Connections E-News 
Thursday, December 10 / 28 Kislev 5776
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our photos on flickr  Visit our blog 
Upcoming Events
Sunday, December 13:              Hanukkah Mitzvah Day  9:00 AM - 12:00 PM ( Form)
Mon., Dec 14 - Tue., Jan. 5:       School Closed - Winter Break
Wednesday, January 6:             Regular Class Day for 2nd-7th Grades 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Sunday, January 10:                  Regular Class Day for K-7th Grades 9:00 - 12:00 PM 
 
For additional upcoming events please click HERE
Religious School Happenings
A Message from Religious School Principal, Lois Tompkins

Happy Hanukkah!
The kids enjoyed celebrating the Festival of Lights this past week.  We've been singing songs, playing dreidel, and last night we enjoyed sufganiyot (donuts!).

We're looking forward to Sunday, which is our MITZVAH DAY!  Here's what we are doing:
K and 1st grade: will be singing Hanukkah songs at River Garden with Hazzan Holzer
2nd and 3rd grade: will be visiting FANN (JFCS food bank) to learn about feeding the                poor.  They will be bringing the items that were donated this past week. 
4th an 5th grade: will be visiting the residents at River Garden, bringing them cards that they made in class and singing some Hanukkah songs.
6th and 7th grade: will visit our teacher and friend, Joni Shmunes, at her home. 

Most of our mitzvot will be taking place between 9:45 - 11:00.  Specific times, groupings, and details will be sent out by tomorrow morning (still waiting on a confirmation from a few places).  A HUGE thank you in advance to the parents who have helped to organize, and to chaperone.  

We have planned lessons for all of the kids beginning at 9 am and ending at 12, and expect our students to participate in the entire morning.  Much of this has to do with preparing and/or "decompressing" before and after the trips. 
 
NOTE: I will provide coffee and noshes for any parent who wishes to come at 9:00 with their child and stay until it is time to leave for our mitzvah destination!      

Have a safe and healthy winter break!  We'll see you in January.

Lois
Please note: for those of you that have asked me about mitzvot available during the winter break, please see below at "Get Involved" for specific activities on Christmas Day.   Thanks for asking!
News from the Galinsky Academy
From all of the faculty & staff at the Galinsky Academy we would like to say THANK YOU to our PTA and all of our Galinsky Academy Families for the lovely gift we received this week from you!
Spotlight on PTA
BOX TOPS!
For every Box Top you turn in the PTA gets 10 cents! Have some to spare? Turn them into the Religious School Office or collection box in the lobby.
Events at the Jacksonville Jewish Center
Jewish Community Mitzvah Projects
Volunteers needed on December 24th & 25th!
For the fourth year, Congregation Ahavath Chesed and the Jacksonville Jewish Center are coordinating a day filled with projects so that we, members of the Jewish community, can perform mitzvot.

Click HERE to learn how you can volunteer!

For this week's NEW Weekly email "HaKesher" click HERE

For all upcoming events at the JJC click HERE for the JJC website!
Community News
Click HERE for Ticket Prices & Seating Chart  Click HERE for additional Information.

The mission of the Galinsky Academy of the Jacksonville Jewish Center is to provide the highest quality education through the finest teachers, a comprehensive curriculum, and cutting edge technology to Jewish children of all ages.  The Galinsky Academy consists of the DuBow Preschool, the Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School, the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, and Setzer Youth Education.