The Maggid: The Weekly Newsletter of MJCDS

November 1, 2013

28 Cheshvan, 5774

Today is Solar System Day!

On Monday, students visited Madison's Planetarium. Throughout the week, students studied the planets and their properties, and built a "spaceship" in preparation for today's festivities.

They sang morning tefillot (prayers) in their spaceship, learned about Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, explored the phases of the moon, and enjoyed a student-directed Space Carnival featuring space-themed activities.

Also this week:
*Students wrote a rhyming Hanukkah song in music class with Moreh Kenny.

*Lincoln (K) discovered that not only can he spell the word shesh (six) in Hebrew, but also that if do it with your fingers you can both spell the word and demonstrate its meaning at the same time. Whoa. (See photo at right.)
*Students began to study Rocks and Minerals. They also prepared rock candy with Morah Aimee and learned about evaporation and precipitation.

*Students were visited by Theodor Herzl and learned about the founding of the State of Israel. Thanks to Madison's Shlichah (Israel Educator) Racheli Komar Aziz for booking this difficult to reach leader. Jonathan won the new state's first elections (photo is at top).

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rebecca

In This Issue

A New Face at MJCDS

Announcements

Photos

Torah at Home

Calendar

Welcoming a New Face at MJCDS

This week we welcomed Leana Greenbaum to the MJCDS staff. Leana moved to Madison last winter from Jerusalem, where she worked as an ICU nurse at Shaarei Tzedek Hospital.

She will be at MJCDS for a few hours each day, addressing student medical needs and assisting Morot Marla and Clara in the classroom. We look forward to getting to know her, along with her husband, Shlomi, and son, Roi. It will also be great to have another native Hebrew speaker in the classroom!

HEBREW WORD of the DAY: "Nurse" in Hebrew is "Achot", which also means sister.

Announcements

Federation Hanukkah Event, Mark your Calendars!

Sat. evening, Nov 23, 5:30-7:30 pm

Goodman Campus, Verona

MJCDS students will be performing a song in Hebrew with friends from the Chug Ivrit after school program. Mark your calendar now, and stay tuned for more details.

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." (This lesson was planned for this week, but was pushed forward to Nov. 6.)

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.

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

Learning about phases of the moon; Jonathan's astronaut costume!

Making rock candy with Morah Aimee, who explained concepts of supersaturation, evaporation and precipitation along the way.

Jewish Learning for your Family

Make Lentil Soup for Parashat Toldot

"In Parashat Toldot we read the story of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for some delicious lentil stew...To commemorate this story and its lessons, it is my family's custom to make a big pot of lentil soup on the Shabbat of Parashat Toldot. This recipe is excellent, but don't go selling your birthright to get it--you can make it yourself very easily."

For more commentary from Tamar Fox at myjewishlearning.com and for her family's recipe, click here.

Calendar

Fri. Nov. 1 Solar System Day

Parent Coffee, The Froth House, 8:15 am

Kabbalat Shabbat 1:30 pm

Share-a-Shabbat Dinners

Sun. Nov 3 Chai Mitzvah, 7 pm, (see details above)

Wed. Nov. 6 Field trip to Geology Museum

Thurs. Nov. 7 Gym at the YMCA

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

Support Madison Jewish Community Day School

Learn more at www.madisonjewishdayschool.com