YARTZEITS IN JEWISH ART CALENDAR? Call Rabbi Yossi 495-0772 Email:
calendar@capitalchabad.com
BH. Tammuz
ב“ה
27, 5777 / July 21, 2017
Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 8:09 404 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 9:16 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
MAZAL TOV ON KUDAN-RABINOWITZ WEDDING Mushkie (Kudan) Rabinowitz is pictured here at her Albany Sheva Brachos celebration surrounded by fellow MHDS alumni and Maimonides teachers.
This MC newsletter is sponsored in honor of the recent marriage of Mushky (Kudan) & Shmulie Rabinowitz by Ruvain and Shayna Kudan and family—Mazal Tov!
MAIMO IS BIG NIDES NEWS
Rabbi Rubin’s A
MAIMONIDES IS BIG NEWS, INDEED!
Albany’s “The Jewish World” newspaper put in big beautiful spreads of news and photos (see pictures above) following the school’s annual scholarship tribute dinner on June 6th and the school’s “Moving-Up Day” and 8th grade graduation on June 21st. This big splash is an important message about Maimonides, Jewish education and sense of community. True, our graduating 8th grade class may be small in quantity, but the ripples spread far and wide in our “pond” of Jewish community! Never underestimate the value, impact and effect of the investment in tomorrow’s Jewish future… its lasting effects goes beyond our own lifetimes, as evidenced by Johanna’s receiving the “Salo’s Talmud Studies at Maimonides” tribute from Rabbis Israel Rubin and Roy Feldman (pictured in “The Jewish World” centerfold above).
To subscribe to The Jewish World and stay better connected with local Jewish community, call: 344-7018 or visit: jewishworldnews.org
MAZAL TOV LABER FAMILY
FAREWELL TO BLOCK FAMILY
On the birth of a newborn son last Shabbos to MHDS alumna Chaya (Laber) and R’ Mendy Shepherd. Shalom Zachor and Bris this Shabbos IYH at JGR in Hoosick NY, the last Shabbos of their jam-packed camp season.
Rabbi Jeremy and Irit Block of Aish Albany On the birth of a baby daughter Carly Lena are moving back to Eretz Yisrael with their Ora Simcha to Aron and Sheryl Cepler! children who have been wonderful students at Maimonides (& Morah Irit taught art). We CONDOLENCES RON SOHN wish them Hatzlacha in their future endeavors. On his mother’s passing. Shiva ends today.
MAZAL TOV CEPLER FAMILY
KINDERGARTEN MOVES UP TO FIRST GRADE Among the various songs (including the humorous “Hee-Who” Hebrew-English confusion song) performed for Moving-Up Day is this rhythmic Kindergarten song about various KUF, REISH, CHES OR HEY? Rabbi Rubin’s Dvar Torah at Moving Up Day instruments—all sung in Hebrew! They had white graduation caps with their names and pictures from their Kindergarten memories on top of the hat. on the last day of school was short but very memorable. Using two shapes cut of yellow paper he showed (with lively student input) how the Hebrew letters Kuf, Reish and Ches (the letters that spell Korach ) are all variants of the letter Hey (which represents Hashem’s name) only depending on the placement of that 3rd leg: is it too closed like a Ches, too open like a Reish, or with a fallen closure like THE HEBREW MOOD SONG a Kuf? Korach didn’t get it right, because the First graders (soon to be second graders!) sang a clever & meaningful Hebrew song about the ideal falls in the middle: open and closed at different moods that everyone has, along with their own illustrations of it. The students also the same time, like the Maimonides school received individual awards for various areas of academic achievement or personal character in ideal which has strong values and supportive which they excelled over the past year. structure yet is also open and curious at the same time! So, while Parsha Korach was last week, the message of the Hey’s openclosedness remains always relevant.
ON ONE HAND & ON THE OTHER... This Nursery student holds up his diploma in one hand and eyes his bag of treats from his teachers in the other. Life will be like that, balancing the abstract and tangible, academic and material attainments…
ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATES These second graders (going into third!) are proudly displaying their individual achievement awards (presented in rhyme!) highlighting areas in which they excelled this past year.
REFLECTIONS ON THE YEAR PAST Here’s another telling photo caught at MovingUp Day: This student seems thoughtful and reflective, very appropriate at milestone transition times such as these. There is much to look forward to in the year ahead!
NURSERY SONGS IN HEBREW, ENGLISH AND SIGN-LANGUAGE Nursery students all dressed up in white sang songs like “Torah Ora” and “Yadayim L’Malah al HaRosh” and they sang “Two little words… Thank you!” using sign language as well! Some of these students are moving up to Kindergarten, others are moving up to Nursery-4, and will be welcoming new Nursery-3 friends next year!
At the 8th grade graduation ceremonies on the evening of June 21st, gold medals were presented to Eli G. of Middle School (whose essay ended up winning 2nd place of the national Better 2 Write contest) and Sara R. of High School, as well as silver medals to all participating students who wrote beautiful essays about their interactions and lessons from seniors.
THANK YOU MR. STEVE! At Moving Up Day, Ms. Ford’s students (top) presented a giant thank you card with pictures and writing from the students Mr. Steve read with this past year. Mr. Steve couldn’t wait to read them, so he took a look (above) during the ceremony. Appreciation is appreciated!
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION Also at Moving-Up Day Ceremonies, Morah Rochel presented tokens of appreciation to dedicated volunteers who contribute greatly to our school, including Vicky O’Brien and Ellen Kaplowitz, and Steve Caruso for reading enrichment, a major thank you to Sharona Backman for managing the office and keeping school humming along, and to Irit Block for her art classes and as a farewell as their family moves back to Israel.
The students spoke beautifully at their graduation ceremony: Ita G. based her speech on the message of lighting the Menorah’s flame in a way that the “flame rises upwards on its own” how Maimonides allows room for personal growth and blossoming without micro-managing or controlling. Chaya R. shared three lessons to be learned from trees and tree-climbing, and she spoke without any notes! Esther W. shared additional lessons from Menorah lighting (the Torah portion of that week), including patience and uplift, and being in a set with other candles (i.e. friends). Yochanon S. shared some of the values and lessons that he learned and absorbed in a short time at Maimonides and hopes to take with him wherever he goes! The graduation speaker that evening was Pranav Maddali, who shared his educational journey (he has now resumed his PhD studies in cancer biology) and his fascination with how things work and how to take them apart and put them back together in his youth, and his exploration and dedication to Torah Judaism as he grew older. He adapted the process of the scientific method to apply messages for the graduating students as they move onto high school and the next stage of their lives.
WELCOME C.G.I. STAFF We have a wonderful group of out-of-town A BLAST FROM THE PAST! and local counselors staffing Camp Gan Israel MHDS alumnus Sholom Ber Simon was at an this year, with the head-counselor none other event when he happened to meet an old than our very own MHDS alumna Chaya friend and fellow MHDS alumnus Nathaniel Simon! Thanks to all the parents and families Persky! They took this photo for our “MC” who are helping these girls feel welcome in our newsletter, what a wonderful regards! community and enjoying their stay with us.
ORAL TORAH = DIGITAL? Rabbi Rubin’s research with an old Montreal colleague Rabbi Gerlitsky into Oral Torah and the early prohibitions against its publication, led to the development of a cutting edge theory published in his most recent Torah pamphlet how modern-day digital format may be the ultimate optimization of Oral Torah!
YARTZEITS IN JEWISH ART CALENDAR? Call
at Maimonides and in the Community
Rabbi Yossi 518-495-0772 calendar@capitalchabad.com
7/21-22: CHAZAK, MEVORCHIM
8/6-11: JCC MACCABI GAMES
This Shabbos we read a double-header Torah portion of Mattos-Maasei concluding the Book of Bamdibar (Numbers) and also bless the new month of Menachem-Av. Many have the custom to say extra or all of Tehillim.
This is a big event for Albany! 600+ Jewish teen athletes (from across the USA as well as Mexico and Israel!) are coming to compete on the playing fields of Guilderland High School (which will be the Hub Central) and other local venues with a grand opening ceremony at the Times-Union Center on August 6th. Hosts and volunteers are needed, contact the JCC or see online for info, as well as for spectator passes if you wish to attend the opening ceremony or any of the games.
7/21-22: CGI STAFF SHABBOS @S.H. The CGI camp counselors are spending a Shabbos together this weekend at Shabbos House.
7/22: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR This week given by Leah Caras at her home, 96 Grove Street at 4:45pm. Come and learn!
7/23: SARATOGA COUNTY FAIR Sunday is the last day of the fair. Admission is $12 per person, kids under 52” are free.
7/23: TROY FLEA MARKET 10am-3pm at Troy’s Riverfront Park. Who knows what you might find?
7/23: SCHEN. GREENMARKET 10am-2pm outdoors near Schenectady City Hall, intersection of Franklin and Jay Streets. It’s there every Sunday until the Fall when this weekly Greenmarket moves inside Proctors Theater.
SCIENCE LAB UPDATE Plans are progressing for the new Science Lab & STEAM Room at the school. We are carefully examining various options to make best use of the space & budget. Stay tuned for updates on these exciting developments!
BACK TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL Have you noticed store aisles already filling up with school supplies? Morah Rochel and the administrative team are already at work planning and preparing for the new year. Registration forms will be sent out early August (call 526-0774 if you don’t get yours) please send in by mid-August. We want to be as ready as possible!
8/6: MACCABI OPENING CEREMONIES AT T.U. CENTER The Maccabeats acapella group will be performing! Even the Times-Union Center parking will be free that night. Be sure to contact the JCC, or see online for information on spectator passes for the opening event as well as for any of the games you may wish to attend all that week.
8/8, 8/15, 8/22: FREE KIDS MOVIES 1pm at the Palace in downtown Albany. 8/8: Monsters, Inc. 8/15: The Jungle Book. 8/22: Toy Story 3. For more info or tickets: 465-4663 or online at www.PalaceAlbany.org
THE 3 WEEKS & THE 9 DAYS The Three Weeks between 17th of Tammuz & Ninth of Av is a time to reflect & remember the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, a period of semi-mourning with restrictions on weddings and concerts, while later in the last 9 Days leading to Tisha B’Av, there are further restrictions on meat, wine, some recreational activity & leisure bathing. The Rebbe encouraged that this be a time to increase in Mitzvot especially Jewish unity (lack of which played a major role in its destruction) and to study the laws of the Temple (like Rambam’s Hilchot Beit HaBechirah) to do our share to hasten the Temple’s rebuilding.
A FEW NEW DISCOVERIES
We’re always on the lookout for new places to Stay tuned for details on this multi-sensory event at enjoy around the Capital Region. Here are a few 7/24: ROSH CHODESH AV new ideas that we haven't listed in the past: Saratoga Chabad. 526-0773. Sunday night into Monday is Rosh Chodesh, and Circle Museum and Sculpture Garden at the beginning of the “Nine Days” leading up to 10985 Route 22 in Austerlitz NY. It’s an 8/15-20: THE ALTAMONT FAIR Tisha B’Av, with increased Halachic restrictions informal place with all kinds of metal works in (regarding meat and wine, and certain recreational A tri-county fair with animals, shows, rides and shapes, a junk-art of sorts. No charge, but little museums. Admission is now $15 on Tuesactivities) as well as increased sensitivity and there’s a donation box. Everything is done by Wed and $17 Thurs-Sunday but includes the rides. awareness in remembering the Beit HaMikdash Bijan, the on-site artist, sculptor and owner. More info at: www.AltamontFair.org and focusing on Jewish unity. Albany County Rail-Trail goes from near the downtown Port of Albany over to Bethlehem, a 8/20: SHALOM FESTIVAL nice newly paved path through scenic nature 7/26: NINE DAYS SIYUM Annual tradition for many years now, 11am-6pm in and under highway bridges alongside a vibrant Rabbi Simon’s annual Talmud Siyum (seeking Saratoga’s historic and beautiful Congress Park Normanskill Creek with rapids and waterfalls. opportunities to increase Torah joy in the Nine Start on South Pearl Street (parking area at 720 Days) and BBQ during the Nine Days. 6pm at 109 with magical and musical entertainment (Oneg Shemesh will be playing this year) with Kosher South Pearl) and walk all the way into Delmar Elsmere Ave. food, craft and other vendors and atmosphere. Call along the route trains used to take.. Rabbi Abba 526-0773 for more details. Moreau Lake State Park is a little past Saratoga, 7/29-8/5: SCHOHARIE SUNSHINE tucked away in the woods just off the 87, it has The Schoharie County Sunshine Fair in Cobleskill a beautiful lake, beachfront area, hiking trails, a 8/21-27: WASHINGTON CTY FAIR NY costs $15 with kids under 2 free. nice playground and endless picnic tables. It This county fair is still free for kids 13 and under must be packed on the weekends, but should be (though rides are extra). Admission for ages 14+ is 7/31-8/1: FAST OF TISHA B’AV OK on summer weekdays. $10pp. It’s in Greenwich NY. Tisha B’Av (saddest date on the Jewish calendar) Lake George may steal the thunder, but falls this year Monday evening into Tuesday, with Saratoga Lake is quite a large lake but much Eicha read in the Shul on Monday night and Kinot 9/6: FIRST DAY BACK AT SCHOOL quieter and there are boating rentals available recited on Tuesday morning. Tallis and Tefillin are The 5778 Maimonides School year begins on Wed for an hour or two or more out on the lake. September 6th, the 15th of Elul. Please be sure to worn at Tuesday Mincha instead of at Shacharis. What nice local outings or special places have send your registration forms and tuition schedule May these days speedily be transformed into days of you discovered lately that we can share? back to school by 3rd week in August. Thanks! gladness and joy!
8/9: KLEZMER AND CHINESE
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!”