Schechter Chai-lights is a monthly newsletter for parents of alumni, alumni, current families, and friends of Schechter connecting you to all things SSLI, the latest news, events and more.
We hope you will share your thoughts and stories with us.
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January 18, 2022 / 16 Shevat 5782 |
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The Kindness of God
In Jewish moral teaching, the rabbis often look to biblical characters as models for how we should behave. We are told to emulate the hospitality of Abraham and Sarah, the humility of Moses, the heroic selflessness of Esther, etc. When it comes to the single most important moral attribute, that of kindness, it is God Godself, whom we are told to emulate. The most important theological and later liturgical statement of God’s kindness can be found in the Thirteen Divine Attributes (Shlosh Esrei Midot), which are first stated in Exodus, and repeated in various other biblical and rabbinic sources. Within this statement (which is also found at critical stages in the holiday liturgy), God is described as rav chesed, greatly kind, and then as well as notser chesed la’aalfm, safeguarding kindness for the masses. Indeed, kindness is the only attribute that is mentioned more than once in this fundamental statement of God’s characteristics, underscoring its great importance.
At Schechter, we are re-engaging with kindness this year, stating its central importance in our mission and attempting to build the capacity of our students, staff and families to extend kindness in all their interactions. We hope you will join us in this important moral exercise.
On the following pages of the Chai-Lights, you will find several ways in which our community is bringing kindness to the forefront. May we merit the zechut of witnessing God’s kindness more and more in our daily lives.
Dr. Scott Sokol, Head of School
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Let’s talk about Kindness |
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Kindness is loosely translated into Hebrew as gemilut hasadim or as acts of loving-kindness. Gemilut hasadim is in fact one of the core, 3 pillars that we in the Jewish community consider to be central to us as a people and to the care and sustenance of the world around us. Pirkei Avot 1:2 reads: “The world rests upon three things, Torah, avodah, and gemilut hasadim.”
So what does that mean to us on an everyday level at Schechter School of Long Island? What does it mean to us as a community of families who are committed to our school’s core values of Torah, Ahavat Yisrael, Kehillah, Mitzvot and Tefillah?
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I graduated from SSLI in 2021 and am currently a freshman at Princeton University pursuing molecular biology on a pre-med track.
During my senior year at Schechter, I was the Student Body President. This was by far my most rewarding activity throughout high school. Through Student Government I was able to give back to the community in a tangible and meaningful way. At the end of February break, I decided to have the entire Executive Student Government sleepover at Schechter on the night before school resumed, so we could wake up early in the morning and prepare fresh, homemade pancakes for the entire Upper School.
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SSLI Alumni Shout Out
to Ira Kohler
After graduating in 2018, Ira studied and received his bachelor degree in Economics from the University of Delaware.
In August 2020, he moved to Israel and lived in Kibbutz Erez, a Kibbutz five minutes from Sderot in the south of Israel.
Ira enlisted to the IDF on January 4.
We wish Ira all the best!
Mazal tov!
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SSLI Alumni Shout Out
to Josh (SSLI '03), Sigal (SSLI '07), Sarah (SSLI '11) and Max Hirsch (SSLI '14)
On 2/26/22, Josh, Sigal, Sarah, and Max will be honored with the Ramah Berkshires Alumni Leadership Award.
We wish Josh, Sigal, Sarah and Max all the best!
Mazal tov!
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CALLING ALL ALUMNI
Where are you and what are you doing? Who got a new job, who moved?
Who got engaged, married, or had a baby? Who ran into a fellow alumni unexpectedly?
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Email your info to ekahn@schechterli.org
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UPPER SCHOOL ART CLASSES KINDNESS CARDS
Nursing homes can be difficult places. Residents have no control when or what they eat, when, and if they can go outside and must rely on staff for their every need.
Due to COVID-19, nursing home residents are allowed no visitors and most of their recreation programs have been suspended. The social isolation and loneliness they are feeling are painful and unprecedented.
The Schechter Upper School created 50 “Kindness Cards” (see pictures above). They did this with Ms. Markacs, the Schechter School art teacher. They are being delivered to Brandywine Senior Living Center in Little Neck.
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This month @Schechter LI
To see more pictures and events, please follow us on
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Preparing for Tu B'Shevat
Click a picture to see more
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Mazal Tov to Ariella Kristal (SSLI '09) & Sam Clinton-Davis on the birth of their son Asher Max Kristal-Davis born January 2, 2022. Mazal tov as well to proud grandparents Manda and Lenny Kristal and Suzanne & Henry Clinton Davis. |
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This month's tributes:
In Honor/ In Memory
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If you would like to honor a person's memory or mark a celebration with a contribution to Schechter LI, you may make an online donation, or send your donation to the Development Office. The family will be notified of your contribution.
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To discuss making a donation to Schechter LI, please email Elizabeth Kahn, Director of Institutional Advancement to ekahn@schechterli.org or call 516.935.1441 ext.1131.
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