PESACH KASHER v’SAMEACH

PARPARIM PESACH
The students in Paparim had a hands-on, living and learning experience

on what being Avadim in Mitzrayim meant. They dressed up as slaves, carried bricks, built pyramids and had to decide which items to take with them for their exodus from Egypt, Yetziat Mitzrayim. The children then marched out of Egypt, crossed the sea and danced on the other side after their crossing, as free people.

THANK YOU TO GAN AVIV PARENTS
Spring arrived in Room 1 and the MPR with beautifully decorated tables and rooms, all ready for Gan Aviv’s seders. Many thanks to Gan Aviv parents who set-up before the seders: Shari Grande, Ilanit Lazmi, Adeline Bron, Marina Braslovsky, Rachel Bar-Lev, Michal Brenner, Einat Bauman, Yael Shemi, Maia Elder Kadar, Mani Peretz, Wendy Allyn, and Vered Sealman. Also, thank you to the parents who cleaned up afterwards. Special thanks to the Gan Aviv staff who decorated the rooms so beautifully, and to Chris Wu our school photographer.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FOOTHILL CENTURY REGISTER: Foothill Century Sunday, May 17, 2009!

Register here >>

Spring is here and we are moving full speed ahead towards the 4th annual Foothill Century – the only Kosher Ride in the West, it’s only 44 days away, Sunday May 17, 2009!

To have another successful bike ride we need volunteers – parents, teenagers and community members. This event will be a winner with the help of many, many people. We hope you will be able to join us this year on these beautiful, scenic rides.

We have improved road markings, added more activities for children and we are reaching out to the community to organize group rides. Of course we will have delicious snacks during the ride and a fabulous BBQ after. Please click here for the attached, detailed Volunteer flyer; forward it to friends, family and colleagues.

We hope you’re able

to VOLUNTEER 1) a few days before the ride to shop and/or do other jobs or 2) help a few hours on Sunday with different tasks during the ride. Thanks so much and looking forward to a wonderful event.

Please contact Lisa Sobel at lisa.s.sobel@gmail.com or call at 408.738.3060.

POMO, HUPA, OHLONE & OH MY!

The 3^rd and 4^th grades’ Native American Museum night was filled with excitement and learning. Parents and friends experienced the Pomo, Ohlone, Pauite, and Hupa Native Americans as the students guided them through artifact exhibits.

Students also created informative games about the various tribes, which were enjoyed by all. The third and fourth graders even put their chef hats on and prepared delicious corn pancakes. They were so popular that only small corn crumbs were left at the end of the evening.

The energy at the event was electric as parents and friends came together as a community to learn from and experience all that the 3^rd and 4^th grade students had accomplished. Learning certainly came alive at the California Native American Museum Night!!

SPHDS' 36th ANNIVERSARY GALA DINNER
Join us on Wednesday, May 20th to celebrate the school’s 36th Anniversary by honoring the school’s Founders, Builders and Visionaries who have played such a key role in establishing and then ensuring South Peninsula Hebrew Day School’s future.

When our founders joined together to turn their vision into a reality, they could only dream that the traditional Jewish day school they founded would provide both an outstanding Jewish education and an outstanding secular education for their children and then for future generations – their dream has become a reality! Through the commitment and dedication of the founders, SPHDS has grown to become a cornerstone of the vibrant, ever-growing Jewish community in the South Bay.

(z”l)

Invitations have been sent and people have started to respond. Please contact Yaffa Borison at: yaffa.borison@sphds.org for any questions or information that you may need.

Additional assistance is now needed to solicit ads for the tribute book from your local dry cleaner, grocery shop, hair dresser, toy store, flower shop etc. This is a wonderful way for these businesses to reach a wide audience. Please contact Christine Tachner at: ctachner@gmail.com

The Dinner is the second in a trio of events marking the Double Chai anniversary of SPHDS. On Sunday, May 17, 2009, the first event will take place when 700 cyclists will gather at the school’s Sunnyvale campus for the 4th Annual Foothill Century Bike Ride. The third of these events will be held on Wednesday, May 27th when our students will showcase their knowledge and creativity in the school’s Annual Torah and Art Fair.

We look forward to seeing you at these extraordinary events.

JIM JOSEPH FOUNDATION COMMITS 3.5 MILLION DOLLARS OVER TWO YEARS FOR BAY AREA JEWISH EDUCATION
These emergency grants, half of which will be distributed almost immediately, are the foundation's critical response to an emergency situation. Al Levitt, the foundation president summed it up in one sentence. “To the greatest extent possible these grants are meant to make the difference between kids being able to afford to go to a Jewish School and not going." These grants are not only for Day Schools but also include Jewish pre-schools and camps. This is the best news we have heard in a long time. It will enable us to meet the ever increasing requests for tuition assistance.

CONTRACTS
It is now more critical than ever before for parents to return their contracts and complete their applications for tuition assistance. In order for our families to benefit from the Jim Joseph grant we will have to show both our enrollment figures and applications for tuition assistance.

Please, parents who have not yet returned their contracts and deposits, make this a top priority.

SUMMER CAMP AT SPHDS
With summer fast approaching it’s time to start thinking about what to do with your preschooler during the long summer break. South Peninsula Hebrew Day School is pleased to offer you, once again, the perfect answer — Gan Aviv Summer Camp. A camp geared specifically for children who will be 3 by December 1st, 2009 and for children who will be entering Kindergarten in September 2009.

Activities will be organized around a weekly theme. Children can look forward to Beach Bonanza, Fun with Food, and activities planned for indoors as well as outdoors. Of course, water will be included in this year's activities, especially on hot days. Specialized enrichment classes are a part of this great summer package. Click here for the Registration form or pick it up at the office. You may call Barbara Goldstein at 408.738.3060 or email her at: ece@sphds.org with any questions you may have.

PARENT AND CHILD PROGRAM AT SPHDS
We are pleased to announce a special Parent and Child program at SPHDS this summer. Clikc here for a detailed flyer. Renee Ben David, the lead teacher for this program, is one of our teachers in the two year old room. This program is a great way to meet other families. Please contact Barbara Goldstein at 408.738.3060 or ece@sphds.org with any questions.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Yom Ha’Shoah v’Hagevurah 2009
This year’s South Peninsula Yom Ha’Shoah Service of Remembrance, Children of the Holocaust, will feature intergenerational song, music, prayer, readings, and art work to commemorate the Holocaust and its impact on children. SPHDS’ 8th grade class will be participating in the service.

The service will be held on Monday evening, April 20th, at 7:00 p.m., at Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. Please join our students at this important event.

Tourette Syndrome Support Group
There will be an organizing meeting for a Tourette Syndrome Support Group on the peninsula. It will be held at Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de Las Pulgas, Redwood City, on Sunday, April 5th, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

This first meeting is for adults only. RSVP to: alisayaffa@yahoo.com or call: 650.366.8481.

PESACH KASHER v’SAMEACH

PARPARIM PESACH
The students in Paparim had a hands-on, living and learning experience

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FOOTHILL CENTURY REGISTER: Foothill Century Sunday, May 17, 2009!

POMO, HUPA, OHLONE & OH MY!

This first meeting is for adults only. RSVP to: alisayaffa@yahoo.com or call: 650.366.8481.