mds messenger november 2_2012
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Manhattan Day School Weekly PublicationTRANSCRIPT
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Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
בס"ד
MDS Opens Early! By Yehudit Robinson, Director of Educational Technology, [email protected]
Even though public schools and almost all private
schools in the city were closed on Wednesday, MDS was
open and ready for students at 8 AM. In order for this to
happen, a tremendous amount of coordination was needed.
We want to thank all of the individuals who combined ef-
forts to make our earlier than expected opening possible.
We needed to reach out to teachers to make sure they could
work out transit arrangements, and many carpooled with
each other. We reached out to our security and mainte-
nance teams to make sure our building was functional and
safe for use. We reached out to food services to make sure
that we had sufficient supplies on hand, even without addi-
tional deliveries. Rabbi Besser said, “our goal was to re-
sume routines as quickly as possible, and we are grateful
for the united and dedicated efforts of the MDS family to
make this happen. We want to especially thank those fac-
ulty and staff members who surmounted significant transit
hurdles and made the effort to come to school even though
they did not have power or heat in their homes.” Several
of our teachers endured commutes of 3.5 hours—each
way. And a tremendous yashar koach to Rabbi Eli Cohen
who biked in from Brooklyn. Thank you as well to all the
teachers who submitted articles so we could have a stellar
Messenger this week despite the storm.
Our efforts to reopen on Wednesday were very
much appreciated by the MDS family. We received the
following email from MDS parent Amanda Nussbaum: “I
wanted to personally thank each of you and the entire staff
of MDS for your herculean efforts in opening school to-
day. I know it was not easy, especially since many of you are without power and have suffered major damage to your homes. All of
us greatly appreciate it.” We received the following email from MDS parent Rachel Levine: “I just wanted to be in touch to thank
you for what I imagine was a heroic effort for you and your entire staff to have the school up and running today. I am sure many
parents have expressed their gratitude and I wanted to as well. I hope your families are safe and managing o.k. in the aftermath of
this devastating storm.” Our school president, Daniel Posner, thanked the faculty: “On behalf of the Board of Directors and the par-
ent body of Manhattan Day School, we would like to thank you for helping us open our school today. We know it wasn't easy and
we know that many of the other schools are closed today. Your presence and positive attitude is what makes MDS the wonderful
school that it is. By opening school on a day like today, we showed our community that we are there for them and that every day is
an important school day at MDS.”
We hope that you have all safely weathered the storm. Our thoughts are with those families who are out of power. If you
have lost power or experienced damage to your home, the MDS family is here to help. Please contact Pia Ru-
bin ([email protected]) or Rachel Solomons ([email protected]). We will try to connect you with other MDS fami-
lies who live near school and can offer a place to shower, some food, or whatever you may need. If you would like to open your
home to others, please let us know as well. We would like to thank Rabbi Jeremy Litton for connecting us to the Lincoln Square
clothing drive for those who have been displaced because of the storm. In a matter of hours, we collected a tremendous amount of
clothing that was immediately distributed to those in shelters. Over the coming weeks, we will let you know of other chessed initia-
tives to assist those who were impacted by the storm. It is at times like this when we can appreciate the power of being a united and
caring MDS family.
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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An Inspiring Visit to YU By Rabbi Avi Genack, [email protected]
The sixth grade boys went on a tremendously
successful trip last week to Yeshiva University. Rabbi
Genack explained, “we just started learning gemara.
We wanted the boys to see how what we are doing in
our classrooms at MDS is simultaneously happening as
well in batei midrash with hundreds of students with
lively discussions and tremendous enthusiasm. We
wanted our students to see that torah sheb’al peh is a
subject like no other – hundreds of students of all ages
learning together. We also wanted our students to hear
from some of the rashei yeshiva on why torah study is
so captivating and engaging year after year. We also
wanted the rashei yeshiva to address our students on
the proper way to connect with the material.
The trip was a mega success! We broke into
groups and learned with some of the Kollel men. I
received great reviews on the boys’ knowledge and
keen thinking! Then we met with Rabbi Ahron Kahn,
and he captivated us with stories and a powerful mes-
sage. Afterwards he gave each boy a bracha, and spent a few moments chatting with each one. It was a tremendously uplifting expe-
rience for us all.
Then we met with Rabbi Baruch Pesach Mendelson who shared with us a short devar torah on the parsha. He explained that
you can’t learn torah properly if you try to memorize the content like a tape recorder; rather you need to imbue the messages of the
torah. His inspiring words shined through to the boys’ hearts as was evident from davening Friday morning.
From there we went to the pizza store (a major highlight, of course), and I saw Rabbi Yitzchok Cohen pass by, and we had
the opportunity to meet with him, and hear his dear words. He reminded us that we say והערב נא (may the words of Torah sweeten or
lives), every day in birchot hatorah, and how the Torah’s sweetness will change from bittersweet to just sweet.
The experience of visiting Yeshiva University was phenomenal. On top of all this, the boys behaved beautifully in the
streets. Rabbi Litton and I received numerous compliments about them. Boys, we’re proud of you! Keep up your learning, and let us
taste of the “sweetness of torah” together!
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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When Torah Study is More Fun Than Playing Ball
By Benjamin Eden, 6B
Our 6th grade trip to Yeshiva University was
incredible! We went into the new beit midrash and saw
many people learning Gemara. I thought that it was
amazing that so many people were choosing to learn Ge-
mara when they weren’t required to. We then split up
into groups and learned Gemara with some of the kollel
students. My group learned a Tosfos. We talked to three
special rebeim, Rabbi Kahn, Rabbi Mendelson, and Rab-
bi Cohen. We were given warm brachos by Rabbi Kahn,
Rabbi Mendelson told us that when you daven you
should really get into it, and Rabbi Cohen told us that
learning is SWEET. We then had a delicious snack and
enjoyed Lake Como pizza. We learned many important
lessons from this trip. I learned that you should make
every tefila special and that Torah is sweet! Rabbi Kahn
told us to call him when we start to feel that Torah is
more fun than playing ball. I know that I will. We thank
Rabbi Genack and Rabbi Litton for an awesome trip!
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Torah Is Sweeter Than Pizza and Bubble Gum By Jeremy Ascher, 6B
Our 6th grade boys trip to Yeshiva University
was a big hit!!! First we all took the train to YU and
learned gemara on the way. Other passengers were
staring but I thought it was cool.
Next we went to the new beit midrash and I
saw a lot of friends from my sleep away camp, Camp
Stone. Rabbi litten saw a ton of friends. Then we
went to the snack bar and got snack and drinks (I got
was a root beer). Then we went to the old beit mid-
rash and learned with a few YU students. I learned
with Rabbi Genack’s cousin. After our chavrusa
learning, we heard from Rabbi Kahn and received
brachot from him. He knew some of my family came
from and that shocked me.
Next we heard Rabbi Mendelson who was
my favorite speaker of the day because his speech was
very exciting. Then we went to Lake Como and got
pizza, drinks, and a lot of gum
balls. Next we heard our last
speaker of the day, rabbi
Genack’s eleventh grade rebbe,
who helped us to understand that
torah is SWEET!!! Even more
sweet than pizza and bubble
gum.
The moral of our trip to
Yeshiva University was that to-
rah is the sweetest thing on earth.
All the Rabbis and kollel stu-
dents showed us how to live a
torah life and to enjoy it.
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Having a B“all” in First Grade By Dara Abrams, [email protected]
Each week, first graders take part in a word family (chunk)
study. Our word family for this past week was ‘all’ . Throughout the
week first graders spent time producing as many words as possible which
included the ‘all’ chunk. Reading a funny book and poem also helped
give us some ideas for words we had not originally thought of. At the
end of each week, we also complete a ‘chunk project’ to go along with
our word family. This week’s project was even more special than usual,
as we incorporated a new math topic our class has been studying. First
graders made Fact Family Baseb“all” players! They came out wonder-
fully, with each first grader adding his/her own unique embellishments to
his/her work. This Friday craft was fun for everyone and a great way to
tie together all of the topics we have been studying in school.
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Look Up! By Linda Kastner, [email protected]
Congratulations to the recent graduating class of Manhattan Day
School on their beautiful ceiling tile designs that are proudly on display in
the main lobby when you enter the school. Just look up when you walk in
and you will be inspired and amazed by just how talented our MDS chil-
dren are. Our 2012 graduates worked diligently for many months creating
unique designs that reflect our holidays and life cycles. Using a format
that simulated kaleidoscope patterns, their drawings became lively inter-
pretations of our rich Jewish traditions. The acoustical tiles were removed
from the ceiling for this project and the students worked on them using an
easel to hold them straight. Michelangelo would have been disappointed
that the artists weren’t on scaffolding, but our modern world has afforded
us the luxury of removable ceilings, so students could work in a much
more comfortable position. After the designs were drawn, the students
mixed their colors using acrylic paints and then when completed, they
were varnished with a gloss acrylic medium for extra depth and richness.
With great care, we then inserted each tile back into the ceiling.
My hope is that our recent graduates continue to bring beauty and tradition to all of the buildings and environments that are
lucky enough to inhabit and may they continue to visit MDS for years to come, look up, and marvel at their splendid youthful artistic
creations. Mazel Tov for a job well done and for building upon the beauty of MDS!
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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How Does a Bill Become Law? By Zachary Buller, 5B
In Mrs. Korn’s 5th grade Social Studies class we are learning about politics. The unit
that we are studying is “How a Bill Becomes a Law.” We learned that it takes a very long time
and is a difficult process to make a law. First someone in Congress thinks of an idea that they
want to become a law. The idea is written up and is called a bill. In order for the bill to become
a law it goes to a group of people from the House of Representatives for approval. If they ap-
prove the bill, it then goes to the whole House. If it is not approved, the bill dies. If the whole
House approves the bill, it goes to a group of people in the Senate. If those Senators don’t ap-
prove it, then the bill dies. If the group of Senators approves the bill, then it goes to the whole
Senate. If the whole Senate approves the bill, then it goes to the President, for his decision. The
President then has 10 days to sign the bill. If the President does sign the bill it becomes a law. The President can also reject the bill
which is called a veto. If the President vetoes the bill, there is still a slim chance that the bill can become a law. The bill goes back to
the Congress. If 2/3 or more of Congress votes in favor of the bill, then the bill becomes a law. This process has many steps because
the government is meant to protect us.
Sometimes, states, cities, or countries can have very dumb laws. Examples of “dumb laws” are: In NY, it is illegal to have
ice cream cones in your pocket on Sundays. In Hawaii, it is illegal to put coins in people’s ears. In Singapore, if you are convicted of
littering 3 times, you must clean the streets on Sundays wearing a bib that says: “I am a litterer!” In Rhode Island, it is illegal to bite
off from someone’s leg. In Texas, it is illegal to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel. Also, in Texas, it is illegal to sell
one’s eye. In Austin, Texas it is illegal to have wire cutters carried in your pocket. In France, it is illegal to name your pet pig Napo-
leon. In Israel, it is illegal to bring bears to the beach. In the United Kingdom, with the exception of carrots, most goods can’t be sold
on Sunday. In Australia, after midday Sunday it is illegal to wear hot pink pants. In Italy, a man may be arrested for wearing a skirt.
In NJ, it is against the law for a man to knit during the fishing season. In Boise, Idaho, it is illegal to fish from a giraffe’s back. In
Idaho, riding a merry-go-round on Sundays is considered a crime. These laws sound very weird to me. Do they sound weird to you?
Here’s to You, New York, New York! By Yael Glatzer, [email protected]
The children are enjoy-
ing learning about New York
City, emphasizing the borough of
Manhattan. They have already
begun to create their own guide
books where they are able to
write and answer questions about
New York City. They are very
excited to write and have their
own book about the five bor-
oughs. During the next few
weeks, in collaboration with art
teacher Leyla Demirtas, the stu-
dents will be making models of a
city. They will use their
knowledge of New York City to
help them sketch what they want
their models to look like. We
discussed Manhattan as an island
as well as the Hudson and East
Rivers. In the near future, the
students will be researching infor-
mation about famous landmarks
as well as famous places within
the five boroughs. All the re-
search will then be compiled into
a third grade New York City booklet. At the end of November, the third graders will be visiting the New York Transit Museum.
They will get to see how public transportation in New York City began. Social Studies in third grade is fun!
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Vote for Me! By Messenger Staff
Good luck to the following students who made the bal-
lot! Candidate speeches will take place on Monday, November
5th, and the elections will take place on Tuesday, November 6th.
Candidates for 5th Grade Class Representative: Ezra Cohen, David Feit-Mann, Oren Shadian
Louise Ashear, Liana Goldstein, Charlotte Steinblatt
Candidates for 6th Grade Class Representative Jeremy Ascher, Lior Saada
Rosie Adelman, Loren Elman, Rosalie Sohn
Candidates for 7th Grade Vice President Yehuda Davis, Mark Darwich, Jacob Feit-Mann, Avi Solomons
Danna Rebibo, Sophie Samuels, Lily Snyder
Candidates for 8th Grade President Max Herskowitz, Alexander Knapp, Alexander Wildes
Lebe Adelman, Hannah Hudes, Lauren Kirschenbaum
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Vote for Me! By Messenger Staff
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Vote for Me! By Messenger Staff
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Diamond Club BBQ By Jeremy Litton, [email protected]
Is that the smell of BBQ coming from the roof of MDS ? Yes, it is! Rabbi Litton and the Diamond Club Committee have
inducted its first ever members into its new and exclusive Diamond Club. Diamond Club members are for young men and women
grades 5-8 who have demonstrated over their vacation tremendous concern for Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Chasadim. Points were
awarded for attendance to minyan, learning and six hours of required Chessed. Each member of the club earned over 125 points to
earn this BBQ. The next time the Diamond Club will be taking inductees is Winter Vacation.
Stay Tuned for the Following Upcoming Events:
Student Election Day, November 6th
Veteran’s Day Commemoration, November 9th
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Mi Chadash b’MDS? Rabbi Yehoshua Polter! By Messenger Staff
The MDS Messenger introduces you to
the new teachers who infuse our building with
extra energy. This week, we connect you with
Rabbi Yehoshua Polter:
I’m originally from Montreal, and I
studied in yeshivot in Montreal and Denver. I
earned a masters in Special Education at Adelphi
University. My first teaching experience was for
Russian refugees. Since then, I’ve taught in
Baltimore, New Jersey, and New York. I heard
about MDS through former MDS teacher Rabbi
Avraham Knobel, and the rest is history. I teach
fourth grade boys limudei kodesh, and fifth and
sixth grade intermediate boys Judaic Studies.
I’ve been married for 19 year, and I have five
kids, ranging in age from 17 to 8. I love to listen
to music, play hockey, and spend time with my
kids. The camaraderie in the school is really
very refreshing and supportive.
Welcome, Rabbi Polter, to the MDS
family!
Hachnasat Orchim at Its Best By Yehudis Feinstein, [email protected] and Bernice Mandel, [email protected]
The children in Nursery 1 and Nursery
3 have been very busy incorporating the lessons
from this week’s Parsha, Parshat Vayeria into
our curriculum.
We learned that Avrahom’s tent had four
doors; one on each side. This allowed guests to
come from all directions to eat, drink, and
sleep. This very important and special mitzvah
is called Hachnasat Orchim.
Nursery 1 invited their friends from Nurse-
ry 3 over for snack. When the N3 students came
over, they saw there was a lot of sand on the
floor in front of “Avraham’s” tent. The children
each had a chance to take off their socks and
shoes and feel what the ground felt like during
the times of Avraham and Sarah. The children
in N1 behaved just like Avraham and Sarah and
helped their friends clean their feet from sand
before we all began to eat.
The N3 class brought over a snack of
crackers and cream cheese, which we all en-
joyed together. The children had a great time
experiencing firsthand what Hachnasat Orchim
actually is. The classes enjoyed getting together. N3 is looking forward to reciprocating the Mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim with their
friends in N1.
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Chodesh Cheshvan: A Beautiful Drop of Rain Submitted by Mrs. Bethany Strulowitz, [email protected]; Devar Torah Prepared by Lebe Adelman, 8G
[I would like to thank my Mom for helping me with my dvar torah, and I consulted
with The Book of Our Heritage as well.]
Jacob lived on a small farm with his Mother and Father. They owned very little- only
three chickens, very few crops, and their precious cow Milly, who was growing old and frail.
Every day, Jacob would feed the chickens, collect the eggs, water the crops, and milk the cow.
One day in the month of Cheshvan, Jacob noticed that the crops were very dry, and
there wasn’t any water to water them with. Not knowing what to do, Jacob went to his shul to
ask his Rabbi what to do. Jacob’s Rabbi said that the only thing he could do was pray. Since it
was the month of Cheshvan, it was the perfect time to do it, because Cheshvan is when we pray
for rain. Mar-Cheshvan is another name for Cheshvan. “Mar” means “bitter”. The reason that
Cheshvan is referred to as bitter is because there are no holidays in this month. Another reason
is that in the month of Cheshvan a terrible tragedy happened at the time of the Babylonian ex-
ile. The Babylonians forced Tzidkiyahu, the king of Yehudah, to watch as they murdered his
sons right before his eyes. After that, they took out his eyeballs, put him in chains, and brought
him into captivity. A third reason that Cheshvan is referred to as bitter is because it is the
month when the “Flood” in the time of Noach took place.
“Mar” also means “a drop of water”. Chodesh Cheshvan is the time to pray for rain
because that is what this month is blessed with. On the seventh of Cheshvan we add the prayer
“ותן טל ומטר לברכה” , “Give dew and rain”. Outside of Israel we say the prayer later, sixty days
after the month of Tishrei. We say it on December 5th in a regular year and on December 6th
in a leap year.
If someone forgets to say the tefillah for rain but remembers before he finishes the bracha, he should say it immediately. But
if he remembers after he finishes the bracha, he must say it in the bracha of Shome’a tefillah. If he remembers after Shome’a tefillah
but before the next bracha, he should say it right away. If he remembers before Yih'yu L'ratzon, he has to go back to Barech Aleinu.
But if he remembers after Yih'yu L'ratzon, he has to repeat the Shemoneh Esreh from the beginning.
There once was a man who was very poor. Every morning he would go to the train station and beg for money. Every day
the same thing would happen. People would pass by and give him nothing but a glance. Once in a while someone would put in a
penny, a dime, or a nickel. If he was lucky they would give a dollar bill. When the poor man would receive anything, he would
shower the kind person with thanks. One day a very rich man walked up to the poor man and handed him five hundred dollars. The
poor man asked, “Why are you giving this to me?” The rich man answered, “Because I have seen your suffering every single day and
couldn't bare to see you suffer while I live a luxurious life”. The poor man praised the rich man and thanked him numerous times for
the money he had given him. Every week the rich man would come to give the poor man five hundred dollars. Since the rich man
gave the poor man money regularly, the poor man stopped thanking the rich man and took the money for granted. In this story we
learn that Hashem doesn’t want us to take things for granted.
Similarly, here in New York where it rains regularly, we tend to take it for granted. In Israel it doesn’t rain as regularly, and
they do not take it for granted, just as when the poor man barely got any money and was always thankful when he did.
The Talmud teaches us in Masechet Ta’anit that rain is a very special gift that we should not take for granted. the following
are some statements about rain from the Gemara.
“A day when rain falls is as great as the day when the Torah was given.”
“A day when rain falls is as great as the day on which heaven and earth were created.”
“A day when rain falls is as great as the day of the ingathering of the exiles.”
The falling of rain is connected to the way we treat one another. We learn in the Talmud that certain behaviors will prevent
rain from coming. According to Rabbi Shimon ben Pazi, “The rains are withheld because of those who speak slander.” Rabbi Sela
said in the name of Rabbi Hamnuna “The rains are withheld because of the arrogant.” Rabbi Amy said, “The rains are withheld be-
cause of the sin of theft.” Rabbi Yochanan said. “The rains are withheld because of those who pledge to give charity but do not meet
their pledges.” The coming of rain can be brought and withheld in many ways. It is our job to make sure that we daven especially
hard in the month of cheshvan and focus our tefillot to the coming of rain.
One person who is very connected to tefila is Rachel Imeynu, who died on the eleventh of Cheshvan. Unlike the other
Imahot, Rachel Imeynu was not buried in Ma’arat Hamachpela. Instead, she was buried in Beit Lechem on the way to Efrat, after
dying in childbirth. We learn from Rashi in Sefer Breishit, that before Yaakov died, he explained to Yosef that his mother was meant
to be buried there because that is what Hashem wanted. The reason that Hashem wanted Rachel to be buried there was so that she
could daven for B’nei Yisrael when they were sent into Galut Bavel. People still daven at her kever today in times of hardship.
In the month of Cheshvan, when rain is especially scarce, we must daven even harder than usual to make sure that we get
enough rain. We can learn from Rachel Imeynu how important it is to daven to Hashem for ourselves and others.
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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8G Devar Torah Project: VaYera Submitted by Bethany Strulowitz, [email protected]; Devar Torah written by Rachelle Benedict, 8G
The lights are bright and hot, and the scenery is a desert-like landscape with an ancient
looking tent blending into the dirt. The audience is filling up, and the lights go out. Places eve-
ryone! Ready! Set! Action!
Parshat Vayera’s red velvet curtains open onto a stage where Avraham sits at the mouth
of his tent and observes how tiny dots on the horizon transform into three men or angels. Elated
to have visitors, Avraham’s cordial and hospitable manner typical to his company becomes pre-
sent, and he arranges for them a feast filled with an array of delicacies. On their departure, the
angels announce that Sarah will give birth to a son in a year’s time.
Sarah listens to their conversation and hears them telling Avraham that she was to give
birth. Sarah laughed at the absurd thought and said, “Avraham is so old.” But Hashem instead
told Avraham that Sarah laughed, and said “I am so old.” Why did Hashem misrepresent Sarah’s
words instead of sharing what she actually said? Rabbi Menachem Raab explains that the Torah
here is teaching us the importance of not speaking lashon harah and being careful with our words. Hashem purposely tells a “white
lie” just to ensure that there is no turmoil in Avraham’s household. It is crucial to fully internalize this lesson so that we can make
sure that our words are more constructive than destructive.
After their pleasant stop off at Avraham’s tent, the angels sally forth on their journey from Hashem to destroy the evil city of
Sodom. When Avraham hears of their mission to destroy, he pleads with Hashem to have mercy on Sodom, and he will find right-
eous men to be a redemption to the evil. He goes through a numerical countdown starting with 50 then 45 then 30, to see how many
righteous there are and discovers that there were not even ten righteous individuals in Sodom.
The angels come to Sodom and arrive at the house of Lot. Contrary to the customary behavior in Sodom, Lot urged the
guests to stay overnight at his home before continuing on their way. When his neighbors found out that he was playing innkeeper to
guests, they were outraged. They surrounded Lot’s house and insisted that Lot hand over his guests. Lot offered them his two daugh-
ters as wives to them instead of the guests. The Sodomites declined and persisted to threaten Lot to hand over the guests. Hashem
then afflicted the tormentors with blindness so they were unable to locate the door to Lot’s house. An angel came as a savior to Lot
and informed him that Hashem was planning to destroy Sodom and he must vacate immediately with his family. As they were leav-
ing, the angel commanded them not to look back. Lot’s wife did, however, and she was transformed into a pillar of salt.
Lot and his daughters eventually make their way to a cave. After witnessing the destruction of Sodom, Lot’s two daughters
hidden in the cave were fearful that the destruction was comprehensive, and that there would be no one left to sustain the humanity, so
they slept with their father, Lot, and they give birth to two boys, the fathers of the nations of Moav and Ammon.
Meanwhile, Avraham was traveling with Sarah, and Avimelech king of Gerar took her as his wife. Hashem threatened to kill
him if he didn’t return Sarah to her rightful spouse so Avimelech gave her back to Avraham and sent him on his way with sheep, cat-
tle, and slaves.
Sarah gives birth to a son whom she names Yitzchak. As Yitzchak grows older in both wisdom and stature, Sarah fears that
Hagar’s son Yishmael will serve as a bad influence on her on Yitzchak. Sarah instructs Avraham to banish Hagar and her son from
his household. Avraham is doubtful about her decision but after Hashem said “ שמע בקולה” , “Listen to her voice,” he conceded and
sent Hagar and Yishmael into the vast desert.
Rabbi Menachem Raab asks what caused Avraham to disagree with Sarah? Possibly their different thinking patterns were
due to their diverse comprehension of human nature. Sarah followed the thinking that the task of staying spiritually strong would be
too heavy for Yitzchak to maintain. Slowly, he would drift into Yishmael’s shoes and leave the footprints on the beach that his moth-
er had left for him. The pressure would be too intense and he would accede. However, Avraham’s yellow brick road stated that pos-
sibly with the influence of Yitzchak, Yishmael would leave his path of wild ways and inhabit a benevolent and scholarly lifestyle.
Hashem sided with Sarah saying to Avraham, “Regarding all that Sarah tells you, listen to her for only through Yitzchak will
seed be considered yours.” This leaves us with an understanding that it is more likely to expect the evil external influence to succeed
over the positive influences. This is attributed to the fact that the evil aspect of our personality tends to be stronger than the good as-
pect of our personality and one needs a great amount of self-control to override the evil.
Rabbi Menachem Raab explains knowing that the evil inclination is stronger, we must fortify ourselves and be careful to
steer clear of evil influences, as they tend to be stronger and drown us. We must surround ourselves with good influences, such as
good people and friends. In order to succeed, we must envelope ourselves with positive versus negative influences.
The parsha continues with Hagar and Yishmael traveling through the desert. Hagar becomes desperate, and thinks they are
going to die. An angel reassures Hagar not to fear because her son, Yishmael, will be the father of a great nation.
Avraham then signs a peace treaty with Avimelech and Pichol over water rights. Hashem tells Avraham to sacrifice his one
and only son, Yitzchak, as an offering to Hashem. Avraham, truly devoted to Hashem, does as he says without question and begins
the long trip with Yitzchak to the designated spot, Har Hamoriah, where we have the Kotel in the present day. Avraham extends his
hand to slaughter his only son when an angel stops him. Instead, Avraham uses a ram for a burnt offering. Hashem blesses Avraham
saying that his children will be many like the stars in the sky and the sand on the beach. Avraham travels to Beer Sheva and settles
there. After the parsha ends, then the red velvet curtains drop, and the applause is deafening.
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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PT Conference Sign Up Opens 11/7, 10 AM
Conference Sign Up will open on Wednesday, November 7th, at 10 am.
Conference Sign Up will close on Wednesday, November 14th, at 11:59 pm.
Conferences will take place on Sunday, November 18th
Start / End Times: ECD Conferences will take place from 9 am— 3:30 pm
SE Conferences will take place from 9 am— 3:30 pm
Grades 1-4 Conferences will take place from 9 am— 6 pm
Grades 5-8 Conferences will take place from 9 am—5 pm
Conference Length: ECD Conferences will be 15 minutes each.
SE Conferences for grades 1 - 6 will be 20 minutes each.
SE Conferences for grades 7 - 8 will be 10 minutes each.
Conferences for grades 1 - 8 will be 10 minutes each.
If you have children in multiple divisions, the system will prevent you from creating scheduling conflicts.
How to sign up: Log into ParentLocker. Remember to type your entire email address (including @____.com) in the username section.
If you have never activated your account, please contact Atara, [email protected], to request an activation code.
On the left side of your screen, select PT Conferences. Then choose your conferences! You will be able to print out and email this
list. If you have any questions about this process, please contact Atara, [email protected] or Yehudit, [email protected].
Childcare: To save you the hassle of having to arrange a babysitter for your conferences, childcare for kids of all ages will be available in the
school library all day for a cost of $8 per child. This service is only available for the duration of your conference times.
Please email Dori Shwirtz, [email protected], to sign up in advance.
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Family Fun Days: Knicks Game, 11/4
Sold Out!
See you Sunday!
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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School Uniform Program, 11/2-11/9
School Uniform Program
Friday, Nov. 2nd - Friday, Nov. 9th
Gently-used uniforms (pants, skirts and sweaters, plus white and blue shirts) are available free of charge in the lower lobby. Please stop by to browse our exten-sive collection and select uniforms for your children.
Help yourself!
Contact [email protected], [email protected],
or [email protected] with any questions.
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Parents Council Used Book Fair, 11/6-11/7
1st Annual MDS Parents Council
Used Book Fair
Purchase Gently Used Books Tuesday Nov 6th and Wednesday Nov 7th
MDS Lobby 8:00 – 9:30AM 12:00 – 1:30PM 2:30 - 4:30PM
Cash or Check Only
To volunteer: Email Shari Friedman, [email protected]
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Grade 8 Yachad Shabbaton, 11/10
Please make a tax-deductible donation:
___ $ 100 (Bronze Sponsor) ___ $ 180 (Sliver Sponsor) ___ $ 250 (Gold Sponsor) ___ $ 500 (Platinum Sponsor) ___ Other ____________
Please make checks to MDS and write Yachad in the memo. Please bring the checks to Rachel in the Business Office. It is
also possible to donate on our website. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Bunin at [email protected].
Thank you for helping to make this Shabbaton a success!
Yachad is an organization dedicated to individuals with special needs. The main goal of Yachad is to integrate Yachad members with individu-als in communities. One division of Yachad deals with children. On No-vember 10th, the eighth graders at MDS will be joining the junior divi-sion of Yachad for a Shabbaton at MDS. We invite all members of the MDS family to please help the eighth graders participate in this amazing
MDS
8th Grade
Yachad Shabbaton
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Chanukah Boutique 12/1
Help your class win an ice cream party!
Submit your box tops to Sharon Newman In a bag with your name and class on it!
The contest is on…
Which class will win?
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Share the News About MDS!
Recruitment for 2013-14 is underway!!
If you are aware of a family interested in a Torah-based,
developmentally appropriate Early Childhood Program for their
2-5 year old, please encourage them to contact
Cindy Sherman, Director of Admissions,
[email protected], to arrange a tour.
Volume 12, Issue 5 November 2, 2012 פרשת וירא
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Manhattan Day School
310 West 75th Street
New York, New York
Tel: 212-376-6800
Fax: 212-376-6389
www.mdsweb.org
Tel: 212-673-3066
Fax: 212-376-6389
Email all articles and graphics
to Yehudit Robinson,
Director of
Educational Technology,
…
Thank you for keeping our school
a nut-aware environment.
Please join our daily parent
tehillim group which meets in the
library at 8:15 AM.
Shabbat Shalom! By Yehudis Feinstein, [email protected]
Are you receiving nightly homework
and class news emails
from ParentLocker?
Stay connected
to all of the learning at MDS!
Please contact Yehudit,
with any questions about the site!