TBT Religious School Newsletter

Hello Parents!

"If gratitude is something you'd like more of in your life, today, each time you feel happy about anything, take a moment to intentionally, really let it sink in. Just long enough to really feel it. This is how gratitude grows." --Tamara Levitt

Gratitude in Hebrew: Modah Ani (for females) Modeh Ani (for males)

Modah Ani for our observance of Yom Hazikaron and immediate celebration of Yom Haatzmaut last Thursday. Your children learned the meaning and observance of Yom Hazikaron with our 30 seconds of silence.

We began our celebration with Israeli dancing, and then learned:

about the Western Wall and left "prayers"
the physical geography of Israel
what the meaning is and created beautiful Mogen David
about the Dead Sea - what objects would sink or float? Ask them!

Of course, they had Israeli snacks to tantalize their tastebuds....

See the pictures below!

This week's Parasha: Emor

https://reformjudaism.org/learning/torah-study/torah-commentary/emor-tweens

Emor provides details about the lives of the priests and their families.

In the seventh aliyah the penalty for hurting or killing another person or an animal are described.

…fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The injury inflicted on another shall be inflicted in return. (24:20)

The Torah depicts parents fighting about children, leaders making poor choices, brother fighting with brother, people stealing, people cheating, reticent leaders and acts of violence. Much like the parent who was instructed to bring a recalcitrant child to the village square to be stoned to death, the concept of an eye for an eye (also described in Exodus 21:13 and Deuteronomy 19:21) is a punishment for which there is no record of it ever being carried out in the precise manner described in the text. As interpreted by the Sages, Torah is to be taken seriously but not literally.

The lesson from this retributive, retaliatory verse is that we are to show restraint even when we have the right to act with vengeance. As Mahatma Gandhi is often quoted as saying "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and the whole world would soon be blind and toothless. "An eye for an eye may be fair, but it is not just. It is justice that we should pursue with the awareness that this pursuit is Archemedian; we can approach justice, but not overtake it."

My experience as a parent is that being a parent is really hard work. Some days are "smooth sailing" while others feel like a rollercoaster ride! So, how are your children feeling and expressing themselves? How do you guide your children in recognizing the tipping point of their behavior? Do two wrongs really make a right? I don't have the answers, simply the invitation to discuss this with your children!

It is incredible to me that our last day of school is around the corner! Where did the time fly?

Remember to join us this weekend for Rabbi Beal's installation! (registration link is in the calendar section below) This is the definition of our school year theme: Kehillah; being in community together!

Yom Haatzmaut,

All enjoy Israeli dancing and celebration along with learning and bit of silliness too!

In recognition of how hard our Religious School teachers work to give your children a wonderful and meaningful learning experience, the Religious School Committee would like to ask you to consider contributing $10/student, or whatever amount you are comfortable with, towards an "end-of-year" gift for your child's teacher.

Please send the money no later than Thursday, May 11th via VENMO to Jamie Egan @Jamie-Egan-Decor using the link below or by scanning the QR code below. You can also look up Jamie on VENMO with the last four digits of her phone number (3148).

***Make sure to label your payment “TBT teacher gift” PLUS your child(ren)'s name and grade. For example: TBT teacher gift, William Egan, grade 8

If you wish, you can also drop off the money to Marie in the Temple office by May 11th in an envelope labeled with your child(ren)’s name(s) and grade(s). Cash only please.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Jamie Egan's Venmo Link: Venmo profile