The Lion’s Tale | June 2020 | CESJDS | 11710 Hunters Lane Rockville, MD 20852
The Lion’s Tale Magazine
UPROAR
Community adjusts to coronavirus lockdown
Upholding religion during quarantine pgs. 18-19
The effect on academics pgs. 12-17
News
Linder to Leave: Landy to step in as interim principal pg. 4
Administration prepares for economic uncertainty pg. 5 How a community copes with COVID-19: CESJDS families and faculty struggle with the realities of the pg. 6-7
Features
Table of Contents
Communication is changing, and it’s beginning with a new culture pg. 10 Graduation Gratitude: JDS seniors experienced the majority of traditions that seniors around the world never got to pg. 11 School Sick: Statewide shutdown shifts academics online pg. 12-17
The Lion’s Tale Staff Editors-in-Chief Alex Landy, Oren Minsk Managing Editor, Copy Matthew Rabinowitz Assistant Copy Editor Rochelle Berman
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Sports
Ethical Eating?: Is food delivery OK during the pandemic pg. 9
Overtime: Families are feeling the effects of constant interaction pg. 20 Celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, new pets and much more pg. 21 Keeping Tabs on Mental Health pg. 22 Work(out) from home: Exercise apps for everyone pg. 23 CANCELED: Potential recruits stay on top of their game despite losing spring season pg. 24-25
Tiger King Claws for Media Attention pg. 26
A&E
In-Depth
Opinion
Editorial: Pandemic Politics pg. 8
Virtual Worship: The pandemic’s impact on the practice of Judaism pg. 18-19
Homebound Hobbies: With extra time on their hands, how are students entertaining themselves? pg. 27 Top Books and Movies of Quarantine: pg. 27
Design and In-Depth Editors Daphne Kaplan (snr.), Mischa Trainor News Editors Maya Preuss, Irit Skulnik Opinion Editor Jessica Gallo Features Editors Sally Rogal, Jonathan Morris
June 2020
The entire Lion’s Tale staff hopes that you and your family are staying healthy and doing well. When school closed indefinitely, our spring issue was well underway; articles were drafted, spreads were designed and lots of hard work had already gone into the issue. We were faced with a difficult decision as to how to move forward as a paper. But if there’s one thing that COVID-19 has taught us, it’s that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Given the circumstances, we decided as a publication to forgo a typical print issue and took this opportunity instead to produce an end-of-year magazine edition, something we have always hoped to experiment with. The staff recognized that these are historic times, so we wanted to provide a record of the CESJDS experience during COVID-19. With that in mind, we worked on this edition as an artifact of this unprecedented time. This magazine aims to be something you keep in your memory box to show future generations what it was like to live through a pandemic. We hope you find your own experiences mirrored here and learn about the experiences of others in your community. We also hope that you appreciate the hard work that our staff has put into publishing this edition, especially given the unique obstacles of collaborating. As editors, we are very proud of our staff for continuing to report on our community from a distance. Particularly, our reporters have taken initiative during these strange times and created our first podcast, QuaranTEENed. There’s nothing quite like seeing a reporter get really into a story. On that note, please flip through this magazine with these thoughts in mind, knowing that these pages were crafted to reflect the uncertainty we face. Thank you, and we hope to see you in person soon.
Editors-in-Chief
Sports Editors Sophia Miller, Ivan Endelman Arts and Entertainment Eva Bard, Sophie Kaplan Multimedia Editor Addie Bassin Editorial Cartoonist Ariana Ravitz
Editorial and Ethics Policy As the student newspaper of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, The Lion’s Tale is a public forum for student opinion and expression. All content is determined by students. Its purpose is to inform the CESJDS community and to express the views of its staff and readers. The staff has made every effort to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of its news. Signed columns reflect the opinion of the writer; staff editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of The Lion’s Tale editorial board. The Lion’s Tale staff welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns, all of which must be signed. The staff reserves the right to refuse any material and may edit letters or columns for length, clarity, libel, obscenity and/or disruptiveness. All other contents copyright of The Lion’s Tale. All rights reserved. Submissions may be emailed to jdslionstale@ gmail.com, mailed to The Lion’s Tale or brought to room 320. The Lion’s Tale is funded by The Simon Hirshman Endowment for the Upper School Newspaper and The Kuttner-Levenson Endowment for the Upper School Cultural Arts and Student Publications, and community advertisements. The Lion’s Tale reserves the right to refuse advertisement for any reason. The staff will adhere to the ethics policies of The Society of Professional Journalists and the National Scholastic Press Association. The adviser will be held to the Journalism Education Association’s Adviser Code of Ethics.
Reporters Lincoln Aftergood, Zara Ducker, Adam Drexler, Maiyan Lyani, Jonathan Morris, Mark Polin, Gabe Siegel, Matan Silverberg Staff Adviser Jessica Nassau Adviser Emerita Susan Zuckerman
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News photo courtesy of Sabrina Bramson
Landy to step in as interim principal
Lindner to Leave
as I always have been, and [Dean of Academics] Ms. [Aileen] Goldstein Matthew Rabinowitz will continue to supervise faculty––suManaging editor,copy pervision, evaluation, curriculum. We igh School Principal and will also consider having other faculty Associate Head of School members step in to help in other arDr. Marc Lindner will leave eas,” Landy said. CESJDS at the end of this school year Due to the pandemic, Landy will foafter five years at the school to be the cus less on implementing new policies head of school at Los Angeles’ Sinai and more on managing a potential exAkiba Academy. tension of distance learning. At the start of this school year, Lind“No matter what we may have ner and his wife discussed how the planned for the 2020-2021 school year, distance between Washington, D.C. we cannot make any plans at this time and Southern California, where most because we do not have enough inof their family lives and their older formation to know what August will daughter goes to college, is too large. bring,” Landy said. Soon afterward, the head of school When Landy’s time as interposition came up in Los Angeles im principal ends, Malkus would and “seemed like the right thing like the new principal to embody to pursue” because Lindner had Lindner’s collaborative nature. “I think Dr. Lindner brought a real sense been working up to that position. “I think Dr. Lindner brought of working together with students and Lindner will be responsible for a real sense of working together managing grades Pre-K through families, being able to listen to people with students and families, being eight, and he hopes to apply his able to listen to people and to be and to be able to solve problems as experiences at JDS to his new able to solve problems as they they came about.” position. came about,” Malkus said. “... - Head of School “There will be many things Then also we always want someRabbi Mitch Malkus that I have learned here that I one who’s thinking about what is will absolutely be able to apply in the future of high school educamy new role there,” Lindner said. tion and what does a Jewish day “And, because it’s also a Jewish con- Students Roslyn Landy will start her high school look like and how might text, everything that I have worked on tenth nonconsecutive year as interim that be different in the future than it here that has touched on the Jewish principal. In past transitions, Landy is today.” aspects of what JDS is will be helpful drastically changed the Jewish Texts With this emphasis on collaborato me there, too.” curriculum by making it elective-based tion for the future principal, Malkus Lindner believes that one of the rather than a list of required classes. also wants to involve students and “Jewish aspects” that JDS has mas- Similarly, she changed morning min- families more heavily than there were tered is the meaning of pluralism. yan to Zman Kodesh and expanded in the search for Lindner. However, “I think that JDS, the pluralism the service options to include different there are currently no definitive search here, is, I like to call it well-articulat- forms of prayer and self-expression. timelines because of the pandemic. ed, and what I mean is that there really “I will be in charge of the campus is representation of a lot of different and the student aspect of the school,
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types of Jews who go to JDS. So, that’s really been a pleasure for me to work in an environment where there’s that real span,” Lindner said. With Lindner’s announcement, JDS was faced with two options: to begin the search for a new principal or promote a current member of its faculty to the position during the interim. “It feels as though, especially given what’s transpired since we made this announcement with the coronavirus, that this is not an environment where we can do the search that we want to do [to find a replacement],” Head of School Rabbi Mitch Malkus said. Before the search begins, Dean of
June 2020
Administration prepares for economic uncertainty Oren Minsk Editor-in-chief
CESJDS is feeling the economic ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic and preparing for future uncertainty while not currently being in a dire situation. “For this school year, because [the pandemic] happened at the very end of the payment cycle, it has not been a major issue,” Director of Enrollment and Tuition Assistance Orna Siegel said. “Relative to the size of the overall tuition we collect each year, it is a relatively small amount that families are saying they cannot pay or they aren’t sure if they are going to be able to pay.” Chief Financial Officer Julie Hoover said that when JDS transitioned to distance learning in midMarch, it had already collected 93 percent of its tuition revenue. Most families who were not done paying had only one or two more payments left to make. “So far, we have been pretty well able to weather the changes, and like any business, you need to look at your expense base and look at places where you might be able to trim without compromising the quality of the education,” Hoover said. “We would want to make sure that any changes wouldn’t affect how we are delivering the education to the students.” JDS is working with individual families facing financial hardship to determine how much money families will be able to cover and how much assistance they will need. Head of School Rabbi Mitch Malkus announced in an email that the school created and is currently campaigning for a special tuition assistance fund. The fund will provide support over the next two years for families financially burdened by the
outbreak. According to Siegel, it is messaging to adapt to the current cirimportant to continue granting this fi- cumstances. nancial aid despite the uncertainty the “We decided that it was prudent to school faces. go ahead and do that again, this year, “One of the things we did learn acknowledging that there are some from the [Great] Recession was that people who are enduring financial keeping enrollment strong is impera- hardship and that some people may tive in a crisis like this,” Siegel said. “If not be able to give as much as they someone is going through a hard time, have given in past years,” Director of it is better to keep them in the school Development Sharon Metro said. “JDS with an has increased emergency needs now so one-year we are also re“One of the things we did learn award so lying on those from the [Great] Recession was they can who are able stay longto give more, to that keeping enrollment strong is term.” please do so.” imperative in a crisis like this.” In adJDS is exdition to pecting that - Director of Enrollment and the supplesome families Tuition Assistance Orna Siegel mentary fiwill need to denancial aid crease their dofund, Malkus wrote in his email that nation or not donate at all but believes “CESJDS received a Payment Protec- this will be offset by other families givtion Program (PPP) loan through the ing more than usual, which, according Small Business Administration.” The to Metro, is what typically happens in loan is allowed to cover the payroll a fundraising campaign. Hoover said for all of JDS’ employees, including the Ma’ayan campaign is receiving doteachers, maintenance and food staff, nations at the same pace as last year and can be used to pay for rent and and is currently on track to meet the utilities. budget. However, the PPP loan cannot Even with donations where the cover all the expenses of the school. school projects them to be, there is JDS continues to expand its technol- a risk of decreased enrollment in the ogy platform to possibly allow some upcoming school year because families students to stay home and participate may not be able to afford tuition due in class remotely while some students to the pandemic. Siegel said that while are on campus. The equipment neces- it is too early to tell, some professionsary for this education model, as well als have suggested the possibility of a as virtual communication platform 10 percent decrease in enrollment in Zoom and remote filtering, could cost Jewish day schools in North America. over $100,000 which is not covered by “A lot of it will depend on how the PPP. deep school will be able to dig to give JDS also launched its annual financial support, additional or emerMa’ayan campaign, as they do each gency financial support to families to spring. This year’s mailing letter, how- make them feel safe in making that deever, slightly deviated from the usual cision,” Siegel said.
News: The Lion’s Tale Magazine
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How a community copes with COVID-19 CESJDS families and faculty struggle with the realities of the virus Maya Preuss News Editor
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The estimated timeframe for a vaccine is 12 to 18 months, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci
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confirmed cases in the Greater Washington Area as of May 28, according to WTOP
June 2020
The best way to protect yourself is to stay home as much as possible, according to the CDC
“I tested positive for the coronavirus and I thought, OK, I’m not symptomatic. I’m doing great, but that night I started getting sick, and I was sick for 10 days with a fever and chills and was miserable. On the tenth day I noticed my oxygen levels weren’t going very well and so I went to the ER and they admitted me to the hospital for two days, and I was never in danger but I was sick as a dog....It was difficult. I didn’t actually physically hug my kids or touch my wife for six weeks. It was very, very difficult. It was upsetting.”
- Pediatrician Dr. Giorgio Kulp
“...I live all by myself, so I’ve gone from seeing tons of people everyday to spending a lot of time alone. I think I felt some amount of stress or obligation to always have a lot going on so my life feels a lot more peaceful right now.”
-High school math teacher Victoria Ball
“They [Whole Foods] are doing very good to try and clean everything. They close the store early and they clean everything. They have people to work for our store cleaning everything every single day. We try to keep everything safe.”
- Whole Foods team member Hector Cortez
“I’m not stressed out when he [her dad, Hector] comes home because I know he tries to keep clean. I’m more stressed out for when he’s at work and if he gets anything...he’s in that world.”
- Sophomore Julia Cortez
“This is definitely unprecedented and I’m seeing that across the board with my clients, with my vendors, with my suppliers...everyone is very nervous and unsure of what the future holds.”
- Owner of small business RoundPeg LLC, Polina Pinchevsky
“Right now we’re donating them [the masks and shields] but if we can get just in contact with people who need them, we want to sell them for less than what most businesses are selling them for.”
- Seventhgrader Jenna Bortnick “The hardest part is the physical part. It’s really painful like the draeger [mask] hurts your face, it hurts your neck. You got the eye shield on and it’s tight and it gives you a headache...we’re in this stuff for 12 hours a day.”
“I’m immunocompromised anyway, I have Crohn’s disease, so I always have to be cautious. Make sure I don’t touch the T-zone, so I am always very cautious about that...”
- Suburban Hospital nurse Amy Kritz
“She’s [his mom, Amy] taking a lot of precautions when she gets home...so I’m not too worried about getting stuff from her. Her working there has not grieved me that much because I know they’re taking all these safety precautions.”
- Science department chair Kimberly Agzigian
- Seventh-grader Isaac Kritz
News: The Lion’s Tale Magazine
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Opinion
Editorial:
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PANDEMIC POLITICS
he coronavirus has touched the lives of millions of Americans across the nation. With extra time on our hands in the midst of the pandemic, many Americans have been following political developments as we grapple with the virus’s widespread impact. Although politics seem like a secondary concern as thousands lay on their deathbeds and hundreds of thousands seek treatment, we must remember that the actions of our local government officials and healthcare professionals, especially in the Greater Washington area, have directly benefited our health and safety. Local officials have shown us the true American spirit by setting politics aside and putting their constituents’ interests first, while national leaders have fallen short and used this crisis to play politics. Across the nation, state and local leaders have been instrumental in addressing their citizens’ health and economic concerns. The critical responses of states have oftentimes determined the fate of their population and their ability to cope with the virus’ fallout. From coast to coast, these state and local leaders have taken responsibility into their own hands, largely to the great benefit of their constituents, to lead our country through
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editorial cartoon by Ariana Ravitz
these tough times. These actions have ranged from acquiring personal protective equipment to securing nursing homes to ordering testing kits. Those leaders have included Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, as well as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Other notable voices have been Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. The courage and leadership of the aforementioned bipartisan leaders have saved lives and drawn the applause of their constituents. In New York, for instance, Cuomo’s statewide job approval rating as governor jumped from 44 percent to 87 percent, according to The Hill. Cuomo’s widespread popularity is a direct result of his national presence in holding daily press briefings, and being a voice of reason in acquiring crucial testing kits for his state. Even in the midst of anti-lockdown protests at state capitols, many local leaders have continued to place the healthcare needs of their citizens above politics. Some county leaders have also rejected the calls of their state governors to reopen out of concern for their localities, including the heads of Maryland’s Montgomery, Prince George’s and Baltimore counties, who recently extended their
stay-at-home orders as Hogan put the state on track to slowly reopen. We must praise our local leaders for taking action that has not been met at the national level. Despite the U.S. Congress passing three coronavirus legislation packages, national figures have not risen to the occasion to put the people’s health and safety needs first. Democrats have used this as an opportunity to accomplish irrelevant policy objectives on climate and infrastructure, while Republicans have blamed China, rather than the Executive Branch, for failing to contain the virus in the U.S. Such partisan games have no place in our current national crisis, nor are they emblematic of our enduring spirit as a nation, one that must––and always has––come together during grave tragedies. We owe our local leaders, who have recognized the need to unite and heal as a nation, a great debt of gratitude for their leadership and pursuit of the country over their party. Above all, the coronavirus has reminded us that our local leaders oftentimes have a greater impact than our national leaders, especially now during a time of crisis.
-The Lion’s Tale
June 2020
Ethical Eating Is food delivery OK during a pandemic?
Tal Arber Reporter
The moral obligation to help each other during a crisis like this is crucial. But sometimes, the ethical choice isn’t clear. Heeding the call to shelter in place, many people are ordering the delivery of food and groceries. However, workers at supermarkets and restaurants, as well as an army of delivery people, have to go out and risk their own health to provide services for others. Is it ethical to order food or other items from our favorite stores and restaurants at this time through delivery apps such as DoorDash, Uber
Eats and Instacart? Ordering, even in normal times, is often economically motivated and more convenient for most people: why spend time cooking dinner when you have a million other things to do to take care of your family or keep your job? But now, many people are also ordering deliveries online to limit their own exposure to the virus. While this could be seen as selfish, the fewer people who go out and catch or spread the virus, the better. In addition, it is generous and genuine to help those in the community who would otherwise be out of work. As a result of the economic impact of COVID-19, up to 7.5 million businesses are at risk of closing if this pandemic continues. 56.9 percent of businesses have lost over 75 percent of their revenue, according to Vox. COVID-19 has also caused more than eight million restaurant employees to be laid off as businesses try to decrease the number of workers they have in their stores. By ordering food delivery, cus-
tomers are helping workers keep their jobs and, in turn, provide for their own families. Take-out doesn’t just give your family with a tasty and convenient meal; it helps stimulate the economy and keep food in other families’ kitchens.
Zach Gross (‘20) holds an order for Door Dash, which he recently been delivering for.
Do you think it is ethical to have food delivered to your home during a pandemic?
VOTE ONLINE AT LIONSTALE.ORG
Opinion: The Lion’s Tale Magazine
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Communication is Changing and it’s the beginning of a new culture
Matan Silverberg Reporter
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ugs and handshakes have long been fundamental parts of expressing ourselves in our daily relationships both socially and professionally. The loss of these social norms will take a toll on our relationships, but there are still ways to express our feelings during this crisis. Not only is hugging one of society’s signature ways of expressing love to one another, but it has also been proven to be good for our health. According to Psychology Today, hugging reduces the risk of catching a cold. The magazine featured a study in which participants were given nasal drops containing a cold-like virus. Some participants were hugged, and some were not. The former had a decreased risk of infection. While a hug might be good for our health, it’s something we cannot currently give or accept because of the extreme contagion of the coronavirus. Still, some families are finding ways to spread the love: there are numerous accounts online of grandchil-
dren creating shower-curtain barriers so they can hug their grandparents. Clear shower curtains might become the next American success, like toilet paper and flour. But hugs aren’t the only physical contact we’re missing out on these days. On a professional level, handshakes are a key way for employers to evaluate professionalism in a recruit. There are many people who are applying for jobs whose professionalism will be harder to evaluate simply because of the absence of handshakes. According to “The Charisma Myth,” a book about personal magnetism, “handshakes are so important during interviews that one Fortune 500 CEO once said if he had to decide between two candidates with similar qualifications, he’d give the position to the candidate with the better handshake.” Members of generation, who sometimes complain of feeling awkward in such situations, may need to practice these relatively essential professional skills once quarantine passes. Despite these difficult circumstances, special occasions such as bar mitzvahs are still being held and celebrated. Social distancing has taken away our ability to gather with friends and family in person, but joyous celebrations are happening regardless. The Magder family in Washington, D.C. recently celebrated Reuven’s bar mitzvah by using Zoom. Reu-
ven’s mother, Maia Magder, feels the negative impact of losing the ability to celebrate in person. “I tend to feel the ‘presence’ or ‘energy’ from people very strongly, so being around them gives me joy and strength, so that was more what I was missing,” Magder said. “I missed the very presence of people in their physical form.” We cannot replace the feeling of seeing and connecting to people in person. However, we can still find ways to connect virtually. “It was revealed to me during the process of the Bar Mitzvah that nothing was going to be replaced because what [was] lost, people being physically close to me, looking directly into peoples’ eyes, hearing peoples’ voices lifted in song and prayer, was irreplaceable,” Magder said. But social distancing cannot stop human interaction and the feeling of close connection. “Instead of hugs from people, we saw flashes of them on-screen cheering and crying, got texts and emails, and felt so much love,” Magder said. “The brief love transmitted from a hug was similar to those flashes of love I saw on screen. That was amazing.”
cartoon by Ariana Ravitz
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June 2020
Graduation Gratitude Josie Stein Former contributing editor
Unlike millions of other high school seniors around the world, CESJDS’ Class of 2020 was able to have a prom, an in-person graduation ceremony and virtually every other senior experience ranging from sporting events, music concerts, spirit weeks and last day traditions. To top it all off, we still received three incredible weeks in Israel. During the weeks following the Class of 2020’s premature departure from the Irene and Daniel Simpkins Senior Capstone Israel Trip due to the coronavirus pandemic, my classmates and I mourned the loss of what was supposed to mark the end of senior
photos courtesy of Josie Stein
JDS seniors experienced the majority of traditions that seniors around the world never got to
year and define our JDS experience. While we were grateful to have three weeks in Israel, the majority of us had spent our whole lives looking forward to this trip. We spent countless hours in Israel fearing the worst as COVID-19 became more prevalent. Our fears were confirmed in the middle of the night on March 15 when we heard that the Jewish National Fund chartered a flight to send us home that following evening. While we were all devastated, it did not take us long to realize how truly fortunate we were to have had the opportunity to experience the majority of JDS senior traditions. It is hard to relate to other high school seniors during this time because we are not taking classes and most of us do not have jobs, so we are sitting at home, finding other ways to occupy our time. Not taking classes may be a silver lining for some, but I miss having a school routine to give me structure. While we do not share the same experiences of our public school peers, we understand what it is like to face uncertainty during this time.
Several students are choosing to take gap years as we do not know whether college campuses will be open in the fall. During what is supposed to be an exciting time of committing to college and planning our futures, we are unable to share these experiences with our friends. Our time together was cut short and we do not know when, or if, we will be able to see our classmates again. All we can do is work together to stay connected virtually in order to protect those around us and keep our relationships intact. As I sit at home and reflect on the events of the past several months, I look back on my final semester at JDS with fondness and gratitude. We were incredibly lucky to have been able to fully experience our senior year, and even though our capstone trip ended early, I am certain that the Class of 2020 will emerge stronger and more united when all of this is over.
Opinion: The Lion’s Tale Magazine
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In-Depth Daphne Kaplan Senior In-Depth and Design Editor
Mischa Trainor In-Depth and Design Editor
Eva Bard Arts & Entertainment Editor
SCHOOL SICK Statewide shutdown shifts academics online
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n March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declare COVID-19 a global pandemic, temporarily halting conventional life across the globe. Following WHO’s declaration, Governor Larry Hogan issued a state-wide shutdown on March 12 that closed non-essential businesses, public buildings and public schools, leaving individuals confined to their homes. With campuses closed, most school districts implemented remote learning systems to complete the academic year. Normalcy in Academics Head of School Rabbi Mitch Malkus announced the closure of school on Thursday, March 12 to be in effect on Wednesday, March 18. CESJDS quickly transitioned to an “enhanced distance learning program,” Malkus wrote in a school-wide email. On March 18, JDS launched its remote learning program, which gave high school students and faculty flexibility with asynchronous classes and work for specific subjects being posted on certain days. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, English, history, Jewish history, Jewish text and science teachers would assign work, whereas, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, math and world language teachers posted work. After two weeks of distanced learning and a series of feedback forums for students, parents and faculty, the administration adjusted the high school schedule. The administration recognized that students and faculty have familial responsibilities and are experiencing additional stress due the disruption of normalcy. The new schedule mandated synchronous classes at least once a week and limited teachers to only assign three hours of work per-week in a respective course, according to Dean of
Academics Aileen Goldstein. The administration also instituted a three day grace period for high school students, allowing them to complete work up to three days late without penalty. “It’s been a little rocky in some places in terms of adjusting, which is why we have engaged with the families, with the students, with the student council, with the faculty meetings, really trying to figure out what is the balance, and we have done a lot of training around distance learning,” Goldstein said. While there several adjustments within scheduling for classes, sophomore Zoe Wertlieb appreciated her
ule with synchronized learning and a smaller workload. Given that students have less work, the entire school’s curriculum has slowed down. Namely, teachers are seeking to hone students’ skills and focus on the building blocks of the curriculum to help students continue their learning successfully. “When you’re not in front of students and you don’t have the ability to see how they are responding, it is more difficult to introduce new concepts,” history department chair and teacher Mark Buckley said. Additionally, Buckley had to restructure deadlines on his junior students’ U.S. History advanced term paper to provide ample time “When you’re not in front of students and you don’t for them to have the ability to see how they are responding, it is c o m p l e t e their essays. more difficult to introduce new concepts.” Similarly, English - History department chair and department chair Dr. teacher Mark Buckley Thomas Worden had to reevalureduced workload. ate the English curriculum given the “I think that the workload is good, lack of instructional time. The Ennormally for me, it takes less time than glish department decided to skip “The they think it will, so I am okay. I don’t Glass Menagerie” in the junior ECP feel very overwhelmed,” Wertieb said. class, “V for Vendetta” in sophomore While middle school students advanced classes and “Romeo and Juhave participated in distance learning, liet” in eighth grade classes. their schedule initially differed from “We want to do what we do well. that of high school students. During Myself, I always feel like it’s do it well the first two weeks of remote learning, or don’t do it all, so it’s all or nothing, middle school students focused on and we’re really erring on the side of two interdisciplinary projects and had not doing things,” Worden said. math and world language classes. The history and English departAfter completing two “passion ments are not alone in changing the projects,” middle school students en- structure of their classes. Learning gaged in pre-Passover learning and specialist Brett Kugler has adapted his subsequently joined the high school structured study hall classes to disin having a more structured sched- tance learning. He uses FaceTime to
In-Depth: The Lion’s Tale Magazine
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meet with each of his students once a week to discuss how they are doing and helps them create a structured routine for school and stay organized if needed. The science department is no longer able to conduct in-person labs. Junior Jane Trainor is currently taking Genetics II advanced which, for the second semester, is primarily a labbased class. The class has shifted to doing more independent research. “I think it is unfortunate that we are not able to do labs, but there is nothing we can do about it,” Trainor said. Art teacher Benjamin Tellie has also changed the curriculum for his Art and Design and Graphic Design classes to accommodate for the lack of resources by focusing on wellness. Some of his new projects included creating art for family members and responding to a prompt while work-
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Grading Process Due to the adjustments in learning, the administration altered the grading process for all Upper School students. The administration instituted a “Pass/D/Fail” system for middle school students, which is a standardized grading system that gives students a grade in classes upon reaching a certain percent for the fourth quarter, and accounts for 15 percent of students’ final grades. Although the administration wants to implement a pass/fail system for high school, it is unrealistic given that high school grades carry more “weight” in college admissions and high school students take more semester classes, according to Goldstein. “Could I give you a grade for English first semester during first semester, but give you a pass/fail grade second? Probably, but does that you put
to ensure that all necessary research books were available for students online. Strausberg and Assistant Media Center Specialist Mirele Kessous offered office hours twice daily to help all students in need of assistance finding or accessing online resources. According to Strausberg, however, said most students came just to chat or talk about books. “There are lots of places to get information. It’s more of a matter that if students need help, it is not as easy to access the library as walking in the door,” Strausberg said. “It’s a little bit more challenging for students to find us if they need help.” In regards to English books, Worden said, teachers distributed most books before classes moved online. In the case that classes did not have a paper copy of the book, they used a free copy online.
There are lots of places to get information. It’s more of a matter that if students need help, it is not as easy to access the library as walking in the door. It’s a little bit more challenging for students to find us if they need help.
—Media center specialist Cheryl Fox Strausberg
ing with a constraint like using one’s non-dominant hand to symbolize how the students are dealing with the current circumstances. “The biggest resource [we do not have right now] is [having] Tellie [around] because it’s a lot easier for me to do my art to the best of my ability when I have someone who knows what they are doing to critique me, so that’s hard not having that second opinion,” sophomore Rebecca Bender, who is currently enrolled in photography and art Zman Kodesh, said. The shortening and restructuring of conventional curriculum has left teachers thinking about how to continue, knowing that students will not complete the traditional curriculum. “We can’t get as much done as we want to and we don’t need to, I don’t think,” Worden said. “We’re just going to have to start next year knowing that we didn’t do some of these things and proceed from there.”
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in a bad situation moving forward? We don’t want to do that,” Goldstein said. “We are looking at what are best practices and the indications right now, what do the different studies say?” Utilizing Resources Although students and teachers lost access to physical resources in the building, technology proved critical in finishing the school year at home, according to Director of Instructional Technology Ginger Thornton. Technology not only allowed teachers to connect with their classes, but it also gave them access to all necessary resources for the curriculum. “Luckily, books aren’t the only resource tool we have,” Media Center Specialist Cheryl Fox Strausberg said. “We still have access to all of our online databases so we can still go do research in other places.” In addition to the online databases the school previously had access to, Strausberg worked with teachers
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The novel “Red Scarf Girl,” originally in the sixth grade curriculum, was not available online, so the sixth grade changed the focus of their curriculum to a symposium project. According to Worden, the shortage is not in physical resources, but in “the resource of time.” Respecting Academic Integrity As previously reported in The Lion’s Tale (“Academic Epidemic,” Aug. 27, 2019), students’ desire to improve their grades, as well as the technology that allows them to collaborate on assignments, has threatened their academic integrity. These concerns regarding academic integrity enforcement have only heightened amid distanced learning with constant technology usage. “[Academic dishonesty] deprives [students] of the academic learning they would have otherwise experienced and it keeps them from gaining skills in addressing challenges with
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Left to right, top to bottom: Sophomore Rebecca Safra designs art about connections in a phone; Junior Lila Berger paints two overlapping hands; science department chair and teacher Kimberly Agzigian performs labs for her Genetics & Biotechnology I students from home.
honesty,” according to Associate Head of School and High School Principal Dr. Marc Lindner. According to a recent Lion’s Tale survey of 65 high school students, during distance learning, 22 students cheated on an assignment, 27 collaborated wrongfully, 35 students saw a peer breach the academic integrity policy and no participants have reported students they have witnessed acting academically dishonestly to a teacher or administrator. These statistics show that approximately 48 percent of survey participants cheated during distanced learning in some aforementioned degree. Junior Jack Weitnzer does not understand why students feel so inclined to cheat, even with it being easier. “There is no one sitting over your shoulder, making sure that you spend only one hour on your DBQ exactly, there’s not a person looking over your shoulder, making sure you are not copy and pasting off some other document … it’s still far less work … but you just have to do it,” Weitzner said. In contrast, although history teacher and chair of the Academic Honesty Committee Carl Atwood believes it is easier to cheat, he understands students’ inclination to do so. “I think for students, I kind of empathize. You’re not with your teacher; it’s harder to ask questions,” Atwood said. “It’s not impossible, you can always email your teachers if you have questions, you can always ask for clar-
ifications, but the opportunities are fewer for that.” JDS’ Academic Honesty Committee, composed of teachers, guidance counselors and administrators, has taken measures to circumvent students’ desire and ability to cheat on assignments. When distanced learning began, Atwood drafted language for teachers to place in assignments’ directions, which details whether students are allowed to collaborate. Similarly, the JDS administration suspended all closed-note tests and quizzes upon returning from spring break and canceled high school final exams. While the academic integrity policy is in effect during distanced learning, the administration’s procedure towards managing students’ alleged breaches of the policy is different due to added anxiety regarding COVID-19. Before the school closure, Goldstein primarily oversaw students’ alleged acts of academic dishonesty. Currently, Dean of Students Roslyn Landy and Lindner have also been involved in the process to “look at the full picture … and understand what is going on,” according to Goldstein. “We want students to adhere to honesty and to do their work with integrity, but also note that in each of these cases, is there something else going on that is actually a flag for us,” Goldstein said. “At JDS, there is this culture that everything we send to our teachers has to be ‘perfect’ or it has to be the quality
that would receive an ‘A.’ It is so much harder, I think, for students to feel confident in their work when they’re alone at home by themselves with fewer opportunities for teacher feedback,” Atwood said. Academic Clubs Academics have not been the only part of student life forced to adapt to the school closure. Without being able to meet in-person, student clubs, too, had to change the way they operate. The Melting Pot, JDS’ Spanish and Arabic literary magazine, faced many obstacles in producing their magazine due to technology barriers and a smaller staff willing to work from home. According to Weitzner, who is the magazine’s producer and production manager, the Melting Pot staff had to focus their attention on getting all the content compiled. “It was going to be so amazing, better than any years before, and now, here we are, just a couple months later, and half the people who were working on it have gone and we’re shortening it, just trying to make something,” Weitzner said. Due to their smaller staff, Melting Pot had to push their original deadline to early June, when they plan to release the magazine to students and families through Issuu, a digital publishing platform. While all original submissions will be included, because of the limited resources, the staff had to get creative using pictures from their own backyards and Passover seder tables. In-Depth: The Lion’s Tale Magazine 15
The yearbook staff has also been forced to think outside of the box as they brainstorm new ways to fill the pages of next year’s yearbook without significant spreads such as Color War, Zimriyah and spring sports. To keep the yearbook the same length, the Dimensions Yearbook staff plans to add speciality spreads and content about life in quarantine. “We really have to think creatively about what new spreads to create and how to make more creative content to fill the space of interesting content that we lost,” co-editor-in-chief of the Dimensions Yearbook and junior Arava Rose said. “It’s a lot of brainstorming, but we’re getting there.” Sophomore and co-editor-in-chief of the Bohr Franklin Science Journal Elliot Sher feels that unlike other publications that spent time adjusting to the school closure, the science journal has gotten ahead of schedule and will be able to publish earlier in the winter than expected. The staff continued writing and peer-reviewing articles and was able to teach everyone how to use the design software online. Not only have publications been greatly affected by COVID-19. Both Model United Nations and Junior State of America (JSA) had their conventions, originally scheduled for midApril, cancelled, making it hard for members to stay engaged. “That spring convention usually serves to tie up the end of the year,” sophomore and a member of JSA’s regional board Naomi Gould said. “... So JSA is kind of lacking this closure that we usually get at the end of the year and of course, the opportunity to see everybody again.” On a regional level, JSA offered online programming such as debates and webinars, but, the club did not meet virtually on a chapter level. Junior and JSA chapter president Sami Himmelfarb thought chapter meetings would be difficult to organize and that participation would be low. “It’s a little bit upsetting because I was excited to be chapter president and to take on that leadership role and to get to work with younger students and see them become passionate about being civically engaged the way I had the opportunity to,” Himmelfarb said. “It makes me sad that they’re not
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really going to get that opportunity, or at least not for a little while.” Scheduled Events Given that all gatherings of more than ten people are discouraged to practice social distancing and due to Montgomery County’s “stay at home” order, annual JDS culminating academic events including field trips, Arts Chai lights and award ceremonies have been canceled or postponed. Due to the initial state-wide shutdown, the sophomores’ theater trip to see “Much Ado About Nothing” and the school-wide visual arts field trip
es and experiences for students. Limitations do breed creativity, and that is certainly the case here,” Solomon said. The annual world language award ceremony that recognizes students enrolled in Spanish and Arabic classes’ achievements in the classroom and in the National Spanish Exam (NSE) was also canceled. The ceremony, which is typically held in the middle of May, involves the induction of students into the National Spanish and Arab Honors Societies, the awarding of medals for students who performed well on the NSE and the congratulating of the students of the year in Spanish III, IV and V. Although stu“I have been really delighted with the creativity dents and families that has come from the arts faculty in designing cannot gather to online courses and experiences for students. celebrate students’ Limitations do breed creativity, and that is academic achievements in person, certainly the case here.” World Languag- Director of Arts Education Dr. David Solomon es Department Chair and Spanish teacher Dr. Silvia Kurlat Ares is were both canceled. In lieu of these seeking a way to congratulate students trips, Director of Arts Education Dr. in the fall. David Solomon sent out a list of free “We want to recognize everyor low-cost theater opportunities for body and applaud everyone for their students to watch while quarantining. achievements, but we don’t want to “There is an overwhelming put anybody in a situation that is unamount of stuff that is out there. We safe or awkward,” Kurlat Ares said. have all had that experience throughFuture Academic Endeavors out the past few weeks, ‘Oh my goodCurrent juniors are facing uncerness, I am so bored.’ If you are bored, tainty over what the college process it is all there, there is stuff to do,” Sol- will look like next year. omon said. SAT and ACT tutors have shifted Solomon worked to move Arts to tutoring virtually. Top Score EducaChai Lights, JDS’ annual art showcase tion, a standardized testing institution, online on June 3, rather than cancel- has shifted to doing at-home practice ing the event entirely. The arts depart- tests, but they are continuing to do ment showcased students’ artwork on- them on paper instead of virtually. line through interactive experiences While Top Score Education has used by creating galleries of students’ art- virtual tutoring before, they are findwork and having performances. ing trouble keeping students engaged. Shir Madness, JDS’ a cappella “The communication needs to just choir, had already been singing togeth- be a lot better, and that’s something I er by making and compiling videos of have certainly voiced to my tutors is members singing while social distanc- that there has to be even more engageing. According to freshman and Shir ment,” President of Top Score EducaMadness member Aidan Kempner, tion Alexander Chip said. “Certainly in performing and having a video at vir- any tutoring program you should have tual Arts Chai Lights was no different. a lot of engagement. But when you’re “I have been really delighted with doing it digitally there has to be much the creativity that has come from the more of a conversation and less of a arts faculty in designing online cours- lecture situation.”
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Last day of school distanced for all JDSlearning students
high school finals were canceled for students
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As a result of the lack of testing opportunities, some universities have gone test-optional for the following school year, meaning that they will not require standardized test scores from students to apply. SAT Subject Tests have also been cancelled until at least August. Sophomore Emma Landy was planning on taking the Molecular Biology Subject Test this May before starting to study for the SAT. “I’m not super thrilled about having to extend the studying period and pushing it forward because as junior
minute Advanced Placement tests for students who opted to take them
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cancelled their April, May and June administrations
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year is approaching, studying for the SAT or the ACT is going to become more important,” Emma said. “...Now that that is not possible, I understand that if that’s necessary then that’s what I’ll do.” Advanced Placement tests shifted from three-hour in-person exams to 45-minute online exams. Colleges, so far, will be accepting these exams for college credit as they normally would. JDS college counselors had their college meetings over Zoom and supported current juniors and seniors through the college process during the
Data courtesy of The Lion’s Tale, CESJDS administration, The College Board, ACT inc., Photo illustration by Daphne Kaplan
“I think [people] had the hardest time suddenly not seeing their friends and teachers everyday. Technology has been crucial in preserving and nuturing that. ”
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school closure. The college process will look different this year as there will be a lack of extracurriculars during this time on students’ application, and an essay question about how students spent their time could come up next year, according to Director of College Counseling Sue Rexford. “I know that they are already having to adjust to online learning,” Rexford said. “They are having to make a lot of adjustments to how they live, but the college process is going to happen.” In-Depth: The Lion’s Tale Magazine
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Features Features
Virtual Worship
The pandemic’s impact on the practice of Judaism
Sophie Kaplan and Rochelle Berman Contributing editor and Assistant copy editor
One of the most important aspects of Judaism is being part of a community, but due to the coronavirus, many religious customs are no longer possible. Nevertheless, the Jewish community of Greater Washington has come together online to accommodate and do its best to overcome these newly posed challenges. Along with the interactive remote learning schedule that CESJDS implemented for its Upper School students, there are special ceremonies for holidays that are traditionally celebrated together as a community, as well as daily Zman Kodesh options. Days of commemoration such as Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut were
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Hebrew Speaker class and the Hebrew Department, also conducted a tekes. The parents of a soldier who died while fighting in the Israeli Defense Forces had planned to commemorate Yom HaZikaron at JDS, but instead the family attended the Zoom, and a video was shown in memoriam of their son. Yom HaAtzmaut, usually one of the most anticipated days of the year at JDS, was renamed “Zoomriyah” in an attempt to preserve the special day regularly referred to as “Zimriyah.” The Zoom call included a special video message from Israeli pop star Dana International and concluded with a group song of the traditional Israeli song, BaShana Haba’ah. To help create a sense of normalcy for students who value daily prayer, JDS found ways to move the Zman Kodesh program online. One of the Zman Kodesh options
While sophomore Elyon Topolosky usually attends the Mechitza Ashkenazi Zman Kodesh option, he has found new meaning in praying at home individually. “I was not always davening every single word, but now I’m able to focus on certain words. And sometimes I’ll even daven outside in my open field, and that is really nice and it’s quiet,” Topolosky said. Junior Eilah Goldberg has been able to stay connected to the Jewish community by participating in online events with the Jewish youth group, NCSY. Goldberg enthusiastically attends many of their virtual activities, but still misses aspects of in-person meetings. “It’s just a little hard when … you’re not physically there and you just have to be at home,” Goldberg said. While sophomore Oren Swa-
I was not always davening every single word, but now I’m able to focus on certain words. And, sometimes I’ll even daven outside in my open field, and that is really nice.
each celebrated on Zoom calls that were available to the greater Jewish community. Groups of students and teachers worked to create new and virtual ways to observe these days. On Yom HaShoah, a volunteer group of sophomores led a tekes (ceremony) on Zoom that included Holocaust survivor Dr. Roger Loria telling his story. Yom HaZikaron, led by the Heritage
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—Sophomore Elyon Topolosky is facilitated by high school learning specialist Brett Kugler, who would regularly run the middle school Mechitza Ashkenazi Zman Kodesh but has now opened up his minyan to all students, faculty and alumni. As the minyan has been opened up to a larger group of people, approximately 12 to 17 students, faculty and alumni come every day with around 30 having ever attended.
gel agrees that his ideal world would include being physically together with others, he also knows how much the Jewish community has accomplished during this time. “I think the Jewish Community is stepping up to the plate helping people in our community who need help … just to be safe and healthy,” Swagel said. JDS is not the only institution
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implementing new strategies on line in order to keep the community connected. Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, D.C. has switched over to being completely online during the quarantine. Assistant Rabbi of Adas Israel Rabbi Sarah Krinsky has been working to ensure the continuity of the communal, educational and prayer related aspects that the synagogue is usually able to provide for its congregants. While the clergy continues to brainstorm and reevaluate their decisions, they “have been able to keep a lot of the things that were part of our rhythm and part of our schedule, and move them virtually,” Krinsky said. The synagogue has decided to both continue all of the amenities that had previously been provided in person, as well as making additions to the schedule such as the “Daily Torah Bites” offered at noon every day (except Saturday) by the clergy via Facebook Live. These classes, shiurim as they are called, are generally under a half-hour, and they are accessible to anyone. Much like how JDS is working to provide a structure for their students, Adas Israel is focusing on providing some kind of structure for their congregants as well. According to Krinsky, “the triad of goals” being fulfilled by the staff are “routine, content and connection.” The synagogue has been working to add new events to their schedule during quarantine, and these new additions may continue into the future even after the virus passes. “I bet we’ll continue doing more online than we had in the past,” Krinsky said. “I think one of the things that this has forced is a step back from autopilot because now everything that we do gets asked, what is the purpose of this? What goal is it fulfilling?” In addition to the new traditions established by minyans and communities, B’nai Mitzvot that were scheduled to take place during the quarantine were done in very different fashions. One example of this was the bar mitzvah of seventh-grader Jake Peppe, which was supposed to occur in Sun Valley, Idaho on April 12, but was instead done over a Zoom call with fam-
ily and friends from all over the country, many of whom were not able to go to the original service. “I feel like it [the Zoom service] did establish a bit more of a community because some people who weren’t going to be able to go to Idaho were able to watch the video and be with the rest of the people that were there. Also, I got to have my friends there which was really fun,” Jake said. The Peppe family made the difficult decision between whether or not to postpone the Bar Mitzvah, although, ultimately they decided it simply would not be fair to their son, according to Jake’s sister Julia. “Initially we were considering postponing it but we soon realized that we did not know how long we would be postponing it for and he would have to learn a new Torah portion,” Julia said. One nice element of online gatherings in the Jewish community is the
inclusivity felt by those who participate; as there are limited options of services and minyans to attend, many of those who daven online do so with people of differing levels of observance. “Having so many families with different denominational practices, it has been really beautiful to see the school providing so many options that attempt to make everyone feel comfortable, even if those options have had to be condensed given the distance learning,” Kugler said. Despite the obvious hardships that evolve from not being able to go to synagogue and connect with religion in a typical manner, Kugler noted that there are new ways that communities are able to come together and celebrate their spirituality. “In my court on Friday nights all the Jewish families come out into their yard and sing parts of Kabbalat Shabbat together and while it may not be a formal minyan, it is really nice to hear these things in the neighborhood,” Kugler said.
Seventh-grader Jake Peppe reads his speech for his Bar Mitzvah that took place over Zoom. “I feel like it [the zoom service] did establish a bit more of a community,” Peppe said.
photo courtesy of Julia Peppe
Features: Lion’s Tale Magazine
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OVERTIME Families are feeling the effects of constant interaction Jessica Gallo Contributing editor
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s a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, families have been home together since midMarch. Since being at home, family relationships have changed drastically through family dinners, binging movies and TV shows, and other new hobbies and activities that the average family would not have the time for during the chaos of normal life. Jewish History teacher Rachel Bergstein is enjoying the time at home with her family. Having just come back from maternity leave, she appreciates the extra time with her kids, especially at times where she wouldn’t normally be with them, such as during meals. “We do some things that we don’t usually do, like having breakfast together and having lunch together,” Bergstein said. “I feel like the meal times are when we have a lot of family time, which is nice.” Junior Miriam Bisker has taken time at home to bond with her four brothers and is hoping to continue spending time with them after quarantine. Each morning before online classes start, she and her brothers go on a walk together around their neighborhood, and every Saturday night, they watch a movie. Although the constancy of being together has caused tension in their home, Bisker feels that it has been beneficial to their relationships. “We have been getting into a lot
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of fights but we can’t go anywhere so everyone kind of goes to take a breather outside or in their room. Since we know we’re stuck together, we talk it out and makeup. We have had a lot of good verbal communication,” Bisker said.
“Since we know we’re stuck together, we talk it out and makeup. We have had a lot of good verbal communication” - Junior Miriam Bisker
they have also found themselves continuously watching TV shows together for the first time. As much as Lindner is enjoying the time together, he wonders how the transition back to normal life will affect his family and hopes that they will prioritize spending time together after the quarantine ends, even if it is in different ways than before. “I think one thing we’re all wondering is what this period of time will do to us as a family. It’s never going to be quite the same as this, but I do hope this leads us to do things differently later,” Lindner said.
Freshman Jonah Gross and his family have been staying busy by doing different activities together. Gross has been playing catch with his brother and cooking with his mom as well as to drawing. He has also started watching Netflix series with his family for the first time and feels that being at home has had a positive effect overall. “I would say our relationships have improved a lot, especially mine with my brother,” Gross said. “We’ve spent a lot of time together and I do hope to find the time to continue to spend time together after this ends.” High School Principal and Associate Head of School Dr. Marc Lindner is grateful to have extra time with his Photo courtesy of the Gross family family. His older daughter came home from college, and The Gross family enjoys a bike ride during quarantine
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M Celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, new pets and much more Maiyan Lyani Reporter
Despite numerous challenges, birthdays, B’nai Mitzvot, anniversaries, weddings and other milestones are all still happening, albeit in different ways. Math teacher Robert Shorr and his fiancé have been planning their upcoming wedding for nearly five months. Shorr got engaged in mid-January and their wedding is set for August 2. In lieu of a traditional ceremony, Shorr’s wedding will be livestreamed and the party will likely be postponed until it is deemed safe to celebrate in person. “Everyone has been really supportive… friends have been very understanding.” Shorr said. Shorr and his fiancé have kept a positive attitude, irrespective of the inconvenient situation, throughout the planning process. “We hoped to have a lot of dancing, which is definitely not happening,” Shorr said. “It’s safer to be individual.” Weddings aren’t the only celebrations happening during the quarantine. On March 30, history teacher Eytan Apter celebrated his birthday. Apter was disappointed to be at home for his birthday because he enjoys to spend time with his friends, but
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could not, under the circumstances. “My birthday was on a Monday and usually the Shabbat around, I have family and friends over to have dinner,” Apter said, “It was very different not having any of my friends.” Sixth-grader David Kempner also celebrated his birthday at home.
six-feet apart has become a common way to celebrate milestones. Others have devised increasingly creative ways of c e l e b r a t i o n , including driving by a friend’s house with posters and blasting music, or parking cars in a circle and s i t t i n g in the trunks to talk. Several members of the community adopted new pets Eighth-grader Dalia Greenblum “We were thinking about getand her family recently welcomed ting [a dog] after the summer, Kingston, a mini Bernese Mounbut... decided we should just do tain Dog into their home. it now.” “We were thinking about get- Eighth-grader Dalia Greenblum ting [a dog] after the summer, but when quarantine started my parents decided we should just do it “Last year it rained so I couldn’t now,” Greenblum said. do something with my friends,” Greenblum loves playing with Kempner said. “Usually I do some- Kingston, as he provides companionthing with my friends like a ship and helps occupy her time. sleepover.” Greenblum was not the only one This year, several to welcome a new puppy into their of Kempner’s friends family. Freshman Josh Einhorn and walked by his house to his family have fostered dogs in the say hello and wish him past and decided that now was the a happy birthday. This perfect time to foster another one was a very different sit- since they have plenty of time to take uation for Kempner, and care of it. while he was a bit disBoth Einhorn and Greenblum appointed, he still said that before they welcomed these had a fun time. puppies, quarantine was tedious and To comply not exciting, but they now have somewith current thing to occupy them. guidelines, “I’ll take him outside and he can v i s i t i n g actually fetch now,” Greenblum said. f r i e n d s “He loves being outside.” and family on special events and standing Dalia Greenblum holds her new dog, Kingston. Photo courtesy of Dalia Greenblum
Features: The Lion’s Tale Magazine
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K e e p ing Sally Rogal Features editor
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is important to remember what we do have and to be thankful for that. “It’s also really important to validate and acknowledge your personal challenges, process your feelings and grieve for all you are losing,” Topolosky said. “We are able to be appreciative of all we have, and at the same time, feel overwhelmed that so much [else] is falling apart.” With distance learning and fewer school hours, Gartner thinks that it is important to keep set hours for school while also making sure to take breaks throughout the day. “It is really important to take
hile everyone is stuck at home, it is often easy to find oneself disconnected from their communities and the world around them, so it is more important than ever to take care of their mental health. Sophomore Vanessa Mark thinks that mental health has been greatly impacted by being in quarantine. “I think to a certain extent we need human interaction and to see our friends and so it can really bring people down,” Mark said. “But I think that because this is such a serious situation, people are spending more time focusing on their mental health.” “I think that because this is such a seAlthough we cannot rious situation, people are spending physically visit others, High more time focusing on their mental school guidance counselor health.” Melissa Gartner thinks that -Sophomore Vanessa Mark staying connected with others is one of the most important things to do, and she notes that social media can breaks and not just look at a screen be a great tool to do so. for eight hours a day and [make sure Both Gartner and high school that] you are doing things to take care guidance counselor Rachel Soifer of your body and replenish yourself think that it is important to keep in creatively,” Gartner said. mind that students are part of a very In addition to taking breaks, Soifer supportive community that they can adds that it is important for students rely on to get through hard times such to set goals for themselves each day as as this one. In honor of Mental Health well as stick to a healthy routine. Awareness Month, the Mental Health “Once you have established a club put together a video that was part healthy routine, those mental and of the May 15 Kabbalat Shabbat video. physical health staples are especialIt showed some students’ and faculty ly important right now,” Soifer said. members’ thoughts on mental health “When we are home every day and during this pandemic and that the we don’t have other things in our lives CESJDS community is there to help that check and balance what we are anyone that needs it. doing and how we are doing, we have Clinical psychologist and JDS parto do that for ourselves.” ent Dr. Dahlia Topolosky agrees that it With the disappointment that
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Me n t a l He a l t h comes with canceled events or the uncertainty about the future, Topolosky emphasizes the benefits of practicing mindfulness for our mental health. Some of these tools include meditation or yoga. “So much of our anxiety is worrying about the future and not knowing when this will end and that’s normal,” Topolosky said. “But we need to function and mindfulness tools help us with self-awareness and allow us to focus on the moment and relax our bodies and minds.” In addition to mindfulness, there are other creative tools to help cope, such as art or journaling. Mark has spent some of her free time journaling and drawing in addition to starting a garden. “I have been focusing on doing activities that I really like,” Mark said. “I like to garden and I started a garden because I have more time and it has been really fun to take care of it.” Topolosky also thinks that it can be beneficial for a teen’s mental health to feel useful or learn a new skill during this time. “Doing things that are meaningful, that give you a purpose and a sense of self-worth and independence, results in happier moods and kinder teens,” Topolosky said. While the future of this pandemic is still very much uncertain, Topolosky believes the transition to normal life will eventually occur and that it is important to stay optimistic. “This is a very hard time but I do believe that we have to keep in mind that this will not be forever and that this is an opportunity to teach us that we are resilient, that we can learn the tools to cope, and that we will get through the most challenging of times,” Topolosky said.
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Exercise apps for everyone Although it may seem difficult to stay fit during the quarantine, there are plenty of ways to get exercise without leaving the house. One of the best ways to stay active at home is to use a workout app. I tried multiple free fitness apps over the past few weeks, all of which only required a yoga mat. Nike’s fitness app, Nike Training Club, offers endurance, mobility, strength and yoga workouts of varying lengths. You can also choose a workout that only uses equipment you have at home. The app provides a video demonstrating each exercise and provides an audio recording leading you through the exercises, making it easy to follow. The exercises are hard and tiring, but it feels nice and refreshing after sitting at my desk for the whole day. The app has some free workouts that are really great, though you can also buy the premium package to have greater access. Overall, I would give this app an eight out of 10. The next app I tried was 7-Minute Workout. This app provides high-intensity interval training exercises, including the acclaimed seven-minute workout, which is short and relatively easy. They show an animated figure
which sometimes makes it difficult to understand how to do certain exercises. Similar to Nike Training Club, you can choose to focus on different parts of the body such as abs, glutes, legs or arms. Since the workouts are short, you can do multiple workouts at a time, focusing on a different muscle group each time. I would recommend this app for people who like shorter workouts, but I would give this app a seven out of 10 because there are not many workouts to choose from. Workout for Women has the same layout and features as 7-Minute Workout, but it is designed solely for women’s bodies, whereas 7-Minute Workout is designed for all genders. This full-body workout helps release tension after sitting at a computer all day. I would give this app a nine out of 10 because it offers workout plans to follow, and the workouts are easy but effective. Another app I tried was called Home Workout. It provides longer workouts that are usually at least 20 minutes. There are different difficulty levels that are based on experience and fitness level, which makes it easy to find the right workout for you on the app. It has 28-day plans and allows you to set goals for yourself. However, the voice that guides you through the exercises sounds similar to Siri’s monotonous voice, which is less enjoyable than the
photo by Mischa Trainor
photo provided by Zara Ducker
Zara Ducker Reporter
Sports
WORK(OUT) FROM HOME others. I would give this app a six out of 10 because I found myself getting bored midway through since the workouts were long and the exercises were repetitive. The last fitness app I tried was called Fiton, which offers an abundance of exercise types to choose from such as strength, pilates, yoga, dance, barre, cardio and toning. There are live classes to watch and participate in with a real instructor leading you through the exercises. This app also allows you to set an alarm to pair with your workout which is helpful because I often lose track of time during the day. Additionally, this app has meal plans to help users eat healthier, which is especially helpful for people who have been eating unhealthily while in quarantine. This app is great because the leader keeps me going, and the format reminds me of being in a real-life workout class. Overall, I would give this app a 9 out of 10. Out of all the apps, I would definitely recommend Fiton, as well as 7-Minute Workout and Workout For Women for shorter workouts. These apps were all easy to use and provided great and tiring workouts
photo by Mischa Trainor
Sports: The Lion’s Tale Magazine
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CANCELED Potential recruits stay on top of their game despite losing spring season
Sophia Miller and Adam Drexler Sports editor and reporter
With the spring travel and AAU seasons being canceled, many athletes were forced to change their expectations of what the season would entail. These cancellations have caused drastic changes to an athlete’s college recruiting process, as athletes now must primarily rely on communication rather than being able to demonstrate their athletic abilities at tournaments. For athletes, the spring and summer seasons of junior year are the most important in the recruitment process because athletes attend showcases to capture the attention of college coaches. Additionally, student-athletes are able to visit different schools and programs in person. With in-person showcases on hold, both athletes and coaches have had to find new ways
to stay in touch with their teams and coaches. Junior Abby Alter plays on a travel soccer team, which has found different ways to continue their training while at home. Her team utilizes two different apps, one that gives them dif-
ning workouts. In addition to using these apps, her team also has biweekly Zoom calls. In one meeting, they watch films from different soccer games and complete a written assignment based on the footage they saw. In the other, they discuss the college process and how to reach “This is the most important time for college out to different coaches via email. basketball recruiting, so it is really unfortunate Tryouts for that it looks like there will not be any some AAU basketball teams showcases or camps for the foreseeable were planned future.” to take place in - Junior Jake Rulnick March, but many were canceled due to the coronavirus. Junior ferent soccer drills to do and another Jake Rulnick was disappointed about that gives them weightlifting and run- the cancellation of his AAU season.
“I’m disappointed because I was looking forward to getting to play with the juniors for one more season and I wanted to improve my batting.” - Sophomore Avital Friedman
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“We lost in heartbreaking fashion last year, so we came in knowing what we needed to do to win and wanting it. I was also most excited to pitch.” - Junior Robby Lefkowitz
June 2020
Without having access to a gym and weekly practices, Rulnick has had to resort to practicing in his driveway and doing workouts from Power Train gym through the Team Buildr app. “This is the most important time for college basketball recruiting, so it is really unfortunate that it looks like there will not be any showcases or camps for the foreseeable future,” Rulnick said. “I have really tried to get in touch with coaches via email, text or phone call, which is really the only thing I can do right now.” Athletic Director Becky Silberman believes that the role of a coach is more important now than ever. “We [coaches] have to talk up our athletes and be able to describe what they are like without having these college coaches see them play,” Silberman said. According to Silberman, the cancellation of the spring, and, possibly, summer sports seasons have had dire financial repercussions at both the high school and collegiate level. Many AAU and travel organizations have gone out of business because they are no longer receiving revenue. The nation’s three major credit rating firms have said the NCAA and college athletics programs have lost about 475 million dollars with the cancellation of March Madness and other significant collegiate athletic events, which may force colleges to cut some of their smaller athletic programs. One prominent soccer league, U.S. Soccer Development Academy
(DA), recently filed for bankruptcy and shut down. In response to the closure of DA, Major League Soccer (MLS) created a new youth league for soccer players who had played for the DA. The new league is made up mostly of MLS clubs, but a few DA select teams were chosen for the league as well. Sophomore Juliano Perczek played for the DA, so his team had no league to play in after the DA shut down. Luckily, Perczek’s team, the Baltimore Armour, was chosen by the MLS to be one of the few teams from the DA given the opportunity to compete in the new league. “I am very excited to get back and field and start preparing for the new league as it will be very difficult to compete [in],” Perczek said. Since the league is made up mostly of MLS teams, the competition will be at a much higher level than what the Baltimore Armour had previously faced. By participating in a more competitive league run by the MLS, Perczek will have more exposure to college scouts and will have the opportunity to be noticed by an international audience. “This is a very positive thing for my soccer career because this will open up opportunities both domestically and internationally,” Perczek said.
450,000+
)(
student athletes participating in the NCAA
6% of high school athletes move on to compete at the NCAA level
$933 Billion
)(
dollars were brought in from March Madness in 2019
24 different sports are offered by the NCAA
Data courtesy of the NCAA
“I was sad to hear the season was canceled because thought that this would be the year we would win the banner.” -Junior Sasha Trainor
Fast Facts: Collegiate Athletics
“I am really disappointed that this years spring track season was canceled because this was my last season running spring track, and there were a lot of races that I was hoping to run in.” - Junior Adam Alter Photos courtesy of Dimensions yearbook
Sports: The Lion’s Tale Magazine
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Arts & Entertainment
Tiger kinG claws for media attention Daniela Abrams Reporter
T
hroughout the coronavirus pandemic, many have turned to new shows to distract them from the ongoing crisis, one of the most popular choices being the new Netflix original documentary, “Tiger King.” The documentary gained much attention because of its crazy main character, Joe Exotic, owner of the infamous Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. Shortly after its release, the documentary became Netflix’s mostwatched show and held this title for well over a month. This seven-episode documentary captures Exotic’s treatment of the animals at his zoo, specifically cub petting— when people pay to pet and take pictures with the tiger cubs. This is his most profitable source of income. However, cub petting is what Carole Baskin, his arch-nemesis and CEO of non-profit Big Cat Rescue, opposes the most. The documentary captures Baskin’s relentless attempts at trying to shut down Exotic’s tiger farm through lawsuits for animal
mistreatment and Exotic’s reof Exotic’s personality, it lacks a peated killing of Baskin’s effigy. serious response on Joe ExotExotic’s response to these lawic’s behalf to the allegations of suits, Baskin murder for hire standing her and abuse of ground and animals. The “The series ends with the the tension series ends between the with the audiaudience wanting more clarity two characence wanting on whether Joe Exotic believes ters is part of more clarity on he is innocent of these crimes.” what makes whether Joe the series so Exotic believes entertaining. he is innocent After repeatedly claiming that of these crimes. he was going to kill Baskin, Exotic The producers of the show was arrested and put in jail for did a great job capturing Exotic’s murder for hire. His seek for fame wild personality and revealing was finally achieved, although not moments that would not normally the way he once wished to. He is be seen when visiting a tiger farm. now well-known for his over-theBecause of the outrageousness top personality. of the series, it quickly spread to Besides highlighting the many other social media platdrama between Exotic and his forms. Baskin and Exotic’s rivalry coworkers and the different has now been turned into songs, perspectives of those he intermemes and TikTok dances. acts with on a daily basis, the Drama-filled and entertainshow successfully exposes the ing, the documentary is a good dark sides of domesticating wild watch, especially for those who animals. The tigers on Exotic’s have extra time during the quarfarm are locked in cages and are antine. However, because of the manhandled when they should be crude humor and violence, “Tiger let free to run in the wild. King” is a better choice for famiHowever, “Tiger King” is not lies with older kids. only dramatic and gruesome. Exotic’s bizarre charisma adds a needed comedic spin to it. Still, while the show does a great job capturing the comedic aspects
Covid-19 Entertainment Guide 26
June 2020
COOKING CONNOISSEUR Slicing, dicing and mixing, junior Matan Rosenberg makes his family authentic Middle Eastern hummus. “I’ve always liked cooking, I just have never really had the time for it. Now I can make cool foods for myself and my family,” Rosenberg said.
Top books and movies of quarantine Ivan Endelman Contributing editor
Love in the Time of CholerA By Gabriel Garcia Marques PROJECT RUNWAY Turning a pair of ordinary jeans into a hat, sophomore Talia Jacobson can be found by her sewing machine during quarantine repurposing old clothes. “It feels really good because it’s something that you made, and it’s an actual product,” Jacobson said.
compiled by Sophie Kaplan and Eva Bard
homebound hobbies
With extra time on their hands, how are students entertaining themselves? DEAR DIARY All it takes is 10 minutes out of seventhgrader Cati Werbin’s day to take a break and write in her journal. “It helps relive any stress or worries that I have,” Werbin said.
“It seems appropriate for the strange times we are experiencing, and it is interesting to read a piece of fiction in which the characters periodically experience disease, quarantine and contact tracing just like we are.” - Jewish history teacher Rachel Bergstein
SoccernomicS By Simon Kuper
“I think it’s a good read because it’s not only about soccer but also about how much better teams can do by using different statistics and data. I think anyone who likes sports or math would enjoy it.” - freshman David Fritz-
Shawshank Redemption MUSIC MAN Playing, arranging and learning, sixth-grader Joshua Dori has explored his love of music virtually. “I like it because I can play the drums and the piano on the website, and I can record it and throw a little piece of music together,” Dori said.
The Breakfast club
KEEP CALM AND COLLAGE ON Doodling and cutting from an old library book, middle school English teacher Abigail Rothstein has taken advantage of the extra time to create collage art. “I love that I’m able to put on music, like turn the world off … and do something really relaxing and peaceful,” Rothstein said.
“It was inspirational that the lead character never gave up on his situation being stuck in jail as an innocent man and managed to escape the corrupt jail and start a new life for himself.” - junior Tyler Farkas
“It’s really comforting, and I can watch it again and again and it never gets old.” - sophomore Kayla Liss
Arts & Entertainment: The Lion’s Tale Magazine 27
“OK, ZOOMER”
a classification of online learners cartoon by Ariana Ravitz