Weekly Newsletter- May 27, 2022

May 30, 2022No Discussion

Weekly Newsletter

May 27, 2022 / Iyar 26, 5782

Shabbat Begins: 8:47 p.m. Shabbat Ends : 10:09 p.m.

Parsha: Bechukotai: Leviticus 26:3 – 27:34

REFLECTING ON THE HOLOCAUST

Pat Johnson, a columnist from the Jewish Independent, visited Anna-Mae Wiesenthal’s Holocaust and Genocide Studies class in April as they discussed the 1992 Pulitzer prize winner, Maus, a graphic novel. This book was recently banned by a Tennessee school district, a decision that has widely been interpreted as a rejection of or disregard for Holocaust education. You can read Pat reflection on his experience at King David in the Jewish Independent’s most recent edition, here.

Following their exploration of Maus, this class was visited by community member Jeff Balin, who shared his personal connection to the Holocaust: “[Two weeks ago], the Holocaust and Genocide Studies class was fortunate enough to have been visited by Jeff Balin, a child of Holocaust survivors and a member of our school community. Mr. Balin spoke about his family’s rich history during and after the Holocaust, and how he has been affected by his parents’ history. He also showed us pictures of his parents and grandparents, shining a light on the past that illuminates the war in a way that just words cannot. We are all so grateful for this opportunity to hear Mr. Balin speak and for our newfound collective understanding of the long-lasting impacts of the Holocaust.”

~ Shai Rubin, Grade 11

LEARNING THE ART OF PASTA MAKING

This week, students in Foods 9 tried their hand at making fresh pasta. They kneaded, stretched, and cut the pasta (linguine, fettuccine) by hand.

RECOGNIZING YEARS OF SERVICE!

L-R: Shula Talmaciu, Jodi Cristall, Benje Bondar, Corin Bailey, Tina Randhawa,

David Gorski, Vivian Londono, and Cameron Metcalfe

King David is fortunate to have many staff members who have been at the school for many years. On Friday, at the Professional Development Day, we recognized and celebrated:

15 Years: David Gorski

10 Years: Benje Bondar

5 Years: Corin Bailey, Jodi Cristall, Vivian Londono, Cameron Metcalfe, Tina Randhawa, and Shula Talmaciu

Thank you for your commitment and dedication to our students, families, and community.

IT’S ALMOST SHOWTIME! ANNIE JR.

Rachel Bloem, Sophia Dimerman Tetelboim, and Sharlotte Friedman in costume

at rehearsal in their roles as orphans

It’s the final week of rehearsals for the cast and crew of this year’s King David production of Annie JR. Don’t miss this rendition of one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals! Performances are next Wednesday, June 1 (1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.) and Thursday, June 2 (7:00 p.m.) at the Norman Rothstein Theatre.

Purchase Tickets Here

WE MOURN WITH THE PEOPLE OF UVALDE

During our daily announcements on Wednesday, we said a prayer for all those impacted by the heartbreaking tragedy in Uvalde. After the school shooting, many frustrated, angry politicians and celebrities tweeted that we don’t need prayer, we need action. They might be misunderstanding what the Jewish idea of prayer is. Prayer is not about throwing the responsibility in God’s court, negating responsibility and asking God to fix the problem. According to Rabbi Benjamin Blech, prayer is not meant to change God’s mind; it’s meant to change us. Prayer is not supposed to save us, it’s supposed to make us worth saving and motivated to save others. It is a self-preached sermon for which we are the audience.

With this in mind, we pray for the Uvalde community:

May it be Your Will, our God and God of our ancestors, to end wars and bloodshed, and bring grand and wondrous peace to the world. People should no longer carry weapons and experience acts of war. Instead, may we realize that we were not brought into this world to fight and to stir controversy, God forbid, nor for the purpose of hatred, provocation, and violence, God forbid. We are here only to know You, and emulate your ways forever.