Ma Koreh?
What’s Happening?
January Newsletter
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This month's issue features:
- D'var Kesher: Planting Seeds for a Brighter Future
- Life and Legacy at CJDS
- Highlights this Month
- Application Information 2021-2022
- Celebrating CJDS Alumni
- Photo Highlights
- Campaign Update
- Community Milestones
- CJDS Calendar & Community Events
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D’var Kesher from Head of School
Rachel Arcus-Goldberg
January 8, 2021 / 24 Tevet 5781
Shemot: Exodus 1:1 - 6:1
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D'var Kesher:
Planting Seeds for a Brighter Future
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Greetings!
One of my favorite Tu B’shevat stories is that of Honi HaMeagel - Honi the circle maker. As he was walking one day, Honi came upon a man planting a carob tree. Honi asked the man “How long will it take for that tree to bear fruit?” “Seventy years,” the man replied. “But, do you think you’ll still be alive in 70 years?” Honi asked. “When I was a little boy, I loved eating from carob trees that were planted before I was born. So, I am planting these for future generations to enjoy.”
To me, what is most important about this story is not that Honi then fell asleep for 70 years and got to see the fruit from the planted tree be appreciated by future generations. Rather, what is remarkable was the foresight of the man planting the tree - wanting to intentionally create something that will flourish only in the future.
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In preparation for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, each class spent time learning about this incredible man and the movement he led to create change in our country. It was during a Third Grade class on peaceful demonstration that chaos broke out at the Capitol. Sheri Gittins, the Third Grade Teacher and General Studies Department Chair, wrote to parents afterwards:
“Today’s events have left the best orators and analysts in our country struggling to find language that explains or encapsulates what has transpired. I, as a parent and an educator, have always taught my children that this country is far from perfect but we have the opportunity for continued growth and the promise to protect certain inalienable rights. Tonight, I find myself struggling to hold fast to my anchor.
Today at 2:30, I told my precious students that a demonstration was taking place that did not uphold the laws of our country. One student looked up what was happening, shared their screen and we saw a picture of people climbing the walls of our Capitol. So, what do we say to our children? How do we make sense of the senseless? I do not have an answer except to wrap them in our arms of unconditional love and open the avenue to every conversation. I invite us to answer every question and assure them that they live in a community surrounded by support, encouragement, and faith.”
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At CJDS, we remind our students every day of the four “R’s” - Ready, Respectful, Responsible, Right Choices. We are planting the seeds of critical thinking, creative problem solving and the importance of asking big questions. All in the hopes that these children will grow up to lead and change the world.
Shabbat Shalom,
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The Life and Legacy program promotes after-lifetime giving in order to sustain valued organizations and vibrant Jewish communities.
Year 1 of Life and Legacy is ending January 31 -- assure your Jewish tomorrow TODAY.
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A Visit to the CJDS Hanukkiah Museum |
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CJDS students got to visit a museum — the Hanukkiah Museum in the CJDS Art Room!
The Hanukkiot were handmade by the fifth graders, and were on display for the whole school to enjoy. Check out the video below of Jonah, Rony, and Zeke explaining the meaning behind their Hanukkiot.
Click here to see a snippet from the CJDS Hanukkiah Museum visit.
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New Albany Food Pantry Delivery |
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During the month of December, CJDS students collected and donated 620 items to the New Albany Food Pantry. We are very proud of our fourth and fifth grade students for leading this effort as part of their culminating activity for this Project Based Unit: “Bringing Light in Dark Times.”
Click here to watch a brief video from the food delivery.
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Exploring Capacity and Measurement with Kindergarten |
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Kindergarteners exploring capacity using Kiddush cups and plastic beads. Students learned about greater than and lesser than.
"This Kiddush cup has a greater capacity then this Kiddush cup.”
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In Math, kindergarten students applied what they know about measuring weight to figure out how much different objects weigh using non-standard units like cubes, bears, frogs, or sea shells.
They practiced lining up end points to measure and compare, ordering shortest to longest, and explaining with full sentences "my _ is _ cubes long."
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Exploring Electricity in First Grade |
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First Graders learning about the basics of electricity exploring magnets
and copper wire!
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"Sharona's Grandfather" Comes to Life in Third Grade |
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During Third Grade Judaics class, Teaching Assistant Jenna, dressed up as a character in one of the Hebrew books, "Sharona's Grandfather" who brought his special dreidel collection to school.
See all the fun our third graders were having during this lesson during a neat view from the other end of the screen shared by Yehudit, click here.
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"Light the Way" with Fifth Grade |
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Fifth grade students have been studying how to "Light the Way" in their current unit. They experienced gazing at four different candles used in Jewish tradition: Shabbat candles, Hanukkah candles, a Havdalah candle, and a memorial candle. Students were asked to write their feelings, thoughts, images and reflections as they concentrated on the flame and the candle.
After sharing what they experienced, they realized that different kinds of thoughts and feelings came with each candle. They were asked why candles that are made of the same substance could evoke different feelings and thoughts? The fifth graders noticed how the Jewish tradition, as well as other cultures, takes the concept of light and uses it in a variety of ways for different purposes.
The students also brainstormed creating a new candle to be used with other life cycle events.
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Join Us in Preparing the
Next Generation to Change the World!
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We are now accepting applications for students in grades K-5 for the 2021 school year. Contact us today to start a personalized information and admissions process.
Here are the steps to our admission process:
1. Submit an application by February 8, 2021.
Applications for admission to CJDS in grades K-5 are available, and are being accepted now for the fall of 2021. Students applying for kindergarten must be five years of age by September 1. Applications completed by February 8, 2021 are eligible for first-round decisions, which are announced on March 1, 2021. For students applying after February 8, 2021, CJDS follows a rolling admissions process with visits and screenings arranged individually.
2. Schedule a conversation with our Director of Enrollment Management, Jenny Glick.
Once your application is submitted, Jenny will be in touch to set up a time.
3. Schedule a CJDS visit for your student.
It is always our hope to meet in person, should this in-person practice become unsafe at any time, we will transition to a customized virtual CJDS experience for your child. During an in-person visit, your child will have the opportunity to safely see our CJDS campus, have time to meet with our faculty, and also have the chance to share his or her knowledge and grade level abilities. During any campus visit, face masks are required at all times and all CJDS faculty and staff members will observe a 6' physical distance.
Thursday, January 14 - 7:30pm
Join CJDS Head of School, Rachel Arcus-Goldberg next Thursday evening for a virtual CJDS Kindergarten conversation.
During this 45 minute virtual experience, interested parents will be able to hear from and interact with our Kindergarten faculty, experience the CJDS student classroom perspective, and learn more about our Kindergarten program - as well as the full K-5 CJDS community. RSVP is required, and spaces are limited for this unique virtual parent event.
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Celebrating CJDS Alumni
Featuring Jacob Teich
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Our alumni spotlight this month is Jacob Teich, a CJDS alumnus, currently working as an investment banker in New York City.
"CJDS was a crucial part of my development as a student, as a Jew and as a person. CJDS is where I gained a passion for analytical thought, community leadership and Jewish learning," shares Jacob.
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After leaving CJDS and transferring to New Albany Schools, Jacob graduated from Emory University in 2017 with a BBA in Finance and Consulting.
While at Emory, Jacob was a campus leader for the MEOR Jewish organization and he continues to be involved in numerous Jewish learning and social programs in NYC. Jacob has been fortunate enough to travel around the World on Jewish learning trips over the years and has visited Israel, Poland, South Africa and Brazil.
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Jacob recalls his time at CJDS, and shares: "My favorite memory at CJDS is of Chumash class with Eran. Chumash class was my first introduction to Jewish studies, and I was enthralled by the Jewish texts and Eran's incredible teaching abilities. That experience has continued to inspire my passion for Jewish learning to this day. I also developed numerous lifelong friendships. I credit my experience at CJDS for much of my personal, academic and professional success."
In the photo above, Jacob can be seen with his two brothers, Isaac and Ben who are also CJDS alum students!
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We want to FEATURE YOU in our next newsletter and on our social media channels.
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.
Reach out to our Alumni Coordinator here. We want to hear from you!
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A fun and snowy recess where students built snowmen and played snow soccer. |
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Fourth graders lit candles and reflected on what their lights (joys) have been, and shared their goals. |
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Fifth graders were rewarded with a snowy walk with Eran to Starbucks for speaking in Hebrew for 750 minutes. |
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First graders enjoying sufganiyot. |
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Third graders painted their own sevivon and tried them out during their Hanukkah Party. |
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Second grade Hanukkah Party! |
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Kindergarteners reading their published narrative writings to the class. Each story has a beginning, middle, and end page, plus titles and covers. |
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Matias sharing his mad lib with the fourth graders who were practicing the difference between adjectives and adverbs. |
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Second Graders enjoying Lemon Sherbert! |
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End of Year Giving Update |
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Thank you to all of our End of Year donors!
We wanted to share that we raised over $5,000 from the community, current parents, Alumni, Board Members, Grandparents, and even current students!
If you are interested in making a gift to CJDS, please click here. We hope you will join us in securing the future of a CJDS education.
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Mazel Tov to Noah Bitton (Class of 2020) celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on December 21 at Congregation Torat Emet. Eran Rosenberg represented CJDS and will gave him the Yad.
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Mi Sh'Berach
We wish Naomi Kayne (longtime friend and supporter of CJDS) a speedy recovery.
We wish Steve Wasserman, Hebrew Name: Ysrael Ben Mindel (close friend to Annelyn Baron) a speedy recovery.
We wish Sandy Grossman Dworkin (close friend to Annelyn Baron) a speedy recovery.
We extend our prayers to any family in our community who may be impacted by coronavirus.
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May Their Memory be a Blessing
We extend our condolences to Amanda Chernyak, CJDS Front Office Assistant, and the Chernyak family on the passing of Bruce H Luntz. Beloved father of Amanda (Dan) Chernyak. Beloved grandfather of Molly, Will, Noah, and Zoe. We send love and support to our dear friends.
We extend our condolences to the Schuster/Rosen/Chronister family, on the passing of Harry Schuster. Father of Helen Chronister, Grandfather of Lisa Rosen and Great Grandfather of CJDS alumni students Caleb (CJDS Alum 2020), Brooke and London.
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January
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Monday, January 11 - 8:30-9:00am - All School Tefillah (Virtual) Join by clicking here.
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Thursday, January 14- 7:30pm - Kindergarten Readiness. Join CJDS Head of School, Rachel Arcus-Goldberg for this 45 minute virtual experience. RSVP to Jenny Glick by clicking here.
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Friday, January 15 - 1:40-2:20pm - MLK & AJH All School Kabbalat Shabbat (Virtual). Join by clicking here.
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Friday, January 29 - 1:40-2:20pm - All School Kabbalat Shabbat - Led by CJDS 1st Grade students. Link to come!
*All of these events are open to the community.
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