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Message April 4, 2025 ה״פשת ןסינ 'ו ארקיו תשרפ Dear Parents,On the night of םירצמ תאיצי, Bnei Yisrael were told: רקב דע ותיב חתפמ שיא ואצת אל םתאו. Bnei Yisrael placed blood on the doorpost and lintel of their homes, and Hashem passed over their homes, striking the firstborn of the Egyptians. Hashem directed Bnei Yisrael not to leave their homes until morning.The Meshech Chochma writes that that Chazal disclose that Bnei Yisrael’s performance of mitzvos in Mitzrayim was sorely deficient – הרז הדובע ודבעו הלימ תירב ורפה. They abandoned the mitzvah of Bris Milah and even worshiped idols. Yet the Mechilta writes that there was one area where they distinguished themselves: In the enactment of םיגיס and םירדג to preserve their unique identities. אלש .םמש תא וניש אלש ןירוטלד ורבד אלו םשובלמ וניש אלו םנושל וניש. They didn’t change their name, language, and dress, nor did they slander each other. These protective measures enabled the survival of Bnei Yisrael in םירצמ תולג as a distinct entity. In this merit, Klal Yisrael was able to leave Mitzrayim and accept the Torah.The Meshech Chochma further notes that when we consider the mitzvos of Pesach we notice something unusual. The Torah prohibits the consumption of chometz, and Chazal is stringent that as a protective measure, even a והשמ(smallest amount) is prohibited. In the same vein the Torah commands לב הארי לב אצמי, Chametz is not only forbidden for consumption, but it also can’t be seen or found – even the possession of Chometz is רוסא.These unique parameters, explains the Meshech Chochma, are in place because these mitzvos celebrate our redemption. Therefore the mitzvos of Pesach reflect the nature of why they were redeemed – because of the protective measures they instituted.The Gemera in Brochos states: תינק וז םע רבעי דע ׳ה ךמע רבעי דע. The first רובעי דע is referring to תלואג םירצמ, and the second רובעי דע refers to לבב תלואג. The juxtaposition of these two redemptions teaches us that when we left Bavel, we should have experienced miracles like those we experienced by Yetzias Mitzrayim, but we did not אטחה םרגש (because of their sins).If we look at the pesukim in Nechemia one can discern that in Bavel the people didn’t maintain their distinct identity. They adopted non-jewish names, spoke the local language, and eventually there were even cases of intermarriage and assimilation. Although they may have kept mitzvos better than the םירצמ יאצוי רוד, their םירדג and םיגיס were woefully lacking – and they did not merit major miracles.The Gemara in Shabbos states that there were 18 protective decrees formulated by Hillel and Shammai that even if Eliyahu Hanavi himself would declare them voided, he would not be heeded. Only with the final redemption and חישמ תאיב will these measures no longer be needed. Until then, they are critical to keeping our distinct identity during exile.These ideas are encapsulated in the possuk רקוב דע ותיב חתפמ שיא ואצת אל םתאו. Do not leave the entrances of your homes. It is the Jewish home that represents the domain that ensures the distinction between us and our host nation. This distinction remains imperative until Mashiach arrives.Thank you to all the Rabbeim and Moros for doing such a wonderful job preparing our Talmidim and Talmidos for YomTov.חספ ןרשכ, תבש טוג Rabbi Ochs 6:56 PM● Mon, April 7 - 4PM 6-8B dismissalApril 8-21 - No school, PesachWed, April 30 - GS staff meeting, 3PM dismissal all gradesSun, May 4- Rebbeim meeting, 11:30 dismissalFri, May 9 - Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ DaySun, May 18 - Torah Academy Auction (women only)PROTECTIVE MEASURES

BULLETIN BOARD● Friday afternoon assemblies have resumed in the Williston building. The focus of the first assembly was on showing respect to teachers, and introducing the spring vocabulary parade.● 1B had a siyum this past Tuesday celebrating their finishing perek bais in Bereishis, completing learning 27 shoroshim, and completing close to 100 milim, WOW! The boys were treated to delicious cholent, as well as plenty of sweets. Mazel tov first grade, and thank you so much Rabbi Sebbag!● 3B and 4B Football: Teaming up on a glorious day 3B and 4B played a great football game.● Engineering on the Fly: 4B is amid a design challenge to create planes that will fly the furthest. Getting planes to fly straight has been an issue, but 4B dove into the project, even testing ideas during recess.● Grammar on the Run: Working together, 4B is identifying the parts of speech in each sentence, learning to build more complex and interesting expressions of thought.● Location Quest: 7B works away filling in world and culture maps with lists of important places and landmarks.● 2G learned all about matzah and did a live demonstration of making real matzah out of flour and water in under 18 minutes.● 6G worked hard for the last few weeks embroidering magnificent Pesach pillowcases. Thank you Mrs. Krasnow!● Mazel tov to 4G on completing Parshas Vayechi! Chazak chazak on completing the whole sefer Bereishis! They will iyH celebrate with a siyum after Pesach!● Students in 4G are learning about Isaac Newton and his incredible laws. Law #3- “FOR EVERY ACTION, THERE IS AN EQUAL AND OPPOSITE REACTION,” the students devised their own pendulums like ones used in grandfather clocks which demonstrated potential and kinetic energy. Much to our surprise, we discovered that varying the weight of their pendulums did not affect the number of swings! ● K1 went on a class trip to Mahoney's Garden Center on Thursday, to learn more about plants and gardening for the start of Spring. Thank you Morah Aviva! Thank you Mrs. Klompas for inviting them! Thank you Mrs. Lefman for chaperoning and Mrs. Halpern for driving!● K2 finished learning the ABCs and celebrated with a party! They decorated the room, had special treats and ice pops! Thank you Morah Esther, Morah Avigayil and Morah Rina!● Mazel tov to K2 on their alef bais siyum!! They celebrated with a delicious chocolate cake and every child brought in 2 items having to do with 2 letters in the alef bais. In honor of the siyum, the children wore Shabbos clothing! Thank you Morah Rachelle and Morah Shira!● 3g learned about metaphors and wrote and illustrated heir own books titled, “My Heart” using various metaphors to describe the feelings of a heart. ● 1G and 5G had a gym party with Coach Chaya celebrating a culmination of effort and sportsmanship over the past few months. Uniform Gemach AnnouncementMazel Tov! Condolences Day of LearningCondolencesMazel Tov

BULLETIN BOARDUniform Gemach AnnouncementCondolences Day of LearningCommunity Events● Tuesday, April 15 - Chol HaMoed Video (from Dina Perlstein) at Chai Odom at 8 PM.Mazel Tov! ● To Mendy (‘16) and Rivka (Rozenberg) Weinreb on their wedding, and to parents Drs. Yaakov and Sandra Weinreb.● To Shimon (‘14) and Tami Feuerstein on the birth of their son, and to parents Mr. Sruli and Mrs. Cheryl Feuerstein.CondolencesCongratulations! ● Congratulations to The Bark Family on winning the Uncle Moishy Mitzvah Missions Gift Basket!Collectively, participants accomplished over 100 mitzvos together!Lost and Found ● A man’s black wool coat, size 36S was left at the Kohn’s Shalom Zachor last week. Please call (617) 505-2613

BULLETIN BOARDUniform Gemach AnnouncementCondolences CondolencesCondolencesSHNAYIM MIKRAHMazel Tov to learners of Parshas Pikudei!3BShlomo Bloom, Moshe Elozor Horowitz, Shalom Yaakov Shanske, Shlomo Chaim Solomon4BYehuda Shlomo Shanske5BEfraim Feldman6BDov Netanel Bercuson, Yehoshua Gelernter, Zalman Lerner, Shimshon Nulman, Moshe Rosmarin, Aaron Uminer, Yaakov Wiesenfeld7BNechemia Berzansky, Zelig Bier, Noah Blank, Avrohom Halpern, Levi Yitzchok Horowitz, Meir Novik, David Meir Sebbag, Moshe Isaac Segal, Tuvya Sternfield8BEliyohu Boruch Benmergui, Eliyahu Haim Gvirtsman, Yehoshua Kashnow, Shmuel Lieberman, Levi Schwartz, Eliyahu YousheiRemember to change your clocks at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 9.Day of Learning● 4 Nissan - sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Judith Markson in loving memory of Judith's father, Mr. Bert Spiegel, DovBer ben Chaim Yehoshua, who delighted in the sound of children learning.

Here are 10,11,12 - they are also different9.9.1B Lag Ba’Omer Trip1B Learning about Summer Safety and IngenuityWILLISTON SNAPSHOTS1. Friday afternoon assembly.2. 1B Siyum3. 5B working on scoring correct verb answers.4. 3B and 4B playing football.5. 4B engineering planes.6. 4B identifying parts of speech in sentences.7. 7B filling in maps.9.9.

Here are 10,11,12 - they are also different9.9.1B Lag Ba’Omer Trip1B Learning about Summer Safety and IngenuityWILLISTON SNAPSHOTS1. 2B playing bingo!2. 1B playing word games!3. 1B Puzzle Pals!4. 4B Pesach project.5. A special treat for 1B during English Recess ...Their Rebbe joined them for a game of Basketball.9.9.9.9.9.

HAMILTON SNAPSHOTS4.Here are 10,11,12 - they are also different9.9.1. 4G Science experiment2. 6-8G Erev Pesach program3. 1G Hagaddah prep4. 2G Matza baking5. 5G’s Hagaddos6G working on their sukkos project.

PRESCHOOL SNAPSHOTS4.Here are 10,11,12 - they are also different9.9.6G working on their sukkos project.