BH. Sivan
15, 5777 / June ??, 2017
ב“ה
Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 8:14 404 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 9:26 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
THE MAIMONIDES DINNER ‘17 BH, the Maimonides Dinner was a beautiful event, see page 3 for more pictures and about the speeches and awards. Pictured above are 3 of the proclamations received, these from the Albany Mayor’s Office, among others received such as a letter lauding our science lab efforts from the office of the Governor read at the dinner. Top is the picture of the “steam train” and plaque presented to Rabbi Yossi, see more on page 3. Thanks to all for their volunteering, supporting, and participating!
MAZAL TOV SIMONS! MHDS alumnus Aharon Simon and his wife Rivky had a baby girl last Shabbos, they named her Chana Roza.
DOUBLE BEHALOSECHA
GIANT SUNFLOWERS MADE OF —- STUDENTS HANDS? Morah Rivi did this art project with 3rd and 4th graders, about half the flowers are already pictured the rest were posted after the photo. They made the bright yellow petals of the sunflowers by cutting out the tracings of their own hands multiple times on yellow paper. Since now is the season for Pirkei Avot, can anyone think of a connection to the end of a famous Mishna that these blossoming handiwork flowers reflect?
7/8 grade is learning Chumash MATH BOOK SIYUM Behalosecha ON Parsha Behalosecha! 4th graders were proud to report that they just finished their math book: wow, nearly 800 SALAMANDER CONNECTION pages! Here’s some of what they learned: Not only did 4th graders see salamanders up multiplying and dividing fractions, changing close in Science-Enrichment (see page fractions to a decimal and vice versa, about 2) but they are also read a story about lines and line segments and how to measure salamanders in English class! angles, both metric and customary units of measure, including calculations of volume and FLAME LIT UP ON ITS OWN perimeter, and lots of good ‘ol addition, 7/8 grade learned this Rashi in Chumash class subtraction, multiplication & division review! but learned about its life significance (allowing people to blossom without pressure, helping GIVE UP HOPE W/O KNOWING? kids develop on their own) in Pitgam class How is that possible? 4th grade learned a where students shared from life experiences. classic Abayye & Rava Talmud argument on it.
787 TRAFFIC & THE TALMUD Boys 5-8 are now learning with Rabbi Mendel another Talmudic argument between Abbaye and Rava, Bava Metziah 36b about a watched sheep’s natural death in an Agam. Some boys were wondering about the relevance, but that morning Rabbi Mendel heard an argument on the radio about the NYS DOT’s $15 million project for traffic calming on the 787 where the fast highway becomes a city street in Cohoes (after 2 people were killed at that intersection). Some argued: It’s an accident, tragic yes, but could happen anywhere! Others insist: That area was prone to it and was a contributing factor to the accident. And that IS the Talmud’s issue and same argument!!!
LATIN AMERICA That’s
RESEARCH PAPERS These
MEFORSHIM PROJECT Morah
REVIEW OF SAMUEL II That
GETTING THE SLIME RIGHT It’s
YOM-YERUSHALAYIM–50 YEARS! Top:
JERUSALEM POSTERS Morah
BEIT HAMIKDASH SEMINAR READING TOOLBOX Baruch Lev Kelman (son of Rabbi Avraham
Mrs. Hoffman’s kindergarten early readers Kelman) is just graduating High School now made their own “reading toolboxes” (in brown in Boston, but has done extensive research paper bags) that illustrations into the lawswith andcards history ofhave the Mishkan and of the symbolic tools needed for reading skills. Beit HaMikdash, so Morah Rochel invited
BEANS A POD him to do IN a short seminar for our students. Thiswas is a great teacher: informative & He interesting, engaging and fun to learn from. He did a comparison between the Mishkan, LEARNING NEVER ENDS first We & second (even third) Temple designs, and touched upon so many stories from Tanach and laws from the Chumash… he was happily surprised at how much some of our students knew (and were eager to chime in) especially at the 4th-6th grade level! Everyone learned a lot, even the teachers!
>> PARENTS! YEAR-END DATES See updates on page 4 for BBQ, trips, etc…
BETTER-TOGETHER JERUSALEM CELEBRATION AT THE ROYCE This year’s Better Together finale program at the Royce (formerly Bnai Brith Apartments) was in honor of Jerusalem’s 50th anniversary of its 1967 reunification. Talented musicians played Klezmer and Israeli music on accordion and clarinet, and students and seniors enjoyed together. Rabbi Yossi presented a Jerusalem coin to Rob Kovach in tribute to his vision of “Better-Together” and unification of our local community—it turns out that Rob’s Bris was on the very same day that Jerusalem was reunited in 1967!
NOACH SIYUM TRIP TO FORYSTH NATURE PARK IN KINGSTON Morah Devorah Leah took her 2nd grade class to the small pleasant zoo and fun playground on Lucas Ave (down the street from Agudat Achim synagogue) in Kingston to celebrate their completion of their second Parsha, Parshat Noach, quite fitting for all the (care for) animals they learned about in Parshat Noach!
AMPHIBIANS VS. REPTILES IN SCIENCE-ENRICHMENT WITH AMANDA FROM THE D.E.C. Mrs. Kirkley’s friend Amanda is a biologist and environmental scientist who works at the green-domed D.E.C. (State Dept of Environmental Conservation) building downtown near the 787. Amanda brought in a red-eared turtle (it is poking out its head for 5/6 grade in picture above left), two salamanders and a snake-skin (4th graders holding it above right). They are learning about the difference between amphibians and reptiles (where they lay their eggs is one big clue) and enjoyed feeding the turtle meal-worms (which they are familiar with an earlier scienceenrichment class) because it literally snapped them right up! Re: the snake-skin, called in Kabbalah and Chassidut Mishcha d’Chivya, Rabbi Mendel explained that there’s a spiritual parallel to such layers that we shed as we grow out of them, and if we don’t they stunt our growth and hold us back. Turtles are also mentioned in Tanya—as an example of where the shell is part of you, not something external.
MAIMONIDES DINNER 2017—FULL STEAM AHEAD! Here are some glimpses from the beautiful Maimonides Dinner on Tuesday night at Shabbos House. The program (6-8pm, including first course and main dinner) opened with: (A) Rabbi Roy Feldman of CBAJ remembering Salo Steper’s many virtues using the Parsha’s blessing of Birchat Kohanim, and presenting a framed photo of all Maimonides Talmud students studying various chapters of Bava Metziah, the last tractate “together” with Salo in his lifetime. The school is dedicating its Talmud studies and a Talmud Resource Center in his memory. (B) Ted Levin discussed the vision for the Science LAB and STEAM Center and updates on the fundraising and project progress. He presented Rabbi Yossi, Maimonides Development Director (who has been working tirelessly on grants for this and other projects, including the Better Together Program) with a steam engine bearing a plaque that honors Rabbi Yossi for keeping these projects on track, moving forward, all wheels turning, full steam ahead! (C) School board member and local Better Together essay judge Sue Ann Grosberg spoke about the quality and power of the student’s Better Together essays, and also made a nice plug for this Maimonides MC Newsletter how much she enjoys reading it and how more people should! and how she often reads along books or stories mentioned in the children’s learning! (D) Morah Mushky (now Denburg) flew back from Florida with her husband to honor (and surprise!) her parents (Dr. Berger honorees) and the school. She spoke how the school, and her parents symbolize the forging forward despite any obstacles and challenges as symbolized in the dinner motto: Full Steam Ahead! (E) Rabbi Mendel and Raizy Rubin were this year’s recipients of the Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award, in honor of their 20 years of dedication since 1997 to Maimonides and Shabbos House. Rabbi Mendel spoke about the similarities of the Hebrew words for honor and weight, using the analogy of a balance scale to remember Morty Berger’s unique balance of character; Raizy spoke of how the theme of Full Steam Ahead is reflected in the Shema verse, “with all your heart, all your soul and all your might” and how this is so telling of Maimonides and what it imparts to our children. (F) This impromptu picture of Maimonides teachers was taken just after dessert during the Mincha/Maariv prayer. There was a great vibe and energy that a still photo can’t fully capture. (G) Howard Berger, eldest son of Dr. Morty Berger, introduced and presented the award to the Rubins, and his speech was the warmest and richest of the night. He reminisced about growing up in Albany, the personalities that lived here and influenced his life, the first joke Rabbi Rubin said at a welcome event back in 1974, and how Rabbi Rubin’s Jewish activity, creativity and relevance changed Jewish Albany for him. He shared a Bobover story (that was kind of a Lubavitcher story) about the Smoking Chazzan, why certain times have certain leaders, he gave a perspective of recent and personal Jewish history with interconnected fragments and stories. It was incredibly special! You can see the video of the speeches on the Maimonides Facebook page. Thanks to Michoel Caras (of Carasmatic Design) for photos and the video. SPECIAL THANKS TO: Sharona Backman for keeping all the journal ads and RSVPs organized in the school office; Moishy Kudan for working diligently on the ads; Morah Rivi & the 7th & 8th grade girls for the elegant pinwheel centerpieces (fitting with the steam theme) and Morah Rivi for the Marzipan and Tehina-Chocolates; Carl Bloomberg for the beautiful red and white begonia flowers on the tables; Dr. Leslie Stratner (anyone remember her?) now of Columbus Missouri and her daughter Izzy for cutting up all the dessert fruit; Shayna Kudan and Devorah Leah Rubin for helping make all of the delicious schnitzel chicken (under the apricot sauce); Mushky Rubin for driving up the Yearbook/Tribute Journals and the Galperins; and the High School girls for setup, especially thanks to Chaya L. for individually baking every single tortilla shell into the salad shell form! DIDN’T GET A YEARBOOK/TRIBUTE JOURNAL? Additional copies are available from the school office (518) 453-9363.
at Maimonides and in the Community 6/8-10: NSCY CLOSING WEEKEND NCSY’s closing programs for the year include a Thurs Night Mishmar, Friday 3-5pm BBQ and a Shabbos afternoon 5pm program—all at CBAJ, for grades 7 and up.
6/10: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR 4:45pm on Shabbos afternoon, this week given by Rochel Rubin at her home 122 South Main, in memory of her daughter Esty (Rubin) Cohen on occasion of her 40th birthday.
6/11: FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE WALK 10am-12pm this Sunday in Tawasentha Park, on Route 146 in Guilderland. It’s going to be a hot day, so wooded Tawasentha is a great setting. More info: tinyurl.com/Walk4Friends $36 per family supports Friendship Circle activities and also includes a breakfast, pony rides, firetruck demo, and a great fun day in the park with friends!
6/11: THE 50TH AND FINAL TROY FLAG DAY PARADE THIS SUNDAY
Bethlehem Chabad, 393 Delaware Ave. No charge, event sponsorships are $36. Telushkin’s “Rebbe” and the hot-off-the-press “MyStory” (41 people from all walks of life sharing their personal Rebbe connections) will be for sale at the event. Refreshments served. For more info/RSVP: 4393310 or online: CapitalChabad.com/Rebbe
6/15: YEAR-END SCHOOL TRIP Grades 2+ The school will be renting a bus, the trip includes the Utica Zoo (hopefully to see the baby giraffe and the sea-lion show) and the 4-stories of the Utica Children’s Museum—both approx 1.5-2 hours away from Albany. There will be a minimal cost of $6 per child with the rest of the cost subsidized by school. BUS will leave 8:30am, please be prompt so we can leave on time. Students should bring lunch and snacks. We are scheduled to return to school between 4 and 4:30pm. Parents, look for & return permission slip with $6per child!
6/16: “LOST NECKLACE” PLAY 9am middle school girls performance for women and girls, family and community are very welcome! Younger grades will attend, boys grades 3 and up will have a special activity/outing during that time.
Troy’s Flag Day Parade tradition comes to an end after this year’s parade. It starts up at 1pm (so there’s time to get there after the Friendship Circle Walk) it usually begins down by the Rensselaer 6/20: YEAR-END SCHOOL BBQ County Jail in South Troy and ends up on Federal 3:30-5:30pm at school, after dismissal on Tuesday. Street in downtown Troy. They say this will be the Special thanks to the Kochmans… Cost is $25 per very last year of this five decades-old local tradition! family or $7pp.
6/12: PARK REDEDICATION
6/21: THE LAST DAY: MOVING-UP
A 5:00pm City of Albany ribbon-cutting ceremony DAY & GRADUATION EVENING for the new playground equipment and other improvements made to the Woodlawn Park (corner This will be a big Wednesday at school, with the Partridge) down the street from our school that our Moving-Up Day ceremonies in the morning and 8th grade graduation in the evening. students and the neighborhood enjoys.
6/12-15: MHDS REGENTS TESTING
6/18-19: BALLOON & CRAFT FEST
Monday 6/12 is the last day of High School classes. at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston, see: balloonandcraft.com On Tuesday 6/13 at 1:15pm is the Algebra 7/9: JEWISH WOMENS CONCERT Common Core Regents testing. On Wednesday AT WAMC—”THE LINDA” 6/25: BALLSTON SPA VILLAGE FEST A special JGR Summer concert open to women 6/14 at 1:15pm is the Biology Living Enviroment Regents testing. Global History on Thurs 6/15. See Ballston.org for details on this festival at the and girls in the community. Stay tuned for details. Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston. Contact Nechama Laber 727-9581 for more info.
6/14: TRIP TO THATCHER PARK
Kindergarten and first grade will be going on a year- 6/25: BETH EMETH GARAGE end trip to Thatcher Park on Wednesday. Opens 9am on Sunday, into Monday.
6/14: REBBE INSPIRATION
SALE
7/2-25: JGR SUMMER CAMP
In connection with the Rebbe’s upcoming Yartzeit Jewish Girls Retreat gearing up for another great (3rd of Tammuz) Capital Chabad Centers are summer, overnight camp for girls. See online: hosting Rabbi Yisrael and Aviva Deren of CT, to JewishGirlsRetreat.net or call 727-9581. share personal inspiration, and source of strength for their incredible resilience in the face of multiple personal tragedies. The event will be 7pm at
7/10-8/18: CAMP GAN ISRAEL Local Jewish day camp, with amazing devoted & nurturing staff, for campers ages 3-10. (There will be a special 2-week program for girls 9-11). Free camp tshirts if you sign up by June 11th—THIS SUNDAY.. Call Morah Devorah Leah 698-1836 for forms, details and more info.
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!”