Erev Shabbos Parashas Vaychi – Chazak! December 28, 2012 Licht Bentchen: 4:35 P.M. Volume XIX, Issue 16

Dear Parents, This has been another week of impact, with the heaviest “impact” due to yesterday’s tree falling. Thank G-d, no one was even nearby, and all cars which were hit are (apparently) repairable. This event has caused great inconvenience to the owners of the vehicles and a rerouting of our daily car pool experience. By the end of school today, the “guilty” tree and others suspected of being capable of similar culpability will have been cleared away.

Down Memory Lane  Over the past eighteen and one half years, we have had a number of fascinating excuses for losing time from learning or for changes in our routines. Among the most memorable were:

The “Imaginary Anthrax Scare.” This occurred on an Erev Shabbos immediately-post-9-11. Someone in a non-TSGW office (but in our building) opened a thank you note and thought she saw powder emanating from the envelope. We evacuated the building, turned off the A/C (so the “dangerous substance” wouldn’t flow through the ducts), and waited until the police, fire department, and bomb squad allowed us to return to classes. The “Newspaper Vending Machine Scare.” One fine November morning, I arrived at school to find one of those blue metal Washington Post stands stationed in our parking lot. Although there were newspapers inside, there was a concern that a “shoe bomber” was hiding under the papers. This again required the presence of the bomb squad to determine that the only danger to society ensconced in the container was the Post itself. (While the bomb squad was here, we had to move all classes to the Gym and Rabbi Biberfeld kept kids - and all adults - occupied with his storytelling skills.) It turned out that the object of our concern was stolen from outside Snider’s in order to extract great wealth from the money box. In fact, we did find a movie clip on our surveillance camera which showed (at about 4:30 A.M.) the culprit removing

the box from his car. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make out his face or license #. “The Bumbling Snow Plower’s

Caper.” This took place (or didn’t take place) on Wednesday, February 5, 2010, in the midst of the “living –from-snowstorm-to-snowstorm” existence. We were supposed to have a 10:00 opening. When I arrived at our building at 8:15, the parking lot was covered by 5” of snow. This was in spite of the fact that the company we hired to clear the snow had cleared the YGW side of our building. Although our phones were down, I managed to send a message that we couldn’t have school that day. Five minutes after I successfully had our First Alert System (on every landline and cell phone in their possessions) call all parents and teachers, the plow came back (with a driver) and removed all the white precipitation. The “Everyone in the Dungeon Drill.” On one fine

June day, there was a tornado spotting and warning for our area at 3:15. The entire school went to our basement (formerly, a.k.a. dungeon) instead of going out to car pool. I had the privilege of standing outside and telling all drivers to go inside AQAP (as quickly as possible). (Editor’s Note: It was so beautiful to see our older boys and girls reassure the younger kids that everything was all right.) The “Medevac Helicopter Landing.” In one of our

sojourns at the Fairland Elementary School, a whirlybird landed on our playground due to a car accident on our street. Of course, all our kids continued learning and didn’t even notice this. We have also had our sprinkler

system malfunction, power outages, water main breakages, hurricane ravages, and (for some reason I can’t remember), even a sun-day off. Although the above is indelibly etched into our minds, the vast, vast, vast majority of the important events of the last almost two decades have taken place in our classrooms – with wonderful learning and spiritual and academic growth going on.

Today’sAttachments: Classroom Close-ups by Mrs. Lisa Solomson, Ooroo LaTefillah.

$”2" Torah School of Greater Washington

E.S.T.E.R. Erev Shabbos “Torah” Events Report

Derech updates. Flyer about the January 12 Mother/Daughter Melava Malka. SOVEYA newsletter. Parnasei HaYom.

Carnival Post-Post Mortems Unintentionally excluded from last week’s Chanukah Carnival round-up was the latest addition to and this year’s highlight of the TSGW Carnival Experience: the Cotton Candy machine. The lines for our newest healthy, nutritional edible item extended all the way into the YGW lobby. Many thanks to our anonymous and generous donor for injecting more joy (and more calories) into our children’s lives.

Book Fair Post-Post Mortem

Special words of HaKaras HaTov go to the many parents who donated books to our classrooms. These will certainly be gobbled up by our youngsters.

Security Improvement Update  Todah to the families who contributed to help defray the costs of switching the location of our official “front doors.” The camera has been installed, as will the necessary “buzzer system” as soon as our vendor receives it.

Middah Assembly Today, we had our first 3M (Monthly Middometer Medalist) Assembly of 2012-2013. Boys and girls were singled out for demonstrating Derech Eretz/ Consideration for Others, or Ezra LaZulas/Being Helpful to Others, or both. These Middos have been inextricably intertwined with the major themes of Project Derech. The selectees were:

3M Winners KG 2B Kayla Dunkin Akiva Biberfeld Zahava Gershone Benny Bluming Hanah Graff Shimon Hes Mirel Sugar Moshe Langer Itiya Verschleisser Avishai Seidemann KB Yehuda Leib Slater Binyamin Cortell 3G Aryeh Eisenberg Kayla Eisenberg Meir Feldman Meira Levin Efraim Goldstein Rivky Lichtenstein Moshe Kreiser Dahlia Sugar 1G 3B Rikka Bluming Akiva Jacobs Shoshana Lichtenstein Aharon Pollock Shira Slater 3B Miriam Sussman Yaakov Baars Faiga Bracha Winter Gavriel Merkin 1G Doni Mond Meira Buxbaum Shua Verschleisser Ahuva Lasdun 4G Batsheva Melamed Tova Katzoff Sara Scher Nechama Kugler Sophie Konar Goldie Makovoz 1B Ruthie Troy Yitzchak Arzouan 4G Avremel Backman Dena Kotek Mordechai Beitsh Rechel Langer Betzalel Broth Chana Leah Ravin Pinny Hirschfeld Ruthie Seidemann Dovid Kramer 4B Tuvia Werner Yehuda Arzouan 2G Dovid Kanovsky Gila Azran Nitai Levi Temima Bensimon Efrayim Merkin Devorah Hershenson Aryeh Miller Rani Lipman Raphael Mizrahi Chana Esther Milgraum Yaakov Robinson Chaya Raichik Pinchos Yosef Savir Shoshana Savir 5G Tamar Stiber Rivka Rachel Danesh

2G Rochel Leah Tova Goldstein

Eliana Dunkin Bracha Hes Ellia Ferneau Shira Komarow Sarah Michaels Rachel Morris Pesia Mittelman Dalya Namrow Chana Rutstein Sarah Slater Aliza Tyberg 5B 2B Beryl Backman Mendel Beitsh Yitzchak Meir Biberfeld Betzalel Komarow Ari Ferneau Eitan Kovacs Hershel Katz Eli Lazar Baruch Lerman Dovid Mond Ezra Mond Zev Samberg Yoni Rubin Aaron Shemtov Yitz Taragin Yisrael Yaakov Walter

6G Miriam Fink Shlomit Bernstein Miriam Orlansky Esti Feldman Pessi Rappaport Rachel Feldman Raphaella Tenembaum Sarah Feldman 6B Adina Katz Aaron Feldman Aviva Miller Sruli Pollock 6G Ezra Troy Chaya Beitsh Aviva Broth Miriam Edelstein

Many thanks to Rabbi Feldman for the certificates, our delightful office staff for getting all things together, and Rabbi Samberg who, once again, introduced Hakaras HaTov as our new Middah focus. This trait is also very much part and parcel of current and upcoming Project Derech study and closely related to the next six weeks of Torah readings. Please read on for some thoughts about “feeling and showing appreciation.”

Some “Thankful” Thoughts about HaKaras HaTov 

Having Hakaras HaTov for everything (and everyone) leads us to appreciate all the Chesed that Hashem does for us. As we think about how thankful we should be to Him, we realize that we must devote ourselves to fulfill His will. We owe our very lives to Hashem, and this obligates us to serve Him. Along with this realization, "&) ;9,% also helps us remember how much we really need each other. Hashem created man with a strong feeling of his own importance, independence, and capabilities. When someone does something for us and we acknowledge it, we are admitting that we are not as independent as we may think – we actually do benefit from the help of others. It's interesting to note that this idea is hinted to by the fact that the Hebrew words for thanking (%$&;) and admitting (%*$&%) share the same root. (Hagaon Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner, ZT'L).

It may seem strange to find so much discussion on the topic of "&) ;9,% in our sources. Wouldn't you think that this is such an obvious thing to do? Why must we be reminded about it so often? !*"1% &%*3:* shares an insight with us. He speaks about the lack of "&) ;9,% of the Jewish people. He says: "01&";% !- */3" (#>! &%*3:*), “My people have not given it thought." From these words we see that feeling "&) ;9,% is not automatic. As a matter of fact, it is usually ignored, as we have become quite used to taking things for granted.

It's not that people refuse to have "&) ;9,%. It's simply that they don't pay enough attention. The Navi

tells us that the reason we lack "&) ;9,% is because we don't give it appropriate thought - we don't bother to think and realize how much is really being done for us. Perhaps this is why the Middah is called "&) ;9,%. %9,% means to recognize and acknowledge. So, the first step is to stop taking things for granted and realize all the benefits that we are gaining from the world around us.

As we’ve gotten more deeply into Basic Derech Eretz 101, this week’s double focus was on:

Not interrupting others. Once again, role playing and practice are advised,

including the proper use of “Excuse Me” (i.e. a child can’t say excuse me and then start talking without being given permission). A source for this (which would be good to study) is Pirkei Avos, Chapter 5, Mishnah 9. Also included in this precept: Not “cutting in” or injecting one’s comments to others’ phone conversations. Using “Excuse Me” when the other person is engaged in a task or thinking or reading. It is not proper Derech Eretz to walk up very close people who are conversing and listen to their conversation while waiting for an “opening”. “Excuse Me” and waiting for permission are also required prior to walking between two people who are talking to each other. Not speaking first in the presence of someone who is

older or wiser. We again refer you to Pirkei Avos (5:9). As always we ask you to please: Read your Derech Update. Discuss the Derech Update with your children. Practice this week’s law (as well as all we’ve already covered) with your youngsters, coming up with various examples and scenarios. Then, put the Halacha into actual use.

On the Immediate Horizon

Mo’tsa’ei Shabbos, December 29 – 4B MelaveMalka/ Siyum at the Biberfeld’s. Sunday, December 30 –5th/6th Shiurim. Monday, December 31 – Parshathon Tests in Grades 3-6. Mrs. Werner’s Creative Writing Class for girls. Tuesday, January 1 – 9:15 A.M. Special Mrs. Gottlieb, Mrs. Leeder, Mrs. Praff, and Mrs. Malka directed and coordinated program.

Theme: Unity כאיש אחד, בלב אחד

There will be 3 songs sung by each of our girls’ choirs (Jr. and Sr.) and fun activities for 2G-6G following the performances. All members of the female gender are invited to attend. Jr. and Sr. Choir members should come attired in white button down blouses and blue uniform skirts. P.M. 4G/4G/5G trip to the Bais Yaakov of Baltimore’s magnificent student-created exhibit. The theme is: Tapestry of Time – The Jewish Year. Wednesday, January 2 – 1B/1G/1G to Kennedy Center. Nut House pizza. Thanks to all of this week’s in-house helpers. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, January 1, 2, and 3 – Full post-3:30 schedule. Thursday, January 10 – 5G Colonial Day – 2:15-3:15. Mo’tsa’ei Shabbos, January 12 – Mother/daughter Melave Malka. See flyer. Tuesday, January 15 – 1B Chag HaChumash at 9:15. Friday, January 18 – Sunday, January 27 - No classes. Winter Break. Tuesday, January 29 – 1G/1G Chag HaChumash at 9:15. Sunday, February 10 – Tenth Annual Torah School Chinese Auction. Sunday, February 17 – Jr. and Sr. Girls’ Choirs will sing at the Ring House at 11:00 A.M. We extend condolences to Eli Rutstein, upon the passing of his uncle. May Hashem comfort him among the mourners of Tziyon and Yerushalayim. We wish a heartfelt Mazel Tov to: Rabbi Stephen and Mrs. Ruth Baars and family, upon the engagement of Dovid to Leah Bergos. Rabbi Shmuel and Mrs. Esther Leigh and family, upon the Upshearin of Yehuda. Rabbi Raphael and Mrs. Julie Malka and family, upon the Upshearin of a grandson in South Bend – son of Devorah and Meir Bulman. Jodi and Fred Mailman and family, upon Ross’s forthcoming marriage to Dina Auerbach. Menashe and Nadine Katz and Rachel Katz and family, upon Elisheva’s engagement to Danny Weiser. May they all continue to be blessed with Simachos.

Ongoing Stuff Chemdas study and testing continue at rapid rates.

What’s Doin’? KB/KG made paper bag Nechashim (snakes), were saddened by the death of Yaakov Avinu, learned how to get a garden growing and, once again, really enjoyed their reading buddies. Mrs. Kasierer’s 2B are using the Voice Trait in their writing and are into regrouping in math. Mrs. Lerner’s 2B are preparing for their play, “Room for More.” Lots of Siyumim are going on, as various classes have completed Parashiyos Noach, Chayei Sarah, and VaYeishev. 3G’s Poetry Readings on Tuesday were charming. First, the girls taught us about various genres of poems: rhyming, acrostics, color, limericks, cinquains, and haikus. Then, they read samplings of their own original, creative “works of art.” Many thanks to Mrs. Dunkin for a terrific unit and program. 3G also made flip-pages to show expanded sentences for voice and are preparing their clothing store in Ivrit. 4B practiced highlighting main ideas for their notetaking. 5B have learned, in Mishnayos, about the different levels of Kedushah of items in a Shul and had a fun-filled time with their writing assignment geared to teach them to follow directions. 6B are presenting their original “10 Objects that Represent My Life” reports. They also created some very interesting Menoros (even though Chanukah 5773 is just a memory) and made 3D glasses from classroom materials. 6G are discovering what types of learners they are: auditory, visual, or kinesthetic and are working on persuasive essays. IN COMPUTER CLASSES: Kindergartners used TuxPaint to hone their using-the- mouse skills and depicted “transportation.” There were lots of planes, trains (on train tracks), and automobiles… and even a horse. 1st Graders learned important keys on the keyboard. They practiced by typing sentences and questions beginning with capital letters and ending with either a period or with a question mark. 6G/6G used Excel to create a spreadsheet, comparing their hypothesis and actual findings of colors found in bags of candy. Third Graders are creating Power Point presentations about continents.

Cost Free Ways to Help Our School

Cut out and send in to school all Box Tops for Education coupons you will find on myriad products. ` Each seemingly worthless piece of cardboard is actually worth at least $.10. Thanks to the diligence of Mrs. Elaine Feldman, over many years, this has earned us thousands of dollars. In fact, we just received a check for $769.00. Send in all Snider’s receipts from 2012. Thanks to the perseverance of Naomi Schwartz, we have gained a lot of money from this effortless effort on our parts. Purchase Agudah Scrip. Purchase scrip for any and all of the following establishments: Giant, Shoppers, ShopRite, H-Mart, Siena’s, Shalom, Snider’s, KosherMart, and Ben Yehuda. Please keep in mind that NONE of the above costs any of us any money.

Stella’s Army Wristbands Available in our office for $5 each.

May Stella (vra ,c ,cfuf vhrum) have a Refuah Shelaimah.

Uniform Gemach Parents, if you’re looking for a way to get rid of used TSGW uniforms in good shape, please bring them to the Torah School. Yael Azran will be coordinating a uniform Gemach.

The Torah School of Greater Washington is registered with Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area (CFCNCA). Our CFC number is 42181. Please have the Torah School in mind with your CFCNCA donation.

Good Shabbos!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Yitzchak Charner

Headmaster

This Week’s Parnasei HaYom

Friday, December 21 ‐ The learning in the 5th Grade Boys’ class was dedicated as avnka vtupr for vtk ,c vjna, sponsored by Rabbi and Mrs.

Shalom Hoffman.

Tuesday, December 25 ‐ The learning in the 6th Grade Boys’ class was dedicated,unab hukhgk, Chana Bas Chaim Yaakov and Chaim ben Meir,

sponsored by their children, Mr. and Mrs. Allan Oberstein.

Wednesday, December 26 ‐ The learning in the 2nd Grade Boys’ class was dedicated inhonor of Akiva Biberfeld’s 8th Birthday, sponsored by hisparents and grandparents, Rabbi and Mrs. Chaim Biberfeld andDr. and Mrs. Marcel Biberfeld.

Thursday, December 27 ‐ The learning in the Torah School was dedicated in honor ofall of the teachers that teach the Klatzkow children, sponsoredby their grandparents, Drs. Jeff and Carmen Levin.

&The learning in the Fifth Grade Girls’ class was dedicated inhonor of Rachel Morris’s 11th birthday, sponsored by herparents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Morris.

_____________________________________________________If you are interested in becoming a “Parnas HaYom,” Sponsor ofthe Day, the cost is $36 per class or $180 for the entire school.Please contact Yossie Charner at ryrcharner@tsgw.org or at443-938-2683.

You can sponsor a day of learning in honor of a birthday, anotherspecial event, a Yahrzeit, a Refuah Shelaimah, or as HakarasHatov (in appreciation) for someone.

It is a lack of Derech Eretz to interrupt someone who is speaking.

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We learned earlier that it is a Mitzvah of Yir’ah not to interrupt a parent or teacher when they are speaking, but the rules of Derech Eretz obligate us not to interrupt any person while he/she is speaking. Our sages teach in Pirkei Avos (5:9): 7 traits characterize an uncultivated person and seven a learned one. A learned person:

• Does not begin speaking before one who is greater in wisdom or in years; • He does not interrupt the words of his fellow; • He does not answer impetuously; • He questions with relevance to the subject, and he replies accurately; • He discusses first things first and last things last; • About something he has not heard, he says, “I have not heard”; • He acknowledges the truth.

The reverse of these characterize an uncultivated person. Children should be trained not to interrupt except under essential circumstances and then only if prefaced by “Excuse me.”

One should not speak first in the presence of one who is older or wiser.

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Refraining from speaking first in the presence of someone who is older or wiser is one of the seven signs of wisdom (Avos 5:9). HaRav Matisyahu Salomon, shlita, the spiritual mentor of the Lakewood Yeshiva, expresses this idea in the following manner: There is a fundamentally important concept in Jewish education that speaks of a child’s recognition of his/her place. A child should feel, in the presence of elders, that he has nothing of value to contribute. Humility, deference, and self-control are essential prerequisites to the attainment of wisdom and refinement of character. In a similar vein, children should be cautioned that one may not sit in the presence of a greater person until granted permission to do so. In fact, proper respect constitutes giving the elder one’s full attention. When speaking with adults, a child should not be doing anything else simultaneously, such as browsing through a book or so forth. Even as a boy of fifteen, Rabbi Akiva Eiger was known as a genius and as someone with a sterling character. An important and wealthy man who lived in the city of Lisa heard of the young scholar and wanted him as a son-in-law. The rich man took two scholars along with him and went to test the young Akiva, to see if he was as smart as people had claimed. The three sat down with Akiva and began to discuss a topic in Talmud, asking many pointed, probing questions. Akiva listened attentively to their words but said nothing. He gave the impression that he did not understand about what the scholars were talking. The men were surprised that this young man was called a genius. Akiva’s father was also surprised at his son. After the visitors left, he asked his son why he did not take part in the discussion. Akiva answered, “I know, Father, that my silence may have disturbed you, but I just did not have the heart to answer their questions because they were based on incorrect sources. One of the men forgot a very distinct Talmudic passage, and the other made a mistake in quoting a commentary. Since they are both older than I, I didn’t want to point out their mistakes and embarrass them. Rather than shame our guests, I thought it better to keep quiet, even if it means my not getting engaged at this time.”

rExEl©Y§t¦il̈d

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A Project of the

Torah School of Greater Washington

Berachah of the week:Berachah #6 - Selicha - Forgiveness

This blessing is actually a continuation of the process of Teshuvahwhich was begun in the previous Berachah. Now that we have begun therepentance procedure, we ask HaShem to forgive us for our past sins. Weconfess and ask forgiveness for our unintentional Aveiros (ubtyj) and ourintentional Aveiros (ubgap). This order (i.e. starting Teshuvah and thenasking for forgiveness) is an absolute requirement. In fact, one who asksfor forgiveness with no intent or plan for self improvement is a hypocrite.He is likened to a person who goes to a Mikveh to purify himself whileholding an object which transmits a high level of Tum’ah (impurity).

Wake up to prayer!

This Beracha is the Viduy(confession) step in the Teshuvahprocess.

As we do during the Days ofAwe and, particularly, YomHaKippurim, when we confess a sin,we hit ourselves near our hearts,meaning that, “You, the grv rmh in myheart, caused me to sin.” (MishnahBerurah 607:3:11.)

Specifically, we hit the left sideof our chests (just above the heart)with the right fist when reciting thewords ubtyj and ubgap.

We must have in mind that weintend to improve in the areas weneed to. In fact, we can add, in thisBeracha, the specific Aveiros forwhich we are confessing.

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vk̈h ¦p §T©k UrUgVolume VI, Issue 11 December 28, 2012

Classroom Close-ups December 28, 2012

by Mrs. Lisa Solomson Volume IX, Issue 10

“Don’t think! Just write!

One of the most rewarding ways I have found to enrich both the library and language arts curriculum at the Torah School is through coordinating author visits. Connecting students with published authors increases children’s interest in books, helps them to understand the publishing process, and can inspire even the most reluctant readers and writers. On December 5th of this year, all of our students in grades K-6 were treated to a visit by award-winning author, David A. Adler.

The author of over 230 books for children, Mr. Adler is most well known for the popular Cam Jansen mystery series, the Picture Book biography series, and several acclaimed works about the Holocaust. He has also written children’s picture books and books about math, Jewish holidays, and a variety of non-fiction.

In the weeks leading up to Mr. Adler’s visit, we spent our library sessions familiarizing

ourselves with some of his books. Younger grades read Young Cam Jansen and Bones mysteries. Older grades read one of his picture books, The Babe & I, along with some of Mr. Adler’s biographies of Jesse Owens, Satchell Paige, and Roy Campanella. Classroom teachers shared other titles with their students as well, such as: Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man; A Hero and the Holocaust: The Story of Janusz and His Children; Andy Russell, and various Picture Book biographies. Cam Jansen mysteries were a hot commodity during book check out and continue to be sought after by many students, almost a month after Mr. Adler’s program.

During his visit, Mr. Adler gave three presentations throughout the day, signed books for

students and teachers, and was extremely accessible and down to earth. Mr. Adler shared with students how he bases his writing on his own personal experiences and encouraged our students to do the same, challenging them to “think like writers.” He explained how any person or event could serve as an inspiration for a story and gave various examples from both his own life and the audience. Mr. Adler also discussed the long process of turning an idea into a published book, showing galleys, illustrations, and the different stages of the actual printing process.

Mr. Adler’s entertaining anecdotes and engaging personality made an indelible impression

on all who had the opportunity to hear his presentations. However, Mr. Adler’s most important lesson was his motto: “Don’t think! Just write!” He urged students not to overthink the writing process, but, rather, to just jump in and write. “A first draft doesn’t have to be great,” Mr. Adler stated. “It doesn’t even have to be good. It just has to be down on paper.” When he writes something, Mr. Adler knows he will rewrite each sentence and each story many times. For Mr. Adler, that’s where the fun begins. He stressed to students that he doesn’t work hard at writing - he just plays with words all day.

Many teachers have since told me that their students were inspired by Mr. Adler’s approach.

For example, the day after Mr. Adler’s visit, Mrs. Evans remarked that, “I got more writing out of my boys today then I have all year! We followed the ‘Just Write’ method.” Mrs. Dunkin mentioned that Mr. Adler “had real practical ideas for the kids to use, especially on getting topics about which to write.” Having children see the writing process through an author’s eyes supports and enhances the classroom learning experience. Mr. Adler’s program will be remembered by both students and teachers for years to come. I look forward to reading the many stories our students have to share.

Mo’tsa’ei Shabbos, January 12th

7:30 p.m.

Inviting all TSGW ladies and girls

Join the PTA and Ms. Griffin for an evening of fun

and creativity. Bring your daughter, mother or good friend and design a frame together with your

favorite pictures.

$18/group PTA-members $20/group non-members

Includes 1 frame per group, bagels & cream cheese, salads,

dessert and an enjoyable evening!

BS”D Yes, sign me up!

To register, please fill out form and drop off, along with a check, to the office. Name ________________________ # people in my group __________ Please bring 5-10 pictures to use in your frame.

Questions? Contact Becky Langer - beckylanger@gmail.com

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Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMC – Director, p 1-888-8-SOVEYA (876-8392), f 443-379-0665, www.soveya.com, info@soveya.com Volume 6, Issue 11 6209 Western Run Drive, Baltimore, MD 21209

SWITCHH Newsletter (Soveya Wellness Initiative To Create Healthy Habits)

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Copyright © 2012 by Soveya, Inc.

Torah thought on health and wellness: Three equals 12.

Chazal tell us that parshas Vayechi marks the transition from the period of Avos to Shevatim. Yaakov Avinu, the final of the three forefathers, gathers his 12 sons to give them his prophetic blessings before he dies. He prefaces the brochos with an attempt to reveal the circumstances surrounding the Messianic era.

“Then Yaakov called for his sons and said, ‘Assemble yourselves and I will tell you what will befall you in the End of Days. Gather yourselves and listen, O sons of Yaakov, and listen to Yisroel your father,’” (Bereishis 49, 1-2).

But a funny thing happened on the way to the revelation. Yaakov’s ruach hakodesh, his Divine inspiration, left him. Exactly like what occurred previously when he first attempted to bless Yosef’s sons Ephraim and Menashe, he was left “speechless” because his prophecy deserted him.

The Midrash tells us that he was distraught, thinking HaShem removed his prophetic capabilities because perhaps one of his holy sons was actually more akin to his brother Esav, or his uncle Yishmael, and therefore unworthy to receive such a pristine benediction.

He sons, however, responded in unison, “שמע ישראל ה' אלקינו ה' אחד – Listen Yisroel, HaShem is our G-d, HaShem is One.” By pronouncing the Krias Shema in unanimity, they relayed the message that, “Just as HaShem is One in your heart, He is One in our heart.”

Greatly pleased by their reply, Yaakov answered, “ ברוך שם כבוד Blessed be the Name of His honored kingdom – מלכותו לעולם ועדforever and ever.” He realized that HaShem was withholding the Messianic revelation for some other reason and not because of an undeserving son. Shema Yisroel is the ultimate expression of HaShem’s unity underlying every aspect of creation. It also alludes to the united vision of the 12 sons – for the word “אחד – One” represents: 1 א (Yaakov); 8 ח (the eight sons from Rochel and Leah); .(the four sons from Bilah and Zilpah) 4 ד

Yaakov understood that the transition of Jewish destiny from Avos to Shevatim – from an individual to a group of unified families - was moving forward. He was spiritually satisfied and his ruach hakodesh reappeared, enabling him to bless his sons with their separate strengths.

UNITY IN TRANSITION Even though they all had their unique qualities, none was an Esav or Yishmael, a renegade branch that broke off from the tree in order to plant his own forest. With all their disparate distinctions, they still emanated from the same philosophical root, like the Menorah with its varied branches arising from a single block of gold. The turnover was in good hands. The continuity of a unified vision originating from Avraham Avinu was assured.

A practical and relevant life lesson we derive from this episode is that transitions are often tests – acute assessments of the singularity of our commitment.

We can initiate a plan to change our lifestyle, for instance, our eating behaviors. All is well and good when we’re in the safe confines of our kitchen and controlled food environment. But when faced with a wedding, a Shabbos out of town, a business trip, or some other circumstance that takes us out of our regulated routine, how committed are we to maintain our priorities?

How quickly do we lose sight of the paramount reasons we began our plan in the face of the alluring prospects of a catered affair? The fear of missing out? The rationalization that it’s too hard to stick to a plan when we have to do extra and sometimes uncomfortable tasks, like calling ahead and asking what’s on the menu, or bringing our own food to supplement what is being served to ensure that we’ll have the right kinds of food and the right amounts that we need.

The unity of purpose falls away, fracturing the singularity of our commitment into detached pieces. After the fact, we return home ruminating in the all-too familiar remorse and regret, wondering how we ended up in the same underwhelmed and overstuffed place again – for the umpteenth time. Was it worth it?

The fundamental function of food is to provide us with the nutritional necessity for health and vitality. The marriage of its principal purpose with the palatable pleasure we experience while eating is an extraordinary gift with which HaShem has blessed us. How often have we divorced that union for the sake of a temporary indulgence, a quick foray into physical lust that leaves us wanting and disjointed.

We are severed from the Source, distancing ourselves once again from the unity that exists in the most basic and necessary act HaShem saw fit to create in our daily routine – the need to nourish our bodies with healthy eating. Good שבת.

SWITCHH is a coalition of Jewish Day Schools committed to effecting real and lasting changes toward our approach to eating and nutrition. The Wellness Initiative uses a Torah educational approach combined with practical tools and the latest news and information to inform and empower parents, teachers and students about the obligation to properly care for our bodies by developing and enjoying healthy eating habits. SWITCHH is

presented by Soveya, providing nutrition & wellness coaching, educational programs, teleconferences, seminars and newsletters concerning health, nutrition, and obesity prevention.

Changing the Jewish World – One Pound at a Time

2

Easy & Healthy RECIPE CORNER

Rice & Barley Pilaf Ingredients: 1 C. onion, minced; 1 C. brown rice; 1/2 C. barley; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 3 1/2 C. water or broth; 1

C. mushrooms, sliced; 1 C. celery, thinly sliced; 1 C. carrots, thinly sliced; 1/2 C. fresh parsley, chopped or 2

T. dried parsley; 1 T. soy sauce Directions: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large saucepan or

pot over medium heat. Add onion; saute about 10 minutes or until tender. Add barley, rice and garlic; cook and stir

over medium heat 1 minute. Stir in 3 1/2 C. water or broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, about 1 hour or until barley and rice are tender. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, celery,

carrot and parsley; saute 5 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir vegetable mixture into rice

and barley mixture.

From Soveya’s Incredibly Easy & Healthy Cookbook (300 no sugar, No flour, recipes – all but a few gluten free & kosher for Pesach)

BUY FOR YOURSELF OR FOR THE PERFECT GIFT – ORDER TODAY!

Kids Given Healthier Snacks Eat Fewer Calories

Children given a combination of cheese and

vegetables will eat only about a quarter as many calories as those given potato chips, according to a

new study.

"Like it or not, children like foods that are energy-dense and not those that are nutrient-rich. That is

because children are still growing. That is basic physiology," said Adam Drewnowski, director of

the Nutritional Sciences Program at the University of Washington, who was not part of the study.

The findings may not be surprising, but they suggest that swapping out potato chips for cheese

or vegetables might help reduce the amount of calories kids eat at snack time, said Adam

Brumberg, one of the authors of the study and the deputy director of the Food and Brand Laboratory

at Cornell University.

"If you put into the rotation (healthier snacks) you can have a significant impact on weekly caloric

intake," he suggested.

The findings might be obvious, but they also reveal that kids felt full after eating fewer calories of the cheese and vegetables than after eating the potato

chips.

"One thing that was crucial about this study is there was no restriction on the quantity. No one in

the snacking conditions ate everything," said Brumberg.

In other words, the kids ate until they felt full, and for the potato chip group that meant eating a lot

more calories than the cheese-and-veggies group.

To put those 600 potato chip calories into perspective, a moderately active eight-year-old

boy should eat about 1400 to 1600 calories a day, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

That one snack accounted for nearly 50% of their recommended daily caloric intake.