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D’var Kesher
April 28, 2017/ 2 Iyar, 5777
17th Day of the Omer
Parashat Tazria-Metzora/ Leviticus 12:1-15:33
Greetings!
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“Everyone has a comfort zone. And today you are all going to stretch yours a little bit wider. And it will never go back to the same size again after today. You’ll have a greater tolerance for risk and increased confidence in yourself, and trust in each other.”
That was the first thing the fifth graders heard this past Wednesday morning on their Team Building field trip to Summit Vision.
But they didn’t just hear it, they did it.
And the fifth grade teachers Eva Tibor and Dee Dee Stein, CJDS’ Behavioral Consultant from Nationwide, Dr. Brent Bloomster, and I, all watched their comfort zones stretch right before our eyes:
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Jasmine was amazing and did a great job supporting her friends, making sure they, too, reached the top, as they all challenged themselves on the courses today.
Leah truly persevered through one extremely difficult challenge, but ultimately made it to the top, to the tune of cheers from peers and staff from the bottom, and was very proud of herself!
Michael really challenged himself to "take just one more step" on many of the courses, pushing himself each time.
Ruby began unsure that she felt safe, but had such a wonderful time challenging herself to new heights, and was soon swinging around like Tarzan.
Matthew loved it from the beginning and discovered he was quite the "spider monkey" as he quickly made it to the top of many challenges. He also proved he was capable of being a belay for others (anchoring their climb).
Eva loves climbing and demonstrated herself to be made of “pure grit,” totally determined to challenge herself to reach new heights.
Izzy began unsure that she could trust her belayer, terrified she would fall with each step she took…but climbing next to Ruby, she forgot entirely about her injured toe and explored swinging from ropes, and gained the courage to accomplish many challenges.
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“When are you a climber in life, taking risks, challenging yourself to new heights? And when are you a belayer, supporting others, encouraging them from the ground to help them soar?”
These were the questions our fifth graders were asked at the end of their Ropes Course experience, and which they answered honestly. On Wednesday, our fifth graders engaged in that important life work that becomes the focus in sixth grade, ultimately towards their transition to middle school.
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This lifework is captured in three of my favorite books amidst the ever-burgeoning field of “grit and resilience” literature for adolescents (and children more broadly):
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Blessing of a Skinned Knee, by Wendy Mogel
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How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity and the Hidden Power of Character, by Paul Tough
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Raising Resilient Children: Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in Your Child, by Robert Brooks
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As it was once put to me so powerfully by one of this country’s great Jewish Day School leaders,
“As adults – parents and educators – we have a limited opportunity to solve an adolescent’s problems, but a truly limitless opportunity to exacerbate them.”
So the key with adolescents is to empower them to solve their own problems, for which they need grit and resilience. Our job is to make sure they have this – let's call it "gritsilience" - to face their fears and challenges independently. What a joy and inspiration it was to see the fifth graders developing their gritsilience this week.
Shabbat shalom!
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P.S. Only one week until the Hadesh Yamenu evening, when we will celebrate CJDS together, with current and alumni parents! There is still time to join us! If you haven’t already, RSVP here now, and join your CJDS family for an evening of warm connection. Click here for more information about the event.
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Events you won't want to miss...
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CJDS
Hadesh Yamenu Event
Sunday, May 7
7:30 PM
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Click on the image above to RSVP/Register to attend!
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The
Hadesh Yamenu
event will allow us to ground ourselves in our rich and nourishing past, and also to look ahead. Alumni and current parents will gather together as Rabbi Z. shares her vision for designing a proud and bold future.
It will be an evening of wine and cheese on Sunday May 7th, held at the home of CJDS alumni parents, Katie and Brett Kaufman. There is no cost to attend this event.
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CJDS
C
O
L
O
R
R
U
N
FRIDAY MAY 12
(REGISTER BY MAY 8th)
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CJDS Annual Memorial Butterfly Release
Friday, May 19
11:30am
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We remember loved ones through the acts of loving-kindness we perform in this world. In keeping with CJDS' tradition, we invite you to attend our Annual Butterfly Release. During the event, name(s) of people you wish to have memorialized are read aloud as each butterfly is released.
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6th Grade Graduation
Tuesday, May 23
7:00pm-8:30pm
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"CJDS gave me the opportunity to learn about Judaism from my own perspective, not one forced upon me from a specific denomination. So, rather than being pushed away by strict rules, it gave me a deeply-seated respect for Jewish discourse and ideology."
- Jesse Neubauer CJDS Class of 2004
Pictured above: CJDS Alumna, Jesse Neubauer
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JCC/CJDS KefSports
REGISTRATION EXTENDED!
Kickball, dodgeball, capture the flag
and more...
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For the most up-to-date version of our calendar and a full list of current CJDS events:
CLICK HERE!
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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
May 10
May 17
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SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, May 7: CJDS Hadesh Yamenu Event 7:30pm-9:00pm at the home of Katie and Brett Kaufman
Friday, May 19: Annual CJDS Butterfly Release 11:30am
**NOTE NEW DATE** Monday, May 22: CJDS Night of the Arts 6:30pm-8:00pm Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium
Tuesday, May 23: CJDS 6th Grade Graduation 7:00pm-8:30pm Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium
MAY
Tuesday, May 2: Yom Hazikaron 8:40am-9:15am
Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium
**NOTE NEW TIME** Tuesday, May 2: Yom HaAtzmaut Celebration: 2:00pm-3:15pm Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium
Tuesday, May 2 - May 5: 6th Grade Philadelphia Trip
Friday, May 5: All School Kabbalat Shabbat 1:40pm-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
**NOTE NEW TIME** Friday, May 12: CJDS
Color Run 2:30pm-3:15pm CJDS Field
Sunday, May 14: Lag B’omer
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
**NOTE NEW DATE** Monday, May 22:
CJDS Arts Night
6:30pm-8:00pm Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium
Tuesday, May 23: 6
th Grade Graduation 7:00pm-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 2017-2018 Calendar coming soon!
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NEED MULCH? Oakland Nursery
Gift Cards
Click on the Oakland Nursery image for a printable form.
Purchase Oakland Nursery gift cards through CJDS and we 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
SEND THEM IN TODAY
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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Pictured above: This week, students in "Yarok Together" delivered fresh, organic produce to the residents at Wexner Heritage Towers.
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Pictured above and below: 3rd-6th grade students during our Yom HaShoah commemoration.
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Pictured below: The 1st & 2nd grade students enjoyed tasting the spinach home grown in the CJDS garden.
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Pictured above and below: It was a fun week to explore the tadpoles in the pond, smell the lilac flowers in the garden, and play outside.
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Pictured above and below: More springtime fun at CJDS!
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Pictured above: Kindergarten enjoys Tefillah in the butterfly garden.
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Pictured above: The CJDS 6th grade class posing for a graduation picture.
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Pictured above: The Kindergarten class made a model of the old city of Jerusalem out of blocks. In this picture they are sharing their creation with their 4th grade buddies.
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CJDS Tzedakah Club students have learned about an Israeli project whose goal is to rescue food that would otherwise be wasted.
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CJDS Tzedakah Club students have learned about an Israeli project whose goal is to rescue food that would otherwise be wasted, and instead distribute the food to the hungry in Israel. There is an opportunity now for us to help Leket Israel.
Every $10 in Tzedakah will help to distribute 20 rescued meals to the poor. CJDS students will pool money collected in classroom Tzedakah boxes to make a contribution to this worthy end. At CJDS we experience that every child can make a difference!
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Kesher Organization
PARENT LIAISONS
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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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Supporting
our
Community
We Want to Know About the Life Cycle Events in Your Family
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Mi Shab
erach
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.
Bradley Rothbaum
CJDS Alumni Class of 2016
(his Hebrew name is Benyamin Eitan)
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Mazel Tov!
Annelyn Baron (CJDS Kindergarten Teacher)
Mazel Tov to Annelyn for being chosen to light the Torch at Israelfest 2017 as part of the Twelve Torches Ceremony!
This ceremony honors individuals within the greater Columbus Jewish community who are models for all, demonstrate a connection to Israel and are involved in many aspects of the Columbus Jewish Community.
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May Their Memory Be a Blessing...
Remember CJDS in your tributes to honor the memory of a loved one.
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.
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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
To learn more about these events
Click on any of the images
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PJ LIBRARY EVENT
Happening this weekend!
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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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