Maimonides Community

BH. THURS Shvat

25, 5780 / Feb 20, 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 5:16 Shabbat Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 6:18 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

This MC Newsletter is sponsored in honor of

Morah Rochel’s 70th to 120 in good health!

By 3 Generations of the Morgenbesser-Kalish Clan ROCKWOOD CONDOLENCES

MAZAL TOV AIDEN TAL

(Top) Maimonides HS students interviewing Adrienne obm for our Partridge Street Oral History Project. (Above and Bottom) at the 2016 Maimonides Dinner.

MHDS alumnus Aiden Tal is engaged to Adena Miller of Silver Spring MD. Mazal Tov to Chaya Tal and family! Aiden and his kallah will be in town this Shabbos and will attend this week’s Simcha Kiddush at CBAJ.

Condolences to Dr. Bill Rockwood and family on the passing of his wife (since 1953!), their mother & matriarch, Adrienne Rockwood.

Born in Amsterdam NY to the Gewirtzman family (related to the Losice and Hershberg families) she graduated in the third class of Brandeis University, then from UAlbany. She was beloved as a nursery teacher. Adrienne interviewed for our school’s Partridge Street Oral History Project in 2005, and was honored by the school with the Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award in 2016 together with her husband. They were blessed to see & enjoy Nachas from 16 children and 17 greatgrandchildren. Her sweetness and aptitude for Yiddishkeit is unforgettable. Shiva times will be 1-3pm and 6-8pm with Maariv at 8pm at the Massry Residence through this Mon night. Shacharit mornings at 8am through Tuesday, and Sunday at 9am.

SEEKING SIMPLE IN COMPLEX

MORAH ROCHEL 70 BIRTHDAY On Sunday at the Chabad Womens Kinus there was a brunch celebration in Brooklyn, Monday night a beautiful celebration here for the Albany community (see page 3 for pictures) and at Tuesday lunch a celebration for the kids at school. Many grades made birthday cards for her, individually made by each student (see above).

The kids got to enjoy the delicious and beautiful flowery cake (on left) that Sarah Maddali made!

Ms. Tang’s 4th grade science students learned about 6 “simple machines”: Lever, Inclined Plane, Wheel & Axle, Screw, Wedge & Pulley.

They learned how they work and a little bit about why they work that way. For homework they each had to think of a modern complex machine and identify some of the simple machines that operate as part of it.

NAMING ACIDS Mrs. Brown’s High School chemistry students are seeing how the names of acids reflect the ingredients of that compound and how you can look at the scientific name of the acid and know a lot about its makeup. Similar to how Chassidus explains Adam’s wisdom in the naming of the animals.

PURIM PRUNCH THEME? Every year the school’s Purim Day Prunch has a little theme. What should it be this year?

MORE ON FRACTIONS 4th grade math is now learning tools on how to multiply and divide fractions looking for fractions with common denominators and also for equivalent fractions.

2 BEAUTIFUL RASHI LESSONS At the start of Parsha Vayeishiev, Morah Rochel’s 4th graders Chumash students learned two beautiful life lessons in the Rashi commentary:  The Pearls in the Sand metaphor.

Sometimes it takes patient sifting of lots of sand to find that one precious pearl you lost. It’s worth it the time and effort!  Jacob wanted a break. He felt he had a hard life and was looking to retire and relax. But that’s when the Joseph saga kicked in! The teaches us that life isn’t meant to be easy, and there will always be challenges, and even in retirement it is important to keep busy and find good things to do.

FROG & TOAD Mrs. Mattice’s students made brown toads & green frogs as they learn the methods of compare and contrast, similarities and differences and how VennDiagrams work.

HARLEM RENASSIANCE 7th grade social-studies are learning about this dynamic period in the 1920’s. Each student has to research one key figure from that period - whether in art, music or literature.

NAVI PROJECTS 5th graders worked in pairs to made elaborate projects for their Navi class (on Shoftim the book of Judges), and its quite amazing what they designed!

IDENTITY THEFT HS Girls learning Personal Finance are doing a unit on identity theft. The more information online and in digital format, the more we have to be vigilant and aware.

TWO BRAVE, ONE SENSITIVE 7th graders watched the 3 stories shown at this year’s Kinus of Chabad Shluchos: A Mexican jungle rescue, helping a trapped “bought” Israeli bride in China (both stories of bravery for people in very challenging situations) and then a less dramatic but in many ways even more meaningful was the story of Kesem, the Israeli backpacking girl who forgot Yom Kippur in the Venice ghetto, because of the tremendous thoughtful sensitivity of that momentous moment!

THE “KSHOT” STORY Rabbi Mendel’s davening class heard a story told by Rabbi Dr. Alter Benzion Metzger about the Chazzan in a Russian synagogue who left a hint for visiting American Rabbis using a key word repeated in the “Brich Shmay” passage said when we open the Aron Kodesh.

TZEIRI-TIME After finishing one Hebrew vowel A roving student 7th grade TNT photographer practice book of captured these beautiful photos of students Patach (the flat line) working at their art. We love how the light review, another on from the window shines on their faces and Komatz (the line their work. This type of art is made by first with a button drawing a whole bunch of random shapes, underneath) and then connecting them with lines, and painting then a third balances of colors between all those shapes. It booklet on Kamatz creates a stained-glass effect albeit without the and Patach vowels light coming through. Yehudah (top) finished PLANTS READY TO GO HOME combined, the Kindergarten students are now his shapes and is just starting his colors, while Our Kindergarteners are delighted to be (above) Sophia is getting started on her shapes. starting their Tzeirei (the two horizontal dots taking home their growing lima bean plants.

Hebrew vowel) booklets - all designed by Parents, be ready to help them care for these Hebrew (and Yiddish) reading specialist CORAL REEFS PROJECT Tu Bishvat plants. Water but don’t overwater, Morah Raizel. See how happy they are with 7th graders’ research into their Coral Reef get window sunlight. They’re proud of them! their accomplishment! projects came up with some interesting facts: Millions of species rely on reefs in one way or MORNING BLESSINGS HORN, TEETH, FEET another, they are called the rainforest of the High School Halacha class divided up the These are 3 categories of animal damages in classic everyday basic morning blessings among sea because they benefit areas of the ocean far Talmud Bava Kamma, they learned this week them and each of the girls are researching the away from them, it is built up of generations how these 3 are categories not body parts and after generations all on top of one another, background and meaning of the blessing, its possible to be liable for teeth and the beautiful Clown-Fish (made famous by finding associated stories and relevance. by scratching its back, and for Nemo) who live inside the coral reef. horn by kicking its feet.

LIGHT, COLOR, SHAPE…

MORAH ROCHEL’S 70TH BIRTHDAY WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY Special guests who came from a distance to this Albany event on Presidents Day included her daughter Rivka (Rubin) Cohen of Manchester England, Rivka Goldstein from Cleveland, Morah Rochel’s older brother Rabbi Ephraim Piekarski of Brooklyn and Rami and Chana Mizrahi now of Spring Valley/Monsey. Morah Rochel was surprised by video greetings from online teachers whose podcasts or online shiurim she enjoys listening to, including Rabbi Yossi Jacobson (who lauded her quest for comtinued learning, as we can only enrich others by enriching ourselves as well), Sivan Rahav-Meir (a popular Israeli journalist and teacher who is on a one-year assignment and scholar-in-residence in the US), her in-law Rabbi Yossi Paltiel (who also teaches many classes online), and others. Morah Rivi prepared a beautifully designed poster made up of postcards that Morah Rochel and Rabbi Rubin send out to others, and presented it in the lens/context of Naomi Shemer’s “grove of eucalyptus trees” as if it were the Maimonides School. A spectrum of those present spoke, sharing memories with Morah Rochel and wishes for her on her 70th birthday milestone, especially as it relates to her life-long continuing dedication to Jewish education and Torah learning.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES Ms. Coffey’s assigned her competitive gameloving 7th grade math students a project to come up with a game (any game) and then figure out the probabilities of winning, what are the mathematical chances?

REVISITING MONOPOLY

Why did HS Girls history class play a game of Monopoly?

They’re learning now about the FLAT, ROUND, SEGMENTED RABBI RUBIN TESTS PARSHA robber barons/ These are 3 types of worms now explored in 3rd graders just finished Parsha Vayera, their titans of industry Mrs. Ramsay’s science class.

4th Parsha of Chumash. Rabbi Rubin came in and based on their to test them. They did great! understandings of ALL DAY, OR PART OF THE DAY the economics and social issues of a 100+ years 4th grade Mishna class is now learning which TYPES OF KORBAN MINCHAS ago, that in some ways is repeating itself today.

Mitzvot can be done at anytime of the day, Rabbi Avraham Kelman (now in Sante Fe) was These issues are surfacing again in the 2020 which have to be done at night, or only during remembered this week at Maimonides for his presidential campaign. They see the the daytime. It has Purim implications. old game now in a new light! view that some Korban Minchas were pasta!

at Maimonides and in the Community 2/14-23: TEN DAYS OF PLAY

Nature Centers & ZooAmerica are bringing a sloth, 3/9: PURIM NIGHT alligator, porcupine, python, lizards & more to the  Break-Fast at Shomray Torah following the nightEmpire State Plaza. Cost is $14pp, goes down to time Megillah Reading $10pp after 4 in a group and you can save $2pp by  Purim at Bull Moose Club 150 State Street 4th sharing event on Facebook. floor, 7:15 PM for grads & young professionals.

More info? Rabbi Mathless: 518-522-1872.

2/20: THURS NIGHT $5 ADMISSION 2/24: GEDALYA PERFORMS AT S.C.  Purim on the Farm at Saratoga Chabad, 7:15pm.

“Gedalya” a folk rock singer More info? Rabbi Abba & Raizel: 518-526-0773 5pp on Thursdays, 5-8pm at the Albany Institute of & songwriter based in NYC  Purim Carnival at UAlbany for college students.

History and Art on Washington Ave. will be performing his soulful music at Saratoga 3/10: PURIM DAY 2/21: FEDERATION SCHOLARSHIPS Chabad, doors open at  Annual Purim Prunch at Maimonides (megillah, Feb 21st is the deadline for the Northeast NY 6pm. $5pp includes dinner. a nibble to eat and Mishloach Manot exchange).

Federation Scholarship applications for Jewish Call 518-526-0773 for more 10:30am Megillah, 11:30am Prunch. enrichment programs like overnight summer camp info. Great to enter month  Daytime Purim Seudah at Shomray Torah, be in or academic programs for this coming year. See of Adar with music… touch with R’ Michoel Caras for details. their website for info and application paperwork:  CBAJ Megillah 5pm, Carnival, Bounce and jewishfedny.org/services/scholarships/ 2/25-26: ROSH CHODESH ADAR Festive Meal at 6pm We usher in the joyous month of Adar with 2 days  Super-Hero Purim 5:30pm at the West Crescent 2/21-22: REGIONAL SHABBATON of Rosh Chodesh! 8am Minyan on Tuesday, the Fire House, 1440 Crescent Rd, Clifton Park.

This year’s regional Chabad on Campus Shabbaton first day of Rosh Chodesh will be at Maimonides. $10pp, Kids $5. (After 3/15 $15 per adult). More will be hosted at Shabbos House with guest coming info? Clifton Park Chabad 518-495-0772/9. from 8+ campuses throughout Eastern New York.

Special programs for kids and play opportunities at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield. For 2020 all kids are free, admission for age 18+ is $13pp.

Contact the museum for details, schedule & info.

2/26: GIL TROY SPEAKS IN ALBANY

2/22: MISHPATIM, SHEKALIM AND SHABBOS MEVORCHIM ADAR In addition to the Torah Parsha of Mishpatim (the source of much Jewish Civil Law) we read this week the bonus portion of Shekalim (about the half-shekel Mishkan contribution) which is the first of 4 seasonal bonus Torah readings this time of year. And we bless the new month of Adar! Purim is so soon!

2/22: RABBI REISMAN SAT NITE Rabbi Reisman’s Navi Shiur is screened live from Brooklyn now at 7:30pm on Sat Nights at CBAJ.

2/22: ESCAPE THE INQUISITION 7:30pm on Sat Night at Troy’s Beth Tephilah, 82 River Street, an adult adventure & learning game for ages 12+. $5pp. More info? 518-894-3490

The Jewish Federation hosts American History Professor Gil Troy of McGill University (now in Jerusalem) a presidential historian, Zionist activist, and author. He will be speaking on “Visions of a Jewish Homeland: Then, Now, Tomorrow.”

7:30pm at Beth Emeth, all are welcome. No charge.

3/15: J-FED SUPERSUNDAY

3/1: PJ LIBRARY STORY & CRAFT

This is a big day of calling to support the Jewish Federation’s funding for local and Israel needs, including the Maimonides School which receives funding from the Federation. Parents are encouraged to sign up for one of three calling shifts on this day and we all can contribute some amount to this important communal fund.

In honor of Purim… 11am-12pm at the SAAJCC in Albany. More info on Federation website.

3/22: ONE GIANT TRY IT

3/3: A JEW IN A SLAVE SOCIETY

At the Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy.

12-3pm, all types of arts and activities, all are free.

This historical lecture by Dr. Aviva Ben-Ur takes you back to Suriname! 6:30pm at the Colonie Town Library. More info? Call: 518-442-5300.

3/3: SHABBAT IN AN HOUR Chani Simon will lead Shabbos food prep in an hour for a Federation Womens Philanthropy event 6:30pm at Federation. $25pp. Info? 518-783-7800

ORDER “THE TORAH-TIMES” This is the best season for it… Breishis & Shmos!

There’s a big appeal in next week’s edition ;)

www.TheTorahTimes.com (printed, bound and shipped via Amazon).

2/23: WINTER THYME FEST

SUPPORT LOCAL KOSHER

Arts & Crafts vendors at Colonie Center, 11-6.

2/23: KIDS FUN FAIR & ZOO 10am-6pm at the Times Union Center. Kids under 12 are free, adults are $20 each. It appears there are two zoo-type shows the same day downtown, but call ahead to confirm and be sure of details.

2/23: WILDLIFE FESTIVAL

3/9-10: PURIM IS COMING! See below for start of our Purim event listing, we hope to have more Purim events listed next week!

10am-5pm in the Empire State Plaza. Little Ray’s

Stop in to shop at the Colonie Kosher Price Chopper or call 518-456-2970 x8 to make a special order or find out about prepared meals.

--------------------Kosher Dining on UAlbany’s Indian Quad (under Vaad supervision) is open for the semester and the community is welcome for lunch or dinner. Communal participation is helpful for the continuation of this important service.

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!”