My Jewish Journey
Deborah Abecassis Warshawsky, Director of Jewish Life and Learning, shares insights on lessons from the Torah, Jewish customs and traditions and inspirational thoughts for personal growth.
Parshat Kedoshim
We could spend an entire year studying this week’s Torah portion. There is an abundance of mitzvoth in the parsha that demand a total commitment to justice, kindness, and fairness. However, what is significant is that the parsha sees these mitzvoth as key elements in...
Innovative Seder Ideas
I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful and meaningful Pesach. The Seders are a special event in the Jewish calendar where we can put our personal touch on the flow and celebration of the evening as we retell the story of the exodus from Egypt....
Passover Recipe – Matzo Toffee Bar Crunch
Passover is almost upon us. This is one of my family’s favorite treats! MATZO TOFFEE BAR CRUNCH (from Huffingtonpost.ca) Start to finish: 1 hour 30 minutes Servings: 18 6 sheets matzo (or enough to cover a baking sheet) 1 cup (2 sticks) margarine 1 1/2 cups packed...
Parshat Metzora – Thoughts on Gossip
This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending a Seudah Shelisheet (third Sabbath meal) which was part of a Shabbaton at the Adath featuring a woman named Adrienne Gold. Adrienne grew up in Toronto and has become observant over the last 20 years of her life. Some...
Thoughts for Passover: The Purpose of Questions
By Lisa Steinmetz Passover is the holiday of questions. We ask four questions about the differences between the night of Passover and all other nights. Parents ask children questions so that they can share their knowledge with us. Children and guests also ask...
Parshat Shemini – The Significance of Eight
Our parsha this week centers on the dedication of the Mishkan. It also discusses the laws and signs for kosher animals and some of the laws of purity. The parsha is called Shemini, which means eighth. The dedication of the Mishkan, a home for the presence of God,...
Recipe for Parshat Shemini
In addition to the description of the dedication ceremony of the Mishkan or Tabernacle, the Torah portion this week presents us with the laws of kosher and non-kosher animals. For animals we have 3 signs that make an animal kosher for our consumption – split hooves,...
Message for Purim
Purim Sameach to everyone! This week we read the regular parsha of the week which is the parsha of Tzav. In addition to the portion of the week, we read what is known as Parshat Zachor. The Torah twice instructs us to remember what Amalek did to us after leaving...
Recipe for Purim
Try this amazing recipe for Purim! These hamantashen will surely brighten up your festive table! Rainbow Hamantaschen makes 2-3 dozen cookies 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine 1/2 cup sugar 8 oz. coconut milk 6 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp vanilla extract...
Recipe for Parshat Vayikra
(from www.pragmaticattic.wordpress.com) This portion describes the sacrifices including the Thanksgiving Offering. This korban or sacrifice, involved so much food that had to be eaten in such a short amount of time. Therefore, lots of people had to be invited to share...
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Rabbi Grossman’s Blog Corner
Rabbi Grossman's Corner
Parashat Nitzavim – Shana Tova
As we are about to begin our month of holidays, the parashah we read this Shabbat – Parashat Nitzavim – has an important message to bear in mind. For this commandment that I command you today, it is not hidden from you and it is not distant. It is not in the heavens,...
Faces of Akiva
Emily Padan Akiva teacher Changing the world, one child at a time. “… I’ve always wanted to be a teacher ever since I was little … I really believe that changing our future begins with our children. As teachers, we have this amazing opportunity to improve the world...
PARASHAT KI TAVO – Good brings more good.
On Thursday, September 22, Akiva School participated in World Character Day, joining organizations in over 121 countries in dedicating this day to talk about character and what kind of person each of us wants to be. According to the website -...
Parashat Ki Tetze – Give and Grow
On Wednesday, our school participated in Federation CJA’s Feed the Truck. All week, the children brought in bags of non-perishable kosher food items for the community’s food banks. This concrete, tangible activity opens the door for important conversations on...
Faces of Akiva
Helaine Tecks Akiva teacher - teaching from the heart. “… Akiva School has always been like a vessel for me that allowed me to teach lessons that I couldn’t have done myself without the support of the school…. I’m able to do programs that give my students the...
Faces of Akiva
Franceen Retik, Akiva Teacher “I’ve been at Akiva for over 25 years now and I’ve seen the school flourish, growing from a single stream to a dual stream school with 2 classes per grade… One thing that has always remained the same is our focus on providing a...
Parashat Shoftim – Small words
I saw this posted on the door of the refrigerator in the staff room – the old-fashioned kind of posting that involves paper and scotch-tape: It gave me a moment of pause as I realized how quickly that tiny little word yet can shift the entire nuance of a statement or...
Faces of Akiva
Janie and Michael Etinson Akiva Grandparents and Past Parents "... Michael and I have a long history with Akiva School. The first of our five children started in 1976. We were looking for a school that reflected our values at home. We found it at Akiva. Then, our...
Parashat Re’eh – Seeing is believing
None of my children ever had an imaginary friend, but when one daughter was around 3 years old, for a period of several months, she would tell me in the morning that there had been a llama in her room at night. She wasn’t afraid of the llama or upset that it was...
Parashat Eikev – Little Things
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful, restful summer with opportunities to enjoy special moments with your families and the warm weather. As we settle back into routine, our children will surely be asked at some point to reflect on what they did over the...
