| March 15, 2013 |
4 Nisan, 5773
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MJCDS Maggid
the weekly newsletter of
Madison Jewish Community Day School
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| Shalom! | |
In this issue of the Maggid, senior tzedakah correspondents Anna Ablove and Ilana Greenspan write about the students' decision making process as they wrestled with how to allocate our accumulated tzedakah money.
This week students also experimented with building penny barges made of tinfoil, in preparation for next month's engineering expo. Students also reflected on this week's Torah portion, which describes the sacrifices that ancient Jews used to draw close to God. Our students pondered: what do we do today to feel close to God? What are our offerings? Among their answers: prayer, taking care of our families, and good deeds.
And finally, don't miss Yayin for Yeladim, an opportunity to order wine through Steve's Wine and Liquors for your Passover seder. A portion of sales will benefit MJCDS. Click here for an order form: http://ow.ly/iSfdu
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rebecca
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Announcements
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Next Friday at 1 pm:
Kabbalat Shabbat and Passover Celebration
Join us for a special Kabbalat Shabbat at an earlier time. We will welcome Shabbat and share some of our preparations for and learning about the holiday of Passover.
Save the Date:
Sharsheret Dance Festival, Sunday, May 5
Save the date for the Sharsheret multicultural dance festival, which will take place at Edgewood College on Sunday, May 5 at 2 pm. Students have already begun rehearsing with Morah Helga and Morah Geri! Check your email for further details.
Calendar Change
Please note that Passover/Spring Break will run from Monday, March 25 to Tuesday, April 2. School will resume Wednesday, April 3.
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This week's challenge:
"Penny Barges: Teams design a boat out of aluminum foil that can hold the most pennies." Students prepared for this competition this past Thursday morning led by MJCDS parents Yaniv Lazimy and Trista Warrich. Amelia's boat held the most pennies!
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| Photos | 
K-3 Science Fridays: Students and Morah Clara present a play based on the concept of volume. Note the science words in Hebrew and English on the board!
The students presented the concepts of mechanical energy (stored energy plus energy in motion), sound (volume and pitch), heat, and electricity to their younger classmates in the K-1 class. They made posters that included definitions and illustrations of these concepts, physically presented the information, and checked for comprehension from all the students. Rory and Jane suggested the students create miniskits demonstrating their knowledge of sound, pitch and volume. Here, they present their poster.
How do we understand the sacrifices described in the Torah? Using the magic of Hebrew roots! The word for sacrifices, Korbanot, shares a root with the Hebrew word for drawing close, K.R.V. Here first-grader, Sarah, reflects on what offerings to God mean to her and challenges us, "I take care of others...Do you do that?"
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| Tzedakah Update |  by Anna Ablove and Ilana Greenspan, 5th grade
A few weeks ago, our school gathered to make an important decision. We had to decide where to donate our tzedakah money, because the box was overflowing, and added up to about $90. There were three main ideas; animals, people, and the environment.
Some people wanted to donate the money to Kenya to help elephants (animals). Other people wanted to donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Madison, Wisconsin, since their CEO, Michael Johnson, had come to visit our school and talk to us about our futures (people). Then Barkai said, "I want to help the environment, too."
That gave Ms. Goldman an idea. She explained that the World Wildlife Foundation protects habitats and animals, both animals and the environment. Everyone liked this idea!
In the end, we decided to give half to the World Wildlife Foundation, and half to the Boys and Girls Club. |
Admissions
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Volunteer and Represent MJCDS at the
Independent Schools Information Fair
Sun., April 7, 11 am-1pm, CUNA Conference Center (Round Building) 5810 Mineral Point Rd
MJCDS will be participating in this first-time event showcasing the independent schools in Madison. Participating schools will have a representative available to answer all of your questions. Please contact Rabbi Rebecca or Laurie Nagus for more information: 608.270.9005.
Be an MJCDS Ambassador
Research shows that word of mouth and the work of current parents to spread the word about their positive experiences with Jewish day school is the most effective way to attract new students. What can you do to help?
*Hang MJCDS informational flyers in all your favorite public spaces.
*Talk to your friends about MJCDS
*Be in touch with Rabbi Rebecca if there is anyone you know that would appreciate an invitation to take a tour of the school.
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| Community Events |
Adult Ed Sociology Series
Sunday, March 17, 7 pm, Beth Israel Center
UW sociology professor Chad Goldberg leads a three-part series exploring the themes in his forthcoming book, Modernity & the Jews in Social Theory. Is being Jewish in America countercultural? Or, in some ways are Jews the archetypical achievers of the American Dream? Are Jews the vanguard of modernity, or the quintessential traditionalists? Participants will read selections from key social thinkers and examine why Jews played such a key role for theorists trying to understand what it meant to be French, German or American in modern times.
College Admissions and Jewish Life on Campus
with Zach Galin from Galin Education
Wednesday, March 13th, 6:15 pm
Parents and students are invited to this information session with educational expert and MJCDS Board member, Zach Galin at 6:15 p.m. in the sanctuary at Temple Beth El.
Adult Hebrew Classes
Yehonatan, our community shaliach, is teaching Advanced and Beginner Hebrew classes for adults on Tuesday nights. The Advanced class meets at 6 pm, Beginners at 7:15 pm at the Jewish Federation of Madison building, 6434 Enterprise Lane. New students are welcome any time. To register or ask questions, please contact Yehonatan.
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| Calendar | |
Fri. March 15 Kabbalat Shabbat, 1:25 pm
Mon. March 17 Classes resume in our regular classrooms
Board Meeting, 7:15 pm
Thurs. March 21 Gym at YMCA
Fri. March 22 Kabbalat Shabbat and Passover Celebration, 1 pm
Mon. March 25-Tues. April 2: Spring/Passover Break
Wed. April 3: School resumes
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Let's stay in touch! Keep the lines of communication flowing with your child's teachers by calling school at 608-204-9900 or by emailing them at:
Marla Becker marla@madisonjewishdayschool.com
Geri Goldman geri@madisonjewishdayschool.com Clara Lazimy clara@madisonjewishdayschool.com Rabbi Ben-Gideon rabbi@madisonjewishdayschool.com |
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