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D’var Kesher
September 1, 2017/ 10 Elul, 5777
Parashat Ki Teitzei/ Deuteronomy 21:10 - 25:19
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Greetings!
The closer we get to these fall Jewish High holidays, the more we begin to feel the intensity of the implications of our thoughts and actions. The stakes get higher. We move into a season that literally trumpets the call to live with greater awareness.
The various sounds of the Shofar each strive to awaken us to a heightened focus on what really matters.
In an ultimate sense.
And by Yom Kippur, we do something that humans are not great at: we face our mortality directly. So partly what makes these the High Holidays, is our attention and our direction.
In short, the Yamim Noraim, or the Days of Awe as the “package” of fall Jewish holidays are called in Hebrew, provoke our Kavanah.
As I shared with our current CJDS parents at Curriculum Night, you can perhaps best understand Kavanah by imagining its absence:
• Have you ever driven for a while and suddenly realized you have no idea how you went 5 miles because you have no recollection of it? Your eyes were open, you were going through the motions of driving, but you had no consciousness of being present for those 5 miles?
• Have you ever nodded mechanically to your child who is speaking with genuinely great excitement or urgency about something, but because of any number of reasons, you have actually no idea what they just said, but you just nod in robotic acknowledgment of their words?
• Lastly, have you ever prayed the words of a prayer, without thinking about the meaning of that prayer, whether in Hebrew or in English?
What all of these experiences share in common is a lack of focus, intention, meaning; a conscious, mindful direction of our attention.
As you may have heard, Kavanah is our theme for this year at CJDS.
So as we head towards Rosh Hashanah and this new Jewish year of 5778, we are doing so here at CJDS through the lens of Kavanah.
For example, as part of our back to school In-Service Professional Learning, all the faculty composed Kavanot – mindful intentions – that they have for this year. Some are personal, some are professional, but all are from a very real place of yearning to grow and actualize. Here are some examples:
My Kavanah is to…
Run or bike 4x weekly.
Create a calm air in my classroom.
To make time for myself to destress by doing something I enjoy.
Take time out to learn and extend my knowledge.
Record more specifics of how I teach math so that I and others have a map of conceptual math learning.
Turn off email by 9pm.
Give more positive feedback in the classroom.
Email more positive notes to parents: “I caught your student being awesome…”
To acknowledge the good in my own kids at least twice as often as the problematic.
Recognize 3 good things every day.
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And the entire staff and faculty received the book
Everyday Holiness about thoughtful practice or “musar,” which our Principal, Ms. AG, will be leading us in study throughout the year.
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And of course, at next Friday’s Kabbalat Shabbat, we will be celebrating a quintessential act of Kavanah by our neighbors at the New Albany United Methodist Church. Their lead pastor, Frank Luchsinger, focused his parishioners’ attention on the horrendous events in Charlottesville just a few weeks ago. And he challenged them to go beyond awareness, to act. He charged them with engaging in a mindful practice that reflects their core values. And that practice, they decided, must be to stand by their Jewish neighbors.
Click
here
for that story and details about this very special event.
Please Join Us for Kabbalat Shabbat with Special Guests: Our Neighbors at the New Albany United Methodist Church
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Friday, September 8, 2017
1:40 p.m. - 2:20 p.m
(Doors open at 1:35 p.m.)
Columbus Jewish Day School
Allison Goldberg Senser Gymnasium
150 East Granville Road
New Albany, Ohio 43054
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There are wonderful opportunities for engaging in mindful, conscious, intentional practice that are aligned with our deepest held goals and values, if only we make a practice of it. Kavanah takes discipline. By definition, it doesn’t happen automatically.
Even something as simple as eating, requires Kavanah. To truly acknowledge the source of our food and pay attention to the experience and joy of eating, we need kavanah. And guess what? Maybe it shouldn't be so surprising that when you do a google-image search of kavanah, it yields many, many images of FOOD! Pastries, companies called Kavanah Catering, Kavanah Patisserie, and more food.
May we all practice directing our attention on those things that really matter, write them on a post-it note, and read it every day.
Wishing you a delicious Shabbat, full of meaning and intention,
Shabbat Shalom!
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GIVE TO CJDS’ BRIGHT FUTURE!
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Along with
The Wexner Foundation commitment, CJDS continues with greater excitement than ever before its ongoing fundraising to make Jewish Day School education in Columbus affordable for all families. Still, the cost of tuition does not match the cost to educate each child and we rely heavily on the generosity of individuals to meet our yearly budget. Please
click here to make a gift to CJDS Hadesh Yamenu campaign. And come visit us on campus and witness our exciting learning laboratory in person! Call us at (614) 939-5311 today!
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Hot Lunch
ORDERING is now OPEN
Orders Due: MONDAY, September 5, 2017
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We are very fortunate to have a
CJDS Lunch Volunteer Coordinator, Steve Shkolnik, (steve@lgrrealty.com or call at (614) 530-0015
). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Steve.
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CJDS
Back to School Picnic!
Monday, September 4th
3:00pm-5:00pm
Wolfe Park
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WHEN: Monday, September 4th, 3-5pm
WHERE: Wolfe Park
105 Park Dr.
Columbus, OH 43209
Bring Frisbees, balls, games, blankets, drinks, snacks, and your kiddos!
If the weather doesn't cooperate, the event will be canceled.
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Alumni Q&A
Meet CJDS Alumnus, Josh Hoffman
! (CJDS 2006)
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What parts of who you are do you attribute to your CJDS education?
Three things:
- Jewish Culture. For me, Jewish Culture is about who you are as a Jew with regard to Jewish values. For example, the way you interact, regard, accept and understand other people’s points of views, without judgment.
- CJDS taught me how to think. In particular through Eran’s Chumash class. But it wasn't just there, all of the CJDS teachers help you to think on a different level. I never had a CJDS teacher tell me what to think, or how to feel; instead there was always a question posed, a challenge presented, or a difficulty challenged by open-ended questions and deep conversations. We were not only expected to learn, we were expected to think about what we were learning, and then taught how to defend our answers. In the end, it helped us to develop our own answers, and our own connection to the learning, as true individuals. The CJDS teachers help you find your own way of thinking, pushing and inspiring their students to arrive at their own opinions.
- Public Speaking and Presentation Skills. From an early age at CJDS, I was always standing up in front of an audience of my peers, of parents, and of community members. And now, in both college and in my internships, I’m always the one ready to stand up in front of the group to present. It just comes easily and naturally.
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for the
2017-2018
CJDS School Calendar
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SAVE THE DATE
Friday, September 8:
All School Kabbalat Shabbat
1:40 pm-2:20 pm
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SEPTEMBER
Monday, September 4:
Labor Day
NO SCHOOL OFFICES CLOSED
Monday, September 4:
Back to School Picnic at
Wolfe Park from 3:00-5:00pm
Friday, September 8:
All School Kabbalat Shabbat
1:40-2:20pm
Wednesday, September 20
Rosh Hashanah Kabbalat
Hag 2:40-3:20pm
Thursday, September 21- Friday, September 22
Rosh Hashanah
NO SCHOOL
OFFICES CLOSED
Friday, September 29
Erev Yom Kippur
EARLY DISMISSAL 12:00pm OFFICES CLOSE AT 12:30pm
Saturday, September 30:
Yom Kippur
OCTOBER
Wednesday, October 4
Sukkot Kabbalat Hag 2:40-3:20pm
Thursday, October 5 - Friday, October 6
Sukkot
NO SCHOOL OFFICES CLOSED
Monday, October 9
Sukkot Celebration & Kite Flying 1:00-3:15pm (Celebration)
2:45-3:15pm (Kite Flying)
Wednesday, October 11
Simchat Torah Kabbalat Hag 2:40-3:20pm
Thursday, October 12 - Friday, October 13:
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
NO SCHOOL OFFICES CLOSED
Wednesday, October 18:
PICTURE DAY: Wear CJDS Polo
Wednesday, October 18:
Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00-7:00pm
Thursday, October 19:
Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00-7:00pm
Friday, October 20:
Professional Development Day for Faculty
NO SCHOOL OFFICES CLOSED
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Pictured Above: In art class this week, Kindergarteners learned about the color wheel and created some real masterpieces!
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Pictured Above and Below: Our First Graders had a chance to visit the CJDS Sit Spots this week. We visit our Sit Spots regularly, weather permitting. In a CJDS Sit Spot, students use scientific observation to connect with their environment through art, journaling and mindfulness. A prime opportunity to develop one's Kavanah!
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Pictured Above: Recess fun and Members of the Giving Garden. Giving Garden members worked very hard this week to harvest and donate 30 pounds of produce. Students weeded two garden beds which are now ready for our cold crops (kale, carrots and lettuce)!
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Pictured Above: Each week, our students support the CJDS recycling initiatives by taking paper waste from the office, to the recycling receptacle.
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Pictured Above: CJDS' most popular club, the Tzedakah Club, met for the first time this week. Open to students in 3rd through 6th grade, Tzedakah Club is viewed as a great honor for our upper grades, and they learn the difference between giving what we want versus giving what people actually need. They enjoy lunch together in the art room as they discuss and research local, global, Jewish and general needs for the 2017-2018 School Year.
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Many thanks to 4th Grade Tzedaka Club member, Vivian (
pictured above - L), who helped research what the current needs are of the Houston community, and why. And a kol hakavod to Henni (
pictured above - R) who, on her own initiative, made a Tzedakah box which we are now using at CJDS (
pictured above) to collect money for Hurricane Harvey relief.
Please click
here to learn more about how you can help the Houston community right now and for resources about Hurricanes and talking about it with children.
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CJDS Tzedakah in action!
Bhutanese Community Clean Up
Sunday, September 10th
Join us!
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Bhutanese Community Clean Up
Sunday, September 10 from 1 PM - 4 PM
4646 Tamarack Blvd, Columbus, OH 43229
Join the
Bhutanese-Nepali Community of Columbus
and students, faculty and parents of the Columbus Jewish Day School, as we help residents beautify and clean up a large apartment complex that houses many refugees. Adults and kids (5+) are welcome! Planned activities include raking, gardening, painting and mulching as well as sharing favorite snacks from both communities.
Friends and families from the Bhutanese-Nepali Community of Columbus (BNCC) and the Columbus Jewish Day School (CJDS) will be working with local residents to clean up and beautify a large apartment complex that houses many refugees. The event, scheduled for Sunday, September 10 from 1:00 - 4:00PM at 4646 Tamarack Boulevard, will feature icebreaker activities for children, as well as music and snacks from the Bhutanese and Jewish communities. Dozens of volunteers of all ages will weed and plant flower beds, mulch and paint a playground and clean basement stairwells.
Sudarshan Sharma, Executive Director of BNCC says, "The Bhutanese community is new to Columbus, but we are growing quickly and are eager to help make our city beautiful and welcoming for all residents."
Dr. Tali Zelkowicz, Head of Columbus Jewish Day School is also excited about the event. "We are honored that our students, parents and staff are partnering with BNCC on this great project," she says. "It perfectly fits our mission to help children become active learners who are socially responsible citizens of the world and of their local communities."
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Kesher President:
Sara Zeigler
Kesher Vice President:
Sheree Lamendola
Kesher Treasurer:
Lindsay Nathanson
Kindergarten:
Jennifer Rosichan, Brian Rosichan, Sara Martin-Fuller
Grade 1:
Stefanie Zelkind
Grade 2 & 3:
Rayna Weiner and Dana Isaacs
Grade 4:
Merav Dill and Bat-Ami Moses
Grade 5:
Maggie Saracheck
Grade 6:
Alan Bassik
Join Kesher:
The parents' committee is building connections (Kesher means “connection" in Hebrew) among CJDS families, students, teachers and staff. Make new friends or strengthen existing bonds by sharing your time and talent.
Annual Kesher dues of $90 will sustain the many wonderful programs CJDS provides for our children, families and support Teacher Appreciation.
Please make checks payable to "CJDS" and write "Kesher" in the memo.
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Supporting
our
Community
We Want to Know About the Life Cycle Events in Your Family
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Mi Sh'berach 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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Mazal Tov !
It's a Girl!
We wish CJDS Kindergarten General Studies teacher,
Farryl Briston and her husband Dave, a HUGE exciting mazel tov on the birth of a beautiful and healthy baby daughter!!!
Samelia Rose Briston, Chana Rivka, was born at 9:55 a.m., on August 29, 2017. We look forward to more pictures soon, and wish the family much joy in these first very special days with their newest little member!
Farryl is not checking email right now, but if you would like to send her a note, please feel free to email or give hard copies to Kerry Selfinger in the CJDS front office, and we will be happy to send them to Farryl for you!
In the coming weeks, we will also be setting up a meal train for the family, if you would like to make/send them something you are most welcome but certainly do not feel obligated.
Mazal tov again, we are all very excited for Farryl and are sending her warm hugs!
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Mazal Tov!
Mazel tov to
Mr. and Mrs. Miller (grandparents of CJDS First Grader, Julia). The Millers will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary over the weekend with a family celebration in Toledo.
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May Their Memory Be a Blessing...
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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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National Box Tops for Education Week
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Help your school start the school year off on the right foot by participating in the first-ever National Box Tops for Education Week,
September 24-30. The goal: to bring neighborhoods together and collect as many Box Tops as we can in your community, all in one week!
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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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3 EASY STEPS:
- Register HERE
- Enter our school number: 5056
- Shop at Giant Eagle
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