Heschel Herald Vol 5 Issue 2

“...Know that every deed counts, that every word is power...”

—Abraham Joshua Heschel

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2

Heschel Middle School Talent Takes Center Stage

By Nina Glesby “THIS YEAR,” AN audience member said, “has been the best talent show I’ve seen in half a decade.” People nodded their heads in agreement, and exclaimed, “amazing, excellent, fantastic, wow, raw talent, beautiful, and impressive.” The list goes on and on. The Heschel Middle School talent show took place on December ninth in the Roanna Shorofsky Theater.

The singers, musicians, and the MCs all had amazing performances, despite the inevitable nerves and stage fright.

The MCs, Omri Benichou and Henry

Schuster, made everybody laugh when they introduced the acts and overall left a great impression on the audience. The MCs introduced Alexandra Wegner, who beautifully sang the ‘Star Spangled Banner’. Afterwards was an incredible performance from Ness Krell, the star of the school play, Annie Jr, who sang “Human” by Christina Perri. Next, Gary Dreiblatt, the eighth grade science teacher, played the saxophone along with Debbie Deyo-Howe, a pianist unrelated to

Continued on page 6

Truth, Justice and the Law Emet, Tzedek u'Mishpat A Special Program

By Nina Glesby ON DECEMBER SIXTEENTH, all students in the Heschel Middle School participated in an educational program regarding the tragic incidents that occurred over the summer involving the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Tamir Rice by police officers.

This special teach-in was aptly titled, “The Law, Justice, and The Truth.”

The program consisted of three parts, each involving different activities and discussions. First, the students divided into their homeroom classes and discussed the general facts of the cases with their humanities teachers. In the eighth grade students were asked to consider three essential questions to frame their discussions: what is justice under the law?, what does justice look like in our day-to-day interactions? and lastly, what can we do when we recognize injustice in our daily lives or learn about injustices in our city or in the world?

Continued on page 3

DECEMBER, 2014

NYPD Chokehold Kills Staten Island Father, And Leaves the Country Outraged

By Abigail Sylvor-Greenberg “I CAN’T BREATHE.” This is the phrase that was uttered in a muffled scream by Eric Garner, 43, as he was held in an chokehold by New York City police on Staten Island on July 17th, 2014.

This is the phrase that was captured in video footage in the chokehold death of Eric Garner, later ruled a homicide by the NYC medical examiner. This is the phrase echoed in the voices of angry citizens who have banded together to protest this man’s death. It has spread from hashtags to headlines. To many it is a call to immediate action and symbol of national corruption and racism. Assuredly,“ I can’t breathe” is much more than a desperate plea.

Garner, a black man who was large in proportion, and a husband and father of six, was originally apprehended by police for being suspected of distributing unauthorized single cigarettes. He resisted arrest in a nonviolent manner.

Continued on page 3

Letter from the Editors

2014–2015 Editors Nina Glesby Carlin Greenfield Mariel Priven

Staff Writers Eli Buchdahl Leah Namdar-Cohen Anna Dubey Tillie Germain Abigail Sylvor-Greenberg Abby Fisher Sophie Fisher Jacob Fraiman Ayelet Kaminer Talia Kahan Adam Kern Tova Kleiner Noa Levine Maya Lukeman Rachel Mehler Sabina Sternklar-Davis Lexi Wenger Tema Zeldes-Roth

Art Tova Kleiner Maya Lukeman Noa Levine

Photography Carlin Greenfield Karen Dorr

Faculty Advisor Karen Dorr Judy Katz

Layout & Design Karen Dorr

Dear Readers, WE WERE VERY happy about the results of our last issue and hope you enjoyed reading both the print and the online edition in the Heschel Middle School website. We wish to thank Gabe Godin for creating a very readable online version of the Heschel Herald.

As the new year rolls in, our writers reflect on the most recent events in our school community as well as our city.

Prepare to read rich interviews, delicious recipes, thoughtful Hesed day reviews, intriguing works of fiction, and so much more.

On behalf of the entire Heschel Herald staff, we wish you a very Happy Hannukah and a safe New Year to come.

If you have any responses to articles, or have ideas for future issues, please feel free to send a letter to the editors.

Your Eighth Grade Editors, Mariel Priven, Nina Glesby, and Carlin Greenfield

Please send us your opinions and responses to any of the articles or editorials you read in the Heschel Herald. We will print your letters; it’s fun to see your name in print. Try it.

This holiday season give generously to the AJWS in their fight to prevent the spread of Ebola. Visit: http://action.ajws.org/goto/ EbolaAJHS

The Journalist of the Issue

By Nina Glesby DAVID CARR, A columnist and author who writes the Media Equation column and covers culture for the New York Times. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was first exposed to the art of journalism at the University of Minnesota in the 1970’s. Afterwards, he became an editor of the Washington City Paper and the Twin Cities Reader. His career really took off when he got jobs at New York Magazine and the Atlantic Monthly. Subsequently, in 2002, he began a long-lasting and enduring career at the New York Times as a writer for the culture section.

Carr’s Media Equation column, “focused on the intersection of media and technology,” explores the way that people interact with media and their computers; he often observes that some folks forget that their computers are machines, not intimate friends. It is a fascinating and popular column, particularly enjoyed by

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those who love technology, film, and television.

His most famous piece of work, The Night of the Gun, an autobiography about his drug abuse and alcoholism, received four and one half stars out of five stars on the Barnes and Noble website. He tells his own story the way a reporter would; he includes the bad along with the good. He is a role model for many because, regardless of the many obstacles he encountered, he got back up on his feet and became a successful journalist. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and children.

December, 2014 Volume 5, Issue 2

News, Continued from page 1 NYPD Chokehold Kills Continued from page 1 “Every time you see me, you want to mess with me. I'm tired of it. It stops today…” he said. It is here that the video footage, taken by a friend of Garner’s who was seemingly unaware of the seriousness of the encounter, becomes shocking, and to many, outrageous. The film captures police officer, Daniel Pantaleo, 29, putting Garner in a chokehold, a position prohibited by the NYPD, as other officers restrain him. “ I can’t breathe,” repeated the Staten Island native, desperately, and unyieldingly begging for mercy. Garner, who suffered from severe asthma, hypertension, and obesity, lay limp and unresponsive on the sidewalk minutes later, but as his voice was silenced, the voice of the nation broke out.

This controversy was intensified when a Staten Island grand jury refused to indict Pantaleo, insisting that there was insufficient evidence to move forward with the prosecution. “it is not possible to pierce the secrecy of the grand jury, and thus to know why the jurors did not believe that criminal charges were appropriate,” said an editorial published by the New York Times.

The story of Eric Garner is more than just a tale of crime and punishment.

It comes at an opportune time for protest, following closely behind the killing of unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown, by white police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, in a seeming wave of unpunished, violent, white cops. New Yorkers can no longer look at the Ferguson story and dismiss it as a culturally Southern incident of

intolerance. They have come to assign the same idea of prejudice to Garner’s case.

Masses of people, from elected officials to NBA stars have expressed their anger at the injustice of Garner’s killing. The hashtag #crimingwhilewhite has become a massive social media trend that points out the racial double standard police often use, prompting the response #alivewhileblack and #blacklivesmatter.

The issue of a seeming double standard of

criminal accusation and consequence for minorities has been taken to the streets.

Protests have congested the streets, and flooded the internet. “ The tragedy is personal to his family, but it’s become something that is personal to so many of us,” said Mayor Bill De Blasio. The mayor added, “These issues have come to the fore again and we have to address them… That is how profound the crisis is.

And that is how fundamental the task at hand is, to turn from that history and to make a change that is profound and lasting.”

What this change entails remains to be seen, but groups from around the city and beyond have assembled to address the political prejudices obstructing justice.

This past weekend tens of thousands marched in New York City and Washington, DC to express their growing dissatisfaction with the criminal justice system. The public seems to have taken on as their responsibility to make sure Eric Garner’s death was not in vain.

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Truth, Justice, And the Law Continued from page 1 In some classes, the humanities teachers wrote out four questions, specifically about the police incidents that we learned about, on separate pieces of paper that were placed around the room.

Students were instructed to first respond to the questions and then have a silent conversation with others, as if we were texting each other. Among the questions was, one that asked, “Why do you think young black males are twenty one times more likely to be shot by police than young white males? It then asked how might this connect to slavery and the Jim Crow laws (a series of discriminatory laws against black people) that eighth graders have studied? The students wrote thoughtful comments and then read a hypothetical conversation written by Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times, “What If Whites Were In the Minority?”.

The second activity was divided by advisory, some groups read poetry or listened to music that thematically tied to the issues of racial divides and justice.

Some created a mural inspired by the work of Kara Walker; they used silhouttes to take the issue out of the darkness and into the light of Hanukkah. Lastly, students met with their Tanach teachers to look at Jewish texts including, Ramban, Samson Raphael Hirsch as well as Rabbi Heschel.

Rabbi Heschel said it best, …”whenever one person is offended, we are all hurt.

What begins as inequality of some, inevitably ends as inequality of all…”

December, 2014 Volume 5, Issue 2

Truth, Justice and the Law - Emet, Tzedek u'Mishpat A Teach-in

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December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

School News The Constitution Works

By Nina Glesby, Mariel Priven, & Carlin Greenfield

RECENTLY, THE EIGHTH Graders took part in a program called ‘Constitution Works’ that gives middle and high school students the opportunity to participate in a mock trial as either attorneys or justices in the Supreme Court. The case examines the balance between issues of national security and the need to protect the First Amendment’s protection of a free press.

In preparation for the trial, students read about a fictional biological

weapons lab, run by the government, in Boulder, Colorado as well as studied actual precedent Supreme Court cases that apply.

The Denver Dispatch, a fictional local newspaper, published the first in a series of articles that reveal the location of the lab and its manufacture of biological weapons. The government challenges the right of the newspaper to publish future articles and goes to court to get an injunction against the paper.

Students from each class were divided into three teams. One was a team of attorneys defending the Denver Dispatch and their First Amendment right to freedom of the press. The second a team of lawyers defending the government, and their responsibility to keep the citizens of America safe from enemies and terrorists. Lastly, the final

group of students made up the team of won with four votes. seven justices, (not the usual nine because

Eden Chanko, a justice in Ra’am of the size of the classes) who would who voted in favor of the Denver Dispatch, said, “I felt that using an educated guess to prohibit a newspaper from publishing certain articles because of a fear of potential danger is not a valid reason to limit the freedom of the press.”

However, Steven Khagen, a justice in Barak who voted to enforce the injunction against the Denver Dispatch, said, “I voted for the government because I think it’s not worth risking civilian lives to let the public know what is going on.”

All students were made aware of the tensions that exist between issues of listen security and the First to the attorney’s arguments, ask the national Amendment right to a free press, as well lawyers questions, read their briefs and as gained a new understanding of how the ultimately decide and share their opinions.

Supreme Court functions.

On December 9th, after weeks and weeks of strenuous preparation, the Eighth Grade went to courtrooms in Brooklyn to present oral arguments and their written briefs regarding the case.

A couple of days later, the justices each wrote an opinion and delivered them to their classes. In Anan, the Denver Dispatch won the case with six votes; in Ra’am, they also won with four votes; and in Barak, the Government

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December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

School News The Talent Show, From A Sixth Grade Perspective

Talent Takes Center Stage Continued from page 1 Heschel; they played two songs including, “Bessie’s Blues” by John Coltrane, and “My One and Only Love”

by Mellin and Wood.

Afterwards, the Faculty Band consisting of: Lori Skopp, Joe Ancowitz, Naomi Cohen, and Naomi Bloch-Schartz, performed the song, “Atur Mitzchech” by Rechter and Halfi. When they were done with their performance, Alexandra Wegner returned to sing a hilarious song called, “Taylor the Latte Boy” by Heisler and Goldrich. Next, Sadie Schwartz and Kaia Berman-Peters, the first eighth graders to perform, delightfully played the piano and sang “Arms” by Christina Perri.

Ayelet Kaminer, another sixth grade performer, beautifully played the guitar and sang, “We Might be Dead by Tomorrow” by Soko. Another Ayelet followed Ayelet Kaminer, Ayelet Horn, who sang a popular song by Adele called, “Rolling in the Deep.” Hilary GoldmanLori then wonderfully sang, “Riptide” by Vance Joy. A fourth eighth grader, Daniel Zeuner, followed Hilary with a cover of, “All of Me” by John Legend using his voice and guitar.

Ethan Glezer, the only seventh grader who performed, rhythmically drummed along to the song, “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. Another band followed consisting of three sixth grade boys, Kori Donath, Oliver Steinman, and Ethan Nili, who played ‘Hey Brother’ by Avicii.

“Almost Lover” by A Fine Frenzy.

Everyone left the auditorium with a smile on their face.

Lastly, Hannah Butcher, an incredible eighth grade singer, performed the song,

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By Talia Kahan and Anna Dubey The 2014 Talent Show in the Roanna Sharofsky Theater was considered a huge hit by everyone who attended. The bleachers were full and the crowd was huge. There were many performers represented by the sixth grade: including bands, singers, and guitar players.

Everyone expected the talent show to be something fun to watch, but it was more-it was spectacular.

The Middle School Theater A.V. Club also contributed their talents to the show. Shira Oz and Jacob Hess worked the spotlights and other members did an excellent job balancing the sound and lighting.

Before the talent show began, Ayelet Kaminer, a sixth grade performer told us, “I’m feeling nervous, but I know that I’ll regret it if I don’t perform.” Another student remarked ”I’m very excited to see everybody have a chance to display their talent.”

There were about ten different performances, all seemingly better than possible. The audience witnessed singing, bands, and individual instrument playing.

After her performance, Alexandra Wenger stated, “I didn’t experience stage fright because the lights were so bright, I couldn’t even tell if people were looking at me.”

Aliza Sirota, a spectator of the talent show, recalled, “The talent show was fantastic. This was an extremely uplifting experience, it deeply inspired me, and I felt so lucky to be in a school where there is such amazing talent.”

The Talent Show was an amazing chance for students to perform and live their dreams.

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

School News Hesed Day: The Sixth Grade

have been taking so many things for granted.”

A group of about seven students

By Talia Kahan and Anna Dubey went to Open Door Day Care and had an THE FIRST SIXTH grade Hesed amazing experience. Sophie Fisher noted, Day of the year was on November 19th. “The students were from low income Hesed day is a time when students at the families. We played and tried to make Heschel Middle School go to various their day better. When we first arrived facilities to lend a hand and brighten the some of the children were crying, but day of children, the elderly, or the after a short while they were all having a homeless. Sixth grade students went to fun time. We played games with them and four different locations. While the built towers with blocks. It was a very students enjoy themselves, they also are meaningful experience for everyone all doing a mitzvah, so it is a win-win looked forward to visiting with them situation for everyone. again.”

A number of students went to The Another group of students went to Jewish Home and Hospital, a home for B'nai Jeshurun (BJ) to help prepare and seniors who no longer can live serve food for people who are homeless independently. Heschel students played and need a place to eat and visit with piano, sang, and talked to the residents. others. Jordana Barnett, a sixth grade One student said, “I felt that it was such a mitzvah to talk to them and put a smile on their faces. It was a very memorable experience to visit the residents and talk to them about their pasts.” One resident explained to a few students how she came to live at the facility; she expressed the hope that she would get better enough be able to live by herself again.

About fourteen students went to the Manhattan Childrens Center to work with autistic children. They did many activities such as play ‘memory’, read stories, and bake mashed potatoes. Sarah student, went to BJ and had a great time.

Horvath said, “I felt very sad, because a She said, people who came were little boy came up to me when I said welcomed and treated respectfully. The goodbye and hugged me. He was crying. sixth grade had a great time at BJ while The kids are really sweet.” Ten other doing good. Everyone felt that if they students went to Bloomingdale Children’s could, they’d visit all the senior homes, Nursery. Visiting the Bloomingdale autism centers, public nurseries, and any Nursery was an amazing and memorable other place in New York City that needed experience for everyone who went. Ayelet another set of hands. It was rewarding to Kaminer said, “I felt sad that when the see the smiles on so many faces. kids in that classroom are my age, they might not have as many opportunities as I do. I was drawing with one of the children, but the classroom did not have enough pencils. This made me feel that I

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Hesed Day: The Seventh & Eighth Grade

By Rachel Mehler and Sabina Sternklar-Davis

On Friday, November 21st, the seventh and eighth graders shared a Hesed Day. They had the chance to volunteer at various organizations such as daycares for low-income families, food pantries, Riverside Park, and a home for elders.

We interviewed several students about their experiences, and they each told us something unique about their Hesed Day. Lucy Cosgrove, who helped out at the ‘Open Door’ day care center, said, “The kids were so adorable. We warmed up to each other after just a few minutes, and I had a great time! I realized how important it is to volunteer with these kids because some of them need more love and attention in their lives.”

Joey Gertzman, who volunteered at Riverside Park, shared, “I love the feeling I had after I finished my work. It was so nice knowing that I did something to help the environment. My favorite part was raking leaves.”

Abby Fisher, who worked with seniors at Jewish Home and Hospital, recalled, “We attended creative writing classes with them, and also exercised. I had a really fun time, and it was a gratifying experience.”

The last person we interviewed, Isabelle Harrison-Bregman, told us, “Volunteering at the West Side Campaign Against Hunger was a great experience.

Mostly, we bagged carrots and stacked shelves. I was very happy that I could help out and do hesed. I talked to some of the people that worked there, and I would definitely choose this again.”

Overall, it was a chance for Heschel students to participate and gain practical knowledge of communities within our city, and to experience how wonderful it feels to contribute to the greater good.

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

The Social Action Club: Campaign to Raise Funds To Prevent the Spread of Ebola

By Sabina Sternklar-Davis and Rachel Mehler The social action club has ambitious plans for this year. During the Middle School’s Thanksgiving assembly, the committee made a PowerPoint presentation to inform and educate the students about the harsh realities of ebola, and inspire them to help.

Dylan Kassin shared, “Our goal is to raise as much money as we can, even if our impact is small, to help prevent the spread of ebola. Being on the committee is really fun and rewarding, and I would definitely recommend joining.” So far, the committee spent its meetings researching and preparing an informational PowerPoint for the Heschel student community.

The committee is now thinking about ways to raise money effectively for the American Jewish World Service

SpaceShip Two Crash

By Jacob Fraiman On October 31, SpaceShipTwo crashed just seconds after it detached from its carrier over the Mojave Desert in Southern California. SpaceShipTwo is owned by Virgin Atlantic. It is a suborbital space ship made by scaled composites. Virgin’s goal was to have guests in space by February or March of 2015, but because of the crash these plans have been delayed. At the time of the crash SpaceShipTwo was using fuel that had never been tested in flight. The spaceship was co- piloted by Peter Siddle, who survived the crash by successfully parachuting from 50,000 feet with just a flight suit, at a temperature of negative 70 degrees celsius. Sadly, Michael Salsbury, another co-pilot, was killed.

The National Transportation Safety Board will take months more to finish

Emergency Response Fund, who is working with their on-the-ground partners in Liberia and other West African countries to expand outreach efforts to promote public health information.

As we presented in the Thanksgiving Day assembly, ebola is an extremely contagious and fatal disease that needs to be stopped. It has reached crisis proportions in Liberia and Sierra Leone among several other countries in West Africa.

The members of the committee would appreciate any donations for this important cause. To help out even more, please consider joining the social action club!

interviews and analysis of physical evidence before publicly stating what it thinks caused the crash.

Authorities say Mr Alsbury unlocked the system before planned, but this was one of two steps necessary to change the craft's configuration and was not enough on its own to do so. Activating the feathering system requires the pulling of a lever, not unlike a gun that fires only when the trigger is pulled, not just because the safety has been disengaged.

But unlocking the system may have set off a chain of events that led to disintegration of the craft. At first there were some who believed the rocket motor caused it to break up, the nitrous oxide (more commonly known as laughing gas) remained intact so the rocket motor was not responsible. Most are saying the crash was caused by pilot error.

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Virgin Galactic is building a replacement spaceship and says test flights could resume as early as next summer if it finishes building a replacement craft.

These images show the spacecraft ascending, then detaching from its mothership before it begins to break up

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

SPORTS Concussions: Will Football Continue To Be Tolerated?

By Eli Buchdahl CONCUSSIONS HAVE BECOME more of an issue to professional football.

Right now, football is the most popular sport in the United States. During 2013, of the top ten most watched programs, nine of them were National Football League games with the Academy Awards checking in at number seven. Since the season started this year, NFL games have accounted for 26 out of 30 of the most watched programs on TV. However, behind the scenes, there have been signs of decline. Between 2010 and 2012, enrollment in Pop Warner, the most popular youth football league in the United States, has declined by ten percent.

This is largely because of the looming issue of concussions.

Recently, the NFL just set aside $765 million to compensate for retired players with brain damage. This seems

like a massive sum of money; until you consider the fact that the annual revenue of the NFL is $9 billion. The maximum payout under this deal is $5 million, for former players with ALS. Again, a small sum compared to the salary of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who makes $44 million a year. This deal is largely looked at as a victory for the NFL.

The attitude toward concussions, from the NFL and college football, is generally to just turn the other shoulder and to look away. On September 27, in a game against Minnesota, Michigan quarterback Shane Morris got knocked to the ground from a helmet-to-helmet hit, and had to be helped up by his teammates. Apparently, Michigan coach Brady Hoke and athletic director Doug Nussmeier were l o o k i n g somewhere else when the hit happened. Morris remained in the game, and it was later confirmed that he had a concussion. This attitude toward concussions is what prompted the former NFL players to sue the NFL. They were unaware of the inherent danger of routinely having 250 pound men tackling other 250 pound people. Actually, that’s not quite true. As one former NFL player put it: “When you get into football, you think about hurting your knees, your back, even your neck.

But your brain, man, no. We didn’t think about that. I didn’t sign up for that.”

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So, what does this all mean?

Should we condemn the NFL? As a football fan, I do not think so. I agree with President Obama when he said about current NFL players,“At this point, there’s a little bit of caveat emptor. These guys, they know what they’re doing. They know what they’re buying into. It is no longer a secret.” Yet there is more. Obama also said that if he had sons, he would not let them play football.

Football is clearly flawed. Even though it is, it is the most popular sport in America. Roger Goodell has stated that he wants to increase the revenue to $25 billion by 2027. However, if changes aren’t made to protect player safety, instead of achieving Goodell’s goal, by 2027, football might not be the most popular sport in America.

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

Matisse Cutouts On View At MOMA

pool you, the viewer, are surrounded by the color blue, in the forms of cutout figures and designs. The floaty blue shapes

Art Review

By Tova Kleiner HENRI MATISSE (1869 -1954) is normally thought of for his fauvist/impressionist paintings, with bold, contrasting colors. In the 1940s, he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery. From then on he was often in a wheelchair, no longer able to paint to the extent that he used to.

Matisse then turned to what are now known as his famous cutouts. He snipped and sliced paper with scissors in fluid movements and created brilliant masterpieces which he, with the help of his assistant, arranged and pinned onto a paper or a board in any fashion he envisioned it.

MoMA is now housing these unique cutouts until February 8th, making it a great activity for winter break. The cutouts flow through various rooms, starting with ones designed specifically for books, with themes playing on jazz and the circus. His use of shapes on paper is extraordinary, he creates a dream world

filled with jumping, dancing, leaping contours made from colors.

A strong example is his collage depicting the story of The Thousand and One Nights, where the legend of Scheherazade literally moves across the paper. Another beautiful set of cutouts featured are Oceania, the Sky and Oceania, the Sea. These simple yet intricate works started with one graceful bird Matisse made. His assistant said, “Matisse had cut out a swallow from a sheet of writing paper and, as it distressed him to tear up this beautiful shape and throw it away…he put it up on his wall, also using it to cover up a stain the sight of which disturbed him. Over the following weeks other shapes were cut out and put up on the same wall.” This evolved into the beautiful pieces that are peppered with dancer-like birds and sleek sea creatures, each with it’s own personality.

A few rooms later, a viewer will come across majestic stained glass windows and altarpieces, designed and based on Matisse’s cutouts for the Chapel of the Rosary, in Vence. From the vibrant colors, to the exquisite shapes, the light from behind the windows illuminates Matisse’s skill with paper.

One of the most famous works in the exhibit is The Swimming Pool which Matisse created after watching the divers in the pool. Leading up to the swimming

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give off a sense of serenity and calm. Then comes The Swimming Pool itself.

Designed on the walls of his dining room, Matisse’s swimming pool is in a space specially designed for the same dimensions. As you look at the pool that surrounds you, you can almost glimpse into the brain of the artist himself. He lived in his own swimming pool, a swimming pool he created for himself out of paper, and the color blue. The waves and divers embody the fluidity of water and seem to be part of the room itself, not a decorative addition.

From Matisse’s experiments with color to his exquisite use of scissors, every aspect of these cutouts is stunning. When you look at them there is a sense of presence and emotion. Each cutout conveys a feeling, whether it be joy, excitement, mystery or peace.

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

POETRY Seesaw

by Maya Lukeman Life is a seesaw.

One day you are on top But always a little scared That the next day you’ll be on the bottom.

The day you are on the bottom You are happy that there isn’t any chance of getting lower, But scared that someone might jump on the other side and lift you Up, up, up, up into oblivion.

Lifeless Eyes

By Abigail D.M. FisheR It is hard to look and find no life when pulses drum and brains pound.

When muscles work and lungs breathe.

It is hard to look and find no glow when skin shines and lips are full.

When hair is glossy and fingernails neat.

It is hard to look and find no emotion when tears fall and smiles show.

When sobs are released and giggles escape.

It is hard to look and find no life yet harder still to see.

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In oblivion, you are worse off than before Because not one person is there To pull you back down.

But then one leaf Lands right in the middle.

It balances the seesaw so it’s parallel To the ground.

Finally you are able to climb off And touch the ground.

So, Always carry a leaf around To balance the seesaw of life.

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December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

The Hunger Games Mockingjay, Part 1

Bethany Mota, YouTube Sensation

Movie Review

By Noa Levine

YouTube Review

Mockingjay, Part 1 is the third of four films in the Hunger Games series and was released on November 21st, 2014. Directed by

Francis Lawrence, it is based on the series of books written by Suzanne Collins.

Producers chose to adapt Ms. Collin’s final book into two screenplays. Nina Jacobson, one of the producers, when asked why Mockingjay was split into two parts; she said, “We felt that the first movie would focus on the propaganda war, and getting Peeta back….The second movie would be about all-out war, and taking Snow out. … Those big ideas were very much informed by Suzanne’s approach to how we would split the book into two movies.”

The plot of the story in the movie is mostly faithful to that of the book, however, there are a few differences. The biggest dissimilarity is the presence of Effie Trinket in District 13, which takes the place of Katniss' prep team. Another difference is that Katniss doesn’t insist on the murder of President Snow. When Katniss agrees to be the Mockingjay for President Coin, she lists several demands.

Among these in the book include that her loved ones be protected, and that President Snow be killed. In the movie, this is never mentioned, although Katniss’ disdain for him is made clear. This change

By Sophie Fisher

may have some major implications on the next movie’s plot. Director Francis Lawrence said in a statement, “The way that you can tell the two stories, for us, is that each story has its own dramatic question, has its own objective. In this one, Katniss is finally taking on the role as the symbol of the revolution and starting to step up and fight back. But the dramatic question is: Will we get Peeta back? …

Part 2 is: Let’s go get Snow.”

Although the film did not open strongly, it has picked up viewers and built its audience.

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BETHANY MOTA IS one of the world’s most popular and successful video bloggers on YouTube and is one of its biggest sensations. She is from Los Banos, California and started making videos at age 13 to escape the stress she felt from bullying. Developing her own video blog made her feel more confident again. She created Macbarbie07 in 2009. She rose to fame doing what are called “haul videos,” in

which she shows her fashion purchases on the internet. She currently is 18 and makes videos about all kinds of things: creative diy (do-it-yourself) projects, food, makeup, hair and fashion. Bethany now has over seven million YouTube subscribers and 4.4 million instagram followers (her instagram account is @bethanynoelm!).

Business Insider estimated that she made $40,000 a month on her videos promoting products. Her fans are called “Mota-vators.” Besides her fashion-related videos, she also maintains a more personal account, which she uses to discuss whatever interests her. Mota has also appeared on YouTube's web show IMO, an opinion show aimed at teenagers.

Bethany’s videos are fun. Not only is Bethany Mota talented, she is also inspirational, and funny.

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December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

FICTION The Runaway Soul and the Remaining Love Part II

By Tema Zeldes-Roth

SOMETIMES I DREAM, that I can remember who I am. But the thing is, I don’t remember what it feels like to remember. I wonder if this is my fate. To hurtle through life, collecting colors, just to find that I have been wiped clean, a blank slate all over again. Did I do something to deserve this? Why must I be punished like this? To these questions I have no answers. They fall into oblivion with my memory. I feel an immense sadness, the weight of it crushes me. I don’t know who I am. I focus on little things, on the things I can do. I can still read and write, and with a shaky hand I write out all of my thoughts and memories. I am scared of losing everything again, so I write down every moment and memory that I collect. I keep them in a small rugged hat box. It has a bright exterior. I don’t know what color it is. I don’t even know the names of the colors anymore. I found the hatbox in the room I stay in. People call it “my bedroom,” yet I have no memory of it.

I fold up the piece of paper and throw it into the little box, where it joins other scraps of paper, my scraps of memory. I stand up and walk towards the door, pushing it open. I look around me; I am standing in a hallway. Which way do I go?

“Mom?” I call out hesitantly, “Mom!” I say again, louder this time.

Hurried footsteps echo down the hallway as a women with warm eyes approaches me from around the corner.

“Come,” She says kindly, sympathy filling her eyes. She knows I got lost, but she doesn’t mention it. What girl gets lost in her own house? “Are you ready?” She asks.

“I think so.” I say, giving a noncommittal jerk of my head. It’s been four weeks since the car crash. Four weeks since I lost my identity and became something new. Four weeks since my most prized possessions were taken from me, blown away in a sudden gust of wind.

Today, I go to school for the first time in four weeks.

“You’re going to be great. Dr. Reynolds said to wish you luck and to remind you not to try to go back to the past. She said to just keep moving forward and embracing the future.” My mother smiles at me as she leads me out the door, into the warm sunny air.

“Here.” she says holding open the car door. We drive there in silence, each thinking hard. Neither of us voice the notion that I am sure has passed through both of our minds. The last time I went to school, I was a completely different person. We pull into a driveway; colors burst from trees and bushes, framing the small building. My mother helps me into the building. Every movement I make forward feels like a step towards something new. A girl with curly hair

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down to her stomach and long legs bounds up to me. Her excitement radiates off of her, but when she talks, her voice is soft and gentle.

“Hi Zoë! How are you? I’m Tara.

We are, we used to be-” she breaks off suddenly, as if afraid that she might hurt me.

“It’s okay. I know, we used to be best friends. But we still are. We just have to start again, and collect new moments and memories.” She smiles at me gratefully. I turn my head and look at my mother. She smiles happily and gives me a questioning look. I nod and she turns to leave. I turn back towards Tara and she lifts her arms hesitantly. I lift mine too, and slowly, I put them around her. Tears drip down my face, but the joy of being reunited with Tara has lifted some of the weight off of my shoulders.

“I no longer feel so alone” I whisper softly into her hair. We pull apart and look at each other, smiling sadly. We both know that it will never be the same again. I will always have a scar in my memory, in my brain; she will always be ahead, her collection of stories so much bigger than mine. However, we have decided to try, to not give in to the white snow covering my past, and her resilience burns inside of me, giving me something to fight for.

“Come,” she says. “let me show you around.” I comply, and, arm in arm we walk slowly down the hall. There is a bittersweet feeling in my heart, but my will to fight is so much stronger. I will not be afraid of the past, I think to myself. I will move forward into the light.

The End

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

POETRY After reading Frank O'Hara's poem “A True Account of Talking to the Sun at Fire Island,” in which the sun stops by for an impromptu conversation with the poet, some eighth grade students imagined their own conversations with different forces of nature. Like the sun in O'Hara's poem, each visitor offers the poet a compliment as well as some personal advice.

…

The Ocean Spoke

by Carlin Greenfield The boat rocked I could hear the deep voice, rumbling, coming up from the depths.

“Hey! Wake up!

When the sun visits, you are rarely so tardy.” …

I sat up groggily. …

“It's me, The Ocean.”

“Oh, that's nice” I said, still sleeping.

“I just wanted to thank you for your conservation work,” the Ocean continued.

“I do hate driftnets in my currents, and dragnets, those HURT. You ever skinned a knee?”

“No,” I said. …

“When people doubt you, you should be like me.

I am vast as,”

…

The Ocean paused for a second, … “the ocean, yet each one of my waves can pummel every shore down to the smallest coves. …

And persevere!

(Think of me) Each one of my waves will eventually die but I will always make more.” …

“I never thought of it that way,” I said. …

“Goodnight, Carlin...”

“But wait!” I said “I must be going, I hope to talk to all the members of your fleet, before you continue on your way.

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School

Time is fleeting.

Goodnight, Carlin, and never ever give up.”

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Be sure to look for other Conversation Poems around the hallways of the Middle School.

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

adults find politics so interesting? I creep back into Bella, A Story, Part II bed and fall asleep the

By Anna M. Dubey second my head hits the We last left Bella when she informed pillow. her mother that she was moving into a T h e new level math group; her mother n e x t assumed she’d been moved to a higher level. Bella must tell her the truth, “I’m not being switched into a higher math group, I’m being switched to a lower morning, one.” Her mother’s response is a curt, “I I check the see.” clock and panic. The bus I LATER THAT NIGHT, after an usually take to school is going to come in evening of staring down at my plate as my six minutes! I hastily change into my parents exchanged glances across the clothes, grab a granola bar and my table, I tiptoe across the room I share with backpack, and yell goodbye to my parents my older sister, Charlotte. I want to hear if and Charlotte. Charlotte has it easy. She my parents are talking about me. I curse has to be at school thirty minutes after I the sound of my footsteps pattering on the do, since she’s in high school. A split floor. Thankfully, they stop once I reach second later, I dart back into the house, the yellow carpeted stairs, whose color I snatch my Metrocard off the kitchen table, can barely make out in the dim light. If I and fly out the door again. I sprint down strain my ears, I can faintly hear my mom the hall and skid onto the bus the speaking to my dad. I was right -- they are millisecond before it leaves. As I sit down talking about me. carefully on one of the hard plastic seats, “Do you think I was too harsh on wondering why New York is obsessed her?” Mom asks, her usually firm voice with hard plastic seats, I rummage through shaking a little. my bag to look over my science “Maybe we both were,” Dad answers homework from last night. My fingers quietly. brush over my schedule and I yank it out I stumble on a little bump in the instead. I nearly faint. Okay, maybe not, wooden stairs and have to grab on to the but still. Today is Tuesday. I have math railing in order to stay upright. first period today. With Allie.

“It’s just, Charlotte was always in the I can’t stop worrying as I get my late highest math group,” Mom whispers. “I pass (of course the bus had to be late), and guess I’m too focused on making sure that shuffle past lockers to room 409. Will I Bella follows in her footsteps.” make a bad impression on Allie because I peek around the banister just in time I’m late? I hesitate as I open the door. to see Dad pat Mom’s shoulder. She must “You must be Bella!” a booming really feel sorry. I quickly duck back voice says when I peek through the door. around before they spot me. I listen to The friendly voice puts me at ease them for a few more minutes, but now immediately. I smile at the woman who they are talking about politics. Why do must be Allie. But this is Allie? I

FICTION

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expected her to be someone with a cold, high voice and tight, drawn l i p s , determined never to smile.

But I’ve passed this person before in the halls, and she always waves at me cheerfully. I had no idea she was Allie!

“All right,” she grins, interrupting my thoughts, “We were just about to start playing a math game! Now that you’re here, we can split evenly into pairs. Bella, you play with Staci, Ella with Skyler, and Bruce with Ralph. Each pair gets a game board.”

I find a seat next to Staci, who’s new this year. She smiles shyly at me.

Allie explains the game to us, and everyone starts playing.

I wiggle my eyebrows and smile wickedly at Staci. “And now I, the great and esteemed Bella, will convert my improper fraction of nineteen-sixteenths into a mixed number!” I move one and three sixteenths spaces across the game board.

Staci lets out an evil laugh. “You have not won yet, for I shall subtract one and six thirty-seconds from your score, which will bring you back to space-” she paused to calculate- “Zero!” she proclaims triumphantly.

Continued on page 17

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

POETRY Breath

By Mariel Priven I can’t breathe His words echoed in my head I watched as his dark neck burned red as a long white arm pressed against it I tried to close my eyes I begged myself to turn around to look away but I couldn’t I had to face the truth look right into its eyes This was reality This is the world that we live in We humans have evolved for hundreds of years and this is what we have come to I watched as his body went limp still not moving The two men disappeared My eyes burned from a bright white light Strong and powerful Dominating the black darkness I opened my eyes I stared at my pale white hands How unfair I can breathe

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December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

FICTION Bella Continued from page 15 We both suddenly notice that everyone in the room is staring at us.

Then we all burst into laughter.

“Do you want to come over after school today?” I ask Staci in all the commotion.

She grins brightly at me. “Yes!” I can’t wipe the smile from my face for the rest of the day. That is, until I spot Sunny staring at me worriedly during the beginning of lunch. I plop my tray down next to her. “Sunny, what’s wrong?” I ask, glopping ketchup onto a french fry.

“Are you okay?” she asks, concern etched all over her face. “I heard that you went home sick yesterday, and you weren’t here for math today.”

That’s when I realize something.

Sunny doesn’t know I switched math groups.

“Well,” I begin, twisting my hands together, “I actually was here for math today.”

Sunny frowns. “No, you weren’t.”

I take a deep breath. “I was switched to a different math group.” I don’t dare raise my eyes from my plate to see Sunny’s expression. “Sam told me yesterday that I was being put in Allie’s math group. I was really upset, because it means that we don’t have any classes together.”

Sunny is still silent. I lift my eyes to her face and see that she isn’t mad.

Instead, a smile slowly spreads across her face. “You’re wrong about us not being in any of the same classes now, you know.”

“Huh?” I ask.

Sunny’s grin grows even wider. “My advisory is joining yours for a month, since Madeline, my advisor, is going on a honeymoon in Paris. And since Madeline teaches science, that means I might be in your science class, too!”

I beam at Sunny, all worries forgotten. “Awesome!” I exclaim jubilantly.

After the school day ends, Mom picks Staci and me up in her car. “Did you have a good day? And Bella, how did you like your new math group?”

Up On The Roof: An Outrageous Mountain Garden

By Noa Levine BEIJING- Zhang Biquin, the owner of a chinese medicine store and a wealthy acupuncturist, spent six years and approximately 800,000 yuan (USD $130,815.23) building his dream rooftop mountaintop penthouse atop his apartment building in Beijing, China. The only problem: it’s illegal.

This seems to be popular in China, with several similar instances occurring in the recent months.

Maybe because he managed to fend off neighbors and landlords for six years, but Biquin was unfazed by the authoritie’s threat to demolish the outlandish rooftop villa if he didn’t do it himself. It was dubbed "Beijing's most

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I smile, glad that Mom seems to be trying to accept that I can go at my own pace. And at that moment, I realize that I’ve accepted it too. “It was fantastic!” I tell her.

“Your day, or your new math group?”

Mom asks, sounding confused.

I glance at Staci in the seat next to me, and she silently does her evil laugh imitation. I stifle a giggle and say to Mom, “Both!”

The End

Quotation of the Month: ...whenever one person is offended, we are all hurt. What begins as inequality of some inevitably ends as inequality of all...

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel The Heschel Herald would like to print your favorite quotation in our next issue.

Please submit to the editors.

outrageous illegal structure" by Chinese media and the term quickly circulated around the world. But Biquin feels differently, stating that his villa is, "just an ornamental garden.”

His neighbors, however, aren’t all pleased with the garden, one unidentified and annoyed neighbor stating, "He was very arrogant. He could care less about my complaints.”

The demolition of the garden has reportedly already begun, with at least three workers being spotted attempting to take it down. He has also shared pictures of his oasis on social media, and the garden has been dubbed on the internet as, “the most awesome rooftop garden.” So what do you think?

Should Biquin be permitted to keep his garden- or is this crossing the line?

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

Food For Thought Food-We Are What We Eat, But What Are We Eating?

About Soda

Calories: 140 Total Fat: 0g Sodium: 65 mg Total Carbs: 38g Sugars: 38g

By Leah Amy Namdar-Cohen IN THE LAST issue of the Heschel Herald, I wrote an article explaining how to decode the nutrition facts and ingredients on food labels. Now that you all know how to do that, I have surveyed students at Heschel about their favorite sodas and will now provide the nutrition facts and ingredients of the top three favorite sodas in our very own Heschel Middle School: Soda: Coca Cola Serving Size: 12 fluid oz (1 can) Nutrition Facts: Calories: 140 Total Fat: 0g Sodium: 45 mg Total Carbs: 39g Sugars: 39g Protein: 0g Caffeine: 35 milligrams (coffee has 95-110 milligrams).

Did you catch that? That was 39 grams of sugar in a single can of Coca Cola! That is equal to 9.75 tsp- almost 10 teaspoons- of pure sugar in a single can of Coca Cola! Now let’s look at the ingredients: Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Caramel Color, Phosphoric Acid, Natural Flavors, Caffeine Phosphoric Acid is a very bad chemical. Some of Phosphoric Acid’s other uses include: a rust inhibitor, something that prevents rust; a dental etchant, removes the enamel from teeth; an electrolyte, a liquid or gel that contains ions and is present in batteries; flux, a component of home cleaning products, and many more horrifying things.

Soda: Sprite Serving Size: 12 fluid oz (1 can) Nutrition Facts:

Protein: 0g Again! There are 38 grams of sugar in a single can of soda! Most people think that Sprite is more healthy- well, less unhealthy- than Coke because it’s taste is less vivid and it is made with ‘so called’ lemons, but the truth is, there is almost just as much sugar in Sprite as there is in Coke.

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate Soda: Ginger Ale Serving Size: 12 fluid oz (1 can) Nutrition Facts: Calories: 130 Total Fat: 0g Sodium: 35 mg Total Carbs: 35g Sugars: 35g Protein: 0g Ginger Ale is one of my favorite sodas to reveal to people, because everyone thinks that Ginger Ale is- and I am not lying- healthy. I think that this is like a sick joke, because Ginger Ale is so unhealthy and vile and- well, you saw for yourself! It contains 35 grams of sugar, the equivalent of almost nine teaspoons of

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sugar (8.75 tsp). Some people say that they only drink Ginger Ale when they have stomach aches, but that should only be done if the stomach ache is very severe, otherwise people should drink water. Only a couple of brands of Ginger Ale actually contain ginger in them. As a matter of fact, one time as I was looking at the nutrition facts on a bottle of Canada Dry brand, Ginger Ale it said, “may contain ginger.”

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate, Caramel Color.

There isn’t a single mention of ginger, or anything on that list that had any connection whatsoever to actual ginger! Instead of the brown color being ginger- or even ginger concentrate- they use caramel color- not even actual caramel!

Note: Fresh ginger does bring health benefits: it is an effective remedy for nausea and can reduce heartburn when made into tea.

So there you have it- the nutrition facts and ingredients of your very own Heschel Middle School’s favorite sodas.

However, it is important to report, that while I was going around the school surveying people on their favorite sodas, I was told by a large number of students, “I don’t drink soda,” and many said, “Soda is too sweet- is seltzer or water on the list?” This is good news about the health consciousness of so many Heschel students. There are many who do not like the large amounts of sugar, chemicals, and

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

Food- Recipes The Berry Bomber

Chocolate Cake In A Mug

By Maya Lukeman Ingredients: a pint of strawberries chocolate syrup (as much as you want) some form of white sugar- half a cup whipped cream (see recipe below) 1 cup of heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla 1 tablespoon of confectioner’s sugar Instructions: Chill beaters and bowl for several hours in a refrigerator, or for 15 minutes in a freezer.

Wash and cut the tops off of the strawberries.

Carefully hollow out the inside of the strawberries.

In a separate bowl, mix the chocolate and the whipped cream together.

Spoon the whipped cream mixture into the strawberries (see recipe below).

Dip the bottom tip of the strawberries into the water, then into the white sugar.

Pop into your mouth and ENJOY! MAKING WHIPPED CREAM Chill beaters and bowl in refrigerator for several hours In the chilled bowl pour 1 cup of heavy whipping cream Beat whipping cream until peaks begin to form Add 1 tsp. of pure vanilla Add 1 tbsp. of confectioner’s sugar Beat in until peaks form; be sure not to over beat.

Refrigerate, if not using right away.

By Noa Levine & Tova Kleiner Chocolate cake is delicious and most everyone loves it. If you don't, well-maybe you should try this before you make your final decision about chocolate cake. When you yearn for chocolate cake but don’t have a lot of time- that’s when knowing how to make chocolate cake in a mug can save the day or night. It takes ten minutes to make and is a perfect size for one person. Chocolate cake in a mug is a great treat on a cold winter day that warms you up inside. The size makes it a great portion and is easy to make. Here is a recipe for one very large mug or two medium-small mugs.

Ingredients: ¼ cup flour 5 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 egg 3 tablespoons milk 3 tablespoons vegetable oil Dash of vanilla extract (⅛ tsp) Dash of salt Instructions: Whisk the ingredients together in a large mug until smooth. Microwave until puffed, about two minutes.

For an Allergen Free Version: Chocolate cake is a delicious, decadent dessert, but people with allergies often can’t have it. Here are directions for an allergy friendly alternative.

For the gluten free diets: Substitute the flour: with a gluten free flour, like rice flour, potato or Bob’s gluten free all purpose flour.

For dairy free diets: Substitute the milk: with rice milk, or almond, or any other non-dairy substitutes For egg free diets: Replace the egg with egg substitute or 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 tablespoon warm water mixed together well.Note: the batter may rise almost double, which is why we suggested 2 mugs instead of one.

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Snowcapped Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting

By Talia Kahan & Anna Dubey Cookies Ingredients: ½ cup butter 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 ½ cups sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 tablespoons red food coloring 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 ½ cups flour, sifted 1 cup buttermilk 1 tablespoon vinegar 1 cup white chocolate chips Cookies Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat baking sheets with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Add each egg to the butter and sugar mixture and beat vigorously until each one is incorporated. Mix in vanilla.

In a separate bowl, make a paste of the cocoa and the food coloring. Mix into butter mixture.

Sift together remaining dry ingredients. In two batches, add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture. In the second batch of buttermilk, add in the vinegar.

Once all is mixed, stir in white chocolate chips.

Continued on page 20

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

Continued from page 19

Snowcapped Red Velvet Cookies Drop by teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool slightly and remove to wire racks.

When cookies are cooled completely, pipe cream cheese frosting in center of each cookie, forming a peak, by using a plastic storage bag with an end snipped off. Serve immediately or place in airtight containers.

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients: 4 ounces unsalted butter, softened 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Cream Cheese Frosting Instructions: In a large bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer. With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar a cup at a time until smooth and creamy.

Beat in the vanilla extract Note: Sprinkle with decorating sugar for embellishment.

Food Hot For Hot Chocolate, But Where to Go?

By Ayelet Kaminer There’s nothing quite like a cup of hot chocolate when it’s freezing outside, and artificial cocoa powder doesn’t quite fill the bill. What follows is a guide to finding hot chocolate beyond the usual Starbucks version. Be sure to read to the end where you will be rewarded with a couple of great places for hot chocolate!

Each is rated out of five possible stars No Chewing Allowed is a chocolate truffle company that puts truffles in their hot chocolate. As you drink, the truffles melt, making the drink rich and creamy.

Although it’s delicious, I do have a few problems with the drink. First, is the size of the cup. The drink is served in cups smaller than a “tall” at Starbucks. This also made me wonder whether or not the drink was worth the five dollars I paid for it. Overall, I enjoyed the experience, but I wouldn’t return.

Rating: three stars The Holiday Market at Union Square (only open for the holiday season).

Union Square November 20th-December 24th Serendipity, famous for their frozen hot chocolate, is one of the most popular cafés in Manhattan. Because of this, I was sure that I would need a reservation, but when I looked at their website, it said that reservations are needed only for meals and not for desserts. I called and the person who answered said the same thing.

When I got there, I saw that the line trailed out the door and beyond. I walked in confidently, as I was sure I could bypass the line because I wasn’t planning on eating. When I got to the person at the front of the line, I was told that the wait before I could even make a reservation for hot cocoa would be 2 hours. 2 HOURS. I

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turned around and left the store as fast as I could.

Rating: zero stars (a two hour wait for hot chocolate- really?)

225 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022 Dylan’s Candy Bar Café Feeling discouraged, I looked for another place to buy hot cocoa. After looking around for a few minutes, I saw a poster advertising what looked like food coloring with cream. I went in and was immediately surrounded by screaming toddlers freaking out about the Elsa display in the center of the store. I managed to not freak out as well and made my way up to the third floor where I ordered two cups, white and milk chocolate. The milk chocolate one tasted okay, but I suspect it was made from a powder. It did have some caramel notes, which tasted nice. The white chocolate hot cocoa tasted like something a five year old would make. I don’t want to know how much sugar was in it, but it must be a lot. The syrupy texture didn’t do it much good either. Each one cost me four dollars.

Rating: two stars 315 E 62nd St #6 New York, NY 10065

Jacques Torres I had heard so much about Mr. Chocolate’s amazing creations, and what I tasted at the Rockefeller Plaza location exceeded my expectations.

Continued on page 22

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

Food For Thought #Reason4Vegan

By Carlin Greenfield Today in this short column I will be taking a closer look at the human rights impacts of both factory farming and raising animals in general. As usual I will be doing it in the form of a Q&A. Q: How does factory farming compare with small family owned farms as human rights are concerned?

A: While factory farming is certainly worse than small family owned operations all livestock farms, especially corn fed operations, use up space that could easily be used to grow produce or food grains, and, because most of the food given to cattle never makes it to the plates of consumers (instead going into inedible tissue like eyes, bones, intestines, and other organs) it is widely inefficient to raise cattle, especially in corn fed operations.

Q: What about raising cattle in hilly country, where it is inefficient or impossible to grow food crops?

A: While there are some places where it is more efficient to raise grass fed

livestock than to grow food crops, most livestock are fed corn, and most grass fed operations are on flat ground where food crops can be grown.

Q: What other human rights concerns are there associated with factory farming?

A:There are many occupational hazards involved with working with livestock, workers in commercial slaughterhouses are exposed to many highly contagious “superbugs” that run rampant on factory farms and CAFOs (Centralized Animal Feeding Operations) such as E-coli O157:H7. Sadly, because factory farms and slaughterhouses are mostly unsupervised, many of the workers are i l l e g a l immigrants who are afraid or unable to press charges.

Q: Are there any other dangers that undocumented workers in factory farms face?

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A: Yes, because of all the large and lethal machinery in industrial slaughterhouses most workers are prone to injury, also because of the previously stated lack of oversight some slaughterhouses employ child laborers. In 2008 a raid by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services of a poultry slaughterhouse in Duplin County, North Carolina found a 15 year old girl working 10 hour shifts slaughtering chickens.

Q: Are there any other environmental concerns with factory farming?

A:Yes, as previously mentioned “Superbugs” such as E-coli O157:H7 run rampant on factory farms, these can easily be transmitted through contact with farm workers and contaminated meat to the surrounding population. Also, the runoff from factory farms, containing fecal matter and urine, can contaminate surrounding water.

The methane produced contributes to global warming.

Q: How does a job in a factory farm compare with other jobs?

A: Like many other factory jobs, workers in factory farms don't get time off, and don't get compensation or paid sick days. Far worse, workers in factory farms are subjected to unsanitary working conditions that include fecal ridden pens and exposure to “superbugs.”

If you have a question about veganism, vegetarianism, or animal rights, email me at carlingr@heschel.org and I will answer it in the next edition of the Heschel Herald.

December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

Hot Chocolate, Where?

Rating: four stars 841 Broadway (Union Square) New York, NY 10003

Continued from page 20 I ordered two cups, a classic and a wicked hot cocoa. The classic was a smooth, dark chocolate blend of sweet and bitter which made for an interesting experience. The wicked, although, was the drink that amazed me.

It is a dark chocolate hot cocoa spiced with cinnamon and chipotle. It warmed me up and the mix of sweet and spicy made for a sensation that’s fun for both adults and children. Each cup cost me five dollars.

Rating: four stars 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Concourse Level, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10112 Max Brenner The world famous chocolatier’s New York location offers many different kinds of hot chocolate, including hot chocolate

with rice crisps and espresso. I tried their classic hot chocolate as well as their spiced hot chocolate. The classic one was rich, sweet and not too hot. I expected it to be thicker, although it’s thin texture did not affect the taste so much. The spiced hot cocoa was very good as well, although I would have appreciated if they had heated it more. Each cup cost me five dollars and ninety-five cents.

Consider donating to the New York City Coalition Against Hunger this holiday season.

You may donate online. https://nyccah.org/

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December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

American Jewish World Service Emergency Response Fund: Stop the Deadly Spread of Ebola

By Social Action Club We are currently facing the largest outbreak of Ebola in recorded history.

Thousands have died already, and thousands more are sick. The CDC projects that there could be 1.4 million cases by the new year.

Though there is no cure for Ebola, we know from past outbreaks that public health education can halt the spread of infection. AJWS is working with our onthe-ground partners in Liberia and other countries in West Africa to expand outreach efforts and stem the tide of misinformation and fear.

We have a long history funding these local organizations, we know their work, and we know that they are trusted by the people in their countries and communities.

The Social Action proportions in Our impact may Club Welcomes Liberia and be small, but Any Donation, Sierra Leone anything that you Big or Small. among several can do is other countries appreciated. To Ebola is an in West Africa. In donate, please extremely order to do this, visit this link: contagious and we need your http:// fatal disease that help. action.ajws.org/ needs to be goto/EbolaAJHS stopped. It has reached crisis The Alan B. Slifka Middle School

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December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2

We wish everyone a holiday filled with laughter and light.

Happy Hanukkah!

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December, 2014 Volume #5 Issue 2