The Maggid:  The Weekly Newsletter of MJCDS

October 25, 2013
  21 Cheshvan, 5774

  LOGO no initials with tagline

All paths lead to Solar System Day next Friday! Earlier in the week, students learned about the planets, including both their Hebrew and English names. Today, we visited the UW Space Place where we learned about what it is like to be an astronaut on the International Space Station.

Todah Rabbah to Aimee Coen for her help putting together this trip and to Aimee, Rebecca Weil and Trista Warrich for chaperoning.

Next Monday, we will visit the planetarium. And on Friday, we'll transform our classroom into outer space...stay tuned. 

In the meantime, last night was Curriculum and Singalong night. Parents received information about their child's curriculum, and students proudly showed their families around their classroom.

Art teacher Trista Warrich showed off some amazing artworks, and music teacher Kenny Lyons led a family singalong. Racheli Komar Aziz, one of Madison's Israel Shlichim, led a craft about the birds of Israel. Thanks to everyone for making it such a great evening. 

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rebecca 
p.s.  In the photo above, students create a human menorah.
In This Issue
Announcements
Photos
Calendar
Announcements
Solar System Day, 
Friday, Nov. 1
On Friday, Nov. 1 we will be transforming our classroom into SPACE...a space to explore our solar system.  Students are encouraged to bring from home solar system related art games or other materials to share with classmates. 
 
Does your child have a favorite Shabbat ritual object?
If so, have him or her bring it to school next Wednesday for use in art class. Morah Trista writes, "I would like the kids to draw or paint a realistic self portrait in the next few weeks. In this portrait we will be saying our favorite erev shabbat blessings and if someone has something special from home they would like to bring which will help us stage a still life that would be great."
 
School Security
Please use the Randall street door to enter the BIC building. The ramp access door should only be used at dismissal time. On Fridays when you arrive for Kabbalat Shabbat, or if you are coming to school at any time during the school day, you should use the Randall Street door. That door is always unlocked during school hours, and each parent should know the code for the inner magnetized door.  If you don't, please contact Rabbi Ben-Gideon. Thank you for your help in keeping our school secure.  
 
Warm Clothes and Extra Clothes
The weather is turning colder--please send your child to school with outerwear and footwear appropriate for outdoor play during these months. In addition, if you have not yet sent in an extra set of clothes--including socks and underwear--please do so right away. Thank you! 
 
Friday Coffees at the Froth House
Join other MJCDS parents at the Froth House (11 N Allen St) each Friday after drop-off. Questions? Contact Aimee Coen at alcoen@gmail.com. (FYI: Rabbi Rebecca highly recommends the baked goods made by former MJCDS after school teacher Eric Stimson.)
 
Fall Parent-Teacher Conference Registration
Conferences will be held during the afternoon and early evening on Mondays, November 11 and 18. If you have not yet filled out the doodle poll, please do so asap! Click the link below and indicate which of the three time slots are possible for you. You will be asked to mark each time slot as with either "YES," "NO," or "(YES) if need be". One parent may reply on behalf of each family--both need not do so.  Here's the link: http://doodle.com/56ntxniqd2zb7wr2.  Please be in touch with any questions.
 
Chai Mitzvah: Jewish Learning for Parents
First Meeting, Nov. 3, 7-8:30 pm

How do you develop, redefine and explore what Judaism means to you during your adult life? You become Chai Mitzvah. MJCDS has decided to launch an innovative initiative for parents of children grades 4K-grade 5 called Chai Mitzvah. The program is sponsored by MJCDS and is open to the public.

 

Our group will meet monthly to study a text-based curriculum that will provide you with an opportunity to reflect and discuss topics including:

 

*Jewish Rites of Passage *Tzedakah & Philanthropy

*Interpersonal Relationships *Mindfulness & Conscious Living

*Gratitude *Judaism and the Environment

*Insights of Passover *Memory & Meaning in Judaism

 

Meetings are monthly on Sunday evenings 7-8:30 pm.  The cost of the program is $18/per participant and includes materials that you keep. Our first class will take place Nov. 3 at Beth Israel Center. Please register asap at www.chaimitzvah.org.  

Photos

 
Sing-a-long
Families explore our classroom
Rachaeli the Shlicha brought an activity about the birds of Israel. Thanks, Rachaeli!
Juliette shows her mom her contribution to the solar system mobile.
 
Jewish Learning for your Family
It's fun to learn as a family, and one great opportunity to do so is at your Shabbat dinner table on Friday night. 

Here's a discussion starter from the site challahcrumbs.com on this week's Torah portion, Chayei Sarah:
 

In this week's parsha, we find out what it takes to make it into Abraham's family. Eliezer, Abraham's servant, who is on a mission to find Issac a wife, has an idea as to what quality this woman must possess. Do you know what it is? What kind of woman would fit perfectly into Abraham's family?

 

What would it take to make it into YOUR family? What traits define your family and what are you looking for in any new future members? 
Calendar
Fri. Oct 25       Parent Coffee, The Froth House, 8:15 am
Field Trip to UW Space Place--please drop Carseats
               Kabbalat Shabbat 1:30 pm

Mon. Oct 28   Field Trip to Planetarium--please drop Carseats
                     MJCDS Board Meeting, 7:15 pm, 1010 Grant Street

Thurs. Oct 31  Gym at the YMCA
 
Fri. Nov. 1   Solar System Day
                  Parent Coffee, The Froth House, 8:15 am
                  Kabbalat Shabbat 1:30 pm
   Share-a-Shabbat Dinners
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

Clara Lazimy clara@madisonjewishdayschool.com

Rabbi Ben-Gideon rabbi@madisonjewishdayschool.com

  

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