A Message from Martians

At this week’s Shabbat Assembly I talked to the students about listening to people. There are times when people - our parents, teachers or even our friends - attempt to tell us something and we don't listen. Either we think we know better, or we wonder who they think they are that they believe they can tell us what to do. But as this cute story about a trip to Mars illustrates, others may be trying to tell us a very important message. 

Two astronauts land on Mars. Their mission: to check whether there is oxygen on the planet.

 "Give me the box of matches,” says one. "Either it burns and there is oxygen, or nothing happens."He takes the box, and is ready to strike a match, when out of the blue, a little green Martian appears waving all six of his arms and yelling..."No, no, don't!"The two guys look at each other, worried. Could there be an unknown explosive gas on Mars?Still, he takes another match...and… A crowd of hysterical green Martians is coming to them, all waving their arms. "No, no, don't do that!" One of the astronauts says, "This looks serious. What are they afraid of? Nonetheless we're here for Science, to know if man can breathe on Mars." So he strikes a match--which flames up, burns down, and NOTHING HAPPENS. So he turns to the Martians and asks, "Why did you want to prevent us from striking a match?" The leader of the Martians says, "It's Shabbos."

So when your friends, teachers, or parents are trying to tell you something, take the time to hear them out and then make your decision. These people are looking out for you and trying to help you. After hearing their comments you can make a more informed decision. 

Gan Eden:Our Homes and Schools

At the Shabbat Assembly this past week,  I spoke about Adam in Gan Eden. We talked about how "man" was created last of all the creations. The sun and the moon were already in place for him. The trees and the grass were growing for him. Rivers and oceans were filled with water for him. Man, Adam, had everything he needed to be successful. Hashem had set up Adam's environment so that mankind could flourish and be successful. Adam was given the job, as the Torah states, "to work it and guard it" (Bereshit 2:15). Adam's job was to keep the great environment that was created for him running smoothly. He needed to take care of things in order for Gan Eden to be useful for mankind.

I connected this idea to our homes and then to our great school. I said that the children’s homes are their own Gan Edens that their parents have created for them and their families. Parents give their children the resources they need in order to grow emotionally and physically   In school, parents and teachers have created a wonderful environment for the students to grow academically, emotionally and physically. We have great classes in which they learn Math, Science, English, History, Chumash, Navi, and Ivrit, as well as Art and Music. We have amazing grounds for recess and PE classes. We can play in kickball leagues, on floor hockey teams, on basketballs teams, and be part of debate and stock market teams and much, much more. 

Our job as students is to "work and guard" our Gan Eden. We need to work at making our school a place that is good for everyone, one in which  all students and staff feel comfortable and thrive. We also need to take care of it physically, by cleaning up after ourselves and picking things up off the floor. It is, in its own way, our Gan Eden, of which we should be proud.

We need to support our school and keep our Gan Eden functioning. One way to show your support is to participate in the 5K run or in the 1 mile walk on November 11, 2012. Just being there to cheer on the runners is a statement that you care about your school.  Last year over 200 Yavneh students participated in the run. This year there is a new way that you can show your support. You can set up a webpage and obtain sponsors or donations for your participation in the event.

As people who benefit from our school we need to work for it and guard it for the future. Be like Adam and support your school, your Gan Eden!

For more information, check out our website at

 http://www.yavnehacademy.org/news/5k-run   

http://www.firstgiving.com/12085/BenjaminSchwartzMemorial-5k-run-1-mile-fun-runwalk