Project IMPACT 2019 Allocations

Every year 7th graders at The Davis Academy come together to create a pop-up philanthropic organization that is responsible for donating several thousand dollars to worthy organizations in the Atlanta area, nationally, and in Israel. The process whereby organizations are researched, nominated, and selected is called Project IMPACT. The dollars allocated are provided by the students' parents as a kind of collective Bnai Mitzvah gift to the students. As a result of this special and meaningful process, the 7th grade students of The Davis Academy have been able to sustain and enhance the world-changing efforts of scores of organizations over the years. In that spirit, here is a summary of the 2019 Project IMPACT outcomes. 

The 7th grade class of 2019 selected 8 organizations to receive nearly $600/ per organization. Local organizations include: The Packaged Good, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Atlanta Human Society. National organizations include the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Pencils for Promise, and the National MPS Society. This year's Israel organizations are the Friends of the IDF and Save a Child's Heart. 

This year's cover letters, written by students, are particularly meaningful illustrations of what this process means. In that spirit, here are excerpts from the cover letters: 

Save a Child's Heart

To Whom It May Concern:

            Every Year at the Davis Academy, a Reform Jewish day school in Atlanta Georgia, the seventh grade is tasked with finding an organization to which they want to donate their Tzedakah collections from the year as part of our project impact. When thinking about what was most important to us, we realized how many children are dying from heart diseases and how many of them do not have access to Cardiac Pediatric Care. Save a Child’s Heart provides children around the world no matter what their background is with a chance of surviving these awful diseases and getting the right treatment for free. Because of all the amazing things that Save a Child’s Heart does for children, we decided to donate our tzedakah to this organization. We are so excited to donate our money to an organization that saves children’s lives!

                                  

                                  Sincerely,

                      

                        Goldie T. and Talan B.

Pencils for Promise

To Pencils of Promise, Incorporated:

            Each year at the Davis Academy, a Reform Jewish day school in Atlanta, Georgia, the seventh graders in Judaics Studies are tasked with choosing an organization to which they will donate money set aside from out tuitions as a part of our Project Impact. When thinking about what we valued, we realized how very lucky we were to be getting such a good education, which is something that many people never get to experience. That is why we decided to pick you, so that you will be able to continue making schools in places that aren’t making them themselves. We are happy to be donating to you and we hope to make a positive difference in the world. 

Sincerely, 

Lior W. and Frankie S.

FIDF

To whom it may concern,

            Every year, seventh-grade students at the Davis Academy are given the job of finding a charity they want to donate to as a part of Project Impact. For my charity, I decided to think of something that spoke out to me. I thought about the soldiers who protect me. I wanted to give back to the people who make me feels safes. I decided to donate money to the Friends of the Israel Defense Force. In eighth grade, we get the chance to experience Israel by taking a trip there. Every year, the IDF protects every student in eighth grade. Because of this,  I want to  donate. I hope I can help give back to them for their services. I am glad to donate this money and I cannot wait to go to Israel to experience the Jewish state.

Sincerely,

Jordan F.

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta:

            Every year at the Davis Academy, a Reform Jewish Day School in Atlanta, Georgia, the seventh grade is tasked with finding an organization to which they want to donate their tzedakah collections from the year as a part of our Project Impact. When thinking about what was most important to me, I realized that healthcare has played a role in my life. I really want healthcare for children and I decided that I was going to donate my money to CHOA. In 6th grade, I went to CHOA because I was sick, and I want other people to have the most up to date things to help them. I am so excited to donate to you guys, and I hope it can help you  with your needs.

Sincerely,

Ari L.

National MPS Society

To Whom It May Concern:

            Every year at the Davis Academy, a Reform Jewish Day School in Atlanta, Georgia, the seventh grade is tasked with finding an organization to which they want to donate their tzedakah collections from the year as a part of our Project Impact. When thinking about what was most important to us, we realized how much we wanted to help find a cure for diseases. It deeply saddened us how many people have life-threatening illnesses, so we decided to donate our funds to the National MPS Society.  We both know and love people with MPS, so we would love to help them. Both of us are so excited to donate ___ and help save the lives of so many people.

Sincerely,

Rachel D. and Hope M.

Atlanta Humane Society

Dear Atlanta Humane Society

            In Atlanta, Georgia, the seventh graders at a Reform Jewish Day School called the Davis Academy are asked to find an organization that they want to donate their Tzedakah from the whole year as part of their project impact. While thinking of causes that are truly important to us, we realized how much we love animals. We know how many animals are homeless and in need of care, so we wanted to help them. We decided we want to donate our money to your organization, The Atlanta Humane Society. We are proud to donate our money to your organization and hope we can impact the lives of many animals.

Sincerely,

Isabelle G. and Rachel R.

Center for Disaster Philanthropy

To Whom It May Concern,

             Every year at the Davis Academy, a reform Jewish Day School in Atlanta, Georgia, the seventh grade is tasked with finding an organization to which they want to donate their tzedakah collection from the year as a part of our project impact. When we, Ross and Zach, were thinking about a worthy cause to donate to,  we thought of The Center for Disaster Philanthropy because. We chose this organization because this past Summer, we visited Orange County, California for a sporting event. We stayed with a family that lived very close to the wildfires. Their family was affected by these fires in many different ways. For example, their  grandma’s home was in severe danger due to the wildfires, so she had to stay with us and our host family. This is why we would like to donate to The  Center for Disaster Philanthropy. We hope that our donation will help repair the homes of families and the land  in California.

Sincerely,

Ross B. and Zach R.

Welcoming Guests to Our Sukkah

Today, our 6th Grade Jewish Life Leadership and Moreh Sim Pearl welcomed Independence Works, a group of adults with developmental disabilities that organizes under the auspices of Jewish Family and Career Services. We are fortunate that this has become an annual tradition because it gives our students an opportunity to live our values in a meaningful and memorable way. Here are some pictures from this year's visit...

Project IMPACT Allocations 2017-2018

Every year, the 7th graders at The Davis Academy participate in Project IMPACT. Utilizing real dollars set aside by their parents in honor of their Bnai Mitzvah, the students come together to allocate money to organizations at the local, national and Israel level. Prior to allocating any funds, students engage in deep text study that highlights Judaism's longstanding tradition of Tzedakah (charitable giving) and Tzedek (justice/ righteousness) more generally. From there, the research specific causes and charities, eventually selecting one and advocating for it in formal presentations for their classmates. This year the class selected 10 charities to receive their Tzedakah donations. Those charities are:

1.  Breast Cancer Research Foundation
2.  Camp Jenny
3.  Cancer Research Institute
4.  Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
5. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces  
6. March of Dimes
7. Atlanta Ronald McDonald House
8. Save a Child's Heart Foundation
9. The Society for Protection of Nature in Israel
10. The Packaged Good

Understanding Tzedek

One of our Menschlichkeit Values at The Davis Academy is "Tzedek." Meaning "justice" and/or "righteousness" this value is meant to help give our community language for reflecting on and acting upon the gap that we find between the way the world is and the way we think the world should be. In this journal entry, 5th grader, Hannah Herman, articulately conveys a deep understanding of Tzedek and explains how her Davis journey has helped her find a feeling of empowerment in this vital area. 

Journal #15

            Last Thursday we went to Camp Jenny, and it was an experience that I will never forget. I think that Camp Jenny is doing an amazing thing for children who are less fortunate. I enjoyed getting to see everything that this camp offers, and how lucky the people who go there get treated. Normally, these kids would not be able to go to summer camp, but with the help of Camp Jenny, and Camp Coleman for hosting them, they are able to attend sleep away camp. At Davis, we learn about how everyone should be treated equally, and no one should be left out on the streets. We are so fortunate that we can buy anything that we need, but the children who go to Camp Jenny aren't. Our purpose at Camp Jenny is to volunteer and donate to give these children a great summer camp experience. Our tzedakah project is so important because it gives children who don't have much some joy and happiness. Going there influenced me because people don't realize how much they have, until they see how little someone else has. This field trip has prepared us for the middle school, and life. Everything that we have done this year has shaped and molded us into smart, considerate, compassionate children, and when we walk out of those doors for the last time, we will walk out changed.

The Davis Academy and Mt. Vernon Presbyterian School 5th Graders Building Bridges of Understanding

Recently, 5th graders here at Davis hosted their peers from Mt. Vernon Presbyterian School for a day of interfaith dialogue, team building, and learning. You can read about the day's activities in several of our local media outlets by clicking here or here. This program is part of a larger commitment that The Davis Academy has to making sure that our students learn about different cultures and religions not only through classroom lessons, but through actual human encounters and experiences.

Davis, Marist, and the First Ever Atlanta Unity Seder

Last night, student leaders from The Davis Academy and The Marist school honored our many years of interfaith partnership by playing a leadership role at the Atlanta office of the American Jewish Committee's first ever "Unity Seder." Joined by faith leaders from dozens of churches, synagogues, and organizations, local government officials and diplomats from India to Argentina, and more than 400 attendees, The Davis Academy and Marist School students opened the Seder by singing an original melody of the words "Hinei Mah Tov" that was written specifically for interfaith gatherings and occasions. Incidentally, this same song was performed by Davis and Marist students several years ago at a community wide celebration of the 50th anniversary of Nostrae Aetate.

In addition to singing together, Davis and Marist students sat together and participated in the interfaith dialogue and discussion that made the evening so meaning.

Later in the evening, The Davis Academy students were invited to lead the "4 Questions." After singing them in Hebrew, they were translated into different languages by the various diplomats in attendance.

It was a truly special and even historic evening, enriched deeply by the participation of Davis and Marist students.

The Davis Academy welcomes Aurora Day Camp

Below is a memo sent by Amy Shafron, The Davis Academy's Head of School, to The Davis Academy faculty and staff. The memo is sharing the wonderful news that The Davis Academy lower school will welcome the Aurora Day Camp when they open their doors for the first time in Atlanta, this summer. 

I’m thrilled to let you know about a very special day camp opening for the first time this summer, to be housed at The Davis Academy.  We are pleased to be able to put our school’s values of kehillah, tzedek and kavod into action by opening our home for this unique new day camp for children with cancer.

Having created 7 other camps – three in New York (Long Island, Pearl River and Staten Island), three in Israel and Horizon Day Camp in Baltimore, Maryland – the Sunrise Association is now creating Aurora Day Camp in Atlanta. It will be Georgia’s first full-summer day camp for children with cancer and their siblings, ages 3 ½ –16, who are in active or follow-up treatment for cancer. Aurora staff evaluated many sites in and around the Atlanta area and selected The Davis Academy lower school campus as ideal given our beautiful indoor and outdoor facilities for programing, central location and proximity to CHOA’s Scottish Rite facility. Their leadership teams includes Gregory Hill as Executive Director, Sami Tanenbaum as Camp Director and Dr. Glen Lew, one of CHOA’s leading pediatric oncologists as Medical Director. We hope that as they round out their team that perhaps some of our own Davis alum will consider applying to work as camp counselors as well. 

Here is a link to a piece which appeared recently on WSB TV news (ABC affiliate station in Atlanta): http://www.wsbtv.com/video?videoId=687576504&videoVersion=1.0  

Please join me in celebrating and embracing this opportunity for our Davis community to work alongside Aurora’s team to help make a joyful summer camp experience possible for these special children in our local community.

25th Anniversary Day of Menschlichkeit

On February 5, 2018, The Davis Academy held a day of menschlichkeit in honor of our 25th anniversary. Why February 5th? Because February 5th= 2/5!

Below are some captioned pictures that convey some of the many different activities and experiences that made this day an authentic celebration of our school values: wisdom, community, righteousness, spirit, and respect.

Making new curtains for our school Ark.

Making new curtains for our school Ark.

Spending time learning about therapeutic dogs.

Spending time learning about therapeutic dogs.

Making new curtains for our school Ark.

Planting a daffodil garden in memory of children who perished in the Holocaust.

Making cards for Jewish Family and Career Services.

Special visitors and guest teachers.

Planting a daffodil garden in memory of children who perished in the Holocaust.

Loading lunches and other supplies for the Zaban Couples Shelter.

Special guests and experts informing our kids about disease and disabilities.

Sandy Springs PD came for lunch, recess, and a special presentation.

Bringing world heritage sites to life for Maker Monday.

Lunch with Sandy Springs PD.

A special panel of community rabbis. 

Presenting car seats to Sandy Springs PD.

Making lunches for Zaban Couples Shelter.

Sandy Springs Fire Department came for lunch.

Getting organized for Camp Jenny. 

Decorating special windows. 

#Davis7 Holy Sites Interfaith Field Trip

Yesterday, Davis Academy 7th graders visited three different Holy Sites in the greater Atlanta area: The Roswell Masjid, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn, and the Dharma Jewel Monastery. At each site we met with faith leaders of the different traditions, had an opportunity to listen, learn, and observe Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism in action. Now that our 7th graders have visited a mosque, mandir, and monastery they join a small minority of Americans in having firsthand knowledge of what these houses of worship look and feel like. As members of this small majority of Americans who have sought out insight into the religious tapestry of America, they now have a special responsibility to promote tolerance, understanding, and respect among Americans of all faiths.

At the Roswell Community Masjid we were welcomed by Imam Arshad. Pakistani by birth, Imam Arshad grew up in Southern Mississippi. He was appointed as the Imam of the Roswell Community Masjid by the Muslim community that supports this Mosque. Wearing jeans and a hoodie, not yet having had his morning coffee, Imam Arshad graciously answered at least 100 questions posed by our students. The questions were intelligent and respectful, and the answers helped us understand some of the ethos and spirit behind Islam. We learned quite a bit about the Hajj (religious pilgrimage to Mecca), about Muslim views of character development (similar to Middot and Menschlichkeit in Judaism), and much more.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir is the largest Hindu Temple in the Southeast. The building itself tells you much about Hindu faith and practice. While the thousands of individual pieces of marble were constructed by paid craftsman in India, much of the work of building the Mandir and completing the project was done on a volunteer basis by more than 20,000 individuals (Hindu and non-Hindu). Completed in 2007, the entire project was paid for on a donation basis before the Mandir opened. The physical structure of the Mandir is meant to help focus the mind of God and divinity.

We removed our shoes, sat on the floor, and experienced the 11:15 devotional service. During this time Sadhus (monks) dressed in orange, kindled lamps and offered praises to the incarnations of the different deities. After the prayer, our guide (also a volunteer), explained that Hinduism is actually a Monotheistic faith rather than Polytheistic. There is only one God. That God has appeared and continues to appear in many different forms. Hinduism prides itself on introducing ideas of Non-Violence, Vegetarianism, and Tolerance to the world.

After lunch we arrived at The Dharma Jewel Monastery in Tucker. There we were greeted with big smiles and the strong smell of incense. The Dharma Jewel Monastery is a Buddhist Monastery, but in the Chinese tradition. Several generations after The Buddha became enlightened in India, Buddhism spread to China. Fast forward to the present, and The Dharma Jewel Monastery carries on this tradition here in Tucker, GA. We got an overview, learned a bit about mindful eating, and then went up to the Great Zen Meditation Hall. There we sat on cushions and pillows, learned about the sacred instruments in the Hall, were led in a meditation session, and the invited to make a lamp offering (basically making a wish and then placing a candle on the altar). Many of our kids found this moving and exciting.

Taking a step back, it's remarkable to think of all these faith traditions coexisting here in Atlanta. It's even more remarkable to think that their work is largely invisible and/or irrelevant to so many Atlantans. As the Imam said this morning, it takes tremendous courage, self-confidence, and self-awareness to walk into a house of worship other than your own. Our kids certainly have all 3 of this qualities. They were very well-prepared by their Social Studies teachers in terms of basic knowledge of these three faiths. On a deeper level, their insider knowledge of Judaism, acquired through years of Jewish learning and living, gave them a special ability to decode some of the complexities of these other faiths as well as find the common and distinguishing factors among them.

It was a beautiful day.

2nd Grade Siddur Celebration at Berman Commons

The Davis Academy 2nd grade has a very special tradition that takes place on the last day of school before Winter Break: our annual visit to Berman Commons for a Siddur and Shabbat Celebration.

As you may know, each December, The Davis Academy 2nd graders receive their very own prayer books during a special ceremony called Kabbalat HaSiddur. Any Davis Academy student can tell you all about what that ceremony means to them and how they feel about their Siddur.

What you may not know is that the week following Kabbalat HaSiddur, our 2nd graders travel to Berman Commons, our local Jewish assisted living community, to do a revue of that same ceremony. Residents of Berman Commons gather in one of their beautiful common areas. Our children sing their heartwarming songs and then interact with the residents. The singing is wonderful, but it is the interaction, from generation to generation, that makes the whole thing truly sacred. Knowing that our children and the residents of Berman Common share a common love and appreciation of Jewish tradition is something that inspires and brings joy to everyone in the room, and for good reason.

Here are some pictures and a short video of that very interaction.

Cafe Europa 2017

This week, The Davis Decibelles, our middle school performing choir under the direction of Ms. Kendrick Phillips, our director of visual and performing arts, participated in one of the most cherished performance experiences imaginable: singing at Cafe Europa.

A program of JF&CS, Cafe Europa is a monthly gathering of Atlanta area Holocaust survivors. The Decibelles' visit is anticipated not only by our students, but by the entire Cafe Europa community.

Each year, The Davis Decibelles open their performance with The Pledge of Allegiance and Hatikvah. Imagine the feeling of connection, hope, and pride that fills the room as everyone lifts up their voices in song.

I attend Cafe Europa not only as the Davis Academy's rabbi, but as the accompanist for The Decibelles. That means that I have a front row seat, alongside Kendrick, for this special performance. From where I sit, I can see clearly, the sense of purpose, respect, and understanding in the eyes of our students as they introduce songs and perform their hearts out. It is so clear, in that moment, that this performance is not for them, but for the Cafe Europa community. Our Decibelles would do anything to bring joy and beauty into the lives of these amazing individuals. As a rabbi and educator, it is absolutely awesome to witness.

While the concert aspect of Cafe Europa is celebratory and special, the most significant part of Cafe Europa takes place when our students join the Cafe Europa community for lunch. Within minutes, the conversations are flowing in all directions. Our Davis kids are talking about their lives, their hopes, and their dreams, and before you know it, Cafe Europa guests are sharing their stories, old and new, devastating and inspiring, personal and universal. Our students understand that they are the last generation that will have the opportunity to sit alongside those who witnessed, survived, and rebuilt after the Holocaust. And it is clear that they will do anything they need to do in order to be fully present for this sacred responsibility and honor.

Kendrick Phillips sums it up this way, "There's a unifying spirit of music that brings both young and old together. I am most proud of our students who have such a deep understanding of their Jewish identity that allows them to connect with compassion, curiosity, care, and genuine interest. Watching our kids connect with these heroic survivors, there's something truly magical about their ability to be fully present to receive and help honor the precious gift of this unique moment in time."

At Cafe Europa all of the richness and the complexity of the Jewish story comes together. The triumph and tragedy, the past and the future, the sound and the silence. It is a remarkable experience and one of the most important projects that I have ever been a part of.

MSLTI students designate charity for Hurricane relief Tzedakah funds

During an early morning meeting, representatives from MSLTI gathered to allocate the nearly $650 of Tzedakah funds collected by Davis Academy Middle School and 1st grade students (whose grade level Tzedakah theme is that of "water") for hurricane relief. After meaningful discussion the students, with guidance from Rabbi Micah and Mrs. Shafron, selected the organization NECHAMA. As NECHAMA's mission states, "Our work is rooted in the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam. We offer help to all people affected by disaster on the basis of need regardless of religious affiliation." It was this part of NECHAMA's mission that most resonated with our MSLTI decision-makers. 

Welcoming Guests to our Middle School Sukkah

Though it was cloudy and overcast today you wouldn't have known it based on the warm feelings inside our Middle School Sukkah today. That's because our Jewish Life Leaders (part of our Middle School Leadership Training Institute) welcomed guests from JF&CS's IndependenceWORKS to our Sukkah today. We sang a few songs, said our Sukkah blessings, and then enjoyed lunch and friendly conversation. This was the 3rd consecutive year that we've welcomed IndependenceWORKS to our Sukkah. This visit is part of a broader partnership between The Davis Academy and JF&CS that focuses on opportunities for our kids to do good by supporting the various initiatives of this vital Jewish communal organization. For those that aren't familiar with IndependenceWORKS you can click here or read the following quote from their website:

IndependenceWORKS, the day and vocational arm of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Services, offers a day program, evaluations, prevocational assessment and support, and job coaching so adults with disabilities can find and maintain work that utilizes their greatest talents and abilities.

L'chaim Sandy Springs!

Last night, Davis Academy 8th grader, Alon Rogow, had the honor of sharing a D'var Torah at an event celebrating the past, present, and future of the Jewish community of Sandy Springs. Speaking immediately before mayor, Rusty Paul, and Rabbi Phil Kranz, Alon's message helped set the tone for the evening. We are proud that our students so beautifully and authentically represent our school values and also proud of the myriad ways that The Davis Academy has contributed to the Jewish story of Sandy Springs during our 25 years of educating the next generation. Alon spoke last night as part of his commitment to being a part of MSLTI, The Davis Academy's Middle School Leadership Training Institute. Here's his speech, shared with parental permission. 

Good evening. My name is Alon Rogow and I am an eighth grader at The Davis Academy. I am a member of our Middle School Leadership Training Institute (MSLTI) as a Student Government representative and I will be giving a D’var Torah tonight, which is a short speech or lesson interpreting the weekly Torah portion.

This week’s parsha is called Ki Tavo. The parsha contains many important teachings and themes. The theme that I would like to focus on for my D’var Torah is that of ‘blessings and curses.’ In this parsha, we see Moses explain that the Israelites will be blessed if they follow the mitzvot but that they will be cursed if they disobey. Mitzvot teach us morality, compassion, justice and humility. These mitzvot are not just laws that we are obligated to follow, but they are meant to help guide us to live our lives in a righteous manner.  Moses gives the Israelites a choice—if they choose to follow the mitzvot not only will they have many blessings, but they will also BE a blessing. You may think the choice was easy, but some Israelites could not follow the mitzvot. Of course, as you can imagine, most of them made the right choice, which is part of why we are all gathered here today to celebrate the Jewish community of Sandy Springs.

As I mentioned, I am an 8^th grader at The Davis Academy. I consider myself blessed to be able to go to such an amazing Jewish school. Among the many opportunities that me and my classmates have at Davis, we have many opportunities to be a blessing. For example, every year, as a Davis Academy middle school, we work together to raise money for various charities. We do this through bringing in tzedakah as well as through various competitions between grades, where we compete against one another to see who can bring in the most money. At the end of the competition, the money is donated to a charity of our choice. On a more personal note, I am always eager to help others, whether it’s with school work or with a personal situation, I am always willing to lend a hand. Also, I am welcoming to everyone and always like to include others and make them feel like they are a part of the group.  Recently, I participated in the Macabbi games.  I was on the soccer team and we were lucky enough to have two players join us from Israel.  They spoke little to no English.  Because of my Davis Academy education, I was able to communicate with them and welcome them to the team and to our community.  Spending time with them and getting to know them was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and one that I will never forget. 

 I know that The Davis Academy is only one of the many wonderful Jewish communities in Sandy Springs. Even as an 8^th grader I have visited many synagogues for different activities and Bar Mitzvahs. I know that our entire Sandy Springs Jewish community is a blessing, which is why we are here tonight to celebrate our history and how far we’ve come. I am thankful that our school is able to be a part of such an incredible exhibit and I’m honored to be a part of the program tonight. Thank you for listening to my D’var Torah and Mazal Tov to all.

Atlanta Reform Movement Shabbat at The Davis Academy

Last Friday, The Davis Academy had the honor of hosting the annual Atlanta Reform Movement Shabbat in our Rosenberg Performing Arts Theatre. Bringing together all of the area Reform congregations for an evening of shared worship and community building, this special Shabbat is a meaningful and memorable one to say the least.

This year's Reform Movement Shabbat had a theme: The values we live by, the values we teach. Each rabbi and cantor was asked to prepare a short teaching on this theme as a way of framing the particular prayer that they would then lead. Each teaching resonated with wisdom, insight, and relevance. Each teacher authentically shared their Torah with all who had come to worship and be together.

Backed by a musical ensemble that enhanced the worship through familiar and original melodies and with a keynote address from The Davis Academy's head of school, Amy Shafron, Reform Movement Shabbat shared not only the special spirit of Atlanta's Reform Jewish community, but also that of the Reform movement more broadly.

Thank you to Rabbis Rachael Miller, Max Miller, Ron Segal, Harvey Winokur, Jordan Ottenstein, Sam Shabman, Natan Trief, Ruth Abusch-Magder, Alex Shuval-Weiner, Loren Filson Lapidus, and Micah Lapidus, as well as cantors Lauren Adesnik, Nancy Kassel, and Mike Zuspan, for contributing to such a powerful and remarkable Reform Movement Shabbat.

Yom HaZikaron- Why we Sing

For the last several years, a small group of Davis students has had the honor of singing a song during the Atlanta Jewish community's Yom HaZikaron commemoration. Students are selected based on a few criteria-- their singing ability, Hebrew ability, maturity/ responsibility, and understanding of the solemn and sacred nature of singing at this community gathering. Under the direction of Morah Sigal, the students meticulously prepare the song, attend rehearsals during and outside of school, arrive several hours early to the commemoration, and eventually perform their song. Hours of study and preparation, all for a single song?

Our students are willing to take on this special honor and responsibility because they understand that all Jews are blessed by the existence of the State of Israel. They are willing to take on this responsibility because, even at a young age, they appreciate the tremendous sacrifices that have been made to protect and defend Israel. They are willing because they see the profound impact that their presence has on those who gather to honor and remember. It means a lot to those gathered to know that Yom HaZikaron means something to these students from The Davis Academy.

Each year the song selected for The Davis Academy gets more and more difficult. That's because those who design the ceremony know the seriousness and professionalism that our students exhibit. Last night they sang a song entitled, "Winter of 73." That song speaks of the children who were born in the months following the Yom Kippur War, many of who never met their fathers.

This is why we sing on Yom HaZikaron.

Yom HaShoah 2017

Yom HaShoah is one of the most sacred days on the Jewish calendar. It is the day that we honor the memory of the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust as well as those who survived to tell their stories. It is the day that we renew our commitment to never forgetting and never allowing such an unfathomable atrocity to occur again to any people.

We mark this occasion not only by lighting traditional Memorial Candles on both campuses, but in several other significant ways.

First, we partner with the Breman Holocaust Museum to bring a Holocaust survivor to share their story with our older students. This year we were honored to welcome Mr. Herschel Greenblatt. Our Jewish Life Leadership students will lead a short memorial service before he shares his remarks.

Next, our 7th graders visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. on their 7th grade trip which takes place during the week of Yom HaShoah. This visit is a culmination of many months spent studying the Holocaust in 7th grade Jewish Studies. Check out Twitter #Davis7 to see the 7th graders on their trip.

While our 7th graders are in D.C. our 6th graders spend a day with their peers at the Queen of Angels Catholic School in Roswell. There they jointly write victims' names on stones for QofA's daffodil garden.

Lastly, our Lower School choir, The Magical Melodies, sings each year during the community wide Yom HaShoah ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery. Their beautiful voices add a dimension of hope and joy to an otherwise very somber celebration. This year's commemoration was rainy and cold but our students didn't complain a bit because they understand the solemnity and significance of the occasion. The back of the memorial is in the picture below.

3rd-5th grade Magical Melodies rehearse for the community wide Yom HaShoah Ceremony 

1st Grade Cards Make an Impact

Empowering students to understand how they can make a difference in the world from a very young age is an important part of The Davis Academy curriculum. The sooner children realize that they can make a positive impact in another person's life, even a stranger, the better. Click here to see a truly heartwarming video that features many Davis Academy 1st graders and highlights a special partnership with JF&CS and their Aviv Celebrations program.

Ask the Rabbi Panel December, 2016

Today The Davis Academy Middle School welcomed three of our beloved community rabbis. Rabbi Josh Heller, Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus, and Rabbi Ron Segal graciously shared their thoughts and views on a wide array of controversial and thought provoking topics.

The panel began with a "speed round" that gave us a chance to learn a bit more about each rabbinic leader including their favorite and least favorite Jewish foods, favorite Jewish and non-Jewish holidays, as well as how many times they've visited Israel. During the speed round we learned that our panelists represented a collective 46.5 years of rabbinic experience!

More probing questions touched on a variety of topics ranging from what Judaism has to say about politics and how a Jew should vote to Jewish views of gender identity. Our panelists spoke to these topics as well as to anti-semitism and anti-Zionism as well as what community rabbis really think of Davis students when they attend synagogue for B'nai Mitzvah.

At the end of the panel our students agreed that they would like more programming of this nature. We made sure to leave time for the kids to say hello and connect with their rabbis as they headed back to class.

On behalf of The Davis Academy I want to thank Rabbis Heller, Lapidus, and Segal for their time, their insights, and their generous sharing.

#asktherabbi w/ @jzheller from @BnaiTorahATL, Rabbi Ron from @TempleSinaiAtl, and Rabbi Loren from @The_TempleAtl @Davis_Academy @rabbispen pic.twitter.com/gQ6AY41IPu

— Ilan Weismark (@ilanweismark) December 19, 2016

An American Hero

  Last night, The Davis Academy had the honor and privilege of hosting Congressman John Lewis on our Lower School campus. Speaking before a crowd of approximately 500 guests, Congressman Lewis spoke about his childhood, his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, and his award winning series of graphic novels, March. Students, Davis community members, area neighbors, members of the press, as well as Mayor Rusty Paul of Sandy Springs and Ambassador Judy Schorer, the Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States were in attendance. And everyone appreciated Congressman Lewis' humor, passion, optimism, and conviction. Congressman Lewis reminded us that our country has made incredible strides in the last 50 years and that America can and must be a beacon of light and an inspiration to the rest of the world.

              In a private meeting with Davis Academy Student Government representatives and later during the public portion of the evening, Congressman Lewis emphasized the importance of getting involved, getting "in the way", and causing "good and necessary trouble." When asked what Dr. King would say about America today, Congressman Lewis said that Dr. King would encourage us all to keep the faith, keep the hope, and remember that there are always ups and downs in our individual lives and the life of our nation.

  Several standing ovations, a long and diverse line of guests waiting to shake his hand, and a general feeling of warmth, community, and shared purpose filled the room. Congressman Lewis has already accepted an invitation to return to The Davis Academy. It would certainly be a tremendous honor to host him again.