The Maggid:  The Weekly Newsletter of MJCDS

January 10, 2014
  9 Shvat, 5774

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This was a short week due to the extreme cold. It was colder in Madison than it was on the South Pole!  (To be fair, it is summer on the South Pole, but still.)

The weather this week reminded me of a line from one of my favorite psalms, Psalm 147:
   
מַשְׁלִיךְ קַרְחוֹ כְפִתִּים; לִפְנֵי קָרָתוֹ, מִי יַעֲמֹד
God flings ice like bread crumbs;
Who can stand in the face of His cold?

The psalm follows this line with a meditation on the transformative powers of Torah:

יִשְׁלַח דְּבָרוֹ וְיַמְסֵם; יַשֵּׁב רוּחוֹ, יִזְּלוּ-מָיִם
God sends out His word and melts them,
He lets his breath blow and the waters flow.

This is not a science report about states of matter; rather, it's a metaphor for the transformative power of God's words, aka the Torah. When we learn Torah, we are changed. Learning can cause inner ice to melt, and can change our state of being.

With these warming thoughts in mind, the theme of next week is Spring! Even though it's still winter here, the holiday of Tu Bishvat, which takes place next Thursday, marks the birth of warmer times in Israel.  

We will celebrate with a Tu Bishvat Seder on Thursday at noon and you are warmly invited to join us!

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rebecca  
Announcements

Tu Bishvat Seder

Thursday, Jan. 16, 12 pm

Parents and siblings are invited to join us for Thursday at 12 pm for a Tu Bishvat Seder! 

 

Almond tree blossoms are a sign of spring in Israel

A Tu Bishvat Seder is a festive meal featuring fruits in honor of the Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat. 

 

Tu Bishvat is also called "Rosh HaShanah La'Ilanot," literally "New Year of the Trees." In Israel, the day is celebrated as an ecological awareness day and trees are planted in celebration.

 

Special Kabbalat Shabbat Guests

We are excited to welcome two special guests for Kabbalat Shabbat in the coming weeks. 

 

* Shahanna Baldon will join us next Friday, Jan 17. Shahanna is a the chief diversity officer for the Madison Metropolitan School District. In honor of the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, she will share a story and reflections on Dr. King's life.

 

* Rabbi Jonathan Biatch, spiritual leader of Temple Beth El, will join us on Jan 24. Rabbi Biatch is a longtime friend of MJCDS and its students and he sometimes brings his accordion when he visits us!
In This Issue
Announcements
Photos
Admissions
Community Events
Calendar
Photos


Amelia jumps in the air while cheering on classmates in relay races at the YMCA.



Students began the Handwriting without Tears program this week.  Shiloh examines her pencil grip.



Students love it when Morah Clara shares some of her healthy breakfast smoothie! 
Admissions

Be an MJCDS Ambassador

Help spread the word about our school!  Here are a few ways you can help:

*Like our facebook page here: Like us on Facebook

*Share MJCDS related photos and status updates with your friends.

*Invite your friends to come visit MJCDS--contact Rabbi Rebecca for more details.

 

Discover Day School - Tuesday Tours

The best way to get to know MJCDS is to visit! Weekday tours are held regularly throughout the year on Tuesday mornings, 9:15-10:30 am. On these mornings, adults are invited to tour the school, view classes in session, and learn more about MJCDS though a Q&A session with the Head of School.

Feb 4 * Mar 4 * April 8 * May 13

RSVP via email to rabbi@madisonjewishdayschool.com or by calling 204-9900.  (Individually scheduled tours are also available upon request.)

Community Announcements
Schmooze And Tunes
Fridays through March 14th 
Two Sessions Offered (9:15 am or 10:30 am) 
Max Weinstein Jewish Community Building
6434 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI 
Music Together® curriculum involves singing, moving and instrument playing, all developmentally appropriate for very young Children and their caregivers. Schmooze and Tunes is taught by our own special music teacher, Susan Valko. Classes are for families with children 3 months to 5 years old. Each class has schmoozing time and a challah snack.Cost: $160 (Additional fee of $60 for participating siblings) Click here for the registration form. Questions? Contact: Missy Sosman at (608) 278-1808 or gan@jewishmadison.org 
Calendar
Fri. Jan 10  Kabbalat Shabbat 1:30 pm
 
Thurs. Jan 16   Tu Bishvat Seder 12 pm
                Gym at YMCA
 
Fri. Jan 17  Kabbalat Shabbat with Shahanna Baldon 1:30 pm
 
Mon. Jan 20  NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Day

Thurs. Jan 23  Gym at YMCA

Fri. Jan 24  Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi Biatch
 
Sun. Jan 26 Chai Mitzvah 7pm
 
Wed. Jan 29  Board Meeting 7:15 pm, 1010 Grant Street
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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