Volume 43, Issue 3 (January 2011) - The Rampage

Christmas at Ramaz Page 3

Color War, is it a yes or a no?

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The Maccabeats Take over Youtube Page 7

Joanne Dobson Visits Ramaz Page 2

The Rampage Volume XXXXIII Number 3

The Ramaz Upper School

January 2011/Tevet 5771

Friendship Circle Welcomes in Chanukah with a Party Zahava Presser ‘12

Seniors performing their stomp presentation during the closing ceremony at the Battle of the Grade 2010.

Battle of the Grades Comes Early Class of 2011 is Victorious

Zach Eckstein ’12 After former G.O. President Ethan Stein ‘10 jumped through the curtains from backstage while a video of him was playing in front of the whole school during Monday afternoon’s Chanukah assembly, almost everyone had realized that all the rumors were true, and color war was about to take over the school for the next two days. This year’s theme was centered on Chanukah and the teams were appropriately named Nes, Gadol, Hayah, and Sham.

Battle of the Grades spanned the course of two days and left the Seniors—Team Sham—victorious This was the first year that Battle of the Grades took place in December as it usually occurs around Purim.

“We started thinking about this decision back in June and wanted to surprise the student body by placing color war during Chanukah. We thought it would help liven up the mood,” said Ms. Sheinbein, one of the coordinators of BOTG. However as always, rumors were somehow leaked and spread quickly throughout the school. As a result, many students learned beforehand that breakout had been planned for that week.

Students had mixed reactions to the new timing of color war. “It was definitely fun but I think it’s better off in March because that’s when we need more of a break,” said David Bernheim ‘12.

While many students agreed with Bernheim, others took the opposite stance. “I actually thought it was a good idea to put color war now, especially since we have so much work coming up,” said Dalia Kohlhagen ‘13.

As in past years, students had to organize themselves quickly to prepare for important events such as stomp, video, and artwork, among others.

The winning video and clear standout was that of the junior grade. Directed and produced by Avishai Weinberger ‘12, the junior video chronicled the story of first year Ramaz student Ari Sklar ‘12 taking over the life of Zach Weiner ‘12 and Weiner’s attempts to regain it with the help of Librarian Ms. Scudera. “This is the first time we didn’t do a parody of a TV show so we had some more freedom with dialogue. Based on the reactions of the crowd, I could tell it was a big hit.”

Said Avishai Weinberger ‘12.

Despite the success of their video, many juniors were disappointed with their second place finish. “I really expected to win. The fact that we lost to a grade that finished behind us last year is outright embarrassing. I guess we just got too far ahead of ourselves,” said Efraim Saltzman ‘12.

Reuben Adolf ‘12, one of the 11th grade captains, was equally disappointed.

“I thought we played well enough to take home a victory but I guess we just underestimated the seniors.”

On Wednesday morning during the final day of BOTG, the boys varsity basketball team left for a tournament in Baltimore, Maryland. As a result, they missed the festivities that ended this year’s BOTG. “I really like color war and was pretty upset when I found out I would be missing the last day, which is really the best part,” said Simon Shohet ‘12.

Overall, students seemed to really enjoy the experience.

“This, to be honest, actually exceeded my expectations.

It just gives me something to look forward to for the next three years,” said David Tahari ‘14.

On the first night of Chanukah, many students delayed going home in order to attend a Chanukah Party with children and volunteers from the Friendship Circle. The Friendship Circle is an organization that pairs mentally disabled children with high school volunteers, many of whom were Ramaz students.

Most of these volunteers, in addition to a large number of newcomers and volunteers from other high schools, attended the party. The Friendship circle, along with Ms. Benel and the Chesed Club, organized the event.

Immediately after the final bell rang on December 1st, students piled into the gym, which had been set up as a carnival that included a moon bounce, slide, and Chanukahthemed arts-and-crafts. With festive music playing, the atmosphere seemed perfect for a children’s party. Missing, however, were the children, who arrived twenty minutes late. Even as the number of children increased, there were still many more volunteers than children. The high attendance rate of Ramaz students, many of whom were sophomores, may have been due to a last-minute push for Chessed hours before the semester concluded.

Michele Bengualid ‘13, a member of the Chessed Club, provided another explanation.

“I think so many students

showed up “because the Friendship Circle is [an organization where]… students at Ramaz can let go and be kids again while helping the Friendship Circle children enjoy their childhood a little bit more,” said Bengualid.

This explains the smiles on the students’ faces as they played with the children on the inflatable rides. It seemed as if each smiling child had at least two high school students surrounding him with expressions as excited as the child’s.

New volunteers shared this excitement.

“I’d heard great things about Friendship Circle from my friends who regularly volunteer,” said Sarah Krevat ‘12. “After spending time with the amazing children, I was able to see why they like it so much!”

After the carnival, everyone was treated to a traditional Chanukah meal of latkes, applesauce, and doughnuts.

The children also participated in the lighting of the menorah.

Everyone left well fed and smiling. The volunteers, in particular, were able to enter the joyous holiday with the warm feeling that they’d made the children so happy.

“It was such a special way to start off Chanukah,” said Daniella Moffson ‘12.

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The RamPage News

The Trials of College Bowl Alex Weinberg ‘14 “For which company was Linda McMahon, the republican candidate for senator in Connecticut, the former CEO?” That question was answered correctly by Ramaz at the recent round-robin col-

lege bowl competition that included six regional Jewish high schools. The Varsity team finished in a three-way tie for first place and the JV team went undefeated in the tournament.

College Bowl is trivia competition on all topics of knowledge and is played by students in high school or college. Ramaz competes in tournaments every few months, answering questions that range from pop culture to

ancient history.

Dr. Stone is the faculty advisor for the Ramaz college bowl team. He has been advisor for roughly twenty years and has trained his team in ways such as “playing modified games of trivial pursuit

and keeping up with the New York Times Cross Word Puzzles”.

He noted that college bowl offers team members an opportunity to discover all sorts of interesting things about the world and each other. “I have lost count of how many times I've heard someone exclaim ‘how did you know that’ after a teammate answers a question such as ‘what method for teaching children to play musical instruments is

named for a Japanese violinist?’ Answer: Suzuki,” he said.

Zachary Weiss ’13, a member of the JV squad, stated “I like testing my knowledge and competing against the other teams. I also like to get

out of class.” Participants benefit from studying a broad range of subjects, increasing memorization and learning to work in teams. Dr. Stone says “the best prep is simply to read and read some more.”

The team looks forward to its next competition on February 10, 2011.

By the way, the answer to the question in the first paragraph is that Linda McMahon was the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment.

Ms. Malamy Holds the Key for Discounts at Broadway Shows Rebecca Emmerich ‘13 Recently students have discovered Ramaz student discounts to Broadway shows.

Many students, who were formerly unaware of such discounts, were surprised to learn that Ms. Malamy is a member of Theater Development Fund (TDF.) TDF is an organization that offers show discounts to its members and Ms. Malamy allows the entire school to benefit from her membership.

According to Ms. Malamy, the TDF offers more than just theater, “there is also dance and special events for kiddies.”

In addition to having access to discounts through

TDF, many theater companies also send Ramaz discounted tickets for other productions.

Additionally, Ramaz is often able to acquire discounts

when the school takes groups of students to various shows and productions.

Despite the fact that the discounts are publicly displayed on Ms. Malamy’s desk, many students are unaware that they exist.

“I actually had no idea,

had I learned about it I would have been interested,” said Rafi Schulman ‘12.

Celia Eydeland ‘13 was also unaware of such discounts and stated that had she known, she would have been interested in attending different productions.

There are some students, however, who are aware of these opportunities and have already taken advantage of them.

When asked about her experiences at the theater, Dana Kukin ‘11 said, “It really saved me a lot of money. I wish I had known about it earlier! I would definitely recommend it to other people.”

January 2011/Tevet 5771

Murder Mystery Comes to Ramaz Esti Flamenbaum ‘14 On December 2nd, murder mystery writer, Joanne Dobson, visited Ramaz to discuss her first novel, Quieter than Sleep. She spoke about her novels, her writing process, and why she decided to transition from an English professor to a writer.

The protagonist of Ms. Dobson’s novels is an English professor who solves mysteries centering on various female writers. Placing such focus on female characters is a habit that Ms. Dobson carries from the beginning of her academic career.

“I did a lot of work bringing forgotten women writers back into the college curriculum,” said Ms. Dobson.

Ms. Dobson teaches a creative writing course to adults in the Hudson Valley, a course she herself never took in college.

“It’s surprising how much talent is out there,” said Ms. Dobson From students to faculty, all who attended were happy with the event.

“I liked it because she was fun and she gave good advice.

I liked her free-spiritedness,” said Brandon Cohen ‘14

Mrs. Wiesman enjoyed the author visit, but she would have liked for more students to show up.

“It’s hard to get Ramaz students to make time in their busy schedules to attend a program,” said Mrs. Wiesman.

Ms. Scudera, who organized the after-school event, is on the lookout for another writer to come and speak and would love for students’ input.

“I try to choose someone who is currently working in their profession, enjoys writing, and is a published author.

I’m always open to suggestions,” said Ms. Scudera.

Quieter than Sleep, Joanne Dobson’s first novel, can be found at the library.

A Special Visit

Students at P.S. 50 Spend a Day at Ramaz Rachel Huebner ’13 On Wednesday, November 24th, Ramaz opened its doors to fifth grade students.

These students, from P.S. 50 in Queens, spent the day with Ramaz students.

“The G.O wanted to do something nice for the community as part of Thanksgiving” said G.O. president, Sarah Emmerich ‘11.

After examining countless schools and programs, the G.O. and Ms. Benel finally got in touch with P.S. 50, which agreed to participate.

The students participated in a wide range of activities, including spending time in the computer room and science lab, and playing in the gym with the high school students.

The sophomore gym class was interrupted by the mass of students who poured into

the gymnasium.

“It was amazing how we all got together and played with the kids. We all had so much fun! It really made my day,” said Risa Schwartz ‘13.

The sophomore class designated the remainder of the period to speaking with the children and playing a wide variety of sports.

“Although it was really an experience meant for them, it was a learning experience for us too. This day helped us realize how it is important to appreciate everything we are fortunate enough to possess,” said Michal Segall ‘13.

January 2011/ Tevet 5771

The RamPage Opinions

Behind the Scenes:

The Making of a Freshmen Final Schedule Alex Ratzker ’14 and Melissa Maza ‘14 As January approaches, many students have become preoccupied with thoughts concerning their upcoming midterms. However, many students fail to realize the time-consuming process needed to create the finals schedule. Rabbi Stochel and the class presidents work together to develop a schedule that accommodates the needs of the entire grade.

Freshmen class president, Esther Malka Issever ’14 explained that Rabbi Stochel allowed each president to create a schedule with the assistance of fellow classmates. As she discussed possibilities with freshmen, she realized that the placement of the Talmud final would be critical.

Since the majority of the grade participates in bekiut, they are exempt from taking this final. As a result, some students requested to have the Talmud exam on the last day of finals in order to lengthen their intercession. However, other students, including the

presidents, felt that it beneficial to have a day off in the middle of these stressful weeks to relax and study for the following exams. In each of their schedules, all three freshmen presidents tried to represent the freshmen grade to the best of their abilities.

Many students believe that history and biology are the most difficult exams, so the presidents tried to place these finals after the weekends.

When the presidents finished creating their schedules, they worked with Rabbi Stochel to combine the three options into two. The entire freshman class would then vote these two schedules. “The reason for creating two schedules as opposed to three is so that a third of the grade does not decide upon a schedule for everyone,” said Rabbi Stochel.

According to Rabbi Stochel, the schedules must also be fair to the teachers and departments. Consequently, the scheduling of exams for

are celebrated constantly. We are given weekly emails and incessantly updated on how our sports teams are faring.

Pep rallies have been held several times in honor of the sports teams, and last year rewards such as “Spirit Points” were given to students for attending sports games.

While the point can be made that it is somewhat more exciting to watch a

basketball game than to watch chess that does not answer a fundamental question. Why does Ramaz tout athletic competition while ignoring mental competition like chess? It seems almost like a denial of our Jewish heritage. After all, there have been far more Jewish chess champions than basketball stars.

In addition, chess is actually a strenuous sport. It was recently discovered that while playing a serious chess

Imagining Christmas Season at Ramaz

the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades are considered concurrently. To assist teachers in avoiding the problem of rushing to grade all exams before Rebecca Brill ‘12 report cards come out, an atTwo girls are sitting in the tempt is made to distribute the fourth floor lounge listening exams for each department to their iPods. Suddenly, one evenly over the testing period. jumps up. “I love this song,” Rabbi Stochel compared she shrieks and begins to belt this system to a “representaout “All I Want for Christmas tive democracy”.

Is You.” The other joins in.

“Students elect presidents who informally poll the grade Abruptly, they stop and begin gathering their belongings. about their opinions concern“We’ll be late for Talmud,” ing the schedule,” continued one says, and they scurry off, Rabbi Stochel, “Then two softly singing the Christmas schedules are devised which anthem as they go. ideally represent the thoughts It seems incongruous that of the grade as a whole. Folthere’s an undercurrent of lowing this, the grade votes Christmas spirit at Ramaz, a for their preferred schedule.” school dedicated to teaching Although it is impossible to Jewish thought and values. satisfy everyone, the majority of ninth grade students are And yet, students routinely share opinions on their pleased with the schedule. favorite December TV comFreshmen president, Sam Feldstein ’14 encouraged stu- mercials, lobby decorations, and movies. Some, taking it dents to voice their opinions a step further, imagine what so that the schedules for next their favorite traditions would semester can be improved. be, if they were to celebrate the holiday, which is marketed in commercial America and characterized by a sense of warmth, and family togethermatch, one could burn up to ness. Recently, I was complisix or seven thousand calories. Chess not only helps the mented on a sweater because brain, but also tones the body, it was “super Christmasy,” and in past years, our school (which explains my stunning physique). Not to mention the has organized a Mystery fact that no team in the school Maccabee gift exchange in homage to the Secret Santa has a better record than the tradition. chess team. Meanwhile chess It’s my sense that Christis no longer mind numbingly mas has been portrayed as a boring to the public like it magical season where wishes once was. Right here in New become reality and the presYork City, there are hundreds sures of everyday life fade of city buses covered into soft fire-lit scenes filled in posters of Magnus with comfort and family.

Carlsen, the number Christmas literature, I have one chess player in the noticed, is filled with the world. In most New York promise of magic and restoraCity parks, chess games tion to a happier time. “Hapattract crowds of curious spectators. And our school won't even mention, much less enthuse, about our victories.

Here are a few ways to improve the dire situation. Form a chess cheer squad, to silently cheer during our moves and then erupt in frenzied hysteria when it’s the opponent’s turn to think.

Place chess champions pictures and or head busts around the school (think the Newman library busts). And finally, regular announcements that acknowledge our victories.

If not this, then something must be done and soon before it's too late and other school’s appreciated chess teams take the lead.

An Overlooked Sport: Chess

Zachary Weiner ‘12 A few weeks ago, the chess team traveled to Long Island to compete in a chess tournament. Six schools participated in the event, which lasted three hours. By the time it was all over and the dust settled it was clear Ramaz had won a flawless victory. The team had won every match, dominating the contest and earning Ramaz two gold trophies.

The exuberant victors piled back onto the bus and headed to school. Many expected to receive a hero’s welcome, a congratulations, or at least some recognition in the after davening announcements. Instead the team received nothing.

Aside from the displaying of the trophies, the school did not recognize the victory in any way. Not even a mention in the weekly G.O. emails. Hardly anyone was even aware that a tournament had taken place. This is not the first time chess achievements have flown way under the radar. Last year the team went undefeated, winning its first all yeshiva championship in over three years, beating the reigning Frisch champions. At the same time, more traditional and athletic sports

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py, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!” wrote Charles Dickens.

Doesn’t that sound nice?

Winning back the “delusions of childhood days” is pretty appealing to a bunch of people stressed out by standardized tests, never-ending exams, and taxing term paper schedules.

Clearly it is inappropriate that we yearn to celebrate a day that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. But, still, because the media has managed to suck the religion out of Christmas, we don’t long for the spiritual aspect of the holiday; rather, we’re looking for the embrace and safety of family togetherness and the warmth of friendship.

While our own holidays still offer bonding with the mishpacha, they lack the Hollywood sheen so typical of Christmas. Sometimes your great aunt from Long Island gets into a fight with your Uncle Morty over the last drumstick on Rosh Hashanah, and sometimes you just don’t feel like going to your distant cousins’ Hanukkah party in Teaneck. But Christmas will always be a dream, and with all that’s on our plates, that’s exactly what we need.

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The RamPage Photospread

January 2011/ Tevet 5771

January 2011/ Tevet 5771

The RamPage Photospread

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Battle of the Grades: Teams by Grade?

Sydney Sarachek ‘14 The first hour of color war ended, and the freshmen were already ready to give up. They were trailing the Juniors and Seniors by a little less than three hundred points. Yes, these points could easily be gained back in the next two

all one grade. It is much less stressful on everyone as a whole.

But is it really fair? Should the competition of color war really be between two teams, the Juniors and Seniors?

When color war breaks should

days to come, but the freshmen knew it wasn't realistic.

And this is when we ask ourselves, "Should color war be divided by grades?" When it is, it is almost always a given that the juniors or seniors win. The freshmen don't even think they have a chance at all.

Dividing color war by grades creates grade unity, especially for the freshmen, who haven't had that many opportunities to bond with their grade, other than their Shabbaton. Additionally, the upperclassmen have waited their turn to dominate color war, especially the Seniors.

The Seniors look at this as their last color war ever at Ramaz, and it is so special that they are all on the same team.

When color war breaks out, there is no mass confusion amongst all the students, because the teams are already known. There is no reading a list of four hundred students, and which teams they are on. It is not necessary, which makes it a lot easier. There is no need to take attendance at every event, because it is

the Freshmen immediately give up? Dr. Koplon sent out an email to all Freshmen the night color war broke out encouraging them to have spirit, and not lose hope. But did anyone actually take her advice into consideration?

Probably not, because it was already a given that the Freshmen had a slim chance of winning.

As the next two days of color war concluded, the grades got more and more into it. Even if the freshmen couldn’t win, beating the juniors in musical chairs, or winning stomp was a big enough accomplishment for them. It is good that color war is battle of the grades, because it is fun to be with your grade. It is not fun when you and your friends are split up, because that often creates fighting within your grade.

Everybody can wait their chance to have a shot winning, and if that takes time it’s okay, because everybody will ultimately have a fair chance.

Raffi Snow ‘13 This year’s Battle of the Grades was just like any other in the recent past. The same dreary events, and the same Jewish theme. Additionally, this year’s Battle of the Grades ended with the same result as two of the prior three, with the seniors winning.

It is no coincidence that the senior class has won Battle of the Grades a whopping 75% of the time. Even before starting color war, most kids knew this was once again going to be the seniors’ year. Deserving or not, the seniors had to win, and the administration had to show them that they

The RamPage Opinions

January 2011/Tevet 5771

Special Letter to the Editor

Rabbi Haskel Lookstein I was very moved by the editorial in the most recent edition of the Rampage “A New Frontier in Prayer” in which the editors proposed what they called a Halachic Egalitarian Minyan which would be open to students and teachers alike who wished to daven in a public prayer service, modeled after the Shira Chadasha Synagogue in Jerusalem and the Darkhei Noam service on the Upper West Side and the monthly Yavneh Minyan on the Upper East Side. The editors were arguing for women to have a more active role in leading the service in a way which they felt would not violate Halacha but would give them and their fellow male worshippers a greater sense of spiritual fulfillment.

Simultaneous with my reading of this editorial, I read a review of a D’var Torah by the late Rav Yehuda Amital, of blessed memory, the recently deceased founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion. The review read in part as follows: “(Rav Amital) addressed the stories of Pesach Sheni and the daughters of Tzelophchad. In each of these stories, Moshe is confronted with a request which he in turn presents to God. Why, Rav Amital would ask, did Moshe forward these requests to God? In each case, the Halacha as Moshe had received it was clear. Those who had been impure at the time of the Korban Pesach, had missed their chance (avar zmano batel korbano). In the case of the daughters of Tzelophchad, only male descendants could inherit.

Their family had no claim to the Land. Moshe should have rejected these claims as beyond the bounds of Halacha, even as challenges to the Halachic system. Yet, Moshe agrees to take these cases on appeal to the highest court. Why? “Rav Amital explained that these requests, though not provided for in the Halacha as it stood, still reflected a sheifa lekedusha, a yearning for holiness. Lama nigara!? they pleaded. Why should we be excluded, through no fault of our own, from the holy life of the community of Israel? Moshe felt that people who made such a request could not simply be turned down. So he turned to God. In these cases, God responded by revealing entirely new aspects of the Halacha which allowed the petitioners to be included in these two fundamental aspects of Jewish identity and Avodat Hashem— the Korban Pesach and Eretz Yisrael.

“Rav Amital felt that this lesson was particularly applicable to dealing with contemporary women who seek out greater roles in Jewish communal and ritual life. ‘Of course, I am not Moshe Rabbeinu, I cannot consult God on these matters.’ That which is prohibited must remain so. Nevertheless, even when women make requests that fall outside of the bounds of Halacha, they should not be chased away as people who seek to undermine the Law. Rather they should be welcomed and encouraged in their desire to be involved in Torah and mitzvot, even as they are told that not everything is possible within the confines of Halacha.

“I think that this D’var Torah encapsulates an important tension in Rav Amital’s thought. On the one hand he unconditionally advocated for the absolute supremacy of Halacha not only in determining our behavior, but in defining the very nature of our avodat hashem. On the other hand, R. Amital passionately believed in the importance and significance of each individual’s spiritual and moral intuitions. How are these two values to be reconciled or integrated? To this question I have no doubt R. Amital would have given a simple two word answer, ayn patentim, ‘There are no easy solutions.’”

Following in the footsteps of this sainted scholar, I have nothing but admiration for those who seek a greater spiritual role in prayer. They are to be admired and encouraged. It is why I created a Women’s Tfillah Group at KJ and encouraged the creation of a weekly Women’s Tfillah Group in the Ramaz Upper School. I stopped short, however, of approving the kind of service advocated by the editorial writers in the Rampage. I am not sure of its Halachic validity and I am quite sure that it does not conform to Minhag Yisrael in prayer. Perhaps, in ten or twenty years it will become so popular that it will de facto become Minhag Yisrael, but it isn’t at present. I don’t know where such services will lead. One very respected modern possek was concerned that synagogues which adopted such a service would ultimately become Conservative synagogues. I don’t know whether that possek was right or wrong. I rely on my instinct concerning the way my revered teacher Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, of blessed memory, might have reacted to such a service and I think he would have felt that it seriously violated Minhag Yisrael.

That said, I continue to respect the writers of this editorial and all those who think like them because I believe that women in particular ought to be encouraged to find the greatest spiritual fulfillment that they can find within the bounds of Halacha. Sometimes, however, the conflict between those desires and the limits of Halacha leads to an answer that disappoints those who ask the question. As Rav Amital used to say: Eyn Patentim – there are no easy solutions.

Battle of the Grades Really Isn’t So Awesome really aren’t hated and are in fact better than the other three grades.

This year’s battle also basically nullified all the work for that week and caused the following week to be very hectic, as several tests and quizzes were just pushed off to the following week. Some students had as many as six or seven tests or large quizzes all piled into one week.

The point of Battle of the Grades is to take a break from the normal learning and stress of an every-day week at Ramaz, but in fact, color war does the opposite. It takes three days out of the calendar

and makes the next week even harder and more stressful.

Battle of the Grades is also intended to create school unity, to allow kids who aren’t necessarily friends to work together on a non-academic project and in the process become friends. It is also meant to create fun competition and rivalries among the different grades. But, predictably, this mission failed as well.

Another major problem with school-wide color war is the fact that it favors the athletic kids who are on the sports teams and the handful of talented musicians.

Is it really enjoyable for

roughly nine-tenths of the grade to just sit there and watch their athletic friends compete in sports that they themselves would love to compete in for themselves? If they really wanted to see their peers play, couldn’t they have just gone to a Ramaz game?

From the very limited attendance at most Ramaz sports games, we can derive that most kids really don’t want to watch their peers compete at sports, so why should we subject them to watch these games during color war?

All in all, these three “awesome” days that were supposed to be packed with

school spirit and great competition proved to be just a waste of time, and even did the opposite of what they were intended to do. Now, instead of the ideal school unity that we should all feel, there are some hard feelings between the senior class and pretty much the rest of the school, and many think that Battle of the Grades was rigged. Battle of the Grades was also intended to be a break from normal school life, with no stress and just fun, but color war didn’t get rid of any stress that we were all bound to have, it doubled it!

Thanks a lot, color war.

January 2011/Tevet 5771

The RamPage Arts

The Maccabeat’s “Candlelight” Video Scores Over Million Views on Youtube Sam Feldstein ‘14 It has over 3 million views on Youtube, and has appeared on multiple news shows. Yes, the song Candlelight by the Yeshiva University a cappella group, The Maccabeats, has become the hottest Jewish song of the decade.

The song is a parody, of Mike Tompkin’s parody of the hit song Dynamite

by Taio Cruz. The extraordinarily catchy song has even reached beyond the Jewish world, and has become popular in the secular world.

“I'm Muslim and I think this song is EPIC! Nice remix,” says one Youtube commenter.

The song was released on Youtube on Friday, November 26, and broke 1 million hits by the following Saturday.

The song has been played on NBC’s The Today Show and

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Spiderman: Turn off the Dark Preview

Brad Waldstreicher ‘14 on CBS’s The Early Show.

The Maccabeats have also performed Candlelight on The Early Show twice. The Maccabeats were also recently featured in a Wall Street Journal article as well as a

New York Times article and an article on MyFoxNY.com, and they are in talks to appear on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, and The Colbert Report.

The song has become very popular inside the Ramaz building too. Teachers in Judaic and non-Judaic classes have played the video in class,

and the song was played over the PA after school for a couple of days. Kids are singing it in the hallways, and the juniors even incorporated a line into their stomp at color war.

To many Jews, this song has been so much more than just a catchy tune.

Comments on Youtube are raving with Jews saying how proud this makes them to be Jewish.

The song has generated such critical acclaim that it is giving strength to people to stand tall and scream to the world that they are Jewish without being afraid of what some bigoted people say. The video director, Uri Westrich said, “the video has become a dream in so many ways: culturally and spiritually.”

The most expensive Broadway show of all time, “Spider-man, Turn Off the Dark” has been postponed indefinitely. The show and its high tech technology are experiencing some major problems as the first viewers watched the show fail miserably on November 28th.

Michael Riedel, who was one of the first viewers exclaimed, "At various points, overhead stage wires dropped on the audience, scenery appeared on stage missing pieces – and the show's star was even left swaying helplessly over them mid-air during what was supposed to be the climatic end to the first act."

This is not a good start for a production that is directed

by Julia Taymor (helped with the “The Lion King”) with

music by U2’s Bono and The Edge. However, some people are optimistic about the plot which is supposed to tell the original story of how Peter Parker becomes Spider-man but also introduces super villains never seen on stage.

According to one source, “The flying sequences are amazing, but I feel that they ultimately will stop the story and the show dies. Plot. That thing that supposedly was there but only Julie Taymor could understand because she wrote it in her alien language on her alien planet. The show is not a complete mess. There is something there.”

We will all have to wait and see if 65 million dollars was enough to ‘Turn Off the Dark.’

American Idiot Review Jonathan Herman ‘13

Do you enjoy showtunes and chorus lines? Do you appreciate a Disneyesque, feel-good story with a fairy tale happy-ending? Do you prefer to listen to music at less than 120 decibels? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then American Idiot, a show that vulgarly depicts American post-adolescence, is not for you. From the opening line of the play, it is evident that American Idiot is not a show for the entire family. The obscenity of the show will make the traditional

theatergoer squirm in his seat.

The show is catered to postadolescents who can relate to the issues presented in the show, and to midlife adults who yearn for a reminder of their youth.

The show follows three protagonists who are fed up with their banal suburban lives and seek excitement.

The three encounter obstacles on their respective paths.

While trying to find meaning in their lives, they learn to believe in themselves. The ending is left open for the au-

dience’s interpretation.

The show is spiced up by the live performance of Green Day’s American Idiot album. The angry lyrics fit the plot, and the dark rhythms add to the emotion of the play. However, a limitation to the show is that the show only includes songs composed by Green Day, therefore limiting the storyline by the library of songs. Some of the songs do not flow with the plot, so the storyline is distorted to fit them in. Nevertheless, the music is catchy and even non-Green Day fans will find themselves humming along to the addictive tunes long after the show has ended.

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Page 8

The RamPage Sports

January 2011/Tevet 5771

The Battering Ram Boy’s Varsity Basketball Team Goes to Baltimore Sammy Major ‘11 The Boys Varsity Basketball team traveled to Baltimore to participate in the 24th annual Joseph and Florence Weiner Memorial Tournament in the beginning of December.

Five other teams participated in the tournament: The Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto (CHAT), HAFTR, Heschel, Chicagoland Jewish High School (CJHS), and the host school, Beth Tfiloh.

On the first day of the tournament, Ramaz began its run to the finals by beating both CJHS and Heschel. It was the first time that the teams met since last season’s thrilling championship game, as the teams are no longer in the same division. The Rams beat the Heat by 12.

“It was good to beat Heschel because they’ve beaten us in these tournaments before,” said Jonathan Heller ‘11.

On the second day of the tournament, Ramaz first beat

Adam Kahn ‘12

CHAT, and then HAFTR. “We knew playing HAFTR again would be a good test,” said Captain Henry Medine ‘11.

consider to be the best in the league, earning themselves a place in championship discussion come playoff time.

“It’s a big confidence

of the season, but rather that the team just needed time to reach its potential.

“I thought we played more complete games than we did

The Rams had previously lost to HAFTR in the final game of the Magen David Tournament in the preseason.

In beating HAFTR, the Rams defeated a team that many

booster knowing you can beat any team in the league,” said Capatin Andrew Aryeh ‘11.

Players do not believe the team has dramatically changed since the beginning

all season,” said Gabe Merkin ‘11. “Players now have more defined roles.”

Merkin and others also thought the “intensity” of the Rams’ play has contributed to

their success.

“We finally found our identity on defense,” said Captain Willy Jemal ‘11, crediting the team’s “high pressure, manto-man D” for its success.

The Rams lost their first game of the tournament on the third day, falling to Beth Tfiloh on a last second threepointer. However, the team did not miss a step, beating CHAT again in the first semifinal game of the tournament and fighting their way to a rematch with Beth Tfiloh in the final game of the tournament.

Ramaz played another close game against Beth Tfiloh, supported by the home crowd, in the final. The Rams lost by only 2 points in the final game, unable to come away with its first tournament win of the year.

“It felt bad not winning, but it only makes us hungrier,” said Aryeh.

Ramaz Soccer Team Preview

The Ramaz soccer team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing season in which they went 4-4 and failed to make the playoffs.

The team lost talented, longtime players Jordan David ‘10, Daniel Marks ‘10, and Ben Ascherman ‘10, who graduated last year. Now, the Rams must turn to their senior veterans Shalti Serels ‘11, John Ascherman ‘11, and Michael Benichou ‘11 to carry the load.

“Last year was a tough year emotionally and physically,”

said team captain Shalti Serels, “but we believe that we have the talent and resiliency to bounce back and make a deep playoff run.”

Loaded with talented juniors, the team expects to bounce back and have a breakout year. David Aharon ‘12, Sam Rico ‘12, and Zach Eckstein ‘12, have formed a formidable core, after having played together since their freshman year.

“Experience is an utmost necessity when it comes to yeshiva league soccer,”

says Zach Eckstein. “I believe that our experience will carry us into the postseason and is the difference between this year’s team and lasts.”

Newcomers Gaby Pomerance ‘11 and David Cohen ‘12 hope to contribute as well.

“I guarantee to deliver Ramaz a championship and will stop at nothing until I do.

You see, I am kind of like a hybrid of Landon Donovan and Cristiano Ronaldo—I am ready for whatever,” said David Cohen.

Second year coach Rabbi Hindin, renown for his poise and leadership in the most pressure-filled situations, hopes to lead the rams back to the playoffs, a standard that was once a normalcy for Ramaz soccer. Coupled with Rabbi Hindin’s fiery coaching methods and an up-andcoming team filled with great depth, look for the soccer team to recover from a disappointing 2010 campaign and compete for the title.

The RamPage Editorial Staff Editors-in-Chief Caroline Koppel Ethan Plaue Raquel Wildes News Editors Sarah Emmerich Avital Benson Opinion Editor Aaron Marans Sports Editor Sammy Major

Features Editor Jonathan Baumgarten Arts Editor Joshua Bierman Copy Editor Sarah Marlowe Photography Editor Erica Baruch Faculty Advisor Dr. Steven Milowitz

The RamPage is the publication of the Ramaz Upper School.

The RamPage comes out once a month. Individual opinions do not reflect the views of the paper itself.