Maimonides Community

BH. Shvat

17, 5775 / Feb 6, 2015

Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 4:57 404 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 6:00 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY

maimonidesschool@gmail.com

To sponsor this newsletter in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion please contact the school office. Thank you!

FIRST GRADE SIDDUR PARTY

ISRAEL FAMILY CONDOLENCES

This annual tradition in Morah Devorah’s first grade classroom never gets old for these eager enthusiastic boys and girls (and their parents).

They each chose two of their favorite prayers, decorated their crowns with those titles, and baked Alef-Bais cookies to spell those prayers.

Can you read the 3 morning prayers spelled out in the plates above? They opened the Siddur Party ceremonies with a very cute song about prayer, and then each one took turns leading a different piece of the davening. They did a great job, singing each piece sweetly and clearly! Before giving each student their very own Siddur, Rabbi Rubin asked the students what object their parents seem most concerned about losing or misplacing (he thought they would answer “smartphone”) but they answered “Us!” (i.e. children) At any rate, he explained that a Siddur is like a smartphone.

When we pick up the Siddur, we are speaking to Hashem on the other side of the line! It has so many features and ways to connect and accomplish things. And like a smartphone that has lots of data, a Siddur has so much inside, from Tehillim to Pirkei Avos, weekday and holiday prayers, tidbits of Mishna etc. But a smartphone (even if it has a digital Siddur or Torah apps etc) has no Kedusha but a Siddur becomes a holy object and should be well-used, cherished and held dear. Rabbi Rubin also explained that the word Siddur comes from a word we use on Pesach. And a student mused aloud, “Seder?” Yes! Siddur and a Seder both mean order and organization.

Mr. Stanley Israel passed away this week, our condolences to his children Mark & Chana Israel and Emunah & Ron Sohn (of NJ) and their families. May his memory be a blessing.

ARIEL (RAVNOY)’S MIKVAH Last week’s MC listed wrong condolence email for Miriam (Stempel) Ravnoy & family: ravnoyshivah@gmail.com (we didn’t include “h” in Shivah). The last project Ariel obm was into before his sudden, untimely passing was a Mikvah in Humboldt CA (600 miles from LA) where his sister-in-law MHDS alumna Mushkie (Stempel) and Eli Cowen (also related to other MHDS alumni…) run a Chabad House in that remote community. It’s been renamed Ariel’s Mikvah: www.ArielsMikvah.com. Itche G. flew out last week, and Miriam’s MHDS friends are pitching in to send Rivkie (Kudan) Dubroff to visit and spend time with her this week.

MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208

LITTLE AND BIG “33” 4th grade Chumash class finished chapter 32 in Breishis, which ends with verse 33. The kids observed that before moving onto the “big 33” (chapter 33) they had to first learn the “little 33” (verse 33 of chapter 32).

CARDS FOR THE KOTEL Morah Dini will be spending a week in Israel, our fourth Maimonides teacher to do so this year (after Morah Devorah, Morah Rochel, Morah Rivi - and Morah Nechama Laber goes next week!) She asked her students to write prayer cards for her to bring along with her to the Kotel for them. But not just quick off the cuff, such a prayer needs a little thought.

CHARLOTTE’S WEB Mr. D’s students read this classic book by E.B. White and afterwards watched the film.

Some students said that there are nice “Maimonides Middos” lessons from the story about caring and sensitivity, and never underestimating anyone or anything (as Pirkei Avos teaches).

TU BISHVAT BREAKFAST AND UPSHERNISH This year’s annual Tu Bishvat Breakfast had a special twist (or curl!) In addition to the fruity cereals and the platters of dried fruit and nuts (which kids really polished off this year!) the Gordons celebrated Tzvika’s Upshernish. See all the kids gathered around him above, next to his Mitzvah-Tree, for a person is like a tree! There were lots of treats, including little candy-trees, and big bucket of deliciously moist and tasty chocolate mud, and yarmulke cookies. Next they went upstairs to Morah Dini’s classroom where Uncle Moshe Poltkin of New Paltz introduced the little boy to his first day in a classroom with honey-dipped Torah letters! Everyone got a homemade goodiebag decorated like a pair of Tzitzis that was even better than the candies inside. Mazal Tov!

FRENCH VERSAILLES UPDATE Last week’s MC reported that 5/6 with Mrs. Maher were learning about Versailles and the conditions and events leading to the French Revolution. Actually, it was 6/7 grade that learned about it with Mrs. Ramsay.

REALISTIC FICTION Mrs. Maher’s students are now writing realistic fiction in their Journals. They learned about the components of a plot, development of SNOW FORTS AND TUNNELS characters and description of the setting.

Thanks to the snowplow there are huge piles of snow out front and when it’s not too cold the kids love to dig their way through it. They YOU KNOW dig from one side and another, and Nesanel THIS BOOK! crawled through and presto there was a Well, you may not have read this specific tunnel, with him being the first adventurous Hebrew story that’s on spirit to wiggle his way through it. Afterwards it was widened and auxiliary tunnels branched the shelf in Morah Devorah’s classroom, off it, but that’s how it started! but any one who has small children about has often experienced “I can’t find my shoe!” especially when you are trying to get out to school on time in the morning!

MORAH AVIVA PUPPETSHOW Morah Aviva made the Kindergarteners a very animated puppet show about Tu Bishvat and Choni HaMe’agel that teaches us to plant for the future even if we don’t see the fruits now.

TEI: YISRO, OUTSIDER ADVICE

7th grades learned this week in TEI class about the importance of an objective opinion, someone who knows what you are going through and understands you but is not in the same situation or predicament him/herself can offer new insight and fresh perspective or a different angle that we ourselves might miss because we are too close to ourselves and have blind spots when it comes to A FIRST-EVER TU BISHVAT! ourselves.

They learned phrases like Ayn One Jewish man at Bnai chavish matir atzmo m’bais haAssurim (a prisoner Brith told our HS boys, “I can’t free himself from prison without some am eighty-eight years old and help from the outside), and the Yiddish this is my first time celebrating Tu Bishvat in my expression A Gahst af a Vayl Zet Ohf a Mayel (a guest for a while can see a mile). Sometimes life. And I love it!” They even we can be the outsider if we step out of went there on Wednesday the situation, or take a look in hindsight when and made healthy treats with them together we are not as deeply involved in the heat of with Raya Ioffe, formerly a science teacher at the moment or intense passion.

Maimonides, who speaks Russian.

COTTON & COFFEE ETC...

7th graders made these and other science projects to explore the extensive process that goes into transforming natural resources into useful products for everyday GROWING & BLOSSOMING living. It helps you marvel at what you might In connection with Tu Bishvat, Morah take for granted, realizing what goes into it!

Devorah’s class planted their sprouted lima beans and got their rooted azalea shoots into MORE HOUDINI RESEARCH dirt, too. It’s growing beautifully because they One student was especially intrigued by the are taking such good care of it.

Harry Houdini story read in class and reported on in last week’s MC. This boy was eager to ELIEZER BEN find out more so he read up more books about YEHUDAH’S TEAMWORK BUILDS HOUSE Houdini, his tricks and his personal life, too.

We’re not sure of the backstory, but these kids “HATZVI” For example that he lived 52 years: 1874-1926. built this at recesstime and we very eager to NEWSPAPER have a TNT photographer comes down and As part of an Ivrit get a picture of it. Looks like they worked on it HOW WE EXPERIENCED unit on the “TU BISHVAT” AT together and are happy about that, so that founder of Modern itself is a worthwhile story!

MAIMONIDES THIS YEAR Hebrew language Morah Rivi’s LEARNING: Classes learned Hebrew students are each words for fruit, proper blessings on fruit making a “haTzvi” and about Israel’s 7 Kinds, a few classes in newspaper using Mishna/Talmud class with Rabbi Shmuly some of his learned the Choni Ha’Me’agel story about creative words like Rakevet (train) which now planting for the future, and Kindergarten everyone knows, in the news stories as well as had a puppet show about that.

TU BISHVAT HEALTH AT OHAV the advertisements. They are making the PROJECTS: Students patiently sprouted Our 7th grade girls did a hands-on tasty newspaper totally in Hebrew. and planted lima beans and rooted azaleas smoothy health program at Ohav Shalom shoots, made paper trees and fruits with the Apartments with Raya Ioffee, as part of the SHKAYDIA appropriate blessings, and tissue-paper Better Together Project of intergenerational Shkaydia trees. We’re also participating in TREES connections of teens and seniors.

Zo Artzeinu/Israel Shmitta tree program.

Our kids are like Shkaydia almond LIFE-LESSONS: Tu Bishvat is the Jewish trees, they blossom New Year for Trees but while the focus is so quickly and on nature, trees and fruit, there’s also a lot In Russia under Communism Jews were not about “man is a tree of the field” and the beautifully!

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life lessons we can learn from trees which was a focus in many of our classes.

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SHARING: Our HS Boys and Girls shared the spirit and tastes at Tu Bishvat in the Better Together program at Bnai Brith and at Ohav Shalom Apartments. See page 2 for what one 88-year-old man said! Usually the HS gets to attend the NYS Assembly party but this year it fell on a snowday so Rabbi Rubin went alone.

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CELEBRATION: The annual Tu Bishvat breakfast is something our students look forward to and this year it had a special twist with the Gordon Upshernish. First time this year that most of the dried fruit and nuts platters were so well enjoyed, maybe it was because we had more adults in house for the Upshern, or maybe the kids took a liking...

2nd grader Mendel H. enjoys playing in the snow, and is also very good about taking in the shovels each day, even the ones he didn’t use. It is very helpful and responsible and he is happy to do it!

The Gordons told their NY relatives not to make the big trip up for the Upshern, but they insisted on coming!

Morah Rochel really wants to keep the Computer Lab neat and asks students to tuck in their chairs after use. Mara is one the students who remembers it best and tucks in other people’s chairs, too!

allowed to learn Torah and the KGB made sure of it. Once the KGB spotted a Jewish person learning Torah and took a picture. The next day they stormed in his house and said, “We caught you learning Torah and we have a picture to prove it!”

The Jew replied, “No, I was not studying Torah, I was only learning Hebrew” (which actually was also quasi-prohibited, but not in this joke) The KGB asked, “Why do you need to study Hebrew, no one speaks Hebrew around here?” The Jew explained, “When I die, and go up to heaven, I want understand what’s going on!” The KGB laughed, “What makes you so sure you are going to heaven, maybe you are going to the opposite?” The Jew then replied, “Well, I already know Russian.”

What happens to a frogs car when it breaks down?

It gets toad away!

Lettuce and Ketchup had a race. The lettuce was ahead, but the ketchup was ketching-up!

at Maimonides and in the Community 2/6-8: NCSY REGION SHABBATON Upstate NY Regional NCSY Winter Shabbaton, guests & activities. youth@cbaj.org for more info.

2/7: TEN COMMANDMENTS! Guess what’s coming this weekend to a synagogue near you? “The Ten Commandments!” as read in this week’s Torah portion.

enjoy some fresh-made pizza, sushi rolls and other specialties.

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.

RSVP: albanymikvah@gmail.com / 618-7423.

2/7: RABBI REISMAN SHIUR

Sat Nights 7:30pm at CBAJ Luchins Media Center 3/4: PURIM NIGHT! Purim Night is “March Forth!” this year so its an with Rabbi Y. Reisman, televised from Brooklyn. easy date to remember. Look for many local events Rabbi Frand’s class is viewed 9pm on Thursdays. and celebrations including:  Big Bounce Night at CBAJ 2/7: MIFGASH WINE TASTING  Purim Carnival on UAlbany Campus 7:30-10:30pm at Glennpeter Jewelers on Central  “Purim Under Sea” at Bethlehem Chabad Ave, $18pp or $25 per couple. Call: 489-4706.  Italian (Dairy) Purim at Saratoga Chabad  No-Frills Megillah Reading at Shomray Torah

2/8: MEGA CHALLAH BAKE AT SPA 10TH ANNUAL FOR BODY & SOUL 3/4: PURIM DAY

10th annual communal womens event: Special this The Mitzvah of Mishloach Manot and the Purim year, a Mega-Challah Bake! Spa treatments precede Meal is supposed to be done on Purim Day, and the program 12:30-1:30pm downstairs at Shabbos yes, there are more communal celebrations!

House. Guest speaker is Challah Baking expert  Annual Maimonides Purim Prunch late Purim Ruchie Pinson who led numerous mega-Challah morning this year with a possible “Seussian Bakes around the USA and takes it to a new level.

Soos” theme! Stay tuned…

For info/RSVP call Clara Simon 439-8280 or Leah  “Purim a Paris” with Clifton Park Chabad 4:30 Rubin 495-0779 or CapitalChabad.com/Challah at the West Crescent Fire Hall.

PARKING INFO: Please, Drop-off only at  Kingston NY is also hosting a Purim in Paris.

Shabbos House. Parking available at UAlbany It’s a popular theme this year in solidarity with Dutch Gold/Student Lot (if cordoned for sports, the Jews of Paris who suffered this year. just park further in) with volunteer cars shuttling  “I Remember When” Purim at Troy’s Beth people back and forth. Shabbos House asks that Tephilah, stay tuned for info. side-street parking please be kept to a minimum as  Plus morning Minyan, Torah and Megillah per their neighborhood agreement.

Reading at Shomray Torah, CBAJ etc.

2/12: HALF-DAY AT MAIMONIDES English classes only, dismissal at 11:30am. There is No School on Friday 2/13. Enjoy the extended weekend!

It so happens that Rabbi Rubin’s annual Tu Bishvat celebration at the NYS Capitol was on Monday this week, on the same day when the speakership of the NYS Assembly transitioned from the long-time leadership of Shelly Silver.

The Tu Bishvat tradition continued, with platters of fruits and nuts, a short ceremony in the lobby before start of session. Rabbi Rubin’s invocation about trees changing resonated with many of the members, who thanked him for the words that set the tone in an unsettling time for the legislature. Former Speaker Silver also participated. At the start of session Assemblyman Lentol quipped “not only in Albany, but also in my home district of Williamsburg they know about Tu Bishvat” which got a nice laugh. David Weprin spoke about his longtime connections with Rabbi Rubin, he is a Shabbos House alumnus, and our local Assembly representative Pay Fahy spoke how she is proud to have Maimonides in her district and she spoke warmly about her visit to the school and speaking to our students.

3/8: SCOUTS PINEWOOD DERBY You do not have to be a scout to join, this event is open to boys and girls ages K-8, 1-4pm at Temple Israel Social Hall. Signup by 3/1: contact Contact Jesse Weinstock gashach@gmail.com 222-4070 or Adam Selsley attrcjcos@gmail.com 368-8713.

2/12: LOCAL CAMP STONE VISIT

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The Levin children attend Camp Stone (Young Israel/Bnei Akiva) in the summers, and they invited the camp director Rabbi Yehudah Rothner to present a class “Symbolism at Revelation at Sinai” at CBAJ Thurs evening 7:30pm and also to discuss the camp. Parents and kids welcome. Call Mrs. Levin 813-0633 with any questions.

ZO ARTZEINU: Support Israel’s Farmers, Buy a Fruit Tree Now To Be Planted After Shmittah Our school is participating in this Zo Artzienu project, more info to be announced soon. Look for a cardboard tree display coming to school.

2/21: LAST WINTER PIZZA NITE

www.tinyurl.com/MaimonidesPayPal

As Shabbos ends later, final one for the season.

Come support the HS Girls extra-curricular and

A TU BISHVAT CHANGE

Contribute any amount, anytime! Thank you!

NOW ALREADY LONG IN USE Rabbi Yossi did this ceramic mug projects with the girls a long time ago, but we didn’t get this picture in until now. BH they all report that they are enjoying the mugs, putting them to good use.

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!”