BH. Tevet
11, 5776 / Dec 23, 2015
Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 4:09 404 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 5:15 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
SHORT WEEK “MC” ON WED
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
REGISTER FOR TEAM-UP CAMP
There’s no school on Thursday www.tinyurl.com/TeamUpCampSignUp & Friday of this week (and Parents are asked to signThursday is our biggest TNT up their children online day of the week, with 3+ by this weekend to classes reporting) but here’s a attend “TeamUp Camp” 4-page “MC” regardless! next Wednesday 12/30 at Maimonides (replacing the school day). It is for ages 3-10, cost is $15 per child. It is a one-day camp for children of all ability levels, joining Friendship Circle and Camp Gan Israel for one very special day. For info contact DL Rubin at 698-1836 or Chaya at Friendship Circle 488-8992 with questions.
THE #LEARNFOREZRA SIYUM High Schools around the country studied Mishna in memory of Ezra Schwartz, the teen from Sharon MA killed by terrorists during his year abroad in Israel. Rabbi Rubin and our HS Boys joined a virtual online Siyum of all the Mishna studied for Ezra’s Shloshim. Rabbi Gotch Yudin spoke from Ezra’s Israeli Yeshiva “Ashreinu” about lessons learned from the meeting up of Yosef and Binyamin. (Many years ago, Rabbi Rubin had a camp counselor named Benjy Yudin, and Rabbi Rubin thinks Benjy may possibly be related to this Rabbi Gotch Yudin. Rabbi Benjamin Yudin has been a beloved Rabbi in Fairlawn NJ since 1969). Other speakers included Rebbetzin Henkin who lost her son and daughter-in-law to terror earlier this year, and representatives of several of the 30 high schools who joined in this Mishna study effort in Ezra’s memory. The siyum was organized by Rabbi Meir Wexler of Scheck Hillel Community School, Rabbi Dani Cooper of DRS/HALB, Rabbi Dov Huff of Maimonides School (Boston), and Rabbi Maccabee Avishur of YU School Partnership.
ALUMNI AT BARUCH’S LCHAIM Word has it that quite a few Maimonides alumni (including the Simon siblings themselves!) celebrated at Baruch Simon’s lively Lchaim engagement in Brooklyn this past Sunday. Mazal Tov again to Baruch and the Simon family, Nachas and Simchas always!
SHAS HISTORY, THE SOTHEBY TALMUD SALE & LOCAL ROMM Have you heard of the recent sale of an old Bomberg Talmud at Sotheby’s for $9 million? Rabbi Rubin learned with the HS Boys the introduction to the Gurary edition Shass on the history of Talmud printings, and how the Talmud page got its very familiar layout, the “tzuras hadaf”. They learned about Daniel Bomberg, a Christian printer in Venice who printed the first printed Talmud in the early 1520’s. In history they learned that Henry VIII bought one of these sets. It was a rare edition of this Bomberg Talmud that Sotheby’s sold in this week. He also printed the first “Mikraot Gedolot” Chumash with the classic commentaries, and ultimately close to 230 Jewish books! The Widow and Brothers Romm of Vilna were an important part of this history (and the Talmud page as we know it) and Rabbi Rubin noted that the local Krakower family traces their lineage to them.
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
This newsletter is sponsored in honor of the birth of a son to Dr. Cheryl Silva & family SELMA ZVINAKOVSKY OBM Condolences to Monye and family on the loss of his wife, to whom her was very devoted to her care. May her memory be a blessing. The funeral is tomorrow at 10am at Tebbuts and Freidricks on Central Ave, with internment at CBAJ cemetery on Western Ave.
WORD IS GETTING OUT! Thanks to word of mouth and social media more and more people all around the world (!) are finding out about the newly published “Sefer Breishis” of Rabbi Rubin’s “The Torah Times”, which can now be ordered online via Amazon. Visit: www.TheTorahTimes.com to order. Our 8th grade girls are excited to have had a part in edits and review before it went to print!
TEVET MITZVAH NOTE WALL The Kindergarten Mitzvah note this month is shaped like the walls of Jerusalem, help fill them up with the positive strength of children’s Mitzvot!
“CHET/S” IS FOR CHALLAH Kindergarteners with their Chet/Ches letters: 3 Challah each, each decorated in their own style.
SO MANY PLAYDOUGH TOOLS These nursery kids love playdough, as you can keep making different things with it, especially with the big buckets of tools at their disposal!
RETURN LIBRARY BOOKS! Students (and parents) please be sure to return books you have borrowed from the Esty Library at school. Most weeks Library Day is on Fridays (obviously not this week).
PASTA NIGHT & PASTA LUNCH AND THE ISRAEL 1948 FILM
TRY ON THIS SMARTWATCH? Get your math caps on! How many hours of the day do you know the formula for? This smartwatch twist was circulating the internet recently. Depending on the grade you may not have learned all this math yet, but it’s a fun “round the clock” test of knowledge for those who have!
HS Girls made some very delicious pasta (and salad, popcorn etc) for the Pasta & Movie Night this past Saturday Night. The red sauce pasta (with peppers and olives and a little kick) was especially delicious. But they made more than people came, so they sold extras at lunch (after email sent home to parents). The kids movie that night was a new cartoon release of the Maharal of Prague and the Golem story, while adults watched a fascinating new film of Israel’s infancy in 1948 and about the bravery THE NIFTY FIFTY STATES! and courage (and incredible dedication) of Ms. Ford’s first and second graders are both some American young men who made a huge learning about the fifty states (each in their own way). You’d be surprised how many states difference. Their interviews were quite telling. (and even some capital cities!) that first graders Since not many were able to see it, we hope to now know! Pictured on top, she’s testing their have a different opportunity to show it again. knowledge zooming around the big map. In MINCHA MAARIV MINYANS NEGATIVE SPACE ART the above picture two of her second grade students are working on their own Nifty Fifty It comes quite early this time of year, so any Good job Nesanel! Sometimes its what we and all Minyan help is very appreciated, even don’t fill in - that makes the picture! Can you fact books and they also played a Capital if you can only come occasionally to help out. guess what he’s drawing? See the still art Cities Bingo Game! model on page 4.
ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS Mrs. Dubarry’s 4/5 graders just finished this book and will be watching the film today, the last day of English classes for 2015!
GUESS WHO? That’s what these two second grade girls are playing during morning recess (along with enjoying their snacks). Thanks to parents who have sent in games for kids to enjoy during shorter breaks or rainy days.
FIRE SAFETY IN NURSERY Nursery did a whole unit on fire-safety last week in connection with Chanukah and with learning about Zerizut (urgency, alacrity) and the letter Zayin. It may have been last week’s unit, but fire-trucks always hold fascination for little boys, like this one pictured above.
Pictured are some new student additions to the Torah365 Pirkei Avot bulletin board at school.
TORAH365 Pray for the welfare of the government! This Mishna from the start of Avot Chapter 3 is the source of the prayer for the government many synagogues say on Shabbos mornings. Interestingly, the Mishna advises us to pray for Malchut (in the plural) instead of Melech (in the singular) perhaps this is a hint to the benefits of a democratic government with multiple leaders.
RAFFLE-AUCTION WINNERS ‘15
A) LAPTOP: Miriam Kudan B) SHOPPING SPREE: Levin Family C) JEWELRY COLLECTION: Vicky O’Brien D) LOOK & FEEL GREAT: M. Morgenbesser HUCK FINN, A CRITICAL LENS E) IPAD AIR + JEM: Itkin Family Speaking of finishing good reads, the HS Boys F) BETTER HOME: Caras Family just completed Huck Finn by Mark Twain and G) NYC TRAVEL: Nissim & DL Kaufman are now doing critical lens essays on it. H) SARATOGA SHABBAT: Soochie Kievman I) SUPER SHABBAT: Maxine Morgenbesser RISE OF INDUSTRY, BIG J) MINKOFF PURSE: Rochel Rubin BUSINESS & ROBBER BARONS K) LINENS & THINGS: Gurock Family The High School Boys are learning about this L) JUDAICA: Rachel Mathless period in Social Studies class and doing DBQ M) 2-WAY PORTRAITS: Fraidy Rubashkin (document based questions) essays on it. N) SOLID TOYS: Zalman Simon O) KITCHEN TALK: Soochie Kievman GIDEON! P) GAMES GALORE: Yochanon Samson He’s the Judge/Jewish leader now being Q) FISH & CHIPS: Vicky O’Brien studied by 4/5 grade with Morah Rochel in R) MAKING BREAD: Rachel Horan their Navi studies of the book of Shoftim. S) AMERICAN GIRLS: Mendy Wilenkin T) SUPER-CLEAN: Nachman Simon WHOSE THE CULPRIT? U) GET CRAFTY: Larry Teitelman Last week’s Science Enrichment class with V) BREAKFAST PACKAGE: Moshe Rubin Mrs. Deloria Ballard-Hubble had a bake-off led W) ALL SET WITH LEGO: Salo Steper by a defending bake-off champion, whose X) MAGANTILES: Sue Joki recipe was ruined by the addition of an extra Y) ACTIVE FAMILY: Gordon Family ingredient? Whodunnit? Each of the other Z) GIZMOS & GADGETS: Gloria Krimmer students present had different bottles, which MYSTERY (Go Pro Camera): Joanna Steper were tested for results that would indicate SPLIT THE POT ($480 to Winner): Gordons baking powder or baking soda and implicate the culprit! So it was a combination science class and hands-on fun adventure game!
THE STORY OF A SOUL Rabbi Mendel was involved in arranging a burial of a local Jew: “Yosef Yitzchak Mordechai Dov ben Avraham”, a UAlbany alumni from the mid-1990’s who attended Yeshiva in Brooklyn years ago and passed away suddenly at age 41, with many local friends but no blood relatives. In the short time between his passing and burial, Rabbi Mendel learned many things about this person’s life story which he shared parts of with the students as a lesson about life, or what Rabbi Mendel calls “Book of Life” which can be even stranger than fiction & much more inspiring!
HOW WELL WOULD YOU DO? Morah Devorah’s second graders had a test today on Hebrew verbs in “past tense” and all the ways to say it for individuals and groups, 1st person or 2nd person, males and females. Hebrew grammar isn’t so easy!
MORE FROM RAFFLE-AUCTION ICYMI: Raffle-Auction winners listed once again above. These photos by Eli Kochman capture some of the energy and anticipation of the evening: (Top) Nachman looking over the Lego prize package (Above Left) Rivka L. gazing ahead as she picks a winning ticket out of the big wrapped bucket (Above Right) Ari H’s eyes pasted shut tight as he picks a winning ticket. The kids were great, they were very into it!
at Maimonides and in the Community
PARENTS PLEASE NOTE:
12/23: MICROCALLIGRAPHY WKSP rentals available to get the feel. Besides, it’s a great
Monday (12/28), Tuesday (12/29) and Thursday (12/31) are half-days next week with 8am start and 11:30am dismissal. Send snack but no lunch. The Breishis Carnival, with each class’ projects and activities will be on Thursday.
Tonight 7:30pm at the Rubins home, 122 South Main, for the Albany Jewish Womens Circle. Workshop and discussion led by Chaya Bracha.
12/24-25: NO SCHOOL Enjoy a long extended weekend! No school Thurs & Friday. See you back on Monday morning…
place for a long or short nature walk. Or check out the animal taxidermies on display in the education center (soon to be rebuilt and expanded). 56 Game Farm Road in Delmar.
12/30: ONE-DAY “TEAM-UP” CAMP
Camp Gan Israel & Friendship Circle are teaming up for a one-day “Team-Up” winter camp for kids ages 3-10 of all ability levels, joining in friendship 12/24-27: JEWISH GIRLS RETREAT and fun! This is a unique arrangement modeled on Winter session! Contact Nechama Laber for details the Camp Kaylie vision which can be a huge on this richly filled overnight experience with light, benefit and growth experience for all involved. energy and dynamic warmth even in winter! Contact Friendship Circle Director Chaya 4888992 or CGI Director Devorah Leah 698-1836. 12/26: SHABBOS CHAZAK! NOTE: Camp will start that morning at 9am, This Shabbos we read Parsha Vayechi, completing davening will be at 9am, pickup at 3:30pm. Cost is Sefer Breishis with a dynamic Chazak! $15 per child which includes the trip and all fees.
12/26: TORAH365 SIYUM #2 This Shabbat morning at CBAJ celebrating the completion of Avot chapter 2 in the Torah365 cycle and onto Avot Chapter 3.
12/26: RABBI REISMAN SAT @7:30 Rabbi Y. Reisman’s live Navi class (his Navi class is a springboard for many topics) from Brooklyn are screened 7:30pm at the CBAJ Media Center.
12/27: HUDSON RIVER FISH
www.tinyurl.com/TeamUpCampSignUp Please register so they can be best prepared. Please submit registrations by 12/25.
Wednesday will be different! Instead of school there will be a “Team-Up Camp” (see link on left for registration signup). The day starts at 9am, it ends at 3:30pm and is for students ages 3-10. No School on Friday, New Years Day.
STILL LIFE CANDLESTICKS
12/31: MHDS BREISHIS CARNIVAL Classes present activities and interactions based on the various Torah portions in Chumash Breishis. Half-day only, dismissal at 11:30am.
1/1/2016: NEW YEARS NO SCHOOL No School on New Years Friday, another extended weekend to enjoy with family.
1-4pm at the NYS Museum. Join Environmental Educator Fran Martino of River Haggie Outdoors 1/10: BACH LIBRARY SUNDAYS to explore unusual fish found in the Hudson River. Learn about the watershed we live in and the ways New Sunday hours (1-5pm) begin on January 10th in part to accommodate Sabbath observant library we can keep it healthy and clean. patrons in New Scotland Ave area. Let’s support it!
12/27: MAGICIAN IN DELMAR Jim Snack the Magician will perform 2-3pm at Bethlehem Library on Delaware Ave, no charge.
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, 12/28-31: HALF-DAYS AT MHDS Energy and Commerce, co-chairs the House’s Oil Half days at school during last week of December. and National Security Caucus. He is no stranger to Dismissal 11:30am. No lunch, send snacks. Albany, as he was a NYS Assemblyman for a decade. He will be speaking for a Joint Society 12/28: ALADDIN AT THE PALACE Federation event at Agudat Achim in Schenectady, Monday 3pm at the Palace Theater. $5 adults, $3 open to 250 people. $30pp, $15 young adult, prices kids. Subsidized by Kinderhook Bank Movie Series. go up by $5 after January 8th.
12/29: HUDSON RIVER TRADING A 34-foot board game with miniature sloops and cargo, for kids to learn about Historic Cherry Hill and Hudson River Trade 1-4pm at NYS Museum.
12/29: SNOWSHOEING BASICS
1/22-23: CBAJ SEFARDIC SHABBAT Visit cbaj.org for more info and to register.
2/28: SPA FOR BODY & SOUL The 11th year! Stay tuned for info. Save the date!
There hasn’t been a flurry yet, but Five Rivers is offering drop-in training 10am-2pm, with snowshoe
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!”
Mrs. Levin set up 3 candlesticks on a black background for her art students. The Rebbe encouraged the use of a third smaller candle whenever depicting Shabbos candles to highlight the importance of young girls lighting in addition to their mothers.