OPERATING PLAN IDENTIFIES SIX AREAS for KEY INITIATIVES Maimonides School Launched Its 73Rd These Priorities Are Explained in the Ing to the Operating Plan

KOL RAMBAM

Fall 2009 • rŠyz elqk-ixyz

OPERATING PLAN IDENTIFIES SIX AREAS FOR KEY INITIATIVES Maimonides School launched its 73rd These priorities are explained in the ing to the operating plan. The upgrades year Sept. 8 with an enrollment of close Annual Operating Plan, which has been also include weekly email communica- to 600, an array of new staff members, distributed to members of the school tions to parents and improvements to and a series of goals embodied in the family. The plan was developed by the the Maimonides website. school’s fourth Annual Operating Plan. school’s administrative leadership team, In the religious dimension, “our ambi- The school’s top administrators have including not only principals of the tious goal is no less than to create a identified six areas of emphasis for key Upper, Middle and Elementary Schools thoughtful Jew—one who tries always to initiatives during the year: improving all but also the rosh yeshiva, learning center do what is right rather than what is con- channels of communication, enhancing director, executive director and the new venient or satisfying.” The plan adds that religious self-awareness, addressing criti- director of curriculum and instruction. “our criteria for ‘right” or ‘appropriate’ are cal social issues, understanding individual The primary goal in examining channels derived, of course, from our traditional student needs, strengthening curriculum of communication is “to foster produc- halachic sources.” and program review, and improving staff tive, healthy dialogue between our teach- Special year-long efforts in the Elementary evaluation. ers and parents in order to maximize and Middle School are targeted to “sus- student growth and learning,” accord- tain a positive social culture that supports all children.” The programs foster a cooperative classroom environment, CO-PRESIDENTS AN EXPERIENCED TEAM build positive relationships and address students’ interpersonal problems. Donald Adler and Leora Sanieoff, 2009- also are focusing on leadership develop- 2010 Maimonides School Student Council ment and involvement, through building The plan also outlines the beginning co-presidents, have represented the Class a more structured and efficient Student of “a multi-year process of improving of 2010 in the student government since Council. each teacher’s ability to understand individual student needs, and to broaden sophomore year. “We work off each other. During weekly meetings with grade rep- each teacher’s repertoire to meet those We know each other’s weaknesses and resentatives, “we give them guidance, needs.” The effort is underway in kinder- strengths,” Leora laughed. Added Donald, but we want them to show initiative and garten and first and second grades, with “If we see a challenge in front of us, we come up with their own ideas about how Judaic and general studies teachers col- know who takes care of what.” their grades can become better,” said laborating with learning specialists. This year’s team is emphasizing more Leora. “We met the day before school and than a catalogue of student projects, and gave each representative a binder that Another initiative is a review of the entire events and aspirations. Leora and Donald included a general guide to event plan- mathematics program at the school, ning, and contact information.” including recommendations from a visit- Leora Sanieoff and ing team of experts. The evaluation crite- Donald Adler As a result of their student government ria are being developed by a new curricu- experience, “we learned that it is really lum review committee that includes par- important to be organized,” Donald testi- ents, teachers and school administrators. fied. “We’re making a program for grade representatives. At our weekly meetings The plan also calls for a new oversight we are going to have assignments—what committee to examine supervision and do you want to have accomplished by evaluation processes for teachers and Continued on page 5 administrators. GRADE 6 LIMUDEI KODESH COURSE BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS Maimonides School sixth graders have sources. Each mitzvah unit also includes direct application to how students relate begun a new limudei kodesh course that in-depth treatment as well as illustrated to their classmates, teachers, parents exclusively focuses on Mitzvot Bein Adam pertinent stories. and anyone else,” Rabbi Bossewitch said. L’Chaveiro, commandments about inter- The sixth-grade curriculum explores 14 “We’re really continuing to build upon personal behavior between people. commandments, ranging from respond- the outstanding work of the Middot The course is taught by Rabbi Avi ing when someone is in physical or emo- Program from the Elementary School.” Bossewitch, Middle School director, and tional danger to prohibiting gossip, from Each of the three grades of the Na’amit Nagel, social studies teacher. returning lost property to prohibiting har- Maimonides Middle School focuses on The course was developed by the Taryag boring ill will. The list also includes honor- a theme that defines the year’s expecta- Legacy Foundation which is currently ing parents, judging with righteousness, tions and is incorporated into the curric- producing an encyclopedia of the 613 giving others the benefit of the doubt, and ulum. The sixth grade theme is interper- mitzvot. prohibiting theft, or placing an obstacle sonal relationships, Bein Adam L’Chaveiro. “This is the most user-friendly limudei before an unsuspecting person. The seventh grade theme is relationship kodesh material for teachers,” Rabbi The curriculum includes sources and with God, Bein Adam L’makom. The eight Bossewitch said. The textbook provides parameters, case studies and practical grade theme is intra-personal relation- an introduction, source and summary applications. Aggadic material illustrates ship, Bein Adam L’atzmo. of each mitzvah examined. Another sec- each mitzvah, along with parables and Rabbi Bossewitch explained, “Develop tion presents an appreciation of each other passages from rabbinic texts. mentally, pre-adolescents are in the mitzvah, through insights, commen- “It’s a rich multifaceted approach that midst of forging their identities and taries and other stories from rabbinic transmits timeless Torah values with Continued on page 4

“YOU HAVE CHOSEN US AND SANCTIFIED US”

By Rabbi David Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva During the 1960s, the Rav, zt”l, addressed which I am at one with the Creator. It is a the conventions of Mizrachi, the cen- Throughout our tefillot during the world populated by characters unknown tral organization of the Religious Zionist month of Tishri we asserted repeatedly; to you, with a tradition that you do not movement. His Yiddish lectures were “ata vechartanu mikol ha-amim … ve- understand, with spiritual values that translated into Hebrew and then into kidashtanu be-mitzvotecha” (“You have seem so impractical in your eyes …” English. The Rav Speaks: Five Addresses chosen us from among all nations … Are we succeeding as a community to by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik on Israel, and You have sanctified us through maintain the delicate balance required History and the Jewish People appeared in Your mitzvot”). Similarly, in the Kiddush by this dichotomy? We, who subscribe 1982 and was reissued in 2002. that we recited each night of Yom Tov to the Rav’s philosophical/educational we affirmed: “ki vanu vacharta ve-otanu In Section 4 of Lecture 2 (pp. 70-80) the view of Judaism, are critical of those who kidashta mikol ha-amim” (“You have Rav interprets a statement that Avraham have emphasized disproportionately the chosen us and sanctified us above all made to Bnei Cheit when he was nego- separateness demanded by the term peoples”). tiating the purchase of a burial plot for “geir.” But have we allowed the “toshav” Sarah. On Shabbat, Nov. 14, we shall dimension to eclipse our cultural dis- Many of us sang, as we danced on read in Parshat Chayyei Sarah (Bereishit tinctiveness? How different is our daily Simchat Torah, “Baruch Hu Elokeinu she- 23:4): “geir ve-toshav anochi imachem” (“I life style from that of our co-workers bera’anu l’chvodo, ve-hivdilanu min ha- am an alien and a resident [a sojourner and neighbors? Have we become so to’im” (“Blessed is He, our God, Who cre- and a citizen] among you”). engulfed by the values of American soci- ated us for His glory, and distinguished us from those who stray [err]”). Each morn- I quote from page 74 of The Rav Speaks: ety, that we have lost sight of our own? ing we recite birchat ha-Torah: “asher “Certainly I am a resident; I am one of Let us rededicate ourselves as a commu- bachar banu mikol ha-amim” (“Who has you. I engage in business as you do, I nity to our precious relationship with the chosen us from all nations”). speak your language, I take full part in Ribbono shel Olam, and strive to meet These liturgical formulations express our your social-economic institutions … I hourly the noble standards He has set for us. determination as a people to retain our work with you in the laboratories … I develop the country … But at the same cultural uniqueness, to assert our pride Rabbi Shapiro holds the Rabbi Yitzhak time I am also a stranger … a foreigner. I at not succumbing to the lures of other Twersky Chair in Talmud and Jewish belong to a particular world, one that is cultures whose moral values are anti- Thought at Maimonides School. thetical to ours. completely foreign to you. It is a world in DVAR TORAH AN ALUMNA’S TRIBUTE TO A MAIMONIDES SCHOOL MATRIARCH By Dr. Elona (Meiselman) Lazaroff ‘56 In her eighties, my mother published a book, The Soloveitchik (Reprinted from The Jewish Press) Saga: A Daughter’s Memoir, that chronicled the history of the My mother, Shulamith Soloveitchik Meiselman, passed away renowned Soloveitchik family. In it she described the marriage of in July at age 96 in Shaarei Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem. She my grandmother and grandfather and the differences in the tradi- was the daughter of Rabbi Moshe Soloveitchik and Rebbetzin tions of the Feinstein and Soloveitchik families. My grandmother, Pesha Feinstein Soloveitchik and the sister of Rabbi Joseph B. a Talmudic scholar who was conversant in Russian literature, Soloveitchik and Rav Aaron Soloveitchik. impacted my grandfather’s attitude toward secular education. Fleeing communist oppression, her family escaped from Mother, you were a vessel that ignited many sparks and Khaslavich, Russia to Warsaw. My mother was a visionary who enriched and changed the lives of those you touched and those foresaw the impact of anti-Semitism in Europe. As an adoles- you did not know. Now your soul has returned to God, who cent, and a feminist before her time, she became a leader and granted us the privilege of your passionate presence for what the only young woman in a Zionist youth party dominated by seems like a short while. men. She and her colleagues worked to promote the idea that Jews could only be safe and flower in the Jewish homeland. When she came to New York in 1930 she continued her Zionist Mazal tov to… activities through the auspices of the Jewish National Fund Rabbi Elly ’86 and Yocheved Krimsky on the birth of their son, Yaakov Yedidyah. and was granted a scholarship to go to Palestine. There she Rabbi Shmuel ’88 and Sheri Feld on the birth of their son, Zachariah Mechael. befriended Golda Meir and Zalman Shazar. Rabbi Scott ’88 and Aliza Kahn on the birth of a daughter, Batsheva. Back in New York, she worked in a factory to pay her tuition Nomi (Pearlman) ’89 and Michael Burstein on the birth of twin daughters, Elisheva Meira and Yael Batya. at New York University. Upon her graduation, she entered Dr. Ruby Gelman ’89 and Shimon Shkury on the birth of their son, Ariel Moshe. Radcliffe College in Boston for graduate work in history. There Rena (Katz) ’90 and Richard Berger on the birth of their daughter, Ariellah Chava. she met and married my father, Dr. Harry Meiselman. She lived Lisa (Kahn) ’93 and David Kriegel on the birth of twins, Nili and Jack. in Boston till her mid-eighties, except for a period in New York Mor (Reis) ’93 and Howard Shapiro on the birth of their son, Eli. during World War II when my father was stationed in Hawaii. Dr. Jed ’95 and Brendy Siev on the birth of their son, Asher. Returning to Boston after the war, she refocused her energies Eli Geller ’96 and Ashley Marx on the birth of their daughter, Avital Dina. on Jewish education. She worked with her famous brother, Jonathan ’96 and Shira Spielman on the birth of a daughter, Yakira Sarah Chana. known as the Rav, in his role as the architect of the Maimonides Gabriel Kahn ’96 on his marriage to Amy Margulies. day school. It was the first Hebrew day school in New England, a Rabbi Jeffrey ’96 and Ilana Weiss on the birth of their daughter, Naama Chana. co-educational school where boys and girls would learn secular Dr. Natan ’97 and Nava Krohn on the birth of their son, Ezra. and religious studies to make their contributions as learned Avi ‘97 and Daniella Robinson on the birth of their daughter, Chaya Shandel. religious Jews in the modern world. Toby ’98 and Chaya Kram on the birth of their daughter, Molly Rose. My mother shared the vision of her renowned brother and Joanna (Siev) ‘98 and Jonathan Rogers on the birth of their daughter, Talia Esther. passionately worked to make the vision a reality. She was the Chava (Hartman) ’99 and Rami Gamss on the birth of their son, Michael. first president of the Ladies Auxiliary, the PTA, and a very vocal Philip ’99 and Arielle Moskowitz on the birth of their daughter, Shayna Rivka. member of the Education Committee who fought for a more Meira Weinstein ’99 on her engagement to Josh Flaster. progressive approach to education. Michael ’00 and Deanna Dalezman on the birth of their daughter, Lily Rayna. A woman with a strong voice, she worked tirelessly to create Joshua Bellin ’01 on his engagement to Kayla Liebman. other day schools in the Northeast through Torah Umesorah. Jessica Salzberg ’01 on her engagement to Noah Steinberg. She was offered the national presidency of the organization, but Adam Aghion ’02 on his marriage to Abigail Baer. she declined because it would conflict with her children’s needs. Gila Betesh ’02 on her marriage to Rafi Maresky. As a principal of a small Hebrew day school, she was there for Daniel ’02 and Allison Hirsh on the birth of their daughter, Miriam Devorah. children struggling with psychological and learning issues. Grandmother is Riselle (Glass) Hirsh ’74. Wanting to transmit and be a model for her family tradition, Beni ‘02 and Chani Krohn on the birth of their son, Moshe Meir. she worked to promote the values of Jewish tradition in our Esther (Vishniavsky) ’02 and Daniel Millman on the birth of their daughter, Sarah. texts and in our relationships with others. Participation in both Aryeh Pliskin ’02 on his marriage to Chana Miriam Brenner. worlds would only strengthen their Jewish identity. Ann Rose Chefitz ‘03 on her engagement to Max Greenberg Hachnasat orchim was important to her. She invited many Samuel ’03 and Leora Packer on the birth of their son, Yosef Nissim. graduate students who attended the Young Israel of Brookline to eat a Shabbat lunch in our home. After her death, many of Condolences to them at the World Congress of Jewish Studies came over to me Mona Freed Weinberger ’69 on the loss of her beloved father, Manual Freed, z”l. and shared with me their vivid memories of her as guests in our Miriam (Abromson) Ladell ‘69 on the loss of her beloved son, Donny, z”l. home. She loved children and was a nurturer to her children and Shara (Zuckerman) Shetrit ’91 on the loss of her beloved father, Prof. Alan grandchildren. Zuckerman, z”l. ALUMNI THE RETURN OF BE’UR HATEFILLAH: V’AHAVTA AND V’YADATA Rabbi Avinoam Durani and his 10th has studied Rabbi Wohlgemuth’s class Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, zt”l, founder grade Be’ur HaTefillah class were dis- notes and other materials. “I respect his of Maimonides School, made a similar secting one of the first prayers of the method and style very much,” he said. point in a talk to parents some 38 years day in the life of a Jew, acknowledg- Rabbi Durani launched the revived pro- ago. Judaism, he said, “has a great mes- ing the restoration of the soul. That gram in the second semester of 2008- sage for modern man who has gone Hebrew word—neshama—connotes a 2009, when “we started with Modeh Ani.” astray and is lost in the labyrinth of unique quality, “a common ground with Each Upper School grade convenes for his own technological victories and sci- humanity,” the teacher declared. Prayer one period a week. Each is immersed entific achievements. We believe that is an experience that “ensures we will be in the weekday shacharit, with differ- the modern, successful, sophisticated, able to develop this high level of human ent destinations. The teacher hopes that cynical and skeptical Jew, knowingly or functioning.” seniors’ experience will include tefillot unknowingly, is yearning for God...” The much-heralded class taught by Rabbi for Shabbat and chagim. Therefore, “We are starting with the text Isaiah Wohlgemuth, z”l, to more than a “Students in our generation don’t have of the tefillah, but the emphasis is to generation of Maimonides high school stu- the spiritual background that they had close the gap between the students’ dents has been reinvigorated after a lengthy during Rabbi Wohlgemuth’s time,” he emotional interest and the written text,” hiatus. Long-term support will come from pointed out. “Today is a different reality. Rabbi Durani said. “Tefillah is one of the the endowment fund established in mem- The values of tefillah are in confronta- most important barriers to the intensive, ory of Rabbi Wohlgemuth; the initial fund- tion with the values of the Internet, cell flashy modern style of life. We strive to ing was provided by part of the Peerless phones, instant messaging, common make the emotional aspect central.” The Excellence grant from Combined Jewish popular communication … And yet, as emotional experience—v’ahavta—is as Philanthropies of Greater Boston. much as the students are engaged with much a part of the curriculum as the Rabbi Wohlgemuth retired in 1997 and technology, they feel the thirst for some- intellectual experience—v’yadata, Rabbi discontinued the Be’ur HaTefillah class thing higher. This thirst is an eternal part Durani said. several years before that. Rabbi Durani of our existence.” How is this working out so far? “The students express their deepest thoughts and feelings in this class,” Rabbi Durani replied. “I can see beautiful contrasts in their personalities.” He explained: “Maybe a person who has a problem with the dress code will ask the most sensitive question about davening. The quietest student in the class, who seems indifferent to the material we are learning, is engaged in an intense way, a way I haven’t seen in other classes.” Beur HaTefillah, the teacher said, is “helping them discover a different side of their personalities. I can see the awareness, and I can sense the potential of this awareness.” Now the challenge is “if they are able to bring it to the shul, to hold a Rabbi Avinoam Durani siddur and daven in an idealistic way.” shares a moment of joy with his Grade 11 Be’ur Contributions to the Be’ur HaTefillah Hatefillah class. endowment in memory of Rabbi Wohlgemuth may be made in care of the Maimonides School Development Office, Course Supports Religious Goal to meaningfully strive for holiness in 34 Philbrick Road, Brookline, MA 02445. Continued from p. 3 one’s life and how to continually grow Gifts of $250 or more will be recognized through self-improvement, our stu- with a set of four compact discs contain- carving their place in the world, so we dents can proudly live as descendants ing some of Rabbi Wohlgemuth’s lectures have decided to focus on three areas of Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imenu and during a 1988 Be’ur HaTefillah adult edu- that, together, shape one’s identity, in pass the Mesorah on to the next gen- cation course. a Halachic way. By learning how to eration.” properly interact with humanity, how Sukkot 5770 featured a schoolwide walk around the campus perimeter, followed by dancing outside the Brener Building. (Photos by Rabbi Zalmen Stein)

2009–10 Student Council unify. These are 30 minutes for our whole us. They do events. We do events. Why Continued from p. 1 school to be together, so why not use don’t we combine?” December? How we can make that hap- it?” Indeed, the opening session was Leora also said the co-presidents are pen? For the Chanukah banquet, each moved from the shul to the gymnasium. looking into ways to integrate Middle grade is going to be a different com- “Everybody sat on floor in a circle and School students in some Upper School mittee—centerpieces, murals, entertain- the whole school was singing together,” activities. “When eighth graders come to ment—and then we’re all going to bring Donald recounted. high school, they’re lost. We want to keep it together.” “We have a really good and new- some sort of relationship with them,” she “Everyone always asks, ‘What do you found relationship with the Chesed said. “We’re thinking about the processes have that’s new?’ Of course we want Committee,” Donald noted. “They have we want, especially to spend time with to do new things, too. But at the same an event on Sukkot for the Friendship 11th and 12th graders.” time, we want to take what we have Circle (a regional program involving chil- “We have many new events that are and improve it,” Leora commented. For dren with special needs). We’re helping already in the works, but we’d rather not example, the weekly Upper School ses- them get the word out and planning the mention them all, in case not every one sions on halacha present “a good oppor- booths.” Leora added, “It made sense to can happen,” Donald added. “We are so tunity for our school to get closer, to excited for the year ahead of us.” HUSBAND AND WIFE SCHOLARS FROM ISRAEL JOIN FACULTY What could be more complemen- was part of the group of philosophers in tary than a Tanach instructor with an the 1920s and 30s known as the Vienna advanced degree in physiology and a Circle. After the Anschluss in 1938 he teacher of Jewish thought whose doc- immigrated to what was then Palestine. toral thesis examines the journey from “He was a famous educator. He wrote science to faith? “We influence each about 500 papers and books, in German other,” laughed Dr. Miriam Schechter, and English, but mainly in Hebrew,” who arrived from Israel with her hus- Rabbi Schechter said. I have his archive, band, Rabbi Asher Schechter, to join the his letters. In my research, I discovered Maimonides limudei kodesh faculty this his dialogue with David ben Gurion.” academic year. Rabbi Schechter explained that his Mrs. Schechter earned an undergradu- grandfather explored the relationship ate degree in education, with a concen- between science and faith. “He said Dr. Miriam and Rabbi Asher tration in science and Jewish studies. that the inner spirit of the person is the Schechter Her master’s degree is in physiology main religious point of view that we and her doctorate in public health, both can depend on in our modern lives. So teaching Tanach to students in Grades earned at Hebrew University. For the everything has to be meaningful and 7 and 8. past several years she has been teaching relevant, in our education and in our The Schechters met when he was not only science but also Tanach at the spirit. I try to do that here… to try to a student at Yeshiva Mercaz Harav in middle school, high school and college teach the Tanach and Talmud through Jerusalem and she was living in the levels, as well as statistics to graduate the relevancy point of view.” Students, neighborhood. “One of my friends— students. he said, are responding well. married to one of his friends—told me Rabbi Schechter’s Ph.D. thesis, which he Rabbi Schechter is teaching Tanach, we should meet,” Dr. Schechter related. has submitted for approval, focuses on Talmud and Jewish thought (in Hebrew) They have seven children, six of whom his grandfather, Joseph Schechter, who in the Upper School. Mrs. Schechter is are enrolled at Maimonides and the other in preschool. Rabbi Schechter, who once took part in GRADE 6 CLASS Hones STUDY SKILLS a two-week American Jewish Committee mission to the U.S. led by Dr. Steven The Tool Shed. The Detective Agency. The colorful, kid-friendly text covers top- Bayme ‘67, sees this country and Israel Motivation Mountain. ics ranging from binders, planners, and as “the two global centers of the Jewish These are not terms usually identified note-taking to enhancing study space People.” He and his wife both knew with education. But for Maimonides and computer opportunities. And it Asher’s grandfather and remember ask- School sixth graders, they are part of introduces the sixth graders to places like ing why he didn’t immigrate to the U.S. what administrators see as the key to the Tool Shed, the Homework Detective “He wanted to be with the Zionists to establishing a solid foundation in study Agency and Motivation Mountain. create a new country,” Rabbi Schechter skills. When the current Middle School for- explained. “One of the fundamental educational mat was established a year ago at The Schechters decided to apply for qualities of middle school is to build Maimonides, “we identified immediately positions at Maimonides because “we foundational skills that students can that organization and study skills are wanted to know: what does it mean to carry for life,” said Rabbi Avi Bossewitch, really vital to help students navigate be a Jewish community in the Diaspora?” Middle School director. “On the flip side, through school and to thrive,” said Rabbi Mrs. Schechter said. “What does it mean students who have organizational chal- Bossewitch. “We piloted this within to be a Jew every place in the world? lenges can create obstacles that can the seventh grade advisory program This is an occasion for us to see—and to snowball into all kinds of frustration.” last year, and we found that it really bring our experience from Eretz Yisrael belongs in the classroom as a stand- That is why the Middle School division to here. It’s a kind of dialogue: to learn alone course.” has launched its first grade-wide com- and to give something.” prehensive course that addresses these Now Maxene Lorraway, head of the “It is a unique experience for us, cultur- issues. The students are using a color- Middle School study zone, is meet- ally and religiously, and we think it is ful, original soft-cover text called “The ing with sixth graders for one period a very important to our kids,” her husband Middle School Student’s Guide to Ruling week to concentrate on study skills. Also added. “In Israel we live in a small com- the World (through Work Management involved is English teacher Jessica Kram munity. This will open their minds and and Organizational Skills).” of the student support staff. hearts to other Jewish existence.” BOARD WELCOMES THREE NEW MEMBERS Sam Wald ‘92, Faun Zarge and Risa Gewurz Mrs. Zarge and her husband Jonathan are have been elected to the Maimonides School Newton residents and the parents of Livia ’18, Board of Directors. Jeremy ’20 and Ilan. Mr. Wald, who serves on the Board’s Invest Mrs. Gewurz, beginning her second year as co- ment Committee and will join the Finance chair of Maimonides PTA, is from Halifax, NS. Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Committee, is a portfolio manager for Fidelity She studied art history at Barnard College and lŠvf Investments, where he has worked for 13 received her MA in art administration from Founder years. He earned a bachelor of science degree NYU. Her professional resume includes art Rabbi M.J. Cohn, lŠf in finance, magna cum laude, from Yeshiva collections manager at The Jewish Museum Principal Emeritus University in 1996. Sam and his wife Tami in New York and with the American Jewish Rabbi David Shapiro reside in Newton with their three sons, Historical Society in Boston. Rosh Yeshiva Benjamin ‘20, Michael and Daniel. Sam also Mrs. Gewurz has been involved in the school is a vice president of Congregation Beth El- Jeffrey B. Swartz for the last six years, first as a room parent, Chair, Board of Directors Atereth Israel in Newton. then as an organizer of the Family Learning Mrs. Zarge, a work-life trainer, speaker and program, as a member of the recruitment Abraham Levovitz, lŠf President Emeritus coach who specializes in helping working par- committee and, most recently, as VP and now ents and women, received her BA in psychol- co-chair of the PTA. She and her husband Zev ogy from the University of Connecticut and live in Brookline and have four children, Ariana Nathan Katz ’73 her MA in counseling psychology from Boston ’17, Danya ’19, Judah ’21 and Raanan. Executive Director College. She has been an active volunteer “Each of these individuals bring specials skills Mike Rosenberg for the Recruitment Committee since 2006, and qualifications, and each has worked hard Editor and is serving as its chair. She also served on behalf of the school,” said Jeffrey Swartz, Erica Schultz for two years as co-chair of the Membership Board chair. Designer Committee at Beth El-Atereth Israel in Newton. Tamara Kesselman Director of Admissions SCHOOL MOURNS CHARLES WEINSTEIN, z”l Middle & Upper School The Maimonides School Family mourns the During the ensuing years, he served as a Rabbi Yair Altshuler recent passing of Charles Weinstein, z”l, who school vice president and established the Principal served the school in a variety of volunteer Friends of Maimonides, which was active for Ken Weinstein leadership capacities for five decades. decades as a men’s club and fundraising arm Principal, General Studies Mr. Weinstein joined the school’s Board of for the school. He continued to attend and participate in Board meetings as recently as Rabbi Avi Bossewitch Directors in 1955, when Maimonides School Middle School Director occupied two inner city sites. A few years later, June. He and his wife Tobey, z”l, had four children, including Reuben ’71 and Judith ’74. he was named to the committee charged with Elementary School finding a location for a permanent campus. In 2006 Mr. Weinstein accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award from the school at its Rabbi David Saltzman After the school purchased the Fletcher estate Principal on Philbrick Road in Brookline, Mr. Weinstein annual Gala. became a member of the volunteer group that Mr. Weinstein often spoke of his loyal atten- Reena Slovin Assistant Principal managed the design and construction of what dance at the Motza’ei Shabbat shiurim by is today Saval Campus. Rabbi Dr. Joseph Soloveitchik, zt”l, held at Maimonides School in Boston as well as later in Brookline. Mr. Weinstein possessed numer- Kol Rambam is published by the ous tape recordings of lectures by the Rav, Office of Alumni and Community and during a panel discussion at the school Relations at Maimonides School. last winter he spoke of listening to them every day while commuting. He founded that busi- Comments, questions, ness, Trans American Spinning Mills, in 1946. and suggestions should The company manufactures engineered, non- be addressed to: Maimonides School woven blankets. “Every day I drive with the Rav 34 Philbrick Road to and from New Bedford,” he laughed. Brookline, MA 02445 (617) 232-4452 x405 Charles Weinstein, second from right, with other volunteer leaders visiting the [email protected] construction site of Maimonides School’s new Brookline campus in 1961. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage 34 Philbrick Road Paid Brookline, MA 02445 Brookline, MA Permit No. 59990 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

ote & N s s Plans are under way for a concert to honor to memory of Mrs. Elana Jerry Benjamin, Maimonides School Nouriel, z”l, who passed away on Oct. 11. Mrs. Nouriel established and w e executive director in the late 1970s and nurtured instrumental music instruction in the After-School Program,

N early 1980s, is the new president of and founded and conducted the Elementary School orchestra. She is sur- the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. In vived by her husband Daniel and children Shira Simcha ‘03, Ben ‘05, Leora 1976 Mr. Benjamin was one of two ‘10 and Yoni ‘12. Mrs. Nouriel “had a phenomenal impact on the lives of founders of CAJE, the Coalition for hundreds of students,” said Rabbi Stuart Klammer, former Elementary Alternatives in Jewish Education. He School principal, who worked with Mrs. Nouriel to begin music lessons has been active in the federation since more than a decade ago. Mrs. Nouriel “brought music to Maimonides,” moving to Milwaukee in 1981, where he said Dr. Deborah Mehl, director of the After-School Program. “She started helped found Lake Park Synagogue and from scratch. She built an orchestra, taught many of our children to play became its first president. instruments, and organized recitals. She gave hours and hours of her time to the school with passion, commitment and hard work.”

Three Middle School administrators attended a recent conference at Yeshiva Two graduates have joined Maimonides University on a new program that addresses social issues with the intent to School’s non-academic professional staff. reduce bullying, teasing and exclusion. Rabbi Avi Bossewitch, director, Mrs. Elka Tovah (Menkes) Davidoff ‘88 is Stephanie Samuels, Grade 6 dean, and Ms. Ashley Marx, social worker, learned the new executive assistant, bringing a about “Belief in the Rights And Values of Everyone” (BRAVE), which will be wide range of experience in office man- studied in Grade 6 later this school year (seventh and eighth graders, will have agement, conference organization,and the ideas incorporated into their Tzelem curriculum). Rabbi Bossewitch said the customer service. She and her husband program pays special attention to the role of bystanders who witness bullying or Solomon, an adjunct professor at local teasing. “The ultimate goal is to create a community in which the vast majority of colleges, are active in the growing Jewish students view it as their responsibility to act in an empathic way and reduce the community in Malden. Dina (Pittel) incidence of teasing and bullying.” Adelsky ’02 is the school’s development associate. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University A retired IDF general who helped lead the heroic 1976 raid to liberate of Michigan. Dina and her husband Sol, a hostages in Entebbe, Uganda told Maimonides Upper School students medical student, spent a year in Odessa, last month that if diplomacy and economic sanctions fail, Israel should Ukraine, as Joint Distribution Committee launch a pre-emptive military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities. The International Fellows. Dina also taught alternative, said Effi Eitam, could be “the ultimate surrender of the free Tanach and worked in the admissions world to evil.” Gen. Eitam, a member of the Knesset from the National office at Frankel Jewish Academy in West Union Party and a ba’al teshuva, visited Maimonides as an emissary of Bloomfield, MI. the prime minister of Israel, through a Jewish National Fund speaking tour. A pre-emptive attack, he said, would constitute self-defense.