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KOL ECHAD | Weekly Newsletter
November 16, 2023
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Unity As the Antidote
By Esther Rbibo, Director of Student Services
The devastating attack on our beautiful homeland of Israel on October 7th has shaken us. It has called into question the very tenets of humanity while we mourn the loss of so many innocent men, women and children. While we grieve, we are also demanding the return of the 240 hostages that were taken from their homes and from a dance party celebrating life on the holiday of Sukkot.
In the days since, we have also seen something incredible emerge. There is a newfound unity and togetherness. There is a strong sense of community and a prevailing feeling of Am Yisrael Chai - the Jewish people are strong and will continue to endure and thrive. We have seen the many acts of kindness performed, as needs are met for so many displaced from their homes. People have offered everything from food to clothing, medical and psychological aid, comfort
and hugs. Many across the world are praying together, and engaging in more mitzvot to protect the soldiers who are on the front lines.
At Kadima, our students are writing letters to people they have never met to encourage them to keep going through these challenging times. We have had a Challah bake to add merit in the protection of our nation. Many of our community members are getting involved in various ways, sending supplies to people in Israel, participating in walks and rallies, and coming together as a community to gather strength and support.
Psychological research (such as that from the National Institute of Health and the American Psychological Association) has studied what contributes to resilience. In other words, what helps human beings get through tough times. One of the factors that shows up repeatedly is community and social support. The more we can lean on others and the more we can come together as we face challenges, the more likely we are to succeed in overcoming them. As we face what most of us have never encountered before, we lean on each other for strength. Together we can overcome whatever it is that we are experiencing, as unity is the answer.
Encourage your children to be kinder, more patient, more accepting. To invite the child that sits alone to join his/her lunch table, to help a struggling student out with a difficult assignment, to be extra respectful of each other and of their teachers. In this way, we strengthen our community and we strengthen ourselves.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Esther Rbibo
Director of Student Services
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Important Dates
Friday, November 17
- Parent-teacher conferences - no classes (all divisions)
Friday, November 17 - Tuesday, November 21
Wednesday, November 22 - Friday, November 24
- Thanksgiving weekend - school closed
Wednesday, November 29
- Parent education workshop: Childhood Nutrition, with Karin Adoni Ben-David - 8:15 am, in the library
Monday, December 4 - Thursday, December 7
- Book fair, in the auditorium
Tuesday, December 5
- Winter family event - 4:00 to 5:30 pm, at Bowlero
Thursday, December 7
Tuesday, December 12
- Chanukah program, K-8 - 5:30 pm
Thursday, December 14
- ECEC Chanukah program and generations day - 2:00 pm
Monday, December 18 - Tuesday, January 2, 2024
- Winter break - school closed
*For the full school year calendar, please click HERE.
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A Warm Welcome to Our New Students!
The Konyo family just arrived from Israel. Please reach out to our new family and give them a warm and enthusiastic Kadima welcome!
Atay Konyo (7th Grade)
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Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday and Friday, November 16-17
Fall parent-teacher conferences for elementary and middle school, which began today, will continue tomorrow, Friday, November 17. Parent-teacher conferences for the early childhood education center will also be held tomorrow, Friday, November 17.
On Friday, November 17, there will be no classes for all divisions.
Kadima will provide childcare in the library for elementary and middle school parents, and in the ECEC yard for early childhood education center parents, while they attend conferences.
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Lost and Found
Thursday, November 16 - Tuesday, November 21
Our Lost and Found closet is *overflowing* with your children's belongings. We're sure that you value these belongings since you worked very hard to buy them. We need your help to get them back to you!
The items will be on placed in the first floor hallway during parent-teacher conferences. The following Monday and Tuesday the lost and found will be on the big yard.
All items not claimed by Tuesday, November 21, will be donated to the Salvation Army for children in need.
Here are some helpful tips to help you and your child keep track of their belongings throughout the year:
- Label every item with your child's first and last name.
- Remind your child to bring their belongings back to class after recess and lunch.
- Make sure your child knows where the lost and found closet is at school (in the hallway leading to the pool), and instruct them to check it every Friday before coming home.
- Check their backpacks every day to make sure their belongings, such as jackets, lunch boxes, and water bottles, came back home.
- Visit the lost and found closet periodically to locate your lost items.
Thank you for your partnership!
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Report Cards
Friday, November 17, Term 1 Ends
Attention Kadima parents,
First term is ending Friday, November 17, which means report cards will be mailed within the next 2 weeks. Please keep an eye on your mail and make sure your addresses are up-to-date in our system.
If you need to update your mailing address, please call the main office at (818) 346-0849.
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Thanksgiving Turkey and Food Drive
Friday, November 17 - Tuesday, November 21
Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles, SOVA pantry, depends on our generous donations to meet the ongoing hunger crisis in our community. Donations directly benefit the thousands of people who visit the pantries - people of all backgrounds and identities. Please be as generous as you can; the need is great.
Students should have brought home a brown bag to be filled with items for our Thanksgiving turkey and food drive. Please return bags filled with frozen turkeys and/or canned or dry goods to the main office donation bin on Friday, November 17, to the donation bins at drop off/pick-up next week on Monday, November 20, and by 12 pm on Tuesday, November 21.
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Parent Education Workshop: Childhood Nutrition with Karin Adoni Ben-David
Wednesday, November 29, 8:15 am, in the Library
Please join us on Wednesday, November 29, at 8:15 am, in the Kadima library, for our first parent education workshop of the school year with the wonderful and talented Karin Adoni Ben-David, nutritionist and health coach. Karin will be discussing childhood nutrition and will be providing tips and suggestions to make meal time healthy, nutritious, and delicious. The event is free to the Kadima community. Please RSVP to rsilva@kadima.co.
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Winter Family Event
Tuesday, December 5, 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Join the Kadima community on Tuesday, December 5, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm for a fun winter family event at Bowlero, located at 23130 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills.
Enjoy the afternoon with your Kadima friends and family with bowling and arcade games. The cost per child is $30 and includes bowling games, bowling shoe rental, arcade game card, and a Chanukah treat.
Click here or on the flyer to purchase tickets.
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Book Fair Is Back!
Monday-Thursday, December 4-7
Our annual book fair will be held in the auditorium from Monday, December 4, to Thursday, December 7. All classes will have an opportunity to visit the book fair during school hours and create their wish lists. Your children's teachers will also have wish lists on hand in their classrooms if you would like to help enrich the class reading selections.
Volunteers are needed! If you would like to volunteer, please sign up here.
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Thanking the Jewish Federation
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles works to identify and address the greatest challenges and opportunities in Los Angeles, Israel, and around the world. The Federation is steadfast in its commitment to addressing our community’s short- and long-term challenges. They play an essential role in keeping our community connected and strengthening our beloved Jewish LA. Federation also supports Jewish day schools in other ways, including, but not limited to:
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Financial Aid Awards for Jewish day schools and Early Childhood Centers, for families in need. This strategy strives to ensure that families with young children will be able to participate in Jewish life and build a foundation for future Jewish engagement.
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The Community Security Initiative (CSI) partners with local, state, and federal agencies to assure the safety and security of all Jewish institutions in greater Los Angeles. CSI provides site assessments and emergency and disaster training.
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Partnerships with the Builders of Jewish Education (BJE) promote professional development for our educators and gain access to government benefits and capacity building.
We encourage you to connect with the Jewish Federation to learn more about future opportunities for engagement for you and your entire family. To begin receiving Federation communications, go to the bottom of the homepage of www.jewishla.org, and look for “Join Our Mailing List.”
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Ramah Fun Day for 2nd-5th Grade Families!
Sunday, November 19
Camp Ramah is putting on a “Fun Day” at an LA Valley location (exact details will be shared upon RSVP) for current and prospective families this Sunday, November 19, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm.
Ramah will be also hosting a few other Fun Days just like this one in the coming months and in different locations. If you would like to join, please click here to RSVP.
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How To Talk To Your Kids About The War in Israel
Wednesday, December 6
JKidLA and Builders of Jewish Education invite parents to join a discussion on "How to Talk to your Kids About the War in Israel" with Sivan Zakai, Ph.D., author of "My Second Favorite Country: How American Jewish Children Think about Israel" and the Sara S. Lee Associate Professor of Jewish Education at HUC-JIR/Los Angeles.
Please click here to register. You will be sent a Zoom link the day before event.
Please contact rachel@jkidla.org with any questions.
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Kol Tikvah Temple Chanukah Community Celebration
Friday, December 8
Join the Kol Tikvah Community for latkes, donuts, and fun! Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 8, with a special Chanukah Shabbat Service, featuring the Kol Tikvah house band, Kol Play! Bring your family chanukiah and candles for our community candle lighting. The celebration continues after services with a latke dinner, Chanukah crafts & activities, and donuts! RSVP is required for dinner, please click here to RSVP.
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Kadima Spirit Wear - Sweatshirts Are Here!
Kadima sweatshirts are now available for purchase. Kadima PTO is now selling both pullover hoodies and zipper hoodies for both kids and adults. Wearing Kadima spirit wear raises our school pride, promotes community spirit, and provides students with a sense of unity!
Click here to purchase Kadima shirts and sweatshirts in various colors and styles. All proceeds benefit the Kadima PTO.
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Top 10 Conversation Starters: Parashat Toldot
By Dr. Steven Lorch
By Dr. Steven Lorch
#10 - When Yitzchak and Rivkah want a baby but Rivkah can't become pregnant, the Torah reports that Yitzchak prays for her, and God answers his prayer (B'reshit 25, 21). Do you think that Rivkah prays too? Why does God answer him and not her?
#9 - During Rivkah's pregnancy, when she feels struggling going on inside her (25, 22), what does Rivkah think is going on?
#8 - This time, she goes to speak to God and ask him, but Yitzchak doesn't (25, 22). Did she tell Yitzchak what she was feeling? If so, why doesn't he speak to God too? If not, why didn't she tell him?
#7 - God answers that she's pregnant with twins, that each will be the leader of a nation, that they will fight with each other, and that the older one will serve the younger one (25, 23). If you were Rivkah, would you tell any of this to Yitzchak? Would you tell all of it to him? Why, or why not?
#6 - Ya'akov loves Esav more because Esav is a hunter, and Ya'akov likes the meat Esav prepares for him. Rivkah loves Ya'akov better, but no reason is given (25, 28). Why not?
#5 - Esav is the older child, but he considers the birthright worthless and sells it for some lentil stew. But Ya'akov really wants the birthright (25, 31-33). Why doesn't Esav care about it, and why does Ya'akov care so much?
#4 - When Rivkah tells Ya'akov to trick Yitzchak by pretending to be Esav, Ya'akov objects, saying that Yitzchak will find out and will punish him (27, 11-12). Is that the only reason Ya'akov should object? If not, what are some other objections? Why does he mention only that one?
#3 - Rivkah isn't worried that her plan won't work (27, 13). Why not?
#2 - When Yitzchak blesses Ya'akov, he blesses him with טל השמים ושמני הארץ (the dew of heaven and the fat of the earth - 27, 28). Why does he bless him with dew and not rain? Will the ground be fat? If not, what does "the fat of the earth" mean?
#1 - The blessing also includes that his brother will serve him and bow down to him, and that those who bless him will be blessed (27, 29). Was it worth it for Ya'akov to trick his father and lie to him in order to get this b'rachah? Why, or why not?
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