Where Divine Gifts Meet Human Effort

Mrs. Leah Sollish

Wells are prominently featured in the Torah.

Significant moments in the lives of Yitzchak, Yaakov, and Moshe Rabbeinu unfold at a well. In Parshas Toldos, the Torah devotes considerable attention to the wells Yitzchak dug, the challenges he encountered, and even the names he gave them.

What makes a well so significant that the Torah devotes so much attention to it?

Hashem has filled our world with water. Oceans, rivers, lakes, and natural springs are magnificent gifts of creation, provided without any effort on our part. At the same time, human ingenuity allows us to build dams, create canals, and develop irrigation systems to bring water where it is needed.

A well, however, represents the intersection of these two worlds: G-d-given gifts and human endeavor. Deep beneath the earth lies a natural spring, a gift from Hashem. Yet only through human effort, by digging beneath the surface, can that water be accessed.

And this holds a powerful lesson for each of us.

Each of us has been blessed with tremendous gifts and opportunities from Hashem. But only through our efforts can we access them, and when we do, we discover something far greater than we could ever achieve on our own.

This message is especially meaningful in parenting and education. Every child possesses extraordinary, G-d-given potential, a divine neshama waiting to be revealed. Our responsibility is to uncover the greatness that already lies within and experience the joy of watching each child flourish.

Like the wells of Yitzchak, the greatness within each of us is already there. Our avodah is to invest the patience, effort, and unwavering belief needed to bring it forth, allowing the beautiful gifts Hashem has placed within each of us and each child to flow freely.

Good Shabbos!

Parshas Toldos describes the very different personalities of Yaakov and Eisav. Yaakov is described as an ish tam, yoshev ohalim, a person devoted to learning, while Eisav is drawn toward the outside world. Even though they grew up in the same home, each developed a very different character and approach to life. Their story reminds us that every child has a unique personality, strengths, and interests.

In chinuch, recognizing these differences is essential. Children respond to different approaches, discover their abilities in different ways, and grow at their own pace. When we take the time to understand each child’s individual nature, we can help them recognize their strengths and channel them toward positive goals. The goal is to give every child the guidance and encouragement they need to develop into the person they are capable of becoming.

Exploring Leaves

Our first graders had a delightful time working on their Leaf Project, which combined science, language, and math. The children learned about leaf anatomy, different types of leaves, and interesting leaf facts. They explored how leaves get their green color from chlorophyll, how they use sunlight to make their own food through photosynthesis, and how they produce oxygen and carbohydrates, and they discussed why leaves change color and fall during autumn.

The students collected different leaves, made predictions about what might happen to them over the next few weeks, and learned new adjectives to describe leaves and trees. To finish, they gathered and counted their collected leaves, combining their math skills with hands-on learning!

A big thank you to Ms. Liyomi and Ms. Dasheema!

Sukkah Building Competition

In Rabbi Meyers fourth grade class, the boys brought Mishnayos Sukkah to life in an exciting Sukkah Building Championship!

Working in teams, students used popsicle sticks, twigs, leaves, string, cloth, and cardboard to build models of cases from the Mishnayos. Teams earned points for halachic accuracy, time efficiency, and appearance and creativity, putting their Torah knowledge, teamwork, and building skills to the test.

The Flames Are Fired Up!

The CMCA Flames kicked off their season this week, and what a start!

A great crowd of parents and students came out to cheer on our teams, bringing lots of energy and school spirit! The girls gave it their all on the court, with many playing in their very first game! The boys started their season strong, bringing home an impressive 47–27 win!

A big thank you to Coach Yazzy and Coach Dom! We’re looking forward to an awesome season ahead!

GO FLAMES! 🔥🏀

Learning From Our Mothers

Every Friday in our third-grade girls’ class, a different student takes the lead, preparing and presenting a Parsha lesson and activity for her classmates! The creativity, enthusiasm, and pride the girls bring to their presentations are amazing!

A recent highlight was an adorable tent-making project featuring the three special mitzvos of Sara and Rivka Imeinu. The girls brought these mitzvos to life through their beautiful creations, connecting to the traditions passed down from mother to daughter for generations. What a beautiful way to make the learning their own!

Thank you, Mrs. Groner, for encouraging and inspiring our girls to take ownership of their learning, and to all the girls for the creativity and effort they put into making each week's Parsha lesson so special!

Shout-out to the following students for exemplifying derech eretz and working hard, earning a Nachas Note from their teachers in recognition of their efforts!