Tzedakah- charity- is one of the most basic tenets of Judaism. On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we learn that one thing that repels the evil decree is the giving of tzedakah. Let me assure you that the school does not run on tuition alone. Even with the benefit of EITC funding we need significant fundraising to balance our budget.
Abrams has no endowment- we live from year to year and depend on our annual campaign for our survival. I often say that Abrams runs on miracles, and without tzedakah we would not be able to exist.
The on-line campaign and phone-a-thon portion of our fundraiser is to mobilize our community to participate in this important effort. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are or how wealthy you might be- everyone can afford to give something! I am just asking each of you to make a commitment to Abrams and your children’s education by donating what you can. Every gift will be quadrupled for the benefit of the school- how can you refuse?
The Talmud says, “The world exists only because of the innocent breath of school children.” Teaching Jewish children is the foundations of Judaism- please answer the call to educate our children in our tradition.
L’Shalom-
Rabbi Ira Budow
$250,000 in 24 Hours
$250,000 in 24 Hours!
February 28, 2017
24 Hours Starting at 1:00 p.m.-
1:00 pm March 1, 2017
Abrams is changing things this year! We are not holding a traditional event, but are partnering with Charidy, an online crowd-funding platform, to raise the money we need for our children.
Our goal is $250,000, and we have three groups of generous “matchers” whose pledges will quadruple your gift for ONE DAY ONLY! For every $25 you give, Abrams will receive $100.
Donate on-line at Charidy link starting February 28 at 1:00 pm.
Please be generous- there are no tickets to purchase, no money needed for clothes or babysitting- give your money directly to educating your children! We count on each and every family to participate in this worthwhile and necessary campaign to continue to provide the best education possible for our children.
We will be phone banking on February 28 from 1:00 pm-8 pm, and March 1, 9 am-1 pm.
Our goal is to have 100% parent participation.
*Volunteers to make calls are needed! Please contact Dale Sattin (dsattin@abramsonline.org) or Ellen Weiss (elkie519@aol.com) if you are able to spend some time making calls.
**Refreshments will be served!
*** Volunteers will be entered into a raffle for Amazon gift cards.
More campaign emails will follow….
Thank you for your support!
Abrams Annual Fundraising Campaign
You’re Invited
JOIN US AT THE CELEBRATION!!
Come to Abrams between 1-8 pm February 28, 2017 and/or between 9-1 pm March 1, 2017 to help us celebrate our 36 years in Yardley, PA under the leadership of Rabbi Ira Budow!
We want as many people as possible to join us as we gather together as a community and celebrate Abrams in its 36th year as the “Home on the Hill” in Yardley, PA.
Food and Fun Guaranteed!
Visit Abrams Charidy Link to make your donation and track our progress as the 24 hours unfold…..
let’s make this our most successful year ever.
Thank you for your support!
MATHCOUNTS
MATHCOUNTS COMPETITION
Each year, more than 250,000 students are exposed to MATHCOUNTS materials and activities in their schools. Approximately 140,000 students from all 50 states, U.S. territories and the State and Defense Department school systems worldwide participate annually in school MATHCOUNTS competitions, with about 40,000 students participating at the chapter competitions.
MATHCOUNTS was founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and CNA Foundation. MATHCOUNTS is made possible through the generosity of corporations, foundations and individuals.
Congratulations to Mrs. Lamkey’s
math students who qualified to compete in this year’s Competition
Joshua Beigman Abner Gordan
Samuel Doshna Lexi Schachter
Michaela Eley Isabelle Waksman
Ronen Adler Agam Halperin
Moriah Eley Michelle Shvartsman
Special recognition goes out to our 8th Grade student Josh Beigman who finished in 5th place in the Bucks County Chapter of MATHCOUNTS, where over 100 students competed.
The top score of the day was 42 points (46 is a perfect score), with Josh receiving a 40. The top 4 students from Bucks County qualified to move on to the state competition, which is held in Harrisburg in March. Excellent job Josh!
Purim
Purim Celebration
Friday, March 10 – ALL children should come to school dressed up in costumes. Please make sure the costume is appropriate!
Talent Show: 10:00 am
All parents are welcome to attend.
Reminder:
This is our last 2:00 Friday dismissal
Abrams Residence Visit
8th Grade Visit to Abrams Residence
The 8th grade students visited the Abrams Residence to share some shmoozing, craft-making, and donuts with the seniors. Abrams appreciates the generosity of the Legacy Heritage Fund in funding this program.
Spring Book Fair
Spring Book Fair
Please support the art of reading and enable the PTO to raise money to benefit the AHA Library
Come to my office on Tuesday March 7 at 8:30 when we discuss the role of play in your child’s development.
We will also investigate what Americans value in school and compare that to other nations.
Dr. P
All Abrams parents are welcome!
Upcoming Programs
March Special Programs
Monday, March 20, 2017
Tal Brody and the film, “ON THE MAP”
Monday, March 20, 2017 Tal Brody, Israeli basketball star and cultural icon, will visit Abrams at the screening of the film, “ON THE MAP.”
ON THE MAP tells the against-all-odds story of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 1977 win of the European Cup. Through the conduit of sports, ON THE MAP tells a much broader story of Israel and the Jewish people during the Cold War. The film recounts how the underdog Israeli team prevailed over CSKA Moscow (known in the West as “Red Army”) – a team that refused to play against Israel. Moments after this highly charged and historical win, American player Tal Brody captured the heart of the young nation when he famously said, “Israel is ON THE MAP, not just in sport, but in everything.”
On Tuesday, March 21, 2017 10 IDF soldiers will visit Abrams. They will have lunch with the students and then talk about their experiences in the military.
It is always a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet these brave young soldiers discussing Israel and serving their country. We are particularly pleased to welcome 2 women soldiers this year, and it’s bound to be a fun, inspirational, and informative afternoon.
March 21, 2017 Lev Echad
2017 Lev Echad IDF Delegation Visit
March 21, 2017
Canned Goods Drive
AHA Canned Goods Drive
Ms. Abramowitz’s 5th 6th, 7th and 8 grades are collecting canned goods to donate to the homeless at HomeFront. This collection drive is intended to bring awareness to the fact that we can all make a difference in the lives of people who are less fortunate than we are, and providing a meal to someone who is hungry is a wonderful act of tzedakah.
The students have been collecting cans of food and created posters that they’ve hung throughout our school to spread the word to everyone that we can all change lives one can at a time.
Please bring donations to Mrs. Abramowitz, Room 34, starting now. The drive will run until mid-March.
Thank you for your support.
Friday Dismissal Schedule Change
Our last 1:45 Friday dismissal will be on March 10, 2017 (not March 3)
3:45 dismissal will resume on Friday, March 17, 2017– the end of the year
After School Learning
After School High School Learning
The after school high school learning program will begin in 2017-18. The classes will meet twice a week to study Hebrew language and Jewish texts.
This program will consist of a high level, rigorous curriculum and be open to Abrams graduates and selected outside students who already have a strong foundation in Jewish studies and Hebrew language.
Please contact Rabbi Budow if you are interested in this exciting, new program!
EITC Update
Thanks to everyone who came forward to participate in the EITC program for individuals so quickly! We have over $70,000 committed to the program for this year’s bonus funding and are grateful to our AHA community for its support, particularly on such short notice.
Now that we have completed the process for individuals to participate in 2016 our next task is to identify businesses that pay PA taxes and would be willing to participate in EITC on Abrams’ behalf.
The date for new business applications to the EITC program is July 1, 2017.
As you know, the business receives a tax credit in PA and a tax deduction on federal income taxes.
If you or someone you know has a business that can take advantage of this opportunity and help Abrams to offer financial assistance to our qualifying families, please contact Rabbi Ira Budow at 215-584-7919.
**We are starting now so that everyone is ready for he July 1, 2017 application date. The applications are ALL submitted on the same day, on a first-come, first-served basis, so timing is very critical.
Thank you for your consideration.
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
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
