Maimonides Community

BH. THURS Nissan

10, 5774 / April 10, 2014

Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 7:14 404 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 8:16 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY

maimonidesschool@gmail.com

MAZAL TOV AKIVA BOMZER

This newsletter is sponsored for Lenny’s first Yartzeit - Erev Pesach Leib Yisrael ben Eliezer  Baby Bluma Esther Morgenbesser daughter of Racheli & Yaakov  and the first birthday of Leib Yisroel Morgenbesser son of Shoshana & Avi

MHDS alumnus Akiva Bomzer is engaged to Batsheva Feldman of Baltimore. Mazal Tov to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Bomzer.

CHANDLER MAZAL TOV Mazal Tov to Michelle (Chandler) & Shmuly Lieberman, both MHDS alumni, on the birth of a daughter. Mazal Tov to the grandparents, R’ Feivel Phil and Linda Chandler.

PRE-PESACH PASTA NIGHT HS made delicious ziti, lasagna, alfredo plus garlic bread, salad (and croutons) for a yummy Wed night before Pesach Chametz break.

RABBI MENDEL’S CAMERA

NAVI REPORTS & PROJECTS THE PUPPETS’ MODEL SEDER

Puppets & storytelling are one of Morah Rabbi Mendel’s camera went Aviva’s specialties, so as she is substituting for missing this week. It was/is an Morah Dini (after the birth of her baby) she expensive camera and well-used at enthralled the Kindergarten students with a school. Anyone with information simultaneous puppet and people model Seder! please contact Rabbi Mendel 5260770. There will be a cash reward for the one MESSENGER, who finds it. Thanks for helping find it!

MESSENGER Kindergarteners with Mrs. Hoffman read this We don’t have the picture (because of the fast-paced illustrated missing camera), of 2/3 grade each happily book about “Calvin lifting their decorated Seder Kiddush cup as an Curbhopper’s” frenzied uplifting and joyous Lchaim toast for the day-long routine picture of their project! bicycling through a busy city delivering MATH, MATH, & MORE MATH packages through traffic and tunnels. The fast The NYS State Math tests will be pace reminds one of the rush of the Exodus, at the end of April but because of and the book’s title “Messenger” is what the extended Passover break our Moshe was in the Passover story, a messenger students have less prep time to from G-d to take the Jews out of Egypt. review, so they are now focusing on a lot of Math review of many different areas MAIMONIDES (depending on the grade level) to be as ready as possible for the NY State tests when they 404 Partridge Street return from the holiday break.

Albany NY 12208

A PASSOVER TOAST

KARPAS DIPPING CUPS Morah Clara brought in round glass cups with special paints for her 4/5 students to each design their own colorful Karpas cups for saltwater dipping at the Seder. What do you dip: Parsley or celery? Onion or potato? Either way, the saltwater reminds us of the bitter tears from the suffering of the Jews in Egypt.

Morah Clara’s 4/5 grade presented another set of Navi (Prophets) Shoftim (Judges) projects to the rest of the classes, some made dioramas & reports, others made creative “GoAnimate” online cartoons that were shown on a screen.

JI - JEWISH INTERACTIVE IPAD APP Rabbi Yossi showed several grades a fun and engaging app for Jewish holidays and learning by a company called “Jewish Interactive” that allows kids to use intuitive tools to create their own Tanach (Bible) projects enhanced by their own imagination with full access to associated backgrounds, images, characters, letters etc.

SELL YOUR CHAMETZ! Time is running out! Call Rabbi Rubin 4234103 or contact your Rabbi, but not too late!

WHAT TYPE OF QUESTION

QUESTIONS ON SEDER INVITE

7th graders heard an explanation from Rabbi J.B. Solveitchik that there are two names for questions: Shaalos and Kashes. Why are the 4 Seder questions known as “dee Fir Kashes” and not Shaalos? A Shaalah is a type of question looking for a specific, defined answer; and if you don’t get the right answer you might not be so happy. Is this Kosher or not? Where can I buy this? A Kasha is more of a quest than a question, the questioner is not really looking for something specific, more so a direction or exploration, so if the answer isn’t perfect or suit him well, he isn’t deterred, and continues to seek to learn and understand more. This is how Rabbi Solveitchik understands the Kashatype questions of the Seder Night. The students had fun trying to see what type of questions fit in which category.

Some of our classes explored the unusual Seder invite “Hay Lachma Anya” (This is the Bread of Affliction, All who are hungry let them come and eat…) recited in the Haggadah after we break the middle Matzah and just before the Mah Nishtana questions.  The Lubavitcher Rebbe asks: Shouldn’t we invite those in need of a Seder long before Passover or at least in the synagogue? Why invite them from the comfort of our homes, behind closed doors, after already making Kiddush, dipping Karpas and breaking the middle Matzah? Is that too late for an invite?  Rabbi J.B. Solbveitchik asks: Rav Huna in the Talmud always made a point of “Kol Dichfin” inviting the poor to join his meal, why is this formally done only on Passover?  Rabbi Jonathan Sacks asks: Is that generous to share our bread of affliction? Affliction!

Is that what we should give guests? And he answers this question using a story from Primo Levi’s Holocaust memoir.

SPRING-TIME WEATHER It’s getting much nicer out, so Mrs. Carroll took her first grade out for some fresh-air studying down in the Albany City Park on Woodlawn Ave, just down the street.

There’s a lot to learn simply by listening, paying attention and taking a closer look to the nature that’s all around us. They also watched the birds scurry about and chirp away, and learned about birds nests and eggs, and made their own pretend nests and eggs once they got back inside to class.

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PROJECTS AND PROPS: The younger kids especially worked hard on Pesach projects in school. Be sure to use them at the Seder table and highlight their work. It gives them something to be proud of, and creates a personal connection to the Seder.

Plus, there are all kinds of props (both Judaic-specific like the 4 question puppets or the Makkot bags and ordinary stuff like dollar store frogs & snakes) that enhance the experience for everyone, especially little kids, but hey, adults like that, too.

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INTERACTIVE: It gets boring if one person does all the reading, instead take turns, go around the table. Ask people to share something short. In addition to the 4 standard questions, other questions can and should be asked (and answered, too).

Some Sephardic Jews do a little show, a short skit, to create interaction and personal involvement.

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PACE & TEMPO: The Seder is starting late enough, so its important to keep the pace going smoothly. In fact, there is a custom to actually recite before Kiddush that it should be done without delay so the kids shouldn’t fall asleep. It is good to stop and discuss at certain Haggadah points, but keep the pace going so it’s not dragged out. Tempo matters a lot, too. Intersperse songs, short stories, kids presentations, so that its upbeat and moving and energized, not sleepy and long and tiring.

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CHANGE IT UP: For our youngest kids, its all new. But for some of the older kids, they’ve been there done that, so it helps to change things up. Say certain parts in different languages, rotate who says what, do things that are unusual, go with a different format on night #2 than you used on night #1. Some homes can even change the table arrangements. This night is supposed to be different, so make it different enough for them to be curious..

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RESTED & RELAXED: With all the holiday excitement and things to get done, it’s quite difficult to get kids to rest on the afternoon before the Seder, but it really pays off. Any rest helps (for adults, too).

Aside for rest, they also do better if they are relaxed. Yes, its good to encourage them to share and present, but no pressure or disappointment when they don’t. And like the proverbial or actual Seder pillow (some classes made their own) it helps a lot if they are (when possible) physically comfortable and well-positioned and have all their “stuff” available next to them.

GARDENING SUPPLIES NEEDED Mrs. Carroll will be out with her students: weeding, trimming, tilling and planting, beautifying our school, connecting students with nature and the value of physical work.

They can use: shovels & rakes, gardening gloves, soil & mulch (we used to get a big load from the city, hopefully again), seeds & bulbs.

BROWNIE FRACTIONS Mrs. Carroll’s 2/3 graders got a chocolaty taste of fractions as they enjoyed a big tray of brownies cut up into fractions. It was also a good taste of Chametz before Pesach.

ALTERNATE STORY ENDINGS

Mrs. Gray’s 6th grade English students weren’t NEW APPS PROJECT “CLEAN 14” thrilled with the ending to “Tuck Everlasting” so she asked them each to come up with an alternate ending. It’s not just about changing the last chapter, or flipping one point. An alternate ending has to tie together the story in a different way and leave the reader on that note.

And after hearing a number of alternate endings from fellow students, it makes you look back and think, why did the author (in this case, Natalie Babbit) choose this particular ending? This kind of question and analytical thinking is also used in our Chumash and Talmud studies. When confronted with a question in the Torah text, why does Rashi choose this or that particular Medrash to explain it? Being aware of Rashi’s other explanation options can allow us to think about why he chose the answer he did.

KEEPING KIDS ATTENTION AT THE SEDER

This time students will have a longer window, as it won’t be due until about 2 weeks after Pesach. It might be a hectic time now at home to work on extra projects, but it’s not too early to brainstorm & think, especially considering the theme: “Clean Fourteen!”

‘14 is the year, 14 is the day of the month that we have to be clean of Chametz, and clean rhymes with 14! At the APPS brainstorming sessions students came up with some of these ideas: favorite cleaning products or tools, reasons why its important to keep clean, Jewish sources or texts on cleanliness, is there such a thing as too much clean, 14 (or any number) of cleaning tips or steps, clean air, or being clean spiritually, how to clean for Pesach or clean classrooms, or bedrooms, it can also mean how to keep ourselves or our clothes clean, how to clean your glasses etc…

PESACH AD IN “JEWISH WORLD” This ad-page on right appeared in the Pesach edition of “The Jewish World” newspaper. It promotes our annual dinner (which is a very important school fundraiser and a wonderful communal event) which falls this year on Yom Yerushalayim, hence the Jerusalem motif, and as Maimonides provides and emphasizes wholesome, unified and integrated education it is most appropriate on this day when a divided Jerusalem was reunited. Also, Bernie Nowitz OBM, one of this year’s honorees, was a strong supporter of Israel & loved Jerusalem.

The bottom portion of the ad features a photo of our Kindergarten model Seder last year.

(Yes, these kids have grown quite a bit in just one year!) Indeed, we each have our individual attitude and expression but we’re all celebrating Pesach! A great YomTov to all!

MHDS DINNER INVITES MAILED Thanks to student volunteering, our school’s invites are now out in the mail, most area homes on our list should get it by this weekend. Please consider attending in person and/or placing an ad to honor the honorees, or the school, etc in the Tribute Journal/ Yearbook that we publish each year. If you do not receive an invite, our school office will be closed over Passover, call Rabbi Rubin at 4234103 or email maimonidesschool@gmail.com.

PHOTO-VIDEO EQUIPMENT As part of the Library-Media grant the school is in the process of ordering photo & video equipment. If you’d like to support this substantial purchase, by helping us meet the matching grant, and invest in upgrading our imaging capabilities, please speak to Rabbi Rubin 423-4103 or call the school office 4539363 or email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com

PASSOVER HALACHIC TIMES On Monday, April & Nissan 14th (yes, the Hebrew and secular dates of the month coincide both this April and May) we can eat Chametz until 10:41am and must burn it by 11:48. Halachic times are always a big issue, but Passover is one of those times that we can not bring it in earlier (as many do on long summer Fridays) since the first cup of Kiddush IT ALL ADDS UP has to be after nightfall (which is quite late this In addition to generous year-round communal time of year, approx 8:15pm). And we are not support, these little fundraisers add up and help Maimonides as well… supposed to directly prepare on the first day  How’s your Maimonides Pushka doing? for the second night, as each YomTov is Call us after Passover if you need a pickup! supposed to have its due. Regardless of  BoxTops are 10 cents each! Find any during whether we pray Maariv earlier or not, the your Passover cleaning? Send them over!

Omer Count can only be said after nightfall.  Do you shop on Amazon? Make one online Parents, please help your children get off to a stop first to www.tinyurl.com/SmileMHDS good start with the Omer Count over Pesach. and a percentage goes to Maimonides from They may not get all the way to Shavuot, but a all your Amazon shopping in that visit. good start is exciting for them!

BRINGING W.O.W. BACK WOW is an old Maimonides program, dating back to our Ohav Shalom days, which stands for “Wide Open Windows” in which we invite people from the greater community to come into our classrooms or school assemblies to share a talent, hobby or interest or professional expertise. And we hope to share tidbits in this newsletter, too! What unusual experience, personal story, or professional insight can you share with our students? There’s something to be learned from everyone! (Ethics of our Fathers)

at Maimonides and in the Community 4/8-23: MAIMONIDES PASSOVER SCHEDULE

5/18: AMERICAN JEWISH HERITAGE TORAH

This Torah dedication date has been moved up to Lag B’Omer afternoon, starting at 2pm - how appropriate on Lag B’Omer to celebrate joyously with the Torah, music and dancing! All are welcome to celebrate with Clifton Park Chabad and Mr. Bruce Lorence as they dedicate a “American Jewish Heritage Torah” in memory of Mr. Lorence’s relatives Poetess Emma Lazarus and 4/12: STEAMED & CLEANED, ALFRESCO KIDDUSH As Shomray Torah was steamed and cleaned for Pesach, there will be an open- Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo, and in commemoration of 360 years of Jewish life in America, older than the nation itself! More info, to air Shabbos HaGadol alfresco Kiddush outside. sponsor a letter or word & be a part of it, call Rabbi Yossi: 495-0772 or visit online at: www.JewishAmericanTorah.com Parents, please note the following dates: 4/8-9: Half-Day Nursery. 4/10-11: No Nursery, Half-Day English only for all grades. 4/14-23: No School (including day before, day after, & all intermediate days of Passover).

4/12: THE MYSTERY OF THE WOODEN SPOON

For Shabbos HaGadol before Torah reading at Shomray Torah Rabbi Rubin will share his research into the significance of the customary wooden spoon in 5/28: THE MAIMONIDES TRIBUTE DINNER the Chametz Search and its traditional position during the Chametz burning. Wednesday, 6pm at the Maimonides School, with elegant buffet dinner and desserts, honoring: Rabbi Moshe & Karen Mirsky (the Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award), Mrs. Reeva Nowitz and her late husband Bernie OBM 4/12: “KIDS AT THE SEDER - ARE WE THERE YET?” (“Eitz-Chaim” Award), & Dr. Madhavi Sahay (Exemplary Educator Award). is the topic of Rabbi B. Lehrfield’s Shabbos HaGadol Drasha this Shabbos at Couvert $72pp/$126 couple. For info, journal ads/tributes, contact school CBAJ after the morning davening. office: 453-9363 or email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com. Since the first year in 1989 this is a much anticipated annual communal event and important 4/14: NATL GEOGRAPHIC “JERUSALEM” FILM fundraiser for the Maimonides Scholarship Fund. Invite now in the mail!

Pre-sale $5 tickets (by April 14) for JFed showing on May 6th at Proctors for the Federations’ communal Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration, use “Israel66” code 5/29: HACD ACADEMY AWARDS DINNER at Proctors or via Jewish Federation.

Hebrew Academy is honoring several alumni with “Academy Awards” at at annual Heritage Dinner held at Temple Israel: Yosef Birnboim, Deborah Isser, 4/14: CHAMETZ BURNING AND FIRSTBORN SIYUM Cantor Shira Ginsburg, David Katz, Dr. David Morrison, Dr. Simcha Pearl, As every year, with 8am Shachris (at Maimonides), followed by 9am First-Born and Avi Rasowsky. For info contact Rachael Woren at Hebrew Academy.

Siyum and morning-time (10-11..) communal burning all at the school, under consultation with Captain Christopher Evans of the Albany Fire Department.

4/14: NEED A PLACE FOR THE SEDER?

SOME CHOL HAMOED TRIP & OUTING IDEAS

Many local families love to host guests! Call Rabbi Israel Rubin 423-4103.

Communal Seders at CBAJ, Shabbos House, & at a number of area Chabads.

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Saratoga Chabad will not be hosting their annual Chol HaMoed fun-day this year, look forward to it next year!

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It seems from their website that Hoffman’s Playland in Latham WILL be open for Chol HaMoed Pesach this year from 12-6pm, weatherpermitting. No admission charge, instead you pay for tickets per ride.

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Free Family Nature Scavenger Hunt with Lake George Conservancy on Thurs, 4/17, 10am-1pm at Schumann Preserve at Pilots Knob in Fort Ann. Easy-pace hike up to gazebo & take a rest before heading down 1½ miles round-trip; steady climb to gazebo (trail ascends 600 feet in about 1/2-mile). Registration required 2 days in advance, email events@lglc.org.

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“Jewels of the Sea” see & touch thousands of sea-shells of all types & sizes with gorgeous designs & knowledgeable passionate curator/collector at small but full Discovery Hall, 426 2nd Street in Troy. Adults $5, Kids 13 and up $2, kids under 12 are free. This exhibit is on display on weekends every other month or so, this time Friday 4/18, 10am-4pm.

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NCSY at CBAJ is arranging $40 transportation & discounted admission for Jr. and Sr. NCSYers (5th-12th grade) to the annual NCSY Chol HaMoed at Six-Flags Great Adventure in Jackson NJ. Email shestack113@gmail.com for more info.

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Singer Choni Goldman (winner of Jewish Star 2012) in concert on Thursday evening at the Laber’s Lake George Pesach Retreat. Contact them 727-9581 or 727-6037 for time, cost and info.

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If the weather is nice… then Parks and Nature Preserves! It has been such a long and cold winter, simply getting out into the warmth of nature…

4/27: CBAJ COMMUNAL YOM HASHOAH PROGRAM 7pm at CBAJ, featuring “Emmanuel Ringbloom and the Hidden Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto”.

4/28: ANNE FRANK: FROM DIARY TO BOOK This year’s UAlbany Judaic Studies Malka & Eitan Evan Yom HaShoah lecture will feature Dr. Jeffrey Sandler of Rutgers, co-editor of “Anna Frank Unbound: Media, Imagination, Memory” speaking at UAlbany’s Page Hall on the downtown campus. Free and open to public, plus free parking. 7pm.

4/28: HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE AT MAIMONIDES Our school is participating in a national program that includes screening of a several short films and discussion projects for Holocaust remembrance.

5/11: CBAJ DINNER HONORING KAGAN & POZNERS CBAJ honors life-long Albanian Ethel Kagan and community leaders LouisJack & Rona Pozner at special Mother’s Day dinner at the synagogue. Couvert $180pp. Dinner & journal info: CBAJ office at 489-5819 or: www.cbaj.org.

5/18: LAG B’OMER SUNDAY PLANS UNDERWAY A busy & joyous day in our community, Shmuel Dovid’s Schenectady BarMitzvah, followed by Jewish-American Heritage Torah dedication in Clifton Park, and an evening in Camp Cedeca, Grafton with the JCC… stay tuned!

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!”