CJDS November Newsletter

Ma Koreh?

What’s Happening?

November Newsletter

November 4, 2022 / 10 Heshvan 5783

This month's issue features:

D'var Kesher from Rabbi Morris Allen
We are Turning 25 - Celebrate With Us!
Tickets on Sale Now
Highlights this Month
CJDS in the News
Photo Highlights
Throwback of Alumni Spotlight Students
Turn Back Your Clocks
Community Milestones

A Message from Rabbi Allen

Greetings!

As a child, I used to love to look at a book on my parents' coffee table by Khalil Gibran-entitled The Prophet. As a child my imagination was piqued not so much for the words, but rather for the leather cover with a golden snap that had to be undone in order to open it up. It was a book that my father had given to my mother shortly after the birth of my oldest brother in 1946. Only years later did I come to understand why my father gave this to my mother as a gift. Inside the book itself was a poem "On Children" that Gibran wrote:

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

We may know this poem to be true, but as parents we are not willing to give up on our dreams for our children. We want them to be exemplars of humanity, committed Jews and caring human beings. And we know that at some point, we can not ensure that to be the outcome without finding partners and allies in our work. For that reason we seek out a school like CJDS so that the teachers themselves become the means by which our child's values, their visions and their beliefs as Jews are co-created in their everyday life. Providing a foundational education for our students means that they see themselves as vitally important in the unfolding narrative of the Jewish people. They come to understand that our vision of Judaism, of being a religion and a people which values religious authenticity, human dignity, and intellectual curiosity is not only possible--it is what they are learning each and every day.

This Shabbat in shul's across the Jewish world, Parshat Lekh Lekha will be read from the Torah. In it, Avraham and Sarah are called to begin a journey to a land that God will show them. That promised land is both an actual piece of real estate and a metaphoric place that each of us must find. Standing with our children this past Tuesday at the Brit of our grandson, 4 grandparents had tears in their eyes as this baby ritually entered into the Jewish people and a new journey, begun long ago by the Original Avraham and Sarah, thus commenced. The four of us understood the power of the Gibran poem without having it read to us. And we understood that what brought us to this shared point of joy and awe were the partners we had sought out in educating our own children.

The Columbus Jewish community is blessed with many Jewish institutions of value. None are more important than the Jewish schools that provide a compelling vision for the next generation of Columbus Jewry. The vision of CJDS and the means by which it makes that vision achievable is something for us to cherish. Just as we mark the beginning of our peoples journey this week in Torah, so too must we re-commit ourselves to ensuring that our children and grandchildren are going to be able to experience the authentic transmission of tradition that defines the CJDS community.

Rabbi Morris Allen

Transitional Head of School

We are Turning 25 - Celebrate With Us!

Sunday, November 27th:

Alumni Event - hosted by CJDS Teachers (past & present): Eran Rosenberg, Kristina Palma, Ali Greenland, Annelyn Baron, Katie Feldstein, and Dr. Gina Freeman.

Make sure to join our Facebook Alumni Group to hear all updates about this upcoming Alumni Event

RSVP Requested - Please email Ms. Amanda Chernyak if you would like to attend this tzedakah Alumni Event on Sunday, November 27 from 11am-1pm. A Kosher, dairy lunch will be provided.

This event is open to alumni only (parents do not need to stay). For alumni - students 6th grade and up only please.

RSVP to the Alumni Event Here

CJDS is turning 25 and we are celebrating all year long!

Sunday, November 6: CJDS has partnered with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus! We will be co-hosting a film at the Jewish Film Festival. Join us on November 6th at the Drexel from 11am-1pm for a special viewing of "The Abraham Joshua Heschel Story." Tickets are available for purchase here.

Sunday, April 23, 2023: Help us celebrate our 25th Anniversary of the school opening. All details forthcoming.

THIS SUNDAY!

Purchase Tickets Here

Photo Highlights

1st graders realized that there are nine colors that have the new Hebrew vowel they are learning (holam maleh)! They used big crayon signs with the Hebrew color words to help them accurately color in a page.

During 4th & 5th grade classroom Kabbalat Shabbat, Va'adat Shabbat (Shabbat Committee) planned a very creative activity for Parashat Bereshit. The members of Va'adat Shabbat served as judges while the rest of the students and the teachers worked in pairs to introduce one of the days of Creation and argue that their day is the most important.

Our Judaic Studies Teachers continued their work this week with Coach Judith Shapero as part of the Jewish Day School Standards & Benchmark project.

Kindergarteners created Shabbat Candlesticks from classroom supplies!

These warmer Fall days have been perfect weather for fishing at the CJDS pond. This group caught 30+ fish!

Last weekend, CJDS families met up for a play date at Pigeon Roost Farm. Our Parent Organization Kesher organized this fun get together open to all CJDS families!

Highlights this Month

Third grade students had a FIRST this month: they led School Tefillah for the first time. They did an amazing job. Kol Hakavod Kitah Gimel.

"Watching our 3rd graders serve as Shlichei Tzibur-service leaders-for the 3-5th grade Tefilah, I was reminded that finding your place in the world begins by finding your place inside a family and a community--and for us--a people. To see a 3rd grader carry the Sefer Torah with a broad smile on their face is to know that what we are doing here today, will positively impact the Jewish people and the world around us in the years to come."-Rabbi Allen

Last week's Parashat Shavu'a was Noah, which tells the story of the Tower of Babel. Fourth grade students played the game "Migdal Bavel" where, similar to the people in the Torah, they tried to build a migdal (tower) that reaches the heavens. How many layers would they build until God decides this is not a great idea? Why did they want to build a tower? Why didn't God let them complete the project? Ask a CJDS fourth grader! They will share their ideas with you.

CJDS second graders started their Integrated maps of the second grade suite.

Students will be adding lots more to them in the coming weeks!

In art class, Kindergarten students have been learning about warm and cool colors, patterns and symmetry. Students read Swimmy by Leo Lionni and discussed how teamwork helps us be smarter, braver, and stronger. Next, students will stuff and decorate their fish. We can't wait to hang them up so they can swim together!

CJDS in the News

Meet the CJDS Student Support Team

Rachel Feldman

CJDS Learning Specialist

Rachel is the learning Specialist and Student Support Coordinator at CJDS. Rachel grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and received her Bachelors from the University of Georgia in Early Childhood Education. After completing her undergrad, Rachel went on to earn her Masters in Reading with a Reading Specialist Certification from Columbia University – Teachers College. Rachel worked as an educator in New York City for five years, and her first job was teaching Kindergarten. She went on to become a Reading Specialist for grades 1-5 at a charter school in Brooklyn, New York.

Rachel is trained in many reading programs including - Orton and Gillingham and Reading Rescue. Rachel works with students who have evaluations or IEPS and students who are English Language Learners who need help in different academic areas. This is Rachel’s 3rd year at CJDS. She loves being a part of the CJDS community! If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child, please feel free to reach out to me. My email is rfeldman@cjds.org

Jennifer Swetnam

M.A. CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist

Jennifer Swetnam is a Speech/Language Pathologist with Northrup and Associates. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from The Ohio State University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Akron. She holds a license from the Ohio Board of Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology and the Ohio Board of Education. Jennifer also has a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Prior to working at Northrup and Associates, Jennifer worked at Bridgeway Academy with students on the autism spectrum. Jennifer provides screenings, evaluations and treatment for all areas of communication: articulation, receptive and expressive language, language processing, voice, fluency, and pragmatic/social skills. Jennifer is passionate about teaching speech and language skills, particularly social language, and enjoys finding fun and creative ways to teach her students. She has been with CJDS since August 2018 and enjoys being a part of the community. She is at CJDS on Tuesdays but can be reached by email at jls@northrupslps.com for any concerns or questions.

Dr. Brent Bloomster

Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Dr. Brent Bloomster, a Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, has been working closely with CJDS students and supporting our staff and faculty since 2014. Across his extensive career of over 40 years in the behavioral health field, he has worked with both children and adults in various settings, including in both public and private schools (covering grades K through 12), community mental health agencies, a residential treatment center (for children and adolescents), and a community-based corrections facility. Brent holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education with Doctoral Equivalence in Psychology from The Ohio State University, a Master’s Degree of Education in Counselor Education from Temple University, and a B.A. in Psychology from Taylor University.

“Dr. B,” as he is affectionately known to CJDS students and teachers, delights in seeing the investment that goes into each student’s education at CJDS and supporting staff in their efforts to educate the whole child. Drawing on a variety of areas of training, Brent works with CJDS students individually, in small groups and in whole classes, in addition to consulting with faculty one-on-one and in small groups. He has a love of humor, adventure, outdoors, travel, nature, wildlife, bicycling, and camping. He enjoys basketball and tennis, board games, and singing. Originally not fond of heights and water, he turned this around and has participated in rappelling, high ropes courses, and whitewater canoeing. Married for over three decades, he is a parent of three young adults and now a grandparent of 3 young children!

Throwback to our

Alumni Spotlight Students over the Years!

Are you a CJDS alum who recently graduated high school or college? We want to know your next steps! We want to hear about your professional accomplishments, and how CJDS has impacted your educational and Jewish journey. We want to FEATURE YOU in our next newsletter! Reach out to our Alumni Coordinator here. We want to hear from you!

Turn Back Your Clocks

Friendly Reminder: Don't forget to turn your clocks back an hour!

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 2:00 A.M.

On Saturday night, set your clock back one hour to “fall back."

Community Milestones

Mazel Tov

Mazel Tov to Jonah Davis, (CJDS 6th grade Class of 2021), as recently celebrated his Bar Mitzvah!

Mazel Tov to Avi Allen and Sarah Gold on the birth of a new baby boy, Carmi Gold Allen כרמי זהב (Carmi Zahav) born on Tuesday, October 25th! Mazel Tov to Proud Grandparents, Rabbi Morris Allen and Dr. Phyllis Gorin and Tobi and Ken Gold.

Mazel Tov to Rachel Bloomekatz (CJDS Parent of Seth, Second Grade) on receiving the Fran Wasserstrom Board Member of the Year award.

Mazel Tov to Sam and Gigi Fried on the birth of a new grandchild.

Make a Donation in Honor of a Community Member!

Mi Sh'Berach

We wish a full and speedy recovery to Caleb Moses, class of 2020

We extend our prayers to any family in our community who may be impacted by coronavirus.

Zichronam Livracha (May Their Memory Be a Blessing)

We extend our condolences to the Yastrow and Friedberg family on the passing of Sybil Yastrow. Grandmother of Nurit (Aaron) Friedberg, Great-Grandmother of CJDS students Adina and Zalman Friedberg.

We extend our condolences to the Bassik Family on the passing of Moses Weitzman, Father of Judith Miriam Bassik (Alan) and Grandfather of Benjamin and Eva Bassik (CJDS alumni students).

Community Events

The best young Jewish professionals holiday party is here!

Join Young JewishColumbus for the 2022 Mazel Bash at the East Market on December 17, from 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm. This year we are going with the hip theme of “Black and White”, so make sure to dress in your sleekest black and/or white outfit to this incredible event. There will be tasty Chanukah desserts, and incredible raffle prizes! This is the can’t-miss young professionals’ event of the season.