The Maggid: The Weekly Newsletter of MJCDS

March 5, 2015

15 Adar, 5775

I know that Purim is technically over, but I am handing over most of my column today to two pieces of student work. The first is a fun rap that the students prepared and performed on Purim day for their parents and teachers. The second is a beautifully calligraphed Purim bag for mishloach manot made by first-grader Barkai Lazimy.

On a more serious note and in keeping with the theme of Purim, I plan to attend Dr. Deborah Lipstadt's lecture at Hillel this coming Thursday evening on anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism. Let me know if you'd like to join me. I have a feeling we'll have a lot to discuss after hearing what she has to say about anti-Semitism and Jewish identity.

Purim rap!!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Rebecca

In This Issue

Announcements

Photos

See us In Action

Community Events

Calendar

Announcements

Tuition Assistance Applications due Friday, March 13

Tuition assistance applications are due Friday, March 13. If you need more information or assistance, please contact Rabbi Rebecca as soon as possible. Your timely completion of this process will ensure that we can plan accurately for the coming year.

Deborah Lipstadt Lecture Meetup

This coming Thursday at 7 at UW HIllel, Dr. Deborah Lipstadt will give a lecture, "In Every Generation They Wish to Destroy Us": Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israelism as factors in Jewish Identity. Rabbi Rebecca plans to attend. Email rabbi@madisonjewishdayschool.com to join her for an informative evening on a topic that unfortunately, remains timely and relevant today.

Model Passover Seder and Potluck Lunch

Wednesday, April 1

11 am - 1 pm

Rabbi Rebecca's Office Hours

Rabbi Rebecca will be out of town attending the North American Jewish Day School Conference in Philadelphia on Monday and Tuesday. For urgent or logistical matters, please contact Marla and Clara. Wednesday 10:30-1:30, Thurs. 10-12:30.

Photos

Purim! Red carpet Shushan Fashion Show also featured riddles written by every student that asked classmates to guess, "Who Am I?" Answers included a phoenix, a rose, a cat and a pretty lady.

Students heard megillah read by Lily Nagy-Deak, who graced us with the funny voices she uses for Achashverosh, Esther and Haman. Thanks, Lily! Students also made Mishloach Manot to bring home to their families and enjoyed lots of special treats.

Barkai els his feather-covered Phoenix mask, and Lilah her pink mask/hat. Both creations were made in Morah Trista's art class.

Morah Clara dressed backwards! Lincoln (above) and Sheleigh (below) show off their decorated and hand lettered bags for mishloach manot.

Princess Leia and Darth Vader.

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. 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.

Community Events

Prof. Deborah Lipstadt Lecture (UW Hillel)

"In Every Generation They Wish to Destroy Us":

Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israelism as factors in Jewish Identity

Thursday, March 12, 7 pm UW Hillel, 611 Langdon St.

Dr. Lipstadt is a professor of Modern Jewish and Holocaust Studies at Emory University in Atlanta; she has also taught at UCLA and Occidental College in Los Angeles. Lipstadt has written four books, her most recent was published in 2011. David Irving sued Lipstadt for libel when she characterized some of his writings and public statements as Holocaust denial in her book Denying the Holocaust: The Growing Assault on Truth and Memory. This book was the first full-length study done of those who deny the Holocaust.

Torah & Mindfulness with Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell (BIC)

Sunday, March 15 - Sunday, May 3
Learn and practice with Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell on two Sundays -- March 15 and May 3, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm -- and read Rabbi Alan Lew's groundbreaking book Be Still and Get Going, with discussion and practice facilitated by Rabbi Joshua Ben-Gideon during the intervening weeks. The Thursday evening sessions will be at 7:30 pm on March 19 and 26 and April 16, 23 and 30.

Cost: $72/person for Beth Israel Center members and $96/person for non-members.

The Sunday retreats are made possible by an Innovation Grant from the Jewish Federation of Madison.

Talmud Class (BIC)

Wednesday mornings at 9:00

Rabbis Joshua and Rebecca Ben-Gideon will lead study of the eighth perek of Masechet Sotah. This perek begins with the speech a Kohen must make to troops before a war and explores the differences between a defensive war of necessity--what might be called a righteous war--and other wars. The class will focus both on how to study Talmud and on the text and subject matter.

Jewish Dialogue Sessions About Israel (CSS)

Generously funded by an Innovation Grant from the Jewish Federation of Madison, these sessions about Israel and its conflict with the Palestinians offer a setting for constructive, respectful conversation with Jewish people who have different views about Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian situation. Are you interested in talking about your experiences, feelings, convictions, and questions in an environment that promotes mutual learning? Come to one or more of the 12 sessions planned for 2015. Some are planned for particular audiences, as noted below. Most are open to all.

March 25, 7-9 PM - for Jewish community leadership (by invitation)
April 29 - for interfaith couples
May 27, June 24, July 22, August 26, September 9, October 28, November 11, December 14

Registration is required. Email office@shamayim.org to register or with questions. Help spread the word! More info.

Calendar

Thurs. March 11 Admissions Tour, 9:15 am

Gym at YMCA

Fri. March 13 Parent Coffee at the Froth House, 8:15 am

Kabbalat Shabbat, 1:30 pm

Wed. March 18 MJCDS Board Meeting, 7:15 pm

Thurs. March 19 Admissions Tour, 9:15 am

Gym at YMCA

Fri. March 20 COLONIAL DAY!

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