Ma Koreh?
What’s Happening?
March Newsletter
Welcome to the Newsletter! The Ma Koreh provides a brief overview into "what's happening" at CJDS. This month's issue features:

  • D'var Kesher, A message of connection, from our Head of School, Rachel Arcus-Goldberg
  • Wright Brothers Discovery Zone
  • Alumni Spotlight: Benjamin Kanas
  • P2G Jewish Educators mission to Israel
  • Photo Highlights
  • What's Coming Up
  • Community Milestones
D’var Kesher from Head of School
Rachel Arcus-Goldberg
March 6, 2020 / 10 Adar 5780
Tetzaveh, Shabbat Za h or, Exodus 27:20-30:10
D'var Kesher: Topsy Turvy
Greetings!

On Rosh H odesh Adar, we are instructed to see the world as “Topsy Turvy.” At CJDS, we invite students to dress in funky ways, teachers teach funny lessons, and general silliness ensues. The highlight of the day is the Faculty vs. Student hockey game. In an unprecedented show of teamwork, grit and skill, the 5th and 6th Graders defeated the Faculty this year. 
 
Embarrassingly, all four of the goals scored by the students occurred while I was the goalie. While I’m sure it was a highlight for the students to score on the Head of School, I felt pretty low as I came off the court. Then, I realized what an important opportunity I had to demonstrate resilience.
During the half-time show of gymnastics performed by our younger students, I chatted with some students sitting in the cheering section. There were students who asked if I was going to bow out of playing for the rest of the game. In my head I thought, “This is the moment! I can show students that it's OK to try something new, fail miserably, and still be OK!” So I replied, “Of course not! I’m a part of this team -- though I may suggest that someone else play goalie, since that doesn’t seem to be a strength for me.”
 
Students these days feel a lot of pressure to be perfect. To master everything that they are taught immediately and be able to perfect any new concept on the first try. As adults, we know that this is not realistic. In fact, that’s why we go to school! To learn. If we could master everything right away, school would only need to be a couple of weeks long. Instead, we have to make mistakes and we have to learn from those mistakes to try something different the next time. 
 
It was important for me to play in the Faculty vs. Student game, so I tried. After failing, I did not give up. I tried a different position. I was better at playing in the field, though it’s clear that I do not have a future as a hockey player. 
 
There are many ways that we demonstrate the concept of “Topsy Turvy” on Rosh H odesh Adar. This time, the students got to see an adult fail and show the resilience that we consistently encourage and ask of our children.

Shabbat Shalom,
‌
Wright Brothers Discovery Zone
Our first and second graders took a trip this month to the “Wright Brothers Discovery Zone" and they didn't even have to leave CJDS. Our Science Specialist, Dr. Gina Freeman, reinvented the CJDS Maker Space and turned it into a Discovery Zone.
 
Wearing a traditional engineer's hat, Gina began the lesson dressed in a machinist outfit that her father actually wore when he was a machinist/engineer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for 40 years. While students were gathered around, Gina shared different books about flight, then took out the tool from her father's shop that he had made, and shared it with her students.
The first and second graders learned about Gina's cousins Orville and Wilbur Wright, who, while only in first grade, tinkered with a wooden toy they called a helicopter and bat. Gina gave an overview of matter, air, solids, liquids, and gas and how they were part of the Wright Brothers' discoveries.

The students learned how collaboration and the influence from others and how it helped the Wright Brothers with their work. Among those influencers was Otto Lilienthal, a pioneer of aviation, and Orville and Wilbur's sister, Katharine Wright, an Educator, who encouraged her brothers to write their ideas down. 
Gina shared: "This year, I have embraced the idea of student engagement through the engineering design process as I create lessons to teach Science. What I have always called experiential learning really is creating opportunities for engagement with learners. This philosophy is one that is student centered, whole child focused and typically embraces integration within content areas.” 
While using simple items like a bag and stick, first and second graders got to simulate a wind tunnel in the Maker Space. This was their first introduction to flight at CJDS, and these students were hooked!  
 
Following the engineer design process, the next week the students began working on their blueprints and choosing the materials needed to create their inventions. The goal: to keep their object in flight for 2-3 seconds. 
Students were paired with a partner, bringing along their own blueprints for a respectful collaboration. They experimented, and adjusted their designs accordingly, as they continued to refine their designs to make their planes fly longer using materials found in the Maker Space.

Following the entire engineering design process, students experimented and improved their prototype. Designs were extremely creative including an animal plane using styrofoam, paper wings, and a rubber band in hopes it would add kinetic energy to keep the plane in flight longer. 
One first grader shared: “I think I should take some tape off so it’s lighter and flies longer!” He continued to refine his design through trial and error.
 
CJDS students loved this lesson and expanding their curiosity and questions about air, flight, and inventions.
Alumni Spotlight: Benjamin Kanas
In a few week’s time, Ben Kanas will be on the official ballot in the Primary Election. Ben tells CJDS: "Since launching my campaign for the Franklin County Democratic Party’s Central Committee, I have reflected on my foundations and values that built who I am today. CJDS is an organization I am proud to call as one of the most foundational experiences that has shaped me in the person I am today."

 Benjamin Kanas, a 2009 CJDS graduate, attributes much of who he is today to his Jewish background and his time at Columbus Jewish Day School.

Ben is graduating this year from The Ohio State University. He is double majoring in Public Affairs and World Economy and Business with a Minor in Hebrew.

Since high school, Ben has developed a passion for public service, government, and public policy. While a senior at Bexley High School, Ben had the opportunity to be a legislative intern for Michael Stinziano at the Ohio House of Representatives and at the Columbus City Council.

Ben was selected to participate in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs High School Internship Program where he first learned about the public affairs program at OSU. 
While in college, Ben has been elected a Senator in the Undergraduate Student Government, has participated as a Mount Leadership Society Scholar, and has been serving (his "proudest involvement") as the BUCKiPAC (Buckeye Israel Public Affairs Committee) President and AIPAC Campus Liaison . During his tenure with BUCKiPAC, he helped to develop the student organization from a small fledgling club to what it is now.

Ben shared: "I have joined my fellow activists at Ohio State to be selected to receive the American Jewish Committee’s campus award for combating antisemitism and defeating BDS numerous times, selected to receive the Campus Activists of the Year Award from AIPAC, and in a few weeks will be honored with AIPAC highest collegiate award." 
He added, "I attribute much of who I am to my Jewish background and my time at CJDS. Community is a foundational value that I have kept with me since my time a CJDS. From Kabbalat Shabbat to holiday celebrations, and to various ceremonies, the communal aspect was most fondly remembered. I bring this value of community to every place I go and strive to build an inclusive and inviting community."

After graduating, Ben plans to take his passion for public policy and advocacy to Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill.

* Please note, CJDS does not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of any candidate or political party.
Are you or is someone you know a CJDS Alumnus or Alumna who is giving back to the community? Would you like to be featured in our monthly Alumni Spotlight? Reply to this email and let us know.
P2G Jewish Educators Mission to Israel
The partnership between the Jewish community in Columbus and Kfar Saba has been active since 2002, and continues to strengthen the connection between both communities. The Partnership2Gether (P2G) program implements a wide range of programs for a variety of age groups in the areas of education, Jewish identity and community leadership.

One of the flagship programs of P2G is the Educational Bridge which connects students in early childhood and elementary school age students from Columbus and Kfar Saba. CJDS was the first school to implement this program and has been twinning with the Brenner school (1st-6th grade) and Gan Yedidut (Kindergarten). In the 2019-2020 school year there are now 17 classes in Greater Columbus that have partners in Kfar Saba. The connection is maintained through sending letters, art projects, holiday gifts, and Skype parties. 
Two of the CJDS Judaic Teachers, Annelyn Baron and Yehudit Kanfer, who led the Educational Bridge program with their classes, were among the 10 educators chosen from JCC Columbus preschools in Bexley, New Albany and JCC North, Temple Israel Columbus, Tifereth Israel, and Kehilat Sukkat Shalom to travel to Israel together to meet Israeli teachers and students in their twin schools and to learn more about the Israeli educational system.
On one of the first evenings, our teachers got to meet with the Israeli teachers in Kfar Saba. Then the CJDS teachers spent a day in their schools -- shadowing the Israeli teachers, learning about the schools and observing relevant classes and teachers. Annelyn said she toured amazing schools and different types of schools, snapping pictures everywhere she went. 

“I was able to observe and participate in a student-led ‘active break,'" Annelyn said. Most of the activities involved were practicing the English language. Teachers have packed the hallways of this relatively new school with artwork and framed posters filled with meaning and intention for the students.

"We walked through the school's farm and watched as students took care of the gardens. One of our workshops took us deeper into our partnership twinning. Over lunch, with our Kfar Saba educators, we discussed ideas for our classrooms."
While visiting Gan Yedidut, Annelyn had the opportunity to meet up with one of her current CJDS kindergarten students, Keren, and her family. Annelyn described the experience as “Happy tears and excitement! Keren quickly made friends and gave their buddies gifts for the class and for each of our buddies. She even got to try out the writing center.” Keren’s father, Nadav, shared that “this is all Keren talked about after learning about their buddies in Kfar Saba.” 

During Yehudit’s arrival at the Brenner School, she was treated like royalty as the students lined up along the entrance with signs, wearing American sunglasses, and waving tiny Israeli flags as music played. Once settled in, Yehudit had the opportunity to take a tour led by the Principal, and she learned about the special programs that students are involved in. 
Each day our teachers were in Israel was filled with exciting work, learning, and sharing. One busy afternoon, Yehudit taught a special lesson in each of the four classes that are part of the partnership with CJDS. In fifth grade she taught about Jewish Heroes and shared with the students excerpts from our fifth and sixth graders' amazing Living Museum. Our students created Hebrew books about their heroes and the Brenner students learned about these heroes through the books. Both Yehudit and Annelyn had the chance to meet with Israeli teachers and discuss future goals for the Education Bridge Program for the coming year. 

Annelyn shared, “I’m so happy that I had these moments because of my work at CJDS!”
Photo Highlights
Third graders present a bill they wrote for the choice to play on the field or playground during recess
Second grade learns about the American Flag: how its made and how to properly care for it
Faculty and Staff vs Fifth and Sixth graders in our annual Hockey Game
Fifth and Sixth grade students model the Jewish Heroes Living Museum
CJDS Choir members Dafna, Yael, Ruthie, and Gavi perform at Arts Nights
During Yahad- When Adar comes, we increase our joy 😎
First grade Judaics Teacher Ari works on Hebrew with student Ariella
Second grade celebrates Topsy Turvy Day in their pajamas
Kindergarten parent Nadav Cohen talks to students about being a Pilot
What's Coming Up
Friday, 3/6 - 1:40-2:20 p.m. - All School Kabbalat Shabbat 3/4 led
Tuesday, 3/10 - 11 a.m.-Noon - Purim Parade and Megillah Reading
Friday, 3/20 - 1:40-2:20 p.m. - All School Kabbalat Shabbat 1st Grade led
Community Milestones
Mazel Tov!

Mazel Tov to Billie Sunshine (CJDS class of 2019) on becoming a Bat Mitzvah.

Mazel Tov to  Drake Grossman  (CJDS class of 2019) on becoming a Bar Mitzvah.
Mi Sh'Berach

We wish CJDS grandparent and alumni parent David Lippy a speedy recovery.

We wish Naomi Kayne (longtime friend and supporter of CJDS) a speedy recovery.
Hakarat Hatov

To CJDS parents Stefanie Zelkind and Josh Feinberg for being our co-chairs of the 2020 Parent Campaign.

To grandparents Carol Steiner and Sara Rotenberg for volunteering in the kindergarten classroom and helping make hamantaschen with our kindergarten students.

To Lynne Emoff and Ayala Kremer for their continuous support with helping serve lunch.
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