Maimonides Community

BH. Kislev

8, 5776 / Nov 20, 2015

Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 4:11 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org Shabbos Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 5:13 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY

maimonidesschool@gmail.com

This newsletter is dedicated in memory of Ezra Schwartz of Sharon Mass, whose life was cut short by terrorists, as he volunteered to bring food to soldiers and the 4 other souls whose lives were taken on the same day: 7th of Kislev

THE ANNUAL LENTIL SOUP Each year for Parshat Toldot (when Eisav bought Yaakov’s lentil soup) Morah Devorah’s first graders make a delicious lentil soup for the whole school to enjoy. The students enjoyed it last week, here are some pictures for you to enjoy this week.

KEEP OUR LIGHTS SHINING That’s the theme of this year’s Raffle-Auction event on the very last day and lingering last moments of Chanukah. The booklet with the prize packages and order form is now being mailed to area homes. The light analogies above were designed for the booklet. You can also order tickets online using this link: www.maimonidesschool.org/auction

MAZAL TOV BEN & STEPHANIE

JACOB’S LADDER

It’s a long-standing tradition for schoolMorah Stephanie was a teacher in our children to make Jacob’s Ladders out of Nursery (and is now a Nursery popsicle sticks on the week of Vayeitze, when teacher in Great Neck). She & her we read this story in the Torah. Look for the husband Ben Zaientz had a baby boy puffy clouds and moving angels! last Friday, we got the news just after our “MC” newsletter went to print. The Bris is MAIMONIDES early this Friday morning at Young Israel of New Hyde Park on the border of Queens & 404 Partridge Street Long Island where the Zaientz’s now live and Albany NY 12208 where Rabbi Lawrence Teitelman - originally of Albany - is the Rabbi!

MAZAL TOV DR. & MRS. RUBIN And today was the Bris of Chaya Bracha and Dr. Yehoshua Rubin’s newborn boy. They named him Schneur Zalman. We wish them much Nachas, in good health & happiness!

POLLARD FINALLY TO BE FREE After 30 years in federal prison for passing top-secret classified info to Israel, Jonathan Pollard is soon being freed. He is the only American with a life sentence for spying for an ally.

ALL CONNECTED!

FORENSIC SCIENCE IN CLAY

Mrs. Dubarry makes her own spelling list from Social Studies and ELA texts, even math, so that all their subjects are inter-connected and their various vocabularies are reinforced and supported. Her students enjoy how the spelling list brings everything together.

Last Friday, Mrs. Ballard used tools and clay to teach about forensics in science enrichment class. They took different tools, pressed them into clay to make an impression, and made charts of the different types of tools: length, imprint, specific features etc. Then each student was assigned a piece of wood (that came in a bag marked “Evidence”!) that had an impression on it of some type of tool.

Based on their charts and notes they had to figure out which tool made that impression.

NILE RIVER & DELTA TOLDOT SIYUM NOW VAYEITZE Rabbi Yossi’s 4th grade Chumash class is proud to have completed Parshat Toldot, including the unique chapter to list all of the 5 senses, and are pictured here holding their new Vayeitze Chumash workbooks, they started learning the new Parsha just in time for the week when we read Vayeitze in Shul!

WHAT MAKES THIS “SHORESH” WALL DIFFERENT?

6th graders are learning the important of the Nile River to Egypt in both their Chumash class as well as in their Social Studies class on ancient Egypt.

It also connects with what Mr. Faddegon told them about lawn & plant irrigation (see page 3).

Morah Devorah Leah’s class takes pictures of themselves acting out that “Shoresh” Hebrew root word to illustrate the Shoresh they have posted on their wall. It’s based on words they are coming across in their Chumash studies.

IF NOT 29TH, 30TH IS AUTO The board is filling up, so far they have nine 3rd grade learned in Mishna class that if ISLAND OF THE to be exact. The students are quite proud of it! something doesn’t happen on the 29th, it is BLUE DOLPHINS automatic for the 30th without doing anything 4/5 grade started reading THE 10X10 TIMES TABLES extra. Do you know what that is? this book with Mrs. Dubarry Mrs. Maher’s 3rd and they are enjoying it. The graders are now THE DICTIONARY MACHBERET start of the story involves busy learning the 3rd graders started their own Hebrew “Milon” Native Americans and Times-Tables up to dictionary in a designated notebook. Each Russian hunters on an 10x10. As you can page is another Hebrew letter, with a sentence island in the Pacific, and is see from this chart and illustration for some of the words on that the story of a young girl stranded for years (if you are viewing it page. It’s all their own work, handwritten! alone on that island. This novel by Scott in color) that the 6 O’Dell is based on a true story. thru 9’s are the RELATIVES IN PARIS hardest, and 10 is the easiest. They are One student shared in TNT reporting that his getting the hang of it, practice makes perfect. family has relatives in Paris, and after the recent terror attack there they spoke with them and were relieved to hear that they are safe, and got a first-hand local perspective of what is happening there.

A DAYS WORK

STAR DAVENERS Kindergarten has a new purple board up with bright yellow stars which recognizes the class’ best daveners that morning. Some days they all get their stars up there. As in this picture!

SURROUNDED BY “MAKKIF”

A BIRTHDAY PARTY & A BOOK Kitah Bet (2nd grade) is happily enjoying Simmy’s birthday party in their classroom as well a new book her family donated to the “Esty Library” in honor of her birthday.

This short story in the 3rd grade Reader teaches long life lessons about poverty and hard work, immigrants and language barriers, the struggle to earn a living, knowing the difference between weeds and plants, and getting a second chance.

The students said that this was a story with many lessons.

HS Boys are learning about the term “Makkif” in two of their Judaic subjects: Talmud Bava Basra & Derech Mitzvosecha. The former is about surrounding neighboring property and the rights and obligations of each property owner; the latter is about ideas, revelation or CHANA & YEHUDIT spirituality that transcend us, that are beyond 8th graders learned the stories and inspiration LIBRARY DAY IS ON FRIDAY our grasp and capability. from these two Chanukah heroines.

Remember: Return your “Esty Library” books!

PIZZA NIGHT FAVORITES

MR. POPPERS PENGUINS This is another book the students enjoyed.

One student said it was “hysterical”! It is exciting an rewarding to see our students grow into eager and enthusiastic readers!

LANDSCAPE ART & DESIGN Mrs. Levin asked Mr. Jack Faddegon of the well-known tree and plant nursery in Latham to speak to her art students about landscape design. Like a well-rooted tree, his business is already in its third generation, it was founded by his grandfather. He hopes his grandchildren will keep it going into the future! He explained to us that Landscape Design is just like any art project except it has different tools. While we use paper, paint, pencils, pastels for our art - he and his crew design with tools like stone, wood, fencing, flowers, bushes and trees. The main thing that they create in landscape architecture is space - different kinds of spaces for different uses. Doing landscape design is problem-solving. For each project, he is presented with some kind of problem that needs to be resolved. For instance, a homeowner had a house that was very close to a busy street, and he wanted his front yard to be more private. So they used thick shrubs and trees to create a buffer to the street. He told them that different types of trees and shrubs have different qualities and uses and create a different effect. Mrs. Levin noticed that landscape architecture uses many of the "Elements of Art" that she teaches: texture, shape, form, line & color.

THE PROGRESSIVE ERA 8th graders are learning in Social Studies about the initiatives and reforms of the early 20th century including womens right to vote, protections for factory workers, child labor laws and the fight against corruption. Print media & books played a major role.

THINKING OF ISRAEL Our students made cards with scenes, images and messages from Israel. Four of them are pictured clockwise above: The Tomb of Rachel in Bethlehem, The Kotel with an Israeli flag atop a pole, a Felafel shop in Jerusalem, and a students inspiration and memory comparing Orlando and Jerusalem. We always think of Israel, but especially now when it is under attack. While the world is focused on the terror in Paris, Israel continues to suffer from terrorism. On Thursday this week 5 people were killed in an attack, including a teen-age yeshiva student from Sharon MA named Ezra Yechiel Schwartz who was studying in Israel and volunteering to deliver food to soldiers.

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THE PIZZA: It’s hot, fresh and homestyle.

Even the dough is made from scratch by the HS Girls. Some students prefer it with one or two toppings, others like it better plain.

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SUSHI: Pizza-Nite is called that way, because that’s what most people buy, but some do enjoy the sushi. In fact, a number of our TNT student reporters said that’s what they liked best!

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THE VIDEO: Somehow it feels more like Saturday Night to watch a video (no matter which video it is) while nibbling on some dairy foods.

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DRINKS: Students said they liked the free refills of lemonade or iced-tea the best.

GETTING OUT, TIME W/ FRIENDS: Most middle-schoolers said what they liked best was getting out after Shabbos, seeing people they might not have seen on Shabbos, and spending relaxing time with friends at school without a structure.

ARE YOUR KIDS SIGNED UP? SHEMA BEFORE THE BRIS

Free monthly books, local programming and activities. Now for an expanded age group.

Forms are available in the school office.

Special thanks to the Jewish Federation for administering and funding this literacy project.

There’s a custom for neighborhood children to come over to the house on the night before the Bris to say Shema with the newborn baby (and they get treats). A group of children are pictured here with Chaya Bracha and her baby BETTER AT THE BEVERWYCK just about ready to say the Shema. Leah Caras Our HS Girls went to the Beverwyck for a came over with her newborn baby as well!

Better Toegether program, where they made chocolate coins using molds and melted chocolate for Chanukah. There was talk about health benefits of dark chocolate, and the Four Corners Menorah lighting in Delmar.

RECYCLING’S BACK END Mrs. Roland’s 8th grade science class watched a film about the inside of a recycling plant, how various types of materials are sorted using magnets and scales. In order to allow for single -stream recycling (making it easier on the userend) much work goes into sorting materials properly to allow for efficient, useful recycling.

It’s quite amazing how many everyday products are made of recycled materials.

What kind of bagel do you think could fly? A plain (plane) bagel.

I think I’d like to have a job cleaning mirrors.

It’s a job I could see myself doing.

How do you know when the moon has had enough to eat? When its full!

at Maimonides and in the Community 11/21: FIRST PIZZA NIGHT first Pizza Night of this year’s winter season! Pizza ($9) sushi ($7) fries ($2)… Eat-In or Take-Out. Proceeds go to High School year-end trip & extracurricular activities. Opens at 7:30pm.

12/4: FREE FRIDAY SKATING E.S.P.

11/21: ALSO AT PIZZA NIGHT...

12/4: “SHABBAT 360” UALBANY

Tes & Yud (9th & 10th of) Kislev may be lesser known Chassidic holidays, but always reason to farbreng! Some would like to get-together at the pizza night for stories, melodies and inspiration.

11/21: RABBI REISMAN @7:30 Now that Saturday Nights are earlier, Rabbi Y. Reisman’s Navi class from Brooklyn will be screened 7:30pm at the CBAJ Media Center.

11/22: HOME DEPOT MENORAHS

Free skating all week long, skate rentals $4 adults, $3 kids, but skate rentals are free on Fridays - at the Empire State Plaza ice-skating rink.

As a new aspect of our “Better Together” program, our students A joint effort is being made to have a mega Shabbat will be visiting seniors who live dinner in the UAlbany Campus Center Ballroom not far from Maimonides during on this Shabbat. Area college students are welcome their lunch break. If you’d enjoy to join! www.facebook.com/Shabbat360 such a visit, including some of their delicious baked treats, 12/11-12: CBAJ ACAPELLA SHABBAT please contact Rabbi Yossi: 495-0772 or email: Limited seating for Friday Night dinner & concert, maimonidesschool@gmail.com RSVP at cbaj.org. Singing will continue on Shabbat day as well during prayers, lunch & learn and the Seudah Shlishit.

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Contact: maimonidesschool@gmail.com

1-3pm at Halfmoon Crossing, Clifton Park Chabad will be partnering with the Home Depot to offer a Pre-Chanukah Menorah Workshop Participants will receive a free workers apron, a new wooden Menorah craft design! as well as other Chanukah crafts and refreshments (hot latkes & doughnuts).

TORAH365

11/22: KLEZMATICS AT THE EGG 2-4pm, hosted by Ohav Shalom. $18 for students, $40 for adults. This highly acclaimed Klezmer musical group has men and women singers and musicians performing. Tickets: www.theEgg.org

11/25-29: THANKSGIVING @MHDS 11/25: Wednesday half-day Hebrew only.

11/26-27: Thurs & Friday, no school.

11/30: Classes resume 8am on Monday

11/26: TROY TURKEY TROT Several runs and a walk, early Thanksgiving morning. See www.TroyTurkeyTroy.com for info.

11/26: THANKSGIVING FEAST

WOULD YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW APPRECIATE A VISIT AND A TREAT FROM OUR STUDENTS?

12/14: MHDS RAFFLE-AUCTION and Chanukah Dinner, at the very last moments of the 8th day of Chanukah, Monday 5-7pm. Save the date! There are some exciting new prizes this year!

Booklets and order forms are being mailed this week. Online link at: www.maimonidesschool.org/ auction to be ready after this weekend.

12/20: JERUSALEM OF LEGO Using 60,000 Lego blocks, Steven Schwartz AIA will lead area students in grades 3-6 in building a Jerusalem recreation. Our students are invited to attend as well. Program begins at Beth Emeth on Academy Road, promptly at 9:45am.

All full-course Thanksgiving feast with trimmings served at Saratoga Chabad at 4pm on Thanksgiving Day. Call 526-0773 for RSVP and for cost information. Being that it is also the 14th of Kislev, 12/28-31: HALF-DAYS AT MHDS On the half days at school during the last week of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s wedding December, plans are in the works for an especially anniversary, there will be added farbrengen spirit. exciting and meaningful time. A one-day Camp Gan Israel Winter Camp is being planned, stay 11/30: PIDYON HABEN AND THE tuned! Our annual Breishis carnival will be on one YUD-TES KISLEV FARBRENGEN of those half-days that week as well. Maybe an adult “Padah B’Shalom” and a Pidyon HaBen! The learning day on the week prior, too!

Pidyon HaBen for Simmy & Chaya’s baby Mendel will be, G-d willing, 4pm at Maimonides, followed 2/28: SPA FOR BODY & SOUL

by Mincha and Maariv, and then the Seudah along The 11th year! Stay tuned for info. Save the date! with the communal Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen.

This coming week, “Torah365” is now in Chapter 2 of Pirkei Avot. See cbaj.org/ Torah365 for study questions on each Mishna, sample commentary, events and info.

This student artwork on the last Mishna of Chapter 1 was done by our 2nd graders.

The position of the 3 pillars reflects Rabbi Rubin’s insight viewing it as a tripod.

Here are questions & tips from Rabbi Rubin’s Pirkei Avot commentary: “Hillel says…” (2:5) Why do Hillel’s teachings reappear here in Chapter Two? They seem to be chronologically out of order. Why are these teachings listed separately from his teachings in Chapter One? “(Hillel) saw a floating skull..” (2:7) Do skulls float? Rabbi Rubin confirmed with a scientist at Wadsworth Labs that skulls do not float.

How was Hillel so certain that this skull was that of a murderer? Perhaps it died a natural death or was the victim of a natural disaster?

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!”