A ToTal CENSUS!

In just a few short years, the ToTal network has grown from an idea into a nationwide educational system/program that numbers more than 70 schools. Some that already existed have incorporated the ToTal curriculum into their own syllabus; others used the curriculum to start from scratch. Our "census-taking" reveals that more than 1,500 Jewish youngsters are presently benefiting from a comprehensive, fun, Jewish education. And new innovations are constantly being made to keep the program fresh and attractive to Jewish families around the country and across the Jewish spectrum.

ToTally WOW!

Taking the show on the road! It stands for "Week On Wheels" and it's a ToTal traveling camp that we've created in collaboration with Camp Nageela, one of the most experienced and prestigious Jewish summer camps in the country. The week takes place in America's northeast sector: New England in particular. Over the course of eight exciting days (June 28 - July 6), youngsters will visit Boston and see a ball game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets; enjoy the outdoors in New Hampshire's' beautiful White Mountains; enjoy water sports on New York State's famed Lake George; have a real blast at Six Adventures; and wrap things up amidst nature at a famous Boy Scout camp. In between: good fellowship, relaxed, entertaining talks about Jewish heritage and healthy kosher meals. For more information about this exciting program, please contact Rabbi Leibel Karmel at Karmel@AfikimFoundation.org.

ToTally Dramatic

It has become a tradition at ToTal to produce, for each Jewish holiday, a self-contained lesson in the form of a poster. This year ToTal was pleased to create ToTally Dramatic - our Purim poster. Divided into three acts, four fun Purim activities, five questions and five fantastic things we do on Purim, the poster makes for a terrific introduction to Purim - or a very solid reinforcement. If you'd like a copy - or know a school that would benefit from having a ToTally Dramatic poster, please contact gitty@AfikimFoundation.org.

The ToTally KOSHER EXTRAVAGANZA

A very energetic addition to the ToTal curriculum this spring was THE ToTally KOSHER EXTRAVAGANZA, a three-phased program initiating:

. The Kosher Label Sweepstakes
. The National Kosher Essay Contest
. The National Kosher Art Contest

The Kosher Label Sweepstakes provided youngsters across the country the opportunity to cut out and bring to school labels from kosher grocery items. Thousands of labels were collected nationwide. Terrific prizes served as incentives, as all names were entered into the National Sweepstakes drawings. The more labels collected, the bigger the offered prizes! Prizes included an Xbox, iPods, Karaoke and monitor systems, CD Boomboxes, and Walkie Talkie systems. Every student who turned in even "one" Kosher label received a flexible, neon, wrist pen and qualified for Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the ToTally Kosher Extravaganza - the National Kosher Essay and the National Kosher Art Contests. Winners of each of these contests received $250, $180 and $100 gift certificates for ArtScroll libraries!

In addition, Grand Prize winner of the Kosher Essay Contest, 10 year-old Ben Savitch from Philadelphia, won the privilege of having dinner with noted author Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf. Rabbi Apisdorf's recently-released book Kosher for the Clueless but Curious, and Kosher CheatSheet pamphlet, were provided to all participating ToTal locations to enhance their educational curriculums.

Dinner for Ben, his parents and Rabbi Apisdorf, was graciously donated by My Most Favorite Dessert Company of New York City, in support of ToTal's efforts to heighten awareness of the ease of keeping kosher in America today. The ToTally Kosher Extravaganza will be held annually. For additional information, contact Rabbi Leibel Karmel at Karmel@AfikimFoundation.org.

The ToTal Network now includes schools in Atlantic Beach, NY, Bensalem, PA, Boynton Beach, FL, Columbus, OH, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jacksonville, FL, Princeton, NJ, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA and Yardley, PA.

In addition to our locations in North America, outreach programs across the world are turning to ToTal for assistance in their programming and curriculum, in places as far away as Brazil and Guam.

For more information on a ToTal site in your area, go to www.totally.org/locations.

Hebrew Reading
Made Fun & Easy

ToTal has joined with the National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP) to produce the most popular Hebrew reading program for children in the country. With an innovative, kid-friendly approach to learning Hebrew, this program is sure to revolutionize the way children will learn and read the Hebrew language.

Our innovative Bible (Chumash) curriculum is now being used all across the country. Based on the portion of the week, it includes an
overview of the parshah, stories with a message, arts and crafts activities, as well as a “Table Talk” component which are sent home to parents to discuss with their child at the Shabbat table, thus creating a family learning experience.