GOOD & WELFARE
Mazel Tov to Ms. Schein!
Ms. Schein was chosen to be a presenter at the 2009 Naviance Summer Institute in Boston this summer. Ms. Schein’s submission, Integrating Naviance into a Small School’s Curriculum, was chosen out of many “wonderful submissions.”
IN THE NEWS
Gap Year
Contemplating taking a year to travel between high school and college? Read why Jonathan D. Glater of The New York Times thinks this would be a good year to do so at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/14/business/14year.html?_r=2&emc=eta1
JUDAICS.COMMUNICATIONS
Cardin Community Performs Hachnasat Orchim
On Sunday, March 22 through Thursday, March 26, the Cardin School will host 14 Jewish students from Izmir Turkey. We want to thank the following Cardin families for so much for opening their homes and hearts to them: the Golob family, the Scher Family, the Reisman family, the Lipton family, the Saltzberg family, the Waskow family, and the Baraban Family. In addition, we want to thank Miriam Golob for serving as our parent liaison for this program. On Monday, March 23, the Turkish students will spend the entire day at Cardin visiting classes, performing, and participating in informal programming. After school they will go bowling with our 11th and 12th grade students and have dinner at Accents with our Israel Committee and host families. We know that this will be an incredible opportunity for our teens to experience Jewish people from another culture, and to see the differences and similarities between them.
Our hope is that during these difficult times for Turkish Jews, this trip will play a significant role in nurturing and strengthening their Jewish identity. The goal of the trip is to expose the Turkish students to the richness and plurality of American Jewish life and to educate American students in the unique history and current situation of the Turkish Jewish community. Our students need to know that there are Jewish communities out there where Jewish teenagers cannot be so open about their religion and where opportunities to learn about Judaism are extremely rare.
We hope that by the end of the week both the Turkish and our Cardin students will have a deeper understanding of “Kol Yisrael Areivim zeh bazeh.”
The Haggadah tells about four types of children
Who has not been a wise child, a wicked child, a simple child, and a child who doesn’t know how to ask?
I think that each of us at some point in our lives is much more like one of these than the others. One stands dominant for a while. Or to put it another way, we each contain these four sides.
As our students begin their final trimester of the year (the home stretch to summer), and our seniors begin to prepare for graduation, Passover reminds us to give a special message to each of the four children within us.
To the child who doesn’t know how to ask. The one who stands like a window before what’s going to happen. Stay open and receptive to the winds of Jewish learning and practice. If you are open and without question, know that questions will someday come soon.
To the simple child. You, of pure heart and intuition, you have felt awe at the beauty of Judaism without knowing the details. Keep your faith and know that when you learn the details, they will inspire more faithfulness.
To the wicked child. You who sets yourself apart in doubt. It’s okay. It’s okay to stand apart. To remove yourself sometimes. To think for yourselves. But, remember that the community welcomes your questions and doubts. It wants to have a dialogue with you. So don’t go so far away that we can’t hear you anymore.
To the wise child. The one who knows the laws, stories, traditions, and observances.
Know that your work will never be gone. Know that Judaism is deep and boundless. A study for many lifetimes. So your job is to keep all the children together, the one who can’t formulate a question, the one of strong simple faith, and the one who doubts.
Wise child, take care of your brothers and sisters. All are valuable. All are loved.
Have a terrific 3rd trimester and a Happy Passover!
Rabbi Stuart Seltzer
Dean of Judaic Studies
INTERIM WEEK ACTION
MEGILLAH / EVOLUTIO: Unscrolling the Genesis of Life on Earth
In honor of the bicentennial of the birth of Charles Darwin, MEGILLAH / EVOLUTIO: Unscrolling the Genesis of Life on Earth was an intensive week-long journey through the origins of species on this planet, the convergence and divergence of science and religious thought, the politics of teaching evolution, and the future of life on earth.
Gladness and Feasting: It’s Purim at Cardin
Noisemakers, balloon popping, stamping and shouting to drown out the name of the wicked Haman were encouraged at the Cardin School Megillah reading which this year took place during interim week: Megilla - Evolutio. In attendance this year were more cavemen, cavewoman, gorillas, and other mutations than the usual Queen Esthers, King Ahasverus, and Mordecais. The trials and tribulation of Esther were chanted aloud by Gabe Baraban, ‘11, Zevi Lowenberg, ‘11, Adina Shanholtz, ‘11, Avi Miller, ’10, Kayla Reisman, ’10, Aaron Gordon, ’12, Emily Boling, ’10, Ezra Baraban, Dr. Jay Baraban, Ms. Harriet Brown, Rabbi Chaim Landau and Rabbi Yaakov Chaitovsky. During the day, Cardin’s “Just Cardin” collected Matanot L’evyonim to purchase mosquito nets for the members of the Abudayas community. The Purim Seudah featured a sumptuous Chinese dinner followed by grade level Purim Shpiels. Each grade level retold a different chapter in creative ways with a production genre, a prop, and a cliché. Cardin’s newly created Israel Committee organized the skits and Emily Boling served as the coordinator and MC. All the shpiels were engaging and kept the interest of the audience, but the 11th grade skit earned first prize. The rejoicing and merriment greatly increased as Purim ended with a dance at the Mitchell David Teen Center.
 Darwin University
Darwin Sketches
Englishman Charles Darwin set sail aboard the H.M.S. Beagle at the tender age of 22, in 1831. He was the official naturalist as the H.M.S. Beagle made its way to “Patagonia,” the southern portion of South America. This ship’s journey lasted five years and had a profound influence on Darwin’s thinking. In two workshops, Cardin students took on the role of Darwin at 22 years old. They traveled aboard a silly imaginary H.M.S. Beagle, discovered fascinating animal and plant life on this journey. Then they brought their ‘specimens’ (copies of Darwin drawings) back on board. They completed their drawings and wrote field notes, while sipping tea! Finally, we conducted a 19th century-style National Geographic Society meeting where students explained their findings and their hypotheses to their naturalist colleagues.
Diane Wittner, Dean Whitfield
Emancipation and Evolution: Legacies of Lincoln and Darwin
In our study of Darwin and Lincoln we looked at the lives of two men born the same day, thousands of miles apart. We looked at their characteristics and contributions. We also discussed how both men are referred to as heroes and role models in modern times, though in their own time, many criticized their beliefs and work. Exploring the lives of Darwin and Lincoln can help us to see how we as individuals can succeed despite the challenges we face in our lives.
Amy Fink
Creation Myths
Did man begin as a pile of dust? Was man an accidental product of a dispute between the gods? In the creation myths mini-course we investigated myths surrounding human origins and their role on earth. The first myth, “How the Raven Steals the Sun” came from Tsimshian mythology. In the myth, a raven transforms himself into a spruce needle, tricking a grandfather and daughter, and eventually stealing the sun. In the Maori myth, students examine the concept of “Te Kore” translated as nothingness. From Te Kare, human beings developed. After reading and discussing the myths, students went on to answer an age -old question: how did certain objects, ideas, and beliefs come into existence? From this, students generated myths about the origins of the donut to the first case of love.
Joel Neft
The Evolution of Dogs
Students watched and discussed a Nova presentation called Dogs and More Dogs. The program presented two different theories about how dogs may have evolved from wolves. Students argued their choice of theories: adoption vs. adaptation. The program also recounted various scientific experiments that have been done. One experiment involved breeding foxes for tameness, which eventually resulted in the foxes having dog-like traits. At the conclusion of the program, the students had acquired knowledge about the similarities and differences between wolves and dogs in terms of evolution, and various explanations of how the diversity of dogs may have come about. There were several amusing highlights that fascinated the students: a Jewish wedding of two dogs walking down the aisle, a discussion of the amazing speed of the Saluki (the fastest mammal), and experiments being done with dogs that have Narcolepsy and would suddenly lie down and fall asleep.
Michelle Greenbaum
The Evolution of Language
Genetic studies have lead to the discovery of a single affected gene that evolved to its present form roughly 200,000 years ago, and perhaps as recently as 120,000 years ago responsible for the development of language (as ‘the ability to communicate in a complete sentence/thought) in humans referred to as FOXP2, popularly baptized "the language gene." FOXP2 is just one of several genes that turn other genes on and off and is therefore involved in many processes that have nothing obvious to do with language like tying knots, dancing and clapping. Chimps, and our other close relatives the apes, certainly have the ‘hardware’ for some basic forms of meaningful communication, just like Neanderthals had meaningful thoughts (enough to bury their dead or control fire) but they don't have a way to externalize their thoughts like we ‘developed humans’ do. Research therefore concluded that chimps lack the parser (software for analyzing language) that FoxP2 regulates. Amazingly enough, there’s a tremendous connection between humans and songbirds (especially Finches) in that the finch's FoxP2 differs from the human's in only eight out of 200,000 positions, and the brain circuit that operates during birdsong is functionally equivalent to one of the subcortical brain circuits involved in human language. The reason the birds do not exhibit language, then, is probably because their brains just lack much of the outer cortex that we have. Though there may not be anything special about our seemingly unique access to language, we can be confident of the fundamental role of FOXP2 in human language.
Judy Frumin
Two Person Prisoner’s Dilemma Simulation and Connections to Social Adaptation
Students participated in a simulation in which they were placed under arrest for suspicion of a crime, interrogated by police, and given an opportunity to make a deal to impact future prison sentencing. If one prisoner testifies for the prosecution against the other and the other remains silent, the betrayer would go free and the silent accomplice receives the full 10 year sentence. If both remain silent, prisoners are sentenced to only 1 year in jail. If each betrays the other, each prisoner receives a 5 year sentence. Do students choose to pursue self-preservation instincts or cooperate and benefit the entire group? Our students weighed moral, ethical, and competitive choices in the ultimate outcome of the game, cooperate or betray. A discussion provided opportunities for explanations of game strategies, connections to Darwin, and how this game impacts social choices that benefit the individual or society.
Bob Cantor
Trips
National Aquarium in Baltimore and DC Day – National Zoological Park, National Museum of Natural History and National Air & Space Museum
 On the fourth day, animal life, birds, and fish were created. In order to learn more about animals and evolution, students went to the National Aquarium in Baltimore on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday they visited the National Zoo, the Museum of Natural History, and the Einstein Planetarium in Washington, D.C. At the aquarium, Cardin students took a behind-the-scenes shark tour, learned about animal care, attended the dolphin show, and watched the 4D movie. At the National Zoo, students saw the baby gorilla and learned about primates. The Museum of Natural History included a fun hunt for answers throughout the museum including Darwin’s orchids and the various animal exhibits. Many of our students had never been to a planetarium, so the Cosmic Collisions experience was extra-special. All in all, it was a great two days!
 
University of Maryland School of Medicine Genetic Research
Students traveled to a nationally recognized genetics lab to experience hands-on applications of genetics research. Information was shared about career opportunities on a hierarchy of educational levels, a discussion about whether you would choose to know if you were genetically predisposed to a fatal disease, and an exploration of a large genetics lab to observe the scientific process at work were activities enjoyed by all.
Bob Cantor
COLLEGE SCENE
Remember that March 31 is the deadline to register for the May SAT exams (this includes the SAT Reasoning test and the SAT Subject tests).
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Edward Fein Foundation College Prep Scholarship
Available to low income, high achieving Jewish students. This scholarship is offered as part of a broader program of QuestBridge, a non-profit organization that has worked for 15 years to place top-tier college education within reach for outstanding low income students. Last year, in its first year, the Edward Fein Foundation Scholarship Awards program helped 27 Jewish students from all across the country.
The program is available for high school juniors. The application can be found at http://www.questbridge.org/cps/awards/fein_fellow.html.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Shoubin Lecture at Baltimore Hebrew University Sunday, March 29, 2009, 4:00
Dr. Paul Lowin will be speaking about Amos Oz, the Hebrew Language, and the Jewish Library on the Wall. Please see attached flyer for details.
Listening to Music…Hearing the Soul, Wednesday, April 1, 7pm-9pm
The Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies presents Tom Hall, Music Direct of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, examining some familiar icons of sacred choral music. For more information, go to http://www.icjs.org/programs/religionarts/
Israel: A Journey in Song and Story with Danny Maseng, May 2, 8pm
Join the Celebration! The culmination of Oheb Shalom's 155th anniversary year will feature an unforgettable evening of pop, rock, Hassidic, liturgical, middle-eastern and folk music with the incomparable Danny Maseng. Our Artist-in-Residence is a renowned playwright, actor, singer and composer. Ticket Cost: $18 Members $25 Non-members $15 Students with ID. For more information visit www.templeohebshalom.org
Israel: A Journey in Song and Story with Danny Maseng, May 2, 8pm
All Day At the Pearlstone Conference & Retreat Center Phone (410) 429-4400 x 203 with questions. http://www.pearlstonecenter.org/bikeride.html
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
The Greatest Minds of 2009 – An Ivy League Experience for High School Students New York, NY, August 12-14
This three day academic "rock concert" will feature speakers from Harvard, Harvard Law, Columbia, MIT, and the Government. Pre-college students from around the country and across the world will travel to New York City during August 2009. http://www.greatestminds.org/index.php
Student Writers' Workshop Summer Program
Monday, July 6, 2009 to Friday, July 24 , 2009 from 9 AM -12 noon
Do you love to write? Do you wait all day to find a little spare time to write? Do you like to talk about writing and share your work with others? If so, the Maryland Writing Project’s Student Writers’ Workshop is for you. This stimulating writing workshop on the Towson University campus will help you develop your poetry, short stories, novels, or scripts. You will have the opportunity to work in a professional writer’s environment, and, like a “real” writer, you will choose your own topics, have free writing time, work at your own pace, refine your work, and decide which pieces to publish.
Outdoor Summer Program for High School Students
SCA is a nationwide force of high school and college-age volunteers who are committed to protecting and preserving the environment. SCA’s Kosher Conservation Crews provide participants with an opportunity to spend a month working on a service project while building community and gaining a deeper understanding of their connection to the environment. See attached flyer for more information.
Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, announces
Engineering Innovation, A Summer Course for High School Students
Learn to think and problem-solve like an engineer while earning Johns Hopkins University credit. Courses available at assorted locations in Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, and Montgomery County. Through Engineering Innovation, high school students put engineering concepts to the test. Applying their knowledge of math and science to labs and hands-on projects, concepts they’ve learned in their high school classrooms are suddenly linked to real-world practice. Students’ confidence grows as they attend college-level lectures, tackle problems, test theories, and ultimately learn to think like engineers. Visit the website at http://engineering-innovation.jhu.edu for more information. There you will find an 8 minute video with highlights from last summer’s course, dates and locations, application downloads, detailed course material, and frequently asked questions.
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