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Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly Newsletter
Vol. VII, Issue 8
November 11, 2011 14 cheshvan, 5772
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HEAD OF SCHOOL'S MESSAGE
Dear VTT Community,
"Remembrance" is a very important concept in Judaism. In our tradition, we take time to remember those who came before us during the Yizkor portion of our prayers. This emphasis on remembering speaks to the importance Judaism places on the value of each human life and the lessons learned from our predecessors. Every year our faculty commit instructional time to help our students understand just how important it is to remember our traditions, our rituals, our obligations and our loved ones.
Remembrance Day and Kristallnacht ceremonies at our school are always imbued with a sense of history and hopefulness for the future. Through poetry, song, essays, prayer and multimedia, our primary and intermediate student leaders facilitate a remembrance of our past, a connection to the present, and skilfully instill a sense of hope for the years to come. Kol Ha'Kavod to our Grade 3 and Grade 6 students and their teachers for staging moving assemblies this week.
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Parashat Ha'Shavuah/Weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Matthew Bellas
Shabbat Parashat Vayeira
"Ultimate Sacrifice"
This week, the topic for my d'var Torah literally called out to me.It has been a meaningful several days of remembrances and commemorations with the 73rd anniversary of Kristallnacht/"The Night of Broken Glass," Remembrance Day, and the 16th yahrzeit of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin z"l, all occurring during the last few days.Add to that mix the Torah portion in which Abraham is called upon by God to make an offering of his only son with his wife Sarah and it is as if the theme of "ultimate sacrifice" is metaphorically banging down your door.
In my classes, students often ask me, "What if it were you Rabbi Bellas?" in response to a variety of different situations. This week was no different.The question always forces me to reflect on my values, the choices I make, and my attempts to put myself in the shoes of others whose decisions and actions I am either reading about or studying.As I was preparing for the primary grades' Remembrance Day assembly, during which I spoke about my grandfather's z"l service to Canada as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, I wondered if I could have enlisted the way he did, leaving his beloved wife and infant daughter at home to go overseas. Every year on Yitzchak Rabin's yahrzeit, I am humbled by how he spent the vast majority of his life as a man of war and then gave his life after transforming himself into a champion for peace. Could I have seen the light the way that he did? One can never really succeed at trying to put one's self in the shoes of those who experienced Kristallnacht and the Holocaust soon after, but I am always inspired by the stories of those who clung to their Judaism even in those darkest of days or had the strength to rebel against Nazi forces.Would I have remained steadfast or risen up with arms? Finally, we read this week of the story of Abraham, whose faith in God was so unquestioned that he agreed to take his sole heir off to the sacrificial altar, going so far as to tie him down to it and raise the knife over him until an angel twice called out his name."What if it were you, Rabbi Bellas? What would you have done?" Read more online...
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Matthew Bellas
Vice Principal of Judaic Studies/School Rabbi
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USED UNIFORM SALE COMING!
It will be held on Friday, Nov 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the small gym.
Come check out the new inventory!
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INDIVIDUAL STUDENT PHOTO ORDERS
DEADLINE THIS TUESDAY!
Photo proofs are going home with your children today.
Orders must be returned to the homeroom teacher by Tuesday, November 15th.
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MAD SCIENCE IS BACK!
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM (Thursdays) for Grades 1-7 beginning in January 2012
 Eight weeks of exciting hands-on science based activities. Watch fascinating demonstrations, join in enquiry-based discussions, participate in individual and group experiments, and make amazing take-homes. Mad Science will spark the curiosity and imagination of children with fun science activities that will help them understand the
science around them. Deadline to register: Monday, December 12, 2011
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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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HANUKKAH CONCERT COSTUME LIST
Please take note of the costume requirements in the list below. Don't forget to label all clothing. Grade 1 students have a deadline for a solid, vibrant coloured t-shirt by Tuesday, November 15th. Kindergarten: Favorite party clothes, e.g., fancy dress, suit and tie, bow tie, etc. Grade 1: Solid, vibrant coloured t-shirt (will be altered); black pants or leggings. Please send your child's solid, vibrant coloured t-shirt to school for altering by Tuesday, November 15th. Every t-shirt MUST BE LABELLED with your child's first and last name. Grade 2: Come as your favourite bubby/zayde/grandma/grandpa. (Just like students do in Kindergarten on the 100th day of school.) Examples include bowties, spectacles, frumpy skirts, tweed blazers, wigs or hair with baby powder, etc. Grade 3: Army fatigues; camouflage; khaki, Israeli Army wear. No light colours, please! Grade 4: Black, blue and white clothing. Kippot for boys. Grade 5: Please ask your child whether s/he is an Israelite or a Hellenist. Israelite: All blue and black clothing. It doesn't matter if they wear collars or t-shirts. Feel free to have fun with this. Girls: Please come in a skirt; no pants. Tops can be t-shirts or blouses. Colours can be blue or black. ABSOLUTELY NO WHITE, PLEASE. Boys: Pants, shirt and kippa. Colours can be blue or black. ABSOLUTELY NO WHITE, PLEASE. Hellenist: Boys and girls wear the same thing Blue solid crew neck t-shirt (round neck) White/cream solid flat sheet (to be made into a toga). Please send your child to school with a sheet that can be cut/shortened. You can purchase inexpensive sheets at a good dollar store (or Value Village). If you have a problem finding one, please let Ms. Smith know ASAP. Grade 6: They will be Jewish zombies starting out in black, blue and white clothing (to represent the Israelites) then we ask you to "zombie-fy" it. Torn clothing, dirty, muddy faces, tousled hair, etc. No blood, please. Think Michael Jackson's Thriller. Grade 7: It's tradition for the grade 7s to dress "crazy and fun." The costume base will be blue jeans and a solid red t-shirt. They can then dress the rest of with feather boas, big glasses, wigs, funny accessories etc.
Jr. & Sr. Glee Club:
White Shirt/Black Pants THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN MAKING THIS A MEMORABLE HANUKKAH CONCERT!
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SCHOOL NEWS
Grade 2 and 3 students participated in the Maple Leaf Math Challenge on Wednesday and Thursday. Asher described the experience as "practically better than my birthday."
Grade 6 students spent the day knee deep in nature at the Capilano Hatchery as part of Ms. Heaton's science class. (Photo courtesy of Liron Gertsman.)
1A earned a special privilege and were allowed to practice their Hebrew writing on the interactive whiteboard. Talk about engaging with the curriculum...
Ms. Morrell's and Ms. Perkins' Grade 4 students wrote their wishes for world peace and understanding after being inspired by the song, "With My Own Two Hands," by Jack Johnson and Ben Harper.
 K1 students have a great time baking homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Under the leadership of Ms. Chobotiuk, VTT's Junior Glee Club beautifully concluded the primary Remembrance Assembly.
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Dates to Remember
| Light candles at 4:19 p.m.
Shabbat ends at 5:26 p.m.
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Remembrance Day--No Sessions
Friday, Nov 11
Bookings Close for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, Nov 15, 12 noon K-7 bookings, click herePreschool bookings, click here
Deadline to submit Individual Student Photo Orders
Tuesday, Nov 15
Preschool Parent Teacher ConferencesThursday, Nov 17, 4-7 pm Friday, Nov 18, 8:30-noon K to Gr 3 Parent Teacher ConferencesThursday, Nov 17, 4:30-7:30 pm Friday, Nov 18, 8:30-noon Gr 4-7 Goal Setting Conferences (come with students)Thursday, Nov 17, 4:30-7:30 pm Friday, Nov 18, 8:30-noon Parent-Teacher Conferences--No SessionsFriday, Nov 18 Used Uniform SaleFriday, Nov 18, 9 a.m. to noon Pro-D Day--No SessionsMonday, Nov 21
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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. Video of the Week The Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, has embarked on an ambitious challenge to seek the stories of 1100 Jewish children who were left orphaned in England after WWII. Two hundred survivor stories have already been recorded. Watch the details here. |
Community Announcements 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.
The Vancouver International Jewish Film Festival opens Thursday, Nov 10. Check out the list of great films coming to our city.
VTT alum Adam Bogoch's latest film, "Complexity," is being screened at the Jewish film festival on Sunday, Nov 13 at 10:30 a.m. at The Ridge.
Check out the talent of a VTT grad who wrote and directed this film while still in high school at KDHS.
Don't miss "The Devil's Arithmetic," a Holocaust film for young adults, showing Sunday, Nov 13 at 12:30 at The Ridge. Free!
NCSY Summer Program Info Evening
Monday, Nov 14, 6:30 p.m.
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
Tuesday, Nov 22, 7 p.m.
Chabad of Richmond invites you to an electrifying lecture you won't want to miss: Son of Hamas with Mosab Hassan Yousef
Wednesday, Nov 23, 7:30 p.m.
Click here to purchase tickets
Register by November 30th and receive a discount!
Casino Royale Event at King David High School
Thursday, December 8, 7 p.m.
KDHS PAC will host a Casino Royale fundraising event in memory of Sheryl Michelson Young nee Doduck z"l who was instrumental in organizing our first Casino Royale event in 2006. For tickets, click here.
What would you give to re-live your camp days? Ever wish you could go back and enjoy the freedoms and fun of being a camper? Well now you can! Camp Hatikvah is thrilled to announce the establishment of its first FAMILY CAMP to be held from August 17 - August 20 2012. Click here for all the details.
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UPDATE ON CAMBRIDGE & CO. UNIFORM CHARGES
Cambridge & Co. will make uniform deliveries twice a month at no charge: on the 15th and the last day of the month. Rush orders and orders requested outside of these days will be charged a $6 delivery fee.
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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. 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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