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| THIS WEEK AT TVT |
JUNE 7
GRADE 3: WAX MUSEUM
GRADE 11: POLAND/ISRAEL TRIP
O AMBASSADOR TRIP TO ECUADOR
JUNE 8
MS TOWN HALL
MATH COUNTS CLUB
JUNE 9
K-12 PTSO MEETING
GRADE 5: PROMOTION
JUNE 10
GRADE 5: FIELD TRIP
GRADE 8: PROMOTION
JUNE 11
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
NOON DISMISSAL
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PARSHAT OF THE WEEK - SHELACH LECHA | | |
As a young child attending day camp at the local JCC, I had a counsellor who used to spend hours entertaining us with her ability to catch grasshoppers mid-jump. She would scoop them up by two of their legs and hold them up, showing off their stomachs. Hands quick enough to catch the hoppers were certainly noteworthy, but what fascinated me even more was the long springboard-like bounce of the jumping grasshoppers whose ability to keep jumping would certainly have surpassed the commercial energizer bunny. And of course, growing up in Texas, the overwhelming number of grasshoppers made this a daily summer activity.
As I think about that experience and of the bit of thrill and fear (the latter being much easier to admit now than it was so many years ago), I remember thinking that the grasshoppers were so powerful, so much bigger because of their ability to leap into the air and reach heights that no other creature its size could do. And, I also remember the annoying sense that no matter what we did to try to get rid of them - there were often dozens - and sometimes even hundreds - of hoppers jumping in the yard and occasionally even in the house.
As I think of this today, I am reminded of a brief exchange from "It's a Bug's Life", the Disney blockbuster movie in which a misfit ant, looking for warriors to save his colony from grasshoppers, recruits a group of bugs that turn out to be an inept circus troupe. In an exchange between two of the characters,
Hopper says to Molt: "It's a bug-eat-bug world out there, princess. One of those Circle of Life kind of things. This is the way things are supposed to work: The sun grows the food, the ants pick the food, the grasshoppers eat the food ..."
Mort then responds: "And the birds eat the grasshoppers. Like the time that bird who almost ate you, remember?"
So, why is all this on my mind this week?
In this week's Torah portion, Shelach Lecha, Moses sends twelve spies to scout out the land of Israel in advance of the rest of the people's arrival. After exploring for forty days, they returned with epic reports of a land filled with people of great fertility and size, a land abundant in the fruit, indicating that the inhabitants of the land were powerful and invincible.
There is but one conclusion, they inferred. One must be a giant in order to live in the Holy Land. We were like grasshoppers in our eyes, and so we were in their eyes, they reported and there is no place for us, little grasshoppers, in a land that demands stature and nobility. Better that we stay in the wilderness living our quiet, secure lives as small grasshoppers than ever aspire to reach greater physical or moral heights.
In other words - "We saw ourselves as being nothing ... and that is how they perceived us." It is human nature to fear the unknown, yet the report of the spies contains a very simple yet powerful psychological insight.
Our self-image and self-confidence - or lack of - does affect the way others perceive us and we are influenced by what others perceive us to be. If we exude confidence, others perceive us a 'somebody', a force to be reckoned with. If we see ourselves as tiny and insignificant, as mere grasshoppers, can we blame another person for seeing us the same way? The ten spies had no real way of knowing the inhabitants of land or what those inhabitants may have thought. In fact, in looking elsewhere in the Torah, it seems that there were other peoples who, in fact, feared the Israelites (see Numbers 22 and Joshua 2 for two examples). Yet, because they saw themselves as weak they assumed that others would see them in the same light.
I don't think that the spies were bad; nor do I believe that their report was a 'sin'. Rather, I think it was truth - as they saw it in that moment. It was the self-truth and self-perception that they lived with about themselves and about our people. As the Spanish commentator, Abraham Ibn Ezra, reminds us as great as the spies may have been, the years in slavery took their toll on all the people's self- esteem. With that in mind, it is not so surprising that they did not have the confidence and self-perception that allowed them to see their own greatness.
The real lesson, then, is in the second half of the psychological insight - each of us is influenced and, when offered correctly, can be strengthened by what others see in us. There is a remarkable power we have to help others re-discover truth, to help them turn insecurity into self-confidence. In the end, no one can change how a person sees him or herself except that person. But, knowing that people are indeed influenced by how others see them, positive reinforcement, love, acceptance, and pointing out the gifts a person brings to the world can all be powerful conduits to reshaping a person's self-perception, in turning grasshoppers into giants. As the prophet Samuel reminded King Saul of this when he told him: "Do you perceive yourself as small, you are the head of the tribes of Israel!" (Samuel I 15:17)
So, as we go into Shabbat, I pray that each of us can see the grasshopper within us (and within others) grow to be a giant, watching in fascination as we spring to greater heights and that like Hopper we will see the grasshopper eat from the land.
by Rabbi Cheryl Peretz
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SAMSON G'MILAT CHESED FUND | | TVT's founder, Irving Gelman, announced at graduation the establishment of the Samson Kindness Fund (also known as the Samson G'milat Chesed Fund), which will serve to supplement TVT's financial aid program. Applicants who have applied for aid, need take no further action at this time.
Initial funding for this extraordinary program has been provided by TVT grandparents, Eric and Sheila Samson. "The Samsons established this fund to help us fulfill our dream that no child who wants a Tarbut V'Torah education will be denied the incredible benefit of TVT as a consequence of their family's financial circumstances," said Mr. Gelman. He added, "The Samson Kindness Fund, in conjunction with our preexisting financial aid program, goes a long way to helping ensure that no eligible child will be turned away from TVT." Eric Samson shared, "I am delighted that Sheila and I are able to assist Tarbut V'Torah in this dramatic manner. We have observed over the years how our own grandchildren have flourished at Tarbut V'Torah. Given these challenging economic times and the loss of employment and income, we know many parents are faced with difficult financial decisions. This fund is not a free ride. It is a support for those of sincere good will who need assistance." Sheila Samson added "two of the principal historic strengths of the Jewish people have been our emphasis on education and our communal orientation toward helping those in need. Through the Samson Kindness Fund, we are gratefully able to achieve both of these lofty goals."
Irving Gelman further announced the formation of a Blue Ribbon Committee to review all applications for assistance from he Samson kindness Fund. The Committee will consist of Mr. Gelman, Derek Gavshon, long-term Board Member Basil Luck, and Past President Ed Heyman. "In addition to the intelligence and sensitivity of these individuals, all of us love TVT and want to ensure that the benefits of TVT continue to be extended throughout our community. In addition, we deliberately chose non-parents for this Committee in order to maximally protect the privacy of all applicants regarding these sensitive matters," said Mr. Gelman.
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REMINDER! CONTRACTS DUE | | |
If you have yet to submit your 2010-11 contract, please do so. On time submission helps TVT compile classes, schedules, and prepare for the upcoming year. Concerns or Questions? Contact the Business Office. Thank you! |
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KEHILLAH CONNECTION NEEDS YOU! | | |
Remember when you were new to TVT? |
Please help us orient and integrate new parents!
Your commitment will be minimal - just a phone call to approximately 3-5 new families. The mission of Kehillah (community) Connection (KC) is to help orient and integrate our new TVT parents, to help them feel not so new to the school. For more info, click HERE |
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DON'T FORGET SUMMER SESSION AT TVT | | Due to popular demand, TVT will host a number of exciting summer programs (open to all OC students). Opportunities include:
Study Skills Boot Camp,
Garage Band, Scrapbooking,
Comics and Culture, Beginning/Intermediate Volleyball,
Guitar, SAT prep, Jewish Paper Cutting and many more!
Click on our SUMMER SESSION link! |
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INSIDE THE LIONS' DEN | | |
Calling all 5th, 6h and 7th Grade Boys
interested in playing Flag Football next year!  |
There will be a practice for all interested flag-football players on Monday and Tuesday, June 7th and 8th after school until 4:00. You will be practicing with Coach Vespe. The season will start with try-outs on the 1st day of school on August 30th and we would like to get a jump on next year's season. Questions? Contact Abby Pezzner at: apezzner@tarbut.com |
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POLAND/ISRAEL ONE MINUTE AT A TIME | | |
Our Juniors have safely arrived in Poland for the first week of their
3-week journey following in the footsteps of the Jewish People.
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"O" AMBASSADOR ECUADOR UPDATE | | |
The 2010 "O" Ambassadors arrived in Ecuador late Wednesday afternoon. After acclimating to the altitude they will go on to build a dining hall for the village school.
Thanks to all for the donations that made this life-changing trip possible. |
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2010 GRADUATION SLIDESHOW & VIDEO MISS IT? WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN? SHARE IT WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS? | | |
A slideshow of our Class of 2010 Graduation is available here: 2010 GRAD SLIDESHOW
Your can view the entire graduation ceremony by clicking on this link: 2010 GRADUATIONEnjoy!! |
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COASTLINE CASE STUDIES CONTINUED COMPLETE SLIDESHOW | | |
Get an insider peek on this college prep opportunity - available only to students of select OC private schools, view the complete slideshow here: COASTLINE
Matt Chenot Photography
Rising TVT juniors can look forward to participating in the 2011 program.
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TVT TIMES | |
The Lower School has done it again, this time with a beautiful June issue. View here: TVT TIMES |
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CULMINATE & CELEBRATE IN OUR LOWER SCHOOL | | |
On Thursday, 200 families joined the lower school's faculty for a wonderful evening culminating the 2009-10 school year while exploring the villages and classrooms that will welcome them next year.
Highlights included student docents, the new SmartBoard in Village 4, phenomenal art displays, and a chance for parents to connect with one another before the summer holiday.
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YEAR END BOOK RETURNS - AVOID LATE CHARGES! | | |
Every middle and upper school student has received a list of items checked out of the library.
Please be sure that your student returns all textbooks and other materials BEFORE the last day of school, June 11.
Please call the TVT Library if you have questions about items checked out. (949)509-9500, ext 3017. |
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PROMOTIONS GALORE! | | |
Join us!
5th Grade Promotion, June 9th, from 5 to 7pm in the LS MPR
8th Grade Promotion, from 6 to 8pm, June 10th in the US MPR.
Refreshments will be served.
Congratulations to our 5th and 8th grade students and families! |
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6th GRADE SHAVUOT UPDATE | | |
Judaic teacher, Mr. Damien Zoppo gave his students the opportunity to teach their parents what they have been learning in class at a family night of learning on Shavuot -Tikkun Le Shavout.
Thanks to the Berman and Neutel families for hosting and to all of the parents and students for attending. They were most memorable nights!
The 6th graders have focused their studies on learning the qualities that good leaders posses. We have conducted in depth investigation of the Biblical characters of Joseph and Samuel, both examples of very young leaders.
The 8th graders have focused their studies on the idea that different stories in the Tanach can interact and inform on each other. For example, one problem in one story can be answered in another story.
Students created board games, reports and movie trailers and did a great job relating these concepts to their peers and parents.
The positive response from the nights of learning have been oerwhelming. Thanks to all! |
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DID YOU KNOW? | | |
Beit T'Shuvah Organization Educates Upper School Judaic Studies Classes
Every month for the past year, educators from Beit T'Shuvah, the only Jewish Rehabilitation Center in Los Angeles, have been speaking to Upper School Judaic Studies classes. In addition to telling their personal stories of recovery, these facilitators used Jewish text and thought to educate our students on the dangers of addictive behaviors. One of the reasons this program is so successful is that the facilitators are real people who have been through addiction recovery.
Many of them have the same backgrounds as our students-good home and community, lots of opportunities and caring parents. This past week was the final meeting of the year and our students had the chance to evaluate the program. In response to the question, What was the best part of the program?, students said:
"The stories that were told because we aren't only being told why drugs/alcohol/addiction is bad, but we are given examples of real experiences as to why they're bad."
"The personal stories, they are so much more powerful than some stupid anti-drug slogan".
"One of the best programs to open your eyes to what is right in front of you".
"It is a fun program that teaches about the consequences of bad decisions". |
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THE TOILET PAPER | |
TVT's US Students continue to overflow with creativity, and their latest periodical is no exception: THE TP |
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UPCOMING SCHOOL CLOSURE | |
There will be a noon dismissal on June 11, the last day of classes. Enjoy your summer vacation! |
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