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Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly e-Newsletter
Volume VIII, Issue 24
Mar 8, 2013 26 adar, 5772
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ONE WEEK REMAINS TO RE-ENROLL YOUR CHILD FOR THE 2013-14 SCHOOL YEARWe have received so much positive feedback concerning our new online re-enrollment system. The deadline to re-enroll (without penalty) is Friday, March 15th. Avoid a late fee and re-enroll before it's too late! The entire process should take less than 5 minutes. Please note: There are two sections to online re-enrollment. The first consists of reviewing all the consent forms. You will then receive a message of congratulations on completing Part I with instructions to proceed to Part II. Part II is the Enrollment Contract. After reviewing and consenting to it, please submit and your re-enrollment is complete. Deposit, tuition and PPP cheques should then be submitted to the office by March 15th.
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PASSOVER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPLETE YOUR 12 PPP HOURS
It is hard to believe that Passover is around the corner. The PPP is thrilled to be supporting the Judaic's department in ensuring that every class enjoys a Passover Seder during the final week of school before break. As you can imagine, preparing the food for this endeavor is a huge undertaking and we are looking for some eager volunteers to help. Please take a look at the following spreadsheet and sign up to help make our school Seders as successful as they can be.
This holiday provides an exceptional opportunity for parents who are unable to volunteer during the school day to earn some PPP hours as 14 volunteers are requested to help on Sunday, March 17th. Volunteer opportunities are also available on Monday the 18th.
Thank you in advance for your support.
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WEEKLY TORAH PORTION WITH RABBI MATTHEW BELLASShabbat Parashat Vayak'heil-P'kudei/Shabbat HaHodesh Shabbat Light
The topic of the use of electricity on Shabbat is a questions students often want to discuss with me. Students asked, "How do we know if using electricity on Shabbat is forbidden if there was no electricity in the time of the Torah?" and "Why is electricity considered to be like fire? Fire is fire and electricity is electricity." These two questions go right to the heart of the relationship between Torah law and rabbinic law, a subject which is timely given the clarity of one of the commandments given in this week's parasha.
In the first aliyah of the Torah reading this Shabbat, one will find the following verse:
"Lo t'va'aru eish b'khol moshvoteikhem b'yom haShabbat."
"You must not kindle fire anywhere in your settlements on the Sabbath day."
Read more online....
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TALMUD TORAH STUDENTS IMPRESS AT 25th ANNUAL SPEECH CONTEST VTT students from Grades 4-7 earned top marks at this year's Annual Speech Contest sponsored by Jewish Federation. Competing against students from other Jewish and supplementary schools, we would like to congratulate the following students on earning a first, second or third place finish. Some students kindly agreed to share their speeches with our readers. It will appear in blue highlight next to their names. Students in Grade 4 were lucky enough to benefit from some pointers and feedback from professional speech writer and speech coach, Rob Cottingham. Here's what he had to say about our students: "I was profoundly surprised at the elegance, poise and clarity I saw and heard from your students - it's a big step above what I'd expect from most groups of adults!" Jacob Berman: My great, great uncle, a Zionist pioneerTahlia Coleman: Talia Leman, an inspiring role modelJonah Ezekiel: My amazing grandmother, AnnaCharlie Ben Glassman: My two heroesIlana Guez: Why Tzedakah is importantPrielle Laniado: Why Passover is my favourite holidayMaya McNamara: The importance of educationOri Yaron Grade 5Maya Bellas: What's in a name?Ben Bogdonov Eva Dobrovolska: Why being Jewish is important to meZev Kline Lyrie Murad Rachel Porte Neta Sar Shalom Aaron Schaffer Grade 6Solly Khalifa Jack Abramowich Grade 7Liron Gertsman Daniel Teperson
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CAMBRIDGE UNIFORM COMPANY IS HAVING A SALE To show our appreciation to Vancouver Talmud Torah School, Cambridge Uniforms will be offering a 10% discount on all purchases for the month of March 2013. We look forward to serving you!
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WE ARE PLANNING OUR PASSOVER SEDERS. DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE AN EGG ALLERGY? We will be serving hard boiled eggs and egg matzah at our Passover Seders. Please contact Fred Cohen and your classroom teacher if your child has an egg allergy so we can make the necessary adjustments. Sorry! We are unable to make changes if your child simply does not like eggs.
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SCHOOL NEWS
This Grade 4 student has suggested a new name for our weekly newsletter. Would you be inclined to read the "Challashot?"  Despite severe weather warnings, on Monday Grade 3 students enjoyed a glorious day of snowtubing on Cypress Mountain.  K2 students enjoy their popcorn and juice party--a result of winning the Games Night gift donation contest. Other classes who also benefited were Ms. Perkins' 4C class and Ms. Davey's 6C students.  Educators from Science World visited Grade 3 classes to give them hands-on experience building structures. The students had much fun building a replica of the Science World dome. See more photos here.  Badminton was all the rage in Phys Ed classes this week. It's amazing how passionate the sixth graders got when engaged in friendly competition.  VTT's Glee Club, under the direction of Ms. Chobotiuk, performed at the Kiwanis Music Festival to a standing ovation of other choristers. Thanks to Natasha Krause and Marni Katz for the photos. Click here to see them.
King David High School's Grade 8 team (mostly VTT alumni) visited VTT for a friendly game of basketball with our seventh graders. Does it really matter who won?  Two third grade students share a laugh with a docent from the Burnaby Village Museum. The students spent the day learning about how people in the Lower Mainland lived 100 years ago. Photo credit: Alex Moses Student presentations on Japan are still as creative as ever!  |
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Dates to Remember
| Light candles at 5:48 p.m.
Shabbat ends at 6:54 p.m. |
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Move your clocks FORWARD one hour
Sunday, March 10, 2 a.m.
BATB Rehearsal for Select Cast Members
Sunday, March 10, 10-4
BATB Full Cast Rehearsal
Sunday, March 10, 11-4
Last Chance to Re-Enroll for the 2013-14 School Year without Penalty
Friday, March 15
Visit enrollment.talmudtorah.com
Regular Friday Dismissal Resumes, 3:20 p.m.
Friday, March 15
BATB Full Cast Rehearsal Sunday, March 17, 10-5
BATB Full Cast Rehearsal Monday, March 18, 10-5, JCC
BATB Full Cast Rehearsal Tuesday, March 19, 10-5, JCC
2C & 2D Model Seder Tuesday, March 19, 8:45 a.m.
Beauty & The Beast Opening Night (TIX ALMOST SOLD OUT)
Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m.Beauty & The Beast Matinee
Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m.1A & 1B Passover PerformanceThursday, March 21, 8:45 a.m. Grade 3 Model SederThursday, March 21, 10:10 a.m. 1C Model SederFriday, March 21, 8:45 a.m. Last Day of School Before Pesach Break/Report Cards Available OnlineFriday, March 21
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Thanks to Danna Marks and Rabbi Matthew Bellas we now have our leather bound books for the Beauty & The Beast set. Todah Rabah!
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Community Announcements
Registration for the JCC's Pesach/Spring Break Camp Shalom is on NOW! Click here
There is also a 10% early bird discount to register for the JCC summer camp. Ends soon!
JCC Festival Ha'Rikud invites you to see an award winning Israeli film, "Fill the Void,"
Sunday, March 17, 10:30 a.m., Park Theatre, $13
The Vancouver Jewish Food Bank is accepting kosher for Passover food donations for Pesach. Please consider dropping of matzah, gefilte fish, horseradish and other traditional foods to the school by March 19, 2013.
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.
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.
A Camp Miriam registration table will be set up in the foyer of the JCC Monday, March 11 from 4-7pm. Leah will be there to answer any questions and help with registering your child. If you register your child before March 20th, you have a chance to win many fabulous prizes such as 2 tickets to the Vancouver Canucks.
Camp Hatikvah
Family 5K Fun Run
On Sunday, March 10th, join Camp Hatikvah for their first annual Fun Run at Jericho Beach to help raise funds and awareness for their exceptional summer programming. This is a new and unique fundraising event for the whole family and will surely be a blast.
For more information or to register, please click here
Richmond Country Club is offering a golf scholarship for a non-affiliated, qualified student to enjoy the benefits and experience of a summer golf membership.
Deadline to apply is March 31st.
Download application here
Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! Musical Theatre Summer Program
Deadline for applications: April 1, 2013
Visit the JCC's website to learn more
Danielle Horwitz Social Justice Award Benefit Evening: Artists for Education
Saturday, April 6, JCC
JFSA's Innovators Lunch 2013 presents Joel Cohen, Writer & Co-Executive Producer of The Simpsons
Wednesday, April 10, 12 noon
Hyatt Regency Hotel
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WE HAVE LOTS OF PPP JOBS FOR BEAUTY & THE BEAST One need not be a cast member parent to help. We also have a need for strong parents to help with the set load in. Click this link to see all the opportunities to help out in our spring musical. Questions? Contact Keri Smith. Do you enjoy gardening?
Would you enjoy a volunteer activity that could include your children?JFSA's community garden is looking for volunteers to help out for 2-3 hour shifts on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. No experience necessary. Children welcome. Contact Marnie
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SHONOT | ODDS 'N ENDZ
 Mazal tov to Mitchell Neuman and his family on his his Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat weekend.  Riding in Memory of Mr. Lee, z'l VTT's Judaics coordinator and long-time faculty member (35 years strong), Fred Cohen, 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". More here.
Are you leaving early or returning late for Pesach holidays?
If so, please submit absent notes to Lihe ( lkatz@talmudtorah.com) in the office so your child's absence can be properly recorded in our system.
 It's never too late to join our parent-moderated Yahoo! Group. Searching for child care? Need a plumber? Have a sofa to sell? Do this and more on this engaging and supportive parent forum. Contact Laura Rosenthal to sign up.
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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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