In This Issue:

Calendar 2

Parshat Vayechi 3

The Soille Scene 4

Preschool Pages 5-6

Community News 7

Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Paula Tannen Preschool

3630 Afton Road · San Diego, CA 92123 · 858-279-3300 www.hebrewday.org

January 13, 2017 Parsha Vayechi 15 Tevet 5777 Light Candles 4:46 pm

Our Students Engage in Experimental Science at an Earlier Age and in More Depth! Hebrew Day School 4th Grade students participated in a fascinating experiment this week- dissecting sheep eyes! The lesson expanded the students’ understanding of anatomy and science in a memorable and impressionable way. This is just one of the many ways in which our advanced STEM program engages our students in hands-on learning in a way that is exceptional and highlights how remarkable our Hebrew Day School is!

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Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 6, 2017 - 8 Tevet 5777

Calendar of Events

Head of School: Rabbi Simcha Weiser rabbiweiser@hebrewday.org

Assistant Head of School: Rabbi Meir Cohen rabbicohen@hebrewday.org

Director of School Operations: Estelle Workman eworkman@hebrewday.org

Director of Enrollment: Beth Licha blicha@hebrewday.org

Dean of Students: Giovanna Reinking giovanna.reinking@hebrewday.org

Preschool Director: Rachel Eden rachel.eden@hebrewday.org

Business Manager: Klara Lapp klapp@hebrewday.org

Director of Development: Joyce Arovas jarovas@hebrewday.org

President:

Geoffrey Berg

Members at Large:

Josh Cohen Iliana Glovinsky

Moises Eilemberg Gavin Horn

Allen Gruber Hilary Kleinman

Yonina Kaplan Philip Silverman

Michael Leeman Yvonne Venger

Marilyn Williams Marcia Wollner

Missy Wrotslavsky Brian Zimmerman

Our Administrative Team: Board of Directors:

January

January 16, 2017 No School—Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 18, 2017 Step Up Event K-4th grade 4:15 pm January 23, 2017 Step Up to Kindergarten 3:45 pm January 24, 2016 Movin into Middle School Night 5th grade 6:30 pm January 26, 2017 Kindergarten Sea World Field Trip

January 27, 2017 Rosh Chodesh Assembly 1:15 pm February 1, 2017 Early Dismissal 1 pm February 8, 2017 2nd Grade Chumash Milestone Celebration February 15, 2017 1st Grade Siddur Milestone Celebration February 20, 2017 No School - President’s Day

February 27, 2017 Rosh Chodesh Assembly 2:50 pm February 28, 2017 3rd Grade Invention Convention March 3, 2017 2nd Trimester Ends

S M T W T F S

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8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

S M T W T F S

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5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

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Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 6, 2017 - 8 Tevet 5777

Parshat Vayechi OVERVIEW: Parshat VeYechi (Gen. Ch. 47:28 – 50:26) After 17 years in Egypt, Yaakov senses his days drawing to a close and summons Yosef. He has Yosef swear to bury him in the Machpela cave, the burial place of Adam and Chava, Avraham and Sara, Yitzchak and Rivka, and his wife Leah. Yaakov falls ill and Yosef brings to him his two sons, Ephraim and Menashe. Yaakov elevates Ephraim and Menashe to the status of his own sons, thus giving Yosef a double portion that removes the status of the first-born from Reuven. As Yaakov is blind from old age, Yosef leads his sons close to their grandfather. Yaakov kisses and hugs them. He had not thought to see his son Yosef again, let alone Yosef's children. Yaakov begins to bless them, giving precedence to Ephraim, the younger, but Yosef interrupts him and indicates that Menashe is the elder. Yaakov explains that he intends to bless Ephraim with his strong hand because Yehoshua will descend from him, and Yehoshua will be both the conqueror of Eretz Yisrael and the teacher of Torah to the Jewish People. Yaakov summons the rest of his sons in order to bless them as well. Yaakov's blessing reflects the unique character and ability of each tribe, directing each one in its unique mission in serving Hashem. Yaakov passes from this world at age 147. A tremendous procession accompanies his funeral cortege up from Egypt to his resting place in the cave of Machpela in Chevron. After Yaakov's passing, the brothers are concerned that Yosef will now take revenge on them. Yosef reassures them, even promising to support them and their families. Yosef lives out the rest of his years in Egypt, seeing Efraim's great-grandchildren. Before his death, Yosef foretells to his brothers that Hashem will redeem them from Egypt. He makes them swear to bring his bones out of Egypt with them at that time. Yosef passes away at the age of 110 and is embalmed. Thus ends Sefer Bereisheet, the first of the five Books of the Torah. Chazak! (C) 2017 Ohr Somayach International

DRASHA: The traditional rabbinic approach as to why this portion of the Torah is the titled “Vayechi Yaakov” – Jacob Lived - even though the subject matter of this Torah portion concerns itself with the death of Yaakov, is that as long as his descendants – the Jewish people – are alive and functioning, then Yaakov is still considered to be alive. The message here is one of immortality and continuity, family and generations. Like life itself and its counterpart, death, these words mentioned immediately above are difficult to define. Other nations and empires that are long ago extinct in terms of presence and participation in current world events, also have biological descendants alive and present in today's world population. Nevertheless, we think of Rome and Babylon, Greece and Persia, the Holy Roman Empire and even the Soviet Union as being swept into the dustbin of history, never to rise to power again. So, the rabbis must be telling us a deeper message than mere biological and genetic survival from the past until today. I have often thought that a great part of the secret of Jewish survival lies in the fact that different – completely different – generations are able to bond together, recognize each other and have the same common goals, values and lifestyle. My father was born before the Wright brothers flew an airplane and he lived to see human beings walk on the moon. In spite of the difference in age, background and even language, he had close contact with and a great influence on his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They somehow recognized who he was in his essence and beliefs and easily responded to his presence and later treasured his memory. So, to

a certain extent we may say that he lived on through his descendants. Yaakov recognized the different personalities, qualities and talents of each of his children and grandchildren. His blessings to his children and grandchildren, as recorded for us in this week's Torah reading, clearly indicate this fact. He had no one-size-fits-all blessing to bestow. And it is perhaps that fact that guarantees that as long as his descendants are alive, Yaakov also lives. For every one of his descendants could say in response to the blessing that each one received – all of them different and personal – that their old father and grandfather understood them and recognize them for what they were. And because of that, they treasured his memory and championed his cause throughout the ages. Relationships that bridge time and space, generations and world upheavals can only be forged upon the recognition and acceptance of the uniqueness of the parties involved. There is no blessing ultimately in national and personal life that is brought about by conformity. The pithy remark of the great Rebbe of Kotzk was: “If I am I and you are you, then I am I and you are you; but if I am you and you are me, then I am not I and you are not you.” The blessings of Yaakov to his future generations reflect the wisdom of this truism. Shabat shalom. Rabbi Berel Wein (C) 2017

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Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 6, 2017 - 8 Tevet 5777

The Soille Scene

8th Grade Science Fair projects are in the final stages of production. The 8th graders have worked so hard and

learned so much!

Continued from front page. Fourth Grade Sheep Eye dissection.

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Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 6, 2017 - 8 Tevet 5777

The Soille Scene Headmaster Society Members Gather at La Jolla Home Members of the Hebrew Day Headmaster Society met at the home of parent and Board member, Moises Eilemberg, for a wine and cheese reception and to celebrate Jewish education. Attendees were treated to kosher cheese from New York and kosher wine-tasting by parent Andrew Breskin. Tommy Broudy, Hebrew Day alum and current parent, spoke about the impact Hebrew Day had on his career and life, both secularly and spiritually. “Hebrew Day gave me a sense of self, confidence, and a strong Jewish identity that has stayed with me today. I would not send my children to any other school.” Rabbi Weiser introduced the work of Israeli author Etgar Keret, recipient of the 2016 Charles Bronfman Prize. Sarah Price-Keating presented a dramatic reading from Keret’s Memoir, Seven Good Years. The Hebrew Day Headmaster Society is a like-minded group of supporters who gather to deepen their association with one another and their appreciation for Jewish education. Members of the Headmaster Society contribute a minimum annual gift of $3,600. For information on joining the Headmaster Society, contact Joyce Arovas, jarovas@hebrewday.org or 858-279-3300, ext. 107.

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Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 6, 2017 - 8 Tevet 5777

Preschool Page

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Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 6, 2017 - 8 Tevet 5777

Preschool Page

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Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Kolenu January 6, 2017 - 8 Tevet 5777

Community News Mazel Tov to…

...Hayley Schonland (HDS Class of 2006) on her upcoming marriage to Natan Orlofsky and to proud

parents Addison and Stephanie Schonland.

...Jakob McElfresh on his upcoming Bar Mitzvah and to proud parents Ynessa and Tom McElfresh

and grandparents Don & Ruthie Broudy and Tom and Ann McElfresh.

Condolences to…

...Arya family on the passing of Mr. Salomon Arya, ob"m, husband of Mrs. Rosa Arya, father of

Hebrew Day Parent Kadesh Arya & father-in-law of Hebrew Day teacher/parent Danielle Arya, father

of Moshe, Israel and Freidel Hastings, grandfather of HDS student Ayden Arya and HDS Alumni Talia

(HDS Class of 2010), Netanel Arya (HDS Class of 2007) & Chaya Sarah Arya (HDS Class of 2011).

Refuah Shlemiah to…

...Noa Ariel, newborn of Melissa and Lior Zummay, is in the hospital. If you would like to provide the family with a meal, please visit the Meal Train site we've set up for them to sign up for a date: Zummay Family Meal Train

Recycle your ink cartridges

Bring in your used ink cartridges to Hebrew Day!

Soup next Wednesday we’ve all been waiting for: Moroccan Bean Soup—YUM! Order take out by Saturday night @ mid-night to be sure there is enough! Send your order to Celine Dujowich, celinedujowich@gmail.com

Save the Date: Sunday, February 12, 2017 Mexican Buffet Dinner Taste the flavors of Mexico from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In support of the 8th Grade Trip to Israel Dinner will be held at Congregation Adat Yeshurun

Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School 3630 Afton Road | San Diego, CA 92123| 858-279-3300 | www.hebrewday.org

Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School Presents

Step Up Event

In the coming weeks, students in the grade above will invite

your child to collaborate in an activity during class. On

January 18th, you are invited to a Step Up event with your child,

who will show you this joint activity and you will continue the project

with them. Join us as your child leads you UP to next year’s classroom

in a bonding evening of exploration and fun.

K - 4th Grade

3:30-4:15 pm Snack and activities

for K-4 students

4:00-4:10 pm Parents meet in Beit

Midrash

4:15-5:15 pm Step Up with your child

Your child has been there...now you can be there too.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017 4:00 pm

Calling All Parents and

Students Grades K - 4

Pizza (cheese or cheese and pineapple)

$20 per pie

The 8th grade is happy to offer you and your family a take out dinner which can be picked up following the Step Up program on Wednesday, January 18th, 2017.

Please email your order to Vanessa:vaneguapa@yahoo.com

Orders must be submitted by Sunday, January 15 by Midnight.

Quantities are limited.

Fish Tacos, Mexican style (one order has 2 tacos)

$5 per order

Pizza & Tacos Take Out Dinner

Wednesday, January 18, 2017Pre-Orders Only

MOROCCAN SOUP

COMING UP…

1/25 Pareve Chicken Noodle

Soup

THIS WEDNESDAY DURING LUNCH $3

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE 8TH GRADE TRIP TO ISRAEL

ALSO ORDER QUARTS “TO GO” FOR $6.