The 2024-2025 school year has brought more than just a few changes to the school.  The school is growing, new classes are being added, new teachers are joining the staff, and more opportunities for students are being provided.  One such addition has been the built-in weekly schedule of electives on Wednesday afternoons. 

Electives in elementary and middle school offer opportunities and challenges, particularly in smaller schools where resources and student choice can be limited.  While students in a larger setting may select electives that reflect their interests, our small school adapts the…

The month of Elul is a deeply significant period in the Jewish calendar, serving as a time of reflection and preparation for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is not only a day to celebrate the beginning of a new year but also…

In my 6th and 7th grade Chassidus class, we’ve been exploring the origins of the Chassidic movement and its founder, the Baal Shem Tov. One of the pivotal teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, whose birthday is this Shabbos…

The Torah tells us that Yishmael's bris milah took place at thirteen years old, an age when he could consciously agree to the mitzvah. In contrast, Yitzchok’s bris milah was performed when he was just eight days old, long before he could understand or consent. At first glance, Yishmael’s experience seems more impressive, as it reflects a conscious choice. Why, then, does the Torah instruct us to…