Winter 2010/11 - Adar I 5771 - Maimonides School

KOL RAMBAMWinter 2010–11 • `Šryz zay-elqkSPORTSMANSHIP AWARD EMBODIES STUDENT-ATHLETES’ PRIORITIESMaimonides School interscholastic athleticshave been recognized with the oneaward that epitomizes the importance ofsports in the school’s mission.The school has received a District SportsmanshipAward for 2009–2010 from theMassachusetts Interscholastic AthleticAssociation. A delegation of five seniorathletes and Executive Director Naty Katz’73 accepted the plaque during ceremoniesat the MIAA Sportsmanship Summit,held at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 19.Each year the MIAA recognizes oneschool from each of seven geographicdistricts, as well as one winner from privateand parochial schools, “for exemplifyingthe highest ideals of sportsmanship.”The winners are chosen by memberschools and district athletic committees.Maimonides has never won this overallaward, although the softball and volleyball(twice) teams have been honored byPARENT SESSIONS STRENGTHEN SCHOOLMaimonides administrators are organizingand prioritizing the school’s responseto issues raised in a recent series of parentfocus groups.The 10 sessions, designed to accommodate12 participants each, took place inOctober and November “to elicit informationfrom parents on what Maimonides isdoing well and where we can improve.”Executive Director Nathan Katz ’73 saidhe expects committees will be establishedto address some of the topics. He notedthat there will be “opportunities for parentinvolvement as we move forward.”New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft joins Maimonides School seniors, fromleft, Betzalel Kosowsky-Sachs, Aaron Zwiebach, Akiva Katz, Tifara Ramelson andDalya Lerner, and Executive Director Naty Katz ’73, after the school accepted anMIAA District Sportsmanship Award during ceremonies at Gillette Stadium.the MIAA for sportsmanship over the pastfive years.Rabbi Yaakov Jaffe, Upper and MiddleSchool Judaic Studies principal, said thisis “an amazing honor, and a real testa­The focus groups are part of the school’scontinuing effort to identify parent concernsand address them. The ultimateobjective is to strengthen the school, notonly academically but also in all aspects ofthe Maimonides experience, from schoolatmosphere and communication to religiousguidance and parent access.Focus groups were scheduled at privatehomes in a geographic range reflective ofthe student population, and the turnoutof parents reflected those percentages.School personnel and volunteer leadersment to the character of all of our studentathletes. There is nothing more gratifyingfor us as a school than to hear that thestudentshave taken the messages we teachthem here and have applied them.”Hal Borkow, Maimonides director of athletics,credited “our dedicated studentathletes,parents, coaches and faculty” forthe recognition. “The Maimonides M-Catsplay sports mindful of the life lessons thatcome from both victory and defeat,” saidMr. Borkow, who also teaches history atthe school. “Our teams combine competitiveeffort with a genuine respect for theplayers and coaches of other schools. Weare humbled to receive this honor.”Several student-athletes agreed withthe sentiments of Yael Green ’14, whopointed out that sportsmanship is simplyan extension of the Torah values livedby the school community. “I believe thatContinued on page 6 Continued on page 6

COMMUNITY THEMEAND NEW GALA VENUEMARK 2011 ANNUALCAMPAIGNThe 2011 Maimonides School AnnualCampaign is under way with a new themeand a new location for the culminating event,the Annual Gala.The campaign is centered around the conceptof community, which manifests the philosophyof Maimonides School’s founder regardinga Jew’s relationship to the larger world. Ina talk to the Maimonides PTA in 1972, RabbiDr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik stated, “The Jewis a responsible being—he is responsible forsociety.”In addition, the school will present Pillarof Maimonides awards to Rabbi DavidEhrenkranz and Robert Wolff ’59. Theaward is emblematic of exceptional serviceto Jewish education.The 2011 Gala has been planned for Sundayevening, March 13, at Granite Links, a golfclub in Quincy. The five-year-old clubhousecan accommodate more than 400 people inits hall. The club is right off the SoutheastExpressway.Organizers of the campaign are working toaugment the team of volunteer solicitorsthat forms the backbone of the fundraisingeffort. A major goal is to broaden the baseof donors, and that means more people tocontact prospects.Rabbi Ehrenkranz, Upper School limudei kodeshteacher and Grade 10 dean, has been a memberof the faculty since 1996 and has servedas the school’s only varsity softball coach. Healso has an extensive record of service in thegreater community, as a former advisor to theBrandeis Orthodox Organization and a teacherin Hebrew College’s Prozdor supplementaryeducation program.Mr. Wolff, a former member of the Boardof Directors, has served on the Tuition andFinancial Aid Committee for more than 20years. A 1959 Maimonides graduate, he hasworked in many other volunteer capacities,including chair of an ad hoc committee thathelped organize the business office duringthe 1980s.Maimo Holiday Highlights 5771CHANUKAH: Yifat Lichterman, Bnei Akiva shlicha,leads a gelt-making session with 5th graders (fromleft) Sivan Ben-David, Ariana Blitstein, Senai Weglein,Tor Cohen, Elad Jeselsohn and Ori Applbaum; 7thgrader Rachel Oxman puts the finishing touches ona school-made candle. TU B’SHEVAT: 3rd gradersEytan Pomper, left, and Zachary Lederman displayTu B’Shevat crafts; 4th graders Shir Moyal, left, andBayla Henry practice for a Tu B’Shevat skit.

TRAVELING AND DANCING, GRAD FINDS “PEOPLE ARE JUST PEOPLE”Ezra Waxman ’06 joins members of the BnaiIsrael Jewish community of Mumbai for Purim.Ezra Waxman ’06 has an idea that seems almost quaint in today’sworld. He wants “to break down stereotypes and see people for whothey are.”The Boston University senior has conducted his outreach first-hand,with travels across five continents. “I’ve become quite close withmany Europeans, Middle Easterners, and Africans. People tend tobring a lot of assumptions to the table when they meet people fromother backgrounds, but it’s always nice to find out that at the end ofthe day people are just people,” he declared.Ezra has recorded his experiences and philosophy on a website,sites.google.com/site/ezrawaxman, and demonstrated his enthusiasmand joy with simcha dancing at more than two dozen sitesin 14 countries, which he calls “The Peace Dance” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r23AvEDhuU).His motivation for these explorations began during his post–highschool year at Birkat Moshe, an Israeli yeshiva in Maale Adumim. “Igot used to being in a culture different than my own,” he said. “Overtime, that comfort has increased greatly.”How did Ezra end up in so many places in such a short time? “Firstof all, I took my junior year abroad,” he explained. “I’m in an interdisciplinaryprogram at BU that encourages students to travel abroad.”Indeed, about 80 percent of the 15 undergraduates in this year’sUniversity Professors Program took advantage.Ezra, who visited Peru in 2008, spent one semester last year in SouthAfrica and the second in India. “Wearing a kippah, and befriendingpeople who had never before met a Jew, was a fascinating experienceon multiple levels,” he said, adding, “It’s really unfortunatenowadays that people immediately jump to political conclusionswhen they see a kippah—or an Arab headscarf.”Ezra’s Jewish observance during his travels made for some interestingsituations. On his travel blog he relates tales of hitchhiking fromLesotho to Johannesburg in time for Yom Kippur. He also traveledto Daramsala, home of the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan government,just in time for Shavuot, spending the chag at the LevHayehudi synagogue and the local Chabad.This past semester he was one of 40 delegates from 28 countriesto attend the Peace Conference of Youth in Osaka, Japan. Theyjoined with 40 Japanese representatives in a conference that Ezradescribed as “very similar to a Model UN convention. We spent aContinued on page 6Mazal 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, LeoraChana 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.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 areMarjorie (Einstein) ‘62 and Edward Hurwitz. Great-grandmother is MaimonidesTrustee Ruth Einstein.Ariella (Katz) ’94 and Aylon Glaser on the birth of their son, Asaf Yaakov.Dr. Ira ’94 and Lisa Winer on the birth of their daughter, Eliora Dina.Rabbi Dani ’95 and Ayala Rockoff on the birth of their son, David Aryeh.Doron ’95 and Malka Simon on the birth of their daughter, Aliza.Aryeh ’97 and Aliza (Libman) Baronofsky on the birth of their daughter, RenaAvigayil. Aliza is Grade 7 dean and Middle School Tanach and math teacher atMaimonides School.Elizabeth Solomont Levy ’97 and Philip Levy on the birth of their son, NoahJoseph.Suri (Leeder) ’98 and Menachem Bernstein on the birth of their son, Yaakov Yosef.Dov ‘98 and Jeanne Haselkorn on the birth of their daughter, Dana.Lazar Berman ’99 on his engagement to Candace Ryan.Lori (Michaelson) ’00 and Leon Salkin on the birth of their daughter, Chloe Estelle.Aron Skversky ’00 and Tamara Fine on the birth of their son.Melissa and Reuben Taube ’00 on the birth of their son, Aiden.Karen (Schreiber) ’00 and Daniel Zwillenberg on the birth of their son, Jacob Lev.Rachel Sydney ’01 on her marriage to Michael Lebovich.Aviva Cheses ’01 on her marriage to Scott Wasserman.Gabriel Mitchell ’01 on his engagement to Sarah Cytryn.Dina (Pittel) ’02 and Sol Adelsky on the birth of their daughter, Leor Yakira.Adam Dalezman ’02 on his engagement to Ariana Sufian.Alana Gendelman ‘03 on her marriage to Landon Berns.Rachel Levine ’03 on her marriage to Jeremy Baruch.Kenny Gerber ’03 on his engagement to Chana Penini.Sarah Lamport ’03 on her marriage to Ronnie Lee.Elise Polaner ’03 on her marriage to Jonny Hay.Yael Shuchatowitz ’03 on her marriage to Eric Freedman.Amy Sisel ’03 on her marriage to Dov Snow.Jeremy Salzberg ’05 on his engagement to Dani London.Tova Kelman ’06 on her engagement to Moshe Lerer.Maya Krohn ’06 on her marriage to David Joyandeh.Sarah Wecker ’06 on her engagement to Moishe Sobel.Condolences to…ALUMNIMiriam Gedwiser ’99 on the loss of her beloved father, Dr. Shmuel Gedwiser, z”l.Deborah Long ‘79, Dr. Elisa (Long) Chefitz ’80 and Dr. Judith (Long) Cohen’84 on the loss of their beloved father, Bertram Long, z”l.

HOME OF “BRAVE”, MIDDLE SCHOOL ENHANCING SAFETY, SENSITIVITYSixth graders David Kotlerand Miriam Khanukaevportray roles in a BRAVEexercise.Maimonides Middle Schoolers areimmersed in a two-year program to builda school culture in which all students canfeel comfortable and safe. Sixth and seventhgraders are participating in BRAVE,an acronym that stands for Belief in theRights And Value of Everyone.The goal of BRAVE is to give studentstools to deal with bullying and relatedproblems such as taunting, name-calling,and social exclusion. Student workshopsand an ongoing forum are supported bypresentations to parents.Teachers and administrators are workingwith the founder of the program,Dr. Rona Novick, an expert in behaviormanagement and bullying prevention inschools. Dr. Novick is director of the HellerDoctoral Program at Yeshiva University’sAzrieli Graduate School of Education andAdministration. She is also an associateclinical professor of child psychology atAlbert Einstein College of Medicine.“The value of the program lies in its abilityto arm students with many skills whenthey witness hurtful behavior,” said RabbiAvi Bossewitch, Middle School director,who implemented BRAVE in the fall of2009. “The standard approaches of directlystanding up to a bully and telling an adult,though valid and important, are oftenhard for students to implement and ineffectivein the long-term,” he said. “Theadditional tactics stressed in the BRAVEprogram give students a varied repertoirefrom which they can choose skills to fit thesituation and their comfort zone.”BRAVE was introduced to sixth gradersrecently through a mock trial of bulliesand bystanders. Orchestrated byDr. Novick as presiding judge, studentsworked in teams as either the defenseattorneys of the accused bullies or as theprosecutors on behalf of the victim. Sixthgraders discovered the impact of “innocent”bystanders as well as perpetrators.Also during the workshop, students convenedin groups and discussed techniquesfor dealing with bullies. Participantsreceived unfinished “Hollywood” scriptsand were asked to create happy endingsby implementing one or more of the followingtechniques: “leave no one out,empower victims and bystanders, amuseEzraContinued from page 1week talking about current affairs, andtried to find ways to decrease ethnic tensionsbetween cultures.”“The idea was to bring together youngleaders from different academic disciplinesto think up new ideas,” said Ezra, one ofthree delegates from the U.S. “It was reallyinteresting to discover what people fromdifferent parts of the world could bring tothe table, and to see what they thoughtwere the most critical issues.”He stressed that “regardless of what conclusionswe drew, the discussion sessionsseemed secondary to simply buildingpositive relations between peoplewho otherwise would never have had achance to meet.”Ezra patterned the “Peace Dance” productionafter a popular YouTube videoof a young man dancing in dozens ofcountries. But Ezra’s feature has a moresignificant message. It begins with a quotationby Mother Teresa: “If we have nopeace it is because we have forgottenthat we belong to each other.” The idea,Ezra said, “is to get the whole world tojust relax a bit.”Ezra, wearing a blue backpack, dancesin a mind-boggling array of locations—and distract the bully, enlist help, stoprumors and support the victim.”The session also involved seventh graders.Having experienced this programlast year, they acted as BRAVE leadersand coached the sixth graders throughthe event.Dr. Novick emphasized that studentsmust share the responsibility of creatinga climate where bullying is not accepted.She encouraged each sixth grader totake the lead in recognizing and standingup to bullying.Rabbi Bossewitch and Mrs. Ashley Marx,Middle School social worker, recentlyfacilitated this year’s first monthly QualityCircle, a workshop that enables studentsto find appropriate responses to real-lifebullying situations and practice thosetechniques.the world’s highest lake, the Taj Mahal,the Kinneret, Zambia, Belarus, Peru,Mozambique. Sometimes there are curiousobservers, including zebras and hippos.Occasionally others join him—aman on a rickety gangplank in Kashmir,the delegates to the peace conference.”It’s simcha dancing,” Ezra said. “That’sfrom my experience with the MaimonidesClass of 2006. We always loved to simchadance through the Maimo halls.” Ezra putthe video together with his classmate,Eli Cohen. The music they selected—bythe popular singer Shloime Dachs—isan eight-word passage from the BirkatHaChodesh that is translated as, ”MayHe gather our dispersed from the fourcorners of the earth; all Israel becomingcomrades.”Ezra is seeking fellowships for mathematicsor economics research, and hopesto spend another year abroad so hecan “combine my passion for math withhumanitarian work and world travel.”Graduate school at the WeizmannInstitute is one possibility as he pursuesmath degrees, he said.“It has been an enlightening experience,”he said of his traveling. “I’ve learned alot from people I otherwise would neverhave known.”

ENVIRONMENTAL RETREAT EDUCATES, INSPIRES FIFTH GRADERSMaimonides School fifth grade studentsand teachers returned from a recentfour-day program with the Teva LearningCenter with a new outlook on the naturalworld—and each other.The Nov. 14-17 experience took placeat the Isabella Friedman Jewish RetreatCenter in western Connecticut and wasdirected by Teva, which describes itselfas a Jewish environmental educationinstitute.“Students enjoyed the experience tremendously,”said Avi Pittleman, generalstudies teacher. “They experiencedfirsthand the harmonious relationshipbetween yahadut and environmentalism,a dynamic rarely experienced withinthe walls of the traditional classroomsetting.”“Everyone learned a tremendous amountabout nature, the environment, brachot,mitzvot and living together in a caringcommunity of peers,” said AssociatePrincipal Reena Slovin, who joinedthe class for three days. “We talk a lotabout Jewish living, and it’s easy to doit in school. How do we take the lessonsand practices and use them in the realworld?” added Rabbi David Saltzman,principal, who also joined the retreat forseveral days. “It was nice to see how thekids were able to do that.”Much of the four-day program was intellectual,and the fifth graders broughthome a lot of new knowledge andunderstanding. “Those things that growEnjoying the outdoors are, from left, LiviaZarge, Senai Weglein and Adira Wolfson.around the bottom of trees are lichens—I only recently learned their name,” saidYair Kosowsky-Sachs. Hannah Zar saidthe students learned a song about thecycle of decay and rebirth in the forest.Reduction of waste was a major focus.Adults “weighed the amount of leftoverfood after every meal from the buffet,”said Mia Milewich. She said the resultspointed to an obvious answer: “smallerportions.” Recycling also was emphasizedat the retreat. “When you throwanything away, there’s probably a betteruse for it,” observed Hannah. AddedShayna Mael, “We saw a plastic waterbottle that could have been made intoa vase.”“One of the main goals is awareness ofthe ecology around us,” said Mrs. Slovin.Participants demonstrated that they hitthat target. “We saw a large tree withholes in it,” said Esther Itkis, “and learnedthat woodpeckers made small holes, sapflowed from them, insects were attractedto the sap and got stuck, and then thewoodpeckers returned and ate them.”Awareness was heightened exponentiallyduring an evening hike. ShiraAlmekies, Sapir Trabelsi and SenaiWeglein all commented on the effectivenessof “night vision.” The experiencealso heightened student’s responsibilitytoward each other. “Whenever someonestumbled,” Hannah said, “we all had towork together.”The four days also served as a time forclass bonding. “During freetime, we were hanging outtogether,” Shayna reported.“We always tried to do stufftogether.” Naama Formanadded, “I really got closerto classmates who are notmy closest friends.” EzraEinhorn noted that, forhim, it was the first out-ofclassroomactivity that hehad shared with girls.Many students also foundthe experience broughtthem closer to God.“Hashem created natureand it felt really good tobe there,” observed Yardaena Portman.Added Daniela Neusner, “I felt close tothe things He created.” Sivan Ben Davidnoted that “we davened outside, and thetrees stood and davened with us.”Besides learning about “how to useour resources effectively and properly,”another goal of the retreat was “creatinga community with the fifth gradersout of school, where they saw eachWarming up at the retreat center areElad Applbaum, left, and Ezra Einhorn.other and their teachers in a differentenvironment,” added Rabbi Saltzman.“We wanted to bring them together notjust for this year but for many years tocome. There’s no question that all thosegoals were accomplished well beyondour expectations.”“For me, Teva was a wonderful opportunityto spend time with our students inan informal, unpressured setting and tobe with them from early morning untillate at night,” said Mrs. Slovin. “We atemeals, hiked, sang songs, davened andhad fun without worrying about tests,homework, meetings or phone calls.”Rabbi Saltzman also noted that fifth gradershave been invested in the fundraisingefforts to offset some of the trip’s costs.“They learned about organizing and raisingmoney,” he said. “They understandthis has been important.”

MIDDLE SCHOOL “PERFECT NICHE FOR ME”Ken Rosenstein, a career businessman,has joined the Maimonides MiddleSchool faculty. Some might say that hisclasses in sixth and seventh grade mathematics,as well as three sections ofseventh grade science, are an extraordinarychallenge for any educator. Mr.Rosenstein takes the opposite view.“The Maimonides Middle School is theperfect niche for me, with young peoplethat work hard at mastering content,while developing a strong sense of selfas both students and responsible membersof this community. This is a privilege,and I appreciate the opportunityto be a part.”Mr. Rosenstein, who attended SolomonSchechter Day School of Greater Bostonduring its formative years, earned abachelor of science degree in industrialmanagement and engineering at PurdueUniversity. For the next 25 years he managed,then owned the family business,Blue Ideal, a commercial laundry on BlueHill Avenue in Dorchester.A few years ago, he served as a fifthgradeclassroom volunteer for his sonSamuel at Boston’s Jewish CommunityDay School. “I loved it, and as he wentinto middle school I started doing itmore and thoroughly enjoyed it.”In early 2007, Mr. Rosenstein said, hefaced “a life decision. Am I going tostay in business? Am I ever going to doanything different? And if I’m going to,when? Everything fell into place afterthat. All thetime I spent inSam’s schooldictated that Ishould try this.”He worked as aregular substituteteacher inseveral middleschools, and Mr. Rosenstein“the more Itaught, the more I loved it—and themore I found that there’s a lot more toquality teaching than appears on thesurface.” He returned to school for amaster’s degree in education at LesleyUniversity, then taught sixth and eightgrade math at the Brookwood Schoolbefore beginning his Maimonides careerin September 2010.It’s working out well, to say the least.“Maimonides is a unique place, intertwiningeducation with ruach. Both areabsolutely indispensible in developingan accomplished, well rounded andwell grounded child.” Mr. Rosensteindeclared. “If I can play even a small partin that process, I’m blessed. This yearI have had the chance to educate myown. What more could you ask for?”Beyond the school day, Mr. Rosensteinis a long distance triathlete who alsoenjoys winter mountaineering and classicaltrumpet. “In case you’re wondering,math plays an integral role in all three ofthose.”Parent SessionsContinued from page 1were absent from all of the groups, whichwere led by parent facilitators. Note-takerswere paid recorders not associatedwith Maimonides, and no names wereassociated with comments.After the final sessions, an ad hoc parentcommittee reviewed the meeting notesand identified issues and concerns commonto all of the discussions.Parents were informed that the data indicatedthat areas in need of improvementincluded consistent quality of classroominstruction, an atmosphere fosteringlove of yahadut and tefilla, and studentadministrationrelations.In other areas, parents noted recentimprovement but were looking for continuedprogress, including art, math andscience, communication, response tosocial and emotional issues, and help forstudents with learning disabilities.In a letter to parents summarizing the sessions,organizers pointed out that “timewas also spent recognizing areas thathave improved, as well as brainstormingnew ideas and discussing the role of parentsin the school community.”A more formal survey of all Maimonidesparents was subsequently conducted inFebruary as part of a nationwide initiative.Results from this online survey willbe analyzed confidentially by an independentcompany, Measuring Success,and presented to the Maimonides administrationthis spring.MIAA SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDContinued from page 1Maimo teams run differently becauseof the atmosphere Maimonides hascreated, and because we grew up withthese values, not only on the court,” sheobserved.Seniors Akiva Katz, Betzalel Kosowsky-Sachs, Dalya Lerner, Tifara Ramelsonand Aaron Zwiebach represented theschool’s 2009-2010 interscholastic sportsteams in accepting the award. The studentswere surprised and delighted whenRobert Kraft, New England Patriotsowner, joined them for photographs andcongratulations after speaking to theassembly. Mr. Kraft’s father Harry Kraftwas a charter member of the school’sfounding in 1937.The interscholastic sports program atMaimonides began with men’s andwomen’s basketball in the 1980s, andbeginning in 1997 expanded to includebaseball, softball, soccer, tennis and volleyball.Over the years, the MIAA hasworked with the school to accommodatescheduling changes, the wearing of kippot,and other religious requirements.In a jewishboston.com essay, the schoolobserved that “Our students and teachersdon’t just study Jewish law. They liveit, through not only a range of religiousobligations but also a level of behaviorand character that elevates and motivates.In other words—derech eretz.Sportsmanship. That doesn’t mean wedon’t dive for loose balls or slide hardinto home plate or battle for position inthe goal mouth. But it does mean thatwe respect our opponents and gameofficials, appreciate the importance ofthe rules, respond to victory with joyand defeat with disappointment, butalways with grace and humility. It meanswearing kippot and modest uniformswith pride and appreciation. The name‘Maimonides’ on the uniform jersey isemblematic of the highest standards onand off the field and the court.”

SHABBATONIM FLOURISH AT MAIMONIDESHavdalah at the 9th gradeShabbaton in December wasfilled with music and ruach.Sara Herst, student activities coordinator forthe Maimonides Middle and Upper School, isenthusiastic about the value of a Shabbatonas a key component of Jewish education.“It brings each class together in a differentway. It gives them the opportunity to bondand recognize strengths in each other,” sheasserted. “From an educational perspective, ithelps us support our strong curriculum withareas not integrated into daily lessons. For thestudents to have a good time in a beautifulShabbat environment with everyone in theirclass is an incredible experience that you can’treplicate.”Rabbi Yaakov Jaffe, Middle and Upper Schoolprincipal, said the schedule of Shabbatonimfor Grades 8-12 has been expanded this academicyear, and the results so far have beengratifying.Shabbatonim have been held already forGrade 9 in Newton and Grade 10 in Sharon.Rabbi Jaffe said there also are plans for theseniors to spend a Shabbat in the school. Inthe Middle School, planning is underway forthe annual eighth grade Shabbaton in theschool.“There are three goals in doing this,” RabbiJaffe outlined. “It’s an opportunity for kidsto build relationships with faculty on a morepersonal level. It is also a way to spend timetogether as a grade, to build relationships,socialize and enjoy Shabbat as a real religiousexperience. The third goal is to do somethingeducational that we don’t normally do ina regular school situation … for example,this year’s Shabbaton educational theme ofAhavat Yisrael—being good friends.”Rabbi David Ehrenkranz, limudei kodeshteacher and Grade 10 dean, has been host­ing students at his Sharon home since hebegan his Maimonides career. This yearhe welcomed tenth grade girls and boysat separate Shabbatonim.“I started inviting kids over for Chanukahand Purim in 1996, and I still invite theoldest class I teach over for Purim—thisyear it will be the senior Chumash class,”said Rabbi Ehrenkranz. Soon he beganhosting Shabbatonim for various grades.Meals are at the Ehrenkranzes, and hospitalityis provided by “plenty of people inSharon. It really is a community effort.”“It makes Shabbos more meaningfulwhen students are over. There’s a lot of ruach,”Rabbi Ehrenkranz observed. “I get to know thestudents better and feel a closer connectionto them. And they know I care about them,not just academically but socially and religiously…It definitely rejuvenates me to teachbetter the following week.”There’s a significant learning component tothe Shabbaton, he stressed. “Kids give oneor two divrei Torah at every meal. We alwayshave a learning session Friday night andShabbos afternoon.” Rabbi Ehrenkranz addeda very important component of the tradition.“My wife enjoys this. She loves Maimonidesstudents. It also helps that she loves to cook.”They have hosted as many as 34 students.Rabbi Ehrenkranz is also the varsity softballcoach, and he hosts an end-of-the-seasonbarbecue for the team each spring. “We havestudents over all the time,” he said. “It makesme appreciate the students more, and givesme a better understanding of who they are.”Ms. Herst and Rabbi Dov Huff, assistant principal,led the Grade 9 Shabbaton in Newton.Friday night davening and activities wereat Congregation Shaarei Tefilla, with theShabbaton moving over to Congregation BethEl-Atereth Israel the following day.Maimonides freshmen handled all the daveningand leyning at the Newton shuls. Amongthe Shabbat afternoon highlights was a“Jeopardy”-style game featuring categoriesranging from Jewish history to Maimonideshistory and class trivia.They also talked about serving as role modelsand having an effect on the world, Ms. Herstsaid, as illustrated by their “going into thiscommunity, showing what they can do andcontributing.”Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik,lŠvfFounderRabbi M.J. Cohn, lŠfPrincipal EmeritusRabbi David ShapiroRosh YeshivaJeffrey B. SwartzChair, Board of DirectorsAbraham Levovitz, lŠfPresident EmeritusNathan Katz ’73Executive DirectorMike RosenbergEditorErica SchultzDesignerAriella BrunwasserDirector of AdmissionsMIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOLRabbi Yaakov S. JaffePrincipal, Judaic StudiesJudith BoroschekPrincipal, General StudiesRabbi Dov Huff ’00Assistant PrincipalRabbi Avi BossewitchMiddle School DirectorELEMENTARY SCHOOLRabbi David SaltzmanPrincipalReena SlovinAssistant PrincipalKol Rambam is publishedquarterly by the MaimonidesSchool Office of Alumni andCommunity Relations.Comments, questions,and suggestions shouldbe addressed to:Maimonides School34 Philbrick RoadBrookline, MA 02445(617) 232-4452 x405info@maimonides.org

34 Philbrick RoadBrookline, MA 02445R E T U R N S E R V I C E R E Q U E S T E DNon-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePaidBrookline, MAPermit No. 59990A former Upper School limudei kodesh teacherhas been named rosh yeshiva of YeshivatNeginat HaTorah, the organization for Torahand music in Israel. Rabbi Moshe Simkovichmost recently was menahel ruchani at YeshivatYesodei HaTorah, the Beit Shemesh yeshivaco-founded by Rabbi Scott Kahn ’88. RabbiSimkovich was founding head of school atStern Hebrew High School in Philadelphia, andmade aliyah in 2008. According to Rabbi YishaiBreslauer, menahel at Neginat HaTorah, RabbiSimkovich “has made a point of supporting thecreation of learning environments that supportmusic and the arts. Rabbi Simkovich has alwaysunderstood the primary role of these areas inthe personal, cultural, and ideological setting ofindividuals.”News & NotesJuniors Ellliot M. Salingerand Avinoam Stillman,editors of Mayim Achronim,the Maimonides Schoolstudent Torah journal,recently published a specialedition, Mayim Rishonim, inmemory of Elana Nouriel,z”l. Mrs. Nouriel developedand taught ElementarySchool music at the schoolfor several years. Elliot, hisclassmate Yoni Nouriel andsenior Meir Schechter composedthe essays (Meir’s inHebrew) in Mayim Rishonim.The 12-member Maimonides School delegation, led by seniors ElanBaskir, Lily Wilf and Aaron Zwiebach, completed this year’s YeshivaUniversity’s Model United Nations in third place out of 46 competingschools. Dr. Jerald Halpern of the Upper School faculty, who hasserved as Model UN advisory for 11 years, said this is the first schoolaward in his tenure. The annual program, which took place February6–8 in Stamford, CT, simulates the workings of the UN, helping highschool students learn about international diplomacy. Participantsplay the roles of UN delegates on 15 committees. They research theircountries’ positions and advance them during sessions. Maimonidesseniors Noah Swartz and Aaron Zwiebach, who representedMexico, were cited as top delegates on their respective committees.Sophomore Mikhael Smits, a delegate from South Korea, receivedhonorable mention. Almost 450 students took part, including delegationsfrom Jewish schools in Brazil, England and South Africa.Helen and Ernst Weglein, MaimonidesSchool volunteer leaders and benefactorsfor some 40 years, made aliyah last fall.“It was a labor of love for the school thateducated our five children,” the Wegleinswrote of their service to Maimonides.“This love was, frankly, most aptly shownby Helen in her role as PTA liaison to theSchool Committee, as a library volunteerand as a volunteer assisting in highschool, middle school and elementaryschool classrooms over a period of manyyears.” Ernst Weglein served on the Boardof Directors and the Tuition Committeefor some 20 years and chaired severalannual campaigns.Former Elementary School teacher Mrs. Devorah Cohnrecently marked her 94 th birthday in Monsey, NY, whereshe resides with her daughter, Avivah Yasnyi ’62. “Mymother is doing well,” reported Mrs.Yasnyi. “She is verygrateful for the wonderful life she leads. She still goesto classes: Navi, gym, crocheting. She spends a lot oftime reading and talking on the phone with friends andfamily. She loves to hear from people who were part ofher life.The Elementary School’s first music concert of the yeartook place Dec. 9 in the Brener Building gymnasium,led by Rebecca Fisher, music instructor and conductor.The concert featured performances by the first and secondgrade chorus, the Grades 3–5 chamber chorus, theorchestra, and the after-school jazz band. Students sangand played a combination of Chanukah song, Jewishfolk songs, and American tunes.