BH. Shvat
3, 5778 / January 19, 2018
ב“ה
Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 4:34 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org Shabbat Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 5:39 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
MAZAL TOV FELDMANS Mazal Tov to Rabbi Roy and Rachel Feldman on the birth of a baby girl named Hadassah Reut or Millie. Much Nachas!
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
MAZAL TOV SIMONS Mazal Tov to MHDS alumnus and parent Rabbi Zalman & Chani Simon, to the siblings at Maimonides, to the Simon grandparents and the whole Mishpocha on the birth of a daughter named Kaylah. Much Nachas!
MAZAL TOV BOMZERS Mazal Tov to MHDS alumna Avigael and Shmulie Heifetz on the birth of a daughter Hadassah Rena. Mazal Tov to grandparents Rabbi Moshe and Rebbetzin Rochel Bomzer.
This MC is dedicated in honor of
Rabbi Caras’ Birthday Today—3 Shvat In appreciation of all he does for our school & community
MAZAL TOV KELLMANS On MHDS alumna Atara Kellman’s Jan 9th marriage to Josh Frankenhuis in Israel with quite a few Albany friends present! Mazal Tov to her parents Rabbi Yaakov & Lisa Kellman & family, much Nachas!
ANCIENT & MODERN INDIA WHAT KIND OF HOUSE IS THIS?
More hands-on visual Parsha Bo learning in the Nursery classroom: Nursery students made two such life-size (their size) cardboard houses in their classroom, both have windows and doors, and are covered with brown paint, but only one has red paint around the doorway… They also went walking around their darkened classroom with sunglasses looking for gems. The STEM consultant from RPI (see page 2 >) happened into Nursery while they were doing NEW T.T.N. FOR PARSHA BO it and was impressed with the level of multiNow in its second week of production, the show keeps getting better! This week they have sensory and inter-curricular activity going on. costumes and a teleprompter, and the screen SOLAR SYSTEM RATIO goes totally dark for the plague of darkness! AND PROPORTION The chef piece: “We’ll roast that later” is very cute, too! See it yourself: www.youtube.com/ In High School Earth Science watch?v=zJcXqw6iMpI or just search for the girls had to calculate to scale Torah Times News Bo on YouTube. Kudos to the span and distance of planets Rabbi Michael Caras for the extensive pre/ in our solar system on a roll of post production work and setup and for all receipt tape tapes down to the that he involves the 7th grade boys in the floor. Aside for using math to various stages of production! To order your assist in their science learning, own print copy book of Rabbi Rubin’s classic the 3D model in their classroom Torah Times newspaper, get the book here: didn’t give the same sense of www.TheTorahTimes.com (via Amazon). scale that this long roll of paper did. Wow, it’s way out!
Speaking of measurements & doorways, here’s an ancient & modern Indian connection: Mrs. Ramsay’s 5th grade history class just concluded a unit on Ancient India, and had a test on it. Also this week an historic event happened in Mumbai India, when Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyanu brought Moshe Holzberg (rescued by his nanny Sandra Samuel from the terror attack at the Nariman Chabad House) back to his old home at the Chabad House for the first time since the attack in 2008. Indian Media still refers to him as “Baby Moshe”. At the doorway of his old bedroom they found marks where Moshe’s late mother Rivka YHD measured his height as a toddler. PM Netanyahu measured Moshe’s current height against the doorway (pictured above) and wrote above the line these words: “Moshe, son of Am Yisrael”.
GEM RESEARCH & PROJECTS Mrs. Mattice’s first graders are learning about rocks, minerals and soil, and spending a little extra time on gemstones. This student team did some research looking at books with pictures on rocks, minerals and gems (pictured on top) and then began a little book of their own shaped like a treasure chest (pictured above) that has a page of writing for each type of precious stone they learned about.
S.T.E.A.M. WORKSHOP FOR TEACHERS Casey Jakubowitz of RPI (who has been assisting the school as a consultant on our STEAM Room/Makerspace Lab project) led a STEM workshop for teachers this week (teachers need to keep learning, too!) demonstrating many areas of regular curriculum learning, at all age levels, in both in Jewish and General Studies, which can (and should!) incorporate and utilize STEMrelated concepts and activities. They began with an exercise to work in teams to build the tallest freestanding structure made up of only straws. The largest one is pictured on the table in the top picture. Another exercise (using calendars and colored dots) helped demonstrate the crossdisciplinary possibilities between teachers and subjects and possible areas for collaboration. Additional professional development/faculty training workshops are being planned.
JOINING OF THE RAILROADS 7th grade history learned of the importance of the joining of the railroads in the mid 1800’s and how that greatly improved travel and communication between the states of the country from one coast to another.
ALL THESE WORDS!!! One cold recess morning a few Kindergarten students were sitting around and decided to try to try to sound out Hebrew words they knew and spell them using colorful Hebrew magnet letters… look how many words they did! From Zevuv = fly, Gamal = camel, Shmot and Bo, Kos = cup, Yad = hand, Kis = pocket, Kechol = blue, Tzahov = gold… Wow!
LOCUSTS! Kindergarten is learning letter Kaf so they made Kova (hats) with locust eyes and antenna for Parshat Bo!
MECHITZAH IN TALMUD CLASS AND “WITH” RABBI FELDMAN 7th grade Talmud took a break from first chapter of Sukkah to learn about Simchat Beit HaShoeva and a key source about Mechitzah. As it turns out, Rabbi Roy Feldman prepared a class on Mechitzah for CBAJ with source sheets including responsa ranging from Rabbi Moshe Feinstein to Satmar Rov, which Rabbi Rubin learned with our 7th graders in connection to the Talmud piece they studied.
“PEAK” IN FIFTH Fifth graders are now reading “Peak” a novel by Roland Smith which is an adventure story of a teenage boy, his climbing parents, and physical and emotional challenges of his own climbing story.
T.H.I.N.K. BEFORE SPEAKING Mrs. Mattice (which rhymes with “nice”) and second graders learned about THINK standing for 5 “Is it” questions: True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind. And if it isn’t at least two or more of those things, maybe we shouldn’t say it. The students each made posters about it.
CARE FOR BELONGINGS 5th grade Talmud is learning about different ways that different objects need to be cared for if they don’t belong to you: Gold and silver have different care requirements, Tefillin and Books are not the same, even your reading fluency plays a role in its care! It teaches us to be extra careful with other people’s things and to respect property.
GIRLS SARATOGA SHABBATON
MONTH OF SHVAT DATES
From Bead Shop to Arcades and Ball Pit, plus nice walks and conversations, our middle school girls enjoyed a very nice getaway Shabbaton up in Saratoga.
On the snowy Rosh Chodesh 5th grade was missing a teacher for one period so Rabbi Mendel came in and did with them a birds-eye view of yartzeits and special dates this month: 1—Rosh Chodesh, on this date Moshe Rabbeinu began to say Chumash Devarim, 37 BINYAMIN: CHUMASH & NAVI days before his passing. It’s also Jewish New 5th graders happened to learn about Judah sticking up for Benjamin in their Chumash HOW TO MAKE A SNOWFLAKE Year for Trees according to Bais Shammai. class in the same week that they learned at the These Nursery kids were given a whole bunch 2—Yartzeit of Reb Zusya of Anipoli, a humble, end of Shoftim (in their Navi class) of shapes and asked to each make a snowflake positive Chassidic un-Rebbe. 4—Yartzeit of the Baba-Sali (1984) famous how the whole tribe of Benjamin was out of it. There are so many ways to do it! Sephardic Rabbi, buried in Rechovot, Israel isolated and alienated as a tribe for a 5—Yartzeit of Sfas Emes of Ger (1905) who certain time because of a story. BEAVER, APPLE, SUGAR MAPLE wrote Chumash & Gemorah commentary What do all these have in common? 4th 10—Yartzeit of Kabalist Rabbi Shalom Sharabi graders are learning about official symbols of (1777), Rebbetzin Rivka of Lubavitch (1914) NY State. They are also learning the difference and Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak, 6th Rebbe of between renewable and non-renewable Chabad (1950) This is also the date when the resources and how to maximize what we have! Lubavitcher Rebbe assumed leadership (1951) 11—Birthday of the Chafetz Chaim, author of A CHARMING MITZVAH Mishna Berurah Halacha and prominent Mrs. Maher has a charm necklace promoter against speaking Lashon Hora that’s very dear to her, as it has 13—Yartzeit of Rebbetzin Shterna Sara of sentimental value. One day she started to hear Chabad (1942) buried in Queens New York a ding, ding, and she realized it was open and 14—Yartzeit of Pnei Yehoshuah (1755) a wellIT’S VERY WINTRY, BUT YET… the charms had been falling off! Oy! She known commentary on the Talmud 2nd graders made these wintry posters with looked about but only found a few of the 15—Tu Bishvat, Jewish New Year for Trees Morah Devorah, but pieces. She came back to school after hours, 21—Yartzeit of Rabbi Moshe Galanti (1689) also began to prepare and found a few pieces in the snow. And then first of the long line of Rishon L’Tzion lima bean seeds for Jennifer found one. Then Shmuly G. found Sephardic Chief Rabbis of Israel. sprouting before Tu another one… and thanks to caring people 22—Yartzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, wife Bishvat. Winter and doing Hashovas Aveida (Mitzvah of returning of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (1988) spring feelings at the lost objects) her charms are back in place! 24—Yarzeit of Menucha Rochel Slonim (1888) same time! respected matriarch of Hebron community 25—Yartzeit of Rebi Yisrael Salanter (1883) founder of the Mussar movement 26—Yartzeit of the “Taz” (1667) flanking commentary on Karo’s Shulchan Aruch 27—Yartzeit of the “Simlah Chadasha” (1737) a primer work for the laws of Shechitah. Nice about this list? It’s diversity of Ashkenaz & Sefard, Chassidus/Mussar, men/women...
THE SLEDDING SIYUM TRIP On one of those days this week, when it was warm enough yet cold enough, several grades enjoyed a Siyum outing to the golf course for sledding fun, romping around and running up and down the hills in the snow.
PLANTS & PHOTOSYNTHESIS 4/5 grade science class is learning now about plants. Their roots and stems are like straws sucking water out of the ground and their leaves convert sunlight into food using a special process. This is perfect timing for Tu Bishvat coming up!
ORGANIZING LEADS TO... Nursery students spent a lot of time sorting and organizing this week. They sorted the wooden blocks by shape and the big legos by color. When they had a bunch of red legos piled up they decided to build a Beit HaMikdash out of it!
RECIPROCAL KINDNESS & PAYING IT FORWARD Second graders had an up and down incident this week that was the catalyst for a meaningful conversation on appreciating and reciprocating kindness and paying it forward even if that third person wasn’t involved!
COOKIE PHASES OF THE MOON On Rosh Chodesh Morah Chani’s Kindergarteners took black and white sandwich cookies and scraped off just enough cream according to the phases of the moon in the monthly lunar cycle. A tasty lesson!
KIDS PICTURES WITH SENIORS More on this project/contest soon. Or ask HS!
at Maimonides and in the Community 1/20: CBAJ PARENT-CHILD STUDY 6:45pm at CBAJ includes study & a craft followed by pizza. Info? Email: GoldsteinT@ncsy.org
2/3: GREAT JEWISH RIVALRIES III
Rescheduled from Jan 6th. “Reform vs Orthodox” a talk Rivka Krinsky, Australian heath-coach, singer and by Rabbi Roy Feldman songwriter will be this year’s featured presenter. She Shabbat at CBAJ. “weaves soulful music with healthy living.” Spa treatments 1:00pm, Program & Luncheon 2:002/3: PIZZA NIGHT & 4:00pm. $20 prepaid, $25 at the door. For more ESTY LECTURE info call Leah: 518-495-0779 or Clara 518-439Please note the two parts of the 8280. This event is co-sponsored by: Capital evening: (1) HS Pizza Night will Chabad Centers, Ladies First!, Bnos Israel Mikvah, sell and serve pizza, fries, sushi Hadassah and the Jewish Federation of NENY. etc. 7:15-8:40pm downstairs at Please park in UAlbany’s Dutch Gold Student Lot, Maimonides. (2) At 8:45pm shuttle rides available to Shabbos House. Chava LeVine will share her fascinating story "From Papua 1/21: SUNDAY NIGHT SHIUR New Guineau to Israel" about Short Shiur after 8pm Maariv at Shomray Torah. her personal journey in discovering Judaism. Children ages 10 and over who can sit respectfully 1/22: MONDAY WOMENS CLASS are welcome upstairs to the talk, there will be a Morah Rochel’s Monday night women’s class has children’s program downstairs as well for younger resumed, this time around they are studying and children. This annual Esty Lecture is in memory of discussing Tanya. 8:30pm at her home. Esty (Rubin) Cohen, who was a great listener and loved hearing people’s stories!
1/21: SPA FOR THE BODY & SOUL
YAHADUS CHIDON TRIVIA In memory of Meir Obrien, first MHDS student at Chidon
BOOK ONE: If a barber cuts off your peyot, who gets Malkus? What’s the difference between the two hair-cutting Mitzvot of “Lo Sashchis” vs. “Lo Sakifu”? Do you 1/23: FIRST GRADE SIDDUR PARTY 2/5: BREAKFAST WITH JOHN FASO know Rambam’s 3 parts of Teshuvah? Is Teshuva Annual tradition in Morah Devorah’s classroom! a positive or negative Mitzvah or both? Can you Parents are invited… they're already preparing! Jewish Federation hosts Congressman Faso for a communal breakfast, 8-10am. $5pp. 518-783-7800. name the 3 portions of the Shema?
1/27: MELAVA MALKA AT SCHOOL Motzai Shabbos Shira (Parsha Beshalach and PreTu Bishvat) and Yud-Shvat Melava Malka farbrengen at school. 7:30pm.
1/28: J-FED’S SUPER-SUNDAY
2/5: THIRD YAHADUS TEST
We need Maimonides parent volunteers to assist with Federation’s Super-Sunday, as funds raised benefit many organizations & institutions in local & overseas communities, including Maimonides.
2/11: TIMES UNION HOME SHOW
1/29: DOUBLE FIRST-TEFILLIN
2/11: GIL TAMARY, ISRAEL TALK
Two of our 7th graders are scheduled to begin putting on Tefillin for the first time (in preparation for their upcoming Bar-Mitzvahs) on the same morning: Menachem S. & Nesanel S. They will be putting on Tefillin at the Shteeble’s 8am Minyan with their classmates.
Jewish Federation Joint Society event at Ohav Shalom. Gil is Washington DC bureau chief for Israel's Channel 10 News.
1/30: AFTER-SCHOOL MISHMAR 3:30-4:15pm for grades 2-7. Younger children can be supervised for $2. Mishmar costs $2 per child to cover supplies and expenses.
1/31: TU BISHVAT BREAKFAST
BOOK TWO:
The third and final Chidon qualifying Yahadus test Do you know why Challah is called Challah? Or (covering the last chapters in each class’ respective why a Shechita knife is called a Chalef? How books) will be on Monday morning, Feb 5th. might food that’s edible raw be a leniency in a
10am-5pm at Times Union Center. $10pp, kids under 14 are free. All kinds of vendors & exhibits on home remodeling.
2/15: JEWS AND THE MOB You wouldn’t expect this at Chabad. But Myron Sugarman will tell his own story about Jewish mob connections, 7pm at Bethlehem Chabad.
2/28-3/1: PURIM NIGHT AND DAY Hard to believe but Purim is in February this year! It falls Wednesday night into Thursday, stay tuned for a listing of communal events and celebrations.
Annual eagerly anticipated Maimonides tradition, fruity breakfast for Jewish New Year for Trees.
cooked food Halacha? What ingredient in cheese requires it to have increased Kosher supervision? What do bread and wine have in common? What are 2 ways we can remove blood from meat? What are the 2 types of animal blood and what’s the difference in punishment for eating both? BOOK FOUR: When are you responsible for hidden items burned in a fire you started, and when would you be exempt? Are you fully liable for damages done by your animal? Explain the difference between “Tam” and “Muad” - and how can an animal be considered both at the same time? Do you have to own the pit to be liable for the damages that occur because of it? “Bor” literally means pit, but what else does it include? What are the 3 Mitzvos of Honest Weights & Measures? Is there a minimum amount to be liable for theft? What’s the difference between “Ganov” and “Gazlan”?
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!”