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Next Week
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Sunday, June 10
ACT Test
Senior Trip
9:00-10:30
Science final exams
(extra time until 11:15)
12:00-1:30
Jewish History final exams
(extra time until 2:15)
2:10 Mincha
Senior Trip
Tuesday, June 12
Wednesday, June 13
Senior Trip
Athletics Banquet (5:15-6:30)
Thursday, June 14
Senior Night (7:00-9:00)
Friday, June 17
Commencement and Reception (10:30-1:00)
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In Two Weeks
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9:00-10:30
History final exams
(extra time until 11:15)
12:00-1:30
Navi final exams
(extra time until 2:15)
2:10 Mincha
Tuesday, June 5
Wednesday, June 6
9:00-10:30
English final exams
(extra time until 11:15)
12:00-1:30
Talmud final exams
(extra time until 2:15)
2:10 Mincha
Thursday, June 7
No events
Friday, June 8
9:00-10:30
Math final exams
(extra time until 11:15)
12:00-1:30
Chumash final exams
(extra time until 2:15)
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Having a
MAIMO MOMENT?
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Quick Links
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www.maimonides.org
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D'var Torah
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by Rabbi Dov Huff
ויסעו מהר ה' שלשת ימים
וארון ברית ה' נסע לפניהם שלשת ימים לתור להם מנוחה
The
גמרא
in
מסכת שבת
explains that the first part of this
פסוק
, the travelling from
הר סיני
, was a failure on the part of
בני ישראל
. The Ramban develops this, quoting a midrash which criticizes the nation for the manner in which they travelled from
הר סיני
. The midrash describes the nation as
כתינוק הבורח מבית הספר
- like a child fleeing from school. Why the rush? The
מדרש
explains that
בני ישראל
wanted to escape before any more
מצוות
were given. They wanted to escape before any more responsibility would be put on them.
As we wrap up our final day of Upper School classes, the message here resonates. Our students will step out of the building with great joy, bursting with the sense of accomplishment that only comes from hard work and perseverance. They walk towards a beautiful, fun-filled, and well-deserved summer break. The key is to remember the message of this week's parsha - that our commitment to mitzvot and our responsibility as bnei and bnot Torah never fade. When it comes to avodat Hashem, in the words of the great Bill Belichick - there are no days off.
To this image of
בני ישראל
's flight from the responsibility of Torah we must add the second part of the
פסוק
. While they run to avoid
עול
התורה
, the
ארון
is on the move as well. The
כלי יקר
has two ways of explaining it. Either the
ארון
was staying ahead of them in the same direction, or they were moving in opposite directions. If the former, then the motion of the
ארון
was a demonstration of great
חסד
on the part of
הקדוש ברוך הוא
. Despite the nation's efforts to flee, the
ארון
was still forging ahead of them, clearing the path of danger and finding a good place for them to camp. If the latter, then the people were demonstrating in no uncertain terms the true nature of their "escape from Sinai."
In this sense there is another message of the pasuk, about not only our attitude as we leave, but also the direction in which we go when we do so. About not only what we are moving away from, but also what we are moving towards. The summer brings with it an opportunity, as we turn from Har Sinai - the stationary place where we learn the mitzvot and delve into their meaning and practice - towards the
ארון
, which is
נוסע לפנינו
- our spiritual guide when we are on the go. The
ארון
carries our Torah and is a symbol of our values, which guide us in our traveling times. Not only when we are engrossed in the routines of everyday life, but in the spaces in between. It is our spiritual beacon when we are in transition, when we are on break.
But it is three days ahead of us. The protection the
ארון
provides, the reward offered by our adherence to its Torah, is not always in sight. In a way we are always following it, with a deep
אמונה
that it has us on the right path towards our ultimate goal.
אמונה
that as we journey through the wilderness of life, we will experience moments when we arrive at a clearing to find the
ארון
and its
מנוחה
waiting for us.
May we all enjoy a summer in which we run not away from school, but towards the
ארון
- and may our
אמונה
and our relationship with
תורה
and to '
ה
deepen as we keep travelling towards a destination beyond our sight and reach right now, but holding the promise
לתור לנו מנוחה
- to find us a meaningful rest and break.
Questions for the Shabbos table:
- What was your takeaway from the d'var Torah this morning?
- Why do you think Chazal try to paint the travelling from Har Sinai in a negative light? (See Rashi of veyahi binsoah ha'aron)
- What will you do to "keep the Aron in sight" this summer?
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Thoughts of the Rav
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by Rabbi David Saltzman
וַיֹּאמֶר משֶׁה לְחֹבָב בֶּן רְעוּאֵל הַמִּדְיָנִי חֹתֵן משֶׁה נֹסְעִים | אֲנַחְנוּ אֶל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אָמַר ה' אֹתוֹ אֶתֵּן לָכֶם לְכָה אִתָּנוּ וְהֵטַבְנוּ לָךְ כִּי ה' דִּבֶּר טוֹב עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל:
Then Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses's father-in-law, We are traveling to the place about which the Lord said, I will give it to you. Come with us and we will be good to you, for the Lord has spoken of good fortune for Israel.
The Rav writes that whenever he read this pasuk it brought a tear to his eye and he wanted to cry. This is due to the simplicity with which the great Moshe, the master of all wise men and the father of all prophets, spoke. He used the grammatical first person נֹסְעִים אֲנַחְנוּ, אִתָּנוּ, because Moshe was certain - there was not even a shadow of doubt in his mind - that he was going to enter the Promised Land. He was convinced that he would see the hills of Judea, climb the mount of Lebanon, and be one of the ba'ey ha'aretz.
By this point in the narrative, there was no doubt about Moshe's destiny, and for this reason the Rav would have to control his tears whenever he read this pasuk.
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| Course Confirmation Update |
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| Course confirmation letters are in the mail for rising grades 10, 11 and 12. Please note that course confirmation letters for rising 9th graders will be mailed July 2. |
| Physics in Action at Canobie Lake Park |
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This week 9th grade Computational Physics course went to Canobie Lake Park for an educational and fun-filled physics  afternoon. Students watched and participated in physics presentations by Canobie staff and then experienced high linear and rotational velocities as potential energy was converted into kinetic energy via amusement park rides. The visit helped students physically experience all the concepts they've been learning all year in an entertaining format. For additional photos and videos, please check out the class album.
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| Trebuchet Trajectories |
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Mr. Dore's History class had fun trying out their trebuchets to see which apparatus had the longest toss.
The winning trebuchet was constructed by Noam Karger and Tov Gelb (lower right photo).
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| Summer Clean Up! |
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Our facilities department would like to remind students that lockers need to be emptied by Wednesday, June 20. Please remove all items from lockers and dispose of trash in the many trash bins that are located in our classrooms and hallways. Please return any library books to the library. The school will not be responsible for any items left in lockers after June 20.
Students are also reminded to check the lost and found for any missing items. Lost and found bins are located in the 9th grade hallway, across from U12. There is also a lost and found box in the US office where items such as jewelry, phones, and other small items are gathered. Items remaining in the lost and found bins will be donated to charity at the end of June.
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Donations to Cradles to Crayons
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The Maimonides eighth grade is collecting items for Cradles To Crayons in honor of their Middle School Aliyah (graduation) ceremony!
They would appreciate if you could help them by donating new or gently-used items for babies and children. There will be collection boxes near the entrance of the Saval shul. The organization could use kids' clothes, games, books, and bedding.
Cradles to Crayons is especially looking for:
- Boys Pants 4-5/7-8
- Boys Shirts 2T-12
- Girls Shirts 2T-12
- Twin Blankets
- Girls' and Boys' Sweaters
- Girls' and Boys' Boots
Thank you!
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Tribute to Nathan Katz
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| Final Exam/Assessment Period Schedule for Grades 9, 10 and 11 |
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Please note the following schedule for the 2018 Final Exam/Assessment Period for grades 9-11:
Friday, June 1
Last day of US classes; 2:30 dismissal
Monday, June 4
9:00-10:30am (11:15am for extended time) - History
12:00-1:30pm (2:15pm for extended time) - Navi
Wednesday, June 6
9:00-10:30am (11:15am for extended time) - English
12:00-1:30pm (2:15pm for extended time) - Talmud
Friday, June 8
9:00-10:30am (11:15am for extended time) - Math
12:00-1:30pm (2:15pm for extended time) - Chumash
Monday, June 11
9:00-10:30am (11:15am for extended time) - Science
12:00-1:30pm (2:15pm for extended time) - Jewish History
Wednesday, June 13
Projects due by 10:30am - World Languages
Friday, June 15
9:30-11:30am - US Final Exam Hand-Backs
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| See What's Happening in 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, Elementary School, or Middle School newsletter pages.
If you would like to contact a specific school office, please use these emails:
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Alumni Newsletter Online
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The monthly alumni newsletter for May is now online, and can be found
here. This issue's articles include:
- Alumnus Making an Impact through Jewish Divorce Resource Line
- Undergraduate Part of a Team That "Can Change the Lives of Millions"
- Graduate Running for Congress in the Country's Most Jewish District
- Class Notes
If you would like to receive the alumni newsletter each month, contact Mike Rosenberg at (617) 232-4452 x 405 or
[email protected]
.
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| Let's Get Social! |
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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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