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Next Week at TVT:
7th Annual
Research
Conference
Varsity Golf
APRIL 28
Hazikaron
Assembly
US Softball,
Baseball &
Volleyball
APRIL 29
US Assembly
Yom Ha'Atzmaut
USMAO
Competition
Varsity Golf &
Volleyball
APRIL 30
MS Soccer Play-offs
Juniors
College Counseling
US Baseball,
Softball, Golf,
Volleyball
MAY 1
Senior College Deposit Deadline
All-School
Kabbalat Shabbat
MAY 3
SAT Testing
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PARSHAT OF THE WEEK - TAZRIA METZORAH |
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God instructs the Jewish people on the specific sacrifices a woman needs to bring in order to purify herself after childbirth. After a certain number of days:
"Upon the completion ... of her purity ... she shall bring a sheep.... But if she cannot afford a sheep, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young doves ... and she shall become purified."
(Lev. 12:6-8)
A LIFE LESSON
An identical spiritual purification takes place whether a woman brings a sheep or can only afford to bring two doves. The Torah is teaching a powerful lesson. A person needs to give - or offer - commensurate with his abilities. When he does, the identical process takes place.
Since God is the only One who could ever provide spiritual atonement for someone's sins, He also set up a system whereby He determines what can "cleanse" a person of their contamination. When a woman offers an animal based upon her own financial abilities, then a cleansing process occurs. If she offers less than she is able to give, it doesn't occur. The exact same thing can be said when a person does an act of kindness.
For example, if someone is very wealthy and donates millions of dollars to charity, this is certainly a wonderful act. Let's compare this person to someone who isn't as wealthy and can only afford to donate a hundred dollars. Just as the identical spiritual cleansing takes place regardless of whether someone brings a sheep or a dove, so too does each person who gives based upon his own abilities receive the identical spiritual reward. Each person is striving to give according to his means.
We live in a society where "more" seems so much better. But when it comes to acts of kindness, it's never about the amount; it's all about our ability.
Your circumstances will sometimes prevent you from giving in the way you really would like and then you'll get "hung up" on this fact. If you do this, you missed the point. We must give not based upon our desire - but rather based upon our ability. And when you honestly give based upon your ability, then your "spiritual reward" is equal to all those who also gave based upon their ability.
So instead of being disappointed the next time you can't give in the way you would like, take much comfort in knowing that God only wants you to give based upon your ability. And when you recognize and live this truism, you'll always give with a billion dollar attitude. |
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ACADEMIC RESEARCH CONFERENCE - APRIL 28th |
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TVT's Annual Academic Research Conference is an excellent opportunity to experience student work at its finest! Featuring over twenty student-presenters, sixteen prestigious judges, and impressive monetary awards, the conference will run from 11:40am until 3:00pm this Monday, April 27th. Presentations earning the highest marks will enter the final round of competition at 2 o'clock in the upper school MPR and will be broadcast live at elearning. Families and friends are welcome to join! |
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4TH GRADE. . . IN "REVIEW" |
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| The 4th graders at TVT have been involved in a Book Review Mitzvah Project for the last month. This project's focus was to have students teach other students by reading a book, writing a book review for that book, and then donating it to students their age at another school. The students were also videotaped giving their book review so the students at Diamond Elementary School in Santa Ana can watch their reviews before deciding which book they would like to read. The purpose of the book project is to encourage other students to be as excited about reading as we are. Often times, students in other communities do not have "good" books to choose from and therefore are not motivated to read. This month the TVT 4th graders HAVE made a difference in at least one child's life. The 4th grade motto is: "We can make a difference with our knowledge!" |
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UNITED STATES MARINE PERSONALLY THANKS STUDENTS FOR SUPPORT |
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HM3 Andrew Lindholm paid a surprise visit to TVT's Lower School campus this past Thursday. Andrew has been serving as a paramedic in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Special Operations in Iraq over the last 2 years.
The fourth graders wrote to Andrew in late October of this year and as soon as he was on American ground, he arranged a visit to meet with and thank the children for their heartfelt letters. In an amazing 90 minute presentation in the MPR, Andrew shared photos, equipment, and stories about his job and the many faces of the U.S. military overseas, specifically in war-torn Iraq .
Our students were captured by his thoughtful words, technical knowledge, and interesting military/medical gear. An enthusiastic Q & A session also took place and it was wonderful to have many of the parents participating as well!
The fourth grade students demonstrated their profound respect for military service and also a very keen interest for military engineering! |
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IDF SENDS THANKS FOR MISHLOACH MANOT |
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The IDF sent their thanks to the Upper School Students for their Mishloach Manot; "After spending Chanukah involved with Operation Cast Lead, it was wonderful to experience the ongoing support from the Jewish people worldwide this past Purim. Thanks to the efforts of Connections Israel with their 11th annual Operation Purim: Adopt an IDF Unit, our soldiers once again benefited from the outpouring of warm greetings and Mishloach Manot from students worldwide. We at the Tzahal express our appreciation for your participation in this wonderful project of connecting with our soldiers."
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A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ABOUT UNDERAGE DRINKING |
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| The city of Irvine is conducting a program called
A Community Conversation about Underage Drinking on
Wednesday, April 29, 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Irvine City Hall (One Civic Center Plaza ).
There will be presentations by Joshua Swamidass, MD., Ph.D. and Sgt. Scott McClellan of the Irvine Police Spectrum Unit, along with an update from the Irvine Prevention Coalition's Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force (UDPTF). A light supper will be served. For more information, please contact Irvine Info |
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YOM HASHOAH |
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| This past Tuesday, our 4th and 5th graders were involved in a moving ceremony to commemorate Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). Mrs. Esther Sterling-Leiner, grandmother of Victoria Hoffman in grade 6, was the guest speaker. She spoke to the students about her experiences as a child during the Holocaust, which was a true inspiration to all of us that life goes on regardless of the extreme difficulties she endured.
IIn the Upper School, Rochelle Gelman told the students her very moving story of survival. The students lit candles, sang, and read from their own writings in a lovely commemoration of those who died in the Holocaust. |
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GRADUATION: SAVE THE DATE! |
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Please join us for the Commencement Ceremonies for Tarbut V'Torah's Class of 2009 on Wednesday, May 27th.
Light refreshments will be served at 4:30pm in the Upper School Quad. Graduation will begin at 5:30pm.
Come and celebrate with your TVT family! |
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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALUMNUS MATHEW COHEN |
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| Mathew Cohen ('08), who played volleyball consistently for TVT's Upper School and co-captained the TVT team in his senior year, currently plays volleyball for UC Davis.
Recently he made the US Men's Volleyball Team, which will be going to Israel this summer for the 18th Maccabiah Games.
Kol Hakavod, Mathew! | |
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