Who says you can’t buy happiness?

Come to the 17th Annual TSGW Banquet. December 4, 2011

Banquet highlights include: Great Food Superior Company An All-Around Great Time

For tickets please call Zev Teichman at 301-962-8003 x2311 Deadline for Journal Ads is this Monday, November 14. Erev Shabbos $”2" Parashas VaYeirah Torah School of Greater Washington November 11, 2011 Licht Bentchen: 4:39 P.M. Volume XVIII, Issue 8 EE..SS..TT..EE..RR.. Erev Shabbos “Torah” Events Report

Thursday, November 17 – Mrs. Evans’ A.M. 1B to the Dear Parents, pet shop on Georgia Ave. Tuesday, November 22 – 1B/1B Chag HaSiddur at Sadly, we open today’s letter with the tragic 9:15. passing of HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, ZT’L the Wednesday, November 23 – End of first trimester. beloved Rosh HaYeshiva of Mir in Thursday, November 24 – Sunday, November 27 Yerushalayim. His Petirah is the latest in a series – Thanksgiving Break of irreplaceable losses of Gedolei Torah in recent Monday, November 28 – Rosh Chodesh Kislev times. HaRav Nosson Tzvi lead the during NOAM (Night Out at Max’s). its unprecedented “growth spurt” over the past two Tuesday, November 29 – 1G/1G Chag HaSiddur at decades. Born in Chicago, he represented the 9:15. “once-believed-unattainable” hope of our great Wednesday, November 30 – post-Holocaust Torah leaders that this country  10:00-Mrs. Evans’ A.M. 1B program – “All About Us.” could develop Talmidei Chachamim who would  2:00-Mrs. Evans’ P.M. 1B program – “All About Us.” become our guides and role models. His universal Sunday, December 4 – 17th Annual TSGW Dinner. warmth, Ahavas Yisrael, and Ahavas HaTorah (aside from his pedagogy and scholarship) were unrivaled. In fact, one former Talmid of Mir told me last night that HaRav Nosson Tzvi was like a father to him – a feeling that is truly widespread.

He also exemplified great Mesirus Nefesh in his dedication to his Yeshiva, Torah, and his Talmidim, as he never let his Parkinson’s Disease Project DERECH deter him from any aspect of his responsibilities.

May we VERY soon see the ultimate Geulah and be (Derech Eretz Reflects Effective Chinuch) reunited with all those who we miss and need so dearly. Is Coming Our “Way”

The concept we began on Wednesday is that On the Horizon every human being was created .*8&-! .-7", in the Sunday, November 13 – Image of Hashem. This means that each person has . 5th/6th Shiurim. the innate ability to achieve “G-dliness” - to . 10:15- Samberg’s accomplish great things, with the potential for Chumash skills class for kindness, compassion, graciousness, and fairness. adults. This is the reason why each person deserves to be Monday, November 14 – treated with respect. This, therefore, includes: Library for K-3. Please make sure your children - All men. return books they’ve checked out. - All women. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Nov. - All nationalities. 15, 16, and 17 – Full post-3:30 line-up. - Members of all professions. Wednesday, November 16 – - People with handicaps / disabilities. . Ben Yehuda pizza. Thanks to all of this week’s in- - Vertically challenged people, tall people, house helpers. circumferentially - challenged people, skinny people, . Mrs. Evans’ P.M. 1B to the pet shop on Georgia etc. Ave. - People who are different from us. - Ourselves - we must never put down  Purchase Agudah Scrip. our own abilities. We must also Purchase scrip for any and all of the following recognize that this places a major establishments: Giant, Shoppers, ShopRite, Han Ah responsibility on each person to use Reum, Siena’s, Shalom, Shaul’s, Snider’s, KosherMart, these capabilities properly. Ben Yehuda, and Magruder’s. Please keep in mind that NONE of the above Derech Kadmah Cards costs any of us any money. The Kadmah Card is at the bottom of the Special thanks to Mrs. Elaine Feldman who continues attached Derech Update. This rectangular to coordinate the Box Tops program. She just sent in Kadmah “card” (as in Derech Eretz Kadmah another $255.80 of seemingly worthless cardboard. LaTorah) is for you to sign and/or write anything your K-3 child(ren) does/do (this week) to demonstrate the idea of Tzelem Grandparents Pictures Elokim. for Chanukah We wish a Refuah Shelaimah to: Next Friday, November 18, Cory Myers will  Pinchas Werner, who is recovering from an be here to, once again, take magnificent emergency appendectomy. photos of our kids. These will be mailed to  Rabbi Biberfeld, who is recovering from dental grandparents in time for Chanukah. surgery.  Mrs. Malka, who is recovering from dental surgery.  Rabbi Feldman’s father.

We wish a heartfelt Mazel Tov to Avraham Gottlieb, his parents, Mr. Menachem and Mrs. Miri Gottlieb, and his entire family, upon his becoming a Bar Mitzvah. APB May they continue to be blessed with Simachos. The PTA is looking for volunteers for next Friday, November 18th to help with Today’s Attachments Grandparent's picture day. Pictures will Project Derech Week I Update. be taken in the school library between 9 Classroom Close-ups by Rabbi Yosef Samberg. and 2. If you're available to take a shift Ooroo LaTefillah. or have any questions, please contact Becky Langer SOVEYA newsletter. at 301-681-7190 or [email protected]. Chosen Words. Parshathon details. A Couple of happenings  Universal Middah Focus Cost Free Ways Besides starting Project Derech (see above) this week, we’ve embarked upon two other major Middah to Help Our School programs, both produced by the Chofetz Chaim Heritage  Cut out and send in to school all Foundation. 5B/5G/5G are “into” the daily doses of Box Tops for Education coupons you Shomrei HaLashon, Guarding our Tongues, and 6B/6G will find on myriad products. Each are into the twice weekly lessons of O’na’as Devarim, seemingly worthless piece of avoiding saying things which hurt others. Both projects cardboard is actually worth at least $.10. Thanks to break down these vital Halachos into “small, chewable the diligence of Mrs. Elaine Feldman, over many pieces” with very age-appropriate practical applications. years, this has earned us thousands of dollars. As always, our hope is that we and our Talmidim grow  Send in all Snider’s receipts. Thanks to the in the process of perfecting our Bein Adom LaChaveiro, perseverance of Naomi Schwartz, we have gained a our interpersonal relationships. lot of money from this effortless effort on our parts.  2B/2B/2G went, this week (in two shifts), to Sharp’s at Waterford Farm in Olney. They heard from an “Indian” and a “Pilgrim” about pre- colonial life. They also practiced the chores of these people and got to play their games. Fortunately, the hayride was enjoyed by all – before the rains came. Many thanks to our drivers/chaperones: Becky Langer, Nechama Fajnland, Shlomit Edinger, Chaya Milikowsky, Naomi Mond, and Rivky Krestt.  4B made mobiles to help them with their math “family facts” and published and shared their “ideas trait” writings.  1B/1B, in honor of Veteran’s Day, wrote postcards to soldiers.  1B/1B/1G/1G are really into preparation for their Chag HaSiddur (boys on November 22 and girls on November 29).  We thank Eli Rutstein for sharing his cartography with 1G, 1G, 1B, 1B, and 3B.  Third Grade Girls continue to do a wonderful job as “reading buddies” for our Kindergartners.  2G learned the Seven Noachide Mitzvos through song, illustrated Perek Ches in Parashas Noach, played with dominoes to practice “question words” in Ivrit, and used tic-tac-toe to practice Shoroshim.  5B learned, in Mishnah, about the differences between Adar Rishon and Adar Sheini and between Shabbos and Yom Tov (in terms of Melacha).  6B/G reinforced their skills of interpreting remainders by putting on two skits: “Just Drop It” and “Round Up”.

Have a Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Yitzchak Charner Headmaster

The Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re- Re-Re-Re-Re - Return of the Chai Lifeline/Camp Simcha Parshathon

What is it all about? (via helicopter) if necessary. The happy times enjoyed by these kids play an important role in the Next week, we will start a program healing process. which has become an important mainstay of the Torah School year/curriculum - What makes this camp the Chai Lifeline/Camp Simcha Parshathon. Chai Lifeline is an international, non-profit so SPECIAL? organization which, for the past twenty four In addition to all the above, years, has sponsored worldwide, free, year- Camp Simcha Special made its round programs for children (and their families) debut in the summer of 2001. This with cancer and other life- threatening diseases. is a week devoted to children who have various From medical referrals to insurance support handicaps and disabilities which preclude their services, from emotional support groups to doing so many things other youngsters can. For homebound tutorial programs, from special trips example, they have a pool with a special ramp via to gala holiday festivities, from toy drives to which youngsters, who otherwise would never bone marrow drives, from weekend retreats to have such an experience, “dive” while riding its world renowned Kosher summer camping Special wheelchairs. In fact, two of our former program, Camp Simcha (in memory of Dr. students, Shua Mendlowitz and Ari Byer, have Samuel Abraham), Chai Lifeline services help benefitted from this program. Just ask them or stricken children and their families battle the their parents about this magical “week in the sun”. emotional and practical repercussions of life- threatening illnesses on every conceivable front. What are our kids going In addition, Chai Lifeline makes sure that the siblings of stricken children also get the attention to be learning? they require. It is amazing and inspiring to see Our 3rd-6th Grades will see DVDs showing and learn how every imaginable need of every the efforts of this organization, and they will have family member is addressed. the golden opportunity to contribute to this Chai Lifeline maintains regional offices Tzedakah through the Parshathon. From Parashas throughout the United States, England, and Chayei Sarah through Parashas VaYeishev (a total of . All services, including transportation, are 5 weeks), our boys and girls will be studying provided free of charge. Camp Simcha, their booklets which incorporate Parasha Facts, a flagship activity, provides a wonderful, normal, Lesson for Life, and a story of a Gaddol. Then, on and happy experience for boys and girls who are Monday, December 19, we will administer a (very ill, without making them feel different or out of easy) multiple choice test on all the material that place. Of course, there are full medical facilities has been learned. and the capability of rushing a child to a hospital

How can we all get involved to help?

The kids are asked to get people to sponsor them for their involvement in this learning/Chesed process and, specifically, for their successful completion of the above- mentioned tests. (I recommend very strongly that sponsors be asked to give their donations right away because the kids will certainly do well on the tests. Waiting until afterwards seriously impedes the process of collection.) Each boy and girl in Grades 3-6 will be or has been given and should (hopefully) bring home an envelope/ brochure with all the necessary details and with a sign-up section for donors. Last year, we raised $18,148.60, and we hope we can do even better this time around! We would like to set a minimum goal of $17,000, which can be reached if each 3rd-6th grade student will raise at least $105.00. If each Talmid/Talmidah would bring in $125, we could achieve the “rarifed air” of over $20,000. Nevertheless, any sum that is brought in is more than welcome. The representative of Chai Lifeline, with whom I've been dealing for almost two decades, has been overwhelmed by our continued success, and we were among the honorees at the May, 2001 dinner. In fact, since 2000, our kids have raised over $140,000. Please remember that this is a chance to participate in a tremendous Mitzvah and to learn Torah simultaneously. Please encourage your offspring to get “into it”; we’d like to see 100% participation.

Why Get Involved?

This is a golden opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of youngsters who need our support. The happiness exuded by these kids during their Camp Simcha stay plays a large role in their full recovery. We can make that happen!

November 11, 2011 Classroom Close-Ups Rabbi Yosef Samberg Volume VIII, Issue 5

English poet, William Cowper (1731-1800), coined the proverb, “Variety’s the very spice of life, that gives it all flavor.” We can all testify to the truth of this adage from our very own life experiences. Too much of a good thing done over and over without new insight can become stale and eventually worse, become meaningless. In fact, the prophet, Yeshayahu exhorts the Jewish people to be careful that their service to G-d should not be done by rote. Therefore, we must always try to introspect about things in order to keep our routines fresh and, more importantly, our religious practice invigorating. (I once heard a great idea that illustrates this point. It was suggested that we periodically change Siddurim from which we Daven in order to keep ourselves refreshed when we pray.)

Although daily routines are important for the students, I have found that, if the same style of teaching is always used, the risk of staleness, or, even worse, boredom, creeps into the classroom. Therefore, I try various techniques, especially in Chumash, to spice up the classroom instruction.

The main ingredient when teaching a new Posuk is that, as a class, we read and translate the words of the verse. I read and translate and the entire class repeats. However, while doing that, when appropriate, I will act out the meaning of the word. This accomplishes two things: it adds some excitement, and it allows more modalities to be involved in the learning process, thus helping in retention. Also, by adding a “spoonful” of questions about the text, I encourage and challenge the class to think and expand their minds. Many times, a student will offer a very insightful answer that either is already found in a Chumash commentary, or even better, is a new and novel idea. By adding a “pinch” of various “shticks” that allow for spontaneous student participation, the atmosphere of the class can be charged with a lot of positive energy. To name just a few, when recognizing the Shoresh (root) of a word, shouts of “Shoresh!” will be heard. One of the class favorites is when a Semichut comes up in the Posuk, in unison you will hear, “Semichut Alert, Semichut Alert”. (I have heard from teachers that former students remember the “shtick” and therefore remember the information.)

Sometimes, I will “sprinkle in” the opportunity for a student to become the Rebbe or Morah. When we reach a Posuk that I feel is easy for a student to translate in its entirety, I allow a student to come up to the front and teach the class. Not only does he/she teach the class, he/she decides which classmates will say the Posuk afterwards. Can you imagine the wonderful feeling of confidence this student has when he/she goes back to his/her seat?

A new “dash” of difference I added this year is (learning partner) time. At the beginning of the lesson I write on the board all the Shoroshim, prefixes, suffixes, and various rules that will be needed for that day’s Pesukim. I then group the students into pairs with the goal of having them trying to figure out the Pesukim on their own. It is a pleasure to observe the give and take between the partners and the head-turning to the board, all with one purpose – to learn the Posuk independently.

Oh, how can I forget, “drops” of humor interspersed in the lesson always keep things hopping and enjoyable.

Although I try to offer many varieties in techniques, the goal remains the same: To create a flavor that appeals to everyone, and to create an atmosphere where the class enjoys and is excited about learning. Those feelings of happiness could only lead to the mellifluous sound of children learning Torah that sustains our world. s"xc v¨kh ¦p§T©k UrUg Volume V, Issue 5 November 11, 2011

Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMC – Director p 1-888-8-SOVEYA (876-8392) f 443-379-0665 www.soveya.com [email protected]

Volume 5, Issue 3 6209 Western Run Drive, Baltimore, MD 21209

Copyright © 2011 by Soveya, Inc.

SWITCHH Newsletter (Soveya Wellness Initiative To Create Healthy Habits)

Hunger vs. Appetite – Don’t Get Your Signals Crossed

Torah thought on health and wellness:

The Rambam in Hilchos Deios (4.1) is quite clear: “Keeping. our bodies healthy is a spiritual practice of going in the way of HaShem, for it is impossible to know and understand the will of HaShem if one is sick. Therefore, we must distance ourselves from any activity that will be harmful to our bodies, and we must accustom ourselves to healthy and appropriate conduct.”

The first proper behavior he lists is that we should only All the food we eat is metabolized into glucose and לעולם לא יאכל אדם אלא כשהוא – eat if we are hungry distributed through the blood to fuel, repair and and that we should not eat until our stomachs feel - רעב full, but rather we should stop when we feel 3/4 synthesize the trillions of cells in our body. When we eat the proper foods in the appropriate לא יאכל אדם עד שתתמלא כריסו אלא יפחות כמו – satisfied amounts, we nourish our cells with essential .(4.2) רביע משבעתו nutrients that allow us to survive and thrive. Quite .exists to tell us that our body needs simply, without eating we would die (רעב) Hunger

nourishment, says the Rambam. But it’s not our hunger The hypothalamus, the part of our brain that that tells us to keep on eating after we should stop. It’s monitors glucose levels in our blood, sends a signal our appetite. to the cortex of the brain when our body’s cells are being deprived of fuel. This is the involuntary sensation of hunger. However, our interpretation התאוה – The Ohr Gedalyahu writes that our appetite should not govern our consumption, as much as and response to that feeling of hunger is governed – אכילה we might feel like eating more. Our appetite is a means by a voluntary action called our appetite. toward an end, serving the purpose of giving us pleasure while properly nourishing our bodies. If we use Sometimes our appetite gets creative and confuses it in the inverse, he says, allowing our desire to dictate a variety of feelings unrelated to hunger into a how much we eat and what kind of foods to digest – perceived need for food. The signals in our brain instead of consuming the right type of foods in the get crossed. We eat to alleviate stress or for appropriate amounts that our bodies need for optimal psychological comfort (emotional eating). We eat health – we have truly mistaken the means for the because we’re bored or tired or to reward ends. ourselves when we’re happy. We think we’re hungry when we’re really just striving to satisfy our This is perhaps the greatest battle many of us face – appetite. being unable to distinguish between our hunger and Learning to distinguish between hunger and our appetite. And this conflict, about which our appetite is a key component toward developing a have elucidated over the past millennia, has been healthy relationship with food and fulfilling the identified recently by the scientific community in its Rambam’s dictate of going in the way of HaShem. ongoing battle against the growing epidemic of weight .שבת Good gain and obesity.

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ONE MORE POTATO CHIP Awareness of Obesity-Cancer Link Called “Alarmingly Low” by Bracha Goetz Results from a survey of cancer risk awareness shows that One more potato chip. only about half of Americans realize that carrying excess One more potato chip. body fat places them at significantly higher risk for several cancers. After this, no more will pass between my lips. The survey also reveals that although cancer ranks as the I've got to have it. nation’s #1 health concern, only a small percentage of Americans realize that many cancers are highly preventable. Can't live without it. I will take only one more unnoticeable bit. Experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), who commissioned the survey, expressed concern today that the latest results show body fatness - a major "I'd like a thin slice, please."... cause of cancer - still lagging far behind other known risk "Another small slice please."... factors.

After this one, I surely will feel at ease. “In light of the fact that excess body fat causes over 100,000 cancer cases each year in the US - cases that could be I really need it now. prevented by staying lean - public awareness of the link remains alarmingly low,” said Alice Bender, MS, RD, Nutrition I deeply need it now. Communications Manager for the American Institute for One more scoop. I'll be contented as a cow. Cancer Research. “It’s a message that desperately needs to be heard.”

I'll take one tiny bite. An AICR expert report found convincing evidence that excess O.K., just one more bite. body fat is a cause of 6 different cancers: colorectal, Is there a cure for an insatiable appetite? postmenopausal breast, endometrial, pancreatic, kidney and esophageal.

One chocolate chip cookie. About one-third of the most common cancers could be prevented through diet, physical activity and weight Two chocolate chip cookies. management. I could finish up the box when no one is looking. SOVEYA provides effective solutions for health, wellness & lasting weight loss. Contact us today to find out more. I've got this hunger. It's a strange hunger. When the last piece of cake is gone, it's even stronger! CONGRATULATIONS JERRY!

For finishing the NYC Marathon (beating While gobbling up some food, Then gobbling up more food, your previous time by a whopping 30 minutes) Why, I am in just the most delightful mood. and for raising awareness and support for SWITCHH But when it's over, Oh, when it's over, The emptiness I tried to bury is uncovered.

HaShem, You placed within me This deep spiritual hole. It's not my stomach that was hungry. What was starving was my soul!

Bracha Goetz is the author of 10 children's books, including Aliza in MitzvahLand, What Do You See at Home? and The Invisible Book. To enjoy Bracha's presentations for both women and children, you're welcome to email [email protected].

SWITCHH is a coalition of Jewish Day Schools committed to effecting real and lasting changes toward our approach to eating and nutrition. The Wellness Initiative uses a Torah educational approach combined with practical tools and the latest news and information to inform and empower parents, teachers and students about the obligation to properly care for our bodies by developing and enjoying healthy eating habits. SWITCHH is presented by Soveya, providing nutrition & wellness coaching, educational programs, teleconferences, seminars and newsletters concerning healthy, nutrition, and obesity prevention.

Changing the Jewish World – One Pound at a Time 2