On the Bridge
Gesher Jewish Day School September 29, 2010 |
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| Greetings! |
Kohelet the King said, (Ecclesiastes1:9), "That which hath been is that which shall be, and that which hath been done is that which shall be done; and there is nothing new under the sun."
מַה-שֶּׁהָיָה הוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶהוּמַה-שֶּׁנַּעֲשָׂה הוּא שֶׁיֵּעָשֶׂה וְאֵין כָּל-חָדָשׁ תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ.
Such is the message we receive in synagogue during Sukkot, which is said to occur at "tekufat Hashanah," - the "turn of the year." From the same root is derived the word "hakafah" (circuit) which is used to describe the circuits we make marching around the synagogue carrying the lulav and etrog, one circuit on each on the first six days of Sukkot and seven on Hoshana Rabbah. The culmination of all these cycles within cycles comes with Simchat Torah, on which we dance our hakafot (circuits) and on which our holy Torah itself turns its cycle and we read from the end to the very beginning.
Often Judaism is characterized as being an "historical religion" - obsessed with the past and with moving forward in time linearly to a promised future "End of Days." Our desire to advance, to better ourselves, and to better the world, is rooted in this perspective of the possibility of achievable progress. But residing within our tradition is also a mandella of cycles which teach us perhaps to slow down a bit, enjoy the moment, relax in the outdoors, and gaze at the world as if it were an enormous sukkah, sheltering us - if partially- and providing us with peace and tranquility.
With best wishes at this time for "the rain to fall and the wind to blow"- Chag Sameach! (Happy Holiday!)
Zvi Schoenburg Head of School |
Upcoming Events
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September 29- Hoshana Rabbah, noon dismissal
September 30- Shemini Atzeret, no school
October 1- Simchat Torah*, no school
*Reform Judaism celebrates Shemini Atzeret in conjunction with Simchat Torah on September 30
October 4- 7:00pm, Back to School Night, Elementary School
October 11- 7:00pm, Back to School Night, Middle School
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| School News |
Congratulations to the Gesher United soccer team on their opening game victory!
Gesher United: 1 Browne Academy: 0
Elementary School Back to School Night We look forward to seeing all parents of children in grades K-5 for Elementary School Back to School Night this coming Monday, October 4, at 7:00 pm. The program will have three components: Greetings and a Brief Overview of the Year, an Open Market in which to meet Specials' Teachers and Others, and Classroom Presentations. Back to School Night is an evening to meet your child(ren)'s teachers and to learn about the class curriculum and expectations for the year ahead- it's not the time to ask questions about your child's progress. (Look forward to a new format this year for signing up for our November 15 and 16 parent/teacher conferences. Hint: it will not involve sheets of paper and those little miniature golf pencils.)Revised Bus SchedulesEffective Monday morning, October 4, we will be adjusting our morning bus schedules, the better to assure a timely arrival at school. Please see revised schedules here. Bus riders will also receive direct notice by email. Thanks for riding our buses!
Cross-Country Opportunity
For the first time, Gesher students in grades 4-8 will have the opportunity this fall to participate in three cross-country events. Each course is approximately 1.5-2 miles long. Runners will use recess or PE time to run the track around our soccer field in preparation - Coach Bryant will coordinate with students who sign up and he will attend the events with the team. There is no fee to be on the cross-country team. Students who sign up will receive a team shirt to be worn at the meets. Parent drivers will be needed since these meets are away. Please be in touch with Mr. England, our athletics coordinator, at jengland@gesher-jds.org if your child is interested, if you are available to drive on any of the dates below, and if you are able to volunteer to bring drinks/snacks to any of the events.
- Wednesday Oct. 13th at Burgundy Farms at 3:45 p.m.
- Wednesday Oct. 27th at Burgundy Farms at 3:45 p.m.
- Wednesday Nov. 3rd at Episcopal High School at 3:45 p.m.
Violin Lessons with Music Kids NEW this year at Gesher Jewish Day School
Ages: K-8
When: Monday afternoons
Where: After school at Gesher Jewish Day School!
Gesher Jewish Day School is pleased to announce a new partnership with Music Kids for the 2010-2011 school year. Starting in October, private instruction with a violin teacher from Music Kids will be available on-site. Lessons will take place after school for Gesher-enrolled students. Music Kids is a program which believes in an integrated approach to music education, believing that high-quality instrumental education should be a natural part of a student's academic, social, and family life.
The Music Kids program includes the following:
* weekly one-on-one lessons
* monthly group lessons
* student recitals and performance opportunities
* convenient violin sizing, rental, and insurance
For further information, click here!
STEM stands for Science Technology Engineering Math.
Remember our strategic plan? Read all about it on our website at the following link. One instructional area which we especially wish to advance is science instruction -- and with it, all the STEM disciplines. What would you like to see happen in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math? Please send your ideas to Dr. Schoenburg.
Morah Melanie is Teaching Teachers How to Differentiate Instruction
Our own Morah Melanie Eisen is at it again. She has been tapped this fall by the Matok Torah Curriculum to lead a series of webinars for Jewish day school teachers on how to differentiate instruction in their Torah teaching. Teachers from all across the country are slated to participate on-line.
MAP is BACK! and one more MAP opportunity
MAP is Gesher's after school enrichment program. It runs in three 8-week sessions on either Tuesdays or Thursdays. The first session will begin right after the holidays on either October 5th or 7th. The new brochure is out, and there are many wonderful classes to choose from. There are classes for children who are artistic, or athletic, or academic. In other words, there is something for everyone! Anyone in ABC on Tuesday or Thursday can participate as part of the ABC program.
For the budding Naturalists (and early risers) at Gesher, Jeanne Leckert, MAP and Gesher Green Coordinator is offering morning nature walks. The class will meet on Tuesdays, from 7:30-8:30AM. Each week we will walk through different habitats and watch as fall comes to our area. We will look for animals, birds, bugs. We will note as the colors of the leaves change. Explore into the woods. Play environmental games. It should be great fun. This class is open to all ages. I will adapt the class depending on who is interested and what their interests are. The cost remains $100 for the eight 1-hour sessions. Dates are Oct 5-Nov 30, with no class on Nov 16.
MAP is open to non-Gesher students as well. If your child has any friends in the neighborhood, or from synagogue who would like to come for a MAP class, please pass along a brochure to them. Fall 2010 MAP brochure. Hope to see many of your children in MAP this year!
Have you tried our challah this year?
We are now getting our challah and an array of baked goods from Breadsmith, a vaad-supervisesd kosher bakery in Potomac. Just go to the Gesher website at www.gesher-jds.org before 11:00 pm on Sunday evening, log-in, go to Quick Links at the lower left of the home page, and get going! The challah and baked goods will go home with your child on Thursday or Friday. Proceeds support the middle school class trips.
Gesher students celebrate Sukkot! 2nd graders shake the lulav and etrog. | 3rd graders walk around the Beit Midrash in a procession with their lulav and etrog.
 | Rabbi Paskind leads tefillot with Josh H. and Jamie F.
 | Rebecca S. shakes her lulav and etrog.
 | Rabbi Kalender talks with 1st and 2nd graders about Sukkot.
 | Many thanks, too, to Cantor Sidney Rabinowitz, for leading us in our hakafah (circuit) this morning for Hoshana Rabbah! |
Admissions News
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Do you know parents who are interested in learning more about Gesher? Encourage them to attend an upcoming Admissions Open House.
See Classrooms in Action!
Mon, Oct 11 or Tues, Nov 9 from 9:30-11a
or Sun, Jan 9 from 10-11:30a (child care available in the Gesher gym for the Sunday Tour)
RSVP 703-962-9216 or dmendelson@gesher-jds.org.
Help build enrollment for the 2011-2012 school year and save on next year's tuition through our Refer a Friend Program!
Why Refer a Friend?
Word of mouth is our most powerful recruitment tool! We value you, our parents, and know that you are terrific ambassadors for Gesher and you know first-hand the value of a Gesher Jewish Day School education.
What is the Refer a Friend Incentive?
You will receive a $500 tuition discount for the 2011-2012 school year for every new family that applies for admission and writes your name on the "How did I hear about Gesher" line on their application. For more information, contact Debra in the Admissions office.
Gesher on Facebook Are you on Facebook? Stay in touch with community events at Gesher and help us increase awareness of our school with this popular social networking site. Become a fan and invite your friends to join! Do it today! Visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Fairfax-VA/Gesher-Jewish-Day-School/35325291931?ref=ts |
| Development and Fundraising |
Have you ever wanted to have
dinner with a national sportscaster?
Now you can...and Support
Gesher!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Dinner with a Twist invitations will be in the mail next
week! For more information, please contact Rebekah Dickinson, Director of Development, at 703.962.9209 or rdickinson@gesher-jds.org.
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| PTO |
 Thank you to Jeanette Astrow, Wendy Fischer, Libby Russler Saiger, Mark Rutzick, Michelle Nash and Amy Friedman for sorting, labeling and distributing the lulavim and etrogim last week. Thank you also to Meredith Parnes for supplying the labels and other assistance as usual. Chag Sukkot Sameach to all! A big THANK YOU to the Bernstein, Nash, Frame, Rutzick, Eisen, McSweeney/Rafky, Stravitz Families for hosting this years' sukkot happenings. Save the Date - October 16th, as Middle Schoolers match wits with their Parents in a battle of age and experience versus youth and knowledge for "Are you Smarter than Your Parents?" October 22 - All School Kabbalat Shabbat. Please join your child in the gym as we welcome Shabbat together as a community. |
Mizvah Coupon Donations
| Mitzvah Coupon donations can now be made on-line through our secure website, www.gesher-jds.org. Simply log in and click on the Donate link at the top of our homepage.
Mitzvah Coupons received last week will appear in next week's On the Bridge.
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| Community Announcement |
Electrifying
Magic with Jay Mattioli
Sunday, October
3, 3pm
You won't believe your eyes
as you watch NBC's 2009 quarter finalist from "America's Got Talent" perform his
amazing feats of magic. Jay brings to the stage an incredible performance
you'll want to experience for yourself!
Enjoyed by children and
adults alike!
Cost: $10 JCCNV Member per adult / $5
JCCNV Member per child
$12 Nonmember per adult / $7 Nonmember
per child
Free for children 2 years and under
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY!
SPECIAL PRE-SHOW MAGIC WORKSHOP WITH JAY! (Recommended for ages 8 and up) ONLY 20 SPOTS AVAILABLE and they're filling up fast! Join Jay for a special pre-show workshop (you must be registered for the
magic show to attend the workshop).
Cost: $5M / $7NM
Code: #1692
This is a great event for
groups, birthdays & scout troops (10+ tickets): Call Laurie for group
rates.
To register, call (703)
323-0880. For more information contact Laurie Albert, LaurieA@jccnv.org,
(703) 537.3064 and visit our website at www.jccnv.org Download flier by clicking
here: https://www.jccnv.org/documents/Jay-Mattioli-Magic-Show.pdf
A Virginia Meet & Greet with Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli Wednesday, October 6
7:30-9pm Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia
8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax
Hear Virginia's
Attorney General share his top priorities and address YOUR thoughts &
concerns.
Register on-line
Attention Alumni! Jewish Life After High School: A Fair of Opportunities
Wednesday, October 20, 2010 7:30-9:00 pm
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
Annette M. and Theodore
N. Lerner
Family Upper
School Campus
11710 Hunters Lane, Rockville, MD
20852
For more information,
please contact:
Aileen Goldstein
(agoldstein@cesjds.org)
Sue Rexford
(srexford@cesjds.org) RSVP: http://cesjdsstudents.eventbrite.com
Virginia
11th Congressional District Debate with Gerry Connolly and Keith
Fimian, moderated by Scott Thuman ABC-7/WRC-TV
Monday,
October 18, 2010 7:30pm- 9:00pm
Jewish
Community Center of Northern Virginia (8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax)
The
election season is gearing up in the Commonwealth and promises to be tightly
contested and filled with substantive debate.
Join the JCRC as we raise issues important to the Virginia Jewish
Community and the candidates respond to YOUR concerns. Congressman Connolly and Mr. Fimian are
confirmed to join us- now it's your turn to sign up: www.jcouncil.org/VA-11Debate.
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Were some of Shakespeare's major works written by a Jewish woman?
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Andree Brooks, journalist, author and lecturer, will
present "The Unlikely Tale of Amelia Bassano." A woman of Jewish
heritage is now believed to have been a major influence behind Shakespeare and
his canon. Using update research, we place the life of this woman, Amelia
Bassano, as a hidden Jew in London
at that time the context of her era. We further explore the multiple
achievements of the brilliant and sexy Amelia: favorite of Queen Elizabeth I,
Dark Lady of Shakespeare's sonnets and a collaborator on the plays who, in
addition, became the first woman to publish a book of poetry in the English
language. Was she the only outstanding woman of Jewish heritage of her era?
Even that assumption is now under revision. Who were the others? Find out on
October 24 at TRS!
Date: Sunday, October 24, 2010 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pre-Event Buffet Dinner 6:00 pm (no charge) Lecture 7:00pm
Temple Rodef Shalom
2100 Westmoreland Street
Falls Church, VA 22043
Please
RSVP using the link below by Thursday, October 21.
More Info: http://brooksdinner.eventbrite.com/
Fairfax Symphony The
Fairfax Symphony invites students ages 6-18 to join our Student Passport Club
and attend the Fairfax Symphony concert on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 8:00
p.m. at George Mason
University's Center for the Arts in Fairfax. This season,
students are encouraged to attend Fairfax Symphony concerts and collect passport
stamps throughout the season. To top off the club's first year, there
will be a special reception in May for all students with a chance to try
instruments, meet FSO musicians, and receive prizes!
Student
tickets are only $5 and adult tickets begin at $25. This performance
features Fairfax Symphony's concertmaster, David Salness, on violin, and
principal violist, Gregory Rupert. The program includes works by
Sibelius, Mozart, and Barṭk. Tickets need not be reserved, though
students are encouraged to join
the Student Passport Club by visiting our website.
Parking
is free in Lot K, across the pond from the Concert Hall, and event parking is
available for a fee in the garage directly next to the Concert Hall.
Eating Disorders: What School Professionals and Parents Need to Know
October 14, 2010
7:00pm-9:00pm
Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
1524 35th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Independent Education* will host a program in partnership with The Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital called "Eating Disorders: What School Professionals and Parents Need to Know" at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The program will be free of charge and will educate school professionals and parents about early recognition of eating disorders and appropriate interventions. Registration deadline: October 4th www.independenteducation.org. Click here to view flyer.
*Independent Education is the new name of the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington (AISGW), of which Gesher is a member.
Jewish Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop
Did you know that northern Virginia has its own Jewish Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop?
Open to boys in first to fifth grades, Cub Scout Pack 1818 is a load of fun. We usually meet once a month and do all kinds of activities like sports, crafts, and hiking. We build and race model cars and sail boats. Each year we go camping and take in a Nationals game. Click here for tentative schedule.
Boy Scout Troop 1818 - for boys ages 10 and a half until 18 - provides opportunities to build lifelong skills and values, and make lasting friendships. In addition to weekly meetings, the boys develop leadership skills by planning their own activities (under adult supervision); scouts go on regular camp-outs, hikes, and other outings. The boys have a chance to earn merit badges in such diverse areas as engineering, camping, orienteering, nuclear science, and first aid. This past year, boys from Troop 1818 got to learn CPR, build and sleep in a snow igloo, and attend the 100th anniversary National Jamboree with Scouts from around the country and world.
Both Pack and Troop 1818 are chartered by the Olam Tikvah Men's Club. Families from all synagogues are welcome. Kosher dietary requirements, as well as Shabbat and Jewish holidays, are observed.
For more information on Pack 1818, please contact Steve Lamar at 703-280-2382 or lamarsteve@gmail.com. For more information on Boy Scout Troop 1818, please contact Robert Book at 703-766-0187 or rbook@pobox.com.
Come have fun with your little one- Baby....and ME!
Ages: Newborn - 2 years
When: 2x per month (Oct. 7, 14, Nov. 4, 18, Dec. 2, 16) 9:15am-10:15am
Location: Olam Tikvah 3800 Glenbrook Rd. Fairfax, VA 22031
Facilitator: Sharon Sherry, OTPS Director
Cost: $30 for Fall classes; $6.00 drop-in rate per class
Includes snack and crafts for older children. Featuring Olam Tikvah's preschool music specialist, Carol Boyd Leon, and speakers on important parenting issues. For more information, click here.
of financial assistance at this time, or if you know of anyone in the community who is in need, please do not hesitate to contact the Jewish Federation's Warm Line at 1-866-950-4AID.
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We welcome your inquiries. To schedule a tour, or for more information about admissions or making a donation to Gesher Jewish Day School, please contact us at (703)978-9789.
Sincerely,
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Gesher Jewish Day School
4800 Mattie Moore Court
Fairfax, VA 22030
phone: (703) 978-9789
fax: (703)978-2668
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