On Friday morning, April 30th, Avital Goldstein and Avigayil Karasick presented their National History Day exhibit at the state competition in Cooperstown, NY.  While not able to attend the award ceremonies because of shabbat, the two were extremely happy to hear on Saturday night that they had won third place in the junior group exhibit category. Avital and Avigayil have spent over 6 months preparing their exhibit "Braille: The Key to Education to the Blind," and after winning second place at the city-wide competition in March, they were fortunate to display their research and expertise at the next level. "The National History Day program is an excellent opportunity for students to research topics that interest them, plan their own learning, develop researching, oral presentation and writing skills, and direct their own creation of a project," remarked Mr. Apter, the National History Day adviser. "I am proud of all of the National History Day students for taking the time to become historians and working so hard to accomplish something so great. I especially applaud Avital and Avigayil for representing MDS at the state level and winning this prestigious award," continued Mr. Apter. The school salutes our young winners!

We were honored by a visit by the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yona Metzger.  He gave a devar torah about ואהבת לרעך כמוך and told a story about a father and son who had been separated during the Holocaust but were reunited after my decades because of a memory connected to shabbat.  He praised our students and wished them much success in their studies.

Second Grade parents and their children combined using math skills and developing problem solving strategies at the annual Second Grade Family Math Workshop.  The concept of family math developed from the desire of parents for activities that would cultivate a love for mathematics in their children in the same way that reading books to children enhances a love of reading.  At the Second Grade Family Math Workshop, each student was paired with one guest and together they tackled some interesting and enriching math activities.  Each activity was done as a collaboration between adult and child and each had extensions to try at home.  At the end of the workshop, each family received a booklet of all the activities and their extensions.  Thank you to Mrs. Miryam Alter, Math Department Chair, for helping coordinate the program.

                                                    

Simon Kofman: Today we went to the Living Torah Museum.  There were so many cool artifacts.  All of the artifacts were from the time of the tanach and mishna.  We  were allowed to hold some of the artifacts.  For example, I held a Roman victory cup.  There are only two of them in the world.  I would recommend this museum to everyone of all ages.

Daniel Vogel: At the Living Torah Museum, we learned about artifacts that the people used in the ancient world.  For example, I held a tool where the handle was made out of wood with a top of metal spikes.  The Roman people whacked their enemies on the head and cracked their sculls open.  Rabbi Deutsch, the museum director, was really interesting and knowledgeable.

Palmer Paul: Today we went to the Living Torah Museum.  We learned about amazing artifacts from the time of the Torah and Gemara.  Rabbi Deutsch told us how the artifacts were used, where they were found, and where the artifacts were mentioned in the Torah and Gemara.  He let us hold the artifacts to get a better understanding of them.  After that we helped pack food for the needy.  This was fun and we also did chessed.  This was a wonderful trip.  I hope we go on a similar trip soon.

The Messenger is inaugurating a new column, featuring periodic interviews with alumni.  This week, the Messenger is interviewing Allison Liebman from the class of 2001.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories from your time at MDS?

A: I loved my time in MDS, from my kindergarten "visit" to Israel on Yom Haatzmaut to winning the basketball championship during eight grade.

Q: Please tell us about some of the teachers who had the biggest impact on your learning.

A: While all my teachers had a positive impact on me, I would say that Mrs. Dahan, Mrs. Alter and Mrs. Fine were my most influential teachers and mentors. I am still in contact with them, and still look to them for advice.

Q: Where did you go to high school and what skills that you learned at MDS helped you make the transition successful?

I went to Ramaz.  MDS taught us to be a mensche and to do our best while not comparing ourself to others.

Q: After high school, where did you study in Israel?

MMY (Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim)

Q: Where did you go to college and what did you study?

Stern College for Women, where I completed a major in English and a minor in Business

Q: How did you become a Presidential Fellow?  What are you responsibilities?

During my senior year in Stern, I applied to the Yeshiva University Presidential Fellowship, a one year fellowship in Community and University Leadership. I am currently working in the Office of the President, where I work closely the President and Chief of Staff of the University.

Q: We hear that you married the son of a former MDS teacher.  What is his name and what does he do now?

Yitzy Rubin, whose mother, Carolyn, used to teach at MDS. We met at Ramaz, and he is now working in the Asset Management division of JP Morgan.

Q: If you have returned to visit MDS since your graduation, what are some of the greatest changes that you have noticed from when you were a student?

The building is completely renovated and looks great! I love what they did to the first floor!

Q: Are you still in touch with any of your classmates from MDS?

The race to break the World Record for Reading has begun ...

Here is some updated information:

• Students should log in daily at home to update their  minutes. Go to the website below to log your minutes. Follow the prompts to enter our school information.

• By May 7th. Kids can start to view Manhattan Day School's  progress, see where their genre ranks and start receiving awards earned by reading and logging their minutes.

• By May 14th, kids, parents and teachers can look up/track schools around the world.

• Parent permission is important so that all minutes that your child enters are credited towards Manhattan Day School. Parents may click here to log on: http://www.scholastic.com/summerreading/index.htm

Students have been asking how to record their minutes while away at camp.  Students can keep track of their minutes manually over the summer and then retroactively add them when they return home in August.  It is VERY important to have all minutes logged in by August 31st, when the contest officially ends.

Yashar koach to the following students who correctly answered last week's challenge: 

Liana Goldstein (2A) and Samuel Halpern (2A).  The answers to last week's challenge are:

1) Muffy's kite-175 ft.                  2) Carlos's kite-100 ft.

3) Doug's kite-125 ft.                  4) Shay's kite - 200 ft.

Good luck with this week's challenge, GO Team GO!  Each phrase below is a clue for a word that contain the word go.  For example, Type of dog = golden retriever.  See how many of the following answers you can figure out. You can send me your answers even if you cannot figure them all out.

1)        sport

2)        valuable mineral (It can be made into jewelry!)

3)        end or aim

4)        to eat hurriedly

5)        beautiful

6)        ape

7)        glasses used to protect your eyes

8)        fruit

9)        type of dance

After four years of long and hard study, the fourth grade boys have reached the incredible milestone of completing the entire Sefer Bereishis! They began their journey with learning how to recognize letters, sound out vowels, and build a vocabulary. They went further into the stories and lessons of Adam HaRishon, Noach, the Avot (Patriarchs) and the Imahot (Matriarchs). This year they began reading and incorporating the wisdom and insight of Rashi and they have finally completed the entire sefer. Raphael Langer read the last pasuk.  Then the boys celebrated with a loud Chazak, accompanied by rocket balloons and spontaneous singing and dancing with Rabbi Yablok.  We are very proud of our wonderful talmidim and know that this is merely the first of many accomplishments in Torah that they are going to make. 

Fifth graders Rachelle Benedict and Estee Gerber's project for the science fair was on sea pollution.  Included in their project was a proposal for a bill.  The girls then wrote their proposal to Senator Charles Schumer to suggest that he introduce this bill into the Senate.  If this bill is accepted, it can then go through the process of becoming a law.  The following is the letter that Rachelle and Estee wrote and mailed to the Senator.  They are now waiting for a positive reply.

Dear Senator Schumer,

We have just completed an Earth Day science project on Sea Pollution.  After much research, we have come to the conclusion that seas pollution needs government help.  We have been horrified by our research results and we would like to propose a bill, the sea pollution bill.  This bill should include fining a person or company who pollutes the seas.  We know that there are already laws against sea pollution, but they need improvement.  While other governments have turned their backs on the problem, we know that you will be able to help us.  Before we started our project, we did not really know what sea pollution was - to us, it was simply a problem that was just there!  Now that we understand and grasp the concept of sea pollution, we urge you to help the seas and the environment of your nation.  Please write back with a positive response.

Yours truly, Rachelle Benedict and Estee Gerber

• Mazal tov to Arthur and Lisanne Lubitz and Rachel (5G) and Gabrielle on the marriage of niece and cousin Ya'el Rubinstein to Adi Dani'el in Israel on May 3rd.

• Morris and Debbie Robinson and Family for the merit of a refuah shleimah for Rachel Tovah bat Yehudit Esther.
  

• May 10                   Free vision screening for students in Kd., 1st Grade, and 1st Graders in Primary
  

• May 12                    Yom Yerushalayim

• May 12                    Kindergarten trip to Theatreworks production of Seussical

• May 12-13               Grade 7 Boston trip

• May 13                    Rosh Chodesh Lecture Series for Women

• May 14                    Rosh Chodesh Sivan

• May 14                    Nursery Alef Mother's Day Program

• May 17                    Last day of Monday afterschool clubs

• May 17                    Memorial Day Ceremony and Program
  

• May 18-21               Shavuot recess

• May 19-20               Shavuot

• May 23                   Salute to Israel Parade

• May 24                   Afterschool clubs: Make-up class for Readers Writers Cafe
  
• May 25                   National History Day Presentations + Art Fair
  

• May 25                   Last day of Tuesday afterschool clubs

• May 26                   Last day of Wednesday afterschool clubs

• May 27                   Last day of Thursday afterschool clubs

• May 28                   Last day of Friday afterschool clubs

• May 28                   Nursery 4B Mother's Day Program

• May 31                   Memorial Day

• June 1                    Grade 7 Parents: Orientation evening to prepare for eighth grade

• June 2                    Afterschool clubs: Karate Graduation / Belt Promotion
• June 2                    Afterschool clubs: Make up date for all Wed. afterschool clubs: Yoga, Karate, JV Girls
  
• June 3                    Afterschool clubs: Make up date for Mixed Media
  

• June 1-3                 Grade 8 Washington Trip

• June 8                    MDS Celebrates Our Students
  
• June 11                  Kindergarten End-of-Year Program
• June 11                  Grade 4 Play, 9:30 am in the Beit Midrash
  

• June 12-13              Rosh Chodesh Tammuz

• June 17                  Grade 8 Graduation

• June 18                  Last day of Preschool

• June 20                  Father's Day

• June 21                  Last day of school grades 6-7

• June 22                  Last day of school grades 1-5

• June 29                  Fast of Tammuz

• We are delighted to let you know about a brand new weekly chessed project, Zeidy and Bubby Chat at the Esplanade. 
  
• Parents Tehillim group meets each morning at 8:15 am in the library
• We are continuing to collect cell phones in the lobby for the Major Stuart Adam Wolfer Cell Phone Drive.  These phones will be exchanged for calling cards which Jewish U.S. soldiers can use to call home. 
• Please label your childrens' clothing and other items.  We have a large lost and found for misplaced items.
• Thank you for keeping our school nut-free.

1. (a) Why does the Torah use shemita to teach us that all of the details of all of the mitzvot were stated at Har Sinai (2 reasons)? (b) What are 5 goals of observing shemita's farming laws? (c) What are 3 punishments for not observing shemita? (d) What is the root of the word "yoveil" (2 explanations)? (e) How does observing Yoveil cause people to refrain from stealing? (f) How do the shemita and yoveil cycles tell a person to spend the early and later years of his life (2 explanations)? (Vayikra 25:2-13)

(a) (1) Since Moshe did not repeat the shemita laws in Devarim, indicating that these laws were taught at Har Sinai, the Torah adds "be-Har Sinai" to teach that all laws, including those in Devarim, were taught at Har Sinai (Rashi). (2) When Moshe first went up Har Sinai, Hashem outlined the shemita laws (Shemot 23:10-11); after the cheit ha-eigel, when giving the 2nd luchot, He taught him details of shemita and other laws, including the tochach's warnings, which Moshe taught Bnei Yisrael after putting up the mishkan (Ramban). (b) (1) We recognize that Hashem owns the land, and we must listen to Him (Sanhedrin 39a).  (2) The farmer is forced to turn to Hashem for sustenance during shemita, realizing that in the other 6 years, he reaped only from Hashem's kindness (Kli Yakar). (3) Just as Hashem forbade labor every 7th day to increase talmud Torah, He set one year in every 7, devoted to talmud Torah (Sforno). (4) When someone rich endures no parnasa for a year, he realizes how much the poor suffer every year, and he is generous towards them (R. Bechaya). (5) When the nations claim that Bnei Yisrael obtained Eretz Yisrael by theft, Bnei Yisrael show them, by observing shemita, that the land is Hashem's, and through His Will, He gave it to them (Alshich). (c) (1) Exile from Eretz Yisrael (Rashi - 26:34). (2) less land productivity; (3) poverty, forcing sale of the land (Kiddushin 20a). (d) From the word: (1) for ram, referring to the shofar blown on the Yoveil's Yom Kippur (Rashi). (2) "hoveil" (transport) because land is transported back to its owner, and slaves to their freedom (Ramban). (e) Seeing land revert to its owner, one realizes that Hashem will arrange return of illegally gotten goods to the rightful owner; he gains nothing from theft, and all that remains is his sin (Sefer haChinuch - Mitzvah 330). (f) (1) Shemita's 1st 6 years represent a person's 1st 6 decades, when he is occupied studying for and earning a parnasa; in his 7th decade, he should separate from business and devote himself to Torah learning (Abarbanel); (2) For his 1st decade, a person does not understand life; for the next 50 years, signified by yoveil, he devotes himself to worldly pursuits; at age 60, he should think only about olam ha-ba (Alshich).      

2. (a) (1) Which sin is a more severe - ona'at mammon (overcharging a fellow Jew), or ona'at devarim (hurting another Jew's feelings)? (2) How do we know this (3 explanations)? (b) (1) When someone gives a fellow Jew a loan with interest, which 5 parties sin? (2) What is ribit devarim (prohibited interest on a loan using words)? (Vayikra 25:14,17,36-37)

(a) (1) Ona'at devarim; (2) (i) the Torah states "you shall fear Hashem" in the prohibition of ona'at devarim (verse 17) but not with ona'at mammon (verse 14); (ii) ona'at mammon affects only the victim's money; while ona'at devarim hurts his very self; (3) with ona'at mammon, restitution is possible; ona'at devarim's pain cannot be undone (Bava Metzia 58b). (b) (1) the: (i)  lender; (ii) borrower; (iii) loan guarantor; (iv) witnesses to the loan; (v) scribe who writes the loan agreement; (2) telling the lender vital information in consideration of his having extended the loan is considered forbidden interest (Bava Metzia 75b).

3. (a) What is the significance of the sequence of the following laws in Parashat Behar - shemita and yoveil: (1) followed by the laws of selling moveable property? (2) followed by the laws of selling one's ancestral land? (3) followed by the laws of selling one's house? (4) followed by the laws of borrowing with interest? (5) followed by the laws of an eved ivri purchased by a Jew? (6) followed by an eved ivri purchased by a non-Jew? (b) (1) Why is bowing down on a stone floor prohibited (2 reasons)? (2) Why is bowing on a cloth-covered floor permitted? (3) Where is one allowed to bow down on a stone floor? (Vayikra 26:1)

(a) The Torah hints that: (1) if someone does not observe shemita and yoveil due to greed, Hashem will cause him to have to sell his moveable property; (2) if he fails to repent, He will cause him to have to sell his ancestral lands and then (3) his house; (4) next, he will have to borrow money and pay interest; (5) he then will become so desperate that he will be forced to sell himself as a slave to a fellow Jew; (6) finally, he will have to sell himself as a slave to a gentile and become a servant of avoda zara (Rashi). (b) (1) (i) This is what idol worshipers did; (ii) it appears that one is worshipping the stones; (2) stone is enduring - no one would make a fragile cloth into a god; (3) in the Beit ha-Mikdash (Sefer ha-Chinuch, Mitzvah 349).

4. (a) Since Rashi (Shemot 20:5) states that Hashem's rewards are 500 times greater than His punishments, why does Bechukotai begin with only 11 verses of blessings followed by 30 verses of curses? (2) How does this benefit Bnei Yisrael? (b) Why does the Torah list only material blessings and not the spiritual rewards of keeping the mitzvot (3 reasons)? (c) What series of 7 sins will bring about the tochacha's curses? (d) Who are the "enemies" who will rule over them? (Vayikra 26:4-33)

(a) (1) The blessings and rewards are in general terms, but the curses are specific to "scare" us not to sin; (2) the blessings, being general, leave room for Hashem to increase them; stating the curses in great detail limits His punishments (ibn Ezra 26:13). (b) (1) The material rewards are hidden miracles; spiritual rewards for spiritual pursuits are natural and do not have to be stated, but the miraculous material rewards are stated (Ramban). (2) Mitzvot more easily can be performed when one enjoys good health, prosperity and security; Hashem will give us these material benefits to ease our obtaining spiritual rewards (Rambam - Hilchot Teshuva 9:1). (3) Verse 11 does promise spiritual rewards, i.e., "I will place My Sanctuary among you, and My Spirit will not reject you" - the Torah assures that tzadikim will enjoy closeness to Him even while indulging in material rewards (Magid of Zlotchev). (c) One: (1) does not learn Torah; (2) does not perform mitzvot; (3) disapproves of others who do them; (4) hates the chachamim; (5) prevents others from doing mitzvot; (6) renounces the mitzvot; (7) denies Hashem's existence (Rashi 26:15).  (d) The "enemies" refer to fellow Jews; the curse is that not only will the nations that rule over Bnei Yisrael take what they see Bnei Yisrael have, but fellow Jews will assure that secret treasures are also taken away (Rashi). 

5. (a) When the Torah says that Hashem will remember His covenant with the avot, why does it mention Ya'akov, then Yitzchok and finally Avraham (2 reasons)? (b) Why is Ya'akov spelled with an extra "vav'? (c) Why the letter "vav"? (Vayikra 26:42)

(a) (1) While Ya'akov is the "least" of the avot, his merit should save Bnei Yisrael; if not, Yitzchok's merit will; and Avraham's merit certainly will (Rashi). (2) Hashem certainly will remember Ya'akov's merit, because all his children were tzadikim; but Yitzchok's merit should also suffice, though he had Eisav; and Avraham's merit should suffice, too, though he had Yishmael (Abarbanel). (b) (1) Ya'akov is spelled with an extra vav 5 times in Tanach, once here and 4 times in Yirmiyahu; Eliyahu's name is spelled 5 times without a vav, 4 times in Melachim Bet and once in Malachi; Ya'akov "holds" the vav until Eliyahu announces Ya'akov's descendants' geula (Rashi). (2) The vav alludes to the geula in the 6th millennium (Yalkut Shimoni).