Friday, September 23, 2016

Yavneh Academy Celebrates International Dot Day

Yavneh Early Childhood students and first graders joined more than 6.4 million people in 134 countries to mark International Dot Day, celebrating creativity, courage, and collaboration. The students read “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds and made incredible dots on the iPad using an augmented reality app called Quiver that brought the children’s dots alive! Dots were everywhere, making dots with their feet, dot necklaces, collaborative dot posters and even healthy dot fruit snacks.
First graders at Yavneh Skyped with students in Mrs. Simmon’s First Grade class in Texas. It was amazing for the children to share the celebration with a classroom in another state. Yavneh students hope to continue sharing with them in the future.
The students learned that if you love something, be courageous, try it and see where it takes you. International Dot Day took the children on a creative, lively journey. They will always remember the mark they made. Happy Dot Day!

Friday, September 16, 2016

Yavneh Academy Enjoys Beautiful Erev Shabbat

Yavneh Academy Enjoys Beautiful Erev Shabbat
On the first Friday afternoon back in school, the Yavneh students and faculty engaged in a truly meaningful way to usher in our very first Shabbat of the school year. All students in grades 1-8 joined together in the Middle School gym and welcomed Shabbat with Yavneh’s traditional assembly songs. Rabbi Steven Penn introduced Yavneh’s joint themes of the year, Celebrating Yerushalayim at 50 and Ahavat Chinam. The program continued with an explanatory video of the theme after which everyone joined together in song about Yerushalayim. Finally, the students gathered in classrooms, hallways and every available floor space to start their themed Torah learning in a Bet Midrash style. It was inspiring to watch the older and younger children learning together in small groups.

Yavneh Academy Is Off to a Great Start

Yavneh Academy Is Off to a Great Start
Yavneh Academy students returned to school this week excited to see their friends, participate in collaborative learning initiatives and team-building exercises and, of course, continue their studies!

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Yavneh Eighth Graders Assist Yad Leah

Yavneh Eighth Graders Assist Yad Leah

Yavneh Academy’s eighth grade class packed clothing for Beit El families at the Yad Leah Volunteer Center on June 6.

Hundreds Participate in First Annual Yavneh Challah Bake

Sometimes the most wonderful and inspirational ideas come from children. Such was the case when the young Geisler, Goro and Smilow girls came up with the idea for a school-wide challah bake upon their return from a similar community-wide event a few months ago. The girls, students at Yavneh Academy, “wanted to make one like it happen for Yavneh, so their friends could all experience a night like the one they did,” according to Leyna Goro. And that’s what they accomplished, when 322 women and girls participated in the first annual Yavneh challah bake, benefiting Tomchei Shabbos and Project Shabbat, held at the Marriott at Glenpointe on May 25.
Before the mothers and daughters returned home from that original challah bake, the Yavneh one, says Goro, “began to take shape. Yavneh is a second home to our daughters, and it truly showed in this request. How could we refuse? We decided to email our principal, Rabbi Knapp. He made time for us right away, following up with a larger meeting with us and other administrators. Rabbi Knapp, Rabbi Penn, Joel Kirschner and Barbara Rubin each played a key role in helping us execute our plan. They helped us secure the event location and assisted us with logistics and guidance along the way, such as developing as online interface for signup.”
Many other people and companies were involved in the event’s success. Beth Geisler said that “our amazing volunteers came to help measure the ingredients and put them into individual containers.” Additionally, Amazing Savings donated hundreds of pans for the event, and Best Glatt, Grand & Essex, and Dash Printing provided discounted prices on other supplies. Goro remarked that “all were eager to help, and understood that each dollar saved meant more for the worthy causes.”
The standout volunteers were Yavneh’s eighth graders. Rebecca Adler, Zoey Buchsbayew, Kira Elbaum, Sadie Engelsohn, Tamar Fineberg, Miriam Fisch, Kayla Goldberger, Hope Goldstein, Navah Klayn, Gittel Levin, Michal Meisels, Efrat Putterman, Zoe Raykher, Shira Sedek and Kayla Waitman, “were all hands on deck,” according to Barbara Smilow. They “took initiative setting up the tables and alleviated so much of our stress. As Rabbi Knapp put it in one of his emails to us, ‘They are truly extraordinary…such shining examples of young community members and volunteers.’” Adds Goro, “We couldn’t have asked for a more helpful, enthusiastic group. They are truly a credit to Yavneh Academy and a wonderful representation of its fine students.”
Many local businesses also supported the event, by donating prizes for a raffle. Geisler adds that “volunteers contacted stores and restaurants to ask if they wanted to contribute. We are grateful to the many businesses that were eager to support Tomchei Shabbos and Project Shabbat.” Raffle tickets were available for sale when people arrived at the Marriott. The eighth graders manned both the registration table and raffle sales. According to Smilow, “It is because of them that we were able to make over $1,000 solely from raffle sales!”
After registering and purchasing raffle tickets, participants found their seats at the carefully appointed tables, decorated in Yavneh’s school colors of red and white. Rabbi Knapp greeted the crowd. He thanked the organizers, saying “What a special night. You came forward with this idea and here we are tonight due to you. We all owe you a big collective thank you.”
Barbara Rubin, the associate principal of general studies in Yavneh’s middle school, then spoke about the origins of Project Shabbat. It began a few years ago, when a teacher, Jordana Boruchov, wanted to go to the mall to bring a taste of Shabbos to the many Israelis who work there. On Thursdays, rotating groups of eighth graders bake challah and make potato kugel and noodle kugel. The students then go to the Garden State Plaza where, according to Mrs. Rubin, “we visit Israeli after Israeli and bring them a taste of home and Shabbat. Project Shabbat is a kiruv program. Many [of our recipients] have begun to put on tefillin and light candles. They have joined us for Yom Ha’atzmaut. This taste of Shabbos has warmed the hearts of many Israelis.”
In addition to raising money for both organizations, the Yavneh challah bake, according to Smilow, “enabled so many women and girls to get together to perform this beautiful mitzvah.” Ellin Orlinsky, who attended with her daughter, Grace, said that “there are three specific mitzvot just for women, and sharing this with my daughter and our school brings together two things that I love.” Ricki Scharf, who was there with her daughters, Ella and Hanna, added “I’m so happy I got to spend this time with my girls.” Vivi Septimus, a teacher at Yavneh, attended the event with her daughter Jillian, and together they baked challah for the first time. It was, said Septimus, “a wonderful way to spend time with my daughter while doing something I’ve never done before.”
The dough was mixed, braided and put into tins, ready to be baked at home. Nightfall marked the beginning of Lag B’Omer, whereupon Malky Giniger enthusiastically led the women and girls in simcha dancing. Says Smilow, “The night was filled with laughter, smiles and lasting memories. I truly hope that we get to do this again!”
By Robin Tare

Yavneh Academy Places Second in Statewide Law Competition

Yavneh Academy Places Second in Statewide Law Competition

On May 24, Yavneh Academy’s Law Fair presented its winning case at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick. Out of the 68 entries in a statewide competition, Yavneh won second place for fifth grade. The students’ original case presented the issue of a student’s right to privacy and whether a school could read the student’s emails written on a school-issued iPad. Students wrote a courtroom script in which they portrayed both the lawyers and witnesses. They had the opportunity to perform in a real courtroom and see for themselves how the judicial system works. Yavneh participants were: Sienna Dube, Sophia Esses, Neima Herman, Rebecca Kieffer, Adele Novoseller, Paige Schwartz, and Natalie Wisotsky

Yavneh Academy Stock Market Team Takes Second Place

Yavneh Academy Stock Market Team Takes Second Place
Yavneh Academy’s seventh grade team won second place in the spring stock market game sponsored by the Sifma foundation. In ten weeks they turned $100,000 into $125,600. They received their awards at a luncheon at Pershing headquarters in Jersey City.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Yavneh Learns in Every Corner

Yavneh Learns in Every Corner

Yavneh takes advantage of its entire building for educational purposes. First grade students add things up as they ascend the stairs from their classrooms.

Yavneh Academy Presents Fifth Grade Poetry Slam

Yavneh Academy’s Fifth Grade Poetry Slam was an opportunity for children to both portray learning and to support each other. The event is the culmination of the fifth grade poetry unit in which they learned about various poetry forms under the guidance of their teachers, Ms. Alyse Malc, Mrs. Karen Tannenholtz, Mr. Jason David, Mrs. Tobi Abrahamson and associate teacher, Mrs. Fran Friedman. The students wrote original poems and collated them into a booklet. In advance of the Poetry Slam, 12 finalists were selected: Chani Herman, Ezra Silfen, Nava Lacher, Atara Ahdoot, Josh Wanatick, Nadiv Langer, Eliyahu Najman, Jude Shankman, Paige Schwartz, Avraham Hollander, Yael Lemonik, Rebecca Mantell.
Wearing red poet’s berets, the finalists recited their poems to an audience of their classmates and the three judges: Mrs. Rebecca Gordon, Mrs. Barbara Rubin and Mrs. Minna Heilpern.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Yavneh Academy Introduces Goldberg Academy

Education is always evolving and Yavneh Academy is proud to be part of the change. Through countless 21st century tools, including the iPad, worldwide internet access and apps for every discipline, the way students are learning has vastly grown in the past decade. Providing students with engaging, enriching and intuitive multimedia delivers great benefits. This thinking led Yavneh Academy to create Goldberg Academy:The One Stop Shop for All Things Math.
The program has been built as an accessory to Yavneh Academy’s seventh grade current in-class curriculum. Through its over 25 lessons and 6 courses (rapidly growing), Goldberg Academy is able to provide an additional asset to classroom learning in multiple topics. The lessons range from 12-17 minutes and many consist of additional practice materials, successfully utilizing the possibilities of multimedia. Over 50 percent of Yavneh Academy’s middle school students benefit from the interactive videos and materials, further enhancing their knowledge of current classroom topics. The project, led by veteran math instructor Howard Goldberg, in collaboration with Noah Schultz, along with Zachary Mankowitz and Seth Hanauer, started as a vague idea and has led to a tool utilized by a majority of middle school math classes. One can learn more about Goldberg Academy by signing on to goldbergacademy.org/JLNJ.

Yavneh Choir Performs at Teaneck Yom HaShoah Commemoration

Yavneh Choir Performs at Teaneck Yom HaShoah Commemoration
The annual Teaneck Yom HaShoah commemoration took please on Wednesday evening, May 4. The Yavneh Academy choirs, under the direction of Yavneh music director Marsha Greenberg Motzen, performed the anthems and the Partisan Song, in English and in Yiddish, to a capacity crowd.

Yavneh Academy Fifth Graders Present State Fair

Yavneh Academy Fifth Graders Present State FairYavneh’s fifth grade students regaled their parents and teachers during their State Fair programs. The children were a joy to watch as they danced their way, with gusto, through a flash mob; sang, including a moving rendition of “God Bless the U.S.A.,”; and gave presentations about their states. Their costumes were creative, the state treats they brought in for the reception were delicious and their state reports were researched and well presented. All of this was accomplished under the guidance of their classroom teachers Mrs. Tobi Abrahamson, Mrs. Karen Tannenholtz, Mr. Jason David, Ms. Alyse Malc, Mrs. Fran Friedman, music teacher Mrs. Marsha Motzen and art teacher, Mrs. Malky Kazam.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Yavneh Academy Students Recreate Beit HaMikdash Using 3D Printing

This year, something incredible is taking place in the technology lab of Yavneh Academy. It all began last year when the tech department opened a MakerSpace lab. A MakerSpace lab is a place where students can create, experiment, tinker and explore. While one of the goals of the MakerSpace is to enhance classroom learning, it very quickly became a popular recess destination for students, so much so, in fact, that the room was often filled to capacity with exuberant middle school students. Mrs. Lichtiger, Director of Educational Technology, and Mrs. Hirschhorn, Technology Integrator, were delighted by the energy these students displayed, but felt that they could use a focus. That’s when the idea light bulb went off.
Thanks to a generous donor, Yavneh Academy was the recipient of a Makerbot Mini 3D printer. Mrs. Lichtiger and Mrs. Hirschhorn asked the students if they were willing to teach themselves how to print in 3D. To use the printer, students first had to be taught CADD, Computer Aided Design and Drafting. There are many CADD programs and websites available, but after much research Mrs. Lichtiger and Mrs. Hirschhorn decided to use Tinkercad. They then challenged the students who chose to spend recess in the lab to use online tutorials to teach themselves how to use Tinkercad. Only then could they submit their 3D designs to the teachers, who would print them. It started with just a few students, but as word spread, the tech lab was inundated with students anxious to learn. They were soon printing creations such as tools, toys and action figures.
Mrs. Hirschhorn then had another idea. Many of the sixth graders were learning about the Beit HaMikdash in Judaic studies. How cool would it be to recreate different aspects of the Beit HaMikdash in 3D? The students had to research an item of the Beit HaMikdash, design it, and submit a “caption” that explained what the object was and what it was used for in the Beit HaMikdash. These students were coming to the tech lab during their free time to work on this project. Mrs. Lichtiger and Mrs. Hirschhorn expect most of the fixtures, kaylim and other aspects of the Beit Hamikdash to be completed and on display in the tech lab by Pesach.
Nothing is more moving to a teacher than to have students who are enthusiastic about learning. To have students give up their recess and free periods to devote to this project was extraordinary.

Yavneh Students Win Math Tournament

On Thursday, April 14, Yavneh Academy participated in a Math Masters Tournament of Jewish day schools at Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy in Livingston.
The tournaments consisted of both individual and team questions. Yavneh placed first overall in the competition of all schools. Yavneh students also placed first, second and third in the individual competition.
Ephraim Helfgot was first place winner, David Kapelyan won second place and Ezra Bleiberg took third.

Yavneh Learns Israeli Sports from The Sports Rabbi

Yavneh Learns Israeli Sports from The Sports Rabbi
Yavneh Academy Middle School students had the privilege of hearing from The Sports Rabbi, Josh Halickman. With him, the students took a trip through Israeli history via sports. They learned about the establishment of the Maccabi and Hapoel sports organizations, the reason for the change of Maccabi’s colors from blue and white to blue and yellow, important dates in Israeli sports history, as well as becoming familiar with Israeli sports superstars.

Yavneh’s Class of 2016 Performs Maniusia’s Promise

On Thursday, April 7, the Yavneh Academy graduating class of 2016 presented their Holocaust production, “Maniusia’s Promise.” Performing before a packed house in the auditorium of Paramus High School, students and guests were privileged to be in the presence of Miriam Adler, upon whose life the story is based and who is also the grandmother of Tamar Fineberg, a member of the Yavneh graduating class.
The performance was preceded by a multimedia presentation produced by Yavneh students about terror afflicting Jews worldwide in recent months and years, setting the tone to encourage people to unite for the common good and defeat terrorism across the world.
“Maniusia’s Promise” is a prewar and wartime story about the life of Miriam Adler. Miriam, called Maniusia, was born in a suburb of Poland called Pabianice, not far from Lodz, the second largest city in Poland. She was raised in a distinguished Polish-Jewish home where Torah study was premier. Her father, Yitzchak Adler, was a close confidant of the Gerer Rebbe and emphasized the importance of Torah and mitzvot in the Adler home. Prior to the Nazi invasion, Mr. Adler was a wealthy textile factory owner. He and his wife Chana were instrumental in creating the Bais Yaakov establishment and supported Torah learning throughout Poland. But far beyond their material wealth, the Adlers demonstrated the importance of kindness and charity in their daily life. They were spiritually and emotionally wealthy, and this is how they raised their family, even during times of despair.
The story opens with Maniusia, a young girl, living a privileged life in Poland, enjoying normal activities like playing soccer and enjoying treats like rugelach. While her parents encouraged daily Torah study, Maniusia was quite inquisitive, asking many questions, yet not always obtaining answers. As the story continues, the Germans began to invade Poland and life, as Maniusia and her family know it, changes rapidly. They relocated to Lodz in the hope that circumstances would improve. However, things only got worse. Food was scarce and Mr. Adler had been forced to take a job hauling other people’s waste. Maniusia finds a wallet on the street containing 48 Marks. At the advice of her friend, she is urged to keep the money that could easily sustain her family for months. However, Maniusia discovers an identification card inside of the wallet and insists on bringing it to the authorities. She explains to her friend that there is a commandment in the Torah to return a lost item to its owner and therefore she could not take someone else’s wages. Even in great despair, she believed that God protects those who follow Him. She comes face-to-face with one of the most controversial figures of wartime Poland, Jacob Rumkowski, known as the “king” of the Lodz Ghetto. He had the impossible job of reporting to Nazi authorities while trying to help his fellow Jews as best as he could. Upon hearing Maniusia’s story, he insisted on meeting her directly. He rewarded her ethical behavior by switching Mr. Adler’s job, which ultimately extended her father’s life in the ghetto.
Maniusia and her remaining family were deported to Auschwitz in 1944. Though extremely risky, Maniusia’s father successfully attempted to find her in the camp. He begged her to make him a promise: never kill yourself, and remember who you are. Throughout the remainder of the Holocaust, Maniusia kept this promise and always maintained her pre-war values and beliefs that were instilled by her loving parents. Maniusia’s father died in Buchenwald and she was the only survivor from her immediate family. After the war, Maniusia was reunited with her aunt and uncle in Paris.
Three students portrayed the role of Maniusia in the production. Daniella Shlagbaum, who played the young Maniusia at the opening of the performance, said, “After having heard this story, I am more grateful for the life I have today. We are so lucky to have so much.” Tamar Fineberg, Miriam Adler’s granddaughter, was cast as the adolescent Maniusia, living through the Nazi invasion. “I am grateful to be able to share my grandmother’s story and actually feel how she felt, through this performance. This production allowed me to transform myself into her,” Tamar told the Jewish Link. Bruria Spraragen portrayed the eldest Maniusia. Incredibly moved by this story of survival, she commented, “This was so eye-opening to what really happened. I kept imagining my real-life siblings and how unfathomable it would be to go through something of this magnitude.”
Coby Zwebner, who so poignantly portrayed the role of Maniusia’s youngest brother, Danek, was inspired by this story as well as other testimonials he has heard. “Hearing from survivors such as Miriam Adler makes me realize how fortunate I am to live the life I do,” explained Zwebner.
Portrayal of a Nazi soldier was perhaps the most challenging role to tackle in this performance. Zachary Adler, known among his peers as the “nicest” kid, told the Jewish Link, “I had to imagine something so terrible and keep it in my head in order to play the part of a Nazi officer.”
Based on the manuscript “Something from Nothing” written by Mrs. Adler’s niece Yael Adler Mermelstein, and under the outstanding direction of Dominique Cieri, the play was written by the students themselves. Rabbi Shmuel Burstein, producer and Holocaust studies coordinator at the Yavneh Academy, expressed how deeply moved he is by the students and their performance in this production. “What I enjoy most about this yearly production is bringing to life at least some of the people who were killed, and perhaps forgotten, for a few hours on stage in front of more than a thousand people.”
The evening culminated with the guest of honor, Miriam Adler, sharing a few words with the audience. After a well-deserved standing ovation, guests left feeling emotional and victorious. Mrs. Adler’s story was one of resilience and ultimately triumph and we, as a people, along with the rest of the world, must always unite against terror.
By Andrea Nissel

Yavneh Academy Holds Fourth Grade Storytelling Festival

Yavneh Academy Holds Fourth Grade Storytelling Festival
The fourth graders of Yavneh Academy presented their annual Storytelling Festival of Folktales to students, parents and guests in an exciting program. They proved that in this fast-paced, media-driven world there is still room and love for the spoken story which continues to engage the imaginations of young and old alike. Ms. Julie Della Torre, Yavneh’s beloved resident storyteller for over 12 years, presented five workshops to the students teaching them about characters, dialogue, setting, presentation and morals. Classroom teachers Mrs. Lynn Bloom, Mrs. Linda Gans, Mrs. Alison Landa, Mrs. Talya Mandelstam and associate teacher Ms. Aviva Woolf guided the students through choosing, analyzing and learning their stories along with Yavneh librarians, Mrs. Rachel Glasser and Mrs. Susan Thaler. They shared their multicultural folktales with Yavneh students in a school-wide festival during morning classes and to parents in two evening performances. The school was filled with excitement and accomplishment as all were transported to foreign lands and cultures through the children’s stories.

Yavneh ‘Math by Mail’ Students Hear from Weizmann’s Elran

Yavneh ‘Math by Mail’ Students Hear from Weizmann’s Elran
Dr. Yossi Elran from the Weizmann Institute visited Yavneh this week. Dr. Elran used card tricks and Mobius Strips to demonstrate exciting math problems and solutions to Yavneh’s fifth grade Math by Mail students.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Tefillah is Unraveled for Yavneh Students

Tefillah is Unraveled for Yavneh Students
Rabbi Simcha Schaum’s fourth grade class at Yavneh Academy is studying the meaning behind tefillot. World renowned Chazzan Yaakov Motzen made a special appearance to help them understand the how’s and why’s of the tefillot.

Yavneh Students Volunteer for Sharsheret

The committee of students that coordinated the Sharsheret Pink Day, visited the Sharsheret office with Dr. Dalia Nagel and Dr. Aliza Frohlich to deliver the toys they collected for Sharsheret Busy Boxes. Busy boxes are boxes of toys which are given to children whose mothers have cancer. The boxes also contain a book for parents to read with their children about facing cancer, and some information for the mother. Yavneh students also delivered a check of over $300 for Sharsheret raised by the students on Pink Day. The committee was able to put together busy boxes with some of the toys they brought. They also toured the Sharsheret office, while Ellen Kleinhaus, Director of Campus and Community Engagement, shared all that Sharsheret does.
The students were proud to be a small part of the great work of Sharsheret. The visit gave them a face-to-face opportunity to understand how important Sharsheret is to the community.

Yavneh Academy Rocks With Shlock Rock

Yavneh Academy Rocks With Shlock Rock
Yavneh Academy ushered in Chodesh Adar Bet with Shlock Rock. It was an amazing afternoon filled with great songs, ruach and lots of dancing!

FIDF Brings Chayalim to Yavneh Academy

FIDF (Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces) visited Yavneh Academy this past week. After expressing hakarat hatov to the visiting chayalim and to tzahal for protecting Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael, Head of School Rabbi Jonathan Knapp, introduced Mr. Howard Gases, Director of the New Jersey Tri-State Region chapter of the FIDF. Mr. Gases explained to the Yavneh Middle School students that through the generosity of many people, FIDF works in Israel not only to create social and cultural programs for the chayalim but to establish much needed programs for bereaved families. FIDF also works to bring chayalim to schools in the United States so they can share their important message with younger children.
Yavneh Academy students had the unique opportunity to listen to Yonah, Tikva and Or—three chayalim currently serving in the IDF—explain their current roles within Tzahal. The students also posed thoughtful questions such as, “What is the most frustrating misconception that Tzahal faces?”, “What is the most rewarding part about being in Tzhal?” and “Is it hard to serve near Yerushalayim?”
Finally, as a culmination of one of Yavneh’s chesed projects on Judah Marans Day of Loving Kindness, Lower School students presented the chayalim with large envelopes filled with cards of well wishes for chayalim that will be distributed to troops in Israel.
Yavneh thanks FIDF for spending time with the students and hope that all of Israel’s chayalim stay safe.

Yavneh Students Participate in Chesed4Kids

The second event for Yavneh Academy’s fourth grade Chesed4kids (C4K) was held this past Sunday at the Chabad House in Teaneck. Led by Chabad’s Rabbi Goldin, 49 fourth graders participated in making 185 mishloach manot for Tomchei Shabbos.
The mishloach manot contained items made in Israel in support of the Anti-BDS campaign that is occurring around the Tri-State area. In addition to the chesed the students did by packing for Tomchei Shabbos, the project also taught them that they too can help Israel even from New Jersey.
On this chesed-filled Sunday, the children also participated in a painting event with members of JADD (Jewish Adults with Developmental Disabilities) where they painted pictures and ate delicious snacks together.

Friday, March 18, 2016

Yavneh Students Offer Company to Care-One Residents

Yavneh Students Offer Company to Care-One Residents
Yavneh students traveled to Care-One to visit with the residents and brighten their day. The students sang Purim songs as well as songs from their Siddur play and then helped the residents make groggers for Purim.

Yavneh Academy Students Experience the Opera

Yavneh Academy Students Experience the Opera
Yavneh sixth graders and members of the lunchtime Opera Club attended the final dress rehearsal of L’Elisir D’Amore at the Metropolitan Opera. After the performance, they were treated to a question-and-answer session with members of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra and chorus. The students had a chance to hear about what it is like to work at one of the world’s most famous opera houses.

Snakes-n-Scales Slithers to Yavneh

Snakes-n-Scales Slithers to Yavneh
As an introduction to their unit on the Rain Forest, Yavneh’s third grade children were regaled by Erin Mellini from Snakes-n-Scales, who brought several reptilian visitors. The children learned about the ways they eat, protect themselves and spend their time. They were able to get up close to a Rainbow Boa, Chinese Water Dragon, Red Foot Tortoise, Mata Mata Turtle, Asian Water Monitor and a Burmese Python, and even touch the Burmese Python at the end of the program.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Yavneh Students Learn Torah Leadership Skills Through Color War

Yavneh Academy’s Middle School students got into the Adar spirit last week with three intense days of competition and camaraderie in this year’s color war! With competitions ranging from Memory Lane Monday (Duck, Duck, Goose; Musical Chairs; Mother May I?) to a building-wide Apache Race to Quidditch (of course we play Quidditch!) and many more, Yavneh’s students demonstrated a wide range of talents and drive over the course of the three days.
Of course, the real heart of any color war are the various events and presentations that help to display the theme. This year, the four teams represented the four models of leadership described in the Torah—Melech, Navi, Kohen, and Sanhedrin—and the students had ample opportunities to learn about and deploy a variety of skills in discussing those models. A fierce four-way debate saw students arguing over which type of leader was most important; a “silent” cheer doubled as a rhythmic demonstration of each team’s theme; beautiful banners depicting the theme were thoughtfully designed and presented; and a final musical presentation featuring every student on every team helped to conclude the color war with an amazing level of ruach.
Perhaps most important of all, this event allowed Yavneh middle school to further develop as a cohesive unit, bringing together many students who perhaps never had the chance to work together previously, and often bringing together the entire student population to cheer, to sing and to celebrate together.

Yavneh Students Celebrate Dr. Seuss

Yavneh Students Celebrate Dr. Seuss
In honor of the birthday of Dr. Seuss, older and younger students at Yavneh Academy celebrated together by reading stories, playing games and making new friendships. Happy birthday!

Yavneh Academy Brachot Bee Culminates at Cedar Market

Yavneh Academy Brachot Bee Culminates at Cedar Market Anyone in Cedar Market last Monday morning would have been privileged to join Yavneh Academy’s fifth graders in a live game show starring the fifth graders’ brachot bee champions. The competitors could be seen speeding through the aisles looking for the answers to questions such as “find something in the produce aisle whose bracha is shehakol.” The rest of the fifth graders as well as their teachers could be found cheering on their friends and screaming out the answers to each challenge. The students also won prizes playing “The Price is Right—Brachot Style” and “Brachot Plinko.” Mazal tov to the finalists, Paige and Elisheva, and to the brachot grand champion... Chanani! Stay tuned for the video release!

Monday, March 7, 2016

Yavneh First Grade Marks 100 Days

Yavneh First Grade Marks 100 DaysYavneh Academy first graders celebrated 100 days of school while wearing their 100 day crowns and playing fun and educational rounds of Bingo.

Yavneh Academy Celebrates National Children’s Dental Health Month

Yavneh Academy Celebrates National Children’s Dental Health MonthIn honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, aunt of Yavneh ECD students Dr. Rebecca Block and Yavneh parent Dr. Rachel Jacobs, visited Yavneh Academy. The children learned how and when to brush their teeth and the importance of using toothpaste, a toothbrush and floss. The guests helped the children learn how to keep their teeth healthy.

Yavneh Academy Sixth Grade Presents at Science Fair

Yavneh Academy Sixth Grade Presents at Science FairYavneh Academy sixth grade students proudly presented to fourth graders, during the day, and to parents in the evening, at the 2016 Science Fair. Students chose a particular product to study. Using the scientific method, students researched and investigated if the product they chose did what advertisers claimed.

Yavneh First Graders Receive Their Siddurim

Yavneh First Graders Receive Their SiddurimThe Yavneh Academy Kitah Aleph students were so excited to receive their new siddurim. Dressed in their Shabbat best, they sang and danced in celebration. Their morot are so proud of all that they have accomplished.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Yavneh Academy in Paramus opens gym for borough use

Yavneh Academy in Paramus opens gym for borough use
PARAMUS - There is a bit of extra space these days for Paramus’ Recreation
Department and its basketball program.
With the winter sports season in full swing youth basketball players are filling the borough’s gyms, but there is now one more place for the young recreational athletes to play.
Of course, the borough has not built a new gymnasium; rather, a new facility has become available on Saturdays thanks to the generosity of a local, private school.
Yavneh Academy, a modern Orthodox Jewish day school on Farview Avenue, has opened its gym to the town’s recreational basketball teams and games in the facility beginning earlier this month.
The borough’s first day using Yavneh Academy’s gymnasium was Feb. 6 and the feedback has been positive from coaches and players as the gym has been described as a top-notch facility.
Joel Kirschner, the executive director of Yavneh Academy, said allowing the borough to use its gym is a way of saying "thank you" for helping the school co-exist within the community.
"We’re happy to be doing it," said Kirschner. "The building is fallow on Saturday because we’re a Jewish day school; we have nothing going on."
Having an extra gym is certainly a boon to the borough. No matter how much recreation space a town may have, an extra full-size gymnasium is always helpful to ease the use of the town’s other athletic facilities.
The program utilizing the space is Paramus’ boys senior basketball league, which is comprised of the town’s seventh and eighth grade players, said Bob Cowper, the recreation department’s assistant director.
Cowper described the gym as "first class" and said he "jumped at the chance" to give the town’s youth players a chance to play in "such a beautiful facility."
With the offer to use the gym secured, Borough Administrator Joseph D’Arco coordinated the various borough departments that needed to interact with the recreation department, such as the Paramus Police Department, Shade Tree Commission and Department of Public Works to ensure the needs of both the school and recreation department were met.
As with any other borough facility, D’Arco said the borough provides security and maintenance and ensures proper staffing to provide any cleanup necessary once the games are complete.
Cowper said the recreation department did not have any definitive plans to use the gym for any other activities on Saturdays beyond basketball season, but he said it was certainly a possibility.
"Our players and coaches are very exciting to be playing there," said Cowper.
Mayor Richard LaBarbiera applauded Yavneh Academy for showing a commitment to the borough in allowing it to use a vacant facility on their property and providing more recreation space for its young athletes.
"I can’t say enough about how generous it is on their part," said LaBarbiera. "It’s awesome."

Former Refusenik Rabbi Mendelevich Retells His Story at Yavneh Academy


Former Refusenik Rabbi Mendelevich Retells His Story at Yavneh Academy
Yavneh Academy was privileged to have Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich, a former refusenik, address their seventh grade students. Rabbi Mendelevich shared his story of being repeatedly refused the right to immigration, and being imprisoned for eleven years in the former Soviet Union because he is a Jew. He stressed how important it is to stand up for Am Yisrael and for one’s beliefs. The students were spellbound by his presentation and had many questions for Rabbi Mendelevich after the presentation. The Yavneh family is so happy for the opportunity to have the students to meet and hear from a true hero of Am Yisrael.

Yavneh Holds First Annual Digital Citizenship Fair

Yavneh Holds First Annual Digital Citizenship Fair
Yavneh Academy held its first annual digital citizenship fair. The sixth graders incorporated project-based learning into the digital citizenship curriculum. The students researched various topics about digital citizenship such as digital etiquette and staying safe online, and then presented to Yavneh’s third graders at a digital citizenship fair.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Yavneh Academy Welcomes NJ Senator Robert Gordon


Yavneh Academy Welcomes NJ Senator Robert Gordon
NJ Senator Robert Gordon visited Yavneh Academy last week. Senator Gordon spoke to the students about his job, how he got involved in politics, the legislative process and why it is important to become involved in your community. Students and parents appreciated the opportunity to have a special question and answer session with the Senator.

Yavneh Students Construct the Mishkan

Yavneh Students Construct the Mishkan
In honor of Parshat Terumah, Yavneh Academy Early Childhood students learned about architecture from Yavneh grandparent, Mr. Elliott Vika, R.A., and built their own replica of the Mishkan.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Yavneh Inspires Chesed With New C4K Program

Yavneh Inspires Chesed With New C4K Program
The inaugural event for Yavneh’s fourth grade Chesed4Kids (C4K), took place this past Saturday night. The goal of C4k is to expose the children to giving to those in need and help them develop a sense of empathy for others, one which they can carry with them throughout their life. Led by Rabbi Goldin of Chabad of Teaneck, the fourth graders made pillows to deliver to local nursing homes. The event was a huge success and over half of the grade was in attendance.
The next C4K events planned will be packing mishloach manot for Tomchei Shabbos and sharing a Purim carnival with members of JADD. 

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Advertising Intersects With Science at Yavneh

One of the highlights of sixth grade at Yavneh Academy is the science fair. Students from the younger grades attend the fair and listen in awe as the sixth graders present their projects, demonstrating the depth of their expertise.
Preparations began for the upcoming science fair when the students were introduced to their task: to prove or disprove a claim made in a product advertisement. Students quickly began brainstorming and reciting their favorite commercials. The excitement in the classroom was palpable.
Yavneh parent Elie Rosenfeld led an animated discussion about the method and research that goes into creating an advertisement. Mr. Rosenfeld is CEO of Joseph Jacob Advertising, one of the leading advertising agencies for Jewish marketing. Mr. Rosenfeld’s engaging presentation made the students think about the research and process by which companies decide how to most effectively present their products to the public. Advertisements for Polly-O String Cheese and Empire Chicken were among those analyzed by the students, under Mr. Rosenfeld’s guidance. With his assistance, the students identified the claims that needed to be verified by these companies before the relevant advertisements were printed.
This unique visit afforded Yavneh students the opportunity to see how the scientific method is used in the real world. Find a problem, ask a question, create a hypothesis and then test it out. Now the students are off to find their own problems and create unique tests to prove or disprove claims made in advertisements of their choosing.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Yavneh Academy Students Collect American Immigrant Stories

Yavneh Academy Students Collect American Immigrant Stories
Yavneh Academy’s fifth grade classes completed their exploration of immigration to America by creating an Immigration Cookbook. The process for creating the cookbook included interviews with a family member, or a close family friend, who was an immigrants. The goal was for the students to learn about the
interviewees’ journeys and the story behind a favorite family recipe. The cookbook page that each student wrote incorporated the recipe along with a photograph and a paragraph describing how and when the family member came to America.

Can You Spell ‘Gargantuan’?

Can You Spell ‘Gargantuan’?

Yavneh Academy’s Annual Spelling Bee is always a winter highlight. Students vie for the opportunity to represent Yavneh Academy at the Northern NJ Spelling Bee which will be held on the March 22 at Bergen Community College. The winner of that competition will be one step closer to competing in the 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Standing on stage in front of their peers, children spelled words including query, languish, effusive, and olfactory. The preliminary qualifying rounds left three finalists: Dahlia Feintuch, Elana Felig and Ephraim Helfgot. The words flew across the stage with the children mastering additional words: acquiesce, porcelain, melee. With two finalists left, the words that determined the winner were xenophobic and gargantuan.
The winner was Elana Felig who will be competing on March 22.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Yavneh Students Taught Sefer Torah Process

Yavneh Students Taught Sefer Torah Process
Yavneh Academy second grade students learned about the process of making a sefer Torah with the Living Legacy Program. The children had the opportunity to write their Hebrew names on klaf using a goose quill and special ink.

Yavneh Academy Celebrates Annual Dinner

Yavneh Academy Celebrates Annual Dinner

On Saturday evening, January 16, nearly 600 attendees gathered at the Marriott Glenpointe in Teaneck for Yavneh Academy’s 73rd annual dinner.
Guests gathered to celebrate the school and to pay homage to this year’s honorees—Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera, Community Service Awardee, and Dr. Sarah Feit, Faculty Service Awardee. Co-chairs for the 73rd annual dinner were Yavneh parents Moshe Weinberger, Michael Wimpfheimer and Keith Zakheim.
Mayor LaBarbiera thanked the Yavneh Academy and spoke about the importance of community. The mayor, who played an instrumental role in helping to build Yavneh’s new gym, also spoke about the importance of physical fitness for children.
Dr. Sarah Feit, who was also celebrating her “bat mitzvah” year of being a Yavneh Academy administrator, stressed how Yavneh strives to meet the specific learning needs of each of the students attending the school. Through Dr. Feit’s dedication and innovative and enthusiastic approach to education, many Bergen County children have benefited from the Yavneh Learning Center and Yavneh’s inclusion program.
At the dinner, Yavneh President Pam Scheininger announced the establishment of the Judah Marans Memorial Fund, an effort spearheaded by his parents, Nina Kampler and Zvi Marans. The fund will enable the creation of the Judah Marans Music and Art Center at Yavneh Academy. Judah, a Yavneh graduate, was a gifted artist and musician and brought tremendous beauty to the world during his short life. The Music and Art Center will honor Judah’s contributions and enable the life which Judah lived to enhance the world through music and art—even in his absence. The fund has been set up through the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey and contributions can be made at www.jfnnj.org/judahmaransmemorialfund.
“It was truly a thrill to honor Mr. LaBarbiera, a man whose efforts have facilitated the growth of Yavneh’s physical plant, as well as Dr. Feit, whose efforts have facilitated the advancement and achievement of Yavneh’s lofty educational aspirations,” said dinner co-chair Michael Wimpfheimer. “Through the efforts of wonderful people such as these, the Yavneh family can confidently look forward to many years of continued growth.”
The funds raised through the dinner are critical in supporting our school’s annual fund. This fund enables Yavneh to continue providing all their students with top-quality educational programs and scholarship assistance, allowing the school to achieve its mandate of “affordable excellence.” For more information, please contact Michelle Weinraub at michelle.weinraub@yavnehacademy.org.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

The Big NFL Game Bet Is On!!!

In advance of the big NFL playoff game this coming Sunday between the Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Heads of School for Moriah and Yavneh made a big bet this week.
Rabbi Daniel Alter, Moriah's Head of School and a recent transplant from Denver, and Rabbi Jonathan Knapp of Yavneh, originally from Pittsburgh, made a friendly and fun bet with each other Wed. night. The stakes are high as the losing Head of School has agreed to wear the other school's kippa on Monday after the game.
They are pictured here in their respective team colors.

Yavneh Academy Sixth Graders Deliver Mishna Shiurim

Yavneh sixth graders recently created original shiurim on the topic of tefillah, based on their learning of the mishnayot of the fourth perek of Mesechet Berachot. The students presented their shiurim to faculty and guests at a “Lunch-and-Learn” program.
These shiurim were the culmination of an extended project-based learning unit in Rabbi Simcha Schaum’s class, in which the students collaboratively learned the mishnayot and built their shiurim around the question, “What do you think people should know about tefillah that can be learned from משנה ברכות, פרק ד” While each team of students learned the same mishnayot, they each found original ideas and patterns within the perek that represented their deep understanding of the material.
Yoetzet Halacha Shoshana Samuels came to teach the students the ins and outs of how to give a polished shiur and the students prepared mishnayot to teach and cite, and created handouts, slideshows and a few games to make their shiurim come alive. They practiced and then practiced some more to perfect their delivery. Different teams assisted one another by offering constructive critique. Their hard work paid off in shiurim that were delivered with poise and were very well received.