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"What’s in a Small Alef?"
D’var Kesher
March 31, 2017/ 4 Nisan, 5777
Parashat Vayikra /Leviticus 1:1-5:26
Greetings!
In Native American culture there is a wonderful ritual that allows and requires a group to listen closely to one another in respectful community. Middle schools all over the country have drawn from this tribal tradition to help adolescents create their own safe and sacred spaces. I have introduced Talking Stick to our 6th graders this past month. So on Friday mornings, I join the 6th grade class and we live by the following three rules:
- Speak from the heart.
- Speak respectfully.
- And speak leanly.
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Pictured above: A Talking Stick. Whoever holds the talking stick has within his and her hands the sacred power of words - only the one who holds the stick may speak, but must speak the truth about personal understanding and experience.
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I’ve grown to look forward immensely to these encounters of deep listening. We are practicing what it means to value our own words as sacred and powerful, and at the same time, to value the words of others. And one of the hardest challenges for us all – 6th graders and adults alike – is to create a space where it is critically safe for every single person in the room to speak his/her truth. That can be a scary to do, but it is not a one-way street. We need to balance two equally sacred realities: 1) the belief in our own words and, 2) the ability to contract and make room for others. Put another way, this second component can be framed in terms of rule #3: speak leanly.
What does that mean?
The 6th graders and I, along with their truly remarkable teachers, Shanna Lipp and Eva Tibor who take part in Talking Stick, are learning that it means being aware of others even as we attend to our own needs.
And maybe that’s why the Alef is so small in the first word of this week’s Torah Portion, “Vayikra”(the first in the Book of Leviticus which we begin reading this week).
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Indeed, for hundreds of years, Rabbis of classical Jewish tradition have been asking, “Why is that last
alef in the word “
Vayikra” written smaller than all the other letters?” (Indeed, it is written smaller in every Torah scroll and printed versions of the Five Books of Torah).
Some have taught that since the word “
Ani,” meaning “I”, begins with an
alef, it is the letter that represents our ego. So when God called to
Moshe with a small
alef, it indicates
Moshe’s humility; that he saw himself with a “small
Ani” not a big one. Even – or especially – the great leader
Moshe who free the People from Egypt in the master narrative of our tradition that we are about to retell at our
Pesach seders in a few weeks, made room for others. He was not convinced of his own greatness; and he led with questions, not only answers. So he had to listen and encourage others to speak, assuring them that their voices matter profoundly. To do that, he had to Speak Leanly.
Yesher koach to all our 6th graders who should feel very proud of the ways they are working to balance valueing themselves alongside the importance of others. They are speaking respectfully, from the heart, and leanly.
And
mazel tov again to all of them on the powerful all-School Kabbalat Shabbat they led this afternoon. They taught us all about their essential question, “How do we respond to the forces around us?” One of the ways we respond is by making sure our
alef never gets too big… or too small.
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom with space for all,
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CJDS provides our children the opportunity to proudly explore Jewish values while learning how to become global citizens. The commitment of the faculty and staff to creating a strong, positive learning environment is amazing.
CJDS is truly an asset to central Ohio.
- CJDS Parent, Sheree Lamendola
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Pictured above: The Lamendola Family
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As of 3-17-17, we've updated our calendar. For the most up-to-date version of our calendar and a full list of CJDS events:
CLICK HERE!
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THIS SUNDAY
Our own Eran Rosenberg will be in Upper Arlington for...
"Passover in the Aisles"
Giant Eagle Kingsdale
Sunday, April 2
10am - 12pm
3061 Kingsdale Center, Upper Arlington, OH 43221
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CJDS All-School Passover Hike
Highbanks Metro Park
Sunday, April 16, 2017 at 10:00am
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PASSOVER HIKE:
Join your CJDS friends and family for a hike and some outdoor fun while we're on break! We can hike, play outdoor games, and play on the playground. Pack a kosher-for-Passover picnic for your family. See you then!
Email Rayna (raynaweiner@gmail.com) with questions.
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9466 Columbus Pike
Lewis Center, OH 43035
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Stop by Wednesday mornings, just after drop-off for coffee and conversation with Rabbi Z, 8:30am - 9:00am. This weekly event is an informal chance to think out loud and share reflections and ideas you may have about the school. It's also a chance to discuss topics of interest facing education and Jewish living today.
Next Cup of C-Joe-D-S
April 19
April 26
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SAVE THE DATE
Friday, May 19: Annual CJDS Butterfly Release 11:30am
Tuesday, May 23: CJDS 6th Grade Graduation 7:00-8:30pm Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium
APRIL
Friday, April 7: All School Kabbalat Shabbat 5th grade leads (1:40-2:20pm Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium)
Monday, April 24: Yom HaShoah 8:45-9:15am (3rd-6th grades)
Friday, April 28: All School Israel Kabbalat Shabbat led by Neta Ben Ezra (1:40-2:20pm Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium)
Monday, April 10 - Tuesday April 18:
Pesah
(Passover) Break NO SCHOOL OFFICES CLOSED
Wednesday, April 19 Classes Resume
MAY
Tuesday, May 2: Yom Hazikaron 8:40-9:15am
Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium
Tuesday, May 2: Yom HaAtzmaut Celebration: (TTBD) Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium
Tuesday, May 2 - May 5: 6th Grade Philadelphia Trip
Friday, May 5 All School Kabbalat Shabbat 1:40-2:20pm Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium (
3
rd grade leads)
Monday, May 8 – Friday, May 12: IOWA Testing times will vary
Friday, May 12: Lag B’omer Celebration 11:00am-12:00pm CJDS Field
Friday, May 12: CJDS
Color Run 2:45-3:15pm CJDS Field
Sunday, May 14: Lag B’omer
Thursday, May 18: CJDS Arts Night 6:30-8:00pm Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium
Friday, May 19: CJDS Genizah Ceremony 11:20am-11:35am CJDS Cheri Beth Wasserstrom Butterfly Garden
Friday, May 19: CJDS Butterfly Release 11:35am-12:00pm CJDS Cheri Beth Wasserstrom Butterfly Garden
Tuesday, May 23: 6
th Grade Graduation 7:00-8:30pm Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium
Wednesday, May 24: Yom Yerushalayim
Friday, May 26: Learning Bridge Assembly (parents create a bridge with their arms. As students run under and through the bridge, they move up to their next CJDS grade - join us for this fun event)1:30pm-2:15pm Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium
Friday, May 26: Last Day of School
Thursday, August 17: First Day of School for Students
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Oakland Nursery
Gift Cards
Click on the Oakland Nursery image for a printable form.
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Get all of your spring gardening needs and benefit the CJDS Environmental Education Program!
Purchase Oakland Nursery gift cards through CJDS and we will keep 20% of the profits. Cards are $20.00 each. To purchase gift certificates, just click
here for a printable form. Checks should be made payable to CJDS for the desired amount. Your gift cards can be picked up or mailed to you within two weeks.
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BOXTOPS for Education
CJDS is collecting Box Tops for Education. This is an easy way to earn money for our school! Click on the BOXTOPS image to learn more.
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Box Tops are pink rectangles generally found on the packages of Annie's snacks, General Mills cereals, Kleenex boxes, Ziploc products, Lysol products, and more.
The school receives money for each one, so start clipping and send them in!
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Art to Remember
ORDER FORMS WENT HOME TODAY
ORDERS DUE
APRIL 7
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This school fundraiser consists of the children completing artwork with Susan at school. Then an order form will be sent home, and you will be able to order different keepsakes such as key chains, lunch boxes, mugs, t-shirts, and more featuring your child's artwork. A percentage of the profits will benefit CJDS.
Order forms will come home next week and payments are due on April 7, 2017.
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10 & Under Tennis
Click on the image below for a printable version of the Tennis Registration form
SUMMER TENNIS LESSONS AVAILABLE TOO!
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Pictured above: 4th grade students engaged in Havrutah looking at different Haggadot
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Pictured above and below: Creative drama time for the 6th graders as they prepared for their Kabbalat Shabbat program.
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Pictured above and below: The many 3rd grade unique interpretations of Abraham's tent.
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Pictured above and below: 1st and 2nd graders welcomed a few earthworms to the hoop garden, and took a nature walk through the Butterfly garden.
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Pictured above: Students always enjoy recess!
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Pictured below: Kindergarten students are engaged in many different activities throughout the week, writing, playing, bowling (yes bowling) and sharing the story of Passover.
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Pictured above and below: Last week 4th grade students participated in a debate over hydraulic fracturing. Students had read an article in their Ohio Studies Weekly newspaper, did a bit of research at home, and then came prepared to debate either side of the argument. Those whose opinion was to keep hydraulic fracturing stated that it is like
Tzedakah
. Jobs are given to people who need money for their families, so they are paid when they are working. Another argument was that the United States’ economy would grow because people who are working will spend money. On the other hand, those debating against hydraulic fracturing shared points from the Torah that say we should work, enjoy, and take care of the land.
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Pictured above: We had a visitor last week to the 4th grade Humash class: Pregnant Rivkah. She shared with the students her experiences of being pregnant and not knowing that she actually was pregnant with twins.
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Cooking up some Torah talk!
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Students shared some delicious lentil stew while talking about Yaakov and Esav trading a birthright for food.
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Yesher Koach, CJDS students, your beautiful cards will bring joy and care to our community during Passover! This Sunday, volunteers with Jewish Family Services will assemble and deliver over 450 Passover gift bags. Our students are proud to be a part of this important communal work!
JFS High Holiday Food Gift Bag Program
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Kindergarten: Stefanie Zelkind
Grade 1-2: Rayna Weiner and Adam Davis
Grade 3: Merav Dill and Bat-Ami Moses
Grade 4: Maggie Saracheck and Sara Zeigler
Grade 5: Alan Bassik
Grade 6: Ruth Rubin and Jennifer Wasserstrom
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Parent Volunteer Opportunity
Daily 11:30-12:30
We have daily opportunities to help support our Hot Lunch Program.
Lunch volunteers help set up and serve our catered hot lunch.
Sign Up Today!
Monday - Friday from 11:30-12:30
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May Their Memory Be a Blessing...
Mazel Tov!
We want to know about the life cycle events in your family!
Remember CJDS in your tributes to honor these meaningful events. If you’d like to make a donation, please click here.
CJDS Tribute Cards
CJDS Tribute Cards provide a thoughtful and caring gift for everyone. The income generated by every purchase enhances a child's educational experience at CJDS. You can get the All-Occasion pack year-round. It includes five pre-printed memorial cards and five pre-printed special event cards for only $90. You can also make an individual tribute gift and we will send a Tribute card to the recipient. Tribute cards require seven business days for delivery.
To donate by phone or place a Tribute card order, please email or call our Development Officer Julie Jacobson (jjacobson@cjds.org) at 614-939-5311 extension 3119.
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We Collect Boxtops
Help us reach our goal this year of $1000.00
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AmazonSmile
When you shop at
smile.amazon.com
, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to CJDS.
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The Rewards Add Up
Have you linked CJDS to your Kroger Plus card or Giant Eagle Advantage Card?
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Community Events
Click on any of the images below to learn more about these events.
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Baked Goods Delivered to the Classroom
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Hooray for Challah!
Welcome to the 2016-17 School Year! Once again, we are fortunate for the opportunity to order weekly challahs and baked goods from Matt’s Bakery. It is as easy as "pie" to place your orders. All you need to do is go to the Matts Bakery website to see a full listing of all of their delicious items. All challah and or baked goods will be delivered on Fridays to your child’s classroom.
Have questions? Call or email Matt's directly:
info@matt’sbakery.com or (614) 237-4848
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Order your CJDS Apparel today!
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We have several events and opportunities for you to come to the school. Take a look at our school calendar of events
HERE.
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