Mc5773shoftim1ap

BH

Elul 3, 5773 / August 9, 2013

Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District Candle-Lighting: 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org 7:49

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

Shabbos Ends:

8:52

MAZAL TOV BABY GIRL SIMON

LOOK FOR SHABBOS MAGNETS!

Rabbi Zalmy & Chani Simon had a baby girl this week, named Chaya Mushka. Mazal Tov to the Simon grandparents & siblings, and grandmother Mrs. Shechtman of Milwaukee who came to Delmar for the Simcha.

The handy and useful Shabbos Candle-Lighting magnets (our high-holiday fundraiser) for your refrigerator will soon be mailed to area homes.

Light up with the light of Shabbos!

MAZAL TOV HERTZBERGS MHDS alumna Rebecca Hertzberg is engaged to Michael Saposnik. Originally from Clifton Park, the Hertzbergs (who now live in Pittsburgh) remain in touch with and are supportive of Maimonides. We wish Rebecca and her Chassan Michael much happiness together, and her parents much Nachas!

MAZAL TOV DR. JACOBS & FAM To Dr. & Ed and Laura Jacobs on their engagement of their daughter Tamara to Eitan Shmuel Earnest. Dr. Jacobs is on the Maimonides Board of Trustees and is a doctor and friend to many in the community.

NEW HIGH-FIVE FEATURE As the Internet is now overrun with lists, it has become a popular medium to share tidbits of information. “High-Five” will be a new, regular MC newsletter feature, rotating between the classes, in which classes will share their 5 most interesting highlights on any given topic, Judaic or General Studies, they are learning. It could be 5 key battles of a certain war, 5 things about Yosef and his Brothers, or 5 things about gardening, a Sukkah etc. Look for it each week!

SLIGHT MULTI-AGE CHANGES

MMMM...

MAIMONIDES MOVES! This will be a new movement and fitness awareness program at school with new emphasis (in addition to recess, of course) on short spurts of physical activity, stretches and exercise integrated into the regular classroom and school day, following the Maimonides mission of wholesome across-the-board living-learning integration - not compartmentalizing lessons and experiences - into all areas of school and our children’s lives.

MAIMONIDES MIDDOS We look forward to renewed focus and awareness of “Maimonides Middos” dedicated in memory of Rivka Losice a”h, with activities and programs to help our students strengthen, grow and blossom in character and inter-student relationships.

Maimonides has many years of pioneering experience in creating quality multi-age learning environments. This year we will be SCIENCE, LIBRARY & MEDIA varying certain class combinations to maximize CENTER UPGRADES both academic and social needs.  The Science Lab will also have a new window open to our Auditorium. Unlike the BEIT-MEDRASH ENVIRONMENT computer lab and library sliding windows, Stay tuned for exciting updates as these The older boys’ class schedule and extrathis window will be stationary. curricular activities will offer more peer-to-peer, programs develop and take shape this year!  A new fire-rated entry/exit hallway will lead extended group Yeshiva/Beis Medrash vibe and from the main entrance lobby to the Auditorium and upper classrooms, to bypass feel, which we hope will spill over positively AHEAD OF THE TIMES? and not disturb the new Library/Media area. throughout the school and community as well!

BJ’s has begun selling Hamantaschen by Lilly’s  Much more natural light now shines into the that are OU/CRC Kosher certified and PasENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITY main Auditorium. This helps expand both Yisrael. Are they ahead of the times, or are they rooms to be a more bright & beautiful space Enrichment is not an “extra” at Maimonides! taking Yom Ki-Purim (a teaching that likens for students and the community.

Art, music, dance, yoga, volunteering etc.  Out-of-reach (beyond Chametz hands) shelf enrich our wholesome, integrated educational Yom-Kippur to Purim) a little to the extreme?

Or maybe it’s a tasty cookie all year ‘round? space will showcase an impressive 1,000 experience. Last year’s dance teacher has volume Haggadah Collection. moved to Brooklyn, and our art teacher is  The multi-wired network station was moved devoting more time to her graphic design work, 150 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Saratoga is now making a big deal (with 200+ to sit atop the new stage-area vestibule. so we are open to new ideas and formats to enrich and broaden our students’ horizons and events) of the 150 years since the racetrack develop a spectrum of skills, talents & abilities. opened, and the storied colorful racing history MORE ON TECH EQUIPMENT there since. It’s also 150 years since the Civil We are very grateful to both these highly Our Library Media Center is expanding into qualified and talented teachers for all that they War. Some of our students traveled down to much more than physical room construction! historic sites for this historical anniversary. have taught our students and enriched our Thanks to philanthropic organization grants Rabbi Rubin will also be working this year with and individual donations, the computer lab is school. We are currently exploring several Rabbi Laber and the older students to create a being upgraded to state-of-the-art workstations enrichment ideas, and are open to others.

150 year Jewish historic look-back as well. as well as mobile computing, a major leap TEHILLIM: for Sara bas Pesha Rachel. from the dated computer equipment we have Please be sure to submit Registration Forms & payments ASAP. Thank You! been using. More upgrade details TBA!

at Maimonides and in the Community 8/9: CGI DAY CAMP ENDS Last day of Camp at Gan Izzy! Thanks to amazing team of counselors - from far & near - who made this summer so amazing for the kids!

8/28: START OF SCHOOL YEAR

School begins before Labor Day this year, with several half-day Hebrew classes only, to give our 8/10: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR students a Rosh Hashanah heads This long-standing decades-long annual summer -up (pun-intended) which falls tradition ends by Rosh Hashanah, so be sure to stop unusually early this year. by and participate before the season is over! This  Wed-Friday (8/28-30) halfweek it is given by and at the home of Mrs. Dini days Hebrew only.

Gordon, 29 Glenwood Street Apt 1 at 4:45pm.  Mon (9/2) Labor Day, no school.  Tues (9/3) Teacher 8/10: PEREK AT THE POND Orientation no school.

Rabbi Lehrfield’s Pirkei Avot class meets 5:30pm at  Wed (9-4) No school, Erev the Berkshire Pond. Weather-permitting.

Rosh Hashanah.

Due to this year’s holiday 8/13: LAZER LLOYD CONCERT scheduling there will be few full Skidmore alum returns to play at days of school in the month of Saratoga Chabad. Amazing blues September, but for our students music and lots of soul. Check the holidays are learning and him out: LazerLloyd.com. 7:30pm at Saratoga growing experiences, too! Stay Chabad 130 Circular Street. $10pp suggested tuned for the full school admission. Call: 526-0773 or: saratora@aol.com. calendar to be sent out shortly.

8/15: SCHOOL INFO

8/29: ESTY YARTZEIT

The school calendar and classroom supply lists will be sent out by Aug 15th. Many thanks to those who & MEMORIAL TALK This year’s Memorial Lecture have sent in registration forms and payments, it will be on the actual date of her helps the school plan properly.

Yartzeit, Sunday, Tishrei 25. In addition to the talk (speaker 8/19-22: SUMMER END F.C. CAMP TBD) there will be an elaborate Friendship Circle hosts a 4-day end-of-summer day dessert reception & dedication camp for kids with special needs and looking for opening of the new Library Media Center. volunteers to staff it: 438-4220 or capitalfriends.org

8/24: CHAI ELUL FARBRENGEN 9:30pm after Shabbos at Shomray Torah. Late hour won’t work for families, but will allow those who can’t be together on Shabbos to join for a festive, uplifting evening of song, inspiration in honor of the birthdays of Baal Shem Tov and Alter Rebbe, and yartzeit of Maharal of Prague.

8/25: SHALOM FESTIVAL Yoel Sharabi (dynamic Sephardic singer) & Keith Leaf (entertainer and performer) will do 2 performances each at 2 points of the festival which begins at 2pm and runs to 7pm. 2:30pm will be a walk in the park benefitting several local charities. Look for craft booths, Kosher food, vendors and a special Baal Shem Tov booth. Vendors/info: Call 526-0773 or: saratora@aol.com An annual tradition in Saratoga’s beautiful and historic Congress Park (also has the Carousel, natural springs & close to Broadway.)

LAKE GEORGE SUMMER MINYAN Tisha B’Av fell so early this year, so it’s been the longest stretch ever for the Lake George Minyan which runs from after Tisha B’Av until the end of August. It is housed in a white tent behind Magic Forest on Bloody Pond Road (just off Route 9), Shachris is at 8am, and Mincha/Maariv is at candlelighting time. As this Minyan is dependent on travelers, a Minyan is not guaranteed, but so far, it’s been pretty steady.. They are putting the Lorence Maimonides Travelers Torah to good use!

Looking ahead… Save the Dates!

10/13: Taste of Yeshiva, this time in Delmar 10/29: Shais Taub on “Addiction, Recovery & Judaism” at Shabbos House, students & community 12/4: Chanukah Dinner & School Raffle-Auction 2/9: Womens Spa for Body & Soul 5/28: Annual MHDS Scholarship Tribute Dinner

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!”

MEGA THANKS TO GAN IZZY!!!

This year’s staff was dynamic and dedicated and did a phenomenal job in creating a wonderful camp environment for the kids this year. Both staff and campers came from the local area, as well as beyond, from as far as Florida and Israel, and the flavors and spirit along with special themes and learning, activities and trips made for one amazing summer! Staff and administration certainly embodied the Maimonides spirit (in whose building it is based) of making the most of what you got and doing incredible things with limited resources. Great summer, Thanks!!!

NEW RESTAURANT BUZZ It’s been some time since we had a Kosher eatery (aside for Kosher Price Chopper and Kosher Dutch Dining at UAlbany) so there’s quite a bit of buzz, curiosity and interest to see how this newest restaurant venture will develop. They have a FB page with updates, pics of food items, and soon a name! We hope it will be able to provide high Kosher standards for all. The official opening date on Washington Ave (who remembers Chabad’s Kosher Pizza at #483?) is November 3rd.