NEED PPP HOURS?
SIGN UP TO HELP AT OUR BOOK FAIR. . .Set up is the afternoon of Monday, February 3rd Sale will occur Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, February 4, 5, & 6 Break down is the afternoon of Thursday, Feb 6 Click this link to sign up
|
Questions? Contact volunteer organizer, Suzanne Ferera: suzanneferera@yahoo.co.uk
|
WEEKLY TORAH PORTION WITH RABBI BELLASShabbat Parashat B'Shalah/Shabbat Shira /Pre-Tu Bish'vat Sing a Song for Shabbat 
"The whole world is waiting to sing a song of Shabbat."
- Abraham Joshua Heschel
The Shabbat on which we read parashat B'shalah is always also named Shabbat Shira/The Shabbat of the Song because it is the Shabbat on which we read The Song of the Sea, the biblical poem which recounts how God miraculously and finally defeated the Egyptians and freed the Israelite slaves. After crossing the Reed (yes, Reed, not Red) Sea, the Israelites burst into song and dance, led by Miriam and the women, to celebrate their newfound independence. Praising God and celebrating life through song, therefore, have a very long and rich history and tradition in Judaism, and this is the Shabbat on which we are supposed to remember and become recommitted to them.
Each week during Kabbalat Shabbat services in school, our students welcome in the spirit of Shabbat with blessings, prayers, and song. Over the last few years, we have been adding in new prayers and songs, both traditional and more contemporary. One of the newer texts that we have been doing is a melody for the Psalm for Shabbat. That same tune was adapted and applied to the quotation above, which I am told was sung by Abraham Joshua Heschel each week on Erev Shabbat/Friday evening. The melody is slow and can be very successful at getting an individual or a group into the "Shabbat spirit." Children in Grade 2 and up should certainly be familiar with the melody, so please ask them to teach it to the family, if you are interested (They will know the melody as "mizmor shir l'yom haShabbat."
| Read more here. . .
|
TU B'SHEVAT GIFT INSTRUCTIONS
Next week, all students will receive parsley seedlings courtesy of our PPP. The intent is to plant and grow these seedlings in time to use the parsley for your Passover Seder. Enjoy!
|
|
SPECIAL FLU VACCINATION CLINIC EXTENDED AT BC CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL (CRFI BLDG, near Beth Israel)
A special influenza vaccination clinic will be available weekdays from January 9-31 to offer a last chance to avoid influenza before the worst of the winter epidemic reaches BC. Anyone wanting vaccination is welcome: patients, family members, staff, visitors, volunteers, students etc. Both nasal spray and injected vaccines are available, as appropriate for the individual. The clinic is located in the CRFI building, street level, at the corner nearest the ACB building. The clinic operates drop-in fashion, from 10 am until 3 pm weekdays. The vaccinators are fully qualified and very experienced. |
|
SCHOOL NEWS
After eight weeks in a full leg cast, first grade student Maya Karagianis felt very motivated to thank everyone at VTT who helped her out while she was in a wheelchair. To that end, she chose to raise money for VTT's campus campaign with the goal to donate funds to wheelchair accessibility (and possibly an elevator!) for the expanded school. She organized a "celebration walk" to celebrate being able to walk all the way around the block without a cast on. Her twenty pledges yielded $405.95 towards this commendable effort!
Sixth grade student Hannah Lando was recently featured in The Jewish Independent for a special mitzvah she performed. Click on the above image to read more.  Using iPads and with the help of QR codes, Mrs. Andersen's second grade students used these clues to complete a reptile scavenger hunt assignment.
|
Have you ever checked out the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC? Our fourth graders had a splendid day there analyzing fossils and seeing an intact skeleton of a blue whale. |
|
|
NEED TO REACH THE OFFICE TEAM IN A JIFFY?
| Send an email to 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.
| |
DATES TO REMEMBER
| |
Light Shabbat candles
4:17 p.m.
Shabbat ends 5:30 p.m.
|
First "Annie" rehearsal
Sunday, Jan 12, 11-3
Tu B'Shevat
Thursday, Jan 16
CHECK YOUR CHILD'S BACKPACK! JNF tree purchase envelopes are being sent hone to all families to celebrate Tu B'Shevat. Please remit donations by Thursday.
|
DOES YOUR CHILD VISIT THE LEARNING COMMONS AFTER SCHOOL?
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday:
Open until 4:30 p.m.
Friday: CLOSED
| |
Please pick up your children on time
|
| Every year, VTT parent Ruth Jankelowitz chairs our Tu B'Shevat holiday. Thank you to her and to her many parent volunteers for the gift packages and dried fruit for the class Seders. Todah Rabah!
|
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
|
Snow Tubing for Grades 4 & 5 with Beth Israel's Atid program
Sunday, Jan 12, 2-6
Applications to attend King David for the 2014 - 2015 school year are due next Friday, January 17.
This year, applications are completed online and can be accessed from the King David website under the Admissions Tab
Questions?
Contact Debbie Appelbaum or 604.263.9700
|
Danielle Horwitz Social Justice Award Benefit EveningArtists for Education Saturday, Jan 18, 7 pm, JCC Click this link to learn about Beth Israel's family services from January to April. Also, learn about their special birthday program! PJ Library Tu B'Shevat CelebrationSunday, Jan 19, 2014, 12-2 at Congregation Beth Tikvah Have you heard of Limmud Vancouver? In addition to adult workshops, there are plenty of opportunities for students to learn as well. At only $5/child, kids ages 3-12 of parents attending Limmud will have a chance to participate in a variety of exciting Jewish-content workshops throughout the day. Weekend of Feb 9. Camp Fair 2014Wednesday, Feb 19, JCC
|
SHONOT/ODDS 'N ENDS
|
For those of you who remember VTT alum Liron Gertsman, Class of 2013, please check out his latest photos of the world's largest gathering of bald eagles on the Chehalis Flats in Harrison Mills, BC. Liron saw approximately 3,000 eagles and beautifully captured them through his camera lens. Liron was featured on Peter Mansbridge's The National (CBC) last year. SEEKING A SABBATICAL HOMETwo professors from McMaster University with two daughters (ages 11 and 14), are looking to rent a 2-4 bedroom fully furnished home for their sabbatical at UBC (2014-2015) from August 15, 2014. Details here. Does travelling to China sound like fun? A single VTT Bubbe is looking for a like-minded travelling companion on an organized trip this year (2014). For more info, contact Jennifer Shecter. |
Congregation Beth Israel is hiring!
|
MISSION STATEMENT
| |
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.
| |
|
|
