This past Wednesday was an especially memorable day here at DKJA! Our school community, including 710 students, more than 100 members of the faculty and staff, many parents, and even a few grandparents, came together in Zinman Hall to demonstrate solidarity for Israel. It was both a moving and uplifting assembly planned and led by our lower, middle, and high school Judaic Studies teachers. You can imagine my pride as I watched your children pray, sing, dance, and wave Israeli flags in support of our Homeland.

Our prayers and thoughts are with Israel at this very difficult time.  We are encouraging students to write letters to their state officials on behalf of Israel, and to and connect with the people of Israel to show their solidarity. Not only is Israel fighting for its life, but also for its reputation around the world.  

This Sunday, a communitywide rally organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County is planned. As a proud sponsor of the event, DKJA welcomes you and your families to be a part of this demonstration of our solidarity as a community. Please click on the link below for further information. We hope to see you there. Note: due to the overwhelming response, the venue has been changed to the SPORTS FIELDS of the Jewish Federation Campus.

Welcome back to school everyone!  I trust that you all had a good rest and enjoyed the beautiful weather we experienced over the break. The year has many exciting events in store for us as a school, and a country. This month is when the inauguration of our new President takes place. We hope for a peaceful year. Our thoughts are with Israel during this difficult time as we pray daily for the military personnel, the government of Israel, and our “family” in the Jewish State.

Back on the home front, we are busy with the re-enrollment process,  and we are introducing our excellent education program to new families coming into the area. Donna Klein Jewish Academy has an outstanding reputation, nationally and abroad, and families are moving to his area because of our school, eager to be a part of the DKJA experience.

This week, we began our grade-level Coffees, at which families learn about the upcoming year’s curriculum, faculty, signature programs, and Jewish experiences. We encourage all of you to attend, as this will provide a wonderful opportunity for you to socialize and gather information. Coffee and refreshments are provided by our gracious hosts and hostesses. We have scheduled an evening Coffee for K- 4 families for those unable to attend the morning Coffee sessions. Dates for the Coffees are listed below. RSVP to the Admissions Office by calling (561) 852-6004, or by e-mail to admissions@dkja.org

Current Grade      Date of Coffee       Time    
 
4th Grade         January 12, 2009   9:30 a.m.  
6th Grade         January 12, 2009   7:00 p.m.  
2nd Grade         January 13, 2009  9:30 a.m.  
K-4                    January 14, 2009   7:00 p.m.  *Evening Coffee 
3rd Grade         January 15, 2009   9:30 a.m.  
Kindergarten     January 20, 2009   9:30 a.m. 
1st Grade         January 22, 2009   9:30 a.m.  

Shabbat Shalom to you all,
Hilary Arenstein
Director of Admissions

 

DKJA Alumni on Facebook

Many of our alumni came to our reunion gathering on December 15, 2008 at the High School Coffee House Event.

We would like to connect with our graduates and former students to give them an opportunity to reunite with their DKJA family and find out the “latest happenings” we have planned for them. We hope to have a large response to our next reunion in the spring. We want to hear from our alumni! Get the news out to our former students and alumni to register on Facebook or to contact Judith Chason at chasonj@dkja.org.

Students Show School Spirit in their Varsity Jackets

Pictured here are High School students showing their Eagles Pride in their Varsity Letter Jackets. Our school’s high school athletes have the opportunity to order jackets at the Annual Sports Recognition Night. The DKJA Booster Club generously underwrites a portion of the cost of each jacket making them more affordable for students and their families.

Shown here are (from left to right, front row): Brooke Meyer, Samantha Peitzer, Alyssa Zukowsky, and Aryiel Peitzer. Back row: Ben Lipson, Michael Pedowitz, David Rind, and Jeffrey Lipson.  

On a related note: Congratulations to star DKJA athlete Aryiel Peitzer, who recently was selected for Second Team – All County by the Sun-Sentinel. This prestigious honor is determined by the votes of coaches from throughout Palm Beach County.

Judaic Studies Wish List

If you are interested in assisting the DKJA Judaic Studies Department by donating one of the items listed here, please call Kim Strobis, Director of Development, at (561) 852-3397. Thank You!

o Shofar
o Machhzor
o Chanukiyah (Menorah)
o Tallit
o A pair of Tefillin
o Hagadah
o Megillah
o Glass Case to display Judaica in the High School

Interschool English Team Spelling Contest
On Thursday January 8, 2009, a talented group of fifth and sixth-graders represented DKJA in the Interschool English Team Spelling Contest sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education & the Principals & Administrators Council.

The spelling bee took place at Temple Israel in Miami. The sixth-grade team was comprised of Alex Silverman, Jesse Blogg, Lindsey Koolik, and Shayna Silverman. The fifth-grade team competitors were Noah Roberson, Adi Cohen and Lauren Rosenthal. (

Shown at right, rehearsing for the competition, are Alex Silverman, Shayna Silverman, Lauren Rosenthal, Adi Cohen, Lindsey Koolik, and Jesse Blogg.)

Spirit Week!
Other highlights of this week included Middle School Spirit Week. Students dressed the part on various themed days throughout the week. At left is seventh-grader Eli Moulavi showing his school spirit on Stripes, Plaid, and Polka Dot Day!

 Judaic Studies Matan Torah Program
Students in Mrs. Gurspan’s sixth-grade Haifa Group recently participated in a “re-enactment” of the Matan Torah — the giving of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. The class was completing that unit, so each student brought in an item of religious significance, or a handwritten message that he or she would like passed down to their grandchildren.

Principal of Middle School Judaic Studies Rabbi Tzvi Berkson made a visit as “Moses,” and text of the actual verses was displayed on a SmartBoard. Students explained the importance of the articles selected to bring and share with the class.

Our high school students recently had an impressive presence in the community. Our Thespian troupe performed several musical numbers from Broadway shows at the Jewish National Fund’s annual Chanukah celebration, held at Congregation B’nai Torah in late December. Members of the community are always impressed by the talent and poise of our students. As our semester begins, we have a new slate of elective offerings in the high school, including SAT math prep, Mock Trial, Jews in Popular Culture, and creative writing. We have also introduced new Tefilah options this semester, including Tefilah Appreciation, in which students study the major forms, genres, styles, and structures of prayer, and a minyan in which students study the Parshat Hashavua. We are looking forward to an event-filled semester. 

Our first Parent-Centered Meeting of the semester will take place on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (location to be announced soon). The guest speaker will be Mindy Agler, LMHC, who will talk to teens about drugs and alcohol. Parents of students in grades eight through twelve are invited to attend.

Make A Note:
The next Sushi Lunch ‘n Learn presented by Director of Judaic Studies and Jewish Life Miriam Engel takes place on Thursday, January 15, 2009. This program was introduced to create a connection between the high school and middle school, and have fun and learn together.