Chabad Orange Hebrew School Students Celebrate Their Accomplishments
A year of Jewish education and culture at Chabad Hebrew School of Orange County, led by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, was celebrated at the recent Moving Up & Awards Ceremony. Held at the Orange County Sports Club in Florida, the festive ceremony included a “Judaic Art Walk” gallery, brunch, gymnastics, awards, and recognitions.
The Hebrew School students, decked in this year’s CHS t-shirt, sang several of their favorite songs, with colorful pom-poms and enthusiastic clapping adding to the excitement. Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston welcomed the crowd and congratulated the students on a tremendous year of Jewish learning and pride.
“Learning never ends,” said Rabbi Pesach. “Instead of calling this special event a ‘graduation,’ we use the term ‘moving up’ because in Judaism we never graduate – we always move upwards in our connection and learning.”
“I’m incredibly proud of every student,” said Chana Burston, “may you continue to shine with Jewish pride, and be leaders to your peers to do acts of goodness and kindness. Always be proud of who you are.”
Seventh-grade students Gabi Patsiner of Monroe and Jaden Shaw of Highland Mills offered the “Top Ten Reasons we love Chabad Hebrew School.” Reasons included “Chabad makes learning fun, learning to give back, helps you grow and become a better person, interesting activities…” among others.
Third-grade student Arianna Briggins of New Windsor spoke about the positive experience she had at Chabad Hebrew School and how “all the lessons are exciting and fun and the teachers and classmates are super kind.”
Students were awarded with achievements in the Aleph Champ Hebrew Reading program, receiving medallions and certificates of their level of accomplishments. Character awards were also presented.
The younger classes sang songs and received Hebrew Alphabet chocolates and pencil cases, along with certificates.
All students were gifted with summer backpacks with the slogan “Am Yisroel Chai” – symbolic of the pride of the Jewish nation.
The graduating class were honored with each receiving a personalized golden Torah shaped trophy, along with a prayer book inscribed with their Hebrew names.
Staff, including teachers and volunteers, were given recognition and gifts. A special gift was presented to Orange County Sports Club owner Eric Muhlrad of Chester in appreciation for generously hosting the event in his facility.
Local teens who volunteer on a weekly basis were thanked for their dedication. Teen include Bella Hauck of Middletown, Andrew Redling of Warwick, Evan Leeds of Chester, Dani Gold of Highland Mills, Brooke Reese of Monroe, Jillian Meyers of Harriman, Skylar Shaw of Highland Mills and Haley Olstein of Monroe, Lola Sale of Highland Mills and Sivan Kalkstein of Monroe. Gifts and recognition were also given to Chabad Youth Director Rosie Rimler as well as to 4 Monsey Beis Chaya Mushka students who help with Aleph Cham every week: Shira Rimler, Mushka Cohen, Menuchi Backman and Shterna Schapiro.
The Gregg Wenzel Scholarship Fund was acknowledged, a fund established by Monroe residents Mitch and Glady Wenzel, in memory of their son, Gregg, who died in service as a CIA agent. The scholarship fund helps students attend Hebrew School who require financial assistance.
Students with summer birthdays were gifted with balloons, treats, and a charity box in honor of their upcoming birthdays. This initiative is part of Chabad Hebrew School’s Hebrew Birthday Club.
Students showed their families the Judaica Art Gallery Display which was inspired from the unique CKids Hebrew School curriculum. Younger students decorated a life-size piece of themselves boasting their “super powers.” The “Super Jew” curriculum emphasized that the “super powers” of kindness, good deeds and following our heritage is what makes us the strongest “Superhero.” Older students created glass plates painted with various themes reflecting the Land of Israel. The “Israel Quest” curriculum explored the Jewish nation’s journey as they settled the land of Israel and eventually built the Holy Temple.
All enjoyed a scrumptious brunch, along with a colorful “Aleph Champ Shuk Desert table,” further emphasizing the Israel theme of this year’s learning. Chabad Hebrew School will reopen in the fall at the new seven-acre Chabad Campus on Gilbert Street in Monroe. The program is open to all Jewish children from across the County, regardless of affiliation. For more info on Chabad Hebrew School and other programs, log onto ChabadOrange.com, email rabbi@chabadorange.com or call 845-782-2770.
Photo Credits: Jessica Klausner Photography
