The Maggid: The Weekly Newsletter of MJCDS

January 23, 2015

3 Shevat, 5775

Though it is grey and chilly here in the end of January, when Tu Bishvat arrives, in Israel spring is beginning! With visions of blossoming plants in our heads, getting ready for Tu Bishvat can help keep us thinking warm thoughts even in Wisconsin winter!

In the photo above, kindergartener Heshy shows off a bird-feeder he made in Morah Clara's class, in preparation for Tu Bishvat, the birthday of the trees.

Behind him you can see the etz (tree) on the wall with its parts labeled in Hebrew. Students have decorated the etz with animals that live in and around trees, as well as with ideas for mitzvot that grow from our Etz Chayyim - our Tree of Life, another name for the Torah.

Everything is growing at school! The children, the model trees in both our classrooms....and this week students studied how different types of plants grow with Jackson Hetue, of the Wisconsin Fast Plants Program. We now have grow boxes in our classrooms that he and Morah Aviva built, and we will be observing them in the coming weeks.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Rebecca

In This Issue

Announcements

See us In Action

Photos

Melton Adult Learning

Community Events

Calendar

Announcements

Please Bring to School....

*Indoor Shoes &

*Utensils your child will need to eat his or her lunch. Todah Rabbah!

Rabbi Rebecca's Office Hours - Important!

Mon. 8-10, Tues. 1-3, Thurs. 8-11

Admissions

See our school in action!

Weekday tours are held regularly throughout the year on weekday mornings, 9:15-10:30 am. Upcoming dates include: Thurs. February 5 and Thurs. March 12.

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. To RSVP for one of these dates or to schedule an individual tour, contact Rabbi Rebecca Ben-Gideon, Head of School, at rabbi@madisonjewishdayschool.com or 204-9900.

Photos

More photos on our flicker feed:

Come check out K-1 similies on the wall in Morah Marla's room!

In preparation for Tu Bishvat, we studied plants that grow quickly with Jackson Hetue, of the Wisconsin Fast Plants Program, an organization "committed to developing and sharing scientifically accurate, tried-and-true educational resources, supporting educators, students, and scientists around the world in the use of Fast Plants as a model organism for research and education purposes." Younger students planted herbs in soil, while older students studied how succulents grow. Many thanks to Jackson and to Morah Aviva for bringing this program to us!

Grow boxes in our classrooms. Succulents on the left and herbs on the right!

Michael works on pre-writing: comparing and contrasting trade in colonial times and now.

New class with Rabbi Rebecca: Foundations of Jewish Family Living

This class will provide a thought-provoking encounter with the core values of Judaism. There will be 10 classes on Sunday mornings beginning Feb. 1, taught by Rabbi Rebecca Ben-Gideon and developed by the renowned Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, a project of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Topics include being created in God's image, welcoming guests, caring for the environment, teaching respect, creating Jewish space, the value of Shabbat rest, prayer, remembering Egypt, pursuing peace, and the Jewish value of hope.

Dates:
Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22
March 1, 22
April 19, 26
May 10, 17, 31

Space is limited. Cost is $96 including materials. Register at http://bit.ly/meltonmadison.

A program of Beth Israel Center Adult Education Program.

Community Events

Camp Interlaken Info Session ~ Thursday, Jan. 29

6:00 pm in the Mercaz at Beth Israel Center

Families with children in 2nd through 9th grades are invited to come to Beth Israel Center to learn about Camp Interlaken. Located on 106 magnificent acres near Eagle River, in the breathtaking north woods of Wisconsin, The Steve & Shari Sadek Family Camp Interlaken JCC offers a complete residential camping experience for incoming 3rd - 10th grade Jewish children from around the world. More info: www.campinterlaken.org.

Adult Beginning Hebrew (CSS)

Learn to read Hebrew

Thursdays, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Goodman Community Center
149 Waubesa Street, Mezzanine A

More Details & To Register >

Free Schmooze and Shabbat Classes (JFM)

For children ages 0 - 3 and their caregivers

Fridays, January 30th, and February 6th, 9:15 am - 10:15 am

Conference Room, 6434 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI

Meet new and old friends in a welcoming and engaging environment. We are going to move, sing, read, smile and shake the cold off, so join us for the fun. To Register >

K'tantanim Israeli Dance Classes for 3-5 Year Olds (Yonim)

Sundays, February 15th, March 8th, and April 19th, 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
at Beth Israel Center

Yonim Israeli Dance Troupe is offering 4 fun-filled mini-classes for kids ages 3-5 years old.

Classes start January 11, 2015, and will meet once a month through April with the opportunity to perform at the Sharsheret Festival in May. $5 per class See Details >

Hamantaschen Baking Open House (JFM)

Sunday, February 22nd, 2015, 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
at Beth Israel Center (Dough preparation February 18th and 20th)
See Details >

Calendar

Fri. Jan 23 Kabbalat Shabbat, 1:30 pm

Wed. Jan 28 Board Meeting, 7:15 pm, 1010 Grant Street

Thurs. Jan 29 Gym at the YMCA

Fri. Jan 30 Parent Coffee at the Froth House, 8:15 am

Kabbalat Shabbat, 1:30 pm

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