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Shalom Parents,
This week, our community has been vibrant with meaningful celebrations and heartfelt commemorations. We were delighted to celebrate Rosh HaShanah at VBS, which was exceptionally meaningful this year. It's wonderful to see our community growing, especially during a time when our sense of togetherness is more important than ever.
Commemorating October 7th
In addition to our Rosh HaShanah celebrations, we commemorated the one-year anniversary of October 7th with a special service during the second part of our Shira on Tuesday. Rabbi Yael joined Cantor Rafii to lead this poignant service. Rabbi Yael shared touching stories about her family in Israel and their experiences on October 7th, reflecting on the challenges they have faced over the past year.
Our 7th graders added their voices by reading a moving poem by Racheli Moskovitz called "A Coat of Many Colors," and we came together as a community to remember, to support Israel, and all our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
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This week in class, our students reflected on their experiences of Rosh HaShanah and began exploring the significance of Yom Kippur. They delved into the concept of T'shuvah—the process of returning to our better selves through T'fillah (prayer) and Tzedakah (good deeds and charity).
Many classes participated in a Tashlich ceremony, where they wrote down instances of their bad behaviors or hurtful words and symbolically cast them into a body of water. This act represents the desire to start the new year with a clean slate, both personally and within the Book of Life.
Other classes learned the story of Jonah and the whale from the Book of Jonah, which we read during Yom Kippur. This story teaches important lessons about repentance, forgiveness, and God's mercy. It reminds us that it's never too late to change our ways and that God is always ready to forgive those who sincerely repent.
We are thrilled to witness the enthusiasm and engagement of our students as they delve into the rich traditions and teachings of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Your support in their learning journey is invaluable, and we are grateful for your partnership.
Understanding the 10 Days of Awe
The 10 Days of Awe between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are a time for deep reflection, seeking forgiveness—from others, ourselves, and God—and embracing T'shuvah to return to our better selves.
We encourage you to watch this short video about Yom Kippur with your family and discuss the following questions with your child:
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- How can I do T'shuva?
- How can I be a better version of myself?
- Is there anyone I should be asking for forgiveness from?
Yom Kippur marks the culmination of the 10 Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh HaShanah. It is Judaism's most sacred day of the year, often referred to as the "Sabbath of Sabbaths" (שַבַּת שַבָּתון).
On this day, we engage in fasting, prayer, and reflection to atone for our sins and seek reconciliation.
We wish your family a G'mar Hatima Tovah—may you be sealed in the Book of Life—for a year full of self-reflection, forgiveness, and many good deeds.
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ECLC STUDENT HEALTH FORMS
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If you not have filled out this form yet, please do so as soon as possible.
Children bring snacks to school and teachers will have projects that involve various kinds of foods and we need to know about any dietary restrictions or allergies your child may have.
There have been some updates made to the form to ensure your child will be safe, comfortable and successful here at the ECLC.
Please complete the form below or email and changes directly to Emily and she will take care of it.Please click the button to view changes or submit your child's health form now.
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3RD ANNUAL PIZZA IN THE SUKKAH!
ALL ECLC STUDENTS ARE INVITED ON TUESDAY, 10/22
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COOKING ACADEMY WAIVER REQUIRED
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Dear Cooking Academy Parents,
We are so excited for your child (and you!) to participate in our experiential, hands-on Cooking Academy at our ECLC.
In partnership with the Culinary Judaics Academy, ECLC students will participate in Jewish learning through CJA's Cook & Learn workshops, facilitated by our teachers, as each workshop contains an engaging 12-20 minute video lesson (led by Chef Danny Corsun and his daughter Zoey), an associated recipe for your child to follow, and the supplemental written curriculum for deeper Jewish learning. Each class will be accessing different workshops throughout the year, and there will be opportunities for you to cook and learn as a family at home, too!
In addition to the cook-and-learn workshops, your family will also have access to CJA’s Community Hub, where you can access monthly Live Zoom cook-along workshops led by Chef Danny Corsun. Look for monthly invitations to sign up!
Series That Will Appear in Your CJA Library:
- Kitchen / Jewish Cornerstones
- A Jewish Home
- Jewish Values
- Jewish Holidays
- Jews Around the World
- Israel
And
- Each family has access and can participate for FREE in CJA's Community Hub with free access to monthly live Zoom classes with Chef Danny
Every student must be registered with CJA in order to participate in the ECLC Cooking Academy program.
Please register your family and each enrolled student for their Year-Long Membership to CJA by following the below steps when using this link:
Etz Chaim Learning Center of VBS Curriculum for 2023-24: Workshops with Culinary Judaics Academy
Click on the above link.
- Email Address: Parent email (This will be your Login email)
- Add your student(s) name(s) and grade(s)
- Terms of Use Agreement: Click to agree.
- Click to Register to Participate for Free
- Create a password and make note of it.
- Look for an email from Culinary Judaics Academy (check Spam & Promotional Box if you don’t get one)
- Once registered and logged in, “My Library” will be accessible in your drop-down menu from your profile image in the top right-hand corner of your screen.
Here is an Instructional Video for CJA Library Access.
It's important that you only access specific content (videos, recipes, guides) when your child's class is experiencing that particular workshop at school.
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FREE - CULINARY JUDAICS ACADEMY COMMUNITY HUB COOKING WORKSHOP
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CJA welcomes all ECLC families into our sukkah during the Sukkot harvest holiday.
Sunday, October 20th at 4pm!
Join us for this FREE workshop as we make CJA's Harvest One-Pot Pasta and learn about Ushpizin, the act of "Welcoming Guests!"
This is a complimentary, kid-friendly workshop, so invite your family and friends and bring CJA to your Jewish organization today!
Register today at culinaryjudaicsacademy.com/communityhub
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ECLC CLASS WEEKLY UPDATES
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JNF-USA B'NAI MITZVAH TZEDAKAH PROJECT SHOWCASE COMING UP!
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Join us for our Global Conference for Israel, a conference filled with solidarity, inspiration, tactical and practical solutions to standing up against Jew-hatred. Learn how to be a voice for Israel. Stand together loud and proud in support of the Jewish homeland.
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SISTERHOOD EVENT - DINNER IN THE SUKKAH WITH RABBI YAEL ARANOFF
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This is a Sisterhood-only event!
Please CLICK HERE for more information
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Project Pushcart - Providing for the most vulnerable
During the High Holy Days, VBS lends support to those in need throughout our greater community.
This year, we are providing food and clothing for victims of abuse who must seek shelter outside of their own home.
We are collecting food, warm outerwear, and underwear and socks for women, teens and children.
Here are the ways you can help:
- Take advantage of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days (today and tomorrow, October 8 & 9) and purchase items from our Amazon Wishlist that will be shipped directly to VBS.
- On Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur bring food items, gently used or new warm outerwear, and new underwear and new socks for women, teens, and children. Donation tables will be located in the Feit Garden, across the street from the VBS Main Entrance.
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Yom Kippur Child Care
Registration for child care during day time services on Yom Kippur is open through Thursday, October 10 at 3:00pm. Please register so that you can attend services, participate in Yizkor, and/or hear the Rabbis' sermons.
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Click the button below to find out everything you need to know from:
- Ticket Pickup
- Services (Traditional, Main, Family and Sephardic,)
- Childcare Click Here to Register (I already signed up my Melody)
- Parking
- Lulav & Etrog Sales
- Live streaming and much much more!
- Project Pushcart Click Here to Donate Now!
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SHABBAT B'YACHAD JUNIOR CONGREGATION
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Please note:
B'Yachad Family Service on Saturday, October 12 will begin at 11:00am.
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SHALOM INSTITUTE SUKKOT FAMILY FUN DAY 10/20
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Please Join Us to Celebrate the Harvest Festival of Sukkot!
- Experience Our New Rock Wall & Ropes Course!
- Enjoy Sukkot-themed activities including: Harvest Yoga, Sukkah Sips with our Bike Blender, Autumn Arts, the Apple Press and more
- Sing-a-Long with Robbo!
- Bring your own picnic lunch (must be nut free)
All-day Sukkot-themed fun includes:
- Archery: Aim for Mitzvot
- Autumnal Arts: Fall Harvest Flower Crowns, Friendship Bracelets & Lanyards, Sukkah Crafts: paper wish chains, Kavanah (Intention) Bracelets
- Israeli Dancing for Joy
- Get Fall Festive: Face Painting, Nail Painting, Hair Braiding
- Nature Scavenger Hunt
- Apple Cider Press
- Sukkot Sips on the Bike Blender
- Renewal Seed Balls: sow seeds for the next generation
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TAKE A LOOK AT THE YEAR AHEAD
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This year is jam-packed with fun events for the whole family!
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Enjoyed Your Experience at the ECLC This Year? Help Us Continue to Grow
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We have big dreams! Just like the 7th-grade curriculum was able to grow, we know we can expand the rest of our classes! VR goggles in Tech, Sports Academy tournaments, and ECLC band, and many social programs for both students and parents, just to name a few! Help us accomplish those goals quicker! Every little bit helps!
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Today marks 368 days.
There are still 101 Israeli men, women, and children being held captive.
#BringThemHomeNow
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The Click HERE for the official The Hostage and Missing Families Forum website
Help bring them home.
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STAY IN TOUCH WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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Stay Connected on Facebook and Instagram
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15739 Ventura Boulevard, Encino CA 91436
(818) 530-4043 | etzchaim@vbs.org
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