Maimonides Community

BH. Tevet

18, 5778 / January 5, 2018

‫ב“ה‬

Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 4:18 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org Shabbat Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 5:24 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY

MAZAL TOV BOMZERS Mazal Tov MHDS alumnus Akiva & Batsheva Bomzer (now in Monsey) on the birth of a daughter Peninah (named for her maternal great-grandmother). Mazal Tov & continued Nachas to the Bomzer grandparents.

maimonidesschool@gmail.com

MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208

GRAY MUGS The Grays (now in Queens) sent us souvenir mugs from MHDS alumna Sarah Esther’s Bat-Mitzvah earlier this December. salted foods having certain properties of hot temperatures even when cold. That’s two Yahadus-to-Salt connections! Our school loves connections, so they kept on going: Did you know that the Hebrew words for bread ‫לחם‬ and salt ‫ מלח‬have the same exact letters in a different order? We dip our bread in salt to remind us that the table in our homes is like the Temple’s altar, where the rule was that all sacrifices needed to have salt. Of course, everyone heard of the biblical story of Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt, but did you know that one of the ways Esau would trick his father would be to ask (with false piety) about the laws of MORE THAN A GRAIN OF SALT tithing salt (once upon a time, soldiers were Rabbi Rubin mentioned to our students a paid in salt—they knew that from history class). donation of ice-melting salt by someone in the From the video “My Land” some knew a story community which evolved into a whole of a Jerusalem child challenged to find a food discussion about salt! They talked about lasting for many meals with just a few small different types of salt (table salt, Kosher Salt & coins and he came back with: salt!

They rock salt) and how ice-melt is calcium chloride, learned a deeper meaning to “Kav Chumtin” a slightly different than sodium chloride (aka grain preservative Talmud speaks of, to be rock salt) and they looked into the difference. about the spice and flavoring we put into our It so happens that 5th graders learned a lot Torah study and prayer. What about the about salt in a recent Yahadus expression “take it with a grain of salt” what curriculum class about how salt is does salt have to do with skepticism and used to kosherize chicken or meat. suspicion? They looked it up online: Turns out One student saw it done in his home!

(Nowadays, it’s mostly done at the processing that it goes back to Roman times when salt was seen as an antidote for certain poisons (we plant before it even gets to the store). That’s how “Kosher Salt” got its name, in fact on the know in science that it works against or slows bacteria) so if people were suspicious, they’d box they found in “Nathan’s Kitchen” the add a little salt… All this talk of salt made us word Kosher is much bigger than the word salt! They also learned in Yahadus class about thirsty—for more knowledge!

This MC is dedicated in honor of

Rabbi Yossi’s Birthday

Today—Chai (18th of) Teves In appreciation of the many doors he opens for our school, seeking new opportunities and horizons!

HAPPY COVER ARTIST Second grade Chana was thrilled to find her art featured on the cover of the Jewish World 2018 calendar! Other Maimonides students’ artwork, as well as students from HACD & other schools were featured for each month.

MAZAL TOV SELIGERS MHDS alumnus Tzvi and Raizel Seliger (now of Pittsburgh) had a baby girl! Mazal Tov to the the grandparents (formerly of Shabbos House).

THE TORAH TIMES! Chumash Shmot is just starting now! Order your own book of Torah-Times (via Amazon) at: www.TheTorahTimes.com

URINARY, DIGESTIVE & CARDIOVASCULAR...

FROM ONE CUP TO ANOTHER High School Earth Science did a lab on conduction of heat (from one hot cup to another) using a strip of copper connecting the two cups. They also connected without the copper wire to create a controlled experiment.

Much of what they did was to carefully record their data and compare notes with each other.

END OF THE BOOK OF JUDGES

5th grade Navi class with Morah Rochel just completed the entire Book of Shoftim (Judges) 5th graders are having a science test on several body systems they learned in recent which is quite the accomplishment. Sadly, the weeks. They are first playing a Bingo game for book ends with a complicated and unpleasant review. The last two systems they learned were story of divisive discord among the tribes of Israel. The story teaches the urinary and digestive—all that info gives new importance of hospitality, respect, meaning to the “Asher Yotzar” blessing said and unity. On a happy note, the each morning & after going to the bathroom. students are very eager for a trip to But here’s what’s even more interesting: the Federal Court downtown that Morah Because they learned about the cardiovascular Rochel has planned for them. system of veins, arteries, & valves they realized that Asher Yotzar’s appreciation of the body’s openings working properly that it’s much more than a bathroom blessing but important for many areas of health!

PYRAMID BUILDING Nursery students used dozens of foam pieces to try and build a pyramid in a bunch of different ways. It’s a good hands-on group activity, that’s also connected to the Parsha!

COMMUNITIES PROJECT First graders have been learning about urban, suburban and rural in their social studies unit with Mrs. Mattice. They are posed here in front (of the back) of their classroom door where their writing and illustrations of these different types of communities are on display.

HOT BROWNIES! Boys davening class had hot brownies as a treat because as good as words are, when said (sung!) with warmth they are so much better!

There was enough to share with grades K-7!

POT OF RED SOUP

This week on a cold snowy Thursday, Morah Devorah Leah made the “Soup-of-theWeek” which is very appreciated by the students.

Parents: be sure to sign up with Mrs. Wildman for your turn to make soup at school.

As it turns out school PARSHA BULLETIN BOARD ended up Can you figure it out? On right is one figure closing with a fancy hat reaching out for something in early at noon because of the falling snow so the blue water, while eyes of the second figure the soup was the last taste of the day at school. peek out from the left side from behind the grasses and reeds. Nursery students cut strips NEW SYSTEM AT PRE-BM CLASS into the two-toned green paper to make the grass. And they colored the brown paper bag Rabbi Motti’s pre-Bar-Mitzvah boys now have to make it look more like a basket. a quiz each week on the laws of Tefillin to be followed by a bigger test at the end of a unit.

FOSSILS AND A MESSAGE 7th grade science is learning about fossils and how scientists use them to try and get a better understanding of that era in time.

In TNT reporting students realized that it also can be a life message: We should realize the lasting (hopefully positive) impact we each can make, and also that we can be judged & (mis-) understood by the impressions we make.

COHOES & PROPERTY DAMAGE 7th grade Yahadus class is now learning about the laws of damages, about different levels of responsibility and different types of damages.

They used the recent major fire in Cohoes as an example of an irresponsible personal action with a major farreaching but unintended result.

YAHADUS SIYUM PARTY: Most 5th graders did very well on the recent Yahadus test with one student scoring a perfect 100! So they had a big Siyum party with all kinds of treats.

“TECHILIYOT” LETTERS Put one of these letters as a prefix to a Hebrew word and it modifies the word & its meaning.

Second graders are learning these now with Morah Devorah Leah. Starting off with a Hey makes it THE, while a Kaf says its LIKE, Lamed = TO/FOR, Mem = from, etc..

MISHNA & THE COHOES FIRE 3rd grade Mishna class learned the law of a blacksmith’s spark that ignited nearby flax—the Mishna says that blacksmith is responsible.

Rabbi Shmuly showed them the recent story of the big fire in Cohoes that destroyed more than twenty homes and buildings and it all started from someone trying to mimic a TV blacksmith show in his own backyard.

LAYERS OF MEANING Mrs. M’s HS poetry students are each taking a closer look at a poem of their choice, to fill out a chart that separates literal meaning from the figurative and seeks attitudes or emotions that the poem is addressing.

FORESHADOW/FLASHBACK 7th graders learned these literary terms or devices and realized how often it comes up in books they read (and in life, too!)

VAN GOGH’S WHEATFIELD

Look up Van Gogh’s “Wheatfield with Crows” to see the art technique Morah Rivi In their studies on ancient India, 5th grade did with our students in grades 2-4. Rabbi history learned of the social classes and strata Shmuly & 7th graders took measurements of which a person could not change during his or to do the math to figure out how many should her lifetime. It was supported by the Hindu go on a row, to measure proper spacing and so belief in reincarnation which was the only way on. The title of the piece will go in the center a person could move up a station in life. of the bulletin board.

VARNAS CASTE GROUPS

TABACH IS HEBREW FOR CHEF Kindergarten is learning letter Tes/Tet which start words like Tabach = Chef, Tavas = Peacock, so that’s some of the artwork and activities they did this week.

DEAR MAIMONIDES STUDENTS AND PARENTS! Our 10th graders are running this photo project and contest as part of their Better 2 Lead Program of Better Together. They are looking for pictures of students of all ages doing all types of things with seniors (not just a family picture) but a craft, hobby, Mitzvah, game, cooking or activity. It could be with a Bubbe or Zeide, an older neighbor or family friend. Please contact the 10th graders or Rabbi Yossi with any questions and to submit your photos. Thank you!

at Maimonides and in the Community 1/6: AN EXTRA-CHILLY SHABBAT  The Kiddush at Shomray Torah/Shteeble is in

honor of the Rambam’s Yartzeit that evening and hopes to warm up the temps at least internally! If modifications will be made to Shabbos afternoon schedule it will be announced in Shteeble at Musaf.  CBAJ has an altered schedule due to the extreme weather: Friday Mincha 3:45, No Kabalat Shabbat, Daytime Mincha follows Kiddush 12:25pm. Maariv 6pm after Shabbat.

from kasha (maybe kichel) to herring & more.

It’s also the Daf Yomi Siyum on tractate Shavuos.

1/17: ROSH CHODESH SHVAT 8am Wednesday morning Minyan at Maimonides.

FUN WITH THE BIG COLORFUL PARACHUTE It may have been too cold for outdoor recess these days but Nursery

1/18: SUPER- students have been staying active with all kinds of activities including this big parachute. They started with small waves, then bigger ones (pictures SUNDAY TRAINING here) until they were standing up and shaking it all up and down and all

2pm and 8pm at around, until they were actually underneath it! The kids loved it!

Federation for Super-Sunday volunteers. Maimonides school 2/3: GREAT JEWISH RIVALRIES III parents are needed to signup. Thanks!

Rescheduled from Jan 6th. “Reform vs Orthodox” a talk by Rabbi Roy Feldman at CBAJ

1/23: FIRST GRADE SIDDUR PARTY Annual tradition! Parents are invited…

1/6: PIZZA NIGHT AT MAIMONIDES (Pictured above they pre-prepped and par-baked the doughs at Shabbos House this week for faster baking and service). It may be incredibly cold out but come warm up with others! HS Girls are at it again! Come out to Nathan’s Kitchen for some freshly made delicious pizza (eat-in or take-out) and a nice casual Motzai Shabbat with community, starting 7:30pm. This time there will be hot soup ($1 bowl, 1 bowl free with each pie of pizza) and hopefully hot water and tea. This wintertime fundraiser supports High-School’s extra-curricular programming and trips.

1/28: J-FED’S SUPER-SUNDAY We need Maimonides parent volunteers to assist with Federation’s Super-Sunday, as funds raised benefit many organizations & institutions in local & overseas communities, including Maimonides.

1/21: SPA FOR THE BODY & SOUL

2/5: BREAKFAST WITH JOHN FASO Jewish Federation hosts Congressman Faso for a communal breakfast, 8-10am. 518-783-7800.

2/11: GIL TAMARY, ISRAEL TALK Jewish Federation Joint Society event at Ohav Shalom. Gil is Washington DC bureau chief for Israel's Channel 10 News.

Stay tuned for more details on the annual women’s program! Rivka Krinsky, Australian heath-coach, singer and songwriter will be this year’s featured 1/12-13: TRAVELING CHASSIDIM The group titled “The Traveling Chassidim” will be presenter. She “weaves leading a Shabbaton at CBAJ with a Heimish-style soulful music with healthy living.” Spa treatments dinner, conversation about Chassidic life after 1:00pm, Program & Shachris and a Musical Havdalah & Dancing.

Luncheon 2:00-4:00pm. For more info call Leah: 5181/14: FROM SHTETL TO SHTETL After discussing excerpts from Rabbi Hirschprung’s 495-0779 or Clara 518-439Vale of Tears book on New Years Day, on Sunday 8280. morning after 8am Shachris at Shomray Torah (which will be Rabbi Hirschprung’s yartzeit) Rabbi 1/31: TU BISHVAT Rubin will present excerpts from our school’s video BREAKFAST interview of Mr. Henry Shapiro who describes An annual eagerly aspects of the same journey from town to town to anticipated Maimonides finally get the Sugihara visas rescuing them from School tradition, fruity the Holocaust. Enjoy the vivid descriptions and breakfast for the Jewish New inspiration along with a tasting of Shtetl foods Year for Trees.

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!”