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Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly Newsletter
Vol. VII, Issue 16
February 3, 2012 10 Shevat, 5772
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Re-enrollment packages have been sent. Please contact Tammy in the office if you do not receive yours by Friday, Feb 10.
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VIDEOCONFERENCING BUILDS BRIDGES & ENLIVENS CURRICULUM
For the last seven years, Morah Smadar has been teaching Chumash to VTT's Grade 4 students through videoconferencing. Despite the distance, time difference and television screen, Morah Smadar's lessons are highly interactive and engaging. READ Morah Smadar's reflections below.
"What word did we learn for this symbol?" I asked, spreading my hands out to the sides and stamping my feet. I back up to make sure the students can see me clearly across the camera. "I see a hand up over there in the Old City of Jerusalem" I exclaim, indicating a student in a row near the wall in Vancouver. Rivka answers " ושמני הארץ - the wealth of the land, meaning lots of food and blessing!" [Bereshit 27:28]
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That's Morah Smadar on the screen in the top left hand corner. Notice she's in character as well...
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I am teaching our weekly video conferencing sessions, sponsored by The Lookstein Center, from my home studio in Jerusalem, as I have been doing for the past seven years to the fourth grade at VTT. I have developed a repertoire of skills that I use to engage the students so that the screen they view me from becomes the indicator for what to do next, instead of a lecture type environment. To keep them engaged and 'on the ball,' we play charades and Simon Says with our Chumash vocabulary words, act out Biblical skits I write for them, work in groups and partners, elect leaders, and divide the class into different regions of Israel. One row is the Old City of Jerusalem, the back row is Southern Israel, the center rows are Central Israel, and the second side represents Northern Israel.
Read more online...
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Parashat Ha'Shavuah/Weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Matthew Bellas
Shabbat Parashat B'Shalah/Shabbat Shira /Pre-Tu Bish'vat
Sing a Song for Shabbat
"The Whole World is Waiting to Sing a Song of Shabbat." - Abraham Joshua Heschel 
The Shabbat on which we read parashat B'shalah is always also named Shabbat Shira/The Shabbat of Song because it is the Shabbat on which we read The Song of the Sea, the biblical poem which recounts how God miraculously and finally defeated the Egyptians and freed the Israelite slaves. After crossing the Reed (yes, Reed, not Red) Sea, the Israelites burst into song and dance, led by Miriam and the women, to celebrate their newfound independence. Praising God and celebrating life through song, therefore, have a very long and rich history and tradition in Judaism, and this is the Shabbat on which we are supposed to remember and become recommitted to them.
Each week during Kabbalat Shabbat services in school, our students welcome in the spirit of Shabbat with blessings, prayers, and song. Over the last few years, we have been adding in new prayers and songs, but traditional and more contemporary. One of the newer texts that we have been doing is a melody for the Psalm for Shabbat. That same tune was adapted and applied to the quotation above, which I am told was sung by Abraham Joshua Heschel each week on Erev Shabbat/Friday evening. The melody is slow and can be very successful at getting an individual or a group into the "Shabbat spirit." I have created an MP3 file for the song and the Psalm for Shabbat if you are interested in learning or and singing it to enhance your celebration of Shabbat on a Friday evening. The power of the message is that all week long, we work, stay busy, and rush around. However, we should all also be waiting for and anticipating the respite of Shabbat, during which we are supposed to take time to sing and revel in peace and rest. One of the ways that we do so is through song at the end of long and leisurely Shabbat family meals. Not only does music and singing liven up a Shabbat prayer service in the synagogue, but it also does wonders for a Shabbat meal. Imagine what a difference it would make to join together as a family to sing one, two, or several Shabbat songs at the end of a Shabbat meal. That could certainly be a way to enhance your family's experience of Shabbat around the table either on Friday night or Shabbat afternoon, or both.
Read more online....
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Matthew Bellas
Vice Principal of Judaic Studies/School Rabbi
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GREATER VANCOUVER JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS PURIM PROJECT
 Purim is coming! Fulfill the holiday mitzvah of mishloah manot through the Greater Vancouver Jewish Day Schools Purim Project. Honour friends and family with festive food packages delivered right to their door! Plus, your gift supports not only VTT, but every day school in the community. Ordering instructions were emailed to all Talmud Torah families from the Greater Vancouver Jewish Day Schools Purim Project earlier this week. Help us promote community and raise funds for Jewish education.
ADDED BONUS: Delivering mishloach manot is also a great way to earn your PPP hours. To sign up, click this link. All drivers eligible for an automatic 4 PPP hours.
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SCHOOL NEWS
Grade 2 faculty member Sally Piccinato's Grade 2/3 knitting club is so popular that an additional day had to be added. A hit with both boys and girls, Sally has the added help of Grade 5 students to lend their expertise. Look for a lot of wool hats in the primary classes.
 Grade 3 students produced beautiful and creative Hebrew language projects based on their Tal Am theme, "This is Me." Written entirely in Hebrew, the students chronicled their families, interests and activities.
Grade 6 students practice their Israeli dance routine for the upcoming Festival Ha'Rikud at the JCC. Lunchtime Israeli dance is offered to all grades on various days each week.
For most of these seventh graders, their snowshoeing field trip to Cypress Mountain was a first. They had never experienced tying a tennis racket to their boots. Little did they know the equipment has evolved in the last decades. Many still whined that it was "hard work."
 K2 students prepare for the birthday of trees by planting seeds for Tu B'Shevat with the help of a volunteer parent.
Fortunately, preschoolers exhibit little hesitation when it comes to messy art. There's sure to be an "everything I learned in Kindergarten lesson" here...
Margaret McDiarmid, MLA for Vancouver-Fairview, paid a visit to Talmud Torah last week to get a better understanding of our school. She wished to express the following to our community:
"Thank you for another enjoyable visit to Talmud Torah. I appreciated learning more about your wonderful school and I'm looking forward to the spring production of Cinderella! Melodies from the Hanukkah concert are still running through my head and I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a production so much! Your students are amazingly talented in many ways and it's always a pleasure to be at your school." |
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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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Dates to Remember
| Light candles at 4:53 p.m.
Shabbat ends at 5:03 p.m.
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Cinderella Full Cast Rehearsal
Sunday, Feb 5, 1-5 p.m.
Kindergarten Macaroni & Movie Night -- CANCELLED!
Sunday, Feb 5
Lunchtime Recorder Club Begins with Ms. Chobotiuk (open to all students in Grades 4-7)
Monday, Feb 6
Check out Ms. Chobotiuk's BLOG complete with video recorder lessons!
Tu B'ShevatWednesday, Feb 8 Designated Day to Return JNF envelopes (a special table will be set up in the foyer to collect donations and identify areas in Israel where trees will be planted)Wednesday, Feb 8 24th Annual Public Speaking Contest Thursday, Feb 14, 7 p.m.
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 Todah Rabah to Suzanne & Martin Ferera for chairing the Scholastic Book Fair and to the dozens of parent volunteers who helped set up, organize, sell and break down the display. Preliminary numbers suggest another successful sale. A special thank you to our library technician, Natasha Krause, who ensured a smooth run from start to finish.
Have you noticed the neat window displays in our front foyer? That's due to the creativity of the dynamic duo partnership of Carla Swartz and Laura Rosenthal. Thanks!
A very special Yishar Ko'ach to VTT parent Keren Gertsman who is involving herself in MVP fundraising efforts for the third year in a row! Our remarkable teen philanthropy program has raised $20K in past years with all of the funds allocated to local, national and international agencies. Learn all about MVP here.
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Community Announcements
Family Shabbat at Or Shalom
Saturday, Feb 4, 10:30am
Young children's program led by Camp Miriam counsellors; Older children prepare a parsha play with Reb Laura; all ages enjoy the Torah service in the sanctuary. Followed by potluck dairy - vegetarian kiddush lunch.
Schara Tzedeck presents Tot Shabbat
Saturday, Feb 4, 10:30 a.m.
Schara Tzedeck presents Tu B'Shevat Connections: young families with residents of the Louis Brier
Sunday, Feb 5, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
JCC Camp Shalom
Registration open Feb 15
JCC Family Centre presents "A Parent's Influence with Chris Burt"
Monthly seminar for parents with children aged 3-12
Begins Thursday, Feb 16, 7-9 p.m.
Transition Fair 2012: Showcasing programs, resources and supports to facilitate the transition of youth with special needs from high school
Sunday, Feb 26, 12-5, FREE!
Canadian Hadassah WIZO proudly presents the 3rd annual Hearts are Wild
Thursday, March 15, 7:30 p.m.
Heritage Hall
Are you looking for a venue for a family celebration? Check out King David's beautiful atrium. 50% discount is offered to families attending community Jewish day schools. Contact Sandy Jorgenson at 604.263.9700 for more information.
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SHONOT | ODDS 'N ENDZ
 SEEKING A HEADBOARD
Morah Anna in Grade 1 is looking for one or two parent volunteers to help with a paper recycling project on Wednesday, February 15 during periods 5 and 6 (12:30 to 1:45 p.m.) in Ms. Kaplan's room (#212). One does not need to be a Grade 1 parent to participate. PPP hours eligible!
Have you received your 10% off Menchie's yet? Just mention Talmud Torah. Certified kosher frozen yogurt that you serve yourself. Located at Cambie and 7th, across from Home Depot.
You may have seen information in the Hadashot or heard from your friends about the Wealthy School Revolution. This is a new way to fundraise for VTT and we wanted to explain how it works for you and for the school.
All you have to do is register online, do your shopping online, and then pick up your purchases at school. VTT will make up to 20% on every order made.
Go to www.wealthyschools.ca
For further information please contact VTT parent Natasha Greensite, ngreensite@gmail.com.
Thank for your support!
Family coming to Vancouver from Australia seeking housing A Melbourne family (Mom, Dad and three girls) will be moving to Vancouver for 12-14 months in July for a fellowship year at Vancouver General Hospital. They are looking to rent a 3 or 4 bedroom home (preferably furnished). If you have leads or ideas, feel free to email Sharon.
Did you order a MaccaGlee DVD? If so, your copy is waiting for you in the front office. Enjoy! |
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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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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