BH.
Thurs 13 Adar I, 5774 / February 13, 2014
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 5:07 Shabbos Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 6:09 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
MEGA-MINI PURIM-KATTAN Rabbi Rubin got each student a magnifying glass for Purim-Katan. It’s a very basic one, more for the message than actual use. A message of Mini-Purim (in the first Adar of leap years) is not to underestimate the power and potential of little things! We should realize that little is indeed big! Local Nano developments are a great example of this. See this week’s “High-5” for our students list of small things that make a big difference!
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
MED-TRANSFER TO BROOKLYN
Alter Aryeh Lev ben Bracha Milstein, a Jewish teen from NYC (may he have a speedy and complete recovery) was at St. Margarets in Albany for some time, and was transferred this week to Brooklyn. His father spoke to our boys. He said that he is a teacher in the Torah-Temimah school in Flatbush, and they are now learning chapter Eilu Metziyos in tractate Bava Metzia. The Milstein family greatly appreciates all the Chesed kindness that RABBI C.Z. BOMZER (SR) BOOK the Albany community did for their son by On the occasion of Rabbi Chaim Zev Herbert visiting and spending time with him. Special Bomzer’s o.b.m. 1st yartzeit, the Bomzer family thanks to Mrs. Rebekah Wildman for all the published a book tireless communal coordination on his behalf. May we hear good news! titled “Keter HaRachzav” of his RECENT MHDS ALUMNI BIRTHS sermons and We extend a hearty Mazal Tov to these MHDS insights (taken alumni and their families who both formerly from his notes) lived in Albany for a long time.. on the first 3 Kayla (Chanowitz) and Shimon Kramer of books of the Brooklyn on the birth of a baby boy. Torah (remainder Miriam (Stempel) and Ariel Ravnoy of Los to be published Angeles on the the birth of a baby boy. for the 2nd yartzeit next year). The book SNOW DAY FRIDAY, MINYAN ON opens with approbations from close friend and We dismissed at noon today (Thursday) and no Rabbinical colleague Rabbi Aaron Ziegler & school Friday either, but there will be the 8am also from Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky who recalled Minyan and deluxe Purim-Kattan breakfast (as the close connection Rabbi C.Z./H. Bomzer Rabbi Rubin loves to highlight and make a big had with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, regarding deal of small things that others often overlook) many communal matters, and specifically on at Shomray Torah. Those who can, try to make missions to Soviet Jewry during Communism. it out! Enjoy the long weekend, school resumes Here’s one vurt on this week’s Parsha: “The on Tuesday next week. Children of Israel shall keep the Shabbos, to make the Shabbos for generations…” (Shmos 31:16) The MAIMONIDES Ibn Ezra explains “to make” as to prepare. In 404 Partridge Street today’s world with modern conveniences and Albany NY 12208 ready prepared foods, we run the risk of kids growing up without the sights, smells & exertion of Shabbos preparation. If we invest ourselves & homes in the efforts of visible preparation - then it will be for generations.
** NOTE PIZZA NITE CHANGE ** It was scheduled for this weekend, but will be next weekend instead. Thanks for your support of this fundraiser and fun night to eat out.
This week’s newsletter is sponsored in memory of
Rabbi Yechiel Michel Piekarsky Yartzeit on Shushan Purim Kattan, this Shabbos by his daughter Morah Rochel & the Rubin Family PI IN TWO TALMUD SEGMENTS Rabbi Rubin’s 8/9 Talmud Shabbos class learned about measuring circles and its relation to square shapes on 8a regarding a throwing a “Kaveres” (a reed basket - see them pictured with a sample reed basket & yardstick above) into the public domain for the laws of carrying (are you throwing an object or is it large enough to be considered a domain of its own?), and he also discussed similar math formulas with the 7th grade, on 7b and 8a of Talmud Sukkah about how to measure the minimum size of a round Sukkah. Both classes discussed Pi formula, Pythagorean Theorum, hypotenuse of triangles - all in the context of Talmud study. As our school loves to do: connections! intersect and integrate crosscurricular and into everyday life.
SEE THE YOM-KIPPUR VIDEO It was a really nice showing at the Daf Yomi Siyum, a 10-minute film featuring reflections on 40 years since the Yom-Kippur War by local IDF veterans, the Daf-Yomi Yoma tie-in, and the 7th grade connection at Maimonides. For those who couldn’t make it, see it online at (close to 800 views on YouTube as of today) www.tinyurl.com/yomkippurmovie
THE NURSERY COOKIE SALE
Nursery made this hands-on cookie shop to learn about how money words & how different products cost different prices. They also learned blessings on TAKE A SIDE, MAKE A STAND food. They took This week’s Haftorah is the famous story of turns operating Eliyahu at Mount Carmel, with the showdown the shop and against the prophets of the idolatrous Baal. being customers. Eliyahu’s clarion call to the Jewish People was: They learned “How long can you go to both how to best treat sides? Choose either Hashem or a customer, and Baal!” Morah Raizy discussed how to get the best deal for the amount of this with the older girls, as to money you have. when in life decisive and definitive clarity ought to trump KINDERGARTEN MEGILLAHS ambivalence and compromise. Using empty Pringle cans and long rolled out sheets of Megillah illustrations, the Kindergarteners are already at work decorating their own Megillas. After all, Purim is only one month away. They also made Purim PURIM KATTAN PACKAGES puppets and little On Thursday, Erev Purim-Kattan (since there’s stages made out of no school on Friday) the High School helped cereal boxes. By Rabbi Rubin give each student a Mini-Package starting now, they are with a magnifying glass (to realize that small fulfilling the things can be viewed in big), a few varieties of Talmudic teaching of mini cookies plus mini-chocolate-chips. starting to learn the laws of the holiday 30 days before. Time to start thinking costumes, Mishloach Manot… CLOUDS Mrs. Carroll’s SHALSHELES TROPE first graders read about shape“Shalsheles” trope (Torah shifting “Little cantillation sound symbol) Cloud” by Eric looks like a zigzag thunderbolt appears 3 times Carle, and then in Chumash Breishis and once more in each student Parshas Tzav. Each time there’s a reason for made a cloud this special trope, and it has to do with with a shape of their choice and wrote indecision, hesitancy or uncertainty. 3rd grade underneath what their cloud was designed to came across the first one in Parshas Vayera look like. By the way, on the subject of Little this week and Rabbi Yossi taught them this Clouds and Purim-Kattan: Check out Trope and how it connects with Lot’s reaction. “Cloudette” by Tom Lichtenheld (gorgeous illustration, great message, humor for adults NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP too). Other excellent books by this author/ HS is learning Melachim (Kings) II, now about illustrator include: “Bridget’s Beret” (excellent King Chizkiyahu being told by the prophet message re: mental blocks and getting stuck, that his illness is terminal and decreed by vivid art) & “E - mergency” (with exceptional Heaven, yet Chizkiyahu still prayed, and his humor for adults in the illustration captions). prayers were answered and he was healed.
DEFINING TRUE BEAUTY This week’s 6th grade Pitgam was the closing line of Eishet Chayil (from Proverbs) “Charm is deceptive and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Heaven is praiseworthy.” Students each depicted ways in which inner character beauty shines through. They also learned what the Lubavitcher Rebbe told a Miss Israel: For one who fears Heaven and has a meaningful inner beauty, external beauty is no longer considered deceptive or vain, on the contrary, their beauty can be expressed beautifully & meaningfully. (see on YouTube: http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3zlbxSQrx0):
WASHBASIN Nursery made these double-layered “copper” Kiyors from this week’s Parsha.
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE
SMALL! IN HONOR OF PURIM-KATAN
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LITTLES THAT EFFECT MUCH LARGER THAN THEIR SIZE: Seeds, Tears, Salt or Spices, Diamonds, Germs, the tread thickness on a car tire, one digit off in a math problem, a small clothing accessory that enhances the whole outfit, bacteria… TECHNOLOGY: Computer Chip, USB drive, Nanoscale Science, iPods, what incredible things today’s thin smartphones can do, a slightly wrong web address, a car or house key, or a key on a keyboard (one broken key can make it almost useless), digestible camera robots for medical testing, a switch on a current EVERYDAY LITTLE STUFF AROUND THE HOUSE THAT MATTERS: Glitter, Pony-tail Holder, a single screw or bolt (especially in your glasses bridge), clothing buttons, Earringbacks, Dolls and Dollhouses, Lego pieces, bottle caps, runaway Cheerios before Pesach, a glitch in jacket zipper teeth, a window that won’t close properly in winter-time, a degree or two on thermostat, a Bonsai plant. LIFE: Our school, a smile, a kind word, gestures of kindness or friendship, quick compliment, a negative word or even negative body language, a small Minyan, a Mitzvah or custom that many people don’t think is very important, LITTLES THAT ADD UP TO A LOT: Snowflakes, tree-leaves, Tzedakah coins, Grains of Sand, litter on a front-yard, laundry to wash, a mess in a room, time wasted here and there, money saved up.
CIRCUITS & SWITCHES
READING TOGETHER
8/9 with Mrs. Sahay learned about the components of an electrical circuit and made their own circuits using parts in the Science Lab. They’re each making a cardboard house with rooms and windows that will be wired with a single parallel circuit with switches to control individual room lighting.
One of the best afterschool activities is to do some parent & child or sibling reading. It helps kids practice in a comfortable and enjoyable setting, fosters a love of reading and allows for quality time spent together. Snow days are a great time for that, too!
DESIGNED TO SCALE Mrs. Sahay is working with 8/9 in Math class on scale drawings based on ratio, similar to architectural blueprints or maps with legends.
DAHBEAR FOR SNOW DAYS Some classes have been doing online work on the recent snow-days (and other days, too) using the DahBear.org online website system, sponsored by Legacy Heritage. Students log in to questions or activities made by their teachers and get feedback on how well they do.
BIG SPREAD ON THE COHENS
HEAT & WATER EVAPORATION Yishai and Rachael Cohen who have many ties
to this area (Shabbos House alumni, worked 6th grade filled two water-bags, one with hot water, the other with room temperature water. for JERNY, family in Delmar, Camp Givah alum etc) are They put a papertowel down on top of each featured with one, and then used a dropper to put droplets their daughters on each paper-towel and measure which one in a big spread evaporates first and how quickly. in this week’s “Jewish World” A CLOSER LOOK newspaper In Science Enrichment last (front page, 2 week, 2nd & 3rd graders and 9) about took a look at slides, their efforts in stamps, comics and dollar creating a bills underneath a Jewish version microscope. It’s fascinating of “Intentional to see things that you Communities” wouldn’t see without that which is a form super-close look under the lens. They saw of Kibbutz-style much more intricate and detailed design on cooperative dollar bills and stamps, than you see when living in tight-knit close communities with looking at it plain. This was an excellent shared living and communal resources, with preparation for Purim-Kattan, which magnifies emphasis on holistic living and sustainability. and celebrates that which is small! They are currently educators at TEVA and Isabella Freedman in NW Connecticut and KINDERGARTEN GOALS Rachael especially is in the forefront of this We just came across this picture of this easel in new movement. See the article (as well as Kindergarten, it’s really thought-provoking. online) about this effort. Goals for the year include interesting LITTLE WAYS TO contrasts, like: self DO A BIG MITZVA -confidence and In the Purim-Katan spirit, self-discipline, remember that supporting good listening and Jewish education can be good speaking done in many different ways, big and small. skills, learn to Communal support allows a small school like follow directions Maimonides to thrive and benefit both and also work students and community. Even BoxTops help, independently. each one is worth a dime! These are good goals for older AMAZON SMILE FOR MHDS.. grades and adult life, too! Here’s another easy way to give some Tzedaka. Do you buy on Amazon? Use AmazonSmile (just in time for Adar!) to make your purchase TUCK EVERLASTING is the book that 6th graders are now reading in using this link: www.tinyurl.com/SmileMHDS English class with Mrs. Gray. They just started and a percentage goes to Maimonides. Give it a try and help our school. Thanks! it in the past week or so.
THE TORAH TIMES See the weekly Parsha come alive! Rabbi Rubin’s original Torah Times newspaper editions have been enhanced by several generations of Maimonides Students. Here’s a teaser of this week’s issue, “It’s What’s Happening!” in the Torah portion this week. To fully appreciate all the subtle references and rich reference, a thorough understanding of the commentary and Medrash is needed, but all can enjoy the overall Parsha scene.
at Maimonides and in the Community 2/14: PURIM-KATTAN (MINI) On Jewish Leap-Years such as this one, we have two Adar months. The 14th of Adar I (Friday) is called “Purim Kattan” (the little Purim) no Megillah is read and there are no Halachic Purim observances, but the Rema’s last line on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim says we should increase in festivity on this day “for a good heart always celebrates!” We do not say Tachanun. Make this a special Shabbos!
known as Chapel House) at UAlbany, sponsored by UAlbany’s Judaic Studies Program & UAlbany Hillel (489-8573x24). Call ahead with any questions or ratings issues you may have.
2/20: GRADES 2&3 SHMONE-ESRAY PARTY
9am, for grades 2-3 and their families, and anyone who’d like to It has already been announced that there’s no celebrate this milestone as they school on Friday, and Monday is off in honor of have become comfortable and familiar with the Presidents Day, so school resumes 8am on Tuesday. words and blessings in the daily morning Amidah. Enjoy the extended, snowy weekend off!
2/14: NO SCHOOL FRI THRU MON
2/15: YARTZEIT KIDDUSH Shushan Purim Kattan marks the Yartzeit of Morah Rochel’s father, Rabbi Yechiel Michel Piekarsky. He truly loved the study of Torah, and did so with self-sacrifice as a young man in Russia, and with love, diligence and consistency in his later years in Brooklyn. There will be a Kiddush/Farbrengen in his memory this Shabbos at Shomray Torah.
2/15: PIZZA-NITE RESCHEDULED It was planned for this weekend, but will be next weekend instead. Thanks for your support!
2/22: PIZZA-NITE Rescheduled from the weekend prior, look for hot delicious homestyle pizza pies, sushi rolls, fries and other goodies, all supporting Maimonides Bnos Chaya High extra-curricular activities.
2/23: NEW YORK IN BLOOM Annual floral event by florists, designers and garden clubs at the NYS Museum. $5pp, kids 12 and under are free. Cash only. 9:30am-5pm.
2/24: WOMENS BEIT MEDRASH
At the NYS Museum. $5 admission, kids 12 and under are free. 10am-5pm. Cash only.
This month on the topic of Purim, with presenter Mrs. Devora Leah Mathless. 8pm at Maimonides. The class is geared to all levels and backgrounds of learning. For more info contact Leah Rubin at 4950779 or jwc@capitalchabad.com
2/16: NEW KRAV MAGA FOR KIDS
3/1: R’ MOSHE RUBIN 18 YARTZEIT
2/16: GEM & MINERAL SHOW
Open to the community, arranged by Liba A. held at Maimonides. $8 per child, per session. Sundays, 10:30-11:15am ages 5-9 co-ed, 11:15-12pm girls ages 10-14. Max 10 children per class. Call Liba with any questions or info: 894-1088.
A special Sat Night Melava Malka will be held at the school to remember Reb Moshe Rubin, his songs and stories, his warmth and special flavor, on the evening of his 18th yartzeit.
Ugly Appliance Contest: FB.com/earlbfeiden
3/7: J-FED ENRICHMENT GRANTS 2/17: NO SCHOOL PRESIDENTS DAY The Jewish Federation’s enrichment grants for children and teens at summer sleepaway camps, 2/17: FREE AT ALBANY INSTITUTE Israel programs or other Jewish enrichment etc are Albany Institute for History & Art on Washington due on Friday March 7th. See school office for Ave near Dove Street downtown has free admission application forms or contact the Federation. for Presidents Day. Also, Thursdays 5-8m are now free admission, too.
BIKUR CHOLIM
2/17: “SHADOW IN BAGHDAD” Sneak preview of an upcoming film, with Shir, the daughter of the protagonist, an Iraqi Jewish woman who escaped to Israel from Iraq in the 1970’s and travels back to discover the fate of her father. It’s also about growing up with a multi-cultural identity. 7:30pm at the Interfaith Center (formerly
While Aryeh Milstein moved to a facility closer to his family, Mrs. Wildman is looking for volunteers to visit Judy Bina, a 17 year old, also at St. Margerets Center in Albany. She especially appreciates song and music. Call Mrs. Wildman: 435-0371.
THE SHANGHAI MIRACLE Preview the documentary trailer and support the production effort at:
http://igg.me/at/shanghaidocumentary or speak to Rabbi Rubin 423-4103.
“MC” IN YOUR EMAIL You can get this “MC” newsletter in fullcolor each week to your email inbox. Perhaps a family member or friend may enjoy it as well. Subscribe for free by contacting our school office 453-9363 or emailing: maimonidesschool@gmail.com
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!”