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Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly Newsletter
Vol. VII, Issue 5
October 7, 2011 9 Tishrei, 5772
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear VTT Community,
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The Jewish observance of Yom Kippur is meant for us to examine our lives, recognize our faults, and strive to help one another learn to truly become better people. As the video above demonstrates, this is work that takes years to achieve. With each passing year, we learn, we grow, and we gain greater clarity about ourselves and the world around us. This self-awareness prepares us to engage in the important work of tikkun olam (repair of the world)--one of the most fundamental tenets of Judaism. As our students progress through the grades at VTT, they gain deeper insight into themselves and a greater appreciation of their obligation--as Jewish people--to contribute to healing the world. For me, this is one of the most rewarding aspects of leading a Jewish day school: being part of a community that cares so deeply about making a difference in the world.
Wishing our entire community G'mar hatimah tovah!
Shabbat Shalom,
Cathy Lowenstein, M.Ed.
Head of School
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Parashat Ha'Shavuah/Weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Matthew Bellas
Shabbat/Yom Kippur
"Your Time is Limited, So Don't Waste It Living Someone Else's Life" Steve Jobs z"l, In Memoriam  It is only in the last couple of years that I jumped on the Apple/Macintosh bandwagon. I tend to be pretty set in my ways and was a PC guy ever since personal computers hit the market. However, once I came to VTT and started learning Macs, I got really hooked. Over the past three years, I have been continuously amazed by my Apple tech toys and wonder how it is possible that they develop so fast, are so user friendly, and how we ever lived without them in the past? So, when I learned of the passing of Steve Jobs this past Wednesday, I was saddened that such a brilliant and visionary man had been taken from the world at such a young age and wondered if the Apple company could be the same without him. I spent some time reading articles about him and the full-text of a commencement address that he had made at Stanford University in 2005. I was moved. I became less sad about his death; I was inspired by how he had lived and found that many of the themes contained in his speech are timely and relevant for our High Holiday season. Four times each year, Jewish communities around the world add a memorial service to the prescribed prayers for the special holy festivals of Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Pesah, and Shavu'ot. This service is called Yizkor, which literally means "He will remember." The memorial prayers both ask God to remember the lives and souls of our dearly departed for the good and provide us with the opportunity to recall our loved ones who have died and our memories of our time with them. Yom Kippur, a day already fraught with introspection and emotions, is a time where it would also be natural to be able to reflect on the contributions of departed loved ones to our lives. In our time, it is also common during Yizkor services on Yom Kippur to recall the memories and contributions of members of our wider community who have passed away. While none of us knew Steve Jobs personally, he has had such an impact on our world and lives that honoring his memory for a Yom Kippur Yizkor is appropriate. Read more online...
I wish you all g'mar hatimah tova/to be sealed for the good in the year 5772.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Matthew Bellas
Vice Principal of Judaic Studies/School Rabbi
rabbibellas@talmudtorah.com
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DONATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPT 2011 Vancouver Talmud Torah is grateful for all the donations made to its many funds.
Below are the contributions made for September 2011.
Alumni Fund
Kolberg Family: Condolences - David Bogoch
Leslie and Gordon Diamond and Family: Condolences - David Bogoch
Donations:
Syd Belzberg
Building Fund
Jill Diamond and Andrew Abramowich and Family: Condolences - Martin & Michelle Gerber and Family
Jennefer Andrusco and Udi Daon and Family: Condolences - Martin & Michelle Gerber and Family
Leslie and Gordon Diamond and Family: Condolences - Carol Fader; Martin & Michelle Gerber and Family
Ken and Debra Miller: Shana Tovah - Marni & Jeremiah, Rubi and Avi Katz
Norman and Sandra Miller: Shana Tovah - Marni & Jeremiah, Rubi and Avi Katz
Susan Tick and Family: Condolences - Audrey & Sean Moss
General Fund
Donations:
Anonymous via United Way
Anonymous via United Way
Marcelo Grinfeld and Ana Alfie and Family: In loving memory of Feiguele Bat Lize
Library Fund
Neil Glaser and Richie Lin: Congratulations - Karen & Gianni, Aaron, Joshua and Olivia Zanotto
The Lorne z'l and Sylvia Cristall Tikkun Olam Chair
Alex and Jodi Cristall and Family: Condolences - Adam Sewell & Melanie Crystal and Family
Helene Rosen and Family: Condolences - Natalie & Neal, Jordan, Max and Elan Chark
VTT Family Fund
Eden Lyons: Mazal tov - David Kauffman & Tilly Schalkwyk
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DO YOU HAVE HOUSING LEADS FOR ANGIE?
 Angie, our traffic guard, is LOOKING FOR HOUSING! If you have any leads on LARGE ONE-BEDROOM on top of a house or an APARTMENT in a building between Cambie & Granville and 16th & 41st, kindly contact her at angelina5@shaw.ca Angelina is a quiet, mature, responsible and respectful non-smoking tenant. As she walks to VTT and has to be here for short periods several times a day, she needs to live in the vicinity of the school. Her rent budget ranges between $800 to a maximum of $900 (if a den is included). Kindly pass this request along to your network. THANK YOU!
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REGISTER NOW FOR LUNCH TIME ISRAELI DANCE FOR GRADES 1-7
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We are pleased to once again offer lunch time Israeli dance classes at VTT
Full year course: $72.00; costume fee: $40.00
YOU MUST REGISTER ONLINE TO PARTICIPATE: www.jccgv.com
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VTT IS STILL COLLECTING DONATIONS FOR THE JEWISH FOOD BANK
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JOIN US FOR A BBQ DINNER IN OUR SUKKAH
Join us for a wonderful evening of food (BBQ), entertainment (Or Chadash Israeli dance) and Jewish tradition (short service led by Rabbi Bellas) under the VTT sukkah on Monday, October 17th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (right after floor hockey).
All meals must be pre-ordered. Click this link to RSVP and select your meals.
Act fast! The deadline to RSVP is Tuesday, October 11th.
Every RSVP is entered to win 1 of 3 $50 gift certificates from Maple Grill or win a family pack of umbrellas from Vancouver Umbrella!
Questions? Contact Fred Cohen at fcohen@talmudtorah.com
COME RAIN! COME SHINE! WE HAVE YOU COVERED! |
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SCHOOL NEWS
 Students enjoyed a "Shana Tova Shofar Blast" from Rabbi Bellas right after the Terry Fox Run as everyone headed home early to prepare for the holy days.
Morah Ellen Wiesenthal led the kindergarten children in a moving tashlich ceremony at Kits Beach in anticipation of Yom Kippur. Special thanks to Belinda Gutman for taking some excellent photos. See all the pics here.
Running laps around Douglas Park sure worked up a sweat for many of our first through seventh grade students last Wednesday. With the sun shining and spirits high, VTT students honoured the memory of Canadian hero Terry Fox at our annual Terry Fox Run. Click this link to see all the photos.
Last school year, a group of caring second graders (now in Grade 3) took the initiative to help tsunami victims in Japan. They started an "origami club" and sold their creations to raise money for a school hard hit by the devastating earthquake. The photos above depict the cheers of students receiving VTT's gift as well as all the materials our students created to alert our community to their cause. Kol Ha'Kavod! A special thank you to Masumi Kikuchi for the introductions and facilitation.
K2 students enjoy lunch in their home made classroom sukkah.
Grade 1 students experiment with math concepts on the school's bank of iPads.
Todah Rabah to PPP Rosh Hashanah co-chairs, Marni Katz & Jennifer Chelin, as well as their team of dedicated volunteers, for the beautiful new year's gift bags they created and assembled for all our students.
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Dates to Remember
| Light candles at 6:22 p.m.
Shabbat ends at 7:25 p.m.
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Jewcy Cuisine's website is open for orders for Nov & Dec Order your child's hot lunch today!
www.jewcycuisine.com
Erev Yom Kippur--11:25 a.m. dismissal
Friday, Oct 7
Thanksgiving--No Sessions
Monday, Oct 10
Deadline to RSVP for Community BBQ Dinner Under the Sukkah
Tuesday, Oct 11
Erev Sukkot--11:25 a.m. dismissalWednesday, Oct 12
Sukkot--No SessionsThursday, Oct 13 Friday, Oct 14
If there are any students that will not be at school next week, please email Lihe Katz lkatz@talmudtorah.com This way the students will be marked EXCUSED rather than absent.
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SHONOT | ODDS 'N ENDZ
Vancouver Talmud Torah is always looking for Teachers On Call/Substitutes in Judaic Studies. Applicants must be certified teachers, either through the BC College of Teachers or through Ministry of Independent Schools. Please forward resumes to Rabbi Bellas and feel free to share this post with your network.  Morah Ellen Wiesenthal, K3 teacher, is looking for a donation of a used IRON for ongoing classroom art projects. Feel free to drop off your spare one to Room 105. Thank you!  Sharon Kaikov and Keren Brodt are looking for a donation of a digital camera for their preschool (P3-1) classroom. Their current one is KAPUT!
TRYING TO CAPTURE SCHOOL MEMORIES? Whether you're using an iPhone, Blackberry, Android phone or digital camera, kindly respect the privacy of others and ONLY take photos of your own children UNLESS you have expressed consent from other parents to photograph their children. 
EVERY YEAR HUNDREDS OF ITEMS END UP IN VTT'S LOST & FOUND. Make sure your child's belongings make their way back to their rightful owners and LABEL EVERYTHING! Without a label (Sharpies are are easy and convenient), there is no way to return lost items. The Lost & Found is already filling up with UNLABELLED items! Save your money and label all your children's personal effects. |
Community Announcements Click this link to read Rosh Hashanah greetings from Mayor Gregor Robertson Sukkah Scavenger Hunt & Pizza Party, presented by Schara Tzedeck
Sunday, Oct 16, 3-5 p.m. The Jewish Food Bank's Project Isaiah needs help sorting all the food donations. Anyone aged 10 and up can help in this very important mitzvah. Oct 17, 5:45 p.m., Temple Sholom RSVP to s_ail@hotmail.com King David Community
Sukkah Harvest and Lunch
Tuesday, Oct 18, 11:30am -1pm
Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, internationally acclaimed award-winning landscape architect, will lead a tour of their beautiful biblical garden she designed.
A light lunch will be served.
RSVP - Sharon Dwek or 604-263-9700 ext. 109
King David High School Simchat Torah Celebration & Parade
Wednesday, Oct 19, 10:30am-12
Join us for a Simchat Torah Celebration and community-wide parade from King David, to Louis Brier and the JCC preschool. Parade leaves KD at 9:30am; Ceremony starts at 11:00am.
The Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC) presents "The Wartime Escape," the story of the creators of Curious George's escape from Nazi-occupied France. On exhibit from Oct 17 - Nov 30, 2011.
Also, join the VHEC for a Curious George storytime for ages 3-6
October 23 & Nov 27, 2 p.m.
Meditating & Healing Through the Art of Colour
Sunday, Nov 20, 10-4
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PPP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES (SUKKOT)
We are looking for volunteers for Sukkot on October 17 & 18, plus shoppers. Contact Dale Porte (dporte@shaw.ca) for more info.
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AN EASY WAY TO HELP A LESS FORTUNATE SCHOOL ON THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE
Admiral Seymour Elementary School, the elementary school profiled in various media outlets for the high level of poverty suffered by its students, has been entered to win a $98,000 grant to pay for some additional services for its students in the upcoming years.
It would be much appreciated if you were able to help them win this funding. All you have to do it go online and register so you can vote. Please follow the steps listed below.
Step 1: type this link into your browser
http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf11733
Step 2: Register Now (can be found closer to the top right hand side of screen; beside the picture of our school)
Type in your email address and confirm it, then type in an easy to remember password such as '12345' and confirm it.
Step 3: Vote for 'Every Child Deserves Support' after you have registered.
Step 4: Each day afterwards (up to day 15) go to the Aviva link listed above; click on vote now; log in and Vote
If they get enough votes, they will move on to the next phase and start voting again.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!
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GIVING TO VANCOUVER TALMUD TORAH
Did you know that giving to VTT is easier than ever?
Click this link to access our secure online giving page
or feel free to 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. See the list of donations for June, July, August 2011. 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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GRANDPARENTS ARE VTT COMMUNITY MEMBERS TOO!
Bubbes & Zaydes, Sabas & Savtas, Grandmas & Grandpas are vital members of the VTT community. We'd like to include them in relevant school communications, including invitations to our annual Hanukkah concert and other events of interest. Kindly forward email address to Jennifer Shecter-Balin, our Director of Communications.
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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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