Emanu-El Participates in National Bible Contest: כול הכבוד

The National Bible Contest was held in Montreal this past Sunday and Monday. Six of Congregation Emanuel’s Grade five/six class competed long distance from Vancouver. The material was parts of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, a total of 23 chapters. On Sunday morning the students wrote a 50-question multiple choice exam and two other exams which required them to answer questions like “who said to whom?” and “what does this mean”: “the wages of your labourer shall not remain with you until morning”.

Attention parents: Kafe & Kibitz

Sunday, April 28, 10:15 am to noon, 710 Pandora Avenue lobby — Come hang out with other parents in a warm & welcoming environment; feel free to bring along any young children currently in tow. We look forward to engaging conversation, laughter, reflection, support, and, of course, caffeine. Everyone is welcome, including non-members. NEW LOCATION: We’ll be meeting in the lobby of 710 Pandora Avenue (the new building at Pandora & Douglas) beside Sherwood Cafe.

Bear This in Mind!

This year, the Hebrew School tried something new and different on Tuesday afternoons: teachers Beatrice and Leah asked students to bring in teddy bear ‘stuffies’ to serve as symbolic (and cuddly) surrogates for learning about Jewish life-cycle events.

The students chose Hebrew names for their ‘stuffies’, which they gave the bears at a “naming ceremony” in December, for which each student also made her or his bear a kippah and a wimple (usually used to tie Torah scrolls) to use as a sash.

Later, the bears were prepared for a ‘Bear-Mitzvah’. To do this, each student was given a mitzvah to do on behalf of his or her bear, such as visiting the sick or helping someone in need.

It was very moving for educators and parents to see these children talking about what Jewish life-cycle events mean to them. The students also explained how they understand the meaning of the phrase, in the Ve’ahavta prayer, that calls upon Jews to “impress them” (i.e., the words of the shamma prayer) “on their children.”

The ‘Bear Mitzvah’ finale event was held during a Friday night family Kabbalat Shabbat on March 1. Students chanted prayers, sang songs, and, together with their bears, stood under a “Bear Mitzvah” tallit shawl for a blessing from the congregation.

The Jewish bear project has been a wonderful means of imparting Jewish education in ways that are meaningful to children. It also attests to the educational value of Tuesday afternoon Hebrew School classes, where there is more time and space to focus in depth on a learning project.

So, is the Jewish bear project now over? Maybe not. We hear that somebody’s preparing for a wedding! Stay tuned for a bear ḥuppah…

 

Attention parents: Kafe & Kibitz

Sunday, February 24, 10:15 am to noon in lobby, 710 Pandora Avenue — Come hang out with other parents in a warm & welcoming environment: feel free to bring along any young children in tow. We look forward to engaging conversation, laughter, reflection, support, and, of course, caffeine. Everyone is welcome, including non-members. NEW LOCATION: We’ll be meeting in the lobby of 710 Pandora Street (the new building at Pandora & Douglas) beside Sherwood Cafe.

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Shabbat Shebang

November 30, 7:00pm — Kabbalat Shabbat Service: Come join the Hebrew School and experience a joyful, spirited Kabbalat Shabbat service with our amazing Kabba Shabba Band.  Services are spirited, interactive, and family oriented. If you are looking for intergenerational Jewish fun replete with singing, dancing, storytelling, great food and company, this is the place in Victoria. Services followed by a dessert Oneg at 8 pm.

November 30,  5:45 pm — Hebrew School & Community Shabbat Dinner: Before the Kabbalat Shabbat service, join Hebrew School families and friends for an eco-pot luck vegetarian dinner. Bring a vegetarian/dairy main course or salad and a small dessert along with your own dishes and cutlery (because many folk don’t have kosher kitchens, we can’t use the Shul’s dishes).  Label your dish with ALL ingredients. Please RSVP to info@congregationemanuel.ca if you plan to attend dinner so we know how many tables to set up.
Noise-alert: there will be an element of frenetic kid energy at this dinner. Feel free to come just for services.
Looking forward to an evening full of joy and connection!

Organic Apple Juice Hebrew School Fundraiser

From CastleRock Pardes  Farm — Made from a mixture of crisp Spartan, Red Delicious, MacIntosh and Granny Smith apples, this apple juice has been filtered and passed through UV cold pasteurization, retaining its exquisite complex taste and total nutritional value. The jugs can be frozen and imbibed throughout the year.  Fill your freezer!!

• All proceeds will be donated to Hebrew School children.
• Fundraiser price per 2 litre jug – $10
• Please call Jill or Mike at 250-544-8870 or send an email to mikecgoldstein@gmail.com to arrange pickup at the synagogue.
• You can also pick up juice this Sunday, October 14, from 9-9:30 a.m. or at 12:30 pm

Emanu-El students capture 1st and 3rd prize in National Bible Contest

Last week seven Congregation Emanu-El Hebrew School students travelled to Vancouver to compete in the National Bible Contest. They wrote three separate exams on over 25 chapters of Exodus; no easy feat for people of their age. When the finallists were announced, we were thrilled that we had three students in the mix: Ephrem Boyarim, Tillie Stanger-Ross and Sam Roubini. Then they wrote the final which had a question in honour of Israel’s 70th birthday – when and in what context was the land of milk and honey mentioned in Exodus? Not easy, right? Anyway, when the winners were announced Sam Roubini took 1^st prize and Tillie Stanger-Ross took 3^rd prize.

We are proud of all the students who wrestled with the material all year, wondering why God stiffened Pharaoh’s heart and made the Egyptians suffer so much and why wasn’t Aaron punished for making the golden calf.

Mazal Tov to everyone!

Many thanks to those of you who supported this trip financially and to the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island (JFVVI) who continues to support Hebrew School activities.

Todah Rabah,
Leah Levi and the students.