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Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly e-Newsletter
Volume VIII, Issue 28
April 19, 2013 9 iyar, 5773
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VTT CELEBRATES ISRAEL'S 65th BIRTHDAY
Building on the theme of Israel: A Light Unto Nations, primary students celebrated on site with a range of Israeli-themed activities ( see the schedule here) while intermediate students joined their peers at King David for a day of music, dance, and art culminating in the hugely popular Israeli Idol. Kudos to the Grade 6 students for their creative contributions to the achievement museum: 65 years of Israeli innovation. (Their displays are included in the photo album, link below.)  Click this link to see all the photos. A special thank you to sixth grader Gabe Israel for happily snapping away and skillfully capturing the ruach at KDHS. Fred Cohen of VTT and Shoshi Burton of King David are to be commended for the creativity and superb organizational skills. Todah Rabah!
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WEEKLY TORAH PORTION WITH RABBI MATTHEW BELLASShabbat Parashat Aharei Mot-K'doshim Responding to the Boston Marathon Tragedy Not again... Whether it happens in Israel, in a small town or in a big city in the United States or even in downtown Vancouver, how many more times are we going to need to figure out how to feel and respond to tragic and destructive events perpetrated by our fellow human beings on this earth? I find myself constantly asking how it could be that people could be so alike physiologically, yet so completely different philosophically, ideologically, and theologically. It is true that our differences are what make the human species so unique, creative, and special on earth. However, do we need to be so different that some of us devalue human life itself and overvalue death? This is the essential question that I find so difficult, that I continue to ask, while knowing that I will not find the answer... So I, and we, are left only to figure out-yet again-what to do and how to live our lives in response to, and in the aftermath of, another tragedy. Thankfully, our Jewish tradition does not lack in lessons and instructions for cases like these. Perhaps not so coincidentally, this week's double parasha/ weekly Torah portion is translated to mean "After Death-Be Holy!" Many others have told the heroic and courageous stories of the first responders who ran into the breach after the explosions in Boston much more eloquently and knowledgeably than I can.
Read more online.... May this Shabbat truly be a Shabbat Shalom - a Shabbat of Peace!
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GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE
 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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WE CAN REALLY USE YOUR HELP--a plea from the PPP
We are in particular need of volunteers for site supervision and street crossing for our Grade 4 - 7 students. This special outing to Kits Beach is a favourite for your children but we can only ensure its success, and your children's safety, if we have parental support. Please visit the following link and sign up to support this wonderful activity for our older students. We are also in need of a few more volunteers to work in the school Friday morning to prepare the food for the upper grades as well as for preschool and kindergarten morning of April 26th. You can follow the above link if you are available to help at the school the. This is a wonderful volunteer opportunity for pre-school parents.
Thank you again for your tireless support of our school activities. We are grateful for all of the hours you have already committed to our school and your children and appreciate your continued support for this holiday.
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SCHOOL NEWS
K2 students sold lemonade for 25 cents to siblings and friends to raise money for the Jewish Food Bank to buy fresh eggs for people in need. Yishar Ko'ach! (And thanks to Debbie Rosenbaum for donating the lemonade.)  Would you give up your birthday money for VTT's campus campaign? Fourth grader Max Laskin so believes in the cause that he donated all his birthday money to the campaign this year. In the photo above, he displays the special campaign pin that he received and would like to encourage the rest of the community to follow his lead.
Yishar Ko'ach, Max!  Our Grade 7 Mitzvah of Valuing Philanthropy (MVP) program is already making an impact. On Wednesday, VTT student Aaron Casseres was asked to join a group of donors in the presentation of a cheque for $25,000 to Children's Hospital's Child Life Department to purchase games and entertainment for patients. The organization responsible for raising these funds is Child's Play, Aaron's chosen agency for MVP. He chose the non-profit based on his own experience using their services when he was in hospital at age 7.  Grade 3 students show off the pioneer-themed crosswords they created.  Wishful thinking? K3 students have created a beautiful display outside their classroom to welcome spring. With all this rain, it's hard to believe the season has really arrived.   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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We are a community of faculty, staff, students, parents, grandparents, alumni, family and friends! Feel free to join us.
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Dates to Remember
| Light candles at 7:52 p.m.
Shabbat ends at 9:03 p.m.
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JEWCY CUISINE IS OPEN FOR ORDERS FOR MAY & JUNE
Deadline to order: Sunday, May 5
Visit www.jewcycuisine.com
Deadline to submit Grade 7 MVP donation
Friday, April 19 Pro-D DayWednesday, April 24 No West Side Bus Service the morning of Thursday, April 25There will be a substitute bus and driver transporting students to the JCC and the West Side that afternoon. VTT Blood Drive for Canadian Blood ServicesThursday, April 25 Lag Ba'Omer PicnicsFriday, April 26 Volunteers URGENTLY needed for the intermediate outing to Kits Beach! Since the students walk there, we need plenty of parent volunteers to supervise and ensure optimum safety.Sign up below: Grades 4-7 volunteersFestival Ha'Rikud at the JCCSunday, April 28, 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. Buy tickets hereMath Consultant Carole Fullerton at VTTMonday & Tuesday, April 29 & 30 Kindergarten Dental ScreeningTuesday, April 30 VTT Faculty MeetingWednesday, May 1, 3:30 p.m.
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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
Jewish Seniors Alliance of Greater Vancouver presents, "All in the Family" an inter-generational workshop of grandparents, parents and children and featuring popular 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 Faigen Family Lecture Series presents Michael Medved: The Political Future of the Jewish North American CommunityThursday, April 25, 7 p.m., JCC Beth Israel invites you to Shabbat Zone, a special service geared towards young children Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. 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 Strategies for Raising Respectful, Responsible, Self-Reliant Teens with Suzanne Ferera Wednesday, May 1, 7-8:30, JCC Schara Tzedeck is hosting a Shabbat dinner in honour of the women behind their Families that Give program, all VTT mothers! Friday, May 3, 5:15 p.m. Click here to learn moreBuy or sell at the JCC's first SWAP MEETChildren's toys, clothing, maternity wear, etc. Sunday, May 5, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Don't Miss Jewtopia!Audiences across North America have been entertained by the outrageous Jewish humour of Bryan Fogel. Fogel's brainchild, Jewtopia, is one of the most successful Off-Broadway comedies of all time, prompting the New York Times to hail it as "Unstoppable! One of the biggest and most improbable hits!" May 8 & 9, Rothstein Theatre a fundraiser for King DavidCongregation 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 Ms. Smith has a cutting job that can be done at home or at school. Eligible for PPP hours. Email ksmith@talmudtorah.com
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SHONOT | ODDS 'N ENDZ
Mazal Tov to Adina Kline and her family on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah this weekend.
 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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