29 June 2018 - 16 Tammuz 5778

What is the secret to success? How do we achieve it? It is based on luck or is there a formula to follow? Questions like these have been asked over the centuries and many theories and hypotheses have been put forth. One such idea is that in order to succeed we must constantly and consistently strive to become the best versions of ourselves But why is self-improvement the key? There is a quote that I heard a few years ago that helped me understand this question. “The more we fill ourselves up, the more we can spill over onto others.” The reason we consistently strive to become better versions of ourselves is in order to impact the lives of those around us. The more we work on ourselves the more we have to give to others. In order to bring success to others, we first must bring success to ourselves by constructing the best versions of ourselves possible. This is the reason why for the past semester we have been focusing on teaching our students the power, impact and importance of strengthening midot. Through the topic of midot we shared with our students to the many different types of personalities and character traits that exist. The students didn’t only learn the meaning of each trait but also the constructive and destructive nature of each mannerism. Through this process the students began their life long journey of better self-understanding. We discussed the idea of individuality and uniqueness. We marveled at the fact that never has there been, nor never will there be a person as unique as themselves and subsequently the impact that each of us can make on the world. This idea of self-knowledge is key in Judaism. The renowned phrase “Derech Eretz kadma L’Torah” says just that. It is not enough to strive for knowledge and intelligence in life, but rather to also strive to be what we Jew’s call, a Mensch. The more we work on becoming the best versions of ourselves the more we can accomplish and the more we can impact those around us. The Year 3 students demonstrated their understanding of this concept through a concert. The Middot Concert was a great way of bringing the Middot program to life. Throughout the semester, the middot were taught through a story of a young boy flying around the world to different countries. Each country represented a different middah. In France they learnt about Zerizut (agility), in Mexico they learnt about Ga’avah (pride), and in Australia they learn about respecting their parents. They continued on to England, China, Russia, America, Hawaii and Israel, each country teaching them a new middah, its meaning and importance. May we all be inspired by the success of our year 3 students and continue on the road to becoming the best versions of ourselves possible.

Pnina Landau

Head of Jewish Studies, Primary

CANDLE LIGHTING: Shabbat Begins: 4.52pm Shabbat Ends: 5.55pm

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY JUNE Fri 29: Last Day of Term 2 JULY Sun 1: 17th Tammuz (Fast Day) Fri 13: Rosh Chodesh Av Mon 16: First day of Term 3 Mon 16 : Women’s Rosh Chodesh Group, Av – Shiur with Amanda Castelan-Starr, 8pm Sun 22: Fast of Tisha B’Av

Midot—The best versions of ourselves

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE MIDOT CONCERT

“If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Teaching is one of the most difficult professions in the world and it often is a thankless job. But there is nothing quite like teaching—that feeling when you see the eyes of a student light up when they finally get it. We work day in and day out just for those moments, but of course, the true value of teaching is something you never really witness. A good education plays itself out over the course of one’s whole life. We are truly planting seeds which may only sprout when the student becomes a parent or a teacher themselves. The prophet Bilaam, recruited by Balak to curse the Jewish People finds that he cannot utter a bad word and instead, blessing flows forth. In his poetic and cryptic blessing of the Jewish people, he compares us to “ganot alei nahar” – gardens planted along a river (24:6). Gardens near the waters of a river are especially lush as they have a consistent source of nourishment. On the simple level, this blessing describes the fruitful and beautiful nature of Am Yisrael. However, the Midrash (Tana Debei Eliyahu Raba) takes this phrase in a different direction: What is meant by “like gardens by the river”? This refers to the schoolteachers among Israel, who produce wisdom, understanding, knowledge and intelligence from their hearts and teach the students to perform the will of their Father in heaven. Rabbi David Silverberg brings the following explanation: The image of a river’s fresh water producing beautiful greenery and lush vegetation is understood here as a metaphor for the teachers of Torah, who

communicate to their students the beauty and magnificence of Torah life and Torah values. The Tolna Rebbe explained that the Midrash refers here to the need to expose children and students to the beauty and joy of Torah life. It is not enough to teach; parents and educators must allow their charges to experience the gratification of Torah, that it can be enjoyed like the sight of a magnificent garden. And thus the Midrash compared the Torah taught by effective teachers to the breathtaking, exhilarating sight of a lush garden sustained by a healthy supply of water. The Tolna Rebbe explained that for this reason, Tanna De-bei Eliyahu here applauds the efforts of the teachers who produce the desired results “from their hearts.” Teaching and educating in a manner that evokes joy and enthusiasm requires emotional investment. It necessitates not only the skills to clearly and effectively communicate the information, but also a genuine display of love and concern for the child or student. The joy of Torah alluded to in this verse can be evoked only when we teach and tend to our charges “from our hearts,” which sincere and selfless devotion, appreciating their potential and eagerly awaiting its full realization. I think the main takeaway from Rabbi Silverberg’s explanation is that we are all teachers. Yes, there are particular people who are employed by the community to educate our children. But

we must never outsource true education. Torah education is not just what Gemara our children learn in class or how they daven in school. Torah education is when they see how their parents talk to each other, when they see what their parents invest in, when they see what we talk about at our Shabbat tables. If the only way we relate to Torah is through gathering wood and giving instructions as to how to build a boat, there will be no love for building that boat or stepping on its decks. We must teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea—we must, through our own personal development and growth and exploration of endless immensity of the sea of the Torah—show our children love and joy. Thank God, our community has amazing teachers, people who deserve our thanks and gratitude for their tireless work on behalf of our children, especially now, at the end of a long term. However, we must also recognise that we are the true teachers. If we don’t model the life we want for our children, it just won’t take hold. May Hashem bless us all with the strength and courage to take that next step in our personal development, so that we may become overflowing source of wisdom, inspiration and nourishment for all those around us, so the blessings of Bilaam can once again be revealed upon us, as lush gardens by the river.

This Sunday is the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz (pushed off from Shabbat), which will usher in the three weeks of mourning of various tragedies which befell the Jewish people during this time.

During the Three Weeks, in order to ensure that the destruction of the Temple and the many tragedies of Jewish history are at the forefront of our minds, we have the custom to restrict ourselves in several areas. (This is not an in-depth list and there are varying opinions on each detail.)

We do not take haircuts and men do not shave (unless they need to for work).

One may not get married during this time period (engagements are permitted).

We do not listen to music during this period (Some say this refers to all music, some say only instrumental music—a source of great debate).

We refrain from saying the blessing of Shehechiyanu during this time.

Some have the custom not to swim for enjoyment during this time. As we draw closer to the nine days and Tisha B’Av, I will present those laws in a more detailed manner. And if you have any questions on the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Shabbat Shalom.

Noam Sendor

Campus Rabbi

A MESSAGE FROM RAV NOAM - CHUKAT 5778

“If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity

of the sea.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

We are all teachers. Yes, there are particular people who are

employed by the community to educate our children. But we

must never outsource true edu-cation. Torah education is not just what Gemara our children

learn in class or how they daven in school. Torah education is

when they see how their parents talk to each other, when they see

what their parents invest in, when they see what we talk about at our Shabbat tables.

Works that work for our Children As we approach the end of term it is pleasing to see the various projects coming to completion. Our new multi-sport playing surface has been installed and we are finishing off some additional features over the coming holidays. A natural grassed area, easy to access pathways, new plantings of a variety of tree species, disabled access ramps and a “peaceful park” area are all scheduled for the break. The seating units in that zone have extended delivery times and as such will be installed later in the coming term.

In designing the new play areas, a decision was made to provide a beautiful and child friendly play area utilising 40mm grass with rubber inlay and underlay. This surface is not suitable for cars to park on and this will mean that our ability to park parents’ cars is now limited to an estimated 30 cars. We will experiment with parking arrangement in the coming months with a desire to provide as many parking spots as is safe. Our decision to reduce the carpark and provide the extended play area is what works for our children and we are confident that our Yavneh family will support this choice. Please, as always, be considerate when parking in the surrounding streets.

Our ELC office is also now in full use with a beautiful new office area that provides a suitable environment for parent and staff meetings. A new staffroom enables our staff with an opportunity for collegial conversations and the opportunity to brainstorm and plan the educational program for our children. Some seating and beautiful planting will be completed over the coming week to further enhance the design. Thank you for your patience as we have worked to deliver these projects.

Shabbat Shalom David Fisher Head of Administration

FROM THE ELC Holiday Time, Quality Time We all love our families and, as parents, we spend so much effort trying to provide them with a comfortable lifestyle — but sometimes we forget that giving our kids our time is more important than providing them with material objects. Even for older kids — who you'd be pretty hard-pressed to get to admit that they want more attention from their parents and siblings — a good solid family experience, has serious benefits. Holiday time is upon us and it's the perfect time for some good old fashioned family bonding. Here's why you should make “Quality Time” your top priority:

It builds self-esteem in children Children who spend time with their parents participating in activities together build a positive sense of self-worth. When children feel that they are valued by their parents, they feel more positive about themselves. Family activities don't have to be expensive or luxurious to be meaningful. The important part is just being together and enjoying each other's company. It strengthens family bonds Families who share everyday activities together, form strong, emotional ties. Studies have found that families who enjoy group activities together share a stronger emotional bond. Share your favourite hobbies, sports, books or movies and build strong family ties for life. It creates happy memories Family time creates warm memories for parents and children alike. Children with happy family memories are more likely to create a loving environment for their own children when they grow up. Learning to work and play as a family unit is one of the best lessons children can be taught so they can develop into competent adults and parents.

It helps parents and children reconnect Spending time together as a family helps busy parents reconnect with their children. Children tend to share more information about their lives while enjoying an activity with you rather than when you ask them "What did you do today?" It is also a time when life lessons, like sharing, fairness and compassion, can be reinforced without conflict. Children grow and change quickly and we need to seize these opportunities as often as we can. Spending quality time with family does help in coping with challenges, instils a feeling of security, inculcate family values, fill kids with confidence, and much more. Enjoy the holidays and make happy meaningful memories together.

Charlene Orwin Head, Early Learning Centre

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE ELC

Please note that the Makerdojo program will not proceed in the July holidays due to insufficient numbers. We will revisit the feasibility of trialling this again in the Term 3 break.

A highlight for Year 2 this term has been the excursion to Legoland and Booran Reserve Park. Having just completed a Unit of Inquiry study on how technology has changed our lives, we were fortunate to experience an outing to two modern and exciting play areas. This excursion highlighted for the students how play has changed over the years due to advancements in technology. The students have written about their experiences. These included; creating a Lego display based on a story they had written, experiencing the effects of a 4D movie and viewing a huge interactive model of Melbourne city. At Booran Reserve the students were eager to climb to the top of the spider’s web and experience the hamster wheel. We saw how the design of playgrounds has evolved over the years. You can see by their smiles how excited they were to be on this excursion.

Some reflections from the students: I watched the movie in the 4D cinema. The effect of the movie made it look like it was alive. By Omer David In groups we got to write a story. We wrote about a girl and how she lost her dog. Then we got to build it out of Lego. It was a blast! By Rebecca Israel.

Legoland has the most incredible rides. One of them is called Merlin’s Apprentice. When you peddle it spins and lights up. By Atalia Schneier. Have you been to Legoland? I have. I went with school to learn about how Lego and play has changed over the years. By Joel Hendler. I don’t think they had anything like Legoland in the olden days. I think they did have Lego but it was very old-fashioned. By Eliya Alden I saw a Lego construction of the city of Melbourne. It had used lots of technology so I knew it had developed over the years.

There were buttons to press which made things move, and lights that highlighted parts of the model when the lights in the room went off. Also there were sounds. I heard a band playing music, a builder making holes with a jack hammer and funfair music. By Raph Epstein

Susan Gosling Primary General Studies

PRIMARY NEWS

Makerdojo Program

Year 2 Excursion to Legoland and Booran Reserve

PRIMARY NEWS

As we head to the end of Semester One the Secondary School has been busy with examinations, report writing and supporting students as they undertake assessments and complete projects, essay and other learning tasks. At this week’s staff briefing and again at the final student assembly for the term, I reminded all of us of the very many activities that began with the Yoms, took us through parent teacher meetings, NAPLAN, the musical, Yom Yerushalyim, Shavuot the Vonnies, the music evening and so much more that happens in a school week to week that is created by the dedication and care of the staff and the engagement and enthusiasm of the students. Taking the time to reflect on all the accomplishments of the year so far can be challenging, it is easy to get lost in the busyness and hard to pause and acknowledge all that has happened. I encourage everyone to take some time to do that now. Term Two has been exhilarating but I am also looking forward to that moment of quiet when the students and staff go on their very well deserved break. It will give me the opportunity to reflect on the small changes I spoke about in last week’s Kesher, contemplate the unexpected or indeed expected obstacles as well as shape the plans for next term. I have very much enjoyed and appreciated the support from colleagues and getting to know many of the students. To all the secondary students I say well done on completing the semester and I encourage you to take the time to reflect on your growth both personally and in your academic studies. During the break to examine your strengths and consider how you

can build up your skills in areas which continue to challenge you. To the secondary staff, I also say thank you for your work and efforts guiding all our students towards reaching their potential. To all of you, my gratitude for your kindness, patience and willingness to welcome me into the Yavneh community. Blessings for a safe and happy break. Shabbat Shalom, Dr Amanda Samson Head of Secondary School

DR SAMSON SAYS….

Farewell to Rabbi Garfunkel

SECONDARY NEWS

Rabbi Garfunkel and Pnina Landau

Rabbi Garfunkel and Rabbi Fromer

Thank you for more than 20 years

of dedicated teaching at Leibler Yavneh College

PE DEPARTMENT

Well done to all the students in Year 7-10 that were involved in the Leibler Yavneh College badminton championships at MSAC last week. The competition saw the best male and female teams in each year level verse each other in a best of three set badminton tournament. Well done to Ortali Arzouan and Amira Kacser from Year 8 that won the girls tournament and Eli Segman and Gabe Lotzoff from Year 9 that won the boys championship. It was a fantastic morning witnessing the tremendous skills of the selected students.

YEAR LEVEL GIRLS BOYS

YEAR 7 Amelie Cher and Yael Schmidt

Jordan Rakach and Adam Geller

YEAR 8 Amira Kacser and Ortali Arzouan Avi Segman and Josh Maidenberg

YEAR 9 Jessica Tseitlin and Miya Gold

Eli Segman and Gabe Lotzoff

YEAR 10 Leeona Tusia and Or Sherwinter

Shimmy Basserabie and Sam Paneth

Leibler Yavneh College Badminton Championships

Ortali Arzouan Eli Segman Gabe Lotzoff Amira Kacser

FROM THE SECONDARY LIBRARY

Chloe Lukasiak is an American dancer, actress, model, fashion designer and writer. She is best known for being the original cast member of the reality television series Dance Moms during season 1 through season 4.

Chloe is a believer that things happen for a reason. She knows that life would be easier without disappointments, bullying and medical issues, but sometimes it takes challenges to inspire you to achieve big things. From her status as a favourite on Dance Moms and through her life as a social media star, Chloe has found that self-acceptance and kindness are the key to getting over rough spots in life and realizing your dreams.

Stone Girl is the debut novel of Melbourne author Eleni Hale. An unspeakable event changes everything for twelve-year-old Sophie. She’s made a ward of the state and grows up in a volatile world where kids make their own rules, adults don’t count and the only constant is change. Then one day Sophie meets Spiral, and he’s the most furious, beautiful boy Sophie has ever known. As their bond tightens and she begins to confront what happens in the past, she falls deeper and deeper into a gritty world. Eleni Hale lives in

Melbourne, she was previously a reporter at the Herald Sun, a communications strategist for the union movement and has written for many print and online news publications. Eleni states that journalism taught her storytelling, structure and minimalist language.

Her advice to aspiring authors, write almost every day, read as often as possible, watch

people and truly see your environment.

David Easton

Secondary Librarian

THE 2018 CAPTAINS’ CORNER

Jaffa Family Quiz—Guess the Theme 1. Name the 50th state of the USA?

2. What are the names of the three boys on the front of the rice

bubbles cereal box?

3. In Roman numerals, what number does D represent?

4. The title of one of Simon and Garfunkel’s songs is “______ over

troubled water”

5. What is the number “one” in Spanish?

Gav’s Guess the Lyrics

1. “Hands up, and suddenly we all got our hands up, no control of my body” – Easy

2. “You push and you push and I’m pulling away, pulling away from you” – Medium

3. “Look into my eyes, can’t you see they’re open wide…” – Medium

4. “We were only eleven, but acting like grownups like we are in the present…” – Hard

HUMANS OF LEIBLER YAVNEH STUDENT OF THE WEEK: Noah Samuel Szuster

Likes: Footy, backboard footy, Collingwood, pretty much every movie ever made, music, sleeping, procrastinating, schnitzel burger from lafa. Dislikes: early morning davening (meaningful minyan all the way!!), the amount of rubbish left around the school. Fave thing about Yavneh: The Yavneh difference If you were principal for a day: reignite the yavneh spirit,

Fav tuckshop food: Orange frozen cup

Random fact: stuck on 99 games for Ajax Glicksy’s Giggles What time did the man go to the dentist? tooth hurt-y To whoever stole my copy of Microsoft office, I will find you,. You have my word! i'm so good at sleeping.....I can do it with my eyes closed!

Jake and Elad’s Top 5

1. Communist Manifesto 2. 100 years of Solitude 3. The art of war 4. Nanberry 5. 1984 6. The Quran: Graphic novel series REBECCA’S RIDDLES

In a one-story pink house, there was a pink person, a pink cat, a pink fish, a pink computer, a pink chair, a pink table, a pink telephone, a pink shower– everything was pink! What color were the stairs?

Jaffa Family Quiz—Guess the Theme

ANSWERS: 1. HAWAII 2. SNAP, CRACKLE AND POP 3. 500 4. BRIDGE 5. UNO LAST WEEK’S THEME: ELEMENTS ON THE PERIODIC TABLE SHOUTOUT TO JONAH FEIGLIN FOR CORRECTLY GUESSING THE THEME! Gav’s Guess the Lyrics

1. Usher – DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love 2. 5SOS – Youngblood 3. Charles & Eddie – Would I Lie To You? 4. Anne-Marie - 2002 REBECCA’S RIDDLES

There weren’t any stairs, it was a one story house!

ANNOUNCEMENTS MAZALTOVS To the Niselow family on Adam’s Bar Mitzvah. May you continue to have nachat from your families

BAR AND BATMITZVAH REGISTER Please remember to register the date of your son or daughter’s bar or bat mitzvah with Lynda Pilalis at Reception so

that we can avoid function clashes whenever possible.

CONDOLENCES To the Maron family on the passing of Mr Lionel Maron z’l. To the Young family on the passing of Mr Benjamin Young z’l May your family know no more sorrow

HAVE A SHABBAT OR YOM TOV WITH OUR SHERUTIES!!

To invite them for a Shabbat or Yom Tov meal, please contact Lynda Pilalis at the main Reception on 9528 4911 Or email l.pilalis@yavneh.vic.edu.au

A very big thank you to all the wonderful Grandparents + Special Friends for attending Thursday’s Games Challenge! Everyone enjoyed their time together in the Lamm Hall playing games like Cluedo Junior, Rummikub, Backgammon, Uno, Snakes & Ladders and Connect Four (just to name a few!). If there are grandparents who were unable to attend but would love to be informed about future Grandparents Club activities, please send their names and email address to n.feutrill@yavneh.vic.edu.au Our next Women’s Rosh Chodesh Group for the month of Av will be a shiur with Amanda Castelan-Starr. All women are welcome and invited to join us on Monday 16 July at 8pm at the Tawil Family home, 24 Fitzgibbon Crescent Caulfield North. Our immense thanks to both Amanda Castelan-Starr and Michelle Tawil. For further information on the Women’s Rosh Chodesh Group please contact Ilana Lipski, ilanalipski@yahoo.com It’s time... tickets are now available for Trivial Matters! Thank you to all of the enthusiastic Table Captains for organising your Teams, and to Judith Perlstein for coordinating this gigantic task! If you would like to come and do not yet have a table to sit at, please message Judith on 0402 848 046 and we will do our best to squeeze you in to the last few spots. Next term we’re looking forward to more fun and different activities with the Women’s Rosh Chodesh Group, the annual Father’s Day Stall, Trivial Matters, and of course another Grandparents Club Nachas event. UPCOMING EVENTS – TERM 3 Women’s Rosh Chodesh Group, Av - Shiur with Amanda Castelan-Starr Monday 16 July, 8pm at the Tawil family home, 24 Fitzgibbon Crescent Caulfield North Father’s Day Stall Elsternwick Campus – Monday 27 August Balaclava Rd Campus – Tuesday 28 August Trivial Matters Saturday 1 September, 7.45pm in the Lamm Hall Stay Connected – Join Yavneh Parents’ Organisation (YPO) on Facebook! Keep up to date with what’s going on by joining our Facebook group - search for Yavneh Parents’ Organisation (YPO) next time you’re online. Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom and a rejuvenating break over the holidays -

Tali Boltin & Amanda Hampel YPO Co-Chairs

YPO UPDATE

***WINTER CLEARANCE*** Old style tracksuit ( limited sizes) - $30 Cotton Lined Anoraks (sizes14 - 2XL) - $20 Zip through Sports Jackets - flannel lining (limited sizes) - $10 Zip through Sports Jackets - fleece lining ( limited sizes ) - $20

***NEW IN STOCK*** FLEECE TRACKSUIT PANTS -$55 YAVNEH SCARF - $23

UNIFORM SHOP HOURS: Monday 7.30-9.30 Wed 8.30-11.30 Thursday 3-5pm Please note the Uniform Shop will be closed until Monday 16th July The ordering system will still be in place for your convenience.

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS

SECOND HAND UNIFORM & BOOK FACEBOOK PAGE With over 290 members, the Yavneh 2nd Hand Uniform & Books Facebook page is the place to buy and sell your pre-loved uni-form and books. You can either use the page to sell privately, or you could ask us to sell for you in which case the money is donat-ed to the YPO. If you have not joined yet, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/yavnehuniform/ and request to become a member. Any problems please email (Bindycohen@gmail.com) or phone me (0423 007 114). Uniform has to be in good condi-tion, and books have to be on the current Yavneh booklist.

If you wish to donate books to the YPO stock please contact Florence Pyke (florencepyke@optusnet.com.au). If you want to do-nate your old textbooks to the YPO so we keep the proceeds, please make sure they are currently on the booklist. (No Maths Quest , no Science Quest and no Pearson history please. ) Alternatively try Gumtree or eBay. Other schools may use them. You are welcome to sell extra-curricula clothes as well through this channel such as ballet, karate, cricket kit etc. Please restrict the sales to items relevant to education. You can also use the Facebook group to request any uniform/ book items you are look-ing for.