|
Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly E-Newsletter
Volume VIII, Issue 20
Feb 8, 2013 28 shevat, 5772
|
GRADE ONE: USING LITERACY TO BUILD MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Grade 1 teachers Ms. Kaplan and Mrs. Ariel have been reading the books of children's author Kevin Henkes to impart life lessons. The concluding language arts activity involved parents sharing their family's motto. Some submissions included: "Be calm and carry on." "You have to do what you have to do before you do what you want to do." "Being happy makes other people happy." "If you do good things for others, good things happen to you." "Treat people the way you want them to treat you." "When someone is in trouble, you should try to help them." "If I am respectful to others, they will be respectful to me." "Always try your best!"
|
WEEKLY TORAH PORTION WITH RABBI BELLAS
Shabbat Parashat Mishpatim/Shabbat Sh'kalim
"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach him to fish and he can eat for the rest of his life."
(A reflection on the Hebrew Free Loan Association)
Whenever I think about the difference between tz'dakah/charity and hesed/acts of loving-kindness, I am reminded of this famous quotation. In Jewish tradition, tz'dakah and hesed have developed two quite different definitions. Tz'dakah is the giving of money, while hesed is the giving of time, effort, and a commitment to compassionate and loving support. In the Torah, however, as we learn in this week's parasha/Torah portion, tz'dakah and hesed are actually intertwined. When the Torah commands the Israelites and their descendents to help the poor, it does not talk about donating spare change. First, it commands us to provide substantial enough monetary loans that the individual will be able to get back onto his or her own two feet and, second, requires that such loans to fellow Israelites/Jews be interest free. The intention of this system is to provide members of our community who are in need with both the financial support necessary to acquire basic needs and, perhaps, invest in starting a business or other form of employment and the emotional support to feel independent and have a rehabilitated self-esteem. So you see, the Torah combines both tz'dakah and hesed into one integrated support system.
Read more online...
Shabbat Shalom,
Vice-Principal, Judaic Studies
|
JUST NEED A FEW MORE DRIVERS FOR THE RICHMOND RUN...
(An easy way to earn PPP hours on a Sunday.)
This year we are once again joining forces with the other Jewish Day Schools to participate in the Mishloach Manot fundraiser. We have filled all the spots aside from a few more Richmond drivers to make deliveries on Sunday, Feb 24th. Not only will you earn an automatic 4 PPP hours for your time, but you will be fulfilling a mitzvah as well! Contact's VTT's parent driver coordinator, Tanya Markovich to help out.
|
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR A SUCCESS!
Thank you, VTT community, for your overwhelming support during the Scholastic Book Fair! We are excited to report that together we raised almost $3,000 for new books and other resources for the Learning Commons. We could not have done it without Suzanne Ferara and her crew of fabulous parent volunteers.Thank you also to the students in grades 5-7 who gave book talks and helped out during the fair - a heartfelt TODAH RABAH to all!!! Natasha & Michal
|
RIDING IN MEMORY OF ERIC LEE, z"l
VTT's Judaics coordinator and long-time faculty member (35 years strong) will be participating in the Ride to Conquer Cancer in memory of his good friend, Mr. Eric Lee. Mr. Lee taught math and science at Vancouver Talmud Torah for 39 years and was a much loved and respected member of our school community. A message from Mr. Cohen: "Three years ago, Eric supported me on this ride to conquer cancer even before he knew he had this disease. In his blessed memory, I am committed to this cause and hope that you will consider supporting me. Click this link to learn more."
|
|
SCHOOL NEWS
As part of their social studies unit on Community, Grade 2 students apply papier mache to milk cartons for a class community project.  Mazal tov to VTT parent, Sherri Wise, recipient of the QUEEN ELIZABETH II DIAMOND JUBILEE MEDAL, to be awarded in Toronto this Sunday, Feb 10th. Dr. Wise is receiving this honour for her work in helping pass Canada's first anti-terrorism law that helps Canadian victims of terror through an organization called CCAT, The Canadian Coalition Against Terrorism.  P4 students continue their journey around the world. This week's stop was South Africa, thanks to a presentation by VTT parent, Gideon Liknaitzky.  Not only did the students in the above photo learn about South Africa, but they also created whimsical animals to build on their knowledge.
K1 students proudly display the tile mosaic heart they've been working on as a gift to Children's Hospital. Welcome back, Sharon Kaikov-Ingram! How quickly time passes... We are pleased to have Sharon back on staff in Preschool 3 after her maternity leave.  Multiple generations enjoyed Morah Judith's Tefilah (prayer) Breakfast, an annual Grade 2 tradition. Students serve breakfast to guests, all in Hebrew, of course! Thank you to parent, Dan Ezekiel, for sharing his Arctic adventure travel stories with the Kindergarten classes. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dates to Remember
| Light candles at 5:02 p.m.
Shabbat ends at 6:11 p.m. | |
Grade 6 Shabbaton (with a delegation of 60 VTT students!)
Feb 8-10
BC Family Day--No Sessions
Monday, Feb 11
Pro-D/Collaborative Planning Day--No Sessions
Tuesday, Feb 12
Beauty & The Beast Rehearsal
Tuesday, Feb 12, 10:15-3:20
2C & 2D Tefilah (Prayer) Breakfast
Thursday, Feb 14, 8:45-9:45 am, Big Gym
Grade 6 Purim Pack-A-Thon for Mishloach Manot Program
Thursday, Feb 14 at KDHS
25th Annual Public Speaking Contest for students in Gr 4-7
Wednesday, Feb 27, 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb 15th is the last day to register
|
 Thank you to Lisa Pozin, Keren Ashkenazi and Alexa Perlmutter for obtaining blue boxes from City Hall for VTT's recycling program. We still need a few more! Contact Jennifer if you have time to swing by City Hall or the Vancouver Transfer Station on Kent Street to pick up a couple more blue boxes for us. They are free with proof of City of Vancouver residency. Lisa Pozin of Barefoot Books wishes to thank all the parents who purchased with list titles for the preschool and kindergarten classrooms. Some wonderful titles have been added to teacher collections.
|
Community Announcements
Celebrate BC's First Family Day with award winning children's entertainer Will Stroet at the JCC
Monday, Feb 11, 10:30 am
Click this link for all the info
It's hard to believe, but it's that time of year when one must start planning for summer. To help with this process come to Camp Fair 2013 to learn about the wonderful opportunities the Jewish community of Vancouver has to offer!
Friday, Feb 15, from 5:30 p.m.
BI Family Service led by VTT's very own Morah Lisa Romalis
Saturday, Feb 16, 11 am, JCC
Community Purim Costume Party! at the Olympic Village
Saturday, Feb 16, 8 pm
Presented by Yossilinks & CitySalsaVibe.com
Camp Miriam information session at the home of Adi Bunim and Gretchen DuMoulin
831 West 24th Ave
Sunday, February 17th, 8pm
RSVP - gretchd@gmail.com
Purim at Beth Israel
Sunday, Feb 24, from 10 am
Show your support!
VTT's Maya Bellas, Grade 5, and Yael Toyber, Grade 6, will be performing in a musical adaptation of Peter Pan
Sunday, March 10, 2:30 & 5 p.m.
Interested in learning How Children Succeed? (Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character) St. George's is hosting author Paul Tough for their Boy O Boy Speaker Series
Monday, Feb 25, 7 pm
Click this link to register
Cruising with Camp Hatikvah
For students in Grades 2-6
Saturday, March 2, 5:45-8:00 pm
$20 per person
Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! Musical Theatre Summer Program
Deadline for applications: April 1, 2013
Visit the JCC's website to learn more
|
WOULD YOU LIKE TO EARN PPP HOURS IN YOUR PJs?
We're almost there! The final piece to publishing the new and improved Jewish Directory is performing simple data entry. You can do this from home, in your PJs, at night, and whenever the opportunity arises. The Directory, published every two years, is a major fundraiser for the school bringing revenue to support all the "extras" at VTT. The more people we have helping out, the quicker we can send the final product to the printer.
This is an EASY way to earn PPP hours. Please email Belinda if you can help: belindam@shaw.ca
|
SHONOT | ODDS 'N ENDZ
Thank you to all those parents who supported the Scholastic Book Fair by buying books for the classrooms. Unfortunately, the selection of French books did meet our curriculum expectations and Madame Melissa would love to add to her library. Books through the AIM website are $11.50 each. If you would like to donate a French book, please contact Mme Melissa for the list of desired titles.
|
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:
Alumni Fund
VTT Campus Campaign Fund
General Fund
Gita Kron (z"l) Fund for Special Education
Library Fund
The Lorne (z"l) & Sylvia Cristall Tikkun Olam Chair
Mitzvah of Valuing Philanthropy Fund
Performing Arts and Band Fund
Strathcona 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
We are a community of faculty, staff, students, parents, grandparents, alumni, family and friends! Feel free to join us.
|
|
|
