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The Maggid: The Weekly Newsletter of MJCDS
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| April 12, 2013 |
2 Iyar, 5773
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| Shalom! | |
During the period between Passover and Shavuot, it's a tradition to count our weeks and days. One way to understand this time is as a remembrance of the journey from slavery in Egypt (Passover) to becoming the people who received the Torah at Mount Sinai (Shavuot). It is also a time for personal reflection on our individual growth and life journeys.
In this spirit of reflection and of counting, I want to take a moment to count a blessing that was especially apparent this week at school: our talented MJCDS parents.
On Monday, as she does each week, kindergarten parent Trista Warrich taught yoga to all our students.
On Tuesday, third-grade parent Naomi Mercer brought in her collection of kimonos and other cultural artifacts from her time living in Japan and shared them with students studying Japanese culture.
On Thursday, Yaniv Lazimy taught students to build catapults using popsicle sticks and glue in preparation for next week's Engineering Expo.
What a blessing to have parents who are so willing to share their ideas, experiences and time to enrich students' learning! Parents contribute in so many ways to the life of the school, whether in the classroom or behind the scenes, volunteering to build our community and spread the word about our school. Todah Rabbah--thank you so much for all you do!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rebecca
p.s. If you'd like to learn with Naomi Mercer, she will be teaching Monday night at Beth Israel Center. Details are below.
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Announcements
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Wear Blue and White on Tuesday
Students should dress in blue and white on Tuesday for our celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel's Independence Day.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences will take place on Tuesday, April 23; Thursday, April 25; and Tuesday, April 30. All parents should have received a conference time via email this week. If you cannot attend during your assigned conference time, please be in touch with Rabbi Rebecca as soon as possible. We're looking forward to kvelling and to collaborating on making the most of the rest of your child's academic year.
Yom HaAtzmaut Performance
Sunday, April 21, 11 am
Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Jewish Community Campus, Verona
MJCDS students will participate in the Yom HaAtzmaut ceremony and celebration with a song, a prayer and torch lighting. Please plan to arrive at 10:45 so that students will be ready to participate in the ceremony at 11.
Sharsheret Dance Festival, Sunday, May 5
MJCDS students will perform at the Sharsheret multicultural dance festival, which will take place at Edgewood College on Sunday, May 5 at 2 pm. Students had a great experience participating in this program last year, so mark your calendars now and plan to enjoy a fabulous afternoon of dance.
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| Torah for your Table | 
Counting the Days and Making Every Day Count
Counting the days between Passover and Shavuot is a Jewish tradition. The 49 days between the second night of Passover and the beginning of Shavuot is also often a time for reflection on our own spiritual journeys.
The PJ Library program website asks: What are some good ways to Count the Omer with children?
Click here for some ideas on adopting this tradition in your home.
Click here for a primer for adults on the spiritual significance of this period of the Jewish year.
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| Photos | |
This week, students learned with Community Shaliach Yehonatan and prepared for next week's celebration of Yom Ha'Atzmaut!
Kindergarten through third graders attended a play at UW Theater called Wondrous Tales of Old Japan.
Third graders, who are studying world cultures as part of social studies, were also treated to show and tell and dress up led by Rory's mom, Naomi Mercer, who lived in Japan and generously shared her collection of kimonos and other cultural objects with us. Todah Rabbah, Naomi! After the play, Rory and Jane joined cast members and other children to try out the stylized movements and song of Kabuki theatre, acting out the part of a sparrow.
Fourth and fifth graders explored static electricity concepts using balloons, paper, aluminum foil and rubber. |
| Community Events |
Challah Baking Workshop
Sunday, April 14, 2-4 pm, Temple Beth El
Learn the basics of dough making and loaf braiding. Leave with fresh-baked challah, dough to bake at home, a recipe, and perhaps a new friend or two! Children under 13 should bring a grownup. Cost is $5/person. RSVP to program@jewishmadison.org or online at http://bit.ly/ZqYLYx or at www.jewishmadison.org/family_ed
Feminism, Fundamentalism & Science Fiction
with MJCDS parent Naomi Mercer
Monday, April 15, 7 pm Beth Israel Center
Feminist science fiction writers imagine the advent of religious theocracy and its consequences for women, people of color, and other often marginalized groups. For these authors, science fiction becomes a way to explore feminist theory that is not only colorful, but reaches a broad audience. In this session, Naomi Mercer treats us to a sampling of feminist science fiction that crosses genre boundries, disseminates social commentary, and offers blueprints toward egalitarian utopia.
Cafe Ivrit
Thurs. April 18 at 7 pm, Michaelangelo's Coffee House
Yehonatan and Eden, our community shlichim, meet about every other Thursday with Hebrew speakers and those who want to become Hebrew speakers. Come speak Hebrew in a relaxed environment at Michelangelo's Coffee House, 114 State Street.
Community Forum
Monday, April 22, 7 pm, Jewish Federation of Madison, 6434 Enterprise Lane
The JFM Executive Director Search Committee invites you to a community forum introducing Dina Weinbach as our Executive Director finalist. Community members will have the opportunity to meet and hear from Dina, as well as to ask questions.
Come to Israel!
The Jewish Federation of Madison is planning a trip to Israel this November around the General Assembly (Nov. 10-13), the conference of the Jewish Federations of North America. This will be a wonderful opportunity to see Israel. Please contact the Jewish Federation of Madison for more information at 608.278.1808 or info@jewishmadison.org.
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| Calendar | |
Fri. April 12: Kabbalat Shabbat, 1:25 pm
Wed. April 17 Michael Johnson, CEO of Boys and Girls Club, visits
Thurs. April 18 Engineering Expo Field Trip; Gym at YMCA
Fri. April 19 Fifth Grade trip to Hamilton Middle School
Kabbalat Shabbat, 1:25 pm
Sun. April 21 Students perform at Yom HaAtzmaut Celebration, 11 am
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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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