TK-7TH IN SESSION THIS SUNDAY!

Shalom Parents,

Plant a Tree in Israel, and Support the ECLC!

ECLC families are invited to plant a tree in Israel while also helping the ECLC win a grant for future Israel programming at our school!

Jewish National Fund-USA has planted over 260 million trees in Israel. While this is an impressive achievement, more is always needed due to natural forest regrowth, forest fires, and arson. We encourage you to donate now. 

Donating through this school page will also enable us to win funding for our Israel programming. Let’s be one of the top three schools that raises the most money so we can get a grant for future programs!

Please donate and share this amazing opportunity to help our school and do good for the earth with your family and friends. Click HERE to donate, plant a tree, and support the ECLC!

Tu B'Shvat: Celebrating Renewal and Nature's Bounty

As we begin exploring the beautiful traditions and meanings behind Tu B'Shvat, often referred to as the "Birthday for the Trees," it's essential to delve into the deeper significance of this holiday. Tu B'Shvat is marked on the 15th of the Hebrew.

The month of Shevat is more than just a celebration of trees. It's a day that symbolizes renewal and ecological awareness, reflecting the intricate relationship between humans and the environment.

In Jewish thought, Tu B'Shvat represents a season of budding and flowering, a time to appreciate nature's bounty and our role in preserving it. The holiday's customs, like a Tu B’shvat Seder, include the consumption of dried fruits and nuts, especially those native to the land of Israel (figs, dates, grapes, olives, and pomegranates, wheat, Barley - the seven species of Israel), is rich in symbolism. These foods, particularly dried fruits, represent the ability to draw sustenance from our roots, stay connected to our heritage, and cherish the fruits of the earth even in times of scarcity.

Rabbi Kook, a prominent Jewish thinker, saw Tu B'Shvat as a time to reconnect with the land and our spiritual roots. He emphasized the holiday as an opportunity for personal and communal growth, much like the trees we honor, drawing from our roots to reach upward.

Erve Tu B’shvat is Wednesday eve, 1/24 and all day Thursday, 1/25

What’s Tu B’Shavt All About? Click to watch and learn more:

Our Coffee and Schmooze at Bubbies with Rabbi Lebovitz on Tuesday was wonderfully successful. A heartfelt thank you to those who attended. Your ongoing involvement and insights greatly enrich our school community.

As we continue to learn about and prepare for Tu B'Shvat, let's embrace the spirit of growth and renewal that the holiday inspires. 

Emily and I are looking forward to seeing you tonight, Friday, 1/19, at our Shiru Shabbat honoring Debbie Friedman. 

Here's to a week of growth, learning, and community.

Your Donations Matter

While we are grateful for the contributions received so far, there is still an opportunity to participate. Your support is crucial in helping us continue providing enriching and engaging learning experiences in Hebrew and Jewish studies and fostering a strong connection with Israel.

Here are the areas where your donations can make a significant impact:

7th Grade Tzedek America Tikkun Olam Program: Empower our 7th graders to put the Jewish value of repairing the world into action.

General ECLC Programs: Support our inclusive Shabbat dinners, family events, and other dynamic educational experiences.

Every contribution brings us closer to our goals and strengthens our ECLC community. We deeply appreciate your consideration and support in helping our school thrive.

THE SADDEST BIRTHDAY IN THE WORLD

In Gaza,103 civilians remain hostage.This week Kfir Bibas, the nine months baby, who was kidnapped by Hamas with his family on October 7 celebrated his one year old birthday in captivity in Gaza

We continue to hope and pray for everyone’s swift return and for the safety and well-being of all Israeli soldiers and citizens. Please join us in keeping them in your thoughts during these challenging times.

The Click HERE for the official The Hostage and Missing Families Forum website 

Help bring them home.

SHABBAT B'YACHAD JUNIOR CONGREGATION

ECLC COMMUNITY CJA TU B'SHEVAT COOKING WORKSHOP SUNDAY, 1/19!

Welcome to Culinary Judaics Academy!

Happy New Year! And Happy New Year to the trees! 

We invite you to join us Sunday, January 21st @ 4:00pm PST / 7:00pm EST to make CJA's Seven Species Muffins with us in honor of Tu B'Shevat, a holiday celebrating trees.

This month we're learning about the Tu B'Shevat Seder, its purpose, customs, and spirtual connection! 

Click HERE to Join!

YOU'RE INVITED TO THE ECC & DAY SCHOOL MONTE CARLO CASINO NIGHT!

ECLC parents are cordially invited to the DaySchool and ECC gala!

Saturday, February 10th.

Please note this is NOT and ECLC fundraising event, but all schools parents are invited for this fun Monte Carlo Casino night!

 Click here for info and TICKETS

ECLC PARENTS SOCIAL - COFFEE AND SCHMOOZE WITH OUR RABBIS FEBRUARY 13TH

HAVE A DRINK OR PASTRY ON US!

ECLC CLASSROOM WEEKLY UPDATES

Kitah TK Weekly Update with Morah Jessica

TK PHOTO ALBUM

Kitah Kinder Weekly Update with Morah Nina

KINDER PHOTO ALBUM

Kitah Alef Weekly Update with Morah Shira

ALEF PHOTO ALBUM

Kitah Bet Weekly Update with Morah Lauren and Ilana

BET PHOTO ALBUM

Kitah Gimmel Weekly Update with Morah Yonit

GIMMEL PHOTO ALBUM

Kitah Dalet with Rabbi Yael and Morah Roni

DALET PHOTO ALBUM

Tech Academy Weekly Update Morah with Limor and Laura

TECH ACADEMY PHOTO ALBUM

Music Academy Weekly Update with Moreh Daniel

MUSIC ACADEMY PHOTO ALBUM

Cooking Academy Weekly Update with Morah Shana

COOKING ACADEMY PHOTO ALBUM

Kitah Zayin with Rabbi Jared and Rabbi Jacob

ZAYIN PHOTO ALBUM

YOUTH EVENT FOR 4TH & 5TH GRADE!

Grades 4&5!

Come learn the fundamentals of being a stunt actor!

Combat! Sword Fighting! Parkour! Gymnastics!

Movie Stunts Event!

Sunday, January 21

12pm-2pm

VBS Youth Center

$18

Includes Lunch!

TWO WAYS TO PAY!

2)

MOVIE STUNTS EVENT!ANNUAL YD MEMBERSHIP

YOUTH EVENT FOR 6TH GRADE ONLY!

6th Graders!

Join us for a night in at VBS as we watch a movie on the

BIG SCREEN in the GYM!

6th Grade Movie Night!

Saturday, January 20

6pm-8:30pm

VBS Youth Center

$15

Includes dinner and dessert!

TWO WAYS TO PAY!

YOUTH EVENT FOR 7TH-12TH GRADE!

ONLY 10 SPOTS LEFT!

CALLING ALL TEENS!

Are you ready for a night of all-you-can-play...

Arcade!

Virtual Reality!

Escape Rooms!

ALL under the roof of a BIG TOP?!

Because we're FINALLY going to...

TWO BIT CIRCUS!

(Located Downtown)

Saturday, January 27

6 pm-10 pm

Transportation Provided!

$30

Free for VBS YD Members!

RSVP by January 22!

TWO WAYS TO PAY!

YOUTH EVENT FOR K-2ND GRADE!

Grades K-2!

Come meet some of the cutest, smallest creatures of the animal kingdom!

Baby Animal Party!

Sunday, January 28

12pm-1:30pm

VBS Youth Center

$18

Includes Lunch!

TWO WAYS TO PAY!

2) $100 for ALL events for the year!

BABY ANIMAL PARTY!ANNUAL YD MEMBERSHIP

VBS & ECLC SHIRU SHABBAT AND

COMMUNITY DINNER

A WEEKEND OF CELEBRATION

Dedicating Our New Sacred Spaces 

6:00 pm Musical Kabbalat Shabbat at Shiru Shabbat

All are welcome

7:30 pm Very Best Shabbat Dinner

Reservations due by February 16

Shabbat Dinner & "SANCTUARY: A Festival of Cantors" Concert Ticket Bundles are available using the registration form below. If you are already a VBS Festival of Sound Annual Concert Series ticket holder and would like to attend the Shabbat dinner, please contact Elana Zimmerman at ezimmerman@vbs.org or call (818) 788-6000 for assistance.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Show your VBS/ECLC Pride and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Having fun at Shira? Tag us at: @VBSECLC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vbseclc 

Instegram: https://www.instagram.com/vbseclc

TAKE A LOOK AT THE YEAR AHEAD!

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15739 Ventura Boulevard, Encino CA 91436 

(818) 530-4043 | etzchaim@vbs.org