EREV PESACH MORNING 4/18 Maimonides will host the 8am Erev Pesach Minyan at School, to be followed by a first-born Siyum (by Rabbi Simon on Zevachim), a light Chametz Breakfast and communal Chametz burning (authorized by Captain Dunn of the New Scotland Firehouse) will go until about 11:30am. Look for a cake for the Rambam’s Erev Pesach birthday!

NYS OFFICIALS TO WELCOME TRAVELERS ON EREV PESACH The Minyan regularly welcomes travelers

(especially on the NY-Montreal route). Erev Pesach tends to draw travelers due to the Siyum and

Chametz-burning as they travel north or south for the holiday. In connection with the “Travelers Torah” being dedicated by Maimonides this summer, NYS officials will present a formal welcome to the “87” travelers & recognize Maimonides’ as a welcome center. MONTREAL RABBI LIKENS ALBANY TO SHTETL KRETCHME Rabbi Rubin visited Montreal’s Chief Rabbi Yonason Weiss and Rabbi Saul Immanuel of the Vaad Ha’ir, and showed them the

“Travelers Torah” torah cover, which is being dedicated for the benefit and merit of the frequent travelers up and down the 87/90 Thruway and Northway, and those who visit and vacation in our region. Rabbi Weiss

likened Albany to a refreshing oasis along the journey, like the Kretschme Inns used to be along the roads in old Eastern Europe.

FUN TO BAKE MATZAH Rabbi Abba brought the Model Matzah Bakery to Maimonides one morning for students to get a hands-on feel for learning about Pesach.

STUDENT-MADE HAGGADAH 2nd graders made their own beautiful books to use at their family Seders based on what they learned. Other grades made Haggadot, too.

NOBEL CREDITED TALMUD Baruch S. Blumberg was a Nobel prize (1976) winning biologist who discovered Hepatitis B and developed the vaccine against it, saving millions of lives, particularly in developing countries. He also headed NASA’s space biology research and died last week (at age 85) on April 5th while at a NASA conference. At lunch with David Morrison of the SETI Institute on the same day he died, one of the last things Baruch (or Barry) talked about was “the way studying Talmud helped him to think logically about difficult, even unanswerable questions.” He often credited his elementary school education at Yeshiva of Flatbush and the study of Talmud at an early age. Indeed, throughout his life, he continued to attend a weekly Talmud class whenever possible. In 2002, he told the NY Times: “This drew me to medicine. There is, in Jewish thought, this idea that if you save a single life, you save the whole world, and that affected me.”

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 produced by Rabbi Mendel & 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

BH. THURS Nissan 10, 5771 / April 14, 2011

MAIMONIDES 404 Partridge Street

Albany NY 12208

Candle-Lighting:

7:18 Shabbos Ends:

8:21

This newsletter is sponsored

in honor of

The Morrison’s 30th

Wedding Anniversary ----

and on the occasion of the

Siyum HaKaddish for

Yocheved Miriam bas Shmuel

FROM MAIMONIDES (BOSTON) TO MAIMONIDES (ALBANY)... The “M-CATS” baseball team at the well-

known Maimonides School in Boston is playing this Sunday morning in Cooperstown and arranged for a Shabbos stay-over at Maimonides in Albany. They’re here with their coach

Sean Kennedy and assistant coaches. They’ll be joining the davening at Shomray Torah. In appreciation, they are sponsoring a Parsha in the new “Travelers Torah” being dedicated by Bruce Lorence and Maimonides. ANYONE FOR LITTLE LEAGUE? Spring and baseball is in the air… Mrs. Liba Andrusier (438-4220) is looking for Shomer Shabbos (to avoid Sat games) kids interested in joining Albany Little League baseball.

“X” FOR X-RAY IN NURSERY The pre-school afternoon program learned about X-Rays when learning the letter X. They each donned the “x-ray box” and drew “x-ray film” illustrations of what they (think they) look like inside underneath the skin.

EARTH DAY IS DURING PESACH Mrs. Carroll’s 1st grade students sifted through the scrap paper bucket to find colorful blues & greens for a looped recycling project in honor of Earth Day (April 22) to remind us about making the most of our precious resources and taking care not to make waste when

possible to avoid it. The loop demonstrates the cyclical nature of many resources, and that we should try our best to keep the loop going, to continue to be there for us and future generations, all around the world.

MORAH’S SURPRISE BIRTHDAY 4th graders secretly planned a beautiful birthday party for their teacher Morah Devorah Leah. They each brought in treats (healthy ones, too) and when Morah D.L. asked who did such a good job planning it, they were happy to point out what each one did and gave each other well-deserved credit. THIRD FINISHES VAYERA Morah Rochel’s 3rd graders finished Parshat Vayera this week, it ends with the Akeida and about Rivka being born. They’re planning and preparing a fun activity fair with booths about the Parsha for other classes to learn about and enjoy. It will be on the Friday after Pesach. Nechama was very eager to report this exciting news for the newsletter. THE SHOFTIM CYCLE 4th graders noticed a oft-repeated pattern in the book of Judges: The Jews get comfortable, lose their connection and begin to sin, then a crisis comes up and a great leader (judge) leads them back to Hashem and helps them with their internal or external problem. But after a while, unfortunately, the cycle starts again…

BIRD FEEDERS HANGING OUT As part of a Science unit on birds, 5/6 grade made different style bird-feeders, which they were finally able to hang outside, on a thick rope running from one side of the shed to the other, and crossing the utility pole in between. They’ll try to keep an eye out to observe which feeders are frequented most by the birds, and the pros and cons of the different size and style bird feeders. This comes just in time for Pesach, when we appreciate the birds’ singing at the Crossing of the Sea.

SARAH CYNTHIA SYLVIA STOUT WOULD NOT TAKE THE GARBAGE OUT Mrs. Mulder’s 7th graders read this poem by Shel Silverstein and then were each assigned to write their own poem about a chore they disliked and dramatize and exaggerate it in a humorous way. Of course, we at Maimonides, are thankful to those who are helpful with Terumas Hadeshen either early in the morning or at the start of the morning recess.

“TRAVELERS TORAH PUSHKAHS” Mrs. Levin helped a few art students make Torah-looking charity boxes out of oatmeal cartons, rich red fabric, glue-guns, gold fabric paint and a paper about the “Travelers Torah”. These pushkas are to raise awareness and

solicit donations toward the Torah to be dedicated, G-d willing, this summer.

PORTRAIT SKETCHES IN ART Faces aren’t easy to draw, but believe it or not, the first steps have to do with math, symmetry and basic shapes. ROMAN INFLUENCE IN U.S.A. Students in 5/6 each wrote an essay (based on DBQ) that demonstrated Roman influence in America today. Modern roads and architecture are far more sophisticated and advanced than in ancient Rome, but many of those old principles still apply. Latin isn’t spoken as a language anymore, but many modern languages have their roots in Latin, and it is also used for scientific names of species etc. LAUGHTER YOGA A mother and daughter instructor team from “Laughter Yoga” (which started in Mumbai,

India) inspired the HS about the many benefits (health, emotional, social etc) from a good laugh, even if you’re faking it! They said that one minute of good laughter is equal to six minutes on the treadmill! (That itself got everyone laughing…)

THE WOUNDED WOLF Mrs. Mulder’s class read this story by Jean Craighead George from a new literature book they got from “Mosdos Press”. Hungry animals close in on an injured dying wolf, when help arrives and shifts the outcome. It is a story about courage, and the will to survive. TOSEFOS ON THE TEST Rabbi Mendel’s 7th grade Talmud class studied their first Tosefos commentary, on Sukkah 7b, which analyzes Abbaye’s listing of Rabbis who trend towards more permanent Sukkahs (the listing itself was fascinating as it ties together 8 different opinions and different Sukkah issues). It was a little confusing at first,

since Tosefos swings this Gemorah over to a support from tractate Yevamot, then back to Abbaye and Rava on Sukkah page 2a, and then ahead to page 21. But once the students got the logic, the clarification, the proof and the support, it all came together and they have a much richer view of the Gemorah - and of Abbaye’s listing. LEARNING AN INSTRUMENT While reporting in TNT, it dawned on the 4th graders how many of them are learning to play an instrument: Noah (drums), Calev (piano), Eli (piano), Chaya A. (violin), Sholom

(recorder), Rivka (piano), Orley (keyboard), Chaya S. (keyboard), Mendel (guitar), S.D. (keyboard)… The last chapter (#150) of Tehillim talks about different instruments and how they are all used to praise Hashem!

NURSERY PESACH IN ORDER These Nursery students are proud to display some of their Pesach projects (order on right, placemat on left) to be used at the Seder. HOLES AND SAFETY RISK Rabbi Andrusier’s students learned in Parshat Mishpatim about the dangers of a “Bor” a open pit or hole in a public area. About the same time that they studied this law, a sink-hole opened up at the edge of the northern parking lot at school, just behind the fence. It was quite deep. After a call to the city, a truck came over and filled up the hole.

TOUR OF WORLD CITIES 3rd graders did reports on the Eiffel and Tokyo Towers, sightseeing in London and in Washington, and many other interesting cties and their attractions and landmarks.

KOSHERING FOR PESACH Rabbi Shmuly’s 5/6 Halacha class prepared a powerpoint with a slide or two on each S’if (paragraph) of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch on the laws of Koshering kitchen utensils. The slideshow’s neat animation showed the process - for example, it showed fire coming out of the blowtorch and creating small sparks on the object (as required by Halacha). Some of the interesting tidbits included: Before Pesach in Israel, each city provides a

municipal (similar to garbage services in Albany) super-large boiling pot for public use in Koshering their vessels under Rabbinic supervision.

The stones inside pizza-ovens are designed

to retain high heat and even baking, similar to the “Ehven-Meluban” the hot stone used in certain Ha’gaalah situations.

The Kitzur uses a Yiddish word to describe metal hand-graters: “Rib-Ayzen”. They can’t be koshered because of its many tiny holes.

Frying pans can’t be koshered using Ha’gaalah - the hot water method.

Knives with (separate) handles generally shouldn't be koshered.

How to properly pour hot-water so that the flow remains connected to the original pot.

The Sephard/Ashkenaz argument about koshering glass.

The 24-hour lapse time before Koshering. Dry heat (oven) vs. wet heat (pot on stove).

KINDERGARTENERS DISPLAY THEIR PESACH PROJECTS Morah Dini’s students learned so much about Pesach! They made their own color-photo Haggadot of themselves in pictures, Seder-plates, Omer-reminders, decorated pillow-cases, framed photos of them “leaving Egypt” and more! They’re eager to share what they learned…

CLASSROOM WISH LIST Arts & Crafts Supplies - all types Fabric or Felt scraps. Rolling Bookshelf(ves) Overhead Projector Garden-Tools, Seeds, Watering-Cans Jewish Audio: tapes or CD’s Assorted Balls for Sports/Recess Play Washable Markers, Dry-Erase Markers Metal open-sided Bookcase Empty used plastic containers, 1 gal/2 qt. Extra Kippas/Yarmulkas Folding Room Dividers

THANKS!

MAIMONIDES SCHOOL (Nursery / Elementary / High School) & COMMUNITY

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 UJF-NENY Beneficiary

at Maimonides and in the Community

4/16: SHABBOS HAGADOL It’s customary for Rabbis to make a special lecture/speech on this Shabbos in preparation for Pesach. It’s also customary to read portions of the Haggada after Mincha on Shabbos afternoon. 4/14-28: “CANSTRUCTION” @ NYSM New exhibit/activity now open at NYS Museum, 4th Floor (Carousel). Experts built amazing colorful everyday objects using food cans, vote for your favorite design using cans you bring - all donated to local Food Pantries. 4/16: GARDEN OF EMUNAH CLASS Last class of the season in “Garden of Emunah” 4pm at 359C Hackett Blvd for women. Rotating locations/presenters etc begins after Pesach.

4/16: RABBI REISMAN AT CBAJ Due to the later Sat Nights, Rabbi Reisman’s class will now be shown at CBAJ at 9:30pm.

4/18: MINYAN, SIYUM BECHORIM, CHAMETZ-BURNING & NYS 87/90 TORAH PRESENTATION @ MHDS Shomray Torah 8am Shachris to be at Maimonides followed by first-born Siyum on Talmud Zevachim by Rabbi Simon & light Chametz breakfast snacks. There’ll be a Rambam cake to celebrate his Erev Pesach birthday. A presentation will be made by NYS to welcome travelers and in honor of the new 87/90 Thruway-Northway Torah. The Communal Chametz Burning (authorized by Captain Dunn of the New Scotland Ave firehouse) to be from approx 9:30am until 11:30am. 4/18-21: PESACH AT A HOTEL $299pp for 4-day package at Greenbush Comfort Suites (fitness center, swimming, trails) with the Labers. Call Nechama at 727-9581. Meals prepared by Birchhill Caterers and Mrs. Laber. Seders-only options are available, or other communal Seders are available throughout the region (Saratoga Chabad 526-0773; Delmar Chabad 439-8280 etc) and many families are happy to have guests.

4/24: CHOL HAMOED FUN Saratoga Chabad will host an activity morning 10am-12pm (before the start of the 2nd days of YomTov). See event features in ad on right, for more info call Rabbi Abba 526-0773. 5/1: SHPEEN WALK FOR WATER JNF’s annual Walk for Water, established locally in memory of Susan Shpeen will take place at the Federation’s Golub Center on Washington Ave Extension starting at 2pm.

5/1-3: YOM HASHOAH EVENTS Albany (5/1), UAlbany Vigil (5/1-2), Schenectady (5/2), Judaic Studies (5/3) will host communal commemorations and speakers on the Holocaust. See jewishfedny.org or The Jewish World newspaper for more details. 5/13: JOURNAL DEADLINE This is the due date for ads the Maimonides Dinner Tribute Journal. Ads arriving after this date may be included in the Journal supplement. 5/22: LAG B’OMER AT HOFFMAN’S Lag B’Omer falls again on a Sunday, and area Chabads are arranging discounted wristbands, a Kosher BBQ, and live music for families and kids at Hoffman’s Playland on Route 9 in Latham. Program begins at noon and runs until about 3pm. Stay tuned for more info. (The Maimonides neighborhood Lag B’Omer Parade is held when Lag B’Omer falls on a weekday).

5/24: MAIMONIDES DINNER The annual Maimonides Dinner (now over 20 consecutive years!) will be on Tuesday, May 24th. Berger Memorial Award: Linda Berger-Spivack; Baruch Shenatan Torah Award: Bruce Lorence; and this year’s “People of the Book” award highlights a spectrum of local Jewish authors, namely: Dr. Jeffrey Berman, Miriam Biskin, Rabbi Herbert Bomzer, Marlene Rosenfield-Crawford, Dr. Bob Herman, Sylvie Kantorovitz, Jackie Morse-Kessler, Joseph Krausman, Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Linda Elovitz Marshall, Marlene Newman, BJ Rosenfeld, Dr. Mary Valentis, and Dr. Suzanne Vromen. We also will be honoring posthumously Vera Propp and Hy Rosen, of blessed memory who past away in recent months. Invites are now in the mail! Call the office 453-9363/3434 if you don’t get yours soon. 6/1: YOM YERUSHALAYIM EVENT JERNY’s Israel Center and area orgs are already at work preparing for this 2nd annual event - held this year at Beth Emeth. See highlights ad on right. 6/5: WALK FOR FRIENDSHIP 2nd annual Walk for Friendship, noon-time at Elm Park in Delmar. See capitalfriends.org for info or to support a volunteer or team.

MAIMONIDES WISHES THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY A KOSHER & FREILICHEN

PESACH!