IMPACTING THROUGH A PANDEMIC
Thank you
FOR EVOLVING WITH US DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED YEAR
MISSION STATEMENT THROUGH THE LIGHT OF TORAH AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE THE HEBREW ACADEMY INSPIRES EACH AND EVERY CHILD TO IMPROVE THE WORLD.
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*Pre-Pandemic Photo
HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE IMPACT REPORT
Dear Hebrew Academy Community,
RABBI SHAYE GUTTENBERG
At the time this seemed like a good name for our internal strategic plan to help bring Hebrew Academy into its next decade of growth and innovation. We were raring to go, starting the year strong, and setting our trajectory for the future. Only a few months into the new year, Hebrew Academy Vision 2020 suddenly shifted. With tremendous foresight and proactive planning we were able to move our 72-year-old-strong academic educational system into a virtual institution in what seemed, to those on the outside, to be overnight. Those first few weeks with a new instructional platform turned into months, and now almost a year later, we’ve pivoted and expanded in a different sort of way than any previous planning would have dictated. As a school, we came together to educate our students using different modalities, creating educational opportunities for parents, and community initiatives.
These efforts not only allowed Hebrew Academy to flourish, but also to have a profound impact on the broader community. Through many volunteers and stakeholders jumping into uncharted waters, Hebrew Academy launched its COVID-19 protocols and plans for a safe return to campus. These were adopted by many other schools around the South Florida region as well as nationally. Although there were times necessitating closure for the safety of our community, our campus remained open for our students to learn and explore during the most highly infective months of COVID-19 spread. There are a few variations in modern Hebrew word for impact, with the most common one being פגִיעָ ה. ְ ּ In Biblical Hebrew though the Torah uses the word to mean encounter. When referring to the word and how it is used in the Torah, the Talmud in Brachot explains ״פגִיעָ ה״ ְ ּ וְאֵ ין אֶ ָּלא ְּתפִ ָּלה, that an encounter or an impact, is the language of prayer. Why is a ּ ְפגִיעָ הconsidered a form of prayer? The root word of the Tefilah is פללwhich doesn’t just mean to pray, but rather an introspection. During Tefilah we are face to face with our Creator, but we are also face to face with ourselves. It is with great pleasure that we present this report, a look back on the 2019-2020 school year and a look toward the future. This year was certainly challenging for all of us. However, together as a community, we faced the challenge and became stronger for it. I want to thank you, our community, for contributing to make this school year a reality.
Rabbi Shaye Guttenberg Head of School sguttenberg@rasg.org
MARCH 12, 2020 OUR ADMINISTRATION BEGAN PLANNING A NEW VIRTUAL SCHOOL MODEL.
MARCH 17, 2020 LOOKING OUT ONTO AN EMPTY CAMPUS AS SCHOOL OFFICIALLY |2 MOVED TO VIRTUAL LEARNING.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE IMPACT REPORT
Dear Hebrew Academy Family,
DR. SHMUEL KATZ
We hope this message finds you and your loved ones doing well and staying healthy. Many components go into running a successful and forward-thinking school. During the last year, the Hebrew Academy, like all other schools across the nation and the world, faced a unique set of challenges in addition to the regular tasks and duties that are within the purview of a school and its community. Despite the hurdles, the Hebrew Academy administration has kept its focus and has continued to take our school from strength to strength in all areas of education, professional development, and community outreach. Coupled with the invaluable assistance of the Board of Directors, the leadership of our community is in steady and capable hands and we are very appreciative for their ongoing dedication to our Warrior families.
We are delighted to present our Hebrew Academy community with a creative and thoughtful look back, addressing much of the progress that has taken place throughout this past year and some of our plans moving into the future. Many of these superb achievements were accomplished in the midst of the delicate and complex task of operating and maintaining a safe environment during the COVID pandemic. The Report highlights such achievements as the “Lead Like A Warrior” Matching Fundraising Campaign that raised over $600,000 funding scholarships and COVID relief, our festive Lag B’Omer BBQ Drive-Thru event, massive school-wide technological and sanitation upgrades, the creation of our Warrior Alumni & Parent Business Directory, the addition of several exceptional new teachers and administrators, and admission statistics on new families joining our community. As we reflect on the last year, we are able to remind our stakeholders just how outstanding, versatile, and committed our administration and faculty are to ensuring our children’s educational excellence and character development. In addition to these successes, the construction on the Middle School and High School Complex has rapidly begun. This state-of-the-art Complex not only ushers in a new and beautiful facility for our students, but also makes it possible for our Hebrew Academy community to keep expanding its outreach as we shape the landscape of Jewish education (See next page for photos). We look forward to our continued partnership in helping the Hebrew Academy continue its positive upward trajectory and send you deep and heartfelt thanks for your trust, participation, and dedication.
Dr. Shmuel Katz Hebrew Academy RASG Board President
CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION *Construction site photo of the New Middle School/High School Building
2020-2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Chairman of the Board of Directors Associate Chairman of the Board of Directors General Development Chair General Development Chair Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Treasurer General Secretary Financial Secretary Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director
Dr. Shmuel Katz Evelyn Katz Dovie Spitz Marjan Katz Jean Kim-Lehmann Dr. Ari Ciment Steven Ebner, Esq. Chanie Gottlieb Hillary Holland Jeffrey Rynor, Esq. Daniel Sragowicz Mark Herskowitz, Esq. Lillian Tabacinic Robert Danial Miriam Abrahams Elaine Brauner Dobin Michael Budwick, Esq. Michael Ettelson Errol Feldman Dr. Neil Friedman, DMD Jeremy Goldstein Miriam Hoffman, Esq. Rachel Laoui Elisha Rothman Joey Schottenstein Elchonon Shagalov, JD, MBA Dori Shwirtz, Esq. Sarah Zohar
HA FACULTY & STAFF 2020-2021
Teresita Aboff Sigalit Abramov Carina Aisenstein Veronica Akerman Leisy Altman Rebecca Amar Marianela Amenta Zahava Aronov Esther Aronovski Reuben Arrierta-Soca Mazal Azoulay Eliezer Barany Raquel Benguigui Genie Bensimon Rachel Benzaquen Jill Berish Tal Berkovitch Christopher Bishop Edwin Bocio Shari Borochov Rabbi Avi Bossewitch Laurene Dana Limor Derhy Ernelio Dierivot Kathleen Donnelly Gabrielle Eicheler Debbie Eisneberg Tali Eliani Sue Enis Mallory Erickson Dr. Ami Eskanos Kathy Eson Raquel Felici Otsman Jordan Fishfeld Daniella Folk Bassie Frank Lynn Friedman Rabbi Ari Galandauer Zahava Garber Javier Gonzalez Miriam Guinon Rabbi Shaye Guttenberg Debra Hamburg Elena Holand Nirit Ichak Charles Innes Stephen Izaguirre
Brittanie Jackson Raquel Jackson Galia Jaimovich Donna Janof Dr. Eliezer Jones Yossi Kahan Jessica Kaplan Irit Karavani Rabbi Ari Karp Naomi Katz Glenn Katzman Alexandra Kay Miranda Klees Tori Koslow Meirav Kravetz Lawrence Kuczynski Diana Kurtzer Ortal Kutner Cloudin Labovich Beth Landesman Lorena Lapidus Kfir Lebovich Rachel Leubitz Dr. Dara Lieber Dr. Susan London Angie Lopez Andrea Lucero Rabbi Yosi Manne Rabbi Yair Massri Grant Matla Oriana Mezin Eti Mizrahi John Moran Aviva Moshe Anat Moyal Caroline Nahon Phillip Nandin Judy Neufeld Demarys Ocana Jennifer Ohana Timothy Patton Maria Perez Antonio Perez Alexander Phoundoulakis Doris Pinhasov Ryan Prechter
Rabbi Noach Rabovsky Reena Rabovsky Norma Reiz Dassie Richler Paula Rodriguez Jennifer Roffman Nurit Rosenberg Esther Rubinstein Perla Salver Tirtza Schapiro Shoshana Scharf Kayla Schochet Batsheva Schochet Judy Schurz Carly Schwartz Noa Shabat Jaclyn Smith Hannah Standiford Gershon Steinberg Susie Stern Elana Szafranski Oshrat Twito Patricia Urbina Paquita Valenzuela Junior Vaquedano Guillermo Villatoro Andrej Vucajnk Joan Walter Rachel Wasserman Rabbi Avi Weberman Daniel Weberman Sari Weinberg Rachel Weinberger Devorah Werdiger Lisi Wolfson Rabbi Yaakov Wrightman Asher Zeiger Noa Zemel Rabbi Yisrael Zweig
#ADMITLIKEAWARRIOR IMPACT REPORT
DR. AMI ESKANOS
In March of 2020, I assumed the Admission Department traffic would come to an abrupt halt. Who would be shopping for a school in a Pandemic? Leading educational consultants warned us to prepare for a 20 percent drop in enrollment and to expect a wild increase in financial aid requests. What is more, budgeted items were eliminated so necessary technology to support virtual learning could be purchased. Rather than fret, I pivoted our admission approach and developed a Virtual Admission Appointment and Tour web page featuring video chapters highlighting our school history, philosophy, academic programs, extracurricular activities, the admission process, a
campus tour, and more. Families were encouraged to watch the videos at their leisure and then schedule a personal consultation to address their specific needs. Working remotely and virtually allowed these meetings to be incredibly time efficient and occur around the clock. During an incredibly stressful time for families, our approach was to customize admissions to meet the needs of our new applicants. As such we were able to not only maintain our enrollment, but even make it grow. New students arrived to us from all over the world: Israel, the United Kingdom, Paris, California, Miami, and particularly from New York and New Jersey. This migration has not stopped with the start of the school year. Families continue to make the move to South Florida and are finding a new home at Hebrew Academy. PTSA Room Parents have personally welcomed each family, answered any underlying questions from a parent perspective, and made our relocating families feel like they have always been a part of the Warrior Family.
STUDENTS
COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
So, what’s next? We are taking what we Argentina, Brazil, California, Canada, Chille, China, Colombia, Connecticut, Denmark, Florida, France, Hungary, Israel, Las Vegas, Massachusetts, learned through this necessary shift and Mexico, Morocco, New Jersey, New York, Panama, Pennsylvania, Puerto have applied it to this new admission Rico, Russia, South Africa, Texas, Turkey, United Kingdom and Venezuela. cycle creating an even more seamless and personalized admissions process. Also further down the horizon will be a Continuous Enrollment Platform, wherein families sign an enrollment contract once without the need to reenroll year after year. Of course, our overarching goal is always to provide an excellent educational program, with the warmth we are known for, while attending to each students’ unique needs. Dr. Ami Eskanos Dean of Admission admission@rasg.org 305-532-6421 ext. 105
Virtual Admission Appointment & Tour Scan QR Code:
#LEARNL I K E A W A R R I O R IMPACT REPORT MAINTAINING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
These five pillars are more important than ever - they cannot be replicated in such an integrated and thoughtful way in any other program. For the 2020-2021 Academic year, we have strengthened all five areas!
CHARACTER & MIDDOT
LIGHT OF TORAH & ISRAEL Torah has been the only constant that has led to our survival through challenging times. Torah is our eternal anchor and blueprint for how we live our lives.
We view our children holistically and endeavor to empower them with excelling in areas beyond academics. It is paramount for the school that they also continuously work on being their best selves socially, emotionally and spiritually. We hope that as a result they will be contributing members of society on many levels. We aim to further strengthen our Social-Emotional learning.
BLENDED & PERSONALIZED LEARNING
INNOVATORS LEADERS & ENTREPRENEURS
While we are proud to say that we achieved success with virtual school because of our past investment in Blended Learning, we will take that much further in the coming year.
STEAM
The world needs future leaders, problem-solvers and innovators. We will continue instilling in our students desire to learn, grow and question.
We continue to strengthen STEM, robotics, and computer programming.
#LEARNL I K E A W A R R I O R IMPACT REPORT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 30+ Hebrew Academy faculty members and administrators intensively learned at the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) held at the Miami Beach Convention Center back in January 2020. Our dedicated staff joined educators from around the world to explore the future of education, best practices, and how to leverage technology to enable students to thrive in the world of today and into the future.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CREATE A "DOODLEBOT" IN 60 MINUTE CHALLENGE High School students create a "doodlebot" as part of the Innovation and Design Class taught by Dr. Eliezer Jones. Students had 60 minutes to design and they had access to various materials including motors and batteries but no step by step directions they had to figure out how to make it work from top to bottom. It is a lesson on prototyping, failing, and revising until it works.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WIN CADENA COMPETITION FOR THIRD YEAR For the third year in a row Middle students represented the State of Florida in the Social Entrepreneurship Competition Cadena Initiative. Students from ten different countries showcased their ideas virtually. Ariela Jaimovich and Mendel Hazan, achieved third place for their invention. Under the guidance of science teacher, Mr. Javier Gonzalez, they developed a project titled, “Let There Be Light," a solar lamp that only costs 86 cents using a flexible solar panel, energy-efficient LED light, and reused water bottles. With this idea, they hope to provide so much needed illumination to communities that lack electricity while at the same time create a micro-business that will allow the community to build and sell their lamps.
Cadena Initiative 2019 Winning Team: Bat Sheva Hazan, Rina AskenaziCohen, and Shira Mayer
Cadena Initiative 2018 Winning Team: Jonathan Acevedo and Akiva Itzkowitz
ELEMENTARY DIVISION CELEBRATES STUDENT CREATED HOLIDAY, YOM TZAHAL In November, Hebrew Academy celebrated a unique holiday, Yom Tzahal. Three years ago, this special chag was designed by fifth-grade girls as part of our Holiday in Cheshvan Contest. Our school was decorated with banners from the various battalions of the IDF. Students learned about the combat, humanitarian efforts, and veterans of the Israel Defense Forces. Students honored veterans of the IDF who work in our school in a beautiful Scroll of Honor. Students and faculty who were on campus dressed in their IDF colors to show solidarity and support. As we include the misheberach for soldiers in our daily davening, we are privileged to celebrate Yom Tzahal in our school.
EARLY CHILDHOOD USES STEAM TO RECREATE THE EIFFEL TOWER Students in the Pre-K recently read the book This is Paris by Mirosov Slasek. After reading the book and learning about Paris, they had a special STEAM activity where they used engineering blocks, kinex, and brackitz to build their own version of the Eiffel Tower.
#BESAFELIKE IMPACT
Hebrew Academy was committed to safely re-opening campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. HAconnectED became a new word in our vocabulary as hybrid learning was introduced. Teachers learned a whole new way of instruction. Keeping campus clean, safe, and healthy became the top priority. Below are some ways that we met that goal.
HYBRID LEARNING
800+ hours of learning and meeting time on . Wireless microphones for teachers. Updated Smartboard for every room. 110 new cameras. 50 new 55 inch TV's were installed in every classroom, in grades K-12. Every student at home can feel like they are in the classroom.
NEW SAFETY MEASURES Implemented daily temperature checks when entering campus. Painted color zones to help students remain in their cohorts. Installed 17 new touchless water fountain throughout the school. Provided 500 N95 makes and face shields to give our faculty the greatest possible protection. Teachers received 5000 clear masks so students could get to know their teachers and to facilitate learning how to sound out letters in the younger grades. Removed lockers from the Middle School corridors, creating more social distancing opportunities for students and staff.
AWARRIOR
REPORT
EXTRA SANITIZATION UV Lights to disinfect rooms. Four large industrial 360 Clorox Cleaners. Hand sanitizers for every room. Six months supply of cleaning products. Maintenance department cleans highly touched areas throughout the day and completes an intensive evening service.
CAMPUS SECURITY New 12 foot fence for security HD cameras were installed to view every inch of campus. Updated cameras for COVID tracing. The nurses office was moved to a central location that is closer to the entrance and away from students, with its own A/C unit.
Thank you to 613MED!
We are very grateful for our Medical Advisory Committee and thank them for their utmost dedication to our Warrior community.
COMING HOME IMPACT REPORT
SUSIE STERN
My grandparents of blessed memory always stressed the importance of Jewish education and encouraged my parents to enroll my brother and me at Hebrew Academy. My father always shared the quote, “Good parents give their children roots and wings - roots to know where home is and wings to exercise what's been taught." Thank G-d my parents were able to give me a Hebrew Academy education, one that has been an integral part of my life since nursery school. Not only has Hebrew Academy strengthened my Jewish roots and provided a solid education,
but it was my Kindergarten classmate Rachel, who later introduced me to my husband.
To come back “home” as Hebrew Academy’s Director of Development and reunite with many treasured teachers and classmates is an honor. With a history of 70+ years, Hebrew Academy continues to make a tremendous global impact. The steadfast commitment of our students, parents, community partners, volunteers, staff, faculty, administration, and Board of Directors make Hebrew Academy so successful. We hope you enjoy some of our Warrior highlights as we continue to instill values of Torah, Israel, middot tovot and inspire each and every child to improve the world.
I’m thrilled to be “home” at Hebrew Academy and invite you to say, "Hello." Whether you are an old friend or a new one, I look forward to hearing from you. Susie Stern Director of Development 305.532.6421 x111 sstern@rasg.org
# G R A NIMPACT D WREPORT ARRIORS PRESIDENT’S DAY WITH GRANDPARENTS CIRCLE
While this year’s Grandparents & Special Friends Day was filled with lots of remote love and wishes from Warriors around the world, Hebrew Academy also loved welcoming our Grandparents and Special Friends to campus during the 2019/2020 school year for a patriotic morning to kick off President’s Day Weekend last February. Our fun-filled event began with a tasty breakfast, interactive Shabbat assemblies, and presidential-themed educational games and crafts. The day continued with our innovative Warrior Showcase which exhibited some of our incredible student achievements in the areas of Social Entrepreneurship, Chesed “Kindness,” Athletics, Experiential Learning, Robotics, Augmented and Virtual Reality, and more. The Warrior Showcase also featured a “Daf” Torah learning center and culminated with an amazing closing musical performance led by our talented high school students. If you are interested in becoming a member of Grandparents Circle, please contact Susie Stern, Director of Development at sstern@rasg.org or head to our website at hebrewacademymiami.org/grandparentscircle.
*Pre-Pandemic Photo
WARRIORS WARRIOR TIES Over 125 families enjoyed tie-dye fun and delicious pizza for a great cause benefiting Hebrew Academy's COVID Relief Fund. Hebrew Academy thanks the Holland Family and the Lehmann Family for their generous Warrior Ties sponsorships and for their roles in fostering connection, school spirit, and fun. We appreciate all of our donors, community partners, and families who contributed to this successful event.
LAG B'OMER DRIVE-THRU FUN Through the generosity of our lead sponsor, The David and Leila Centner Foundation, and with support from Ocean Engineering, the Wolf Family, and an anonymous donor, Hebrew Academy provided nearly 900 complementary and delicious BBQ dinners to Warrior families and staff in honor of Lag B’Omer. The music celebration and drive thru "step and repeat" car booth enhanced the festivities, all while our Warriors adhered to health and safety protocols. We are grateful to Antonio Lama, Jose Medina, and the J-Cafe Group for the delicious food and superb service; Kfir Lebovich and his team for keeping us secure; our amazing maintenance team for always helping with a smile; and our incredible volunteer crew of teachers and staff for bringing such joy to students and parents alike. Who would ever think anyone would miss carpool?
GIVE BACK Lead Like a Warrior Campaign Raises over $600,000
GOLD WARRIOR PARTNERS Dr. & Mrs. Shmuel and Evelyn Katz Mr. & Mrs. Joey and Lindsay Schottenstein Mr. & Mrs. Moris and Lillian Tabacinic SILVER WARRIOR PARTNERS Mr. & Mrs. Marc and Jean Lehmann Gabriel & Yaara Plotkin Family Foundation
“Lead Like a Warrior” was the theme of Hebrew Academy’s high-impact three-day fundraising campaign between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Through the incredible generosity of our Gold and Silver Warrior Partners, all donations were triple matched. The Hebrew Academy community was engaged with spiritual, interactive, and meaningful programming under the guidance of Nicole Kavana and Rachel Laoui. With the amazing support of our Warrior Partners, Board Members, Ambassadors, and kind donors, we surpassed our goal and raised over $600,000. The money raised from this campaign plays a pivotal role in adding safety enhancements to keep students and their families protected; in providing financial assistance packages for families who have hit unexpected hardships; and in upgrading our technology for both distance and in-person learning. No one could have predicted the expenses required to keep our students safe and thriving. Demand for scholarship has increased dramatically. The sudden need for new technology to accommodate the expanded learning models was immense. The expense incurred to make the school safe for our students, faculty and staff in this new normal enabling us to open our doors was also enormous. We are so grateful for your support. May we always partner together for mitzvot. Good Morning IDF with Alumni Soldiers
Dr. Debbie Stone on “The Limits of Forgiveness”
Opening Remarks by Rabbi Shaye Guttenberg
"Lechem with Love" from Lindsay Schottenstein
Elegant Cooking with Shena Dominitz
WARRIORS MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMEMORATES THE YAHRZEIT OF RACHEL IMMEINU AND CHARLOTTE ROHR Z"L Mothers and daughters participated in Middle School's Annual Women's Day of Learning in commemoration of the Yahrzeit of Rachel Immeinu and Charlotte Rohr Z"L. Morah Devorah Werdiger, Mrs. Judy Neufeld, and Mrs. Kayla Schochet led the meaningful occasion. Mrs. Diana Sragowicz and Mrs. Nicole Kavana gave an inspiring address to the group to kick off the learning session. Mothers joined this special event via Zoom and were placed into breakout rooms for one one one mother-daughter learning. Following the event, students were treated to a special breakfast celebration and were given the book, The Mitzvah of Challah to remember this special day. Thank you to the Katz & Tabacinic families for sponsoring this beautiful event.
JCS KOSHER FOOD BANK SCHOOL MITZVAH PROJECT Thank you to the Schottenstein Family for generously sponsoring Hebrew Academy's Back to School Mitzvah Project to benefit the JCS Kosher Food Bank. With school supply distribution, Hebrew Academy families received a complimentary reusable tote to collect items, drop-off, and reuse for future food drives.
GIVE BACK WARRIOR GRANT TASK FORCE Hebrew Academy is proud to have launched the “Warrior Grant Task Force,” a new Development committee composed of Administrators, Board Members, and volunteers, focused on identifying foundation leads, evaluating and prioritizing grants, and partnering on the task force calendar, communications, and submissions to increase the successful receipt of awards. The committee is privileged to have a dedicated team of Warriors, including Mrs. Leslie Harris, whose invaluable work continues beyond her retirement from Hebrew Academy after a most exceptional career of 41 years.
Early Childhood Receives Grant from Early Learning Coalition With the grant money acquired from the Early Learning Coaltion, Early Childhood purchased engineering blocks from Imagination Playhouse. The Big Blue Blocks set includes bricks and cylinders, accented with chutes, channels, and parts that suggest motion or connectivity. They inspire children to design their own inventions, environments, and activities. These are housed on the Pre-K patio.
Thank you, Hebrew Academy is grateful for Prizmah and the funders who have stepped up to support Jewish communal organizations and day schools through the creation of the Jewish Community Response and Impact Fund (JCRIF).
When Hebrew Academy supporters shop at AmazonSmile, charitable donations quickly add up. Thank you to the AmazonSmile Foundation and Hebrew Academy supporters for your impact. Start shopping AmazonSmile with QR Code:
WARRIOR LOYALTY CARD IMPACT REPORT
Our Warrior Loyalty Card program is a win-win-win partnership between Hebrew Academy, our featured merchants, and the community. With great enthusiasm, over 50 amazing Warrior Partners - from South Miami all the way to Boca Raton - committed to special offers and promotions to our community and we are so very grateful. All Warrior Loyalty Card purchases benefit Hebrew Academy’s COVID Relief Fund. The Warrior Loyalty Card is a must have item and we encourage you to enjoy our partners AGAIN and AGAIN! Thank you to the following Warrior Partners:
17 Restaurant & Sushi Bar 26 Sushi & Tapas 41 Pizza & Bakery A Events Miami Abbott Florist Anais Nails & Spa Backyard BBQ & Brew Bagel Time Café Bubby's Fish N' Chips Carlos & Gabby's Smokehouse & Grill Cinnaholic Boca Ditmas Kitchen Boca Edward Jones: Simon Dahan Foozo Artisan Pizza Fuego by Mana Gallery of Cakes Grill House HBK House Burger Herbalife - Michal Horesh Kastner's Market La Dolce Vita - Kitchens La Vela Coffee Lilicakes Catering Lulu's Lucite & Gifts Marble & Rye Med by Marble & Rye
Mike's Kosher Kitchen Morelia Gourmet Paletas South Beach My Ecocleaners My Food Body Mind Pilates on the Beach Pita Loca Produce at Your Door Rita’s Italian Ice Roses and Rosé Set with Style Smoke'd BBQ So Heavenly Street Kitchen Miami Subres Grill Sushi Addicts The Carrot The Frieze Ice Cream Factory The Harbour Grill The Shoppe Miami Torah Treasures Miami Truffleberry Tsniout Runway TYO Sushi Unloathe.com Vish Hummus Surfside Wok'd
www.hebrewacademymiami.org/warrior-loyalty-card Purchase Your Warrior Loyalty Card Scan QR Code:
WARRIOR ALUMNI & PARENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY The impact of COVID-19 affected everyone, be it the move to virtual learning, social distancing, shortage of food staples and supplies, health concerns, financial stability, and more. Hebrew Academy acted swiftly and thoughtfully to do its part to not only ensure fiscal balance as an institution, but to help one another as a Warrior community. Last April, Hebrew Academy published a list of resources to assist families during this unprecedented time. The list included information about emergency loans, federal benefits, insurance, as well as offerings for food, counseling, and crisis response. Furthermore, in order to strengthen our community ties and encourage members of the Hebrew Academy family to support each other, we launched a free online Warrior Alumni and Parent Business Directory. Directory.
5 Cohav 18 Production Corp. AMCI Homes, LLC Archimed USA BabyFab Bank of America Merrill Lynch Beachfront Realty Big Hearts Senior Social Club LLC Boulder Digital Arts Compass Real Estate Citadel Realty LLC Deliberate Construction Delux Catering by Pesach Rotenberg Dental Options Design Andrew Bales Divorce Harmony Eden Properties Edward Jones Investments EF Counseling, Inc. Executive Auto Group Family First Home Health Care
Field Project Fresh Theatre Arts Gordon Enterprises - Gordon Buys Homes Gordon Foot Care, PA Ilan Aronovski Designs I Wear For All Jackie Abraham Jewelers Kenneth Alan Forman, PA Medify Air MIA Concrete Contractors ñ Translations Ocean Engineering, Inc. Pearl Benefits Group, Inc. Reines & Straz Rosenfeld Law Group, PLLC Roses and Rosé Sarah Z Designs, LLC SATX Concrete Contractors Soar into Reading and Writing WeWork Miami
www.hebrewacademymiami.org/warriorbusinessdirectory
Warrior Alumni & Parent Business Directory Scan QR Code:
*THIS DIRECTORY IS A SERVICE FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THESE BUSINESSES OR SERVICES BY THE SCHOOL.
#PLAYLIKEAWARRIOR IMPACT REPORT 2019- 2020 WAR RIOR ATHL ETIC HIGH LIGH TS Issac Gottlieb (Class of 2025) won the 1st ever Posnack Invitational MS Meet with a time of 10:22. Varsity Boys & Girls Cross Country won both of their home meets. Samantha Ebner (Class of 2020) and teammate Akiva Itzkowitz (Class of 2022) qualified for Regionals for the 3rd consecutive year in Varsity Cross Country. The Middle School Girls Volleyball team & Middle School Boys Flag Football Team both qualified for the IAL Playoffs (top 6 out of 20)! Varsity Boys Basketball finished runner up in their FHSAA District for the 2nd consecutive year. All Basketballs teams 6th grade and higher finished their respective seasons with winning records. Brielle Katz (Class of 2022) was undefeated at #1 Girls Singles before the season was cut short. Samantha Ebner (Class of 2020) and Kayla Wolfson (Class of 2020) shared our most prestigious Athletic Award named the “Yossi Heber Award”. Bryan Saka (Class of 2020) and Jacob Stein (Class of 2020) shared the award for on the boys side. This Award embodies an all around athlete as well as a mensch off the field. For the 15th year in a row, Hebrew Academy hosted the Captain Hyman P. Galbut Girls Basketball Shabbaton, the largest girls shabbaton in the country. Out of the 12 teams that competed, Shalhevet took home the title in a great Championship game at midnight.
*Pre-Pandemic Photos
#GRADUATELIKEAWARRIOR CLASS OF 2020
Kayla Abramowitz
Natalie Alishayev
Daniel Ben-Simon
Yael Bister
Batya Fruhman
Noah Ganem
Jaclyn Nussenblatt
Leandro Otsman
Ben Argy
Ariel Bramy *Serving in the IDF
Isaac Gelsky
Micaela Safdie
Ariel Arwas
Daniel Dadashev
Abigail Gottlieb
Bryan Saka
Sarah Attias
Eliot De Paz
Avigail Kahn
Sherri Shahar
Nechama Bauer
Samantha Ebner
Abraham Kanter
Daniella Shakib
Michelle Behar
Luchiano Fernandez
Yosef Melul
Jacob Stein
Kayla Wolfson
YESHIVOT & SEMINARY ACCEPTANCES Aish, Bar Ilan, Be'er Miriam, Derech Ohr Sameach, Maayanot, Midreshet Moriah, Harova, Machon Ma'ayan, Yeshivat Reishit.
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES American University, Amherst, Bar-Ilan University, Barry University, Binghamton University, Boston University, Brandeis University, College of Staten Island, Concordia University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida International University, Florida State University, Hofstra University, Indiana University, Miami Dade College, Muhlenberg College, New York University, Nova Southeastern University, Ohio State University, Pace University, Pennsylvania State University, Queens College, Rutgers University, Santa Fe College, Santa Monica College,Stern College, Touro College, Universite de Montreal, Universite de Montreal, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of Indianapolis, University of Maryland, University of Mass, University of Miami,Yeshiva University
"The graduation was truly spectacular to say the least; the night was full of excitement, cheer, and positivity. When the students arrived in their cars with their families, they were called to drive up to the front of school to receive a pie of pizza, a cake, and a bag with waters and popcorn. The graduates and their families were greeted by the entire high school faculty. The cars were then ushered onto the field and directed where to go in order to make a semi circle around the graduates. The graduates were then told to leave their cars, with their customized Hebrew Academy masks on, and make their way to the seats that were placed six feet apart. The graduation was really unbelievable. I am still in awe of how wonderful it was and how the school pulled it off. The last-minute planned beyond successful graduation was a testament to the beauty of our school. Our close-knit school allows for every occasion to be celebrated and carried out exceptionally. I am so grateful I was able to take part in that ceremony; it is something I will remember and talk about for the rest of my life." -Samantha Ebner, Class of 2020 (Excerpt xcerpt from The Warrior Word, the High School's Online (E Newspaper)
Class of 2020 Senior Book Awards
Jaclyn Nussenblatt Mia Tepper Israel Scholarship Award, generously donated by Ms. Mia Tepper
Daniel Ben-Simon Mali Daum Katz Community Service Award, generously donated by Mr. Michael Katz
Yael Bister-Simancas Mali Daum Katz Community Service Award, generously donated by Mr. Michael Katz
Noah Ganem Mali Daum Katz Community Service Award, generously donated by Mr. Michael Katz
Abraham Kanter Neti-Dachs-Liberow Memorial Award, generously donated by Rabbi & Mrs. Leib & Tirtza Schapiro
Michelle Behar Ramie-Kertzner Memorial Award, generously donated by Mr. & Mrs. Evan and Cheryl Borenstein
#BEKINDLIKE DR. SUSAN LONDON & MRS. REENA RABOVSKY
As March of last year turned into April, May, and June, it became readily apparent to us that our students would be continuously impacted by the global pandemic and that we would need to shift our attention in how we approach and teach our students this academic year. While we have always understood the value of social emotional learning, we knew that this year its importance and relevance would be more important than ever. In the beginning of the year, we presented our teachers about how we can best support our students by taking into consideration that many had experienced the pandemic as a trauma; overnight, their lives were turned upside down and inside out.
We taught teachers to come up with class mantras, to take mindfulness breaks throughout the day, and to focus on gratitude with their students. We shared ways in which they can bring mindfulness into their lessons and daily lives. We also adapted our own Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs to adapt to the time of COVID. In Elementary School, our teachers have learned to view the students through the "trauma informed lens" and the importance of self care. We have continued with Project Gevurah, our Positive Behavior Intervention and Support program where students earn Gevurah notes for being Ready, Respectful and Responsible. Social Emotional Learning takes place in the classroom and on an individual level. We enjoyed our Chanukah Kindness Initiative, where students had an opportunity to spread the light of kindness in school and at home. In Middle School, we created a new program devoted to teaching mindfulness as a means of teaching resilience and concrete coping skills. We began the year by asking students to stretch themselves and open their minds to the world of mindfulness practice. We began the unit with an introductory video to mindfulness, narrated by Dan Harris, ABC news correspondent, and author of 10% Happier, as a way to show our students that mindfulness is not just a new-aged term or buzz word but a scientifically proven method of managing stress, anxiety and coping with the unknown. Now that we’ve returned to school and are easing back into our new normal, we have resumed the character education program for middle school students, beginning with kindness and chesed, specifically as it relates to teaching bullying prevention. In order to help support our parent community, we have created a Parent Education Series with a variety of topics that are pertinent to the current times. Our speakers have discussed, “Parenting in the Age of Anxiety” and “Tik Tok and Beyond: the Impact of Social Media on the Minds of our Children.” We have scheduled more upcoming parent workshops over the next few months. Please stay tuned for those announcements. Additionally, we continue to update our website with tools for teachers, parents, and students that addresses topics including: resilience, mindfulness, anxiety, parenting, kindness, study skills, and more. The website also features recordings of our parent presentations as well as social emotional learning presentations that are used with our students.
AWARRIOR
IMPACT
While we have faced an extremely challenging year and have adapted our SEL programing to meet these challenges, we also think it is important to reflect on what we have gained this year. Without a doubt, this has been a difficult journey for both parents and children alike. While our students have experienced a wide range of loss, they have also gained so much as far as learning to be resilient, flexible, adaptable, strong in the face of adversity, and Zoom wizards. We hope to be able to highlight these strengths as we move forward this year. Please continue to reach out to us if we can support you or your children in any way. Looking forward to a year of continued growth and discovery. Dr. Susie London Middle and High School Psychologist slondon@rasg.org Mrs. Reena Rabovsky Elementary School Psychologist rrabovsky@rasg.org
Chanukah Kindness Initiative opened with a toy drive in loving memory of Aaron Benveniste Z"L to benefit Holtz Children's Hospital.
Social Emotional Learning Resources Scan QR Code:
*Pre-Pandemic Photo
#ONCEAWARRIOR IMPACT
Hebrew Academy Warrior Alumni Hebrew Academy Warrior Alumni kicked off kicked off
the very first of three special summer reunions in May. Nearly 300 classmates and teachers from around the world and throughout all of the decades ranging from the 1950's to the present joined together for a Zoom Assembly with a warm welcome from Head of School, Rabbi Shaye Guttenberg and Susie Stern, Director of Development. The program continued with personal breakout sessions among the individual decades and a long-anticipated reunion for the Class of 1968. A special thank you to our Warrior Ambassadors for their enthusiasm and support: Mark Stang ('68), Elisa (Behar) Lemmer ('93), Nicole (Katz) Kavana ('97), Suzy (Mehrpouyan) Wagner ('98), Sara Mirmellli ('00), Babba Joshua Yesharim ('03), Elijah Salver ('10), and all of our attendees. To register with our Alumni association for information about future events, please contact Susie Stern, Director of Development at sstern@rasg.org.
Class of 1968 In June, Hebrew Academy had the privilege of hosting a 52-year ZoomUnion event led by Judge Jeri Cohen and Dr. Sandy Lipman, with honored guest Mrs. Shirley Gross. What a joy it was to see the smiles and hear the beautiful and meaningful experiences from the Class of 1968. Alumni remarked about the tremendous influence Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Z"L and Mrs. Shirley Gross had upon all their lives and how Hebrew Academy laid the foundation for their amazing paths ahead.
"As each of us shared what we had done with our lives since our HA days, it became very apparent that no matter the type of careers we chose, the one thing we had in common was that HA was there for us to lay the type of foundation in our lives that resulted in all of us becoming good citizens who contributed to making our world a much better place to live for all of us.” Alberto Ruder, Hebrew Academy Class of 1968
ALWAYSAWARRIOR REPORT Class of 1990 Hebrew Academy hosted a meaningful 30-year ZoomUnion event for the Class of 1990 in July. Life-long role models including Mrs. Shirley Gross, Mrs. Leslie Harris, Rabbi Elias Hochner, Mr. Lawrence Kuczynski, and Mrs. Charlotte Perlin were in attendance. Their continued passion and love for their students is truly evident. Thank you Eric Reinhard for your eagerness to host the event, as well as for your humor and warmth. Thank you to Rabbi Hochner, Mr. Sammy Grundwerg, and Rabbi David Benarroch for the touching tributes, words of Torah, and Tehillim in loving memory of Melanie Burstein Z"L, Dr. Brian Galbut Z"L., and Rabbi David Levine Z"L.
Hey Alumni! Reconnect with Hebrew Academy! Whether you are near or far, we'd like to bring Hebrew Academy closer to you! Now it's easier than ever to reconnect with Hebrew Academy and your friends. Fill out the following form using the link below and let us know where you are and how we can reach you or make sure that your information is up-to-date. Looking forward to hearing from you! Head over to: hebrewacademymiami.org/alumni/register
In Memory of our Beloved Student Aaron Benveniste Z”L Aaron Yisrael Ben Yerachmiel Aaron, You are forever in our hearts. We will never forget you. The Hebrew Academy Family
2400 Pine Tree Drive Miami Beach, Florida 33140 www.hebrewacademymiami.org : @hebrewacademymiami
Hebrew Academy’s state-of-the-art new Middle and High School Building will offer an innovative, engaging, and academically stimulating experience. The student-centered facility will house over 40,000 square feet of learning space that includes classrooms equipped with flexible walls and floor-to-ceiling windows designed to seamlessly draw together the rooms and the natural world. To learn more, please contact Susie Stern, Director of Development at sstern@rasg.org or (305) 532-6421 x 111.
CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION *Rendering of the New Middle School/High School Building on the Schwartz-Jacobs Campus