BH.
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Elul 10, 5771 / September 9, 2011
Candle-Lighting:
6:59 Shabbos Ends:
7:58
This newsletter is back on for a new year of weekly publication and available for edition dedications in memory or in honor of a loved one or special occasion. To sponsor a newsletter week ($54 or $72) please call the school office 453-9363/3434
NEW HOUSE/FLOOR SAFETY On the first day back at school, before the day began, Morah Rochel asked the students for safety tips they’d suggest for someone building a new house, or adding a new floor to an existing house. Students came up with smokedetectors, carbon-monoxide detectors, make a Chanukas HaBayis, have checked Mezuzahs… Morah Rochel added one more from this week’s Parsha: a “Ma’akeh” safety fence around a flat roof. She added that each new FISHING FOR A GREAT YEAR THE BIG BOX OF COOKIES year is like a new floor added to each student’s Mrs. Volovik brought in a big brown 10 lbs Mrs. Carroll and her students made this building of education, and new safety box of chocolate chip cookies from Pollak’s colorful bulletin board to welcome back precautions are needed. We have to be extra Bakery in NY for a first-day-back-at-school students to a new year. Our students in TNT treat. All the classes enjoyed! Thanks so much careful not to cause harm or damage to the came up with a bunch of connections of fish school building or property, or to fellow for the thoughtful (and yummy!) gesture. to learning, school and the new Jewish year: students, whether physically or emotionally. Fish swim in schools! We have to make sure our friends are It takes time and patience to go fishing, and NEW AND RENEWED AT MHDS comfortable, and everyone has a secure and it takes time and patience to learn. Some classrooms have new carpet thanks to R’ safe spot, so “no one falls off.” On Rosh Hashanah some have the custom Moshe Losice and Modern Carpet (465-6300) to eat the head of a fish. on Broadway in downtown Albany. Some SAFETY MEETING AT J-FED It’s also a common custom to eat fish on classrooms were repainted to be fresh for the Rabbi Rubin attended a security briefing at the Rosh Hashanah because they are so plentiful new year thanks to the teachers and parents Jewish Federation with FBI, local and federal and are a symbol of abundance. who pitched in and painted and cleaned up law enforcement agencies on 9/11 and High Some communities try not to eat fish on around the school during the summer. Holiday security concerns and awareness. Rosh Hashanah, because for “Dag” (fish) is similar to “Da’agah” which means worry. Fish eyes are always open. Keep your eyes MAIMONIDES open to always learn new things. 404 Partridge Street One of the favorites at recess (that’s not an Albany NY 12208 actual sport) is the “Fishy, Fishy” tag game. Rabbi Akiva (in Talmud Brachos) used the parable of fish in water to explain to Papus the attachment Jews have to Torah, and without it (like fish out of water) Jewish life is simply impossible. It takes strength and effort to reel in a big fish, and the same is with learning. Major accomplishments don’t come easy. On Rosh Hashanah it is customary to go to say Tashlich at a body of water that has fish. You have to go beneath the surface to fish..
HS WAS TO VOLUNTEER, BUT... THE ORGANIZED BINDER PLAN Rabbi Kellman at JERNY asked for school students to volunteer in helping a good friend of Israel and our school (they donated a safe for secure storage of the Maimonides Torah) to help move items from their barn and garage that were in danger of rising flood-waters in Schoharie County. The HS Girls were scheduled to head there on Thursday, but unfortunately, Wednesday’s very heavy rains forced all residents of that village to evacuate because the flood levels became so dangerously high. We wish them the very best…
Middle School students (who have several teachers for their departmental subjects) are asked to have one large sturdy binder divided by subject, in which all current work and homework is placed for better organization and learning. (Once materials are no longer relevant for class they can be saved/stored in a different binder should you wish to do so). This one-binder plan will help students stay on top of their work and be much better organized. BTW, some of our younger grades have been doing this for a while now.
NEW PARSHA STARTS 4th is beginning Toldos (about the birth of the twins Yaakov and Esav). 5th grade is beginning Vayigash (which begins with the dramatic and dynamic approach of Yehudah to Yosef in trying to free his brother Binyamin) 6/7 is beginning Bo (two-thirds the way into the plagues in Egypt…) More Chumash news from other classes next week…
PUSHKA AFFIXED IN LOBBY The big beautiful wooden Pushka donated to Maimonides last year in memory of Esty Cohen by several parent families is now affixed in the school entrance lobby just near the office door. Drop in some Tzedakah whenever you have a chance!
IDF CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF AT MATHLESS UPSHERNISH Nachman A. Mathless will have his haircut Upshernish ceremony at Maimonides this Sunday (see page 4). They went yesterday to NY to have an earlier ceremony there at the Rebbe’s Ohel in Queens. Israel’s former Chief of General Staff, IDF Rav-Aluf Gabi Ashkenazi happened to be there as well, and participated by cutting a little snip of Nachman Aryeh’s hair.
ESSAY ON “15 MINUTES” Mrs. Mulder’s 8th grade English students have DECORATED PUSHKA an assignment to write Kindergarteners decorated their own Pushka an essay describing a 15for classroom use on the first day of school. minute experience they Parents, please remember to supply children had this summer. in all grades with daily pennies or nickels for Believe it or not, a 15-minute event can be Tzedakah. It’s a great daily habit! quite memorable. One students is writing about witnessing his car explode in fire, MAZAL TOV MORGENBESSERS another is describing an intense Capture-theMHDS Alumnus Avi Mendel Morgenbesser Flag game his bunk played at camp, and recently got engaged to Shoshana Stern from another student is describing her wet Los Angeles. Their vurt was in Queens and the experiences on a water-slide during the hottest wedding will be IYH in Monsey. Mazal Tov to days of summer. Mrs. Mulder did hers on a parents Dr. Leonard & Maxine Morgenbesser long reeling in of a very big (kosher!) fish this and the whole Morgenbesser family. summer off the coast of Maine.
“APPLE” MITZVAH TREE GROWS IN NURSERY Parents please remember to jot down a quick Mitzvah note on the “apples” that were sent home with Nursery students. Kids love to hear their good behavior and deeds highlighted and displayed on the growing tree.
THE UNBURNABLE DOLLAR Mrs. Sahay dipped a dollar bill in a special water solution, lit it on fire and while the dollar actually burned, it remained intact! Once the fire went out, the dollar remained whole… How does this work? They’re supposed to think about it, look it up, figure it out… (Think about the neat connection to the Burning Bush in Parshas Shemos!)
9/11 APPS PROJECT Middle schoolers have begun work on an APPS project in commemoration of the ten years since 9/11. Each student has to come up with some type of double towers (on paper or in 3-D) with art, decoration, symbols, words or objects that connect with 9/11. They’ll be on display once the APPS project is completed, and they’ll be going on a trip downtown with Rabbi Mendel to various monuments and memorials in the Empire State Plaza area.
9/11 ASSEMBLY ON FRIDAY Photos and reports in next week’s “MC”.
BOB FOX AND TIM ON 9/11 8th graders read the sad memoir of Bob Fox, a survivor of 9/11 who told the tragic story of his friend Tim who had a bad hip and could not walk down the emergency stairs in the towers. They carried him half-way down the building, but couldn’t carry him the rest, and firefighters stayed up with Tim. Bob made it out, found refuge in a lobby of a nearby building, which he had to leave because of a gas-leak there. For a very long time, Bob could not even bear to look at the news, or hear anything about the tragedy, but later went to NURSERY STUDENTS ENJOYING “CIRCLE-TIME” memorial ceremonies for his friend Tim and This year there are many students in the Maimonides Nursery, BH! These nursery students the firefighter that was with him, and other were pictured enjoying circle-time by a 4th grade TNT photographer. firefighters who helped along the escape route.
500 YEAR CHUNKS OF HISTORY In Rabbi Rubin’s Jewish history class, 8th graders are learning about the (approx) 500 year defined segments of Tana’im and Amoraim, Rishonim and Achronim.
MAZAL TOV THE MORRISONS We’re proud of our 7th grader Chana Rivka and wish her and her whole family a very joyous Bas-Mitzvah this Sunday at Troy’s historic Beth Tephilah synagogue.
EAGERLY AWAITING THEIR FIRST SHABBOS PARTY OF THE YEAR Morah Rivka is popping a big batch of delicious popcorn for the Nursery’s first Shabbos party of the year, these kids are cheering and excited… love of words, books and expression through a series of in-classroom, tutorial and extracurricular programs and activities. Parents and siblings can help with this, too! Please make efforts to read with your child(ren) and have them read to you.
THEIR OWN DVAR-TORAHS This 4th grader is pictured writing up her own Dvar Torah on the Parsha in Morah Devorah Leah’s class. Parents, be sure to ask them to share it on Shabbos! Many other classes have Parsha questions or something to share, too!
NEW WRITERS WORKSHOP
These 3rd graders are excited to display their new composition notebooks dedicated to their HIGH SCHOOL BRUNCH weekly Writers Workshop with Mrs. Deloria On their first school-day, Thursday, Morah Ballard. This wonderful new program is Leyee prepared a brunch for the HS Girls with funded by a NYS grant and is a structured instructions on bottom of each plate. Each “STUYDING STORIES” IN HS opportunity for rich personal expression and student had to share something meaningful the skills to do so confidently. This is part of Rabbi Mendel is “studying stories” with the based on what was written on bottom of her our school’s renewed focus on literacy (in both HS girls, pictured is a digital-scrapbook project plate. It was a great welcome/welcome back! Hebrew and English language), fluency and on the Berditchever’s “The Weight of a Curl”
at Maimonides and in the Community 9/10: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR
9/14: MHDS OPEN HOUSE NIGHT
4:45pm given by Devorah Ehrlich at the home of Lori Calka 359C Hackett Blvd. There are only two more summer-season Womens Shabbos shiurim left before Rosh Hashanah, contact Chaya Tal if you’d like to host or give the shiur.
7-8pm at school. Meet the teachers, hear about their goals and curriculum and peek inside the classrooms. Individual Parent-Teacher Conferences will be scheduled later in the Fall.
9/10: JEWISH VIEWS ON 9/11 A Sat Night 8:45pm lecture titled “Jewish Approaches to 9/11” at Cong. Beth Israel in Schenectady (2195 Eastern Parkway) by visiting Rabbi Mordechai Becher. Stuart Gang served as Lieutenant in NYC’s Police Department during 9/11 and will share his personal reflections.
9/11: THE CARROT FESTIVAL 10am-4:30pm on the grounds of Schenectady’s Agudat Achim (conservative) synagogue at 2117 Union Street. Bands include the Air National Guard with a 9/11 salute and the congregation’s klezmer band. Many organizations will be exhibiting/presenting at this annual event.
9/11: MATHLESS UPSHERNISH Rabbi Mendy and Devorah Leah Mathless are celebrating the Upshernish (3-year haircut) of their son Nachman Aryeh at Maimonides, with a brunch and ceremony between 11:30 and 1pm.
9/11: MORRISON BAS-MITZVAH Chana Rivka is celebrating her Bas-Mitzvah with family and friends at the Beth Tephilah synagogue in Troy this Sunday early afternoon.
Rabbi Avraham Laber (who keeps beehives at his home in Troy and makes his own organic, raw honey for Rosh-Hashanah) will speak about bees, honey and Judaism at Shabbos House’s weekly “Torah-Tuesdays” study group, presented 3-times: 5:45, 7:45 and 8:45pm. Call 438-4227 for info.
Many of our students participated in Camp Gan
9/15: JAM-MAKING DEMO @ MHDS David Fried of Elmore Roots Nursery in Vermont will do a jam-making presentation at Maimonides at 3:30pm on Thursday, kids, parents and community are welcome stay around for a short time after school dismissal. He will also have some of his delicious jam varieties available for sale.
9/15: PRESERVE FRUIT (& ROOTS) Jam-making workshop at Clifton Park Chabad 495 Moe Rd at 7:30pm with horticulturist David Fried of Elmore Roots Nursery in VT. Cost is $10pp, program includes spiritual insight and discussion about Jewish memories and fruit preserves, roots & sweets. Call 495-0779/2 for info.
9/15: VIOLIN KLEZMER CONCERT Alicia Svigals, violinist and founder of the Klezmatics will perform 7:30pm at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center on the main campus. Tickets are $15pp ($12/seniors, $10/students). Presented by UAlbany’s Center for Jewish Studies, check with them for program details.
9/17: CHAI-ELUL FARBRENGEN
In addition to the Shabbos day Kiddush in honor of Chai (18th of) Elul celebrating the birthdays of the Baal Shem Tov and Alter Rebbe and the 9/11: RABBINICAL BENEDICTIONS Yartzeit of the Maharal of Prague there will be a Melava Malka Saturday Night Farbrengen. Stay Rabbi Moshe Mirsky will give the benediction at the Schenectady Chamber’s memorial service at the tuned for time, location and other details. Lighthouse. Rabbi Mendel Rubin will give the 9/19: FRIENDS AND HEROES invocation at a McKownville Firehouse memorial dedication for Shaun Bowman, UAlbany alum and Monday 6pm. The Friendship Circles’ annual fundraiser will be once again at the Nanotech McKownville firefighter who died on 9/11. South Rotunda 255 Fuller Rd. Tickets are $90pp 9/12: FIRST OF TEN SONGS AT THE ($160/couple) and include hors d’oeuvres and reception, and there will also be a silent WOMENS BETH-MEDRASH NIGHT desert auction. The four honorees are: James Baldwin of This year’s women’s monthly Bet-Medrash study Questar III BOCES, Dr. Gina Cosgrove of group at Maimonides will study one song per Campbell House Psychological Associates and the month of the 10 Songs mentioned in the Torah. Peer Network Project, Sarah Halliday of M&T Monday nights, once a month, 8pm at Bank, and Robert Wygant of Parsons. Maimonides. Call Leah 495-0779/2 for more info.
9/13: THE BEE-KEEPING RABBI
THIS SUMMER OUR STUDENTS…
ELUL MONTH REMINDERS: Hear Shofar on weekdays Recite Psalm 27 “L’David” 2x daily Some say extra Tehillim Prepare for Rosh Hashanah!
Israel Day Camp (located at MHDS) and with many hands-on workshops, fun activities and memorable outings. Moriah, a beloved counselor from Florida at CGI, stayed on for the year at Maimonides as dorm counselor and assisting with teaching in 3rd grade Hebrew and afternoon Nursery. Others went to overnight camps as far away as the Laurentian Mountains in Quebec; and Parksville, Swan Lake, Wurtsboro, and Gilboa in NY’s Catskills Mountains; and as close as JGR at Sage College in Troy. Families attended several local county fairs, including the Altamont Fair, Schaghticoke Fair, Columbia County Fair, Washington County Fair and the Saratoga County Fair. They enjoyed the animals, the historical exhibits and the shows. Some went on the rides, too. Families did many things in Lake George including picnics, bbq’s, arcade games and minigolf, a few went on boat-rides and some went fishing. Some of our families lost power in their homes for a few days (or as long as a week) after Hurricane Irene, One family lost power and was stranded in a Catskills bungalow because of the flooding. They were able to get some limited power off outdoor solar lamps. They were also close enough to Woodbourne to get to “Dougie’s” a Kosher restaurant that did have power. Some hiked on trails in the woods or up small mountains. Some went camping! Families traveled far on vacation road-trips to Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia (and DC) and other states. A family moved from one house to another in Albany, on the day of hurricane Irene! One of our parents got a surprise last-minute free business trip to Israel. It was his first time there! He was happily surprised to see Mezuzos on doors of the hi-tech “clean-room” in the chip -fab in Migdal Ha’Emek. One student went with his camp to Camelback water-park on a 60-degree day (imagine how cold the water was!) and he especially remembers going with 4 friends in a twisty dark and wet tunnel… A few families planted tomatoes, some also planted cukes, peppers and eggplant. One students attended art-camp for a week, another went to Helderberg Workshop, many did crafts at home, one is making a Esrog Box! This summer had many days of extreme weather: the super, very-hot days and the verywet rainy days. Kids and families were busy staying cool and dry for a lot of the summer.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL (Nursery / Elementary / High School) & COMMUNITY 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary
“A Beautiful Blend: Torah and Worldly Experience!”
BH.
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Elul 17, 5771 / September 16, 2011
Candle-Lighting:
6:47 Shabbos Ends:
7:45
This newsletter is dedicated in loving memory of
R’ Shmuel Tzvi ben Sarah on his 2nd yartzeit - 17th of Elul To sponsor a newsletter week ($54 or $72) please call the school office 453-9363/3434 or email maimonidesschool@gmail.com
NEW “RECESS PLAYERS” We’re very thankful to Sage College and its Athletics and work-study departments, Mrs. Levin and her “Malach” volunteer program and the recess volunteers themselves! On the first day of the new program they met Trevor Paddy, Mohamed A. Mohamed, Gustavo Trinidad, and Melissa Spring (all players on Sage College’s soccer teams) and more are coming soon! They’re coming to school during lunch recess to energize, coach and guide our
for injuries, discipline etc. It’s great having reading of a 9/11 prayer written by Rabbi Dr. more games on various fields at the Woodlawn Jonathan Sacks, and a very short inspirational Parks, but we need help with the increased video was shown. supervision. We can’t have the volunteers without this help. Please consider volunteering THE TOWER for one recess per week, this includes: CANDLES Attending the midday recess, 11:45-12:15. As a prop for the Walking the children down to the fields. assembly Rabbi Help maintain peaceful, happy playing. Rubin pinned two Walking the group back up to school and long metallic papers returning equipment to the office. to the wall, that Please call or email the school office to let us were topped by two know which day(s) you can be available. red paper flames.
He said they were like Yartzeit candles, that look like the towers did, to remember the Last week on Friday elementary school classes heroes and victims who passed away that day. gathered for an assembly to commemorate the And they also look like Shabbos candles. On 10th anniversary of 9/11 (since there’s no the first Friday after 9/11 many Americans school on Sunday). Our students are too (Jewish & non-Jewish) lit candles as a memory to those who passed away. For Jews, lighting kids in amazing team and skill-building games young to remember 9/11 (other than what with good sportsmanship and great workouts. they’ve heard, read or studied). Some teachers candles is not only a memory, it’s a Mitzvah, shared some memories of their first hearing too. We light Shabbos candles each Friday to The children’s response has been amazing, they are all benefitting from this wonderful act the news on that fateful day from Mrs. Marcia bring peace to the home & light to the world. of volunteerism by Sage and its students. Sage Rosenfield when our school was still located in Look for a Shana-Tova card photo of our Ohav Shalom. Rabbi Rubin told the story of students with these tower-candles and our best Coach Kyle Clancy paid a surprise visit and the attacks and the subsequent changes in wishes to all for a peaceful, bright sweet year. brought 4 soccer balls with him! everyday life and the world. Rabbi Rubin led a
9/11 ASSEMBLY ON FRIDAY
CHEER THEM ON AT A GAME If you’d like to cheer on these Sage students at their next local game, head over to Union College on Tuesday, 9/20 at 7pm or the upcoming womens soccer game at Bethlehem SportsPlex on 9/18 at 1pm. Last Sunday the Sage men’s soccer team (including our new “coaches”) won against Yeshiva University 9-0. For more info on Sage College sports teams and games visit: www.sagegators.com
PARENT RECESS MONITORS The Sage athletes are great at sports and energizing the kids, but they’re not responsible
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
NEW HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS
ABOUT ME
Grades 1-3 with Mrs. Mondays: Judy Krakower will be coming in Carroll filled a big wall to do a weekly health class with the girls. with posters which they Judy is a great friend of Maimonides and a filled in their favorite health advocate, some may remember Judy colors, their age, where from Mayor Jennings visit to present the they live, names of HS girls with an award for their visitations friends and other info. to the Frost family, then in the hospital. This was a fun way for Tuesdays: Art with Judy Blatt. Judy plans on the kids to describe doing felting, glass-fusing, beading and themselves and to share about themselves with painting with the students this year. Wednesdays: Phys-Ed with Amanda Toll. She each other. Plus they got to practice their is new to our community and is a Yoga and handwriting skills! aerobics instructor. Thursdays: Home-Ec anyone? Bake and cook at “Nathan’s Kitchen” with the HS girls. HS girls are often (but not always!) available to babysit during evenings. Call Moriah (dorm counselor) for arrangements: (305) 300-8882.
APPLE-PEEL CHIPS (ALMOST…) Nursery students (with their teachers) peeled apples in an attempt to make “apple-chips” in a dehydrator as part of their apple exploration for Rosh Hashanah and fall season. The machine didn’t work right, but the kids were great sports and enjoyed it anyways!
FROM ONE YEAR TO ANOTHER Mrs. Maher taught 4th grade last year, this year she is teaching them as 5th graders! At the end of last year she was read “The B.F.G.” by Roald Dahl during snacktime, but they didn’t have time to finish it. So, this year, she picked up right where she left off, and they finished it in the first week back. They can’t wait to get started on their next book: “Mrs. Frisby & the Rats of NIMH.”
Morah Devorah Leah’s 4th graders are each writing their own “Elul Stories” using at least 7 Hebrew sentences. At least two stories are about Shofar-blowing, one is an historical piece about a Jewish boy drafted in the Russian army, another student is writing about her father’s Yeshiva days when he gave a memorable ride to a Rabbi who blessed him, and another student is focusing on her birthday in the month of Elul.
NEMO DIES IN THE H.S. ROOM
Chanie P. bought a blue beta fish, with pretty colors and flowing fins, in the Bethlehem WalMart on January 12th, 2011. He died this week on Wednesday afternoon September 14th, after spending just over 7 months in the H.S. girls classroom (minus the summer when Mrs. Maher took care of him). They all participated in a short ceremony to pay their last respects, and shared fond memories of GUESS YOUR CHILD’S CARD him, especially when he dramatically increased Ms. Livingston’s 4th graders prepared these his activity when they put a purple mirror cards for the Open-House night. Inside the card is the child’s name, and outside each card outside his small fish-tank. is a poem that gives some clues, but doesn’t 27 PESUKIM IN ONE DAY give it away. Parents had to guess which one was their child’s card. The students also left a The start of Chumash Bamidbar is a long list letter to their parents on their desks (and some of names and numbers of the Jewish census, parents wrote back after they read the letters!). so the 8th graders were able to breeze through 27 pesukim in one sitting!
CENSUS IN TWO SUBJECTS
SHMUEL HANAVI’S STORY Rabbi Laber’s 6/7 grade began the Book of Shmuel Aleph (Samuel I) at the start of this year, just in time for Rosh Hashanah, because the opening story is read as a Haftorah on Rosh Hashanah. It tells the story of Chana’s anguish at not having children, while Penina had many. Chana (who later gave birth to Shmuel) went to the Mishkan to silently pour out her heart in prayer, but Eli the high-priest mistakenly thought she was drunk. The Gemorah learns many laws of prayer from the Navi’s description of Chana’s prayer to have a child. And they’re also doing the same story in “Torah-Times” class with Rabbi Rubin.
ELUL STORIES IN 7 SENTENCES
THE MAKING OF A MACHZOR Morah Dini’s Kindergarteners display various pages of the Machzor they’re working on to use on Rosh Hashanah and Yom-Kippur. The pages L-R: The “Zichronos” memories portion, the three words we shout of “Teshuvah, Tefilah, and Tzedakah” at the end of the U’Nesaneh Tokef prayer, “Malchiyos” which is about crowning Hashem king, and a page about the different types of Shofar blasts.
SEPARATING SAND AND SALT 6/7 graders checked out grains of salt and sand under a microscope and realized they look different. But then Dr. Sahay mixed the sand and salt together and they explored different ways to try and separate them. In the end, they used a beaker with water and filter paper, because salt is water-soluble but sand is not. To separate the salt and the water, they heated the beaker on a burner until the water evaporated and only the salt remained.
After learning about the Chumash’s census thousands of years ago in the desert, the 8th grades learned about the recent United States Census in Ms. Zalak’s history class. They looked at some interesting demographic data about which age/race/gender groups are more likely voters.
MORE CROSS-CURRICULUM In their Gemorah class 8th graders came across the extreme penalty for stealing and selling livestock, which can be as high as 4 or 5 times the original value if the thief is caught red-handed. The neat thing is that they studied the same law last year in Chumash Mishpatim, and one more time in Navi, too!
A WALK IN (TO) THE PARK 8th grade girls enjoy their walking, so Mrs. Levin (thanks again for all her amazing efforts toward more productive recess-time) arranged for Maylin of Sage College to “power-walk” with them during recess-time. They rushed to and from Ridgefield Park, and some exercise there, too! Along the way, she tried to learn their names: Chana, Chani, Chaya… can be confusing for the first time. Yay for Riva!
DOVID’S ELMORE ROOTS JAM-MAKING DEMONSTRATION His secret ingredient is… Love! Dovid Fried of Elmore Roots in Vermont shared inspiration (the trees davening…) and used his harmonica to sing and play in between tasks, and he has a sense of humor, too! He recommends using softer-type apples as the base (apples are a natural base and sweetener) he adds sugar, raw apple for pectin, and berries for flavor. Store-bought applesauce is a shortcut, but it’s really not the same. It was a fun after-school event! Mrs. S. Levin still has a some of his delicious jam varieties available for sale - for a sweet new year!
MOVEMENT, MOVEMENT! HS girls enjoyed their first Yoga class with Amanda Toll on Wednesday. They learned to relax, breathe, and try various poses. On Thursday 4-8 grade girls did some exciting Israeli & Simcha dances with Eva Cameron, they’re thrilled and very into it. Also on Thursday, Lucas Geller (who spent 4 years studying in China and 3 years on the US marital arts team and now runs his own martial arts school in this area) came in to teach Kung-Fu to the boys grades 4-8. They’re eager students! Hopefully, we’ll have pictures and student reporting on all this in next week’s “MC”. Dance and Kung-Fu will be 2x monthly on Thursdays. This is new for our school, and a great outlet and expression for the kids.
MHDS GEMORAH CLASSES Grades 4 and 5 are both now learning Mishna Sukkah (separately, with Rabbi Shmuly). How tall can a Sukkah be? How short is the shortest Sukkah? How many walls? How much shade? Can you cover it with live vines? Or just snip the vines’ roots? 8th graders are learning “HaMafkid” this year which deals with bailee-bailor laws and highlights issues of responsibility and trust. Some 8th graders also have a bonus Gemorah class, learning chapter “Ayn Omdim” about prayer in Berachos. 6/7 grade is learning “Arvei Pesachim” which discusses the laws of Kiddush and Havdalah, but begins with the restrictions on afternoon meals on Erev Pesach (and Erev Shabbos). They’re now trying to figure out (2 attempted answers, but only one remains) why the Mishna highlights Erev Pesach when we should enter every Shabbos and any YomTov with an appetite?
ADS FOR “WINN-DIXIE”
HOMETOWN ON A POLISH MAP
R’ Moshe Losice recently visited school to Ms. Livingston’s 4th graders read a story about check up on the new carpets and other a bear in a library, and then made flyers upgrades, and chanced on this map of Poland promoting/advertising the book or film. in the “Living Library” (for students to see where pre-Holocaust scholars lived). R’ Moshe quickly found east of Warsaw his hometown Losice (for which his family is named, and from which they left just before the Holocaust). It is circled in white on the map above.
MAZAL TOV ON NEW TEFILLIN Nachum (flanked by his classmates - all wearing Tefillin) put on Tefillin for the first time this week in preparation for his BarMitzvah. This is an exciting launch for a lifetime of daily (weekday) Tefillin!
MAZAL TOV ROSENBERGS
CHANA RIVKA’S BAS-MITZVAH Mazal Tov to Stan and Margie Rosenberg on their son Efraim’s recent Bar-Mitzvah! They’re Last Sunday afternoon, on 9/11, was Chana sponsoring CBAJ SeudahShlishit in his honor. Rivka’s Bas-Mitzvah at the Beth Tephila shul in Troy, and her theme was 9/11, too. Her presentation was interspersed with video clips DEVORAH THE PROPHETESS 5th grade Navi is learning about Devorah and and photos from the reaction of Americans to the impending war against the Jews while she the terror attacks in 2001. Her main message was their leader. Stay tuned, this is an exciting was about the sacrifice and volunteerism and goodwill that firefighters, rescue workers and and poetic chapter of Jewish history… citizens of all types had during that time, and how this can be a positive lesson for us today. PARSHA HIGHLIGHTS: KI-TAVO
Mitzvah of Bikurim (Gift of the First-Fruits) Uniqueness of Hashem and Jewish People Blessings (Mt Grizim) & Curses (Mt Eival) (Produce) tithes for Levites and the Poor The Rebuke (if we don’t follow the Mitzvot)
COOKIES FOR VOLUNTEERS That would be a treat! Parents, let’s think of small gestures of appreciation for the Sage students and all who volunteer at our school.
at Maimonides and in the Community 9/17: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR 4:45pm given by Chaya Tal hosted at Devorah Ehrlich’s home 342 Manning Blvd. Only one more summer-season Womens Shabbos shiur before Rosh Hashanah, contact Chaya Tal if you’d like to host or give it.
9/17: CHAI-ELUL FARBRENGEN In addition to a Shabbos day Kiddush in honor of Chai (18th of) Elul celebrating the birthdays of the Baal Shem Tov & Alter Rebbe and the Yartzeit of the Maharal of Prague there will be a Melava Malka Saturday Night Farbrengen, 9pm at the Shteeble (note date and location change).
9/18: YALDA, BMC & TLC GIRLS PROGRAMS BACK For girls in grades 3-9. This Sunday, Yaldah is at 1-3pm, BMC & TLC 24pm - both at the Laber home in Troy. Programs include pear-picking, making laminated bookmarks and a fun movement activity. For more info, and cost, contact Nechama Laber: 727-9581.
9/19: FRIENDS AND HEROES The Friendship Circles’ annual fundraiser will be 6pm at Nanotech South Rotunda 255 Fuller Rd. Tickets are $90pp ($160/couple) include hors d’oeuvres & desert reception, and there will also be a silent auction. The 4 honorees are: James Baldwin of Questar III BOCES, Dr. Gina Cosgrove of Campbell House Psychological Associates and the Peer Network Project, Sarah Halliday of M&T Bank, & Robert Wygant of Parsons.
9/19: MORAH CLARA’S THURSDAY CLASS Morah Clara’s weekly class for women resumes Thursday mornings, 10am11am, now studying Navi Yehoshua and Rambam’s Hilchos Melachim. The location rotates between homes who host each week. For more information email Rebekah: RWildman@nycap.rr.com or call Clara: 439-8280.
9/24: MOTZAI SHABBOS MIDNIGHT SELICHOS Traditional pre-Rosh Hashanah midnight Selichot prayers (check your shuls’ schedule/times, halachic midnight this time of year is closer to 1am).
9/25: “CHALLENGES TO ISRAEL ON CAPITOL HILL” Dr. Sharon Goldman, AIPAC’s Northeast political director will speak at a joint Federation Society event (Brandeis, Weizman and Maimonides) to be held at Agudat Achim in Schenectady whose in-house catering will do the dinner (7:15pm) prior to the (8pm) talk and deserts afterward. Cost $22pp. Young adults (22-40) can pay $10pp if pre-paid. Call Fed: 783-7800.
9/28: EREV ROSH HASHANAH No school (and no Shofar, the only weekday in Elul when we don’t blow Shofar). Be sure to remember to make “Eruv Tavshilin” today, to allow preparation and cooking for Shabbos on Friday (the 2nd day of YomTov). There are early lengthier morning Selichos at the Shachris Minyan.
9/29-30: ROSH HASHANAH
MONTREAL’S ISRAELI CONSUL-GENERAL INSCRIBES IN THE TRAVELERS TORAH BS’D, 15th of Elul, 5771 I hereby join in the writing of a Letter in the Torah scroll that is being especially written in the merit of the travelers on Routes 15- 87 Thruway between Montreal and New York. In the merit of the holy work and dedication of the Albany NY Rambam (Maimonides) School may we all merit good news, salvation and comfort, and hasten the coming of Moshiach, Amen. With much success and with blessings to be inscribed and sealed in the Book of good life and peace, Joel Lion, General Consul
2-days of YomTov go right into Shabbos Shuvah. We wish everyone a good year - Ksiva VaChasima Tova, a Shana Tova uMesukah!
TRAVELERS TORAH UPDATE:
10/2: FAST OF GEDALIA
A number of Parshiot have been purchased ($180) but many more are
already been dedicated in this special Torah!
Due to Shabbos, the fast is pushed off this year to Sunday.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL (Nursery / Elementary / High School) AND COMMUNITY 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary
“A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
Thanks to travelers, locals, and alumni - close to 1,000 letters (!) have
(518) 453-9363/3434
still available. This is a great Bar-Mitzvah anniversary dedication and a great way to support Torah Education! The dedication ceremony date is now set to coincide with the annual Maimonides Raffle-Auction this coming Chanukah! According to many Rishonim it’s a Mitzvah to purchase a letter in a Torah scroll, and it helps our school, too. In addition, we’re trying for an $25K innovative fundraising grant using this unique Torah project that may help the school even more! So, every letter matters...Like a Torah!
BH.
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Elul 24, 5771 / September 23, 2011
Candle-Lighting:
6:34 Shabbos Ends:
7:32
This newsletter is dedicated in loving memory of
Yossel Tulchinsky Yartzeit on Rosh Hashanah To sponsor a newsletter week ($54 or $72) please call the school office 453-9363/3434 or email maimonidesschool@gmail.com
NO “MC” NEXT WEEK
ALUMNI KEEP CONNECTING MHDS alumni, from over thirty years since Maimonides‟ founding in 1980, now live in other cities across the United States; some live in Israel, Canada and other countries. Pictured above Jim Andersen of NYS Regents, granting us our charter with our first graduating High School class in the late 1990‟s, with Rabbi Rubin, Mr. Arnold Grosberg (former MHDS principal) and students Levi Simon, Yaakov Morgenbesser and Zalmy Kudan. Rabbi Zalmy Kudan called Rabbi Rubin this Thursday from S. Barbara California to discuss a novel Talmudic idea about Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai as he was preparing to give his own Talmud class across the country. Some alumni are also promoting
We only have school on Monday & Tuesday of next week (Wednesday is already Erev Rosh Hashanah) so the next “MC” newsletter edition will be on Thursday, before YomKippur, the following week. We wish all our readers and friends, and the entire community, a Ksiva VaChasima Tova, a Happy, Healthy & Sweet New Year with much blessing!
MAZAL TOV TOVA (M.) W. MHDS alumna Tova (Morrison) and Shimmy Wilmovsky had a baby boy this week, with the Bris (IYH) in Brooklyn to be on Erev Rosh Hashanah. Mazal Tov to the Morrisons!
… DOWN TO THE APPLE CORE As part of a tune-up to fine-tune their motor skills for writing, 1st graders tore up red paper into tiny pieces to decorate their apple-cores.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
our “Traveler‟s Torah” idea to members of their present communities, and to their friends and neighbors traveling the NYS Thruway, to stop into Albany - see the treasures we have right here - and acquire their own letter in this special Torah. Did you know that our Sidra “Vayelech” states the Mitzvah to participate in the writing of a Torah scroll, which is actually the very last of the 613 Mitzvot!
BEES, HONEY AND CUPS Kindergarten is busy making preparations for Rosh Hashana, and are pictured here displaying their bee trays & colored honey-cups to use at home for Rosh Hashanah. Below is a picture of their “table” with object captions in their own handwriting!
FEEL BETTER GUS
“LIVING LIBRARY” INTO CLASS
Gus is one of the Sage athletes who works with our students at recess-time, and he was injured in a recent soccer game against Union college this past Tuesday. He and another player jumped up and collided head-to-head, and he had to spent a few days in the hospital. We hope he feels all better soon. Some of our students are writing up get-well cards for him.
Rabbi Rubin‟s Jewish history students are beginning to use the “Living Library” more (now better organized in the back-upstairs room) more as they “meet” historic Jewish personalities. Look for reporting on an amazing Rabbeynu Tam and Rashi exploration they did in next week‟s “MC”.
CHEER SAGE ON AT A GAME Rabbi Shmuly stopped in at that Union-Sage soccer game on Tuesday night this week. Union won 3-0, but according to Shmuel Dovid (who was there for the whole game, and met some of the players afterwards), “that was to be expected because Union is one of the top soccer teams in the whole country.” The coming month is a busy time for everyone with all the Jewish holidays, but if you find a day/game that works and they‟d appreciate seeing our students in the stand. Visit Sage Athletics: www.sagegators.com for a listing of game times and locations.
TEN-SPACE STAR BOOK SYSTEM Mrs. Maher made Jewish stars for each student in her 5th grade, that‟s divided up into ten spaces. The goal is for students to read ten different types of books, in different genres, and fill in one space for each type of book they read. Biographies are yellow, fantasy is blue, pink is humorous fiction, historical fiction is purple, realistic fiction is brown, science fiction is orange, mystery is red, informational is white, and black is other. This system helps encourage students to read more on their own, and to explore different types of books and better understand the various styles.
BIG STACK OF COMMENTARIES DAVENING CLASS ENERGY The boys davening (daily prayer) class started off the year with great enthusiasm, which is a spirited spiritual and energizing start to the day! Thanks to the students for such warm and wonderful participation, even occasional spontaneous dancing at their own initiative!
COOKIE APPRECIATION Kindergarteners with Morah Dini baked delicious cookies in the school‟s “Nathan‟s Kitchen” and gave them as a treat to the Sage volunteers who help with recess. The bags had little “apple-cards” inside as well.
RECESS MONITORS NEEDED The Sage athletes are great at sports and energizing the kids, but they‟re not responsible for supervision, injuries, discipline etc. It‟s great having more games on various fields at the Woodlawn Parks, but we need help with the increased supervision. We can‟t have the volunteers without this additional help. Please consider volunteering for one recess per week, this includes: Attending the midday recess, 11:45-12:15. Walking the children down to the fields. Help maintain peaceful, happy playing. Walking the group back up to school and returning equipment to the office. Please call or email the school office to let us know which day(s) you can be available.
KEEP UP THE CLEAN & NEAT This year there‟s been greater emphasis on classroom neatness and improved student personal organization. Teachers and students alike are pleased to have less paper, food garbage and litter floating around, Thanks to all for taking pride in their classroom spaces and for keeping their work organized, too. Let‟s keep it up!
8th graders are learning with Rabbi Mendel the beginning of Gemorah HaMafkid, which talks about a object or animal stolen from the care of a watchman for which the watchman decided to pay for instead of swear that he watched it to the best of his ability. If the thief is later caught, the Mishna says the watchman (not the owner) gets to keep the penalty money. The Gemorah tries to figure out when the legal “kinyan” transfer occurred between the owner and watchman, and how it might affect other fringe benefits (like animal babies, sheared wool etc) this prompted one 8th grader to ask a question to Rabbi Israel Rubin. The boy‟s original question was somewhat different, but Rabbi Rubin understood it to be about an object (or animal) with sentimental value. It was a very good question. Rabbi Rubin came into 8th grade the next day with a big stack of Bava Metziah commentaries and they scanned through them, high and low, and couldn‟t find (yet) any answer to this question… stay tuned!
NAMES FOR ROSH HASHANAH 4th grade learned more names for the holiday: 1) Rosh Hashanah, head-of-the-year (which isn‟t exactly the same term as new-year). 2) Yom-HaDin (Day of Judgment) COMPASSES FOR CHUMASH 3) Yom-Teruah (Day of Shofar blowing) Rabbi Yossi‟s 3rd grade Chumash class is learning about Avraham and Sara‟s travels in 4) Yom HaZikaron (Day of Memory) Parshas Lech-Lecha, and the Hebrew terms for It is interesting that the Torah and Machzor Davening text doesn‟t use the name “Rosh the four directions. Rabbi Yossi gave them each a compass to learn more about directions Hashanah” which is the most popular and common name for people to refer to this and how they can help with travel. important holiday.
ENGLISH CLASS SUMMER SNIPPETS ALEPH-APPLES IN NURSERY Nursery students got paper half-apples with Hebrew letters and they tried to match them to the half-apples on their papers to complete apple with the same letter on it.
Mrs. Mulder‟s English middle-school students have their short stories on select (15-45 minute) summer experiences hanging on the fall (one corner pictured) all uniformly decorated, yet individualistic. They are great reads! Some are pretty funny…
CELERY & FOOD COLORING Ms. Livingston‟s students filled cups with water and 3-drops of food-coloring (they got to choose the colors) and put celery stalks in the water. They waited two nights and on the 3rd day some stalk-tops started to show spots of the color BEE-HIVES & MAKE-BELIEVE water they were sitting in. CHALLAH ROLLS w/RAISINS Look closely at the top of Nursery students crumpled paper balls to the stalk pictured on left create their own Rosh Hashanah Challah-rolls to see some blue atop the with dark raisins. They also made beehives as stalk. It was an interesting experiment. part of their unit on bees and honey (and a lot about apples) for a sweet new year! HANNAFORD HELPS SCHOOLS Do you sometimes shop at Hannaford? Select products there have a tag “Helps Schools” (for example: Glad Products). If you buy 4, you get a ticket/coupon at checkout that is worth $3 to our school! Bring the ticket to the school office, we hope to accumulate a bunch of these tickets. (If you‟re at Delmar Hannaford, they have a drop-box at the front for Maimonides, otherwise bring them to our school office).
HEBREW ELUL STORIES UP Morah Devorah Leah‟s 4th graders did a great job with their illustrated Hebrew Elul stories, and they‟re posted up on the bulletin board for everyone to see.
THE WRITING WORKSHOP A recent assignment was for 4 and 5th grade students to ask their parents to tell about a GEOMETRIC REPEAT ART “special moment” which is something 5th graders in art-class with Mrs. Levin made a memorable even if it did not last a long time. design on a triangular shape that was 1/8th of Then the students wrote about it in their a circle which was then transferred via tracing writing-journals. One student in TNT paper and repeated „round and „round to form reporting wrote that he was very thankful to this neat geometric circle. his father for sharing that story, because he liked it and never heard it before.
EXPERIMENTS IN NEXT “MC” A few interesting science experiments were done this week with Mrs. Sahay in the Dr. Jonathan O‟Brien Science Lab but the reporting wasn‟t in time for this edition.
GEMORAH FLOWCHARTS
6/7 are now using Gemorah flowcharts as they learn Perek Arvei-Pesachim. Circles are statements, diamonds are questions and MIXTURES, MIXTURES… rectangles are answers. This helps them better Heterogeneous, homogenous - all kinds of understand the flow of logic in Gemorah. different types of mixtures. 6/7 watched a film They already finished their first Sugya (topic)! in science class to explain in a visual way.
at Maimonides and in the Community 9/24: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR 4:45pm at Gordon Home 29 Glenwood (behind Maimonides) by Shayna Kudan. Thanks Chaya Tal for a season of arrangements!
Shofar blowing follows Torah Reading and is usually an hour and half (approx) into the morning service. It’s a very important twice-a-year Mitzvah, the highlight of Rosh Hashanah. Start the year on a high note!
9/24: MOTZAI SHABBOS SELICHOS 10/2: FAST OF GEDALIA
Traditional pre-Rosh Hashanah midnight Selichot Due to Shabbos, the fast is pushed off this year to Sunday. Fast ends at 7:04pm. There‟s Selichot in prayers (halachic midnight this time of year is the morning at Shachris, and Haftorah at Mincha. closer to 1am). Shomray Torah Selichot at 1am. CBAJ has a pre-selichot program 10:30pm, with 10/3: LULAV & ESROG MARKET Selichot at midnight. Come choose your Lulav and Etrog 7pm and on 9/25: “CURRENT CHALLENGES TO at Delmar Chabad 109 Elsmere Ave. Call Rabbi Simon to reserve a set or for more info: 439-8280. ISRAEL ON CAPITOL HILL” Dr. Sharon Goldman, AIPAC‟s Northeast 10/16: FUN DAY @ DELMAR PARK political director will speak at a joint Federation Stay tuned for details on a Sukkot Fun Day in a Society event (Brandeis, Weizman and Delmar Park, with Delmar Chabad. Maimonides) to be held at Cong. Agudat Achim in Schenectady whose in-house catering will do 10/16: CHANANYA’S BAR-MITZVA the dinner (7:15pm) prior to the (8pm) talk and deserts afterward. Cost $22pp. Young adults (22- Celebration etc. to be held at Shabbos House. 40) can pay $10pp if pre-paid. Call Fed: 783-7800.
9/25: SCOUT FALL KICK-OFF Twin Rivers Jewish Council on Scouting (Adam Selsley - Scoutmaster 724-3743) is hosting a kickoff event at Riverview Orchards (660 Riverview Rd in Clifton Park) on Sunday, 6pm for boys in grades 1 to 11. $6pp, prospective scouts are free. Program includes hayride, bonfire and applepicking (extra cost for apples).
9/28: EREV ROSH HASHANAH No school (and no Shofar, the only weekday in Elul when we don‟t blow Shofar). Be sure to remember to make “Eruv Tavshilin” today to allow preparation and cooking for Shabbos on Friday (the 2nd day of YomTov). On Wednesday, Erev Rosh Hashanah, there will be early lengthier morning Selichos at the Shachris Minyans: CBAJ Selichot 5:45am, Shomray Torah (Shteeble) Selichot 7:30am.
9/28-30: ROSH HASHANAH 2-days of YomTov go right into Shabbos Shuvah. We wish everyone a good year - Ksiva VaChasima Tova, a Shana Tova uMesukah!
Area Shul Times for Rosh Hashanah: SHOMRAY TORAH: 9/28: 6:20 Mincha 9/29-30: 8:30am Shachris, 6pm Mincha CBAJ: 9/28: 6:25pm Mincha 9/29-30: 8am Shachris, 6:20pm Mincha
KAPPOROT BEFORE YOM-KIPPUR Communal ceremony. Date/Time/Location to be announced mid-week before Yom-Kippur.
Extra! Extra! Read All About It! BRAND NEW, FIRST-EVER ROSH HASHANAH “TORAH-TIMES” EDITION
OUR TORAH STORY IS NEWS IN “CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS” Rabbi Rubin‟s visit to Israel Consul Lion in Montreal and his publicity for the “Travelers Torah” in Montreal made the Canadian Jewish News in print and online, helping spread the word about this special Torah (and Albany as a refreshing oasis) to frequent travelers along the Montreal-New York route. Mr. Bruce Lorence donated this second Torah to Maimonides as a “Travelers-Torah” and the many purchases of letters (or Torah portions) are an important fundraiser for our school this year and last.
See the attachment to this “MC” newsletter for a “Torah-Times” special prepared by Rabbi Rubin and the 6/7 graders… This special edition covers the story of Chana, mother of Shmuel, which is one of the Haftorahs for Rosh Hashana. The 6/7 graders are also learning this story currently in their Navi class with Rabbi Laber, so they came equipped with details, info and lots of insight, to incorporate in their lively and relevant “Torah-Times” newspaper edition. We are very proud of the 6/7 graders for all the input and effort, and their brilliant ideas and jokes. They did a superb job. If you don‟t “get” the jokes and subtle references, read up on the original story in the Haftorah or Book of Samuel (I).
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
AND COMMUNITY
HS GIRLS AT DYKEN POND On Wednesday, a beautiful day out, the HS girls had a team-building day of exploration and activity at Dyken Pond, accompanied by Mrs. Laber. It was a gorgeous day out. When given a choice of hiking or kayaking, they chose kayaking (some of the students are pictured above). With help from Megan (who works at Dyken Pond) they carried the boats down to the lake, put on life-vests, and after a few safety rules and demos on how to get in/ out of the without tipping… they had a great time and learned quite a bit, too!
BH
Tishrei 8, 5771 / October 6, 2011
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Candle-Lighting:
6:10 Yom-Kippur Ends:
7:08
This newsletter is dedicated in loving memory of
Dr. Bernard Teitelman On his 6th Yartzeit - Yom Kippur by Joyce and the Teitelman & Lew Families Contact the School Office 453-9363 to sponsor a Newsletter
CONDOLENCES RABBI SIMON Our condolences to Rabbi Nachman Simon on the passing of his father, Mr. Seymour (Shmuel) Simon in Florida this week. Shiva is completed with the onset of Yom-Kippur. There will be a 6:05pm Mincha/Maariv on Thursday and a 7:30am Shachris Minyan at HIGH HOLIDAY PREP & STUDY street-safety in an entertaining and enjoyable the Simon home (109 Elsmere Ave in Delmar) along with Shiva, until 1pm on Friday. Many Our students (mostly in grades N-4) have been format. This is especially important in of us have fond memories of his visits to the crowded Israeli preparing and learning all about RH, YK and neighborhoods with Simons in Delmar, his participation in family Sukkot, from projects and crafts to Machzor lots of kids running Simchas, his Torah dedication to Delmar messages and Dvar Torahs. They came home and playing all over. Chabad, and his hearty warmth and jovial wit for Rosh Hashanah with honey-dishes, colored We should be careful and appreciation of Yiddishe Nachas! bee-hives, personal Machzors, Yehi-Ratzon with street-safety placemats (pictured above) and much more. everywhere! Josh was eager to be involved with As we approach the alumni network for MHDS and the Alumni Regards from Jerusalem: Yom-Kippur, Travelers Torah: “I remember davening at the PANDEMONIUM IN THE PARK Lake George Minyan years ago with Shmuly we wish our “Balagan baGan” (or Pandemonium in the and Yossi !חדש ימינו כקדם. The Minyan was Park) is a new Jerusalem initiative to hire friends and the made up from people all over, and it was very entertainers to entire Jewish randomly perform special davening together. The tent outdoors, fresh mountain air- A'Michaya!” … and he also at no charge in community a wrote that he enjoys reading this “MC” Jerusalem parks newsletter via email - all the way in Israel! during the late “GMAR CHASIMA TOVA!” summer. MHDS alumnus Joshua MAIMONIDES Phaff was a sought 404 Partridge Street -out performer in Albany NY 12208 the parks this summer. He has another big season right around the corner: at Simchas Beis HaShoeva Chol HaMoed Sukkot celebrations all over Israel. Audiences love when Josh juggles (as Rabban Gamliel did at the Simchas Beis HaShoevas many, many years ago) and engages kids so effectively. He does more than one event per Sukkot night! Josh recently created “Street Smart” an initiative to help kids learn about
A NIGGUN IN NAVI CLASS
MONTHS OF THE YEAR
At the end of Navi class one day, Rabbi Laber gave his 6/7 grade students a copy of the “K’Hinei KaChomer” poem said on the night of Yom-Kippur, and he taught them a slow and beautiful Lubavitcher melody (with low and high parts) to the words, which was composed by Chassidim from Nikloayev.
Morah Devorah’s 2nd graders learned the Jewish months of the year, as we begin the new year of 5772. In addition to writing the names, they also drew symbols for the holidays or observances of each month.
TRIBAL ESSAYS AND ART Mrs. Maher’s 5th graders are learning about Native American tribes. They’re now working 3rd graders are learning about Sarah being on a project that researches a specific tribe hidden in a box on their trip down to Egypt - a (and their type of homes, clothes, food etc). In new country for Avraham and Sarah, and in addition to the essays they’ll be writing, they connection with that they read a beautiful are also working with art teacher Mrs. Levin to book titled “The Dollmaker’s Gift” set in the create artistic panels about the tribe’s lifestyle. time of Russian pogroms and emigration to America in the early 20th century.
FROM CANAAN TO RUSSIA
“ME IN A WORD” PROJECT
6th and up with Mrs. Mulder each chose five words to describe themselves and then chose one word out of the five. They wrote one and Ms. Livingston’s 4th half pages about what that word means to graders researched them and how it describes them. Next, they regions of NY State. chose 3-4 of the best sentences and made it They each highlighted into a pull-quote. Finally they typed it out and places, attractions and arranged it on nice paper. Look out for these special features in a projects near the entrance. “brochure” about their assigned regions. FINGERLESS GLOVES IN ART
LOOKING FOR A NYS TRIP?
The gloves began as merino wool dyed in different colors. HSG chose the colors they liked and a pattern. They arranged the wool and pattern on the "resistant" which makes the hole. They wetted it with soap and water and rolled, hit & squeezed the wool, gradually turning it into felt. It takes work and patience but the result is a warm fingerless glove.
TISHREI TRIVIA QUESTIONS 4th graders with Morah Devorah Leah came up with more than a dozen questions about Yom-Kippur for the Tishrei Trivia bulletin board. They’re thinking of how to best display them in future months. They might do a question on a outside flap, and the answer on the inside flap where you can peek if you don’t know the answer.
HAPPY LEARNERS We’re not exactly sure what these Nursery boys were smiling about, but we found this cheerful picture on the school camera after our roving TNT photographers went through the classrooms one morning this week or last.
RAPPIN’ RONNIE On the walk back from the recess basketball with the Sage College athletes, some 6/7 graders asked Ronnie (of Sage) to do a little free-style rapping while the boys beat-boxed. He did a cute thing (on the spot!) about the basketball game they just enjoyed together.
A DRINK IN THE PASSAGE HS Girls are reading this book by Alan Paton about a piece of sculpture and racial tensions in South Africa, and the attempt to appreciate a different perspective from your own.
HEBREW CLASS ISRAELI SONGS 8th grade boys come late to the first period because of Minyan, so Morah Rochel learns Israeli songs with the girls as part of Ivrit class. So far they learned BaShana Haba’ah and Al Kol Eyleh. They enjoy singing together and appreciating the rich poetic Hebrew phrases and expressions.
EDIBLE TASHLICH Nursery kids had fun shmearing blue (colored) creamcheese on rice-cakes and putting colored candy fish on top!
HEBREW DR. SEUSS Thanks to a parent for bringing in these matching books, the same Dr. Seuss “I Can Read” book in both Hebrew and English. This can be a fun way to practice Hebrew reading…
THE “OP” SOUND This comes from Mrs. Carroll’s first grade where they were practicing the “OP” sound, as in the words: stop, pop, mop etc… They use reader books that emphasize one new sound at a time.
THE NAMES OF HASHEM HS Girls studied which names of Hashem were revealed to which people before the Exodus from Egypt and how the names of Hashem represent different levels of spiritual revelation. On Yom-Kippur we mention a number of Hashem’s names many times, so this learning was in time to give their YomKippur davening more meaning.
BAKING SODA & VINEGAR GAS
PRE-YOM-KIPPUR KAPOROT Kindergarteners (pictured above) learned about the customs of pre-Yom-Kippur Kaporot, and made their own paper-bag decorated chickens which they swing excitedly round and round their heads. On Tuesday evening Rabbi Serebryanski arranged two chickens for a communal Kaporot ceremony behind Shomray Torah. Noting that R’ Sarchi Sar-Shalom is also a Shochet according to the tradition of the Beis Yosef, Rabbi Rubin said, “We’re not a one-shochet town anymore!” Some of our students were brave enough to watch the shechitah afterwards as well, and do the Mitzvah of Kisuy-HaDahm. It’s an educational experience that not many get to see first-hand nowadays. Many do their pre-Yom-Kippur Kaporot by swirling money dedicated to Tzedakah around their head, the ceremony can be found in the Siddur or Machzor.
MISHNA SUKKAH IN LEGO Rabbi Shmuly’s 5th graders transformed text into lego models in their studies of Mishnayos Sukkah. Model B is the reason why the Mishna considers Model A to be Kosher. (There are a lot of factors, of course). They did models for several Mishnas and look forward to designing a powerpoint using pictures of their models as Mishna illustrations.
THE SEA DEVIL
In exploring the differences between chemical change and physical change, 6/7 graders did an experiment with Mrs. Sahay in the Science Lab using balloons, bottles, & scales. They put vinegar in the bottle, and baking soda into the limp balloon. They put the bottle & balloon on the scale and recorded the weight. Then they lifted up the limp balloon over the bottle so the baking soda would fall into the bottle and the vinegar, which caused a chemical reaction - it turned into a gas which filled up the balloon (see the picture above). They weighed the gas-filled balloons and bottles, and found them to have the same (or very similar) weight to the original weight of the wet vinegar and the dry baking soda.
8th graders read a short story by A. Gordon about a man fishing for mullet who was dragged out to sea by a giant mantra ray that got stuck in his net. The story highlights brain vs. brawn in a man vs. nature survival saga.
VAV TISHREI FARBRENGEN
8th grade and HS girls enjoyed a morning farbrengen over orange juice with Morah Rochel on Rebbetzin Chana Schneersohn’s yartzeit (she passed away on the 6th of Tishrei in 5725 / 1964). Morah Rochel remembered her from the years that she lived near her son DOUBLE-BUBBLE GUM the Rebbe in Crown Heights. They watched a AND… YOM-KIPPUR? short video of older people recalling their Mrs. Laber gave each HS girl a memories of her in Russia. The students piece of “double-bubble” gum, and asked them pulled down the big Social-Studies map to find to find creative connections to Yom Kippur. her birthplace, the city where her husband They came up with some pretty good ideas: served as Rabbi and where she raised her Savor the flavor, don’t let all the richness children, and then the remote town where the go to waste. YK is an incredible Russians exiled her husband and the nearby opportunity to tap into holiness. larger city where he passed away. Most A bubble is a closed environment… be memorable was the story of her gathering sure to let Hashem into your bubble! berries and making ink so her husband could Double Bubble for extra strength on YK! write his commentary on the margins of books Let Teshuva burst a sin-bubble… which she later smuggled out of Russia. The sugar in gum can give you energy, use it in a positive way! NEXT “MC” WILL BE 10/28 Stretch (like gum) your limits and stick No school over the Sukkot holiday. TNT (also like gum) to Torah… Obviously, we’re NOT allowed to chew gum on Yom-Kippur. reports this Thursday will go into next edition.
AIR PRESSURE EXPERIMENT 8th graders did an interesting experiment in the school’s Science Lab last week. They lit a small piece of paper on fire, put it inside a beaker that had a narrower top and a wider bottom (they also used Snapple bottles). Then they placed a small water balloon (that was wider than the neck of the bottle) at the opening of the bottle. The balloon was sucked into the bottle (because of the air-pressure inside the bottle), it sealed the opening and cut off the oxygen supply which extinguished the fire. The balloon would not come out, and the only way to get it out again was to use a thin straw to create a pocket of air to release the seal and allow it out again.
at Maimonides and in the Community 10/7: EREV YOM-KIPPUR Festive meal around midday (and a custom to eat Kreplach) and another meal closer to the fast. Mincha has (2:30pm at Shomray Torah) the first set of full Al-Chaits at the end Amidah. Many go to the Mikvah on Erev Yom-Kippur, some also do a symbolic “malkus” (lashes) using light taps of a belt. Shomray Torah will have preparations at 6pm and Kol Nidrei begins at 6:20pm sharp.
10/7-8: YOM-KIPPUR May everyone be inscribed and sealed for a good year! The fast ends with Shofar at 7:08pm. See your shul’s schedule for prayer times (Kol Nidrei & Maariv on Friday Night, Shachris thru Musaf on Shabbos morning and early afternoon, and Mincha and Neilah in the late afternoon).
will feature a moon-bounce, arts & crafts, games and a famous master contortionist and stunt-man show! See bethlehemchabad.com for more info or call Rabbi Zalman Simon at (518) 300-3936.
10/16: SUSHI IN THE SUKKAH 5pm at Clifton Park Chabad, 495 Moe Road. Mr. Fuji will make kosher sushi, Yehoshua Sussman will play niggunim on violin. No charge. Call 495 -0772/9 for more info.
10/17: SUKKOT KIDS RALLY (II) 12pm-1:30pm at Shomray Torah, led by Motti Rubin and alumni friends.
10/17: SUKKAH NITE IN TROY 7pm at Beth Tephilah, 82 River Street in Troy.
10/9: PRE-SUKKOT KIDS RALLY (I)
10/18: SIMCHA IN THE SUKKAH
11:30am-12:30pm at Shomray Torah, led by MHDS alumnus Motti Rubin and friends. Kids win a free Lulav & Esrog set!!
Live music, storytelling, dinner in the Sukkah 6pm at Beth Israel in Schenectady, 6pm. No charge and open to the community.
10/12: FIRST NIGHT OF SUKKOT
10/18: DR. BAR-ZOHAR AT UNION
Before the 3-day Yom-Tov don’t forget to make an Eruv-Tavshilin! After the meal - come over to the Levin’s Sukkah at 167 Holmesdale for some nosh and singing and Simchas Yom-Tov!
7:30pm at Union College’s Old Chapel. Dr. Michael Bar-Zohar on “Israel in a Changing Middle East”. He authored 35+ history & fiction books (translated in 18 languages), biographer of Ben-Gurion & Peres. His latest book is on the Mossad. Sponsored by Hillel & J-FED.
10/13: REBBETZIN’S KIDDUSH An annual tradition on the first day of Sukkot after shul at the Bomzer residence 36 Victoria Way in Whitehall Station.
10/13: KUDAN’S SUKKAH NITE Come over to the Kudans at 6 Peyster Street after you’ve finished your 2nd Night YomTov meal for a festive Farbrengen in their Sukkah.
NURSERY OUT ON A BOAT Morah Rivka and Morah Batsheva took their nursery students outside on a “boat-trip” as they learned the story of Yonah. Each kid got a colored straw, but one straw was shorter than the others - that was “Yonah’s” straw! It was an example of how the crew on the boat drew lots to see who should be thrown off the boat…
10/18: HOSHANA RABA NIGHT Beginning after Maariv at Shomray-Torah for a reading of Chumash Devarim, & Tehillim recital.
10/19: YOM-TOV BEGINS AGAIN Before the 3-day Yom-Tov don’t forget to make an Eruv-Tavshilin! Happy Shimi-Atzeret, SimchasTorah and Shabbos-Breishis weekend to all!
10/14: POST-FRIDAY-NITE DINNER
Come over to the Gordon’s Sukkah 29 Glenwood 10/21: SIMCHAT TORAH DAY for a farbrengen after the meal on Friday Night. Call ahead to RSVP for the various festive shul luncheons, call Ruvain for Shomray Torah at 4381178 or the office at CBAJ 489-5819. 10/15: SAT NIGHT IN SUKKAH The Kochmans on 169 Sycamore St usually host a Look for the: lively, delicious Simchas Beis HaShoeva in their “El-Bnei” (Albany!) booklet of Torah Sukkah on the Motzai Shabbos of Chol HaMoed, produced by MHDS alumni and Albany they look forward to doing the same this year. community, featuring: R’ Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, on Jews of the Schoharie Valley, 10/16: CHANANYA’S BAR-MITZVA & more! Submissions accepted until Sun Prayers, Aliyah and Celebration etc. to be held night to: mottel770@gmail.com late morning at Shabbos House. Nightly Alumni “Kinus-Torah” at weekday Shteeble Mincha-Maariv on Sukkos. 10/16: SUKKOT FAMILY FESTIVAL Jewish commentary by Rabbi Mendel to the 2-4pm at Maple Ridge Park in Selkirk (past 2005 Stanford talk by Steve Jobs who passed Delmar: 9W South, right on Jericho Rd, right away this week. again on Elm Ave East). Cost is $7 per child, and
ALEPH-BET NAME INITIALS Morah Rivka points to Hebrew letters on the big chart during circle-time and the children rise as their (Hebrew name) initial is called. It’s one more way to familiarize and personalize (and alphabetize) the Hebrew alphabet.
“SHORASHIM” (ROOTS) TREE As 2nd graders learn Chumash, they’re also
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL (Nursery / Elementary / High School) AND COMMUNITY focusing on the roots of Hebrew words. The tree
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
behind the students branches out with new words they come across that share a root with other words they know.
BH
RC Cheshvan, 5772 / October 28, 2011
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
RECENT MAZAL TOVS Thank G-d, our community has been blessed with many Mazal Tovs and Simchas this season, may we continue to celebrate Simchas & joyous occasions together! Alumna Dina (Stark) & Shloime Kuperman of Brooklyn had a newborn daughter before Sukkot, named Ema Batya on Sukkot at Shomray Torah. Mazal Tov to grandparents Morah Devorah and Sid Stark! Rabbi Shimon and Liba had a baby boy before Sukkos, they named him Mordechai Chaim after Shimon’s grandfather at a Chol HaMoed Bris at CBAJ. Also just before Sukkot, R’ Moshe and Rivka Losice’s granddaughter Baila Herbstman of Monsey got engaged to Chaim Salb on Brooklyn. Chananya O’Brien celebrated his BarMitzvah with Torah Reading and lunch in the Sukkah on the 2nd day of Chol HaMoed at Shabbos House. His speech was about 6 messages from the Sukkah. Rabbi Mendel and Raizy Rubin had a newborn daughter on the 3rd day of Chol HaMoed, they named her Esther Miriam (for Mendel’s sister Esty Cohen, and Bubbe Rubin, and for Raizy’s aunt - all of whom passed away in 2010). Nachum Wildman became Bar-Mitzvah over Sukkos (and can be counted in a Minyan) but his celebration with friends and family and his Torah Reading, Siyum on Mishnayos Shabbos will be this Shabbos morning at CBAJ. Mazal Tov Wildmans! The Candibs are also celebrating a BarMitzvah this weekend, with the Shabbos davening and festivities at Maimonides. Talking of Bar-Mitzvahs, Sid Stark has his annual Bar-Mitzvah anniversary Shabbos up in Saratoga this weekend. MHDS alumnus Avi Morgenbesser got married to Shoshana Stern on Wednesday in Monsey, and had a Sheva Brachos at Maimonides on Thursday this week. MHDS alumna Avigael Bomzer married Shmulie Heifetz on Wed, to have a Shalosh Seudos Sheva Brachos this Shabbos at CBAJ. MZT to Rabbi & Rebbetzin Bomzer!
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Candle-Lighting:
5:36 Shabbos Ends:
6:36
BACK TO WEEKLY MC’s Our last newsletter was Erev Yom-Kippur. This MC edition includes news and student reporting dating back to before Sukkot, as well as this recent week back at school (our first full week in almost a month) because of the recent 3-day Jewish holidays weekends.
This newsletter is sponsored in honor of the Bar-Mitzvah of
Nachum Wildman by Saba and Savta Jerry & Eileen Rosenbaum Contact the School Office 453-9363 to sponsor a Newsletter
CONDOLENCES
NOAH’S ARK CRAFTS IN N-K This week’s Torah portion tells the story of Noah and the Teivah (Ark). Kindergarteners colored and decorated the 3-level ark (top) and hung it on their wall, Nursery students painted a contrast of swirly blue-green waters with a brown 3-tiered ark on top, and sang the Rainbow Song. They’re hanging on a clothesline to dry (think drying out after the long flood…)
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
We wish we only had Mazal Tovs to share this week, but unfortunately, we also have two close members of our community who are/ were sitting Shiva this week: R’ Leibel Morrison on the passing of his father Alan (Avraham Hirsch), a decorated WWII veteran who served behind enemy lines with the US 82nd Airborne. He enlisted as a proud Jew concerned about the Holocaust. Shiva is at the Morrison’s (27 S. Lake) in Troy until Tuesday morning. Mr. Don Stracher, Maimonides board member and architect, recently concluded the Shiva in Schenectady on the passing of his sister, Mrs. Iris Baum.
“EL-BNAY” TORAH BOOKLET Did you see the recent beautiful publication produced in time for Sukkot by MHDS alumni and local community, with varied Torah thoughts (with Hebrew and English sections) that included: A scholarly compilation on “taking leave with a Halacha” by alumnus David Phaff >
K-1 TRIP TO ELLMS FAMILY FARM IN BALLSTON SPA Kindergarten and 1st graders went on a field trip to Ellms Family Farm. They enjoyed a tractor ride down to the pumpkin patch, learned all about the growing cycle and picked their own pumpkins to take home. They also explored a corn maze (the stalks grow so high!) and jumped up and down on a giant “pumpkin-pillow” full of air, played in the play-area with hand-pump duck-races, and toy-tractor races, too. Pictured above L-R: Happy in the pumpkin patch; jumping on the pumpkin-pillow; on the hay-ride behind the tractor; and in the Corn-Maze... from Zichron Yaakov, Israel. Rabbi Rubin’s new interpretation of an unusual term in Parshat Ha’azinu based on a recently heard fascinating story of an adoption and Teshuva story. Jewish Schoharie County from Rabbi A. Laber’s archives and historical research. Excepts from Steve Job’s Stanford 2005 speech and a Jewish commentary from Shabbos House’s Torah-Tuesday in 2007. Ruvain’s Hurricane Irene blackout Minyan inspiration. Rabbi Mendel’s Teshuva lessons from CTLALT-DELETE and other computer matters. The 2nd edition had an article by Daf-Yomi regular, local attorney Jack Kaplowitz on NY’s recent changes to the marriage law. And much more! A limited number of booklets may still be available by contacting the school office.
NOTE FOR PARENTS: Parent-Teacher Conferences for grades K-5 General Studies, and K-12 Judaic Studies are scheduled for November 9th. There will be NO school for N,K-8 that day. (Conferences are usually on Veterans Day which falls this year on a Friday).
MORE SCHOOLS IMPLEMENT OUR RECESS/LUNCH CHANGE
“ME, IN A WORD” ON BOARD
Mrs. Mulder’s English students did several The “Gazette” newspaper did a local story on steps before this arriving at this final product. the Shenendehowa School District’s switch to They first thought of 5 adjectives to describe have midday recess BEFORE lunch, instead of themselves, then chose one word of the 5, and AFTER lunch. The NY Times recently carried wrote several paragraphs why that one a national story about the same. Both articles adjective was true about themselves. Then they selected 2 or 3 sentences from all those quoted studies that showed improved recesstime participation, healthier lunchtime eating paragraphs to use as a description of their word posted with their photo on the big habits and a smoother transition back to board. This project was an exercise in selfafternoon classes. Thanks to Mrs. Levin’s discovery, in writing and editing. suggestion last year, Maimonides has been ahead of the curve with implementing this switch last year. This timing switch, along with COLD WEATHER IS COMING continued efforts by teachers and students, It’s not too early to start thinking winter and the Sage athletic volunteers is really clothing, be sure kids have coats, hats, scarves, making a difference. boots and whatever it takes to stay warm.
SILHOUETTE ART OF ANIMAL SAFARI (see Amiel’s black cut-out on left, and in reverse as a finished product in the left image on right). Our students keep learning new, different and interesting art-styles with Mrs. Levin in art class. This is a simple art form with a dramatic effect.
ENERGIZED DAVENERS Coming off a long month of Hallels & Musafs, & YomTov davening, these boys in a corner of the davening room spontaneously joined hands for a warm rendition of “Avinu Av HaRachaman” just before Shema.
NACHUM READS NOACH ALIYAH Already a Bar-Mitzvah, and just a 2 days before his big celebration, Nachum read the 1st aliyah of Noach at the Shomray Torah morning Minyan this Thursday.
KIDS TISHREI RALLY WINNERS Azriel won the Lulav & Esrog set at the preSukkot kids’ rally. Nechama K. won the bicycle at the Chol HaMoed Sukkos rally. Bassie R. won the Lego set at the postSukkot rally. Bingo Games won by the Ehrlichs, Yasher Koach to alumnus Motti Rubin for making these energizing rallies for our children around the holidays (when he is back from Yeshiva abroad). The kids enjoyed the stories, the ZaZa candies, the singing and the 12 Pesukim, and all the excitement.
APPS 9/11 STUDENT TWIN TOWER PROJECTS INCLUDED: Pennies (each has a different date, like the birthdates of those who perished); Newspapers from 9/11; List of Firefighter companies that came that day; Random objects related to 9/11; Random words clipped from newspapers (like Hope, Trade, Fear, Shock, Jobs etc…); Gumballs of different colors; and more! They’ll be going on an outdoor outing next week (IYH & weather-permitting to visit memorials and monuments at the Empire State Plaza).
NATIVE AMERICAN PROJECTS 5th graders divided their early America research and projects into the regions where Native Americans lived. Iroquis and Mohawk in the Eastern Woodlands (where we live now), Comanche and Osage in the South Plains, Seminoles in the South-East, and the Navajo and Pueblo tribes in the South-West.
learned some examples of items that are finders keepers because of their lack of identifying marks and owner’s despair: Purple-dyed Wool (very common back then) Loaves of Bakery Bread (they’re standard) Strings of Fish, Bundles of Flax… and a whole bunch of other examples…
DAHL’S “PARSON’S PLEASURE” This is the last in a series of short stories read by the HS. It’s a story about dishonesty and irony and how lies do catch up with people.
ENDANGERED SPECIES IN 4TH Don’t worry the 4th graders are OK! They’ve begun independent research on a specific endangered species to create a poster about. Here’s some of what they’re working on: Short -eared Owl, the Blue Whale, Bog Turtle, Tiger Salamander, Bachman’s Warber, and the Piping Plover. We’ll take photos of their posters for the MC when they’re done.
AGAINST AMAZING ODDS TISHREI BACKPACKS
5th grade Navi is learning about a war in which the Jewish people only had 300 men against Bnei Kedem, Plishtim and Amalek! They’re still in middle - it’s a cliffhanger!
ANIMALS IN HEBREW Morah Devorah’s students are learning all about animals in Hebrew, in time for Parshat Noach! Test your knowledge! Do you know Boash, Peel, Karnoff, Namer, Barvaz, Chasida, Shual… how about Kengeru? Or Zehbra?
Morah Devorah Leah’s 4th graders each colored a paper backpack and typed up some of their best Tishrei memories and taped them STARTING BAVA METZIAH (II) on. Why backpacks? Because we don’t leave After learning Sukkah, 4th & 5th graders these memories behind, we “pack them up” ...OY, TOO MUCH NEWS! and take them with us for the rest of the year! (separately) began learning Mishnayos in Bava Good problem! More stuff in next week’s MC! Metziah, chapter 2 about lost and found! They
WHAT MAKES YOU
at Maimonides and in the Community 10/29: MULTI-MINYANS There’s a lot going communally this Shabbos & Rosh Chodesh (Wildman Bar-Mitzvah at CBAJ, Candib BarMitzvah at Maimonides, Bomzer Sheva Brachos at CBAJ etc) so anyone who can pitch in for Shomray Torah Minyan can be a big help this week.
10/29: BOMZER SHABBOS SHEVA BRACHOS After Mincha (5pm) at CBAJ, there’ll be a Seudah-Shlishit Sheva Brachos for Avigael (Bomzer) and Shmulie Heifetz. RSVP to: MBomzer@aol.com
A powerful, personal and humorous talk on understanding and tolerance by
11/9: JLI NEW COURSE “FASCINATING FACTS” Exploring myths and mysteries of Jewish life, in six categories. 7:30-9pm at Maimonides. Six Wednesdays through December. Call Rabbi Mathless at 522-1872 for info or signup, or visit MyJLI.com
11/9: KRISTALNACHT COMMEMORATION
MARC ELLIOT
TACkle a tough TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15 @ SHABBOS HOUSE 5:45 / 7:45 / 8:45 *please RSVP
10/30: FESTIVAL OF NATIONS AT THE PLAZA 40th annual... 11:30am-5pm at the Empire State Plaza Concourse.
11/2: M.S. CONFERENCES Regular school for all classes. Schedule to be sent to parents of middle & HS students for General Studies Parent-Teacher Conferences.
11/6: SAAJCC (ALBANY) RUMMAGE SALE
gentle yoga. Melt away stress, increase flexibility and strength with breathing exercises, postures, & relaxation techniques to lyric-less music. Taught by Mrs. Leah Rubin and certified Kripalu yoga teacher Amanda Toll. All Jewish women, including expectant moms are welcome. There may be a babysitting option. Call 495-0779/2 for more info.
11/11/11: FIRST OF THE SHORT 2:15pm FRIDAYS Clocks change Nov 6th, so the first 2:15pm Friday dismissal is on 11/11.
11/12: FIRST PIZZA NIGHT
7:15pm at “Nathan’s Kitchen” by the HS girls, a fundraiser for extra9-3pm. Albany JCC’s Early Childhood curricular activities and an eat-out/ rummage sale of clothing and goods take-out opportunity for community most items are priced between $1-$5. on select winter Sat Nights. Order (pies, sushi) ahead for best service to: 11/8: “YOUNG ABRAHAM” bnoschayaprograms@gmail.com
AT C.P. LIBRARY
New animated film about Avraham Avinu’s early life 6-7pm at the Clifton Park Library on Moe Road. Call 4950779/2 for more info.
Talmud story about “The Ugly Man” at Torah-Tuesday
“Inside Hana’s Suitcase” a film at Page Hall on Western Ave (downtown UAlbany campus) 7-9pm. Contact Federation 783-7800 for info.
Get Your
10/29: TCN TORAH 11/9: TORAH & YOGA SATELLITE CLASS IS BACK Treat yourself to engaging Torah and Sat Night 9pm (will get earlier as the winter progresses) at CBAJ’s Luchins Media Center, live Navi class by noted lecturer Rabbi Yisrael Reisman.
11/15: WACHTEL RECITAL
7:30-9:30 at the Normanside Country Club - 150 Salisbury Rd, in Delmar. Gershon Wachtel, Toronto-based virtuoso pianist, whose repertoire 11/9: NO SCHOOL/CONF. includes a range of Classical, Jewish, Parent Teacher Conferences for K-5 and Broadway music shares his General Studies, and K-12 Judaic personal journey through song and Studies. There will be no school for all story. $12 advance, $18 at door. Info? grades. Usually scheduled for Veterans Call Rabbi Zalman at 866-7658. Day which falls this year on a Friday.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JFNENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
MONDAY NOVEMBER 14 @ CAMPUS CENTER BALLROOM 8PM - open to all -
“Wet” at an Activity-Day for Special-Needs Kids & their Families
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20 @ SHABBOS HOUSE 11:30-1:30
* open to college students, special needs kids & families For more info or to RSVP contact Shabbos House: 438-4227 / mail@shabboshouse.com
UAlbany Disability Resource Center JSAM - Jewish Social Action Month
SHABBOS HOUSE
allocation yet, but we felt our presentation was well-done and well-received. Some at the meeting Do you have a happy picture of could not understand how a fullyourself with a Lulav, fledged school (with extras!) eating in your Sukkah operates on so small a budget (or building it…) or (relative to other schools & orgs). preparing Yom-Tov food, or enjoying a Chol HaMoed Much of this is due to the amazing trip? Please send in pictures of our dedication and financial sacrifice by administration, faculty & children enjoying Sukkos (b/w parents, as well as resourcefulness, printouts are OK, too) for a creativity & flexibility. V’Samachata bulletin board...
BRING IN A HAPPY SUKKOS PICTURE
MHDS AT FEDERATION LAST CALL FOR PRIZES This year Raffle-Auction (drawings ALLOCATION MEETING & event to be held on 2nd night Mrs. Levin, Mrs. Ballard-Hubbel, Rabbi Rubin & Mr. Alex Hallenstein represented MHDS this week at the GAP allocation meeting. We don’t know the 6 Wednesdays Starting Nov 9th Call: 522-1872
of Chanukah, Dec 21) will be going to the printer next week. If you have a prize you’d like to donate, please contact Raizy (raffle -auction coordinator) by Nov 1st.
BH
Cheshvan 7, 5772 / November 5, 2011
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Candle-Lighting:
5:27 Shabbos Ends:
6:28
This newsletter is sponsored by
Michael & Sylvia Solomon in honor of the recent birth of their great-granddaughter
Tahel Maayan
Contact the School Office 453-9363 or email maimonidesschool@gmail.com to sponsor a Newsletter
LECH-LECHA AND THE CUP-LID E.S.P. MEMORIALS APPS TRIP
MAZAL TOV ESTY’S BAS-MITZVA
Middle School students who participated in the recent APPS project on 9/11, took a trip downtown with Rabbi Mendel to see about a dozen memorials at the Empire State Plaza. They’re pictured above at the Korean War Memorial (for 3,000 New Yorkers who died in that war) with the ESP buildings & themselves reflected in the pool. In addition to the various memorials, they had a great time with an Abraham Lincoln impersonator, a Flatbush accountant, the Bus #13 bus-driver and others… see page 3 for more photos & info.
Esty B’s Bas-Mitzvah is this Sunday, we wish her Mazal Tov on this major milestone, and much Nachas to her parents and siblings!
RAFFLE-AUCTION AT PRINTER Look for this year’s Raffle-Auction soon, it went to the printer this week, and will soon also be available online. The Early-Bird special (free $10 ticket) ends at Thanksgiving, with the drawings event on the 2nd night of Chanukah, December 21st. This year’s 28 prize-packages include: laptop computer, tablet PC, Catskills Kosher weekend getaway, Soda-Stream machine, Keurig coffee-maker and K-cups, American Girl doll, red-wagon of wooden toys, case of Gefilte fish, diamond tennis bracelet, J.A. Henckel kitchen knives, wine & cheese basket, Stampin-Up! scrapbooking, artwork, camera and photo-viewer, $180 at Ruthies Boutique, $150 in dry-cleaning, and much, much more!
MAISHY HEADS TO AUSTRALIA Maishy Backman, MHDS alumnus, left this week for a year of study and activity in Melbourne, that’s quite a long journey!
PLEASE KEEP MHDS UPDATED Have you recently moved? Do we have your email address? Would you like to get this MC weekly newsletter via email? Please keep the school office updated with your contact info.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
HS Girls got a closer read of this hot-cup lid, they came up with: SOLO = Echad Haya Avraham (Avraham was alone in his belief in one G-d) and “Travelers Lid” for Abraham’s travels in this week’s parsha of Lech-Lecha. Mrs. Laber took them for a hot-cocoa trip to Price-Chopper as they learned a Chassidic explanation on the difference between Avraham Avinu’s Mitzvot (aside for Milah) and the Mitzvot we have from Sinai: The holiness of Pre-Sinai Mitzvot didn’t permeate the physical object, the spiritual and physical remained separate. Have you ever tried mixing cocoa mix into cold milk? As much as you mix, it doesn't totally dissolve. It is very different with hot-water.. it melts right in! Our Mitzvot post-Sinai fuse the physical and spiritual...
NURSERY CUPCAKES & THE 6TH GRADE TALMUD CLASS Tzviki’s mother brought in “red-yellow-green light” cupcakes from a Flatbush kosher bakery for his 4th birthday party in the nursery class this week. They were pretty, colorful and delicious! Talking of traffic-lights: 6th graders used trafficlights symbols as a visual graphic for a Talmudic argument they just learned about in Gemorah Pesachim about what to do about a Friday afternoon meal running late into the start of Shabbos: R’ Yosi says to go ahead and keep on eating (green-light), R’ Yehudah says to stop and bentsch for the earlier meal and make Kiddush for Shabbos on a new meal (redlight), but Shmuel says instead to pause with a compromise “Pores-Mapah” (yellow-light).
SAGE SOCCER AT SEMI-FINALS Sage men's soccer played in the Division III semifinal in Long Island on Wednesday. They lost, but it's pretty amazing that they got there, since it's a new team to Sage (only two years old). Gustavo Trinidad (who helps coach our own budding soccer enthusiasts) was named "ECAC Metro Offensive Player of the Week".
SAGE RECESS HELPERS WEATHER PROJECTS Mrs. Carroll’s students learned about what causes blizzards, tornadoes and other storms. They also learned about scientific measuring devices (like the one on right for wind). Each student chose something to find out more about and make a project about it.
Talking about the Sage students, the girls group at recess has been playing soccer, too, along with kickball, capture-the-flag, fishyfishy, and other games. They think it’s cool! BTW, we think it’s cool that we have great student volunteers from Sage College. It would be nice to show our appreciation from time to time, maybe with a little card or some homemade cookies…
MULTIPLICATION RACETRACK HEBREW BODY-PART NAMES Morah Devorah’s students are learning: Marpek = elbow, Katef = shoulder, Behtehn = stomach. Then there’s the better known Rosh (head), Yad (hand) and Regel (foot)… the poster above highlights facial terms: Peh (mouth), THE SEASONS ARE CHANGING Ohzen (ear), Santer (chin), Ahf (nose)… … and Mrs. Carroll’s students are learning all about it! They designed this beautiful poster.
HISTORY & JEWISHDATA.COM
TOWER OF BABEL Morah Moriah’s 3rd graders made their own Migdal Bavel (Tower of Babel) with people pictured saying things in different languages!
NOTE FOR PARENTS: Parent-Teacher Conferences for grades K-5 General Studies, and K-12 Judaic Studies are scheduled for Wednesday, November 9th. There will be NO school for N,K-8 that day. (Conferences are usually on Veterans Day which falls this year on a Friday).
Rabbi Rubin’s history class learned the story of the Maharam (connected to the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange) and of the wealthy Alexander who paid for the Rabbi’s body to be released from captivity several years after his passing in 1293. The Maharam refused to be ransomed lest it become habit for nobles to imprison Jewish leaders to extort huge sums from the community. On Rabbi Laber’s genealogical search website JewishData.com, students pulled up a photo of the side-by-side graves of the Maharam & Alexander in Worms, Germany. The graves survived WWII, & are among the oldest Jewish graves in Europe.
Each 4th grader has a race-car on the board. Once you’re able to do the first set of multiplication problems in the required time, your care moves up to the next table. The first car to get into the Winner’s Circle wins! All the cars will reach there soon enough!
ARCHIMEDES PRINCIPLE 8th graders learned this principle about buoyancy, floating, sinking and displacement in Science class with Mrs. Sahay. They experimented using a spring-balance scale.
COUNTESS AND IMPOSSIBLE 8th graders read a short story about a boy, the countess and a lawn - with a great message about what we consider to be impossible, and how we go about making it happen anyways.
TALMUD ON PROPERTY
Select Photos from the 9/11 APPS Trip to the Empire State Plaza Memorials
4th, 5th & 8th grades are all learning chapters of Bava Metziah in Mishna and/or Gemorah. One common thread is the oft-repeated legal need for owner’s permission or “giving-up” relinquishing legal rights. This has life lessons about respecting other people’s property and being careful with other people’s things, as well as with communal or public property.
LEARNING THE LETTER VAV Kindergarten’s focus is on the 6th Hebrew letter this week. It’s usually used as a connecting letter, but some words start with Vav, too: Vav (hook), Vered (rose), Varoad (pink), and Vilohn (curtain).
STOPS ON THE APPS 9/11 TRIP
1) Walk to the #13 bus on New Scotland Ave. 2) Enroute from the bus-stop on Delaware, they stopped off at the old Albany Mikvah and former Shomray Torah shul at 190 Elm St. 3) Inspired by the poetic message of “by this light may they find their way home” at the Missing Children’s fiery torch memorial. 4) Learned about the Korean War, & loved the effect of reflecting towers in the pool. 5) Saw Hy Rosen’s sculpture art at the Women’s Veterans Memorial, and the various periods, style of dress and wars depicted. 6) Purple Heart memorial at the museum corner. 7) Inside NYS Museum they saw the twisted steel fire-ladders, a new exhibit on 9/11 art and expression, and a quick look at the permanent 9/11 exhibit. They also went upstairs to eat a snack and ride on the carousel. 8) The Firefighters memorial has two giant firefighters helping a wounded comrade get away from the memorial wall behind them. 9) The EMS memorial uses the well-known emergency symbol as flowers on the stone. 10) The Vietnam memorial has pillars of so many names behind the Justice Building. 11) They walked through the Concourse to the Corning Tower, and enjoyed the view from the Observation Deck. They were able to see a birds-eye view of some memorials from there. 12) They ate their lunch in Café #3 down in the Concourse, and also each enjoyed a Starbucks hot tea with Kedem tea-biscuits. A gentleman SIX BEFORE THE REVOLUTION next to them covered his head and mumbled Ms. Zalak’s 6/7 grade students each chose six something before eating his chips, so they seminal events leading up to the American realized he was Jewish. Turns out he’s an Revolution to depict on their Revolution health-care accountant/auditor from factors posters. It’s interesting to note which Flatbush, and went to BTA Yeshiva, and was events were chosen and how they were very impressed with our lunch-time behavior. depicted. 3 of their posters are pictured here. 13) Just after lunch they met (a 202-year-old) “Abraham Lincoln” selling shortbread in the RUSSIAN Concourse, and had a really fun time asking BORSCHT... him questions and hearing his stories. He was really on top of his facts, and kept a straight On the way downface throughout. It was a great history lesson! town on the APPS 14) Dave the Amish guy was selling whoopeetrip, we saw a sign for pies, but he was for real & wasn’t dressed up. Borscht in a store 15) The last memorial they saw was WWII window… Riva enjoys Borscht, but some of behind the Museum. They read aloud the the kids didn’t even know what Borscht is.
major battles from the European and Pacific theaters of War and FDR’s famous “Four Freedoms.” 16) They walked back up to the bus, and stopped for another photo at the Lionheart Pub which years back used to be Myer Kagan’s Kosher Butcher Shop (before Price Chopper). 17) They made the bus-driver’s day with a loud and cheerful 2-4-6-8! as they exited the #13 bus back to school. SOME OF THE INTEGRATED LEARNING 1) When looking straight up from the base of Corning Tower students noticed that the tower lines seemed to get closer and converge as they neared the top. They recognized this from “perspective” in art with Mrs. Levin. 2) On the elevator ride to the observation deck, their ears popped - an air-pressure experience, recalling their science studies with Mrs. Sahay. 3) History, history, everywhere! Korean War, WWII, 9/11 exhibits, and the “Still Making History” small mural atop the Corning Tower. 4) And much, much more!!
WHAT MAKES YOU
at Maimonides and in the Community
A powerful, personal and humorous talk on understanding and tolerance by
techniques to lyric-less music. Taught 11/5: TCN TORAH SATELLITE CLASS IS BACK by Mrs. Leah Rubin and certified Sat Night 8:30pm (gets earlier as the winter progresses) at CBAJ’s Luchins Media Center, live Navi class by noted lecturer Rabbi Yisrael Reisman.
Late morning at Shomray Torah.
Clocks change Nov 6th, so the first 2:15pm Friday dismissal is on 11/11.
11/6: SAAJCC (ALBANY) RUMMAGE SALE
11/12: FIRST PIZZA NIGHT
7:15pm at “Nathan’s Kitchen” by the 9-3pm. Albany JCC’s Early Childhood HS girls, a fundraiser for extrarummage sale of clothing and goods curricular activities and an eat-out/ most items are priced between $1-$5. take-out opportunity for community on select winter Sat Nights. A kids 11/8: “YOUNG ABRAHAM” video will be shown. Order (medium AT C.P. LIBRARY pies, sushi rolls) ahead for best service New animated film about Avraham to: bnoschayaprograms@gmail.com Avinu’s early life 6-7pm at the Clifton Park Library on Moe Road. Call 495- 11/14,15,20: TIC-TAC-TOE 0779/2 for more info. See dates and events in flyer on right>
11/9: NO SCHOOL/CONF. Parent Teacher Conferences for K-5 General Studies, and K-12 Judaic Studies. There will be no school for all grades. Usually scheduled for Veterans Day which falls this year on a Friday.
11/9: JLI NEW COURSE “FASCINATING FACTS” Exploring myths and mysteries of Jewish life, in 6 categories, on 6 Wednesdays thru December. 7:309pm at Maimonides. Call Rabbi M. Mathless at 522-1872 for info & signup, or visit MyJLI.com
11/9: KRISTALNACHT COMMEMORATION
MARC ELLIOT
Kripalu yoga teacher Amanda Toll. Babysitting option for extra charge. Call 495-0779/2 for more info.
11/11/11: FIRST OF THE 11/6: ESTY’S BAS-MITZVAH SHORT 2:15pm FRIDAYS
MONDAY NOVEMBER 14 @ CAMPUS CENTER BALLROOM 8PM - open to all -
TACkle a tough TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15 @ SHABBOS HOUSE 5:45 / 7:45 / 8:45 *please RSVP
Talmud story about “The Ugly Man” at Torah-Tuesday
Get Your
“Wet” at an Activity-Day for Special-Needs Kids & their Families
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20 @ SHABBOS HOUSE 11:30-1:30
* open to college students, special needs kids & families For more info or to RSVP contact Shabbos House: 438-4227 / mail@shabboshouse.com
UAlbany Disability Resource Center
11/15: WACHTEL RECITAL 7:30-9:30 at the Normanside Country Club - 150 Salisbury Rd, in Delmar. Gershon Wachtel, Toronto-based virtuoso pianist, range of Classical, Jewish, and Broadway music shares his personal journey through song and story. $12 advance, $18 at door. Info? Call Rabbi Zalman at 866-7658.
JSAM - Jewish Social Action Month
SHABBOS HOUSE
CHESHVAN DATES Cheshvan may be the month without holidays (which is why UJA-Federation of NYC is dedicating the month as JSAM Jewish Social Action Month - see Tic-Tac-Toe above) but there are two important Hebrew dates this weekend to take note of:
11/19: MELAVA @ KUDAN 7:30pm Melava Malka at 6 Peyster Street. Zalmy and family will be in from California, and he’ll even doing some guitar playing (if a guitar is available). 438-1178.
11/21: PJ LIBRARY AT THE
ZAYIN (7th) - TODAY This is the date when the last Jew returned home to the furthest location from Jerusalem. The prayers for rain waited for the very last person to get home safe.
“Inside Hana’s Suitcase” a film at Page BACH PUBLIC LIBRARY Hall on Western Ave (downtown PJ Library is a national project for UAlbany campus) 7-9pm. Contact Jewish children’s literacy by the Federation 783-7800 for info. Grinspoon Foundation in MA that is administered by local Jewish federations. They’re presenting the 11/9: TORAH & YOGA Bach Library with new Jewish books at 1:15-2:15pm, Wednesdays at Maimonides, $30 for the course. Treat an event open to the community yourself to engaging Torah and gentle (similar to Maimonides’ “People of the Book” event just after the opening yoga. Melt away stress, increase flexibility and strength with breathing of the Bach branch last year). exercises, postures, & relaxation
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JFNENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
YUD-ALEPH (11th) - TUES is Rachel Imenu’s yartzeit. See the “obituary” on (<) left from a “Torah-Times” parshat Vayishlach edition.
6 Wednesdays Starting Nov 9th Call: 522-1872
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Cheshvan 14, 5772 / November 11, 2011
Candle-Lighting:
4:19 Shabbos Ends:
5:21
This newsletter is dedicated on occasion of this weekend’s
Siyum HaKaddish in memory of
Mordechai Ari ben Hersch Louis Sonenberg Contact the School Office 453-9363 or email maimonidesschool@gmail.com to sponsor a Newsletter
11/11/11 VETERANS DAY 11/11 (at 11am) has historic significance, for it is the date and hour that ended WWI fighting in 1918. The picture above (by D. Goldenberg, originally appeared in “The Jewish World”) is the June 5th installation of Post 105 officers (Albany-area division of the national Jewish War Veterans) at the Albany JCC. From left are: Al Brown, Cold War vet, archivist; Rich Goldenberg, Iraq War vet, adjutant; Marty Becker, WWII vet, quartermaster; Gary Hoffmann, Kosovo vet, commander; Todd Rosenfield, Iraq War vet, senior vice commander; & Lance Wang, Iraq War vet, junior vice commander. Jewish War Veterans is the oldest veterans group in the United States! It was originally founded as PARSHA PRIZE SURPRISE Hebrew Union Veterans in 1896 to defend Because they did their Parsha-Questions against the untrue slander that Jews did not homework on Shabbos last weekend, Morah fight in the Civil War. Pictured below (from Moriah’s 3rd graders can eagerly dig their their trip last week to Empire State Plaza hands into her big bag of prizes, you never know what will come up out of the bag… You can see the anticipation on their faces!
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
Memorials) are Maimon-APPS students at the Purple Heart monument across from the NYS Museum. It is “dedicated to all men and women wounded in all our wars” and has a prayer “maybe peace will come in my lifetime.”
THE FOUR-DOOR TENT Morah Dini’s Kindergarteners each made a paper-plate of Avraham & Sarahs’ four-door desert oasis where travelers were very welcome!
MOVING KRISTALNACHT FILM The HS girls attended the Jewish Federation’s screening of the “Inside Hana’s Suitcase” film at Paige Hall this past Wednesday. Our girls were among the few young people in the audience. They were most impressed by the extraordinary
efforts of a Japanese museum director. She went to tremendous lengths to research the story behind a suitcase replica from Auschwitz that was on display in Tokyo and labeled “Hana Brady” with her birth-date, and that she was an orphan. After much effort, she finally traced the story of the young girl behind the suitcase and even connected with George Brady, the brother of Hana, who survived the Holocaust and lives in Toronto, and friends who knew Hana before and during the war. After the film, George called in from Toronto and the audience got to ask him questions.
KOSHER-BULLYING
HEBREW GRAMMAR Morah Devorah’s students pictured above are working on their Hebrew grammar and vocabulary workbooks. On left are pictured blue hearts with key Hebrew words hanging at their classroom doorway: Rotzeh = want, Tzarich = need, Ohaiv = like/ love, Yachohl = can/able…
WAMPUM BELTS Wampum belts were used by native Americans to communicate with each other or to record a story. 4th graders made their own colorful bead Wampum belts. The colors and sequence each represent different things.
A few classes discussed this theme this week: Yishmael had his Bris at age 13 (when he was old enough to feel the pain and make his own choice) while Yitzchak had his Bris at 8 days. The Medrash says that Yishmael would taunt Yitzchak that his Bris was better, smarter and more meaningful. The Medrash considers this a form of inappropriate bullying with words. In school, different families may keep different Kosher standards or observances, and it’s important that we respect one another and not tease each other or make each other feel bad about it. Bullying is NOT Kosher!
NEVER A DULL MOMENT If Mrs. Maher’s students get done with work ahead of the class schedule, she has a bucket full of ideas, sheets and activities they can do!
MORE HEBREW TERMS On right is a 3rd grade student drawing of a person labeled with the Hebrew terms for body parts: Behrech = knee, Khatef = shoulder, Tzavahr = neck, Gahbot = eyebrows, Marpek = elbow, etc…
CONTRASTING MODERN AND OLD-FASHIONED 4th graders are reading “Little House on the Prairie” the classic about life in the Midwest in the late 1800’s. Reading this story helps us better appreciate inventions MORE MISHNA POWERPOINT and conveniences we Rabbi Shmuly’s 5th graders worked in the now take for granted: bathtubs with running computer lab on transforming their Bavawater, packaged foods at the supermarket, Metzia Mishna studies (about lost-objects) into evenly heated homes, and so much more! 4th a vivid and visual digital format using Hebrew grader Moshe R. wisely said “learning about texts, translation and animated graphics in her life is like in a Sukkah. They both remind Microsoft Powerpoint. us of basic things we to be thankful for.”
PLAYING WITH LETTERS Talking of things to do when you get your class-work done… Mrs. Carroll’s first-grade students had a blast this week with a big jumble of blue and red magnetic letters! There are so many word possibilities… short words, long words, nouns and verbs, long vowels and short vowels… they practiced with words they’ve been using in recent stories they read.
HYDRAULIC LIFT
ESAV’S HANDS, JACOB’S VOICE
4th graders are nearing the end of Parshas Toldos, now just 8 pesukim from the end. They just learned about Yaakov getting the blessings intended for Esav, mother Rivka’s encouraging role, Yitzchak sensing Gan-Eden opening when Yaakov came, and many other “MAMA ROCHEL” SKIT related things. They’re planning a Toldos Morah Devorah Leah’s students made a skit about Rochel Imenu at lunchtime on Tuesday carnival for other grades to enjoy, to be held on Wednesday morning before Thanksgiving. which was Cheshvan 11 and her Yartzeit. 8th grade has been exploring this principle of liquid power that is behind machines as big as cranes and elevators and as small as car-brakes and some dentist chairs.
DOCTOR’S OFFICE IN NURSERY
PROGRESS IN KUNG-FU CLASS
Twice a month on Thursdays, the boys have Sorry we don’t have pictures been working hard in Kung-Fu (Chinese martial arts) class with Lucas Geller, who runs of this. Nursery students his own martial-arts school. They recently dressed up as doctors and nurses, checking dolls with learned the “snap-kick” and the “horse-stance” among other moves and positions, as well as a stethoscopes and healing lot about mind-body focus & body-discipline. them with medicine, in connection with the angel Raphael’s visit to Avraham to help him He showed them the “Tornado-Kick” (also called “the 540”) but they’ll have to wait fro heal after his Bris at age 99. that until they build up their skills. Lucas is very talented and skilled in martial-arts, and IN TOWN FOR THE UNVEILING the boys are gaining from this experience. Yerucham (Louis) Cohen, formerly of Albany and now living in Monsey, will observe the “Hakamas Matzeva” unveiling of his late mother who passed away a month ago. He will be davening Mincha at Cong. Shomray Torah this Sunday afternoon Nov 13th at 4:15pm.
THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD This huge engineering endeavor, also known as the first trans-continental railroad or the Overland Route, was built after the Civil War. It linked up the west to the rest of the United States, and helped settle the lands there. It was also much more convenient for travelers who no longer had to purchase individual tickets from one route to another with many stopovers in order to get out west. 8th grade also studied the positive and negative effects of the new railroad on small farms and businesses.
WELCOME MATS Avraham and Sara had a very welcoming home, so the Kindergarteners painted “Baruch -Haba” (Hebrew for welcome) on small rugs. They paint-stamped the lettering and painted their own designs.
28 PKGS IN RAFFLE-AUCTION Look for this year’s Raffle-Auction soon, it’s back from the printer and soon to be in the mail.. and will soon also be available online. The Early-Bird special (free $10 ticket) ends in early December, with the drawings event on the 2nd night of Chanukah, December 21st. This year’s 28 prize-packages include: laptop computer, tablet PC, Catskills Chalet Kosher weekend getaway, Soda-Stream machine, Keurig coffee-maker and K-cups, American Girl doll, red-wagon of wooden toys, case of Gefilte fish, diamond tennis bracelet, J.A. Henckel kitchen knives, wine & cheese basket, RECYCLED ART Stampin-Up! scrapbooking, artwork, camera and photo-viewer, $180 at Ruthies Boutique, These are a bunch of random, already-used $150 in dry-cleaning, and much, much more! objects, chosen by the student artist and all painted in the same color family (in both these photos it’s blue, but students also worked with BAKE-SALE RETURNS ON WED greens and other colors) to tie the various 8th graders are planning the return of bakeunrelated objects together in one color theme. sale at morning recess to benefit their graduation trip. Begins Wed. Details soon…
NO CAPS PLEASE
Please continue to recycle paper, cardboard, SOUP-OF-THE-WEEK glass, metal and plastic bottles and cans, and Guess what? We just had one or everything else that should be going into our two brief cold spells and the kids “Single-Stream” recycling bins. Let’s keep up are already asking for it! This special treat has the recycling effort! But the bottle-caps are one parent a week cooking up a big soup in made from a different material and companies “Nathan’s Kitchen” for all the school to share. ask that they be thrown out in the trash and Look for winter-time sign-up sheet soon! not included in the recycling stuff.
CAN YOU HELP US WITH THIS? Mrs. Carroll was out for a little this week, so Ms. Zalak filled in for her. Pictured above, two first graders had some trouble understanding a math problem, so Ms. Zalak patiently explained it using a few different examples. The kids seem quite eager to figure it out.
MITZVAH TREE IS FULL OF MITZVOS! The tree in the Nursery classroom is over-flowing with Mitzvah notes like an apple-tree with a huge harvest of beautiful apples! Keep sending the Mitzvah notes in… the kids love hearing the notes & having their good deeds acknowledged by the teacher and classmates.
at Maimonides and in the Community 11/12: TCN TORAH CLASS
11/16 or 17: DAF-YOMI SIYUM
Sat Night 7:30pm at CBAJ, live in-depth Navi class by Rabbi Yisrael Reisman.
Daf Yomi is completing Chullin (laws of Kosher) with a light deli dinner at CBAJ (after Mincha/Maariv) on either Wed or Thurs this week, in memory of Myer Kagan - Albany’s long-time Kosher butcher.
11/12: FIRST PIZZA NIGHT 7:15pm at “Nathan’s Kitchen” (at the Maimonides School) by the HS girls, a fundraiser for extra-curricular activities and an eat-out/take-out opportunity for community on select winter Sat Nights. A kids video will be shown. Order ahead (medium pies, sushi rolls) for best service: pizzanite@gmail.com. ($9 per pie, $10 w/ toppings, $7 sushi-roll, $2 fries)…
11/14: WHAT MAKES U TIC? L’chaim student-group with partnering organizations & sponsors is bringing Marc Elliot to UAlbany for a talk on “What Makes You Tic?” Marc’s talk transforms his personal challenges in a motivating, & humorous presentation on tolerance, understanding and dealing with life’s issues. He may be a little unpredictable so its possible his talk may not be appropriate for younger children. 8pm at UAlbany’s Campus Center (2nd floor) Ballroom, no admission charge, raffles will be sold.
11/15: WACHTEL RECITAL 7:30-9:30 at Normanside Country Club, 150 Salisbury Rd in Delmar. Gershon Wachtel, Toronto-based virtuoso pianist, plays a broad range of Classical, Jewish & Broadway music as he shares a personal journey through music and story. $12pp advance, $18 at the door. Info? 866-7658.
11/16: “FASCINATING FACTS” Exploring myths and mysteries of Jewish life, in 6 categories, on 6 Wednesdays thru December. 7:30-9pm at Maimonides. Call Rabbi M. Mathless at 522-1872 for info, cost & sign-up, or visit MyJLI.com
11/16: TORAH & YOGA 1:15-2:15pm, Wednesdays at Maimonides, $30 for the entire course. Treat yourself to engaging Torah & gentle yoga. Melt away stress, increase flexibility & strength with breathing exercises, postures, & relaxation techniques to lyric-less music. Taught by Mrs. Leah Rubin and certified Kripalu yoga teacher Amanda Toll. Babysitting option extra charge. Call 495-0779/2 for info.
11/19: MELAVA @ KUDAN 7:30pm Melava Malka at 6 Peyster Street. Rabbi Zalmy K. and family will be in from California, and he’ll even do some guitar playing (if a guitar is available). 438-1178.
He’s got Tourettes… What do you have?
11/19: DOS MYSTERY NIGHT 7:30-10:30pm at the NYS Museum. Annual fun-draiser benefits Daughters of Sara. Contact Jane 724-3299.
11/20: SPECIAL ACTIVITY-DAY UAlbany student volunteers are hosting an Activity-Day (crafts, games, activities etc) for special needs children and their families. 11:30am-1:30pm at Shabbos House. No admission charge. Light lunch served. Please park at UAlbany lot on Great Dane Drive (off Fuller Rd) across the old Shabbos House, or in the nearby Dutch Quad parking lot. Info? 438-4227.
11/21: PJ LIBRARY NOOK AT THE BACH PUBLIC LIBRARY PJ Library is a national project for Jewish children’s literacy by the Grinspoon Foundation in MA that is administered by local Jewish federations. They’re presenting the Bach Library with new Jewish books for a “Jewish Book Nook” at an event open to the community (similar to Maimonides’ “People of the Book” event just after the opening of the Bach branch last year). Program and Desserts begin at 5pm.
Monday, November 14th, 8pm UAlbany Campus Center Ballroom Free Admission - Raffles will be Sold Parking: $3 at Visitor’s Parking near Indian Quad, or park after 8pm in the Dutch Quad Faculty-Staff parking lot. FOR MORE INFO: 438-4227 or mail@shabboshouse.com
11/23: EREV THANKSGIVING Wednesday will be a regular school-day with 3:30pm dismissal. School is out for Thanksgiving weekend on Thurs & Friday, with school resuming 8am on Monday.
12/21: SAVE THE DATE… The annual Raffle-Auction (28 prizepackages viewing & drawings), “Kosher Fried Chanukah” dinner & the “TravelersTorah” dedication ceremony & celebration will be at Maimonides on Wednesday night, the 2nd night of Chanukah!
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
6 Wednesdays Starting Nov 9th Call: 522-1872
BH
Cheshvan 21, 5772 / November 18, 2011
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Candle-Lighting:
4:13 Shabbos Ends:
5:15
RAFFLE-AUCTION IN THE MAIL If you haven‟t yet received your copy of this year‟s Maimonides Raffle-Auction, call the school office. It can be mailed or emailed to you and will also soon be available on the web with a online purchase option. The Early-Bird special (free $10 ticket with any ticket purchase) expires in early December.
Cheshvan is passing quickly! This month‟s bulletin-board features laws of remembering “Mashiv HaRuach uMorid HaGeshem” in the Amidah, typed up on each rain-drop.
DECORATED PAPER-TURKEYS
Nursery students dyed their own pasta wheels to design string-bracelets (in this week‟s Parsha, Eliezer brought Rivka jewelry). On right a Nursery boy has rubber gloves and is trying out the stethoscope as part of a unit on doctors they did last week for Avraham‟s healing.
First graders personalized their paper-turkeys, with bows, wigs, tiaras, even yarmulkas of their choice. Mrs. Carroll made hers (by her students‟ suggestion) into a “Jewish Turkey” with a Kippah, Peyot and Tzitzis. One kid designed a tiny pair of black eye-glasses which looked sophisticated on his paper-turkey!
WE MISSED 5/6/7 REPORTING Grades 5,6 &7 missed their Wednesday TNT (Torah „n Technology) class for the past two weeks (due to the APPS trip and the Nov 9th Parent-Teacher conferences) and we missed their reporting! It‟s great to have them back!
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
SALT CRYSTALS IN SCIENCE LAB The same week that we read about Lot‟s wife turning into a pillar of salt, 6/7 graders made salt crystals with Dr. Sahay in the Science Lab, using a colored solution with ammonia and salt on paper-towel rolls and cardboard boxes. After several days the solution evaporated and the salt hardened in varied colors & textures.
Rivka (Regina) Losice Rivka bas Moshe who passed away this morning Erev Shabbos Kodesh Chayei Sara Enroute to NYC & Eretz-Yisrael her Levaya passed by Cong. Shomray Torah and Maimonides where the whole school came out to escort her. She will be buried in Eretz Yisrael. May her memory be a blessing.
THE CHESHVAN BOARD
HANDS-ON PARSHA ACTIVITIES
We mourn the passing of an Albany Aishes Chayil
YERUCHEM COHEN SHARES JEWISH MEMORIES OF ALBANY In town for his mother‟s (the late Mrs. Mollyo Cohen, life-long Albany resident, who worked for attorney-general Arthur Lefkowitz, and later as Director of Personnel for the Dept of Laber) unveiling, R‟ Yerucham (now of Monsey) shared his memories of Albany in the 1960‟s at Mincha/Maariv at Shomray Torah. He remembers that his first time at Rabbi Kornmehl‟s Shomray Torah home/shul/ mikvah at 190 Elm Street was on ShminiAtzeres night - the warmth, liveliness and heimish ambience drew him right in. That night inspired him to strengthen his Mitzvah observance. He lived at the time on Warren Street, near Reb Zalman Levine, and the two walked downtown each Shabbos to Elm Street (before the Shteeble moved uptown to New
Scotland Ave) and back, and he remembers learning a great deal from R‟ Zalman on those long walks. R‟ Yeruchem purchased the double-portion of “Vayakhel-Pekudei” in the soon-to-be dedicated Travelers Torah!
GIFT OF A BOOK FROM HAIFA
SOUP-OF-THE-WEEK Mrs. Shevi Samet is organizing the Soup-of-the-Week this year, to begin after Thanksgiving Break. Parents, if you‟d like to sign up for a week, please contact her: 516-371-1401 or email: mrs.samet@gmail.com. Thanks to Mrs. Wildman for organizing last year.
A visiting Israeli family spent a few days in Albany, visited our school and left us a gift of a beautifully, embossed coffee-table-size book of Rebbe Nachman‟s stories written in large, clear letters with vowels. Rabbi Rubin used it the very next day BLUE AND PINK MISHPACHA in his 8th grade Jewish history class! Morah Devorah‟s first graders are learning about family in Hebrew, Bat = daughter, Achot = sister, Tinoket = baby girl. The blue side on right are male (boy) terms, the pink side on left are female (girl) terms. In English, cousin is for boys and girls, in Hebrew it‟s Ben-Dod for boy cousin and Bat-Dodah for girl-cousin.
THE SUPER-LONG RASHI
4th graders just completed Parshas Toldos. The 2nd to last Rashi was huge! It figures out Yaakov‟s age at different parts of the Torah, adding up years and going through dates . Although they try to do most Rashis, they were only able to get through part about half, for the Rashi extends a page and a half!
MYER KAGAN VIDEO HIGHLIGHT OF CHULLIN SIYUM
A few of our 8th graders participated in Wednesday night‟s Daf-Yomi Siyum on tractate Chullin (about the laws of Kosher meat etc) at CBAJ. They enjoyed the roastbeef, deli, pasta & potato salads, the danishes were as big as Brazil! Rabbi Bomzer gave the Siyum intro, Rabbi Simon spoke about the Mitzvah of sending away the mother bird before taking the eggs, and Rabbi Rubin spoke about the name Chullin which in modern Israel come to mean “secular” but in the Talmud refers to how we elevate our ordinary, everyday lives with the rules and teachings of Torah. The highlight was the screening of an informative, inspiring and very interesting TNT video interview of Myer Kagan, Albany‟s long-time Kosher butcher (before Price Chopper) by Maimonides students in 2005 for “The Partridge Street Oral History Project” TOLDOS CARNIVAL COMING 4th grade finished Toldos last week, but it will before he fell ill and passed away. Pictured be next week‟s Parsha, so they‟re making a fun above are the students (now MHDS alumni) who interviewed R‟ Myer in 2005. carnival for other classes (probably on Wednesday) with activities that connect with READING PRACTICE the Parsha, so they can express their learning Morah DL‟s 5th graders take a few minutes and other kids can learn the weekly Parsha! each day to read aloud a few lines in Hebrew from a classic text they‟re not (yet) familiar with, such as Tehillim 119, Sat Night‟s Vayeetain Lecha, Selichot, or all kinds of texts. They‟re getting better at it every day! (Note to parents: home-reading would help a lot, too!)
APPS PROJECT ON “TRAVELERS TORAH” APPS students are now working on 18”x24” posters/flags/signs/banners to display at the Traveler‟s Torah dedication on Chanukah…
FUDGEMANIA ON THE RUG If 4th graders get all their work (& jobs) done, at the end of the day, Ms. Livingston takes 510 minutes to read them a chapter or two on the classroom carpet. They recently finished “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” and are now enjoying Judy Blume‟s Fudgemania.
“…AND IT WAS VERY GOOD!” 2nd Grade’s FIRST CHUMASH SIYUM In celebration of completing their very first chapter of Chumash, Morah Devorah‟s students baked Hebrew-shaped cookies in “Nathan‟s Kitchen” that spell various words from the first chapter of the Torah. Rabbi Rubin came in to test them on their knowledge and he was very proud of them, “and he saw that it was very good!”
PLANT CELLS VS. ANIMAL CELLS for their year-end graduation trip. Stay tuned
Mrs. Maher‟s 5th graders are learning the key for details and updates. components of cells, and the differences between animal cells and plant cells. They all KEEPING A TREATY have nuclei, membranes & cytoplasm etc, but 5th graders learned the story (Yehoshua 9) only plant cells have cell-walls and chloroplast. about the Gibonim‟s trick to mislead the Jews that they were from a distant land, using worn clothes, cracked bottles, dry bread, and other IROQUIS & ALOGONQUIN misleading accessories and dishonest words, 4th graders split into two groups to act out a and got a treaty with Yeshoshua despite being skit and make a poster representing each of these Native American tribes who lived in the from a very close neighboring place. Despite being fooled, the Jews chose to honor the areas we now call New York. NURSERY’S PARSHA CIRCLE treaty, and keep their side of the agreement, Can you see the big camel cut-outs on the back HYDRAULIC MACHINES although Yehoshua did curse them because of wall? (They also made small humped camels their dishonesty. 8th graders have been learning about the out of egg-cartons). In this photo, the Nursery incredible liquid power that can move massive students eagerly sit around in a circle as machines, and have been designed models to PLAYING “POSSESSION” Morah Rivka tells them the Parsha story, and do that (on a small scale, of course). The 5th graders playing a new game called they sing songs about it. models should be ready today, hopefully we‟ll “Possession” tied their game into the Navi story they learned about Gideon. Numbers have photos & explanations in next “MC”. MULTIPLICATION RACE IS ON don‟t always win. That day the team with the fewest members won the game, and Gideon The race-cars (representing 4th grade students) POPSICLE BOMBS & MESSAGE are zooming ahead on the blue track on the 8th grade boys have been intrigued by a simple also won a battle although the Jews were hopelessly outnumbered 1500 to 300. classroom wall, many of the students/cars are design found online that configures popsicle already in the 12th zone, as they learn to sticks in a semi-secure fashion, but when one master (quickly!) multiplying by 12! stick is hit (i.e. by throwing it across the room) “TO BUILD A FIRE” This story by Jack London doesn‟t have a the whole thing falls apart. It‟s an interesting happy ending, but it does have powerful message about how once the integrity is messages about survival in the wild, the need broken, even only on one side, the whole for warmth, being prepared and going it alone. structure can‟t hold itself together anymore. Using a graphic-organizer in their workbook, they have to find out different details about POLLS AND GRAPHS 5th grade students are out on a mission. They each setting and the two characters, and use worked in pairs, polling the rest of the school them all in writing an essay on the story.
“GUF” BODY-SHAPES Kindergarteners traced their bodies, and colored them in, as they learned about “Guf” Hebrew for body.
on issues like: favorite fruit, most-enjoyed board game, best pizza-topping and more! They soon will have to translate their results into visual graphs for math class.
BURIAL IN CHAYEI-SARA Rabbi Mendel‟s HS “Studying-Stories” class discussed three interesting stories related to burial (in the beginning of this week‟s Parsha): The 1930‟s “Kosher L‟Pesach” unusual gravestone in Namibia, Africa. A Jew from Upstate NY buried in a plot in NYC for lone Jews with no funds for burial. 3 Lessons from a white-tunic used for a special Mitzvah, and then as burial shrouds. Unfortunately, on Friday, the girls (along with the rest of the school) also followed Mrs. Rivka Losice obm, on her final journey as she passed down Partridge Street enroute to NYC and Israel where she will be buried. R‟ Moshe Losice came out of the car and blessed them.
SHABBOS CANDLE COMFORT In this week‟s Parsha, Rivka‟s Shabbos candles were a big comfort for Yitzchak after the passing of his mother Sarah. Nursery made these artistic, warm & colorful paper candles.
BAKE-SALE BACK ON WEDS
DOL = DAILY ORAL LANGUAGE 5th graders with Mrs. Maher are now learning about prepositional phrases.
A CLIP ON SURFACE TENSION Floating paper-clips, calm water and wet papertowels were part of a painstaking but neat experiment the 6/7 graders did to learn about surface tension.
A NEW DECLARATION Ms. Zalak asked her 6/7 graders to write up their own imaginative, creative “Declaration of Independence”, based on concerns they may have in their lives today.
MORNING BLESSINGS IN THIRD Morah Moriah‟s 3rd graders have been learning the meaning of the “Birchos HaShachar” early-morning blessings where we thank Hashem daily for the basic gifts of life and not take it all for granted.
Last week was the first week of the weekly bake -sale run by 8th girls. The boys plan to sell hot DRESS WARMLY! Some days warmer, some colder. Winter is just and cold drinks, also weekly, and are also willing to do yard-work by demand to help pay about here, we have to dress for the season!
at Maimonides and in the Community 11/19: EHRLICH KIDDUSH The Ehrlich‟s are making a Kiddush this Shabbos at Shomray Torah in honor of their wedding anniversary, several family birthdays, Ethan-Chaim home from Ner-Yisrael, and a farewell to their (grand-)parents Dr. and Mrs. Milton Ehrlich who are soon moving to Baltimore.
11/21: PJ LIBRARY JEWISH NOOK AT THE BACH PUBLIC LIBRARY
11/23: EREV THANKSGIVING
Wednesday will be regular school with 3:30pm PJ Library is a national project for Jewish literacy by dismissal. School is out for Thanksgiving on Thurs & Friday, with school resuming 8am on Monday. the Grinspoon Foundation administered by local Jewish federations. They‟re presenting the Bach 12/4: MIRI EISEN Library with a “Jewish Book Nook” at an event (similar to Maimonides‟ “People of the Book” Joint Federation Society event 7:15pm at Temple event just after the opening of the Bach last year). Israel. Miri is a retired Israeli intelligence colonel 11/19: TCN TORAH CLASS Program & Desserts begin at 5pm. Kosher cake & and served as an Israeli spokesperson during the fruit will be prepared at Shabbos House. 7:30pm at CBAJ live with Rabbi Y. Reisman. Lebanon II and Gaza wars. Her topic: “Israel under Attack at the UN, Durban, Media etc..” Cost at the door is $23pp, or $15 for young adults (22-40). Call 11/19: MELAVA MALKA @ KUDAN 11/21: WOMENS BET MEDRASH Federation 783-7800 for info and advance RSVP. 8pm at Maimonides, this year‟s theme “Songs of 7:30pm Melava Malka at the Kudan‟s 6 Peyster Street. Rabbi Zalmy K. and family are in town from the Torah” continues this month with text study & 12/5: MOMMY & ME AT BACH discussion on the “Song of the Well” (which ties California. Info? call: 438-1178. into the rain/water theme of Cheshvan). A pre-Chanukah event for babies thru age 3 and their moms 1:30-2:15pm at the Bach Library on 11/19: DOS MYSTERY NIGHT New Scotland. Info? Call DL Mathless 698-1836. 11/23: “FASCINATING FACTS” 7:30-10:30pm at the NYS Museum. Annual fundraiser benefits Daughters of Sara Foundation for Exploring myths & mysteries of Jewish life on 6 12/21: SAVE THE DATE… the Nursing Center and Senior Community. Wednesdays thru December. 7:30-9pm at Maimonides. Call Rabbi M. Mathless at 522-1872 The annual Raffle-Auction (28 prize-packages viewing & drawings), “Kosher Fried Chanukah” for info, cost & sign-up, or visit MyJLI.com 11/20: SPECIAL ACTIVITY-DAY dinner & the “Travelers-Torah” dedication UAlbany student volunteers are hosting an Activity ceremony & celebration will be at Maimonides on -Day (crafts, games, activities etc) for children with 11/23: TORAH & YOGA special needs and their families. 11:30am-1:30pm 1:15-2:15pm, Wednesdays at Maimonides, $30 for Wednesday night, the 2nd night of Chanukah! at Shabbos House, 320 Fuller Rd. No admission ongoing course. Engaging Torah & gentle yoga can charge. Light lunch served. Please park at UAlbany melt away stress, increase flexibility & strength. Led 12/31: FAITH & HOPE CONCERT III lot on Great Dane Drive (off Fuller Rd) across the by Leah Rubin & Kripalu yoga instructor Amanda CBAJ presents “Songs of Faith & Hope III” with old Shabbos House, or in nearby Dutch Quad lot. Toll. Babysitting extra. Call 495-0779/2 for info. Shloime Kaufman & the Strosbergs in concert at Info? Call: 438-4227. 8pm (dinner precedes at 7:15pm for extra cost). Concert only is $22pp, $8 for kids. Call 489-5819.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL (Nursery / Elementary / High School) AND COMMUNITY 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary
“A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
This Sunday, November 20th...
ACTIVITY-DAY! 20+ Activities, Crafts & Games! for Children with (any) SpecialNeeds and their Families
11:30am-1:30pm at Shabbos House
320 Fuller Road, Albany (info? Call SH: 438-4227) Please park in UAlbany lot across the old Shabbos House, on the corner of Great Dane Drive and Fuller Road.
No charge. A light lunch and refreshments will be served. This event is staffed by UAlbany student volunteers of various groups, organized by L’CHAIM, Shabbos House, Friendship Circle, and UAlbany Hillel and funded by grants from: UJA of NY’s JSAM (Jewish Social Action Month) UAS and UAlbany Disability Resource Center UAlbany Multicultural Student Success
5pm:
6pm:
7pm:
· Torah Completion · Kosher Fried Chanukah Dinner Begins (until 6:30) · Prize Packages Viewing & Ticket Purchases
· Hakafot Torah Dancing · Desserts · Final Ticket Purchases
· Menorah Lighting · 28 Prize Package Drawings & Winners!
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah „n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Cheshvan 26, 5772 / November 23, 2011
Candle-Lighting:
4:08 Shabbos Ends:
5:11
This newsletter is dedicated in memory of
Dr. Ed - Arye Leib - Simons Yartzeit - Kislev 2
who together with his wife (may she live and be well) were personally thanked by the Lubavitcher Rebbe for arranging the weekly publication of Shabbos candle-lighting time in Albany’s “Jewish World” newspaper.
THE TOLDOS LENTIL SOUP EREV THANKSGIVING EDITION An annual (and delicious) Morah Devorah tradition! The picture above is from 5763 / 2003 when Maimonides was located at Ohav Shalom, these kids are now in 8th grade or High School… Once again this year, this week, Kindergarten and first-graders peeled the vegetables (and learned their Hebrew names) and prepared the various ingredients for the yummy lentil soup (that Yaakov cooked and sold to Esav in this week’s Parsha). In 2003 it was a small pot, this year they used a huge pot to share soup with the whole school!
LOSICE SHIVA IN ALBANY R’ Moshe Losice and his son Avi will be returning from Israel to sit Shiva in Albany for his late wife Rivka obm (at his home at the corner of Hackett Blvd and Van Schoick) for Wednesday evening (today) through Friday morning before going to his daughter’s home in Monsey for the rest of Shiva. Minyans: Mincha/ Maariv 4:00pm, Shacharis: 8am. May R‟ Moshe & family be consoled among the mourners of Zion & Jerusalem. May her memory be a blessing.
It’s a shorter school-week, but we decided to go ahead with an MC newsletter, because of all the news going on in school (it would be too much to fit in all in next week’s newsletter). We wish the whole school family, all our LEARNING AND DOING readers and extended community a Happy Thanksgiving and an enjoyable weekend with Maimonides prides itself on the wholesome integration of learning and living, of texts and family… and a good Shabbos! ideas that are practically observed and implemented. These Nursery boys are perfectly OLD NEIGHBORHOOD KOHAIN comfortable sitting side by side, as one looks MHDS alumnus Sholom Ber (HaKohain!) through a book (“reading” the pictures) and Kudan was honored with bentsching at this the other builds with wooden blocks. week’s wedding of MHDS alumna Mushky Stempel (formerly of Albany, now of Far MAZAL TOV CHANOWITZ’S Rockaway) to Eliyahu Cowen (West Hartford, MHDS alumnus Rabbi and Mrs. Levi CT). The Stempels used to live on Peyster Street just a block down from the Kudans, and Chanowitz (of Sunrise, Florida) had a baby boy. Mazal Tov to the Chanowitz grandparents Sholom Ber is a good friend of the Chassan, of Montreal, formerly of Albany. too! Mazal Tov to the Stempels!
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
DROPLETS ON A PENNY 6/7 with Dr. Sahay did another science experiment about surface-tension. Using a dropper, they added tiny water droplets onto the surface of a single penny. Believe it or not, one kid managed to do that 220 times!
BAKE-SALE ON WEDNESDAYS TAKING AN IMPORTANT CALL This nursery student paused from her busy schedule during “free-play” to take this call…
GIVONIM CORRECTION Last week’s reporting about the Givonim in Yehoshua was mistakenly attributed to 5th grade, but really it was 4th graders who learned and reported on the dishonest Gibonim who pretended to come from a very far distance and negotiated a treaty with Yehoshua, when in truth they were from a neighboring town. (Not such a bad mistake, since 5th grade did learn the same Yehoshua chapter last year).
8th grade girls are baking delicious treats for sale at Wednesday’s morning recess. The profits go toward the 8th grade graduation trip. Their sign is pictured above.
YARD-WORK BY THE BOYS As the 8th grade girls work on bake-sale to raise funds for the year-end graduation trip, the boys did yardwork (raking bags of leaves for $3 each) in the Buckingham Pond area last Sunday. They earned over $100 dollars, but it was a lot of work. They’re still available if you need some yard-work…
These Chumash Chavrusas (study-partners) had a laugh (no one remembers about what) while learning Parshas Naso (with Rashi) about the roles of the tribal leaders in the dedication of the Mishkan.
RABBI RUBIN IN ORANGE Rabbi Rubin gave a class this week at Chabad of Orange County NY, titled “Talmudic Archeology” about his research into Rabbi Yossi ben Kisma. The flyer (pictured above) depicted “Indiana Jones” with an Artscroll Gemorah in (or under?) his hand.
These boys are practicing their Hebrew by reading unfamiliar portions of the back of their Siddur. They’re working as a team, one reading to the other.
GEMORAH AND LAWN-WORK The 8th graders just learned a Talmudic case (Bava Metziah 36a, HaMafkid) about gardeners who left their tools near their workplace (at an old woman’s home)… and experienced a similar feeling as that story when accidentally leaving a rake at one of the homes where they worked this past Sunday.
LIGHT MOMENT IN LEARNING
HEBREW READING PRACTICE
URBAN, SUBURBAN, RURAL... Mrs. Carroll’s students each made colorful posters about different types of people where people live. They chose between urban, suburban and rural.
GREEK-TYPE VESSELS IN ART The Greeks liked to beautify their vessels with patterns, images of every-day life and their religion. In art class, students chose patterns they liked, and/ or images of life ANIMAL BABIES AT THE ZOO around us Mrs. Carroll’s students made this display of nowadays. animal mothers and babies as part of their Some students science unit on animals. decorated their “Greek vessels” “PACHOSZHE” STORIES with Jewish In the beginning of this Parsha, we learn (in religious Rashi) that Yitzchak looked especially identical symbols and to his father Avraham, to avoid the rumors images. and suspicions that people were spreading. HS girls learned the Russian/Yiddish word “Pachoszhe” which means similar or familiar, and a few stories that highlight this theme, including “Getting Back on Track” which Rabbi Rubin translated in the early 1990’s.
5pm:
6pm:
7pm:
· Torah Completion · Kosher Fried Chanukah Dinner Begins (until 6:30) · Prize Packages Viewing & Ticket Purchases
· Hakafot Torah Dancing · Desserts · Final Ticket Purchases
· Menorah Lighting · 28 Prize Package Drawings & Winners!
AT PIZZA-NITE LAST WEEK Thanks to all who ate-in or took-out, the HS girls did very well with the first pizza-nite of the year. Pictured on top: Children (and some adults) watching “Young Avraham” (an animated film about Avram in Ur-Kasdim). Pictured above: Aviva Rossman presented a puppet-show with a message about Reb Shlomo Carlebach, whose yartzeit was that night. In the adjoining lunch-room/pizza-nite area the adults were reminiscing about some of Reb Shlomo’s local visits, including his last local (very uplifting!) concert at the Albany Girls Academy for the Maimonides and Beth Emeth schools, and the time when Rabbi Rubin had to impersonate him when Reb Shlomo couldn’t make his visit to MHDS when the school was on Watervliet Ave.
TOLDOT CARNIVAL, PERIODIC HEADGEAR, LECHLECHA SIYUM … and hydraulic models and much more - in next week’s “MC” newsletter!
RAFFLE-AUCTION IS NOW ONE MONTH AWAY… Early Bird special (free $10 ticket with any purchase) expires December 5th. The prize package viewing and drawings event will be on 2nd night of Chanukah, December 21st. Tickets can be purchased by mail, (soon also online) and/or at the event. Forms are available from the school office (453-9363/3434 or by emailing maimonidesschool@gmail.com). This year’s 28 prizepackages include: A Thrive 10” Tablet PC and a Laptop computer, a wine & cheese package, a Kosher Catskills weekend getaway, JA Henckels kitchen-knife set, a 2 ct. diamond bracelet, a $300 scrapbooking kit, a Jewish DDR dance-pad and game, $125 at The Party Warehouse, a beautiful piece of Judaic/Israeli artwork from NerArt Gallery, a big package of kitchen gadgets including a toaster, blender, microwave, hot-water urn and more, the fun family-size GamesGalore package, a Rebecca Rubin American Girl doll, make your own Soda/Seltzer machine, a Keurig coffee-maker, a Sony Camera and Brookstone Photo Viewer, and much more!!!!
THINK PUSHKA! Give the Pushka some thought! When you pass through the main entrance, try to drop in a few coins… it’s a Mitzvah, and it all adds up & makes a difference. Our new, bright & colorful Maimonides Pushkas are scheduled to arrive soon for distribution to homes throughout the community.
at Maimonides and in the Community 11/23: “FASCINATING FACTS”
12/3: B.M.C. CLUB MEETING
It’s not too late to join this fascinating class! Exploring myths & mysteries of Jewish life on 6 Wednesdays thru December. 7:30-9pm at Maimonides. Call Rabbi M. Mathless at 522-1872 for info, cost & sign-up, or visit MyJLI.com
Bat-Mitzvah Club for girls in grades 5-7. Saturday night, 7pm at the Kasper's 104 Darroch Rd off Murray in Delmar. Mother's & Daughters are invited for a Challah Baking program. Info? Call Nechama Laber at 518-727-9581.
11/23: TORAH & YOGA
12/4: MIRI EISEN SPEAKS FOR FED
1:15-2:15pm, Wednesdays at Maimonides, $30 for ongoing course. Engaging Torah & gentle yoga can melt away stress, increase flexibility & strength. Led by Leah Rubin & Kripalu yoga instructor Amanda Toll. Babysitting extra. Call 495-0779/2 for info.
Joint Federation Society event 7:15pm at Temple Israel, open to the community. Miri is a (retired) Israeli intelligence colonel and served as an Israeli spokesperson during the Lebanon II and Gaza wars. Her topic: “Israel under Attack at the UN, Durban, Media etc..” Cost at the door is $23pp, or $15 for young adults (22-40). Call Federation 7837800 for info and advance RSVP.
11/23-25: LOSICE ALBANY SHIVA R’ Moshe Losice and his son Avi will sit Shiva in Albany for his late wife Rivka obm (at his home at the corner of Hackett Blvd and Van Schoick) on Wednesday evening (today) through Friday morning, before going to his daughter’s home in Monsey for Shabbos. Minyans: Mincha/Maariv: 4:00pm, Shacharis: 8am. (This is addition to the regular Minyans in the Shteeble & CBAJ).
11/25-27: GIFT-FAIR & FESTIVAL ALBANY INSTITUTE HISTORY & ART Begins Friday through Sunday, free thanks to M&T Bank (call ahead 463-4478 or check online for hours and details). Includes Lego-Challenge (participation by reservation only) and a Albanystyled building lego display, a book-signing by Linda Elovitz-Marshall (an awardee at last year’s Maimonides’ “People of the Book”), and 50+ vendors with a spectrum of gift ideas. There also should be an interesting vintage toy exhibit at the museum at this time.
11/26: SHABBOS MEVORCHIM This Shabbos we bless the new month of Kislev (which means Chanukah is a little over 3 weeks away) and since Rosh Chodesh begins on Saturday Night, we say the Haftorah for “Machar Chodesh”.
11/26: TCN TORAH CLASS 7:30pm at CBAJ - very well-attended Navi class with Rabbi Y. Reisman, live from Brooklyn.
11/27: ROSH CHODESH KISLEV
12/5: MOMMY & ME AT BACH A pre-Chanukah event for babies thru age 3 and their moms 1:30-2:15pm at the Bach Library on New Scotland. Info? Call DL Mathless 698-1836.
12/10: PIZZA-NITE II @ MHDS HS makes pizza and sushi at “Nathan’s Kitchen” for eat-in/take-out. Stay tuned!
12/12: “LIGHTS!” AT C.P. LIBRARY
12/17: KISLEV 19 FARBRENGEN Annual Farbrengen (this year on the weekend following Yud-Tes Kislev) and Melava Malka to be held at Maimonides, 7:15pm. Children’s program is possible. Stay tuned for details.
12/18: TENTATIVE SHLOSHIM Stay tuned for details on a possible Shloshim for Mrs. Rivka Losice, one month after her passing.
12/18: MENORAH WORKSHOP 12-2pm, at Home-Depot in Halfmoon. Call 4950772/9 for more info.
12/20: FIRST LIGHT @ 4 CORNERS 3pm giant outdoor Menorah public lighting at Delmar’s Four-Corners.
12/20: CHANUKAH ON ICE 5pm at Saratoga Ice Rink on Weibel Ave . Call Rabbi Abba at 526-0773 for more info.
12/22: CLIFTON PARK CHANUKAH 5:30pm with CANorah lighting, dreidel, theater, doughnuts, and crafts at the Clifton Park Center Mall. Call 495-0772/9 for more info.
Lights! Is one of those unique children’s cartoons 12/22-26: JGR WINTER RETREAT that has so much meaning for adults as well. It tells Girls ages 8-15, this year at Dunham’s Bay Resort the Chanukah story in a different “light”! 5:30pm. Lake George! (Buses leave from Albany). Features include snow-tubing, bonfires, swimming, creative 12/19: HAAZINU AT WOMENS B.M. arts clubs, inspiring Shabbos, DJ with dancing, and 8pm Bet Midrash Night for Women meets at much more. For more info/register: call Nechama MHDS for a text-study & discussion of “Ha’azinu” (518) 727-9581 or visit www.jewishgirlsretreat.net. a poetic and beautiful song at the end of the Torah.
12/21: MHDS RAFFLE-AUCTION, TORAH AND CHANUKAH EVENT The annual Raffle-Auction (28 prize-packages viewing & drawings), “Kosher Fried Chanukah” dinner & the “Travelers-Torah” dedication ceremony & celebration will be at Maimonides on Wednesday night, the 2nd night of Chanukah! You can order tickets by mail, you do not need to be present to win, but it sure is a lot more fun!
12/9-10: SAM SHOR FOR SHABBAT
12/25: CHANUKAH AT BETH ISRAEL Party, dinner and celebration at Schenectady’s Beth Israel on Eastern Parkway. Call 377-3700.
12/25: DELMAR CHANUKAH 5:30pm, 109 Elsmere Ave. Call 439-8280 for info.
12/27: CHANUKAH SKATING 11:45am-1:45pm at YMCA Delmar (formely BIG Arena). $5 admission and skates. Call Rabbi Simon 439-8280 for info.
Don’t forget Hallel, Musaf, and Ya’aleh v’Yavo!
CBAJ welcomes back Rabbi Sam Shor from Israel for a pre-Chanukah Shabbat of song and learning.
11/30: YALDA CLUB MEETING
12/27: DREIDELS & DOUGHNUTS A “COFFEE SHOP” CHANUKAH
12/11: MIFGASH GIFT BAZAAR
at the Greenbush Library. Call 727-9581 for info.
3:45-5pm (every other Wednesday meets at) Check out the vendors for pre-Chanukah gift Maimonides, for grades 3-4. This meet includes a shopping, this year at CBAJ, 11am-5pm. Proceeds yoga session, creative arts & games. Info? 727-9581. benefit Mifgash (after-school Hebrew high school).
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary
“A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
12/31: FAITH & HOPE CONCERT III CBAJ presents “Songs of Faith & Hope III” with Shloime Kaufman & the Strosbergs in concert at 8pm (dinner precedes at 7:15pm for extra cost). Concert only is $22pp, $8 for kids. Call 489-5819.
Stay tuned for more Chanukah Events listings and details in next week‟s “MC” newsletter!
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Kislev 6 5772 / December 2, 2011
Candle-Lighting:
4:05 Shabbos Ends:
5:09
EARLY BIRD $10 SPECIAL ENDS 12/7 Any early-bird purchase (before December 8th) in the school’s Raffle-Auction (even as little as a $5 ticket) gives you an extra $10 in tickets, FREE! The raffle-auction is now also available online: www.maimonidesschool.org/auction. (the early-bird has been extended a few days from the original printed deadline of December 5).
This newsletter is dedicated by Rabbi Nachman & Clara Simon in honor of their newborn granddaughter
Tzipah Feiga to alumnus Rabbi Sholom Ber and Nechama Dina Simon, Brooklyn
JACOB’S (PRAYER) LADDER At davening-class this week Rabbi Mendel shared with the boys the Zohar’s interpretation of Yaakov’s ladder in this week’s Parsha as “the ladder of prayer.” The goal of prayer is not just to get from page 5 to page 55, but to be uplifted, climb-up spiritually step-by-step, closer & closer to our Neshama and Hashem. An 2010 APPS project NEW CHANUKAH BOOKS by Chani R. (pictured A friend of Maimonides recently donated a on left) illustrates this dozen new, beautiful Chanukah books, just in point. The cardboard time for use in the classrooms. The assortment ladder is decorated is great reading for all ages - from Nursery with images from the through middle-school. Morah Devorah’s various parts of daily students are pictured here happily displaying prayer. 4th grade Moshe asked: “Do we start the books, which are a great addition to our again from the bottom everyday?” Actually, for growing “Esty’s Library”. Thank You!! those who climb up their personal spiritual ladder, the next day’s ladder of prayer begins where yesterday’s ladder left off… IMPORTANT:
GOVT FORMS If you haven’t already, PARENTS must fill out the forms for school government assistance as soon as possible. (For those with larger families, the income threshold is higher than you might think). This allows our school to get much-needed significant government funding (beyond the specific “free/reduced lunch” listed on the forms). All forms were mailed out and sent home. If you don’t have it, please call the office as soon as possible, so this can be taken care of without causing the school financial loss.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
“YUD” IS FOR “YALKUT” Kindergarteners made their own paper Yalkut (backpack) as they learned the letter Yud.
TRICEPS AND BICEPS Mrs. Maher’s 5th graders made flexible cardboard arm models manipulated by strings, to
demonstrate how muscles operate our arm’s movement. Muscles can only pull (or tighten/ contract) but can’t push. They work together with other muscles to use a body limb as a lever to create a pushing movement.
LIKE A FISH IN WATER
PLISHTIM WAR & AFTERMATH
MACCABEATS IN DANCE
6/7 grade with Rabbi Laber studied (in Navi Shoftim) the tragic war with the Plishtim (in today's Gaza area) in which the Aron (holy ark) was wrongly brought into battle and captured by the enemy (who soon enough regretted doing so). The High Priest Eili’s two sons died in that battle, and he fell backwards and died upon hearing the bad news. His grandson was born soon afterward and named “Eee-Kavod.” (Is Ichabod the same name?)
This Thursday, Mrs. Eve Cameron taught our girls in 4-8 a new dance she made to fit the exciting Chanukah song by the Maccabeats. The girls were so enthusiastic to learn it!
BIG POT OF MINESTRONE SOUP
On Monday, Mrs. Levin made a delicious, hot minestrone soup in “Nathan’s Kitchen” for the Soup-of-the-Week. Mrs. Shevi Samet is organizing the Soup-of-the-Week this year. ROCK ON TOP OF THE WELL Parents, if you’d like to sign up for a week, please call her: 516-371-1401 or email: Nursery turned cups upside down and glued mrs.samet@gmail.com. Thanks to Mrs. on cut colored paper to create the well from Wildman for organizing last year. this week’s Torah portion, and they topped it with a (edible!) rock which Yaakov removed to help Rachel get water for her flock of sheep. KUNG-FU IN THE SPOTLIGHT NEW REPORT-CARD FORMAT Our 4-8 boys martial arts teacher Lucas Geller The Hebrew report-cards have been redesigned (who comes in twice a month on Thursdays to ARE YOU NEW TO THIS PLACE? (thanks to Rabbi Yossi & Morah Leyee) and teach Kung-Fu and the focused discipline and 8th graders are doing a unit on immigration to will be printed on card-stock and will now physical expression) was featured in a recent the United States. Each student put together a require parent signatures and that they be “Spotlight” newspaper story about his local “welcome booklet” designed to help acclimate returned to school after each marking period. martial arts school, his own teacher and how newcomers to this country, including a list of They will be distributed on December 16th. he turned from a student into a teacher. common useful phrases translated into Yiddish, Greek, Russian and Chinese. Rabbi Akiva compared the relationship of Jews & Torah to a fish in water. This type of artistic effect is created using a special process of covering an oil pastel drawing with watercolor paint. The watercolor only adheres to the areas without oil-pastels. (This message is timely before Chanukah when we learn about oil’s unique properties).
AVSHALOM AS A CANDIDATE In Navi class with Morah Clara, 8th graders are learning how King David’s son Avshalom rebelled (unsuccessfully) against his own father. In his attempt to garner support he reached out with insincere sweetness to the people, saying: “I won’t judge you the way my father did, I will judge in your favor.” He embraced people, he greeted them and made small talk with them. The students felt that Avshalom acted similarly to the way some (or many) political candidates act today while on the campaign trail. One student recognized a word similarity between this text and a Chumash text, but more on that after additional research.
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LIQUID POWER: WORKING HYDRAULIC MODELS 8th graders in science class with Dr. Sahay learned Pascal’s Principle that air or gas can be compressed, but liquids can’t be compressed, so if pressure is applied at one point on the contained liquid, the liquid has to go somewhere and the pressure is applied elsewhere. To illustrate this principle they built working hydraulic-pressure models using syringes, tubes & other materials, pictured above L-R: an elevator made of shoeboxes; a drawbridge made of Lego, an arm also made of Lego, a crane with popsicle-stick arms, a bulldozer with a working plastic cup, and an opening garage-door made of a sushi-rolling-sheet.
email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com Join hundreds who read it each week via email!
“לנצח
”אחיםHEBREW FILM
This Israeli film “Brothers Forever” is entirely in Hebrew, so it was quite a challenge for our students to follow the story, but they did!
POLL RESULTS
PERIODIC HEADGEAR
TOLDOS CARNIVAL REPORT Morah Devorah Leah’s 4th graders are now half-way into Parshat Vayeitze which is this week’s Torah portion! On Wednesday before Thanksgiving they put on a very nice carnival for other classes to learn about the last parsha, Toldos. Booths & activities included:
Maze Race (Yaakov was running away from Esav) Sweet & Sour Smells (Gan Eden & Gehenoim) Count the Stars (Hashem promised Avraham numerous descendants like the stars) Cookie-Decorating (ginger-bread shaped, with color toppings like Yaakov and Esav) Bean-Bag Toss (reminder of the lentils) Tasting Contest (the tasty delicacies…)
No, this isn’t historical costume. Dr. Sahay and the HS made headgear with protruding Styrofoam balls corresponding to the precise number of valance electrons (in the outermost orbit) of various elements (such as Na, Cl, Br and N). The students then grouped into pairs of metals and non-metals.
If you’re eagerly awaiting the results of the 5th grade polls, they’re up in graph form outside their classroom. “Game of Life” got a total of 30 votes, students’ favorite color is blue, and the best pizza topping is extra-cheese! Dogs are by far their favorite type of pet.
YAKNAHAZ ARGUMENT 6/7 is now getting into the Gemorah about the complicated order of Kiddush & Havdalah combo on a Motzai Shabbos into YomTov.
MENORAH IN HALACHA 5th grade learned in Kitzur Shulchan Aruch about all types of laws and options for the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah, but that it’s ideal to use olive oil, the best wicks are cotton, and to beautify the Mitzvah some use a silver (or other-wise beautiful) Menorah.
FOURTEENTH CHAPTER 3rd graders celebrated the completion of their 14th chapter of Chumash - as they study Parshas Lech-Lecha. They made their own pizza in “Nathan’s Kitchen” and enjoyed it in their classroom, along with a Parsha game!
“TRAVELERS TORAH” APPS APPS students are now working on 18”x24” posters/flags/signs/banners to display at the Traveler’s Torah dedication on Chanukah… it is due on Thursday before Chanukah. Think of cars, suitcase, highways, maps, welcome, AND Torah, Mitzvos, Hebrew Letters, Etc…
MATZAHBALLS AT VICTORIAN At Saratoga’s Victorian Walk on Thursday night, our HS girls volunteered at Saratoga Chabad’s pre-Chanukah Hot-Matzah-Ball-Soup Table outside the Alogonquin Building on Broadway. They braved the cold and met some interesting people, including: An actor said he played “Pertschik” in a Fiddler on the Roof production. An observant Jew in town for the day on business was astounded at the local communal dedication to sustain such a small high-school, and very impressed with the girls willingness to be out, cheerful and friendly on such a cold night. The harpist lady showed them how a harp works, and gave them each her CD. The girls connected it with their Tehillim (Psalms) class, for David played a harp!
5pm:
6pm:
7pm:
· Torah Completion · Kosher Fried Chanukah Dinner Begins (until 6:30) · Prize Packages Viewing & Ticket Purchases
· Hakafot Torah Dancing · Desserts · Final Ticket Purchases
· Menorah Lighting · 28 Prize Package Drawings & Winners!
at Maimonides and in the Community 12/3: B.M.C. CHALLAH MEET
12/11: OHAV SHALOM RUMMAGE
Bat-Mitzvah Club for girls in grades 5-7. Saturday Rummage sale at Ohav Shalom, 8am-2pm. night, 7pm at the Laber’s 2155 13th Street in Troy. NOTE: Location change from last week’s MC. 12/11: MIFGASH GIFT BAZAAR Mother's & Daughters are invited for a Challah Check out the vendors for pre-Chanukah gift Baking program. Info? Call Nechama at 727-9581. shopping, this year at CBAJ, 11am-5pm. Proceeds benefit Mifgash (after-school Hebrew high school).
12/3: RABBI REISMAN’S SHIUR
Live from Brooklyn, Sat Night 7:30pm at CBAJ.
12/12: “LIGHTS!” AT C.P. LIBRARY
12/4: MIRI EISEN SPEAKS FOR FED
Lights! is one of those children’s cartoons that has so much meaning for adults as well. It tells the Chanukah story in a different “light”! 5:30pm.
Joint Federation Society event 7:15pm at Temple Israel, open to the community. Miri is a (retired) Israeli intelligence colonel and served as an Israeli spokesperson during the Lebanon II and Gaza wars. Her topic: “Israel under Attack at the UN, Durban, Media etc..” Cost at the door is $23pp, or $15 for young adults (22-40). Call Federation 7837800 for info and advance RSVP.
12/17: KISLEV 19 FARBRENGEN Annual Farbrengen (this year on the weekend following Yud-Tes Kislev) and Melava Malka to be held at Maimonides, 7:15pm. Children’s program is possible. Stay tuned for details.
12/18: TENTATIVE SHLOSHIM
12/5: MOMMY & ME AT BACH
Stay tuned for details on a possible Shloshim for A pre-Chanukah event for little kids thru age 3 and Mrs. Rivka Losice, one month after her passing. their moms 1:30-2:15pm at the Bach Library on New Scotland. Info? Call DL Mathless 698-1836.
12/18: MENORAH WORKSHOP
12/7: JLI’S “FASCINATING FACTS” It’s not too late to join this fascinating JLI class! Exploring myths & mysteries of Jewish life on six Wednesdays thru December. 7:30-9pm at Maimonides. Call Rabbi M. Mathless at 522-1872 for info, cost & sign-up, or visit MyJLI.com
12-2pm, at Home-Depot in Halfmoon. Call 4950772/9 for more info.
12/19: HAAZINU AT WOMENS B.M.
12/22-26: JGR WINTER RETREAT Girls ages 8-15, this year at Dunham’s Bay Resort Lake George! (Buses leave from Albany). Features include snow-tubing, bonfires, swimming, creative arts clubs, inspiring Shabbos, DJ with dancing, and much more. For more info/register: call Nechama (518) 727-9581 or visit www.jewishgirlsretreat.net.
12/25: CHANUKAH AT BETH ISRAEL Party, dinner and celebration at Schenectady’s Beth Israel on Eastern Parkway. Call 377-3700. 12/25: DELMAR CHANUKAH 5:30pm, 109 Elsmere Ave. Call 439-8280 for info.
12/26: FRIENDSHIP BOWL Chanukah celebration and bowling for children with special needs and their families, at Del-Lanes in Delmar. Call Liba 438-4220 for more info.
12/27: CHANUKAH SKATING 11:45am-1:45pm at YMCA Delmar (formerly BIG Arena). $5 admission and skates. Call Rabbi Simon 439-8280 for info.
12/27: DREIDELS & DOUGHNUTS A “COFFEE SHOP” CHANUKAH
at the Greenbush Library. Call the Labers at 7279581 for more info. 8pm Bet Midrash Night for Women meets at MHDS for a text-study & discussion of “Ha’azinu” a poetic and beautiful song at the end of the Torah. 12/31: FAITH & HOPE CONCERT III CBAJ presents “Songs of Faith & Hope III” with 12/7: TORAH & YOGA Shloime Kaufman & the Strosbergs in concert at 12/20: FIRST LIGHT @ 4 CORNERS 1:15-2:15pm, Wednesdays at Maimonides, $30 for 8pm (dinner precedes at 7:15pm for extra cost). Giant outdoor Menorah public lighting 3pm at ongoing course. Engaging Torah & gentle yoga can Concert only is $22pp, $8 for kids. Call 489-5819. Delmar’s Four-Corners (where Kenwood meets melt away stress, increase flexibility & strength. Led Delaware Ave). by Leah Rubin & Kripalu yoga instructor Amanda Toll. Babysitting extra. Call 495-0779/2 for info.
12/20: CHANUKAH ON ICE
12/9-10: SAM SHOR FOR SHABBAT CBAJ welcomes back Rabbi Sam Shor from Israel for a pre-Chanukah Shabbat of song and learning.
12/9-10: SARATOGA SHABBATON
5pm at Saratoga Ice Skating Rink on Weibel Ave. Call Rabbi Abba at 526-0773 for more info.
12/21: MHDS RAFFLE-AUCTION, TORAH AND CHANUKAH EVENT
8th grade boys are headed to Saratoga Chabad for a The annual Raffle-Auction (28 prize-packages fun Shabbos getaway weekend, plus they’re helping viewing & drawings), “Kosher Fried Chanukah” dinner & the “Travelers-Torah” dedication out with the Torah reading and the davenings. ceremony & celebration will be at Maimonides on Wednesday night, the 2nd night of Chanukah! 12/10: PIZZA-NITE II @ MHDS You can order tickets by mail, you do not need to HS makes pizza and sushi at “Nathan’s Kitchen” be present to win, but it sure is a lot more fun! for eat-in/take-out. Proceeds benefit HS extracurricular programming. Order ahead (or just come on in) for eat-in/take-out (medium-sized pies $9, w/ 12/22: CLIFTON PARK CHANUKAH 5:30pm with CANorah lighting, dreidel, theater, toppings $10, veggie-sushi $7 per roll) to: doughnuts, and crafts at the Clifton Park Center pizzanite@gmail.com. There’s usually a video for Mall. Call 495-0772/9 for more info. the kids, too. Advance orders get a free drink.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
(518) 453-9363/3434
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary
“A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
MHDS CHANUKAH SCHOOL SCHEDULE NO SCHOOL Extended Weekends Fridays, December 23rd & 30th
HALF-DAYS 11:30am dismissal Mon-Thurs, December 26-29
RAFFLE, TORAH & DINNER 12/21 -- see info on left.
CHANUKAH PERFORMANCES 9am on Thursday, December 29th
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Kislev 13, 5772 / December 9, 2011
Candle-Lighting:
4:04 Shabbos Ends:
5:09
This newsletter is dedicated in honor of the wedding of
Yisroel & Esty Yuzevitz this week in California
Special Mazal-Tov to Morah Dini & Family!
CHANUKAH IS IN THE AIR
THE “PENNY MENORAH”
Everywhere in school classrooms are already buzzing with Chanukah spirit and activity. Some are making Menorahs, others drew the card covers pictured above, some are learning the laws in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, and classes are thinking of imaginative, creative new Dreidel-types for a contest.
8th grade and High School came up with the idea of a “Penny Menorah” fundraiser for the school, made up of 8 “candles” BUY RAFFLE TICKETS ONLINE filled with The raffle-auction is now available online: thousands www.maimonidesschool.org/auction. Please of pennies and to use nickels for the Shamash. share this link with family and friends… The “Penny-Menorah” isn’t in place yet, but let’s start collecting pennies (and nickels)! This LOSICE SHLOSHIM ON 12/18 is a great launch for the school’s upcoming See page 4 for details. Community is welcome. “Pushka Campaign” - stay tuned!
EVENT LISTING UPDATE Check page 4 for updates/changes to the communal event listing. Look for: Rabbi Mathless shares his transplant experience 1st anniversary, this Tuesday. Rivka Losice obm Shloshim memorial commemoration and communal dinner, Sunday, Dec 18th, 6pm at Maimonides. HACD’s Shlock-Rock Chanukah concert at CBAJ, Dec 20th. Mifgash Bazaar this Sunday also has a fun-filled play area and activities for kids. Yud-Tes Kislev Farbrengen date changed from Sat night to Thursday.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
THE BERNOULLI PRINCIPLE 8th grade students with Science teacher Dr. Sahay did several hands-on experiments on airpressure using Bernoulli’s (from the 1700’s) principle. The strong air coming through the bent straw moves the air above the straw, and
creates an area of low-pressure air, which in turn attracts air from all around it, to create a cushion which suspends the Styrofoam ball in mid-air! The same principle can be used to inflate a super-long windbag, in only one or two breaths! The breath (about six inches away from the bag opening) creates a low-pressure area, into which much more air flows in from all over that ends up in the bag. This also helped them understand how chimneys work. (They used a blow-dryer to help demonstrate that). They’re planning on making some type of wind-powered Dreidel based on what they’ve been learning in science class. (Does anyone remember the working remote-control robotic-Dreidel with help from RPI from a few years back?)
MEMORABLE RASHIS A few students in TNT this week reported on specific Rashi Chumash commentary they particularly enjoyed: Chaim in 6th grade wrote on the Jews requesting “silver, gold & clothes” (in that order) Rashi explains how (going from lowest to highest) this shows how the Egyptians valued clothing, even beyond silver and gold. Bracha in 4th remembered this one: By each of Yaakov’s wives it says, “she was pregnant, and gave birth” but by Zilpah it never mentions she was pregnant! This is because she was young and was able to disguise her pregnancy well, so people did not notice anything, until she gave birth. This was Goldie’s (4th grade) favorite: Why did Jacob cry when he saw Rachel for the first time? Rashi gives two explanations: (1) Yaakov foresaw that he and Rachel would not be buried together (she was buried in Kever Rachel in Beit-Lechem, he was buried in Me’oras HaMachpela in Chevron). (2) He thought to himself: My father’s servant Eliezer came looking for a bride with his arms filled with presents, and here I come looking for a bride, with nothing to offer!
CREATIVE DREIDEL CONTEST Morah Devorah Leah is asking each class to work as a team to come up with a fun, creative, unique Dreidel design, and have them judged in a Chanukah contest!
MAZAL TOV TO MORAH DINI and the Gordon and Plotkin families on the wedding of her sister Esty to Yisroel Yuzevitz (Rabbi Rubin’s nephew) this week in California. Many thanks to Morah Sara Volovik for teaching Kindergarten this week!
“SHHH” AND “TH” SOUNDS Mrs. Carroll’s students stuck out their tongues 5MPH IN PARKING LOT, PLEASE as a sound-exercise (otherwise not a very nice Parents, teachers and all visitors to our school, thing to do) to emphasize the TH sound, and put their finger at their mouth to dramatize the please be extra cautious when entering and SH sound. Jewish texts and Hebrew grammar exiting our parking lot! For everyone safety (pedestrians, playing children and drivers, too) (and even Kaballah) talk about “5 expressions of the mouth” as we pronounce letters using our please keep to a 5 mile-per-hour speed-limit when entering and exiting our lot, and be sure tongue, teeth, lips, throat, and the palate. to check extra carefully before pulling out. Now that its icy and slippery, and stopping times are decreased, we need to be especially careful. Better be late than not be safe!
THE “TUCK” PAPER-MOSAIC 6/7 finished reading “Tuck Everlasting” and are now making a paper mosaic on different aspects of the story: the tree and its bubbling spring, the man in the yellow suit, the boat & the pond of water, etc.
CRUSHING CANS W/PRESSURE But not with physically heavy pressure! Dr. Sahay’s 6/7 graders (in the Dr. O’Brien Science Lab) heated soda cans filled with water and then quickly put the hot cans in sinks DIMENSIONAL & DIRECTIONAL filled with cold water. The pressure on the (TOP) The 8th graders don’t regularly have art outside of the can was greater than on the class with Mrs. Levin anymore (this year only inside (because the air was displaced by the thru 5th grade), but this week they had special hot water vapor), so the can just collapsed! opportunity to create with her some very neat and abstract directional paper sculpture, that THE GREAT SIYUM DEBATE is beautiful simply by its shapes & extensions. Rabbi Shmuly’s 4th graders just finished the 2nd chapter of Bava-Metziah in their Mishna (ABOVE) 4th graders learned in art class to class (and they made great powerpoint slides of use drawn shapes and color shading to create a each Mishna). He gave them 2 options for the 3-dimensional look on a sheet of paper. Siyum party: Sushi & Soup or Pizza & Fries. Hmm, both are attractive choices… The students were pretty divided on this one, they’re going to decide soon and celebrate!
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FRINDLE AT SNACK TIME IN 5TH Even though some read it earlier, it’s a lot of fun to read this story with your class.
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE A STORY QUILT BY 4TH GRADE
R U HEADED TO NY DEC 16-17 A MHDS student is eager to attend a camp reunion Shabbaton near Queens. If you have room for one, call the Kudans at 438-1178.
Each of Ms. Livingston’s students chose a different aspect of the story to illustrate as part of the big story quilt. One square has the Ingall’s butter recipe, another has the lyrics to the song Pa played on his fiddle, the kids playing in the tall prairie grass and other scenes and experiences from the book.
THE CHUMASH BOX GAME 5th graders finished Vayigash and Rabbi Mathless brought a big cardboard box into class, that was passed around, and each student unwrapped more of the box, each layer had another Chumash question to answer.
THE TORAH-TIMES CONTINUES Rabbi Rubin continues to add to his creative “Torah-Times” series, and this year the 6/7 graders are helping him do it. They come up with some very creative and insightful ideas.
R’ ZEIRA’S COMPLEX SCENARIO
THE BABY BOOMER QUIZ Baby Boomers are the generation of people who were born soon after WWII. Mrs. Maher told her 5th graders that she did very well on a fun trivia quiz written for baby-boomers. The kids insisted that they try the quiz as well, just for fun. Most got 6 questions right out of 20.
THANKS TO OUR SAGE COACHES HOT SPLIT-PEA & VEGGIE SOUP It’s been a great semester with our energetic, On Tuesday, Mrs. Samet made a delicious split -pea vegetable soup in “Nathan’s Kitchen” for the Soup-of-the-Week, she is organizing the Soup-of-the-Week this year. Parents, if you’d like to sign up for a week, please call her: 516371-1401 or email: mrs.samet@gmail.com.
LATTICE MULTIPLICATION Mrs. Maher introduced her 5th graders to a fun math technique that can help with multiplying larger numbers (say 14x56), using the lattice system on left. The diagonals in the boxes divides the answers between the tens and ones columns. Then add up the rows diagonally...
talented and responsible Sage College students who have taken our recess-playing to a whole new level, greatly improving our students confidence, sports ability and teamwork ethic. (These pictures are of indoor play due to the rain this week). Much success on Finals!!!
8th graders (in Bava Metziah 35b) enjoyed the hypothetical argument of R’ Zeira on how it might be possible (according to one opinion) for the owner to owe the renter multiple times the value of what was rented. At Minyan, the boys learned from Rabbi Laber how Lavan’s arrangements with Yaakov reflect the Shomer responsibility levels they are learning about in the Talmud. Rabbi Mendel also showed how US Business Law reflects the Talmud, too.
WHAT TO DO WITH THE ARK? 6/7 grade Navi is learning about the Plishtim’s reaction to capturing the Jewish Holy-Ark that was causing them a lot of problems. Believe it or not, the solution they came up with involved gold rodents & mice..
You need not be present to win! Please share this link with friends and family! Purchase tickets online at: www.maimonidesschool.org/auction
APPS PROJECTS DUE ON THURS This month’s theme is “Travelers Torah”, the project dimensions are 18”x24” and suitable for hanging on display (not too heavy or overly 3-D). Any travel theme (including suitcases, highway signs, cars, I Love NY, landmarks, brochures and maps, vacation ideas, Tefilas HaDerech, welcome and hospitality etc…) coupled with Torah (a closed or open scroll, Hebrew letters, Minyan, Kosher, and anything related…) are some of the ideas for this APPS project. Details on the APPS outing for participating students coming soon…
5pm:
6pm:
7pm:
· Torah Completion · Kosher Fried Chanukah Dinner Begins (until 6:30) · Prize Packages Viewing & Ticket Purchases
· Hakafot Torah Dancing · Desserts · Final Ticket Purchases
· Menorah Lighting · 28 Prize Package Drawings & Winners!
at Maimonides and in the Community including Chanukah events! 12/9-10: SAM SHOR FOR SHABBAT CBAJ welcomes back Rabbi Sam Shor from Israel for a pre-Chanukah Shabbat of song and learning.
12/15: KISLEV 19 FARBRENGEN
a few younger boys are headed up, 8th grade Shabbaton to be rescheduled, stay tuned!
Annual Farbrengen and family dinner with niggunim and stories to be held this year at Maimonides, 6pm on Thursday night. NOTE date change from Saturday Night. Online Farbrengen with Rabbi Yossi Jacobson live via video to follow the local Farbrengen here, for those interested.
12/10: RABBI REISMAN’S SHIUR
12/18: RIVKA LOSICE SHLOSHIM
12/9-10: SARATOGA SHABBATON
Live from Brooklyn, Sat Night 7:30pm at CBAJ.
12/10: PIZZA-NITE II @ MHDS
6pm (for adults) at Maimonides. Communal Shloshim dinner & commemoration for Mrs. Rivka Losice, of blessed memory, one month after her passing. May her memory be a blessing.
HS makes pizza and sushi at “Nathan’s Kitchen” for eat-in/take-out. Proceeds benefit HS extracurricular programming. Order ahead (or just come 12/18: MENORAH WORKSHOP on in) for eat-in/take-out (medium-sized pies $9, w/ 12-2pm, at Home-Depot in Halfmoon. Call 4950772/9 for more info. toppings $10, veggie-sushi $7 per roll) to: pizzanite@gmail.com. There’s usually a video for the kids, too. Advance orders get a free drink. 12/19: HAAZINU AT WOMENS B.M. 8pm Bet Midrash Night for Women meets at 12/11: OHAV SHALOM RUMMAGE MHDS for a text-study & discussion of “Ha’azinu” a poetic and beautiful song at the end of the Torah. Rummage sale at Ohav Shalom, 8am-2pm.
12/11: MIFGASH’S PRE-CHANUKAH 12/20: FIRST LIGHT @ 4 CORNERS GIFT BAZAAR & FAMILY FUN DAY Giant outdoor Menorah public lighting 3pm at $3 adult admission, $5 children’s admission, $18 max admission per family, includes large play area with Bouncey-Bounce, Duct-Tape art, Lego Corner, jewelry making and other fun activities. Check out the varied vendors for pre-Chanukah gift shopping. This year at CBAJ, 11am-5pm. Proceeds benefit Mifgash (communal after-school Hebrew high school program). Call: 439-4765 or 438-3738.
12/12: “LIGHTS!” AT C.P. LIBRARY Lights! is one of those children’s cartoons that has so much meaning for adults as well. It tells the Chanukah story in a different “light”! 5:30pm.
12/13: TRANSPLANT-ANNIVERSARY This Tuesday marks one year since Rabbi Mathless donated a kidney to an Israeli husband and father. He’ll share his experiences and inspiration over desserts, 7:45pm at Shabbos House. Please park in the adjacent University parking lot.
12/14: JLI’S “FASCINATING FACTS” Exploring myths & mysteries of Jewish life on six Wednesdays thru December. 7:30-9pm at Maimonides. Call Rabbi M. Mathless at 522-1872 for info, cost & sign-up, or visit MyJLI.com
12/14: TORAH & YOGA 1:15-2:15pm, Wednesdays at Maimonides, $30 for full course led by Leah Rubin & yoga instructor Amanda Toll. Call 495-0779/2 for info.
Delmar’s Four-Corners (where Kenwood meets Delaware Ave). Call 439-8280 for more info.
12/20: CHANUKAH ON ICE 5pm at Saratoga Ice Skating Rink on Weibel Ave. Call Rabbi Abba at 526-0773 for more info.
12/20: SHLOCK ROCK CONCERT Sponsored by HACD, first night of Chanukah, at CBAJ. Doors open 6pm, Concert begins at 7pm. Advance tickets: $10, Family Package: $45 for 5 tickets, kids 4 and under free, Tickets at the door are $13 each. Contact Amy Piroli at HACD 4820464 x128 or apiroli@hacdalbany.com.
12/21: MHDS RAFFLE-AUCTION, TORAH AND CHANUKAH EVENT The annual Raffle-Auction (28 prize-packages viewing & drawings), “Kosher Fried Chanukah” dinner & the “Travelers-Torah” dedication ceremony & celebration will be at Maimonides on Wednesday night, the 2nd night of Chanukah! You can order tickets by mail, you do not need to be present to win, but it sure is a lot more fun!
12/22: CLIFTON PARK CHANUKAH 5:30pm with CANorah lighting, dreidel, theater, doughnuts, and crafts at the Clifton Park Center Mall. Call 495-0772/9 for more info.
12/22-26: JGR WINTER RETREAT Girls ages 8-15, this year at Dunham’s Bay Resort
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
(518) 453-9363/3434
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary
“A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
Lake George! (Buses leave from Albany). Features include snow-tubing, bonfires, swimming, creative arts clubs, inspiring Shabbos, DJ with dancing, and much more. For more info/register: call Nechama (518) 727-9581 or visit www.jewishgirlsretreat.net.
12/25: CHANUKAH AT BETH ISRAEL Party, dinner and celebration at Schenectady’s Beth Israel on Eastern Parkway. Call 377-3700. 12/25: BETH TEPHILAH PARTY 1pm with luncheon and fun prize game auction, at historic Beth Tephilah, 82 River Street in Troy.
12/25: DELMAR CHANUKAH 5:30pm, 109 Elsmere Ave. Call 439-8280 for info.
12/26: FRIENDSHIP BOWL Chanukah celebration and bowling for children with special needs and their families, at Del-Lanes in Delmar. Call Liba 438-4220 for more info.
12/27: CHANUKAH SKATING 11:45am-1:45pm at YMCA Delmar (formerly BIG Arena). $5 admission and skates. Call Rabbi Simon 439-8280 for info.
12/27: DREIDELS & DOUGHNUTS A “COFFEE SHOP” CHANUKAH 5pm at the Greenbush Community Library. Call the Labers at 727-9581 for more info.
12/31: FAITH & HOPE CONCERT III CBAJ presents “Songs of Faith & Hope III” with Shloime Kaufman & the Strosbergs in concert at 8pm (dinner precedes at 7:15pm for extra cost). Concert only is $22pp, $8 for kids. Call 489-5819.
MHDS CHANUKAH SCHOOL SCHEDULE NO SCHOOL Extended Weekends Fridays, December 23rd & 30th
HALF-DAYS 11:30am dismissal Mon-Thurs, December 26-29
RAFFLE, TORAH & DINNER 12/21 -- see info in the event listing.
CHANUKAH PERFORMANCES 9am on Thursday, December 29th
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Kislev 20, 5772 / December 16, 2011
Candle-Lighting:
4:05 Shabbos Ends:
5:10
This newsletter is sponsored by many individual contributions to the Maimonides School in memory of Rivka Losice. - Rivka bas Moshe May her memory be a blessing. UNFOLDING A LONG STORY Rabbi Rubin’s 8th grade Jewish history class unfolded a very long 10’ page timeline of Jewish civilization. Each successive generation adds an important new page to the history, story and heritage of our people. We’re here to continue, live the story, and pass it onward!
ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT TO THE RAFFLE KOSHER COLORED CABINETS
AMAZING TRANSPLANT STORY
Those who attended Tuesday’s “transplant anniversary” event held at Shabbos House The “Times-Union” featured Philip Kamrass’ enjoyed an especially inspiring, enlightening Every ticket purchase, whether photo of red-meat and blue-dairy color-coded and entertaining talk by Rabbi Mendy for $5 or $105, really helps cabinets in the Tampa Ave home of Albany Mathless (not to mention the delicious our school! Sending by mail? Be sure it arrives architect Harris Sanders (built in 1958) during desserts) who shared his personal experiences at school by Tuesday to be entered in time. the 9th annual Historic Albany Foundation of donating a kidney at NY’s Mount Sinai Call the school office 453-9363 to purchase via Holiday Home Tour. The caption reads: “He Hospital to an Israeli husband and father, the credit-card (MC/Visa) or purchase via Paypal/ and his wife Pearl keep a Kosher kitchen.” story of the kidney recipient, as well as insights Google Checkout online up to 4pm on Wed into the world of kidney failure, transplants at: www.maimonidesschool.org/auction. and giving of oneself to others. Rabbi and Mrs. Please share this link with family & friends… KISLEV 19 BABY BOY LABER Mathless are looking to soon open Chabad of Mazal Tov to Rabbi Avraham and Nechama TORAH DEDICATION ON WED Laber, and family on the birth of a baby boy, University Heights on South Lake Ave, on Thursday, 19th of Kislev, which celebrates adjacent to Albany Med and the graduate In addition to the Raffle-Auction on schools, which will also feature a “Bikurthe release of the Alter Rebbe (founder of Wednesday (2nd Chanukah night) and the Chabad) from Czarist prison in 1789, and the Cholim” service geared to the needs of those Kochman’s “Kosher Fried Chanukah” there under-going treatment at nearby hospitals and will be letter inscriptions, dancing and Hakafot yartzeit of Rabbi Dovber, the Maggid of their families (especially out-of-towners). Mezritch, successor to the Baal Shem Tov. (slightly abridged to accommodate the events of the night) to complete the Travelers Torah… MAIMONIDES It’s a huge Mitzvah to celebrate communally 404 Partridge Street with the Torah, so don’t miss it!
Albany NY 12208
Rivka Losice of blessed memory
Shloshim Commemoration 30 days since her passing on Cheshvan 19
Sunday, Dec 18th, 6pm at Maimonides Reflections, Inspiration, Memories, Mishnayos, and a Buffet Dinner
PERFORMANCES PREVIEW... School post-Chanukah performances will be on Thursday, the day after Chanukah, Dec 29th. 6/7 is preparing an all-new Chanukah rap-song, 3/4 is working on a play, other classes will sing songs and other presentations. A few students may be away for part of the practice time (during the half-day week) or on the performance date, but the teachers (and students) are being flexible to make it work.
TUCK MOSAICS 6/7 with Mrs. Mulder finished reading “Tuck Everlasting” and created gorgeous mosaics (using colored decorative papers) to illustrate key elements of the story. Clock-wise from top- MISHNAYOS FOR RIVKA LOSICE left: The house, the yellow-suited man, the At lunchtime on Wednesday Rabbi Rubin boat in the pond, and the special spring shared with the students 4 Mishnas that spell bubbling forth from the trunk of the tree. the name Rivka, because Mishna = Neshama (same Hebrew letters). He also showed how BFG AND THE PARSHA these specific Mishnas (from tractates Avos, Mrs. Maher’s students began Dahl’s Shabbos, Nedarim & Berachos) reflect aspects “The BFG” last year, but didn’t of Mrs. Rivka Losice’s personality, and her 50+ have a chance to finish it, so they years of contributions to the Albany Jewish did this year. While Mrs. Maher community. Some classes will be learning was cleaning out her desk, she found the film, more about these four Mishnas, and possibly so they watched it. Just in time for this week’s learning (some of) them by heart, too. Rabbi Parsha about Yosef’s (&Pharoah’s servants’) Rubin will share these four Mishnas and the dreams - the BFG gives (good) dreams, too! messages at the Shloshim on Sunday.
THE BIG GREEN CRAYON PUSHKA Nursery kids put their coins for Tzedakah in a big green crayon Pushka. Please send along a penny or nickel each day (or send a roll to school) so that they get into the daily Tzedakah habit.
HSG’S PIZZA NIGHT II HS girls 2nd Pizza-Night was another success! Thanks to Leah Cohen for helping them out, and to all who came out to enjoy some pizza and supported the HS’ fundraiser. Rabbi Yossi took them on a fun late night Wal-Mart outing when they were all done with clean-up.
TEFILAH TREATS AT BAKE SALE In appreciation for a great davening that Wed morning, Morah Rochel bought all her students a cookie at the 8th grade bake-sale. This week they did mini-doughnuts (with sprinkles) as a preparation for Chanukah!
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO THIS WEEKLY “MC” NEWSLETTER email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com Join hundreds who read it each week via email!
MAKING THE MOST OF THE C.M.O.S.T. TRIP Mrs. Carroll and Rabbi Yossi took grades K, 1 & 3 to the Childrens Museum for Science and Technology (CMOST) on Friday (when admission was free, thanks to GE!) for a morning of wonderful hands-on science activities. They got to see (and even hold!) 3 types of reptiles, work with magnets, and enjoy a scientific scavenger hunt! (FYI: CMOST is free for kids on Fridays through end of December 2011, maybe an idea for an outing next Friday when school is out).
READY FOR SHWARMA PARTY
“TRAVELERS TORAH”
6/7 graders with Morah Leyee just finished chapter 12 in Parshat Bo, which is 50 verses long and stacked with long and complex Rashi commentary. It talks about the Exodus and the laws of the roasted Paschal Lamb, so they’re celebrating with a fleishig Shwarma party!
MAIMON-APPS PROJECTS
WOOL-RUBBED BALLOONS Ms. Livingston’s 4th graders had fun with a science experiment where they rubbed filled balloons with wool felt, and then watched the balloons attract certain light objects because of the negative charge on the balloon.
THE BIG CHAIN OF KINDNESS
Most of these APPS projects are already in, the rest will be ready in time to hang up for Wednesday’s Torah dedication celebration. We’ll feature some of the projects this week, and some in next week’s “MC”. The APPS outing for participating students will be IYH on Tuesday of Chanukah for roadside discovery and exploration (and maybe a Mitzvah or two) up and down local Route 9.
Mrs. Hoffman’s Kindergarteners started a big paper chain of kindness on the bulletin board, with things that people can do to be nice to each other. Sharing, complimenting, being helpful, are all ways to be kind to others. Other classes can and have been adding their own rings of kindness to the long chain…
HAMAFKID IN 4TH, 5TH, & 8TH 4th graders (and 5th graders separately) all enjoyed a delicious Siyum of pizza and fries and watching each other’s Mishna powerpoints, after concluding the 2nd chapter of Mishna Bava Metziah about lost and found. Now they (and 5th grade, too) moved on to the 3rd chapter, titled “Hamafkid” which is YOU CAN’T MISS CHANUKAH about entrusted objects, levels of watchmen’s Everyone entering Morah Devorah’s classroom responsibility, borrowing etc. The 8th grade is literally bumps into Chanukah as you walk learning the same 3rd chapter, only in the through the doorway. And there are many Gemorah (Talmud) which explains and more decorations (all made by her students) expands the same Mishna (that 4th grade is hanging inside, too! learning) in much greater depth, analysis & detail. 5th graders will begin Gemorah soon!
THE RETURN OF THE LOST ARK 6/7 Navi class is now up to the return of the Ark lost in battle against the Plishtim, which unfortunately continued to cause misfortune as it returned to the Jewish side, because of the lack of respect some had for it.
DEFINING THE DARKNESS Rashi and a Midrash have different views (pun intended) of whether the plague of darkness was of miraculous or natural quality. It has to do with how they view the Mitzvah asking the Egyptians to “borrow” vessels and clothing. If this was an integral part of the Mitzvah, it should be done using natural means, as Morah Leyee shared from the story of the Alter Rebbe on the boat and Kiddush Levana in the Peter- BUILDING UP TOGETHER These Nursery students are working together Paul Fortress. on a blocks project in their free-play time. PLEASE BRING IN These are important building blocks for life!
SOME PENNIES The jars for the school’s “Penny-Menorah” should be ready by Monday, so please start bringing in pennies to help fill it up! We’ll start now, before Chanukah, light it on Chanukah, and keep filling it up as the weeks go by…
MURRAY JAROS AT LASALLE
Mr. Jaros, a Holocaust survivor who as a child lived in the forest during the war, shared his experiences with LaSalle HS students. He witnessed his own START GRAPHS WITH A ZIGZAG father beaten by Mrs. Sahay’s 6/7 students were making graphs the Nazis. For 11 measuring the relationships between time, months he hid as pressure, temp & volume. The data had a high a girl on a farm. baseline number (273…) so she told them to The Troy Record start with a zigzag to indicate it’s not starting at made it a front zero. The kids thought the zigzag was neat! page news story.
You need not be present to win! Please share this link with friends and family!
Purchase tickets online at: www.maimonidesschool.org/auction
MHDS CHANUKAH SCHOOL SCHEDULE NO SCHOOL Extended Weekends Fridays, December 23rd & 30th
HALF-DAYS, A.M. HEBREW ONLY 11:30am dismissal Mon-Thurs, December 26-29
RAFFLE, TORAH & DINNER 12/21 -- see info in the event listings and on right >
POST-CHANUKAH PERFORMANCES 9am, Thursday, December 29th. Parents very welcome! The day after Chanukah, after 3 half-days of Chanukah study & fun
5pm:
· Torah Completion · Kosher Fried Chanukah Dinner Begins (until 6:30) · Prize Viewing & Ticket Purchases
at Maimonides and in the Community tickets, kids 4 and under free, Tickets at the door are $13 each. Contact Amy Piroli at HACD 482MHDS 8th grade boys are having a Shabbaton at the Simon’s in Delmar, where they’ll be pitching in 0464 x128 or apiroli@hacdalbany.com. Pizza and refreshments will be for sale at additional cost. with the Torah Reading etc.
12/16-17: 8TH GRADE AT DELMAR
12/17: RABBI REISMAN’S SHIUR Live from Brooklyn, Sat Night 7:30pm at CBAJ.
12/18: RIVKA LOSICE SHLOSHIM 6pm (for adults) at Maimonides. Communal Shloshim dinner & commemoration for Mrs. Rivka Losice, of blessed memory, one month after her passing. May her memory be a blessing.
12/18: MENORAH WORKSHOP 12-2pm, at Home-Depot in Halfmoon. Call 4950772/9 for more info.
12/21: CITY HALL CHANUKAH HS girls will join Rabbi Rubin for a Chanukah reception with Mayor Jennings 10am at City Hall.
12/21: MHDS RAFFLE-AUCTION, TORAH AND CHANUKAH EVENT The annual Raffle-Auction (28 prize-packages viewing & drawings), “Kosher Fried Chanukah” dinner & the “Travelers-Torah” dedication ceremony & celebration will be at Maimonides on Wednesday night, the 2nd night of Chanukah! You can order tickets by mail, you do not need to be present to win, but it sure is a lot more fun!
6pm:
· Hakafot Torah Dancing · Desserts · Final Ticket Purchases
7pm:
· Menorah Lighting · 28 Prize Package Drawings & Winners!
12/25: DELMAR CHANUKAH 5:30pm, party and celebration at Delmar Chabad, 109 Elsmere Ave. Call 439-8280 for info.
12/26: FRIENDSHIP BOWL Chanukah celebration and bowling for children with special needs and their families, and F.C. volunteers, 3pm-4:30pm at Del-Lanes in Delmar. Call Liba 438-4220 for more info.
12/27: MIDDLE SCHOOL APPS TRIP We’ll leave for our “Route 9” trip by 9am, and hopefully be back in time for the 11:30am pickup. Permissions slips go home next week.
12/27: CHANUKAH SKATING 11:45-1:45 at YMCA Delmar (BIG Arena). $5 admission &skates. Info? Rabbi Simon 439-8280.
12/19: HAAZINU AT WOMENS B.M.
12/22: CLIFTON PARK CHANUKAH 12/27: DREIDELS & DOUGHNUTS Bet Midrash Night for Women meets 8pm at MHDS for a text-study & discussion of “Ha’azinu” 5:30pm with CANorah lighting (bring a can!), A “COFFEE SHOP” CHANUKAH a poetic and beautiful song at the end of the Torah. dreidels and doughnuts, theater & crafts at Clifton 5pm at the Greenbush Community Library. Call Park Center Mall. Call 495-0772/9 for more info. Call 495-0779/2 for more information. the Labers at 727-9581 for more info. 12/20: FIRST LIGHT @ 4 CORNERS Giant outdoor Menorah public lighting 3pm at Delmar’s Four-Corners (where Kenwood meets Delaware Ave). Call 439-8280 for more info.
12/20: CHANUKAH ON ICE 5pm at Saratoga Ice Skating Rink on Weibel Ave. Call Rabbi Abba at 526-0773 for more info.
12/20: SHLOCK ROCK CONCERT Sponsored by HACD, first night of Chanukah, at CBAJ. Doors open 6pm, Concert begins at 7pm. Advance tickets: $10, Family Package: $45 for 5
12/22-26: JGR WINTER RETREAT Girls ages 8-15, this year at Dunham’s Bay Resort Lake George! (Buses leave from Albany). Features include snow-tubing, bonfires, swimming, creative arts clubs, inspiring Shabbos, DJ with dancing, and much more. For more info/register: call Nechama (518) 727-9581 or visit www.jewishgirlsretreat.net.
12/25: BETH TEPHILAH PARTY 1pm with luncheon and fun prize game auction, at historic Beth Tephilah, 82 River Street in Troy. Call 274-5572 for more info.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
(518) 453-9363/3434
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary
“A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
12/27: A MAGICAL CHANUKAH 6pm Chanukah dinner, lively music and a magic show at Schenectady’s Beth Israel on Eastern Parkway. $12 (members) $15 (non-members) and children under 12 are $6. Kids who bring in a photo of their Chanukah home decorations can get in free! For info call the synagogue: 377-3700.
12/31: FAITH & HOPE CONCERT III CBAJ presents “Songs of Faith & Hope III” with Shloime Kaufman & the Strosbergs in concert at 8pm (dinner precedes at 7:15pm for extra cost). Concert only is $22pp, $8 for kids. Call 489-5819.
BH THURS
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Kislev 26, 5772 / December 22, 2011
Candle-Lighting:
4:07 Shabbos Ends:
5:13
This newsletter is dedicated in memory of
Dr. Abe Luchins
on occasion of his yartzeit Today - Kislev 26 RABBI ITKINS SOLAR MENORAH OUR STUDENTS SHINE The Itkins attend Maimonides all the way from Ulster County. Rabbi A.B. Itkin pioneered a solar-powered Menorah (it charges by day and shines by night) for Woodstock NY. It was featured in news stories all over the internet!
Mrs. Carroll turned her 1st grade students into the shining, bright candles of her Menorah! Rashi comments on Aharon’s biblical kindling of the Menorah: Aharon kindled the lights “until the flame rose on its own” - which is oftused as a Jewish educational metaphor.
MAZAL TOV MATHLESS BABY Morah Devorah Leah and Rabbi Mendy Mathless had a baby girl who they named Esther Aidel (in memory of the baby’s aunt, Esther (Rubin) Cohen) at the Torah reading on the first day of Chanukah.
Too much for one newsletter! See MC SUPPLEMENT LABER BABY BRIS for Wednesday Night’s THURS @ SCHOOL A Bris on Chanukah! All Kosher Fried Chanukah kids were invited & they Raffle-Auction 2011 & all enjoyed the delicious spread (6+ upstairs, N,K-5 Travelers-Torah Celebration downstairs) and ate of the photos, winners & more! Seudas Mitzvah. The Labers named their son Schneur Zalman, because he was born on Kislev 19.
“OH CHANUKAH” AT D.O.S. Accompanied on piano by their music teacher, Morah Leah (Mrs. Lynn Gross) Maimonides grades K-3 sang “Oh Chanukah!” in Yiddish, Hebrew & English, Maoz Tzur and a song about their Hebrew names at Daughters of Sarah. Some wore Dreidel costumes, others used shakers to accompany their singing. The sweet, smiling children, and their lively, meaningful songs certainly brought a lot of good holiday cheer to the seniors there. At the end the seniors treated the children with (pasyisrael) cookies and apple-juice.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
Many thanks to all participants, in person, online, via mail etc..
NO SHWARMA LEFTOVERS
BOYLES LAW &
As reported last week, 6/7 grade with Morah CHARLES LAW Leyee finished the lengthy Chapter 12 (50 Both these laws were verses!) of Parshas Bo, with all its complex applied this week to Rashi commentary on the laws of the Paschal balloon experiments in Dr. Sahay’s 6/7 Lamb before the Exodus. They celebrated with science class, in the Dr. O’Brien Science Lab. a delicious Shwarma siyum, pita, salad, techina Boyles Law is that when pressure goes up, and all (the boys chopped up the salad). They volume goes down. They put a slightly were careful to try and “observe” as many of inflated small water balloon inside a the laws of the Paschal Lamb, including “don’t syringe. They put their finger on the leave any leftovers!” (It was boneless, so they bottom of the syringe and when they didn't have to worry about that rule). pushed down on the top, the balloon got smaller! When they pulled back the syringe, THE XYZ AFFAIR the balloon expanded in size! Ms. Zalak’s history students are learning about Charles Law is that when temperature goes up, the volume goes up, too (and vice the XYZ affair (1798) that involved French versa). They blew up three balloons, kept agents, bribery, a naval war, international one indoors, put one outside (which blew affairs, political parties, the John Adams away!) and put one in the freezer. The Presidency, and “Millions for defense, sir, but frozen balloon was smaller. not one cent for tribute!”
TRYING TO RIP PHONEBOOKS 8th grade science is learning about friction, and how that applies (with a formula) to an experiment they very much enjoyed using phonebooks. They overlapped pages, one after another, on each other, from two different phone-books, like shuffling a deck of cards. Then they tried pulling them apart, but they could not! This was so much fun, that they ended up tearing some of the phonebooks (sorry Mrs. Rosenfield!) but it was an excellent demonstration of how each page has the friction (which does not allow it to be pulled apart) supported by the weight of all the (interlocking) pages above it). They also watched the Mythbusters on this same experiment.
WAX CANDLES W/ MRS MAHER Maimonides seeks to integrate Jewish and General Studies whenever possible for a wellrounded educational experience. Mrs. Maher (5th grades’ General Studies), made blue and white Chanukah candles with her students using long wicks and buckets of hot wax, as it connected with her history curriculum about FIRST GRADE SIDDUR PARTY ON FIRST DAY OF CHANUKAH Morah Devorah’s students and parents celebrated this annual tradition, a rite of passage, as the apprenticeship to learn a skill or trade. children begin to master portions of the daily prayers and receive their own Siddurim, presented by Rabbi Rubin (with a beautiful poem on the inside cover with their name) and their photos on the covers. Their crowns have the portion of Tefilah that each one led for the class, from Modeh Ani to Eilu Devarim and Mah-Tovu all the way to Ashrei, Shema etc… They baked Alef-Beis cookies to share with their parents. Rabbi Rubin wished them a TRIPLE MAZAL TOV! Why triple? One for the teacher, one for their parents, and one for themselves!
ANOTHER DELICIOUS SIYUM Unlike the Shwarma above, this party was dairy… 3rd graders with Rabbi Yossi just finished the 15th chapter of the Torah (in Parshat Lech-Lecha) so they celebrated with refreshing cold ice-cream in cones. Torah is sweet, Torah is refreshing, and it is compared to “milk and honey” (or sugar in this case) as is the Land of Israel.
HS GIRLS SET UP MENORAH AT ALBANY CITY HALL Rabbi Rubin and the HS Girls (not all pictured) set-up a Menorah and Chanukah display in the lobby at City Hall. The girls enjoyed a schmooze with Mayor Jennings. He took them into his office, showed them around, and Raizel got to sit in his seat. They told him about the school’s Raffle-Auction, he bought a ticket for the Laptop, but E.M. Hall beat him to that prize!
PLEASE BRING IN PENNIES Two jars (the ones we lit at the Raffle-Auction on Wednesday) are nearly filled. Now we have only 6 jars to go! The Menorah will be up and around until its filled, it may take days or weeks, but we’ll get there, one penny at a time! (The Shamash jar is being filled with nickels…)
THE (STRAIGHT) SINGING COWS Rabbi Laber showed his Navi students two interpretations of “Vayisharna HaParos” (a) the cows walked in a straight line, or (b) the cows sang! (These were the cows hitched to the captured Holy Ark, which brought it back from the Philstines to the Jewish people). So Rabbi Laber asked each them to come up with a song (fitting to the story) that these cows would have sung! Of course, they put “Moo, Moo” sprinkled throughout, but they came up with good rhythm and rhyme.
PERFORMANCES UPDATE Nursery students (top) are situating themselves on stage, this second grader (above) holds up her Maccabee shield. While we understand a number of school families will be away for part or all of next week, we’re going ahead with Thurs’ 10am post-Chanukah performances (and the practices on the half-days prior). There’ll be Chanukah spirit all week long!
SHLOSHIM FOR RIVKA LOSICE OBM Following a buffet sit-down dinner, the formal program began with Rabbi Rubin teaching four Mishnas (that the students of Maimonides learned in memory of Rivka Losice) whose first initials spell Rivka (pictured above). He connected the Mishnas to Mrs. Losice’s balance of Halachic adherence and American life (even when it wasn’t as popular), her consistent and pleasing manner, her timeliness, planning and foresight, and her appreciation for Jewish history and tradition. Her son, Mr. Avi Losice, spoke about how his mother urged him on, encouraged him forward, and was concerned and excited for his success and accomplishments. Her son-in-law, Mr. Simcha Herbstman, compared Reb Moshe Losice’s loss to Yaakov’s loss, and how (in a sense) that which comforted Yaakov (continuity in his children) can in time hopefully be some comfort to R’ Moshe as well. Reb Moshe Losice was last of the formal program, he quoted a saying how eulogy in Hebrew can (by one twist of 2 letters) mean loss, and (the Shulchan Aruch’s expression of) “great loss.” Rivka suffered from Parkinsons in her final years, she wasn’t her old self, and somewhat “out of it”. R’ Moshe shared two stories that demonstrated how on-top-things Rivka was, (like Shlomo being referred to as king, even when deposed) even in those “out-of-it” times. Following the formal portion of the program (which included a buffet dinner and desserts) people in the crowd spoke up about their memories of Rivka: how she cared for her father-in-law, her speaking to him in Yiddish, her dignity, dress and presence in shul and community, her influence on people’s religious observance, how she was careful with a food-blessing even in her illness, despite her personal refinement and dignity she was patient with others who weren’t that way, her tact and careful choice of words, her editing of Rabbi Rubin’s articles, the choco-covered cookie bars at the Shteeble Kiddushim, how she found ways to talk with young and old, regardless of what they had in common. May her memory be a blessing!
at Maimonides and in the Community 12/22-26: JGR WINTER RETREAT
12/31: FAITH & HOPE CONCERT III
Girls ages 8-15, this year at Dunham’s Bay Resort Lake George! (Buses leave from Albany). Features include snow-tubing, bonfires, swimming, creative arts clubs, inspiring Shabbos, DJ with dancing, and much more. For more info/register: call Nechama (518) 727-9581 or visit www.jewishgirlsretreat.net.
CBAJ presents “Songs of Faith & Hope III” with Shloime Kaufman & the Strosbergs in concert at 8pm (dinner precedes at 7:15pm for extra cost). Concert only is $22pp, $8 for kids. Call 489-5819.
1/23: MICAH HALPERN SPEAKS
Micah has a weekly radio feature “A Safer World” is a syndicated columnist, a history buff and a 12/24: RABBI REISMAN’S SHIUR terrorism expert, and also a reviewer of Kosher wine. He’s contributed to news & documentaries Live from Brooklyn, Sat Night 7:30pm at CBAJ. The text is Navi (Jewish prophets) but the insights featured on CNN, FOX, PBS, the History and Discovery Channels etc. Micah will be speaking for and learning cover the Jewish spectrum. a Joint Federation Society (open to community) event and buffet dinner at Ohav Shalom. Stay 12/25: BETH TEPHILAH PARTY 1pm with luncheon and fun prize game auction, at tuned for details, or call Federation at 783-7800. historic Beth Tephilah, 82 River Street in Troy. 1/25: MASSRY KOSHERNIGHT OUT Call 274-5572 for more info. Reservations fill up quick, call 689-0453 for cost, info and RSVPs. Massry Residence at Daughters of 12/25: DELMAR CHANUKAH 5:30pm, party and celebration at Delmar Chabad, Sarah is at 180 Washington Ave Extension. 109 Elsmere Ave. Call 439-8280 for info.
Berkshire Front Page features Volovik’s candle-lighting
1/29: J-FED’S SUPERSUNDAY
12/26: FRIENDSHIP BOWL Chanukah celebration and bowling for children with special needs and their families, and F.C. volunteers, 3pm-4:30pm at Del-Lanes in Delmar. Call Liba 438-4220 for more info.
12/26-27: ROSH CHODESH TEVET Both days Rosh Chodesh Minyan 8am at Shomray Torah (Shteeble), not at Maimonides this time.
SuperSunday is the Federation’s annual phone-athon to raise funds for local Jewish agencies and organizations (Maimonides is a Federation beneficiary) as well as overseas Jewish needs. In addition to “answering the call” Federation looks for volunteers to make the calls, and the MHDS parent body volunteers each year.
2/12: SPA FOR BODY AND SOUL
This annual womens event has been rescheduled 12/27: MIDDLE SCHOOL APPS TRIP from its original January date. Stay tuned for speaker, program and location info, soon to be We plan to leave for our “Route 9 exploration and announced. Call Clara 439-8280 or Leah 495excursion” by 9am, and hopefully be back in time 0779 for info or how to get involved. for the 11:30am pickup.
12/27: CHANUKAH SKATING 11:45am-1:45pm at YMCA Delmar (formerly BIG Arena). $5 admission and skates. Call Rabbi Simon 439-8280 for info.
MHDS CHANUKAH SCHOOL SCHEDULE
4-Corners Menorah “A Holiday Glow” in Times-Union
NO SCHOOL Extended Weekends
12/27: DREIDELS & DOUGHNUTS - Fridays, December 23rd & 30th A “COFFEE SHOP” CHANUKAH 5pm at the Greenbush Community Library. Call the Labers at 727-9581 for more info.
12/27: A MAGICAL CHANUKAH 6pm Chanukah dinner, lively music and a magic show at Schenectady’s Beth Israel on Eastern Parkway. $12 (members) $15 (non-members) and children under 12 are $6. Kids who bring in a photo of their Chanukah home decorations can get in free! For info call the synagogue: 377-3700.
HALF-DAYS 11:30am dismissal Mon-Thurs, December 26-29
POST-CHANUKAH PERFORMANCES 10am, Thursday, December 29th. While some families will be away for part or all of this half-days week, we’re going ahead with the performances for those who can make it.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary
“A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
75 made Menorahs at Halfmoon’s Home-Depot with Clifton Park Chabad - featured in “Times-Union”
BH TUES
RC Teves 5772 / December 27, 2011
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
In memory of
Avram Horowitz “Avram ben Yaakov Aryeh HaLevi”
The longtime Baal-Koreh (Torahreader) at Cong. Shomray Torah passed away on the 2nd day of Chanukah, Kislev 26, the same Hebrew date as this Torah dedication. Shiva will be observed at the Horowitz home, on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, after 11am.
SPECIAL THANKS We were greatly honored with the presence and
participation in “Travelers-Torah” dedication of Rabbi & Mrs. Shneur Aizenshtark, dean of Montreal‟s Bais Yaakov and a recognized educator; and Reb Dovid & Mrs. Muller, prominent in the Montreal community. R’ Shmuel & Rivka Kochman for cooking up a “Kosher Fried Chanukah” dinner, with down home southern fried chicken, mashed potatoes and delicious gravy, salad, cole-slaw, rolls etc… Mrs. Shayna Kudan for serving as this year‟s Raffle-Drawings announcer. Rafael Chaiken for lively hakafot music. Mrs. Sharona Backman for recording all ticket entries and keeping the raffle (and many office tasks) smooth and efficient, and to her and the HS Girls for event-night ticket-sales. Mrs. Raizy Rubin - Raffle-Auction Coordinator, and to Rabbi Yossi & all school parents and friends who solicited, donated or arranged prize packages to make this fundraiser a success! To all the generous vendors who donated prizes, we are grateful for your support, and will list each of you again in an upcoming newsletter. Rabbi Shmuly & Laiky for arranging the website for online ticket sales. Mrs. Beth Gray & Mrs. Laiky Rubin for helping create beautiful prize package displays.
To the many participants, young and old, for
your personal and financial contributions, warm enthusiasm and energy, making this a most memorable and successful event.
RAFFLE RESULTS Everyone was a winner! Maimonides raised nearly $10,000 and everyone involved participated in the Mitzvah… See inside for listing of 29 winners!
NEED INFO ON WINNINGS? Call the school office 453-9363/3434 or Raizy Rubin 438-4227 for more on how to claim your prize package if you haven‟t done so already.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
Avram’s refined, modest and unassuming manner, & his principled and consistent commitment to Jewish observance and tradition, integrity and mentschlechkayt, left lasting impressions with all who knew him. Avram maintained Jewish observance even while serving in the US Army. His reassuring, even-tempered calm was present even at his passing. May his memory be a blessing. Our condolences to his wife Esther, his children Judy and Benjy and their families.
Everyone is a winner for supporting Jewish education! The following winners won these specific Raffle-Auction prizes: AA) Toshiba Thrive = Kudan Family A) Laptop Computer = Esther Miriam Hall B) Art Masterpiece = Shmuly Rubin C) Catskills Getaway = Lew & Beth Gray D) Silver Plus = Maxine Morgenbesser E) Dress-Up = Adam Covitch F) Sharp & Set = E.M. Hall G) Up & Down = Sholom Cohen H) Diamond Bracelet = Joyce Teitelman I) Stamp Up „n Step Up = Chana Simon J) Games Galore = Salo & Johanna Steper K) Have A Party = Joyce Teitelman L) Wine & Cheese = Backman Family M) Super-Clean = C. Krimmer N) Kitchen & More = Itche & Dini Gordon O) Shabbat Package = L & N Teitelman P) 5 Senses Judaica = L & N Teitelman Q) Staying Fit = Vicky O‟Brien R) Night Out = Shalom Simon S) Imagination Station = Steper Family T) Wagon Full of Toys = Kudan Family U) Camera & Viewer = Moshe Rubin V) Healthy Sampler = Evelyn Cohen W) Pair of Eye-Glasses = Abba Rubin X) American Girl Doll = Abba Rubin Y) Keep Talking = Ted & Susannah Levin Z) Warm-Up = Shimon & Liba Andrusier ?) Mystery = Mazal Mardechayeva SPECIAL) Split the Pot ($515): S.D. Simon
THANKS TO OUR VENDORS
NerArtGallery.com NCFJE’s Shaloh Chalet A Silver Breeze Ruthie’s Unique Boutique, Singer’s Jewelers 1saleaday.com Wolberg Electrical Supply Modern Carpet Stampin-Up Scrapbooking Step-It-Up 123 SodaStream The Party Warehouse The Deli Warehouse NaturalandKosher.com Cheeses Colonial Cleaners on North Allen Street Best Cleaners Lapiner Brothers, new store in Menands NY Drimmers.com and DrimmersHousewares The Mitzvah Center Tough Travelers, made in Schenectady NY S.A. Albany JCC HaChai Publishing Benz’s Fish
#O
#F
#AA
#K
KosherMeatStore.com Pereg Gourmet Joyce Chen RabbiMintz.com B’Tayavon Magazine Bnos Israel Mikvah Shabbos House Hyatt Place, Malta Turf & Spa, Saratoga Spectrum Theater The Egg POMwonderful Food Should Taste Good AllergyFreeFood.com Ancient Harvest Quinoa KOLfoods.com Little Ducks Organics Raw-Revolution Bars MimiCreme Essel Eye-Wear American Girl Doll Green Mountain Coffee Hilton Garden Inn, at Albany-Med And the school families who contributed prizes…
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO THE WEEKLY “MC” NEWSLETTER email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com Join hundreds who read it each week via email!
The Penny Menorah
As the time of this printing 3 jars of pennies are filled, with 5 more to go. We hope to fill it slowly, in the days and weeks following Chanukah…
The Air-Powered Dreidel
Mrs. Sahay and her 8th grade science students designed this Dreidel to turn in the wind (indoor simulation by a fan) that is suspended on the center rod by two sets of opposing magnets with a slight gap in between that allows the Dreidel to spin…
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary
“A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
BH Teves
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Candle-Lighting:
4:19 Shabbos Ends:
5:24
POST-CHANUKAH M.C. EDITION OLENDER CONDOLENCES Good to the last drop (of oil)… we’re still savoring the flavor of Chanukah! We had a newsletter for the first Chanukah weekend, and a supplement edition (the following Tuesday) with 3 pages of photos from the Torah dedication, RaffleAuction and Chanukah dinner, but we did not have a post-Chanukah newsletter last week. So, this week’s “MC” includes (a) the Dreidel contest (b) our Chanukah performances (c) the middle-school APPS trip on Route 9 (d) the Penny-Menorah update and more…
BREAKING NEWS THRU MUSIC
11, 5772 / January 6, 2012
Rabbi Yossi and Leyee attended the funeral this week of Mr. Donald Olender (of the former “Olender Mattress Company” founded in Amsterdam NY in 1902). The Olender family are Kohanim, whose roots (on both sides of the family) are local, from Amsterdam and Albany. At the shiva they even remembered their grandfather on Delaware Ave doing Kapores before Yom-Kippur. The grandmother would make 20 pounds of fresh homemade gefilte fish each week, and the extended family would come from all over the area to get it. Donald served in the South Pacific in WWII just a few months after marrying his wife Toby (may she live & be well) he kept his wedding ring with him. The ring was lost on a beach in wartime, yet remarkably was found in the sand (!) and returned by a fellow soldier. Donald loved memories, and he took his camera with him everywhere and took pictures of all his travels. For some reason, Rabbi Yossi always told Toby, “Chazak, Chazak vNischazek!” Her husband Donald (Dovid) passed away this week - when we read the end of Breishis, and say Chazak…
“PENNY MENORAH” UPDATE
This newsletter is sponsored in memory of
Pas’Mindel bas Leah Priscilla Jacobs dear mother of Dr. Ed Jacobs on her Yartzeit, 10th of Tevet This newsletter is sponsored in memory of
Eliezer ben Hirsch Morgenbesser
Yartzeit: 12 Teves (Shabbos) by the Morgenbesser Family
SCHOOL CALENDAR NOTES
This picture was taken during Nursery free-play As of this Friday we have 3 jars of pennies A Rambam Melava Malka & Daf-Yomi Siyum filled, and a 4th one already on a few weeks ago, but we couldn’t think of a is planned at school for next Sat Night, 12/14. the way! The holiday may be over, good caption for it, until last week’s Torah but we’re continuing the effort to Jan 19th was originally planned to be a portion (Vayigash) - when Rashi says Yaakov’s teachers professional day but that had to be granddaughter Serach played a song on her fill the “Penny-Menorah” slowly rescheduled, so please note this change from harp (or string-instrument) to slowly break the but surely, one penny at a time. the original school calendar, there will be good news to him that Yosef was still alive. How long do you think it will take for us to fill regular school on this date. all eight jars? (The shamash is filled with dimes and nickels). Do you have a few pennies laying There will be regular school on Dr. Martin MAZAL TOV MORRISONS Luther King Jr. Day, January 16th. around? Please send them into school! MHDS alumna Zelda Morrison is engaged to Tzedek Zirkind! Their L’chaim was in Crown Heights and the wedding is planned for the MAIMONIDES end of February. 404 Partridge Street
DAVID RICHTER CONDOLENCE The late Mr. David Richter, was born in Albany and lived here all his life. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War, and was the president of Metroland Business Machines (where our new school copier is from). David’s Bar-Mitzvah was in the old Partridge Street synagogue (he later belonged to Beth Emeth) and he shared fond memories with Rabbi Rubin when he found out that our school is using the same building on Partridge Street.
Albany NY 12208
REFLECTIONS ON THE REFLECTION IN THE PHOTO For New Years, the “Times-Union” published their photographers best photos of 2011. Philip Kamrass’ favorite photo was of a visit with parents who lost their son on 9/11. The parents were looking at a photo of their son hanging in their home. What makes this photo so special is that Philip took the picture in such a way that you can see the reflection of the parents in the framed glass! Rabbi Mendel used this unique photo as a lesson about how our personal reflections are “part of the picture.” The way we relate to the texts we study, how we internalize stories - it’s all part of the picture.
MAZAL TOV MASHA Masha (Vilenchuk) was a dormcounselor and taught classes at Maimonides, and got married this week to Refael Pugach at the Sephardic Lebanese Synagogue on Ave T in Brooklyn. We wish the new couple much mazal and bracha, and best regards from her friends and students in Albany!
MAZAL TOV R’ MOSHE LOSICE On the Ufruf this Shabbos and wedding this Monday of his granddaughter Baila Herbstman to Chaim Salb. Only Simchas!
YAIR SOHN’S BAR-MITZVAH Yair will be called to the Torah on Monday, January 16th, in Elizabeth NJ. Mazal Tov to Yair, to his parents, and to his grandmother Mrs. Nina Israel.
FRICTION IS FRICTION, RIGHT?
8th graders in science class are learning about the differences between static friction and KAGAN-PRINCE CONDOLENCE kinetic friction, dry friction and fluid friction, Our condolences to Mrs. Ethel Kagan on the and they have to put together a chart loss of a nephew, David Prince (whose mother explaining all the different forms of friction. was a Kagan and lived in Albany years ago). MR. MOLECULE AT THE PALACE Grades K-5 are headed on DA VINCI... AND THE RAMBAM a trip this coming Tuesday 5th graders are now learning about Leonardo morning to the Palace da Vinci. He is such an interesting person to Theater to see a science learn about because he was into so many “GELILAH” different things! He was an inventor and a children’s show to “open your cranium to your ON ROSH painter, a botanist and a mathematician, a branium”. They’ll report sculptor and a musician… among other things! CHODESH on it next week. And he was away ahead of his time. Some The boys students said Da Vinci made them think of davening class joined the daily the Rambam (our school’s namesake) who was 6/7 CHUMASH CLASS MEETS TEFILLIN AND THE DAF-YOMI 8am Minyan at a medical doctor and a philosopher, a major Shomray Torah author and law codifier, and communal Morah Leyee’s 6/7 Chumash class is now Rabbi… it’s amazing what one person can for Rosh learning the two portions of Torah inside the Chodesh Tevet accomplish (even without computers)! Tefillin boxes from Parshat Bo. This class is on Chanukah. just about one year away from Bar-Mitzvah, so CHUMASH MEETS PARSHAH 3rd grader Avi that’s a great connection. Plus, the same Torah was honored 5th graders are now learning Parshat Vayechi portion also speaks of the mitzvah of with one of the in their Chumash class, and we’re also reading redeeming the first-born which is the topic two “Gelilahs” it this week as the Torah portion! They’re up now being studied (and soon to be concluded) wrapping the Torah after it was layned (read) to the beginning of the Parsha where Yaakov in the Daf-Yomi Talmud cycle. by 8th grader Eli. asks Yosef to bury him in Israel (they liked the Rashi about why Yaakov brought story of WOMENS YOGA - NEW SESSION Rochel’s untimely death and roadside burial SIDDUR PARTY CORRECTION 1:15-2:15pm Wednesdays at Maimonides, 6 into the conversation), and also the story of Last “MC” mistakenly said the 1st grade weeks beginning this Wednesday. Open to Siddur party was on the first-day of Chanukah, the hand-switching blessing of Yosef’s two women in the community. $35 for 6 sessions. sons, Menashe and Efraim. it was on the morning before Chanukah. Call 495-0779/2 for more info.
THE CREATIVE DREIDEL CONTEST Thanks to Morah Batsheva for the idea, to Morah Devorah Leah for getting the classes on board, and to all the students who put themselves into it! 8th graders made the wind-powered, magnet-suspended Dreidel with Mrs. Sahay; 4th graders used bottle-caps to spell the four letters on a Styrofoam box, 3rd graders made a Piñata of papier-mâché filled with chocolate coins; 6/7th made a “manual” Dreidel, that is worn by a person and operated by their feet… 5th graders made 2 Dreidels: a robotic, electric powered Dreidel of motorized Lego that is even responsive to voice! And 5th grade also made a “random” Dreidel with dried flowers making up one letter, coins, pom-poms, & paper-clips for the others..
APPS TRIP EXPLORING RT 9 On Tuesday of Chanukah, following their beautiful “Travelers-Torah” APPS projects, Rabbi Mendel took middle-schoolers on an exploration trip with spontaneous stops of interest up Route 9 from Albany to Halfmoon and back. Below are some of their stops…
CHAZAK, CHAZAK! CHUMASH BREISHIS IN A NUTSHELL... Morah Devorah’s 2nd graders drew pictures that summarize each of the Parshiyot in Chumash Breishis - just in time for this week when we conclude the whole Sefer Breishis in Shul and call out in unison “Chazak, Chazak, V’Nischzeik!”
Massive sandstone boulder outside Siena College
FRESH AIR AND MOVEMENT Despite the increasingly colder temps, we want to try to take the kids outside as much as possible. The fresh air and movement is a great healthy refresher to break up the school-day. Please be sure the children come to school prepared with appropriate outerwear.
A-Frame Building
Gutpills Barn at Guptills Arena
A mysterious smell by Mohawk River at Halfmoon
LCHAIM TO HIRSHEY! Hirshey had a birthday party in 2nd grade this week. The kids enjoyed frosted cupcakes, and made a L’chaim wishing him a good year.
SOUP OF THE WEEK Email mrs.samet@gmail.com or call Call 516371-1401 to sign up for your week.
CANDLE-MAKING Mrs. Maher’s 5th graders made their own wax candles just before Chanukah, (they’re above pictured drip-drying) as they learned a socialstudies unit about apprenticeship, how in years past, young people learning a skill or trade as they worked for a master.
Farmer Crossing Sign Horse-Bench
Sign for Color TV’s !?
A FEW MORE OF THE “TRAVELERS TORAH” APPS PROJECTS We displayed a few in a previous “MC” newsletter, here are 3 more. L-R: Daniel’s Torah has a road inside the scroll with a one-way sign “only upward!”; Chani’s “Traveler’s Torah Suitcase” has relevant trip souvenir stickers and patches - even a real buckle; Chana’s poster has NYC icons in blue, Montreal as red, and Albany in the middle is purple because being midway it brings the two together - paraphrasing the Maimonides school’s motto: “… a beautiful blend!”
(A) Historic Newtonville Post-Office (R) Waterfall & Fish @ Aquarium Shop (B) At a Huge Firewood Pile
at Maimonides and in the Community 1/7: HS GIRL’S COMMUNAL PIZZA-NIGHT III 3rd Pizza Night of the season! Begins 7pm at “Nathan’s Kitchen” at Maimonides, eat-in or take-out. Pre-order: pizzanite@gmail.com it is helpful and earns you a free can of soda. This week the children’s video will be about Israel or the Temple to reflect Tevet 10 this week.
1/7: RABBI REISMAN’S SAT NIGHT SHIUR Live from Brooklyn, Sat Night 7:30pm at CBAJ.
First graders sing and scramble themselves as the Hebrew ingredients in a Latke…
1/14: RAMBAM MELAVA MALKA & SIYUM Daf Yomi finishes tractate Bechoros (they’re nearing the end of the whole Talmud!) on the same night as the Rambam’s Yartzeit (Tevet 20) so Maimonides is hosting a Melava Malka, 8pm at the school.
1/16: WOMENS BET-MEDRASH NIGHT 8pm at Maimonides. This month’s focus is the “Song of Givon” as we explore “10 Songs of the Bible” this year at the womens study group.
1/19: NOTE CHANGE: SCHOOL IS ON FOR 19TH
Nursery students delighted to sing “Go Away Darkness” in Hebrew & English, light-up candy-pops in hand!
The original calendar had a teacher’s professional day, but that had to be rescheduled, so we will be having a regular school day instead.
1/23: MICAH HALPERN SPEAKS FOR J-FED Micah’s weekly radio feature “A Safer World”, syndicated columnist and terrorism expert, and a reviewer of Kosher wine. He’s contributed to features on CNN, FOX, PBS, the History and Discovery Channels. Micah will speak for a Joint Federation Society (open to community) and buffet dinner (catered by Raizy) at Ohav Shalom. Call 783-7800.
YAKANAHAZ musical chairs skit showcasing 9 Talmudic opinions on the order of a combination Kiddush & Havdalah on a Sat Night that’s a YomTov…
1/25: KOSHER NIGHT OUT AT THE MASSRY Reservations fill up quickly, call 689-0453 for cost, info and RSVPs. Massry Residence at Daughters of Sarah at 180 Washington Ave Ext.
1/25: LAUNCH OF “MONEY MATTERS” JLI CLASS 7:30-9pm at Maimonides, 6 Wednesdays on Jewish Business Ethics with particular relevance to the current economic climate. Find out more at myJLI.com or call Rabbi Mathless 582-1872.
1/29: JEWISH FEDERATION’S “SUPER-SUNDAY”
Kindergarteners sang Chanukah songs dressed as Dreidels which they designed, and the 2nd graders sang dressed with Maccabees headgear & shields they made.
SuperSunday is the Federation’s annual phone-a-thon to raise funds for local Jewish agencies and organizations (Maimonides is a Federation beneficiary) as well as overseas Jewish needs. In addition to “answering the call” Federation looks for volunteers to make the calls, and the MHDS parent body volunteers each year.
2/: ESTY MEMORIAL SHALOM BAYIS EVENT Stay tuned for info on a guest speaker in the beginning of February on the topic of relationship harmony in memory of Esty (Rubin) Cohen.
2/12: SPA FOR BODY AND SOUL Stay tuned for speaker, program and location info, for this annual womens event. Call Clara 439-8280 or Leah 495-0779.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School)
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary
“A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
3rd & 4th grade girls performed “Nine Spoons” an inspiring Holocaust Chanukah story by Marci Stillerman. Morah Devorah Leah helped the students memorize the script (they all knew their lines!) and Morah Moriah practiced with them when Morah D.L. had her baby. 8th graders designed the (tin-foil) spoon Menorah.
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO THE WEEKLY “MC” email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Join hundreds who read this newsletter each week via email!
BH Teves
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah „n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Candle-Lighting:
4:26 Shabbos Ends:
5:31
This newsletter is dedicated with best wishes
FEDERATION ALLOCATION
Happy Birthday Rabbi Yossi
The Maimonides School is proud to announce that for the upcoming year we received a raise (despite the challenging economic times) from last year’s Federation allocation, and will be receiving the full $32,000 of the allocation request. This support is extremely helpful to our school. We are grateful to the committee who reviewed our presentation, and to all the Federation donors who make this possible.
Today: Teves 18
RAMBAM MELAVA MALKA AT MAIMONIDES
SNOW DAY PREDICTIONS Mrs. Rosenfield asked several classes to pick dates on the calendar when the first snow day might fall this year, and fill out a card with a reason why they chose that date. The cards are now hanging in the lobby around a calendar for January and February. The winner, or closest date to the first snow-day will win a little prize. Well, this Thursday we had a 2-hour delay because of the snow and icy (some were icier than others) conditions, but no snow-day yet!
SNOW DAY OR NOT, IT’S WINTER
Sat Night January 14th, 8pm Nursery (top) made a montage of winter clothes cut out from old magazines as they learned Tevet 20 - Rambam’s Yartzeit about different types and styles of clothing, and their Hebrew names. Kindergarten (above) cutFeaturing the Daf-Yomi Siyum out large shapes of winter clothing, colored of Talmud tractate Bechoros them with their Hebrew names, and hung them on a “clothesline” in their classroom. Some - all are welcome! days have been unseasonably warm recently, but we ask kids to come each day with winter See inside this “MC” for what our students clothing, so they can go out by recess-time. have been learning recently in connection with MAZAL TOV EFRAIM RUBIN MHDS alumnus Rabbi Efraim and Menucha Rubin (Brooklyn NY) had a baby boy just after Shabbos ended last week. Mazal Tov to grandparents Chazan and Rubin and the families! The Bris (and baby-naming) will be at a soon to be announced date, G-d willing.
MAIMONIDES LUNG CAPACITY EXPERIMENT Mrs. Maher’s 5th graders tested their lung capacity using a bubble blowing experiment. They covered their desks with thick black garbage bags, and 50ml of bubble solution over it, then each blew one giant bubble using a straw in one long breath onto the desk. They waited for it to pop, (or burst from breath) and then measured the ring left on the garbage bag. It’s not perfectly accurate, but it gives you an idea and it was a lot of fun. They each repeated the bubble and measuring 3 times, and used the average to determine their lung capacity.
18, 5772 / January 13, 2012
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
tractate Bechoros (laws of first-born redemption - Pidyon HaBen, and also first-born animals):
6/7 grade in Chumash Parshat Bo Chapter 13 (see page 2) HS Girls on their recent trip to Sullivan County (see page 3)
JOHNNY TREMAIN TEFILLIN AND FIRSTBORN
Johnny Tremain is a popular historical fiction story (written in 1943 by Esther Forbes) about a young silversmith apprentice during the Colonial days leading up to the American Revolution. He was skilled and worked hard for his boss named Ephraim, but Johnny was also a little bossy to other apprentices who worked with him. Mrs. Maher is in middle of reading them the story.
6/7 graders are learning with Morah Leyee in Parshas Bo (chapter 13) two of the four Torah portions that are on the scrolls inside Tefillin. Rabbi Rubin came in and explained how the hand-Tefillin is different than the headTefillin (although they both contain the same 4 Torah portions) and how Rashi’s Tefillin (the standard Halachic set) has the portions in a slightly different order than his grandson “ASHER YATZAR” SIGNS Rabbeynu Tam of the French Tosafists (which some people wear daily as a bonus set). Aside 3rd graders learned about “the bathroom blessing” in their study of for Yetzias-Mitzrayim & Tefillin, the laws of Tefilah, and made their first-born redemption are also mentioned in own signs with the these verses - a timely connection with the Dafblessing on it. Some years Yomi Siyum on tractate Bechoros this ago Rabbi Rubin’s Saturday Night at Maimonides. newspaper reprinted an MR. MOLECULE AT THE PALACE article by Dr. Kenneth On Tuesday, Grades K-5 went on a trip to see VISIT TORAHPALACE.COM M. Prager (of ColumbiaMr. Molecule’s live science show at the Palace R’ Leibel’s Chanukah quiz game is still up at Presbyterian Hospital in Theater. The students above are pictured in Torah-Palace, check it out before the time is NYC) on how this old the lobby as they waited to be seated. Tickets up, and you can possibly win some nice prizes! blessing (written by Abbaye of the Talmud) is were free thanks to the Target and Equinox ever relevant today, especially in light of what Foundations. We we know today in modern medicine. had 5 seat-rows, among dozens of other schools from as close as New Scotland Ave and as far as Taconic Hills. Some of the show highlights were classifying animals (fish, bird, mammal, reptile etc), the bones of the human body (largest is femur, most important is skull), the food-chain of CHUMASH WORD LIST GROWS producers and consumers, a bowling ball in a “big G” gravity-bag and a little on astronomy, Morah Devorah’s class continues to grow their Chumash vocabulary. Some words are often too… mostly it was how enthusiastic he was repeated, but other words are new, and about science. He was also pretty funny, and had some neat accessories and expressions, but sometimes they learn old root-words in new GRAPH TYPES IN forms. They write the words using Hebrew it was mostly learning in a fun way. Our MATH CLASS stencils and put new ones on the wall. (older) students knew most of the answers! There’s more to graphs Parking was a headache, but BH (thank G-d) SLAVES IN AFRICA / MITZRAYIM than pie-charts and line-graphs. Mrs. Sahay’s worked out fine, thanks to the General 8th grade Math students are now doing a unit 5th graders were learning with Mrs. Maher Studies and Judaic teachers who drove (and about African slavery and how they was some on various types of graphs, including the Venn parked!), chaperoned and arranged the trip. --diagram, histograms, circular-graphs, stem different in their treatment between the and leaf plot, box and whisker, scatter-plot… middle colonies and the southern colonies, Depending on the type of data and the desired which the students related to the differences between the tribe of Levi and the other tribes presentation, the different types of graphs can be excellent tools to organize and visually SEDIMENT AND SETTLING during the biblical slavery in Egypt. display information. Rabbi Shmuly’s 5th graders learned in Mishna about the sediment in the bottom of some ANIMAL METAPHORS beverages and how that may affect the amount 5th grade is learning about Yaakov blessing his 8TH GRADE SHABBATONS 8th grade boys are headed to Shabbos House of sellable or returnable wine. They juiced sons (the 12 Tribes) before his passing in this weekend for the last Cozy-Shabbat before apples in a juicer, and then let it sit a while Parshat Vayechi. He used a lot of animal and watched the sediment settled on the metaphors: Yehudah as a lion, Yissachar as a the new semester begins. 8th grade girls are bottom. You can also see this notice about sturdy donkey, Don as a snake, Naftali swift as also getting together for a Shabbaton at one of their homes. product settling on the side of cereal boxes. a deer, Binyamin as a wolf, Yosef as an ox…
HABITAT DIORAMAS Mrs. Carroll’s 1st graders are now learning all about animal habitats (animal, foodsources, climate) and each student made a habitat shoe-box diorama. The habitats they made included wetlands, hot deserts, woodlands and deep under the sea, even the freezing cold Arctic!
NEW APPS: KNOW THY NEIGHBORHOOD Think of shops, offices and public spaces (parks, libraries, etc) on New Scotland, Madison &Western Avenues (and streets in between) that border our school’s neighborhood. Pick one and find out more about it, the APPS project is to create a flyer or brochure to promote that business or service or space. Think of angles in which this store, space or service might especially appeal to or benefit our community.
PLEASE GIVE MAIMONIDES A VIDEO VOTE Avi Chai is running a video contest for Jewish day schools. Due to a glitch we did not know of it until several days before the submission deadline, but we did manage to put together a short video with grades 6/7 boys rapping about the “Travelers’ Torah”, a few 8th graders presenting their APPS projects, a few words from Bruce Lorence the Torah donor, and a welcome from Rabbi Rubin. It’s amazing how quickly and nicely it all came together, thanks to Rabbi Yossi. Please log on to www.tinyurl.com/toraht (the “t” stands for travelers) and give Maimonides your vote (you can opt-out from the Avi-Chai emails).
H.S.’ SULLIVAN & ULSTER TRIP Last Sunday, Morah Leyee had an outing planned for the High School girls, but then they heard of a rally in Monticello about a recently stolen Torah, so they made a trip out of that instead. RALLY FOR LANDFIELD’S STOLEN TORAH Rabbi Rubin took cut up old candle-lighting magnets to write the words “Return Torah!” in huge letters on the side of the school van. The rally was held at the Landfield Avenue Synagogue, and the people there were impressed that a group of girls made the trip from Albany! News and TV reporters covering the rally also took photos of our van. We wish the Landfield Synagogue success in recovering their beloved Torah! STOPS AT WAL-MART & SPARKLES Some of the girls remembered from camp that Monticello’s Wal-Mart had a huge Kosher section, but they were disappointed to find out that it’s only for the summer months. They bought some snacks and headed for Sparkles, a Kosher dairy restaurant opened year-round on Route 42 in Fallsburg. They were very happy to see Albany visitors, too (and they commented on the girls nice behavior and upbeat attitude)! It was nice for the HS girls to enjoy other people’s pizza (they run Pizza-Nites here).
AT THE BETHEL CREAMERY & DAF YOMI SIYUM CONNECTION Morah Leyee arranged a tour of Rabbi Refoel Franklin’s dairy and poultry farm in Bethel NY. (Refoel, and his CAN YOU CHECK YOUR ADVANTEDGE CARD farm was featured in a “Jewish World” It seems that we have less sign-ups of AdvantEdge cards linked to article on Jewish farmers this past Maimonides this year than last. It is possible that a summer). His dairy/creamery is number of cards were dropped accidentally. Please organic and Chalav-Yisroel. They visited a barn full of pregnant cows, take a minute or two at Price Chopper’s customer got a tour of how the organic milk is made, and saw a calf that was service to make sure your cards are linked to born the erev Shabbos of the week before their trip! When the farmer “Maimonides School” in Albany NY. This is an showed the girls the milking machines he had to unlock the place since easy way to help the school, once your card is it is Cholov Yisroel! It was interesting to see this firsthand. While in linked you don’t have to think about it again, and the school the barn with the pregnant cows, Reb Refoel explained if the firstborn automatically earns points toward useful equipment. calf is a male, the Jewish owner can not benefit from it at all! To avoid such complications, the Jewish farmer sells a part of the mother cow to WEDNESDAY IS STRIPE-SHIRT DAY a non-Jew, which will make the calf not entirely the Jewish farmer’s, so Kids! Come to school this coming Wednesday (Jan therefore the farmer can go ahead and benefit from it. Rabbi Rubin got 18th) wearing a striped shirt and you can get “buy 2 excited, since there is going to be a Daf-Yomi on tractate Bechoros, cookies (at bake sale) get one free!” (limit one offer which talks about this exact issue! He also explained how cows respond per person). Can anyone think of a nice message to to the gentleness of the person dealing with them. R’ Refoel’s son be learned from stripes? Eliezer runs Pella Poultry at the same farm, so some of the girls also watched shechita of chickens, and then cleaned and Kosher-salted.
MAKING BABY MOSHE’S BASKET WITH REAL TAR
Morah Dini’s kindergarteners used real, sticky, gooey, black tar to waterproof the outside of their “Baby Moshe’s Baskets” as this week’s Parsha describes it.
REFRESHING AND ENJOYABLE STOP AT THE ITKINS The Itkins were also at the Torah Rally and invited the girls to stop at their Chabad House in Kingston on the way back to Albany. The Itkins made them a delicious spread and they had a chance to break up the trip as well as enjoy games of air-hockey, ping-pong & pool. Thanks!
at Maimonides and in the Community 1/14: RABBI REISMAN’S SAT NIGHT organizations (Maimonides School is a Federation Live from Brooklyn, Sat Night 7:30pm at CBAJ.
1/14: MELAVA MALKA & SIYUM
beneficiary) as well as overseas Jewish needs. In addition to “answering the call” Federation looks for volunteers to make the calls, and the MHDS parent body volunteers each year, either for SuperSunday or for one of the follow-up call sessions.
Daf Yomi finishes tractate Bechoros (they’re nearing the end of the Talmud!) on the same night as Rambam’s Yartzeit (Tevet 20) so Maimonides is hosting a Melava Malka, begins 8pm at the school. 1/30: ESTY MEMORIAL TALK A light dinner will be served, there’ll be the Siyum 7pm at Maimonides, an out-of-town guest speaker and inspirational words, singing and Melava Malka will speak on the theme of enhancing relationship harmony, (friendships, work-relationships and atmosphere. Men and women very welcome. marriage) in memory of Esty Cohen. All are welcome, no charge. More info in next week’s MC. 1/16: DR. M.L. KING JR. DAY School is on. Classes to focus on Dr. King’s legacy: non-violent change, civil rights for all, not judging others by externals & dreaming of a better day.
1/16: WOMENS BET-MEDRASH 8pm at Maimonides. This month’s focus is the “Song of Givon” as we explore “10 Songs of the Bible” this year at the womens study group.
1/18: F.C. SOCCER CIRCLE 6:15-7:15 at Afrim’s. Soccer circle for special needs ages 5+. Volunteers free. Call 438-4220 for info.
2/4: PIZZA-NITE IV (& ICE-CREAM) HS Girls are on again for a night of pizza-making, along with fries and sushi, and this time some icecream, too! Order ahead: pizzanite@gmail.com.
2/8: HAPPY TU BISHVAT School will have it’s annual Tu Bishvat Breakfast and classroom learning associated with trees, fruit and personal growth. It’s customary to enjoy some of Israel’s “7 Kinds” and a focus on fruit.
2/12: SPA FOR BODY AND SOUL
Kaila Lasky will be the featured speaker at this 7th annual womens event. A former actress and luxury Original calendar had a teacher’s professional day, real-estate broker, she will share her inspirational but that had to be rescheduled, so school is on. personal story, “From Drama Queen to Shabbos Queen.” The event’s theme is “Nurture Your 1/23: MICAH HALPERN SPEAKS Spirit, Change the World” and will include Micah has a weekly radio feature “A Safer World”, workshops and activities that help ourselves and is a syndicated columnist and terrorism expert, and others. The event will be at the Shenendehowa also a Kosher wine reviewer. He contributed to Adult Community Center, 6 Clifton Commons, in features on CNN, FOX, PBS, History & Discovery Clifton Park. Pre-register for $20, $25 at the door Channels. Micah will speak for a Federation or sponsor for $36. For more information, call Society (open to all) and buffet dinner (catered by Clara 439-8280 or Leah 495-0779. Raizy) at Ohav Shalom. Cost $22pp, call 783-7800 for pre-reservation rates and additional info.
1/19: SCHOOL IS ON FOR 19TH
2/17-26: PRESIDENTS WEEK BREAK
1/25: KOSHER NIGHT AT MASSRY Reservations fill up quickly, call 689-0453 for cost, info and RSVPs. Massry Residence at Daughters of Sarah at 180 Washington Ave Ext.
No school from Friday the 17th thru Sunday the 26th, school resumes 8am on Monday the 27th.
1/25: “MONEY MATTERS” JLI CLASS 7:30-9pm at Maimonides, 6 Wednesdays on Jewish Business Ethics about the current economic climate (insider trading, CEO compensation, unions etc - all from a Jewish perspective). Visit: myJLI.com or call Rabbi Mathless 522-1872.
1/29: J-FED’S “SUPER-SUNDAY”
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO THE WEEKLY “MC” email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Super-Sunday is the Federation’s annual phone-athon to raise funds for local Jewish agencies and
Join hundreds who read this “MC” newsletter each week via email!
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
Esty Cohen Memorial Series on Relationship Harmony Monday, January 30, 7pm at Maimonides This goal of this speakers series is to provide inspiration and skills to help improve and enhance all types of relationships: friendships, work-relationships & marriage
BH Teves
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Candle-Lighting:
4:34 Shabbos Ends:
5:39
MAZAL TOV KUDANS MHDS alumna Nechama (Kudan) and Rabbi Yossi Kagan (of Brooklyn) had a baby girl on Tuesday. They named her Esther Rivka for Yossi’s grandmother who passed away last year at age 98. Mazal Tov to the Kudans!
DR. MILES KLETTER OBM This picture was taken about a year and a half ago, in June of 2010, when Dr. Miles Kletter, a dentist from Saratoga Springs came to school to show the children his unusual collection of Israeli postage stamps (and actual postcards), and the fascinating historical tale they tell about the establishment and development of the modern State of Israel. Dr. Kletter passed away this week at the age of 69. Besides stamp and coin collecting, (and piloting planes and raising chickens, among many his many varied interests…) one of his biggest projects was frequently traveling to Eastern Europe to personally establish permanent and dignified memorials in towns and cities all over Belarus for the many Jews who perished there during the Holocaust. Dr. Kletter was active in the Jewish community, and also served as president of the Saratoga School District. May his memory be a blessing.
A COLORFUL BRIGHT CORNER Kathleen, a Sage College Volunteer at Maimonides, has been painting the small corridor between Nursery and Kindergarten with an outdoorsy theme: blue sky, brown tree, green grass and a white fence… it’s gradually taking shape and color, and adds a bright, cheerful feel to the early childhood learning center at our school. Thanks to all that the Sage volunteers add to our school and atmosphere!
25, 5772 / January 20, 2012
This newsletter is dedicated in memory of
Dr. Miles Kletter of Saratoga Springs who personally dedicated many memorials to Holocaust victims in towns and villages in Belarus - May his memory be a blessing -
This newsletter is dedicated in memory of
Mr. Joe Saidel - Yartzeit: Tevet 24 -
MALKY WINS BIG FOR LEIZER Malky Levy of Cincinnati won the top prize at Tzivos Hashem’s “Jewish Kids Got Talent II”. The Galperin family from Israel moved to Cincinnati where Malky lives, to get treatment at Shriners Hospital for their son who was tragically burnt in a terrible fire. Over the past year and a half, Malky spent many hours with little Laizer, playing with him, reading to him, during his treatment and recovery. The family appreciates the time she spends with him and say that she is a big part of his miraculous recovery. Malky will be donating her winnings
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
Founding member of Albany’s Daf Yomi, attorney for Chabad and Maimonides, pillar at Shomray Torah & CBAJ Minyans (thousands of dollars!) to help with Laizer’s medical bills. Our students at Maimonides made a Jump-a-Thon last year to help raise funds for his medical treatment.
FEDERATION ALLOCATION Maimonides School is pleased to announce for the upcoming year we received a raise (despite challenging economic times) from last year’s Federation allocation, and will be receiving the full $32,000 of the allocation request. This
support is extremely helpful to our school. We are grateful to the committee who reviewed our presentation, and to all the Federation donors who make this possible.
WAR HORSE & WWI
MAKE-A-DREAM JARS
Mrs. Mulder’s English Language Arts and Ms. Zalak’s history middle school classes are now studying WWI though the lens of literature & history, and a number of other interesting disciplines along the way.
4th graders have been reading “The BFG” about the friendly monster who brings positive dreams to kids.. Each student brought empty jars into school and filled them with “their dreams” using symbolic objects such as sweets and sours, sparkles and colors and other interesting “ingredients” along with a typed description of the ingredients and the type of positive dream they would “produce”.
SURPRISE
a middle-school interdisciplinary History & English study unit
AGAMOGRAPHS IN ART CLASS
Yaakov Agam is a famous Israeli artist who likes geometric design and how you can look at the same art piece from different angles. He popularized these accordion folded papers (pictured above) that have two different and dissimilar designs that can each be viewed BELATED BIRTHDAY from a different angle (your perspective). They have to be cut & pasted properly to be viewed 6/7 graders as a complete design (and yet be separated by surprised Rabbi the panels of the opposing design). Agam also Yossi with a designed the Chanukah Menorah at the belated birthday entrance of NYC’s party in their Central Park pictured Gemorah class. on right with some of They brought in cupcakes, popcorn, our students who spicy potato-sticks.. visited there on a even some confetti! family trip this year.
TACKLE FOOTBALL ON SNOW
DO IT YOURSELF LEARNING
6/7 grade learned a story in Talmud Pesachim The boys who generally play basketball with 104b about Ulah’s visit to Pumpedisa, and R’ the Sage student volunteers, tried their hand Yehudah urging his son R’ Yitzchak to being at football this week. Being that there was over a basket of fruit and witness how Ulah snow on the ground (providing a softer cushion) they played a game of tackle football. said Havdalah (to learn specific wording and content from the visiting sage). R’ Yitzchak The score was tied, 21-21. Everyone gave it their best, some were better at tackling, others didn’t do it himself, he sent his friend Abbaye instead. His father was upset, saying that his at running, some caught better and others were better at hand-offs. There’s some concern son’s misplaced self-importance and dignity caused him to miss this learning opportunity. about tackle, as it can be a safety concern for kids (adults, too!) so we’re exploring the “3GIVE MHDS YOUR VIDEO VOTE second-hold”, which is a little more exciting Avi Chai is running a video contest for Jewish than “2-hand-touch”. We’ll see how it goes... schools. While we didn’t know of it just before the submission deadline, we put together a SENSORY short video with 6/7 boys rapping about the MAKOT “Travelers’ Torah”, some 8th graders presentNursery teachers set-up ing APPS projects, a few words from Bruce sensory stations for the Lorence the Torah donor, & a welcome from kids to see the redness Rabbi Rubin. It’s amazing how quickly and and wetness of the Nile nicely it came together, thanks to Rabbi Yossi. “blood”, the slippery Log on to www.tinyurl.com/toraht (“t” texture of the frogs, etc stands for travelers) and give Maimonides your as they learned about vote (you can opt-out from Avi-Chai emails). the Makkos (plagues) in this week’s Parsha.
REGARDS FROM AN USHER
An usher at the Palace Theater (when we went to see “Mr. Molecule” last week) was surprised 6/7 graders put a tack on a Styrofoam ball to hear “Maimonides” called out as one of the (symbolizing earth), mounted it on a revolving schools. He himself was born at Maimonides stick and shone a flashlight (the sun) at it. Hospital in Boro Park and never heard of a They took turns guesstimating what time of local place called by the same name. day or night it was at the spot of the tack.
SOLAR SIMULATION
They’re reading “War Horse” and took some time to learn about the anatomy of a horse, and that a horse is measured in “hands” (similar to the “Tefach” measurement in Torah). They began to become acquainted with Albert, his parents and a horse named Joey. To understand the context leading up to the war, they checked out the-map-is-history.com and made their own color-coded maps of the various countries in and around the conflict. 8th grade history students were assigned a specific research project: Woodrow Wilson was US President, Harlem Hell Fighters were a historic brigade, Trench Warfare & Mustard Gas were first used in this war, the Ottoman Empire, Treaty of Versailles and its aftermath and other topics. The research project includes: index card notes and sources, an outline, a research paper and a powerpoint, and all sources have to be cited. One afternoon this week they visited the Bach Library, where they browsed the shelves and the computers & online databases for information on their projects. They found quite a bit of info in various school textbooks as well. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting project, and how it intersects and connects so many different areas of learning.
VISIT TORAHPALACE.COM R’ Leibel’s Chanukah quiz game is still up at Torah-Palace, check it out before the time is up, and you can possibly win some nice prizes!
YESHIVA-BOUND WEEKEND Two of our 8th grade boys are away visiting a Yeshiva High School in Rochester, and a few of our 6th grade boys went up to Saratoga where a Brooklyn Yeshiva is visiting this week (they will also be stopping back in Albany for fun at the Playdium and a BBQ at school).
THREE LAWS OF NEWTON 8th graders learned Newton’s Laws of physics: about objects at rest and objects in motion; about force, acceleration and the mass of an object; and how acting forces work in pairs. The terms are fancy science stuff, but the ideas actually work with everyday life.
RAMBAM YARTZEIT AND BECHOROS DAF-YOMI SIYUM The Melava Malka at Maimonides last Sat night had a nice food spread & turnout. Below are summaries of the speeches.
PARSHA MAKKOT BOOKS
21 FEET, 7 INCHES 5th grade is learning about the digestive system with Mrs. Maher. They traced each other’s bodies and each colored a very long string: 3” mouth = red, 10” esophagus = yellow, 6” stomach = green, 15’ small-intestine = blue, 5’ largeintestine = orange.
It’s not Pesach yet, but the 7 of the 10 Plagues are in this week’s Torah portion, so the Kindergartners made a book of it.
HISTORY BOOKMARKS Rabbi Rubin brought in bookmarks with easy to remember, handy timelines of eras in Jewish history.
EARLY SETTLERS AND NATIVE AMERICAN DIORAMAS 4th graders are learning in Social Studies about early American and NY history. They made dioramas based on what they learned about the food sources, types of shelters and homes and the clothing that was common for early settlers and Native Americans in the early 1700’s in the areas that would later become NY State.
STRIPED SHIRT DAY ON WEDNESDAY The 8th grade fun initiative worked, most kids wore stripes to school this past Wednesday. Some kids said they didn’t have a choice, almost all of their weekday shirts are striped anyways. Whoever bought 2 cookies at bake-sale, got 1 cookie free. Even some of the cookies were striped! So what’s the lesson? It’s a message about unity: Everyone’s stripe styles and colors were different. Some had thick stripes, other stripes were thin, some were multi-colored, others were only 2colored, some alternated, some were consistent… but they were ALL stripes!
Rabbi Nachman Simon made the Siyum of tractate Bechoros. The ending talks about appointing an agent/messenger to give Terumah (a type of tithe) for you, when there are different percentage level (1/40, 1/50, 1/60) categories of acceptable Maaser giving. Rabbi Simon gave an analogy of new cars off the assembly line in Detroit (where he used to live) you can get a decent car for $15,000 or a deluxe car for $40,000 and they are both new cars, and both will get you to where you need to go, but one is the cheap version and the other is a luxury edition. Mr. Salo Steper shared a message from Rabbi Eli Mansour (via TCN at the CBAJ Luchins Media Center) that nowadays we can’t compare to the Gaon’s Torah learning or the Baal Shem Tov’s prayers but what makes this generation unique is what we can do with our money. The theme at the end of Bechoros is about giving of our possessions. Even poor people nowadays are much better off than well-to-do people of earlier generations. Mr. Steper gave the example of names inscribed on the first-pages of the Artscroll Gemorah as people who (may not be scholars themselves but) contributed to make Gemorah learning accessible to multitudes of people. (Note: A similar message can be found in letters of the Alter Rebbe on Tzedakah printed in the back of Tanya, especially in Letter #9 where he writes that in the times leading to Moshiach, Tzedakah is the central Mitzvah, in some ways even surpassing study of Torah! Also in the very last text written by the Alter Rebbe before his passing - his yartzeit was Thursday, 24th of Tevet - titled “Nefesh HaShfeila” a similar theme is repeated). Sar-Shalom Sarchi talked about the closeness that Yemenite Jews felt (and feel) for the Rambam. They even included his name in their recital of Kaddish. He talked about the argument of types of parchment (Gvil, Klaf and Duchstus) and how Yemenite Jews stick with the Gvil-type to avoid going against the Rambam. He spoke of the uniqueness of the Rambam’s Mishna Torah in that it encompasses all of Torah, whereas R’ Yosef Karo’s Shulchan Aruch only deals with Jewish law applicable today in Diaspora. He showed an example of how the Rambam wrote his work “visualizing the Temple with his very own eyes”. There’s a certain case in the laws of “Treifot” (diseased or dying animals considered nonKosher). which the Rambam classifies as a “Sofek-Treifah” while R’ Yosef Karo calls it a “Treifah” The practical reality is that neither is Kosher to eat, but the Rambam classifies it differently because in the Temple/Sanhedrin times the laws of “Sofek-Treifah” had different ramifications than a regular Treifah. The Rambam viewed all of Halacha though the lens of Torah in its purest most ideal form!
at Maimonides and in the Community 1/21: SHABBOS KIDDUSH There’ll be a Kiddush after Musaf at Shomray Torah following the Tevet 24 yartzeit of the Alter Rebbe and a day before the Tevet 27 Yartzeits of Rabbi Pinchas Hirschprung of Montreal and Marlene Aronson of Saratoga.
1/21: RABBI REISMAN’S SAT NIGHT Rabbi Yisrael Reisman’s Navi class live from Brooklyn, Sat Night 7:30pm at CBAJ.
parent body volunteers each year, either for SuperSunday or for one of the follow-up call sessions.
1/30: ESTY MEMORIAL TALK 7pm at Maimonides, an out-of-town guest speaker will speak on the theme of enhancing relationship harmony, (friendships, work-relationships and marriage) in memory of Esty Cohen. All are welcome, no charge. More info in next week’s MC.
2/3-5: NCSY ALBANY CONVENTION
1/21: BMC GIRLS ON SAT NIGHT
For grades 7+, hosted at CBAJ and area homes.
7pm at the Labers, 2155 13th St in Troy. Challah and Candle-Making. Call 727-9581 for info.
2/4: PIZZA-NITE IV (& ICE-CREAM)
1/23: MICAH HALPERN SPEAKS Micah has a weekly radio feature “A Safer World”, is a syndicated columnist and terrorism expert, and also a Kosher wine reviewer. He contributed to features on CNN, FOX, PBS, History & Discovery Channels. Micah will speak for a joint Federation Society (open to all) and buffet dinner (catered by Raizy) at Ohav Shalom. Cost $22pp, call 783-7800 for additional info.
HS Girls are on again for a night of pizza-making, along with fries and sushi, and this time some icecream, too! Order ahead: pizzanite@gmail.com.
2/8: HAPPY TU BISHVAT School will have it’s annual Tu Bishvat Breakfast and classroom learning associated with trees, fruit and personal growth. It’s customary to enjoy some of Israel’s “7 Kinds” and a focus on fruit.
2/12: SPA FOR BODY AND SOUL
Kaila Lasky is the featured speaker at the 7th 1:15-2:15pm at school. 6-week Wednesdays Torah annual womens event. A former actress and luxury thoughts and Yoga stances course is $35. Open to real-estate broker, she will share her inspirational personal story, “From Drama Queen to Shabbos community women. Call 495-0779/2 for info. Queen.” The event’s theme is “Nurture Your 1/25: KOSHER NIGHT AT MASSRY Spirit, Change the World” and will include workshops and activities that help ourselves and Reservations fill up quickly, call 689-0453 for cost, others. The event will be at the Shenendehowa info and RSVPs. Massry Residence at Daughters of Adult Community Center, 6 Clifton Commons, in Sarah at 180 Washington Ave Ext. Clifton Park. Pre-register for $20, $25 at the door or sponsor for $36. For more information, call 1/25: “MONEY MATTERS” JLI CLASS Clara 439-8280 or Leah 495-0779. 7:30-9pm at Maimonides, 6 Wednesdays on Jewish Business Ethics about the current economic 2/17-26: PRESIDENTS WEEK BREAK climate (insider trading, CEO compensation, No school from Friday the 17th thru Sunday the unions etc - all from a Jewish perspective). Visit: 26th, school resumes 8am on Monday the 27th. myJLI.com or call Rabbi Mathless 522-1872.
1/25: WOMENS YOGA AT MHDS
1/28: FILM ON RUTH GRUBER Youngest to earn PhD, a journalist who covered the Oswego refugees, the Nuremberg Trials and the Exodus ship, “Ahead of Time” is a documentary on the life, times and reporting of Ruth Gruber. $8pp, $3 student 7:30pm at the Schenectady JCC.
1/29: J-FED’S “SUPER-SUNDAY” Super-Sunday is the Federation’s annual phone-athon to raise funds for local Jewish agencies and organizations (Maimonides School is a Federation beneficiary) as well as overseas Jewish needs. In addition to “answering the call” Federation looks for volunteers to make the calls, and the MHDS
2/26: HANA’S SUITCASE @ SJCC “Hana’s Suitcase” was shown earlier this year at the communal Kristlnacht commemoration (our HS girls went). The film traces a Japanese museum director search for the story behind Hana Brady’s suitcase back to Thereisenstadt and her life before and during WWII. Schenectady JCC is showing it at 6pm as part of their film festival co-sponsored by the CGOH Sisterhood. $8pp, $3 for students.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
Esty Cohen Memorial Series on Relationship Harmony Monday, January 30, 7pm at Maimonides This goal of this speakers series is to provide inspiration and skills to help improve and enhance all types of relationships: friendships, work-relationships & marriage
8th Grade Boys will be selling
HOT-COCOA AT RECESS on Thursday Mornings - 45 cents
BH Shvat
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
3, 5772 / January 27, 2012
Candle-Lighting:
4:43 Shabbos Ends:
5:47
MONTICELLO TORAH FOUND
This newsletter is sponsored in memory of
Monticello police (chief and lieutenants pictured on left) arrested a suspect and recovered the Torah that was stolen on New Years Eve from the Landfield Ave Synagogue in Monticello. (Our HS girls traveled down to the rally at the synagogue in support of the Torah).
Leib Yaakov ben Mordechai HaKohen Gronich on his Yartzeit Shvat 4 (Jan 28th) Shabbos by his son Marc & the Gronich Family
FACE THE NATION
PAINTING THE DOORPOST RED
“Do you speak Cupcake-Language?” On Wed, Rosh Chodesh Shvat, 8th grade bake-sale had face-decorated cupcakes, with expressions and character, no two the same. This is the day (first of Shvat) when Moshe Rabbenu addressed the Jewish People and began to review the Torah just before his passing, in 70 languages (so Torah would be accessible & relevant to all) and Torah has 70 facets (faces)!
HAVING FUN IN THE SNOW COUSIN MICAH SPOKE FOR FED Kids need gloves/mittens, hats, scarves and
(The doorpost was covered with paper first…) Kindergarteners used red paint on their doorposts and lintel (that’s the top part of the doorway), just as the Jews in this week’s Parsha painted their doorposts with the blood of the Korban Pesach (Paschal Lamb) on the night before they left Egypt.
The Federation’s recent speaker on Israel in the media, Micah Halperin of “The Micah Report” is a cousin of Rabbi Mirsky. He spoke to 170+ people at Ohav Shalom this Monday.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
ROSH CHODESH LAYNERS 8th graders Daniel S. & Eli L. split up Torah reading at the Rosh Chodesh Minyan at school this Wednesday. They both did a good job. Eli L. was the sole Levi present, so he got to read for his own Aliyah. Eli W. was honored with Gelilah (wrapping the Torah) because of his very good davening the past few days.
boots on cold days, so they can go out in whatever snow there is outside school or down in the Woodlawn Park (as pictured above). Outdoor air is fresh, crisp & refreshing.
OVERCOMING A HANDICAP
TALKING ABOUT SNOW… Nursery learned about snowflakes, how they have such interesting shapes and are so individual (even though it’s hard to see because they are so small). They cut the papersnowflakes posted on their “Kids At Work” bulletin board in their classroom.
CAMOUFLAGED ANIMALS As part of their animal habitat studies, first graders learned about animal camouflage which helps some animals blend in very well with their surroundings.
FIFTH BEGINS GEMORAH After completing several chapters of Mishna (with accompanying animated powerpoint presentations), and just recently the chapter of HaMafkid (for which they enjoyed a pizza Siyum with the new “Agent Emes” video), the 5th graders have now started to learn Gemorah Brachos with Rabbi Shmuly.
DRY-ICE BUBBLE(S)
5th graders read about Johnny Tremain getting his hand covered in silver in an accident that would give him a handicap for the rest of his life. Mrs. Maher used this opportunity to discuss with the class how some people deal with and overcome their handicaps, & despite challenges and difficulties go on to do great things. In DOL (Daily Oral Language) they learned antecedents and pronouns, the focus of their assignment was someone courageous and determined in overcoming their handicap.
HEBREW FRUITS Tu Bishvat is around the corner so Morah Devorah’s students are doing a unit on the Hebrew names for fruit. Anavim = grapes, Agas = pear, Shaked = almonds, Tamar = dates, Tzmukim = raisins, Afarsek = peach, Eshkolit = grapefruit… there’s also Limon = lemon, Mango = mango & Avocado = avocado..
75 QUESTION GEMORAH TEST 8th graders finished “Can a renter profit from a loss?” had a big test, now learning about a negligent act that ends up as an accident.
GIRLS SOCCER KEEPS GETTING BETTER w/ MELISSA & LINDSEY The girls have been playing a lot of soccer with Melissa and Lindsey (not pictured), the wonderful Sage volunteers who coach them at recess-time. Some days they played Gaga or Four-Square, but most days they play soccer which helps them build their skills, and build teamwork and sportsmanship, too!
HS Girls in the Dr. O’Brien Science Lab were very careful in handling the dry-ice that Dr. Sahay brought in for the experiment. Dry-ice is the solid form of carbon-dioxide gas and can actually burn you with serious skin damage and frostbites if not handled properly. (One girl thought dry-ice may be one way to explain the “fiery hail” of the 10 Plagues). They first put the dry-ice in water and watched it vaporize, and later added some dishwashing soap, and it made carbonmonoxide bubbles. Dr. Sahay showed them a trick how to create one huge bubble before it popped. (And like the plague of frogs in last week’s Torah portion, Rashi mentions the “one big frog” - like the big single bubble instead of all the small ones).
SHANA BACK UP FOR A VISIT
SCHOOL GOT A “FLIP” CAMERA
The Sohns moved back to NJ last year, but Shana came back up for a visit, and spent some time here with the HS girls. She now attends Bruriah High School in NJ. Believe it or not, she said in some ways there’s actually more “action” in Albany!
Because of our participation in the Avi-Chai day-school video project, the school was sent a handy flip video camera to make video taking easier and more accessible. We hope to get into this habit! In the meantime, please support the video we put up there, give it your vote at www.tinyurl.com/toraht (the “t” is for travelers, and the video has a boys rap and a welcome for our Travelers Torah project).
TWO FRUIT TREES IN ISRAEL Maimonides purchased two fruit-trees to be planted in Israel in honor of Tu Bishvat. Fruit Nursery kids had a different hands-on sensory trees have many Mitzvot associated with them, object or activity for each of the plagues they and by hopefully bearing fruit year after year it learned about. For darkness they each wore a will help fledgling Israeli farmers & yishuvim. sunglasses, and also searched around the More details on how you can pitch in towards “darkened” classroom for different “treasures”. this to be announced in time for Tu Bishvat.
DARKNESS IN THE NURSERY
INTERCONNECTED TORAH
BALLOON ROCKETS ON TRACK To demonstrate one of Newton’s Laws, 8th graders ran a long string through a straw, and then strung the string across the room. They attached different size balloons to the straws, and filled them with air, and released them without tying them, so they zipped along the string like a zip-line rocket. They wrote down the distance and speed each balloon traveled.
5th grade is now learning the story of Shimshon (Samson) in Navi class, at the very same time that they learned of Yaakov’s blessings to the tribes that foreshadowed or referenced Shimshon. This clear connection between their Chumash and Navi subjects was exciting for the class.
THE SHIMSHON GAME There are so many details in the Shimshon story. They played a game by taping a few words of the chapter on students’ backs, and then each one has to guess what words are written there, based on a series of yes/no questions you can ask to figure it out.
THE B.F.G. IN LONDON
ALBANY IMPRESSIONISTS 6/7 grade doesn't regularly have art classes this year, but Mrs. Levin did some special projects with them. One is learning about the French Impressionist school, and dabbing with paint colors to recreate the effect.
TANGRAM PUZZLES This Chinese puzzle uses 7 pieces: 1 square, 3 sizes/types of triangles and 1 parallelogram to create many types of shapes by rearranging the pieces. Students in art class had fun with it.
Ms. Livingston’s 4th graders just finished “The BFG” and since London is the setting for parts of the story, each students is researching a different part of London and presenting it to the class on a poster. These include the Big Ben Clock, London Bridge, the Bank of England, Lloyd’s, Scotland Yard, and other London landmark institutions. One student is doing it on London’s resilience during the Nazi bombing during WWII.
R’ HIRSCHPRUNG’S KIDDUSH R’ Shmuel Kochman met a Montreal visitor at Price Chopper this week. He told him about the special Kiddush Rabbi Rubin made the week before for Rabbi Pinchas Hirschprung’s yartzeit. (Rabbi Hirschprung was the former respected Chief Rabbi of Montreal). Guess what? It turned out that this Montreal visitor was none other than Yaakov Hirschprung, the son of Rabbi Pinchas! He was delighted to hear that his father was remembered and his yartzeit commemorated in Albany NY!
BABY RUBIN BROOKLYN BRIS Mazal Tov to parents Rabbi Efraim and Menucha and the whole Rubin Mishpacha on Thursday’s bris in Crown Heights. The baby was named Menachem Mendel.
TZEDAKA ADDS UP Nursery kids bring a penny or nickel a day, so it’s getting more and more difficult to schlep the big green crayon Pushka around the room. Good job kids! Also a reminder for all grades to bring in daily Tzedakah, and also to find pennies for the “Penny Menorah” which is now starting it’s 5th jar of pennies.. Every penny counts!
MAZAL TOV LIEBERMANS MHDS alumna Michele (Chandler) and MHDS Albany Mesivta alumnus Shmuly Lieberman on the birth of a baby girl. Mazal Tov to grandparents Phil & Linda Chandler!
HS ON A WALK HS Girls walked to Starbucks this week and came across a WWI Memorial at the corner of S. Lake and New Scotland, ties in with middle school’s “War-Horse” studies. Another day they walked with Health and yoga instructor Amanda Toll to the Honest Weight Food Coop on Central Ave where they learned about the importance of fiber in our diet.
at Maimonides and in the Community 1/28: RABBI REISMAN’S SAT NIGHT 2/3: AMERICA IS NOT DIFFERENT Rabbi Yisrael Reisman’s Navi class live from Brooklyn, Sat Night 7:30pm at CBAJ.
1/28: SAT NIGHT KUMZITZ Informal, musical evening, 7:30pm at the home of Amy Musiker, 146 Glenmont Road in Glenmont, organized by Bethlehem Chabad.
1/28: FILM ON RUTH GRUBER
Shvat 10 is the yartzeit of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, who announced when arriving in America in 1940 that “America is not different” & Yiddishkeit can thrive & blossom here, too. There will be a school assembly on this theme on Friday.
2/3-5: NCSY ALBANY CONVENTION For grades 7+, regional NCSY convention, hosted at CBAJ and area homes.
Youngest to earn PhD, a journalist who covered the Oswego refugees, the Nuremberg Trials and the 2/4: PIZZA-NITE IV (& ICE-CREAM) HS Girls are on again for a night of pizza-making, Exodus ship, “Ahead of Time” is a documentary along with fries and sushi, and this time hopefully on the life, times and reporting of Ruth Gruber. $8pp, $3 student 7:30pm at the Schenectady JCC. some ice-cream, too! Order ahead (and get a bonus): pizzanite@gmail.com.
1/29: J-FED’S “SUPER-SUNDAY” Super-Sunday is the Federation’s annual phone-athon to raise funds for local Jewish agencies and organizations (Maimonides School is a Federation beneficiary) as well as overseas Jewish needs. In addition to “answering the call” Federation looks for volunteers to make the calls, and the MHDS parent body volunteers each year, either for SuperSunday or for one of the follow-up call sessions.
1/30: ESTY MEMORIAL TALK 7pm at Maimonides, an out-of-town guest speaker will speak on the theme of enhancing relationship harmony (friendships, work-relationships and marriage) in memory of Esty Cohen. All are welcome, no charge.
2/1: WOMENS YOGA AT MHDS 1:15-2:15pm at school. 6-week Wednesdays Torah thoughts and Yoga stances course is $35. Open to community women. Call 495-0779/2 for info.
2/1: “MONEY MATTERS” JLI CLASS 7:30-9pm at Maimonides, 6 Wednesdays on Jewish Business Ethics about the current economic climate (insider trading, CEO compensation, unions etc - all from a Jewish perspective). Visit: myJLI.com or call Rabbi Mathless 522-1872.
2/2: BASI-LGANI & MINI-FABRENG Between Thursday’s Mincha and Maariv (5pm), and for a short time following Maariv at Shomray Torah, a Yud-Shvat (yartzeit of the Friediker Rebbe in 1950, and the day the Lubavitcher Rebbe formally assumed leadership of Chabad in 1951) there’ll be a learning of Basi L’Gani and a short Farbrengen, with spirit to overflow into Shabbos Kiddushim at the various shuls etc.
2/8: HAPPY TU BISHVAT School will have it’s annual Tu Bishvat Breakfast and classroom learning associated with trees, fruit and personal growth. It’s customary to enjoy some of Israel’s “7 Kinds” and focus on fruit & growth.
2/12: SPA FOR BODY AND SOUL Kaila Lasky is the featured speaker at the 7th annual womens event. A former actress and luxury real-estate broker, she will share her inspirational personal story, “From Drama Queen to Shabbos Queen.” The event’s theme is “Nurture Your Spirit, Change the World” and will include workshops and activities that help ourselves and others. The event will be at the Shenendehowa Adult Community Center, 6 Clifton Commons, in Clifton Park. Pre-register for $20, $25 at the door or sponsor for $36. For more information, call Clara 439-8280 or Leah 495-0779.
2/17-26: PRESIDENTS WEEK BREAK No school from Friday the 17th thru Sunday the 26th, school resumes 8am on Monday the 27th.
2/26: HANA’S SUITCASE @ SJCC “Hana’s Suitcase” was shown earlier this year at the communal Kristlnacht commemoration (our HS girls went). The film traces a Japanese museum director search for the story behind Hana Brady’s suitcase back to Thereisenstadt and her life before and during WWII. Schenectady JCC is showing it at 6pm as part of their film festival co-sponsored by the CGOH Sisterhood. $8pp, $3 for students.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
Upcoming this week…
Esty Cohen Memorial Series on Relationship Harmony
Monday, January 30, 7pm at Maimonides This goal of this speakers series is to provide inspiration and skills to help improve and enhance all types of relationships: friendships, work-relationships & marriage
BH Shvat
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Candle-Lighting:
4:53 Shabbos Ends:
5:56
NURSERY-MADE BIRDFEEDERS ALBANY IS NO DIFFERENT Today (Friday, the 10th of Shvat) marks the FOR SHABBOS SHIRAH Its customary (popularized by the Maharal of Prague) to put out food for the birds this Shabbos, when we read Parshas Beshalach, to show appreciation for the birds’ cheery, chirpy sing-a-long at the Song of the Sea. Older kids strung a variety of foods on a wire (fine-motor skills exercise) the younger ones mixed a sweet, tasty and crunchy mixture that many types of birds would enjoy. Some students did both birdfeeder projects and can’t wait to use them!
10, 5772 / February 3, 2012
This newsletter is dedicated in honor of a friend of Maimonides who purchased Bokser and beautiful fruit platters for Tu Bishvat in honor of a special birthday.
yartzeit of Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn (18801950) whose first public address after arriving in NY in 1940 was “America is no different!” meaning that Judaism and Torah can thrive anywhere, even in America (despite Jewish communal leaders who said that Judaism has to change to succeed in America). We had an assembly at school today, with a short play and posters depicting this theme - “EVEN IN ALBANY!” Pictures and reporting in next week’s MC.
RUBY IN HER OWN TIME
PLANTING FOR TU BISHVAT
Several grades planted (or will soon) in honor of Tu Bishvat, coming up next week. Pictured 1st graders are reading a above are Kindergarten’s lima beans sprouting story about a duckling who takes longer to learn on their bulletin board. They put closed lima to swim than her siblings. beans in a plastic bag with wet paper towels, to The father duck is worried create a moisture-filled “greenhouse” effect so but the mother is not, for the seeds will sprout and they can later plant them in earth and watch them grow. You can she understands that also see their “moon chart” which shows Tu ducks (like people) blossom best at their own individual pace & need to be given that space. (the 15th) Bishvat in middle of the month.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
ESTY MEMORIAL TALK ON RELATIONSHIP HARMONY
BOX & WHISKER GRAPHS
SNOW, THEN MUD
8th graders created “box and whisker” graphs that demonstrate median, average & extremes of data. Students used “How long is your commute to school?”, “How many rooms in your home?”, “How many letters in your name?” etc. to generate the data for the graph.
It’s been an unusually warm winter, to say the least! One issue is the snow one day, and mud the next, so teachers in younger grades are asking parents to be sure students have an extra change of clothes stored at school, in case they get muddy during the outdoor recess.
SAGE COLLEGE VS. YESHIVA U. On Sunday our friends from Sage College (who coach and mentor us in sports at Maimonides) played basketball in Troy against the team from Yeshiva University. Sage won 74-72, it was a really close game. Some of the Yeshiva U team wore kippahs! Up until 12 seconds left, Yeshiva had the ball and it looked like they would win, but Sage intercepted a pass, went on to score and win the game. By the way, there’s an interesting article in “The Jerusalem Post” about Jonathan Halpert, now in his 40th season as coach for the Yeshiva U Basketball team.
Rabbi Heshy Epstein of Columbia, SC was the 3rd speaker of this series established in memory of Esty (Rubin) Cohen. Rabbi Epstein is the exec director of a day-school, a synagogue rabbi, Chabad director, serves on the local Federation board and several national Jewish boards. Rabbi Epstein said that couples who don’t fight at all (i.e. argue) can’t have a truly happy marriage. They’re probably conflict-averse, afraid of what might come out if they argue. The goal is to occasionally fight (argue), but not a fight to win, instead, a fight to be happier together. Conflict resolution, if done properly, can be a vehicle for growth and understanding. It can be a positive if the argument is not about pointing blame, asserting oneself, personal attack or defensiveness. If the couple can take themselves out of an issue, put the issue in its proper place and tackle it together as a team, they can be much more successful in overcoming the issue. Regarding the Jewish day school in Columbia which he founded, the Lubavitcher Rebbe told him, “to be careful with communal strife, and to only do it if it can be done without strife.” In time he understood, that there may be possible ways to go ahead with the project, and indeed there were, but only in manner that did not cause strife in a small community.
HS GIRLS CHANCE ON TV NEWS
WELCOME BACK MORAH D.L. 4th graders are delighted to have Morah Devorah Leah back after the birth of her daughter Esther Aidel. They made this bright, colorful welcome back sign on the classroom door to surprise her. Morah DL is also very involved with recess, lunch and other school activities, so we’re happy to have her back.
His best line of the night was “when there’s too A few HS girls walked to Stewarts the other much month at the end of the money…” night and passed by a tanning shop. A news reporter standing outside asked them what Ben & Ruth Mendel and Yisroel & Bina they thought of a new bill to outlaw tanning Bindell were great sports (and good actors!) in under age 18 because of the health risks volunteering to get up and exhibit first negative involved. (Currently the law requires parental and then positive methods of argument and consent under age 18). The next day they were different points of view. seen on Channel 10 news. Our girls are not into tanning shops either way, but they CRUNCHY, TASTY MANNA thought people should be able to make their Morah Devorah’s class made popcorn for the own informed choices, if their parents were OK with it. Obviously, any views expressed are Manna in this week’s parsha (which was white, small seeds-shaped). They used plain popcorn their own and do not reflect the school. kernels, no additives, like the pure Manna!
BUGS LIVING IN DEAD OBJECTS 5th graders read in English class about bugs that live in rotting wood or dead animals. Then a day or two later they learned in Navi class about Shimshon finding a nest of active bees inside the carcass of the dead lion!
MATH GAMES Sometimes on Wednesdays, Mrs. Sahay takes her math students to the computer lab to play online math games, its fun but challenging, & shows a different “angle” to math learning.
BALLOON-POWERED CARS, NEWTON’S LAWS AND THIS WEEK’S TORAH READING Mrs. Sahay learned with 6/7 Newton’s First Law, around the same time that 8th graders learned Newton’s 2nd and 3rd laws. So, she decided to involve 6/7 and 8th in designing balloon-powered cars that work based on all his laws of motion but primarily Newton’s 3rd Law. This fits right in with the “great eastern wind that blew all night” when G-d split the Sea! And unfortunately, it also ties into the wheels of the Egyptian chariots falling off in the sea, because some students’ cars had trouble keeping their wheels on! (Not all students and cars pictured).
WRITTEN & ORAL SIYUM
LIBERTY KIDS ANIMATED FILM
This week 4th graders finished Vayeitze in Chumash and Hamafkid in Mishnah. Do you remember the “backpack” bulletin board earlier this year about “packing up Tishrei and taking it into the year”? Well, that idea is learned from “V’Yaakov Halach L’Darko” (and Jacob went on his way…) a pasuk in Parshat Vayeitze they just finished learning.
Classes learning about events leading to the Revolution (Stamp Act, Boston Tea Party etc) watched an animated PBS film “Liberty Kids”.
GAGA IS POPULAR AT RECESS Gaga is an Israeli indoor sport, very popular now at Maimonides. The goal is to keep your feet cleared of the ball to stay in the game, and to hit the ball against someone else’s feet to get them out. It’s great for indoors because it’s helpful to bounce the ball off the wall or a surface, everyone is involved in the action, and the ball is supposed to stay close to the floor. Our students enjoyed teaching this sport to the Sage college sports mentors (they never heard of it before), who really got into the game.
JOHNNY TREMAIN CONTINUES 5th graders are continuing their reading of “Johnny Tremain” (a fictional story about the times of the Revolution). They’re up to the part where Johnny is accused of stealing a silver cup (think Benjamin in the Joseph story…) and ends up going to a printer shop to find work to earn some money…
PRAYING FOR JORDAN SINGER Our school joins in prayer and concern for Amanda Toll’s (our health and yoga teacher) brother who is battling a serious illness at age 23. www.caringbridge.org/visit/jordansinger is the address of the blog, where friends can JOYOUSLY CROSSING THE SEA show support. His Hebrew name is Yishai Avraham ben Ziva Liba. We wish him the best! Kindergarteners drew fish & sea creatures on the “walls” of their “split-sea” & danced inside holding tambourines and singing Az-Yashir… look for it in this week’s Torah reading!
DO YOU REMEMBER THIS? TWO* TU BISHVAT FRUITY BULLETIN BOARDS 5th graders put up the “7 Species” on the bulletin board on the left. They couldn’t find the olive picture, so they made it themselves (bottom right corner). 4th graders wrote fruit-shaped Hebrew poems and posted them on a bulletin board at the school’s main entrance. * pun-intended
Years ago, when school was at Ohav Shalom, Rabbi Rubin and Morah Raizy designed this felt “Jewish Sponge-Bob” and the “Song of the Sea”. It’s back on display at the school entrance for this week’s Parsha…
at Maimonides and in the Community 2/4: YUD-SHVAT KIDDUSH
2/8: “MONEY MATTERS” JLI CLASS
In honor of Yud-Shvat on Friday (yartzeit of the Friediker Rebbe in 1950 & when the Lubavitcher Rebbe assumed leadership in 1951) there’ll be a Kiddush/Farbrengen at Shomray Torah.
7:30-9pm at Maimonides, 6 Wednesdays on Jewish Business Ethics about the current economic climate (insider trading, CEO compensation, unions etc - all from a Jewish perspective). Visit: myJLI.com or call Rabbi Mathless 522-1872.
2/4: RABBI REISMAN’S SAT NIGHT Rabbi Yisrael Reisman’s Navi class live from Brooklyn, Sat Night 7:30pm at CBAJ.
2/3-5: NCSY ALBANY CONVENTION
2/9: SAGE BASKETBALL GAME This time vs. SUNY Canton. 7pm at Sage College’s Kahl Center off New Scotland Ave in Albany.
For grades 7+, regional NCSY convention with local and visiting students from congregations across Upstate NY, hosted at CBAJ & area homes.
2/11: BMC CLUB MEETS SAT NITE
2/4: PIZZA-NITE IV (& ICE-CREAM)
2/12: SPA FOR BODY AND SOUL
HS Girls are on again for a night of pizza-making, along with fries and sushi, and this time some icecream, too! Order ahead (and get a bonus): pizzanite@gmail.com. Opens at 7:30pm for eat-in or take-out. Shavuah Tov!
10am-2pm inside Proctors on Sundays from November to April. In addition to local products (some of the farm products are Kosher) and a fun atmosphere, it also features kids crafts & activities.
Kaila Lasky is the featured speaker at the 7th annual womens event. A former actress and luxury real-estate broker, she will share her inspirational personal story, “From Drama Queen to Shabbos Queen.” The event’s theme is “Nurture Your Spirit, Change the World” will include workshops and activities that help ourselves & others. The event will be at Shenendehowa Adult Community Center, 6 Clifton Commons, in Clifton Park. Preregister for $20, $25 at door or sponsor for $36. For info, call Clara 439-8280 or Leah 495-0779.
2/5: SNIP-ITS GRAND OPENING
2/17-26: PRESIDENTS WEEK BREAK
2/5: SCHEN. GREENMARKET
Grand opening celebration of kids hair-salon has balloon artists, face-painting and other activities all free for the grand-opening (hair-cuts etc cost, of course). Located in Guilderland at Hamilton Square (or “The 20 Mall”) near the Price Chopper.
2/6: WOMENS BEIT MIDRASH NIGHT MOVED UP FROM 2/13 8pm at Maimonides, for a text-based group study and discussion focused on the “10 Songs of the Torah”. For info call: 495-0779/2.
2/8: HAPPY TU BISHVAT School will have it’s annual Tu Bishvat Breakfast and classroom learning associated with trees, fruit and personal growth. It’s customary to enjoy some of Israel’s “7 Kinds” and focus on fruit & growth.
2/8: WOMENS YOGA AT MHDS 1:15-2:15pm at school. 6-week Wednesdays Torah thoughts and Yoga stances course is $35. Open to community women. Call 495-0779/2 for info.
2/8: JGU GIRLS CLUB MEETS JGU is for girls grades 3-4, meets this Wednesday 3:30pm at Maimonides.
Girls grades 5-7 meet at Lapiner home for a post Tu bishvat event. Call Nechama 833-0704 for info.
No school from Friday the 17th thru Sunday the 26th, school resumes 8am on Monday the 27th.
2/26: HANA’S SUITCASE @ SJCC “Hana’s Suitcase” was shown earlier this year at the communal Kristlnacht commemoration (our HS girls went). The film traces a Japanese museum director search for the story behind Hana Brady’s suitcase back to Thereisenstadt and her life before and during WWII. Schenectady JCC is showing it at 6pm as part of their film festival co-sponsored by the CGOH Sisterhood. $8pp, $3 for students.
LITTERBUGS IN ART Mrs. Levin’s students scavenged through scraps, throwaways and random odds and ends around the school to make these creative and interesting “litterbugs”. It also shows how much can be done with scraps and leftovers that people usually throw away. Recycling & reusing are great Tu Bishvat lessons.
3/2: CAMPERSHIPS DEADLINE Apply by 3/2 for Federations’ camperships (beyond local camps) or enrichment trips and opportunities scholarships for local youth thru May 2013.
_________________________________ FYI: $2 HOT FRENCH FRIES @ KPC The “Kosher Price Chopper” in Colonie now offers hot French-fries for only $1.99 for a large serving. Pick up your fresh hot batch at the Kosher Deli Counter and you can sit down and enjoy it with ketchup and maybe a fountain soda in the sitdown Market Café near the Bagel Factory. The Kosher Deli Counter also offers superbowl platters (wings, sushi etc) but pre-order is required for that.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
PAINTED TOTE BAGS High School girls painted their own tote bags with their HS art teacher Judy Glatt. Two examples are pictured above. Nice job!
BH Shvat
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
17, 5772 / February 10, 2012
Candle-Lighting:
5:02 Shabbos Ends:
6:04
To Sponsor this weekly “MC” Newsletter (for $54 or $72) in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a loved one, please call the school office at 453-9363/3434 or email maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Thank You! MAZAL TOV MORAH DINI THE TU BISHVAT BREAKFAST Kids eagerly anticipate this annual treat of “fruity” cereals, dried fruit and nuts, and stories and lessons about trees and growth. Rabbi Rubin (with the help of Eli G.) told the Gemarah story (about Choni HaMe’agel and planting for the future) behind the custom of eating carob, and also explained how the NYS Thruway is like a tree trunk with branches and twigs (city roads and country roads). Morah Rochel cautioned the students to suck on the hard, dry carob first to soften it. Chaya A. read aloud a poem she wrote about the school’s breakfast. Rabbi Rubin asked the students why the apple in the “Apple logo” has a bite in it. It symbolizes the “Tree of Knowledge” in Breishis, which many people (including Steve Jobs) think was an apple. The Gemarah doesn’t mention apple, instead it lists figs and grapes as some of the opinions of what Adam and Chava ate before being expelled from gan Eden. Two fruit trees were planted in honor of Maimonides in Israel on Tu Bishvat this year.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
On Tuesday Morah Dini gave birth to a baby boy! Mazal Tov to the whole Gordon family! Thanks to Morah Elisheva for substituting in the Kindergarten while Morah Dini is away.
COMMAND CARTOONS In this week’s Parsha we read the “Aseres HaDibros” (the 10 Commandments).. Morah Devorah’s 2nd graders each drew a cartoon about one of the 10 Commandments. They are creative, colorful and fun. The one pictured above by Mendel A. is about “not being a false witness.”
INTERCONNECTED TALMUD 8th grade is learning Abbaye’s question on Bava Metziah 36b, based on Q&A from 36a, and on the Mishna on 35a. It’s a challenge to put all the pieces together, but it does click!
PRAYING FOR JORDAN SINGER
STAINED GLASS
Our school joins in prayer and concern for Amanda Toll’s (our health and yoga teacher) brother battling a serious illness at age 23. www.caringbridge.org/visit/jordansinger is the address of the blog, where friends can show support. His Hebrew name is Yishai Avraham ben Ziva Liba. We wish him the best!
4th graders colored sheets with the “Seven Species of Israel” and made a stained-glass style shiny window ornament. The secret ingredient? They soaked the sheets in olive oil! The borders were made of colorful scraps they found.
TAKE A PEEK AT THE SEEDS POLAR VS NON-POLAR HS girls learned about polar vs. non-polar solubility. To be soluble, polars must be paired with polars and non-polars with non-polars. Polar means the compound has a charge (positive or negative); non-polar have no charge. They first experimented by trying to dissolve Styrofoam (the tall thin white sticks pictured above) in water, but it wouldn’t dissolve, because water is polar but foam is not. When they put foam in acetone (used as nail-polish remover) the air particles left the Styrofoam leaving it as a soft silly-putty-type consistency after immersion in acetone.
NURSERY CHALLAH COVERS Shabbos is one of the “10 Commandments” in this week’s Parsha. Nursery students each chose their color material, then (using a stencil) painted the words “Shabbos Kodesh” and some decorated it also with markers. Be sure to put them to good use!
GEORGIA O’KEEFE FLOWERS
Mrs. Levin taught the 4th graders about the O’Keefe NEW “MISHMAR” FOR BOYS style of painting Rabbi Andrusier is offering a new after-school flowers. She did study program for boys in grades 2 and up, on not copy exactly Monday afternoons from 3:30pm to 5pm, how the flower with a nice learning atmosphere & snacks. looked. Instead The next Mishmar Monday will be in March. she looked for (Ideally, Mishmar Boys after-school would be something that the same afternoon as BMC afterschool for she found most interesting about the flower, girls and late HS pickup - now on Wed, but and made her painting highlight it: up close for now this is the only possible arrangement). with beautiful, vivid (and imaginary) colors.
BLESSING FLAGS 5th graders designed flags for the 12 Tribes based on Jacob’s blessings in Parshat Vayechi which they are learning now with Rabbi Mathless. Naftali (the deer) & Zevulun (ships) are pictured in the (nearly completed) flags.
Kindergarteners with (substitute teacher) Morah Elisheva made Styrofoam fruits. They colorfully decorated the outside, and made a hole to peek in at the seeds. They put a picture of the Beis HaMikdash inside, seeds of our future!
TREES IN SCIENCE CLASS, TOO At Maimonides we love inter-curricular and life-learning connections! A day or two before Tu Bishvat (the Jewish New Year for Trees), 5th graders happened to learn about the role of trees in helping us breathe, because they take in carbon-dioxide and produce oxygen.
ORGANIZE BINDERS/FOLDERS Parents, every now and then, it’s a good idea to sit down with the kids and sort through their school binders. Old papers can be taken out and stored or tossed, new work can be organized by topic… it really helps students to have a better idea where their papers are.
SPILLED COCOA? DON’T CRY…
On Thurs mornings 8th grade boys sell Pareve hot-cocoa. This week an accident (or was it THE BACKWARDS MEGILLAH 4th grade Mishna recently finished HaMafkid negligence? - Talmudic minds thinking) led to hot cocoa spilled over Chana’s desk and stuff. (which is about responsibility for things, and arguments about money) and are now learning The amazing thing? She didn’t get upset! She just got to cleaning it up, was quickly helped mesechet Megillah, in time for Purim. Their by the whole class and that’s the end of that. most memorable Mishna so far: “If you read the Megillah backwards, you did not fulfill EXPERIMENT your obligation!” (By the way, the Baal Shem Mrs. Sahay’s s 6/7th graders did a experiment Tov learns an inspirational relevant message in science about Newton's law of gravity, they from this Mishna…) Now that Tu Bishvat took a balloon blew it up and put a penny in it passed, it’s less than a month to Purim! and spinned the balloon and the penny moved by itself that’s because when you spin PURIM BAKED GOODS SALE 8th grade bake-sale will be offering baked goods for sale (as a fundraiser for their yearend trip) in time for Purim Mishloach Manot. Stay tuned for prices and details. They continue to sell cookies each Wednesday.
… MORE TU BISHVAT LEARNING AND PROJECTS Bulletin boards all around school feature learning and activities centered around Tu Bishvat, the Jewish New Year for Trees celebrated this week. Pictured above (L) Blossoming “Shkadia” almond trees, and (R) Hebrew poems about Tu Bishvat, trees and growth. Classes also sprouted & planted lima beans, other grades learned the laws of blessings or the Hebrew words for fruit.
TU BISHVAT CELEBRATION AT THE NY STATE CAPITOL MHDS HS girls helped and participated at the annual Tu Bishvat reception at the Capitol arranged by Rabbi Rubin. They’re pictured with our Assemblyman Jack McEneny. Other participants included US Senator Gillibrand, Chuck Levine (he heads the Jewish Caucus and spoke about his youth in a small Midwest community with very few Jews), David Weprin spoke on the Assembly Floor about Shabbos House being a support for him as a SUNY student, and Rabbi Rubin shared his message about NYS roadmap is like a tree branching out.
“HISTORIC DOCUMENTS” NOW ON DISPLAY AT SCHOOL 5th graders dipped paper into brewed tea to create old-style parchment paper for a historic feel of Revolutionary War quotes from notable patriots and founding fathers of this country: Patrick Henry, Colonel Prescott, Ben Franklin, John Paul Jones and the Sons of Liberty etc… Calev also brought in his set of Revolutionary War postcards to add to the board.
“AMERICA (ALBANY) IS NOT DIFFERENT” Last Friday marked the yartzeit of Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn (1880-1950) whose first public address after arriving in NY in 1940 was “America is not different!” meaning that Judaism and Torah can thrive anywhere, even in America (despite Jewish communal leaders who said that Judaism has to change to succeed in America). We had an assembly at school, with a short play and posters on this theme. THE PLAY The play (by the 5th grade) was set in the early 1900’s when a typical Jewish family left Eastern Europe for the “Goldene Medinah” (the golden land = America). There was some humor at Ellis Island when the custom official had trouble with their name. Calev >> dressed up as the Statue of Liberty in the background. Heartfelt Yiddish expressions were peppered throughout the script, as the father struggled to find a steady job that would also allow him to keep Shabbos. It was a big challenge in those days, when most people worked in factories or stores that were open 6 or 7 days a week, but not closed on Shabbos. In fact, the sign
(pictured above) said: “If you don’t come to work on Saturday, don’t bother coming back on Monday!” The family in the play exemplified the theme: “America is Not Different” because they were determined to keep Shabbos and their Jewish identity, no matter the pressure or difficulty - and they did! The kids did a great job with their lines and came up with all kinds of creative props and costumes.
HS SHABBATON IN KINGSTON The HS girls are being hosted this week by the Itkin and Hecht families in Kingston, but will be back for the Spa event on Sunday. They will 2/17-26: PRESIDENTS WEEK BREAK be staying at the newly renovated guest rooms at the Agudas Achim synagogue. They each No school from Friday the 17th thru Sunday the 26th, school resumes 8am on Monday the 27th. prepared a short Dvar-Torah on the Parsha to share on Shabbos.
at Maimonides and in the Community 2/10: SHALOM ZACHOR Mazal Tov to the Gordon’s! There will be the traditional “Shalom Zachor” on Friday night after the Shabbos meal at their home: 29 Glenwood St.
2/26: HANA’S SUITCASE @ SJCC 2/11: RABBI REISMAN’S SAT NIGHT “Hana’s Suitcase” was shown earlier this year at the LOCAL LANDMARK POSTCARDS
communal Kristlnacht commemoration (our HS girls went). The film traces a Japanese museum director search for the story behind Hana Brady’s suitcase back to Thereisenstadt and her life before 2/11: BMC CLUB MEETS SAT NITE and during WWII. Schenectady JCC is showing it Girls grades 5-7 meet at Lapiner home for a post Tu Bishvat event. Call Nechama 833-0704 for info. at 6pm as part of their film festival co-sponsored by the CGOH Sisterhood. $8pp, $3 for students. Rabbi Yisrael Reisman’s Navi class live from Brooklyn, Sat Night 7:30pm at CBAJ.
2/12: SPA FOR BODY AND SOUL
3/2: CAMPERSHIPS DEADLINE
Kaila Lasky is the featured speaker at the 7th annual womens event. A former actress and luxury real-estate broker, she will share her inspirational personal story, “From Drama Queen to Shabbos Queen.” The event’s theme is “Nurture Your Spirit, Change the World” will include hands-on and exciting workshops and activities that help both ourselves and others. The event will be at Shenendehowa Adult Community Center, 6 Clifton Commons, in Clifton Park. Pre-register for $20, $25 at door or sponsor for $36. For info, call Clara 439-8280 or Leah 495-0779.
Hosted by Chabad of Ulster County, at Cong. Agudas Achim, 254 Lucas Ave in Kingston. 3:30pm Divrei-Torah & Siyum, along with a simultaneous children’s program, and a Siyum Dinner at 4:30pm. Stay tuned for more info. (You might want to turn this into a family day-trip…)
2/12: SCHEN. GREENMARKET
3/7-8: PURIM 5772!
10am-2pm inside Proctors on Sundays from November to April. In addition to local products (some of the farm products are Kosher) and a fun atmosphere, it also features kids crafts & activities.
Start planning your costume! Purim falls this year Wed night into Thursday. Stay tuned for listing of local communal Purim events in next week’s MC.
Mrs. Carroll’s 1st graders each took a photo of a local landmark building, and wrote a short description of it underneath the photo. Today they shared their “postcards” with the class. We hope to have pictures of their pictures in next week’s “MC” newsletter.
NEW APPS PROJECT
Apply by 3/2 for Federations’ camperships (beyond The new APPS project will interview and local camps) or enrichment trips and opportunities highlight the Sage College volunteers who scholarships for local youth thru May 2013.
3/4: 30TH SIYUM HARAMBAM
have been helping our school with recess-time sports coaching, early grades, and art classes etc. Stay tuned for APPS project guidelines and details.
THE WRITING WORKSHOP Mrs. Ballard has been working with our students all year on special writing projects and journals and hopes to be able to publish some of their writing soon!
POWERPOINTS ON ALL LEVELS
4th & 5th Mishna classes and 8th grade History have been preparing and presenting 2/12-13: OPRAH ON CHASSIDIM Mifgash is hosting hypnotist Ronny Baras, at a post- wonderful power-point presentations, some of Purim event and wine-sale open to the community, them animated, in a wonderful expression of Oprah filmed Chassidic family lifestyle with a few Crown Heights and Boro Park families, that will air 6-8pm at Temple Israel. Call 439-0170 for info. the texts they are learning.
3/11: MIFGASH POST-PURIM
this Sunday and Monday evenings.
3/11: “A GERMAN LIFE” 2/13: FIRST BOYS MISHMAR MEETS 7:15pm at Agudat Achim in Schenectady, a Joint
“Yom-Yerushalayim” along with partnering organizations, this year on Thursday, May 31st, 59pm at Beth Emeth. Stay tuned…
3:30-5pm after-school at Maimonides, run by Rabbi Society Federation event, featuring Bernd Shimon Andrusier, for grades 2+. Next one will be Wollschlaeger, MD, the son of a decorated WWII _________________________________ Nazi tank-commander, who was born, raised, and scheduled for March. educated in Germany, emigrated to Israel, served in FYI: $2 HOT FRENCH FRIES @ KPC the Israel Defense Forces, and now lives in Miami, The “Kosher Price Chopper” in Colonie now offers 2/14: GORDON BRIS AT MHDS hot French-fries for only $1.99 for a serving. Pick 7:15am Shachris, followed by the Bris at the school. Florida and is a practicing family physician and author. Call 783-7800 for cost and additional info. up your fresh hot batch at the Kosher Deli Counter and you can sit down and enjoy it with ketchup 2/15: WOMENS YOGA AT MHDS and maybe a fountain soda in the sit-down Market 3/14: SHARSHERET FOUNDER 1:15-2:15pm at school. 6-week Wednesdays Torah Café area near the Bagel Factory. Sharsheret is a support and advocacy group for thoughts and Yoga stances course is $35. Open to Jewish women with breast cancer, founded by community women. Call 495-0779/2 for info. A MONT PLEASANT CHALLAH… Rochelle Shoretz, a 2-time survivor. She’ll be speaking for Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy, The “New Mont Pleasant Bakery” on Crane Street 2/15: “MONEY MATTERS” JLI CLASS 7pm at CNSE/Nanotech. Call 783-7800 for info. in Schenectady is the only Kosher Pareve (and Pas7:30-9pm at Maimonides, 6 Wednesdays on Jewish Yisrael) bakery around, and they make a super Business Ethics about current economic issues delicious Challah! (also great éclairs and cookies, 5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION (insider trading, CEO compensation, unions etc doughnuts and pastries..) Look them up and like JERNY is planning their 3rd annual Unity all from a Jewish perspective). Visit: myJLI.com or them on Facebook! Celebration of Jerusalem, (around the time of call Rabbi Mathless 522-1872.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
BH THURS Shvat
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah „n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
EARLIER EDITION THIS WEEK Maimonides Presidents Week break begins tomorrow (Friday) so this “MC” edition is ready for Thursday. Have a great week off! No school and no “MC” newsletter next week.
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
23, 5772 / February 16, 2012
Candle-Lighting:
5:11 Shabbos Ends:
6:13
PARSHAT SHEKALIM AND THE MHDS PUSHKA CAMPAIGN
This newsletter is dedicated in memory of
This week we read the special Maftir about the Jews each contributing She was buried this past Sunday a half-shekel coin alongside her husband in Troy’s Spring for the upkeep of Avenue Beth Tephilah Cemetery. the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Rabbi Rubin launched the new Ethelee and her husband Pushka Campaign, which encourages daily Dr. Boris Paul, of blessed memory giving and the presence of a Mitzvah in our were upstanding pillars of Temple homes (and offices). Each new beautiful school Israel, Shomray Torah and the greater Pushka is numbered so the school office can Albany Jewish community. keep a record where the Pushkas are, and THE UNEDITED PARAGRAPH arrange for pickups when they are filled. Some On page 2 of last week’s “MC” there was a Pushkas will be mailed to area homes around fall of the Soviet Union, so paragraph titled “Experiment”. This week’s Purim-time, others can be picked up at the it was special to have them newsletter will run the same story of the school office or call 453-9363 for a delivery. part of this baby boy’s Bris, “penny orbiting inside the balloon” with too. Family traveled in from additional and more accurate details. Several California, Brooklyn and readers realized (we appreciate the careful New Paltz. The baby was reading of this newsletter!) that this was named Yaakov Tzvi after student reporting mistakenly left unedited. two of his maternal greatThat’s exactly what happened. This illustrates grandfathers. Morah Dini how the “MC” newsletter comes together each told the interesting story week. Students in TNT class report with their MAZAL TOV ON GORDON BRIS how the Plotkin family (her own news articles which are all entered into The Gordons had a beautiful Bris for their parents) only learned of the the newsletter format, later edited by Rabbi newborn son at Maimonides, with a Minyan at “Tzvi” name in the family when her Mendel (sometimes with help of the older 7:15am and the Bris just after 8am, and a grandfather died and a family friend traveled students) at the end of the week. delicious spread for family, out (in the snow!) to an old forgotten cemetery community and all of the near Pittsburgh to find the great-grandfather’s THE KINGSTON SHABBATON students. The Mohel, Rabbi L. gravestone, and that’s where they realized his The HS girls enjoyed a Shabbaton getaway to Heber (as well as the Sandak, second name was Tzvi. The Mohel (from Kingston NY last week. They stayed at the new Rabbi A. Laber) were present at Brooklyn) was impressed how all the school nicely furnished & comfortable the Bris of R’ Itche, the baby’s children participated in the Bris ceremony and guest rooms in the Agudas father in Russia, just after the the Seudas Mitzvah meal, not just family. Achim synagogue on Lucas Avenue. They ate Friday Night MAIMONIDES dinner at the Itkin’s home and 404 Partridge Street Shabbos lunch at the Hecht’s. Albany NY 12208 Each student prepared a Dvar Torah on the Parsha (mostly about the “Aseres HaDibros”) and shared it at one of the Shabbos meals. Morah Moriah said a Dvar Torah at the Kiddush in Shul. The congregants were very friendly and happy to have the girls visit. On Motzai Shabbos Rabbi Itkin lit the fire-place, they baked homemade soft pretzels with different toppings, played ping-pong and airhockey, and also helped send out a 1,800-piece mailing. They look forward to going back on March 4th for the “Siyum HaRambam” there.
Ethelee Paul
AT THE SPA FOR BODY & SOUL
FROG & TOAD IN FIRST GRADE “Frog and Toad are friends…” Mrs. Carroll’s first graders made their own frogs as they began to read this classic children’s book.
“WAR HORSE”
A diverse crowd of 120+ Jewish women from ESSAYS throughout the Capital Region enjoyed Kaila Now that middle Lasky’s story, engaging workshops, the school students luncheon and time together. The following finished reading story was also shared with the students at Michael Morpugo’s school: Mrs. Lasky told of a visit to a Rabbi’s “War Horse” they are home when she was younger, and she was so each writing essays on impressed with the behavior and knowledge of a central theme of the the Rabbi’s 4 kids, that she wished to herself, story. Some students “I hope that I have kids like that when I get are writing about the married…” Indeed, she now has 4 children, special relationship between horses and the same genders as at that Rabbi’s table, and people, other students are focusing on the BH they too are following the ways of Torah… changing modes of warfare in WWI, and the effects of modernization.
PURIM BAKED GOODS SALE
8th grade bake-sale will be offering baked goods for sale (as a fundraiser for their yearend trip) in time for Purim Mishloach Manot. $5 per dozen cookies, $6 per dozen for Rugelach and Hamantaschen. They continue to sell cookies each Wednesday. Call Chaya 439-8280 or Chana 833-0704 with any questions or to place an order.
SAMECH & MEM DIFFERENCE
DANIEL’S BIRTHDAY PARTY
Samech and End/Shloss-Mem are both closed circular type letters, though Samech’s are more rounded and End/Shloss-Mem’s are more square-shaped. Nursery students used markers to try to pick them out from each other.
Fellow 8th graders surprised Daniel with a birthday party at school complete with cards, nosh and a cake, and even a smashing “popsicle-stickbomb” performance (>) by his friend Eli. Daniel’s birthday Hachlatah (resolution) is to increase Tzedakah (to the extent possible). Last year around this time we celebrated Daniel’s Bar-Mitzvah with a very joyous communal celebration at school!
MEGILLAH COVER CANISTERS Kindergarteners decorated beautiful Megillah cases for the illustrated Megillahs they're working on in preparation for Purim.
BRUCE & PRESIDENT SHAZAR HS girls were working in the computer lab on a story of Israeli President Zalman Shazar’s visit to Montreal in 1967, and Bruce Lorence was just then leaving the Bris, so Bruce told them that he met President Zalman Shazar at the official residence titled “Mishkan Nesiei Yisrael”. Each year, the Israeli President had a Chol HaMoed Sukkot reception for the public and Bruce attended several times, meeting Presidents Shazar (who had Lubavitch roots and was close to the Lubavitcher Rebbe), Navon (who composed musicals), Katzir (an enzyme engineering scientist) and Herzog (who was the son of the former Chief Rabbi of Israel and before that of Ireland).
HA’ETZ & HA’ADAMA BLESSING Morah Devorah’s first graders finished up a unit learning all about the different brachos for fruits and vegetables, and some of the tricky blessings (bananas, raspberries etc).
THE PENNY MENORAH
We’re now filling up the 6th jar! Mazal Tov to Rabbi Mathless & family on this Please, remember to week’s engagement of his twin sister Souchie bring in pennies to school, so we can fill all 8 to Pinny Kievman. jars with pennies for Tzedakah. This week is Parshat Shekalim and a good time to try and INTERIOR complete the Penny-Menorah before Purim!
MZT TO R’ MATHLESS’ TWIN
ANGLES 8th grade Math class is learning the formulas to determine the interior angles of a given shape, say this triangle for example.
“THE BOOK THIEF” MIXED-MEDIA PROJECTS HS girls in Mrs. Mulder’s English class recently read Marcus Zusak’s “The Book Thief” which presents the Holocaust and WWII from an unusual, different perspective & it is written in a unique literary style. Each student worked on a mixed-media art project portraying aspects of the book in a visual, artistic perspective. (Our girls may attend the Federation’s upcoming “A German Life” event in connection with this book).
LOCAL LANDMARK POSTCARDS AND DESCRIPTIONS Each of Mrs. Carroll’s first graders had to take a photo of a local landmark and write up a description of it in their own words with some interesting details about the landmark building. Not all “postcards” shown. L-R are: The Egg (1976), Nott Memorial (1879) at Union College, NYS Capitol (1899) at night, Dutch Quad Tower at UAlbany, and a hand-drawn NYS Capitol building.
PENNY ORBIT IN A BALLOON
THE MORNING BLESSINGS
Talking about pennies, 6/7 grade did an orbit experiment. They put a penny inside a clear (see-thru) balloon, shook up the balloon until the penny started spinning. Then they stopped the balloon from moving, but the penny kept swirling around inside. They also tried it with a hex-shaped hollow bolt, which added a funny sound as it orbited inside the balloon.
3rd graders with Morah Moriah are learning the meaning of the daily morning blessings thanking G-d for basic things many might take for granted: eye-sight, freedom, clothing, etc…
FIRST MISHMAR OF THE YEAR A group of boys stayed with Rabbi Andrusier after school on Monday. They paired up to study “Maayon-Chai” on the Parsha (about rational explanations for Mitzvot, and how Shlomo HaMelech understood all the Mitzvos aside for Parah-Aduma), and then got together in a group to discuss what they learned. They also enjoyed cake & soda, and the background on why soap may need a Hechsher.
PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA Did you know that Jefferson kept bear-cubs as pets? Or that Washington produced 11,000 barrels of whiskey?
CLASSROOM WISH LIST Morah Devorah is looking for tall Pringle-
cans and empty 2-liter plastic bottles. Mrs. Carroll’s class needs plastic bins (12-15
A TALMUD STORY MESSAGE 6/7th graders learned in Pesachim 106b about an argument if one can still make Havdalah if you already ate something or not, and how that played out in the story of R’ Asi (and R’ Asi’s wife) and R’ Yirmiya which shows that people can make mistakes, and that you can tolerate an opinion different than your own.
JOHNNY TREMAIN UPDATE
5th graders read much of the book, then watched the film. Because of his accident, and later a false accusation, Johnny got a job with the “Boston Observer” which led to his role (historical fiction) in the Boston Tea-Party.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY M’ ROCHEL Today is Morah Rochel’s (Hebrew) Birthday!
quart size) with lids, color pencils and 2nd4th grade reading level chapter books. “Nathan’s Kitchen” can always use plastic cutlery and paper-goods. Nursery is looking to get empty cottage cheese or butter containers, a fresh bag of sand for their sensory-table, and any scraps of material (felt, cloth, fabric etc). 8th grade can use a wall-clock, new whiteboard markers, rulers, & lined paper. A working CD-player. Tissue-Boxes for each classroom. A few pairs of scissors and masking tape. We just got new soccer goals, but we can use a few more balls, also for basketball. Handy, easy-to-use classroom cleansers. Dress-up hats and clothes for Nursery. HDMI cables (laptop to screen). Pennies for the Penny-Menorah!
at Maimonides and in the Community 2/16: SIYUM TALMUD/SHLOSHIM
3/11: MIFGASH POST-PURIM
Daf-Yomi Siyum on Talmud Erchin following the Mifgash is hosting hypnotist Ronny Baras, at a post5:15pm Mincha/Maariv at CBAJ, also a Siyum of Purim event and wine-sale open to the community, Shloshim for a Whitehall Station woman whose 6-8pm at Temple Israel. Call 439-0170 for info. husband brought her along when he made Minyan.
3/11: “A GERMAN LIFE” 2/17-26: PRESIDENTS WEEK BREAK 7:15pm at Agudat Achim in Schenectady, a Joint No school from Friday the 17th thru Sunday the 26th, school resumes 8am on Monday the 27th.
2/18: THE HALFS & HALF-NOTS In honor of Parshas Shekalim & the Half-Shekel Rabbi Rubin (at Shomray Torah/Shteeble) will speak on “The Halfs and the Half-Nots” and after Musaf there will be a Shekalim Kiddush featuring (Pareve) chocolate coins.
2/18: RABBI REISMAN’S SAT NIGHT Rabbi Yisrael Reisman’s Navi class live from Brooklyn, Sat Night 8pm at CBAJ. Note the later time, a sign that the days are inching longer now.
2/22: “MONEY MATTERS” JLI CLASS 7:30-9pm at Maimonides, 6 Wednesdays on Jewish Business Ethics about current economic issues. Visit: myJLI.com or call Rabbi Mathless 522-1872.
Society event, featuring Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD, (son of a decorated WWII Nazi tank-commander) who was born, raised, and educated in Germany, emigrated to Israel, served in the IDF, now a physician in Miami. Call 783-7800 for cost & info.
3/14: SHARSHERET FOUNDER Sharsheret is a support and advocacy group for Jewish women with breast cancer, founded by Rochelle Shoretz, a 2-time survivor. She’ll be speaking for Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy, 7pm at CNSE/Nanotech. Call 783-7800 for info.
5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION JERNY is planning their 3rd annual Unity Celebration of Jerusalem, along with partnering orgs, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth.
6/5: TENTATIVE DINNER DATE
The annual Maimonides Dinner is now in the planning stages, looking for honorees etc. Stay “Hana’s Suitcase” was shown earlier this year at the tuned for further details, save this tentative date. _________________________________ Kristlnacht commemoration (our HS girls went). The film traces a Japanese search for the story NEW “EL-BNAY” TORAH JOURNAL behind Brady’s suitcase to Thereisenstadt, her life MHDS alumni will once again be putting together before and during WWII. Schenectady JCC is a journal of local and alumni Torah scholarship showing it 6pm - part of a film festival co-sponsored (Hebrew/English) in time for Pesach. To submit by CGOH Sisterhood. $8pp, $3 students. your piece email it to: lebedik1@gmail.com.
2/26: HANA’S SUITCASE @ SJCC
3/2: CAMPERSHIPS DEADLINE
FYI: $2 HOT FRENCH FRIES @ KPC
Apply by 3/2 for Federations’ camperships (beyond The “Kosher Price Chopper” in Colonie now offers local camps) or enrichment trips and opportunities French-fries for only $1.99 a serving. Pick up a scholarships for local youth thru May 2013. fresh hot batch at the Kosher Deli Counter and sit down and enjoy it at the sit-down Market Café area 3/4: 30TH SIYUM HARAMBAM near the Bagel Factory. NOTE: The fries are made Hosted by Chabad of Ulster County, at Cong. in a meat-fryer and are therefore “Fleishig” (Meat). Agudas Achim, 254 Lucas Ave in Kingston. 3:30pm Divrei-Torah & Siyum, with simultaneous A MONT PLEASANT CHALLAH… children’s program, & Siyum Dinner at 4:30pm. The “New Mont Pleasant Bakery” on Crane Street in Schenectady is the only Kosher fully Pareve (and 3/4: ZELDA’S SHEVA-BRACHOS Pas-Yisrael) independent bakery around, and they 11:45am at Beth Tephilah. Mazal Tov Morrisons! make a super delicious Challah! (also great éclairs, Please RSVP to: 894-3491. petit-fours and cookies, doughnuts and pastries..)
3/7-8: PURIM 5772! Start planning your costume! Purim falls this year Wed night into Thursday. See column on right >>
BE A MINYANAIRE at sundown! Even if you can’t go regularly, try to stop in when you can for a Mincha/Maariv Minyan at Shomray Torah or CBAJ, some days you might be #10!
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School)
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
PURIM 5772 / 2012 COMMUNAL EVENTS In addition to Shuls etc, here are “themed” Purim celebrations:
3/7: PURIM EVENING
“Mexican Purim” at East Greenbush Firehouse “Israeli Purim” at Saratoga Chabad, 6pm “Occupy Purim” at Shabbos House, 6:15pm Megilla Reading & Party at Delmar Chabad “Beth Tephilah Great Show” Purim Party, 6:30 Friendship Circle Megillah at Maimonides Purely Purim, No-Frills at Shteeble: 6:30 CBAJ Puppet Show (4:45pm) Maariv/Megillah (6:35pm) followed by Ice-Cream Social Megillah & Costume Contest at Beth Israel
3/8: PURIM MORNING
7am Megillah at Beth Israel, Schenectady 8:45am Megillah at Shomray Torah after 8am Shachris and Zachor Torah Reading 10am Megillah at Maimonides, followed by 11am Purim Prunch & Pushka Paradise! 12pm-1pm Megillah @ U Heights Chabad UAlbany on-campus readings by Shabbos House.
3/8: PURIM LATE AFTERNOON
“Red Hot Purim Fiesta” Clifton Park at West Crescent Firehouse (1440 Crescent Road) in Clifton Park. RSVP 495-0772/9. Bethlehem Chabad’s “50’s Purim” 5pm at the Normanside Country Club. $10pp/$36 family. Call 439-8280 for info and RSVP. CBAJ’s 4pm Megillah, 5:45-7pm Talent-Show and Sing-a-long. Call 489-5819 for details. 4pm “The Great Show Cont.” at Beth Tephilah 4:45pm Megillah and Seudah at Shabbos House Purim Seudah open to community at Rabbi Mirsky’s home in Schenectady, call to RSVP.
Look for additional Purim event details in next “MC” (after Presidents Week)... _________________________________ ORDER “PURIM CARDS” FOR OUT-OF-TOWN FRIENDS & FAMILY $18 donation buys 10 cards that you can mail to friends and family in-lieu of Mishloach Manot. (Of course, this does not fulfill the actual obligation of giving at least one package of two foods to a friend on Purim day). Call 453-9363/495-0772 or email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com for more info.
BH TUESDAY
Adar 5, 5772 / February 28, 2012
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah „n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
MINI MID-WEEK EDITION
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
A FEW MARCH CONTESTS
JNF’s Susan Shpeen Walk for Water is The regular weekly “MC” will resume this looking for T-Shirt designs about Water Friday, after no “MC” last week for Presidents and/or Israel. If you’re under 18, submit Week February Break. We’re sending out this your design to bkern@jnf.org by March mini “MC” mid-week to get the word out 30th. It can be hand-drawn, computer about the “Maimonides CAN!” Purim Prunch, generated, or combo of both. the Rambam Siyum in Kingston this Sunday, OU Kosher is giving out $50 Eichlers and several other updates. certificates to winners of a 750-1000 word essay contest on “Why I Enjoy Kosher…”, MAIMONIDES “CAN”! “How Does Kosher Enhance My Jewish In connection with the Maimonides Pushka Identity…”, “Keeping Kosher in Challenging (charity-can) launch, this year’s Purim Prunch Places…” and a few other topics. Also due by will have a “can” theme, with March 30th, submit to SafranE@ou.org greetings from Cannes, France Submit a 2-dimensional drawing design of a and Canajoharie and Canarsie Pushka (or a photo of a 3-dimensional NY, and the guest of honor will Pushka you created) by March 26th to be the Hon. Ron Canestrari, the “Where Do You Give?” (run by AJWS and majority whip of the NYS Assembly. $5 is the the Jewish Teen Funders Network and suggested contribution per person, with $1 of Babaganewz) along with an artist statement that earmarked for “Od Yosef Chai” charity in on the design and the values it reflects. Israel and another $1 earmarked for the local Shalom Kosher Food Pantry to help people in need, to fulfill the Purim Mitzvah of Matanos L’Evyonim. If you’d like, you can also bring a Kosher can or two for the food pantry.
THE RAMBAM SIYUM This Sunday in Kingston NY. As a dinner is being prepared, your RSVP (ASAP) is helpful, see phone and email on page 2, and a minimal contribution to help defray the cost. A kids program is planned, as well.
HOT COCOA THURS 8th grade boys sell hot-cocoa on Thurs at the morning recess for 45 cents per cup. Look at the end of this week for the new “Cocoa Chronicles” feature in the “MC” newsletter.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
PURIM COOKIE SALE 8th grade bake-sale is offering baked goods for sale (as a fundraiser for their year-end trip) in time for Mishloach Manot. $5/dozen cookies, $6/dozen for Rugelach and Hamantaschen. They continue to sell cookies each Wednesday. Call Chaya 439-8280 or Chana 833-0704 with any questions or to place an order.
THE PENNY MENORAH We’re getting there - let’s try to fill it up by Purim, just a few jars left to fill! Bring in a few pennies or a few dozen! It all adds up…
COMING UP IN THIS WEEK’S MC Look for it this Friday! Report of a fascinating visit and talk by Reagan’s nurse following his shooting. Reports of some Presidents Week activities. Pre-Purim projects and learning. And much more!
at Maimonides and in the Community 2/29: LEAP INTO YOGA
3/11: MIFGASH POST-PURIM
A new 6-week course of Yoga (and Torah) with certified instructor Amanda Toll begins this Wednesday (Feb 29th, a secular leap-year day) at Maimonides from 1:15-2:15pm for community women (she does a separate course for the HS girls later). $35 for 6 weeks. Call Leah 495-0779 for questions or info.
Mifgash is hosting hypnotist Ronny Baras, at a postPurim event and wine-sale open to the community, 6-8pm at Temple Israel. Pizza will be sold (PasYisrael bagels and Chalav Yisrael cream-cheese will also be available). Call 439-0170 for info.
3/11: “A GERMAN LIFE”
7:15pm at Agudat Achim in Schenectady, a Joint Society event, featuring Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD, Apply by 3/2 for Federations’ camperships (beyond (son of a decorated WWII Nazi tank-commander) local camps) or enrichment trips and opportunities who was born, raised, and educated in Germany, scholarships for local youth thru May 2013. emigrated to Israel, served in the IDF, and is now a physician in Miami. Call 783-7800 for cost & info. In addition to Shuls etc, here are “themed” Purim celebrations:
3/2: CAMPERSHIPS DEADLINE
3/3: GRAY-MATHLESS KIDDUSH This Shabbos, after Musaf at Shomray Torah there will be a joint Kiddush, by the Grays to mark Lew’s father’s yartzeit, and by the Mathless’ to celebrate the recent birth of their daughter. All welcome!
3/3: PIZZA NITE IV AT MHDS This is the last Sat Night Pizza Nite for the year before the clocks change for the Spring. Fresh pizza pies and sushi-rolls for eat-in or take-out. Begins 7:30pm. Proceeds benefit MHDS HS extracurricular programming. Email orders ahead to pizzanite@gmail.com
PURIM 5772 / 2012 COMMUNAL EVENTS
3/14: SHARSHERET FOUNDER Sharsheret is a support and advocacy group for Jewish women with breast cancer, founded by Rochelle Shoretz, a 2-time survivor. She’ll be speaking about “What’s in our Jewish Genes” for Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy, 7pm at CNSE/Nanotech. Call 783-7800 for info.
5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION JERNY is planning their 3rd annual Unity Celebration of Jerusalem, along with partnering orgs, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth.
3/7: PURIM EVENING
“Mexican Purim” at East Greenbush Firehouse “Israeli Purim” at Saratoga Chabad, 6pm “Occupy Purim” at Shabbos House, 6:15pm Megilla Reading & Party at Delmar Chabad “Beth Tephilah Great Show” Purim Party, 6:30 Purely Purim, No-Frills at Shteeble: 6:30 CBAJ Puppet Show (4:45pm) Maariv/Megillah (6:35pm) followed by Ice-Cream Social Megillah & Costume Contest at Beth Israel
3/8: PURIM MORNING
7am Megillah at Beth Israel, Schenectady
3/4: 30TH SIYUM HARAMBAM
6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER DATE 8:45am Megillah at Shomray Torah after 8am
Hosted by Chabad of Ulster County, at Cong. Agudas Achim, 254 Lucas Ave in Kingston NY. 3:30pm Divrei-Torah & Siyum, with speakers from Albany, Kingston & Monticello & a simultaneous children’s program, & Siyum Dinner at 4:30pm. A nominal fee is suggested to help defray the cost of dinner and RSVPs are appreciated: Call 845-3311176 or email: rabbihecht@chabadulstercounty.org
This year’s Maimonides dinner honorees will include the renown Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, former dean of Yeshiva University, author and scholar, who was a colleague and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger obm, with the award given in his name; and the Sage College student volunteers who greatly enhance recess and sports activities, art classes and other school programs. Stay tuned for additional honorees and info.
3/4: ZELDA’S SHEVA-BRACHOS
_________________________________ NEW “EL-BNAY” TORAH JOURNAL
11:45am at Beth Tephilah. Mazal Tov Morrisons! Please RSVP to: 894-3491.
MHDS alumni will once again be putting together a journal/periodical of local and alumni Torah 3/7: KIDSIGHT SCREENINGS insights and scholarship (Hebrew/English) in time for Pesach. Already, its filling up with interesting This free service is open to all children ages 18 months to 4 years courtesy of NABA to detect signs local Jewish history and local connections. To submit your piece email it to: lebedik1@gmail.com of early vision problems. It is quick and easy, with or speak to Rabbi Rubin. no eye-drops, using the MTI PhotoScreener. This does not replace an eye exam, but can detect possible issues to refer to an ophthalmologist to BE A MINYANAIRE at sundown! address issues earlier on. 1-3pm at Maimonides, Even if you can’t go regularly, try to stop in when stop by the office to fill out the forms. you can for a Mincha/Maariv Minyan at Shomray Torah or CBAJ, some days you might be #10! And an occasional weekday morning Minyan can help, 3/7-8: PURIM 5772! too… 6:40am at CBAJ and 8am at Shomray Torah. Start planning your costume! Purim falls this year Wed night into Thursday. See column on right >>
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School)
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
Shachris and Zachor Torah Reading 10am Megillah at Maimonides, followed by 11am Purim Prunch & Maimonides CAN! 12pm-1pm Megillah @ Univ. Heights Chabad UAlbany on-campus readings by Shabbos House.
3/8: PURIM LATE AFTERNOON
“Red Hot Purim Fiesta” Clifton Park at West Crescent Firehouse (1440 Crescent Road) in Clifton Park. RSVP 495-0772/9. Bethlehem Chabad’s “50’s Purim” 5pm at the Normanside Country Club. $10pp/$36 family. Call 439-8280 for info and RSVP. Friendship Circle Megillah and Party at Maimonides for children with special needs and their families. Call 438-4220 for times and info. CBAJ’s 4pm Megillah, 5:45-7pm Talent-Show and Sing-a-long. Call 489-5819 for details. 4pm “The Great Show Cont.” at Beth Tephilah Afternoon Megillah & Seudah at Shabbos House Student Center, call 438-4227 for details. Purim Seudah open to community at Rabbi Mirsky’s home in Schenectady, call to RSVP.
_________________________________ ORDER “PURIM CARDS” FOR OUT-OF-TOWN FRIENDS & FAMILY $18 donation buys 10 cards that you can mail to friends and family in-lieu of Mishloach Manot. (Of course, this does not fulfill the actual obligation of giving at least one package of two foods to a friend on Purim day). Call 453-9363/495-0772 or email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com for more info.
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah „n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Adar 8, 5772 / March 2, 2012
Candle-Lighting:
5:29 Shabbos Ends:
6:30
This newsletter is dedicated in memory of
Seymour Gray Shalom Shachne ben Yaakov
PRESIDENT REAGAN’S NURSE SPEAKS AT MAIMONIDES
MAZAL TOV MORRISONS
MHDS alumna Zelda‟s wedding to Tzedek Zirkind was this week on Wednesday in Robyn Ringler owns East Line Books in Clifton Park. Two decades ago, she also served Crown Heights. The local Sheva Brachos will be on Sunday at Beth Tephilah. as one of the nurses for at GWU Hospital in DC when President Reagan was shot in 1981. OUR CONDOLENCES TO: Robyn was assigned to the President for 10 days as he recovered (in Room #3243). She Nanette and Dr. Arthur Brenner on the recalled his humor (he passing of her mother Eva Halpern. told people, even his wife: Gregg and Judy Miller on the passing of his “I forgot to duck” and he father. joked with the operating May their memory be a blessing. Shiva and room doctors, “I hope further details to be announced. you are all Republicans”), his love of jelly-beans & FIRST SNOWDAY OF THE YEAR mac „n cheese. He Leap-Day, Wednesday, February 29th is when Robyn displays the thank insisted on watching TV the snow began, continuing into Thursday you letter from Reagan reports (which showed after he recovered and March 1st, when most area school districts Rabbi Rubin holds his him being shot over & called it a snowday and cancelled school. It was photo with Pres. Reagan in connection with the over) because he was so thick, wet, heavy packing Rebbe’s birthday and curious about John Education Day USA. snow, excellent for snowmen Hinckley Jr‟s motive (the construction, which is what man who shot him). They freshly painted the many of our students did hospital room but it turned to be a mistake, outside their homes when because he was shot in the lung and was the snow started to get a few especially sensitive to the fresh paint. There inches deep. was bullet-proof glass and the Secret-Service set up a bunch of stations, including a black MAIMONIDES porch. One of Robyn‟s fellow nurses became 404 Partridge Street friendly with a Secret Service agent and they Albany NY 12208 later got married! After working as the night nurse, Robyn went out each morning to see how the Presidents recovery was reported in the newspaper. There were times that doctors were quite alarmed about the president‟s condition, but that papers did not reflect that. The President of Morocco sent a silk box filled with chocolates, and the President gave Robyn (the nurse) the box as a keepsake. Several classes (some students pictured above) enjoyed this first-person account, as they learn about US Presidents.
On the occasion of his Yartzeit: Adar 12 (March 6) by his son Lew & Beth Gray and Family
DR SEUSS’ BIRTHDAY TODAY Dr. Seuss was born on this date in 1904 and even after his passing this date is nationally designated to celebrate reading and the love and joy of reading! Dr. Seuss‟ unique imagination and fun with words and rhyme opened up books and reading to many millions of children all around the world. That‟s why we decorated this newsletter with “Thing 1 and Thing 2”, “The Lorax” and other famous Seuss creations.
100 DAYS OF SCHOOL Today marks the 100th day of school for the year. Mrs. Lorin Carroll‟s students prepared special hats and glasses and all types of learning about the grand number of 100. Mrs. Mary Maher‟s students are having a little party. Look for pictures of this annual milestone date and related activities in next “MC” newsletter.
NEW TORAH READING CLASS
FINGER-
Many 6/7 graders are becoming Bar-Mitzvah PUPPET this year, so Rabbi Laber is taking one class a CLOWNS week to introduce them to Torah-reading rules Morah Devorah‟s (and grammar rules) and techniques, even as students learned the students have their own private tutors/ about clowns, teachers to practice for their Bar-Mitzvah. Leitzan in Hebrew, & 2 lively Leitzan Hebrew songs. Not only is Shira holding up a Leitzan fingerpuppet, she is also wearing a smiley-face shirt!
“E-L BNAY” TORAH JOURNAL HAMANTASCH GRAGGERS Nursery made noisy paper-plate Hamantaschshaped Graggers. Some classes are making the Purim noisemakers out of recycled soda-bottles GETTING TO KNOW TROTSKY or other materials. Everyone is getting into the Rabbi Rubin‟s 8th grade Jewish history class Purim spirit! just learned about communism and all the tremendous hardships and challenges it brought for Jews in Soviet Russia, when Rabbi Rubin happened to meet a local Trotsky enthusiast & maven on early communism named Victor who came into class to talk about the different forms of communism (the Bolsheviks, the Menscheviks, and others), and how Lenin, Trotsky & Stalin differed. He talked about why communism originally appealed to many Jews who were very involved with it. Trotsky was Jewish, his name was really PURIM PUPPETEERS Laibel, his full name was Lev Davidovich Morah Aviva shared her puppet passion and Bronstein. Victor compared Trotsky‟s role to talent with Kindergarteners. They designed their own Purim puppets and even their own that of Joseph in the Chumash, he was a leader and advisor and did a great deal, but he decorated stages and curtains. They‟re was not the ruling power - Pharaoh was. improvising and being creative!
MHDS alumni will once again be putting together a journal/periodical of local and alumni Torah insights and scholarship (Hebrew & English) in time for Pesach. Already, its filling up with interesting local Jewish history and connections. To submit your piece email it to: lebedik1@gmail.com or speak to Rabbi Rubin.
SHAPES, ROWS, COLORS AND THIS WEEK’S PARSHA Nursery students learned in this week‟s Torah portion of Tetzaveh about the gemstudded Choshen, which the Kohen Gadol wore, inscribed with the names of the tribes of Israel. It was also a good opportunity to learn about shapes, colors, rows and patterns as they made their own Choshen-like breastplates.
INSPIRATION IN THE HS CLASS This past week HS finally had opportunity to see the Ilan Ramon film, (they ran a kids program when the school screened it last). The story of the failed space mission is tragic, but it is also uplifting and inspiring. For the 22nd of Shvat, they enjoyed a back-room Farbrengen with Morah Nechama with pasta, bagels and even ice-cream. They listened to a tape of Mrs. Laber‟s father, Rabbi Azriel Wasserman obm, speak words from his heart.
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SIMCHA IN A POCKET
HAPPY HAMANTASCH BAKERS Several grades had opportunity to make the dough, fill with jelly/jam, pinch the corners, and bake their very own Hamantaschen as we get closer to Purim next week…
THE PUSHKA CAMPAIGN The new Maimonides Pushka (charity-can) encourages daily giving and the presence of a hands-on Tzedakah Mitzvah in our homes (and offices). Some Pushkas will be mailed to area homes around Purim-time, with a little small Purim treat inside, others can be picked up at the school office or call 453-9363 for a home or office delivery. We‟re also trying to keep track of the Pushkas, so when they eventually fill-up, call the school for pick-up.
A FEW MARCH CONTESTS
HS and the Boys Davening class heard the JNF‟s Susan Shpeen Walk for Water is inspiring story of a letter that Rabbi Shmuel looking for T-Shirt designs about Water Dovid Raichik kept in his pocket from 1948 and/or Israel. If you‟re under 18, submit your design to bkern@jnf.org by March to 1998. When he first moved on Shlichus to 30th. It can be hand-drawn, computer California in the late 1940‟s, he wrote to the generated, or combo of both. Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, R‟ Yosef Yitzchak OU Kosher is giving out $50 Eichlers (1880-1950) that his wife was lonely and certificates to winners of a 750-1000 word unhappy out there. Jewish life, even material essay contest on “Why I Enjoy Kosher…”, life in Los Angeles was not anything like it is “How Does Kosher Enhance My Jewish today, and long-distance phone-calls were Identity…”, “Keeping Kosher in Challenging expensive. It was not easy. The Rebbe R‟ Yosef Places…” and a few other topics. Also due Yitzchak wrote back: “If you will be happy, she by March 30th, submit to SafranE@ou.org will be happy, and all others around you will be happier, too!” Rabbi Raichik kept this letter Submit a 2-dimensional drawing design of a Pushka (or a photo of a 3-dimensional on his person, in his pocket, for the rest of his Pushka you created) by March 26th to life! It is an important lesson about happiness “Where Do You Give?” (run by AJWS and being contagious, and how personal happiness the Jewish Teen Funders Network and can uplift and help others. Babaganewz) along with an artist statement on the design & the values it reflects. APPS KIDSIGHT FREE SCREENINGS Pushka projects can be entered for this, too! NABA is offering this free eye screening for all kids ages 18 months to 4 years, all welcome 1-3pm NO SHABBOS BASKETBALL The basketball team of Beren on Wed March 7th at Academy, a Jewish HS in Maimonides. No drops, Houston, made it to the 2-A no pain, the special MTI TAPPS semi-finals in Texas. But scanner takes a photo of their game was scheduled for the eyes to early-detect eye issues and recommend an Shabbos, so they said they could not play. At ophthalmologist follow-up if necessary. Spread first the tournament refused to change the schedule for them, but a judge intervened and the word, all kids welcome. now they‟ll be playing on Friday, before REMEMBER PARSHAT ZACHOR! Shabbos starts. Their insistence on keeping Shabbos made big news in Texas (a big state!) Very important special pre-Purim Torah and the news even spread across the country. reading this week about Amalek!
CLASSROOM WISH LIST PURIM BAKED GOODS SALE Last call! 8th grade bake-sale is offering baked goods for sale (as a fundraiser for their year-end trip) in time for Purim. $5 per dozen cookies, $6 per dozen for Rugelach and Hamantaschen. Call Chaya 439-8280 or Chana 833-0704 with any questions or to place an order.
MISHLOACH MANOT BAGS $3 8th graders are putting together Mishloach Manot bags, available at Maimonides on Monday March 5th. Call 557-7966 to reserve your bags or with any questions, or just stop by on Monday. Bags include Hamantaschen, chips, Mentos, juice & more…
ORDER “PURIM CARDS” FOR OUT-OF-TOWN FRIENDS & FAMILY $18 donation buys 10 cards that you can mail to friends and family in-lieu of Mishloach Manot. (Of course, this does not fulfill the actual obligation of giving at least one package of two foods to a friend on Purim day). Call 453-9363/495-0772 or email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com for more info.
8th grade cocoa chemists have been perfecting their unique Pareve (i.e. non-dairy) hotcocoa recipe which is for sale (45 cents a cup) at Thursday morning recess. It‟s no big deal to make a delicious dairy hotcocoa, but our young, enthusiastic & determined specialists experimented with various methods (and enlisted veteran hotcocoa consultants) to come up with a perfectly pleasant and desirable Pareve hotcocoa formula. But they are still not satisfied and are looking to continually improve their product. After Presidents Week break they introduced a gelatinous (but Kosher, of course!) white-colored, pillowy-textured and cylindrical-shaped optional supplement for an additional five cents per cup. It goes without saying that they had a fun time writing this all up for the newsletter.
Morah Devorah is looking for tall Pringle-
cans and empty 2-liter plastic bottles. Mrs. Carroll‟s class needs plastic bins (12-15
quart size) with lids, color pencils and 2nd4th grade reading level chapter books. “Nathan‟s Kitchen” can always use plastic cutlery and paper-goods. Nursery is looking to get empty cottage cheese or butter containers, a fresh bag of sand for their sensory-table, and any scraps of material (felt, cloth, fabric etc). 8th grade can use a wall-clock, new whiteboard markers, rulers, & lined paper. A working CD-player. Tissue-Boxes for each classroom. A few pairs of scissors and masking tape. We just got new soccer goals, but we can use a few more balls, also for basketball. Handy, easy-to-use classroom cleansers. Dress-up hats and clothes for Nursery. HDMI cables (laptop to screen). Pennies for the Penny-Menorah!
at Maimonides and in the Community 3/2: CAMPERSHIPS DEADLINE Apply by today 3/2 for Federations‟ camperships (beyond local camps) or enrichment trips scholarships for local youth thru May 2013.
possible issues to refer to an ophthalmologist to address issues earlier on. 1-3pm at Maimonides, stop by the office to fill out the forms.
3/7-8: PURIM 5772!
3/3: PARSHAS ZACHOR READING
Start planning your costume! Purim falls this year The Maftir read on the Shabbos preceding Purim is Wed night into Thursday. See column on right >> a very important Torah reading. For those who 3/11: MIFGASH POST-PURIM can‟t make this reading, its recommended they go to the morning Minyan on Purim-Day to hear a Mifgash is hosting hypnotist Ronny Baras, at a postsimilar reading also about Amalek. Purim event and wine-sale open to the community, 6-8pm at Temple Israel. Pizza will be sold (PasYisrael bagels and Chalav Yisrael cream-cheese will 3/3: GRAY-MATHLESS KIDDUSH This Shabbos, after Musaf at Shomray Torah there also be available). Call 439-0170 for info. will be a joint Kiddush, by the Grays to mark Lew‟s 3/11: “A GERMAN LIFE” father‟s yartzeit, and by the Mathless‟ to celebrate the recent birth of their daughter. All welcome! 7:15pm at Agudat Achim in Schenectady, a Joint Society event, featuring Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD, (son of a decorated WWII Nazi tank-commander) 3/3: NEW TIME FOR TCN CLASS who was born, raised, and educated in Germany, Rabbi Reisman‟s Sat Night class, screened live at CBAJ now begins at 8:30pm, as Shabbos ends later. emigrated to Israel, served in the IDF, and is now a physician in Miami. Call 783-7800 for cost & info.
3/3: PIZZA NITE IV AT MHDS
3/12: BOYS MISHMAR RETURNS The last Sat Night Pizza Nite before the clocks Mishmar after-school study will be on March 12th change for the Spring. Fresh pizza pies and sushirolls for eat-in or take-out. Begins 7:30pm. Proceeds &19th, 3:45-5:00pm at Maimonides with Rabbi Shimon Andrusier, open to all boys grades 2+. benefit MHDS HS extra-curricular programming. Email orders ahead to pizzanite@gmail.com 3/14: SHARSHERET FOUNDER
3/4: 30TH SIYUM HARAMBAM Hosted by Chabad of Ulster County, at Cong. Agudas Achim, 254 Lucas Ave in Kingston NY. 3:30pm Divrei-Torah & Siyum, with speakers from Albany, Kingston & Monticello & a simultaneous children‟s program, & Siyum Dinner at 4:30pm. A nominal fee is suggested to help defray the cost of dinner and RSVPs are appreciated: Call 845-3311176 or email: rabbihecht@chabadulstercounty.org
Sharsheret is a support and advocacy group for Jewish women with breast cancer, founded by Rochelle Shoretz, a 2-time survivor. She‟ll be speaking for Federation‟s Women‟s Philanthropy, 7pm at CNSE/Nanotech. Call 783-7800 for info.
3/16: BACK TO LONGER FRIDAYS The clocks spring forward (the weekend before) so we‟re back to 3:30pm dismissal on Fridays.
3/4: ZELDA’S SHEVA-BRACHOS
5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION
11:45am at Beth Tephilah. Mazal Tov Morrisons! Please RSVP to: 894-3491.
JERNY is planning their 3rd annual Unity Celebration of Jerusalem, along with partnering orgs, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth.
3/7: LEAP INTO YOGA New 6-week course of Yoga (and Torah) with instructor Amanda Toll is underway on Wed at Maimonides from 1:15-2:15pm for community women (separate course for the HS girls). $35 for 6 weeks. Call Leah 495-0779 for questions or info.
6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER DATE
This year‟s Maimonides dinner honorees will include the renown Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, former dean of Yeshiva University, author and scholar, who was a colleague and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger obm, with the award given in his name; and the Sage College student 3/7: KIDSIGHT SCREENINGS volunteers who greatly enhance recess and sports This free service is open to all children (whether activities, art classes and other school programs. they are Maimonides families or not) ages 18 months to 4 years courtesy of NABA to detect signs Stay tuned for additional honorees and info. of early vision problems. It is quick and easy, with no eye-drops, using the MTI PhotoScreener. This does not replace an eye exam, but can detect
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
PURIM 5772 / 2012 COMMUNAL EVENTS In addition to Shuls etc, here are “themed” Purim celebrations:
3/7: PURIM EVENING
“Mexican Purim” at East Greenbush Firehouse, begins 5pm. $15 adult, $8 child, $54 family. “Israeli Purim” at Saratoga Chabad, 6pm at 130 Circular Street, Megillah, food, and festivity. “Occupy Purim” at Shabbos House, Megillah at 6:15 and 8:45pm, Park-food & party in between. Megilla Reading & Party at Delmar Chabad “Beth Tephilah Great Show” Purim Party, 6:30 Purely Purim, No-Frills at Shteeble: 6:30 CBAJ Puppet Show (4:45pm) Maariv/Megillah (6:35pm) with Ice-Cream Social & Talent Show Megillah & Costume Contest at Beth Israel
3/8: PURIM MORNING
7am Megillah at Beth Israel, Schenectady 8:45am Megillah at Shomray Torah after 8am Shachris and Zachor Torah Reading 10am Megillah at Maimonides, followed by 11am Purim Prunch & Maimonides CAN! Suggested $5pp includes $1 for Od Yosef Chai, and $1 for Saratoga Shalom Kosher Food Pantry. A light brunch will be served, with a big CAN theme! 12pm-1pm Megillah @ Univ. Heights Chabad 9:15am at UAlbany CC 320 Hillel Office
3/8: PURIM LATE AFTERNOON
“Red Hot Purim Fiesta” Clifton Park 5pm at West Crescent Firehouse (1440 Crescent Road) in Clifton Park. $10 adults, $5 kids. 495-0772/9. Bethlehem Chabad‟s “50‟s Purim” 5pm at the Normanside Country Club. $10pp/$36 family. Call 439-8280 for info and RSVP. Friendship Circle Megillah & Party 4:30-6:30pm at Maimonides for children with special needs and their families. $8pp, $30 per family. 4pm “The Great Show Cont.” at Beth Tephilah 3pm afternoon Megillah and “Picnic Seuda” tostay/to-go at Shabbos House as students head out for Spring Break. Purim Seudah open to community at Rabbi Mirsky‟s home in Schenectady, call to RSVP.
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah „n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Adar 15, 5772 / March 9, 2012
Candle-Lighting:
5:37 Shabbos Ends:
6:38
This newsletter is dedicated in memory of
Yosef Igor Yankulin who passed away at age 49 on Shabbos Tetzaveh, the 9th of Adar
PRE-PURIM LEARNING & CRAFT PROJECTS AT SCHOOL Pictured above are a sampling of some of what students produced this past week in preparation for the joyous Purim holiday. See inside this “MC” newsletter for more pictures and detail. L-R: 8th grade’s decorated door; Purim characters drawn and captioned by a 1st grader; Purim Leitzan clowns by 2nd grade; and Megillah character graggers by Kindergarten. See more inside!
by his friends in the Maimonides Community who remember him fondly for his sincerity, great personal effort despite challenges and his eager dedication for Mitzvot and Judaism.
STARTING PESACH CLEANING?
POST-PURIM REPORTS
General Studies grades 3-7 are organizing a Garage Sale to benefit their yearend school trip. Any decent unwanted items you find during cleaning may be brought to school (care of Ms. Livingston or Mrs. Maher) anytime up until April 19th. (No TV’s or appliances). The items will be sorted and taken away from school each day to the garage sale site. This is an effort organized and run by the General Studies faculty. It’s a win-win: de-clutter your home, and support our students!
Purim is such an exciting, colorful and busy holiday! Some of the student Purim reporting is featured here and some will appear in next week’s “MC”.
MOONS & PLANETS…
6/7 graders were learning in science about the monthly phases of the moon, and that the lunar cycle is 29 1/2+ days. The students themselves tied this into the twoday vs. one-day Rosh Chodesh, which rounds out the missing half-day of each lunar month. An 8th grader brought to our attention that this week Mars is positioned exactly opposite COMPLETING BREISHIS the sun, which (a) makes it shine more brightly 2nd grade finished Parshas Breishis (their first (b) makes it easier to find, you just look at the Parsha) on the very same day this week that area where the sun would have been during 5th graders finished the entire Chumash the day. Also on March 12th & 13th, Venus Breishis! Siyum celebration plans are being and Jupiter will be very closely aligned, shining finalized, but they’re excited to share the news! like twin lights from the west after sunset.
MAIMONIDES OFFICIAL “CAN” GREETINGS In honor of the “Maimonides CAN!” theme for this year’s Purim Prunch, our school received greetings from CANarsie, Brooklyn (top); CANnes, France (above); and other CAN-named localities and people, guests of honor were Mr. & Mrs. Sam and Linda CANdib, and Kevin Frazier brought personal greetings from Hon. Ron CANestrari, the majority whip of the NYS Assembly! See inside this “MC” for more pictures and reports from “The Maimonides CAN Purim Prunch!”
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
CLOWN-TOP PURIM GIFT BASKETS
ONE GRAMMAR RULE AT A TIME
Mrs. Carroll’s first graders are learning all 1st graders recycled types of ways that words empty soda bottles and sentences come into clown-topped together. They keep Mishloach Manot practicing each new rule baskets to fill and use in their workbooks, stories and activities until on Purim! they get it! It’s easiest when they understand it.
RASHANIM/GRAGGERS Morah Devorah’s first graders also made and decorated these wooden popsicle-stick based Purim noisemakers with stringed bells that can make quite a racket!
KNOWING METAMORPHOSIS Mrs. Carroll’s first graders also proudly impressed a bunch of older grades with their knowledge of the simple vs. complete metamorphosis processes and the steps and stages involved. They know about larva and nymph, molting and chrysalis, and other scientific vocabulary that’s beyond first grade!
5TH GRADE 100TH DAY ACTIVITIES As part of their 100th day of school festivities last week, Mrs. Maher’s 5th grade students came with 100 (no, 101!) ways to say “said”, including spoke, uttered, declared, yapped, stated, gossiped, reported, hollered, yelled, announced… Mrs. Maher also timed them on completing 100-piece puzzles.
WAR HORSE IN WATERCOLOR Middle schoolers are now drawing sketches of horses, later to be painted in watercolors, as part of their inter-curricular unit blending literature (the book), history (WWI), science (development of new war technology) and art.
BIBLICAL HIDING PLACE TIP Rabbi Laber’s Navi class learned about Saul (during his appointment as king) hid among the luggage, because he didn’t want to be king, he felt unworthy. They did find him, though, after consulting with the Urim v’Tumim.
HEBREW PURIM SONGBOOK Morah Devorah’s 3rd graders learned a series of Hebrew Purim songs, that they have in their illustrated Purim songbooks.
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PURIM SYMBOL? Rabbi Mendel’s 8th graders learned Jewish historical significance of what is secularly known today as the “Shaka” sign, its connection (in the Medrash) with the Purim story, and why this may be a reason why some have the custom to point to the Torah with their pinky.
email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com
PRES. OBAMA & A GRAGGER 6/7 made “Yes We CAN!” posters for the Maimonides CAN! Purim Prunch event. The one above has a drawing of President Obama holding a Hamantasch and a Gragger, underneath a Happy Purim Megillah scroll.
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PURIM CLASSROOM DOOR DECORATING Pictured above are classroom doors decorated for Purim! Clockwise from top left: “Behind the Scenes in Shushan” 4th grade; Purim Clown by 5th grade; Purim Masks by Kindergarten; Leitzan Clowns by grades 1-3; oversized Mishloach Manot basket by 8th grade; PurimFind, multi-language greetings and topsy-turvy - all by 6/7 grade; HS’ upside-down door; and 3rd graders’ door also featured a pulley-powered hanging Haman (not pictured) over a sign that was a pun on the Mishna “When you enter OUR DOOR (i.e. Adar) you increase in joy!” Great door decorating job by all the classes! It really upped the Adar and Purim spirit at school…
“E-L BNAY” TORAH JOURNAL
THE PUSHKA CAMPAIGN
MHDS alumni will once again be putting together a journal/periodical of local and alumni Torah insights and scholarship (Hebrew & English) in time for Pesach. Already, its filling up with interesting local Jewish history and connections. To submit your piece email it to: lebedik1@gmail.com or speak to Rabbi Rubin. Rabbi Efraim Rubin, an editor and researcher who works on this publication will be in town this Shabbos, so you can speak to him about your submission.
The new Maimonides Pushka (charity-can) encourages daily giving and the presence of a hands-on Tzedakah Mitzvah in our homes (and offices). Some Pushkas were mailed to area homes around Purim-time, with a little small Purim treat inside, others can be picked up at the school office or call 453-9363 for a home or office delivery. We’re also trying to keep track of the Pushkas, so when they eventually fill-up, call the school for pick-up.
STATE NAMES SPELLING TEST
SHUSHAN PURIM FRIDAY
School had a later 9am start, so everyone can This integrated Social Studies and ELA. Some recuperate a little from Purim. Everyone states are easier to spell than others! gathered for a special assembly, where each students from Nursery on up displayed and 3/14 PIE DAY SPECIAL PROJECTS explained their Purim costume, and each of the Look forward to pie (3.14) day (3/14) at school classroom Purim doors were highlighted and recognized. We have more wonderful costume next week. There will be math activities, piepictures from Shushan Purim (in addition to all treats to eat, and even relevant Talmudic the great photo from the Prunch featured this connections with Rabbi Rubin! week)… stay tuned for next week’s “MC”!
Hot-Cocoa helped 8th grade cocoa sellers and 5th grade consumers discover a new frontier in Halacha! You never know what amazing things you can learn by drinking a cup. Rabbi Laber’s 5th grade Halacha students were having a hard time finishing their delicious cup of hotcocoa in time for class, taking small sips at a time, because it was indeed so hot. Rabbi Laber pointed out that if a drink is sipped extra slowly, over a long duration of time, then you don’t make the after-blessing, in this case “Borei Nefashos”. (The beforedrinking blessing, in this case “Shehakol” you say either way). We’d like to share with avid “MC” readers who follow “Cocoa Chronicles” that the white, pillowy & gelatinous development mentioned last week was a huge hit!
CLASSROOM WISH LIST Mrs. Carroll’s class needs plastic bins (12-
15 quart size) with lids, color pencils and 2nd-4th grade level chapter books. “Nathan’s Kitchen” can always use plastic cutlery and paper-goods. Nursery is looking to get empty cottage cheese or butter containers, a fresh bag of sand for their sensory-table, and any scraps of material (felt, cloth, fabric etc). 8th grade can use a wall-clock, whiteboard markers, rulers, & lined paper. A working CD-player. Tissue-Boxes for each classroom. A few pairs of scissors and masking tape. We just got new soccer goals, but we can use a few more balls, also for basketball. Handy, easy-to-use classroom cleansers. Dress-up hats and clothes for Nursery. HDMI cables (laptop to screen). Pennies for the Penny-Menorah!
at Maimonides and in the Community 3/10: DISORGANIZED RAMBAM? That’s Rabbi Rubin’s topic this Shabbos!
3/10: SHABBOS KIDDUSH Kiddush at Shomray Torah (Shteibel) by Mrs. Rubin for her father R’ Michel Piekarski’s yartzeit, In addition, visiting Yeshiva bochurim “The Oswego Five” will be in town enhancing the spirit!
Rochelle Shoretz, a 2-time survivor. She’ll be speaking for Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy, 7pm at CNSE/Nanotech. Call 783-7800 for info.
3/16: BACK TO LONGER FRIDAYS We’re back to 3:30pm dismissal on Fridays.
3/19: WOMENS BEIT MEDRASH
3/10: NEW TIME FOR TCN CLASS
8pm at Maimonides. This month focuses on Shiras (Song of) Chana. Info? Call Leah 495-0779.
Rabbi Reisman’s Sat Night class, screened live at CBAJ begins at 8:30pm, as Shabbos ends later.
3/25: PRE-PESACH CAR-CLEANING HS Girls will once again clean cars inside and out
3/11: SPRING FORWARD AN HOUR before Pesach. Stay tuned for details. 9am-1pm. The official time to change the clocks is 2am on Sunday morning (late, late Saturday night). Move the clocks one hour ahead, as we spring forward. If you’re attending one of the Sunday events listed below, remember to go at the new, changed time.
3/29: EAT-OUT PASTA NIGHT
Many homes won’t want pasta (or other Chametz) around because of pre-Pesach cleaning, come and enjoy a Pasta bar supper (no wait-times!) at MHDS “Nathan’s Kitchen” with proceeds benefiting HS. A night you don’t have to bake or clean-up from 3/11: MIFGASH POST-PURIM Mifgash is hosting hypnotist Ronny Baras, at a post dinner. Costs, times and info in next week’s “MC”. -Purim event and wine-sale open to the community, 6-8pm at Temple Israel. Pizza will be sold (Pas4/2: NISSAN 11 FARBRENGEN Yisrael bagels and Chalav Yisrael cream-cheese will Yud-Aleph Nissan (Rebbe’s birthday) Farbrengen also be available). Call 439-0170 for info. on Monday night, 7pm, arranged by area Chabads at Maimonides. Informal, inspirational evening with singing, stories, teachings & refreshments. 3/11: “A GERMAN LIFE” 7:15pm at Agudat Achim in Schenectady, a Joint Society event, featuring Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD, 4/19: LAST DATE FOR DROPOFF (son of a decorated WWII Nazi tank-commander) General Studies teachers are collecting garage-sale who was born, raised, and educated in Germany, items to benefit the year-end school trip for grades emigrated to Israel, served in the IDF, and is now a 3-7. Cleaning up? Want to de-clutter? No longer physician in Miami. Call 783-7800 for cost & info. need a specific item? Stuff still in fairly decent condition? Bring your stuff to Mrs. Maher or Mrs. Livingston at school on any school-day until April 3/11: AUTO SHOW 2012 19th, it will be stored and sold off-site. 170+ new models on display at the Times Union Center from 32 manufacturers. 12-4pm features 5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION some children’s entertainment. $7.50 adult admission, children 12 & under free accompanied JERNY is planning their 3rd annual Unity by an adult. Free parking in TUC Garages. Celebration of Jerusalem, with themed décor, props, vendors and exhibits, along with partnering orgs, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth. 3/12: BOYS MISHMAR RETURNS Mishmar after-school study will be on March 12th 6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER DATE &19th, 3:45-5:00pm at Maimonides with Rabbi Shimon Andrusier, open to all boys grades 2+. This year’s Maimonides dinner honorees will include the renown Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, former president and chancellor of Yeshiva 3/14: YOGA CLASS CONTINUES 6-weeks of Yoga (& Torah) with instructor Amanda University, author and scholar, who was a colleague Toll Weds at Maimonides 1:15-2:15pm for women. and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger obm, with the award given in his name; and the $35 for 6 weeks. Info etc? Call Leah 495-0779. Sage College student volunteers who greatly enhance recess and sports activities, art classes and 3/14: SHARSHERET FOUNDER other school programs. Stay tuned for additional Sharsheret is a support and advocacy group for honorees and info. Jewish women with breast cancer, founded by
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah „n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Adar 22, 5772 / March 16, 2012
Candle-Lighting:
6:45 Shabbos Ends:
7:46
This newsletter is dedicated for a complete and speedy recovery to
Lev Yisroel ben Shoshana
SHARING YOUTHFUL PURIM SPIRIT AT THE BEVERWYCK A few days after Purim, several of our younger grades sang songs and shared Purim spirit at The Terrace at Beverwyck, directed by our music teacher Lynn Gross. The event was arranged through Rabbi and Mrs. Simon of Bethlehem Chabad. "We had the great pleasure of hosting the Maimonides School children on Tuesday March 13th. Their performance was wonderful, a true joy to watch. The residents of The Beverwyck were singing their praises. Intergenerational activities are such a gift, and we are thankful we could share such quality time with the students from Maimonides. We hope to see them again soon!" - from a note from Lisa, the Beverwyck Activities Director
THE SCHENECTADY TRIP On Tuesday, Rabbi Mirsky gave 8th grade &HS girls a tour of the Beth Israel synagogue. He showed them stained glass windows that were transplanted from the original shul in a different neighborhood. Old plaques were moved, too. The Shul‟s Aron Kodesh was designed to resemble the Burning Bush where Hashem first revealed himself to Moshe. There‟s a tall tree that overhangs the Sukkah and needs to be trimmed back each year. This year the tree was struck by lightning, so they‟re going to take it down. They went to the cemetery in Rotterdam, where they saw a special brick memorial house (“ohel”) as a tribute for the community Shochet, originally from Vilna. They went to Mt. Pleasant Bakery on Crane Street, where each chose a tasty treat (most picked doughnuts or cookies) and posed for a photo with the baker.
Please keep him in your prayers IN THE HOLOCAUST’S SHADOW
On Sunday, our HS girls heard Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger tell his life-story at a Federation event. His father, a Nazi tank commander (decorated by Hitler) remained anti-Semitic long after the war. A neighbor had a portrait which his father called “traitor”. Bernd learned that the “traitor” man in the portrait tried unsuccessfully to kill Hitler. He studied WWII in school, but not much about the Holocaust. That changed in the 1972 Olympics, when newspaper headlines: “Jews Killed in Germany Again” awakened discussion about the Holocaust, and Bernd‟s interest in Jews, first as a “Shabbos-Goy” & later in a 7-year process of conversion to Judaism. Before Israel, he went to say goodbye to his parents, but his father GETTING READY FOR PESACH refused to see him, even wrote in his will that Price Chopper Kosher Store isn‟t the only one his son should not attend his funeral. Years getting ready for Pesach! Now that Purim is later, he went to visit his parents graves in over, Pesach learning is full swing, especially in Germany. Ironically, they are buried in the the younger grades who will be learning about section of the Christian cemetery nearest to the holiday and Passover story through multi- the Jewish portion. At the time of day when he media/multi-sensory crafts, activities and other arrived, the Jewish graves (years later, even in forms of hands-on learning. They‟re loving it! death) cast a shadow over his parents graves…
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
GRANDMA MOSES ART AT THE BENNINGTON MUSEUM Grades 2-4 (chaperoned by Rabbi Rubin, Morah Rochel, Mrs. Carroll and Mrs. Levin) went on a field trip to the Bennington Museum in VT to see the largest collection of folk art by “Grandma Moses” (1860-1961, she lived for 101 years!). Her real name was Mrs. Anna Mary Robertson Moses, she was a farmer‟s wife who later in life, in her 70‟s (!) began to paint. She was like a Rabbi Akiva of American artists. Before her work became famous, she gave paintings to friends or sold them for 2 or 3 dollars at local shops in and around her farm home in Eagle Bridge in Rensselaer County NY near the Vermont border. One of 10 children herself, 5 of her own ten kids died young. One day an art collector was passing through Hoosick Falls and saw her work displayed in a drug store window. He displayed them Grandma Moses became an iconic at NYC‟s Museum American figure in her old age. Norman Rockwell put her into one of Modern Art and of his paintings - pictured above. after that her work became recognized and very beloved. On this trip, the Maimonides students got to see the actual paint brushes and easel that she used, and how she first began her art with fabric and later moved to paints. Part of that was because she developed arthritis and painting was easier on her hands than sewing. Mrs. Levin explained that Grandma Moses painted pictures of her childhood, dating back to the Civil War time, mostly from memory. At the museum the students got into groups and were each assigned elements of pictures to look for (water, winter, farming etc). Students used felt boards divided by seasons (nature figured prominently in her art) and also other art activities. They also enjoyed a short outdoor nature hike and ate lunch (and bentsched) at the picnic tables.
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO THE WEEKLY “MC” email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com Get it in your Inbox each week. Join hundreds who read this “MC” newsletter each week via email!
MORE PURIM COSTUMES Last week‟s MC featured costumed kids (and adults!) at the Maimonides Purim Day Prunch. On this page and next see more photos of kids in their Purim costumes at school‟s Shushan (day-after) Purim costume parade.
RESERVE UR CARWASH HS Girls will be washing and vacuuming cars on Sunday, 3/25. This year, they‟re limiting the number of cars, and will set-up appointment times. To reserve a “E-L BNAY” TORAH JOURNAL MHDS alumni are putting together a journal/ slot, email: bnoschayaprograms@gmail.com. periodical of local and alumni Torah insights STARTING PESACH CLEANING? and scholarship (Hebrew & English) in time for Pesach. Already, its filling up with Thanks to those families who have already brought in stuff to sell! General Studies grades interesting local Jewish history and 3-7 are organizing a Garage Sale to benefit the connections. To submit your piece email it to: lebedik1@gmail.com or speak to Rabbi Rubin. year-end school trip. Any decent unwanted items you find during cleaning may be brought to school (care of Ms. Livingston or Mrs. Maher) anytime up until April 19th. (Please, no TV‟s or large appliances). The items will be sorted and taken away from school each day to the garage sale site. This is an effort organized and run by the General Studies faculty. It‟s a win-win: de-clutter your home, get rid of extra stuff, and support our students!
LOT & DAUGHTERS IN CAVE 3rd grade is learning in Chumash class how after being saved from the destruction of Sodom, Lot‟s daughters felt that they and their father were the only ones left in the world .
MAZAL TOV TEITELMANS Mazal Tov to Mrs. Joyce Teitelman on the birth of twin granddaughters (to Howie and Meital). Double Simcha, Double Nachas!
MOON PARTY
6/7 grade finished a unit on moon-phases and celebrated with a half-moon cookie party and a At Shuls this Shabbos we conclude the entire Mythbusters video disproving the conspiracy Sefer Shmos, and say “Chazak!” Also this week, theories which doubt the moon-landing. The the 5th graders with Rabbi Mathless reached kids did so well on this because they know it the end of Sefer Breishis, their first complete also from the laws of Rosh Chodesh. Chumash! Rabbi Rubin came in to test their knowledge, they had a written test on Parshat TRANSLATION = MOVING Vayechi, and are planning an outdoor Siyum … in Geometry. Translation keeps the exact party in a park next week. integrity of the shape, without rotating it or changing the size, but in a different location. It‟s done by recording the original coordinates and using the same measurements to redraw the same shape, but in different coordinates.
CHAZAK IN TIME FOR CHAZAK
FOURTH’S CHUMASH ZOOM 4th graders feel like they are zooming through Chumash, as they now already in middle of Vayishlach. Go 4th graders!
DECORATED DOOR RIBBON AWARDS Each decorated Purim classroom door at school received a specific paper ribbon award, including “Most Festive,” “Most Life-Like,” Most Artsy,” “Most Symbolic,” “Most Meaningful” etc…
THE GREAT DEPRESSION 8th graders are now studying the difficult period of the 1930‟s in the United States. They learned about the dramatic hardships, and how different people viewed The New Deal.
As 8th grade hot-cocoa sales increase, they are recognizing a need to improve their customer service and efficiency in preparing and serving multiple cups of hot-cocoa at the same time to eager customers. One problem they‟re having is that many classes go out for morning recess at the same time, so there‟s rush of orders at once, and being students themselves, they are unable to prepare cups of cocoa in advance. With multi-age customers crowding around in the small room, with little interest in forming a proper line, it can get chaotic & confusing, and hard to tell who has already paid, and who hasn‟t, who got their cup yet and who didn‟t, and who has been waiting (patiently) for a longer time. But as the pictures below attest, despite these challenges, they have happy customers!
SHABBOS MEVORCHIM NISSAN In addition to being a double Parsha, Chazak and Parshat Parah, this Shabbos we also bless The bulletin board pictured above features the new coming month of Nissan (Rosh student research on righteous gentiles and Jews Chodesh and Parshat HaChodesh will be next who risked their own lives to save others during Shabbos). Pesach is coming soon! the Holocaust, including Chiune Sugihara, Raoul Wallenberg, Oskar Schindler, Miep Gies, the Bielsky Brothers…
HOLOCAUST HEROES
CLASSROOM WISH LIST Mrs. Carroll‟s class needs plastic bins (12-
SPRINGTIME FEEL AND FUN
Some days have been wonderfully warm this week, students above are enjoying playing with chalk on the walk in front of school.
3 MATZOT, 4 SONS, 6 ON KA’ARA DID YOU GET A MAIMONIDES PUSHKAH (CHARITY BOX) YET?
Morah Devorah‟s classroom is already all decorated for Pesach. Her students are now learning the 10 Plagues, Hebrew terms used on Pesach, segments of the Haggadah and more!
THE CATS OF MIRIKATANI HS Girls are now reading “Farewell to Manzinar” (a book about the Japanese internment camps during WWII) so they‟re watching a documentary titled “The Cats of Mirkatani” which deals with the same issue.
Please call the school office 453-9363/3434 or email maimonidesschool@gmail.com. You can pick one up at school or we can bring it you! A Tzedakah box (Pushka) is an important feature of a Jewish home, and daily giving is a very good Mitzvah habit. It all adds up and makes a difference at Maimonides, where it goes a long way to provide quality education, creating wonderful local Jewish learning & experiences now and investing in a bright Jewish future!
15 quart size) with lids, color pencils and 2nd-4th grade level chapter books. “Nathan‟s Kitchen” can always use plastic cutlery and paper-goods. Nursery is looking to get empty cottage cheese or butter containers, a fresh bag of sand for their sensory-table, and any scraps of material (felt, cloth, fabric etc). 8th grade can use a wall-clock, whiteboard markers, rulers, & lined paper. A working CD-player. Tissue-Boxes for each classroom. A few pairs of scissors and masking tape. We just got new soccer goals, but we can use a few more balls, also for basketball. Handy, easy-to-use classroom cleansers. Dress-up hats and clothes for Nursery. HDMI cables (laptop to screen). Pennies for the Penny-Menorah!
at Maimonides and in the Community 3/17: PARSHAT PARAH READING “Parah” (from Chukas) about the Red-Heifer is the 3rd of 4 special Torah readings this time of year. Plus, it‟s also Shabbos Chazak as we conclude Chumash Shmot with Vayakhel & Pekudei!
3/17: NEW TIME FOR TCN CLASS Rabbi Reisman‟s Sat Night class, screened live at CBAJ begins at 9:30pm, as Shabbos ends later.
4/19: LAST DROPOFF We‟re collecting garage-sale items to benefit the year-end trip for grades 3-7. Stuff in fairly decent condition? Bring it in to Mrs. Maher or Mrs. Livingston at school on any school-day until April 19th, it will be stored and sold off-site.
4/29: MIRSKYS HONORED AT B.I. 3/18: PRICE CHOPPER PASSOVER Rabbi Moshe and Karen Mirsky are the honorees KOSHER STORE OPEN HOUSE DAY of this year‟s Beth Israel Gemilas Chasadim dinner. 1-4pm at Colonie Price Chopper, 1892 Central. Sample foods, meet Kosher food industry reps, see new product lines including Price Chopper‟s new fresh prepared Passover foods menu.
3/19: BOYS MISHMAR RETURNS Mishmar after-school study 3:45-5:00pm at Maimonides with Rabbi Shimon Andrusier, open to all boys grades 2 and up (beyond Maimonides are very welcome).
Call 377-3700 for dinner and journal info.
5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION JERNY is planning their 3rd annual Unity Celebration of Jerusalem, with themed décor, props, vendors and exhibits, along with partnering orgs, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth.
6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER DATE
This year‟s Maimonides dinner honorees will include the renown Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, former president and chancellor of Yeshiva 3/??: YOGA CLASS CONTINUES 6-weeks of Yoga (& Torah) with instructor Amanda University, author and scholar, who was a colleague Toll Weds at Maimonides 1:15-2:15pm for women. and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger obm, with the award given in his name; and the $35 for 6 weeks. Info etc? Call Leah 495-0779. Sage College student volunteers and support staff and program who greatly enhance recess and sports 3/19: WOMENS BEIT MEDRASH activities, art classes and other school programs. 8pm at Maimonides. This month focuses on Shiras (Song of) Chana (mother of the Prophet Samuel, joyous over his birth). Info? Call Leah 495-0779.
3/25: PESACH CAR-CLEANING HS Girls will once again clean cars in/out pre-Pesach. Stay tuned for details. 9am-1pm. RSVP: bnoschayaprograms@gmail.com
3/29: EAT-OUT PASTA NIGHT Many homes won‟t want pasta (or other Chametz) around because of pre-Pesach cleaning, come and enjoy a delicious Pasta bar supper (no wait-times!) at MHDS “Nathan‟s Kitchen” with proceeds benefiting the HS. It‟s one night you don‟t have to bake or clean-up from dinner.
4/2: NISSAN 11 FARBRENGEN Yud-Aleph Nissan (Rebbe‟s birthday) Farbrengen on Monday night, 7pm, arranged by area Chabads at Maimonides. Informal, inspirational evening with singing, stories, teachings & refreshments.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
3.14: NO PIE-IN-THE-SKY Marking National Pi Day on Wednesday March 14, Math Teacher Dr. Mahdvi Sahay and Rabbi Rubin jointly integrated the Circumference/ Diameter Ratio concept with various Pi sources throughout the Talmud, on various levels. Guest Mr. Benjamin Mendel (pictured above with Rabbi Rubin) explained the practical uses of Pi in architecture and building design.
PI RATIO IN THE TALMUD Students followed references in the Talmudic Tractates of Eruvin (14a) defining the thickness of an enclosing courtyard beam for Shabbat; in Sukkah (7b) to determine the size of a circular Sukkah; and also in their current Talmudic study in Pesachim (109) that determines the minimum size and volume of a Kiddush cup. Interestingly, the Talmudic references are based on the current weekly Vayakhel Haftorah with the “Sea of Solomon” Temple measurements (Kings I, 7:23).
ROUNDED OFF PI? Middle School students (pictured above) explored commentaries by the Medieval French Tosafists and Rambam (Moses Maimonides) comments on Pi‟s unique „infinite‟ fractions. They also followed the Pi Thread through later commentaries. The “Chofetz Chaim”, “Tiferes Israel” and “Aruch Hashulchan,” all use the same key Talmudic phrase “Mina Hani Milee” to explain why the Talmud rounds off Pi to a 3 to 1 ratio for religious law applications. They also read portions of articles by Professors Elishakoff and Pines at the Miami Torah and Science 2005 Forum.
PRECISE ACCOUNTING This also relates to this week‟s reading of “Pekudei” parsha with dynamic “Azla Geirash” trope on the words beginning “And the 1,775…” A Roman once asked (Talmud Bechoros 5a) “Was Moses not versed in calculations?” & Rabbi Yochanon responded that it was indeed a precise calculation, only that “Shekel HaKodesh” has a different value than ordinary Shekels.
TASTY PERSONAL PIE The abstract Pi concept also had down-to-earth tangible implications, when all grades were later treated to minipersonal pies, filled with apple, strawberry or cherry, and topped by crisscrossed dough strips, baked by students in “Nathan‟s Kitchen!”
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah „n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Adar 29, 5772 / March 23, 2012
Candle-Lighting:
6:53 Shabbos Ends:
7:54
This newsletter is dedicated in memory of the beloved Chassid
Reb Moshe Rubin on the occasion of his yartzeit Today, Erev Shabbos, Erev Rosh Chodesh Nissan
PASSOVER SKIT & MODEL MATZAH BAKERY AT PRICE CHOPPER On Tuesday, grades 6-7 performed a quick Passover skit at Price Chopper Colonie with our Kindergarten and 1st grade students, who also participated in a hands-on model Matzah Bakery, right outside Price Chopper’s Kosher (but Chametz) bakery. Ironically, you can see the sign for “Cakes, Rolls, Bread” atop the Passover scenery! CBS 6 filmed it, Times-Union took photos. An owner of Streits Matzah (and grandson of the original founder, Aaron Streit) told the kids how a machine-matzah factory works. Each got a Streits Matzah bakery hat and goodie bag… see more photos and details on page 2 inside >>
THE THREE TORAH SHABBOS This is one of the few times that we take out 3 Torahs! We read Vayikra (the weekly portion), Rosh Chodesh (for Shvi’i) and HaChodesh (last of the 4 seasonal readings) for Maftir.
YESHIVA VISITS THIS WEEKEND DO YOU MISS WINTER? A Monsey Yeshiva is back up in Albany for another Shabbos weekend retreat (last time they came they enlivened the Wildman’s baby Shalom Zachor). They’ll be at Shomray Torah for Minyans, and using Maimonides as their facility/base for the weekend. Rabbi Rubin will present a shiur titled “Burning Issues” (in connection with the recent Daf-Yomi Siyum, and with upcoming Pesach) at an extended Shalosh-Seudos, Mincha at 6pm. (6/7 grade boys are having an earlier planned Shabbaton this weekend at Shabbos House).
SCHAFFER CONDOLENCES Condolences to Mr. Howard Schaffer on the passing of his father Louis. Shiva on Friday 35pm, Sunday 1-3pm & 7-9pm.
Flashback to 2 snowmen we managed to make despite having so little snow this mild winter.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
TRAGEDY IN TOULOUSE Early on Monday we heard of the terrible terrorist shooting at the Otzar HaTorah school in Toulouse, France, killing Rabbi Jonathan Sandler and his children Arieh and Gavriel (actually named for Gavriel Holzberg killed by terrorists in Mumbai), and Miriam Monsonego. We sang “Al-Tirah” (do not fear! verses with which schoolchildren reassured Mordechai against Haman’s evil decree) with extra feeling, and Tehillim for Aharon ben Leah, an injured teen and for the Toulouse & French community who need much healing & comfort. BH the killer was stopped before he could do even more of his murder plans.
OUR MODEL MATZAH BAKERY, A PASSOVER SKIT, & MEETING “MR. STREITS” @ PRICE CHOPPER The big Egyptian murals (painted by our students with Mrs. Levin before Passover 3 years ago) hung over the self-serve breads, and the whole area was transformed for an hour into a Passover stage and modelMatzah Bakery. The giant beige bricks were actually lightweight cardboard boxes painted by 6/7 graders at school, Kindergarten & 1st dressed in robes and turban-towels as they reenacted the Exodus story in brief, with Pharoah on a throne overlooking the scene. Rabbi Rubin led the hands-on Model Matzah-Bakery, & Mr. Adler of Streits Matzah told the story of his family’s famous Matzah Bakery, still at the same location in NY’s historic Lower East Side since 1925, baking 2,000 pounds of machineMatzah every hour, millions of pounds for the Pesach. (They also make non-Pesach Matzahs with flavors, during other times of the year). Each kid got a white Streits Matzah hat, the very same hats that workers use in the real factory, and a big goodie-bag with a blue box of Streits Shmurah machine-Matzah, Chalav-Yisrael and Pareve chocolates and other Passover treats. Times Union, CBS 6 and Price Chopper managers were there, too.
MADE HERE IN THE SCIENCE LAB HS in Dr. Sahay’s chemistry class this week used two monomers to create nylon (a synthetic stretchy material that they wound onto a stick), and a super absorbent gel that’s often used inside baby diapers, and because they were snow-deprived all winter, they also made fake (dry, couscous-like) snow in the Dr. O’Brien Science Lab, the type that’s used in winter displays in stores.
SAGE SPORTS SCORES ...with our kids! Pictured here (top) is Mo speaking to Mendel during a short lull in the action at the soccer goal, and (bottom) Ronnie with Chaim, as they chat and dribble the ball back to the other side of the basketball court. Our kids have made tremendous strides in their sports skills, positive attitude, teamwork and good sportsmanship thanks to the hands-on coaching and mentoring of the Sage students at the lunchtime recess.
HAVE SOMETHING YOU’D LIKE TO GET RID OF, FOR OUR GARAGE SALE RESERVE YOUR CAR-CLEAN
“E-L BNAY” JOURNAL
HS Girls will be washing and vacuuming cars on Sunday, 3/25. This year, they’re limiting the number of cars, and set-up appointment times. To reserve your slot, email: bnoschayaprograms@gmail.com or call 495-0779. They will do a thorough Pesach cleaning, ($18 for inside, $8 for outside) but the car needs to be emptied, they are not responsible to sort through stuff left in the car, it may be thrown out.
MHDS alumni are once again putting together a journal/periodical of local and alumni Torah insights and scholarship (Hebrew & English) in time for Pesach. It’s filling up with a variety of interesting submissions. To submit your piece email it to: lebedik1@gmail.com or speak to Rabbi Rubin. Deadline is soon!!
SPRING BEES AND FLOWERS 4th graders made colorful flowers with spring-y themes for petals, and big “bees” with wax-paper wings to pollinate them.
AZ YASHIR POWERPOINTS Instead of another test, 6/7 graders each created animated powerpoint slides for each of the verses, incorporating the (very long) Rashi commentary with lots of graphics and fun animation.
April 19th is the end-date for drop-off, but we’d like to get more stuff in sooner. This Garage Sale run by the General Studies teachers will benefit the school’s year-end trip. Items can be dropped off at school during the school-day, or call the school office 453-9363/3434. All items will be stored and sold off-site. Some pickup arrangements may be possible. It’s a win-win: de-clutter your home, get rid of stuff, and support our students!
MAKKOS IN SAND Nursery students put symbols of the 10 Plagues into a jar, and then filled it with sand and closed it tightly. Every time you shake the jar, different plague symbols appear!
This is best appreciated if read aloud in Talmudic singsong.
THIRD BRINGS BRACHOS (FOOD BLESSINGS) PARTY TO NURSERY Third graders with Morah Moriah just finished a unit on food-blessings and were eager to share their learning with others, so they made a party in the Nursery classroom, with foods of different categories (grapes, lettuce, popcorn, chips etc…) and the 3rd graders explained to the Nursery students why different blessings are made on each type of foods.
WAR HORSE IN WATERCOLORS ON DISPLAY @ BACH LIBRARY After completing “War Horse” with essay projects and research, middle schoolers each painted a horse in watercolor, currently on display at the Bach Public Library on New Scotland Ave. (By the way, High School’s “Book Thief” mixed-media projects will soon be displayed at the Clifton Park - Halfmoon Library which recently chose that Holocaust/WWII book for public reading).
CREATIVE PUSHKA APPS
3rd graders with Rabbi Yossi’s Chumash class are holding up Alef-Bet charts in Rashi script.
The project deadline has been extended, and projects need to be brought in by Tuesday of this coming week. The APPS trip or experience is still being planned, hopefully before Pesach. If you take a picture of your project and submit it online to the student/junior division of ““Where Do You Give?” (run by AJWS, Jewish Teen Funders Network & Babaganewz) by 3/26, you may be able to win a prize, too!
BLUE DOLPHINS & FRECKLES
PESACH HALACHA & TALMUD
4th graders finished two great books recently, “Island of the Blue Dolphins” (they plan to watch that film today) and “Freckle Juice.”
4th graders learned how the laws of 1/60 do and don’t apply on Pesach, 6/7 learned about a weasel moving Chametz from one place to another and how that may affect previously checked places, HS learned the laws of cleaning and checking for Chametz (in time for their thorough car-cleaning work this Sunday outside school).
LEARNING RASHI FONT/SCRIPT
PRAYERS FOR A RECOVERY to Leib Yisroel ben Shoshana, Yishai Avraham ben Ziva Liba, Chasia bas Chaya Sara, and all who are in need of a speedy recovery.
Is Hot-Cocoa still a marketable product as the weather turns warm? Should 8th grade boys switch to selling chilled lemonade or does hot-cocoa have appeal even in hot weather? Dayka Nami: The winter-themed picture by a student pictured above has hot-cocoa - in Hebrew - as a winter drink. This Thursday was a good test of this question. Despite the summery weather outside, believe it or not, they sold 21 cups! Some commentators (in Bava Cocoa) say that this is only because the morning recess still has a slight chill, it is not yet Chom HaYom with the highest temperature. But other commentators say, it is because people appreciate a soothing, warm drink, even on a hot day. This 2nd Ika d‟Amri explanation is supported by old Russian Bubbies, who say hot soup & drinks are very good for you on hot days, too. The Nafka Minah will be on very hot recess mornings. Because of this, as days get hotter, they may explore selling chilled lemonade or iced-tea, especially to fulfill the first opinion.
MOLDY APPLESAUCE LESSON You find such things sometimes when you clean for Pesach, and it happened to the 5th graders, a long-lost (now moldy) applesauce surfaced and Mrs. Maher used it in her lesson of a potato growing a plant out of it over time.
DID YOU GET A MAIMONIDES PUSHKAH (CHARITY BOX) YET? Please call the school office 453-9363/3434 or email maimonidesschool@gmail.com. You can pick one up at school or we can bring it to you! Tzedakah box (Pushka) is a feature of a Jewish home, and daily giving is a wonderful Mitzvah.
at Maimonides and in the Community 3/24: ROSH CHODESH NISSAN & MAFTIR PARSHAT HACHODESH
designs about Water and/or Israel. If under 18, submit design to bkern@jnf.org by March 30th. Hand-drawn, computer generated, or combo. Again a special Shabbos! It is Rosh Chodesh OU Kosher is giving $50 at Eichlers to winners Nissan (don’t forget Yaale-vYavo, Hallel & the of a 750-1000 word essay contest on a Kosher special Shabbos-Rosh-Chodesh Musaf) and we read topic. Due by 3/30, submit to SafranE@ou.org Parshat HaChodesh (last of 4 seasonal readings) as the Maftir. Pesach is just two weeks away!
3/24: “BURNING ISSUES” AT EXTENDED SHALOSH-SEUDOS Daf-Yomi celebrated the Siyum of Temurah on Tuesday Night. Join the visiting Yeshiva for “Burning Issues” (relevant to burning Chametz & Daf-Yomi Siyum) shiur by Rabbi Rubin at an extended Shalosh-Seudos at Shomray Torah, Daf Yomi at 4:45pm & earlier Mincha at 6pm.
3/24: SAT NIGHT TCN CLASS Rabbi Reisman’s Sat Night class, screened live at CBAJ begins at 9:30pm, as Shabbos ends late.
3/25: PESACH CAR-CLEANING HS Girls will once again clean a limited number of cars inside and out for Pesach, Cost: $18 inside Pesach cleaning, $8 outside. Sunday, 9am-1pm in the school parking lot. By appointment only: 4950779 or email: bnoschayaprograms@gmail.com
3/25: GARDEN & FLOWER SHOW at the McDonough Phy-Ed Complex at HVCC. $10 adults, 15 and under are free. See 18 blooming garden exhibits, 100+ floral design arrangements.
3/26: BOYS MISHMAR ON MONDAY Mishmar after-school study 3:45-5pm at MHDS with Rabbi S. Andrusier, open to all boys grades 2+ (beyond Maimonides are also very welcome).
3/28: YOGA CLASS CONTINUES 6-weeks of Yoga (& Torah) with instructor Amanda Toll Weds at Maimonides 1:15-2:15pm for women. $35 for 6 weeks. Info etc? Call Leah 495-0779.
3/29: EAT-OUT PASTA NIGHT
PRICE CHOPPER KOSHER STORE OPEN HOUSE
4/2: ANOTHER CHAMETZ MEAL & YUD-ALEPH NISSAN FARBRENGEN This past Sunday, Price Chopper in Colonie 5:45pm - Chametz Dinner (meat-sauce + pasta etc), $7pp/$25 family to defray the costs. 7pm - Mincha/Maariv Minyan, and simultaneous kids pre-Pesach program/puppet show 7:45pm - Yud-Aleph Nissan (Rebbe’s birthday) Farbrengen: songs, stories, inspiration.. All at Maimonides, come for one part or all three.
4/6: EREV PESACH SCHEDULE 8am Shachris at Shomray Torah, followed by an 8:45am Talmud Siyum for Firstborns. Communal Chametz Burning at Maimonides 10:45-11:45am.
(“The Kosher Store”) served Kosher sushi samples, flavorful pot-roast & gravy, Passover Lay’s chips imported from Israel, potato knishes (great with mustard), home-style chicken nuggets, Dr. Brown’s soda, marshmallow treats and even chocolates… Price Chopper Colonie has a new prepared Passover foods menu, see store for details.
REMEMBERING MR. MILLER & PRO HARDWARE IN DETROIT
Tuesday night was the Daf Yomi Siyum on tractate Temurah at CBAJ. They are getting closer to the 4/19: MHDS PESACH SCHEDULE end of the Talmud and the grand Siyum this 3/30: High School dismissed for Pesach summer. The Siyum was dedicated to the memory 4/4-5: Wed & Thurs AM General Studies Only of Gregg Miller’s father, Aryeh 4/6-15: No School - Pesach Holiday & Vacation ben Shimshon, who passed 4/16: School resumes on Monday at 8am away on Adar 7 (same yartzeit as Moshe Rabbeynu). At the 4/19: LAST GARAGESALE DROPOFF Siyum, Mr. Gregg Miller We’re collecting garage-sale items to benefit the recalled his dad’s dedication to year-end trip for grades 3-7. Stuff in fairly decent his “Miller Pro Hardware” store condition? Bring it in to Mrs. Maher or Mrs. in Detroit on Shaefer and Livingston at school on any school-day until April Seven-Mile. It was an uphill struggle to keep an 19th, it will be stored and sold off-site. independent hardware store open, with the big boxes opening around town. Even when most 4/29: MIRSKYS HONORED AT B.I. other small stores closed in that area, Mr. Miller Rabbi Moshe and Karen Mirsky are the honorees kept his store open, because customers of this year’s Beth Israel Gemilas Chasadim dinner. appreciated his service, free advice and expertise in Call 377-3700 for dinner and journal info. many plumbing, painting and electrical issues. Locks and keys were his big thing. He was a master 5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION locksmith, other locksmiths would often consult JERNY’s 3rd annual Unity Celebration of with him on hard cases. Each week one or two Jerusalem, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth. customers would have their cars towed to his shop when they lost their ignition key. He would be 6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER DATE able to quickly make new keys by impression. This year’s Maimonides dinner honorees will Gregg Miller finished by saying, “Dad I’m willing include the renown Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, to assume that even if the Gates of Heaven are former president and chancellor of Yeshiva locked when you get there, you will have no University, author and scholar, who was a colleague trouble picking the locks to get in!”
Many homes won’t want pasta (or other Chametz) pre-Pesach, so come and enjoy a delicious Pasta bar supper (no wait-times!) at MHDS “Nathan’s Kitchen” with proceeds benefiting the HS. It’s one night you don’t have to bake or clean-up from and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger dinner. $7pp/$25 family. Pasta-Bar opens 5pm. 8th obm, with the award given in his name; and the graders are offering late-pickup/baby-sitting Sage College student volunteers and support staff (homework, snack, video etc) for $2 per child. and program who greatly enhance recess and sports activities, art classes and other school programs. 3/30: TWO CONTEST DEADLINES Stay tuned for additional honorees and info. JNF’s Shpeen Walk for Water seeks T-Shirt
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO THE WEEKLY “MC” email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com Get it in your Inbox each week. Join hundreds who read this “MC” newsletter each week via email!
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Nissan 7, 5772 / March 30, 2012
Candle-Lighting:
7:01 Shabbos Ends:
8:03
Welcome Back! This newsletter is dedicated in honor of our returning Alumni back home for the holiday from various NY and out-of-town Yeshivas and Seminaries. You make us proud! DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING FOR OUR GARAGE SALE? April 19th is the end-date for drop-off, but we’d like to get more stuff in sooner. Pesach cleaning is the perfect opportunity to find and clear-out the stuff you don’t need. This Garage Sale run by the General Studies teachers will benefit the school’s year-end PESACH IS ONLY A WEEK AWAY CHOOSE YOUR PIZZA (OR educational trip. Morah Devorah’s students made their own MATZAH) SIZE CAREFULLY Items can be dropped off at school during the fluffy blue Seder pillows (top-left) and several The 6/7 grade math class created misleading school-day, or call the school office 453Seders charts with info (bottom right). Nursery (but educational!) fake advertisements, based 9363/3434. All items will be stored and sold (bottom left) had a model-Seder in their class- on what they learned about calculating the off-site. Some pickup arrangements may be room with a little table set with candles, grape- area of a circle. Which would you choose: Two possible. It’s a win-win: de-clutter your home, juice, a full Seder plate that the kids could 12” round pizza-pies, or one 20” round? At get rid of stuff, and support our students! touch and feel, they dipped Karpas into saltfirst glance it may appear that the two small water, but didn’t taste the Matzah (because pizzas may be a better deal, but if you use the LETTERS TO BACH LIBRARY they are saving that taste for the Seder night!). formula of Pi (3.14) x radius squared, you will Middle School English students wrote formal First graders chopped and mixed their own quickly realize that (believe it or not) the 20” Charoses mixture! Classes throughout school round pie is significantly larger than both 12” thank you letters to Mrs. Ward at the Bach Library for the public display of their “War are preparing for Pesach, with crafts and round pies combined! Good math skills are Horse in Watercolor” paintings. It was also an projects or text learning in Mishna class, or useful and helpful in so many areas of life... opportunity to polish their letter writing skills. Halacha, by making their own Haggadahs or by preparing short Divrei Torah to share at the MAIMONIDES Seder. Looking forward!
MAZAL TOV HECHTS Rabbi Hanoch and (MHDS alumna) Tzivie Hecht of Rhinebeck NY (who make the long commute to bring their son to Nursery school at Maimonides) had a newborn baby girl this week, Mazal Tov!
BUSY WEEK COMING UP Check page 4 for school schedule (half-days, no nursery), Chametz Dinner & 11 Nissan, a Shloshim for Mr. Yankulin obm, Erev Pesach Siyum and Chametz Burning, and more!
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
HAGGADAH WORKBOOK
NURSERY-MADE HAGGADOT
Nursery students learned so much about Pesach and are thrilled to be bringing home their very own Haggadahs for use at the Seder. Their names are shining right on the covers! Please note HAGGADAH ON WORKSHEETS that there are only Rabbi Mendel’s 8th grade Gemorah students two days of Nursery are trying to finish a complex argument of next week before Abbaye and Rava (Bava Metziah 36b) about Pesach, there will negligence that turned into an accident. They be no Nursery on already had a big test on the main piece (and Wednesday and hardest part) of the argument, but are now trying to finish the last segment with Rami bar Thursday when K-8 has half-day, English only (davening at school at 8am) with 11:30am Chama’s question and truly understand it before the Pesach break. But Pesach is coming, dismissal. Please be prompt for pickup. so Rabbi Mendel inserted 2 or 3 quick Dvar Torahs at the end of each worksheet, so they’ll HS PITTSFIELD SHABBATON HS Girls spent Shabbos in Pittsfield MA last be prepared for the Seder, too. week. Mendel Volovik was very helpful with giving directions in the car on the way to Pittsfield. They each prepared a side-dish or dessert for Shabbos to bring along. When they got there they helped set up and enjoyed delicious pre-Shabbos snacks made by Mrs. Volovik. They read “Zman Magazine,” (a Jewish type of “Time”). They shared Dvar Torahs at the Friday Night meal and at the Shabbos Day Kiddush. The Volovik’s can’t make the trip to Motzai Shabbos Pizza-Nites in HS’ PRE-PESACH PASTA DINNER Albany, so HS brought pizza-nite to them! The HS made 3 delicious pastas (Mixed Pastas w/cheese and veggies; Fettucine Alfredo; and non-cheese Italian) served buffet with tosssalad and iced-tea. It was a great hit, with no wait times. Thanks to the school families and community members who came out. And thanks to the 8th graders who did after-school activities & babysitting for $2 per child, between dismissal and start of the pasta night. 4th graders are filling in their own personal Haggadah, almost like a workbook format, with questions to answer, things to fill in, thoughts to add, plus they get to decorate it.
MARCH: LIONS AND LAMBS The weather patterns may have been mixed up this year, but Mrs. Carroll’s class made their lions and lambs for March anyways. They did a great job with both of them. The lambs are just in time for Pesach, too!
FOUR AND FIVE AT THE SEDER Eli K. and a few other 6/7 graders made an interesting observation. Many of the “fours” at the Seder also have a hidden/extra fifth. We all know of the 4 Questions, but the Talmud lists a 5th (about Korban Pesach). There are 4 cups of wine/grape-juice, but we fill a 5th cup for Eliyanu HaNavi. The Torah has 4 Expressions of Redemption, but there’s a 5th one “v’Hayvaysee” for the future redemption. The Haggadah speaks of 4 Sons at the Seder, but the Lubavitcher Rebbe insists that there’s a “fifth son” who doesn’t show up at the Seder and we have to reach out to find him/her & welcome them to our table.
PURCHASE BULLETIN PHOTOS The colorful costumed Purim photos up on the bulletin board at the school entrance are now available for sale (wallet-size: 35 cents; 4x6: 25 cents, 5x7: 5 cents). See Sharona in the school office to make your order. Proceeds will benefit a special appreciation gift for our wonderful Sage College volunteer sports coaches. In addition, parents are requested to contribute $5-$10 towards this appreciation effort. Thank You.
PIZZA OR PASTA?
For those who enjoyed the Pasta Night, the HS has a question for you: What do you prefer, a LAST CALL FOR “E-L BNAY” pizza nite or a pasta night? Or should we LOCAL TORAH PERIODICAL switch off between them? It’s not the best pre- 6&7 SHABBATON AT UALBANY Alumni are now putting finishing touches on Pesach question, but if you can email your The 6th and 7th graders had a great time at the Pesach edition of the “E-l Bnay” journal of choice to bnoschayaprograms@gmail.com it Shabbos House last week. They were helpful in Hebrew and English submissions of Torah can be helpful for future planning. packing the cutlery bags, setting the tables, novella, research and insights, as well as local singing songs during the meals & at davening history and connections. Typed submissions and sharing Divrei Torah at Shalosh-Seudos. only please, email: mottel770@gmail.com and TORAHPALACE.COM - PESACH A new game for Pesach is now up online at They played lots of games, said some Tehillim, they’ll try their best to include it. Look for it TorahPalace.com, kids are playing it all over took walks, spoke with some students - it was a (and Chol HaMoed Mincha/Maariv short the world (and it is made here in Troy!), and really nice wonderful bonding time for the well Kinus Torah sessions) this Pesach! some are win valuable prizes. Check it out, test -behaved and lively group. your knowledge and get a chance to win!
RELIVING EXODUS This enthusiastic Matzah-Muncher is in Morah Devorah’s 3rd grade. Kindergarten also acted out the step-bystep scenes of the Passover story, all in costume. HS Girls learned a few inspirational segments from Tanya chapters 31, 46 and 47 about personal mini-Exodus in our own lives today.
GOT MATZAH? SELL CHAMETZ? Call Rabbi Rubin 423-4103 or email him at rabbirubin@capitalchabad.com if you would like to purchase handmade ShmurahMatzah, or arrange to sell your Chametz - or contact your Rabbi.
DID YOU GET A MAIMONIDES PUSHKAH (CHARITY BOX) YET?
DO YOU HAVE LOCAL IDEAS FOR CHOL HAMOED TRIPS We may possibly do a mini-MC next week before Passover. If we do - we’d like to include a listing of family & wallet-friendly ideas for Chol With this 5th installment, HaMoed trip/outings within 90 minutes of “The Cocoa Chronicles” Albany. Email us at: mhdsnews@gmail.com. are coming to an end along with the winter, and lemonade has sprung in with spring to FOURTH GRADE POEMS take its place. But the saga does not end Haikus, Concrete Poems, Alliteration and when you drink the last drop! Some Acrostic, Cinquain poems and many more… students have expressed concern that once Ms. Livingston’s 4th graders are exploring so kids finished drinking their cocoa (or now many different types of poems to choose from lemonade) they leave empty cups around as they create the upcoming months bulletin the school-yard or in a class-room. That’s board outside the computer lab. not the spirit! Please take a few seconds to clean-up after yourself. It shows that we take MISHMAR AFTER PESACH pride and care about our school and respect Boys Mishmar on Mondays with Rabbi S. “Mamon Hekdesh” the communal Tzedakah Andrusier will resume after Pesach. funds that keep our school going.
PREPARED P.C. PASSOVER FOOD If you can’t do the cooking, or would rather not, give Kosher Price Chopper a call, or stop in early next week, they have a delicious Kosher for Passover prepared foods menu, made instore under the Vaad HaKashruth supervision.
Please call the school office 453-9363/3434 or email maimonidesschool@gmail.com. You can pick one up at school or we can bring it to you! Tzedakah box (Pushka) is a feature of a Jewish home, and daily giving is a wonderful Mitzvah.
THANKS TO VISITING YESHIVA MAAMAR MORDECHAI - MONSEY
THE MACARONI JAR FILLED UP
Last week a Monsey Yeshiva returned to Albany for a Shabbaton, they used our school as their base-facility and davened at Shomray Torah. Below are two local responses:
Just in time for Pesach! 5th graders became more consistent with homework, (they only get a macaroni when everyone in class is on track) and have now filled their jar. Their first choice of trip was Mt Greylock in MA, but since that’s closed, perhaps roller-skating… we’ll see!
3 CHUMASH CLASSES ON BIRTH 3rd grade Chumash finished chapter 20, about Sarah and Avimelech. They’re excited about the new perek which discusses Yitzchok’s birth. The students recalled the three angels who came to visit Avraham and Sarah’s tent and were served Matzos, as it was the first day of Pesach when they arrived. The angels gave over Hashem’s promise that at “l’moed hazeh”, at this exact time, Sarah would give birth. 4th grade just finished chapter 35, which talks about the birth of Benjamin, the 12th son of Jacob and the passing of Rachel. 5th grade is learning Parshas Shmos about the courage of Shifra and Puah, the Jewish midwives to stand up to Pharaoh (another Pesach connection) and support the Jewish newborns instead of harming them.
This week 8th grade boys began the transition from once-a-week selling soothing hot-cocoa to refreshing lemonade. The first batch taught them about precise proportions, as the magic of good lemonade is in the proper balance between sweet and sour, with just enough tang and not too sweet.
From a Parent:
GIVE L’CHAIM YOUR VOTE Last year L’chaim/Shabbos House won first (!) place in the UAlbany-Unite video contest, with contributions and bonus prize funds that helped sponsor this year’s Pesach’s costs, plus a new commercial fridge at Shabbos House. This year they’re in the running again (open until May): tinyurl.com/LchaimUnite2012 Each online contribution (as low as $5 or $10) is a vote for L’chaim and makes a big difference!
A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TRAVEL 4th graders made “brochures” with facts, illustrations & promotions for cable-car & rail.
PAPER SEDER-PLATES BY 3RD 3rd graders designed paper Seder-plated with flaps on top, and pretend Matzos within. They learned about each of the objects on the plate.
My son A. was at the Shteeble for Shachris, and over Shabbos lunch he was very excited. He told me that he talked to "5, 6, maybe 7 boys" (from the visiting yeshiva) and they were very interested about what he had to say (which obviously made him feel very good). He talked about our school and how much he liked it.
From the Shomray Torah Gabbai: It was really nice having a part in hosting the Yeshiva Maamar Mordechai this past Shabbos. The boys' overall chayus, lively singing and dancing, and true Torah spirit really enhanced our Shabbos Parshas HaChodesh at Shomray Torah. In my role as shul gabbai, it really made a difference that the boys took an active part in davening, layning the Torah, and were enthusiastic to do anything we asked them to do. It was also obvious that they enjoyed being in the Shtiebel as much as we enjoyed having them. Please let Rabbi Schwab know what a good impression his boys made and that we’re looking forward to their next visit to Albany.
at Maimonides and in the Community 3/31: SAT NIGHT TCN CLASS
will play live, energizing Chol HaMoed music, Rabbi Reisman’s TCN Navi class, 9:30pm at CBAJ. there’ll be several arts and crafts tables, a Passover buffet dinner, plus a magic show! 4:30-7pm at Saratoga Chabad 130 Circular Street. Suggested 3/31: SHABBOS HAGADOL donation: $7pp/$25 per family. Rabbi Rubin will present Part II of “Burning Issues” for a Shabbos HaGadol talk before Torah 4/10: TZIVOS HASHEM KIDS RALLY Reading at Shomray-Torah. CBAJ has afternoon 11am-12pm at Shomray Torah. Stories, games, study-sessions 5:15-7:00pm with Rabbi Moshe E. Torah and a grand kids bike raffle, and more! Bomzer and R' Shragie on "Insights into Pesach Halachot through eyes of Hashkafa (philosophy)".
4/10: MENDY PELLIN COMEDY
3/31: MESIBAS SHABBOS FOR KIDS Mendy Pellin, a well-known with-it Chassidic Boys & girls welcome for Shabbos afternoon party at Shteeble 5-6pm with Motti: Stories, study, nosh.
4/1: YOSEF YANKULIN SHLOSHIM Following a 7:10pm Mincha at Shomray Torah, big Siyum Mishnayos for the Shloshim of Yosef-Igor Yankulin obm, along with memories of him.
comedian will be performing his all-new “Shalom Bayis Tour” at the Lake George Fort William Henry Pesach Retreat run by the Laber Family. 2 hours of humor and entertainment begins 8:30pm, $25pp, adults only. Pesach refreshments included.
4/19: LAST GARAGESALE DROPOFF We’re collecting garage-sale items to benefit the year-end trip for grades 3-7. Stuff in fairly decent condition? Bring it in to Mrs. Maher or Mrs. Livingston at school on any school-day until April 19th, it will be stored and sold off-site.
BREISHIS SIYUM AT THATCHER
Last Wednesday Rabbi Mathless took his 5th 4/2: ANOTHER CHAMETZ MEAL & graders on a Siyum outing to Thatcher Park with YUD-ALEPH NISSAN FARBRENGEN Rabbi Laber, after they finished Parshas VaYechi 5:45pm - Chametz Dinner (meat-sauce + pasta etc), and the whole Chumash Breishis! It was most $7pp/$25 family to defray the costs. appropriate to see the beautiful sights of nature 7pm - Mincha/Maariv Minyan, and simultaneous 4/20-22: CBAJ RABBI SEARCH when concluding the Chumash that begins with kids rally with energetic alumnus Motti Rubin CBAJ will be hosting 2 potential new Rabbis for Creation. In addition to having a great time, it was 7:45pm - Yud-Aleph Nissan (Rebbe’s birthday) the weekends of April 20th and May 4th to visit also a great spot for learning opportunities: Farbrengen: songs, stories, inspiration.. All at Maimonides, come for one part or all three. with community and congregants. Some events are (a) Thatcher Park has one of the richest fossil open to members and non-members alike. formations in the world! They discussed various ways that science, fossils and the age of the 4/5-26: CAN-STRUCTION IS BACK 4/29: MIRSKYS HONORED AT B.I. Universe can be reconciled with the Torah view. NYS Museum again hosts a competition to benefit Rabbi Moshe and Karen Mirsky are the honorees (b) Rabbi Laber taught the students the Halachos hunger - this year cans made into animal shapes! of this year’s Beth Israel Gemilas Chasadim dinner. about washing hands for bread by dipping them in Bring along your cans to vote for the can-structures. Call 377-3700 for dinner and journal info. a river or spring, instead of using a washing-cup, but the blessing is slightly different than the usual 4/5: BEDIKAS CHAMETZ NIGHT 5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION “Al Netilas Yadayim.” This is the night of the Search! Symbolically we put out 10 pieces, but really it’s the culmination of weeks of cleaning and preparation!
JERNY’s 3rd annual Unity Celebration of Jerusalem, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth.
4/6: EREV PESACH SCHEDULE
6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER DATE
8am Shachris at Shomray Torah, followed by an 8:45am Talmud Siyum for Firstborns. Communal Chametz Burning at Maimonides 10:45-11:45am.
4/19: MHDS PESACH SCHEDULE 3/30: High School dismissed for Pesach 4/3: Last day of School for Nursery before Pesach 4/4-5: Wed & Thurs AM General Studies Only 4/6-15: No School - Pesach Holiday & Vacation 4/16: School resumes on Monday at 8am
4/9: “P-FUN DAY” AT SARATOGA
This year’s Maimonides dinner honorees will include the renown Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, former president and chancellor of Yeshiva University, author and scholar, who was a colleague and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger DR. RAYMOND NAAR HELPS H.S. obm, with the award given in his name; and the BETTER UNDERSTAND POLYMERS Sage College student volunteers and support staff and program who greatly enhance recess and sports Dr. Naar was born in Salonika, Greece, studied in Belgium, taught Chemical Engineering at Tufts activities, art classes and other school programs. University, and then worked for GE Plastics in Stay tuned for additional honorees and info.
6/10: F.C. WALK AT CENTRAL PK
This year’s “Walk for Friendship” will take place in Mendy Antelis (a Jewish Star finalist) and his father Schenectady’s Central Park. See www.walkFC.org Moshe (an accomplished and dynamic guitarist)
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
our region, and now consults the industry - and our school! Dr. Raymond Naar, an expert with much experience in the field, and a very good way of explaining it, was nice enough to come into Dr. Sahay’s class to present a power-point, & discuss the meaning & application of polymers (long strands of monomers - a group of repeating elements) using a long strand of beads, a "ball and stick model" made out of wooden sticks and Styrofoam balls, and then also taught about how this relates to recycling, and the various categories of materials (numbered 1-7). Thanks Dr. Naar!
BH TUESDAY
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Eat Chametz by: 10:47 Burn Chametz by: 11:52 Candle-Lighting: 7:09 Seder Kiddush: 8:02 2nd Night Begins: 8:12 1st YomTov Days End: 8:13
SHORTER WEEK AT SCHOOL There’s no TNT reporting this week (classes usually report on Wednesdays and Thursdays) this week, as we near Passover, there’s half-days General-Studies-only on Wed and Thurs. Since there’s always something good happening at Maimonides, and the weekly 4-page newsletter is never enough to fit everything in, so we decided to do one more “MC” newsletter midweek before Passover.
GOT MATZAH? SELL CHAMETZ? Call Rabbi Rubin 423-4103 or email him at rabbirubin@capitalchabad.com if you would like to purchase some handmade ShmurahMatzah, or arrange to sell your Chametz - or contact your Rabbi.
THIS ROOM IS CLEAN FOR PESACH Nursery students made door-signs that announce that their room is now clean for Pesach! The school is not being cleaned for Pesach this year, which is why we had the Chametz meals here.
FRUIT TREE NISSAN BLESSING The Hebrew month of Nissan is a short, special window to say the bracha on flowering fruittrees. Mrs. Carroll’s 1st graders learned about the life-cycle of trees, the flowery cherry blossoms on left are one of the posters they made to show various stages in the lifecycle of a tree. It’s perfect for Nissan! If we don’t do it with the students before Pesach, we’ll do it after Pesach, while still in the month of Nissan.
Nissan 11, 5772 / April 3, 2012
Please consider sponsoring an edition ($54/$72) of this weekly communal “MC” newsletter in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a loved one. Contact the School Office 453-9363/3434 or email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com
ERIC CARLE ART CLASS First graders in Mrs. Levin’s art class made their own animals by cutting out richly painted paper in the style of Eric Carle. On left, Sage art student and volunteer Kathleen assists Sara Esther with her project. By the way, the Eric Carle Museum is not too far (an hour and half drive or so) perhaps for a Chol HaMoed trip. Look it up online.
CLASSES PREP FOR STATE TESTS
SPRING POEMS ON THE BOARD Haikus, Concrete Poems, Alliteration and Acrostic, Cinquain poems and many more… Ms. Livingston’s 4th graders explored a variety of poem-types to create this month’s bulletin board outside the computer lab. It went up just in time for Pesach, which is also known as “Chag HaAviv” (Spring Holiday) in the Torah.
The NYS ELA and Math state tests will be administered soon after Pesach, so classes have MORE HAGGADAH LEARNING begun preparing for it, by taking sample tests Students in all grades are learning more and understanding the style of questions etc. Haggadah insights. 8th graders learned short FYT insights, 5th made their own (see page 4) LOOK FOR “EL-BNAY” JOURNAL younger grades made their own decorated Locals and alumni put together a booklet of Haggadahs, middle schoolers read a NYT Torah scholarship, insights and local history in article on how people enrich the Haggadah time for Pesach. Limited copies available. text, finding its relevance in their own lives.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
at Maimonides and in the Community 4/3-4: HALF-DAYS THIS WEEK Wednesday and Thursday Pickup at 11:30am sharp. Please be on time. No lunch, send only a snack. 8am davening as usual. No school Friday.
4/19: LAST DAY FOR GARAGE-SALE DROPOFF
We’re collecting garage-sale items to benefit the year-end trip for grades 3-7. Stuff in fairly decent 4/5-26: CAN-STRUCTION IS BACK condition? Bring it in to Mrs. Maher or Mrs. NYS Museum again hosts a competition to benefit Livingston at school on any school-day (not during hunger - this year cans made into animal shapes! Passover break, please) until April 19th, it will be Bring along your cans to vote for the can-structures. stored and sold off-site. Thanks!
4/4-16: MHDS PESACH SCHEDULE 4/4-5: Wed & Thurs AM General Studies Only 4/6-15: No School - Pesach Holiday & Vacation 4/16: School resumes on Monday at 8am
4/5: BEDIKAS CHAMETZ NIGHT
4/20-22 & 5/4-6: NEW CBAJ RABBI CBAJ will be hosting 2 potential new Rabbis for the weekends of April 20th and May 4th to visit with the community and congregants. Some events are open to members and non-members alike.
This is the night of the Search! Symbolically we put 4/29: MIRSKYS HONORED AT B.I. out 10 pieces, but really it’s the culmination of Rabbi Moshe and Karen Mirsky are the honorees weeks of cleaning and preparation! of this year’s Beth Israel Gemilas Chasadim dinner. Call 377-3700 for dinner and journal info.
REBBE’S BIRTHDAY @ CAPITOL NYS Legislators gathered as they do every year just before Passover, to remember the Rebbe, around the date of his birthday (11th of Nissan) with a Kosher luncheon and inspirational tribute. On left, Rabbi Rubin speaks to our representative, Assemblyman John “Jack” McEneny, who recently announced that he won’t be running for another term.
4/6: EREV PESACH SCHEDULE
8am Shachris at Shomray Torah, followed by an 8:45am Talmud Siyum for Firstborns. Communal Chametz Burning at Maimonides 10:45-11:45am.
4/9: TANGLED FILM AT SARATOGA If this is your family’s kind of thing, especially if you want to make a day-trip together with the PFUN Day below - the Saratoga Library on Henry Street is hosting a free screening of “Tangled” (a Disney twist on the Rapunzel story) from 2-4pm.
5/6: SURVIVOR: “I BELIEVE” Leo/Laibel Zisman survived the Holocaust as a child, came to America with nothing, became an engineer, built a business, raised a family, and now wrote a book titled “I Believe!” Hear his story, feel his optimism and faith at Saratoga Chabad, 7pm.
5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION
TWIST ON THE FOUR SONS
Today, on the 11th of Nissan, Rabbi Mendel shared with 5th-8th interesting insights into each of the Haggadah’s “Four Sons” from the 4/9: “P-FUN DAY” AT SARATOGA 6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER DATE Lubavitcher Rebbe’s unique perspective. The cartoon (from the archives of Rabbi Rubin’s Mendy Antelis (a Jewish Star finalist) and his father This year’s Maimonides dinner honorees will Moshe (an accomplished and dynamic guitarist) “Holiday Guide” newspapers) reflects the twist include the renown Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, will play live, energizing Chol HaMoed music, former president and chancellor of Yeshiva on the son “who doesn’t know how to ask.” there’ll be several arts and crafts tables, a Passover University, author and scholar, who was a colleague Morah Devorah’s students also drew a cartoon buffet dinner, plus a magic show! 4:30-7pm at and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger of the 4 sons in their own Haggadahs. Saratoga Chabad 130 Circular Street. Suggested donation: $7pp/$25 per family.
4/10: TZIVOS HASHEM KIDS RALLY 11am-12pm at Shomray Torah. Stories, games, Torah and a grand kids bike raffle, and more! To sponsor, contact Motti: mottel770@gmail.com or 482-5781 (he’d appreciate Rally RSVPs, too!)
4/10: MENDY PELLIN COMEDY Mendy Pellin, a well-known with-it Chassidic comedian (look him up) will perform his all-new “Shalom Bayis Tour” at the Pesach Retreat run by the Laber Family at the Fort William Henry in Lake George. 2 hours of humor and entertainment begins 8:30pm, $25pp, adults only. Pesach refreshments included. Info? Call: 727-9581.
JERNY’s 3rd annual Unity Celebration of Jerusalem, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth.
obm, with the award given in his name; and the Sage College student volunteers and support staff and program who greatly enhance recess and sports FIFTH GRADE DVAR TORAHS 5th graders wrote their own Dvar Torahs for activities, art classes and other school programs. the Seder, on the following subjects/concepts: Stay tuned for additional honorees and info.
The roles of the midwives: Shifra and Puah How do the Levites who weren’t enslaved, This year’s “Walk for Friendship” will take place in relate to the Seder and the Exodus? Schenectady’s Central Park. See www.walkFC.org Do we sell clean Chametz dishes for Pesach? ________________________________________________________________________ The 5th Son who doesn’t show up. GIVE L’CHAIM YOUR VOTE Questions on the section of Maggid... Last year L’chaim/Shabbos House won 1st place in and more!
6/10: F.C. WALK AT CENTRAL PK
UAlbany-Unite video contest, with contributions and bonus prize funds that helped sponsor this year’s Pesach’s costs, plus a new commercial fridge at Shabbos House. Please help them again: tinyurl.com/ LchaimUnite2012 Each online contribution (as little as $5/$10) goes directly to L’chaim and is a vote!
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School)
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a Jewish Federation-NENY Beneficiary
STROCK STRIKES OUT Middle school students discussed with Rabbi Rubin Carl Strock’s recent offensive “On the Prowl” column in “The Gazette,” that ridicules Tefillin and Jewish rituals, vilifies Israel and denies Jewish history. MHDS students proudly wear Tefillin (or will soon), and were disturbed by Strock’s mockery and ridicule, so they each developed their own responses to Mr. Strock’s gross intolerance and ignorance.
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Nissan 28, 5772 / April 20, 2012
Candle-Lighting:
7:25 Shabbos Ends:
8:29
This newsletter is dedicated in memory of
Dr. Morton Berger Meir ben Yisroel Yehudah Yarzteit Today - 28th of Nissan a respected and beloved member of our community, and Dean of the Ferkauf School at Yeshiva University
YOM HASHOAH READINGS On Thursday, in commemoration of Yom Hashoah - Holocaust SPRINGTIME FRUIT-TREE BLOSSOM BLESSING Remembrance, classes During the Hebrew month of Nissan (ending this Shabbos) it is customary to recite a special read the stories of appreciation spring blessing on flowering fruit trees. Classes walked down to the blossoming Holocaust survivors. fruit trees at the O’Brien home on Hansen Street to make the unique annual blessing together. Some read entries from the (<) MAIMONIDES DINNER ‘12 ARNOLD FEUERSTEIN OBM “Holocaust Survivor This year’s dinner will be held on Tuesday, June Cookbook” where the Arnold’s funeral was this Thursday in NY. 5th at the Shabbos House. Dinner honorees are: survivor’s stories are Over their years in Albany, Arnold and his printed alongside their recipes, other classes wife Bea prayed at CBAJ and Shomray Torah, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm read the tragic but uplifting story of Rabbi and despite physical limitations in their later Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award Israel Meir Lau, Chief Rabbi of Israel, who years still made it to the Kosher Price The distinguished and renown survived Buchenwald as a child (see below). Rabbi Dr. Lamm is former President Chopper, Dutch Kosher at UAlbany etc. Arnold made special efforts to personally hand Younger grades colored Jewish stars yellow. and Chancellor of Yeshiva University, author, philosopher and -deliver his Pushka for Maimonides. scholar, a colleague and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger of blessed memory.
Sage Colleges Community Service Award In appreciation of the dedicated Sage students who enriched and assisted Maimonides as sports coaches, artists, and aides.
CANDIB CONDOLENCES Condolences to Mr. Sam & Linda Candib on the passing (earlier this month) of his mother Mae in Bennington VT. Born in the Bronx in 1913, her husband David passed on in 1973. They owned a General Store in Danby VT, later Dave’s TV shop in Bennington.
Lewis & Beth Gray - “Eitz-Chayim” Award Dedicated school parents, communal pillars, and honorable “Mentschen!”
Special Presentations to: Dr. Leonard Morgenbesser Proclamation Tribute Remembering Rivka Losice “Aishes Chayil” Tribute Invitations are now at the printer, and will be mailed next week. Journal deadline is May 23rd. This important school fundraiser is an annual communal event, a memorable milestone.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
MAZAL TOV MARGOLIN BABY
HEARD ON WAMC THIS WEEK
SAGE SPORTS COACHES GIFT
Dr. and Mrs. Leon Margolin, formerly of Albany and now in Columbus OH, recently had a baby girl named Rivka. Mazal Tov!
Dr. Raymond Boisvert of Siena College spoke on WAMC’s “Academic Minute” about how philosophers treat(ed) the human relationship with food. (Thanks to R’ Ruvain Simons for sharing.) The following is adapted from his talk, see the end piece about Shabbos! Historically, it was viewed it as an odd pairing. That’s what Plato, father of Western philosophy, thought. Philosophy was exalted. Humans were said to be split into “rational” and “non-rational” components. Food, tied to the body, suffused with emotional associations, source of physical pleasures, could have little to do with pure reason. By the 18th century, philosophy was dominated by oppositions: mind versus body; individual versus society; man versus nature; spiritual versus material. 20th century thought of Existentialism & Pragmatism, challenged this framework. Why sharp separations, oppositions? Why not think in terms of integrated selves? Here is where food can not only be rehabilitated, but can bring philosophy back to its senses. Its animating slogan, undoing the “this versus that” approach, comes from Santayana: “everything ideal has a natural basis and everything natural an ideal development.” Its preferred image is Judaism’s Friday evening meal. Welcoming the Sabbath, the ritual embodies continuities between the natural and the sacred: connections to the natural world and its bounty, to those who cultivated, raised and prepared the food, to children, to ancestors, to those not yet born, to strangers for whom there is always room, and to transcendence… (note: view all this in light of Torah, especially in Chassidic teachings!)
Parents are encouraged to send in $10 (or amount of their choice) toward an memorable appreciation gift for the Sage students who are so helpful with our children at recess-time, and in other school activities. Please give to Mrs. Backman in the school office.
JUMP, JUMP, JUMP…
DAF YOMI NOW IN ME’ILAH
ANIMALS IN THE PARSHAH This week’s Torah portion “Shmini” has the kosher signs for animals and fish and lists the non-kosher birds. (Top) Nursery students are “fishing” in their sandbox for hidden animals, trying to separate the kosher ones. (Above) 2nd graders traced or drew animals, birds and fish on their own pamphlets about Kosher.
MAKING SOAP IN SCIENCE LAB HS girls made these bars of soap in the lab with Dr. Sahay, as they learned about the process of saponification, using a base (NaOH) and fatty acids to create a form of sodium salt - which is soap. They added coloring & fragrance, and using various molds they made pretty imprints in the soap. Being in the same week as Yom HaShoah, some students making the soap realized the gruesome connection to one of the terrible things that the Nazis did during the Holocaust.
WANTED: OLD SHEETS OR STAINED TABLE-CLOTHS Classes will soon be painting Lag B’Omer banners for this year’s school parade. If you have old stained tablecloths or sheets you no longer need we can use them to paint on.
This unusual photo was taken as Goldie takes a turn at jumprope, she’s up in the air, her feet folded underneath her, the shadow on the sidewalk… and a big smile on her face! (In TNT a student recalled a postcard his grandmother sent him of kids on a trampoline that read: “Life has its UPS and DOWNS, but it sure is fun!”)
RUNNING SHADOWS Here’s another recess action photo with a shadow! There’s a connection with Yehudah HaLevi’s 7th Day of Pesach poem (also sung at a Bris) with the poetic line: “shadows feeling from the sunlight…”
NYS ELA TESTS THIS WEEK Many classes took the NYS English Language Arts test over 3 days this week. Some grades took it as mandated by the state, other grades used it as an general assessment test. The test changes style over 3 days of testing (multiplechoice, short essays, oral listening, etc). 8th graders taking the test were especially amused by the ridiculously silly story of a pineapple challenging a hare to a race. Some 6/7 students complained that they were compelled to choose one “correct” answer from a set of subjective “psychological” options.
S.P.R.I.N.G. POEMS Spring stands for? Mrs. Carroll’s students wrote the poems above with the words that Spring stands for and reminds them of…
Earlier this week, the local Daf Yomi Talmud study group along with Daf-Yomis around the globe completed the tractate of Kerisus with a Siyum at CBAJ, and is now a few pages into the tractate Me’ilah (embezzlement of temple funds etc). They will finish the entire Talmud (and begin again anew) this summer!
MOVING THROUGH MISHNA Perhaps not advanced as Daf-Yomi, but Rabbi Shmuly’s 4th grade Mishna class has covered many Mishnas this year, in a wide range of topics. They studied chapters of Bava Metziah, Megillah, Sukkah, and Pesachim (and made powerpoints on several of them) and are now learning chapter 4 “Tefilas HaShachar” in tractate Brachos about the set-times for prayer.
MILITARY POLITICS & REVOLT Yoav and Amasa were cousins, both generals of King David. 8th grade Navi learned their tragic story, and the Sheva ben Bichri revolt.
STANDING UP FOR RIGHTS 4th graders learned about Susan B. Anthony (the dollar coin on left is a tribute to her) and Elizabeth Cady Canton, who wrote, spoke & worked for the rights of women to vote. Similarly, Sojourner Truth & Fredrick Douglass, abolitionists who argued and fought against slavery.
MAIMONIDES DINNER CHANGE In an effort to trim costs, in a time of budget deficits and challenging economic times, it was decided to hold the dinner at Shabbos House this year. Other behind-the-scenes cuts have been made to keep this fundraiser as lean as possible, yet maintain the elegant & dignified tradition of the this annually anticipated and memorable communal event that the school dinner has been year after year, consistently for more than two decades. The school greatly appreciates its communal support and needs to maximize every contribution dollar.
MORE YOMHASHOAH READING Morah Devorah read with her 2 and 3rd graders these books for Yom HaShoah: “The Lily Cupboard,” “One Yellow Daffodil,” and not pictured here: “The Number on My Grandfather’s Arm.” Behind the students is their bulletin board starting up for next week’s Yom Ha’atzmaut.
FRUIT-TREE BLESSING BAKE-SALE ON WED MORNINGS
Shabbos is the last day we can make this blessing, before the new month of Iyar begins. The text of the blessing is pictured above.
8th graders continue to raise funds for their year-end/graduation trip - to Washington DC! On Thursdays the boys now sell lemonade.
MISLEADING PIZZA ADS We reported on this last time, but we didn’t have the photos of the ads. Underneath each ad they designed, (Amiel’s pictured on left) is the mathematical formulas (Pi x radius squared) they used to figure out what pizza deal is actually the better deal, sometimes one larger pie is much more pizza than 2 smaller ones! Good math skills can help you get more value for your money…
ORDER OF FOOD BLESSINGS
Turning bitter into sweet (think lemonade!) is a post-Passover Exodus challenge the Jews faced on their first stop in the desert. That stop was “Marrah” named for the bitter water they encountered there. Hashem told Moshe to throw a treebranch in, which sweetened the waters. 6/7 grade learned about this stop in Marrah on the 23rd of Nissan 5772, on the very same calendar date that the Jews arrived there in 2448, two days after they crossed the Sea. Living with the Times! The Marrah stop is important for other reasons, too. That’s where the Jews first learned about Shabbos, the laws of honesty with money and also laws of purity. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------On an unrelated topic, but with the same sounding name: “Marrah’s Pharmacy” of Cohoes is in the local news about a huge NY State fine they got for bookkeeping errors/issues. 8th graders (who prepare and sell lemonade on Thursday mornings, now that the weather turned warm) studied that case with Rabbi Mendel as an example of how the Talmud (Bava Metziah 37a) differentiates between business negligence/ mistakes and crime (malicious intent or illegal benefit), and as with Marrah’s Pharmacy, how that distinction may affect fines and penalties.
“JEWISH IDENTITY & BEYOND” This article on by Dr. Bethamie Horowitz of NYU was published in “Contact” (a Steinhardt Foundation publication). Her definition of Jewish identity centers not around our backgrounds, but more so on how Judaism guides us as a meaningful framework going forward in our lives. How Judaism informs our choices, creates our community, helps us become who are are. Jews who live this way, not only have Jewish identity, but even more so - they their own sense of Jewish agency. (this concept is central to a Maimonides education).
LOOKING FOR SOCCER BALLS
We’re having a great time playing soccer and Rabbi Laber has been learning the laws of food the goals are being put to good use, but can blessings. On Friday he brought in an use a few extra soccer balls. Thanks! assortment of foods and the kids had a tasty way to learn about the order of blessings (fruit, fruit of the seven kinds, fresh vs. dried, Mezonos, what you enjoy most, and a bunch of different variables and criteria).
at Maimonides and in the Community 4/20-22: THE BIG GARAGE SALE
4/23: ROSH CHODESH MINYAN
Our dedicated General Studies teachers worked on this together (they took it totally upon themselves!) to raise funds for a year-end trip for grades 3-7. Thanks to all who brought stuff to sell - even people unconnected to the school. Rain/shine) at 598 Kenwood Ave corner Cherry Ave in Delmar, Friday 5-8pm and also on Sunday 8am-4pm.
2nd day Rosh Chodesh Iyar, Monday morning Minyan with Torah Reading etc. at Maimonides 8am (in place of Shomray Torah’s daily minyan).
4/20-22 & 5/4-6: NEW CBAJ RABBI
4/23: J-FED SHOWS ISRAEL FILM In celebrating Israel’s 64th birthday, Federation’s showing “Israel Inside - small country makes a big difference” (as our school does!) 7:30pm at Carl Touey Forum, College of St. Rose 1009 Madison, along with a talk by Dr. Stephen Berk. No charge.
CBAJ will be hosting 2 potential new Rabbis for the weekends of April 20th and May 4th to visit with the community and congregants. Rabbi 4/25: JGU GIRLS AFTER-SCHOOL Binyamin & Orit Lehrfield will be in town this Girls in grades 3-4 (from any school) are welcome weekend, visiting with community, leading Shabbos to another Jewish Girls Unite (JGU) event at services, a 9:15pm after dinner Oneg at the Kuglers school beginning 3:30pm. Call Nechama 727-9581. 258 S. Manning, Shabbat luncheon for RSVP’d members, a Motzai Shabbos meeting with 4/25: BOOK THIEF READING members, & Sunday Dvar Torah/Minyan 7:45am. “Not So Common Players” will do a staged reading of “The Book Thief” at Clifton Park Library at 4/21: SHABBOS MEVORCHIM 7pm. Call Natalie at the library for info: 371-8622. This Shabbos before Musaf we bless the month of Our HS students recently read this WWII/ Iyar, with Pesach-Sheini, Lag B’Omer, & daily Holocaust book, and made Mixed-Media projects Omer. “Machar Chodesh” in Haftorah as it’s the on it, which will be displayed at the event. day before a Sunday-Monday Rosh Chodesh.
4/21: SUMMER WOMENS SHIUR The summer womens Shabbos afternoon shiur is back in season! This week at the home of Lori Calka 359C Hackett Blvd, given by Chaya Tal Nachum. Contact Chaya to give/host in the future.
4/5-26: CAN-STRUCTION AT NYS-M
at Gates of Heaven in Schenectady’s featuring a 5K Run for ALS plus 50 craft vendors, some kids activities. 10am-3pm. No admission.
4/23: BOYS MISHMAR IS BACK
This was a wonderful numbers learning activity! From 1 thru 49! Kindergarteners wrote these giant numbers themselves on colored paper and their teacher posted them up on their classroom wall, stretching from a Passover Matzah (viewable at left) when we begin the Omer all the way to Mount Sinai and Shavuot (not pictured). Keep up the count! Count the Omer each night…
5/25-29: SHAVUOT / MEMORIAL Friday 5/25 half-day English only. Shavuot is on Sun-Mon. School resumes at 9am Tuesday 5/29.
5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION JERNY’s 3rd annual Unity Celebration of Jerusalem, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth.
6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER Save the date! See honoree info on page 1…
6/10: F.C. WALK AT CENTRAL PK This year’s “Walk for Friendship” will take place in Schenectady’s Central Park. See www.walkFC.org
4/29: JNF’S WALK FOR WATER
Raising funds for Parsons Water Fund for Israel - in 6/18-19: MAIMONIDES YEAR-END memory of Bob Ludwig - at the Golub Center, Graduations on Mon Night, June 18th and Moving Washington Ave Ext. 12:30pm registration and -Up Day on Tuesday June 19th (half-day AM only). BBQ, 1:45pm kickoff, and 2pm (5K, 2.5K, or 1K) Regents will be administered 3rd week in June. walk. $18pp, $25 day-of, or $54 per family. See JNF.org/walkforwater for more info.
NYS Museum again hosts a competition to benefit 4/29: MIRSKYS HONORED AT B.I. hunger - this year cans made into animal shapes! Rabbi Moshe and Karen Mirsky & the Schenectady Bring along your cans to vote for the can-structures. synagogue Minyonaires are honorees of this year’s Beth Israel Gemilas Chasadim dinner. Call 3774/22: ELECTRONIC WASTE 3700 for dinner and journal info. 5 Tri-CityRental locations will accept (w/E-Lot) electronic waste (computers, monitors, phones, but 5/2-6: CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN NO batteries, furniture, household/hazardous The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s “Fully waste) this Sunday, 10am-2pm. 2 Albany locations: Charged” circus performance will be at Albany’s “Regency Park” 2120 Western (Clubhouse lot) and Times-Union Center from Wed thru Sunday, “Towers of Colonie” 420 Sand Creek (pool lot). tickets range from $14 to $82 each. tricityrentals.com /862-6600 for info/locations.
4/22: CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
KINDERGARTEN OMER CHAIN
5/6: SURVIVOR: “I BELIEVE” Leo/Laibel Zisman survived the Holocaust as a child, came to America with nothing, became an engineer, built a business, raised a family, and now wrote a book titled “I Believe!” Hear his story, feel his optimism and faith at Saratoga Chabad, 7pm.
Rabbi Shimon’s Mishmar, 3:45-5pm at school. Peer 5/10: LAG B’OMER DAY & PARADE & group learning, refreshments & a story, Our school is planning a parade and park activities. sometimes some play, too. Please be prompt for Stay tuned for info, please join! Other events, too! 5pm pickup. Open to all boys in grades 2+.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
GIVE L’CHAIM YOUR VOTE Last year L’chaim/Shabbos House won first (!) place in the UAlbany-Unite video contest, with contributions and bonus prize funds that helped sponsor this year’s Pesach’s costs, plus a new commercial fridge at Shabbos House. This year they’re in the running again for a top cash prize (the contest is open until early/ mid-May): tinyurl.com/LchaimUnite2012 Each online contribution (as low as $5, $10 or $18) is a another vote for L’chaim and really makes a big difference!
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Iyar 5, 5772 / April 27, 2012
Candle-Lighting:
7:33 Shabbos Ends:
8:38
We are nearing the end of the academic year and just under two months left until the end of another season of the “MC” newsletter. To sponsor an edition ($54/$72) please call the school office 453-9363/3434 or email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com
MR. NISSIM + PhD = DR. NISSIM ISRAEL ACTIVITIES/LEARNING
BE A BYSTANDER! Maimonides students and communal friends will parade down Partridge St. to mark the "Lag B'Omer" Festival on Thursday, May 10th, ceremonies beginning at 9:30am. Led by the Albany HS Falcons Drummers and escorted by Mounted Police, the route will pass by the boyhood homes of Newsman Andy Rooney, Assemblymen Jack MacNeny and Bob Reilly on Partridge Street, Jewish Family Services on Madison Ave, Bnai Brith Parkview Apts., concluding with a picnic and program at Washington Park. Be there outside Maimonides for the short staging ceremony at 9:30am, and everyone is also welcome to march along! Stay tuned for next week’s “MC” updates and additional details about the parade and the program at the park.
Here’s some of what we did in classes and/or school-wide for Israel’s 64th birthday: All grades enjoyed a delicious Felafel lunch, with warmed-up pita, crispy falafel balls and lots of healthy salad, topped with tehini sauce. Thanks to 6/7/8 students for helping prepare and serve. Heard Moshe Levy’s story of Tehillim and war-time inspiration at the Budapest bunker near the Egyptian border during the YomKippur War on the “Faithful & Fortified” video, as well as the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s encouraging words to a group of visiting wounded IDF veterans. Girls-dance with Eve Cameron practiced a lively set of Israeli dances. Boys Kung-Fu class imagined the rigorous physical fitness training and discipline by IDF soldiers. Younger grades watched Shalom Sumsum (Sesame Street) and other films on Israel, sang Eretz Yisrael Sheli and designed Israeli flags with added images, icons and maps that made them think of Israel.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
Mazal Tov to R’ Nissim and Devorah Leah Kaufman on Nissim’s successful defense of his doctoral dissertation in mathematics at UAlbany, and the upcoming conferral of his doctorate (PhD) G-d willing this May.
MAZAL TOV TO THE ISRAELS Mazal Tov to parents Mark & Chana, grandmother Nina Israel, on Ami’s Bar-Mitzvah.
GARAGE SALE MAJOR SUCCESS The many hours and tremendous efforts by General Studies teachers led by principal Mrs. Marcia Rosenfield paid off with an extremely successful garage sale last weekend that will pay for upper elementary and middle-school grades year-end educational and fun trip. Despite some weather challenges, they sold a lot of stuff, all donated by school families, and community, including people who have no connection to our school, but were happy to donate to support this educational endeavor. There’s a bag-sale this coming weekend to sell of whatever remains at a deep discount.
THE PINEAPPLE PROBLEM Teachers and students alike, all across NY State created such an uproar about the ridiculous story and unfair questions about the “talking pineapple” on last week’s NYS ELA 8th grade tests, that the commissioner struck that section from the test and it will not be graded. Our students had the same reactions, and they wrote about it in last week’s MC newsletter. This talking-pineapple issue was discussed in many blogs, websites and newspapers across the state, including the NY Times.
NY MATH STATE TEST Grades 4,6 & 8 took the math state test this week. It’s a 3-part, 3-day test, and there’s 90 minutes allotted each day for it. The past two weeks have been busy state tests time.
A MINUTE FOR MUNICH 11 The Rockland JCC has taken up the cause of families of the Israeli athletic team killed in 1972 Munich Olympics. It grew into a national petition supported by Federations in support of a minute of silence in their memory at the upcoming 2012 London Olympics, forty years since Munich. Sign the petition online at: http:// www.change.org/petitions/internationalolympic-committee-minute-of-silence-at-the2012-london-olympics (or just search online for: Munich 11 minute of silence).
WANTED: OLD SHEETS OR STAINED TABLE-CLOTHS Classes will be painting Lag B’Omer banners this week for this year’s school parade. If you have old stained tablecloths or sheets you no longer need we can use them to paint on.
SAGE SPORTS COACHES GIFT Parents are encouraged to send in $10 (or amount of their choice) toward an memorable appreciation gift for the Sage students who are so helpful with our children at recess-time, and in other school activities. Please give to Mrs. Backman in the school office.
A UNIQUE NAVI TEST Instead of a regular Navi test, this time Rabbi Laber told his students to write a 10-sentence letter addressed to “Shmuel HaNavi” (Samuel the Prophet) that needed to cover three key points from the Navi they learned.
4 INGREDIENT STORIES Mrs. Mulder asked each 6/7 grade student to use randomly picked 4 items and weave them together into a story. Here’s one example: (1) family picnic (2) cab (3) phone-message (4) mirror. Now weave all that into a story!
VISIT TO B.E. MUSEUM ON MON Beth Emeth Religious School put together a “Living History” museum-like exhibit of the Jewish immigration to the USA. Some of our grades will be visiting there this coming Monday afternoon with their General Studies teachers. Thanks for this special opportunity!
CHUMASH SIYUM ON S. LAKE 4th graders celebrated their Parshas Vayishlach Siyum at the new home of their teacher Morah Devorah Leah on South Lake Ave. The walk took only about ten minutes, and they enjoyed dairy-chocolate wafers, mixed up a batch chocolate pudding (C. the student-chef did a splendid job, it was so creamy and delicious!), and cookies from 8th grade bake-sale. Then they played a Parsha game: Students took turn thinking Aleph-Bais letters, until someone shouted stop! and then you have to come up with a word from the Parsha that begins with that letter. They had a great time!
CHOL HAMOED PESACH TRIPS
5th grade reporters complied a list of various trips school families took over Chol HaMoed Pesach. Some of these places are as far away as Maryland, NYC and eastern MA, but many are close to home in the Capital Region. P-Fun Day at Saratoga Chabad CAN-struction at NYS Museum Corning Tower Observation Deck Lego Store in Rockefeller Center Saratoga Spa State Park Lake George Fort McHenry Cape Cod and multi-seat bicycles Clown show, hypnosis show & other shows “BO” FOUND IN THE PARK Berkshire Museum One day at recess-time a well-cared for dog Hiking (with a collar) wandered into the Woodlawn The Crossings Park in Colonie park where our students were playing sports Adventure Park USA with their Sage College coaches. Some Yankees vs. Orioles baseball game students gave the dog water to drink. Tyler of Staten Island Ferry Sage did a Mitzvah and stayed with Bo until Picnics STAMPING WAX SEALS the owner came. The dog’s name “Bo” is the After students each wrote thank-you letters in Five Rivers in Delmar same name as the Obama’s dog in the White The Edge rock-climbing in Halfmoon English class, Mrs. Mulder brought in a waxHouse, and is also (unrelated) the name of a Empire State Aerospace Museum Parsha (which tells the Exodus story, where no seal stamping set she received as a gift as a teen. She explained the history of personalized National Bottle Museum in Ballston Spa dog barked when the Jews left Egypt!). seals in wax, and each student had a chance to Adventure Spot in Lake George and much more! MATTHEWS ISLAND REINDEER make their own. It was also a vivid hands-on way to relate to the “inscribed and sealed” 5th graders read the story of the 29 reindeer expression from the Jewish High Holidays. “SALTY” REACTIONS released towards the end of WWII on the Actually, the Talmud tells us that “Truth” is HS girls are learning about different acids and isolated St Matthews Island off Alaska by the G-d’s personal seal. bases that can be mixed to create various types US Coast Guard. They had no natural of salts. They posted some concoctions on predators there, with a very lush yet limited their board. In food supply. By the 1960’s, they multiplied to PLANS TO PLANT FLOWERS chemistry there’s 4th graders and Miss Livingston have plans to over 6,000 (!) reindeer on the 32-mile island, more to salt than but by the 1980’s there were zero reindeer left. plant flowers in front of the school, for two table-salt. They read this story to understand the benefits reasons: They will look pretty and beautify the school, and it connects with their science class. and importance of the food-chain.
Long, long before 8th graders were selling lemonade, even before the days of the Cocoa Chronicles… they posted lemonaderelated notes on their “Wall of Random (and senseless) Quotes” foreshadowing their current lemonade endeavors. See their quotes and in-depth commentary below:
SHABBOS COMES (EARLIER) TO THE NURSERY Odelia was Shabbos Ima this week, (L) she lit the candles. Then the boys went off to “Shul” (M) next to the Nursey Aron-Kodesh, where they sang and shuckled and even danced a bit! Back around the “Shabbos table” Yitzy the Shabbos Abba (R) made Kiddush on a cup of grape-juice.
SHALOM GARBAGE TRUCK
INVENTOR POWERPOINTS
The boys were walking down to the basketball court this week and they pointed out a stray garbage can to a passing city garbage truck driver. The man surprised them by calling out “Shalom” and “Todah Raba!” They wondered how he knew Hebrew, and he explained that he went to a synagogue a couple of times. As he pulled away, he called out: “The G-d of Abraham is #1!”
Ms. Zalak’s 6/7 history students each created a powerpoint about inventors in the 1800’s. Some of their products are famous to this day, but all of their inventions helped advance industrial production and the world economy: John Deere (steel plow), Norbert Rillieux (multiple-effect pan evaporator), Henry Blair (seed planter), Eli Whitney (cotton-gin), Cyrus McCormick (mechanical reaper)…
FACIAL SYMMETRY
JUST ENOUGH-NOT TOO MUCH
An art class with Mrs. Levin took pictures of Mr. Phelps and cut his face in half and glued it on a paper. Then they drew the other half of his face on the other side, to the best of their ability. The next week they did the same with their own faces. It was a quite challenging and also a lesson in symmetry.
5th graders planted Lima beans, and worked hard watering them from day to day. Over the vacation, they put plastic bags over them to keep the air shut, like a small greenhouse! We learnt that by watering it too much, it can die. Some of the plants did die because of that. But hey, you learn lessons from your mistakes!
IMAGE DBQ TEST
WIRELESS MISHNA
Instead of the usual DBQs (document-based questions), this 8th grade history test was based on political cartoons and illustrated posters from the WWII period. Instead of a full essay, they only had to write an outline.
Rabbi Shmuly joked that the Mishna Rabbis sent each other emails, but the students argued that in those days, there weren't any phones or emails. So he told this joke: An archeologist was so excited to discover buried wires in an historic site, but a Rabbi told him that he dug around Jerusalem and found no wires at all they must have been using wireless!
PAPER SATELLITE MODELS Dr. Sahay and the 6/7 science class are now learning about space and space-travel, including a whole unit on rockets, so they took some time to create cardstock (thick paper) models of various satellites that were sent into orbit by the US or other space programs, including the Galileo, Cassini, Contour, Mars Express and Genesis. They have different uses and designs. Some models are easier to design, others are much more complex.
BENCHING WINNERS The winners of lunchtime benching (grace after meals) are announced each day. At first small prizes were given out each time, but now the winners are being written down for an year -end auction of prizes!
LCHAIM UNITE VIDEO VOTE www.tinyurl.com/LchaimUnite2012 - click on video, contribute as little as $5, the contest ends mid-May! It makes a big difference!
(1) “When life gives you Lemons, make GrapeJuice, then sit back and let the world wonder..” Notice the switch between the blessings, upgrading from a Shehakol on lemonade to a Borei Pri HaGafen on the grape-juice. Also, there might be some opinions who would allow lemonade for Havdalah (especially in areas where lemonade is a very popular “national drink”) but it is certainly never acceptable for use in Kiddush, which is perhaps why the quote advises one to make grape-juice instead. (2) “When life gives you lemons - Keep ‘em! Hey, free lemons!” Some people are never happy with what they get, and always looking to change or upgrade. Sometimes, its best to appreciate what we already have, and find the blessings and beauty in everyday things, to see the value in what others may overlook and disregard. FYI - 8th grade boys sell cups of lemonade on Thursdays during the morning recess to benefit their graduation trip. The 8th grade girls sell “bake-sale” cookies & rugelach etc during the Wednesday morning recess. Now, it so happened that this week, the 8th graders were not prepared with lemonade on Thursday! They said that the lack of lemonade can be a sign of the exile, when (as it says in Psalms): Tzama L’cha Nafishi “our soul thirsts for You, Hashem!”
MAIMONIDES DINNER ‘12
at Maimonides and in the Community 4/28: SUMMER WOMENS SHIUR The summer womens Shabbos afternoon shiur is back in season! This week’s location will be announced in the Albany synagogues.
4/29: JNF’S WALK FOR WATER Raising funds for Parsons Water Fund for Israel in memory of Bob Ludwig - at the Golub Center, Washington Ave Ext. 12:30pm registration and BBQ, 1:45pm kickoff, and 2pm (5K, 2.5K, or 1K) walk. $18pp, $25 day-of, or $54 per family. See JNF.org/walkforwater for more info.
4/29: MIRSKYS HONORED AT B.I.
ceremony outside Maimonides at 9:30am and will march up Partridge Street and down to Washington Park, led by the Albany High School Falcons marching band, and the Albany mounted police. We’re still finalizing an travel arrangement for the youngest classes, and the program/picnic at the park. All are welcome!
5/10: BBQ, FIREPIT, MUSIC ETC… More Lag B’Omer celebration with BBQ, music, entertainment & fire-pit begins 5pm at 495 Moe Rd in Clifton Park (down the block from CliftonPark Halfmoon Library), off 87-Northway Exit 9. Call Rabbi Yossi & Leyee 495-0772/9 for info.
Rabbi Moshe and Karen Mirsky & the Schenectady synagogue Minyonaires are honorees of this year’s 5/10: L.B. BONFIRE IN GALWAY Albany folks at the Clifton Park Lag B’Omer event Beth Israel Gemilas Chasadim dinner at the shul. are already halfway there to the annual bonfire Call 377-3700 for info. tradition at the Auerbach Estate in rustic, rural Galway in Saratoga County. Bonfires are an 5/2-6: CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN exciting Lag B’Omer tradition, especially in Israel. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s “Fully Begins 6:30pm, the spirit and atmosphere goes into Charged” circus performance will be at Albany’s the late evening. For info & directions call Rabbi Times-Union Center from Wed thru Sunday, Nachman Simon 439-8280 or 334-8280. tickets range from $14 to $82 each.
5/2: NEW JLI COURSE BEGINS
5/13: TULIP FESTIVAL
Day Two of the annual Tulip Festival in Albany’s “Kabbalistic Secrets to a Successful Marriage” is the Washington Park. topic for a new 6-week course 7:30-9pm on Wednesdays to be held at the new Chabad of University Heights, 147 South Lake. To sign-up or 5/25-29: SHAVUOT / MEMORIAL Friday 5/25 half-day English only. Shavuot is on for more info visit myJLI.com or call 522-1872 or Sun-Mon, it falls over Memorial Day Weekend. email: jli@capitalchabad.com. School resumes at 9am Tuesday 5/29.
5/4-6: CBAJ RABBI CANDIDATE CBAJ will be hosting their second Rabbinical candidate this weekend to visit with congregants and the community.
5/6: PESACH SHEINI
5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION JERNY’s 3rd annual Unity Celebration of Jerusalem, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth.
6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER
One month since Erev Pesach, a make-up date for Save the date! See honoree info on right… If you don’t get your invite in the mail early next week, those who could not bring the Paschal offering in its proper time. It’s customary to eat a little Matzah, please call the school office: 453-9363/3434. and reflect on the message of “It’s never too late!”
This year’s dinner will be held on Tuesday, June 5th at the Shabbos House. Dinner honorees are:
Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award The distinguished and renown Rabbi Dr. Lamm is former President and Chancellor of Yeshiva University, author, philosopher and scholar, a colleague and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger of blessed memory.
Sage Colleges Community Service Award In appreciation of the dedicated Sage students who enriched and assisted Maimonides as sports coaches, artists, and aides.
Lewis & Beth Gray - “Eitz-Chayim” Award Dedicated school parents, communal pillars, and honorable “Mentschen!”
Special Presentations to: Dr. Leonard Morgenbesser Proclamation Tribute Remembering Rivka Losice “Aishes Chayil” Tribute Invitations are now printed, look for them soon in your mailbox. The Tribute-Journal deadline is May 23rd. This important school fundraiser is a communal event, an annual memorable milestone.
REGISTRATION OPENS FOR CGI Call Mrs. Clara Simon camp director (439-8280) for info, cost, forms etc. Gan Israel is based out of the Maimonides school building, with new, dedicated staff, crafts, activities, sports, trips, and lots of memorable, meaningful fun! Stay tuned for updates new for this year...
6/10: F.C. WALK AT CENTRAL PK
5/6: SURVIVOR: “I BELIEVE”
This year’s “Walk for Friendship” will take place in Schenectady’s Central Park. See www.walkFC.org
Leo/Laibel Zisman survived the Holocaust as a child, came to America with nothing, became an engineer, built a business, raised a family, and now 6/18-19: GRADUATION NIGHT AND wrote a book titled “I Believe!” Hear his story, feel MOVING-UP DAY @ MAIMONIDES his optimism and faith at a talk and book-signing Graduations on Mon Night, June 18th and Moving held at Saratoga Chabad, 130 Circular Street, 7pm. -Up Day on Tuesday June 19th (half-day AM only). Regents will be administered 3rd week in June.
5/10: LAG B’OMER PARADE
Our school is once again (when Lag B’Omer falls on a school-day) planning a lively parade and park festivities. The parade will begin with a short
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
See upcoming events on left for info
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Iyar 12, 5772 / May 4, 2012
Candle-Lighting:
7:41 Shabbos Ends:
8:47
This newsletter is dedicated with our best wishes for Yishai Avraham ben Ziva Liba, we continue to pray for his recovery and good health.
BE A BYSTANDER! Maimonides students and faculty, parents and communal friends will parade down Partridge Street to mark the "Lag B'Omer" Festival on Thursday, May 10th. Ceremonies begin at 9:30am. Led by the Albany HS Falcons Drummers and escorted by Mounted Police, the route will pass by the boyhood homes of Assemblymen Jack McEneny and Bob Reilly and the late newsman Andy Rooney on Partridge Street, Jewish Family Services on Madison Ave, Bnai Brith Parkview Apts on Hudson Ave., concluding with a program and refreshments at Washington Park. Student lunches will be brought along on the van by class to eat in the park, plus there will be Lag B’Omer refreshments. Younger students in the parade will travel most of the way by van. Be there outside Maimonides for the short staging ceremony at 9:30am, and everyone parents, community, neighbors - are welcome to march along! This year’s parade theme is “Mitzvos - Good to GO!” with each class displaying banners of Mitzvot that we do on foot, or while we on our way! The float will feature Rivka’s Well, and the refreshing kindness she showed to Eliezer and his thirsty and weary camels. Looking forward!
PREPARING FOR LAG B’OMER (Top): A Nursery student holds open a page of her Lag B’Omer book about the story of Rabbi Akiva, a shepherd (see the sheep) who began to study Torah later in life at age 40, thanks to the encouragement of his wife Rachel, and the personal inspiration he found from a hole worn into a rock by flowing water in a stream… which led him to become the greatest teacher in Israel! (Above Left): Morah Devorah’s students use a yardstick to point to the current Omer-date on their classroom Omer count-up chart. Lag B’Omer is the 33rd day of the 49 day Omer-count. (Above Right): Rabbi Mendel and 6/7th graders work on their parade banner about the Jewish pilgrimage “Oleh Regel” to the Jerusalem Temple for the 3 Festivals. Class banners in progress on the parade theme of “Mitzvot - Good to GO!” are: “Roadside Assistance,” “The Travelers Prayer,” “Mitzvah-Mobiles,” “Returning Lost Objects,” and more! (more pics on page 3)
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
INSPIRATION AT BETH ISRAEL’S DINNER This past Sunday, Beth Israel’s 6th Gemilut Chassadim dinner honored their Rabbi Moshe and Karen Mirsky, as well as the “Minyonaires” of the weekday morning Minyan. Speaker after speaker, from within the congregation and throughout the community, spoke highly of the Mirskys’ mentschlechkayt, and their persistent dedication and concern for each individual and their optimism & efforts despite demographical challenges. Shmuel Dovid’s energy, friendly welcome and assistance at shul also got special mention from a few speakers, including Rabbi Cutler of the neighboring Gates of Heaven. Rabbi and Karen paid tribute to each other, to their parents, to the Shul volunteers and community. Rabbi Mirsky spoke in tribute of the Beth Israel Minyonaires, how senior citizens scrape ice off their windshields to be on time at 6:45am on cold dark winter mornings, and are not dejected or resentful when they can’t muster ten. One of the most inspirational words at the dinner, said by Rabbi Mirsky, as well as by 87-year old Minyonaire and WWII veteran Coleman Ellen: “It’s just a few of us coming together to pray for the community. If we don’t come, who will pray for the sick?” This selfless sentiment is a special perspective on why we need Minyan, why we come together to pray. Rabbi Mendel shared it with the boys davening group at school the next day: “Think about it: how many Jewish 10-year olds between Monsey and Montreal, get up each morning and say Ashrei, the Amidah etc? We’re not just doing it for ourselves. We have to have others in mind, too!” Special guests at the dinner included family of the Mirskys’, including both of their parents (Karen’s father, Dr. Judd of NYC’s historic Tenement Museum board accompanied our students on their tour of Beth Emeth’s “Living History Museum” on Jewish immigration).
MHDS ALUMNUS SARAH LEAH Rabbi Mirsky’s brother married Sara Leah Gewirtz, formerly of Albany (her father was Rabbi at CBAJ until approx 1984, then moved to Young Israel in Brookline MA). She recalled the days when she attended Maimonides - then housed in the Federal Street side of the old CBAJ on Hackett Blvd. She’s pictured here with her husband and two of her daughters who came up from NJ for the dinner in Schenectady to honor Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe and Karen Mirsky.
STUDENT’S STROCK LETTER
THANK YOU MRS BACKMAN! Students and teachers of all grades made a big flowery bright and colorful “Thank You!” display for Mrs. Sharona Backman, our school secretary, for National Secretaries Week! Mrs. Backman does SO much to keep our school running smoothly, in her easy-going, cheerful and sensible manner. Thank you, thank you!
Our middle-school discussed columnist Carl Strock’s anti-Israel and anti-Jewish articles in the Gazette with Rabbi Rubin. The very same week that Carl’s articles appeared after his visit to Israel, each student came up with their own responses, which were collected into a letter to the editor, which the “Gazette” newspaper decline to print. We shared the letter via email but this week’s “Jewish World” (on page 2) was the first time in appeared in print. (Their letter in the JW is partially visible above).
THE 18 (19) AMIDAH BLESSINGS 5th grade Gemorah is learning the background and source of the 18 blessings of the weekday Amidah (aka Shmona Esray) and the 19th blessing added by Shmuel HaKattan. They STAINED GLASS BUTTERFLIES learned the significance of the number 18 Mrs. Carroll’s first graders are doing a unit on (Chai!) and 19 in reference to Hashem’s name flight, and Spring, Mendel is standing next to mentioned in the paragraphs of Shema (and his own “stained-glass-type” butterfly. the hint in the word “Echad”) and also in connection with a person’s spine (which is MAZAL TOV TO KATZ FAMILY bent/bowed at key points of Shemona Esray). Josh and Ophir Katz had a baby boy last Friday, the Bris will be this BIOME RESEARCH IN SCIENCE morning at the Shabbos House. Each of Mrs. Maher’s 5th grade students were Mazal Tov, much Nachas! assigned a biome, for which they have to look up 5 animals, 5 plant species and related PESACH SHEINI ON SUNDAY weather conditions and other data, and Being that it falls on Sunday this year, school present it all on posters to share with the class. won’t be having its traditional Matzah and Here’s what they’re working on: tundra, ocean cream-cheese lunch for “the second Passover”. twilight zone, grassland, rainforest, caves, etc… But there will be a Kollel Breakfastudy at Shomray Torah (463 New Scotland) on
CAUTION: NEW STOP SIGN Sunday, after 8am Shachris. All welcome!
Not all drivers are used to it yet, but there’s a new permanent stop-sign between the ball-playing fields on Partridge Street corner Providence Street. By the way, thanks to the Mayor’s office, our school now has official access to play in one of those ball-playing fields (the one on the left side). It helps a lot!
SAGE SPORTS COACHES GIFT Parents: please send in $10 (or amount of choice) toward an appreciation gift for Sage students who are so helpful with our children Please give to Mrs. Backman in the office.
HIGH SCHOOL’S YEAR-END TRIP TO PHILADELPHIA & NJ Rabbi Yossi and Leyee took the HS girls on a funfilled and educational year-end trip to NJ & historic Philly. They did lab experiments (they recognized many things they learned in science with Dr. Sahay), watched IMAX and other hands-on activities at Liberty Science Center (see Jewish star graffiti), & enjoyed eating out at “Cherry Grill”. In Philly they visited Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the Ben Franklin monument and the spot where JFK made a famous speech. They went to the Federal Reserve (think security and shredded cash) and to the American Jewish History Museum. They visited “Kahal Kadosh Mikveh-Israel”: “The Synagogue of the American Revolution”, and monuments outside it. A monument for Jonathan Netanyahu (PM Bibi’s brother) who died in the daring Entebbe rescue raid in 1976 is inscribed with a verse from Samuel (I) 23:22. Just a few days after their visit, Jonathan and Bibi’s father died in Israel at age 102. They enjoyed Shabbos (long speech, big Kiddush) at Chabad in Cherry Hill NJ (top middle, outside the Mikvah), and had a day of fun & rides at Six-Flags Great Adventure in NJ and a prayer at the Rebbe’s (highlighted as one of 18 in the “Only in America” exhibit at the National Museum of American Jewish History) Ohel (gravesite) in Queens on their way home.
THIS WEEK: LESS REPORTING, MORE PAINTING We had less student-reporting in TNT (Torah ‘n Technology class) this week because much of their TNT time was used to paint Lag B’Omer banners for the parade next week. Kids really enjoyed expressing their talent and creativity, working with vibrant colors, valuing each others’ work and doing it all as a team, learning responsibility to keep the brushes clean and not waste too much paint - not to mention the Jewish values of “Mitzvot on the Go!” expressed in their work.
VISITING BETH EMETH’S “LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM” ON JEWISH IMMIGRATION Beth Emeth’s Religious School did a beautiful job bringing to life the story of Jewish immigration to America, with the help of their classes who did artwork and crafts, and “Rayge Display” who created the backdrops and scenery. See the Eldridge Street Shul on the Lower East Side; a Beth Emeth teacher explaining the “Yiddish Theater”; the tenement housing, the pushcarts… there was even a poster of grocery sales at “R. Gollub” (above left) where you could get a box of Kellogg’s Corn-Flakes for 6 cents or 3 large cans of grapefruit juice for 25 cents… a large can of tomato herring was 7 and a half cents (?)… but money was harder to come by in those days. The dolls were made of plaster by BE students depicting various immigrants and their dress. Pictured on top-right is Dr. Judd (Shmuel Dovid’s grandfather) who is affiliated with the Lower East Side Tenement Museum and accompanied our students on the tour. On bottom-left our students are looking through mini-trunks decorated and filled with “possessions” by Beth Emeth Religious School students.
MAIMONIDES DINNER ‘12
at Maimonides and in the Community 5/2-6: CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN
5/10: LAG B’OMER PARADE
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s “Fully Charged” circus performance at Times-Union Center Wed-Sun, tickets $14 to $82 each.
Parents, community, neighbors are all welcome! See details of this year’s school parade on page 1…
5/5: SUMMER WOMENS SHIUR 4:45pm on Shabbos afternoon given by Mrs. Rochel Rubin, at her home 122 South Main Ave.
5/9: JLI MARRIAGE COURSE (II)
5/10: BBQ, FIREPIT, MUSIC ETC… More Lag B’Omer celebration with BBQ, music, entertainment & fire-pit begins 5pm at 495 Moe Rd in Clifton Park (down the block from CliftonPark Halfmoon Library), off 87-Northway Exit 9. Call Rabbi Yossi & Leyee 495-0772/9 for info.
“The Art of Marriage” is the new 6-week course 5/10: L.B. BONFIRE IN GALWAY Weds 7:30-9pm held at the new Chabad of University Heights, 147 South Lake. Sign-up or for Folks at the Clifton Park Lag B’Omer are already info: myJLI.com 522-1872/ jli@capitalchabad.com. halfway to the annual Bonfire & BBQ tradition at Auerbach Estate (2538 Old Mill Road, Galway NY 12074) in rustic, rural Saratoga County. 6:30pm, 5/4-6: CBAJ RABBI CANDIDATE spirit & atmosphere goes into the late evening. For CBAJ is hosting their 2nd Rabbinical candidate info/directions: Rabbi Simon 439-8280/334-8280. this weekend to visit congregants & community.
5/4-14: FULLER ROAD CLOSURE
5/13: TULIP FESTIVAL
Day 2 of Tulip Festival in Washington Park. Avoid Fuller Rd between Washington Ave and Railroad Ave on 5/4-14 as it will be closed in order to complete the roundabout intersection of Fuller 5/25-29: SHAVUOT / MEMORIAL Friday 5/25 no school (note change). Shavuot is on Rd, 90-ramp and the entrance to Pine Bush. Sun-Mon, it falls over Memorial Day Weekend. School resumes at 9am Tuesday 5/29. 5/6: PESACH SHEINI One month since Erev Pesach, a make-up date for 5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION those who could not bring the Paschal offering in its proper time. It’s customary to eat a little Matzah, JERNY’s 3rd annual Unity Celebration of Jerusalem, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth. and reflect on the message of “It’s never too late!”
5/6: KOLLEL BREAKFASTUDY
6/10: F.C. WALK AT CENTRAL PK
Mishmar for boys grades 2+ will be on May 7 & 21. This year’s “Walk for Friendship” will take place in 3:30-5pm with snack, peer/group learning & play. Schenectady’s Central Park. See www.walkFC.org
5/6: SURVIVOR: “I BELIEVE” Leo/Laibel Zisman survived the Holocaust as a child, came to America with nothing, became an engineer, built a business, raised a family, and now wrote a book titled “I Believe!” Hear his inspiring story, feel his optimism and faith at a talk and book -signing held at Saratoga Chabad, 130 Circular Street, 7pm. Call 526-0773 for more info.
5/9: A.P.D. ID CARDS AT SCHOOL Officer Willie of Albany Police will be at school starting at 11:30am to create Photo ID cards “Operation Safe Child” for all age children. Preschool siblings etc, are all welcome but all must preregister with the form sent home or at the office.
Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award The distinguished and renown Rabbi Dr. Lamm is former President and Chancellor of Yeshiva University, author, philosopher and scholar, a colleague and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger of blessed memory.
Sage Colleges Community Service Award In appreciation of the dedicated Sage students who enriched and assisted Maimonides as sports coaches, artists, and aides.
Lewis & Beth Gray - “Eitz-Chayim” Award Dedicated school parents, communal pillars, and honorable “Mentschen!”
Special Presentations to: Dr. Leonard Morgenbesser Proclamation Tribute Remembering Rivka Losice “Aishes Chayil” Tribute Invitations were mailed. If you didn’t get yours, call the office at (518) 453-9363/3434. The Tribute-Journal deadline is May 23rd. This important school fundraiser is a communal event, an annual memorable milestone.
6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER
Following 8am Shachris at Shomray Torah, join for Save the date! See honoree info on right… If you a “Matzah & Shmears” breakfast and short learning didn’t get your invite in the mail early next week, please call the school office: 453-9363/3434. on Pesach Sheini, plus the daily Daf-Yomi.
5/7: MISHMAR DATES FOR MAY
This year’s dinner will be held on Tuesday, June 5th at the Shabbos House. Dinner honorees are:
6/18-19: GRADUATION NIGHT AND MOVING-UP DAY @ MAIMONIDES
REGISTRATION OPENS FOR CGI Call Mrs. Clara Simon camp director (439-8280) for info, cost, forms etc. Gan Israel is based out of the Maimonides school building, with new, dedicated staff, crafts, activities, sports, trips, and lots of memorable, meaningful fun! Stay tuned for updates new for this year...
Graduation will be on Mon evening, June 18th and Moving-Up Day (last day of school) will be on Tuesday June 19th (half-day AM only). Regents will be administered that 3rd week in June.
6/21: REBBE INSPIRATION In commemoration of the Rebbe’s Yartzeit at Shabbos House, an evening of inspiration hosted by Capital Chabad and area Chabad Centers. Stay tuned for info.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School)
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
See upcoming events on left for info
BH
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Iyar 19, 5772 / May 11, 2012
Candle-Lighting:
7:49 Shabbos Ends:
8:56
This newsletter is dedicated in loving memory of
Eva Kneznek Chava bas Baruch on her Yartzeit - Iyar 19 Eva was inspired by our children when we were housed at Beth Emeth and whose generous legacy helped purchase our school building
SEE PARADE AND PARK PICS INSIDE The Maimonides Lag B’Omer Partridge St. Parade was amazing! The sun came out just in time, spirit was wonderful… See inside pages 2-3 for a full report & pictures of: Send-off ceremony inside school with Assemblymen Jack McEneny and Bob Riley (both grew up on Partridge Street), and words from Deb Ritano of NNORC. The Albany Falcons Marching Band in full dress regalia - they added SO much! Various types of police escort: mounted, bicycle, police-car and unmarked car… Colorfully painted class banners for the theme of “Mitzvos on the Go!” Cheering onlookers along the way Program and fun in Washington Park and much more!! Unfortunately, even with a 2-page spread there’s not enough room for the photos! The vibe & spirit was truly amazing…
BAR-MITZVAH MAZAL TOVS Tevel Nachum Herbstman (grandson of R’ Moshe Losice) this Shabbos in Monsey. Levi Kovach, this Shabbos in Albany, Mazal Tov to the Kovach and Ungerman families.
TRIBUTE JOURNAL UPDATE May 23rd is the last date for ads in the journal, after that we place ads in the supplement. Ads can honor this year’s honorees (see back page), congratulate this year’s MHDS graduates, or promote a business with an ad or greeting. Please call the school office 453-9363/3434 for invites/ad-blanks/additional info.
Eva’s memory is perpetuated thorough the local Jewish Continuity of our students and community AT THE PRESIDENT’S TALK Rabbi Mendel and Mr. Levin were at President Obama’s talk at CNSE/Albany Nanotech this past Tuesday, inside the concrete shell of what will be a future giant “clean-room” in the new Nanotech building alongside Washington Ave.
TOWARD SHAVUOT Now that we’ve celebrated Lag B’Omer, classes are focusing on preparing for Shavuot, which falls this year over Memorial Day weekend. This Kindergartener is pointing the their colorful Mt Sinai, on the wall after #49 on their Omer Chart.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
PULLEY-CARDS (A SIMPLE MACHINE) 8th graders learned about simple machines (a few weeks back) with Mrs. Sahay. As a fun demonstration, she taught them to design their own “pulley-cards” which using a ribbon-device inside the card, allows you to pull on one end of the inner-card, and automatically the other side of the inner-card pops out as well.
SEND-OFF CEREMONY AT SCHOOL WITH ASSEMBLYMAN MCENENY AND RILEY Jack McEneny, our state assemblyman and local historian, shared the background of four generations of his family living just up the street on the same block of Partridge Street for nearly 100 years! He also told of how East-West Albany streets were once named for animals: Tiger and Lion Streets became Washington Ave and State Street. There’s still Beaver and Elk Streets downtown. The North-South Streets were mostly named for birds, and many still have those street-names today: Swan, Dove, Lark, (Snipe became Lexington)… Quail… and Partridge! He also told about Andy Rooney, a famous newsman (died this year) who lived as a boy on Partridge Street, too. As a Jewish connection, he said that Andy Rooney was a pacifist during WWII (he was against America going to War) but later had opportunity to see the concentration camps in Poland and changed his mind. Mr. Rooney said he was ashamed of his earlier position and agreed it is possible that some wars are just. Bob Riley, another local state assemblyman, told of his youth on Partridge Street, and of schools that were on this street when he was growing up. He said that this street has a long history of schools that teach values and culture and heritage, in addition to the regular subjects like math, science and history, and that we follow in that tradition. He complimented our school and Rabbi Rubin for always making learning exciting! Debbie Ritano, of NNORC (and also from the Interfaith Council, College of St Rose, and Mt Pleasant Bakery... ) brought us greetings and shared her enthusiasm for Lag B’Omer and encouraged us to think about flying kites for next year! Each class presented their banner, and we marched out the school’s front entrance and lined up class by class behind the Albany Falcons (Albany High’s Marching Band). Guess what, the gloomy clouds parted, and the sun was shining, just as we began the parade!
A Small Selection of 928 (!) Pictures taken of the Parade and Park Festivities...
The Rivka’s Well Float Huge Thank-You to the Albany (HS) Falcons!
GATHERING AT WASHINGTON PARK WITH BANNERS, PESUKIM, TREATS AND FUN The parade ended at the Lakehouse, and we sat in the amphitheater to say the 12 Pesukim, sing about Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and enjoy special Lag B’Omer cookies donated by a traveler coming from Montreal - each hand-decorated with a red heart, potato-chips and water-bottles donated by ShopRite (thank you!) then classes went off to the playground, where they also had relay races and a wheel-barrow race. Following that we went back down the amphitheater for lunch, bentsching, checked out the beautiful blossoming tulips, the Moses statute and headed back to school for the afternoon classes. At the Moses statue, the boys began to spontaneously sing Niggunim, and kept up that Niggunimsinging momentum, all the way back to school, lively, spirited - it was so beautiful!
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR TELLS BAR-MITZVAH, TEFILLIN & KITTEL STORIES Laibel (Leo) Zisman spoke at Saratoga Chabad this past Sunday, telling the story of his survival and life after the Holocaust, which he tells in his inspiring memoir book titled “I Believe!” On Monday morning he came to Maimonides and shared with 6/7/8 grade a few stories. He was 10 when the war began, and celebrated his Bar-Mitzvah in the Kovna ghetto, his mother scraped together enough to make a sponge cake, and his father set aside raisins and made wine out of it for the occasion. His birthday was Yom-Kippur, so he read maftir. Later he was sent to Birkenau (near Auschwitz) and somehow managed to smuggle a pair of Tefillin in his boots. Not only was he able to wear the tefillin, but he passed it out the window of his barracks to grown men who stood in a huddle and took turns putting it on. Once he was caught at the window, and the Nazi beat him until he passed out, but he would not reveal about the Tefillin. His eyes got misty when he told this, and he said: when he dies, he hopes to “cash-in” the merit of that struggle to wear Tefillin and share it with others. He also described Yom-Kippur after the war, in Fernwald, a Displaced Person Camp in Germany. The Klausenberger Rebbe blessed all the young boys and girl, orphans who had no parents to bless them before Yom-Kippur. And when the Rebbe entered the hall to pray, he was wearing a Kittel (few people had a Kittel then). He explained that one reason we wear a Kittel on Yom-Kippur is to symbolize purity, just as the dead are buried in white shrouds. Then he cried out, “But all our family and friends that were killed by the Nazis, were not buried in white!” And the Rebbe tore off his Kittel and began Kol-Nidrei…
MAIMONIDES DINNER ‘12
at Maimonides and in the Community 5/12: ZOHAR RASHBI KIDDUSH
5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION
This Shabbos at Shomray Torah (2 days after Lag B’Omer) will be a Kiddush and a short mystical learning in honor of Rashbi’s (Bar-Yochai) yartzeit.
JERNY’s 3rd annual Unity Celebration of Jerusalem, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth.
5/12: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR
6/3: C.P. WOMENS LUNCHEON
5/13-17: 8TH GRADE TRIP TO D.C.
4th annual Clifton Park Jewish Womens Circle event. 1pm at Shen. Adult Community Center, includes happiness workshop with Judy Clements, music, buffet luncheon and silent auction. $15pp advance/$18 at the door. Call 495-0772/9.
8th graders are headed to Washington this Sunday thru Thursday for their graduation trip!
6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER
5/13: TULIP FESTIVAL
Save the date! See honoree info on right… If you didn’t get your invite in the mail early next week, please call the school office: 453-9363/3434.
4:45pm at home of DL Kaufman 27D Weis Rd, given by Esther Miriam Sussman.
Day 2 of Tulip Festival in Washington Park.
5/16: WOMENS YOGA AT MHDS
6/10: F.C. WALK AT CENTRAL PK
1:20-2:20pm now in the last 6-week set, ending Wednesday June 6th. Come and get right into it!
This year’s “Walk for Friendship” will take place in Schenectady’s Central Park. See www.walkFC.org
5/16: JLI MARRIAGE COURSE (II)
6/11: WOMENS BET MIDRASH
“The Art of Marriage” 6-week course Weds 7:309pm at Chabad of University Heights, 147 South Lake. Sign-up/info: myJLI.com / 522-1872.
5/17: HS GIRLS PASTA NIGHT Pasta Bar night begins 5pm, $7pp or $25 per family (Fettucine Alfredo, Penne ala Vodka - both dairy and also Italian Pasta - Pareve, plus toss-salad, sushisalad and drinks). Childcare option available from 3:30pm pickup for an additional $2.50 a child.
5/21: MISHMAR DATES FOR MAY
8pm at Maimonides. This month focuses on ShirHaShirim Song of Songs. Call 495-0772/9.
6/18-19: GRADUATION NIGHT AND MOVING-UP DAY @ MAIMONIDES Graduation will be on Mon evening, June 18th and Moving-Up Day (last day of school) will be on Tuesday June 19th (half-day AM only). Regents will be administered that 3rd week in June.
This year’s dinner will be held on Tuesday, June 5th at the Shabbos House. Dinner honorees are:
Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award The distinguished and renown Rabbi Dr. Lamm is former President and Chancellor of Yeshiva University, author, philosopher and scholar, a colleague and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger of blessed memory.
Sage Colleges Community Service Award In appreciation of the dedicated Sage students who enriched and assisted Maimonides as sports coaches, artists, and aides.
Lewis & Beth Gray - “Eitz-Chayim” Award Dedicated school parents, communal pillars, and honorable “Mentschen!”
Special Presentations to: Dr. Leonard Morgenbesser Proclamation Tribute Remembering Rivka Losice “Aishes Chayil” Tribute Invitations were mailed. If you didn’t get yours, call the office at (518) 453-9363/3434. The Tribute-Journal deadline is May 23rd. This important school fundraiser is a communal event, an annual memorable milestone.
6/21: REBBE INSPIRATION
Rabbi Mendel Samuels of CT (humorous, engaging Mishmar for boys grades 2+ will be on May 7 & 21. and inspiring) will be the featured speaker at this 3:30-5pm with snack, peer/group learning & play. year’s commemoration of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s REGISTRATION OPENS FOR CGI Yartzeit (3rd of Tammuz). Thursday night, June Call Mrs. Clara Simon camp director (439-8280) for 21st at Shabbos House, this evening of inspiration 5/23: JOURNAL DEADLINE info, cost, forms etc. Gan Israel is based out of the Last day to get ads into journal for the Maimonides is hosted by Capital Chabad and area Chabad Maimonides school building, with new, dedicated Centers. Stay tuned for info. dinner (see column on right). Ads after this date staff, crafts, activities, sports, trips, and lots of will go into the journal supplement. Ads can be a memorable, meaningful fun! Stay tuned for updates tribute to the honorees, congratulations for MHDS new for this year... graduates or promote a business. Thank You!
5/25-29: SHAVUOT / MEMORIAL
LAST CHANCE TO VOTE
Friday 5/25 no school (note change). Shavuot is on Sun-Mon, it falls over Memorial Day Weekend. The contest School resumes at 9am Tuesday 5/29.
5/31: ZALAK BRIDAL SHOWER Faculty, parents and friends (adults only) are invited to a bridal shower for our very own Ms. Zalak (getting married in late June) 4pm at the home of Mrs. Debbie Stark. Contact Mrs. Jen Mulder (or the office) to pitch in to the group gift or purchase one of your own.
ends this coming week, please give L’chaim/Shabbos House your $5 vote! tinyurl.com/LchaimUnite2012 Each online contribution (as low as $5 or $10) is a a vote for L’chaim and makes a difference!
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School)
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
See upcoming events on left for info
BH
Iyar 26, 5772 / May 18, 2012
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Candle-Lighting:
7:56 Shabbos Ends:
9:05
WASHINGTON DC TRIP
LAG B’OMER SPIRIT LINGERS
Our 8th graders were away all week (SunThurs) on their graduation trip to Washington DC. They raised all the funds with weekly bake-sales, lemonade/hot-cocoa, raking leaves and other small-jobs. We look forward to their pictures and reporting in next week’s MC. They took journals along to jot down tidbits, memories, insights as they went from museum to monument to Metro…
The joy, the spirit & pride of the sunny Lag B’Omer parade remains vivid and fresh.. so see inside this newsletter for a few more pictures of this memorable event, that didn’t make it into last week’s MC two-page photo spread.
MAIMONIDES DINNER ‘12
This newsletter is dedicated in loving memory of
Kay Greengarten Chasha bas Shimon - Yartzeit Today Iyar 26 by her daughter Debbie & Sid Stark
RECOGNIZING APPECIATION
Secretaries Day at MHDS was featured a few MC’s ago, but the kids insisted we put in their picture with the giant card they made to show their appreciation of the many things Mrs. Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm Backman does for them and their classroom… Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award The distinguished and renown Learning to be appreciative is one of the most Rabbi Dr. Lamm is former valuable character skills in life. Recognizing President and Chancellor of Yeshiva and highlighting positive behavior is one of the University, author, philosopher and best things we can do to foster it.
This year’s dinner will be held on Tuesday, June 5th at the Shabbos House. Dinner honorees are:
A BLAST FROM THE PAST
That’s what Chazzan and attorney Usher Fogel called it when he was at a Long Island wedding and heard Rabbi Mendel Rubin honored to read the Ketubah... He remembers Mendel at scholar, a colleague and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger of blessed memory. age 5! The Fogels lived in Albany until 1996. DINNER JOURNAL DEADLINE Usher and his wife Sharon were active at Beth Sage Colleges May 23rd is the last date for ads in the journal, Abe, where Usher served as cantor, and their Community Service Award after that date we place ads in the supplement. kids attended Maimonides. His daughter Lisa In appreciation of the Ads can honor this year’s honorees (see left), was at the wedding, too. He emailed his son dedicated Sage students who enriched and assisted congratulate this year’s MHDS graduates, or Joel, now married with 3 children out in Los Maimonides as sports coaches, artists, and aides. promote a business with an ad or greeting. Angeles. Lisa is now working as a social worker Please call the school office 453-9363/3434 for at a girls school in Crown Heights (where Lewis & Beth Gray - “Eitz-Chayim” Award invites/ad-blanks/additional info. Usher raves about the “Basil” restaurant). Dedicated school parents, communal pillars, and honorable “Mentschen!”
Special Presentations to: Dr. Leonard Morgenbesser Proclamation Tribute Remembering Rivka Losice “Aishes Chayil” Tribute Invitations were mailed. If you didn’t get yours, please call the office at (518) 453-9363/3434. The Tribute-Journal deadline is May 23rd, ads arriving after that date will be included in the supplement. This important school fundraiser is a communal event, an annual memorable milestone. Take part!
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
A “TIMES-UNION” TZNIYUT MESSAGE They may not have the same Halachic or personal standards as we do, but this past Sunday’s “Ask the Expert” column in the TU’s Parent-to-Parent section shares the same message: “Clothing should reflect your values… regardless of what other people are wearing… you are smarter than that…” Outside our school code, different families may keep varying standards, but across the board the same message is true: Clothing ought to reflect our values!
BERNIE NOWITZ OBM Our condolences to Mrs. Reeva Nowitz and family on the passing of her beloved husband Bernie. For a quarter century, they ran Burns Pharmacy in Rensselaer, and were active in Troy and Capital Region Jewish and general organizations for even longer than that. Born in the Bronx, Bernie grew up in Troy and remained active in the community his entire life (his wife Reeva is from Cohoes). Bernie also contributed to Maimonides each year.
DR. BENO STERNLICHT OBM
GEMORAH APPLICATIONS
NURSERY’S PROPELLER HATS
8th grade Gemorah class (now on Bava Metzia 37a) explored these modern-day issues as they relate to the Gemorah discussion: Crime (malicious intent) vs. business negligence in regard to monetary penalties Joint accounts vs. single accounts in terms of banking/accounting accuracy Legal obligation vs. moral right These issues are in the news all the time, and its fascinating to see the relevance of the Talmud to real-world situations.
In keeping with Lag B’Omer’s “Mitzvos to GO!” theme, Nursery students made and proudly wore propeller hats - made of yellow, orange, green and blue straws sticking up, out & about on their blue headbands painted with white fluffy clouds. Each Mitzvah we do, brings the 3rd Beis HaMikdash swirling closer down towards us, hovering just above us!
PRE-SHAVUOS GEMORAH After spending all year learning the very relevant laws of Kiddush, Havdalah, Pesach Seder and more in the 10th chapter of tractate Pesachim, Rabbi Yossi’s 6/7 grade Gemorah class now jumped to tractate Shabbos for a study of the Giving of the Torah, just in time for Shavuot. They’re now learning about the timeline of days leading up to Shavuot, starting at Rosh Chodesh Sivan, the historical background, required preparation and focus of each of those days - which begins next week!
LEADING UP TO CIVIL WAR 6/7 graders are each designing mini-books on five historical backgrounds to the Civil War: (a) Bleeding Kansas (b) the Dred Scott case (c) John Brown’s Raid (d) attack on Senator Sumner (e) Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.
The late Dr. Beno Sternlicht was a successful AND GEMORAH FLOWCHARTS engineer and entrepreneur, who survived the Rabbi Shmuly’s 5th grade Gemorah class Holocaust with his father (his mother died in made their own flowcharts! The chart shows the Warsaw ghetto) by escaping to various the flow of logic in PREPARING FOR SHAVUOT countries during the war. Despite being on the the Gemorah: These 2nd graders are displaying their Shavuot run, with limited resources, his father always questions and booklets, a work in progress as Omer count took time to teach him math and science and answers, proofs and ticks up toward Shavuot… Other classes are other subjects, and most of all impressed on statements (all using preparing for the holiday, too! Kindergarten Beno the importance & value of an education: different shapes). made a papier-mâché Har-Sinai. 6/7 are “Everything material can be taken from you, They took a whole learning about Shavuot in Talmud (see left) but not your education!” Beno came to amud (one-side of a 2 and also in Chumash (they just began Parshas America with nothing but a desire to learn. He -sided Talmud folio) Yisro). 2nd and 3rd graders learned the story got a degree in electrical engineering from of Brachos 28b and of Ruth. 4th graders are designing a Shavuot Union College, and later a PhD in energy condensed it all into themed bulletin board. Morah Devorah Leah conversion from Columbia. He first worked one long and busy is now doing a short Shavuot trivia game at for General Electric and then co-founded MTI flowchart. lunchtime. More in next week’s MC! - Mechanical Technology Inc. which later launched fuel cell manufacturer Plug Power Inc. both are important local hi-tech companies. Rabbi Rubin once spoke to him about the education of our youth, and Beno’s concern that today’s youth be instilled with a love of learning and a thirst for knowledge. Dr. Sternlicht was also a sponsor of the annual Bnai Brith Holocaust Essay awards, at which SATELLITE MODELS 6/7 graders are learning about space and astronomy with Dr. our Maimonides students were recognized Sahay. Each student was assigned a different satellite to research and prepare a paper model numerous times over the years. for display. Their different shapes & tools have to do with their orbits, uses and functions.
MATH TIME CLOCKS So many different ways to tell time! Mrs. Sahay’s math students each designed a unique clock for the bulletin board using a mathematical theme, principle or formula, including: Pi Clock (out of 360 degrees) Ternary Clock (base-3 numeral system) Angle Clock (based on hands-position) Square Root Clock (to arrive at time) Random Equations Clock (to find time) Time Flies Clock (with number of flies) Geometric Sequence (one at each hour) And a bunch of other unique clocks… Some from the old country remember a Jewish saying at Bar-Mitzvahs: “I give you a silver watch with golden minutes!” Realizing the value of time - is in itself golden!
6/7 Grade “Going Up to Jerusalem” banner
Bnai Brith residents greeted us on Hudson Ave with flags and balloons
8th grade girls’ banner gives direction!
A FEW MORE LAG B’OMER PICTURES Last week’s 2-page spread just wasn’t enough! As the Lag B’Omer spirit lingers on at school, we’re including here a few more photos of the “Mitzvot on the GO!” banners, the parade festivities & fun in Washington Park.
1st graders “Tefilat Haderech” amidst road-signs
Up on Playground…
CONDOLENCES TO MS. ZALAK on the passing of her grandmother, so close to her wedding. May her memory be a blessing.
Thanks again to Albany Falcons marching band!
CAUTION: LAPTOP FIRE
6 members of the Shaer family in Rechovot tragically died in a fire caused by an overheated laptop computer left on a bed, the BIOME PROJECTS IN PROGRESS mother was the sole survivor. Desert, grassland, rainforest, swamp, ocean The Israeli fire commission twilight zone, deciduous forest, coral reef - are found that soft materials of the bed blocked habitat eco-systems that Mrs. Maher’s 5th the ventilation vents and caused it to overheat graders are researching & preparing for display and catch fire. Be sure to keep laptops cool! in their classroom. The project requirements include: a map on where these biomes can be found, pictures and names of animals who live BATTERS-UP TEE-BALL SETS there, the predator and prey food-chain, facts Thanks to Batters-Up USA for donating 2 teeand data about the foods and plants to be ball sets, complete with bases, just found there, and a description of the weather. in time as we now have access to the small Little League field (just behind the soccer field at the READING “THE CAY” park) thanks to Albany 9th 5th graders started this WWII-era historical Ward’s Mr. Jim Sano, and the novel. They’re eagerly checking up definitions National Little League of Albany. in dictionaries & discussing chapter themes.
8th grade boys’ twist on the AAA...
CROSS-SECTION DIAGRAMS Cross-sections “cut-through” layers allowing viewers to see “inside” the picture. 4th graders each made their own: one allowed you to peek inside the rooms of a house, they also did it with a coconut, layers of cake, & a sandwich…
DAH-BEAR COMES TO ALBANY In addition to the black bear sighted around the area, and put down yesterday at UAlbany, our school welcomes “Dah-Bear” (a play on Chicago’s “da-Bears!” and the Hebrew word for speak) as an online Hebrew language curriculum enhancement (in addition to our Ivrit curriculum) with aids and tools for school & home, courtesy of Legacy Heritage Fund.
at Maimonides and in the Community 5/19: CHAZAK & MEVORCHIM This Shabbos we read a double-header Torah reading, concluding the book of Vayikra. We bless the new month of Sivan (Rosh Chodesh on Tues).
5/19: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR 4:45pm, given by Mrs. Shayna Kudan at her home, 6 Peyster Street (just off Ridgefield Park).
happiness workshop, buffet luncheon and silent auction. $15pp advance/$18 at door. 495-0772/9.
6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER Save the date! See honoree info on page 1… If you didn’t get your invite in the mail or need an adblank please call the school office: 453-9363/3434.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CGI Call Mrs. Clara Simon camp director (439-8280) for info, cost, forms etc. Gan Israel is based out of the Maimonides school building, with new, dedicated staff, crafts, activities, sports, trips, enjoyable learning, and lots of memorable, meaningful fun! Stay tuned for updates, there’s a lot new this year...
6/10: F.C. WALK AT CENTRAL PK
5/20: BABY ANIMAL DAYS @ I.L.F.
“Walk for Friendship” will be at Central Park, 500 Iroquois Way in Schenectady. See www.walkFC.org 9am-5pm at Indian Ladder Farms. Chicks, duckfor info, support walkers or a team, and/or register. lings, bunnies, lambs, goats and calves now in the Baby Barn! $5 per child, 1 free adult per paid child. Free admission. First 300 registered via website will get free t-shirt. iPad Raffle, Kosher BBQ for purchase. Family/5K Walk 11-12, registration 5/21: MISHMAR AFTER-SCHOOL 10am, entertainment (outdoor gaming, bounceMishmar for boys grades 2+ 3:30-5pm at MHDS. houses, face-paint etc) 12-2pm. Rain or shine!
5/22: ROSH CHODESH SIVAN 8am morning minyan at Maimonides.
6/11: DANCE & SONG AFTERNOON
1:20-2:20pm now in the last 6-week set, ending Wednesday June 6th. Come and get right into it!
2-3:30pm at MHDS. Dance teacher Eve Cameron and her dancing students will present for Mothers & Daughters (all women welcome). Fathers & Sons will have a Niggunim sing-off at the same time (all men welcome).
5/23: JLI MARRIAGE COURSE (III)
6/11: WOMENS BET MIDRASH
5/23: WOMENS YOGA AT MHDS
“The Art of Marriage” 6-week course Weds 7:309pm at Chabad of University Heights, 147 South Lake. Sign-up/info: myJLI.com / 522-1872.
5/23: JOURNAL DEADLINE Ads after this Wednesday will go into the journal supplement. Ads can be a tribute to the honorees, congratulate graduates or promote a business.
5/25-29: SHAVUOT / MEMORIAL
8pm at Maimonides. This month focuses on ShirHaShirim - Song of Songs. Call 495-0772/9.
6/18-19: GRADUATION NIGHT AND MOVING-UP DAY @ MAIMONIDES Graduation will be on Mon evening, June 18th and Moving-Up Day (last day of school) will be on Tuesday June 19th (half-day AM only).
6/21: REBBE INSPIRATION
Friday 5/25 no school (note change). Shavuot is on In commemoration of the Rebbe’s yartzeit on the Sun-Mon, it falls over Memorial Day Weekend. 3rd of Tammuz (this year on Shabbos), brothers School resumes at 9am Tuesday 5/29. Rabbi Mendel Samuels of Farmington Valley CT (humorous, engaging and insightful speaker) and 5/30: ZALAK BRIDAL SHOWER Cantor Yehoshua Samuels (lyric tenor) of Howard (Note date is 5/30, not 5/31 as listed last week) Beach NY, will jointly share inspiration from the Faculty, parents & friends (adults only) are invited teachings and vision of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. to a bridal shower for our own Ms. Zalak (getting Suggestion donation is $10pp, Sponsors: $100. married in late June) 4pm at Mrs. Debbie Stark’s Thursday evening, 7:30pm at the Shabbos House, home. Contact Mrs. Jen Mulder (or the office) to 320 Fuller Rd (please park in adjacent University pitch in for group gift or purchase your own. lots) hosted by Capital Chabad and area Chabad Centers. For more info call: 866-7658.
5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION
JERNY’s 3rd annual Unity Celebration of Jerusalem, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth.
6/3: C.P. WOMENS LUNCHEON 4th annual Clifton Park Jewish Womens Circle: “The Gift of Joy - Wrapping it Up!” starts 1pm at Shen. Adult Community Center: Judy Clements
ADDITIONAL MHDS DATES May 31 - 2nd grade goes to Dyken Pond June 6 - K-2 goes to Colonie Crossings & Picnic etc, 3-7 to Erie Canal &Herkimer Diamond Mine June 12 - K-3 sings at The Massry with Mrs. Gross June 12 - Last Day of regular HS Classes June 13-20 - NYS Regents administered for HS
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School)
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
P.S. LOSES BELOVED PRINCIPAL Our condolences to the Philip Schuyler school & his family, on the untimely passing of their new principal Mr. Anthony Clement (at age 47).
TICK SEASON IS UPON US Ticks aren’t only out in the countryside, so parents should be aware and check kids for ticks after playing in (tall) grass - anywhere.
PLAY THE NEW TORAHPALACE The Shavuos game is up on TorahPalace.com. After Rosh Chodesh Tammuz R’ Leibel will tally points earned by game participants from around the world! to award valuable prizes! So, with your parents permission, be sure to play!
CIVIL WAR SPIES & MORE... couldn’t fit in this MC… check back next week!
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BH
Sivan 3, 5772 / May 24, 2012
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
PREPARING FOR SHAVUOT
EDIBLE SINAI
Shavuot begins this Sat Night through Monday night. Many of our classes have been studying, preparing, doing crafts and hands-on learning in preparation for the holiday. See below for some of the class activities.
Torah is meant to be internalized and it is indeed tasty! That’s why Nursery kids mixed up a delicious chocolate batter (see eager mixer on right) to make Har-Sinai cupcakes which they’ll decorate, just as the Mt. Sinai was beautiful for the Torah!
Candle-Lighting: 8:03 (Friday) Yom-Tov Ends: 9:15 (Monday)
This newsletter is dedicated in loving memory of
Yetta Leifer
a founding member & dear friend of the Maimonides School, and an avid volunteer for Chabad’s Hospital Visitation Program After her passing, the Leifer Family Fund continued her support of Maimonides for another decade.
SCRIBAL ARTS IN NURSERY
Yartzeit on 2nd day of Shavuos
Nursery students tried their hand using a feather quill and bold black ink as they learned about how a Sofer (scribe) writes each of the thousands of letters in a Torah scroll.
FIRST FRUITS Shavuot is also the holiday when Jewish farmers (in Israel) brought their first fruits (Bikurim) to the Jerusalem Temple. Kindergartners made fake colorful fruits of clay, inside a basket, as was the tradition. The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe considered the study of youth to be a form of “first-fruits” which is considered holy!
ANOTHER EDIBLE TREAT... 4th graders went into “Nathan’s Kitchen” to bake up a delicious batch of cream-cheese & butter rugelach! The tradition to eat dairy foods on Shavuos has a whole bunch of reasons behind it: (a) Torah is likened to milk & honey (think sweet cheesecake). (b) Another name for Sinai is Har Gavnunim (similar to Gevinah - Hebrew for cheese). (c) Chalav (Milk) equals 40 in Gematria, like the days Moshe spent up on the mountain. (d) Pharaoh’s daughter sought a Jewish nurse (actually Moshe’s mother) because baby
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
FLOWERS FOR SHAVUOS Kindergarten designed their own recycled bottle vases and tissue paper flowers to bring home for the holiday. It is customary to decorate homes and shuls with flowers this holiday. Nathan Rosenstein, a”h, would deck out the Torahs at Shteeble with plastic flowers.
Moshe would not nurse non-Jewish milk. (e) Sinai was like the birth of the Jewish people and newborns drink (their mother’s) milk. (f) At Sinai the Jews got the laws of Kosher, shechting and salting meat. They were not properly prepared for that right away, so they just enjoyed a dairy meal. (g) The initials of 3 words in Bamdibar 28:26 about the Korban of Shavuos spell Chalav. (h) Some eat foods in triangular shapes to recall the Gemorah (now studied by our 6/7 graders) about #3 having a special connection to the Giving of the Torah. (i) The “Two Loaves” of Shavuot correspond to two meals, one meat and one dairy. (j) FYI: Some have a custom to first eat dairy, then wait, and follow-up with a meat-meal. (k) Why not? It’s good to have a Yom-Tov with a different culinary twist!
SKRIBBLER TO PUBLISH ESTI Talk of publishing… 7th grader Esti’s “An Unforgettable Moment” will be published in the upcoming May edition of “The Skribbler Magazine”. Congratulations!
HEBREW BREAKFAST Morah Devorah’s 1st graders are preparing for their annual Hebrew breakfast, after Shavuot. There’s Daysah = cereal, Tzalachat = plate, Kaf = spoon, Mazlayg = fork etc… This placemat tags all items in Hebrew. (And another Shavuot tie-in, because it will be dairy, too!)
LAST MINUTE JOURNAL ADS Ads can still be submitted, as journal goes to print morning after Shavuos. We hope to get all ad text etc before this weekend. Payment should be sent to school office, and ad-copy emailed to: maimonidesschool@gmail.com.
DOT AND JABBER REPORTS
THIRD GRADE ON “DAH-BEAR”
These first graders are proud of their work! The papers posted on the board behind them are their home & class work on the “Dot and Jabber” story they read.
Rabbi Yossi’s 3rd graders are the first to use the online “Dah-Bear” flash cards and Hebrew practice (enabled by the Legacy Heritage Fund). They are actually viewing Morah Rochel’s Chumash sheets and words that are in use on that website! Sometimes they do it in the computer lab, this time they did in their classroom on a hand-held Tablet PC!
MAIMONIDES DINNER ‘12
ALREADY UP TO FRACTIONS The new math curriculum teaches advanced concepts in simple form in earlier grades, that’s why 1st graders are up to fractions!
This year’s dinner will be held on Tuesday, June 5th at the Shabbos House. Dinner honorees are:
Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award The distinguished and renown Rabbi Dr. Lamm is former President and Chancellor of Yeshiva University, author, philosopher and scholar, a colleague and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger of blessed memory.
FLOWCHARTS
Dedicated school parents, communal pillars, and honorable “Mentschen!”
Rabbi Shmuly’s 5th grade Gemorah class’ handwritten flowcharts were featured in last week’s “MC” newsletter. This week they redesigned the same flowcharts in clearer, easierto-read digital format on the computer! This type of charting helps visualize the back ’n forth (“Shakla v’Tarya”) of complex Gemorah discussions.
Special Presentations to:
STORY OF RUTH
Sage Colleges Community Service Award In appreciation of the dedicated Sage students who enriched and assisted Maimonides as sports coaches, artists, and aides.
Lewis & Beth Gray - “Eitz-Chayim” Award
Dr. Leonard Morgenbesser Proclamation Tribute Remembering Rivka Losice “Aishes Chayil” Tribute Invitations were mailed. If you didn’t get yours, please call the office at (518) 453-9363/3434. Ads arriving until June 3rd will be included in the Journal supplement. This important school fundraiser is a communal event, an annual memorable milestone. Please take part!
BIOME POSTERS UP ON WALL Look outside Mrs. Maher’s classroom for the posters of biomes (Ocean Twilight and Cave biomes pictured above) researched and presented by students. In addition to the posters, some students brought in samples or other representation of their biome plants, animals etc, to share with the class. Other biomes also up now include: Grassland, Tropical Forest, Coral Reef, Desert etc…
Many communities have the custom to publicly read (&/ or privately study) the Book of Ruth on Shavuot. Most of our classes studied it this week. Older classes looked at some of the passages from a psychological perspectives of courage, loneliness, being a stranger, overcoming hardship, determination…
YIDDISH SPEAKING NEBRASKA BRACE Former Arbor Hill Alderman Nebraska Brace died last week at age 83. He was flamboyant and dynamic, and a non-bashful vocal advocate for his community. He was a drill sergeant and boxing coach in the Army, and owned a “soul-food” restaurant on Third and Swan Street. He also worked on the staff of the NY Senate. In his later years he was a greeter at Albany Wal-Mart, and would happily greet surprised Jewish shoppers in Yiddish! As the “Gazette” newspaper clipping (from the 80’s) attests, he learned Yiddish from his youth living in the Jewish community on South Pearl Street area, his family moved there from North Carolina in the 1930’s.
Ah, the confusing passageways in Washington! In the Botanical Gardens… (A) At an Early-Flight exhibit inside the Air & Space Museum.
Outside the Capitol Building
At the Smithsonian Metro Station
(L) Chaya, down the Mall from the Washington Monument.
THE 8TH GRADE WASHINGTON DC TRIP Not all the photos are in yet, but here’s the shots from one student’s camera. The students had a fabulous time, thanks to the thoughtful foresight and planning and tireless (or caffeinated) chaperoning (and driving!) by caring 8th grade parents Mrs. Susannah Levin and Mrs. Orit Taksir. Huge thanks to the Schones and Labers (Srs) from Fairfax for the separate boys and girls sleeping arrangements and for hosting. The group left Albany early on Sunday morning, returned late Thursday evening, and had a wonderful time in Washington in the days in between. Some of their favorite trip highlights include: Strange Signs: One of the funny ones is pictured above. Another read “Area is closed for Permitted Activities” so, are forbidden activities allowed? Holocaust Museum: Left our kids with a lot of thought, it was very sad but also inspiring in way, with very interesting exhibits. They called Rabbi Rubin from the Museum on Speakerphone and they spoke about the Eisheshuk Shtetl exhibit. Riva said she had family from there. Morning Minyan: Thanks to Rabbi Deitsch and Chabad of Fairfax, (and Mrs. Levin’s early rising) our boys davened each morning with a Minyan, and everyone got an Aliyah! (We had a full line-up of Kohain, Levi and Yisrael on board the trip). The Ronald Reagan Building: One of Mrs. Levin’s childhood friends works there, so she invited them inside. They saw a portion of the Berlin Wall, and enjoyed the architecture of the building. National Police Week: Police were in town from all over. Our students met officers from Oklahoma, Irvine CA, North Dakota, Delaware… Congress in Session: Two bills were passed while their tour went through. It wasn’t well attended, and most on the floor looked pretty distracted, according to our students. They learned that the more important issues were to be discussed later in the week. Natural History Museum: They saw an exhibit on the Cuban miners, checked out the Hope Diamond and saw lots of cool bugs on display. Regular Stores: In Virginia, they stopped at a Trader Joe’s, CVS and 7-Eleven (where they got slurpies of course). They brought most food stuffs from Albany, but they shopped a bit at a Kosher-Mart in Maryland and ate dinner out at the Kosher-Dragon, and another night at Max’s. Congressman Tonko’s Office: They visited his office in the distinguished Cannon House Office Building. Memorials: They visited Vietnam, WWII, and Lincoln Memorials, and ate lunch near the Navy Memorial (where some famous quotes are engraved). More Museums: There are so many museums in Washington! In addition to the ones above, they visited the Spy Museum, the Air & Space Museum.. Ford’s Theater: Inside, they saw a play of the play (and Lincoln’s assassination) in Ford’s Theater…
BANANAS, BROWNIES ETC…
THE SNOW TREASURE
After studying about Manna, with all the Rashi’s, Morah Leyee’s 6/7 enjoyed “Mannatreats”: bananas because Manna was white, brownies for some had to be baked, sprinkles because it came in small, round form..
5th graders are reading a story of Norwegian kids keeping gold from the Nazis in WWII.
VENUS TRANSIT ON JUNE 5TH Not quite like an eclipse, its even rarer when Venus travels directly between earth and sun. Schen. Museum has a 5-9pm viewing event.
Kate Warne? They’re among 7 civil war spies that 4th graders researched and made posters of (hanging outside their classroom). Some worked for the North, some for the South..
THE BUTTERFLY TREE
4th graders read a book called “The Butterfly Tree” and then each student drew their own pictures with crayon and painted over it with Middle-schoolers are writing poems comparing paint - patterned (somewhat) after the style of emotions to colors. Look for them to soon be WOMEN CIVIL WAR SPIES posted up at school. Have you heard of Belle Boyd, Nancy Hart and the book, and wrote their own accompanying words about their picture.
IF EMOTION WAS A COLOR
at Maimonides and in the Community 5/21-6/3: BUCKLE-UP NEW YORK
6/3: MAZAL TOV MALKA W.
We should always be buckled-up for safety anyways, Mazal Tov to Malka & family on her Bas-Mitzvah! but just FYI through June 3rd there’s a special enforcement for buckling-up throughout NY State. 6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER See honoree info on page 2… If you need invite or 5/25-28: SHAVUOT / MEMORIAL an ad-blank call the school office: 453-9363/3434. No School Friday. Shavuot falls on Sun & Mon of Memorial Wknd. School resumes at 9am Tuesday. 6/6: L&L ON JEWISH GENETICS Capital District Board of Rabbis is hosting a “lunch 5/26: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR and learn” at the Federation’s Golub Center on the 4:45pm at the home of Debbie Stark, 233 South topic of Jewish genetic diseases & testing. Program Main Ave, given by Raizy Rubin. has two parts: 9:45am text-study, and 11am-1pm presentation and lunch (underwritten by Levine’s Memorial Chapel). For info/ RSVP: 489-4706 x14. 5/26-28: SHAVUOT AT SHTEEBLE In addition to the regular davening, look for the following special events this Shavuos weekend at Shomray Torah “the Shteeble”:
5/26 Shabbos Day: A Pre-Shavuos Meat-Cholent Kiddush sponsored by a visiting traveler, also in honor of Avremi Backman’s birthday. 5/26 Sat Night: Late night learning… Beginning at 12am Rabbi Rubin will present “10 Centuries in 2 Hours” of Rabbinic scholarship and personalities. 5/27 Sunday: Ten-Commandments at TorahReading, with dairy ice-cream Kiddush after Musaf. 5/28 Monday: “Baal ShemTov Yartzeit Farbrengen” and end-of-Yom-Tov Niggunim at approx 7:50pm after an earlier 7:30pm Mincha (Daf Yomi 6:30).
Call Mrs. Clara Simon camp director (439-8280) for info, cost, forms etc. Gan Israel is based out of the Maimonides school building, with new, dedicated staff, lots of hands-on crafts, activities, sports, trips, enjoyable learning, and lots of memorable, meaningful fun! Stay tuned for updates, there’s a lot new this year...
6/6: HIDING AT THE BOOKHOUSE Author Diane Wyshogrod will sign copies of her book “Hiding Places” 7-9pm at the Book-House in Stuyvesant Plaza. She traces self-discovery in researching her mother’s teenage experiences hiding in a cellar in Poland during the Holocaust.
6/8-9: BOYS SARATOGA SHABBOS Shabbaton for boys. Call 526-0773 for info.
6/10: O’BRIEN BREAKFASTUDY
Following 8am Shachris at Shteeble/ShomrayTorah will be a short Breakfastudy “Just what the 5/26-27: SHAVUOT AT CBAJ Doctor Ordered!” in memory of Dr. Jonathan All-night learning Midnight to Dawn. 5am Shachrit O’Brien (yartzeit is 2 days later on Sivan 22, 6/12). option as well as a 9am Shavuot first day Shacharit.
5/26-27: SHAVUOT WITH NCSY
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CGI
6/10: F.C. WALK AT CENTRAL PK
6/18-19: GRADUATION & MOVE-UP 8th Grade and HS Graduation ceremonies will be 7pm on Mon evening, June 18th. Moving-Up Day (last day of school) ceremonies will be on Tuesday June 19th (half-day AM only).
JERNY’s 3rd annual Unity Celebration of Jerusalem, this year Thurs, 5-9pm at Beth Emeth.
“Walk for Friendship” will be at Central Park, in Schen. See www.walkFC.org for info, support walkers or a team, and/or register. Free admission. First 300 registered via website get free t-shirt. iPad 6/21: REBBE INSPIRATION Raffle, Kosher BBQ for purchase. Family/5K Walk In commemoration of the Rebbe’s yartzeit on 3rd 11-12, registration 10am, entertainment (gaming, of Tammuz (this year on Shabbos), brothers Rabbi bounce-houses, face-paint etc) 12-2pm. Rain/shine! Mendel Samuels of Farmington Valley CT (humorous, engaging & insightful speaker) and 6/10: BETH EMETH GARAGE SALE Cantor Yehoshua Samuels (lyric tenor) of Howard Sunday 9am-2pm, Bag-Sale 2-3pm. Free-Day (u Beach NY, will jointly share inspiration from the never know what’s left..) 1-2pm on Tuesday 6/12. teachings and vision of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Suggestion donation is $10pp, Sponsors: $100. 6/11: DANCE & SONG AFTERNOON Dessert buffet. Thursday evening, 7:30pm at the 2-3:30pm at MHDS. Dance teacher Eve Cameron Shabbos House, 320 Fuller Rd (please park in & students will present for Mothers & Daughters adjacent University lots) hosted by Capital Chabad (all women welcome). Fathers & Sons Niggunim and area Chabad Centers. For info call: 866-7658. sing-off at the same time (all men & boys welcome).
6/3: C.P. WOMENS LUNCHEON
6/11: WOMENS BET MIDRASH
Shavuot 10pm-1am learning at CBAJ with Rabbi Rami. NCSY Shavuot dairy lunch at the Cohens.
5/28: YIZKOR ON 2ND DAY Memorial prayer at shuls on 2nd day of Shavuot.
5/30: ZALAK BRIDAL SHOWER Faculty, parents & friends (adults only) are invited to a bridal shower for our own Ms. Zalak (getting married in late June) 4pm at Mrs. Debbie Stark’s home. Contact Mrs. Jen Mulder (or the office) to pitch in for group gift or purchase your own.
5/31: JERUSALEM CELEBRATION
4th annual Clifton Park Jewish Womens Circle: “The Gift of Joy - Wrapping it Up!” starts 1pm at Shen. Adult Community Center: Judy Clements happiness workshop, buffet luncheon and silent auction. $15pp advance/$18 at door. 495-0772/9.
8pm at Maimonides. This month focuses on ShirHaShirim - Song of Songs. Call 495-0772/9.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School)
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
ADDITIONAL MHDS DATES May 31 - 2nd grade goes to Dyken Pond June 6 - K-2 goes to Colonie Crossings & Picnic, 3-7 to Erie Canal &Herkimer Diamond Mine June 12 - K-3 sings @ the Massry with Mrs. Gross June 12 - Last Day of regular HS Classes June 13-20 - NYS Regents administered for HS
BH
Sivan 11, 5772 / June 1, 2012
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org
produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
Candle-Lighting:
8:09 Shabbos Ends:
9:20
EZEKIEL IN NAVI & IN BREAD Morah Dini’s HS Navi class learned the verses in Yechezkel when Hashem told him to eat a bread of wheat, barley, millet, spelt, beans and lentils. She brought in flourless “Ezekiel Bread” during the test with jelly for everyone to have a taste of what they learned!
MEASURING A PRISM
SEE INSIDE FOR “JERUSALEM DAY CELEBRATION” PICTURES See page 3 for some photos of activities, booths, and busy happenings at last night’s JERNY’s huge communal event & celebration of Jerusalem and Israel at Beth Emeth.
In Math class 6/7 learned how to find both the surface area and volume of all types of prisms, including triangular.
54TH REGIMENT “GLORY”
In connection with Memorial Day, and 6/7 current studies of the Civil War, and 8th grade’s study of Civil Rights 6/7/8 graders watched selections from “Glory” a film based on the letters of Colonel MAZAL TOV KELLMANS Robert Shaw, who was the MHDS alumnus Ayal & Ester Kellman had a white officer who led a colored baby girl just before Shavuos, and named her (black) unit, the 54th Regiment Shani Yehudit over the holiday weekend in from MA. In addition to the Jerusalem. Mazal Tov to Rabbi Yaakov and breakthroughs in race relations and civil rights, Lisa Kellman on becoming grandparents! there are many values and lessons to be learned from this amazing story. In one story, Shaw MAZAL TOV VIDRINS Dovid Vidrin, originally from MA, studied in was torn between his commander’s insistence that a southern city be burned to the ground, our MHDS high school some years ago. He and his wife Chana had a baby girl. Mazal Tov! and the threat to the colored men of his 54th regiment if it wasn't done. In another part of the story, the soldiers are upset at the inequity MAZAL TOV HARELS of pay between black and white soldiers, Shaw Just as we went to print, Levi and Batsheva shows respect for his black soldiers, and sticks Harel had a baby boy this morning! with them. The classes watched selections of the film as part of it (some war scenes) were HOLOCAUST DISCUSSION deemed perhaps too violent for school viewing. Based on materials from the United States Holocaust Museum in DC, Mrs. Levin led a follow-up discussion (coming off their visit MAIMONIDES during their DC trip) in the 8th grade class404 Partridge Street room, with Ms. Zalak and Rabbi Mendel. Albany NY 12208
THE MILK + MEAT MEALS The Pre-Shavuos “MC” said that “some have a custom” to eat a meat-meal in addition to dairy -meals on Shavuot. The truth is that most early original texts, including classic sources like the Rama, Darkei-Teshuvah etc, insist on eating a meat- meal in addition to whatever dairy-meal we have. While this may not be followed today by all families/communities, we wanted to be sure we put the correct info out there.
This newsletter is dedicated in honor of the birth of
Shani Yehudit
daughter of Ayal & Ester Kellman by her grandparents Rabbi Yaakov & Lisa Kellman MORE STUDENTS WORKS PUBLISHED Last week we reported that Esti B’s writing was now published in “The Skribbler” bi-annual newspaper (and ezine) but now we found out that Chaya A’s (5th grade) short story and Chana Rivka (7th)’s poem were also published in the May edition of “The Skribbler”. Thanks to Mrs. Deloria Ballard-Hubble’s weekly creative writing workshop! It was especially nice that each student received a detailed letter about their individual writing piece. These students were also invited to the 6th annual Authors & Illustrators celebration at Albany Girls Academy.
GRADE 4 CHUMASH At the start of the year, Grade 4 began Parshat Toldot which begins with the birth of Isaac, and they hope to conclude the year with Yosef’s Brothers in Egypt at the end of Miketz. It’s been a great Chumash journey. Over the year, they learned to understand Rashi’s commentary!
APPS “ONE-DOLLAR” TRIP A long time in coming, but the APPS group finally went on their “Tzedakah-APPS” outing. They walked to Madison Ave Price Chopper, each student had to get their “best-value” for one-dollar. Some of the better ideas included: Riva’s bottle of bubbles (so many bubbles in a bottle), Chana’s ice-pack for school (can be used repeatedly for sports injuries), Chaya’s big green reusable bag, Moshe’s silly-putty (many forms & uses), Nachum’s Hot-Wheels car (metal & durable), Chaim’s rubber-bands (so many uses, so many in the bag)… Rabbi Mendel also bought them chips (3 flavors) which they all enjoyed with drinks (thanks to Eli’s dollar) in a shaded wagon-shelter in the Price Chopper parking lot.
NIGHTTIME SKYLINES Mrs. Carroll’s students are learning about the night sky, so each student designed their own skyline (some used Jerusalem, NYC or Albany as their model). In the picture above one student used hole-punches for the stars…
THE HEBREW BREAKFAST
MAIMONIDES DINNER ‘12 This year’s dinner will be held on Tuesday, June 5th, 6pm at the Shabbos House. Please park in adjoining University lots. Dinner honorees are:
Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award
It’s an annual year-end tradition in Morah Devorah’s 1st grade classroom. They each bring in items for an all-Hebrew breakfast, (all table-talk and table-items in Hebrew) from Tutim = berries, Gevinah = cheese, Dignei-Boker = dry-cereals, Chalav = milk, and many other yummy and nutritious food.
The distinguished and renown Rabbi Dr. Lamm is former President and Chancellor of Yeshiva University, author, philosopher and scholar, a colleague and mentor of our beloved Dr. Morton Berger of blessed memory.
Sage Colleges Community Service Award In appreciation of the dedicated Sage students who enriched and assisted Maimonides as sports coaches, artists, and aides.
Lewis & Beth Gray - “Eitz-Chayim” Award Dedicated school parents, communal pillars, and honorable “Mentschen!”
NURSERY AT WORK ON SENSES “All About Me” will be the end-of-year presentation theme for Nursery. They’re pictured here, hard at work, filling out a sheet about the five senses. They also learned the teaching from Pirkei-Avot “greet everyone with a cheerful face” and how we express feelings using facial expression, and how to tell other people’s feelings by what their faces “tell us”.
JOURNEY THROUGH THE BODY On Friday, April 27th, several classes went to see “Journey through the Body” at Colonie Center, but we didn’t get the photos until now, so we’re featuring them this week. The kids enjoyed their visit, and learned a lot from the hands-on, multi-sensory exhibits.
Special Presentations to: Dr. Leonard Morgenbesser Proclamation Tribute Remembering Rivka Losice “Aishes Chayil” Tribute Ads sent by via email by Sunday, June 3rd, to: maimonidesschool@gmail.com will be included in the Journal supplement. For seating, dinner info etc call Raizy: 438-4227. This important school fundraiser is a communal event, an annual memorable milestone. Please take part!
Eli helps out in the “Old City Café”, is the Police-Officer online for food, too?
6/7 graders help Rabbi Abba peel & juice whole cases of fresh oranges.
“All the Way from Wesley” played outside. The guitarist on left and the drummer are Ari & Lev Krupman, originally from Albany. When they lived in Albany (and our school was housed at Beth Emeth) their mother used to be a beloved English teacher at Maimonides.
Rabbi Rubin and the 6/7 graders share “passports” to help guests learn about the “Biblical Zoo” (and where these animals are found in the Torah), at “Rivka’s Well” a refreshing oasis at the entrance to the Camel Rides. “A Walk in the Park” these two women are taking in the fragrant aromas of Jerusalem and Biblical herbs and plants.
Chaya prays (joyously!) at the “Western Wall”.
Rabbi Rubin and Joe Adler (the “Book Maven”) have a chat about books in the Machane Yehudah “Shuk” Mall (with jewelry, Judaic and other vendors).
“The Jewish World” was the newspaper-stand in the Jerusalem “Central Bus-Station”.
By going around the organization tables, you could pick up Carrots from Agudat-Achim, Cookies from Shabbos House, Water-Bottle from the JCC, Challah & Zaatar from Clifton Park Chabad, Twizzlers from Mifgash, Ice-Cream from Union Chabad, Salsa & Chips from Honest Weight, pens from a bunch of tables, and much more…
DR. TULLER TO BE GRAD SPKR
MEMORIAL DAY YIZKOR
Dr. Floyd Tuller, active at Berkshires Chabad, and an expert in materials science and engineering will be the keynote speaker for the 8th grade & HS ceremonies on June 18th.
This year, the 2nd day of Shavuot (when we say the Yizkor memorial prayer) fell on the US’ Memorial Day, so CBAJ made a special ceremony for American soldiers.
MANY MISHNAHS THE BUTTERFLY TREE After reading Sandra Markle’s (author of 200 children’s books) book by this name, illustrated by Leslie Wu (illustrated several books that won awards), Ms. Livingston’s 4th graders painted similar scenes on their own, put together this bulletin board, along with write-ups about the author & illustrator.
4th graders looked back at what they learned this year in Mishna class with Rabbi Shmuly, and it’s been quite a variety: Eilu Metziyos (lost objects) and HaMafkid (care of other people’s stuff) in Bava Metziah; Sukkah, Megillah and Pesachim (each in time for those holidays); and now Brachos (for daily blessings). They worked on colorful, lively, graphics-filled Powerpoint presentations for nearly every Mishna they learned, which helped them visually understand and better remember it.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CGI Call Mrs. Clara Simon camp director (439-8280) for info, cost, forms etc. Gan Israel is based out of the Maimonides school building, with new, dedicated staff, lots of hands-on crafts, activities, sports, trips, enjoyable learning, and lots of memorable, meaningful fun! Stay tuned for updates, there’s a lot new this year...
at Maimonides and in the Community 6/2: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR 4:45pm given by Rochel Rubin at her home, 122 South Main Ave. To give/host contact Chaya Tal.
Raffle, Kosher BBQ for purchase. Family/5K Walk 11-12, registration 10am, entertainment (gaming, bounce-houses, face-paint etc) 12-2pm. Rain/shine!
6/3: C.P. WOMENS LUNCHEON
6/10: BETH EMETH GARAGE SALE
4th annual Clifton Park Jewish Womens Circle: “Gift of Joy - Wrapping it Up!” starts 1pm at Shen. Adult Community Center (6 Clifton Common Court) with Judy Clements’ happiness workshop, buffet luncheon & silent auction. Coming off King David’s yartzeit on Shavuot last week, Leah Kidwell Fernandes (a local harpist - upstateharpist.com) will be playing beautiful music at the event. Cost is $15pp advance/$18 at door. Info? 495-0772/9.
6/3: MAZAL TOV MALKA W.
Sunday 9am-2pm, Bag-Sale 2-3pm. Free-Day (you never know what’s left..) 1-2pm on Tuesday 6/12.
6/11: DANCE & SONG AFTERNOON 2-3:30pm at MHDS. Dance teacher Eve Cameron & students will present for Mothers & Daughters (all women welcome). Fathers & Sons Niggunim sing-off at the same time (all men & boys welcome).
6/11: WOMENS BET MIDRASH
Mazal Tov to Malka & family on her Bas-Mitzvah!
8pm at Maimonides. This month focuses on ShirHaShirim - Song of Songs. Call 495-0772/9.
6/3: ISRAEL DAY PARADE IN NYC
6/13: YALDA CLUB FINALE
On Fifth Ave between 57th and 74th, 11am-4pm. For details & web-streaming see: salutetoisrael.com
The Wednesday after-school girls club will be doing a skit and presentations on “women pioneers” for women and girls at 4pm. Call Nechama 727-9581.
6/5: MHDS ANNUAL DINNER 6pm at Shabbos House. Program will begin earlier than years past (which began with a salad buffet). Please park in adjoining University parking lots.
6/18-19: GRADUATION & MOVE-UP
6/10: O’BRIEN BREAKFASTUDY
6/27-7/22: JGR SUMMER CAMP
8th Grade and HS Graduation ceremonies will be 7pm on Mon evening, June 18th. Dr. Floyd Tuller, an expert in materials science & engineering will be 6/6: L&L ON JEWISH GENETICS the keynote speaker. Moving-Up Day (the last day Capital District Board of Rabbis is hosting a “lunch of school) ceremonies will be on Tuesday June 19th and learn” at the Federation’s Golub Center on the (half-day AM only). topic of Jewish genetic diseases & testing. Program has two parts: 9:45am text-study, and 11am-1pm 6/21: REBBE INSPIRATION presentation and lunch (underwritten by Levine’s In commemoration of the Rebbe’s yartzeit on 3rd Memorial Chapel). For info/ RSVP: 489-4706 x14. of Tammuz (this year on Shabbos), brothers Rabbi Mendel Samuels of Farmington Valley CT 6/6: HIDING AT THE BOOKHOUSE (humorous, engaging & insightful speaker) and Cantor Yehoshua Samuels (lyric tenor) of Howard Author Diane Wyshogrod will sign copies of her book “Hiding Places” 7-9pm at the Book-House in Beach NY, will jointly share inspiration from the teachings and vision of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Stuyvesant Plaza. She traces self-discovery in Suggestion donation is $10pp, Sponsors: $100. researching her mother’s teenage experiences Dessert buffet. Thursday evening, 7:30pm at the hiding in a cellar in Poland during the Holocaust. Shabbos House, 320 Fuller Rd (please park in adjacent University lots) hosted by Capital Chabad 6/8-9: BOYS SARATOGA SHABBOS A live telecast will be held at CBAJ for those and area Chabad Centers. For info call: 866-7658. Shabbaton for boys. Call 526-0773 for info. wishing to participate in this momentous occasion. Following 8am Shachris at Shteeble/ShomrayTorah will be a short Breakfastudy “Just what the Doctor Ordered!” in memory of Dr. Jonathan O’Brien (yartzeit is 2 days later on Sivan 22, 6/12).
6/10: F.C. WALK AT CENTRAL PK “Walk for Friendship” will be at Central Park, in Schen. See www.walkFC.org for info, support walkers or a team, and/or register. Free admission. First 300 registered via website get free t-shirt. iPad
Another amazing overnight summer season for girls ages 8-16, begins on June 27th, based at Sage College in Troy. Staff & campers come from all over! Registration is filling up, call Nechama Laber 727-9581 or visit www. JewishGirlsRetreat.net.
7/1: GRAND SIYUM HASHAS The 7 1/2 year cycle of daily Daf-Yomi Talmud study will be completed at a mega celebration held this year at the MetLife Stadium in Rutherford NJ.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School)
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”
7/23: RABBI SIMON’S SIYUM Rabbi Simon will be concluding the entire Talmud at a special celebration, 6pm at the Normanside Country Club, in Delmar. No admission. Call 4398280 for info and dedication opportunities.
ADDITIONAL MHDS DATES June 6 - K-2 goes to Colonie Crossings & Picnic, 3-7 to Erie Canal &Herkimer Diamond Mine June 12 - K-3 sings @ the Massry with Mrs. Gross June 12 - Last Day of regular HS Classes June 13-20 - NYS Regents administered for HS