The Vancouver Talmud Torah community mourns the loss of Dani Moses, z"l, a past VTT parent who for 12 years actively and enthusiastically contributed to school life and ruach as dedicated mother to Zavi and Joelle. Dani established close friendships with many parents, faculty and staff through her warm demeanor and positive attitude. Exceptionally kind and genuinely sincere, Dani led a life of example by never turning down an opportunity to give, to help and to embrace Jewish values. We extend our deepest condolences to her husband Phil, an educator and past VTT Board member, to Zavi and Joelle, and to the hundreds of relatives and friends mourning her loss around the world. May her memory be for a blessing.
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• Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, for at-risk children in Israel and locally.
• Or Shalom Synagogue Rabbi's Benevolent Fund
• BC Cancer Foundation

  

There is a great deal of debate both in the traditional Jewish literature and in the modern period about the meaning of the Jewish people being told that it is and should be an "or la'goyim/light unto the nations." Some commentators believe that it is a statement describing the Children of Israel as "better" than all the other nations of the world, while yet others - perhaps recognizing the risk of making such a statement - claimed instead that God was commanding the people to hold themselves to a higher standard and to set an example of virtuosity that the rest of the world could follow. In the end, the debate continues to rage on. However, given the subject matter of this week's double parasha, it is a very relevant topic because God singles out the Israelites by telling them that they are to be "holy because I, the Lord your God am holy."

Our Grade 6 & 7 girls volleyball team had their first game against Action Volleyball from Burnaby. Thankfully, the coach and competition were generous in support of our amateur team. A big todah rabah to Sylvester Noel for arranging this opportunity.

Yishar Ko'ach to music specialist Jennifer Chobotiuk and her junior and senior Glee Club members for their bronze place finish at the Kiwanis Music Festival earlier this week. Photo courtesy of Michelle Gerber.