The Crown of Generations
Rabbi Isser New
In today’s world, we often hear about the importance of “being present.” Teachers, parents, and students are encouraged to slow down, focus on the moment, and truly experience the time we share with one another. Yet, Jewish tradition hints at something even deeper. The most powerful kind of presence is created when the past and the future meet in the present. Grandparents have a unique gift for creating that space, the ultimate space of “present.”
Grandparents carry memory. They hold the stories of earlier homes, earlier communities, and earlier generations. When they sit with their grandchildren sharing a story at the Shabbos/Yom Tov table or simply offering a warm hug they bring the past gently into the present moment.
״כָּל הַמְלַמֵּד אֶת בֶּן בְּנוֹ תּוֹרָה מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִלּוּ קִבְּלָהּ מֵהַר סִינַי״
One who teaches Torah to a grandchild is considered as though they received the Torah from Mount Sinai itself. In that moment, the distance of thousands of years seems to disappear.
Grandparents also embody hope. They look at their grandchildren and see the future unfolding before them. King Solomon captured this beautiful bond when he wrote: ״עֲטֶרֶת זְקֵנִים בְּנֵי בָנִים״, “Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly.”
When a grandparent and grandchild learn together, sing together, laugh together, or celebrate a yom tov together, something extraordinary happens. The wisdom of yesterday and the promise of tomorrow meet in a single moment. That is more than simply “being present.”
In those moments, a child doesn’t just learn information. They feel that they are part of a story much larger than themselves, a story that began long before them and with Hashem’s help, will continue long after.
This week is the Shiva of my grandfather Reb Mendel New ע”ה. My grandparents’ home reflected the particular way they lived their lives, orderly, dignified, and deliberate. They dressed immaculately, and their house was always kept with great care. As I'm sitting in his home one thing stands apart from this careful order: the astonishing number of photographs of children and grandchildren. Every room, even the most formal parts of the house, are covered with them.
The walls, shelves and every surface of the home seem to hold more than pictures; they hold time itself. Past memories and future generations meeting quietly in the fullness of the present.
Good Shabbos
Parshas Vayakhel begins with the Jewish people gathering together to build the Mishkan. Everyone contributes something, materials, skills, time, or craftsmanship. The Mishkan was not the work of one individual, but the result of many people bringing their unique abilities toward a shared purpose.
This carries an important message for chinuch. Every child has something valuable to contribute. Some lead, some create, some organize, and some bring quiet dedication to the task. When children see that their individual strengths matter and that they are part of something larger, they develop both confidence and responsibility. A strong community grows when each person’s contribution is recognized and valued.
Question 1: In this parsha, something had to stop because there was too much of it.
What was it?
Question 2: Before the work begins, one mitzvah is repeated from earlier in the Torah, reminding everyone that even holy work has limits.
Which mitzvah is it?
Spelling Bee
The Elementary Spelling Bee brought out the best in our young wordsmiths! Students in grades 3–5 first competed within their general studies classes to earn the title of top speller and advance to the finals. For the boys, the finalists were Mendel Sharfstein, Elchonon New, and Manu Newton-Udel, with Manu Newton-Udel ultimately taking first place.
For the girls, the finalists were Asya Avtzon, Vita Avtzon, and Chaya Slavaticki. After an intense and exciting competition, Chaya Slavaticki came out on top as the girls’ champion.
Congratulations to all of the finalists and participants! Keep practicing those spelling words so you can be all the “buzz” at next year’s Spelling Bee.
March Mathness Launch
Starting next week (March 16–20), our school will kick off March Mathness, a whole-school math competition where classes compete to earn points through a series of math challenges. Each round, one class will advance, narrowing the field until only two classes remain. Will your class be one of them?
Be sure to listen to the afternoon announcements each day for score updates as the competition heats up!
We’ll wrap up the week with a student vs. faculty basketball game on Friday, where the winning class will be announced. It’s going to be a week full of math, competition, and school spirit, don’t miss it!
Pesach Prep
The third grade are busy preparing for Pesach. They started by cleaning out their cubbies, and making sure their personal spaces were clean, organized and chametz free..
They also had the opportunity to learn about chametz through a hands-on lesson. The students observed and “fed” a sourdough starter, watching how just flour and water (no yeast needed) can ferment and begin to rise.
Around the school, other classes are also getting into Pesach mode. Students have begun classroom clean-ups and are learning the halachos of Pesach, while also working on and preparing their Haggadahs for the Seder. It’s a special time of learning and preparation as we get closer to Pesach.
Sharing the Joy of Purim Together
Purim morning at CMCA was a joyous tradition, with students and families arriving in costumes for davening and Megillah reading, led by Noson Sollish and Rabbi Adelman. The celebration continued with a grand Shalach Manos exchange, giving students a fun way to share with friends and enjoy the mitzvos of the day.
An Epic Purim Break-Fast Bash
The Middle School boys enjoyed a memorable Purim celebration hosted by Rabbi Jacobson and organized by the Shluchim, featuring a lively break-fast with food, music, and dancing. The evening was filled with energy and festive spirit as the students celebrated together.
A Wild West Purim
The Middle School girls celebrated Purim with a rodeo-themed party organized by Mrs. Kesselman and the Shluchos, starting with a Megillah reading and a delicious break-fast. The evening continued with a lively Kangoo dance party, full of music, laughter, and energy, ensuring everyone had a blast.
Happy Birthday to our students with Nissan birthdays:
Chana Charytan – 1 Nissan
Yehuda Edelson – 4 Nissan
Nava Mogilevsky – 9 Nissan
Kovi Bukiet – 12 Nissan
Tzvi Lokshin – 18 Nissan
Yaakov Bodnar – 19 Nissan
Yitzchak Bodnar – 19 Nissan
Miki Friedman – 19 Nissan
Rivka Raskin – 20 Nissan
Chaya Kesselman – 24 Nissan
Adel Zakon – 27 Nissan
Mollie Mason – 28 Nissan
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