In partnership with the Azrieli Graduate School and the MATAN Bellows Eshkolot Program, SKA pioneered a new initiative this year with the inauguration of the SKA Beit Midrash Fellowship. Majoring in the field of Jewish education, the SKA Beit Midrash Fellows have the opportunity to carry out their student teaching responsibilities in our classrooms, working directly with our students and forming meaningful relationships with them through one-on-one learning and co-curricular activities.  Under the guidance of Mrs. Avital Braun, Rosh Beit Midrash, our Fellows contribute to the vibrant Torah learning in our building while enhancing their own development as impactful educators.  The benefit to our SKA students has been immeasurable!

On Thursday, December 3, Shevach High School students were fired up for their annual sh’miras ha’lashon program through an exciting breakout. The girls entered Shevach’s Multi-Purpose Room to find it expertly decorated with fire-related artwork and explosive materials. One wall portrayed a line of erupting volcanoes, entitled “Let Positivity Explode.” Another wall featured a fire extinguisher (“Extinguish Negativity”), a pile of bonfire logs (“How ‘Wood’ You Feel?”), and a Smokey the Bear poster (“One Word Can Spark a Forest Fire”).

On Wednesday, November 25, the seventh-grade girls participated in a bas mitzvah workshop in the lunchroom of YCQ. In a typical year, the sixth-grade girls would have a program after school with their mothers, in anticipation of becoming b’nos mitzvah the following year. However, due to the events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, which began earlier this year, and which forced a lot of activities at school to be suspended, it was not possible to hold the event at the end of sixth grade.

MTA welcomed an amazing group of eighth graders at its Student Visit Day on Friday, December 4. The boys experienced the warmth, excitement, and energy of MTA and participated in interactive shiurim and classes with rebbeim and faculty. They also had a great time playing games in the new Lions’ Lounge and sports in the Den, and had the opportunity to try out some of MTA’s extracurricular activities.