BH. Sivan
22, 5777 / June 16, 2017
ב“ה
Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 8:17 404 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 9:29 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
YEAR-END TRIPS THIS WEEK! So many year-end outings at school this week! K-1 went to Thatcher Park on Wednesday, they loved the Zip-Lines, playgrounds, and nature experiences! (pictures on page 2). Grades 2-7 went to Utica Zoo and Children’s Museum on Thursday (see pictures and lessons on page 3). 8th graders had their own NYC trip with Morah Dini also on Thurs. They ate out in Passaic, browsed IKEA, visited the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Grand trip will be next year w/ 7th grade when they graduate.
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
DR. JONATHAN O’BRIEN, OBM
This week’s MC newsletter is sponsored in memory of
Today Sivan 22nd marks the 17th yartzeit of a beloved member of our community Dr. Jonathan O’Brien, whose children all attended Maimonides and he wrote “The Diamond in Our Backyard” about the school. May his memory be a blessing, for his wife Vicki and all their children.
John Amann
Yaakov ben Yechiel
GRAD SPEAKER FOR WED 6/21 Rabbi Rubin is proud to announce this year’s speakers at the 8th grade graduation ceremonies this coming Wednesday night: Sarah and Parnav Maddali, who will also present the Better Together essay winner medallions. Come to hear them speak and to honor our 8th grade graduates! 6pm Wed.
TAKING A CLOSER LOOK What does the wing of a fly look like under a microscope? Menachem tried a bunch of different slides as he learned how to use and adjust the microscope.
PITTSFIELD SHABBATON
The Maccabi Games team at the Albany JCC is still looking for some local Kosher-observant families to host guest athletes August 6th thru 11th. More info is available by contacting the JCC or on their website at: albanyjcc.org/ maccabi-games/maccabi-games-home/
5/6 grade girls had a great time at Riki’s home and Chabad of Pittsfield for Shabbos last weekend. They had their own MiniMaster Chef event on Saturday Night complete with homemade scratch pizza dough, Frappuccino’s and garlic knots. They went swimming and had fun at Jiminy Peak.
THE “LOST NECKLACE” PLAY
RELEASING THE BUTTERFLIES
JCC MACCABI GAMES HOSTS
Major kudos to the middle school girls who did much of this play on their own initiative, with guidance from Morah Chaya Bracha and then Mrs. Crawford. It’s especially amazing how much they accomplished in so little time, working well with what they had, how invested they were and how they worked together eagerly as a team despite challenges. Pictures & reports in next week’s (after end-of-school) MC newsletter. Thanks for all your efforts and investment!
on occasion of his yartzeit 25th of Sivan by his daughter Maxine Morgenbesser and family
Did you know our Kindergarteners have been caring for and raising butterflies through all of its stages? Now they are ready to fly, and fly they did! It was a great learning experience, sense of wonder and feeling of satisfaction for the kids.
A BUBBLY ANNOUNCEMENT How did Mrs. Maher share the exciting news with her High School students that they had ALL passed the algebra regents? With a bottle of bubbles that had their name and score!
PLAYGROUND RIBBON-CUT Maimonides students were well-represented at Mayor Sheehan’s ribbon-cutting on Tuesday of new playground equipment and improvements to Woodlawn Park. She mentioned our school (as big park users!) in her remarks.
There are two students who deserve honorable mention for extra special efforts during the Utica Trip: One student was on crutches (and there was SO much walking at the Zoo) so Shira eagerly wheeled her around in a wheelchair, up hills and down, for more than half the time at the Zoo! It wasn’t his mess one bit, but Aharon Meir swept the whole bus upon return— even though we did try to keep filling garbage bags throughout the trip.
WII LOVE THE PARSHA! For their last Parsha class of the year, Rabbi Caras treated 7/8 grade to lively interactive games of tennis and bowling on a Wii.
KICKBALL SCORE: 99-99! Tired of making new teams all the time, boys came up with one-long game starting after Pesach until end of school with a running score that’s now 99-99! That score was reached PREHISTORIC PERIODS at a special Friday morning game today down Mrs. Maher’s 5/6 are learning this in science the street in Ridgefield Park. Let’s class and each student researched a specific see what happens next week… period and prepared posters to share with the rest of the class the information they learned.
MAJOR GEMORAH TEST 5/6/7 had a final on the “natural death in Agam” case on Bava Metziah 36b, 4-pages long that took 2 class periods to finish, but it was a really comprehensive review of the Gemorah from all its angles—including how it can be applied to the DOT traffic work on the 787!
PLEASE RETURN ESTY LIBRARY
K-1 AT THATCHER PARK
DR SEUSS MATCHING GAME
These students had a blast! They loved the Zip Ms. Ford’s first graders enjoyed a matching Lines, using the binoculars and learning a lot game with Dr. Seuss cards. in the brand new Nature Center there. The top picture was the whole group on a big rock that they climbed up on. Thanks to Ms. Ford, Morah Devorah and Mrs. Hoffman!
Do you still have books out? Most students were very good about returning their books so others can read them, but if you have any books out please bring them to school next week! THANKS! More library next year!
MR. HIRSCH ON PERIMITER Mrs. Maher had to proctor the HS algebra regents so 4th grade had a very special substitute: Mr. Hirsch (Sarah Maddali’s father) from St. Louis who is in town visiting his daughter and family. He taught them math about measuring area and perimeter.
MANY MANY TESTS… It was Regents week in High School, but all grades had final tests (in addition to all the fun on school trips) this week. It was a great year of learning… report cards next week!
REBBE TALK IN DELMAR A few of our students attended the Derens talk for the Rebbe’s upcoming yartzeit at the AUTO DOMINO PLACEMENT new Bethlehem Chabad on Delaware Ave and The Gurocks brought in this toy that moves enjoyed some of the many interesting stories along and place dominos at exact increments. the Derens told. Mrs. Kirkely turned it into a lesson, as it really is a very simple robot!
ALEINU AROUND THE BLOCK
For one of the last davening sessions of the year, the boys davening class walked around the block singing (nicely, not too loud) Aleinu & Al Tirah!
ARE YOU HOT? Morah Rivi made refreshing watermelon slices out of paper for a summery bulletin board, pictures in next week’s MC…
LESSONS LEARNED FROM ANIMALS AT UTICA ZOO Before heading out on the big trip to the Utica Zoo and Children’s Museum, Rabbi Mendel insisted that the Baal Shem Tov said we should learn lessons from… Everything! At the Utica Zoo students thought of a whole bunch of lessons from quite a few of the variety of animals the encountered. The first animal we saw (and heard) were the white-handed gibbons, my were they noisy! Their nimble swinging from branch to branch taught one student how we ought to swing easily from one subject to another, from one area of Torah to the next. Another student said that the gibbons swinging taught him to trust the ropes and supports we have in life. What to learn from a porcupine? Be sharp with your learning! Like camels who store fat in their humps for a lean day, we should store our learning so we can rely on it when we need it. Many animals were hard to find because of their camouflage (like the small alligator who blended into the rocks, the serval who was hard to find in a corner, some of the snakes were like that, too) and the lesson from that was “don’t separate yourself from the community.” California sea-lions can maneuver on land, their strong flippers get them around somewhat clumsily, nothing like the gracefulness and natural ease they have in water. Same with people” some students compared it to comfort zones, and trying to venture beyond them, while other students saw it as an encouragement to immerse ourselves in where we truly belong. The striped hyena ambled out of its enclosure when it saw us coming and then plopped down to sleep in the sun right in front of us. The amazing thing was how its ears remained alert and perked up, moving in different directions, even as it appeared to be asleep. The lesson? You never know whose listening, even if they don’t look like they are! Ostrich’s eat strange things. It’s OK to be different. A few students were lucky enough to see a giant boa constrictor (was it a python?) open its mouth SO wide! They thought it shows the power of the mouth & tongue (our words can open much wider and be much more powerful that you’d expect). And the lions? They were quite active and playful at first, and then relaxed and calm. It shows that even if you are a lion its good to relax and rest sometimes!
UTICA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS The girls loved the funny mirrors, the huge teddy-bear, and kids-size town sets (parlor, dentist office, jail-break tunnel etc) on the first floor and huge collection of old dolls and the digital dance floor on the second and the upstairs lounge there. Boys had the most fun on the 2nd’s floor live-action digital dodgeball game and mini-golf sets on the 3rd floor. There were fire suits to try on, models of space exploration, and an elaborate Lionel train set that was under construction. Kids had a kick out of trying an old typewriter and learning why QWERTY keyboards are like that. There were old switchboards, The museum is in a 4-story old building with grand staircases and exposed brick and ceilings.
SEEN ALONG THE WAY... It was a long trip there and back on the bus, but the kids were well behaved. They saw several of the Erie Canal locks (and played with a model of the locks later at the museum) and boats on the canal, the old abandoned Beech-Nut plant, the city of Amsterdam and its carpeted history, plenty of farms and beautiful landscapes, old buildings in Utica and “Leah Street” and of course the fun of getting truck drivers to honk their horns!
at Maimonides and in the Community 6/17: PARSHA SHELACH AND MEVORCHIM TAMMUZ
and 8th grade graduation at 6pm in the evening. ages 3-10. (There will be a special 2-week program This year’s graduation speakers and presenters of for girls 9-11). Call Morah Devorah Leah 698-1836 the Better Together essay winner medallions will be for forms, details and more info. Sarah and Parnav Maddali.
There are spies (or rather scouts) in this week’s Torah portion! Plus we learn the important Mitzvot of Challah and Tzitzit. As Rosh Chodesh is next 6/24-5: ROSH CHODESH TAMMUZ Shabbos and Sunday, this Shabbos we bless the Two days of Rosh Chodesh, Shabbos & Sunday. new month of Tammuz.
6/17: BABY M.G.M. KIDDUSH
7/26: NINE DAYS SIYUM Rabbi Simon’s annual Talmud Siyum and BBQ during the Nine Days. 6pm at 109 Elsmere Ave.
6/25: BALLSTON SPA VILLAGE FEST 8/6-11: JCC MACCABI GAMES
This week’s Kiddush at Shomray Torah is by Simmy & Chaya Rubin in honor of the birth of their son Moshe Gavriel Michel.
See Ballston.org for details on this festival at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston.
6/17: BAR-MITZVAH KIDDUSH
Opens 9am on Sunday, into Monday. A lot of families put into this, so it’s usually a lot of stuff.
This is a big event for Albany! 700+ Jewish teen athletes are coming to compete on the playing fields of the JCC and area High Schools with an opening ceremony at the Times-Union Center on August 6th. Hosts and volunteers are needed, contact the JCC.
6/25: CBAJ ANNUAL MTG & BBQ
8/9: KLEZMER AND CHINESE
Kiddush Luncheon at CBAJ by Raanan and Rebecca Schwarzmer in honor of their son Netanel’s Bar-Mitzvah. Much Nachas!
6/25: BETH EMETH GARAGE SALE
6/17: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR
CBAJ annual meeting at 5pm, community BBQ follows at 6pm. See CBAJ.org for more info.
Stay tuned for details on this multi-sensory event at Saratoga Chabad. 526-0773.
4:45pm at the home of DL Mathless 147 South Lake (near New Scotland) given by Sarah Maddali.
7/2-25: JGR SUMMER CAMP
8/20: SHALOM FESTIVAL
6/18: DAD FEST AT WASH. PARK
Jewish Girls Retreat gearing up for another great summer, overnight camp for girls. See online: JewishGirlsRetreat.net or call 727-9581.
City of Albany puts on a festival in Washington Park for Fathers Day, 1-6pm.
7/4: JULY 4TH AT THE PLAZA
6/18: TWO SUNDAY CAR SHOWS
Concerts and fun begins at 3pm at the Empire Old cars on display.. 11am-3pm at West Glens Falls State Plaza, with the annual Price Chopper Fire Dept on Luzerne Road in Queensbury, and 1- fireworks show (with lots of great viewing spots all over that part of town) over the Empire State Plaza 5pm on Mohawk Road in Scotia (by Route 147). starting at 9:15pm.
6/18: BALLOON & CRAFT FEST at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston, see: balloonandcraft.com $10 adult, Kids 3-15 $5. Balloons only launch very early AM on Sunday. Ends 3pm on Sunday.
6/19: JEREMY’S CIRCLE EVENT Annual party and auction benefitting Jeremy’s Circle (for Israeli kids with cancer and their families) at Glennpeter Jewelers 1544 Central Ave. Minimum donation $36. Kosher food and drinks served (check for your Kashruth level). For more info and for list of auction prizes call: 427-1967, beckermartin@hotmail.com / jeremyscircle.org.
6/20: YEAR-END SCHOOL BBQ 3:30-5:30pm at school, after dismissal on Tuesday. Special thanks to the Kochmans… Cost is $25 per family or $7pp.
6/21: THE LAST DAY: MOVING-UP DAY & GRADUATION EVENING This will be a big Wednesday at school, with the Moving-Up Day ceremonies at 9am in the morning
Annual tradition for many years now in Saratoga’s historic and beautiful Congress Park with entertainment, food and vendors and atmosphere. Call Rabbi Abba 526-0773 for more details.
LAST FEW DAYS AT SCHOOL Bring papers and supplies home, clean out
your desks and cubbies. Be sure to bring back all school textbooks
and Esty Library books.
7/4: SARATOGA PARADE
Year-End BBQ for school families and
11am on Broadway (Van Dam to Spring Street) in Saratoga, followed by a series of BBQs all over town, Saratoga Chabad looking to do something Kosher, stay tuned! There will also be a classic car show on nearby Division Street.
friends will be Tuesday after dismissal, see cost/details in the calendar listing. Moving-Up Day will be Wednesday at 9am. School starts with davening at 8pm, program at 9, and dismissal after program completion (by 11am). 8th Grade Graduation will be Wednesday evening 6pm at school, guest speakers and presenters are Sarah and Parnav Maddali.
7/6: KOSHER KLEZMER AT HE-BREW BREWERY IN C.P. Come up to He-Brew for beer tasting and some Kosher nibbles courtesy of Clifton Park Chabad. 5:30pm at 6 Fairchild Square in Clifton Park. More info? Call Rabbi Yossi: 495-0772.
7/9: JEWISH WOMENS CONCERT AT WAMC—”THE LINDA” A special JGR Summer concert open to women and girls in the community. Stay tuned for details. Contact Nechama Laber 727-9581 for more info.
7/10-8/18: CAMP GAN ISRAEL Local Jewish day camp, with amazing devoted & nurturing staff, for campers
REMEMBERING LENNY OSHINS Mr. Oshins passed away this week and received a hero’s sendoff with army and firemen salutes. He spoke in our school earlier this year, sharing his own story and from his father’s memoir, as part of our “Better Together” program – as featured in the MC Newsletter of that week. One of the most memorable things for our students is when he said the “Mah Nishtana” in Yiddish! Condolences to his family, may his memory be a blessing!
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!”