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The Lesser of Two Evils
Decision making is difficult; we are often left to make choices that we don't want to make. If you're like me, you might make a list or weigh the pros and cons of each decision. When it looks like there  might be no "good" outcome, we're forced to make a decision based on which choice leaves the least negative outcome.
Being caught between a rock and a hard place is exactly where a few of Joseph's brothers find themselves in parshat Vayeishev. In this week's parshah, we are once again regaled with Joseph's imagination and the sibling rivalry it causes between him and his brothers. The brothers decide to sell Joseph, Jacob mourns for his son; Joseph ends up in Egypt and eventually in jail for a misunderstanding with Potiphar's wife, and Judah gets into trouble with a woman named Tamar. Throughout this section of text, we see the brothers deciding in their own ways how to treat Joseph.
Read more...
You can review all of Rabbi Posen's weekly Parshah teachings by going to the Levine Academy website. Go to News & Events and click Publications or Click Here.
Here are this week's Parashah Trivia questions:
Vayeshev
1. How did Ya'akov react to Joseph's second dream?
2. Which brother did not want to kill Joseph?
Answers to last week's trivia questions:
Vayishlach
1. What did Esav do when he saw ya'akov? (he ran to him and kissed him)
2. How old was Yitzchak when he died? (180)
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| Annual Fund Campaign Update | |
 Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far to the Levine Academy Annual Fund Campaign. We are now 72% towards our goal of $300,000!
$216,185!!
But we still have $83,815 to go!
Click Here to donate today! |
| Winter Break Schedule | |
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| ECC Newsletter | |
CLICK HERE to download this week's ECC Newsletter!
ECC babies enjoyed a sensory treat this week! So many cool things to see, touch, and experience!
Click Here to see more photos from ECC Gym!
Learning About Color in the 3s
The 3s have been learning all about color, and last Friday we all came dressed in our favorite color. We sang songs about different colors, ate food that was our favorite color and practiced mixing colors together to make new colors. At the end of our celebration, Rabbi Eve came to visit and taught us all about the blessing we say over a rainbow. The blessing reminds us that the rainbow is a sign of a promise from God to Noah that the world will not be destroyed again.
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1st Graders - Menorahs and Dreidels | |
Levine Academy's 1st grade classes worked their magic and created some really beautiful menorahs and dreidels for the upcoming holidays. They used a lot of interesting and unique materials to give their work exciting themes. Click Here to see closer views of the students' creations!
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Learning is FUN at Levine Academy! | |
Sharks!!!
(Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the classroom....!)
After finishing a study of ocean currents and tides, the 6th grade will be moving into a study of ocean life. We have begun this study with a dissection of dogfish sharks. With this being our first dissection of the year, students reviewed and familiarized themselves with dissection tools and procedures. Students then examined the exterior of the shark, identifying the structure of the different fins and gills. The interior of the shark was then explored with students focusing on the organs of the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems. The students' behavior during the dissection was commendable and we are all looking forward to future dissections after winter break.
Mr. Rocca's 6th grade science class.
Pictured above: Evan Allen, Heather Kurtzman, Sam Weinstein, Leah Witheiler, and Kayley Horowitz
Click Here to view more shark dissection photos!
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| Celebrate Tu B'Shvat with Levine Academy! | |
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| Simchas, Mitzvahs, and Mazal Tovs! | |
MAZAL TOV!
Jonathan Nurko, son of the Becky Nurko and Dr. Carlos Nurko, will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah on December 19th at Data of Plano.
Ofir Edri, daughter of Ilan and Meirav Edri, will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah on Thursday, December 22nd.
Mazal Tov to Jonah Ableman, Harrison Christnagel, Daniel Kaplan, Michael Uzick for achieving their orange belts in Educare Martial Arts. Elle Mendelson and Gabi Rudelman gained their black tips.
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Spirit Tags - Back by Popular Demand! | |
Spirit Tags will be ON SALE
at the Hanukkah Carnival
Friday, December 16th
$3 for 1 or 4 for $10
Collect all 4!
Perfect for Hanukkah Gifts! |
| Community | |
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Synagogue Events | |
Beth Torah
December 17, Saturday, 7:00 PM, Keruv-Interfaith invites ALL to join together for Beth Torah's Second Annual Kosher Wine Tasting! For more details, please contact keruv@congregationbethtorah.org.
December 17, Saturday, 9:30 AM, Rashi Shabbat. Come for an amazing morning service led by your USYers and teens. This is something you won't want to miss. Kiddush luncheon to follow and, for the USYers/teens afterwards, there will be Shabbat-friendly games.
December 18, Sunday, Noon, Beth Torah invites all members and guests to our beloved Hanukkah Extravaganza with a twist. All of the same latke and game fun along with music, crafts, and lessons on how to have a magnificent Hanukkah for all! Sponsored by the Holiday committee and co-sponsored by the Pre-School, Young Families, and Keruv committees. For more details, email holidays@congregationbethtorah.org.
Pajama Havdalah!
Let's say good bye to Shabbat as we recite the Havdalah blessings!
Saturday January 7th, 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Multi-Purpose Room
SNACK * ART PROJECT * STORY TIME
Lead by Rabbi Rafi Cohen and Esther Wolf, Preschool Director
Don't forget to come dressed in your favorite pajamas!
We are also having a BOOK EXCHANGE. Please bring one new or gently used children's hardback book and get to choose 3 paperback books. Please RSVP to ps-director@congregationbethtorah.org by January 3rd
Temple Shalom
Temple Shalom Hanukkah Celebration
Friday, December 23
6:00 PM Children's Activities during Oneg Reception
6:30 PM Shabbat Service featuring youth choirs
7:30 PM Hanukkah Family Dinner with games and activities-bring your Hanukkiah!
RSVP necessary for brisket/chicken and latke dinner. Adults $12, Children 4-12 $8, Children under 3, free.
Everyone is welcome! For more information, contact Debbie Massarano at dmassarano@templeshalomdallas.org
Temple Shalom Youth Choirs, Shir Joy and Kol Shalom perform at NorthPark Mall
Sunday, December 18, 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM, Come hear the sounds of Hanukkah!
Temple Shalom Tikkun Olam Council Mitzvah Opportunity
Tuesday, December 20, North Texas Food Bank
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, Help sort and pack food. Ages 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent.
RSVP to Ann Goodman at agoody@sbcglobal.net.
Temple Emanu-El
Temple Emanu-El Chanukah celebration
Friday, December 23, 2011 6:15 p.m.
Shabbat Services and 4th night Congregational Candle Lighting in Olan Sanctuary. Remember to bring your own chanukiah and 5 candles!
7:30 p.m. Congregational Dinner and Activities in Tobian Auditorium
$10 Adult Dinner (ages 11 and up)
$5 Child Dinner (ages 3 to 10)
Click on https://participate.tedallas.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=400 to register.
Toys & Crafts Drive
To benefit Pebbles Apartments and Fun Saturdays at Jill Stone Elementary. Please bring a NEW and UNWRAPPED toy or arts & crafts supply ($5 or less) from now through December 23, 2011. For more information, please contact Shelly Gammieri at 214.706.0000 ext. 164 or sgammieri@tedallas.org
Congregation Anshai Torah
Friday,Dec. 23- 6:30PM -Congregation Anshai Torah's Traditional Hanukkah Dinner following our 6:30 Kabbalat Shabbat service. Adults $15, Children 4-10 $5, 3 & under Free. $40 Max/family. Traditional Chicken dinner for adults and chicken nuggets for kids. Latkes and applesauce for all! RSVP required by December 19th to Debbie Butvin, 972-473-7718, Debbie.butvin@anshaitorah.org.
Saturday, Dec. 31st - Congregation Anshai Torah Hazak Rock 'N Roll New Year's Eve Dinner, Party, & Show- 7:30PM- featuring 8 member group, The Studebakers, and comedian Bill Goodman. All members of the CAT congrregation are invited! $22.50/Hazak members, $25/Non-members. Contact: Del Matsil, delnbob@flash.net.
Tuesday, January 3rd- 7:30PM- Congregation Anshai Torah Sisterhood Book Club- Discussion will be on " The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi" by Jacqueline Park. All newcomers welcome to participate in the book club. Contact: Judy Levine,noahsgrandma47@hotmail.com .
Tuesday, January 10th- 11:30AM-1:15PM- Congregation Anshai Torah Plano Area High School Lunch- Free lunch for Plano area Jewish high school students in 11th & 12th grades. Both lunches. Contact: Helaine Kramsky, helaine.kramsky@anshaitorah.org, 972-473-7718.
Friday, January 13th- 6:30PM- Congregation Anshai Torah Tot Shabbat - During Friday night services, families will be led in a Shabbat service upstairs with prayers, songs & stories. Then everyone will join Rabbi Weinberg and the congregation in the main sanctuary for a special children's blessing on the bima. Contact: Alyse Eisenberg, ecdirector@anshaitorah.org, 972-473-7718.
Sunday, January 22nd- 2PM-3:30PM- Congregation Anshai Torah Mahsah Nahfshi- We ring in 2012 with presenter Dr. Joel Roffman, a cardiologist at Baylor Plano Heart Hospital in Plano & co-author of "Coping with Adversity" , rescheduled from Sept.. Dr. Roffman will share his thoughts about Judaism's response to illness & other life struggles. He will share what he has learned through the study of Torah, research & personal experience. Contact: Sharyn Fein, sharyn.fein@gmail.com.
Congregation Shearith Israel
Chanukah at Home
Light up your Consciousness this Chanukah! Instead of wondering what to buy, why not think about what you can DO! Make an IMPACT by DOING one of the eight Hanukkah Mitzvahs that will help those impoverished or hungry. Helping others is a gift worth giving! Visit shearith.org to get the complete list of what you can do this year to make an IMPACT!
YPs at CSI - Latkes and Vodkas
Friday, December 16, 7:30 pm-11:00 pm, Congregation Shearith Israel
It's that time of year again to celebrate Chanukah!
RSVP and a $12 payment are needed by Monday, December 12. We will have chicken, veggies, salad, dessert, and of course, latkes with all the fixings. *Veggie options will be available - please let us know when you pay. Glazers will sponsor Ghost Vodka and a signature Latkes and Vodkas drink. PLEASE NOTE: Payment MUST be made in advance. Contact CSI at 214.361.6606 and give the receptionist your Visa/MC or send a check to CSI. This party sold out last year so invite all your friends today!
Sunday, January 8
9:30 am-2:00 pm CSI Douglas
During the holiday season, donor turnout often decreases for a number of reasons. This lower donor turnout could lead to scarce blood supplies for patients in need. Someone is waiting on your donation. Donors are eligible to donate every 56 days. For an appointment on the 8th, please contact Laura Shah at shahlau@usa.redcross.org or 214.507.0858.
Let's have a SOUPer New Year!
An ongoing IMPACT project
Share the warmth to those that need it most. Please bring cans of soup to be donated to JFS food pantry. Kosher and non-kosher cans of soup are welcome Sunday thru Friday to the special collection boxes located by the entry ways to CSI Douglas. We will be collecting from Tuesday, January 3 until 'Souper Bowl' Sunday, February 5.
The Maccabeats are Coming To Town
Tickets for the Small/Waldman/Cohen Signature Series Maccabeats Concert on January 29, 2012, are NOW on sale. For more information on The Maccabeats, and to order tickets online, click on the Maccabeats button on the CSI homepage at shearith.org. |
| Head of School's Suggestion Box | |
Levine Academy is your school. So, we want to your great ideas and suggestions. Please send them straight to our Head of School, Mark Stolovitsky, by emailing to suggestions@levineacademy.org.
We look forward to hearing from you! |
| Archived eNewsletters |
To review past Levine Academy eNewsletters, please Click Here! You will find a list of archived eNewsletters for the 2011-2012 school year. |
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