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Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly e-Newsletter
Volume VIII, Issue 30
May 3, 2013 23 iyar, 5773
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VTT CAMPUS CAMPAIGN--WE'RE ALMOST THERE AND NEED YOUR HELP!
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In the past week, the VTT Campus Campaign has secured over $400,000 in new commitments. This means we have just $1.8 million more to raise to secure the campaign's last $5 million from the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Foundation. The advertisement above appeared in this week's Jewish Independent and is already out of date! We have to do it very soon if we are going to be able to break ground on the new school in June of next year. The success of this campaign depends on the entire community coming together to support this essential project, which in turn, is about the long-term health and vitality of the community. Our dedicated volunteers will be calling as many members of our community as possible on May 6th and 7th. They will be able to answer any questions you may have about the project. If you have already made gift, TODAH RABAH! If you haven't yet made your commitment, please call us at 604-736-7307 x 3478 or email info@securingthefuture.ca and be a part of it.
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WEEKLY TORAH PORTION WITH RABBI MATTHEW BELLAS
Shabbat Parashat B'har-B'hukotai/Shabbat M'varkhim
"We are but Strangers"
 We are given the gift of a double parasha once again this week as we complete our reading of Leviticus/VaYikra, the third of the Five Books of Moses. The first of the two parashiyot, parashat B'har, contains several new mitzvot/commandments for the Israelites who are still gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai. Among these are the laws of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, which are intended - first and foremost - to remind us that we are living on an earth that belongs ultimately to God. Every seventh and fiftieth year, the earth is to experience a complete rest without the planting or harvesting of crops, among other rules and regulations. Serving as a thematic summary to this section of instructions is God's reminder to us that we are but strangers on the earth, no matter how comfortable we may be or feel at a given time, and that we must always remember that the earth is the Lord's in all that we do.
This concept of being the "comfortable stranger" is a powerful and very relevant one for us. All over the world, Jews are once again experiencing the challenge of anti-Semitism, disrespect, and rejection. Read more online...
Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Matthew BellasVice Principal, Judaic Studies
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HAVE YOU SEEN THE SPIEGELMAN EXHIBIT YET? ENDS JUNE 9th!
The Vancouver Art Gallery is currently showing a collection of artist Art Spiegelman's works, including examples of his groundbreaking graphic novel, Maus, which is based on his father's experiences as a Holocaust survivor.
We encourage all VTT families to visit the VAG and explore this exhibit, sponsored by the Arnold and Anita Silber Family Foundation, which is on display until June 9th. There are special programs for families on the weekends. Click here to learn more.
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WELCOME AMANDA REYNOLDS!
We have a new teacher in our midst! Welcome Amanda Reynolds, Keri Smith's replacement until the end of June. Amanda will assume all of Ms. Smith's teaching responsibilities for Term III. For those not in the loop, Keri Smith has taken a leave until the end of the year to pursue additional studies in the field of theatre arts at Capilano University. Ms. Reynolds has been a regular Teacher on Call at VTT since September. Born and raised in Vancouver, Amanda holds a B.A. (geography) as well as a B.Ed. When not teaching, you can find Ms. Reynolds leading an extremely active lifestyle of snowboarding, biking, ball hockey and soccer (coaching). She also loves to cook, with breakfast being her specialty.
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VTT IN THE NEWS
 Affectionately known as "BC's bird boy," seventh grader Liron Gertsman was featured on CBC's The National last night for his accomplishments both as a bird conservationist and as a wildlife photographer. VTT's MVP program (the students have raised a record $22K) even got a plug in the news piece! Watch the story here.  | | Click on image to enlarge |
Yishar Ko'ach to Preschool 4 student Mielle van den Berg for raising $500 for the Tikvah Housing Society in honour of her fifth birthday.  VTT alum Mark Leiren-Young's latest play, Never Shoot a Stampede Queen, will premiere at Granville Island from May 8th. The play is about his crazy adventures as a young reporter in Williams Lake, BC and it is based on his book (which mentions TT teacher Mrs. Grimble) which won the Stephen Leacock Medal for humour in 2009. Mr. Leiren-Young, who graduated from Talmud Torah in 1980, is a full-time writer, director and producer.
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SCHOOL NEWS
 Lag Ba'Omer at 6-Pack Indoor Beach in Richmond was a huge success last Friday. Our grades 1-3 students had a blast playing volleyball, soccer, and playing in the sand without risk of rain, wind or cold. See the photos here. The day at the indoor beach culminated in a spirited parent vs. teacher Tug of War. To see who won, watch Ms. Kaplan's video:  | | Tug of War at Six Pack Beach |
 VTT parent Joelly Segal took time out of her busy schedule to give a jewellery making lesson to K2 students. Her son Emmet looks on with pride.  Five Talmud Torah students, all members of the Aura Rhythmic Gymnastics team (they train after school at VTT), travelled to Edmonton last weekend for the Western conference meet. Congratulations to Samantha Gilman, Rebecca Baron, Leah Weidman, Anais Poirier (not pictured) and Melila Chesick-Gordis (also not pictured) on their impressive results. Samantha and Anais will next travel to Ottawa to compete in the nationals. (Along with VTT alum, Jared Khalifa, who trains in trampoline.)  Inspired by Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup series, Grade 6 students created their own interpretations of the typical soup can.
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Dates to Remember
| Light candles at 8:13 p.m.
Shabbat ends at 9:28 p.m.
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TWO DAYS LEFT TO ORDER JEWCY CUISINE
Deadline to order: Sunday, May 5 at 11 p.m.
Visit www.jewcycuisine.com
Yom Yerushalayim
Wednesday, May 8
Erev Shavuot--11:25 a.m. dismissal
Tuesday, May 14
Shavuot--No Sessions
Wednesday, May 15
Shavuot--No Sessions
Thursday, May 16
Victoria Day--No Sessions
Monday, May 20
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Thank you to Valerie Grubner and Carol Nest, parent volunteers who are assisting our second grade parents personalize and decorate Torah scroll covers for the annual Grade 2 Siddur celebration. Although Valerie "graduated" from VTT last year, she's still giving her valuable time to Talmud Torah.
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Community Announcements
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. Memorial Service in Tribute to Rabbi Lipa DubrawskyTuesday, May 7, 7:30 p.m. Schara Tzedeck Don't Miss Jewtopia!VENUE CHANGE: KING DAVID HIGH SCHOOLAudiences 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 a fundraiser for King DavidBoy O Boy Speaker Series Ross Laird, PhD: "Being There - How to Guide and Support Youth Through the Challenges of Substance and Technology Use and AddictionsWednesday, May 8, 2013; 7:00 pm Senior School Auditorium, St. George's School Reception Afterward Click this link to registerShavuot WOW Shabbat at Temple Sholom for kids ages 0-8 Everyone welcome! Saturday, May 11 @ 10 a.m. Art, music, kids' yoga, storytelling and dance Torah dedication ceremony to honour the life and work of Rabbi Lipa Dubrawski, OBMSunday, May 12, 5 p.m. Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel Do you need help packing healthy lunches for your kids?Join registered holistic nutritionist (and VTT parent) Heidi Seidman at Talmud Torah on Wednesday, May 22, from 7 p.m. for Project LunchboxFifth grade student Lyrie Murad will be performing in an intergenerational, amateur production of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatMay 29-June 1 St. Mary's Kerrisdale 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. Did you serve in the IDF?
JNF wants to recognize YOU at the JNF Negev Dinner honouring the Israel Defense Forces with special guest of Avigdor KahalaniSunday, June 7, Schara Tzedeck Email liisa.king@jnf.ca if you know people who served in the IDF This Year in Jerusalem! Announcing the 2014 Multigenerational Tour to Israel, offered by Congregation Beth Israel with Rabbi Infeld and family Click here to read all the details
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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
Mazal tov to Rakeea Chesick-Gordis and her family on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah this weekend. Mazal tov to Viktor Viragh and his family on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah on Monday. Faculty member Fred Cohen has become a grandfather for a second time, this time to a baby girl. Ava Dylan Segal was born on April 21st (her actual due date) in Toronto. X chromosomes reign in staff member's Sydney Antao's gene pool. His fourth grandchild, a girl, joins three other females in the clan. Recognize anything? Our LOST & FOUND is AT CAPACITY. If items are not cleared soon, all unlabelled clothing, lunch bags and sundry items will be donated when the holiday of Shavuot begins. Please come check out all the valuable loot! Thursday was National Clean Your Keyboard Day. It's never to late to give your keyboard a quick clean. And while you're at it, don't forget your mouse, smart phone, home phone and other surfaces prone to attract many fingers!
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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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We are a community of faculty, staff, students, parents, grandparents, alumni, family and friends! Feel free to join us.
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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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