September 8 – 11, 2020
22 Elul 5780
September 11, 2020
Dear ICJA Family:
Today is a sad day, the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack. I still remember that day at ICJA, how the news quickly emerged, the lock-down of school, and speaking to all of our students and staff in the gym of the old building – as we tried to make sense of what was happening.
It was 19 years ago, and therefore, none of our current students were even born at that time. This means that we need to teach them not only of the tragedy but of the aftermath – when our nation came together in so many ways. We mourned together, but we also celebrated the heroic actions of the first responders and regular citizens.
Tomorrow is the Hebrew yahrzeit of 9/11. Parents, please take a few moments over the Shabbat table to share your memories with your children. There are so many valuable lessons we can teach, and spending the time to talk about that event is so very important.
Next week at school will be a hectic time. Monday morning, we will begin to recite selichot during 1st-period classes. And, as I mentioned a few days ago, we will start that process with words of inspiration from the dean of RIETS, Rabbi Menachem Penner.
Monday evening is the “Simulated School Night,” beginning with a school update at 7:15 pm (here is the link), and then at 7:30 pm, we will begin the regular schedule of visiting classes. All of the teachers’ zoom room are available at icja.us/schoolnight. (To avoid unwanted “visitors” to our event, please do not share these links on social media or beyond our school community).
Period 1 – 7:30 – 7:38 pm
Period 2 – 7:41 – 7:49 pm
Period 3 – 7:52 – 8:00 pm
Period 4 – 8:03 – 8:11 pm
Period 5 – 8:14 – 8:22 pm
Period 6 – 8:25 – 8:33 pm
Period 7 – 8:36 – 8:44 pm
Period 8 – 8:47 – 8:55 pm
Period 9 – 8:58 – 9:06 pm
Period 10 – 9:09 – 9:17 pm
Period 11 – 9:20 – 9:28 pm
Period 12 – 9:31 – 9:38 pm
Tuesday is the unRetreat, and the student committee and faculty advisors are working very hard to make it a meaningful and enjoyable event. School will start and end at the regular time on Tuesday – but much of the day will be devoted to team building, learning, fun, and good food!
The sign-up for next week’s free periods is now open. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/icja_week_9-14. As the weather continues to turn more fall-like, it will be a good idea to reserve a space.
My Dvar Torah for this week is available here. I hope the message of engagement in life will strike just the right chord!
Stay safe, stay connected, be inspired, and Shabbat Shalom!
B’vracha,
LAM
Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky, Ph.D.
Dean, Ida Crown Jewish Academy
21 Elul 5780
September 10, 2020
Dear ICJA Family:
Today things were hopping at school. The weather cooperated, and we were able to have minyan outside – which worked out perfectly. Because freshman Hayden Gradstein’s family (his dad, his mom and grandfather) were able to join us for minyan where his younger brother Parker put on tefillin for the first time. Mazal tov to them and we look forward to welcoming Parker to the ICJA family.
At lunch there was a great to meet Julie Avner, our new school therapist. During the afternoon many of the girls met with their mechanchot and had their first ICGC gathering – which included a discussion about planning and tie-dyeing masks. (Who would have ever thought that “masks” would become a fashion statement!)
Later this afternoon as I was walking around the building, I asked students what was special about their day today. Most said things like, “I had a history test – I think it went well,” or “my gemara class finished a daf.” Nothing too exciting. But then I asked them if they were glad to be back – and everyone said the same thing – “yes!” Which really makes all of the weeks planning for reopening and all of the efforts these past three weeks worth it.
But, there is still a while to go, and we continue to need everyone’s help. Please make good choices when outside of school – wear masks and maintain distance, because we want everyone to stay healthy. And remember, if anyone in your household has any cold or flu-like symptoms, please stay home and email me (lmatanky@icja.org) or Dr. Green (rgreen@icja.org) – we will help make arrangements to remote in until you can return to school.
Tonight is the College Meeting for 11th-grade parents and the Mishmar for 12th-grade boys. Tomorrow, is the end of our third successful week. Periods 7, 8, and 9 will meet tomorrow afternoon, and school will be dismissed at 3:20 pm.
Finally, the sign-up for next week’s free periods is now open. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/icja_week_9-14. As the weather continues to turn more fall-like, it will be a good idea to reserve a space as soon as possible.
Stay safe, stay connected, and be inspired!
B’vracha,
LAM
Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky, Ph.D.
Dean, Ida Crown Jewish Academy
20 Elul 5780
September 9, 2020
Dear ICJA Family:
As we draw closer to Rosh Hashana, a lot of things are happening at ICJA.
As I mentioned yesterday, this coming Monday evening is the “Simulated School Night.” Unlike previous years when teachers had to go home and come back again, we had an early dismissal. This year school will be on a regular afternoon schedule, and dismissal will be at 5:29 pm.
But, in the morning, the schedule will be different because we will begin saying selichot in school. Because we are waiting until after Sukkot to begin the school-wide minyanim at ICJA, we will extend 1st period and shorten periods 2-6 to allow time to recite selichot in the 1st-period classes. (See the attached schedule). In addition, on Monday, Rabbi Menachem Penner, the Dean of YU/RIETS, will introduce selichot via zoom to all of our students. Rabbi Penner is not only a great communicator but also a great interpreter of tefillah, and we look forward to his words of inspiration.
Moving backward to tomorrow, our “Erika’s Lighthouse” Committee will be sponsoring a meet and greet in the tents during 5th and 6th periods with our new school therapist, Julie Avner. Afterward, our mechanchot, Mrs. Kraft and Mrs. Gold, will be in the tents (6th-10th periods) with the first mini-ICGC event (see attached). At 7:00 pm, Rabbi Fliegelman will be hosting an 11th grade online Parent College event. At 9:00 pm, our mechanchim Rabbi Fox and Rabbi Rosenbaum will be hosting an in-person mishmar for the senior boys. (Of course, all in-person events will have adult supervision, hand maintain social distanced and require masks.)
Looking forward to tomorrow, when all periods will meet and dismissal will be at 5:29pm –
Stay safe, stay connected, and be inspired!
B’vracha,
LAM
Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky, Ph.D.
Dean, Ida Crown Jewish Academy
19 Elul 5780
September 8, 2020
Dear ICJA Family:
Today we had a chance to see what life would be like when spending time outside will not be an option (a.k.a. “winter”). While the tents are up and a few brave souls opted to sit outside, the vast majority of our students have been inside for lunch and free periods.
Fortunately, we have enough space in the building’s public areas to accommodate all of the students during free periods, and everyone was assigned a lunch location in one of the classrooms. Unfortunately, not all students have signed up for spaces (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/ICJA_Week_9-8)
Next Monday evening will be our “Simulated School Night” – which will be even more “simulated” than ever before because it will be entirely on zoom. For veteran ICJA parents, you know what this evening is all about. For new ICJA parents, this is your opportunity to meet your child(ren)’s teachers, hear about course goals, and be introduced to instructional methods.
Later this week, we will be sharing the zoom room addresses with all parents, and for your ease of use, it will be a special google sheet just for that evening where you will be able to reference an alphabetical list of teachers and click on their “link” to move from class to class. (It might also be a good idea for those who are not proficient with zoom to have an ICJA student at your side!)
The schedule for the evening will be as follows:
ICJA Update with the Dean: 7:15 pm
Period 1 – 7:30 – 7:38 pm
Period 2 – 7:41 – 7:49 pm
Period 3 – 7:52 – 8:00 pm
Period 4 – 8:03 – 8:11 pm
Period 5 – 8:14 – 8:22 pm
Period 6 – 8:25 – 8:33 pm
Period 7 – 8:36 – 8:44 pm
Period 8 – 8:47 – 8:55 pm
Period 9 – 8:58 – 9:06 pm
Period 10 – 9:09 – 9:17 pm
Period 11 – 9:20 – 9:28 pm
Period 12 – 9:31 – 9:38 pm
Finally, don’t forget that this Thursday at 9:00 pm will be the first ICJA Boys’ Mishmar – this time for the 12th-grade boys. The program will be at ICJA, and as always, we will make sure that masks are worn (except when the cholent is served) and social distancing is observed.
Stay safe, stay connected, and be inspired!
B’vracha,
LAM
Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky, Ph.D.
Dean, Ida Crown Jewish Academy