BH. Nissan 7, 5775 / March 27, 2015

Candle-Lighting: Community Newsletter of the Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 6:57 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org Shabbos Ends: produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT ( ‘n Technology) Program 7:59 Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY [email protected]

MAZAL TOV KAUFMANS PESACH FIRE SAFETY TIPS This MC Newsletter is Mazal Tov to Dr. Nissim and Devorah Leah Some fire departments have listed Sabbath and Kaufman and the Kaufman siblings at MHDS holiday fire-safety tips. A few are listed below: sponsored in loving memory of on the birth of a daughter last Friday whom  Be extra careful with the Bedikas Chametz Dr. Leonard Morgenbesser they named Rivka Rochel. candle, and don’t go too close with it near drapes, couches, beds or other flammables. Leib Yisroel ben Eliezer & Shoshana THE MIDWOOD FIRE TRAGEDY  Be sure to turn pot handles inward so they Yartzeit on Erev Pesach Last Shabbat on Bedford Ave in the Midwood don’t extend out over the stove. by Maxine Morgenbesser, neighborhood of Flatbush, seven children of  Keep children 3-feet away from a hot stove. the Sassoon family died in a fire and their  Never leave burning candles unattended. children & their families mother Gila bas Francis and sister Tziporah bas  Extreme care with overnight warming. Stove Gila were burned and injured, their father knobs can turn on accidentally. Hot plates Gabriel was away that Shabbos. The Jewish & crock-pots (only on non-flammable world and a great surface) should never be covered with towels many New Yorkers or blankets. Throw out any frayed cords. joined in mourning  Do not use any aerosols or accelerants on a this tremendous loss. Chametz fire. Be sure it is in safe container. “Elian, Rivka, David, Yehoshua Moshe, PERU, DUBAI, SOUTH KOREA... Sarah, Ya’akov. Seven Mrs. Simon recently met a man at a Chabad lilies. They were such event in Delmar. Then she got an email from MATZAH-MEAL SAND DUNES pure children,” their him. He was traveling on a trip to Peru and Mrs. Maher’s students did this experiment in father said at the stopped off in the Lima airport coffee shop in “Nathan’s Kitchen” instead of the Science Lab, funeral. Later he said, “I had such nachas from where he met 2 Lubavitcher Yeshiva students blowing at piles of crushed Matzah (timely for my children. Earlier difficulties in my life enroute to make a Seder in a remote location. Pesach!) using straws to create sand dunes. didn’t bother me because I had my kids. The They talked a bit, “played Jewish geography” happiness they brought us made life easy. We and it turns out they know (MHDS alumnus, were privileged to have children like this. I Mrs. Simon’s son) Aharon very well! He was so worked hard. My wife worked hard. Our lives excited that he eagerly put on Tefillin with were all about our children. I know that I can them, and told Mrs. Simon, “This may be the say to Hakadosh Baruch Hu that the children highlight of my trip!” This week, Aharon is that you asked us to watch for you are as pure traveling to S. Korea to and as holy now as when you gave them to us.” help with Passover there. This tragedy is also an important wake-up call He and his friend took and reminder about fire-safety, to make sure this selfie with some PESACH PILLOW-MAKING there are enough working smoke-alarms in the white robed Sheiks in the Morah Dini’s 3/4 grade made their own home, and other fire-safety precautions. background at a Dubai Pesach pillows out of fabric and stuffing. They stop along the way. cut strips on all ends of two sides of the fabric EREV PESACH CHAMETZ BURN and tied each set of ends to hold it together. Here’s the history of the annual Erev Pesach MAIMONIDES communal Chametz burning: Years ago, before the Bach Library was built on New 404 Partridge Street Scotland Ave, there was a large empty lot Albany NY 12208 adjacent to the fire-station. To ensure fire- safety Rabbi Rubin asked the firemen if they would supervise a communal burning, which would be safer than a lot of small fires burning that morning throughout the neighborhood. When the Bach was built the Fire Department authorized a communal Chametz burning in a metal basin on the sidewalk in front of the Maimonides school, this year as well. HOUDINI’S TEFILLIN TEI: CLEANLINESS AS A VIRTUE A recent article by Joshua With all the Pesach cleaning going on this Spivack in the “Jewish week, and the emphasis on “cleaning up” the Forward” quotes a 1926 Harry alter ash in this week’s Parsha Tzav, 7th grade Houdini obituary from “The TEI topic was “why is cleanliness considered a Milwaukee Sentinel” that the virtue”. BTW they did an interesting historical famous magician (who wasn’t trace of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter’s 13 Middos known for Jewish observance) system of character improvement to a Maskil’s always brought his Tefillin along on his book called Cheshbon HaNefesh, which in travels! 3/4 graders were excited to hear about turn seemed to get the idea from Benjamin this because they read a lot about him (and Franklin’s autobiography. Here are some ideas reported on it in the “MC”) earlier this year. our students came up with on why cleanliness is so important and considered a virtue: KING HENRY VIII & YIBUM  It’s easier to function in a cleaner space. “Yibum” is the laws of levirate marriage (re: a  Some people sleep better with less clutter. brother marrying the  Creates a calmer, less chaotic & stressful childless widow of his late environment. brother) from the Torah  Much easier to prioritize and focus when that are discussed at great KITCHEN FIREWORKS things are orderly and organized. length in Talmud tractate These don’t explode or light up the sky but  Helps you feel better about yourself. Yevamos. This was a big they did make beautiful swirls of color inside a  There’s more space for things. personal issue for King Henry VIII of England small pan on the 5/6 classroom table. It’s just  More pleasant for yourself and others. (who consulted religious experts, including 3 ingredients: milk, dish soap and just a little  Cleanliness is not only about dirt and dust Rabbis of the time) and a matter of much bit of food coloring. They swirled it around but about keeping a clean mind and heart. royal and religious controversy that led to the gently with straws to make exquisite designs.  Cleanliness can be an expression of dignity, founding of the breakaway Church of taking pride in yourself and surroundings. England. Mrs. Ramsay, the HS Boys and SEDER CHEMISTRY  Its one of those things that depend a lot on Rabbi Rubin are working on an article about Dr. Joe McFeeran and the HS Girls are your mood, but also helps create a mood. this in time for the Erev Pesach Siyum on exploring the chemistry behind many of the  Some people love cleaning up, some don’t. Talmud tractate Yevamos. Seder’s components: think saltwater, charoset, It depends on the person. bitter herb, why is Romaine lettuce considered a bitter herb, how does grape juice turn into wine - what elements & processes are involved, what gives these foods their properties?

MISSING ESTY LIBRARY BOOKS Many of our students are avid readers so the books in the Esty Library are getting good use! This is especially true of our readers in grades 2-6. The following books are missing, we ask HAPPY HAGGADAH MAKERS parents to check for them during Pesach These Kindergarten students are happily cleaning or any other Esty Library book that making Haggadahs for use at the Seder. They needs to be returned so others can enjoy. learn about each of the Seder’s 15 steps, color  The Three Merchants or decorate each page and make it their own!  Room 210 GLAZING THEIR SEDER PLATES  The Fur Traders Nursery students brushing glaze onto their “LO SASUR” IN TRIPLICATE  Shikufitsky I ceramic Seder plates with Rabban Gamliel’s HS Boys learned the verse “Lo Sasur” about  SuperShoes super-important 3 Seder words: Pesach, heeding the teachings of the Rabbis, 3x this  Penina’s Plan Matzah & Maror. week: In class with Rabbi Simon, it was in their Rambam studies, and also came NAMING CLASSROOM TOOLS ELEANOR ROOSEVLET’S CAKE up in their Gemorah class with Rabbi Rubin! 5th graders named their classroom tools. The Mendel read a story “Eleanor and Amelia” in whiteboard eraser? Eraser Shmaser. Black- Mr. D’s 4th grade class. At the end of the story ENTERING A BIG CONTEST board eraser? Eraser Daser. The expo spray is the book had a recipe of an “Angel Food Cake Morah Dini’s 4th grade Yahadut class hope to Expo Rexpo. Fred IV the stapler goes back a with Pink Clouds” that Eleanor Roosevelt be entering national testing for the Yahadut few years, but every time a stapler retired, liked to make. Then Mendel’s mother’s Rambam curriculum they have been studying. another Fred took his place. The 3-hole punch birthday came up, and he decided to try that Some of our students may have the amazing hole-puncher is Holey Moly. A benefit of recipe at home to surprise her with a cake. opportunity to attend a special Shabbaton and naming objects is that you tend to take better With his father’s supervision, he and his enter a national competition/bee of 4th grade care of them. When something with a name is brother followed the textbook recipe… it was students all studying the same texts! lost, there’s more concern to go find it. an applied taste of classroom learning! HAGGADAH TWEETS WAYS TO JAZZ Rabbi Mendel wrote 50+ tweet--sized & SPRUCE UP Seder Tidbits, under 140 characters each and shared these with the HS YOUR SEDER students. Some of the “tweets”need extra explanation, others are self- ACCESSORIES: You can get bags of plastic explanatory. They’ll be posted online frogs and wild animals, or light ping-pong 1 balls (for the hail). Passover finger puppets after this Shabbos. To check them are available online or from Judaica shops, out for your Seder, search online for: but there’s also a free paper cutout version Haggadah Tweets Shabbos House. available online.

KEEP IT MOVING: Some people like a MORE SEDER SIGNS long drawn out Seder, and get a special Mrs. Lori Calka came back to teach 2 thrill when it lasts long past midnight. But THE BIG PLAGUE PUZZLER more Pesach sign-language to Kindergarten for a lot of people its best when it keeps HS Girls made this vibrant poster of the Ten and first moving at a good pace. One way to do this Plagues and then cut it up into large puzzle grade. The is to be as prepared ahead as possible, so as pieces which they placed around school. Kids kids were very things are needed they are brought out and found them and put it back together again. It into it, and do no have to prepared on the spot. Also, is now displayed in the main entrance. Morah Aviva its best when adult Dvar are shared crisp and short and to the point. It can help really likes if certain parts are done all at the same ANTARCTICA JOURNAL the hand-motions that accompany and time, like Kiddush, instead of one at a time. 3/4 are reading “Antarctica Journal” that is reinforce the concepts learned. both a story of adventure and also shares lots KIDS PROJECTS: Kids come home with their own Haggadahs, Afikoman bags, of facts about what it is like down near the 3 pillows, Seder plates, you name it! Make South Pole. One interesting fact that a student sure to highlight them and refer to them reported in TNT: throughout the Seder. While fancy stuff by The largest creature famous Rabbis and commercial enterprises on earth (the blue may add to the Seder, too, nothing adds to whale) eats one of a Seder like a personal touch that a boy or the smallest foods girl worked on himself or herself. on earth (krill) that has little or no taste! MAKE IT HAPPENING: Some Sephardic Jews “whip each other” with scallions, going WAGONS & 4 to the door with candles for Eliyahu adds a WAGONS lot of drama. So much of the Seder is action-oriented, but the goal is to add to 6/7 learned in that so that it is a happening situation! history class with Mrs. Ramsay MORE PESACH PILLOWS INSIGHTS AND TIDBITS: Family about the Oregon Trail and the covered In addition 3/4 grade pillows on front page, customs, personal stories, kids sharing a Conestoga Wagons that took families out west Morah Devorah’s first graders made their own 5 commentary they learned (or asking a to start new lives and new communities, pillows, too! What makes their pillows question!) or adult to share a short to the although often fraught with great difficulty different? These were stitched, hand-sewn by point Dvar Torahs. That keeps the Seder and challenges. At the same time in their the first graders themselves! interesting and meaningful especially Chumash class with Morah Leyee, they during the parts where the Maggid gets a little long. learned about the contribution of wagons for THE WICKED SON’S TEETH Mishkan (tabernacle) transport by the leaders Many classes are making their own Haggadahs of each of the Twelve Tribes. We love inter- filled with commentary and/or illustration. curricular connections! Here’s 2 explanations for “blunt his teeth” expression (Maxwell House keeps it in the Parsha Tzav speaks about the Mitzvah of Hebrew but skips it in the English) said to the “Terumas HaDeshen” removing the ash wicked son that our students shared: from the altar. Mega-Thanks to Jon Dunn Knock, Knock! Who is there? Eli Ya. Eli Ya Hu? (A) Gematria of Rasha (wicked) is 570, the for helping our school take out the trash Eliyahu HaNavi! (from the 2nd graders!) gematria of teeth is 366. If you subtract and recycling. Also all the students who

What does a Matzah like to play when its outside? (knock out) 366 from 570 is 204 which is not only throw out their own garbage but Matzah-Ball! (BTW, does anyone remember “The the Gematria of Tzadik (righteous)! take pride in the school and pick up stuff Matzah Ball” contest from the early 1980’s?) (B) Lubavitcher Rebbe explains it means take even if they didn’t make that mess. the sharp edge off, take the stinger out. Who was the straightest person in the Torah? Thanks to the Krimmers for donating Yosef, because he was the ruler! $7 FOR TREES, BRING MONDAY puzzles to Morah Devorah’s classroom, Last call if you want to participate in the $7 the students really got into puzzles and they enjoy doing them. per family for a fruit tree in . Bring to the office Monday (with your vote on tree type). at Maimonides and in the Community

SALE OF CHAMETZ FORMS, MAOS that morning. CHITIM AND SHMURAH MATZAH We finish eating Chametz by 10:50am & burn it BETTER TOGETHER ESSAYS by 11:50am. All the above pre-Pesach items are available with Most of our middle and HS students submitted

Rabbi Rubin, please call 423-4103 or email him quality 2-page essays to the “Better Together” at: [email protected], or most of these can 4/3-4: COMMUNAL SEDERS Better2Write essay contest, about their interactions also be arranged through your local Rabbi. Pesach CBAJ (489-5819) and Bethlehem Chabad (866- with seniors and lessons learned. Our schools essays is around the corner now, and coming very soon! 7658) are hosting each hosting communal Seders were judged by a panel: Sue Ann Grosberg, Johanna on the first night, Shabbos House (438-4227), Steper, & Ellen Kaplowitz. At a school assembly 3/28: SHABBOS HAGADOL Union Chabad (496-0779) and Saratoga Chabad today, the winners were announced: (526-0773) are hosting communal Seders on both Shabbos before Pesach is known as “The Great nights. Call ahead for info & RSVP. Shabbos” and its customary for Rabbis to give High School Better Together Scholarship Winner special communal lectures. Chaim Kudan (Grade 10) “We Knew it the Whole  Rabbi Lehrfield’s CBAJ Shabbat Hagadol 4/8: PASSOVER FUN DAY Time” Original portrayal of seniors/himself Saratoga Chabad is once again hosting a fun day learning will be on “Stealing the Afikoman” Better Together Scholarship Winner on Pesach, this year on Wed of Chol HaMoed. and it relates to teaching good Jewish values. Nechama Krimmer (Grade 7) “My Grandmothers Program includes carnival booths, a performing  Rabbi Rubin will be speaking on “Fire!!!” Chicken Soup” Vividly depicted her personal juggler and balloon artistry, plus a delicious  Grand Kiddush for the Great Shabbos at experience & interaction with seniors Shomray Torah sponsored by the Levins, Kosher for Passover meal. $36 suggested per Gordons and the Starks. family, $10pp. Questions? 526-0773. High School $50 Winner

 Some have a custom to say portions of the Chani Rubin (Grade 11 “Give & Take - Our Haggadah this Shabbos afternoon after Mincha 4/19: JCC PILLARS 15 HONORS M. Relationship with the Elderly” informative essay, to prepare for the Seder this coming week. LOSICE & CARL BLOOMBERG beautifully written on ‘Give and Take’ Reb Moshe Losice, well-respected in our Middle School $25 Winner 3/28: RABBI REISMAN SHIUR community, is one of JCC’s Pillars event awardees this year, along with Mr. Carl Bloomberg, a past Mendel Volovik (Grade 8) “Eric My 82-year-old Sat Nights 7:30pm at CBAJ Luchins Media recipient of the Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Friend” close friendship with a Holocaust survivor Center with Rabbi Y. Reisman, televised from Award. Info? contact Sidney Albert Albany JCC. Brooklyn. Rabbi Frand’s class Thurs 9pm. Middle School $25 Winner

Shaina Laber (Grade 7) “My Beloved Great- 5/7: LAG B’OMER 3/30: 11 NISSAN FARBRENGEN Grandmother - Meme Rachel” beautiful description of On a Thursday this year after several years of A planned speaker didn’t materialize as expected a dear loved one in her rich old age Sundays. Look for the return of the Maimonides but there will be a Monday night farbrengen after daytime Parade & also a special communal event Additional Essays, all wonderful! Mincha (7pm) & Maariv (7:20) at Shomray Torah. being planned for late afternoon. Stay tuned! Esti Backman (Grade 10) “Mrs. Smith and I” No MHDS Pre-Pesach Pasta Night this year due to Chaya Simon (Grade 11) “The Zest of Life: Good to the back and forth uncertainty of the date, but will the Last Drop” bring it back next year! 6/1: THE MAIMONIDES DINNER This year’s Dr. Morton Berger Memorial Award Moshe Kudan (Grade 11) “Better Together, Then & Now” 4/1-13 PESACH SCHOOL SCHED. recipients will be Dr. William “Bill” and Adrianne Rockwood, and the school’s involvement and our Moshe Rubin (Grade 10) “Our Link to the Past” Wed 4/1 & Thurs 4/2: General Studies only, 8am- partners in the “Better Together” teen-seniors Azriel Laber (Grade - 10) “Altogether, What I Gained 11:30. Morning begins with Davening at school. program will also be recognized and highlighted. from Better Together” Friday Erev Pesach 4/3: No School thru end of Eli Kochman (Grade 11) “The Age Old Lesson” Pesach. See Erev Pesach schedule below. CAMP GAN ISRAEL UNDER NEW Chana Laber (Grade 11) “Timeless Connection of Monday 4/13: School resumes at 8am. MANAGEMENT Love” Sara Rubin (Grade 7) “True Respect for Elders” Morah Devorah Leah Mathless will be Chaya Hecht (Grade 7) “My Senior Community” 4/3: EREV PESACH the Camp Gan Israel director for this Moshe Rubin (Grade 7) “My Zaidy” 8am Minyan at Maimonides followed by Firstborn year, efforts are underway to bring Orley Morrison (Grade 8) “Lessons from our Elders” Siyum by Rabbi Nachman Simon on Yevamos, the talented, capable and dedicated staff recent tractate studied by Daf Yomi. Communal and add some new exciting programming. Contact Chametz burning outside the school will be later Devorah Leah with questions, stay tuned for info.

MAIMONIDES SCHOOL & COMMUNITY (Nursery / Elementary / High School) 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208

(518) 453-9363/3434 [email protected] Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”