Ma Koreh?
What’s Happening?
June Newsletter
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This month's issue features:
- D'var Kesher
- Enrolling Now for 2021-2022
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Life and Legacy at CJDS: Rabbi Jay Moses and Cantor Bat-Ami Moses
- CJDS Testimonial Interviews
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CJDS Alum and Graduation Speaker: Grant Nguyen
- Highlights this Month
- Photo Highlights
- Community Milestones
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D’var Kesher from Head of School
Rachel Arcus-Goldberg
June 4, 2021 / Sivan 24, 5781
Sh'lach 13:1 - 15:41
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I think it is safe to say that at CJDS, we strive to fulfill the proverb: Chanoch l’na’ar al pi darko, Educate a child according to his way, gam ki yazkin lo yasur mimenu, so that even when they age they will not deviate from it.
CJDS is often compared to a cocoon. Probably in part because of our emphasis on butterflies, and partly because we are a cozy environment for children to develop and when you graduate and fly away, you have become amazing, beautiful butterflies.
As I thought of what to speak about for our Fifth Grade Graduation, though, I was struck by a different metaphor. In fact, I have had this song running through my head.
Ve’asu li mikdash veshachanti betocham
Ve anachnu nevarech yah Me Atah ve Ad olam
Oh lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
pure and holy tried and true.
And in thanksgiving I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.
Ex. 25:8
The Hebrew text is from the book of Shemot, the English text is from a Christian spiritual. There is a slight difference between the two, which I’ll come back to in a moment.
But first, the metaphor - CJDS as a sanctuary. CJDS is a sanctuary. In both the sense that we are a hallowed, holy space of learning and tefillah. CJDS is also a sanctuary in the sense that it is a safe, protective space in which to grow and develop and mature.
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Unpacking the Hebrew text - God is commanding the Israelites to build a sanctuary, a mikdash, within which we, Israelites/Jews, can organize our worship of god and our sense of holiness. But, now, in modern times, there is no temple, so how do we organize holiness? Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel teaches us that we should designate holiness through time.
Judaism teaches us to be attached to holiness in time, to be attached to sacred events, to learn how to consecrate sanctuaries that emerge from the magnificent stream of a year. The Sabbaths are our great cathedrals...
The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space.
Your time at CJDS has been like a very long Shabbat. It has been holy time in which you have been in our sanctuary. And now, your Shabbat is ending. This is your Havdalah ceremony. What are you bringing with you from Shabbat into the week? What fragrances, tastes, lights are coming with you? What lessons and values from CJDS will you bring with you to middle school? To the rest of your life?
Let’s go back to the English part of the song. In these lyrics, it is not God commanding us to make a sanctuary, it is asking God to make ME a sanctuary. The sanctuary here is not a place, it is not time, it is YOU. “Prepare me to be a sanctuary... and in thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.” You are the sanctuary. Holiness is inside you.
During Graduation, I talked about your mastery of our three pillars. About our hope that we have educated you according to your way, so that when you age you will not deviate from it.
Each of you is a sanctuary - you have absorbed all of the lessons, all of the values, all of the qualities that we could impart. You are a living sanctuary of everything that is pure and holy, tried and true. You are going to go out into the world with the sanctuary inside you - and you are going to be leaders, you are going to be mensches, you are going to be learners.
Mazel Tov. I am so proud of each of you and cannot wait to see the people you will become.
Shabbat Shalom,
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Enrolling Now for 2021-2022 |
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Enrollment for next year is open! We are continuing to host in-person tours for new families at CJDS. Interested families can contact Jenny Glick, Director of Admissions, or begin the application process now by visiting the "APPLY" tab on our website at: www.cjds.org.
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"In a world with too much isolation and not enough kindness, Jewish tradition provides us with roots, meaning, and community. Our precious legacy is ancient, but its true brilliance lies in its ability to be reinterpreted as circumstances change.
Each generation has the opportunity the responsibility to add their voice to the conversation across the ages. And the key to that magic lies in Jewish education.
At CJDS, our children become a part of that sacred conversation from their youngest days. While preparing to become responsible citizens of a broader world, they are given the strong foundation of Jewish values rooted in the Torah and conveyed with warmth, joy, and rigor.
We can think of no greater cause to contribute to so that our legacy of taking responsibility to heal the world is secure with the next generation. We are honored to leave a legacy of tzedakah in our gift to CJDS.”
Rabbi Jay Moses & Cantor Bat-Ami Moses
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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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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CJDS Alum and Graduation Speaker
Grant Nguyen
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My name is Grant Nguyen, and I am a CJDS class of 2015 graduate. I am incredibly humbled and honored to have been chosen as one of your 5th Grade Graduation speakers. Last week, I spent lunch with the 5th grade class, and although I wasn’t surprised, our visit yesterday reminded me of just how special CJDS students are.
I wanted to start off by saying congratulations to the 2021 graduates this year. As I’m sure it was for you all, this year has been one of if not the most difficult years of our lives. But, we are still here, and that is something you should all be proud of.
Quite honestly, I truly believe CJDS prepared me for any and every challenge. Especially this year, the values of resiliency, hard work, and dedication I was exposed to at CJDS have always been apparent in my daily life. This year has been filled with the utmost uncertainty, and at times, I’m sure we can all admit it felt like the pandemic would never end. Make no mistake - I am by no means saying it is over - but I truly believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Responding to the “forces” around me this year - the uncertainty, ever changing guidelines and restrictions, the COVID scares - the lesson of controlling what I can control that was taught to me at CJDS has never been more important in my life. However, I know in a year headlined by the pandemic, it’s about the last thing we want and need to hear about right now, but given the impact it’s had on our lives, I felt as if it at least deserved acknowledgement.
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Regardless of this year’s circumstances, the values I learned at CJDS have continued to drive me forward over the course of the past 6 plus years of my life. In ways physically, emotionally, and mentally, I am nowhere near the same person I was at CJDS, and even that version of me back then was anything but static. I was pretty overweight, and quite frankly did not understand myself emotionally. And yeah, I could use this time to tell you these little personal anecdotes that I actually did type up, but soon realized they did not embody what I believe is the most important thing I took from CJDS: the ability to not only respond to the forces around me, but to do so in a way that expresses how I truly feel.
Yes, this may sound like a simple, if not easy task, but CJDS was imperative in teaching me how to articulate my ideas coherently - whether it was the biography project (I did Omri Caspi) or the modern day prophet (I chose Bruce Springsteen). I truly believe this ability is indispensable, but at the same time, equally as unquantifiable. Don’t take this as me saying don’t be open to other ideas - that is equally as critical, and finding your own voice and being open to other ideas is a difficult balancing act in and of itself.
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When - not if- you three graduates become the next generation of leaders we all know you can be, it will be because you have the most solid foundation of this skill. No, I am not perfect in this skill, but being comfortable in my ability to articulate my own complex ideas has helped me with my self-esteem and being comfortable in my own skin in general, something I know - don’t even try to deny it - we all struggle with for the entirety of this portion - if not the entirety - of our lives. I was by no means as comfortable in my own skin when I left CJDS - in fact, I struggled rather mightily in middle school with it. But, what I want you to know is that you are not alone in this endeavor, and CJDS has prepared you for this more than you may realize. CJDS lets you be who you are as an individual. Had I not attended CJDS, I would never have developed my sense of individuality - something you should always keep sight of despite the uncontrollable nature of the world around us.
I never realized how incredible and special the years I spent at CJDS were until after I left, something you will all soon do. CJDS provides a fantastic education, one like no other. It taught me what it means to be Jewish - and how it can be different for each individual. For me, what stood out the most is the value of Tikun Olam - repairing the world and extending from that, helping others. CJDS has given you all the abstract, unquantifiable, intangible skills that you will need, and I won’t even bother trying to explain them to you because quite frankly, I still am discovering them for myself. When you look back from my position, and you think to yourself “Where did I learn this?” or “Why do I value this?” chances are, it will be in some way influenced by CJDS.
As my CJDS classmates experienced, you will inevitably grow apart at some point, but you also may and can come back together. In an age of social media and almost everyone having a phone, staying in touch is not difficult - in fact, it has never been easier. Knowing the age you three are at, maybe you need some time to grow apart - but even if/when this happens, just know you will always have each other as your own community, as well as the entirety of the CJDS community, something I still hold very dear to my heart as well.
Just as my seven year at CJDS, these past six years have gone by way too fast. I will admit, I did cry when hugging my teachers this past Monday for my last day of school. But rest assured - this was not a hug goodbye - the people you want to keep close are always one call, one text away. Furthermore, don’t take your time at CJDS and what you do in these next 7 years for granted. Yeah - it’s cliche, but live in the moment and make the most of it because no matter how much you try to slow it down, time will just keep flying by. Taking things day by day has been so important to me, especially given what has occurred over the past 14 months. Nothing has been guaranteed, from my soccer season to college admissions to even my senior year of school - but in taking things day by day, in stride, I feel as if I have made the most of my final year of high school, with the values of resiliency, determination, and hard work that I cultivated at CJDS ever-present in my mind.
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Most of all - never forget the significance of your Judaism, especially now. We are a minority in this world, but we are strong, and we are a community. CJDS taught me to be proud of my Judaism, even when I didn’t look like everyone else in my class. Judaism fosters a culture of acceptance, something I will never lose sight of. Always be proud of your Jewish roots - never let anyone tell you otherwise. I am biracial, half Chinese, half Caucasian, but at the foundation of who I am as a person, is the values I have learned from Judaism, something I will forever take pride in.
Once again, congratulations on your graduation. I know you have all worked diligently over the past six years towards this moment.
As you leave this incredibly special school, never lose sight of your Jewish roots, no matter what path you take in life. They will guide and support you through anything and everything.
Oh, and one last thing - as someone who forgot to thank their mom in their Bar Mitzvah speech the last time around I wrote something like this - don’t ever make my mistake - never forget to thank you parents.
I lied one more thing - don’t be afraid to be yourself, no matter what form that comes in. I truly cannot wait to see what you three do next.
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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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During the final week of school, third graders completed Parashat Vayera in Humash. They celebrated their accomplishment with a “spa” experience using genuine Dead Sea mud treatments—tying in with the story of the Destruction of S’dom.
The third graders were so intrigued with the reputed medicinal properties of the salts left behind at the Dead Sea, that Yehudit promised students she would investigate further with some packets she had brought back from a previous visit to Israel.
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Fifth Grade Campus Camp Out |
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Fifth grade students reached their recent goal of speaking only Hebrew for 2000 minutes רק עברית עם מר אתגר and were rewarded by their teacher Eran Rosenberg with a special Mar Etgar overnight camp out.
Students came in the evening and worked as a team to pitch their tents in the butterfly garden.
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They watched an Israeli movie "Igor and the Cranes' Journey,” enjoyed a special surprise (Graeter's ice cream), gazed at the full moon over the pond and listened to a scary ghost story.
In the morning, they visited Starbucks to celebrate their overall success of speaking 3565 minutes all year long.
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During the month of May, CJDS Fourth Graders researched an Israeli Inventor and were able to present their research to the whole school, plus a few onsite guests (their parents) during the Fourth Grade Israeli Invention Fair.
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CJDS Alumni Complete Mamshikhim Program |
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Mamshikhim students have successfully completed an advanced Judaic studies program geared to CJDS graduates and students with similar background.
The course led by CJDS Director of Jewish Life and Learning Eran Rosenberg, consisted of 15 meetings and included conversational Hebrew, Parashat Shavu’a, Humash and Pirkei Avot.
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First graders took a poetry walk around the pond, collecting sensory words from nature. |
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During the final weeks of school, fifth graders created an Explosion/Memory Book in art class highlighting their time at CJDS. They personalized their own booklets with pictures and notes to each other. |
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Fourth graders got to meet the author of Fish In Tree, Lynda Mullaly Hunt for a virtual Author visit! Everyone got to ask her questions and hear her incredibly thoughtful answers.
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Second graders creeking during science and netted a crayfish! |
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Water Day during PE to celebrate the last week of school! |
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Dr. Ecker (Father to 2nd Grade Teacher Julie Ecker), stopped by CJDS to teach second grade students about the digestive system. |
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Mazel Tov to CJDS alum Ma'ayan Cohen (CJDS class of 2020) on her upcoming Bat Mitzvah.
Mazel Tov to CJDS alumni students Ethan Silverstein and Seth Silverstein on their Bnai Mitzvah at Agudas Achim.
Mazel Tov to CJDS First Grade Judaics Teacher Ari Friedman on becoming a new Aunt.
Mazel Tov to CJDS 5th Grade Graduates: Rony Amar, Jonah Davis, and Zeke Moses.
Mazel Tov to Grant Nguyen and his Graduating Class on their High School Graduation.
Mazel Tov to our CJDS Alumni who graduated from College this year.
Mazel Tov to the hardworking Faculty, Staff, CJDS Board, Committees, and Task Force for a wonderful 2020-2021 school year.
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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 CJDS Alum, Michael Fishman, David (Julie) Fishman and the Fishman Family on the loss of Marc Harry Fishman.
We extend our condolences to Carol Cohen and family, on the loss of Carol's Uncle, Richard Kallenberg.
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