Maimonides Community

BH. Elul

10, 5774 / Sept 5, 2014

Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 7:05 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org Shabbos Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 8:04 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY

maimonidesschool@gmail.com

This newsletter is in dedicated in memory of Tzvi Yaakov who passed away today, Elul 10 May his memory be a blessing

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A WISH AND A WELCOME

CONDOLENCES

As we begin the school year anew, and with it the start of another year of “MC” newsletters, we wish all our readers the blessing posted on the bulletin board at the school’s entrance: “May this year be a source of blessing for you and your family as we welcome you to a new year at Maimonides, (and in Hebrew) May it be a good and sweet year!”

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THE SCHOOL LOOKS GREAT! Thanks to Morah Rochel & Rabbi Rubin and all teachers and volunteers who put in extra effort this summer to declutter and organize and clean-up the school. It really looks and feels fresh and clean, let’s keep it this way!

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STEVE SOTLOFF’S YOM-KIPPUR After the tragic end of this adventurous journalist at the hands of ISIS this week (the recent same fate of another American journalist James Foley), news came out about his Jewish identity, Israeli citizenship and even his courageous feigning illness in captivity to be able to fast on Yom-Kippur, even though it was a day that they served eggs (apparently considered a delicacy). Someone in captivity with him (but released) recalled how Steve calculated the direction of Jerusalem based on the direction his Muslim captors prayed toward Mecca (because there was no sunlight).

As soon as Steve was captured in August of 2013, journalists, friends and governments around the world worked swiftly and discreetly in unison to erase any online mention of his Jewish identity out of concern for his safety at the hands of the barbaric terrorists.

To Rabbi Yaakov (& Lisa) Kellman on the passing of his mother Mrs. Barbara Kellman.

Well-known in the fashion industry, she lived in NYC, New Rochelle & Harrison NY before retiring to FL and later NC. To Mrs. Lorin Carroll, our primary grades General Studies teacher, on the passing of her father Mr. Richard VanWagenen, who was also a teacher. There’s an effort to purchase something nice for school in his memory, perhaps a nice set of books.

To Zev Goldstein & family, formerly of Albany (older kids are MHDS alumni) on the passing of Mrs. Rita Goldstein, his mother/their grandmother. She graduated Albany High, worked as a bookkeeper & was the owner of East Greenbush Travel.

MAZAL TOVS 

to Parnav Maddali & Sarah (Hirsch) on their wedding just over a week ago at Beth Israel in Schenectady.

MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208

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to Morah Stephanie Lieber who taught at Maimonides Nursery last year on her engagement to Ben Zaientz (both very active at Shabbos House and in the Albany community) on Labor Day earlier this week. on the marriage of Leah Maxwell (who many remember as Morah Leah) to Mr. Barry Siegel, earlier this summer. to Mr. Yehoshua Sussman on his marriage to Jory Stillman in Philadelphia this August. to Mrs. Joyce Teitelman & family on BasMitzvah of a granddaughter (Rabbi Eliyahu & Nechama) this wknd in New Hyde Park.

WELCOME MHDS FACULTY Morah Chaya Bracha Rubin is our new Kindergarten Judaic teacher.  Morah Rivi Bahir is teaching Ivrit to our upper elementary and middle school classes.  Mr. Christopher Doody “Mr. D.” is our new 3/4 grade General Studies teacher.  Ms. Toni Roland is our new math teacher for middle school and some High School.  Mrs. Rachael Crawford is our new English teacher for middle school and High School.

We look forward to welcoming each of these new teachers individually, highlighting them in upcoming newsletters and helping them fit right in to our Maimonides School family. 

STEPPING GINGERLY INTO FIRST GRADE Mrs. Carroll’s new first graders each designed their own “sneakers” and wrote down their own ideas of how best to step into first grade. What steps should they take?

SING EXTRA SPECIAL SHALOM ALEICHEM FOR LITTLE DANIEL TRACTATE BRACHOT IN 10MIN Daniel Tregerman was only 4 years old when a Hamas rocket killed him in Nachal Oz, Israel, at the very last part of the #ProtectionEdge against the rockets from Gaza. At the funeral, his grandfather spoke of how much Daniel loved to sing Shalom Aleichem each Friday night and all those present sang it together.

This Friday Night let us all sing Shalom Aleichem with extra feeling and have little Daniel OBM in mind.

THE GIANT SUNFLOWER Everyone took notice of the giant sunflower growing outside school especially the kindergarteners who took this picture. Did you know sunflowers tilt most toward sunlight during their growth period (but not as much once they mature)? That sounds just like students: As we grow, we are especially attuned to light!

One of our 4th grade students was traveling with his family to Lake George this summer, and they attended the famous Lake George Minyan in the white tent behind The Magic Forest. (By the way, this Minyan was written up for a major Jewish magazine this year).

Someone had yartzeit that day, but did not have time to learn the Mishnayos. So, a man steps up, and begins to quickly recite a great many Mishnayot by heart, actually he was saying all of Mishna Brachos by heart, in just over 10 minutes. Turns out that this visitor is a big proponent of learning Mishna by heart and gave our student a laminated set of minicards with all of the 24 chapters of Mishnayot Shabbos on it in a handy format, and encouraged him to learn it by heart, too!

SHUL-BUILDERS AND PLAYERS One day into Kindergarten and these boys are already building their own Lego Shul and playing with it, on their own initiative.

AN “ANANAS” ALEPH “Ananas” is Hebrew (also in other languages)

ORDERS AT for Pineapple. Morah Chaya Bracha brought in a fresh ripe pineapple and her Kindergarten PRICE CHOPPER students helped carve a big Aleph into it, and

then enjoyed its sweet & healthy taste.

Kosher Dept at Colonie Price Chopper is already taking people’s meat orders for Rosh Hashanah. Stop THE CANDLE & FUEL EXHIBIT Rabbi Rubin is learning “Bameh Madlikin” in into the store or ask for Kosher 456-2970. tractate Shabbos with the newly expanded BarMitzvah boys class. This chapter opens with WELCOME BACK MRS. LEVIN different types of wicks and fuels, which are We missed having Mrs. Susannah Levin as our OK for Shabbos candles and which are not. So art teacher last year, so we’re delighted to have Rabbi Rubin brought in a whole hands-on her back for weekly art classes in grades 1-6, exhibit of fuel types to get a and a once-a-month special art class for grade better picture of what the 7. Look for their artwork in the coming Talmud is talking about. Later months featured here in the “MC” Newsletter! that same day, one of the students was out shopping and NEW IN NURSERY THIS YEAR saw a big display of fish-oil in SHAPE KNOWLEDGE This year Mrs. Katie Hoffman, our General capsule form (now used for These wide-eyed knowing shapes outside Mrs. Studies Kindergarten teacher will also be health purposes but back in Carroll’s classroom are a way for first graders spending an hour with the Nursery students, the day commonly used for to learn about shapes, but are also a message adding to their curriculum and educational fuel as well) which also for all ages that knowledge comes in all shapes exposure. Also new this year at Nursery, mentioned in the Mishna! We strive for that and sizes, and there are many angles to Morah Rimma will be assisting Morah Rivka. kind of learning (both Jewish and General everything that we learn. Our goal is for The children are eager and energetic, and Studies) that is relevant and life-integrated! learning to be multi-faceted and well-rounded! excited for the new year!

T.E.Q. IN SEVENTH GRADE 7th graders learned about the difference between IQ and EQ and are beginning a set of weekly studies with Rabbi Mendel on Torah texts & concepts that can help develop and enrich our Emotional Intelligence and character development. We’re not 100% settled on TEQ for the name, but it’s a start.

GIVE TIRED WORDS A BREAK Mrs. Maher’s 5/6 graders are encouraged to find richer, more expressive alternate words to those most commonly used. It gives the tired words a break and helps make writing more interesting, explanatory and expressive.

EXPECTATIONS Guess where Mrs. Maher posted a new big “Expectations” sign in her classroom? Way high up of course! It’s something to strive for and work towards, one step at a time.

Stephanie: “I have to go print out my school supplies list.”

Mendel: “Wow... I didn't know you have a 3D Printer!”

There are three kinds of people. Those who know how to count and those who don’t.

SHOFAR BLASTS AT SCHOOL Thanks Eli for blowing Shofar for these young Kindergateners. On Thursday little Yitzchak brought it in his own Shofar and blew it for a lot of his friends. He did a great job!

The older boys learned why these expressions of “grasping” an idea, or “digesting” a concept are important in understanding the methods and goals of learning, as we begin a new year.

Morah Dini’s 3/4 class had fun doing a Parsha Dvar Torah by filling in the blanks and turning it into a little mini Dvar Torah book.

They hope to do one of these each week!

HS Girls welcome Rivka S. to their class. They are looking forward to a great year together.

This Shabbos is her birthday so the girls did a little party as a welcome and as a birthday!

HS GIRLS IN THE WILDERNESS Actually, they just began Chumash Bamidbar (which is translated as desert or wilderness) with Morah Leyee and will be using the Mikraos Gedolos Chumash that is stacked with rich commentary.

THE “500” KERIAH-METER Kids can read up to ten lines of Hebrew text (Siddur or Tehillim) each night at home, and when the class reaches 500 lines there will be a special prize. It’s a group effort, to push the meter higher and higher each week. The goal is to increase fluency and accuracy and ease and comfort with Hebrew reading.

SCHOOL GIFT IN MEMORY OF MRS. CARROLL’S LATE FATHER In addition to whatever thoughtful gestures parents would like to do on their own, the school would like to dedicate a nice set of books (perhaps a set of Dr. Seuss or the like) for students use in memory of her father, who was also a school teacher. If you would like to contribute, please leave an amount of your choice with Mrs. Sharona Backman in the school office. Thank you!

In addition to whatever thoughtful gestures

GOT RIGHT BACK INTO IT No wasting time! School may have just begun on Wednesday, but these 2nd graders are already working on their Ivrit workbooks, both peer-to-peer and with help from their teacher Morah Devorah. In fact, all our classes are already well underway in their subjects. The kids are eager to learn!

5 THINGS FOR THE MONTH OF ELUL

I GOT IT, DIGESTING IDEAS...

FILL IN THE BLANKS

WELCOME RIVKA TO OUR HS!

Kids, do you have a funny joke or clever riddle for this new weekly newsletter feature? Give it to 5/6 graders for an upcoming MC Newsletter.

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SHOFAR: We blow a short set of Shofar blasts each weekday in Elul, as a wake-up call to prepare for Rosh Hashanah.

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PSALM 27: Each morning we add Psalm 27 to our prayers, because of hidden allusions to the High Holidays and Sukkot.

Sephardic and Chassidic custom does it also at Mincha, while Ashkenaz adds it at Maariv instead.

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EXTRA PRAYERS: Sephardic Jews begin saying extra Selichot each weekday Elul morning from Rosh Chodesh, but Ashkenaz and Chassidim begin Selichot at midnight after Shabbos before Rosh Hashanah. The Baal Shem Tov also instituted a 3-a-day extra Tehillim for the month of Elul, which adds up towards Rosh Hashanah and Yom-Kippur when this big set is completed.

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ELUL ABBREVIATIONS: The 4 letters of the word Elul are also the abbreviation for 5 (or more) beautiful verses relating to our relationship with Hashem, Teshuvah, Prayer, Tzedakah, Torah etc. The most famous of these is: “Ani L’Dodi, v’Dodi Li”

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THE KING IS IN THE FIELD: The Alter Rebbe of Chabad made this famous parable which explains the paradox of spiritual accessibility, closeness and Divine revelation in the month of Elul together with the casualness and informal style as contrasted with the High Holidays. It’s a profound and powerful metaphor but simple enough for even young kids to understand.

These students were “caught being good” and “it’s a Mitzvah to publicize those who do good deeds” so that others can learn from their example! (Rashba Rabbinic Responsa)  Devorah Leah K. asked to bring a trash bin outside so the snack trash would not be a mess outside.  JJ H. was an amazing sportsman with great cheer and made special effort to pass the basketball to younger students who were new at the game.

Did you notice someone being especially good at school? Going out of their way? We’ll soon setup a “Caught Being Good” box at the office for both teachers and students.

at Maimonides and in the Community 9/6: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR

9/21: APPLE PICKING PLUS

4:45pm given by Morah Rochel Rubin at the home of Mrs. Ellen Kaplowitz, 44 Oakwood Street. Not many weeks left to this long-standing summer tradition of local womens learning, so come by!

Shofar Demo, Honey Tour, Hayride and Apple Picking with Clifton Park Chabad at Riverview Orchards in Rexford. $3.50pp. Call 495-0772 for more information.

9/6: OBSERVE THE MOON NIGHT

9/21: MACCABEATS IN CONCERT

September 6th is International Observe The Moon Night, with both public and private gatherings, using naked eye as well as telescopes to see and appreciate our closest celestial neighbor. It turns out that its on Saturday Night (before the 15th of the Hebrew month) so if the sky is clear and the moon is visible its time for Kiddush Levana!

Right here in Albany, 6pm at the Performing Arts Center on the uptown campus! The Maccabeats are widely recognized Jewish accapella group based in NY. Seats are limited, advance tickets are only $5 each. This is likely to sell out, so act quickly!

Call UAlbany Hillel (concert sponsor) for tickets at 489-8573*24 or purchase online, get link at: http://www.ualbanyhillel.org/maccabeats-tickets

9/7: “CONSPIRACY OF KINDNESS” Rabbi Rubin will be screening this documentary about Chiune Sugihara for the older boys on Sunday morning at the Shteeble, but others are very welcome to join as well. This is part of an effort to learn and work on a documentary (with Rabbis Rubin and Caras) about some of the survivors, their personal stories and the lives and families they built after the War thanks to the heroism and altruism of Mr. Sugihara.

9/21: WHAT’S THE ARAB MINDSET Barak Barfi will be speaking about this (which is on many people’s minds these days) at Joint Federation Society event, $25 advance, $30 at the door, held at Agudat Achim in Schenectady. Call 783-7800 for more info and reservations.

9/30: MHDS OPEN HOUSE

THANKS TO OUR RAFFLEAUCTION BUSINESS SPONSORS It’s not to early to start thinking about the Maimonides Raffle-Auction!

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the generous businesses who have contributed valuable goods and services last year, and hope to grow this list for this coming year. Please try to support those who support our school!

1sale.com, Shadora.com, Tara Music, Ruthie’s Unique Boutique, Kosher Keepers, Jewish Educational Media, Modern Carpet on Broadway, Wolberg Electric, Sherwin Williams, Home Depot, Normanside Golf Club, Drimmers Housewares, KidKraft, Green Mountain Coffee, Benz’s Fish, Shmaltz Brewery, New Mt Pleasant Bakery, ThinkFun Games, Canvas on Demand, Caras Photo, Zen Again Spa, Serebryanski Sofer, Lapiner Brothers, StampIt!, StepItUp!, Stark’s Auto, Turf & Spa, Honibe, Honest Weight Food Coop, Tofutti, Trader Joe’s, FunPlex, TreePad, Tumbling Tykes, Bounce N’ Party, Shaina Ettel Wigs. Thank you!!!

10-2 at 18 Marwood Street near Hackett Blvd.

Clothing, books, baby stuff. Stop by!

An opportunity for parents to meet the new and continuing faculty and get a little taste of the goals for the year (aside for what you pick up from the kids, from homework, and here via the “MC”).

Stay tuned for schedules and further details.

9/8: WOMENS TORAH & TEA

9/30: TRUGMANS AT TORAH-TUES IN YOUR EMAIL INBOX...

9/7: WILDMAN LAWN SALE

Monday Nights 8pm with Mrs. Rubin at her home 122 South Main Ave, aside for the monthly Mondays of Womens Beit Medrash Night.

9/10: CBAJ TORAH & TEA IS BACK Rabbi Lehrfield’s Tea and Torah class 10:30am at CBAJ is back after a short hiatus.

9/13: CHAI ELUL FARBRENGEN 9pm Melava Malka on Motzai Shabbos, location and details to be announced in next week’s newsletter. The 18th of Elul is the birthday of both the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe as well as the yartzeit of the Maharal of Prague.

9/14: THE CARROT FESTIVAL An annual tradition at Schenectady’s Agudat Achim Conservative synagogue for many years now, includes live music and live animals, crafts and vendors, as well as food and cakes prepared

by Agudat Achim volunteers.

9/20: MIDNIGHT SELICHOT The Saturday Night before Rosh Hashanah…

GET THIS “MC” NEWSLETTER

Rabbi Avraham Arieh and Rachel Trugman, of Moshav Meor Modiin in Israel and directors of Ohr Chadash will be presenting “Meaningful Prayer and Melody” at Shabbos House’ Torah Tuesday series. Torah-Tuesday is presented 2 or 3 times each evening, the 7:45pm slot is open to community (those not at the Maimonides Open House) to attend as well. For full schedule see: www.shabboshouse.org/learn/torah-tuesdays/

Simply email maimonidesschool@gmail.com and write that you’d like to subscribe to get this newsletter in your email each week. We also sent out hard-copy via US Mail for those for whom email is not a good option.

10/1: THE TRUGMANS AT MHDS

many wonderful local options! Call Rabbi Rubin 518-423-4103 or your Rabbi to find the option best or closest to you.

On Wednesday morning (approx 9am) between Rosh Hashanah and Yom-Kippur Rabbi and Mrs. Trugman will be at Maimonides for a special Aseres Yemei Teshuvah program with our students. Parents and community are welcome.

BETTER TOGETHER Our school (particularly the HS students) are participating in a special intergenerational project that hopefully will benefit both local seniors as well as our Maimonides students. Stay tuned for more as this project unfolds throughout the year.

DON’T HAVE A PLACE FOR THE HIGH HOLIDAYS? There are

MAIMONIDES TISHREI HOLIDAY SCHEDULE 9/24-26: School closed for Rosh Hashanah and Erev Rosh Hashanah, from Wed thru the wknd.

9/30: Open House Night at School for Parents.

10/3: No School, Erev Yom Kippur 10/8: Half-Day English Only, Erev Sukkos 10/9-17: No School all of Sukkot.

10/20: School Resumes at 8am.

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!”