The Rampage Volume XXXXIV Number 2
The Ramaz Upper School
November 2011/Cheshvan 5772
Student Teacher Conferences Ramaz Struck by Pink Fever Spark Conversation Zimi Sloyer ‘14
Rachel Huebner ‘13 This year’s Student Teacher Conference day was similar to those of previous years in most respects. It consisted of students stampeding out of shacharit the second they were dismissed in order to be first on lines, juniors and seniors asserting their power by taking control of lists and lines, and most people running frantically around the building in order to be finished meeting with their teachers by mincha. As usual, students are heavily divided on the issue of Student Teacher Conferences. Many look forward to the day. “It is a way for students who don’t feel comfortable instigating after-class conversations with their teachers to discuss their problems,” said Ethan Fried ‘12. “It is also a chance to get to know your teachers better.” Despite these positive aspects of the day, many dread Student Teacher Conferences. “I think that people don’t like them because they’re too
hectic,” said Noa Moskowitz ‘13. “Unfortunately, many people don’t realize how helpful and productive the day really is.” One controversial issue is the way in which the day is organized. While parents schedule conferences online, students must wait on chaotic lines for anywhere from two minutes to two hours. Many believe that the system that is used for Parent Teacher Conferences would make Student Teacher Conferences run more smoothly. “The system that they implemented for the parents would be a lot less stressful and, of course, easier,” said Jackie Liesman ‘12. “And if it works well for the parents, why wouldn’t it work for us?” However, others disagree, claiming the set time restrictions would negatively impact individual conferences. “Given a time restraint,” said Josh Jaspan ‘13, “any teacher (or student for that matter) may be inclined to meet for a lesser amount of
time.” While he firmly believes that students should not sign up online in the way that parents do, Jaspan does think there’s room to improve the existing structure of the day. “There are certainly some teachers who need to consider the systems they’ve created, including the creation of a list, break times, amount of time wasted with students including unnecessary conversation that adds nothing,” said Jaspan. “There is always room for improvement but the system we have now is most certainly better than signing up online.” Many students were dismayed by this year’s conferences because they had to conclude conferences after the end of the usual school day. “I felt it was different because last year it seemed like everyone had finished in a timely fashion; this year there seemed to be an air of stress because so many people waited after hours just to see Continued on Page 12
On Friday, November 4, the Ramaz community gathered for Pink Day, a day focused on raising money for breast cancer research. The entire school was asked to wear pink in order to raise awareness. After davening, Mr. Kenny Humes addressed the school to introduce Mr. Courtney Hall, a former NFL player for the San Diego Chargers. Mr. Hall was on the Chargers for eight years and led the team to their only Super Bowl appearance in 1994. He spoke about the “Crucial Catch,” and understanding that people around us have friends or family members battling breast cancer and other illnesses. He spoke about how much tragedy he dealt with in high school and how the little things people did without knowing it helped him get through those hard years. The goal of Pink Day was to raise awareness, but also to raise money for breast cancer research. In order to raise funds for research, the Chesed Club sold pink cupcakes, pink pride water bottles, pink silly
bands, mini pink footballs signed by Mr. Courtney Hall, and pink NFL towels. There was also a raffle with prizes such as gift cards to some of Ramaz students’ favorite stores and restaurants, and a regulation sized football signed by Mr. Hall. While many students appreciated the items that were sold, some also suggested that Chesed Club bring back some of the other items that were sold last year, like pink hair extensions and pink kippot. Overall, the response to Pink Day this year was positive. “It was so cool to have a former NFL player come in,” said Gabi Zweig ‘14. Jennifer Mammon ‘14 was impressed that “everybody was wearing pink!” Added Zweig, “Pink day was [successful] because it put everyone in the best mood and the stuff that was sold was so cool!” Pink Day was successful in its fundraising efforts, as well. Ramaz was able to raise well over one thousand dollars. Pink Day Photospread Page 8
A Veteran’s View Jeremy Hoffman ‘13 November 11, 2011, marked the commemoration of Veterans Day. “The reason that we are here is to commemorate and give thanks,” opened Mr. Miller at the conclusion of shacharit. Three veterans addressed the student body: Dr. Jay Stone, Mr. David Deutsch and Captain Moshe Lanz. Captain Lanz just returned from the Afghan theater, where he served as an Army Chaplain. He was the only rabbi in Afghanistan. He explained that only 1% of the total population was in the Armed Forces, and of that 1%, only .5%, or approximately 15,000, were Jews. Most Jews were in the Navy, for reasons unexplained. Captain Lanz described the three principal functions he undertook as a “Chaplain Captain”. First, he performed
Jewish rituals, such as lighting candles, donning phylacteries and saying tehilim. Second, he determined which of the army’s rules and interpretations of those rules were ethical. He explained that this function was particularly challenging, as he often had to contradict the edicts set forth by superior officers in order to listen to the Supreme Officer (God). Third, he helped to assess morale and coun-
sel the soldiers. A father of two daughters, Captain Lanz sought to empathize with soldiers who missed their children. Captain Lanz was posi-
tioned mainly in two combat towns, and often visited various hospitals and sites of roadside bombs. Captain Lanz shared a story of “a hero, a true patriot.” He recounted the actions of a 20-year-old marine who lost both of his legs in a roadside bombing in Iraq. When he was told that he “might not make it,” the only thing that he asked for was a Star of David. Captain Lanz made certain to have one for the young soldier when he disembarked in Germany, which
Captain Lanz found gratifying. Although he was the only rabbi in Iraq and Afghanistan, Captain Lanz was aware that “God never sends a Jew alone.” While on gate guard, he took off his helmet to scratch his scalp. When he took his helmet off a man came running over to Captain Lanz and asked him “You Jew?” in heavily accented English. With some hesitation, Captain Lanz responded that he was a Jew. The man explained that he was a Jew and had not seen another Jew in two years. Captain Lanz learned in his tenure overseas that it is a Jewish obligation to find and commune with other Jews, even in seemingly adverse conditions. In a different world, an electric Continued on Page 12