Ma Koreh?
What’s Happening?
September Newsletter
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September 2, 2022 / 6 Elul 5782
This month's issue features:
- D'var Kesher from Rabbi Morris Allen
- We're Turning 25 - Save the dates!
- Head of School Search Committee
- Photo Highlights - July and August
- Highlights this Month
- Video Highlights
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Alumni Spotlight featuring Samantha Segaloff
- Alumni Save the Dates & Facebook Group
- Rolling Enrollment for 22-23
- Community Milestones
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CJDS Welcomes New Head of School |
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Greetings!
Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of joining in on a zoom call together with Eran and 9 or 10 sets of parents. The topic was about an educational extension of the wonder of Day School education called "Mamshichim--Continuing Onward." Listening to our parents talk, one understood immediately how this school has produced not only menschen but also Jewishly curious and engaged middle schoolers. The parents desire to maintain and to grow that curiosity and need for learning is why they listened to Eran explain the program for the coming year. I am confident these students will have a very meaningful year of learning.
That zoom meeting only reinforced what I have already seen during my days here at CJDS. In every classroom and in every encounter, I see students with eyes wide open, eager to grasp the integrated world we teach--seeing that their Jewish identity and understanding of self is nothing less than the sum total of their being. Playing sports or thinking about science emerges from the ethos of their Jewish sense of self. It is as if our students have rewritten Franz Rosenzweig's famous dictum-"nothing Jewish is alien to me." Our students have expanded upon that and come to understand that no learning is ever alien to their Jewish sense of self. This is a wonder to celebrate and to uphold. It is a gift that this school gives to your children and indeed to the Columbus and larger Jewish world. There is nothing rote about our teaching and there is nothing but a deep desire for our students to grasp the responsibility that comes from being a part of the Jewish people- for our people and for the world itself. Our school is uniquely able to provide something that few other educational institutions in this country can provide--a true integration of self framed by the ever unfolding and on-going narrative of our people. For that we must be proud. And we should be praying that when your child finishes their learning inside CJDS that they are able to continue learning in the CJDS fashion as their journey continues.
That being said, it is also important in this month of Elul to reflect on how we as a school can and must do better. Like any person, an institution needs to engage in serious Cheshbon Hanefesh, introspection and self reflection, that leads to a healthier and more promising future. In my brief time here, I am well aware of the impact that the last two years of Covid have had on this school. Procedures and policies that once might have been in place were understanbly challenged and at times ignored. No institution, however, can flourish if the very norms and protocols that provide the undergirding for institutional memory AND health are ignored or changed wily-nily. Every parent needs to understand that the culture of this school is such that equity in decision making and dignity in interaction is a hallmark we cannot ever let go of. In the heat of the moment, in challenging times, sometimes decisions are made that compromise that value. For me, nothing is more important in the work that I have to do than in ensuring that the culture of this school matches the teaching we model and provide. That too is a Jewish construct that indeed reflects the Torah reading this week.
Parashat Shoftim, always read in this month of Elul, has one of the most famous comments in all of Torah "Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof--Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue" The question is always asked--why the doubling of the word Justice? Among the many explanations--one stands out to me and is important for our community to embrace: "Just ends do not justify Unjust means." In other words, process and outcome need to align. Translated into a school's culture, it means our educational outcomes must mirror our internal way of functioning as a community. In these first couple of weeks, I have spent time making sure that how we interact with one another, how we promote the health and safety of our school, how we arrive at policy decisions--reflect both Just Means and Just Ends. It is sometimes easy to "cut to the chase"-but often that ease means that shortcuts have been taken and decisions are not equitable or Just for others. As we move forward into this school year, two things are going to be my "broken record." You will hear me celebrate the "end product" of our educational vision (even after children leave our premises) and you will find me reminding you always that the paths we take inside our school are ones that reflect the ends we are seeking. Let's be honest. It is true that Just Means will not always produce Just Ends. But Just Ends are never truly produced without Just Means. "Justice Justice shall we pursue"--together this doubling reminds us no end product is ever worth compromising our values in order to achieve it. It is true for a school and it is true for you and me as individuals. I hope you use this month wisely. CJDS most definitely will!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Morris Allen
Interim Head of School
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Save the Date: We are Turning 25! |
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CJDS is turning 25 and we are celebrating all year long!!
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Sunday, November 6: CJDS is co-hosting a film at the Jewish Film Festival. Join us on November 6th at the Drexel from 11am-1pm for a special viewing of "The Abraham Joshua Heschel Story." Tickets will be available mid-September for purchase.
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Sunday, November 27th: Alumni Event - Make sure to join our Facebook Alumni Group to hear all updates about this upcoming Alumni Event hosted by CJDS Teachers: Eran Rosenberg, Kristina Palma, Ali Greenland, Annelyn Baron, and Dr. Gina Freeman.
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Sunday, April 23, 2023: Help us celebrate our 25th Anniversary of the school opening. All details forthcoming.
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Head of School Search Update |
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We are writing to update you on our search for a permanent head of school. Rabbi Allen is already making a tremendous impact as our interim head. With him at the helm, the board can turn its attention to more strategic matters, including our executive search.
The search committee is as follows:
Stephanie Wapner, The Ohio State University, Chair
Cheryl Agranoff, Olentangy School District (formerly of CJDS)
Joanna Vilensky, Columbus Jewish Day School
Avi Allen, Director of Operations, The Wexner Foundation
Susannah Wolman, CJDS Board Chair (ex-officio)
Jonathan Petuchowski, First Majestic Asset Management
Rabbi Maya Zinkow, Senior Jewish Educator, UC Berkeley Hillel (CJDS alumna)
This committee represents parents, board members, an alumna, educators, CJDS faculty, and long-standing friends of the school. Thanks to a generous donor gift, we have been able to retain the services of Prizmah’s search consultant, Amy Wasser who has years of experience in the Jewish Day School sector and will be visiting CJDS later this month. If you are interested in meeting Amy during her visit, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can add you to her agenda.
Please feel free to reach out to either of us at any point during the search process, and many thanks for your ongoing commitment to and support of CJDS.
Search Committee Chair Board Chair
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First week of Kindergarten! |
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Third grade students working on timelines during
social studies!
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Recess fun with
3rd, 4th & 5th grade!
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Morning Tefillah together in the music room! |
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All students and faculty at the first day of school assembly! |
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Out in the community! Jenny Glick & Rabbi Allen set up at the JCC Safety Day event this month. |
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We had helpers in the CJDS gardens this summer
with Gina!
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We joined our fellow New Albany businesses in June, and took the pledge to be a business ally. Pride New Albany supports inclusion and honors diversity, and takes action to do both.
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This summer, our Director of Jewish Life and Learning, and 4th & 5th Hebrew & Jewish Studies Teacher Eran Rosenberg officially became an American citizen!
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Ariot made his debut in First Grade today, delivering Hebrew workbooks to each student!
As the students learn Hebrew, Ariot is always present to encourage them. This first workbook includes Hebrew letters א, ש, ב, ג, ד, ה.
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During 4th Grade "Integration" students examined their Essential Question: How do we as individuals find our place in community? |
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They thought of various scenarios related to their class community, then presented and demonstrated the relationship between the individuals using dots. |
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CJDS First graders read the book "How Full is Your Bucket" and talked about how to notice others buckets, and how to notice when our own bucket is feeling empty and how to fill it back up.
We introduced our mitzvah bucket, where students will have the opportunity to recognize their classmates for filling their a bucket!
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Students had a special Guest in Music class this month - Mr. Angelo returned as a Substitute Music Teacher! Enjoy Mr. Angelo and fourth grade students learning and singing together again!
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Our students were in for a treat when we welcomed Josh Warshawsky back to CJDS! Josh is a very talented Educator, Musician, Songleader and Composer (plus the son-in-law of Rabbi Allen!)
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Alumni Spotlight featuring Samantha Segaloff |
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This month's alumni spotlight is Samantha Segaloff! Samantha, a recent graduate of Miami University, completed her Bachelor's Degree this year in social work.
"Primarily I've been focusing on my studies. I've developed a lot of hobbies, especially over the last four years. I enjoy reading and writing, as well as yarn crafts like knitting and crochet. I've worked with the League of Geeks at Miami University on their Marketing Committee, and have been the President of Miami University's Comic Book Club for the past year. League of Geeks is an umbrella organization that oversees a large number of clubs on campus."
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Samantha recently completed an internship for her degree, which required 450 hours of work at local social work organizations. "I worked at two organizations: the Oxford Senior Center and the Oxford Community Adult Day Service, mainly creating and leading programming activities for clients."
When asked what stands out about CJDS from other schools, Samantha shares, "I really appreciated that I received an experience that was very focused on the individual, which really encouraged me to pursue my interests and helped to support me when I struggled in other areas. I really enjoyed Kite Day, it was something I really looked forward to every year."
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"I also want to talk about one of my favorite teachers, Susan Couden. Susan did so much for me when I went to CJDS. She really encouraged me to do things I loved, and meant a lot to me."
"One thing I think really benefitted me was the emphasis on critical thinking skills and social justice. Transitioning into the public school system, I found that I had already learned certain skills that other students were lacking, and the ability to critically read and examine a text was an important facet of that. As an aspiring social worker, a passion for social justice is a must, and one that I think was nurtured at CJDS."
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Alumni Students: Save the Date! |
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Sunday, November 27th:
- Alumni Event - hosted by CJDS Teachers (past & present): Eran Rosenberg, Kristina Palma, Ali Greenland, Annelyn Baron, and Dr. Gina Freeman.
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Make sure to join our Facebook Alumni Group to hear all updates about this upcoming Alumni Event
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Are you a CJDS alum who recently graduated high school or college? We want to know your next steps! We want to hear about your professional accomplishments, and how CJDS has impacted your educational and Jewish journey. We want to FEATURE YOU in our next newsletter! Reach out to our Alumni Coordinator here. We want to hear from you!
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There's Still Space for 2022-2023! |
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At CJDS, we believe in the importance of formative experiences in elementary school, learning for life and providing the best education for your child from the moment they enter Kindergarten through their graduation from 5th Grade.
Why Should You Choose CJDS for your Child?
- CJDS students engage in an integrated learning model - making connections among concepts and applying skills to real world situations
- Small class sizes - two teachers per classroom - which also supports individualized learning
- Academic excellence - CJDS students score on average 9% above national testing norms
- STEAM focused programs
- Dual Language Curriculum
- Outdoor classrooms - we use our outdoor space all the time!
- Social and emotional learning
- Strong community and Jewish values
- Community Engagement Grant available for First Year CJDS students
We would love the opportunity to meet with your family and share how the CJDS community could support your child's educational journey.
We look forward to partnering with you as you explore schools to find the best fit for your child - what an exciting milestone for your family!
Interested in applying? Here are the admission steps:
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Mazel Tov
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Mazel Tov to Eran Rosenberg, Director of Jewish Life and Learning, and 4th & 5th Hebrew & Jewish Studies Teacher on officially becoming an American citizen.
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Mazel Tov to all of our CJDS Alumni who will be starting college this Fall! Kol HaKavod!
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Mazel Tov to CJDS Alumni parent and former Board Member, Joy Soll and also to CJDS Alumni Grandparent, Ben Zox on being named in the 2022 Class of CJN Difference Makers.
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Mi Sh'Berach
We wish a full and speedy recovery to the following people:
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Caleb Moses, class of 2020
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Naomi Kayne, longtime friend and supporter of CJDS
We extend our prayers to any family in our community who may be impacted by coronavirus.
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Zichronam Livracha (May Their Memory Be a Blessing)
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We extend our condolences to the Rosichan/Mitzman family on the passing of Terry Mitzman. Wife of Mark Mitzman, Mother of Dr. Jennifer Mitzman, and Grandparent of CJDS students Rayna, Yoni, and Naomi.
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We extend our condolences to the McGarity family on the passing of Michael McGarity. Husband of Lauren (Tishkoff) McGarity, Father of CJDS alum Max.
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We extend our condolences to the Bar-Lev family on the passing of Nissim Bar-Lev. Father of Rabbi Benjy Bar-Lev.
We extend our prayers to any family in our community who may be impacted by coronavirus.
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CJDS Events Open to the Community |
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We hope you will join us for one of our upcoming Kabbalat Shabbats! |
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September
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Friday, September 9: 1:40-2:20pm - All School Kabbalat Shabbat
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Friday, September 23: 1:40-2:20pm - Kabbalat Hag Rosh Hashanah
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October
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Friday, October 7 - 1:35-2:20pm - Sukkot Kabbalat Hag
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Friday, October 14 - 1:35-2:20pm - Simhat Torah Kabbalat Hag & Kite Flying
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CJDS is a proud partner of: |
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