BH. Av
24, 5780 / July 14, 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 7:40 Shabbat Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 8:42 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
MAZAL TOV KOVACHS Mazal Tov to Rob and Ilana Kovach on the local marriage of their daughter Maya to Adam Lott on Friday of Shabbat Nachamu (a comforting Shabbat!). Much Nachas!
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
This MC Newsletter is dedicated in memory of a lifelong Jewish Albany pillar and local legend
MAZAL TOV DR Y & CB RUBIN Mazal Tov to Dr. Yehoshua and Chaya Bracha Rubin on the Upshernish of their son Yossi & twin Chana Aidel’s 3rd birthday celebration at Maimonides’ WOW outdoor classroom. Wishing continued doubled Nachas!
Nathan Rosenstein
MAZAL TOV TWIN REZNIKS Mazal Tov to Dr. Dina Gottesman and Daniel Reznik on the double Bat-Mitzvah of their twin daughters Ellie & Rachel over the CBAJ Zoom Room. Much more double Nachas!
MAZAL TOV SIMON COLORADO Mazal Tov to MHDS alumnus Rabbi Meir and Sarah Simon of Colorado on the Upshernish of their son Mendel. Mazal Tov to Zeide & Bubbe Rabbi Nachman & Clara and to the whole family. Much Mile-High Nachas!
MAZAL TOV SHEPHERDS Mazal Tov to Rabbi Mendy & Chaya Shepherd on their son’s recent Upshernish on the rolling spacious grounds of Labers’ home and Jewish Girls Retreat in East Greenbush.
MAZAL TOV KUDAN/DUBROFF Mazal Tov to MHDS alumna Rivky (Kudan) & Yossi Dubroff on their daughter Chani’s BasMitzvah. Special Mazal Tov to grandparents Ruvain & Shayna and the whole Mishpacha.
MAZAL TOV MORRISONS Rabbi Leibel & Elisheva Morrison of Troy celebrated back to back Simchas, first their son MHDS alumnus Shleima’s wedding to Chaya Mushka Malinas, and on the next night their granddaughter Zahava’s (daughter of MHDS alumnus Eliyahu & Rochel Morrison) BasMitzvah. Only simchas, much Nachas!
ELLOWITZ CONDOLENCES Condolences on the passing of Mrs. Audrey Ellowitz, a former teacher who was very active in the community, especially at Temple Israel.
RABBI ADIN STEINZALTZ, OBM There’s been much shared online about the recent passing (on Av 17) of the celebrated Rabbi, teacher and author, Adin (Even-Yisrael) Steinzaltz. He was a pioneer in Talmudic translation and commentary, the first to translate it into Hebrew, a leader in Torah accessibility, he wrote many books on many areas, a broad spectrum of Judaism and Jewish thought. Many a generation of Maimonides students learned Gemorah out of a Steinzaltz! Here’s a lesson for us at school: Rav Steinzaltz was a world-class TEACHER & great writer of the breadth of Torah but he was an even greater STUDENT of Torah! He had a brilliant sense of eager luminous curious wonder even in his older years. His mind never grew old. The Mishna in Avot's ideal to "learn as a child" was Rav Adin Steinzaltz! For him, Torah was always fresh & new, he studied & taught with a sparkle & twinkle, a gleam in his eye, a spring in his step as he nimbly jumped about all areas of Torah with ease & expertise. He had a drive for simplicity and access. In the footsteps of Rashi, Rabbi Steinzaltz's genius was in his simplifying the complex and in his lifelong efforts to broaden access to Torah's riches for all. There’s a local connection, too: R’ Adin’s wife was a far cousin of Morah Rochel, and R’ Adin himself came from Slonim (where Rabbi Rubin’s father is from) & told Rabbi Rubin that they have shared relatives from those Slonim roots. Rav Adin Even-Yisrael Steinzaltz also wrote an approbation to Rabbi Rubin’s early Pirkei Avot & Haggadah commentaries. See right >
Reb Menachem Yosef ben Shmuel Dovid HaKohen Yartzeit today: 24th of Av The person behind the name “Nathan’s Kitchen” at Maimonides NATHAN’S YARTZEIT Today (24th of Av) is Nathan Rosenstein’s yartzeit. See inside this newsletter for some Nathan memories and photos.
SCHOOL RE-OPENING PROCESS Following approval from NY State Depts of Health and Eductation, many involved are working to help the school re-open this Fall. Many details have to be worked out, some teachers yet to be hired, regulations and protocols finalized etc… A parent & student Covid-specific handbook is being prepared, 3 sets of meetings are underway, first of which happened this week, with parents and with teachers. Michael Caras is the school’s Covid health coordinator, the point person for all such issues and questions, working with both the re-opening committee and the school administration. See inside for more info.
R’ STEINZALTZ APPROBATION These words that the late Rabbi Adin EvenYisrael Steinzaltz wrote for Rabbi Rubin’s Pirkei Avot & Haggadah commentary can also be seen as autobiographical about himself and his work as well: Every age and place faces different problems and there is a need for renewed insights. Rabbi Rubin’s work on Haggadah and Pirkei Avot creates a new story to our tower of knowledge. Building on previous works, he adds his own scholarly insights, weaving old and new into an important commentary.
REMEMBERING NATHAN Some random memories of Nathan, in no order…
Nathan was born in Albany and lived all his life here. His parents ran a shop at Arch and Broad Streets, where he worked as well. They were Shomer Shabbos, a rare thing for a shop-keeper in those days. Nathan fondly recalled downtown old Albany customs, including lesser-known celebration of “Gut’s Numen” on day after Yom -Kippur with all the synagogue candles lit. In his later years (after an apartment on Eagle Street near governor’s mansion) Nathan lived in the apartment above the Shteeble. He was a good cook and often prepared delicious Kiddushim called “A Nathan’s Kiddush” (Greek Salad, Nathan’s Kugels, cut hard-boiled eggs with paprika, saltines were a staple etc) and also he ran his own little private Kiddush-club upstairs. When bringing food to the communal Kiddush downstairs, he’d cry out “fire-lane, firelane” to clear an aisle to bring the food through. His spot was the south-west corner of the Shteeble on the other side of the wall from the Siddurim bookshelves, he was kind of a Shul backseat driver, mostly via claps and bangs on his Shtender. He was a fierce defender of Shul and local traditions. He had a unique blend of strict old-school adherence to observance along with a casual dismissiveness of extra stringencies he hadn’t grown up with. He wasn’t loud but he was firm and would tell you what he thought. He liked to learn Mishna and would often ask Rabbi Rubin Mishna questions. He also enjoyed reading the Yiddish newspaper “Algemeiner Journal” which Rabbi Rubin would bring him. When local boys would go out of town to study in Yeshiva, Nathan would call them over to a side and give them a substantial check. He cautioned them not to spend it on books or religious stuff but on “chips and soda”, to have treats to enjoy when away from home. That was Nathan! Even as he cared little for his own material things and lived very simply, he was thoughtful about others, wanted them to have! His favorite trips were down to the Lower East Side! He had good taste, high exacting standards and knew where to find and how to drive a bargain. Even in Albany, if he saw a good deal he’d be sure tell friends about it. If there was a nice platter or some goodies left over from a catering or an event he’d seek out someone to give it to. He didn’t like waste and he wanted someone to enjoy. During the years that the Maimonides Mesivta (high-school) boys would learn in the Shteeble, Nathan would come down with a platter of grapes or some crackers and dips, hot French fries or something for them to have a little extra snack or treat. He would sometimes sit in the back of the room and listen in to their learning. When riding in the car, as a passenger (not sure he ever drove?) he liked to roll down the window and put his arm up between the bottom of the window & the top in the rushing breeze. Nathan wore very large Tefillin, something unusual for a person from that era in Albany. He sat outside cemeteries before High Holidays when people would visit, to collect Tzedakah.
REOPENING COMMITTEE Thankfully, our school has an able, dedicated and invested re-opening committee of ten people (representing admin, faculty, parents, community and professionals): Michael Caras (who will serve as the Covid health coordinator), Dr. Dina Gottesman, Joshua Gurock, Katie Hoffman, Dr. Ed Jacobs, Devorah Leah Kaufman, Abigael Ramsay, Rabbi Israel Rubin, Rabbi Zalman Simon, and Rebeka Wildman. who have devoted much time and work to discuss the issues, apply for state approval, and continue to help the school make Covid decisions and protocols and to navigate this situation going forward.
TWO WHATSAPP GROUPS Among other modes of communication (all the more important these days) the school has two Whatsapp groups for teachers and families: MHDS Parents and Teachers (a group chat for school) and MHDS Announcements (a broadcast group, not a chat, for announcements and communications, especially for Covid). A new email system (with various categories: faculty, school families, both, newsletter recipients and more) is also being setup as improved communications is key and part of the NYS re-opening requirements.
ARRIVAL & TEMP CHECK All those entering school will have a temp check and confirm they are symptom free and have not been exposed to Covid. There will be also be more limited access to the school building during this time. Details on this will be worked out soon.
MASKS Masks is a big part of the school’s reopening plan. It’s important that students and teachers try a few options and find the most comfortable masks for them. School will have extra short breaks throughout the day for students to go outdoors and get some fresh air without the mask. We will also try to utilize outdoors as much as possible while the weather is good.
NATHAN PICTURES FROM THE ARCHIVES The top picture was titled “Nathan’s Boys” taken when school was at Beth Emeth (our Rabbi Shmuly is the student on left, with classmates Levi Simon, Adam Auerbach, Ari Edelman, Yaakov Morgenbesser, Sruly Simon and Zalmy Kudan). The picture below is from 2004/5 during the Oral History Project with the Mesivta high-school boys of that time at Shteeble. The middle picture is of a musical communal Melava Malka event on Shabbos House, Nathan is on left wearing a tie. Second from bottom is presentation of a card at the Shteeble for his birthday with the Rosenblums, good friends of Nathan where he often ate Friday nights. Bottom picture is from a (Thanksgiving?) dinner Nathan cooked for recently arrived Russian Jewish families by Chabad and the Jewish Community Council (photo by Skip Dickstein, probably start of his career at Times Union?).
R’ LEVI YITZCHAK LOCAL TIES
THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
The 20th of Av this week was the yartzeit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn, Rabbi of Yekatrinoslav Ukraine and father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who died in Soviet exile. Rabbi Rubin realized and explained that R’ Levi Yitzchak’s positive scholarly productivity in a bitter remote exile exemplifies a synthesis personal example of the two different Pirkei Avot Mishna approaches he’s been teaching on the matter of “learning alone”. Not only did Rabbi Rubin share this insight over Zoom here in Albany but he also spoke remotely for a Melava Malka gathering in Tannersville on this subject. MHDS alumnus Efraim Rubin of Brooklyn, who does research and translations, worked on the research, edits and indices for the fifth volume of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s writings arranged by the Torah portions which was published just in time for this year’s 20th of Av yartzeit.
If we only knew! We are so blessed to have the outdoor WOW classroom, in a time of Covid such an outdoor space can be very helpful! If we only had more such spaces! The school will be purchasing additional picnic tables and possibly a tent to accommodate more outdoor activity and learning spaces.
AMBIGUITY OF “THE PLACE”
14x in this week’s Parsha the Torah gives an ambiguous vague reference to the future Jerusalem Temple by saying “the place that G-d will choose”. Why the ambiguity? Why doesn’t Torah spell it out clearly? The Baal Shem Tov teaching above (part of 20 Teachings of Baal Shem Tov to be found on shabboshouse.org) reminds us that every place is in some sense is where G-d chooses for us and has a special mission for us to do. Rabbi Rubin also explains this as allowing for residual holiness to remain with each city in Israel that was “in the running” before Jerusalem was chosen. See more in Rabbi Rubin’s writings about the name “Beis HaBechira” (chosen house). There’s also a nice vurt on this theme from R’ Aharon Karliner (an early Chassidic master, a disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch): In the Shema on the verse that says “with all your heart” Rashi’s 2nd interpretation explains שלא יהיה לבך חלוק על המקוםour hearts shouldn’t be separated or apart from G-d. But it uses a euphemism for G-d called “the place”. Why use “the place” and not just say G-d? The ANOTHER NATHAN CLASS PIC Karliner says this teaches us that we shouldn’t Mr. Paul Shapiro, a good friend of Nathan, separate or distance ourselves from our place sent this picture of Nathan in a fish store. It’s a in life, our life circumstances are our the classic: shopping in good old style, in a store setting for our divine mission and we should dedicated to that product, dressed in his jacket embrace & make most of it, not run from it. and hat, conversing with the storekeeper.
WHY SO MUCH ON NATHAN? As it happens, Nathan’s yartzeit falls in the summer when school is out and we usually don’t have a newsletter. This year, due to Corona there’s been requests to continue newsletters through the summer months (every other week) so as it turns out not only do we have a newsletter around the time of his yartzeit, but on the actual date of his yartzeit! Nathan was an Albany Jewish landmark, an old-school Yid, important to remember him.
THE DAY CAMP PRECEDENT The successful and responsible execution of this year’s day-camp in the school building during Covid serves as a good precedent and model for our school, though NY State’s regulations for schools are much stricter and school circumstances are different.
COVID HANDBOOK COMING
PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION The Shalom Food Pantry is coordinating a distribution of boxes of assorted fresh produce at the Maimonides parking lot this coming Monday as an assistance during these difficult times. If you or someone you know can benefit please see the info and use the form listed under Upcoming Events on page 4 of this MC Newsletter.
SCHOOL READINESS PRACTICE School may be about a month away now, if all goes well, but not too early to start preparing. Kindergarten and first grade students should keep up their reading (both Hebrew and English) a little practice everyday goes a long way. Mask-wearing is another thing that will take getting used to. Some educational experts suggest kids start wearing masks during screen time (as it will either decrease screen time or get them more accustomed to mask-wearing). Older children can and should do a little learning and reading each day, to keep their minds agile and exercised, so getting back to classroom learning won’t be too rough of a transition. Of course, it is always best if parents or older siblings can do some of that along with them.
SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS This year more than ever (when kids can’t share supplies) it is very important that kids come to school with more than enough supplies. Some teachers already sent out their supply lists, others will be sending soon. Either way, stores are now stocked with school supply and the basics are worth getting.
Michoel Caras and school’s reopening committee are putting together a practical handbook with detailed guidelines for EMOTIONAL SUPPORT parents & students. Parents An important reopening factor under should contact Michoel with concerns or consideration by both our school and the state questions or further info. This isn’t an easy TEACHERS WANTED is mental & emotional wellbeing of children The school is still interviewing situation for anyone, it will take everyone’s (families & faculty!) during a prolonged time for several positions including cooperation, a school-wide team effort to make away and at home and re-opening school middle and high school science this work. It’s a work in progress, the situation under these regulations and protocols. This is will be monitored as it evolves, we have to be and math and a fourth grade always a focus at Maimonides but will be an flexible to adapt to changes. School protocols teacher. If you have leads, please be in touch increased priority in this coming school year. with Morah Rochel or Morah Leyee. Thanks! will be revisited after the first few weeks.
PARENTS: PLEASE REGISTER THIS WKND
at Maimonides and in the Community 8/15: SHABBOS PARSHAS RE’EH This week’s Torah portion is Re’eh. We also bless the new incoming month of Elul, and say extra or all of Tehillim for Shabbos Mevorchim.
8/20-21: ROSH CHODESH ELUL
It is always important for school to have timely registration but this year all the more so, as class configurations and size have a new meaning during Covid. If you have not already, please send work on it this weekend and send it in ASAP. Call Morah Rochel with any questions. Do not leave this for last minute, it burdens the school.
Two days of Rosh Chodesh welcoming the new auspicious month of Elul, the U-PICK AT LOCAL FARMS month of preparation for the high holidays, Mid-August is when some new picking becomes 8/15: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR including daily weekday Shofar and Psalms 27, and available. Look up what is now in season to pick In this time of Covid, summer Womens Shabbos the spirit of Teshuva and the vibe and feel of the and get out with the kids in the fields for an hour. Shiur will be meeting at one single outside location high holiday season. The Alter Rebbe teaches that all summer: the outdoor WOW Pavilion at this a month of special spiritual closeness: “The WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HIKE? Maimonides, 404 Partridge at 4:45pm. Seats will be King (Hashem) is in the field!” We have a few weeks left to school, would be nice set up with social distancing in mind. Please wear a to post a little list of some local favorite hikes along face covering which covers nose and mouth. If you 8/25-28: FRIENDSHIP with a little bit of what its like or what you get to are feeling ill or have been exposed to Covid, please CIRCLE CAMP see & experience. Nature and outdoors have stay home. Older children (also need face Chaya the Friendship Circle become a bigger part of our lives during this period coverings) who will sit and listen are welcome, but director is looking for male & of Corona - that part is a good thing! Please write please no younger children. Cold water & hand female counselors & staff ages 14+ & describe your favorites to: mhdsnews@gmail.com sanitizer provided, but no snacks. Come and learn! (compensation provided) guidelines so we can share with others in next MC Newsletter. followed. 10am-2pm. A great mitzvah to end the 8/16: REGISTRATION FORMS DUE summer & start off Elul. Call Chaya: 518-488-8992 R’ ADIN EXHIBIT AT SCHOOL Please send in your completed Maimonides school Rabbi Rubin is looking to create an exhibit of registration packets by this day. This is crucial to GO SEE SOME ANIMALS AROUND the late Rabbi Adin Even-Yisrael Steinzaltz’s help school be prepared for the year, especially with And there are a number of farms where you can take the life and works at school this Fall for the all of this year’s unusual considerations. If you have kids and go visit some animals. students (and via the newsletter and tech also not received your emailed registration packet please Indian Ladder Farms is a close by classic. 100 years community) to learn about and appreciate. call Morah Rochel at 518-526-0774. and still growing! See: indianladderfarms.com June Farms in West Sand Lake 8/17: FRESH PANTRY PRODUCE 11am-4pm $5pp. See more at Shalom Food Pantry coordinated boxes of JuneFarms.com assorted fresh produce for distribution on Into The Woods Farm in Monday August 17th from 11:30am-1pm at the Middle Grove. By Appt only. Maimonides parking lot for anyone that would 518-882-9286 walk in woods with baby goats find it helpful during this challenging time. To intothewoodsfarmNY.com sign up you can fill out this form: Adirondack Animal Land https://forms.gle/xne1Ci9aod6XCSEd7 (where Morah Devorah and or contact info@shalomfoodpantry.com. Mrs. Hoffman often take little kids) is closest you’ll get locally 8/19: TELDON ON PURPOSE to a safari. Could be pricey. Rabbi Tuvia Teldon Adirondackanimalland.com on Long Island wrote a book titled EARLIER IS BETTER, BUT NEVER TOO LATE FARM STANDS “Eight Paths of Now is season for farm stands! This is true of many things in life, but especially life insurance Purpose” and will speak for our Albany Look them up or drive around an important responsibility for our families. The younger you buy into it, the cheaper it will be. Ilene Sykes is a registered in the country side. Some are community on representative of the reputable NY Life and is a good friend and just carts with fresh picked “What Happens supporter of Maimonides. Contact her to find out more. produce on an honor system. when the Purpose You Don’t Want, Finds You”. To get your copy of the book contact Rabbi Rubin (who has copies) or look for it Time is now running out. Please be sure to fill out the US census form for on Amazon. Zoom you & your family! It helps everyone around here. It is sadly surprising how ID 672-547-2221 More info (& password) Rabbi many people neglect to fill out this simple matter with such tremendous Rubin RRalbany@gmail.com or Rabbi Mendel impact. Please remember to do so and reminds others as well! mail@shabboshouse.com
PLEASE BE COUNTED!
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!”