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ESSENCE OF ESTER

Today was the final 2:00 dismissal of the 2010-2011 school year. The next time we have classes on a Friday will be April 29, and finishing time will be 3:30.

No Shiurim this Sunday, April 10.

No post-3:30 Shiurim next week.

We will have P.M. Day Care on Monday and Tuesday, April 11 and 12.

We will NOT have P.M. Day Care on Wednesday, April 13.

Next Wednesday, April 13, is the last day of classes before Pesach.

Classes resume Thursday, April 28 – with a full post-3:30 schedule.

Chemdas Point Accumulation Deadline – May 23, at 3:29:59. That’s a mere 45 days away.

Erev Shabbos Parashas Metzorah April 8, 2011 Licht Bentchen: 7:21 Volume XVII, Issue 29

Dear Parents,

As Yom Tov inexorably inches closer and closer, the echoes of Hilchos Pesach, songs of the Seder, and the studying of Haggadah resonate more loudly each day throughout our hallowed halls. We are certain that the in-home ambiance is also one of, “Wow! Pesach is a mere ten days away.” As such, we remind you that the final day of classes prior to Passover is next Wednesday, April 13, and we resume on Thursday, April 28 (with a full post-3:30 line-up).

As this is the final scheduled pre-Pesach 5771 ESTER, we present you today with:

“Post”ing The Washington

PESACH “TIMES” (and other Reminders)

Shabbos, April 16 - As it is Shabbos HaGaddol, the following should happen: * Special Haftarah. * Special Derasha. * Part of the Haggadah is read. Sunday, April 17 - * Bedikas Chametz after 8:37 P.M. Monday, April 18 - Erev Pesach * Fast of the First Born. * Stop eating Chametz by 10:30 A.M. * Burning and Selling of Chametz must take place by 11:48 A.M. * Licht Bentchen: 7:30 P.M. * Chatzos (Halachic Mid-night): 1:06 A.M. Tuesday, April 19 - * Licht Bentchen: after 8:39 P.M.

* Chatzos (Halachic Mid-night) 1:06 A.M. Friday, April 22 - * Licht Bentchen: 7:34 P.M. Sunday, April 24 - * Licht Bentchen: 7:36 P.M. Monday, April 25 - * Licht Bentchen: after 8:45 P.M.

Dismissing Old Dismissal Times

Today was the final 2:00 P.M. Erev Shabbos release from bondage for the 2010-2011 school year. Beginning Friday, April 29th, we resume the good old 3:30 P.M. dismissal.

Final Call for Maos Chitim

  Until Wednesday, you can still send in checks for Maos Chitim made out to Od Yosef Chai.

Have Extra Chametz? We are participating in the Capital Area Food Bank Drive until April 12. The collection boxes are right outside our main office.

Totals and Collections Dept. The most up-to-date amount for Parshathon

donation is $13,226.86. 5B MTT points have reached 15,411 (256.85 hours). (The boys are 2,589 minutes away from earning their trip at the end of the year.)

Giant A+ School rewards program is over. Our total earned is $1,401.14. We and Giant thank you for shopping there.

$$””22"" TToorraahh SScchhooooll ooff GGrreeaatteerr WWaasshhiinnggttoonn

EE..SS..TT..EE..RR.. EErreevv SShhaabbbbooss ““TToorraahh”” EEvveennttss RReeppoorrtt

We are always collecting Snider’s receipts. Thanks to Naomi Schwartz, this keeps bringing in $.

We are always collecting Box Tops for Education. Thanks to Elaine Feldman, this also keeps bringing in $.

Pre - and Post - Pesach Happenings

For Most of Next Week’s Doings – Please see cover page. Wednesday, April 13 – Nut House pizza. Thanks to all of this week’s in-staff helpers. Thursday, April 28 –

Avdus rebegins. Full post-3:30 schedule.

Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3 and 4 – Picture Art will be taking individual and class pictures. Thursday, May 5 – 4G Marvelous Maryland Marathon at 9:15. Friday, May 6 – 3B/G and 4B/G to C&O Canal ride in Georgetown. Friday, May 13 – Second Annual TSGW Math Fair. We can use lots and lots of help that day. If you are available, please let us know. Friday, May 20 – Third Annual Grandparents’ Day. Tuesday, June 14 – 7:00 P.M., in school. End of year 6G/Girls’ Choir music/poetry program. Sunday, December 4, 2011 – Seventeenth Annual TSGW Dinner. Sunday, February 12, 2012 – Ninth Annual Torah School Chinese Auction. Tuesday’s learning for Rosh Chodesh Nissan was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Lee Michaels in honor of Leah Kreindal bas Miriam.

We wish a heartfelt Mazel Tov to:

Estie and Barry Graham,

Shira Leah, Naphtali Tzvi, Avraham, Chana Rivkah, and their entire family, upon the occasion of Yoseph’s Upshearin.

Rabbi Daniel and Miri Kramer, Rochel, Aviva, Dovid, and the entire Kramer, Meth, and Schulman families upon Kayla’s becoming a Bas Mitzvah.

Dan and Chana Keleman, Rachel and Josh, Hadassah and Yitzy, Yona and Dave, Elchonon, Elisheva, Yehuda, Tehilla Bracha, and their entire family, upon Sara’s becoming a Bas Mitzvah. May they all continue to be blessed with Simachos.

We express HaKaros HaTov to: ☺ Rabbi Samberg, for his presentation on the Haggadah to

the parents of his students. Thanks to Nechemia Mond, it can be accessed by going to http://www.torahlectures.com/view-7572.aspx ☺ Simmy and Yaakova Pollock, for initiating and once again handling the Bedikas Chametz Kit fundraiser. ☺ Eli Rutstein, for another cartography presentation - this time to 2B. ☺ Mrs. Lisa Solomson and Mrs. Julie Malka, for arranging and coordinating Ms. Laura Krauss Melmed’s visits with K-2 on Wednesday. ☺ Sharon Graff and Shani Leiman for handling, our office staff for distributing, and the following for sponsoring Rosh Chodesh Nissan treats: 1. The Deitsch Family, in honor of Chaya’s 9th birthday. 2. Rabbi Benji Katz and Mrs. Debbie Hager- Katz and Adina, in honor of Shuli’s 11th birthday on Shabbat HaGadol and in honor of Rabbi Hoffman and Mrs. Scheininger. 3. The Keleman Family, in honor of Sara’s becoming a Bas Mitzvah and, as she approaches graduation, in appreciation of the 11 years of education which the Torah School has given 5 of the Keleman children. We will miss having this wonderful institution a part of our daily lives!

4. The Mizrahi Family, in honor of Raphael Moshe’s 8th birthday. Today’s Attachments

Thoughts About the Sedarim. 6B Pizza Raffle flyer. Classroom Close-ups by Mrs.

Hilary Leeder, our Guidance Counselor. Classroom Close-ups on Kindergarten by Mrs.

Ashley FitzGerald. Installment IV of Friday night learning LeE’luy

Nishmos the Fogels. Flyer about helping at home for Pesach. Letters about Picture Art.

We wish a Refuah Shelaimah to: Ruth Baars’ father. Becky Langer’s maternal grandfather. Cindy Frances’ father-in-law. Rabbi Amos Bunim, father of Mrs. Rivka Winter. Yossi Glaser, son of Rabbi and Mrs. Glaser who

publish the SOVEYA newsletter.

Middah Update Our focus has been on prepping our Talmidim to joyfully, graciously, happily, and helpfully offer assistance at home – especially as Pesach approaches.

In, Out(side), Under, and Over Some Classrooms

The “Under” part has to do with the construction work that is going on in our basement.

The “Over” part is related to school not being “over” until June – although Spring fever seems to be settling in.

The “Out(side)” reference has to do with 4G’s “Siyum in the Park” on Thursday. This was an overdue celebration of their completion of Parashas VaYeishev.

Hopefully, your progeny’s arrival home next Wednesday should accompany the following: Various sizes, shapes, and contents of Haggados. Yom Tov projects – with focus on the Sedarim. The famous Kindergarten Makkos kits.

Ms. Laura Krauss Melmed shared with K-2, in three sessions, her experiences as a writer by describing the writing process from the birth of an idea, through outlining, drafting, lots of revising, finding the right match in an illustrator, and all the way to publishing. She shared how one needs to expect rejections, as well as acceptances. Ms. Melmed brought original, messy manuscript pages, artist’s sketches, editor’s comments, revisions, galleys, and proofs. For her nonfiction picture books, she discussed the research process. She brought props, puppets, played guessing games with the children, and read 2 or 3 of her stories, all of which invited participation and kept our students engaged and fascinated by her interactive presentations. The kids also showed real Derech Eretz in their attentiveness, behavior, and involvement. A vast number of their questions and responses were quite insightful and impressive.

In music, students completed their Musician of the Week presentations for this school year. Projects included posters, music games, interviews of musicians, artistic interpretations of music, performances on a variety of instruments, and reports about composers, different genres of music, and common and rare instruments.

On Monday, Mrs. Kasierer’s 2Bs and 2Gs presented very delightful in-class plays based upon their recent readings. Their English Ke’ri’ah was outstanding, their inflection and feeling when reciting were on the mark, and their original costumes were very creative.

Mrs. Leigh’s 2G had a great time acting out the events in Parashas VaYeirah where Lot, the Melachim, and the “fine upstanding” citizens of Sedom meet up with each other. Furthermore,

their “supply” of Shoroshim and ability to translate Pesukim independently are increasing “exponentially.”

3G made beautiful, info-packed travel brochures for Mexico. In case you are traveling there for Yom Tov, please contact Mrs. Dunkin for info.

5G, in very timely fashion, are now studying Parashas HaChodesh (last week’s special Maftir) in Parashas Bo. Topics include: Nissan as Month #1. The Jewish calendar being a lunar one. Multiple Mitzvos of the Korban Pesach. Comparisons between the first Pesach in Egypt and in subsequent years and generations.

Middah KiNegged Middah, that Hashem operates the world on a quid pro quo basis, is a major topic now in Haggadah study. It has many philosophical and practical lessons, connotations, and applications. Make sure to bring it up at your Sedarim, especially when discussing the Makkos.

In Math, symmetry (and flipping, sliding, and turning), fractions with like and unlike denominators, quadrilateral figures, perimeter, word problems, estimating, choosing operations, multiple digit multiplication, measurement, probability, angles, and using geo boards are just a few of the entrancing topics we’ve covered.

3G continue to be reading buddies with Kindergartners.

4G are heavily into their projects, and presentations, and play for their May 5 Marvelous Maryland Marathon.

Good Shabbos! Chag Kasher VeSameach.

Rabbi Yitzchak Charner

Headmaster

 

SOME THOUGHTS FOR OUR SEDARIM

“Delve into it (the Torah) and continue to delve into it (the Torah) for everything is in it.” This statement from Pirkei Avos is one to which we often pay lip service, but neglect to apply to our daily lives. We don’t always look toward the Torah and our Chachamim to assist us in problem solving and for guidance in all areas of human endeavor. One case in point is the Chinuch of our children. Our Divinely-given Law is replete with educational methodology and psychology – all we need to do is turn to it for direction. This is especially true as we approach Pesach. The whole Haggadah is predicated upon the Mitzvah of relating the exodus from Egypt to our children. Therefore, the Seder is the model for all of our dealings with our sons and daughters. HaRav Eliyahu Dessler, ZT’L, in Michtav MeiEliyahi, points out the following pedagogical principles which Chazal incorporated into the procedures of the first two nights of this Yom Tov:

Initiating Dialogue -- It is critical that we engage in a “give and take” with our youngsters, rather than merely lecturing them.

Provoking Interest --Besides the classical Mah Nishtanah format, the Seder is structured so that our children are stimulated to ask questions on their own. In fact, one of the guiding rules of these evenings is to do things Ki’dei SheYish’a’lu HaTinokos, in order that the children should ask. True learning takes place only when there is involvement.

Using A-V and Other Aids --Appealing to all five senses promotes greater understanding, interest, and motivation. In the Maggid section of the Haggadah, pouring out wine when reciting the ten plagues and pointing to the Matzah and Maror when discussing them are prime examples of this.

Employing Vivid Imagery – Stopping to think about and feel the significance of what we are saying is another facet of achieving true comprehension. Two of the ways in which we are instructed to consider the meaning of Pesach are:

pausing to reflect on what would have been if Hashem had not redeemed us 3323 years ago. actually viewing ourselves as if we had been the ones who went out of Mitzrayim. Breaking into Smaller Parts – Sometimes we miss the forest because of the trees. However, we often

overlook the beauty of individual trees because the totality is so overwhelming. Dayenu is the detailed analysis of the larger picture known as the “Exodus”.

Applying What We’ve Taught – Rav Dessler, in another essay, says that the overriding goal of the Mechanech/ Mechaneches is to transmit the love and beauty of Torah to his/her students. It is, therefore, quite necessary to illustrate that what we teach is applicable to and enhances our lives. The Haggadah does just this (immediately after Dayenu) in the paragraph which begins, “How much more so must we multiply our thanks to the All-Present.” Herein, we are told that, due to all of G-d’s Chasidim to us, we are required to properly demonstrate our appreciation to Him.

These rules are merely a sampling of the educational concepts presented in the Haggadah. The

importance of recognizing individuality, of goal-setting, of the use of mnemonics, of appropriate constructive disciplinary measures, and, of course, of organization are among other ideas stressed at the Seder. It is our obligation to seek out and discover all the gems to be found in Chazal’s Chochmas HaChinuch. Through doing this, we can hope to truly experience a “model” Seder and an improved year. Together with my family, I wish all of you a Chag Kasher Ve’Sameach.

1) When one makes the Bracha for others, he must have in mind

that he is enabling the listeners to fulfill their obligation. The

listeners must have in mind that they are being enabled to fulfill

their obligation by the one making the Bracha

2) Before reciting the Bracha for others, the person saying the

Bracha must make sure that everyone is listening. We accomplish

that by saying ברשות.

3) After hearing the Bracha from another person, the listeners

must answer אמן.

4) After saying the Bracha, a slice of bread is given to everyone

at the table. The slice should be placed in front of the person and

not handed to him or her.

5) One should not eat the bread until the one making the Bracha

eats from his slice. In fact, the one making the Bracha should take

a bite of his slice before giving slices to others.

PICTURE ART IS COMING ON TUESDAY, MAY 3 & WEDNESDAY, MAY 4.

Individual and class pictures will be taken by Tony Freda on the following days: 

Tuesday: K, K, K, 1B, 1G, 4B, 5B, 5G, 6B Wednesday: 2B, 2G, 2G, 3B, 3G, 4G, 6G 

Everyone will be photographed, but there is no obligation to buy!! DO YOU WANT FAMILY OR SIBLING PICTURES TAKEN, TOO?  No problem. To schedule an appointment, simply call Jodi Mailman at either: 301-593-8270 - home OR 301-602-5922 – cell. Appointments can be made for photo sittings on Tuesday, May 3 after 3:30 until “whenever” and Wednesday, May 4 directly after car pool time only. The options are not just photos, but refrigerator magnets and photo statues, as well. These make excellent Fathers’ Day gifts.

This is also a fundraiser for the school. If anyone is able to assist the photographer, it would be greatly

ppreciated (by Jodi). It entails getting the class from the classroom hen Tony is ready to photograph them. Please call Jodi at the above

a time.

awnumbers to arrange

 THANK YOU. 

April 8, 2011 Picture Art is coming to the Torah School on Tuesday, May 3 and Wednesday, May 4. Volunteers are needed both afternoons to help get the classes to the photographer. Everyone will have his/her individual picture and class picture taken. You are under no obligation to buy either the individual picture or the class picture. You will be sent proofs of your child(ren) with a price sheet and can decide at that time. This is a perfect opportunity to have sibling pictures taken. Even if the sibling is not enrolled in the Torah School, you may come in to have pictures taken. You do need to make an appointment if you choose to have sibling pictures. Please note that we are unable to gather children together for a family shot. Taking the time to do this would detract from the time the photographer (Tony) has to ensure that every student’s picture is taken over his two days here. If you want an appointment, please call Jodi Mailman at 301-593-8270 (home) or the front desk at school 301-962-8003 x2300 until 11:45. You may also reach her on her cell phone (Sprint) after 9:00 p.m. 301-602-5922. Appointments will be primarily scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, after 3:30. However, if you need to come on Wednesday, May 4, please call Jodi to discuss. Please call Jodi if you can volunteer your time in the afternoon(s). There is a great need to have someone available who can go to the classroom(s), get the children and then keep everything flowing. Thank you.

Calling All Pizza Lovers!

6B will be raffling off gift cards to two

winners for two free pies from Ben Yehuda.

Drawing will take place on Tuesday, April 12.

Tickets will be sold: • In the Torah School office all week

• Outside during dismissal, Monday through Thursday.

Price: 1 ticket: $3

3 tickets: $5 7 tickets: $10

All proceeds will benefit the sixth grade boys’

graduation trip.

April 8, 2011

Classroom Close-ups The Guidance Office

By Hilary Leeder Volume VII, Issue 23

This has been a busy, fun, and informative year in the Guidance Office. I have enjoyed

getting to know the wonderful Torah School students through my classroom lessons, lunch bunches, and groups and individual meetings. We have also done a number of grade-wide initiatives.

Every couple of months I have visited each class, teaching various lessons. Giving the

lessons has allowed me to reach out to the widest array of students and get an idea of what their needs might be. Some topics that we have covered this year are friendship, empathy, feelings awareness, and respect for others. In the younger grades, I have usually read stories or done art projects illustrating the applicable concept. In the older grades, we have had more in-depth discussions and even have acted out the topic in small, student-created skits.

Lunches have been spent meeting with small groups of students—usually two to five

individuals. We play games, talk about issues, or just draw funny pictures and notes on my wipe-off board.

I also meet with small groups during the class day, though I try to limit these to snack or

break time. Some groups meet more consistently—once a week—and some arise as needed. I meet with individual students during the day, as well. I am either referred to the

students through teachers, administrators or parents, or I receive a request in my guidance envelope from the student him/herself. I have two large envelopes in the school—one outside my office on the girls’ side and one next to the art room on the boys’ side. I encourage the students to come to me with both their challenges and successes.

Some subjects that often have arisen during group and meetings are troubles with

friends, academic difficulties, and unfair game playing during recess. When friends or classmates are having a conflict, I will often call the pair into my office (with their permission) to guide them in resolving their issue in a respectful, open manner. In terms of academic difficulties, there have been a number of occurrences when a student’s misbehaving or sub-par performance in class has been related to difficultly processing or understanding the class material. If a child does not understand what is taught or has an inherent difficultly paying attention, he/she can become frustrated and upset. In these cases, sometimes a simple conversation to the teacher has helped. I have also referred students to our resource department. Recess, which has been brought up in a number of conversations, can be a very stressful time of day. I have often helped guide students to approach their classmates or enlist the help of a teacher on recess duty to supervise their games to help improve their recess experience.

For the older grades, we have had a number of initiatives to foster cooperation in the

classes. In the 4th and 5th grade girls’ classes we did Project YOUnity, wherein the students picked two unifying activities to work on in their grades. Some examples were greeting their classmates or including others in their games. Each week, we would come together to review how successful the students were in achieving their goals. Currently, these grades have class

meetings during which the students come up with relevant class issues and solve the problems together in a weekly gathering supervised and guided by Mrs. Malka and myself.

The 2nd grade girls’ class is busy working on Project Smile to create more “positives” in

their class. A contract, which each girl signed, hangs in their classroom and tells some of the positive initiatives on which the class is working, such as using polite words and sharing with classmates. The students independently came up with the concepts, and I compiled them onto a large sheet of construction paper. When a teacher sees a student illustrating one of the initiatives, she gives the whole class a mark which builds up to a class dollar.

Next year, we are excited to add another member to the Guidance Office. I will be in

school in the mornings and Mrs. Praff will take over in the afternoons. For the next couple of weeks, she will be visiting the classes, introducing herself and teaching a short lesson. After Pesach, I plan to have my final round of class-wide instruction on conflict resolution.

It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with your fantastic children. As always, please feel

free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns about your child. Have a Good Shabbos and a Chag Kasher V’Sameach!

Bedikas Chametz Kitsare available from the office

$2.00

B”H

Young Israel Shomrai Emunah & Kemp Mill Synagogue Present the

Annual Yom Hashoah V’Hagvurah Commemoration Featuring:

David Bayer

David Bayer, a native of Kozienice, Poland was just seventeen when the war broke out in September 1939. At first he hid with his parents and three siblings in the nearby forest, but they were forced to come back to the newly formed ghetto in their town. From that moment on, his life took some unusual turns. He seemed to be just a step ahead of certain death. After the ghetto was liquidated, his parents and two of his siblings were deported to Treblinka where they perished. He toiled in Auschwitz after surviving numerous slave labor camps. A 1945 death march resulted in his liberation by the Red Army. He spent the post-war years in Panama, except when he joined the Haganah and fought in Palestine during the War of Independence. In 1955 he immigrated to the United States.

Date: Sunday, May 1st, 2011 Time: 7:30 pm

Young Israel Shomrai Emunah 1132 Arcola Avenue Silver Spring, MD

Children Grade 5 and older are encouraged to attend

Mincha at 7:10 pm; Maariv to follow program For transportation, please call YISE or KMS during office hours