BH. Tammuz
25, 5780 / July 17, 2020
ב“ה
Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District Candle-Lighting: 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org 8:12 Shabbat Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel Rubin & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program 9:19 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY
FAREWELL TO THE SEMELS This week the Semel family leaves Albany for a getaway road-trip before moving back to Israel. They have been an active part of our local community, a great asset to our school, with their Hebrew language and Israeli flavor, the artistic flair and Safrut, love of adventure and the sweetest kids! Unfortunately their taking leave of Albany (of which they have very fond memories and appreciation for our school, the families & the community) is in a time of Corona’s social-distancing. We had a ad-hoc drive-by farewell to them yesterday and wish them the best in their upcoming return to Israel. We will miss them!
maimonidesschool@gmail.com
MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208
RE-OPENING TASK FORCE
We are working now as a re-opening task force (of parents, faculty, admin & community) examining how to best apply NYS guidelines to Maimonides, our building and situation. NYSED staff are finalizing the voluminous K12 school reopening guidance documents (including both requirements and suggestions) we will work with that information and try to REB YOEL ARONSON, OBM apply accordingly. We (along with all NYS The Aronson family was established in Glens schools) have just under 2 weeks (a tight Falls and Saratoga, and Joel started his family deadline) to submit our re-opening plans to and businesses in Saratoga, eventually moving the various governmental agencies for first to Crown Heights and then to Monsey approval. Of course, regardless of what is where he and his family joined the Belz determined, we must be prepared for all Chassidic community. He was behind the eventualities and flexibly adapt as needed establishment of the Belz summer yeshiva in according to the changing realities in this Saratoga with its gorgeous study hall and other evolving uncertain situation. philanthropic endeavors. Our condolences to his family, especially our own MHDS alumnus Maishie Backman who married R’ Yoel’s granddaughter. May his memory be a blessing.
MAZAL TOV PHAFFS Mazal Tov to Steven and Gayle Phaff (formerly of South Main in Albany and live for many years now just outside Jerusalem) on the recent engagement of their son Binyamin to Batsheva Pfeffer of Neve Yakov. Much Nachas!
HECHT CONDOLENCES Several of our school families lost a great (or great-great) uncle this week with the passing of Sholom “Sidney” Hecht, at age 93, on the very same yartzeit of his father, the original Reb Shea Hecht, on Tammuz 22. Sholom ran Hecht’s Judaica and affiliated wholesale/retail from Esrogim to Yarmulkas based in Flatbush. He had a special closeness to the Rebbe, he was the youngest of the legendary Hecht brothers: Shlomo Zalman, Moshe Yitzchak, Avraham Dov, Yaakov Yehudah “JJ”, and Peretz. Together the family made a huge lasting multi-generational imprint in Chabad and on the American Jewish scene.
This MC Newsletter is dedicated in memory
R’ Yoel ben Yosef by Rabbi Rubin, in tribute to all the years of Yiddishkeit connection and from Saratoga Chabad CGI DAY CAMP SECOND WEEK This week concludes the second week of Camp Gan Israel’s operations (based out of the school building). Camp is open based on the state and local guidelines for day-camp operation, under the directorship of Morah Devorah Leah Mathless, supervision of Nurse Rebekah Wildman, and head-counselor Sara Rubin. Despite all the limitations and restrictions, the campers seem to be having a very good time, in no small part thanks to the organized varied and fun activity schedule and the dedicated talented camp staff (even if they are in masks almost all day!). May they continue to have a safe and fun summer!
MAZAL TOV MENDEL L. Mazal to our 7th grader Mendel L. on his turning 13 and Bar-Mitzvah yesterday, Mazal Tov & much Nachas to his whole family!
MHDS & FC MASK GIVEAWAY Maimonides and Friendship Circle are hosting a one-hour plain white washable cloth mask giveaway at a driveby outside Maimonides School on Wednesday, July 22nd 3-4pm. 5 masks per package, they are one-size. These masks are approved and recommended by the Department for Health and Human Services. For more information please call Chaya: 518-488-8992 or Yossi: 518-495-0772.
MAZAL TOV GRANOVETTERS Mazal Tov to Matthew & Pamela Granovetter (formerly of Clifton Park and a Maimonides family) on the birth of a grandson, a baby boy born to Shmuel & Devory Granovetter of Cincinnati Ohio. Continued Nachas!
CHAZAK THIS SHABBAT! It’s always exciting to say Chazak at the end of a Chumash, but in times like these, “Let us be strong & let us be strengthened!” is all the more invigorating, meaningful and appreciated.