Judges, Leaders, and the Future We Build
Judges, Leaders, and the Future We Build
The fifth section of Sefer Devarim opens with Moshe instructing the Jewish people to appoint judges, shoftim, to try cases and uphold the law.
The parasha continues with Moshe’s instructions regarding other leaders of the Jewish people, including kings, priests, and prophets. Since all four types of leaders are discussed within the same parasha, yet the parasha is called Shoftim, it follows that the Torah considers the judge to be the central prototype of Jewish leadership.
This is because the role of the judge is to ensure that the behavior of both the individual and the nation conforms to the Torah’s spiritual standards. In doing so, the judge safeguards the welfare of each person and the community as a whole, enabling the formation of a well-functioning, safe, and holy society. The maintenance of such a society is a basic prerequisite for revealing God’s presence on earth and making the world a home for Him.
What a fitting message for us as we cross the threshold into our new girls’ high school. Ultimately, it will be the welfare of each individual student and the student body as a whole that will combine to create a well-functioning, safe, and holy community. We look forward to partnering with you in bringing this vision to life. It will require strong collaboration between us all.
The opening phrase of the parasha speaks not only of shoftim (judges) but also shotrim (a police force tasked with enforcing the rulings of the judges. Yet, significantly, the name of the parasha is Shoftim - not Shoftim v’Shotrim. Although law enforcement is discussed, by naming the parasha simply Shoftim, the Torah encourages us to focus on an ideal future when enforcement is unnecessary.
One way to hasten that redemption is to live with messianic consciousness: to live, as much as possible, in the way we will live after the redemption. Please G-d, by creating a special society within our walls, we will establish a haven where, individually and together as a school community, the girls will thrive and grow into the best versions of themselves.
Thank you for your trust. Our door is always open.
Wishing you all a Kesiva V’Chasima Tova,
Mrs. Shelley Feinblum
Helping Children Guard Their Gates
Parshas Shoftim opens with the command to appoint shoftim (judges) and shotrim (officers) at all of our gates. On a deeper level, the gates refer not only to cities, but also to the human body, the eyes, ears, and mouth, our personal gateways to the world around us. Just as a community needs guidance and structure, so too every person, especially a child, needs tools to guard and guide what comes in and out.
In education, this means helping children develop the ability to filter what they see, hear, and say. Not by fear or force, but by empowering them with clarity: teaching them what’s appropriate, uplifting, and true. When we give children inner “judges” and “officers,” we’re not just protecting them, we’re building their strength to navigate the world with purpose and integrity.
As Sweet as Honey
Our first-grade girls launched their Hebrew reading journey with a joyful celebration filled with tutus, honey cake, and honey. They learned that the Hebrew letters and kriah skills are the the building blocks of their future Torah learning, are as sweet as honey. With this beautiful beginning, the girls were reminded that Hebrew reading and learning As Sweet as HoneyTorah are the sweetest and most precious treasures they will carry with them. Thank you Morah Deby Freeman and Morah Rivkah Ehrenreich.
Chaya Mushka High School Opens Its Doors
Week one began with a beautiful start as we welcomed the girls into the inspiring new space that now houses our Chaya Mushka High School. Orientation was warm and informative, with all our new students and many parents present.
Classes launched on Wednesday with a full schedule in place, and productive learning began right from the start. Already, the girls are functioning as a cohesive unit, bringing an enthusiastic energy to everything they do.
As we close the door on week one, we open ourselves to all the excitement and promise of what our Girls High School will mean for the students, their families, and our greater community.
Fifth Grade Wall of Personality
Our fifth graders, with Ms. Straight, have been busy creating vibrant wall displays featuring their names spelled vertically, with each letter matched to an adjective that describes them. They explored interesting and unusual words to highlight their personalities, then decorated their posters with themes and designs that showcase their individuality. The result is a colorful display that celebrates the uniqueness of each student while brightening up the classroom walls.
Art, Chess, and Tech: Boys Begin Their Electives
Electives have officially begun for the year! This year, boys in 5th grade and up were given the opportunity to choose between Art and Computer Literacy or Art and Chess. All of the classes are off to a great start, and the boys are enthusiastic about their choices. Offering electives allows our students to explore their creativity, build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, develop new interests, and gain confidence as they discover talents beyond the regular classroom. We are so excited to provide these opportunities for growth and enrichment, and we look forward to seeing the boys thrive in their chosen electives.
Together We Make a Whole
Second grade kicked off the year with Mrs. Jacobson by receiving special welcome kits filled with thoughtful items, “Kindness” Kind bars, “it’s okay to make mistakes” erasers, heart stickers, and cheerful bouncy balls to remind us to turn sad thoughts into happy ones. Each student also received a piece of a puzzle, which, when put together, created a beautiful picture symbolizing that our classroom is like one big family. Just as every piece is needed to complete the puzzle, every one of our amazing students is an essential part of making our class whole, caring for one another, and working together.
Treasures of Shorashim
Our third-grade boys, with Rabbi Meyers, are getting ready to fill both their treasure boxes, and their minds, with lots of shorashim! These shorashim will serve as a strong foundation for decoding and understanding their text-based Torah learning. The boys painted special treasure boxes where they will store their flashcards, collecting knowledge piece by piece. Just like a treasure chest, these boxes will hold the precious gems of learning that will enrich their Torah study for years to come.
Welcome Shluchos
We are thrilled to welcome our Shluchos for this year, Laya Berendt from Charlotte, NC, and Devorah Leah Wineberg from Manchester. Laya and Devorah Leah will serve as dorm counselors and lead programming for the High School, while also contributing to programming and building relationships in the Middle School. We are so excited for them to get to know our incredible Middle School and High School girls, and for our girls to connect with them and enjoy a year filled with engaging, exciting, and meaningful programs under their leadership. We wish them much success in their shlichus and all their endeavors at CMCA and CMHS this year.
Riddle 1:
Which law in this parsha makes mention of the number 3 - on 5 separate occasions?
Riddle 2:
In this parsha, the numbers 1, 2, and 3 all appear in the same possuk. What is the possuk conveying?
As we continue to grow together this year, one of our biggest priorities at CMCA is building a community where every child feels safe, valued, and included. At the heart of this is kindness.
Teachers are spending time in class talking about what kindness looks like; using kind words, including others in games, listening respectfully, helping someone who is struggling, being respectful of others possessions and showing empathy when a friend is having a hard day. These small actions add up to make big difference, creating a place where all children can thrive academically and socially.
We also know that the most powerful learning happen when school and home work together. That's why we encourage you to continue these conversations with your child at home.
Some simple ways to keep the dialogue going include:
Asking, "What was one kind thing you did today?" or "What's something kind someone did for you?"
Reading stories together that highlight empathy, respect, and friendship.
Talking through situations when kindness might feel difficult, and brainstorming positive choices together.
When children see that kindness is important both at school and at home, they begin to carry it with them wherever they go.
Happy Birthday to our students with Av birthdays:
Lavi Army, 7 Av
Fayga Wasserman, 23 Av
Menucha Wolf, 5 Av
Dovid Groner, 26 Av
Ben Barber, 12 Av
Liam Mor, 14 Av
Motti Barber, 5 Av
Chana Goldman, 18 Av
Luna Zakon, 19 Av
Nessa Tabeling, 29 Av
Mazal tov Luna Zakon on the occasion of her Bas Mitzvah!
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