Spotlights on...

PJA’s Middle School students had such a fun week! The Middle School Manhigut (Leadership) Exploratory class planned a week of spirit activities culminating in a super-creative program at  Friday’s Kabbalat Shabbat gathering.

It is with a great deal of excitement and immense gratitude that we report that the PJA community provided 11 restart kits containing a total of close to 100 items and $300 in gift cards to the Refugee Care Collective as part of their recent drive.

We are thrilled to re-introduce the Makerspace to the PJA community! After a year-long hiatus, we have a new Maker Educator who has brought the Makerspace back to life. A wide range of skills is taught in the Makerspace. Students build important life skills around collaboration, teamwork, following directions, and completing tasks.

Last week, the 6th grade class went on a field trip - the first school field trip since March of 2020 - and it was wonderful. The class traveled by bus to Kindness Farm, a volunteer-powered farm growing fresh produce for vulnerable populations.

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now,  when?” Rabbi Hillel, Pirkei Avot. This well-known quote from Pirkei Avot - Ethics of our Fathers - is the theme of the PJA Middle School Summer Reading Program.

Over these first few weeks of school, PJA students have been engrossed in learning about and participating in activities that bring the High Holy Days to life. Ask your student to share what they know about teshuva, tashlich, and ushpizin!

It was an exciting last week of school at PJA. Between the final academic lessons and the cleaning out of desks, the week was also jam-packed with special activities from the Middle School “Beach Party” to the Kindergarten “Graduation.”