Maimonides Community

BH. Kislev

22, 5777 / Dec 22, 2016

Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 4:08 404 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 5:14 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY

maimonidesschool@gmail.com

BINDELL-NASH MAZAL TOV Mazal Tov to Fraidy Bindell (of Albany) on her engagement to Eli Nash (who studied here for some High School), both are Maimonides alumni! Mazal Tov to R’ Yisroel and Binah and the whole Bindell family.

MAZAL TOV ISAAC ADLER Isaac studied in our Boys High School years ago, and is now engaged to Shoshana Berman of LA. Mazal Tov!

SIX DAYS LEFT! This year’s Raffle-Auction event, dinner and drawings will be on Wednesday December 28th, 5th Night of Chanukah, 5-7pm at Maimonides. Tickets can be bought at the event, of course, but these next few days are time to sell as many tickets as possible whether online or by mailing or bringing into school.

Thanks to all who already purchased tickets and to all who shared the link with others:

www.maimonidesschool.org/auction

SPECIAL DEAL PACKAGES $100 gives you $130 worth of tickets. $180 gives you $250 worth of tickets.

Special for this year:  $360 gives you $613 (!!!) worth of tickets, also be matched for Science Center project.

Online deals (in addition to the above) include two “Out of Town Packages” (with tickets in packages that are easier to ship anywhere).  

‫ב“ה‬

‫וישב‬

This newsletter is dedicated in honor of all the

Ticket Purchasers thus far in the Raffle-Auction Your support enables quality local Jewish & General Education!

WHAT DO THE FLAMES SAY TO YOU? Morah DL’s Kitah Bet & Gimel wrote down a booklet of short Chanukah messages to share while the Menorah’s candles are burning each night.

3D PAPER DREIDELS These 4th graders were so excited almost spinning around themselves like a Dreidel!

MAZAL TOV HERSHEY V.

Hershey’s Bar-Mitzvah and celebration is WHAT DO YOU WANT TO WIN? coming up soon, at the end of Chanukah.

Wishing him a big Mazal Tov on this major  $300 at A Silver Breeze in Saratoga? or very pretty Morganite earrings from Delmar Intl? milestone and his family much Nachas!  A Shopping Spree or a Shabbos Package?  Split-the-Pot (amount TBD) or a Mystery?

MAIMONIDES  Magnatiles or Lego? Both are $5 tickets.

404 Partridge Street  “N” is titled “Kitchen Package” but “O” and Albany NY 12208 “R” have additional kitchen appliances..  2-in-1 Flex i5 Laptop or a handy Tablet?  Thinking food? Shabbos Package has cases of it, and Breakfast Package has goodies, too  Memories? Try “Active Family” for a $5 ticket, capture it all with Canon DSLR for $15 ticket or a “Go Pro” for $10 that includes a Caras photo-shoot..  “Night Out” or “Packed Getaway”?  And so so much more!!!

PREP FOR CHANUKAH PLAYS This year’s Chanukah performances will be on Monday January 2nd (New Years legal holiday) the day after Chanukah, but our students are already hard at work preparing for it. One class is completely done, while other classes will be working on their play and performances further on the 3 half-days during Chanukah.

NOTE SCHOOL SCHEDULE Remember: No School tomorrow Friday 12/23, Monday 12/26 and Friday 12/30. Half-Day Hebrew AM only, 8am start, 11:30 dismissal.

Special programming and learning is planned for the half-days of Chanukah.

OOBLECK IN FOURTH Mrs. Maher’s 4th graders made Oobleck (a Dr. Seuss favorite) as they learned the difference in science class between physical change and chemical change. MHDS alumnus Eli Levin was in school that day (he helped with the older boys recess, too) and helped them with this exciting hands-on project, using glue, food -coloring, borax and water.

MAYORAL MENORAH AT ALBANY CITY HALL Because of the way Chanukah falls this year, Rabbi Rubin and the HS Girls went down to City Hall BEFORE the start of Chanukah this year to meet with Mayor Sheehan and set up the annual Menorah display. While there, they met Sam Fein, an Albany County Legislator, and an alumnus of Chabad at Union College.

WATER AND NO WATER...

This week HS Girls learned about water being a metaphor for Torah and also learned this week’s Parsha of Yosef lowered into a pit which the verse tells us “was an empty pit without any water” and what the Talmud (in the story of Chanukah!) deduces from that double-negative.

HOW MANY WORDS CAN YOU...

Ms. Arika Ford’s 1st and 2nd graders both did some nice Chanukah writing to be proud of.

come up with using the letters in the title: “Hershel and the Chanukah Goblins”? 3rd graders took this challenge and came up with a lot of them!

PASTA BRIDGES IN SCI-ENRICH

WHICH PHARAOH WAS IT?

CHANUKAH WRITING

4th graders in Science Enrichment class made bridge out of pasta sticks, and carefully observed how many marbles or pennies the brittle pasta bridges could hold (and how many sticks thick those bridges were).

LATKES AND APPLESAUCE But homemade! HS Girls made Ms. Brennan latkes from scratch in Nathan’s Kitchen, while Ms. Brennan made them applesauce from scratch. Now, that’s a treat!

THEMATIC ESSAYS ON INDIA HS Girls researched and wrote thematic essays on how India’s early religions influenced its development, its people and culture for Social Studies class with Mrs. Ramsay.

5/6 grade are learning about ancient Egypt and Parsha Shemos so naturally, they wondered which Pharaoh might have STRIPED been the one to enslave the Jews or be COLORED COATS the famous Pharaoh of the ten Nursery students painted plagues?

They explored some possible options. glue onto paper Yosefs and then placed stripes of cut colored fabric down to create his famous striped coat of many colors in this week’s Parsha.

THE LONDON EYE MYSTERY

5/6 grades are reading this story now with Mrs. Crawford about a character whose “brain runs on different circuitry” set in 21st century London, and also speaks to his fascination with THEMATIC ESSAYS ON INDIA clouds—which connects well with their In Science class, HS Girls are learning about recent weather studies with Ms. Brennan. It Eukaryote and Prokaryote (membrane or not) also offers some insight into better cells. They compared and contrasted these two understanding or relating to people with types of cells using a Venn diagram to show differences or challenges. similarities and differences.

MHDS REPS RE KOSHER FEST Rabbi Nachman Simon and Marc Gronich brought back a bunch of foods from the recent Kosher Fest, as well as Kosher Fest judge Marty Stein, and two MHDS students JJ and Menachem to taste some of their foods on their “Jewish View” TV show.

THE ROSETTA STONE 5/6 learned how the discovery of the Rosetta Stone helped researchers and historians crack the code of the Egyptian hieroglyphics.

DOUGHNUT MAKING WINTER CLOTHING Kindergartners did their “Bigdei Choref” project, cutting out and coloring giant paper coats, gloves, scarves and hats and labeling them with their Hebrew words.

Third graders made their own pre-Chanukah doughnuts in Nathan’s Kitchen—and coated them in chocolate! Yum!

SNOWMEN & CHANUKAH ART Ms. Ford’s students are busy either making snowmen or Chanukah projects. It is such a fun, busy beehive of creative hands-on activity.

NEW FLOOR, NEW PLACE As a new and improved tile floor is installed outside their classroom, HS Girls math class with Mrs. Maher took place in the lunchroom for a day or two.

YAHADUS COMES IN HANDY This week Morah Rochel was teaching some new concepts to 6th-8th grade but students were already familiar with the basic ideas, even things that were not that commonly known. She was pleasantly surprised that they were familiar with these topics from their Yahadus curriculum classes. So, whether we score high on the Chidon tests or not, there’s so much benefit to the broad THE PIZZA & FRIES SIYUM spectrum of learning provided by the Yahadus 3rd graders are enjoying a very yummy Siyum course. We are so proud of how much they in Morah Mushky’s class. But they had to first remember & apply! come up with clever connections between what they learned and the foods they made!

YAHADUS TESTS II COMING

Speaking of Yahadus tests, the second set of tests is coming soon at the start of January.

Don’t wait for last minute to study. Despite the time off from school Chanukah can be a hectic time so make sure to make some time!

CHANUKAH GELT IN EMAIL

SOME THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MENORAH LIGHTING  

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First night this year is Sat Night, Dec 24th.

Last Night will be Sat Night Dec 31st.

We put in candles starting on right side of Menorah, right to left, but kindle newest one first going back to oldest, left to right.

Time to light is after sundown or dark, except for Friday afternoon when we light Menorah before Shabbos candles (with extra-long burning candles or oil).

3 Blessings the first time we light this holiday, 2 blessings each subsequent night.

It’s placed either at a window or on the left side of a doorway opposite the Mezuzah.

It’s customary to spend some quality time sitting with the candles.

You can light the Menorah later, too, but only as long as people are still up & about.

Some of Rabbi Shmuly’s Mishna/Gemorah students created powerpoints of their learning THREE DIFFERENCES and sent home their projects as “Chanukah HS Girls learned 3 telling differences between Gelt” for their parents. See it in your email! original Temple Menorah and the Chanukah DAN IS DONE Menorah or “Chanukiah”: WHERE: Temple NO “SHAMES” AT SCHOOL 4th graders learned that Dan (the tribe) was Menorah was indoors, in internal space, Please, please. Do not bring “Shames” the last in the tribal formation (this is also whereas Chanukah is at window or door. religious papers or books requiring ritual something that 7/8 grade learned recently) WHEN: Temple’s was lit during daytime, and they came up with a pun: Dan (in Hebrew disposal to school. We can not take Chanukah at night. NUMBER: Temple’s 7 “Duhn”) is DONE! because he’s the last one! responsibility for proper disposal. Thanks! (nature), Chanukah 8 (supernatural)!

at Maimonides and in the Community 12/23: NO SCHOOL FRIDAY There will be no school on the Fridays of the two Chanukah weekends this year. Enjoy the extended weekends. Make the most of it.

12/23-26: JGR WINTER RETREAT See www.JewishGirlsCamp.com or speak to Nechama Laber for registration, cost or more info.

Change of venue: This year will be held at the JCC!

12/23: CBAJ MYSTERY GUEST This Friday Night! A Mystery Guest Shabbat—guests and hosts sign up secretly via CBAJ (hosts must be Sabbath and Kosher observant as per CBAJ standards) and then the guest shows up at host door on Friday Night!

12/24: SHABBOS VAYEISHEV We read the first part of the Joseph story!

12/27-29: CHANUKAH @ MHDS 12/23: Friday, No School 12/26: Monday No School 12/27-29: Tues-Thurs, Half-day Hebrew only. Some special educational programming planned.

12/30: Friday, No School 1/2/2017: Monday, school resumes at 8am— Chanukah performances that morning at 9:30am

12/26: PJ LIBRARY GROUP GETTOGETHER AT VIA AQUARIUM Are your kids in PJ Library? We’re looking for a few PJ Library families to join us at Via Aquarium in Rotterdam on Monday morning of Chanukah 12/26, 10:30am-12pm. A PJ Library subsidy off the high ticket prices is available only for limited number of families for this outing. Call/text Rabbi Mendel at 526-0770 if you want to join. Only families who call/text ahead will get whatever limited ticket-price subsidy available.

12/28: SCHOOL AUCTION NIGHT Wed, 5-7pm on the 5th night of Chanukah. This exciting annual school fundraiser includes the celebrated themed Chanukah dinner by the Kochmans (Italian-dairy as determined by our student election process) prize packages on display and last chance to buy tickets before drawings that night. Menorah Lighting and special dedication ceremony as well. Tickets can also be purchased in advance via US Mail, the office, or the online link: www.maimonidesschool.org/auction

CHANUKAH EVENTS: 12/24: First Night of Chanukah! NCSY hosts a Sat Nite Chanuka Carnival at CBAJ. $5pp/$20 family, game booths, activities, refreshments, family trivia.

12/25: Chinese Chanukah - Troy’s Beth Tephilah. $5pp, kids are free! Crafts, music, Chinese food buffet. More info? 894-3491 12/25-26: Friendship Circle Camp, contact Chaya if you’d like to be a part of this or assist in any way 12/26: Chanukah Fun-Day with crafts and lunch at Susman Room of Saratoga Library: 526-0773.

12/26: Bethlehem Chabad 2:30pm Ice-Skating at YMCA (900 Delaware) $5 skate rental, then 4pm Delmar Car-Menorah Parade & “Frozen Menorah Lighting” at Four Corners w/refreshments back at Bethlehem Chabad: 393 Delaware 12/26: Baby Loves Chanukah! 11am Tiny Tots Tea Room in Clifton Park. Chanukah party for tots.

Sensory activities, singing, movement: 495-0772/9.

12/26: Troy Public Menorah lighting 5pm with Mayor Patrick Madden at Monument Square, Troy 12/27: “Dreidels & Doughnuts” with the Labers at East Greenbush Library. 4:30-7pm with program 12/27: “Glow the Dark” Chanukah at Clifton Park Center, near Boscov’s, 4:30-7pm. 495-0772/9.

12/27: Young Professionals “Brewhaha” w/ Bethlehem and University Heights Chabads at Mansions of Delmar Clubhouse, 7pm 12/28: School Raffle-Auction & Chanukah Dinner (w/voted-on dairy Italian menu!) 57pm at Maimonides. Dinner cost: $7pp or $25 max family 12/29: Chanukah Bowling at Saratoga Strike Zone 32 Ballston, 5-7:30pm. Info?

526-0773 12/31: Bethlehem Chabad at Delmar’s First Night celebrations, at Chabad: 393 Delaware

1/22: LAURIE LANS TO SPEAK AT WOMENS SPA FOR BODY & SOUL Lt. Commander Laurie Lans of the US Navy (and wife of US Army chaplain Rabbi Moshe Lans) will be the guest speaker at this year’s spa for the body and soul. Save the date and stay tuned!

1/28: PIZZA NITE III Stay tuned for more info! All at “Nathan’s Kitchen” at Maimonides, run by the HS Girls.

1/29: J-FED SUPER SUNDAY Federation’s Super Sunday fundraiser supports both local and overseas beneficiary organizations, from Maimonides to Sderot. Parents: please sign up for a shift to call, or for one of the follow-up calling nights. It benefits the community and our school.

2/3: UALBANY’S SHABBAT 360 #ualbanyShabbat360 co-sponsored by Hillel, Shabbos House, Lchaim, Aish and other campus orgs, largest unified Shabbat dinner of the year, held in the Campus Center Ballroom. Open to college students from nearby campuses as well.

1/2: CHANUKAH PERFORMANCES 9:30am at school. It’s a legal holiday (New Years nidche) but we’re having full school that day starting at 8am, with the plays and performances at 9:30am. Parents & friends very welcome for the program.

1/2: HEY-TEVES PROGRAM A multi-talented Rabbi Hershkowitz of Montreal will be passing through town.

Tentatively: 2:30pm: Adults farbrengen with R’ Hershkowitz 3:30pm: Kids Program with R’ Hershkowitz 4:20pm: Mincha/ Maariv Minyan at school. Times/details tentative. Stay tuned!

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!”