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| THIS WEEK AT TVT |
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SATURDAY
MARCH 20
8th GRADE
8pm
LONG BEACH AIRPORT
WASHINGTON/NY TRIP
MARCH 22
4thGRADE FIELD TRIP
8th GRADE FIELD TRIP
US ISRAELI DANCING
MARCH 23
K-3 MITZVAH BAKERY
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
MATH COUNTS CLUB
MARCH 24
1st- 3rd GRADE TEFILLAH
NEW MEDIA FIELD TRIP
ELECTRIC HOUSE NIGHT
MARCH 25
K-5 SEDERS
HONOR COMMITTEE MTG
RESEARCH CONFERENCE MTG
MARCH 26
8th GRADE RETURNS
KABBALAT SHABBAT
9th -12th SEDERS
MARCH 29-APRIL12
PASSOVER
SCHOOL CLOSED
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VAYIKRA |
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It is customary for children to begin their Torah study with the parsha of Vayikra. Vayikra teaches about the pure offerings in the Tabernacle. We let the pure children engage in the purity of Vayikra. The purity and devotion of the Jewish people is beyond measure as the following true story illustrates:
The Bluzhover Rebbe, Rabbi Yisroel Spira (1889-1989), was in the Lemberg Ghetto, also known as the Ghetto of Lvov. Jews were taken to the Klepariv railway station and deported to the Belzec extermination camp.
One day the Rebbe was summoned by Nazi police and ordered to stand on a train platform to oversee the arrival of a transport of women and children being brought to the Lemberg Ghetto. The women and children on the train had been subjected to horrendous crowding with no food or water.
A woman came off the train holding a package in her hands. She walked with her head down. Instinctively the women understood that this place was not good and that soon some of their worst fears would come true.
The Rebbe, was guiding them along gently. The woman with the package saw him, stopped and asked him if he had a knife?"
The woman had been warned not to talk to anyone but she violated the rule. The Rebbe saw the desperation in her face. It was clear to him that she intended to kill herself. "My daughter," the Rebbe pleaded with her, "Why should you lose both worlds?"
It was bad enough that she would soon lose her life at the hands of the despicable Nazis, why should she commit suicide and thereby lose her share in the world to come as well?
An SS Nazi soldier who watched this short conversation approached the Rebbe and demanded, "What did she say to you?"
Afraid of what her punishment could be, the Rebbe did not reply. The officer was not satisfied. He turned to the woman and commanded him to tell him, "What did you request from that man?"
"I wanted a knife," she stammered.
The Nazi thought it would be amusing to watch her take her life. He took out a bayonet from his chest pocket, handed it to her and said, "Here is what you asked for."
Surprised, she took the knife from the German's hands and got down to the floor where she laid down her bundle. She unwrapped it quickly and carefully.
The Rebbe was stunned to see that it was a baby! She opened the child's diaper and with tears in her eyes and conviction in her throat, she cried out: Baruch Ata Ado- noi Elo-heinu melech haolam asher kidishanu bimitzvosav vitzivanu al hamilah, (Blessed are You Hashem, our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments, and has commanded us regarding circumcision - The blessing over a Bris).
She raised the knife and cut the child's foreskin as she performed a bris on her infant son!
Everyone who saw it was speechless. The words she uttered afterward, though, seared the hearts of all who heard it. She looked up to heaven and said, "Ribono Shel Olam (Master of the Universe), you gave me a healthy baby. I am returning to you a kosher Yid (Jew)."
Neither the child nor his mother survived that day. However the Rebbe kept her memory and courageous act alive until his dying days as he relived and repeated the incident, often crying with emotion, at every bris where he was asked to speak. To the Rebbe this was as sacred as the bris that Avrohom Avinu (Abraham our forefather) performed on himself and the bris that he performed on his son Yitzchok (Isaac).
(The foregoing true story is documented in "Spirit of the Maggid," By Rabbi Paysach Krohn) by Rabbi Baruch Lederman
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CORRECTION ! |
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The correct Cubs' Roar has been put into last Friday's letter. We apologize for the inconvenience. Enjoy! |
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"O" AMBASSADORS' THANK YOU! |
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Thanks for donating and shopping!
Thanks for helping the "O" Ambassadors
help the people of Ecuador! |
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LAST CHANCE TO ORDER APRIL LUNCHES |
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Order Lunches Now for APRIL!
Pre-authorization is no longer required, but you must complete payment before the order can be sent to the kitchen - check your inbox for a payment receipt confirming the completion of your online order.
Simply go to www.tarbut.com, Parents Page and select the "School Lunches" link.
Enter your home phone number (formerly referred to as the "billing number").
Check your food selections, and check "Update" at the top of the page before you pay for your purchase with our secure online payment portal.
Please remember: April orders must be placed and paid for through the online system by March 30, 2010.
Questions: contact lunches@tarbut.com
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HAVE YOU SIGNED UP YET? |
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Join TVT'S TEAM for the PCRF 5k / 10k / Half-Marathon Race on Sunday May 2nd. By signing up on our team you will support both the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the TVT "O" Ambassadors as they raise money for their trip to help the needy in Ecuador.
When signing up, be sure to join the Tarbut V' Torah team. Click on the link below to find the schedule, maps, and other info on the home page.
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DID YOU KNOW?? |
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SHUL ROAD TRIP
On Tuesday March 16th, TVT students in the Upper School Taame Mitzvot class traveled to 4 different synagogues to speak to the clergy about the different movements within Judaism. Forty students who have been studying about the many meanings of Mitzvoth within Judaism asked questions that were based on their studies. They posed thoughtful questions about the different approaches to Kashrut, Revelation and Torah. Cantor Tilchin and Rabbis Ciner, Rachlis and Steinberg answered the questions honestly and straightforward, leaving everyone with a better understanding and a new enthusiasm to continue learning.
The students really appreciated the opportunity to visit with the clergy in their synagogues.
TVT & the SAN DIEGO JEWISH ACADEMY
Last week, Dr. Hakimi Maghen took the Upper School Jewish Studies faculty to visit the San Diego Jewish Academy. They visited classes, spoke to faculty and observed various programs. "It is always good to go out and see what other schools are doing," Dr. Hakimi-Maghen said, "We can always learn something new and feel proud of what we have accomplished." TVT faculty reported that the Academy wants to learn more about TVT's Jewish Studies curriculum, specifically the scope and sequence and the Standards and Benchmarks.
Dr. Hakimi Maghen said that they saw some interesting Jewish Studies elective classes that he would like to consider offering at TVT in the future. He sees some good opportunities to collaborate with the San Diego Jewish Academy in the future - especially as SDJA joins TVT for the 8th Annual Academic Research Conference in April!
ROSH CHODESH & THE ORIGIN OF THE "CHOCOLATE BAGEL"
The Middle and Upper School students gathered this week to celebrate the new Hebrew month of Nissan. The month was ushered in through songs, Torah reading and (of course) the beloved bagels and chocolate spread. For those curious about how the unusual combination began, Dr. Hakimi Maghen explained that the "round" bagel is the symbol of the cycles of the year and the moons and the chocolate spread symbolizes the wish for a "sweet" month.
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INSIDE THE LIONS' DEN |
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UPPER SCHOOL SPORTS
Next week the Spring Season starts in earnest for our Upper School athletes. Girls' Softball, Boys' Baseball, and Boys' Volleyball will all be playing, in addition to the Golf and Tennis teams who had a rough start earlier this week. Join Boys' Volleyball for their first match Tuesday March 23rd, 4:00pm at Bethel Baptist (and keep your eye out for the softball, baseball and volleyball schedules, which should be finalized early next week).
Go Lions!!!
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS
Unfortunately, both TVT Girls' and Boys' Soccer lost to Oakridge, 4-3 and 2-1, respectively. We put together a co-ed team to play against Carden Academy and won 5-1! Great job! |
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TVT's COMMUNITY IN ISRAEL |
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Traveling to Israel this summer?
Join TVT parent Tanya Newman, mother of Sophia (2nd) and Ethan (1st), in keeping the TVT community spirit alive in Israel!
If you and your family are planning to visit Israel over the summer and are interested in joining other TVT families for dinner etc., please contact Mrs. Newman: tanya-newman@socal.rr.com. |
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WINDOW INTO TVT |
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This month we are proud to feature our Visual Arts Department, one of the crown jewels of TVT!
A WEEK IN THE LOWER SCHOOL VISUAL ARTS STUDIO
One of the main themes that came out of the last National Association of Art Education Convention was the idea that Education can learn from the Arts. It is another modality of learning, another language worth speaking. That is why the level of creativity was so high this week in all the art classes. As a school, we are bringing to the forefront environmental conditions around the globe, particularly for the State of Israel. This is all in preparation for the Israeli Expo Art Show here on our campus, Sunday May 2nd.
Kindergarten just celebrated "We are the World". In art class, the students, guided by a thinking map describing the animal through color, texture, line, shape and form, painted animals in their habitats . Building on their knowledge of their assigned animal, students created beautiful, ceramic replicas that exhibited their creativity and scientific understanding . If you missed this fantastic event, you will be able to view most the animals at the Israeli Expo or the end of the year TVT Art Show.
Our First Graders began making kites to fly at the end of the year Art Show. Each child chose an animal or plant indigenous to Israel and creatively positioned their subject on diamond shaped paper. Every kite will have painted streamers of recycled Israeli newspaper representing Israel and the environment.
Second Grade students have been working on a self-portrait based on the work of Giuseppe Arcimbaldo, a painter from the 1500's whose work stunned the world. The faces are created by images of fruits and vegetables. Our students are giving it a more contemporary twist by using images cut from magazines and concentrating on the produce grown in Israel. Problem solving skills and creative thinking is required to figure out the ways one can use a pomegranate or an orange in a portrait.
 So far, the results are bringing lots of smiles!
Third Grade is concentrating on classical style renderings of fruits and vegetables using graphite and colored pencils. These drawings will be hung collaboratively at the Art Show to represent the abundance of beautiful produce coming from Israel.
Fourth Grader's are personally expressing themselves through the making of paper mache masks and collages. In doing so they are asking themselves, what part of the environment troubles them the most and what are the causes and effects of some of Israel's
environmental issues.
Fifth grade is working on a collaborative mural in the contemporary style of Robert Rauschenberg. The theme is the land of Israel and the technique is paint, printmaking and collage on top of large painted panels. The students are concentrating on the beautiful landscapes and the environmental issues the country faces. Every student will participate in this final piece that will also be a part of their promotion ceremony.
This Sunday, March 21st, six of our students will be represented at the Southern Area Youth Art Month Exhibition at Sage High School, 20402 Newport Coast Drive from 2-4 pm.
All of these students have been presented with first, second and third place awards at the Orange County Division Show. In this upcoming event, their work will be juried again. Only the first place winners in their category will move up to the State Division. We wish then all the best of luck!
Maya Clausman -K
Sonya Sorkin -K
Taylor Bruder -1
Tova Zolomek -4
Jacob Wayne -5
Shira Silver -3
Kol Ha Kavod to all of you!
MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL VISUAL ARTS
"Color It Orange" is a county wide juried art show displaying 2000 pieces this year. The following students were selected to participate: Danielle Grouse, 9
Davana Linkon, 11
Shanni Suissa, 11
Taryn Jacobson, 9
Simone Stivi, 10
Michal Elzur, 12
Jessica Samson, 12 If you are looking for something to do this weekend, " Color It Orange" ends this Sunday at 3 p.m. It will be worth the trip. It takes place at the Laguna College of Art and Design, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
The Middle School Art Wheel, a rotating curriculum designed to introduce students to a variety of artistic mediums and approaches.
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Cutting stencils for Upper School Grafitti Project exhibited at the "Color It Orange" art show this weekend.
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Two Middle School students form ceramic figures, drawing inspiration from one another.
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Large-scale projects result in large-scale enthusiasm.
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FAMILIES FORWARD & SOCCER WITHOUT BORDERS |
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Getting rid of your Chometz, before Passover?
The Lower, Middle and Upper Schools are all collecting food for Families Forward. The food bank there is nearly empty and many local families are in great need of food. Please have your kids bring in canned food to help the needy in our community! We are in particular need of soup, canned veggies and fruit, pasta and sauce, mac 'n cheese and rice and beans. Collection bins are in both Admin. Offices and in Rm. 200 in the Upper School.
Both Admin. Offices will also welcome your used soccer gear for donation to poor children in Ecuador, as part of the "O" Ambassadors' program to help families in Ecuador. Please bring all of your extra soccer gear and deposit it in the bins marked "Soccer Without Borders".
Thank you! | |
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