Volume 34, Issue 8 (April 2009) - The Rampage by The Rampage

Ramaz Defends Against Swine Flu Outbreak Page 4

The Joke That is Our Student IDs Page 5

Ramaz Seems to Pass on Twitter Page 6

Varsity Takes Sarachek, No Sweat Page 10

Spring in Style at Ramaz Page 12

the rampage Volume XXXIV Number 8

The Ramaz Upper School

Budget Cuts of an Estimated $600,000 to be Made

April 2009/Iyar 5769

Ramaz Celebrates Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

Cuts to affect variety of areas including, but not limited to, faculty hiring and salaries, club spending, general supply purchases, and average class size. Hannah Rubin and David Baruch ‘09 Over the past year, since last spring, Ramaz has been feeling the constraints of the current economic recession, and is implementing new financial plans to deal with it. “Coming into the school year, we already knew we had to take a serious look at our budget. This was even before the global economy deteriorated,” said Mr. Miller. While the incoming Ramaz freshman class is a high 107 students, it is still nowhere close to the classes of 130 that Ramaz used to attract. This, in addition to the upcoming junior class of 88 students, has impacted Ramaz’s budget. In addition, the Ramaz business office has a host of past business projects that some have deemed overly expensive and not productive enough. “There was the building we were going to build on 85th Street that fell through, then all that rent money we were paying for a building we don’t even use,” said a member of the Ramaz faculty. “We have just made some bad business moves and investments. It has cost us a lot.” “With the combination of the economic situation and endowment fund problem, there was a huge impact on Ramaz,” said Mr. Miller. “Almost of crisis proportions.” “There are a lot of families that would have been able to pay Ramaz tuition no problem, but now they are asking for financial aid,” said Dr. Koplon. “This economic climate has really changed everything.” Because of the financial crisis, Ramaz’s budget has been reevaluated and it has been made clear that it is necessary to cut roughly $600,000 from the school’s spending budget. The board of directors and the administration began by

making first cuts that focused heavily on service side, maintenance, and purchases. “Our first efforts were to sacrifice money and responsibility, but maintain our staff,” said Mr. Miller. In an effort to not attract attention to the school’s financial crisis, Ramaz tried to circumvent any drastic public action by tightening the cost and controls on school purchases. Tangible things were changed, like the types of paper towels and cleaning supplies bought by

“In the past, when I have talked with parents, I have said the class sizes are about 16 to 18 students. Now I will be saying they are 18 to 20” the school. The next steps taken affected the maintenance staff. They were no longer allowed to work overtime, and this has seriously affected their salaries. In addition to maintenance cuts, teachers’ salaries and hours are going to be affected. While the school has decided, for now, not to freeze raises, some salaries are being reduced. “Salaries are being reduced in an effort for [the salaries] to be more in line with actual teaching periods,” said Mr. Miller. Some teachers are being asked to forfeit their full time jobs in order to become part time teachers, with no health insurance benefits. Others are being let go.

“The cuts are being made across the board, but some are just more visible than others,” said Mr. Miller. The departments that are most visibly affected by these budget and faculty cuts are the art, music, science, physical education, and learning center departments. “There are a lot of things that get done in this school that we take for granted because they are done by other people,” said another member of the Ramaz faculty. “And by letting these people go, I don’t know; it is going to be harder next year,” All extra-curricular clubs are being reviewed as well, and some will be cut from the school’s directory. “My puzzle club will probably be cut because it doesn’t compete with other schools and it doesn’t look special for college. Everything is really being paired down,” said Dr. Koplon. Any club that fits a similar description may also have to go There is a significantly smaller number of new faculty members joining Ramaz next year, and class sizes will be increasing. “In the past, when I have talked with parents, I have said that class sizes are about 16 to 18 students. Now I will be saying they are 18 to 20,” said Mr. Miller. “People will have more jobs and have to work harder to earn more money,” said Mr. Miller. “But we don’t feel that we are sacrificing our values in doing so.” “The hope is that when the school opens up next year, there shouldn’t be much of a qualitative difference,” said Mr. Miller.

Jonathan Baumgarten ‘11 Another year goes by and along with it comes another 48 hours of the shuffle from Yom HaZikaron to Yom HaAtzmaut. This year it was commemorated and celebrated by having a dynamic group of individuals and activities. It all began Tuesday, with the ceremony for Yom HaZikaron, by remembering the fallen with several soldiers sharing their stories of friends and loved ones lost to war. Matan Pinto of the Sayeret Golani unit spoke of a typical situation that he and his fellow soldiers would face, reminding us of the frailty of life. “It is very important for us to maintain a relationship between Israel and the United States, it being that Israel is of key importance to democracy in the region,” said a naval officer sent by Friends of the IDF. In addition to the group of speakers was Noam Shalit, father of captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. In the United States for a meeting with the Obama administration, Mr. Shalit spoke about his appreciation towards Ramaz for its efforts in his son’s release and reminded students of the

importance of the day, saying that, “A country that does not remember its soldiers is fated that its soldiers will not remember their country.” The next day there was the expected, yet difficult, transition of mourning our losses to celebration of Israel’s 61st year of independence. Among such celebration was Entrepreneur and PR expert for Israel, Marco Greenberg, who spoke about what it is like to be both American and Israeli, saying he feels as though he is an “Israeli amongst Americans and an American amongst Israelis.” Mr. Greenberg went on to discuss the necessity of communicating with Israelis, providing the example of social networking sites. Along with other activities there was the popular faculty vs. students soccer match. The male faculty walked away with a shootout win while the girls’ soccer team was victorious over the female staff. The meaningful and entertaining two days were concluded with a chagigah, reminding everyone of festivities in the year to come.

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April 2009/Iyar 5769

The RamPage News

Lighthearted Fugue Night Offers Break from Stress of Junior Second Semester

Seniors Very Happy With Poland Experience Avi Grunfeld ‘10

Tamar Benus ‘10 Fugue. To the junior who is taking art it sounds like a type of food nobody would ever want to eat. Those in Mr. Henkin’s junior year music class really know what it is. A fugue is a work of music with many voices (usually 3 or more) based on a single melody, repeated in various ways. The juniors were assigned to write fugues and some were chosen to be presented and performed on Fugue Night. The subjects of the Fugues were varied; some were about

food and pop culture, and others spoke of sports and friendship. Students were creative in composing their fugues. One fugue was even written in German, while another brought the seventeen-year-olds back to their elementary school years by using the trademarked jingle from Pokemon, “Gotta Catch ‘Em All.” A couple of the pieces showed school spirit, by adding the words “RAM IT UP” and also portrayed the anger, frustration, and stress juniors feel: “ I think I am going to fail… oh damn oh damn damn damn damn…”

Most of the juniors who wrote fugues presented them on Fugue Night with a little help from Mr. Henkin who volunteered as the third voice”in a few performances. Members of the audience thoroughly enjoyed themselves. “Oh, my cheeks hurt,” said Ethan Fuld ’12, laughing. The performances were funny and entertaining. This is a high school event that the juniors are sure to remember. Class of 2011, you better step up your game, because next year’s seniors have made the word fugue as scrumptuous as possible.

Birkat HaChamah Returns After 28 Years

Ethan Plaue ‘11 Just before Passover vacation began, the Talmud Department headed schoolwide learning and appreciation lessons on Birkat Hachama, “The Blessing of the Sun”. Both Judaic and secular classes were asked to teach subjects ranging from the mathematical principles behind the event, to its importance. Unless you somehow forgot, Birkat Hachama is the celebration of the occurrence when the Sun returns to its exact location and time of its

creation. The Talmud decrees that this happens every 28 years and accordingly we say the prayer in order to remind ourselves of the intervention of God in creation and the world today. “Birkat Hachama is a fascinating topic from a curriculum point of view,” said Mr. Miller. The administration believes that, because of the day’s importance and infrequency, it deserved having at least one aspect of the prayer be taught in almost every class. The Talmud department saw

the prayer as a way to bring departments together under a shared event. “We always look for opportunities to teach in ways that cross departmental lines,” said Rabbi Schiowitz. “Birkat Hachama was a great opportunity because it so naturally crosses into so many disciplines.” Rarely are Judaic events or principles taught in secular classrooms, but Birkat Hachama was an exception. “The secular teachers who where dealing with their side of the issue did not present it from the religious point of view,” said Mr. Miller. “The mission of this school is that secular learning can be integrated with religious learning, and this is what we aim for,” he added. For the administration and Talmud department, Birkat Hachama was seen as a great opportunity to overlap the religious and secular worlds.

A group of 56 seniors, along with Rabbi Goldmintz, Rabbi Weiser and Ms. Krupka, departed for Poland on the annual senior experience, a name for the trip given by a student a few years ago, on March 23 and returned home on March 30. On the trip, which Rabbi Goldmintz refers to as an educational seminar, the students traveled around Poland visiting three major cities, some smaller towns, and three concentration camps, Majdonek, Belzec and the infamous Auschwitz. The itinerary also included

Europe before the war rather than just the war itself,” said Rabbi Goldmintz. In order to provide this educational perspective with instruction and a historical context on what the students see, Rabbi Levi Cooper was brought along as a guide and historian. Secondly, Rabbi Goldmintz feels that the trip is meant to teach people about the Holocaust itself in ways that students have not been taught before. “Everybody walks away from the trip saying that they understand the Shoah now in ways they never did before,”

a visit to Schindler’s factory to learn about the role of the righteous gentiles during the Holocaust, meeting with survivors, and visiting the current Polish Jewish community. Unlike the trip in most years past, the trip this year did not go to Israel after Poland, for economic reasons. “It was hard not going to Israel but we decided to try something a little bit different and end the trip on a more hopeful note by coming into contact with the current Polish Jewish community,” said Rabbi Goldmintz. Students visited a Jewish day school, went into classes, interacted with high school and kindergarten students, and played basketball with students in middle school. The seniors also met with the principal of the school and a rabbi from the community. “It wasn’t like being in Israel, but it certainly gave us a taste of life,” said Rabbi Goldmintz. “A number of students remarked that our being there and interacting with Jews who are part of the community there was very moving because it proved that Hitler had failed.” According to Rabbi Goldmintz, the senior experience has several goals. “One is to understand first and foremost the Jewish life in

said Rabbi Goldmintz. The trip also enables students to understand the Holocaust in a way that they can bear witness and defend against Holocaust deniers more effectively after having seen actual gas chambers and mass grave sights, according to Rabbi Goldmintz. In addition, the trip is meant to give seniors an opportunity to discover their roots, both through a research assignment done beforehand facilitated by Rabbi Goldmintz, and through the things that students see on the actual trip itself. Lastly, while Rabbi Goldmintz acknowledges that the trip is mainly educational and not thought of as fun, he and the students agree that the trip is actually a lot of fun and a great bonding experience. “I think when everyone heard that we weren’t going to Israel at the end of trip, people were nervous that the trip would be very depressing, albeit meaningful,” said Michael Abramson ’09, one of three students, along with Olivia Oshry ‘09 and Danna Shaprio ’09, who spoke about their experience on the trip in the Yom Hashoah assembly on April 22. “But when we got there, we realized that as meaningful and somber the trip was, it was actually incredibly fun.”

April 2009/Iyar 5769

The RamPage Features

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And The Biggest Loser Is... Daniel Blas ‘10 "I've always been called a loser," asserts Dr. Gaylord, which probably explains why this time was no different. At the close of an inter-faculty weight loss competition, the English teacher proved to be the most disciplined in shedding the pounds, resulting in a $320 prize. Beginning in January and ending at the very start of April with weekly weigh-ins, the Ramaz faculty was host to a game-version of NBC's hit show The Biggest Loser. The creator was Dr. Gaylord, who suggested the competition in an off-hand way. He thought only two or three people would be interested; ultimately, sixteen faculty members tried to lose weight. Mr. Markowitz, a non-participant, was the unbiased arbiter, managing the numbers and distributing the standings by email each week. "The stats kept me motivated," stated Rabbi Stechler, Dr. Gaylord's admitted fiercest competitor. Mr. Markowitz calculated the pounds lost each week and determined the total percentage of body weight lost to date. Dr. Gaylord eliminated the highest percentage of his original body weight of 195 lbs. and lost over 20.5%, or 40 total lbs., earning him the title of "Biggest Loser." Rabbi Stechler finished in second place, "but was satisfied with the result despite a little bit of disappointment

after not winning it all," he claims. This is because Rabbi Stechler's goals were to "eat healthier and to be in better shape." In other words, "my plan is more of a long-term plan, and I am just using this competition to change my lifestyle." Rabbi Stechler considered himself pretty heavy at first, a beefy 186. But this competition, says Stechler, "has lasting values. It's all about becoming more healthy." Dr. Gaylord, on the other hand, had completely different objectives. Both before and after his win, the RamPage sat down with him to discuss his road to victory. RP: So why are you participating in this competition,

anyway? DG: I love the money. There was a twenty dollar buy-in and winner takes all. But really, it's Gaylord takes all. Because I will win. RP: So what's your secret. How'd you do it? DG: When I want to lose weight, I can lose weight. I knew I could bulk up beforehand and lose it. RP: Some people actually accused you of cheating by drinking ten cups of water before the initial weigh-in. DG: Everyone had talked about drinking water beforehand, but I was the only one who used it to my advantage. RP: You mentioned to some of your students that you have motives for entering this competition other than money; what might those be?

DG: I wanted more facial definition because my jaw line boundary between my cheek and neck was getting blurred, so I wanted more of a jaw. Also, I wanted less "doughiness" around the middle. RP: I'm not quite sure I would've seen that “doughiness.” I mean, you were a pretty skinny guy. DG: It’s not obvious but it’s there if you were to poke me RP: May I poke you? DG: (laughs) Um no, you may not, but the “doughiness” is there. RP: So, did you achieve your goals? DG: Absolutely. RP: What did you do to shed the pounds? DG: I don't exercise; muscles weigh too much. I do a modified version of Weight

Watchers, using the point system from a book my friend got me, and I eat very low-fat meals. RP: And that carried you throughout the entire competition? DG: No, my body got used to the WW diet, so I had to switch to a South Beach Diet—no sugar, no bread. RP: Before the end of this competition, if I were to offer you this recently-bought Snickers bar, would you eat it? DG: Nope, nothing is more tasty to me than $320. RP: But now that the competition is over, would you eat it? DG: Yes, absolutely. I intend to gain about 20 pounds back, enough to maintain my jaw line and lack of doughiness. R: So it seems like you cruised through the competition, no sweat. DG: Not exactly. I considered dropping out at one point when I couldn’t shed as many pounds per week. That was when I shocked my body with the South Beach Diet. RP: Did you really need to switch diets? You lost 40 lbs overall! DG: Rabbi Stechler was my biggest competition, and he even pulled ahead for a little while. The last week, I lost five lbs., but had I not, I would’ve lost. The final margin of victory was very small. RP: Thank you Dr. Gaylord and congratulations!

Fourth Floor VS Sixth Floor:A Battle of the Crews Kaitlin Wachsberger ‘10 Anyone who has spent any considerable amount of time at Ramaz knows that the two identical lounges on four and six, though both equipped with the same shapes to recline on, contain populations that are far from identical. “There are different vibes in the lounges,” said Daniel Chetrit ’09. “I think six is more relaxed but I think four is more of a party. And it isn’t necessarily a bad thing.” Many students believe that the separation is of a social nature and that any intermingling might cause discomfort. “I don’t really know what I do would do if I went [to four] to hang out,” said Paul Weintrob ’10, a sixth-floor regular. “I mean, I do have friends there but they would probably be more involved with their friends who usually hang out on four with them.” Many students who associate with one specific floor feel that they hardly even know

their other-lounge-dwelling peers “If someone from [the fourth floor] came here, I just wouldn’t know them and probably wouldn’t have anything to do with them,” said Akiva Blickstein ’09. Some students, however, feel that the social differences are not that significant. “If someone came to four from six we would welcome them,” said Zachary Cooper ’09. The general feeling is that the idea of the entire student body socially unifying is naïve and unrealistic. “I think if someone from six say, brought a guitar to four and started playing, people would be like, ‘What are they doing?’” said Zeva Epstein ’10. “Even if there was only one big lounge, people would still have their social groups,” said James Shalom ’09. “It’s just natural.” “I think people could reach out and eventually get to like each other individually,” said

Paul Weintrob ’10. “But overall these groups would not mix nicely.” When asked if there was animosity between the two floors, some students felt there was and it could be felt. “I get the feeling that ‘six floorers’ think we’re stuck up,” said a student who considers himself a member of the fourth floor lounge. There are a few stereotypes that seem to be very popular, such as fourth floor athleticism and sixth floor musical skills. “I think the stereotypes have some truth to them,” said Philip Merkin ’10, “but I don’t see why these characteristics should cause such a huge division.” Some students have altogether different concerns. “I don’t even think it matters,” said Olivia Oshry ’09. “The biggest problem I see are the pathetic things we sit on that are giving me back problems. All I want are some cushions!”

The fourth floor on game day.

The sixth floor, between musical sets.

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The RamPage Features

Off the Wall! The Return of Wall Ball Daniel Robbins ‘10 If you’re looking to relax in the 3rd floor lounge during a free period or Judaic Studies class then you either have your head too far up your chumash, or your definition of relaxing consists of a number of sweaty boys making a ruckus. You may say, “Playing Nintendo doesn’t make you sweat!” and you would be right, but Nintendo is no longer the entertainment hub of the 3rd floor lounge. It is wall ball. Wall ball entails hitting a ball against a wall (who would’ve thought), but the ball must always touch the floor before the wall - this rule creates a backspin on the ball that doesn’t allow it to travel as far which makes it a great inside

Daniel Robins ‘10

game. “It’s really simple,” said Alex Oppenheim ’11. This plain sport was at a high last year. Students from all floors (yes, floors four and six mingled) would anxiously wait on an ever-expanding line to get in the next round of this timeless game. Unfortunately, as the Nintendo began to assert itself in the 3rd floor lounge as the prominent game, these lines of anxious students slowly evolved into a muddle of mesmerized students that stand and stare at a screen aimlessly, complaining how Kirby is cheap. However, like the stock market, after reaching its alltime low, wall ball has bounced back and is now more popular than before. This is largely

due to the disappearance of the most popular Nintendo game, Super Smash Bros. And with this disappearance students have wisely resorted to playing the more social, interactive, athletic, and fun wall ball. “Wall ball is so much better than Nintendo,” asserted Amanda Uziel ’10. Unlike Nintendo, which takes years of mastery and genius strategic implementation to succeed in, wall ball is easily picked up and is therefore a more enjoyable activity for the average student. Poppy Merkin ’10 concluded, “I’m glad it came back. Life without wall ball was like living without walls.”

April 2009/Iyar 5769

THE RAMPAGE Editors-in-Chief Aaron Wilson David Baruch

Associate Editor Hannah Rubin

Copy Editor

Photography Editor

Sandra Rubinchik

Melanie Gersten

Faculty Advisor Dr. Steven Milowitz

RamPage Staff

Ramaz’s Preemptive Strike Against Swine Flu Aaron Wilson ‘09 Swine Flu, or N1H1 Flu as the government is now calling it, has the potential to reach a level that would be termed a pandemic. The virus, which is widely believed to have started in Mexico, has now moved to regions across the world, prompting the World Health Organization to raise its pandemic alert phase to 5, out of 6. Here, in New York City, four

schools have already been closed due to suspected cases of Swine Flu as of Thursday afternoon. On Thursday afternoon, Ramaz students entering the lunchroom were greeted by Nurse Moskowitz, who ensured that each and every student washed his or her hands with soap and water before eating. Most students, aware of the threat, were happy to comply. While most were happy to see this early effort to avoid an outbreak here in Ramaz, some felt that there was more that needed to be done. “Ya, it’s good that they’re doing something, but if they’re really trying to prevent it, washing before lunch is clearly not enough,” said Daniel Blas ‘10. “What about every time someone kisses a mezuzah in school? And every hand that touches the railings on the stairs? I’m not saying we have to go crazy but these are pretty realistic possibilities with pretty bad consequences.” The administration is following directions from the Board of Health, and has sent an email to the parents and faculty, enforcing hand washing, installing Purell dispensers around the school, and reminding the maintenance staff to do additional disinfecting.

April 2009/Iyar 5769

The RamPage Opinions

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The Joke That is Our ID Cards Daniel Blas ‘10 What’s up with our student ID cards? Does the school want to waste money in a budget-strapped system on identification markers that never get used? My ID card has sat in my wallet untouched for the past three years, save for the time when I switched wallets. Actually, I take that back. Freshman year, the school tried a system of scanning our cards at the front desk when we came in each morning. No one remembered to sign in, kids forgot their cards, and the scanner only worked for half of the cards; ultimately, the method never became effective. If the cards are never used, why subject the upperclassmen for the first semester and a half with incessant announcements calling two-thirds of the 9th graders to “Joe in the copy room” to have their pictures taken? If no one looks at the cards, why place undue stress upon Freshman girls who probably schedule special hair appointments during the days leading up to their halfa-second in front of that fancy camera? And why waste Mr. Sambolin’s time when the Hebrew department is awaiting a 200 page history on Tzipi Livni’s political career in PowerPoint presentation format. I’m sure the Environmental Club is ticked off as well at the gratuitous amount of plastic wasted on ID cards. Maybe

they should set up recycling bins right outside the copy office for freshies to just throw out their cards the second they’re printed and thereby save some wallet space for Starbucks cards.

And what is with the barcode on the cards? Maybe they should be used as credit cards for the after-school bagels with sauce and cheese (essentially the pasta con salsa y queso in bread form).

Maybe they should have our permanent records accessible through the barcodes— we could check our third quarter reports as well as our disciplinary reports all in one convenient digital location!

The Rap-Report Mark Rapaport ‘10

havior:

The art of annoyance—what a beautifully boundless topic. I must confess that I could not possibly have generated this list without some inspiration from my fellow students, who time and time again have proved to be unyielding in their efforts to annoy. That is not to say that I do not sometimes count myself among them. I do, and therefore, I have sinned. However, I am through preaching against the agitators. Yes, they deserve to be reproved., but like with an immature child who only stops when you tell him to keep at it, I feel I have no choice but to use reverse psychology. So go, my peers, and perform the following acts of questionably reasonable be-

Walk on the left side of the staircase. As with cars in traffic, stair climbers should always be in the right lane of the direction they are facing. But don't let this “silly” rule dictate your fun on the stairs. Take a walk on the wild left side instead, and make sure to bump into as many people as possible without even saying “Excuse me.” Yell at someone in the lunchroom who is not even cutting you in line. You: “Earth to obnoxious kid...no cutting!” Obnoxious kid: “I am just getting a peanut butter sandwich. Chill out.” If he or she gives you that attitude, stare at them as a really insulted person would because when you say it's cutting, it's cutting!

1 2

Get in the elevator just as it is closing right after davening. Not doing it would be a clear breach of your rights at the school. Besides, it's not like there is a rule that you are not even supposed to use the elevators after davening. And what about all those other kids who you ruined the elevator ride for because you held the elevator long enough for Rabbi Stochel to come and send them out? That's clearly their fault, and it would have happened regardless. Don't forfeit a library computer to a student who needs it for academics. You both pay tuition, right? So what's the point in taking a break from your vital game of naming the US presidents on sporcle.com?

It's not like that kid's research paper that's due by the end of the period cannot wait. He or she will get their chance to use the computer. And more importantly, you swear you can name the presidents between Taylor and Taft in “like two minutes.” Don't flush the toilet. There is no better smell than that of toilet, filling the air with its stench for an extended period of time. It's also a great way to spread a positive school vibe, as I often go into the bathroom as a depressed soul, but come out feeling as fresh as a urinal cake. Oh, and also don't bother washing your hands either. I hear swine flu is all the rage!

To top off the ludicrousness of ID cards, there is a list of regulations to be adhered to posted on the back of the plastic; I’m pretty sure I’m the only one to ever read them. Rule number 1: we have to carry the cards at all times and present them upon request by any student leader, faculty member, or official member of the school staff. Point being that if Talia Thurm asks you for your card, you best have it in a holster. Rule number 2: it is to be used for identification at school events. I see the concern there; with so many kids at chagigahs, you’ve got to make sure you don’t have Heschel kids sneaking in. Rule number 3: loss or mutilation of the card must be reported to the office and a five dollar replacement must be requested. Well that one’s fair, seeing as that our student ID cards save us so much money at local establishments, thanks to the GO treasurer. Rule number 4: the card is void upon graduation from Ramaz. Ya think? So, I propose one of two things take place: Either, we do away with ID cards altogether, since they are seemingly utterly useless, or the school makes clear what their purpose actually is, in which case I will pin it to my shirt and parade around proudly as a card-carrying workaholic.

Ram ech Opts z a m a R Out Of TWEets Twitter away, my Jewish friends. Or not. In what appears to be out of character for a usually tech-savvy bunch of kids, Ramaz students have generally not been riding the Twitter wave that has gained an audience of over 14 million users worldwide. That number continues to soar as Twitter currently tops both Facebook and MySpace on the list of fastest-growing social networking sites. In case you have been living under a rock for some time, Twitter is a site that allows users to send and read messages, known as tweets, posted by

Mark Rapaport ‘10

other users on the site. To receive tweets automatically or easier, users may 'follow' other users. So what's the problem with this? Why don't Ramaz students catch on? “I can do all the following I want right here in school by physically stalking Ms. Fung and other science faculty,” said Daniel Robbins ‘10. “I don't need a computer to do that.” Others simply declared Twitter

Aaron Wilson ‘09

obsolete. “I just don't see the need for it,” said Ralph Bennarosh '10. “It's not like I couldn't just text someone if I wanted to tell them something. Plus the whole 'following' thing kinda freaks me out—it's like you're being watched constantly.” Twitter enthusiasts, however scarce they may be, still do exist within Ramaz’s walls. Poppy Merkin ’10 is one

of them. “I enjoy sending tweets out to my peeps,” proclaimed Merkin. “It’s also entertaining following celebrities like John Mayer and Shaquille O’Neal.” As Twitter increases in popularity worldwide, chances are good that more Ramaz students will find an interest in it. However, the up-and-coming social networking service may never be as popular with Ramaz students as Facebook, which boasts over 200 million users worldwide including the overwhelming majority of Ramaz’s students.

BBM Without a BlackBerry No Joke Bet you didn’t know that all of our time spent envying our BBMing friends could be spent IMing each other on our regular old, non-Blackberry Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint phones. That’s right; virtually every phone comes with Mobile IM that supports AOL (AIM). Just go to messaging, select “Mobile IM,” choose AOL, log on, and add buddies to your mobile buddy list (under “list actions”). When you and a friend have added each other as buddies on your mobile buddy lists (just like entering a Blackberry pin), you can IM in the exact same blue and red conversation style as BBM and AIM. And it’s free as long as you’ve got unlimited texting! Considering that BBM is probably one of the main reasons people are willing to spend around thirty dollars a month on top of their regular bill, getting it for free sounds like a pretty solid deal to me.

Ethan Stein ‘10

Palm Pre, Topping iPhone and Blackberry in Features, to be Released by End of School Year

If a survey of Ramaz students were to be taken regarding their cell phones, a majority would probably say they had either an iPhone or a BlackBerry. Not for long! Palm Inc. is introducing a new phone–the Palm Pre. Ever since the iPhone and BlackBerry became available, the world seemed to forget about Palm. Palm Inc. realized that they need to come up with a new and improved phone to compete or their company would fail, and consequently developed the Palm Pre which promises to

be amazing. Firstly, it will have both a touch screen and a full slideout QWERTY keyboard. Better than WiFi or 3G, the Palm Pre will automatically combine all of your contacts from Facebook, your email, and anything else on the web. You can therefore start a

conversation with someone via text message, then continue it via Facebook, and then finish it on AIM, viewing it all in one place.

It is hard to put into

words what makes this phone so incredible. You really have to see it in use to understand how unbelievable intuitive it is. It just thinks ahead for you and seems to do everything just the way you want, flawlessly. For example, you can run as many applications simultaneously as you want, and when you’re done with something, you just flick it off the top of the screen, whereupon it automatically saves what you were

doing and puts it back where it belongs. The Pre also has wireless charging capability with a pad that is to be sold separately. This is a brand new operating system for Palm, called WebOS, so for those with unpleasant middle school memories of Palms, this hardware and software bears no resemblance. Unless the name Palm gets in the way of marketing, this phone deserves to outsell anything else out on the market. It is slated for release by the end of the school year.

Yom Ha’atzmaut 5769 By Melanie Gersten ‘09 and Ethan Stein ‘10

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“Give and Take”: Does it Apply to Notes?

The RamPage Opinions

April 2009/Iyar 5769

Seniors deserving of a Sex Education Hannah Rubin ‘09 In my four years at Ramaz I can confidently say that my “health” education has been insufficient. Lets break it down. The entire curricula of freshman year revolved around CPR and emergency situation training, such as what to do if you ever encounter a corpse lying in the middle of the road or if your best friend starts choking to death on his apple. We all got certified (most of us failed during our first attempts) and then all of our certifications expired. Sophomore year we learned

Sarah Marlowe ‘11 Rather than taking notes like everyone else, some students occupy their class time by playing Sporcle on their computers, sleeping on their desks, texting, or aimlessly staring into space. Right before a test these same students are the ones racing around school to find various students from their classes in order to harass them for notes. There are two methods of doing this: either the students force you into giving them your notes by publicly making you look like a jerk, or they guilt you into it. It's extremely perplexing about drugs. We watched a that students who relax dur- movie and read about the longing class and don't take notes term effects of being a cocaine expect other students—who junkie. Junior year we were work extremely hard to write supposed to learn about sex, down every word being said— to just hand over their notes. Even more disturbing is that these "slackers" always manage to get their hands on great notes and therefore do very Samantha Sharon ‘10 well on their tests. There is always the understandable event of missed classed due to illness or another excused purpose. When this is the case, most students will jump at the opportunity to give their notes from that day to their classmate. But this is rarely the case, and besides for those types of instances, students should be required to take their own notes. If they choose not to do so, they deserve for their poor decision to be reflected in their School spirit has been on the test grades. Most students regret their rise this year. Between the pep decisions to give out their rallies and numerous school notes and ponder over whether spirit days, the GO and the ador not to continue distributing ministration have emphasized the importance of being a true their notes for copying. Sarah Emmerich ’11 and fan and cheering on our variErica Baruch ’11 both stated ous school teams. However, when it comes that they have no problem giving out their notes, however down to it, the only sport that it’s extremely bothersome for has gotten serious school-wide them when they are called the attention is basketball. While night before a test and accused basketball is a primary winter of having wrong information sport, it is not the only sport. One could argue that basketin their review sheets. “I don’t mind giving out my ball is our best sport at Ranotes; I’ll give them to anyone maz and that is why so much as long as they take their own emphasis has been placed on notes. It’s ridiculous when it. However, winning is not people expect me to take notes the most important thing. Our school should respect and give for them,” Sarah stated.

“...hardly any of my friends can accurately tell me how AIDS is transferred...”

but our teacher got pregnant and left us midway. And then never returned. And we never got a replacement. Senior year we had no health class. The most serious issue that faces the students of Ramaz, and frankly any student living in America, is drug and alcohol use. Yet our education on this matter was limited to a 10th grade classroom and some diagrams and medical reports. People were young and still felt awkward talking publicly about drugs, and most of the students had not yet been exposed to them. I remember

few, if any, details from those classes. Our sex education is lacking as well. Barely any of my friends can accurately tell me how AIDS is transferred or list the varied methods of birth control. We don’t know the details of STDs, or that some are bacterial (and curable) while others are viral and permanent. As seniors graduating in the year 2009, going off to different college campuses or gap year programs, it is unforgivable that we are being allowed to walk away from

Ramaz without this data. It is crucial that Ramaz put in more effort to teach its students these basic facts of life and adolescence. The hastily pulled together Campus Prep course was not the solution, as it met only four times and was barely able to cover any material. During these classes, and throughout my four years, I wished that I had learned more about these real life issues. As teenagers, we need to have a forum in which we feel comfortable to voice our concerns and ask our questions, and be given informative and correct answers. Yet this is a situation that has never occurred for me, or any of my peers, at Ramaz.

What About Us?: The Plight of Track and Tennis

equal attention to every team whether it’s ranked one or one hundred. Take the track and tennis teams. Both sports are respectable and legitimate yet in Ramaz they are placed below basketball, hockey and volleyball on the athletic hierarchy. Every year, hopeful students who try out for the tennis team undergo two rounds of intense tryouts, yet their efforts go unnoticed. “Compared to basketball or even hockey, tennis gets no attention from the students or faculty,” remarked Caroline Lobel ’10, who has been a member of the tennis team since her freshman year. Stu-

dents like Caroline who are on other less-publicized teams feel second rate. The track team takes up perhaps the lowest spot on the sports totem pole. For every other sport that our school does not have the proper facilities for, the team members are brought to respectable places to practice, be it a baseball field or tennis courts. However, the track team is supposed to make due with the school gym and Central Park in the spring. The track team does not even have its own day after school to use the gym for practice. So as not to take

time away from the basketball, hockey or volleyball teams after school, the track team occupies the gym only once a week during homeroom, a mere 20-minute period to run just a single mile. And despite the fact that the team brought home two trophies this year, it is still overlooked. “I wish it was taken more seriously,” said Daniel Marks ’10 of the track team. Students on tennis and track are just as dedicated to their teams as any basketball or hockey player is, and they deserve to be equally acknowledged for their efforts.

April 2009/Iyar 5769

The RamPage Opinions

Page 9

Don’t Get Too Excited by that Jumbo Incoming Freshman Class Aaron Marans ‘11 In March, the Rampage reported that there will be 107 students in the incoming freshman class, the Class of 2013. This was considered a victory for the school after a two-year admissions slump and it essentially is. After all, the more students who attend Ramaz, the more money the school gets. This is especially important in the current economic climate. However, I am not sure whether this “slump” was handled correctly. Since when are elite schools trying to expand the size of their student body? The best schools in the country from colleges to high schools, and even elementary schools, are renowned for their small and intimate class sizes. Only accepting the cream of the crop allows for a very high level learning environment. This is considered a trademark of elite educational institutions and it is proven to be the best way to educate kids. One of the main problems being faced by New York City regarding the public school system is density of each individual school. Students are learning less at a lower level in bigger schools. Obviously comparing Ramaz to a public school is absurd because no public funding helps our school, but the density issue is still applicable. So why is there an “arms race” among the local Jewish high schools to at-

Raquel Wildes ‘11

tract the most students? Aside from the obvious monetary concerns—which haven’t always been an issue—it doesn’t seem so sensible. This concept is something that should be discussed. At its inception in 1937 and for many years following, Ramaz stood alone at the pinnacle of modern orthodox education, attracting students from all over the tri-state area. Then, over time, the “market” began to catch up with them. Starting with Frisch, and today also Heschel and SAR, Ramaz’s competition has strengthened significantly in the recent past. Competition is what led to the dip below the century mark in class size. When this happened, suddenly Ramaz

was on fire. Many things were done to stop these numbers from persisting and of course they eventually did after two years. While some students might find the former artificial, this is really how the school will gradually change. Adam Smith, though when he wasn’t discussing education when he theorized, would be proud. He was discussing business and how an economy should work. When a company faces competition, it forces this company to recreate and improve itself or lose its customer base. This is exactly the situation Ramaz finds itself in right now. Beginning with more outreach and friendliness in the admissions process, Ramaz is slowly adjusting. Hopefully, improvements

will work themselves up the ladder of Ramaz bureaucracy. The admissions process was just the first step. Now it is time to revolutionize the school while maintaining its core principles of fierce intellectualism and the commitment to yidishkeit. Becoming a “kinder gentler Ramaz” is the key thing to do. Over time, Ramaz will change for the better; I am confident of that. After all, they have no choice.

Where is Ramaz Going? Hannah Rubin ‘09 Ramaz is a unique school in the world of Jewish education. It has built its reputation on having an independent and adventurous spirit that has allowed it to forge remarkable pathways through the yeshiva world. Thus, Ramaz has become a leader in both academics as well as the arts, athletics, and community service, by staying true to its founding ideals of Torah, derech eretz, and menschlekheit. I have been informed that there are going to be significant adjustments in the Ramaz faculty. The question then becomes, is this right for Ramaz? Is it being done in the spirit of the founding ideals of our school, or rather as a “quick fix” for our current financial situation? While yes, our country is in the middle of a recession, and yes, Bernie Madoff just made off with six million of our dollars, is this the best way to

Assemblies: Should I Clap Now?

solve our current problem? Mr. Miller explains that the monetary cuts are even across the board. He reaffirms that any inequality is just a perception, because some cuts are more visible than others. But from discussions with various departments, it is not clear that all departments will suffer equally. In fact, there is a perception that the parts of the school that are being hit hardest are physical education, music, the student center, and particularly art. I’ve been told that as much as $100,000 might be deducted from the art department budget. These numbers correspond to 1/6 of the total money that Ramaz aims to tighten in 2009. The administration claims that the cuts they are making “won’t affect the quality of education that we offer,” yet it is these activities (art, music, physical education, and the student center) that distinguish

our school from every other. Ramaz was founded in order to provide Jewish children with a diverse education— we were the pioneers in the dual curriculum, the leaders in performance art and athletics. In order to preserve this reputation, we must continue to value these activities on the same level that we value strict academics. This can only be successful if we maintain the talented and dedicated faculty that stands behind them. In financially stressful times, decisions like these have to be made, however difficult and damaging they may end up being. The hope is that the decision making process that the school is going through has been conducted in a manner that is acting in the best interest of the school and not merely as a matter of expediency. While such expedient actions may seem favorable now, they could end up compromising the stature

of Ramaz and its place in the educational world. While this may seem like a nice shortcut to financial stability, perhaps there are alternative solutions that will not compromise the long term reputations and ideals of Ramaz. We constantly preach of community and the importance of unity in our lives. We talk of the Jewish community, the synagogue community, the Israel community, the American community. So what about the Ramaz community? Our school depends on the quality of our teachers, and once we start interfering with that, especially for questionable reasons, then our school will be failing itself and its students. Compromising these ideals will only lead Ramaz to mediocrity, indistinguishable from every other New York Metropolitan yeshiva.

As I sat, enveloped by darkness and emotion, I contemplated my next course of action. Silence pervaded the auditorium and heads were beginning to turn in search of guidance. The proper decorum as to the appropriateness of whether or not to clap during heartbreaking assemblies, such as the recent Yom Hashoa assembly, is evidently questionable. Whether it was after an introduction or a presentation, the reaction time between the end of the speaker and the audience response was significantly longer than usual. Also, the synchronization of the claps was weak and clearly offbeat. Perhaps the awkwardness of the clap lies within the nature of such a sensitive topic, like the Holocaust, where clapping for the pain of our ancestors seems hypocritical and morally improper. Overall, there is an innate discomfort while trying to comprehend the enormity of such horror suffered by our past generation. As the older stock of our community passes into the pages of history, it is our responsibility to retell their story with reverence and admiration, not fear and sympathy. For this reason, the reality is that the speakers and presenters deserve a standing ovation. Part of growing up is learning how to deal with tragedy. We could hide in the darkness and wallow in pity, or we can approach the situation confidently and focus on the long-term positive effects. It is with an ultimate feeling of vengeance and pride that the Jews of today commemorate the losses of the Jews of yesterday. Yes, the sensation of unity in the clap may seem ironic and may even appear to desecrate the sheer magnitude of the Holocaust to a purely performance level, but this clap is different. This clap is for our grandparents, cousins, saviors and heroes. Not clapping during an assembly of this type is not something that should ever be up to question.

Page 12

The RamPage Sports

April 2009/Iyar 5769

The Battering Ram

Next Year Looks Good: Varsity Basketball Cruises Through Sarachek Daniel Robbins ‘10 From March 26-30 the Ramaz varsity basketball team attended the 18th Annual Red Sarachek Tournament at YU. All odds were against them since all the seniors on the team were in Poland (except for Zach ‘Zeus’ Cooper ‘09) and for the most part, the inexperienced juniors would be competing against teams with both juniors and seniors. “Nobody really thought we would be able to do anything without the seniors but we stayed very confident and everybody stepped up their game, said Max Feldstein”

points of his own. Some teams viewed this 25 point win as a stroke of luck for Ramaz, while others believed that DRS simply deserved a lower seed, but all teams agreed that the Ramaz juniors and Zeus were in for a walloping in the semis from the country’s #1 ranked yeshiva, Shaarey Zedek, hailing from Valley Village, California.

Game Two:

Game One: Ramaz, the four seed in the tournament, played DRS, the five seed, in their first game Friday afternoon and won by an unusually large margin. Right from the beginning tip-off from center Mark Rapaport, the Rams began dominating the DRS Wildcats with an astounding 17-0 run led by Feldstein and Berg to start the game. The Rams did not limit their game to the one end of the court; they held the decent DRS offense to an unthinkable 0 points in the first six minutes of the game. On top of this feat, Ramaz did not commit a single turnover in the first half. In the second half, the Wildcats began to show some signs of life, but after a crucial timeout call by Coach Dulny, those signs were soon suppressed. The Ramaz offense dominated the remainder of the game and hoisted Ramaz to a 60-35 victory. Gabe Schwartz sported 5 assists, Mark Rapaport contributed 8 rebounds, Michael Berg led all scorers with 21 points, and Feldstein added 15

Sarachek Stats

For the semifinal game, the Max Stern Athletic Center (YU’s gym) was packed. Most spectators came to watch Ramaz’s juniors play to formulate expectations of next year’s team, while others came just to witness Ramaz’s first massacre in years. But Coach Dulny’s team had other plans. “I have confidence in the team. We have a lot of depth and a talented group of guys,” said Coach Dulny. “And any team that finishes 30-1 has no reason to be concerned. I expected them to play well, and they did.” Led by newly anointed captains, superstar guard Max ‘King’ Feldstein and the 6’3 power forward Mike Berg, Ra-

maz came out strong and took control with an early lead over Shaarey Zedek. As both Max and Mike played spectacularly, Ramaz also received key contributions from juniors who normally get minimal playing time when the seniors are present, namely, Dani Rubin, and Mark Rapaport. Dani, whose shooting abilities are often compared to those of Syracuse sharpshooter Eric Devendorf, hit an astounding 5 3-pointers in the first half to help give Ramaz an early edge. “There was great support from the crowd, and quite frankly, I just kept firing and hitting,” he said. Meanwhile, Mark Rapaport, who stated, “After sitting on the bench behind seniors, I enjoyed the chance to prove myself,” completely dominated his Shaarey Zedek clone, limiting the opposing big man to 6 points while amassing for himself 11 blocks, 18 rebounds, and 9 points. Additional, key contributions from the rest of the unisenior team; Zach Cooper, Gabe Schwartz, Benji Kornbluth, Daniel Goldschmidt, David Meister, Harry Steinberg, Laurence Khakshouri, Eden Melloul, and AJ Banon helped Ramaz demolish the tournament’s top team 55-37 in the most surprising victory of the tournament. “We’re going to the ship!” exclaimed the jubilant Ramaz players over and over again.

The Championship: In support of the team Ramaz took the entire school to the championship game to cheer the team on. “We got to support the team!” explained Mr. Miller. Coach Dulny thanked the school for the great turnout

and continued, “The school’s presence at the championship game was incredible and the fans were amazing.” The championship game was against their 6th seeded division rival MTA, also known as Yeshiva University High School. Naturally, MTA students spend a lot of time at YU and most of them plan on attending there for college, so although they didn’t play the game in YU’s beit midrash, it is safe to say they had a home court advantage. Despite this disadvantage, Ramaz jumped to an early lead, and Max Feldstein scored the first eight points of the game as part of an 11-0 Ramaz run, a lead they would never relinquish. Ramaz held MTA to just eight points in the first half, their lowest offensive output of the year. “Each player on our team compliments the other so well. The balance of our offense combined with the intensity of our defense is unstoppable,” said point guard Gabe Schwartz. Through it all, Coach Dulny and crew, Ari Rubin and Jeff Mittler, outcoached their counterparts, and in front of a capacity crowd, the Ramaz Rams capped off its thrilling championship with a convincing 48-26 victory over MTA. Cooper amassed 15 rebounds, Schwartz had 7 assists, Feldstein scored 17 points, and Berg had 20 points. “The tourney was incredible! Everyone played so well, the fans were great, everything was just perfect!” ranted avid basketball fan and spectator Julian Berger ’10. The breakthrough player of the tournament was indisputably Gabe Schwartz. Gabe,

No.

Name

Pos

Pts

PPG

Reb

FG%

3PT

FT%

Mikey Berg

6'3"

21-36

58%

1-2

12-16

69%

Benji Kornbluth

5'7"

0.7

0-0

2-4

50%

Dani Rubin

5'9"

6-12

50%

6-10

0-0

AJ Banon

5'6"

0.3

0-0

1-2

50%

Lawrence Khakshouri

5'10"

1-5

20%

0-0

1-2

50%

David Meister

5'10"

0-0

Daniel Goldschmidt

6'1"

1.3

1-3

33%

0-0

2-4

50%

Max Feldstein

5'10"

12-35

34%

5-12

13-18

72%

Zachary Cooper

6'1"

3-20

15%

0-6

3-5

60%

Gabe Schwartz

5'8"

5-12

40%

1-1

1-3

33%

Harry Steinberg

5'7"

0-0

Eden Melloul

5'8"

1-2

50%

1-2

0-0

Mark Rapaport

6'3"

7-19

37%

0-0

7-9

78%

who returned to Ramaz after a semester at Frisch, normally gets minimal playing time since he is the team’s 3rd string pointguard behind seniors Michael Reich and Jeremy Banon; however, being the only pure pointguard on the team since the seniors were in Poland he had to step up. He did. Schwartz’s defense against

Feldstein and Berg dominated, Berg taking the MVP Yisroel Feld, MTA’s best player, earned him a spot on the Sarachek all-star team. Feld entered the finals with 91 points on over 50 percent shooting in his first three games, but was held by Schwartz to just six points on 3-for-15 (20%) shooting in the championship game. “Feels great, but defense is a team effort. And no one single handedly shuts down a player. It’s all about team defense, and we played Feld so perfectly as a team,” Gabe continued after hearing these impressive stats. Gabe is very thankful to Coach Dulny for his considerateness by allowing him to join the team midseason and summarized his debut: “It may seem daunting at first but I really wasn’t scared because I knew that when I was called upon, I had the best group of players any PG could ask for. I therefore knew that if I chipped in here and there and didn’t try doing too much I was gonna help the team.”

Page 10

The RamPage Arts

April 2009/Iyar 5769

RamArts Ethan Plaue ‘11 As the end of school approaches, so does spring, a lack of ties, and the release of some of the most anticipated and high budget sci-fi movies of the year. This trend of sci-fi begins with the May 1st opening of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Set roughly 20 years before the original X-Men, Origins chronicles Wolverine’s dark and strange past. Hugh Jackman returns to his role as Wolverine and aims to portray his darker side, seen more in the comics. One of the most anxiously awaited parts in the film is that of Ryan Reynolds who plays Deadpool, the wisecracking mercenary. Rumor has it that Reynolds acted so well during filming that director, Gavin Hood, added extra scenes just to give him a more prominent part. A week later on May 8th, the eleventh installment of the Star Trek franchise opens. The new Star Trek is also a prequel, exploring the back-stories of

A Month Of Sci-Fi

the crew of the Starship Enterprise, focusing on Kirk and Spock. Spock, the seemingly emotionless alien, is played by Zachary Quinto, best known for his portrayal of Sylar in NBC’s Heroes. Early reviews

of the movie have been very positive, claiming that it may be the best Star Trek film yet. Most of the criticism now lies in the fact that although the action and acting is good, the movie may be lacking in

terms of the intellectual and philosophical aspects that the earlier movies and series were known for. The final May sci-fi movie is Terminator Salvation, which will be released on May 21st.

The film, set in 2018, stars Christian Bale as John Conner, who is to lead the human race against its mechanical rivals. The new movie drops the previous theme of having Terminators travel through time to try and kill John Conner. Instead, it adopts a plot that focuses on Conner struggling to live out his destiny in an altered future, partly caused by the appearance of Marcus Wright, an android who believes he’s human. Although Arnold Schwarzenegger does not appear in the movie, his double from the previous films who gets an Arnold voiceover provides a fairly good substitute for the original Terminator. With the recent successes of comic book movies and the fact that sci-fi films are developing more cerebral themes and audiences, with movies like Watchmen and The Dark Knight, it seems that intelligent sci-fi films will continue to gain a wider fan base.

The Bierman Broadway Breakdown

Blithe Spirits Josh Bierman ‘11 Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit has been revived on Broadway once again. This British comedy tells the story of Charles Condomine, a writer who has arranged for a medium to conduct a séance in order to produce material for his latest novel. However, all goes awry when the medium actually produces the spirit of Charles’ dead first wife, Elvira, much to the chagrin of Charles and his current wife, Ruth. Mayhem ensues. Rupert Everett (My Best Friend’s Wedding) carries the show as Charles and does so quite well. As his wife, Ruth, Jayne Atkinson (24) transforms the role of nagging wife into that of a dynamic character. Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens) lights up the stage as the dotty and scheming Elvira.

Clearly this woman was born to perform. When she appears towards the end of the first act, she brings a second wind to the play, which is ironic because her character is dead. However, two performers simply walk away with this show, stealing every scene they are in. They are each in completely different stages of their careers: Angela Lansbury and Susan Louise O’Connor. One is a veteran of stage and screen and the other a newcomer. Lansbury plays the wacky medium, Madame Arcati and O’Connor plays the dimwit maid, Edith. Both excel in making their characters unconventional and incredibly entertaining, thereby making Blithe a hilarious comedy that should not be missed. (Closes July 19)

Exit The King

Josh Bierman ‘11 Exit the King, Eugene Ionesco’s obscure comedy, has been brought back to Broadway for the first time since 1968. Exit the King tells the story of King Berenger, a fictional king of a weakening fictional empire. King Berenger has just found out that he is going to die in 90 minutes. Surrounded by his two wives, his maid, his guard and his doctor, the king does all he can to stop his death, leading to a surprisingly poignant ending. Exit the King has been newly adapted by Neil Armfield (who directed the production) and Geoffrey Rush (who stars as King Berenger). The show has a great ensemble, especially the four leads. Andrea Martin (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) is her usual madcap self as the dutiful maid, Juliette. The charismatic Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) is delightful as the optimistic Queen Marie, the king’s second wife. She truly never stopped performing, which added to her already enchanting performance. Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking, for which she won an Oscar) is as sultry as ever, playing Queen Margue-

rite, the king’s despised first wife. Sarandon has the most understated role, playing the sane ex-wife in a play full of neurotic characters, and this allows her performance to be the most powerful in the play. Nowhere is that power more apparent than in the final twenty minutes of the production, when the show’s thrilling climax takes place. However, it is Geoffrey Rush (Shine, for which he

won an Oscar), who plays the outrageous King Berenger, that steals the show. Rush’s comic genius is evident from the start, but as the show progresses his portrayal of the king turns into a depiction of a man seriously coming to terms with his upcoming death, which is what makes his performance, along with the rest of the production, incredibly moving and truly unforgettable. This is a must-see.

February 2009/Adar 5769

The RamPage Arts

Page 1

Ramaz Styles

The Lure of the Opera Licole Paroly High school students don't like opera. It is a well-known fact. Teenagers just don't want to spend their evenings at the Met listening to operatic music, despite the fact that it has survived countless generations and outlasted innumerable popular songs. Why should they? Opera belongs to the history of lush ball gowns and top hats, carriages and monarchies. It is a thing from the past, and as such, it is our responsibility as the next generation to make an effort to preserve it. This art form that we consider to be obsolete and archaic is really a large part of our culture. Opera is the art form of years past; it has lasted so long that there must be some special quality in the combination of a play and a song. Over

despite the fact that it has survived countless generations and outlasted innumerable popular songs the years, so many people have grown to love opera, that the sheer number of opera lovers, if not the production itself, should be enough to convince a student or two to try the music. A few weeks ago, I was reminded of the appeal of a night at the opera when I saw the Met production of Cavaleria Rusticana. During the intermission, I saw two different groups of high school classes walking through the hallways packed with people of every age. Opera might seem to be a thing of the past, but it is popular today despite the views many hold against it. We go to school every day in the city with so many opportunities to expose ourselves to culture. The Metropolitan Opera House is close by, and student tickets are available almost every night. The intricate sets and costumes, coupled with the experience itself, would create quite a unique and memorable evening.

As the weather climbs to above 80 degrees, so does the intensity of spring wardrobes. The formerly bleak halls of Ramaz (filled with an excess of black American Apparel skirts and oversized sweatshirts) have been brightened with the mega watt bulbs of sparkly sandals, expressive florals, and an array of neons and pastels. Colorful high waisted skirts and light sweaters have become a common sighting as well. Hannah Rubin ‘09

Harriet Potterstein and the Future Fears Sandra Rubinchik ‘09 Harriet Potterstein came back from spring break refreshed, rejuvenated, revived, and even sporting a light tan from her trip to the Far East, a magical land called Long Island. She had gone to visit her loving aunt, uncle, and cousin for the holiday of Keepunder, an ancient annual event during which yeast goes on strike. After surviving a breadless eight days, as well as MTA transportation (which will never be able to compare to the Shlamaz Express), Harriet was back in school. “Well, it’s the final stretch,” said Ronda Weasleburg as she and Herman Grangerbaum took their seats next to Harriet in their Computer Literacy class with Mr. Polowitz. “What do you mean?” asked Herman. “That’s it. Our 9th year is almost over! Another month and no more biology tests, no more student-teacher conference line-cutting, and no more 6th period lunch when you’re not even hungry yet,” cried

Ronda in an overabundance of joy. “I don’t know,” said Harriet. “Next year doesn’t seem

the 11th years have started up with the complaint articles, too.” “Oh, you guys just have to

so great. I mean, I’ve read all the 10th years’ articles in the ShlamPage, and I’m not looking forward to it one bit.” “Yeah, and the year after that doesn’t seem any better either,” added Herman. “Now

lighten up,” said Ronda. “The SATs are far in our future and the 10th year class shriveling to the size of a peanut was just a freak accident. I mean, who could have predicted the hog flu infestation?”

“Well at least we’ll be done with this class,” said Harriet. “I heard that,” muttered Mr. Polowitz, although since he always mutters, it is hard to differentiate when he is simply speaking from when he is intentionally muttering. But before the students had a chance to investigate this curiosity, along with how math classes manage to slow time, or why the library photocopy machine copies no more than one copy but prints as many as you like, the bell rang and they dispersed to their respective classes. Harriet walked to pick up books at her locker on the 5th floor, sad that her first year at Shlamaz was almost at an end, and finally embracing the puke green color of the science floor hallway.