JGA July-August 09 - The Jewish Georgian

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Page 40 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN July-August 2009 By Belle Klavonsky MOVING UP. At the end of each school year, 5th-grade students at The Davis Academy are ceremoniously welcomed to Middle School. In a symbolic gesture of l’dor v’dor, Middle School students pass the Torah to younger siblings who will next year move up to the Middle School. Pictured: (from left) Allie Teilhaber, Blake Teilhaber, Molli Botnick, Logan Botnick, Lynsey Maya, and Daniel Maya FIELD DAY SPIRIT. Davis Academy 3rdgrader Aaron Rice (pictured) leads the blue team’s effort at the rope pull on Lag B’Omer Field Day, May 12. This spirited day of fun and competition for Davis students in Mechina-4th grade was made possible by the generosity of Davis PTO volunteers. JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME. In May, Davis Academy 8th-graders capped off their years of study with a fantastic two-week adventure to Israel. From the Old City of Jerusalem to the museums of Tel Aviv to the top of Masada to rappelling down cliffs at the Golan Heights, students had many unforgettable experiences. Pictured: (top to bottom) Jordan Hirsch, Brandon Hirsch, and Jared Meline stretch out in the Red Canyon of the Negev Desert. GRADUATION DAY. On June 2, seventynine 8th-graders, The Davis Academy’s largest class ever, graduated from the Reform Jewish day school. It was an exciting evening for the students and their families, as they recalled many memories from their years at Davis. Pictured: (from left) Jacob Saban, Jon Adelman, Carly Aronin, and Marisa Schiff present a gift of an awards case for the Middle School. EPSTEIN EAGLE AWARD. Epstein School 8th-graders Hilit Jacobson and Geoffrey Nathan (pictured, with Coach Jim Battoglia) received the Epstein Eagle Athlete of the Year Award, given each year to one male and one female 8th-grade student. Candidates must play sports in all three seasons and exemplify high character in leadership, coachability, and sportsmanship. The award was presented by 2008 recipients and alumni Adina Beiner and Daniel Feinberg. Other recipients are: Sarah Arogeti and (tie) Daniel Yellin and Mitchell Alterman, 2007; Meghan Light and Eli Oppenheimer, 2006; Jessie Levitan and Justin Shemaria, 2005; and Liza Arogeti and Perry Bern, 2004. EPSTEIN IN THE NEWS. Sixth-grade students in Kendra Fabry’s advisory class at The Epstein School engaged in a servicelearning project as part of their yearlong study of hunger issues. They recently unpacked, inspected, sorted, and packed food at the Atlanta Community Food Bank and also brought donations of food with them. Channel 2 News (WSB-Atlanta) videotaped the students at the Food Bank for a May 5 news segment; Carly Kaplan and Leah Greenberg (pictured) were interviewed. Parents Diane Lechter and Lori Peljovich chaperoned, helped at the Food Bank, and drove students. BECOMING A PART OF HISTORY. Go Where your Eyes Take You: Creating a New Future after the Holocaust, a hardbound book published by Epstein Middle School students (pictured) is being archived at The USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education. The book, which features stories written by 7th- and 8th-graders, was part of project designed to study and celebrate the stories of 23 Holocaust survivors and the rebuilding of their lives. The USC Shoah Foundation became interested in archiving the book after Epstein parent Meryl Stein contacted Linda Stern at the foundation to tell her about it. A QUAIL TALE. On the last day of school, The Epstein School welcomed new members to the Epstein family, when three quail chicks were born three days overdue. The tiny friends are part of the elementary school students’ biological studies of lifecycles, under the direction and guidance of Elementary Science Specialist Donna Goodson (pictured) and Science Consultant Debbie Lanier. When students return in August, they will be able to see how the quails have grown over the summer. As the birds reach adolescence, they will be returned to the quail farm, where the cycle will begin again. DID KERMIT GET IT WRONG? The Epstein School’s pre-K class, taught by Joan Lewis and Jackie Steinhauser, released classroom pet Lollipop, a red-eared slider turtle (pictured), into the Leah’s Pond, located in the Educational Garden. Lollipop apparently learned that Epstein’s Sustainable Educational Garden was recently designated a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation and expressed his desire to be free from his cage and live the good life. The students enjoyed watching the turtle as he swam away. Lollipop is enjoying his new home and was recently sighted sunbathing. So maybe it is easy being green! A FATHER’S DAY MESSAGE FROM SUMMER CAMP. Seven-year-old Audrey Gruenhut (pictured) has fun hula-hooping at the Epstein Summer Adventure Camp carnival. At the face-painting station, she made a special request to have a love message to her dad, Mike Gruenhut, painted on her face, so she could surprise him for Father’s Day. For more information on Epstein Summer Adventure Camp, visit www.epsteinatlanta.org. ZOO SLEEPOVER. Greenfield Hebrew Academy 1st-graders ended their study of animals by participating in Zoo Atlanta’s Nightcrawler Program. They enjoyed a guided tour, including behind-the-scene spaces and a night visit to the reptile house. At one point, the tour guide stopped Beth Intro’s group in front of the orangutans and asked if the children knew any sign language, which the orangutans were learning. As the children
July-August 2009 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 41 sang a song that included sign language, which they learned in class, the orangutans moved closer to watch them. The children were thrilled with the reaction to their song. Pictured: Tamar Stein STUDYING CHEMICAL REACTIONS. GHA 5th-graders in Sarah Topper’s class studied chemical reactions by shooting off Alka-Seltzer rockets. They formulated questions, examined what happens when baking soda and vinegar (acetic acid) combine to make carbon dioxide gas, and experimented with Alka-Seltzer and water. Questions included: Which type of film canister will go the highest? Does a larger amount of Alka- Seltzer cause the canister to go higher? Using the same amount of Alka-Seltzer, will a small amount of water or a large amount cause a bigger pop? Does it matter if you shake the container? Pictured: Jake Chesler and Carmela Horwitz A VISIT TO THE AQUARIUM. GHA students in Gan Aleph (pictured) concluded their studies of sea and ocean animals with a fantastic trip to the Georgia Aquarium on May 19. Each student had studied a specific creature. At the aquarium, the students had to find their sea creature, take a photo of it, draw it, and answer some questions about what they had observed about it. After touring the entire aquarium, the class ate lunch outside, then headed back to GHA. MATH MAVENS. Seventh-grader Adam Brasch (pictured with teacher Robyn Cooper) represented GHA at the MATH- COUNTS state competition, finishing 39th among 180 students. In the Georgia Math League contest, GHA placed 15th among 90 schools at the 7th-grade level, with Adam Brasch placing 25th among the 41 top 7thgraders; of 84 schools participating at the 8th-grade level, GHA was 22nd. Several GHA students were among nearly 150,000 participants worldwide in this year’s Math Olympiad; Abby Stein placed in the top 2%, and Jake Belinky, Sam Viness, Adam Brasch, and Ross Berlin placed in the top 10% at their grade levels. GOLF CHAMPS. The Greenfield Hebrew Academy Golf Team, coached by Manny Fialkow, won 1st place in the MAAC Conference, on April 22. Seventh-grader Harrison Brown took 1st place individually. Team members are Sam Viness, Elliot Schnabl, Harrison Brown, Dylan Shaban, and Ethan Fialkow. CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES. Fifty-three Weber School seniors (pictured) graduated June 7, at a ceremony at Greenfield Hebrew Academy. Students were accepted to 74 colleges and universities; they will attend schools including American, Clemson, Emory, Georgia State, George Washington, Indiana, Northwestern, Ohio State, Tulane, Washington, and Wesleyan universities; universities of Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, and Pennsylvania; Oberlin, Gainesville State, and Guilford colleges; Raphael Recanati International School; College of Charleston; Fashion Institute of Technology; and Georgia Tech. They have received almost $3 million in merit scholarships; in addition, of 19 students accepted at Georgia universities, 92% received HOPE scholarships totaling $926,000. GOVERNOR’S HONORS. Weber student Ariella Axler was selected to participate in the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program, a state-funded six-week summer instructional program designed to provide intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students challenging and enriching educational opportunities. Students are nominated for the program by current teachers. DANFORTH SCHOLAR. Gideon Palte (pictured), The Weber School’s Class of 2008 valedictorian, was one of fewer than 30 students to be named a Danforth Scholar. The Danforth Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis honors the student who embraces high ideals and whose life choices are guided by personal integrity, selflessness, a commitment to community, and a dedication to leadership and academic excellence. It carries with it a yearly, renewable full scholarship. Thought From page 39 Jewish ideas and tradition, and meet people who share their enthusiasm and curiosity. This family-friendly weekend will include children’s programs and childcare. Register before June 1 for the early-bird discount. Accommodations and costs start at $239/adults and $149/children. For registration and addition information, visit www.limmudse.org. LEARN A LANGUAGE. Beginning September 14, Oglethorpe University will offer eight-week, evening, non-credit language courses in conversational French, Hebrew, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Greek. Most are introductory level, with advanced classes offered in Spanish and French. Many courses will conclude with a trip to a restaurant, where students can order and converse in their chosen language. The cost per course is $150. To register, visit www.oglethorpe.edu, and type “noncredit” in the search bar, or call Rose Cunningham at 404-634-8016. MUSICAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSI- TY. The Idan Raichel Project will perform November 7, 8:00 p.m., at the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University. The Idan Raichel Project is an Israeli musical collaborative that has achieved success by looking beyond cultural differences and celebrating the value of diversity. Led by young keyboardist, composer, and producer Idan Raichel, The Project blends traditional Ethiopian folk music, Arabic poetry, Yemenite chants, Biblical psalms, and Caribbean rhythms with sophisticated production techniques. For information, visit YOUNG JOURNALIST. Jason Feldman, a rising senior at The Weber School, was selected as a national youth correspondent to the 2009 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Masion University. GREAT SEASON FOR BASEBALL. After enjoying its most successful season in recent memory, the Weber Rams baseball team finished the season tied for 4th place in Region 1–AAA with Young Americans Christian School and Pinecrest Academy. Juniors Daniel Maloon (pictured), outfield/first base, and Jed Wasilewsky, catcher, earned All- Region honors. Jed also received Honorable Mention All–State honors. http://atlanta.mfa.gov.il/mfm/Web/main/do cument.asp?documentid=124299. ORT SOLIDARITY MISSION. ORT America is organizing a groundbreaking national Jewish solidarity mission to Argentina and Uruguay, November 9-15. The mission offers an insider’s view of the Jewish communities of Montevideo and Buenos Aires, featuring one-of-a-kind briefings, visits to awe-inspiring landmarks and famous beaches, an unforgettable Shabbat experience, and even an opportunity to learn tango at its birthplace. Participants will meet with educators, students, and community members who are successfully grappling with today’s challenges with assistance from ORT. There is an optional extension to Santiago, Chile. To learn more, visit www.ortamerica.org/missions, or call 800-519-2678, ext. 360. RETRACING JEWISH FOOTSTEPS IN NEW YORK CITY. The first Jewish learning travel program will be led by Dr. Steve Chervin October 7-11, developed under the auspices of the MJCCA’s Lisa F. Brill Department of Jewish Learning. Highlights include visiting Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Temple Shearith Israel, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Tenement Museum, Jewish Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College, and experience Kabbalat Shabbat services at B’nai Jeshurun. Prior to the trip, three mandatory classes will be held about the Jewish history of the sites to be visited, facilitated by Dr. Steve Chervin. The fee is $1,999, plus airfare. For more information, contact Cheri Levitan at cheri.levitan@atlantajcc.org.
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