BH. Iyar
28, 5780 / May 22, 2020
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 8:01 Shabbat Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 9:10 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
THE YEMIN MOSHE WINDMILL
This MC Newsletter is sponsored by This week for Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) Morah Rivi’s students made windmills (out of toilet One of the ways (for many years now) that With warmest regards to all his good paper rolls community members have been seeing this friends in the Albany Community which everyone weekly MC newsletter is the CBAJ community has now!) and listserve. But that email list is now they learned THANKS FOR TNT REPORTING disbanding (CBAJ is changing over about the Couldn’t make the newsletter without them! into Shul-Cloud, a CBAJ-only based windmill built system) so anyone who has been by Sir Moses WHAT A WELCOME SIGN! getting it that way who Montefiore, an wants to continue reading Saratoga Spring’s famous British the MC Newsletter each venerated Caffe philanthropist week can do one of the following options: Lena is celebrating to help the (1) sign up for the regular Maimonides email its 60th anniversary new settlement outside the walls of the old city list via maimonidesschool@gmail.com, or this year but turns (2) call Rabbi Mendel 518-526-0770 or email: of Jerusalem be self-sufficient. The windmill is out the venue can’t mail@shabboshouse.com and ask to be added no longer in use, but it remains a picturesque be open for the landmark at the entrance to the beautiful to a weekly MC newsletter-only email list. occasion. So they The list in option #2 will only be used for the Yemin Moshe Jerusalem neighborhood which are sending music was named for Sir Moses Montefiore. MC newsletter, with rare exceptions. The list trucks bringing the in option #1 will send out the weekly MC celebration through MAZAL TOV newsletter, plus some other occasional city streets instead. MENDEL L. Maimonides and communal communications.. Rabbi Abba & Mazal Tov to Raizel and their helpers made a huge bright Thank you for your continued loyal Mendel L. and his Mazel Tov sign outside their home for when readership, feedback and support! family and friends the trucks and celebrants come by! on the milestone of CONDOLENCES TAKSIRS his beginning to EVEN AS... To Drs. Orit and Alex Taksir on the passing of wear Tefillin daily New York begins her father Moshe Chaim in Israel. in preparation for the process of his upcoming Bargradual reopening Mitzvah. His MAZAL TOV GORDONS from the long Coronavirus closure, many classmates are Mazal Tov to Morah Dini, R’ Itche and the Shuls and communal orgs (certainly our excited for him, Gordon family on the upcoming marriage of school, physically closed through year’s end) but (at the current remain in virtual mode (for now, to be reher youngest brother Mendel Plotkin, who time) could only some of our students know from his Albany evaluated 2 weeks after Phase I) out of an congratulate him visits. May there be Simchas, in good health, abundance of caution with added vigilance over Google with much happiness and Nachas for all! and heightened sense of communal Classroom/Meet. responsibility. As reopening eventually Also pictured on proceeds, it will be in a gradual fashion, in MAZAL TOV MORRISONS left: Rabbi Laber & compliance with (and exceeding) the local and Mazal Tov to MHDS Eliyahu and Rochel Leah Sons dancing in national health guidelines, and in consultation Morrison on the birth of a baby girl. Mazal honor of the joyous occasion. Keep up the with expert authorities and Jewish national Tov to the grandparents R’ Leibel & Elisheva! Tefillin enthusiasm for many years to come! orgs. Please all: act responsibly! HOW ARE YOU GETTING THIS WEEKLY “MC” NEWSLETTER?
Dr. Isaac Solomonzadeh
TALMUD MEME COMMENTARY There’s a meme going around contrasting lines of people at the store with a line of graduates at a ceremony. The meme asks: Why is this OK (during this period of Corona) and this is not? Ah, a Talmudic learning opportunity! A class used this to explain some ideas in the Talmud about rabbinic decrees: Sometimes situations where people are much more likely to feel close and act closely (like a celebratory graduation with friends and family), warrant more laws of distance than a situation where people are less likely to be closer to each other (like shopping in a store, getting in and out). Generally, the Coronavirus situation and response are excellent demonstrations of stringencies and added protective rabbinic fences to Torah law.
READ-TO-SUCCEED Of course, no one knows yet if/when Great Escape might open for the season, but Morah Dini does have free passes for students in the Read-ToSucceed program - if/when they can be used. Either way, keep on reading!
YAAKOV IS ON THE RUN Morah Devorah Leah’s Chumash class is now very close to finishing Parsha Toldot where Yaakov runs away from Eisav after getting Yitzchak’s blessings instead of him.
LIKE A WORM!
R’ Feivel sent in this interesting news item: It so happens that 7th grade GE invented a new Talmud very recently learned this type of underground word in regards to an argument boring (as in digging/ about a person’s ability (and therefore drilling) flexible but responsibility) just after a fall or accident in strong robot device Talmud Bava Kamma 31a, and then that is modeled after soon after had the same term in the an earthworm and Talmud stories about Hillel, R’ Elazar used in military applications. They ben Charsom and Yosef in tractate Yoma 35b. said they got the inspiration from a worm and modeled it based on that! This sounds like the “Shamir” worm using for SIMPLE & NOT SO SIMPLE Ms. Coffey’s geometry class is learning square cutting through stone for the Beit HaMikdash! roots and they did a cool maze where you find the path first to the square root that can be R’ YOCHANAN & RESH LAKISH simplified and then proceed from that point Rabbi Rubin’s Talmud Taanit class learned an to the square root that can not be simplified. amazing story about these two great Talmud scholars who came from very REDWALL BOOK different types of backgrounds. 6/7th English class continues to They also came across the historic read this fantasy series by Brian background of Zayin (7th of) Cheshvan, a day Jacques about a warrior mouse. often celebrated in our school as a day of Right now they are reading about sensitivity for others (as the Jewish his attempt to befriend a bird. people waited for the last ones to arrive home after the pilgrimage) and TRIPLE DOUBLE CROWNS ANALYSIS OF A VIRUS also because it is the yartzeit of Rabbi Meir One of these students got a double-crown (one Shapiro, founder of Daf Yomi, and teacher of Mrs. Coffey’s 6th graders are analyzing data of for Naaseh and one for Nishma, as the Talmud a fictional zombie apocalypse using statistics to Rabbi Rubin’s teacher, Rabbi Pinchas describes) from Morah Raizel to make in her determine how long it might last and how Hirschprung, Chief Rabbi of Montreal. schoolwork packet. But as it sometimes occurs many would be affected. Sound familiar? now with remote school, all the kids can join THREE TALMUD STORIES in! So this family won the Triple Crown! THIRD GRADE PERIMETER Rabbi Mendel’s Talmud class took a break No one is in the 3rd grade classroom right from Bava Kama to learn some KITAH BET LITTLE HAR SINAI now but from their own homes, they are Talmud stories relating to Torah Morah Devorah’s Kitah Bet leading up to Shavuot. (1) Shabbat learning about calculating perimeter in math (2nd grade) students are class with Mrs. Maher. 88b on Moshe refuting the angels claim learning all about Mt Sinai against giving the Torah to humans. (2) and the Giving of the Torah. Menachot 29b about Moshe (in a time Here’s a picture on left of machine) with Rabbi Akiva, the balance of Chana I’s Har Sinai project progress and roots in Torah tradition and the USAGE OF I AND ME as held up to the screen. unknowables of Torah. (3) Yoma 35b where Mrs. Maher’s 3rd graders are learning when the Talmud speaks of 3 people who each and how to use I or me in a sentence and what JACOB’S BLESSINGS BINGO overcame their own challenges to stay true to that depends on. Morah Chani’s 5th grade Chumash played an Torah: Hillel on the Roof, the wealthy R’ online Birkat Yaakov Elazar ben Charsom, and biblical bingo game against BIOLOGY REVIEW Yosef’s persistence to stay true to his each other as they Ms. Brown’s 6/7 biology students are now values despite repeated temptation. reviewed the vivid reviewing everything they learning in biology imagery and detailed this year in preparation for year-end final test. US VS SU, SK VS NK… descriptive terms of HS History is learning about the United States Jacob’s blessings of TIMELY YITRO IN CHUMASH vs. the Soviet Union, one of the places where each of his sons in the conflict played out was with North Korea Morah Rochel’s 6/7 girls are now learning Parsha Vayechi. Yitro - perfect timing for Shavuot! and South Korea - so abbreviations helped!
FEELING OVERWHELMED?
MORAH DL’S CLASS GUESTS
READING RIN THE RAT BOOK
Morah Devorah Leah had a number of special guests visit her (virtual) classroom this week! Dina Levin, a kidney transplant nurse did a presentation for them about how kidneys work and the kids asked very good questions. Faigy Yuzevitz, a school principal, shared the story of Moshe arguing with the angels about getting the Torah. Chaya Elkayam-Morris (who was a head-counselor here in the past) shared a Shavuot story. Morah Rochel told them the story of against-the-odds David and Goliath (King David passed away on Shavuot).
Kindergarteners all read a short book this First graders just completed their one-month week called “Rin The Rat” full of sight words charts of homework (everything is homework and other simple words they are becoming right now, but this is work they familiar with. They looked out for rhyming have to do and review on their words and then thought of their own words to own) and Morah Devorah sent rhyme with Rin: They thought of win, skin, prizes to each of them! tin, fin, bin and the Hebrew letter Shin!
SHABBOS ACHDUS Some celebrate the Shabbat closest to Rosh Chodesh Sivan (this Sunday) as a Shabbat of Unity (Achdut). Why? Because Rosh Chodesh Sivan is the day when all Jews camped (in the singular) around Sinai “as one person, with one heart”. Rabbi Motti explained this custom to his class, and they talked about ways this could still be done when we are all at home, each family alone.
PLEASE SAY TEHILLIM/PSALMS We all continue to pray for Morah Rochel’s brother Refael Avraham Abba ben Risha and Morah Dini’s father Baruch Avraham Aharon ben Yenteh who very much need our prayers. And for Chaim Schneur Zalman Yehudah ben Hinda Yocheved whose wife Sarah Dukes performed at the Spa event here earlier this year. They all had a Hebrew name added, in the hopes that this will aid their speedy and complete recovery. And for all who need a complete & speedy recovery during this time.
THE SHORT STORY CONTEST
ONE MONTH OF HOMEWORK
SHAVUOT STUDENT PACKETS KEEPING TIME (& A SCHEDULE) Teachers of many classes have been posting, Mrs. Hoffman had her Kindergartens read a book (filled with rhymes!) called “Bunny Day” with a clock telling time on each page and pictures of what the bunnies did at that time. Part of the fun was trying to find the clock on each page. Then the kids had to illustrate something they do at a certain time of day with the clock hands showing that time of day. This is something Kindergarteners usually learn but we can all (adults, too!) learn something about keeping a schedule and track of time during this “stay home” time.
emailing, or leaving at school student packets for Shavuot learning and preparation. Morah Raizel’s Kindergarten packet included doublecrowns, a story about Shavuot, Torah as a Gift, a puzzle, a placemat and more projects!
EARTHLY CONNECTIONS Mrs. Maher’s science students explored how very different things can be related and connected. For example rocks and sand, or volcanoes and earthquakes. They look, feel & act differently, but one can lead to another. Fun fact: how dangerous destructive volcanoes can lead to very fertile soil for planting.
“V’ARASTICH LEE” IN HOSEA HS learned this beautifully poetic verse in Hosea that many say while wrapping Tefillin around the finger like the ring of G-d’s betrothal of the Jewish People. They spoke of Shavuot as marriage, and the journey in the desert after the Exodus as the engagement period. Artist Michoel Muchnik’s “Ring & Rose” painting illustrates this verse. They also discussed the contrasted yet connected words of faith and knowledge at the end of these verses.
Some of our English classes are entering the Barnes and Nobles short story contest, either JUGGLING AT END OF CLASS by fixing up a short story they already wrote or Twice this week Shmuly G. did a juggling demo at the end of the 7th grade boys online by writing something new. class, using 3 juggling clubs, each a different color. But there has to be a message, right? 4 TYPES IN PITGAM POETRY They came up with our mission to constantly Morah Raizy’s Pitgam Poetry discussed and juggle “Torah, Avodah & Gemilut Chasadim” wrote about Pirkei Avot Chapter 5’s “4 Types” study, service and acts of kindness which are and how someone who doesn’t go to Shul and the 3 pillars in Avot Chapter 1. You doesn’t do anything there - is still can’t drop any of them, we need all 3 to considered one of the 4 types who go stay active all the time! to Shul, and the same message goes for the 4 types of Tzedakah givers listed.
MORE LAG B’OMER PICTURES! The Wildmans sent in these photos of their beautiful homemade rainbows on their car windows and Shlomo wearing his old school Lag B’Omer hat!
ALGEBRA II TOOK LAST QUIZ They have now completed all the material for the year and are starting their year-end review.
JERUSALEM DAY ASSEMBLY
We had guests live from Jerusalem, learned about the light rail, the windmill, saw a short Last week Morah Rivka left packets for THE LETTER “V” film and 1967 pictures, and heared about Sir Nursery pickup, this week Mrs. Hoffman for Moses Montefiore, songwriter Naomi Shemer, Mrs. Hoffman’s Kindergarteners learned the Kindergarten. Parents should be in touch with Yehudah HaLevi and Rabbi Akiva. See next letter “V” this week *(they are getting closer to teachers about such pickups, and these items week’s MC for a full report & details! Z!) They practiced writing it, reading words are emailed/mailed for families further away. with it, and she showed them violets on video!
PACKET PICKUP AT SCHOOL
YEAR-END AT MAIMONIDES After Shavuot (and a faculty
at Maimonides and in the Community 5/21-22: YOM YERUSHALAYIM Iyar 28 is the date in 1967 when the Old City was won during the Six Day War (making the Kotel accessible again). Because of proximity to Shabbat, it is celebrated this year one day earlier on Thurs but our school assembly was today on Friday with guest speakers all the way from Israel (via Zoom).
5/23: SHABBOS BAMIDBAR Bamidbar is always read on the Shabbat before Shavuot. This year we read the Haftorah about David and Jonathan called “Machar Chodesh” because Rosh Chodesh begins Sat Night. See page 3 on how some call this Shabbat Achdut (Unity).
meeting) finalized year-end dates & events will be announced for Maimonides, including year-end details such as Moving-Up Day and HS Graduation.
Due to Corona, instead* of the school dinner this year:
MAIMONIDES’ FIRST-EVER ONLINE CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN While the physical building is closed, online and remote classes have continued throughout and the school is committed to its fiscal responsibilities and relies on funds raised at the annual dinner to help close out the year each year. Maimonides does stretch every dollar to the max, but as a small school can’t do it alone, and needs your support and investment.
Due to Corona, instead of the annual dinner, this will be the school’s first-ever online crowdfunding matching campaign. We are using the reputable Charidy.com secure platform. The goal is to raise $40K in 40 Hours for the school’s 40th Year.
5/24: ROSH CHODESH SIVAN Even without a Minyan be sure to say Yaale vYavo, Hallel and Musaf. This is also the date when the Jews arrived at Mt Sinai, and they camped there “as one man with one heart” so this is a good day (as is every day) to focus on unity & love of our fellow.
5/25: YOM HAMEYUCHAS 2nd day of Sivan is known by this name for this is the day when in preparation for Shavuot and the Giving of the Torah, Hashem called us “The Chosen People.” There’s no school for Memorial Day, but tune in at 10am 672-547-2221 over Zoom (message school faculty for password) for a special pre-Shavuot Zoom Assembly.
5/25-29: LAST WEEK IN MAY Note School Schedule: No School Monday 5/25 for Memorial Day (only a 10am Zoom Assembly for “Yom HaMeyuchas”), Regular school on Tues & Wed 5/26-27 and no school Thursday and Friday 5/28-29 for Erev Shavuot and Shavuot.
Every dollar will be doubled! If $20K is contributed, school gets an additional $20K matched. 20/20! We are in the process of lining up matchers to enable this to happen. It’s an all-or-nothing campaign, only 40-hours to do it. It’s a challenging time for many now, but the beauty of crowdfunding is that every (and any size) contribution matters and together we will make it happen! Save this website for 6/8-9: www.Charidy.com/Maimonides It begins on Monday 6/8 at 8am and runs 40 hours until 6/9 Midnight. The campaign is mostly online, but for those who prefer by check, checks received from now through June 9th will be entered and can be included towards the match. Stay tuned for school memories & interactive presentations at intervals throughout the 40hour campaign via Zoom and Facebook. * it’s been suggested by some friends to also have a dinner-to-go for donors to continue the dinner tradition even during this time. Stay tuned for more details on that.
5/29-30: SHAVUOT HOLIDAY
Friday and Shabbat this year, after 49 days of the 5/26-28: 3 DAYS OF PREPARATION Omer Count. Whether we can or can’t gather in the synagogue, we are getting the Torah anew! The 3 days leading up to Shavuot are called Shloshes Families should read the Torah reading together Yemei Hagbalah. For those who observe Omer from a Chumash, do learning and recommit the restrictions (live/recorded music, weddings, Naaseh v’Nishma. Any good cheesecake or dairy haircuts etc) past Lag B’Omer, the restrictions are recipes to share? We can feature them here! suspended at this point.
5/27-28: NEXT “MC” NEWSLETTER There’s a shorter school week next week thanks to Memorial Day and Shavuot. Only 2 days of school! Student TNT reporters and families please submit reports and pictures by Wednesday evening 5/27 so we can get the newsletter ready for Erev Shavuot 5/28. And community readers, please remember: CBAJ list will no longer distribute this newsletter after this week, so be sure to sign up (see page 1 or use the form link for it in the last of the CBAJ list emails) to keep getting it in your inboxes!
6/8: ANOTHER RESTAURANT …delivery. Like the Kosher Chinese some time back, CBAJ is arranging another out-of-town Kosher restaurant delivery. Stay tuned!
6/8-9: 40K, 40 HOURS, 40 YEARS! See box above. Instead of the annual school
presentations, memories & games, stay tuned for details, to be announced soon! We are working to get generous matchers lined up so we can reach this campaign goal - and have your gifts doubled!
6/25: RESHIMOT FILM This year, the Rebbe’s Gimmel Tammuz yartzeit will be June 25th and Capital Chabad Centers will jointly show & discuss (online in virtual format) a new film about the Rebbe’s “Reshimot” notebooks (unpublished in his lifetime), many of which were written leading up to and during the war years, some written while fleeing the Nazis. Stay tuned for more information.
BE COUNTED!
dinner, look for a 40 hour opportunity to help (we will need everyone’s help to make this happen!) the Be sure to fill out the US census form for you and your family! Perfect timing for Parsha school raise $20K to match $20K (doubling each Bamidbar that speaks of the biblical census! dollar contributed) in honor of the school’s 40th year. There will also be various online interactive
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!”