BH
Tishrei 5, 5773 / Sept 21, 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:
6:36 Shabbos Ends:
7:34
This newsletter is sponsored in memory of our dearly beloved
Dr. Bernard Teitelman on his 7th Yartzeit on Yom-Kippur
By Joyce and the Teitelman and Lew Families AVINU MALKEINU… LMA’AN TINOKOS SHEL BAIS RABBAN (Our Father, Our King: Do it for the sake of the school-children!) This Bill Keane “Family Circus” appeared in last Sunday’s TWO CORRECTIONS FROM LAST “Times Union” cartoons, in time for Rosh Hashanah. The sense of joy and “Nachas” from children’s WEEK’S “MC” NEWSLETTER peaceful and positive playing and learning helps us overcome life’s complex challenges and global In “The Little House” story connection to news headlines, and hope for and envision a better Shana Tova for all!
MAZAL TOV HECHT BABY Mrs. Leah Hecht was in shul for davening on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, when she had to rush to the hospital to deliver a baby boy... Mazal Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchak Hecht of Kingston, and to the baby’s brothers & sisters!
MAZAL TOV TZVI SELIGER
Talmud Sukkah (2a), it’s not Abbaye who answers Abbaye’s question, it’s R’ Zeira who EXTRAS AT SCHOOL THIS WEEK gives the answer: “you can (theoretically) In the “Ten Days of Repentance” our students remove the (external) mountains and still sang two Avinu Malkeinu tunes, took turns as have a Sukkah, but you can’t remove the Chazzan reciting Psalm 130 verse by verse, and (integral) walls and still have a Sukkah!” adding the special inserts/changes to the daily It’s traditional to ask for “Lekach” honeyAmida. On Tzom Gedalia they did a short cake before Yom-Kippur, not before Rosh selection from that morning’s Selichos. Hashanah as we wrote last week, although we do enjoy honey-cake on Rosh Hashanah.
Tzvi is an alumnus of Maimonides back in the NOTE: 8AM “HODU” @ MINYAN days when his parents ran Shabbos House, in In an effort to get people to work on time, and the late 80’s to early 90’s. Tzvi is engaged to not to interfere with 7/8 grade class Raizel Beck of Oak Park, Michigan. Mazal Tov! schedules, the weekday Shomray Torah morning Minyan is attempting to begin “Hodu” at 8am, earlier blessings, Tallis & Tefillin, and preliminary prayers should be said earlier than 8am. It may not work every time, but this 8am Hodu-start is a good goal to work towards, please help make it a reality.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
NEW “ROVER” TISHREI TOOLS While the “Curiosity” Rover shoots laser rays way out on Mars, our virtual Maimonides Rover now has a specialty attachment installed in time for Sukkot to swivel and maneuver a Lulav and Etrog to point in all four directions, plus up and down! It can also backtrack and retrace its steps to do Teshuva for the “10 Days of Repentance” and Yom-Kippur…
LEKACH IN RUSSIA Talking about honey-cake… a local Russian family, who knew very little Judaism while in Russia because of Communism (for example, they enjoyed Challah but didn’t know it was for Shabbos), shared that they still knew to make honey-cake for the high holidays, and they even knew it was called “Lekach”!
ROSH HASHANAH HIGHLIGHTS Students shared some of their Rosh Hashana highlights: Obviously, the most exciting highlight may
have been the birth of a newborn baby in middle of davening at Cong. Agudas Achim in Kingston NY…. At Beth Tephilah in Troy the power went out for a short while on the 2nd day just as the Shofar blowing began. The Chazzan was from London, with a strong English accent. Many attended the big communal Tashlich at Buckingham Pond, a few went to a nearby neighbor’s elaborate fish-pond, some went to the lake in Washington Park (after visiting seniors at Bnai Brith Apartments), and some saw a rusty Razor scooter underwater in a river while saying Tashlich… Some special food highlights: (a) dipping thick slices of Mt Pleasant Bakery Challah in honey (b) sweet & delicious flanken-meat Tzimmes (c) naming an exotic Shehechiyanu fruit “Green Rhinoceros Heart” (d) tasting a new chicken recipe for the new year! (e) the variety of colors, tastes and textures of exotic Shehechiyanu fruit. They were just about to have a children’s rally in middle of Congress Park when the rain came down. Many students enjoyed having holiday guests for one or more meals. One was especially excited to have her newly engaged brother and his kallah. It’s a Chabad custom to do an extra 30 Shofar blasts after the service to ‘confuse the Satan’, but one congregant said: “You are confusing me!” Some students said they especially enjoyed some of the tunes and melodies of the davening, which helped them say the words with more feeling.
Do you have a prize for this year’s Raffle-Auction? RAFFLE-AUCTION GOES TO PRINT AT END OF OCTOBER The Maimonides Raffle-Auction event is once again scheduled for a Chanukah evening, this year on Tuesday night, 12/11/2012. The printed version needs to be mailed out more than a month prior, so we have to get to the printer soon after Sukkos. If you have a prize package you’d like to donate, or have ideas of stores/ businesses who may be interested, please contact Raizy at 438-4227. Let’s keep up this exciting annual school fundraiser, and hopefully add some interesting prizes and exciting new twists this year.
ORDINARY EVERYDAY OBJECTS AS ABSTRACT SCULPTURE ART Mrs. Levin shared inspiration from Tara Donovan’s transformative sculptures that are made with large numbers of a single type of ordinary object like tooth-pics or plastic cups. There’s a great message on how ordinary things can be transformed into something special (think of what happens when we do Mitzvos). Pictured above middle-school students are beginning to work on their own projects, L-R: Chana Rivka’s egg-cartons, Eli’s twisted computer-paper edges, Noah’s Chinet plates. Since not all students brought in their items yet, those students worked on sketches & designs for when they bring in their materials, hopefully as soon as possible.
FISH IN JELLO 3 JOKES HEARD AT SERMONS Students were eager to share these jokes, but couldn’t TASHLICH
remember the connections to the content of the sermon... Nursery made blue Immigrant parents attended their son’s jello and as the jello football game for the first time, not knowing began to harden (but anything about the sport. They see him run off before it got too energetically with the ball, and then tackled by hard) they each two big guys. They urgently call out to him: chose a colored “Sammy! Just give them the ball, we’ll buy you gummy-fish to drop another one!” inside, creating a A couple from Minneapolis had different Tashlich-like effect. work schedules and had to take flights on two The students learned separate days to their Florida vacation. When that fish always have the husband arrived, and settled in at the their eyes open, like hotel, he emailed his wife to let her know that all was well. Unfortunately, the email address Hashem’s “Ayna-P’kicha” always looking out was off by one letter, and instead arrived in for us. It’s not too late: If you missed Tashlich the email inbox of an old woman in Texas on the first day of Rosh Hashanah it can be who just returned from her husband’s funeral. said anytime during the 10 days of Repentance She fainted upon reading it. The email read: leading up to Yom-Kippur, some say it can be “My departure was fine. It’s much hotter here, said even as late as Hoshana Rabba! but it’s quite comfortable. I can’t wait for your arrival here tomorrow.” GU-T’S NUMEN An anti-Semite walks into a bar, and sees a Jew Nathan Rosenstein (R’ Menachem Yosef ben sitting at a table in the corner. He calls out to Shmuel David HaKohen) obm, would be fond the bartender: “Everyone in the house gets a of sharing this old-country tradition that was drink on me, except for that Jew!” Everyone observed in Albany in his youth. Each year, enjoys a drink, but the anti-Semite notices a the day after Yom-Kippur was called “Gu-t’s grin on the Jew’s face. This makes him angrier, Numen” (Hashem’s Name) and all the candles so he orders another round of free drinks, for would be lit up in the synagogue as if it was a everyone except for the Jew. This time the Jew chuckles a bit. The anti-Semite is enraged! He holiday. It was called that because that’s the orders yet another round of drinks, and this day we go back to saying “holy G-d” in the time the Jew is laughing aloud… The antiAmidah instead of saying “holy King” during Semite rushes to the bartender, “How can that the 10 Days of Teshuvah. Another reason: Jew be enjoying this? I’m excluding him every The “day-after” is often a telling litmus-test of time!” The bartender replies, “Oh, that guy? commitment. The idea is that even after YomHe’s the owner.” (This last joke has a great Kippur, people continue to come to Shul to connection to “may every created thing know daven - this demonstrates the completeness that You created it!” from the central blessing and greatness of Hashem’s Name! of the Rosh Hashanah Amidah).
R’ SOLVEITCHIK Y.K. INSIGHT 5th grade Mishna students learned about R’ Meir, and then about his unconventional teacher Elisha ben Avuya who turned away from Jewish observance and became known as Acher. They read a series of Gemorah stories about him, including this one: One YomKippur he heard a heavenly voice saying: “Return all wayward children, aside for Acher” and that confirmed for him that he was never welcome back. Rabbi Yossi shared with his students a marvelous insight from Rabbi J.B. Solveitchik obm (pictured here) who understands the heavenly voice differently: Aside for Acher doesn’t mean except for Acher; it means go out of Acher, don’t view yourself as Acher. Go back to your true self as Elisha ben Avuya and you are certainly welcome back. But Acher didn’t understand that, he saw himself primarily as Acher, and therefore thought he was Jewishly hopeless. Rabbi Solveitchik says this shows us that how we view and define ourselves makes all the difference.
PRE-ROSH HASHANAH ROUND CHALLAH On Friday, before Rosh Hashanah last week (but too late for that week’s “MC” newsletter) Morah Dini’s Kindergarteners kneaded, shaped and baked their own round challahs, decorated with raisins, choco-chips and/or sprinkles. It was a hands-on, enjoyable learning activity and team effort that required some patience, and also respect for each other’s individual doughs and styles.
AT ELI’S BAR-MITZVAH
Eli K’s Bar-Mitzvah was celebrated last Shabbos, with Torah reading and aliyah at Shomray Torah and a Shabbos afternoon Seudah with a full house at Maimonides. Eli’s great-grandmother was there, too! There was a big spread of salads and a hearty Cholent course with turkey, and baked good for dessert in the shape of Shofars and apples! There was a table of R’ Shmuel’s co-workers at Price Chopper Kosher Department. Rabbi Rubin said R’ Shmuel fulfills a central communal role by providing Kosher and Jewish access, ROCKET DIAGRAMS IN SECOND RABBI RUBIN’S “DEFRAG” and R’ Ruvain Kudan pointed out the Price Ms. Livingston’s 2nd graders are now learning Building on the theme at the Breakfastudy last Chopper is indeed on Central Ave! Eli’s about outer-space and space travel. Today they month, Rabbi Rubin is expanding his mother, Morah Rivka shared a Dvar Torah, each designed their own space rockets. “Defrag” Shofar analogy to explain the reason and introduced Eli who shared inspiration about the spiritual power and effect of putting for the “Tekiah Gedolah” and its relevant on Tefillin. Rabbi Mendel said that “Shivty” message for us, to be shared in his Shabbos in Psalm 27 (said in all of Elul and most of Shva Drasha this weekend. Tishrei) reminds him of the SHIFT key on a computer. SHIFT has a little up arrow, for it uplifts, every letter from A-Z from lower-case to upper-case! This can be an analogy for Simcha: happiness, positive attitude, mindset and energy which uplifts everything in life, A-Z: from friendships to work, prayer, relationships and one’s studies. Everything in life is uplifted when one FIND THE WORD THAT FITS has a joyous and positive approach. This first grader in Mrs. Carroll’s class is using a helpful paper tool that helps him find the NOT ENOUGH REPORTING word (in that phonics set) that best fits. In this YOM-KIPPUR PAPER SLIPPERS Most classes report on Tuesday through case, the card reads: “ail” and he can slide the Nursery students learned a lot about YomThursday so we haven’t had enough student alphabet letters through the slit in the card, Kippur and decorated these paper-slippers, reporters this week (or next week) but will get and create words like sail, tail, wail, pail - until too. Each of these projects helps them learn back into the full school reporting mode after he finds the word he needs. about the holiday as well as fine-tune their the Sukkot holiday. We can’t wait! motor-skills and abilities.
at Maimonides and in the Community 9/22: SHABBOS SHUVAH DRASHA
10/1-7: SIMCHAS BEIS HASHOEVA
It’s customary for Rabbis to say a special Shabbos Nightly informal Sukkah celebrations as customary, Drasha between Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur. come for one or more, stay for a little or a lot. Rabbi Rubin will speak before Torah Reading Sunday 9/30 First Night of Sukkos: after the meal (approx 10am) at Shomray Torah on the message at the Gordon & Caras Sukkah, 29 Glenwood of “Tekiyah Gedolah” in light of his recent Monday 10/1 2nd Night of YomTov: after the meal “defrag” (see computer’s System Tools) analogy at the Kudan Sukkah, 6 Peyster Street vs. Morse Code for the whole & broken sounds. Tuesday, 10/2 Motzai Yom-Tov: approx 8:45pm in Rabbi Lehrfield at CBAJ will speak at 10:45am the Kochman’s Sukkah, 169 Sycamore Street on a real-life case (in the 1960’s) of a Nazi’s Wednesday, 10/3 1st Night of Chol HaMoed: attempt to convert to Judaism - and about the evening Sukkah party with Sushi at the Simons process of repentance. in Delmar, 109 Elsmere Ave. 439-8280. Thursday, 10/4 2nd Night of Chol HaMoed: Sushi in the Sukkah at Clifton Park Chabad, 495 Moe 9/23: MADISON AVE STREET FAIR Road, 5pm. 495-0772/9. This street fair is on a Sunday… 12-5pm between Friday, 10/5, Erev Shabbos Sukkos: Children’s West Lawrence and South Allen Streets. Rally with Motti Rubin, stories, prizes, games and more! Stay tuned for time and details… 9/23: ALSO ON SUNDAY THE 23RD Friday Night, 10/5 Shabbos Chol HaMoed: after the It’s a busy time of year in the Jewish community, so meal at the Rubin’s Sukkah, 122 South Main it might not work to get away, but here are 2 more Motzai Shabbos, 10/6 4th Night of Chol HaMoed: interesting Sunday events: (a) The Adirondack (hot9pm at Shabbos House, musical night in the air) Balloon Festival in Queensbury / Glens Falls, Sukkah, musicians welcome! and (b) Cider Mills Family Fun Park Craft Festival. Sat Night 10/6 Late Night Hoshana Rabba: 10pm See their respective websites for details. at Shomray Torah, for Dvarim and Tehillim. Sunday 10/7, Hoshana Rabba: Daf Yomi Siyum 9/23: COMMUNAL KAPOROS of tractate Brachos at CBAJ. Stay tuned for final time announcement, for the communal Kapores which will be either Sunday 10/5: KIDS SUKKOS RALLY morning or Sunday evening in the backyard of Motti Rubin is back for an exciting Kids Sukkos Shomray-Torah/Shteeble. event, with story-telling, games and prizes! Planned 9/25: EREV YOM-KIPPUR MIKVAH for Friday, Erev Shabbos Sukkos, stay tuned for time and details. Mens Mikvah hours at Bnos Israel Mikvah will be from 12:30-2pm, & 3-4:30pm before Yom-Kippur. 10/7: DAF-YOMI BRACHOS SIYUM Cost is $10pp over age 12, max $24 per family. Bring your own towel, or pay $2 per towel. Thanks @ CBAJ Sukkah, on Sunday, Hoshana Rabba. Stayed tuned for time and other info. This Siyum for keeping the Mikvah clean. celebrates the completion of the new first tractate 9/25-26: YOM-KIPPUR, NO SCHOOL of the new daily Talmud study cycle and begins the study of tractate Shabbos. There will be no school on Tuesday & Wednesday this coming week for Erev Yom-Kippur & Yom10/14: THE CARROT FESTIVAL Kippur. School resumes on Thursday at 9am. Agudat Achim in Schenectady hosts this annual fall festival with vendors, activities and food 9/27: TISHREI TORAH JOURNAL (supervision and Kashrut levels may vary) at their MHDS alumni are once again putting together a synagogue on Union Street (Route 7) in periodic journal of scholarly, historical and Schenectady, 10am-4:30pm. inspirational essays of Jewish interest, by fellow alumni and Albany community - in time for the 10/14: AUTHORS @ ESTY LECTURE Sukkot holiday. To submit your piece (for either Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, directors of the Hebrew or English sections) please email: Chabad in Orange County and authors of lebedik1@gmail.com no later than the day after “Chicken Soup for the Neshama” will be the Yom-Kippur. Thank you! speakers for this year’s Esty Memorial Lecture, on how “personal inspiration can boost your relationships” in memory of Esty (Rubin) Cohen. Stay tuned for time/location details.
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 & Worldly Experience!”
10/15: WOMENS BEIT MIDRASH Please note the new start date… New season and new topics! 8pm, once a month on Mondays at the Maimonides School. Text-based learning and discussion, open for all learner levels, this year exploring “The Seven Rabbinic Mitzvot”. Questions, info? 495-0779/2.
10/17: WOMENS TORAH & YOGA MIND-BODY-FITNESS PROGRAM New season starts, thru Nov 28th (aside for Nov 21st) on Wed 1:30-2:30 at Maimonides with instructor Amanda Toll, open to women in the community. Cost: $36 for 6 week session. RSVP/ info? Call: 495-0779. Babysitting available.
10/21: FED SOCIETY PROGRAM w/ AFRICAN-AMERICAN MINISTER The event & talk is titled: “Strengthening AfricanAmerican support for Israel and developing partnerships with American Jewish community.” The speaker is Rev. Jaques Andre DeGraff of Harlem. 7:15pm-9:15pm at Agudat Achim in Schenectady. Call Fed for cost and info: 783-7800. _______________________________________
HIGH HOLIDAY SCHOOL DATES 9/25-26: No School, Erev and Yom Kippur 9/27: 9am start, with davening class at 9am 10/1-9: No School for Sukkot 10/10: School resumes at 9am
LULAV & ETROG SETS FOR SALE Rabbi Simon’s Etrog market, $60 per set. New this year: Yanover (Italian) Esrogim sets for $75. Call Rabbi Nachman Simon for appt/details: 439-8280.