Community Events & Or Hadash Award

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

FAMILY HANUKKAH CELEBRATION

This year’s festivities on the fourth night of Hanukkah were a joyful, raucous, all-ages celebration that included an array of activities and holiday performances. Students engaged in a scavenger hunt, had their faces painted, and played dreidel games before enjoying performances by the Brandeis band and chorus. Eighth grade families hosted the sweet and savory hanukkah challenge that included prizes for best hanukkah cookie, latke, and sufganiyot among others. The evening closed with a Hanukkah sing-along and allschool candle lighting. As our first Pandemic-era gathering for our community, the event was a wild success and a much needed festival of everything we love about Brandeis.

READING ROCKS BOOK FAIR

This year’s book fair kicked off with a festival of fun that featured face-painting, a bake sale, games, and live musical performances by two dad bands who put the “rock” in this year’s event. Each grade hosted creative community building booths that featured delicious treats and activities for the entire family, like the fifth grade succulent potting station. Books, Inc. set up their annual display in the gym with an amazing literary selection for students and parents alike. The festivities concluded with a school visit by Judd Winick, author of the kid-favorite graphic novel: Hilo, The Boy Who Crashed to Earth.

YEAR-END FAMILY SHABBAT

We closed out the school year with our traditional family Shabbat community gathering on May 27, 2022, co-hosted by the school and the Parents’ Association. This beautiful event brought families and their children together to welcome in the Shabbat, light candles, say Kiddush and HaMotzi, while enjoying a delicious meal on campus. We shared yummy challah and exchanged stories of gratitude for another joyous year at Brandeis.

2022 OR HADASH AWARD

RECIPIENT: LYNETTE STEJSKAL

The Or Hadash (New Light) Award is presented to a parent volunteer who has given above and beyond and who serves as a model of volunteerism for us all. The recipient of the 2021-2022 award was Lynette Stejskal. Lynette began her Brandeis volunteer involvement as a room parent when her daughter Sydney ‘15 was in first grade. She continued in a wide variety of volunteer roles including as a valued member of the Admissions and Outreach Committee and served the Parents’ Association in many capacities. In 2019 she joined Julie Lewis as PA Co-President where her leadership helped grow and strengthen the community even through the challenge of the pandemic. Lynette continues to support Brandeis as a current member of the Board of Trustees. Lynette and her husband, Russell, are the proud parents of Brandeis alumni Sydney ‘15, Joseph 19‘ and current Brandeis student Ethan ‘24. “Lynette works tirelessly on ALL things Brandeis with the most incredible generosity of spirit. Her level of commitment is so dedicated, it feels devotional and it makes a meaningful impact and ripples into the community in the most beautiful way.”