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Kol Bogrei December 2010 ~ Kislev–Tevet 5771 Rambam Page  of 4 Connecting Alumni Worldwide

Kol Bogrei Rambam is the Alumni Council’s monthly e-newsletter for and about Maimonides School graduates. Each month we share infor- mation on individual graduates’ ventures and accomplishments, as well as general news notes, all reflecting the school’s mission of preparing educated, observant to be contributing members of society. Your ideas and accomplishments will help sustain and strengthen this key communications tool; please forward to [email protected]. Also, check out the “Alumni” video playlist on Maimonides School’s YouTube channel, MaimoTube!

Graduate’s Safrut Skills Help Fashion Public Library Exhibit

If you happen to check out the exhi- room, where instead of doodling in my We have an opportunity to expose bition “Three Faiths: , Chris- notebook I would try to copy the way everyone to a part of religious life that tianity, Islam” at the main New York Hebrew letters are written in the . they might not see otherwise, but to Public Library building on 42nd Street I used a highlighter, because it had the which they can relate.” in , you might run into right sort of shape that is hard to One gallery is designated a scrip- Benjamin Houben ’03 escorting visi- with a simple pen or pencil.” torium—a workshop-style room— tors and demonstrating his technique His first lessons from a sofer took place where all the stages in making manu- as a sofer. while learning at Yeshivat Sha’alvim. scripts and Torah scrolls are explained The presentation, which runs through “When I returned to the US for college, I in detail through interactive displays. February, focuses on the scribal tradi- studied with Samuel Schneid, who Examples of the materials needed for tions of the three Abrahamic faiths. gives a Hebrew calligraphy class affili- making parchment, paper, pen and Benjamin, who is finishing his rabbin- ated with ,” he related. ink are available for visitors to see ical studies at Yeshiva University’s “Because of the standards expected of and touch, and professionals demon- Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological practitioners, and the arcane nature of strate the processes in short videos. In Seminary, is one of the scribes who the profession, safrut tends to remain one of these, Benjamin presents the helped to create the exhibit. inaccessible, almost classified; it is not method for making giddin, the thread widely taught or understood, even in used to sew together Torah scrolls and “Ever since I learned to speak and rabbinical schools.” . write, ever since I learned to study the Torah, I have been interested “Safrut is not only a craft but also a Benjamin said he had a wonderful in safrut,” Benjamin reflected. , a unique art which engenders experience working with the library “I remember sitting in the back of a holiness,” Benjamin observed. “I look staff and other scribes to help create Maimonides elementary school class- forward to a time when more Jewish this section of the exhibit. “In the students, at any scriptorium, as in scribal practice, Benjamin Houben ’03 with fellow scribes level, are given a the craft becomes a vehicle for the Neil H. Yerman (left) and Jen Taylor Friedman, and real opportunity expression of a greater theme,” he Karen Gorst (right), exhibit curator. to try, and to said. “Celebrated here are the value become familiar and meaning in maintaining our age- with, the process old traditions, and teaching them to and meaning of the next generation.” safrut.” “I am inspired by the messages that Benjamin noted the exhibition presents to the public,” that this is also he said, stressing that “the aesthetic one of the goals feast of manuscripts is integral to the of the library display, but just as important is the exhibit: “to give prospect that thousands of people people of all can become interested in what we ages and back- all have in common.” (Some of the grounds a little manuscripts and videos are avail- taste of safrut, up able online at http://exhibitions. close and behind nypl.org/threefaiths/ and www.nypl. the scenes. org/node/97933.) Kol Bogrei December 2010 ~ Kislev–Tevet 5771 Rambam Page  of 4 Connecting Maimonides Alumni Worldwide Artist’s Latest Examines Historical Foundation of Los Angeles

The latest multimedia production by Joel Tauber ‘90 opened Dec. 18 at Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects gallery. “Pumping” consists of a three-channel video installation, a steel handcar displayed on 80 feet of railroad tracks, and a selection of accompa- nying photographs. The exhibition is Joel’s most ambitious sculptural installation. “I’ve been working on this project for two years, and I am very excited about it,” Joel said in announcing Reconnecting at the school’s annual Friday-after-Thanksgiving get-together for recent graduates are, from left, David Gurevich ‘07 and several members of the Class of 2009, Michael Kosowsky, the premiere. He describes Sara Miriam Liben, Jessica Kasmer-Jacobs, Leslie Black and Leah Sarna. “Pumping” as “an investigation of the early history of trains in Los Angeles and that history’s intersec- R’ Wohlgemuth, z”l, Continues to Inspire Katz ‘72 tion with water and oil resources.” “Looking at the history of the Abe Katz ’72 reports that he recently said. “It is my recollection that at that Southern Pacific Railroad which delivered three live lectures on the time, Maimonides conferred a Hebrew was largely responsible for trans- topic “Tracing the Origin of the , diploma upon a student only if the forming Los Angeles from a small through the website Torah in Motion. student passed a comprehensive town into a giant metropolis, the exam in Beurei Hatefila that was given Abe is founder and director of the exhibition traces the two crucial in 12th grade.” Beurei Hatefila Institute, established to resources for this development: encourage the study of the words of “I wanted to show my audience two water and oil.” the Siddur as a Jewish text in Jewish unique features about the diploma Joel serves as the central actor schools. The lectures can be down- that made the effort to earn it worth- in the narrative, riding a hand- loaded from www.torahinmotion.org. while. The top signature on the powered railcar through the desert, diploma was that of Rabbi Joseph “I had the occasion to mention coaxing water from an old-fash- Soloveitchik, zt”l, the himself. And Maimonides School and the Beurei ioned pump. He said his work was the recital of my name included not Hatefila course given by Rabbi Isaiah filmed using a 16-millimeter hand- only my father’s name but my moth- Wohlgemuth, z”l, that we all fondly cranked camera so that the instal- er’s name as well.” remember, in my first lecture, which lation looks like it was made at the was devoted to an introduction to the “To me,” he continued, “the wording dawn of the 20th century. study of Beurei Hatefila,” he reported. of the Maimonides diploma at that Throughout the project, Joel time was the best evidence that the “To demonstrate the importance that said, he “ponders the fragility and Rav shared the opinion that a person’s the administration of Maimonides temporality of the city’s founda- education was the product of not placed upon the course on Beurei tion… ‘Pumping’ looks at our rela- only his father’s influence but of his Hatefila, I uploaded and exhibited my tionship with finite resources and mother’s influence as well.” Maimonides Hebrew diploma that with past expectations of this city’s was conferred upon me in 1971,” he destiny.” Kol Bogrei December 2010 ~ Kislev–Tevet 5771 Rambam Page  of 4 Connecting Maimonides Alumni Worldwide Early Graduate Reports Maimonides Alum Chairs NJ Commission on Fire’s Impact Mark S. Levenson ‘74 of West Orange, a leader in Israel advocacy and philan- Ella (Ruben) Berkovits ’53, a thropic efforts for more than a genera- member of the school’s first high tion, has been appointed chair of school graduating class, has the Israel Commission by resided in Haifa for many years. Governor Chris Christie. She reported the following in the aftermath of the devastating fires The commission works to foster trade southeast of the city in November: and cultural ties among businesses and institutions in NJ and Israel. Mark “We were fortunate, in that the fire has been a member since 2003 and stopped one neighborhood away also serves as co-president of the Mark Levenson ’74 with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from our home. Our son, however, America-Israel Chamber of Commerce had to vacate his apartment, as and Industry and president-elect he lives in Usfiya, where the fire of the New Jersey State Association he visits when traveling to Israel, started. Luckily his apartment was of Jewish Federations. He has been including Carl Sherer, Daniella undamaged, except for the perva- president of his regional federation for (Peyser) Teutsch, and Debra Weiner sive smell of smoke and burning eight years. and Jay Solomont. and he was able to move back home last night. One of our grand- Since traveling to Israel for the first Mark noted that he learned the daughters studies in the Open time in 1982, Mark has made more importance of “giving back” from School in Bet Oren, so she was than 85 trips, leading political, trade his parents, Marvin and Hawley evacuated to safety at the begin- and community missions during good Levenson, of blessed memory, ning of the event. times as well as during wars, Intifadas “who were selflessly involved in, and terrorist bombing campaigns. He and dedicated to, both Maimonides “Unfortunately, so many others has served as a delegate to numer- and Kadimah-Toras Moshe.” were not as lucky as we. We could ous political, economic and philan- He has served as a volunteer leader see and smell the eerily-colored thropic conferences, and he lectures in his and children’s day smoke from our living room and it and writes frequently on Israel. appeared as if the sky itself was on school, and for years was involved fire. Thank G-d, thanks to the help “Maimonides School and Congre- in diplomatic and political outreach we received from Europe, Russia gation Kadimah-Toras Moshe were on behalf of the Anti-Defamation and the U.S., the fires are out, and incredible influences in my life,” Mark League, Jewish Community Rela- what remains is the hard work of reflected. “I was a K-12 student, and it tions Council and United Jewish rehabilitation of homes and lives was a great school. It gave me Jewish Appeal. For the past 10 years, he which have been shattered, as well pride, it gave me Jewish identity, it has concentrated on the business as the clean-up of the devastated gave me the beginning of my Hebrew and trade aspects of Israel relations. language skills. I have nothing but the beautiful Carmel Forest. A graduate of Brandeis Univer- fondest and warmest memories and sity, Mark worked on Capitol Hill “I just saw an appeal from the appreciation.” Jewish Agency for contribu- and at the Urban Institute think tions towards aiding in the work He reflected on teachers who tank before enrolling in New York necessary in the aftermath of this “brought tremendous talent and University School of Law. A senior terrible tragedy. Perhaps the Israeli devotion to their craft,” including partner at the law firm of Sills Consulate could suggest what you Michael Schockett, who continues to Cummis & Gross, he chairs the firm’s could undertake as a community teach in the Mathematics Department, Israel Business Practice Group and project.” as well as Rabbi M.J. Cohn, z”l, Rabbi performs pro bono legal work for a Isaiah Wohlgemuth, z”l, Rabbi Isaac range of charitable causes. Simon, z”l, and Mrs Devorah Cohn. He also noted the many classmates Kol Bogrei December 2010 ~ Kislev–Tevet 5771 Rambam Page  of 4 Connecting Maimonides Alumni Worldwide Maimonides Graduates Here and There...

Ariella (Hollander) Wiesenfeld notes, “Ariella’s Custom Cakes is not HASC is the summer program of the ’04 of Bergenfield, NJ, has launched an currently supervised by any Kashruth Hebrew for Special Children Internet cake business, Agency. All cakes are baked with only of Queens, serving more than 300 www.AriellasCustomCakes.com. Her Kosher certified (Pareve) ingredients mentally and physically handicapped website announces “custom cakes for in a Kosher Kitchen. Email to request children and adults. “I am running in all occasions,” including weddings, Rabbinic references or with any memory of my camper, Stevie Newman, birthday parties, bar and bat , questions.” who passed away two summers bridal showers and corporate events. ago,” Adam reported. His personal Adam Berman ‘05 has joined the Contact Ariella at ariellascustomcakes@ page, which presents his story and the team (including Rabbi Allan Houben gmail.com or call (201) 754-8234. opportunity to sponsor the run can be ‘98) training for the Jan. 30 ING Miami Kemach Yoshon is available upon found at www.hasc.net/marathon/my/ Half-Marathon to raise money for request. “Due to our small size,” the site berman87 . Camp HASC in the Catskills. Camp

Members and friends of the Maimonides Class of 1996 once again celebrated Thanksgiving with their annual “Turkey Bowl” football game near Cleveland Circle, Brighton: (front, from left) Dov Kram ‘95, Osband ‘98, Elisha Blechner, Raphi Savitz and Eli Geller; (rear, from left): Nissan Segal, Avner Aliphas (and son Joshy), Nahum Palefski, Dovid Osband ‘02, Ben Lupatkin, Ari Palefski, Zion Orent, Joey Blechner ‘09, Matt Wolfe ‘02, Ezra Segal and Shlomo Hoffman ’97.

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