BH. Kislev
13, 5778 / Dec 1, 2017
ב“ה
Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 4:05 404 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 5:09 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
RAFFLE-AUCTION ENTRIES ALREADY ST(R)EAMING IN!! The actual drawings aren't for another couple of weeks yet (last night of Chanukah, Tues, Dec 19th), but raffle-auction entry forms are
already st(r)eaming back into the school office via mail, some via online as well. Remember, you get a free $10 ticket if purchasing any amount of tickets (you can always buy some more later) before December 6th. Tickets can be purchased via mail, in person at the Dec 19th drawings and dinner event, or online: www.maimonidesschool.org/auction Thanks for supporting this annual school fundraiser!
This week’s MC Newsletter is dedicated in memory of
Dr. Edith Luchins
On her Yartzeit—today: 13 Kislev Math professor at RPI, pioneering observant Jewish woman in the sciences, trustee at Maimonides
NEW BOOK Simi celebrated her birthday this week at school, in addition to nosh she brought in for her classmates, her family donated a new Jewish fiction book to the school’s Esty Library for all students to read and enjoy. Thank you!
TWO SIDES OF SAME PERSON
CHANUKAH SPIRIT ALREADY FILLING MAIMONIDES Chanukah isn’t for another week or two, but our classrooms are already filling with Chanukah projects and learning, from our youngest (Nursery pictured here) to our oldest students.
In this week’s Parsha Yaakov (Jacob) is renamed Yisrael by the angel. But unlike earlier name changes, the Torah continues to use both names for him (older grades learned this question). One reason is because both names have meaning and represent two sides of the same person. Kindergarteners made double-sided differently dressed people using back to back paper dolls.
OF PEAS AND MEN 7th grade science is learning about Gregor Mendel’s understanding of human genetics learned from pea plants, how the genes from our parents (and their parents etc) influence who we are as well as our future generations.
A SONG AROUND THE CLOCK Mrs. Mattise and the first graders learned a fun song that travels around the clock. They were learning about noon and midnight.
MARCHING W/ CLOTHS Nursery students marched around happily singing waving to and fro mesh fabric cloths. They started off as rolled-up Shamash candles but rolled out as the song and the march went on.
FIFTH GRADE IS OFF TO INDIA Well, maybe not in person, but they are now studying India in their Social-Studies class. Before any history, they learned some key aspects of the geography, including its famous Himalayas mountain ranges which feed the country's rivers, and the monsoon rains that affect its climate, agriculture and economy.
OIL RESIST JUG ART As part of a unit on oils (relating to both Chanukah and science) Nursery students colored paper jugs and used oil to diffuse the coloring. Here they’re checking to see how they are drying on paper-towels.
AMAZING BASKETBALL GAME What was so amazing about the game this past Wednesday? Yes, some of the shots and plays These Nursery kids are happily spinning themselves as giant Dreidels on the front lawn were pretty good, but what made extra special was the mood & attitude and of school. Chanukah spirit is in the air! sportsmanship. Not even one dismissive word or the slightest OUT-OF-BOUNDS ON SHABBAT negativity, just fast-paced full7th graders learned the biblical law against court hands-on play with all walking (after 2000+ cubits) beyond city limits players involved and engaged. on Shabbat. The interesting thing was that they happened to learn it both in THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM Chumash class and in their Gemorah 4/5 grade science is learning how the heart class, in the same week! constantly pumps the blood that’s filled with life-giving oxygen from the lungs & brought HEBREW CHANUKAH WRITING throughout the body via a vast system of 3rd graders proudly arteries and veins. They learned the roles of displayed their Hebrew valves, platelets and white blood cells & more! Chanukah writing they did in Morah Rivi’s Ivrit class. They each wrote in full sentences, using a nice array of vocabulary words, filling up most of their “Machberet” (notebook) page. Morah Rivi was proud of their work, too!
SPINNING DREIDELS ON LAWN
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT Mrs. Ramsay’s 7th grade history is learning the various branches of government which they learned already in 4th grade, but this time they are more focused on the division of power and the systems of checks and balances.
VOLUNTEERING AT VICTORIAN A group of our 8th grade & High School girls went up to Saratoga last night to volunteer for Chabad to share Chanukah holiday awareness at the annual popular Victorian Streetwalk.
FULFILLING ONE’S POTENTIAL
CHANUKAH CARDS BY KIDS Keep an eye on the big bulletin board near the school’s entrance, as more and more student-illustrated Chanukah cards are put up there.
Thanks to a Talmudic juxtaposition of houses smaller than 4x4 vs. Burganin watchmen huts, our Talmud Sukkah class learned an important life lesson about “fulfilling your design/ purpose”. It’s not about your size, amount or accomplishment, as much as it is how well you live up to and maximize your potential, your design and purpose.
LOCAL KOSHER DINING Only a few weeks left before month of Winter Break UAlbany’s Kosher Kitchen in the Indian Quad (not Dutch anymore!) Dining Hall is open for lunch and dinner and is under Vaad Supervision. Visitor parking is located just outside Indian Quad. Call 518-442-2668 for info, menu and cost.
EARTHQUAKES IN SCIENCE, &... HS Girls are learning in Earth-Science about earthquakes, and lo and behold there’s an earthquake this week close enough in Delaware felt in areas near New York.
NEW YORK STATE CLIMATE 4th graders are learning about the climate in our state and how that affects the different regions of the state.
DEVORAH THE JUDGE 4th grade Navi is now learning about Devorah the prophetess and judge, about Barak and the enemy Sisrah (and soon about another woman heroine, Yael).
CHUMASH CHAVRUTA STUDY
Rabbi Mathless’ 7th graders are reviewing for a VAYISHLACH ON VAYISHLACH Chumash test (with lots of Rashi commentary) It’s always exciting when one of our grades are on the Manna story in Parsha Beshalach. studying the Parsha of the week in their regular Chumash class, that way they feel so familiar and current with the Torah reading. This week, not one, but two (!) of our Chumash classes happen to be learning TAKE ADVANTAGE OF Vayishlach when it is the Torah ADVANTEDGE CARD! portion of the week! Price Chopper recently renewed their add-on
HISTORIC TALMUD PHOTO Look for it in next week’s MC. Rabbi Rubin and the HS Girls study completion of Makkos!
INTERVIEWS AT THE MASSRY On their recent visit to the Massry Residence, our 10th graders interviewed the residents, to hear life-stories, memories, highlights. It was very interesting and enlightening!
CHANUKAH GIFTS TO ISRAEL? Morah Devorah Leah is arranging for a suitcase of toys to be brought to Israel for Chanukah to give to families there who’d appreciate it. You can get a toy to her before this Tuesday 12/5.
ISRAEL SPEAKER THIS MONDAY The flyer on right > is for an AIPAC event this Monday evening at Beth Emeth, 7-8pm, with Tony Badran speaking on “Syria, Lebanon & Israel” especially in light of current events.
points Gas-Program, there was one in the summer and now again in the Fall through New Years, but you have to sign your card up again to get those extra discounts off gas. Please link your card to Maimonides School for Tools for Schools program. You can do both these things at any customer service (or online) & benefits accrue automatically, both at pump & for our school.
SHALOM KIDS YOGA CARDS 32 Yoga poses in Hebrew and English with a poem 7 Age-appropriate meditations 7 Breathing practices to relax and calm 8 Fun games and activities.
$14.99 special price, with percentage of proceeds to MHDS. Email jorystillman@gmail.com if interested. Visit www.shalomkidsyoga.com or on Facebook.
DAYS OFF AND HALF DAYS AT SCHOOL COMING UP
at Maimonides and in the Community
12/15: Friday of Chanukah, No School 12/25: Monday, No School. Enjoy the extended weekend. 12/26-28: Half-Days: Tues to Thursday, Judaic Studies until 11:30am each day. 12/29-1/1/2018: No School, Friday to Monday. Enjoy this four day weekend.
12/2: EMPIRE SKATE PLAZA
Facing American Zionists in 2017” sponsored by The state ice-skating rink officially opens this Friday the Federations Baruch, Weitzman & Maimonides Societies, 7pm at Agudat Achim in Schenectady. for the season, open daily 11am-8pm (closed for Cost is $30pp, NextDor Charge: $20. maintenance between 3-4pm) skating is free but rentals are $3 for kids, $4 for adults. Skate rentals 12/12-19: CHANUKAH EVENTS are free each Friday courtesy of Hannaford. 12/12: Tuesday, first night of Chanukah, public Menorah Lighting at the Four Corners 12/2: GREAT JEWISH RIVALRIES “Chassidim vs. Mitnagdim: How should study and 12/12: Menorah Lighting at Monument Square in Troy, will continue each night of the holiday, too prayer look?” lecture by Rabbi Feldman at CBAJ 12/12: Also all Chanukah, look for the Chabad part of a series on Great Jewish Rivalries. Chanukah display and table in Crossgates Mall 12/3: MODEL TRAIN SHOW, PLUS... 12/12: “Chanukah at the Gallery” for 20’s & 30’s The Great Train Extravaganza comes to the Empire at Opalka Gallery, New Scotland Ave, 7pm. State Plaza, 10am-4pm. Admission is $7pp, but free 12/12: First Night of “Final-ly Chanukah” at Shabbos House for college students for kids under age 12. Info? (518) 668-9892. It so happens that the same day at the Plaza there’s also 12/13: Chanukah Balloon Extravaganza, 5pm at Boscov’s in Clifton Park Center. a “Taste of NY Market” (most of which won’t be 12/14: Chanukah Bowling at Saratoga Strike Zone, Kosher) and a big tree-lighting ceremony (which isn’t our thing) and celebration out on the plaza in 32 Ballston Ave, 5pm. early evening, with train and wagon rides etc, which 12/14: “Latkes & Lights” at East Greenbush Library, 5-8pm. concludes with winter fireworks. 12/15: Final-ly Chanukah Shabbat Dinner for 12/4: SYRIA, LEBANON... & ISRAEL college students at Shabbos House, 7pm 12/16: NCSY Chanukah Carnival at CBAJ, 7-9pm This issue is becoming more and more relevant as on Sat Night. $5pp or $20max per family. Israel has increasing unrest & instability on its 12/17: Sunday Friendship Circle Program, stay northern and eastern borders. This communal tuned for details. event by AIPAC hosted at Beth Emeth (7pm 12/17: Bethlehem Chabad’s Chanukah Chocolate program, 8pm desserts) features Tony Badran of DC’s Foundation for Defense of Democracies. No Wonderland preceded by a Car-Menorah Parade from a Menorah lighting at the Four Corners. charge. RSVP/Info? jsamot@aipac.org 12/17: Chanukah Party at Saratoga Library, 1-4pm. 12/17: Chanukah Party 2-4pm at Troy’s Beth 12/6: EARLY BIRD DEADLINE Tephilah historic synagogue on River Street. Any Raffle-Auction tickets purchased by this date 12/18: 6pm public Menorah Lighting in Saratoga’s entitles you to an additional $10 in free tickets! Via mail or online: maimonidesschool.org/auction Congress Park 12/17: Scout’s Court of Honor. See below. 12/18: Chanukah Rally for Kids 3:30pm after 12/6: WOMENS FARBRENGEN dismissal at Maimonides, Car Menorah Parade 7pm Womens Farbrengen at the Rubins, 122 leaves 4:15pm Maimonides ending with Menorah South Main. Inspiration, songs, study, stories… Lighting outside NYS Capitol approx. 4:45pm. 12/19: “Baby Loves Chanukah!” 3-4pm at Clifton 12/7: POST-MAARIV FARBRENGEN Park Chabad. Thursday after 8pm Maariv at Shomray Torah/ 12/19: The Maimonides Raffle-Auction with the Shteeble. On the evening following Yud-Tes Kislev. Kochman’s Delicious Hawaiian Chanukah! 12/20: Chanukah Songs & Plays at School. 12/9: YUD-TES KISLEV MELAVA 9:30am. Last Day of Chanukah! MALKA SIYUM AND FARBRENGEN Perhaps further Chanukah event updates next week! 7pm at Maimonides, this one for one and all, families and community. This annual Yud-Tes 12/17: SCOUT COURT OF HONOR Kislev farbrengen will also celebrate Daf Yomi’s Maimonides will be hosting an Eagle Scout Court Siyum on Makkos, with the beautifully inspiring of Honor on the Sunday of Chanukah, 10amstory at its ending. 12:30pm with the award ceremony for MHDS alumnus Eli Kochman as an Eagle Scout. Community is welcome to attend. 12/10: JOINT SOCIETY EVENT Dr. Sharon Goldman (who has previously spoken here on the Iran Deal) will speak on “Challenges
12/19: ANNUAL MAIMONIDES RAFFLE-AUCTION & DINNER The Raffle-Auction display and prize drawings will be on Tuesday, the 8th night of Chanukah, along with a delicious Hawaiian-themed Chanukah dinner prepared by the Kochmans. Tickets can be purchased via mail, in-person at the event or online at: www.maimonidesschool.org/auction
12/24-26: J.G.R. WINTER RETREAT Sunday thru Tuesday in Albany NY, an exciting fun-filled meaningful winter retreat overnight program for girls ages 8-18 with workshops, activities and winter fun: JewishGirlsRetreat.com/ Winter or call Morah Nechama at 614-JGR-CAMP.
1/28: J-FED’S SUPER-SUNDAY Parents! We need Maimonides parent volunteers to assist with Federation’s Super-Sunday, as the funds raised benefit the entire community, including an allocation for Maimonides.
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!”