The Moth
The Moth
Mrs. Leah Sollish
On the day the Mishkan was inaugurated, the world was filled with joy, serenity, and Divine presence. Our Sages teach that it was a day comparable to the very day the world was created. And then, in the midst of that celebration, tragedy struck. Two of Aharon’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, died, consumed by fire.
This week’s parsha begins with the words:
אַחֲרֵי מוֹת שְׁנֵי בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן בְּקָרְבָתָם לִפְנֵי ה׳ וַיָּמֻתוּ
“After the death of Aharon’s two sons, when they came close before Hashem and they died.”
The Ohr Hachaim explains, as further developed in Chassidus, that the Torah is not merely repeating itself. By using both expressions “after the death” and “and they died” it is describing their approach to life. They sought to come close to Hashem in a way that was inherently self-consuming.
Like a moth attracted to light, its a fatal dance that it cannot hold itself back from. It is so drawn to the light that it comes even to the point of death. Aharon’s two sons were so profoundly pulled toward the Divine that they could not restrain themselves. They longed to transcend the physical world entirely, to escape its limitations and its demands. In their view, the body was a barrier, and shedding it would allow for a fuller, purer connection to Hashem.
In a certain sense, they achieved what they were seeking.
But Torah teaches that this is not the ideal.
Spiritual greatness is not found in escaping the physical world, it is found in elevating it. Hashem did not create a world for us to abandon; He created a world for us to live in, struggle within, and transform. Holiness is not achieved by leaving life behind, but by bringing G-dliness into the very fabric of life, into our actions, our choices, and our every day reality.
Judaism does not see escapism as a virtue. We are meant to grow, to stretch, and to reach for spiritual heights. There are moments, when we feel deeply connected, when we touch something beyond ourselves. But even in those moments, there is something higher.
Beyond even the holiest experiences, and the most profound moments of inspiration, is an even greater calling: to carry that connection back into our everyday lives. To bring Hashem into our homes, our work, our relationships, and our routines.
And as we enter the serenity of Shabbos and welcome the month of Iyar, Ani Hashem Rofecha, “I am Hashem, your healer”, may Hashem bring healing, strength, and peace to all who need it.
Good Shabbos!
Parshas Kedoshim opens with the call: “Kedoshim tihyu”, to live with holiness. The parsha then immediately turns to practical mitzvos: honesty in business, respect for others, caring for the vulnerable, and personal integrity. Holiness is expressed through the way a person lives day to day.
This is a central idea in chinuch. Values are not only taught through big moments, but through consistent, everyday behavior. When children learn that kindness, honesty, and respect are part of something meaningful and elevated, they begin to see their actions differently. The smallest choices become opportunities to live with purpose.
Question 1: On which special day does the service described in Acharei Mos take place?
Question 2: What must a farmer leave for the poor when harvesting a field?
Celebrating Learning Milestones
As we approach the end of the year, our classrooms are filled with excitement as students reach meaningful milestones in their learning—from mastering the 39 melachos to completing parshiyos of Chumash and Novi.
Mazal tov to our 4th grade girls on finishing Parshas Vayishlach, celebrated with a special ice cream party, and as they prepare for their upcoming siyum on Sefer Yehoshua. The 5th grade girls also celebrated completing Parshas Vayigash with a fun “sushi” party, as they look ahead to finishing Sefer Bereishis.
Chazak!
Girls Kickball League Kicks Off
Coach Yazzy and the elementary girls have kicked off an exciting in-house kickball league, bringing great energy to campus! With 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders forming the Pink Panthers and Purple Pandas, every student plays a part—on the field, refereeing, or announcing.
The games are full of joy, teamwork, and strong sportsmanship, and we’re so proud of the girls for showing up with such positivity and spirit. Join us on Tuesdays after school to cheer them on!
SEL In Sefirah
Mrs. Jacobson’s middos program continues in 2nd and 3rd grades, now connected to Sefiras Ha’Omer and Pirkei Avos to help students apply good character in daily life. This week focused on being careful not to embarrass others, introduced through “Picky” the puppet, who shared his feelings of self-consciousness about coming to school, followed by “Friendly Fanny,” who reminded the girls to keep unkind thoughts to themselves and always act kindly. Through discussions and real-life scenarios, the students practiced empathy, awareness, and friendship skills.
Eretz Yisroel Honored In CMCA
This week at CMCA has been filled with meaningful learning and reflection as we marked Eretz HaKodesh Week. Throughout the week, students “zoomed in” on the kedusha, history, and significance of Eretz Yisrael, with each day highlighting a different holy city and the lessons it offers for our lives today.
On Wednesday, the school gathered to commemorate Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, honoring those who gave their lives for the Jewish people while reflecting on Eretz Yisrael as Eretz HaKodesh—our land of history, tefillos, and connection to Hashem. We were also privileged to hear from Olympic skeleton slider Jared Firestone, who shared his inspiring journey representing Israel, his discipline and resilience in sport, and his deep commitment to strengthening his connection to Hashem. Students later had the opportunity to meet him, ask questions, and take photos.
Walking down the hallways at CMCA, you can’t help but notice the large bulletin board celebrating student growth and achievement in Kriah. It is a beautiful display of progress, highlighting students who have shown meaningful improvement through increased accuracy, fluency, and overall reading development.
We are proud to recognize our Most Improved Classes:
Third Grade Boys & Second Grade Girls
Most Improved Readers:
Kovi Bukiet, Yakov Bodnar, Yitzi Bodnar, Emilay Matatov, Aria Mor, Mira Friedman, Chaya Loebenstein & Chaya New
Students recognized for their Fluency include:
Menucha Wolf, Leah Frankforter, Chaya Mushka Freeman, Rivka Raskin, Yehudis Piekarski, Rochel Leah Loebenstein, Zelda Slavaticki, Esti Meyers, Aliza Romano, Faiga Wasserman, Eli Sollish, Jonathan Matatov, and Mendel Slavaticki.
Students recognized for their Fluency include:
Chani Piekarski, Yaakov Deitsch, Eli Lipsker, Meir Charyatan, and Mendel Barber.
Our “Flying High” readers - students reaching exceptional levels in both Fluency & Accuracy:
Chaya Freedman, Chaya Slavaticki, Chaya Pawliger, Chaim Deitsch, and Efraim Brafman.
We are so proud of all our students for their hard work, growth, and dedication to becoming strong, confident readers! A special thank you to Mrs. Lew, our Hebrew Reading Director, for her dedication to helping our students reach these milestones in their hebrew reading, and for creating this beautiful bulletin board.
Happy Birthday to our students with Iyar birthdays:
Berel Jacobson – 1 Iyar
Mira Friedman – 2 Iyar
Chana Piekarski – 3 Iyar
Dalya Pinson – 9 Iyar
Dovber New – 11 Iyar
Yaira Singer – 12 Iyar
Rivkah Silverman – 14 Iyar
Sara New – 14 Iyar
Simon Jacobson – 16 Iyar
Ari Gurary – 17 Iyar
Eli Sollish – 20 Iyar
Leah Shemtov – 22 Iyar
Esther Sharfstein – 23 Iyar
Leba Pinson – 23 Iyar
Levi New – 26 Iyar
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