Maimonides Community

BH. Iyar

5, 5775 / April 24, 2015

Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 7:29 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org Shabbos Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 8:34 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY

maimonidesschool@gmail.com

TOUR OF ISRAEL’S CITIES

This MC Newsletter is sponsored by a Chassidic traveler to Tosh, above Montreal in appreciation of a Torah and Minyan Oasis along the way!

Each class was assigned a different Israeli city, from Jerusalem to Tel-Aviv, Eliat to Tzfat.

They researched info and photos, history and attractions for each one and prepared a display board to share with other classes, as a grand tour of Israel’s cities. They will be on display today (Friday), if the photos don’t make it in time for this week’s newsletter, we will feature them (and our Felafel Lunch) next week!

To sponsor this MC Newsletter in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a loved one, please call the school office 453-9363/maimonidesschool@gmail.com

DINNER INVITE READY Maimonides has awarded the Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award at the tribute dinner every year since 1989. This year’s honorees are Dr. William and Adrienne Rockwood, and our “Better Together” program & partners will be recognized as well. The dinner invites are back from the printer, thanks to a few HS boys and Shabbos House students they are all packed up and ready to be mailed.

MORAH DEVORAH’S BOARD

SPRING RAIN THIS WEEK

This classroom board isn’t of a specific city, but it has all types of sights in Israel, from the Jerusalem Shuk to the seashore in Tel-Aviv.

These Nursery students are working on a page about “Spring Rain” and indeed, it did rain a lot this first real week of Spring weather (despite a surprise snow squall on Thursday).

CHOLENT COOKOFF WINNERS Our HS boys were at Shabbos House last week where 6 cholents competed in a tasting at Shabbos Lunch. Guess who won? Our boys’ “Chinese Cholent”, made primarily by Sholom K. Instead of potatoes it had Daikon radish, and it was seasoned with ginger, hot sriracha sauce & rice vinegar, filled with two types of meat, sushi rice and scallions. Our boys voting as a block may have helped their cause, but they got lots of other votes, too! You can see descriptions of the rest of the Cholents on shabboshouse.org.

SIX13 IN CONCERT AT THE EGG Quite a few of our students and families were at Federation’s well-attended Yom Ha’atzmaut concert by the talented Six13 acappella group at the Egg Theater at the Empire State Plaza.

Maimonides was very well represented!

REGENTS PREP WITH DR. JOE HS Boys gathered ‘round Dr. Joe as he points out sample Earth Science Regents questions (viewed on screen) and they discuss possible answers and how or why they arrived at those answers, along with some tips and techniques for multiple choice testing. And where did this question come from, where did we learn it?

MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208

INTERGENERATIONAL TORAH READING!

Photo by Eli K.

See the back page of this MC Newsletter for photos of our HS Boys and the seniors at Parkview Apts…

ROCK BINGO WITH MRS. MAHER Mrs. Maher’s 5/6 graders are learning about earth's layers (crust, mantle and core), types of rock and the rock cycle. There are 3 types of rock: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. To prepare for the test they played a bingo game. The cards had the squares with one word or phrase answers and Mrs. Maher read out questions and if you had the answer on your card, then you would cover that space.

HEINTZ BLESSES DUTCH KING

Rabbi Aryeh Leib Heintz and his family lived in Albany for some years in the 1980’s and are warmly remembered from their time here.

They now live in Holland (he is Rabbi in DEAR MR. HENSHAW Utrecht) where his wife is from, and this week, This book by Beverly Cleary is for Dutch King Willem-Alexander’s birthday quite unusual (so it takes some (yes, the Netherlands still has a monarchy) he getting used to) because it only is arranging a Minyan to say the blessing for a has letters and no regular king! Speaking of Dutch royalty and Albany chapters, and we only see one connections: Dr. Herman Prins Salomon, side of the conversation (Leigh Professor Emeritus at UAlbany, a multi-lingual Bots) and have to infer the language, literature and history expert with other (Mr. Henshaw). It all starts with a 6th special affinity for his Dutch birthplace, was grade assignment for each student to write to knighted by Dutch Queen Beatrix in an author, and Leigh Bots’ assignment grows “recognition of world class scholarship on into this whole book of correspondence Portuguese Jewry and his establishment of the despite Leigh’s initial reluctance. Mrs. Maher’s Dutch program at UAlbany”.

5/6 graders are reading it now.

YES, WE COUNT! Morah Devorah Leah assigned students largesized numbers to decorate, which they held up for a photo. Each successive day of the Omer, Morah DL adds another photo to the bulletin board Omer Count. A bunch of 7th graders joined together to hold up a huge number 14.

This Friday is 20th of the Omer (yes, many of our students are still counting with a blessing every night!) so the highest number on the chart is 20 held up by Yitzchak!

“JIM THORPE’S BRIGHT PATH”

Mr. D’s 3/4 are reading this story about a Native American athlete (1888-1953) who was Several classes (3rd one of the greatest athletes of all time. His thru 7th) are learning mother gave him another name: Wa-tho-huck, (and enjoying!) the which means Bright Path. His path wasn’t Yahadut curriculum always easy, his story is about determination & based on Rambam’s perseverance despite setbacks and challenges. macro and micro NURSERY PAIRS UP FOR GRAMS His twin brother Charlie died at age 9, and picture of all the Morah Rivka paired up Nursery students, each their mother died soon afterwards. Jim went Mitzvot. This week away to many schools, where he struggled said something complimentary about the was the first of the academically. He later excelled and became other, pasted on cut-out sets of hands (which series of tests, and forms the shape of a heart between the joined internationally recognized in many sports. these two 5th and hands!) The Omer in general, and especially 6th grade girls were LAG B’OMER “JEWNITY” Lag B’Omer is a time for increased Ahavat found by a TNT photographer cozying Yisrael, and Nursery is already in the spirit!

ART CARD CONTEST up in the library Take a large index card (measuring 8 inches wide studying for the test. and 5 inches high) and design/draw/etc any

STUDYING FOR YAHADUT TEST

“HIS ART IS STRAIGHT FROM HIS OWN MIND, LIKE A DREAM!” Eli G. was researching Baruch Nachshon’s unique mystical art for the 3/4 class poster on Chevron for our Israel Cities Tour. When seeing it, he exclaimed the headline above (^).

It’s really nice when kids can appreciate abstract art like this!

SPRING IN (WOODEN) BLOOM Someone brought these wood shapes to the Nursery, so Morah Rivka and her students turned it into “Spring Bloom” projects! They also used buttons for flowers (below).

message or illustration about Jewish Unity.

Submit these to your school (in this case Maimonides Office, or any local school can join) and each school will bring these to the JCC, where they will be displayed as a big wall of cards at the Lag B’Omer event co-sponsored by area Chabad Centers and the JCC, and judged for prizes! It’s not too early to start thinking about it and working on it!

They are due May 4th.

ISRAELI FOODS & SNACKS

1

SNACKS: This is what kids think of first!

Bissli (esp the BBQ Twist) was a big one.

Bamba is very Israeli but not as popular with our kids. Morah Dini brought back Krembos (biscuit-based chocolate covered marshmallow crème) for her class. Wafers are a very common Israeli snack. There are so many kinds of yummy Israeli chocolates.

Some kids like to eat those tangy sharp Israeli pickles that come in a can. Olives, too! And Kosher Doritos and Tic Tacs are among products that you can’t get here.

Some popular snacks that our kids are not fans of include Halva and sunflower seeds.

2

MEAL FOODS: Pita & Felafel is probably best known, but there’s also Shwarma that can go in Pita or a Laffa. Chumus and Babaganoush (they eat lots of Eggplant dishes there) are beloved Israeli spreads (as is Choco-spread) but Humus is becoming popular even in America. Israelis don’t eat a lot of meat, beef is very expensive there, but they eat turkey and chicken. Shnitzel is very popular. And bourekas! Some stuffed with mashed potatoes, others with cheese.

Shakshuka is a egg dish with tomatoes and spices. Israelis have a very fresh soft cheese (a cross between textures of cream cheese & sour cream but with much less fat).

3

DRINKS: Pri-Gat is a sweetened juice drink also sold here in Price Chopper, it comes in many flavors from grapefruit to strawberry banana. Petel is sort of like KoolAid, with more of a Jello flavor. Carmel is the oldest Israeli winery, but many new vineyards and wineries have opened and there are all kinds of Israeli wines on the market. Moroccan Israelis (adults) like a black-licorice flavored alcohol called Arak.

4

EATERIES: Israel has supermarkets just like we do, but some cities also have a Shuk, kind of like a Farmers Market, with stalls and booths with all kinds of foods selling the freshest fruits and vegetables, and even pastries and nuts and more! Also, Israel has Kosher versions of McDonalds, Sbarros and Burger King. Wherever you go there are small shops selling Felafel, Shwarma or ice-cream.

5

KOSHER ISSUES: So much more is Kosher in Israel! But there are also extra Kosher concerns and agricultural Mitzvot that are only observed in Israel, including: Shmitta produce (this year is a Shmitta year) and setting aside Trumot & Maaserot.

In America, you are safest Kosher-wise with fruits and veggies, but in Israel there are important Kosher certifications outside fruit markets! In addition to government’s Rabbanut supervision, there are also other Kosher certifying agencies & the differences are based on a number of factors including different Kosher standards.

HS GIRL’S BEER SHEVA POSTER The big palm tree was made of a collage of textured paper, topped with multi-colored green slivers. The paper airplane symbolizes the large air-force base nearby, verses recall Avraham & Sarah’s welcoming tent there.

SECOND GRADE ISRAEL MAP They painted the geographic landscape and then pasted on tags and photos identifying key cities and neighboring countries of Israel.

TIBERIAS IS SERIOUS! HS Boys were assigned to do a poster on the city of Tiberias, which was perfect because they just learned about Tiberias (Tverya in Hebrew) in their Talmud studies with Rabbi Rubin.

They each researched a different aspect of the city and assembled this poster collage which they titled: “Tiberias is Serious!” In the spirit of Earth Day, and recognizing that Israel is a country that is “3000 years old and 67 years young” each class recycled old poster boards, some layers of past school projects may be visible, as the layers of Jerusalem’s Cardo reveal layers of the city’s history…

Q: We throw away the outside and cook the inside, then we eat the outside and throw away the inside. Can you guess it?

A: It’s corn on the cob, because you throw away the husk, then cook it but eat only the kernels, and throw away the cob.

I used to be banker, but I lost interest.

Why are people so excited about Israeli food? A lot of it is OSEM! (awesome…)

Imagine someone earns a living by driving his customers away! It’s a taxi driver…

What kind of songs do planets sing?

NepTUNES!

BIG TUB OF ISRAELI SALAD 7th graders chopped up lots of veggies for a big Israeli salad for all classes to enjoy with Pita and Felafel.

MORE PHOTOS NEXT WEEK...

Our Israel celebration, “Tour of the Cities” and felafel lunch is today (Friday) as this MC goes to print. More photos next week!

SCHOOL PICTURE DAY! Save the date: Wednesday, May 6th, day before Lag B’Omer! See more info on back page’s Upcoming Events.

NEW MANAGEMENT AT CAMP GAN ISRAEL Thanks to Morah Rivka Kochman for ably leading the camp for several years after Morah Clara, and now this year, Morah Devorah Leah Mathless will be the Camp Gan Israel director, with help from Morah Dini. Efforts are underway to bring talented, capable & dedicated staff and add some new exciting programming. Contact Devorah Leah with questions, stay tuned for info.

at Maimonides and in the Community 4/25: DOUBLE-HEADER PARSHA

5/6: MHDS

We read both Tazria and Metzorah this week. Our PICTURES HS boys will be reading Torah this week up north R’ Michoel in Saratoga and east in Pittsfield MA. Caras will once again be taking 4/25: WOMENS SHABBOS SHIUR professional individual and class photos at school, Annual longstanding tradition every year on on Wednesday, the day before Lag B’Omer.

Shabbos afternoons after Pesach. 4:45pm hosted Parents are under no obligation to purchase, but in different homes with classes by women. It’s now packages (photos available for preview online) are in its second week of the season. This week the very reasonable and digital options are available.

Shiur will be given by Dini Gordon at her home: Please dress children accordingly. Order forms 29 Glenwood Street, 1st floor. To give the shiur or (due May 18th) will soon be sent home. host, contact Chaya Tal.

4/25: T.C.N. SATELLITE TORAH The Luchins Media Center at CBAJ hosts weekly long-distance Torah lectures. Rabbi Reisman 9:30 on Sat Nights, Rabbi Frand is 9pm on Thursdays.

4/26: SUNDAY FIBER FARM TOUR Interested in taking the family on a nice little animal-filled road-trip this Sunday? Look up www.WashingtonCountyFiberTour.org to see list of 16 participating alpaca, sheep, rabbit farmers in Washington County (northeast of Saratoga) offering tours of their farms and animals, raising awareness about their fiber (wool etc) products.

4/26: JCC SENIORS HEALTH FAIR JCC’s annual Health Services Fair for Adults and Seniors, 10:30am-2:30pm. Health screenings, massages, haircuts, info booths and vendors.

4/27: “ABOVE AND BEYOND” Clifton Park Chabad and the Clifton Park Library present “Above & Beyond” a film about JewishAmerican pilots who smuggled planes, trained abroad & served in Israel’s War of Independence.

Discussion follows with Professor Steven Berk.

6:30pm at Clifton Park Library, Moe Road.

5/3: SCHEN GREENMARKET The Schenectady Greenmarket is year ‘round, during the cold months it is indoors at Proctors, and moves outdoors again in the Spring. This is the first Sunday outdoors around Schenectady City Hall. 10am-2pm.

5/7: JNF BREAKFAST FOR ISRAEL

INTERGENERATIONAL TORAH READING AT PARKVIEW APTS

As part of the school’s “Better Together” program and a special highlight of the year, our 5/7: LAG B’OMER DAY PARADE HS Boys made a Now that Lag B’Omer is back on a school day makeshift (Thursday) after years of Sundays, Maimonides synagogue at once again plans a parade on Lag B’Omer Parkview Apts morning with students marching. Families and (formerly Bnai Brith Apts) and helped seniors put friends are very welcome! Stay tuned for parade on Tallis and attractions and this year’s banners theme!

Tefillin, and get 5/7: LAG B’OMER JEWNITY AT JCC called to the Capital Chabad Centers, the Jewish Federation Torah. Rabbi and the Sidney Albert JCC are hosting an exciting Mathless made Lag B’Omer JEWNITY event 4:30-7pm at the all of the JCC in Albany. The main feature will be a BMX arrangements bike stunt presentation, along with a traditional (special thanks Lag B’Omer fire, and Mitzvah Booths. JEWNITY to Natasha of Art Cards will be on display. Free admission.

Parkview) and Kosher food (Vaad supervised) will be for sale and Rabbi Laber led there will be a small cost for some of the bounces the short and activity booths. Info? Call Rabbi Zalman Simon 866-7658 or Linda Finke at 438-6651. services in Russian translation. Rabbi Yossi prepared the Torah blessings in Russian 5/10: CBAJ’S UN-DINNER transliteration, the men annunciated each syllable Instead of a dinner, CBAJ’s big fundraiser is an emphatically. It was obvious that it meant a lot to opportunity to honor women in the community them. Some via a Scroll of Honor and delivery of deluxe flower even said the bouquet to honoree of choice or to a resident at “Heys” as Daughters of Sarah, as a well as a Journal.

“Gimmels” Contribute online at www.CBAJ.org/undinner. which is a pronunciation 6/1: MAIMONIDES DINNER variation in This year’s Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award certain areas of recipients will be Dr. William “Bill” and Adrianne Russia, and Rockwood, and the school’s involvement and our partners in the that’s how Cohen became Kagan. See page 3 for “Better Together” a funny story about translating Lox into teen-seniors Russian. After the Torah reading, and some program will also lively Russian Jewish songs, everyone sat down be recognized and to enjoy a delicious bagel and lox breakfast. highlighted. Invite

A free event with guest speaker Gil Tamary. Gil is a veteran Israeli reporter, now stationed in DC, & will reflect on interviews over the years with Israeli in the mail. Call politicians and personalities. The breakfast served office for info, by the Marriot is not Kosher certified. 7:30-9am. invite or journal Info? JNF.org/CDbreakfast or 800.JNF.0099 x811 info. Thanks!

(<) Eli K. captured this very special & telling picture on left of “Berl” kissing his Tzitzis after finding the place in the Torah.

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!”