Fruits of Unity
Fruits of Unity
By Mrs. Leah Sollish
In my 6th and 7th grade Chassidus class, we’ve been exploring the origins of the Chassidic movement and its founder, the Baal Shem Tov. One of the pivotal teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, whose birthday is this Shabbos, Chai Elul, is his revolutionary approach to Ahavas Yisroel, which transformed how Jewish communities viewed those who were unlearned or appeared simple.
Insightfully, the girls asked, “What was so transformational about the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings? The mitzvah of Ahavas Yisroel is already commanded in the Torah.”
The key, we learned, is how the Baal Shem Tov redefined Ahavas Yisroel. It’s not just about loving and caring for another person; it’s about understanding that each Jew is literally a part of ourselves. Together, we form one unified whole. Just as it would be unthinkable for one part of the body to harm another, it should be equally unfathomable for one Jew to hurt another.
At the beginning of Parshas Ki Savo, we learn about the mitzvah of Bikurim, the first fruits brought as an offering in Eretz Yisroel. The Torah says, “Ki savo”—when you come into the land which Hashem has given you—only then are you obligated to perform the mitzvah of Bikurim. The concept of “savo”—entering the land—doesn’t just mean physically stepping into Eretz Yisroel; it means fully settling in it. The Gemara explains that the obligation to bring Bikurim only applies after the land has been conquered, divided, and settled by all the Jewish people. This didn’t happen immediately; it took 14 years, and only then did the mitzvah of Bikurim begin.
But why, you may ask, shouldn’t one take the first opportunity he has to do the mitzvah of Bikurim? Shouldn’t those who had already received their portion of land and grown their crops express their thanks to Hashem and bring the first fruits?
The reason for this timing is a lesson in the true meaning of Ahavas Yisroel. It mirrors the Baal Shem Tov’s definition of Ahavas Yisroel. The Jewish people are like one body. Until all of us are fully settled, no individual can truly feel the joy of being settled. Bikurim could only be performed once the collective joy was complete.
This sense of unity and shared responsibility is a core principle of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings and of chassidus , and it is a core belief at CMCA. Kol Yisrael areivim zeh la’zeh—all Jews are responsible for one another.
The lesson for us, learned from Chai Elul, Parshas Ki Savo, and from a Chassidus class with my amazing students, is that we are all truly one. May we very soon experience complete peace, unity, and joy in Eretz Yisroel with the coming of Moshiach, and once again be able to bring Bikurim.
Good Shabbos!
Mrs. Leah Sollish
Leading By Example
In order for chinuch to succeed it should be accomplished out of Ahavas Yisroel, “the right hand draws near”. Even though it is sometimes necessary to implement “the left hand pushes away” - it is done with the left hand, the less dominant hand, and it is only done very rarely. When we approach children, b’darchei noam, pleasantly and peacefully, we influence them more successfully and more quickly than through other means.
Middle School Boys Programming
Our dedicated shluchim have launched the first exciting new “Mivtza” to help prepare for Rosh Hashana! Boys are encouraged to take on additional davening, learning, and performing extra mitzvos. By completing these tasks—such as learning a sicha during the first few minutes of recess, saying Tehillim after davening, and bentching from a Siddur—students earn points toward a special reward. Those who reach their goal will be celebrated with a special lunch in recognition of their efforts.
Curriculum Night
Thank you to all the parents for joining us at Curriculum Night and for your partnership in your child’s education. The evening began with exciting updates about our school’s new initiatives, including the introduction of electives, Responsive Classroom, and our commitment to stronger communication. Parents also learned about our academic support departments and assessment systems, followed by an insightful presentation from Mrs. Lew, our Kriah specialist, on the holiness and importance of Hebrew reading and the critical role parents play in helping their children. Afterward, parents visited their children’s classrooms, where they experienced the curriculum firsthand—exploring materials and learning the systems, and chatting with teachers about the ways their children will be learning this year. Thank you to our dedicated teachers and engaged parents for making this a wonderful and meaningful night!
5th Grade Math Rap
Our 5th graders just dropped the hottest track of the year, and it’s all about rounding up numbers! From the basics to the beats, they’ve turned math into a lyrical masterpiece. They’re breaking down the rounding process with rhymes and rhythm. Whether they’re rounding up or down, their flow is on point!
Big shoutout to Ms. Mojica and our talented mathematicians for making math class a hit!
8th Grade Carpool Patrol
8th Grade Our 8th-grade boys and girls have truly stepped up as leaders and role models by taking on responsibilities in carpool! From calling names to ensuring everyone’s safety, they are a huge help on making carpool run smoothly and efficiently. Carpool is not only more safe and organized, it’s also a lot more FUN. We are so proud of their leadership and teamwork in helping our school community!
New Masmidim Program
The new after-school learning program for boys in grades 5-8 is up and running! On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, those who have opted in, stay for an additional hour of focused learning, including Mishnayos, a weekly sicha, and parsha. The boys also enjoy a snack, engaging learning sessions, and some sports with the shluchim, all under the direction of Rabbi Rahmani. The program is off to a fantastic start, and it’s been inspiring to see the energy in the room. We look forward to watching the boys grow in their learning with this extra commitment!
Chumash Pointers
Our 3rd-grade students had an exciting hands-on experience designing their own clay Chumash pointers with Rabbi Meyers! They loved shaping and creating something that was not only fun to make but will also be very helpful in class, helping them stay focused and able to follow along in their learning every day.
Student of The Month September/ELUL
Congratulations to the following students who have been nominated by their teachers as student of the month! These students have stood out not only for their great learning but also for their Derech Eretz– for showing respect and integrity in all they do. We are extremely proud of their achievements and the positive example they set for their peers!
Rochel Loebenstein
Shmaya Barber
Chaya Loebenstein
David Groner
Esti Meyers
Koby Friedman
Taliya Khanukaev
Adam David Huli
Mendel Slavaticki
Ayala Afrah
Chana Wolf
Yisrael Meyer Edelson
Eden Azulay
Levi Groner
Abigail Teytel
Yaakov New
NOTE ON RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM
The Responsive Classroom Approach, which all of our teachers have been implementing in the classrooms this year, addresses five Social & Emotional Competencies: Cooperation, Assertiveness, Responsibility, Empathy and Self Control.
We will send home tips every week that you can use at home for each competency.This week is Assertiveness. Responsive Classroom defines assertiveness as a child’s ability to take initiative, stand up for their ideas without hurting or negating others, seek help, succeed at a challenging task, and recognize their individual self as separate from their circumstances or conditions they’re in.
Teaching Kids the Difference Between Assertive and Aggressive Behavior
Helping your child understand the difference between assertive and aggressive behavior is crucial for developing strong social skills and emotional intelligence. Here are some practical tips to guide you in teaching these concepts:
Define and Discuss: Start by explaining the difference in simple terms. Assertiveness means standing up for yourself or expressing your feelings in a respectful way, while aggression involves actions or words that hurt or dominate others.
Role-Playing: Use everyday scenarios to role-play both assertive and aggressive behaviors. For example, act out how to respond when a friend may say something you don’t agree with a while playing football. Discuss which responses are assertive and which are aggressive, emphasizing the importance of respecting others’ feelings.
Use “I” Statements: Teach your child to use “I” statements to express their feelings. For example, “I feel sad when you don’t include me in an activity” is an assertive way to communicate without being confrontational. Practice these statements regularly in different situations.
Model Assertiveness: Children learn by observing, so be mindful of how you express yourself in front of them. Show them how to be assertive by calmly and confidently stating your needs or boundaries without raising your voice or becoming angry.
Praise Assertive Behavior: Positive reinforcement is key. When you notice your child being assertive, acknowledge it with specific praise like, “I’m proud of how you told your friend you didn’t like that game in a calm way.”
Discuss Consequences: Talk about the natural consequences of both behaviors. If your child calmly says to a friend, “I was here first, please don’t cut,” it can lead to respect and stronger friendships, whereas if they shove or yell, it might hurt feelings and create conflict. Help your child see how assertiveness can lead to positive outcomes like stronger friendships, while aggression can hurt others and lead to conflicts.
Mazal tov to our students and staff celebrating their birthday this month:
TEACHER
Mendel Jacobson - 11 Thiseri
Shternie Lew - 3 Tisheri
Liyomi Fernando - 9/24
Yonatan Mallinger - 22 Elul
GRADE 2
Chaya Rivkah Abraham - 7 Elul
Elimelech Freeman - 7 Elul
Mendel Sharfstein - 4 Elul
GRADE 3
Vita Avtzon - 27 Elul
Tiferes Mallinger - 1 Elul
Aliza Romano - 9 Elul
GRADE 7
Avraham Antopolsky - 13 Elul
Shaya Sollish - 1 Elul
GRADE 8
Chaya Amzalak - 6 Elul
Mazal Tov to Shaya Sollish on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah.
Mazal Tov to Avrohom Antopolsky on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah
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