Maimonides Community

BH. Shvat

5, 5776 / Jan 15, 2016

Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 4:29 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org Shabbos Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 5:34 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY

MAZAL TOV MORRISONS Mazal Tov to R’ Leibel and Elisheva & family (esp Aharon Meir in MHDS 6th grade) on the engagement of their daughter (MHDS alumna) Fruma to Yeshaya Spielman of Crown Heights.

MAZAL TOV GORDONS Mazal Tov to Mr. Harvey and to Mrs. Leah Gordon (who were very active at Maimonides years ago) on the engagement of their daughter Netana to Daniel Wanderman of Long Island.

maimonidesschool@gmail.com

KIDS BOOK OF TEN PLAGUES The Ten Plagues are a big theme of the Torah portion this week and last, so our Nursery students have been working on making their own book of it.

This newsletter is dedicated in memory of

Dveyra Gurevitch

a righteous and pious Russian Jewish woman, whose son Vladimir passed away this week.

PARENT & CHILD LEARNING This Sat Night at Pizza Night! Last minute announcement thanks to an encouraging push from a parent along with a donation for prizes (in memory of Elana Chaya bas Shlomo - yartzeit 11 Shvat). Hey Kids! It’s easy!

Just learn with your parent(s) at Pizza Night this Motzai Shabbos at MHDS and earn prizes!

RUNNING CLUB KEEPS GOING The cold weather isn’t stopping Mrs. Levin & the Girls Running Club from going out for warm-up exercises and runs. Sports and recess fun are outside as well. Make sure kids dress for it.

GIVE OUR PLAYGROUND A CHANCE WITH A DAILY CLICK We need a new playground, let’s try this sweepstakes. Please take time to click for our school (12208) once a day: http://www.togethercounts.com/healthyplayground-makeover It’s one click a day!

Once you vote the first time and take the pledge (don’t worry, it’s a good pledge) subsequent daily votes take only a second.

FINDING “EMEK-YIZRAEL”

Morah Rochel’s 4/5 grade Navi students were DIABOLICAL DIAPER DILEMMA excited to find “Emek Yizrael” Jezreel Valley Mrs. Dubarry’s 4/5 grade did an experiment to where Gideon led the Jews in a battle against the Midianites (Book of Judges). It’s the center see which diaper brand holds the most water of Israel’s Lower Galilee. Afula is without leaking. The winner turned out to be one of the region’s main cities Huggies brand, but there are also other factors (along with Migdal HaEmek and to consider with baby diapers including Nazareth) and it has Yizrael comfort, fit and of course cost. mentioned on its official seal.

EXTRA KIND TO VULERNABLE 7th grade Chumash class learned the verse that we should be extra kind to “the convert, orphan and widow” types of people who may be more sensitive and vulnerable. They learned that the message here can be extended to anyone in our social circles who may be especially sensitive.

BIG NEWS! BIG SIYUM! 2nd grade just finished Parsha Breishis this week, their first completed Parsha! And it’s a very long Parsha, too! Siyum pictures soon…

MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208

WHICH SUBJECT? Can you tell which subject this is by looking at this star-studded classroom bulletin board? It might be too easy to guess that it’s for one of the Hebrew subjects, but it isn’t! (Maimonides encourages inter-curricular integration!) These six-pointed Jewish stars have 10 compartments, and Mrs. Maher’s 3rd grade students get another compartment filled in for books read.

CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST 6/7 learned some interesting trivia about one of the world’s most challenging adventures.

You need a permit to climb, and it isn’t cheap: it’s $11K just for the permit! Plus, food and supplies have to be bought in, campsites have to be maintained and the guides and Sherpas have to be paid. The BUSY SEASON FOR HS BOYS bottles of oxygen aren’t free: they are as much Pictured above they’re enjoying supper at Shabbos House as part of their Monday Night as $550 per bottle. They learned the names of the oldest and youngest person to reach the sleepovers. This coming week they’re headed to Brooklyn from Tuesday night to Thursday peak, the first woman to do it, and how many died in the attempt. People spend months morning (thanks to alumnus Motti for the arrangements and chaperoning) and then they and years preparing physically, mentally and logistically for this huge undertaking. are headed up north next week for their second Adirondacks trip. Busy season, indeed!

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE 8th grade English class recently finished “The Book Thief” and are writing an essay about figurative language: similes, metaphors, imagery, personification, hyperbole, etc that they had to look back and find in the long story and write an essay about it. Figurative language also plays an important role in understanding biblical verses and expressions.

OVERFLOWING DOUGH Many of our students have at one time read the book “Way Too Much Challah Dough” by Goldie Schulman. That’s what came to mind when the HS girls were prepping the pizza dough for this Sat Night’s Pizza Night! The dough kept rising & rising, overflowing the bowls!

I’D LIKE TO BE LIKE...

YELED, YALDAH w/ YADAYIM Kindergarteners are learning letter Yud, so they made these Yeled (boy) Yalda (girl) Yudshaped puppets with Yadayim (hands).

3rd graders each filled in these circles. “I am the fruit, and I’d like to like XYZ because of ABC” Some wrote grandfather, one wrote Rachel Imenu, others wrote parents etc.

And they wrote the person and the reason in Hebrew!

DEDUCTIVE REASONING One day this week, Morah Mushky asked her Kindergarten students to each gather three COMMENTATOR TIMELINE random items from around their classroom Morah Leyee wrote this timeline on the board and gather them on their study table. Then to help her 8th graders understand in which she began to disqualify certain items saying time period biblical commentators (like Rashi, that they would not work for their lesson.

Ibn Ezra, Baal haTurim etc) lived. The bottom Eventually a certain number of items were left line is basically a nutshell timeline of 5700 and Morah Mushky asked if anyone knows years while the upper timeline covers about what this random assortment has in common 700 years, from Rashi to the Kli Yakar. Before that is different from all the other collected they erased the board they ran for a TNT objects that were removed. They thought and camera so it could make the “MC” newsletter! thought and then Foli jumped up: “These are from trees, they are all from trees!” Indeed, WORKING IN scissors, sharpeners, toy cars, and hats were THE SAND among the disqualified items. Items left on the Like the Jews in Egypt, table included a book, pieces of paper, pencil, these Nursery students tissues & a block. Tu Bishvat is coming! are hard at work in the sand. They are digging STUDYING DISEASE and sifting and moving Mrs. Roland’s 6/7 grade science students have the sand from one been learning about viral and bacterial disease place to another using a variety of tools. and how it plays out within our bodies. She

DRAWING THE DRAPES You might remember this from Amelia Bedelia! 6/7 graders took a close look at some cloth Mrs. Levin draped over a box and learned how to draw its folds and shadows.

NEWSPAPER VOCAB/SPELLING Ms. Ford had a bunch of classroom centers set up for students to try different tasks/activities.

Tziporah is trying “Newspaper Spelling” where she has to highlight as many spelling words as she can find in a page of a newspaper.

FRENCH KIPPA SOLIDARITY

After recent antiSemitic attacks in Marseilles, France, a Jewish Federation leader called on Jews to remove Kippas to for safety. But Jews and non-Jews assigned each student a different disease (some common, others rare) to research and prepare alike protested this approach, even France’s for a class presentation, including info on the President! Earlier today, Friday the 15th, was a type of disease, its causes & symptoms, where wide-spread social-media campaign for French it is most common, how it spreads and how it people (and others) to wear a kippa for a bit in solidarity and support. (This Kippa on Mona can be prevented, and forms of treatment.

Lisa was one of the ways they promoted it).

DARKNESS in connection with the Plague of Darkness in Parshat Bo, this High-5 is about darkness in general.

1

DARKNESS AS A POSITIVE: It’s easier to sleep when its dark, some people like a little light but some like it very dark. Things like campfires and fireworks are only good after dark. Proverbs says we appreciate light most when contrasted with darkness, Chassidic teaching emphasizes that the greatest light comes from darkness. Some Mitzvos have to be done only after dark like Chanukah candles, search for Chametz & eating Matzah.

2

SPIRITUAL/EMOTIONAL DARKNESS: Darkness is a metaphor for the negative, for hard times, difficulty & challenge. Spiritually it’s often expressed as the opposite or void of holiness, and emotionally it’s a symbol for sadness and mourning and even evil. This is one reason for Shabbos candles, to increase spiritual light in our world. In fact, the exile is compared to darkness & redemption to light.

3

DARKNESS FACTS: Our nighttime is dark because the earth spins on its axis and we are then facing away from the sun our source of light. The amount of darkness in 24-hours depends on where we live on the planet and what time of year it is. Shadows are a form of mini-darkness, when our bodies block some of the light behind us, causing shadows on the other side. Shadows are longer or shorter depending on the angle of the sun.

4

FEAR OF DARKNESS: It’s common for people to be afraid of the dark. It’s also harder to function in the dark, which is one reason why the Rabbis instituted Shabbos candles because without light the Shabbos would not be as peaceful and enjoyable.

5

POWER OUTAGES & LIGHT POLLUTION: We don’t really realize how very dark darkness can be until there’s a power outage (or when out camping in the woods), because we are so accustomed to artificial light. The more artificial light (street lights, cars, home-lighting, etc) the harder it is to see the stars in the nighttime sky. That’s why you can see so many more stars in the countryside than in a busy city.

FIRST GRADE TU BISHVAT

SHARING ORANGE-ZEST CAKE

Morah Devorah’s Kitah Alef has been learning and writing the Hebrew names of fruit tagged on their Borei Pri HaEitz tree. Can you see the ziplock bags lined up on either side of the tree?

Those are their lima beans with little moisture towelets, about to sprout roots so they can plant them in earth in time for Tu Bishvat.

Last week our 8th graders in the “Better Together” program visited Ethel, Phyllis and Shirley at home and brought them some orange-zest cake that they made at “Nathan’s Kitchen” with Morah Rivi. They talked about favorite foods of their youth and said they will share some of their favorite recipes and stories for our “Better Together” cookbook project.

Do you know a local senior who’d appreciate a short daytime visit from our students? Do you have a recipe (with a story) you can share?

Please be in touch with Rabbi Yossi: (518) 4950772 or email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com

SUSHI SIYUM FOR SHLACH Morah Leyee’s 8th graders made their own sushi (and enjoyed it!) in “Nathan’s Kitchen” for finishing Parshat Shlach in Chumash class.

FRUITY LIFE MESSAGES During after-school program last week, the HS Boys studied these (and other) fruity messages and then worked together to express them in mini-posters for the Tu Bishvat breakfast.

THE ESSAY CONTEST IS BACK

DOUBLE & TRIPLE DIGITS

Middle and High School Morah Devorah’s 2nd graders are moving up students: The “Better 2 Write” in their Hebrew numbers knowledge. They essay contest from “Better lettered & colored each of these by themselves!

Together” is back. Details soon to be announced, in the meantime PJ LIBRARY AT SCHOOL it’s not too early to get some ideas churning.

Amy Drucker has been coming each Wed to read with our students and to share some of YAHADUS 8TH GRADE the new children’s books via PJ Library, thanks now learning Holiday Halacha… to the Jewish Federation. Our younger kids

What did one flea ask another as they left the event? Should we fly home or take a dog?

Don’t trust atoms, they make up everything.

What starts with a T, ends with a T, and is filled with T? A teapot.

look forward to it each week. Signup to get monthly books mailed to your home, there are both English and Hebrew programs. Some who signed up have not received theirs yet, we have to look into that.

J-FED CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS

at Maimonides and in the Community 1/16: SHABBOS PARSHAS BO Kiddush this Shabbos at Shomray Torah in honor of Michoel Caras’ birthday, and in preparation for Yud-Shvat this coming Wednesday.

1/16: RABBI REISMAN SAT @7:30

Wed: Womens Farbrengen 7:30pm at the Caras Home, 96 Grove Street

1/21: J-FED WINE & MUSIC IN PREP FOR SUPER SUNDAY

JFED hosts an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres & Rabbi Y. Reisman’s live Navi class (his Navi class is live music for SuperSunday volunteer preparation. a springboard for many topics) from Brooklyn are Thurs 5:30pm at Federation, For more info and to RSVP call: 783-7800 screened 7:30pm at the CBAJ Media Center.

Rabbi Frand’s class is screened Thursdays at 9pm.

1/16: PIZZA NIGHT III

1/22-23: CBAJ SEFARDIC SHABBAT

Visit cbaj.org for more info and to register if you’d Technically, our second pizza night of the season, like to join for the Shabbat dinner. This special considering our second one was a Pasta and Movie Shabbat features guest Cantor Raphael Benizri of Baltimore, who sings internationally. night. But back to pizza! 7:15pm at “Nathan’s Kitchen” downstairs at Maimonides. Preorder if you’d like to: bnoschayaprograms@gmail.com 1/23: SHIRA’S BAT-MITZVAH M.M. Shira’s family is hosting a Melava Malka for her 1/16: … AND AT PIZZA NIGHT III Bat Mitzvah, 7-10pm. Women and girls invited to Maimonides for singing, stories and Divrei Torah.

Kids of all ages can earn prizes by learning with Men are welcome to farbreng downstairs in the their parent(s) at the Pizza Night. The prizes are lunchroom that Sat Night and join the women for donated by a school parent in memory of Elana the speeches. Parve refreshments will be served.

Chaya bas Shlomo (yartzeit 11 Shvat).

There will also be a Women's T'filah Group at the Levin's Shabbat morning January 23rd, please call 1/17: SUKKAH CITY FILM @ JCC Susannah for info - 813-0633.

Sukkot in January! 3pm screening at the Albany JCC of “Sukkah City” (2013) about a creative 1/24: JNF TU BISHVAT @ MARRIOT Sukkah contest and display in NYC. JNF is hosting a Tu Bishvat celebration at the Albany Marriot on Wolf Road from 9:30-11:30am, 1/17: BACH LIBRARY SUNDAYS New Sunday hours (1-5pm) begin on January 10th no charge. Register online at jnf.org/ in part to accommodate Sabbath observant library tubishvatcelebration or contact: shefez@jnf.org. patrons in New Scotland Ave area. Let’s support it!

1/25: TU BISHVAT BREAKFAST

The highly anticipated fruity breakfast at school, OUTDOORS TIP: with presentations and tasty edible learning.

Both the Wilton Preserve (snowshoe rentals) and Moreau State Park (hikes and lake, and a nice warming hut) have events this Sunday, but are nice 1/31: J-FED’S SUPER SUNDAY outdoors spots to go with kids any time.

Federations’ annual phone-a-thon fundraiser for local agencies and beneficiaries (including 1/18: TEACHER APPRECIATION Maimonides) as well as overseas Jewish needs.

MHDS Parents are requested to volunteer for a Rachel Horan is organizing this year’s Teacher shift to make calls for these communal needs.

Appreciation Luncheon. Parents are pitching for it. Parents are also needed for recess duty that day.

1/18: ALBANY INSTITUTE FREE

1/31: SHLUCHOS CONFERENCE Chabad Shluchos Womens Conference climaxes this weekend with a Sunday evening banquet that is viewable live online at: Chabad.org.

Free admission on Martin Luther King Day to the Albany Institute of History & Art. We do have school and the museum closes at 5pm, but you can get an hour in after school if you’d like. The 2/5-7: NCSY REGIONAL IN ALBANY “Capital Region in 50 Objects” exhibit is supposed Regional Shabbaton in Albany for grades 8-12, to be interesting and thought-provoking. cost $149. Info/Reservations: upstate.ncsy.org

1/29-21: MEN/WOMENS YUDSHVAT 2/28: SPA FOR BODY & SOUL Tues: Mens Farbrengen at Shteeble, 7:30pm

The 11th year! Stay tuned for info. Save the date!

The Jewish Federation offers scholarships to area children & college students for overnight Jewish camps, Jewish travel experiences, summer and year-long Israel programs. Due to limited funding, decisions are based on financial need determined by a questionnaire, submission by parents of their recent complete federal income tax return available, and possible telephone follow-up. Deadline for applications is March 4, for programs of summer 2016. If you have any questions, call Rebecca Miller at Federation: 783-7800 x 225, rmiller@jewishfedny.org.

Forms available at the school office or online at www.jewishfedny.org. For local day camps, Federation funds eligible day camps directly (to a certain degree). Parents should apply directly to these camps for campership.

CONTRIBUTE ONLINE ANYTIME! www.tinyurl.com/MaimonidesPayPal

TORAH365 learning this coming week Avos 3:11-14 Rabbi Dosa ben Hurkinas said: Late morning sleep, midday wine, children’s chatter, and sitting in gatherings of the ignorant can drive a person from the world. (Avos 3:14 / 3:?? in Tehillas Hashem edition).

What is it about the timing that makes midday wine a problem? Is wine better in the evenings?

Rabbi Rubin explains that it is all about context.

This differentiates between wine at a Kiddush (often at noontime) or at a Simcha vs. wine at noon on Tuesday, in mitn helem tog as the Yiddish expression goes, in middle of nowhere, for no reason and without focused purpose or context.

This is one of the reasons behind the classic Jewish expression: “L’chaim!” because wine can go both ways, so we declare that this wine be lifeaffirming, positive & healthy. The expression L’Chaim and the need for it, highlights the very real possible dangers and negatives that can come from wine, as we know go back as early as Noach!

The late Dr. Jonathan O’Brien liked to say how wine is forbidden in Islam, sacred in Christianity, but in Judaism is somewhere in the middle. Wine isn’t banned. It has its purposes and uses yet is not considered sacred in and of itself - which Dr. O’Brien considered the healthiest approach.

Dr. O’Brien’s insight notwithstanding, Jews are not immune to the dangers of alcohol and alcoholism. Careful care must be taken that it be in appropriate context and healthy limit. L’chaim!

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!”