On the Bridge October 21, 2010
Gesher Jewish Day School 13 Cheshvan, 5771 |
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Shabbat Shalom
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שבת שלום
Vayera וירא
Genesis 18:1 - 22:24
Haftarah: 2 Kings 4:1-37 (Ashkenazim) or
2 Kings 4:1-23 (Sefardim)
Yasher Koach to today's Torah readers:
Natalie B., Sofia A., Ben L.
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| Greetings! |
On the Hebrew calendar, it's been fifteen years this week since Israeli Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin was assassinated. He was shot at a peace rally in Tel Aviv and he died with a blood-stained copy of "Shir l'Shalom" - the "Song for Peace" folded in his pocket. Rabin was a soldier, a member of Knesset, and ultimately a martyr for peace, tolerance, and hope.
Centuries earlier, according to this week's Torah portion, another Yitzchak was on the verge of being sacrificed when an angel interceded and prevented the bloodletting. As a result, the original Yitzchak lived, the propagation of our people proceeded, and the midrash tells us that for the rest of his life when Yitzchak looked out at the world he always had an angel's tears mixed in his eyes with his own.
We will never know how the history of our own times would have unfolded had Rabin's killing been prevented - had this Yitzchak lived. Suffice it to say that there is a good chance that somewhere the angels who watch over our people have been shedding more tears.
Shabbat Shalom!
Zvi Schoenburg Head of School |
Upcoming Events
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October 22- Family Kabbalat Shabbat - Postponed until November 19 October 24- Meet Israel Basketball Legend Tal Brody at a Basketball Exhibition for All Day Schools, 1:00 -3:00 p.m. at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. October 31- PTO Book Talk, Meet Author Meredith Jacobs, 1:00-3:00 pm
November 7 - New! Global Day of Jewish Learning Brunch and Learn! 10:30 a.m. - Noon
November 13- Dinner with a Twist!
November 15-16 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
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School News
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Book Characters Come to Gesher
Nature Walk a Great Success
Last Sunday was a beautiful day for a nature walk here at Gesher, and all the participants had a great time. We wandered through our many varied habitats: the meadow, the woods, and the wetlands, and looked at the man-made habitat for bluebirds, and the vegetable gardens. We saw several frogs, praying mantises, an amazing pink dragonfly (called a Needham's Skimmer), Buckeye butterflies, bluebirds, hawks, and at the very end, an immature Bald Eagle. It was an amazing afternoon. We'll do it again in the spring. Hope you can join us then!
Registration for Parent Teacher Conferences is On-Line
Simply go to our website, www.gesher-jds.org, log in, and click on the quick link, "Conference Signup," at the bottom left. Appointment slots are filling up!
We're On the Map
A very special exhibition game of basketball has been arranged through the Israel Consulate for the students of Jewish day schools featuring Tal Brodie, legendary Israeli basketball star. Gesher students in grades 5-8 are invited to join a free-throw competition and all Gesher students are invited to attend at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Lower School Gym, October 24 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Watch for a flyer to be released soon.
Brunch and Learn
A grand siyum, called, The Global Day of Jewish Learning, has been announced to mark the occasion of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz' completion of a 45-year project of translating the Talmud into Modern Hebrew, English, and other European languages. Click here to learn more. Study sessions/celebrations have been set up around the world- so we will do our bit at Gesher, as well. Our program will be a "Brunch and Learn" for students and parents together on November 7 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon. We hope you can join us that morning to study texts that teach us how to respond to our environment- the inspiration for our Gesher Green!
Gesher United Loses After Scoring First Gaol
Burgundy Farms 4, Gesher United 1. Today's game will be against the Edlin School at Pope's Head Park at 3:30 pm. Come out to cheer our team on!
Pictures Around Gesher!
 | | Leslie Ackerman addresses 3rd grade parents during Back to School Night. |
| 1st Grade parents are hard at work during Back to School Night. |
| 1st Grade students present their Head, Heart and Hand theme for this year- Kindness to Animals. |
| Josh H. photographs an insect during the nature walk with Jeanne Leckert. |
 | | Sam R. examines the relationship between maps and globes using oranges. |
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| Development and Fundraising |
Dinner is at 7:30pm.....Reservations Required!
You've seen the Invitation -- now it's time to make your reservation!
Reservations are pouring in daily, if you haven't yet done so, RSVP today! Dinner with a Twist is less than a month away!
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.
Giant Food Bonus Cards
Please register your Giant Food card. Giant cards need to be registered each fall. Gesher will earn cash from Giant Food every time you shop at Giant and use your card. This even includes Peapod purchases.
So please register your card now. Our school number is 02238.
See more grocery stores you can register with on Gesher's website.
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Gesher Green
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Spotlight on the Meadow
When you drive into Gesher, the driveway takes a sharp left turn just before the parking lot. On the inside of that curve is our meadow. A meadow is a unique habitat that is home to certain specialized animals, such as meadowlarks, bobwhite, box turtles, butterflies, dragonflies, mice, and toads. It is also an endangered habitat, as are many of the animals that depend on it.
A meadow is not an orderly garden. Indeed, some see it as a weed patch! But it is really a very special place composed of sun-loving native grasses and wildflowers. We currently have some natives, including goldenrod, dogbane, purple-topped grass, and asters. These attract many butterflies and other pollinators, as well as seed-eating sparrows. These, in turn, attract the insect eaters, like dragonflies and other birds. Finally, the carnivores, like fox and hawks, come in. It is a beautiful ecosystem.
The meadow habitat is the focus of the first and second grades. The first grade looks at the insects that inhabit the area. The second grade studies the plants.
Gesher Green wins a grant!
The Gesher Green team is always on the look out for funds to help with the work we are trying to do. This week we were delighted to learn that we have won a grant from the Audubon Society or Northern Virginia. They are giving us $300 to help with the restoration of our meadow. We will use these funds to remove some of the non-native plants that are there, and replace them with native wildflowers and grasses. If you are interested in helping with this task, contact Jeanne Leckert at jlecker@gesher-jds.org.
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Admissions News
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Volunteers needed for upcoming Admissions outreach!
There are several community programs that Admissions will be attending and participating in the month of November. We are sponsoring refreshments at two children's book events at the JCCNV book festival and we will have a craft activity table at an upcoming OTPS (Olam Tikvah Preschool) Rocknoceros concert. Each event is also a great opportunity to talk with parents about Gesher and provide admission materials! Parent volunteers at these events would be most appreciated! If anyone has experience with our PTO popcorn machine, your help is needed on the Nov 14th. To volunteer, email Debra at dmendelson@gesher-jds.org or call 703-962-9216.
Sunday, Nov 7 - Character Breakfast with Curious George & Friends (set up is 9:00) The program starts at 9:30 at the JCCNV.
Sunday, Nov 14 - Poets, Pastries & Popcorn (set up is 1:30) The program starts at 2:30 at the JCCNV. Popcorn making expertise welcome!
Sunday, Nov 21 - Rocknoceros Concert (set up is 3pm) The program starts at 4pm at Congregation Olam Tikvah. We are sponsoring a Chanukah craft activity.
Next Admissions Open House- Tell your friends!
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)
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!
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Q: Paul Revere was the first person to indentify a dead body by examining what?
A: Dental Work.
Q: What is the most common letter in the Torah?
A: Yod.
Hail to the Victors!
"Are you Smarter than your Parents?" was lots of fun and its turns out, that while the winning team was parents, factoring in points for cuteness and enthusiasm, the answer is Yes. The winning generation is Kids. Congratulations. Also, big congratulations to the winners of the Watermelon eating contest, Ian and Jared G. Even Bigger congratulations to the sole adult contestant - Mr. Gensler, faster than all the kids, this man knows how to eat watermelon! Thanks to all who attended and to our great committee Zach N., Arielle S., Sam R., Sophia A., Josh R., Talia B., and Alexa S. Thanks also to our parent helpers: Lenka Ackerman, Michelle Nash, Cynthia Rutzick, Debra Mendelson and Leslie Ackerman. Be warned - the parents are already conspiring and look forward to a grudge match. There's always next year!
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.
Turn in your box tops as the first submission deadline is coming soon. Gesher receives 10˘ for each submission which totaled over $500 last year. Drop them off in the office or send them by kiddie Mail.
November 19 - Family Kabbalat Shabbat. Please join your child in the gym as we welcome Shabbat together as a community, grades K-5.
GESHER JDS 2010-11
School Year Room Parents
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Grade
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Name
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Gan
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Vicky Fishman
Julia Malakoff
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First
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Melissa Goldberg
Maria (Micky) Litman
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Second
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Holly Koechel
Margaret Feinstein
Sharon Sherry
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Third
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Erika Falk
Tania Tretiak
Sigi Saadia
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Fourth
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Jane Shichman
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Fifth
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Ellen Dickman
Shari Schwartz
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Sixth
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B J Shiff
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Seventh
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Lenka Ackerman
Nathalie Nabtkhorian
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Eighth
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Michelle Nash
Michelle Stravitz
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Caring Community
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Refuah shlemah (a full recovery) to Pat Sultzbaugh, our Director of Building and Grounds.
Refuah shlemah (a full recovery) to Allison Wilks.
Mazel Tov to our guard, Jason Ruiz, on the birth of his new baby girl!
Condolences to Judy Gabel on the loss of her mother-in-law.
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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 honor of Jane and Bill Behrman's new grandchild
Ingrid and Zvi Schoenburg
In memory of Mary Helen Eiden
Iris and Biff Henley (Saba v'Safta Circle)
In memory of Harry Rosenblatt, Sharon Rosenblatt's father-in-law
Melanie and Jon Eisen
Roni and Neil Stern
Ingrid and Zvi Schoenburg
Gesher Faculty and Staff
In memory of Francis Gottlieb
Iris and Biff Henley (Saba v'Safta Circle)
Rafuah Shlemah - a complete and speedy recovery to Bill Steinbach
Iris and Biff Henley (Saba v'Safta Circle)
Refuah Shlemah - a complete and speedy recovery to Lauren Smith
Iris and Biff Henley (Saba v'Safta Circle)
In memory of Ken Gutterman
Iris and Biff Henley (Saba v'Safta Circle)
In memory of Ken Barnett
Iris and Biff Henley (Saba v'Safta Circle)
Melanie and Jon Eisen
Ingrid and Zvi Schoenburg
In memory of Louise Gabel, Judy Gabel's mother-in-law
Dana and David Goldstein and family
Donna and Jim Yazman
Benjamin G. and family
Melanie and Jon Eisen
Ingrid and Zvi Schoenburg
Gesher Faculty and Staff
In honor of the birth of Jason's baby girl, Maya
Gesher Faculty and Staff
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| Community Announcements |
McLean School
On Oct. 27, the McLean School in Potomac, MD, is hosting Dr. William Stixrud who will address the subject of homework - what it's good for, how to get it done, and when to say when! Admission is free but reservations are recommended. Interested parents should contact Jenny Whichard at 240-395-0690 or via email at knowledge@mcleanschool.org.
See Traces of Old Town's Jewish Past
Sunday, October 24, 2010 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Learn Old Town Alexandria's long and storied Jewish history, from the 1850s to today. Includes the sites of two former synagogues and several Jewish businesses along King Street-including some that show traces of past Jewish owners.
Start location: The Lyceum
201 South Washington Street, Alexandria, VA
Directions - Street and garage parking available
End location: Agudas Achim Congregation's former home
508 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA
Price: $15/JHSGW members; $20/non-members.
5th Annual JCCNV Jewish Book Festival
A Celebration of Jewish Writings and Jewish Authors
Sunday - Sunday, November 7 - 14
The JCCNV is pleased to take you on a literary journey with leading authors from across the country. Throughout the week, outstanding author lectures and programs will satisfy every literary taste. Be sure to peruse our comprehensive selection of books on sale for children and adults. We'll even wrap your books up for Chanukah gift giving!
Events to look forward to: the popular Afternoon Tea with a renowned author, Book Club & Book Lover's Night, Light Lunch & Author Lecture, Israel Night and more!
For program details check our website often at www.jccnv.org or contact Laurie Albert at (703) 537.3064 or LaurieA@jccnv.org.
ANNUAL CHANUKAH BAZAAR
Olam Tikvah- Sunday, Nov. 14, 9am to 1pm
(or call Joanne, 703-323-9032 for an appointment)
Menorahs and Candles and Gelt*...........Oy Veh!
So much to shop for to get ready for Chanukah! Chanukah is early this year and the OT
Judaica Shop is here to help you with one-stop shopping.
*We have nut-free, parve gelt
CAMP RAMAH IN NEW ENGLAND - ELEVATE YOUR SUMMER!
Camp Ramah in New England offers an outstanding overnight camp in a dynamic Jewish environment. The rich and varied programs offer campers the opportunity to grow, learn, and develop life-long friendships as they connect to Judaism in a unique way. All of this happens on the beautiful campus of more than 75 acres of prime lakefront land in western Massachusetts. Camp Ramah offers two-week sessions for children currently in grades 2-3 and four or eight week sessions for children in grades 3-10. Ramah New England draws campers from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, parts of New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity for your child, please contact Ramah's NoVA liaison, Talya Kalender at 703.426.8348 or talyak@cox.net.
Grants and financial aid:
A $1,000 incentive grant is available to all new campers attending our 4 or 8 week sessions. We are committed to helping find financial aid for all families; please do not allow finances to stop you from thinking about the experience of a lifetime for your child. To learn more, please contact Davey Rosen, Assistant Director, at 781-702-5290 x232, or DaveyR@CampRamahNE.org.
FSO CONCERT INFORMATION:
The Fairfax Symphony's next concert is coming up, and we want to remind you about our new Student Passport Club! Students ages 6-18 are encouraged to join the club. During the season, they will collect passport stamps at each concert they attend, and will be invited to a reception in May where they may try different instruments, meet FSO musicians, and participate in a raffle prize drawing!
Date and Time: Saturday, October 23, 2010, 8:00 p.m.
Location: George Mason University's Center for the Arts.
Cost: STUDENT TICKETS ARE ONLY $5 and adult tickets begin at $25.
Repertoire: Works by Sibelius, Mozart, and Bartók
Soloists: Concertmaster David Salness, violin, and Principal Violist Gregory Rupert
Parking: Free in Lot K; event parking fee in garage
No Reservations Required! Students may join the club any time. Tickets will be available beginning at 6:00 p.m., and should be picked up by 7:30 p.m. to avoid last minute rush lines.
Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy
Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy invites prospective families to join us for our Veteran's Day Open House. Thursday, November 11, 2010, 10:00 am - 11:30 am. Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy, 13300 Arctic Avenue, Rockville, MD 20853. For more information or to RSVP, please call Sharon Butler, Admissions Director, at 301-962-9400, x5630 or butlers@mjbha.org or visit www.mjbha.org/Admissions/RSVP_for_Admissions_Events.cfm
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/
The Jewish Federation Wants to Help If you are in need 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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