Dear DKJA Families,

Having just returned from an exciting gathering of more than 200 school leaders from throughout North America at the RAVSAK (Jewish Community Day School Network) Conference, I have gained an even greater appreciation for the importance of unity. This was never more apparent to me as I experienced the conference, the Inauguration of President Obama, a renewed sense of hope, and a proud reinforcement of why we send our children to Jewish day schools. Hope, optimism, and a positive outlook permeated. President Obama’s speech contained many references to the importance of hope and continuity from generation to generation. How very appropriate, in light of our upcoming Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Day on Friday, February 13, 2009. Our underlying theme is L'dor VaDor (From Generation to Generation).

Let me take a moment to emphasize, once again, the importance of supporting one another and uniting as a family. There’s nothing more valuable than knowing we truly are “more than a school…a family.”

Shabbat Shalom,
Karen Feller
Head of School

P.S. Please note that on Monday, January 26, 2009, the Central Park Blvd. entrance will be closed during construction of a gate upgrade. The construction should take between three and four months. During this time, all traffic must enter and exit from 95th Avenue South. After completion of the Central Park Blvd. gate, a construction upgrade project is scheduled to begin at the 95th Avenue South entrance. The projects are being required by Palm Beach County in order to move the 95th Avenue South gate house closer to Glades Road, and to consider any future expansions on our campus. We are sorry for any inconvenience during this project. However, once completed, the project will result in easier entry and exit from our campus. Thank you for your cooperation.

DKJA Tribute Cards

Show a friend or loved one that you care by sending a DKJA Tribute Card. DKJA Tribute Cards are the ideal way to send an expression of sympathy, or a get-well message; recognize a birthday, anniversary, bar or bat mitzvah, or birth; and to honor a teacher or acknowledge another special occasion while supporting DKJA. For Tributes, call (561) 852-5007 or e-mail Janet Epstein at epsteinj@dkja.org. Please note: a minimum gift of $18 is suggested. For your convenience, the Development Department will gladly bill you quarterly.

Tributes for January 5, 2009, through January 16, 2009

In Honor of Jacob Harris Anderson
Sara and Howard Adler
The DKJA Kindergarten Team
The Greenberg Family
Lewis, Maxx, Gabriel, Randi, and David Winter

In Honor of Joshua Bouchner
The Fixler Family

In Honor of Emily and Stephen Grabelsky
Judith Chason

In Honor of Stephanie Owitz Greenberg
Judith Chason
Janet Epstein
Kim Strobis

In Honor of Tammy and John Lehman
The Fixler Family

In Honor of Mildred and Abner Levine
Karen Feller

In Honor of the Grandson of Yafa Levit
The DKJA Kindergarten Team

In Honor of Joshua Marcus
Judith Chason
Sharon and Skip Kamber
Carol Kolsky
Carol Stein

In Memory of Edith Pankin
Helene and Frank Bieder

In Memory of Shirley Rosa
Melinda Forrester and Peter Brown

In Memory of Joseph Shulman
Sara and Howard Adler
The Forrester-Brown Family

In Honor of Shirley and Allan Solomon
Judith Chason
Kim Strobis
Randi and Davi

On Friday, January 23, 2009, students attended a Town Meeting at which Yossi Katz, an instructor from the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, spoke about summer programs there.  On Monday, the January 26, 2009, the high school will hold induction ceremonies for our chapters of the National Honor Society and the Thespians Group, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Kay auditorium (Jewish Association for Residential Care). Please join us for these special programs.  

An entertaining story of hope. A testimonial to the powers of a charming personality. A lesson in optimism. These all can be found in the critically acclaimed musical Annie, which will be presented during two spectacular performances by a talented DKJA cast. The first show is on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m.; the second performance takes place on Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 1 p.m. The musical is sure to entertain audiences of all ages.

Performances for Annie are open to the public. The show will be staged in Zinman Hall. Tickets can be purchased in advance in the DKJA School Office from Monday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Fridays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., or at the Zinman Hall Box Office on the day of the show. Note: a limited number of seats are available in all categories. Reserved Seats: $36; General Admission: $18; DKJA students and children under age 5: Free Admission; Non-DKJA students (with valid I.D.): $5. For further information about tickets, call (561) 852-6051.

If you are interested in purchasing an ad in the show’s Playbill, or supporting the production by making a gift to the school through the Development Office, please click on the links below to access the forms for each, respectively.

Shown at right: Michael Kagan rehearsing  for one of his roles (he plays several parts in the play).

Amazing Athletes

The All-County selections from the Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post newspapers included three of varsity volleyball players from DKJA. Senior Aryiel Peitzer made Second Team, All-County for small schools in the Sun-Sentinel and Honorable Mention All-County in the Palm Beach Post. Aryiel is now the second student athlete at DKJA to receive First or Second Team All-County honors. Senior Ronit Roseman and Sophomore Alyssa Zukowsky received Honorable Mention All-County from the Sun-Sentinel. Alyssa is currently tied for ninth place in all of Palm Beach County in soccer scoring. She has 21 goals and 9 assists in just 12 games. Alyssa is currently the second leading scorer for girls’ basketball in Palm Beach County for small schools, averaging 17.7 points per game. She is also fifth in the county is assists, averaging 4.2 per game. Congratulations to all three student athletes on a great accomplishment.

What's The Score?

Many thanks to the DKJA Booster Club for purchasing an official scorer’s table for DKJA! Athletic Director David Trell is thrilled with this wonderful new addition to our school’s athletic department and said that he and his staff  “appreciate the efforts of the Booster Club and all who support their fundraising events and activities”.

Court of Dreams 2009

DKJA's high school basketball team will be taking on Morningside Academy of Port St. Lucie at the home of the Miami Heat, American Airlines Arena, on February 2, 2009, at 2:30 pm.  All students in grades 8 through 12 have been invited to attend the game and stay on to watch the Miami Heat take on the Los Angeles Clippers at 7:30 pm. The basketball team will be meeting Dwayne Wade and have a picture taken with him along with his gold medal from this past Olympics.

Tickets are still available for DKJA families and friends wishing to support the Eagles by attending the 2009 Court of Dreams.  If you have any questions, please call the athletic office at (561) 558-2185.

Click the link below for details.
CourtofDreams

Your Help Is Needed for Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day

Parent Volunteers are needed to assist the week before Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day and on the day of the event (February 13, 2009). Please call (561) 852-3317.  

Invitations In the Mail

25^th Benefit Ball Invitations will arrive next week. Invitations will also be sent to a pre-event party for major donors and the DKJA Leadership Council ($2,500) hosted by Rosenberg Diamonds & Co., Presenting Sponsors for the 25^th Benefit Ball & Auction.

Lights Camera Auction!

Coming soon online...A number of auction items will be available on eBay. In the weeks to come we will update you on other exciting auction items. We need your help in making this year’s auction even better than ever and can always use more items. Please ask for auction items everywhere you go! Forms are available in the main office. You can stop by or call (561) 852-6042, and we will backpack the forms. 

Benefit Ball Kick-off With DKJA Family & Friends!

It’s all about the Girls and the Boys. The Boys Farmer’s Market and The Girls Strawberry U-pick in Delray Beach support the DKJA 25^th Benefit Ball, PURA VIDA - Celebrating Life with Family and Friends with a Family Outing at the Girls Strawberry U-pick on Sunday, February 1, 2009. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Admission is Free. 

o      Enjoy picking organic strawberries and vegetables in the field

o      Visit the animals on the farm 

o      Shop in their stores 

A portion of the proceeds from strawberries and store purchases for the month of February, from both The Boys & The Girls, will benefit DKJA. Please click the link below to see the attached flyer and form.
Boys&GirlsUPick

Tu B'Shvat - Connecting to our Roots

Tu B’shvat – the 15th day of the Jewish month Shvat – is a holiday that emphasizes the integral Jewish connection to the Land of Israel. The Tu B'shvat Seder instituted after the destruction of the Second Temple highlights the Jewish nation's desire to return to the Land of our Forefathers, to once again work the land, hearkening back simpler and more peaceful times.. There are two actions that we can do on Tu B'shvat to connect to Israel, the land, and its people: Planting trees in Israel, and partaking in the Tu B'shvat seder. To learn more about celebrating Tu B'shvat and connect with the roots of our future, visit the website www.chaggim.com.