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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
כִּי תָבֹאוּ אֶל־אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי נֹתֵן לָכֶם לַאֲחֻזָּה וְנָתַתִּי נֶגַע צָרַעַת בְּבֵית אֶרֶץ אֲחֻזַּתְכֶם׃
When you enter the land of Canaan that I give you as a possession, and I inflict an eruptive plague upon a house in the land you possess
Why would tzarrat appear on a house? Did the house speak lashon hara? Actually, lashon hara is not the only reason why Hashem would inflict tzarrat on a person or an object as a punishment. There are other reasons as well.
The Kli Yakar explains that one reason the house received tzarrat is that the person living in the house did not want to share their possessions or money with others. As he elaborates on this idea:
מן פסוק ובא אשר לו הבית, זה שייחד ביתו לו לעצמו ולא היה מהנה ממנו אחרים, כי לבעבור זה נתן ה' לו לאחזה בית מלא כל טוב, לנסותו אם ייטיב מביתו גם לאחרים, כי לי הכסף והזהב אמר ה' (חגי ב ח): וכל מה שהאדם נותן לאחרים, לא משלו הוא נותן, כי אם משלחן גבוה קא זכי ליה
From the pasuk we learn that someone who keeps his items for himself and does not share with others will receive tzarrat on the home. This is because the person failed to realize that the reason Hashem gave him so much good is in order to share with others. The person needs to realize that when he gives, he is really giving from Hashem and not from his own.
By not sharing, the person does not show
hakarat hatov
to Hashem and attribute all the good that they have to Hashem's benevolence. One possible lesson is that if we recognize that everything good comes from Hashem, then we will be more willing to share with others from the bounty that Hashem has provided.
It is interesting to note that this law is cited within the context of being in the Land of Israel, which is referred to here as the land "that I give you as a possession." Why is that an important detail to mention in the same verse as tzarrat?
Similar to the Kli Yakar, the Chida answers:
לכן אמר כי תבואו אל ארץ כנען אשר אני נותן לכם לאחיזה כי לא בחרבם ירשו ארץ ואין מקום לצרי עין לומר כחי ועוצם ידי עשה לי את החיל הזה שה' נותן לך כח ואחוזה
Hashem says when you inherit the Land of Israel, remember that it is I who granted it to you. Don't take the credit for yourself and deny My involvement. Recognize that it is I who gave you the strength to conquer the land.
As we celebrated Yom Ha'Atzmaut this week, we showed hakarat hatov to all the chayalim, and to Hashem who has preserved our presence for the past 70 years. We continue to pray for many more years of plenty and peace in Eretz Yisrael!
Click here to save or print the D'var Torah
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Thoughts of the Rav
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by Rabbi Dov Huff
The Rav in this week's parsha discusses the ritual prescribed for curing a metzora, someone afflicted with tzarat (leprosy). Part of the ritual involves tearing the clothing of the metzora and allowing their hair to grow. The Rav points out that this is similar to what an avel, a mourner, does upon losing a loved one. Not only that, but both are confined as well - the metzora to outside the city walls, and the avel to their home.
The Rav says that although they seem the same, the two are fundamentally different. The metzora is taken from the camp and "badad yeisheiv" - must dwell alone. The metzora is isolated, removed from society. Not so the mourner. The avel, while confined, is not secluded. The avel receives visitors and is comforted by his friends.
We see this difference also when it comes to a chag falling during these periods. For an avel, the chag interrupts the aveilut, because the avel, while mourning, is not meant to be disconnected. The chag does not, however, interrupt the period of seclusion for the metzora - he is isolated both from man and from G-d.
We can speculate as to what this says about the nature of the sin of the metzora. If the tzarat is brought on by lashon hara, we can certainly understand how this person has created their own isolation, given how their actions and speech have undermined the community.
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| Pinat HaParasha |
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Please click here
and here
to view the
Pinat
HaParasha for Parshat Tazria-Metzora
. You are encouraged to print the document and use it as a source for discussion at the Shabbat table.
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| Yom Orchim is May 4! |
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We Need Contact Information for Your Child's Special Guests
We are gearing up for another wonderful Yom Orchim! All Early Childhood Center and Elementary School students are encouraged to invite grandparents or another special guest to spend the morning of Friday, May 4th at Maimonides. There will be singing, eating, and lots of fun! But we need the contact information to invite your child's guests.
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Yom HaZikaron
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On Wednesday our
Yom HaZikaron ceremony was inspired by recent graduates who have spent time in
Tzahal or doing service on behalf of
Medinat Yisrael. In a video put together by the
shlichot, we listened to firsthand testimony regarding the graduates' decisions to give of their time and energy for the sake of our country. The program included standing at attention during the siren, reciting
tefilot, and learning about the magnitude of this important day.
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Yom HaAtzmaut
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A schoolwide celebration took place on Thursday in honor of the 70
th
Yom HaAtzmaut. The day was filled with praying, dancing, singing, eating, and learning as we felt and showed hakarat hatov to Medinat Yisrael.
The morning began with
students adding a very spirited Hallel to the end of davening. We then joined students from the Early Childhood Center to learn about different aspects of Israel that we appreciate. Kindergarten learned about Israeli food and the outdoor marketplace ("shuk") where many Israelis buy delicious fresh food. The "ECC Helpers" (some 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders) joined the first grade and ECC students in learning Israeli songs and dances. Second graders learned about those who founded Israel and how "Hatikva" was chosen as the national anthem. And 3rd
-5th
graders learned about all that Israel has contributed in science and technology.
We
then joined
the entire school
for
Yom HaAtzmaut dancing and celebrating in the Saval gym. We were treated to an amazing
daglanut
(synchronized flag) performance by the 7th grade, which was followed by a parade through the Saval building. Israeli flags, blue and white streamers, hats, glasses, and other festive gear added to the spirit of the day. The celebration ended with the singing of Hatikva.
A delicious Israeli lunch of pita, falafel, hummus, salad, and French fries was then provided and served by the PTA.
A huge thank you to Alissa Muzin and all our volunteers for serving us this wonderful lunch!
The school was beautifully decorated by our shlichot, Avigayil and Renana, using original artwork created by our students during special activities leading up to Yom HaAtzmaut. The shlichot also led a special Yom HaAtzmaut quiz game during lunch today.
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Thank You!
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Thank you to all the PTA volunteers who helped out with this week's special lunch on
Yom HaAtzmaut!
Special thanks to Claudine Grossman for organizing the lunch!
Many thanks to Geula Gellman, Risa Gewurz, Israela Kahan, Deb Milgram, Stef Mishkin, Ellen Pulda, Debbie Rothman, Shira Ruderman, and Karen Zar for enhancing
Yom HaAtzmaut for our students and serving the Israeli-style lunch.
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Pillo Polo Tournament
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On Thursday another super and exciting Pillo Polo season came to an end! This year, the 4th grade Blueberry Pancakes beat the 3rd and 5th grade teams in order to have the opportunity to face the teachers in the championship tournament. Members of the Pancakes were Mordy Feder, Avia Kessler, Menshi Trachtenberg, Ozzie Vidan, and Akiva Winter in goal. The students put up a valiant fight, but in the end the teachers prevailed.
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Day of Learning
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To learn more about sponsoring a Day of Learning, please click
here.
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Teacher Appreciation Week is Next Week!
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Teacher Appreciation Week is next week (April 23-27)! The PTA is hosting breakfast on Tuesday and lunch on Thursday for all Maimonides teachers.
How many times have you felt gratitude for your children's teachers? Probably often, but we're all so busy that we can rarely take the time to let them know. Now is the time!
Please take a moment to send your child's teacher an email or note thanking them for all they do. It's a wonderful opportunity to show hakarat hatov!
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Family Learning on Sunday
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Ayeka: A Special Interactive Workshop on Spirituality and Connection
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Join us on Monday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Saval Auditorium for a special program featuring Rabbi Aryeh Ben David, Founder and Director of
Ayeka: The Center for Soulful Education. Rabbi Ben David will be sharing his vision of Jewish education that promotes a personal and vibrant relationship with Jewish text, Judaism, G-d, and spirituality. He will also discuss how we can focus on soulful parenting in today's busy and complicated world. RSVP to
msnyder@maimonides.org
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Another Exciting Adventure with Maimonides' Boy Scout Troop 54
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Recently returned from a 12-day trip to Israel to study the plants and animals of the
Tanach and
Talmud in the wild, our Maimonides School Boy Scout Troop 54 is off to another adventure! This time it's closer to home.
Boys in grades 5 through 9 are invited to share in the fun
on a weekend camping trip to Camp Squanto in Plymouth, MA, from Friday afternoon, April 27 through Sunday afternoon, April 29.
We will leave Maimonides shortly after noon to arrive in time to pitch tents, build fires, and cook Shabbat dinner. All boys sleep in tents, while we share a heated cabin for meals and davening. Students will participate in great activities from Shabbat afternoon through Sunday morning, before returning home Sunday afternoon. Cost is $65 for the weekend.
You do not have to be a member of the Scouts to join this trip. To sign up, go to tinyurl.com/T54Reg
For more information call Dr. Howard Spielman, Scoutmaster at (781) 439-5250.
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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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Celebrate Israel
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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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