Ma Koreh   /What’s Happening?
Weekly CJDS Newsletter
D’var Kesher from Carol Cohen and Arielle Scheier
Third and Fourth Grades
General and Jewish Studies Teachers
March 21, 2019 / Purim! 14 Adar II, 5779
Parashat Vayikra, Leviticus/Vayikra, 1:1-5:26
D'VAR KESHER:
"Purim Probe ”
Greetings!

Although Pesach is typically the holiday known for asking questions, at CJDS we ask what are known in education as “Essential” questions at Purim, too (and all year round for that matter). All questions are important, but Essential questions require the most sophisticated thinking because they are open-ended (there is no single correct answer), thought-provoking, require higher-order analytical thinking, they need support and justification, they are alive in the world outside of the classroom, and they endure throughout our lives and even history. 

At times, we need questions like these to help guide students:
What steps did you follow to get your answer?
What are the three zones of the ocean?
Who is Maggie’s best friend in the story?

But these types of questions serve a higher end towards helping our students develop the skills and habits of mind to be able to answer – and ask – Essential questions, like these: 

How can I improve?
When does our use of the ocean become abuse?
Who is a true friend?

This year, the Essential Question for grades three and four is, “How do we as individuals find our place in community?” At Purim, this question becomes a probing prism that has prompted all sorts of dilemmas such as: Does being a member of the community require us to conceal or camouflage our authentic self to fit in? How do we as individual members of a community reconcile individual opinions and goals that may fundamentally differ from those of the larger group? With many varying voices and opinions, it can be difficult for a person to find his or her role. These are challenging questions, but ones that our students, like all of us, wrestle with frequently at CJDS.

The Purim story focuses on a predicament of Queen Esther, which also sheds light on our Essential Question. She is faced with the wrenching decision about whether to disclose her identity as a Jew to hopefully save her people, despite the risk of being ostracized, or worse. We see that Esther’s actions create a positive outcome for her and for the Jewish people.

On the other hand, there is a parallel story of activism that is not always discussed: the story of the former Queen Vashti. Vashti takes a similar risk and puts herself into a vulnerable position by standing up for her right to follow her conscience. This happened when the King demanded at the last minute that she attend a party so that the King could show her off to the men at the party. Despite the obvious risk of disobeying the King, she refused to attend. Her decision not to attend the party led to her removal as Queen. Vashti and Esther were confronted with similar quandaries—to follow their conscience or to conform to community expectations. Both chose the former despite the risks. In fact, the outcome for the both of them was materially different.

How can we interpret this lesson in the Book of Esther?

We encourage our students to follow their moral compasses and engage in productive decision making based on their beliefs, even though it may turn out to be an unpopular decision in the community. The lesson we aim to impart to our students is the important of contributing their personal point of view to community discussion, but not be discouraged if things do not always go their way. Maintaining self-respect and contributing to the “marketplace of ideas” has its own great benefit whether or not it carries the day. We watch as our students gather the tools they need to participate in community, accepting others, and staying true to themselves.

“How do we as individuals find our place in community?” Our students will tell you that one way is through using our voices to stand up for what we believe and to help others in need.

Happy Purim! and Shabbat Shalom,

Carol and Ari
LOOKING AHEAD
For more information, click on the image below.
MARCH
Sunday, March 24: "Oseh Feleh: The Wonders of Science!” at CJDS, 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Friday, March 29: All School Kabbalat Shabbat (Music Theme) 1:30 p.m.-2:20 p.m.

APRIL
Friday, April 5: All School Kabbalat Shabbat (Kindergarten Leading) 1:40 p.m.-2:20 p.m.
Sunday, April 14: IAC CJDS "Pre Passover Family Carb Carnival" at CJDS, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17 All School Pesa h Hag 2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Thursday, April 18-Friday, April 26 Pesa h (Passover) NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, April 30 - Friday, May 3, 6th Grade Graduation Trip

MAY
 Thursday, May 2: Yom HaShoah 8:30 a.m.-9:00am (3-5 grade only)
Thursday, May 9: Yom HaZikaron Ceremony 8:30 a.m.-9:15 a.m.
Thursday, May 9: Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebration 2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Friday, May 10: All School Kabbalat Shabbat 1:30 p.m.-2:20 p.m.
Friday, May 17: All School Kabbalat Shabbat 1:40 p.m.-2:20 p.m.
Wednesday, May 22: 1st Grade Recyclable Fashion Show 9:15 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Thursday, May 23: Lag B’Omer
Thursday, May 23: CJDS Arts Night 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Friday, May 24: Memorial Day Assembly 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Friday, May 24: CJDS Annual Butterfly Release 1:30 p.m.-2:20 p.m.
Monday, May 27: Memorial Day NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, May 28: CJDS Color Run 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 30: 6th Grade Graduation 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Friday, May 31: Last Day Assembly and Kadima Assembly 10:45 a.m.-12:00 Noon Dismissal
COSI is coming to CJDS!
THIS WEEKEND!
"Oseh Feleh: The Wonders of Science!”
Join COSI educators at CJDS for Family Education and Fun
On Sunday March 24, 2:30-4pm

  • K-2 students and their parents: Animal Tales! Habitats and Adaptation Workshop (with live animals!)
  • 3-6 graders and their parents: Gross Science: Microorganisms and the Human Body Workshop (use microscopes and learn about the biological importance of snot!
(The workshops target ages 5-12, but siblings are welcome!)
ALL CJDS ALUMNI:
ANNOUNCING the first ever CJDS Alumni Award Recognizing Dr. Gina Freeman’s Legacy at CJDS:   



The Gina Freeman
Shomrei HaAdam V’Ha’Adamah Award
Honoring CJDS Alumni, Guardians of Humanity and the Earth.
“My heart is full knowing that this great honor will recognize the deep values of CJDS in our wonderful graduates. The true honor will be reading about the many stories from you, our Alumni, about your important work in your communities and the world. Please take a few moments to share your story and fill our hearts with pride.”
-Dr. Gina Freeman, Founding Director of Environmental Education and Service Learning, and teacher leader for 19 years at Columbus Jewish Day School

Award Presentation will take place: Thursday May 23, 2019, at CJDS Arts Night, 6:30-8pm
Purpose:
This award was created to honor the legacy of Gina Freeman Ph.D., founding educator at Columbus Jewish Day School, who taught at the school from 1998-2018, and helped to build CJDS’s unique program that combines Environmental Education and Service Learning. This $500 award recognizes a CJDS alumna or alumnus each year who is engaged social action work that embodies the values and contributions that Gina embedded in the school’s culture and curriculum over many years, and that we wish to continue to bequeath to future generations. The recipient may use the award towards a middle or high school, or post-graduate education or program.

Any student who attended CJDS is eligible to apply for the Shomrei HaAdam v’Ha’Adamah award. The recipient will be a student in middle school, high school, or college, who demonstrates significant passion for serving humanity/Adam and/or contributions to protecting HaAdamah/the earth:

this individual will be someone who initiates important interventions to help make the world a better place through love for the environment and caring for other people.
the recipient must demonstrate significant excellence, passion, and leadership by taking on some responsibility for guarding humanity and the earth through volunteering, making monetary or non-monetary donations, utilizing their talents in any ways that help repair different corners of the world, locally or globally, and/or by
demonstrating strong social-emotional caring of people of all ages that helps bring wholeness and dignity to others.
Deadline for application: Monday April 15, 2019.
A printable application may be found HERE.
LIVING OUR MISSION
Purim 2019/5779
More pictures will be shared on Facebook!
6th Grade Hamentaschen Baking!
Yummmmmmmy.... Purim! Last Sunday, our 6th graders baked delicious Oznei Haman (aka Hamantaschen) with Morah Sheri, Dr. Z. and their families. On Monday, they sold the kosher treats, as a fundraiser for their graduation trip to Pittsburgh.
CJDS CLUBS
Lunch & Recess Clubs
  • MONDAY RECESS: Dance Club with Ms. AG & Katie Feldstein
  • 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
NEW TZEDAKAH CLUB PROJECT
CJDS's Tzedakah Club is excited to be starting a new project, collecting Pennies for Patients!

We are raising funds to help The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society fund life-saving research. You can help our efforts by donating today. Send your change to school, and change someones life.

The Pennies for Patients program is a service learning, character education and philanthropy program where students gain the unique experience of helping thousands of children and adults in their fight against blood cancers like leukemia. Pennies for Patients helps students see firsthand how their involvement can make a difference!
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: SPRING DATES
March 5– May 14 (No Class 3/26 and 4/23) 
9 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.
HAKARAT HATOV
The Hebrew term for gratitude is הַכָּרַת הַטוֹב (Hakarat HaTov), which means "recognizing the good."

To Dr. Z for sharing and baking her delicious family hamentaschen recipe with the sixth grade class for their bake sale.
To Ms. A.G., Annelyn Baron, Susan Couden, Katie Feldstein, Eran Rosenberg, and Ari Scheier for planning our joyful purim celebrations.
To Monica Silverstein for helping to decorate our student lunch tables in such a festive way.
To Gayle Kuhr and Sara Zeigler for their assistance with Art to Remember.
To Steven Moc for helping to video the CJDS All School Kabbalat last week.
To the members of the 5th grade class who helped to clean up after our Purim Parade and Megillah Reading.
To Paul and Polly Zeigler for their efficiency and care with the CJDS hot lunch program.
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 community friend, Polly Haas a speedy recovery.

We wish first grader Victoria Koch's mom, Sharyn Koch a speedy recovery.

We wish Lin Raveh (past JewishColumbus young shlicha) a speedy recovery.
MAY THEIR MEMORY BE A BLESSING

We extend our condolences to Herb & DeeDee Glimcher on the loss of Herb's sister, Marian Dach. Marian is also survived by her daughter Debbi (Chuck) Sugarman; son Larry (Kandi) Dach; grandchildren Scott, Aaron, Nicole, Emily and Jacob; brother Arne (Milly) Glimcher; sister-in-law Patty Glimcher; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Click HERE to read more about Marian's life.
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