The

Week

IN

words

December 16, 2016

5:14

תשעו כסלו טז וישלחפרשת

PRe-K PAGESSECULAR STUDIES–

MOROT JUDY, MEREDITH & RACHELPre-K was busy reviewing the letters Aa-Gg this

week. The children went on an exciting ABC scavengerhunt. “Teams” were formed and they worked togetherto search the room for items starting with the letter ontheir team's bag. At the end of the game the childrengot to see what each team collected. Each team alsocounted their items to see how many things theyfound. We also made "alphabet soup" using the letterswe learned with pretend vegetables from ourhousekeeping area. We read the book Chicka ChickaBoom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. & John Archam Baultwhich is a story about letters in a coconut tree. We alsopracticed writing the numbers 1-5. Along with this, welearned how to count out, add and take away up tofive+ items. We also read the book, What Comes In 2's,3's and 4's by Suzanne Aker.

Continuing on with the unit, "How Things AreMade", the children made goop and observed how it'stexture changed as they held it in their hands andplayed with it. We also started learning about safetyand watched a video called, Safety Kid and the TorahIsland Puppets. Our safety unit will continue next week.We had a full and exciting week and look forward tocontinuing on next week!

JUDAIC STUDIES–MOROT MORIEL & NECHAMA

In Parashas Vayishlach, we learned whyYaakov’s name was changed to Yisroel. Wereviewed the names of all of Yaakov’s sons,including Binyomin, whose birth is mentioned inthis week’s parsha. We heard how Yaakovprepared for his meeting with Eisav by daven-ing, preparing gifts and getting ready for war.We also spoke about the special burial place inEretz Yisroel, Kever Rochel, where RochelImeinu is buried.

The children are very excited about theirupcoming Chanukah program. They are busymaking beautiful decorations and projects forChanukah. Some stories that we listened to thisweek were, Potato Pancakes All Around byMarilyn Hirsh and A Chanukah Story by LindaDavis.

The new Hebrew vocabulary phrases that wefocused on this week were:

נר כתום נר אדום

נר כחול נר צהוב

בית המקדש כהן גדול מכבים יונים

We are continuing to practice our Hebrewcounting skills.

Our Hebrew letter this week is Yud. Somenew vocabulary words we learned are:

יד ידים יום

יום הולדת יין

ירח יום טוב

ילד ילדה

Our Mitzvah Train taught us this weekabout the special Mitzvos that we do for eachand every Yom Tov.

Erev Shabbos Parashas Vayishlach 5777

Dear Parents,

People are frequently asking what characteristic can make the difference between functional, successful, happy families andthose that fall short in one or more of those areas. Some point to large families as a source of dysfunction and unhappiness –we all know numerous examples where that is not the reality. Others will lay blame for failed families on both parents workingfull-time out of the house. That may explain some cases, but it is simply not true in others. Single-parent homes get more thantheir share of blame – but again, many healthy happy children have emerged from that challenging circumstance. Is there, thensomething we can point to that will be a reliable predictor of success or failure?

I believe the answer lies in an insight of Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch (32:8) on this week’s Parsha. In connection with the im-pending encounter between Yaakov and Esav, Rav Hirsch points out that one of the numerous differences in world view betweenYaakov and Esav concerns what is the core role that a person is to play in his lifetime - is it his or her family role or his or her pub-lic role. Esav, who approached surrounded by his legions of soldiers, represents the glitter and greatness of political power. Hislife, ambitions and focus are in the public realm. Family, if any, is a means and a platform upon which to build the public persona.Yaakov on the other hand, approaching with his loving family surrounding him, represents the happiness and fulfillment of familylife. Social, political power and organization have importance only as a means to ensuring the fulfillment of life as a human,which is lived primarily within the family unit.

We have found our predictor in a straightforward, direct and simple fashion. What differentiates between families has almostnothing to do with the various external trappings. Money, family size, available time and intelligence are all either assets or liabili-ties, but they are one of many means to an end. What matters most is whether the family follows an Esav or Yaakov approach.Is family merely a means to an end, and does it receive little focus because it’s not part of a person’s core existence? If focus islacking, every member of the family will come to realize there’s something missing in this family; the family and its values can’tbe that important. The road to dysfunction and failure is short and almost inevitable. This Esav-type approach may produce peo-ple who appear to be successful in the public realm, but family life will be disastrous.

On the other hand, if everything revolves around the family, and job and public persona are a means to providing a healthy, whole-some and sustainable environment for family, then children become the focus and their needs and their issues form the centralagenda for the parents. Challenges that may come from a depressed economic situation, limitations of space or time are hur-dles to be overcome, not obstacles to success. By focusing on the children and each other, parents notice problems before theybecome unmanageable, know just how to bring a smile to each little one’s lips, look for and find little things to bring joy to theirchildren and spend time and effort thinking about, analyzing and seeking advice as to how best help their children. They sit attheir Shabbos table engaging and enjoying their children, so it becomes the high point of their week.

This is the way of Yaakov, this is the heritage of the Jewish People, and this is our key to a wholesome, happy family. Be a fo-cused parent, and your children will thrive on the attention, care, insight and love that will constantly come their way. This is notonly to bring you Nachas – this is the ultimate fulfillment of your existence on this earth. And as in all areas of life, pray for helpand guidance from the Ribbono Shel Olam, our Father in Heaven who attends to our needs and showers us with love.

Best wishes for a family-focused Shabbos,

Rabbi Kalman BaumannPrincipal

FROM THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE

It is time to register your children for next year!

Registration for all families is now open!

We are expecting to have limited space and will fill upour classes early this year. Don't forget! If you wouldlike to register a new sibling, an application needs tobe filled out at www.ytcteam.org/apply Should haveyou have any further questions, please contact theadmissions office at 305-647-9477 oradmissions@ytcteam.org

For the financial office, please call 305-944-5344 ext221

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT CHANUKAH GIFT?For a limited time only, we have added additional gift cards to theYeshiva Toras Chaim Toras Emes SCRIP program. Give the perfect giftand credit your SCRIP account at the same time. See inserted flyer fora list of participating stores and order online at www.ytcteam.org/scrip

ECE CHANUKAHPROGRAMS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22 AT 9:45 A.M.

ALL JUNIOR PRE-K & PRE-K CLASSES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23 AT 9:45 A.M.

ALL KINDERGARTEN CLASSES

All programs will take place in theauditorium.

REMINDER!!

ANNUAL DINNER

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017

JUNGLE ISLAND

Please be on the lookout for an email regarding Chanukah Gelt for theMorahs!