Shalom from TBD Religious School

Shabbat newsletter compiled by
Gal Kessler Rohs, Education Director
Sofia and Maddi are best friends, even though they have differences. When Sofia opens the refrigerator door at Maddi’s house, she discovers a difference- Maddi has only milk in the fridge, which, though her stomach is growling from hunger, saves the drink for her hungry brother. 

Feeding America  states: "16 million children in America live in households struggling with hunger. That means that more than 1 in 5 children may not always have enough to eat. In the world's wealthiest nation, children can't always get the nutrition they need to thrive." That's where TBD’s social action curriculum comes in. We have a food donation box, we partner with Union Station, our students are praised at Ulpan Shabbat and Sunday Morning when they donate food, and why this Sunday we are partnering with PJ Library’s Debby Singer to Fight Hunger.
Debby Singer , a fine educator and the Jewish Federation’s SGPV’s PJ Library and PJ OurWay’s program coordinator will be introducing the book Maddi’s Fridge to our 4-6 th  graders. Debby will hand out $25 (in pretend paper notes) to each student to grocery shop for a family, for a week, trying to keep the purchase to a healthy balanced meal plan! That includes the travel faire too! Together our students will try to understand the standpoint of the hungry hero Maddi, and the larger picture of America's fight to end hunger.
 
Shabbat Shalom, 
- Gal Kessler Rohs , Education Director

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About PJ Library from the Federation’s website: The focus of our Jewish Federation is on services and programs that bring people together who share common interests and passions. In the case of PJ Library we reach out to families, affiliated or not, who have children between the ages of 6 months and 8 years old and are interested in strengthening their Jewish identities and connecting with others.

Each month, every family receives a free, high quality, age appropriate, engaging book of Jewish content based on a holiday, a value, a mitzvah, a personality, a fable, a folk tale, Israel or a myriad of other themes which are thought provoking and always provide educational opportunities for children and their grown-ups to share. It is a given can that reading a book at bedtime is one of the most bonding and satisfying experiences children and grown-ups can have. Thanks to PJ Library’s incredible staff of book reviewers, our families can be assured that the books they receive will provide a great reading and learning experience.
This week's Torah portion, Parashat Mishpatim / פרשת משפטים
na’aseh ve-nishma! We will do, and we will hear!
Parashat Mishpatim is the 18th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading found in Exodus 21:1 - 24:18 .

In this parshah, we learn about 53 mitzvot (out of a total of 613) that G‑d commands the Jews, so this parshah is in a nutshell, a list of rules for Jews to follow.

Two of the words we read towards the end of the parsha – na’aseh ve-nishma, “We will do and we will hear” – are among the most famous in Judaism. They are what our ancestors said when they accepted the covenant at Sinai: "Then [Moses] took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do and hear [na’aseh ve-nishma] everything the Lord has said.” ( Ex. 24:7 )

This is what historically united the Jewish people. Judaism is a legal system. It is a code of behavior and as is TBD, Judaism is a community of deed. That is where we require consensus. Hence, when it came to doing – na’aseh – the Israelites spoke “together” and “with one voice.” As this image of Olivia presents a good deed, so are we bound together by the choreography of the Jewish deed.

(inspired by this week's Dvar Torah by Rabbi Johnathan Sacks ).
A word about ShalomLearning
for TBD's 4-6th graders
With ten more religious school Sunday sessions to the end of the school year, it is time for us to evaluate where we are going, how we are doing, how it has been, and what is to be expected moving forward with ShalomLearning.

In the short 27 religious school sessions we have at TBD, we try to cover a full scope of Judaism's offerings including camp experience, Holocaust survivors, puppet shows, Ulpan Shabbat demos, music, cooking, PJ library visits, and more. Our upcoming B'nai Mitzvah students no less have an additional curriculum to the proposed religious school curriculum in that they are required to commit a lifelong mitzvah project, and reach a level of Hebraic skills before being recommended for Bnai Mitzvah candidacy.

Cantor Orly will spend time in both our Bnai Mitzvah and pre Bnai Mitzvah classes this Sunday, and next, assessing where students are, and what direction each will be taking in the upcoming weeks. Students will be assigned ShalomLearning online work accordingly and following this assessment.

Our clergy, staff and I look forward to sharing with you more. 
Purim plans
March 8th (for preschool-2nd graders) and March 6-8th (for 3-9th graders)
And speaking of Purim , here's a message from Jason Moss
about upcoming Shabbaton (have you signed up yet?)
Hey TBD families.

We want to encourage you to sign your 3rd – 9th grader up for the Shabbaton scheduled for March 6 – 8, being coordinated by our local Jewish Federation. This weekend retreat will be held up at Camp Mountain Chai in Angeles Oaks and is a great way for your child(ren) to spend the weekend with not only their TBD friends, but also other Jewish youth from across our community. The theme for the weekend is A Pixar Purim and the programming will revolve around the Jewish value do not stand idly by. With the help of some of their favorite animated Pixar characters, participants will look at the story of Purim and modern day examples of standing up for what you believe in. By engaging in interactive and experiential programs, group activities, and more, the campers will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the power of one person’s actions to change the world.

The Shabbaton was a highlight for many of our past TBD students and it is a great compliment to what the students learn and experience at TBD.

The Jewish Federation hires a great staff for the weekend that is composed of high school students, college students, religious school teachers, and parents who are committed to providing your child with a safe and enjoyable Jewish experience. Plus we have a licensed registered nurse with us for the entire weekend.

How much does this weekend cost? That depends on a decision you and your family need to make. The fee for the weekend is $215. Or… the Jewish Federation will assist your 3rd –9th grader in attending by reducing the fee to $185, if you agree for them to perform 4 hours of community service for any nonprofit in our community by the end of the school year.

Please sign your child(ren) up for this great and one-of-a-kind experience by visiting  www.jewishsgpv.org/shabbaton  and registering online.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the Shabbaton, please find Jason Moss this Sunday or call the Jewish Federation (626.445.0810).
Coming up
at TBD and featured dates to note:
Sunday, Feb 23 at 9.30am, Adult Bagel Breakfast, 9.30am "Jewish Community 
Safety: Global Threats and Local Planning" with Gavin Wasserman and Jason Moss, Haskala students attending.
 9.30am, Debby Singer presenting PJ Library to 4-6th graders
1:00 TBD Book Club is " Out of t he Shadow, " by Rose Cohen
Friday, Feb 28th at 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat including dinner
Sunday, March 1 Religious School
Thursday, March 5th, at 10am: National Webinar on education and thriving (Contact Gal for more info)
Thursday, March 6-8th, Shabbaton (For 3-9th graders)
Sunday, March 8th: Purim at TBD, Lindy Bornstein making food enrichment.
9:30am- 12pm: Hamantaschen sale in the temple lobby
Friday, March 13th at 6pm: Purim carnival at TBD
Sunday, March 15th Religious School, TBD at Union Station
Sunday, March 22nd Religious School
Friday, March 27th at 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat including dinner (topic: Passover)
Sunday, March 29th at 9.30am, Adult Bagel Breakfast
Friday, April 3rd at 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat including dinner (topic: Passover)
Sunday, April 5th Religious School (topic: Passover, Model Seder)
Sunday, April 12th, No School, Passover Break
Sunday, April 19th Religious School (topic: Holocaust for Upper Grades), TBD at Union Station 
Sunday, April 26th Religious School (topic: Israel Day)
Friday, May 1st at 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat including dinner
Sunday, May 3rd Religious School
Sunday, May 10th, No School, Mothers' Day
Friday, May 15th at 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat including dinner (topic: Shavuot)
Sunday, May 17th: Last Day of Religious School, family lunch, TBD at Union Station 
Friday, June 5th at 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat including dinner
Sunday, June 21st: TBD at Union Station
We think Miss Doris' Moo Cow should be loved every day
and not just on this week's Love Your Pet Day!