Lions Tale 40n6

Best local activities for the summer

inside the issue

Editors-in-Chief

Kaylah Goldrich

Lena Nadaner

Managing Editor, Copy

Ellie Fischman

In-Depth Editor, Director of Social Media

Ella Waldman

In-Depth Editor, Director of Staff Development

Lilli Libowitz

News Editors

Simon Albert

Adin Halbfinger

News

04

Demonstrating for democracy

Community joins protests outside of Israeli Embassy

05 Budget changes

Board of Directors approves financial decisions for the next school year

06 Atlanta adventures

Eighth grade takes annual trip to the South

07 Lag B’Omer Fun

High school goes on holiday field trips

Opinion

08 Dropping bad shopping

Consumers must put thought into the ethics of their purchases

09 Limit the legislation

States continue to pass bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community

In-Depth

12 Fun under the sun

21 ways to spend your summer

Features

16 Recycling done right Insight into local and sustainable initiatives

17 Shine bright like a diamond

Junior creates business out of a hobby

18 We heart art Students show off their artistic skills

Illustrators

Libby Hurwitz

Taylor Polonsky

Reporters

Ellie Levine, Sasha Karasik, Matthew Steindecker, Julia Rich, Ari Blumenthal, Eitan Rattner, Ruby Kotok, Penelope Terl, Talia Loeffler, Gila Safra, Tyler Portnoy, Sadaf Zadeh, Maiya Blumenthal, Eliana Wolf, Sophie Schwartz, Mia Forseter, Maya Greenblum, Vivi Ducker

Staff Adviser

Jessica Nassau

Adviser Emerita

Susan Zuckerman

20 Rising stars Meet some of Israel’s budding artists

21 Not your typical shidduch New Jewish matchmaking show turns heads

22 Bringing life to the screen Reality TV has viewers hooked Sports

24 Fully committed Alumnus recruited to play college basketball

Corrections from last issue:

The April issue of the Lion’s Tale contained a factual error in the article “Working Towards Wellness.” In it, a student source explained that they did not get many of the session choices that they requested. Since then, the Lion’s Tale has been informed that the student did receive their first choice and two of their selected small group alternates. We apologize for not verifying the information in the quote before publication.

Dear Readers,

This marks our last issue of the school year and we cannot believe how close we are to the end. As we eagerly approach summer, we know that some students tend to lose their academic motivation. With that in mind, we are incredibly grateful for our diligent and hardworking editors who spent long, Starbucks-filled nights working on this issue when they could have spent time outside enjoying the beautiful weather.

The cover story for this edition dives into all things summer, from scrapbooking to music festivals to upcoming movies. We hope that everyone has a much-needed, restful break from school. We want to help you enjoy your summers by giving our best local suggestions. Our staff will enjoy their summer by traveling, spending time at sleep-away camps and working at impressive internships and jobs.

While the theme of this issue is summer vacation, we also want to reflect on our triumphs from the past year. Our other sections cover our students’ extraordinary accomplishments. In these pages, you will find stories of student achievements from award-winning art, a successful jewelry business

Sincerely,

Editors-in-Chief

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

and even an alumnus committing to play college basketball.

The Lion’s Tale has also had its fair share of accomplishments this year, including winning the Gold Crown Award for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for the first time and having 11 articles awarded Best of School Newspapers Online. We have also said goodbye to our seniors and smoothly transitioned into a new staff. We’ve worked hard together, bonded together and some of our newest staff has even begun working on the our fall issue. We look forward to seeing you next year.

Editorial and Ethics Policy

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.

demonstrating for democracy

Community joins protests outside of Israeli Embassy

Lily Rulnick Features Editor

This spring, hundreds of people rallied in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reforms. The plan, which Netanyahu has paused in pursuing, would give the ruling government more power over judicial selections and allow the government to override Supreme Court decisions.

Several CESJDS community members have participated in the rallies, like Israeli sophomore Noga Lemann. She played a part in organizing the protests, including one on March 26. Inspired by other countries that are holding rallies against judicial reform and her parents who have been attending protests in Israel, Lemann decided to take action.

For Lemann, being able to attend the protest made her feel like she was contributing to the cause rather than just watching things take place.

“It’s like when you go to Israel, and it feels magical and like the air is different; that’s how I feel when I go to Israel,” Lemann said. “It kind of felt like that because everyone is protesting for the same reason,

and screaming and saying what we believe in.”

In Lemann’s view, the proposed judicial reforms would threaten the existence of the state of Israel as a democratic nation for the Jewish people. At the rally on March 26, Lemann had the opportunity to be interviewed for an Israeli news program on the channel “Reshet 13,” where she expressed these views.

Another member of the JDS community who shares similar views as Lemann is Scott Gale, father of alumnus Joshua Gale (‘23) and sophomore Eli Gale, who also helped organize and participated in the rally.

“I feel very strongly that for Israel to prosper, it needs to be a real Western democracy, and the proposed overhaul of their judicial system would mean that they would no longer be what we would consider to be a true Western democracy,” Scott said.

Scott also attended protests in Israel when visiting his son, Joshua, on the Irene and Daniel Simpkins Israel Capstone Trip.

“You could really feel in both places that people were very concerned, very committed,” Scott said.

At JDS, community mem-

BY THE NUMBERS 400

bers are exposed to and educated about the current issues facing Israel. Jewish History Department Chair Dan Rosenthal said that one of JDS’ main duties is to aid students in developing their own views regarding international affairs. He expressed his admiration for the school’s success in providing tools for students that enable them to create their own identity and views.

“Really the most important thing that the school does is it gives students those tools to really make a difference for themselves and to figure out how each student wants to make a difference in their own way, whether Jewish-ly or in a more general way,” Rosenthal said.

Attending rallies is only one way for members of the JDS community to get involved in Israeli current events. Education is another crucial component to being part of the discussion and immersing oneself in the current events, according to Rosenthal.

“My hope for my students really is that they are able to parse this really, really complicated debate and discussion,” Rosenthal said. “The issues are really complex.”

is an estimated number of people protested outside Israeli embassy on March 26 5 major protests in D.C. since Netanyahu proposed judicial reforms

oppose judicial reform

support judicial reform

do not know enough about judicial reform

25% have mixed feelings about judicial reform

40 out of 257 high school students surveyed

Scan the QR code for additional Lion’s Tale coverage on judicial reform.

Protesters stand outside the Israeli embassy on March 26. Photo by Eli Gale, LT.

Board of Directors approves financial decisions for the next school year

budget changes

This past January, the CESJDS Board of Directors and administration approved budget reallocations and tuition increases across all divisions for the 2023-2024 school year.

While in the past, tuition has increased between 2-3% every year, the coming year will have an increase of 3.5-6.5% depending on the division of the school. Additionally, after an evaluation of the school’s needs, multiple faculty positions have been eliminated as the budget will be allocated to support the projected enrollment.

Each year, the school’s Budget and Finance Committee, headed by Treasurer of the Board of Directors Justin Epner, crafts the budget. The committee is composed of board members and other volunteers, most of whom have experience in finance. The committee proposes the budget in the January of the prior school year, and, after much discussion, the budget receives approval from the Board of Directors.

According to Epner, the budget evolves each year. Money is always reallocated, but some years, the changes are more noticeable than others.

“Every year there are areas where there’s increased spending and areas where there is decreased spending,” Epner said. “That’s the nature of having a school community where certain grades are bigger and certain grades are smaller.”

This year, there have been faculty position eliminations to adjust to the needs of the student body. Head of School Rabbi Mitch Malkus did not comment on which or how many roles have been eliminated for privacy purposes.

Another significant part of the upcoming financial changes is the tuition increase. According to Malkus, the tuition increase for the coming year can be most-

ly attributed to inflation. Recently, inflation in the U.S. has been astronomically high with 7% in 2021 and 6.5% in 2020. With more costly programming and staff, the school must increase tuition.

Outgoing Director of Enrollment and Tuition Assistance Orna Siegel said that although the tuition has increased, the tuition assistance program received a proportionate amount of budgeting this year to maintain accessibility.

“The real goal and mission of the school, to serve as many students as possible, has really lived out in our budget,” Siegel said. “It’s a lot of money, particularly when you have more than one child. So we have the tuition assistance program to try and serve as many families as possible and try to make the education available to them.”

Epner and Siegel said the quality of education is associated with price, and people must keep this in mind when considering the school’s tuition increases. Richard Stern, parent of sophomore Aviva Stern, understands this sentiment when looking at the tuition increase at the school.

“Of course we wish [the tuition of the school] was lower, but we understand what the school requires…however, I could imagine that for other families it could be very difficult,” Stern said.

With every budget adjustment or increase in tuition, JDS puts thought into the final decision, according to Epner. When making choices, the Board of Directors, volunteers and administration all strive to promote the values of the school.

“JDS offers a world-class educational product. Offering a worldclass product is always going to be very expensive,” Epner said. “So what we all try to do is to make sure that the maximum number of people can benefit from that product because it’s a really excellent product.”

JDS’s Biggest Expenditures

Salaries and Wages

JDS’s biggest expense is staffing and salaries

65%

Taxes and Benefits

A large portion of the budget goes toward personnel taxes and benefits

13%

Occupancy

The school spends a portion of its budget keeping the building in working condition

6%

Office, Security, Program Costs

The school also allocates money for the administration and security at school

6%

Materials Cost

Educational materials such as school supplies are another large expenditure at school

6%

Remaining 4% goes to miscellaneous expenses

Aliza Bellas OpinonEditor

Atlanta Adventures

Eighth grade takes annual trip to the South

Jonah Beinart Features Editor

From May 16 to 21, the eighth grade went on the third annual Bridges Capstone Trip to end their middle school experience. Accompanied by nine of their teachers, the eighth grade visited Atlanta and Montgomery, Alabama before ending with a shabbaton at the YMCA in Nashville.

Rachel Meytin, Middle School Experiential and Service Learning Chair, along with Middle School Assistant Principal Janet Ozur Bass planned the trip for the third time since it began in 2019. They organized the entire logistical aspects of the trip, from flights and ground transportation to rooming assignments for the students.

Meytin hoped that the trip served as a stepping stone for students entering high school, while simultaneously reinforcing student relationships and serving as an educational opportunity about American history.

“We want to bridge their transition to high school, to have this trip that pulls everything together and then launches them into high school, whether here or elsewhere,” Meytin said. “We really want them to explore civil rights and how it changed the country, how it changed that community in particular.”

A large emphasis of the trip was learning about American history in the places where significant events occurred. Eighth grade student Obi Schneider enjoyed learning about the Civil Rights Movement and diversity through museums such as the MLK Center, the Rosa Parks Museum and the Legacy Museum.

“In one museum, there was an experience where you were an African American at a [sit-in], and you experienced what they felt during the peaceful protest,” Schneider said. “It’s a really important aspect of our country and people should know more about it.”

In addition to participating in the teacher-planned itinerary, students were able to sign up to help create and plan activities to do with the rest of their peers on the trip. They had options to lead downtime activities, as well as take prominent roles in Zman Kodesh and other prayer opportunities like reading Torah.

Schneider helped coordinate three grade-wide activities during the trip. The most popular activity took place during the weekend shabbaton: the coveted color war with a “Coke vs. Pepsi” theme. The students were responsible for planning the entire event, from

BY THE NUMBERS

67 eighth grade students went on this year’s trip

3 this is the third year that the eighth grade went on this trip

9 teachers helped chaperone the trip

4 students helped chaperone on the shabbaton

the teams and activities to skits that their teachers would act out.

For Schneider, the trip was especially meaningful because this is his last year at CESJDS.

“I won’t see all of my friends that much [after this year], so having this one big week with everybody in my grade was really, really great,” Schneider said.

Junior Darya Dayanim and three other juniors joined the eighth grade for the shabbaton portion of the trip, helping the teachers manage the students. They assisted with activity planning and also slept in the bunks with the students.

“I really liked the opportunity to foster relationships with the eighth grade before they enter high school so that our relationship will be stronger when we are in high school together,“ Dayanim said.

Meytin believes that the trip is a great way for students to connect with their peers and teachers before the beginning of a new phase in their lives.

“The trip puts a capstone on their experience ... and it also gives the kids a chance to bond and learn more about each other through learning about other [topics].” Meytin said.

Photos by Ma’ayan Horwitz and Jacob Winkleman.

High school goes on holiday field trips

Lag Ba’Omer fun

Ella Waldman In-DepthEditor

Junior Rena Katz sits on the grass of the National Mall playing cards with her friends, soaking up the sun and enjoying the break from school. High school students and staff explored the Washington, D.C. area on Thursday, May 11 through four field trips including outdoor experience, visual arts and grade bonding.

The trips were originally planned to celebrate Lag B’Omer on Tuesday, May 9, but a rainy forecast put a damper on the holiday festivities. As the goal of the trips was to take a break from the classroom and spend time outside, and many of the scheduled activities could not have run with inclement weather, CESJDS administration made the decision to postpone the trips by two days.

“We had a lot of goals for the day, some of them were educational … but I would say a primary goal of the day was to commemorate Lag B’Omer and give people a chance to enjoy the outdoors,” said Tori Ball, Dean of Experiential, Leadership and Service Learning and a lead planner of the trip. “We felt like there was the likelihood that folks were not going to get to enjoy being outdoors in the same way if we ran the trips on Tuesday.”

To make the decision, staff watched the weather for over a week. The forecast consistently predicted rain for most of the day, so midday on May 8, the administration sent an email to high school families explaining the plan to postpone the field trips. The email also detailed how class scheduling would shift to accommodate the change. The Lower School and middle school also shifted their Lag B’Omer plans from Tuesday to Thursday.

Despite the last-minute change, the majority of scheduled activities were able to run as originally planned.

The freshman class had two field trip options, one of which was to spend the day hiking a part of

the Appalachian Trail. Freshmen on the second field trip started their day in the United States Botanical Gardens, before going paddle boating at the Tidal Basin and ending their day at Artechouse, an innovative museum combining art with technology.

The juniors visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which connected to their studies in their U.S. history classes. After the museum visit, they enjoyed time outside on the lawn of the D.C. mall.

“Overall, I enjoyed the field trip. I think it went really well,” Katz said. “I really enjoyed the museum. I’d been there before the field trip, but it was really nice to go there again and see more of the museum.”

The only trip that had to readjust significantly to the date change was the sophomore class trip. Originally, they were supposed to go on a U-Street mural and music tour to learn about the rich African American culture in the area and end their day paddle boating. However, the U-Street tour guides were unavailable on the Thursday date. Instead, sophomores spent time walking around the monuments surrounding the Tidal Basin, paddle boating and admiring art at the National Portrait Gallery.

Although some last-minute

Dr. David Solomon

adjustments were necessary, the trips still ran in the spirit of Lag B’Omer. Dr. David Solomon, Director of Arts Education and a lead planner of the trip, explained that Lag B’Omer is a day of festivity. The trips were meant to embody that celebration, even though they ended up being moved.

“Lag B’Omer is meant to be joyful…and I think we’re at a point in the year where we need something light and fun. We see summer around the corner, so that’s part of the day as well,” Solomon said. “We [wanted] each grade to have a good time, to learn while being in the city, but to bond and come home that day, really feeling like they grew as a grade.”

Students, teachers and faculty’s overall feedback on the day was positive. Despite the date change, many enjoyed the trips.

“Certainly switching the trips from Tuesday to Thursday created some confusion and challenges in reimagining our itineraries -- but in doing so, we ended up with a perfect day,” Ball said. “I heard from everyone that their time outside was really beautiful - whether they were paddle boating or hiking or playing football on the mall.”

Juniors examine an exhibit at the Nation Museum of African American History and Culture during the Lag B’Omer field trip. After exploring the museum for a few hours, the juniors ate lunch on the National Mall, next to the Washington Monument.

Photo by Ella Waldman, LT.

Freshmen sit in an exhibit room Artechouse, an innovative museum combining art with technology. They also visited the U.S. Botanic Gardens and rode paddle boats at the Tidal Basin.

Photo by Gila Safra, LT.

“I think we’re at a point in the year where we need something light and fun.”

- Director of Arts Education

How to Shop

Ethically

#1: Consult the company’s policies

dropping bad shopping

Consumers must put thought into the ethics of their purchases

#2: Send feedback through

#3: Stay up to date on business news

#4: Look for external ethical standards

Children lose their limbs or are buried alive while they dig tunnels in artisanal mining pits in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The purpose? Dirty cobalt that we use daily.

Cobalt miners in the Congo work in “slave-like” conditions to produce rechargeable batteries. According to NPR, no cobalt from the Congo is “clean” or ethically mined, so we use these dirty batteries every day via our smartphones, computers and environment friendly vehicles.

Many of these miners are freelance workers who put themselves in great danger for extremely low wages. Many parents are forced to bring their children to mine to earn an extra dollar that day to feed them. Human rights experts describe this cobalt mining as degradation, exploitation and modern-day slavery.

#5: Be diligent in your research

The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has only fueled international child labor as many children feel they have to work to help their families survive. As this issue continues to worsen, it is important that we remain informed consumers.

Within the consumerist structure of the United States, it is nearly impossible to avoid unethical shopping. Most supply chains are tainted with inhumane labor practices, such as cotton produced by Uyghurs in China.

According to the Guardian,

“Fast fashion has engendered a race to the bottom, pushing companies to find ever-cheaper sources of labour.”

Though it may seem convenient that your H&M t-shirt costs $6, that shirt needed to come from somewhere. We must remember the many contributors to each individual product.

Let’s say the shirt is made from knit cotton. Somebody needed to harvest the cotton for that shirt. Someone else then needed to spin the cotton into yarn, where someone else then needed to operate a knitting machine to create the shirt’s fabric. Another person needed to sew the shirt together, not to mention the shipping costs in between each stage.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the labor that goes into our clothing. If such a complex and involved process result in a $6 product, we can’t imagine the inhumane conditions those workers must endure.

Syracuse University’s MBA program online provides many ethical shopping guides and recommends consulting a company’s policies for a code of ethics, information on their supply chains and guidelines they may follow. Also, a company’s website may have certification badges from third-party organizations such as the World Fair Trade Organization.

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre provides

a list of 83 major brands associated with the forced labor of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, China. The Good Shopping Guide, another website, also has a list of ethically accredited brands.

As such, we urge you to research the processes that go into the products you consume. We recognize that it is hard to avoid companies that use unethical practices; we are complicit in this too, and we also strive to do better. We recommend that you research proactive methods of shopping sustainably like thrifting and shopping from companies that use clean labor practices.

-The Lion’s Tale

Want to know more?

For additional information, consult this code:

Illustration by Libby Hurwitz.

Ellie Fischman ManagingEditor,Copy

As a genderqueer teenager in Maryland, my biggest worry is if the all-gender bathroom at CESJDS will be occupied. But around the country, an onslaught of anti-trans legislation forces trans youth to question if they’ll be able to express their identity at all.

In 2023, 20 states have passed bills that limit the rights of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals. Nationwide, there are 543 bills at various stages of the legislative process that threaten TGD rights. 70 have already been signed into law. 18 more have passed and have yet to be signed into law or vetoed by their governors.

Anti-trans laws threaten all aspects of TGD individuals’ lives and daily activity. According to translegislation.com, key themes among these bills are “attacks on gender-affirming care, education, athletics, birth certificates [and]

religious discrimination.”

Florida is an especially scary state when it comes to anti-trans legislation. On May 17, Governor Ron DeSantis signed five anti-trans bills into law that ban gender-affirming treatment for minors, target drag shows, prevent students from being able to use their preferred pronouns in school and force TGD individuals to use bathrooms that don’t align with their identity.

Even worse is that DeSantis is expected to be a top contender for the Conservative nomination in the 2024 presidential election. If he were to be elected, DeSantis’s transgender witch hunt would be able to shape federal policies.

One of the most heartbreaking of these Florida laws is FL SB254, which allows the state to take custody over any child who has been “subjected to sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures.” This law modifies a Florida statute on child abuse.

We can debate about whether gender-affirming care should be broadly available, but this is a matter of separating kids from their families. It is not abuse for parents and doctors to listen to a child who says that something feels wrong for them. In fact, the American Medical Association calls gender-affirming care “medically necessary health care

LIMIT THE Legislation

States continue to pass bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community

BY THE NUMBERS

2 states have passed full bans on trans healthcare

3 states have passed full bathroom bans

4 states have passed full curriculum restrictions for gender education

6 states have passed full parental disclosure bans

services that affirm gender or treat gender dysphoria.”

There is no genuine need for anti-trans legislation. According to AP News, among a total of 27 studies involving 8,000 transgender individuals who had undergone gender-affirming surgery, only 1% expressed regret for the procedure.

Right-wing extremists don’t promote anti-trans policies because they care about their constituents; they do it because it keeps their supporters in a state of fear. Their tactic is to claim that if the so-called woke agenda takes over America, if a man can decide he’s a woman, then America will go in the gutter. Then, they claim that this is why you need to vote for them in the upcoming election. This has nothing to do with safety; it has to do with power.

Florida State Rep. Webster Barnaby (R) even went so far as to refer to transgender people as “mutants from another planet.” In addition, conservative commentator Micheal Knowles called for “transgenderism” to be “eradicated from public life entirely” at the Conservative Political Action Conference. This dehumanizing and violent rhetoric should ring alarm bells for everyone.

TEXAS: Passed

There is absolutely no critical thinking involved in anti-trans extremism. These are fear tactics that aim to villainize an entire demographic. It is not dangerous for TGD people to go to the bathroom, dress how they want or to feel safe in their school settings. What is dangerous, however, is the altright cohort that wants to strip us of our rights.

Affirmative Action

PRO

Kaylah Goldrich Editor-in-Chief

After four years of stretching yourself thin — taking advanced classes, being in every extracurricular, getting perfect grades — when it is finally time to apply to college, you feel pretty good about your chances to attend your dream school, Harvard. Your dad went there, his dad went there and so on, and you want to continue the family legacy. But then you get rejected.

It would be very easy to attribute this rejection to affirmative action, claiming that the reason you didn’t get in is because you’re white. But the fact is that not everyone will be accepted into a college of their choice, even if they have a strong application. But those who ascribe their rejection to affirmative action only perpetuate racist ideology. It leads to the belief that minority students are accepted because of their race, thus diminishing their accomplishments and intelligence.

Affirmative action was developed to provide everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, equal educational opportunities and access. This development is an essential step in achieving equality in a system historically built upon discrimination.

Most colleges have excluded minorities since their founding, so they have historically only focused on educational opportunities for white students. Without taking race into account during

admissions, the racist systems from the past, if left unchecked, will dictate who is allowed access to selective universities.

For instance, “legacy students,” children of alumni, have significant advantages during admissions. These benefits are due to past racial exclusion where prestigious schools only admitted white families. Therefore, it is far less likely for minorities to be legacy students. Affirmative action initiatives, however, prevent this racist cycle.

These programs are often misconstrued as making race the determining factor in admissions. But this is simply not true. Affirmative action efforts include targeted outreach and recruitment efforts, after-school and mentorship programs and the widening of criteria for admissions.

A common criticism of affirmative action is that it is no longer necessary. That as a society, opportunities for minorities have expanded, so the conditions that used to justify it are no longer relevant in the modern-day.

But this is not the case. According to the ACLU, millions of Americans still “experience race and gender barriers in education, contracting and employment.” Legislation aimed at preventing this discrimination exists, but these laws are not enough.

For instance, in 2006, the

University of Michigan halted its affirmative action initiatives, according to The New York Times. As a result, Black undergraduate enrollment declined from 7% to 4% as of 2021, even as the total percentage of college-age African Americans in Michigan increased. At the same time, Native American enrollment, once at 1%, dropped to 0.11% in 2021.

The Washington Post reports that white Americans are more likely to oppose affirmative action than other racial groups, with nearly two-thirds in opposition. While many claim to favor merit-based, “color-blind” policies, it is because they benefit from the current discriminatory system and don’t want to change it. They claim that when someone is accepted into college because of affirmative action, someone more “deserving,” oftentimes a white person, is denied.

I recognize that I benefit from these historically discriminatory systems, and so it would be easy for me to discredit affirmative action. However, I also acknowledge how close-minded and unfair that mindset is. If we all claim to support equality, why denounce initiatives that are bringing about necessary change?

69.8% of U.S. undergraduates were white

1978 2003

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke Established legality of affirmative action and use of quotas

1995-96

“If we all claim to support equality, why denounce initiatives that are bringing about necessary change?”

Gratz/Grutter v. Bollinger Laid out the blueprint for race-conscious admissions

What’s at stake?

CON

Adin Halbfinger News Editor

“The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race,” Chief Justice John Roberts said. It is a rather simple principle, but one that proponents of affirmative action dispute.

Simply put, affirmative action calls for discrimination against a group of people because of their race or ethnicity.

I don’t deny that affirmative action is rooted in good intentions. For years, our country suffered from an epidemic of racism that denied minorities opportunities in education and the workforce. To make up for that, schools now lower their standards of admission for African American and Latino students relative to white students and Asian Americans. However, the solution to prejudice is not more prejudice.

Affirmative action is meant to increase the opportunities afforded to minorities. A primary

The Supreme Court is in the midst of deciding two cases brought by Students for Fair Admissions, a nonprofit dedicated to ending Affirmative Action, against the universities of Harvard and University of North Carolina. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching effects on the admissions policies of hundreds of colleges across the United States.

example of this is in universities, where minorities are given a boosted chance of admission simply because of the color of their skin. Therefore, affirmative action discriminates against white and Asian-American students. Ideally, everyone would be afforded a stellar education at the university of their choosing, but that isn’t possible. There are a finite number of spots at universities, and for students to be denied acceptance because they don’t have the complexion of a minority is wrong. It’s discrimination.

When my grandfather graduated from Harvard Law School, he was denied job after job because he was Jewish. Although he graduated at the top of his class, many law firms wouldn’t hire a Jew. But the law firms which refused my grandfather a job should not be compelled to hire me to repent for their past antisemitism. I should have to work for that job like anyone else, regardless of race, ethnicity or religion.

Many supporters of affirmative action claim that affirmative action provides low-income applicants opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be affordable due to their economic class. They believe that if these students were raised more wealthy, they would have performed better academically.

And while that may be true, affirmative action doesn’t ad-

2016 2023Fisher v. University of Texas

dress that problem. According to a study by professors from Duke University, the University of Georgia and the University of Oklahoma, “disadvantaged African American applicants do not receive the same admissions preference relative to their more advantaged African American peers.” Affirmative action doesn’t actually help the disadvantaged because wealthier minorities are reaping the admissions benefits.

Furthermore, affirmative action harms the minorities it is designed to help. According to Robert VerBruggen of the Manhattan Institute, there is a “tendency of students who receive large preferences to fall low on within-school measures such as class rank.” Students who are accepted into highly competitive universities despite lower academic performance often struggle with advanced classes. These students would thrive at universities better suited to their academic levels, but because of affirmative action, they are incentivized to attend more prestigious universities. College acceptances are a zero-sum game. Every time someone gets accepted because of affirmative action, someone with better grades, higher test scores or stronger extracurriculars gets denied. Not everyone can get into the top colleges, but many students work hard to earn their spot, and to have it taken away from them because they don’t have the right skin color is wrong.

Affirmative action is a practice that must be abolished. It denies deserving students the opportunity to attend top universities while thrusting unprepared students into academic environments not catered to them. Affirmative action is not a response to discrimination; it’s a return to it.

“There are only a finite number of spots at universities, and for a student to be denied acceptance because they don’t have the complexion of a minority is wrong.”

Failed attempt to challenge race-conscious admissions

Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard/UNC Does race-based admissions violate the Equal Protection Clause?

Information from NPR and American Council on Education

SPEND YOUR SUMMER

By

live concerts and new music

+–=÷x Tour

Ed Sheeran is bound to impress when he comes to Landover, Maryland on June 24. His “+-=÷x Tour” has received quite the hype due to the release of his Disney+ docuseries “The Sum of All Things.” So far, Sheeran’s tour has raving reviews because of his intimate performance and incredible set list. “+-=÷x Tour” is emotionally poignant and upbeat at the same time, making it a must-see.

Utopia

Coming out in late June, Travis Scott’s “Utopia” will be the album of the summer. This album is long awaited as Scott has not released an album since 2018. It is expected to be full of rap and experimental music.

It’s All A Blur Tour

Drake and 21 Savages’ highly anticipated “It’s All a Blur” tour runs from June 16 to Sept. 5 in both the U.S. and Canada. They will perform at Capital One Arena on July 28 and 29. The two are expected to mainly perform music from Drake’s albums “Certified Lover Boy,” “Honestly Never Mind,” “Dark Lane Demo Tapes” and Drake and 21’s collaboration “Her Loss.” The concert is expected to be an incredible and unique experience.

Renaissance Tour

The world-renowned Beyonce will perform at the FedEx Field on Aug. 5 for her “RENAISSANCE” Tour. Beyonce hasn’t performed in Maryland since 2016, so many fans are excited for this rare opportunity to see her live. Beyonce will mainly perform songs from her new album “RENAISSANCE,” but she is also expected to perform her old hits. She is known to be an incredible performer with upbeat choreography and unique presentation, so this concert is definitely not one to miss.

1: Fans cheer for Madison Beer at her 2021 concert. Photo by Cati WerbinGradel, LT. 2: Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field fills for Taylor Swift’s May 12 concert. Photo by Lilli Libowitz, LT.

In-Depth Editor Lilli Libowitz and Arts and Entertainment Editors Cati Werbin-Gradel and Stella Muzin

movies

books and media

No Hard Feelings

“No Hard Feelings” is an edgy, coming-of-age film starring Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman. It centers on Lawrence’s character, Maddie, who accepts the strange job of being a girlfriend for a socially-clueless 19-year-old. The twist, however, is that Maddie was hired by his wealthy helicopter parents in a plan to ease him into adulthood. “No Hard Feelings’’ premieres June 23 and is expected to recieve high reviews.

Barbie

television shows

The Summer I Turned Pretty

“The Summer I Turned Pretty” is a coming-of-age television show, telling the story of Belly and her summer at Cousins Beach. Her main goal is to fall in love and kiss her crush, Conrad, but she soon finds herself in a love triangle with him and his brother, Jeremiah. The highly anticipated season two premieres in July. The show comes out June 17.

books

Lying in the Deep

Diana Urban brilliantly writes about Jane embarking on a seemingly-perfect cruise. But something is off. The relaxing cruise turns into a murder mystery. Jade is forced to determine the killer while her new friends continue to drop like flies. “Lying in the Deep” will leave your mind-blown and trusting everybody, yet nobody at the same time.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3,” which premiered on May 5, is the third and final movie in the Guardians of the Galaxy series. The movie focuses on the Guardians adjusting to life on Knowhere. While they are there, parts of Bradley Cooper’s character, Rocket, resurface. In “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3,” Peter Quill, played by Chris Pratt, is sent on the most dangerous mission yet to save one of the Guardians. The movie is filled with laughs, jumpscares and incredible design effects, making it worth the watch.

Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” premiering on July 21, assesses beauty standards with a fresh perspective. “Barbie” has received top reviews from Hollywood insiders, according to Elle Magazine, which is no surprise due to the movie’s star-studded cast of Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and many more Hollywood names. The plot centers on Barbie’s expulsion from Barbie Land for being an imperfect doll. This forces Barbie to venture into the human world. The movie is not only filled with relevant lessons and themes, but also delivers them with hilarious satire and heartfelt moments, making “Barbie” a great movie to see with family and friends.

Loki Season 2

Premiering in August, “Loki’’ season two is not one to miss. Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, is falsely convicted by the Time Variance Authority (TVA). Loki works with Agent Mobius to figure out who is behind the TVA and what their true motives are. Season two is packed with drama, leaving viewers anticipating everyone’s next moves.

Ever Since

In “Ever Since” by Alena Bruzas, Virginia is labeled as a poor decision maker, facing judgment from her community. When Virginia discovers her sister, Lyra, is being abused, she struggles with coming forward to help because of her reputation. “Ever Since” questions the ideas of societal perception and if one can be a good person who does bad things.

Bridgerton prequel

“Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” is a prequel to the popular Bridgerton series. The series introduces a young Charlotte who’s starting to understand her power while navigating her relationship with King George III. It also gives fans a peek into the present-day lives of the Bridgerton coterie. The six-episode season premiered May 4.

As You Walk On By

Theo Wright is overwhelmed by his dad’s seemingly foolproof plan that ensures his academic success. But all Theo wants is to attend prom with his long-time crush. However, things don’t go to plan, leaving Theo in distress. “As You Walk on By’’ by Julian Winters, simultaneously is heart wrenching and heartfelt, making it worth the read.

3: Marvel, 4: Warner Bros. Pictures, 5: Sony Pictures.

Montgomery County Fair

Attending the Montgomery County Fair in Gaithersburg is a great summer activity. Open Aug. 12-20, this fair is a perfect excursion for people returning from camp and vacation. With rides, snacks and games it is a fun and easy activity. Photo by Kaylah Goldrich, LT.

places to check out

Bethesda Farmers Market

Open every Sunday, the Bethesda Central Farm Market offers a variety of food and drink tastings, art stands, live music and a kids club. Sometimes, there are stands featuring chef demos where you can watch the cooks make your food in front of you. Visiting the market is a great chance to get outside in the morning and enjoy food, music and shopping. Photo by Jessica Nassau, LT.

Hillwood Gardens

Located in D.C., the former home of heiress Marjorie Post features a museum, gardens and outdoor seating, making it a great place to spend time with family and friends. The gardens include a greenhouse and French and Japanese-style gardens. These outdoor spaces are perfect for taking pictures and enjoying nature’s beauty. The estate is full of history and blooming with beauty, so it is definitely worth paying a visit. Photo by Tali Loeffler, LT.

Planet Word

A rainy day offers an outstanding opportunity to visit the Planet Word Museum in D.C., a museum dedicated to the language arts. There are vast learning opportunities at this museum with exhibits and visuals focusing on the history of the English language, how language is learned, humor, poetry and more. Photo by Carrine Shemesh, Dimensions.

Mckee-Beshers Sunflower Fields

Another unique place to visit is the Mckee-Beshers sunflower fields in Poolesville. There are five fields, all full of sunflowers that are available to the public. The fields are perfect places to take photos and spend time with family and friends. The best time to go is late July through August when the sunflowers are at their peak.

Photo by Jessica Nassau, LT.

Have a tent sleepover outside

Sleepovers are a great way to spend quality time with your friends, but sometimes, typical basement overnights feel overused and boring. To mix it up a bit and take advantage of the warm weather, try an outdoor sleepover. This could range from an overnight on a trampoline to a tent in your backyard. You can set up a projector to watch a movie, search for constellations or make s’mores to enhance the campy feel. Photo by Jessica Nassau, LT.

Bake a tasty treat

A fun at-home activity you can do this summer is baking tasty treats. You can make something as simple as brownies or cookies, which only requires ingredients you have at home, like eggs, flour, chocolate, etc. You could even try baking the Maryland state dessert, the Smith Island Cake. Though it may take a few tries to perfect, once you have a baked good, you will want to share it with everyone around you. Photo by Lilli Libowitz, LT.

Do a fun craft

Arts and crafts are a great way to spend your spare time. If you’re looking for a more long-term project, you could decorate an old stool sitting around in your basement. If you want something for just a couple of hours, we would recommend friendship bracelet making. Friendship bracelets have become very popular on the internet, so even if you have never done it before, you can easily find a tutorial on Youtube and pick up a new skill! Photo by Ella Waldman, LT.

staying home? staying home?

Make a scrapbook

A classic Do-It-Yourself project is scrapbooking. Whether you want to make a gift for a friend or a book to document your favorite memories, scrapbooking is a great option. To start scrapbooking, you will need an empty book, printed-out photographs, tape and markers. While you can scrapbook in any which way you like, Pinterest is a great place for inspiration.

From top to bottom: Photos by Alec Silberg, Dalya Brickman and Abby Chesman, Dimensions.

Insight into local and school sustainable initiatives recycling done right

Ruby Kotok Reporter

One piece of paper can live a fairly short life. From its initial transformation from tree to paper, it can be used once and thrown away, hence concluding its time in the paper supply. However, if that piece of paper is placed into a recycling bin, it can be used over and over, in use for much longer than it would if it were to be thrown into a landfill.

Recycling allows for the reuse of materials such as plastic, paper, aluminum and cardboard, which not only saves natural resources but also reduces the emission of greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane. Many hold the belief that recycling is “not worth it,” and therefore don’t. While 20-25% of recycled items are not actually reused, it is still important to acknowledge the difference the remaining 75% has the potential to make.

Sophomore Josie Silverberg acknowledges this impact, and tries to motivate others to recycle as well.

“If you have the opportunity to make a difference, [it is a] no brainer,” Silverberg said.

Silverberg noted that at times, there are only trash cans available, which can make recycling inconvenient and difficult.

In 2021, Maryland recycled 42.5% of its waste and is actively trying to increase this figure

through initiatives such as Single Stream Recycling and Pay-As-YouThrow Programs.

Single Stream Recycling allows for all permitted recyclable materials to be put out in the same container on the same day to be recycled, which makes it easier for Marylanders to recycle. This system was put into place in Montgomery County in 2015, which made the entire recycling process much more efficient. PayAs-You-Throw is a program that only requires members to pay for the garbage they set out instead of a set price. When implemented in Carroll County, Maryland, the initiative saw a 44% reduction in waste, as well as an almost doubled recycling rate among residents.

Despite their benefits, these types of initiatives don’t always provide education on what can be recycled, making such campaigns less effective.

Another recent change in Montgomery County recycling policy is the recent permittance of commingled materials. Director of Operations and Security Bill Belke said that the school recently shifted from two recycling dumpsters to one, as the separate dumpsters were only necessary when commingling materials was restricted. Additionally, the school shifted to recyclable dishes for lunch. This includes the clam shell containers as well as the salad bar bowls. In order for these to be recycled, students should throw any remaining food in a trash bin and rinse off remaining residue on the containers, if there is any.

Many students view this as an inconvenience, and very few actually ensure that their waste is clean before recycling it. This could potentially contamiate nearby materials, making them unfit for recycling properly.

Additionally, students place the wrong materials in the recycling bins. If caught by the

How To Recycle at

Cardboard Metals Paper Electronics

placed in the proper bin. It is not always caught, though, and this can lead to contamination at recycling facilities. Non-recyclables can jam the machines and injure the employees that sort them.

Moreover, materials with food on them are also poor candidates for recycling. Cardboard goods, such as pizza boxes, cannot be recycled due to the grease from the food they carry. It is therefore essential that students check the school lunch dishes for grease and residue before recycling in order to prevent complications in the recycling process. In addition, students should always be separating plastic bottles from their caps before recycling as they are two different materials and need to be recycled separately.

STEM teacher Rustom Meyer said that packaging and single-use plastics are two large contributors to plastic waste. Meyer advocates for recycling and encourages others to do so.

“Even though [recycling is] a flawed system, it is better than just using up a huge number of natural resources [by] using them once and throwing them away,” Meyer said. “How could I take something that I use once every day and replace it with something that I can reuse somehow? That really goes a long way.”

Students can follow Meyer’s advice by consciously making an effort to reduce the amount of disposable plastics they use. Whether that’s buying a new water bottle, eating less take out or bringing reusable bags to the grocery store, it makes a difference. And in some cases, when plastic usage is necessary, simply ensuring that it is recycled properly is still incredibly impactful.

Glass Steel

Sophomore Josie Silverberg does her part by recycling when she can.

Photo by Ruby Kotok, LT.

Shine bright like a diamond

Junior creates business out of a hobby

Maiya Blumenthal Reporter

As Gili Schisterman closes out of her last Zoom class of the day during her freshman year, she turns to her new hobby, jewelry making. Little does she know that what started as a way to keep herself occupied during the COVID-19 pandemic would become a business with over 2,000 sales on Etsy as of her junior year.

Like many teenagers, Gili struggled with her mental health during the pandemic. With restrictions on seeing her friends and most extracurricular activities, she had trouble keeping herself busy and distracted. So when Gili saw people online starting businesses, she was inspired to start her own.

“I’ve always been a big jewelry lover ever since I was younger, and I guess I also like creating my own stuff,” Gili said. “Creating designs and actually being able to make it myself at home is something super unique to me.”

Gili primarily does all work related to the business on her own. However, when her friends come to her house, they sometimes help her package orders.

In her freshman year, Gili presented the business idea to her friend, junior Alec Silberg. Having previous experience with graphic design and social media, Silberg assisted Gili in developing her business on Instagram and designing a logo.

“It wasn’t that consuming timewise, but it was well thought out and I liked helping her,” Sil-

Gili’s

Process:

First, Gili sketches out potential creations by hand and decides which materials she wants to use.

1. Design blueprints

berg said. “It gave us a way to bond and also do something when we had nothing else to do.”

As he designed the logo, Silberg aimed to achieve a certain aesthetic. He wanted it to be fun and utilized bright colors, such as pink and gold, but he also wanted to include shapes that appealed to buyers and matched the aesthetic of Gili’s jewelry.

Before she could start selling, Gili also needed to calculate appropriate pricing. She worked with her mother, Ariela Schisterman, to determine prices that would account for the cost of materials and use of time, but also that can compete with other jewelry businesses. Gili’s jewelry now ranges from the prices of $5-14.

Once the business, named “Jewels by Gili,” succeeded on Instagram and TikTok, Gili expanded to selling on Etsy. Now, her Instagram has almost 3,000 followers and her Tiktok has over 8,000 followers, and she has sold over 2,000 pieces on Etsy. As she started to gain popularity, Gili transitioned from using beads as her primary material to using new materials, like chains, to elevate her designs.

Ariela believes that the experience running her own business gives Gili more independence.

“It gives her a lot of freedom and when she wants to purchase something, whatever it is she wants to buy, she tells herself ‘I need to sell so much merchandise to get the money,’ and she does it,” Ariela said. “So she puts a little bit of effort in marketing then she can

2. Purchase materials

Next, she buys all the highest quality items she needs to create her jewlery online in bulk for a good price.

Gili’s Best Work

make the money... I think it feels like it gives her a sense of freedom and control over her life, that she can make money if she wants to spend it on something.”

Though Gili spent hours each day during the pandemic making jewelry, as she shifted back to a normal life with a larger workload from school, she started to have less time to create jewelry. Each piece of jewelry takes about thirty minutes to an hour to complete, so as Gili prepares to leave high school, she is unsure of what will happen with her business.

That being said, Gili is grateful for her experience making jewelry. She believes that the lessons she has learned from owning a small business sets her up for a future career in entrepreneurship.

“My business has definitely been the most life changing experience for me because now, I plan on actually pursuing business when I’m older,” Gili said. “I don’t really see exactly what my future holds for me but I definitely see myself staying in the business world.”

Lastly, Gili assembles her jewlery with her materials and then ships them via Esty to her customers.

3. Create!

Butterfly Earrings

Acrylic butterflyshaped earrings that come in four different colors and a gold clasp

Moonlight Necklace

An adjustable necklace with a large variety of beads including pearls and crystals

Cupid Necklace

Another adjustable necklace with pink crystals and many sizes of pearl beads

Butterfly Keychain

Choice from two caribiners with water pearl beads, regular pearls and a variety of pink beads

Photos by Gili Schisterman

Creating designs and actually being able to make it myself at home is something unique to me.”

-junior Gili Schisterman

We heart art Students show off their artistic skills We heart art

Maya Greenblum Reporter

ABBY CHESMAN

Sophomore Abby Chesman visualizes a new piece for her photography class, and starts to assemble a combination of original photos and photos from the internet into a collage. But what Chesman doesn’t know is that she will eventually submit this dynamic piece to United States Representative Jamie Raskin’s annual Congressional Art Competition, and will be chosen to compete for the ultimate prize — her art’s exhibition at the U.S. Capitol Building.

Chesman spent two weeks synthesizing 30 layers of political photography for her collage, titled “Polarized,” that she submitted to Raskin’s competition. Chesman was one of 61 high school students to be selected to compete and have her art displayed in the VisArts gallery exhibition in Rockville from April 26 to May 7. Freshman Caleb Horwitz and junior Maddie Polonsky were also chosen.

“I feel like my passion for politics really drove me to submit to this competition,” Chesman said. “That’s something that [the judges are] looking for, especially in young people nowadays. [They encourage] speaking out about politics and about the state of the world because they always say it’s up to our generation to change things.”

Photography and film teacher and Diversity Equity Inclusion and Justice coordinator Debra Dilworth has been instrumental in guiding Chesman through her photography career for nearly four years and encourages her, along with all of her photography students, to enter competitions when they come up.

JONATHAN GOULD

Junior Jonathan Gould enjoys various types of visual art and has a particular interest in a more unusual medium for a high school student. Sculpture or stone carving can depict multidimensional ideas and is one of the main types of both visual and fine arts. When Gould was just beginning to sculpt, he attended sculpting classes at Glen Echo Park, an arts and cultural center.

One of Gould’s abstract works, a cubic stone made entirely of Texas limestone, was displayed at Glen Echo’s studio for an art show from the end of February to the end of March. Gould’s family has been visiting Glen Echo Park since he was a kid, and the establishment has been supporting Gould in his artistic pursuits since then.

Gould was first exposed to this kind of artwork from his mom’s shared passion of sculpture.

“I definitely draw a lot of my own style from my mom. Both just because I’m related to her, but also because I’ve grown up seeing her art,” Gould said. “My stones are further defined by her advice.”

Gould’s mom has managed the art show hosted by Glen Echo. Gould’s mom has sculpted for decades, and because of her extensive experience, is able to give Gould advice when it comes to sculpture. Sculpture became her main artistic focus as a hobby after college, and she has influenced Gould’s passion through her own since. The advice ranges from what points to accentuate on his stone to practical questions like how to stabilize his stone at a certain angle.

TOP YAA cast members take their final bow after paying tribute to Broadway producer Harold Prince during their spring show.

BOTTOM LEFT Chesman’s piece, “Polarized,” that was submitted to United States Representative Jamie Raskin’s annual Congressional Art Competition.

BOTTOM RIGHT Gould’s Texas Limestone creation is displayed at Glen Echo Park Studio. The piece, which is untitled, took Gould around a year to make.

Used with permission from Young Artists of America, Jonathan Gould and Abby Chesman

BEE KOTLER

Freshman Bee Kotler is particularly interested in performing arts. Kotler has been performing with Young Artists of America (YAA), a non-profit theater program for students in grades five to 12, for three years. Kotler was initially encouraged to join the program by freshman Ella Arking and collaborates with sophomore Jessica Rosenberg and seventh grader Ayla Gerstenblith.

YAA has fueled Kotler’s passion for the performing arts. Kotler has advanced their artistic skills greatly, especially in the leading role in YAA’s production of “Madagascar Jr.” as Alex The Lion.

“They [YAA] always say, ‘process over product,’’ Kotler said. “I’ve definitely gotten better at reading my surroundings [on stage]. Like during the show when I’m just with a scene partner and communicating while still being in the moment.”

Kotler is just one of many high school students nurturing their artistic passions through programs and competitions. Kotler is certain that they will pursue theater in the future.

“I found a new sense of community ever since I joined YAA because everybody there is so loving,” Kotler said. “When you’re onstage, you can leave all your worries behind and you can really focus on the arts … I feel very passionate.”

Meet some of Israel’s budding artists rising st rs

Tali Loeffer Reporter

Amidst the current political and social division in Israel, it is important to focus on things that promote unity. A significant part of Israeli culture is their music, which is a blend of different genres and styles that is the perfect embodiment of Israel.

Ishay Ribo, a Israeli pop singer who grew up as an Ultra Orthodox Sephardic Jew, is currently a prominent figure in Israeli society. He is best known for his blend of religious lyrics with secular melodies and rhythms. His songs use typical modern Israeli pop tunes, but contain lyrics alluding to God and faith along with upbeat rhythms and smooth chord progressions.

Ishay Ribo Noa Kirel

One of his most famous songs, “Sibat Hasibot,” talks about God as being the “cause of causes” and “the only one to thank for the days and the nights.” Ribo’s most recent release, “Ani Shayach La’am,” is a play on the traditional

song that is part of the Passover seder, “Ma Nish Ta Na.” In the song, Ribo talks about his dedication to the Israeli nation and strives to bring unity in a time of division.

Eden Hason

A young Israeli singer-songwriter that is quickly rising to fame is Eden Hason. Hason’s style can be classified as a mix of R&B and Israeli pop. His first single “Shemishehu Yaatzor Oti” was released in 2018, and really kicked off his music career. This song in particular, about young, reckless love, established his teenage fan base. The following year, Hason released his first album also called “Shemishehu Yaatzor Oti.” His most listened-to song on Spotify, “Ad Shetavoyi Ad Alaiy,” was released in 2022. Hason has a unique performance style and stage presence that elevates his music to the next level.

Another important artist in Israeli culture is Noa Kirel, who in recent months has become very prominent as she led Israel to third place in the Eurovision song contest. Kirel is a pop star who represented Israel with her newest hit “Unicorn,” a song about inner strength and learning to persevere through challenges.

Kirel is a singer and actress who won the MTV Europe Award for best Israeli Act in 2022. Her most popular hits include “Lucky” and “Pantara.” Additionally, she collaborated with Israeli actress and comedian Gitit Fisher on “Shloshah Banot,” a song making fun of Israeli grammar through its misgendering of certain words.

Earlier this year at the MTV EMA’s awards, Kirel controversially wore a matching set with Kanye West’s face, covered with gold stars of David chains. Kirel said that her outfit was supposed to send West a message, in response to his antisemitic remarks. She received a lot of support from her Israeli followers and gained more international popularity from this statement.

Photo credit: “Hayu Zmanim by Noa Kirel, March 2021. XXIX” by Education and Youth Corps is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Picture “Eden hason” by Yanir Sela is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Picture by בוקעי/CC BY-SA 4.0

New Jewish matchmaking show turns heads Not your typical shidduch

Simon Albert News Editor

As reality TV dating shows dominate the media, a new series, “Jewish Matchmaking,” offers long-awaited representation of the Jewish community. This Jewish dating show showcases the diversity and richness of Jewish religion and culture, sparking hope for reshaping perceptions and fostering a positive, inclusive narrative of Jewish people in the media.

The show, which is a spin-off of Netflix’s “Indian Matchmaking,” was released on May 3 with eight episodes and quickly gained popularity due to its authentic portrayal of matchmaking within the Jewish community. It follows Aleeza Ben Shalom, a successful matchmaker and dating coach, who sets up Jewish singles in the United States and Israel based on their religious values, physical preferences and long-term compatibility.

One of the show’s standout features is its emphasis on diversity within the Jewish community.

Ben Shalom, an Orthodox Jew herself, works with singles from a variety of Jewish backgrounds, ages and religious identities. This approach is refreshing and demonstrates that there is no right way to be Jewish, something we don’t often see in the media. Ben Shalom emphasizes that a Jew is a Jew, no matter what.

“Jewish Matchmaking” also showcases diversity by introducing singles from different racial and geographical backgrounds. This inclusion is particularly meaningful, as it highlights the challenges that some individuals face when searching for love within the Jewish community. For example, Nakysha Mays-Osadchey discusses her struggles as a biracial Jew, and Noah Dreyfuss shares his difficulties finding a Jewish partner in his small community of Jackson Hole, Wyo.

In the show, Ben Shalom

meets with her clients individually to explore what they are looking for in a romantic partner. Based on that discussion, she suggests several potential matches that she believes to be highly compatible. If both parties agree, Ben Shalom organizes a date for them to go on. Most often, Ben Shalom pairs the singles with partners who match the description of what they were looking for as well as who they needed, which had viewers rooting for the couples the whole time.

One area where “Jewish Matchmaking” falls short is its glorification of the matchmaking process. While this system is widely used in more observant circles, it inadvertently perpetuates the notion that matchmaking is always successful and devoid of issues. In reality, there are often complex dynamics, biases, and even inequalities within the matchmaking system that often target women and deserve critical examination. By glossing over these realities, the show misses an opportunity to explore the potential areas of improvement.

Oftentimes in reality TV, there is a sense of flakiness in the characters. In “Jewish Matchmaking,” while a few flaky personalities still make an appearance, there is also a refreshing presence of genuine individuals earnestly searching for love.

The show has been well-received worldwide, reaching top charts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel and Canada. Viewers are hopeful that the show will return for a second season, which could revisit relationships from the previous season, while also introducing new singles in search of love. Overall, “Jewish Matchmaking” has provided an honest take on matchmaking within the Jewish community and its emphasis on diversity and inclusion has resonated with viewers worldwide.

What would it take for you to go on a dating show?

“I would go on one for a really big cash prizes.”

“I would go on a dating show if I could collect a story out of it. ”

- Junior Daniel Schlactus

“It would need to be a fun show in a cool location.”

- Sophomore Aviva Stern

- Sophomore Danny Sager

Bringing life to the screen

Reality TV has viewers hooked

Gigi Gordon SportsEditor

Reality TV lovers grip the edge of their seats as they await the big news: Who will be voted off the show? Dramatic music plays and the exciting announcement is about to come, but just like that, the episode ends. Now, viewers must wait another week to find out.

This feeling is common among reality TV viewers as they become invested in the lives of real people. Reality TV allows viewers to share the experiences and feelings of normal people while being entertained by the drama and tribulations they encounter.

There are two main types of reality TV shows: romantic and competitive. Romantic reality TV shows often consist of ten to 20 contestants who are looking for love or a new adventure. The contestants typically have interesting backstories that either caused them trouble in past relationships or gave them a reason to try a new dating method.

These romance shows bring drama, comedy, tragedy and mystery into an entertainment masterpiece. Watching couples form and break up in a matter of days draws the viewers in.

One of my favorite romantic

Reality TV over the years:

“Candid Camera” (1948)

This show captures the reactions of people put in uncomfortable situations while being secretly filmed.

“Too Hot To Handle” (2020)

A group of people unable to form lasting relationships are housed together in attempts to find true connection.

reality TV shows is “Love Island” on CBS. “Love Island” is set in a remote villa. There is an equal number of male and female contestants who must ‘couple up,’ to avoid going home. But soon, new contestants arrive on the island and they have to fight in order to stay in a couple. Viewers get to vote on the winners who receive a prize of $50,000.

What makes “Love Island” a mustwatch show is the complicated and tension-filled relationships that the contestants form. The contestants living in a house together creates many love triangles and even squares form. The resolutions are always filled with drama and anger, making the viewer pick contestants to root for, ultimately giving them a stronger connection to the show. While romantic reality TV shows are entertaining, I also enjoy competition shows. The main goal of these shows is to win whatever challenges contestants engage in. One of the most famous competition TV shows is “Survivor” on CBS. It has been on air for over 20 years and has gained a loyal viewership.

“Survivor” brings ‘castaways’ together on a deserted island to survive together in tribes. Each week, tribes compete in physical challenges and the losers have to

“An American Family” (1973)

“An American Family” dives into the interesting and drama-filled life of a suburban family residing in California.

Did You Know?

Reality TV shows are often written by “segment producers”

2

Sometimes, lines are “fed” to contestants to say

3

17% of TV viewers watch reality TV during prime time hours

Information from “Reality Is Only An Illusion, Writers Say” washingtonpost.com

go to the tribal council where they vote one member off of the tribe.

“Survivor” is unique as it combines strategy, wit, brawn and basic survival skills. It is difficult enough to survive on a deserted island with little food and resources, but adding competition into the mix makes it nearly impossible. It is a show where the viewers feel like they are on a journey with the contestants. Viewers feel the pain of the contestants when they lose a challenge or are starving.

There are many great reality TV shows on Netflix, Hulu and regular cable TV. What sets reality TV apart from other genres is that you get to watch real people in real time. The raw emotion viewers see on the screen is not something that can be produced by actors who rehearse scenes.

The boredom that one may experience from watching any TV show with a predictable plot is eliminated when watching reality TV. It allows viewers to truly connect with the people they are watching on the screen because they can empathize with them. This sense of empathy that reaches past the screen is what makes reality TV a unique experience everyone should get to enjoy.

“Master Chef” (2010) Cooks compete in a series of cooking competitions in order to be named the “Master Chef.”

“The Real World” (1992) Inspired by “An American Family,” this show mixes strangers into a house for a few months and captures their experiences living together.

“American Idol” (2002) Singers from around America audition for the opportunity to become a superstar.

Lena Nadaner Editor in-Chief

Whether you’re stuck in traffic, doing the dishes or on the treadmill, one can always count on an interesting podcast to transform these mundane tasks into muchneeded entertainment. Listen to these captivating podcasts and allow yourself to be fully immersed in the episode, leaving your worries behind.

Podcasts To Play

Tune into these engaging conversations

1. Improve yourself and learn from fascinating people

Jordan Harbinger, a lawyer turned podcast interviewer, has thorough interviews with people from athletes to North-Korean escape artists. The show is highly organized with episode transcripts, access to the episode’s resources and starter packs with clusters of episodes in categories like “abnormal psychology” and “cyber warfare.” In addition, the show has a segment called “Feedback Friday,” where Harbinger and producer Gabriel Mizrahi guide listeners through relatable and amusing dilemmas in their lives. This segment benefits listeners because the hosts give intelligent solutions to these issues which listeners can apply to their everyday lives.

2. Insight into business strategies of successful people and the taboo world of money

Jason Tartick dives into the financial and business side of exciting careers in his podcast “Trading Secrets.” Using his connections as a contestant on The Bachelor, Tartick interviews experts on niche topics to get the inside scoop on the often hushed-up or overcomplicated financial world. At the end of each episode, the guest will reveal a “trading secret” that listeners can use to achieve financial and career success. I love this podcast because Tartick’s inquisitive nature allows him to obtain valuable perspectives from successful people and his pleasant attitude is truly enjoyable when listening to the show.

3. The unfiltered truth about politics and culture

Former New York Times and Wall Street Journal

journalist Bari Weiss hosts fascinating conversations about American society with diverse perspectives and unbiased takes. These in-depth conversations range from the artificial intelligence debate to a round-up of recent news. Weiss ignores political boundaries and seeks the truth by hosting discussions with high-profile people, such as Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on hot-button issues. “Honestly with Bari Weiss” is for listeners who aim to escape biases and cliches to get a deeper understanding of American society.

Picture from jordanharbinger.com

Picture from dearmedia.com

Picture from honestlypod.com

Fun acts

tion Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) which put him in touch with Washington College.

Alumnus recruited to play college basketball

Standing outside Alexander Muss High School in Israel, Benjamin Bass (23’) is anxious but excited as he picks up the phone. This is no ordinary phone call, as Bass is ready to tell assistant coach of Washington College’s basketball team, Jake Brudish, that he is committing to play Division III basketball there next year.

After talking with coaches for months, the six foot seven inches center publicly announced his commitment to play for Washington College on March 27.

“I was very relieved,” Bass said. “I am excited for both the college experience and hopefully earning a starting spot.”

Bass’s basketball journey has been long and tough from the moment he stepped onto the court in eighth grade at CESJDS to getting recruited to play in college. During freshman year, Bass played on the junior varsity team, but before his sophomore year, he decided to transfer from JDS to Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia to improve his basketball skills.

Unlike JDS, Wakefield played basketball games against other schools in the winter of 20202021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While at Wakefield, Bass injured his meniscus during a drill at practice which kept him out for most of the season.

“[Wakefield] helped me physically and it improved my basketball IQ...,” Bass said. “I was around better players, there was a lot more attention to detail and the

level of play was higher.”

He would eventually return to JDS for his junior and senior years to give the basketball program another shot. During his junior season, Bass helped lead JDS to the PVAC championship game, despite struggling with injuries throughout the season.

Bass was one of two boys varsity basketball captains this past season. He led the team to the semi-finals, where they lost to Sandy Spring Friends School. Bass made the PVAC second team and won team MVP during the Israel Becker Tournament at TanenbaumCHAT in Toronto.

“The work that he has put in has really shown on the court,” boys varsity basketball head coach Ryan Eskow said. “He’s got a really nice touch around the basket. I think the fact that he’s added a jump shot, where he can consistently make corner threes and 15 footers, I think that makes him very valuable as a [center].”

In addition to going to basketball tournaments and showcases in order to get scouted, Bass tried to practice or work out every day. Off the court, he was reaching out to coaches on his own through the organiza-

Favorite professional basketball team: Washington Wizards

“[NCSA] gave me the ability to reach out to coaches, and the fun thing about it is once you have one offer, they just start piling in,” Bass said. “... For Washington College, I had a great relationship with [Brudish]. After getting in touch with him, it was smooth sailing.”

Despite facing some barriers, particularly when he tore his meniscus, Bass credits his mother, teammates and coaches for supporting him through all of it.

Pregame hype song: “I Came Thru“ by YoungBoy Never Broke Again

1 2 3

Favorite basketball memory: His first ingame dunk

“My teammates push me every day, my mom pushes me every day and then my coaches just know how to tap into what I’m good at,” Bass said.

Bass and his family are excited to see him learn from his coaches and teammates at Washington College.

“I can’t wait to see him play at the next level,” Bass’s uncle, who attends many of his games, Jonathan Golner said. “I think that he has a lot of skill. The next level of competition will be really good for him and a really good test to see how good those skills are.”

Matthew Steindecker and Aaron Waldman ReporterandSportsEditor

Bass passes the ball from the top of the key during the championship game at the Israel Becker Tournament in Toronto this past season. Photos used with permission of Daniel Malen.

out Fli p

Junior brings parkour talents to teaching

Gila Safra Reporter

As junior Sam Miller gets ready to learn a new trick, he is inevitably nervous. After repeated failures, he can’t help but be frustrated. However, through continuous practice, Miller lands and then masters the trick. After his hard work and commitment pay off, his pride is evident.

Parkour is a very physically demanding sport as it is a mixture of cardio and physical strength. Practicing can involve obstacle courses or mastering certain tricks, which can either be gymnastics oriented, such as doing flips or tumbling, or can be done on the street, such as jumping across roofs or over boxes.

Miller’s parkour journey began with gymnastics. When he was five, Miller’s parents insisted that he participate in a sport, and given his natural ability to jump and flip, gymnastics was a reasonable solution.

Gymnastics proved to be the perfect transition into Miller’s true passion: parkour. Miller took parkour classes for three and a half years. However, he never competed, and instead, he focused on personal growth and mastering different skills.

“I really enjoy it. It’s a lot of good exercise,” Miller said. “You meet a lot of really nice people… [and] it’s fun to take skills you learn [from parkour] outside and show your friends.”

Because of his gymnastics background, Miller’s greatest strength in parkour is the trampoline. He especially excels in complex flips indoors.

While Miller has faced several small injuries including breaking a finger and twisting his ankle, most of his challenges have been mental. To Miller, this is to be expected; parkour is dangerous.

“I’m terrified to do some of the tricks. It involves a lot of precision, and involves a lot of physical strength… but I still try because

I want to get them,” Miller said. “But the element of fear, it’s human, it’s always there.”

Miller hopes to overcome these challenges through practice and repetition. His friend, junior Jonathan Gould, also has a background in parkour and has been supportive of Miller.

Not only does Miller enjoy practicing parkour, he also loves teaching parkour classes at Bolt Parkour & Freerunning Academy. Miller became an instructor at Bolt two and a half years ago and he enjoys his job because it allows him to both practice the sport he loves and share his passion with others. Gould, who also works at Bolt, enjoys working with Miller.

“With Sam, it’s definitely his mental toughness because he’ll have days where he’s really in a rush or he’s really tired, and he’ll [still] come in and have an incredible amount of energy for his classes,” Gould said. “...A lot of [the] time, I’ll struggle with being loud with my class, being able to actually assert myself, but his ability to just control his class and teach with energy is crazy.”

Susan Schalkowsky, Miller’s mom, is very impressed with the skills Miller has learned while teaching. While Miller had already been relatively comfortable with parkour, he said that teaching was a big step out of his comfort zone. Teaching has helped him develop responsibility, accountability, communication and social skills.

“He works hard at each new trick that he learns, and is very excited and proud when he shows me the video of him completing it properly,” Schalkowsky said. “And he trains at it, you know, because it’s something that he loves and it’s something that he has had a goal with, and it’s something that makes him happy. I think that’s what makes it successful for him.”

How to do a flip

Step 1 - Throw

Extend your arms over your head and then bring them down to your knees quickly.

Step 2 - Tuck

Bring your knees up towards your chest and grab your shins as you end the throw.

Step 3 - Land

To have a nice and soft landing, bend your knees slightly to absorb some of the impact.

Miller tucks his legs in while performing a flip. Photo by Netanya Shaffin, Dimensions.

Trackteamcompetesinchampionshipmeet SprintingToSuccess

Zoomin Szubin: Sophomore Nathan Szubin sprints to the finish at the end of the 1600m race. Szubin is a distance runner so it was no suprise that he won this two-mile race. His teammate sophomore Jonah Berman came in fourth place not far behind him. Berman was able to achieve a personal record in this event by seven seconds. This was a large achievement for Berman as he is a year-round runner and is always looking to cut his running times down.

Shoot your shot: Freshman Liam Sher warms up for the shot put event. Sher is one of three throwers on the track and field team. and he does both shot put and discus which are the two non-running related events. Working Together: Juniors Rena Katz, Hannah May and Yaeli Greenblum strecth together. All are captains of the track and field team and run together in many of the girls events.

Eliana Wolf, Reporter

Boys Track: In the 4x100 relay race, sophomore Etai Evan pushes to the finish line. Although the team, consisting of sophomores Max Weitzner and Etai Evan and juniors Evan Pearlman and Ethan Safra, came in seventh place, they wished that they could have placed higher.

“My teammates were relying on me a lot… so that was both a nice experience and also a little bit nerve wracking,” Weitzner said.

The track and field boys team tends to compete in longer races such as the 800m and 1600m with exceptionally strong distance runners, such as sophomores Jonah Berman and Nathan Szubin. In the championships, the boys team placed fourth overall, earning 37 points. Szubin came in first place during the 3200m, which earned the team a significant amount of points, but not enough to place higher.

The strongest races for the boys team during the championship meet were the 3200m with runners coming in first, fourth and eighth place as well as the 4x800 relay, in which the team came in third place.

Despite the end result, there was no shortage of support from the team during the meet. They worked together during relays and cheered each other on during races. Berman especially felt the support when

he reached a new personal record in the 1600m race. “The team is awesome. It’s really just that JDS is just such a fun atmosphere to be in,” Berman said.

The team is known to be a supportive community, particularly the group that runs on all three running teams.

“I’m amazed with just from March to mid May, just in that 10 week timeframe, people are transformed in terms of their fitness and also in terms of their own motivation and their confidence in themselves,” Belinkie said.

runners do not usually compete in the 4x400, but they assembled a team just for this race. While they did not win a medal, their dedication to racing the 4x400 was a culmination of their work on the team.

“I felt like this is my last time running ever for track and I thought, ‘how do I want to end this?’ I want to end this by doing it as hard as I can,” Katz said.

The girls team scored 12 points, coming in ninth place overall. During this meet, the girls excelled at the 300m hurdles, with Yaeli coming in third, Katz in fourth and Karo in 11th place.

Many of the female runners are juniors, so the team is counting on the middle school athletes to step up next spring. The team is smaller than other teams, even though it is coed, but they get the most excitement yearround. All the running teams have had an exciting year, and everyone is looking forward to what the next year brings.

“Everybody dropped so much time throughout the season, and just improved so much and we all worked really hard,” Katz said.

All Photos by Eliana Wolf

Pictured: Etai Evan

Pictured: Rena Katz

Spring Playoffs

CRAZY CATCH: Sophomore Ezra Raskin makes a tough catch against The Field School in the semifinals game. The Lions ultimately fell short and lost 3-1.

GET UP: Junior Itai Topolosky jumps up for a spike against St. Paul VI. The boys volleyball team won the PVAC championship.

By Ari Werbin-Gradel, Sports Editor

UP TO SERVE: Sophomore Yedidyah Milner-Gillers lines up to serve in his last practice before championships. The boys tennis team finished with a 5-4 record.

STRIKE THREE: Junior Miriam Goldel pitches at the PVAC championship against Sandy Spring. Goldel won game MVP and the Lions won 12-7, earning their first PVAC banner since 2003.