Maimonides Community

BH THURS 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

21, 5773 / Jan 3, 2013

Candle-Lighting:

4:17 Shabbos Ends:

5:22

This newsletter is sponsored In memory of

R’ Shmuel Backman Yartzeit Today: 21 Teves

FROM EXHIBIT AT THE JEWISH MUSEUM NYC Morah Clara visited the Jewish Museum in NYC and brought back images (above) to show her students original manuscripts on exhibit now (through Feb 3rd) on loan from the famous Bodleian Libraries at Oxford in England. On top left is an original Rambam manuscript (in time for his yartzeit this week on Teves 20) on right is a computation of the duration of an eclipse from Midrash HaChochma by Rabbi Yehudah HaCohen. He quotes Greek geometry and astronomy, in turn his work was translated into Arabic, and later into Latin.

The cross-cultural, multi-lingual sequence is documented at the exhibit.

One of very few Shomer Shabbos New York Retail Businessmen during the Depression Years PASTA LUNCH?

In addition to Soup-ofthe-Week (thank you parent volunteers!) which kids really enjoy, there’s been some requests for a once-a-week pasta-type lunch (for small to-be-determined fee depending on the offering). If you are interested, please email the High School girls at BnosChayaPrograms@gmail.com and HEBREW SNOWMAN indicate your interest and how much you’d be Kindergarteners love to play out willing to pay per child so they can gauge in the snow, and also enjoyed interest and come up with details. making their own “Baneesi Ish Sheleg” (I made a Snowman) MENDEL A.’S booklets, which they are GREAT GUESS proudly displaying here.

Mendel A. won the “First Snow Day Contest” he SHORT WEEK, BUT FULL “MC” accurately guessed Thurs, Once again, there’s a shorter week at school Dec 27th, which was the following the New Years extended weekend first big snowfall! But since break, so this “MC” newsletter reflects only that was scheduled as a half 2 days at school, Wednesday and Thursday, -day only, Mrs. Rosenfield and less TNT student reporting time than ALUMNI @BACKMAN WEDDING usual. Still, there’s so much going on! is keeping the contest open for a second winner!

In addition to a very nice Albany contingent at the Livingston NJ wedding of Efraim Backman MAIMONIDES and Devorah Leah Isenberg, there were also quite a few Maimonides alumni, including (L) 404 Partridge Street Yerachmiel Berger, now at Yeshiva Chafetz Albany NY 12208 Chaim in Queens, and (R) Nathan Young, now at Brandeis University in Waltham MA.

CONTRIBUTE TO MHDS ONLINE Here’s another way to support Maimonides, using the online secure platform of PayPal. Simply use this link:

www.tinyurl.com/MaimonidesPayPal

TRAVELING LEAF-COLOR-LINE 9th graders are learning about photosynthesis and chlorophyll. In the lab they rubbed a leafcolor line onto strips of coffee filter paper, attached it to a pencil, placed into a cup of alcohol and watched the leaf-color-line (the pigments) travel up the filter paper.

5TH GRADE’S ADVANCED COLOR MIXING COURSE READING “TO KILL These “Monochromatic Paintings” pictured above are a (very fine!) product of 5th grades’ art A MOCKINGBIRD” class with Mrs. Levin. Each student chose one hue, deepening the hue’s colors by gradually

mixing in its “complement” (or opposite color), brightening the hue color by gradually mixing HS English class is now reading Part 2 of this classic in “analogous” or neighboring colors on the color-wheel.

by Harper Lee. They worked on a character chart using seven of the book’s central characters.

FEEL BETTER MRS. RAMSEY While Mrs. Ramsey is out recovering, it was interesting for students to learn that her substitute, Mrs. Robin Marchesi (formerly Ms. Jones) taught middle and High School science at Maimonides 12 years ago, and remembers CELL MODELS some student siblings from that time. She took IN THE BAG them on their graduation trip that year!

Mrs. Maher’s students each prepared cell-type structures in a watery jell-like substance in a plastic bag, with items resembling or symbolizing key components of cells from the nucleus to the cell-membrane.

Some used candy, others used everyday household items to make their cell models.

THE RETURN OF DIME NOVELS At the end of the 19th century and start of the 20th, “Dime Novels” were cheap, quick, fun reads that became popular as the country became more literate and began to enjoy reading for leisure. 7/8 graders have a history/ literature assignment to write a short “Dime Novel” of their own using as much of the historical setting as possible, using dress, terms, issues, technology and objects to match that time period in US history.

BEE PENCILS IN FIRST GRADE Our TNT reporter/photographer did not get a full story on why first graders wound “bees” around the tips of their pencils, but it is a nice picture regardless, and we hope to find out why in next week’s “MC”.

SHABBOS MEVORCHIM SHVAT This Shabbos (1/5) before Musaf we bless the new month of Shvat, Rosh Chodesh will be this coming Shabbos (1/12), and looking ahead: Tu B’shvat will be on Shabbos (1/26).

ALUMNI, GRANDPARENTS, AND THE ALBANY COMMUNITY

Can you think of someone who’d enjoy reading this “MC” newsletter? See pictures of the kids, keep up with what is going on in HEBREW WINTER CLOTHING NEW school and in the extended community? We Morah Devorah’s students have been learning KITCHEN now have readers far beyond the Capital the Hebrew words for many items of winter Region and some who’ve never been to our IN THE (and other types of) clothing that were put to area but enjoy reading about our school! Sign NURSERY up friends and family to receive this weekly good use with this week’s deep snow and The Stepers “MC” newsletter, full-color via email or in b/w extreme cold. Tza’eef = scarf, Kovah = hat, won this nice via US Mail, by contacting the school office Magafayim = boots, Me’il = coat, Michnisei sturdy wooden (518) 453-9363/3434 or emailing: Sheleg = snow-pants, Kefafot =mittens - are play-Kitchen in maimonidesschool@gmail.com. among the many clothing vocabulary words the recent Maimonides Raffle-Auction, but they learned! NOTE: Please be sure to send graciously gave it to the Maimonides Nursery children of all ages properly dressed for winter, so the Nursery kids can enjoy this colorful and so they can go out and play at recess. Younger pretty kitchen upgrade! They love dress-up and kids should also be sure to have one extra free-play so this new addition is very much change of clothing stored at school. appreciated.

ZERAYIM: Agricultural Law, including mixedplantings, Shmittah, tithes & Tzedakah.

SEFER MADA: Basic Jewish Belief & Behavior (including “middle-of-road” graphic).

SHOFTIM: Laws of Sanhedrin, KINYAN: All about buying courts & witnesses, laws of and selling, honest weights, Kings and about Moshiach and business partnerships. (see the donkey).

KORBANOS: The various types of sacrifices brought in the Holy Temple.

NASHIM: Marriages and Divorce, Yibum and Chalitzah, and other related laws.

6TH GRADE QUICK POSTERS ON 9 OF RAMBAM’S 14 MISHNA TORAH BOOKS

Wednesday was the first day back at school, and it was the 20th of Teves, the Rambam’s Yartzeit. In their third morning period (10:20am) 6th grade learned a quick overview synopsis of Rambam’s 14 books of Mishna Torah, and after each student chose a book, they designed these mini-posters (by hand or on the computer) about that section of Rambam’s work. They were ready to present it at the 11am Assembly. Good job!

ALSO AT THE RAMBAM ASSEMBLY Rabbi Yossi screened several short videos about the Rambam’s life and work (including that he wrote his Pirush HaMishnayos without any books, just by memory!) and the students also saw the old videos made in TNT: AHAVA: Shma & Tzitzis, ZMANIM: All Calendar Mitzvos, from “Maimonides 800 - An Albany Perspective” and a student Tefillin and Tefilah, are Shabbos to Pesach, Rosh Chodesh to skit about the “Rambam’s Busy Schedule.” some Mitzvos in Ahava. Purim.. See Mendel’s “Watch” symbol.

RAMBAM DAY Morah Devorah Leah’s 4th graders did several projects on the day of his Yartzeit. They made a mini health center inside their classroom with lively exercises and healthy (and delicious) smoothies, they learned his advice about the “middle road” against extreme character traits, and they also learned a song about the “13 Principles of Faith.”

WRITING LETTERS TO THE RAMBAM

These students wrote their own letters to the Rambam (in their writing notebooks) in Hebrew, of course! That’s an amazing aspect of Jewish history, there’s a common connecting language that spans the generations! If Rambam were to walk into their classroom today, he would recognize the Mishna they are studying and would be familiar with their observances, though we might have to catch him up on our technology and introduce him to our food and dress - but the Rambam SMOOTHIES & SCHOOL MOTTO was At the Assembly, Rabbi Rubin connected the 4th certainly a grade Rambam smoothies with our school motto: very quick “A beautiful blend of Torah and Worldly learner!

Experience” which is why our school is named for Maimonides (a/k/a the Rambam).

KEDUSHA: Laws of Kosher and Shechitah, and also forbidden marriages - all in Sefer Kedusha.

ANOTHER YARTZEIT THIS WKND This Saturday Night marks 200 years since the 1813 passing of the “Alter Rebbe”, R’ Schneur Zalman of Liadi, author of the Tanya and the Shulchan Aruch HaRav and founder of the Chabad movement. A Melava-Malka and Farbrengen will be held Sat Night at Shomray Torah, all are welcome to participate.

Interestingly, the Rambam (Yartzeit Teves 20) and the Alter Rebbe (Yartzeit Teves 24) shared several things in common (although many generations apart):  They both wrote important works on Jewish Law (Rambam was pre-Shulchan-Aruch and a basis for it, while Alter Rebbe was post).  They both wrote philosophical works for spiritual guidance (albeit for different audiences) in challenging times.  Both were organized and systematic in their thoughts and learning, and drew on a broad spectrum of Jewish learning for their works.  Both were great innovators, original Jewish thinkers who began new trends and pathways in Jewish life and Torah learning.

at Maimonides and in the Community 1/5: T.C.N. LECTURES AT CBAJ

1/19: PIZZA NITE III

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.

Eat-in or take-out! Pre-orders help the HS girls be best prepared: BnosChayaPrograms@gmail.com (and there’s also delivery option available in zipcodes 12208-12209). Proceeds benefit the HS’ extra-curricular activities. Look for pizza pies (medium size, with toppings or without), sushi rolls, French-fries, garlic-knots, drinks with freerefills (for those eating-in) and more!

1/5: TEVES 24 MELAVA MALKA 7:30pm at Shomray Torah, a Melava Malka and Chassidic Farbrengen with melodies, stories and a some video selections commemorating the 200th yartzeit of the Alter Rebbe, falling on the same Saturday Night keviyus as in 1813. All welcome!

1/27: FED’S “SUPER-SUNDAY”

Jewish Federation’s annual fundraising phone-athon date. Volunteers needed, this helps fund our school’s annual allocation. Parents, please be in Following 8am Shachris at Shomray Torah and touch with the school office if you can sign up for the Daf-Yomi Talmud study, will be a light Kiddush breakfast in honor of Moshe Rubin’s first a shift that Sunday (or for a follow-up evening). putting on Tefillin as practice for his Bar-Mitzvah.

1/6: MOSHE’S FIRST TEFILLIN

1/7: WOMENS BEIS MEDRASH

Stay tuned: Look for Rambam Siyum Celebration at end of January 2013…

Monday, 8pm at Maimonides. Text-based learning and discussions geared for all learning levels, this year’s topic are the 7 Rabbinic Mitzvos. Call Leah 495-0779/2 for info.

1/13/13: SPA FOR BODY & SOUL Chaya Teldon of Commack, Long Island will be the featured speaker at this year’s “Spa for the Body and Soul” event, open to all women in the community. The NY Times called her “The Erma Bombeck of Jewish Speakers.” This annual event includes a delicious luncheon and hands-on workshops, held once again in Clifton Park 1-4pm at the Shen Adult Center, 6 Clifton Common Court. Call Leah 495-0772 or Clara 439-8280 for more info or to volunteer. Couvert: $20 pre‐ registration, $25 at door, $36 individual sponsor.

1/14: CYBER-TERRORISM SPEAKER 7:15pm at Ohav Shalom, light dinner and desserts catered by Raizy. Gregg Rickman of AIPAC will speak on: “The Growing Use and Threat of Cyber Terrorism” hosted by Joint Federation Societies.

Mr. Rickman was US Special Envoy on antiSemitism and also directed the campaign against Swiss Banks for Holocaust survivors. He is the author of “Swiss Banks and Jewish Souls” and “Conquest and Redemption, A History of Jewish Assets from the Holocaust”. Cost: $20pp in advance, $23 at door, $10pp for young adults ages 22-40 in advance and $15 at door. Register online on www.JewishFedNY.org or call 783-7800.

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!”

Time is Running Out! MATCHING OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW DAY-SCHOOL DONORS PEJE (Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education) and the Jewish Funders Network is offering a one-time match for school donors contributing $10K who have not previously given more than $2,000 to a Jewish day school.

This matching program runs through January 15, 2013 or until funds are maxed out. Please contact Rabbi Rubin 4234103 with any questions/ interest regarding this special opportunity.