Bnot Torah Institute » Academic http://bnottorah.com Thu, 17 May 2012 16:30:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Yom Iyun: Contemporary Jewish Woman Seminar! http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/05/16/yom-iyun-contemporary-jewish-woman-seminar/ http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/05/16/yom-iyun-contemporary-jewish-woman-seminar/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 05:40:59 +0000 Rabbi Michael Green http://bnottorah.com/?p=2685 On Tuesday, as soon as we awoke, you could just feel that there was going to be something special and really inspirational here in Sharfman's. You see, we had our Annual Yom Iyun led by our one and only Mrs. Chana Silver on: "Being a Contemporary Jewish Woman!" This year the inspiration was absolutely amazing. We were uplifted by our very own Mrs. Silver who deserves much thanks for arranging this event! Plus, we got to hear from a slew of women who are professionals or who are even alumnae of Bnot Torah/Sharfman's :) Hearing the different vantage points, allowed us to learn how we would be able to be successful Jewish women who could conquer our own personal battlefield, in any situation we may face in our life. All in all, this special seminar contained a wealth of information for the modern Jewish Woman. Click “Read More” to read the full description and see all of the pictures! ]]> On Tuesday, as soon as we awoke, you could just feel that there was going to be something special and really inspirational here in Sharfman’s. You see, we had our Annual Yom Iyun led by our one and only Mrs. Chana Silver on: “Being a Contemporary Jewish Woman!” This year the inspiration was absolutely amazing. We were uplifted by our very own Mrs. Silver who deserves much thanks for arranging this event! Plus, we got to hear from a slew of women who are professionals or who are even alumnae of Bnot Torah/Sharfman’s :) Hearing the different vantage points, allowed us to learn how we would be able to be successful Jewish women who could conquer our own personal battlefield, in any situation we may face in our life. All in all, this special seminar contained a wealth of information for the modern Jewish Woman.

What’s more, during the intermission, we were treated to Mrs. Sharfman’s home made bran muffins and chocolate milk. During this break we were able to further explore answers from the panelists who availed themselves to us. We all heard insights that you simply never have even thought of before, but that will stay with us for all the rest of our lives :)

]]> http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/05/16/yom-iyun-contemporary-jewish-woman-seminar/feed/ 0 Meet the Adar S.T.A.H.R. Award Winners! http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/04/22/meet-the-adar-i-s-t-a-h-r-award-winners/ http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/04/22/meet-the-adar-i-s-t-a-h-r-award-winners/#comments Sun, 22 Apr 2012 06:00:38 +0000 Rabbi Michael Green http://bnottorah.com/?p=2536 While we are formally no longer in the month of Adar  anymore, and have just come back from a meaningful and refreshing Pesach vacation everyone is still very much abuzz and happy for all of the Adar S.T.A.H.R. Award winners! There were girls hailing from Los Angeles and San Diego, to New York to Chicago, and even some five time S.T.A.H.R. Award Winners!! The entire school was gathered for a mid-morning S.T.A.H.R. Award Presentation that also featured yummy Rosh Chodesh treats as we all celebrated Rosh Chodesh Iyar. We got to taste Rabbi Sharfman's famous Hot Cocoa and also... Click “Read More” to read the full description and see all of the pictures! ]]> While we are formally no longer in the month of Adar  anymore, and have just come back from a meaningful and refreshing Pesach vacation everyone is still very much abuzz and happy for all of the Adar S.T.A.H.R. Award winners! There were girls hailing from Los Angeles and San Diego, to New York to Chicago, and even some five time S.T.A.H.R. Award Winners!! The entire school was gathered for a mid-morning S.T.A.H.R. Award Presentation that also featured yummy Rosh Chodesh treats as we all celebrated Rosh Chodesh Iyar. We got to taste Rabbi Sharfman’s famous Hot Cocoa and also enjoyed fresh Rugelach:)

What’s more all of the Adar S.T.A.H.R. Award winners will be treated to an exclusive trip in which they will be going to a mysterious location. Mazel Tov once again to all of the honor roll girls.

]]> http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/04/22/meet-the-adar-i-s-t-a-h-r-award-winners/feed/ 0 Meet the Shevat S.T.A.H.R. Award Winners! http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/02/23/meet-the-shevat-s-t-a-h-r-award-winners/ http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/02/23/meet-the-shevat-s-t-a-h-r-award-winners/#comments Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:44:22 +0000 Rabbi Michael Green http://bnottorah.com/?p=2355 While we are formally no longer in the month of Shevat anymore, and are celebrating Rosh Chodesh Adar (more on that later :)...), everyone is still very much abuzz and happy for all of the Shevat S.T.A.H.R. Award winners! There were an amazing amount of girls from both Shana Aleph and Shana Bet who hail from all across North America, and even some four time S.T.A.H.R. Award Winners. The entire school was gathered for a mid-morning S.T.A.H.R. Award Presentation. Rabbi Sharfman presented certificates to every S.T.A.H.R. Award winner! All of the Shevat S.T.A.H.R. Award winners will be treated to an exclusive award! We can't wait to share with you more of our Adar and Purim plans but in the meantime, it's time for us to celebrate... Click “Read More” to read the full description & see the slideshow pictures!]]> While we are formally no longer in the month of Shevat anymore, and are celebrating Rosh Chodesh Adar (more on that later :) …), everyone is still very much abuzz and happy for all of the Shevat S.T.A.H.R. Award winners! There were an amazing amount of girls from both Shana Aleph and Shana Bet who hail from all across North America, and even some four time S.T.A.H.R. Award Winners. The entire school was gathered for a mid-morning S.T.A.H.R. Award Presentation. Rabbi Sharfman presented certificates to every S.T.A.H.R. Award winner! All of the Shevat S.T.A.H.R. Award winners will be treated to an exclusive award! We can’t wait to share with you more of our Adar and Purim plans but in the meantime, it’s time for us to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of each and everyone of these girls! Chodesh Tov from all of us at Bnot Torah/Sharfman’s :)

]]> http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/02/23/meet-the-shevat-s-t-a-h-r-award-winners/feed/ 0 Mission Accomplished: The Chumash Paper! http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/02/21/mission-accomplished-the-chumash-paper/ http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/02/21/mission-accomplished-the-chumash-paper/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:09:02 +0000 Rabbi Michael Green http://bnottorah.com/?p=1184 After 6 weeks of effort and research, I now look back and feel accomplishment and success like never before! This Chumash Paper was not just any report that was due. Instead, It is something that I will always have and forever keep :-) It's not just what we learned, it's how we've learned to learn and even more than that. It's how we've learned how enjoyable learning really is... To start off, each of us met with our Chumash teacher (who BTW she's really warm and awesome and really gave us sooo much this year I can't even tell you) to choose a Mitzvah or topic from Chumash that really moved us, and that we wanted to understand better. Click “Read More” to read the full description and see all of the slideshow pictures!]]> After 6 weeks of effort and research, I now look back and feel accomplishment and success like never before! This Chumash Paper was not just any report that was due. Instead, It is something that I will always have and forever keep :-) It’s not just what we learned, it’s how we’ve learned to learn and even more than that. It’s how we’ve learned how enjoyable learning really is…

To start off, each of us met with our Chumash teacher (who BTW she’s really warm and awesome and really gave us sooo much this year I can’t even tell you) to choose a Mitzvah or topic from Chumash that really moved us, and that we wanted to understand better.

For the next 6 weeks, we studied the Pesukim and compared what the Meforshim had to say about them. We worked on understanding not only the story or the Mitzvah and the Halachot, but also the meanings behind things.

Plus, Sharfman’s brought in plenty of extra Beit Midrash Tutors to help us find and work through all kind of sources. They were there during Beit Midrash time, during the breaks, and at our Night Beit Midrash sessions. Best of all, the tutor’s were really cute and I felt that they really wanted to help me with all of my questions!

I think that what I got most out of doing the paper was a real appreciation of how relevant the Torah is to us personally and how it really shows us how to live a meaningful life.

Special thanks to our fantastic Chumash Teacher, Mrs. Ariella Gofman who was there for us before and after classes, in the Beit Midrash, at night and whenever we needed her :-)


]]> http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/02/21/mission-accomplished-the-chumash-paper/feed/ 0 Meet the Teves S.T.A.H.R. Award Winners! http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/01/30/meet-the-teves-s-t-a-h-r-award-winners/ http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/01/30/meet-the-teves-s-t-a-h-r-award-winners/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:36:02 +0000 Rabbi Michael Green http://bnottorah.com/?p=2216 While we are formally no longer in the month of Teves anymore, and have just completed celebrating Rosh Chodesh Shevat, everyone is still very much abuzz and happy for all of the Teves S.T.A.H.R. Award winners! There were over 20 girls hailing from Los Angeles to Baltimore, to New York to Seattle, and even some girls who are repeat S.T.A.H.R. Award Winners. The entire school was gathered for a mid-morning celebration complete with Rabbi Sharfman's famous hot chocolate as well as cinnamon and chocolate rugelach! Next, Rabbi Sharfman presented certificates to every S.T.A.H.R. Award winner! In fact, there were even 2 girls who scored 100% in every aspect of the Sharfman's Torah Academic Honor Roll—or more simply put the S.T.A.H.R. Program! You see, at Sharfman's, each and every year, we are constantly striving to create more cutting edge innovation to further inspire and empower our girls with new ways to maximize their potential as Jewish women! As first announced last year, we have launched the new and exciting program known as: Sharfman's Torah Academic Honor Roll—or more simply put the S.T.A.H.R. Program! This program Click “Read More” to read the full description and see all the slideshow pictures!!]]> While we are formally no longer in the month of Teves anymore, and have just completed celebrating Rosh Chodesh Shevat, everyone is still very much abuzz and happy for all of the Teves S.T.A.H.R. Award winners! There were over 20 girls hailing from Los Angeles to Baltimore, to New York to Seattle, and even some girls who are repeat S.T.A.H.R. Award Winners. The entire school was gathered for a mid-morning celebration complete with Rabbi Sharfman’s famous hot chocolate as well as cinnamon and chocolate rugelach! Next, Rabbi Sharfman presented certificates to every S.T.A.H.R. Award winner! In fact, there were even 2 girls who scored 100% in every aspect of the Sharfman’s Torah Academic Honor Roll—or more simply put the S.T.A.H.R. Program!

You see, at Sharfman’s, each and every year, we are constantly striving to create more cutting edge innovation to further inspire and empower our girls with new ways to maximize their potential as Jewish women! As first announced last year, we have launched the new and exciting program known as: Sharfman’s Torah Academic Honor Roll—or more simply put the S.T.A.H.R. Program! This program illustrates how much we believe that each and every girl is truly a blossoming shining S.T.A.H.R! Not only does each and every qualifying student receive a Certificate awarding their accomplishments, but they receive a monthly prize. The first month, the S.T.A.H.R. Award Winners were treated to  Sushi!!

For the month of Kislev, a month in which we enjoying the glistening Chanukah lights, each girl was treated to a regular manicure or french manicure at a local beauty parlor in Ramat Eshkol! Plus, all of the S.T.A.H.R. Award Winners for the month of Teves will be treated to go on such an amazing trip (just ask the girls how thrilled everyone is!!)

]]> http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/01/30/meet-the-teves-s-t-a-h-r-award-winners/feed/ 1 Inspiration & Growth Through our Chumash Paper http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/01/26/inspiration-growth-through-the-chumash-paper/ http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/01/26/inspiration-growth-through-the-chumash-paper/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:10:54 +0000 Rabbi Michael Green http://bnottorah.com/?p=1149 Every year around this time, we are all in full swing working towards the final steps of the Chumash Paper. And so, our Beit Midrash is full of vibrant life and really one of a kind! There are so many of us who are researching our own personal topic. By now we have spent countless hours pouring over various sources and texts ranging from a Ramban to a Rav Dessler. In fact, many of us have stayed late into the night or researched on Motzei Shabbat various Seforim that we have available in the comfortable confines of our Bnot Torah Beit Midrash. Plus, we have had many weeks to work on it and tons of help from the many knowledgeable Chonechet's and Beit Midrash Tutors who are ready to assist you to help you understand the depth of of our heritage. These amazing... Click “Read More” to read the full description and see all of the slideshow pictures!]]> Every year around this time, we are all in full swing working towards the final steps of the Chumash Paper. And so, our Beit Midrash is full of vibrant life and really one of a kind! There are so many of us who are researching our own personal topic. By now we have spent countless hours pouring over various sources and texts ranging from a Ramban to a Rav Dessler. In fact, many of us have stayed late into the night or researched on Motzei Shabbat various Seforim that we have available in the comfortable confines of our Bnot Torah Beit Midrash. Plus, we have had many weeks to work on it and tons of help from the many knowledgeable Chonechet’s and Beit Midrash Tutors who are ready to assist you to help you understand the depth of of our heritage. These amazing women are part of Sharfman’s and help us complete the most hardest of sources, or to decipher a particular Kli Yakar, and so on and so forth.

Honestly, when we started the Chumash Report, l was afraid of getting just a little bit overwhelmed.

Instead, the opposite has happened!

Why?

Because even when we are learning and in the Beit Midrash, Sharfman’s makes sure that learning and growing is always a FUN experience.

It’s so awesome to hear our voices in unity speaking the beautiful words of Torah. It’s the most amazing feeling to finally put all of our research into our very own Chumash Report Sefer. It is certainly something that I will forever treasure as a memento of my accomplishment and academic growth throughout my year at Sharfman’s. To me, the Chumash Report is not just the about research, it’s about the exploration of our heritage at the deepest textual level…and I’ll get to keep these memories for the rest of my life.

]]> http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/01/26/inspiration-growth-through-the-chumash-paper/feed/ 1 Ben Adam L’Chaveiro Week http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/01/23/ben-adam-lchaveiro-week/ http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/01/23/ben-adam-lchaveiro-week/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:02:19 +0000 Rabbi Michael Green http://bnottorah.com/?p=1101 If I had to make the difficult choice of choosing which week has been the most exciting week in school until now, I would probably vote for Bein Adam L'Chaveiro Week somewhere in My Personal Top 5! For 7 days we celebrated Bein Adam L'Chaveiro Week in unique Sharfman's style. It started when the school assigned each girl in the school a "Nutty Buddy." In order to show the girls how much there is to gain from an unexpected friendship, Sharfman's matched up girls who really didn't know each other well. Each "Nutty Buddy" was to shower her "Buddy" with small daily presents during the course of the week. The results far exceeded the expectations :-) Girls spent a lot of time finding out about their Buddies so they could find cute inexpesnive gifts which suited the recipient. In the process, they discovered how distinctive each individual girl is. Gifts ranged from a jump rope for a Buddy who is into physical fitness... Click “Read More” to read the full description and see all of the slideshow pictures! ]]> If I had to make the difficult choice of choosing which week has been the most exciting week in school until now, I would probably vote for Bein Adam L’Chaveiro Week somewhere in My Personal Top 5! For 7 days we celebrated Bein Adam L’Chaveiro Week in unique Sharfman’s style. It started when the school assigned each girl in the school a “Nutty Buddy.” In order to show the girls how much there is to gain from an unexpected friendship, Sharfman’s matched up girls who may not know each other soo well. Each “Nutty Buddy” was to shower her “Buddy” with small cute and daily presents during the course of the week.

The results far exceeded the expectations :-)

Girls spent a lot of time finding out about their Buddies so they could find cute inexpesnive gifts which suited the recipient. In the process, they discovered how distinctive each individual girl is. Gifts ranged from a jump rope for a Buddy who is into physical fitness, to a set of colored pens to an artist, to personalized drawings, plaques, magnets, key chains and, of course, lots of nosh. Finally, the time came for the “Nutty Buddies” to reveal themselves to their “Buddies!” The Bnot Torah Beit Midrash went wild as our Mechanechet, Mrs. Fuld served as the Master of Ceremonies as we all found out who it was that had made the effort to find out about them and give them such suitable gifts.

Each Buddy now had the chance to give her Nutty Buddy a gift of thanks and appreciation for her efforts. All in all, from the smiles on the girls faces you can tell that not only were new friendships started, but the school was successful in giving us new meaning to the idea of Bein Adam L’Chaveiro.

]]> http://bnottorah.com/blog/2012/01/23/ben-adam-lchaveiro-week/feed/ 0 Sushi Boats & Chinese Lunch! http://bnottorah.com/blog/2011/12/28/all-you-could-eat-sushi-at-taiku-restaurant/ http://bnottorah.com/blog/2011/12/28/all-you-could-eat-sushi-at-taiku-restaurant/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:26:53 +0000 Rabbi Michael Green http://bnottorah.com/?p=2033 We departed school as soon as the final morning classes ended and quickly boarded the air conditioned chartered bus that would take us on our way directly to the gorgeously set Maxim Restaurant! As soon as all of us S.T.A.H.R. (Sharfman’s Torah Academic Honor Roll) award winners walked in to the restaurant, we were enchanted with the beautiful and contemporary ambiance. This lunch was going to be a real nice treat and recognition of our scholastic and social accomplishments that all of us from the various tracks all achieved!! Plus, we were accompanied by Rabbi and Mrs. Sharfman as well as our Rakezet, Esther Benayon! It was really great being able to shmooze with them over a special treat. And then, the fresh rolls of sushi boats came...I'm sure you can imagine how much we enjoyed them :) Plus, we also enjoyed a Chinese Lunch as well as our great Dessert! All in all, the outing was a great way to cap off our winning academic accomplishments and we look forward to continuing to excel, move in a positive direction, and be recognized as a S.T.A.H.R! Click “Read More” to read the full description and see all of the slideshow pictures!]]> We departed school as soon as the final morning classes ended and quickly boarded the air conditioned chartered bus that would take us on our way directly to the gorgeously set Maxim Restaurant! As soon as all of us S.T.A.H.R. (Sharfman’s Torah Academic Honor Roll) award winners walked in to the restaurant, we were enchanted with the beautiful and contemporary ambiance. This lunch was going to be a real nice treat and recognition of our scholastic and social accomplishments that all of us from the various tracks all achieved!! Plus, we were accompanied by Rabbi and Mrs. Sharfman as well as our Rakezet, Esther Benayon! It was really great being able to shmooze with them over a special treat. And then, the fresh rolls of sushi boats came…I’m sure you can imagine how much we enjoyed them :) Plus, we also enjoyed a Chinese Lunch as well as our great Dessert! All in all, the outing was a great way to cap off our winning academic accomplishments and we look forward to continuing to excel, move in a positive direction, and be recognized as a S.T.A.H.R!

]]> http://bnottorah.com/blog/2011/12/28/all-you-could-eat-sushi-at-taiku-restaurant/feed/ 0 All About our Hebrew Ulpan Class! http://bnottorah.com/blog/2011/12/05/all-about-our-hebrew-ulpan-class/ http://bnottorah.com/blog/2011/12/05/all-about-our-hebrew-ulpan-class/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:21:47 +0000 Rabbi Michael Green http://bnottorah.com/?p=3285 When I was asked to write about our Ulpan class, I happily agreed! You see, to say that we have AMAZING classes here at Bnot Torah/Sharfman's is an understatement! The girls love it! Every class, every teacher is more inspiring than the next! We love our Mechanechet, our Chonechet, our Rakezet, our Aim Bayit. It's really true that one of the real special things that we have is that there's soo much faculty who not only truly cares about you, but who are always there for you. After all, we can learn from our teachers in our warm classroom setting and even in their local homes! However, in addition to being able to really explore at a Hashkafic and Academic level various topic throughout Judaism, one of my goals for the year before going off to college, was to really feel confident in speaking and knowing Hebrew. And so, I'm happy to report to you that we have the most amazing Ulpan class. Our teacher helps us bring to life the Hebrew language! We don't just simply learn Hebrew grammar in a textbook...we bring it to life and really learn to speak and embrace Hebrew! Click “Read More” to read the full description and see all the pictures!]]> When I was asked to write about our Ulpan class, I happily agreed! You see, to say that we have AMAZING classes here at Bnot Torah/Sharfman’s is an understatement! The girls love it! Every class, every teacher is more inspiring than the next! We love our Mechanechet, our Chonechet, our Rakezet, our Aim Bayit. It’s really true that one of the real special things that we have is that there’s soo much faculty who not only truly cares about you, but who are always there for you. After all, we can learn from our teachers in our warm classroom setting and even in their local homes!

However, in addition to being able to really explore at a Hashkafic and Academic level various topic throughout Judaism, one of my goals for the year before going off to college, was to really feel confident in speaking and knowing Hebrew. And so, I’m happy to report to you that we have the most amazing Ulpan class. Our teacher helps us bring to life the Hebrew language! We don’t just simply learn Hebrew grammar in a textbook…we bring it to life and really learn to speak and embrace Hebrew!

Here’s some pictures of some recent advertisements that we created for the class. This assignment allowed us to bond with one another as well as display our artistic and graphical perspective. Plus, we got to understand the Hebrew language through marketing and advertising. Best of all, we hung our finished products in our classroom and are able to show all of our friends and classmates just how well we are learning Hebrew!

]]> http://bnottorah.com/blog/2011/12/05/all-about-our-hebrew-ulpan-class/feed/ 0 Meet the Cheshvan S.T.A.H.R. Award Winners! http://bnottorah.com/blog/2011/12/02/meet-the-cheshvan-s-t-a-h-r-award-winners/ http://bnottorah.com/blog/2011/12/02/meet-the-cheshvan-s-t-a-h-r-award-winners/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:35:32 +0000 Rabbi Michael Green http://bnottorah.com/?p=1990 While we are formally no longer in the month of Chesvan anymore, and have moved into the Jewish month of Kislev, everyone is still very much abuzz and happy for all of the Cheshvan S.T.A.H.R. Award winners! There were 30 girls hailing from Vancover to Baltimore, to LA to New York to Seattle, who were all honored at a special ceremony for being a Cheshvan S.T.A.H.R. Award winners! Plus, in attendance was Mrs. Shira Hershoff, Israel Guidance Counselor of YULA as well as Mrs. Ora Lee Kanner, Principal of WYHS who were visiting our school. At Sharfman's, each and every year, we are constantly striving to create more cutting edge innovation to further inspire and empower our girls with new ways to maximize their potential as Jewish women! As first announced by Rabbi Sharfman and our Mechanechet Mrs. Haymann, and subsequently on the Bnot Torah Blog, we have launched a new and exciting program... Click “Read More” to read the full description and see all the slideshow pictures!]]> While we are formally no longer in the month of Chesvan anymore, and have moved into the Jewish month of Kislev, everyone is still very much abuzz and happy for all of the Cheshvan S.T.A.H.R. Award winners! There were 30 girls hailing from Vancover to Baltimore, to LA to New York to Seattle, who were all honored at a special ceremony for being a Cheshvan S.T.A.H.R. Award winners! Plus, in attendance was Mrs. Shira Hershoff, Israel Guidance Counselor of YULA as well as Mrs. Ora Lee Kanner, Principal of WYHS who were visiting our school.

At Sharfman’s, each and every year, we are constantly striving to create more cutting edge innovation to further inspire and empower our girls with new ways to maximize their potential as Jewish women! As first announced by Rabbi Sharfman and our Mechanechet Mrs. Haymann, and subsequently on the Bnot Torah Blog, we have launched a new and exciting program this year called: Sharfman’s Torah Academic Honor Roll—or more simply put the S.T.A.H.R. Program! This program illustrates how much we believe that each and every girl is truly a blossoming shining S.T.A.H.R! Not only did each and every qualifying student receive a Certificate awarding their accomplishments, but they were awarded with a Sushi Extravaganza:) Mazel Tov to all of the Cheshvan S.T.A.H.R. Award winners!

]]> http://bnottorah.com/blog/2011/12/02/meet-the-cheshvan-s-t-a-h-r-award-winners/feed/ 0