BH. Kislev
22, 5779 / Nov 30, 2018
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 4:05 Shabbos 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 COMING UP! It’s on the very last day of Chanukah, Monday Dec 10th, 5-7pm at the school. There will be a delicious Chanukah finale dinner by the Kochmans ($7pp/$25 family) & last chance to buy tickets for any of the A-Z (plus mystery and split the pot) prize packages. The drawings will be at 6:45pm. Added bonus will be the lively jazz music by Noah Levin & Co. Of course, tickets can still be purchased ahead of time (as most do) via the mail, bring to office or online at: www.maimonidesschool.org/auction
CONDOLENCES D.C. SIEGEL MHDS alumnus Devorah Chaya Siegel learned in our High School, later taught in our Nursery school and has been in touch with Albany families ever since. Last week her mother Aliza Siegel passed away. This past week some Albany friends went down to visit her in person, others called, and we all wish her and her family comfort after her mother’s untimely passing. We wish them much happiness and joyous occasions.
This MC Newsletter is dedicated in honor of the special
Mazal Tov Telegram
that R’ Moshe Losice shared with our community that was sent by Rebbetzin Chana Schneersohn to his 1959 wedding to his wife Rivka. To more Mazal Tov!
CHANUKAH PAPER LAPBOOKS Morah Dini’s third graders SO MANY CHANUKAH EVENTS! made these Wow, there’s a busy Sunday ahead—it is jam lapbooks, filepacked with fun, local communal events both folders filled on the afternoon just before Chanukah and with all types later on the first evening, then more ahead of foldable throughout the week of Chanukah. See page 4 papers in for events listing and see page 3 for some flyers different fun of the many events. It’s beautiful to celebrate styles that are Chanukah with others as a community. filled with Chanukah history, law and customs, holiday INTERESTED IN meanings and insights. It’s pretty cool!
CAR MENORAH?
Built by Rabbi Shmuly and our students in our Makerspace, a few may still be available for purchase. Like one? Email: mhdsnews@gmail.com & we’ll get back to you.
CHANUKAH FIRE SAFETY
MAZAL TOV AVI & BAILA! Mazal Tov Avi Rydnerman on his engagement to Baila Silverman. Avi is in our community only a short time but has endeared himself with mentschlechkayt & yiras shomayim.
UNPACKING THE 3D PRINTER Figuring it out. Now in our new Makerspace…
Chanukah is a great time to learn about fire safety. Albany Firefighters did a wonderful hands-on educational program with our preschool students, both inside their classroom, and outside at the firetruck. Kids even had a chance to put on their heavy uniforms! Everyone please be safe this Chanukah!
THE DOUBLE-SURPRISE TEST Rabbi Mendel surprised 6th grade Gemorah boys with a Gemorah test, so they could wrap up the piece (Abbaye’s List on Sukkah 7b) before Chanukah. At first some of the boys were quite upset as they didn’t study for it but it was a double-surprise because they surprised themselves in how well they knew it anyways.
THE “BLESS” HASHEM MITZVAH Why is bless in quotation marks? Because that’s how the mitzvah (or aveira) of cursing Hashem is listed, so as to avoid even the slightest mention of something so negative. 4th graders are learning this now in their Yahadus class. Another test is coming up…
CIRCUITS AND SOFTWARE What language do computers speak? How do hardware and software connect? Computer engineer Avi Rynderman came in to do another circuits engineering class, this time for a younger group of girls. He had hands-on kits for each of them to work on—and to keep!
IT ALL BEGAN WITH A COOKIE Last year for Yud-Tes Kislev (one year ago) Rabbi Mendel brought in “half-moon” 2-sides cookies to the davening class as a treat. But everything needs a connection, so he thought of the 2sides of these cookies representing opposite or paradoxical things that synthesize nicely together, as is the Alter Rebbe’s vision. That led to the idea for the creation of the Chasynthesis game last year, to using these cookies as a prop for a keynote address at a conference last summer, and this year for a new Chasynthesis—The Book curriculum in the High School. So it was only fitting that for Yud-Tes Kislev this year he brought in these cookies to school for a special farbrengen. And there was also pomegranate juice for a Lchaim, because it also has a blend of sweet and sour, and that bottle came from Russia where the Alter Rebbe was from and where he was freed from Czarist prison on Yud Tes Kislev. It was fun for the boys to trace the development of this cookie-themed message!
DONUT MENORAH You know the song about the Dreidel made of clay? Kindergarten made Menorahs made of clay. The Shamash candle is a doubled-up doughnut. They HS GIRLS AT VICTORIAN WALK are so yummy Our High School girls volunteered in Saratoga looking, which is last night sharing Chanukah awareness a good thing, because a Mitzvah is supposed to outside at the Victorian Walk. They gave out be “geshmak” (delicious)! dreidels, chocolate gelt, Menorahs & candles, they totally emptied out of Matzah Ball soup. BUTTERFLY They took turns riding the big bright Dreidel STAMPS tricycle through the crowds. It was interesting Mrs. Mattice’s to meet all kinds of people and heartwarming 2nd graders when people were so appreciative. worked together stamping butterfly MINI ROBOT images for a DREIDEL special project. 4th graders were excited to create WEATHER MEASUREMENT their own robotic Mrs. Maher’s 4/5 science class is exploring dreidel using assembled cubelets various types of weather equipment including modular robotics in thermostats, of course, but also anemometers, STEAM class with barometers, wind vanes and more. Rabbi Yossi—and it TWENTY NOUNS really works! Mrs. M’s 8th grade English class has a new NAPOLEON + NAVI + 19 KISLEV book project on “The Book Thief”, each student is assigned a character for which they High School global history class is learning have to find 20 nouns (people, places or about Napoleon, which is an interesting tie-in things) which are important to that person to Navi Melachim (Book of Kings) about some and help share their role in the story. The 20 of the kings of Israel who resembled nouns and their meaning can be visually some of Napoleon’s character. And it presented in various ways: poster, dreamalso ties in to this week’s Yud Tes board, memory-box, etc. (19th of) Kislev because the Alter Rebbe had strong opinions about the Jewish benefits and IMMIGRANTS & TECHNOLOGY risks of Napoleon’s vision of emancipation. Mrs. Ramsay’s Social-Studies did a comparison WINTER and discussion about the effects on technology on the immigrant experience, many ways how CLOTHES things have changed over time. Kindergarten is learning the SCHOOL PLAYS ON THURSDAY Hebrew words PARENTS: Please remember school plays and for outdoor songs and Chanukah performances will be on warm winter Thursday morning of Chanukah starting after clothing and 9am. Regular school day follows through the painted these end of Thursday, but no school on Friday to giant paper allow for an extended weekend. Look for 2nd clothing for the wall of their classroom. Kova = grade and Morah Devorah Leah to bring back hat, Kfafot = mittens, Tzaif = scarf, Michnasei “The Incredible Dreidel of Feitel von Zeitel”; Sheleg = snow pants, Me’il = coat, Magafayim = 4th graders are keeping theirs (prepared with boots. Parents, kids need these for winter! It is Morah Rivi) a secret but it addresses some important to remember to send them dressed socio-economic issues in a Chanukah context. for winter to school.
SNOWGLOBES IN SCIENCE 2nd grade craft about Antarctica & Arctic Circle habitats for animals in cold regions.
PLEASE SHARE THE AUCTION Share www.maimonidesschool.org/auction with family, friends or fellow alumni. Thanks!
A THOUGHT ABOUT CANDLES Morah Rivi colorfully posted this Rav Kook teaching (in Hebrew cut-out letters): “each person has a candle within, your candle is unlike anyone else’ candle, and there is no one without their candle” and we each have to work to openly reveal our light to the world.
CHANUKAH STEREOTYPES This week’s TTN (Torah Times News) edition is a different style, it is a humorous production with several scenes of Chanukah stereotypes. These boys are quite funny. You can view it online at: www.TheTorahTimes.com or via the YouTube playlist.
at Maimonides and in the Community 12/1: SHABBOS VAYEISHEV AND MEVORCHIM This week’s Torah reading begins the dramatic story of Joseph & his brothers. It’s Shabbos Mevorchim, when we bless the upcoming new month of Tevet.
12/1: KIDDUSH AND LUNCHEON THIS SHABBAT (1) This week’s Kiddush at Shomray Torah is sponsored by Baila Silverman and family in honor of her recent engagement to Avi Rynderman. Mazal Tov! (2) This week at CBAJ will be a Mexican-style meat luncheon after services with games, to welcome and get to know new members of the synagogue.
12/1: RABBI REISMAN NAVI CLASS BROADCAST Saturday nights viewable at CBAJ (now with shorter Shabbosim) at 7:30pm
12/2: GREAT TRAIN EXTRAVAGANZA Empire State Plaza 10am-4pm. Adults $7pp, kids 12 and under are free. Even if you aren’t in the market for a train set or accessories, there are many elaborate working train models to see & explore. Visit: GTEAlbany.com
12/2: BUSY FIRST NIGHT OF CHANUKAH There are so many exciting events (at least 4!) this first afternoon/evening/ night of Chanukah. See listing below and flyers on page 3.
12/3&5: PRICE CHOPPER KOSHER WED SPECIAL It’s back! See page 3 for this coming week’s prepared dinner menu. Order by Monday 12/3 to 518-456-9314 x8 for pickup on Wednesday.
12/5: SWITCH TO “TAL U’MATAR” IN DAILY AMIDAH 12/6-7: MHDS CHANUKAH THURSDAY & FRIDAY Chanukah plays & performances at school on Thursday morning, no school on Friday for an extended Chanukah weekend.
12/8-9: ROSH CHODESH (CHANUKAH) TEVET Rosh Chodesh is on Shabbos Chanukah (3 Torahs!) & Sunday of Chanukah.
12/9: A JOINT COMMUNAL CHANUKAH EVENT... Last Night of Chanukah. Meet 3pm at Kosher Price Chopper for a short Chanukah celebration, followed by outdoor Menorah lighting and then a carMenorah parade bringing light & Chanukah spirit leaving on area routes.
12/10: MAIMONIDES RAFFLE-AUCTION EVENT Every ticket adds up for our school. In-person event features Noah Levin’s live jazz and the much anticipated Kochman Chanukah dinner. Prize drawings at 6:45pm. Online tickets www.maimonidesschool.org/auction end at 4:30pm.
SOME COMMUNAL CHANUKAH EVENTS PLANNED 12/2: SUNDAY NIGHT, FIRST NIGHT! Chanukah NSCY Carnival at CBAJ 2:30-4:30pm ending with community candle lighting; Beth Tephila’s 2nd annual Latke Festival (with many unusual and exotic flavors!) followed by Menorah Lighting with the Mayor at Troy’s Victorian Stroll; Bethlehem Chabad’s 3pm outdoor Menorah at Four Corners, followed by Spectacular Science at Bethlehem Chabad on Delaware Ave; and Menorah and Mad Science Chanukah Celebration with Clifton Park Chabad 4pm and on at Boscov’s in the Clifton Park Center mall. 12/3: Monday night, Chanukah event at UAlbany for college students 5-7pm; Menorah Lighting at Wilton Mall in Saratoga 5:30pm. 12/4: Tuesday night: “Modern Day Maccabees!” Visiting Wounded Israeli Soldiers at Shabbos House—7:30pm event for both students and community; 5pm Menorah Lighting at Skidmore College’s Case Center; 12/5: Wed night, Chanukah Bowling event 5-7:30pm at Saratoga Strike Zone 12/6: THURS MORNING CHANUKAH PERFORMANCES @ SCHOOL; “Drinks & Dreidels at The Gallery” for young professionals 7-10pm at Albany Center Galleries co-sponsored by University Heights Chabad, Bethlehem Chabad and Jewish Federation’s NextDor; and 6-9pm there’s Womens Circle “Ladies & Latkes” event at the Weisburg home, little kids are welcome, too. Also on 12/6: “Guys Circle” a new program for guys over age 14 on the spectrum, jointly run by Jewish Federation and Friendship Circle, led by Kenny Goodkind. 6:30pm at Lucky Strike Social: GuysCircle@gmail.com 12/7: CHANUKAH FRIDAY, NO SCHOOL AT MAIMONIDES 12/8: Sat Night Chanukah on Ice (Skating) at the YMCA in Delmar $5 Skating from 5:30-6:45 with Menorah Lighting at 6:45pm; Colonie Center (Center Court) Menorah Lighting and Celebration 5:30-8:30pm. 12/9: LAST NIGHT celebration at Kosher Price Chopper 3pm with balloonist, music, Chanukah treats, followed by Menorah Lighting and expanded Chanuka Car Parades (Menorahs & other Chanukah décor) to leave Price Chopper Parking Lot at 4pm on various routes. Be a part of it! 12/10: MHDS CHANUKAH DINNER & RAFFLE-AUCTION 5-7pm
12/16: BETH ISRAEL’S SOUP R BOWL FESTIVAL Come in out of the cold to Beth Israel in Schenectady! For $5 enjoy a bowl of soup (homestyle varieties) with bread, listen to music, schmooze with friends. 12pm. For more info contact Tobi Applebaum at 518-399-8476.
12/21-25: JEWISH GIRLS WINTER RETREAT Contact Nechama Laber for more information on this annual overnight midwinter camp experience: 518-727-9581 / NechamaLaber@gmail.com
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!”