kolenu - Torah Academy of Minneapolis

KOLENU
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Volume VI, Number 3
News and Views of TORAH ACADEMY
Ki Savo
17 Ellul 5764
September 3, 2004
Hadlokas Neros - 7:28 P.M.
Rick Lavoie captivated our
teachers and parents when he
spoke about “Last one picked,
first one picked on” and
“Raising a happy, healthy
family.” Thank you to
Hubbard Broadcasting and
Partnership for Choice in
Education for helping
subsidize the cost of his visit.
See you all Monday!
Back to School Picnic
Monday, September 6
4–7 p.m. on Labor Day
Thank you for
supporting
Torah Academy!
Inside this Kolenu...
2
3
4-5
5
6
7
8
9
10
Important Dates & Corrections
Mazel Tovs, Important Rules
Dean’s Message
Last chance to order OLOMEINU!
Volunteers Wanted
Discovery Room CD Sale
From the Principal, Letters
The Rebbe’s Corner
School Picnic MONDAY
2800 Joppa Avenue South · St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Telephone [952] 920-6630 · Fax [952] 922-7844 · office@torahacademymn.org
A Proud Beneficiary of The Minneapolis Jewish Federation
KOLENU
NEWS
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Volume VI, Number 3
Correction:
We apologize for misspelling the name of our new
student Benjamin Grad (Grade 3) in last week’s
Kolenu.
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VIEWS OF TORAH ACADEMY
September 3, 2004
Important Dates
Monday, Sept. 6
Back to School Picnic, 4-7 p.m. at school
Tuesday, Sept. 7
Cub Scout Sign-Up and Awards Mincha, 6:45 p.m.
Back to School Night Grades 6-8, 7 p.m.
Ceremony at the Back to School Picnic
Monday, September 6.
Wednesday, Sept. 8
•Dinner 5:00-5:30 p.m.
Board of Directors Meeting, 8 p.m.
•Awards 5:30-6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept.15-Friday, Sept. 17
Come in your uniform. Get
NO SCHOOL, Rosh Hashanah Break
your badges and sign up
for another year of fun
More corrections:
with Pack 613.
Please make the following corrections in your new
2004-2005 Torah Academy Directory (light blue cover).
The directory was handed out to Pre-K through 5th grade
parents on September 1 at Back to School night and will
be given out to Middle School parents on September 7 at
their Back to School night.
The address for the Ben Zeev family is
3025 Ottawa Ave S. #324.
Thank you to Mrs. Kristi Oman
for all her hard work to make the
Rick Lavoie program a success.
The phone number for the Bushee family is
[952] 920-1414.
If there are any mistakes in your family listing,
please notify Debbie Vertelney in the office so she
can correct your records.
Best wishes to the Uzzan family
as they return to Israel.
Shalom U’lehitraot.
We will miss you!
Torah Umesorah
~2004~
School of the Year
KOLENU
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Volume VI, Number 3
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VIEWS OF TORAH ACADEMY
September 3, 2004
Mazel Tov to Rabbi Moshe Weiss on
being elected president of Adath Israel.
Mazel Tov to Mr. Rob Zenilman and
Ms. Lisa Weinsoff on the bat mitzvah of
their daughter, Shira Zenilman. May they
see much nachat from her and their other
children.
Mazel Tov to Mr. Abe Levine on being
elected president of Kenesseth Israel.
Send your announcements, simchas, & news to
kolenu@torahacademymn.org
or call [952] 285-8603.
Morning Drop Off Rules
All students should get out of their vehicles only in the front drive and immediately get
up on the sidewalk next to the building.
Parents who will be coming into the building for any reason, including davening, who are parking their
vehicles on the street should first let the children exit in the front drive and then park their vehicles.
No students should be crossing the street OR the front drive after getting out of a vehicle.
If these rules are followed, we should avoid accidents, G-d forbid.
Student Dress Code
Clarification
In addition to the dress code listed
in the Parent Handbook, please note:
All students must wear socks at
school.
Kindergarten A learned about the shofar
on Rosh Hashanah and made ram’s horn
head bands.
Students may not wear sandals at
school.
sugu vkscvku aushek ihh
KIDDUSH,HAVDALA & MORE
Come See Us Soon!
Use the 28th St. Entrance
TORAH ACADEMY
GIFT SHOP OPEN
Sunday, 9-5 • 10:00-Noon
Torah Umesorah
Thursday, 9-9 • 8:00-10:30 p.m.
~2004~
School of the Year
KOLENU
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Volume VI, Number 3
Dean’s Message
Baruch Hashem, the year is off to a great start.
The preparations and the changes are already
showing great results. This week’s message will
address a major change in the way we operate. For
the past few years, the school has had a yearly theme.
Honestly, it meant very little. By the third week of
the school year the theme was forgotten. This year
we plan to remain focused on our theme and
behaviors that remind us how important the theme is.
This summer I spent nine exciting days of
learning at a summer institute for principals at
Harvard University. Along with public and private
school leaders from all over the world, I was given
the opportunity to take a few steps back and think
about my own practice and the practices of our
school. One particular session, presented by Mr.
Norman Kunc, had a great impact on my thinking
about the kind of environment we aim to create for
our students.
Norman Kunc was born with cerebral palsy. He
spent many years focusing on the educational rights
of students with disabilities. More recently, he
shifted his focus to schools and communities and
how they can make use of their diversity to create a
sense of belonging for every student and community
member. The idea of belonging is basic and simple
and so much a part of what we should try to do as
Jews.
Mr. Kunc refers to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy
of needs as the basis for his theory. Behind this
hierarchy lies the idea that human beings have
certain needs and have the right to have them met.
Maslow lists five ascending needs. At the very base
of the hierarchy are (1) physiological needs (air,
water, food, sleep, etc.). Building up from these very
basic needs follow needs of (2) safety security and
freedom, (3) belonging, and (4) self-esteem. Once
these four needs are fulfilled, a person can reach a
level of (5) self-actualization.
In speaking to us about education and student
achievement, Mr. Kunc asserted that the educational
system has inverted levels 3 and 4. After satisfying
needs of physiology and safety, we say to ourselves,
“Let us first help children achieve in school; that will
Torah Umesorah
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September 3, 2004
make them feel better about themselves. Then they
will feel that sense of belonging.”
But, says Kunc, this makes a child’s sense of self,
dependent on achievement, leaving a child to
wonder, “Will the kids still like me if I don’t do well
academically?” Alternatively, asserts Kunc, if we are
loyal to Maslow’s hierarchy, we place primary
importance on making each and every child feel like
s/he belongs, that s/he is recognized and valued for
the individual s/he is. It is this sense of belonging
that raises a child’s self-esteem, thus leading to selfactualization and achievement.
Jewish tradition highlights this value of
belonging. An eight-day old boy becomes part of the
Jewish people and belongs by undergoing a bris
milah. The Bar and Bas Mitzvah milestones are
ways of making our young adults feel a sense of
belonging. The concept of a minyan is a strong basis
of many traditions and practices.
Children who feel that they belong are more
easily able to make friends, cooperate, share and
show compassion to others. We can help our children
by showing an appreciation of the strengths of others
(knowing that they are not less worthy when other
people do things well), by treating ALL people with
respect, by listening to the opinions of others, by
emphasizing cooperation, rather than competition
and by providing games and activities that promote
inclusion rather than elimination / exclusion.
A sense of belonging weaves itself through all
the layers of our lives. It begins with feeling safe and
comfortable. It is being accepted for who you are in
all your uniqueness, whatever your origin, language
or minhag. It is having supportive family and friends
in good times and bad.
Our feeling of belonging deepens as we connect
to our personal heritage. Belonging is about being
connected to others. For the young, a sense of
belonging is intimately linked to the people with
whom they live. It is being loved unconditionally;
being welcomed and accepted in a safe environment.
Asking children what makes them feel like they
~2004~
Dean’s Message continued on page 5
School of the Year
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Volume VI, Number 3
Dean’s Message continued from page 4
belong can prove somewhat confusing. However, ask
what makes them happy at school or at home, and
they will invariably answer, “Not being left out.”
Ask this same question to any newcomer in your
midst. You will probably receive the same answer.
Being “left out” or “unwelcome” at any age inhibits
our growth and well being. Although mutual respect,
caring and compassion are important attributes,
sometimes we need to be reminded that we all have a
right to belong.
Our theme for the 2004-2005 school year is
BELONGING. We want ALL students, parents,
families and teachers feel that they belong at Torah
Academy. While we have specific hours and we
request that you provide advanced notice for visiting
classes, we want every parent and student to feel that
they belong to and in the school. We further request
that if you don’t have a feeling of belonging, that you
let us know and please suggest what we can do to
make you feel more welcome.
September 3, 2004
JEWS AND AMERICAN FREEDOM ESSAY
CONTEST—CALL FOR ENTRIES
The Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest
announces an essay contest in commemoration of the
350th anniversary of Jewish life in America. Cash prizes
up to $500 will be awarded and the winning essays in the
adult category will be published in the Society’s journal,
Upper Midwest Jewish History.
Entrants are welcome to submit an original essay on the
topic, “How has freedom shaped the lives of Jewish families
and/or Jewish communities in the Upper Midwest (Upper
Midwest includes Minnesota, the Dakotas, Northern Wisconsin
and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula)?” Essays may deal with any
aspect of the experience of Jews in the Upper Midwest.
Submissions are due no later than December 30, 2004.
Contest categories and essay lengths are:
Middle school (4-6 typed, double-spaced pages)
High school (6-10 typed, double-spaced pages)
Adults 18+ (up to 20 typed, double-spaced pages).
For full contest details and submission requirements,
visit www.jhsum.org, email history@jhsum.org or call (952)
381-3360. Funding generously provided by the Leo and Helen
Wolk Fund of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper
Midwest.
Gut Shabbos and a Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi S. Binyomin Ginsberg
T
LAS
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CE
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TC
HA
Olomeinu Order Form
NC
E!
Please return to the school office by Tuesday, September 7!
If your children didn’t bring home an orange envelope for ordering Olomeinu, please complete
this form and return to school with your payment by Tuesday, September 7. We must send in our
order now so the Olomeinus will be delivered on time.
Student’s Name: __________________________________________Grade:__________________
Cost is $10 for each subscription.
Please make checks payable to OLOMEINU/OUR WORLD.
Return to the school office by Tuesday, September 7!
Check# _______
Torah Umesorah
~2004~
School of the Year
KOLENU
NEWS
Volume VI, Number 3
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VIEWS OF TORAH ACADEMY
6
September 3, 2004
insert flyer
Torah Academy Volunteers:
Wanted, Needed and Valued!
“Volunteers are not paid—
not because they are worthless,
but because they are priceless.”
Description:
Torah Academy is seeking classroom volunteers for oneon-one help and classroom assistance.
Requirements:
Love of children and willingness to help
Age:
20–120
Hours:
Flexible
Contact:
Rabbin Binyomin Ginsberg, Dean
[952] 920-6630
We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by
what we give.
—Winston Churchill
Torah Umesorah
~2004~
School of the Year
KOLENU
NEWS
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VIEWS OF TORAH ACADEMY
7
Volume VI, Number 3
September 3, 2004
Purchase of this fantastic CD will benefit the
Torah Academy Discovery Room and victims
of terrorism in Israel.
Contact
•Ramie Delmoor
[612] 987-2191
or
•Judy Shapiro
[952] 927-4706
to purchase your
CDs today!
2-CD set with
CD-ROM visuals—
$25 each
Over 35 Songs!
eKolenu readers:
Imagine the CD Cover here-Picture a button with blue and white ribbons that says
Voices for Israel
•We Stand as One • We Must be Strong • We Will Go On
The Largest Gathering Ever of Jewish Music Starts
Featuring the all-star anthem
“Chazak Amenu: We Stand As One”
Produced by Jordan B. Gorfinkel
Music Directed by Yehuda!
Abie Rotenberg•Avraham Fried•Avraham Rosenblum &
Diaspora•Beat’achon•Blue Fringe• Bsamim•C Lanzbom• The Chevra•
and many MANY more famous Jewish recording artists...
TO BENEFIT VICTIMS OF TERRORISM IN ISRAEL
JFCS Family Life Education Programs
Understanding the Special Education Process
6:30–9:30 p.m. Monday, October 18 at Jewish Family and
Children’s Service of Minneapolis
Welcome to our Mrs. Shaina Weiss Knobloch,
our new aide in Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten.
She recently moved here from New York with her
husband and two children.
Torah Umesorah
This free workshop, presented by PACER, is an opportunity for
families to obtain vital information on the special education
process so they can make a difference in the life of their child. It
is co-sponsored by the Minneapolis Jewish Inclusion Program
for People with Disabilities and Jewish Family and Children’s
Service of Minneapolis. For information or to register contact
Shelly Christensen, Inclusion Coordinator, [952] 542-4838 or
email schristensen@jfcsmpls.org .
Also offered:
Employment Finding Program (Call Ardis Wexler at [952] 4172117 for information)
Quiet Miracles (Call Margie Weil at [952] 542-4815 for
information)
~2004~
School of the Year
KOLENU
NEWS
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Volume VI, Number 3
From the Principal...
Last Sunday, Dr. Rick Lavoie graced us with his
wit, intellect and storytelling gifts at a series of
presentations hosted by Torah Academy. A nationally
noted expert on education and children with
disabilities, he wove a combination of research
summaries and personal anecdotes into an
unforgettable tapestry of childhood through
children’s eyes.
One of his stories struck a chord with me much
more strongly than the others. Since he told this story
only once, at the 3:30 session for T.A. staff, I think I
can repeat it in Kolenu without creating a re-run for
most people. About an hour into his presentation, he
asked if we could think of the most damaging
emotion that an adult could communicate to a child,
the emotion that would cut deeper and fester longer
than any other. I figured it was either anger, shame,
or a combination. I was slouching in my chair at the
We Get Mail
Dear Rabbi Ginsberg,
Thank you so much for arranging last night’s
event with Dr. Rick Lavoie. I was so impressed with
his ideas and enthusiasm on parenting. I know I am a
good parent. I went to hear what he has to say,
because I owe it to my children to learn more. He
loves children, he couldn’t say enough over and over
that children in a sense bring meaning to our lives,
they make us see things in a different light. He
shared powerful personal experiences and how he
gained from that. Dr. Lavoie understands raising
children in today’s society quite challenging, yet he
gave a lot of helpful and insightful advice. I feel
sorry for those who didn’t come. It was their loss.
Thank you,
<parent’s name>
Torah Umesorah
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September 3, 2004
time, but his next statement made me sit bolt upright.
His answer: “disappointment”. He then told us a
story to illustrate his point; it dealt with Ketchum,
Idaho’s most famous resident, Ernest Hemingway.
The Nobel Prize-winning writer took his own life on
July 2, 1961. When the police went to notify his son,
they didn’t know quite what to say. After all, Papa
Hemingway was only sixty years old; his death was
sudden and unexpected. The way the police broke the
news was to say, “Your father was killed today.” The
son’s immediate response was not to ask how it
happened or to ask if there might be a mistake. He
just said, “Thank G-d--at least I won’t disappoint
him any more.”
That a grown man would express this thought on
learning of his father’s sudden passing is a strong
statement on the power of relationships. There’s
probably a little something in this story that we can
all use when thinking of how we choose to live with
the people around us.
Mr. Gary E. Parnes
Dear Rabbi Ginsberg,
I understand that school starts when the bell rings
at 8:00. That means students should be settled and in
their desks/places by the bell. When others come so
late (10–15 minutes) it is so disruptive and takes
precious time away from others. (Isn’t that a mitzvah
not to take time from others?)
Thanks!
A parent
Dear Rabbi Ginsberg and Torah Academy family,
Thank you for the flowers and wine. They
brightened up our Shabbos and made us feel
extremely welcome here.
Love,
Natalie Elizur
August 30, 2004
Dear Rabbi Ginsberg,
You’re awesome! Thank you very much for your
thoughtfulness toward Amy Ariel Tovah on her first
days at Torah Academy.
The flowers adorned our Shabbos table warmly.
Sincerely,
Hinda Devorah (Hillary) Saltzman
~2004~
School of the Year
KOLENU
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Volume VI, Number 3
The Rebbe’s Corner
This week’s Torah Portion of Ki Savo, the Jewish
People are given the mitzvah of Bikkurim, the
mitzvah of bringing the first fruits of the farmer’s
crops to Hashem. This mitzvah takes place in the
land of Israel.
The Midrash states, Let “the first” bring of the
first, to the first, to the first place, to the First of all.
Let the first- the Jewish People, bring the first-fruits,
to the first-to the kohain, to the first place-the Bais
Hamikdosh (the Holy Temple), to the First of allHashem. An important lesson is being brought to the
Jewish People through this mitzvah.
A farmer prepares his fields and works year in
hopes of providing for himself and his family. He
works through the cold and rain of winter and the
oppressive heat of the summer. His backbreaking
work of tilling, planting, and harvesting takes
tremendous planning and effort. When the farmer
finally brings in his crops in the Fall, he is elated
with what he has accomplished. Especially important
to him are the first fruits which indicate to him the
bounty of what is yet to come. Because of this effort,
the farmer might come to think that everything he
has accomplished is the result of all that he has done.
The farmer might come to think that all that what he
has is only because of his wisdom, strength, and
effort.
The mitzvah of Bikkurim, reminds the farmer
that what he thought was all do to his work and
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VIEWS OF TORAH ACADEMY
September 3, 2004
effort, is really only a gift from Hashem. He needs to
step back and realize that as a Jew he needs to
understand that Hashem is source of everything.
Therefore, he must dedicate these first fruits by
bringing to the Bais Hamikdosh, Hashem’s first and
most important place and give these fruits
inparticular to the kohain, the first among the Jewish
People. This allows the farmer to understand that it is
only by serving Hashem, that Hashem is the source
of all blessing.
We do not live in Israel and there is no Bais
Hamikdosh. Therefore, the mitzvah of Bikkurim
does not apply to us, or so we would think. However,
parents of Torah Academy are still practicing this
mitzvah today. Parents bring their first fruits- their
children, to a place of holiness-a Jewish school
where Hashem’s Torah is taught, by the kohanim of
our day, the rabbis and morohs, to learn how to serve
Hashem.. The mitzvah of Bikkurim was to be
performed with great joy. So too, today, the parents
of Torah Academy can show their love and trust in
Hashem with joy when they understand the
importance of what they doing for themselves, their
children, and the Jewish People by providing their
“first fruits” with a proper Jewish education. What
an important lesson to learn as we begin a new
school year.
Let me take this opportunity to wish you and
your family a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Rabbi Meir Smith
Kindergarten B learned about
the shofar on Rosh Hashanah
and made ram’s horn head
bands.
Torah Umesorah
~2004~
School of the Year
KOLENU
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September 3, 2004
Labor Day Picnic
Fac
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Pon
Bring your family and friends!!!
Carnival, Food, Games & Prizes!!!
Cot
Fun for ALL ages!!!
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Can
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Pop
Torah Academy
Back to School Picnic
Date: Monday, September 6
Location: 2800 Joppa Ave. S.
Time: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Hope to see you there!!!
The Graduating Class of 2005!!!
Torah Umesorah
~2004~
School of the Year