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Margate Hebrew Academy Lights Menorah
• Youth Choir reaches out to community
Thursday,
December 17, 2009
Margate’s Hebrew Academy Youth Choir celebrated the first day of Chanukah singing traditional Jewish songs in a new fangled way at the North Lauderdale Municipal Complex. Among others, a hip-hop version of the Dreydel Song, exemplary of how the Jewish faith continues to evolve with the times.
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The exciting and dynamic young performers of Margate’s Hebrew Academy Community School reach out to the community every year - their beautiful voices singing about the heroic Maccabees, the world’s first battle for religious freedom, the dizzying dreydel game, sizzling potato latkes, delicious jelly doughnuts and the kindling of the lights that commemorates the great miracle of the oil that happened some 22 centuries ago.
The Hebrew Academy issues more than $1 million in scholarship money every year to families whose goal is to provide their children with a quality Jewish education. Although not all children who attend the school are Jewish, Academy initiatives are rooted in Judaism.
Celebrating 25 years in Margate, the Hebrew Academy started in the living room of Rabbi Yossi Denburg with only three students. The shool is entirely self funded and turns no child away.
“If you’re ever too busy to hear the cry of a child, then you’re busier than God wants you to be,” said Rabbi Denburg.
The school embraces “Chabad Lubatvitch,” a movement that emphasizes wisdom, comprehension and knowledge and that originated in the Russian town of Lubavitch 250 years ago. Today, Chabad Lubavitch is firmly entrenched in providing social services and community outreach.
“Education at the Hebrew Academy goes beyond the classroom, and community outreach is a large part of our students’ education”, said Administrator Carol Stav. “Each Friday our students visit nursing home and senior residences, bringing the joy of Shabbat and the Jewish holidays to the elderly, shut-in and infirm.”
The Youth Choir sings songs in Yiddish, Hebrew and English, making it a fascinating experience for anyone in search of social enrichment. In addition to performing in North Lauderdale this year, these 3rd – 6th grade boys and girls – who give up their Sundays each week to practice – have entertained before groups and organizations this Chanukah including the National Council of Jewish Women at Wynmoor, The Health Center of Coconut Creek, Hadassah groups in Sunrise and Tamarac, the Coral Springs Medical Center, the Regency Senior Residence, the Daniel Cantor Senior Center and the Chanukah Festival at Chabad of Coral Springs.
Hebrew Academy students are taught the importance of their civic, community and Jewish responsibilities, and to respect and celebrate our elders. The seniors love the exuberance and spirit of the youngsters and the children learn to revere the warmth, tenderness and wisdom of their special friends.
The triple-accredited Hebrew Academy Community School, located at 1500 N. State Road 7 in Margate, services over 400 boys and girls from infancy through the 8th grade. For more information, or to RSVP for “Grandparents and Special Friends Day” scheduled for February 26th, 2010 in conjunction with the holiday of Purim – or to request a visit from the children—please phone Academy Community Relations Coordinator, Mrs. Faigie Kaufman at (954) 978-6341.
“Happy Chanukah!”
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