Bringing news to the
Volume 4
Rikki Novetsky '10 and Mom
Mrs. Gail Novetsky get
ready for conferences;
Michal Novetsky '12 was
standing to the side
online community
issue 10
Mrs. Esther Herzfeld of our
English Faculty meets with
Sarah Gold '12 and her
Mom, Mrs. Shani Gold
at right Yocheved Brody Glassberg '05,
Stacy Gertz, Talia Wohlberg '05,
Sara Chassen and Mark Pajduk, all
nursing students at the University of
Medicine and Dentistry of NJ were in the
MPR to demonstrate CPR, take blood
pressure and provide health counseling
above, Mr. Danny and Mrs. Reva
Judas, parents of Chanina '11 and
Leeora '11, speak with Rabbi Besser
Seniors Liana Shuster and Rena
Levin staff the Bake Sale to
benefit Senior Yearbook
At Ma'ayanot, students are encouraged to take responsibility for
their own academic progress, and one of the ways that such responsibility is fostered is by welcoming students as well as parents
to conferences with teachers. Fall semester conferences took place
on the afternoon and evening of December 8. Since we are multitaskers, you can see from the photos that dialogue between faculty
and families was not the only order of business!
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from left to right, Gabrielle
Zarour '12, Rachel Furhang '13
and Goldie Baum '13 share an
iPod as they wait for things to get
started
“The Stream “ December 11, 2009/24 Kislev 5770
Parshat Vayeshev
a dvar Torah by Ms. Shira Billet
Dramatic irony occurs in literature when the audience is aware of something important
that the character in the play or story does not know. A classic example of dramatic
irony occurs in the story of Oedipus the king, who is destined – according to an oracle –
to murder his father and marry his mother. In Sophocles’s play, Oedipus, after being
separated from his parents at birth, grows up to kill a man and marry a woman. Unaware of the oracle, Oedipus does not realize that these people are his biological parents. The audience, fully cognizant of this fact, experiences dramatic irony. If only the character had known what we – the audience – know, he
would have acted rather differently, and avoided a terrible situation.
Parashat Vayeshev marks the beginning of the tales of Joseph and his brothers, which continue through the end of
the book of Genesis; these tales are replete with cases of dramatic irony. If only Joseph had known what the audience knows – that if he follows his brothers they will sell him into slavery. If only Jacob had known what the audience knows – that Joseph is still alive. If only the brothers, later on, had known what the audience knows – that the
vice-regent in Egypt is really their long-lost brother, Joseph. Confusion after confusion, misunderstanding after misunderstanding, follow from these dramatic ironies.
Dramatic irony prompts us to imagine how a character would have acted differently had she known what the audience knows about the situation in the story. A fascinating midrash that touches on a story from this week’s parashah
takes this question to a new level, asking how characters would behave differently if they knew something the audience knows: the fact that their actions are being written down in the Torah for posterity.
Rabbi Yitzchak bar Maryon said, “The Torah teaches a good rule of conduct, that when a person performs a good
deed he should do so with a happy heart. If Reuven, for example, had known that the Holy One, blessed be God,
would have it written of him, “And Reuven heard it, and delivered [Joseph] out of their hand” (Genesis 37:21), he
would have carried Joseph and brought him to his father. (Leviticus Rabbah 34:8)
This is a very different question from the one asked previously. Dramatic irony assumes that the facts of stories are
set in stone, and the audience knows the facts while the character does not. This midrash does not assume that any
aspect of the story is set. In the Torah, characters can choose how they will act, and the irony comes into effect when
the characters do not realize that their choices are recorded forever – something the audience, living generations and
millennia later, certainly knows. If Reuven had known he was being recorded, he would not have merely convinced
the brothers not to kill Joseph; he would have brought Joseph directly home.
In a certain sense, this midrash calls attention to the “dramatic irony” present in our daily lives. Imagine that our actions will be written down in history books. How would we behave differently? What if there is some unknown audience out there watching us, recording our deeds. How would we behave differently? The midrash goes on to ask this
very question:
R. Kohen and R. Joshua son of R. Simon in the name of R. Levi said: In times past when a man did a good deed the
prophet used to record it, but now if a man does a good deed who records it? Elijah and the King Messiah, the Holy
One, blessed be He, signing beside them…
There is an audience to our deeds, says the midrash: God and God’s closest entourage. Let us endeavor to avoid dramatic irony in this relationship. Let us strive to imbue all of our actions with goodness and sensitivity so that it can
never be suggested about us that we would have acted differently had we known something the audience knew.
Shabbat shalom,
Ms. Shira Billet, English Faculty
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“The Stream “ December 11, 2009/ 24 Kislev 5770
"Mishmover 3" - Were YOU There?
as reported by Racheli Fromowitz '10
Ma'ayanot's third annual Mishmover, held Thursday evening, December 10, was a great success, attended by over 100 students and an assortment of faculty members! Those of you new to the Ma'ayanot
community may wonder, "What, exactly, is Mishmover?" The easy answer is that it's Thursday Mishmar,
plus a sleepover...but it's also so much more.
Mrs. Rivka Kahan was first on the program with her shiur, "A Tale of Two Sisters." This was followed
by a pizza dinner, after which it was time to watch the
movie "Batman Begins." After the movie, everyone broke
up into groups to use the movie as a catalyst for discussion; some of the ideas which were considered were
whether we are allowed to judge an entire city by the
wicked people in it and the nature of Avraham's dialogue
with Hashem about Sodom.
The evening's chessed project allowed our artistically inclined students to paint butterflies for patients in nursing
homes, after which came Senior-led chaburot on magic,
music, platonic relationships and genetics.
Allison Alt '11 helps set the mood
Of course, it wouldn't be Mishmover without Ms. F's special midnight shiur, "Does the Torah Care if You're
Pretty?"
If anyone was still feeling frisky,
there was pickup hockey in the gym, a chance for a sugar fix with Dunkin'
Donuts and then layla tov, followed quickly by Shacharit!
Mazal Tov!
...to Mrs. Andrea Winkler and Rabbi Neil
Winkler on the birth of a grandson,
Zvi Eliezer, on December 1, 14 Kislev.
Congratulations as well to proud parents
Yehoshua and Rachel Winkler
on the birth of their first child.
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“The Stream “ December 11, 2009/ 24 Kislev 5770
The Word Ba'aretz
December 8, 2009 - 27 Kislev 5770
Hi Mrs. Schmuckler,
I realized I haven't sent you an email since I've gotten to Israel and I just wanted to say "hi." Thank
God, everything is going amazingly well and the atmosphere at Migdal Oz as we get ready for Chanukah is so much fun. We've been having tons of shiurim on Hilchot Chanukah and the ideas behind the
holiday, and we are preparing the Beit Midrash for
all sorts of parties and fun activities over Chanukah.
It reminds me of Ma'ayanot in the the days leading
up to our banquet, although at Migdal Oz they don't
seem to mix up Chanukah and Purim the way
Ma'ayanot does, so there won't be a costume party .
I'm confident that even without my grade's presence you're all holding the school together and I Members of the Class of 2009: front row, left to right are Ilana
(almost) wish I were coming home soon so I
Barta, Gabrielle Hiller, Elana Rosen, Judith Schwartz,
could come visit. I also wanted to send you a picNikki Press and Aviva Novick
ture from this past Shabbat when my Tanakh/
in the rear, from left to right are Leah Blum, Rachel Weber,
Gemara class had a reunion at my family's house
Dahlia Herzog, Ariel Shapiro, Adina Eizikovitz,
here in Efrat. Not everyone was able to come,
Chana Tolchin, Ora Presby and Rebecca Margulies
but we had a really good time catching up, sharing Torah and eating home cooked food (there's
nothing like bringing your whole family to Israel with you).
I hope you're doing well and I hope you have a wonderful Chanukah full of light, happiness and Ma'ayanot
style fun.
All my love,
Rachel Weber (Class of 2009)
"Go, Rivka!!!"
Sunday, January 31,
2010 is rapidly approaching! Rivka
Rosenblatt '12 hopes
to run for Team Lifeline in honor of her
brother, Yehuda. Click
here to visit her page
and to show your support.
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“The Stream “ December 11, 2009/ 24 Kislev 5770
Our Tikvah Scholars Do "On the Road" to Study "Love and Friendship"
as reported by Talia Friedman '10
Issue 1 of this year's "Stream" presented our six Tikvah Scholars, Seniors Talia Friedman. Aliza
Gottlieb, Rikki Novetsky, Michal Greenspan, Adena Kleiner and Rachel Friedman and introduced
you to this new program, in which participants offered advanced, inter-disciplinary coursework in Judaic
Studies and liberal arts. Mrs. Tamar Appel, History Chair, is the Faculty Advisor, and participating
Ma'ayanot faculty members are Rabbi Donny Besser, Ms. Nina Bieler, Ms. Shira Billet, Mrs. Enid
Goldberg, Mrs. Leah Herzog, Mrs. Rivka Kahan, Ms. Samantha Kur, Mrs. Ariella Rosenbaum,
Mrs. Esther Slomnicki, Mrs. Gila Stein and Ms. Devorah Wolf.
One of the ways in which
the Tikvah program enriches
the learning experience is
through a series of
"retreats," in which students
from each participating
school (Ma'ayanot, Frisch,
MTA, Ramaz, SAR, The
Gann Academy of Boston
and the Melvin J. Berman
Hebrew Academy of Baltimore) gather together for
lectures, discussions, socializing and enrichment activities. The second retreat of
the school year took place from left to right are some members of Ma'ayanot's Tikvah Program; Seniors Talia
from Wednesday, Decem- Friedman, Michal Greenspan and Adena Kleiner on the steps of the National Gallery with Tikvah participants from other schools
ber 2 through Sunday, December 6 at the University
of Maryland at College Park. Mrs. Rookie Billet, our Principal and Ms. Shira Billet of our English Faculty, were the chaperones through Friday, and Mrs. Tamar Appel, History and Ivrit teacher and Tikvah
Advisor, and Rabbi Donny Besser joined the group for Shabbat. Rabbit Besser had two reasons to attend;
he is a member of our Tikvah faculty and his wife is a faculty member of the Frisch Tikvah program! (For
another example of how great Ma'ayanot minds think alike, see the next page ☺).
The theme of the retreat was "Love and Friendship," which was explored and developed in a variety of
ways, including seminars, lectures, discussions and trips. Professors Leon and Amy Kass were the keynote
speakers, who engaged the group with a variety of related topics, including Aristotle on Friendship and
love and courtship in Shakespeare's "As You Like It." Rabbi Hayyim Angel joined the group for Shabbat
and spoke several times on such topics as "When Love and Politics Mix" and "Love and Self-interest in
the Book of Ruth." Trips included a visit to the National Gallery of Art and to a performance of Shakespeare's "As You Like It." Everyone agreed that the retreat was a special time for all involved.
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“The Stream “ December 11, 2009/ 24 Kislev 5770
Great Minds Think Alike ☺
Once upon a time, if a woman appeared "in public" and crossed paths with someone similarly dressed, it
was embarrassment all around. Not so at Ma'ayanot, where, time after time, students and students, teachers
and teachers, or even (gasp) teachers and students can be seen, not only dressed alike, but loving every
moment of it! And...to show that such communality of spirit is truly a tradition here at Ma'ayanot, we present pictures taken from our archives as
well as from the current school year. This year, you might have seen
(counterclockwise, starting at top left), Mrs. Madeline Schmuckler and
Daniella Ginsberg '10, then Elana Kook '11 and Daniella Weiss '11. From
2006, Mrs. Gabriella Spinowitz and former Administrator Mrs. Enid Anziska, then from the Class of 2008 we have Aliza Gold and Yael Selter,
from the Class of 2009 (but taken last year) are Atara Clark and Racheli
Fromowitz and finally, not as coordinated in dress as they state, Mrs. Spinowitz (again!), Mrs. Rookie Billet and Mrs. Joyce Heller.
Big and Little Sisters Enjoy a Sushi Lunch
One of the many ways that Ma'ayanot works to make news students feel that they "belong" is through our
Big and Little Sister program. Each incoming Freshman is paired with an upper class volunteer Big Sister, who helps show her the ropes and serves as someone to whom the
new Freshman can turn with questions. At this time of the year, although
the Class of 2013 no longer feels "new,"
there's still time and opportunity for Big
and Little Sister bonding, as evidenced
by the sushi lunch that took place on
Monday, December 7.
Rena Bierig '12, at left, and
Aviva Leshaw '13
at far right are Maggie
Klein '13 and Big Sis
Aviva Mazurek '12
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“The Stream “ December 11, 2009/ 24 Kislev 5770
A "Yam Siyyum?"
One of the ways that Ms. Sam Kur introduces her Senior
English classes to world literature and cultures is through reading "Things
Fall Apart" by the African author Chinua Achebe. This book, written by
the Nigerian author Achebe in 1958, rapidly became a worldwide bestseller, and was named one of the hundred most important books by Newsweek in 2009. Readers learn from this book that storytelling is a dominant
facet of African culture, and gain insight into African culture and values.
For example, one insight to come out of reading this book is that a meal
replete with root vegetables, such as yams, are a sign of wealth.
Therefore, to celebrate their "intellectual wealth" after having finished this
book, members of Mrs. Kur's two Senior English classes had a "siyyum,"
called, in this case, a "yam festival," in which they feasted on homemade
dishes made from yams and other root vegetables and shared their insights
on the novel. Each student was
asked to create and present a
personal proverb based on her
outlook on life, because the use
of proverbs or parables is a frequent means of expression in
African life and literature. For
example, Sari Ambrose '10 offered, "It's nice to be important,
but it's important to be nice."
Shiri Tsour '10 was inspired by
her homework to offer "Life is
like a math problem, you have
to take it one step at a time."
at top left, Ms. Kur and members of her fourth
period Senior English class feast on yummy homemade root-vegetable dishes while sharing
proverbs which they feel reflect their viewpoint on
life; at bottom left are a sample of some sweet
potato dishes cooked up by Ms. Kur's creative
students and, above, Ms. Kur and her seventh
period Senior English class share their reflections
and insights. Is it a coincidence - or good
planning - that Ms. Kur's choice of clothing
coordinates so nicely with the book jacket?
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“The Stream “ December 11, 2009/ 24 Kislev 5770
From the desk of
Ms. Ariella Steinreich, Chessed Coordinator
We will be hosting the Friendship Circle Winter Camp here at school from December 28 - 31. Click here to
download the registration form if you are interested in volunteering and return it to the box in my office. Volunteers
will be selected in the order in which you reply. This is a fantastic opportunity for students who don't live in the Teaneck area!
Tuesday, December 8, 15, 22 and 29: Tomchei Shabbos at Bnei Yeshurun at 7:30 pm. Come help pack food for
people in Bergen County who cannot afford food for Shabbat.
Tuesday, December 8: The Ma’ayanot Parent Council is looking for students to sell Mitzva cards during family
conferences. Volunteering for 2 hours will count towards 1 Chessed project. If you are interested or for further information please contact Mrs. Susan Levin at [email protected].
Wednesday, December 16: SINAI will be having a bake sale and they are looking for people to help them wrap the
baked goods, starting at 4 pm. If you are interested, please email Aggie Siletski at [email protected].
Sunday, December 20: Friendship Circle will be hosting Children’s Circle and Teen Circle. Children enjoy music,
art, baking, story- time, sports, and entertainment. The program will be held at RYNJ (666 Kinderkamack Road,
River Edge, NJ) from 2-4 pm.
Ongoing Chessed opportunity: There is a school library that is looking for girls to do chessed for them. The projects can be done from home; this is a great opportunity for girls who do not live in the Teaneck area. For more information or to sign up please contact Mrs. Susan Levin at [email protected].
Ongoing Chessed opportunity: Met Council (located in NYC) is looking for volunteers to get involved in their
new Appointment Buddies program. Appointment Buddies matches volunteers to their senior clients to help them go
to and from their doctor appointments. This program aims to offer assistance and support, as well as to provide an
important social network to senior clients. Appointment Buddies is available as a one-time or on-going opportunity. Volunteers must be friendly, compassionate, and reliable. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Julia Sherman at [email protected] or call her at(212) 453-9526.
Ongoing Chessed opportunity: There is a woman in our community who has 4 month old triplets. Because the babies were premature, they need to do many exercises. She is looking for students to help during the evening hours (69:30 pm) and on weekends (Saturday nights and Sundays) to help the babies with their exercises and to help stimulate them. Volunteers are not expected to babysit or do housekeeping, just to help these babies with their exercises. If
anyone is interested, please let me know. You can email me at [email protected], leave a message at 201833-4307 ext. 233, or stop by my office.
Please put all completed, signed chessed forms in my box (my name is on top of the box).
There is a copy of the Community Service Handbook and the form to be completed after participating in a project on
our website, www.maayanot.org.
Shabbat shalom,
Ms. Ariella Steinreich, Chessed Coordinator
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“The Stream “ December 11, 2009/ 24 Kislev 5770
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED FROM RACHEL MENDELSON,
AMY SCHWARTZ OR JODI BLUMENTHAL
The Ma'ayanotMusical Theater Club
proudly presents
MRS. JOYCE HELLER, DIRECTOR
MRS. BETH SELTER, MUSICAL DIRECTOR
EVERYONE IS WELCOME
SEATING FOR WOMEN ONLY IN OUR PLAYHOUSE,
SIMULCAST FOR MEN IN OUR MEDIA ROOM
TICKETS $10 IN ADVANCE, $12 AT THE DOOR
ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT TZEDAKAH
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
"ANNIE" IS PRESENTED THROUGH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL(MTI).
WWW.MTISHOWS.COM
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“The Stream “ December 11, 2009/ 24 Kislev 5770
Sports Update
“Coach” Eileen Schwartz, Athletic Director; Ms. Laura Schuette, Assistant Athletic Director
Monday night, December 7, the
volleyball B team had a double
header against SKA. We won the
first game of the match 25 - 23,
but lost the second two games
14-25 and 7-21. The second
match was over in just two
games, with SKA winning both
games with scores of 25 - 19 and
25 - 17. Everyone played well and showed great team spirit and
sportsman(woman)ship. Go, Rapids!
above, our team huddles to discuss strategy; at left,
Basketball defeated Ramaz 28-27 on home court, Rebecca Schenker '10 and Shani Beilin '10, take their
Wednesday, December 9. Our next home game will place on the court along with other members of the team
be Saturday night, December 19.Come out and
cheer on our teams!
The first round of tennis tryouts will be on December 20, at the Maywood Racquet Club from 910:30 am. Hockey tryouts will be on Wednesday December 23, from 5:45-7:15 pm in the
Ma'ayanot gym.
Please join us for our inaugural
Day of Study in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
December 25, 2009 - 8 Tevet 5770
9:00 AM - 12 Noon
Keynote Speaker:
Rabbi Dr. David Berger of Yeshiva University
Dean, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies
followed by seminars led by members of our faculty:
Mrs. Enid Goldberg - Mrs. Gila Stein - Mrs. Esther Herzfeld
Mrs. Merav Tal-Timen - Ms. Shira Billet - Mr. David Lesser
Mrs. Tamar Appel - Mrs. Leah Herzog -Mrs. Rivka Kahan
Mrs. Joyce Heller
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“The Stream “ December 11, 2009/ 24 Kislev 5770
Ma'ayanot will once again host the Friendship Circle Winter Camp, from December
28-31.
Friendship Circle is a Jewish organization that extends a helping hand to families which
have children with autism and other special needs, and involves them in a full range of
Jewish and social experiences. The Circle involves teenage volunteers as
counselors; among the volunteers are many Ma'ayanot students. Winter Camp is scheduled during the last week in December when many of its campers have vacation. Since the
camp takes place here at Ma'ayanot, it is a wonderful opportunity for our students to do chessed.
To sign up, please
contact Ms. Ariella Steinreich at 201-833-4307 x 233 or by email to [email protected].
Save the Date
Monday, December 14 - Tuesday, December 15: Chanukah vacation
Thursday, December 17: Chanukah banquet, 5:15 PM
Thursday, December 24: Student musical production, "Annie," at 2:30 and 7 PM
Friday, December 25: Day of Study in the Liberal Arts and Sciences - regular
classes for grades 9-11, grade 12 will attend the event
Friday, January 1, 2010: New Year's Day - no sessions
is a publication of
Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls
1650 Palisade Avenue
Teaneck, NJ 07666
Mrs. Rookie Billet, Principal
Mrs. Evelyn Gross and Mrs. Ruth Wang Birnbaum, Associate Principals
Ms. Elana Flaumenhaft and Mrs. Rivka Kahan, Assistant Principals
Rachel Feldman, Administrator
Dr. Howard Friedman, President
Mrs. Madeline Schmuckler, Managing Editor, Contributing Editor and Layout
Rena Levin '10, Student Photographer
visit us on the web at www.maayanot.org
to learn more about our school and for back issues of this publication
11