Maimonides Community

BH. Tevet

19, 5776 / Dec 31, 2015

Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 4:14 404 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 5:20 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY

maimonidesschool@gmail.com

ANOTHER SHORT WEEK! Only 3 days of school (plus the full-day Team-Up Camp on Wednesday) and half-days at that but it was still quite a busy and exciting week so we have a full-page newsletter to share!

MAZAL TOV TO THE BAKERS Yehudah and Ra’anit Baker had a baby boy and the bris will be G-d willing tomorrow morning, New Years Day, at CBAJ. We wish them much happiness, gezunt and Nachas!

SHOW & TELL - AND PLAY!

NEW TORAH-TIMES SPECIAL RELEASE FOR THE BREISHIS CHAZAK CARNIVAL!

YEAR-END CONTRIBUTIONS

They were learning about a violin or harp and musical instruments in Chumash class, so Jacob and Max brought in their violin and played a song for their classmates. It’s in the “Torah Times” spirit of making learning come alive and relevant in ways that students can personally connect with and relate to!

Today, December 31st is the last day of 2015!

It can be advantageous for some to make their charitable contributions before the year’s end, Rabbi Rubin worked with our Mesivta High so it’s not too late to support Maimonides: BREISHIS CARNIVAL PICTURES School boys on this creative twist on the well- www.tinyurl.com/MaimonidesPayPal or by known Monopoly board replacing the See inside for pictures of today’s exciting sending a check to the school dated today. properties with places from Sefer Breishis! Can Thanks for your continued support!

Breishis Carnival: Torah comes alive! you find Eloni Mamre, Sodom, Dosan, Gilad and Shechem? “Lech-Lecha” is when you pass MAIMONIDES GO!, Potifar runs the jail, Lavan is host of the 404 Partridge Street free (camel) parking. Instead of railroads there Albany NY 12208 are 4 wells, Income Tax is where Avraham gave Malkitzedek a tenth of his income. Chance became Hashgocha Pratis! The boys did a great job - all in one afternoon’s work! Property prices coming soon...

YES, IT’S ALREADY SHMOS...

But we saved the Breishis Chazak Carnival for the last of the half-days before New Years. See more Breishis Carnival pics inside on page 2>

$1,000 A COOKIE? Avraham’s oasis was an expensive venture, but you had the option of getting free service if you would learn to bless G-d!

That’s portrayed inside (and outside) Avraham’s tent at the Carnival. A girl walked over to Rabbi Rubin and offered him a cookie, he was happy to take it, but balked at the $1,000 price for a cookie. He was delighted to hear her offer of blessing G-d instead, and loved that “she came out of her tent to reach out” like Avraham!

BREISHIS HAKHEL CHAZAK! Students posing with the full-color printing of the HS Boys Breishis “Torah Times” spoof of a Monopoly board. Rabbi Rubin (in back with a big “Press” sign in his hat for “TorahTimes”) explained how this is a Hakhel of all the different Torah portions in Breishis coming together and giving us a big Chazak!

GET SOME REAL LENTIL SOUP! But you first you have to answer some Parsha trivia!

Some questions were hard and some were easy, you could choose. Rabbi Yossi and his Chumash students ran this delicious booth. It was served in small cups that you can drink in one gulp just as Eisav did after buying the lentil soup from his brother Jacob…

PIN THE TAIL OR THE HUMP! Blindfolded, of course! see some of the results so far taped on the camel with their initials…

INSTRUMENTS AT VAYIGASH This Vayigash book had musical instruments for kids to try, recalling Serach’s playing the harp to gently break the news to Yaakov that Yosef was still alive! Rabbi Mathless pictured above is trying the water bottle instrument, filled with varying levels of water - it works! Its even better when tapping bottles with a tool!

HOW FAST CAN U FIND A CUP? “Yosef’s Cup” was buried in a big bowl of rice!

These 5th graders used an iPhone to time how long it took students to find that little cup…

YISHMAEL WAS AN EXPERT marksman, students had a good time testing their skill using this dartboard, run by the boys of 6th and 7th grade.

MOST AMAZING In Kitah Beis’ booth, students of all ages YOSEF’S MULTI-COLOR COAT wrote down what they This booth had all kinds of paints and a quick thought was most chance to paint Yosef’s multicolor coat. amazing in Hashem’s world!

BEAD JEWELRY MAKING Bracelets made right on the spot like Eliezer brought for Rivka at the well…

HEBREW VEGGIE WORD FIND Morah Rivi’s students did a challenging Hebrew word find of vegetables, including: avatiach = watermelon, ananas = pineapple, gezer = carrot, batzeil = onion, chatzil = eggplant, chasah = lettuce, selek = beets, tiras = corn, shamir = dill and many more!

SNEAKER RACE WINNERS Mrs. Dubarry’s 4/5 graders are happy to report the first sneaker-race winners: Sara H., Mendel CP and DL K. From now on, every paper handed in on time gets a sneaker move forward! The race is still on…

TORAH365 Rabbi Shimon says, “Three who eat at one table and don’t say words of Torah, it is as if they ate of idol worship! But three who eat at one table and say on it words of Torah it is as if they eat from G-d’s Table” (Avot 3:3) Chronlogically, Rabbi Shimon belongs in the 4th chapter where he is quoted among fellow students of Rabbi Akiva (with his contemporaries Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Meir etc) but his teaching is interjected here because it relates to the series of numbers of people mentioned in Mishna 2 and 6.

But while the earlier and later mishna lists of student numbers are learning Torah textually in the abstract, Rabbi Shimon welcomes us to a practical and tangible venue of an actual table in the kitchen or dining room. This unique context and setting does more than just enhance the

Knock, Knock. Who is there? Amos. Amos who?

A mosquito bit me!

There was once a train leaving at 11am NY with 18 cars and 278 passengers headed to North Carolina at 170 miles an hour. There was another train leaving North Carolina at 12:30pm, headed to New York, with only 5 cars, 68 passengers, going at 168 miles per hour. All of the cars on both trains were red. What were they serving in the dining cars? Lunch!

What is the sea’s favorite treat near the Israeli shore? Kremboats!

Why does the ocean roar? Say, you’d roar too if you had crabs on your bottom!

When is a door ready to eat? When its jammed!

What do you call cheese that’s not your cheese?

Nacho Cheese!

What flower talks the most? Tulips!

FORMER MAIMONIDES PRESIDENT VISITS FROM JERUSALEM Mr. Stephen Phaff and family were very involved at Maimonides 22 years ago when they lived in Albany, he served as school president and his children (those old enough at the time) attending and enjoyed Maimonides (and still speak of it to this day). They moved to Israel 22 years ago and he was back this week for a visit, when he shared 5 random but interesting messages from and about Israel with our students: ORANGE: He spoke about the many agricultural laws they have to be aware of in Israel, especially this year coming off Shmittah. He explained the chart they have on their fridge with various fruits and vegetables and their growing seasons so they can know until when in the following year Shmitta must still be observed.

SNOW: Snow, of course, is a much more of an Albany thing but even Jerusalem can get snow. In fact, two years ago they got a meter (that’s about 3 feet!) of snow over the course of a 5-day storm! Because snow is rare there, they are less equipped to deal with it. He described digging out his walk with a small but heavy garden shovel.

BUSES: We’re all familiar with buses, but few of our students ride city buses on a regular basis. But in Israel - everyone rides the bus, it’s the best way to get around. One time his daughter was on a bus and had the exact amount of money to get to her destination and back, and was a little upset when the bus took a different route and she would need more money than she had to get back. So she got off the next stop with a worried heart, and as soon as she got off the bus who did she see? Her own brother happened to be right there! He gave her the money she needed. Hashgacha Pratis can happen everywhere, of course, but Israel is a much smaller and more inter-connected place so such stories happen all the time.

MOON: Israel can really use the rain, but the fact is that it is much less cloudy than a place like Albany. That’s a bonus for something like Kiddush Levanah, it’s almost always available.

KOHANIM: In the diaspora we have Birkat Kohanim on holidays, but in Jerusalem - they do it every single morning, as long as there is a Kohain at the Minyan. He likes that constant flow of blessings and missed it while he was in Albany this week.

Rabbi Reuvain Biermacher and his family live in the same Jerusalem suburb Telz-Stone as the Phaffs. Tragically, Rabbi Biermacher (a Spanish-speaking Rabbi at Aish HaTorah) was killed by terrorists just outside the Old City’s Jaffa Gate. He leaves behind 7 children. Stephen Phaff is part of a group of neighbors collecting Tzedakah to support his family. Morah Rochel and students collected nearly $60 from school pushkas and gave it to Mr. Phaff to bring to the Biermachers in Israel. based on age group. A mini-Zoo called Wednesday’s “Team-Up” camp, a joint project “Animal Experiences” came right into school of Camp Gan Israel and the Friendship Circle including snakes, a ferret, a rabbit and other animals. They also took a trip to “Flight!” and was a lot of fun. Counselors came in to assist from New Haven, NY and Montreal, plus our bounced around and had a good time! There were sports including dodge-ball and soccer, own dedicated and talented teen students. and capture the flag. It was a really nice thing There was a morning workshop on being to see our students relate well with others, and sensitive and understanding to kids with special needs, and a several fun hands-on team- participate enthusiastically in meaningful lessons and experiences! building and sensitivity exercises and games

THE TEAM-UP ONE-DAY CAMP

at Maimonides and in the Community 1/1/2016: NEW YEARS NO SCHOOL House’s Oil

No School on New Years Friday, another extended and National Security weekend to enjoy with family.

Caucus. He is no stranger to Albany, as he * The Lubavitcher Rebbe once wished this on New was a NYS Year Eve to Rabbi JJ Hecht, a great-grandfather of Assemblyman some MHDS students, to Rabbi Hecht’s surprise. for a decade. He will be speaking for a Joint The Rebbe used a verse from Psalms: “G-d reckons Society Federation event at Agudat Achim in Schenectady, open to 250 people. $30pp, $15 with the counting of nations” to back it up. young adult, prices go up by $5 after January 8th.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!*

1/1/2016: RAMBAM YARTZEIT Teves 20 is the Rambam’s Yartzeit. No school, but we usually like to celebrate it!

1/2: RABBI REISMAN SAT @7:30

1/11: ROSH CHODESH SHVAT 8am Minyan Monday morning at Maimonides.

Remember to add Yaale v’Yavo, Hallel and Musaf.

Rabbi Y. Reisman’s live Navi class (his Navi class is a springboard for many topics) from Brooklyn are 1/17: SUKKAH CITY FILM @ JCC Sukkot in January! 3pm screening at the Albany screened 7:30pm at the CBAJ Media Center.

JCC of “Sukkah City” (2013) about a creative Sukkah contest and display in NYC. Contact the 1/3: BOYS SIYUM & SPEAKER JCC for more info.

The HS Boys are completing the first chapter of Talmud Bava Basra (studied with both Rabbi Rubin and Rabbi Simon) in time for this Sunday, 1/21: J-FED WINE & MUSIC JFED hosts an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres & when they will be celebrating with a Siyum live music! Thurs Breakfast at Shomray Torah, along with a special 5:30pm at Federation, talk by guest speaker Dr. David Luchins!

For more info and to RSVP call: 783-7800

VAYECHI’S FIRST & LAST WORDS The HS Boys learned these two inspirational Chassidic teachings on the first and last words of Parshat Vayechi, and portrayed them on this banner. (right of banner) Based on a Tzemach Tzedek and Alter Rebbe conversation: The downward red negative arrow to Egypt turns into a positive “Vayechi!” exclamation point. (left of banner) why does parsha and chumash end on a sad note of Yosef put into a coffin in Egypt? The Rebbe sees it as a positive for the Jewish people. Like his mother Rachel, who was buried along the roadside, Yosef remained available and accessible in a spiritual sense, a reassurance and hope, as his last words were: “Pakod Pakaditi” Hashem will surely remember you! That is a great Chazak (strengthening)!

1/4: QUILT NORTH @C.P. LIBRARY 11am-8pm, Quilt North will be making quilts for charity at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library on Moe Road. It’s a drop-in program for all ages, no registration is required.

1/5: ALTER REBBE’S YARTZEIT Tevet 24 is the yartzeit of Rebbe Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Chabad Rebbe.

1/22-23: CBAJ SEFARDIC SHABBAT Visit cbaj.org for more info and to register if you’d like to join for the Shabbat dinner.

1/6: FAILING MY WAY TO SUCCESS 1/24: JNF TU Steve Lobel, a local entrepreneur, will present his BISHVAT @ new book, insights and personal story with Rabbi MARRIOT Scott Shpeen, noon to 1pm at Beth Emeth. Bring your own lunch. Info? 436-9761

1/10: BACH LIBRARY SUNDAYS New Sunday hours (1-5pm) begin on January 10th in part to accommodate Sabbath observant library patrons in New Scotland Ave area. Let’s support it!

1/10: JFED: HON. ELLIOT ENGEL Eliot Engel is a ranking member of Congress, he represents parts of Bronx and Westchester in NY State. He serves on committees like Foreign Affairs, Energy and Commerce, co-chairs the

JNF is hosting a Tu Bishvat celebration at the Albany Marriot on Wolf Road from 9:30-11:30am, no charge. Register at jnf.org/ tubishvatcelebtration or contact: shefez@jnf.org with any questions.

1/25: TU BISHVAT BREAKFAST The highly anticipated fruity breakfast at school.

2/28: SPA FOR BODY & SOUL The 11th year! Stay tuned for info. Save the date!

DAYS OF CREATION BANNER Kitah Beis (who are now learning Parshas Breishis) made this banner of the 6 days of Creation and Shabbos. It goes from left to right.

WRAPPING UP After the carnival, a representative of each class presented and explained their booth and activity and Parsha connection to the rest of the classes.

They did such a fine job, sharing aloud with confidence and clarity.

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!”