IN THE NEWS
Rabbi Seltzer Receives 2009 Covenant Award
Rabbi Stuart Seltzer is one of three exceptional educators from across the spectrum of Jewish life who is a 2009 recipient of The Covenant Foundation’s prestigious Covenant Award for making significant marks in their communities, and for designing and using innovative educational approaches to achieve dramatic and lasting impact.
Eli N. Evans, chairman of the board of directors of The Covenant Foundation, said that in their diversity and impact, the 2009 awardees reflect the breadth of activity within Jewish education. “These educators have given back greatly to Jewish education,” he said. “The institutions they have enriched, the programs they have initiated, and the influence they have had on others is enormous. They do not share one denomination, one pedagogical approach, one teaching venue, or one definition of teaching. The one commonality among these uncommon people is their abiding love of Judaism and the Jewish people and their devotion to the perpetuation of the Jewish heritage.”
In their press release, the Covenant Foundation said the following about Rabbi Seltzer: ”Seltzer has served as Dean of Judaic Studies at the Shoshana S. Cardin School in Baltimore since 2007, after serving as Director of the Rosenbloom Religious School and Director of the Congregational Education Center at the Chizuk Amuno Congregation in Baltimore."
As an educator in synagogues and day schools, he has conducted pioneering and inspiring work integrating the arts into Judaic studies, developing an astounding array of family educational programs, and creating partnerships with Jewish community leaders and visiting educators to highly enrich educational experiences.
“He is the epitome of what the Covenant Award represents,” said Lee Meyerhoff Hendler, Trustee of the Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, who nominated Seltzer for a Covenant Award. “He is a Jewish educator at the peak of his career who lives for excellence in innovation, and whose signature programs and educational leadership have made an indelible impact on teachers, students, parents, and colleagues alike. As a teacher, a man without children has become a parent to thousands. And we are all blessed because of it.”
“The Covenant Award honors a covenant all Jewish educators make with their students, to bring them into a dynamic dialogue and relationship with Judaism,” Seltzer said. “Just as Abraham saw in Isaac the future of the Jewish people, educators must see Isaac in each of their students and strive to bring them closer to the covenant.
“Many years ago, several educators saw me as their Isaac. I accept this award for them, and for future generations of teachers. I am grateful to Chizuk Amuno Congregation and to the Shoshana S. Cardin School for providing me with the support, the collegiality, the standard of excellence, and the freedom of inquiry to reach this day.”
Rabbi Seltzer receives the 2009 Covenant Award along with Dr. Erica Brown, Scholar-in-Residence at the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and Director of Adult Education at the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning; and Nili Simhai, Director of the Teva Learning Center in New York.
The Covenant Foundation and the Jewish community will honor the 2009 Covenant Awardees on Nov. 8 at a gala dinner event at the United Jewish Communities General Assembly in Washington, DC.
At Cardin we already knew that we had an unusual privilege of being able to work with, and learn from, such an extraordinary Jewish educator as Rabbi Seltzer. Now the whole North American Jewish community knows it as well. MAZAL TOV RABBI SELTZER!!!
JUDAICS.COMMUNICATIONS
As the school year draws to a close, and summer vacation begins, I am reminded of a teaching in Pirke Avot: Do not say: “When I have leisure, I will study,” for you may never have leisure. Leisure time is the hallmark of summer, yet Hillel reminds us to establish a regular time for studying. Here are some texts from Pirke Avot to help you make the most out of your summer vacation.
Summer rests on three things: on sleeping late, on sun screen, and on suspending all thoughts of school.
Make the study of ice cream your primary occupation;
Do much, say little;
Greet every person with a sun tanned face.
More junk food, more zits,
More free time, more trouble.
However, more babysitting, more money,
More books, more wisdom.
Do not disdain any counselor;
Do not underrate letters home from camp.
For you may one day be a counselor,
For they may bring you many care packages.
Study summer and review it;
You will find everything in it.
Soak in it, grow healthy and tan in it, do not depart from it;
There is no better portion in life than this.
Don’t withdraw from the swimming pool;
Do not be sure of yourself in the deep water;
Do not judge your fellow human being till you stand in his tevas or her neot;
Do not say, “When I have leisure, I will study;" for you only have leisure. Now go study.
It was a great academic year. It was a pleasure to teach and learn from you. Now go have a fun and relaxing summer!
Rabbi Stuart Seltzer
Dean of Judaic Studies
CLASSES IN ACTION
General Science
For the General Science Final Project, students had the opportunity to explore the scientific method in a fun and wacky manner. Students watched a video of scientists creating a symphony using the reaction between Diet Coke and Mentos candy. The eruption was timed to music and mimicked the Fountains at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas. Students then wrote a hypothesis and designed an experiment to test different aspects of the Diet Coke and Mentos reaction. Students tried different sodas, different amounts of Mentos, and even tested how far a skateboard would move due to the force of the reaction. It was a lot of fun and students learned a lot.
Ms. Courtney Sims
 
Art Minyan
Please see the students’ work at http://photobucket.com/cardin?albumview=slideshow&track=share_email_album_view_click
Thank you to Elaine Brandes for posting our students art work.
Biology classes
To wrap up their Human Anatomy and Physiology unit, students dissected a fetal pig in their biology classes for two days after finals. The students had the opportunity to explore the circulatory, nervous and musculoskeletal systems in depth. Alina Yasinova, ‘12 became a master surgeon and helped us explore the chambers of the heart. Kate Scher, ‘12 and Arielle Bodner, ‘12 were excited to dissect the thoracic region, especially the kidneys and intestines while Dennis Rothouse, ‘11 and Yaakov Weinstein, ‘11 led their class in the entire dissection. Great job everyone!
Ms. Courtney Sims
 
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
After Prom
CAPTS was proud to sponsor a very successful After-Prom party and want to thank all of the volunteers that worked so hard to get the whole evening together in a very short time. Chaired by Janis Miller, the committee included Shellie Cassel, Eileen Coelus, Sharon Reichlyn, Lisa Lipton and Nancy Hiken. Also, thanks to the night owl chaperones that joined us, Buzz Hiken, Larry Waskow, Desiree Robinson and Ginny Salzberg. All the kids had a blast and we were able to give away some great raffle prizes. If you are interested in being in this picture next year, we would love to have you join us, there's plenty of room at the table.
Mrs. Adva Goldberg
Kudos for the Israel Trip
See details at http://www.shoshanascardin.org/Israel_Travel_Log
On behalf of my granddaughter, Alyssa Miller, I would like to thank you for making available the wonderful trip she has to Israel. I talked to her the other day and she is just wonderful. She sounds great. We also are enjoying reading the days activities and seeing all the pictures. It is such a wonderful experience for all of these children. Ms. Fink and Rabbi Seltzer must be doing a good job because the only thing I have heard that they are complaining about is the weather and, of course, we have no control over that.
Hopefully the rest of their trip will be as wonderful. Of course, we look forward to Alyssa returning and then her graduation. I think she might still be talking about the trip when she goes off to college in August. As you know, she is very shy and hardly talks!!!!!! Guess I know my granddaughter!!!!!!
Also thanks for the wonderful education that she has received over the past 4 years. She has had a wonderful experience and I am sure she will stay in touch with all of her classmates.
Fondly,
Judy Stern
Cemetery Clean up
I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the following members of the Cardin Community:
Arielle Bodner, ’12, Kate Scher, ’12, Alex Verovsky, ’11, Steven Verovsky, ’11, Adin Reisner, ’10, and Coach Foye Minton
They spent Sunday, May 31st cleaning up my synagogue's cemetery-- a difficult task. They picked up a substantial amount of garbage, helped straighten overturned tombstones that had been vandalized, and took pictures of damage to tombstones so that we can notify relatives about the situation. As representatives of the Cardin community, they showed the best qualities of Cardin students and faculty; indeed, they are a model for all of us. Please, if you get the opportunity, thank them for their representation of Cardin's values and philosophy.
It is an honor and privilege to work with such outstanding students and faculty.
Mr. Neft
Shavuot
More than a minyan of current students (the 12th graders were in Israel), several alumni, 2 current teachers, 1 former faculty member, and about a dozen others (former students of Morah Rosen’s) gathered at Morah Rosen’s home on the first night of Shavuot to study until sunrise, as has been the tradition for many years. The theme was the third commandment (not using God’s name in vain), and the conversations were lively, the caffeine plentiful, and the opportunities to consume processed sugar in a variety of forms impressive. Mark your calendars now for next year and the fourth commandment – May 18, 2010.
Morah Leslie Smith Rosen
End of Year Art Show
This spring, Sophie Solomon, ’09, became the curator of our first annual end of year art show. Included in the exhibition were works by Cardin’s studio art students Sophie Solomon, Nathan Krasnopoler, ‘09 and Lynn Bachman, ‘09. The exhibition also featured drawings by up and coming Cardin artists Ze’ev Beleck, ’11 and Dora Safonova, 12, as well as works by talented faculty members Ms Beaubout, Mme. Rowen and Ms. Sipes. Student work from Morah Brandes’ and Ms. Wittner’s art minyanim were also featured. Sophie also took on the role of docent, and led students around the art show, showing them where they could find their own works, as well as sharing important ideas about the value of art and art education.
Ms. Diane Wittner
Awards Ceremony
On June 10, 2009 the Cardin School community gathered to celebrate our students’ accomplishments. The following awards were conferred:
 School-Wide Awards
Chesed – Allison Waskow, Beth Zaleon
Citizenship – Daniel Saltzberg, Matthew Marcus
Leadership – Kayla Reisman
Ahavat HaAretz – Sam Auerbach
Kehillat Kodesh – Daniel Solomon
Keter Torah – Ze’ev Beleck
Keter Shem Tov – Zach Wildhorn
Male Athlete of the Year – Rubin Waranch
Female Athlete of the Year – Allyson Richmond
Departmental Awards
Bimah Award (for excellence in Drama) – Alyssa Miller, Matthew Marcus
English
Outstanding Achievement – Abby Grobani
Outstanding Improvement – Cory Hiken
 Hebrew
Outstanding Achievement – Mollye Lipton
Outstanding Improvement – Tara Lichtenstein
History
Outstanding Achievement – Gabriel Baraban
Outstanding Improvement – Mariyetta Safonova
Judaics
Outstanding Achievement – Amanda-Megan Levin, Shachar Binyamin
Latin
Outstanding Achievement – Gabriel Baraban
Mathematics
Outstanding Achievement – Adin Reisner
Music
Outstanding Achievement – Emily Boling
Outstanding Improvement – Tara Lichtenstein
Science
Outstanding Achievement – Gabriel Baraban
Outstanding Improvement – Dennis Rothouse
Spanish
Outstanding Improvement – Avi Miller, Josh Schultz
National and Regional Recognitions
- Outstanding achievement on the National French Exam – Emily Boling (12th ranking on MD test)
- National Latin Exam Awards – Mark Rogers, Nathan Krasnopoler, Lynn Bachman, Gabriel Baraban and Abby Grobani
- Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award from the Greater Baltimore Urban League – Yosiah Robinson
- State Merit Scholastic Award – Jeremy Hiken
- University of Rochester, George Eastman Young Leaders Award – Mollye Lipton
- University of Rochester, Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award – Adin Reisner
- University of Rochester, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award – Kayla Reisman
- Bob Cantor University of Maryland, College Park Scholarship – Nadav Klein
- National Honor Society Induction – Gabriel Baraban, Jeremiah Feldstein, Abby Grobani, Adina Shanholtz, Daniel Solomon, Alex Verovsky, Steven Verovsky, Rubin Waranch, Beth Zaleon
Ms. Hallie Schein
Senior Dinner
The Senior Dinner was held at the home of the Auerbach family. After having fun swimming in the family pool, the students enjoyed a meal with the administrative team and the Auerbach family catered by Accents. Many faculty members joined the evening festivities in time for the dessert reception. Students were presented with personalized, autographed copies of Shoshana: Memoirs of Shoshana Shoubin Cardin. The seniors were also presented with “Cardin Alum” magnets, laundry bags, and detailed packing lists for college. Everyone in attendance enjoyed the evening celebrating the graduating class of 2009.
Ms. Hallie Schein
Graduation
The Cardin School Class of 2009 graduated on June 11, 2009. The ceremony was held at 10:30am in the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Sanctuary at Temple Oheb Shalom. The faculty began the processional and lined the aisles of the sanctuary to greet each graduate as he/she walked down the aisle. The 13 graduates entered and each handed a red rose to Mrs. Shoshana S. Cardin before taking their seats on the bimah. After the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and Hatikvah, Samuel Auerbach introduced Rabbi Joel Zaiman who gave the invocation. Barbie Prince welcomed the excited audience that consisted of proud parents, grandparents, faculty, students, board members alumni and friends. Zachary Wildhorn delivered the student address in English followed by Daniel Saltzberg who delivered his address in Hebrew. Both students applauded their years at Cardin for fostering a sense of community, family, academic achievement, and Jewish growth. Keynote speaker, Dr. Laurie Leshin, the Deputy Director of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, addressed the graduates. Dr. Leshin spoke about finding your passion and working hard to succeed in your chosen field. Dr. Leshin also presented a mission pin from STS-116, the 117th shuttle flight, to Matthew Marcus, the student who introduced her and who has interned at NASA for several years. After the keynote address, Jeremy Hiken presented Shachar Binyamin, ‘10 with the SGA torah, thereby officially transferring the SGA from one class to the next. Buzz and Nancy Hiken, co-chairs of the senior parent gift committee, presented the school with a lovely globe that sits on an inscribed wooden stand. Alyssa Miller introduced Shoshana Cardin who gave the first part of the charge to the Class of 2009. Stewart Greenebaum concluded the charge to the graduating class and applauded Mrs. Cardin for her leadership and vision.
Degrees were conferred to the following students by Barbie Prince, Leslie Rosen, and Howard Janet:
- Samuel Auerbach
- Lynn Bachman
 Amy Gartner- David Glick
- Jeremy Hiken
- Benjamin Jacobson
- Nathan Krasnopoler
- Matthew Marcus
- Alyssa Miller
- Mark Rogers
- Daniel Saltzberg
- Sophie Solomon
- Zachary Wildhorn
Students received their diplomas as well as personalized tzedakah boxes. During the event, the Cardin Vocal ensemble sang For Good (from the musical Wicked), Blessing, and Yachad Na’amod. The ensemble was led by Ms. Hayejin Paik. After closing remarks from Rabbi Stuart Seltzer, the graduates joined their families and friends in the auditorium for a reception.
 
As tradition dictates, parents of rising seniors host the reception. This year, Sheryl Cooper and Phyllis Winner co-chaired the graduation reception committee.
Congratulations to the class of 2009!
Ms. Hallie Schein
Fun End of Year
 
 
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
on a Successful 2008-2009 Annual Fund Campaign
We are proud to acknowledge the support shown by families, friends, alumni, faculty, and members of our Board of Directors to the Cardin School’s Annual Fund Campaign. While the current economic climate has tightened-up charitable giving, Cardin constituents continue to donate and in significant percentages.
100% of both the Faculty and Staff and our Board of Directors contributed. Cardin parents demonstrated their support with participation rate of 68%, the families of the graduating class leading the way with a donation rate of 72%.
We truly appreciate gifts to our Annual Fund. These donations help to bridge the gap between operating expenses and tuition, which only covers a portion of a student’s education. Annual Fund makes the Cardin experience possible.
If you would still like to make a donation to the 2008-2009 Annual Fund, it not too late! We are accepting donations to this year’s campaign through June 30, 2009. For more information, please check the Cardin School website at http://www.shoshanascardin.org/annual_fund or contact Maureen Beabout (Development Associate) at mbeabout@shoshanascardin.org or 410.585.1400 ext.227.
Additionally, we have received over $750 from Giant’s A+ BonusBucks program – thank you for designating Cardin!
Again, please accept our sincerest gratitude for your continued dedication and support of our school.
Ms. Maureen Beabout
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