Proud Doesn’t Cover It!

If there’s a way to express a feeling of pride and joy in the accomplishments and success of our students and teachers, I will attempt to now do so. Words, however, cannot truly do justice to the praise that is deserved. This past week was one of the many  that put a smile on my face over and over again!

Our Middle School Math Team placed first out of eight South Florida Jewish Day School teams during the MathCounts Miami-Dade Chapter Competition, held Thursday, February 26, 2009. Our team, comprised of seventh and eighth graders with an expertise in mathematical interpretation and computation skills, is coached by math teacher Nina Lefkowitz. The competition was presented by the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education-Miami. Eighth-graders Aaron Kupin, Jonah Stein, and Josh Morse placed first, second, and third, respectively, and worked cohesively with fellow teammates Cortney Dable, Alexandra Paul, Talia Statsky-Frank, Rachel Oren, Melanie Berkowitz, Abby Kaplan, and Jillian Widensky during the competition. The team now awaits the results of their competitors in regions throughout Florida to determine whether they qualify for the state championships later this year.

Also this week, I followed the itinerary of two High School at DKJA students, Alexander Zafran and Noah Miller, as they participated in the prestigious Panim el Panim (Face to Face) program, which teaches leadership skills and instills Israel advocacy. The program, held in Washington, D.C. from March 1 through March 4, 2009,  educates, inspires, and empowers Jewish youth to live a  life rich in leadership, service, and advocacy on behalf of the Jewish people and society-at-large. Panim el Panim’s unique approach to Jewish education, integrating Jewish learning, values, and social responsibility, reinforces Jewish identity and inspires a commitment to become agents for positive social change in the world. Training the next generation of Jewish leaders in the areas of social entrepreneurship is a key goal of Panim el Panim. (Shown at right are Alexander Zafran and Noah Miller with other Panim participants).
 
While there, they met with, among other government leaders, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Senator Mel Martinez,  and U.S. Congressman Ron Klein. They discussed issues such as how they plan to confront the current economic crisis, a nuclear Iran, and the alarming rise in Palm Beach County homelessness. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. Additional accomplishments by our high school students are highlighted in this newsletter.

Students’ hard work, preparation, and commitment could be seen in the outstanding performances of Annie In Zinman Hall (pictured at right is our very own Annie, Cayla Horowitz), and in the awesome Israel For Real Expo (left) that invited the community to see how we shine. My list could go on and on…we truly are an amazing school.

When we all need a smile on our face, I encourage  you to reflect back upon the accomplishments of Donna Klein Jewish Academy.

Shabbat Shalom,
Karen Feller
Head of School

There is still time to party the night away and Celebrate with Family and Friends at the 25th Benefit Ball and Auction tomorrow!  Leave a message for Sharon Kamber at (561) 852-3317 if you have not sent in your RSVP. Your auction paddle will be waiting for you at the Polo Club at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2009.  For a "Bid of Excitement" peruse the Auction Catalog in advance. A picture is worth a thousand words.Click here to see what awaits you (complete Auction Catalog) and click here for featured Live Auction items!

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 February 19, 2009, through March 4, 2009

In Honor of Stephanie Owitz Greenberg

The DiCicco Family

In Memory of Rose Rodenstein

Internationally Renowned Cartoonist Visits DKJA
By Mrs. Ellen Finegold and Mrs. Carol Routman

On Thursday, February 19, 2009, seventh-grade students were treated to a special guest lecturer, Mr. Phil Kimmelman, grandfather of Alex Kimmelman. Mr. Kimmelman is the creative director, and artist for the new upcoming version of the educational cartoon series, “Schoolhouse Rock!” Mr. Kimmelman was brought out of retirement to produce this new series to ensure the same quality and style of his original series. Perhaps some of our DKJA parents remember “School House Rock” from their childhood? This new creative endeavor takes on the prominent ideas of today, including themes of green technology, recycling, and global warming.

These cartoons, characters, and songs, created by Mr. Kimmelman and his collaborators, have not been seen by the public as yet. The TV premier is in late March! Mr. Kimmelman took us through the development of the project, from ideas to mock-ups, from music to drawings, through the final collaboration, to seeing the ideas come alive in the finished project. Students had a chance to ask questions and interview the artist first-hand.  It was a wonderful insight into the creative process of a world class cartoonist.

Judaics Classes Feature Guest Speakers

On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, eighth-graders gathered to hear Holocaust survivor, Mr. Len Perry, describe his remarkable journey as a hidden child during the Holocaust years.  Mr. Perry  was separated from his family at the age of 11 and sent to live in Amsterdam, Holland.  After the war, he discovered that his entire family had perished.  He is a true example of a self-educated, self-made man who is a role model to us all.

Other speakers who have shared interesting stories with Middle School students have include d Mrs. Lisl Bogart, Holocaust survivor; Mr. Ernest Kan, Holocaust survivor; and  Mrs. Yael Hershfield, Associate Director of the Anti-Defamation League/FL Region, among others.

Pictured left to right: Lindsey Fleischman, Liana Greenberg, Judaics teacher, Susan Gurspan, Len Perry (guest speaker) and Miriam Raffe.