Abrams Extra April 28, 2017

 

 

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ABRAMS EXTRA

In This Issue
Candle Lighting
Budowsphere
Yom Hashoah Program
No School June 2, 2017
Yom Haatzma’ut BBQ
Tzedakah for Torah
Minyan Volunteers Needed
Class of 2013 College Choices
TASK Volunteers
Adath Israel Events
Help Abrams With EITC
OSTC Referrals
Teach PA
Sefer Torah Project
Last Parenting Meeting of Year
Lunch Menu
Security Reminders
Car Pool Rules
Abrams Notes

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April 28, 2017/  2 Iyar
Candle Lighting 7:36 pm/ Tazria-Metzora
 

Budowsphere
 
Rabbi Budow   

 

Dear Parents:
At this week’s Yom Hashoah program we were honored to hear Rabbi Leizerowski recite El Male Rachamim, Kaddish, talk about the Holocaust, and relate his father’s miraculous story of survival. The details of R. Baruch ha-Levi Leizerowski Z’L’s courageous journey to liberation are indeed incredible.
Rabbi Baruch Leizerowski arrived at Auschwitz on a transport with hundreds of other Jews and stood in line waiting for the infamous Josef Mengele to determine his fate. The Rabbi soon realized that the younger, healthy people who looked like they could work were being waved to the right, and the small children, elderly and infirm were being sent to the left. He was limping, since he had injured his knee after he jumped into a water tower to hide from the Nazis a day or so before he was finally captured.  He was sent to Auschwitz and realized that the limp would doom him to the left line and immediate death.
The Rabbi summoned all of his strength and willpower to keep him from limping when he approached Mengele, and he was waved to the right. Once in line with the others who looked “safe” for the moment, he began to think about what was actually happening there. He looked at the people in the other line and realized that they would all soon be dead. He thought about all of the people who had come before and would come after and realized how overwhelming and unreal this all was.
At that moment he decided that he was going to stop trying to orchestrate his future and to leave his fate to Hashem. Rabbi Baruch Leizerowski Z’L moved out of the line he was in and went back to the group of people who had not yet gone through the selection process. This time, when he approached Mengele he did not hide his infirmity, and he was sent to the left line. He assumed that this meant he was slated for death and accepted that was Hashem’s decision.
When all of the people had been processed, to his enormous surprise the people in the line on the right were sent to the gas chambers immediately. The people in the left-hand line with him were taken to a building that was equipped as a hospital, given food, medical care, and a bed. He couldn’t understand any of this, but the mystery was solved the next day when the Red Cross arrived to inspect the facilities. The Germans had told the Red Cross that “Of course, this is not an extermination camp- it is a work camp.” The Nazis took the people who were ill, elderly and weak to use as proof that they treated the Jews humanely and were truly trying to keep them safe and healthy as workers for the Nazi regime.
Rabbi Leizerowski Z’L found the answer to Hashem’s plan for him within the walls of an infirmary set up by the Nazis to perpetuate their fraud on the rest of the world: He not only survived Auschwitz, but was appointed Chief Rabbi of Munich after WWII.
The details of R. Baruch ha-Levi Leizerowski Z’L’s courageous journey to liberation are incredible, but it is the way that Rabbi Leizerowski is able to tell the story that makes it real and accessible to our children. Rabbi L has the gift of being able to relate to his audience and make his words resonate with meaning. His moving account of his father’s life, told with love and wisdom, was truly a blessing for everyone privileged to hear it.
It is fitting that only a few days after the Holocaust remembrance program we are departing for our trip to Israel, and Rabbi L will be accompanying us. We turn our faces and attention from the horrors of the genocide to the land of Israel- the existence of which proves that as Jews we not only survived, but continue to grow and flourish despite every effort by the Nazis to eradicate us. What better way to show our children that the Jewish people are living, breathing, and thriving in a dynamic country of our own than to take them there? I look forward to this year’s trip as I have every year since we began- Next week in Jerusalem!
L’Shalom-
Rabbi Ira Budow

 

 

Yom Hashoah Program

 Yom Hashoah Program
 
Rabbis O, Budow, and Leizerowski led this year’s educational and moving Yom Hashoah program on Monday, April 24, 2017.
Abrams was honored to recognize Holocaust survivors Gizzy Kauf and Oscar Jaffe during the opening service and candle-lighting. Remembrance candles were also lit by children of survivors, Rabbi Leizerowski and Dorit Borrus, grandchildren of survivors, and Alan Vogenberg, a member of the Jewish War Veterans.
Each year, as living witnesses to the Holocaust become fewer and fewer, it becomes more imperative for us to remember and honor the innocent people whose lives were brutally taken from the world and  to showcase the courageous stories of the survivors.
“For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.” 
– Elie Wiesel
 

Schedule Change- June 2, 2017

No School Friday, June 2, 2017
 

 

Abrams has received a number of inquiries and requests from parents concerning school being open on Friday, June 2 and has decided that school will be closed on that date. 
 
Abrams did not use all of its allotted snow days this year, and since Friday, June 2 immediately follows the Memorial Day holiday and Shavout, Abrams will be closed for the entire week of May 29-June 2.

 

 

 

Yom Haatzma’ut BBQ

YOM HAATZMA’UT BBQ
 
TUESDAY  5/2/17
 
In honor of Yom Haatzma’ut,  a BBQ lunch for all students in grades Nursery to 8th will be served on Tuesday, 5/2/17.
Lunch will include hot dogs, chips and a drink.
Veggie burgers will be available upon request.
If your child would like to bring in lunch on Tuesday 5/2/17 IT MUST BE PARVE!!!!
Parent volunteers are needed to help with the BBQ from 11:00-12:30.  Please e-mail Rabbi Ottensoser at rabbio@abramsonline.org .
Students should wear  BLUE AND WHITE clothing!

 

Boys Minyan Collects Over $1,000


 
Boys Minyan Collects Over $1,000 for 
Torah Dedicated to Yuval Miara
 
Abrams is extremely proud of its students who collected over $1,000 in Tzedakah at the daily boys minyan.
The money is being used towards the cost of the Torah purchased in honor of Yuval Miara and will be dedicated at a ceremony during the 8th grade graduation in Israel on May 7, 2017.
Kol Kavod!
 

Minyan Volunteers Needed

Minyan Volunteers Needed
 
The 8th Grade students will be leaving for Israel on Monday, May 1 and will be returning to school on Monday, May 15.
During that time, we will need male volunteers for a minyan each day from 8:45-9:15 a.m.  You do not need to commit to every day, but even one day would be appreciated.
If you have any questions, please call Rabbi Ottensoser at 732-598-1158.
 
Thank You!
 

Class of 2013 College Choices

Abrams 2013 alumni not only distinguished themselves while at Abrams, but continue to excel going forward in their lives. Below is the list of college decisions for these impressive young men and women, including acceptances at many prestigious and highly competitive institutions of higher learning.
Abrams gives credit and thanks to the fine Abrams teachers who provide their students the foundation of a superior elementary and middle school education that leads to continued success for our graduates.
 
Abrams Class of 2013 College Decisions:
 
Mattan Ben Abou: Drexel University- Pennoni Honors College
Gabe Berlin: (Information not available)
Sam Borochaner:(Information not available)
Philippa Chown: Boston University
Gabe Dayanim: Yeshivat Orayta/University of Maryland- Gemstone Honors Program
Noah Doshna: Cornell University
Becky Dubovsky: JTS/Columbia
Talia Feldman: University of Delaware
Rachel Gershuny: Towson University
Sarah Goldfarb: University of Pennsylvania
Yaffa Kornsgold: Nativ/Binghamton University
Gil Levitan: JTS/Columbia
Giselle Matlis: Drexel University
 
Arielle Mindel: Princeton University
Serah Moldovsky: New York University
Haviva Neuhaus: Brandies University (Year in Israel)
Avital Raff: Barnard College
Hannah Swartz: Touro (Year in Israel)
Nathaniel Waksman: Pennsylvania State University
Yael Yonah: Montclair State University

TASK Volunteer “Wrappers”

AHA Students Volunteer for TASK
After their visit to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen Dr. P organized a group of Abrams Hebrew Academy student “Wrappers” who assembled 1,000 utensil packets for TASK in record time.
Our student volunteers completed 2,000 packets in the month of April!
Thank you to all of the students who volunteered  to assemble these packets during  their lunch and recess breaks.
Abrams gives a special shout out to the following individuals who spent a good deal of their free time performing these mitzvot.
Zack Sproehnle – Grade 7
Jake Martino – Grade 7
 
Leya Elisha – Grade 4
Simone Zilberberg – Grade 4
Thank you to all of the volunteers and to
Dr. P for facilitating!
 

Adath Israel Events

Family Shabbat
Friday, May 5, 2017
5:45 pm
 Adath Israel Congregation
1958 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(across from Rider University)
RSVP by May 1st — Please call (609) 896-4977
or email AdathYoungFamilies@gmail.com
Schmooze and Shop
Sunday, May 7, 2017
3-5 pm
$10

Link: Schmooze and Shop

 

   

Help Abrams Succeed With EITC

You Can Help Abrams Succeed!
 
 Participate in EITC and Jewish Scholarship LLC
Tax Credit Opportunities
 
There are two ways you can benefit both Abrams and yourself or a friend if you either own a business located in PA that pays PA income taxes or live in PA and join the Jewish Scholarship LLC as an individual.
  • Participate yourself, or
  • Suggest a friend, family member, or colleague who may be qualified and willing to participate in the EITC program on behalf of Abrams-
 Please think of whom you may know and ask him/her to help the school and receive a tax benefit at the same time!!
1.  EITC for Businesses
 
EITC is a PA initiative that allows PA businesses to direct a portion of their PA income taxes to private schools. The program allows contributors to claim up to a 90% tax credit on their returns for a two year commitment. This year Abrams received almost $400,000 in EITC funding, and that money is all used to help our school and our children. This is a win-win for businesses to be able to direct their taxes to benefit the school and provide scholarships for our students! There is no minimum amount required to participate in EITC as a business entity.

 

For information concerning business participation in EITC contact:
Ellen Horowitz Matz
EITC Officer
Foundation for Jewish Day Schools
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Tel:  215-832-0525
Cell: 215-920-8149
 2.     Jewish Scholarship LLC for Individuals
 
The Jewish Scholarship LLC is a special purpose entity (SPE) that was formed when the PA rules changed to allow individuals to participate in the EITC program, which was previously limited to businesses.

 

Individuals who pay at least $6200 in PA income taxes can join the Jewish Scholarship LLC and direct a significant portion of these taxes to Abrams. This will provide scholarships to our children and a significant tax credit to the participant! Participants receive a tax credit in PA and a tax deduction on their federal income taxes. It is a win-win situation for all.
For information concerning the individual LLC participation contact:
Brian Mono
Jewish Scholarship LLC
610-668-0044
Please consider this unique opportunity and help Abrams to thrive and fulfill its mission to provide a Jewish education to as many children as possible! If you or someone you know qualifies as an individual or owns a business that can take advantage of this opportunity and help Abrams to offer financial assistance to our qualifying families, please contact the people listed above or Rabbi Ira Budow at 215-584-7919.
**We are starting now so that everyone is ready for the July 3, 2017 (NOTE NEW DATE) application date for businesses. 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!
   

OSTC Referrals and EITC for Nursery

PA Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program (OSTC)

 

Significant financial aid may be available to families who qualify for the PA Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program (OSTC).
Children who attend a state-designated underperforming school are eligible to receive scholarship funding from the OSTC program that allows children to attend Abrams Hebrew Academy  at a minimal cost.

 

**Refer a  NEW family who qualifies for funding from the OSTC program and enrolls a child or children for 2017-18;

 

**Receive a $1500 discount from your tuition bill for each NEW student who is enrolled! 
Know someone interested who qualifies? Call Rabbi Budow at 215-584-7919.

OSTC Qualifying Schools

** Nursery Parents:
You may qualify to receive EITC funding for Pre-K- call Rabbi Budow to discuss whether or not you can benefit from this program!
 
    

Teach PA

 
    

Sefer Torah Project
 
 
torah-scroll-sm.jpg
Abrams will participate in a special writing of a Sefer Torah whereby acts of chesed are used to acquire individual letters of the Torah.
This project is a joint initiative of The Afikim Foundation and Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs to write a Global Unity Sefer Torah celebrating the 50th Anniversary of a Reunited Jerusalem.
Jews everywhere can inscribe letters in the Torah, NOT with money, but with simple acts of chesed- everyday kindnesses that positively impact the lives of others.
Since groups may reserve blocks of letters, we’ve taken the opportunity to reserve a block of 1000 letters for Abrams Hebrew Academy. The custom link for our school’s block can be accessed by clicking on:
A digital file of all names and deeds will remain permanently with the Torah, which will be dedicated in Jerusalem on May 28, 2017, Yom Yerushalayim.  (There’s also a Drawing with 3 round-trip tickets to attend the dedication!)
The Torah is being donated to ZAKA in Jerusalem, an emergency response and recovery organization that helps set up houses of mourning whenever the unfortunate need arises.
Challenge yourself to commit many acts of kindness by May 28th – actions that are manageable and within your reach. There is no chesed too small!
Let’s complete the Abrams Hebrew Academy block in the Global Unity Torah and inspire goodness in the world in honor of Jerusalem! (All blue letters are available.)

 

Click below to find out more about this initiative:

 

End-of-Year Parenting Meeting

End of Year Parenting Meeting
 
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
 
8:30 a.m.
 
The last parent group meeting of the school year will be held on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.
We will use this time to discuss any questions/concerns you have.
Thanks to everyone who participated! We learned a lot together.
Dr. P
 

 

   

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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