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Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly Newsletter
Vol. VII, Issue 6
October 28, 2011 30 Tishrei, 5772
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
A Special Evening of Recognition
Dear VTT Community,
 | | Ari Shiff and David Bogoch, two retiring Board members, at Tuesday's AGM. |
Tuesday night's Annual General Meeting was an opportunity to say thank you to a number of individuals who have selflessly given to Vancouver Talmud Torah for the last several years. We bid farewell to Ari Shiff (10 years), Caroline Yu Kolof (2 years), David Bogoch (8 years), Eran Elizur (5 years) and Heather Kenney (8 years). Collectively, their wisdom and commitment to our school has helped us to stay on target to achieve our three strategic plan goals: Educational Excellence; Financial Sustainability; and Community. These visionaries helped ensure that VTT stands proud in the decades to come.
A big mazal tov and warm welcome to incoming Board President, Michelle Gerber, the sixth female Chair in the school's history. Joining her are Alan Beron as Vice-President, Susan Quig as Treasurer and Jonathon Leipsic as Secretary. Welcome to new members Belinda Gutman, Megan Laskin, Shane Brown, Shawn Lewis, and Stephanie Vellins. I have every confidence that both the existing leadership and new membership will further contribute to the vitality, growth and continuing success of our school.
Shabbat Shalom!
Cathy Lowenstein, M.Ed.
Head of School |
Parashat Ha'Shavuah/Weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Matthew Bellas
Shabbat Parashat Noah/Shabbat Rosh Hodesh Marheshvan
Should Jewish Families Celebrate Halloween?
Living as Jews in the modern world today is, in many ways, much more difficult than it was when Jews lived in small autonomous communities free from the influences and lifestyles of larger surrounding cultures. Life in an open and pluralistic country has caused us to become one of the many patches in the quilted fabric of Canada, exposed both to all that is good about freedom and democracy and to customs, practices, and holidays that are not our own. As Jews who choose to integrate ourselves into the modern world, we must find a balance between emphasizing our Jewish uniqueness and finding comfort with what larger society has to offer. A choice about Halloween is one that we must make every year.
Halloween has a long history of development since it was first a pagan holiday observed in Great Britain by the Druids at the harvest season. They would light large bonfires in order to ward off evil spirits. The Celts used Halloween as an occasion to experiment with magical practices in order to see into the future. These traditions originated approximately one thousand years before the birth of Christianity. When the Roman Empire took over control of British territory, they added the worship of pagan harvest goddesses to the customs of Halloween in order that it would be more in line with Roman religion. Christianity became the next institution to confront Halloween, absorbing the holiday into its calendar, but adding All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day immediately afterward, with Halloween taking on the second name of All Hallow's Eve. Nowadays, Halloween, like many other holidays, has become secularized and commercialized, with much of its original meaning being lost. This short history provides the Jewish community with the necessary information to be able to ask if it is appropriate for Jews to celebrate Halloween. Read more online...
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Matthew Bellas
Vice Principal of Judaic Studies/School Rabbi
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NEW AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM IN JANUARY: THE ART OF LETTERING
 We are pleased to offer THE ART OF LETTERING with artist Thomas Watchorn after school on Thursdays in the new year.
Students will explore the history and techniques of the art of letter making and will create a personalized folder containing their works of art. In the course, students will also explore colour theory, patterning and form.
Download the registration form here.
For Grades 5-7
Thursdays from 3:40-4:40 in the Art Room (112)
January 12 - February 16, 2012
Cost $225 (materials included)
Deadline to register: Monday, December 12, 2011
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LUNCH TIME ISRAELI DANCE HAS STARTED:
HAVE YOU REGISTERED YOUR CHILD?
 | | Click on image to enlarge |
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 MOURNS THE LOSS OF STEVE JOBS 
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R.I.P HAMISH...
Scores of VTT students grieved the loss of the school's pet hedgehog, Hamish, trusted critter pal of Grade 2 faculty member Sally Piccinato, upon returning to school after the High Holy Days break. Hamish lived for a remarkable eight years and brought smiles and comfort to hundreds of children.
For those families who feel compelled to donate to help defray the high cost of Hamish's care in his last days, a donation envelope can be found in the office. |
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK
 | | The Dead Sea Scrolls Online |
In case you haven't heard, a partnership with Google has resulted in the Dead Sea Scrolls being viewable online. World renown scrolls expert Dr. Adolfo Roitman, who comments in this video, was a guest speaker at VTT several years ago to share his insight on the scrolls with our students.
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SCHOOL NEWS
Primary students proudly display their leaf pile--collected and constructed entirely by their own hands!
In honour of Simhat Torah, with VTT's Torah scrolls in hand, Vancouver Talmud Torah's seventh grade students joined their peers at King David High School to celebrate the donation of two Torah scrolls from former shul, Sha'arei Tefillah, to the secondary school. Our two Torahs were donated in the 1970s by the Wosk family in recognition of their son receiving rabbinical ordination.
3C students enjoyed a Sunday morning of novel exploration and book purchasing at Kidsbooks with Mr. Broughton to collectively build their classroom library.
Social media guru, Jesse Miller, spoke to our intermediate students about the lack of privacy on social media sites and the dangers of sharing too much personal information. After the lecture, many students wisely changed their Facebook privacy settings. Mr. Miller then addressed a small group of parents the following evening giving them tips and advice about how to help their children stay safer online.
The Israeli dance troupe, Or Hadash, performed at VTT's first-ever BBQ dinner under the sukkah. It was a great success with close to 200 people in attendance. A highlight of the evening was the Parent vs. Child Israeli Dance-Off. Special thanks to event organizer, Mr. Fred Cohen.
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Dates to Remember
| Light candles at 5:41 p.m.
Shabbat ends at 6:46 p.m.
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Jewcy Cuisine's website CLOSES on Sunday evening (and does not function on Shabbat). Order hot lunch NOW for Nov & Dec www.jewcycuisine.com
Registration Opens for Currently Enrolled Preschoolers for P & K
Monday, Oct 31
Kindergarten Vision Screening
Wednesday, Nov 2
New Parent Tea
Friday, Nov 4, 8:30 a.m., VTT Library
If you haven't yet RSVP'ed, send an email to Jennifer by Tuesday, Nov 1st
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SHONOT | ODDS 'N ENDZ
Mazal Tov to K1 teacher, Tamara Collet and her husband Jarred, on the arrival of baby Benjamin Matthew, born Wednesday, October 26th at 11:37 p.m.
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!
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 WOW! SHABBAT, A Shabbat celebration for families with young children at Temple Sholom
Saturday, Oct 29, 10am-noon
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.
JFSA Presents, "Navigating Towards Hope: Supporting Your Adaption to your Child's Diagnosis of a Disability"
Starts Nov 1 for six sessions on alternating Tuesdays
Kristallnacht Commemoration Lecture with Dr. Anna Ornstein
Sunday, Nov 6, 7:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth Israel
The Looming Crisis in the Middle East: Lecture with Dr. Barry Rubin
Monday, Nov 7, 7:30pm, KDHS
The Vancouver International Jewish Film Festival opens Thursday, Nov 10. Check out the list of great films coming to our city.
Meditating & Healing Through the Art of Colour
Sunday, Nov 20, 10-4
Simcha Fest: Jewish Events Tradeshow
Sunday, Nov 20, 11-3 at Schara Tzedeck Congregation
Coaches are currently being recruited to coach Team Canada at the 19th Maccabiah Games in July 2013.
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PPP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Monday, November 7
9:00am to +- 3:00pm Kindergarten students are having hearing screening. A runner is needed to bring groups of students from class to the room where hearing screening will take place. Tuesday, November 89:00am to +- 11:25am Kindergarten students are having hearing screening. A runner is needed to bring groups of students from class to the room where hearing screening will take place.
Send an email to Lihe Katz if you're available to help.
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PLANNING ON REPLENISHING SOME UNIFORM ITEMS FROM CAMBRIDGE & CO.? DELIVERY CHARGES START NOV 1.
"As of November 1, there will be a $6.00 delivery charge for each family order. The delivery charge will only apply once, per family order. We are happy to deliver exchanges on items."
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THANK YOU, MAPLE GRILL & VANCOUVER UMBRELLA!
For their generous donation of door prizes for our first-ever BBQ dinner under the sukkah.
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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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