Special Events, Study and Activities to Mark Chanukah at Maimonides

Maimonides School is gearing up for special activities and observances in celebration of Chanukah. The festival begins at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 21.

The holiday will open on a high note as Upper School students and teachers gather Sunday evening for the annual Maimonides Chanukah Chagigah. The event is a highlight on the student calendar, and many attend in formal attire. The agenda includes time for socializing, dinner and entertainment.

Monday, Dec. 22, Upper School students will take some time off to take part in or watch the first Student Council “Gradel Dreidl” dodgeball tournament, with boys’ and girls’ teams from each grade matched against each other. Student Council has asked male faculty members to compete against the winning boys’ team in a climactic match.

A special event is planned for students in Grades 3-8 Monday afternoon, as Maimonides PTA sponsors a screening of “Shadow Ball,” a chapter in the Ken Burns epic film “Baseball.” The installment chronicles the stars of the Negro Leagues.

Students in Grades 9-12 will close each full school day during the week with the communal lighting of Chanukah candles, as well as mincha and ma’ariv. Dismissal is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and noon on Wednesday.

Tuesday, Dec. 23, Maimonides Middle School students will; celebrate Chanukah with a festive lunch of Chinese food, accompanied by musical entertainment from the eighth grade’s own "Etai and the Others.” During the afternoon, students in Grades 6-8 will hear a guest speaker from the Boston Kollel, play some “Chanukah Jeopardy,” learn about the science of Chanukah with teachers Nate Berman and Tamar Sternlicht, and culminate with the first Middle School Student Dreidel Challenge.

Tuesday for an hour beginning at 11:30, Elementary School students are scheduled to celebrate at a Chanukah Mesibah, featuring music by the Maimonides Jazz Band and latkes provided by the PTA. The following day, Elementary School students can enjoy sufganiyot, compliments of the PTA.

Thursday morning, Dec. 25, will feature learning opportunities with Judaic studies teachers for all students.

Middle and Upper School students are collecting toys to benefit children of Ohel and local charities. Depositories are placed outside the Saval Campus and Brener Building main offices.