American Sign Language Class
We are excited to welcome Amy Broderick as the teacher of our new American Sign Language elective. Amy has a masters in deaf education, and a bachelors in science from Xavier University. She has been teaching American Sign Language since 2001 at the Lexington School for the Deaf in New York, and North Mianus in Greenwich.

Jazz Rock Ensemble
It is a pleasure to welcome back Professor Brian Torff to our esteemed faculty. Professor Torff teaches our Jazz Rock Ensemble. He is a renowned bassist and composer, and is currently Music Program Director at Fairfield University. He is a featured bass soloist and is the musical director for the Django Reinhardt New York Festival, which has appeared at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and Birdland in New York City. Professor Torff wrote a book, "In Love With Voices: A Jazz Memoir." He is the Jazz Series director at the Westport Arts Center in Westport, CT and performs in jazz festivals around the U.S. Professor Torff has founded the Fairfield University Summer Jazz Workshop and has served as co-chair person for the music advisory board for the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2008 he was awarded Artist of the Year by the Fairfield Arts Council.

Other Second Semester Electives
This semester, in addition to the Jazz Rock Ensemble and American Sign Language, students are taking courses in Computer Programming, Spanish and Arabic. Electives which were offered but students did not sign up for include: Art, Theater, Fashion Design, and Dance.

Undefeated Basketball Team
Congratulations to our basketball team on their fourth win of the season. They are still undefeated! We are proud of our many athletic teams, which include soccer, basketball, skiing, track and field, weights and conditioning, tennis, golf, and baseball. We hope you can join us for the basketball team's next game on January 25, 2012, at 4:00pm: JHSC Wolves vs. Storm King School; 314 Mountain Road; Cornwall on Hudson, NY; 12520.

Conditioning
Conditioning is still being offered after school on Mondays and Wednesdays at the JCC. Coach Bracey invites anyone who is interested in running outdoor track to please meet at the JCC on Wednesday, January 18th, after school.

Dr. Yussman’s Upcoming Speaking Engagements
This Shabbat morning, Dr. Yussman will be giving the Davar Torah at Congregation Beth El–Keser Israel ( BEKI ) in New Haven.

On Monday, January 16th, Dr. Yussman will be presenting a keynote session on teaching Tefilla in Jewish day schools at the North American Jewish Day School Conference in Atlanta.

On Friday night, January 20th, Dr. Yussman will be giving the Davar Torah at Temple Beth El in Stamford.

On Saturday night, January 21st, at 7:00pm, Dr. Yussman will be teaching the course “All of Jewish History in One Hour” at Taste of Torah. Location: Congregation Beth El in Norwalk.

On Saturday night, January 28th, at 8:00pm, Dr. Yussman will be teaching the course “All of Jewish History in One Hour” at Taste of Honey. Location: New Haven JCC.

 

PTSO Meeting Invitation
On January 12th, we held a PTSO meeting at the school. Those in attendance suggested that we formalize the PTSO and call for nominations and elections, and delegate specific responsibilities to various parents, including fundraising; event coordination; PTSO newsletter; gala support; and so on.

We agreed to set the next PTSO meeting at JHSC, February 6th, 7:30pm, with the agenda of: 1. Clarifying the goals of the PTSO; 2. Defining which PTSO positions are necessary; 3. Moving for nominations; 4. Focusing on help needed for the Gala. We agreed that nominations would be called for that night, and elections would take place that week online, with PTSO Board election results publicized on Friday, February 10th.

Please RSVP your attendance to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Emma Stein Earns Internship
Sophomore Emma Stein has been chosen to work with a local publishing company on a national book project. Emma is working for Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization, on the writing and publishing process for their official commemorative centennial edition of “Thin Threads: Real Stories of Hadassah Life Changing Moments.” Emma is helping collect stories for this book which will be published in the Spring of 2012.

Thank-a-Thon: Please Sign Up
To all Parents, Students, Trustees, Faculty and Staff:

On Sunday, February 5th from 9:30am-11:30am at JHSC, the Jewish High School of Connecticut will be holding its first ever Thank-a-Thon. On this day, we will be calling several hundred individuals who have donated their resources to help make our school a reality. It is important that donors hear those two words—Thank You—from the individuals who are on the receiving end of their kind gifts.

Since we have so many people to call, we hope that many of you will make the time to come and say "thanks" to our donors. We will be serving breakfast and refreshments.

Please RSVP your attendance to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by January 20th, 2012.

 

Shabbaton Date
The first ever JHSC Shabbaton, a Shabbat overnight for our students, will be held at the JCC of Eastern Fairfield County on February 10th-11th, 2012 during the hours of Shabbat. Spending a full Shabbat together will be a fun and meaningful time for our students.

Shabbat Shalom!