Beit Rayim Hebrew School Newsletter

Newsletter March, 2008

Adar I– Adar II, 5768

Content

Shalom Parents 1

News 2

Extended Dates 2

March B ir thdays 2

School Counc i l 2

Youth Group 2

Upcoming Events 3

Shabbat Shorash im 3

Kabbalat Shabbat 3

Fami ly Educat ion Days

Grade 4 3

Grade 7 3

Pur im @ the school 3

Ca lendar 4

Principal Rabbi David M. Eligberg

Upcoming Events

• Shabbat Shorashim– Mar. 1

• Family Education: Grade 4– March 2

• Kabbalat Shabbat - March 28

• Family Education: Grade 7– March 30

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

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.

NO School Sunday March 9

Thursday March 13

Sunday March 16

**Thursday March 20**

Sunday March 23

Family Education Days

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 fol-lowed by coffee. Everything takes place in

the gym.

**Party On! It’s Purim! See what’s happening on page 3**

BRH School Newsletter Page 2 of 4

News

SCHOOL CLOSURE NOTIFICATIONSCHOOL CLOSURE NOTIFICATIONSCHOOL CLOSURE NOTIFICATIONSCHOOL CLOSURE NOTIFICATION

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.

Are you part of the Beit Rayim Youth Group?

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

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

School Council Get involved in your child’s Hebrew School experience

by joining the Beit Rayim School Council.

The next meeting is on Sunday, March 30.

For more details please contact the school office.

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 regard-ing lost school days. Accordingly we have made provision to replace them at the end of our school year.

Lunch & learn series

with Rabbi David Eligberg

First session: Shabbat, March 8 When: After Services

Where: Reena Battle Centre

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**

Page 3 of 4 BRH School Newsletter Upcoming Events

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

We’re on the Web! www.beitrayim.org

Regional Bible Contest CHIDON 2008

Several of our grade 5Several of our grade 5Several of our grade 5Several of our grade 5----7 students have been 7 students have been 7 students have been 7 students have been studying specific chapters from the studying specific chapters from the studying specific chapters from the studying specific chapters from the book of Genesis since November. book of Genesis since November. book of Genesis since November. book of Genesis since November.

On March 2, 2008 On March 2, 2008 On March 2, 2008 On March 2, 2008 they will be demonstrating their knowledge in they will be demonstrating their knowledge in they will be demonstrating their knowledge in they will be demonstrating their knowledge in

The Annual Regional Bible Contest here in Toronto.The Annual Regional Bible Contest here in Toronto.The Annual Regional Bible Contest here in Toronto.The Annual Regional Bible Contest here in Toronto.

Yeeshar Koach to all of them!!!!!Yeeshar Koach to all of them!!!!!Yeeshar Koach to all of them!!!!!Yeeshar Koach to all of them!!!!!

Page 4 of 4 BRH School Newsletter Calendar

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

Reminder: Our school is NUT FREE and KOSHER.

During the winter months please leave your boots out-side of the classrooms. Remember to bring shoes!

Adar I- Adar II 5768- March 2008 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Shabbat Shorashim

2

School Council Meeting School Regional Bible Contest Family Education: Grade 4

3

4

5

6 School

7 8

9 MARCH BREAK Begins No School

10

11

12

13 No School

14

15

16 No School

17

18 19

20 No School 13th of Adar II,

5768 Ta'anit Esther

21 Statutory Holiday

14th of Adar II,

5768 Purim

22 15th of Adar II,

5768 Parashat Tzav

23 Shushan Purim No School

24

25

26

27 School Classes Resume

28 Kabbalat Shabbat Service @ Reena

29

30 School Family Education:

Grade 7

31