Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union

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OUR GALLERIES
	4th Grade Shabbaton - June 4-6, 2010 The 4th grade spent the weekend at Camp Ramah in the Bershires, in Wingdale, NY. As you can see from the photos, everyone had a great time.
	Math Fair 6-2-10 We held our third Lower School Math Fair on June 2nd. Mrs. Stephanie Z. Bonder, our enrichment specialist, coordinated the event. Students in the upper grades created mathematics games for the younger students to play. Everyone enjoyed themselves.
	Siddur Play 5/27/10 Our first graders gave their guests the opportunity to enjoy and kvell, as they proudly presented their Siddur Play. Sharing joyful moments like the Siddur play with students and their families is a reminder of the values that our community shares. We are proud of our students who celebrated their first Schechter milestone. It was a day that the first graders will always remember with delight and a sense of accomplishment. We look forward to many more joyful experiences throughout our students' years at SSDSEU. A big ''thank you'' to the First Grade Teachers in addition to all of the additional teachers and staff, our community rabbis, the PA and the terrific team of parent volunteers who contributed to the celebration.
	Biography Day - 5/25/10 We had an amazing ''visit'' from the past. Our 2nd graders transformed themselves into famous people from the past. Parents and other guests were delighted with the informative and creative presentations. Everyone walked around to the different famous people dressed up in character and heard a little bit about the person and his/her life. Some of our ''guests'' from the past included Helen Keller, Abigail Adams, Sacagawea, Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, Amelia Earhart, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, William Shakespeare, Anne Frank, and many others. Congratulations to the 2nd grade and their teachers for a terrific program.
	Salute to Israel Parade, 5/23/10 Over 100 students, parents and teachers from Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union joined tens of thousands of other marchers in the annual Salute to Israel Parade on Sunday, May 23, 2010. The Salute To Israel Parade is the world’s largest public gathering in support and celebration of Israel and its people. The Parade enables schools, corporations, organizations and institutions to come together in a non-partisan, apolitical show of unity and solidarity with the people of Israel. One million spectators were expected to watch American and Israeli community leaders and dignitaries, celebrities, floats and marching bands proceed up 5th Avenue from 57th Street to 79th Street. The theme of this year’s Parade was ”Lights….Camera….Action….Israel!”
	Lower School/Middle School Math Fair, 5-11-10 The first joint Lower School/Middle School Math Fair was held on Tuesday, May 11th. Our Middle School students created fun, educational math games for our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, such games ''fuel the students' curiosity and encourage them to talk and think about mathematics.'' The Middle School students had to use their creativity to prepare the games. The games required that all the students collaborate with one another as they played. Everyone enjoyed this memorable day at the Middle School.
	Lag B'Omer Celebration - May 2010 For our students, living their Judaism every day in our school, Lag B'Omer is a welcome and refreshing precursor of summer as well as an affirmation of our heritage. Even though the weather did not cooperate, we just altered our plans to celebrate outdoors and moved the festivities inside. It is hard to ''dampen'' the spirits here at the Lower School with a little torrential rain storm! We started the day off with grade level T'fillah and quickly moved to relay races, kick ball, Tie Dye T-shirts and a creative BBQ Hot Dog lunch. You could hear and feel the excitement in the building as our students moved from activity to activity with a lot of ''ruach'' ! Celebrating our traditions together deepens our commitment and understanding of who we are. Todah Rabbah to our wonderful PA for a delicious hot dog lunch.
	Fun at the Israeli Beach On Sunday, April 18th our Lower School and Middle School Israel Clubs took part in the MetroWest community event for Yom Ha'atzmaut. Part of the event was a carnival for children in which participating organization ran a station about a location in Israel. Our group's theme the Israeli beach. Students prepared props, got dressed like life guards, played matkot (paddle ball) and served ice cream, while teaching Hebrew vocabulary.
	Fourth Grade Tikkun Olam Trip 4th graders travelled to the NJ Marine Sciences Consortium at Sandy Hook for an exciting hands-on learning experience on May 4th. The Jewish value of preserving the earth is taken from the second chapter of Genesis. Humanity was created, according to Torah, L'ovdah U'lishomrah, to cultivate and preserve the earth. As part of our campaign to be greener at the Lower School, our 4th graders participated in a program at Sandy Hook State Park. They learned about protecting the ocean for future generations. Our students had a unique look at the water by putting on waders and going into the ocean with sifters to study their findings. They culminated the experience with a picnic lunch and then participated in a beach clean up.
	Aquarium Trips - April 21 & 22, 2010 Over the course of two days, (April 21st and 22nd), all the Lower School children went on a school trip to the Aquarium at Coney Island. This exciting experience is the 3rd annual all-school trip, following the Liberty Science Center and the Museum of Natural History. Our students loved the 4D Planet Earth Experience along with other exhibits like the Sea Lion Celebration,'' penguin, shark and sea otter feedings and the touch pool.
	Yom HaAtzmaut - 4/20/10 In celebration of Israel's Independence Day, the Lower School students ''made Aliyah'' with a variety of different experiences. They enjoyed Middle Eastern foods like falafel, tahina and hummus. The sounds of Israeli music and dancing blended with the drills of those students in the practice Gadna (youth army corps) and those playing gaga, an box-ball-like game created by children in the stairwells of Tel Aviv. The Bedouin tent was a popular spot along the travel route. The day culminated in a concert by the middle school choir, a song from our Gan classes, a presentation by the Israel Club, a visit from our 5th grade Bedouins and a beautiful performance by both of our Lower School dance troupes.
	Guest Math Teacher at LS In honor of Math Awareness Month, the 5th grade welcomed Mrs. Janette Antiles as a guest math teacher today. She led the class in fun games relating to geometry. Thank you, Mrs. Antiles for an inspriational session!
	4th Grade Science Fair Scientific exploration and investigation was at an all time high at the Lower School on March 18, as fourth graders proudly displayed their science projects, as parents, students, and faculty eagerly studied the experiments, explorations, and inventions. The Science Fair provides an opportunity for our fourth graders to focus on the application of the scientific methods of observation, organization of data, forming hypotheses, empirical testing, and drawing conclusions. Through a project of their choice, students, under the guidance of Science teacher, Susan Posner, work as individuals or in teams to create, display, and demonstrate these scientific principles in action.
	2nd Grade Chumash Play 3/23/10 Full hearts and smiling faces were abundant at the Lower School last Tuesday, March 23rd. Our Second Grade students performed their Chumash Play and received their first Chumashim. The students did a great job!! Thank you to our Second Grade teachers and parents for bringing our children to this very special moment.
	Chumash Family Workshop Second graders and their parents enjoyed the Chumash Family Workshop. Students created their own Mezuzot, sang songs related to the Torah, and received a special beracha as preparation for receiving their first chumahim on March 23rd. Mazal Tov to Kitah Bet, their families, and their teachers.
	Mishloach Manot Project Lower School Mishloah Manot Project On Tuesday, 2/23, the 5th grade helped the entire Lower School fulfill the mitzvah of sending mishloah manot to friends in our community in celebration of Purim. In assembly line fashion, they filled bags with all of the goodies students brought in from home and attached Purim cards handmade by children in the Gan. These care packages will be distributed to residents of Federation Housing in West Orange as well as recipients of Meals on Wheels. Yashar Koach to everyone and Chag Sameach!
	8th Graders Celebrate Tu B'Shevat With Lower School Students Our 8th graders spent the morning of Jan. 29th at the Lower School, where they performed a very entertaining parasha play and led Tu B'Shevat sederim for our Lower School students. Food platters and treats were provided by the Parents' Assciation.
	Upper School Spanish Class Students Visit Lower School Mrs. Bakermam’s high school Spanish class came to the lower school to read children’s stories they wrote and illustrated themselves to our Gan, 1st and 2nd Grade classes. The children truly enjoyed hearing the stories, and spending time with their new friends.
	Congressman Frelinghuysen Visits SSDSEU Fourth graders at our Lower School were treated to a special history lesson by a guest teacher on Friday, January 22nd - Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen. Congressman Frelinghuysen visited our school in response to a request by fourth grader Aylon Berger. Aylon is a reporter for the Lower School newspaper, The Spark. According to Spark’s faculty advisor, Rebecca Kurson, “Aylon wanted to write about politics for the Winter issue of The Spark.” Aylon and his father called Frelinghuysen's office and requested an interview, which the Congressman was happy to grant. He also agreed to a visit with the entire fourth grade class. To read more about the visit, Click Here.
	Gan visits Seniors at JCC for Hanukka Our Gan students really wowed the seniors at the JCC with their Hanukka songs. The performance was high energy and ''freilach.'' Our kids definitely stole the show.
	Gan Hanukka Party Gan parents were invited to join in the fun. The children's smiles lit up the room as they performed songs, dances, and did crafts with their parents.
	Schechter Students Raise Money for Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation Each year, before Thanksgiving, SSDSEU Lower and Upper School students take the time to give thanks. They demonstrate their gratitude for life and health by raising money to fund bone marrow donor drives and by raising awareness about bond marrow donations. The first Walk for Life was held in 1991, when then 11th grader, Miriam Stern organized the fundraiser to help save the life of Jay Feinberg who had leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. Feinberg was fortunate to find a donor match and 17 years later is cancer free. He is the founder and executive director of the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation which has been a leader in the world of donor registries. Each year since 1991, SSDSEU students have continued the tradition of the Walk for Life. This year’s walk was held on Wednesday, November 25, 2009. This year, the students raised almost $3,000 for the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation.
	Gan Shema Pajama Party On Nov. 19th our Gan students and their parents had an opportunity to explore the ritual of the bedtime Shema. This short and comforting piece of liturgy provides a way to reflect on the day's events, to process, relax, and help with what can be a difficult transition to bedtime and sleep for young children. Through an art project, singing, dancing, and stories, our students experienced the power of Tefillah in a different way bringing them closer to their parents and our tradition.
	Grandparents Enjoy Lunch and Learn at the Lower School Over 50 grandparents gathered on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the Lower School for the Grandparents Society Lunch and Learn! It was a wonderful morning! After a welcome by our Lower School principal, Gloria Kron, grandparents were treated to two mini-classes, Modern Math for Modern Grandparents” taught by Stephanie Bonder and “Shalom Saba and Savta” taught by Morah Etty Segal. The lessons featured the interactive smart boards which the grandparents found very engaging. After the classes, the grandparents joined students for a lunch in the cafeteria and had the opportunity to go to class with their grandchildren. All school grandparents are welcome to participate in Grandparents Society events. To make sure we have their names and addresses in our database for mailings and invitations, please email Pam Zaifman at PZaifman@ssdseu.org. The next Grandparents Society Planning meeting is on Tuesday, December 1 at 11 a.m. at the Upper School. New committee members are always welcome.
	Lower School Va’ad Our Va’ad presented three ways to participate in Tikkun Olam in our school recently. Helping the world at SSDSEU is easy as 1-2-3! 1- Donate money to the Walk for Life 2 - Donate gently used or new small gym toys for kids at a school in New Orleans, like jump ropes, balls, or Frisbees, which our upper school students will bring to them. 3 - Donate craft and art supplies to the nursery school aged children at Valley Settlement House, here in West Orange.
	SSDSEU Alum Performs at Lower School Danielle Haber, a former Schechter graduate, class of 2003, and her acting troupe, Arts Horizon, presented an enchanting version of ''Rainbow Fish'' to our Gan, first, and second graders on Tuesday. This beautiful tale of friendship was a perfect example for our younger students of the monthly middah for November-Show Thoughtfulness, Consideration, and Appreciation. It also gave Danielle's former teachers (including Mrs. Kron) a chance to kvell at her acting abilities.
	Rabbi Visits On Tuesday, Nov. 10th, the Lower School was once again blessed by the presence of our community rabbis who joined us to share Tefila and to explore our November Monthly Middah - Show Thoughfulness, Consideration and Appreciation. Greet every person cheerfully. (Pirkei Avot 1:15) As always both the students and the Rabbis reported having a wonderful time sharing perspectives and speaking about Judaism and Jewish values. Toda Rabba and Yashar Koach to Rabbis Roston, Asekoff, Mallach, Cooper, Finkel, Ettinger, Greenstein, Zamore, Silverstein and Friedman and Cantor Wallach.
	Third Grade Family Math Night November 3rd was an evening devoted to puzzles, problem-solving, games and critical thinking for our third graders and their parents. What could be better? Toda Rabba to our math enrichment coordinator, Mrs. Stephanie Bonder, for putting together an exciting variety of challenging endeavors, which were shared by students and their parents.
	Professional Development Some of our Judaic Studies and Early Childhood faculty spent a day recently learning about the SMART Board and its uses. This was part of our on-going series in professional development in technology.
	Fifth Grade Tikkun Olam Trip Our fifth graders traveled to the Meadowlands Conservation Center as their grade level Tikkun Olam trip on Wednesday, Sept. 30th. Students learned about the importance of harvesting and clearing the area of Phragmites and discovered how they could recycle the plants for Sukkot. The students collected Phragmites to use as a roof - schach - for our school sukka. Since Phragmites is not a compatible and useful plant for the NJ Wetlands, our students helped the surrounding plant and wild life by removing it. By harvesting this plant, our students helped the Wetlands environment and obtained a roof for our sukka.
	Second Grade Tikkun Olam Trip On Thursday, Sept. 24th our 2nd graders went to the JCC to visit the seniors and sing songs for the fall chagim. Each year the students learn about caring for the community and the seniors look forward to the Lower School performance. The children and seniors ended their visit by sharing apples and honey together. It was indeed a sweet start to the New Year.
	Tashlich Ceremonies Lower School students participated in their own Tashlich Ceremonies on Monday, Sept. 21. Students in grades 3-5 walked to a nearby brook, shared thoughts about what they would like to improve upon in themselves in the coming year, and ''cast away'' bread crumbs representing their ''misbehaviors.'' Our younger students in Gan-2, ''blew away'' their mistakes with Bubble Tashlich, a light hearted but still meaningful rendition of the tradition in an age appropriate and fun way.
	Shofar Factory Our 4th grade participated in a Shofar Factory. They learned what animals are kosher to use for a Shofar, and which ones are not. They experienced making their own Shofar by sanding and shellacking their own, which they will have at home to blow for Rosh Hashanah.
	First Day of School The first day of school on Sept. 3rd was filled with ruach! Our Lower School teachers and their students opened the first day of school with music and dancing during the morning meeting. Students greeted old and new friends with hugs, high fives, smiles and lots of laughter. In no time our newly painted Lower School halls were once again filled with the cadence of learning-songs, tefillot, stories, math problems and solutions all combining to create our unique Schechter experience.
	Beach Day On Friday, June 19, we transformed our playground into a “beach” after lunch with various water games, a giant waterslide, face/body painting, relays, and more. Todah Rabbah to our wonderful PA for making the Good Humor Ice Cream Truck visit possible. We wrapped up a fabulous year with a splash!
	Barnes and Noble Day Thanks to all who volunteered and participated in our Grandparents Society-sponsored Barnes and Noble Book Day! It was great to see so many grandparents, grandchildren, and parents coming out to support our school. The story hours with Mrs. Kron and Ms. Leaderman were terrific. Special thank you to our Grandparents Society Program chairs, Barbara Zinbarg and Marion Jacobson, for their tremendous energy and enthusiasm and to volunteers, Millie and Gerry Feig, Alicia Zucker, Elsie Lederman, Adele and Paul Nagelberg, Ruth Barber, and Arielle Kramer. Thanks to all who brought their children and grandchildren and made purchases in support of our school.
	Moving Up Play Mazal Tov to our 5th graders who celebrated their Moving Up exercises on Thursday, June 18.
	Gan Celebration Gan students and their parents celebrated the “Moving Up” to first grade by showing off all that they have learned during this very busy year. The children sang many of the songs that mark the holiday events throughout the calendar. The children were fabulous and everyone kvelled!
	Math Fair The second Lower School Math Fair was held on Tuesday, June 9. Nina Bilmes, our enrichment consultant, coordinated the event. Students in our upper grades created mathematics games for the younger students to play. Creativity and collaboration were musts for our students as they prepared the games. Everyone enjoyed themselves.
	Siyum Bereisheet - Torah Text Fair Every student at the Lower School experiences a cycle of exciting and creative Jewish milestone events. For our fourth grade students that means the Torah Text Fair. On Wednesday, June 3, they shared presentations and a musical medley before joining parents in a breakfast celebrating their accomplishment of completing their study of the first book of the Torah.
	Inspector Iwannano Inspector Iwannano visited the Lower School on Tuesday,June 2, with an unforgettable character building presentation. His comedy-packed magic-filled program involved our students in a mystery as they tried to uncover certain “character clues.” The traits highlighted included respect, trustworthiness, caring, responsibility, fairness, and good citizenship. The program was 45 minutes of fun, packed with valuable messages for all of our students.
	Salute to Israel Parade On Sunday, May 31, members of the Schechter family joined the community and marched down 5th Avenue in New York City in celebration of Israel and the 100th birthday of the city of Tel Aviv.
	2nd Grade Biography Day On Thursday, May 21, we had an amazing “visit” from the past. Our 2nd graders transformed themselves into famous people from the past. Parents were delighted with the informative and creative presentation and our 1st grade students were invited to visit the “Biography Wax Museum” afterwards. Everyone walked around to the different famous people dressed up in character, where they heard a little bit about the famous person and his/her life. Some of our “guests” from the past included Helen Keller, Abigail Adams, Sacagawea, Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, Amelia Earhart, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, William Shakespeare, and Anne Frank. Congratulations to the 2nd grade and their teachers for a terrific presentation.
	4th Grade Tikkun Olam Trip 4th graders traveled to the NJ Marine Sciences Consortium at Sandy Hook on May 7 for an exciting hands on learning experience. The Jewish value of preserving the earth is taken from the second chapter of Genesis. Humanity was created, according to Torah, L’avdah U’lishmara-to cultivate and preserve the earth. As part of our campaign to “become more aware of and be greener” at the Lower School, our 4th graders participated in a program at Sandy Hook State Park. They learned about protecting the ocean for future generations. Our students had a unique look at the water by putting on waders and going into the ocean with sifters to study their findings. The experience culminated with a picnic lunch after which students participated in a beach clean up.
	Gan VIP Day On Wednesday, May 6, excitement was at an all time high in our Gan classes as each student brought his/her Very Important Person to school. Together our students and VIPs sang, created picture frames, and had a photo taken to commemorate this very important day.
	Lag B'Omer We celebrated Lag B’Omer on Tuesday, May 12, with a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm. In modern Israel and in our school, Lag B’ Omer is celebrated as field day of games and athletic events, perhaps evoking the valor of Bar Kochva. This year we experimented with a new format in which our campuses exchanged groups of students. Grades pre k -2 participated in field activities at the Lower School along with our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders from the Upper School. Grades 3-5 travelled to the Upper School to participate in field activities with our 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. They then travelled back to the Lower School in time for the Annual Faculty VS Fifth Grade game of Newcomb (modified volleyball). Both campuses enjoyed tie dying t-shirts, just like their parents did back in the ‘70s. For our students, living their Judaism every day in our school, Lag B’Omer is a welcome and refreshing precursor of summer as well as an affirmation of our heritage. Todah Rabbah to our wonderful PA for a delicious hot dog picnic lunch.
	Siddur Play On Wednesday, May 20, our first graders gave their guests the opportunity to enjoy and kvell, as they proudly presented their Siddur Play. Sharing joyful moments like the Siddur play with students and their families is a reminder of the values that our community shares. We, like you, are proud of our students as they celebrated their first Jewish milestone. The Siddur is more than a collection of prayers - it is the repository of Jewish values that is closest to our heart. The synagogue skills that our children are learning are the core structures of Jewish life and learning these skills will serve them throughout their lives.
	Yom Ha'atzmaut Lower School students made Aliyah during their celebration of Israel’s Independence Day, commemorating the declaration of Jewish Statehood on the fifth day of Iyar, May 14th, 1948. It took nearly two thousand years, but Am Yisrael finally fulfilled the vision of the Prophet: “V’yashuvu banim Lig’vulam- the children shall return to their borders” (Yermiahu 31:16). Our students and faculty experienced the delights of Middle Eastern foods like falafel, tahina, and hummus. The sounds of Israeli music and dancing blended with the drills of those students in the practice Gadna (“youth corps”), and those playing gaga, an ever-popular game created by children in the stairwells of Tel Aviv. The Bedouin tent and the Kotel (Western Wall) were also popular spots along the travel routes. The Mama Doni concert was a huge hit at the end of the day. A big Todah Rabbah to our wonderful PA for providing us with the delicious Middle Eastern food and running several stations. We could not have had this fantastic day without you.
	Science Olympiad The Lower School sent a Science Team comprised of fourth and fifth grade students to the first Jewish Science Olympiad held at Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy on Wednesday, May 6. The team was elated to place second in the overall competition and was able to bring home a beautiful trophy. Each team member received a medal for his/her participation and individuals were recognized for their achievement in specific events. Out of the thirteen events, the team placed first in three events, second in four events and third in three events. Todah Rabbah to Ms. Gaby Sonet and Mrs. Susan Posner for preparing the students so well. And an enthusiastic YASHAR KOACH to our fourth and fifth graders who participated in the competition.
	Yom HaZikaron In observance of Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, the entire school participated in activities in remembrance of the valiant men and women who braved danger in the days of struggle prior to the establishment of the state of Israel as well as the soldiers who fell in the wars of Israel. During our morning meeting, students listened to a short reading and then stood for two minutes of silence as they watched a DVD of how this silence is observed in Israel – accompanied by the famous siren commemorating the day. Our 4th and 5th graders met with our new Rishon, Yaniv, for special programming marking the day while students in all classes discussed Yom HaZikaron with their classroom teachers.
	Earth Day On Wednesday. April 22, we celebrated Earth Day. The Jewish value of preserving the earth is taken from the second chapter of Genesis. Humanity was created, according to the Torah,” L’ovdah Ul’shomrah to cultivate and preserve “the earth. As part of our campaign to be “greener”at the Lower School, we participated in the Climate Change is Elementary program. Each grade level met, looked at a globe of the earth and some slides, and learned about a piece of the Climate Change puzzle. Then each grade had an activity (a game or skit) they all practiced together. Some examples include polar bears looking for an ice flow to climb onto, frogs searching for a puddle, trees and critters interacting symbolically in the Amazon, or hurricanes spinning across the Atlantic in 1995 and then in 2005. The activities were all experiential and took advantage of the kinesthetic, naturalistic, spatial, and interpersonal learning styles of our students. An all school assembly was the culminating activity where all of the pieces of the puzzle came together. Everyone got to see all of the slides and students verbalized steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint.
	Grandparents' Lunch & Learn The Grandparents’ Society of SSDSEU sponsored a Lunch and Learn at the Lower School on Thursday, April 23. In addition to having time to kvell, they were given the opportunity to see what a 21st century Jewish Day School education is all about. They attended a SMART Board session for “Smart Grandparents,” joined their grandchildren for a tasty lunch in our cafeteria, and attended classes. Everyone had a terrific day. Todah Rabbah to our very own Morah P’nina who taught the SMART Board session.
	Fourth Grade Science Fair On Thursday, March 19, our fourth graders proudly displayed their science projects as parents, students, and faculty eagerly studied the experiments, explorations, and inventions. The Science Fair is an opportunity for participants to focus on the application of the scientific methods of observation, organization of data, forming hypotheses, empirical testing, and drawing conclusions. Through a project of their choice, Mrs. Susan Posner, guides students as they create, display, and demonstrate these scientific principles in action.Congratulations to all of our fourth graders and to Mrs. Posner on their very impressive projects and on the completion of this important component of their Science curriculum.
	Yom Ha'Shoah In a very moving Holocaust program on April 21, six students shared their family stories with 3rd to 5th graders, as well as some guests. Morah Miki was the director of the program, Cantor Perry Fine chanted El Maleh Rachamim and the Kaddish, and Holocaust survivor Susan Wilf was the incredible guest speaker.
	Matzah Factory On Thursday, April 2, our Pre-K, Gan, 1st and 2nd graders enjoyed baking their very own matzah for Passover. They had a lively discussion about the rituals surrounding the food and order of the Seder. Not only did they learn about the upcoming holiday, they all enjoyed the matzah that they made together as a snack.
	Choir Yom Ha'Shoah Performance On Tuesday evening, April 21, our Lower School Choir performed on stage at Kean University’s Wilkins Theater. We had been invited by the Jewish Federation of Central NJ to perform at this annual community-wide Yom HaShoah Holocaust Memorial Program. Our choir opened with the National Anthem and HaTikvah. Following the Ceremony of Commemoration, they continued with Ani Ma-amin (I believe) and L’Dor v’Dor (from generation to generation). In fact, in L’Dor v’Dor, the students signed the refrain so well that the certified sign language interpreter stopped signing (for the hearing-impaired) to view our choir. In such a solemn ceremony, our students’ performance was captivating and many kudos immediately followed, from the Federation’s President of the Board of Directors, to the Committee Co-Chair, to the Director of Marketing, as well as from other community leaders and guests. This program is our Lower School Choir’s 6th consecutive year performing at this annual event.
	Va'ad Pre-Passover Trip On Tuesday, March 31, our Lower School Va’ad students, led by Mrs. Gena Rosenberg and Mrs. Carrie Zucker Siegel, took a trip to the Valley Settlement House in West Orange, to share a presentation about the symbols of Pessach with the 4 year-old class there. Our Va’ad made posters and “became” the Seder Plate. They sang the 4 questions and shared the story of The Matzah Man. Everyone enjoyed a snack together of matzah, macaroons, and grape juice. It was an interactive and fun experience for all involved.
	Celebrations 2009 - Pimples, Powder and Rouge On Wednesday, March 25, 20 7th and 8th grade girls spent the afternoon at Wendy Balter’s Short Hills home with skin care expert, Schechter parent, and dermatologist Dr. Lisa Hochman and learned how to keep their skin healthy. As part of the Celebrations party, Schechter parent and make-up artist Fran Sirkin also taught the girls how to use their make-up and maximize their look. The group then had their portrait taken by Schechter parent and artist Joanie Schwarz Rosenthal, whose work can be seen at www.joanieschwarzphotography.com.
	Chumash Family Workshop Second graders and their parents enjoyed the Chumash Family workshop on Wednesday night, March 18. Students created their own mezuzot, sang songs related to the Torah, and received a special beracha as preparation for receiving their first chumashim next week. Mazel Tov to Kitah Bet, their families and their teachers!
	Chumash Play Full hearts, smiling faces, and kvelling families were abundant at the Lower School on Wednesday, March 25, as our second grade students performed their Chumash Play and received their first Chumashim. We extend a hearty Mazal Tov to all of our stars - we are so proud of each and every one of you! It is our hope that receiving the Chumash is just the beginning of a lifelong love of Torah. May each child discover personally relevant interpretations and applications of the words contained therein and find within its pages guidance and comfort, inspiration, and valuable life lessons. Yashar Koach to our second grade teachers and parents for bringing our children to this very special moment. Hazzak, Hazzak V’Nithazek - may you go from strength to strength.