BH. Adar
17, 5780 / March 13, 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 6:42 Shabbat Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 7:43 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE AND REMOTE LEARNING PLANS We continue to monitor the situation closely, and follow recommendations from the health department and medical professionals. While school remains open for now, teachers are now preparing home-based study materials (for the 3 weeks until Pesach break) in the event that school may have to move to a remote/distance learning format. We are in touch with Jewish educational experts in remote learning and exploring which options might work best for our school (consideration of factors such as varied class configurations and schedules, and the limitation of simultaneous computer access in homes of larger families) should we need to close. We’re looking at a combination of study packets, online web-based programs, Google Classroom, Meet/Zoom conferencing, sheets to printed at home via email - a variety of options based on age level and subject type. If we do switch to remote learning it is likely that we will stick mostly to core curriculum and not all classes will be included. We trust that parents, students and teachers alike will be flexible and understanding in the event that school will transition to remote learning, and make it work in the best way possible.
FEELING SICK? STAY HOME! If kids are coughing a lot or feeling under the weather they should please stay home and get better before returning to school. It helps everyone!
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
MAZAL TOV KUDANS Mazal Tov to MHDS alumnus Rabbi Zalman and Shterna Kudan in California on the birth of a baby girl Esther Rivka. Mazal Tov and much Nachas to the grandparents Ruvain and Shayna Kudan and the Kudan siblings.
This MC Newsletter is dedicated in memory of
Salo Steper Shlomo Yaakov ben Mordechai Yarzteit Monday: 20th of Adar SEA CREATURES IN ADAR 7th grade science is learning all about creatures of the sea of the echinoderm category (star fish, sea urchins, sea-cucumbers), good timing for the Hebrew month of Adar whose zodiac sign is of a fish.
MAJOR TOSEFOS ON MINORS
9th grade Talmud learned a long, major Tosefos Talmud commentary (Brachos 48a) which relates to the issue of counting a minor as the 10th in a Minyan. It is based on a piece of Talmud Megillah which they studied (and are soon completing that whole tractate!). Rabbi Rubin showed them how HYGEINE HABITS Rav Solveitchik defends the custom Frequent handwashing with EYE-WITNESS NEWS REPORTS of the “holding of a Chumash” soap/sanitizer and 5th grade social studies each researched one of against Rabbenu Tam & Ri’s criticism. occasional disinfecting of 3 subjects from the early 1900s: inventions of frequently touched surfaces that time period, the child labor laws and STOCK MARKETS IN THE 20’S remain important union strikes. They worked to write up a script recommendations from the and then role-played it as a live interview with It so happens that 7th grade history class was learning about the stock market crash in 1929 CDC, it is a simple thing a character dressed in period costume. This that goes a long way to stop the spread of the assignment mixed role-play, historical research, on the same day that the stock market took a deep nose dive this week, about 90 years later. virus. Parents, please help reinforce this at organizing information & writing skills. We all hope that this descent is shorthome as well. Two other recommendations are lived and temporary as it adversely more challenging (especially for kids): the WWI IN HS HISTORY CLASS affects so many people and jobs. There social-distancing/personal-space aspect and the High School history with Ms. Ramsay did an are many ripple effects to the Coronavirus efforts to not touch our faces as much with overview on WWI before beginning their new besides for the health issues of the virus itself. unwashed hands. But we can try! unit on the Roaring Twenties.
ALTITUDE OF A TRIANGLE High School Geometry is learning how the altitude of a triangle creates 3 triangles (small, medium, big) out of a single triangle and creating a Sudoko-esque box chart lines up the triangle dimensions and shows how certain aspects of these triangles will be the same hence “similar triangles”.
FRICTION AND MOTION 3rd graders are learning about the laws of ROLLED PAPER PURIM motion with Mrs. Maher. The Megillah is a rolled up (parchment) scroll, This week they learned about how friction isn’t it? The rolled-paper art on the bulletin changes the way an object moves or stops. board above was all made of rolled paper (of varying thickness and different colors) to display the four main Mitzvot of Purim. A few SCAVENGER HUNT IN PARK On Shushan classes worked to put this together. Purim CHEMICAL EQUATIONS afternoon, Morah Chani HS chemistry with Ms. Brown is learning took her 4th about different types of chemical equations graders for a and how to balance them. hands-on nature DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE scavenger Rabbi Mendel was talking to students last hunt down in week about how challenging this particular the park on Coronavirus precaution is to keep because we Woodlawn don’t realize how often we touch our faces Ave. Her without realizing it. They then watched a few students funny videos online of officials saying not to came across touch our faces and then they go ahead and something do just that. This week he came back strange and after Shabbos with a spiritual life lesson unexpected: Googley Eyes, 22 of them, in fact! that he shared with 7th grade about a Wait, how did they get there? Where were they spiritual life lesson we can learn from this from? How long were they “don’t touch your face” rule, aside for trying to there? The students started minimize doing so, of course. asking all these questions on their own, and coming up SIX FEET - DALED AMOS RULE with their own hypothesis Another interesting Talmudic connection is and arguing and discussing all about it - a little CDC’s recommendation to keep six feet taste of what archeologists must go through distance where there’s concern of viral spread, when they come up with an unusual find! that matches right up with the Talmudic
PURIM HIGHLIGHTS We asked TNT students to share some of their Purim highlights. See below in no particular order:
I loved getting dressed up as a water-carrier! It was part of our Shtetl theme. Purim Prunch at school is one of my favorities. You get to see other students that you don’t see at Shul and there is such a lively Mishloach Manot exchange! We had a drum circle at our Purim Party and I really enjoyed that. The Costume Parade at school is a nice way to see kids’ costumes that I wouldn't see otherwise. Everyone likes that. The Bounces are always fun! I like the Purim Meal. People say such interesting things at the Purim Seudah. The most special Mishloach Manot are to the people who least expect it and their whole face lights up when they get one. Baking Hamantaschen and eating fresh-baked home-made Hamantachen. They’re the best! Helping others hear Megillah or bring them Purim Mitzvot, spirit and cheer. Sorting through the nosh haul at the end of a the day of Mishloach Manot is fun. Dressing up in the best part. It was special to put the work into making our own creative Mishloach Manot and seeing the creative Mishloach Manot our friends made was really nice, too. I like the themes at Purim parties. Homemade costumes are more work but it’s exciting when it works out nicely. I love the nosh!
definition of personal space being 4 Amos (most Halachic Rabbi Mathless is empowering his 7th grade measurements translate Chumash students to try to tackle some of “Az that into 6 feet). Yashir” (the Song of the Sea) in Parsha Beshalach and its very prolific, detailed and NOW ONTO PASSOVER complex Rashi commentary. They are working 4th grade Mishna finished their unit on in chavrusa-pairs with (by design) Mishna tractate Megillah and only limited help from their is now onto tractate Pesachim, teacher. This is putting their years all about the laws of Passover of Rashi studies to work! One which they learn both in their RECYCLED BALL AND GLOVE nice resource they have is the classroom and via creating “rare word list” which helps them powerpoints with translations, Mrs. Mattice played catch with Musya S. using with words they haven't seen recycled gallon water bottles as “catching and illustration and much in prior Rashi’s. throwing gloves” and a can to pass between! animation.
THE RARE WORD LIST
These pictures were taken at either the Purim Prunch on Purim Day or mostly at the Shushan Purim Costume Parade on the day after Purim. Not all students (or adults) are pictured here, nearly everyone was in costume, but this shows a glimpse of the colorful spectrum of costume. The groups pictured below weren’t all sets for Purim, but we grouped them by type: police & soldiers (and prisoner Mr. Steve!); hippies from the 60’s; olden day Shtetl folk; princesses, queens (including a Vashti) and fairies… at the Shushan Purim Costume Parade.
at Maimonides and in the Community This back page listing has grown much shorter this week. Many communal events have been canceled, postponed or modified as a precaution to help limit the spread (and “flatten the curve”) of the Coronavirus - Covid-19. It is perhaps a good time to stay home, get a head start of Pesach cleaning, spend time with family, call friends and family, or tackle a long overdue project.
3/14: SHABBOS KI-TISA & PARAH
Postponed due to Coronavirus, no details yet on a rescheduled date or changed format.
3/22: ONE GIANT TRY IT At the Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy. 12-3pm, all types of arts and activities, all are free. Stay tuned if this will remain open.
3/22: SIYUM DATE TBD
Our 9th grade boys completed all of tractate In addition to the Parsha Ki-Tisa (which has the Megillah with Rabbi Rubin, just in time for the whole story of the Golden Calf) we read the 3rd of yartzeits of Salo Steper (Adar 20) and Moshe Losice 4 seasonal bonus Torah readings about the Red (Adar 25) both men who would greatly appreciate Heifer from Parsha Chukat. this type of milestone. There were plans to publicly celebrate their Talmud Siyum and commemorate SHUL NOTES: CBAJ is closed for services until these two yartzeits with a communal Sunday Siyum further notice, including Shabbat and Minyans and Brunch at Maimonides along with pre-Passover all events. Shomray Torah/Shteeble will have workshops but it will be rescheduled for another Minyans but asks all who are sick to please stay time. Stay tuned for another date or possibly a home, and for all to please wash hands well when different format. entering and to maintain some space between people throughout. Those who are especially 3/25-27: BOYS CHIDON WEEKEND vulnerable to Covid-19 (older or immunePostponed due to Coronavirus, no details yet on a compromised) should also stay home from Shul. rescheduled date or changed format. Many of the listed events below have been cancelled or postponed, listing them here to help get the word out on previously listed events:
3/14: THE LONG & SHORT OF IT Now that we changed the clocks, we have a much longer (Friday and) Shabbos afternoon but a much shorter Saturday Night. Saturday forecast is a high of 49 degrees, might be nice for a Shabbos walk! (That gets you out of the house, no issue with social -distancing, fresh air is nice, refreshing & healthy).
MAZAL TOV MUKI K. On her Bas-Mitzvah this weekend. Wishing her family much Nachas and all good blessings!
A NOTE ABOUT THE ANNUAL SCHOOL DINNER Many schools and communities around the country are rethinking their annual dinners and gala events in light of the Coronavirus (may it speedily pass!). The school is now also exploring other not in-person dinner options for this year. Our school’s funding needs and communal support are as necessary as ever (or even more so) so we hope we can count on our parents, friends, community and alumni to support this year’s alternate dinner fundraiser.
3/26: J-FED HOSTS JANE EISNER Jane Eisner teaches journalism at Columbia was the editor of the “Forward” for a decade and prior to that worked at the Philadelphia Inquirer for 25 years. She’ll speak on “Jewish Media in the Global Jewish Community” for a womens philanthropy event for the Jewish Federation. $18pp at Temple Israel, 6pm dinner, 7pm speaker. Stay tuned to see if this event will remain on schedule.
BEST WISHES TO ALL OF OUR READERS AND THE WHOLE 3/14: RABBI REISMAN SAT NITE Rabbi Reisman’s Shiur is suspended now at CBAJ, COMMUNITY DURING THIS TRYING TIME. as all services, Minyans, classes and events are suspended until further notice. MAY THERE BE GOOD NEWS! 3/15: J-FED SUPERSUNDAY This date has been postponed out of sensitivity to communal vulnerability during this time of crisis. Each year this is a big day of calling to support the Jewish Federation’s funding for local and Israel needs, including Maimonides which receives funding from Federation. Parents are encouraged to sign up for the rescheduled date TBA.
3/15: POST-PURIM CARNIVAL The Schenectady JCC Purim Carnival has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus concerns.
3/18-20: GIRLS CHIDON WEEKEND
RE: “SOCIAL-DISTANCING” Every hand we don't shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid, must become a verbal expression of warmth & concern. Every inch we physically place between us, must become a thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise. (widely shared over the Jewish internet this week).
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TALMUD SIYUM COMING UP IN HONOR OF 2 YARTZEITS Rabbi Rubin and 9th grade Talmud are nearly finished the entire Talmud tractate of Megillah, timely now in the month of Adar. They will dedicate this Talmud completion around the yartzeits of two beloved pillars of the Albany community who generously supported our school, Salo Steper (Adar 20) and Moshe Losice (Adar 25). Stay tuned for details (date/location etc) of this special tribute Talmud completion in their memory.
SUPPORT LOCAL KOSHER 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. Don’t wait until last minute with Pesach shopping as more people are shopping earlier these days especially the Coronavirus fears. Price Chopper already has a big Pesach selection (and is still stocked - separately, of course - with Chametz, too) --------------------Kosher Dining on UAlbany’s Indian Quad (under Vaad supervision) is now closed for Spring Break and remains to be seen about its reopening for remainder of semester due to SUNY’s online classes transition for Coronavirus concerns.
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!”