Maimonides Community

BH. Teves

25, 5775 / Jan 16, 2015

Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 4:30 404 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 5:35 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

Joe Saidel Yartzeit Teves 24

Marlene Aronson Yartzeit Teves 27

by Capital & Saratoga Chabad

YELLOW SCARVES & A PLAY AT MAIMONIDES’ RAMBAM DAY The Rambam’s Yartzeit was on Sunday, 20th of Tevet, so on the Friday prior there was an assembly at school where Rabbi Rubin gave out yellow “School Choice Week” scarves (just in time for a very cold spell). Rabbi Rubin explained that the Rambam speaks strongly about the free choice we have in doing Mitzvot and that every student at Maimonides makes (hopefully) positive choices every day, and in every class, to make the most of their learning opportunities and interactions with others.

That’s why the scarves are yellow (aside for being more visible to passing cars) because we are making a bright, luminous and cheerful

R U PUSHING OUR BUTTONS?

YOUNG ALEPH-BET TEACHERS Morah Rivka’s Nursery students take turns to be the class Aleph-Bais teacher each morning.

This time it was a Gitty’s turn, she got the pointer stick and showed the rest of the class each of the Aleph-Bet on the oversized colorful Aleph-Bet chart in their classroom. Her classmates were eager participants, repeating each letter. When they were done, they did the jumpy froggy-dance, because it connects to the Parsha (the 2nd Plague) and also because they love doing it!

MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 choice! Morah Dini’s 3rd and 4th graders prepared a quick play in less than one day (the kids were great sports!) about the “Rambam’s Busy Schedule” (based on an actual exchange the Rambam had with his translator Shmuel Ibn Tibbon). The kids really got into it! Years ago, back when we were at Ohav Shalom, a class did a similar play on video, we should find it in archives and post it online someday!

Many of our readers write or call to thank for sharing students' projects, events and programs and their general joy of Jewish Life. Some express willingness to help Maimonides in some way.

Of course we have main annual fundraisers like the recent Chanukah Raffle-Auction, and the Tribute Dinner in May. But Maimonides also needs some extra boost to meet payroll and expenses on a regular basis "in-between."

We welcome your continuing “Fuel the School” support. Thanks to technology, its just a few online steps: tinyurl.com/MaimonidesPayPal enter your payment info and ANY AMOUNT (it all adds up!) you wish to contribute, presto, you made your best investment in Jewish Continuity! (of course, checks are always welcome, too!)

DAVID & SAUL’S ARMOR 7th grade Navi class learned about David readying to fight Goliath. He was sensitive to Saul’s feelings and took off the armor that Saul gave him, even though it surprisingly fit, but he had no problem putting on Jonathan’s armor, because there were no awkward or jealous feelings between them.

POSTERS ON US GOVERNMENT This poster about Federalism shows what areas of government belong to the National, what to the States, and which areas are shared. They also did posters on the Checks & Balances of the Federal government’s 3 branches (judicial, legislative, executive) and how they each have different powers that balance each other.

TWERSKI: SERACH & ELDERS As part of the “Better Together” program connecting our students with local seniors, Rabbi Yossi showed them a Torah Café video clip of Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski about Moshe searching for Yosef’s remains at the time of the Exodus. He couldn’t find them, so he asked Serach, a very old Jewish woman, who actually remembered Yosef and knew where to find his remains. Rabbi Twerski asked: “Didn’t Moshe speak to G-d all the time? Why did he have to ask an old woman?

Why not ask G-d?” He explained that Serach had something that Moshe could never have.

She remembered a generation long before Moshe, she saw Yaakov Avinu, she knew the 12 Tribes! It is true that older people may not be as technologically advanced as many of the kids today, but people who lived for 7 or 8 decades, have a first-hand perspective and acquired wisdom that even super-smart Google can’t provide.

3D PAPER SCRAP ARTWORK The signs around the 5/6 grade 3D art display encourage viewers to walk around the exhibit to see the same work from different sides and angles. They twisted, bent and rolled scraps of white paper into all kinds of abstract shapes.

T.E.I. ON TWO TYPES OF GUILT This week’s Rabbi Mendel shared with his TEI (Torah Emotional Intelligence) class an insight about different types of guilt that he realized this week in two Chassidic stories that he read nearly 30 years ago but didn’t appreciate at the time. This TEI theme was a little bit harder for the students to understand, but some MC readers might appreciate it. Search online for: Fork in the Road & the Kotinke.

NO BACKING OUT, PLEASE!

HAPPY SMOOTHIE MAKERS Morah Chaya Bracha’s Kindergarten students were excited to make their own delicious smoothies in their classroom for a special treat. They took turns using the jittery immersion blender in the big blue pitcher.

We ask all drivers to please exercise extra caution in the school parking lot. Drive at slow speeds, and please do not back out of the parking lot at any time, especially during drop-off and dismissal when the parking lot is full of cars and kids coming and going from school.

HS INTERSHABBATON & VIDEO Our HS Girls are attending an interschool Shabbaton this weekend in Brooklyn. Each TOURO IN THE TEXTBOOK school made a 20-25 seconds (max) energizing 5/6 grade were excited to see a big picture and video from their school to be joined together write-up about The Touro Synagogue in their to a song, shown as a blended video at the history book, under the header “Religion in main event. Despite our small school size, our the Colonies.” The synagogue was established 19-second video was lively, vibrant and full of way back in 1763 and our HS Girls visited the joyous energy (many thanks to Leah Caras!) very same Shul building this past year in 2014!

FROM PLANT TO PRODUCT

RUBY IN HER OWN TIME

Mrs. Carroll’s first Paper, coffee, sugar, cotton, medicines, etc are graders are reading “Ruby in Her a few examples of everyday things you will find Own Time” it’s a pretty book and in every home that start off as a plant. 7th also has important life-messages graders with Mrs. Roland were each assigned about ducks (and kids, too!) each such a product and are doing research and developing and blossoming at their then making posters of the (sometimes own pace in their own way. Not everyone will extensive) process from plant to product. do things the same way, at the same time.

A asked B: “What’s the difference between ignorance and apathy?”

B: “I don’t know, & I don’t care!”

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get the “Chinese Times”! What, you don’t get it? I don’t get it either. I get “The Jewish World”!

There was a one-story house. All the walls were painted purple, furniture was purple, even the rugs were purple. The kitchen cabinets were purple, too! What color was the staircase? A staircase!? Wasn’t this a one-story house…

One night, a king and a queen entered an empty castle, later that evening another man came out with them, how is that possible? Ah, the night was a knight!

SOUP OF THE WEEK Morah Raizy made Matzah-Ball soup this week with lots of very sweet carrots. It was good to the last drop, kids asked for seconds and soon there wasn’t a single Matzah-Ball or drop of soup left. Parents: to sign-up for your week, contact Rebekkah Wildman.

KERIAH-METER UPDATE Morah Dini’s class have a very ambitious goal for the Keriah-Meter, and if they make the goal by Tu Bishvat, they get a bonus prize or outing! A minimum of 5 students each night have to read 10 unfamiliar Hebrew lines to get credit on the growing Keriah-Meter.

STRETCHING A SIYUM PARTY

“PICTURE THIS!” JOSH PHAFF “Picture This” is a big colorful book in Esty Library by Esther Tscholkowsky. It features a 4 -page lively spread about MHDS alumnus Josh Phaff and his well-known juggling act in Israel.

We discovered this just in time for Rabbi Rubin’s new interpretations on the Talmud juggling story in the Talmud about the stick of myrtle and a similar story about juggling 3 sticks of myrtle that’s prominently featured in the Basi L’Gani Maamarim about going all out, “going crazy” for a Mitzvah.

Rabbi Mathless offered this challenge to his students. He will extend their Siyum party for every Chumash Breishis question that he can’t answer within 2 minutes. He gave them a day or two notice, so the kids came up with some great questions, including:  Which verse has every single word ending in a Final Mem? (32:15)  Which Chumash Breishis Parsha has most Pesukim? Vayishlach beats Noach by 1 verse!  Name all the Mitzvot in Parshas LechLecha!

The Siyum had an indoor BBQ theme. They enjoyed French-fries, salsa & chips, and franks and blanks! And the tough questions part?

They called that: “Grill Rabbi Mathless!”

THE TEACHER WALKED OUT

(this book cover is only used as an illustration). This EGYPT HERE, EGYPT THERE Thursday Rabbi Mathless 6th grade is learning about Egypt in Chumash walked out of his class and they read a story with Mrs. Maher classroom and waited right about Egypt, too. They wrote their own names outside. In middle of class! in hieroglyphics, and learned quite a bit about What happened? They Egypt from the story. came across a question, and Rabbi Mathless told them, “I’m going to step outside for 5 minutes, so you can try to work together on Some 3/4 grade students came late to your own and do your best to figure it out!” school on the day of the Rambam play, but all the parts were already given out.

STUDENT ASSESSMENTS Eli G. gave up one of his parts and he There are series of Judaic and General Studies was very nice about it. individual student assessment programs currently underway at school to identify Rabbi Yossi’s 3rd grade Chumash specific areas of strength and weakness to best students planned a surprise birthday meet the needs of all of our students. In party for him, on their own initiative! addition to classroom testing, these individual They brought food, made a card, and assessments use rubrics for each and every even wrote him a very nice poem! 5/6 student in a variety of subjects and lists of grade made Rabbi Yossi a long study skills. Thanks to all the teachers for their extended party because everyone extra efforts in this regard, especially those brought in treats on a different day… involved in the ongoing implementation and the one-on-one student engagement.

WEATHER TOOLS & CHARTS Mrs. Carroll’s first graders are doing a science unit all about seasons, the weather, and the tools that meteorologists use to measure and predict the weather patterns.

THESE VERBS ARE LINKED! It so happens that the two Hebrew verbs on the door of Morah Devorah’s classroom are: “understand” and “enter”… think about it, better understanding helps us enter within!!

WINTERED-IN? Things to do when stuck at home on a cold winter day.

1

OUTDOOR PLAY: If it’s not way too cold and there’s enough snow (and you’re properly dressed for it) there are forts to build, hills to sled down, snowmen to roll, and snow-angels to wave. There are skis and snowshoes, but also lots of free fun you can have with your plain gloved hands!

2

INSIDE THE KITCHEN: Nearly every students favorite winter drink is hot cocoa!

Some kids like tea if its flavored and with some honey. It’s also fun to bake cookies or cupcakes, try a new recipe or peel veggies for a steaming hot soup.

3

AROUND THE HOUSE: If you’re stuck inside for hours, some take time to clean up and organize, tackle a project that has been waiting for just such a day. Some enjoy doing crafts. Families with a fireplace like to fire that up and sit around as a family.

4

COMPUTER: Too much computer time may not be so healthy, but there are games to play and videos to watch (as per your families guidelines and supervision), you can Skype or chat with a long-distance cousin or friend, or you can look up interesting information on a subject you have been curious about. There’s lots of learning online, too!

5

RELAXING: Sometimes its good just to take it easy! Snuggle up under the cozy covers with a good book, or camp out with everyone in the family room to schmooze, tell stories or play some board or card games, or watch a video together. It’s really nice if the family learns something together that all ages can enjoy and appreciate.

at Maimonides and in the Community 1/17: YARTZEIT KIDDUSH

1/27: KITA ALEF SIDDUR PARTY

The Mathless family is hosting a Kiddush this Shabbos at Shomray Torah commemorating the yartzeits of the Alter Rebbe, and Rabbi Mendy’s grandfather Rabbi Moshe Yitzchak Hecht obm.

Morah Devorah’s first grade students are eagerly preparing for their much-anticipated Siddur Party, an annual rite of passage in first grade. Parents are very welcome!

1/17: RABBI REISMAN SHIUR

1/31: MELAVA MALKA: M. SINAI

Sat Nights 7:30pm at CBAJ Luchins Media Center SHLOSHIM, SHIRA & YUD-SHVAT with Rabbi Y. Reisman, televised from Brooklyn.

Melava Malka to be held at Maimonides, all are Rabbi Frand’s class is viewed 9pm on Thursdays. welcome. This commemorates Shloshim of Moshe Sinai, and is in honor of Shabbos Shira and Yud1/17: COMBATING PROPOGANDA Shvat. Inspiring stories will be shared from Rebbe “Combatting Anti-Israel Propaganda on Colleges” Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (Yartzeit Shvat 10) on 7:15pm at Temple Israel, with former CNN the wonderful virtues of the Chassidic workingMiddleEast correspondent Linda Scherzer. Dinner man of yesteryear (also a tribute to Moshe Sinai). & dessert reception. $30pp at door. $15 young adults 22-40. Res/Info(518) 783-7800 or online: 2/1/15: ALBANY WOMENS CIRCLE www.jewishfedny.org.

As it’s the Sunday before Tu Bishvat, they’ll be painting flowerpots, and there will be related 1/18: HIRSCHPRUNG YARTZEIT inspiration as well! Stay tuned for details.

Rabbi Hirschprung was Chief Rabbi of Montreal known for his phenomenal Talmudic memory, a 2/4: TU BISHVAT BREAKFAST student of R’ Meir Shapiro (Daf Yomi founder). A Long-standing and eagerly-anticipated annual Yartzeit Breakfast and study at Shomray Torah. tradition at Maimonides!

1/19: MLK JR DAY AT SCHOOL

2/4: WIDOW & WIDOWER GROUP

School is open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Jewish Family Services is hosting a support group classes will have special programs to focus on civil for widows and widowers, 6-8pm at 877 Madison rights and protection of rights and minorities, Ave. Call JFS for more info. especially in light of recent events in France.

1/21: ROSH CHODESH SHVAT 8am Morning Minyan at Maimonides. 2 weeks to Tu Bishvat, 6 weeks to Purim…

1/21: CBAJ TORAH AND TEA Weds, 10:30am at CBAJ with Rabbi B. Lehrfield.

1/23-24: CBAJ SEFARDIC SHABBAT Register ahead at CBAJ.org, by reservation only: $20/Adult; $12/Child; $65/Family.

1/25: J-FED’S SUPERSUNDAY School parents and friends are encouraged to sign up for a shift at Federation’s Super-Sunday which raises money for communal agencies (including Maimonides) and overseas Jewish needs. There are also follow-up phone-a-thon dates, but we want to get representation for SuperSunday itself.

1/26: WOMENS BEIT MEDRASH 8pm at Maimonides, this month learning about Sara our Matriarch. Women in the community are encouraged to come and discuss Torah texts.

2/6-8: NCSY SHABBATON Upstate NY Regional NCSY Winter Shabbaton, contact youth@cbaj.org for more info.

2/7: MIFGASH WINE TASTING 7:30-10:30pm at Glennpeter Jewelers on Central Ave, $18pp or $25 per couple. Call: 489-4706.

2/8: MEGA CHALLAH BAKE AT TENTH SPA FOR BODY & SOUL 10th annual communal womens event: Special for this year, a Mega-Challah Bake! Guest speaker is Challah Baking expert Ruchie Pinson who led numerous mega-Challah Bakes around the USA. For info/RSVP call Clara Simon 439-8280 or Leah Rubin 495-0779 or CapitalChabad.com/Challah

2/21: LAST WINTER PIZZA NIGHT

BETTER TOGETHER! Upcoming in our “Better Together” program: 



As Shabbos ends later, final one for the season.

2/22: WRAPUNZEL HAIR WRAP A hair-wrapping workshop event sponsored by the Albany Bnos Israel Mikvah, with support from the Jewish Federation. Simple & exquisite wrap ties.

6:30pm at CBAJ. $10pp suggested donation.



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!”

Planting for the future (as our elders do for future generations) is a big Tu Bishvat theme (learned from Choni) so Rabbi Rubin is working with the NYS Assembly to have some of the seniors recognized at the annual Tu Bishvat reception. Stay tuned!

We are working with Bnai Brith and Ohav Shalom Apartments to create a “Health-Day” with Raya Ioffe (formerly a science teacher at Maimonides) who is also fluent in Russian, for both our students and the seniors.

We hope to bring back our Oral History program (some funding needed to purchase video equipment). Stay tuned!