CJDS Head of School
Rachel Arcus-Goldberg
September 17, 2020 / 28 Elul 5780
In preparation for the High Holidays this year, I registered for an online course with my colleague and friend, Rabbi David Jaffe, author of Changing the World from the Inside out, focused on identifying my soul curriculum for the coming year. At the beginning of the session, he encouraged us to take 3 deep breaths to begin a short meditation. On the first deep intake, my eyes flew open as the oxygen flooded into my body and I realized just how long it has been since I have taken such a deep breath, since I have taken time to really pause.
The opportunity we are given through the period of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is to spend time reflecting, reviewing, and setting intentions for the coming year. Several times, we repeat the vidui, the prayer of confession, beating our hearts as we reflect on our sins in alphabetical order. In his framing of our session, Rabbi Jaffe challenged us to think about the commitments that we make through the confession. In addition to thinking about the past and confessing what you have done wrong, we are invited to think about the future and set an intention for “this is what I yearn to do.”
|
|
Each grade at CJDS has an Essential Question that frames their learning for the year. The questions meet the children at an appropriate developmental level and challenge the students to move forward in the way that they think about the world. As we prepared for holding school this year, Dr. Brent Bloomster, our consulting psychologist from Nationwide Children’s, encouraged us to define Essential Actions that accompany each of the questions. In First Grade, the class is asked, “How do I build a community?” While there are many important conversations that come from that question, knowing what actions must be taken is also vital to accomplish the goal of building a community. As the Fifth Grade studies “How does Leadership affect a culture?,” we want our students to be prepared for how their own actions as student leaders affect the culture of CJDS and beyond.
I am hopeful that 5781 will be a year of change. In the soul curriculum I am writing for myself this year, I am setting an intention for what I can do, actively, to make a difference. I invite you to give yourself a moment to pause, to breathe, to reflect not just on what has been wrong, but on what you can do right.
Shanah Tovah,
|
|
Shanah Tovah from Columbus Jewish Dy School! |
|
Fourth and fifth grades during PE class - soccer unit.
|
|
Fourth and fifth graders during music class with Mr. Angelo. Video here.
|
|
Kindergarteners learning about apples with Mr. D. |
|
Second grader Charlie caught a grasshopper on the field. |
|
First and second graders enjoying the obstacle course during morning fitness. |
|
Rony wearing the name of a Rosh Hashanah item on her hat and making guesses what the item is -- all in Hebrew.
|
|
Fifth grader Jonah lighting Shabbat Candles. |
|
Kindergarten Lyla during science identifying macroinvertebrates. |
|
Third grader Isla's art project using natural materials that Stuart Little might need; "What do we pack for life's journey?" |
|
#CJDSReadytoLearn Campaign
We hope you will join the Shabtay family and support CJDS through the #CJDSReadytoLearn Campaign.
Anna and Erez Shabtay shared: “We are so thankful for all of the hard work CJDS has put into reopening the school this fall. In a world of uncertainty, we know our kids are receiving an incredible Jewish education at CJDS.”
|
|
Upcoming Events:
- Friday, September 18th - Erev Rosh Hashanah - NO SCHOOL
- Monday, September 28th - Yom Kippur - NO SCHOOL
- Friday, October 2nd - Sukkot Kabbalat Hag - 11:15am (link will be sent soon)
- Friday, October 2nd - Erev Sukkot - NOON DISMISSAL
- Friday, October 9th - Simchat Torah Kabbalat Hag - 11:15am (link will be sent soon)
- Friday, October 9th - Erev Shemini Atzeret - NOON DISMISSAL
- Monday, October 12 - Columbus Day - NO SCHOOL
|
|
Tour and Events for Prospective Families |
|
This year, we plan to offer several virtual connection opportunities for families to learn more about CJDS. These opportunities will include virtual visits with Faculty and students in the CJDS classrooms, discussions with our Head of School, Ms. Rachel Arcus-Goldberg, and connective parent-to-parent conversations. In accordance with COVID-19 health standards and best practices, we also plan to hold small in person information gatherings. These gatherings will be available to a limited number of guests, with advance reservation required.
Personal tours of the CJDS campus are offered daily after school hours, and also on Sundays. During our campus visits, all parties are required to wear masks, including child(ren). Families interested in learning more about CJDS may reach out to our Director of Enrollment Management, Jenny Glick.
Additional information is available under the APPLY tab of the CJDS website.
Applications for the 2021- 2022 school year are welcomed in early October for enrollment in the following academic year. Applications completed by Monday, February 8, 2021, are eligible for first-round decisions - which are announced by March 1, 2021. Enrollment contracts and deposits are due back approximately 14 days later. Families applying for Tuition Assistance must complete their application by early February, 2021.
|
|
CJDS is excited to share our Mamshikhim program. Mamshikhim (Let’s Continue) is tailored to CJDS alumni who are currently in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. Check out the flyer below for details.
For registration and curriculum information, please reach out to Eran Rosenberg, CJDS Director of Jewish Life and Learning.
|
|
If you are interested in learning more about supporting CJDS through the Life and Legacy program, please reach out to our Development Coordinator here.
|
|
IFA is taking on the neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and hate groups who attacked Charlottesville, VA three years ago, holding them accountable in federal court for their violent conspiracy.
This case provides a tangible way to take action against the white supremacy and extremism that’s poisoning this country and has the potential to bankrupt and dismantle the leaders and hate groups at the center of this movement — which is key, given their disturbing connections to the broader cycle of violence.
We look forward to seeing you — and please share this invite with your family and friends!
|
|
CJDS is a proud partner of JewishColumbus. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
