Religious School Education News at Congregation Or Chadash

Rina Liebeskind
Education Director

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Congregation
Or Chadash
3939 N. Alvernon
Tucson, AZ 85718

Tel: (520)-512-8500
Fax: (520)-512-8600

From The Desk Of The Education Director ...

(January, 2010)

MITZVAH MALL

   Every year, the entire Or Chadash Religious School, Kindergarten through Seventh Grade, participates in a charity project called Mitzvah Mall. Mitzvah Mall gives our students an opportunity to give the “gift of giving” to a Jewish organization while at the same time honoring a special person. Sixth Grade students, led by Laurie Grana, are in charge of this project. The students research and gather information by inviting representatives from such organizations as the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona and the Jewish Community Foundation, to offer a presentation about their organization.

   After gathering all the necessary information, the students present the information to the rest of our Religious School with students from K-7th grade visiting the Sixth Grade classroom for a presentation.

   After learning about each of the Jewish agencies, students have the opportunity to “shop” with Sixth Grade representatives at the Mitzvah Mall and donate to the organizations of their choice. The students receive a certificate, personalized in honor of someone special, listing their donation. This year, our students raised a total of $257 that was divided among eight Jewish organizations. We are proud that our students and their families took part in this important event to raise awareness about the many organizations working to ensure the future of our Jewish community. Even in these times, when donations are hard to come by, our students and families continue to show their support.

Rina Liebeskind

Director of Education

Upcoming School Activities

NEWS FROM TUCSON HEBREW ACADEMY

Dr. Daniel Kahn, Head of School at Tucson Hebrew Academy, will be leaving the school at the end of the academic year to become Head of School at Delaware Valley Friends School in Paoli, Pennsylvania. Arthur Yavelberg, the Academy’s current Assistant Head of School, will assume the responsibilities of Interim Head of School for the 2010-2011 school year commencing July 1, 2010.

Mr. Yavelberg is uniquely qualified to lead Tucson Hebrew Academy, a community day school committed to academic excellence and religious pluralism. He has earned Master Degrees in both Educational Administration and Jewish Philosophy.

Religious School

If you have a child in Religious School you probably know the answers to the following:

   1.   Four different kinds of kosher snacks that our students love?
   2.   When the Purim Carnival is?
   3.   The grade that your child started – or will start Hebrew School?
   4.   How long Rina Liebeskind has been our Religious School Director?
   5.   Why your child’s teacher loves teaching Judaics and Hebrew?

   Now if you are on the Religious School Committee you would also know:

   1.   Which teachers have been with the Religious School for ten years?
   2.   How much work and planning it took to completely revamp the Religious School curriculum this summer (Thanks curriculum task force!)?
   3.   Every celebration, service, party, fundraiser and activity that our students participate in each year?
   4.   Twelve fun, energetic, positive parents and volunteers who make up the Religious School Committee?
   5.   The dedication and guidance our Teachers, Director, Cantor and Rabbi give to our students (well you probably already knew that one)?

   I have been a part of the Education Committee going on five years now and I love being part of this group. There is room at the table for any parent or temple member that just wants to know a little more and at the same time help our children have a positive Jewish educational experience.

   Did I mention we only meet every six weeks during the school year? Call me, I would love to chat!

   Rachel Rivera
   Education Committee Chair
   429-0900 or RachelR@elrio.org by

PROJECT ISAIAH HAS BEGUN

All Religious School students were given a paper bag for Project Isaiah. We ask that you help Or Chadash as we support the Community Food Bank hunger project by returning non-perishable foods to the office.Thank you in advance for your help!

VOLUNTEER!

Religious School is still looking for parent volunteers to help monitor and secure the Or Chadash property during Religious School. If you would like to volunteer, please contact David Weintraub at DavidB.Weintraub@gmail.com by clicking here, or Rina Liebeskind, 512-8500. Also, look for a sign-up sheet in the office to help on specific dates.

SIGN UP FOR eScrip

Every time you swipe your registered credit or debit cards at any of over 6,000 participating merchants, Or Chadash receives a percentage of your purchase – at no cost to you! For a complete list of merchants, and to register your debit or credit cards online, visit www.eScrip.com or click here.

Full Calendar of School activities for 2010 school year click here

In PDF format.

Kidz Newz Newsletter Available On-Line (PDF format only)The current February, 2009 issue of the Or Chadash Youth Kidz Newz Issue is available by clicking here.

The previous issue of Kidz Newz is available by clicking here.

e-SCRIP: HELP OUR SCHOOL ... ...
You can help donate to our Religious and Hebrew School by shopping at Safeway with your club cards. Look for a yellow school bus over participating products in Safeway stores. Ten percent of your purchase price can support our school until September 9th when using your club card. Be sure our school has either your receipt or club card number by October 13th in order to receive your donation. Visit www.BackToSchools.eScrip.com by clicking here for more information or call the office, 512-8500.

Member of the Union for Reform Judaism
(formerly, Union of American Hebrew Congregations)