So Much To Be Thankful For This Year…

The Thanksgiving holiday is near and dear to me in many ways. My own family was blessed with a new addition, a grandson, earlier this year. Our school family is thriving, with many wonderful achievements and innovative programs underway. In the world of educators, we are esteemed – and emulated. Last week, several DKJA colleagues and I traveled to Orlando for the Florida Council of Independent Schools 53rd Annual Conference. The beaming faces of students from DKJA’s high school class of 2008 graced the cover of the conference’s directory. At the conference, Director of Admissions Hilary Arenstein, Director of Technology Janice Odesnik, and Middle School Art Teacher Carol Routman presented seminars that demonstrate our school’s innovative, cutting edge technology and school programming. “From Black and White to Going Green – The Electronic Admissions Process,” and “Art Is A Lens to the Past and a Window to the Future…Art Ties It All Together” showcased our school as a trendsetter. To say the least, DKJA has people taking notice.

As you enjoy a special meal with your family, and perhaps a little relaxation, please take a brief moment to truly give thanks for all that we have, all that we look forward to, and all that we can do to help those less fortunate through tikkun olam.

Please enjoy these photos of our kindergartners at their Thanksgiving Walkabout, and have a happy holiday!

L’Shalom, 
Karen Feller
Head of School

Tennis Extravaganza 'A Hit'
The Donna Klein Jewish Academy Eagles Booster Club’s Third Annual Tennis Extravaganza at Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton raised more than $33,000 for the school’s athletic program. In addition to crisp, picture perfect weather, the event was made even more spectacular by its special guest, Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna. Since its inception three years ago, the much-anticipated annual event has raised more than $100,000 in net proceeds to benefit DKJA. At the Extravaganza, held on November 17, 2008,  Ms. Novotna took to the courts alongside pro Iwona Kuczynska in a fun and “challenging” showcase of sportsmanship and team effort. Doubles teams had the opportunity to hit with Ms. Novotna and Ms. Kuczynska. Players also competed in point accumulation round-robin matches in three divisions. Winners (shown at right) were as follows: Advanced/Intermediate Division Champions - Andy Aberman and Mike Shapiro; Intermediate Division Champions - Arnold Diamond and Isaac Menaged; and Advanced Division Champions - Eric Lipson and Sue Shapiro.

Click READ MORE for additional photos and information.



Message from the High School Principal

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is here, and that midterms are just around the corner. Even though the semester is drawing to a close, the high school is a hub of activity. On Thursday, November 20, 2008, ninth- grade Judaic Studies classes did a prevention unit covering topics such as body image, beauty, and self-esteem. Students were split into two groups.  The girls group was run by Mrs. Helena Levine and Mrs. Miriam Engel. The boys group was run by Mr. Mark Churney, a LCSW from Jewish Family Services, and Mr. Aaron Cohen.  The students in both groups enjoyed talking about these important issues in a safe environment. 

For our all-school town meeting on November 21, 2008, we had a visit from Cantor Emil Levy, Mr. Moshe Matlon, Mr. Zelev Harel, and his son, Moran, representing the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization.  Moshe and Moran described their experiences in the IDF, and the mission of their organization, which is to aid in the care of wounded IDF soldiers and civilian victims of terror in Israel. 

The 12th grade Statistics class is participating in LifeSmarts – The Ultimate Consumer Challenge. LifeSmarts is a program, run by the National Consumers League that encourages high school students to learn about the consumer issues they face today.  LifeSmarts competition topics include: personal finance; health and safety; the environment; technology; and consumer rights and responsibilities. Competition is Internet-based, and teams of four or more students form teams and compete online. There are four teams from the DKJA Statistics class competing. While the competition is done on a team basis, individual scores are kept. Currently, Ben Lipson has the highest individual score nationwide. Qualifying teams in states with state coordinators advance to in-person state competitions, and the state champion team represents its state at the national competition in St. Louis in April.  The next major event we are looking forward to is the annual Coffeehouse, which will be held on December 15, 2008, at 7 p.m. in Zinman Hall.  This event is an occasion for eighth-grade and high school students and faculty to display their talents, and is thoroughly enjoyed by all who attend.  The coffeehouse will be preceded by a reception for high school alumni at 6 p.m. in the Cultural Arts building. 

Have A Happy Holiday,
Stephen Thompson, Ph.D.
Principal, The High School at DKJA

On Friday, November 21, 2008, middle school students had the opportunity to hear Mrs. Ester Wolfer of Cell Phones for Soldiers discuss this innovative program.

Students in the National Junior Honor Society soon will embark upon their major community service project for the year by assisting the organization. The program was created to collect old cell phones, recycle them and use the proceeds to provide pre-paid calling cards to soldiers serving abroad in order to stay in touch with their families stateside. Mrs. Wolfer lost her son, Major Stuart Wolfer, during a rocket attack while serving in Iraq. In an effort to work through their grief, she and her husband, Len, started the Boca Raton branch of the national Cell Phones for Soldiers program. 

Please help up us in this great cause by sending in your old phones and depositing them in the designated boxes that will be located throughout the school.

Shown her is Shannon Saitowitz with some of the cell phones already collected.