Issue 4March/April 2009Adar-Nissan 5769

learning for a lifetimeThe Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High SchoolThe Juda and Maria Diener Elementary School The Henrietta Scheck Middle School

17900 Biscayne Blvd. Aventura305.937.7797 www.aspaclaria.com

The Kol Hillel is made possible by

Dedicated by Anna and Sol Zuckerman and Family

For the latest News and Photos everyday

at Hillel,visit the Web site at www.hillel-nmb.org.

Hillel Education Extends Beyond Classroom WallsAn added sense

of school spirit and excitement has been filling the halls of Hillel this year.

“The energy is tremendous,” said Hillel Hurwitz, Student Activities Director.For the first time ever, overnight trips will have been offered to every student in Grades 4 -12 before the school year’s end.

“One of the greatest accomplishments of this school year has been the renewed spirit on campus,” said Dr. Adam C. Holden, Head of School.

“The support for our extracurricular programs has been outstanding. From the football team to the Shabbatonim, from the celebration of Purim to the St. Augustine trip, this year has been filled with ruach,” he added.

Students are bonding with classmates and teachers. Upper School students have chaperoned on weekend Shabbatonim for Middle and Lower School, which Hurwitz said include outdoor activities, games, free time and informal educational opportunities that complement the formal classroom program of studies.

In Middle School next month, the new program called Classroom without Walls will send students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 to different cities at the same time.

“It is very important to show students how much learning can take place outside the classroom, and by traveling together as grades, these trips help accentuate the curriculum we offer on a daily basis,” said Nick Hinrichsen, Middle School Principal.

“Essentially, school on campus will close down for all students to take their classroom experience outdoors,” he said. Students in Grade 6 will participate in a program led by Disney Youth Education Series in Orlando; Grade 7 will spend three days in Washington, D.C., and Grade 8 will spend three days in Boston.

Trips also have been planned in other grades that enhance academic and enrichment programs. Grade 9 students are preparing for their annual Israel trip, while the senior class counts down for their final Hillel journey to Grad Bash at Universal Studios. Drama students just visited New York, and Upper School

students attended Yeshiva University’s Model UN,

Panim el Panim in Washington and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Summit. Students in Grade 4 continued their education about Florida on their St. Augustine trip.

“Our trips make the learning of the classroom come alive, Hurwitz said. The students strengthen old friendships and forge new ones.”

Jade Mimoun, senior Aliza Ben-Arie, Alexis Goihman, Daniella Hanono, Ben Rose, Grade 10, and Yoni Bonan, Grade 9, attended the Grade 5 Shabbaton.

Hillel seniors Lindsey Mitrani and Esther Saks were named Silver Knight nominees in March. The winners in Dade County schools will be announced on May 19. For 50 years, The Miami Herald Silver Knight Awards has been one of the nation’s most highly regarded student awards programs. It recognizes students whose “record of service to the school and community best exemplifies an unselfish and continuous use of talents in helping others.” Mazel Tov!

Lindsey MitraniGeneral Scholarship

Esther SaksEnglish & Literature

NOMINEES

BOARD OF GOVERNORSChairman Gil J. Bonwitt Vice-Chairman David Wolf Treasurer Jorge WoldenbergSecretary Rossana FrancoImmediate Past President Rafael RussHIP/PTA President Amy Chafetz

Michelle AmselemSara BejarUri Benhamron Helena BroideDr. Judith Dach Michelle DienerAnita GivnerDr. Jan HockmanMatt KuttlerAnita LapcoSherri LebwohlJeffrey LevinsonRabbi Ezra Levy, Ed.D.

ADMINISTRATIONHead of School Dr. Adam C. HoldenRabbinic Dean Rabbi Michael Druin Principal, Lower School Debra AbolafiaPrincipal, Middle School Nick HinrichsenPrincipal, Upper School Tym BonillaAssistant Principal, Lower School Valerie LustgartenAssistant Principal, Lower School Tara Solomiany Dean of Students, Grades 6-12 Charmain CarterAssistant Principal, Grades 6-12 Joshua MeiselsDirector, Nativ Carole Repensek, Ph.D.

David LichterRabbi Avrohom LipszycGary MarsDiana MundlakJoanne PapirEva RubRachel SapoznikMarty ScheckDana Yemin SchragerMike ShalomJill ShockettHedy Whitebook

ABOUT HILLELFrom early childhood through Grade 12, Hillel is a Jewish community day school structured to cultivate and inspire students and to prepare them for college admission. Through meaningful religious and cultural experiences, Hillel strives to deepen students’ commitment to Judaism, the Jewish people and Israel. Hillel is the second-largest Jewish community day school in the nation.

ACCREDITATIONHillel is a beneficiary agency of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and is accredited by: Commission on International-Regional Accreditation, National Council for Private School Accreditation, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Association of Independent Schools of Florida. Hillel is affiliated with: Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education, RAVSAK: The Jewish Community Day School Network, National Association of College Admission Counseling, Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Jewish Federation of Broward County and Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education.

KOL HILLELThe Kol Hillel is a bimonthly publication of The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School/The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High School, 19000 NE 25th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33180, P: 305.931.2831. For submissions please email plainjanegraphics@gmail.com.

Made Possible by AspaClaria Judaica2 KOL HILLEL

Student Qualifies forNational Geographic Bee

Congratulations to Grade 8 student Ari Gontovnik for qualifying to represent Hillel at the state level of the National Geographic Bee at Jacksonville University in April. One winner from each state will advance to the National Geographic Bee in Washington D.C. on May 19 and 20.

Spelling Bee ChampsHillel won 4th place at the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE) Spelling Bee. The participants from Grades 5-6 were Sarah Dreyfuss, Abraham Shalom, Abraham Milhem, Sivanne Mendelson and Julia Ellis. Hillel competed against 12 Jewish day schools in Dade and Broward counties.

On the recent Grade 4 trip to St. Augustine, students opened their hearts and contributed their last few dollars of the field trip to benefit the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.

In between visiting Castillo de San Marcos, the Old Jail, the Fountain of Youth and other historical sites, students became interested in the school as they passed it on a trolly ride, said Maxine Erving, Lower School science teacher who plans the trip each year. “Some of the students decided it would be nice to collect tzedakah for the school,” Erving said. The school arranged a visit, and the Hillel students made their meaninful donation.

As part of the Grade 4 curriculum, students complete the segment of studying state of Florida with a trip to St. Augustine. “The kids literally consumed every moment of the trip. said Grade 4 teacher Vonda Bonilla. “They couldn’t wait for every activity.”

Grade 4 Students Learn Tzedakahon Class St. Augustine Trip

Nine students were recently inducted into the National Art Honor Society. The new members are Yael Almani, Karina Bagdadi, Alexis Bendjouia, Gaby Epelboim, Ben Frester, Naomi Kane, William Scheinman and Ben Shultz.

The induction ceremony featured an art auction organized by faculty advisor Anat Agam and the following members of the Art Honor Society: presidents Cassie Scheinman, Lior Ofir and Joey

Feldman, treasurers Nethaniel Agam, and Clarita Corcidi, secretary Ariele Ehrlich, historians Alexis Bendjouia and Michali Bortman and members Sharon Agami, Brigitte Bakshi, Kelsey Dunn, Jennie Falic, Arianne Milhem, Daniella Seidle and Vivian Szerer.

Students Inducted toNational Art Honor Society

Members of the National Art Honor Society Jennie Falic, Clarita Corcidi, Arielle Ehrlich and Brigitte Bakshi prepare for the induction ceremony.

Made Possible by AspaClaria Judaica KOL HILLEL 3

Upper School students have been learning first-hand for the last 14 years the intricate details of international diplomacy by participating in the Yeshiva University National Model United Nations (YUNMUN).

This year, 14 Hillel juniors and seniors joined 450 students from 43 day schools from the United States and Canada for the 19th annual model UN in Stamford, Connecticut. Yeshiva University underwrote a portion of the event.

Students play the roles of real United National delegates, dressing in business attire and representing opinions and views with which they don’t always agree, explained Dr. Rhea Schwartzberg, Chair of Hillel’s Social Studies Department, who has planned and attended YUNMUN for 14 years.

Schwartzberg said that students must research their assigned country’s political positions along with policies of the UN members toward these issues.

This year, Hillel students participated as delegates from Cuba, France and Jamaica.

“Students go outside the box, taking on the role of delegates to learn about world affairs and the culture and policies of the countries they represent,” Schwartzberg said.

About Hillel 40 students applied to attend YUNMUN this year, but only 14 were selected. Schwartzberg said the Upper School faculty select the students based on overall

abilities and performance. Hillel junior William

Sheinman received an honorable mention for his role as a Cuban delegate.

“YUNMUN teaches diversity. It’s phenominal,” she added. ”It

also looks fantastic on a college resume.”

Model UN Teaches Students International Diplomacy

“Students go outside the box, taking on the role of a delegate to learn about world affairs and the culture and policies of the countries they represent,”

said Dr. Rhea Schwartzberg, Upper School Social Studies Department Chair.

For example, Druin said, when students visit Haifa, they already will know about its trade and industry. At the Dead Sea, they may measure salt content; in Jerusalem they will know about the government and politics, and of course every step they take will be filled with historical as well as Judaic information.

“The students expect the trip to be fun, as in the past, which it will be. However, it will be an even more powerful experience this year because of an enriched academic environment,” Rabbi Druin said.

Last year, 98 percent of the students in Grade 9 attended the three-week Israel trip Rabbi Druin said, for which the school raised $45,000 to ensure all students could attend.

This year, in addition to the school applying for grants and private gifts, students are organizing events to raise funds for the trip. They are planning a car wash and carnival for Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Student Activities Director Hillel Hurwitz said, “The Israel trip is one of the highlights of each student’s Upper School career. Students will look back on this trip as one of their most memorable moments.”

“I am very excited to be with my friends in Israel,” said Grade 9 student Michael Tarich. “I have always looked forward to ninth grade just for the Israel trip,” he said

Students traveling to Israel on the annual Grade 9 Hillel trip will see the country from an enhanced perspective this year. The Israel trip, with the name Heritage, is part of the Grade 9 curriculum. Students are studying politics, trade and industry, environment, history,

science, Judaic, Hebrew and literary aspects of Israel. All areas of study of Grade 9 classes have been including

educational lessons about Israel, said Rabbi Allen Saks, Director of Judaic Studies. “The Israel trip will be more experiential, hands-on and integrated into the course curriculum,” he explained. “Students will have a great appreciation and understanding of everything they will see and do in Israel.”

The itinerary, which will be similar to the trips in past years, will be infused with meaningful, exhilarating experiences and will provide the students with social, Zionistic and academic experiences.

Rabbinic Dean Rabbi Michael Druin said the trip will be enhanced by the IB methodology of including various educational aspects in each subject area.

Annual Trip Expands Educational Elements

Back row: Shira Papir, William Scheinman, Natalie Esquenazi, Rachel Wasserman, Eliot Rimon, Todd Levy, Yael Almani, David Kadosh, Avi Gadish, Nethaniel Agam, Dr. Rhea Schwartzberg, Leo Schwartzberg Front Row: Aliza Ben-Arie, Rebecca Battat, Joshua Traub, Boris Treskunov

GRADE 9 PREPARES FOR ISRAEL

4 KOL HILLEL Made Possible by AspaClaria Judaica

Kindergarten Makes Havdalah Candles

p u r i mScene at Hillel

Students in Kindergarten enjoyed learning to create traditional Havdalah candles, wrapping the spices and learning the prayers.

In celebration of Tu B’Shevat, students at each grade level enjoyed events planned by the student activities office.Early childhood through Grade 1 enjoyed a play written, produced and performed by members of the Upper School Shabbaton Club called “Dora the Exlplorer and her Amazing Tu B’Shevat Adventure.” Students in Grades 2-3 picked strawberries in Boynton Beach, and Grades 4-5 enjoyed a species scavenger hunt in Greynold’s Park.

Middle School students in Grade 6 dedicated a tree planting ceremony outside Rabbi Michael Druin’s office, and students

in Grade 7 dedicated a tree planting ceremony outside Dr. Adam Holden’s office. Grade 8 attended a Tu B’Shevat program at the MAR-JCC.

Upper School students enjoyed a Green Spirit Day, wearing green to school. The Green Team Club decorated the school in green and students enjoyed Shivat Haminim in the cafeteria.

Celebrating Tu B’Shevat pp uu rr

KOL HILLEL 5Made Possible by AspaClaria Judaica

Kindergarten Makes Havdalah Candles

p u r i mScene at Hillel

Students in Kindergarten enjoyed learning to create traditional Havdalah candles, wrapping the spices and learning the prayers.

Grade 1 Students Receive First Siddurrr ii mmCostumes, carnivals, pony rides, fashion show, fun, games and food! Purim at Hillel was better than ever as students and faculty enjoyed sharing the festivities together! Thank you to HIP/PTA for sponsoring the carnival.Visit the Hillel Web site for more photos of school events,www.hillel-nmb.org.

6 KOL HILLEL Made Possible by AspaClaria Judaica

Hillel is honored to recognize those who support the school with charitable gifts. Through gifts of $10,000 and more, Ma’ayan Society members enable Hillel to strengthen Hillel’s academic programs, faculty and learning environment, secure financial aid for Hillel families, and allow Hillel to strategically plan for the future.

The Hebrew word ma’ayan means spring, a continual source of water that flows naturally from within the earth, enabling living things to grow. It symbolizes the generosity that comes from within, ensuring Hillel’s capacity to educate, cultivate and inspire the Jewish community’s youngest generation. For more information, please contact Geri Riskin at 305-931-2831 x279 or riskin@hillel-nmb.net.

Ma’aayn Society members, to date*are to the right.

HIP/PTA completed one of its biggest fund-raisers of the year: the Mishloach Manot exchange for Purim. About 30 parents assembled more than 800 bags that were sent home with every Hillel family. The event was chaired by Joana Kirsch and Monica Wagenberg.

Thanks to sponsors Alpha Graphics for printing and Picasso Industries for silk-screening the Hillel logo on bags.

HIP/PTA also sponsored the Purim Carnival. Anat Garzon worked with the student activities office to organize all the day’s activities for families. Thank you to the many volunteer parents!

The varsity boys basketball team won first place at the 22nd

Annual Florence and Joseph Weiner Memorial Basketball Tournament at Beth Tfiloh Community Day School in Baltimore. It is considered to be one of the most prestigious Jewish basketball tournaments.

“It was the first tournament win in the past 8 years. We also finished in the top 25 in the country for Jewish basketball teams on the high school level,” said Varsity Basketball Coach Chris Moltmann.

The tournament, which included seven Jewish day schools in the U.S., was held February 25-28. Team members included Jack Beda, Mark Brener, Shrian Brodt, Ariel Cohen, David Cohen, Evan Grabois, Max Frye, Jimmy Feterman, Yonathan Missika, Jared Rok - Tournament MVP and 1st Team All Tournament, Alan Salinas, Kevin Salinas and Taylor Winkel - 2nd Team All -Tournament. Coaching the team were Coach Moltmann, team manager Alex Mafadali, assistant coach Ariel Mendez, assistant coach Mike Norman and athletic director Cindy Lyon.

Boys Varsity Basketball TeamWins Prestigious Tournament

Boys varsity basketball team members show off their trophies.

HaKotelThe Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Robert and Michelle DienerHaTikvah

The Scheck/Bonwitt FamiliesYerushalaim Shel Zahav

The Falic FamilyJorge and Tammy Woldenberg

HebronAnonymous

Jaime and June WoldenbergKinneret

Anonymous, AspaClaria Judaica,David and Sara Bejar, Coca Cola Bottling Company,

Howard and Amy Chafetz, Carlos Lindenfeld Memorial Fund,Jacob and Ori Serfati, JGB Bank

Mike and Carol ShalomMassada

Anonymous, Anonymous,Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida,

Countyline Lexus, Austin and Heidi Frye,Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kriger, Simon and Diana Mundlak,

Mario and Rachel Sapoznik, Jules and Stephanie Trump, Hedy and Daniel Whitebook, Idel and Yvette Woldenberg,

The Wolf Family *As of March 23, 2009

KOL HILLEL 7Made Possible by AspaClaria Judaica

Lottie Yachbes straightens the books in the Lower School library media center, helps students find their favorite selections and lends a hand at Upper School bagel break every morning.

As a volunteer at Hillel for the past 18 year, Yachbes brings her familiar smile and helping hand whereever she is needed.

“I enjoy everything about Hillel. I love working with the teachers and the students are all very respectful,” said Yachbes, who volunteers every morning for five hours.

She said she began volunteering 18 years ago when she came to pick up her grandchildren from Hillel. “I never left,” she said. “Everyone should volunteer, it keeps you young and active.”

Volunteer Celebrates 18 Years at Hillel

Hillel Lower School students participated in Jump Rope for Heart, raising $13,870 for the national educational fund-raising program that supports research for the American Heart Association.

Hillel ranked as the top school in fund-raising, from the 60 schools participating in the South Florida area.

Students in Grades 1-5 raised funds while learning the importance of maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle through exercise, eating healthy and being physically active, said Lower School PE coach Jimmy Robertson.

As part of the educational program, Robertson planned a day of activities for Lower School students, parents and faculty. Some of the activities included jump rope, hopscotch, the hula jump, 20-yard dash and double dutch.

More than 350 students participated in the Jump Rope for Heart. Grade 2 student Jenna Scheck raised the highest amount: $422. The following students raised more than $300: Osher Abuhau, Joshua Bonwitt, David Bendayan, Joel Linkewer and Itiel Wainer.

Every year, there is a count-down to Pi Day, an international event celebrating Pi, the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Remember, Pi = 3.1415926535.

For the second year at Hillel, students in Jill Bloom’s Middle

School math class celebrated Pi Day with a number of interesting

activities. Students raced to write the first 100 digits of Pi using sidewalk chalk, starting at the beginning of the Middle School carpool circle and finishing at the main gate.

As an extra credit project, one Grade 7 class took the challenge of memorizing the first 20 digits of Pi.

Bloom said the classes visited several Pi Web sites on the Smart Board, entering birthdays or phone numbers and the Web site located that sequence of digits within Pi. Students also learned how a tape measure will always measure about three times as far around a circle as it does straight across.

The challenge: Who would be selected to throw the second annual pie at Middle School Principal Nick Hinrichsen? This year, the event was actually staged for Mr. Hinrichsen to toss a pie to student David Ben Arie.

Middle School Celebrates Pi Day with a Number of Activities

Lower School Students, Families Jump to Help Others

Parents and faculty joined students for Jump Rope for Heart activities.

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART

The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High SchoolThe Juda and Maria Diener Elementary School The Henrietta Scheck Middle School19000 NE 25th AvenueNorth Miami Beach, Florida 33180

Hillel Events

Monday, April 20 - School Resumes

Wednesday, April 22 - HIP/PTA Meeting 7:30 p.m.

May 4 - May 15 - Advanced Placement Exams

Monday, May 18Senior Dinner (for students only) 5:30 p.m., Rose & Lew Goodman Beit MidrashSenior Awards Night (for students and families) 7:30 p.m., Jordan Alexander Ressler Performing Arts Theatre Friedman-Uhlar Auditorium Tuesday, May 19Senior Graduation Ceremony 6:45 p.m. Broward County Convention Center. Students arrive at 4:30 p.m. for class picture and group photos. (1950 Eisenhower Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale)

Thursday, May 21 College Book Awards, 10:30 a.m. Jordan Alexander Ressler Performing Arts Theater Friedman-Uhlar Auditorium

Special Edition of the Kol Hillel...The May/June edition of the Kol Hillel will feature a pull-out section of the Annual Event and complete coverage of Upper School Graduation and awards.

Mazel Tov to the cast and crew of The Diary of Anne Frank, presented bythe Jordan Alexander Ressler Performing Arts Program. Lower School students are practicing for the production, Annie Jr., which will take place June 3. Middle School students are practicing for their May 13th playEverything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” All productions take place in the Jordan Alexander Ressler Performing Arts Theatre in the Friedman-Uhlar Auditorium.

Tuesday, May 19, 200925 Iyar 5769Tuesday, May 19, 200925 Iyar 576925 Iyar 5769