Erev Shabbos Parashas Behar 24th Day of Sefiras HaOmer 3rd Perek of Pirkei Avos May 13, 2011 Licht Bentchen: 7:54 P.M. Volume XVII, Issue 32

Dear Parents, We had three headline events this week:

Monday’s and Tuesday’s Yom HaAtzmaut projects, lessons, and displays.

last night’s Mishmar attendees trip to the Baysox game.

today’s Math Fair. We’ll start with our Math Fair, the brainchild and labor of love of Mrs. Marcia Laundy. The goals are to have the kids participate in hands-on activities that:

Demonstrate how math is regularly used in the real world (wherever the real world might be).

What is unthinkable to some is true – math can be fun. As this is being written before the festivities, I will once again engage in prophetic prognostication. Hence: Everything went smoothly and well, and all involved really had PRODUCTive TIMES. For all the work involved, we, of course, thank Mrs. Laundy for the months she put into this program. We also express HaKaras HaTov to Mrs. Malka and our entire Secular Studies staff for their hard work and planning and to all teachers, aides, parents and YGW students who assisted today. The design for the t-shirts (which were anonymously and generously donated) is attributable to Shira Sternfield and her computer. G-d willing, a full detailed report will come to you next week.

The T-Shirt Design

Yom Ha’Atzmaut Tuesday’s exhibits of the Yom HaAtzmaut

projects worked on by our youngsters were outstanding. Classes had learned about our special relationship to Eretz Yisrael, about the sanctity of Israel, about the burning desire of K’lal Yisrael, in general, and Gedolei Yisrael, in particular, to live in Artzeinu HaKedoshah, and about the privilege we have today to have such easy access to this land. (It is interesting to note the following contrast: In former centuries, the trip to Eretz Yisrael was so difficult, long, and arduous that families who made this trek were virtually committed to remaining there, with certain Halachic ramifications. Today, on the other hand, people fly to Israel with their newborn sons to have the Bris performed there.) We are taught that Eretz Yisrael was created by Hashem as THE place for doing ALL Mitzvos. In fact, Ramban (Nachmanides) says (in Parashas Acharei Mos) that even commandments that are not land-related can only be properly, fully, and completely fulfilled in Israel. Also emphasized was the special Hashgacha Peratis, divine providence and intervention, we have in our lives and which is outstandingly evident to those who reside in Israel. Additionally,

Sixth Graders will have a special geography unit about Eretz Yisrael. Then, as our pièce de résistance, every class had

the perfect combination for any in-school (or out-of-school) activity. They learned a great deal, had lots of fun, got the opportunity to express their creativity, and, most importantly, elevated their appreciation for and understanding of the importance of Eretz Yisrael to us as Am Yisrael. Each grade studied a Mitzvah or a group of related Mitzvos which are Te’lu’yos BaAretz, performed only in Israel. The children then designed displays of those commandments about which they had studied. The following masterpieces were viewed by our classes: Kindergartens - Bi’cu’rim, bringing the “first fruits” of the seven species to Yerushalayim. We saw a replica of the beautifully decorated baskets in which these crops were carried to the Bais HaMikdash.

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EE..SS..TT..EE..RR.. EErreevv SShhaabbbbooss ““TToorraahh”” EEvveennttss RReeppoorrtt

First Grade Girls - Aliyah LaRegel, going to the Beis HaMikdash on Pesach, Shavuos, and Succos. Hashem guaranteed in the Torah that no neighboring countries would come to ransack our homes while they were deserted during these Re’ga’lim (even without installation of home security systems). First Grade Boys and Sixth Grade Girls -Shemittah, allowing the land to “rest” every seventh year. This is accompanied by a Divine promise that the crops of the sixth year will be overabundant. We were shown many of the involved laws of Shemittah. Mrs. Crane’s Second Grade Girls - Appointing a Melech and its related laws. Mrs. Leigh’s Second Grade Girls – Leket, Shich’chah, and Pei’ah, parts of crops which are left in fields for the poor. Second Grade Boys – Made a video depicting Simchas Bais HaSho’ei’vah during Chag Succos.

Third Grade Girls – Korbanos, sacrifices. We saw a Miz’bei’ach and a well-dressed (8-garmented) Kohein Gadol and even had the opportunity to “do” Kemitzah, taking the fistful (to be placed on the

Miz’bei’ach) from a flour offering. Third Grade Boys - Hak’hel (Mitzvah #612), the obligation for the Melech to read, in the courtyard of the Temple, parts of Sefer Devarim to all men, women, and children. This occurred on the second day of Succos in the year following Shemittah. We even heard a recording of the “Melech” reading the beginning of Devarim. Fourth Grade Girls – Taught us about Terumos and Ma’as’ros, the parts of agricultural products which are given to Cohanim, Le’vi’im, and poor people or eaten in Yerushalayim. Fourth Grade Boys – Parah Adumah, the red heifer used to purify those who were Te’mei’im from contact with a dead person. Fifth Grade Girls – Mitzvah of Yishuv HaAretz, living in Eretz Yisrael. Fifth Grade Boys – Korban Pesach, sacrificing and eating the Pascal lamb. Today, we eat the Afikomen to commemorate this commandment. Sixth Grade Boys – Korban HaOmer, brought on Day 2 of Pesach. This allowed the eating of new grains, known as Chodosh. After this sacrifice, all these grains became Yoshon. In addition, we saw the 6B “Great” projects where each student researched and prepared info about the lives and accomplishments of Gedolim. Included were: Chasam Sofer, Chofetz Chaim, Rav Baruch Ber, Rav Aryeh Levine, one of the Lubavitcher Rebbes, and others.

The children’s products were outstanding, and, hopefully, the lessons learned are indelibly imprinted in their minds. We thank all teachers and students for a terrific learning and fun-filled activity.

Middah Focus This week, we began a unit on Giving Others the Benefit of the Doubt (A.K.A. Being Dan LeChaf Zechus). It includes an ongoing story about Eli and his learning curve regarding Judging Others Favorably. Starting next week, we’ll be learning 6 Tips about how to make this happen for each of us.

To Bowie and Back-Trip No. 15

Last night’s trip to Bowie was a huge success. Our contingent of almost 90 post-3:30 classes’-attendees had terrific times. Among the highlights of the evening were: • Being officially welcomed. • Visits to the gift shop. • Visits to the concession stands. • Catching baseballs. • Winning prizes. • Lots of loud cheering and hoarse voices. • Tangentially watching a baseball game won by the Baysox (over the Akron Aeros) 6-2. • On-field activities in which Eli Shemtov, Yaakov Kerchner, Shimon Idstein, Penina Rubin, Shani Sukol, and Eli Newman participated. For the myriad arrangements (including supper) and for a terrific evening, we thank Rabbi Hoffman, Rabbi Samberg’s Mishmar girls, Marlene Teichman, Jodi Mailman, Abby Pines, and all the following who came on our journey: Rabbi Samberg, Rabbi Hoffman, Larry Rubin, Jessica Eizenstat, Liba Rappaport, Adam Rubin, Neil Stiber, Yaakov Lipman, Jeffrey Schneider, Ron Kavanagh, Mara Sanders, Raanan Cortell, and Scott Miller. Todah also to our PTA for making it all possible by sponsoring the dinner and the bus. Special compliments to all our kids for their very fine behavior.

Just Around the Corner Sunday, May 15 – 5th/6th Shiurim. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 17, 18, and 19 – Full post-3:30 schedule. Wednesday, May 18 -

Pesach Sheini, which is always on the fourteenth of Iyar. At the time of the Beis HaMikdash, those who were unable to bring the Korban Pesach (Pascal sacrifice) on Passover (for a variety of specific reasons) had a second opportunity to perform this important Mitzvah on this date, approximately one month after the original time. Today, many people have the Minhag of eating Matzah (many save some Matzah Shemurah) on Pesach Sheini.

Ben Yehudah pizza. Todah to all of this week’s in- house helpers. Friday, May 20 – Third Annual TSGW Grandparents’ Day from 9:30-12:15. All children whose grandparents will be here will eat lunch with their grandparents in the cafeteria. However, children should bring their own lunches, and lunch for grandparents will be provided. We will also have special treats for those youngsters who will not have visitors that day. Sunday, May 22 – Lag B’Omer. Monday, May 23 – Lag B’Omer activities.

K/K/K will visit a local playground. 1B/1G/2B/2G/2G/5G/6G, and part of 6B will

have field day activities on our premises. 3B/3G/4B/4G/5B, and part of 6B will go hiking

at Great Falls. Transportation will be provided by two busses.

Chemdas point accumulation deadline (a mere 10 days away).

Tuesday and Wednesday, May 24 and 25– 6B Graduation Trip. Wednesday and Thursday, May 25 and 26– 6G Graduation Trip.

Thursday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, May 26 and 31 and June 1 – 3rd and 5th Grades will take Standardized Achievement Tests. Thursday, June 2 – Chemdas Jr. (1st and 2nd) – Thursday, June 2 – Chemdas Sr. (3rd-6th) Trip. Tuesday, June 14 – 7:00 P.M. in school. End of year 6G/Girls’ Choir music/poetry program. Sunday, December 4, 2011 – Seventeenth Annual TSGW Dinner. Sunday, February 12, 2012 – Ninth Annual Torah School Chinese Auction.

APB to Sixth Grade Parents: Details about the Graduation Trips and Graduation will be sent home on Tuesday, BE’H.

APB to Kindergarten Parents: Details about the Graduations on Tuesday, May 14 will be in next Friday’s ESTER, BE’H.

Attached Today Chemdas trip letters. Ooroo LaTefillah. SOVEYA newsletter. Classroom Close-ups by Mrs. Leah

Scheininger.

Visits to Glen Echo  In spite of this week’s mostly dry weather, we “inundated” Glen Echo this week. On Wednesday, 3G and 3B had sessions about Soil (and some interesting creepy, crawly creatures whose abode is below ground). Yesterday, 6B and 6G learned about Rain Forests. Many thanks to our chaperones/drivers: Leah Kott, Rachael Starkman, Sharon Graff, Rochel Rabinowitz, Chanoch Kanovsky, Leah Verschleisser, Estie Teitelbaum, Yael Sugar, Cheryl Broth, Elise Jacobs, Nechama Shemtov, and Sharona Katz.

Parshathon Update Parshathon collections have reached the astronomical heights of $16,283.34 We extend condolences to Sara Beitsh, upon the passing of her maternal grandmother. May Hashem comfort the entire family among the mourners of Tziyon and Yerushalayim. We wish a Refuah Shelaimah to Cheryl Broth’s paternal grandfather.

We wish a heartfelt Mazel Tov to: ☺ Rena Harris, her parents, Rachel and Michael; her siblings, Ayala, Gila, Esther, and Dovid; and her entire family, upon her becoming a Bas Mitzvah. ☺ Morah Rochel, her husband, and their entire family, upon the birth of a girl to their daughter and son-in-law, Shana and Shaya Bauman. May we all continue to be blessed with Simachos.

Car Pool Alert Parking lots can be precarious places and, therefore, require us, as drivers and pedestrians, to be fully alert and on the alert. This is especially true when the area is

utilized for young children’s car pool. This week, we had a post-4:00 fender bender which was not really the fault of either driver. However, it serves as a reminder that we must take extra precautions when entering and driving through our lot. Please, please, please take the turns at a S-L-0-W-www speed, watching for any youngster (or adult). When pulling out of a space, please do your best to simulate a 360 turn of your heads. (In other words, take the time to look in all directions.) We thank you for showing your concern for and consideration of the safety of our most precious “possessions” – our children.

Have a Good Shabbos! Sincerely,

Rabbi Yitzchak Charner

Headmaster

TORAH SCHOOL + SCHOOLMALL.COM

Attention Parents: Schoolmall.com is an online shopping mall. You just enter the site and do your online shopping to over 200 merchants from there. We are sending home a booklet of postcards with each child with a picture of the 3D Scooby-Doo shirt on the cover. Our school will receive $2.25 per completed booklet and up to 50% on all paid orders. You will also find details on how your child can receive a 3D Scooby-Doo shirt and how your family could win a vacation to Orlando, Florida. Thank you for your support of our school. PLEASE RETURN ON MONDAY, 5/16.

May 13, 2011 Dear Parents of 1st and 2nd Grade Chemdas Trip-Goers, Mazel Tov to you for your children’s accomplishments and special words of thanks to Rabbi Feldman for running this program (now in its 13th year) and to all teachers who encouraged and tested the kids. BE’H, the kids will be going on their Chemdas trip on Thursday, June 2, with arrival and readiness to go at school at 8:00 A.M. sharp! To facilitate this, children should Daven at home. Their itinerary is as follows: Visit with a Rebbe in school. Travel to Lancaster, PA and spend the day at Dutch Wonderland. Eat lunch (at some point in the afternoon). Eat bagel supper (on the way home), which we will provide.

ETA back in Silver Spring is 7:00 P.M., and children should be picked up in SCHOOL. Rabbi Feldman will call us at various points in order to keep in touch. I will also call our voice mail and leave a message of a more exact time of the kids rearrival in Silver Spring. Chaperoning will be provided by the following staff members: Rabbi Feldman, Mrs. Chani Mendlowitz, Ms. Kerry Griffin, and Miss Batya Carl. We will also have parents joining us. More chaperones are needed, so please call the school if you are available. The mode of transportation is a chartered bus, whose cost is sponsored by our PTA. We thank our PTA for this and Nechemia and Naomi Mond and Mordechai and Tami Hyatt for sponsoring the year-long program in memory of Yehuda Mond, Z’L. Any additional financial underwriting would be greatly appreciated. Kids should bring bagged, nonperishable lunches, small drinks, and snacks for the day. We will provide any other drinks and a small snack. Boys and girls need to wear school uniforms that day. The cost per child for admissions and food will be $22.00. Please send payment on Monday with the permission slip below. Again, Mazel Tov to all of you and thanks to all who have made this program and trip possible. Sincerely, Rabbi Yitzchak Charner Headmaster

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please bring to office.

I give permission for my child(ren), _______________________________________, to participate in the Chemdas trip on Thursday, June 2, 2011. Enclosed is $22.00 to cover admissions and food for each child. _____________________________ _____________________ Parent’s Signature Date

May 6, 2011 Dear Parents of Third - Sixth Grade Chemdas Trip-Goers: Mazel Tov to you for your children’s accomplishments and a special word of thanks to Rabbi Hoffman for running this program, now in its thirteenth year. BE’H, the kids will be going on their Chemdas trip on Thursday, June 2, with starting time at school at 8:15 A.M. To facilitate this, children should Daven at home. We will be privileged to be addressed by a Rebbe from the Yeshiva of Greater Washington before the trip and expect to arrive at the Funplex in Mount Laurel, PA at 11:45 and have a “four hour blast” at the park. We expect to return to Silver Spring between 9:15 – 9:45 P.M., and children can be met at school. Rabbi Hoffman will call school at various points in order to keep in touch. We will also leave a message on our voice mail to let you know a more exact time of our rearrival in Silver Spring. Chaperoning will be provided by Rabbi Samberg, Rabbi Biberfeld, Rabbi Hoffman, Miss Tova Tolchinsky, Mrs. Elaine Rubin, and Mr. Adam Rubin. This year we are extremely short on chaperones. If you are able to join us on the trip, it will be a tremendous help. Please call the school if you are available. The modes of transportation are three charter buses, whose cost is sponsored by our PTA. We thank our PTA for this and Nechemia and Naomi Mond and Mordechai and Tami Hyatt for sponsoring the year-long program in memory of Yehuda Mond, Z’L. Any additional financial underwriting would be greatly appreciated. Kids should bring bagged, nonperishable lunches, with small drinks included. We will provide all other snacks and drinks for the rest of the day and a deli supper. We can use a number of coolers for the day. Please note that school uniforms are required for this excursion. The cost per child for the activities and for food will be $27.00. Please send payment on Monday with the permission slip below. Again, Mazel Tov to all of you, and thanks to all who have made this program and trip possible. Sincerely,

Rabbi Yitzchak Charner Headmaster _______________________________________________________________________

Please bring to office.

I give permission for my child(ren), ________________________________, to participate in the Chemdas trip on Thursday, June 2, 2010. Enclosed is $27.00 to cover admission and food for each child. ________________________________ ____________________________ Parent’s Signature Date

Classroom Close-Ups by Mrs. Leah Scheininger

Volume VII, Issue 26 May 13, 2011

As I reflect on this year, I feel proud of the accomplishments of my 5th grade boys. They

have worked hard and have put up with a teacher that pushes them to achieve nothing less than their best. One area in which they have particularly grown--is in their writing. Thanks to the hard work and incredible leadership of Mrs. Julie Malka, the entire school has put a stronger emphasis on the “6 + 1 Writing Traits” curriculum. These “6 traits” are ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. The “+ 1” trait involves how the writing is presented (visually, orally, etc.) I would like to share with you how my students have learned and applied these traits in their writing throughout the year. Ideas, ideas, ideas! What should I write about? We began the writing curriculum by learning how writers get ideas and what to do with them. We focused on the importance of narrowing down a big idea (e.g. my summer vacation) to one specific, interesting topic (e.g. the moment I rode down the hill on a log-coaster ride). No one wants to read about a shopping list of events. Rather, readers enjoy reading about one specific topic loaded with clear, descriptive details. Will you get organized already? For the organization trait, we focused on organizing our idea into a clear, logical order. We practiced using bold beginnings, transition words, and strong conclusions. For this unit, the boys wrote an expository paragraph describing how to do something. Some of their topics included how to play the drums, how to make an ice-cream sundae, how to properly dribble and shoot a basketball, how to make a paper airplane, etc.

What did you say? I can’t hear you! Please use your voice, your writing voice! Just as we use different types and tones of voice when we speak, we need to also adjust our words, our writing style, and our writer’s voice when we express ourselves in writing. For this trait, each boy was asked to bring out his personality in his writing by writing about a personal challenge that he has had to overcome in his life. Some of the topics included overcoming the challenges of living far away from your friends, controlling your temper, completing homework and writing assignments, learning English as a second language, and overcoming an injury. Each writing piece beautifully expressed each child’s unique voice and life experience, and they were all a lot of fun to read! Can you find a better way to say that? For the trait of word choice, the boys learned how to find richer words in order to “show” (not tell) in their writing. They practiced doing this by learning how to use sensory details in their writing and by using thesauruses to find more interesting verbs and adjectives for descriptive purposes. The boys wrote a five paragraph research paper on a person who was influential during the Revolutionary War. They learned to use appropriate verbs, adjectives, and transitions to “spice up” a paper based on facts and months of research. As we conclude the year, our last writing trait focus will be on sentence fluency (conventions and presentation have been incorporated throughout the traits). We recently read the book The Secret Knowledge of Grown-Ups by David Wisniewski. Based on the book’s model, each boy is writing about a “grown-up rule” that we follow and the “real, secret” reason why we have to keep it. Some of their ideas include the “real” reasons why we brush our teeth, go to sleep at night, do homework, take showers, etc. The writing pieces are very creative, and we will particularly focus on the sentence fluency and creative presentation of these pieces. It has been amazing watching these boys blossom in their writing this year, and I am very proud of them!

s"xc

vk̈h ¦p §T©k UrUg______________________

Volume IV, Issue 25 May 20, 2011

- vumn ,ufrCBlessings Said Before Performing a Mitzvah

The key words to identify a Blessing of this genre are "uh,uumnc ubase rat...” “...Who has made us holy with His Mitzvos.”

This phrase underscores the perspective that performing Hashem’s commandmentsis a PRIVILEGE which sanctifies us rather than being a burden to us.

The following Mashal, parable, of the Dubno Maggid illustrates this outlook quitevividly.

A dealer in precious stones once went out of town on business. He hadwith him a valise filled with his wares - diamonds, rubies, emeralds - to show topotential buyers.

When he came to his hotel, he was assigned a room on the fourth floor.The hotel clerk summoned a porter and asked that he carry the businessman’svalise up to his room. When the businessman came to his fourth floor room, hefound the porter there waiting for him, huffing and puffing from exhaustion.“That was one heavy suitcase!” the porter complained. “I’m collapsing! Whatdo you have in there? Rocks?”

“If you are tired,” said the diamond dealer, “you must have taken thewrong valise. Mine is filled with diamonds and precious stones which arelightweight; they wouldn’t tire anyone out. You probably took someone else’svalise, and that is why you’re so tired.”

The Maggid explained, “G-d says to the Jews, ‘The burden of observingMy Torah and doing My Mitzvos is a light one to carry. If you find it heavy, thenyou are probably carrying the wrong load.’ Torah study and the performance ofMitzvos are a pleasure to carry, for they make a Jew’s life complete and happy- not weary and burdensome.”

The Kotzker Rebbe (R’ Menachem Mendel Morgenstern) considered this to be oneof the finest parables of the Dubno Maggid.

Next week, we will present a few examples of this type of Berachah.

A Project of the Torah School of Greater Washington

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Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC – Director p 1-888-8-SOVEYA (876-8392) * f 443-379-0665 * www.soveya.com * info@soveya.com Volume 4, Issue 28 6209 Western Run Drive, Baltimore, MD 21209

SWITCHH Newsletter (Soveya Wellness Initiative To Create Healthy Habits)

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Copyright © 2011 by Soveya, Inc.

Torah thought on health and wellness:

The sefer Ta'amei HaMinhagim (page 251) writes that the Jewish month of Iyar is a time for refuah (healing). אייר is an acronym for אני ה' רפואך (I am HaShem, your Healer). Additionally, he cites the B'nai Yissaschar, who teaches that most weakness and illness come from foods which are harmful to a person's nature or composition. The Rambam (Hilchos De'os 4:15) writes likewise. See also Kitzur Shulchan Aruch chapter 32. The mahn began to fall in this month (on the 16th day of Iyar 2448). It was the perfect food, from which no sickness, pain or even waste matter resulted (as Dovid HaMelech refers to it in Sefer Tehillim--"lechem abirim"). It even cured those who were ill. Therefore, HaShem left the curative nature of the month in effect for all generations. Accordingly, Iyar is a time of segulah l'refuah. The mahn was the perfect amount with the ideal nutrients – and its taste was as exquisite as the spiritual level of the consumer. So how can we best replicate that experience with the foods available to us? How can we fine tune our eating behaviors to keep ourselves in the best physical and spiritual condition – and not damage our bodies and souls through improper eating, thus requiring a necessary refuah (G-d forbid). Our bodies are finely tuned, extremely complex mechanisms. They thrive with proper care, and can be easily damaged through insufficient, or inappropriate handling. This is most clear in regard to our eating – for food is the fuel that sustains us, giving us vitality and energy to maximize our day. A car is not going to go very far, or very fast, without the right amount and right type of gasoline. Good eating habits have three components – appropriate choices, appropriate quantities and appropriate times of the day. The right choices mean that we select foods based on our bodies’ needs more so than on our immediate cravings. HaShem blessed us with a bountiful selection of healthy choices (proteins, grains, vegetables, fruits) that we can prepare in delicious ways. There’s no excuse for not being able to get a geshmak and gezunt at the same time.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

However, a person can overeat even the right foods. The chicken might taste really good, but our body only needs one portion. Appropriate quantities mean not eating too much, or too little. Both overflowing our tank, and under filling it, have serious ramifications. And lastly, we can have a handle on the right choices and amounts, but push off our eating until late in the morning, or late at night – both of which are not beneficial. Breakfast is exactly that – we are breaking a fast from having not eaten since the night before. Our bodies desperately need nutrition soon after waking in order to have ample energy to start the day. Getting off on the wrong foot often results in trying to catch up by unhealthy snacking throughout the day. Our bodies need a proper breakfast, lunch and dinner at the proper times – ideally four to six hours apart. Eating late at night is the last thing a person needs. If we go to sleep on a full stomach, why are we often uncomfortable and not feeling fully rested in the morning? Because we are causing our bodies to do highly conflicting tasks – to spend significant energy to digest a full meal at the same time as trying to gain valuable rest while sleeping. The two don’t work hand in hand. Proper digestion doesn’t occur, and proper rest is not a result. Iyar is the perfect time to adjust our behaviors with food so we don’t have to end up seeking a refuah as a consequence of our actions – but rather treat our bodies in the way in which HaShem directs us, for prevention is truly the best medicine. Good שבת.

The SWITCHH Newsletter is generously underwritten by: Jerome Gross Assoc. Term Life Insurance - Call 1-800-TERM-4-US

MAZEL TOV TO AVRUMI & CHANI GROSS ON THEIR RECENT MARRIAGE!

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News, information and practical advice:

SWITCHH is a coalition of Jewish Day Schools committed to effecting real and lasting changes toward our approach to eating and nutrition. The Wellness Initiative uses a Torah educational approach combined with practical tools and the latest news and information to inform and empower parents, teachers and students about the

obligation to properly care for our bodies by developing and enjoying healthy eating habits. SWITCHH is presented by Soveya, providing nutrition & wellness coaching, educational programs, teleconferences, seminars, and newsletters concerning health, nutrition, and obesity prevention.

Changing the Jewish World – One Pound at a Time

A book by a leading cardiologist identifies sugar as one of the chief causes of heart disease. “Most people think of high cholesterol as the main culprit, but sugar blows cholesterol out of the water,” says Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra, co-author of Reverse Heart Disease Now. “Sugar inflames blood vessels, which leads to clotting, pre-diabetic insulin resistance, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity.” His suggestion: avoid high gylcemic foods. High glycemic index foods (such as simple carbohydrates) will increase the body’s sugar levels rapidly whereas low glycemic index foods will increase the body’s sugar levels slowly. The goal is to choose the foods with complex carbohydrates over ones with simple carbohydrates. How do you do that? On the Nutrition Facts label, find the Total Carbohydrates section, which has either two or three categories: Dietary fiber, Sugars, Other carbohydrates. Total carbohydrates: Tells you how many grams of carbohydrates are in each serving and the percentage of the Daily Value this represents. This number includes starches, complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, added sugar sweeteners, and non-digestible additives. The following three carbohydrates all add up to the total carb value. Dietary fiber: Represents the number of grams of fiber in each serving. Sugars: This figure represents the number of grams of added sweeteners, which may appear in the ingredients list as: sugar, corn syrup, honey, brown sugar, and so on. Other carbohydrates: This line reveals the number of grams of complex carbohydrates, not including fiber, but including non-digestible additives, such as stabilizers and thickening agents. Theoretically, this number should reflect the amount of the more nutritious sugars - ones naturally present in the food.

BANANA SMOOTHIE

Ingredients: 2 large bananas; 1 C. milk (or unsweetened soy milk); ½ C. orange juice; ½ C.

ground almonds or 2 T. unsweetened peanut butter; dash of cinnamon

Directions: Put all ingredients in a blender

and blend until smooth.

SUGAR: A PRIMARY CAUSE FOR HEART DISEASE

Reading between the lines. As a general guide, the greater the discrepancy between "total carbohydrates" and "sugar," on the label, the more nutritious carbohydrates the food contains. This means that the package contains more of the food's natural sugars than added sugars. The closer the number of grams of "sugar" is to the "total carbohydrates" in each serving, the closer the food gets to the junk quality. The "total carbs" minus the "sugar" value is particularly helpful in comparing the nutritional value of cereals. For example, a serving of regular All-Bran contains 24 grams of total carbohydrates and 6 grams of sugars, resulting in 18 grams of potentially healthy carbohydrates. A serving of Fruit Loops, on the other hand, contains 28 grams of total carbohydrates, 15 grams of which are sugars - over 50 percent of the total carbohydrates in Fruit Loops are added sweeteners, versus 25 percent in All-Bran.

Easy & Healthy RECIPE CORNER

Thumbs Up

Good Earth Sweet & Spicy Herbal Iced Tea (8 oz.)

Benefits: 0 Calories 0 grams of Sugar

Thumbs Down

Snapple All Natural Raspberry Iced Tea (8 oz.)

Drawbacks: 80 Calories 21 grams of Sugar

From Soveya’s Incredibly Easy & Healthy Cookbook

300 no sugar, No flour, recipes all but a few gluten free & kosher for Pesach