Beginnings are always exciting.  Here we are, the first week of our 29th year of Donna Klein Jewish Academy. Monday, even with an impending tropical storm on our minds, we forged ahead and eagerly began another wonderful year. The halls were abuzz with students eager to start the academic year. Classrooms resembled a reunion of sorts as teachers, students, and parents greeted each other with warm welcomes. This was yet another demonstration that we are truly more than a school…a family. I look forward to seeing you at celebrations and events throughout the year. Educating children takes all of us working together.  It is my deepest joy to see your children everyday, and to work in a partnership with you, providing the best of Jewish living, learning, and academic achievement. 

Mazel Tov,
Karen Feller



Message from DKJA Presidents

It is with great anticipation that we start this new school year. As your Presidents, our goals are to continue moving us forward toward our new home, and to ensure the fiscal strength and stability of our current one. We continue to be ahead of schedule for our school’s five-year strategic plan, and are confident that our school’s stellar reputation for excellence will continue to thrive under Head of School Karen Feller’s exemplary leadership. We both believe that the perfect “recipe” for developing well-educated adults is comprised of an outstanding educational experience that incorporates Jewish ethics, morals, and values into academic programming. We are proud to be leaders of an institution that sets these high goals for its students’ futures.

May We Go From Strength to Strength
Lesley Zafran and Michael Beckerman

Welcome to Donna Klein Jewish Academy Lower School!

It was so exciting to greet all the familiar faces in class on the first day of school. After a short delay sorting supplies, the children participated in tefilah, bringing all the uncertainty of a new grade right back to the familiar comfort of our tradition.

This promises to be a wonderful year filled with new experiences, expanding opportunities, and plenty of learning.  When you get a chance, stop by and welcome our new librarian, Joyce Miller, who is anxious to meet the children and get them excited about literature and reading for pleasure. 

There are a few spaces available in our Orchestra program, open to students as young as first-grade. If this intrigues you, just contact Mr. Correa at CorreaG@dkja.org .



Message from Lower School Judaics Principal
Shalom,

A new school year, a new beginning, a fresh start, a sense of renewal... This is what you feel when walking through the hallways or peering into the freshly decorated classrooms.

The teachers define "Readiness" towards starting the journey of learning, moving forward, and setting high expectations.

Over the summer, six of our Hebrew/Judaic faculty members attended an intensive course of study at the Tal Am Institute. Tal Am is the Hebrew program taught in grades one through five. The classes took place in various locations. Yael Pollak and Dina Fishman studied in Jerusalem, Israel. Jennifer Young and Iris Dahoah studied at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, California. Na’ama Gavish and Anat Jatwes studied at the Kushner Jewish Day School in New Jersey. I attended the Institute for Principals in Jerusalem, Israel.



Message from Middle School Principal

  

It is with much excitement that I send you my greetings and welcome you back to a new school year. As you can see from the atmosphere throughout our campus, It is not only the students who anxiously anticipate meeting their new teachers and greeting dear friends.

Your children arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed. Needless to say it was a wonderful day, followed by a busy week. Our eighth-graders eagerly anticipated their Outward Bound experience – an introduction to a year planned filled with new learning opportunities. Many in the faculty spent the summer writing curriculum and attending courses to enhance their teaching, and your child’s learning.We look forward to seeing you at our Curriculum Night on Sept 4. At this event, you will walk in your child’s footsteps as you follow his or her daily schedule and meet their teachers and advisors. We will begin at 7 p.m. in Zinman Hall with a short meeting, followed by the classroom visits.

We wish you and your child a wonderful year.

Sincerely,
Carol Kolsky

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Message from Middle School Judaics Principal
Welcome back! B’ruchim HaBai’im!

Each year, after a wonderful Shabbat-like rest in the summer, we come back to school with a new enthusiasm. There is fresh paint on the walls, impeccably clean hallways, and empty lockers to fill. Looking around at the brightly decorated halls and classrooms reminds one of the dual curriculum, Jewish community nature of our school. An Israeli flag hangs proudly next to the Stars and Stripes of the U.S. flag; and a chart of the weekly Parsha shares wall space with the Periodic Table of the Elements. Our environment helps us to accomplish our mission of educating our students to be “knowledgeable and responsible citizens of the world committed to Jewish values and lifelong learning.



Message from Principal of High School
 

I want to welcome everyone back for another exciting school year. It was great to see returning students again, and to meet those new to our school. We began the first day of school with a breakfast reception for our students and teachers, giving everyone a chance to reacquaint themselves. We then had an all school tefilah, followed by a short meeting between faculty mentors and their students. So I would say we have gotten our new year off to a great start.

We have two major events during the first two weeks of school. Friday through Sunday of this week, we have our opening retreat/Shabbaton. We will spend Friday, August 22 at the FAU Boca Raton Campus Challenge Course, where we will participate in their LIFT (Learning Initiatives for Teambuilding) program. Students should plan on arriving at school at the regular time, and we will take a bus from the High School to FAU. The program will last from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and lunch will be provided.



Message from Director of Judaic Studies and Jewish Life

When I say welcome to the students of the High School at DKJA, it has many meanings. I offer a heartfelt welcome to both an exciting school year, and a dynamic program rich in Judaic Studies and Jewish Life. In my new role as director of this department, I will provide a strong foundation to our students, many of whom I have already had the opportunity to interact with and get to know. This summer, we enjoyed sunset tefilah and yoga on the beach. I look forward to countless other opportunities to personally get to know our high school student body.

Message from PTO President

Welcome To The 2008-2009 School Year!

In our efforts to “go green,” the PTO has introduced many innovative changes. The biggest change that many have noticed is that the Hamishpachot (family directory) will now only be available online, since we are a paperless school. Information will be updated weekly, so it will always be current. Additionally, the PTO now has made volunteer forms available through the Eagles Net, which easily can be downloaded.

The Eagles Net is an easy way to find information you may need about the PTO’s upcoming events, purchasing items through the newly relocated Shuk (school store), and school programs. We have unveiled our new website, www.dkjastore.com, to better assist you with purchasing school merchandise. Orders placed online will be filled and delivered to your child.



DKJA Families Invited to Program on Stamping Out Jewish Genetic Disease

Temple Beth El, The Mathew Forbes Romer Foundation and The American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem Invite you to a Dessert Reception and Lecture on Stamping Out Jewish Genetic Disease: The Latest Breakthroughs from the State of Israel, Plus Challenges Facing Parents and Grandparents in Dealing with Children’s Health Issues
 
The featured speaker will be Dr. Francis Mimouni, Director of Pediatrics
Shaare Zedek Medical Center

The event takes place on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 333 S.W. 4th Ave in Boca Raton.

For more information and to RSVP, contact Ronni Amster at (561) 638-0029.

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SAVE THE DATES!

DKJA 2007-2008 Yearbooks Are Still Available
There are a limited number of 2007-2008 DKJA Yearbooks available. If you are interested in purchasing one, you may do so for $75.00 in Room K-109  from Monday, August 25 through Thursday, August 28 after dismissal.  

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DKJA Presents Third Annual Tennis Extravaganza
With Wimbledon Champion Jana Novotna on Nov. 17, 2008

 Donna Klein Jewish Academy’s Eagles Booster Club will present the Third Annual Tennis Extravaganza with Jana Novotna on Monday, November 17, 2008 at Broken Sound Country Club in Boca Raton. All participants will have an opportunity to play with tennis pro and Wimbledon champ Jana Novotna.

Tennis enthusiasts will enjoy an incredible experience on the courts, starting with a personal photo taken with Novotna. Doubles round-robin tournaments will follow. Teams with the highest point totals in each level will go on to play a special exhibition match on Center Court with pros Novotna and Iwona Kuczynska.*

A buffet luncheon, raffle drawing, and awards presentation will be the grand finale of the day (*lunch-only guests are also welcome to watch the special exhibition match).

All proceeds from the event benefit the DKJA athletic program. Call Kim Strobis, Director of Development, at 561-852-3397 for further information

 

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DKJA Families Invited to Program on Stamping Out Jewish Genetic Disease

Temple Beth El, The Mathew Forbes Romer Foundation and The American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem Invite you to a Dessert Reception and Lecture on Stamping Out Jewish Genetic Disease: The Latest Breakthroughs from the State of Israel, Plus Challenges Facing Parents and Grandparents in Dealing with Children’s Health Issues.> 

The featured speaker will be Dr. Francis Mimouni, Director of Pediatrics, Shaare Zedek Medical Center. The event takes place on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 333 S.W. 4th Ave in Boca Raton.For more information and to RSVP, contact Ronni Amster at (561) 638-0029.