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| THIS WEEK AT TVT |
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MARCH 29 - APRIL 9
PASSOVER
SPRING BREAK
SCHOOL CLOSED
APRIL 11
MS LIVING VOICES PROGRAM | |
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PESACH |
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Rabbi Yosef Charif of Slonim was known for his sharpness and insight. Every year as Pesach approached, he received a multitude of queries concerning the intricate laws of the holiday. One year, he received a distressed looking woman on Erev Pesach morning, asking for an audience with the Rabbi. The Rabbi ushered her into his study.
The woman was none other than the wife of R' Nota Hirsch. R' Nota was a successful businessman and a prominent active member of the Jewish community. He was one of the biggest philanthropists in the entire region.
"Rabbi," she began, "I am at my wits end. My husband has suffered severe business setbacks that have wiped him out. He has no money left - not a one cent."
"I am so sorry to hear this," responded Rabbi Charif, "I didn't know a thing about it."
"That's just it," she explained, "He is too humiliated to let anyone know. For years, we have always had the pleasure of contributing generously to the mitzvah of Maos Chittim (Passover food for the needy), and now I do not even have the ability to provide for our own Pesach - and the first Seder is tonight. I do not know what to do, I cannot ask anyone for help - my husband's pride would be devastated. I didn't even tell him that I was coming here."
The Rabbi mulled over the problem for a few moments and came up with an idea, "Tell your husband that tonight in shul, when he greets me after services, he should whisper in my ear."
"Why should he do that?"
"You must trust me and do as I say. Make sure he whispers in my ear."
That night, the synagogue was packed with people, all dressed in their YomTov (holiday) finery. Everyone was radiant with happiness and holiday spirit, looking forward to the Seder they would enjoy at home with their families that evening. As was customary, each went up to the front to personally greet the Rabbi.
When R' Nota Hirsch went up to greet the Rabbi, he followed his wife's instructions (though neither he nor she had any idea why), and whispered into the Rabbi's ear, "Gut YomTov (happy holiday) Rabbi. Happy Pesach."
Upon hearing this, the Rabbi jumped up and said in a loud voice, "Oy vey! I am so sorry to tell you this. It is all chometz (not kosher for Passover). It is all chometz!"
Everyone in the shul heard this and assumed that R' Nota was describing some accidental occurrence that took place in their kitchen, and asking the Rabbi to rule whether or not it was kosher. Immediately one of the onlookers said, "Don't worry R' Nota, I have extra matzo in my house, I will bring you over some so that at least you will have matzo for the Seder." Another piped up, "We have extra wine, I will bring some over so you can drink the Four Cups." Another man chimed, "My wife made plenty of extra chicken soup; we will bring you over some for the Seder meal."
Word of the "kashrus accident" spread throughout the town. There was literally a stream of people coming throughout the night, each bringing a dish or two, from fish to salad to soup to honey cake. By the time the night was over, they had enough food for a week. Thanks to the Rabbi's wisdom and sensitivity, no one knew or even suspected anything about the family's severe financial straits.
In the coming months, things turned around completely. By the next Pesach, R' Nota Hirsch was restored to his original wealth - only now, he was even more grateful to Hashem (G-d) and more philanthropic than ever. as told by Rabbi Baruch Lederman |
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PASSOVER & SPRING BREAK |
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TVT's Offices will be closed from:
Monday, March 29th through Tuesday, April 6th.
School resumes on Monday March 12th.
Happy Passover! Chag Sameach! Enjoy your break! |
| IMPORTANT MEETING
TVT's ADVANCE PLACEMENT PROGRAM |
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US Parent/Student AP (Advanced Placement) night on
Thursday April 22 at 6:30 p.m.
This is an informative meeting about the AP program at TVT will include topics such as: TVT's AP offerings; Is your child a good candidate for AP classes?; Do colleges look for AP classes? Discussion led by seasoned AP teachers and TVT administrators.
Whether you have taken AP classes, or are new to the AP world, don't miss this important meeting.
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WATT'S UP? THE ELECTRIC HOUSE PROJECT |
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Tradition is alive and well at TVT! Mr. Seftel celebrates his 13th year of the Electric House project with his 5th graders. |
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LS ARTISTS WIN TOP AWARDS |
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Still Life by Tova Zalomek
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Congratulations to Jacob Wayne (5th Grade) and Tova Zalomek (4th Grade) who recently won top awards at the Youth Art Month Exhibit! Tova's work will be going on to the statewide exhibition!
Kol HaKavod!
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'TIS THE SEASON... FOR COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES |
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"March Madness" for high school seniors is the name given to the waiting time for college acceptances. The colleges to which TVT's class of 2010 has been accepted (As of 3/25) is listed below:
2010 Board of Acceptances
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American
American Jewish U
Arizona State
Boise State
Brandeis
Cal Poly Pomona
Cal State Channel Islands
Cal State Chico
Cal State Fullerton
Cal State LA
Cal State Long Beach
Cal State Northridge
Cal State San Luis Obispo
Caltech
Chapman
Claremont McKenna
Colorado School of the Mines
Colorado State
Dickinson
Drexel
George Washingon U
Goucher
Kansas U
Lawrence
M.I.T.
Mt Holyoke
Northeastern
Northern Arizona
NYU
Penn State
Pomona
Portland State
Pratt Institute
Purdue
San Diego State
San Francisco State
Skidmore
Sonoma State
SMU
Syracuse
Tulane
U of Alabama at Huntsville
U of Arizona
U of Colorado - Boulder
U of Denver
U of Indiana - Bloomington
U of Iowa
U of Massachusetts - Amherst
U of Miami
U of Miami - Ohio
U of Michigan Ann Arbor
U of Oregon
U of Texas - Austin
U of the Pacific
U of Washington - Seattle
UCB
UCD
UCI
UCLA
UCR
UCSB
UCSC
UCSD
USC
Wash U - St Louis
Western Oregon
Western Washington
Woodbury
Congratulations to the class of 2010!!! |
| SPEAKING OF COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES...! |
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Our sincere congratulations go to Ashley Stein, TVT Class of 2005, on her recent admission to Harvard Medical School. Ashley is one of only 30 to be admitted to Harvard Medical School!
We are so very proud! |
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CREATIVE EDUCATORS! |
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TVT Makes the Congratulations to Linda Oaks, LS Computer Technology Specialist and 3rd grade student, Jacob Kravitz, who were both featured in the Spring 2010 Edition of Creative Educator.
Read the whole article here Creative Educator or visit www.thecreativeeducator.com.
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DID YOU KNOW?? |
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MIDDLE SCHOOL
SEWING, PAINTING, POTTERY AND PASSOVER SEDERS
Over the past few weeks the TVT Middle School students participated in a creative multi-sensory study of Passover. Eve Fein, Special Projects Coordinator collaborated with Pottery teacher, Leah Tramer to have each grade conduct an in-depth exploration of a specific Passover concept and then create hand - made Judaic symbols related to that concept that are commonly used at the Passover Seder.
The 6th Graders learned about the Matzah as both a symbol of slavery and freedom and then designed and sewed their own matzah cover/Afikomen Bag.
The 7th Grade explored the reasons for the 4 cups of wine at the Seder, as well as the background of Elijah's and Miriam's Cups.
They were then inspired to design and paint their own Seder Cups.
The 8th Graders delved into the symbolism behind the food on the Seder Plate and then designed and created their own Seder Plates, from clay.
The study of Passover culminated with classroom Seders where the students shared and used their creations! Fun and educational!
MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS - Please look for these items and use them at your family Seders.
Chag Sameach!
12th GRADE HONORS HEBREW
READING "TEHILLA" & VISITING THE MIKVEH
The 12th Grade Honors Hebrew class read "Tehilla" by S.Y. Agnon and Fradel Devorah Ba'Aron, a high-level piece that supplemented class study of various perspectives on the ritual of Mikveh. In order to extend the learning, Hebrew teacher, Mrs. Shir Geshvindman, took the class to visit the newly built Mikveh at Beth Jacob where Rabbi Ciner gave a very insightful explanation of the ritual. Reading the literature and visiting the Mikveh helped the students gain a deeper understanding.
Mrs. Geshvindman wrote the following piece about the experience:
Meaningful, influential experience
Is what our Hebrew 7 Honors class experienced as they entered the
Mikveh:
Knowing bits of information from old literature, about this holy, lifelong Jewish tradition.
Visiting Beth Jacob's Mikveh, learning from Rabbi Ciner about the
Evolving purism as transitioning from "Tameh" (impurity) to
"Tahor" (purity) and so I Hope as we sit at the Passover Seder discussing our freedom from slavery, we will acknowledge the holiness and purity of the freedom we have as human beings. |
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INSIDE THE LIONS' DEN |
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UPPER SCHOOL SPORTS
Congratulations to the Boys' Varsity Basketball Team -
Tennis: Celebrates this year's first victory as a team (singles and doubles) against the Fairmont Varsity Team this past Tuesday.
Baseball: Lost to Liberty Christian 2-1 in 8 innings, despite the fact that freshman Jordan Scheftz managed to strike out no fewer than 17 batters.
Softball: Girls softball lost, but hopes to rally next week.
Go Lions!!!
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS
Soccer: won last Thursday, 5-1 against Carden Academy in a rare, co-ed game. Kol Ha Kavod! |
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TRAFFIC SAFETY REMINDER |
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| This time of year it is easy to be consumed with the daily business of our individual lives, but please help us ensure the continued safety of our campus by obeying all traffic signs, posted limits, and driving only within the designated lines -particularly during pick-up and drop-off.
Thank you! | |
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