Dear DKJA Families and Friends,

I am so pleased to be able to provide you with wonderful news! Our high school senior class will be studying in Israel at the Alexander Muss High School for one month again this year. Most of you are likely not even aware that this important learning experience was very close to being cancelled for our 12th grade students. Due to the current economy, the 2009 trip was simply too costly for the majority of our 12th grade families and funding was not readily available.

Year after year, our Donna Klein Jewish Academy senior students poignantly and proudly share the impact of their own individual Israel experiences. Most significantly, upon their return and in many cases years later, they thank us profusely for including this invaluable opportunity as an integral component of their DKJA academic program. Each year, as an educator and as a Jew, I am genuinely moved and filled with pride by the transformation I witness in our seniors upon their return from this life-changing experience. To cancel this year’s study trip truly would have been a shanda for our students, our school, and our community!

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincerest thanks to those whose generosity is making this year’s Senior Study Trip to Israel possible: The Elias Family, the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, the Jewish Education Commission, and the Alexander Muss High School in Israel.  Without their support, this would have been the first DKJA graduating class to have missed out on the benefits of this incredible learning experience in Israel.  We are truly blessed by their selfless commitment to the mission of our school and to our students. On behalf of our entire DKJA family, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this a reality for our senior class!

In addition to the high school seniors’ trip, DKJA eighth-graders have the opportunity to embark upon an enriching, educationally fulfilling, and often life-changing Israel Study Tour. During this two-week engaging and intense journey through the Jewish past, present, and future, students experience a variety of hands-on lessons that examine our identity, Jewish history, and traditions. This opportunity enables our school to exemplify our belief in and commitment to Jewish living, learning, and academic achievement. The students of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and providing such learning opportunities as these journeys to our homeland, Israel, is imperative.

Shabbat Shalom,
Karen Feller
Head of School

There’s still an opportunity to support the DKJA 25th Benefit Ball and Auction by purchasing some terrific items that remain available online. Bidding will begin on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.  In order to place a bid, simply email info@dkja.org.  The first to submit a bid wins the item – it’s that simple.  The bid amount  can be any amount at or over the Minimum Bid designated for each item.  The winning bid will be determined by the time and date recorded on the email, and winners will be notified by the Development Office.

For a preview of what’s still available, click here.  And remember, bidding begins on Monday, March 23, at 6:00 p.m. 

Bids submitted before that time will not be accepted. Let’s go shopping!!!!

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 March 5, 2009 through March 18, 2009

In Memory of Seemah Benjamin
Carol Lee Dolnick

(click READ MORE)
Did You Know? DKJA Is On Twitter...

If you'd like to keep up on brief postings of "What We Are Doing" at DKJA, you now can do so on Twitter!

Just  go to http://search.twitter.com/  and search for DKJABocaRaton (case sensitive) to follow our school happenings. 

Seventh and third-graders recently participated in a joint science project. Seventh-graders Talia Statsky-Frank, Rachel Oren, Alex Jacob, Marissa Wrubel, Axl Vinograd, Shane Saldsman, Harrison Mellul, and Ethan Plotsker visited classes of the younger science students, and with the guidance of  science teacher Mrs. Ellen Finegold, created plant cell models as a culmination of their study of the cell.  A wonderful time with science was had by all, and each of the third-graders completed a cell model to take home. 

Additionally, as part of our Middle School Pipeline to High School program, students worked on a Science and Torah Laboratory project. Through the program, which took place in the high school laboratory, Mrs. Miriam Engel, Mrs. Lauren Jordan, and students from the sixth grade joined several high school students in a learning activity that combined the study of halacha (Jewish Law) and science. Participants studied halachot (Jewish law sources) that related to the materials that can be used as Shabbat lights, as well as scientific answers to the question “How does a flame work?” High school students served as group facilitators during the lab experiment portion of the program. 

The event began with a short tour of the high school and pizza in one of the lunch rooms. At the end of the event, each participant received a Shabbat candle lighting kit. Students enjoyed the program!

Sixth-grader Alan Koolik Prepares for State Geography Bee in Jacksonville

Congratulations to sixth-grader Alan Koolik for his victory in the 2008-2009 DKJA Middle School Geography Bee. During the competition, all middle school students were challenged on their knowledge of detailed facts about national and international geography. Following his victory, Alan (shown with history teacher Mr. David Trevino) successfully completed a qualification test for competition at the state level. He now will compete in the State Geography Bee on April 3 in Jacksonville, Florida. If he wins at the state level, he will advance to the National Geography Bee in Washington, D.C., the winner of which will receive a $25,000 college scholarship. Mazel tov to Alan for his accomplishments and his upcoming endeavors. Good luck at the State Bee!

Fifth-gradeKennedy Space Center Visit A Blast!
Although we missed the actual launch of Discovery Space Shuttle, we were all so excited to see the shuttle on the launch pad.  Of course one of the highlights was going on the ride The Shuttle Experience, which simulates an actual shuttle blast-off and journey. All in all it was an educationally spectacular day!

 

Distinguished Research Professor Speaks to Sixth-Grade Classes
The sixth-graders at DKJA are currently studying the history and cultures of the countries in Africa in geography class. They were very fortunate to have had the opportunity to hear about the experiences of Dr. Marc J. Epstein, a Distinguished Research Professor of Management at Jones Graduate School of Management at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Dr. Epstein is the author of eighteen books and over 100 professional papers and is currently editor-in-chief of a top academic journal, Advances in Management Accounting.

Dr. Epstein and his graduate students are currently working on multiple projects that aim to provide rural communities around the African continent with business opportunities. They also want to help provide better healthcare in order to encourage the necessary economic growth to provide a quality life for Africans. Through Dr. Epstein’s accounts, the students gained insight and perspective on how people in African nations are living as their governments struggle to develop and provide the healthcare and economic opportunities that we enjoy as citizens of the United States. Dr. Epstein related what life was like in African countries such as Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi, and Tanzania.

Mind Lab Tournament Finals March 27, 2009
Tournament Winners Will Participate in International Mind Lab Olympics in Venice, Italy
Sixty-four Donna Klein Jewish Academy students in grades three through six will test their skills and strategy when they go “head to head” with one another during the school’s Mind Lab Tournament Finals Championship on Friday, March 27, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Zinman Hall. The 64 competitors will be vying for four coveted spots at the Fourth International Mind Lab Olympics, which takes place in Venice, Italy, from June 14 to June 16, 2009. At the Olympic-level competition, DKJA will be the only school from the United States participating, and will compete as the Mind Lab - USA Team.  Come out and support our students!

Gold Buying Party – Proceeds To Benefit DKJA

Gather all your “old” gold (single earrings, old chains you don’t use anymore, etc.) and bring it to this event. You will earn cash, and DKJA will benefit.
When: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 (2 sessions: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
Where: Home of Wendy Korsunsky, 3807 Coventry Lane (Woodfield Country Club)

Refreshments provided. For details and to RSVP, call Wendy Korsunsky at (561) 212 -7195.

Get Ready for Family Fun Day!

Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 11 a.m.

Click here for details.

PTO & Community News

Community News
The South Palm Beach JAFCO Chapter Cut-a-Thon takes place Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Hair by Scott & Co. 16850 Jog Road, Delray Beach. All salon services available – 100% of proceeds will go to JAFCO 

Congregation Shaarei Kodesh welcomes you to join us for a theatrical production by Noa Baum, a celebrated storyteller, on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. Noa will tell tales of wonder, magic and joy from Israel and around the world. The presentation is geared toward families with children ages 10 and under. There is no charge for this event. On Saturday, March 28, 2009, following services, a lunch and learn program for families with teenagers takes place. The presentation with Noa will help participants discover the hidden treasures of stories in their own lives. There is a cost for the lunch. Please call(561) 852-6555 for more information.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION SERIES presented by JARC Living and Learning Center

“Navigating the Disability Maze , Resources Birth through Life” will be presented on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the JARC Living and Learning Center, 21160 95^th Avenue South in Boca Raton. Call (561) 558-2550. Guest speakers will provide you with information on what benefits/resources your child is entitled to, and how to navigate the system to maximize these benefits/resources. Refreshments will be provided. Supervision and activities are available for your son, daughter or family member. RSVP to Nancy Freiwald at (561) 558-2550 or nancyf@jarcfl.org

Future Hoop Stars Camps This Summer 
Several weeks of basketball camps will be offered at Saint Andrew’s School this summer through Future Hoop Stars. Camps are for kids ages 4 through 14 will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at a cost of $250 a week ($200 for multiple weeks and siblings) or $60 for a day. A snack, lunch, and an official ball are included. The sessions are as follows:
June 15-19
June 22-26
June 29-July 2 (3 1/2 days)
July 27-31
August 3-7
August 10-14
 
A Father/Child overnight camp on Father's Day weekend, June 19-20, 2009, also is available. For further information, contact Coach Andy Russo at  (561)866-4566 or coachrusso@futurehoopstars.com, or visit www.futurehoopstars.com.