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Welcome!
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Dear Parents,
We had a great week at school!
Please read on for the latest Elementary School news and information about upcoming events.
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D'var Torah
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by Rabbi David Saltzman
וְאִם לֹא־יִגָּאֵל עַד־מְלֹאת לוֹ שָׁנָה תְמִימָה וְקָם הַבַּיִת אֲשֶׁר־בָּעִיר אֲשֶׁר־לא [לוֹ] חֹמָה לַצְּמִיתֻת לַקֹּנֶה אֹתוֹ לְדֹרֹתָיו לֹא יֵצֵא בַּיֹּבֵל׃
If it is not redeemed before a full year has elapsed, the house in the walled city shall pass to the purchaser beyond reclaim throughout the ages; it shall not be released in the jubilee.
In this pasuk from this week's parsha, there is a difference between the way a word is read and the way it is written. The phrase
אֲשֶׁר־לא חֹמָה
(that does not have a wall) is written with an
א
, but is interpreted as if written with a
ו
, as in
אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ חֹמָה
(that it has a wall). What can we learn from these two possibilities?
The Rav explains that Yerushalayim lost its kedusha after the first exile, but was reconsecrated with the return of Ezra. That kedusha lasts until today.
Additionally, there is a second source of sanctity which only applies to Yerushalayim. This is known as kedushat mechitzot, the sanctity of the walls. Based on Rambam, the Rav suggests that since the city was once surrounded by a wall, even though the wall was destroyed, the kedusha from it remains even today. This is because walls around a city provide an extra level of security. This extra layer of security translates into an increased level of kedusha, as the people inside it are free to serve G-d without worry. This is hinted at in our pasuk. Even if the city does not have a wall -
אֲשֶׁר־לא חֹמָה
- the sanctity within the city from when the wall existed -
אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ חֹמָה
- still remains. The sense of security that a Jew feels must not be broken even when the wall no longer exists.
The Jewish nation has constantly yearned for the day that we would return to Yerushalayim. Our desire to connect to the kedusha within the city, even when the walls were breached, was never severed. After the Six-Day War our dreams were realized as we triumphantly returned and were embraced in the special kedusha that envelops Yerushalayim. Demonstrate your hakarat hatov for this miraculous event this coming Sunday by celebrating Yom Yerushalayim. Then on Monday, watch the U.S. Embassy move to Yerushalayim and finally actualize Yerushalayim as the capital of Israel.
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Thoughts of the Rav
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by Rabbi David Saltzman
כִּסֵּ֣א כָב֔וֹד מָר֖וֹם מֵֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן מְק֖וֹם מִקְדָּשֵֽׁנוּ:
As a Throne of Glory, exalted from the beginning, so is the place of our Sanctuary.
(Yirmiyahu 16:12 - from the haftara)
The Rav explains that our right to claim Israel and Yerushalayim rest on one concept - kedusha. Maintaining that the land and Yerushalayim are ordinary real estate undermines our rights to the land.
The question is asked: Can kedusha and churban (destruction) co-exist? It would seem that these are opposite extremes, and kedusha would evaporate in the face of ruin.
The Rav claims that there is a second approach, which holds that kedusha tolerates churban. That G-d can dwell not only in a magnificent Temple, but also on Mount Zion, which has become desolate; foxes prowl over it
(Lamentations 5:18).
The proof is found in the pasuk cited above. There is a dual image portrayed regarding the Beit HaMikdash. The
כִּסֵּ֣א כָב֔וֹד מָר֖וֹם
is the Beit HaMikdash above, the spiritual representation of the physical Beit HaMikdash below. The enemy can destroy and annihilate everything below, but as long as there is still a Beit HaMikdash above, he cannot affect its sanctity. And as long as
מְק֖וֹם מִקְדָּשֵֽׁנוּ
- the place of our sanctuary - exists, G-d's presence rests not only above, but also below.
Yom Yerushalayim sameach
!
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| Pinat HaParasha |
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Please click here and
here
to view the
Pinat
HaParashiot for Parshat Behar-Bechukotai
. You are encouraged to print the document and use it as a source for discussion at the Shabbat table.
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| Grade 2 Field Trip |
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The second grade students had an amazing time on their field trip to Franklin Park Zoo yesterday! It was great for them to be able to explore and learn about nature and all kinds of different animals. The students learned a lot about the various animals' habitats and how they live.
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Rosh Chodesh Pizza on Tuesday
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On
Tuesday, May 15, to honor
Rosh Chodesh, a
pizza lunch will be provided by the PTA for those who ordered in advance. Please dress your child in a white shirt to mark the day.
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| Grade 3 Field Trip |
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As part of their unit on Native Americans, the third graders went to Drumlin Farm on Wednesday for their "Native Pathways" program. While there, the third graders learned what life was like for Native Americans who lived in this region a thousand years ago. Students played games a child might have played; made and enjoyed a traditional corn cake called a "nokahik"; learned how to grind corn, drill holes, and skin a fur; and talked about what it was like to live off the land. The third graders demonstrated how much they have learned, and greatly enjoyed this wonderful hands-on experience to enhance their studies.
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| 5th Graders Selling Snack Mixes in Reusable Bags |
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by the 5th grade students
Don't you hate having to go to the store to restock on snack bags? It's not just you who hates it. We hate it too. Every day, millions of plastic snack bags are thrown out, and then replaced. So now our landfills and our oceans are full of plastic. This is unhealthy for animals, marine life, plants, and humans. It is toxic to our water and our air.
This is changeable, and although a lot of people try to limit the amount of waste they throw out, there are still too many of us who can try harder to improve the world. We at Maimonides have found a way that we can help.
The Maimonides fifth graders will be selling snack mixes in reusable plastic bags, which, instead of throwing out after every use, can be put in the dishwasher and then used again and again! When you buy a snack bag, after you enjoy it, you reuse these decorative dishwasher- and freezer-safe reusable bags!
Make sure to bring $1.50 for a small snack bag, or $2.50 for a large snack bag, to buy these tasty treats that save the environment. 5th graders will be selling these at the end of lunch time on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays for the next few weeks.
Here are the ingredients for the different types of snack bags that we are making. (Please note that we are also creating an allergy-free mix under Nurse Robin's supervision.)
Movie Theatre
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Trader Joe's popcorn
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Trader Joe's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks
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Trader Joe's Honey Wheat Pretzel sticks
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Mishpacha real non-dairy chocolate chips
Classical
Cereal
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Chex
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Trader Joe's Multigrain Cereal O's
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Oreo-O's cereal
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Trader Joe's Crisp Rice Cereal
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Cookie Crisps
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Mini Chips Ahoy
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Trader Joe's crunchy cinnamon squares
Tropical
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Trader Joe's Strawberry Yogurt-o's
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Trader Joe's roasted plantain chips
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Aurora natural Mango slices
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Trader Joe's freeze-dried Blueberries
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Trader Joe's Multigrain Cereal O's
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Trader Joe's freeze-dried strawberries
Cheesy
Chocolate
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| Yom Yerushalayim |
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For the first time in Maimonides history, the shlichot assembled a very creative Escape the Room program in honor of Yom Yerushalyim, which is this
coming Sunday
. Students entered the room and were charged with breaking the code in order to liberate the city in 1967. Through answering questions, finding objects, and locating places on the map, the students were able to break the code and successfully save the city.
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| Spring Concert on May 23 |
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The Elementary School Spring Concert will be held on
Wednesday, May 23 at 4:00 p.m.
in the Brener gym. Performances will include both the Elementary School band and the combined 2nd through 5th grade chorus. The band will be performing a version of the popular song "Hand Clap," as well as their rendition of the 1812 Overture. The chorus will be performing a Hebrew selection titled "Am Echad," or "One Nation."
Please e-mail Mr. Malkin with any questions at
amalkin@maimonides.org
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| Fine Arts Presentation on June 5 |
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The third annual Elementary School Fine Arts Presentation will take place on Tuesday, June 5 at 3:45 p.m.
There will be a K-5 art exhibit and solo concert in the gym and lunchroom.
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PTA Butcherie Receipt Drive
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The PTA is organizing a Butcherie receipt drive! Get your Butcherie receipts stamped each week and give them to your children to bring to their teachers. When a class reaches 150 receipts, they will have a pizza party or an ice cream party!
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Science Camp
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Registration is now open for science camp!
Camp will run for two weeks again this year:
Week 1: June 25-29 -- STEM
Week 2: July 2-6 (no camp July 4) -- Art, Food, and the Environment
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Lost and Found
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Things are looking better on the lost and found table as the weather is slowly improving. Please take a close look and retrieve any items that you recognize.
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| Screen Time for Students |
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We know that many parents try to limit screen time for their children and would like better guidelines or alternative means for students to practice their skills.
We have compiled the chart below with our recommendations and requirements for each grade. If your child does not do well with these programs and you would like alternative ways for them to work on their skills, please let the teachers know and they will be glad to make other suggestions and/or supply other materials.
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Lexia
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Reflex Math
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KeyboardingWithout Tears
or Typing Club
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DreamBox
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Ariot Cal or iTalAm
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Dah Ber
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Kindergarten
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Required
20 minutes a week; possibly more for specific students.
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Recommended
2x week
15 Minutes
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First
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Recommended 15 minutes a week;
possibly more for specific students
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Recommended 15 minutes a week
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Recommended
1 x week
15 minutes or more
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Second
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Recommended 2x week
10-15 minutes;
possibly more for specific students
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Required
2x week
10-15 minutes
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As assigned by teacher
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Third
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Recommended for specific students
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Required 3x week
15 minutes
between school & home
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KWT
Required 2x week
15 minutes
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Optional
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As assigned by teacher
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Optional & Occasional
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Fourth
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Recommended for specific students
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Required
3x week
15 minutes until completed
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Typing Club: Optional up to
3x week 15 minutes
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As assigned by Teacher
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Fifth
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Recommended for specific students
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Required
3-4x week
15-20 minutes until completed
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As assigned by Teacher
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Social Time!
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There's so much going on here at Maimo! Be sure to check out our social media to get the inside scoop (with lots of great photos) on happenings at school.
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See What's Happening in the Other Divisions
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 Lots of wonderful things are happening at Maimonides School!
If you'd like to take a peek at what's happening in the other divisions, click to visit the Early Childhood Center, Middle School, or Upper School newsletter pages.
If you would like to contact a specific school office, please use these emails:
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!שבת שלום
Rabbi, Reena, and the Maimonides ES Faculty
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