Lessons from the Mishkan for the Classroom
Lessons from the Mishkan for the Classroom
In this week’s parsha, we learn that Hashem instructed the Jewish people to bring gifts for the construction of the Mishkan, and that every person had a role to play: "Let them make for Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them". The contributions varied, from the skilled craftsmen who worked with gold, silver, and precious stones, to the simple gifts of fabric or wool brought by those with more limited resources. It wasn’t the size or the value of the contribution that mattered, but the spirit of giving and the understanding that every person’s participation was necessary to create a place for Hashem's presence to dwell.
This lesson about the importance of every contribution is directly applicable to education. Every student has unique strengths and abilities, and each one contributes something special to the classroom. Just as the Mishkan required the participation of every individual, a classroom thrives when every student is encouraged to contribute, whether through their knowledge, talents, creativity, or even their willingness to engage and participate. Each child is essential to the dynamic of the class, and every student’s contribution helps build a positive and enriching learning environment.
In the Mishkan, the Jewish people understood that they were part of something greater than themselves, and that their collective contributions were essential to the sanctification of the space. Similarly, in a classroom, one of the primary goals is to foster a sense of community where each student feels valued and recognized for the unique qualities they bring. When every child understands that every student's voice, their actions, and their presence matter, it creates a sense of belonging and a shared purpose that enhances the educational experience for everyone.
Just as the Mishkan could not have been completed without the participation of every person, the classroom cannot reach its full potential without the involvement of every student. It is this sense of mutual contribution that helps students develop not only academically but also socially and emotionally, as they learn the importance of working together toward a common goal.
Good Shabbos.
Rabbi Isser New
Live It
"Torah is not just a subject to be learned; it must lead to action. A true educator does not just teach—he inspires students to live what they learn."
8th Grade Girls’ Purim Bake Sale: A Sweet Success
In honor of Purim the 8th-grade girls organized a successful bake sale. They offered a variety of treats, including cookies, muffins, and hamantaschen, perfect for Mishloach Manos or to enjoy over Purim. The girls took full responsibility for every aspect of the project, from collecting over 30 orders to shopping, baking, and beautifully packaging the goods. Their dedication, teamwork, and leadership were evident throughout the process. What stood out most was their ability to work together as a group to accomplish their goal. Well done to the 8th-grade girls, and thank you to everyone who supported their initiative!
Celebrating a Milestone in Judaic Assessments at CMCA
Over the past few days, CMCA has reached an exciting milestone in tracking student growth and learning in Judaic studies. Individualized Judaic assessment reports have been sent out, providing families with detailed insights into their child’s progress in Torah learning, Hebrew language, and other foundational Judaic subjects. These reports include growth charts covering the last year and a half, along with comprehensive breakdowns of Judaic standards and skills, giving a clear picture of each student’s academic and spiritual development.
This initiative represents a major step forward for our school. The Judaic assessments, learning standards, and reporting systems have been carefully developed from the ground up, ensuring that students’ progress in Torah learning is measured effectively and meaningfully. These tools allow both teachers and parents to support each child’s growth in Yiddishkeit and scholarship with clarity and purpose.
A huge thank you to Rabbi Rahmani for his expertise and dedication in making this possible. His efforts have brought invaluable insight into student achievement and continue to enhance Judaic learning at CMCA!
CMCA's Shtender-Podium Design Competition
As part of the art and STEM program, Rabbi Mallinger led an exciting Shtender Competition, challenging students to design and build their own innovative shtender. The competition required students to plan, create a model, and construct a functional final product. The results were incredible!
Students designed and built real, sturdy, and well-crafted shtenders, showcasing both creativity and engineering skills. The completed projects were displayed for the entire school, allowing students to admire their peers’ impressive work. A panel of judges evaluated each shtender based on creativity, problem-solving, and structural integrity
Mazal Tov to our winners, Shlomo Loshkim and Yisroel Edelson, for their exceptional designs and a huge thank you to Rabbi Mallinger.
March Mathness
March Mathness! This exciting, school-wide event brings together the thrill of competition and the power of mathematics in a fun, engaging way.
Throughout the week, students put their math skills to the test in a series of competitions focused on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Whether solving quick-fire math problems, racing against the clock, or working together in teams, students build confidence in their abilities while strengthening their teamwork and problem-solving skills.
The energy builds all week long, leading up to Friday’s grand finale: the Staff vs. Student Basketball Game! As students and teachers face off on the court, the entire school cheers them on—celebrating not just basketball skills, but the teamwork, perseverance, and math mastery that make this event special.
March Mathness is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of learning, teamwork, and school spirit. By blending academics with athletics, we create an unforgettable experience where students realize that math is everywhere—even on the basketball court!
Middle School Girls Enjoy Their First-Ever Ski Trip
This year, the CMCA middle school girls went on their first-ever ski trip, and it was such an incredible experience that we hope it becomes a new MSG tradition! The excitement began as students and staff headed to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to take in the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Before reaching our destination, we made a fun stop for bowling, adding to the adventure. We arrived at the beautiful Airbnb to breathtaking views, the girls unpacked and settled in before enjoying a delicious BBQ dinner and an evening of fun and activities.
The next morning, the real adventure began! We headed to the ski slopes, where some girls confidently took off right away, while others participated in a lesson, spending time on the bunny slopes to master the basics. With patience, determination,practice and plenty of tumbles, everyone improved throughout the day, gaining confidence with each run. The trip was filled with fun, laughter, and perseverance, as the girls pushed themselves, and encouraged each other. It was an unforgettable experience, and we can’t wait to ski again next year!
Purim Spirit Fills CMCA with Joy and Excitement
The weeks leading up to Purim at CMCA were bursting with excitement and Purim spirit! It all began on Rosh Chodesh Adar with Crazy Hair Day, where students and staff showed off their most creative and outrageous hairstyles, setting the tone for Adar. For the next two weeks, Purim was in the air with fun and activities. One of the highlights was when the 8th-grade girls surprised the school with a glow-in-the-dark dance party. Students also got hands-on with, baking delicious hamantaschen and lots of Purim learning and classroom activities.
As Purim approached, the excitement only grew with a special dress-up theme each day, and the students did a fantastic job showing their creativity. Finally, Purim day arrived, and we celebrated with our annual Megillah reading event. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
A Big Thank You to Our Class Mothers for the Beautiful Shalach Manos!
We want to extend a huge thank you to our wonderful class mothers for their time, effort, and generosity in preparing the most beautiful Shalach Manos for all of our teachers. Your thoughtfulness brought so much joy into our school, making Purim even more special for our staff.
Each carefully prepared package was a heartfelt gesture of appreciation, reminding our teachers just how valued they are. The thoughtfulness and love that went into every Shalach Manos was a beautiful reflection of the kindness and unity that make our school community so special.
A big thank you as well to all the parents who contributed towards the Shalach Manos. Your generous support and appreciation for our teachers mean so much!
Riddle 1:
Why did they need wise people to produce the oil for the menorah?
Riddle 2:
What special contribution did the women bring for the kiyor?
Teaching Responsibility: Strategies for Educators and Parents
Responsibility is a foundational life skill that helps children develop accountability, independence, and a strong work ethic. The Responsive Classroom approach instills responsibility in students by fostering a caring, structured environment where they are encouraged to take ownership of their actions, choices, and contributions. Through explicit teaching, logical consequences, and collaborative learning, students learn that responsibility is not just about completing tasks but also about being accountable to themselves and their community. Parents play an essential role in reinforcing these lessons at home, ensuring consistency between school and home expectations.
How Responsive Classroom Teaches Responsibility
Classroom Jobs & Community Roles – Students take on responsibilities such as line leader, classroom helper, etc. reinforcing accountability and the value of contributing to the community.
Interactive Modeling – Teachers explicitly demonstrate responsible behaviors, such as taking care of materials, completing assignments, and resolving conflicts respectfully, then allow students to practice and reflect.
Morning Meetings & Collaborative Learning – Group discussions help students understand that responsibility extends beyond tasks—it includes being a supportive classmate, making good choices, and following through on commitments.
Encouraging Independence – Students make guided choices about their learning and classroom behavior, fostering personal responsibility for their decisions.
How Parents Can Reinforce Responsibility at Home
Assign Age-Appropriate Chores – Giving children regular responsibilities, such as setting the table or sorting laundry, builds lifelong accountability.
Model Responsibility – Show responsibility in daily life by keeping commitments, managing time effectively, and admitting mistakes.
Teach Logical Outcomes – Help children connect actions to outcomes e.g., “If you don’t put your backpack away where it belongs, they won’t be able to find it in the morning”
Encourage Problem-Solving – Instead of fixing mistakes for them, guide children to find solutions when they forget something or make an error.
Praise Effort and Follow-Through – Recognizing responsibility builds confidence and reinforces positive habits.
By working together, educators and parents can empower children to take ownership of their actions and contributions, shaping them into responsible individuals who understand the impact of their choices.
Mazal Tov to our students and staff celebrating their birthday this month:
Rabbi Freeman
Hadassah Cohen - 4 Adar
Ella Azulay - 4 Adar
Chaim Deitsch - 5 Adar
Menachem Schwartz - 22 Adar
Rashi Frankforter - 8 Adar
Adina Meyerowitz - 14 Adar
Chaim Gurary - 8 Adar
Dov Pawliger - 22 Adar
Chaya Mushka Freeman - 21 Adar
Sydney Mason - 7 Adar
Ayala Afrah - 6 Adar
Dassa Silverman - 11 Adar
Chaim Edelson - 10 Adar
Levi Gurary - 23 Adar
Sholom Mentz - 23 Adar
Musia Piekarski - 17 Adar
Mazal Tov Jacob Bykov for your Bar Mitzvah
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