In The Levine Loop

Class of 2019: Week Two in Israel

Class of 2019: Week One in Israel

In this week’s Parsha Ki Tisa, after G‑d revealed Himself to the entire nation at Mount Sinai and told them the Ten Commandments, Moses ascended the mountain where he remained for forty days. There he was to study the Torah and receive the Tablets. The Jews miscalculate when Moses is supposed to return, and when he doesn't appear on the day when they anticipate him, they grow impatient and demand Aaron to make for them a new god. Aaron cooperates, all along intending to postpone and buy time until Moses' return, but despite his efforts, a Golden Calf emerges from the flames. The festivities and sacrifices start early the next morning and the Jews commit the sin of idolatry.

This week’s Torah portion is Parshat Terumah. The parsha begins with G‑d instructing Moshe to accept contributions from the Israelites for the construction of a Tabernacle: “Let them make for Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell amongst them.”  The needed materials included precious metals, dyed wools and hides, flax, wood, olive oil, spices and gems.

This week Levine Academy brought students to one of Dallas’ premier cultural institutions—the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The cultural field trip is part of a school-wide effort to raise musical awareness among the younger elementary students in order to develop their love of music, expose them to an array of musical styles, and possibly ignite their interest in learning to play an instrument.

In this week’s Torah portion - Parshat Yitro - Yitro, Moshe’s father-in-law observed Moses adjudicating all the disputes that arose among the Israelites. Yitro suggested to Moshe that such a system, one that placed such a great burden on Moshe’s shoulders, would eventually wear him down. Instead, he advised Moshe to appoint a hierarchy of wise and righteous judges, and to delegate his responsibilities - with Moshe presiding only over the most difficult cases. This would also free up Moshe’s time to teach the Israelites the teachings of the Torah that he hears from G‑d.

In this week’s Torah portion Parshat B’Shalach, Hashem sends manna from the sky to feed the Jewish people. Moshe commanded the Jews not to leave any manna over from one day to the next. Some disregarded this instruction, and the next morning found their manna worm-infested. On Friday everyone picked two omers (measurements). Moshe explained that the second portion was to be prepared and set aside for Shabbat - when no manna would fall. Again, some disregarded Moses' directive, and went out to pick manna on Shabbat. G‑d was angered by this disobedience.

In this week’s Torah portion Parshat Bo, we read about the last of the Ten Plagues and the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. G-d then commands Israel with some of the first commandments to its people. Included in these commandments is the obligation to celebrate Passover and teach our children the story of the Exodus. Every Shabbat in Kiddush we say that the reasons we celebrate the Shabbat is “Zecher L’yitziat Mitzrayim” to “remember the Exodus from Egypt and “Zecher L’maaseh Breishit” to “remember that G-d created the world and rested on the 7^th day”.

In this week’s Torah portion Parshat Vayechi Joseph presents his two sons, placing Manasseh, the firstborn to Jacob's right, and Ephraim to Jacob's left. Jacob, who was nearly blind at this point, crossed his hands, placing his right – more prestigious – hand on Ephraim's head. He blessed them: "May the angel who redeemed me from all harm bless these youths, and may they be called by my name and the name of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac, and may they multiply abundantly like fish, in the midst of the land."

In this week’s Torah portion Parshat Vayigash, we discuss the end of the story with Yosef who was sold into slavery by his brothers only to ultimately become the viceroy of Egypt. When Yosef reveals himself, the Torah states that Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But, his brothers could not answer him, so dumfounded were they on account of him. (Genesis 45:7).

This week’s Parsha is Mikeitz which always corresponds with Shabbat Chanukah. There are some thematic connections one can make between Chanukah and the story of Joseph. Primarily they are both stories of Jewish suffering that result in Jewish victory and celebration but is that it?

Mrs. Burck's Second graders received new classroom furnishings, provided by NorvaNivel. The transformation has brightened the learning and enlivened their environment, and the students love it!

Exploration, curiosity, and intrigue can be heard and seen in our Levine Academy Pre-K hallway. Our Alphabet Museum/Letter of the Week literacy curriculum teaches letter recognition and enhances phonetic awareness. This curriculum is designed to teach various learning styles: visual/special, auditory/musical, verbal/linguistic and physical/kinesthetic learners.

This week’s Torah portion is Vayeishev which starts the story of Yosef and his brothers. Sunday night is the 25^th of Kislev, the first night of Chanukah. Chanukah serves as a paradigm for Rabbinic holidays as there is virtually no mention of it until the times of the Talmud. In fact, there is no tractate dedicated to Chanukah.

Day One:
After waking up early in the morning we got to the airport and got on our plane. After a fun flight, and meeting new people, we made it to DC. When we arrived in DC we hopped on our bus and headed to Great Falls Park for a delicious picnic lunch and some sports. We had an amazing hike, with beautiful views. Then we went to the hotel, got situated and unpacked. We went for a fun dinner and finally saw the White House! -Brenna & Andrea

In this week’s portion Parshat Toldot, we learn an important lesson in parenting from our Avot and Imahot (Foremothers and Forefathers). The Passuk says in (Genesis 25:28), "Yitzchak loved Esav because he was an accomplished hunter, and Rivkah loved Yaakov".

In this week’s Parshat Chayei Sara, Avraham commands his servant Eliezer to go and find a wife for his son Yitzchak. When Hashem ultimately leads Eliezer to find Rivkah by the well, he notices the acts of kindness that she performs and gives her jewelry. When Rivkah runs home to tell her family about Eliezer, her brother Lavan invites Eliezer in only after noticing the beautiful jewelry that Eliezer had given her.

Wednesday, October 17th
Last night we went our separate ways joining family for dinner, exploring the food options in Tel Aviv with new friends from the Schultz Fellows group and attending a Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball game (I will leave it to you to guess who did which activity).  This morning we reunited and drove to Ariel Sharon Park, which prior to 1998 was where 24 municipalities dumped their trash. The park is just outside of Tel Aviv and was supported by Sharon when he was Prime Minister of Israel. The park is elevated with breath taking views, and has plans to extend.

Friday, October 12, 2018
What an eye opening day we had in preparation for Shabbat. This morning's focus was diverse narratives and we heard a few different stories as we continue to sort through the journey of our Israel Experience. We spent some time hearing about diverse personal narratives. At our first stop we spent time with some members of a program called ‘Shorashim’ (Roots) (https://www.friendsofroots.net/) next to the Gush Etzion Junction.

We are so grateful to be part of the Schultz Family Israel Educational Leadership Fellowship made possible by the Schultz Family Foundation and the Center for Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas we traveled to Israel Monday afternoon for a 10 day trip and are thrilled to share some of our adventures with you.

Interestingly the day we refer to as Rosh Hashanah, is never called as such in the Torah.   We are only instructed to blast the Shofar on this day. The laws of this day are discussed twice in the Torah:

In this week's Torah portion Parshat Ki Teitzei Hashem gives us the Commandment that; "If you see your fellow’s ox or sheep gone astray, do not ignore it; you must take it back to your fellow.

This week's Torah portion Parshat Re'eh starts with Hashem speaking and saying.

Every year, Levine Middle School students take experiential trips starting with Greene Family Camp in Fifth Grade to The Tour of Texas in Sixth to DC/NYC in Seventh and finally, Israel in Eighth.  

Students in Mr. Itskovich's (Mr. I's) math class have been experiencing a transformation. In fact, we could call it a new theorem: planes and geometric figures of bright colorful objects allow for greater focus and energy.

On Wednesday morning this week, Levine Academy students were able to witness and participate in Anshai Torah's Project 613, the writing of a Torah Scroll in honor of Wende Weinberg of blessed memory. Rabbi Zerach Greenfield, the Sofer (Scribe) who arrived from Israel just the day before, spoke to the K8 student body in Beit Aryeh and conducted a question and answer session with the students on the many fascinating laws surrounding the correct way to write the Torah.

Class of 2018: Third and Final Week in Israel

Class of 2018: Week Two in Israel

Class of 2018: Week One in Israel

Progressing Toward: The Brain-Compatible Classroom

Going Deeper with Reading and Writing-the New Normal at Levine

Levine's Math Program: Challenge for All: On-Level, Above Average, Advanced

Early literacy studies have undergone a profound transformation in recent years. Not long ago, early literacy was largely neglected. The assumption was that literacy learning begins around first grade, not before. Reading instruction was ignored during early childhood years. Academic skills used to be postponed until a child's natural maturation unfolds.

From the Tree of our Dreams to a spectacular Fifth Grade Tu B'Shvat Celebration at last Friday's Kehilla Kedosha Service, Levine was aflutter this past week with all things related to trees: tree sculptures, mosaics, mixed media, discovery stations, poetry, journaling, and much more.

Curricular Foundation in our PreK Program

Last Wednesday, our Eighth Graders joined Akiba Academy for a joint presentation from Sharsheret, a national non-profit organization that supports young Jewish women and their families in the face of breast cancer. 

Last week, the Fifth Grade embarked on a two-day experience to Greene Family Camp to participate in confidence building and group challenges that helped create a close and cooperative learning community between students.

Last night we held our first Curriculum Night for this school year. The focus of this curriculum night was data and how we at Levine Academy are using data to drive instruction in our classrooms on a daily basis. Data Driven Instruction is a methodical approach to improving student learning throughout the year. The sequence of data-driven instruction includes data collection, data analysis, and action and is a key framework for school-wide support of all student success. Data analysis provides a snapshot of what students know, what they should know, and what can be done to meet their academic needs. With appropriate collection, analysis and interpretation of data, educators can make well informed decisions that positively affect student achievement.

At Levine, raising the level of student success is always uppermost on our minds.

How does Levine challenge its students in mathematics and prepare them for high school? This week we sat down with our Seventh and Eighth Grade Math teacher, Ms. Regie Neff, to discuss how she tries to encourage all her students to excel in the math arena. She strives to instill success wherever students are in their learning process.