Abrams Extra February 3, 2017

 

 

New AHA logo 2011

ABRAMS EXTRA

In This Issue
Candle Lighting
Budowsphere
Cholent Bowl
Siddur Play
February Parent Meeting
Canned Goods
Save the Date
New U.S. Flag
Day School Tuition
Friday Dismissal Date Change
After School High School Learning
Jewish Federation Super Sunday
EITC Update
Lunch Menu
Security Reminders
Car Pool Rules
Abrams Notes

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February 3, 2017/  7 Shevat
Candle Lighting 5:06 pm/ Bo
 

Budowsphere
 
Rabbi Budow   

 

Dear Parents:
I am amazed at how the growth of the Super Bowl has affected American culture. When it first began it was a minor event, and the first couple of years the stadiums had empty seats. It has now expanded to create two weeks of craziness! I, despite being a huge sports fan, will not participate in any of this.
 
Why am I bringing this up now? Ten years ago I was disgusted when I saw the Wing Bowl in Philadelphia. The entire event was repugnant to me- men gorging themselves on wings, sitting in a bar and drinking- my wife and I decided that was a very poor example for everyone. As a result, after much discussion, Susan and I came up with the idea of holding a Cholent Bowl as an alternative event for our children to focus on during the Super Bowl frenzy. With added input from Rabbi O we inaugurated the annual Cholent Bowl.

 

The Cholent Bowl has become a fun, yet meaningful event that emphasizes the importance of Shabbat in our homes. This week our children participated in programs and events celebrating Shabbat, culminating in today’s Cholent Bowl competition. Our Judaic Studies teachers taught about Shabbat all week, the students made their own Challah, and generous members of our community donated food for the cholent, which is made on Thursday and cooks all night until the competition at noon on Friday. The Beirig family and Epstein’s, Lakewood, NJ donated the meat, and the beans and barley were donated by Seasons Roastery in Lakewood, NJ. Of course, special thanks goes to Rabbi O for doing all the shopping and schlepping for the cholent fixings.

 

Tradition requires (after the year the power went out in the middle of the night) that Rabbi O come to the school Thursday night to make sure that the Cholent is still cooking, and we are grateful for his dedication to this event. We have more people who volunteered to be judges this year than ever before- everyone wants to participate in this unique activity at the school!

 

As you know, Abrams was mentioned in Sports Illustrated this summer when our students attended a Maccabi Tel Aviv practice in Israel and met Dragon Bender. This week we are featured in the magazine Mishpacha, a publication in Lakewood, NJ. Mishpacha cholent article
I think I can safely say that Abrams Hebrew Academy is the only Jewish day school in the world that has been featured in both Sports Illustrated and Mishpacha!

 

I am sure that I will greatly enjoy today’s festivities, eat huge quantities of cholent, and go home tonight and chew antacids after another successful Cholent Bowl at AHA.

 

L’Shalom-

 

Rabbi Ira Budow

 

 

 

Cholent Bowl
 
Abrams Annual Cholent Bowl
TODAY- Friday, February 3
 
12:15 p.m. until dismissal

 

All are welcome to participate in this much-anticipated annual culinary adventure at AHA!

 

 

    

Siddur Play
 
Siddur Play

Once again, Morah Sonia presented a beautiful 1st grade Siddur play to our Abrams community. The program, complete with musical performances accompanied by our talented music teacher, Aubrey Maks, was a moving testament to the love of Judaism that is engendered in our youngest students.
Mazal Tov to Morah Sonia and her 1st Grade!
  

Dr. Donna Parent Meeting
 
Thanks to all who attended the January meeting.

 

We will be holding our next group on Tuesday February 7, 8:30 a.m.  
February’s topic is “Grit, based on the current work of Dr. Angela Duckworth at the University of Pennsylvania.
The focus will be how to parent children to be persistent while achieving their goals.

 

All are welcome
See you then!

 

Dr. P

 

    

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.

 

  

Abrams Annual Fundraiser
 
Save The Date!
 
February 28, 2017
24 Hours Starting at 1:00 p.m.
 
This year we celebrate Abrams’ 36th  year in Yardley, PA and 36 years under the leadership of our esteemed Rabbi Ira Budow!
The first announcement of our annual matching fundraising campaign has been mailed. This year’s campaign is totally different, and Abrams is really excited about the opportunity to work with Charidy.com to make this the most successful campaign ever.
Pledges from generous “Matchers” will maximize the impact of your donation. Every $1 that you contribute is quadrupled! Yes, a contribution of $1=$4 for Abrams!
Save the Date- February 28, 2017- and stay tuned for what comes next…..
 
  

New Flag
 
New U.S. Flag
 
A new flag was donated to Abrams by Dale and Bruce Sattin and Eleanor Raynes. The flag was presented to the family in honor of Ret. Lt. Col. Sidney Raynes at his military funeral, and the family feels that Mr. Raynes would want the flag flown.
Thanks to the Sattins and Mrs. Raynes.

Day School Enrollment and Tuition
 
Further to our on-going conversation about day school enrollment and affordability, there is an article published in the January 19, 2017 edition of the Jewish Exponent Barrack Perelman Bridge and Rabbi Budow’s response Letter to Editor.
 
   

Friday Dismissal Schedule Change
 
Spring forward clock
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!

 

 

    

Super Sunday Bucks County Jewish Coalition
 
February 12, 2017 
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Join Bucks County Jewish Coalition for
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s
SUPER SUNDAY @ JRA
 
Register today:
jewishphilly.org/supersunday | 215.832.0630
For more information contact Eve Berger at evebcjc@gmail.com
New location- 
JRA warehouse, 10980 Dutton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
Bus will depart from Shir Ami, 101 Richboro Road, Newtown, PA 18940, at 2:15 p.m.
    

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

 

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 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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