BH Cheshvan
7, 5774 / October 11, 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 6:03 Shabbos Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 7:01 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
This newsletter is sponsored in memory of
Mrs. Kaethe Peters Kayla bas Zev Volf Yartzeit: (Wed) 5 Cheshvan by her daughter Clara and the Simon Family
ESTY TALK ON RELATIONSHIPS
RABBI OVADIA YOSEF OBM
ANISFELD CONDOLENCES
A nice crowd came out to commemorate Esty’s yartzeit, to formally open the new MediaLibrary (look closely at the picture above to see the science lab window on left, the computer screens in middle and the new bookshelves on the right) and hear Mrs. Helana Herman of Raleigh NC speak about relationships. She was humorous & engaging, warm & personal. Here are 2 of the most memorable things she shared: The Divine Presence (Shechina) spoke to Moses emanating from the space between the two Keruvim (cherubs). This teaches us an important lesson about relationships. The “emotional space” between loving people is sacred, that closeness yet slight distance must be protected and cherished. Usually you hear that the key words in relationships are trust, communication, empathy.. But there’s also the critical aspect of “safety”. If people don’t feel emotionally safe, they won’t be trusting. That safe middle space needs to be protected and safeguarded by both spouses. 4 People enter marriage under the Chuppah. Four!? Aren’t there only two? Well, there’s the current Chassan (groom) standing there, but along with him is his past, an inner Chassan, his younger self, who also enters the marriage. And the same goes for the Kallah. There’s the one dressed up in the white gown, but along with her comes a younger version, filled with hurts and dreams & all types of childhood experiences. All four ‘people’ are part of the marriage and need to be thoughtfully taken into account. Another highlight of the evening was Mushky Rubin’s reminiscing about her sister Esty obm, and introducing Mrs. Herman. Following the talk there was a dessert buffet in the back room and an opportunity to browse the library.
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel passed away this week, and his funeral (estimated at 600,000 to 800,000) was the largest funeral in Israel’s history. He was best known for uplifting Sephardic Jews in Israel (who felt downtrodden and marginalized), strengthening their scholarship and Yeshiva institutions and perhaps best known for his political clout with the establishment and strengthening of the Sephardic Shas Party. Fiery, outspoken and at times controversial, but unifying to his own flock, he was lenient on several key Halachic issues. Many remember his distinctive garb and dark sunglasses - as he had poor eyesight and studied much from memory. Encyclopedic in Torah knowledge, he was brilliant and sharp at times quite sharp. Rabbi Rubin and the BarMitzvah Boys learned about him this week.
Condolences to Dr. Rachel Anisfeld and Dr. Timothy Lytton and family on the passing of her father, Dr. Moshe Anisfeld, a recognized scholar in early language development, who survived WWII and emigrated with his mother and siblings to Israel in 1949, later studying in Hebrew University and McGill, and teaching at Yeshiva University. Shiva in Albany will be observed Motzai Shabbos 8-9:30pm & Sunday 10am-4pm, 6-9pm at Anisfeld-Lytton home.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
CONDOLENCES RABBI GEWIRTZ Rabbi Gershon Gewirtz was Rabbi at CBAJ until the mid 1980’s (in 1980 he helped found Maimonides where his children studied). His mother Sylvia passed away this week, and we wish him condolences, along with his children MHDS alumni (one is a relative of the Mirskys)
MAZAL TOV ESTHER RUBIN Candle-lighting celebration & 3rd birthday this Shabbos in Clifton Park. Esther Aidel was born 3 years ago, soon after the passing of her namesake, Esther Aidel (Rubin) Cohen.