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Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly Newsletter
Vol. VI, Issue 21
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RANDOM ACTS OF CHESED (KINDNESS) WEEK
In memory of Gabi Isserow, and performed in conjunction with King David High School
Dear VTT Community, From February 21st - 25th, VTT's graduating class of 2011 will be leading a week-long campaign entitled "Random Acts of Chesed Week" coinciding with the KDHS initiative of the same name (led by Grade 12). In this week, VTT will focus on promoting kindness from the heart. Grade 7 has been working on preparing activities for the school with passion and a collaborative spirit. This week is inspired by Gabi Isserow, z"l, whose actions and community involvement represented the spirit of chesed. She performed random acts of chesed every day to everyone around her with humble grace and unyielding generosity. "If I am not for myself who will be for me, and if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" -Hillel (Pirkei Avot, 1:14) Each day will have a different theme. Monday will be focused on the self, emphasizing that we must take care of ourselves before we are able to take care of others. On Tuesday, we will perform random acts of kindness for our closest circles, friends and family. On Wednesday, VTT will be joining in anti-bullying day, led by Grade 5, where the whole school is invited to participate in pink shirt day. Thursday will be dedicated to our earth and the larger community in which we live, and our activities will center on awareness of caring for those beyond our immediate community and the needs of our planet. Friday will be an opportunity to do chesed for any one of the previous recipients from the earlier days of the week. The VTT RAC Week Grade 7 leaders will be working to engage the entire student body before and during the week to inspire random acts of kindness. Feel free to follow up with your children at home about the concept of chesed and what they can do to fulfill the Jewish obligation of Tikkun Olam (repair of the world). P.S. Although Grade 7 students will be wearing a different coloured t-shirt every day, K to Grade 6 students are expected to come to school in uniform every day. The exception is on Wednesday, Pink Shirt Day, though uniform bottoms are required.Shabbat Shalom!
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Parashat Ha'Shavuah/Weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Matthew Bellas
Shabbat Parashat Ki Tissa Old Habits Die Hard 
Habits are very hard to break. Routines are very difficult to change. There are many examples in the world of this reality. Ask someone who has ever tried to stop biting their fingernails how hard it is to do it. Did you ever notice how basketball player LeBron James used to chew on his fingernails when he was sitting on the bench during a time out or when he was getting a short rest? Journalists and sports commentators regularly used to ask him about his habit because of the impact it had on his public image. It made him look childish, immature, and unable to control his nerves. His reply was that it had nothing to do with nerves; it was just a bad habit that he picked up when he was a really young kid. He knew full well that it was a bad habit, bad for his teeth, and damaging to his public image. He just had a really hard time breaking the habit. Old habits are VERY hard to break. This issue is relevant to this week's parasha because the Israelites have a bad habit that comes to the fore in a most disturbing way. You see, after 400 years of slavery of Egypt, the Israelites have become a people that easily loses its faith.
Read more online Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Matthew Bellas |
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JR. EPIPEN & CHILDREN'S BENADRYL FOUND
Jr. Epipen (and Children's Benadryl) was found on the sidewalk outside of Congregation Beth Israel. All the office Epipens are accounted for so it is likely from a student who carries one (i.e., on their person, in their backpack, or from someone's locker). Please visit the office to claim it.
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DO YOU HAVE THE IVORY TOUCH?
Music specialist Elana Jacobson is looking for some "standby" parent pianists to possibly help out at our kindergarten and Grade 7 graduations should she go into labour prematurely. Email Mrs. Jacobson if you are willing to share your musical talents!
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UNIFORM FITTINGS FOR SPRING AND FOR THE 2011-12 SCHOOL YEAR
Scheduled for Monday, May 9, 2011 in the library from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m.
Parents: Please call Cambridge and Company at 604.924.9009 to set up an appointment.
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LAST CHANCE TO ORDER A VTT YEARBOOK: BUY ONE THROUGH PAYPAL
The VTT Yearbook Club is creating an exciting keepsake for you and your family.
Our student run initiative will highlight the fun events of the entire school year and will be available this September.
To see what the Grade 6 & 7 students have been doing, check out the VTT Yearbook Club's blog:
http://vttyearbook.wordpress.com
To order your copy through PayPal ($21), click here
FRIDAY, FEB 18 IS THE LAST DAY TO ORDER A YEARBOOK
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DID YOU KNOW THAT GRADE 4 STUDENTS LEARN FROM AN EDUCATOR IN ISRAEL VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE?
Semadar Goldstein came to visit Talmud Torah during the week of January 31 to February 4. As with her past visits, this visit was full of new, exciting and innovative programs for our students.
Semadar's weekly video conferences are, just as in past years, a favorite among the grade four students. During her visit, Semadar supplemented the ongoing lessons with lessons in Torah from Sefer B'reishit and a special lesson about Israel .
Semadar skillfully made the material come alive and inspired the students with her knowledge, energy and enthusiasm. We also enjoyed the yummy, creative food the children brought to her theme party of the 'Shvatim.' Every student brought food that reminded him/her of the specific Shevet (tribe) they chose to represent.
Semadar's visits are always a terrific success, and we are grateful to the Lookstein Centre in Jerusalem for running such a wonderful program.
The Grade 4s are looking forward to seeing the "TV lady" back on the screen next Wednesday, upon her return to Israel.
Todah Rabah Morah Semadar!
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SCHOOL NEWS
 Pink Shirt Day is Wednesday, Feb 23. Everyone is encouraged to come to school dressed in a pink shirt to show their support against bullying. Students to either wear school uniform pants or skorts with the t-shirts. 
This year, Grade 5 students are using multimedia tools to work on their Judges project. 
Saleema Noon returned to VTT to deepen the dialogue with our intermediate students. Ms. Noon was recently nominated to receive an Order of BC for the important work she's doing educating youth throughout the province about sexual health. 
Jonathan Berkowitz, UBC Math Professor, returned to VTT to titillate and challenge our fifth graders with puzzles and riddles. 
Grade 3 students have fun using iPads as part of our school's iPad technology integration pilot project.  Students aren't the only ones enjoying the iPads. Kindergarten faculty learned iPad tips and techniques from Ms. Chatz and Ms. Anders at Tuesday's Pro-D. 
Whether in Vancouver, Israel, or Mexico, the aspiration to perform mitzvot is a hallmark of a Jewish day school education. The above photo of the "Mitzvah Tree" was taken by preschool educator Lyora Nifco on a recent visit to the Yavne Yiddish School in Mexico City. 
Rabbi Bellas visits with grade 4s and attempts to answer the students' thoughtful questions about Judaism. |
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Dates to Remember
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Light Shabbat candles: 5:19pm
Shabbat ends at 6:26pm
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DON'T DELAY! JEWCY CUISINE IS OPEN FOR ORDERING FOR MARCH & APRIL LAST CHANCE!
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YEARBOOK ORDERS
Friday, Feb 18
Prefer to pay by credit card?
Order your copy through PayPal today for $21!
Click here to access the site
Pink Shirt Day: An Anti-Bullying Initiative
Students to come to school in pink shirts and uniform bottoms
Wednesday, Feb 23
2B & 2C Tefillah Breakfast
Wednesday, Feb 23, 9:30 a.m.
2A Tefillah Breakfast
Thursday, Feb 24, 9:00 a.m.
Fiddler Full Cast Rehearsal
Sunday, Feb 27, 10-4
Deadline to submit payment for Jr. & Sr. Band
Monday, March 1
Deadline to order Mishloach Manot from the Jewish Day School Consortium (Happy Purim)
Thursday, March 10, 12 a.m.
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GIVING TO VANCOUVER TALMUD TORAH
Did you know that giving to VTT is easier than ever?
You can find us online at www.canadahelps.org (or just click the icon above) or feel free to call email Tirzah Abraham in our development office. Please consider a minimum donation of $18 for tribute cards so that more funds can go towards our students.
Your contribution can be allocated to the following funds:
Library
Gita Kron
Atid Endowment
Building
Capital
Operations
Cristall Tikkun Olam Chair
Strathcona
Alumni
Performing Arts
MVP Fund
VTT Family Fund
To read more details about these funds, download our "Generosity" flyer.
NOTE: NEW POLICY REGARDING GENERAL DONATIONS & LIBRARY DONATIONS
Beginning in February, there is a minimum $18 donation to contribute to any of the school funds. Due to the resources involved in creating bookplates, the minimum contribution has increased to $25 for library donations. This policy will take into effect February 1, 2011. We thank our donors for their understanding.
Beautiful tribute cards, designed by Jasmine Sasky, are sent by the school development office to mark any number of occasions, milestones and/or life cycle events.
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THE 2010-12 JEWISH DIRECTORY IS NOW ON SALE
$23.50 (includes GST)
Available at VTT's school office and various locations throughout the city. Check out the website here!
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SHONOT | ODDS 'N ENDZ Video of the Week IS THIS REALLY THE ISRAEL YOU KNOW? Click here to learn more HAVE YOU FAMILIARIZED YOURSELVES WITH VTT'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES?
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FIDDLER IS COMING!
Our grades 5, 6, & 7 students are working hard to stage the ever popular "Fiddler on the Roof." Our performing arts department is looking for the following props for the production:
Our time period is 1905, so any props should meld into that aesthetic.
Kitchen
2 small logs - market (wicker) basket - tea kettle - 5 pairs of brass candlesticks - 2 silver goblets - 2 cooking pots - lacy type table cloth - 8 napkins - 2 wooden buckets with handles - tape measure (material)
Outside the house
2/3 milk cans
Yiddish newspaper
The Inn
Liquor bottles
10 short glasses
Tevye's bedroom
Long string of pearls
keys on a ring
The Village Street
4/5 straw shopping baskets
Outside Tevye's house
Portable Chupa
2 tin plates
2 large pillows with lacy covers
Railway station
5/6 old fashioned suitcases
We also need a large enough tallit to serve as a chuppah for the wedding scene as well as donations of yarn (in muted colours) so Sally can knit shawls.
Contact Mrs. Jacobson or Mr. Ritchie if you have items to loan the production.
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Vancouver Talmud Torah is a traditional Jewish community day school dedicated to excellence in an engaging and respectful learning environment in which Jewish children can become proud, caring, responsible, and dedicated members of the Jewish people and Canadian society.
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We are a community of faculty, staff, students, parents, grandparents, alumni, family and friends! Feel free to join us.
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