A few texts for Tu B’shvat:

Resh Lakish said: Even the emptiest Jews are full of mitzvoth and good deeds as a pomegranate is of seeds. (Yalkut Shimoni, Shir HaShirim 4:3)

Every person is born with the potential for goodness.
The mitzvoth of a Jew live in potential, as the seed in a pomegranate lives as the potential to be a pomegranate tree.

No part of the palm tree is wasted; every part may be used: Its dates are for eating, its lulav branches are for waving in praise on Sukkot, its dried up branches are thatch for roofing, its fibers are for ropes, its leaves for sieves, and its planed trunks for house beams. So is it with the Jewish people: Every one of our people is needed. Some are knowledgeable in Tanach, others in Mishnah, others in Aggadah; still others do many mitzvoth, and others do much tzedakah. (Bamidbar Rabba 3:1)

Every person makes a real and invaluable contribution to the Jewish community.

If we don’t know the correct blessing for a particular kind of food, one says, “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe for all was created according to God’s word.” (Mishnah 6:2)

We find a way to bless every single person!

Shabbat Shalom and Hag Sameach!
Rabbi Seltzer

JUST Minyanim

This week we kicked off our JUST (social action) Minyanim! Cardin leaders who have a passion for a particular cause are leading a group of their peers for a 6 week Minyan that will conclude with action plans to help a variety of local and global causes including autism, hunger, addiction, the environment, animals, gay-straight alliance, a children's hospital, and Haiti. The entire Cardin student body will be given the opportunity to get involved and broaden their scope of the world around them. We're very proud of our fearless and dedicated leaders - Kayla Reisman, Allie Waskow, Beth Zaleon, Shachar Binyamin, Avi Miller, Arielle Bodner, Adina Golob, Kate Scher, Bobby Weinstein, Ze'ev Beleck, Deena Lucas, Leah Prince, Ryan Winner, Abby Grobani, and Adina Shanholtz.

Jackie Villet
School Counselor

Obama and Cicero

It is impossible for students of Latin and/or Greek to view modern literature, art, architecture, government and myriad other conventions without applying a Classical lens. The Latin III class of the Cardin School is currently learning the rhetorical and poetic devices employed by ancient authors such as Cicero to enhance the meaning and reception of piece of literature or speech. Oratory was particularly prized by the Romans and was a skill in which most nobles were trained for futures in law and politics. For a Roman orator the style with a speech was given was just as important, if not more so, than the information contained in it. In addition, the chosen site for the oration, often the Roman forum, helped inform the overall message with visual references made to the locations of relevant historical events or the statuary of significant leaders and heroes.

With a president known for his eloquence and rhetorical skill, President Obama’s delivery of tonight’s “State of the Union” address becomes an learning opportunity for more than its informative aspect. It is also as a study of Obama’s place in the tradition of oratory and of the techniques that have remained for more then two millennia. So as President Obama takes his place on the podium before both houses of congress in the National Capitol, as cameras pan from senator to representative to galleries of noted personalities, and as we consider the present state of our country and the plans ahead, here are a few traditional rhetorical devices for which you can listen. You are most certain to hear a few:

• Anaphora – the repetition of initial words or phrases at the beginning of successive clauses
• Polysyndeton – the over use of conjunctions, usually “and” or “or”
• Alliteration – the repetition of the initial sound of successive words
• Asyndeton – the absence of conjunctions where needed
• Metaphor – and implied comparison
• Rhetorical question – a question for which no answer is expected or which is answered by the one posing the question
• Synecdoche – describing part for the whole (my standard example is the use of “wheels” to mean “car” but “main street” to mean “the middle class” seems to fit as well)
Now, enjoy the show!

Maureen Beabout
Latin Instructor

Advancing Cardin

"Advancing the school in the community..." That is the catch phrase in development offices, which are called advancement offices in many institutions. The word encompasses more that the traditional fundraising concept and moves toward "friend-raising" and building a reputation within a particular targeted population. At Cardin, we work diligently on a daily basis (and often into the night!) to spread the word- to advance our mission. Anyone who was privileged to see the performance of My Fair Lady this weekend is keenly aware that our talented students are simply spectacular. That they were able to present such a stellar, beautifully staged revival of this classic musical while taking challenging academic classes, applying to colleges, participating on sports teams, and doing community service is tribute to their talent and their personal commitment to our school.

The importance of this play cannot be overestimated. When neighbors and friends see us in action, they begin to understand who we are, and how the growth of our school will impact the Jewish population in Baltimore (and perhaps Broadway) for years to come. We are grateful to our director, Leslie Smith-Rosen and her incredible cast and crew. Because of you , we made many new friends this weekend.

Marjorie Hoffman
Director of Development and Marketing

Social Justice and Judaism

Dr. Martin Luther King Day is only one of many opportunities to consider Judaism’s teachings about social justice. It also raises questions about our involvement or lack thereof when faced with inequality, oppression, poverty and abuse. We are told about many Jews joining peace movements and protesting child labor, about great and wonderful acts - about what Abraham Joshua Heschel coined “praying with our feet.” But do we always speak up? Are we doing what Torah and our conscious requires us to do? Rev. King once wrote, “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people”. In order to do something, we first need to notice that there is a need to do something. We need sensitivity and empathy. We need to be able to overcome our selfishness and narrow-mindedness.

The Talmud teaches us, “Whoever is able to protest against the transgressions of the entire world and does not do so is punished for the transgressions of the entire world” (Shabbat 54b). It is obvious we have the obligation to shout out about the injustice and suffering. We should be able to stand up to tyrants and lynching mobs. Have we always? Bertram W. Korn, a Jewish historian, wrote, “Ante-bellum Southern Jews were more likely to quote the Talmudic maxim that ‘the law of the land is the law [for Jews]’, and to regard the institution of slavery as part of the law, which they were bound to uphold and follow, than they were to evaluate the failing of slavery in the light of the prophetic ethics”.

Yochanan Muffs taught us the most important traits of the prophets: sensitivity to the suffering of others and independent thought. Otherwise they would never have been moved to pray for those who suffer.
We, too, are able to strengthen our empathy and prevent ourselves from becoming numb to the suffering of others. It’s all too easy to find excuses, even in our own Tradition. It takes bravery and strength to stand together with the prophet Isaiah, “to proclaim freedom for captives and release from bondage for those imprisoned” [61:2].

Rochel Czopnik
Judaics Instructor

Dancing Raisins

The next time you’re eating some dried grapes take some time out for this little experiment. Poor a tall glass of clear carbonated liquid (7up or Sprite), turn on some tunes (“I heard it through the grave vine” by Marvin Gaye), and add some fresh Raisins. Not only is it a mesmerizing ‘music video’ but it’s also a great demonstration of buoyancy. As the bubbles accumulate on the outside of the raisins they become less dense than the liquid and float. When the raisins reach the surface and the bubbles pop and this sends the raisins back down. You can also explore other materials that float and sink and why grapes don’t work. Enjoy the Dance party in your kitchen!

Dean Whitfield
Science & Math Department Chair

Go Cardinals!

Hearing about our girls’ basketball team’s exciting win over the Park School made me think of college sports. While there are many fierce mascots like the Golden Bears or Nittany Lions, there are some whose names invoke less of a fear in their rivals. Like the Cardin Cardinals, you do not need a vicious mascot to be a winning team.

Can you name the colleges with the following non-fierce mascots…

1. Crimson
2. Quakers
3. Diplomats
4. Tar Heels
5. Colonials
6. Orange
7. Banana Slug
8. Lords and Ladies
9. Hoyas
10. Patriots
11. Ducks
12. Green Wave

GO CARDINALS!!!

Hallie Schein
Director of College Counseling

Answers: Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Franklin & Marshall College, UNC Chapel Hill, The George Washington University, Syracuse University, UC Santa Cruz, Kenyon College, Georgetown University, George Mason University, University of Oregon, Tulane University.