Hadashot
Vancouver Talmud Torah's Weekly e-Newsletter
Volume VIII, Issue 38
June 28, 2013 20 tammuz, 5773
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GRAD 2013 - L'HITRA'OT GRADUATES!
Forty four students joined the ranks of thousands of VTT alumni at a beautiful ceremony on Wednesday evening. Kudos to Rebecca Baron and Liron Gertsman for delivering thoughtful, compelling and relevant divrei Torot (analysis of the weekly Torah portion) and mazal tov to our graduates for completing their first significant milestone in their educational journeys.
Many of our students have been with us for a decade! To see the slideshow presented at the end of the ceremony click the YouTube link below:
 | Tribute to the Class of 2013 |
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YEAR END SCHOOL WIDE ASSEMBLY
Kindergarten through Grade 7 students gathered in the big gym on Wednesday morning to officially conclude the end of the 2012-13 school year. The following students were recognized for leadership, service, performing arts and athletics: Joey Hector, Jacqueline Belzberg and Adam Rosengarten (service), Ya'el Kastiel (leadership), Rachel Bugis and Tyler Gilman (Athletes of the Year), Eddie Reay (performing arts), and Maddie Stern, Noah Boroditsky, Jillian Marks and Avishai Infeld (Intramurals). Kol Ha'Kavod to all! Those in attendance also bid adieu to Ronneat Sachar (Humanities/Tikkun Olam), Natasha Krause (library), Amanda Reynolds (TOC for Keri Smith), and Ryvka Feigelstock (Judaics). Taking a leave for 2013-14 are Kylie Goldstein (P3) , Karen Brodt (P4) , Raylee Perkins, Loris Cohen (P4), Varda Greenberg (Judaics) and Anna Zeldis (Judaics). Morah Varda joined VTT in 1980. She will take a leave of absence next year. Ms. Weidman and the 3C students organized a surprise party for her to wish her well. See more photos here. Loris Cohen has been the face of preschool at Talmud Torah since 1977. Twenty students will miss her morning hug and boker tov greeting next year. The preschool faculty arranged a surprise party for her earlier this week to wish her a restful leave of absence. The photo above is of Loris's preschool class of 1981-82. In the group are current VTT parents Gary Benson, Annie Simpson, Shira Gold and Grade 3 teacher, Tamara Collet (nee Weisbom). Loris has subsequently taught the children of Gary, Annie and Shira. Janice St. Helene, Principal of Intermediate Grades and our Director of Education, will be leaving us at the end of July. She has devoted 16 years of service to our school. Our student body, faculty, administration and staff said goodbye to her in the following way:  | L'Hitraot Doesn't Mean Goodbye |
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ANNOUNCING THE RE-DESIGNED, RE-BRANDED, AND FULLY UPDATED JEWISH PAGES!
The 2013-2014 edition of the Jewish telephone directory, The Jewish Pages: BC's Community Guide, is now on sale at VTT! Improvements to The Jewish Pages include:
- New planning guides for B'Nei Mitzvot, parties, and other important life events;
- Updated personal listings;
- Reorganized information, personal, and advertising listings - making it easier to find what you need.
Copies can be purchased at the VTT front office. A sales table will also be set up at convenient times during the last week of school. If you have already purchased your copy, please stop by the office or the sales table to pick it up. If you have any questions, please contact Todd Monge in the front office or at tmonge@talmudtorah.com.
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MORE EFFORTS FROM OUR COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT VTT'S CAMPUS CAMPAIGN
Fourth grade student Juliette Sandler donated $439 to the campaign, proceeds from a garage sale she organized with her family. Abby Kalmek, in Grade 1, also organized a small yard sale and donated the $30 to our school. Thank you!
VTT alum Tal Bogdonov, Class of 2012, donated $750 from his Bar Mitzvah proceeds to VTT's Campus Campaign. Todah Rabah, Tal!
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INVITATION TO JOIN VANCOUVER TALMUD TORAH'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
Each year, VTT parents and members of our community join our school's faculty and administration to support and participate in an incredibly important shared mission: to deliver the best quality education possible to our children.
Many individuals spend years, and countless hours, devoting their time, energy and love to this mission, and the results are evident everywhere you look. We continue to expand and evolve and, as always, we need your help and support to do so.
Much of the work occurs within committees consisting of faculty, administration, directors and volunteers. These committees perform work that often has deep, profound and impactful results.
At this time, we are seeking volunteers that are prepared to assist on the following committees:
- Strategic Development
- Finance
- Communications
- Strategic Planning
- Technology
We are also reviewing nominations for our Board of Directors for the 2013-2014 school year, as well as future years.
If you're ready to get involved and help make a difference, please email Sue Hector from the Nominations Committee of our Board of Directors at suehector@telus.net and indicate your areas of interest and background by June 30th.
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NEED TO REACH OUR OFFICE TEAM IN A JIFFY?
Email office@talmudtorah.com to
reach Debbie, Lihe, Natalie and Tammy in one fell swoop. Use this email for late notes, absent notes, bus requests, etc.
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IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO ORDER A YEARBOOK!
Ten, twenty and even thirty years from now your children will thank you for the memories! $20 if paying by cash or cheque; $21 by PayPal
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Dates to Remember
| Light candles at 9:04 p.m. Shabbat ends at 10:28 p.m.
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Community Announcements
New Seniors' Residence for the CommunityThe community has a new resource for seniors.
Legacy Senior Living - The Leo Wertman Residence, will open in June 2014 on 41st Avenue right in the heart of the Jewish community and the Oakridge neighbourhood. This residence for independent seniors offers exceptional services and choices in a monthly package. Click here to visit their website and secure your spot on the interest list. Beth Israel at the Chan Centre A spectacular high holyday venue Special memberships available
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KUDOS KORNER
Our Grade 7 grad was a lovely affair thanks to the efforts of parent Dana Marks and her group of dedicated volunteers, including Avi Steinberg, Sharon McNamara, Gaetana Korbin, Yael Stein, Debbie Jacobson, Melina Baum Singer, Donna Cantor, Chana Charach, Karen Ergas, Natalya Kucherenko, Anat Miranker, Betina Jacob, Ronit Yona, Alain Guez, Alon Hendel, Angela Viragh and Jodi Bloom.
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VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
The Jewish Food Bank needs strong, able bodied individuals to help unload heavy boxes from 7:15-8:15 a.m. on food bank days. Email Marnie Greenwald for more information.
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SHONOT | ODDS 'N ENDZ
 For the third year in a row, Fred Cohen completed the ride to Conquer Cancer, this time riding in memory of VTT's beloved Mr. Eric Lee, z'l, who taught at our school for a record 39 years. Mr. Cohen cycled 250 km from Abbottsford to Seattle and raised $4,700 for cancer research.
Sixth grade student Natasha Klass's bake sale at the BC Cancer Agency last week netted $618.45 to support the BC Cancer Foundation. Natasha lost one grandma to ovarian cancer in February 2013 and now has another grandmum terminally ill with advanced pancreatic cancer.Mazal tov to fifth grade student Lyrie Murad who was accepted to be part of Vancouver Opera's Tosca in the fall.  Farewell from Natasha Krause: "It is with love that I say 'Good-bye' to this warm community so rich in love and support. I am grateful for the time I have had here with you and your children and I will carry memories of you in my heart wherever I go."
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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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