Jewish Star Schools I

Shulamith girls school marks literacy week

Literacy Week and Book Fair was recently celebrated at the Shulamith School for Girls in Woodmere. The theme this year was Links of Literacy, The Reading and Writing Connection. Each class proudly displayed the unique writing projects they prepared for Literacy Week.

Grades 1-4 enjoyed visits by Malky Weinstock, publisher and author of the LITE Girl Yael books series, and Meish Goldish, author of several hundred children’s fiction, non-fiction, and poetry books.

Malky Weinstock spoke about her characters who inspire and demonstrate Ahavat Hashem and Ahavat Yisroel. She also spoke about the aspects of being an author and publisher. Meish Goldish spoke about humor and research and how he is inspired to write books.

Shulamith girls wearing T-shirts they designed and decorated for Literacy Week are from left Atara Grushko, Michal Moskowitz, Chaya Gluck, Aviva Klahr, Miriam Abittan, Elisha Schecter, Dalia Jacobs, and Miri Heller.

Shalhevet jumps for Zumba

Midreshet Shalhevet took JUMP to a whole new level. Sunday evening, February 23, 2014 the Shalhevet NCSY JUMP team held a Zumba and jump rope fundraiser in memory of Phillip Bach a”h. Phillip Bach was a 27 year old, 5 Towns resident who passed away in November after succumbing to a lifelong illness of Familial Dysautonomia, otherwise known as FD. FD is a rare genetic neurological disorder that effects the sensory and autonomic nervous systems, causing life threatening medical complications from birth. Phillip was a brother to Shalhevet alumnus, Bayla Bach and the Shalhevet girls wanted to honor his memory. With the help of Raina and Inna from Studio Inna, the Shalhevet JUMP team consisting of Ava Korman, Tamar Beer, Malka Marmer, Bayla Eckhaus, Tali Roth, and JUMP mentor Malky Blisko put together a fun filled night of Zumba, jump rope contests, and raffles. Tara Shimmel, an FD parent, began the evening by sharing what FD is, and how the organization FD NOW helps her and her family. The Rambam gym filled up quickly as more than 100 women and girls took to the floor. Raina and Inna led an exciting and energetic class. Energy, enthusiasm and laughter resonated off the walls as everybody enjoyed dancing for a worthy cause. Following the high intensity Zumba workout, girls participated in a jump rope contest to see who could jump the most over a three minute span. Devora Chait, an 11th grader at Shalhevet, displayed her athleticism and won first place. Devora received free classes to Studio Inna! The JUMP team successfully raised over $4,000 to benefit FD NOW. This money will help them continue their research in finding a cure. The Shalhevet JUMP team expresses their appreciation to all those who attended and donated to this important organization. They also thank Studio Inna, and all of their gracious sponsors who helped make this night a huge success!

Rambam volunteers to help soldiers

Since 2002, in the midst of the Second Intifada, Rambam Mesivta has sent juniors and seniors on its mitnadvim (volunteers) program to help on various IDF bases. This act of chesed and statement of commitment to Israel is made possible through Sar-El, a combination charity organization and army unit. It allows non-Israelis to spend from a week to a few months volunteering on IDF bases. The program is made possible through the efforts and commitment of Rambam Mesivta’s principal, Rabbi Yotav Eliach, who himself served in the IDF.

This was the eleventh time a Mitnadvim group went to Israel during “Yeshiva Week” break. This year, four devoted students, senior Yitzchak Milworn, and juniors Dovid Rosenzweig, Zachary Beer and Shmuel Halbfinger decided to forgo “vacation” and spend their time on an IDF Base doing whatever was necessary for the safety of Israel.

They arrived in Israel January 12 and met their Madrich and some Sar-El representatives. The boys went to the Tzippori base in the Galilee, and along with other volunteers, assisted soldiers with different jobs on the base for two weeks. Many on the base including soldiers and commanders expressed gratitude to the students. It is a tremendous source of chizuk to Israelis to know that American Jewry is there to help.