Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
investing into their studies, I am sure that home for the school at another premises. 8 Family Learning at 6:30 PM
everyone is looking forward with great
13-19 HS Exams
anticipation to the winter break. Mr. Poliakoff stated in an interview
with BaltimoreJewishLife.com that the 15 Family Learning at 6:30 PM
Abba David Poliakoff, our school’s
Board, unwilling to accept the historical and 20 No School - Grades 9-12
President, emailed parents earlier this week,
current challenging financial position, Noon Dismissal - Grades 6-8
updating our school family on several key
determined to embark on a course designed
fronts. Subsequently, Mr. Poliakoff and I 21-28 Winter Break -NO SCHOOL
to pay off past debt, curtail future losses,
were interviewed by Baltimore Jewish Life.
and place the school on a fiscally sound February
The resulting article is reprinted below.
footing. He noted that the Board has 3-6 Willner Basketball Tournament
Wishing you a wonderful long restructured the school this year and the
weekend and Shabbat shalom, Board committees are successfully
improving issues of governance,
communication and educational excellence
Rabbi Hershel Lutch in both Judaic and secular studies across all
Executive Director divisions. Individual tours for prospective
families have been increasing at a steady
A Message from the pace. This is all due to a hard working Board
YR Weather
Hotline:
President and Executive Committee, and a dedicated
Reprinted from BaltimoreJewishLife.com faculty. Members of the Executive
Committee generally chair a committee; the 410-358-6789
Yeshivat Rambam sent a letter to parents Executive Committee has been meeting in
yesterday advising them that the Board of person at least once each week, and
Directors is pursuing a strategy to put the Committee members discuss school matters
school on a stronger, more responsible every day. The members of the Executive
financial footing. Committee are: Abba David Poliakoff
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Friday Packet is the weekly newsletter of Yeshivat Rambam. Comments, questions, and subscriptions should be directed to:
6300 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215 • 410‐358‐6091 • www.yrambam.org • info@yrambam.org
(President), Debra Drang (Education), Meyer Shields possible; however, we ran into logistical challenges involving
(Finance), Ellie Kagan (Communications and Outreach), Ed schedules and personal matters (including the wedding of a
Hoffman and Shayna Hefetz (Development), Dr.Steven daughter of one of the teachers) of many people engaged in
Fleisher (Governance), Rabbi Hershel Lutch, Executive the process. Consequently, we decided to postpone the
Director, and Dr. Paul Volosov, whose advice and assistance actual meeting; nevertheless, we were determined to share
are invaluable. the positive news with our parents as quickly as possible.ʺ
ʺThe Board feels that it is its duty,ʺ Mr. Poliakoff The Board and the Executive Committee will meet
said, ʺto impose and ensure fiscal integrity. Therefore, we again before the upcoming parents meeting to more fully
have decided to act in order to place the school in a develop Rambamʹs plans. The parent meeting is now
financially viable position for future years.ʺ scheduled for January 17, at which time representatives of
the Board will be available to report more fully and to
Rabbi Hershel Lutch, Executive Director of answer questions regarding the schoolʹs plans.
Rambam, said that THE ASSOCIATED has been working
very closely with the school, and its help has been of LETTER TO THE YESHIVAT RAMBAM PARENT BODY
immeasurable value as the school goes through the process FROM ABBA DAVID POLIAKOFF:
of resolving these long‐standing issues. In particular, Mr.
Mark Smolarz, Chief Operating and Financial Officer of Dear Parent:
THE ASSOCIATED, continues to maintain a close
involvement, advising the Board and Executive Committee We had called a parent meeting for Wednesday, December 29. The
and participating in their meetings. purpose of the meeting is to update you on our progress regarding
our school. Due to scheduling conflicts and events beyond our
Rabbi Lutch added, ʺThe Board of Rambam has control, we will need to postpone the meeting; however, in order to
been apprised at each of its meetings, not only of the schoolʹs facilitate the flow of information, I do want to provide you with a
accomplishments and progress, but also of the financial synopsis of the report I was to deliver.
position of the school and the hurdles that need to be
overcome. At its meeting three weeks ago on November 30, As you know, the debt burden on Rambam has been
after a discussion regarding the financial burdens bearing enormous. This is the result of years and years of living beyond our
down on Rambam, the Board authorized the Executive means, suffering staggering losses and accumulating mountains of
Committee to pursue discussions regarding the potential sale debt. While the deal with Bnos is helpful, it does not relieve this
of the Bnos building and the securing of a new home for the heavy burden sufficiently to allow us to operate responsibly. This is
school at another location.ʺ principally because: (1) our historically accumulated debt burden is
just too overwhelming, and is far and above the money to be
Mr. Poliakoff confirmed that ʺwhile no sale has as realized from the sale of our campus; (2) our enrollment had
yet been agreed to and no agreement has as yet been dropped precipitously, well below expectations or projections,
finalized regarding the use of another premises, the resulting in an unacceptably large fundraising target of well over
discussions have been progressing. Therefore, the Executive $1M in our current budget; and (3) the economic climate has been
Committee felt it important to inform the parents of this extremely challenging to our fundraising efforts. We soon realized
positive development as soon as prudently possible, even that, in the absence of extraordinary efforts, we would not be able
before any agreements have been finalized.ʺ financially to complete this academic y e a r .
Moreover, in studying the Bnos building, and based on the advice
Asked why the parent meeting had been of experts that we engaged, it became apparent that the cost to fix
postponed, Mr. Poliakoff explained, ʺWhen it became up the property to the standards that we would want for our
apparent that these transactions were progressing, we children far (continued on page 6)
rushed to get the good news out to our parents as soon as
Message from Rachel Rotenberg, Good and Welfare:
Director of Early Childhood Center Mazal Tov to:
The snow and cold weather have about her inspirations, how she illustrates
Naomi Miller and family
once again provided us with many her books and more very interesting
on the birth of a
curricular enhancements in the ECC. We information geared towards the young child. granddaughter
have been striving to keep warm and are http://www.janbrettvideos.com/video/
busy every day learning through exploration video_main_page.htm Rabbi and Mrs.
and play. Teichman on the
The Nursery class also enjoyed a marriage of their
The Nursery classes delved into very festive 50 Mitzvot party this week. After daughter
making collage snowmen this week when charting many of the wonderful mitzvot they
the outside accumulations were not enough have done, the class celebrated upon Howard and Cheryl
to make the real thing. To the untrained eye, reaching the number 50 (but still counting). Morgenstern on the
bar-mitzvah of their son,
one would look at a snowman collage a 3 or They made crowns and created beautiful
YR student Dov
4 year old created and think it was a nice mitzvah books in which each child drew a Menachem
project, but it is far more than that. When picture to create a collaborative project. They
creating a collage, a child is making were so proud of their accomplishments.
decisions about which materials to use and Condolences to:
The ECC classes are learning about
where to put them, building their fine motor
the makkot/plagues that are discussed in this Ariella McCown on the
skills by cutting, tearing, gluing, and
week’s parsha, Pashat Vaerah, Some of the loss of her uncle
coloring. In this particular project, they were
children are learning it for the first time
indentifying shapes (circle, square, and
while others are reviewing, learning it in Chavi Goffin on the loss
triangle) to use for the hat, eyes, ears, nose,
greater depth and reinforcing some of this
of her grandmother
mouth, etc…They practiced following
information. We will learn this for many
directions and at the same time using their
years to come and each time this or other
creativity to make a unique snowman. They
information is presented to us, we deepen
were practicing counting (how many circles
our knowledge and understanding. Nothing
will I need) and learning new Hebrew
reinforces this concept more than the cycle of
words. All of these skills, as they build upon
Torah reading year after year. We can never
them, will help them in their schooling and
learn enough and we can never know it
beyond.
all. Each time we learn the parsha, study
Of course, we weave language and Torah, or learn about the world, we are able
literacy into all that we do in the ECC. Books to deepen our understanding and also
are a great way to reinforce or expand upon provide a foundation for future learning.
what we are learning. This week, he Nursery
Shabbat shalom,
classes read the very popular children’s book
The Mitten by Jan Brett. To enhance the story Rachel Rotenberg
and to incorporate technology, they accessed
the website www.janbrett.com On that site,
they also were able to “meet” the author and
illustrator in her home as she spoke to them
Message from Rabbi Shmuel Feld, Elementary School Principal
Last year, I submitted a vision for sees failure or wrong answers. The coached
this year at Yeshivat Rambam. A corner stone student wants teacher guidance, while the
of that vision was the advantage of choosing conveyer belt student wants teacher approval.
between two paradigms of education: The coached student wants to know how to
conveyer belt and coaching. In order to answer the problem correctly, while the
review the progress of the school, I will conveyer belt student wants to know the
review some of the core issues in both. The answer. This year we have seen a turn to the
conveyer belt method advocates that each coached student approach.
teacher in each grade of school act as a worker
One of the interesting points about a
pouring knowledge into students as they
coaching curriculum as different from a
move along a conveyer belt year after year
conveyer belt curriculum is the evidence of
until graduation. This assumes that the
different mode of interaction. In the 4th and
students are all the same, the teachers are
5th grade Judaics, students have been assigned
technicians, and the principal is the foreman
projects to display mastery of several topics.
of the factory doing quality control. Further,
The students work with the teachers, manage
the method assumes that information is static
their own time, and produce work that has
and unchanging for the children.
creative flair as well as content. The recent
The coaching method values arrangement of kosher and imaginative
individual goals, group goals, and overall chanukiyot to demonstrate knowledge of the
growth. The student’s vigorous preparation laws of Chanukah is a good example. A
includes some “drill and kill,” but focuses on PowerPoint presentation to summarize a
the student’s skills and ability to maximize chapter of Navi is another example. In 5th
effort. This method assumes the students are grade General Studies, the teachers work
at different levels, but all trying hard to closely with the students, in individual
improve the same skills. The teachers are conferences at times, to teach the steps of
coaches showing the students successful interviewing, collecting raw data, correlating
habits, great attitude, and important the information, and producing a final report
information to achieve focused on the with triboard display for the Genealogy
individual student. The principal acts as the project. In other grades, there are students
manager taking full responsibility for the doing math work beyond the grade level
success of the system by laying out indicators because their needs demand it. The students
of achievement. Each child in this system has feel a greater degree of ownership in their
to develop adaptability and resilience by work and the teachers are able to guide the
immediate feedback loops from the teacher, a personal strengths and weaknesses of the
personal coach. students.
Red Storm Work Overtime The ECC also has assistant teachers hard at work
pursuing their advanced degrees in education‐related fields.
Following the varsity’s thrilling buzzer beating
We truly believe in the power of education and practice what
victory, there was a lot of excitement for Rambam basketball
we preach. Knowledge is power! And learning doesn’t stop at
and Wednesday’s JV/varsity double header against Friendship
any age.
Academy did nothing to diminish that.
The JV played a tough game, but trailed by 4 at Message from the President
halftime and 5 after 3 quarters. In the 4th quarter, the team Continued from page 2
came alive and was able to tie the score and the send the game
into overtime. Rambam jumped ahead early and Josh exceeds the funds available or that could be made available to us.
Nabozny and Ilan Rottenberg made enough foul shots at the
end to secure the win 50‐45. Ilan led the team in scoring with We therefore concluded that we need to sell the Bnos
20 points including 4 three‐pointers. Josh scored 17 points, building and use those funds to pay off our historical debt and to help
and Yoni Hoffman scored 8, including 2 three‐ pointers down fund our operating expenses. We are in the process of discussing a
the stretch. sale of the property with several possible buyers. We have also been
Next, the varsity took the court and after falling spending considerable time and effort to secure respectable quarters
behind 14‐4 at the end of the first quarter, it appeared all the for the future. I was prepared to announce at this meeting that we
excitement went out of the gym when the JV game ended. have identified and are working with a group that has a beautiful,
However, a 21‐point explosion in the 2nd quarter put the Red new premises, perfectly laid out for our needs, that is very happy to
Storm up 3 at halftime, and they extended the lead to 4 points deal with us assuming all of the details can be worked out. We are
by the end of the 3rd quarter. Friendship came back to tie the confident that most of these issues can and will be worked out. While
score, and with the seconds ticking away Dani Strauss just we are bound by confidentiality in the near term, we are hopeful that
missed a chance for his 2nd straight buzzer beater and, we will be able to conclude our discussions in the near term, and
amazingly, this game was also headed for overtime. In the proudly offering you then a tour of our proposed new school location.
overtime, Dani made up for the miss by scoring 6 points,
including a four‐point play (the result of a technical foul on the This does not mean that we have solved all of the schoolʹs
other team) that the Red Storm up for good and they won the fiscal problems. Indeed, we still have a long way to go, and the
game 55‐47. Oren Hariri led the way with 14 points, Dani Executive Committee of Yeshivat Rambam continues to work
finished with 11, and Adam Hariri added 10. tirelessly to resolve those issues. We will report further on those
efforts and on the property situation when we meet.
Ari Braun, Athletic Director
Speaking of which, I would like to meet before the winter
Rambam Raves break. I will be out from January 7 to January 14, but want to give
sufficient notice so as to avoid another scheduling challenge.
Some of our ECC Morot are going above and beyond Therefore, I would like to call a parent meeting for when I return on
once again and attending ongoing professional development Monday, January 17, at 8:00 pm, at the 6300 Park Heights Avenue
through the Rimon program at the Center for Jewish campus. I hope you will be able to attend.
Education (CJE). The CJE explains: ʺThe Rimon program is
designed to enhance teachersʹ skills and abilities through —Abba David Poliakoff
ongoing professional development. We encourage educators
in our local Jewish institutions to engage in appropriate
educational pedagogy and methodology, familiarity with
Hebrew language, knowledge of Jewish texts, support of
THE 9 ANNUALL TH
VISITING TEAMS:
Cooper Yeshiva Maccabees – Memphis, TN
Kohelet Yeshiva Kings – Philadelphia, PA
Yeshiva Derech Hatorah Bulldogs – Brooklyn, NY
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
E-MAIL brauna@yrambam.org
YESHIVAT RAMBAM
G I F T C A R DS !
the teacher,
sio n – Bir th , Bat/B ar Mi tzvah, Birthday, Gift for
ca
They are good for any oc
jus t for your shopping needs.
appreciation gift, or
at face value
• No added charge – sold line
store, over the phone or on
• You can use them at the obligation
ase d Gi ft Ca rd s ca n be applied toward your Scrip
• Purch
on required
• Ready to use – no activati
Yeshivat Rambam
• All proceeds will benefit
days for
st be pre-o rd ere d an d pre-paid. Please wait 10-14
All cards mu
ed when they come).
delivery (you will be notifi
ase call
additional information, ple
To place the order, or for
58-6091 x 213
Mrs. Olga Kreymer at 410-3
YESHIVAT RAMBAM
Grandparents
& Special Friends Day
Friday, January 7, 2011
2 Shevat 5771
8:30 AM-12:00 PM
6300 Park Heights Avenue
Baltimore. MD 21215
Light dairy lunch will be served
Please RSVP to
esoffice@yrambam.org
by December 20, 2010