SCHOOL רמבם קול “רמבם SPRING/SUMMER 2017 fŠryz oeiq-xii`°oqip KOL RAMBAM

Advocacy Course and AIPAC Trip Prep Seniors Rabbi Dov Huff, Maimonides Middle and Upper School Judaic studies principal, shared an emotional experience with teach- ers in a recent memorandum. “After our Yom Ha'atzmaut chagiga and parade ended, we sent the students back to class. As everything settled down, I looked around the corner to find the juniors, wear- ing blue and white face paint, waving Israeli flags, going into classrooms and singing Am Yisrael Chai. It was very powerful. Their ruach and their modelling of love for Eretz Yisrael were amazing.” As these students move into senior year, their energy must be channeled into knowl- edge and skills that will be effective on campuses and sustainable into adulthood. Maimonides seniors surround U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-MA, following a session at the AIPAC Policy Conference. Keys to accomplishing this are the weekly class in advocacy and the four-day Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn by unfamiliar with the facts, and try to explain AIPAC Policy Conference in March. Daniel Gordis. “That provides the overview. to them a very complicated reality.” Much of that task is handled by Refael Fad- Then we will have time for deeper ques- The approach has evolved, Mr. Fadlon lon, who has been teaching Israel advocacy tions,” the teacher said. said, as “I realized based on feedback that weekly to the seniors since 2007. “The com- The course addresses three advocacy students want more depth. And they want bination of Israel advocacy and the annual scenarios: Debating in front of an audience; to hear the other side’s voice. It is no longer AIPAC Policy Conference has been really discussing privately with another individual; enough just to learn why Israel is right, just helpful and important,” Mr. Fadlon said. and combatting lies and conspiracy theo- to learn the history. So what I started to do To ensure that the students have a solid ries, some of which have become main- is try to explore every question from a dif- historical context, Mr. Fadlon has introduced stream. The teacher uses video examples ferent point of view.” a new summer assignment to juniors: Read that portray the consequences of inad- “Kids want to hear the authentic voice of equate preparation. the other side,” Mr. Fadlon said. “They under- “We used to teach the David Project curricu- stand it’s not black and white.” He said ini- In This Issue: lum,” said Mr. Fadlon, referring to the college tially he was concerned enough to discuss advocacy group founded by Dr. Charles Ja- the classroom approach with Gordis himself MAImodesty's Mission...... 2 cobs. “Every unit started with some kind of at an AIPAC event. “He told me, ‘Don’t make allegation against Israel, and then disputed the decisions for them.’” Memorial Tournament...... 3 it. We also asked them to read The Case for “The bottom line is personal education and Student-Teacher Ties...... 4 Israel by Alan Dershowitz, which also talks dialogue through positive meaning,” Mr. about different ways to advocate.” Fadlon said. Yet the instruction also makes Retiring Teachers...... 5 He acknowledged that his perspective has clear that “sometimes you don’t have a changed in recent years. “It’s not necessar- choice but to oppose the other person, Class Notes...... 6 ily the point to prove that you are right. those who delegitimize Israel.” News Briefs...... 8 You want to reach out to people and create dialogue, especially with people who are continued on page 7 Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, z”tl Founder Club Promotes Modesty As a Lifestyle Rabbi M.J. Cohn, z”l Principal Emeritus Modesty, asserts Maimonides School senior Miriam not weird to do this,” Miriam said. “Just walking Bressler, “is a lifestyle, not just the way you dress. past that wall gives me inspiration.” The club also Abraham Levovitz, z”l It’s the way you act.” requested and received articles from students with President Emeritus their personal definitions of modesty. “I believe that modesty is really misinterpreted,” Sam Wald ‘92 Chairman, Board of Directors she said. “People think of it as just clothing. But The first MAImodesty fashion show on May 14, the main things are the way you act, the way you culminating two months of planning, featured Jeffrey Swartz treat others, the way you carry yourself. They’re all more than 30 Maimonides School girls serving as Chairman Emeritus connected.” models, with cameo appearances by a few mothers and teachers. Nathan Katz ’73 Nevertheless, clothing is an obvious presentation Head of School of that quality, so at school Miriam decided to Mothers and daughters from all over the communi- Frederique Smits launch “a fashion club that really promotes acting ty attended. “The girls were responsible for finding Director of Institutional Advancement and dressing modestly.” their own outfits,” Miriam explained.

Faun Zarge “I wanted to demonstrate that there are easy ways Miriam acknowledged that modest dress is more of Director of Strategic Engagement of dressing modestly,” she explained. “Wearing a an issue for women, but “it’s important to see that longer skirt doesn’t have to have a negative conno- we are most powerful when it’s our choice. I try to Chantal Lawrence Director of Admissions tation. It can be the norm, and coming from their get men to write articles about acting modest, but peers makes it easier for students to grasp. I want it has been a challenge to get men involved.” Mike Rosenberg people to see it as a guideline, not a restriction.” Editor Next school year, Miriam said, the club will be led Members of the club for the past two years have by rising seniors Yardaena Portman and Senai Ellie Gerber '05 assembled large murals “with different cutouts Weglein. Designer of outfits worn by celebrities, showing that it’s MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL

Rabbi Dov Huff '00 Principal, Judaic Studies

Scott Mattoon Principal, General Studies

Brian Cohen Associate Principal,

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Rabbi David Saltzman Principal

Reena Slovin Associate Principal

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

Robin Meyerowitz Early Childhood Director

Kol Rambam is published quarterly by the Maimonides School Office of Alumni and Community Relations.

Comments, questions, and suggestions should be addressed to:

Maimonides School 34 Philbrick Road Brookline, MA 02445 (617) 232-4452 x405 [email protected] Senior Miriam Bressler, center, is flanked at the MAImodesty fashion show by classmates, from left, Aleeza Solomont, Sarah Kosowsky, Dina Fisher-Greisdoff and Ariana Gewurz.

2 The first Ezra Schwartz Memorial Tournament May 18-21 was a spectacular success. Maimonides was joined by teams from , Ramaz, and SAR Academy. In the dugout, above, Hillel Schwartz, left, and Aaron Weinstock, with helmet, are greeted after scoring runs by Maimonides teammates, from left, Uriel Cohen, Doni Berg, Eitan Traum and Noach Weiss. During the awards presentation Dr. Ari Schwartz poses a 2015 graduate and M-Cat, was murdered by a ,זק"ל ,with, from left, Hillel '20, Avi '24 and Elon '22. Ezra terrorist in Israel in November 2015. His brother Hillel wears Ezra's uniform number. (Photos by Steve Shostek)

First-Grade Literacy Providing a Strong Foundation Maimonides School first graders have “a Instruction is adjusted, based on ongoing A big part of the success is credited to really strong foundation of reading. And assessment data, Mrs. Newman continued. teacher collaboration and communication, reading well lasts through all of their school The main benchmark assessment tool, Mrs. Newman said. General studies teacher years.” which has been used here for more than Danielle (Dani) Carrus “is unbelievably dedi- That is the appraisal of the Elementary five years, is known by the acronym DIBELS cated to ensuring that everyone succeeds,” School’s English language arts coordinator -- Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy and she lauded other teachers and mem- and literacy specialist, Jennifer Newman. Skills. bers of the support staff as well. They meet periodically to review student progress, Mrs. Newman attributes the students’ suc- The assessment is administered three times a year, Mrs. Newman said, and for the past and communicate with parents about the cess to several factors – methods of instruc- importance of reading at home. tion, assessment tools, time allotments, couple of years teachers have examined professional collaboration and teacher the results more closely and implemented “Dani goes above and beyond expecta- dedication. “We implemented the best way monthly monitoring for students who fall tions to plan targeted instruction, compose to teach reading, using our data to identify short of benchmark goals. decodable texts and practice packets for kids that needed intervening. We identify DIBELS, she explained, “are a set of proce- students, and teach students classroom kids early on, giving extra intervention,” she dures and measures for assessing the acqui- routines so that they can work effectively on said. sition of early literacy skills from kindergar- their own,” Mrs. Newman said. “She expects ten through sixth grade. They are designed all students to reach the reading bench- Two years ago the administration revised marks and arranges her teaching schedule the first-grade reading curriculum, adding to be short (one-minute) fluency measures used to regularly monitor the development to maximize time for teaching reading, to “time on task,” Mrs. Newman said. The cur- spelling and writing.” rent “literacy block” is 90 minutes, four times of early literacy and early reading skills.” a week. It includes reading, phonics, hand- Kindergarten, she noted, serves as the Mrs. Newman pointed out that the same writing and written expression. Students foundation for reading, “providing the un- kind of practice skills are being reinforced also receive small-group reading support for derlying skills for readiness” – basic building by teachers in Hebrew language classes, a half-hour four times a week. blocks like letters and sounds. with similarly dramatic results.

3 Student-Teacher Ties Transcend Classroom

When the planning committee for the Class has transcended the classroom, often span- sionally will drop a student off in Sharon on of 1967 began meeting to discuss their 50- ning decades and lifetimes. her way home to Attleboro. “I think it makes year reunion, one of the first items on the Michael Schockett, who began teaching a difference when teachers work with kids agenda was to identify former teachers who mathematics here in the fall of 1970, has who so want to learn.” are still in good health and invite them to been a classroom presence for almost 90 When Penina Simkovitz ’11 visited the the milestone event. percent of all Maimonides graduates. It’s a school in uniform as part of an Israel On May 21, four of them attended – Rabbi mind-boggling number, and Mr. Schockett Defense Force lone soldier delegation, she Boruch Helman, Mrs. Joanne Fray, Mrs. reinforces it by keeping track of all former looked for Ms. Wright immediately. Several Bella Schultz and Rabbi , the students – including those who didn’t former students keep in touch by email, Ms. former assistant principal who is now senior graduate -- on a single double-sided sheet Wright said, and “I know where they are and mashgiach ruchani at . of paper (with a tiny font that continues to what they do. I think they know I am going Roslyn Spector, a French teacher now in her shrink). to be proud of them.” mid-90s, was unable to join them, but sent Generations of graduates visiting Saval The phenomenon is not limited to the a message that ended, “I congratulate you, Campus always ask if they can greet Mr. Upper School. Stephanie Samuels, Middle wish you a continuation of an even brighter Schockett, who immediately finds their School limudei kodesh teacher since 1993, future, and know that you were for me a names on his sheet. loves “running into former students and delightful, challenging and fulfilling class.” Roberta Wright is finishing her 18th year catching up. We often have Shabbat meals Fifty years later, the Class of 2017 this month teaching Upper School social studies at at our home with families of alums, so I can continues a Senior Recognition Night tradi- Maimonides. Former students stopping by keep tabs on them through their parents tion, honoring their teachers by choosing the school often seek her out. and siblings.” one of them to deliver keynote remarks. “We spend so much time with them, and we “One to whom I am particularly close is For more than three generations, the are so invested in them, that we’re almost Rebecca Zibman,” Mrs. Samuels related. student-teacher relationship at Maimonides family,” said Ms. “Whenever she is in town (which is not so Wright, who occa- continued on page 5

Longtime teacher Michael Schockett's list of current and former students, numbering more than 2,000.

4 Two Retiring Teachers Reflect

Two teachers with more than 60 years of ministrators and the Board have combined service to Elementary School stu- always seen it as their mission to dents at Maimonides will retire at the end of afford all Jewish children the privi- the academic year. lege and right to a Jewish educa- Donna Verdun, who was hired by General tion. By the time my children were Studies Director Dr. Kalman Stein three students here, if a student had mild days before school started in 1985, taught to moderate special needs, there general studies in the first and second was a resource room and a faculty grades before moving into student support that could support modified cur- services. riculum.” Maxine (Lipis) Zizmor, a 1969 Maimonides Today’s specialized student sup- graduate, was hired in 1989 by Rabbi David port is a product of the efforts of Shapiro, principal, to teach second-grade “dedicated and trained faculty, limudei kodesh. Fourteen years in the learning specialists at all grade classroom were followed by four years as a levels, and the skilled teachers and Judaic Studies learning specialist before she therapists from Gateways: Access was named director of Elementary School to Jewish Education,” she said. student support services. Mrs. Verdun pointed out how They are not only close colleagues but also much the school has changed in supporting different kinds of learn- close friends. Donna Verdun, left, and Maxine Zizmor ers. “When I came here there was “After four years in first grade and 19 years only one student support teacher. sit in a classroom together from eight in the in second grade, I wanted a change,” Mrs. Over the years student support has expand- morning to six at night, you really get to Verdun said, adding that she had worked ed tremendously. Together with Gateways, know each other.” in math enrichment in summer programs. now we are able to accommodate students “The message I would like to share is: For the past eight years, she has been part with all kinds of needs.” of the student support staff, specializing in Maimonides was a trailblazer in inclusion,” math. Another difference, she noted, is “a lot of she declared. “The school always has had classroom teachers now have assistants, the mission to help students who required “I loved having my own classroom, but I also which enables them to much better differ- classroom accommodations and modified loved the opportunity to work with small entiate in their instruction.” She recalled that curricula to be successful.” Every student, groups, and to see that look of joy on their 32 years ago, “luckily for me, Elaine Geracht she added, comes under the religious im- faces when they understand a concept,” Mrs. was a wonderful mentor.” perative v’shinantam l’vanecha. Verdun said. She noted that “parents are very appreciative.” Mrs. Verdun observed, “It's amazing today Mrs. Verdun added, “Children always say that I see children of my former students.” thank you after a session, and every time Inclusive education has constantly evolved Added Mrs. Zizmor, “The children you meet they do I light up.” at Maimonides, Mrs. Zizmor said, and “ad- here can become friends for life. When you Student-Teacher Ties Transcend Classroom continued from page 4 often anymore, since her parents recently also remember how quickly my tears dried Mr. D’Agnelli noted that he was harder to made aliyah), we have a set date at JP Licks up because of Mrs. Verdun,” one graduate find before 1986, when the school opened to catch up. Rebecca likes to joke that I was wrote. Fox Gymnasium. “I could have been any- her Hebrew teacher in eighth grade, and “I fondly recall our play and learn- where – we were like nomads,” he said, with now her Hebrew is much more fluent than ing our very first Rashi in Mrs. Zizmor’s class. phys ed taking place in classrooms, the mine was when I was her teacher. But I did Learning about the chagim and the parshat auditorium, even at Brookline High School. teach her a lot of Hebrew grammar which hashavua were also very exciting,” another His counterpart Deborah Caban teaches she would not have learned otherwise.” student recalled. the youngest students as well as older girls. Former students are also sharing memories Hundreds of graduates also feel connected Former students will return and ask about about veteran teachers Donna Verdun and to their physical education teachers. “I feel major events they remember, such as Color Maxine Zizmor ’69, both of whom are retir- happy when they are comfortable enough War and pillo-polo, she said. Both teachers ing at the close of the school year. to want to come back and say hi,” said Ernest regularly see second-generation students; “I remember sitting at a white desk and D’Agnelli, who is finishing his 40th year on “I could be seeing third-generation pretty waving goodbye to my mother and feel- the faculty. soon,” Mr. D’Agnelli laughed. ing my eyes overflowing with tears. But I

5 CLASS NOTES Contact Mike Rosenberg (617) 232-4452 x405, [email protected] to share your news or if you would like to serve as a class secretary. Nessa and Noah Liben on the birth of 1953 1985 their son, Tamir Aviv. Grandparents are 2010 Contact Ada (Greenwald) Jacobowitz, Mazal tov to Debbie and David Schiffon Fran and Rabbi Daniel Liben. Mazal tov to (602) 263-8633, [email protected]. the marriage of their son Yaakov to Elianne Leah and Rabbi Shmuel Segal on the Esther Petrack on her marriage to Yoni Neuman. David is the son of Judy and Dr. birth of their son. Grandparents are Tovah Lebowitz. Esther is the daughter of Marina Seymour Schiff. 1956 and Rabbi Gershon Segal. and Scott Petrack. Mazal tov to Yaffa (Janice Stern) and Karen (Schreiber) and Daniel Zwil- Hannah Spellman on her engagement Joseph Lauer on the marriage of their 1987 lenberg on the birth of their daughter. to Tuvy Miller. Hannah is the daughter of grandson. Mazal tov to Sherri (Rabinovitz) and Grandparents are Lisa and Roy Schreiber. Marcia and Roger Spellman. Judah Cohen on the engagement of their daughter Gabriella ’13 to Avery 1959 Feit. Sherri is the daughter of Marlene and 2001 2011 Mazal tov to Gladys and Robert Wolff on Stanley Rabinovitz. Mazal tov to Mazal tov to Shira and Avishai Alge on the engagement of their grandson, Yaakov Jessica and Zack Kuperwaser on the the birth of their son. Grandparents are Wolff. Parents are Dr. Tzipora andJosh 1988 birth of their son, Jordan Aaron. Grandpar- Sharon and Merv Alge. Wolff ’89. ents are Judy and Dr. Mark Kuperwaser. Contact Elka Tovah Davidoff, etm@ theworld.com. Sarah Cytryn and Gabriel Mitchell on the 2013 1970 birth of their daughter, Miri. Grandparents Mazal tov to Contact Gary Cantor, (610) 664-3502, are Francine and Michael Mitchell. Gabriella Cohen on her engagement [email protected]. 1989 to Avery Feit. Gabriella is the daughter Mazal tov to Dr. Tzipora and Josh Wolff of Sherri (Rabinovitz) ’87 and Judah on the engagement of their son Yaakov 2002 Cohen. 1971 to Nechama Zimbalist. Grandparents are Mazal tov to Dena (Freedman) and David Contact Rabbi Dr. Ed Goldstein, (516) Gladys and Robert Wolff ’59. Sichel on the birth of their daughter. Elisheva Rosen on her engagement to 295-4118, [email protected]. Grandparents are Leslie and Norman Doni Schwartz. Elisheva is the daughter of Freedman. Amy and Dr. Hillel Rosen. Mazal tov to Ryna (Gindsberg) and Prof. 1990 Mordechai Kedar on the birth of their Mazal tov to Yael (Rockoff) and Marco grandson. Jona on the birth of their son, Shimon 2003 Yehuda. Grandparents are Shuli and Dr. Mazal tov to Ann Rose (Chefitz) and Max 1972 Avi Rockoff. Greenberg on the birth of their daughter, CONDOLENCES Melissa Gloria. Grandparents are Jane and Contact Marilyn (Zicher) Kramer, David Chefitz. [email protected]. 1996 Mazal tov to 2004 Toby (Betesh) ’05 and Girum Abay on the 1974 loss of their infant son, Malachi. Varda (Weinstock) and Marc Berkson Mazal tov to Contact Jay Solomont (917) 522-8383, on the birth of their son, Yechiel Mechel. Osher Galibov ’08 on the loss of his be- [email protected]; or Dani- Grandparents are Nina and Matthew Ellie (Dubitzky) and Jeffrey Berlin on the loved father, Abokhay Galibov. ella (Peyser) Teutsch, (201) 379-5408, Weinstock. birth of their daughter, Zohar. Grandpar- Meyer Goldstein ’67 on the loss of his [email protected]. ents are Anne and Jonathan Dubitzky. Keren Fisher and Dr. Benjie Flusberg on beloved father, Rabbi Baruch Goldstein. Mazal tov to Debra (Weiner) and Jay the birth of their son, Eitan Max. Grandpar- Ari Schreiber on his marriage to Brenna Monika (Lewkowicz) Landau ’94 on the Solomont on the birth of their grandson. ents are Roz and Allen Flusberg. Sackman. Ari is the son of Alane and David Schreiber. loss of her beloved father. Dr. David ’73 and Joel Leeman ’71 on the 1975 1997 loss of their beloved father, Rabbi Saul Mazal tov to Joy (Singer) and Michael Mazal tov to Melissa Sydney and Adam 2005 Leeman. Sydney on the birth of their granddaugh- Marshak on the birth of their daughter, Mazal tov to Talia Nussbaum on her mar- Bernard Newman ’67 on the loss of his ter, Yardana Chaya. Parents are Melissa Yardana Chaya. Grandparents are Joy riage to Eli Simsolo. Talia is the daughter of beloved father, Joseph Newman. Sydney ’97 and Adam Marshak. (Singer) ’75 and Michael Sydney. Jeremy Nussbaum and Gwyneth Sheen. 1976 1998 2007 Contact Judy Thaler-Lev judylev@ mail. Mazal tov to Mazal tov to Ruth (Zisblatt) and Tani Pol- com, (972) 050-753-3158. lak on the birth of their son, Akiva. Grand- IN MEMORIAM Miriam (Vishniavsky) and Yechiel Cohen parents are Drs. Laura and Sam Zisblatt. on the birth of their son, Meir. Grandpar- 1977 ents are Ruth and Nahum Vishniavsky. Contact Amy (Schultz) Margolis, (561) Nazanin Shamooni on her marriage to 2008 Maimonides School mourns the recent 789-2599, [email protected]. Robin Mashal. Nazanin is the daughter of Mazal tov to Erika and Sam Swartz on the loss of two of its alumni, both of whom birth of their daughter, Natalie Riva. Grand- Mazal tov to Faye (Isserow) and David Victoria and Mansour Shamooni. had resided for many years in Israel. parents are Debbie and Jeffrey Swartz. was one of the first ,ז"ל ,Landes on the birth of their grandson, Robert Berren ’54 Shaul Yehuda. 2000 12 graduates of Maimonides. 2009 was the ז"ל ,Mazal tov to Rabbi Yehuda Weinberg ’63 1980 Mazal tov to Dahlia (Gruen) and Nate father of three graduates, Gershon ’85, Judith (Lupatkin) and Matthew Bern- Chertok on the birth of their daughter. Contact Amy Levenson, amy.leven- Eliyahu ’88 and Dvir ’96. stein on the birth of their twins, Jacob Grandparents are Elana and Dan Gruen. [email protected]. Manuel and Rebecca Sarit. Grandparents May their families be comforted among are Donna and Richard Lupatkin. the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

6 CLASS NOTES Policy Conference Catalyst for Recent Grad

By Ariel Goldman ’15 how much I had really enjoyed writing it. I This entire saga began with my trip to the had never felt that way about such an as- AIPAC Policy Conference during senior signment, so that sort of did it for me. year with the rest of my class. Those three The time that I knew I had made the right days really had such an impact on me, and call on switching was when I went to the changed how I viewed everything. AIPAC Policy Conference this year and spent And after spending an entire year in Israel a large amount of time with the current along with everything that happened to senior class. me there, specifically Ezra [classmate Ezra I had agreed with Mr. (Refael) Fadlon that I who was murdered by would come and speak to them the Friday ,זק"ל ,Schwartz ’15 a terrorist in November 2015], it all really before the trip. During the three days of the changed my perspective and I became conference I had conversations with many extremely passionate about Israel. kids, and was able to speak with them at After I arrived at Yeshiva University, I stuck length about various political topics, most with my desire to become an orthopedic of which were about Israel. surgeon. So I started with a biology major I’m a big believer in the fact that if you enjoy and took lots of pre-med classes. But know- something, you should do it. And a lot of ing that I was interested in political science, the time, the thing that you enjoy doing I took one class that semester. I was very is the thing you’ll be best at. That’s what I surprised that the one poli sci class totally found with Israel advocacy and poli sci -- piqued my interest. that I just loved participating in them and Ariel Goldman '15 discussing topics involved with them. This semester, I ended up taking more poli trip, I saw changes in certain kids, who were sci than bio classes. I discovered that I truly And the interesting thing is that it all started in intense discussions about all things Israel enjoyed the work I was doing in political with that Maimo trip to AIPAC. When I spoke and America in the political scheme. science and I decided to switch. I remem- to the seniors at school I couldn’t stress So all of this has shown me how crucial this ber specifically the night after finishing a enough how much that trip had an impact CONDOLENCES trip has been and will be in the future, and 10-page paper for my class on terrorism and on me, and how much it could have an I’m so appreciative of Maimo for sending us counterterrorism, and thinking back about impact on them. And even during this year’s to the conference.

Israel Advocacy and AIPAC Conference continued from page 1 Discussion of Arab refugees from Palestine – through media like music and art, Mr. we mobilized about 100 people to speak at includes historical data, the subsequent Fadlon noted. an open forum.” Then the issue was brought expulsion of Jews from Arab countries, and The year of advocacy training is augmented up again during Pesach, and although there various 20th Century refugee exchanges, by attendance at the annual AIPAC Policy was a favorable vote, the student judiciary including India and Pakistan, or Turkey and Conference in Washington, DC. The school vetoed it because the timing was deliber- Greece. has sent the senior class as delegates for ately exclusive, he said. One creative exercise reviews the drafts of three consecutive years. That has been “the only real presence BDS the Balfour Declaration and combines them For Yoni Gelb ’16, the AIPAC Policy Confer- has had on campus,” Yoni said. “We don’t see into a format resembling a page of Talmud. ence “was really eye-opening. There was so people walking around campus with signs. “That helps students discover what exactly much to learn, so much to take in. It was There is no Apartheid Week.” is the meaning of every word in historical powerful to see so many people come to- Are there opportunities for dialogue? “There IN MEMORIAM context,” Mr. Fadlon said. gether, with different backgrounds, different are people working at the grass-roots level,” When he teaches about Israel’s political opinions. It gave me a feeling that I wanted Yoni said. “There are people who want a system, Mr. Fadlon said, “it’s not enough just to be more involved.” civilized conversation. The open forum is to know the results. When Prime Minister Inspired by his experience, Yoni joined Bad- combative.” Netanyahu has to make a decision, what gers for Israel soon after he began classes at Yoni said he was well-equipped by his are the forces that influence him? How does the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Maimonides advocacy course and “the tools he create a coalition, and how does it limit now serves on the board. The group has a I got from AIPAC.” Indeed, last winter he the power of the prime minister? The kids strong AIPAC connection, he said. was a delegate to an AIPAC conference for say they finally realize what it means when college students. “I learned a lot of tactics, Israel makes a decision.” Last semester, Wisconsin students support- ing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions ways to work to further your goal and not The class also explores conflicts in Israeli (BDS) campaign “tried to pass a student let detractors get in the way. Everyone was society -- involving Jews and Arabs, po- government resolution targeting Israel and really passionate and doing good work.” litical left and right, religious and secular

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NEWS BRIEFS and high harmony. And in so doing, they uncover school division. “This year's Chidon Ha-Tanach studied their true selves,” said Scott Mattoon, Middle and the books of Melachim and Devarim, with selections Upper School general studies principal, at a memorial from Rut, Iyov, and in the Upper School, Yirmiyahu,” OUR MEMBERS of the Knesset toured service. In this way, Michael’s legacy lives through said Rabbi Yaakov Jaffe, Upper Schoollimudei kodesh Maimonides School, visited a few classes his students, his notes echoing in eternity. One of his teacher and team coordinator. "This year's mate- and spoke with members of the senior class, earlier musicians, Adina Polen ‘01, commented that rial involved a particularly significant investment, as F all part of a March educational mission “his unique combination of silliness, acceptance and many of the chapters on the Chidon are not typically sponsored by the Ruderman Family Foundation. The warmth towards every student, and devotion to the studied in these grade levels,” Rabbi Jaffe noted. purpose of the mission is “to strengthen the relation- music, had such a profound and lasting impact on so “Students needed to invest more time on their own to ship between Israel and the American Jewish com- many of us.” be prepared." The Chidon is a program of the Jewish munity” by educating the Members of Knesset (MKs) Agency for Israel, and involves hundreds of partici- about the U.S. diaspora, according to the foundation. XCHANGING OF ALL of the school’s pants from various schools across the country. Maimonides was the only school the MKs visited, and interior light fixtures to energy-saving “we were very honored to be chosen to showcase LED equipment is almost complete. “The INE MAIMONIDES JUNIORS RE- the vibrancy of the Jewish community in Boston,” E benefits of this new technology also include CEIVED SPECIAL AWARDS sponsored said Head of School Naty Katz. The visiting Knesset consistent and superior lighting,” said Mervin Alge, the by universities and other programs in members represented a range of political parties and school’s director of operations. All classrooms, hallways, N recognition of overall or particular excel- backgrounds. A highlight was a 30-minute workshop bathrooms and offices are being upgraded, as well as lence. The awards and recipients are: Bausch & Lomb with the seniors, who attended the AIPAC Policy the Brener Building garage and school storage rooms. Science Award, Gavriella Krimsky; Columbia Book, Conference earlier that week. The school is carrying out the upgrade in partnership Ezra Feder; Cooper Family Middot Award, Nir Solooki; with electric utility companies, Mr. Alge noted. Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award for AIMONIDES IS MOURNING the WO MAIMONIDES SCHOOL STUDENTS social justice and helping others, Noa Atar; Harvard passing of Michael Maleson, z”l, Upper Prize Book, Benni Trachtenberg; Rensselaer Medal for School jazz band advisor for 19 years. FINISHED IN THE TOP 20 of their math and science, Yair Kosowsky-Sachs; Yale Book, M “Michael touched and inspired his stu- respective divisions in the national finals of Adira Smirnov; and Yeshiva University Book Awards, dents to let music be greater than themselves, to har- T the Chidon Ha-Tanach on May 14 at Man- Shari Glass and Elad Jeselsohn. Selections were made ness its energy, to ride its wave, finding slipstreams of hattan Day School. Benyamin Trachtenberg, a junior, by the faculty. The prizes were announced at a class beautiful, profound, and reassuring force that reduce was ranked 19th in the high school division. Grade meeting by Tami Gelb, director of college counseling. them to their purest selves, devoid of ego, full of awe 8 student Eitan Weiss came in 14th in the middle

,director of the Maimonides Jazz Band for almost 20 years, leads a celebratory parade up Philbrick Road in 2005 ,ז"ל ,Michael Maleson with musicians, from left, Ben Nouriel '05, Felicia Kuperwaser '08, Yakov Salzberg '06, Joseph Sugarman '06 and Elan Spitzberg '06.