5/3/2013 - 23 Iyar 5773
Candle Lighting: 7:38 pm
Parshat Behar-B'chukotai
A SPIRITUAL VACATION
The mitzvah of maaser beheima described at the end of Parshat Behaalotcha refers to the sanctification of
every tenth animal which must be brought to Yerushalayim, sacrificed, and eaten there by its owner. The
purpose of the commandment as described by the Sefer Hachinuch is to provide the owner with an opportunity
to “spiritually recharge” by studying Torah in Yerushalayim while subsisting on the meat provided by the
korban. If the owner is unable to make the trip he can send a family member in his stead. Either way, the
result of the mitzvah is the return of a reenergized individual to his household who can then inspire the people
around him.
Although this mitzvah is unfortunately not relevant to us in the present day and age, its message is
everlasting. We all need to take time to refocus on spirituality, we can all benefit from having a role model,
and we are all capable of positively influencing and inspiring the people around us.
--Rabbi Yaacov Feit - JKHA-MS Judaic Studies Teacher
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES
It's all Greek to Me!
Our 6th graders are continuing their travels through the Ancient World, and our most recent stop is Ancient
Greece. The world of Ancient Greece is full of myths, legends, and great historical accomplishments. From
heroes like Hercules and Achilles to historical figures like Pericles and Alexander, the 6th graders have studied
about 1,000 years of history over the past two months.
Sixth grade Social Studies has a distinct focus on project-based learning. Each civilization we have studied has
had a culminating project. For our recent studies on Ancient Greece, each student has created a Wanted Poster
about a Greek god/goddess and will teach his or her classmates about the major deities and myths of Greece.
Through project-based learning, students become engaged in investigation and research, therefore creating
their own knowledge base and understanding. When students practice collaborative-learning, where students
teach students with the guidance of the teacher, they create a lasting and meaningful learning experience.
Next Stop… Ancient Rome!
--Ms. Christina Chase - JKHA-MS Social Studies Teacher
MIDDLE SCHOOL MISHNA AND TALMUD
Lessons Learned
Mishna and Talmud classes are focusing on skills of recognizing a Mishna, Braaita or Tosefta on a
Gemara page. Key words (Tanya, Tanu Rabanan, Rami, Raminhu, Aitivai or Maitivai) and the purpose
of these words give us a clue to the direction in which the Talmud is going. For example, "Maitivai" tells us that
there is going to be a question against an Amora from a Tannaic source. Tannaic names
and Lashon Hakodesh (as opposed to Aramaic), are also indicators that this is a Tannaic source. Students
were assessed by finding Tannaic sources on pages of Gemara they are unfamiliar with. In Misechet Brachot,
valuable lessons in life were learned from the Rabbi Nechunya Ben Hakaneh, Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yochanan
Ben Zakai. Appreciating what we have, associating with good friends and Yirat Shamayim were some of the
messages we learned from the Talmud.
--Rabbi Dovid Selengut, JKHA-MS Dean of Students and Judaic Studies Teacher
BAT MITZVAH CHESED PROJECT
This past week Molly Nelson and 19 of her JKHA classmates spent time with the residents of Daughter's of
Israel, learning how to decorate cupcakes as part of Molly's Bat Mitzvah project!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DEBATE TEAM
On May 1, students from the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy debate team attended their last
Middle School Yeshiva Debate Society meet of the year at Yeshiva of Central Queens. The topic of
the meet was "animal experimentation should be banned." Shmuel Kaplan, representing the
affirmative stance, won first place individual speaker; Eden Mendelsohn, representing the negative
stance, won second place individual speaker; Leora Shua, also representing the negative stance, won
third place individual speaker. Mendelsohn and Shua went on to capture second place team honors
as well. Coach Melinda Nagy would like to thank the entire debate team for their exceptional work
this year!
Pictured, from left to right: back row: Coach Melinda Nagy, Samuel Shersher, Avi Bendory, Rebecca
Malech, Natalie Abrahams, Miriam Brickman; front row: Eden Mendelsohn, Shmuel Kaplan, Leora
Shua
BrainQuest Teacher of the Month!
Mazel Tov to Ariel Levenson, JKHA Middle School teacher, for winning the March BrainQuest Teacher of the Month Award! Mrs.
Levenson teaches sixth and seventh grade Social Studies, and sixth grade Language Arts. To read her winning essay, and to read more about
the award, please go to the BrainQuest web site at http://www.brainquest.com/teacher-of-the-month/
Test Calendar
Mon
5/6
Tues
5/7
7
Fri
5/10
6B-1 Oral Test
Rabbi Feit
Map Test
Mrs. Levenson
Sci. Test 6-1
Mrs. Tripp
7-1 SS Test
Mrs.
Levenson
Thurs
5/9
Sci. Ocean Project Due
Mrs. Haller
Sci. Test
Chap. 3
Mrs. Haller
6
Wed
5/8
Map Test
Ms. Chase
7-2 SS
Test
Mrs.
Levenson
7G/7B
Navi Test
Chumash Test Rabbi Feit
Ms. Goldstein
7G/Gemara
Test
Rabbi Sukenik
7B/Chumash
Test
Rabbi Sukenik
Sci. Test
Mrs. Tripp
Ivrit Quiz
Mrs. Schreiber
8G/Gemara
Test
Rabbi Sukenik
8
8G Chumash
Test
Ms. Goldstein
Navi Test
Rabbi Feit
8B/Chumash
Test
Rabbi Sukenik
Ivrit Quiz
Mrs.Schreiber
INSPIRING EXCELLENCE
Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy
Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School
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