Message from our Principal

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1 CHANUKAH 2017

Message from our Principal Mrs. Ziporah Hollander We are now approaching the holiday of Chanukah, which symbolizes the spiritual victory of Klal Yisroel over the Greek empire some 2200 years ago.

2 Message from our Principal Mrs. Ziporah Hollander We are now approaching the holiday of Chanukah, which symbolizes the spiritual victory of Klal Yisroel over the Greek empire some 2200 years ago. It was a war between those who believed that the world exists in order to perform Torah and Mitzvos and thereby serve Hashem vs an alien culture that believed only in man s power and knowledge that in itself rules the world and is it s purpose. The pure oil that was found by the Maccabees, which miraculously burned in the Holy Temple for 8 days when it was only capable to burn for one day, was a clear message for the Jewish people that the light of Torah will enable us to survive the dark galus. Baruch Hashem we have indeed survived while the Greeks, Romans, etc. have all perished along with their ideologies. Until Moshiach comes, the battle continues and only our Torah and Mitzvos can protect us as we await the end of our galus. At Be er Hagolah we are privileged to learn Torah and perform Mitzvos thereby creating the light that guides us every day. Together we will soon greet Moshiach and serve Hashem in the third and final Beis Hamikdash. Student Editorial Staff: Jen Driker Shirley Gabay Zoya Mulokandova The Senior Newspaper Committee hopes you have had a productive Kislev, and wishes you the best in the year ahead. Mazal Tov Corner Esther Babayev on her engagement Shura Iskhakov on her engagement Devora Vankhandler on her marriage Zilpa Vaydov on her marriage Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. Fischer, for making a beautiful Sheva Brachos for Zilpa and Devora.

MENORAH CALENDAR Tuesday Night, December 12 Blessings 1, 2 & 3 Sunday Night, December 17 Blessings 1 & 2 Wednesday Night, December 13 Blessings 1 & 2 Monday Night, December 18 Blessings 1 & 2

3 MENORAH CALENDAR Tuesday Night, December 12 Blessings 1, 2 & 3 Sunday Night, December 17 Blessings 1 & 2 Wednesday Night, December 13 Blessings 1 & 2 Monday Night, December 18 Blessings 1 & 2 Thursday Night, December 14 Blessings 1 & 2 Friday Night, December 15 Light your menorah before Shabbat Shabbat candle lighting 4:11 Blessings 1 & 2 Saturday Night, December 16 Light your menorah after Havdalah Shabbat ends 5:16 Blessings 1 & 2 Tuesday Night, December 19 Blessings 1 & 2 MENORAH BROCHOS Before you light the candles, make the appropriate blessings. Before the first night of Chanukah, Tuesday night, December 12, 2017 (or the first time on Chanukah you perform this mitzvah), recite all three blessings. On all following nights, say only the first two: 1. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Melech Ha-olam A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Bemitz-vo-tav Ve-tzi-va-nu Le-had-lik Ner Cha-nu-kah. 2. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Melech Ha-olam She-a-sa Ni-sim La-avo-tenu Ba-ya-mim Ha-hem Bi-zman Ha-zeh. 3. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Melech Ha-olam She-heche-ya-nu Ve-ki-yima-nu Ve-higi-a-nu Liz-man

4 Instructions for Lighting the Chanukah Menorah Q: Light up when? A: Right after nightfall, once it s dark outside (aside for Friday afternoon, when the candles are lit shortly before sunset). Q: Light up what? A: The Menorah or holder used for lighting the lights should be attractive and clean. All 8 Chanukah lights need to be lined up on the same level, but the Shamesh candle must be separate! The preferred way to fulfill the mitzvah of lighting the Chanukah Menorah is to use pure olive oil and wicks of cotton, just like the Menorah in the Holy Temple. Nevertheless, other types of oils, wicks and candles may be used, as long as they give a steady light! Q: Light up where A: Some people put their Menorah in the doorway opposite the Mezuzah, while others place it near the window. We do this to spread the Chanukah light! In these places, people are sure to see your Menorah, and remember the great miracles that G-d performed. Q: Light up how? A: We place candles in the Menorah from right to left, but we light the candles from left to right. On the first night we light one candle on the right side. On the second night we light the new, candle first, starting from the left and moving to the right. We continue this way every night of Chanukah, adding a candle each night Follow the Leader! The Chanukah candles cannot be used to light each other, which is why we use the Shamesh Candle to light the Menorah. It s not one of the 8 Chanukah candles, so we set it in a place above the rest. The Shamesh can be made out of sweet-smelling beeswax. The lights of the Chanukah candles are special - only for looking at, not for using. It is good for the eyes - and the soul! Q: Light up how long? A: The Chanuka candles are supposed to burn for at least a half hour. On Friday though, we have to light them before it gets dark and Shabbat comes in. We generally use more oil, or bigger candles on Friday, so that the candles will stay burning, well into Shabbat!

5 Writings from our Student Body Hidden Miracles By: Bella Iskhakov Grade 8 There are many things in the world that may seem like coincidences, but they have a purpose. I have a story to show that what may seem like a coincidence changed the entire course of someone s life. During the time of the Holocaust, there was a boy named Michael. He was badly injured from a fall on his palm, and he had to get a skin graft on his palm. He grew hair there and was made fun of, but he was grateful that nothing else was harmed. His parents were taken to concentration camps, and he was left with only his sister. Soon, though, his sister was taken by a Nazi. The boy pleaded with the solider to let his sister go, and told him he would do anything even switch places. The Nazi found this amusing and decided to make it fun. He told the boy to show him hair growing on the palm of his hand and he would let his sister go. Amazingly enough, if not for that injury, his sister would have been gone to who knows where. This shows that what may seem a coincidence is really not, and you should be careful what you complain about because you can never see the bigger picture. Hidden Miracles By: Manuella Lempert Grade 7 Life is a journey of ups and downs. Wrong roads among the way. Perhaps accurate roads among the way. The truth is there is no wrong and there is no right. Everything in life happens for a purpose. Even if it may not always seem like this. It is only the truth. Amongst the journey of life, we are put into many vulnerable situations, where we don t always see and feel Hashem. Through the days of darkness comes along hidden miracles. When something in life may seem very bad and as if can be the worst thing that can ever happen to a human being, we have to realize that the darkest times in life are what strengthens you as a person. The worst in life may only be a sprout to the best in

6 life. If we only live through the best we won t know how to fight the worst. There are times when a person asks themselves WHY ME?!? There are times when we may feel low but someone may come along the way and help us overcome the situation. Like perhaps if a person is having a hard time keeping up with the class. Hashem may guide you through a teacher. There are many stories of couples which are unable to have children. However, if God decides to give them a child maybe this child will become important in society. Perhaps this child was worth waiting for. In conclusion we now see that life is just like a box of chocolate. You never know what you are going to get. Foreseeing the future is a gift. Although we should be happy we did not receive this gift because without now there would not be then. We Are the Everlasting Candle By: Jen Driker Grade 12 On Chanukah we celebrate the victory of an unlikely war. We celebrate the small bit of light and purity found among the rubble. We celebrate a light not meant to last more than a day holding strong and burning for eight. In a way, you can say we celebrate everything the Jewish people are. The Jewish people survive one unlikely victory after another. We may find Jews tucked away in the darkest corners, seeking to brighten the world if only given the spark. But, most importantly, we are the everlasting candle. In a world like ours we were barely meant to burn a day, and yet we live on. The Chanukah story is but one of the many times in which the goyim have tried to destroy us. And yet, despite it all, we still burn bright today. Think, when you light your candles, about all the nations who fought so that we would not be here to light them. Think of Antiochus, of Nebuchadnezzar, Think of the Romans, the Greeks, the Soviets. Think of them and remember one thing: They have burned out, and we never will.

Recipe Corner Funnel Cake (An easier version of donuts) Sarah Lasry INGREDIENTS: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 3 tbsp. sugar 2 tsp. kosher salt ½ cup sour cream ¾ cup + 1 tbsp.

7 Recipe Corner Funnel Cake (An easier version of donuts) Sarah Lasry INGREDIENTS: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 3 tbsp. sugar 2 tsp. kosher salt ½ cup sour cream ¾ cup + 1 tbsp. milk 2 extra-large eggs 2 tsp. Baking powder 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract Vegetable oil for frying Confectioners Sugar DIRECTIONS: 1. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt 2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk, eggs and vanilla. 3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones, mixing only until combined. 4. In a large frying pan or sauce pan, heat oil for frying. 5. When oil is hot, take your whisk, swirl it in the tempura batter. 6. Hold the loaded whisk over the hot oil, swirl and drop the batter into the hot oil. 7. Fry for 1-2 minutes until golden brown 8. Scoop out with slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. 9. Repeat process. 10. Sprinkle powdered sugar and serve hot.

Potato Latkes Jamie Geller INGREDIENTS: 4 medium Idaho potatoes 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 eggs, beaten 2 tablespoon matzoh meal 2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper

8 Potato Latkes Jamie Geller INGREDIENTS: 4 medium Idaho potatoes 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 eggs, beaten 2 tablespoon matzoh meal 2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper Applesauce or sour cream (optional) DIRECTIONS: 1. Prepare a large bowl filled with cold water. 2. Peel potatoes, and as you finish each, place in cold water to prevent browning. 3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 4. Cut potatoes lengthwise into halves or quarters so they fit into food processor feed tube. 5. Process potatoes using the blade that creates thin, shoestring- like strips and transfer to a large bowl. 6. Add eggs, matzoh meal, salt and pepper and mix well. 7. Drop 6 to 8 spoonfuls of mixture into hot oil. 8. Using the back of a spoon, pat down each latke to flatten it. Put as many as you can in the skillet without crowding. Putting them too close together will make them soggy. 9. Fry 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until golden and crisp around the edges; repeat procedure until finished with all the batter. 10. Blot excess oil with paper towels. 11. Serve warm with applesauce or sour cream, if desired. TIPS: Corn meal is a great substitute for matzoh meal and will also make your latkes nice and crispy.

We're so excited to learn about the story and take lessons from it. We got very familiar with the timeline leading up to Chanukah, with fun songs and a game to help us.

9 What s Happening in the Classrooms Judaic Studies Elementary 4 th Grade is learning shorashim (root word). The girls act out the shorash then take a picture, print it out and put it on the shorashim bulletin board. 5 th Grade is gearing up for Chanukah! We're so excited to learn about the story and take lessons from it. We got very familiar with the timeline leading up to Chanukah, with fun songs and a game to help us. We are creating our very own Chanukah lapbook! This will help us clarify all the information learned in class about Chanukah. Looking forward to continued success! 6 th Grade is creating their own beautiful foldable Chanukah lapbook. It is an interactive, creative way of learning the story, minhagim and halachos of Chanukah. We are also learning and understanding Parshas Vayeishev the story of Yosef going to Mitzrayim. They are learning Rashi and ever Midrashim on the Psukim! 7 th Grade has loads going on. As an introduction to Chanukah they learned about the power of one candle in the darkness, in the pitch blackness of the dance room with the lights turned off. They wrote about how one individual can spread the light in the darkness of galus. Please check out the beautiful bulletin board display. All it takes is one small candle! They are also eagerly preparing for their surprise debut at the Chanukah Chagiga! 7 th grade is looking forward to a super special Chanukah surprise coming up! Keep up your great work. 8 th Grade are anxiously awaiting their upcoming Shabbaton!!! It will be a time when they can experience the true beauty of the holy day of Shabbos!! They will have an opportunity to listen to inspiring speeches, sing, and much more! Looking forward!

10 Bais Yaakov Convention in Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Bais Yaakov Convention Reflections Sarah Isakov, Shifra Kaynov, Nechama Mayoral, Sarah Munarov - Spending a Shabbos in Ohio with girls I ve never met before was such an amazing experience.

11 Cleveland Bais Yaakov Convention Reflections Sarah Isakov, Shifra Kaynov, Nechama Mayoral, Sarah Munarov - Spending a Shabbos in Ohio with girls I ve never met before was such an amazing experience. - The lectures were really relatable and knowledgeable for me. - I feel it so inspired knowing that I can live my life, that Hashem is right by my side and I can always rely on Him. - The food was endless, kept coming and was amazingly delicious. - Through the Shabbat lectures became an eye opener to our daily struggles and how to deal with them. - After Shabbat we all sang and danced together and if felt great because we were all from one nation and one G-d. - Many schools performed and had amazing choirs and dances. - What an experience flying on an airplane together for a weekend.

12 Rosh Chodesh Kislev Trip - Ice Cream House What did we enjoy about the trip? Being united as a whole school -Leah Pinkhasov Having fun outside school -Alexa Babayev Socializing with our classmates in a very relaxed setting -Zoya M

13 Chagiga Prep Trip to Eichler s Judaica Store, Boro Park

Dodgeball with Lev Bais Yaakov This week our school competed against Lev Bais

In an unexpected twist, BHI decided to intermingle the two teams in order to

According to BHI students, mixing up the game was a great experience.

Throughout the game everybody remained high spirited and happy.

dance. It was a whole lot of fun. Well done BHI for their fantastic organization.

14 Dodgeball with Lev Bais Yaakov This week our school competed against Lev Bais Yaakov in a dodgeball match. BHI came out on top in the games, as usual. In an unexpected twist, BHI decided to intermingle the two teams in order to increase the achdus and make the games more interesting. According to BHI students, mixing up the game was a great experience. It gave us an opportunity to work together with new people. Throughout the game everybody remained high spirited and happy. After the match, all the girls from both schools broke out in joyous song and dance. It was a whole lot of fun. Well done BHI for their fantastic organization. -Zoya Mulokandova Feedback from Lev Bais Yaakov Girls - Beer Hagolah was very welcoming, with open arms - We were psyched to show our talent" - We hoped to be better prepared next time

DREIDEL GAME 1. Any number of people can take part. 2.

The Hebrew letters on each side of the dreidel, with the name of each above. 3. At the beginning of each round, every participant puts one game piece into the center pot.

Depending on the outcome, you give or get game pieces from the pot: Nun means nisht or nothing. The player does nothing. Gimmel means gantz or everything. The player gets everything in the pot.

15 DREIDEL GAME 1. Any number of people can take part. 2. Each player begins the game with an equal number of game pieces (about 10-15) such as pennies, nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, matchsticks, etc. The Hebrew letters on each side of the dreidel, with the name of each above. 3. At the beginning of each round, every participant puts one game piece into the center pot. In addition, every time the pot is empty or has only one game piece left, every player should put one in the pot. 4. Every time it s your turn, spin the dreidel once. Depending on the outcome, you give or get game pieces from the pot: Nun means nisht or nothing. The player does nothing. Gimmel means gantz or everything. The player gets everything in the pot. Hey means halb or half. The player gets half of the pot. (If there is an odd number of pieces in the pot, the player takes half of the total plus one). Shin (outside of Israel) means shtel or put in. Peh (in Israel) also means put in. The player adds a game piece to the pot. 5. If you find that you have no game pieces left, you are either out or may ask a fellow player for a loan. 6. When one person has won everything, that round of the game is over!

Name:

Name: Name: Hanukkah is a winter holiday that celebrates two things. The first is how two thousand years ago the Jewish people won a long three year battle over King Antiochus, who wouldn't let them practice