KOL ECHAD | Weekly Newsletter 

January 25, 2024

Hebrew Language Day

By Karin Koskas, Director of Hebrew & Judaic Studies

 

שני הדברים שבלעדיהם לא יהיו היהודים לעם: הארץ והלשון

-אליעזר בן-יהודה

“There are two things without which the Jews will not be a nation: their land and their language.”

- Eliezer Ben-Yehuda 

When Eliezer Ben-Yehuda said this, he was a key participant in the broader Jewish national project to bring about both a sovereign Jewish state and a revitalization of the language of the Jewish people. These were two necessary elements to allow the Jewish people to “step back into history” as a people that would once again be actors rather than be acted upon. As we celebrate יום השפה העברית/Hebrew Language Day, held each year on the birthday of Ben-Yehuda, who played an outsized role in returning modern Hebrew to its role as a living tongue, it is worth noting how this vision is no less true for us today, especially in light of the horrific tragedy of October 7th and its aftermath.  

Last week, Kadima students learned about the life of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and poets such as Chaim Nachman Bialik and Naomi Shemer. They also learned about the importance of the Hebrew language, its special words and slang. They spent the week understanding the beauty of Hebrew as the special language of the Jewish people that connects us to our roots.

On Friday, the Hebrew Language Day celebrations started with an assembly at which the students presented about Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and sang songs by Naomi Shemer: The Aleph-Bet Song (שיר האלף-בית), The Twelve Months (שנים עשר ירחים), Anashim Tovim, Yerushalayim Shel Zahav, and Etzleinu Bechatzer. The students then participated in activities planned and led by our eighth grade student leaders, such as inventing new words in Hebrew, my favorite word in the Hebrew language - the most popular choices were love, Israel, soldier (אהבה, ישראל, חייל) - crafts, bingo, and quizzes.

It was a fun, powerful day for the students, full of learning, love, and pride for the Hebrew language! The spirit of the language, the strength of our Israeli culture, and the feeling of home were palpable throughout the school as we celebrated Yom HaSafah HaIvrit. This was, in fact, the vision of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda: that our common language helps unite Am Israel, both in good times and when we face difficulties.

Am Israel Chai!עם ישראל חי!

Shabbat shalom,

Karin Koskas

Director of Hebrew & Judaic Studies

Important Dates

Wednesday, January 31

• Tuition assistance application (FAST) priority deadline
• 2024-25 admission application priority deadline

Monday, February 5

• Concert by visiting musicians from the Kadima Conservatory of Music (ECEC/Elementary School)

Tuesday, February 6

• Rosh Chodesh staff luncheon

Thursday, February 8

• PTO Meeting - 8:15 am, in the library

Friday, February 9

• 1st grade Siyum HaAmidah and Shabbat program - 1:30 pm

Wednesday, February 14

• Snack Shack

Monday, February 19

• Presidents' Day - school closed

Tuesday, February 27

• Middle School science fair

Thursday, February 29

• Parent-teacher conferences - minimum day - 12:00 pm dismissal (ES/MS only)

Friday, March 1

• Parent-teacher conferences - school closed
• Re-enrollment contracts are due

*For the full school year calendar, please click HERE.

Kadima Visits The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Auschwitz Exhibit

The 8th graders visited the Auschwitz exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library earlier this week. Here are some of their reflections on their experience.

If I were to summarize our field trip at the Holocaust Museum, I would start it off with the word distressing. For me, it was an emotional roller coaster. It was completely heartbreaking to watch those videos, listen to the audio, and look at those photos. I felt as if I was experiencing the pain with them. The hurt I felt which was expressed through those people was unexplainable, I can't imagine how hard it must've been for everyone.  

It is an impossible situation to be in, especially as a kid at such a young age. My great-grandma was taken to Auschwitz at the age of 8. She is Hungarian just like me so she was taken like others from Poland and Hungary. She luckily made it out in time, as she was in the line to be gassed before the Russians came to save them. She was freed and was open to tell her story, and to this day I love to talk about her and her experience as it's extremely breathtaking.  

Auschwitz and all the other camps were a hard time in 1941, and I still feel devastated at the thought of what my people went through. Sadly Hamas recently attacked and killed around 1,410 Israelis (including babies, kids, dads, seniors, moms) only 3 months ago. This world is slowly crumbling upon us and we aren't noticing. 

Lielle Bikszer

Yesterday, we were at the Auschwitz exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Library. The rooms contained artifacts and stories from the well-known extermination camp, Auschwitz. As I walked through the exhibit I could feel the fear and the pain of the Jewish nation in the 1940’s. 

This also reminded me of the recent event that occurred in our world on October 7, 2023. On October 7, Hamas terrorists entered Israel and murdered, sexually assaulted, kidnapped, injured, and even more horrible things. This relates to the Holocaust because the Nazis like Hamas did all in their power to kill and humiliate all Jewish people. 

A saying that was brought from the Holocaust appeared again, “Never again.” This saying is extremely powerful and popular. I believe that if we do not want things like this to happen again we should change something. We should fight back and show how proud we are to be a part of the Jewish nation. 

To sum up, I believe that the Holocaust and the October 7 massacre are similar, and I believe that we should prevent things like this from ever happening again. 

Eliav Eizenkut

When we were at the Auschwitz museum, I felt sadness. They were mainly showing us how we were treated. As I was walking through, I saw people crying. This was a very emotional thing for all of us. 

This was one of the worst things that have happened to the Jewish people. People were taken out of their homes and were promised a good life, but they got the opposite. The Jews were tortured and put to work or killed in the gas chambers. 

I still can't believe that a child of God would kill other people. I am glad that this is over now, but I'm still sad that someone could do this much harm to other people. We also saw Anne Frank and parts of her diary. I am happy that she liked what she did, but she still got caught in the end. If she had survived during the Holocaust, she could have published all her stories and more. 

How do we prevent this from happening again? I think all the Jews could come together and just be a big family. I know that we already do this now, and if we stay this way, I think we can fight them off and stay a country. I hope history doesn't repeat itself, but if all this starts again. I think that other countries would come and help get the Jews out of this situation. This was one of the worst things that have happened to the Jewish people. Now, Israel has allies. So I believe if the Holocaust would happen again, and history would repeat itself, we could win this and make sure it never happens again. 

Alexis Golden

Chai Club Reception

What is the Chai Club? It is a circle of Kadima’s most committed supporters who have given generously to support Kadima’s mission. This esteemed group of donors consists of board members, faculty, parents, and other members of the Kadima community. 

On the evening of Thursday, January 11, members of the Chai Club were invited to a small reception to show Kadima’s appreciation for those who continue to support us at a high level year after year. Ami and Michaela Fridman graciously hosted the reception at their home.

The reception featured heartwarming reflections from two Kadima alumnae, Maureen Krantz (Class of ‘89) and Naomi Strongin (Class of ‘92). 

Maureen thanked the Chai Club for their support and talked about how she found lifelong friendships at Kadima. She passed around photos of her and former classmates throughout the years.

Naomi, currently the Vice President of the Center for Designed Philanthropy at the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, recounted her fond memories of Kadima and how it helped shape her as a person. “When I think about Kadima, the words that come to my mind first and foremost are warmth, family, and an incredible Jewish and Hebrew language education,” Naomi said.

At the end of the evening, members of the Chai Club received gifts as a thank you for all their support. The Chai Club is not an exclusive group; anyone can choose to be a part of it. We hope to see each and every one of you at the next Chai Club event!

For more information about how to join, please contact Chantelle Leiderman, Development Associate (cleiderman@kadimadayschool.org, 818-346-0849 ext.125)

Kadima Board of Trustees Nominations

Kadima's Board of Trustees is actively looking for new members to serve for 2024-25. If you or someone you know wants to champion our school and have a larger impact on Kadima’s future, please contact boardsecretary@kadima.co.

For a more in-depth description of what is required of a board member, please click here.

Tuition Assistance

All returning families who would like to be considered for tuition assistance for the upcoming school year, including those who have applied previously, must submit a 2024-25 FAST application. To access the tuition assistance FAST application, please click here. The tuition assistance application priority deadline is January 31.

2024-25 Admission Application Priority Deadline

The 2024-25 admission application priority deadline is fast approaching. To apply for admission to Kadima Day School for a younger sibling, please click here. The admission application priority deadline is THIS COMING WEDNESDAY, January 31.

Returning Kadima families will be receiving their re-enrollment contracts starting February 15. You will have two weeks to submit your signed re-enrollment contract to waive the enrollment fee.

In the Community

Ramah Day Camp LA

Top 10 Conversation Starters: Parashat B'shalach

By Dr. Steven Lorch

#10 -  According to the Torah, God leads B'nei Yisrael (the children of Israel) in the desert with a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night (Sh'mot 13, 21). Were there two separate pillars, or was there only one (whose fire wasn't visible during the day and whose cloud wasn't visible at night)?

#9 -  God instructs Moshe to camp on the shore of the Red Sea and gives three identifying features: "before Pi Hachirot, between Migdol and the sea, before Ba'al Tz'fon" (14, 2). Why does God have to give Moshe such detailed instructions if B'nei Yisrael are being led by the pillar?

#8 - God wants Pharaoh to chase after B'nei Yisrael, explaining that this will give God glory, and the Egyptians will know that He is God (14, 4). Don't the Egyptians already know this from all of the plagues? Anyway, they're about to drown in the sea. What difference does it make if they know for just a few more minutes that God is God?

#7 - Pharaoh hitches his own chariot to his horse (14, 6). Why doesn't he order his servants to do it for him?

#6 - B'nei Yisrael are so afraid of Pharaoh and his army that they cry out to Moshe that they're going to die in the desert (14, 11-12). Why? They have a large army (600,000 men), they've already seen the Ten Plagues, and they see that God is with them in the pillar!

#5 - God tells Moshe that he shouldn't cry out to God (14, 15). But Moshe doesn't cry out; B'nei Yisrael do. Why does God tell Moshe, who isn't crying out, not to cry out? Anyway, doesn't God desire our prayers?

#4 - Moshe tells B'nei Yisrael to stay out of the battle, that God will fight it for them (14, 13-14). Why shouldn't they fight for themselves and defeat the Egyptians with their own hands?

#3 - When the sea closes up and kills the Egyptians, they're already trying to escape (14, 24-27). In which direction do they try to escape (towards B'nei Yisrael, or away from them)? In which direction does the sea close up? Explain.

#2 -  After the splitting of the sea, the Torah says that B'nei Yisrael are in awe of God and they believe in God (14, 31). Why didn't it say the same thing after the Ten Plagues?

#1 - The Amalekites attack B'nei Yisrael, and Moshe goes to the top of a hill from which he can see the battle. Whenever Moshe raises his hands, B'nei Yisrael start to win, and whenever he lowers his hands, they start to lose (17, 11). Why? What difference does raising or lowering his hands make?