Beit Rayim Hebrew School Newsletter Newsletter November, 2007 Cheshvan/ Kislev, 5768
Principal Rabbi David M. Eligberg
Shalom Horim/ Parents,
C on te n t Shalom Parents News Principal’s books Recipe of the month Upcoming Events Hannukah Family Ed. Shabbat Shorashim Kabbalat Shabbat Calendar
Upcoming Events •
Shabbat Shorashim
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Grade 1 Family Education
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Hannukah Party
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One of the pillars of Jewish identity through the ages has been our connection to the land of Israel. For almost two millennia this was expressed by our ancestors in both prayer and action. To end the Yom Kippur observance and as the final word at the Pesach Seder they added the prayer of hope, “Next year in Jerusalem”. Sitting in the Sukkah and thenoffering a prayer for rain on Shmini Atzeret created a link between generations of Jews and the rhythm of their ancestral land. A “Mizrach” hanging on the wall was more than a geographic indicator; it was a reminder that a part of the Jewish heart and soul lay in the east, in Israel. Many of us were introduced to Israel through the blue and white Jewish National Fund tzedakah boxes in our homes and the little green stamps that we bought in school to help plant a tree in Israel. Like you, I have grown up with Israel not as a dream but as a profund reality. Israeli history played itself out on television– indeed some of my earliest images of Israel are of the Six Day war in Jerusalem. Israeli life and culture was available on film, albums, tapes and eventually CDs. Israel was a destination– a place to visit, a place to study, a place to volunteer and work, a place to live. Through the years, we have had many occasions to take pride in the achievements and successes of our Israeli bratheren. We have had too many occasions to be concerned about the welfare of our Israeli bretheren. And we have had too few opportunities to celebrate. This year, however, is a moment of opportunity. Jews around the world are preparing to celebrate Israel @ 60. (Please watch for details of our celebration in May). In preparation for this significant milestone, all of our students will engage in the study of Israel. For example, our Grades 6 and 7 students are learning about the major events and historical figures that helped build the State of Israel. This is a prelude to their participation in the MERCAZ sponsored Zionist Seminar program that will bring young Israeli sh’lee-cheem to our school for several sessions about contemporary Israel. Other grades are beginning special projects which will compliment their study of Israel. All students will learn songs either from or about Israel. As our partners in helping to foster a positive connection for our youth to the land of Israel, I ask you to reflect on how Israel is reflected in your home– art, music, literature, judaica. Think how you can add to the Israel connection in your family. Take a virtual trip to Israel online. Learn about Israel’s contributions to contemporary society at www.Israel21c.org . Introduce some Hebrew words to your family’s vocabulary. Together, we can give our young people a strong, positive and enduring connection to the land of Israel as one of the pillars of their evolving Jewish identity. As was once said of creating the State of Israel itself, “If you will it, it is no dream.” B’vracha, Rabbi David M. Eligberg
SCHOOL Thursday Nov. 18 Thursday Nov. 29
BRH School Newsletter
News
From the principal’s bookshelf “The Wisdom Bird: A Tale of Solomon and Sheba” by Sheldon Oberman. Illustrated by Neil Waldman. Boyds Mills Press. $15.95. 32pp. Folktale for Kindergarten-Grade 3. In this elegantly illustrated folktale blending Jewish and African traditions, King Solomon is challenged by the visiting Queen of Sheba to build a palace of bird beaks. The little hoopoe bird humbly shows them what a cruel folly this would be and teaches that everyone can learn something from somebody, even from a little bird. “Moishe's Miracle: A Hanukkah Miracle” by Laura Kraus Melmed. Illustrated by David Slonim. HarperCollins. $15.95. 31pp. Hanukkah story for Kindergarten-Grade 2. On the eve of Hanukkah, a poor man receives a magic frying pan that produces endless latkes. Generous Moishe immediately shares his good fortune with all of his equally poor neighbors, but his wife, Baila, sees their magic pan as a way to become rich. Greed makes her forget that the pan was a gift to Moishe and "only Moishe must use it." In the ensuing chaos, Baila comes to appreciate Moishe's goodness, and an even greater miracle of love and understanding changes their lives. David Slonim's vibrant paintings of the Old World town of Wishniak and its inhabitants add immeasurably to the charm of author Melmed's suspenseful cautionary tale.
Kindergarten News! Teachers:Janie Tizel & Karina Ruber Our Kindergarten Class got off to a wonderful start. Everyone settled easily and has become very involved with all that we do. We raced through the Holidays and just finished our unit on Shabbat which culminated with our wonderful Family Studies Day with Michelle. It was great to see all the parents and children working together. Our boxes will be filled and sent home this week! Then it’s on to Hannukah!
Bring Richman's Bakery (COR 90) 100% Peanut and Nut Free Challah Home for Shabbat!! Your child can order a delicious large challah that will be delivered on Thursday for you to take home! For just $4 we will be offering this service through out the year whenever our Sunday and Thursday classes are in session. To participate, give your child $4 (exact change please) on Sunday to receive a challah the following Thursday. This will be collected in the classroom. Beit Rayim School Council
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Mandelbrot Makes 3 -12 inch loaves Ingredients 4 cups
500 g
all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons
18 g
baking powder
1/2 teaspoon 3 g
salt
3/4 cup
150 g
white sugar
1/2 cup
135 ml
vegetable oil 3 eggs
1/2 cup
135 ml
orange juice
2 teaspoons
12 g
orange zest
3/4 cup
150 ml
chocolate syrup
2 teaspoons
12 g
ground cinnamon
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F(175 degrees C) 2. Place flour, baking powder, salt and sugar into an electric mixer's mixing bowl and mix well; blend eggs and 1/2 cup oil into mixture. Pour orange juice and orange zest into mixture; mix well. When the mixture becomes very thick take the mixing bowl out of the mixer and continue stirring with a wooden spoon. 3. Separate dough into thirds. Roll (or spread with your hands) each chunk of dough into a rectangular shape. Sprinkle the chocolate syrup onto the center of each rectangle. Fold the sides of each rectangle into the center to form a loaf shape. Work with the loaf until there is no longer a crease that could break open while baking. Each roll will be approximately 12 inches long. Brush the outside of each roll lightly with oil. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top of the rolls. 4. Bake on a nonstick cookie pan for 20 minutes. This is a firm, cake-like cookie. If you would rather a crispier cookie toast the cookie another 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. When cooled cut the loaves to form semi-circle shaped cookies.
SCHOOL Thursday Nov. 18 Thursday Nov. 29
BRH School Newsletter
Hannukah Party December 5 6:00 PM @Reena RSVP by November 30 See flyer from shul bulletin for details
Upcoming Events
Family Education Day Grade 1 Parents and children join together for a fun learning experience!
Theme:Talking about God “Sh’ma Pajama Party”
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How to Contact your Child’s Teacher: Please call the office
905.889.0276 x.32 or school@beitrayim.org
November 11 9:15-11:15 AM The message will be given to the teacher who will contact you.
Shabbat Shorashim Saturday, November 3 10:30– 11:30 AM
Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, November 30 6:00– 7:15 PM Both services are held at: The Reena Battle Centre 927 Clark Ave. W. Thornhill Happy Birthday! Jacob Reich, Nov. 11 Liza Gottlieb, Nov. 14 Tyler Shea, Nov. 17 Huntyr Andrews, Nov. 18 Ethan Beard, Nov. 19 Jonathan Melamedov, Nov. 19 Danielle D’onofrio, Nov. 19 Zoe Kane, Nov. 22
School Council
Hannukah Is the story of a great victory of the Jews over the Syrian-Greeks. In 165 BCE, led by the Hasmonean family of Mattathias the High Priest and his youngest son, Judah, the Jews succeeded in evicting the SyrianGreeks from Israel and restoring the Temple. According to the Talmud, after the Temple had been cleaned and the Priests were ready to light the Temple menorah, they could find only one jug of oil that was fit to use. This was only enough for one day, but it lasted for eight. This is why Hanukah is eight days long. For eight days beginning on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Kislev we light a hannukiyah to celebrate the victory and the miracle of Hannukah. Hannukah comes from the Hebrew word "Khanu" meaning 'and they encamped,' and from the Hebrew date Kaf Hey which equals 25. That is why we celebrate Hannukah beginning on the 25th of the month of Kislev.
Get involved in your child’s Hebrew School experience by joining the Beit Rayim Parent Council. Sunday, November 11, 2007 For more details please contact the school office.
We’re on the Web! www.beitrayim.org
Calendar
BRH School Newsletter
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Cheshvan-Kislev 5768- November 2007 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday 1
Friday 2
Shabbat Shorashim
School
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5
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School
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Saturday 3
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School
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School
15 School
School Council Meeting
Family Education: Grade 1 Remembrance Day
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Supplementary Schools PD Day
22 School
No School
25 School
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NO School
Kabbalat Shabbat Service @ Reena
In winter time please leave your boots outside of the classrooms. Reminder: Our building is NUT FREE and KOSHER.
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