Dear Parents,

Can you believe it's May??  I say this every year - "where did the time go?"  This year though, I missed so much of the activities here at Torah/Hebrew School.  I would like to talk about a couple of exciting events  this month here at school.  

We  started off our month on Sunday, May 1^st with a commemoration ceremony for Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.  Rose Schindler, grandmother of 3 of our Torah/Hebrew School students, and a survivor herself, spoke to our 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th graders.  We  began our program at 10a.m. with Rose speaking to us about her experiences in the Holocaust and then lit 6 yahrzeit candles in memory of the lost 6 million (this included over 1.5 million children).  Afterwards, the students had an opportunity to cement their ceramic butterflies (made last year at our Tzedakah Fair) to the courtyard wall. 

The next important event involving our school is our last Family Shabbat of the year.  This will be our Teacher Appreciation night.  No matter what grade your child is in, please make the time to come and honor our wonderful teachers here at Temple Emanu-El.  While Star Laddon made sure that everything was under control while I was out on sick leave,  each of our teachers pulled together to make sure that your children had the best Torah/Hebrew School experience possible.  I am so grateful for them all.  Please join me in properly thanking them on Friday evening, May 13^th at 7p.m.  There will be a fabulous Puppet Show, Israeli Dancing and a delicious Oneg Shabbat.

"Don't forget to RSVP for the Heel Kickin' Hoedown - Temple Emanu-El's annual auction fundraiser. It is Saturday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m. and you can RSVP here or by calling the Temple office at (619) 286-2555.  I would like us to donate a gift basket from each class for this event.  The monies raised will go to benefit the Torah/Hebrew School. If you would like to help fill our baskets, here is the list of what is needed: Kindergarten and 1^st grade together will be a basket filled with Arts & Crafts.  Second grade will be games/puzzles, etc.  Third and Fourth grade will be personal items, grooming, toiletries, spa products etc. Fifth grade is all sports items and Sixth and Seventh together will be anything food related (this can be wine, oven mitts, dried pasta, gift certificates to restaurants, etc.

I know there is not much time to fill these baskets, but if everyone would bring in one small item for their class, we can get these put together and raffled off at the Hoedown!  Please bring the items to my office anytime, or at pick up and drop off during school hours. 

Thank you for all of your help with everything you have done during the year.

L'Shalom,

Cathy