THE RAMBAM RECORD
The eNewsletter of Rambam Mesivta High School
January 07, 2005 / 26 Tevet

Rambam Learnathon: Contemporary Issues in Chessed Shel Emes

This past Sunday, Rambam held its annual Father-Son Learnathon program, dedicated to the topic of “Contemporary Issues in Chessed Shel Emes.” The guest speaker was HaRav Elchonon Zohn, shlita, spiritual leader of Congregation Sons of Israel in Queens, NY and Director and founder of the Chevra Kadisha of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens. The program was attended by over 300 parents and students.

Rabbi Zohn is internationally recognized as one of the foremost experts in the work of Chevros Kadisha, including Jewish customs and Halakhos surrounding death and burial practices. He is the founder and coordinator of the Association of Chevros Kadisha, a national network devoted to exchanging current information and technical assistance in the field. Rabbi Zohn has lectured to Jewish leaders, Chevros Kadisha, health care and hospital personnel, shul and community groups, and the general public on critical concerns in this area. (More...)

Rambam Students Present $6,000 to Sri Lankan Ambassador

The students of Rambam Mesivta presented a donation of $6,000 to the Sri Lankan ambassador to the United States in a ceremony at the Sri Lankan consulate on Thursday, January 6th. The money, intended to help relieve the victims of the tsunami last week, was raised, in a remarkable effort, over just the past few days by the students and their families.

In addition to the students and administrators of Rambam, The ceremony was attended by the U.N. Ambassadors of both Sri Lanka and Israel.

The donation was accepted by the Sri Lankan ambassador as part of its “Kids for Kids of Sri Lanka” relief program which calls upon American high school students and their families to donate funds to aid in restoring schools and purchasing supplies for students of the devastated country.

The Kids for Kids of Sri Lanka program is the brainchild of Rabbis Yotav Eliach (Principal) and Zev Meir Friedman (Dean) of Rambam.

“We teach our kids the importance of acting to confront evil and relieve human suffering,” says Rabbi Friedman. “Our Jewish tradition stresses the importance of stepping up to help all people in their time of need, without regard to extraneous issues such as nationality, religion or race. Helping to preserve human life and dignity is a core Jewish value.”

Rabbi Friedman noted the outstanding generosity being displayed by other Jewish schools and institutions in aiding victims of the tsunami tragedy. “All Jewish schools and synagogues are working hard to raise funds for this cause,” said Rabbi Friedman. “It’s an unprecedented community effort.” (More...)

A Ge’yoret Comes to Rambam

By freshman Gabi Weinberg

Esther Tiferes Tebeka, a Chinese convert to Judaism, visited Rambam on Monday, Janury 3rd to tell the story of her remarkable spiritual journey.

Mrs. Tebeka, recently married and with a newborn baby, was a television host and producer in China. She came to the U.S. in March 2001 to learn about freedom of the press. But a different quest, a spiritual yearning, soon predominated her life. This quest first lead her to explore the Catholic faith but her search for answers continued until she studied the "original word of G-d," the Torah.

The process of conversion "wasn't as easy as I thought," she said, "I asked myself: can I keep Kosher and the Sabbath?"

She met Rabbi Peretz Steinberg, of Young Israel of Queens Valley, Kew Gardens Hills. He sent her to Lauren Klein who taught Mrs. Tebeka the halachot and mitzvot. Soon after she was questioned by some 20 Rabonim and finally went to the mikveh for the final step. She became a Jew.

"I learned to always keep your heart in Hashem and He will keep you in the right direction," said Ms. Tebeka.

All of the students enjoyed her presentation. It was great to hear chizuk from a person who overcame so many obstacles to embrace the Derech Hashem.

Can You Find Your Son's Name?

Mindy Haar has graciously dedicated her talents again in the creation of an image of the Rambam lovingly inscribed with the names of each talmidim currently enrolled in the Rambam Mesivta.

The design is on the cover of the program to the Melave Malka buffet dinner to be held on January 8th at 8:00 p.m., sponsored by the Rambam Mesivta Women's League.

Mindy Haar is the wife of Rabbi Avi Haar who teaches Talmud. Tanach and Mathematics at Rambam.

Rambam Torah Bowl Team Looks Ahead

The Rambam Torah Bowl team is looking ahead to the second half of the season after a solid 4-4 start.

In their last match held at Davis Renov Stahler Yeshiva High School (DRS) the Rambam squad came away with three points, a good showing which demonstrated the progress the boys have made since the beginning of the season.

"Next time, we're going to study even harder," said freshman member of the squad Dovi Hochbaum, "If we do, our performance will continue to improve."

The Rambam Ravens JV basketball team is starting their drive toward a playoff berth.

The team is now 3-4 with a home victory against Yeshiva Ohr Chodosh on Tuesday, January 4th.

"We still have a realistic chance of making the playoffs if we continue to work hard." said sophomore team member Jonah Blumenthal, "Our defense is pretty strong but we have to pump up our offensive firepower."

The Rambam Hockey team kept its winning streak alive with a convincing 5-0 win over the North Shore Hebrew Academy. Following its 4-3 overtime win over Moshe Aaron Yeshiva Hebrew Academy (MAYHA) on December 27th, this most recent win now puts the Ravens winning streak at three games.

Defenseman Leon Mayer scored the hat trick in the game against North Shore. That makes it eight goals for the Rambam defenseman in the last three games. in the victory against MAYHA, the winning goal was scored by junior Aryeh Amsel off a rebound of a shot by captain Simcha Gross.

Sophomore Chaim Schiff has come up big for the Ravens in goal. "We just have to keep on winning for a shot at the playoffs," said Schiff.

"We're going to have to play each remaining game like it's a playoff game," said Coach Scott Firester.

The Ravens hockey team is now 4-6 with their next game at home on Wednesday, February 2nd against Davis Renov Stahler (DRS) at 7:30 pm.

C'mon out and root on the Ravens!

The Rambam Chess Team is now 2-0 after a 5-2 victory in their most recent match against the Hebrew Academy of Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR) on Tuesday, December 21st.

"We're happy about where we are right now," said team captain Avi Rabinovich "But we have to keep it up."

Coach Rabbi Farkas is looking forward to a strong finishing run to the playoffs again this year.

The members of the Chess team are: Ezra Azizi, David Barris, Aryeh Bernstein,Yehuda Chinskey, Steven Goldgrab,Simcha Gross, Yisrael Herzberg, Ariel Hochster, Doniel Kret, Yosef Lefkovitz, Leon Mayer, Avi Rabinovich, Doniel Weinstein, Chanan Zupnick.