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Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly e-Newsletter
Volume VIII, Issue 22
Feb 23, 2013 12 adar, 5772
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URGENT: WE NEED YOU
EVERY GIFT MATTERS!
The VTT Campus Campaign Parent Appeal continues to steam forward. We have achieved a 37% participation rate and thank all of those families who have made commitments to expand and revitalize VTT.
The Parent Appeal is an essential part of the overall campaign. We are striving for 100% participation for two reasons - because every single dollar gets us closer to our goal and because a high rate of participation will help us secure more gifts from our community and several foundations we are approaching.
Campaign leadership is aiming to complete the fundraising goal by April 30th, so that we can break ground on the new school in June of 2014. If we do not reach our goal, the project will be delayed by a year and project costs will increase.
We all know that the status quo at our beloved school is unsustainable. We are asking all VTT families, as well as the community at large, to contribute to this essential project. Every gift matters. Please make your commitment now - your gift of $18 or $136 or more will ensure our success. Please connect with your canvasser - fellow VTT parents - or call the school at 604-736-7307 x 3478 to discuss your gift today.
Together, we will achieve our goal. Together, we will build on those that came before us and secure the future of our school and our community.
Thank you,
Lisa Boroditsky and Stacey Kape
VTT Campus Campaign Parent Appeal Co-Chairs
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HAPPY PURIM! HAG PURIM SAMEI'AH!Shabbat Parashat T'tzaveh/Shabbat Zakhor
REMEMBER - NEVER FORGET On Shabbat this week, we read a special maftir from the Torah for Shabbat Zakhor, the Shabbat of Remembering. Its wording is very interesting, as it commands us first "to remember" and then "never to forget" the actions of the nation of Amalek when it attacked the Israelite nation from behind as we wandered through the desert on our way to Mount Sinai. For their unethical war practices, Amalek is declared a mortal enemy of the Jewish people for all time. As we approach the coming of Purim on Saturday night and Sunday, we metaphorically stomp out the memory of Haman the Amalekite, the villain of the Purim megillah. The importance of preserving and standing up for ethical behavior is one of the morals of the story of this week's special maftir. Even in war, there are practices that are based on ethics and values. If we don't both remember AND never forget the way that Amalek and its future descendants treated the Israelite people, we run the risk of acting in the same way that they did. Purim is about more than dressing up and celebrating a victory over Haman's decree to destroy us. It is about remembering how central ethical behavior based on Jewish values is to our people's identity. We make them manifest this holiday through Mishlo'ach Manot (gifts to loved ones) and Matanot Laevyonim (gifts to the needy). May this Shabbat Zakhor remind us not only to fulfill these ethical mitzvot, but to make a way of life based on our values and moral code our way of life every day.
Shabbat Shalom and Purim Samei'ah! Rabbi Matthew BellasSchool Rabbi/Vice-Principal of Judaic Studies
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RANDOM ACTS OF CHESED WEEK:
A week of caring for ourselves, our families, our communities and our environment
Random Acts of Chesed Week, initiated by King David High School and in loving memory of VTT & KDHS alumna Gabi Isserow, z"l, was a week long opportunity for our school to appreciate the many gifts and blessings we personally have (our temperament, our intelligence, our athletic abilities, etc.) and those we are entrusted to protect (our families, our communities, our environment). Led by our Grade 7s, primary and intermediate students enjoyed many activities related to the daily theme. Of particular enjoyment was the noon hour daily gathering in the gym where everyone had a chance to dance (and dance and dance) and play a variety of organized games. Special thanks to Ms. McIntyre for supervising all the excitement!
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DO YOUR UNIFORMS NEED A FACELIFT?  Parent volunteers will be running a Used Uniform Sale on Thursday, Feb 28 from 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. and Friday, March 1 from 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Tanyss Bugis still needs help Friday morning (otherwise Friday sale will be cancelled). Please email her if you can assist (8:30-12:30).
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SCHOOL NEWS
 It seems our students aren't the only ones eager to capture the Purim spirit. Teddy Gerber, a beloved pet of the Gerber family, wanted to wish our community a Hag Samei'ah!  Our winter field trip outings are always memorable. And much to the students' surprise, snowshoeing is hard work! If you look at the photos (courtesy of Melissa Anders), you'll notice the Grade 6 students slowing stripping away their gear from all the exertion.  Using special software, Kindergarten students created virtual costumes for Purim. Even the teachers had fun turning themselves into clowns and princesses.  Hula hooping was all the rage this week among our primary students. Lunch recesses were spent engaged in friendly competition and fancy moves using various body parts.
Preschool 4 students fulfilled the Purim mitzvah of mishloach manot at Louis Brier. Of course, the residents were thrilled to receive their gifts (and see all their cute faces)! Heavy, wet snow did not deter our fourth graders from enjoying a day of snowtubing on Cypress Mountain. Thanks to the many parent volunteers who not only chaperoned, but had great fun flying down the mountain. See more photos here (courtesy of Morah Ronit Shor).  Rachel and Zoe, Grade 6 students, come in full geisha garb for their presentation on Japan. |
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Dates to Remember
| Light candles at 5:25 p.m.
Shabbat ends at 6:33 p.m. |
Jewcy Cuisine's website is open for orders for March & April
Order your hot lunch by Sunday, March 3 New round begins Monday, March 4
www.jewcycuisine.com
Parent-Teacher Conference Online Booking System Opens
Thursday, Feb 21, 4:30 p.m.
Visit parents.talmudtorah.com
Purim Carnival--11:25 a.m. dismissal
Friday, Feb 22
Don't forget to come to school in costume!
Beauty & The Beast Rehearsal
Friday, Feb 22, 12:00-3:20 p.m.
Erev Purim
Saturday, Feb 23
Parent-Teacher Conference Online Booking System Closes
Tuesday, Feb 26, 12 noon
Visit parents.talmudtorah.com
Kindergarten Hearing Screening
Tuesday, Feb 26 Wednesday, Feb 27
Pink Shirt Day
Wednesday, Feb 27
Every student is encouraged to wear a pink shirt to school. You can also purchase one for $9.80 at participating London Drugs retailers. Proceeds support Boys & Girls Clubs.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday, Feb 28, 4:30-7:30 Parent-Teacher Conferences-- No SessionsFriday, Mar 1, 8:30-12
Used Uniform Sale
Thursday, Feb 28, 4:30-7:30 Friday, Mar 1, 8:30-12
Mandatory Meeting for Grade 6 Parents
Tuesday, Mar 5, 7 p.m., Small Gym
VTT vs KDHS Basketball Game
Come cheer our Grade 7 boys as they play against Grade 8 KDHS alumni
Thursday, Mar 7, 3-4:15 p.m.
Class Photos
Tuesday, March 12
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE!
BEAUTY & THE BEAST
1/3 tix already sold for Opening Night!
Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m.Thursday, March 21, 1 p.m.Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m.
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Thank you to Jennifer Miller for taking care of the Mishloach Manot gift packages that will be delivered to all our new families for 2013-14.
Yishar Ko'ach to Tanya Markovich who had the onerous task of assigning 40+ drivers to deliver Mishloach Manot to 1300+ households throughout the Lower Mainland.
Our Judaics Coordinator, Fred Cohen, and his team of Grade 7 students get credit for planning, organizing and running a great Purim carnival. Thanks, as well, to BC-based musical duo Bobs & Lolo, for the engaging performance.
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Community Announcements
The Pacific Chai Dragon Boat Team is looking for 6-8 more paddlers to complete their team of 20. Join the gang to a meet in Israel in May with 1000 other competitors.
Contact Gary if you want more information.
Purim at the Ballpark!
Present by Chabad Richmond & RJDS
Sunday, Feb 24, from 1 p.m.
Ultimate JCC Purim Party
Sunday, Feb 24, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Purim at Beth Israel
Sunday, Feb 24, from 10 am
The Canadian Society for Yad Vashem invites you to nominate a Holocaust survivor by Feb 28th to receive national recognition in Ottawa on April 23rd. Read more here.
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.
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
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SHONOT | ODDS 'N ENDZ
Mazal tov to Gavin Andison and his family for reaching his Bar Mitzvah last Shabbat.
VTT's family grew by two this week. Morah Mira Samet welcomed her first grandchild into the world, a boy named Ruben. And Morah Ruth David was lucky enough to be present for the birth of her daughter's second child, this time a boy. Mazal tov to both Judaics faculty members.
Video of Interest
Did you hear the one about the Borscht Belt? If you or someone you know grew up vacationing in the Catskills every summer, this CBS News report is sure to elicit fond memories of days gone by.
Article of Interest
Chabad family adopts Nepali boy and annually welcomes 2000 guests to their Seder in Kathmandu
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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.
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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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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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