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Next Week at TVT:
March 2
Grade 5 DARE
Screening
Girls Varsity
Basketball CIF
Semi-Finals
March 3
Blood Drive
K-5 "Man from
Monticello"
Program
MS/US PTSO
Meeting
MS Whale
Grade 5
"Walk Through
American
Revolution"
MS Service Day
US Honor
Committee
LS PTSO Speaker
College Visit -
Marymount
College
Tu B'Shvat Tree
Planting(with
Mayor Kang)
US Honor Roll
Assembly
SAT/ACT Prep
Grade 4
"Whales &
Dolphins" Program
All-School Kabbalat Shabbat
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| PARSHAT OF THE WEEK - TERUMAH |
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While in the desert, God gave instructions on how to build the first sanctuary. It was to be a portable tabernacle. God wanted all the Jewish people to play a role in the process by making donations to aid in its construction.
God told Moses that the people who should give are those:
"...from every man whose heart motivates him...." (Exodus 25:2)
God wanted people whose "heart" motivated them to give. Why should it be someone's heart that motivates them and not their brain? The answer can be found in understanding what the internal "mechanism" is that motivates someone to do anything - especially an act of kindness or a good deed for someone else.
A person wanting to give, first experiences their heart - or soul - becoming aware of something in need, and then is inspired to help or give. Just when we're about to take any sort of action, we hear a voice that attempts to reign in our behavior. It's the brain. While the heart and soul are emotionally based and only want to give, our brain, on the other hand, operates strictly on logic. And any time the heart wants to give, the brain will instantly filter the request to see if the idea makes sense from a logical standpoint.
And this where trouble starts to brew.
The brain - having access to literally billions of pieces of data from your life experiences - will analyze the suggested act of kindness and decide if it's really in your best interest. There's no "heart" in the brain, just logic. While the brain knows that your heart wants and needs to give, it must look out for you in other ways and sees things only through logical glasses. This creates a significant internal conflict because in an effort to protect you, the brain will try to stop the heart from being a constant giver.
For example, let's say that you're rushing for an important meeting and you see an old lady who's having trouble crossing the street. Since our initial reaction is always based upon emotion, you'll immediately "think" with your heart and have a strong urge to stop and help the elderly lady. But then your brain instantaneously counters this decision and reasons that it will cause you to be late for your meeting and lose a huge business deal. In a matter of micro-seconds, your brain further reasons that if you don't stop to help this lady and you're able to make your meeting on time, then the money you'll make from the business deal can help society much more as a whole than just helping this one old lady.
At this point, your heart counters that this lady needs your help now and you should stop and help her and that no one will hold it against you if you're just a couple of minutes late for your meeting. An intense three second internal battle ensues and, while sometimes the heart is the victor, quite often it's your brain that wins out and the opportunity to help this lady is lost forever. And as you continue to race towards your meeting, your brain - in an effort to erase any lingering guilt you might have - will continue to give you more and more reasons to justify its earlier decision.
G-d "wired" us and He knows exactly how our decisions are made. So when G-d said that all gifts should come from every man whose heart motivates him, G-d wanted to ensure that the brain wasn't going to block the heart's true desire to give. G-d didn't want anyone's brain to convince him that helping to build the tabernacle was a bad idea.
If G-d knew that the Jewish people's brains could reason that they shouldn't give to one of the most important and crucial causes in history, then clearly our brain can talk us out of most any cause or situation to which we want to give. In this instance, G-d wanted the Jewish people to bypass the brain and listen to the heart.
And that's the lesson for all of us. Sometimes, the best way to win a battle is never to fight it to begin with. by Adam Lieberman
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ANNUAL GALA UNPRECEDENTED SUCESS! |
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Thank you to Reega Neutel, Barbara Orvitz and the Gala Committee for their hard work. TVT donors overcame a difficult economy to honor Mr. Gelman and TVT's 18th year with the most successful gala campaign to date!
It was a lovely evening down to the last detail. We arrived to a beautiful setting where the "Tree of Life" and the TVT children played surrounding the beautiful mosaic bench - a handmade gift to the Gelmans from the Lower School Art teacher, Helaine Yeskel, and her budding art assistants.
Scrolls with messages written from the lower school students decorated each table, and mock-ups of the proposed Middle School building lined the entryway. The food was beautiful and delicious, to go along with the incredible presentation.
The video montage left not a dry eye, the flowers were magnificent and the feel in the room was joyful and haimish, (warm and loving). Overall, the evening was a powerful reminder of Tarbut's strong foundation and bright future.
Parents, community members, alumni, staff and faculty, enjoyed each other's company as they feasted and danced the night away. The evening was photographed by Mr. Noah Hurvitz, and photographs will be available for viewing soon.  |
| MISHLOACH MANOT - ORDER DEADLINE EXTENDED |
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It's not too late!
The deadline has been extended to March 4th!
Don't miss the opportunity to give Mishloach Manot to TVT families, faculty and staff.
When we celebrate Purim on March 10th, we will fulfill the mitzvah of Mishloach Manot (the sending of gifts) by giving every TVT student, faculty and staff member a Purim basket full of goodies to enjoy for the holiday; compliments of the PTSO!
The PTSO's Mishloach Manot Program lets you perfom the Purim mizvah by sending your holiday greetings and by donating to the PTSO at the same time. This allows the PTSO to do many other programs and events. Greetings can be ordered online at TVT's web site by selecting "Purim Basket Greetings". When you order a holiday greeting your name is added to a scroll for the friends or faculty members that you select.
The sending of Mishloach Manot to friends - old and new, teachers - past and present, and staff who have added meaning to your family's life has been a lovely TVT tradition!
Order your greetings at www.tarbut.com or by completing an order form and returning it to the front office by March 4th.
Extra orders forms are located in the front offices or by contacting either lynnmosich@cox.net.
Greetings are $2.00 per greeting or discounted if you order greetings for you an entire class, grade, faculty and staff at TVT. |
| THIS JUST IN! CIF BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS |
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| TVT's Boys Upper School basketball team will play in the CIF semi-finals at Culver City High School at 8:00 pm on Saturday night, February 28th.
The High School's address is:
4401 Elenda St.
Culver City, CA 90230 -4182
This Just In - CIF Basketball Playoffs
They will play against Pacific Christian whose record is 24 - 3. We are told they have 2 players that "light it up" from the 3 point range. Come out to cheer the Lions to victory, and extend their record to 26 -2. They will be in black jerseys, so wear something black to support the team! This will be a big time challenge for the TVT Lions!
The Girls come into the semi-finals with a record of 17 wins and 1 loss and have their semi-final match Monday night at 6pm. The game will be held at Saddleback Valley Christian High School in San Juan Capistrano against Cuyama Valley High School. The Lady Lions are just back from traveling to Lee Vining, having won that game with a score of 34-21. They look forward to continuing their winning ways. Come cheer them on for what promises to be an exciting game!
GOOD LUCK, LIONS! |
| STUDENTS CELEBRATE AT ART MONTH CELEBRATION |
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This past Wednesday evening, two of our Lower School students took third place in their grade categories in the Orange County Division of the Youth Art Month Celebration.
Elijah Littman, 1st grade and Paytra Klein, 4th grade are now qualified to move on to the Southern Area Show in San Diego with a celebration and reception will be held on Sunday, March 15th at the San Diego Art Institute.
Ashley Dukellis and Joseph Sable received Honorable Mentions at the same show.
Kol Ha Kavod to all these students! |
| 2ND GRADE BIOGRAPHY PROJECT ON DISPLAY |
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Second Grade students each read a biography of their choice. Then, using a milk carton base; they made a doll to represent their famous person. In addition, children completed written book reports.
Each child presented their project to their Language Arts class. Many took the option of dressing just like their character!
The dolls and written reports are now on display in the Lower School lobby. Please stop by for a visit! |
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M/U SCHOOL MISHLOACH MANOT BASKETS FOR SOLDIERS |
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| The middle and upper school students wrote letters to Israeli soldiers and collected money for Mishloah Manot for Purim. The students collected $600 in all, and there will be 60 baskets given to soldiers with letters from our students.
Kol Hakavod to our students for working hard with the Hebrew faculty on this project. |
| MONEY 101 |
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| Our thanks to TVT parent Mike Natelson, who volunteered to teach "Money 101" to our seniors. Mr. Natelson touched on important life skills like the Time Value of Money, the Magic of Compound Interest, the Rule of 72 and the Five Cash Flow Variables, including ample examples from real life.
The TVT seniors are poised to flourish after graduation! |
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STUDENTS FINALISTS IN CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY'S 10TH ANNUAL HOLOCAUST ART AND WRITING CONTEST |
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| Kol HaKavod to sophomore Briana Broussard, whose poem written for Mr. Thurmond's English class, has earned her recognition as one of five Finalists in the 10th Annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest at Chapman University.
This is an especial honor given that this year's is the biggest competition to date, with over 90 schools (and thousands of students) participating.
Additionally, Briana is one of several students recognized separately by TVT faculty for distinguished work: The other students whose work was recognized include Shanni Suissa and Erin Gurewitz from the Upper School, and Jordon Elcott and Eitan Jaffe from the Middle School.
Each of these students has been invited to attend the awards ceremony and reception at Chapman University next week.
We are very proud. Mazel Tov! |
| TVT ALUMNI EXCEL! |
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Leah Breen (Class of 2008) Writes:
My swim team and I at American University (Div. I) just finished the Patriot League Conference Championship meet. I swam three lifetime best swims in the 50 Free, 100 Free, and 100 Back. I was just off the national cut in my 50! I was also on two record breaking relay teams and our women's team scored 4th overall! It was a great meet and an incredible experience!
Danielle Arad (Class of 2006):
Congratulations to Danielle Arad and her teammates who just placed first in the Kenyan Invitational: http://athletics.kenyon.edu/x28697.xml.
Next they hope to claim their third title in the NCAA Division III Championships.
Congratulations Alumni! |
| OUR LIST OF COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES GROWS |
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New additions include
U CONN
CSU SAN MARCOS
UC RIVERSIDE
DREXEL U
CSU SAN LUIS OBISPO
U MIAMI
U OF THE PACIFIC
MC GILL U
GOUCHER C |
| PTSO CHAWAIIAN CHAGIGA |
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| TVT is going Hawaiian! On Saturday, March 21st,
8pm - 11pm in the Upper School MPR join TVT's parents, faculty and administration for a CHawaiian CHagiga party celebrating the TVT community! The evening will feature a DJ, dancing and a SILENT AUCTION!
You can bid on events and activities your student can share with their favorite TVT teacher or administrator. All monies raised from the CHagiga support PTSO sponsored Student Programming!
Fruit and Deserts will be served. Cash bar available. Cost is $18 Per Person. TVT Staff, Faculty and Administration are our Guests!
RSVP via Evite (check your email!). Pay via check (payable to TVT PTSO) or credit card on file! |
| DATE CHANGES |
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| 8th Grade Washington Trip Information Meeting:
Moved from 3/5 to 3/12.
MS Student Led Conferences: Moved to 4/22.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! |
| FUTURE SOUTH COUNTY BUS SERVICE ? |
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TVT is considering an additional bus to service South County families. Preliminary interest is high, making it likely that the new service will be adopted.
However, to finalize the route we need a complete list of interested families and to develop a clear understanding of the area involved to ensure that safe drop-off locations are as conveniently located as possible.
Please email Derek Gavshon's assistant, Linsey Savage, at lsavage@tarbut.com with your information if you're interested in taking advantage of this possible future convenience.
Student Names
Student Grades
Student Home Address, City, State, Zip Code
Thank you | |
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