| We were all shocked Thursday morning to hear the very sad news of the sudden passing of Illeana Benhamou, wife of Eric Benhamou. The Benhamou family has a long association with the school and has always been major supporters. Their children Ori and Mannie were both students at SPHDS. Our hearts go out to them in their hour of sorrow. As soon as we know of the funeral arrangements we will advise our families. |
LINOR EYLON RECEIVES GRINSPOON STEINHARDT AWARD
 Linor Eylon has been recognized as an exceptional teacher and is a recipient of the prestigious Grinspoon-Steinhardt award which recognizes, honors and supports outstanding Jewish educators in day school and other formal Jewish educational settings in North America. Each year the award acknowledges a small number of teachers around the country who “demonstrate exceptional achievement and serve as a role model in Jewish education.”
Linor's passion for Jewish education stems from her kibbutz birth and her California Jewish High School education. She received a BS in Child and Family Development, graduating Summa Cum Laude from San Diego State University.
Linor epitomizes everything you would expect from a caring Jewish educator; she is warm, original, organized and her insight into her students is exceptional. Barbara Goldstein, Gan Aviv Director, said, “Perhaps her success can be summarized in one sentence. Linor’s kids love school almost as much as they and their parents adore her." Barbara continued, “It is always a pleasure to visit her classroom; never will you hear a raised voice. Her dedication to her craft is legend and she is never late, arriving an hour before school begins.”
Linor was recognized at the annual meeting of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.
MAZEL TOV LINOR for your dedication and exceptional and educational talents!
LECTURE: “HEALTHY EATING HABITS FOR CHILDREN”
Gan Aviv Preschool will present the first in its series of five lectures, “Healthy Eating Habits for Children” on Wednesday, September 17th, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. This talk is for parents who have children of all ages, not only preschoolers.
Karen Ross, MA, RD, is a registered dietitian who specializes in wellness.
Among the topics she will cover are: what is a nutritious diet and how to get your children to eat it; what is the parent’s job in feeding his or her children, and how to develop strategies for helping children eat in healthy ways. The lecture will also include information on fat, sugar, protein, fiber, and supplements in relation to children’s health.
Ross is an instructor from Parents Place. She is also at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation teaching ”Taking Charge of you Body,” a non-diet weight control program.
The Gan Aviv Honor Fund sponsors this series; there is no admission charge for school parents. There will be a $5 admission for non-school parents.
The next lecture will be held in November on “Kindergarten Readiness,” more information to follow.
RSVP to barbara.goldstein@sphds.org or call 408.738.3060.
IN MEMORY OF JOAN BALAGOPAL, FORMER TEACHER
The entire SPHDS faculty and staff mourn the passing of our beloved friend and former colleague, Joan Balagopal, z"l. For many years, Joan taught our kindergarten school students. Joan's kind manner and sincere concern for her students will always be remembered affectionately; she was a positive influence.
To her husband Selveraj and daughter Didi, a former SPHDS student, we extend our condolences, "May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Israel."
JEWISH STUDIES CORNER
SPHDS is very proud of our ambitious students who study Mishnah each morning with Rabbi Zev Jacobs. This wonderful group of students has completed more than half of the Masechet Rosh Hashanah All students grades four and up who attend a daily Minyan are welcome to join.
Pictured above are: Ari Kaye, Sammy Kaye, Matan Gagzit, Daniel Gofman, Gabriel Haines, Shlomo Nazarian, Eliav Schreiber, Elad Shachar, Moshe Felsen, Yonatan Aran, Nachum Greenberg and Rabbi Zev Jacobs.
CHALLAH ORDER FORMS
If you are interested in ordering challahs please click here for a form. Challahs are available only by preorder. Please return the form to the office, together with your check payable to "SPHDS - Parents Association." For Rosh Hashanah challah, we MUST HAVE THIS FORM NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th.
Challah will be available for pick-up by noon on the scheduled delivery date.
LUNCH TICKETS
Lunch tickets will only be sold on Mondays and Tuesdays, in the office, for the K - 8 School Lunch Program.
A booklet of 5 coupons for M - F is $18.75, if sold separately each ticket is $4. A "Second Helping" booklet is $12.50, if sold separately each ticket is $3.00. Please make checks payable to: SPHDS. Thank you.
AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES
We are starting after-school classes the week of September 22nd. The classes being offered are: Clay (ceramics), Yoga, Dance, Chess, Sports, and Israeli Dancing. Registration forms will be going home the week of September 15th.
BASKETBALL AT SPHDS
There will be a basketball academy, Atid Tzahov, at SPHDS from the beginning of September 2008 through May 30, 2009.
First and Second Grades will practice on Mondays from 3:50 - 4:35 p.m.; third, fourth and fifth grades will practice on Tuesdays from 3:50 - 4:35 p.m.; and sixth, seventh and eighth grades will practice on Mondays from 4:35 - 5:20 p.m. Click here for more information. Applications may be picked up in the office.
COMMUNITY NEWS
 The 9th annual To Life! A Jewish Cultural Street Festival will be held on Sunday, September 21st, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on California Avenue, in Palo Alto, between El Camino Real and Park Blvd. Join the thousands of people from throughout the Bay Area who attend this wonderful festival.
It will be a day filled with live music, entertainment, dancing; and art, handcrafted jewelry, clothing, and beautiful Judaic ceremonial objects that will be for sale. There will be a children's area with games, activities, inflatable slides and much more.
SPHDS will have two booths at the festival. One will be located in the Tents of the Community area - come by and say "hello"; and the second will be an arts and crafts booth in the children's area. Stop by and your children will have a great time creating an art project to take home.
We need volunteers to help, for a couple of hours, during the day. Please contact coordinator Avril Landes at avrillandes@hotmail.com to volunteer at the school's booths.
What would a street festival be without food! Delicious kosher, Israeli, and vegetarian foods will be available.
For more information http://www.paloaltojcc.org/tolife.
Saratoga Congregation Beth David will be holding a special Shabbat on Friday evening, September 19th from 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. for tots, ages 0 - 5. This casual mini-Kabbalat Shabbat service will feature songs, puppets, story time, and a child-friendly Shabbat dinner. For further details please call 408.257.3333 or email: reservations@beth-david.org.
The Friendship Circle will be having a Rosh Hashanah Family Festival for children with special needs and their families on Sunday, September 28th, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Kehillah Jewish High School, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. There will be candied apples, games, interactive story time and making original Shana Tovah cards and teens will be there to assist the children. Admission is $6. per person. RSVP by September 19th to 650.858.6990 or email: esther@bayareafc.org. Parents must be present.
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