Beit Rayim Hebrew School Newsletter Newsletter March, 2008 Adar I– Adar II, 5768
Principal Rabbi David M. Eligberg
Family Education Days
NO School C on te n t Shalom Parents News Extended Dates March Birthdays School Council Youth Group Upcoming Events Shabbat Shorashim Kabbalat Shabbat Family Education Days Grade 4 Grade 7 Purim @ the school Calendar
1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
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– Mar. 1 Family Education: Grade 4– March 2 Kabbalat Shabbat - March 28 Family Education: Grade 7– March 30
Sunday March 9 Thursday March 13 Sunday March 16 **Thursday March 20** Sunday March 23
Grade 4: March 2 Theme: Kashrut for Pesach Grade 7: March 30 Theme: Communicating Effectively and Jewish Identity Time for both programs: 10:30-12:30 Students arrive at the regular time. Parents are invited to stay for T’fillah at 9:30 followed by coffee. Everything takes place in the gym.
Shalom Horim, True or false. Purim is a minor holiday. Purim is a holiday for minors. The first statement is true. Purim is a minor holiday in the cycle of the Jewish calendar. Its annual celebration emerges from the proclamation made by Mordecai and Esther after the Jews of the Persian kingdom were spared from Haman’s evil machinations. As a result Purim has very few “mitzvot” associated with it, a fact that will be reflected in the amount of time our students will spend on studying this holiday. In the younger grades, children will be introduced to Megillat Esther, the scroll of Esther and its narration of the events which took place in Shushan over two millennia ago. The students will learn about the four mitzvot of Purim, 1. Hearing Megillat Esther; 2. Mishloach Manot (Thanks to all of you have chosen to participate in our school’s program); 3. Giving out gifts to the poor; 4. Having a festive meal, and how we celebrate the holiday with playfulness and joy. In the middle grades, students will review the holiday observances and explore elements of the story previously omitted. Students, in the upper grades will do a brief review of the aforementioned and investigate some of the challenging ideas and concepts inherent in the story of Esther. That brings us to statement two. This statement is false. In many communities, the Purim observance often seems to be focused primarily on the younger element, but as with most Jewish observances it is truly a family moment. Our children need to see that we are willing to explore our lighter side, even to be silly, as an expression of our joy in celebrating our Judaism. Our youth need to be educated to the fact that Judaism is a religion of joy and is best observed in simcha– rejoicing. Purim is the extreme formulation of that idea, encouraging us to let the serious mask slip aside. Make this year’s Purim celebration a deeper, richer and funnier family experience. Don’t just find a costume for your five year old– think family– choose a theme that works for everyone. Is your family hooked on the Muppets or are you fans of Winnie the Pooh and friends? What colour Power Ranger suits you best? Is there a family favorite musical group? If that doesn’t work for you, have each person pick something with which they are most comfortable. Let your imagination run wild. Beit Rayim’s Purim celebration will feature the “Beatles” doing the evening service and a humourus power point presentation that will accompany the reading of Megillat Esther. See the attached flyer and watch for weekly e-mails for more details. I look forward to seeing, though not necessarily recognizing you, on Purim. B’vracha, Rabbi David M. Eligberg
**Party On! It’s Purim! See what’s happening on page 3**
BRH School Newsletter
News
Are you part of the Beit Rayim Youth Group?
SCHOOL CLOSURE NOTIFICATION
Contact Cheri to find out about upcoming programs and becoming a youth member to save on program fees! cheris@rogers.com Recent programs have included: A visit to the National Film Board, Mad Science, apple picking, graffiti designs
Happy Birthday! Jacob Israel, Mar.1 Adam Rose, Mar.1 Adam Charron, Mar.3 Samantha Gabriel, Mar. 11 Peter Joseph, Mar.12 Robyn Arbour, Mar.24 Jana Arbour, Mar.26 Justin Wainberg, Mar.26 Emma Perrin, Mar.27
School Council Get involved in your child’s Hebrew School experience by joining the Beit Rayim School Council.
Page 2 of 4
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. The school phone number: 905-889-0276 x.32 and will be updated to reflect the status of the school for that 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.
We have extended our school calendar Please make sure to mark Thursday June 5 and Sunday June 8 as Hebrew School days. This is in response to the many inquiries and concerns regarding lost school days. Accordingly we have made provision to replace them at the end of our school year.
The next meeting is on Sunday, March 30. For more details please contact the school office.
Lunch & learn series with Rabbi David Eligberg
Mazal Tov to Rachel Atteslander, our remedial teacher, on her daughter Galia Atteslander’s upcoming marriage to Eddy Roitman. The Wedding will be held in Melbourne, Australia on March 9, 2008
**Party On! It’s Purim! See what’s happening on page 3**
First session: Shabbat, March 8 When: After Services Where: Reena Battle Centre
DID YOU MOVE? OR CHANGE E-MAIL ? DO YOU HAVE A NEW PHONE NUMBER? PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION school@beitrayim.org 905-889-0276 x.32
NO School Sunday March 9 Thursday March 13 Sunday March 16 **Thursday March 20** Sunday March 23
BRH School Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Page 3 of 4
Shabbat Shorashim Saturday, March 1 10:30–11:30AM Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, March 28 6:00– 7:15 PM Both services are held at The Reena Battle Centre 927 Clark Ave. W. Thornhill
Regional Bible Contest CHIDON 2008 Several of our grade 55-7 students have been studying specific chapters from the book of Genesis since November. On March 2, 2008 they will be demonstrating their knowledge in The Annual Regional Bible Contest here in Toronto. Yeeshar Koach to all of them!!!!!
We’re on the Web! www.beitrayim.org
Calendar
BRH School Newsletter
Page 4 of 4
Adar I- Adar II 5768- March 2008 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday 1 Shabbat Shorashim
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
14
15
20
21
22
No School
Statutory Holiday
15th of Adar II, 5768 Parashat Tzav
School
School Council Meeting
School Regional Bible Contest
Family Education: Grade 4
9
10
11
12
MARCH BREAK Begins
13 No School
No School
16
17
18
19
No School
13th of Adar II, 5768
Ta'anit Esther 14th of Adar II, 5768
Purim
23
24
Shushan Purim
26
27
28
Kabbalat Classes Resume Shabbat Service @ Reena
School
No School
30
25
31
School Family Education: Grade 7 Reminder: Our school is NUT FREE and KOSHER.
During the winter months 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
29