GOOD & WELFARE
Mazal Tov to Dennis Rothouse, ’13, for being accepted to the 2009 National Student Leadership Conference on US Policy and Politics at American University from June 21, 2009 to June 30, 2009.
Rafuah Shlayma to Senorita Frumin who had surgery on Tuesday.
JUDAICS.COMMUNICATIONS
The Shoshana S. Cardin School Stands With Israel
Although many of us could have used a few extra days of winter break, we were glad to return to school so that we could be together as a community during these difficult times. Our attention was now focused on Gaza and what was happening there. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) was waging a military offensive to stop further Hamas activity and restore security and peace to residents of southern Israel.
On Monday, January 5th, we turned first to PRAYER. Our denominational minyanim came together to recite prayers of peace on behalf of the Israeli Defense Force and for all the innocent civilians, Israeli and Palestinian, living under gunfire. We prayed for a speedy and just end to the current conflict, which will secure the safety of Israel’s southern communities, and hoped for some kind of resolution.
On Tuesday, January 6th, we began a week long commitment to LEARNING more about the conflict.
Confronted by fanaticism, terrorism, and injustice, we reached for knowledge. Students from our Israel committee minyan elective prepared a bulletin board of information and Shachar Binyamin, ’10 presented a personal response to the situation in Israel and Gaza. Tal Buchnik and Liron Menashe, Israelis from Ashekelon who are spending their gap year between high school and army service in Baltimore, put a personal face on the events leading up to the war. They related how the daily barrage of missiles not only inflicted horrible physical and psychological damage, but also disrupted any sense of normalcy in their daily lives.
On Wednesday, January 7th, Michael Hoffman, Vice President of Community Planning and Allocations, spoke on the Associated’s response to the conflict.
On Thursday, January 8th, Guy Har Nir, the shaliach from the Baltimore Zionist District, helped us to understand the relationship between the Shiite and Sunni theologies and their impact on the current conflict.
On Friday, January 9th, Dr. Ariel Roth, the associate director of the graduate Certificate Program in National Securities Studies at Johns Hopkins University, provided background context for understanding the current violence in Gaza. His remarks began with a survey of the formation of the PLO in the 1960's, the decline of the PLO's influence over the Palestinians in the early 90's and the concomitant rise of Hamas.
Throughout the week, our Judaic and Hebrew language classes looked at traditional Jewish sources for guidance and viewed various videos to explore how the media is reporting the war.
We have also joined the Associated in the Ashkelon Solidarity Initiative to show our care and concern for the citizens in Sderot and the western Negev. We are participating in several tzedakah and gemilut chasadim activities, such as making cards with messages of solidarity to children and families of Ashkelon and collecting money for supplies to be used in bomb shelters. Under the leadership of Kayla Reisman, ’10, and Allison Waskow, ’10, we have already raised over $200.00 for “Colors of Peace.” These past two weeks have been difficult; nevertheless, we have also realized that sometimes comfort and understanding can come from our shared traditions of PRAYER, EDUCATION, COMMUNITY, TZEDAKAH, AND GEMILUT HASADIM.
Rabbi Stuart Seltzer
Dean of Judaic Studies
IN THE NEWS
Carpool Pick Up
Cardin Families - please park in the circle area in front of the Gordon Chapel or on the far side of the driveway and leave the curb side open for the Learning Ladder parents. Additionally, please be aware of your speed as you drop off and pick up your carpool.
Lincoln Center Institute Returns to Cardin
The Baltimore Museum of Art is considered by Cardin’s art instructor, Ms. Diane Wittner, one of our city’s treasures. During the first week of February she will welcome our 9th and 10th grade students to the museum’s Cone Collection, featuring works by Matisse, Picasso, Pissarro, Courbet, and Gauguin. She selected the paintings from the world renowned Cone Collection because it offers Cardin students an opportunity to have first-hand experience of ground-breaking artists. These artists experimented with radical color and shape combinations, as well as unlikely subject matter, to create beautiful fantasy worlds.
On Wednesday, January 7th, Ms. Wittner guided Heidi Miller (consultant from Lincoln Center Institute), Ms. Czopnik, and Rabbi Seltzer through the Cone Collection to choose paintings as “focus works of art” for Lincoln Center’s second week-long visit to the Cardin School. After a brainstorming session with Ms. Miller, it was decided that our students will be introduced to the works of Matisse and Gauguin. Back at school in the late afternoon, Dr. Prentiss, Mr. Neft, Mr. Cantor, and Rabbi Chaitovsky were introduced to the works of art. Ms. Miller then led a professional development session on the planning of a visual arts instructional unit.
During the week of February 9th, Ms. Miller and Jerry James (Lincoln Center teaching artist) will bring the visual arts to the Cardin classroom. Thanks to the generosity of The Herbert Bearman Foundation, Inc., the Cardin School is able to provide the multi-layered structure and professional development necessary to teach arts experientially across the curriculum to our students. For the Cardin students involved with the Lincoln Center Institute, “the noticing has just begun.”
Stuart Seltzer
Mitzvah Cards
You can now purchase packs of Mitzvah Cards from Cardin. The cards are $10 each or 6 for $50. Please contact the school office to purchase.
CLASSES IN ACTION
Western Civilization II
Students will recreate the House of Commons Sadler Committee investigation into child labor practices. The time is 1831 and they are there. Students will simulate Committee hearings, review primary source testimony, and make recommendations for labor reforms. Students will have the opportunity to compare and contrast their reform proposals with the actual law passed, The Factory Act of 1833.
Robert Cantor
AP Psychology/ Psychology
Students documented two weeks of dreams, recorded responses to prompts into a stream of consciousness journal, analyzed each journal independently, and assessed both collectively. Dream interpretation, function, and the connection to conscious awareness were goals that students explored.
Robert Cantor
Credit limit. Cash advance. Minimum payment due. Default rate. Credit score.
With personal debt continuing to be a serious national problem, the credit card unit in Personal Finance is perhaps our most important topic. Over the past few weeks students have closely examined the small print contained in credit card offers and evaluated the pros and cons of using credit. The importance of responsible credit spending was underscored as we heard a first-hand tale of credit card woe from a Cardin faculty member visiting our class. After learning about the significance of establishing good credit, the class discussed ways to  protect against identity theft. It is hoped that, as our students graduate and become more independent, this classroom learning will assist them in making informed decisions about credit card spending and debt.
Jan Schein
Geometry Honors
Deena Lucas, ’14, developed a fractal in Geometry. She's using mid-segments to create similar triangles. Upon completion of her project, she will have a poster-sized fractal to display in the art room.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Rehearsing
The weeks before a show goes into production are a lot of work and a lot of fun. We want to give you a sneak peek “behind the curtain” of The Shoshana S. Cardin School’s production of The Wizard of Oz.
 
 
COUNSELING CORNER
At the December 7th CAPTS meeting, we were fortunate to have Arlene Hackbarth, LCPC, present the I Want to Know program, an empowerment program for parents, to the Cardin community. Since children face many temptations to engage in various behaviors that can ultimately be self-destructive, making parents aware of these behaviors could provide early intervention and support for the child and family.
I Want to Know is a strictly voluntary program which addresses dangerous behaviors in children by facilitating a way for parents to communicate and work together to help and protect the children in their community. The program empowers parents to talk with each other and share information that can save a child from behaviors that negatively affect their physical and mental well-being.
If you were unable to attend the meeting but are interested in learning more about the program or would like to sign-up to be a part of the Cardin I Want to Know Directory, please contact Jackie Villet at jvillet@shoshanascardin.org or 410-585-1400 x211.
COLLEGE SCENE
Gap Year Programs in Israel
From January 1-12, I traveled through Israel with a group of college counselors from the United States and Canada. The focus of our trip was to see several gap year programs and learn about the benefits of these programs. Sponsored by MASA, an organization sponsored by the Israeli government and the Jewish Agency, I learned about the benefits of a gap year and what programs are available to students. There really is a program for everyone! Many leading universities encourage accepted students to defer entrance for one year in order to build life experience, gain perspective on personal values, and engage in career-oriented and academic pursuits. Colleges recognize that by spending a year abroad, students enter college with more maturity, self-confidence, and wisdom, as well as the preparation to handle upcoming challenges.
What are the benefits of a gap year in Israel?
- clarify your career interests and goals
- develop life skills and gain maturity
- discover your interests and passions
- broaden your perspective of other cultures, gain global awareness and deepen your Jewish identity
- improve job prospects with employers seeking grads with practical experience
On my trip, I saw several programs, including:
- Young Judaea Year Course – a year of academics, community volunteering, and Israeli experience with specialty tracks such as culinary arts, sports, medicine, global business, spirituality, and world travel.
- Kivunim – a year long world tour based out of Israel
- Rimon School of Music
- Bezalel Art Academy
- Nativ – affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
- Netzer Year – affiliated with the Reform movement
- Hebrew University in Jerusalem
- IDC Herzliya – The Recanti International School
- Mechinat Nachson – an opportunity to live with Israelis on their pre-army gap year
Information about all gap year in Israel programs can be found at www.MasaIsrael.org. Please talk to me individually about ANY gap year programs. There are numerous opportunities in Israel for every student!
MASA is an umbrella organization that accredits and supervises over 150 gap year programs. Furthermore, MASA awards financial grants to all students in gap year programs. These grants range from $1,000 to $5,000. For more information about MASA, funding, and gap year programs please visit their website at www.MasaIsrael.org.
JEREMY’S JOURNAL
 To begin 2009 with a bang, the first SGA event of the new year was an evening at Players in Westminster, this past Saturday night. We had a tremendous turnout that exceeded all expectations. Thirty-five students attended, making it one of the most successful SGA-sponsored events in Cardin's young history. Students enjoyed the many fun games Players had to offer - including Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, Glow-in-the-dark Mini Golf, and several video games. Many thanks to those who attended - teachers and students! The SGA has two other amazing events planned for this month, including Spirit Week and a big surprise, sure to generate lots of excitement. To the rest of the Cardin Community, thanks for your continued support! All of us in the SGA are excited for what 2009 has to offer!
 
 
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations
In order to recognize, support, and encourage the young people of our country who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the cause of positive race relations, Princeton University sponsors an annual awards program for high school students—the Princeton Prize in Race Relations. Applications postmarked by January 31 will be eligible for prizes—including cash awards up to $1,000 for particularly noteworthy work.
- If you are a high school student involved in an activity that is helping to improve race relations in your school or community, we want to hear from you.
- If you know of a high school student who is helping to improve race relations, please encourage him or her to apply.
For more information, go to: http://www.princeton.edu/pprize/overview/
ALUMNI UPDATE
Vadim Kashtelyan, ’07, and Max Vidaver, ’07 have spent much of their winter break working backstage on The Wizard of Oz. Arielle Miller, ’07, has also been assisting, spending the last few Sundays playing with the many young children involved with the show.
COMMUNITY TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
JNF Bird Watching & Nature Photography Mission
March 18-26, 2009: Do you have both a passion for Israel and for wildlife and the environment? This trip will appeal to those who seek a way of combining these two interests into one. It is open for people of all backgrounds and ages – from first-timers through to seasoned veterans of Israel trips. Here we will literally see Israel in a way that has never been tried before. Dr Yossi Leschem, internationally renowned bird watching expert of Israel, and Eyal Bartov, professional nature photographer, will be accompanying parts of the trip. Their insights will offer a new perspective on Israel today. For information, contact Stuart Diamant-Cohen, Washington DC Regional Director, Jewish National Fund, sdcohen@jnf.org
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