Kol Bogrei September 2012 ~ Elul-Tishrei-5772-73 Rambam Page 1 of 5 Connecting Maimonides 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 Jews to be contributing members of society. Your ideas and accomplishments will help sustain and strengthen this key communications tool; please forward to [email protected].

Graduate Details Brighton Hospital’s Addition of Bikur Cholim Room

Nearly three months after the launch of a bikur cholim room at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton, the facility has proven to be “a resource not only for patients and their families but for the entire hospital community.” That’s the assessment of Dr. Rebecca (Kolodny) Schwartz ’82, vice chair of radiology at the hospital. A bikur cholim room is a space that observant Jews can use to fulfill religious needs while in the hospital visiting patients. The centrally- located room contains a couch, table Dr. Rebecca Schwartz ‘82 in the bikur cholim room at St. and chairs as well as a refrigerator Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton and a kosher microwave oven. In addition to kosher food, siddurim, She approached hospital administrators to the needy. “The room would never Tehillim books and chumashim are on with a plan to increase outreach efforts have gotten off the ground without the hand. Rebecca said it is a place where to local Orthodox Jews. “They were immense efforts of Mike Hirsh, program patients and visitors “can spend time extremely receptive and they ran with director at ROFEH (husband of Riselle together as a family.” it,” she said, welcoming the opportunity Glass Hirsh ’74 and father of Daniel Rebecca reported that she first to host the first bikur cholim room in Hirsh ’02 and Brittani Hirsh ’11),” learned of the concept of a bikur Boston and developing institution-wide Rebecca said. programming to enable observant Jews cholim room when she chaired the Mike helped coordinate donations and to feel more comfortable at the hospital. Maimonides School Recruitment volunteers for the room. The Butcherie of Committee. During a phone Although the facility was not designed Brookline helps supply the food, and the conversation, a prospective parent as a place where people can sleep, St. room was furnished by several donors, from New Jersey asked which Elizabeth’s has made accommodations including Wingate Healthcare. hospitals in Boston had a bikur cholim to ensure that Jewish families can Rebecca, a member of the Maimonides room. At the time, the answer was: observe Shabbat and Yom Tov. The Board of Directors, told a local reporter none. room has a mechanical lock to facilitate that “being a religious hospital is part of use and is easily accessible by stairs. St. “The idea of opening a bikur cholim our mission. Serving religious persons of Elizabeth’s also is within the boundaries room sat in the back of my head for a all faiths is something that this institution of the Greater Boston Eruv. long time,” she said. Then a couple of values… I hope in the long run every years ago, “it occurred to me that St. The room was developed in partnership hospital in Boston will provide what St. Elizabeth’s is a community hospital with ROFEH International, the Bostoner Elizabeth’s has so eagerly provided for its that was not serving a segment of its Rebbe’s chesed organization that patients,” immediate community.” provides medical referrals and support Visit Maimonides on Facebook Follow our Twitter feed, KolRambam Subscribe to our YouTube channel, MaimoTube Kol Bogrei September 2012 ~ Elul-Tishrei-5772-73 Rambam Page 2 of 5 Connecting Maimonides Alumni Worldwide Hospitalized Children Inspire Alumni to Train for Grueling Bicycle Ride in Israel There’s something about a child over- “The Friends of ALYN Hospital encour- coming great odds that can inspire aged us to tour the facility, meeting others to reach a little higher. and befriending the patients and witnessing the incredible state-of-the- That’s why Dr. Michael Wiener ’84 art rehabilitation that is accomplished and his father Marvin are training for there. Seeing the children was an their second Wheels of Love fund- incredible inspiration to return year raising bicycle ride in support of ALYN after year,” he continued. “Last year, Hospital on the outskirts of Jerusalem. together with my father, we raised They are like hundreds of other cyclists, $10,000. It was amazing to ride side by including oher Maimonides graduates, side with Jews from 12 different coun- who say that the patients and staff at tries and bond over such a meaningful the hospital are all the motivation they common cause.” need. Eli, who lives in Jerusalem, said he The Wieners’ companion along the was introduced to the ALYN ride five five-day route will be this year’s years ago. “I was struck by the amazing chairman of the 2012 Wheels of Love opportunity of spending five days bike Organizing Committee, Eli Kazhdan riding, sometimes rather competitively, ’85. throughout Israel, and at the same “The ALYN Hospital is one of the time raising money for an amazing and world’s leading specialists in the active important cause,” he said. and intensive rehabilitation of children, Michael, left and Marvin Wiener at the 2011 ALYN Ride Overseeing the ride is a volunteer regardless of their religion or ethnic board of Israeli riders. Eli joined the origin, who are afflicted with a broad board about two years ago, and last All of these children had benefited in range of physical disabilities,” said Eli. year was asked to be chairman. “Like some way from the Wheels of Love “The ultimate aim of ALYN is to reha- any board of a sizeable operation, it campaigns.” bilitate the youngsters in its care and involves some time investment. But to return them to their families and to “One of the life lessons I took away seeing the faces of the kids for whom the community as quickly as possible, from my ALYN experience was their we organize the ride makes it all very having provided them with the skills to motto: ‘Transforming disabilities into much worthwhile,” he testified. function as independently as possible.” abilities’,” he continued. “This was Michael now spends his summers in most inspiring because, as hard as we The bicycle ride is the cornerstone of New England “training with local bike worked to tackle the mountainous ALYN’s fundraising activities, raising clubs as well as on my own in order to terrain of Israel, we knew that the about $2.5 million sponsorships from prepare myself for the mountains of children struggled just as hard in each about 300 riders annually. Israel. I am discovering the countryside small step they took toward their own “I heard about the Wheels of Love ride of my northeast region, and am always rehabilitation.” from riders who have gone multiple on the lookout for new routes in my “I am proud to stand by my fellow times and raved about their experi- preparation.” alumni to live out the values I learned ences,” said Michael, who lives in New “Last year, after the first night of riding, at Maimonides, in continuing the Haven. “Last year, while my daughter I was particularly inspired by a presen- directive of the Rav, ‘That the Jew was spending her gap year studying at tation that correlated the funds raised must share in the destiny of his people Midreshet HaRova, I thought it would with the direct impact on the children,” and be concerned in the destiny of be a perfect opportunity to fulfill my Michael related. “I was touched by mankind’.” dream of participating in the ride while stories of individual patients. Some also having a glimpse into my daugh- Supporters can access Michael’s fund- had suffered injuries from terrorist ter’s year.” raising page using the following link: attacks, while others were cancer survi- vors or victims of congenital defects. http://www.wolusa.org/michaelwiener Kol Bogrei September 2012 ~ Elul-Tishrei-5772-73 Rambam Page 3 of 5 Connecting Maimonides Alumni Worldwide Rabbi Wohlgemuth’s Lessons on Days of Awe Tefillah Continue to Resonate

D’var Torah by Abe Katz ‘71 bracha of Malchuyot and Kedushat function as a yearly reminder of the Ha’Yom. link between Limmud Torah and The approach of the Yamim Noraim Tefillah. That link can be described brings back memories of studying Mussaf Shemona Esrei of Rosh in one of two ways; first, that every Beurei Hatefillah with Rabbi Wohlge- Hashanah is unique in one more pasuk that we recite as part of our muth, z”l, and the questions that he way. It is one of only two forms of tefilot serves to fulfill two Mitzvot, would pose about the tefillot of the Shemona Esrei that are described in tefillah and limmud Torah. A second Yamim Noraim: why do we recite nine detail by any Mishna. In Masechet link was identified by Rabbi Joseph brachot in the Mussaf Shemona Esrei of Rosh Hashanah, Perek 4, Mishna 5, we Soloveitchik, zt”l, founder of Rosh Hashanah? Why do we recite 10 learn the details about that Shemona Maimonides School, as quoted in psukim in each of the middle brachot Esrei and in Masechet Ta’anit, Perek 2, the book Worship of the Heart (Toras of Mussaf Shemona Esrei? Why do we Mishna 3, we learn the details of the HoRav Foundation/Ktav, 2003). In the say those psukim in the order of Torah, Shemona Esrei for a public fast. Both Rav’s opinion, both limmud Torah and Ketuvim and Nevi’im and not in the Mishnayot indicate that psukim are the tefillah represent avodah sh’ba’lev, central feature of each Shemona Esrei. service of the heart. When fulfilled That fact should raise a different properly, both acts lead man to fulfill issue for you: why does the weekday his obligation to seek to know G-d, Shemona Esrei contain no psukim? and by seeking to know G-d man Clues that point to psukim having draws closer to G-d. at one time played an important Shana tovah tikateivu ’tichateimu, role in the daily Shemona Esrei but were subsequently removed can Abe Katz be identified. The threat that the Karaite movement posed to Rabbinic Judaism beginning in the 8th Century Abe Katz ’71 of Flushing, NY is founder Abe Katz CE may have been the catalyst for and executive director of The Beurei Chazal removing the psukim from Hatefila Institute, established to order of Torah, Nevi’im and Ketuvim? the weekday Shemona Esrei. A similar encourage the study of the words of And why do we sound 100 cries concern, but involving Minim (Chris- the Siddur as a Jewish text in Jewish from the Shofar on each day of Rosh tians?), is described in the Talmud. It schools. He took part in the New CAJE Hashanah? resulted in Chazal removing the Aseret Conference on Jewish Education at Rabbi Wohlgemuth’s goal in asking Ha’Dibrot from the morning Tefilot. Montclair,NJ, State University in August, those questions was to impress upon presenting a class on the origin of the The psukim found in the Mussaf us the uniqueness of the Mussaf kaddish. Shemona Esrei of Rosh Hashanah Shemona Esrei of Rosh Hashanah. In the years since June 1971, when I last sat through one of Rabbi Wohlge- Posing during their muth’s Beurei Hatefillah classes, I have 20-year reunion in come to notice other unique features Englewood, NJ are members of the Class of that Shemona Esrei: how psukim of 1992: (from left) Orit play an integral role in the middle (Benitah) Gribetz, Yoni three brachot; how we include a non- Weiss, Adina (Levine) Milgram, Brian Gopin, verbal act of prayer (i.e. sounding the Sara (Pollak) Taragin, Shofar); how we combine brachot, not Leah (Toubinan) Duerr, once but twice, Malchuyot with Kedu- Rabbi Ari Rockoff, Elisheva (Septimus) shat Ha’Yom and Malchuyot with Kedu- Gafni and Sam Wald. shat Ha’Shem; and how we modify the Orit and her family Chatimot Ha’Brachot, particularly the hosted the gathering. Chatimat Ha’Bracha for the combined Kol Bogrei September 2012 ~ Elul-Tishrei-5772-73 Rambam Page 4 of 5 Connecting Maimonides Alumni Worldwide Class of 1972 Strengthens Bonds of Friendship at Reunion in Jerusalem by The Reunion Committee the adult versions of the teenagers we Hauser and his wife who lived in the left behind in 1972. Here began the area. After dinner and late into the The Maimonides Class of 1972 took stories and reminiscing, which lasted evening, we gathered around to enjoy a 40 years to plan and execute its first throughout the entire weekend, along wise teaching by our dear leader, Rabbi reunion. And after its success, class- with the reliving of the good and tough (Wachstock) Atzion. As we listened mates are excited about planning and times, the happy and the sad. closely, we slid back in time to our high attending another in the near future. school years as we morphed into the Friday morning we loaded into a tour Since several of our graduates made students we once were, yearning to bus and took a journey to the West aliyah over the years, including Yitzhak learn more. Bank. Our guide, Yitzhak, helped us Sokoloff,founder of the Keshet Israel understand the complex politics of The next day, davening was followed tour group. it made sense for us to Israel as they’ve unfolded over the past by another teaching session with the hold the reunion in Jerusalem. Thanks decade. We visited the home of an rabbi. In the afternoon we continued to more than a year’s collaboration by Ethiopian family where we heard the to talk and to bond and to reminisce. Yitzhak, Marilyn (Zicher) Kramer of story of escape through Sudan and the Laughing and crying over high school Jerusalem, Debbie Levine of Brooklyn, challenges of immigrating. Later we autograph books, report cards and and Shayna (Bonnie) Heller of Wash- savored an al fresco lunch overlooking yearbook messages. The longer we ington, DC, the event was fun-filled, the cherry orchards of Gush Etzion. were together, the closer we all grew. enriching and enjoyed by all. Following havdalah and the welcoming After a full day of touring and learning, It began on Thursday, June 28 as former of a new week, we walked around the we had just enough time to prepare friends and classmates made their way shops of Mamilla Mall and made our for Shabbos as well as the surprise visit from the States (as far away as California) way to the Tower of David light show. from our beloved teacher and scholar, and all around Israel to the Mount Zion Our guide then proceeded to take us on Rabbi Oscar (Wachstock) Atzion. He and Hotel. Since our class was small to begin an enchanting walk through the streets his wife, both in their 80s, traveled from with, we were thrilled to learn of the of the Old City. Overlooking the Kotel Kfar Haro’eh to join our reunion. Shayna interest in attending even from a few at 1 a.m., we were amazed to see the was delighted to present a painting as folks who left us before graduation. crowds. a thank-you gift to the rabbi, whom she The seven classmates who came repre- said was an inspiration for her career in Later on Sunday morning, we gathered sented 25 percent of our total class. the arts. We welcomed Shabbos with at breakfast to say our goodbyes. As we Counting spouses/children, teachers beautiful music and singing by Yitzhak’s traded emails and cell numbers and, and other visitors, we were a group of wife Ruti and daughter Avigail, followed most importantly, we promised not to up to 20 people. by a walk to the Kotel. wait another 40 years before doing this At our opening dinner at Sheyan restau- again... We were joined by Debbie Weiner rant (managed by Nadav Kramer, son ’74 and Jay Solomont ‘74, and David of Marilyn), we began to get to know

Members of the Class of 1972 pose at their 40-year reunion in Jerusalem: from left, Ruthie (Neumann) Platt, Marilyn (Zicher) Kramer, Scott Shabell, Malka (Marilyn Oppen- heim) Livneh, Yitzhak (Eric) Sokoloff, Shayna (Bonnie Leeder) Heller and Frances (Gottlieb) Schwartz), with their teacher, Rabbi Oscar (Wachstock) Atzion. Kol Bogrei September 2012 ~ Elul-Tishrei-5772-73 Rambam Page 5 of 5 Connecting Maimonides Alumni Worldwide

Maimonides Alumni Here and There... The class of 1977 is planning a 35th Near East Policy, is author of the reunion in Israel during Chol Hamoed forthcoming book Hezbollah: The Sukkot. Ariel (Huwich) Braun Global Footprint of Lebanon’s Party of expects to host the gathering at her God (Georgetown University Press). home in Old Katamon, Jerusalem. Sarah Cassel ’08 will be leading a AJ Edelman ’09 was a participant Birthright trip to Israel for about 30 in last summer’s STeLA Leadership Wesleyan University and 15 Trinity Forum in Japan. STeLA (Science College students during winter and Technology Leadership break in early January. Association) is a student-run Meirav Gebler ’07 is offering a organization that brings science selection of shanah tovah cards. See and engineering students together her website www.cardsbymeirav. from top universities worldwide to com for details. Meirav says the provide leadership education and designs are hand painted with facilitate multicultural dialogue watercolors and printed on on global issues. The forum strives premium matte paper. Envelopes to create an intellectual network are included. Meirav donates a of advanced undergraduate and percentage of her sales to Emunah’s graduate students in science and Bet Elazraki Children’s Home in technology from prestigious US, Netanya, Israel (www.emunah.org/ Japanese, Chinese, French and other bet_elazraki). international universities. AJ is a student at Massachusetts Institute of Two Maimonides School Technology. administrators married into the alumni family over the past month: Aviva Bloom ’08 poses with Arthur, one of her campers at Dr. Matthew Levitt ’88 was a guest Director of Admissions Ariella Kiryat Gat. Last summer, Aviva took part in Counterpoint on National Public Radio’s “Diane (Brunwasser) Belopolsky, wife of Israel, a Yeshiva University program. “I spent a month Rehm Show” on Aug. 20, part of a Ilya Belopolsky ’96; and Student running a summer camp for local at-risk youth of Kiryat panel discussing the Lebanon-based Gat,” she reports. “I had a great experience working with Activities Director Sara (Herst) Bellin, terrorist organization Hezbollah. the kids, giving back and getting great teaching experi- wife of Ari Bellin ’05. Matt, Director of the Stein Program ence that will really help me, as I am an elementary educa- on Counterterrorism and Intelligence tion major at Stern College.:” at The Washington Institute for