March 11, 2022 8 Adar II 5782 Parashat Vayikra & Zachor Candle Lighting 6:10 pm
Dear Kehillat Schechter, We welcome you to Shushan, Persia! Please come in costume and join us at Gross Schechter Day School on Purim, Thursday, March 17. You’ll be transported to Shushan and very festive halls sparkling with colorful lights and glitter. Our school day will begin with a costume parade, leading to tefillah, a hamantaschen bake off and at 10:00am a highly spirited all school megillah reading.As you’re aware the joy in school is increasing day by day as we get closer to Purim. Two fourth graders especially increased their families’ and peers’ joys when they read from the Torah for the first time in tefillah on this past Thursday. Mazal tov to Ami Diamond and Zoe Wachsman. Yashar Koach and may you continue to go from strength to strength.
It has been a delight to have more and more Early Childhood Center families in the school building on Fridays. Our ECC teachers and students beam with pride and are thrilled to share our rituals and songs that welcome Shabbat so beautifully and warmly here at Gross Schechter, week after week.
Student Council and 4th through 8th grade students learned about the needs of the people of Ukraine and our sister city in Russia, St. Petersburg. To help meet those needs in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, they’ve planned a coin war to raise funds that will be placed in a large Tzedakah box in our school lobby. More information can be found by scrolling down in this weekly update. We can all be very proud of our students’ initiative and their commitment to Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam.
Shabbat Shalom,
- Monday, March 14: SPIRIT WEEK – Pajama Day!
- Tuesday, March 15: SPIRIT WEEK – Crazy Hair Day!
- Wednesday, March 16: SPIRIT WEEK – Sports Fan Day!
- Thursday, March 17: PURIM 5782 – Wear Your Costume!
- Monday, March 28: Parent Teacher Conferences NO SCHOOL – please watch for an email about scheduling this coming Monday 3/14
In this parsha, we begin the third book of the Torah by learning about some of the various sacrifices that one can bring. Read the parsha here. However, this week is also Shabbat Zachor, and we therefore end Torah reading by reading a different parsha, the story of the attack on the Jews by the Amalek people. We read this portion because of its connection to the story of Esther, and of course, Purim is next week. We read about our commandment to erase the nation of Amalek. It is a call to abolish antisemitism. Unfortunately, antisemitism is still very present in our world and so this parsha remains only too relevant.
This week’s question: Why was the attack from Amalek such a cowardly act of antisemitism?
Last week’s answer: How is the creation of the mishkan similar to the creation of the world? Hint – look at chapter 40 verse 33. The pasuk reads that Moshe ‘completed his work’. That same phrase is used when Hashem finished creating the world.
Shabbat Shalom,
This week, the 4th through 8th graders were fortunate enough to listen to a presentation from the Jewish Federation of Cleveland about the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The Jewish Federation of Cleveland has asked our student body to help them, along with the worldwide Jewish community, to help the Jews who are in need in Ukraine and Russia. The middle school student council decided that to help they would put on a Coin War! Not only will the proceeds of the Coin War go to benefit the Jews in need during this crisis, but it will also build ruach in our school with the healthy competition it will bring. With Purim starting next week as well, our school will be participating in two of the important mitzvot that relate to Purim. In addition to the mitzvah of giving out mishloach manot on Purim, there is a mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim, which is giving gifts to the poor. What a great way to kick off the week of Purim festivities than participating in a fundraiser to support the many Jews in need around the world! For more information, please contact Julia Meyer.
B’nai Jeshurun Purim Carnival – This Sunday!
Everyone attending the carnival must be fully vaccinated (if eligible). Masks are optional.
Purim is here and we are ready to have some fun! Everyone is welcome to join us for our AMAZING Purim Carnival and we are so happy to be back IN PERSON at B’nai Jeshurun! REGISTER ONLINE (before Shabbat): (https://cutt.ly/PurimCarnival2022) Walk-ins are welcome, but we encourage you to register early to avoid lines.
Enjoy LED Putt-Putt, take a ride on the Go-Racers, and try our many games that will be spread throughout the synagogue. Once your game board is complete, you will receive a prize, a hamentashen and be entered in our Grand Purim Raffle! The magic show with Rick Smith Jr (featured on Penn & Teller: Fool Us and The Late Show with James Corden) will begin at 2:15 pm. Contact Shani Kadis (shanikadis@bnaijeshurun.org) to learn more.
COST FOR GAME BOARD: $10 Members/ $20 Non-Members (Children 2 and under are free.) Each child should have their own game board. One hamentashen will be included with each game board and additional hamentashen will be available for purchase, while supplies last. Lunch is not available this year.
Upcoming Camp Ramah Event
Camp Ramah will be hosting an event at Camp Ho Mita Koda on March 20th from 1:00-4:00 PM for families to see the site for REGL (Ramah Eastern Great Lakes) 2022, spend time together, eat lunch and have fun with some great Ramah programming! There is no cost to this program, and families can register for this program here! See the attached flier for more information. 
