.
Boys are to be clean-shaven.
Hair is to be well groomed. Partially or fully shaved heads and ponytails are not allowed.
Piercings of any kind are not allowed.
Dress Code for Girls Grades 5-8
Dresses/skirts/shorts must be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee.
Pants or denim jeans must be properly hemmed and not dragging on the floor. Pants or shorts will not have rips, holes, or fraying and will not be too tight.
Leggings of any type are not permitted to be worn in place of skirts or pants, but may be worn under clothing. If worn, they must be accompanied by a fingertip length or longer, dress, skirt, or top.
Clothing that exposes any part of the midriff, cleavage (front or rear), or any clothing excessively revealing may not be worn.
Clothing materials for tops and bottoms must be opaque (not see-through).
Consequences for Students Who Do Not Follow the Dress Code:
1st Offense – Explain to student what is wrong with his/her attire. Student must change into appropriate clothing.
2nd Offense – Written notification that requires parent signature. Student must change into appropriate clothing.
3rd Offense – Student must change clothes to follow guidelines and parent is called on the telephone immediately.
4th Offense – Suspension from school.
Parent conference required for student to return to school.