Western Civilization

In 9^th grade Western Civilization, students have been studying the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. Following our studies earlier in the year of the beginnings of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, students now have the opportunity to see how these religions have developed through the 16^th century, and how followers of each religion interact with both “outsiders” and with other members of their own faith. Our studies these past two weeks are particularly interesting following our Interim Week study of Islam. We learned about Muslims, their faith, and how some practice differently from others. In Western Civilization, we are now learning about the division in the Church, which was intended to be a reformation, but turned into the development of Protestantism. Students have engaged in great discussions and activities regarding religious changes and adaptations, and how politics and religion can be so strongly connected or so strongly contested.

Amy Fink

Coordinator of Student Support Services/

Humanities Instructor

DISPATCHES FROM INTERIM WEEK DAYS 4 & 5 Purim & Shushan Purim

 

Thursday, March 8, 2012

School started later than usual so that we could all sleep in a bit after Megillah readings at various synagogues Wednesday night.  Almost everyone came in costume, and we enjoyed performing the mitzvah of hearing the Megillah read by numerous individuals, including our very own Jordana Lachow, Miles Greenspoon,  Jessica Miller, Abram Foster, and Nadav Korman.  The readings were interspersed with “magic shows” by the great Alain Nu, whose specialty is “mentalism” – he can definitely read your mind!  Following this, we walked to the Royal Restaurant (gorgeous weather for a half-a-mile walk, in full costume) where we had a sumptuous feast in the style of the Golden Age of Spain.  Early dismissal rounded out the celebration.

Friday, March 9, 2012

We started the day being treated to another discussion with Dr. Ari Roth, this time about the relationship between Jews and Muslims since the beginning of Zionism.  Afterward, we gathered in the Moadon to discuss and clarify issues and questions that had come up during the week that may not have been fully answered at the time.  Then, for the rest of the morning, the students were off to rehearse for the climax of Purim Pandemonium – the schpiel contest.  The schpiels were great!!!!  It was difficult for the judges (Rabbi Gila Ruskin, Ms. Alissa Parker, and Ms. Becca Weinstein ’08), to choose among them.  Best show was won by Act 1 and the overall winner was Act 2.

Congratulations to all for a super INTERIM WEEK 5772/2012….our ninth! *

(*Rumor has it that Morah Rosen started yesterday to plot and plan for next year’s – stay tuned…)

DISPATCHES FROM INTERIM WEEK 5772 DAY 3

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

This intrepid reporter forgot to tell you about the evening activities over the first two days!  Monday there was an SGA dance that was enjoyed by all.  Tuesday a few students joined Ms. Taragin and Morah Rosen to present the coveted “Best Hamentaschen in Pikesville” award to Pariser’s, after extensive taste-testing by the entire school community during the Megillah study periods in the weeks leading up to Purim (see separate articles and pictures).

Day 3 was perhaps our most exciting yet.  We began with a lecture by Dr. Ari Roth, a favorite speaker of the Cardin School, and a professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University.  He spoke about the historical relationship between Jews and Muslims (prior to Zionism – the more recent history to be covered on Friday).  Following this, we loaded into buses and went down to the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, where we saw a special screening of “Journey to Mecca” – which featured actual footage of the 2007 hajj – an amazing sight (and one which we as non-Muslims would never be able to see in person).  Then it was on to the Islamic Society of Baltimore, which is not only a mosque, but a Muslim community center, day school, and afternoon/Sunday school.  From 30 families twenty years ago, it has grown to over 10,000 members.  The K-12 day school is growing so quickly that the high school can only serve one gender (and they chose girls!).    We got a tour of both the school and the prayer area (all our female students and faculty bedecked in scarves) from the president of the congregation, and got a chance to ask him many questions.

School dismissed early for Ta’anit Esther.

Shoshana S. Cardin Students Present “Best Hamentaschen in Baltimore” Award

Which Baltimore bakery makes the best hamentaschen in town?

That was the question addressed to our student epicureans as they blind taste-tested sample offerings over the course of the past few weeks. Yes, in their quest to explore culinary excellence, Cardin students weren’t afraid to pack on those extra pounds.

And the winner is …

by unanimous consensus …

wait for it …

PARISER’S BAKERY!!

Off we went to the source of all things yummy, eager to present the coveted “Best Hamantaschen in Baltimore” award to Pariser’s proprietor, Motti. In our entourage: Morah Leslie Smith Rosen, students Hannah Feldman and Jake Mordfin, and yours truly photographer. One can only imagine our rapt anticipation as we piled into one tiny black Elantra for the short journey down Park Heights Avenue.

It’s hard to describe how the home of the best hamentaschen overpowers one’s senses, but upon arrival, we immediately felt like we’d died and gone to sugar heaven. Imagine 7-layer cake stuffed with cotton candy, served over jelly donuts topped with real whipped cream and you’ll have some inkling of the ambrosial aroma that filled our hungry heads. It was almost too much to bear.

Luckily, we didn’t have to wait long for Motti to arrive. The ceremony was short and sweet; just a touching proclamation about the eminence of Pariser’s hamentaschen expertly delivered by none other than Morah Smith Rosen, quickly followed by the actual award presentation. Motti looked as if he might burst with pride. He immediately added the award to the plethora of accolades adorning his trophy wall and graciously thanked us for the recognition. That Motti is such a mentsch! What a wonderful example of proper decorum to students far and wide.

It takes more than flour, sugar and delicious filling to produce the best hamentaschen in town. Hats off to Pariser’s Bakery, a shining beacon of earthly delights.

~Cheryl Taragin

DISPATCHES FROM INTERIM WEEK 5772, DAY 2

March 6, 2012

Today was busy!  During minyan, Rabbi Chaitovsky gave us some more insights about Megillat Esther.  This was followed by an intellectually stimulating lecture about “The Golden Age of Spain” given by Dr. Heather Miller Rubens of the Institute for Christian-Jewish Studies.  She discussed (and shared many primary texts) the fact that the historical record of the Jewish experience under Muslim rule in medieval Spain is very mixed: during some generations, it was one of co-existence and tolerance, and in other generations, one finds conflict and maltreatment.  This segment of the program was important because it illustrated how nuanced and various the relationship between Jews and Muslims has been for the past 14 centuries.

After the lecture, our very own resident artist Morah Brandes introduced us to some of the principles of Islamic art, especially the prohibition against representational art in most circumstances (because of their understanding of the Ten Commandments).  Then the students were dispatched to work hands-on on creating their own art in this tradition.

As the morning ended, we formed a production-line, making lunches for a homeless shelter, and mishloach manot baskets for children and parents who are victims of domestic abuse and are being sheltered by CHANA – the Jewish response to this problem.  In doing this we were embodying the value of tzedakah (zakat in Arabic), which both faith traditions share.

The afternoon was spent working on our Purim schpiels.

Tomorrow, we journey to the Maryland Science Center for a special IMAX showing of “Journey to Mecca,” and to tour a mosque.  Please remember to dress modestly (girls bring a scarf, wear nothing too tight).  We will be back a little after 1pm, and dismissal will happen then in observance of the Fast of Esther (no lunch time) and Purim later that night.