Shalom from TBD Religious School

Shabbat newsletter compiled by
Gal Kessler Rohs, Education Director
Rabbi Lachtman 's adult education class on the Jewish Life Cycle focuses on Rabbi Peter Knobel 's book, Navigating the Journey . The book includes a chapter on building a Jewish home.

The chapter states that historically, when the Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, Rabbis were compelled to consider whether Gd would continue to reside with the Jewish people, since their temple was destroyed. As Jews then transitioned into a world without the Temple, Gd’s presence would be found in two places- the synagogue, and the home. 

Thinking about contemporary times, and perhaps our thoughts for the new year, or decade, we think about the meaning of home. Synagogue in Hebrew is translated as Beit Knesset, and school is Beit Sefer. Semantically, both consist of the word Bait, which, in Hebrew means home. As Jewish parent-educators, we ask ourselves then, how we may create that home, synagogue and school.

Our initial thoughts include the responsibility of physical provisions like a roof above our children’s heads. This follows emotional stability like warmth and security, and then, we may incorporate fixing a mezuzah on our doorposts, to mark the spirituality ad the identity of the Jewish home. But how do we integrate that divine presence in the home as the Rabbis suggest? In his book  Navigating the Journey , Rabbi Knobel mentions the above as simply not sufficient in building our Jewish home.

Knobel suggests that the usage of ritual objects like the dreidel we take out on Channukah, should be synthesized with  midot - values. Sharing, taking turns, and emphasizing to our children those values in the dreidel game would make the game Jewishly relevant for example. The way in which we treat our loved ones with whom we share a living (or learning) space, illustrates the divinity in the Jewish home. Recognizing empathy, and the holiness that exists within each of us, strengthens our relationships and is the foundation of a Jewishly relevant home. 

Rabbi Joui M. Hessel concludes her contributing chapter in Navigating the Journey with her synopsis of building a Jewish home. Notice how midot (values) are reflected in her conclusion: 

May our homes be filled with the light of Torah.
May our homes be overflowing with words and deeds of love. 
May our homes be complete with the blessings of family and of friendship. 

Wishing you Shabbat Shalom,
-Gal Kessler Rohs , Education Director

(picture depicts our religious school student with a craft mezuzah made in Miss Doris Robin 's class. The mezuzah is a Jewish ritual object that is hung on the doorpost of Jewish homes. It has a parchment inside with the Shema blessing, signifying protection of our home).
Torah Torah Torah Tzivah Lanu Moshe
a few thoughts about this week's Torah portion, Vayechi
In this image, Rabbi Lachtman  is talking to our students in the sanctuary infront of the stained glass windows which frame our ark. The 12 pictures on the windows represent the 12 tribes as recounted in this Torah portion, Vayechi. Parashat Vayechi is the 12th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and is found at the end of Genesis 47:28 - 50:26. With this Parshah we conclude the first book of the Torah, the book of Genesis.

After Jacob has lived in Egypt for seventeen years, he feels his days on earth are ending. He calls Joseph to his side and asks him to promise that he will bury him in the land of Canaan where Abraham and Isaac are buried. Jacob then blesses Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Menasseh, that they will each become the father of a tribe, just like Jacob's sons.

Jacob then calls all of his sons to his side and blesses each one. He tells each son what his role will be as one of the Tribes of Israel. For example, he says that the tribe of Judah will produce kings, and Dan will produce judges. Naphtali will be swift as a deer and Benjamin fierce as a wolf.
Happy National Bittersweet chocolate day
Bittersweet chocolate tart with Raspberries recipes to celebrate today
Ingredients: 
  • 11 ounces Green & Black's Organic Baking Chocolate, finely chopped (can use slightly less) 
  • 1 cup heavy cream 
  • 2/3 cup low-fat milk 
  • 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten 
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt 
  • 1 prebaked 10-inch sweet tart shell 
  • 2 cups whipped cream 
  • 1 pint fresh raspberries 

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place chopped chocolate in a large metal bowl over a simmering saucepan of water to start melting. Meanwhile, heat cream and milk until hot but not boiling. Whisk hot milk mixture into melting chocolate until all chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and set aside. 
 
In another large bowl, whisk together eggs, vanilla and salt, then continue to whisk as you gradually add the chocolate mixture. Pour filling into prepared crust. Bake tart until filling is almost set in center about 20 minutes. It will firm up more after coming out of the oven. Transfer to a rack and let cool 15 minutes. Remove the outer ring of the pan and serve tart warm with whipped cream and fresh raspberries. 
Coming up at Temple Beth David
featured school related dates to note:
Sunday, Jan 12th:
  • at 9.15am: TBD Religious School and adult Hebrew with Jan Robertson resumes.
  • 7-9th graders Junior Counselor Shabbaton meeting at Jewish Federation SGPV at 1pm.
  • Book Club meeting at 1pm about the book Let There Be Laughter by Michael Krasny
Thursday, Jan 16th at 10am: National Webinar on education and thriving (Contact Gal for more info)
Friday, Jan 17th at 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat including dinner
Sunday, Jan 19th : No Religious School, MLK weekend
Friday, Jan 24th at 7.30pm: Service with Rabbi Lachtman and Cantor Schwartz, followed by Israeli dancing with Ellen Novoseller
Saturday, Jan 25th at 7pm: Every Person Has A Name
Sunday, Jan 26th : Haskala at Every Person Has A Name with Cantor Orly , 12.30pm Security and Planning meeting, followed by fundraising committee meeting, both with Gavin Wasserman
Tuesday, Jan 28th at 7.30pm: Adult Seminar with Rabbi Lachtman on Jewish Life Cycles
Friday, Jan 31st at 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat including dinner
Sunday, Feb 2nd at 9.30am: Adult Bagel Breakfast with Cantor Orly
Friday, Feb 7th at 7.30pm: Shabbat services with Hannah Stein , oneg Shabbat in honor of Hanna and Alan Stein , sponsored by the Stein family
Saturday, Feb 8th at 4.15pm: Hannah Stein Bat Mitzvah
Sunday, Feb 9th, Religious School
Friday, Feb 14th at 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat including dinner (topic: Tu BiShvat)
Sunday, Feb 16th , No Religious School, President's Day
Sunday, Feb 23 at 9.30am, Adult Bagel Breakfast
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)
Thurday, March 6-8th , Shabbaton (For 3-9th graders)
Sunday, March 8th: Purim at TBD
Friday, March 13th at 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat including dinner (topic: Purim)
Sunday, March 15th Religious School
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
Friday, April 17th at 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat including dinner (topic: Israel)
Sunday, April 19th Religious School (topic: Holocaust for Upper Grades)
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
Friday, June 5th at 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat including dinner
What else is going on
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