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Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly Newsletter
Vol. VII, Issue 17
February 10, 2012 17 Shevat, 5772
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Please be mindful of the re-enrollment deadline: Thursday, Feb 23rd
Register on time and avoid a late fee!
If you have not received a package in the mail, please contact Tammy Kalvari in the office.
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HEAD OF SCHOOL'S MESSAGE
The Intangibles of a Jewish Day School Education
To see more photos of our 7A students visiting Louis Brier, click here.
Dear VTT Community,
A few encounters occurred this week to remind me of the unique experiences Vancouver Talmud Torah provides its students. Earlier in the week, I was visiting a Grade 1 classroom when I observed a group of students figuring out how to count backwards past number 10. When they hit 13, they automatically connected the number to a boy's Bar Mitzvah; 12 a girl's Bat Mitzvah; and 11 an age "when a Jewish kid is just beginning to get humble before a Bat Mitzvah," one child thoughtfully remarked.
Next was an email I received from Shoshana Burton, a former VTT teacher, current faculty member at King David, and a parent at our school for the last 19 years. She served as a substitute on Wednesday and had the following to say about our senior students, "I subbed today at VTT and had an amazing day. The minyan was incredible. I was so emotional to see the kids praying and singing with so much joy and passion and when Morah Lisa played the "Mi Sheberach" (by Debbie Friedman), I couldn't hold myself and started sobbing; it was too beautiful. It was a true privilege. The teachers did such an incredible job leading it. Yishar Koach to all of you for creating such an environment. Working with the grade 6 students was also great. They worked so beautifully; they knew exactly what to do. It was funny to see that they did not need me. The use of technology and the team work was phenomenal. I had the opportunity to see what every parent dreams to know about their kids' school."
Finally, I am including some photos from our Grade 7s monthly visit to Louis Brier which is a much anticipated activity for both our students and the Weinberg residents. An ongoing program initiated by Morah Tiki Goldenberg over 20 years ago, the relationships that develop between people more than 70 years apart in age provide lasting impressions and sweet memories for all. A Jewish Day School is a place where the generations organically come together to show honour and to respect the wisdom of those who came before us.
The aforementioned examples are those intangibles of a Jewish Day School which cannot always be explained in a brochure or highlighted on a website. The experiences we provide for our students build the foundation on which their future lives as Jewish and global citizens will develop and flourish.
Shabbat Shalom!
Cathy Lowenstein, M.Ed.
Head of School
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Parashat Ha'Shavuah/Weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Matthew Bellas
Shabbat Parashat Yitro
JEWISH Valentine's Day?
This week, the entire Jewish community relives the powerful experience of receiving the revelation of Torah at Mount Sinai through the reading of this week's parasha/Torah portion. As did the Israelites approximately three thousand two hundred and fifty years ago, those of us who will be in synagogue for the Torah reading on Shabbat morning will rise and listen to the words of the Aseret Hadib'rot/The Ten Commandments chanted aloud, these serving as the very beginning of the teaching of Torah to our people. As the Rabbis have taught throughout the generations, the gift of the Torah to the Jewish people was and is given as an expression of God's love. It is a sign not only of the mitzvot that God expects us to observe, but also is an explanation of the commitments for which God is responsible. Put simply, the Torah is like the marriage contract between God and our people. In turn, it is our responsibility to share the teachings of Torah with all other nations in order to "spread the love" throughout the world. 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! Honour friends and family with festive food packages delivered right to their door through the Greater Vancouver Jewish Day Schools Purim Project! Ordering instructions were emailed to all Talmud Torah families two weeks ago. Help us promote community and raise funds for Jewish education.
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HELP THE JNF POPULATE ISRAEL'S ARAVA REGION WITH ACACIA TREES
It would be wonderful to generate more donations for JNF's Acacia Tree planting project in Israel's Arava Region, a small slice of land between the Red & Dead Seas. Each tree, planted in someone's honour, is $18 you have until Tuesday, Feb 14 to drop off your donations at the front office. Please make cheques payable to JNF and include a name and address for the certificates. |
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MEET VTT'S BUILDING MANAGER
SYDNEY ANTAO
When the New York Giants won the Superbowl last Sunday, it was a particularly sweet victory for Building Manager, Sydney Antao. New York has always held a special place in his heart. It was the first city he and his wife settled in after escaping Uganda's brutal regime of Idi Amin, thanks to the help of a Jewish television producer who arranged for their safe passage to America. This was in 1972, right after Idi Amin seized power in a military coup, putting hundreds of thousands of lives at risk. Sydney and Maria fled Uganda, but had no idea of the whereabouts of their relatives.
Over time, Sydney learned of family in New Jersey, Toronto and British Columbia. After a two-year stint on Canada's east coast, where he continued to work for Sweda International, Sydney and Maria joined his parents in Vancouver and began to have their own family, giving birth to Candace in 1978 and Joshua in 1981.
For many years, Sydney led a demanding schedule travelling throughout BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan doing maintenance for pulp & paper mills. His life became more sedentary when he received a job offer from VTT in 2004. However, sedentary does not mean sitting at his desk; Sydney has his finger on the pulse of Vancouver Talmud Torah and he and his dedicated crew of custodians diligently ensure the smooth back-end operations of our school.
In his spare time, Sydney is a doting and devoted grandfather and is a big fan of Formula 1 and Nascar Racing. His origins are Goan/Portuguese/East Indian. And don't let the calm demeanour fool you: Sydney spent four years playing guitar in a band performing nightly to hundreds of spectators.
Read more staff profiles here
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ORIGAMI BUILDS UNDERSTANDING
Last year a motivated group of second grade students took it upon themselves to help Japan's tsunami victims. For weeks they painstakingly created different origami and then sold them for a donation. The funds raised were then sent to buy gift cards for families from a school in Miyage Prefecture, thanks to our new friend, Masumi Kikuchi. The Japanese children were so thrilled by our now third graders efforts, that they sent them the poster above as a thank you. To read Masumi's blog on the exchange, click here. |
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Dates to Remember
| Light candles at 5:05 p.m.
Shabbat ends at 6:14 p.m. |
Deadline to Plant a Tree for JNF (deposit donations at the office)
Tuesday, Feb 14
24th Annual Public Speaking Contest Tuesday, Feb 14, 7 p.m. Last Day to Submit Online Grocery OrderWednesday, Feb 15 www.wealthyschools.caLost & Found Gets Cleared OutPlease Collect Your Items by Friday, Feb 17 Random Acts of Chesed Week(with King David High School) Begins Monday, Feb 20 Grade 2A Tefilah BreakfastWednesday, Feb 22, 9 a.m. Grade 2B & 2C Tefilah BreakfastThursday, Feb 23, 9 a.m. Deadline to Submit Re-enrollment packages (w/o penalty)Thursday, Feb 23 Community Pro-D Day--No Sessions
Monday, Feb 27
Pink Shirt Day in Support of Anti-Bullying
Wednesday, Feb 29
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 Thank you to parent Susan Quig for schlepping to the WSR warehouse bi-monthly to pick up VTT's grocery orders.
Yishar Ko'ach to VTT parent Ruth Jankelowitz for chairing our Tu B'Shevat committee and to her volunteers who painstakingly hand-packaged lovely do-it-yourself parsley packages. Plant them now and you'll have home grown parsley for Passover! Her team included Laura Tuan, Deb Archek, Daphna Kedem, Aura Estrin, and Nadine Garcia.
 Tu B'Shevat Seders occurred in many classrooms this week. Todah Rabah to all the parents who came early to help the teachers set up, cut fruit, pour juice, and arrange classrooms. Thank you to the following Kindergarten parents for their assistance: Marni Katz, Angela Adler, Elisa Belzberg, Kyla Mills, Rachel Roubini, and Natalie Steen. |
Community Announcements
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!
Beth Israel Invites You to a Pre-Purim Puppet Workshop
Sunday, March 4, 2-4 p.m.
Beth Israel Invites You to its Purim Extravanganza
Wednesday, March 7, 6-8:30 p.m. (for families)
Adult-themed programming begins at 9 p.m.
Canadian Hadassah WIZO proudly presents the 3rd annual Hearts are Wild
Thursday, March 15, 7:30 p.m.
Heritage Hall
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SHONOT | ODDS 'N ENDZ
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR RESULTS ARE IN!!! Last week's Scholastic Book Fair was an enormous success! Our community raised almost $3600 for the library. Thank you again to all of the volunteers for their hard work. A special thanks to the many Grades 5-7 student volunteers who helped out.
SPRING UNIFORM FITTINGS will be held on Wednesday, May 16th in the library from 10:00am- 6:00pm. Please call Cambridge & Co. at 604-924-9009 to book appointments.
 SEEKING A HEADBOARD
Wondering where that school sweater went to? Our Lost & Found is overflowing! Unclaimed items will be donated to charity or sold at the Used Uniform Sale if not cleared out by Friday, Feb 17. Act fast and reclaim your stuff.
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.
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. |
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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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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We are a community of faculty, staff, students, parents, grandparents, alumni, family and friends! Feel free to join us.
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