A Short Tribute
Hacham Haim Palagi was born in Izmir to Cali Kadin and to Hacham Yaakov Palagi in 1788. In 1807, at the age of 19, Hacham Haim Palagi married, and in 1813 he received his ordination as Hacham Shalem from his grandfather, Chief Rabbi Rishon LeZion Hacham Raphael Yoseph.

Hacham Haim Palagi did not accept any public position while his father was still living, and it was only in 1828 that he agreed to serve as a dayan in the Rabbinic Court and as Head of the Beit Yaakov Rabi yeshiva in Izmir.

In 1837 Hacham Haim Palagi was appointed President of the Great Rabbinic Court of Izmir, and in 1857 he was appointed Hacham Bashi, the highest rabbinic office in Izmir.

Hacham Haim Palagi spoke out for the poor of his community and would reprimand its wealthy individuals in his sermons. He legislated takanot (Halachic enactments) and founded charitable institutions; he toiled to establish a Jewish hospital in Izmir and enlisted the support of renowned philanthropists.

Hacham Haim Palagi began writing at the age of 16 and is famous for his numerous books, over 80 in number. His books deal in a broad range of topics, and include 7 books on the Bible, 9 on the Talmud, 15 on Midrash and sermons, books on morals, and 24 books on Halacha, Kabbala, Responsa. When he completed a book, Hacham Haim Palagi would hold a se'udat mitzvah – a consecrated festive meal - and distribute his books gratis. He never sold his books.

On 11 Av, 5601 (1841), a fire broke out in Izmir, destroying the Jewish neighborhood and burning 54 of his books. Over the years, Hacham Haim Palagi restored many of his writings and had them reprinted, leaving a small number in manuscript form.

Hacham Haim Palagi passed away 17 Shevat, 5628 (1868). He was buried in the ancient cemetery of Izmir in an official state funeral, attended by Turkish military and state officials as well as representatives of foreign countries.

His books include Pe'ulat Tzaddik LeHaim – his first book, Semicha LeHaim Responsa – which he authored with his grandfather and teacher, Hacham Raphaek Yoseph Hazan – Rachamim LeHaim, Artzot HaHaim, Lev Haim, Haim LeRosh, Kol HaHaim, Matza Haim, Tzeddakah Haim, Pe'ulat Tzaddik LeHaim, Ginzei Haim, and Birkat Mo'adecha LeHaim – his last book, published a day before his death.

A Short Tribute
Hacham Ben Zion Nissim Pardess, was born to Sarah-Markada, daughter of Hacham Vidal Cuenca, and Hacham Eliyahu Pardess on 27 Kislev 5622 (1862) in Jerusalem. He learned Torah from his father and other Jerusalem, eventually joining Beit El kabbalist yeshiva’s sages, as had his father.

Hacham Ben Zion Nissim Pardess was sent as a rabbinic emissary to the Jewish communities of the Maghreb. When he returned to Jerusalem, he served as rabbi of the Istanbulis synagogue in Jerusalem's Old City and headed its yeshiva; he also officiated at the Nachlaot neighborhood's Taranto synagogue. His sermons were highly appreciated by the public and he was adored everywhere; he had a pleasant voice and was a paytan who composed piyutim on Israel's redemption.

Hacham Ben Zion Nissim Pardess married Mazal Oro, Hacham Abraham Cassuto's daughter, and they had three daughters and a son. His son, Hacham Eliyahu Pardess, was eventually appointed Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. During his later years, Hacham Ben Zion Pardess was part of the Magen David group of sages that studied at the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva in Jerusalem. In keeping with the kabbalist custom, he left a detailed will that dealt mainly with his burial and memorial ceremony.

Hacham Ben Zion Nissim Pardess passed away on 1 Adar Aleph, 5703 (1943) and was buried in Jerusalem. His book, Pardess HaTorah, was written in two volumes and includes sermons on the Torah, Jewish festivals, on the books Ecclesiastes, Proverbs and Psalms and more.

Whoa! The school starts this Wednesday. What a great break we have had but it definitely flew by!

This Hexamester's theme is SCHOOL SPIRIT. We will be doing a series of fun activities much like a traditional homecoming week, but all hexamester long. Here is the dress-up schedule:

Week 1 - 10/19 - Silly Sock Day
Week 2 - 10/26 - Homeschool Uniform(Pajama Day)
Week 3 - 11/2 - Red, White, and Blue
Week 4 - 11/9 - Favorite T-Shirt
Week 5 - 11/16 - Crazy Hat Day
Week 6 - 11/23 - School Color Day(Orange, Black, and White)

The way to participate and earn badges you can display as your profile pics is twofold:

1. Post pics of your participation on A-T.Life and Yammer.
2. Email the same pics to me rikvah.holland@assemble-together.net

I will be awarding badges weekly and one major SCHOOL SPIRIT AWARD at the end of the hexamester to one lucky student or family. This should be a lot of fun, I look forward to all the zany pics.



Rivkah Holland, MA Ed.
Admin

If you haven't posted your pics for Week 2 there is still time! Last week's winners were the McCullar girls for Silly Sock Day.

This Hexamester will be School Spirit Month!
​Check your A-T social media/email for more details.
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​School Spirit Hexamester
Week 1 10/19 - Silly Sock Day
Week 2 10/26 - Homeschool Uniform(Pajama Day)
Week 3 11/2 - Red, White, and Blue Day
Week 4 11/9 - Favorite Fandom T-Shirt Day
Week 5 11/16 - Crazy Hat Day
Week 6 11/23 - School Color Day

We finally settled with the insurance company and have been informed that there is a new law in TX effective last fall.

"A new law in Texas that goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2019, makes it clear that it's illegal for a contractor or roofer to waive an insurance deductible, according to the state insurance department."

This means that we are $1000 dollars short on our deductible payment that will be due when the work is finished. We want to start work on the 14th of this month and it should be finished by the 25th.

Please give as you are able and pray for us to make up the deficit in time.

paypal.me/rivkahholland
gf.me/u/yz6982