Ma Koreh?
What’s Happening?
May Newsletter
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This month's issue features:
- D'var Kesher
- CJDS Testimonial Interviews
- Save the Dates!
- Life and Legacy at CJDS: Jonathan and Susannah Wolman
- Celebrating CJDS Alumni, Featuring: Dovi Weiner
- Highlights this Month
- Photo Highlights
- Community Milestones
- CJDS Calendar & Community Events
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D’var Kesher from Head of School
Rachel Arcus-Goldberg
May 7, 2021 / Iyar 25, 5781
Leviticus 25:1–27:34
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May is a special time at CJDS. Every year, our students witness the full lifecycle of a butterfly in their classrooms. This year, in preparation, the Kindergarten studied the book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. Looking at their fabulous caterpillar creations, I started thinking about what CJDS and that hungry caterpillar have in common.
The story begins with an egg. The caterpillar pops out and is immediately very hungry. Each day, he eats more and more, but he is still hungry! Finally, after a very busy Saturday where he ate a smorgasbord of colorful foods, he got full. Soon after, the caterpillar builds a cocoon and emerges as a beautiful, colorful butterfly.
On the first day of school at CJDS, each child shows up to school hungry. Not for food - for knowledge. Each day, they learn and experience and challenge themselves. And they are still hungry. In fact, the more they learn, the more they want to learn! And as they leave CJDS, emerging from their cocoon, they are transformed into beautiful butterflies, or rather, middle school students. Students who confidently dive into the new and exciting learning opportunities ahead of them.
It is in elementary school that children develop the habits of mind and habits of heart that will stay with them throughout their lives. Enthusiasm for learning, kindness towards others, spirited and respectful debate - these are values that are inherent in everything we do at CJDS. In both the written and hidden curricula of the school, students are learning every day how important it is to keep seeking knowledge, to be a good person, and to find their voice. These values are not automatic - they are modeled and taught and reinforced. Children look to their teachers, to their peers and to their parents as they shape who they are and who they will become.
As the students observe and experience the lifecycle of the butterflies in their classrooms, they are taught to be aware of the many transitions that occur in life. Some of these transitions are exciting, some of them are difficult and painful. All of the transitions lead to something new. When we release the butterflies into our butterfly garden at our annual butterfly release ceremony, we release them with love and confidence, knowing that we have laid the groundwork for a successful transition. Because, each year, our students prepare the garden for the butterflies - ensuring that there is milkweed for eating and laying eggs, and pollinating plants to collect nectar. In other words, we have set up a landing space and the conditions they need to thrive.
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You see, knowledge alone is not enough. At CJDS, we prepare children to succeed with both their content knowledge, as well as with intentional work on their social and emotional understandings. We ensure that when the students arrive hungry to learn, the morsels around them will be nourishing and positive. When they emerge, they are ready. Ready to be good people who will make a positive impact on the world.
As our Director of Institutional Advancement, Jenny Glick says, “A CJDS education goes beyond the classroom, beyond test scores and academic growth, we are really educating humans on every level. We intentionally combine intellectual, spiritual, and emotional understanding with the social responsibility of supporting those who have experienced loss. The Butterfly Release teaches us that remembrance and memory are important concepts to healing. Each year, as we see the butterflies emerge, we are reminded that when a life ends, love and beauty remains - and that can be found all around, especially in our beautiful CJDS Butterfly Garden.”
At Columbus Jewish Day School, we exist to strengthen the Jewish community and the world by helping to develop thinking, feeling, centered, whole people. We do it by providing a challenging academic experience. We do it by helping children discover their authentic selves and their value in the world. And we do it by combining intellectual, spiritual, and emotional understanding with social responsibility, making our history relevant to our present and future. CJDS is a world of joy, creativity, critical thinking and self-discovery. An environment where every child, every question, and every opinion has value, and each is treated with dignity and respect.
CJDS is not just a place to learn, it is a place to transform. It is a place that encourages children to become the best version of themselves. As our tagline says, we are writing the story of your child’s creation. And we promise to give your child the foundation that he or she needs to add real value to relationships, life and the world.
Shabbat Shalom,
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We are interviewing people to get testimonials with CJDS Head of School, Rachel Arcus-Goldberg. The interviews can be just you, or your family, or your child. This is open to current families, or alumni families. Interviews will take place over Zoom or in-person, depending upon your comfort level. Please let us know if you are interested! |
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“As a Jewish family in Columbus for five generations, we have had a long history of active involvement in the community. From being among the founding members of a synagogue, to board positions with many Jewish organizations, and now two generations of board membership at CJDS (along with a child attending).
CJDS is an important asset to our Jewish community, and we want for it to be successful for even more generations to come. Creating a legacy gift through Life & Legacy is another way we hope to ensure the ongoing vibrance of a wonderful institution, and its future community.”
Jonathan and Susannah Wolman
CJDS Legacy Society Members
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The Life and Legacy program promotes after-lifetime giving in order to sustain valued organizations and vibrant Jewish communities. Year 2 of the Life and Legacy program has begun -- assure your Jewish tomorrow TODAY.
Contact legacy@cjds.org, or click here for more information. In partnership with Jewish Columbus.
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Celebrating CJDS Alum
Dovi Weiner
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This month, our Alumni Spotlight is all about Dovi Weiner, a recent CJDS graduate. Last year, Dovi graduated CJDS in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is now a sixth grader at Bexley Middle School. Dovi jokes, "The pandemic made for a really unusual transition into middle school!" Starting the year virtually at Bexley, students shifted to various hybrid schedules, and going to school just a few days a week. Since spring break, Bexley has gone all-in, everyday. Dovi shares that it has been great to be in school consistently, but also a big adjustment. |
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"Middle school is a lot different from CJDS. My school and class sizes are much bigger. Although I have gotten opportunities to make a lot more friends, I do miss the intimacy of the CJDS classroom. One of the things I appreciated most at CJDS was the close relationship I was able to form with my Teachers. It’s harder to do that at Bexley because there are so many more students."
Dovi has also been keeping busy by taking karate classes. He is less than a year away from earning his black belt. Current students might remember Dovi drumming with the band R2D2 at musical kabbalat shabbat! He is continuing to play drums and taking lessons virtually.
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Dovi's favorite memories of his time at CJDS include the all-school Kabbalat Shabbats and Lag B’Omer field days, sharing his love for all the different themes and creative activities.
When trying to choose a favorite Teacher at CJDS, Dovi refused to single out any Teacher from his six years at CJDS sharing, "they were all so great!"
This year, Dovi has been continuing his Jewish education through Mamshikhim, a new program for CJDS alumni led by Eran Rosenberg. Through the Mamshikhim program, Dovi has stayed in touch with his CJDS friends while also getting to continue learning with Eran. What Dovi considers a "A win-win!"
He shares this advice for current students: Take advantage of as many different experiences and opportunities at CJDS as you can. The time goes by quickly!
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As a former student of CJDS, you are part of our family of alumni, now over 500 strong. We are so proud of who are you and what you have gone on to do and learn. You are all over the world, contributing in so many different ways to the Jewish and global world.
We want to help you keep in touch with one another, help you network personally and professionally, and continue to create opportunities for you, our alumni, to come together and share memories from the past and also make new ones.
Please fill out our CJDS Alum survey here.
Let us know where you're going to college this Fall! Email Kerry Selfinger here.
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What's the difference between Concrete and Cement? |
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Kindergarten and third graders participated in a Concrete Kits for Kids program right on the CJDS campus.
Kindergarteners and their third grade buddies learned about the difference between Concrete and Cement, and even made their own concrete.
Each child mixed a small batch of concrete, and there were two types consisting of different ingredients. After the concrete hardens, students will release their boats into the CJDS pond with their buddies to see which one floats, and which one sinks.
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Thank you to Dave at Anderson Concrete, Field Engineer Mark Pardi, and Ohio Concrete Director Lisa Weaver-Moon for visiting CJDS and leading this activity today.
Thank you also to Eric Ross, CJDS Parent to Gavin and Isla and the Director of Engineering and Operations at U.S. Department of Transportation, Ohio Division.
Our students loved this program!
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Second grade students worked very hard preparing for the Second Grade State Fair. Students created a state book, designed a slideshow filled with facts about their state, and decorated a bag to hold their artwork and a few special artifacts relating to their state. Students spent time researching their state’s famous landmarks, climate, fun facts, and the Jewish communities in the area.
Then, parents were invited on campus to walk around the State Fair, ask questions, and see their work come to life. Students from all grades enjoyed walking around and learning more about each presentation.
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Citizen Scientists Tracking Debris |
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In celebration of Earth month, fourth and fifth graders explored New Albany's Rose Run Creek, tracking debris around the creek, and our school waterways at the CJDS pond.
Students collected 65 items classified as debris, and reported this data on the Mobile App called “Marine Debris Tracker.”
As Citizen Scientists, our students are helping National Geographic Explorers collect data to reduce plastics in our oceans worldwide.
Did you know our creek leads to the Gulf of Mexico? Our students are learning that what we do around our pond and Rose Run Creek impacts our ocean.
Join us by downloading this app and Track Debris at bodies of water near your home. Go to the app store and download “Marine Debris Tracker."
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First Grade Entrepreneurs |
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First graders worked very hard on their economics project. Each first grade student created a product and made a store for classmates, parents, grandparents, and faculty to shop. The customers were given pretend money to shop around.
Students ran their stores, counted their profits, and made choices about how to spend their money. Many students even sold out of their items, and had shoppers fill out a back order form.
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Butterfly Life Cycle Study |
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CJDS students received butterfly larvae (caterpillars) and began observing them in their classrooms and learning more about the butterfly life cycle.
We are looking forward to our Butterfly Release on May 26 at 2:30pm when students will get to release their butterflies in our beautiful Butterfly Garden. We hope you will tune in virtually for this special event as we heal together as a community.
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Third grader Naomi fishing at the CJDS pond - record day of 35 fish! |
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Kindergarteners planting strawberries in Science. |
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Kindergarteners played "Race to 100" in math. They rolled dice to add ones and regrouped when they had enough to make a ten. Once they had 10 tens, they regrouped to 100 and started again. |
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Second graders creating healthy meals in Hebrew. |
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Fourth graders presenting their book reports on The Invention of Hugo Cabrer. |
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Fifth graders had a Socratic seminar where they discussed fables. They listened closely, thought critically, and took turns articulating their own thoughts and responses. |
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Planting trees for
Earth month.
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Fourth graders presenting their creative biography projects. |
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First graders making 3D bonfires in celebration of
Lag B’omer.
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Mazel Tov to CJDS Kindergartener Seth Berman for selling homemade baked goods and raising $300 for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.
Mazel Tov to CJDS alum Ruthie Moskowitz (CJDS class of 2020) on her Bat Mitzvah.
Mazel Tov to CJDS Board Member, Avi Allen, on being engaged as the new Executive Director for Agudas Achim.
Mazel Tov to past CJDS Faculty member Shiran (Bendor) and her husband Matt Posner on the birth of a baby boy, Aviv Fisher Posner.
Mazel Tov to CJDS alumna Jessica Brisk (class of 2007) on her engagement to Sam Taylor.
Mazel Tov to CJDS Speech Pathologist, Jennifer Swetnam and her husband on the birth of their new baby, Theodore David.
Mazel Tov to Dr. Gina Freeman on being nominated for Ohio Teacher of the Year through the Ohio Department of Education.
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Mi Sh'Berach
We wish Naomi Kayne (longtime friend and supporter of CJDS) a speedy recovery.
We wish Jacob Cohen (CJDS alum) a speedy recovery.
We wish Ellie White, friend of the school and alum family, a speedy recovery.
We extend our prayers to any family in our community who may be impacted by coronavirus.
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May Their Memory be a Blessing
We extend our condolences to Amy and Micah Palmer (class of 2014) and Family on the loss of Betty Smith, Micah's Grandmother.
We extend our condolences to alumni parents Amy Baden and Eva Fried and family on the loss of Amy's mother, Sandra Baden. Grandmother of CJDS alumni Stella, Scarlett, Georgia, and Zeke Fried.
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May
- Friday, May 14 - 1:40-2:15pm - All School Kabbalat Shabbat -Kindergarten Led (virtual, open in-person outside to CJDS parents)
- Friday, May 21 - 1:30-2:15pm - All School Kabblat Shabbat Honoring Yehudit (open to the community - outside in person)
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Wednesday, May 26 - 2:30-3:15pm - Butterfly Release Ceremony - (current students & parents in person, virtual to the community)
- Thursday, May 27 - 5:30-7:00pm - 5th Grade Graduation (limited to 5th grade families only)
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