Schools

Students at HAFTR High School recently participated in NCSY’s Jewish Unity Mentoring Program, also known as JUMP. The program was held on Sunday, October 23, and Monday, October 24, in Somerset, New Jersey. As a freshman, I was unsure of what to expect, but we were greeted by familiar teachers, rabbis, and NCSY staff who made us all feel welcome. From that moment on, it was clear that this was going to be an enjoyable and productive day; we were going to be focusing on how to solve problems using innovative thinking, teamwork, and informed decision-making.

The Annual Rambam Mesivta Shabbaton was held last week at Camp Seneca Lake and it was a weekend filled with fun, ruach, sports, games, and meaningful messages. On Thursday, the freshmen and sophomores went up along with the seniors who functioned as “Big Brothers” to their underclassmen. The juniors went on their own trip, “Junior Journey,” with their rebbeim in a day of bonding that included laser-tag, videogaming, some time at Eisenhower Park, and a film. They then joined the rest of the school at Seneca on Friday.

Hadar Bet Yaakov talmidos hosted their annual Open House this past Sunday, with students divided into groups of outdoor and indoor welcoming committees replete with balloons and music. Other groups organized into registration teams, while others walked parents to mini-classes and panel activities.  Teachers greeted and socialized with parents over coffee and pastries, followed by administrators’ welcome remarks and presentation of curriculum and school activities.

On Wednesday, November 2, HANC Middle School held its Names, Not Numbers© program. Names, Not Numbers is a copyrighted oral history film project and curriculum, which Mrs. Tova Fish-Rosenberg created, that takes the teaching of the Holocaust and its lessons well beyond many previous efforts. Through the Names, Not Numbers© program, HANC’s eighth-grade students had the opportunity to document the teachings of the Holocaust and address questions about an individual’s responsibility to humanity.

Conflict resolution is an important life skill, whether you’re an adult or a child, and providing the skills to work through conflict at a young age is a gift HALB is able to give their students, thanks to a non-profit called Creative Response to Conflict. Last year, HALB received State Funding to be able to bring Creative Response to Conflict into the Elementary School. They observed classes, gave important feedback, and provided training to HALB staff. At the end of the school year, they Introduced Peer Mediation for grades 3-5.

On Monday, October 24, Shevach High School launched its popular chesed program, under the direction of Shevach assistant principal, Rebbetzin Chani Grunblatt. The theme this year is “Chesed Yesovevenu – We’re on a Roll with Chesed.” The multi-purpose room was decorated beautifully with associated artwork and expressions such as “Chesed Around the Clock,” and “You’re Always a Winner with the Wheel of Chesed.” The chesed “roll models” who headed this exciting event were Shevach seniors Gitty Howitt, Nataly Natanov, Batya Orbach, and Nechama Schwartz.