Ma Koreh   /What’s Happening?
Weekly CJDS Newsletter
D’var Kesher from the 2nd Grade Teachers
Rabbi Sharon Barr-Skolnik, Jewish Studies
Julie Ecker, General Studies

January 31, 2019/ 25 Shevat, 5779
Parashat Mishpatim, Exodus/Shemot 21:1-24:18

D'VAR KESHER:
Covered with Meaning
Greetings!

As we watched the second grade parents sitting on the edge of the stage, sharing an intimate milestone moment with their children who were cradling their brand-new siddurim (prayer books), we couldn’t help but feel overcome with pride, love and a tremendous sense of accomplishment. This past week, our students were presented with their first personal siddur by their parents. And they were each surprised with a personalized cover lovingly decorated with symbols and meanings specific to each one of them.
We celebrated this milestone in their Jewish lives with what is our annual CJDS ceremony, Hag HaSiddur, where second grade students lead the upper grades in Shacharit, the morning prayer service. They sang proudly and beautifully, with confidence and joy, taking turns introducing each of the tefillot, describing their own personal connections to the prayers. For example, one student said that, “the prayer Romemu reminds us... that God is great and does so many wonderful things for us, that it makes us want to sing, clap and show our happiness. This tefillah is special to me because when we sing it together, it helps me think more clearly and makes me feel happy!” 

What is most powerful about this marker in the lives of this second grade class, is what each of these 7 and 8 year-olds take with them from the experience. Many commented that they felt proud of conquering their stage fright, as they stood poised and attentively on stage. Others expressed how they felt accomplished and more grown up than they had been at the start of the day. They loved receiving these uniquely covered siddurim, each one reflecting the individual passions, talents and interests of the children. They couldn’t wait to start using them!
How important that adults model an authentic, meaningful world of meaning making which our youth can be excited to join. Indeed, we were so grateful that, in addition to our own blessings that we offered them as our students, several rabbis and Jewish communal professionals from the local Columbus Jewish community came to offer their own personal blessings to the students, reflecting on a favorite prayer. Please click HERE for the beautiful brachot/blessings shared by communal Jewish leaders.
Pictured below, Rabbi Sharon Bar Skolnik with our honored guests: (L-R) Rabbi Mitch Levine (Rabbi of Agudas Achim), Merav Dill (Shelicha for JewishColumbus and parent of 2 CJDS students), Rabbi Sharon Barr Skolnik (CJDS Jewish studies teacher and parent of 2 CJDS students), Rabbi Hillel Skolnik (Senior Rabbi of Tifereth Israel and parent of 2 CJDS students), Or Mars (Vice President of The Wexner Foundation and parent of 3 CJDS Alumni), and Joel Marcovitch (CEO of JewishColumbus).
As we all sat, amazed by our students’ abilities and growth, we hope this moment will mark the beginning of a strong relationship with their Jewish traditions; specifically, that they might find meaning in the liturgy of the siddur, develop a relationship with God, discover new ways to express their thoughts, sing proudly along with their friends and remember to continually enjoy the gift of the Siddur each and every day. 

We even found a blessing for the second graders contained within the words of that week’s Torah portion, Parshat Yitro. The Israelites, while gathered patiently around Mt. Sinai, were very scared and overwhelmed by the gift of receiving the Ten Commandments. The experience was much more terrifying than we might have hoped it would be, filled with thunder, lightning, smoke, crowding, and booming loud noise. It was so intense for the Israelites, that the ancient rabbis believed that the people present at Mt. Sinai were actually able to seethe thunder and hear the lightning. They were able to see what couldn’t be seen and hear what didn’t have a sound.  

And this was really our prayer for our students, and is also a prayer for all of us: that we may always be open and ready to look for the things that we cannot see easily and listen for things that are harder to hear. May we have wide open eyes and ready listening ears. Just as our amazingly talented and wise second graders were flooded with blessings, hopes, and love, so may we always be surrounded with the sounds and sights of blessing, and have many more opportunities to celebrate our Jewish milestones together as a community. 

Shabbat shalom,
Sharon and Julie
2019-2020 Update!
CURRENT STUDENTS:
Re-enrollment contracts for the 2019-20 school year will be mailed and emailed to all current families in grades K-5 on March 1.

Families who are interested in tuition assistance, please submit your SSS application no later than February 15. Don’t wait until the last minute. You can access it now and get it done early. We have aligned the schedule of deadlines so that families can see financial aid decisions reflected on their contracts.

NEW STUDENTS:
We are currently accepting applications. February 4 is our submission deadline for new students entering CJDS in the fall of 2019. Interested families can begin the application process now by visiting the "APPLY" tab on our website: www.cjds.org.
LOOKING AHEAD
FEBRUARY
Friday, February 8: All School Kabbalat Shabbat (3rd/4th Grade Leading) 1:40 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Friday, February 15: President’s Weekend NO SCHOOL
Monday, February 18: President’s Day NO SCHOOL
Friday, February 22: All School Kabbalat Shabbat (1st Grade Leading) 1:40 p.m.-2:20 p.m.
Wednesday, February 27: Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 28: Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

MARCH
Monday, March 11: Faculty Work Day NO STUDENTS
Thursday, March 14: 1st Grade H agigat Hasefer 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Friday, March 15: All School Kabbalat Shabbat (2nd Grade Leading) 1:40 p.m.-2:20 p.m.
Thursday, March 21: Purim Parade and Megillah Reading 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Friday, March 29: All School Kabbalat Shabbat (Music Theme) 1:30 p.m.-2:20 p.m.
LIVING OUR MISSION
Due to the snow/cold days this week, we have an abbreviated newsletter. Please enjoy these pictures from the CJDS Hag HaSiddur ceremony and the Kindergarten Animal Fair.
THE CJDS Hag HaSiddur CEREMONY
This past week, our students were presented with their first personal siddur by their parents. And they were each surprised with a personalized cover lovingly decorated with symbols and meanings specific to each one of them.
THE CJDS KINDERGARTEN ANIMAL FAIR
The CJDS Kindergartners and parents gathered together last week for the CJDS Kindergarten Animal Fair. Students shared knowledge of animals and their habitats with creative costumes, beautiful displays, and fact filled research books.
CJDS CLUBS
Lunch & Recess Clubs
  • MONDAY RECESS: Dance Club with Ms. AG & Katie Feldstein
  • TUESDAY LUNCH: Israel/Hebrew Club with Lin Raveh - Israeli Shlicha
  • WEDNESDAY LUNCH: Tzedakah Club with Susan Couden & Rabbi Sharon Barr Skolnik
  • THURSDAY RECESS: Journalism Club with Dr. Denae D'Arcy
  • FRIDAY RECESS: Choir with Angelo Dunlap
TZEDAKAH CLUB PROJECT
CJDS's Tzedakah Club is excited to be starting a new project, as we will be creating "Blessing bags" to hand out to those in need throughout our Columbus community.

In an effort to create beautiful, full bags, we are looking for donations of the following items in as large quantities as we are able to collect:
  • Socks (adult)
  • Granola/protein bars
  • Hand warmers
  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Soap
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Ziploc bags

Thank you so much for any and all donations that you are able to make - this will help our children use their hands to make change and experience the feeling of bringing light and warmth to those who are most in need in our community.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
MONDAY: Theater Club with Giselle Siegel, Artistic Director of the JCC Gallery Players
TUESDAY: Tennis for students 10 and Under (K-5th grade)

NEW DATES: January 8– February 26 (No Class 2/19)
 7 weeks of fun!
LIFECYCLES
LIFECYCLES In our community, at every point, our families are perpetually entering new stages in their lives. In keeping with the tradition of living Jewishly, CJDS acknowledges, honors, and celebrates these moments: Births, B’nei Mitzvah, graduations, marriages, and in moments of illness, healing and loss.
MAZAL TOV!
To CJDS Front Office Assistant, Kerry Selfinger and her family on the birth of a new niece, Indie! Indie Iris Parker , was born on January 24, 2019 - weighing 7 lbs 3 oz, and measuring 20 inches long.
To Stephanie (Advanced Chaplain Practitioner at OhioHealth Rehabilitation Hospital) and Bobby Covitz (Director of Planning and Strategy for JewishColumbus) on the birth of their daughter, Lily (pictured here with her big brother Liam.) Lillian Rose Covitz was born on January 25, 2019 - weighing 6 pounds 11 ounces, and measuring 18 inches long.
HAKARAT HATOV
The Hebrew term for gratitude is הַכָּרַת הַטוֹב (Hakarat HaTov), which means "recognizing the good."

To Rachel Arcus-Goldberg, Denae D'Arcy, Eran Rosenberg, Ari Scheier,
Kerry Selfinger, and Julie Tilson Stanley for their commitment and support of the communal Tu B'Shevat celebration, which was held at the Franklin Park Conservatory last Sunday. To see pictures from the event, click HERE.

To Bram Rubin, CJDS 5th grade student for independently cleaning up and organizing the CJDS sports closet.

To the CJDS Faculty for their flexibility in moving the professional development day, allowing us to maximize student learning.
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. 

We wish our dear CJDS friend and community volunteer, Steve Shkolnik, a speedy recovery.
MAY THEIR MEMORY BE A BLESSING

We mourn the passing of alumnae grandparent, Dr. David Rothenberg, father of Amy (Jon) Milenthal, grandfather to Alana (2016) and Rylan (2018) Milenthal. You may read more about David's life HERE.
KESHER: CJDS Parent Organization
HOT LUNCH
As in the past, we are so grateful to all the help from the community members - grandparents, friends, parents, and others – on whom we rely to serve hot lunch to our students. Our volunteers bring such a warmth and love to our students and we love having all of you! In order to make this sign-up process even more smooth this year, we would love each family (any family member or friend) to sign up for two dates during the whole year to serve lunch. It can be a parent, a grandparent, a special friend - anyone who is interested in spending time with our wonderful students and serving them food.
KESHER
CJDS is proud to have a Parent Organization called Kesher (Hebrew for "connection"). Kesher has a team of grade representatives led by a president.

Kesher is responsible for the CJDS Hot Lunch program, social gatherings outside of school, teacher appreciation, the CJDS Chesed committee and more! To get involved, please be in touch HERE.
Hot Lunch server responsibilities include:

11:15 a.m.: Arrive at CJDS
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Set out the plates and assemble lunches
12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m.: Students arrive for lunch at 12:00 p.m. and we help serve the lunch to those who have ordered.
Help with cleaning up and conclude by 1:00 p.m.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
QUICK LINKS