January 17, 2014 16 Sh vat 5774 Shabbat Parshat: Yisro Candle Lighting Friday: 4:26 p.m. Vol. 15 Issue 15 Stranger In A Strange Land At the beginning of this week s Parsha we are introduced to both of Moshe s sons by name. The Torah also includes the meaning and inspiration for the names that they were given. (Gershom), the first born, was so named גרש! because Moshe saw himself as a sojourner (Ger) in a strange land. His younger (גר) brother s name, אליע ז ר,(Eliezer) indicates Hashem s assistance (עזרי) (Ezri) in saving Moshe from the sword of Pharaoh. It is interesting to note that the two events after which the boys were named actually occurred in the reverse chronological order. First he escaped the hands of Pharaoh. Only then did he find his way to Midyan and the home of his father-in-law Yisro. Yet it was his older son who received the name Gershom, meaning sojourner or stranger. The Chofetz Chaim explains that Moshe arrived in Midyan and although he soon found a comfortable place within their society, he recognized that his true place was with his brethren currently still enslaved in the Land of Egypt. He therefore named his first-born son Gershom as a constant reminder that he was but a sojourner in a strange land. As well, this would serve to help him remain removed from the idolatrous practices of the Midianites. We are privileged to live in a comfortable and affluent society, a setting in which we can alltoo-easily forget our true goals and purpose. We must always remember that regardless of the length of our stay, our true place is with our brethren and our true home is Eretz Yisrael. Here we are but strangers. This past week saw Israel mourn the passing of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Mr. Sharon dedicated his life to defending Israel and the safety of her citizens. We in Vancouver join Jews worldwide in remembering his efforts and sacrifice. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Don Pacht Head of School You are cordially invited to a biennial Shabbaton presented by Vancouver Hebrew Academy and Congregation Schara Tzedeck Friday night/shabbat day February 14-15, 15, 2014 at Congregation Schara Tzedeck 3476 Oak Street, Vancouver (Please see the attached registration form)
RABBI ESTRIN'S YIDDLE RIDDLE In darkest Transylvannia, There lives a man: the Count, A master of gematria. He knows each word's amount. Each number that the Torah lists, Comes under his inspection. Now he tests you - do not resist! And find each list's connection! (What or who are these numbers about?). 1. 613 365+248 10 5 1 2. 616 7 All of them 7 3. 1,000 100 50 10 4. 39 7th An extra meal and an extra something better 5. 9 8 30 3 13 6. 127 90 65 1 7. 120 3 300 50 30 8. 600,000 12 1 Answer to last week's riddle: They all had the same. One of the miracles of the manna. MIDDOS MINDER PRIZE Thank you to Rene and Janet Ragetli and family for sponsoring this month s Middos Minder prize. Congratulations to Yonatan Sarna, the winner of this month s prize. TALENT SHOW Thank you to all the students who participated in our Talent Show this week. Congratulations to Yosef Nider for being chosen as the winner of this event. Thank you to the Student Council for sponsoring and organizing this wonderful program. THANK YOU Thank you to the Grade 1 Class and Morah Lichtman for leading our Tu B Shevat Assembly. AVOT UBANIM Learn Torah. See Friends. Eat Snacks. Win Prizes. Saturday, January 11, 6:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Hamidrash. All children who attend the rest of the sessions will get a $25 gift certificate of their choice. CLASSIC IMPRESSIONS CATERED LUNCH Parents, please note that the school does not order extra lunches on Wednesdays to provide food if a child has not brought lunch to school. Also, we would appreciate parents keeping track on their home calendars which days they have ordered catered lunch. This will eliminate the concern of children coming to school expecting to receive catered lunch when it was not ordered for that specific day. Thank you. SAFEWAY CARDS Please remember to order your Safeway cards to help support VHA. This fundraiser is a significant way to raise money for our school and it doesn't cost you a thing. If every school family purchased a $50 card, it would greatly help us to finish our fundraising goal for the year. Thank you for supporting VHA as you do your regular grocery shopping. VHA s Annual Torah Fair: תפארת בנים אבותם In the Footsteps of our Families - the Jewish communities from yesteryear that have helped shape and form our family ties *Thursday, February 27, 2014 7:00 pm at VHA *please note the revised date Next Week the Middah in Focus will be Anava - Humility
Please mark your calendar January 2014 22 nd Kindergarten and Grade 6 Immunizations at 1:00 p.m. 28 th PTA Hot Lunch 29 th Non-Uniform Day February 2014 10 th BC Family Day Statutory Holiday (school closed) 14 th -15 th Shabbaton (Friday Night/Shabbat Day) at Congregation Schara Tzedeck 19 th Non-Uniform Day 25 th PTA Hot Lunch 27 th Torah Fair at 7:00 p.m. 28 th -March 3 rd Reading Break (school closed) Community Announcements The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs extends an invitation to attend an advocacy skills workshop with Steve McDonald, the Associate Director for Communications with the CIJA National Office. The session will be held on Tuesday, February 4 th, 7:30 p.m. at the JCC. RSVP to ylevin@cija.ca or phone 604-622-4240. Schara Tzedeck invites families to Shabbat dinner on January 24 th at 5:45 p.m. with guest lecturer Doron Kornbluth. The topic will be Raising Your Kids to Love Being Jewish. Cost is $25 for adults, $12 for children, and children 5 and under are free. Register at www.scharatzedeck.com or call Gila Ross at 604-365-3450. An evening for Jewish Teens will take place with Speaker Doron Kornbluth on Monday, January 27, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at King David High School. The JCC Special Needs Department presents an informative evening with Dr. Gabor Mate speaking on Adolescent Depression; Sunday, February 2 5:00-7:30 p.m. at the JCC. Registration is now open for Camp Moshava Malibu for the summer of 2014. For more information, families are invited to an Open House at the home of Les and Tracy Ames on Sunday, February 2 nd at 11:00 a.m. (1107 West 33 rd Avenue). Plus, get $50 off family tuition just for attending the Open House. Next Week the Middah in Focus will be Anava - Humility
REGISTRATION FORM You are cordially invited to A Biennial Shabbaton presented by Vancouver Hebrew Academy and Congregation Schara Tzedeck What hat: : Spend an enjoyable and uplifting Shabbat with the greater VHA Family When: Friday night/shabbat day, February 14-15, 15, 2014, פרשת כי תשא Where: Congregation Schara Tzedeck, 3476 Oak Street, Vancouver Cost: See below. Come for Friday night, Shabbat day, or both. How: : Everyone is going to chip-in in and help out! Please sign up to help by e-mailing e vha.pta@gmail.com Family Name: Number: Cost: Totals: Adults (16 and above) FRIDAY NIGHT ONLY X $18 Adults (16 and above) SHABBAT DAY ONLY X $18 Adults (16 and above) BOTH MEALS X $36 Children (7-15 years) FRIDAY NIGHT ONLY X $12 Children (7-15 years) SHABBAT DAY ONLY X $12 Children (7-15 years) BOTH MEALS X $24 Children (6 and under) FRIDAY NIGHT ONLY $0 Children (6 and under) SHABBAT DAY ONLY $0 Children (6 and under) BOTH MEALS $0 GRAND TOTAL : Registration forms should be returned to VHA, 1545 West 62 nd Ave, Vancouver, BC V6P 2E8, by Monday, February 10, 2014. Cheques should be payable to VHA. To arrange local accommodation or to offer to host, please contact Mrs. Shira Meltzer at 604 716 5241 or via e-mail e at shira@cityspeechcentre.com.