Maimonides Community

BH. Shvat

12, 5776 / Jan 22, 2016

Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org 4:37 Shabbos Ends:

produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY

maimonidesschool@gmail.com

5:41

This newsletter is dedicated by an appreciative guest an educator from New York City who spent Shabbos in our community and was impressed by our beautiful school and our fine students THE DIAPER DILEMMA UPDATE

AHEAD OF THE CURVE, LIVING W/ THE TIMES A visitor to the Nursery classroom noticed their “Splitting of the Sea” and asked if they were already preparing for Passover. We try to be ahead of the curve, but we’re not that far ahead! But we are very much “living with the times” because the splitting of the sea is in this week’s Torah portion of Beshalach. Morah Rivka turned a table upside down and the kids painted a big sheet of blue wavy water for the floor, put a wooden board as the dry land (and a balancing activity) and blue tablecloths rounded out the scene!

Note their clanging tambourines: colored paper plates filled with beans sewn together (another fine motor skills activity) with yarn and adorned with little bells.

CONDOLENCES TO AUERBACHS MAZAL TOV LEVINS Our condolences to Dr. Alan, MHDS alumnus Adam, & the Auerbach family on the passing of wife, mother and grandmother Mrs. Eydie Auerbach. Quite a few of our alumni and students knew her. Condolences to the Simons as well, for whom she was like family.

MAZAL TOV HELLMANS and to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Bomzer, on the birth of a baby boy to MHDS alumna Faygie (Bomzer) and Jay Hellman of Milwaukee WI.

MAZAL TOV SILTONS on the birth of a grandson to Shira (Silton) and David Wildman, to grandparents R’ Palti and Faye in Albany. Much continued Nachas!

on Shira’s “Shabbos Shira” Bat-Mitzvah! See page 4 for the communal celebrations this weekend. Her classmates are very excited for their Sunday getaway trip to VT!

MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208

Oops! Last week’s reporting on 4/5 grade’s “Diabolical Diaper Dilemma” was only their hypothesis based on their first observations.

Huggies brand being most absorbent was only their guess, not (yet) a result. This week they tallied the results of their experimentation, worked out the averages and are creating a report of their experiment. Results will be posted on the door of their classroom soon.

Plus, they wanted to make it clear that there are many other factors to consider with diapers including comfort, fit and of course, cost!

CARS IN DEVELOPMENT Science Enrichment (on Fridays) students are cutting out designs and parts for the cars they will be building to race on balloon power. Stay tuned as this project develops.

THANKS FOR THE TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCH

KESEF KATAN FOR KINDERGARTENERS LEARNING KAF ON KADUR

Morah Mushky’s Kindergarteners are learning the letter “Kaf” this week. They are pictured here Teachers (not all pictured) really appreciated holding nickels (Kesef Katan, small money, silver-colored like Kesef=silver) after they played a game the teacher appreciation lunch prepared by throwing a Kadur=ball, naming and translating the object on the ball where their thumbs were. parents led by Mrs. Rachel Horan this past They also learned many Kaf words, including: Kaf=spoon, Kovah=hat, Kachol=blue, Kar=pillow, Monday. In addition to a very nice and Kisei=chair, Kis=pocket, Kochav=star, Kachah=like this! delicious spread, there was also a game PROFESSIONAL played: Each teacher picked a random object from a bag, and then each teacher shared how DEVELOPMENT that object represents something about their Along with school representatives from across teaching experience. In addition to purchasing NY State (including from Agudah, UJA’s BJE and preparing for the luncheon, parents also etc) Rabbi Rubin participated on behalf of volunteered to supervise recess-time on a very Maimonides and Jewish schools to the NYS cold day so this lunch could happen. Thanks!

Education Dept. in Albany for a meeting with Mary Cahill (NYSED director of curriculum) and Ira Schwartz (Assistant Commissioner at NYSED) regarding state-provided or supported professional development for non-public NURSERY TREE PAINTERS schools. Hopefully teachers in schools like Most trees are planted, but this wooden class- ours will benefit from these opportunities. room tree was painted for Tu Bishvat!

DAILY VOTE THRU MARCH We need a new playground, let’s try this sweepstakes. It’s one click a day for our school (12208) let’s give it a shot: http://www.togethercounts.com/ healthy-playground-makeover It’s one click a TU BISHVAT FRUITY MAGNETS day!

And a good pledge we can all agree with!

Morah Dini’s 3rd graders made their own fruit magnets out of clay and color and glaze, to THE TUTZING BURIAL PLOT bring home for Tu Bishvat early next week.

Morah Devorah Leah shared this story with our students, here it is in short: Tutzing is a German D.E.A.R. AND S.Q.U.I.R.T. town not far from Dachau, along the “Trail of Mrs. Maher no longer reads books to 3rd Tears” that survivors of Dachau were forced to graders during snack time, now they read to march in 1945, many died along the way. The themselves! DEAR = Drop Everything And Read. SQUIRT = Super Quiet Uninterrupted Weiss family tells that just after WWII despite Reading Time. They are also starting on their their own personal tragedy and extreme physical weakness, the Klausenberger Rebbe second round of book reports. (who lost his family in concentration camps) enlisted the Weiss brothers and others to bury BROSH BOOKS Jews on the roadside who died along that trail Morah Rivi’s 6/7 of tears, in an allocated space alongside the grade students made non-Jewish local cemetery. One Weiss brother colorful books based was Eugene (Geno) Weiss who lived locally on Hebrew poetry and owned Latham Circle Mall (which hosted about the Brosh Jewish Federation’s offices for many years). evergreen common There’s also a very interesting epilogue to this in Israel; tall, dense story, when the Lubavitcher Rebbe asked and compact, from Abraham Glick of London to fence off those the cypress family. graves in Tutzing as a distinctive Jewish area.

THE BLOOD TEST 6th graders are now studying the plagues with Morah Leyee in Chumash class. One day, she brought in what they thought was red KoolAid for the first plague of blood, but it sure didn’t taste like Kool-Aid when they took a sip: it was beet-juice mixed with iced-tea!

READING AN M.L.K. QUOTE After hearing a recording of MLK’s most famous speech, Mrs. Ramsay gave each of her 8th grade Social Studies students a one-line quote from that speech, and asked them to write their understanding of it and how it ties in to the speech’s overall theme.

HINDU IN HALACHA Just before Mrs. Ramsay began the unit on Hindus and Hinduism in 6/7 grade Social Studies, Rabbi Rubin came in and learned with their class several interesting pieces of Talmud that mention Hindus and also gave them perspective on how to approach the awareness of other cultures and religions.

GREAT LEARNING OVER PIZZA

J-FED CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS

Parents and children both enjoyed the special pre-Tu-Bishvat learning (extra nosh and prizes) at last Saturday night’s Pizza Night, sponsored in memory of Elana Chaya bas R’ Shlomo.

The Jewish Federation offers scholarships to area children & college students for overnight Jewish camps, Jewish travel experiences, summer and yearlong Israel programs. Due to limited funding, its based on financial need: questionnaire form, parents recent federal tax return, and possible telephone follow-up. Application Deadline is March 4 for programs of summer 2016.

Questions? call Rebecca Miller at Federation: 783-7800 x225, rmiller@jewishfedny.org.

Forms are available at the school office or online at www.jewishfedny.org. For local day camps, the Federation funds eligible day camps directly (to a certain degree). Parents should apply directly to these camps for campership.

ESSAY CONTEST COMING SOON Rabbi Yossi is getting the details of this year’s “Better Together” “Better2Write” essay contest, stay tuned for more info. It’s not too early to think of an idea, angle or story to base your article on.

BETTER TOGETHER FRUIT MIX A fruit mix may be a great example of the idea of “Better-Together”, a mixing of textures and flavors - and ages! These girls are creating a delicious and healthy mix (lots of fiber, too) for the seniors at Bnai Brith for Tu Bishvat.

DBQ WWI ECONOMIC CHANGE 8th graders learned about the changes in the economy that were a result of WWI: a larger percentage of women and African-Americans in the workforce because they were relied on THE BIRDS AND THE TREES during the war when many factory workers “HaShkaydiah Porachat” is a classic Tu Bishvat were fighting overseas. They are doing a DBQ song, because the almond tree is quick to (document based questions) report on this. blossom. Morah Devorah’s 1st graders made these blossoming trees. And the birds? Can BOOK THIEF TO MOCKINGBIRD you see the Cheerios necklaces? Those are to Now that they’ve read and done projects on thank the birds for singing and tweeting along “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak and seen and cheering us on as we crossed the split sea! the film, 8th grade ELA with Mrs. Rachael Crawford are now beginning to read “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.

KAHN ACADEMY FOR MATH

TRUNKS AND LEAVES Kindergarten learned about the two main colors of a tree, its trunk and its leaves, one constant, the other seasonal, and the important roles of each.

YUD-SHVAT LEARNING & TRIP HS Boys had an amazing NY trip, and several grades learned special things. More next week!

Middle and HS are now doing some of their math work online at Kahn Academy. There are videos explaining the concepts, problems to work on, and you only advance once you master that level. You also earn points for correct answers. Computers add an element of fun, it shows the immediate results of your knowledge or lack of it, and it helps students on different levels all learn at the same time.

TU BISHVAT BOOK Many classes have been learning about Tu Bishvat and its many life lessons this week and doing special projects including this book Ari is holding in 3rd grade.

What does a rich man need, a poor man has, you’ll die if that’s all you eat, and it’s greater than Hashem? Nothing!

Knock Knock! Who's there? Bean. Bean who?

Bean a while since I last saw you!

What’s a plumber’s favorite vegetable? A leek!

What happens to grapes when you step on them? They w(h)ine!

What’s the fruitiest subject of all? History is full of dates!

at Maimonides and in the Community 1/22(23): FEEDING THE BIRDS It’s customary to feed birds (before) this Shabbos in appreciation of their singing & tweeting and cheering at the Sea. Most do it before Shabbos. It is told that the Maharal would feed them Kasha (in an enclosed area) on Shabbos (when usually we’re not allowed to feed wild animals/birds).

ambitious Tefillin attempt 11am Sunday, the 31st.

1/31: J-FED’S SUPER SUNDAY Federations’ annual phone-a-thon fundraiser for local agencies and beneficiaries (including Maimonides) and overseas Jewish needs. MHDS parents requested to volunteer to make calls.

1/22-23: CBAJ SEFARDIC SHABBAT

1/31: SHLUCHOS CONFERENCE

Special Shabbat at CBAJ (dinner by prior RSVP) w/Cantor Raphael Benizri of Baltimore.

Chabad Shluchos Womens Conference climaxes this weekend with a Sunday evening banquet that is viewable live online at: Chabad.org.

PARENTS: NOTE EXTENDED WEEKEND SCHEDULE There’s a half-day (General Studies only) on Thursday January 28th (11:30am dismissal), and no school on Friday January 29th. School resumes at 9:30am on Monday, February 1st.

1/23: SHABBOS SHIRA KIDDUSH

2/4: SIDDUR & S.E. PARTY DAY Levins sponsoring Kiddush this week at Shomray Torah in honor of Shira’s Bas-Mitzvah. Mazal Tov! Two milestone Tefilah parties at school the same day: 8am: Kitah Alef (1st grade) Siddur Party with Morah Devorah 9am: Kitah Gimel (3rd grade) 1/23: RABBI REISMAN SAT @7:30 Rabbi Y. Reisman’s live Navi class from Brooklyn Mesibat Shmona Esray with Morah Devorah Leah is screened 7:30pm at the CBAJ Media Center.

Rabbi Frand’s class is screened Thursdays at 9pm. 2/5-7: NCSY REGIONAL IN ALBANY Regional Shabbaton in Albany for grades 8-12, 1/23: SHIRA’S BAT-MITZVAH M.M. cost $149. Info/Reservations: upstate.ncsy.org Shira’s family is hosting a Melava Malka for her Bat Mitzvah, 7-10pm. Women and girls invited to 2/7: WINTERFEST IN WILTON Maimonides for singing, stories and Divrei Torah. 10am-2pm at Wilton Wildlife Preserve (80 Scout Mens farbrengen downstairs in lunchroom and Rd in Gansevoort), free admission, drop-in event. join women upstairs for speeches. Light foods $5 rental: snowshoes or cross-country skis at Info served. Women's Tefilah Group at the Levin's Booth in Parking Lot #1. (87 North Exit 15, north Shabbat morning, speak to Susannah for info. on Route 50 for 5.3 miles. Left on Scout Rd. Past railroad bridge until crosswalk, right into Parking 1/24: JNF TU BISHVAT @ MARRIOT Lot #1). Bonfire at old Scout Camp’s fire-circle.

JNF hosts Tu Bishvat celebration @Albany Marriot on Wolf Road 9:30-11:30am, no charge. Register: 2/13: PIZZA NIGHT IV stay tuned! jnf.org/tubishvatcelebration or via shefez@jnf.org.

1/24: BACH LIBRARY SUNDAYS Sunday hours (1-5pm) at the Bach are in part to accommodate Sabbath observant library patrons.

1/24: MARROW-A-THON AT JCC 5-7pm at the JCC, looking for bone marrow matchers for Rabbi Shaya Kilimnick of Rochester (or others who may benefit) to save a life!

1/25: TU BISHVAT BREAKFAST The highly anticipated fruity breakfast at school, with presentations and tasty edible learning.

1/28-31: EXTENDED WEEKEND OFF

2/28: NEXT KIDS AFTERSCHOOL 4th grade and up. Boys and girls programs till 4:30

2/28: “BUSY IN BROOKLYN” AT WOMENS SPA FOR BODY & SOUL The 11th year! This year’s speaker and featured presenter is Chana Apfelbaum, a popular and engaging food blogger in NYC. This event at Shabbos House (320 Fuller Rd, parking in UAlbany Dutch Gold lot) is co-sponsored by Capital Chabad, area Jewish Womens groups and the Jewish Federation. $20 ahead, $25 at the door.

For more info or to RSVP call Leah 495-0779 or Clara 439-8280 or email: jwc@capitalchabad.com.

Event includes spa treatments and luncheon.

1/28: Half-day General Studies, 11:30am dismissal 2/28: SHLOCK ROCK CONCERT 1/29: No school on Friday Sponsored by a dozen area orgs, Shlock Rock will 2/1: School resumes 9:30am (after davening) be in concert at the Albany JCC, starting at 4:30pm. Email: ShlockRockinAlbany@gmail.com 1/31: GOT TEFILLIN? Shabbos House needs extra pairs of Tefillin for an

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!”