Abrams Extra May 12, 2017

 

 

New AHA logo 2011

ABRAMS EXTRA

In This Issue
Candle Lighting
Budowsphere
Torah Dedication
Israel Graduation
Israel Photo Highlights
AHA Graduation
Last Parenting Meeting of Year
Last Day of School
Toiletries for the Homeless
Help Abrams With EITC
OSTC Referrals
Sefer Torah Project
Lunch Menu
Security Reminders
Car Pool Rules
Abrams Notes

Join Our List
 

May 12, 2017/  16 Iyar
Candle Lighting 7:50 pm/ Emor
 

Budowsphere
 
Rabbi Budow   

 

Dear Parents:
 
We have returned from our trip to Israel, and once again it was a great experience! When I was on the plane flying home I realized that the EITC application date of July 3, 2017 is fast approaching. Once again I want to encourage you to participate in this program that not only benefits the school, but you as well.
There are two ways to help the school and yourself-
  • If you own a business in PA you can participate as a business entity- there is no minimum amount that you have to pay in taxes for businesses to participate in the program; *Contact Ellen Matz- Foundation for Jewish Day Schools-Tel:  215-832-0525; Cell: 215-920-8149; ematz@jfgp.org
  •  If you live in PA and pay at least $6200 in PA state taxes you can participate as an individual by joining the Jewish Scholarship LLC. * Contact Brian Mono- Jewish Scholarship LLC- Tel: 610-668-0044
Please consider participating in this vital program for our school- either personally, through your business, or by recommending the EITC program to friends or family members who are eligible. Abrams has greatly benefited from EITC funding and has successfully reached out to our community to enlarge the number of participants on our behalf.
I am confident that with your help we can continue to increase our share of the scholarship money this program provides to make it possible to educate even more Jewish children at our school.
Feel free to contact me at 215-584-7919 to discuss your participation either personally or as a business- it is win-win for all of us.
Best,
Rabbi Ira Budow

 

 

 

Torah Dedication for Yuval Miara
 
Rabbi Budow with Yuval’s mother, father 
and brother

 

Torah Dedication Ceremony
Rabbi Budow, the AHA community in Israel, and Yuval’s family and friends gathered for a moving dedication ceremony donating a Torah to the IDF in memory of Yuval Miara  z”l.
Yuval’s family and friends traveled by bus from his home town of Netivot to attend the dedication and lunch in his honor- There were over 100 people who gathered to celebrate the life of this remarkable man.
Thank you to everyone who contributed towards this fitting tribute to a hero who was beloved by everybody he met.

 Israel Graduation
 

 

8th Grade Graduation in Israel
 
Once again Rabbi Budow has led the exciting annual trip to Israel with our 8th grade graduates, AHA staff, and a number of our students’ families.
The culmination of this incredible journey is the graduation ceremony, and this year was bigger and better than ever! They are now on their way home and will arrive late tonight.
Mazal Tov to all of our graduates!
**Look at more photos on our Abrams Happenings and FB pages!

A Few  Israel Trip Photo Highlights
 
**Look at more photos on our Abrams Happenings and FB pages!

AHA Graduation

Graduation
8th Grade Graduation Ceremonies
 
Monday, June 5, 2017
 
7:00 p.m.
Schnur Assembly
 
Our 2017 Graduates
 

 

Lital Abergel                       Sara Kestenbaum
Ronen Adler                       Gillian Lane
Joshua Beigman               Jacob Littwin
Jeremy Brandspiegel      Sophia Rogovoy
Joseph Couzens               Alexis Schachter
Samuel Doshna                 Nicole Shaulov
Moriah Eley                        Maya Shavit
Abner Gordan                   Milena Shevelev
Estee Gross

 

All are Welcome to Attend!
 

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
 

 

   

Last Day of School

Reminder:
 
Last day of school:
 
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
 
12:30 dismissal!

Sundries for Homefront

Toiletries for the Homeless Drive
Ms. Abramowitz is doing a final school -wide end of year Sundries Drive to benefit Homefront, a local organization that assists homeless people.
Two student representatives from each middle school grade will deliver the donated items to Homefront at the beginning of June.
Items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and body lotion, are most welcome.
 
All items must be new and unopened, please.

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!
 
    

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:

 

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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