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Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly Newsletter
Vol. VI, Issue 23
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NON-UNIFORM DAY TO SUPPORT CONNECTIONS ISRAEL: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9th, 2011
Come dressed in IDF colors, BLUE & WHITE or Israel-inspired clothing!
This non-uniform day honours the mitzvah of mishloah manot for Purim. Once Adar comes in, it is in the spirit of Jewish life to loosen up a little bit. We are collecting funds to provide emotional support for the IDF and festivity for the soldiers around Purim. All donations support mishloah manot for IDF soldiers through Connections Israel. Each Purim basket costs $18, so please bring in a donation to help VTT purchase as many of them as possible. Help to bring a smile to the face someone who is protecting Israel for the Jewish people every day!!
NON-UNIFORM PARTICIPATION DONATION: $2
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Parashat Ha'Shavuah/Weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Matthew Bellas
Shabbat Parashat P'kudei/Shabbat Sh'kalim/Erev Rosh Hodesh "From the Time that Adar Begins, Rejoicing Increases!" B. Talmud Ta'anit 29a 
Each year, the beginning of the month of Adar - according to the teachings of the Rabbis - is to be accompanied with increased joyfulness. The quotation, "Mishenikhnas Adar marbim b'simha"/"From the time that Adar begins, rejoicing increases," which comes from the Talmud, is quite a famous one and serves as the slogan or theme for Rosh Hodesh Adar, which we will be celebrating as Shabbat ends on this coming Saturday night and into Sunday. Specifically, we are welcoming in the month of Adar Sheini/Second Adar because this year is a Jewish leap year, which makes sure that the festival of Passover falls as it is supposed to, in the spring. The rabbinic charge to increase joyfulness in our lives with the beginning of this new Jewish month results from the fact that Purim, among the most amusing of our festivals, falls within the month of Adar. Purim is associated with great merriment: dressing up in costumes, attending raucous readings of Megillat Esther in our synagogues, joining together in festive meals in the afternoon accompanied by music and comedic skits, and the instruction that adults should imbibe in wine to increase our joy (however, the customs of getting drunk and permitting under-age youths to drink alcohol on Purim are not in the spirit of Jewish celebration and have come under increased scrutiny in recent years). However, Purim does not arrive until the middle of the month (another two weeks away) and we have the opportunity to act on what the Rabbis instruct us to do long before the 14th of Adar. One way, is by spending time preparing for the fulfillment of the four mitzvot of Purim: mishlo'ah manot/sending gifts packets to friends and loved ones, matanot la'evyonim/charitable gifts to the poor, s'udat mitzvah/a festive meal, and miqra megillah/the reading and hearing of the Megilla (granted, one really cannot prepare much for this one unless s/he is reading from the scroll publicly on Purim). There is great spiritual joy and fulfillment associated with preparing for and completing the performance of commandments that can fill us up in the two weeks before Purim. However, there are opportunities for fun and amusement outside of the framework of Purim. The Rabbis do not instruct us to limit ourselves to the joys achieved through the practice of Jewish ritual and mitzvot. The arrival of Adar provides us with the opportunity, and hopefully the inspiration, to find new (or old, but not recently accomplished) ways to have a good time either as individuals, or together as a family. As the weather has begun to change toward spring, the number of outdoor and indoor entertainment options has grown. Take some time alone and as a family to figure out ways that you truly can increase the joyfulness in your lives as we enter the most joyous month of the Jewish calendar! May we all "Just want to have fun!" Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Matthew Bellas |
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DONATIONS FOR FEBURARY 2011
Vancouver Talmud Torah is grateful for all the donations made to its many funds.
Below are the contributions made for the month of February 2011.
Alumni Fund
Donations:
Sydney Belzberg
Building Fund
Patti Aknin: Condolences - Sarah Schaffer
Eliza and Matthew Belzberg: Mazal Tov - Pola Litsky, Marc Levy, Samson and Moselle
Liana and Sara Gerber: Happy Birthday - Rebecca Laskin
Jill and Andrew Hasman: Mazal Tov - Pola Litsky, Marc Levy, Samson and Moselle
Elana Jacobson: Mazal Tov - David Bogoch
Dr. Jack Kliman: Condolences - David Bogoch
Stacey and Chris Kape: Mazal Tov - Pola Litsky, Marc Levy, Samson and Moselle
Jon Lever: Happy Birthday - Pola Litsky, Marc Levy, Samson and Moselle
Jessica Neville: Mazal Tov - David Bogoch
Jennifer Shecter: Thank you - David Bogoch
Ari Shiff, Carla van Messel and family: Mazal Tov - David Bogoch
Janice St. Helene: Thank you - David Bogoch
Lorne and Sylvia Cristall Tikkun Olam Chair
Lorne Cristall: Speedy Recovery - Neal and Natalie Chark and family
General Fund
Ya'akov Bellas: Mazal tov - Harvey and Jody Dales
Donations:
Elliot Belkin
Neil M. Ornstein
Library Fund
Robert Nabi: Happy Birthday - Pola Litsky, Marc Levy, Samson and Moselle
MVP Fund Donations: Gary and Jackie Morris Audrey and Sean Moss Jayson and Roberta Spevakow Performing Arts Fund Andy Katz: Happy Birthday - Bernice Dorfman Donations: Leana Gaerber Keren and Phil Gertsman - towards Fiddler on the Roof Musical Strathcona Fund Oren Balshin: Mazal tov - Tiki Goldenberg Special thank you to the following donors who allocated their Federation campaign plus gift to VTT: Debbie Archeck, Andrea Beron, Lisa Boroditsky, Audrey Moss, Carole Chark, Kerri Chetner, Leanne Coleman, Meir Deutsch, Michaela Deutsch, Chuck Diamond, Jill Diamond, Daniel Dodek, Anthony Dumoulin, Nevin Fishman, Myriam Freedman, Allen Gaerber, Michelle Gerber, Esther Gertsman, Steve Gertsman, Yael Gini, Esther Glotman, Martin Glotman, Ken Golden, Joel Guralnick, Marla Guralnick, Alix Helper, Peter Hotz, Tamara Howarth, Pam Isman, J.J. Israels, Debbie Jacobson, Debby Koffman, Ted Koffman, Caroline Kolof, Marni Kushnir, Judy Leinburd, Cathy Lowenstein, Daniel Miller, Debra Miller, Gary Miller, Niels Michael Millman, Josephine Nadel, Daniel Pekarsky, Joshua Pekarsky, Trudy Pekarsky, Ginaya Peters, Alan Shuster, Stacey Silber, Nancy Stern, Harry Stryer, Clare Swartz, Ralph Swartz, Adrian Vaida, Joanna Wasel, Judy Wolfe, Simon Wosk, Antonia Yates, Danna Marks
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CAPTURE THE MEMORIES!
HAVE AN ETERNAL KEEPSAKE!
ORDER A VTT YEARBOOK TODAY!
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
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HELP US FIND THESE MISSING ALUMNI
Classes of 1970-74
Adilman, Mark '71
Aharoni, Vered '74
Brandt, Jerry '72
Chelin, Adrienne '71
Elkaim, Max '74
Feldman, Ian '74
Filip, Jerry '74
Freeman, Gary '70
Hopner, Karen '72
Keren, Ronnie '72
Levin, Deborah '72
Ludwig, Stephen '72
Neaman, Elliot '70
Perlman, Howie '72
Poll, Tina '72
Satanove, Michelle '72
Shapiro, Benjamin '74
Shapiro, Julie '70
Slavin, Mark '70
Tarnow, Lesley '72
Yorsh, Jock '73
Yorsh, Michelle '70
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SCHOOL NEWS
 2C Celebrates Dr. Seuss's birthday! 
Kindergarten 2 Celebrates 100 Days of School! 
Grade 5 students pose with author Norma Charles, writer of Chasing a Star and Sophie Finds a Friend, at the Isaac Waldman Library. 
Grade 1 Students Celebrate 100 Days of School. 
VTT's Grade 7 students joined their peers at KDHS for the closing ceremonies of Random Acts of Kindness Week, in memory of Gabi Isserow, z'l. The final act of kindness involved everyone inscribing a good deed performed on a helium balloon and then releasing the balloons in unison. Seventh grader, Rachel Pekeles (below), spoke on behalf of her classmates detailing Talmud Torah's involvement in the week of chesed.  Ms. Leisen's Grade 5 art students created a new take on the Mona Lisa. There's Magic Mona, World Cup Mona, Senor Mona, Peace Out Mona. See the drawings for yourself displayed near the back stairs (on the way to the old wing). |
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Dates to Remember
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Light Shabbat candles: 5:41pm
Shabbat ends at 6:48pm
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FIDDLER TIX GOING FAST!
Visit www.talmudtorah.com to order your tix or contact Jennifer in the communications office.
Don't miss out!
ORDER YOUR 2010-11 VTT YEARBOOK
Order your copy through PayPal today for $21!
Click here to access the site
Grades 4-7 Families: Don't forget to register for the speech contest here
Community Pro-D Day--No Sessions
Monday, March 7
Fiddler Full Cast Rehearsal
Monday, March 7, 10-3
Non-Uniform Day
Twoonie Fundraiser to Buy Mishloach Manot for the IDF
Wednesday, March 9
Deadline to order Mishloach Manot from the Jewish Day School Consortium (Happy Purim)
Thursday, March 10, 12 a.m.
Fiddler Full Cast Rehearsal
Sunday, March 13, 10-4
After-School Spring Floor Hockey Begins
Monday, March 14
Download registration form here
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Community Announcements An Evening Tribute to Debbie Friedman, z'l Tuesday, Mar 8, 7 p.m. Temple Sholom Everyone is welcome to participate in King David High School's NIGHT OF ADULT LEARNING Wednesday, Mar 9, 7-9 p.m. Tel Aviv Style Purim Dance Saturday, March 12, 8 p.m. JCC Congregation Beth Hamidrash is pleased to present world-renowned Broadway performer and musician Dudu Fisher Monday March 14, 7:30 p.m. Schara Tzedeck Synagogue To see the awesome talent of Dudu Fisher, click here To learn more about this fascinating man, the only Orthodox performer on Broadway, click here Canadian Hadassah-Wizo presents "Hearts are Wild: An Evening of Texas Hold'Em Poker" Thursday, Mar 17 
Purim in the Snow!
Saturday evening, March 19th, 8:45 p.m. after Shabbat
Love Purim megillah reading but hate to give up your weekend fix of snow? You can have it both ways this Purim by celebrating Purim in the Snow, co-hosted in Whistler by the Community Kollel and the Shiff family.
Please RSVP to [email protected] or Ari Shiff so we know how many hamentashen to bake.
Special guest appearance by Mordechai the Snowman! Applications now being accepted for the musical theatre summer program: GOTTA SING, GOTTA DANCE, now in its 17th year! JCC 2011/2012 Club J - Out of School Care (K to Gr 7) Registration begins Feb 14 Limited spaces available. JCC Summer Camp Shalom and British Soccer Camp registration is now open to all. Click here for access
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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 EARN AN AUTOMATIC 12 PPP HOURS! We still need a Driver Coordinator for the Community Mishloach Manot Fundraiser Responsibilities include: - sharing information between volunteers and VHA coordinators - being available on the delivery date to answer questions - following up with drivers - by email - to make sure all packages were delivered Interested? Email Marnie Greenwald The PP hours log has been updated. Check your hours by clicking this link. 
Our technology department is looking for used iPod Touches for audio books, learning support and enrichment, etc. All donations can be dropped off to Melissa Anders or Nicole Chatz in the computer lab or to Room 210. 
Thank you to all who contributed to the VTT Cookbook Project. Over 450 recipes were submitted! Please visit http://cookbook.talmudtorah.com to help NAME THE COOKBOOK. If yours is the winning entry, you will receive a complimentary copy in the fall. HAVE YOU FAMILIARIZED YOURSELVES WITH VTT'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES?
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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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