Maimonides Community

BH Shvat

23, 5774 / January 24, 2014

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 4:39 Shabbos Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 5:44 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY

maimonidesschool@gmail.com

In memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneersohn Yartzeit Shvat 22 And in honor of Morah Rochel’s Birthday - Shvat 23 Welcome Back Morah Rochel from Israel!

3-D PRINTING TRIP TO R.P.I. Rabbi Yossi arranged an exciting trip last Friday to the Hass Fabrication & Prototyping Center at RPI in Troy. They were very gracious NOT ENOUGH SNOW? NO PROB! in demonstrating the various machines to our These kids (and others) were so eager to build a students, sharing the history & possibilities of snowman despite the fact that there was so this technology, patiently answering everyone’s little snow on the ground this week. They questions (the staff actually commented that didn’t let that stop them, and in the course of our group had excellent questions). Our one day’s recess they had this snowman built. students learned about different techniques It’s most appropriate for Maimonides students, and new improvements & uses for an older as it reflects the school’s determined drive to technology that has been around for about 30 make the most of limited resources, to try and years. Each student received a blue-ish tint keep financial challenges from getting in the plastic cube made by the 3D printer for the way of passion, vision and new horizons. sapphire-colored Luchot in the Parsha. While students thought it to be a “look and don’t KEEPING CURRENT w/CURRENT touch” trip, it turned out to be much more In Science-Enrich hands-on than they expected. For more on with Mrs. Deloria what we learned about 3D printing, see the Ballard-Hubble, “Hi-5” feature in this week’s newsletter: page 3. these 4/5 students Thanks to Eli K. for these photos. designed their own electronic MAIMONIDES quiz game. They 404 Partridge Street wrote 5 questions Albany NY 12208 on the left, and 5 breeds of dog on the right. By matching the correct dog-breed with the question on left, you’ll get a buzzing sound - because the correct match completes the circuit (as they designed it) and allows the electronic current to flow and ring the buzzer.

APPS PROJECTS DUE ON JAN 30 Please be sure to bring it on by that date.

MT SINAI IN THIS PARSHA, TOO Last week we read the 10 Commandments but there are Giving of the Torah segments in this Parsha, too, including the famous Naaseh v’Nishma the Jewish People saying “We will do” (before they said) “We will listen/ understand”.

Kindergarten kids are pictured about their decorated papiermâché Har-Sinai they made last week, and see their Naaseh v’Nishma crowns (based on a Medrash) with the Hebrew words in their own handwriting.

OLD TALMUDIC DICTIONARY Rabbi Rubin showed his students “The Aruch” a Talmudic dictionary/encyclopedia written by Rabbi Natan ben Yechiel of Rome who did a lot of traveling and studying from a variety of late Gaonim and early Rishonim.

This book goes back so far, and is such a respected classic, that even Rashi quotes it in his commentary!

LINE OF SYMMETRY While this may appear to be an art project, it’s WORD PROBLEMS actually part of Kindergarten math class, as It’s a pun, a fun twist on word problems in they learn about the line of symmetry, with math class. Using a scientific calculator Grades each half reflecting the other.

Mrs. Maher’s 4/5 grade first did the math problems on the left. Then they turned the calculator upside down to spell the word for URBAN, SUBURBAN, RURAL the clue column on right. For example: This class has been learning in Social Studies 501x7=3,507 the clue? To not win? 3507 about the differences in population density, upside down = Lose! And there are more types of architecture, infrastructure & services, NOW ONTO ROME... (& CHINA) complex problems, too. It was a fun way to depending on what type of community you Mrs. Sanda’s 6th grade History, moved from play with math problems, and you needed live in. They made this model (work in ancient Greece to ancient Rome for their new correct results to spell the right words! progress) to show the different areas. history unit. Above are some comic & tragic theatrical masks from their Greece unit. Mrs. MISHPATIM & CONSTITUTION MLK DAY AND THE HAFTORAH Ramsay’s 8/9 grade is now learning Chinese Maimonides loves cross-curricular connections This week’s Haftorah is when Jeremiah is history, recently covering The Great Wall, foot so 7th grade was eager to report that they are upset with the Jewish people -binding, and Chinese food (which is mostly learning Parshas Mishpatim on Jewish Civil for not freeing their slaves not what you’d order at an American Chinese Law at the same time as they are learn the U.S. after the 6 year as prescribed place, aside for the rice, of course).

Constitution. Both are sets of laws that help in this week’s Parsha. And us live with one another, safe-guard rights and when King Zedikiah finally THE WAVE - QUOTES & IMAGES maintain a productive, functioning society. prevailed on the people to 6th grade students just finished reading “The do so, they went back and Wave” (based on a true story from Palo Alto through manipulation and in 1969) and are each doing a project that pressures re-enslaved their incorporates highlighted quotes & illustration slaves again! This made the prophet Jeremiah to share key elements & themes with someone so upset! Usually this Parsha isn’t read the who hasn’t read it. That’s a wonderful goal of same week as MLK Day falls, but this year it processing learning, knowing it well enough so does. Similar story, actually. The freedom of that it can be shared even with those who KUDAN CONDOLENCES slaves in America began 100 years before the aren’t familiar. It’s a goal of the “MC”, too!

On the untimely passing of Mrs. Chasia Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s, kind of Kudan from Florida, sister-in-law to Ruvain like the continuing slavery (of sorts) after the & Shayna, and aunt to the Albany Kudan original freedom in this week’s Haftorah. children. The funeral was today (Thurs Shvat 22) in New York. Many of us have been THE GIVER & THE HAFTORAH praying for Chasia bas Chaya Sarah for many A 7th grade student connected years. She suffered from cystic fibrosis and this week’s Haftorah it with had a double-lung transplant in 2001. Yet she something they are reading in did not let her health challenges get the “The Giver” by Lois Lowry: The better of her. She was a mother of six Giver shares with Jonas many sad (pictured above with her husband and kids) and troubling memories, which is and along with her husband Rabbi Dovid ran ANIMALS IN WINTER why he tries to add positive the Chabad Ocean Synagogue in Hollywood memories so it won’t be so hard Mrs. Hoffman’s Kindergarteners learned how FL. She was strong & spirited, with a sharp on Jonas. The Haftorah does the same! We animals react differently to winter: some keep sense of humor, a fighter throughout, very don’t want to end off on an upset and on going as usual, some migrate to warmer much a realist, but never a pessimist. Her negative note, so a few lines are added at the climates, others hibernate right here at home. passing leaves a hole in the hearts of many. end of the Haftorah from an earlier chapter of They each cut out animals & pasted them on May her memory be a blessing!

Jeremiah that are reassuring and uplifting. their charts accordingly.

THE BIG WALL OF BOOK REPORT POSTERS Mrs. Carroll’s 2nd & 3rd grade students each read sizeable books and typed (or wrote) up summaries and key information, and put it together on these poster-sized book reports. Books read included “Indian in the Cupboard,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” “Thanksgiving on Thursday,” and more. They are now displayed upstairs in the main auditorium.

BEING AT A GEOGRAPHIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CROSSROADS

SALT CRYSTALS IN SCIENCE-LAB Mrs. Sahay and her 6th grade science students made crystals out of salt in the lab, as part of a unit on the changing forms of matter.

A TALE OF 2 MITZVAH TREES Kindergarten’s Tree (above left) is jampacked with Mitzvah notes, layered thick, like a real tree with many leaves. There’s still a little room at the top but it’s really filling up. Nursery (below left) has a new method. Each time a student brings in a Mitzvah note about something wonderful they did, Morah puts it in their bag on the tree and at the end of the year, each students gets to bring home (and display) the collection of Mitzvah notes that they brought into school all year. Each Mitzvah really adds up!

NAVI REVIEW SHEETS Rabbi Laber prepares easy-to-read story-format Navi review sheets for kids to read before tests.

D. Shtarshun of NJ came to Minyan at Shomray Torah on Thursday, he’s in town to take the NYS Bar Exam. Since he’s from Elizabeth NJ, Avram Backman asked if he knew a certain cousin of his (and Rabbi Rubin’s) who lives there, and sure enough - they are neighbors! So they sent that cousin a little letter! Even though he was here for the bar exam, he stayed after davening to learn with Rabbi Rubin and the 8/9 Boys Gemorah class.

Rabbi Rubin taught a commentary about a 3walled “private space” in the laws of Shabbos written by Rabbi Shmuel Shtrashun (same last name!) Moshe K. asked the guest to tell a story, so he shared that when Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky once told the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe (d. 1950) about an experience he won’t forget from Russian prison (or Gulag). He got up one morning: hungry, imprisoned, without Tefillin, and wondered how can he still say “Modeh Ani”? Then he realized “Rabba Emunasecha!” I am thankful that my faith is still strong, and even without anything, I can still (or especially) serve G-d with my faith! The Rebbe told him, for this incredible realization alone the prison may have been worth it, but the Rebbe or Rabbi Abramsky said: Even so, I would never go through that again. R’ Dovid Miller of Montreal (who frequently stops by the Minyan) jumped up in great surprise.. He could not believe it, he was surprised that R’ Abramsky (later a prominent Rabbi in London and then Israel) from a Litvish-(non-Chassidic) style went to see the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe! R’ Dovid Miller himself was with Rabbi Abramsky in the last six months of his life, and Rabbi Abramsky sent with him a kvittel-note to give to Rabbi Hirschprung of Montreal, praying for his recovery. Think of the rich geographic and demographic crossroads that our older boys witnessed on this morning in the course of their studies!

What a wonderful live learning experience!

PRIME VS. COMPOSITE Mrs. Maher’s students learned the difference between composite numbers (which can be divided evenly by numbers other than itself like “6” which can be divided in 2 or in 3) and prime numbers like “7” or “9” (which can’t be divided evenly in whole numbers - unless you go into fractions). Interestingly, prime numbers are used as the key to certain internet security encryptions for credit card numbers.

5 THINGS WE LEARNED ABOUT

3-D PRINTING at RPI’s HAAS LAB

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2 3 4 5

3D printing technology has actually been around for quite a while. Chuck Hull first invented it in 1984, but after the patents expired and additional companies entered the field, recent advances improved the technology and lowered the cost. It will become increasingly cheaper and more available over time. It was mentioned by President Obama in his State of the Union address. Like every tool or technology, it has its pros and cons, its blessings and curses.

Everything has to be in the computer design.

It needs precise calculation and specific design, because the slightest error may cause the product to be faulty. And it could be a big waste of money and time, too. And most take quite some time to print, it’s not (yet) anywhere as fast as ink. They are quite slow.

Many 3-D printers use plastic, but there are those that can do it using metals, chocolate, plaster, and now even concrete. The “ink” is liquid but hardens as it is formed.

It’s ideal for replacing small parts, for custom projects not meant for mass production, and for prototyping (creating models for new ideas and designs) which is the main use at RPI. Doctors can print models off MRI scans, and dentists use it to make custom crowns for teeth.

The printer “builds” the product up using layers, even thousands of layers, because each layer may be as thin as a strand of hair.

There are different methods as well that engrave into a material, or create a detailed shape impression onto an object.

at Maimonides and in the Community 1/24: NO SCHOOL THIS FRIDAY

emotional warmth is due in the last Enjoy the extended weekend. School resumes 10am week of January and the presentation date will be Wed Jan on Monday.

30th. This gives our students 5 weeks (including vacation days) to 1/24-25: HAVE A WARM SHABBOS work on their projects at home.

The high temp on Friday and Sunday will be about The trip/activity date will be in 14F degrees, but on Shabbos Day the high will be early/mid-February. Please don’t around 25F which is much better considering the leave your project until last minute! near zero temps this week. You might be needed for Minyan, especially for evenings, go if you can!

1/31: ROSH CHODESH

1/25: RABBI REISMAN’S CLASS is screened live 7:30pm at CBAJ on Sat Night.

Rabbi Frand’s class is Thursday nights at 9pm.

1/26: MAZAL TOV SHOLOM K.

2 days of Rosh Chodesh Adar I. Friday’s 8am Minyan will be at the school. Rosh Chodesh continues into Shabbos.

1/31: CBAJ SEPHARDIC

Sholom will put on Tefillin for the first time this Sunday as preparation for his Bar-Mitzvah. Kiddush SHABBAT DINNER Sephardic themed Friday Night -breakfast after 8am Shachris at Shomray Torah. dinner & Shabbat morning prayers. Call 489-5819 or visit 1/26: DAF YOMI CHANGE & Y.U. cbaj.org for cost, RSVP and SPEAKER AT CBAJ ON WOMEN additional info.

This Sunday, Daf Yomi will be 7:15am at CBAJ instead of 9am at Shomray Torah to accommodate 2/2: DAF YOMI “YOMA” the visiting Rabbi Jeremy Wieder, a Rosh Yeshiva SIYUM & YOM-KIPPUR WAR FILM at Yeshiva University who will speak on “The role Date/Time TBA, but look forward to a special of Women in Modern Orthodoxy” 9am at CBAJ. Talmud Siyum on tractate Yoma (about YomLight breakfast served.

Kippur), reflecting on 40 years since the YomKippur War and the recent passing of General 1/26: JFED’S SUPER-SUNDAY (later PM) Ariel Sharon, around the time of his This annual phone-a-thon raises funds for Shloshim. Program to hopefully feature a new film Federation’s allocations to local organizations & being produced at Maimonides with Michael Caras beneficiaries (including Maimonides) as well as and Rabbi Rubin, interviewing IDF veterans about overseas Jewish needs. MAIMONIDES PARENTS: their personal experiences in Israel’s Yom-Kippur are asked to please volunteer for one-shift as this War - 40 years since. Stay tuned! supports our school! (for those who are away that Sunday, we ask that to please sign up for a follow2/9: CONCERT AT WOMENS SPA up calling night). Thank you!!

9th annual Spa for the Body and Soul! Look for an uplifting concert this year, with a dynamic young 1/27: 10AM START ON MONDAY new Jewish singing sensation, in addition to the Parents, please note: School begins 10am this annual luncheon and healthy and rejuvenating Monday. Please have children daven earlier. workshops - for women by women. This year the event will held at Shabbos House. (Please park at 1/29: “JOGA” WOMENS WEEKLY the nearby UAlbany Dutch Student/Gold Lot).

TORAH & MIND-BODY FITNESS $20pp (prepaid by Feb 5th), $25 at door, $36 Continuing… 1:30-2:30pm at the Maimonides sponsor and $54 patron. Advance pay online at School, special program for women with certified www.capitalchabad.com/spa or mail check to instructor Amanda Toll and an engaging Ladies First, 109 Elsmere Ave, Delmar NY 12054. introductory Torah thought, too! Gentle practice, For info call: Leah 495-0779 or Clara: 364-8280. personalized with hands-on assists, Six week session fee is $36pp. Call Leah 495-0779 for more info.

2/15: PIZZA-NITE w/SMALL TOUCHES

1/30: APPS PRESENTATION DAY The current APPS “What Warms You?” (thanks to Rivka L. for the idea) about physical, spiritual or

3/1: R’ MOSHE RUBIN 18 YARTZEIT A special Sat Night Melava Malka will be held at the school to remember Reb Moshe Rubin, his songs and stories, his warmth and special flavor, on the evening of his 18th yartzeit.

3/7: JFED ENRICHMENT GRANTS The Jewish Federation’s enrichment grants for summer sleepaway camps, Israel programs etc are due on Friday March 7th. See school office for application forms or contact the Federation.

STAY WARM! and Kids, remember to work on your APPS projects, due this coming week!!!

Why the “small touches” this time? It’s PurimKatan (the small Purim in Adar I). Stay tuned for details. 7:30pm at Maimonides’ Nathan’s Kitchen.

GET “MC” BY EMAIL Sign up to: maimonidesschool@gmail.com

See it in full-color every week & keep it touch!

HOW’S YOUR PUSHKA? If your Maimonides Pushka is filling up, please call the school office 453-9363 or email: maimonidesschool@gmail.com to drop it off or arrange a pickup. If you don’t have a Maimonides Pushka, please give us a call, we’d be happy to get you one for your home or office for daily Tzedakah giving.

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!”