TVT has once again assembled and trained an enthusiastic and articulate team of "Parent Ambassadors" for the 2009-2010 school year.  Participants were selected based on their deep commitment to TVT and to Jewish education and will help support the Admissions Office with the school's recruitment and retention activities. Typical activities include participating in school tours, making follow-up calls, conducting parlor meetings, and acting as guides during open houses. Parents can provide perspective on why they chose TVT and give personal anecdotes.
 
Research has shown that prospective parents are highly influenced in their decision about choosing a school after speaking with parents of children at that school. In this manner, they play an invaluable role that could never be performed solely by the Director of Admission. If you are interested in becoming a TVT Ambassador, please contact Ms. Wendy Leberman in the Admissions Office (extension 1102 or wleberman@tarbut.com). 

The Middle and Upper School Jewish Studies teachers did it again - they combined the study of serious Jewish text with engaging hands-on experiential learning opportunities around the holiday of Sukkot. The students decorated the TVT Sukkah, an activity that never gets old, even for adults. They fulfilled the Mitzvah of "Lashev b'Sukkah", the opportunity to sit, study and eat in the Sukkah.
           
Ms. Jill Jacobs' 6th grade class read from the book of Leviticus about Sukkot and discovered one very important unanswered question- How to actually build the Sukkah? Ms. Jacobs steered her students to the study of a Mishnah text that answered this question. This lesson afforded Ms. Jacobs the opportunity to teach the importance of Rabbinic texts in helping Jews fulfill precepts found in Torah.
 
Rabbi Leah Lewis had some wonderful discussions with her classes as they delved into the Book of Kohelet/Ecclesiastes, which is traditionally read on the eighth day of Sukkot.
The students explored the somber mature themes of Kohelet (There is nothing new under the sun, Possessions and pleasures are of any lasting consequence.) They explored the juxtaposition of the somberness of Kohelet with the joyous nature of Sukkot.
 
Mr. Lee Weissman extended himself by hosting students in his own Sukkah during the week of Chol HaMoed. The students who were able to attend had a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Sukkot in this intimate setting, not to mention the goodies Mrs. Weissman prepared for them.
 
Ms Nelli Arbiv devoted a unit of study to Sukkot. Part one of the unit explored the custom of inviting Ushpizin, guests, to the Sukkah. They learned that this is a mystical custom based on inviting our forefathers and foremothers into our Sukkah and continuing to learn lessons from their lives. The students spoke with their parents about people who were influential in their lives and who they would want to invite in as guest. One parent shared that she was moved to tears as she told her daughter that she would invite her mom, the student's Bubbe, who passed away 4 years ago, as a guest to share her wisdom about life and her love of Judaism with her grandchildren.
 
Part two and three of the unit included in depth studies about the laws of building a Kosher Sukkah and the actual building of a mini Sukkah, according to Halakah (Jewish Law), in class. The students were allowed to bring in any types of "building" materials.  Most students chose to bring "edible" materials. If you were fortunate to happen upon Ms. Arbiv's class, you would have been in for a  real "treat".  Not only would you have seen some students using brown licorice strips as Schach/palm fronds, you might have been lucky enough to taste some of the left over "building" material as well!