HAFTR News: Bar/Bat Mitzvah Course, Science Fair

has incorporated a new class into its curriculum: the bar & bat mitzvah workshop. These weekly classes teach middle school students exactly what it means to become a bar or bat mitzvah.

The girls’ class is led by Rebbetzin Suri Teitelbaum, of , and HAFTR faculty member. The boys meet with Rabbi Yisroel Moshe Siff, beloved HAFTR Rabbi.

Not only do the students learn about the proper middot that are expected of  girls and boys of bar/bat mitzvah age, but faculty members discuss proper behavior at actual bar and bat mitzvahs.

As part of the course, HAFTR Middle School hosts a mock bar and bat mitzvah at Beth Shalom, where students are able to walk through an actual celebration and learn the appropriate behavior at each moment.

Last week, HAFTR Middle School invited sixth grade girls to Beth Shalom for a Bat Mitzvah. From the moment they walked into the door and wished a mazel tov to the guest of honor, students experienced a celebration and learned exactly how to be a respectful young man or woman at such an event. The bar and bat mitzvah course encourages HAFTR Middle School students  to enjoy themselves at these celebrations, while acting like a mensch.

HAFTR’s B’not Sherut Reunite in Israel

For several years now, HAFTR invites a handful of Israeli young ladies to complete their national service abroad by joining the HAFTR family for a school year.

The girls, known as B’not Sherut, bring a deeper level of Zionism to each division at HAFTR by planning various weekly special activities that help the students learn about Israel. The young ladies also participate in Lashon classes and practice Hebrew dialogue with the students.

Last week, Tova Zucker, ’s director of special programs, visited Israel and invited all of HAFTR Lower School’s former B’not Sherut to a reunion dinner. Many of the girls attended, some even brought their husbands.  Together they reminisced about their time spent at HAFTR.

While the girls were not familiar with other B’not Sherut from other years, they instantly bonded over HAFTR and connected immediately. This year, HAFTR is lucky enough to have four B’not Sherut throughout its divisions who help bring Israel a little bit closer to home.

HAFTR’s 7th Grade Hosts Science Fair

HAFTR’s seventh grade students last week competed in a science fair. Under the guidance of faculty member Mr. David Rose, students picked the subject of their choice and either worked in a group or individually to create an outstanding science project, which they worked on during school hours for the past several weeks.

Once completed, the projects were put on display in HAFTR Middle School. HAFTR’s seventh grade parents were invited to the science fair and were asked to judge the projects based in subject matter and creativity. Other judges included various faculty members and high school students.

Projects included “Move Your Feet to the Beat,” “Changing Seasons,” “Human Battery,” “Recycle Your Light,” and “Floating Ice.” Through this assignment, students were given the opportunity to work together as a team and showcase their incredible work for parents to see.