BH. Sivan
25, 5775 / June 12, 2015
Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 8:16 404 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 9:27 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
This MC Newsletter is sponsored in memory of Yaakov ben Yechiel
John Amann MAYOR SHEEHAN TO PRESENT BETTER TOGETHER MEDALS AT GRADUATION CEREMONIES Our 8th grade graduation ceremonies will be this coming Thursday, June 18th RABBI TOKAYER ON SHANGHAI at 6pm. In addition to short Rabbi Tokayer was in town this week to speak speeches by each of our 8th at a Womens Philanthropy Federation event. grade graduates and a A chaplain in Japan for many years, he later commencement speaker, went back to the Far East as Rabbi. As HS Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan boys are researching Shanghai Jewish history will come to present silver and the escape from the Holocaust, Rabbi medals to all our Better Together Rubin asked Federation if Rabbi Tokayer “Better 2 Write” essay writers and could speak to them for 15 minutes, but he gold medals to our middle school got so into it that he spoke for well over an Nechama Krimmer and High hour and shared many very interesting (and School Winner (and 1st place surprising!) historical details that few others national winner!) Chaim Kudan. know of, especially now when many survivors Chaim’s essay placed first among have passed on. One particular pre-Passover 25 schools, including prestigious story was about (the lack of) tolerance for a girl NYC Schools like Ramaz and of a different community & observance level, Manhattan Day School. Whether related to that was an important & timeless lesson. graduates or awardees or not, community is welcome to join in this graduation & awards LAST FULL SCHOOL WEEK “MC” event (or even for part of it) which will end Next Thursday is the last day of school at before 8pm. Refreshments will be served. MHDS for the year, Moving-Up Day and Graduation, so this is the last full school-week UNGERMAN CONDOLENCES newsletter for the year. We will have an MC Condolences to Herm Ungerman and family newsletter after Moving-Up Day, as well as on the passing his wife Debbie last night. occasional periodic update issues throughout the summer, but this is the last one with MAIMONIDES student TNT reporting for 5775/2014-15!
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
THE LITTLE RABBIT Kindergarteners learned the Hebrew story of “Hashafan Hakattan” (The Little Rabbit) with Morah Devorah. The students are very proud of their books that they illustrated and how they are getting better at reading Hebrew!
on occasion of his Yartzeit today, 25th of Sivan, which is also wedding anniversary of grandson & namesake Yaakov & Rachaeli Morgenbesser by his daughter, Maxine Morgenbesser & family This MC Newsletter is sponsored in memory of
Bernie Saul Yartzeit - 10th of Sivan a founder of the local Daf Yomi Study Group, owner of Saul Equipment downtown, a longtime member of Shomray Torah on Shabbos and CBAJ on weekdays. SOLVEITCHIK CORRECTION Last week’s MC had a photo of Rabbi Rubin & HS boys with a selection of books by Rabbi JB Solveitchik and his ancestors, mistakenly reporting it was for his yartzeit. An alert MC reader corrected us that Rav JB Solveitchik’s yartzeit is on Pesach on Nissan 18. The Sivan 14 yartzeit commemorated last week was of the 18th century founder of the Solveitchik-Brisk dynasty: R’ Chaim Volozhiner.
$1K OF NEW YAHADUS BOOKS The students were so excited about their Chidon participation that Rabbi Rubin announced a $1,000 purchase of several sets of this curriculum to be used for the study of all the Torah’s Mitzvot according to the Rambam for several grades! Parents in participating classes will be asked to pay $18 for the book, and the school paying the other $18 for the reduced $36 per book discounted cost.
ESTY’S ROSES ARE BLOOMING Judy T. planted this rose bush in front of Maimonides in memory of Esty (Rubin) Cohen. Its once again blossoming beautifully, right around the time that would have been Esty’s 38th birthday.
PRICE CHOPPER SIYUM END OF YEAR BBQ It was this past Tuesday, after dismissal, inside and out of the school. It so happens that two broken cars were towed from the school’s northern parking lot at the time of the BBQ so the kids enjoyed watching the flatbed truck maneuver. They imagined a big strong man would emerge from the driver seat, but a slim energetic young woman came out instead! She worked energetically and quickly to get both cars on and behind her truck and she was smiling and cheerful the whole time! Many of those watching - adults and children - learned a couple of nice life lessons. It was a hot and humid afternoon, interspersed with rain and showers. Reb Shmuel Kochman worked the grill under the school entrance overhang. The burgers and hotdogs were perfect, plus there was cole-slaw, pasta salad, great juice and ice tea drinks. In the 3rd picture above Mrs. Kochman is patiently scooping out ices for all the patient and eager students and guests.
TWO THANK YOUS AT BBQ At the BBQ Rabbi Rubin thanked two couples for recent volunteering efforts for the school: The Kochmans for preparing the whole BBQ for the students, families and guests to enjoy. It was delicious and plentiful! Morah Dini and Itche Gordon recently each chaperoned our 3/4 graders on an extended Shabbaton weekend trip for the Intl Chidon HaMitzvos. See next article for the school’s major curriculum purchase.
TALMUD STUDY IN HARD COPY & DIGITAL Rabbi Shmuly’s 5/6 grade Talmud is pictured here (above) as the girls review Gemorah text in original format and then (left) create a lively powerpoint using Talmud text that they animate with graphics & visuals, as the boys are doing here - it comes alive!
PITGAM POETRY This week’s 7th grade Pitgam Poetry with Morah Raizy was “M’saymim B’Tov” end off positively! Did you notice that even sad Haftorahs end off on a positive note? Rambam ends his books with poetic writings.
Boss: Did you mark the box This Side Up? Employee: I certainly did. In fact, I marked it on every side! What did the canary say when his cage fell apart? “Cheap, Cheap, Cheap…” Parallel lines have so much in common. It’s a shame they will never meet!
Rabbi Shmuly took his 7th grade Gemorah class on a Siyum trip to the newly renovated Madison Ave Price Chopper. He gave them a $15 limit & told them they had to collectively agree on what they would buy as a group. They discussed it some and got quite a bit for the $15! Actually, they went over by 41 cents… It was not only an enjoyable and tasty quick trip, but also an exercise in working together.
ITS STRAWBERRY SEASON, PYO! Not all farms are ready for strawberries yet, but these farms say PYO - Pick Your Own is open! Note that not all farm berries will be as large as store-bought. They grow very close to the ground and some plants can be a little prickly. Call farms ahead for specifics. Burhmaster Farms 339-5931 189 Saratoga Road (Rt 50) Scotia Aerospace Museum w/Planes is nearby. ESAM.org Samascott Orchards 758-7224 5 Sunset Ave, Kinderhook Plentiful PYO. Great for blueberries July & August. Altamont Orchards 861-6515 6654 Dunnsville Road, Altamont Visit nearby Voorheesville School Wooden Playground, and its Covered Bridge and Creek Indian Ladder Farms 765-2956/800-640-PICK 342 Altamont Road (Rt 156), Altamont NY Farm Animals on site. Also close to Playground above. Bohringers 827-5783 3992 NY-30, Middleburgh (Schoharie Area) visit Mine Kill State Park, & Blenheim-Gilboa Museum
CAMP GAN ISRAEL FORMS Morah Devorah Leah Mathless is this year’s Camp Gan Israel director, with help from Morah Dini. Local & Israeli staff is coming for the summer! Contact Devorah Leah with questions or for forms: 518-698-1836. Registration forms available! Please submit ASAP. Thanks!
Special thanks to Mrs. Susannah Levin for all the preparation and organization to plan every detail and aspect of this wonderful school outing, to all the chaperoning teachers and parent volunteers who made the day run without a hitch, and to the Maimonides students for their fascination with nature, eagerness for outdoor adventure, and enthusiasm for the variety of fun and unusual games played all afternoon. Between the nature hikes and games and all the outdoor activity this was certainly a wonderful “Maimonides Moves!”
Playing Volleyball “on top of the world!” Can you see the ball up in the air? Just behind that fence is the cliff’s dropoff.
And another ball is up in the air! Girls having a catch at a picnic table.
Some amazing nature pictures! Like this crisp shot of a flower...
Another game with a big beach ball on the field.
This field hockey game was played with swim Noodles and a Beachball. Not easy, but fun!
Jumping along in the Potato Sack Race. Our TNT photograRabbi Abba and Mr. Davis leading a group pher got the shot, you can even see the dark shadow under her! of boys onto the Indian Ladder Trail.
or capturing a bee in action sucking nectar from these yellow flowers!
Sticking together and supporting each other even at the edge! The gorgeous scenery and breathtaking vistas were a wonderful setting for bonding experience and a welcome break from Regents prep study.
Wild strawberries growing. It was a large patch. And quite ripe, too!
Skipping along on the trail! It’s a bit of a blur but she’s also cheerfully holding up her water bottle. It was a hot day and important to stay hydrated. The juicy delicious watermelons helped, too!
Can you see it? This frog almost matches the branch!
Morah Dini and Mrs. Levin are checking out the trail map before heading out in separate walking groups. Some groups went on the classic Indian Ladder Trail along the cliff, others went on the wooded Red or Blue Trails. Everyone had sunscreen, bug spray, and eager feet to get out onto the trails.
at Maimonides and in the Community 6/9-14: HALFMOON CARNIVAL
6/14: JWC C.P. GALA w/CRISPE
Midway rides and fun activities by Gillette Shows at Halfmoon Town Hall, 6-10pm Tues thru wknd, Sunday 1-8pm. Free admission. 20% of ticket sales benefit Relay for Life. 1-price wristbands Thursday & Sunday. For more information call: 376-8680.
CP Chabad JWC caps off year of internationallythemed events with 7th annual gala 5pm at Hyatt Place featuring Sara Esther Crispe on: “Israel - the Womens Land” with Silent Auction, Music, Buffet etc. Call Leah: 495-0779 for RSVP, cost & info.
6/13: TWO MISHNA YARTZEITS
6/14: JACK LAUBER MEMORIAL
This Shabbos is the yartzeit of R’ Yonason ben Uziel (Mikraot Gedolot Chumashim feature his Targum) and R’ Yosi ben Kisma, known from the 6th Chapter of Pirkei Avot, and locally because of Rabbi Rubin’s unique commentary and research into his life story, perspective and refusal!
1st annual Jack Lauber Memorial Lecture by noted speaker Dr. Stephen Berk 7pm at Beth Israel in Schen, 7pm. $10 donation pp. Info? 377-3700.
6/13: DOUBLE PLAY KIDDUSH LUNCHEON w/: MLB SPORTS AGENT & JEWISH BLUES!
6/14: TROY’S FLAG DAY PARADE Said to be nation’s largest Flag Day parade, now in its 48th year! 1-3 pm along 4th Street in Troy between Main & Federal. This year on Flag Day!
6/17: HUCK FINNS PLAYLAND
2 guests will be in town, share their stories and inspiration at a Kiddush Luncheon at Shomray Torah (NOTE VENUE CHANGE, not at school as originally planned) on Shabbos afternoon. All welcome! Marc Kligman is a MLB sports agent/ attorney representing players like Carlos Ruiz (Phillies), Rob Scahill (Pirates) & Justin Bour (Marlins)… as well as the new ambidextrous pitcher for the Oakland A’s! He is also a marathoner, Tae Kwan Do blackbelt, and an observant Orthodox Jew! Also visiting this same weekend is Lazer Lloyd, a talented & heartfelt Jewish blues musician from Israel, with Carlebach & Chassidic influences. He’s playing at Terra on Sat Night, but also singing and sharing at the Shabbos Day Kiddush Luncheon. No charge, but if you’d like to help sponsor the cost, contact Dini Gordon: chavlaz@hotmail.com
Old Hoffmans Playland is moving to Erie Blvd where 787 & 90 meet to become the new Huck Finns Playland. They hope to be open by this date!
6/13: FAREWELL KIDDUSH The Lytton-Anisfeld family moving to Atlanta this month are sponsoring the Shabbos Kiddush at CBAJ in appreciation for 15 years in Albany.
8th grade graduates & families, teachers, friends &community are welcome back on Thurs evening, the last day of school, for graduation ceremonies. 6pm at school. Refreshments served. See page 1!
6/13: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR
6/20-21: REBBE’S YARTZEIT
Womens Shiur will be given by Leyee Rubin at the home of Leah Siegel, 24A Weis Rd., at 4:45pm.
6/13: LAZER LLOYD AT TERRA 10pm this Motzai Shabbos. Lazer is a Skidmore alum, lives in Israel, tours US playing Jewish blues music. $15 by Friday RSVP to Terra 463-5600, $18 at door includes one drink.
6/14: CHILL & SHMOOZE AT B.T. 1:30pm at Beth Tephilah on River Street in Troy. Members free, $5pp. No children under age 12. Light luncheon, a film. Call Elisheva: 894-3491
6/17-18: ROSH CHODESH TAMMUZ Wed 8am Minyan at Shomray Torah, Thurs 8am at MHDS. Please be timely, Moving-Up Day follows.
6/17: WED TORAH & TEA AT CBAJ
6/21: “DAD FEST” AT THE RIVER a first time Albany event for Father’s Day!1-5pm at Jennings Landing @Hudson River. Free admission.
6/21: CBAJ MEMBER MTG & BBQ 5pm Membership Meeting, 5:30pm BBQ.
6/24: KLEZMER KOSHER FEST at Shmaltz Brewery with Clifton Park Chabad as part of the Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival.
Torah & Tea 10:30am @CBAJ w/ Rabbi Lehrfield.
6/25-7/19: JGR DATES
6/18: MOVING UP DAY
This year’s JGR overnight camp will be at a scenic boarding school in Hoosick, near the Vermont border. Info? nechama@JewishGirlsRetreat.net
Last day of school, 9:30am Moving-Up ceremonies for all grades. AM Dismissal at end of the program with refreshments. We’re planning for next year!
6/18: 8TH GRADE GRADUATION
The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Gimel-Tammuz yartzeit falls on Shabbos Korach this year, there will be a farbrengen Kiddush at Shomray Torah. At the On Daf-Yomi on Sunday Rabbi Rubin will share an insight of the Rebbe to that day’s study of tractate Nedarim on “no-fault exemption” with a breakfast.
6/21: BALLOON & CRAFT FEST
6/28-30: FREINDSHIP CIRCLE CAMP Sunday thru Tuesday at the end of June. Over 20 children with special needs are already signed up, contact Chaya 488-8992/chaya@capitalfriends.org if you’d like to volunteer as staff, ages 14+.
7/6-8/14: CAMP GAN ISRAEL DATES Day Camp located at Maimonides. Call Morah Devorah Leah for info: 698-1836.
7/7: J.S.F. DAY OF STUDY AT S.H. Jewish Summer Fellowship (in Kingston NY) coming to Shabbos House for afternoon of lectures & learning, open to the community. A local Siyum is part of program, too. Stay tuned for info!
7/28: CHABAD GOOD FOR JEWS?
at the Saratoga Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa. Cost is A farbrengen & discussion, with live chassidic $15pp, $5 for kids (balloon rides cost extra) but if melodies at Saratoga Chabad. you come early enough (and that means really early, like 5:30am!) you can get watch the grand 8/30: SARATOGA SHALOM FEST balloon launch! Plus there are craft vendors and annually in Congress Park, stay tuned for info! activities for kids. Info: balloonandcraft.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!”