BH. Teves
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363 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, 5771 / December 24, 2010
Candle-Lighting:
4:08 Shabbos Ends:
5:14
This newsletter is sponsored in memory of
Joe Saidel
Yosef ben Shabse Nachum Yartzeit next Friday, Tevet 24 Originally from Glens Falls and Utica, Joe was a founding member of Albany’s Daf-Yomi, an upstanding long-time pillar of Shabbos Minyans at Shomray Torah and weekdays at CBAJ, served as attorney for NY State and for Chabad and on the Board at Maimonides. He was a frequent learner, walker and biker. To Sponsor this newsletter, please call the school office 453-9363 or email maimonidesschool@gmail.com
KOLLEL BREAKFASTUDY “Kaddish Connections”
SWEET SNOWFLAKE KIDS
3rd graders teamed up with their Kindergarten buddies to make individual paper-cut snowflakes (because, like snowflakes, no two kids are the same…) and the 3rd graders wrote nice, positive, self-descriptive sentences that Kindergarteners wanted written on their snowflakes. It’s easy to exploring the power & reach of saying make a snowflake: Fold a sheet of paper into Kaddish for a loved one; and Halachic calculations of Shloshim & Siyum Kaddish eighths, make whatever cuts up want, and it will from date of passing or from date of burial.. open up into a beautiful symmetrical shape. Each snowflake also featured a picture of that student.
Friday, Dec 31st, Teves 24 following 8am Shachris at Shomray Torah 463 New Scotland In commemoration of: Dr. Floyd Tuler’s completion of 11 months of Kaddish for his mother, Elka Odes bas Avraham HaKohen Yartzeit of Joseph “Joe” Saidel see “newsletter sponsorship box”
Yartzeit of R’ Schneur Zalman, author of Tanya & Shulchan Aruch HaRav In proximity to the yartzeit of the Rambam on the 20th of Tevet
Along with a nice breakfast spread! All are welcome!
CONDOLENCES TO SONENBERGS Our condolences to Sam and Barbara and their children (MHDS alumni) Sonenberg on the passing of his father. Shiva will be in Queens.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
YEAR-END CONTRIBUTIONS Last week’s “MC” newsletter asked readers for year-end contributions to support Maimonides. There’s still time left to participate in this Mitzvah! As we’re now close to the Rambam’s yartzeit, each $36 contribution ($72 would be two tickets) will be entered into a drawing for Hebrew or English Rambam classics. $180 contributors will receive a free translated book of Maimonides commentary on Avot (Ethics of our Fathers), his “8 Chapters” on character and his 13 Principles of Faith.
MAZAL TOV STEMPEL-RAVNOY
REFUAH SHLAYA REQUEST
“THE OUTCAST” BOOK
Mazal Tov to MHDS alumnus Miriam (Stempel) and Rabbi Ariel Ravnoy ) on the birth of Sarah Esther. The Esther name is in memory of Esty (Rubin) Cohen.
Please say Tehillim for Malka Leah bas Breina as she will be soon going in for a surgery.
On a good day of learning, Morah Devorah Leah finds a little time to read “The Outcast” to her 4th graders. It’s about a butcher and his wife, a famine, a child, a little town, and changing negative character traits…
RAMBAM YARTZEIT TEVES 20
This coming Monday is the Rambam’s Yartzeit, and a special assembly and activities Mrs. Mary Rossi passed away this week, the will be held at school that morning. Sholom mother-in-law of our long-time (former) (and others) in TNT researched and typed up English teacher, Mrs. Barbara Rossi, who was highlights of the Rambam’s very dedicated to our students, and helped life, here are some of them: them develop writing skills and a love for He was born in Cordoba, books. One of her favorite projects was helping Spain; studied in Fez, students enter the annual Bnai Brith Morocco; visited Israel for Holocaust Essay contest. For many years a bit; worked and passed Maimonides students (based on anonymous away in Fostat, Egypt. judging) were awarded high place winners. He was a doctor and a Rabbi, a Halachist and also a philosopher. HAVA NAGILA BACKGROUND His Mishna Torah has 14 main books. This fascinating historical tidbit came up last That’s why his kever in Teveria has 14 pillars week when the flutist came to school. She leading up to it. played Hava-Nagilah, and Rabbi Mendel Mishna Torah is the only classic Halacha mentioned that the tune (without the words) book to cover all areas of Torah. It’s also the originally comes from Chassidim. Nachum first to organize Gemorah Halachos by topic. piped up that his great-uncle, Moshe (the son of Nachum) Nathanson was a student of music He wrote a commentary on the Mishna, and a famous encouraging letter to Yemen Jews. teacher Avraham Idelson in Jerusalem. He’s Morah Nevuchim or Guide to the Perplexed the one who put the words to this melody, is his famous philosophical work. which became one of the most famous Jewish He was called “The Great Eagle” because of songs ever. Later as a cantor, Moshe came to his broad span of knowledge and his keen America, where Hava Nagila was even sung by bird’s eye view of all of Torah. non-Jewish singers. Nachum at Maimonides is named for Moshe Nathanson’s father.
CONDOLENCES TO MRS ROSSI
FISHY TRIVIA
SOUP OF THE WEEK Last week Mrs. Levin made a good-to-the-lastdrop vegetable soup, and this week Morah Clara made a very yummy and filling split-pea & veggie soup. Parents, there are still open weeks… contact Mrs. Wildman to sign-up.
See below right for the 5/6 fish project, some of the trivia facts were quite interesting: The poisonous puffer fish has enough to kill 30 people (chas v’shalom), Angler fish light is powered by bacteria, Some grouper fish can grow to be 8 feet...
FISHY FACTS REPORT BY 5/6 Each student in Mrs. Sahay’s 5/6 science class researched a specific fish species, designed a fish model for display and listed interesting facts about it. See some facts above...
COFFEE, SALT, SAND... 3rd graders are learning about layers inside the earth, and used different colored and textured materials in a clear plastic cup to illustrate it...
K’NEX CARS IN SCI-ENRICH Mrs. Ballard had students in 4-6 grade put together model cars in Science Enrichment, with rubber-band pull-motors, and test their designs to see how they worked. Some kids were so excited about this project, you could see them in the lab - overtime!
THE STUB BOOK Mrs. Mulder’s HS class read this short story by Pedro Antonio de Alarcon, and each student wrote a pseudo-newspaper article covering their imaginary version of the trial regarding the stolen prized pumpkins in the story.
BISHUL AND PAS YISRAEL 5/6 Halacha class is now learning the very interesting and relevant laws of Bishul (and Pas Yisrael), and the various factors that are involved. Is this a food that would be served at a king’s table (or for a special guest)? Is this cooked food also edible in raw form? The text they are using is the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch,
DRAFTING A 7TH GRADERS BEDROOM TO SCALE Whether they used their own bedroom, or an imaginary dream bedroom, 7th graders had to fill it with furniture and design it to scale, as part of a unit in math with Mrs. Sahay. The accuracy & proportion is harder than it may seem.
but Rabbi Yossi shared with them up-to-date stories and examples. They also learned about a leniency with professional baker bread vs. homemade bread, and that some people rely on that leniency but some do not.
YAAKOV BLESSES HIS SONS 5/6 grade is up to that now in Chumash with Rabbi Andrusier, he even offered each student a monetary reward if they’d learn it by heart, as it is one of the sections of Torah that there’s a tradition of knowing it by heart.
THE MONKEY’S PAW
STRINGY STRIPED LETTERS The letter “Tes” can stand for Tallit, which is why the Kindergartners striped them and hung four sets of strings from the edges. This is also a good reminder for the boys to wear Tzitzis to school each morning.
Morah Clara has been working with 7th graders on character analysis of David and Shaul and other key historical figures they’ve been learning about in Navi. Now she joined forces with Mrs. Mulder as the students are writing character analysis on the story and play “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs. Hopefully, the skills learned can be transferred to their Navi learning and analysis.
HS MELAVA MALKA
Last night HS Girls had a private Melava Malka at school. Some students worked in the kitchen and prepared mac & cheese, roasted potatoes, and a fresh salad, and set-up a “truth & dare” game. Some students spent time on LIVING WITH THE TIMES the phones raising some scholarship monies Last week it was 5/6 grade, this week the HS toward the JGR Girls Winter Retreat this Girls have been studying Chumash that weekend. They actually dared Leyee to take happens to be the Parsha for this week. They them to treat them at Starbucks, which she did learned the first chapter of Shmos with Morah later (they split the cost) that very same night! Leyee, exploring many different Meforshim commentaries, including Kli Yakar, Ibn Ezra, UPCOMING MELAVA MALKA Baal haTurim, and of course Rashi. Talking of Melava Malka, Rabbi Shea Hecht,
AN OLD EARTHQUAKE DEVICE
Kova = hat, Na‟alayim = shoes, Mishkafayim = glasses. Tza‟if = scarf, Me‟il = coat, Svehter = sweater, Simlah = dress, Mahgafayim = boots…
of NCFJE, who has years of personal experience counseling couples & others in crisis situations, will talk about Shalom Bayis (harmony in the home) at a post-Tu Bishvat Melava Malka on January 22nd. See page 4.
Did you know that ancient Chinese invented the seismograph device to detect earthquakes? It didn’t have sensors, gauges and electronics like today's gadgets, it featured a pendulum, dragons and toads, and would send a little ball PAPERCUTS W/ CHANA COTTER out in the direction of the quake. Ms. Zalak’s The HS has been working on paper cuts these class is now studying China in ancient world past few weeks. Some featured pesukim, while history, and they found this quite interesting. others did their mother’s name or phrases like "baruch haba" or "shabbat shalom"..
THE END OF AN AVIMELECH
The name Avimelech occurs repeatedly in the Tanach, in this case its referring to Gideon’s (who was a righteous and humble Judge of the Jewish people) son who did a lot of harm in his selfish desire for power. After fighting down a rebellion against his harsh rule in Shechem, a woman threw a millstone at his head, mortally wounding him, and then he himself asked his guard to kill him. Rabbi Laber asked them, “So who killed Avimelech?” This could be a complex legal question.
CLOTHING IN HEBREW
MAZAL TOV SHERYL & ARON Both graduate students at UAlbany, they were married by Rabbi Mendel in Long Island last Sunday, and are having a Sheva Brachos this weekend at Shabbos House. Best wishes!!
SAVE PULL-TABS ON CANS Since their visit to the Ronald McDonald House on South Lake Ave, the HS Girls have been saving and collecting metal “pulltabs” from soda cans etc for a fundraising effort by Ronald McDonald. You can still go ahead and recycle the rest of the can at the store, they just need the tiny pull-tab that’s used to open the can in the first place.
NOMINATING AUTHORS
Each year, in addition to the Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award, the Maimonides Dinner highlights and honors a spectrum of individuals based on a theme. One year we did Educators for Rashi 900, another year we did APPS “NIGHT” PROJECTS Explorers for Hudson 400. This year, to Last week’s MC featured a group photo of PPS celebrate “People of the Book” we’re looking Program participants’ projects on “Night”. to highlight and honor a spectrum of local Close-up photos will be next week, there’s not Jewish authors. If you have someone you’d like enough room in this week’s edition. to nominate, please contact the school office.
MENORAH TOYS HELP KIDS Portions of the UAlbany/Shabbos House/ NCFJE Toys-Menorah were distributed to Friendship Circle, and another bunch was brought to the Ronald McDonald House by Rabbi Mathless and the HS Girls.
at Maimonides and in the Community 12/23-27: GIRLS WINTER RETREAT
1/1: SONGS OF FAITH & HOPE II
This weekend at an East Greenbush hotel. Highlights include: “Glow in the Snow”, Performing Arts, Soap & Candle-making, Dance Dance Revolution, tubing & skiing, & concert. www.JewishGirlsRetreat.net or call Nechama 727-9581 for program, cost and info.
Sat Night Dinner and Dual-Concert at CBAJ. Shloime Kaufman (who just released another CD) accompanied by the Strosbergs - for adults, and Yaakov Yisrael (Jim) Costello with a simultaneous concert for children. Dinner and concert cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children. Concert only cost is: $20 per adult and $10 for children. $100 max per immediate family. RSVP by Dec 26th.
12/25: RABBIS REISMAN & FRAND Satellite shiur: Rabbi Reisman 7:30pm Sat Nights, Rabbi Frand at 9pm Thursday, both at CBAJ.
12/25: MELAVA MALKA KUMZITZ
1/22: RABBI SHEA HECHT TO SPEAK AT SAT NIGHT ON SHALOM-BAYIT
7pm at 495 Moe Road in Clifton Park, celebrating Rabbi Yossi’s birthday. Call 495-0779 for more info.
Rabbi Shea Hecht of NY’s NCFJE, a bold, dynamic Rabbi with much personal experience in counseling couples and people in crisis will be the guest speaker. Rabbi Hecht is engaging, humorous and “he tells it 12/24-30: HALF DAYS AM ONLY like it is.” This will be the first of a semi-annual series AM Judaic sessions, pickup at 11:45am, snack only, no lunch or bussing. Activities and learning planned. on harmony at home, good parenting etc, presented in memory of Esther Aidel (Rubin) Cohen. Stay tuned for more info, and regarding a possible 12/27: RAMBAM YARTZEIT children’s program that evening by the HS Girls. Assembly at school, starting after the morning recess for grades 3+ will celebrate “The Five Senses of the Rambam/Maimonides”. Reports in next week’s MC. SPECIAL MINYANS AT SCHOOL 1/6: Rosh Chodesh Shvat Minyan 2/4: Rosh Chodesh Adar I Minyan 12/29: APPS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES 3/6: Daniel S’s Bar-Mitzvah Celebration Grades 5-7 participants in this past month’s “APPS” 3/24: Eli L’s first Aliyah at Maimonides will enjoy a “evening meets morning” with roasted foods in a fire-bowl outside school, and a cozy story-time afterward in the school’s new wing basement. Please dress warmly for the outdoors. From Thursday 12/23 thru Thursday 12/30, there’ll be half-days (pick-up is at 11:45am, send 12/27-30: FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE CAMP snack but no lunch, there’s no bussing). We asked HS Girls will be staffing the Friendship Circle winter kids to come up with afternoon activity ideas to do break camp for kids with special needs, located at at home, with parents etc… Obviously, some of HACD. Maimonides students have half-day school these activities need parents help or permission. that week up until and including Thursday.
HALF-DAY PM IDEAS
Take a walk around the mall, stop into the pet
12/28: MAGIC SHOW @ C.P. LIBRARY “Magic Show with Jim Snack” 2pm at the Clifton Park Library on Moe Road for families with kids ages 4 and older. No registration required.
12/28-30: THE TRAINS ARE RUNNING Big train display will be running 12-3pm Tues-Thurs at the Schenectady Museum on Nott Terrace. Plus there are other regular science and historical exhibits to enjoy. Museum admission is $5 for kids 4-12, and $7.50 for adults (planetarium is extra).
12/31: FRIDAY BREAKFAST KIDDUSH See front page box for reasons & theme BreakfaStudy following 8am Shachris at Shomray Torah.
12/31: NEW YEARS WEEKEND No school on Friday December 31st. Enjoy the longer New Years Weekend. School resumes on Monday, January 3rd at 8am.
shop, buy a drink at the Food Court. If the weather is decent, try a new park or one you
haven’t been to in a while. Make hot-cocoa or tea, and play a board-game
around the dining room table. Go to Chuck E. Cheese or Jeepers for indoor fun.
Try the Albany Art Room on Madison. Take a nap or relax with a book. Cuddle up on the
couch with a blanket and a good book. If it snows enough, get out and have fun, build a
fort or a snow-man. Find a slope to go sledding. Some places are close enough to go skiing and be back that afternoon. Get some books out from your neighborhood library, or try a different branch for a change. Draw a picture or paint a canvas. Maybe try to write a story, or make a comic-strip. Visit a friend’s house, or write a post-card or email to an out-of-town friend or relative. Maybe you can Skype with them. Clean-up your desk or dresser, go through old papers, organize your stuff.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a UJF-NENY Beneficiary
THE BREISHIS CARNIVAL In honor of last week’s “Chazak!” conclusion of the entire Book of Breishis, Rabbis Yossi & Shmuly and the HS Girls put together a carnival for the school with one activity booth for each Parsha. Each student started off with a “Parsha Passport” which got checked off at each booth. All booths had some connection to that Parsha, and included activities like: (1) The Brother/ Sister Game (2) Find the Silver Cup in a Bag of Sand (3) Dress-Up like Esau and Yaakov (4) Draw a Black-Magic Rainbow (5) How Long to Reach Israel (or Canaan) (6) String an Edible Necklace… and much more. Thanks to the HS girls for making the signs, and running the booths, (and taking these photos) even on short notice.
SWITCHING HANDS Nursery kids loved learning about their right and left hands, and how Yaakov switched his hands when blessing Menashe and Efraim. Although it is from last week’s Parsha, here’s a cute photo because the kids were so excited about it!