Yoga Consortium

On Dec. 2, Schreiber students had the opportunity to take part in a yoga class in the gym during periods 4.1 and 4.2.  Roopali Gupta from Om Sweet Om and Linda Bondy from Practice instructed the yoga lesson.  The event was open to students who are taking the Fitness gym class, and it was planned by Ms. Robin Cooper and Ms. Lisa Castaldo.  The event was a unique way to bring closure on the yoga unit that the students had been taking part in for the past weeks.  It was an opportunity for students to go over the skills they learned with professionals.

“It was nice that there were instructors from multiple yoga studios,” said junior Celia Christake.  “I think it really helped me get the most out of the experience.”

This yoga lesson taught by professional instructors allowed students to further develop their skills in an important form of exercise.  There are many physical and mental benefits to taking part in yoga.  Yoga can increase flexibility, improve body strength, improve bone health, and increase blood flow.  Additionally, yoga can reduce stress levels, improve sleep habits, and help you focus.

This yoga workshop also helped students learn about where they can access yoga in our own town.  With all of the benefits they learned about in class, students may want to apply their skills in a real studio.

“The rationale for inviting these instructors was to expose students to different styles of teaching and for the instructors to share information regarding their studios in town and nearby Roslyn,” said Ms. Cooper.  “NYS learning standards also include requirements for teachers to expose students to community resources and this Consortium satisfied that learning standard.”

Students were able to enjoy a high quality yoga class while simultaneously learning about the benefits and improving their minds and bodies.

~ Saige Gitlin

Holiday toy drive

The Sisterhood of The Community Synagogue on Middle Neck Road will be holding a charity drive through Dec. 20. People are encouraged to bring new toys, toiletries, and lightly used clothing to the synagogue’s Main Lobby or Kiddush room for members of the community who are in need. These items will then be distributed to families whose children are in local hospitals, among them North Shore-LIJ, The Pediatric Cancer Center, and Our Lady of Fatima.

“I think that it’s a good opportunity for people to give back to others in need,” said junior Isabelle Verdino. “The ability to give joy to kids and their families really encapsulates what the holiday season is all about.”

Additionally, people are encouraged to leave donations in the designated donation boxes throughout the synagogue. By contributing to these donations, members of the community can ensure that children in need, specifically those whose unfortunate circumstances have confined them to a hospital bed, can enjoy the holidays.

“The holidays are the perfect time for us to come together and give back to the community in whatever little way we can,” said junior Idell Rutman.

The synagogue reminds their members that this donation is their opportunity to fulfill their Holiday Mitzvah, an act of charity that the synagogue systematically encourages their members to engage in. The Sisterhood of The Community Synagogue has a long history of charitable acts, specifically in terms of helping underprivileged children. Among their recent projects are a gift wrapping event, where members helped wrap close to 500 Shabbat gifts that were to be distributed throughout North Shore hospital, and a tutoring program, where older members of the synagogue help younger children in need.

~ Niki Gillman