Back in session with a ‘whirlwind of activities’

Students at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School have recently returned to school after their time off from classes during the Jewish holidays.

Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, the Judaic Studies principal at HAFTR High School, blew
the shofar every morning for the entire Hebrew month of Elul during davening (daily prayers) in preparation for the holidays.

Prior to Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, director of Education at the National Conference of Synagogue Youth, came to HAFTR to usher in the spirit of the holidays.

Bashevkin spoke about how the best way to gain forgiveness from others is to find it in one’s heart to completely forgive everyone else around you. Additionally, he explained that if one has an attitude of forgiveness towards others, God will have the same attitude of forgiveness directed towards us. This year, for the second year, HAFTR hosted a minyan (group prayer services) in their auditorium on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

School started back up again on Oct. 16, with a whirlwind of activities. That Monday night, the opening HAFTR Hawks varsity boys’ basketball game took place against the Flatbush Falcons. It was HAFTR’s first game in the pre-season Magen David basketball tournament, and our Hawks did not disappoint! HAFTR won the game with a final score of 76-73.

On the following Wednesday, HAFTR held its annual club fair, showcasing the 30 clubs available to the students. Club options range from the Science Institute, to the Poetry Club, to the Israel Advocacy Group, and even extend to the Environmental Action Committee, just to name a few.

In following weeks, students will participate in these clubs during a designated period every Wednesday afternoon. The idea is to provide students an opportunity to get involved in extracurricular activities during the school day, encouraging the maximum level of involvement possible from students.

Spiritually, socially, and academically, our new year is off to great start.
Looking forward to the busy weeks ahead!