BH. Sivan
11, 5779 / June 14, 2019
ב“ה
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District Candle-Lighting: 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org 8:16 Shabbat Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 9:28 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
MAZAL TOV TO CHAYA (SIMON) T’WAS BIG SCHOOL TRIP WEEK Although the main school year-end trip isn’t AND AHARON MISHULOVIN
Their wedding was last night in Brooklyn, with until this coming Monday (grades 2-8 are headed to Lake George for a tour of Fort many Albany & Delmar friends celebrating including a nice delegation of our Maimonides William Henry, a boat ride and a hike up Prospect Mountain) there were many class General Studies faculty at a Maimonides trips this week as a celebration culmination of alumna wedding! Her brother Tzemach’s lots of good learning this year. See inside pages wedding will be next week, so this is a busy >>>> for an overnight at Shabbos House, a time of Simcha for the Simons, Mazal Tov to Rabbi Nachman and Clara and all the Simon downtown mural tour, a fishing trip, a nature hike to the Saugerties Lighthouse, a bowling siblings and their families! outing and much more! Fun times at school!
This MC Newsletter is dedicated in loving memory of
Shirley Kunofsky a righteous woman of Glens Falls Yartzeit this Shabbos: Sivan 12
MAZAL TOV CHAYA & YOSEF Mazal Tov to Chaya Tal and Yosef Yishai on their upcoming wedding this weekend.
VELVEL PASTERNAK, OBM Velvel Pasternak’s passing was recognized on all the Jewish websites and even the New York Times for his invaluable contributions in annotating and recording Jewish music, he was instrumental (pun intended) in popularizing Jewish and Chassidic melodies making them accessible to a much broader audience. We remember Mr. Pasternak as well with an Albany connection: Some years ago (maybe 1520 years ago) he spent some time in Albany recuperating from a car accident on the NYS Thruway—and has remained an annual supporter of Maimonides every year since!
CONGRATULATIONS CARL B.
GOMEL TORAH PREVIEW Congratulations on a well-deserved award and
recognition as Carl Bloomberg received Jewish See page 4 for the June 26th Colonie Gomel Torah dedication ceremonies. Gomel, where Federation’s Sidney Albert Memorial Award this 100+ year old Torah comes from, is the for long-time communal involvement and hometown for many Albany-area personal dedication—presented at Federation’s Russian Jews. Our students made a annual meeting last night. Carl is also a good special reception for this Torah with friend of Maimonides, and a recipient of the seniors residents at Parkview Apts. Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award.
SCHOOL ARTWORK AT MASSRY A nice selection of our recent student artwork (from Morah Rivi’s art classes) is now on display at the Massry Residence.
LILY’S CROSSING & D-DAY 4/5 finished the book “Lily’s Crossing” just in time for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, which is part of the WWII wartime events described in the children’s book by Patricia Reilly Giff.
ESTY’S ROSES The pink rose bush planted in memory of MHDS alumna Esty (Rubin) Cohen obm is blooming again.
FLAG DAY FOR PARSHA NASO Fits the uplift theme, holding our heads high!
MINI-CHIDON AT SCHOOL The international Chidon happened months ago, but this week Rabbi Motti made a miniChidon “game show” for 5th grade with the 2nd graders as the audience. They covered units like Sukkah and Pesach, the laws of Matzah, Kiddush and Havdalah and more!
THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS Time is running out on the school year and there’s not much time left—a perfect time for 6th grade history class to learn President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, as it teaches us how much can be said, learned and accomplished even in a very short time!
NURSERY’S FILLED BUCKETS Morah Rivka asked each Nursery students for a favorite project or activity this year, and also for one favorite thing about a friend. Each student’s bucket was “filled” with their own favorite thing at school and also a favorite thing a friend said about them. They pasted their bucket papers on and also wrote their own names in the bucket openings.
CHUMASH COMMENTARY TEST SAUGERTIES LIGHTHOUSE Morah Rivi took HS Girls on an outing to the Saugerties Lighthouse, a landmark (and now a bed & breakfast) which dates back to 1869 and is situated on an island in the Hudson River. The dirt and wood-slat scenic trail to get there passes through woods and water, and you have to be sure not to go during high-tide when the trail can be flooded. A shed even has boots for hikers. They met an older man, a fellow hiker, who told them the difference between red (incoming) and green (outgoing) buoys, the importance of their education and about his friend who horse-jumps for Israel.
THEIR CRYSTALS CRYSTALIZED They came out beautiful! These third grade students were so excited with the end product of their crystal-making in STEAM class.
I WISH MY TEACHERS KNEW HS Girls submitted short essays on this theme to the Nshei Chabad Newsletter. The idea of these essays are to help parents and teachers better understand students, where they are coming from and what they might be dealing with behind the scenes. There is always more to the story (& person!)
HS Girls had a Chumash commentary test on 4th thru 7th biblical Plagues with a spectrum of commentaries including Rashi, Baal HaTurim, Ramban, Ibn Ezra, Ohr HaChayim, Keli Yakar, Sforno, Rashbam etc… & how specific threads of commentary interpretation, styles & perspectives weave together.
CONTINUED ALUMNI NACHAS! Elianna (Sohn) a MHDS alumna and also a teacher at our school got married to Benji Cohen just before Pesach, but her proud grandmother Nina Israel (may she FISHING TRIP AT SIX MILE continue to have Rabbi Mathless and Mr. Sid Stark took the 6-8 much Nachas) sent grade boys fishing at Six Mile Waterworks us this wedding (part of the Pine Bush) on Fuller Road. This picture now for inclusion in the newsletter. was a triple Parsha Siyum celebration for their We also have much Nachas from them, thanks Chumash class. A few kids caught fish (which for sharing the Simcha! More Mazal Tovs! was itself a lesson in patience and not getting frustrated and just savoring the MORE DINNER THANK YOU’S experience), and some of them had a In addition to the whole newsletter column of chance to go out on the lake in a Kayak, too! Maimonides Dinner thank you’s in last week’s MC Newsletter here are a few more: To the Itkins of Kingston & Rabbi Abba of Saratoga for their relay efforts to get the printed journal/yearbooks up to Albany in time. To Chani Simon for delicious baked desserts.
TIPS FOR MONDAY’S TRIP Wear sensible shoes/sneakers for hiking. No shorts or short socks, skin should not be exposed and students should be checked for COWBOY ART AND WRITING ticks when they get home. Think sunscreen as Mrs. Mattice’s 2nd graders each illustrated a we will be outdoors for much of the day. As ranch scene with cowboys (or cowgirls) and once you open the flap you can see the writing always students should bring their own snack & lunch. Remember to send in permission they did to go along with that illustration. slips & $7 per student (school pays other half).
Nu Pa fro
6TH GRADE BOYS OVERNIGHT ADVENTURES After a year of learning a dozen Talmud Sugyos (topics/issues) Rabbi Mendel took the 6th grade Gemorah class on a afterschool overnight adventure. They first went on a walking tour of murals downtown (seeking life lessons & connections from each) and also stopped off at the Herkimer Street (CBAJ predecessor) Shul, old Elm Street Shomray Torah Mikvah, Lodge’s the oldest store in Albany, played ping-pong in a park, and put their hand in a (stone) lion’s mouth. They had supper on their return to Shabbos House, then set off to UAlbany athletic fields for a game of soccer. Once back at Shabbos House they setup & enjoyed a firepit with songs, roasted hotdogs, s’mores, pineapple, corn and onions. Being that this overnight was in between sections of their year-end grand Gemorah final, they had review tidbits in between everything. Once the fire was out they went off on yet another walk (lots of walking) to the UAlbany fountains which were very relaxing even if they were off. The boys davened Mincha and Maariv, reviewed Gemorah between activities and sang songs, laughed a lot and had great spirits!
TALMUDIC ENCYCLOPEDIA
A PARSHA NOACH SIYUM TEST
Rabbi Rubin introduced several grades to the Encyclopedia Talmudis, a project that began in 1947 and is a brilliant & useful resource for in-depth yet crisp and concise Talmudic research. It’s most famous founding editor was the great Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin, a newer editor is a Rabbi Dr. Steinberg who is accelerating the process using more Talmudic database digitized technology. The end goal to complete the comprehensive set is still about 10 years away!
Morah DL’s second graders are already well into Lech Lecha (their 3rd Torah portion) but Rabbi Rubin came recently for a fun test on Parshat Noach (which is the last Parsha they SPARES AT SPARE TIME completed in full). Some questions were about If you strike down all the pins (in 2 tries of 1 DRUMS AT SARATOGA the flood story, but some were more general, turn) it’s called a spare. Everyone in the 5th including: How many Parshas have a 2-letter 4/5 grades are reading a fictional story about a grade bowling trip got at least 1 spare, and it Hebrew name like Noach? Which Parshiyot loyalist boy who wants to join the British happened at a bowling alley called Spare Time! are named for a person as Parshat Noach is? Army. They hope to read enough of it next The lady posing with them is a Jewish woman week before school ends for the year! they met who works at the bowling alley. SCHUYLER MANSION 4th & 5th went on a historical field trip to Schulyer Mansion on Catherine Street in This week 4/5 grade had two minute-to-win-it Albany. Back when it was built, Philip challenges. First, was throwing gumballs into a Schuyler owned 200,000 acres of land! The container from a 6-foot distance. Second, was house is very old, but you can still tell how flipping pencils from the back of your hand fancy it was made, some of the materials were and catching it in your palm. The week earlier very difficult to get back then. They enjoyed was a challenge to get paper cups to fall into hearing the legend of the crack in the staircase each other once you pulled papers out. (which had to do with saving a baby).
MINUTE-TO-WIN-IT
FIVE RIVERS NATURE TRIP
3/4 grade went on a nature trip to Five Rivers in Delmar with Morah Dini and Mrs. Semel. They hiked along the trail and also got wet in the water! They stopped at their classmate Mendel S’ house to enjoy yummy ice-cream.
MORE REPORTING NEXT WEEK Not everything fit this week, see you next!
THIS COMING WEEK YEAR-END AT MAIMONIDES...
at Maimonides and in the Community 6/15: SHABBOS NASO
Monday Grades 2-8 Trip ($7 per student), Tuesday BBQ 3:30-5:30pm ($5pp or $25 family), Wed morning Moving-Up Day 9:15am, Wed Night 8th Graduation 6:30pm
6/16: ALBANY POLICE & FIRE
FREE SUMMER STUFF FOR KIDS
Long Parsha! Also the 12th of Sivan is the end of BLOCK PARTY AT T.U. CENTER Kids Bowl Free! Find local participating bowling “Tashlumin” when the spirit of Shavuot is over and 5-7pm. Free and open to all at the Times-Union Tachanun resumes in prayers on Sunday morning. Center downtown on South Pearl Street. It’s mostly alleys that let kids bowl free all summer. Also similar programs at some Roller Skating rinks. food (not-Kosher) but also some fun and games. 6/15: WOMENS SHIUR THIS WEEK 4th graders at National Parks: Each year, 4th This week’s womens Shabbos shiur will be given by 6/23: FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE WALK graders and their families get free admission to Susannah Levin is giving the shiur at the home of all National Parks! See EveryKidinaPark.gov 11am-1pm at Tawasentha Park on Route 146 in Lori Calka, 359-C Hackett Blvd. 4:45pm. Great Guilderland. Cost is $15pp or $36 per family. $1 Films, Free Films: Look up local theaters and way to get into the Shavuot spirit: Ladies First! There will be a breakfast buffet, obstacle course and local cities also show occasional films in parks. a color-run for those interested—non-toxic washable County Fairs: Some fairs let kids 12 & under in 6/16: JEWS & COMICS PANEL packets can be purchased at check-in. free with paying adults, but doesn’t include rides. 7pm at Temple Sinai in Saratoga featuring panelists Rob Kovach of the Federation (avid comic book 6/24: A NEW OPEN CAR SHOW Apple Camp: Apple Store offers free workshops collector & enthusiast), Rabbi Simcha Weinstein Colonie Senior Service Centers has their first but you must register: apple.com/today/camp (“Up, Up & Oy Vey” author) & Matt Neugroschel annual car show, 4-7pm at Beltrone, 6 Winners Parks, Libraries: They’re not all the same... Go (UAlbany artist, writer, instructor). $5pp. Info etc: Circle in Colonie, open to all. Admission is free. and visit different ones to keep it interesting! 518-584-8730x2. Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival. Target Slurpees: As a special treat on a hot day, 6/26: 100+ YEAR OLD GOMEL 6/16: ALBANY’S DAD FEST TORAH RESTORED & DEDICATED Target offers free small cup slurpees for kids. But not too often as they are loaded with sugar. 1-6pm in Washington Park. Classic car show, kids a Naftali (Tony) German came here from Gomel activities, vendors, music etc. Now in its 5th year! Russia in 1989 and carried with him a Torah from the synagogue where his father served as Gabbai, 6/16: OPENING VALLEYCATS GAME written 100 years earlier! This Torah has been SHABBOS HOUSE’S “EXCESSTri-City Valleycats open up the season 6pm at “The lovingly restored and will be dedicated for use in ACCESS” WIN-WIN PROGRAM Joe” stadium against the Staten Island Yankees. Colonie community. All welcome to join this reShabbos House usually over-prepares (especially Fireworks at the end of the game. dedication celebration & amazing Torah life-story during the academic season) as students do not that preceded & survived all of the 20th century— RSVP. After Shabbos, extra food is packaged up 6/17: SCHOOL YEAR-END TRIP 5:30pm at the Crossings Park. RSVP/Info please right away and brought to seniors & locals who’d Grades 2-8 will be going on a year-end trip to Fort contact: ChaiCenterColoni@gmail.com appreciate home-style Kosher cooking. Obviously William Henry (including a boat ride) and other this varies, it is not consistently available and the activities in/around Lake George. Cost per student 6/26: DO YOU LIKE BAGPIPES? menu is based on what was already prepared. If is $7 with the other half subsided by the school. Freedom Park (across Collins Park) in Scotia hosts you or someone you know would appreciate an Capital District Youth Pipe Band. 7-8:30pm. occasional delivery, please contact Shabbos 6/18: SCHOOL YEAR-END BBQ House: mail@shabboshouse.com 518-772-7299 On the last full day of school just after dismissal, a 6/30: BATTLE OF THE BBQS 2.0 family BBQ at school starting at 3:30pm. $25 cost Teams now assembling for the 2nd Battle of the per family or $5 per person. BBQ’s 2-5pm at Bethlehem Chabad, 393 Delaware YARTZEIT DATES IN THE Ave. Cost is $20pp, $25 after 6/25 for adults. Kids “JEWISH ART CALENDAR” 6/18: “REFUSENIK” FILM $10, free under age 5. BBQ contest, family activity This is one of the best local ways for community Also part of the Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival, day benefits the Shalom Food Pantry. Info/RSVP: friends to remember a beloved one on the day of Saratoga Chabad is showing a 2007 film about the www.shalomfoodpantry.com or call: 518-439-3310. their yartzeit. Contact Rabbi Yossi 518-495-0772 Refuseniks in communist Russia. 7pm at 130 or email: calendar@capitalchabad.com Cost per Circular St. Russian desserts. Info? 518-526-0773. REBBE’S YARTZEIT PROGRAM yartzeit date is $36. Please submit by June 30th. Stay tuned for a special local communal program 6/19: MOVE UP DAY being planned around (but not on) the Rebbe’s 3rd Moving-Up Day ceremonies (& the end of school) of Tammuz Yartzeit in early July. Details TBA. PLEASE FIND AND RETURN begin 9:15am followed by dismissal at the end of ANY “ESTY LIBRARY” BOOKS! program—usually after 11am. 7/8-8/15: CAMP GAN ISRAEL DATES Students, if you have any Esty Library books at School is about to end, and just after the start of home please bring them back to school next 6/19: 8TH GRADUATION July, camp will begin! Now is a good time to find week after Shavuot before the year-end. We want 8th grade graduation ceremonies will be in the out more about what Gan Izzy has in store, and to to restock the library for the new year (book evening of the same day at 6:30pm. Rabbi Avraham register for day-camp this summer, kids ages 3-10. sponsorships are welcome!) but we need to be Kelman of Schenectady will be the featured More info and forms contact Morah DL Mathless: sure of what we have! Thanks… we love our speaker. High School students have a Regents 518-698-1836 readers! Keep on reading all summer-long! testing schedule of their own thru Friday 6/21.
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!”