aaeds/blog

Leadership Blog 

Dear Adat Ari El Families,

Last Shabbat, a group of families gathered at Camp Ramah in Ojai California.  We spent the weekend learning both with and from each other, watching our children make new friends and strengthen their pre-existing relationships, and relaxing in the scenic backdrop of Camp Ramah.  In addition to the time spent getting to know each other, the weekend featured other opportunities, such as challah braiding, yoga, hiking, ropes course and a mini color war competition.

This was my first Shabbaton with the Day School at Adat Ari El and I was blown away with the sense of community and love that I felt from our families.  Last Shabbat, we read from the Parsha Chayei Sarah (The life of Sarah).  There was a discussion about the idea that since the Parsha begins with the death of Sarah, the focus is on Sarah's legacy and how she pushed those around her to be better people.  

Watching our children this weekend really highlighted this message from Chayei Sarah.  They were supportive of each other at the ropes course, cheering each other to succeed.  They pushed each other to try new things and sat together at meals. They really embodied the message that we received from the Parsha.  These were not things that had to be asked of them, they are values and beliefs that are ingrained in them because of who they were raised by �" they are a product of you, our community, and our school.  

The mission of our school reads, “Through Jewish vision and values, Adat Ari El Labowe Family Day School raises up students who KNOW themselves, SERVE others, and ACT to improve the world”.  The behavior that I witnessed this weekend, whether it was at the ropes course, in the dining hall or celebrating Havdalah together, showed me that our children have made this mission statement a part of their lives.

I am looking forward to spending Shabbat with you next year at the 4th annual Adat Ari El Family Shabbaton December 6-8, 2019 at Camp Ramah.

Shabbat Shalom,

Eric

School news and updates

Security Information - from Shara Peters

It has come to my attention that many of you were not able to attend the parent security meetings we held last week.  Eric Nicastro and I are happy to hold another security meeting, this time in the evening, so that more of you might be able to attend on Tuesday 11/13 at 6PM.  Please email Shara @ speters@aaeds.org  to indicate your interest in attending by Monday at 12PM. 

80 years of Adat Ari El....

Come join us for a fabulous Celebration

Inside The Classroom

The classroom pages will return next week!

In the Community

Annual Fund 2018-2019

We're at day 41 of our 100 days, 100% participation 2018-19 Annual Fund campaign. And, if the numbers were to tell a story, it would tell one of community, strength, “firsts”, and so much gratitude for all of you!

The numbers speak for themselves:

Faculty, Staff, and Administration - 100%
Governing Board - 100%
TK - 88%
Kindergarten - 73%
1st Grade - 92%
2nd Grade - 80%
3rd Grade - 87%
4th Grade - 71%
5th Grade - 95%
6th Grade - 87%

It's important to me that I reiterate the WHY of the Annual Fund. There are so many benefits for our school if we can get to 100% participation:

• Our accreditation from CAIS (California Association of Independent Schools) will be stronger if the visiting team sees 100% participation from our families
• We will be able to approach outside donors - including foundations - more easily to ask for support
• More funds will be available for programming, facilities, curriculum enhancements and professional development, to name a few.

Remember that “community” does not only refer to you, our parent community, but also to the Board, faculty, and administration. We are filled with appreciation that our Board members are so deeply committed to what an investment in ADAT means - not just of time, but of financial resources, that they have come together with 100% participation. Then, there is our administration and faculty. Whether they have been here for 30 years or 3 months, they have come together in solidarity with ADAT and 100% participation and alignment with our Annual Fund goals.

Now, it's your turn. Help us reach our goal by stepping up to complete the remaining 24%. We are almost there and we have made incredible strides thanks to our Board, faculty, administration, and nearly three-quarters of our community. Together, let's prove how strong we are by making your gift to our Day School Annual Fund.

100 days, 100% participation, 100% commitment to our mission. Together, let's discover the power of giving.

From the Synagogue

There will be a spirited, playful, Prayground on Shabbat, November 17, 10:45 - 11:45 AM in the Dieber chapel!  After our alternative, fun shabbat experience together, families are invited to the community kiddish and also to take the lead in our social action Project of assembling food bags for Hope Mill who monthly need our help in feeding their families in need. 

Interested in joining a Chavurah here at Adat Ari El?

A Chavurah is a group of families or individuals who meet on a regular basis to celebrate Jewish life, socialize, and learn together. It's a terrific way to get to know others at Adat Ari El, essentially creating a smaller community within the larger one. Members must make a commitment to the group to meet regularly, usually at least once a month. What you choose to do when you meet is up to you! You can go to services together, share lifecycle events, go on a hike, watch movies, have speakers at your gathering, etc. Each Chavurah decides the types of activities to participate in and will periodically meet with staff at Adat Ari El to share experiences, review goals, and make sure the group is meeting the needs of its members.

Please click here to let us know your interest and availability so we can start connecting you to your Chavurah.

The 1st Annual Men of Adat Ari El is coming up on Sunday, November 11th! Join us for food, drinks, scotch tasting and a Texas Hold ‘em tournament with great prizes! Anyone is welcome to join for the event and play. Player spots are limited so register soon. Once you are in the tournament you are allowed one re-buy. We have non-player admission as well for those that want to hang out and enjoy the tournament.

https://adatariel.org/engage/moaae

Havdalah Highlights

We start each week gathered together as a school for a Havdalah ceremony, during which we highlight students who we have noticed acting in ways that carry out our mission. Because we are so proud of our students, we wanted to share their stories with you!

Leaelle K. in 4th grade is so polite and thoughtful. She always takes the time to thank adults and students alike for doing things like opening the door or helping her with her work. She is also quick to volunteer to help whenever and for whomever it is needed. Also, when a classmate fell hard and hurt her knee, Leaelle thought it would be helpful to bring her classmate's lunchbox upstairs, so she would have one less thing to think about. After getting ice for her, Leaelle picked up the lunchbox from the table and brought it upstairs for her. Leaelle didn't wait to be asked or thanked. She just did it.

In 3rd grade, Sam R. and Ryan K. noticed a lot of trash on the lunch table and picked up all of it without being asked.  Meadow B. heard another student feeling bad and she made a comment so that the student felt better.

5th graders Michelle L. and Leah M. jumped out of the chairs and helped Shira when she was on crutches. She didn't need to ask them, they did it on their own.

5th grader Liam B. was asked to help a classmate because his computer was not working. He went over and sat with him, letting him use his computer and helping him complete his work so that it wouldn't be homework.

In 6th grade, Nathanel B. helped his friends with a problem on the computers even without being asked.

In TK, Dylan W. neatened up the classroom without anyone telling her to do so.

Ava S. in TK helped a friend that was hurt.

Lia S. in Kindergarten noticed a friend in TK sitting by herself and she asked her to join her at her snack table.

Maayan G. noticed the iPads were all unplugged and messy, so she stayed in during recess to plus them all in and straighten for all of her classmates.

Zeke B. in TK, not wanting to be wasteful, turned off the water that had been left running in the bathroom.

Lulu F. in 4th grade picked up trash in the pick up area.

A huge shout out to Cate W., Zoe S., Ari S., and Meadow B. for carrying out our mission for all they do in aftercare with TK and Kindergarten students. They are consistently guiding, helping and coaching them in soccer and other games. They put big smiles on their faces.

Calendar

Mark your calendars for these important dates:

• November 12: Veteran's Day - school in session
• November 13: Kadima Lunchtime Lounge - Grades 4-6
• November 14-16: grade 5 - Astrocamp
• November 19: 6th grade parlor meeting - 7:30pm
• November 21: Thanksgiving Feast - 12:30pm dismissal - no day care available
• November 22/23: Thanksgiving - no school

*click here to view the full calendar

Jewish Trivia question of the week

Each week, we'll pose a Jewish Trivia question of the week and will reveal the answer in the following week's newsletter! Here's this week's question: Who was the first Hebrew writer to receive the Nobel Prize for literature?

a. I. L. Peretz

b. S. Y. Agnon

c. Yehuda Amichai

d. Amos Oz

ANSWER from last week's question:  Of the 613 commandments in the Torah, how many deal with food and eating habits?​

C. 50