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Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly e-Newsletter
Volume VIII, Issue 27
April 12, 2013 2 iyar, 5773
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VTT CAMPUS CAMPAIGN LEAPS PAST $17M MARK
On the strength of a recent surge of gifts, the VTT Campus Campaign has now secured commitments totaling $17.2 million for the expanded and revitalized Talmud Torah. This includes the extraordinary lead gift of the campaign's last $5 million from the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Foundation.
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Notable gifts:
2012 Grade 7 students: $234
VTT Teachers: $5,400
One gift this week of $100,000 from a current VTT parent
One gift this week of $150,000 from current VTT grandparents
One gift this week of $50,000
from a community member
Recent gift of $500,000 from a single community member
Recent gift of $250,000 from a major donor family
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To all of you who have made commitments, todah rabah! Your leadership and generosity is extraordinary.
The VTT Campus Campaign is at a critical point. In order to be ready and able to break ground in June 2014, we need to
know by the end of this month that the campaign has been a success.
The campaign team and all volunteers are working feverishly to secure the remaining funds
by April 30.
This is just one of the reasons why the Parent Appeal is so important. Every single dollar counts, but that's not all. High levels of participation by current VTT families send a strong message to the entire community and enables the campaign team to leverage additional gifts from others.
To date, current VTT parents have committed over $2 million, and we are still not at our goal of 100% participation.
We have come so far, and are so close! Please do your part to help us sustain this incredible momentum. Together, we can achieve our goal.
Please contact the school or your canvasser to make your gift today.
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WEEKLY TORAH PORTION WITH RABBI MATTHEW BELLASShabbat Parashat Tazri'a-M'tzora Who Are Our Lepers? In the ancient world, leprosy was considered to be a plague being inflicted upon an individual as a consequence for one's sins. God singled out that person for punishment, to be made an example of for the entire community to see. The physical result was temporary quarantine from the camp; the religious result was a status of ritual impurity requiring observation, cleansing, sacrifices, and return to ritual purity facilitated by a Kohen/Priest. These consequences and regulations are clearly outlined in the text of this week's double parasha. However, what is not included are the social consequences of coming down with a case of leprosy, or any other illness or condition that would cause an individual to be unwelcome and removed from the general population. Read more online.... Shabbat Shalom,
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GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: Two opportunities for the VTT community to easily help those in need | Click on image to enlarge
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On Feb. 11, Jayden, the 4-year old daughter of a Jewish couple in Montreal was diagnosed with MDS, a rare form of AML Leukemia. In order to survive, Jayden will need to find a stem cell donor in the coming weeks. On Wednesday, April 17, 2013 a stem cell donor drive will be held at the JCC from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. We need your help in spreading the word to members of the Jewish community in Vancouver. We are looking for potential donors aged 17 to 50. Doctors believe Jewish Ashkenazi males between the ages of 17-35 are her best bet for a match. Prospective donors will be required to have a swab of their inner cheeks. No blood tests are required at this stage. The information will be put into the Canadian Blood Services registry and will be shared with Jayden's physicians. Should a match be found, the procedure is non-invasive and similar to donating blood. For further information about Jayden, the event and the process for donation, consult the website, www.CureforJayden.ca Volunteers also needed to staff the tables. Click here if you can help. ________________________________________________  Did you know that Rabbi Bellas has been donating blood every 59 days as part of his Mitzvah of Valuing Philanthropy (MVP) commitment? Thanks to his regular visits, Canadian Blood Services now stocks kosher cookies! On Thursday, April 25th, VTT parents Jennifer Chelin and Debra Miller are organizing another Talmud Torah Blood Drive to help those in need. They are hoping for a full representation from our community. Appointments are scheduled 5 minutes apart. To sign up, click this link. For info, contact Jennifer Chelin at jchelin@shaw.ca
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A PROFOUND LOSS
 The Vancouver Talmud Torah community mourns the sudden and tragic loss of a community leader, mentor, teacher, tzadik and friend, Rabbi Lipa Dubrawsky, a noble man who selflessly served the needs of our community for 20 years.
To express your condolences to the family or to reminisce about special memories of Rabbi Dubrawsky, click here. |
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO PRE-ORDER A BEAUTY & THE BEAST DVD 
DVDs ordered through PayPal are $12  If purchased through Jennifer in the communications office, $10
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VTT IN THE NEWS
News of our campus campaign efforts are spreading far and wide. Read this recent article in The Canadian Jewish News.  Mazal tov to Class of 2012 alumna, Sophie Visscher-Lubinizki, recipient of a renewable $20,000 Honor Society Scholarship to attend the American Hebrew Academy, an international Jewish college prep boarding school in North Carolina, beginning in the fall of 2013. Sophie won the award based on academic merit, community service, creative and artistic abilities and her active involvement in Jewish life at organizations like Beth Israel, USY and Camp Solomon Schechter. The admission's committee was particularly impressed by Sophie's Hebrew and Judaic knowledge, an outcome, Sophie acknowledged, of her seven years of schooling at Vancouver Talmud Torah. Sophie's goal is to graduate from AHA.  There's no doubt about the immense talent of VTT's Drama Specialist, Keri Smith. Whether teaching, directing, producing or envisioning, Ms. Smith has afforded our students tremendous opportunities for personal growth and development. Click this link to read a lovely profile on Keri that appeared in last week's Jewish Independent.  Kudos to Grade 5 student Neta Sar Shalom for placing first in trampoline, first in tumbling and ranking fourth in BC at the recent trampoline competition in Kamloops.  Shayla Kaplen, Class of 2008, was recently named as one of " 30 Under 30" to watch by the Richmond Review. Shayla recently signed on to play softball for UBC, alma mater to her parents and to both her older brothers, also VTT graduates.  Grade 7 students Ben Porte and Aaron Casseres are the brains behind BBQ Busters. Founded in 2012, the two young men clean a range of barbecues in the Greater Vancouver area. By focusing on top quality service and fair pricing (starting at $15 depending on barbeque size), BBQ Busters aims to be the only choice in consumers' minds. From now until May 6th they are donating $5 from every barbecue they clean to the MVP (Mitzvah of Valuing Philanthropy) project. To have your barbecue cleaned, call 604-617-7930 or email bbqbuster@gmail.com
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Dates to Remember
| Light candles at 7:42 p.m.
Shabbat ends at 8:51 p.m.
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Yom Hazikaron (Israel Remembrance Day)
Monday, April 15
Yom Ha'atzma'ut (Israel Independence Day)
Tuesday, April 16 In school celebrations for primary studentsCelebrations at KDHS for intermediate studentsIllustration course with Thom Watchorn beginsTuesday, April 16 Digivations beginsThursday, April 18 After School Yoga beginsThursday, April 18 Deadline to submit Grade 7 MVP donationFriday, April 19 Pro-D DayWednesday, April 24 Lag Ba'Omer PicnicsFriday, April 26 Volunteers URGENTLY needed! Sign up below: Grades 1-3 volunteersGrades 4-7 volunteers
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Thank you to the dozens of parent canvassers who are tirelessly making calls and reaching out to all members of the VTT community to ensure our goal of 100% participation in the VTT campus campaign. Canvassing is hard work requiring much tenacity and stamina. Talmud Torah is grateful to these determined individuals.
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Community Announcements
Yom Hazikaron Memorial Service for fallen Israeli soldiers Sunday, April 14, 7:30 p.m., JCC Celebrate Israel's 65th Birthday with Israeli performer, Nurit GalronMonday, April 15, 7:30 p.m. at The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts Supporting the Anxious Child: A workshop for parents based on the theories of Gordon NeufeldWednesday, April 18, 7-9:30 p.m. Come learn about Camp Solomon Schechter at the home of Lisa Romalis. Meet the Executive Director, Sam Perlin Thursday, April 18, 7 p.m. For more info, email LisaJewish Seniors Alliance of Greater Vancouver presents, "All in the Family" an intergenerational workshop of grandparents, parents and children and featuring keynote speaker Meg Hickling(VTT's very own Magalee Blumenkrans will be presenting as well!) Sunday, April 21, 1:30-4:00, $5 Peretz Centre April 24th Pro-D Day course options at the JCC:S.N.A.P is taking over your Pro-D days! Same fun and excitement as our Saturday night events, but in the middle of the day! April 24 12:00pm-4:00pm Digivations Pro-D DayDIGIVATORS collaboratively build LEGO Robotics, rockets, roller coasters & more while exploring 21st Century themes awith artistic & kinesthetic activities. Instructors: Drs. Steven and Anne Deane Berman April 24 10:00pm-2:00pm Join the worldwide walk! Celebrate Israel! Walk for IsraelSunday, April 28, 10 a.m. Meet at Temple Sholom Chabad of Richmond presents a family picnic to celebrate Lag Ba'OmerSunday, April 28, 6 p.m. Steveston Community Park RSVP requested Buy or sell at the JCC's first SWAP MEETChildren's toys, clothing, maternity wear, etc. Sunday, May 5, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Congregation Schara Tzedeck presents Senator Joe Lieberman (in honour of the 10 year anniversary of Rabbi Andrew and Cireille Rosenblatt) Sunday, June 2, 8 p.m.
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VOLUNTEER CORNER
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
 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. Video of the WeekTrailer of the Birth of the Israeli Air Force--You'll be amazed to meet the cast of characters responsible for Israel's air victory during the War of Independence
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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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