Beit Rayim Hebrew School Newsletter Newsletter January, 2008 Tevet– Sh’vat, 5768
Principal Rabbi David M. Eligberg
Save the date! Saturday January 19 6:30 PM Havdallah Happening! at The Reena Battle Centre 927 Clark Ave. w. Thornhill
C on te n t Shalom Parents News School council news School closure details January Birthdays Report cards Grade one update Youth Group Upcoming Events Shabbat Shorashim Kabbalat Shabbat Fam. Education Gr.2 Tu B’Sh’vat Program Havdallah Happening School Council Calendar
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How to Contact your Child’s Teacher: Please call the office
905.889.0276 x.32 or school@beitrayim.org
The message will be given to the teacher who will contact you.
Upcoming Events • • • • •
Shabbat Shorashim- Jan.12 Havdallah Happening!- Jan.19 Family Education: Grade 2Jan.20 Tu B’Sh’vat Program - Jan.21 Kabbalat Shabbat - Jan. 25
Shalom Horim/Parents, A Step in the Right Direction There is something magical about being an active participant in a moment in history (especially when we do so as part of our group). I can still remember the first rally I went to in front of the Soviet consulate in Montreal demanding the release of Soviet Jews when I was in high school and standing with thousands of Jews in front of the UN protesting its treatment of Israel. I remember how amazed I was at being able to find myself in a photo showing the 1/2 million Jews gathered on the Mall in Washington, DC. That picture , with a find the rabbi challenge , hang on my study door for months. Amongst my fondest memories of being part of something greater than myself involve marching in support of Israel; in New York City’s salute to Israel Parade, Philadelphia’s Israel Day Celebration and last year’s Walk with Israel here in Toronto. The excitement and enthusiasm at such events is both infectious and inspiring. It is difficult to capture in words the overwhelming sense of community that is palpable as families and groups travel together eschewing differences of opinion in favor of a unified statement of support and love for Israel. This year’s Walk with Israel will celebrate a milestone in the history of the modern state– Israel @ 60. For those old enough to remember when there was no State of Israel, this is a moment to celebrate one of the crowning achievements in Jewish history—the rebirth of our ancestral homeland in the wake of the shoah. For those of us who came of age with Israel as a fact, but a reality which tested the heroism and velour of the IDF as defenders of our home and people, Israel was an incredible source of pride and accomplishment. Many of our young people today, however, are bombarded by negative images of Israel in all facets of the media. They hear the voices of doubt, dissent and disagreement about Israel that pervade the Jewish community. As adults, we understand that these voices reflect the deep concern the speakers have for our homeland and the love of Israel that drives them. Our youth, however, need to see and experience personally the unbridled love and commitment that we as Jews have for Israel. The Walk with Israel offers us a unique opportunity to take a step in the right direction. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, May 25th and plan on attending. If you would like to help coordinate our participation in this special communal event please contact Claudia at school@beitrayim.org or 905-889-0276 x.32. I look forward to becoming part of a moment in history with you. B’vracha, Rabbi David M. Eligberg
BRH School Newsletter
News
Report Cards
Help Wanted!!
Students will be bringing their report cards home the second week of January. Please sign one copy and return it to the school. Once again this year we will not be having a teacher/parent interview evening. If you have any concerns after reading your child’s report card please send an e-mail to the school office or contact us by phone and your child’s teacher will call to discuss them with you.
As you can read in Steffi's (School Council’s Chair) letter we are still looking for volunteers. In case of a school closure it gets very difficult to make 130 calls in 30 minutes . Please send an email (school@beitrayim.org) or calls us (905-889-0276 x.32) in order to help us provide faster communication. Thank you, Beit Rayim Staff
Grade One Update By now, many of you have heard that Zippi Zisu, who has been our Alef teacher for many years has resigned from our faculty. Zippi’s decision was difficult for personal reasons which we must all accept and respect. I know that I speak for all when I say that we wish Zippi well. Zippi will join us on an upcoming Sunday morning( date to be determined) giving us an opportunity to express appreciation for her years of devotion to our students. Happy Birthday! Daniel Koven, Jan. 5 Rebecca Berman, Jan. 9 Jordan Handler, Jan 12 Orion Charron, Jan. 13 Marni Weinberg, Jan. 13 Kobe Goodfield, Jan. 19 Rachel Altman, Jan. 20 Hailey Wengle, Jan. 21 Jessica Handler, Jan. 22 Ryan Soudack, Jan. 23 Sara Bruni, Jan. 25 Joshua Fletcher, Jan. 25 Jacob Cohen, Jan. 26 Max Gottlieb, Jan. 26 Maxwell Altman, Jan. 29 Aidan Kahane, Jan. 29 Justin Cohen, Jan. 30 Zachary Shnier, Jan. 31
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We need you! It takes so much time and man power to make sure your children get the attention they deserve. But with your help, even for one event or one hour, you can be assured the best will be given! Here is how you can make a difference! With the bad weather coming we need 4 parents to help make phone calls in case of school closures! The Kiss and Ride is an easy and quick way to get your kids into school, but we need some help to make sure it is safe! Our events are great fun for all participants, let’s get some photographers to help capture the memories! Snack Club has been going well but how can we get more kids enrolled? And who has some good food ideas to share? Upcoming events need your help to get the momentum going! What are you good at? What you can share with us? Please contact me either through the office or come say hi at the school! I want to hear ALL your comments! Steffi Goodfield Chair- Beit Rayim School Council
SCHOOL CLOSURE NOTIFICATION In case of bad weather conditions the principal will make his decision based on his best judgment at 1:00 PM on Thursday and at 7:30 AM on Sunday. No decision will be made prior to these times. Please check your e-mail regularly after this time as it is our fastest method of communication. Our school phone number 905-889-0276 x.32 will be updated to reflect the status of the school for the day. (After 1:00 o’clock on Thursday and at 7:30 AM on Sunday)
Our School Council still needs volunteers to help make calls. The volunteers make the phone calls right after the decision regarding school cancellation is made.
DID YOU MOVE? OR CHANGE E-MAIL ? DO YOU HAVE A NEW PHONE NUMBER?
Are you part of the Beit Rayim Youth Group? Contact Cheri to find out about Upcoming programs and become a youth member to save on program fees!
PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE TO UPDATE cheris@rogers.com YOUR INFORMATION Recent programs have included: school@beitrayim.org National Film Board, Mad Science, apple picking… 905-889-0276 x.32
BRH School Newsletter
Upcoming Events
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Shabbat Shorashim Saturday, January 12 10:30–11:30AM Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, January 25 6:00– 7:15 PM Both services are held at The Reena Battle Centre 927 Clark Ave. W. Thornhill
School Council Get involved in your child’s Hebrew School experience by joining the Beit Rayim School Council. The next meeting is on Sunday, January 13. For more details please contact the school office.
We’re on the Web! www.beitrayim.org
Calendar
BRH School Newsletter
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Tevet- Sh’vat 5768- January 2008 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday 1
Wednesday Thursday 2 3
Statutory Holiday
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7
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5
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12 Shabbat Shorashim
School
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Saturday
No School
No School
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Friday
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Grade 3 parents meeting @ 9:30
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19
School
School HAVDALLAH Program 6:30 PM @ Reena
School Council Meeting
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School Family Education: Grade 2
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25
School
Kabbalat Shabbat Service @ Reena
Tu B’sh’vat
Tu B’sh’vat program at Reena
27 School
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31 School
Reminder: Our school is NUT FREE and KOSHER.
In winter time please leave your boots outside of the classrooms. Remember to bring shoes!
School Office: 209-1118 Centre St. Thornhill ON L4J 7R9Phone: (905) 889-0276 x32 During School Hours: (647) 230-0597 Fax: (905)889-4113 E-mail: school@beitrayim.org
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