CJDS Ma Koreh Weekly Newsletter

Ma Koreh /What’s Happening?

Weekly CJDS Newsletter

D’var Kesher from CJDS’s Journalism Club

March 7, 2019/ Rosh H odesh Adar Bet, 30 Adar I, 5779

Parashat Pekudei, Exodus/Shemot 35:1-38:20

D'VAR KESHER:

"Students Take Over the Dvar Kesher!"

Greetings!

Purim is almost here! The rabbis of the Talmud saw Purim as such a high point in the calendar that they declared, "Mishenikhnas Adar Marbim B’Simha" משנכנס אדר מרבים בשמחה “When Adar [the Hebrew month housing the holiday of Purim] enters, joy increases (Babylonian Talmud Ta’anit 29a). On Thursday and Friday, March 7-8, we will celebrate Rosh Hodesh Adar II. These dates mark the beginning of the celebration!

There is a phrase from the Book of Esther, which recounts the story of Purim, frequently used in association with Purim: v’nahafokh hu, ונהפוך הוא “it was turned upside down” or “the opposite happened.” After all, things are “turned upside down” in so many ways in the story of Purim.

At CJDS we mark Rosh Hodesh Adar as a V'nahafokh Hu Day or Topsy Turvy Day.

For example, rather than a teacher or member of staff writing this introduction, the students of the Journalism Club have taken over with a little bit of help from Dr. D. Let’s get to the top headlines for this week…

"NEW CLASS OFFERED"

By: Rony Amar

Pictured below: 6th graders Misha, Sam, Jack, Gabe, and Raiden get ready for the driving course, while 2nd graders help keep 6th grade drivers in between the lines.

CJDS is going to offer early developmental driver education classes for 5th and 6th graders. This new class is designed to give the students more responsibility because of their extreme maturity and preparedness at school. When the older kids are behind the wheel, second graders will serve as traffic cones to help guide the drivers.

"HEBREW TO BECOME FIRST LANGUAGE AT CJDS"

By: Alin Geda

Because Hebrew is much easier to understand and write, compared to English, students have asked the administration to make Hebrew the official language used at CJDS. The Judaics and Hebrew studies teachers are very excited to have the additional work of translating all of the English books, worksheets, bulletin boards and class presentations into Hebrew.

"CJDS TACKLE FOOTBALL PROGRAM SCORES MAJOR SPONSOR"

By: Dovi Weiner

Some CJDS students have made it known that they would like to participate in more competitive sports, such as tackle football. Because students always have the best ideas, teachers decided to start CJDS’ first tackle football squad. Both male and female football team members enjoy the challenges of the tackle game and Nike has agreed to present a $2.5 million grant for a new stadium, jerseys, and a practice facility. Still to be worked out is a mercy rule for scoring since 6th graders will play against 1st graders depending on the week’s match up. The CJDS mascot will either be a skunk, scorpion, or mouse.

"KINDERGARTNERS DOING INTENSE MATH"

By: Dafna Skolnik

Pictured below: Ari studies how to solve for “x."

Breaking news… Miss Jessi has decided to challenge the kindergartners’ knowledge and is making them do high school math. Someone should help them soon or else they will lose it! Many students can be observed working on Algebra problems during nap time.

"MORE VEGETABLES AND FRUIT TO BE OFFERED DURING HOT LUNCH"

By: Vivian Lamendola and Ruthie Moskowitz

Pictured below: CJDS always composts leftover fruit and veggies.

Because CJDS students are only served cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, apples, oranges, grapes, strawberries, pears, and blueberries along with dips such as hummus, the hot lunch administrators have decided to offer even MORE fruit and vegetable choices. Students devour their vegetables and fruit during lunch and are often asking for more. The compost pile at CJDS has hardly seen any material to break down over the long winter. As we approach spring, expect to see brussels sprouts, acorn squash, asparagus, spinach and parsnips on your tray. Goooooo veggies!

"JUNGLE BOOK CAST HEADED TO BROADWAY"

By: Zeke Moses

Pictured below: Image by the Austin Summer Musical for Children.

The Jungle Book cast has been so good in rehearsal that a Broadway producer invited everyone to perform in New York City! The reason he was at the practice was because he needed to find a show to fill a theater that had no show running. The producer loved the rehearsal so much that he decided to bring the show to Broadway. If you pass a cast member in the hall be sure to say something like, “Break a leg!”

2019-2020 Update!

CURRENT STUDENTS:

Re-enrollment contracts for the 2019-20 school year will be mailed and emailed to all current families in grades K-5 on March 1.

If you missed the February 15 deadline for Tuition Assistance, but you still wish to be considered, please contact Mark Mitzman as soon as possible at 614-939-5311 x3103 or mmitzman@cjds.org.

NEW STUDENTS:

We are currently accepting applications. Interested families can begin the application process now by visiting the "APPLY" tab on our website: www.cjds.org.

ALL CJDS ALUMNI:

ANNOUNCING the first ever CJDS Alumni Award Recognizing Dr. Gina Freeman’s Legacy at CJDS:

The Gina Freeman

Shomrei HaAdam V’Ha’Adamah Award

Honoring CJDS Alumni, Guardians of Humanity and the Earth.

APPLY HERE TODAY

“My heart is full knowing that this great honor will recognize the deep values of CJDS in our wonderful graduates. The true honor will be reading about the many stories from you, our Alumni, about your important work in your communities and the world. Please take a few moments to share your story and fill our hearts with pride.”

-Dr. Gina Freeman, Founding Director of Environmental Education and Service Learning, and teacher leader for 19 years at Columbus Jewish Day School

Award Presentation will take place: Thursday May 23, 2019, at CJDS Arts Night, 6:30-8pm

Purpose:

This award was created to honor the legacy of Gina Freeman Ph.D., founding educator at Columbus Jewish Day School, who taught at the school from 1998-2018, and helped to build CJDS’s unique program that combines Environmental Education and Service Learning. This $500 award recognizes a CJDS alumna or alumnus each year who is engaged social action work that embodies the values and contributions that Gina embedded in the school’s culture and curriculum over many years, and that we wish to continue to bequeath to future generations. The recipient may use the award towards a middle or high school, or post-graduate education or program.

Any student who attended CJDS is eligible to apply for the Shomrei HaAdam v’Ha’Adamah award. The recipient will be a student in middle school, high school, or college, who demonstrates significant passion for serving humanity/Adam and/or contributions to protecting HaAdamah/the earth:

this individual will be someone who initiates important interventions to help make the world a better place through love for the environment and caring for other people.

the recipient must demonstrate significant excellence, passion, and leadership by taking on some responsibility for guarding humanity and the earth through volunteering, making monetary or non-monetary donations, utilizing their talents in any ways that help repair different corners of the world, locally or globally, and/or by

demonstrating strong social-emotional caring of people of all ages that helps bring wholeness and dignity to others.

Deadline for application: Monday April 15, 2019.

A printable application may be found HERE.

LOOKING AHEAD

Calling all current CJDS Families...

mark your calendars on MARCH 24th at 2:30pm

for this CJDS sponsored event

COSI is coming to CJDS!

"Oseh Feleh: The Wonders of Science!”

Join COSI educators at CJDS for Family Education and Fun

On Sunday March 24, 2:30-4pm

K-2 students and their parents: Animal Tales! Habitats and Adaptation Workshop (with live animals!)
3-6 graders and their parents: Gross Science: Microorganisms and the Human Body Workshop (use microscopes and learn about the biological importance of snot!

(The workshops target ages 5-12, but siblings are welcome!)

Space is limited - RSVP is required by March 15th

RSVP for Oseh Feleh HERE

MARCH 11, 2019 CALENDAR CHANGE

Due to the many inclement weather days without school, we are adding March 11 back into the school year to avoid needing to extend the school year into June. So please note that there will now be a full school day on Monday March 11, 2019.

MARCH

Monday, March 11: FULL DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Thursday, March 14: 1st Grade H agigat Hasefer 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

Friday, March 15: All School Kabbalat Shabbat (2nd Grade Leading) 1:40 p.m.-2:20 p.m.

Thursday, March 21: Purim Parade and Megillah Reading 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 24: "Oseh Feleh: The Wonders of Science!” at CJDS, 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Friday, March 29: All School Kabbalat Shabbat (Music Theme) 1:30 p.m.-2:20 p.m.

APRIL

Friday, April 5: All School Kabbalat Shabbat (Kindergarten Leading) 1:40 p.m.-2:20 p.m.

Sunday, April 14: IAC CJDS "Passover Carb Festival" at CJDS, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 17 All School Pesa h Hag 2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m.

Thursday, April 18-Friday, April 26 Pesa h (Passover) NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, April 30 - Friday, May 3, 6th Grade Graduation Trip

LIVING OUR MISSION

KINDERGARTEN

FIRST

SECOND

THIRD & FOURTH

FIFTH

SIXTH

Be sure to check out the most recent edition of the CJDS Chronicles HERE

6th Grade Hamentaschen Baking!

Sunday, March 17th

2:00pm-4:00pm

6th Grade Hamentaschen Bake Sale

Monday, March 18th: 2 / $1

Last Friday, Ms. A.G. and Dr. Z. had the joy of visiting the sixth grade Kabbalat Shabbat to share with them the announcement that the sixth grade graduation trip is to Pittsburgh, with Eran and Mr. Moc!

The students were very excited and had lots of questions. When we asked the students why they thought we might be going to Pittsburgh this year, they very thoughtfully and compassionately shared, “to show support to the families and community in Squirrel Hill.” In addition to touring Pittsburgh, the students will get to meet their peers at Community Day School in Pittsburgh, which is in Squirrel Hill. CJDS and CDS leadership share a close collaborative and collegial relationship with their Head of School, Ms. Avi Munro, and their leadership team, and we have toured each other’s schools. As well, we donated a tapestry to them (the twin of which hangs in the halls of CJDS), in support and care after the tragic violence at Tree of Life this past fall.

On Sunday, March 17th from 2-4pm, the sixth grade class and their families are invited to CJDS for a special Hamentaschen Bake-Off with Dr. Z.!

Dr. Z. will share her special “secret” hamenstaschen recipe! Siblings and parents are welcome!

This is both a fun-raiser and a fundraiser, all of the baked goods will be sold the next day at CJDS!

ONLY $1.00 for two hamentaschen !

ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORT THE 6th GRADE TRIP TO PITTSBURGH

CJDS CLUBS

Lunch & Recess Clubs

MONDAY RECESS: Dance Club with Ms. AG & Katie Feldstein
TUESDAY LUNCH: Israel/Hebrew Club with Lin Raveh - Israeli Shlicha
WEDNESDAY LUNCH: Tzedakah Club with Susan Couden & Rabbi Sharon Barr Skolnik
THURSDAY RECESS: Journalism Club with Dr. Denae D'Arcy
FRIDAY RECESS: Choir with Angelo Dunlap

NEW TZEDAKAH CLUB PROJECT

CJDS's Tzedakah Club is excited to be starting a new project, collecting Pennies for Patients!

We are raising funds to help The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society fund life-saving research. You can help our efforts by donating today. Send your change to school, and change someones life.

The Pennies for Patients program is a service learning, character education and philanthropy program where students gain the unique experience of helping thousands of children and adults in their fight against blood cancers like leukemia. Pennies for Patients helps students see firsthand how their involvement can make a difference!

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS

MONDAY: Theater Club with Giselle Siegel, Artistic Director of the JCC Gallery Players

TUESDAY: Tennis for students 10 and Under (K-5th grade)

NEW DATES: SPRING DATES

March 5– May 14 (No Class 3/26 and 4/23)

9 weeks of fun!

LIFECYCLES

SHARE YOUR NEWS WITH CJDS HERE

LIFECYCLES In our community, at every point, our families are perpetually entering new stages in their lives. In keeping with the tradition of living Jewishly, CJDS acknowledges, honors, and celebrates these moments: Births, B’nei Mitzvah, graduations, marriages, and in moments of illness, healing and loss.

HAKARAT HATOV

The Hebrew term for gratitude is הַכָּרַת הַטוֹב (Hakarat HaTov), which means "recognizing the good."

To Lin Raveh for her creative and joyful connection with CJDS students and faculty.

To Kristina Palma and Annelyn Baron for organizing such a fun CJDS Student vs. Faculty soccer game (it was a great game, the students won 6-1)

MI SH'BERACH When a member of the CJDS family is ill or in need of healing, the entire community lends its support and its prayers for a full and complete recovery.

We wish first grader Victoria Koch's mom, Sharyn Koch a speedy recovery after her recent surgery.

We are so happy that the surgery of Yaacov Ramon, grandfather of Noah (2020) and Leo (2024) Bitton, went smoothly, and we continue to wish him a full and speedy recovery.

We wish Lin Raveh a warm farewell and speedy recovery: As you may have heard, our JewishColumbus young shlicha needs to go back to Israel to get some important medical attention. Lin has been visiting us weekly and teaching our students about Israel for the past year and a half. She has built warm and meaningful relationships with all the CJDS students and we will miss her very much. Due to health reasons, Lin is returning to Israel sooner than she had thought, and this past Tuesday was her last day at CJDS. Our students said goodbye to her today, with hugs and cards and mementos. We encouraged the students to focus on all the great and fun times they had with Lin. We are very sad that she is leaving but relieved that Lin is able to go home, be with her family and friends, and get the medical attention that she needs to get well quickly. We wish Lin much health and send her our love.

We wish our dear CJDS friend and community volunteer, Steve Shkolnik, a speedy recovery.

KESHER: CJDS Parent Organization

Dear Parents,

We are excited to offer you the opportunity to purchase special keepsakes made from your own child's artwork through Art to Remember. Not only will you able to cherish these unique art pieces, you will be raising funds for the school.

You should have received an order form with a sample of your child's art.

You have two options to submit your order:

Return the completed order form/envelope with a check made payable to "CJDS" or
Order online at: Order.ArtToRemember.com

You will need the online order code which is located in a blue box on the front and back page of the order form when ordering on-line.

Orders are due March 15, 2019!

Please contact Gayle Kuhr at or Sara Zeigler at if you have any questions. Thank you for your purchase and continued support of CJDS!

Volunteer to serve lunch HERE

HOT LUNCH

As in the past, we are so grateful to all the help from the community members - grandparents, friends, parents, and others – on whom we rely to serve hot lunch to our students. Our volunteers bring such a warmth and love to our students and we love having all of you! In order to make this sign-up process even more smooth this year, we would love each family (any family member or friend) to sign up for two dates during the whole year to serve lunch. It can be a parent, a grandparent, a special friend - anyone who is interested in spending time with our wonderful students and serving them food.

KESHER

CJDS is proud to have a Parent Organization called Kesher (Hebrew for "connection"). Kesher has a team of grade representatives led by a president.

Kesher is responsible for the CJDS Hot Lunch program, social gatherings outside of school, teacher appreciation, the CJDS Chesed committee and more! To get involved, please be in touch HERE.