BH. Tammuz
25, 5780 / July 17, 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 8:12 Shabbat Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 9:19 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
FAREWELL TO THE SEMELS This week the Semel family leaves Albany for a getaway road-trip before moving back to Israel. They have been an active part of our local community, a great asset to our school, with their Hebrew language and Israeli flavor, the artistic flair and Safrut, love of adventure and the sweetest kids! Unfortunately their taking leave of Albany (of which they have very fond memories and appreciation for our school, the families & the community) is in a time of Corona’s social-distancing. We had a ad-hoc drive-by farewell to them yesterday and wish them the best in their upcoming return to Israel. We will miss them!
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
RE-OPENING TASK FORCE
We are working now as a re-opening task force (of parents, faculty, admin & community) examining how to best apply NYS guidelines to Maimonides, our building and situation. NYSED staff are finalizing the voluminous K12 school reopening guidance documents (including both requirements and suggestions) we will work with that information and try to REB YOEL ARONSON, OBM apply accordingly. We (along with all NYS The Aronson family was established in Glens schools) have just under 2 weeks (a tight Falls and Saratoga, and Joel started his family deadline) to submit our re-opening plans to and businesses in Saratoga, eventually moving the various governmental agencies for first to Crown Heights and then to Monsey approval. Of course, regardless of what is where he and his family joined the Belz determined, we must be prepared for all Chassidic community. He was behind the eventualities and flexibly adapt as needed establishment of the Belz summer yeshiva in according to the changing realities in this Saratoga with its gorgeous study hall and other evolving uncertain situation. philanthropic endeavors. Our condolences to his family, especially our own MHDS alumnus Maishie Backman who married R’ Yoel’s granddaughter. May his memory be a blessing.
MAZAL TOV PHAFFS Mazal Tov to Steven and Gayle Phaff (formerly of South Main in Albany and live for many years now just outside Jerusalem) on the recent engagement of their son Binyamin to Batsheva Pfeffer of Neve Yakov. Much Nachas!
HECHT CONDOLENCES Several of our school families lost a great (or great-great) uncle this week with the passing of Sholom “Sidney” Hecht, at age 93, on the very same yartzeit of his father, the original Reb Shea Hecht, on Tammuz 22. Sholom ran Hecht’s Judaica and affiliated wholesale/retail from Esrogim to Yarmulkas based in Flatbush. He had a special closeness to the Rebbe, he was the youngest of the legendary Hecht brothers: Shlomo Zalman, Moshe Yitzchak, Avraham Dov, Yaakov Yehudah “JJ”, and Peretz. Together the family made a huge lasting multi-generational imprint in Chabad and on the American Jewish scene.
This MC Newsletter is dedicated in memory
R’ Yoel ben Yosef by Rabbi Rubin, in tribute to all the years of Yiddishkeit connection and from Saratoga Chabad CGI DAY CAMP SECOND WEEK This week concludes the second week of Camp Gan Israel’s operations (based out of the school building). Camp is open based on the state and local guidelines for day-camp operation, under the directorship of Morah Devorah Leah Mathless, supervision of Nurse Rebekah Wildman, and head-counselor Sara Rubin. Despite all the limitations and restrictions, the campers seem to be having a very good time, in no small part thanks to the organized varied and fun activity schedule and the dedicated talented camp staff (even if they are in masks almost all day!). May they continue to have a safe and fun summer!
MAZAL TOV MENDEL L. Mazal to our 7th grader Mendel L. on his turning 13 and Bar-Mitzvah yesterday, Mazal Tov & much Nachas to his whole family!
MHDS & FC MASK GIVEAWAY Maimonides and Friendship Circle are hosting a one-hour plain white washable cloth mask giveaway at a driveby outside Maimonides School on Wednesday, July 22nd 3-4pm. 5 masks per package, they are one-size. These masks are approved and recommended by the Department for Health and Human Services. For more information please call Chaya: 518-488-8992 or Yossi: 518-495-0772.
MAZAL TOV GRANOVETTERS Mazal Tov to Matthew & Pamela Granovetter (formerly of Clifton Park and a Maimonides family) on the birth of a grandson, a baby boy born to Shmuel & Devory Granovetter of Cincinnati Ohio. Continued Nachas!
CHAZAK THIS SHABBAT! It’s always exciting to say Chazak at the end of a Chumash, but in times like these, “Let us be strong & let us be strengthened!” is all the more invigorating, meaningful and appreciated.
ALUMNUS ANCESTOR SEFER MHDS alumnus R’ Chananya Rosenblum is exploring genealogical research into his family’s roots. Rabbi Rubin helped him decipher a certain gravestone. In appreciation, Chananya printed for Rabbi Rubin a Pirkei Avot book (we all know how much Rabbi Rubin loves an Avot sefer!) originally printed in 1903, written by Rabbi Yisrael Chaim Broyn of Halle (Saale) Germany, a scholarly prolific Rabbi from his family tree. Btw, there was an attempted terror attack on a synagogue in that city on Yom Kippur 2019.
THE RABBI GOES WEST Schenectady JCC is opening their annual summer film festival with this special documentary on the Brooks, Chabad Shluchim in Montana. Sign up with JCC to see the film from the comfort of your home this weekend followed by a discussion. See more on page 4.
THE WORD CHALUTZ(IM) This week’s Parsha Mattos mentioned the word חלוץin various forms a few times. It is mentioned by both the war against the Midianites, and also in the special condition for the 2.5 tribes to get land on the east-side of the Jordan River. Most Chumashim translate the word “Chalutz” as “armed”. But in modern Hebrew the same word is translated as “pioneer” or “forward”. Perhaps that’s another way of seeing this word in the Chumash as well: Moshe is insisting that the 2.5 tribes take initiative, go forward, up in front, for the sake of their brethren. Also interesting is how in Chabad (thanks to a classic Chassidic discourse by the 5th Rebbe, the Rashab titled “Heichaltzu”) the same word has come to be totally associated with love of our fellow, and the selflessness & ego-sublimation necessary to make love others as ourselves.
AN APPRECIATIVE NOTE Morah Rochel and Sharona Backman have been emailing out thank you’s to all who have generously participated in the school’s special online 40 Hour fundraising campaign in June. Here is an appreciative note they got back in return: You are very welcome! I try to give when I can even though it isn’t much. I wish it could be more. After all, you gave my children an education on scholarship for so many years. So thank you for all you and Rabbi Rubin have done through the years. Take care.
SYMBOL IDENTIFICATION
Every now and then it’s good to identify and explain the symbols that regularly appear in this newsletter. SALO BAIS MEDRASH this open book icon highlights all our school’s Talmud studies, and is dedicated in memory of Salo Steper, who loved Talmud study and worked to promote its study and awareness. MAIMONIDES MIDDOS Look for the double-hand, double-M heart symbol for a message or lesson of good character, personal MOLLY’S HEBREW NAME ethics and emotional development. This is The image of this dedicated in memory of Rivka Losice, who gravestone has exhibited great dignity, character been traveling the and mentschlechkayt. internet this week, MAIMONIDES INTEGRATED timely for this CONNECTIONS 3 gears with week’s doubleMIC letters is symbol for interconnectedness Parsha of Mattoswhich is a big theme at our school: crossMaasei. Yes, it is quite the unusual curricular linkage, life & learning or current event connections. first name but MAIMONIDES MOVES The knowing the two arrows, like “Fast-Forward” commentary on the meaning of these Parsha names (which would is about exercise and physical activity. BETTER TOGETHER This symbol make a great “Chansynthesis” card for Rabbi has a smaller hand inside a larger Mendel’s game and curriculum) which hand and it represents our school’s juxtaposes two opposing themes & messages, Better-Together program of it makes for a meaningful name! intergenerational activity and awareness, LOOK FORWARD TO 3 SIYUMS connecting our students with seniors. It’s customary to make a Siyum (celebrating MAGIC SCHOOL BUS CREATOR the completion of a tractate of Torah study) Joanna Cole, during the Nine-Days. Not only as a means to the author of eat meat during this time, but also to serve as a “The Magic halachic transformation of sadness to joy. School Bus” Rabbi Nachman Simon’s annual Nine Days series, passed Siyum will be on Monday, July 27th at 7pm away this week over Zoom. at age 75. By the Rabbi Rubin will made a Talmud Siyum for way, the Magic the day-camp campers at 10:25am on School bus series was illustrated by Bruce Tuesday morning, July 28th. Community Degen, who many young readers may also members can join in via Zoom or FB Live. know from his rhyming berry picture book The 9th graders will be making their “Jamberry”. She, through the animated science Talmud Taanit Siyum at a TBD date, teacher Ms. Frizzle, made science vivid and following the Nine Days. Stay tuned! fun, coming alive life-size on in all kinds of trips and adventures aboard the magical bus. COMING ACROSS TREASURES In her efforts to organize and clean-up at the NEW TWIST ON WALDO school Morah Rochel has come across some This old forgotten treasures including some early thoughtwriting by a former Maimonides student who provoking has since graduated University of Chicago and tweet was now works as an attorney and lecturer in the posted by fields of artificial intelligence and blockchain. a Shabbos Morah Rochel was so happy to show this little House tidbit of schoolwork that she randomly alumnus. stumbled up to the mother of this alumna. To Morah Rochel this seems so long ago and also just like yesterday at the same time!
THIS WEEK AT CAMP GAN ISRAEL CGI day-camp has its own weekly newsletter but sharing some of all this hands-on activity and lively spirit from inside & outside our school building:
IS THERE CONSTRUCTION AT SCHOOL?
EZYROLLER BIKES REPTILE SHOW There was a reptile show this week at camp from snakes to lizards. Campers got a chance to carefully hold them, too!
No, not at this time. Rabbi Rubin made this Hebrew/English construction design for the period of the Three Weeks when Jews mourn the destruction of the Jerusalem Temples and yearn for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Third Temple. In fact, our mitzvoth and good deeds each add “bricks” to the Third Temple. May it be rebuilt speedily in our time! We are all hard at work!
Kids at CGI day camp are enjoying these new pedal-less non-electronic 3-wheeled bikes powered by a unique physics concept called cambering motion created by the curving motion caused by the weight of the rider. It rides as a blend of a bike, a scooter and the motions of a snake.
ALBANY FIRE DEPT VISIT Not only did they have a safety fire-drill at camp but the fire-department actually came down in their big trucks, showed off some of their equipment and gear and the campers got to thank them for keeping them safe!
ART CLUBS Campers did a whole bunch of art clubs from painting to mosaics. Baking clubs, too!
WATERPLAY Fun & refreshing enjoyable waterplay outdoors on the big blowup equipment and other ways, too!
FLASHBACK TO 1999: LAG B’OMER AROUND THE WORLD As part of the “40 Years 40 Hour” campaign earlier this June we posted online many pictures from the school archives over the years. We will share some of these treasured memory pictures here in our MC Newsletter over the summer months. These are from a Lag B’Omer in 1999 when MHDS was at Beth Emeth, when the parade theme that year was “around the year”: see Australia, Canada and Hawaii (above left) and American Uncle Sam hats, Holland, and Albany Police Department’s mounted officers and horses and our parade in front of the former Bnai Brith apartments on our way from Academy Road to Washington Park.
at Maimonides and in the Community 7/18: MATOS-MAASEI & CHAZAK! This Shabbos is a double-header Torah portion, which concludes the 4th Book of the Torah: Bamidbar/Numbers. Whether you can attend Torah reading or not, we shout out “Chazak, Chazak, Vischazek!” at the conclusion of the last verses. It’s also Shabbos Mevarchim when we bless the new month of Menachem-Av.
7/18: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR Due to the health risks, the summer Womens Shabbos Shiur will be meeting at one single outside location all summer: the outdoor WOW Pavilion at Maimonides, 404 Partridge Street at 4:45pm. Seats will be set up with social distancing in mind. Please wear a face covering which covers the nose and mouth. If you are feeling ill or have been exposed to Covid, please stay home. Older children (also need face coverings) who will sit and listen are welcome, but please no younger children. Cold water & hand sanitizer provided. We will not be serving snacks. Come and learn!
7/19: RABBI GOES WEST: FILM AND DISCUSSION (now viewable online) Schenectady JCC’s summer film series opens with this acclaimed film about the Brooks, the Chabad couple in Montana. You can sign up to get the film to view at home anytime this weekend and join for the online discussion with the film directors at 8pm on Sunday night. Get more info, pay to view the film, via SchenectadyJCC.org or call 518.377.8803 from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Family: $20, $10 JCC Members; Individual $10, $5 JCC Member. They’ll send you the info once you register.
7/21: RASHI’S YARTZEIT The yartzeit of Rashi is observed on this day, the last day of Tammuz. Rashi is the great classic biblical and Talmudic commentator and opens the books of Jewish learning for everyone.
7/22: ROSH CHODESH AV Rosh Chodesh (and the period observed as the Nine Days) begins Tuesday night into Wednesday.
GETTING LATE NOW… LAST CALL!
CALENDAR YARTZEITS Still a little time to get yartzeit dates to Rabbi Yossi for inclusion ($36 donation) in this coming year’s Jewish Art Calendar. It is a beautiful way to remember a loved one and commemorate their yartzeit with the community. Call Rabbi Yossi 518-495-0772 or email: calendar@capitalchabad.com
7/22: CLOTH MASK GIVEAWAY DRIVEBY Maimonides and Friendship Circle are hosting a one-hour white washable cloth mask giveaway at a drive-by outside the Maimonides School on Wednesday, July 22nd from 34pm. There are 5 one-size masks per package. These are approved and recommended by the Department for Health and Human Services. For more info call Chaya: 518-488-8992 or Yossi: 518-495-0772
EARLIER IS BETTER, BUT NEVER TOO LATE This is true of many things in life, but especially life insurance an important responsibility for our families. The younger you buy into it, the cheaper it will be. Ilene Sykes is a registered representative of the reputable NY Life and is a good friend and supporter of Maimonides. Contact her to find out more.
7/27: CHAZON This Shabbat (the one before Tisha B’Av) is known as Shabbat Chazon named for the first word of the Haftorah. In a Chassidic positive twist it refers to the spiritual vision of the future Third Temple shown to each Jew (’s soul) on this Shabbat.
7/27: SIMON SIYUM Rabbi Simon’s annual Nine Days Siyum will be over Zoom this year, Monday at 7pm.
7/28: SIYUM AT CAMP Rabbi Rubin will be making a Talmud Siyum at the day camp on Tuesday at 10:25am, but you don’t have to be a camper to be part of it. Log into Zoom 647547-2221 (+ school password) or watch it over Facebook Live.
7/29-30: FAST OF TISHA B’AV The fast of Tisha B’Av begins Wednesday at 8:19pm and ends at 8:50pm on Thursday night. We read Eicha (Lamentations), say Kinot, sit on low-chairs & no Tallis & Tefillin until Thursday afternoon.
you have news or interesting things to share, or tips for safe and distanced outdoor activities or would 7/31: NEXT “MC” NEWSLETTER like to sponsor a week of the newsletter in memory Look for the next MC Newsletter on the day after of a loved one for a special occasion, please email: Tisha B’Av. As we are in the summer months (after mhdsnews@gmail.com school ended) we went to a every other week schedule. Usually we don’t do many newsletters in 8/1: SHABBOS NACHAMU the summer months but some people asked for it as The Shabbos after Tisha B’Av is called Nachamu a means of helping keep community together. If named for the Haftorah and the period of comfort.
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!”