Mazal Tov to Jessica Issaharov, Congregation Or Chadash 5th and 6th grade Religious School teacher, as the first Jewish educator from Southern Arizona to win the national Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education! One of two Arizona recipients and 67 recipients nationwide, Jessica was chosen for “exceptional achievement in Jewish education” and for “having made a significant impact on students and the community.”

    “Jessica’s love and excitement about Judaism and for the kids she teaches enriches us all: our students, their parents, her co-workers and me. She is so deserving of this award,” said Brenda Landau, Or Chadash Religious School Director.

    Earlier this year, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona recognized Jessica as the Outstanding Judaic Educator for 2006 for her work in teaching Holocaust studies and motivating students to make a difference within their own communities.

    Sharon Glassberg, Director of Federation’s Coalition for Jewish Education department, describes Jessica as “always ready to give input to Jewish education programs and then roll up her sleeves and jump in to work to carry them out.” And, said Glassberg, “She takes that extra step, the sign of an excellent educator.”

    Jessica received her B.A. in Judaic studies and a Master's degree from the University of Arizona. She teaches at Hebrew High and presents Holocaust education outreach. “It is my mission to be a messenger to these children,” she says. “If I reach even one child, I have succeeded.” Her biggest challenge is the time limitation in the class and that “every moment cannot be a teaching moment.” A “Facing History” teacher, Jessica, who is dedicated to her students, infuses everything she teaches with its philosophy that through studying history, children learn something about themselves and find their own voice to respond to historical events such as the struggle for Civil Rights and the Holocaust.

    She credits Or Chadash Religious School for “putting the kids first,” and the staff and teachers for giving her “confidence and making me a much better teacher. Working with the teachers, particularly Mitch Dorson, Marcia Louchheim, and Marlene Burns, all of whom I’ve tried to emulate, has been nourishing to my teaching, skills, and outlook.”

    Brenda Landau, Religious School Director, and Sharon Glassberg, nominated Issaharov for the prestigious award that includes a contribution toward her professional development and another that will go for class supplies. She will attend the awards ceremony and seminars in Los Angeles, November 12–14, after returning from Israel with her family—husband Moshe, and children, Sonia and Max—where they will celebrate Max’s Bar Mitzvah.

   

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been a year since a crowd of more than 200 adults and children sat mesmerized watching and learning as our Sofer, Rabbi Shmuel Miller, led the way for the sacred beginning of Or Chadash’s new Torah by inscribing the first letters. Many people commented that they “didn’t think it would touch them or move them” as it did.

    The actual writing of the Torah is almost complete. Rabbi Miller will be coming back for our last Torah writing session and celebration on Sunday, February 4th. We want to reach our goal of 100 percent congregational participation in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and our goal is within reach. Or Chadash needs you to Make Your Mark.

    So what’s still needed? You are. You can do this by dedicating part of the Torah. The dedication opportunities range in levels so that everyone can be a part of MAKE YOUR MARK. (See Dedication Opportunities chart opposite). If you have not yet Made Your Mark, now is the time to do so. We will be closing the books on Make Your Mark December 31st.

     Need an excuse or reason? Giving the gift of a tribute to Make Your Mark is a thoughtful way to honor your family and friends this Chanukah.

    During Chanukah, Jews everywhere recount the triumph of our ancestors against immorality, the rededication of the Temple, and the miracle of a one-day supply of oil lasting eight days. Let’s remember the Maccabees and their triumph against so many obstacles. If all the members of Or Chadash and many of our friends from the Jewish community join us in supporting Make Your Mark, then we, too, can have a victory in 2006. So, make haste and Make Your Mark or the mighty Or Chadash Maccabees will not have enough oil! (A little Chanukah humor.)

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MAKE YOUR MARK DEDICATION OPPORTUNITIES

These explanations will help you decide on selections you would like to dedicate. We hope that you will consider more than one, perhaps for different occasions or for different loved ones.

Gather the people—men, women, children and the strangers in your community . . . and write for yourselves this song, and teach it to all the children of Israel. –Deuteronomy 31:12 -19

    BOOKS OF THE TORAH: $18,000 (limit 3 each)
    Genesis B’reishit
    Exodus Sh’mot
    Leviticus Vayikra
    Numbers B’midbar
    Deuteronomy D’varim

    HOLIDAY PARASHIYOT: $15,000 (limit 3 each)
    Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Simchat Torah, Pesach, Shavuot

    STORIES, THEMES OR EVENTS: $15,000
    Sample List:
    Garden of Eden, Noah and the Ark, Tower of Babel, Call of Abraham,
    The Covenant, Birth of Moses, The Burning Bush, The Song of the Sea,
    Ten Plagues, Moses Blesses the Israelites, Seven Days of Creation, Let My People Go

    SH’MA: $12,500 The affirmation of our faith
    TEN COMMANDMENTS: $10,000
    WEEKLY PARASHAH: $ 5,400
    PRAYER PASSAGES: $3,600
    Sample List: V’ahavta, Mi Chamocha, Y’varech’cha,V’shamru, Ma Tovu

    B’NEI MITZVAH PORTIONS: $1,800
    A special honor for those becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah during the time of Make Your Mark.
    BIBLICAL NAMES: $1,000
    VERSES: $360
    WORDS: $180
    LETTERS: $54
    $18 Available only to children under 18

Or Chadash volunteers and Rabbi Louchheim will be happy to help you identify a selection especially meaningful to you. If there is a selection that you would like to sponsor and it does not fall into any of the categories listed above, please let us know.

Sofer Rabbi Shmuel Miller (center) shows Congregation Or Chadash Religious School students and teachers how to scribe using special ink and quill. Followed by one of Rabbi Louchheim "Making His Mark" on the Congregation's new Torah scroll.

Helaine and Yoram Levy and their children, (l–r) Gabrielle, Carly, and Nathan, join sofer Rabbi Shmuel Miller and Rabbi Louchheim to scribe the letters of the Congregation’s new Torah scroll for the Make Your Mark project, December 11th at the JCC. (Photo by Toni Tallman)

Additional photos added March 3, 2006 Click here to view