Our Kindergarten to Grade 7 students, under the direction of Ms. Smith, Ms. Chobotiuk and Mrs. Jacobson, have been hard at work preparing for Macca-Beat It--the story of Hanukkah sung to Michael Jackson hits--with modified lyrics (courtesy of Rabbi Bellas and Ms. Smith), of course!

We offer two shows to accommodate the throngs of guests. Our community performance, on Wednesday, December 12th at 10 a.m., is for grandparents, friends and community members. Parents with little ones are encouraged to attend this show as the evening spectacle tends to be crowded, hot and difficult for younger children to enjoy. RSVP mandatory for this show: info@talmudtorah.com

The parent performance is on Wednesday, December 12th at 7 p.m. As we have hundreds of families with children performing in this show, we can only accommodate parents (2 tickets per family). Tickets will be sent home a few days before the concert. Should siblings wish to come, they must sit at the back of the gym on the bleachers. Space is at a premium at this performance. The morning show is an option for those who wish for a better view and less crowded venue.

 

Click this link to see the list of required costumes for each class as well as the glee club.

WEEKLY TORAH PORTION WITH RABBI BELLAS  

 

Shabbat Parashat Vayishlah

Being "God Wrestlers"

 

In this week's parasha, Yaakov is preparing for his reunion with his estranged brother Esau, from whom he ran away twenty years earlier. He has gathered up his entire clan (2 wives, 2 handmaids, 11 sons, 1 daughter, several servants) and all of his livestock and set off to return to his homeland, the land of his birth, the Promised Land, the land of Canaan. On the way, he learns that his brother's even larger clan is travelling in his direction and that they will meet along the road. The night before their meeting, Yaakov is sleeping alone after having sent his family safely on ahead, when a "man" awakens and wrestles with him through the night until dawn. Yaakov does not allow the "angel" to flee at the break of light, asking for a blessing in exchange for the freedom he will bestow upon him. What Yaakov receives is his new name: "Yisra'el," meaning "he who wrestles and will wrestle with God."

 

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

The PPP Hanukkah Sale will take place all next week (Dec 3-7) during drop-off and pick up in the back foyer.

Pre-wrapped VTT cookbooks will be available for purchase. A wonderful Hanukkah gift for $36 including HST.

N.B. Parent representatives will be on hand to update people's addresses for The Jewish Directory. Feel free to drop by. We would like to have as accurate information as possible.

Grade 4 students had a wonderful time exploring the wonders of our natural world at UBC's Beatty Biodiversity Museum. Thanks to parent Eldad Haber for suggesting the outing!

Our first ever preschool grandparent Shabbat was a big hit, with dozens of bubbies and zaydies enjoying the rituals of Shabbat through songs and prayers with their darling grandchildren. To see the photos, click here.

Check out this Kindergarten student's emerging literacy skills! Her invented spelling for our school, "TomaTora," is especially creative.

VTT grandparent, Arthur Dodek, shares his skills as a cardiologist with his granddaughter's Kindergarten class.

Rose Dupaya, a member of our custodial team, is doing a fantastic job managing the plethora of clothing and sundry items making their way to the Lost & Found.  However, IT'S FILLING UP FAST and everything will be donated to charity on the last day of school. Please visit our Lost & Found to see if any of your children's items are waiting to be claimed.


Peek inside any Grade 2 classroom and you'll see all the unique menorahs on display in anticipation of the Festival of Lights.


Yes, that's starfruit the Grade 5 students are sampling. The tasting was part of the "Literacy of Food" workshop offered by CBC journalist and food critic, Don Genova, for our intermediate literacy day. Other authors included Lee Edward Fodi, Ellen Schwartz and Susan Glickman. Grade 6 students, shown below, discovered that poetry can be fun through a visit by Wordplay Poets, Brendan Macleod and Erin Kirsh. Special thanks to Jewish Federation and the JCC Jewish Book Festival for organizing and sponsoring our plenary sessions and to Richmond Jewish Day School and Hebrew Academy for joining us at the keynote presentations.
To see all the photos from the afternoon, click here.

Yup, those are pedometers! Grade 4 students learn about health, nutrition and calories with Mr. Lotzkar in Phys Ed. 


Thanks to VTT parents Jhennia Solovyov and Carol Konkin for running our lunch time games room every Tuesday.


These second grade boys aren't in the least bothered by (a lot of) dirt. With rain a constant in Vancouver, please send appropriate clothing for inclement weather...