Maimonides Community

BH

Shvat 14, 5773 / January 25, 2013

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:

4:41 Shabbos Ends:

5:45

This newsletter is sponsored in honor of

Skye Z’s Bat Mitzvah on Tu Bishvat

TU BISHVAT BREAKFAST This annual anticipated delicious tradition at MHDS was this morning (Friday) on Erev Tu Bishvat, which is on Shabbos this year. A special feature this year was a “Brachos Bee” competition coordinated by the High School girls, with several levels: Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th and then middle school. Wow, everyone learned something about the blessings on so many different kinds of foods and food combinations! The kids were quite good! “Honey-Nut” cereal fit right in for the Eretz Chalav uDevash - Israel as a land of milk and honey (especially with milk by the Devash company!) and nuts are Ha’Eitz and almonds are especially connected with Tu Bishvat as in the song “Hashkaydiya Porachat”.

There was also (artificially flavored) “Berry Crunch” cereal, too. The dried fruit platter on each table had dates & figs, apricots, pistachios & walnuts, pineapple & papaya (both those are Ha’adama) plus clementines and Fruitables drink-boxes.

Rabbi Rubin usually gets Bokser as the tradition, but this year the best we could do was carob chips (which were tastier and easier to eat). Bracha Bee Winners included: JJ Hecht (3rd and 4th), Raizel Laber (5th grade), Sholom Kochman (grades 7-8), and a few finalists from 1&2.

By Rabbi Yossi & Leyee MAZAL TOV SEREBRANSKIS on the birth of a baby boy, and celebrated his Bris this past Tuesday and they named him Yisroel Aryeh Leib. Much Nachas!

MAZAL TOV MORRISONS on the birth of a grandson, to MHDS alumna Tova (Morrison) and Shimon Wilamovsky.

DANIEL S. VISITS MAIMONIDES Welcome back! Daniel had a few days off at HS because of Regents Week so he came back to school for a visit. It was so good to see him!

WELCOME BACK SAGE COACHES Now that college is back in session, our students are happy to have their sports coaches back during lunch recess-time. We missed you!

JFED SUPER SUNDAY THIS WKND Please answer the Federation’s call, which supports our school’s annual allocation among many local and overseas programs & services.

DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?

SUPPORT MAIMONIDES! It’s takes small miracles, lots of dedication and communal support to keep a small school like this going in an out-oftown community! Now there’s another way to support Maimonides, using the online secure platform of PayPal. Simply use this link:

tinyurl.com/MaimonidesPayPal Thank you for your generous support, all size contributions are helpful & make a difference!

MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208

REFRIGERATOR SOUP

INAGURAL NOTES

That’s the name of the soup Mrs. R. Kochman made on Wednesday for “soup-of-the-week” because it uses whatever fresh or frozen veggies you have available, and doesn't require specific ingredients. You just use what you got. (That’s a great life lesson). And it was delicious! One reason this soup was extra special is because Morah Rivka asked her eager and helpful Nursery students to help her make the soup.

Several classes watched some parts of President Obama’s inauguration ceremony and parade. The kids noticed someone chewing gum behind the President! It reminded them of lines from the Shulchan Aruch which says how one should be extra careful “in the presence of the King” (Hashem) and how we ought to be mindful and careful with our B/W COOKIES FOR YUD-SHVAT TU BISHVAT SHAKDIYA TREES behavior because you never know who may be watching. And we ought not to judge either, Yud (10th of) Shvat is the Yartzeit of Rebbe Morah Devorah’s students made Almond Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn in Trees with beautiful blossoms, like the Hebrew perhaps this person had good reason (maybe a health reason) to chew gum at that time - we 1950 and the beginning of Tu Bishvat song “HaShkadiya Porachat” (the would never know. Another student took Rebbe Menachem Mendel Almond Tree is blooming). notice that James Taylor who sang “America Schneersohn’s leadership of the Beautiful” is a singer/guitarist who attracts Chabad. The former is known crowds to Tanglewood in the summertime. for his fiery self-sacrifice for Judaism despite hardships & challenges in Communist Russia, while the Rebbe’s teachings of selfless dedication for Jews & Judaism were mostly in free countries like America. The “black” of the cookie represents dedication in the dark, difficult times of Communist Russia; while the “white” of the cookie represents the dedication needed to keep & strengthen Judaism even in bright, nice places like America.

PLAY YOUR WEAKER HAND Rabbi Mirsky read in the MC newsletter that all the boys in 7/8 grade are now wearing Tefillin, so he shared a vurt from last week’s Parsha that Tefillin is supposed to be put on the weaker hand (righty’s put it on their left arm, lefty’s put it on their right arm) because “Yadcha” is spelled unusually (with a Chaf-Hey) which stands for Yad-Kayha (weaker hand). The end of that pasuk says, “because Hashem took us out of Egypt with a strong hand.” Hey, so if Tefillin remind us of the Exodus with a strong hand, why do we put it on the weaker hand? The Orach Chaim explains: Hashem’s “weaker” hand symbolizes kindness and compassion and that’s what we aim to symbolize and exemplify.

2 TYPES OF “CONE” FEEDERS NURSERY (top) rolled smeared peanut butter on pine-cones, then rolled the pine-cones in bird-seed to put out as bird-feeders in honor of Shabbos Shira this week (when it’s customary to feed the birds in appreciation for their singing/chirping at the Crossing of the Sea).

KINDERGARTEN did another twist on cones, using ice-cream cones to fill with treats for the birds in honor of this Shabbos.

PROJECT T.H.I.N.K.

Morah Nechama Laber introduced a special project (in memory of her father, of blessed memory who would have turned 65 this year; and in honor of her son Azriel - his namesake putting on Tefillin this month) called Project T.H.I.N.K. At an assembly this week students MARCHING JOYOUSLY IN THE SEA played a heart and mind game - and had to Kindergarten decorated blue plastic sheets (as match sample statements to: Is it the heart if they were the speaking? or is this from my mind? One of the waters of the Reed messages of Tefillin is “mind over heart.”

RED HAWK ON PARTRIDGE ST Sea) which Morah Instead of getting upset/angry/emotional right 2nd grade was in art class when they heard a Dini hung up in away it is important to think things through loud crash outside the window. It turned out their classroom and first and have a more controlled and focused that a bird flew into the big window wall of they all marched reaction. Look for weekly follow-up activities, the school lobby and died from the impact. It through between the treats and exercises in the coming weeks. seems that it was a Red-Tailed Hawk (or “walls of water” as perhaps a Pigeon Hawk). According to the 2nd they joyously played REGENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL graders it had bold, beady eyes, a curved sharp musical instruments Several Regents exams were administered to beak, long feathered tail, and reddish-brown just as the Jews did chest. It was quite sad, but also the closest some of our HS students this week. We wish when they crossed some would get to a wild bird of prey. Mrs. them good results on this important NYS test. the Yam-Suf! Leah Cohen took the bird away to bury it.

There’s more of them to come in Spring!

ESTY LIBRARY BOOKS DUE TUES Library-Day is every two weeks on Tuesday.

Remember to bring your books back in, so you can borrow another! Other students may be waiting to read your book. These students are eager to read books, if you would like to sponsor/dedicate a book in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a loved one, please contact the school office.

HS SHABBATON @ S.H.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD HS just finished this book with Mrs. Gray and look forward to watching the film & compare the film adaption to how they read the book.

“LET’S CONSERVE” POSTERS 2nd graders made these posters in connection with their science studies and Tu Bishvat.

Morah Raizy hosted the HS girls for their last Shabbos together with Chani Paley before her birthday and mid-year graduation. Following the delicious “Cozy-Shabbat” dinner (as UAlbany was on break) they had a warm Farbrengen where each girl shared a birthday and graduation wish for Chanie, & memories at Bnos Chaya since 9th grade. The girls were DR. M.L.K. JR. POSTERS happy to be joined by Riva T. and by Melissa K. of Clifton Park. It was interesting to meet a 1st grade learned about “I have a Dream” and person at the Shabbos table who spent 5 years asked students to write their own dream/ in China, where he started his own business, vision as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of. since they are learning about China in class.

EARLY COLONIES

WRITING WORKSHOP POEMS

5th grade learned wacky ways to remember the early colonies: “MA CuT RiCe Near Mrs. Ballard’s students Home” (for New England colonies) “PA are now learning about DENY No Judges” (middle colonies) and “Odes” or free-verse poems about everyday “MyDocters VaNCanSellCool Games” for the objects, including about nature, which is just southern colonies. in time for Tu Bishvat. They read poems by Pablo Neruda and Gary Soto, both translated NEW MISHNA ANIMATION from Spanish. One was about pomegranates, In addition to Powerpoint Animations, 5th which is a perfect fit for Tu Bishvat. grade Mishna is now using GoAnimate.com to create cartoons based on their Mishna studies.

LEND A HAND It’s challenging to get the voice-overs to get the HS students in art class with Hebrew words right!

Alyssa worked on drawing

TYPOGRAPHY IN HS G.D. CLASS

NURSERY TASTES DRIED FRUIT It’s not usually a little kids’ taste, but the Nursery students were eager to taste the dried fruit and nuts at the Tu Bishvat breakfast. It seems that generally it went better this year, most classes finished a lot of their plates.

YAM SUF CROSSINGS Nursery kids are putting little people & shapes in their blue paper Yam-Suf channels.

hands this week, and next week will be learning to draw the hands with something held inside the hand, and give the hand and its position a realistic look. In addition to lines, there’s also a lot about shading and creases.

Mrs. Caras’ graphic design class with the High School class finished the flyers for their clients and are now moving on to learn typography, about different fonts and their best uses, about spacing between letters, serif and sans serif, about font families that support/complement each other, the technical titles for the various parts of each letter, and will be soon making SHOULD WALLS GIVE SHADE business cards using these skills.

7/8 are learning this mini-Sugya (topic) in Talmud class (Sukkah 7b) whether a Sukkah TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS needs to provide shade from the walls as well Parents & friends: Please take a minute to as the Schach topping or not. It’s just a couple check at Price Chopper Customer Service if of lines, but includes an argument, a reference your AdvantEdge Card is linked to our school to the Mishkan (tabernacle) and led the class “Maimonides” in Albany NY. We could be on conversations about glass walls, garage earning valuable points at no effort or cost to doors, building materials, privacy and more! you! Thank you for looking into this.

FRUIT OF ISRAEL When “fruit of Israel” was introduced at the Tu Bishvat Breakfast, Odelia piped up that she was born in Israel! Rabbi Yossi pointed out that she is indeed, a “fruit of Israel!” And the truth can be said all the children of Israel, for as we say in the introductory passage to Pirkei Avos from the Mishna: We are all a fruit of Hashem’s planting, in whom Hashem takes great pride!

at Maimonides and in the Community 1/25-26: TU BISHVAT & S. SHIRA

2/8: REFOEL’S UPSHERNISH

This Shabbos we read Parshas Beshalach (with AzYashir, Song at the Sea) so it’s called “Shabbos Shirah (of Song)”, and also Tu (15th of) Bishvat, the Jewish New Year for Trees!

8:45am at Maimonides, the Gordon’s welcome students and community for a short ceremony with treats and Mitzvos, as their “Foli” turns three.

1/25: CBAJ TU BISHVAT SHABBAT CBAJ hosts a Tu Bishvat Friday Night dinner at the synagogue ($12pp, $8 child, $45 family) prayers at 4:40pm, the festive themed dinner at 5:45pm.

Call 489-5819 or online: www.cbaj-albany.org.

Featured guests include representatives from local environmental and sustainability initiatives.

1/26: TU BISHVAT KIDDUSH Fruits (fresh and dried) and nuts, plus fruit-forthought at Shomray Torah’s Shabbos Kiddush.

1/26: T.C.N. LECTURES AT CBAJ Screened live at the CBAJ Luchins Media Center, Rabbi Reisman’s Navi lecture Sat 7:30pm. Rabbi Yissachar Frand’s Parsha class is Thursdays 9pm.

1/27: FED’S “SUPER-SUNDAY” Jewish Federation’s annual fundraising phone-athon. Please answer the call, this helps fund our school’s annual allocation. Parents: If you haven’t signed up to volunteer for “Super-Sunday” please volunteer for a follow-up dates at the Federation.

2/9: RAMBAM MELAVA MALKA Sat Night Siyum celebration 7:30pm at Delmar Chabad, 109 Elsmere Ave. Speakers to include Rabbi Y. Rubin (historic background & current relevance of Rambam), Rabbi N. Simon (to conclude annual Rambam study cycle), Rabbi M. Mirsky (Beautiful Blend between Torah & general studies in Rambam’s thought), and Rabbi A. Laber (last Mitzvah of the Torah: Write a Torah Scroll).

2/10: FARMERS MARKET @ JCC 11am-2pm at the Sidney Albert Albany JCC on Whitehall Road, indoor farmers market includes farmers, food and craft vendors.

2/18-22: PRESIDENTS WEEK BREAK No school for the entire 3rd week of February, from Monday the 18th thru Friday the 22nd (plus the Sat & Sun before and after) so it’s quite a long stretch of school vacation! Be sure to rejuvenate and refresh, and enjoy some quality family time.

2/19: LIONS & BEARS IN THE SKY

11am, $3 a seat in the planetarium in the Albany Heritage Visitors Center downtown. Program is followed by a craft project (plus popcorn, but that’s 1/30: BOYS MISHMAR T.B.A. Please note that Boys Wed afternoon Mishmar will probably not Kosher certified). Program is geared for children in grades K-3. Call 434-0405. be suspended until further notice. The boys are revaluating the best method to go about it, and additional parent volunteer supervisors are needed. 2/21: UNDERGROUND RAILROAD 11am, $3 a seat, again at the Albany Visitors 2/1: EXTENDED MHDS WEEKEND Center planetarium. This program is geared for grades 2-12, and focuses on the role astronomy and No school on the first Friday in February. Enjoy stars played in the “Underground Railroad”. the extended weekend. School resumes 9am on Monday, February 4th.

2/25: SHUSHAN PURIM

2/1: NCSY WINTER CONVENTION CBAJ is hosting the Upstate NY regional winter convention for NCSY for students in grade 8-11.

For cost and other info contact:

2/3: ICE-SKATING CLINIC Learn how to skate 2-4pm at Empire “Skate” Plaza (between State Museum & Capitol) by BlueShield of NENY and Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating.

Visit ogs.ny.gov to register. Skating is free, skaterentals: $3 for kids under 12 and $4 for adults.

The first day back from Presidents Week break will be Monday, “Shushan Purim” (the day after Purim) when we try to come to school in costume. School will begin with a 9am start, as everyone recuperates from the exciting Purim festivities.

3/10: LORENCE TORAH & B.M. Save the date: Sunday March 10th, 12-4pm for the Lorence “Alumni Torah” dedication at UAlbany’s Alumni House with procession to Shabbos House, for dancing and festivity along with Moshe Rubin’s Bar-Mitzvah celebration.

2/4: WOMENS BEIT MIDRASH 8pm at Maimonides, monthly text-based learning and discussion. Call Leah 495-0779 for info.

MAIMONIDES SCHOOL & 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!”

RABBI RUBIN & MORAH ROCHEL SEND TU BISHVAT REGARDS FROM ISRAEL! After their grandson Moshe Cohen’s BarMitzvah in Manchester, Rabbi & Mrs. Rubin are now in Israel for a short visit. Rabbi Rubin emailed us these two Tu Bishvatrelated pictures: A) a mural in a Tzfat synagogue depicting the parable in Talmud Taanis about blessing a tree that already had delicious sweet fruit, and plentiful shade and available water…

B) Rabbi Rubin standing outside the gravesite of Choni HaMe’agel of the Mishna and Talmud who is connected with praying for rain and planting for the future, about whom our students learned about…

CAN YOU “LIKE” THE POUGHKEEPSIE JCC ON FACEBOOK? One of our school families is involved with an effort to rescue the Poughkeepsie JCC from bankruptcy and keep its services open and running in that community. Your Facebook “LIKE” can help get the word out and show grassroots support of this major undertaking:

Facebook.com/savetheJCC