NEWS
Community Ezra Mechina Class Celebrates with Their New Siddurim
Rav Elimelech Resnick R”M in Mir Yerushalayim speaking at Mesivta Chaim Shlomo
tivated that they have already completed the whole alef-bais in both block and script letters. This has earned the students a brand new “Chinuch Siddur” that they are now using to grow in their understanding and development of tefilah. The whole school, administration, faculty and fellow students join in wishing them hatzlacha as they continue to expand their knowledge and love of Torah.
From left, Rav Binyomin Carlebach and Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel of Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim with Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh Hayeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah
Incredible Kiruv in Flatbush On Friday night, close to 100 Jews of all backgrounds gathered together in Brooklyn Jewish Xperience (BJX) Kiruv and Chizuk Center for an exhilarating Carlebach davening led by their Rav, Rabbi Fingerer. The usual practice at BJX is to dance during Kabbalas Shabbos but since there was simply no room, everyone swayed together as powerful spiritual reverberations cascaded through BJX. It was beautiful to see diverse types of Jews united in song and prayer. Rabbi Fingerer inspired the packed shul sharing Torah from Rav Shimon Shkop and the Chasam Sofer. As he spoke, it felt like everyone was melting into one harmonious whole. BJX was full to capacity for tefillos on Shabbos morning. The kedushah and incredible energy continued when a talmid of Rab-
bi Fingerer made both a kiddush for the birth of his daughter and a siyum upon completing Mesechta Brachos. The baal simcha told everyone how appreciative he is to Rabbi Fingerer and his family for being so instrumental in his growth in Yiddishkeit and how much BJX contributes to his family’s ruchniyus. It was awe-inspiring for everyone to witness the baal simcha choked up with emotion, slowly and deliberately reciting the hadran. Motzai Shabbos, BJX again filled to capacity with frum people from the community who attended the third week in a series of seminars on emunah and hashkafah. While most of the people were from Flatbush, others came from Boro Park. There were also participants from as far as Lakewood and Woodmere. It was a huge kiddush
Hashem seeing Chasto Konstantin (now sidish, Yeshivish and Yaakov) and Stephanie Modern Orthodox (now Sara), his fiancé, people gathered with a who also received her singular goal in mind: Hebrew name. BJX to strengthen their emumentors/communinah and learn how to ty leaders Ralph and address serious quesDovid Herzka, Shitions. mon Lefkowitz, Yanky Sunday was the Koschitzky, Ephraim climax at BJX. A BJX Nierenberg, Dr. Avi Yonoson student, a young man Rav Fingerer and Konstantin (now Yaakov) Waldman, Schenker and many in his 20’s, had his bris. Rabbi Yehoshua Krohn, joined by stu- others participated in this tremendous dents, family and friends, marched this celebration. young man into the precious mitzvah BJX is located at 2915 Avenue K. For with song and cheer. Reb Moshe Caller, BJX Chairman, was honored to recite more information or to have the zechus the bracha and Rabbi Fingerer gave the of sponsoring a program, please visit name. The BJX family presented gifts www.BrooklynKiruv.com.
Bnos Malka Staff Works Overtime at the BJE Conference Each year, the BJE hosts the Jewish Education Project’s day of learning for teachers. Bnos Malka Academy’s teachers take full advantage of the excellent presentations. The JEP program provided opportunities for teachers to choose from among many topics, and attend workshops that highlight specific areas of education such as Common Core, how to motivate students, and how to help students retain information. All the teachers were energized to take part
in these valuable sessions with fellow educators from all over the tri-state area. Seasoned teacher Mrs. Chana Bregman found the workshops to be very interesting and well-presented. In particular, she remarked about Dr. Pelcovitzs’ discussion on spirituality including prayer in the classroom and the importance of parent involvement in a child’s education and the effects of technology on our children. “There were definitely many practical techniques and general approaches I
plan to implement right away.” After the morning session, Rabbi Weichselbaum, BMA principal, along with assistant principals, Mrs. Rivky Babad and Mrs. Shuly Zuckerman, conducted a Bnos Malka private session with their staff. Rabbi Weicshelbaum explained the importance of ongoing teacher development, “It is very important for all schools to encourage their teachers to further hone their skills. At Bnos Malka, with our educational philosophy based
on ‘Understanding by Design,’ these sessions are critically important.” Mrs. Babad went further to say, “Over the past few years, we have worked diligently to master and apply the first two stages of UbD and are currently working on implementing stage three. I am very proud of the high level of dedication the teachers have, and their commitment to bringing the best methodologies available, to our students.”
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The Mechina program at Ezra Academy is a well-established route to Jewish Discovery. Students entering yeshiva from public school, even at the late ages of 13-16, have a built in road to learning alef-bais, introduction to Jewish philosophy, beginner davening, starting Jewish laws and customs as well as basic understanding of parashat hashavua. This year’s class has been so excited and mo-
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