The Jewish Climate Change Campaign Comes to Cardin

“Then your light will break through like the dawn." Isaiah 58:8

The Shoshana S. Cardin School was one of the first stops on a month-long tour of The Jewish Climate Change Campaign, powered by Teva, Hazon, GoGreenInIsrael.org and veggie oil. Seven Jewish environmental educators are traveling cross country over the course of the month, stopping in 20 cities, to bring their innovative Jewish perspective on environmental climate change to schools, and teaching students how everyone can play a part. This campaign is a call to action, a call to demonstrate that the Jewish people can help light the way to more sustainable living.

Cardin’s 9th and 10th graders had the opportunity to get on board the climate change bus tour and roll towards a cleaner future. Students participated in a two-hour workshop which included:

• The Topsy Turvy Bus fueled by veggie oil
• Bus tour with explanation of the grease and composting systems
• Solar panels demonstration
• Human powered bicycle generator.
• Building their own solar oven
• Educational content on energy consumption, conservation, and climate change
• Resources on the Jewish Environmental movement
• Ways to get involved in The Jewish Climate Change Campaign

To follow along with the tour as they make their way to the west coast click here to view their blog: www.Jclimatebus.wordpress.com

Anne Tanhoff Greenspoon
Director of Admissions

Congrats to Cardin Basketball Teams!

What a way to start off the season. Both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams won last night in their season opener against conference foe, Sojourner Christian Academy.

Last year, Sojourner knocked both the boys’ and the girls’ teams out of the conference tournament, but last night’s contests were decided early in each game.

The girls’ played first and jumped out to an early and comfortable lead using full-court and half-court presses. The presses resulted in turnovers that in return resulted in easy baskets for Cardin.

The final score for the girls’ game was 32 – 18 with sophomore Arielle Bodner leading the scoring with 18 points and while adding a game high 5 assists and 8 steals. Captains Mollye Lipton and Ally Richmond controlled Sojourner on the defensive end combining for 19 rebounds, 10 of which were on the defensive boards, and 5 steals.

Overall, it was a very exciting game and we look forward for more to come.

Following the girls’ game the boys’ took the court. Not to be outdone by the girls, the boys also jumped out to an early lead with a ferocious full-court press resulting in turnovers and easy baskets.

Led by sophomore point guard and leading scorer Matt Danoff the boys ran their half-court offense superbly, opening up scoring opportunities for a number of players. Everybody on the boys’ team played, making it a well-rounded experience for all members of the team. I don’t have all of the stats for the boys’ game, but they will be posted at some point during the day on www.highschoolsports.net. From speaking with some of the managers, including official scorebook keeper Daniel Solomon, team Captain Segev Goldberg probably led in assists, with Captains Steven Verovsky and Rubin Waranch playing significant roles on both ends of the court with rebounds and points scored.

Overall, both teams did a great job and we are very proud of the hard work and dedication they have shown to Cardin athletics. Keep up the good work.

Thank you to all of the fans including family, faculty, students, and alumni. We had a huge turned out and it looks like we are going to need to make sure that on our new campus we take into consideration the amount of support these teams get when building our new gym.

Please remember to check out the team pages when you visit on www.highschoolsports.net. On the team pages you will find updated stats, scores, and game summaries. You also can support our school through the spirit wear. Just click on Cardin Apparel and design your own apparel. Not only will you be showing off your school spirit, but also a portion of the proceeds goes towards the Cardin athletics department.

Thanks again to everybody and have a wonderful and safe break. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Foye C. Minton, Jr.
Dean of Students & Director of Athletics

News from the Art Room

Now that school is really in full swing, the art room has become a very busy place.

The Studio Art 12th grade girls are finishing up their papier mache busts and working on still life paintings. The Surrealism elective is coming to an end and there will be many beautiful collages to hang in the Moadon soon. Tuesday morning Art Minyan students are designing their own clocks to go along with their study of Kohelet, chapter 3 – “to everything there is a season….”. And last but not least, the Friday morning Art Minyan students are working on creating faux stained-glass pieces depicting Hanukah themes. And sometimes students just come in to work on their drawing skills when they happen to have a free period. Right now I have the pleasure of having Dora’s company as she is drawing a still life.

Elaine Brandes
Art Instructor

Athletics Update

This is a big week for Cardin athletics as both basketball teams begin their regular season. On Tuesday the girls’ team will start at 4pm with the boys’ team following at 5:30pm.

Come out and support our students as they continue to be ambassadors for Cardin.

Foye C. Minton, Jr.
Dean of Students & Director of Athletics

Giving Thanks and Pie on Friday

Giving Thanks

The 18th blessing of the Amidah is called “Hoda’ah” or “Thanksgiving.”

It begins with a phrase from I Chronicles 29:13: “Modim anachnu lach…” (“We give thanks to You…”)

The Hebrew word “modim” implies both gratitude and acknowledgment.

In our tradition, the number 18 signifies “’life.”

So, in thanking God, we are reminded of the daily miracles of life.

Praised be God to whom thanksgiving is due.

As the holiday of Thanksgiving approaches, we also thank our wonderful community for the daily miracles of life at the Shoshana S. Cardin School.

Thank you students, teachers, parents, board members and friends, and have a meaningful and relaxing Thanksgiving.

Rabbi Seltzer
Dean of Judaic Studies

PS - Happy Birthday to Mr. Whitfield! Cardin celebrated this occasion with several varieties of yummy pie.

Science of Chocolate Milk

Is it a substance? Mixture? Solution? Or suspension? How do you know?

In General Science, students are beginning their chemistry unit. Their first chapter has students learning about the classification of matter and how to use physical properties to classify, identify and choose materials. Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass. It can be classified as a substance, or matter that has the same composition throughout (element or compound), or a mixture, which has varying composition (heterogeneous and homogeneous). Mixtures can be further subdivided into solutions, colloids, and suspensions, which are categorized based upon the size of the largest particle. Further, a physical property is any characteristic that can be measured or observed about a material without changing the composition of the material. Examples include viscosity, conductivity, malleability, hardness, melting point, boiling point, and density. Scientists use these properties to identify materials and to choose appropriate materials.

In the Chocolate Milk Activity, students will classify chocolate powder, chocolate syrup, and milk based on their physical properties, such as viscosity, boiling point, and density. Then, they will have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of yummy chocolate milk!

Courtney Sims
Science Teacher

Development Update

With the exciting news about our acquisition of land in Owings Mills, the folks in the Development and Marketing arena have been focused on getting out into the community. We are checking the pulse and making sure that everyone is aware of our great news. To than end, some of us attended The Jewish Health, Wealth & Lifestyle EXPO on Sunday at the Pikesville Hilton. We joined some 60 other organizations and businesses. It was truly a delight to have so many people stop by to admire our architectural drawings and wish us a heart mazal tov. The vibes are good!

Next on the engagement calendar is representation at the BLEWS Annual Dinner meeting on December 8 where Senator Ben Cardin will be presented the BLEWS Public Service Award. Senator Cardin has been an important and committed friend of our school. What a great way to usher in the holiday season.

Speaking of which, how about honoring those on your gift list with a contribution to one of our many scholarship funds? Such gifts are long lasting and directly impact the lives of our students. Consider one of the following as you ponder the options for holiday giving:

Ann Zaiman Judaic Fund – The Ann Zaiman Judaic Fund was established by Rabbi and Mrs. Joel Zaiman to be used to subsidize enrichment opportunities supporting The Cardin School’s Judaic Studies program. Rabbi Stuart Seltzer, Dean of Judaic Studies at the Cardin School, has sole discretionary control to approve disbursements from this fund.

Rabbi Seymour L. Essrog Scholarship Fund - The Rabbi Seymour L. Essrog Scholarship Fund was established by the children and grandchildren of Rabbi Seymour L. Essrog z”l to provide financial assistance to eligible students.

The Jay A. Meyers Memorial Fund - The Jay A. Meyers Memorial Fund was established by the Meyers family in memory of Jay A. Meyers z”l, father of Jeremy Meyers ‘08, to provide scholarship assistance to students in financial need.

Friends of Shoshana S. Cardin Scholarship Fund - The Friends of Shoshana S. Cardin Scholarship Fund was established to provide scholarships to deserving students.

The Jacob Sokoloff Scholarship Fund – The Jacob Sokoloff Scholarship Fund was established by Ethel Blumenfeld, the sister of Jacob Sokoloff z”l, to memorialize his commitment to Jewish education and to provide scholarship assistance to eligible students.

The Library Fund - The Library Fund was established to purchase books, technology, and other materials for The Shoshana S. Cardin School library.

The Marlene and Stewart Educational Fund- established to enrich programs for students.

Contact Margi Hoffman, Director of Development and Marketing for more information .

Marjorie R. Hoffman
Director of Development and Marketing

Athletics Update

Well the basketball teams are working hard to get ready for the season. The first games for both teams are on November 24 at the Park Heights JCC with the girls game starting at 4pm and the boys game starting at 5:30pm.

This Sunday the teams enjoyed a relaxing, fun morning of basketball as we had an open gym from 10am-noon. With the teams mixed up of boys and girls, including a few of us older boys and girls, Ms. Sims, Mr. Jeff Zaleon, and myself, we played pick-up games the entire time. It was a lot of fun and the kids learned a little bit along the way as well.

So come out and support our teams!

Thanks,

Foye C. Minton, Jr.
Dean of Students & Director of Athletics

Aspirations, Dreams, and Hopes

President Obama’s recent winning of the Nobel Peace Prize stirred much debate. He is the youngest person to even have won the prestigious award and many said he really has not done anything to merit it. They say that his accomplishments thus far are primarily rhetoric and aspiration. They represent his hopes and dreams for a better America and a better world. Noble and grand though they may be, those aspirations are yet unfulfilled and those dreams are but visions of reality, but not yet reality.

Aspirations…dreams and hopes…visions of reality. They may – or may not be – the stuff worthy of a Nobel Prize. I am not sure. But, on a different level and in a different arena, aspirations, dreams and visions of the future are the stuff of everyday existence.

Just ask parents. Parents cannot possibly know precisely how their children will turn out, but it does not prevent them from investing seemingly never ending energies in making aspirations, dreams and visions of the future a reality.

Just ask any teacher. Do teachers know how any of their students will ultimately turn out? Of course not, but it does not prevent them from doing all they can to inspire, encourage, challenge, cheer on and yes, educate, those who have been entrusted to their care.

As a rabbi and educator, I often think about the many Jewish children growing into adulthood without a significant Jewish education. I then think about my students here at Cardin. I don’t always know why they chose Cardin. I have no idea what role Judaism will ultimately play in their lives. All I know is – these are the ones that have been entrusted to me. These are the ones I have dreams about. These are the ones I have hopes for.

What will come of those hopes and dreams? I can’t say for sure, but experience has already taught me that some dreams very definitely come true!

Rabbi Yaakov Chaitovsky

Champions!!

Both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams won the Chesapeake Athletic Conference Championship!

Congrats to all of the players, coaches, and fans.

The cross country team also had a competitive showing in there Championship meet.

A special thanks to the seniors on the fall teams:

Michelle Cassel (GSoc)
Amanda-Megan Levin (GSoc)
Mollye Lipton (GSoc)
Kayla Reisman (GSoc)
Segev Goldberg (BSoc)
Avi Miller (BSoc)
Allison Waskow (XC)

The basketball teams have started practicing and getting ready for another exciting season.

The first games are on November 24 at the Park Heights JCC with the girls’ game starting at 4pm and the boys’ game starting at 5:30pm.

Congrats to our fall teams and good luck to our winter teams.

Foye C. Minton, Jr.
Dean of Students & Director of Athletics

A Time for Planting and a Time for BUILDING

“A Time for Planting”
In the Talmud, a beautiful story is found of an eccentric teacher named Honi, the Circle Drawer, a miracle worker who lived 2,000 years ago. One day, Honi saw an elderly man planting a tree and he asked him, “What are you planting?” The elderly gardener answered, “A carob tree.”

In how many years will it bear fruit?” asked Honi.

“70 years,” the old man responded.

“But you are very old,” Honi continued. “Will you live to see it bear fruit?”

The old man answered by saying, “When I came I found trees planted by those who lived before me. I am only doing for future generations what was done for me.”

“And a time for Building”
In the spirit of this story, the Cardin community is moving to its new permanent home at the former Rosewood Center in Owings Mills. Yes, it’s the first phase of the project, just a seed.

We can only begin to imagine what it will look like in 70 years!

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Stuart Seltzer
Dean of Judaic Studies

November updates

Can’t believe it’s November already! OTOH, my classes have accomplished a lot. Just yesterday we finished reading The Scarlet Letter in 11th Grade Honors English. Using a speculative article by a forensic doctor, we did an analysis of whether there was sufficient evidence in the book to justify an off-beat claim that Chillingworth was slowly poisoning Dimmesdale. Later this week we will read the initial reviews of the book from 1850, and find out why it was considered as shocking as it was at the time. The students have also finished half of their vocabulary lessons for the year! Soon we are turning to the horror genre with some classic creepy tales by Baltimore’s own, Edgar Allan Poe. Students should enjoy writing their own scary stories next month.

In my senior seminar, we are studying the 20s and 30s and we all just enjoyed seeing the original of The Jazz Singer film. We talked about what messages the movie was making regarding assimilation of Jews into modern American life. Seniors are starting to pick their senior thesis topics – Adin was the first to turn his in, which will be on the impact of findings in quantum physics during the 20th century. Should be an interesting, if difficult, piece to read.

So all in all an interesting and busy start to the year!

Leslie Smith Rosen
Dean of General Studies

DARIUS GOES WEST: THE ROLL OF HIS LIFE

Darius is a pretty busy guy. In the summer of 2005 he left his hometown of Athens, GA for the first time ever, to travel west with 11 of his best friends for the journey of a lifetime. At that point he had never been out of Athens, never slept anywhere but home or in the hospital. In June 2008, Darius graduated from high school. Soon after, from September 2008 through September 2009, he traveled throughout the country with the Darius Goes West crew to promote the film and raise money for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) research. And just six weeks ago, on September 27, 2009, Darius turned 20 years old. He celebrated in New York City with his movie crew and they watched the television premier of Darius Goes West on MTV.

And he still hasn’t stopped. Right now he’s working with the crew to promote a contest called America’s Giving Challenge. The charity that has the most individual donations (it’s not the amount of money, but the number of givers) by this Friday, November 6 can win up to $50,000 for their charity (use this link if you’d like to give: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/248667?m=edd8a396).

Although Darius is a very busy guy he won’t be able to travel to our screening. His crew has gone back to their respective colleges and graduate schools and Darius isn’t able to travel on his own, without significant help. But he’s all set to be talk with us on November 15th. Following the movie screening the audience will be able to chat with Darius via Skype. He won’t physically be in the room with us, but our projection system will make it seem like he is. Isn’t it amazing what we can do with technology?

Considering that Darius is battling a disease that is fatal to ALL boys with DMD by their early 20s, it’s just awesome to see all that he is doing. He has done more in his short life than many of us who have lived, and will live, much longer.

Please come out on November 15th to see the movie, to chat with Darius, and to help us raise money for Charley’s Fund, to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Please buy your tickets now ($5 ea). Kayla and Beth are selling them at school. Or you can contact me. Tell your friends about this awesome movie. I look forward to seeing you there!

Anne Tanhoff Greenspoon
Director of Admissions

word of mouth

Word of Mouth – It was brought to my attention that “word of mouth” is the original social networking. That makes sense! Telling people about Cardin face to face, with sincerity, enthusiasm and commitment is a far stronger way to attract new families and potential supporters than print ads or other sophisticated media. As we work together to advance our school, those of us in the development office are anxious to continually let the community know about the myriad of challenging and intriguing programs in which our students are engaged. It is our job to let everyone knew about our talented faculty, dynamic and motivated students and involved parent association. To that end, Anne Greenspoon, the Director of Admissions and I have planned a session entitled Planting Seeds for Our Future to be held at school on Thursday, November 12 at 8:00AM. Please join us to learn techniques about advocating for Cardin!

Someone once shared this quote “Sanely applied advertising could remake the world.” Let’s start by talking to everyone about Cardin and making our own little change in the world.

Marjorie R. Hoffman

Director of Development and Marketing