The Essential ESTER

Monday, January 11 – 2G Animal Habitat

Presentation at 2:30.

Tuesday, January 12 – 2B Animal Habitat Presentation at 9:15 promptly.

3B/3G will leave for Baltimore Museum of Industry at 8:15 A.M. Kids should Daven at home.

Parshathon $ Due.

Wednesday, January 13 – No After School Sports.

Rosh Chodesh Shevat N.O.A.M. (Night Out At Max’s)

Thursday, January 14 –

Last day of class before Winter Break. We do have Mishmar.

Erev Erev Shabbos Parashas Shemos January 7, 2010 Licht Bentchen: 4:45 Volume XVI, Issue 18

Dear Parents, This is once again a prophylactic communiqué – coming home on Thursday to, hopefully, prevent a school closing tomorrow. I know that many forces (e.g. Doug Hill, 252 students’ prayers) are working against us, but hope springs (or should it be “winters”) eternal in the human heart. As a result of this self-imposed early deadline, this will be a not-as-long-as-usual ESTER.

Please send in all your 2009 Snider’s receipts by January 11, 2010.

We wish a heartfelt Mazel Tov to: ☺ Zalman Newman, his parents, Rabbi Mordechai and Mrs. Yehudis Newman; his siblings, Mushkie, Eli, Moishie, Chaim, Miriam, and Rivka Dina; and his entire family, upon his becoming a Bar Mitzvah. ☺ Ahuva Wakschlag, her parents, Rabbi Myron and Mrs. Gila Wakschlag; her siblings, Efraim, Naomi, and Adina; and the entire Wakschlag and Halpern families, upon her becoming Bas Mitzvah. We extend condolences to Michael Harris upon the passing of his stepfather, Mr. Joseph Weidenfeld. May the entire family be comforted among the mourners of Tziyon and Yerushalayim.

Calendarial Anticipations Sunday, January 10 – 5th/6th Shiurim. Monday, January 11 - 2G Animal Habitat presentations at 2:30.

Tuesday, January 12 – Parshathon $ due. We’re now up to $3,082.50. 2B Animal Habitat presentations at 9:15.

3B/3G to Baltimore Museum of Industry. We must leave school at 8:15 promptly. Kids need to Daven

at home and be on time.

Full post-3:30 schedule. Wednesday, January 13 – Nut House pizza. Todah for this week to a myriad of staff members. No After School Sports. The Fall Session ended this week. Full slate of post-3:30 Shiurim.

Rosh Chodesh Shevat NOAM – Night Out at Max’s.

Thursday, January 14 – Full schedule of post 3:30 classes. Last day of school before Winter Break. Monday, January 25 – Classes resume. Thursday, January 28 – First Graders’ Chag HaChumash at 9:15. Sunday, February 7 – Girls’ Choir will sing at the Ring House at 11:00 A.M. Sunday, February 14 –7th Annual Chinese Auction. Sunday, February 21 – Federation’s Super Sunday.

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Today’s Attachments

♦ Ooroo LaTefillah. ♦ Classroom Close-ups by

Rabbi Shalom Hoffman. ♦ SOVEYA newsletter. ♦ Letter and permission slip for mid-year

choir joining. This week’s special focus on being No’sei Ve’Ole Chaveiro, “Bearing the Burdens of Others” was:

One should share the pain of his fellow man and try to help him in some way. Try every day this week to stop and think about a sick person and how much he/she must be suffering. Then say a Perek of Tehillim for him/her.

   

 

The Aquarium Visits Today’s annual visit from the National

Aquarium in Baltimore was the highlight of our week. As usual, the individualized, hands-on, kids-involved programs included animate and inanimate “residents” of the Aquarium. The enticing titles of these presentations were: Adaptations, Watermen Presentation, Marshland Mystery, Slither Slide, Chesapeake Bay Exploration, Mysterious and Dangerous, and Squid Dissection. The latter sessions (which had been eagerly anticipated for years) were really “gotten into” by our Sixth Graders. Our Fifth Graders used a hydrometer to measure water salinity and another instrument (whose name I don’t remember) to judge turbidity. Make sure to debrief your progeny about the details of what they learned, saw, heard, touched, and smelled, but didn’t taste. The Aquarium’s presenters all commented about how knowledgeable, well-prepared, well-behaved, and interested all our kids were. They also said that they always get the most insightful questions and comments from our youngsters, and they especially look forward to coming here each January. The

rererererererererererereturn engagement is slated for January 6, 2011.

A Smattering of What ‘Sup

The Food Pyramid and the “five plus one” food groups (grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat/beans plus oils) were topics of discussion and activities in P.E. this week.

3G had their Activity Party on Wednesday. Between crafts and games, the girls were having great times and exercising great “volume control”.

3B/G are completing their Simple Machine unit with focus on levers, pulleys, and the wheel/axle. The culmination of this study will be Tuesday’s visit to the Baltimore Museum of Industry. They have also been performing Trickster Tales for other classes with rave reviews.

1B/G/G are really gearing up for their January 28th Chag HaChumash. Preparations for starting Chumash have included vocabulary and Shoroshim they will very quickly encounter in Parashas Bereishees.

1B have designed a cricket cage in conjunction with reading The Cricket in Times Square. They’ve also made Play Doh models of geometric solids and are zeroing in on time.

1G/G made geometric snowflakes, are practicing fact families, and welcomed their class pet – a hermit crab.

2B/G wrote persuasive letters to Rabbi Charner. (Editor’s note: I look forward to them each year. In the past, I’ve had requests for a swimming pool, an ice cream machine, more recess time, a shorter school year, less homework, etc. My favorite remains the comment of a current Sixth Grader: “Everything is perfect here. Nothing needs to be changed.”) They’ve also finished up their animal habitat projects for next week’s presentations.

5B/G have begun the Ten Plagues in Parashas VaEyra, with the girls creating origami frogs.

5G have learned, in Pirkei Avos, how to act so that we give pleasure to Hashem and to people, have sung in Ivrit a song about the seasons, and have studied the very beautiful, poetic, and complex Shiras Devorah in Sefer Shofetim.

6B/G have learned how to write and solve algebraic expressions. They’ve discovered that they no longer need “X to mark the spot” for multiplication.

KB/G learned how to summarize by focusing on sequence in a story, are into a unit on food, and have “made” a special sweet potato pie.

4G are waiting for an answer from me about the connotative difference between two words in Loshon HaKodesh which mean to kill: ַלֲהרֹוג and ְלָהִמית. They are also quite fascinated by and asking very insightful questions about the relationship between Yosef HaTzaddik and his brothers.

Have a Great Shabbos!

Rabbi Yitzchak Charner Headmaster

January 7, 2010 Dear Parents and Students, We are pleased to announce the continuation of our Torah School Girls’ Choir for girls in grades 2-6 under the tutelage of Mrs. Miri Gottlieb. We will continue to schedule performances, with the young ladies singing only for women’s groups. Being included in our choir does require a commitment on the part of both parents and students. Girls are expected to participate in and be punctual for all rehearsals and performances. Extra rehearsals will also be required prior to performances, and they may be scheduled on Sundays. You will be given adequate advance notice for all special dates. Regular weekly practices for the girls will take place in school on Tuesdays from 12:00 -12:30. The kids will have the opportunity to eat prior to these times. The total cost for the rest of the year is $60, payable to Mrs. Miri Gottlieb. This amount should either be paid in advance or with post-dated checks (January – June). If you would like your child to participate, please fill in the form below and send it back to school on Monday, January 11. We look forward to working with your children, watching them grow, and having a fantastic year. Sincerely,

Rabbi Yitzchak Charner Mrs. Miri Gottlieb ________________________________________________________________________ I have read the letter about the school choir. I realize the responsibilities that participation entails, and I would like my child(ren), __________________________________________, to once again participate or to audition. Enclosed is payment for each child. ____________________ ____________________________ Date Parent’s Signature

January 7, 2010 Dear Parents and Students, We are pleased to announce the continuation of our Torah School Boys’ Choir for boys in grades 2-6 under the tutelage of Rabbi Chaim Biberfeld. Being included in our choir does require a commitment on the part of both parents and students. Boys are expected to participate in and be punctual for all rehearsals and performances. Extra rehearsals will also be required prior to performances, and they may be scheduled on Sundays. You will be given adequate advance notice for all special dates. Regular weekly practices for the boys will take place in school on Fridays from 11:25 -11:55. (After Pesach, it will be from 12:00-12:30.) The kids will have the opportunity to eat prior to these times. The total cost for the rest of the year is $60, payable to Rabbi Chaim Biberfeld. This amount should either be paid in advance or with post-dated checks (January – June). If you would like your child to participate, please fill in the form below and send it back to school on Monday, January 11. We look forward to working with your children, watching them grow, and having a fantastic year. Sincerely,

Rabbi Yitzchak Charner Rabbi Chaim Biberfeld ________________________________________________________________________ I have read the letter about the school choir. I realize the responsibilities that participation entails, and I would like my child(ren), __________________________________________, to once again participate or to audition. Enclosed is payment for each child. ____________________ ____________________________ Date Parent’s Signature

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Volume III, Issue 13 January 8, 2010Berachah of the Week:

vbhc hufak i,b rJt"Who gave the Sechvi understanding to distinguish between day and night.”

The commentaries on the Talmud translate the word Sechvi and, therefore, this vfrc in twodifferent ways:

1. Who gave the rooster understanding to distinguish between day and night (Rabbeinu Yonah, Rashi).

2. Who gave the heart understanding to distinguish between day and night (Rashi, Tosafos).

There is great significance to this blessing according to both translations, as Rav Schwab(Rav Schwab on Prayer, pg. 29) tells us:

“The Berachah means that HaKadosh Baruch Hu, at the time ofCreation, gave the rooster the innate ability to discern and to make thefine distinction between the darkness of the night and that of theimpending daybreak, which it announces by crowing.

Therefore, upon awakening, the person marvels at and givesthanks to HaKadosh Baruch Hu for the miraculous creation of a rooster’sbrain, the size of a thimble, which, nevertheless, has the intelligence torecognize the first sign of the diminishing darkness which precedes thebreak of dawn. The Berachah was intended to give thanks to HaKadoshBaruch Hu for the existence of this miraculous cognitive ability, even ifone does not actually hear the rooster heralding a new day.

The Berachah also refers to the ability of the human heart todistinguish between day and night. So, combining both meanings, thisBerachah gives thanks to HaKadosh Baruch Hu for the cognitive power ofthe rooster which, in turn, makes our heart aware of the impending breakof dawn.”

Although the vfrc specifically mentions the ability to discern between day and night, italso carries with it a metaphorical meaning. It refers to man’s ability to distinguish between goodand bad. (Day is a metaphor for good and night represents bad.) This underscores that we muststart our days with the recognition and understanding that our job in life is to know the differencebetween right and wrong AND to choose the good.

A Project of the Torah School of Greater Washington

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“The logical sequence of the first morning prayers now becomesclear. First, we thank the Supreme King, the Giver of Life, for returningour soul to our body when we awake in the morning (Modeh Ani). Next,we thank our Creator, the Healer of All Flesh, for keeping our verydelicate and intricate body in good working order (Asher Yatzar). Wecontinue by taking notice of our pure soul which G-d has given us andwhich we must endeavor to keep pure in order that we merit eternal life(Elokai, Neshamah). Then, we come to a series of blessings, the first ofwhich is the expression of our gratitude to G-d for having given usintelligence to enable us to distinguish between bad and good.” (MyPrayer, pgs. 26,27)

January 7, 2010 Classroom Close-ups by Rabbi Shalom Hoffman

Volume VI, Issue 12

Listening and Hearing There is a story told by Rav Sholom Schwadron, ZT”L {of blessed memory} about a man who was aimlessly walking across the street, oblivious to the oncoming traffic. As a car approached him, the driver honked to get his attention, but the man didn’t respond . The driver continued to honk, and the man finally said, “ I heard you already.” The driver said to the man, “You may have heard me, but you weren’t listening.” The story is very instructive, because it points out that we often hear what others are saying, but we don’t fully comprehend the ideas and concepts that they are trying to convey. If the man in the story really heard the car honking at him, he would have stopped and been more cautious when he crossed the street. This year, I have made an extra effort to hear and listen to the boys when they have a question or comment. I have also impressed upon them the importance of hearing and listening to each other attentively. This is an important life skill that, if acquired, can have positive effects on them and for them when they are adults. There are a few ways in which we have worked upon this important skill. The first and most basic lesson is learning not to interrupt others. If a student is interrupted, the “interruptor” is stopped right away, and the person begins his comment again. The boys have also been encouraged to look at the person who is talking. In a day and age where we live with cell phones, fax machines, email and texting {which have their advantages}, communicating with body language and tone of voice get lost in the shuffle. Many times, we can better understand a person’s point of view by his\her facial expressions, volume, hand gestures, etc. A few months ago, I started to place tally marks on the board whose meaning was, at first, unclear to some of the boys. I explained to them, after the period, that I was calculating how many times they interrupted each other in the course of 45 minutes. I continued to do this for the remaining two periods of the day. When I continued this process, the interruptions decreased. This is something that I do, periodically, to show my Talmidim that they can control their behavior. Another technique that is effective is used when a boy asks a question or makes a comment. Before I respond to his thought, I ask other boys to repeat or write what was asked or suggested. In addition, the fifth grade has had the privilege of working with Project Ascent to improve team building skills. A large focus of this is on listening skills, and I have actually seen improvement in the boys patience in listening to each other. I have a Rebbe with whom I have a strong relationship. One of the many admirable talents and skills that he possesses is his ability to listen to others. As a result, he has a reputation of being an excellent Rebbe and an outstanding role model for others. Our children are the future, and, if we want them to reach their potential, they must learn to have good social skills. This starts with not only hearing others, but listening to them, as well!

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Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC – Director p 1-888-8-SOVEYA (876-8392) * f 443-379-0665 * www.soveya.com * info@soveya.com Volume 3, Issue 15 6209 Western Run Drive, Baltimore, MD 21209

SWITCHH Newsletter (Soveya Wellness Initiative To Create Healthy Habits)

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Copyright © 2009 by Soveya, Inc.

Torah thouTorah thouTorah thouTorah thought on health and ght on health and ght on health and ght on health and wellnesswellnesswellnesswellness: : : :

How could he forget? “And a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Yosef,” (Shemos 1, 8). The gemara (Sotah 11a) says that the verse is talking about either a new Pharaoh, or the same one who ruled during Yosef’s tenure as viceroy and now chose to disregard Yosef’s contributions. Even if it was a new king, how could he not have been aware of Yosef’s exploits? It was immediate history. All Yosef did was make Egypt the richest and most powerful nation in their generation. Last year, we used this idea to speak about the issue of selective denial - consciously choosing to ignore obvious facts because they get in the way of what we want to do. Convenient amnesia. This year we’d like to address the topic of simple forgetfulness. Specifically, forgetting something that was so obviously apparent just a short time ago - such as Pharaoh “forgetting” that Yosef saved Egypt from the effects of a severe famine. The question is asked: why did we make brachos today over the food we ate, we did so yesterday, and the day before? Why did we daven today? Didn’t we say many of the same prayers earlier today, and yesterday, and the day before? Why did the Rabbis institute such repetition in the daily life of a Jew? Because human nature is to forget. We are commanded to know that HaShem is our Creator and Provider of sustenance, health and wellbeing. We’re obligated to love HaShem and to have bountiful gratitude for all the bounty He provides.

As clear as that knowledge may be at one moment, as heartfelt as our appreciation might be at one time, it’s just as easy for that understanding and genuine feeling to slip away. We need to consistently take actions such as making brachos and davening to constantly reinforce and renew our knowledge and love of HaShem.

Human Nature is to . . . (what was it again?)

In fact, of the 613 mitzvos, six are called constant mitzvos - commandments that we are continually obligated to fulfill: (1) know HaShem exists; (2) know there are no other gods; (3) know HaShem is One; (4) love HaShem; (5) fear HaShem; (6) don’t follow after our hearts and our eyes. The fact that HaShem instituted these as constant mitzvos means, by definition, that we possess a continuous capability of forgetting these fundamental tenets, and therefore are obligated to persistently take steps to fortify them in our minds and hearts. The same holds true for all the resolutions, commitments and self-growth initiatives we undertake. Inspiration and motivation that, at the time seem like it will last a life time can often fizzle out after a couple of days. For so many of us, our self promise of curtailing loshon hara, or exercising every day, or cutting out soda and junk food from our diets, turns into self loathing when those declarations barely get off the ground before crashing down to earth. But it doesn’t have to be that way. HaShem and the Rabbis have given us the answer. Reinforce your commitment every day. Constantly review your reasons for wanting to begin this new behavior. Make a daily accounting of the benefits you’ll gain. Write it down. Study it, and go over it again and again. Do whatever is necessary to renew your motivation on a daily basis. It may be human to forget, but it’s a mitzvah to remember. Good שבת.

SWITCHH is a coalition of Jewish Day Schools committed to effecting real and lasting changes toward our approach to eating and nutrition. The Wellness Initiative uses a Torah educational approach combined with practical tools and the latest news and

information to inform and empower parents, teachers and students about the obligation to properly care for our bodies by developing and enjoying healthy eating habits. If you would like to receive a free, expanded email version of this newsletter,

please send us an email or sign up at our website. We welcome and value your feedback.

This week's newsletter is sponsored by

Avi & Henny Katz

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News,News,News,News,information and practical advice:information and practical advice:information and practical advice:information and practical advice:

SWITCHH is presented by Soveya, providing nutrition & wellness coaching, educational programs, teleconferences, seminars, and newsletters for the Jewish community concerning health, nutrition, and obesity prevention.

Changing the Jewish World – One Pound at a Time

All the talk about trying to eat healthy and more

nutritious foods begs the question, what exactly is

nutrition? And why is it so important to our lives?

It all boils down to the way in which HaShem created

different foods and the critical role they play in

sustaining life. Simply put, a healthy mind and body

require oxygen, sleep and nutrients.

Nutrients are chemical substances found in the foods

we eat and are needed for the body to develop and

function properly. There are many nutrients, but six are

absolutely necessary: proteins; fats; carbohydrates;

vitamins; water; minerals. Each nutrient plays a

specific role in the body. Together they supply energy,

provide materials for growth and maintenance, and

control body functions.

So, What is Nutrition Anyway? (defining the six essential nutrients - part two)

VITAMINS

Help other nutrients work, keep each

part of the body healthy

Vitamins are necessary for normal body

functions, mental alertness, and

resistance to infection. They enable

your body to process proteins,

carbohydrates, and fats. Certain

vitamins help produce blood cells,

hormones, and chemicals in your nervous

system.

Eating a balanced, healthy diet is the

best way to get the vitamins the body

needs. Vegetables should make up a big

part of a person’s food intake. This

should be followed by fruits and whole

grains. Next come low-fat dairy

products and lean meats or beans. Fats,

though essential, make up the smallest

part of a healthy eating plan.

Common vitamins: A, C, D, E, K, and B vitamins.

WATER

Keeps body temperature

regulated, and makes up

60% of the body

It is important to drink

plenty of water every day,

between 6 - 8 cups.

Water keeps your body

organs functioning, your

brain sharp and your skin

clear. It flushes waste

products from your body.

MINERALS

Help the body grow, make

strong bones and teeth, keep

blood healthy

Minerals are necessary for

normal growth and health.

Major minerals include

calcium, phosphorus, and

magnesium. Sodium, potassium

and chloride, known as

electrolytes, are important in regulating water and chemical

balance in your body.

Some other minerals your

body needs in small amounts

are chromium, copper,

fluoride, iodine, iron, and zinc.

Foods have vitamins and minerals that are often

found in supplements, but food also contains

hundreds of beneficial naturally occurring substances

that are essential for good health. Therefore, if you

have a choice between an orange (which comes

direct from the al-Mighty), or a vitamin C supplement

(produced in the laboratory), it is better to eat the

orange. As we are well aware, HaShem always knows

best.

Today we’re focusing on:

vitamins, water and minerals.

Rosh Chodesh Shevat is Coming...

Each Rosh Chodesh, the PTA provides treats to our students. The PTA is seeking sponsors for this coming month’s Rosh Chodesh treats. For a $25 sponsorship, your name and message (in recognition of, in honor of, in appreciation of, etc), will be distributed to each class and read aloud to the students. This is a great way to also show your children’s teachers your appreciation. Please return the form below (attention: Rosh Chodesh Sponsorship), with payment, to the office by January 14, 2010. Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please call the school at 301-962-8003, x 2300.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We would like to sponsor Rosh Chodesh treats for Rosh Chodesh Shevat. Enclosed is our check for $25, payable to TSGW PTA. Message: _________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

JSSA and the Bender-Dosik Parenting Center at the JCCGW present:

Parent Toolbox for Pre-Schoolers

A 3-session interactive workshop enabling parents of young children to understand and manage their behavior.

JSSA Panel: Laurence Fabre-Welmond, LCSW-C, MSPH Elizabeth Griffith, LICSW, M.Ed. Wendy Baber, LCSW-C, MLSP

Each workshop includes a presentation and panel Q&A session.

Time: 9:30-11:00 am

Location: JCCGW, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852 Cost*: $30/person for one session $75/person for the series of three $110/2 parents for three sessions *JCC Members receive a $10 discount Note: There is no discount for two sessions

Workshop 1 – January 13 Understanding Your Child’s Unique Character

Workshop 2 – January 20 Building Positive Relationships and Learning Conflict Management: Peers, Siblings and Parents

Workshop 3 – January 27 Parent-Child Relationships: Fostering Self Control and Preventing Major Meltdowns

Pre-registration required: 301-348-3837 • jmargel@jccgw.org Learn more. Visit: www.jssa.org • www.jccgw.org