KOL RAMBAM

Winter 2010–11 • `Šryz zay-elqk

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD EMBODIES STUDENT-ATHLETES’ PRIORITIES School interscholastic athlet­ ics have been recognized with the one award that epitomizes the importance of sports in the school’s mission. The school has received a District Sports­ manship Award for 2009–2010 from the Interscholastic Athletic Association. A delegation of five senior athletes and Executive Director Naty Katz ’73 accepted the plaque during ceremo­ nies at the MIAA Sportsmanship Summit, held at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 19. Each year the MIAA recognizes one school from each of seven geographic New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft joins Maimonides School seniors, from left, Betzalel Kosowsky-Sachs, Aaron Zwiebach, Akiva Katz, Tifara Ramelson and districts, as well as one winner from pri­ Dalya Lerner, and Executive Director Naty Katz ’73, after the school accepted an vate and parochial schools, “for exem­ MIAA District Sportsmanship Award during ceremonies at Gillette Stadium. plifying the highest ideals of sportsman­ ship.” The winners are chosen by member the MIAA for sportsmanship over the past ment to the character of all of our student schools and district athletic committees. five years. athletes. There is nothing more gratifying Maimonides has never won this overall Rabbi Yaakov Jaffe, Upper and Middle for us as a school than to hear that thestu­ award, although the and volley­ School Judaic Studies principal, said this dents have taken the messages we teach ball (twice) teams have been honored by is “an amazing honor, and a real testa­ them here and have applied them.” Hal Borkow, Maimonides director of ath­ letics, credited “our dedicated student- PARENT SESSIONS STRENGTHEN SCHOOL athletes, parents, coaches and faculty” for Maimonides administrators are organiz­ The focus groups are part of the school’s the recognition. “The Maimonides M-Cats ing and prioritizing the school’s response continuing effort to identify parent con­ play sports mindful of the life lessons that to issues raised in a recent series of parent cerns and address them. The ultimate come from both victory and defeat,” said focus groups. objective is to strengthen the school, not Mr. Borkow, who also teaches history at The 10 sessions, designed to accommo­ only academically but also in all aspects of the school. “Our teams combine competi­ date 12 participants each, took place in the Maimonides experience, from school tive effort with a genuine respect for the October and November “to elicit informa­ atmosphere and communication to reli­ players and coaches of other schools. We tion from parents on what Maimonides is gious guidance and parent access. are humbled to receive this honor.” doing well and where we can improve.” Focus groups were scheduled at private Several student-athletes agreed with Executive Director Nathan Katz ’73 said homes in a geographic range reflective of the sentiments of Yael Green ’14, who he expects committees will be established the student population, and the turnout pointed out that sportsmanship is simply to address some of the topics. He noted of parents reflected those percentages. an extension of the values lived that there will be “opportunities for parent School personnel and volunteer leaders by the school community. “I believe that involvement as we move forward.” Continued on page 6 Continued on page 6  COMMUNITY THEME Maimo Holiday Highlights 5771 AND NEW GALA VENUE MARK 2011 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN The 2011 Maimonides School Annual Campaign is under way with a new theme and a new location for the culminating event, the Annual Gala. The campaign is centered around the concept of community, which manifests the philoso- phy of Maimonides School’s founder regard- ing a Jew’s relationship to the larger world. In a talk to the Maimonides PTA in 1972, Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik stated, “The Jew is a responsible being—he is responsible for society.” CHANUKAH: Yifat Lichterman, Bnei Akiva shlicha, In addition, the school will present Pillar leads a gelt-making session with 5th graders (from left) Sivan Ben-David, Ariana Blitstein, Senai Weglein, of Maimonides awards to Rabbi David Tor Cohen, Elad Jeselsohn and Ori Applbaum; 7th Ehrenkranz and Robert Wolff ’59. The grader Rachel Oxman puts the finishing touches on award is emblematic of exceptional service a school-made candle. TU B’SHEVAT: 3rd graders Eytan Pomper, left, and Zachary Lederman display to Jewish education. Tu B’Shevat crafts; 4th graders Shir Moyal, left, and The 2011 Gala has been planned for Sunday Bayla Henry practice for a Tu B’Shevat skit. evening, March 13, at Granite Links, a golf club in Quincy. The five-year-old clubhouse can accommodate more than 400 people in its hall. The club is right off the Southeast Expressway. Organizers of the campaign are working to augment the team of volunteer solicitors that forms the backbone of the fundraising effort. A major goal is to broaden the base of donors, and that means more people to contact prospects. Rabbi Ehrenkranz, Upper School limudei kodesh teacher and Grade 10 dean, has been a mem- ber of the faculty since 1996 and has served as the school’s only varsity softball coach. He also has an extensive record of service in the greater community, as a former advisor to the Brandeis Orthodox Organization and a teacher in Hebrew College’s Prozdor supplementary education program. Mr. Wolff, a former member of the Board of Directors, has served on the Tuition and Financial Aid Committee for more than 20 years. A 1959 Maimonides graduate, he has worked in many other volunteer capacities, including chair of an ad hoc committee that helped organize the business office during the 1980s.

 TRAVELING AND DANCING, GRAD FINDS “PEOPLE ARE JUST PEOPLE”

Mazal tov to… Rabbi Robert ‘54 and Miriam Marcus on the birth of their grandson, Joseph Marcus. Eleanor Weiner ’58 on the bar mitzvah of her grandson. Ethel Chaya (Leder) ’66 and Feiwel Igel on the birth of two granddaughters, Leora Chana Brandstatter and Avigayil Bannett. Ryna (Gindsberg) ’71 and Prof. Mordechai Kedar on the engagement of their son, Daniel. Dani and Heidi Fine ’82 on the engagement of their daughter. Fyvel Shuster ’82 on his engagement to Sari Frankel. Eithan Levisohn ’92 and Dina Epstein on the birth of their son, Ezra Shai. Ezra Waxman ’06 joins members of the Bnai Jewish community of Mumbai for Purim. Rabbi Ari ’92 and Deborah Rockoff on the birth of their daughter, Leora Leeba. Paul ‘93 and Shulamit Hurwitz on the birth of their son, Elan Yosef. Grandparents are Ezra Waxman ’06 has an idea that seems almost quaint in today’s Marjorie (Einstein) ‘62 and Edward Hurwitz. Great-grandmother is Maimonides world. He wants “to break down stereotypes and see people for who Trustee Ruth Einstein. they are.” Ariella (Katz) ’94 and Aylon Glaser on the birth of their son, Asaf Yaakov. The Boston University senior has conducted his outreach first-hand, Dr. Ira ’94 and Lisa Winer on the birth of their daughter, Eliora Dina. with travels across five continents. “I’ve become quite close with Rabbi Dani ’95 and Ayala Rockoff on the birth of their son, David Aryeh. many Europeans, Middle Easterners, and Africans. People tend to Doron ’95 and Malka Simon on the birth of their daughter, Aliza. bring a lot of assumptions to the table when they meet people from Aryeh ’97 and Aliza (Libman) Baronofsky on the birth of their daughter, Rena other backgrounds, but it’s always nice to find out that at the end of Avigayil. Aliza is Grade 7 dean and Tanach and math teacher at the day people are just people,” he declared. Maimonides School. Elizabeth Solomont Levy ’97 and Philip Levy on the birth of their son, Noah Ezra has recorded his experiences and philosophy on a website, Joseph. sites.google.com/site/ezrawaxman, and demonstrated his enthu­ Suri (Leeder) ’98 and Menachem Bernstein on the birth of their son, Yaakov Yosef. siasm and joy with simcha dancing at more than two dozen sites Dov ‘98 and Jeanne Haselkorn on the birth of their daughter, Dana. in 14 countries, which he calls “The Peace Dance” (www.youtube. com/watch?v=2r23AvEDhuU). Lazar Berman ’99 on his engagement to Candace Ryan. Lori (Michaelson) ’00 and Leon Salkin on the birth of their daughter, Chloe Estelle. His motivation for these explorations began during his post–high Aron Skversky ’00 and Tamara Fine on the birth of their son. school year at Birkat Moshe, an Israeli yeshiva in Maale Adumim. “I got used to being in a culture different than my own,” he said. “Over Melissa and Reuben Taube ’00 on the birth of their son, Aiden. time, that comfort has increased greatly.” Karen (Schreiber) ’00 and Daniel Zwillenberg on the birth of their son, Jacob Lev. Rachel Sydney ’01 on her marriage to Michael Lebovich. How did Ezra end up in so many places in such a short time? “First of all, I took my junior year abroad,” he explained. “I’m in an interdis­ Aviva Cheses ’01 on her marriage to Scott Wasserman. ciplinary program at BU that encourages students to travel abroad.” Gabriel Mitchell ’01 on his engagement to Sarah Cytryn. Indeed, about 80 percent of the 15 undergraduates in this year’s Dina (Pittel) ’02 and Sol Adelsky on the birth of their daughter, Leor Yakira. University Professors Program took advantage. Adam Dalezman ’02 on his engagement to Ariana Sufian. Ezra, who visited Peru in 2008, spent one semester last year in South Alana Gendelman ‘03 on her marriage to Landon Berns. Africa and the second in India. “Wearing a kippah, and befriending Rachel Levine ’03 on her marriage to Jeremy Baruch. people who had never before met a Jew, was a fascinating experi­ Kenny Gerber ’03 on his engagement to Chana Penini. ence on multiple levels,” he said, adding, “It’s really unfortunate Sarah Lamport ’03 on her marriage to Ronnie Lee. nowadays that people immediately jump to political conclusions Elise Polaner ’03 on her marriage to Jonny Hay. when they see a kippah—or an Arab headscarf.” Yael Shuchatowitz ’03 on her marriage to Eric Freedman. Ezra’s Jewish observance during his travels made for some interest­ Amy Sisel ’03 on her marriage to Dov Snow. ing situations. On his travel blog he relates tales of hitchhiking from Jeremy Salzberg ’05 on his engagement to Dani London. Lesotho to Johannesburg in time for Yom Kippur. He also traveled Tova Kelman ’06 on her engagement to Moshe Lerer. to Daramsala, home of the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan gov­ Maya Krohn ’06 on her marriage to David Joyandeh. ernment, just in time for Shavuot, spending the chag at the Lev Sarah Wecker ’06 on her engagement to Moishe Sobel. Hayehudi and the local Chabad. This past semester he was one of 40 delegates from 28 countries Condolences to… to attend the Peace Conference of Youth in Osaka, Japan. They Miriam Gedwiser ’99 on the loss of her beloved father, Dr. Shmuel Gedwiser, z”l. joined with 40 Japanese representatives in a conference that Ezra Deborah Long ‘79, Dr. Elisa (Long) Chefitz ’80 and Dr. Judith (Long) Cohen described as “very similar to a Model UN convention. We spent a ’84 on the loss of their beloved father, Bertram Long, z”l. Continued on page 6 ALUMNI  HOME OF “BRAVE”, MIDDLE SCHOOL ENHANCING SAFETY, SENSITIVITY program give students a varied repertoire and distract the bully, enlist help, stop Sixth graders David Kotler and Miriam Khanukaev from which they can choose skills to fit the rumors and support the victim.” portray roles in a BRAVE situation and their comfort zone.” The session also involved seventh grad­ exercise. BRAVE was introduced to sixth graders ers. Having experienced this program recently through a mock trial of bul­ last year, they acted as BRAVE leaders lies and bystanders. Orchestrated by and coached the sixth graders through Dr. Novick as presiding judge, students the event. worked in teams as either the defense Dr. Novick emphasized that students attorneys of the accused bullies or as the must share the responsibility of creating prosecutors on behalf of the victim. Sixth a climate where bullying is not accepted. graders discovered the impact of “inno­ She encouraged each sixth grader to cent” bystanders as well as perpetrators. take the lead in recognizing and stand­ Also during the workshop, students con­ ing up to bullying. vened in groups and discussed techniques Rabbi Bossewitch and Mrs. Ashley Marx, for dealing with bullies. Participants Middle School social worker, recently received unfinished “Hollywood” scripts facilitated this year’s first monthly Quality and were asked to create happy endings Circle, a workshop that enables students by implementing one or more of the fol­ to find appropriate responses to real-life lowing techniques: “leave no one out, bullying situations and practice those Maimonides Middle Schoolers are empower victims and bystanders, amuse techniques. immersed in a two-year program to build a school culture in which all students can feel comfortable and safe. Sixth and sev­ Ezra the world’s highest lake, the Taj Mahal, Continued from page 1 enth graders are participating in BRAVE, the Kinneret, Zambia, Belarus, Peru, an acronym that stands for Belief in the week talking about current affairs, and Mozambique. Sometimes there are curi­ Rights And Value of Everyone. tried to find ways to decrease ethnic ten­ ous observers, including zebras and hip­ sions between cultures.” The goal of BRAVE is to give students pos. Occasionally others join him—a tools to deal with bullying and related “The idea was to bring together young man on a rickety gangplank in Kashmir, problems such as taunting, name-calling, leaders from different academic disciplines the delegates to the peace conference. and social exclusion. Student workshops to think up new ideas,” said Ezra, one of ”It’s simcha dancing,” Ezra said. “That’s and an ongoing forum are supported by three delegates from the U.S. “It was really from my experience with the Maimonides presentations to parents. interesting to discover what people from Class of 2006. We always loved to simcha different parts of the world could bring to Teachers and administrators are work­ dance through the Maimo halls.” Ezra put the table, and to see what they thought ing with the founder of the program, the video together with his classmate, were the most critical issues.” Dr. Rona Novick, an expert in behavior Eli Cohen. The music they selected—by management and bullying prevention in He stressed that “regardless of what con­ the popular singer Shloime Dachs—is schools. Dr. Novick is director of the Heller clusions we drew, the discussion ses­ an eight-word passage from the Birkat Doctoral Program at ’s sions seemed secondary to simply build­ HaChodesh that is translated as, ”May Azrieli Graduate School of Education and ing positive relations between people He gather our dispersed from the four Administration. She is also an associate who otherwise would never have had a corners of the earth; all Israel becoming clinical professor of child psychology at chance to meet.” comrades.” Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Ezra patterned the “Peace Dance” pro­ Ezra is seeking fellowships for mathe­ “The value of the program lies in its ability duction after a popular YouTube video matics or economics research, and hopes to arm students with many skills when of a young man dancing in dozens of to spend another year abroad so he they witness hurtful behavior,” said Rabbi countries. But Ezra’s feature has a more can “combine my passion for math with Avi Bossewitch, Middle School director, significant message. It begins with a quo­ humanitarian work and world travel.” who implemented BRAVE in the fall of tation by Mother Teresa: “If we have no Graduate school at the Weizmann 2009. “The standard approaches of directly peace it is because we have forgotten Institute is one possibility as he pursues standing up to a bully and telling an adult, that we belong to each other.” The idea, math degrees, he said. though valid and important, are often Ezra said, “is to get the whole world to “It has been an enlightening experience,” hard for students to implement and inef­ just relax a bit.” he said of his traveling. “I’ve learned a fective in the long-term,” he said. “The Ezra, wearing a blue backpack, dances lot from people I otherwise would never additional tactics stressed in the BRAVE in a mind-boggling array of locations— have known.”  ENVIRONMENTAL RETREAT EDUCATES, INSPIRES FIFTH GRADERS Maimonides School fifth grade students around the bottom of trees are lichens— be there,” observed Yardaena Portman. and teachers returned from a recent I only recently learned their name,” said Added Daniela Neusner, “I felt close to four-day program with the Teva Learning Yair Kosowsky-Sachs. Hannah Zar said the things He created.” Sivan Ben David Center with a new outlook on the natural the students learned a song about the noted that “we davened outside, and the world—and each other. cycle of decay and rebirth in the forest. trees stood and davened with us.” The Nov. 14-17 experience took place Reduction of waste was a major focus. Besides learning about “how to use at the Isabella Friedman Jewish Retreat Adults “weighed the amount of leftover our resources effectively and properly,” Center in western Connecticut and was food after every meal from the buffet,” another goal of the retreat was “creat­ directed by Teva, which describes itself said Mia Milewich. She said the results ing a community with the fifth grad­ as a Jewish environmental education pointed to an obvious answer: “smaller ers out of school, where they saw each institute. portions.” Recycling also was empha­ “Students enjoyed the experience tre­ sized at the retreat. “When you throw mendously,” said Avi Pittleman, gen­ anything away, there’s probably a bet­ eral studies teacher. “They experienced ter use for it,” observed Hannah. Added firsthand the harmonious relationship Shayna Mael, “We saw a plastic water between yahadut and environmental­ bottle that could have been made into ism, a dynamic rarely experienced within a vase.” the walls of the traditional classroom “One of the main goals is awareness of setting.” the ecology around us,” said Mrs. Slovin. “Everyone learned a tremendous amount Participants demonstrated that they hit about nature, the environment, brachot, that target. “We saw a large tree with mitzvot and living together in a car­ holes in it,” said Esther Itkis, “and learned ing community of peers,” said Associate that woodpeckers made small holes, sap Principal Reena Slovin, who joined flowed from them, insects were attracted the class for three days. “We talk a lot to the sap and got stuck, and then the about Jewish living, and it’s easy to do woodpeckers returned and ate them.” it in school. How do we take the lessons Awareness was heightened exponen­ and practices and use them in the real tially during an evening hike. Shira world?” added Rabbi David Saltzman, Almekies, Sapir Trabelsi and Senai principal, who also joined the retreat for Weglein all commented on the effec­ Warming up at the retreat center are several days. “It was nice to see how the tiveness of “night vision.” The experience Elad Applbaum, left, and Ezra Einhorn. kids were able to do that.” also heightened student’s responsibility Much of the four-day program was intel­ toward each other. “Whenever someone other and their teachers in a different lectual, and the fifth graders brought stumbled,” Hannah said, “we all had to environment,” added Rabbi Saltzman. home a lot of new knowledge and work together.” “We wanted to bring them together not understanding. “Those things that grow The four days also served as a time for just for this year but for many years to class bonding. “During free come. There’s no question that all those goals were accomplished well beyond Enjoying the outdoors are, from left, Livia time, we were hanging out Zarge, Senai Weglein and Adira Wolfson. together,” Shayna reported. our expectations.” “We always tried to do stuff “For me, Teva was a wonderful opportu­ together.” Naama Forman nity to spend time with our students in added, “I really got closer an informal, unpressured setting and to to classmates who are not be with them from early morning until my closest friends.” Ezra late at night,” said Mrs. Slovin. “We ate Einhorn noted that, for meals, hiked, sang songs, davened and him, it was the first out-of- had fun without worrying about tests, classroom activity that he homework, meetings or phone calls.” had shared with girls. Rabbi Saltzman also noted that fifth grad­ Many students also found ers have been invested in the fundraising the experience brought efforts to offset some of the trip’s costs. them closer to God. “They learned about organizing and rais­ “Hashem created nature ing money,” he said. “They understand and it felt really good to this has been important.”  Parent Sessions MIDDLE SCHOOL “PERFECT NICHE FOR ME” Continued from page 1 Ken Rosenstein, a career business­ that. All the were absent from all of the groups, which man, has joined the Maimonides Middle time I spent in were led by parent facilitators. Note-tak­ School faculty. Some might say that his Sam’s school ers were paid recorders not associated classes in sixth and seventh grade math­ dictated that I with Maimonides, and no names were ematics, as well as three sections of should try this.” associated with comments. seventh grade science, are an extraor­ He worked as a After the final sessions, an ad hoc parent dinary challenge for any educator. Mr. regular substi­ committee reviewed the meeting notes Rosenstein takes the opposite view. tute teacher in and identified issues and concerns com­ “The Maimonides Middle School is the several middle mon to all of the discussions. perfect niche for me, with young people schools, and Mr. Rosenstein Parents were informed that the data indi­ that work hard at mastering content, “the more I cated that areas in need of improvement while developing a strong sense of self taught, the more I loved it—and the included consistent quality of classroom as both students and responsible mem­ more I found that there’s a lot more to instruction, an atmosphere fostering bers of this community. This is a privi­ quality teaching than appears on the love of yahadut and tefilla, and student- lege, and I appreciate the opportunity surface.” He returned to school for a administration relations. to be a part.” master’s degree in education at Lesley In other areas, parents noted recent University, then taught sixth and eight Mr. Rosenstein, who attended Solomon improvement but were looking for con­ grade math at the Brookwood School Schechter Day School of Greater Boston tinued progress, including art, math and before beginning his Maimonides career during its formative years, earned a science, communication, response to in September 2010. bachelor of science degree in industrial social and emotional issues, and help for management and engineering at Purdue It’s working out well, to say the least. students with learning disabilities. University. For the next 25 years he man­ “Maimonides is a unique place, inter­ In a letter to parents summarizing the ses­ aged, then owned the family business, twining education with ruach. Both are sions, organizers pointed out that “time Blue Ideal, a commercial laundry on Blue absolutely indispensible in developing was also spent recognizing areas that Hill Avenue in Dorchester. an accomplished, well rounded and have improved, as well as brainstorming well grounded child.” Mr. Rosenstein A few years ago, he served as a fifth- new ideas and discussing the role of par­ declared. “If I can play even a small part grade classroom volunteer for his son ents in the school community.” Samuel at Boston’s Jewish Community in that process, I’m blessed. This year A more formal survey of all Maimonides Day School. “I loved it, and as he went I have had the chance to educate my parents was subsequently conducted in into middle school I started doing it own. What more could you ask for?” February as part of a nationwide initia­ more and thoroughly enjoyed it.” Beyond the school day, Mr. Rosenstein tive. Results from this online survey will is a long distance triathlete who also In early 2007, Mr. Rosenstein said, he be analyzed confidentially by an inde­ enjoys winter mountaineering and clas­ faced “a life decision. Am I going to pendent company, Measuring Success, sical trumpet. “In case you’re wondering, stay in business? Am I ever going to do and presented to the Maimonides admin­ math plays an integral role in all three of anything different? And if I’m going to, istration this spring. when? Everything fell into place after those.”

MIAA SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD assembly. Mr. Kraft’s father Harry Kraft obligations but also a level of behavior Continued from page 1 was a charter member of the school’s and character that elevates and moti- Maimo teams run differently because founding in 1937. vates. In other words—derech eretz. of the atmosphere Maimonides has The interscholastic sports program at Sportsmanship. That doesn’t mean we created, and because we grew up with Maimonides began with men’s and don’t dive for loose balls or slide hard these values, not only on the court,” she women’s in the 1980s, and into home plate or battle for position in observed. beginning in 1997 expanded to include the goal mouth. But it does mean that we respect our opponents and game Seniors Akiva Katz, Betzalel Kosowsky- , softball, soccer, and vol­ officials, appreciate the importance of Sachs, Dalya Lerner, Tifara Ramelson leyball. Over the years, the MIAA has the rules, respond to victory with joy and Aaron Zwiebach represented the worked with the school to accommodate and defeat with disappointment, but school’s 2009-2010 interscholastic sports scheduling changes, the wearing of kip­ always with grace and humility. It means teams in accepting the award. The stu­ pot, and other religious requirements. wearing kippot and modest uniforms dents were surprised and delighted when In a jewishboston.com essay, the school with pride and appreciation. The name Robert Kraft, New England Patriots observed that “Our students and teach- ‘Maimonides’ on the uniform jersey is owner, joined them for photographs and ers don’t just study Jewish law. They live emblematic of the highest standards on congratulations after speaking to the it, through not only a range of religious  and off the field and the court.” SHABBATONIM FLOURISH AT MAIMONIDES ing students at his Sharon home since he began his Maimonides career. This year he welcomed tenth grade girls and boys at separate Shabbatonim. “I started inviting kids over for Chanukah Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, and Purim in 1996, and I still invite the lŠvf Founder oldest class I teach over for Purim—this year it will be the senior class,” Rabbi M.J. Cohn, lŠf Principal Emeritus said Rabbi Ehrenkranz. Soon he began hosting Shabbatonim for various grades. Rabbi David Shapiro Rosh Yeshiva Meals are at the Ehrenkranzes, and hospi­ Havdalah at the 9th grade tality is provided by “plenty of people in Jeffrey B. Swartz Shabbaton in December was Chair, Board of Directors filled with music and ruach. Sharon. It really is a community effort.” Abraham Levovitz, lŠf “It makes Shabbos more meaningful President Emeritus Sara Herst, student activities coordinator for when students are over. There’s a lot of ruach,” the Maimonides Middle and Upper School, is Rabbi Ehrenkranz observed. “I get to know the Nathan Katz ’73 enthusiastic about the value of a Shabbaton students better and feel a closer connection Executive Director as a key component of Jewish education. to them. And they know I care about them, not just academically but socially and reli­ Mike Rosenberg “It brings each class together in a different Editor way. It gives them the opportunity to bond giously… It definitely rejuvenates me to teach better the following week.” Erica Schultz and recognize strengths in each other,” she Designer asserted. “From an educational perspective, it There’s a significant learning component to helps us support our strong curriculum with the Shabbaton, he stressed. “Kids give one Ariella Brunwasser Director of Admissions areas not integrated into daily lessons. For the or two divrei Torah at every meal. We always students to have a good time in a beautiful have a learning session Friday night and MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL Shabbat environment with everyone in their Shabbos afternoon.” Rabbi Ehrenkranz added Rabbi Yaakov S. Jaffe class is an incredible experience that you can’t a very important component of the tradition. Principal, Judaic Studies replicate.” “My wife enjoys this. She loves Maimonides Judith Boroschek Rabbi Yaakov Jaffe, Middle and Upper School students. It also helps that she loves to cook.” Principal, General Studies principal, said the schedule of Shabbatonim They have hosted as many as 34 students. Rabbi Dov Huff ’00 for Grades 8-12 has been expanded this aca­ Rabbi Ehrenkranz is also the varsity softball Assistant Principal demic year, and the results so far have been coach, and he hosts an end-of-the-season Rabbi Avi Bossewitch gratifying. barbecue for the team each spring. “We have Middle School Director Shabbatonim have been held already for students over all the time,” he said. “It makes Grade 9 in Newton and Grade 10 in Sharon. me appreciate the students more, and gives ELEMENTARY SCHOOL me a better understanding of who they are.” Rabbi Jaffe said there also are plans for the Rabbi David Saltzman seniors to spend a Shabbat in the school. In Ms. Herst and Rabbi Dov Huff, assistant prin­ Principal the Middle School, planning is underway for cipal, led the Grade 9 Shabbaton in Newton. Reena Slovin the annual eighth grade Shabbaton in the Friday night davening and activities were Assistant Principal school. at Congregation Shaarei Tefilla, with the “There are three goals in doing this,” Rabbi Shabbaton moving over to Congregation Beth Jaffe outlined. “It’s an opportunity for kids El-Atereth Israel the following day. Kol Rambam is published to build relationships with faculty on a more Maimonides freshmen handled all the daven­ quarterly by the Maimonides personal level. It is also a way to spend time ing and leyning at the Newton shuls. Among School Office of Alumni and together as a grade, to build relationships, the Shabbat afternoon highlights was a Community Relations. socialize and enjoy Shabbat as a real religious “Jeopardy”-style game featuring categories Comments, questions, experience. The third goal is to do something ranging from Jewish history to Maimonides and suggestions should educational that we don’t normally do in history and class trivia. be addressed to: a regular school situation … for example, They also talked about serving as role models Maimonides School this year’s Shabbaton educational theme of and having an effect on the world, Ms. Herst 34 Philbrick Road Ahavat Yisrael—being good friends.” said, as illustrated by their “going into this Brookline, MA 02445 Rabbi David Ehrenkranz, limudei kodesh community, showing what they can do and (617) 232-4452 x405 [email protected] teacher and Grade 10 dean, has been host­ contributing.”  Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage 34 Philbrick Road Paid Brookline, MA 02445 Brookline, MA Permit No. 59990 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

ote Juniors Ellliot M. Salinger Helen and Ernst Weglein, Maimonides & N s s and Avinoam Stillman, School volunteer leaders and benefactors A former Upper School limudei kodesh teacher w editors of Mayim Achronim, for some 40 years, made aliyah last fall. e has been named rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat the Maimonides School “It was a labor of love for the school that N Neginat HaTorah, the organization for Torah student Torah journal, educated our five children,” the Wegleins and music in Israel. Rabbi Moshe Simkovich recently published a special wrote of their service to Maimonides. most recently was menahel ruchani at Yeshivat edition, Mayim Rishonim, in “This love was, frankly, most aptly shown Yesodei HaTorah, the Beit Shemesh yeshiva memory of Elana Nouriel, by Helen in her role as PTA liaison to the co-founded by Rabbi Scott Kahn ’88. Rabbi z”l. Mrs. Nouriel developed School Committee, as a library volun­ Simkovich was founding head of school at and taught Elementary teer and as a volunteer assisting in high Stern Hebrew High School in Philadelphia, and School music at the school school, middle school and elementary made aliyah in 2008. According to Rabbi Yishai for several years. Elliot, his school classrooms over a period of many Breslauer, menahel at Neginat HaTorah, Rabbi classmate Yoni Nouriel and years.” Ernst Weglein served on the Board Simkovich “has made a point of supporting the senior Meir Schechter com­ of Directors and the Tuition Committee creation of learning environments that support posed the essays (Meir’s in for some 20 years and chaired several music and the arts. Rabbi Simkovich has always Hebrew) in Mayim Rishonim. annual campaigns. understood the primary role of these areas in the personal, cultural, and ideological setting of individuals.” Former Elementary School teacher Mrs. Devorah Cohn recently marked her 94th birthday in Monsey, NY, where she resides with her daughter, Avivah Yasnyi ’62. “My The 12-member Maimonides School delegation, led by seniors Elan mother is doing well,” reported Mrs.Yasnyi. “She is very Baskir, Lily Wilf and Aaron Zwiebach, completed this year’s Yeshiva grateful for the wonderful life she leads. She still goes University’s Model United Nations in third place out of 46 competing to classes: Navi, gym, crocheting. She spends a lot of schools. Dr. Jerald Halpern of the Upper School faculty, who has time reading and talking on the phone with friends and served as Model UN advisory for 11 years, said this is the first school family. She loves to hear from people who were part of award in his tenure. The annual program, which took place February her life. 6–8 in Stamford, CT, simulates the workings of the UN, helping high school students learn about international diplomacy. Participants play the roles of UN delegates on 15 committees. They research their The Elementary School’s first music concert of the year countries’ positions and advance them during sessions. Maimonides took place Dec. 9 in the Brener Building gymnasium, seniors Noah Swartz and Aaron Zwiebach, who represented led by Rebecca Fisher, music instructor and conductor. Mexico, were cited as top delegates on their respective committees. The concert featured performances by the first and sec­ Sophomore Mikhael Smits, a delegate from South Korea, received ond grade chorus, the Grades 3–5 chamber chorus, the honorable mention. Almost 450 students took part, including delega­ orchestra, and the after-school jazz band. Students sang tions from Jewish schools in Brazil, England and South Africa. and played a combination of Chanukah song, Jewish folk songs, and American tunes.