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Hellos and Good-byes
Anticipated Staffing Changes for 2008-2009
Spring brings many wonderful changes to the world. Around schools, spring is the time of saying good-bye and thank you to the faculty who will not be working with us the following school year. Spring is also a time of hiring teachers for the following school year and so it is a time of welcoming new people to our kehillah. This year, Rashi will have slightly fewer staffing changes than in previous years. We are also happy to report that, with the growth in the strength of our program, it has become easier to attract the highest caliber teachers to our school. This article is to inform you, grade-by-grade, of the anticipated changes in faculty for the 2008-2009 school year.
Serena Androphy has decided to focus on teaching Hebrew language. For the 2008-2009 school year, she will teach kindergarten Hebrew and small group Hebrew in grades 1-3.
As many of you know, Heidi Chapple will no longer teach first grade next year, as she has been named as the K-2 division director. Emily Hall will join us next year as a grade 1 teacher. Emily went to Smith College as an undergraduate and Harvard for her Master's in Education, and is completing the teacher training program at The Shady Hill School. Emily is thrilled to be joining the Rashi family and we are thrilled to have her here.
In second grade, Melissa Holman is leaving to enter a graduate program in clinical psychology at Tufts University. We are happy to announce that Michelle Lambi will teach second grade next year. Michelle has a degree in elementary education and was a first and second grade lead teacher for four years in Iowa City before moving here and working at Rashi for the last two years.
It is with great joy that we announce that Jessica Solomon, one of our third grade teachers, is pregnant! Jessica will continue to be a third grade lead teacher next year at Rashi, except for when she is on maternity leave. This year Jessica has been ably partnered with a wonderful assistant, Marissa Keleher. Marissa is in the process of receiving her Master's degree and certification in teaching and completing her student teaching, making her a fully qualified lead teacher. We are happy to announce that the wonderful partnership between Jessica and Marissa will continue next year with Marissa as the lead teacher while Jessica is on maternity leave!
Fifth grade teacher Rebecca Skirball is leaving Rashi. Our new fifth grade teacher will be Arielle Schmidt. Arielle is someone that our students know well as she has been a wonderful assistant teacher in fourth grade this year. Arielle attended Brandeis University and received her degree in elementary education.
As is usual, most of our teaching assistants will not be at Rashi in this role next year. We are in the process of hiring wonderful new folks to support the learning at Rashi every day.
After twelve years of service, Shlomit Lipton will leave Rashi. Shlomit will be joining a new initiative in Hebrew education - Hebrew at The Center - as a Curriculum and Training Specialist. Hebrew language will be organized by division next year and Rabbi Ellen Pildis and I will be in charge of Hebrew language curriculum.
Two experienced Hebrew language teachers will join the Rashi faculty for 2008-2009. Miri Zeman and Yardena Winkler are coming to us from JCDS in Providence, RI, and each has over ten years teaching experience.
Our middle school will have a couple of new staff members. Hana Fritz has been hired as an additional learning specialist. Hana has a Master's degree in special education from the University of Vermont.
After three and a half years of service, Jeptha Runyon will be leaving Rashi to teach high school math at Tabor Academy. Rebecca Wronski has been hired to teach math in the middle school. Rebecca, after graduating from Penn State and receiving her Master's from Harvard, has been teaching middle school math for the last four years in Pennsylvania and is moving here with her husband.
Dan Brosgol will be leaving after two years as Jewish Programs Coordinator. He will join Kesher Newton which provides a child-centered after school Hebrew school as the Executive Director. We are currently conducting interviews to fill this position.
Lastly, Marshall Carter will step down as director of our middle school to become K-8 principal at Milton Academy. We are currently in a national search to fill this position and have been encouraged by the wonderful response that we have had to this opening. We hope to have an announcement in the coming weeks.
These are all the changes in staffing that we can anticipate right now. We are sad to say good-bye to all these folks who have given so deeply. We welcome those who will enrich our community next year. We will let you know of any other changes or announcements in a timely fashion.
Kristin Herbert, Associate Head |
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K-2 Happenings
So many wonderful learning experiences happen daily in K-2. Each day children are singing, dancing and "reading" in Hebrew. They are involved in computer programs that enhance their learning in music class. They are authors, writing stories and plays during Writer's Workshop. They are scientists exploring the Charles River, outer space, animals and dinosaurs. As mathematicians they are solving equations and word problems, always seeing applications to the real world. During group meetings they are discussing and role- playing social issues. The following pictures show how the "ordinary" is "extraordinary" at Rashi!
A second grader works on his research project (below left).
 A first grade Hebrew class dances in celebration
of Israel Independence Day.
A kindergartner measures her math buddy (below left).
  
(center) Kindergartners observe their shadows.
(above right) Kindergarten is ready for take off!
 
Second graders study specimens at the Charles River.
right: First graders learn about money values in math.
 
A kindergartner shares his story. right: First graders celebrate being a great kehillah with an animal picnic.
 A kindergartner studies the parts of the flower.
Here's to the "extraordinary" happenings at Rashi!
Serena Androphy, Division Director |
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Yachad Honors Julie Kremer with Chesed Award as part of Volunteer Celebration
The Rashi community is full of volunteers who give so much of their time. In order to thank all our volunteers, many of whom work behind the scenes, Yachad sponsored its first Volunteer Celebration on May 1.
With Thankfulness and Chocolate as the themes of the evening, more than 60 people gathered at the home of Elizabeth and Bruce Wilson to eat, drink and honor each other.In addition to Yachad volunteers, many staff and volunteers from other Rashi committees such as admissions and development attended the event.
 Julie Kremer received the Chesed Award for outstanding acts of loving-kindness to the Rashi School and to every one in the community. In tribute to her and her many hours standing in the rain fundraising for Yachad, we gave out special umbrellas emblazoned with the Rashi logo. (For the text of Julie's tribute, please see the article below.)
The evening was capped off by a musical tribute to our volunteers. Feel free to sing at home! (Lyrics will be reprinted in next week's issue.)
Thank you to every one who helped make this evening such a grand success. It was the first of many more celebrations for you!!
Susan Altman and Andie Insoft
Julie ,
Wow. What can we say? We are here to celebrate and honor you with Yachad's first ever Chesed award for performing outstanding acts of loving-kindness for our community. We can think of no better person to receive this award than you.
Several weeks ago, we sent out an invitation to this evening's celebration and requested nominations for this award. Many of you sent in nominations, and we thank you for taking such an active part in tonight's presentation. However, Julie, the response we received to nominate you was tremendous. Your contributions to this school do not go unrecognized. We know that not only do you not want the recognition, you shy away from it.
We are so grateful to you for allowing us to honor you tonight. Julie, you jumped in your very first year by planning Rashi's first book fair. This event not only raised money for the school but engaged the children, their teachers and parents with a deeper passion for learning.
The list of how you contribute to this school on a daily basis is endless:
Pizza Thursday - created by you;
Book Fair - initiated and to this day organized by Julie;
Multiple fund raising efforts including our now wonderful coffees, teas and chocolates, which are not only delicious, they are also fair-traded;
Organizing clothing drives for Cradles to Crayons, and
Rashi-wear from sweat-free factories.
Your commitment to social justice is inexhaustible. On any given day you will talk of a new program which helps people in need at the same time as you get your hands dirty by removing paper and plastic from the school to be recycled.
 When we thought of an appropriate gift to give you, I recalled the many days you have stood out in the rain to sell gift cards, fair-traded chocolate and coffee and soccer balls that say "respect." Who else but you would have found a soccer ball that says "respect"??!!
So, let us try to keep you dry. Please accept this large umbrella as just a token of our appreciation.
We have learned so much from you, Julie - about kavod, tzedek, ruach and limud. You live these core values in the very essence of your being and are a constant reminder to all of us around you on how to bring them more fully into our lives. You love Rashi and we love you. Thank you. |
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Middle School State Drama Festival
We had a great day at the State Drama Festival. Not only did we see some amazing work done by Middle School students from around the State, but we also received some All-Star Awards. Brett Gershkowitz and Sarah Tollman were recognized for Acting in Multiple-parts and Adam Beckman was recognized for his piano accompaniment that helped set the tone for the "Mall Muzak." Although the students received a Bronze Medal for the piece - they all deserved the Gold for all the hard work, strong teamwork and dedication that they displayed throughout today and the whole Festival process.
Thanks for all the support!
Bonny Goldberg, Theater Specialist |
Ries Vanderpol Shares His Story
 Holocaust survivor Dr. Ries Vanderpol, a Dutch Jew who spent much of the occupation of Holland in hiding from the Nazis, shared his story and that of his wife, who survived the concentration camps, with Rashi Middle Schoolers last week on Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). Ries is a psychiatrist who has devoted the past twenty years of his life actively working and teaching for Facing History and Ourselves.
Both the students and their teachers were moved by Ries' story. Sixth grader David Lax wrote the following haiku to express his reaction to Ries' experience:
It is amazing
that Ries Vanderpol could sur-
vive the Holocaust.
He tells his story,
how sad it is, and shows what
it was really like.
He tells the story
of six million Jews, and how
he had so much help.
He tells us the truth,
what really happened, and how
it affected him.
We will pass it down,
to our children and others
And they will, too!
His name is Ries Van-
derpol, he is so very
inspirational.
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This Week's Family Education Programs
Grade 6 - The Crusades
On Tuesday, sixth graders and parents gathered for a multi-perspective examination of the Crusades. Students presented a brief outline of the underlying causes and events that precipitated the First Crusade, as well as an overview of the routes, dates and particulars of later Crusades.
Participants were divided into groups to study primary source texts from individuals who kept accounts of their experiences during the Crusades. Based on the Enduring Understanding that historical events need to be considered from multiple perspectives, one group read accounts from Muslim individuals, another considered Jewish accounts and a third group examined Christian accounts. All groups then looked at Jewish texts on war - the different kinds of war and the justifications for each - and evaluated whether, from the perspective of the people in the group they were studying, the Crusades would have been justifiable under Jewish law.
Students presented their religious group's perspective on the Crusades and read a monologue they had written as part of their class project on the Crusades. They also applied the Jewish laws on war and shared with others in their group their conclusions regarding adherence or violation of that law.
We concluded by asking the question, "Were the Crusades successful?" The responses can be viewed on a large poster board, which is now hanging in the third floor stairwell. Please take a look!
Grade 8 - Yom HaZikaron and Tikkun Olam in Israel
On Wednesday, we observed Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day. Eighth-grade students and their parents gathered to mark this solemn occasion and to reflect on their recent trip to Israel. As Rabbi Pildis explained, Israelis pause to memorialize all who have lost their lives defending Israel, and then, in what might seem like an abrupt change of pace to visitors, move directly into a joyous celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. We see this transition literally and figuratively as one from sadness to joy.
Students and parents considered the role of memory in Jewish life: what does it mean to remember? What kinds of things are we to remember? Why? We identified the mandate to "remember the Amalekites" who attacked the wandering Israelites and considered that we are to "remember and keep" Shabbat, as examples of keeping our history and traditions alive. We paused for a series of readings to mark Yom HaZikaron.
Like the Israelis, we made a symbolic transition to the students' trip to Israel and noted that we, as American Jews, have much to offer the people and the Land of Israel. Families and chaperones reviewed the itinerary from their trip and identified issues they saw or encountered while in Israel. Together they brainstormed about how we could reach out and try to improve those situations or conditions.
These issues are among those the groups identified:
· Israel should recognize formally all different branches of Judaism as valid;
· The religious status of women can be improved;
· There are serious water shortage issues throughout the country;
· There is disagreement among Israelis about how best to secure Israel's future;
· Needed assistance to Jewish immigrants from Ethiopia, Russia and elsewhere;
· Income inequality;
· Widespread smoking among Israelis;
· Dominance of American culture and a concern of Israel losing some uniqueness;
· Need for improvement in the ways in which Israel is publicized and promoted throughout the world.
Students described themselves as "ambassadors" who can help by sharing their stories of the visit as well as their commitment to, and investment in, the future of Israel. Marjorie, Marshall and Rabbi Pildis encouraged students and families to think about actions that they could take while still at Rashi, as they move on to high school, within their families and communities, and beyond. We emphasized that the students' return to the United States does not end their relationship with Israel; rather, they can build upon their experiences there and their learning at Rashi to perform acts of tikkun olam.
Marjorie Freiman, Family Education |
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Annual Appeal Update |
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To date 67% of Rashi families have supported the Annual Appeal either through an outright gift, through an event or both. Many thanks to the parents, grandparents, alumni parents, staff and students listed below for their generosity in April.
Susan and Aron Ain
Ann and Joseph Altman
Coral Ambuter
Jessica and David Aronoff
Sandra and Stanley Berger
Debbie and Charles Bern
Jodi and James Blankstein
Michelle Paster and Josef Blumenfeld
Ardell and Gerold Borodach
Serena and George Boronkay
Lynda and Jeffrey Bussgang
Laurie and Lee Caplan
Susan Katz-Cohen and Michael Cohen
Kathy and Scott Cohen
Cynthia Crutchfield
Anne Blumberg and Jonathan Dorfman
Abigail and Kenn Elmore
Esther and Sergio Finkielsztein
Marilyn and Dr. Gerald Fishbone
Marjorie Freiman
Laurie and Paul Gershkowitz
Anne and Michael Gershon
Marian and Arthur Glasgow
Jordana and Adam Glasgow
Laurie and Richard Gliklich
Johanna and Brad Gordon
Meredith and Glenn Greenberg
Marcy and Robert Haber
Anne Boynton and Martin Halper
Kristen Herbert
Jessica Greenfield and Paul Hummel
Cynthia and Joshua Hyatt
Marcie and Jeffrey Jonas
Rita J. & Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation, Inc.
Nancy and Mark Belsky
Susan Kaplan
Lisa and James Kaufman
Andrea Koenig
Wendy and Bruce Landon
Yael Hurwitz-Lange and Steven Lange
Shari and Robert Levitan
Sally Kaplan Levy and Bruce Levy
Barbara Weiler-Litwin and Frank Litwin
Anne and Marc Lowenthal
Dorothy and David Marson
Sharon Miller
Marsha and Edward Moller
Nancy Myers
Marianne Paley Nadel and Eric Nadel
Lesley and Jeff Orlinsky
Mike Papadopol
Dena and Michael Rashes
Lily Rashes
Sarah and William Richmond
Marianne Karmel and Murray Sackman
Sapers Family
Rhoda and Bill Sapers
Aviva Sapers and Judith Sydney
Claire and Edward Saxe
Sarah Feldman and David Scharfstein
Nancy Buck and James Sebenius
Barbara and Malcolm Sherman
Emma and Mark Shleifer
Margery and Jerome Somers
Merit Cudkowicz and Eugene Sorets
Amy and Andrew Sucoff
Suzanne and Herbert Tobin
Joan and Dr. Milton B. Wallack
Lisa and Neil Wallack
Jamie and Robert Weintraub
Elizabeth Hirschhorn Wilson and Bruce Wilson
Dana and Bruce Yankner
Lori Krasner and Michael Zackman
Barbara and Rabbi Henry A. Zoob
In honor of Marshall Carter and Joni Fishman
Linda Steiff-Lewis and Steven Lewis
In honor of Marissa Haber on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah
Ann Bitetti and Doug Lober
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| Happy Birthday Israel! |
Yom HaAtzma'ut - Israel Independence Day - was celebrated throughout the week throughout the school with singing, dancing, and a myriad of learning activities.
PRAYER FOR ISRAEL
Blessed are you, God, who blesses us with the Land of Israel.
May God give our land flowing water and rich soil.
May You bless our people and neighbors with peace, creativity and support.
May Israel's land be secure. May she have long life and may all her people be free.
Oshins-Kur Family
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Coming Up |
May 9
Gr. 7 Family Education 8:15 am
May 12
ERB testing begins
Book Fair begins
May 15
Pizza Thursday
Middle School Musical 1:15 and 7 pm
May 16
Rockin' Shabbat with Jon Nelson
May 19
Middle School Musical at Baldwin School 11:30 am
May 20
Middle School Musical at Hebrew SeniorLife 2:30 pm
Rashi Annual Dinner at Congregation Mishkan Tefila
6 pm
May 21
Kindergarten Family Education: Journey through Shema
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Grade 8 Family Education on May 9
During Friday's program, grade 8 students and families will join together to study the section of the Book of Joshua in which the Israelites are preparing to cross the Jordan River into the land of Israel. We will compare those preparations with the actions of the Hebrews who were preparing to leave Egypt in the Exodus. |
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Spring Book Fair
The Spring Scholastic Book Fair is just around the corner. For those of you have come before, this is the 50% book fair. Yes, everything at the fair is 50% off. So this is the perfect time to stock up for your summer reading, gift giving, classroom wishlists and even some adult best-sellers!
The book fair runs from Monday, May 12 through Wednesday, May 28.
The hours are generally 7:45-8:30 am and 2:30-5 pm. However, don't forget to stop by and shop if you are coming to school for a Family Ed program or theatrical performance, too. If you are interested in volunteering to help with set-up or sales, please send an email to jek626@yahoo.com. See you there! |
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ParentSpace: Managing the Influence of Social Networking on Your Child's World
Wed., May 28
7-8:30 pm
Speakers will touch on basic information about MySpace and Face Book, and how parents can learn to make informed decisions about responsible computer use. Other topics will include cyber-bullying and discussion about limiting and monitoring computer access.
Steve Hosking, Director of Technology, The Fay School
Peter Lefkowitz, Rashi Parent, Chief Counsel for Privacy & Security, Oracle
Meredith Cohen, Rashi School Psychologist
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State Drama Festival
We had a great day at the State Drama Festival. Not only did we see some amazing work done by Middle School students from around the State, but we also received some All-Star Awards. Brett Gershkowitz and Sarah Tollman were recognized for Acting in Multiple-parts and Adam Beckman was recognized for his piano accompaniment that helped set the tone for the "Mall Muzak." Although the students received a Bronze Medal for the piece - they all deserved the Gold for all the hard work, strong teamwork and dedication that they displayed throughout today and the whole Festival process.
Thanks for all the support!
Bonny Goldberg
Theater Specialist |
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A Memorable Walk for Hunger: Rashi's 16th! 
Never let it be said that the Rashi community won't go to all measures to do a mitzvah. This past Sunday's Walk for Hunger is a great example.
It was 9 am and pouring outside. Very few people had shown up and we wondered if we could really do the Walk. How fun could it be? No sooner had we finished asking that question when parents, students and teachers suddenly appeared at our meeting spot! With umbrellas, parkas, and smiles on their faces, the only question they were asking was WHEN DO WE START? And so, with more than 30 people, we started the Walk! Keith, Venus and Jeptha led a group of spirited middle school students all the way to the Boston Common. And the icing on the cake was seeing a group of Rashi alums join us for the Walk!
The ruach and goodness of our kehillah that very rainy morning was beautiful - and not surprising. Enormous thanks to Ilana Hurwitz and Julie Korostoff-Larsson, co-chairs for this year's Walk!
Kol Hakavod to all of our Rashi walkers that day!
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Hold the Date!
Wednesday, June 4
ANNUAL MEETING
7:00 pm
Election of Officers
Update on Dedham
State of the School Address
more info to follow
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Summer Skills Sharpener Recommended
Don't want your child's learning to be forgotten over the summer? We recommend the series Summer Skills to keep the knowledge fresh for three months. These books are available at Barnes & Noble or online at www.flashkidsbooks.com.
Questions? Please ask Kristen Herbert.
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Summer Reading Skills Program
Offered through Boston University, Metropolitan College and Extended Education. Designed and taught by instructors from the Institute of Reading Development. Classes offered in Waltham, Boston and Brookline. For more information call 1-800-978-9596. |
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Yachad Welcomes Co-chair
We are pleased to announce that Michelle Paster, mother of Shoshana, grade 1, and Yael Blumenfeld, incoming kindergartener, will be co-chair of Yachad next year.
Michelle has been active in the Rashi community in many ways over the past two years. She co-chaired Generations Day last year and has been a Room Parent for the last two years. When she is not volunteering at Rashi and her synagogue, Michelle is an educational therapist and consultant. We are thrilled that Michelle will be lending us her expertise. |
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Kol HaNeshama
On Wednesday, May 7, members of the Third and Fourth Grade Chorus, led by Norman Rosenfield, participated in The Day School Music Festival. Rashi was one of five area day schools to participate in the concert which also featured The Zamir Chorale of Boston. Our students were the youngest group at the concert; the other schools' choruses were primarily middle schoolers. The Rashi students sang a three-song medley of "Esa Enai," "David Melech Yisrael," and "L'shanah Habaha," in addition to joining with the other choruses and Rabbi David Paskin for a medley of songs in honor of Israel's 60th birthday. All proceeds from the concert go to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Northern Israel's foremost and largest hospital. |
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Condolences
We are saddened to announce the passing of Howard Michelson, grandfather of 8th grader Evan Michelson and Rashi alumnus Jordan Michelson, and father of Barry Michelson. Howard lived a wonderfully rich and full life; he would have been 94 years old in June. For 66 years he was the beloved husband of Harriet Michelson, who passed away in December.
The family will be receiving visitors at the house of Howard's daughter, Susan Glazer, 64 Booth Street, Needham, on Thursday 1-4 and 7-9, and Sunday 1-4. It was one of Howard's last wishes that people not mourn his passing, but celebrate his life.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made either to the Leo and Mildred Michelson Music Fund at Hebrew SeniorLife or MAZON, a charity that allocates donations from the Jewish community to prevent and alleviate hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds. | |
Community News
Temple Shalom of Milton: Shabbat Song & Story Hour, Fri., May 16, 5:15-6:15 pm; Annual Open House Kosher BBQ, Sun., May 18, 11 am-12:30 pm, 180 Blue Hill Ave., Milton, MA, 617-698-3394, office@templeshalomonline.org
Temple Beth Zion Family Shabbat May 31:
Celebrate a special Shabbat as we welcome families to join with Rabbi Moshe Waldocks and Rav Claudia Kreiman in a joyous shul experience for the whole family: 9 am Torah study; 10 am Morning services for all or, your kids can join the fun at our enriching children's services. Babysitting available. For more information, contact Rashi alumni parent and TBZ member: Fran Adams at Franaca@aol.com. Temple Beth Zion, 1566 Beacon Street, Brookline MA 02446, 617-566-8171, www.tbzbrookline.org
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