BH. Elul
28, 5780 / September 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 6:41 RH Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 7:37 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
LAST NEWSLETTER OF 5780! Next MC Newsletter will be in 5781, and we hope the new year will bring with it many wonderful blessings, especially after the challenges of the second half of 5780.
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
MAZAL TOV MORRISON-RICE Mazal Tov to MHDS alumna Chana Rivka (Morrison) and Zalman Rice (of California) on their recent marriage this week. Special Mazal Tov to Rabbi Leibel and Elisheva Morrison.
You can sponsor this weekly MC Newsletter in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a loved one or in appreciation of something that deserves special recognition. Contact the school office or email mhdsnews@gmail.com CHAZAK V’AMATZ!
APPLE ORCHARD OF STUDENTS Apples are very much in season, with U-Pick now at local farms, and Rosh Hashanah this weekend. Morah Devorah Leah’s 3rd graders made a hanging apple decoration outside their classroom with a picture of themselves, and underneath it cards with something they are KINDERGARTEN MACHZOR thankful for in the year past and something Morah Chani’s Kindergarten students are they are hopeful for in the year ahead. making their own personal Machzor, pictured here making a Rosh Hashanah holiday name puzzle and painting a watercolor Tashlich.
Be strong and courageous! Morah Chana’s 4th grade Navi class is now learning (in the Book of Joshua) about Yehoshua becoming the leader after Moshe’s passing, and ties right into what we read in last week’s Parsha, with the same expressions of “Chazak v’Amatz” as they are learning about in the Navi. These are good character qualities and life blessings that we call can use nowadays, too.
PRAYING FOR CHILDREN
4th grade Chumash class is learning about Rochel’s emptiness and yearning to have children, and that ties right into the famous Haftorah of Chana (later WHAT’S YOUR READING LEVEL the mother of Shmuel) read on Rosh Our new English language teacher Ms. Bacon Hashanah - and that story of a childless Chana gave all her classes a long list of words & terms being jealous of and teased by her for them to each highlight only the ones they husband’s other wife Peninah (who knew and were familiar with. This exercise tells may have meant well) is exactly what her (and helps student realize themselves) what 6th graders are learning now in Navi class. they already know and what they have yet to INS & OUTS OF POMEGRANATE learn. We can’t highlight on the holiday, but ROSH HASHANA certainly such an exercise can also work with Nursery students painted dots as seeds inside BOOKS IN 3RD and out of their pomegranate outlines. May we the High Holiday Machzor prayerbook, the It’s not a Machzor but a parts we know and understand and be richly filled and abundantly overflowing book filled with lots of other parts we need to work harder with all good things in this year to come. learning and info about to understand and appreciate. There the holiday. It has a are some parts that are a mix of both! OUTDOOR SHOFAR format they fill in and See page 4 for a listing (what we heard of) for get lots of information SHOFAR & TASHLICH ONLY ON outdoor Shofar opportunities on Sunday in a short time. Use it Sunday this year, 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah. afternoon, 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah. on YomTov at home!
MATH REVIEW IN FIFTH 5th grade did lots of math review this first week of school, especially multiplication facts and problems. Getting back into the swing of things after the distance learning of Corona.
THE WORLD AS A PUZZLE 6th grade science with Ms. Ramsay learned about all the world’s continents originating S(H)O FAR, SO GOOD! as one huge land mass We’re very proud of our students who have and slowly drifting been keeping the Covid rules of masking and apart over time, which explains how the shapes distancing better than expected! Yes, there are of the continents kind of fit into each other, kinks to work out, and there are weaknesses in like a puzzle. One parent thought seeing all the some areas, but grateful to all (all age students, lands as one connected space helps faculty, school families, the Covid coordinator) visualize the messianic vision of a making huge efforts on this to ensure that we future land of Israel connected to all can try to stay open for in-person education! the world’s countries.
CAN YOU COUNT THE NOUNS! 5th graders are learning about the many types of nouns: common nouns, plural nouns, proper nouns, pronouns, possessive nouns...
BEEHIVE HEXAGON SHAPES Mrs. Mattice’s first graders are learning shapes, this week they did pentagon (with a 9-11 connection) and hexagon (all about bees and beehives - just in time for Rosh Hashanah).
EARLY DISCOVERIES
EARTH SCIENCE 7/8 graders are learning Earth Science with Mr. Sid Stark. Their first few lessons worked with all types of precise measurement, and with conversions to the metric system.
PROBABILITY VS CERTAINTY Rabbi Mendel’s 7/8 Talmud class learned the difference between a probable falsehood vs. certainty of a falsehood in an administered oath to understand the Gemorah’s reconciliation of Ben Nanes’ ruling in tractate Shavuot with the Mishna they are learning in the first chapter of tractate Bava Metziah.
Making a fire is easy, and everyone knows what a wheel is! Well, we do now, but there was a time that these things had to be discovered and invented. We take them for granted! Ms. Ramsay’s history/ science students are learning about early discoveries and inventions that paved the way for our lives today.
RABBA’S DECREE HITS HOME THIS YEAR!
Rabbi Shmuly’s Talmud class realized something very interesting this year… The reason we do not blow Shofar on Rosh Hashanah (on a practical level, there are mystical reasons, too) is because MIX AND MATCH BOOK of Rabba’s decree in the Talmud “everyone is Nursery students each made their own Rosh Hashanah Mix obligated in Shofar but not everyone is an expert. There’s a concern one might carry their and Match book. Be sure to Shofar on Shabbat (to get help with it)”. Now take a look at it most years this may have seemed a little remote or far-fetched, but not this year! Many with them at are home and not in synagogue for the holiday home this holiday. They’ll and need help with Shofar - and this year is the love to point things out & make connections, first time in a long time that the first day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbos… Maimonides School loves connections!
BEE ART Second graders did a guided beeart project with Morah Chani. They are doing some nice ELA writing about Rosh Hashanah to go along with their vibrant buzzing bee artwork.
GOOD & BAD ASSOCIATIONS Rabbi Shmuly’s 6th grade Mishna & Talmud learned about various types of Shofars and their pros and cons. Rams horns are preferred for Shofar because of the memory its role just after the Binding of Isaac (the Akeida). Cows horns are not used for Shofar because it has the Golden Calf association and we don’t want to recall that. We all have both positive and negative memories and associations and we try to focus on the positive ones as much as we can. It isn’t always easy but that’s a healthy and important focus.
THANKS BENDER SCIENTIFIC
FOLD ’n TIE NEW YEAR CARDS
A 13-FILLING SANDWICH!?
Morah Rivi’s art classes made beautiful folding Shana Tova cards, that tie together with a little strong as a clasp and it unfolds (as the year unfolds) with the wishes hidden inside.
Have you ever heard of a sandwich with 13 flavors and fillings inside? What a sandwich! Actually, Rabbi Shmuly’s Mishna students learned that our daily Amidah is just such a sandwich! It has 3 standard blessings at the beginning and end, at top and bottom, with the 13 blessings (that change from weekday to Shabbat, for holidays and Rosh Hashanah etc) in the middle of the sandwich. They had fun coming up with a parable of a regular edible sandwich that had that many fillings & flavors!
CREATIVE PARSHA Morah Chaya Bracha does a Creative Parsha class with both 7/8 grade and the HS Girls. This week they learned about Haazinu (read next Shabbos after Rosh Hashanah) written as a song, and how songs are easier to remember than text, and how to personalize that.
MASK-BREAKS OUTDOORS The policy at school is that masks do not have to be worn outdoors but only when students are distanced. If students are speaking closely to each other or seated closely around a picnic table or playing a high-contact sport, they should be wearing masks even outside. We have been taking frequent mini-breaks for a few minutes in almost every class period to allow students and teachers to get outside and take off the masks in fresh air. The students have been very good about it all. Thanks!!
THE BIG (CAREFUL) REVEAL There was a big reveal event in California this past week that was not careful and sparked huge wildfires that are still burning all over. But 6th grade Chumash learned about Yosef’s much anticipated dramatic revelation to his brothers but he was careful to first send out any servants out of concern that it might be embarrassing for his brothers. That’s an example of a sensitive, careful, thoughtful reveal!
POGO STICKS ARE A BIG HIT
We’re on the lookout for outdoor activities GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL TALMUD that kids can do on their own, and pogo-sticks is one great example. Thank you Rabbi Rubin studied with them Rabbi Shmuly for bringing them. the Talmud about Eli the Priest Kids enjoy hammering away on mistaking Chana for a drunk and all the Talmudic interpretations them, and it has minimal person-to-person of their exchange. This is the same story (read contact. Any other such ideas? on Rosh Hashanah) that 6th graders CHOOSING A TRACTATE are learning in Navi class, only on a deeper Talmudic level. Rabbi Rubin’s 10th grade “Zoom” Talmud class already finished the Talmud tractates of Megillah and PROJECT OF THE STATES Taanit (both very rich in Aggadah) To start off Social Studies in 5th grade, each and is now in discussions to come up with a student chose a state to research and portray. new (shorter) tractate to begin. This decision Some of the states include Montana, Missouri, process is in itself a fun Talmudic exploration: places far away that we’ve never been to. Are we looking for easier or harder, more knotty legal issues or more Aggadic stories, FRINDLE IS A FAVORITE Almost every year there’s a class in our school how much does the relevance of the topic come into play? People studying Daf Yomi or reading “Frindle”! It’s a fun, easy read and it also has a thought-provoking concept. It makes the yeshiva tractate cycle don’t have much you think (and rethink) a lot of things that you choice, but learn a tractate on your own is an just take for granted. 5th graders are reading it interesting choice and a chance to look at the now, one of them is already wondering how it various options. Let’s see what they come up with - stay tuned! will all turn out in the end. Stay tuned!
Many thanks to the Bender Scientific Fund at the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region for a very generous grant enabling the purchase of new Chromebooks for hybrid STEM classes and labs especially in this time of Covid with extra needs of physical distancing &/or distance learning. More on this in coming MC Newsletters.
PARTICIPATION IN GOVT Is there a better time than now for a class like this? Ms. Ramsay is doing a course on Civics and Participation in Government with the HS Girls. They can’t vote yet, but almost!
WALK AROUND THE BLOCK Fresh air is always a good thing, but an even bigger deal nowadays with mask wearing during Covid, some of our grades are trusted to take a walk around the block during recess time. They’re a little disappointed that the weather is turning colder so quickly but crisp autumn air has its own perks, too.
DAILY QUESTION PROMPT Ms. Bacon’s High School students get a daily prompt which they have to write and explain whether they agree or disagree and why. It’s called PPE: Paraphrase, Position, Explain.
TANYA + ENGLISH TIE-IN The day that HS Girls learned with Rabbi Mendel a Tanya piece on the value of struggle, Ms. Bacon’s English class prompt was “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.”
MESSAGE TO TEACHERS! That’s how they worded it in TNT! Quite a few students in TNT reporting wrote about how much they enjoy outdoor classes (in the outdoor classroom, picnic tables on the lawn or even down on the sports bleachers on the Woodlawn playing fields - as pictured here). It helps give kids (and teachers!) a mask break, enjoy distanced seating and is great now while weather is still nice. This doesn’t work for all classes, of course, and won’t work all the time, but good to try when we can. The openwindow policy at school helps towards this feel and safety as well.
at Maimonides and in the Community 9/18: EREV ROSH HASHANAH Friday. No school. Be sure kids help out with the holiday preparations! May the new year indeed be very happy, extra healthy and super sweet! It is the very last day of 5780…
9/19-20: ROSH HASHANAH As the first day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbos this year, the mitzvah of Shofar is only on Sunday. In addition to synagogue services, there will be a number of outdoor opportunities to hear Shofar including (but not limited to): 1pm outside Maimonides School on Partridge St 4pm at Spirit Park in Clifton Park 4:30pm at the Crossings Park Pond in Colonie Communal Tashlich at Buckingham Pond 5pm at the Bridge at Washington Park 5pm at UAlbany Indian Pond Gazebo near bridge
9/19-20: DAY ONE, DAY TWO Apple dipped in honey and pomegranate is on the first night, the new, unusual and exotic fruits are on the second night. This year because of Shabbat, Shofar and Tashlich are only on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Tashlich can be done at a later date as well, but Shofar is only on Sunday!
9/21: TZOM (FAST OF) GEDALIA 9:30am late school start. This is also the deadline for CBAJ’s Lulav orders. Rabbi Simon’s Etrog market usually has availability after this as well.
9/27: EREV YOM KIPPUR is on Sunday this year. Stay tuned for details about prayer times and other communal preparations including possible Kaparot (if that will at all be possible this year). TBD and TBA.
9/27-28: YOM KIPPUR
Wishing our school family, all of our MC readers and the entire community a Ksiva VaChasima Tova, Shana Tova UMesukah, Happy, Healthy and Sweet New Year! SHALOM FOOD PANTRY During this challenging time the Shalom Food Pantry has been arranging additional food pickups and drop-offs of produce and other food stuffs for individuals and families. Contact Shalom Food Pantry for more info.
LULAV & ETROG SETS Call Rabbi Simon 518-439-8280 to order or by appt a $75 (Yanover-style) Lulav set, or a $60 via CBAJ at cbaj.org/donate put Lulav in notes.
PLEASE BE COUNTED! Time is now running out. Please be sure to fill out the US census form for you & your family! It helps everyone here. Too many people neglect to fill out this simple matter with such tremendous impact. Please go do it, remind
No school. Look for details on synagogue services, formats and conditions etc. Yom Kippur begins on Sunday evening 9/27 through nightfall on 9/28.
9/29: DAY AFTER YOM KIPPUR 9:30am late school start after Yom-Kippur. This is the day that Nathan Rosenstein would recall from Albany’s old downtown as “Gut’s Numen”!
5781 MESSAGE FROM AN ALUMNUS
10/2-12: LONG SUKKOT BREAK No school from Erev Sukkot Friday through Isru Chag of (the day after) Simchat Torah. School resumes 8am on Tuesday. Make the most of this special holiday stretch with family and return uplifted, invigorated and inspired for a back-toschool that we hope will follow in good health!
EARLIER IS BETTER, 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 is. Ilene Sykes is a registered representative of the NY Life and is a good friend and supporter of Maimonides. Contact her for more info.
See the amazing message above from Josh Phaff, a MHDS alumnus living in Israel. He grew up at the corner of South Main and Woodlawn, next door to the Rubins and was close friends with Rabbi Shmuly. His father Steve Phaff was a president of our school and his grandfather, the late Leo Phaff, founded local National Business Promotions and was an active and dedicated leader in Albany’s Jewish community...
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!”