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The Time Sensitive ESTER As of 2:00 P.M. today, there are 23 days left (557 hours or 33, 420 minutes) in the countdown to TSGW Chinese Auction #8. We really need ya’ll to be there with at least 3 people who are not Torah School parents of Board members. Remember: £ This is our 2nd largest fundraiser. £ It is an enjoyable evening out. £ There are 0 speeches. Please see the attached flyer for volunteer opportunities. ______More Time Related Stuff Wednesday, Feb. 9 – MD Science Center visits us. Thursday, Feb. 10 – End of second marking period. Tuesday, Feb. 15 – 9 P.M. Berachos Bowl for 1st-3rd. 9 Sign-up for Parent/Teacher Conferences will be up and running online at 2:30 P.M. Details to follow. Wednesday, Feb. 16 – A.M. Berachos Bees for 3G-6G and 3B-6B. Thursday, Feb. 17 – Project Ascent once again visits 5B and 5G. Friday, Feb. 18 – Read to Succeed forms are due. Sunday, Feb. 20 – Erev President’s Day – No Shiurim. Monday, Feb. 21 – President’s Day – No School. Tuesday, Feb. 22 – Report Cards for 1st-6th will be sent home, G-d willing. Wednesday, Feb. 23 – 9 2:00 P.M. Dismissal. 9 No P.M. Day Care. 9 Evening Conferences for K-6. Thursday, Feb. 24 – 10:00 Opening. Day Care starts at 8:30 – 2nd-6th shoul d Daven at home. Sunday, Feb. 27 – 8th Annual Chinese Auction at Beth Sholom at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, March 6 – Girls’ Choir at Ring House at 10:30 A.M. Our young ladies should arrive by 10:15 dressed in: 9 Blue uniform skirts. 9 White Button-Down Blouses 9 Shabbos shoes.

Erev Shabbos $”2" Parashas Terumah Torah School of Greater Washington February 4, 2011 Torah School of Greater Washington Licht Bentchen: 5:15 P.M. Volume XVII, Issue 20 EE..SS..TT..EE..RR..

Erev Shabbos “Torah” Events Report

a bunch of friends, acquaintances, neighbors, Dear Parents, Mahjong partners, golf partners, etc. Thank G-d, we dodged a few frozen bullets, We really hope to see you (and your thereby precipitating a full week of school. We are group) at this event. Be prepared to have a especially grateful that we were finally able to super time, to hear no speeches, to spend have our postponed Chag HaChumash. Our First money, and to (possibly) win outstanding Graders celebrated this entrée into textual prizes. Our website, Torah in grand fashion. We thank Rabbi Ari www.torahschool.org/auction, will continue to Koretzky for sharing with our youngsters the accept orders until midnight on Mo’tza’ei infinite pricelessness of Torah and the privilege of Shabbos, February 26. Please tell friends and receiving their first Chumashim. (The boys and family to visit the website if they are unable to girls were thrilled to receive their Torah School attend the auction in person. “edition” of Parashas Bereishees which was

printed in memory of my parents, Z’L, who dedicated their lives to teaching Torah.) After each APB child was handed his/her own , all the Our very dedicated kids treated us to a recitation and translation of Auction Committee troika Possuk Alef in Bereishees. Upon the return to (Jessica Eizenstat, Elana classrooms, there were a series of beautiful Garfield, and Melissa Miller) activities and treats for our budding scholars. One really, really need volunteers to project was learning about and practicing the help shlep prizes from school to trade of a scribe. Each youngster was given a real Beth Shalom on Thursday morning, February 24. piece of parchment, a quill, and ink used for Sifrei To join the multitudes (of which we presently Kodesh, in order to write the first letters of their have none), please call Zev Teichman at 301- names in Hebrew. Many thanks to Rabbi Malka 962-8003, x2311. for his interactive presentation and for supplying the parchment, quill, and ink. We owe a great debt of Hakaras HaTov to Rabbi Feldman, Mrs. Soon to Be Here

Mendlowitz, and to all of you for the Hislahavus th th evident in our youngsters. May the sweetness Sunday, February 6 – 5 /6 and excitement of Torah always be “tasted” and Shiurim. felt by these wonderful children, and may we all Monday, February 7 – Author Carolyn Reeder see continued Nachas Shel Torah from them. visits Grades 3-6. Many thanks to Lisa Solomson Wouldn’t it be amazing if all of us had the same for the arrangements. sparkle in our eyes for each Possuk in Torah?! Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, February 8, 9, 10 – Full post 3:30 schedule, including final Yoga As you may have noticed in recent class of first session. A flyer to sign up for the next ESTERs and from your home mailbox contents, session will be coming home soon. we have a major fundraising event coming up. Wednesday, February 9 – It’s our Eighth Annual Chinese Auction at 7:00 Ben Yehuda Pizza. P.M. on Sunday, February 27 at Beth Sholom. MD Science Center pays its annual visit. It’s also possible that you’ve heard that we really Thursday, February 10 – End of second need your attendance and your shlepping along trimester. Tuesday, February 15 – 1st-3rd Berachos Bowl in P.M. Wednesday, February 16 – 3B-6B and 3G-6G Berachos Bees in the A.M. Thursday, February 17 – Project Ascent comes We wish a heartfelt Mazel Tov to: again for 5B/5G. ☺ Eric and Caroline Namrow, upon their being Sunday, February 27 – honored at Wednesday’s of Silver Spring dinner. Eighth Annual TSGW ☺ Adina Werbin, a TSGW graduate, who is being Chinese Auction. honored at Wednesday’s Chabad of Silver Spring dinner. ☺ The Milikowsky family, upon the engagement of Rosh Chodesh Treats Tovi to Chaim Hertz. Today is Day I of Rosh Chodesh Adar I, and we May they continue to blessed with Simachos. thank Sharon Graff for facilitating, Rachelle Ferneau for her wonderful “snickerdoodles”, and Kindergarten Aleph- the following for sponsoring Rosh Chodesh treats: 1. The Lichtenstein Family, to wish Mazel Tov to Bais Siyumim Rivka Tehilla on receiving her Chumash and to Our Kindergartners are Esther Malka on her 6th birthday! approaching the achievement of a 2. The Robinson Family, Mommy, Daddy, significant milestone – completing Johanna, Yaakov, and Talia in honor of Moshe the study of all Aleph-Bais letters. increasing their simcha in Adar for six years! Their celebratory Siyumim are scheduled as 3. The Schwechter Family, in honor of Sarit’s follows birthday and her brother Elisha’s upcoming ›Tuesday, March 1 – Morah Rachel’s A.M. class. . › Wednesday, March 2 – Morah Rochel’s P.M. 4. The Solomson Family, in honor of Noach class. Shmuel’s 11th birthday. › Thursday, March 3 – Morah Chani’s class. All will take place at 9:20 on their respective Parshathon Update mornings.

Our received totals for Chai Lifeline have reached $7,888.06, and the first set of prizes for Masmid Gavoha Update our solicitors has arrived. If there is still any Sixth Grade Boys continue with their voluntary outstanding uncollected $, please encourage your out-of-school Talmud Torah and have climbed to progeny to take care of this ASAP! 10,475 points (which equals 174.58 hours).

Middah Update As we delve further into our unit on Hilchos Lice Check News Berachos, we continue to emphasize the very We have just about finished our post-vacation lice relevant Middah of HaKaras HaTov. chick and there’s nothing to report. On Monday, the last few will be done. Attached Today Classroom Close-ups by Rabbi Some Things We Are Doing Samberg. Instead of Playing in the Chosen Words. Snow SOVEYA Newsletter. ¿ 5B learned, in Chumash, about the importance Ooroo LaTefillah. of being receptive to accepting others’ advice. This A flyer about a class I am giving on Sunday. was extracted from the fact that Hashem “listened” Topic: Hachnasas Orechim. to Moshe Rabbeinu’s suggestion in Parashas Shemos and is based upon the teaching of Chazal that we must learn to emulate the Middos of HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Have a Good Shabbos! ¿ 4B have, in Hilchos Berachos, encountered the requirement of giving proper Kavod when we say Sincerely, blessings. This includes being in a room which is conducive to prayer. ¿ 6B discussed he idea that Moshe Rabbeinu added a day to the preparations for receiving the Rabbi Yitzchak Charner Torah. It is based upon a Gemarrah in Maseches Headmaster Shabbos. ¿ 6B/G used magnets/and an usual “recipe” to determine the amount of iron in a variety of breakfast cereals. They’ve also really enjoyed dividing decimals by whole numbers. ¿ Kindergartners are really getting excited about finishing their study of all the Aleph Bais letters. They’re also into measuring length, weight, and size – even using non-standard units of measurements. As they talk about animals with fur, our weather might make them wish that humans had natural fur. ¿ 3rd-6th have been busily reading Carolyn Reeder’s historical fiction books as prep for Monday’s sessions with the author. ¿ 6B/G and other classes have really focused on the trait of Voice and how it manifests itself in all genres of writiing.

Hakaras HaTov Special thanks go to Karin Tulchinsky Cohen for her one word ongoing sessions with our teachers. The primary focus has been on helping children with Executive Functioning issues. Teachers have come up with specific plans and strategies to address these needs. In fact, we all can use improvement in our Executive Functioning, which has been defined as: “Executive skills are the cognitive processes required to plan and organize activities. These include the ability to initiate and follow through on tasks, a solid working memory, attention span, skills at performance monitoring, inhibition of impulses, and goal-directed persistence.” Wow! Who can be good at ALL that?

Trivia How many times was our Eighth Annual Auction on February 27 at 7:00 P.M. at Beth Shalom mentioned today?

Classroom Close-ups on Third Grade By: Rabbi Yosef Samberg February 4, 2011 Volume VII, Issue 14

One of the most exciting things about being in third grade is starting the textual study of Rashi. I can never grow tired of witnessing the gleam that emanates from my students’ eyes when I announce, “Today we are going to learn our first Rashi!” As they enter this new vista of , they think that learning Rashi merely means being able to read the script and learning an explanation of the Posuk (verse). However, unbeknownst to them, they are formally entering into the infinite and dynamic world of Torah She’bi’al Peh (Oral Law). From a very young age, our children are inundated with many explanations of Pesukim, including Midrashim. Whether it is from what they are taught or from what they read, they become very knowledgeable about these commentaries to the events written in the Torah. In the process, the danger persists that they think Torah is Torah, Midrashim are Midrashim, and “never the twain shall meet.” Therefore, I emphasize to my class that the written words of the Torah allude to us the explanations that are quoted by Rashi and other commentators, and they are inextricably intertwined. There are many ways the Torah uses hints: an extra word is added to a Posuk, a word may be spelled with an extra letter, or, vice versa, a letter might be left out. Sometimes, a word is spelled one way in the Torah and pronounced differently. Also, we find that the numerical value of a word or phrase can be significant to a teaching of our Sages. In short, the Torah is telling us that there is more than meets the eyes. Our sages direct us to find the secrets hidden in the Pesukim. Let me cite a few of my favorite examples: When Yaakov is born, the verse states, “And he called his name Yaakov.” The Torah doesn’t tell us who the “he” is. The Ba’al HaTurim writes that Avraham Avinu is the “he” who names Yaakov. From where does the Ba’al HaTurim derive this? The numerical value of the phrase above equals the value of “Avraham Avinu.” In another instance, when Yitzchok Avinu asks Eisav to hunt an animal for him, the commentators explain that Yitzchok taught Eisav the 5 rules that disqualify a proper shechita. How do they know that? From a word in the verse that is written with a Hebrew letter “Hay”, but is pronounced as if it wasn’t written. Obviously, this is much less than the “tip of the iceberg” of showing the unity between the Written and Oral Toros. Suffice it to say, that transmitting this key, fundamental Hashkafah is one of my primary goals. I must say that I my nachas watching my Talmidim smile or hearing them say “Ohhhhh” or “Cool” when they understand the source of a novel idea. What is even more rewarding occurs when the students themselves raise their hands and ask why are certain words written this way and not another way. It shows that they are really focusing on the written word and sharpening their thinking skills. With this, they begin to realize the vast greatness and beauty of our Torah. However, more importantly, they are creating their own link in the chain of Torah She’bi’al Peh that started at Mt. Sinai. s"xc v¨kh ¦p§T©k UrUg ______Volume IV, Issue 15 February 4, 2011 Introduction to Berachos Rishonos We will now devote a few weeks to the blessings said before eating, known as Berachos Rishonos. These are part of a larger category known as ihbvbv ,ufrc' blessings said before eating/drinking or before smelling a pleasurable scent (e.g. ohnac hbhn truc, which we say in Havdalah). The meaning of the basic format of blessings ( okugv lkn Ubheukt ws v,t lurc)was discussed in Volume IV, Issue 2. Therefore, in the coming weeks, we will concentrate on the endings of each Berachah. There are a few introductory thoughts with which we need to begin this unit.

1. The Talmud (Maseches Berachos 35a/b) presents a contradiction between two verses found in Tehillim. One Pasuk tells us: "vtuknu .rtv wsk" “The earth is Hashem’s and everything in it.” ( 24:1) The other says: "ost hbck i,b .rtvu" “...and the earth He has given to mankind.” (Psalms 115:16).

Has G-d given the world to us or has He retained it for himself? The Gemarrah (ibid) resolves this in the following manner: One verse applies when we eat without saying a Berachah, and the other refers to a case where no blessing is said before partaking of food. Therefore, the conclusion is that eating without first reciting a Berachah is akin to our “illegally” using items reserved for use in the Bais HaMikdash.

It is interesting to note that the Gemarrah doesn’t specify which Pasuk is referring to eating with a vfrc and which applies to eating without a vfrc.

The classical, standard understanding of this answer is as follows: The world still belongs to Hashem before we say a vfrc. We acquire the right to enjoy the benefits and pleasures of eating only after we have recited a blessing. Without the vfrc, we are using things that don’t belong to us. ! A Project of the dl¨i t¦ Y§ l© Torah School of Greater Washington Ex rE ! yer pra p to ke u Wa s"xc

In a novel twist to the understanding of this answer, HaRav Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik, ZT’L presents a concept which is very fundamental to . He explains that, before we say a vfrc, food belongs to humanity and retains its mundane, non-sacred nature. However, reciting a blessing gives Kedushah to the food, thereby placing it in the realm of HaKadosh Baruch Hu. The underlying principle here is that, through performance of Mitzvos, in general, and by saying Berachos, in particular, we elevate ourselves and sanctify the physical world. This belief that we can and should bring Kedushah even to mundane pursuits is unique to Judaism. G-d does not ask us to separate ourselves from the world and its pleasures. Rather, he challenges and expects us to serve Him and improve our surroundings and others by our involvement in the world.

2. Hashem does not get any benefit from our recitation of Berachos - we are the beneficiaries. By saying these blessings, we increase our awareness and appreciation of what Hashem does for us. Because we are then so grateful to Him, we should desire to repay Him in some way. This is accomplished by doing what He wants us to do in the best possible fashion. This, of course, lends us to increase the quality and quantity of ,uumn we do, making us into better people - deserving of Hashem’s Chesed.

3. Diversification in Berachos

There are six different blessings that we can say before eating or drinking. This, of course, provides us with detailed and complicated laws as to which vfrc applies to which food. It also gives us with the opportunity to have Berachos Bees and Bowls. The obvious question is: Why do we need a variety of ,ufrc? Why can’t we just have one all-purpose blessing such as kfva? (Editor’s Note: In fact, kfva' as we will learn, can apply to any food if it was mistakenly said.)

The answer is that having six different ,ufrc fits in perfectly with our purpose in reciting them, increasing our HaKaros HaTov for all Hashem does for us. This is akin to writing specialized, individualized thank you cards, rather than a generic note of gratitude. Through specialization in Blessings, we underscore the fact that HaKadosh Baruch Hu has provided for us a large variety of foods, with all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients we need. This is in order to enable us to have pleasurable, well-balanced diets.

Rabbi Avigdor Miller, ZT’L, taught us how to eat an apple. Before making the Beracha, he examined the apple and exclaimed, “Ribbono Shel Olam, look at this magnificent apple that You created! The wisdom in its waterproof enclosure, the beauty of the deep, tantalizing red color, and the temptingly delicious aroma with which it is perfumed. How can I even begin to thank You for the tree it grew on? And to think that You made it all for me!!”

As we remember the particular value and uniqueness of each food, we should come to a greater awareness of the Chasadim of Hashem and His love for us.

Considering all of the above thoughts can improve our Kavana in the quality of our Berachos. However, this requires our pausing to consider all we’ve mentioned. Hopefully, we will all take advantage of this opportunity to grow in our Avodas Hashem.

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

Volume 4, Issue 19 6209 Western Run Drive, Baltimore, MD 21209

Copyright © 2011 by Soveya, Inc.

(Soveya Wellness Initiative To Create Healthy Habits) SWITCHH Newsletter Caring for Our Mikdash Me’at

Torah thought on health and nutrition:

And they will make for Me a – ועשו לי מקדש ושכנתי בתוכם“ Sanctuary so that I may dwell in them,” (Shemos 25, 8).

והאמר ר' אלעזר לעולם ימוד אדם עצמו כאילו קדוש שרוי בתוך “ And R’ Elazar said, ‘a person should always conduct himself - מעיו as if HaKadosh Baruch Hu resides in his stomach,” (, Taanis 11b see Tosafos).

They are the vehicles through which we carry out our The Jewish Nation is commanded to undertake the ultimate construction project – build a home fitting for the Creator of the Creator’s commandments in order to connect to Him and Universe. The White House and Buckingham Palace are designed gain our share of eternity. with all the pomp and circumstance to house presidents and kings, complete with the requisite regalia, honor and dignity befitting the Therefore, our approach to self-care should be no less significant. First of all, they are not our bodies to abuse – residents. they are on loan from HaShem. We are trusted guardians The Mishkan (l’havdil) , and later the Bais HaMikdash in Jerusalem, solely responsible for their wellbeing. Secondly, the was befitting the King of kings – a physical structure for mortal importance of prioritizing the suitable materials needed to man to connect with, and immerse in HaShem’s immortal Shechina grow and maintain our personal sanctuaries is a clear (Divine Presence). The Torah goes to great lengths in describing directive from the Torah. “It’s too hard,” or “I don’t have every facet of this magnificent edifice, devoting chapter upon time to bother” are just as incompatible refrains when chapter of intricate specificity, valuing the most minute detail. No dealing with our health and wellbeing as they are in caring second-rate materials were used, nothing compromised for the for HaShem’s House. sake of convenience or expense. “It’s too hard,” or “I don’t have time to bother” were inconceivable utterances in relation to going Compromising for the sake of convenience or expense, or to any lengths to care for the House of HaShem. using second-rate supplies is exhibiting extreme disrespect to the stake holders of this holy partnership – ourselves and G- However, a cursory look at the verse which initiates the entire d. As the Talmud unmistakably teaches us, “a person should always conduct himself as if HaKadosh Baruch Hu resides in project begs an obvious question. Grammatically speaking, the verse should say, “And they will make for Me a Sanctuary so that I his stomach.” Therefore, what are we going to feed Him; may dwell in it.” The word “Sanctuary” is singular, so the white bread, candy bars and lollipops? subsequent pronoun should also be singular. Why does the Torah say, “. . . so that I may dwell in them”? Teaching our children the importance and holiness of their bodies plays a vital role in helping improve eating habits and

One essential message we learn from here is that the nation is food choices, behaviors that are difficult for many of us to obligated to build two sanctuaries to house G-d’s presence – and change. But claiming “We can’t be bothered”, or “It’s too we’re to apply the parallel lessons from one to the other. Besides hard, so why even try?” are simply unacceptable. That’s not the Mishkan in the desert and the Temple in Jerusalem, every Jew hyperbole or a radical response. It’s a pasuk in Chumash. .שבת is also obligated to make himself a residence worthy of welcoming Good and accommodating HaShem’s Shechina. The myriad of mitzvos incumbent upon us are meant to elevate and distinguish ourselves in every aspect of our lives – including in no small part, our bodies, which literally are a sanctuary for our Divine soul.

The SWITCHH newsletter is provided free of charge to schools across the country through the generous support of our underwriting partners including: 718-252-2332 1-800-875-0100 SMOKING & OBESITY BLAMED FOR LOW LIFE EXPECTANCY IN U.S.

The U.S. spends more on health care than any other nation yet has worse life expectancy than many - and a new report blames smoking and obesity. According to the National Research Council, U.S. life expectancy at birth was 80.8 years for women and 75.6 years for men in 2007. In France, life expectancy for women was 84.4 years and 77.4 for men. And in Japan, it was nearly 86 years for women and 79.2 for men. The report said obesity may account for a fifth to a third of the U.S. shortfall in life expectancy.

Specialists are particularly concerned about the lifespan of children who live all their lives obese rather than getting fat after they're grown. As for all those health care bills, "it's not enough to trump a lot of our behaviors," said Eileen Crimmins of the University of Southern California, who co-chaired the report. The council is part of the National Academy of Sciences, an independent organization chartered by Congress to advise the government on scientific matters.

GREATNESS OF GRAPES

Thumbs Up A compound found in red grapes - a polyphenol called resveratrol -- can reduce heart disease risk and ward off some types of cancers, plus Grapes - great snack (1 cup – 5 oz.) Parkinson's disease. try them frozen! Benefits: Recent studies have proven that eating grapes also can lower blood 104 Calories pressure, colon cancer risk and aid digestion; they also have 27% DV of Vitamin C antimicrobial effects, killing off unhealthy bacteria. Grapes make a great snack, too. They're rich in fiber, B vitamins, Vitamin C and Vitamin K. Thumbs Down

Chocolate Balls - lousy snack (1 cup) Drawbacks: 800 Calories 75 grams of Sugar 45 grams of Fat

They're a water-rich food, which means they go a long way in satisfying your appetite, particularly if you're craving something sweet. Easy & Healthy RECIPE CORNER It may not be a good idea to substitute raisins for grapes. Because they're dried, their sugars become concentrated and more caloric when compared with grapes. You can eat a lot more grapes for fewer calories than a small serving of raisins, which will satisfy your hunger longer.

Baked Fruit Delight

Ingredients: 2 medium apples, unpeeled, cut into chunks; 8 oz. can pineapple chunks in its own juice; 1/2 C. grapes; 1 orange, peeled and sectioned; 1/2 C. Jewish Meditations for Women orange juice; 1 T. vegetable oil; 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon an extraordinary new CD by Zakah Glaser Directions: Preheat oven to 350*F. In a baking "I absolutely love this CD. dish, combine apples, pineapple, grapes, and It warms my heart and stirs my soul." orange. Drizzle with orange juice and oil and sprinkle MS, Brooklyn with cinnamon. Cover and bake until the apples are The CD is amazing!!!! Thank you. It's a totally new tender, about 30 minutes. experience for me!" RS, England From Soveya’s Incredibly Easy & Healthy Cookbook Contact Soveya and order your copy (300 no sugar, No flour, recipes – all but a few gluten free & kosher for Pesach)

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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

In conjunction with YISE Adult Education Committee Th e Gr e a t e r Wa s h i n gt o n Co m m u n i t y Ko l l e l p r e s e n t s

opening our hearts and homes a n i n f o r m a t i v e a n d inspiring l e ct u r e Sunday Morning, February 6 at 9:30am Speaker: Rabbi Yitzchak Charner Headmaster of the Torah School of Greater Washington At Young Israel Shomrai Emunah, 1132 Arcola Ave.

For those interested in learning the topic more in-depth, please join us on Sunday mornings:

8:45 Shacharis, 9:30-10:15 Chavrusa-style learning with a Rabbi. Designed by Technologies TBIQ 443-562-9034

10900 Lockwood Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20901 301-593-4260 • www.gwckollel.com Rosh Kollel Rabbi Menachem Winter: 301-213-6504 • [email protected]