Remember- regular dismissal time (3:45) starts next week-
Friday, March 11, 2016
Budowsphere
I have witnessed many events during my 35 years as director of Abrams Hebrew Academy, but I believe that yesterday’s event with 12 IDF soldiers was the best for me emotionally. These young soldiers came to the school and spoke with the students, prayed with them, danced with them, and expressed their enthusiasm and devotion to serving Israel in every encounter with our children during the day.
The highlight of the day for me was watching the students and soldiers with Yoshua Solomon and Rabbi Katz as they sang, danced, and celebratedJudaism with music! Listening to the voices of our children singing Jewish songs in unison with the soldiers was an experience that I will treasure forever.
Later, as I thought about the event I posed the question:”What really is education?” Memorization is not education- you memorize something today and the facts are gone tomorrow. True education is a thought or experience that stays with you forever. Each person who was at the event with the soldiers this week will never forget the feelings that were evoked. These twelve young men, enjoying themselves completely with our AHA family, offered a lesson in what Abrams is all about- we are a school that truly promotes and embraces Zionism in a way that few other schools anywhere in the world are doing. Our commitment to Israel and Judaism is the lesson learned that will last forever.
L’Shalom-
Rabbi Ira Budow
Spring Book Fair
Spring Book Fair
Monday, March 7, 206-
Thursday, March 10, 2016
8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Volunteers Needed!
Please contact Meryl Widensky at
waksmans@comcast.net
*Please note that tax will be added to
all book fair purchases
Israel Trip News
The 8th grade class trip to Israel will now include a visit to Southern Israel during the second week of the tour. The AHA group will stay in Eilat at the Isrotel Sports Hotel, visit Mitzpa Ramon, the “Great Crater,” and celebrate Shabbat at a beach service.
This year’s trip will be fun, informative, and spiritually moving, as always!
IDF Visit
Israeli Soldiers Visit AHA
IDF soldiers speaking to students
Soldiers dancing with students to music provided by Rabbi Katz
Addressing students in the chapel
Davening in the Bristol Center
Abrams was privileged to host a group of visiting IDF soldiers on Tuesday. The soldiers spent the morning interacting with our students, participating in school activities, and discussing their lives in Israel and the services they perform in the Army. It was a fun, informative, and exciting day for our AHA community.
GoFundMe- Vests for IDF Unit
Meir Moskowitz
Help Purchase Vests for IDF Unit
A GoFundMe website has been set up to assist Meir Moskowitz, Abrams alumnus and son of art teacher Donna Moskowitz, whose IDF unit is in desperate need of bullet proof artillery vests. If you would like to donate, please click below and feel free to share the link.
Act now to purchase cookies and support the Abrams Hebrew Academy troops.
Order from Michelle Eley, Felissa Lane, Sarah Weinstein or Deb Kestenbaum.
Available cookies: Thin Mints, Caramel DeLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Lemonades, Thanks-a-Lots, Cranbury Citrus Crisps, and Shortbreads. All cookies are $4/box.
Gluten-free cookie: Trios- $5/box.
Questions? Contact Michelle (
609-285-2550)
or Deb and Matt (609-771-1710). Thank you for your support!
EITC Participation for Individuals
The Foundation for Jewish Day Schools has been approved as a Special Purpose Entity (SPE). This means that individuals who pay individual income taxes to PA can now participate in the EITC program by joining the SPE.
This is a great opportunity for Abrams families and supporters who pay at least $6500 in PA State taxes to help themselves and Abrams through their participation in the program.
The Foundation for Jewish Day Schools will provide guidance on this process so that you can participate as an individual.
If you qualify, please take this opportunity to help the school and benefit from a tax credit for yourself.
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