School News
Menorah competition
The Chanukah Auction hosted by Yeshiva Darchai Menachem is only days away, and students in Crown Heights are working hard to earn first place in the annual menorah competition. The unique menorah creations this year promise to outdo the many varieties of those entered in previous years.
One menorah to be submitted is one made completely of fish. Student Zalman L.'s original creation is currently in his father's storefront, receiving much positive feedback.
Another student, Mendy H., took pictures of many menorahs publicly displayed throughout the Crown Heights neighborhood, arranging them into a beautiful, multicolored collage forming the initials of our school, Yeshiva Darchai Menachem (YDM).
Come participate in this year's auction at Yeshiva Darchai Menachem! These two unique works of art, and many more will be on display. Support this incredible organization bypurchasing tickets in the annual Chanukah Auction and vote for your favorite menorah to win!
Yud Tes Kislev Farbrengan
Afterschool Program for Boys of all Schools!
Darchai Menachem recently announced the expansion of their afterschool program to incorporate boys from all schools in Crown Heights. The afterschool program consists of the Sparks Boys Choir, a first aid course, a photography course, and music.
Along with this announcement came another, the merger of Rabbi Yossi Goldsteins Temimim Boys Choir and Rabbi Danny Finkelmans Sparks Boys Choir, and together they are now open to boys from all schools in the community under Darchai Menachem.
The first set of tryouts for the new choir started strong with over thirty boys taking their shot and joining the new group. Crown Heights can expect to be hearing great new sound with the new mixture of Goldstein and Finkelman talent!
The goal for the after school program is to bring out the talent in each kid while utilizing the hours after school to keep the kids busy with positive and practical activities. The school is also in the midst of starting a Shabbos program and more in the next coming months.
For more information and to enroll your child in Darchai Menachems afterschool program you can call (718) 953-2919.
Rosh Chodesh Farbrengan with Rabbi Garelik
High Tech Gemara Learning
Eleven boys sit poised in a brightly-painted third floor classroom at Yeshiva Darchai Menachem, in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York. The atmosphere in the room has the feeling of a quiz show. Their teacher, Rabbi Shua Samuels, barely has a chance to get his questions out, before hands wave eagerly in the air, 11 preteen boys desperate to demonstrate their knowledge.
By all accounts, this is not your typical Talmud class. There is no clichéd stodginess, no backs bent over ancient texts. But most unique, according to teachers, parents, and students: no one is left behind.
This is Gemara Berura, Talmud study for the 21st century. A methodological approach to Gemara study, it seeks to teach students the skills inherent in Talmud, so that students can ultimately proceed to independent study. Darchai Menachem is one of 32 schools that currently employ this textual and technical approach made available through partial funding from the Avichai Foundation: a page of Gemara is studied both inside its original text and then reviewed through high-tech PowerPoint presentations. Using a color and shape-coded system, Gemara Berura maps out the analytical thought-processes of Talmudic compilers.
"Most Gemara classes are comprised of a teacher teaching Gemara subjects, not lessons on how to learn the actual text," believes Rabbi Meir Fachler, senior consultant, based in Israel. "Many publications today offer content, but they are basically saying: you don't need to know how to learn, we have done the work for you." Rabbi Fachler travels across the United States helping to implement and support the program in classrooms. According to this master educator, its creation could not have come at a better time.
"For better or worse, it is an unwritten equation that the benchmark for being a good Jew is to be a successful Gemara student," Rabbi Fachler says. "It is a documented phenomenon that kids will look in the mirror and think, 'I am not so good at Gemara, maybe I am not a good Jew.' We have to change that."
Rabbi Eyal Bension is principal of the Brooklyn Yeshiva. Since incorporating this program into his elementary and high school classrooms, Rabbi Bension has witnessed a turnaround with many of his students. "The students are alive and engaged. Without this program most of our students would need to rely on natural talent to succeed. Using Gemara Berura, which is a skills based approach, everyone stands a chance to succeed.
"Gemara study is like telling a student to create a puzzle. Without Gemara Berura, you are instructing him to put together a 15,000 piece puzzle with no picture or direction. In a classic classroom, the student who can create this is considered smart, conscientious, good. But with this program, you first show the completed puzzle indicating the corners and points. Now, anyone can complete it. That's how you should teach. That is how the students will learn."
Rabbi Sholom Ber Cohen has taught in different schools using both the classic method and this new system. He says that while a page of Talmud is not organized: a Talmudist can ask a question, followed by a seemingly disconnected two-page tangent; Gemara Berura gives students the skills to understand what is being discussed. A whopping "80 percent of a boy's day is Gemara. If he doesn't have success there, he will not be happy. And he will start to look for other things to keep him busy."
One of Rabbi Cohen's students is fifteen year old Binyamin Feygen, who has studied Gemara both with Gemara Berura and without. "This system is easier for me," he says. "And for the other boys in my class. When Rabbi Cohen asks a question, nearly everyone knows the answers." Next year Feygen will attend a prominent yeshiva in Connecticut, and will study Gemara without the aid of this program.
He isn't worried though. "Darchai Menachem and Gemara Berura have prepared me well. I know what's going on in the Gemara."
Simchas Beis Hashueva
Excelling Students go Skiing!
Students of Darchai Menachem who excelled in school and accumulated the right amount of 'points' over the last 12 weeks, were all rewarded with a full day trip up to the Shawnee Mountain, a ski resort that's a two hour drive from Brooklyn, where the students took skiing lessons and spent a day on the ski slopes. The point system is a multi track way to monitor a childes behavior and academic achievements, which enables the school to give parents a detailed weekly report of every aspect of the kid's time in school.
The Media has a field day
Yosef Abrahamson, 16, with plaque designating him as essay winner and commanding officer for a day of 71st Precinct
With only 1 ½ days warning, Yosef Abrahamson enters the PAL Essay competition, and wins 71st CO award.
While the Media was all over the 1st place winner, Tamer El-Ghobashy a reporter from the Daily News took interest in Yosef and his unique story.
Today the Daily News carried his article. Enjoy!
Following the article we have some of the links to the websites who carried the story.
Black Hasidic Jew's winning essay offers dream for healing rift
BY TAMER EL-GHOBASHY
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, June 4th 2008, 4:00 AMHe's someone everyone should be able to agree on.
Yosef Abrahamson, an African-American Hasidic Jew, took his place as commanding officer of a Crown Heights precinct for a day Tuesday.
It's a symbolic gesture that the 16-year-old Brooklyn boy hopes could heal rifts in the neighborhood racked by fresh violence between the cultures he claims.
"There's a lot of trouble in my community," said the teen, who wears the distinctive black suit and fedora of the Chabad Lubavitch Orthodox Jews.
"But I'm willing to do anything to help," he said.
Yosef won an essay competition for the honor of being named the top cop of the 71st Precinct.
He joined 120 other city teens who won similar recognition for a ceremony yesterday at Police Headquarters.
The Yeshiva student never intended on becoming outspoken on the issue of bias violence in Crown Heights - nor was his unique background known to the judges who selected his essay as a winner.
"Some people become leaders, some people are drafted," said Rabbi Chaim Perl, the administrator of Yeshiva Darchai Menachem, where Yosef studies. "We're drafting him."
Yosef arrived last year from Nebraska, where he was home-schooled by his mother, Dinah Abrahamson - the daughter of a Jewish woman who fled Nazi Germany and an African-American father.
When he landed in Brooklyn, Yosef was the subject of innocent curiosity from both the Hasidic and black residents of Crown Heights.
But as instances of ethnic violence erupted, he became keenly aware of the simmering tensions.
In April, a 20-year-old son of a black cop was assaulted by several men believed to be members of an Orthodox neighborhood watch.
Last month, a 16-year-old Jewish boy was robbed and beaten by two black teens.
The violence has led to protests from both communities and accusations that the NYPD has favored one group over the other.
Yosef was subjected to sharp comments about his mixed heritage. Some Jews have told him he doesn't fit in and some African-Americans have warned him that his schooling is turning "him into a Jew."
But for the most part, "People have been very welcoming of us," said the boy's mother.
"I hope I can make some difference," he said. "Things have to change."
Links:
NY Daily News
NY Sun
The Jewish Press
Newsday
ABC Local
AMNY
Daily Record
Crownheights.info
Shturem.net - Hebrew
COL Hebrew
The Yeshiva World
Vos is Neias
Jewish Breaking News
What If You Were the Police Commissioner…
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] - In the wake of resent attacks on our community, Officer Vinie Martinos of the 71st Precinct Community Policing Unit, turned to the Jewish community for their input in the Police Athletic League essay competition. The competition is open to all the public and private high schools around the entire New York City.
Entitled: if you were police commissioner for a day, what steps would you take to reduce violent crime and protect all new yorkers? Yosef Abrahamson a student at Darchai Menachem took on the challenge.
Yesterday, Tuesday, Yosef essay was one of the essays picked. We have obtained a copy of his Essay. It is a must read, even from the mouth of a 16 year old, his words and message is strong and clear.
If I Were Police Commissioner For A Day
By Yosef Abrahamson age 16
To reduce crime and protect all New Yorkers if I were Police Commissioner for one day, I would take the approach of the Big Picture scheme, what policy I institute today will in the long run consistently applied is going to create a society free of crime.
Effective immediately I would put forth a statewide order to begin a policy of Pro-Active Policing, rather than Community Policing, Pro-Active Policing pays attention to the lesser crimes and makes them just as important as the more violent crimes, treating them as though they were the larger more serious, visible crimes, so that those who commit petty crime don't get away with the small stuff - breaking and entering, car theft, petty robbery, loud car radios, rowdy disorderly teenagers, panhandling, loud mufflers, running yellow lights, etc. Ticket them, tow them, arrest them - - because if you ignore them in the name of spending all the resources fighting crime like murder, etc, the group of criminals gets bigger and better and moves from small, ignored crime to all the bigger and more serious crime. It is not mean spirited or harsh - - we need to pay more attention to the people who are law abiding and want to be safe and respectful, instead of coddling the law breakers, being community policers, saying to these petty law breakers that we want them to listen to us, behave and be nice and don't do that again, and now run along, - - - and they keep breaking the law, because they feel that they can get away with it. Community Policing is the reason we have such an increase in violent crime, because we let the base of the number of petty criminals grow unchecked. Jail works. Law and Order must be firm, clear and the penalty for doing crime, swift and certain. Most crime is thought crime - - it is planned, so society must assert a planned penalty.
I would hold meetings with my Deputy Commissioners, Bureau Chiefs, Patrol Borough Commanders, and Precinct Commanders reviewing our selection, training and supervision of our officers, discussing ways of making sure they have a clear sense of their authority and that along with questioning, apprehending and arresting perpetrators it includes regulating behavior, protecting communities and individuals, pointing out a few bad incidents have happened , however reassuring them they ultimately are the keys to law and order, and in most cases their presence really gives a feeling of safety. On the agenda would be a review of the placements of high tech surveillance equipment in areas, making sure we have no gaps.
I would round up the day with a meeting with the press to release the events of the day, and to send a strong message assuring the citizens and visitors of New York we will live in a just, safe, and civilized community and to send an even stronger message to inform all those that break laws we will immediately began a motivated agenda and unless they correct their behavior they will definitely be going to jail.
Link http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12045
Darchai Menachem Concert "sparks" and Chinese auction
Links
http://col.org.il/show_news.rtx?artID=36205
http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=10794
video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6osV_HdERI
Councilwoman Letitia James visits Darchai Menachem
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] - Earlier this morning, Thursday, Councilwoman Letitia James (D, Brooklyn) visited Crown Heights's Yeshivas Darchai Menachem. Ms. James first met with the school's principal Rabbi Eyal Bension who discussed the schools needs and future plans.
More pictures in the Extended Article!
Among the things discussed were the issues of safety when the students cross Eastern Parkway, and two incidents in the past 5 years in which students were struck by passing cars, the solutions discussed were crossing guards and no standing zones in front of the school buildings. Primary concern though was the schools search for a new building.
The ideas included the use of government buildings and underused public school buildings, which Ms. James supported.
Ms. James then spoke to the students in the schools Shul, and addressed them as our future leaders and politicians, asking that our 'future congressman' please tell her what he thinks that needs rectifying. A student stood and spoke of the African American and Jewish relations, another mentioned a safety concern he has with a traffic signal that is too short on his way to school.
A more pressing issue a student raised was the schools desperate need for larger facilities, "I would like a bigger classroom and more place to play sports during recess", Ms. James responded that she had earlier spoke with school administrators and is hoping to have a solution for the school.
A student then gave a short speech comparing the councilwoman to our modern day queen ester in her quest to help crown heights and the surrounding communities, he then presented her with a Shalach Manot basket on behalf of the school.
Link http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=11052
Senator Adams Visits Darchai Menachem
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] - This past Friday New York State Senator Eric Adams (D, Brooklyn) visited Crown Heights's Yeshivas Darchai Menachem. Mr. Adams first met with the school's principal Rabbi Eyal Bension who explained to him what makes Darchai Menachem such a unique school.
More pictures in the Extended Article!
Mr. Adams then spoke to the students in the schools Shul, yet instead of lecturing he had the students tell him what they like best about school and was interested in hearing what student's hobbies were. Some answered that they like math most others said it was Gemara but recess was not left out. Mr. Adams went on to say that it is though education that we can combat anti-Semitism and racism, commenting on the recent hate crimes in the community.
Afterwards the students posed for a picture together with the Senator following which they shook his hand. On his way out he said he had a few other stops to still make on the rainy Friday in a number of other schools in Crown Heights
Link http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=10433
Yogaiti Umatzasi Ta'amin!
SHAWNEE DELAWARE, PA [CHI] - Onlookers at Shawnee Mountain watched Yisroel sit at the Moshiach Shiur surrounded by teacher Rabbi Eli Sandhaus and classmates. Even away from the classroom, these boys chose to attend this voluntary class. Following the class, fellow skiers watched Yisroel ski with finesse, in a seemingly-effortless glide down the mountain.
More pictures in the Extended Article!
Had they been watching earlier in the day, they would have seen the same boy struggling to put on his skis. After a few frustrating moments, a staff member approached him, showed him how to stand in the skis, get on and off the lift, and finally soar down the mountain. Throughout the day, he progressed from the bunny hill to more and more difficult trails.
Yisroel enjoyed his day in the Pennsylvania Mountains together with many of his classmates from Yeshiva Darchai Menachem. Students merited the trip after earning a specified amount of points over a few-month period. Points were accrued based on good behavior, effort, scholastic achievements, and the like. This incentive is one example of the Yeshiva's methods of motivating boys to study and achieve through positive reinforcement. Weekly charts denoting progress, allow for parents, children, and teachers to have consistent weekly communication.
Yisroel entered the yeshiva at the beginning of the scholastic year. At the time, his skills were not up to grade level. The same frustration he displayed on the slopes was apparent in the classroom. A teacher took him under his wing and taught him to read and learn. Slowly but surely, Yisroel succeeded.
While Yisroel's story is special, it is not unique for Yeshiva Darchei Menachem. Through careful, loving, guidance each boy is being directed to meet his potential. Exciting trips, like skiing and bowling, rejuvenate the boys and give them a gentle push to achieve.
As the bus pulled into Crown Heights late Thursday evening, the boys and staff members tumbled out-energized and ready to meet the next challenge. Check out the pictures from their thrilling trip-and stay tuned as they scale higher and higher peaks!
Although this article is true the first name of the student was changed due to privacy.
Visit http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=11040
Sparks Boys Choir Record their 1st Album
BROOKLYN, NY [CHI] - Boys of all ages and sizes bound down the steps alongside the shul, now practice room. They hurry in to the sound of their songs playing from the speakers. With tapping toes and humming lips, these boys are ready for practice.
More pictures in the Extended Article!
Choir director, Rabbi Danny Finkelman, is elated at his charges' enthusiasm. One of the goals of the Sparks Boys Choir is to improve the boys' self-esteem and show them that what they are capable of. While the Choir is comprised mainly of boys from Yeshiva Darchai Menachem where it is based, students from other local schools participate as well. Their growing camaraderie is clearly another beneficial offshoot. Together the boys are experiencing the passion of Yiddishkeit through the joyful nigunim.
Finkelman himself started his musical career as a young boy. He was one of the original members of the Miami Boys Choir. Since then he has performed widely (and with many musical greats) around the world. The original Sparks, based in Israel, produced its own popular CD. Finkelman and his choir are currently working on another CD to be released on Lag Baomer. Aside from professional voice lessons, Finkelman graduated from the New York City Film Academy.
Finkelman is a great believer in professional training. He utilizes specialized voice teachers and choreographers to teach the boys. He believes that the show isn't only about him, and his singular perspective. In order for the boys to truly develop their talents and passion, he asserts, they must first be taught properly from a variety of sources.
This careful guidance is apparent to all who have enjoyed the Sparks Boys Choir's performances. The audience enjoys the professional boys' choir with a Chassidic touch, a phenomenon according to Finkelman. The name itself describes their mission. They are not merely entertainers or stars. Each boy is a shliach of the Rebbe entrusted with spreading the sparks of Chassidus through creative means.
And spread the sparks they do. The boys performed to a sell-out crowd last year in Crown Heights. Since then, they sang for senior citizens and Russian members of the community, and preformed on the Russian TV Network for Chanukah. Come this February, they will be returning to Bais Rivka for another spectacular performance.
Save the date 24th of February 18 Adar alef, ticket sales starting after the 1st of February
Link http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=10005
Darchai Menachem Spreads the light of Chanukah to Millions
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] - Yesterday, Sunday, the Russian TV Network was at Yeshivas Darchai Menachem to film the Sparks Boys Choir and the students lighting a Chanukah Menorah. The production will be broadcasted this Tuesday, Chanukah on the Russian TV Network, which is aired worldwide.
Link http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=9310
Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzS3VHLZU-g
Yeshiva Darchai Menachem - Gemara Competition
Crown Heights, Brooklyn - Tuesday marked the end of an intensive three weeks in Chazering over the Gemara that was learned throughout the entire year. The chazara was done with the goal in mind to be able to repeat as many lines of Gemara over a single time period in a clear fashion. All in all 5000 lines were repeated over the three week period. A Kinus was held at the school where Rabbi Tennenbaum tested the students. "I am thoroughly impressed with their efforts and accomplishments says Rabbi Tennenbaum.
More pictures in the Extended Article!
"Over the course of the year a student can work hard and diligently, covering a lot of ground. But that does not mean he remembers everything he has learned. When a student is able to chazer a lengthy amount of Gemara over one time period, the quality of his learning changes and he is able to retain the clarity and flow of the Gemara In his future learning." Says Principal Rabbi Bension.
We would like to give a yasher koach to the students who were able to repeat the entire perek. They are Yisroel Pruss, Itamar Antion and Mendy Sternbach. Special mention goes to S.Z. Gottleib for Learning it shakla vtarya.
Link http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=6903
A letter from Darchai Menachem's Chesed Club
Dear CrownHeights.info
Hi my name is Mendy Chaimson and I am 11 years old. Sitting next to me is my friend Levi Schonbuch, he is 10. We are both the co-directors of the Yeshiva Darchai Menachem Chesed Club. B"H now that our school has grown from 30 to 50 students, we have a lot more Volunteers for our club.
We were wondering if you can post our Chesed reports on your web site, this way we can expand our volunteer list. For example, let me tell you what we did in honor of Sukkos. On Monday, the first day of Chol Hamoed, some of our boys from the new Mesivta Division, headed by Rabbi Marozov, along with their friends went on route. They took a Sukkah mobile with their Chassidus teacher, Rabbi Sandhaus, and shook Lulav and Esrog with over 65 people; it was an unbelievable experience meeting all sorts of different people. On Tuesday, my friends and I went with Rabbi Perl, the school administrator, to an old age home. Not only did we have the Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim, we also got to shake our Lulavim and Esrogim with them. It was a lot of fun and the people were very happy.
Being that it's still the beginning of a new year, on Wednesday; the Chesed Club sat with our Principal, Rabbi Bension, to plan out all of our future Chesed projects for this year. We are looking forward to upcoming opportunities especially since Chanukah is just around the corner.
Thank you CrownHeights.info for taking the time to read my email we look forward to your reply,
The Chesed Club
Link http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=3376
Small town yeshiva enters the big leagues
Yeshiva Darchai Menachem, a Yeshiva in Crown Heights providing a quality education on a individualized bases currently in its fifth year, is proud to announce it's Chidon winners who will be going to California to challenge the big leagues in their knowledge in Sefer Hamitzvos. "It's a big step for our school" says Principal Rabbi Eyal Bension, "we are very proud of our boys, they are a great example of true success that comes from a genuine effort." Eli Sandhaus who has been the main driving force behind our winners, Menachem Winner, Yisroel Zalmanov, and S.Z. Silverstien is also very proud of their achievements and is being sent with our boys to California. Our staff at the Yeshiva would like to wish all the participants from around the world lots of success.
Link http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=1838