Moshe worked as a shepherd for Yisro when one day, a sheep ran away from the flock. Moshe followed the sheep and found it drinking water from a brook. Instead of beating the sheep like many shepherds might have done, Moshe said, "If you are thirsty, you are probably also tired," so Moshe lifted the sheep on his shoulders and carried it back to the flock.
 
When I was a boy, we once had a knob break on an appliance. Now there was just a metal stub sticking out with no knob to turn it. My father, Irving I Lederman, o.b.m., was very handy. He had cabinets with jars filled with nuts, bolts, tools, and widgets. He found a knob in one of his jars and used it in place of the broken one.
 
I remember being amazed at this because the replacement knob didn't look anything like the original one. It was a different size, shape and color. I asked my father how a different knob could work. He showed me that although the outside of the knob was different, if you looked inside you could see that the inner space which fit over the metal stub was exactly the same - hence a perfect fit.
 
This little memory always stuck with me because as I grew older, I realized it is the same with people. We may look and act different on the outside, we may have different talents and temperaments; but, if you look on the inside, we are really all the same. We all have hopes, aspirations, emotions and wants. Our particular feelings and desires may vary, but we all have feelings and desires that need to be honored.
 
Moshe, the shepherd, realized that this poor little sheep was different than the other sheep and should be treated with understanding. Perhaps the sheep was weaker, or on this day was just more worn out. Moshe didn't just force the sheep to fit into the mold, to comply with the 'norm.' He looked at the sheep from its own perspective and acted accordingly.
 
The sheep deserved the same respect and consideration due to all the other sheep, though in a different manner. This is the insight of a true leader.
 
Hashem looked at Moshe, the shepherd and said, "If this is how he leads and cares for his own flock, I want him to lead and care for My flock - the children of Israel."

Reenrollment Forms are due by January 23rd. Timely submission of the forms is a big saving of time and cost  for us.

I am aware that some families are being adversely affected by the current economic climate and wish to assure you that every effort will be made to assist them through our financial assistance program. No currently enrolled student should be turned away as a result of financial hardship. This is a storm that we need to whether together,it will pass in time.

 

We welcome the Isreali students and hope they enjoy their stay as much as we enjoy having them!

 

For those of you who have not had an opportunity to meet Stefanie and Josh Kaplan, make point of doing so!  You will find one of TVT's most caring and devoted families. How do I know?  Josh approached Wendy Leberman, our Admissions Director, to see if they could host a parlor meeting at their home in Long Beach to help get more students to attend TVT. Wendy agreed and offered to help and that set the ball rolling.

 

The Kaplan's contacted the Rabbis and Temples in the area. They contacted their friends and told them to contact their friends, and before long they had a party going. Josh developed his own power point presentation and opened their house.

 

On Wednesday evening, members of our Administration went to the Kaplan's house and met with 10 families who have 15 children and spent a lively evening with the Kaplan's and their friends. Thanks to their initiative, Wendy has received numerous requests for tours of TVT and for further information.

 

Thank you very much Josh and Stefanie. Your active support in words and deeds are greatly appreciated.

 

If there are any other families that would like to assist us in a similar manner please contact me at Ext. 3004 or Wendy at ext 1102.

 

You are the best source of marketing for our school.

(Division VI-A) and it has our Upper School Girls' team ranked 5th!  One of our goals this season was to finally crack the top ten, however, to be ranked 5th this early in the polls is something to cheer about!

 

January 26-February 25, 2009

"Demystifying Jewish Mysticism"
Monday, January 26, 2009

7:00 PM Reception, 7:30 PM Lecture

 

The Riddle of the Jewish Calendar
CSP Opening Night Event, RSVP required
Free to donors above the $180 level, $18 per person otherwise

 

Tarbut V'Torah Day School                                           
5 Federation Way, Irvine, CA
(949) 682-4040   www.occsp.org