Sparks of Light: Sixth Night
Sparks of Light for the sixth night of Chanukah is dedicated in memory of Herschel and Hania Sporer z”l, beloved founders and supporters of Bnei Akiva Schools Mrs. Elisheva Reichmann Mechanechet, Ulpanat Orot The miracle of Chanukah is interesting for a number of reasons. Particularly striking is how unnecessary the miracle itself was. Had they not found […]
Sparks of Light: Fifth Night
Sparks of Light for the fifth night of Chanukah is dedicated in memory of Nachman Sokol z”l, a beloved founder and supporter of Bnei Akiva Schools Rabbi Gal Ben-Meir Menahel, Yeshivat Or Chaim Jews all around the world are familiar with donuts which enable us to almost automatically ‘connect’ to one of the oily themes […]
How to Have our Kids Follow our Ways
Rabbi Yair Spitz Former Menahel at Yeshivat Or Chaim Imagine this: all of your kids are sitting in the den, each on their (or your) electronic device. One is playing a multiplayer game, another binge-watching the latest Netflix show, a third posting Instagram pictures, the fourth texting with friends and the fifth completing […]
Sparks of Light: Fourth Night
Sparks of Light for the fourth night of Chanukah is dedicated in memory of Bill and Judith Rubinstein z”l, beloved founders and supporters of Bnei Akiva Schools Mrs. Sharon Fixler Assistant Principal and Director of Admissions, Ulpanat Orot In 1948, shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel, a design competition was held to […]
Sparks of Light: Third Night
Sparks of Light for the second night of Chanukah is dedicated in memory of Chaim and Bessie Orfus z”l, beloved founders and supporters of Bnei Akiva Schools Rabbi Noah Sonenberg Director of Judaic Studies, Yeshivat Or Chaim In our busy and goal oriented lives it is rare that we have an action with no practical […]
Sparks of Light: Second Night
Sparks of Light for the second night of Chanukah is dedicated in memory of Israel and Golda Koschitzky z”l, beloved founders and supporters of Bnei Akiva Schools Mrs. Sarah Munk Assistant Principal and Director of Judaic Studies, Ulpanat Orot Throughout the last couple of weeks, Chanukah “advertising” is everywhere. Everyone is excited; new Chanukah videos […]
Sparks of Light: First Night
Sparks of Light for the first night of Chanukah is dedicated in memory of Aaron Frankel z”l, a beloved founder and supporter of Bnei Akiva Schools Mr. Hillel Rapp Director of Education The Chanukah story is often described as a victory of Judaism over Hellenism. While the Maccabees certainly waged war to reclaim the Temple […]
Sparks of Light: Introduction
Rabbi Dr. Seth Grauer Rosh Yeshiva & Head of School This past Shabbat I had the privilege of joining a North American Kenes for Bnei Akiva. It was an extraordinary Shabbat experience which was both inspiring and worthwhile and I have a tremendous amount of hakarat hatov to the Director of Bnei Akiva of the US and […]
Not All Traditions Are Equal: A Reflection on St. Michael’s
Rabbi Dr. Effie Kleinberg Tech Support (and former Administrator and Judaic Studies Teacher) “But Rabbi it’s a school tradition!” The number of times I have heard this refrain in my years as a teacher, administrator, and educational leader are too numerous to count. My wonderful students would say, “Why do you guys always have to […]
Grade Inflation Hurts our Students
Rabbi Noah Sonenberg Director of Judaic Studies I recall my mother telling me that when she graduated as the valedictorian of her high school and as an Ontario scholar that her overall academic average was around an 80%. When I graduated high school a 90% overall average was enough to get you into any […]
