KOL RAMBAM Oct. 2008 • hŠqyz ixyz

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM TARGETS INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS Elementary School has inform teachers so that instruction can be the first few visits are an assessment of launched SuccessMaker Enterprise, an modified or redirected to concentrated a child’s individual abilities,” Dr. Billings interactive computerized classroom needs.” explained. The assessment determines program designed to improve each stu- SuccessMaker, a product of Pearson each student’s individual instruction dent’s individual knowledge and skills in Digital Learning, is a supplemental instruc- level, considering the time it takes to mathematics and reading. tion program that begins with an indi- respond to questions, the number of Each classroom in Grades 1 through 5 vidual placement module, using students’ correct answers, and degree of difficulty, has been equipped with three comput- responses until a scoring matrix deter- he said. “At that point, the program cues ers, with the major financing provided by mines a child’s individual instructional itself to go into instructional mode. From the Gruss Foundation of New York. The level, Dr. Billings emphasized. then on, each time a child goes to the computer, the program re-cues to the program was introduced to parents at “It will quickly identify both strug- child’s discerned ability and continues. Back-to-School Night Sept. 16, and began gling students and advanced students, If a child gets to a new skill, the program in the classrooms on Oct. 2. with specific information to assist us in will continue to respond and move on at “SuccessMaker provides instruction that meeting the immediate needs of both,” a child’s individual rate.“ not only advances student learning, but he said. “The system supports classroom is also individually responsive, check- instruction, contributes to academic pro- David Nahoumi, Maimonides director of ing prior learning for both retention ficiency, and allows students to work technology, recently finished installing and application of skills,” said Dr. Jack independently and stay motivated.” the 39 new Dell Pentium IV computers, each with a flat-screen monitor. “They’re Billings, principal for General Studies. The “When a child first sits and interacts with program generates reports, which “will the mathematics or reading program, Continued on page 4

Join us for a presentation by sue s Is MATTHEW LEVITT ‘88, hi T one of the nation’s leading experts on In terrorism, as he presents his new book, dvar Teshuvah: Restorative or Transformative 2 “Negotiating Under Fire: Preserving Peace Chesed in Brener Building 2 Talks in the Face of Terror Attacks” alumni David Flusberg ‘93 3 Wednesday, Nov. 12 • 7:30 p.m. Campus upgrades “go green” 4 Seniors’ retreat solidifies Maimonides School class goals 5 34 Philbrick Road, Brookline spotlight Rabbi Yaakov Jaffe 6 RSVP to [email protected] Students praise Beurei HaTefilla 7 or 617-232-4452, ext. 105 Upper School art students News & Notes 8 sketch the newly-landscaped Philbrick Road lawn (see story on plant improvements, page 4).  Kindergartener Isaac Jacobson, left, and second grader Yaakov Baker design a Rosh Hashanah card for Brener Builds A CHESED COMMUNITY members of the IDF.

Chesed always has been a central part of Grade 5, said Rabbi Saltzman. “The goal the Maimonides School curriculum. This is for the kids to all know each other, to academic year, there are “internal and greet each other in the hallway, to foster external components,” says Rabbi David communal responsibility. A first grader Saltzman, Elementary School principal. will have the opportunity to interact The internal aspect is experienced as with a fourth grader.” students participate as an integrated Joanna Parker, Grade 1 Judaic studies community: Chesed l’Chaverim. teacher, is coordinating the program this “We divided the school into mini-com- academic year, and she kicked things munities,” with each group including the off last month by introducing Chesed entire range of grades, Kindergarten to Continued on page 6

Teshuvah: Restorative or Transformative By Rabbi David Shapiro, Rosh ; Chairholder, Rabbi Yitzhak Twersky Chair in Talmud and Jewish Thought

[This dvar Torah is based upon shi’urim of the Amongst the strategies employed by, and Dynamic psychologists would speak Talner Rebbe, HaRav Yitzhak Twersky, zt”l] the characteristics of, ba’alei teshuvah are … of manifest behavior as representative In Massechet Rosh Hashanah (16b) R. [and it is as if he says] “I am another person; of the deeper, latent content of one’s Yitzchak offers four strategies that each I am no longer the person who committed psyche (which ultimately defines per- those acts.” He changes his entire behavior Jew should employ in order “to have sonality). now, doing [only] what is good and upright. the decree against him torn up.” The If I find myself engaging too often in We find a similar characterization of tes- David Flusberg fourth is shinui ma’aseh, “changing one’s leshon ha-ra, it is not enough to resolve ‘93 in his huvah in Moreh Nevuchim (Rambam’s actions.” to avoid it. I must ask myself: what Bucharest Guide for the Perplexed) [III:36]: office Rashi interprets shinui ma’aseh as shav need within me does this inappropriate mei-ra’ato, “he abandons his evil ways.” … he can correct himself, and return to a behavior meet? better and more perfect state than the one This conception of teshuvah—the com- he was in before he sinned. If I fail to daven regularly, it is not suf- monly-accepted one, to be sure—is ficient to make a commitment to try and This type of teshuvah, portrayed by minimalistic. It is only “restorative;” comply with halachic expectations. Is it Rambam and Ritva, is not merely “restor- that is, the person aspires only to repair a theologically based skepticism about ative”; it aims to be “transformative.” the damage to his record, to remove the role of prayer that allowed me to The spiritual process of teshuvah is the entries in the debit column, and to lapse? Is there a fundamental deficiency often compared to the physiological/ achieve the status quo ante. in my commitment to halachah? medical process of healing. Yishayahu, Ritva was not satisfied with Rashi’s for example, states (6:10): ve-shav, ve- If someone offended me and has sought approach. In his commentary to our rafa lo, “he will repent, and he will be forgiveness repeatedly, to be met only Talmudic passage he writes: healed.” Yirmiyahu later said (3:22): by my unyielding resentment—what Rashi’s interpretation does not appear to be Shuvu banim shovavim; erpa meshuvotei- ethical flaw in my inherent character correct. Obviously, if one repents without chem, “Repent, you wayward sons; I shall prevents me from “letting go” of my abandoning his evil ways … his teshuvah will heal your waywardness.” David haM- anger? These are the type of questions not be efficacious. Rather, [what R. Yitzchak elech had already petitioned (Tehillim that “transformative teshuvah” seeks to (in our Talmudic passage) means is:] he aban- address. dons even those actions that are formally 41:5): Refa’a nafshi ki chatati lach, “Heal permissible but are slightly inappropriate. my soul for I have sinned against you.” Let us each strive to achieve “transforma- That is to say; he becomes another person We might thus say that the “restorative” tive teshuvah” in the spirit of the pasuk entirely... mode of teshuvah aims to address the that we read in Eichah(3:40): Nachpesah deracheinu ve-nachkorah, ve-nashuvah el Although Ritva does not refer to symptomatic behavior, whereas the Hashem, “Let us each search and examine Rambam, there is no doubt that he was more ambitious “transformative” mode our ways, and return to Hashem.” May influenced directly by the latter’s formu- of teshuvah seeks to address the under- we thereby merit a ketivah va-chatimah lation in Hilchot Teshuvah (2:4): lying cause (the etiology) of that inap- propriate behavior. tovah for each member of our extended families and communities.   DVAR TORAH GRADUATE GROWING IN ROMANIA Mazal tov to… Evelyn and Naftali (Herbert) Stern ‘57 on the birth of a granddaughter. Seven years ago, during a kiddush in an Upper East Side shul, Nahum Naomi (Krimsky) ’88 and Yitzi Hollander on the recent bar mitzvah of their Palefski ’96 re-introduced David Flusberg ’93 to Dvir Cohen Hoshen, son Yossi. who once briefly attended Maimonides while his parents were on a Sarah Levine ’88 and Dr. Hylton Joffe on the birth of their daughter, Hannah sabbatical from . Diane. David and Dvir became friends, and even worked together on some Dr. Aliza Levine ’90 and Eric Brown on the birth of their daughter, Lilah small business ventures while Dvir studied at Tel Aviv University. Then, Arielle. in 2004, David relates, “Dvir wanted me to join him in Romania so we Eitan Levisohn ’92 on his engagement to Dina Epstein. could brainstorm together how to create a real estate venture that Rabbi Ari ’92 and Deborah Rockoff on the birth of their daughter, Talya would combine his Israeli ‘commando’ skills with my American ‘pack- Temima. aging’ skills.” After visiting Bucharest for three weeks, the opportunity Shoshana (Cohen) ‘94 and Dov Glickman on the birth of their son, Maor Levi. “seemed to be worth trying.” Grandparents are Dr. Richard ‘73 and Edith Cohen. Today David is co-founder and president of Yochanon ’94 and Henni Stein on the birth of their son, Yehudah. Adama Holding Group, considered the most Rabbi Dani ’95 and Dr. Ayala Rockoff on the birth of their son, Shimon Yaakov. important residential developer in Romania. “Currently we are constructing and selling Dr. Shira (Langenauer) ’95 and David Galper ’93 on the birth of their son, Avi Noam. 3,000 apartment units on 15 different sites, Dr. Avner ’96 and Annie (Lopkin) Aliphas ’96 on the birth of their son, and we have another 10,000-plus units in Gabriel Ethan. the development pipeline on lands we own,” Erica Bogdansky ’96 on her marriage to Reuben Scherzer. David reports. Avrum ’96 and Hilary Leeder on the birth of their son, Lev Shalom. The company employs 150 people in 10 cities Debbie Marton ’96 on her engagement to Koby Frances. across Romania (including 40 Israelis), and is Nathaniel Segal ‘96 on his marriage to Margalit Friedman. also active, “via subsidiaries that we estab- Shuli (Gertel) ’97 and Rabbi Avi Bossewitch on the birth of a daughter, Tova lished or acquired, in Ukraine and in Turkey. Nechama. Grandparents are Reva (Levovitz) ‘68 and Harvey Gertel. We also have a small office in Moldova, David Flusberg Dr. Natan ’97 and Nava Krohn on the birth of their son, Zachary. ‘93 in his where we are developing a shopping mall, Alan ’98 and Lisa Houben on the birth of their daughter Zehava. Bucharest and a satellite office in Israel.” The total value office of Adama’s completed portfolio is approxi- Ari Katz ’99 on his marriage to Shari Sperling. mately 3 billion euros, he adds. Philip ‘99 and Arielle Moskowitz on the birth of their son, Moshe Yitzchak. Elisha and Rabbi Dov Huff ’00 on the birth of their son, Akiva Shalom. It didn’t start out that way. For 18 months, beginning in June 2004, “Dvir and I were living and working out of a decaying, roach-infested Jon Lopkin ’00 on his marriage to Nichole Greenberg. apartment in Bucharest. It was a very intense and difficult period, and Alyson (Singer) ’00 and Jeffrey Seidman on the birth of their daughter, Ariella Malka. we barely had the startup budget to survive. However, we spent the year getting to know the market at all levels and positioned ourselves Aryeh Keehn ’01 on his marriage to Karen Lopata. as smart, trustworthy operators who knew how to work locally in a very Adam Aghion ’02 on his engagement to Abby Baer. difficult environment, but at the same time were ethical and transpar- Jonathan Sokolowski ’03 on his engagement to Lisa Kaller. ent enough to work with the many foreign investors who wanted to Joshua Vogel ’03 on his marriage to Tamar Grun. enter the market but didn’t know how.” Elise Kohen ’04 on her marriage to David Askenazi. “At the end of 2005, the world changed for us,” David continues. “After Veronika Blinder ’06 on her marriage to Sergey Antonov. some months of tough negotiations, we brought in a multi-billion- dollar U.S. investment fund as a partner to Adama, and restructured Condolences to the business. The capital raised in this round totaled 50 million euros, Pamela Potter ’77 on the loss of her beloved mother, Ethel Potter, z”l. and with these funds we secured a new office space, started acquiring Jessica Hammer ’94, Alison Hammer ’97, Dana Hammer and David more land, building up a local brand and hiring Israeli and Romanian Hammer ’01 on the loss of their beloved father, Dr. Michael Hammer, z”l. management to handle finance, engineering, marketing and legal Rebecca Jacobs ’74, Abigail (Jacobs) Wyschogrod ’75 and Sarah Jacobs aspects of the development business.” ’78 on the loss of their beloved father, Rabbi David Jacobs, z”l. Isaac Mozeson ’69, Zivia Polsky ’70, Chaya Sara Cohen and Rabbi Yonatan David is upbeat about the future, “since we are in a region where the Mozeson on the loss of their beloved father, Rabbi Leon Mozeson, z”l (see real estate cycles are still at a very early stage—the demand is much story, page 8). higher than supply, and mortgages are very new.” Although Romania Elise Goldman-Gurvis ’76 on the loss of her beloved mother, Claire Goldman, and its neighbors are still bogged down by bureaucracy, corruption z”l. and “primitive business ethics, Adama has a special formula for how Shayna Heller ’72, Abba Leeder, Dr. Asher Leeder ’69, Mordechai Leeder to get the job done in a way which is both clean and effective, so we ’65, and Rabbi Yehoshua Leeder ’66 on the loss of their beloved sister, Continued on page 5 Berdeena Leeder Maniates ‘69, z”l. ALUMNI  IMPROVEMENTS ON CAMPUS FEATURE EFFORTS TO “GO GREEN”

Maimonides School is right in step with nationwide efforts to “go green”—con- serving resources and protecting the environment—says Mervin Alge, the school’s director of operations. Happily, many of the steps taken also result in significant cost savings. “Last summer we focused on lighting,” Mr. Alge reported. “We installed motion sensors in all classrooms and offices to prevent waste and save money.” The sensors’ job is a simple one: when motion stops, the room’s lights turn off. “There’s no question that they’ll make a difference—the payback period is less than two years.” A similar experience is expected in the Brener Building gymna- sium with the installation of high-effi- ciency fluorescent lights. Even more significant savings will be Physical education instructor Deb Caban ovesees students in realized during the heating season, Grade 3B on the new Fox Gymnasium floor. when Maimonides for the first time will burn only natural gas. The main burners responsible for most of Saval Campus other technologies to improve energy  Changes on the ground level of are equipped to handle either oil or gas; efficiency.” Saval Campus to accommodate the this year the price differential makes gas Other physical changes accomplished expanded , including an obvious choice, and Mr. Alge said he during the summer of 2008 include: installation of lockers and vending is completing negotiations for a favor- machines and conversion of space to a  Installation of the first hardwood floor faculty area and a student “study zone.” able rate. in Judge J. John Fox Gymnasium. The Some rooms also were modified in the Plans also call for replacement of the 22- gym originally was outfitted with a Brener Building, which for the first year-old original rooftop heating equip- rubberized floor; the shiny new maple time is home to the entire Elementary ment on the Kurr Study Center with a surface “looks fabulous,” said long- School. state-of-the-art high-efficiency burner, time physical education teacher Mr. Alge said. Ernest D’Agnelli. “ players  The second phase of landscaping—the “Over the years, Saval Campus has been love playing on a wood floor,” he gift of an anonymous donor—around upgrading to the latest technology of added. The contractor was Connor the main entrance on Philbrick Road. ballasts and bulbs,” Mr. Alge said, citing Sport Court International, which bills Also, the original carpeting on the two major variables in electricity con- itself as the world leader in sports floor of Levy Library was replaced.  sumption. “We will continue exploring flooring.

SuccessMaker fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. check skill retention.” Continued from p. 1 The student begins each session with Students work on SuccessMaker two state of the art,” he said. “All the com- “focused instruction,” followed by inter- times per week in math and reading for puters are networked, tied into a server, active practice. 40 minutes each session. Teachers and with good response time. Each student “The fundamentals of math instruction principals have been trained on the has a user name and password.” are number sense and operations, data SuccessMaker Enterprise courseware. Dr. Billings said the program’s approach analysis, probability and discrete math- Initial classroom orientations were led is “based upon well-established edu- ematics, geometry, measurement, pat- by Kristina Sepe, administrative assis- cational research.” He explained that terns, algebra and functions,” he con- tant in the Brener Building. SuccessMaker teaches reading through tinued. “The program monitors student The Gruss Foundation has been phonological awareness, phonics, trials and automatically goes back to involved with this product for seven Continued on page 5  Customizing T-shirts during the Class of 2009 Legacy Retreat HELPS SENIORS SOLIDIFY CLASS GOALS Camp are, from left, seniors Rebecca Boroda, Shani The 59-member Class of 2009 began its final academic Weiner, Zehava Gale, Malka year at Maimonides School with some ambitious goals: Langermann, Rachel Jaret bonding among the seniors, a series of class projects, and Tova Ramelson. and a permanent “legacy” at the school. Classmates say they got off to a great start with their two-day Machaneh Moreshet—Legacy Camp—held at a public campground in the central town of Royalston. The idea originated when the seniors were juniors, in Tomer Ben Shoham’s advanced Hebrew class. “We really liked the idea of a camping trip,” said Avital Bailen, who organized the venture with fellow seniors Hana Flesh, Yoni Matz and Shani Weiner. Mr. Ben Shoham, who with Christopher Dore serves as Grade 12 dean, said this is a popular experience among Israeli students; “we structured a basic idea of what we would do there and why, and met with (Principal) Rabbi Altshuler on the last day of school. He seemed really excited.” Ken Weinstein, Upper School principal for general studies, accompanied the seniors and said “they accom- plished everything they set out to do. I saw new groups working together, new friendships being made, and a heightened level of sensitivity to one another’s differ- ences that didn’t exist before the trip.” Mr. Weinstein said the encampment was “a perfect balance of structured and unstructured time, athletic and cerebral pursuits, challenges and comforts, a little art, some cooking, fire building and team building… Unique talents were more evident in the woods than they would be here at school and I was very proud of how students opened up their minds a bit to learning more about each other even if they have been together for years.” Seniors are now talking with Mr. Ben Shoham about “a 13th year for the 12th grade” later in 2009, Avital said. Enjoying the campfire are, “Since most of us will be in Israel, we could organize an from left, Eliana Frim, Erica opportunity for our grade to get together for a couple Singer, Joe Blechner, Jona Koplow, Jesse Ebner and of days and reunite.”  Asher Zimble.

years, establishing its first computer “The whole world economy is in transi- Maimo have been out here to visit me laboratories in New York metropolitan tion now, and there will be some fallout and we had fun.” Bucharest is replete area day schools in 2001. The founda- from the U.S. crisis even here; we are with Israelis, he adds, in business or in tion reports that schools incorporating prepared for anything but in the long medical school, and there are a number SuccessMaker into their teaching are term our outlook on the business and of , including a new Chabad experiencing positive results.  Adama’s financial strength is very solid,” center, as well as a JCC. “Anti-Semitism he asserts. is a non-issue in Romania,” he says, “and Flusberg David, now nearly fluent in Romanian, my experience has been that Romanians Continued from p. 3 says the country is “really a decent place are overwhelmingly welcoming of and feel good about our competitive posi- to live, with warm people and some nice respectful towards .”  tioning.” places to visit. A few of my friends from  RABBI JAFFE FINDS HIS IDEAL COMBINATION AT MAIMONIDES

Rabbi Yaakov Jaffe recalls that on his first Isaac Elchanan Theological David Shapiro) made aliyah day as a rabbinical student he was told Seminary. Over the next six with his family. “I always har- that “you have to make a choice: whether years he not only earned bored the hope that I could you will be a rabbi or a teacher, and give semicha but also master’s continue doing both things,” your energies to just one. But from the degrees in Bible and sec- he explained. “I didn’t want beginning I wanted to be both.” ondary education from YU’s to lose touch with our At Maimonides he is having and eating graduate programs. He also youth, but I also didn’t want his proverbial cake, as Rabbi Jaffe is teach- learned for three year’s in to lose the bigger picture of ing Talmud, Navi and halachah yomit to YU’s Bella and Harry Wexler the larger issues that face juniors and seniors, while serving as the Kollel Elyon. our community.” rabbi of the kehillah that has been an His experience with young Rabbi Yaakov Jaffe Rabbi Jaffe’s wife Yael is adjunct of the school for almost its entire people began several years also a member of the Upper history. ago as a dormitory coun- School limudei kodesh Rabbi Jaffe, 27, grew up in Monsey, NY, and selor at NCSY Summer Kollel. Later he faculty. She is also a Columbia graduate, graduated from Marsha Stern Talmudical taught at MTA for two years on the staff earned two master’s degrees as well, and Academy (’s High of Rabbi Mark Gottlieb, head of school taught at SAR high school and Yeshiva of School for Boys), riding a school bus two and former Maimonides principal. He also Flatbush. The Jaffes’ son Robbie is two. hours a day round trip. After learning for a worked as coordinator for the national One of the advantages of teaching at year-and-a-half at Yeshivat Har Etzion, he Chidon Hatanach, popular for years at Maimonides is the students’ broad expo- studied English literature and psychology Maimonides. And it was “a surreal experi- sure in both the Judaic and general studies at Columbia, earning a bachelor’s degree ence when I looked at the class roster and programs, Rabbi Jaffe suggests. “Torah in three years. Still in school, Rabbi Jaffe realized I knew half of the kids already u’Madda means that you hear echoes is pursuing a Ph.D. in education through from the Bible Contest. I was able to feel from one class to another as you move monthly teleconferencing sessions, with like part of the family even before start- forward,” he observed. “It’s good to teach students who include Maimonides grand- ing.” at a school in which we are confident that parent Harry Bloom and former teacher Parallel to his classroom activities, he our students will hear the echoes. And part Melissa Perl. worked as a rabbinic intern at Lincoln of my job is to make sure that the echoes As an undergraduate Rabbi Jaffe attended Square , and filled in at the are there for them to hear.”  shiurim at Yeshiva University, and sub- Kingsway Jewish Center in after sequently he matriculated at YU’s Rabbi Rabbi Dani Goldstein (son-in-law of Rabbi Dr. Charles Jacobs, founder of the David Project, talks about Israel advocacy Chesed for the K–5 groups,” Mrs. Parker said, during a senior class Continued from p. 2 perhaps as soon as November, when the get-together hosted by the Grade 12 l’Chaverim. Now that Grade 6 has been chesed calendar calls for packages and deans to open the moved into the enhanced Maimonides cards to be sent to U.S. forces serving in school year. Middle School configuration, Grade 5 is Iraq. Other highlights on the 2008-2009 the top rung in the Brener Building. schedule include: So the groups of Chesed l’Chaverim are  Activities specific to grades or headed by fifth graders, “taking on roles combinations of grades. For example, as leaders,” Mrs. Parker said. Their first Mrs. Parker said, kindergarteners enterprise was crafting Rosh Hashanah will do some baking, then students cards for members of the Israel Defense in Grade 1 will deliver the results to Force. The project was preceded by a elderly residents in the area. “Get-to-Know-You” session for each  Support for the Beit Elazraki orphanage group. “The fifth graders were phe- in Netanya. “We will be collecting items, nomenal—they really stepped up,” Mrs. and some kids may even develop pen Parker reported. “They responded beau- pals there,” Mrs. Parker said. tifully. We were very impressed with  Services inside the school. Before their maturity and interaction,” Rabbi Pesach, for instance, older students Saltzman agreed. may be assigned to help clean the “There will be periodic get-togethers Levy Library on Saval Campus.   STUDENTS EMBRACE BEUREI HATEFILlA

Upper School students are respond- riculum. Although the campaign is only ing with concentration, reflection and a few months old, classes in interpreta- enthusiasm after the first few sessions of tion of prayer have begun, thanks to Maimonides School’s reinstituted Beurei seed money from Combined Jewish HaTefilla class. Philanthropies of Greater Boston and its Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, lŠvf Rabbi Reuven Cohn ’65 is teaching most Peerless Excellence program. Founder of the sections in Grades 9-12. After a Leora Sanieoff, a junior, wrote Rabbi Rabbi M.J. Cohn, lŠf few classes he asked for feedback, via Cohn that she explained to her mother Principal Emeritus electronic mail, as part of a homework the configuration of the Musaf Amidah assignment. The responses affirmed the on Rosh Hashanah. “My mother told me Rabbi David Shapiro administration’s decision to reinstate the that never in the 30 or so years that she Rosh Yeshiva course that Rabbi Isaiah Wohlgemuth, has been reading the Rosh Hashanah Jeffrey B. Swartz z”l, taught to three generations of Amidah did she ever notice this distinc- Chair, Board of Directors Maimonides students. tive setup,” she reported. “I just want you to know that I’m really happy you’re Abraham Levovitz, lŠf “In all honesty, prayer is an aspect President Emeritus of my life that I truly struggle with,” teaching us about the Amidah, because acknowledged Alicia Hanau, a junior. I really hope that by learning about the “Sometimes, I prefer to daven in English Amidah, I will be able to daven with the Nathan Katz ’73 with my own words and thoughts. I am proper kavanah this year.” Executive Director really excited to look into the meanings Senior Marissa Schwartz’s mother, Dr. Mike Rosenberg of prayers and be able to recognize the Rebecca Kolodny Schwartz ’82, was a Editor purpose of each bracha.” student of Rabbi Wohlgemuth’s. Marissa wrote to Rabbi Cohn that “I recall my Erica Schultz “I really enjoyed our conversation about Designer the ata kadosh bracha, why it is so short, mother’s telling me stories about his and what it means,” wrote senior Leah great kindness, and the lessons he taught Tamara Kesselman Sarna. “Honestly, I really used to gloss her about tefilla.” Director of Admissions over it in Shemoneh Esreh because it She pointed out that “tefilla is really an wasn’t something I could visualize or essential part of what connects us to Middle & Upper School relate to in any way. The class helped a and helps us identify as a part of Modern Rabbi Yair Altshuler lot, and I’ve started really thinking about Orthodoxy… while many students (and Principal the bracha when I say it.” friends) view limudei kodesh classes as Ken Weinstein Dahlia Gruen, also a senior, commented, ‘learning for the test,’ many of us see Principal, General Studies “I had also never thought of brachot tefilla as for a greater ‘test’.” Therefore, having a set structure. Rather, I thought the class is important because “it’s what of the entire tefilla as having a start, truly distinguishes us as Maimonides Elementary School middle and end. I am interested to delve grads and as Orthodox Jews.” Rabbi David Saltzman farther into the different structures of Sophomore Tamar Kosowsky appre- Principal brachot.” ciated Rabbi Cohn’s anecdotes about Dr. Jack Billings Maimonides has launched a fundrais- Rabbi Wohlgemuth’s life. She said she Principal, General Studies ing campaign in memory of Rabbi was particularly touched by learning of Wohlgemuth to endow the Beurei Rabbi Wohlgemuth’s promise to always HaTefilla course. The initial phase of the be kind to students, motivated by the campaign was targeted at alumni who horrors suffered by Jewish children graduated between 1953 and 1997, and during the Shoah. Kol Rambam is published by well over 100 contributions have been Junior Donald Adler noted that “in class the Office of Alumni and Community received, ranging from $18 to $10,000. today, I saw people very engaged in the Relations at Maimonides School. The campaign is now set to expand, to conversation, and adding to it. It was include parents of alumni, friends of good to see people really get to show Comments, questions, the school, recent graduates and other their knowledge of prayer, and learn and suggestions should former students. more. I also really liked how you started be addressed to: Maimonides School the class with explaining how it’s been Revenue generated by the endowment 34 Philbrick Road gone for so long, and how alumni always principal will support restoration of Brookline, MA 02445 remember it, and how we’re now con- Rabbi Wohlgemuth’s renowned course, (617) 232-4452 x105 tinuing it. We’re now part of a legacy!”  the Upper School Beurei HaTefilla cur- [email protected]  Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage 34 Philbrick Road Paid Brookline, MA 02445 Brookline, MA Permit No. 59990 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Notes & RABBI LEON MOZESON, z”l: The Maimonides School s Community was saddened to learn of the recent passing w of Rabbi Leon Mozeson, z”l, in Israel. Rabbi Mozeson was e MIDOT ON THE DIAMOND: The Massachusetts a high school limudei kodesh teacher at Maimonides for N Interscholastic Athletic Association has honored the 2008 Maimonides team with its some 10 years, beginning in 1962. The class of 1970 Division III Sportsmanship Award. The program dedicated its yearbook in his honor. He was a student of was recognized based on the recommendations the Rav at Yeshiva University, where he received smicha, of opposing coaches and umpires. Rabbi David and he often drove the Rav to or from New York City. Ehrenkranz, coach, and his players enjoyed the These conversations, and many hundreds of shiurim, most successful season on the field in the history were written up in Rabbi Mozeson’s book on the Rav: of the sport at Maimonides. Echoes of the Song of the Nightingale.

SUPPORT FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS: Elana Nouriel, TWO MERIT SEMIFINALISTS: Two beginning her 12th season as founding director of Maimonides School seniors are Maimonides’ Elementary School Orchestra, is looking semifinalists in the 2009 National for donations of instruments to benefit children who Merit Scholarship Program. Harry can’t afford purchases or rentals. “We can use instru- Chiel, son of Judith and Jonathan ments of any kind—strings, woodwinds, brass or Chiel ’75, and Hana Snow, daughter percussion,” said Mrs. Nouriel, adding that financial of Stephanie Pollack and Kenneth donations earmarked for music instruction schol- Snow, are eligible for Merit Scholar­ arships are also welcome. The Elementary School ship awards, to be announced in the Orchestra, which has included children as young as spring. Harry and Hana are among kindergarteners, rehearses weekly and performs at the top 1 percent of the 1.5 million various school events. Mrs. Nouriel is also launching a students who took the National Middle School ensemble this year. Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test/ Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test in the fall of 2007. ALUMNI COUNCIL TRANSITION: Jennifer (Kosowsky) Michaelson ‘85 is the new chair of the Alumni Council Steering Committee, succeeding Deborah (Levisohn) Stanhill ‘82. The Steering Committee is planning a series of alumni speakers for the coming months, and hopes to continue efforts to establish satellite alumni groups where there is a critical mass of Maimonides graduates.