Shalom from TBD Religious School

Shabbat newsletter compiled by Gal Kessler Rohs, Education Director
TBD religious school takes pride in offering enrichment programs at every grade level. Lindy Bornstein for example, is our Jewish food specialist, Jan Robertson focuses on arts and crafts, while child psychiatrist, Dr. Jackie Green, who we'll read about today , stresses on the building of our students' self esteem.

Jackie is the kind of generous person who never goes anywhere within TBD empty handed. She hands out stuffed animals to our students, bagels and cream cheese to adult education lecture mornings, and cooks delicacies for our after school staff meetings. If that is not all, tonight, instead of celebrating her birthday by treating herself to a restaurant, or a fancy dessert, she does so for others. More specifically, Jackie is preparing for our congregation pasta, chicken, caesar salad, and more. She has created a candy making workshop for our students, which, as I heard last Friday at Shabbat services, will be enjoyed by our adult members too!

Jackie and Dr. Richard Shapiro , her husband, have been TBD members for over 30 years. For the last 45 years, professionally as a psychiatrist, Jackie has been treating children and teenagers. Her primary work is psychiatric diagnosis and, if needed, also medication management. Here are a few words from Jackie about what she has been doing professionally, both in the public and private sector, and as of the past two years, at TBD:

"I have spent many years working with diverse populations, helping children and teens be more integrated and productive. Due to my location, I have not treated many Jewish families. Last fall, after discussing my ideas about self esteem and the need to increase spiritual awareness in our children with Gal , Gal suggested I get involved in our Religious School by teaching self esteem to some of our children. 

This past year, I gave a one time workshop to Jason Moss ' Haskala students, and ongoing interventions in Doris Robin 's elementary aged class. The younger children were asked to write down one thing that they did each day that they were proud of doing and be pleased with themselves. As a reward, each child got to choose a stuffed animal at the end of the year. Everyone got a reward (see Jude Silver with this reward in the image below). 

This coming year I will again participate in helping our students build better self esteem."

Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight for dinner, and candy making, as we wish Dr. Green Happy Birthday!

Shabbat Shalom,
Gal Kessler Rohs , Education Director
Religious School Registration is underway
Our first day back will be September 8th, 2019 #cantwait
Application and registration for our Religious School is underway! Our first day back will be September 8th, 2019, where we will focus on friendship making, community building, and replenishing ourselves towards the Jewish High Holy Days.

Our school is located in Temple City, we are under the umbrella of the Union for Reform Judaism, and partner with the Jewish Federation of San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. We are a diverse and caring community where students are inspired to develop a love of Judaism in its many forms. 

Guided by the values of Hesed (kindness), K’dushah (holiness), Tsedakah (justice/charity), and Limmud (learning), our purpose is to nourish the hearts, souls, and minds of our students. Our educational programs and staff aspire to provide a foundation for students to comfortably participate in all aspects of Jewish life.

Registration forms can be found on our website or by clicking here .

Torah Portion this week
Parashat Matot-Masei Numbers 30:2 - 36:13
Parashat Matot-Masei (Tribes-Journey) / פרשת מטות־מסעי is the  #torah  portion of the week, which is found in Numbers 30:2 - 36:13.

In a nutshell, Moses describes the laws of oaths; the Israelites battle the Midianites, and the tribes of Reuben and Gad request to dwell outside of the Land of Israel.

“We want to build sheepfolds for our cattle and cities for our children. Our children can remain in the fortified cities while we bring the sons of Israel to their place. We will stay until each of them have taken their inheritance in the promised land while we take our inheritance on this side of land.”

More about the portion here .

(pictured is of our TBD  religious school  children taken at Ulpan Shabbat class, as they prepare the Shabbat meal with Rabbi  Lachtman  for the congregation following Shabbat service).
High Holy Days at TBD
we're already in the planning
Seeking plush toy donations
for children in need
Next time you come to TBD, please consider adding a plush toy to the baskets in the lobby. Elle will allocate the donations to children and animals in need, as part of her Mitzvah Project.

Some of the organizations she will donate to will be:  San Gabriel Valley Humane Society ,  Foothill Unity Center  and  Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services .

Thanks for your Mitzvah involvement! 
Flyers, flyers, flyers
oh, and a few more flyers
Useful Reading
and further resources
  • Miriam Beltran is our incoming toddler class teacher who comes with an array of credentials from the Jewish Early Childhood Field. Meet Miriam in last week's Temple Beth David Religious School eblast here.
  • Tikkun Olam endeavors at our religious school, and other words from our sisterhood, mensclub Temple Beth David's rabbi, service schedule and more from David's Word, TBD's newsletter for July, August 2019 here
  • Shalom, and welcome to Temple Beth David of the San Gabriel Valley! Watch our video here.
  • Dates to volunteer at Union Station in preparing breakfast for the homeless.
  • A Sandbox IS Jewishly Warm and Relevant, article in Life Magazine about the importance of play in Jewish settings
  • Documentation is part of the Reggio Emilia doctrine of education seen in our early years' classrooms, with a higher focus within our toddler to 3rd grade classrooms. More about the child-centered approach in August's edition of Jlife Magazine here 
Guess what Olivia has for us?
Clue: something related to Shabbat and dessert!