Musical Notes. Parent-Child Learning Returns!

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Nov. 10, 2017 21 Cheshvan, 5778 RTA Music Program 1 August High Holiday Appeal PCL Program 3 Run-A-Latke 4 Civics Class 7 Better Together Project 8

Whether it s violin, ukulele, recorder, or your basic rhythm instruments RTA s new music teacher, Mr. Noah Stidham, has you covered.

instruments plus audio and recording productions. Parent-Child Learning Returns! (more photos on page 5.

This program is open to the entire community. Please see the flyer in this for more details. PCL is presented by Let s Give RVA Saturday, Nov.

1 Nov. 10, Cheshvan, 5778 RTA Music Program 1 August High Holiday Appeal PCL Program 3 Run-A-Latke 4 Civics Class 7 Better Together Project 8 Sukkah Helpers 9 8th Grade Café Info 10 Parsha 11 Candle Lighting Friday, Nov. 10 4:44 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 Shabbat ends 5:46 p.m. 2 Musical Notes Which musical instrument gets you excited? Whether it s violin, ukulele, recorder, or your basic rhythm instruments RTA s new music teacher, Mr. Noah Stidham, has you covered. Every Wednesday in music class, the learning is hands-on, as students at every level are learning rhythms, beats, and skills in reading music along with an appropriate instrument. It s rhythm instruments for KG & 1 st, recorders in 2 nd and 3 rd, violin & ukulele for 4 th -6 th, and 7 th & 8th learning string and percussion instruments plus audio and recording productions. Parent-Child Learning Returns! (more photos on page 5...) Beginning tomorrow night, November 10 at 7:00 pm, we will inaugurate our fifth year of the exciting, innovative PCL program at RTA! This program is open to the entire community. Please see the flyer in this for more details. PCL is presented by Let s Give RVA Saturday, Nov. 11 PCL Program 7:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13 Art Club 3:40-5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14 Washington, D.C. Trip (grades 5-8) Chess Club 3:40-5:00 p.m. Meat Order Pick up at Shaarei Torah of Richmond 4811 Patterson Avenue 4:00-6:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 8th Grade Lunch Café (Please see flyer on page 4) Computer Coding Club 3:40-5:00 p.m.

2 Page 2 Rudlin Torah Academy High Holiday Appeal Thank you for giving to the 2017 Rudlin Torah Academy High Holiday Appeal. Listing is for donations received through Thursday, November 9, Friends Mr. & Mrs. Louis Adams Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie Adolf Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Baer Aharon Bart Mr. & Mrs. Meir Binshtok Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Cantor Mr. & Mrs. Jack Cohen Rabbi & Mrs. Edward Davis Mr. & Mrs. Lee Dranoff Mr. Russell Finer Mr. & Mrs. Richard Gary Commander & Mrs. Dana Griffin Dr. & Mrs. Peter Heyman Mr. & Mrs. William Hill Mrs. Helen Horwitz Mr. & Mrs. Jay Ipson Drs. Gregory & Rozana Itskovich Mr. David Kalman Mrs. Willa Kalman Mr. Seth Kaplan Mr. Harry Kirschbaum Mrs. Amy Krumbein Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Lessin Mrs. Doreen Lowitz Mr. & Mrs. Avery Lynn Mr. Richard Murad Mr. & Mrs. Richard November Dr. & Mrs. Ken Olshansky Mrs. Tatyana Perelman Mr. & Mrs. Mark Press Mrs. Toby Rosenthal Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Schoenes Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Shor Friends (cont d) Dr. Simon Sibelman Mr. & Mrs. Robert Siegel Dr. & Mrs. Henry Snider Ms. Olga Solomonova Dr. Neil Sonenklar & Ms. Anne Woods Dr. I. N. Sporn Mr. Todd Weinberg & Ms. Kate Moore Mr. Tony & Dr. Karen Wharton Mrs. Adrienne Winkelmann Benjamin Winkelmann Mr. & Mrs. David Winston Parents Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Bart Mr. & Mrs. Amit Cahana Mr. & Mrs. Roben Farzad Mr. & Mrs. Jeremy Follick Dr. & Mrs. David Galpern Mr. & Mrs. Brian Greene Mr. & Mrs. David Gruber Mr. & Mrs. Avi Gunzburg Mr. & Mrs. David Hecht Dr. & Mrs. Ari Hirsch Mr. & Mrs. Tim Korshin Rabbi & Mrs. Yossel Kranz Ms. Wendy Rosen Lusk Rabbi & Mrs. Shlomo Mayer Mr. & Mrs. Keith Rakofsky Mr. Darryl Lowery & Dr. Debra Rodman Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Poliakoff Parents (cont d) Mr. & Mrs. Henry Salomonsky Mr. Yissachar Jason Schneiderman Mr. & Mrs. Scott Sheldon Mr. & Mrs. Eric Shoenfeld Mr. & Mrs. Josh Weinstein Dr. & Mrs. Sam Weprin Board Members Rabbi Yosef Bart Mrs. Robyn Galpern Mr. Brian Greene Mrs. Helen Griffin Mr. Avi Gunzburg Mr. David Hecht Mrs. Meggie Hirsch Mr. Mark Press Mr. Keith Rakofsky Mr. Eric Shoenfeld Dr. Robert Weisberger Dr. Karen Wharton Mrs. Rebecca Kalman-Winston Alumni Jennifer Adams Rebekah Adams Berel Bart Hudi Bart Nechama Bart Shoshana Bart P nina Cantor Mr. & Mrs. Yonatan Cantor Benjamin Winkelmann Mrs. Rebecca Kalman-Winston Mazel tov to Daniel & Bracha Poliakoff on the birth of a boy. Our thanks for taking down the RTA Sukkah go to: Sander Altman, Rabbi Klestzick & the students of Yeshiva of Virginia, Rowee Yadin, Louis & Stuart Altman, Jeremy & Maya Yadin. Congratulations to RTA parent Dr. Debra Rodman on her election to Virginia's House of Delegates.

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6 Page 6 (...continued from front page) Musical Notes

Page 7 Civics Class - Decision 2017 The 7th/8th grade Civics class has been following the Virginia gubernatorial race closely in the past few weeks.

Due to some surreptitious campaigning on the part of Stuart Altman, an upset occurred. Ralph Northam was narrowly edged out by...mrs. Schaefer!

7 Page 7 Civics Class - Decision 2017 The 7th/8th grade Civics class has been following the Virginia gubernatorial race closely in the past few weeks. We've held information sessions, debates, and on Tuesday held a class wide mock election. Due to some surreptitious campaigning on the part of Stuart Altman, an upset occurred. Ralph Northam was narrowly edged out by...mrs. Schaefer! While she regretfully had to decline the win due to her lack of political experience and her commitment to RTA, she felt confident conceding to Dr. Northam. A special shout-out goes to Stuart, whose savvy use of the political system brought about this surprising result. Perhaps a future in politics awaits him!

Page 8 Better Together Project Our October event was all about Shabbat and the Mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim - having guests.

He discussed the special way that Avraham Avinu performed the mitzvah, the lessons we learn and how these ideas connect to our goals for the Better Together program.

The best was watching students and seniors share tips and techniques with each other. Of course it wouldn't be a Shabbat celebration without chicken soup.

Students and Seniors worked together on guided questions in the Better Together Journal.

8 Page 8 Better Together Project Our October event was all about Shabbat and the Mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim - having guests. We began the program with a beautiful Shabbat picture by a Jewish illustrator. RTA's very own Rabbi Baruch Sherman spoke to the group about the Mitzvah of Hachnasas Orchim and Avraham Avinu. He discussed the special way that Avraham Avinu performed the mitzvah, the lessons we learn and how these ideas connect to our goals for the Better Together program. It was very evident that our seniors and students alike enjoyed these words of inspiration. Next up was our very own Challah Bake! Our group worked together to braid challah for Shabbat. The best was watching students and seniors share tips and techniques with each other. Of course it wouldn't be a Shabbat celebration without chicken soup. The students loved serving and sharing the matzo ball soup with their Senior friends. As we were warmed by the delicious matzo ball soup, our hearts were warmed by our Then and Now conversations. Students and Seniors worked together on guided questions in the Better Together Journal. It was inspiring to see them sharing their histories of having guests when they were young, enjoying their holiday meals and celebrations and Shabbat favorite foods and experiences. It seems that saying goodbye at the end of such a meaningful lunch might be the hardest part. 'Til next time! A big thank you to Devorah Aronowitz, Rivka Bart, Helen Griffin and Dina Gunzburg for driving. Thank you to the Mayer family for sponsoring delicious chocolate babka for dessert!! A special thank you to our Better Together Partner, The Weinstein JCC. To join the Better Together Project,or for more information, please contact Mrs. Sorah Plotnick or BetterTogetherRVA@gmail.com.

9 Page 9 Scenes from Taking Down The RTA Sukkah

10 Page 10 8th Grade Lunch cafe Thursday, November 16th $5.00 Includes mac and cheese, salad, lemonade and a special dessert!!

11 Page 11 Parsha Points Each week we feature an article on the weekly Torah portion. Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18) One Step Ahead This week's portion begins with the death of our matriarch, Sarah. The Torah tells us that upon Sarah's passing, Avraham eulogized her and wept. According to our tradition, the letter kaf in the word "v'livkota" ("and he wept over her") is written smaller than the other letters in the word. The commentator Kohelet Yitzchak understands this small kaf as an indication that Avraham cried only a little bit over Sarah's passing. We might find this comment surprising. Surely Avraham was devastated over the loss of his beloved wife. Why would he cry only a little bit? This question becomes even stronger when we look at Rashi's comment regarding the juxtaposition of the binding of Isaac and the death of Sarah. According to Rashi, when the news reached Sarah that Avraham had brought Isaac as an offering to God, Sarah was so overwhelmed that she died. How can we understand Avraham weeping only minimally in such a situation? Not only did his wife pass on; it seems that, indirectly, his own actions actually killed her! A deeper examination of Avraham's motives will help us resolve this troubling question. When Avraham returned from Mount Moriah to find that Sarah had died, he could easily have regretted following God's will. This would have been an understandable reaction; after all, his obedience to God resulted in the death of his beloved wife! Yet Avraham understood the tremendous power of regret to undo the effect of past actions. When repentance is used positively, as part of the teshuva process, it has the ability to erase our misdeeds. But repentance can also erase the reward we receive for performing mitzvot. Had Avraham regretted bringing Isaac as an offering, countless future generations would have lost the ability to draw from the merit of his actions. Therefore, Avraham cried only a little bit over the passing of his beloved wife to show that, despite the challenges, he did not regret having performed the Divine will. He knew that there are no negative consequences to performing mitzvot wholeheartedly, and that his actions could not have been the true cause of Sarah's death. In overcoming this test of faith, Avraham preserved the merit of the binding of Isaac as a powerful spiritual inheritance for generations to come. This idea also helps us understand a puzzling passage from the evening prayers. Before reciting the Shmoneh Esrei in the evening (Ma'ariv), we beseech God to remove the Satan from before us and from after us v'haser satan mil'faneinu u'mei'achoreinu. What does this strange phrasing signify? The Satan is the evil inclination (yetzer hara) that challenges our connection to God. The Satan "before us" is the yetzer hara that tries to prevent us from performing mitzvot and following the Divine will. If the yetzer hara does not succeed in convincing us to give up (...continued on next page)

12 Page 12 (...continued from page 10 before we've even started, however, it tries again after the fact. This is the Satan "after us," that wants to undo the positive effect of the mitzvot we have performed by causing us to regret our actions. If the yetzer hara can make us think we've lost out in some way by doing mitzvot, then we are robbed of the reward for performing them. Thus, we ask God both for the strength to resist temptation "before us" - so that we can carry out His will, as well as for the ability to remain committed to our decisions after the fact and not lose the reward. May we merit to perform all the mitzvot and to be happy with them, knowing with certainty that no negativity or bitterness is caused by our fulfillment of the Divine will. May our wholehearted performance of mitzvot cause us to be blessed with reward - both in this world and the next. Adapted with permission from the award winning website,

V'ahavta... Best in the World in action? Stellar Education for Every Jewish Child. How often does one get to see the literal

V'ahavta... Best in the World in action? Stellar Education for Every Jewish Child. How often does one get to see the literal V'ahavta... Stellar Education for Every Jewish Child Sept. 30, 2016 27 Elul, 5776 Students Hear Itzhak Perlman August High Holiday Appeal KG Tashlich 3 MiDor L dor Program 5 Sukkot Dinner Info 6 Student