BH. TUES Nissan
ב“ה
11, 5778 / March 27, 2018
Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 7:01 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org Pesach Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 8:11 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
TWO MAIMONIDES BARMITZVAHS THIS PESACH Over this Pesach holiday two of our 7th graders will celebrate their BarMitzvahs. Mazal Tov to the Sussman and Simon families. Nesanel S. will be called to the Torah on Monday, Chol HaMoed Pesach, at the 8am Shacharis Minyan at Shomray Torah with a Pesach celebration later that same afternoon. Menachem S. will also be called to the Torah, but hundreds of miles away, back home in Dayton Ohio. Mazal Tov to both BarMitzvah boys and their families, wishing them continued spiritual growth and success in their journeys! Many people (these boys included) have the custom not to wear Tefillin over Chol HaMoed, but Tefillin is very much connected with Pesach and the Exodus, in fact the scrolls inside Tefillin with the Mitzvah of Tefillin speak of the Exodus and are part of the Torah Readings on the Pesach holiday.
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
OPENING THE DOOR FOR...
This girl is opening the door for Elijah as she and her classmates learn about the Pesach Seder. But it’s also symbolic as we continue to open the GRANDPARENTS FOR PESACH? doors of minds and Will you be with grandparents or hearts to exciting great-grandparents for Pesach? possibilities, more That might be a great opportunity learning opportunities, to take a picture of children and new horizons, new grandparents (or any seniors) doing a Mitzvah, ideas, and so much reading a book, cooking for Pesach, more! At Maimonides taking a walk or doing any activity we are always opening new doors, candle in together. HS Girls need these hand, to seek and to search, and to welcome in pictures for a special photo album the promise of the future. Thank you to all our they’re making for the seniors at the friends and supporters, faculty and families for Massry that they visit. Please email the pictures helping keep Maimonides doors wide open! (along with questions, details or comments) to bnoschayaprograms@gmail.com. They need to get working on this right after Pesach. You don’t have to go to Maimonides to participate. There are raffles for each age group, for all pictures entered… THANKS!
PESACH VACATION SCHEDULE 3/28-29: Wed & Thurs Half-Day General Studies classes. Bring snack only, no lunch. 11:30am dismissal, please be prompt. 3/30: Erev Pesach Morning at Maimonides: Siyum, Burning Chametz, Matzah presentation ceremonies etc on Friday. Come one, come all! 3/30-4/8: No School. Happy Pesach to all! Enjoy the quality time with family! 4/9: Monday morning school resumes at 8am.
THEIR OWN HAGGADAHS Filled with visuals and summaries, insights & commentary, these second graders are working on their own personalized Haggadahs to best experience the Pesach Seder.
This MC Newsletter is dedicated in loving memory of
Dr. Leonard Morgenbesser Lev Yisroel Yartzeit: Erev Pesach
GRAVITY MARBLE MAZE This is quite the challenge and lots of fun! Rabbi Yossi brought it in (it is actually a game by ThinkFUN) for STEAM class to learn about gravity. Each cube has a different internal shape and openings, and you have to design the maze for the longest/ fastest/etc race to the bottom for the marble to make its way through. It’s also a timely lesson for Pesach, you can think of the marble as bypassing all the obstacles, twists and turns to: Get out of Egypt!
MESSAGE FROM THE MIKVAH As many tovel (immerse) new vessels before Pesach, please be sure to: (1) take any garbage or packaging with you (2) please use the Kelim (vessels) Mikvah only up until 30 minutes before sunset (3) leave some Tzedakah.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM STUDY
VOLUNTARY MATH ADDS UP
7th grade science is now learning about the digestive system, you could say just in time for Pesach when we eat a lot of Matzah and a change of diet from the usual!
High School had off this week leading up to Passover but a group of students asked if their math teacher could come in anyways (on their day off) so they could do more of their math work in time for the regents! Most of that class came in and did some great studying…
CHOCOLATE MILK FOR THE REBBE’S BIRTHDAY The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s birthday is the 11th of Nissan (Tuesday of this week). At school we celebrated with a cake baked by 7th graders and a treat of chocolate milk for all. Why chocolate milk? Torah is compared to milk (see Songs of Songs 4:11) and one of the special characteristics of the Rebbe’s teachings was its rich sweet flavor. 7th grade girls prepared a birthday party for (what would be the Rebbe’s 117th birthday at) lunchtime including a cake that they baked and decorated, a story they’ll share and pesukim to say as a group which is what the Rebbe often did with children.
DANCING LEADS TO DANCING Second grade girls love dancing by recess! Morah Devorah puts on some lively music and they really get into it. The weather is turning nicer now, and hopefully we will be spending more recess outdoors, but these girls do love their dancing… Thanks to their enthusiasm and initiative, Morah Rochel hired Noa Bahir to teach dance classes to several classes on Tuesdays. May these students always have a lively spring in their step!
CEMENT, ROCKS AND STRAW
You don’t usually find Nursery students making cement, but that’s what they did as they learned about the Passover story. On Friday they mixed small rocks with straw and fresh soft cement, using various types of tools to mix them and to squish them into ice-cube containers, and after a weekend of hardening, they pushed them out on Monday to get little bricks, similar to the type the Jews made in Egypt! Nursery’s Morah Rivka is always COUNTOWN ISRAEL SEVENTY finding hands-on tactile STEAM experiments The online program has 70 challenges for for them to develop skills and explore both modern Israel’s upcoming 70th birthday. Torah learning and the world around them—as There are word finds, hangman games, matching cards, all kinds of trivia about Israeli our school’s motto: “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience”. cities, the years of its wars, neighboring capitals, and more. It is something some ONE WISE, ONE WICKED... classes have been doing if they have a few minutes left at the end of a class. While some A few classes learned about the seemingly of it may be more advanced details and some repetitious word “One” before each of the 4 of a more specific ideological bent, most of it sons. This teaches us a few things: (1) Treat is accessible, kid-friendly history and locations each and every child as if they were an only that’s a good review & engaging learning tool. child. (2) Each child is individual and unique in their own way. (3) There’s G-d’s Oneness in each of the Four Sons, even the wicked son. TORAHPALACE.COM Speaking of online games, here’s a game to do They also learned a bunch of reasons why the after each holiday! Kids… answer the trivia and wicked son is seated next to the wise son, and what life lessons can be learned from this you are eligible to win points and prizes seating arrangement, for both the redeemable for Judaica books. This is run by wise son and for the wicked son. Reb Leibel & Elisheva Morrison of Troy.
ELIJAH’S CUP Morah Dini’s fifth graders did a nice job painting Elijah’s cups for their own Seders using acrylic paints. This is the cup of promise, the cup of the future, which we fill up but do not (yet) drink from. That part of the redemption of the Jewish people is still coming… may it be soon!
CONTINUED TEHILLIM We all continue to say Tehillim and pray for Reb Eliezer Moshe ben Bracha Yospeh to have a complete recovery. BH there continues to be improvement, may he get better and better.
CIVIL WAR ARMAMENTS 7th grade history watched a documentary about the technological advances during the Civil War that gave the north (with its greater manufacturing capability) an edge over the south, including a much improved rifle made during the war with longer range and more rounds (fast-forward with this issue to current event discussions) and how navy ships turned to armor, and the north’s development of swivel rotating guns on navy ships, instead of slowly rotating the whole heavy ship.
UALBANY KOSHER DINING OPEN FOR PESACH CHOL HAMOED UAlbany’s Kosher Kitchen in the Indian Quad Dining Hall is open for lunch & dinner under Vaad Supervision. Visitor parking is just outside Indian Quad. Call 518-442-2668 for info, cost...
“MAOS CHITTIM” PASSOVER FOOD FOR THE NEEDY As we prepare for our own holiday meals it is customary to contribute to help with the needs of others. Contact Rabbi Rubin 518-423-4103 for discrete distribution, or the Shalom Food Pantry or your Rabbis discretionary fund.
THE BIG SEED BOOK Mrs. Hoffman’s Kindergarteners are reading a giant seed book. The seeds are regular size seeds but the book itself is huge, almost as tall as the students themselves! Each double-page features a different type of seed or different aspect of a seed, how it is planted, how it grows—be it into fruit or into flowers etc…
ALBANY DOGS = EGYPTIAN DOGS There are decorated dogs positioned all over downtown, what do they have in common with the Egyptian dogs during the Exodus? Any ideas?
WRITING FEATURE ARTICLES These are longer pieces of writing in a journalistic style that are mostly non-fiction but can include (clearly marked) opinion segments. They involve both research and writing, understanding the general context of a subject but narrowing it down to a specific focus. This is Mrs. M’s new English assignment for 7th grade.
HAPPY COMFY TESTTAKING This first grader is quite happy taking her test in Mrs. Mattice’s class on a story about a little caterpillar. Who says test-taking has to be stressful?
TABLE OF CONTENTS... Pesach is the only time we actually sing a table of contents, there’s a reason for it. Morah Dini’s class learned things about each step.
INSIDE-OUT PESACH MESSAGE 7th graders are watching a continuation of the Inside-Out film. Last we reported on the Tanya chapters 26 & 31 message reflected in HAPPY HAGGADAH MAKING the film about the key role that (an aspect of) sadness plays. This week the message connects These students are very happily putting the finishing touches and personalization! on their with Pesach, a time for memories “Zecher Haggadahs to be used at their Seder tables… L’Yetziyas Mitzrayim” and the film shows how attitude really shapes and colors our current A TASTE OF TORAH TIMES connection with old memories.
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL PESACH VACATION
at Maimonides and in the Community
3/28-29: Wed & Thurs Half-Day 11:30am dismissal 3/30-4/8: No School. Happy Pesach to all! 4/9: Monday, school resumes at 8am.
3/30: NOT JUST FOR FIRST-BORN! ANNUAL EREV PESACH MORNING TRADITION AT MAIMONIDES
Tuesday thru Thursday of Chol HaMoed, 10am-4pm with special activities, simulated reality etc in addition to the regular exhibits. More info? ESAM.org.
A longtime annual tradition at the school. Morning Minyan, Siyum Bechorim and Chametz Breakfast treats, with special Matzah presentations. Communal 4/4: ZOO IN THE SKY AT ALBANY VISITORS CENTER 11am-12pm at 25 Quackenbush Square for pre-school thru grade 2 students Chametz Burning later that morning. 8am Shacharis Minyan, 9am Siyum, & their families. $3pp. Astronomy show & craft. Info/RSVP: (518) 434-0405 Chametz Burning outside school to start approx. 9:30am, but go until 11:30am (as many first go home, eat Chametz and return for the burning).
4/4: BEAUTY & THE BEAST FUN DAY AT PALACE
3/30: EREV PESACH HALACHIC TIMES—ALBANY, NY Finish eating Chametz by 10:52am, Burn Chametz by 11:56am. Shabbos and YomTov candlelighting 7:01pm. 1st Seder Kiddush after 7:48pm.
3/30-31: PESACH SEDER NIGHTS The first Seder is Friday Night, March 30th, second Seder on Saturday Night. See below for some communal Seders for those not making Seders at home: CBAJ’s Friday Night 3/30 communal Seder. Non-members: $45pp, $40 per child. Register by March 13th online at www.CBAJ.org/passover-5778/ Bethlehem Chabad Community Seder 3/30th 6:45pm, $30pp, $10child. 2nd Night Simon family-style Seder 3/31 Info? 518-439-3310 Saratoga Chabad communal Seders both nights, call 518-526-0773 for info. Shabbos House communal Seders both nights for students and young adults, see ShabbosHouse.org/Passover2018 or call 518-526-0770 for info. Colonie Community Seder, 6:45pm, $25pp, kids $10, RSVP/details/ location info: ChaiCenterColonie@gmail.com 368-7886. Beth Israel Community Seder, 8-11pm 2195 Eastern Parkway, Schenectady. $45pp; kids 5-12: $18. RSVP required: 518-377-3700.
4/2: KIDS CHOL HAMOED PROGRAM w/R’ MOTTI 10:30am on Monday, first day of Chol HaMoed. Plan for Ridgefield Park, if inclement weather will be inside Shteeble/Shomray Torah instead. Suggested $2 per child. Games, prizes, stories, Pesach nosh and good kids Pesach energy!
4/2: FOX TROT AT THE PINE BUSH
Games and activities at noon, movie at 1pm. $5pp at the Palace Theater in downtown Albany. Info/Tickets: www.palacealbany.org
4/4: SNAKES & TURTLES AT MOREAU STATE PARK 1-2pm nature program, call ahead to RSVP and find out fees: 518-793-0511. The park is a pretty spot, with lots of picnic tables in wooded area around a nice lake, and shouldn't be crowded yet this time of year.
4/8: MAJOR PLAGGE—A NAZI WHO SAVED JEWS Hear about “The Search for Major Plagge-The Nazi Who Saved Jews,” 1011:30am at Ohav Shalom, 113 New Krumkill Rd. Author Dr. Michael Good will retell how Major Plagge saved his mother. Info: 518-489-4706.
4/9: UALBANY HILLEL HOSTS YAVILAH MCCOY 7pm in the Campus Center Boardroom (2nd floor of CC West Expansion). She’ll speak on: Faith, Power and Privilege: Holding Intersectionality, Equity and Justice in 2018. For more info: 518-489-8573*24.
4/10: CHLOE VALDARY SPEAKS FOR J-FED WOMENS Open to all, Federation’s Womens Philanthropy presents a multimedia presentation by Chloe Valdary using pop-culture to talk Israel. 6pm (with buffet dinner) at Beth Emeth. Cost: $36pp, $40 at door. $20 ages 12-40.
4/11: YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATIONS
Albany: communal event 8pm at Bnai Shalom on Whitehall Road. Two types of foxes live in the Pine Bush, find out more about them at a Schenectady: Manfried Lindenbaum of the Kindertransport will share his workshop and hike, 1:00-3:30pm at the Pine Bush Discovery Center on Route story 7:30pm at Agudat Achim. 155. Cost is $5 per family. Call head for info and to RSVP: 518.456.0655 Gloversville: Holocaust survivor Murray Jaros will share his story 7pm at Knesseth Israel.
4/3: WILEY COYOTE PROGRAM AT FIVE RIVERS
Free. 10am at the Five Rivers Educational Center off Delaware Ave in Delmar.
4/18: YOM HA’ATZMAUT COMMUNAL CELEBRATION
4/3: JEAN MEHLER-KELMAN ART EXHIBIT AT S-JCC
6pm-10pm at the Sage College Armory. 7pm “Tekes Maavar” 8pm Rami Strosberg and orchestra music and dancing, visiting food truck and more.
There will be a reception for Rabbi Avraham Kelman’s late mother’s artwork at 4:30-6:30pm at the Schenectady JCC. She passed away in March at age 92. Born in Crown Heights, she was married to USAF Captain Dr. Herb Kelman for 65 years. She began her artwork in the 1970’s in Forest Hills, Queens.
4/22: FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE AUCTION EVENT
4/3: PESACH OUTING AT SARATOGA CHABAD
6/5: 30TH ANNUAL MAIMONIDES DINNER HONORS RABBI YISROEL AND MORAH ROCHEL!
5:30pm program includes home-style Pesach meal, juggling entertainment, & live music. Cost is $10pp/$54 family. RSVP/Info: 518-526-0773.
4/3-5: BIRD LAB AT NYS MUSEUM
At 184 Washington Ave Extension. Stay tuned for details.
Save the date! More details soon. This year, the 30th year of the dinner & the Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award honors Rabbi Yisroel & Rochel Rubin who founded the school in 1980 and continue to shepherd it daily to this day!
Special activity to learn more about birds, two times over these days: 10am11:30am and 2-3pm in the Museum Lab. Other Spring Break activities as well.
4/3-5: SPRING BREAK AEROSCIENCES MUSEUM
7/9-8/17: CAMP GAN ISRAEL DATES Gan Israel Day Camp dates for Summer ‘18: July 9th thru Aug 17th. Dedicated staff, engaging program, meaningful memories. For more info call Morah Devorah Leah: 518-698-1836.
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!”