Volume 77, Issue 2 (October 2014) - The Rampage

The Rampage Ramaz Upper School

New York • Volume 77 • Issue II • October 2014 • Cheshvan 5775 • the-rampage.org

Mr. Shaviv to Leave Ramaz

Ramaz All-Stars

By Andrew Lobel ’15 On September 10, Jacob Doft, the Chairman of the Ramaz Board of Trustees, announced in an email to the Ramaz community that Paul Shaviv would be leaving Ramaz at the end of the 2014-2015 school year, coinciding with the conclusion of his contract. Mr. Shaviv has been the head of school since he was hired in 2012. He had previously served in a similar role for fourteen years at the Jewish Community High School (Tanenbaum CHAT) in Toronto.

In the email to the community, Mr. Doft praised Mr. Shaviv, noting that he had “promptly and skillfully identified, addressed, and resolved many issues vital to the school’s future.” Mr. Doft noted in particular that “ Mr. Shaviv initiated and implemented many much-needed, far-reaching changes using a ‘whole school vision’ that increased the effectiveness and quality of Ramaz’s management and high quality educa-

tion we provide our children.”

Mr. Shaviv’s appointment as Headmaster was a groundbreaking step in Ramaz history. He was the first person to

With respect to differences between Canadian and American students, Mr Shaviv revealed: “With no disrespect to my Canadian friends, the students at Ramaz were friendlier and more polite than their Canadian counterparts!” Leading Ramaz had other unexpected moments. Mr. Shaviv acknowledges that he never expected to make it into the New York Times while working as Head of School here. Mr. Shaviv said, “I will never forget what happened with our school and Rashid Khalidi.” Mr. Shaviv praised the GO and the students for acting in a way that was “mature, respectful, and extremely appropriate,” and is happy that the school was able to host an alternative program earlier this year with Mr. Ali Abu Awwad.

Mr. Shaviv stated both with respect to the Khalidi episode in particular, and leading the school in general, “At times, this has been a very complex assignment, but I think we’ve Continued on Page 14

be appointed to a very senior leadership position who was not an internal appointment, and as Mr. Shaviv acknowledges, “that brought with it challenge and opportunity.”

A highly experienced edcator and administrator, Mr. Shaviv’s tenure at Ramaz was his first in the United States.

By Olivia Hershkowitz ’15 What is The All Star project? The All Star project works to transform the lives of young people in poor communities and poor communities using the developmental power of performance in partnership with caring adults. Inside the All Star Project there are five different movements taking place based on the teenager’s aspirations. There is the All Star Talent Show Network, Development School for Youth, Castillo Theatre, Youth OnStage!, and Operation Conservation: Cops and Kids.

In 2009, a group of dedicated Ramaz students joined forces with the All Star teenagers. The students formed a bond by working together twice a month, getting to know each other, and putting something extraordinary together. By the end, they produced an all student written show; a compilation of original written music, poetry, short essays, and some imagery on the theme of heroes. Additionally, they swapped roles in order to mix it up and start to make a change: the All Star teens sang in Hebrew and the former Ramaz students read Maya Angelou’s poetry.

Now, four years later, Human Rights Activists, Chessed club volunteers, and Rami Yadid’s musical squad, are taking on the same task. The Ramaz students are working closely with 8 talented African American teens, along with Theatre Director Dan Friedman, from All Stars, every other Monday.

Dan Friedman is the Artistic Director of the All Stars project and director of the Castillo Theatre and Youth OnStage! The theatre is a state of the art facility on 10th Avenue and 42nd street. It is much more than a theatre; it is a place where young Continued on page 7

Ali Abu Awwad Speaks at Ramaz

By Gabriel Klapholz ’17 Last month, the Ramaz Politics Society (RamPo) invited Ali Abu Awwad to speak at Ramaz. Mr. Awwad spoke on behalf of an organization called Encounter, which works to bring Palestinians and Jews into closer contact with one another. Mr. Awwad spoke about his life as a Palestinian, his views on the rights of Palestinians and his opinion on the future of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Mr. Awwad was “born to a Palestinian refugee family” that was very involved in the political scene. As a

young adult, he spent four years in prison, where he went on a hunger strike and began to consider the advantages of nonviolent protest.

Awwad spoke about life after prison and how he “saw Yasir Arafat make an agreement of recognition with Rabin. This was a time when we had hope,” he said.

Awwad was later shot by an Israeli soldier and sent to Saudi Arabia for treatment. While in the hospital, he heard that his brother Yussef, a father of two, was killed by

Honors Talmud Final

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Ramaz Rallies Around Gaby Kassman

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Israeli soldiers. Awwad said, “Not any amount of hate will bring [his brother] back.” He began to accept that in this bitter conflict, “there are no winners.” After meeting with a Jew who had lost his son amidst Arab-Israeli turmoil, Awwad saw, for the first time in his life, a Jew crying.

“At that point, I changed my life,” he said.

Awwad realized that “we must engage each other” and think about each other’s rights. He posed the question to the audience, “How can

Facebook Likes for Ramaz Apparel

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you normalize a relationship in an abnormal political situation?” He continued, “I am a normal human being and so are you, so why can’t we build a life over there?” When asked his opinion on Operation Protective Edge, Awwad said, “No one has the right to take another’s life… but I am not here to argue, I have many Israelis at home to do that with.”

When asked for a realistic solution to the conflict, Awwad said, “The one state solution is ideal.” It Continued on page 5 Sports Update

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October 2014/ Cheshvan

Honors Talmud Mandatory Final By: Elianna Schwartz ’17 In the two-week final exam period that ocable to exempt them from the Talmud final if ered by the fact that they are being singled out. curs twice a year, at the end of each semester, the they participate in the bekiut learning.” Rabbi Elisheva Gold ’17 strongly states, “If you want typical Ramaz student takes 7 exams, with the Stochel agrees with Rabbi Schiowitz that other to cut out the Bekiut option and Talmud final exception of a small number who take 8. Each grades should be taking an Honors Talmud final. exemption then fine, but don’t cut it out just for student has the luxury of one free day because Rabbi Stochel admits, “I do miss some people.” To the honors stu“I think it’s unfair to students are exempt from the Talmud final if they giving a final to my freshman class. dents, the final feels like a punishgive different levels opt to take Bekiut. Bekiut is a lunch club that A full final exam would enable me to ment of some sort. David Major of Talmud certain meets once a week where students have the opgive my students an unseen gemara ’15 puts it simply; “I think it’s advantages or disadportunity to learn Talmud with the requirement and ask them to apply and display unnecessary since Honors Talmud vantages” of short weekly assignments. Students have the the skills they have acquired over the students are clearly taking the class -Victoria Spero ’15 ability to participate in Bekiut in lieu of taking course of the semester, something seriously anyway.” The sentiment their Talmud final exam. The exemption from that is difficult to do in a forty minseems to be that there needs to one final each semester is a huge weight lifted off ute period.” be a department wide policy. The of the students. Throughout all the years of its All other grades of Honors Talmud students change shouldn’t single out the Honors Talmud existence, Bekiut has proven to be very beneficial do not have the Bekiut option and final exempclass. Either the Bekiut exemption is an option for the students and has become an integral and tion. Gabe Low ’15 points out that as a result for all students or for none. known part of Ramaz’s final exam schedule. It of this new rule, “Students will have a negative Matthew Hirschfeld ’17 expresses his relatable is therefore the most widely attended club and attitude towards the exam (and class) because it and reasonable concern: “Knowing that there is includes the majority of the student body. The has been the Ramaz tradition to have that extra a final looming at the end of the semester will Bekiut option not only reduces the pressure dur- day to study and recuperate.” The logistics have deter the students from delving into the mateing finals but also encourages students to value not been entirely worked out yet. Rabbi Schiorial as profoundly, by undoubtedly eliminating learning torah l’shma (learning for the sake of witz said, regarding the time in which the final the students original motivation for entering the learning), which is an invaluable message for will be given, “My hope is that it won’t be during class, which is pure joy that a student reaps every Ramaz students to gain. finals week but it has not officially been approved time he/she intensely learns Talmud.”

However, the Talmud department implement- yet”. The timing of the final will definitely relieve This concept of loving learning for the sake of ed a new rule this year; Honors Talmud students some pressure off of the students. If the exam learning, which is a value that Ramaz possesses, listen up! They have decided that Bekiut will no takes place during finals, Ben Kaplan ’16 feels should not be compromised. Students that go longer exempt students in the honors track from it will “make it harder on the (Honors Talmud) on to spend a year of Torah study in Israel are not the Talmud final; all Honors Talmud students are students and give them a disadvantage.” Ben tested on the material they learn. Even more so, required to take the final as an important part of agrees that if it has to be given, “ it should be like the honors track students are devoted and serithe course. Before reading on, Freshmen Hona music final during the blackout weeks”. ous learners and should be encouraged to learn ors Talmud students should know that this rule Why are Honors Talmud students who choose and love learning for the sake of learning. They does not apply to them; this only affects students to learn Tamud on the highest level being penal- should not have extra pressure and be penalized in grades 10-12. All of the freshmen, including ized for their decision? Rabbi Schiowitz explains for their devotion to Talmud. Despite the critithe honors students, still have that it’s quite the opposite. Because of cisms and protests, the Talmud department is the option for Bekiut and the the exemption, some classes are missing committed to their decision. Rabbi Schiowitz is “I think that making exemption from both Talmud out on the experience of learning for the kids in honors certain that “the students are going to love it!” finals. Rabbi Stochel, the freshTalmud take the final a cumulative final. “When preparing men Honors Talmud teacher, for a final, you get to see how differdiscourages higher said, “The freshmen are different units integrate with each other. level learning. There ent. They did not have to take should be incentive to This thematic development is a focus the (summer learning) Mishna in some classes. A final can consist of take honors Talmud, quiz in order to ease their tranan essay about all of the units, which not the opposite” sition to Ramaz. January will a regular test cannot have,”expands -Orly Mintz ’15 be the first time they will take Rabbi Schiowitz. However, more than final exams and it seems reasonanything, the honors students are both-

B Day - Free day By: Jasmine Levine ’17 A new addition to this year’s calendar is a free fourth period on “B Day.” Although this period will not always be free, as it is intended to be used for scheduled programming by the school, on days when no assembly or speaker is planned, the period is there for students to use as desired.

The Tuesday before Succot, Ramaz students had the benefit of enjoying the first B day free period. This reprieve was enjoyed by most, and was generally considered a success.

Mr. Miller explains that while this free period is present in the schedule, it will usually be used for planned events. “In all likelihood,” he said, “A free period will only be given 6 times during the year. We will usually use this time to have assemblies or speakers. While it is too early to tell whether the free period is a good thing going

forward, it went well for the first time.”

Students spent their free time in various ways.

Members of the girls’ varsity basketball team were busy shooting in the gym. Sophomores and juniors congregated in the sixth floor lounge, talking and laughing. Some students finished up last minute assignments in classrooms on the 3rd and 4th floors. Others spent the period planning or meeting for their clubs. Seniors rushed out the doors for some fresh air and coffee. When asked how she spent her free time, Jill Adler ’15 excitedly offered,” I was in the art room, and I think it was nice to have a period in the middle of the day when I can take a break from classes and go do something that relaxes me, like art. I think that the B4 period really gives students the opportunity to explore different areas of the high

school and discover that they enjoy something they might not have known about before.” Not everyone, however, was as effusive about the time off. A few students voiced concern with the break. Elisheva Gold ’17, for one, explained, “I was bored and would have preferred a planned activity. There was also nothing to eat.”

Overall, the consensus regarding this free period was positive, as students were able to relax, exercise, have fun, catch up on work, or simply sleep.

However, one piece of advice to add to the spice of B4 - bring on the chocolate chip cookies (or even some yogurt)!

October 2014/Cheshvan 5775

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Bus Crash in Brooklyn By: Eddie Mattout ’17 Manhattan- On October 6, 2014, the Brooklyn late-bus was involved in an accident on the FDR drive. At around 6:50, a car hit the back of the bus which caused it to go into the railing. The bus was around the railing for about 10 seconds before it came to a stop. There were a total

of 10 passengers on the bus. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Students had to wait close to 40 minutes until the police and other public officials arrived at the scene. “It was one of the craziest moments of my life. In a second it felt as if everything was going to fall apart,” said Allie Haber

’15. The students were then taken off the FDR drive by ambulances and were left on East 23st and York avenue. They proceeded to take yellow cabs home, which Ramaz reimbursed them for the next day.

Ramaz Congratulates Merit Scholars National Merit Scholarship Program: Semifinalist William Fried Andrew Merczynski-Hait

National Merit Scholarship Program: Letters of Commendation Nathaniel Fessel Skyler Levine

Andrew Lobel David Major

Orly Mintz Erica Newman-Corré

Michael Rosenberg

National Hispanic Scholars Benjamin Cohen Eddie Mattout

By: DJ Presser ’16

Mr. Rapp Goes to Israel

Just weeks before school began, Mr. Rapp sent an email to the student body announcing that he would not be returning this year because he would be making Aliyah.

Not only did Mr. Rapp teach many JLT, Economics, and various other senior classes, but he also played an important role for students outside of the classroom.

Mr. Rapp and his wife had been discussing the possibility of moving to Israel, but the actual move happened unexpectedly: “Our conversations about moving were all very theoretical. We both had jobs in New York, and I really enjoyed all the classroom teaching I got to do at Ramaz. After Pesach, we decided that we should at least try and see if we could move to Israel. Our criteria were that if I could find a job that would put us in a good place, we should make the move. Both of us did not expect that opportunity to come our way within a couple of months.”

In Israel, Mr. Rapp will be returning to the business world, working as the Director of Marketing for a US hedge fund called Exigent Alternative Capital, which is based in Israel. This job is similar to the one he held before returning to Ramaz just two years ago. The hedge fund invests in capital markets and private equities. Mr. Rapp will be in charge of managing the fund’s existing client relationships and creating new ones. In addition, he expects to be teaching at one of the American

post-high school Yeshiva programs, although he is not sure which one yet.

One of Mr. Rapp’s additional posts was to be in charge of the GO. Rabbi Stochel will be taking over for Mr. Rapp as faculty advisor to the GO. “Mr. Rapp will be greatly missed as the advisor of GO. There have certainly been some adjustments to how we run things logistically, but we hope that the transition from his advising to Rabbi Stochel’s will be smooth,” said President Kelly Sterman ’15.

In addition, Mr. Rapp was also in charge of BIC, Rampo, Model Congress and their publications, as

well as Rambuzz and Ramblings.

Each of these clubs was left without an advisor, and needed to look for a teacher to run their club.

Dr. Sclar will be taking over as head of Model Congress. BIC and Rampo are still unsure of which teacher will be leading their respective clubs.

Rabbi Pianko will be taking over Mr. Rapp’s job as head of student activities, in addition to his desk in the SAC. In this role, Rabbi Pianko will be in charge of overseeing all clubs, running Shabbatons, and running programs. Rabbi Pianko has big shoes to fill, but that should not be a problem for him. Beckie

Cohen ’16 expressed the feelings many have, “It’s definitely upsetting that he’s gone, because he was great at what he did and had such a strong connection with many students.

Some current sophomores, who were only in school with Mr. Rapp for a year, felt somewhat differently.

Jacob Smigel ’17 explained, “[Mr. Rapp leaving] hasn’t effected me very much, but I can tell how it has effected some of my friends who had strong relationships with him and looked forward to his class.” “[My wife and I] both felt the chance to move to Israel would be an incredible opportunity. We value the sense of consistency we feel as Jewish people in Israel. It is a sense that, in addition to ritual, family traditions, and Torah, our daily lives are deeply connected to our Jewish identity. The events in the news, issues of politics and culture, age-old Halakhic traditions, and Jewish history weave their way into our daily lives in a way that feels closer, more acute, than they would living outside Israel. This closeness also makes life more challenging as it is shaped by diverse people and policies that we will agree and disagree with. But we hope those challenges will help us form deeper and more thoughtful opinions,” said Mr. Rapp. He added, “It happened quickly, and while I am excited by the opportunity, I am sad to leave the Ramaz classroom. I will miss getting to spend much of my day teaching Ramaz students.”

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October 2014/ Cheshvan

Updated Email By: Gabriel Klapholz ’17 Over the summer, the Ramaz email was updated to a newer version of Microsoft Outlook.

“Ramaz had been running their outdated email system on Microsoft Exchange Server 2003,” said Tzvi Merczynski-Hait ’15. “Recently, they upgraded to Office 365…the newest version,” he said.

For most of the summer, students could not access their Ramaz emails because they were under construction. Many returned to their emails to find a long list of unread mail.

The new email had some interesting new features, including revised contact lists and options for changing font and text size in one’s message. Easy shortcuts made email simpler and clearer. However, earlier this year, the newly updated email suddenly returned to the light version of Office 365 that closely resembles the email from last year. An

anonymous source said that the its staff received many complaints about the speed of the full version and therefore decided to change back to the light version of the email.

Some students said, “it is not the right decision to limit everybody’s

email experience because of problems that a few people reported” and that the speed issues have to do with the “computers where they are checking their emails, not the actual server itself.”

Now, most of the glitches have been fixed and the most updated version

of the email is being used, not the light version. But does this new email truly improve communication between Ramaz students, faculty, and administrators?

“An update [from last year’s version] was necessary,” said Noam Kaplan ’16. “One couldn’t write an email for more than two minutes without a timeout and had to keep logging in,” he said. While the current update solves these problems, Kaplan also expressed his skepticism on the issue.

Perhaps students simply need time to get used to the new email, “but in general,” he said, “we needed something new.” “As is expected with any major upgrade,” said Merczynski-Hait, “there have been a few glitches, but I’m sure they will be worked out shortly.”

Which Websites Does Your Teacher Use? By: DJ Presser ’16 You may notice that this year, more teachers have told students to log onto various websites in order to get work or grades. In past years, teachers have for the most part only utilized Turnitin and Jupiter Grades to give out assignments and grades.

English and history teachers used Turnitin when students would hand in written assignments, to check for plagiarism. Jupiter Grades was used by a select few teachers. Some would let students see their grade throughout the semester and others would use the website for their own purposes to keep track of students’ grades.

More recently, especially this year, teachers have begun to utilize websites such as Edmodo and Google Classroom in order to give students assignments. Teachers post nightly homework, in addition to articles or essays. Some teachers have also used other websites so that students can respond to a question and then respond to the other students’ responses. Each of the websites have different, but very similar functions. For the most part, each website can do just as much as the other websites, in terms of student-teacher interac-

tions and student-student interactions.

Michael Low ’17 said, “This year in Chemistry, I’m using Edmodo for the first time in high school.

I like it because with it I have the ability to hand in assignments online, which is pretty useful.

However, when an assignment is

expressed similar feelings, “I think that Edmodo is a great tool to extend learning beyond the classroom.”

“I have a few different teachers who use a few different websites. It does not bother me too much, but I think that if teachers want to use a website, they should be required

turned in on Edmodo, there is a time stamp, so I feel pressured to do my Chemistry homework earlier on in the night, before some of my other work.” Bradley Brecher ’15

to be consistent with other classes, to keep things more condensed. I think that it would be useful if the school were to choose one website for each aspect that a teacher needs,

one for work and blogging and one for grades,” explained Ben Rabinowitz ’16. Students are required to check quite a few websites every night, having one website where everything is based would allow students to find all the work they are responsible for from one place.

Rabbi Schimmel explained his decision to use an online program to aid in his teaching. “I want to make the educational process more efficient. I like that it allows students to hand in an assignment before class starts. In addition, it makes the teaching process greener.

The use of websites is going to limit kids missing assignments because they are away or because they forgot to print the assignment. Before Google came out with Google Classroom this summer, I had not found a website that had everything organized in such a simple way.”

A move to the internet for homework and teaching was inevitable, considering how technologically advanced our world is becoming. This is just the start of the transition to the internet for Ramaz, so students should start preparing.

October 2014/Cheshvan 5775

On Monday, October 27, 2014, the Friends of the IDF, in conjunction with Ramaz brought six IDF soldiers for an exclusive concert at Ramaz. These six soldiers, Sgnts. Lior Weinberg, Almog Avraham, Ariel Segal, Yuval Kresel, and Amit Dov Reem, as well as their commander, Major Ezra Shabtai, are all part of the IDF’s official choir, whose job it is to entertain soldiers on bases and official foreign dignitaries, as well as to hold oversees concerts.

“In September, I received a call from, Dan Haskell, Director of Young Leadership FIDF. Dan was in Israel in August and served in Operation Protective Edge. He called to ask if we were interested in having the IDF Ensemble perform; the group would be in New York after all of the chagim.The Ensemble has performed for us in past years and they always were a hit with our students, not only because of their outstanding musical talents, but also because their sincere and welcoming style connects us to Medinat Yisrael and the on-going struggles that Tzahal soldiers face as they are engaged in the conflicts and life-risking missions,” said Ms. Benel.

The evening opened with a rendition of the song “Hafachta MisPidi” by Ramaz’s own Chamber Choir, including solos by Gabi Stemp ’15, Rebecca Silverman ’16, and Ben Emmerich ’15.

According to Gabe Klapholz, ’17, the Chamber Choir “sang an amazing song that really started

By: Rebecca Araten ’18

Continued from page 1

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FIDF Concert

By: Akiva Gold ’16

Ramaz students were in for a surprise when they saw the huge “X”s covering the vending machines, upon their arrival at school one morning. Rumors were rampant among the students, and the truth is even more shocking: the chips that had been stocked in the vending machines were not kosher.

Students assume that Ramaz checks all the products that are sold in the vending machines, so most of them do not check their snacks before devouring them. However, a freshman student studied the package

the evening off wonderfully.” Soloist Rebecca Silverman ’16 said, “Being able to sing a song at the FIDF concert was a very special privilege”.

Throughout the Chamber Choir’s song, the crowd was sincerely moved, and even clapped and sang along. After the concert, the soldiers mentioned that the Chamber Choir was the most talented high school choir they have ever heard and that it was a true treat for them to get to hear the Chamber Choir.

Once the Chamber Choir’s piece had ended, the program continued with a speech by the commander of the singers, who spoke about how the soldier singers are real soldiers, who had gone through basic training, and had been specifically chosen for this competitive unit, as the official IDF choir is among the hardest units to be selected into. Finally, the performance began with a quick introduction by one of the soldiers, and then the singing began.

Many of the songs that the soldiers sang were Israeli classics, including songs like Salam Aleikem, Noladiti LaShalom, Mi SheMaamin, and Hallelujah. They also sang the song KesheHaLev Boche in honor of the soldiers who died during the operation this past summer. Throughout the concert, large groups of both men and women would stand up and start dancing together, and at points even the soldiers joined in the dancing. Ava Adler ’16 said, “The concert

was truly amazing and the chayalim and audience members all felt very emotional.” Finally, at the end of the program, after Rabbi Lookstein had thanked the soldiers for performing such a wonderful concert, the entire audience broke out into large circles of dancing to the words of a classic Israeli song about the coming of Mashiach. There was an intense feeling in the room, and the entire room, from the soldiers to audience members, came together to sing and dance in Ramaz’s own auditorium. Rabbi Lookstein even remarked that this was one of the best concerts ever held at Ramaz!

By the end of the night, after a wonderful evening of singing and dancing, the four soldiers who sang, as well as their commander, stayed around to speak to members of the audience personally. Many people spoke with the soldiers about their army service, exchanged contact information, and even took pictures with them.

Klapholz said that he “thought it was incredible how the community could join together and celebrate Israel in such a meaningful way. The singers were phenomenal and the music was captivating and really involved the crowd.” After a summer of so much pain and trauma, it was a true treat to have a night of singing and dancing with our brothers and sisters from Israel.

Vending Machines Mishap

of a bag of chips and discovered that the chips had no kosher symbol. Allison Davidson ’18, the freshman who discovered the error, explained that she was hungry because she had been at school late that evening.

She bought chips from the vending machines, and began to eat them. While eating the chips, she decided to check their packaging, and she became worried and confused when she found no hashkafah (kosher symbol). After confirming that there really was no hashkafah, she and one of her friends went to tell the

office about this problem.

Allison’s friend, Emily Ellison ’18 said, “I did not think it could be true.

I thought Ramaz would check all the packaging, and I was very shocked.”

In reality, Ramaz was not responsible for this mix-

up, and the administration took immediate action by shutting down the machines. Ms. Schlomovich, the chief operating officer, said that she was “appalled” by this occurrence, and she explained the cause of the problem. The reason for the mix-up was that the new vendor supplier for the vending machine was sick one day, so a new worker was assigned the job. This worker did not fully understand that Ramaz had asked only for specifically kosher snacks. However, Ramaz students should be assured that it is very unlikely that

such a problem will happen again. The vending machine company lost a lot of profit from the amount of time that the machines were shut down, and will do all that they can to ensure that all snacks sold in the machines reach Ramaz’s high standards of kashrut.

Ms. Shlomovich said that she “hopes this ‘bump in the road’ with our new vending machines was just that, a small bump, and that Ramaz students are enjoying the new machines.”

Ali Abu Awwad Speaks at Ramaz

“will give legitimacy to the Israeli state,” but in the end, Awwad showed that “both sides are victims.”

Mr. Miller said that there were “things that [Awwad] said that should be questioned greatly, but his humanitarian message was on point.” Mr. Miller also made the distinction between supporting Awwad’s political views, versus his opinion on human rights and the value of human life. RamPo President Yona Kornsgold ’15 said, “It makes me feel like peace is very unlikely when someone like Mr. Awwad, a person who stands for a peaceful agreement, doesn’t recognize Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas.” However, the main purpose of the event was to “get another perspective on the issue and understand where the Palestinians are coming from,” said Kornsgold. Kornsgold said that RamPo has “lived up to its name as a non-partisan political organization by not favoring one side in our selection of speakers.”

Many students remained confused why Ali Abu Awwad was welcomed to

Ramaz while Professor Rashid Kahlidi was not. Mr. Shaviv said that Awwad “was a much better choice than Khalidi would have been. My feelings about Rashid Khalidi were that I felt it was imbalanced for him to speak to the students,” while “Ali Abu Awwad related very well and on a very human level.”

Professor Kahlidi himself commented on the issue. Regarding Awwad he said, “I do not know him, nor do I know anything about him.” After further questioning, Kahlidi responded with a piece that he wrote in the New Yorker online that was “published at the height of the fighting.” From the article, it appears that his views are directly supportive of the Palestinians and accusatory of Israel. This may explain why the Ramaz Administration would agree to have a more moderate speaker such as Ali Abu Awwad, who spoke more to the humanitarian issues.

October 2014/Cheshvan 5775

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6 Fashion

Ties Postponed Until After Sukkot By: D.J. Presser ’16 This year, male students were told on September 30th that they would not be required to wear ties this year until after Sukkot Break. This gave male students an extra four days of school in which they did not have to wear ties.

The senior class presidents, Alex Agus and Will Fried, played a big role in the administrations decision to change the start date of ties. Will Fried `15 explained, “When we proposed the idea to the administration, Rabbi Stochel was totally receptive to our suggestion and was happy to do something to make our lives a little less stressful.

Maybe [they] were willing to accept the proposition, in part to spare our necks which had suffered enough from all the days in Shul.”

Students can propose whatever ideas they would like, however, in the end, the decision lies in the hands of Rabbi Stochel. Rabbi Stochel explained the decision to delay the wearing of ties. “[The administration] received requests from the GO and class presidents, so we began to think about the possibility of delaying the start date

for wearing ties. We decided to push off the date because this year’s timing of Sukkot, was only a few days after October 1. In yeshivot, the winter zman or season begins once Sukkot has ended,

when we begin to say Mashiv Haruach Umorid Hageshem, so we thought it would be nice to have ties start at the beginning of winter.”

Some students, like Josh Sarachek `17 were very happy with the decision. “It was a great

move by the school. When I feel uncomfortable all day when I wear sweaters or ties.” some students were happy with the decision, but they do not think it is enough. “The decision was a good start, but I think ties should be done away with.

The wearing of ties is an archaic rule and honestly, I get more dressed up for school than I do for Shul,” explained Ben Kaplan `16.

Clearly the decision to push off the beginning of wearing ties is only a temporary one, and cannot be counted on for the future. However, the fact that the school was willing to allow this decision, even for such a short period time gave students a nice break, and showed that them that change is possible.

Adam Lassner `15 said, “as the student body, we have to commend our class presidents and the GO for getting ties pushed off for a while. It was still warm, so ties and sweaters were not yet necessary. I am happy that the administration was willing to listen to the students recommendation.”

Fashion Trends at Ramaz By: Olivia Hershkowitz ’15 Chokers, printed socks, the Brandy Melville sweatshirt, Adidas… Your pick! Or do you want one of each? Of course, coming back to school means the weather getting cooler. Nonetheless, it also means coming back to the newest style of clothing and accessories. This year, there is no competition for who has the coolest ‘arm party,’ however, there seems to be ‘neck parties’ all around school. There are two specific chokers worn by numerous students in every grade. One of the chokers has a pearl in the center while the other choker comes in a variety of colors, made of thin wires. Some students even wear both at once to be even trendier!

Freshman Hanna Sholes says, “as I walk through the halls I see so many girls in Adidas sneakers and Brandy Melville sweatshirts. I really like seeing everyone dress like this because I feel it

makes the dress code a mix of comfy and cute at the same time!” Of course it is not about the label or the brand name of the clothing. The comfortable sweatshirt with sneakers look is how Ramaz students came back to school this fall. The types of sweatshirts Ramaz students are wearing are not big and bulky like pajamas. They are thin, cotton, printed or solid sweatshirts, and come in pullover or zip up. Additionally, as the winter creeps in, Ramaz students will no longer be able to wear these thin sweatshirts. It will soon be time to take out the thick sweaters and chic scarves!

While last year almost every girl, and even some guys, came back to school wearing a colored ‘Superga’; this year wyou may only find a few people still wearing the ‘Supergas’. It could be because they were over worn, or simply because other shoes, such as Adidas and Nike, were brought

back in style from about 7 years ago. However, no matter how important the shoe is, the sock is just as important. Ramaz students, especially the boys, try to find the coolest socks. Between stripes, polka dots, food, or a funny cartoon character; students in the hallway are wearing it on their socks! Not only is it essential for guys to wear funky socks, but the socks must match with the rest of their outfit.

As the temperature gets cooler, it is soon going to be time for winter jackets, tights and boots. The big question for the Ramaz girls is ‘When does is it time to wear tights and Uggs for the first time?’

Better yet, will Uggs even be in style? And if not, what will be? Although Ramaz students do not want it to face the cold weather, everyone gets excited to discover the new trends a new season may bring!

Vans: An Antisemitic Shoe?

By: Caroline Jaspan ’16

Recently, Vans shoes have become popular amongst Ramaz students. While they all have different colors and styles, they all have one distinct feature in common: the stars on the bottom.

Many people claim that the stars are Jewish stars as the designer of the shoe was anti-Semitic and wanted people to step on Jewish symbol when they walked. True research, however, shows that this is just a rumor. The inventors of these shoes, the Van brothers, did not intentionally create the shoes to include symbols, which look like Jewish stars. Rather, they were designed as hexagons or honeycombs in order for the shoe to have more secure footing. Skaters, boarders in particular, favor these shoes. “I do not think the Jewish stars

were at all intentional. The design is just to help you grip the board,” said Libby Silber `17. Those who created the sole’s design didn’t even recognize that what they were fashioning resembled a Jewish star. Whether one Jew might believe that they should not wear it because they feel that they are stomping on the Jewish nation, another might find it perfectly fine because they know it was not created intentionally. Rachel Kraft `17 said, “I am very Zionistic and I do not think that shoes can determine anything or mean anything.” The soles of these shoes provide comfort and support for the wearer. They do not symbolize some hatred towards the Jewish people.

7 News

The Rampage

October 2014/ Cheshvan 5775

Mr. Shaviv to Leave Ramaz

Sukkot Vacation-Will it Last?

By: Jasmine Levine ’17 For the third consecutive year, all three divisions of Ramaz were closed for the entire Succot Holiday. Despite this chazakah, the administration cautions that this break is not a permanent tradition, but rather, was based solely on the need for construction in the ECC/Lower School building. Students, however, thoroughly enjoyed their time off, and would love for this trend to continue in future years.

Paul Shaviv clarified the school’s stance toward the Succot holiday, “In general, we prefer to keep school open Chol Hamoed Sukkot, whenever practical, and whenever possible. Sukkot can be an inspiring and fun teaching opportunity, as well as the means by which many of our Manhattan students are able to fulfill the mitzvah of eating in a sukkah.” This year, however, the contractors needed to work over Sukkot to complete the building project in the lower school building and according to Paul Shaviv, “policy is that we don’t close one division but keep the others open.”

Students, however, maintain that the Succot break was a wonderful treat that should continue. While some used this time to catch up on school work, or to get ahead, others enjoyed the time to prepare for the Sat or Sat II’s that were administered the Sunday directly following Simchat Torah. Many seniors used this time to work on their early decision applications to college (due in November 1st), and others used this time to do the fun things that Seniors do…. Some students traveled to Israel, Florida or to visit family in other states.

While many others stayed home but used the opportunity to catch up with friends and

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1 bond with family.

Tyler Mandelbaum ’17 said, “I really enjoyed the break. I relaxed, hung out with friends, and caught up on work.” Caroline Jaspan ’17 added, “It is amazing to have a break so early in the year. Moving from the summer to school is a hard transition, and this makes it easier. Also, it’s cool to have a break when most schools across the nation are in session.”

Eliana Doft ’16 was so excited about the break, she said, “I am going to Disneyworld!”

And she wasn’t kidding. Michael Weisberg ‘17 went to a soup kitchen to accumulate chesed hours while Julia Krevat ’17 visited her aunt in Teaneck and played with her cousins.

Students who traveled to Israel were particularly excited to have the chance to meet up with recent Ramaz Alums.

Regardless of whether students studied or relaxed, remained local or traveled, the break was enjoyed by all and will undoubtedly be missed in the coming years if it is eliminated. Does the end of construction mean the end of this beloved week off? Not entirely.

While the administration does prefer to keep school open over the Chol Hammoed Succot days, there are some circumstances, beyond construction, that can lead to future breaks.

Calendar planning does take into account the number of Chol Hammoed school days that are possible as well as the coincidence of Columbus Day with Succot. As Paul Shaviv offers, “Our tentative go-forward policy is that whenever we can have three full school days during Chol Hamoed we will open; in years when this is not practical, school will be on holiday during Sukkot. “

moved the school forward considerably.”

Mr. Shaviv assumed the role of Head of School, excited by the challenge of leading an institution “with a long and deep history.” He was highly impressed by the students and faculty: “The student body is bright and highly motivated, and so is the faculty, which is very well qualified.” He recalls walking into ECC classrooms and “being mesmerized by the quality and enthusiasm of the children and the skills of the teachers.” At the upper school, he found “something every week to be surprised and delighted by,” including “events on a big scale that were very impressive.”

The Ramaz community is grateful for Mr. Shaviv’s commitment and service. As Mr. Miller observed, “Mr. Shaviv accomplished a great deal in his time at Ramaz and I have certainly learned a lot from working with him.” GO President Raquel Sterman ‘15 echoed these sentiments: “he gave so much of himself to our school.”

Mr. Shaviv believes “Ramaz has very dedicated leadership, and has potential to be one of the leading schools in North America.” With respect to his own future plans, Mr. Shaviv professes to be “a keen cook,” and is “cooking up a lot of new ideas” for the future. Thank you, Mr. Shaviv, for your service and dedication to our school.

Ramaz Students & the All Stars

people who “qualify,” which means teens who care to give every experience their all, whatever the venue of expression may be. It is a place that offers a host of opportunities to challenge a participant’s creativity and talents. Together, Mr. Friedman and Ms. Benel worked their magic in order to get this project started for us this year. Prior to the Ramaz Students meeting the All Stars, Ms. Benel met with the teens on a Sunday to discuss what would go on when our students collaborate with them. In an e-mail Ms. Benel sent to the students that Sunday night, she stated, “The young men and women (8 in all) who met with us today are remarkably talented and equally dedicated to making a “change.”

On Monday, October 6, the first meeting was held and from the start an amazing partnership began. From the second the students and the All Star’s lingered into the music room with fresh cookies, apple juice, and music blasting, the atmosphere was filled with joy. There was not a bit of awkwardness as everyone sat together introducing themselves and getting to know one another. Right away, the Ramaz students were able to notice the All Star’s special talents and incredible creativity. Shortly after the immediate connection that the Ramaz students had with the All Star teens, everyone was following one another on various social medias and exchanging cell phone numbers. This is when Dani Scheinberg ’15 noticed Shaunette Fenton, 19

year old member of All Stars, made her status on Facebook, “Currently at The Ramaz school learning how to sing in Hebrew and we had an impromptu dance session with our new Jewish friends. Awesome experience!”

Because this year the primary goal is to talk about making a “change” as a group, they plan to start discussing the catastrophic events that took place this summer. For example, the Ferguson riots and the racial discord, prejudice, terrorist attacks on citizens of different race. The teens all shared their background stories and how each individual’s family came to America. Naturally, after sharing these stories and feelings the teens started singing and dancing. Eytan Abergel ’15 said, “my favorite part about working with the All Star’s is getting to hangout with kids I wouldn’t normally hangout with. I realized how much I have in common with them and I am very happy I have the opportunity to play guitar with them.” As the dancing started, one of the All Star teenagers grabbed the microphone and began singing a song he made up on the spot. Shortly after, the Ramaz students taught the All Stars a Hebrew song with the lyrics, “Lo Alecha Hamelacha Ligmor Ve Lo Ata Ben Chorim,” translated as, “it’s not for you to finish the work, but you are not free.” The song lyrics reflect what the sole purpose of the Ramaz students and the All Star teenagers joining together. It is the young teenag-

ers job’s to get together and make a change even though it is not possible to finish the job of making a complete change alone.

While the meetings only take place every other Monday, the Ramaz Students and All Stars continue preparing for the next session. Dan and Ms. Benel create assignments that will inform and inspire each other about personal, racial, and religious backgrounds to present at the beginning of each get together. Previously, an all Star student wrote a song titled “How about now?” and by the end of the session, every member was singing the song creating additional lyrics and dance moves. Joyce Harary ’15 said, “I really see a change happening already. Although this change is fairly intimate, it is amazing how passionate everyone is about their identities and how motivated everyone is to make a change. I feel that by the end of this movement, I will have close friendships with teenagers just like me that I would probably would never be paired up with otherwise.” The end goal is to create a play, similarly to what was created in 2009, but this time focused on the theme of making a change. We, as a school, look forward to watching the Ramaz Students in collaboration with the All Star Teens create a remarkable performance that will hold an impact to our school and society as a whole.

Columns The Rampage • October 2014

Food Lovers’ Association (Meal 1): Mike’s Bistro

Pro-testing: the Test Schedule By: Devil’s Advocate

By: Eliana Doft ’16 and Tess Solomon ’16 The perfect way to transition from one holiday full of eating to another holiday full of eating is to have a night full of eating. That’s exactly what we did between Rosh Hashana and Sukkot. Joined by two fellow culinary connoisseurs, we set out for Mike’s Bistro on 54th street to assess its new location east of the park. One expert is famous for enjoying sixteen course tasting menus in Israel, and the other for her daily trips to Juice Generation. These contrasting views brought a perfect array of opinions to our meal.

We walked into a restaurant full of shiduch dates, businessmen in kipot, and large Jewish mishpachas. The dim lighting added to the elegant atmosphere, and the waiters’ eagerness made us slightly uncomfortable. When we got the menu, we were overwhelmed by the choices, but after much debate, we chose four appetizers: the Garden Vegetable Salad (a colorful, pretty, array of vegetables that was good but not great), the Sweet Breads (we thought it sounded iffy, but connoisseur #1 thought it was “unreal”), the Artichoke Bottoms (a solid 9/10), and the Scottish Salmon Crudo (minus one for randomly adding watermelon, and another minus one for too much olive oil, but otherwise very good).

While waiting for our food, an angel sent from heaven delivered hot slices of Italian bread to our white porcelain bread plates. There was spiced olive oil in pretty turquoise ceramic dishes in the middle of the table, into which we dipped the fluffy bread. It was definitely a highlight. After appetizers, Short Ribs, a Rib-Eye Fillet, Baby Chicken, and Corned Beef and Potatoes (a side) arrived at our table.

The Short Ribs were succulent and flavorful-10/10, easily.

The Rib-Eye Fillet was very good. The Baby Chicken was tender and tasty, but we weren’t exactly sure what to make of the strangely seasoned spinach on the side. The Corned Beef and Potatoes were the most controversial item of the night. They were sweet with a slight barbeque flavor, which appealed to some of us, but not to others.

Sometimes desserts in good meat restaurants can be subpar, but we found we were unable to decide between the numerous choices. In the end, we chose the Warm Apple Annie, the Coffee and Chocolate, the Chocolate Pecan Pie, and the Peanut Butter and Jelly. The desserts were definitely the most nicely presented. Any judge on Chopped would have been impressed. Needless to say, our plates were licked clean.

When we got the bill, we concluded to let you know to go to the restaurant with your grandparents or a date you want to impress, because the bill is six times your babysitting salary. But either way, go. As a general rule, the fancier it sounded, the better it was, so don’t be afraid to go out of the box with your order. Dessert was the best course, so definitely leave room. And keep asking for more bread.

See you at soul cycle in the morning!!

Illustration:

by Jill Adler ’15

Welcome to Ramaz, where everyone has, at least, one opinion. In a student newspaper where adolescent journalists gut administrative policy and vent about complicated issues, there has always been one thing lacking: a defense of the administration.

This column seeks to keep in the spirit of the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees a right to counsel. The column is not supported by teachers, students or the administration. It is simply a fresh angle on Ramaz’s most controversial issues.

Because I like to start out with a bang, why not jump right in on a hot topic: the test schedule?

The traditional trope: Ramaz has too many tests. With general studies and Judaic studies, students often find themselves bogged down in two or three week periods with between eight and ten exams. It can feel like finals in the middle of October. The administration clearly pays no attention to the timing and fails to properly stagger the schedule.

Devil’s response: Ramaz has too few tests. The testing system has completely

fallen apart. Each class will usually have between two to four tests per semester.

This forces every class to be on the same “unit system.” If a teacher only has three opportunities to test his students he needs to come up with three equal length units.

The administration, which creates the test schedule, must be fair to the teachers and students by breaking up the units into equal sizes. If every class is broken up evenly, the tests all get clumped together at the end of a unit. This is why there are no tests in late September, but then an onslaught in October or November. The problem is, of course, exacerbated by the problem of Jewish holidays taking up the whole fall schedule. Quarreling with G-d, however, is above this column’s pay grade.

So why is the test system the way it is?

The administration, most likely, uses this system because it cannot add tests. In the current state of affairs, students would lead a revolution rather than allow more tests. Trying to add work to a Ramaz student’s schedule is like trying to raise taxes with a Republican congress.

If the administration were allowed to add tests, students might be surprised at the relief that comes over a long period.

At first, it might seem overwhelming.

Having four or five history tests a semester seems a lot worse than having two, but it in fact the stress would be lessened.

Each test would count for less in the semester grade. More tests might even allow students to drop a test, which Continued on page 12

October 2014/Cheshvan 5775

The-rampage.org

9 Features

#KNOCKOUTCANCER Ramaz Community: United By: Matthew Hirschfeld ’16 On Thursday, October 2, it was announced to the sophomore grade that one of its members, Gaby Kassman `17, was recently diagnosed with a serious illness. In a speech to the 10th grade that morning, Dr. Renee Koplon, Assistant Dean of the Ramaz Upper School, conveyed the gravity of the matter and stressed the grade’s obligation to stand

by Gaby’s side as she experiences this difficult time. Except for the instantaneous sensation of shock and sorrow, the second-year students immediately leapt into action. Not even a few hours later, they had already arranged various ways that Gaby’s peers could show their support. A group comprised of the Sophomore Class Presidents, Rachel Kraft `17 and Rachel Wahba `17, who are two of Gaby’s dearest friends, and the Upper School GO, is leading the school and the greater community in helping Gaby get through her illness.

The amount of support displayed by the entire Ramaz body is indescribable.

From sharing expressions of encouragement on social media outlets, to participating in daily group visits to Gaby at her apartment, every arm of Ramaz has been tremendously eager to be there for Gaby through any method available to them. The moment her condition was public, students posted on Facebook, Instagram and all other social media outlets. “In a matter of hours all I saw on my Facebook timeline were posts relating to Gaby,” said Jack Tauber ’15. “It was truly amazing. Seeing this before Yom Kippur really inspired me and showed me what it meant to come together as a community,” he continued.

At the forefront of the initiative, is the selling of winter hats reading, “FIGHT,” with the green lymphoma-awareness ribbon on them, as well as white t-shirts with “KNOCK OUT CANCER” on the front and “#goGaby” on the back. A portion of the proceeds will be donated

to the Children’s Lymphoma Foundation, Gaby’s organization of choice.

Gaby not only brought together the Ramaz community, but also the entire Yeshiva community. North Shore, SAR and Frisch all also sold apparel to support Gaby and had a day where everyone wore the shirts. “For the first time in my life I saw the Jewish community really come together,” said Nathan Shams ’16.

When asked about the goal of their overwhelmingly altruistic endeavors, Rachel Wahba and Rachel Kraft replied, “We’re mainly coordinating with the administration as well as the Sophomore class presidents in order to ensure that all the support for Gaby stays strong throughout her treatment.” These two students further elaborated, “We will be organizing different days and planning to sell different products that will raise money for cancer research through students, who have chosen to take initiative and help fundraise for the cause.” This devotion to help a friend reflects the stalwart bonds that Ramaz, as an institution, fosters among its students.

“The way the Ramaz community came together is truly inspirational. This unity is something we should strive to have at all times of the year, including in happy occasions,” said Mr. Miller. “We will continue to support Gaby throughout her entire recovery and we can’t wait to see her back in school,” he continued.

From administrators, to friends, to assorted students, to Ramaz parents, everyone with any association whatsoever have all been striving to ease this extremely difficult time for Gaby and her family. The reality that the entire Ramaz body genuinely is one great family manifests itself now, during this period of hardship. We wish her a speedy recovery and a refuah shlema.

The Rampage Ramaz Upper School

OPINION

Volume 77 • Issue II • October 2014 • the-rampage.org

The Rampage • October 2014

Editors-in-Chief: Skyler Levine, Andrew Lobel, Eddie Mattout Online Editors-in-Chief: Alexander Leibowitz, Olivia Hershkowitz Opinions Editor: Will Fried Sports Editor: Avi Goldman News & Arts Editor: Yale Buchwald Photography Editor: Michael Low Faculty Advisor: Dr. Millowitz Illustrators: Gabrielle Amar-Oumiet, Jill Adler Contributing Writers: Nicole Aboodi, Gabrielle Amar-Oumiet, Rebecca Araten, William Besharim, Yale Buchwald, Sarah Cabot, Eliana Doft Olivia Hershkowitz, Jacob Hochheiser, Gabriel Klapholz, Daniel Jaspan, Alexander Leibowitz, Jasmine Levine, Sklyer Levine, Andrew Lobel, Eddie Mattout, Oren Oppenheim, Jonny Povman D.J. Presser, Josh Sarachek, Elianna Schwartz The Rampage is the student newspaper of the Ramaz Upper School. It is published on a monthly basis. Letters to the editor may be submitted to rampage@ ramaz.org. Letters must be signed and may be edited for space and to conform to Rampage style and format.

Illustration by Gabrielle Amar-Oumiet ‘17

A Failed Responsibility By: Eliana Doft ’16

M

onday, October 27, marked the opening night of the controversial opera, “The Death of Klinghoffer” at the Metropolitan Opera. The opera has been a subject of outrage in the Jewish community over the past couple of months. The play itself has been accused of being anti-Semitic, historically inaccurate, and sympathetic to terrorists. The Met has agreed to cancel the live worldwide broadcast, so as not to spark anti-Semitism.

However, they have not agreed to cancel the Opera. Therefore, many protests have been held demanding a stop to the staging of the opera. The biggest protest was on opening night,

with leaders such as former Mayor Giuliani in attendance.

We, the Ramaz School should have been there.

I believe in free speech and artistic freedom. After one reads the opera, one can notice that the terrorists are ultimately condemned as evil. So the anti-Semitic nature of the opera can indeed be questioned. What cannot be questioned is the awful judgment of the Metropolitan Opera in staging it.

We live in a world where the mistreatment and the singling out of Jews is increasingly tolerated. This opera seems to feed and embolden those who do that. That is why this opera, performed in the heart of New

York City, represents bad judgment on the part of the Metropolitan Opera.

It is my judgment that as enlightened Jews, we had the obligation as a community, not just as individuals, to express our outrage.

I understand that the reason Ramaz was tentative to appear at the rally might have been because of issues of first amendment rights and free speech. However, just as the Metropolitan Opera is allowed to exercise their freedom of speech, we are allowed to express ours by protesting their appalling staging of “The Death of Klinghoffer.”

Should Mandarin Be Offered at Ramaz?

By: Gabrielle Amar-Oumiet ’17

C

onsidered the number one leading language in the world, Mandarin is offered in many schools across the United States. It is believed that Mandarin will help students better prepare to compete in a global environment. By learning Mandarin, American students’ education might even be what brings China and the U.S. closer together. With China’s growing influence on the world’s economy and ecology, Mandarin will sooner or later become a language that most people will be expected to learn.

So why doesn’t Ramaz offer languages other than Spanish and French? It should be possible to hire teachers and find the supplies needed. Financial restrictions are the major reason for why Ramaz does not offer more than two languages.

“This year, each department’s budget

was cut back, and adding another language is unaffordable–regardless of what the language may be”, said Dr. Warshall.

Additionally, Ramaz already looked into the language a few years back, and even had model lessons.

However, Dr. Warshall and the language department realized at the time that “the language itself (Mandarin) is the obstacle: it is extremely difficult and only three years is definitely not enough time to learn the conversational part and the writing involved.”

Dr. Warshall mentioned that in most schools, Mandarin is not offered as a foreign language, but rather as a subject with its own department. Thus, students in those specialized schools must learn Mandarin in addition to their elected foreign language. If Ramaz were to offer Mandarin, the amount of levels and classes would increase and the

amount of students in each class would decrease due to the distribution and the choice of language of the students. The majority of students are choosing Spanish, as they claim that it is a personally more useful language in application to their daily lives and their environment in New York City.

Ramaz is known for its immersion in Israeli and Jewish education and perhaps having a language such as Mandarin is quite irrelevant to the Jewish environment. According to the Jewish Virtual Library, there are 2,500 Jews in China and more than 500,000 French and Spanish speaking Jews in the world. For this matter, Mandarin is not a language most students can culturally relate to. For example, Dr. Warshall said, “A few years ago the school hired a Mandarin teacher to come in to start a Mandarin Language Learning club (as opposed to only a culture club),

however there were not enough students that were actually passionate to join such a club, and two weeks later, the club was canceled.”

With only slightly over 220 million people in the world speaking French, and over one billion people speaking Mandarin, choosing the languages that we learn is an extremely important decision that will impact the rest of our lives.

We are required to learn a language for three–and some of us six whole years! However, Mandarin proves to be an extremely hard language–the use of kanji’s, the accent–and the time commitment is just unattainable in three years. Therefore, offering Mandarin at Ramaz seems unrealistic due to an already challenging double curriculum, and if one truly wanted to learn Mandarin they could participate in Mandarin immersion programs outside of school.

October 2014/Cheshvan 5775

The-rampage.org

11 Opinions

Bribing for Facebook Likes By: Oren Oppenheim ’16

I

t was probably one of the most surprising emails Ramaz has ever sent out, and in a school that often seems to revolve around its Microsoft Outlook system, that’s saying something. (At least it’s now more modern and not 11 years old!)

Dear Ramaz High School Students, The GO has spoken.

You asked for kippot and socks, so we’re delivering!

Show your school pride on and offline. Like or Follow RAMAZSCHOOL on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram for a free Ramaz kippah or a pair of Ramaz socks. Already liked our pages online? Share our page on your feed and we’ll count you in!

The email was sent out

by Kenny Rochlin, Director of Institutional Advancement—a man who has done a ton for Ramaz as a school

but doesn’t often send out emails to the student body, which was another surprise here. And I don’t really remember anyone protesting and lobbying for the school to shower us with branded apparel, but who knows what happened last school year when I missed a few days while in Israel. For all I know, Apparel-gate was just as bad as Paper-gate or any of the other “scandals”.

But those points notwithstanding, the deeper issue seems to be that Ramaz seems to be bribing us to give them social media likes and shares. If more people like their feeds, their page reaches both those who like it as well as the friends/ followers of the likers. (For instance, if you like a page on Facebook, it gets broadcasted to all your friends that you gave it a like. So be careful not to like anything that’s similar to “I hate all

my friends” or something.)

And that gets more people to learn about the school, and hopefully new students and donors and et cetera.

Overall, social media is a good thing for the school and they want it to spread.

Is it right, however, for the school to ‘bribe’ its students to do so? Isn’t that a sneaky way for them to gain more likes, when those likes won’t really be genuine?

What if a student dislikes Ramaz but likes it anyway to get a pair of socks? Isn’t that misleading? Isn’t that wrong?

To be honest, I don’t think that’s an issue. Companies do this type of thing all the time on Facebook. “Share this photo to be entered into our sweepstakes!” “Show us that you liked our store to get a coupon!” “Check in on Facebook here and you’ll get something free!” Maybe you’ll never have anything to do with that business again,

but there’s nothing for you to lose by giving them that sort of tiny exposure. You get something, they get another social media fan—it’s a win-win for both! And I feel that’s the case with Ramaz.

Sure, it’s kind of “bribery” in a sense, but it’s truly harmless bribery. And many students have already liked some form of Ramaz social media anyway, so it’s really just a matter of going over to Rabbi Pianko and showing him that to get your free socks or kippah. It’s trivial, it’s a non-issue, and I found it to be a fun idea.

I had already given Ramaz a like, so I shared the page with the caption “School spirit!” and tagged Ramaz GO to see if they’d start throwing the socks at me once I did so. When none came, I showed it to Rabbi Pianko, who let me choose my new branded apparel.

I suppose another concern

that people have is that by wearing Ramaz clothing, we’re giving the school free advertising regardless of how we feel about it. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with showing school spirit in that way, and most people don’t make school choices based on a guy’s t-shirt anyway. (Besides, I have fifty old parade T-shirts from my old school, Yeshivat Noam, which I wear on a regular basis. I’m not really one to talk.)

I chose to go for the Ramaz socks, a yellow-and-purple pair with a Jewish star on the back. Would I wear these everywhere? No. Are they among the coolest socks I’ve ever owned? For sure; otherwise I’ve only had white, black, and gray pairs for the most part. Were they worth a harmless Facebook share?

Why not.

Minyan: Tradition or Preference By: Nicole Aboodi ’17

A

s everyone gets his or her schedule for the year, the first period for all days is either “Tefillah” or “Sephardic Tefillah.”

If you go to the minyan to which you were not assigned, there will not be a place for you there. Right from the beginning of each year, one is set into a specific minyan, whether he likes it or not.

Many people are thrilled about the minyans they are put into. Sephardic student, Mikaela Abergel ’17 said, “I feel more comfortable being

able to follow my own customs and praying the way I was taught.” Olivia Schwartz ’17, whose parents are both Ashkenaz, said, “Davening is one of the most important mitzvot in Judaism to me and since it holds such significance to me, I want to be doing it in a place where I feel comfortable and know all the tunes.” So if one has been growing up with specific customs and they’re placed in their preferred minyan, then its fine.

However, if you’re like me, and one of your parents is Ashkenaz and the other is

Sephardic, you might be following some customs from both. Since I was little, I’ve been going to shul with my mother, who is Ashkenaz, and since I spend Jewish holidays with my mother’s family, I’ve always followed Ashkenaz customs. Yet, my dad is Sephardic and one is supposed to go by their father for being Ashkenazi or Sephardic, so I was put in Sephardic minyan. Since it is kind of a hassle to switch minyans in middle of the year, I didn’t switch and am still in Sephardic minyan.

A reason some people

don’t like being the Sephardic minyan is because they like davening with their grade and Sephardic minyan might not feel like the right atmosphere for them, especially since the new mincha allows us to daven with other grades. On the other hand, the Sephardic minyan is an opportunity for some to pray with other grades and the atmosphere is perfect for them. But you might not be put in the right one for you and then you’re stuck.

Although the school can probably tell if you’re tech-

Starting Highschool

By: William Besharim ’18

L

ike most incoming freshmen, I was anxious about starting high school. I was nervous about everything, from what teachers I’d have, what new friends I’d make, and most importantly, where my locker would be. I was used to my old school. As 8th graders, we basically were the administrators of WDS last year. Starting high school meant starting as the little kids again. I much preferred the superiority and the seniority that came with being among

the oldest in the school. However, by the end of orientation I felt comfortable around people I had just met that morning. Classes are easier than I thought they would be. I enjoy most of my classes and like going to school in the city. The upperclassmen were all very helpful in helping me get adjusted. I know I just started, and I know it will get harder, but I’m confident I’ll enjoy the next four years in Ramaz.

nically Ashkenaz or Sephardic from your last name, some might follow different customs or prefer to be in the other minyan, students should not be forced to go to specific minyans. We should be able to choose, and a way of allowing this without people having to switch minyans in middle of the year is not having assigned seats for the first few weeks of school. That way, there’s a place for everyone that wants to go to the grade wide Ashkenaz minyan and in the school wide Sephardic minyan.

12 Opinions

The Rampage

October 2014/ Cheshvan 5775

It’s Time the SAT Sat Down

By William Fried ’15

T

he SAT test has been an integral component of the college admission process since 1926. The fact that it’s been around for so long, however, does not mean it’s the best gauge of students’ scholastic aptitude.

In addition to its deeply flawed content, the SAT favors those who have the financial means to engage tutors and those who can hold up under the pressure of taking a single four-hour test at eight in the morning under immense pressure.

The College Board and its proponents claim that SAT scores give an accurate assessment of a student’s academic potential in writing, critical reading and math. But each of these sections has (not have— classic SAT grammar question) unique problems that undercut the test’s value.

The first section of the SAT is the 25-minute essay. Its stated purpose is to measure students’ ability to think quickly and craft a solid written argument. Many students, however, dread the essay because they doubt their ability to write a cogent essay on an open-ended topic in such a short period of time.

These students make a very good point. Why should they be tested on their ability to think and write quickly when they are seldom called upon to do so? Even the best authors and journalists need time to formulate their thoughts in writing, and would undoubtedly publish less polished books or articles if they were under extremely tight time constraints. The essay section discriminates against talented writers who need time to develop good essays.

The essay section has other problems as well. It requires students to incorporate historical, literary and personal examples to support their arguments, but does not penalize students for making false assertions. This means a student can get away with claiming that the 30 Years’ War lasted 50 years or even recounting his or her trip to the moon a few years back. Moreover, research has shown that the more space students fill up on the essay sheet, regardless of the content, the higher they score on the essay. Thus, students are encouraged to keep writing gibberish (with big words, of course) if they run out of things to say.

Worse of all, the essay prompts are written in such a way that makes it easy for old essays to be recycled and amended in minor ways to fit the new prompt. This rewards students who game the system by memorizing generic essays before going into the test.

After the essay section, the test is divided randomly into reading, math and grammar sections.

Like the writing section, the critical reading section tests students’ ability to read passages quickly just as much as it tests their ability to comprehend what they’re reading. Many students complain that the hardest part of the reading section is simply finishing it because it takes time to read the passages and then refer back to them to answer the questions. This is especially true for abstract questions that require students to compare passages or characterize their overall tone. It seems silly that time should play such an important role in the reading section when in life there are rarely time constraints that prevent diligent students from devoting however much time they want to read.

The math section is a poor indicator of students’ math skills because it tests students on material that’s generally learned in middle school to determine how well they are prepared for college-level math courses. Instead of emphasizing logarithmic expressions and trigonometry, the math section focuses on the equation of a line and the area of circle. This essentially means that the test cannot distinguish between the math skills of an 8th grader and those of an 11th grader.

Then, just when you might have thought the SAT couldn’t get any worse there’s the grammar section. While the essay, math and reading questions at least try to measure reasoning skills, the writing section tests rote memorization of a few grammar rules that often aren’t picked up in conversation and can easily be corrected by Microsoft Word. And unlike the essay section, which partly tests students’ abilities to constructively use correct syntax, the grammar section simply asks students to passively choose the sentence that’s written correctly or the word that’s used incorrectly. For example, which of the two sentences is written correctly? “Nowhere do the problems of urban decay seem more evident than in this dying city” or “In this dying city, more so than elsewhere, the problems of urban decay are evident, it seems.” I hope there’s no need to give the correct answer.

The problems of the SAT extend beyond the exam itself. The SAT gives wealthier students an unfair advantage over other students. Putting aside the incalculable impact tutors have on students’ scores, it’s reasonable to presume that tutors, regardless of their effectiveness, give stu-

dents the psychological peace of mind that they’re doing all they can to prepare. On the other hand, less financially well-off students are left pondering whether they could have done more to raise their scores.

Moreover, for some preposterous reason, it seems that only tutors have access to real SATs that were previously administered. Therefore, tutored students are often more comfortable with the actual test, while non-tutored students are left wondering whether their practice tests accurately reflect the real SAT. Another problem with the SAT stems from the undue emphasis colleges place on the test by targeting applicants with high scores in part to increase selectivity and boost their rankings. It’s a shame that colleges have convinced many students that their scores play a major role in defining who they are, and that getting a few extra multiple choice questions right can determine whether or not they’re accepted to the colleges of their choice. As a result, the SAT often detracts from students’ academic development by compelling them to spend hours on end reviewing simple algebra and learning how to game the essay instead of focusing on broadening their math skills and exploring the nuances of good writing.

Colleges need to remember that the SAT is a standardized test, which means that its fundamental purpose is to make sure that students across the nation are up to a certain academic level. It’s intended to help colleges better understand the content and rigor of various schools’ curricula, and make sure that an A in a particular class really means that the student understands the material.

The SAT should count no more than this; it’s simply a tool to calibrate class grades, not an IQ test. More weight should be placed on students’ transcripts, which aren’t based on an individual exam, but take into account a semester’s worth of tests, assignments and class participation.

I’m not claiming it’s easy to come up with a replacement for the SAT, nor am I discounting the importance of a standardized test for making sure schools are teaching the skills required for college-level courses. I’m not even refuting the SAT’s ability to measure, at least in part, students’ aptitude. All I’m arguing is that the SAT in its present form has many flaws that are preventing it from accomplishing its intended goals.

Test Schedule Continued from page 8 is essentially unheard of in the history department. The additions would also lead to better schedules because the administration would have more leeway for spacing out the exams. Giving more tests eliminates the issue of spacing because equally long units are less important when there are more units. One unit could be two weeks and other could be a whole month and neither would be as long as they are right now.

So, what can you do to fix this problem? First off, stop asking your parents to talk to the administration. Pressure from the parents only leads to a short-term fix. For example, if ten mothers call up and tell an administrator that all of the students in a given math class are collapsing under

the anticipation of an upcoming test, you might get the test cancelled, but you don’t solve the underlying issue. Let’s stop treating the symptoms and start curing the cause of the symptoms, the illness itself.

Second, do not blame teachers. They also do not write the test schedule. When you complain about having a test on a certain day and ask them to move it, you run the risk of having the test get cancelled completely because of the nature of the calendar system. Often teachers try to do their students a favor and move a test from its scheduled day only to discover that every other day in the schedule is objectionable and are forced to cancel the test completely.

Third, do not blame the student government.

Yes, it is widely acknowledged that the most important job of any class president is managing tests, but you have to give them a break. They are working on it and they do have to think about multiple tracks, levels, bands and classes when moving around various tests.

Fourth, be open to change. The school often gets shot down when it suggests new policies.

Although more tests may seem painful and brutal in the short term, it could make life a lot easier in the long term.

October 2014/Cheshvan 5775

The-rampage.org

13 Opinions

A Problem With ESPN? By: Alexander Leibowitz ’15

S

earching the Internet in school this year I was horrified to find that ESPN.go.com is blocked. Apparently, ESPN is a dangerous website that will distract the minds of yeshiva students from their studies.

Obviously, as almost any student can tell you, this is a ridiculous argument. ESPN is not nearly as destructive as other websites that the school allows. Social media websites like Facebook and Twitter are unblocked on the school’s Internet.

Without a doubt, they are all more distracting and addictive than ESPN, as they encourage interactions with other people, while ESPN is basically an online newspaper dedicated to sports. Furthermore, social media sites have been known to foster cyber bullying, with kids using

instant messenger features to mistreat classmates.

ESPN doesn’t have any cyber bullying issues.

Apparently the sports section is more harmful to

children than social media websites, which have been branded as dangerous by some educational experts.

Furthermore, the very fact that ESPN is a news site makes the school’s argument even more absurd. The administration should be encouraging

all forms of reading, be they about school, gossip, or sports. Reading increases vocabulary, enhances grammar skills, and provides a healthy outlet for young people to relax. I personally have benefited from reading about sports, as I have learned to write journalistic articles and developed a larger arsenal of words that helped me on the SATs. There is no reason why I shouldn’t be able to read ESPN in school. It is a positive site that helps young students develop important skills for the future. Just because ESPN relates to sports does not mean it is bad. We do have gym… don’t we?

The Death of Klinghoffer By: Gabriel Klapholz ’17

R

allying the crowd, a speaker practically chanted his speech on the stage as people pumped up signs denouncing John Adams’s The Death of Klinghoffer, an American opera currently at the Metropolitan Opera. On Monday, October 20th, Jews from the immediate community and elsewhere gathered in front of Lincoln Center to participate in a rally against this antisemitic opera. The opera depicts the murder of Leon Klinghoffer, a wheelchair-bound Jew from New York, by the Palestinian Liberation Front (PLF). Klinghoffer was killed in 1985, while on a cruise trip on the Mediterranean Sea. His body and wheelchair were thrown into the water. It is not surprising that the opera comes across as a danger to the American Jewish community and to our safety within a world where antisemitisim is on the rise.

The rally included thousands of

people, holding signs denouncing the actions of Peter Gelb, the General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, in allowing the opera into his theater. One hundred people sat in wheelchairs by the steps ascending

to the main fountain area of Lincoln Center with signs reading, “I am Leon Klinghoffer.” Speakers, including former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, stood on a stage set up in the middle

Jewish community at large, some of 63rd street.

To many, the actions of protesters of the opinions of protesters and speakers were notably controvermay have seemed quite provocasial. One of the speakers at the rally tive. Some walked around wearing ridiculed former Mayor Michael yellow-stars reading “never again.”

Bloomberg for continuing to doIndeed, the goal of the rally was to nate to the Metropolitan bring attention to the Opera. The comment was antisemitic sentiment “The rally showed not received well by the embraced by sopeople that we as Jews called art-loving peowon’t lie down and be crowd, many of whom booed at the criticism of ple at the Met. The stepped on” Mr. Bloomberg. Another issue brings up the -Elisheva Gold ‘17 distinction between speaker compared the event to Kristallnacht. what can be enjoyed Former Mayor Gias art and what is uliani accurately described the opera simply offensive and immoral. as a “distortion of history.” In truth, Around half a dozen Ramaz while the rally itself may have had students attended the rally as well some controversial elements, it was as some Ramaz faculty and parents.

Among those present, Elisheva Gold necessary for the Jewish community to show their unity in the face of ’17 said, “The rally showed people such an insulting act against our that we as Jews won’t lie down and people and local Jewish community. be stepped on.”

Despite strong opinions from both students at Ramaz and the

14 Pop Culture

The Rampage

October 2014/ Cheshvan

Arts&Entertainment The Rampage • October 2014

By: Oren Oppenheim ’16

Gone Girl: Reviewed

The best types of stories are the ones where after you’re finished hearing them, you just need to discuss it with someone. Whether it was just so amazing throughout, or whether it confused you to no end but you loved it, or whether the ending blew your mind, you just can’t keep it to yourself. You need to find someone to talk to about it, to come up with theories and ideas about what you just heard and what it meant.

Gone Girl is one of those stories, and that’s one of the highest praises I could give a movie (or a book, but I’ll get to that soon). I’m going to do my best to leave out any spoilers in this review, for any of you who would prefer to be surprised when you see this film. The movie, masterfully directed by David Fincher, follows Nick Dunne (played by Ben Affleck), a down-on-his-luck writer living in North Carthage, Missouri. His marriage to the talented Amy Elliot Dunne (Rosamund Pike), has been in trouble for a long time—but one morning, she mysteriously vanishes. As the police begin to investigate, evidence that Nick murdered his wife and tried to cover it up begins to stack up against him… And that’s all I can say. I know, you probably could glean this from the trailer. But part of the fun of the movie and book is finding out all of the surprises as they come at you. It’s one heck of a plot, and as the tension escalates it doesn’t let up. I know the film’s title makes it seem like this could be a romance or chick-flick, but that is certainly not the case.

Affleck and Pike are both superb as the leads.

By: Andrew Lobel ’15

Nick and Amy’s emotions run the gamut from joyful to fearful to tense to furious and so on, and they manage to play the characters with finesse, never making them look like caricatures. Carrie Coon also gives a powerful, impactful performance as Nick’s sister Margo, and Kim Dickens also impresses as Detective Rhonda Boney. The actor that disappointed me, shockingly enough,

was Neil Patrick Harris. (I’m not going to mention the role he played; I’ll leave that as a surprise.) Hear me out before you start waving pitchforks about this. He’s usually an incredible actor and he’s terrific in How I Met Your Mother, but in this film he felt much flatter and less emotional.

Maybe that’s what the character called for, but he just didn’t feel as fun to watch. It was as if he was casted simply so that they could have his name on the movie poster (although to be fair, the character he plays has some similarities to Barney from HIMYM).

This movie is an adaption of a thriller novel by Gillian Flynn that came out in 2012. I read the book only a few days before seeing the movie, so it was fresh in my memory, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how close the movie followed the novel. (After all, the opening credits showed Flynn as both the book’s writer and the screenplay’s writer). You could read the book and then see the film, or watch the film first and then read it, and you wouldn’t be disappointed either way. There are various differences—most notably the fact that the film has scenes set from different perspectives than Nick and Amy, even though the book’s point of views were squarely from them. But like in The Hunger Games, it still feels natural and tells the story well.

Overall, Gone Girl is a superb film and it’s probably one of the best movies I’ve seen all year.

(I can’t say the best because I also really loved The Lego Movie and X-Men, so I can’t choose a winner.) It was also the first R-rated movie I saw after turning 17 (i.e. without someone else buying the ticket for me or something), and I’d advise you to take the rating seriously. If you’re not in the mood to see some pretty intense scenes (some graphic, some sexual, and some both), this isn’t for you.

But otherwise, it’s a masterful thriller with a plot that I wish I could talk more about here. Just go and see it already so we can discuss the ending!

The Circle, by Dave Eggers

The Circle is a must read for anyone who has an iPhone, iTunes account, Facebook page, GPS, or a computer on which they buy things or do internet research. In other words, it is a must read for pretty much everyone. While it is entirely fiction, the book offers a glimpse into what our lives will look like in the not too distant future, if we continue to use computers and social media in the ways we have been using them.

Imagine Apple, Google and Facebook all rolled into one. That’s what the Circle is —a hugely powerful internet, software and social media giant all in one company. Actually, it is even more powerful than that. It has a beautiful Disney-like corporate campus and it’s where the brightest and coolest college grads want to work. Mae Holland, the protagonist, gets to work on her first day and thinks she has arrived in “heaven.”

The Circle follows Mae’s journey up the corporate ladder. Along the way, she copies all her

data onto the company’s computers, makes sure she is in permanent contact with everyone at the company, and puts her faith in the company’s mottos: “secrets are lies,” “sharing is caring,” and

“privacy is theft.” While Mae seems absurdly naïve, she is not that different from many of us.

Who doesn’t share personal experiences on Facebook or like getting “likes” on Instagram posts?

The Circle tells the tale of what will happen if individuals continue to give up more and more seemingly small bits of privacy.

In 1984, George Orwell portrayed a dystopia where Big Brother’s totalitarian regime was imposed on a helpless society. In The Circle, citizens willingly and happily hand over their privacy to an all-seeing company. It is a riveting read that explores issues of transparency, and privacy. And, it just might make you want to erase your iCloud when you finish the book (I happen to know someone who did just that).

Sports

The Rampage • October 2014

NFL Midseason Review By: Josh Sarachek ’17 Eight weeks of the 2014 NFL season are in the books, with nine more to go before the playoffs, but these past two months have been like few others in the 95-year history of the league.

Some things we already knew: The Broncos and Patriots, along with their quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, hold the number 1 and 2 spot in the AFC. Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is still turning offensive coordinators into insomniacs and is most likely going to reclaim the AP Defensive Player of the Year title.

Some things that surprised us: the Cowboys, Lions and Cardinals are division leaders, and all except the Cowboys seems capable of sustaining success in the second half. The Cowboys suffered a loss against the Redskins who had Colt McCoy starting at quarterback which has NFL fans thinking, ‘can this really be the Cowboys’ year?’

Some things that have really surprised us: the Ray Rice Scandal.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that domestic violence is a major problem in the NFL this year. Ray Rice, Jonathan Dwyer and Adrian Peterson have had domestic violence issues and are currently not taking part in team activities. And people thought Michael Sam was going to take all the spotlight. Bruce Arians and the Cardinals are tied for the best record in the NFL right now at 6-1. Arians

has the Cardinals in first place in football’s toughest division -- and with a victory over the 49ers in hand.

If there is one team that has everybody worrying, it is the Seattle Seahawks. After a stellar week 1 per-

when you have zero interceptions.

For the second year in a row John Elway’s offseason moves turn to gold. Peyton Manning recently broke the All Time Record for most touchdowns ever and is looking to win his second straight MVP award.

formance by the Seahawks they have had a decline in performance. They traded away Percy Harvin to the Jets because he was causing trouble in the locker in a move that cleared salary cap space. There have been multiple reports about problems with players in the locker room, specifically Marshawn Lynch in what is likely his last year in Seattle. And for the first time ever Richard Sherman has kept quiet. The only time you have seen Sherman talking this year is in his new Nike commercial, because there is there to brag about

He debatably has his best supporting cast ever with his amazing wide receiving core and a much-improved defense. The ultimate test for the Broncos is when they travel to New England to play the Patriots, who own a four game win streak.

Oakland was the first team to start a rookie quarterback (second-round pick Derek Carr), followed by the Vikings (first-rounder Teddy Bridgewater) and the Jaguars, who are starting third overall pick Blake Bortles. Even sixth-round pick Zach Mettenberger is starting

By: Jonny Povman ’17

for the Titans. But some guy named Johnny Manziel remains on Cleveland’s bench while local boy Brian Hoyer continues to win games for the Browns.

While the Jets are probably going to have a top five draft pick, the Giants had a nice little win streak going for them before getting shut out in Philadelphia by the Eagles, 27-0. Nothing went right for the Giants that game, including their star wide receiver Victor Cruz going down with a ruptured patellar tendon; he is now out for the season.

The Giants are most likely going to finish the season with a record below .500, especially because of Coach Coughlin’s record of terrible second halves. Even though he delivered two Superbowls in the past 8 years to New York, he will be gone by the end of the year.

The most shocking news of the NFL season is two players have torn their ACL while celebrating after a play. Stephen Tulloch injured himself while celebrating in preseason and it was in week eight when Lamarr Houston injured himself after he sacked Tom Brady because he was celebrating. His team was down by 20 and he was celebrating? The NFL players need to smart being smarter about their decisions and actions.

Until the playoffs, lets have a great and enjoyable next nine weeks of football.

NBA Preview

As all true NBA fans know, the basketball season began on October 28, with three games: Magic vs. Pelicans, Mavericks vs.

Spurs (the reigning champions) and Rockets vs. Lakers.

Let me first begin to tell you about this incredible offseason, starting off with the Cleveland Cavilers. On July 11, LeBron James, The King signed with the Cavs. In addition to signing LeBron James, the Cavs traded 1st overall pick Andrew Wiggins among other players and acquired arguably the best rebounder of this generation, Kevin Love in a 3-way deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers.

Pairing up these two amazing players with up and coming star Kyrie Irving makes Cleveland a favorite to win their first title in franchise history.

Other big moves in this offseason included Lance Stephenson going to

the Charlotte Hornets, signing a 3-year $27.4M. Pau Gasol signed with the Chicago Bulls for 3-year $22.3M. Luol Deng signed with the Miami Heat and Paul Pierce signed with the Washington Wizards.

This year will be exhilarating. We have Derrick Rose and Kobe Bryant both back and looking to prove a point. It should be interesting to see how the Oklahoma City Thunder perform without reigning MVP Kevin Durant for the first few weeks of the season as he suffered a serious foot injury.

We will be able to see what Russell Westbrook can do by himself.

This season looks like it may shape up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

16 Sports

The Rampage

October 2014/ Cheshvan 5775

Will JV Hockey Bounce Back?

By: Jacob Hochheiser ’18 After a disappointing three and seven season last year, the JV hockey team is on a mission to turn things around this year and have a successful season. It might be a challenge, though, due to the fact that there are only five returning sophomores on the roster, which could result in poor team chemistry. Second year player on the team, Jacob Smigel ‘17, believes that the sophomores must make up for their few numbers by providing more leadership each, saying, “The key to a successful comeback is for each of the five sophomores provide leadership to the freshmen.” In addition, the inexperienced roster isn’t necessarily a disadvantage, “I see potential in the freshmen,” said Smigel. In fact, the almost completely new roster might lead to a new winning mentality as a result of the freshmen that are hungry to make

a difference on the team.

However, the team has more problems that they need to solve besides a lack of veteran leadership. Even though the general consensus on the team is that they will have a better season this year, they disagree on some of the problems that need fixing. Jonah Sobel ’17 believes that a lack of size on the team is the main difficulty the team must overcome. Sobel said, “As one of the bigger guys on the team, I know that we need to play with more intensity and heart to make up for the lack of size.” Sam Freilech ’17, however, believes that the central issue that demands attention is the lack of offense.

“We had trouble scoring last year, so this year we need to be more aggressive and put the puck in the net more often,” said Freilich.

Most likely, it’s both problems that need solving in order to have a

successful season.

Furthermore, the team has chosen to put pressure on themselves, setting the bar high for what they want to accomplish this season.

Jacob Horrowitz ’17, said “With our speed and agility I think our goal is to make it to the playoffs even though, last year, we were far from it. If we stay in shape and work together as a team we could accomplish our goal.” Smigel believes the team could possibly start slow, but improve tremendously throughout the season. “It might be a progression to start this season due to insufficient practice time, but we will improve as the season progresses. I think we can compete for the championship,” said Smigel. If the JV hockey team doesn’t have a good year, it certainly won’t be for a lack of effort or confidence.

Lady Rams Hang Championship Banner

Rams Scoreboard Varsity Hockey (B) 10/23:

Rams: 2

Kushner: 4

Goals: Bradley Brecher, Camren Villinsky

10/26: Rams: 4

Flatbush: 1

Goals: Brian Agus, Bradley Brecher, Elliot Beretz, Camren Villinsky

10/30: Rams: 1

TABC: 4

Goals: Andrew Lobel

JV Hockey (B) 10/28: Rams: 2

TABC: 5

Goals: Zeke Chernoff, Elliot Haddad

Go Rams!

Varsity Basketball (G)

Varsity Hockey Splits Opening Weekend

10/22:

Rams: 38 Leading Scorer: Skyler Levine (14)

By: Avi Goldman ’15

Ramaz

Kushner Ramaz Flatbush On Thursday, October 23rd, the Ramaz Varsity Hockey season began with a loss to a tough Kushner squad. This game was the beginning of the team’s quest to redeem itself in the aftermath of a disappointing finish last season. The Rams lost by a score of 5-2, with goals scored

by Seniors Bradley Brecher and Camren Villinsky. Said Senior Co-Captain and goalie Ben Emmerich, “Kushner is a tough gym to play in and we responded well to the challenge despite our loss.”

Fortunately, the team managed to redeem itself in dramatic fashion with a resounding victory over Flatbush by the score of 4-1. The goals were supplied by Seniors Brian Agus, Elliot Beretz, Bradley Brecher, and Camren

SAR: 35

2 4 4 1

Villinsky. Said Senior Captain Andrew Lobel, “the team members rallied around each other (in the wake of the loss to Kushner) and bounced back with a great performance on Sunday. The team is a little rusty and needs to get into shape but I really like the way things are falling into place right now.”

It has been a long time since a Ramaz team won a Yeshiva League Hockey title, but two years ago this team made it all the way to the semis before a losing to TABC in the best hockey game that I have ever seen. Hopefully this team can repeat its success from the JV league and build on it so Ramaz can finally hoist a hockey championship banner from this century.

10/28: Rams: 56

HANC: 27

Leading Scorer: Skyler Levine (16)

Varsity Basketball (B) 10/29: Rams: 37

Flatbush: 20

Leading Scorer: Gabriel Roth (14)

JV Basketball (B) 10/28: Rams: 38

Kushner: 41

Leading Scorer: Sam Reich (13)