Community Magazine December 2003

I t’s a new school year, and we at Yeshivat Shaare Torah Boys Elementary, find ourselves enjoying our most successful term yet. We are bursting with enthusiasm and take great pride in sharing our accomplishments, both new and old, with you. Our commitment to producing true Bnei Torah, scholars in both learning and character remains at the forefront of our goals. Many steps have been taken to further these lofty ideals. Our esteemed Menahel, Rabbi Moshe Kuessous, continues to work tirelessly to infuse our boys with a love of Mitzvot and a deep knowledge and understanding of our holy Torah. He is currently working together with Rabbi Hillel Mandel, a renowned educator, who has been brought in as a consultant for our Limudei Kodesh department. Staff development has reached new heights this year as Rabbi Mandel has been observing all of our Rabbanim in the classroom. He has been able to make key observations which he in turn shares with each Rabbi. Through his vast experience, Rabbi Mandel has made numerous suggestions which has made good teaching become great teaching. He has an array of active participation techniques, as well as retention strategies, all of which open new vistas in the educational process. Recently, our Rabbanim traveled to HAFTR Yeshiva to observe some fascinating and creative workshops which proved to be a source of added inspiration for our dedicated and eager staff. Many of our Rabbanim have been instructed in the methods of Dr. Mel Levine’s Schools Attuned Program, as well. A great addition to our curriculum this year came with the hiring of the dynamic Morah Rachel Dear, our Hebrew Curriculum Coordinator for Grades 1 – 4. She brings years of experience with children and has greatly enhanced our program. A native born Israeli, Morah Dear has created what is known at Shaare as the Lashon Hakodesh Room. The classroom is brightly decorated with exciting Hebrew posters, charts and other materials which visually assist in the absorption of the language. In this setting, where the only spoken word is in Hebrew, the boys are grasping the language at a rapid pace. The results have been overwhelmingly positive and are carrying over to all areas of our Limudei Kodesh studies. The boys of Shaare Torah are granted the opportunity to glean from the wisdom of our community’s most outstanding and charismatic Rabbis. The students were delighted to learn about our great Rabbinic ancestors at a Rosh Hodesh address delivered by Rabbi David Sutton. At our recent grandfather, father and son breakfast, all in attendance benefited from the powerful words of Rabbi David Yosef. A shiur given by Rabbi Eli Mansour, expounding insights on the weekly perasha is a highlight of our 8th Graders week. The presence of these scholarly, community