School News

Shofar, Sho Good

Mazal Tov to Nesya H., the lucky winner of our Elementary School Shofar Lottery!  Also, Yasher Koach to Josh H, the talented long-winded winner of our Middle School Shofar Blowing Contest.  Thanks to our distinguished judges: Cantor Allen Leider of Temple Rodef Shalom, Mrs. Debra Beland of Congregation Olam Tikvah, and our own, Mrs. Granek.  Todah Rabah to Mrs. Stern and Mrs. Rosenblatt for donating two Shofarot each to the school.  Mrs. Stern's shofarot were given as the prizes in our Middle School Shofar Blowing Contest and our Elementary School Shofar Lottery!  A big "yasher koach!" ("well done!) to Mrs. McCabe and our makhelah on their stunning renditions of "Ha-ben yakar li, Ephraim" and "L'shanah tovah!".  

Tapuchim (Apples) from the Gan

Todah Rabah to our Gan students, who picked the apples that will be used for this year's PTO apples and honey.  They were picked at a local apple orchard, Homestead Farms. 

Yasher Koach to our New 2011-12 Student Council!

Last week was an exciting week for student council, with campaigns and over 15 students running for executive office positions!  All candidates did an outstanding job and we were very proud of all of them.  Having the courage to stand up in front of the school and give a speech is not easy!  After a close race, we are happy to announce that a new student council has been elected for the 2011-12 school year.

President- Sam R.

Vice President- Miryam M.

Secretary- Molly G.

Treasurer- Sam L.   

Communications Officer- Josh R.   

We look forward to all the fun events they will be planning and can't wait to see the spirit week they create in school.  Based on the platform our President and Vice president created, we know the school will contribute significantly to Alyn, a hospital for children with disabilities in Israel.  Congratulations again to all who ran! 

Gesher's 2011-12 Student Council!

Pictures of the Week:   

Josh A., Josh H., Jared G., and Talia S. were the four finalists in this year's Shofar blowing contest!

Kitah Alef students Dalia M. and Lea M. show the apples and honey plates they made for Rosh Hashana.

Gan students went apple picking at Homestead Farms.

Middle School students play frisbee golf during PE.

Stay in touch with Gesher through Facebook and our new Twitter Feed on our homepage at  www.gesher-jds.org  

The Admissions Department will host preschoolers for a Gesher Green outdoor program on Monday Oct 17 and Tuesday Oct 18.  Volunteers are needed to assist with the program each morning from 10:00 - 11:30.  The following preschools will be participating:  NVHC, RUJEC, OTPS, Gan Israel, Adat Reyim, and Agudas Achim preschools.  If you'd like to help out either (or both) mornings, please contact Debra at dmendelson@gesher-jds.org or call 703-962-9216.

Volunteers are also needed during the coming months to reach out to prospective families. If you are willing to host a family for a Shabbat meal or call a prospective family to answer any questions they may have, please let Admissions know.  In addition, the Refer-a- Friend Tuition reduction program is again available.  Word of mouth is our most important recruitment tool.  Share your experiences with others to help build our enrollment.  We are very proud of our students, school and program and we know you are too!  For more information on Refer-a-Friend, contact Debra in the Admissions office.

Admissions Open House Dates

Monday, Oct 10 @ 9:30

Wednesday, Nov 9 @ 9:30

Gesher Admissions Fall calendar in full swing.  Lots going on at Gesher and beyond!  

Oct 4    Olam Tikvah Preschool - Information Table at morning drop off

Oct 6    Gesher Parlor Meeting in Oak Hill - Hosted by the Malakoffs

Oct 10  Admissions Open House

Oct 17  Gesher Green preschool program - Hosting NVHC preschool and RUJEC preschool (Sha'are Shalom)

Oct 17  Olam Tikvah Preschool Sukkah Dinner - Craft Table

Oct 18  Gesher Green preschool program - Hosting Agudas Achim preschool

Oct 27  Gesher Parlor Meeting in Alexandria - Hosted by the Alberts

Nov 6    Gesher Parlor Meeting in Fairfax - Hosted by the Schwartz Rosens

Nov 6    Gesher co-sponsors Character Breakfast at the JCCNV

Nov 7    Alexandria Preschool Fair

Nov 9    Admissions Open House

We need volunteers to assist at many of the above outreach activities.  Please contact Debra soon if you can help - dmendelson@gesher-jds.org.

Have you received the Summer Gesher Gazette?  If not, please email Rebekah and we'll be sure to mail one to you.  

Gesher Fleece Jackets  

Special 30th anniversary purple Gesher fleeces are now for sale for only $25!!  Limited quantity and sizes available on a first come first serve basis!  Please see Rebekah Dickinson for more information or email rdickinson@gesher-jds.org. 

Welcome the New Baby!

When you get a chance, come into the Beit Midrash and welcome the new baby- a baby grand piano donated to the school by alumni Gesher grandparents, Dr. Carol Bender and Harold Kessler.  We are looking forward to making beautiful music together!

Update on Gesher SCRIP!

Place your orders for scrip! A new array of merchant scrip is now available in the office! Plus you can always shop for more online and still give Gesher credit. To get started, go to create account. You'll need the following code to designate Gesher as the associated account: 1E9L8BCD9484. Once that's done, you can place your order at www.shopwithscrip.com and bring your check for payment to the office.

We now have the following cards in stock:

-Giant Food

-Whole Foods

-Safeway

-Shoppers

-KosherMart

-Starbucks

-Bed Bath & Beyond

-Barnes & Noble

-iTunes

-Macy's

-LLBean

Place monthly orders by the 10^th of each month for both in-stock scrip and for orders you place online (order dates may later change due to holidays, but we'll let you know) and we'll notify you when they arrive in the Gesher office.

Thank you for your support!!

That's it! Buy some soon to do your Rosh Hashanah and Break-Fast shopping!! Keep looking for additional information about the SCRIP program coming soon!!

In memory of father and grandfather to Susan, Larry and Nicole Zusman 

Carol and Mark Weiss 

Speedy recovery to Resa, Mother of Alison Myska, Safta of Shoshi M.

Wendy and Joel Fischer 

In memory of Suzy Goldhammer

Janet, Susan and Louis Barnett

The Washington Jewish Week is now available for purchase from the newsstand in the office for $1

Open Door: India.Arie and Idan Raichel Presented by Strathmore

Join Boy Scouts   

Israeli Fold Dance Workshop and Marathon

The Jewish Federation Wants to Help! If you are in need of financial   

assistance at t his time, or if you know 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.