KOL ECHAD | Weekly Newsletter 

January 30, 2025

1 Sh'vat 5785

Learning Differences Online for Parents and Educators

By Andrea Levine, Learning Specialist

A child is a butterfly in the wind.

Some can fly higher than others,

but each one flies the best it can.

Why compare one against the other?

Each one is different.

Each one is special.

Each one is beautiful.

Beverly Mitchell

More than 2.9 million school-age children in the United States - approximately five percent of the student population - are diagnosed with learning differences. LD OnLine provides educators and families with accurate, reliable information about learning differences so they can obtain the help and support they need. On this site you can find helpful articles, expert interviews, videos, columns by noted experts, and a resource guide. Here are just a few of the resources that are worth a look - even for those without diagnosed learning disabilities: 

• Reading Rockets - This site looks at how young children learn to read, and why so many struggle. The website includes articles and a free online professional development course on reading.
• AdLit (all about adolescent literacy) - This is a multimedia project that provides teachers and families with resources to lift struggling readers and writers in middle school and high school. 
• Start with a Book - This site provides parents free resources to engage tweens and teens with reading, writing, exploring, and building knowledge. There are 24 high-interest topics with hands-on-activities, writing ideas, podcasting, websites, and other resources to enhance learning. The project offers a variety of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) toolkits and activity guides.
• Landmark School - Teachers at this school for children with language-based learning disabilities provide classroom-tested and useful strategies to meet diverse students’ needs. 

For parents, log on to ldonline.org/parents

Shabbat shalom,

Andrea Levine

Learning Specialist

Hebrew Language Day

Important Dates

Friday, January 31

• 2025-26 admission application priority deadline
• 2025-26 tuition assistance application priority deadline (returning families)

Tuesday, February 4

• Gesher parent meeting: Coffee with Coen - 9:00 am, in the library

Wednesday, February 5

• PTO meeting - 8:15 am, in the library

Thursday, February 6

• Rosh Chodesh staff lunch sponsored by Kadima PTO

Monday, February 10

• 4th and 5th grade field trip - Jewish Home for the Aging

Tuesday, February 11

• Snack shack
• 3rd grade parent meeting: Coffee with Coen - 8:15 am, in the library

Thursday, February 13

• Tu BiSh'vat and K-5 Intergenerational Day

Monday, February 17

• Presidents' Day - school closed

Tuesday, February 18

• 5th grade parent meeting: Coffee with Coen - 8:15 am, in the library

Friday, February 21

• 1st grade Siyum HaAmidah and Shabbat program - 1:30 pm, in the beit knesset

Tuesday, February 25

• Snack shack

Thursday, February 27

• PTO Tie-Dye Event - 3:45 pm, on the Kadima yard

Friday, February 28

• 4th grade parent meeting: Coffee with Coen - 8:15 am, in the library

Monday, March 3

• Re-enrollment agreements for returning families are due

Friday, March 7

• 1st and 2nd grade parent meeting: Coffee with Coen - 8:15 am, in the library

Hot Lunch Menu

The new February hot lunch menus are now available. To order hot lunch, please visit: https://www.kadimadayschool.org/hot-lunch 

Parent Meetings: Coffee with Coen

Please join us for the following parent meetings, hosted by our Principal, Rebecca Coen. These are excellent opportunities for parents to share with our principal questions and concerns and to talk about what to look forward to in future years at Kadima. All meeting will be held in the library.

• Tuesday, February 4 - Gesher parents, 9:00 am
• Tuesday, February 11 - 3rd grade parents, 8:15 am (please note date change)
• Tuesday, February 18 - 5th grade parents, 8:15 am
• Friday, February 28 - 4th grade parents, 8:15 am (please note date change)
• Friday, March 7 - 1st and 2nd grade parents, 8:15 am

2025-26 Re-Enrollment

Returning Kadima families will be receiving their 2025-26 re-enrollment contracts starting February 14. You will have two weeks to submit your signed re-enrollment contract to waive the enrollment fee and secure your class spot for the 2025-26 school year.

2025-26 Tuition Assistance Application

Returning Kadima families will be receiving their 2025-26 re-enrollment agreements in February. If you would like to be considered for tuition assistance for the next school year, or if are currently receiving tuition assistance and would like to continue to receive it, please submit a new FAST application. A FAST application is required annually, even if you submitted an application last year.

The priority deadline for returning families is January 31, and we strongly encourage you to apply on time in order to get the maximum award possible.

If you have questions about tuition assistance, please contact Orly Levy: olevy@kadima.co or call (818) 346-0849 ext 322.

Now Accepting 2025-26 Admission Applications

Admission applications are now being accepted for the 2025-26 school year.

Remember, you do not need to reapply annually for admission. Returning students will be receiving their re-enrollment contracts in February.

For priority consideration, please submit admission applications for new Kadima siblings by January 31.

Yom HaZikaron Ceremony Auditions

Sunday, February 2, 9:00 to 10:00 am, IAC Shepher Community Center

A community Yom HaZikaron ceremony will be held at the Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue on Sunday, April 27. Organizers will be holding an audition for children who are fluent in reading Hebrew, as well as talented singers and musicians, on Sunday, February 2, at the IAC Shepher Community Center, from 9:00 to 10:00 am. This is a very meaningful ceremony, and it is an honor to take part in it. All talented Kadima students are invited to audition.

PTO Meeting

Wednesday, February 5, 8:15 am, in the library

Join the Kadima PTO for their next meeting on Wednesday, February 5, at 8:15 am in the library. Light refreshments will be served. We will be discussing all our upcoming events and activities. We look forward to seeing all the parents at the meeting. Reminder, room parents should strive to attend each PTO meeting.

Siyum HaAmidah and Shabbat Program

Friday, February 21, 1:30-2:15 pm, in the Beit Knesset

First grade parents, you are cordially invited to attend our first grade Siyum HaAmidah and Shabbat program on Friday, February 21, from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, in the beit knesset. This is a special and significant milestone in your children's Judaic Studies learning, and we want you to be a part of this joyous occasion.

Kadima PTO Tie-Dye Event

Thursday, February 27, 3:45 to 5:30 pm

Let’s get together on Thursday, February 27, and have some fun making tie-dye Kadima swag that your kids will love to wear. Purchase your Kadima t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants now. Purchase includes dye, gloves, rubber bands, and bags to take your creations home in. This is a pre-order only event. Order by January 31! Pizza and snacks will be available for purchase during the event.

Camp Ramah Virtual Info Session

Thursday, January 30, 5:30 pm

Camp Ramah is also offering a virtual info session on Thursday, January 30, at 5:30 pm. Hop on to meet some of our year round staff, and learn about the activities and adventures that come with a summer in Ojai! Both prospective campers and parents are welcome. Zoom link will be sent upon RSVP. To RSVP, please email michal@ramah.org.

Camp Ramah Tour

Sunday, February 2, 11:00 am

Camp Ramah will be offering a one-hour tour of their beautiful camp, nestled in the hills of Ojai, on Sunday, February 2, at 11:00 am. Parents and younger siblings will tour with camp leadership, while camper-age kids will tour with our madrichim (camp counselors). There will be plenty of time to see the property, ask all your questions, and even have our famous Camp Ramah chocolate chip muffins! This is such a great opportunity for prospective and first-time families to see camp and meet our team. Click on the button below to RSVP.

Fire Relief Loans

As the devastating wildfires continue to impact our Los Angeles community, Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) is here to provide critical financial support to those in need. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this disaster, and we stand ready to help you in this time of crisis.

JFLA offers zero-interest, zero-fee emergency loans of up to $15,000 to eligible applicants. 

These loans can be used for essential expenses such as:

• Temporary housing/hotel stays
• Food
• Clothing
• Medical expenses and medication
• Transportation and vehicle replacement
• Other emergency expenses

Don't have a guarantor?

We understand that not everyone has access to a guarantor. That is why we are also offering a limited number of loans without guarantors of up to $2,000 to people affected by the wildfires. These will go out on a first-come first-serve basis.

Apply now.

The application process is simple and straightforward. Our team is standing by to process your request as quickly as possible. You are not alone in this challenging time – JFLA is here to support you. Apply for an emergency loan now

Are you in a position to help?

If you are in a position to do so, please consider making a donation to JFLA to help sustain our emergency loan fund. Your generosity will enable us to provide more emergency loans to individuals and families impacted by the wildfires. Every contribution makes a difference. Every gift has the power to help a neighbor in need. Donate

In the face of this crisis, let's come together as a community to support one another. JFLA's mission has always been to provide help and hope to those who need it most, regardless of background or faith. If you or someone you know has been affected by the wildfires, please reach out to us today.

With compassion and solidarity,

Rachel Grose, Executive Director

Parashat Bo

By Dr. Steven Lorch, Head of School

#10 - After Moshe tells Pharaoh that the eighth plague, locusts, is coming, Pharaoh's servants tell him to grant Moshe his wish. They add, "Don't you know yet that Egypt is being destroyed?" (Sh'mot 10, 7) How do they know this, and why doesn't Pharaoh also know it?

#9 - Darkness (the ninth plague) was "thick enough to be touched" (10, 21). Does the Torah mean this literally? If so, what was in the air that caused the darkness and could be touched? Why didn't the Egyptians simply light candles or make fires?

#8 - The Torah refers to the month in which the exodus will take place as "החודש הזה (this month)" (12, 2). Why isn't the name of the month mentioned?

#7 - Thus far in the Torah, the Jewish people are always called בני ישראל (the children of Israel). At the beginning of the tenth plague (12, 3), they are called עדת ישראל (the community of Israel). Why this new name? Why now?

#6 - The Jews mark their homes by putting blood on the doorposts (12, 22). Do they put the blood on the outside of the doorposts, or on the inside? Explain.

#5 - The Pesach lamb is to be eaten quickly - with their shoes on their feet, their walking sticks in their hands, and their belts fastened (12, 11). But then, if there are any leftovers, they have to burn them (12, 10). Why are the leftovers important enough to delay their departure?

#4 - The Torah says that God will pass through Egypt and strike their firstborn with the plague, but won't permit the Angel of Destruction to enter the Jewish houses and strike them (12, 23). Who actually kills the Egyptian firstborn - God, or the Angel of Destruction?

#3 - Many small children, babies, and animals are killed in the tenth plague (12, 29). Does God do the right thing to kill them all? Explain.

#2 - Pharaoh and his servants and all of Egypt wake up at night and find that the firstborn have died (12, 30). How do they know to wake up? What awakens them? 

#1 - The Torah says that, on the day of the exodus, 600,000 Jewish men left Egypt. In addition, there were women, children, and ערב רב (others who apparently weren't Jewish) (12, 37-38). What was the total number of people who left Egypt? How did you calculate the number?