Chabad Hebrew School Celebrates End-of-Year with Beginning
GOSHEN, NY — On a recent Sunday morning, Chabad Hebrew School students and their families celebrated with an end-of-year brunch and award ceremony.
“Learning never ends!” said Rabbi Pesach Burston, Director of Chabad of Orange County, addressing those assembled. “The formal classes, programs and sessions may now be coming to an end, but that’s precisely where real education – the practice of the study- begins! “Accordingly, this is not the celebration of an end, but a beginning!” Rabbi Pesach concluded.
“In fact,” Rabbi Pesach added, “there are 613 commandments in the Torah. It’s no coincidence that the last day of Hebrew School was on 6/13! Teaching us not to leave our learning in the classroom – but to bring it to the streets. Even on vacation!”
The curriculum at Chabad Hebrew School, “Hang with ten,” was teaching the fundamentals of Judaism, traditions and culture based in the Ten Commandments. This goal was brought to fruition through the creative mediums of art, drama, song and Chabad Hebrew School’s innovative curriculum.
For Hebrew reading, Chabad Hebrew School uses the internationally acclaimed Aleph Champion Reading Program. Based on the martial arts motivational philosophy of color-coded levels and testing, it provides excitement and inspiration, leading the students into a winning cycle of learning. Games, flashcards, workbooks and rewards make every step along this remarkable journey a fun and educational success.
Chana Burston, director of Chabad Hebrew School, along with Chabad staff, presented each of the students with awards for their accomplishments and levels passed.
Several students spoke about their experience in Hebrew School and some read Hebrew before the audience.
Brendon Pearlman, 13, of Chester, who graduated Hebrew School after joining 5 years ago, and was celebrating his Bar Mitzvah the following weekend with Chabad, said, “Being at Chabad has taught me the importance and privilege of being Jewish.”
“I have learned to read Hebrew, about the Jewish holidays and how to read prayers. All of this has prepared me for being a Bar Mitzvah, and I will have this knowledge all my life.”
Jesse Schwartz, 8, of Central Valley, spoke about how much he loves learning abut being Jewish and, he exclaimed, “I look forward to coming to Hebrew class every week!”
Hebrew School parents Sharon Murphy, of New Windsor, and Abbie Gonzalez, of Monroe, both spoke of their happiness with the love their children have toward their Jewish heritage, and the welcoming, non-judgmental atmosphere they feel at Chabad Hebrew School.
Special recognition and gifts were given to the staff and volunteers, as well as to the Gregg Wenzel Scholarship Fund as well as several donors.
“Chabad’s policy is that no one will be turned down due to lack of funds” said Rabbi Pesach, “and our supporters make that happen!”
Chabad’s Hebrew School prides itself on developing a sophisticated curriculum that caters to the needs and interests of all students. Chabad’s Hebrew School offers a choice of classes Thursday afternoons in Monroe or Sunday mornings in Goshen for boys and girls. The First Taste program is geared for ages 5-6, and Hebrew School caters to ages 5-13. Pictures of this year’s Hebrew School students and activities can be viewed at www.ChabadOrange.com.
Registration for next year’s Hebrew School is now open. For more information, and to request registration forms please contact Chabad at 782-2770; write HS@ChabadOrange.com or visit www.ChabadOrange.com
Rabbi Pesach congratulates Brandon Pearlman, 13, of Chester, after he speaks at Chabad Hebrew School Award Ceremony. “Chabad Hebrew School has prepared me for being a Bar Mitzvah, and I will have this knowledge all my life” he said in his speech.
Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston acknowledge several staff and volunteers of Chabad Hebrew School. L-R: Chaya Goldman and Nechama Jacobs, Youth Directors, Sigal Szuchman, of Highland Mills, Chana Burston, Gabi Cohen, of Highland Mills and Rabbi Pesach Burston
Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston present gifts to Mitchell and Gladys Wenzel, of Monroe, for the Gregg Wenzel Scholarship Fund they established, which helps support scholarships for Chabad Hebrew School
Frederick Pulver, 5, of Highland Mills, is proud to have completed the First Taste Program of Chabad Hebrew School, and shows off his Aleph-Bet balloon
Matthew Cohen, 8, of Highland Mills, displays his accomplishments of Aleph Champ reading level, posing with Chana Burston, Director of Chabad Hebrew School
Schneur
I don’t chas vesholom want to belittle the shluchim’s accomplishments here, but what the Shlucha is doing in some of the pics is absolutely against Halochoh. Namely embracing 12 and 13 year old boys – not her children.
old fashioned
I hate to be negative, but the first picture with the shlucha is strange. She has her arms around an 11 and 12 year old boy. Sure looks funny to me.
shocked and upset
Here we go again with shocking pics of shluchos – “abi” everyone has complaints about the tznius of Crown Heights!
The halachos of yichud/negia begins with boys at age 9, why must the first picture be of a shlucha with her arm around an older boy?!?
You’re doing great work, but can’t it be within the confines of halacha?
rachel
im certainly a big fan of the warmth and love that chabad shows to everyone and im certainly with many faults of my own
im saying this not to put anyone down or to diminish the beauty of what shluchim do, but if the boys are ages 10,11,12 in the first picture then perhaps it is the rabbi and not the rebbetzin who should be having her arms around them
just a thought….
good friend
Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston
you do so much for so many true examples of the rebbes shluchim
keep on growing your work is truely as inspiration
friend
Go Nechama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fan
Yay Burstons!!
Admirer
Rabbi Pesach and Chana, you guys are the embodiment of the Rebbe’s work. You are truly amazing! Keep up the good work!
wtvr
for comments 1-4 just shut up
u guys are to quick to judge. does bar mitzvah mean anything to you? and since when are you the people to tell off someone when they are doing shluchos? try to put urself in their shoes. u wont last a second.