BH.
Adar 5, 5777 / March 3, 2017
Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 5:30 404 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 6:31 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
www.maimonidesschool.org/ScienceLab
ב“ה
תרומה
This newsletter is dedicated in honor of
Moishy Kudan For his persistence & dedication in reaching out to others in support of the Science Lab Steam Center
600 STUDENTS AT CAPITOL Maimonides students joined 600 students and faculty of a spectrum of NY Jewish day schools PLEASE PARTICIPATE AND KAUFMAN CONDOLENCES to present the case to state government that Saadya Kaufman (formerly of New Orleans, SHARE THE LINK SO THAT now Houston) was an out-of-town High School funding be increased to non-public schools, especially for areas of STEM education and OTHERS CAN, TOO! student at Maimonides years ago. His father enrichment (right in line with our school’s Each contribution is doubled* by the national passed away this week after a long and difficult Science Lab & STEAM Center efforts!) matching organization for our science lab illness. Professor and Rabbi David Kaufman Governor Cuomo came to the Hart Theater at initiative! Now you can do it online in this was an author of scholarly articles & fiction, a the Egg to fundraising surge leading up to Purim. While teacher & lecturer, day-camp director, beloved address the group the website platform doesn’t automatically by many. May his memory be a blessing, as did Senator double your contribution amount listed, the condolences to Saadya and the family. Flannigan and matching grant ensures your $36 becomes $72, other legislators. $100 becomes $200 and $180 becomes $360! MOBILE MEGILLAH READERS Here are some Each gift, no matter the size, helps the school Motti is bringing up another group of Yeshiva pictures of our reach closer to the Science Lab & STEAM students willing to bring Purim spirit to you! group at the Center goal. The 2 short videos are cute, too! Call 518-368-7886 to arrange a visit/reading. event.
* BONUS: THE MATCH TRIPLES!
MAIMONIDES
A donor pledged up to $3,600 to match all online donations leading up to Purim - which will TRIPLE! the first $3,600 in online contributions to this pre-Purim campaign!
404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
CONDOLENCES MORRISONS Condolences to Elisheva & R’ Leibel and the whole family (especially 7th grader Aharon Meir) on the passing of her father in Israel. She just got up from Shiva there, condolences can be emailed to: Egm180 (at) gmail.com
RE: SOUPS & HOT WATER Attention Parents and Students: Please do not send tradition soup cups for lunch. But if you must, you MUST also send a thermos of hot water with your child. Hot water will not be available in school for private student use (unless part of a class activity with teacher supervision). Thanks for your cooperation.
100TH DAY & DR SEUSS B-DAY
READING WITH MR. STEVE
Ms. Ford’s students did a joint celebration of the 100th Day of School (approx.) and Dr. Seuss’ Birthday with 100th Day of School themes written on their homemade Dr. Seuss hats. They each wrote their own lists of 100 words, and did all types of fun study projects relating to number 100, from math to reading to crafts. They read Suess books with Mr. Steve, see across>>
Mr. Steve is one of our dedicated reading volunteers, who take children out of class one at a time to practice and improve their reading. In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, and “Read-Across-America” Mr. Steve read Seuss books with the whole class!
THE MANY ARTISTIC PURIM USES OF A PAPER PLATE! Morah Rivi showed these 4th graders many Purim uses of a simple white paper plate! They folded them down into triangle Hamantach shapes, had triangular Hamantach shapes coming off from the top, and all kinds of other ideas. Hamantachen also start off as circles, folded down (with sweet filling inside) to make a triangle.
“I NEVER SAW ANOTHER BUTTERFLY” PLAY AT SAGE Many of Mrs. Crawford’s ELA students went to see the play by this title at Sage College. It is a Holocaust story, and one of the actors was a former student of Mrs. Crawford. 3 schools were in attendance at that performance so it was a close-up experience. Thanks to Mrs. Crawford, Mrs. Ramsay and Morah Mushky MORE PAPER-PLATE ART... for driving and chaperoning. Nursery students used various objects to paste onto a paper plate, titled: “Clowning Around” in Purim spirit.
AHARON DOV’S BIRTHDAY They had a celebration in Rabbi Mathless’ class that included a Parsha Dvar Torah by Aharon Dov about a lesson from the type of wood used in the Mishkan, Pesukim, Lchaim over grape-juice and chips and cupcakes.
SMALL TOWNS, BIG CITIES No, this wasn’t geography class or Social Studies—it’s 4th grade Mishna class learning about set times for different size cities to read Megillah, based on history, availability and market days.
HOMEOSTASIS IN BIOLOGY HS girls just finished the unit on the desired equilibrium of all living things, a balance of intake and outtake, environment and nutrients, internal temperature and a whole bunch of things that all have to work in sync in a healthy balance.
3D TOUR OF BEIT HAMIKDASH Rabbi Caras showed his Yahadus class an amazing 3D video tour inside a model of the Second Beit HaMikdash, much of which should be more familiar to them as they are learning all about its various components.
ALL OF LIFE IS A STAGE
FROM SCIENCE TO SHUSHAN GO SOPHIA GO! Wow, that’s some very well-executed Extreme Hoola-Hooping! Six at one time! Great photo capture by a student TNT photographer, too!
Morah Rivka had her Nursery students use droppers to place colored water on a papertowel and then watch the colors spread and mix (and change!) with the other colors. Once it dried they used it as a background for black paper Shushan skyline for the Purim story. Science, Shushan, and Art, too!
Kindergarten students are designing their own cardboard stages for their Purim Puppet theaters! Puppets are actually a very good analogy for the Purim story where Hashem arranged things behind the scenes...
B.T. ESSAY IDEAS Grades 5+ are all working now on their essay projects, it’s due in less than 2 weeks. Don’t leave it to the last minute! There are serious prizes available! Here are some essay ideas if you haven’t yet got started… Choose 3/5 Pictures with seniors, and why these pictures matter most to you Take the oldest coin you can find, and AVAILABLE: PURIM CARDS! imagine its journey. Then translate that to These full-color postcards are perfect for out-of what older people have to share! -town (or even local) friends or relatives, Why you wish you knew your grandparents without sending a whole Mishloach Manot or great-grandparents. What do you think package. $18 for 10 cards, add postage and they might have told you? send them off that a contribution has been Same/Different: how old people and young made in their honor at the school. people view the same things of life How your Better Together Visits change NEXT FRIDAY—FROM RUSSIA! over time? Maybe misconceptions that you Rabbi Yossi arranged a small shipment think of differently now? of Russian Jewish books from Moscow Reactions of seniors to our Mitzvah Projects that will be presented as part of our Share a story and lesson from one of our “Better Together Little Library” at the many visits with seniors new Royce on the Park (formerly Bnai Brith What do kids and seniors have in common? Apartments) for Russian speakers there. Our A story from your grandparents. Assemblywoman Pat Fahy will be there. What old people know that we don’t, and by connected with them we can learn it. ONE HUNDRED STICKY NOTES! A story about aging and what you learned That’s one hundred pesukim (verses) that the from that story. whole class read correctly! Wow, 3rd graders How old people can stay younger, and how really earned this party—good for them! young people can grow wiser, and how their interaction can make that happen.
WHY HOT CHOCOLATE? Yael gave Sisra hot milk to drink to make him drowsy. Morah Rochel’s 4th grade Navi students experimented with this using hot chocolate (which they loved!) but maybe the sugar counteracted the hot milk effect…
HAMANTASCH BAKING More yum! Several classes already got into the Purim spirit by baking Hamantaschen. Morah Rivi used a secret fluffy ingredient to make a fluffier dough, and that’s by substituting confectionary sugar for regular in the recipe.
A SHUSHAN NEIGHBORHOOD While learning about Shushan, the capitol and palace, Haman’s house, the gate of the city and surrounding neighborhoods, Nursery students played with blocks and learned city planning, architecture, basic building blocks...
HAPPY AFTER SCHOOL We asked students to share something that makes them happy after school’s out each day in honor the Happy Month of Adar.
LAVAN TRICKING YAAKOV
4th graders are learning this story right now in Chumash class—with the Rashi commentary!
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READING: Some students love to snuggle up and relax with a book—but one that they’re reading for pleasure not something they have to read for school.
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SNACKS: Cookies and milk is a classic after-school treat, but students listed a whole bunch of different nibbles they like to enjoy after a long day at school. Speaking of food, some like to help prepare supper in the kitchen.
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MUSIC: Many students say this is a great way to unwind, especially for those who travel back a longer way home. Some want just quiet and like to go to the rooms, and do nothing for a bit, just to relax without extra noise or things to do.
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KICKING OFF YOUR SHOES: You have to remember where you put them of course, but that’s another favorite thing to do after being in shoes all day. Some keep their shoes right on for a fun bike ride outdoors when the ground is clear like it is now. Some really like to go places: out shopping, to the library, a park. They like to be out and about after being in school all day (well, aside for recess time).
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COMPUTER: We hoped this wouldn't get as many responses as it did, but it did. Kids like to watch videos, play games, older kids check their email or chat with friends and cousins.
SPEAKING OF TRICKS... 3rd graders are learning in Navi class about how the Givonim dressed up to appear as if they were from a very faraway place, tricking the Jewish people back in the days of Joshua.
HOMEMADE COSTUMES Some students have been hard at work making their own Purim costumes, some on their own, some with help from their parents and some working closely with their siblings.
CLOWN GRAGGERS Boy do they make a ruckus!
PACKING PEANUTS? Many packages have newer types of cushioning so its harder to find. If you do get a package with packing peanuts please send them into school for a special project Mrs. Kirkley is doing in Science.
AND BOXTOPS! They actually add up, each boxtop is 10 cents for the school. Please pile them up and send them in to the office.
RETURN ESTY LIBRARY BOOKS Don’t keep them home, others want to read!
HAMANTASCH PLAYDOUGH Nursery learned the art of Hamantasch baking using playdough, and following instructions using the diagrams on the boards.
at Maimonides and in the Community 3/3: UALBANY’S SHABBAT 360 Rescheduled date for #ualbanyShabbat360 cosponsored by Hillel, Shabbos House, Lchaim, Aish, Kehila, Ruach and other campus orgs, the largest unified Shabbat dinner of the year, this year to be held in the CNSE Nanotech Zen Building. This event is open to students from nearby campuses as well. See online at www.shabboshouse.org for some cute reasons for the NanoZEN Shabbos connection.
3/11: PURIM NIGHT EVENTS
3/3-4: NCSY JUNIOR SHABBATON At CBAJ, for Albany Juniors as well as visiting fellow NCSY JRs from West Hartford CT.
3/4: BIRTHDAY KIDDUSH
Sarah & Yehoshua Yisrael Maddaly are sponsoring Kiddush at Shomray Torah in honor of their daughter Racheli’s first birthday.
3/4: THE OSCARS & ISRAEL TRIP Rabbi Feldman’s talk this Shabbos will discuss the Oscars mistake in connection to Parshas Terumah and Kiddush Konversations will be by students recently returning from a Federation trip to Israel.
3/4: MOTZAI SHABBOS DANCING It’s Adar! A week before Purim! Motzai Shabbos Zayin Adar! There will be a short video shown at Shomray Torah after Maariv followed by music and spirited dancing. Get into the Purim spirit!
3/12: PURIM DAY EVENTS
3/5: FREE FIRST SUNDAY @CLARK The Clark is a classic art museum in the Berkshires on a beautiful property. First Sundays of the month are free, and have special family programs. The current feature is Dutch art.
3/5: J-FED ON TERROR FUNDING A Joint Society Federation event open to the community features Avi Jorisch, President of Red Cell IG, an expert on terrorism and illicit finance. $30pp, $20pp (ages 22-40), $40pp after Friday 3/5. 7pm at Agudat Achim in Schenectady. Register online at www.JewishFedNY.org.
3/9: FAST OF ESTHER Since Purim falls on Saturday Night, the fast is pushed back to Thursday. Torah Reading at Mincha, too, with Avinu Malkeinu.
3/9: SAAJCC PRE-PURIM CARNIVAL 5:30-8pm at 340 Whitehall Rd in Albany. $5 per child covers bounce houses, photo-booth, musicman show, SEANO circus workshop…
CBAJ Bounce Party with Megillah at 7:30pm Shomray Torah Megillah Reading: 7pm Saratoga Chabad’s “Purim in the Deli” 7pm “Purimtini” for 20’s & 30’s at Bethlehem Chabad with UHChabad. Open Bar, Improv..
Shomray Torah Morning Megillah: 8:35am after Shachrit services Maimonides Megillah: 10am, Purim Prunch and Mad Science Show begin soon after 11am! Open-House Purim Meal at Rabbi & Mrs. Feldman’s home: 12-6pm. Bethlehem Chabad 60’s Purim, Fab Buffet, Rad Entertainment, 5pm at 393 Delaware Ave Clifton Park Chabad’s “Tropical Purim” 5pm at 6 Clifton Common Court. 495-0772/9. “Purim in the Stadium” is the theme for Purim at Agudat Achim in Kingston NY. MEGILLAH-TO-GO! Mobile Megillah readers with lively Purim spirit, Yeshiva boys from NY are available. Call or text: 518-368-7886.
3/13: POST-PURIM AT SCHOOL
3/19: MAPLE AT SUGAR OAK FARM 12-4pm in Malta. Maple Weekend with sugaring, samples (check for Kosher) and interactive tours.
3/21: WHY? THE HOLOCAUST 8pm at Federation Building with Professor and author Peter Hayes of Northwestern on explaining the Holocaust. A talk open to the community.
3/24-25: REGIONAL SHABBATON Chabad on Campus Regional Shabbaton to be hosted at Shabbos House: JewishWeekend.org
3/26: JEWISH IMMIGRANT STORY The Jewish Federation and NYS Museum will be hosting a special workshop for 4th grade school children on the Jewish immigrant experience to New York State on Sunday, March 26, 10-11:30am. Questions? Call Marci Galinkin at the Jewish Federation: 783-7800.
9:30am start. Children should pray at home that morning. Please come in costume! Not all children will have seen each other on Purim Day and the Shushan Purim Costume Parade is an annual tradition at school.
4/4: RUBIN-DENBURG SHEVA BRACHOS AT SHABBOS HOUSE
3/19: ARTSCENTER TRY-IT DAY
10am-12pm in Tawasentha Park, Guilderland. More info: tinyurl.com/Walk4Friends
The Arts Center of the Capital Region (265 River Street in Troy) is hosting its 2nd annual openhouse day free for everyone to try all kinds of art mediums they have to offer from print-making to silk-screening, pastel and chalk, working with clay— all kinds of workshops from 12pm-3pm. See www.ArtsCenterOnline.org for more info.
Mushky’s Albany Sheva Brachos, 6pm on Tuesday.
6/11: FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE WALK
DON’T FORGET THIS WEEK TO PARTICIPATE AND SHARE:
www.maimonidesschool.org/ScienceLab
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!”