Erev Erev Shabbos Parashas MiKeitz December 25, 2008 Shabbos Licht Bentchen: 4:34 Chanukah Licht Bentchen: just before 4:34 Volume XV, Issue 17 Dear Parents,

We have had a power-packed week of Chanukah happenings, marking the Yom Tov in numerous ways:

The daily singing of Hallel reverberated throughout our halls.

On Tuesday, our Boys’ Choir sang at Walter Reed in honor of the holiday, and their performance was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance (and by all the patients in military hospitals internationally who heard it broadcast live). Many thanks to Rabbi Biberfeld and his very enthusiastic young men. In appreciation, the “army” prepared for us a post-concert reception and individual presents for our kids. The main and most important gift was a Chumash with excerpts from the commentary of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch which is published for Jewish military personnel. The boys were so thrilled and enthralled by these Chumashim that many of them reviewed Pesukim on the bus going back to school.

The real excitement of the day was due to President Bush’s arrival at Walter Reed for personal medical reasons and to visit patients. This put the hospital into lockdown and high security, with secret service people swarming all over the place. In fact, this situation made it difficult to get in to the building and to the Joel Auditorium. Furthermore, the bus couldn’t pick us up at the usual rendezvous, and we needed a Colonel to lead us via a circuitous route to

Anthony, our bus driver. This was just another chapter in our long saga of mishaps in meeting the military bus.

Tuesday’s Chanukah musical special was

delightful (so I am told). Special thanks to Mrs. Gottlieb, 1G-6G, the Girls’ Choir, and all the teachers who gave a Command Performance. The help of Mrs. Bergman and Mrs. Mendlowitz was greatly needed and appreciated by Mrs. Gottlieb.

Yesterday’s Chanukah Carnival was, as anticipated, a high octave, exciting, bursting with energy, festive, fun, “relaxing,” controlled “hecticity” activity. This, as you must know, is THE EVENT which the kids anticipate all year with great enthusiasm, and it really lived up to expectations. In fact, the comment was made that this was our best and calmest extravaganza ever. The children-created-and-run Chanukah-themed booths were original, beautifully decorated, full of ingenuity, and lots of fun. (We seem to manage to come up with fresh ideas each Kislev, so as not to get into the rut of doing the same thing each year.) There were the four usual recurring holiday themes manifested in different ways – Menoros, Dreidels, Latkes, and “socking it” to the Yevanim. We had flying/tossing through “flames” of Chanukiyos and various types of Latke flipping/tossing (but no messy applesauce splashing). Additionally, we had a great deal of dropping, ski-balling, bowling, magnetized fishing, a little

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human agriculturing (Lollipop "Farm"), field goal kicking, and some legalized hitting (Hi Striker). Some of the newer innovations were: • Gobble the Yevanim (an adaptation of

tic-tac-toe). • Flask Find. • Dreidel Hopscotch. The kids were also able to Paint N’ Swirl,

enter a raffle with over 50 winners, and bounce in the very moving Moonbounce. The standard “Candy Guess” was also quite popular, with participants able to give their “educated” guesstimates of the exact number of delightful delicacies in two different containers. Jar II, with 1,143 pieces of assorted health foods, was shared by the Binyamin Edelstein/Moshe Geisinsky consortium, who were one short of the exact amount. Jar I, with 501 items highly recommended by our dieticians, nutritionists, and the ADA (American Dental Association), went to Yaakov and Aharon Merkin, who guessed 501. (It is not necessary for their parents to send me flowery thank you notes. However, I do expect words of appreciation from their dentists.) Of course, all kids won all sorts of small valuable prizes at each station and larger, priceless items at our official Redemption Booth (having nothing to do with Mashiach). A few other regular inclusions were: Piped - in music (because things were

already so calm and quiet). Announcements which could almost be

heard - due to the great combo of an expensive mixer, a large speaker, and a terrific mike.

We express major mega Hakaras HaTov to our teachers, aides, and secretarial staff for their hard work and perseverance before, during, and after the Carnival - all of which was necessary to make the day so successful. Our kids deserve great praise for their fine behavior, cooperation, and assistance in a number of areas, especially with helping younger kids at booths and in finding their way around. In addition, a large number of boys and girls went out of their ways to return lost punch cards to the rightful

owners. In fact, many, many staff members and parents commented about our students’ outstanding conduct and consideration for others. Also pointed out was the way our youngsters “took ownership” of their booths and showed great responsibility in the process. The Sixth Grade Girls helped in numerous ways and did an unbelievable job clearing up their messy booth. We also extend our gratitude to the following who had the courage to come in and help make it all possible: Yehudis Komarow, Sharon Graff, Menachem Gottlieb, Rachel Kanner, Judah Beck, Debra Kerchner, Avi Kotek, Chad and Melissa Miller, Danya Tyberg, Chani Morris, Jessica Eizenstat, Karen Rabin Bernstein, Danny and Adina Gewirtz, Alicia Lombardo, Estee Teitelbaum, Rochel Rabinowitz, Anonymous (who returns to us yearly to run the Moonbounce), Jennifer Stiber, and Naomi Mond.

We extend special Hakaras HaTov to Lisa Solomson for all the effort she has put into our annual around-Chanukah-time Book Fair. We again thank Elli-Chai for working with us on Judaica and all the following who covered the Fair: Rachelle Ferneau, Sharon Graff, Matt Solomson, Jennifer Stiber, Danya Tyberg, and Julie Vogel. Today was the last day of the Book Fair.

Today, 3G presented their original books of varied genres of poetry. The results were great and really first rate and couldn’t be beat! What a tremendous feat! Thanks to Mrs.

Dunkin and all our young ladies for a truly entertaining and enjoyable program. The poems were outstanding and creative, and the girls showed remarkable poise as they read their works of art.

This afternoon, Rabbi Raichik presented hands-on olive-oil making demonstrations to 3B-6B and 3G-6G. These were fun-filled, educational, really messy programs, and we thank Rabbi Raichik for his time and expertise.

Mighty Close Friday, December 26 and Sunday, December 28

Chanukah Break. Monday, December 29 • Last day of Chanukah. • Rosh Chodesh Teves (delayed) NOAM

(Night Out at Max’s). Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, December 30 and 31 and January 1 • Full slate of post-3:30 activities and

classes. Monday, January 5 • Project Ascent comes to TSGW for 5B and

5G. Thursday, January 8 • National Aquarium in Baltimore swims to

us. Tuesday, January 13 • Parshathon Tests for 3rd-6th. Thursday, January 15 • Last day of classes before winter break. Monday, January 26 • Classes resume. Sunday, February 8 • 6th Annual Chinese Auction.

We express HaKaras HaTov to:

Mushkie Newman, Ruthie Cohen, and Sarah Edelstein for their very capable assistance on Friday afternoons.

Sharona Katz, Julie Vogel, and Aviva Rosen for coordinating Chanukah grandparents pics and to all the following who helped make it all happen: Sharon, Sarah, and Tzivya Graff; Ruthie and Joey Vogel; and Esti Graham.

Our First Graders who designed Chanukah cards for Jewish patients in local hospitals.

Morah Chani for once again producing her Jello Chanukiyos.

Rabbis Biberfeld, Hoffman, Feldman and Samberg for organizing and running today’s musical Simchas HaChag for the boys.

Miss Devorah Stimler for her school-enhancing works of art.

Trivia Dept

This Shabbos we will be reading from three Sifrei Torah – Mikeitz will be first, Rosh Chodesh Laining is second, and the Chanukah reading is third. Aside from Simchas Torah, this can occur under two other circumstances:

1) When Parashas Shekalim and Rosh Chodesh Adar coincide.

2) When Parashas HaChodesh and Rosh Chodesh Nissan coincide.

Please send in all your 2008 Snider’s

receipts by January 9, 2009.

Good Shabbos! Chag Chanukah Sameach! Sincerely, Rabbi Yitzchak Charner Headmaster