Beit Rayim Hebrew School Newsletter November 2008 Cheshvan - Kislev 5769
Principal Rabbi David M. Eligberg
CO NT E NT Shalom Parents News November Birthdays Tu B’Shevat Contest Youth Group Upcoming Events Shabbat Shorashim Kabbalat Shabbat School Council Youth Program November Calendar
Upcoming Ev
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ents
ashim Shabbat Shor 8 and 29 November 1, hool PD Day-No Sc November 9 6 ation Grade Family Educ November 16 bbat at Reena Kabbalat Sha Kita Alef November 21 il Meeting School Counc November 23 No School November 27 3 ation Grade Family Educ November 30
To Contact your Child’s Teacher: Please call or e-mail the school office at 905-889-0276 x 32 or school@beitrayim.org
Shalom Horim, An interesting twist of the calendar this year is the basic correspondence between the Jewish and secular month with Tishre and October and now Cheshvan and November running parallel to each other. This coincidence will disappear soon as each month on the Jewish calendar is one or two days shorter than the secular month, losing a total of eleven days over the course of a year. As a result the standard Jewish year consists of 354 days. This is why the rabbis created a unique leap year system adding an extra month seven times in a nineteen year cycle. These leap years were originally added based on direct observation of the growth of the crops, adding a month if the crops were not ready for the early harvest that began with the festival of Pesach. These periodic corrections insured that Pesach, the Spring festival would remain seasonally appropriate as would Sukkot, the Fall harvest festival. This process of intercalating the calendar to bring the lunar and solar years into “sync” is also what gives rise to the annual plaint, “The holidays are (a) late (b) early this year.” Without this corrective mechanism the Jewish holiday calendar would continue to loose 11 days each year and the holidays would move backwards in a manner observable today in the Islamic calendar. Whether a bit early or a bit late, the month of Cheshvan is always a period of seasonal change. In Israel it is a signal that the rainy season is arriving. In the GTA, the days are getting shorter and greyer; the air gets cooler and the weather begins to bluster. The squirrels are making the final additions to their winter stock piles; the birds have taken off for warmer climes, and skiers are waxing their skis and checking their boots. The smell of fireplaces in action wafts through the air and one can picture people curled up and cozy. All the foregoing makes the month of Cheshvan a perfect choice for Jewish Book Month; a time to stockpile some Jewish books for winter reading and Hannukah gift giving. For an excellent list of books and review for children of all ages check out www.jewishlibraries.org/ajlweb/awards/st_books.htm A wonderful resource about Jewish books for all ages is the Jewish Book Council http://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/ Enjoy a good book yourself and with your child(ren) B’vracha,
The message will be given to the teacher who will contact you.
Rabbi David M. Eligberg
NEWS
BRHS Newsletter
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Enter The Jewish National Fund’s Third Annual
COLOR ISRAEL GREEN Tu B’Shevat Certificate Contest
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS Samantha Gabriel, November 3 Mia Moskovitz, November 4 Liza Gottlieb, November 14 Tyler Shea, November 17 Huntyr Andrews, November 18 Ethan Beard, November 19 Zoe Kane, November 22 Connor Nadel, November 23
We’re on the Web!
HOW TO ENTER: 1. 2.
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www.beitrayim.org Did you move? Did you 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
Be part of the Beit Rayim Youth Group Contact Rachel Hindel to find out about programs and becoming a youth member to save on program fees! youth.beitrayim@gmail.com Some of the programs are: A visit to the National Film Board, Mad Science, apple picking and graffiti designs.
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This contest, to design the Tu B’Shevat in the Schools tree certificate, is for students in Grades 3 through 8. The 2009/5769 Tu B’Shevat theme is “Israel as a Global Environmental Leader” • Visit www.jnf.org/goneutral to learn about Israel’s cutting edge technology and research in the areas of forestry, water, and alternative energy. • JNF is helping people offset their carbon emissions by planting trees in Israel through the JNF GoNeutral campaign. You can calculate how much carbon your family emits each year, and take steps to reduce your carbon footprint. • By making a difference in Israel you are making a positive impact on the entire world and doing your part to fight global warming. “Color Israel Green!” enTREEs don’t have be green, they can be as many colors as you like, but should fill up an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper and illustrate the idea of Israel as a Global Environmental Leader. Be sure to include your name, age, address, telephone number, email address and your parent’s name (s) so that you can be notified if you win. All enTREEs will receive a special prize.
THE TOP FIVE DESIGNS WILL ALSO APPEAR ONON-LINE AT WWW.JNF.ORG/YOURPAGE
The deadline for your enTREE is November 21, 2008. Winners will be notified by December 15, 2008. Send your enTREE to: “Color Israel Green!” Jewish National Fund 42 East 69th Street New York, NY 10021 Questions? Contact Nina Woldin, nwoldin@jnf.org or 212-879-9305 x 268
Our school is NUT FREE and KOSHER.
BRHS Newsletter
UPCOMING EVENTS
Beit Rayim Youth journey to the National Film Board Learn the Secrets of Animation with Clay. Join Kinder Kids, Yeladim, and Kadima Sunday, November 23, 2008 12:30pm-4:45pm (Includes travel time to and from the National film board and 2 hours at the NFB) Cost: $10.00 members, $15.00 non-members
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Kabbalat Shabbat 5768-5769 November 21 Our first Kabbalat Shabbat. Save the date! Interactive and participatory service for all ages! Upcoming Kabbalat Shabbat Services 2008/2009 Schedule November 21, Kita Alef December 12, Kita Bet Schmooze January 16, Kita Vav/Zayin and Snack 6:00 p.m. February 20, Kita Dalet Service 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. March 27, Kita Hay at The Reena Battle Centre April 24, Kita Gimel 927 Clark Ave. W. May 15, JK/SK Thornhill
Drop-Off and Pick up: Ross Doan Public School (101 Weldrick Rd. West) RSVP: No Later than November 16th **Optional Lunch will be provided to those who request it for $5.00. This will only be provided if you RSVP for lunch. Otherwise please send your child with a packed lunch. To RSVP please call the synagogue office (905)889-0276 ext. 25 or e-mail Rachel Hindel, Youth Director, at youth.beitrayim@gmail.com
School Council Get involved in your child’s Hebrew School experience by joining the Beit Rayim School Council. For more information you can contact the school office or Harris Korn School Council Chair at 416-888-4344 or harriskorn@vqinnovations.com. Monthly School Council meetings are on Sundays from 9:30 am to 11am. Our next meeting will be on November 23.
SHABBAT SHORASHIM Calling all families with children 6 years old and younger!!! Join us for a Shabbat morning full of songs, stories, prayer and snack once a month. Shabbat Services are held at The Reena Battle Centre 927 Clark Avenue W. Thornhill 10:30 am -11:30 am Please call the synagogue office for more information: 905-889-0276 x.31
2008-2009 SCHEDULE November 1 November 8 November 29 December 13 January 10 February 21 March 7 April 4 May 2 June 6
Our school is NUT FREE and KOSHER.
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CALENDAR
BRHS Newsletter
Cheshvan - Kislev 5769 - November 2008 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday 1 3 Cheshvan, Parashat Noach Shabbat Shorashim
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
4 Cheshvan
5 Cheshvan
6 Cheshvan
7 Cheshvan
8 Cheshvan
9 Cheshvan
10 Cheshvan Parashat LechLecha Shabbat Shorashim
School
School
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
11 Cheshvan
12 Cheshvan
13 Cheshvan
14 Cheshvan
15 Cheshvan
16 Cheshvan
17 Cheshvan Parashat Vayera
No School PD Day
School 16
17
18
19
20
21
22
18 Cheshvan
19 Cheshvan
20 Cheshvan
21 Cheshvan
22 Cheshvan
23 Cheshvan Kabbalat Shabbat @ Reena Kita Alef
24 Cheshvan Parashat Chayei Sara
School Family Education: Kita Vav (Gr.6)
School 23
24
25
26
27
28
29
25 Cheshvan
26 Cheshvan
27 Cheshvan
28 Cheshvan
29 Cheshvan
1 Kislev Rosh Chodesh Kislev
2 Kislev Parashat Toldot Shabbat Shorashim
School School Council Meeting
No School
30 3 Kislev
School Family Education: Kita Gimel (Gr.3)
School Office: 209-1118 Centre St. Thornhill ON L4J 7R9 Phone: (905) 889-0276 x32 During School Hours: (647) 230-0597 Fax: (905)889-4113 e-mail: school@beitrayim.org www.beitrayim.org