On the Bridge
Gesher Jewish Day School October 7, 2010 |
|
|
|
Shabbat Shalom |
שבת שלום
Candlelighting: 6:24pm
Noach נח
Genesis 6:9 - 11:32
Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1 - 55:5 (Ashkenazim); Isaiah 54:1-10 (Sefardim)
Yasher Koach to today's Torah readers:
Jarred S., Miryam |
|
|
| Greetings! |
It's October, and there's music in the air. A long-time goal of ours, to offer instrumental music lessons at Gesher, will be kicking off this coming week. Did you see those cute little violins on Back to School Night? Music Kids will be here on Mondays after school with a Suzuki-based instructional model. The students will all have weekly individual lessons and a monthly group lesson, too. We look forward to hearing great things from these raging fiddles in the near future.
Our makhelah (chorus) is back in business, too. The makhelah is composed of virtuoso voices from our Elementary School. It meets on Wednesday after school. Our Middle School Band - formerly, the Mayhem- has morphed into a klezmer ensemble. The ensemble is a catch-all for talented students who play a variety of instruments- all with great enthusiasm.
Finally, we are pleased to announce our Chanukah Musical for 5771 (2010): "The Odd Potato." The musical- also known as the Jewish Nutcracker- is based on the book, The Odd Potato, written by Eileen Bluestone Sherman based on her father's childhood. Her father, Herman Bluestone, according to www.theoddpotato.com, "was only six years old when his father died. His mother, an immigrant from Austria, wanted her three sons to celebrate Hanukkah, but, being poor, she did not have enough money to buy a menorah for the Festival of Lights. A clever woman, she took something cheap and at hand and created for her children a very special menorah from an 'odd potato.' "
In our five year strategic plan, Destination: Gesher!, a key initiative under the grouping, "Provide Academic Excellence," directs the school to "Expand extracurricular / enrichment / performing arts offerings." We are pleased that the variety and quantity of musical and performance art opportunities have been growing from year to year. Talent will come out! We mustn't hide anyone's light under a basket- I can already hear the overture playing.
Zvi Schoenburg Head of School |
Upcoming Events
|
October 11 - Admissions Open House, 9:30 a.m.
October 11- 7:00pm, Back to School Night, Middle School
October 16- 7:30pm PTO Middle School Game:
Are You Smarter Than Your Parents?
October 17- 8:00am Sunday Nature Walk with Mrs. Leckert
October 22- 2:45pm Family Kabbalat Shabbat -
Postponed until November 19
Save the Date!
November 13- Dinner with a Twist!
|
|
|
|
| School News |
Seventy-five percent of all students at Gesher, grades 3-8, qualify for the John's Hopkins Talent Search based on outstanding scores on standardized testing....and at Gesher we never teach to the test! Gesher is a "100 Top School" for the state of Virginia for the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Talent Search
Our fall session of MAP is underway! It is not too late to join in the fun. The following classes are still open. On Tuesdays we have Sports Spectacular or Mad Science for children in K-4, and Fencing for children in grades 3-8. Thursday's classes are Arts and Crafts with Carol Ann Cohen for K-4 and Karate for K-5. Don't delay-enroll today!
Registration for Parent Teacher Conferences is On-Line
Simply go to our website, www.gesher-jds.org, and click on the quick link, "Conference Signup," at the bottom left. Families with multiple students enrolled have priority through Tuesday morning.
Columbus Day Alumni Alert
With the public school Columbus Day school holiday coming up next week on a busy school day at Gesher, we would like to remind all alumni that, as much as we love to catch up and stay connected with you, any of you who would like to visit Gesher are welcome to do so before or after school or during our lunch/recess period so that there is no disruption to regular instruction. If you want to arrange for an alumna/alumnus visit, we ask only that you call Dr. Schoenburg or Mrs. Gordon ahead of time. Thank you for securing permission in advance.
P.S. November 13th is Gesher's annual Dinner with a Twist, which includes a fabulous get-together opportunity for Gesher's high school alums. We'd love to see many alumni there, so please put this on your calendars now!
Our school buses are well subscribed this year! On our red bus, in particular, we are close to our maximum ridership. So, while we are happy to accommodate occasional riders on the school bus when we have advanced notice and there is room available on the bus (for a one-way fare of $10), priority must be given to contracted five-day per week riders. Therefore, you must call ahead and receive the go-ahead to put an occasional rider on the bus.
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! Even better, you can order ahead through Winter Vacation. The challah and baked goods will go home with your child on Thursday or Friday. Proceeds support the middle school class trips.
Join Jeanne Leckert, our K-2 science teacher, environmental coordinator, and a Virginia State Master Naturalist, for a walk through Gesher's wonderful and diverse habitats. The walk will be October 17, beginning at 8:00 AM. We will explore the woods, walk on the new trail through the meadow, and check out the wetlands, all the while looking for whatever wildlife we can find. The walk is free, but please RSVP (jleckert@gesher-jds.org) so we'll know who's coming. Dress for the weather, and bring binoculars if you have them. Come see how autumn moves through the land and see some of the changes it brings. See you then!
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
|
Admissions News
|
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.m.
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.
Refer a Friend Program 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 |
Dinner is at 7:30pm.....Reservations Required!
Your invitation is in the mail!
Saturday, November 13, 2010 Click Here to see the exciting lineup of hosts and guest speakers
and make your reservations online.
For more information, please contact Rebekah Dickinson, Director of Development, at 703.962.9209 or rdickinson@gesher-jds.org.
|
| PTO |
Are You Smarter Than Your Parents? or Are They Smarter Than You?
Middle schoolers and Middle school parents please join in this battle of wits, smarts and knowledge of the obscure and utterly trivial Saturday, October 16th at 7:30pm. Fun competition followed by treats for the winning generation, and great food for all! Thanks to our AYSTYP committee: Zach Nash, Arielle Stravitz, Sam Rutzick, Sophia Ackerman, Josh Rutzick, Talia Benheim, and Alexa Silverman.
Author Meredith Jacobs and her daughter will speak at Gesher at 1 pm, Sunday, October 31, on their new book, Just Between Us: A No-Stress, No-Rules Journal for Girls and Their Moms. Please join us for this engaging, free event. You may pre-order books.
Thank you to the Tretiak family for hosting the Kitah Gimel Sukkah party
Thank you to SA who reports that she reads this column every week!
November 19 - All School Kabbalat Shabbat. Please join your child in the gym as we welcome Shabbat together as a community.
|
Caring Community
|
Refulah shlemah (a full recovery) to Pat Sultzbaugh, our Director of Building and Grounds. Pat is in the hospital and we look forward to his return.
Best wishes to Eric Koehler who will be leaving the JCC of Northern Virginia at the end of the calendar year to assume the position of CEO of the JCC of Stamford, CT. Todah Rabbah (many thanks) to Eric for all that he has done for our community and b'hatzlachah (much success)!
|
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.
In Memory of Yehezkel Anglister
Aviva Lieberman and Shmuel Anglister
In Memory of Fred Schoenburg
Aviva Lieberman and Shmuel Anglister
Aurora P. Stelz
In Honor of Mitchell and Miriam's new cousin, Nechama Miriam Storch
Julie and Eric Akawie
David Loewenstein Memorial Siddur Fund
Hana and Michael Loewenstein
Elizabeth and Peter Maer
Miriam G. Mendelson Friendship Fund
Minna and Edward Recht
Ephrath Scholarship Fund
Amy and Michael Friedman
Peggy and Arye Ephrath
Melnick After School Enrichment Fund
Amy and Michael Friedman
Suzy's Birthday Fund
Judith and Victor Tynes
Beverly and Neal Kramer
|
| Community Announcements |
JCCNV Fall into Fitness 5K
Join your friends for a crisp 5K run through Fairfax on Sunday, Oct 17. All participants receive a t-shirt. Proceeds benefit scholarships for JCCNV Sports, Fitness and Aquatics programs. Click this link for details.
Attention Gesher 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.
|
Were some of Shakespeare's major works written by a Jewish woman?
|
|
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.
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.
|
|
|
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,
|
|
Gesher Jewish Day School
4800 Mattie Moore Court
Fairfax, VA 22030
phone: (703) 978-9789
fax: (703)978-2668
|
|
|
|
If you have changes to your email or mailing address, please send them to mparnes@gesher-jds.org so we can update your information. If you wish to be removed from the "On the Bridge" e-letter distribution list, please do not use the "SafeUnsubscribe" link below unless you wish to be removed from all email correspondence from Gesher Jewish Day School.
|
|
|
