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The Weekly Newsletter of Ateres Bais Yaakov ד“ פרשת כי תשא תשע;Quot& בס"ד Bais Yaakov פרשת כיof Ateres תשא תשע"“דThe Weekly Newsletter Dear Ateres Parents, With the Holy Neshama, the spark of life inside spiritual ambitions, we emerge victorious as פרשת וישב תשע"ט .us, it is no wonder. That spark is, in the words the Maccabim of old Yosef Hatzaddik models for us how we are to of our Holy books, a “cheilek Eloka mi’maal” a live, survive and thrive in the Golus. Although There are no coincidences in life. It is not by an piece of the essence of Hashem. Elsewhere in sold as a slave, disconnected from his home accidental sense of fate that we witnessed a Chazal, that spark is called a ner, a and abandoned by his family, Yosef Chanukah challenge this very Erev Chanukah flame. The Midrash teaches that remains true to his values. week. Our Ateres community was reminded of Hashem declares; “Neri Indeed, he remains a tzaddik. the power of Anti-Semitism and hate which b’yadcha, nercha b’yadi” — From where did Yosef draw lingers not so far below the surface in the My flame (the spark of his strength? Why didn't he community which surrounds us. It is the same G-dliness in the neshama) is give up? Why didn't he just hatred and bitterness which motivated the in your hand—your flame run away? Greeks to persecute the Jews bayamim (your personal soul) is in My ha’heim and is, sadly, still here, bazman hazeh. The answer is simple and hand. The message is that we Our victory will be the same. profound. animate our connection to Indeed, we are focused, committed and Chazal tell us that Yosef was known for Hashem through safeguarding our undeterred in our spiritual mission and iyH we his bitachon. In fact, the posuk “ashrei hagever observance and maintaining our fidelity to are looking forward to moving forward with asher sam Hashem mivtacho,” is said to be a Torah. Mitzvos, middos tovos and maasim our purchase and move to Nanuet, as well. description of Yosef. The text of the posuk tovim blend together to keep our soul warm, They couldn’t destroy us then and V’chai Bahem teaches us a powerful lesson: happiness animated and happy! they won’t stop us now. But we (ashrei) and bitachon go together. In fact they This is the essence of the must remain and act as the (39:2) are a powerful pair. Without bitachon it is ...Vayihi Hashem es Yosef upcoming Yom Tov of Yidden Hashem expects us be. impossible to be truly happy. Interestingly, Chanukah which epitomizes May we be blessed with the Despite being sold to the Egyptians and some of the latest secular research conducted Jewish commitment and pursuit at Oxford University purports that “Humans kind of Siyata diShmaya Yosef being thrown to the dungeons, Yosef of religious freedom. It is truly a Hatzaddik enjoyed in MItzrayim are naturally predisposed to believe in G-d.” festival of light—the light of our neshama. remains blessed with Hashem staying Ignoring that need for a connection to Hashem and that the Maccabim had over the Greeks As such, our path towards victory in the battle and be motzei chein b’einei Elokim v’adam. with him and granting him chein in all YIsborach creates a lacking that is painful, against religious persecution starts with our Best wishes for a lovely his endeavors. Why? The Das Zekainim lonely and so very far from happy. Bereft of own ”mi laHashem eilay” bitachon, the same Shabbos and a chag Urim MiBaalei Tosfos teach us that Yosef’s spirituality people can feel something is sense of bitachon which inspired Yosef. When sameach. missing and happiness becomes unattainable. we make a Kiddush Hashem, when we stand extraordinary Siyata Dishmaya was How true. proud and when we remain undeterred in our Rabbi Aaron Fink, Dean rooted in his own Yiras Shamayim. Yosef always lived with a v’chai bahem model, hat a busy week we all had at Ateres; place over the three days of Chanukah. Stay palpable! And, they are so happy to be learning no matter the circumstance. He never we can almost imagine the Chanukah tuned... about Chanuka - especially some new facts that W left Hashem, so Hashem never left him! candles shining, smell the latkes and dreidels Our Limudei Kodesh staff met on Wednesday to they never knew before! spinning... The classrooms are vibrant with discuss how we will be integrating music as part Wishing everyone a wonderful shabbos and a Chanukah learning, echoing with songs and of our Chanukah programs as well. We then lichtige chanuka! decorated with various crafts in different stages shared ideas and best practices on classroom of completion as our Talmidos eagerly methods such as transitioning between This week Kitah Gimmel experienced the true anticipate the upcoming Chag! subjects and brainstormed how to instill meaning of what achdus and noasei b'ol Rigorous learning in our core Limudei Kodesh increased Hakaros Hatov in our students. chavero really means. The girls are preparing a subjects is still a primary focus; students in We are looking forward to an exciting week of beautiful dance for Chanuka, and practiced You are as many classes have successfully Chanukah, packed with Ruach, fun activities and every recess so nicely. One day one of the completed Chumash, Navi and Lashon tests this meaningful learning! dancers was sad because she did not have a Close to Hashem week. We are so proud of their diligent work Reminder: As per the flyers we sent home, partner — everyone stopped dancing and did and of the efforts they invest in their studies! we are participating in a Chai Lifeline Toy Drive not continue until they found a partner for her! As you choose On the safety front, we had another successful and encourage you to send a new toy with your The girls are also working on a Chanuka project. security drill, BH. Students are following daughter. What a beautiful Chesed opportunity It is hoped that everyone will enjoy the special to be directions and procedures and ensuring a it is to help bring joy and light to children who present the girls have prepared for their smooth drill. We also had a Rockland County need it so much! parents. Pedestrian safety presentation. The program Wishing you a Chanukah filled with warmth, The girls are also preparing beautiful divrei included a power point and video presentation light and much nachas from your wonderful torah to share at the time of hadlakas neros. as well as hands-on activities to teach daughters! Enjoy and have much nachas.. very strict with Moshe when he said something pedestrian, bicycle, bus and parking lot safety. Please make sure to continue reviewing even slightly negative about Klal Yisrael. This We thank the County for preparing and The preschool is very excited for their shorashim with your daughter ,because in the concept was made clear with a cute skit put on presenting such an important and informational Chanukah performance on Tuesday. They have near future we'll be going "fishing"once more. by Sara Rivka Ben-Arbon and Leah Gittel program for our students. been practicing brachos, song, dance, and dramatic play acting out the Chanukah story. Herman; the dressed up like a kallah and her In the context of professional development, our They are especially anxious to show their Kita daled demonstrated in class how to light mother. When soda was spilled on the mothers General Studies staff met on Tuesday to discuss special Chanukah light show to parents and the menorah the correct way with a real black gown it was barely noticeable but when it our upcoming cross-curricular initiative on the friends. With flashlights in hand they have menorah! They remembered so well from last was spilled on the kallah’s white gown, it was so topic of music. This exciting program will take been enjoying the momentum building up to year, which side we light from, and which glaring. This is how the small avairos of tzadikim the Festival of Lights!! candle we light first. The girls know the song are viewed since they are so pure. Kitah Aleph is really soaring high in their kriah about Mattisyahu and his 5 sons so well!! In other news, Kitah Hei has begun learning NSHEI CORNER lessons. They have mastered kamatz are In chumash, we learnt how far a person goes to Shiras Devorah with much enthusiasm! They practicing patach and have already been do teshuva. One of the reasons why Revuain have caught on extremely quickly and Mrs. Liff introduced to tzeirei. The idea that in Hebrew wasn’t by the selling of Yosef was because he is so proud of them! Kol hakavod! each object is either zachar or nikeivah is a was busy with sackcloth and fasting for what he Chanukah is fast approaching and Kitah vav is We hope everyone had a good week. Thank you so much to concept that is constantly being reviewed and did wrong with his father’s bed. preparing full force! They began by learning all the families who participated to help make our Chanukah the girls are catching on. With Chanukah on the campaign a success. Our teachers do so much for our girls, This week we had 2 presentations by 2 groups about the true nature of the Yevanim. As way, we have been reviewing the story, the and is it so special to be able to express our appreciation. of girls: Chana Simcha and Tzippy made a mature young women they are learning these halachos, learning sight words and of course Nshei had an exciting week collecting prizes for our upcoming beautiful poster with a story about pokeach concepts on more sophisticated level.
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