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Shmuel Bass Torah Academy of San Antonio

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The TASA Times

March 29, 2019 Parshat Shemini / Parah 22 Adar II 5779

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Student Voices

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Parshat Tzav

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Parshat Shemini / Parah

Mazal Tov to Middle Schooler David Pearsall, for representing TASA at the San Antonio Express News Regional Spelling Bee, which took place on March 17th.

We are so proud of him!

Casino Night Raffle Tickets

TASA parents are selling raffle tickets as a fundraiser.

Tickets are only $25 each.

There are three fabulous prizes and the drawing will be held at the Casino Night on May 19th.

1st Prize - All Inclusive Trip to Israel for 2 or 4 (flights, accommodations, spending money, see details online)
2nd Prize - Beautiful Custom 14K African Garnet Jewelry Set
3rd Prize - Microsoft Surface Pro Computer

Payments can be made online. Please click here for more information.

If you have any questions about the raffle do not hesitate to contact Sharon Kluger or Mrs. Diric.

Thank YOU!!

(See flyer at the end of this email.)

D'var Torah

Shabbat Shemini/Parshat Parah
Red Cows and Baby Steps

This week we read the Torah portion of Shemini and the special portion of Parah, the section that speaks about the purification done by means of the Parah Adumah, the red heifer. Customarily, this portion is always read within two weeks of Rosh Chodesh Nissan (the month of Passover). Our sages explain that since the Jewish people were required to make pilgrimage to the Bet Hamikdash (temple) during the Pesach holiday, it was necessary to start the purification process some time before, as it is forbidden to ascend to the temple mount in a state of impurity.

I often wonder why the Halachic authorities make such a big deal about this reading, to the extent that many are of the opinion that it is of Biblical importance. It seems to be something so irrelevant and removed in today's day and age. It’s a bit difficult to relate to a red cow, sprinkling of its ashes, which will somehow bring about spirituality and holiness, for us to be able to ascend to the Bet Hamikdash, which we haven't seen in more than two thousand years. Seems vague at best.

Perhaps, we should look more at the process than the actual ritual.

In raising children, as in our spiritual journey, most parents have the same ideals and goals, to raise healthy, productive and functional individuals. As Jews, we also want our children to be spiritual, committed and engaged in our faith and heritage. So as we begin to search for the right mate, we breathlessly discuss our child-rearing plans, opinions and hopes. When we do find the right person to marry and start our family, we couldn't be more excited. Then we are blessed with a child and the fun really begins. Our best laid plans and educational theories get put on the back burner, as we struggle to clothe, feed, provide financial security and yes, sleep a bit too. All of a sudden, our absolutes are not so absolute. Our high hopes and goals may become secondary to our realities and challenges. And then, we are simply overwhelmed and often give up on what was once our lofty goals.

So the Torah tells us about the Red Heifer. A process of purification that begins a long time before Passover. One needs to be mindful today and begin this process of purification, if he/she hopes to enter the Bet Hamikdash at a later date. Invest Today to find success Tomorrow. It is all about the process. It’s all about the little things we do along the way. The big things are nice, but the small, baby steps that we take every day, in the right direction is what allows us to reach our goal, long term. We need to stay focused and engaged very much like the child’s story of the tortoise and the hare. It's not about running at high speed, but rather it’s about the consistent, small steps.

This is the goal of our educational team at TASA. Helping our students take small, baby steps, every single day, in the right direction. Yes, there will be frustrations along the way. Yes, we may even momentarily veer off-course, but long term, we are headed in the right direction. The finished product of TASA is a healthy, functional, engaged and proud Jew. The very same goal we had at the very beginning.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yossi Marrus
Dean of Students
Director of Judaic Studies

TASA / NJHS
Tolerance Building Bandage Project

Please continue to send in boxes of Bandages to help our NJHS students complete their commitment of writing the names of 10,000 child vicitims of the Holocaust for the "The Tolerance Kids" at Woodlake Elementary.

This year, which is the eleventh and final year of the project, The Tolerance Kids hope to complete the 1.5 million bandage collection. They aim to complete it by June 12, 2019 (which would have been Anne Frank's 90th birthday, had she survived the Holocaust.) When the project is complete,it will be displayed at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, California.

Thank You!

Thank you to all who participated and purchased cards for our Purim Card Fundraiser. Your contributions are greatly appreciated!
Thank you to Stacey Schwartz for heading the TASA Purim Card Fundraiser, and to her crew of volunteers - (alphabetically listed): Jessica Diric; Loraleigha Glassburner; Alma Kron; Simona Lascu; Malkie Marrus; Rivkey Nimchinsky; Samantha Price.
Thank you to our dedicated PTO Purim chairpersons, David Hendler and Rochel Teldon, for coordinating and putting together our exhilarating and fun Purim carnival!
Yashar Koach to our Middle School students for stepping up and working really hard on the Purim carnival, assuring that everyone had a great time.
Thank you to Rabbi Nimchinsky for his beautiful and multi-voiced Megillah reading on Purim.

Click here to read

Ten Reasons to Send Your Student to a Jewish Day School

an article from Jewish Philanthropy, posted on March 27, 2019.

Flex Tuition & the Jewish Federation Scholarship Programs

If you are applying for Flex Tuition for the 2019-20 School Year, we are requiring that you apply for the scholarship through the Jewish Federation. This is FREE MONEY for TASA!!

Families can receive up to $1000 towards their upcoming tuition. Applications are DUE APRIL 10, 2019.

Here is the link to the PDF application form for the JFS tuition scholarship

If you need assistance in filling out the paperwork, please contact Mrs. Diric to make an appointment.

Thank you.

TASA open enrollment for the

2019-2020 Academic Year

Please click here to enroll your child today!

TASA Purim Carnival

At TASA,
even our doors got dressed up for Purim!

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Changemaker: Mr. Mel Friedman

Our Changemaker at TASA on March 15th was Mr. Mel Friedman. Mr. Friedman is an accountant who has a serious passion for Jewish History. In his talk, he shared some of his insights into Jewish history with our TASA students.

Mr. Friedman also brought several artifacts to show the students. He brought a 3000 year old chalice from the Davidic era, a 2300 year old torch from the Hamonian era, as well as Canaanite weapons that date back to originating from around 300 BCE. It is entirely possible that some of our ancestors might have faced attacks against similar weapons. He also demonstrated an ancient oil lamp, Roman spear tips, as well as a spear point from the Davidic era.

Thank you Mr Friedman for helping our past come alive for TASA’s students.

Club Registration for Last Quarter of the Year

We are offering several different clubs this session, which will run from April 1st through May 30th. Minimum registration of 5 students per club to open.

Monday: Cooking, with Mrs. E (All Grades)
Tuesday: Yoga, with Allie (All Grades)
Tuesday: Mad Mathematicians in the Middles, with Mrs. E (Grades 5-8)
Thursday: Brain Games, with Mrs. Johnson (Grades K-4)