Volume XXXXVII Number 2
The Ramaz Upper School
November 2013/Kislev 5774
The History Paper is... History Andrew Lobel ‘15 Ask any Ramaz student or alum what they think are things that define Ramaz, and they are likely to say: Ms. Malamy, the fourth and sixth floor lounges, and the yearlong history paper! But as of September, the famous (or infamous) history term paper is history, at least for ninth and tenth graders. In the past, the yearlong paper was a staple of the history curriculum in ninth, tenth and eleventh grades. The essential difference in the paper requirement for each grade was length. Freshmen had to write a 4 to 5 page paper, sophomores 6 to 8, and juniors 10 to 12. The basic format of the paper, however, was basically the same across grades: introduction of the issue and thesis statement, discussion of historical background, report of various historians’ points of view, presentation of student’s arguments, and conclusion. Even the calendar for the papers was identical, starting with submission of a topic in September, followed by submissions of a bibliography, two sets of notecards (color coded based on school-wide criteria), a first draft in April and the final paper in May. (Continued on page 8)
Dresscode Re-AdDRESSED Olivia Hershkowitz ‘15 This school year at Ramaz, the administration has a new policy about dress code. Unlike other years, when students would receive, at most, a disciplinary report with no repercussions to follow, or maybe the usual “pull down your skirt” from teachers in the hallway, this year the the administration is trying to put a complete stop flouting of the dress code. Ever since the first day of school, when Mr. Miller sent out an e-mail telling students the dress code would be taken more seriously than ever, the school’s policies have significantly changed. The administration is following through with their threats when they find a student not following dress code. A first offence means that a student has to fill out a disciplinary report. The second time, a student would receive a phone call home. Upon receiving a third disciplinary report, a student would then have to serve in-school detention and miss half a day of class. (Continued on page 4)
From Chamber Choir to X-Factor: Edan Tamler Sydney Sarachek ‘14 If you were sitting at Celebration of the Arts just a year and a half ago, you might have heard Edan Tamler sing “Pumped Up Kicks,” with Dan Nagar ’14, Joe Baruch ’14, Cyril Putzer ’14, and Yossi Yadid ’14. Or, if you were at many full school assemblies, you may have heard him sing with the chamber choir. Now, our very own Edan Tamler is singing on X-Factor in Israel. The Simon Cowell created X Factor television music competition is making its debut in Israel this year. The four judges are popular Israeli musicians– Ivri Lider, Shiri Maimon, Rami Fortis and Moshe Peretz. The show’s host is supermodel Bar Refaeli. Edan would be a senior this year, were he to still attend Ramaz. He made aliyah with his family the summer after tenth grade, and now lives in in the
north of Israel. This past summer he tried out for X-Factor in Israel, and on October 30, when Edan’s audtion aired in Israel, he was able to share the news with his friends and family. “I was thrilled to see Edan Tamler on X-Factor. I remember him
as a strong tenor with a naturally gifted voice, and I was thrilled when he joined chamber choir. I remember thinking at the time if this is how he sings as a sophomore, imagine how he will sing by the time he is a senior! Well… now we know!”
Edan Tamlker, Daniel Nagar ‘14, Cyril Putzer ‘14, and Yossi Yadid ‘14 performing at Celebration of the Arts in June 2012.
Welcome to Ramaz: Open House 2013 Rebecca Hering ‘15 On Sunday October 13, Ramaz was flooded with unfamiliar faces. Prospective freshmen and their parents crowded into the lobby. The Open House attracted students from all over the tristate region. The Open House began at 10:00 AM. Students and their parents crowded into the auditorium, where they heard speeches from Rabbi Lookstein, Mr. Shaviv and Aliza Schub ’16. After the speeches, however, the schedule became more complicated. Each family was given their own personalized schedule. There were three blocks. For two of them families were assigned to either the club fair or classes. For the third, the families were split up. The students went to a Question and Answer session
and the parents got to choose from electives. “There were some students and parents that were confused about the schedule,” said Dr. Koplon. “But
despite that I think the open house as a whole went very well. There was a lot of good feeling about it.” (Continued on page 8)
says Mr. Henkin, who got to know Edan through the choir and chamber choir during his two years at Ramaz. Mr Henkin smiled as he continued to say, “Remember the little people, Edan!” Back in August, Edan tried out for X-Factor, not knowing that he would ever even make it on T.V. “I always loved to sing, and my friends and family encouraged me to try out,” says Tamler. Two of Edan’s former classmates, Jacob Eisenstein ’14 and Sam Feder ’14 were in Israel on a summer program and attended Edan’s audition. “It was awesome to see Edan again, and really exciting to be there!” said Eisenstein ’14. After Edan’s audition, Eisenstein and Feder even started a “ram it up Ramaz chant,” cheering on their former classmate. (Continued on page 2)
See page 2 for pictures from the Kislev Chagigah See pages 3-4 for opinions on school issues See page 5 for improved club procedures and new club opportunities See pages 6-7 for Pink Day See page 8 for an opinion on the Open House video See page 9 for Sophomore Shabbaton See pages 10-11 for the arts See page 12 for sports
Prospective ninth graders at the Open House on Sunday October 12th.