Shalom from TBD Religious School

Shabbat newsletter compiled by
Gal Kessler Rohs, Education Director
The Cat in the Hat is a children’s classic which, though on the surface, may seem as a fun, humorously rhyming and silly type of book, actually relates to our and our children’s daily lives in quarantined days. We'll be meeting for Zoom story time this afternoon to find out why and how.

On the superficial level, Dr. Seuss illustrates a sibling pair, bored at home, until they are visited by three entertaining intruders: A cat, A Thing 1 and A Thing 2. The three juggle and balance household goods in attempt to entertain those darling lock downed children, at times even to daring laughter! Yet children today, depending on exposure to the media, the dangers of the outdoors, or others, are in a whirlwind of emotions, from being concerned about being victims of an invisible enemy, to great satisfaction of daily nighttime routines together with their parents. Just as family meals and laundry piles have increased, as the book reflects, so has creativity and strengths emerged.

More specifically, the silver lining in the book, as I see it, is resilience in children. It is the strength of youngsters to overcome trying times through a powerful tool- their imagination. Though there is hardship, boredom, an enemy, or even starvation as we see from historical testimonies, the creative thoughts of children enable them to go into different worlds, find humor, joy and cheeky transgression entertainment of breaking rules! Don’t tell mother, but I found and ate her hidden chocolate! 
Dear grown ups, in those tearful and fearful quarantined moments, let children teach you to rely on imagination. Let your thoughts fall back in time, indulge in a dream getaway vacation, collect natures gifts and create a collage of Spring awakening, pile your thoughts into candy land, and realize, that this is a juvenile coping tool that will invite Thing 1 and Thing 2 , and maybe, even, The Cat in the Hat . 

I can't wait to see you and your children at 4pm this afternoon for Dr. Seuss’ classic storytime of The Cat in the Hat. 

Shabbat Shalom,
- Gal Kessler Rohs , Education Director
Creating a plaque on the train tracks of horror (older students this Sunday)
For the first time in 32 years, there will be no March of the Living on Holocaust Remembrance Day, due to the Coronavirus.

The March of the Living Virtual Plaque Project will continue their tradition of placing messages on plaques on the train tracks of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Jason's Haskala students will participate in this living memory.

Join us in honoring those lost in the Holocaust & commit to the fight against antisemitism and racism by declaring that #NeverMeansNever. To place a plaque, click here.
The wheels of the bus go round and round in Israel (next Sunday)
The wheels of the Egged bus will carry us through Israel, our homeland, as we explore different aspects of the Holy Land next weekend.

Jason will be the bus driver (don’t forget to buckle up!), Cantor will sing the Hatikvah anthem of Hope, Doris will float in the Dead Sea, Steve will be Theador Herzl who will promise that “if you will, there is a way” and more will come our way as we climb the milk flowing hills and the honey covered valleys of Israel.

Start your packing, as we’re planning on being “Next Year in Jerusalem”.
Happy Birthday Tel Aviv! 🇮🇱❤️👠👙🍴🥽💪🏻👖👒
Happy Birthday to the City that Never Sleeps! (putting COVID 19 aside!)

Tel Aviv was founded on April 11, in 1909. On that day, several dozen families gathered on the sand dunes on the beach outside Yaffo to allocate plots of land for a new neighborhood they called Ahuzat Bayit, later on May 21 of that year to be known as Tel Aviv. 

Our religious school dedicates a Sunday to Israel. This year, we will also focus on the birthday of the sleepless city. Today, Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the Gush Dan metropolitan area of Israel. Located on the Mediterranean coastline, it is the economic and technological center of the country. Together with Jerusalem, Tel Aviv is one of the most populous cities in Israel. It is a global city and is ranked 25th in the Global Financial Centres Index. Tel Aviv has the third- or fourth-largest economy and the largest economy per capita in the Middle East. 

Other fun facts about the city:
•The city has the 31st highest cost of living in the world. 
•Tel Aviv receives over 2.5 million international visitors annually. 
•A "party capital" in the Middle East, it has a lively nightlife and 24-hour culture.
•Tel Aviv has been called The World's Vegan Food Capital, as it possesses the highest per capita population of vegans in the world, with many vegan eateries throughout the city.
•Tel Aviv is home to Tel Aviv University, the largest university in the country with more than 30,000 students.
Chalk unicorns or rainbows?
Seasonally appropriate Hebrew vocabulary learning 🍳
Omelette🥚חֲבִיתָה, transliteration: Chavita
בֵּיצָה🥚egg, transliteration: Beitza
בֵּיצָה קָשָׁה or בֵּיצָה שְׁלוּקָה🥚hard boiled egg, transliteration: Beitza Kasha
בֵּיצָה טְרוּפָה or בֵּיצָה מְקֻשְׁקֶשֶת🥚scrambled egg, transliteration: Beitza Mekushkeshet, or Beitza Trufa
Sunny side up egg 🥚בֵּיצַת עַיִן, Transliteration: Beitzat Eiin
בֵּיצָה רָכָּה or בֵּיצָה מְגוּלגֶלֶת🥚soft boiled egg, Transliteration: Beitza Raka
Useful Resources, links and resources
Shabbat Shalom and see you once, or twice, or thrice, or more, this Shabbat!