The Rampage The Newspaper of the Ramaz Upper School
New York • Volume 47 • Issue 1 • Summer 2016 • Tamuz/Av/Elul 5776 • the-rampage.org
Ramaz Debuts New Orientation System
Julia Levi ’18 Freshman orientation has always been the day before school begins so that incoming freshmen can adjust to their new high school environment. The returning students were surprised when, in the middle of the summer, they received an email from Rabbi Stochel announcing that there would be a second orientation for the entire school, on Thursday, September 8th. This day, he explains, would be dedicated to “welcoming students back to school with grade orientations, advisory sessions, and a full school assembly, along with adequate time for students to greet one another and catch up with teachers after a long summer break.” The next day, Friday the 9th, there would be an abbreviated C-Day schedule, with thirty-minute classes serving as time to meet the teachers and adjust to the class environment. The institution of this new orientation system seems to be a part of a larger plan for the school. The students were informed about this plan, known as the Ramaz Renaissance, in an email from Rabbi Grossman at the end of last year. When asked for the reasoning behind this new orientation system, Rabbi Grossman said, “We feel it is important to make sure that students have a smooth, positive and enjoyable adjustment to the new year and their new grade before we formally begin our academic program.” He continued, “We believe that if students feel socially well-adjusted and supported entering the new school Continued "Getting Oriented..." page 2
Ramaz Administration Reimagined
Mark Marcus ’18 As Ramaz is in the early stages of its “Renaissance,” the school is undergoing a series of changes. One of those changes is a new administration system, which will take effect for the first time this year. The core of this year’s administration team will comprise Associate Dean Rabbi Stochel, Ms. Krupka, Rabbi Sklarin, Rabbi Slomnicki, and Dr. Jucovy. Grade coordinators, department chairs, and the staff responsible for guidance and student activities will also have a role. The initiative is the brainchild of Head of School Rabbi Grossman, who will supervise the system. For the past six months, Rabbi Grossman, Rabbi Stochel, and various other education professionals have been working on creating the current team. This team is replacing the conventional system of administrators, following the departure of long-time Upper School Dean Mr. Ira Miller and Assistant Dean Dr. Renee Koplon. The administration team will be heavily involved in re-envisioning and managing the school. Generally, students will not feel any impact in the daily running of the school. Rabbi Grossman said, “The new administrators are all people our students know and trust, and most systems are the same.” The new system will permit and enable the administration to handle more student matters. This change should make the school more responsive to students, as they will have direct access to the people who can handle their Continued "The Administration..." page 2
Writopia: A Writing Wonderland Rebecca Araten ’18
If you ever have a gap in your summer plans or a spare week in between different programs, Writopia would be a great use of your time. Located on the Upper West Side, Writopia provides young aspiring writers with the resources to improve their skills. Writopia offers week-long summer workshops, as well as after school programming over the course of the year. During the week that I spent at Writopia, I grew as a writer and came up with new ideas in a comfortable environment. The rooms are air-conditioned and filled with couches and laptops, providing the perfect environment to let creativity grow. I spent a week in the teen “Fiction and Fun” workshop, where I received valuable comments and critiques on my writing and ultimately made many new friends. Additionally, Writopia offers a wide variety of electives each
Usain Bolt of Jamaica crosses the finish line to win gold in the Men’s 100m of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. See page 10 for more.
day, so I was able to explore different forms of expression, such as songwriting, graphic novels, poetry, memoir, and photography. It was an amazing opportunity to learn different forms of writing and to refine my own writing style. Every Friday, Writopia travels to the nearby Barnes and Noble for a showcase of the participants’ progress and talent. Participants read excerpts of pieces that they wrote in their workshops, and the different electives present the work that they completed. It is an interesting way to reflect on the work of the past week and acknowledge how much all the participants achieved. At the conclusion of my week at Writopia, I definitely felt that I had grown as a writer and that I had produced some pieces that made me proud of my work. I recommend this program to anybody who enjoys writing and urge everybody to take advantage of it.
Inside this issue... The Szarvas Fellowships... Julia Levi ’18 recounts her journey page 3 Ramaz Welcomes Its New Faculty... A guide to the school’s newest faces pages 4 and 5 Exclusive Interview with the GO President... Nancy Toussie ’17 shares her hopes and plans page 6 Rio 2016 - Recap and Review... Everything you need to know about the 2016 Olympics page 8 Crossword... The best Rampage crossword yet! page 12
News 2
The Rampage
Getting Oriented with the New Orientation
continued from cover year, they will be better poised to begin their academic subjects. Also, we know how much students are excited to see each other after the summer and wanted to build in time for reconnecting with friends.” As expected, most students are thrilled with the new system. "The first thing I always want to do when I get back to the school year is reconnect with old friends," said GO president Nancy Toussie ’17. Others look forward to it because of how much time it gives them to adjust to the new school year. "I found it stressful last year as a sophomore to come into school, catch up with everyone quickly, go to advisory, get my books, and have classes all in the same day," said Netanel Kamel
'18. He continued, "I am excited to come into school in a more relaxed way, where we are given two days and then a weekend to really settle in!" The news about the new orientation system has caused students to wonder if this change is paving the way towards similar changes relating to the social aspect of the school, and the answer is yes. Rabbi Grossman hinted at this possibility when he said, "We are also trying to build more community time into the schedule this year, and Orientation was designed with this goal in mind as well.” All in all, the new way of opening the school year yielded positive results from the student body, and many now await similar changes that may emerge in the coming year.
The Administration of 2016-2017
continued from cover immediate concerns best. Rabbi Grossman would like this new administration team to enable every student to achieve his or her full potential. There will also be additional opportunities for students to give feedback and provide their input regarding how the school is re-envisioned. Students should expect more school-wide occasions, when the entire Upper School can come togeth-
er as one. The central objective of the new administration team is to make everyone - students, teachers, staff, and administrators - look forward to coming to Ramaz each and every day. As Rabbi Grossman said, “We know we are a great school academically. We also want to be a school where everyone has fun and loves the experience.”
“ The new administrators are all people our students know and trust, and most systems are the same.” -Rabbi Grossman
The Shift to EdTech: Ramaz Hires Chief Information Officer
Naomi Freilich ’18 With the new school year came a new addition to the Ramaz faculty: Mr. Hatam Anvar, the school’s Chief Information Officer. Mr. Anvar will head Ramaz’s Educational Technology and will be working with both the IT and EdTech teams. In the spirit of TechEd, I had the pleasure of having an informative interview with Mr. Anvar.
Summer 2016/Tamuz/Av/Elul 5776
Q: How did you become interested in technology-centered education? A: I have been interested in computer science and technology since childhood. I pursued a career in technology but realized that I also enjoy teaching (initially, teaching college courses). I really admired the work of teachers and considered
teaching to be a noble profession. I was fortunate to be able to bring those two interests together, and it kind of grew organically from there. Working in schools for me is a great way to give back and to make positive contributions to society. It is also a lot more fun implementing technology in schools than in corporations.
Q: It seems like a pretty new concept (well at least for Ramaz). What kind of training did you pursue in order to gain expertise in this field? A: I’d say mostly by experience. It is an exciting time to be in this field. More and more people are thinking about EdTech. Coupling my background in computer science and technology with my love of teaching, I had the right
skills and interests at the right time. I’ve spent over 15 years in EdTech and I’ve also done a lot of research in the field.
school students in particular are ready to use technology and help determine the most effective ways for their own learning.
Q: What do you think are Ramaz’s deficits in technological education? What do you hope to achieve for the school? (Specifically the high school.) A: My approach is not to come in with the attitude that there are “deficits.” What I’d like to think is that I’m going to work with the administration, faculty, technologists, and students in determining ways in which we can enhance teaching and learning using technology and innovative ideas. The goal is to develop a cohesive curriculum throughout the divisions while also providing ideas and means for 21st century learning. High
Q: What do you like to do in your free time when you are not working in technology education? A: My favorite thing is to spend time with my family. I have two daughters who keep me very busy and entertained. I am also very much into snowboarding and go mountain biking if I ever have the time. Q: Have you ever held a position in a different field prior to consulting on technology education? A: I’ve worked in other areas of technology unrelated to education, including finance and software companies.
Rabbi Lookstein Alters Decision to Deliver RNC Invocation
Derek Korff-Korn ’18 Almost five days before the opening night of the Republican National Convention, on July 13th 2016, a list of speakers who would deliver remarks at this widely anticipated event was released. The speakers included governors, senators, congressmen, and celebrities, but the speaker who stood out most was our very own Principal Emeritus Rabbi Haskel Lookstein ’49. As a friend and rabbi to Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump Kushner, Rabbi Lookstein regarded Ivanka highly as a “first class mensch and a highly principled wonderful Jewish woman.” So, at her request, Rabbi Lookstein agreed to deliver the invocation, an introductory prayer, at the convention, without endorsing a political candidate or being included in the main list of convention speakers. During the days that followed, individuals in the Ramaz Community, primarily alumni and students, expressed their disapproval about Rabbi Lookstein delivering the invocation. Almost 600 people formed and signed petitions, asking him not to give the invocation. Rabbi Lookstein did not read any of
the comments posted on social media, nor the petitions, because he did not want to see a cruel or angry comment regarding the incident that would spoil his relationship with the author. The petitioners were apparently misinformed regarding Rabbi Lookstein’s intentions. According to Rabbi Lookstein, he did not agree to be an actual convention speaker or to endorse Donald Trump. His invocation was to be neutral and serve solely as an opening prayer–it was not to contain any politicized remarks. Rabbi Lookstein, however, quickly declined to appear at the convention after the incident due to the division that had arisen in our community. Rabbi Lookstein made a statement about the incident for the Ramaz Student Body: “We are living in turbulent times in America. There is a lot at stake with this election. Yes, of course, there is a right to individual opinion and to disagree with each other, but
not to express the anger, venom, and completely inappropriate criticism of another person, who has devoted his life to this community, without providing the benefit of the doubt and reasonable, if not kind, consideration. Engaging in personal insults and attacks on social media, in response to the publicizing of being offered to speak makes me very sad. People have to learn how to disagree agreeably and not viciously. Many of the authors of the virulent personal attacks on me referenced that menschlichkeit
is the first principle of the Ramaz statement. To be attacked so unfairly and viciously in the name of menschlichkeit, which Ramaz is so widely known for, is the most unmenschlicht behavior. I do not want to know who said what, because I want to be able to love everybody including those who expressed themselves so unsuitably. I am appreciative of this opportunity to react to the Ramaz Community about the very unfortunate expressions that occurred.”
Features The Rampage • Summer 2016
Kanfei Nesharim
Darbie Sokolow ’18 and Melissa Adler ’18
Brianna Rubenstein ’18
Sulam
After going to Israel so many times, I wasn't so sure what to expect going back there for a full summer. I knew it would be great because I would always hear kids say, "Go on Sulam! It's amazing," or "I had the best summer of my life on Sulam," but I never truly understood what could be so moving or different about it. Five weeks later, I am one of the kids saying those same lines. Sulam is a summer program in Israel that Camp Morasha runs. It consists of about 120 campers who just finished the 10th grade. Being in Israel for five weeks with a whole new group of kids, doing things that no one would ever consider doing, really brings out new friendships and a love for Israel. In the first week of the summer, the program took us to the middle of the Negev desert for three days and two nights. Whether it was on a six-hour hike or sleeping on a mat in the desert with animals running freely around us, it was impossible not to make friends with the people surrounding you. Yes, by the end of those three days, we all smelled and were exhausted, but we also all came out a lot less high-maintenance and with a ton of new friends.
Camp Morasha's Sulam 2016
Throughout the rest of the summer, there were more nights in the outdoors, along with chessed opportunities, a 24-hour army training, water activities, and many many more hikes. During the long days that ran from 6am until 10pm, we all grew closer and closer, not only to each other, but also to the staff and to the land of Israel. By actually being in the places that we learn about in Tanach class, we really felt a stronger connection to Israel. A young couple ran the program with eight American counselors in their twenties, three Israeli counselors, and three tour guides. Each staff member had different things to bring to the table, and they each influenced the campers in their own way. Our counselors looked out for us in every way possible, and everyone was really a family by that last week. Even though the majority of us on the program had traveled to Israel before, Sulam was not the typical trip to Israel for any of us. It was a summer full of memories, experiences, and friendships that none of us will ever forget.
Three different continents, six different cities, three different seasons, and ten different flights filled the span of only a short five weeks. Camp Kanfei Nesharim is a summer program for all students of high-school age that travels to New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and LA. Being only 16 years old and just having completed our sophomore year, we were very nervous - as you can imagine - as we boarded that first flight. Although, as the summer began, those feelings of nervousness quickly subsided and were replaced with feelings of excitement, amazement, love, and appreciation. Our group of 60 campers, seven counselors, three chefs, and one rabbi became a true family. We traveled around the world and experienced things that none of us will ever forget. Although five weeks sounds like a short amount of time, we were able to form incredible relationships that we know will last forever. An average day at Camp Kanfei is any other person’s craziest day of his or her life. Whether we were bungee jumping off of a 300-foot bridge over icy winter waters in New Zealand, skiing and snowboarding down the most beautiful mountains in Queenstown, New Zealand or Canberra, Australia, riding a helicopter over the Great Ocean Road, scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing and so much more in Honolulu, Hawaii, there was never a second of boredom.
“We traveled around the world and experienced things that none of us will ever forget.”
Although we were not spending our summer in our Jewish homeland, we feel that this camp enhanced our connection to Judaism and to G-d, bringing it to an entirely new level. No matter what your family is like at home or what school you attend, it is almost physically impossible to stare at the most breathtaking views you have ever seen in your life and not feel full of extreme kavana as you are davening the morning shemonah esrei, thanking G-d for these true miracles. What we were lucky enough to experience in five weeks at such a young age takes others an entire lifetime; we feel so privileged that we had the opportunity to visit these places at this age. Camp Kanfei Nesharim allowed us to open up our eyes and approach the world in a totally different and new way by exposing us to parts of the world that we have never seen before.
The Szarvas Fellowships
Julia Levi ’18 As I sat in the Dining Hall on the last night, singing along to birkat haMazon one last time, with 500 other voices joining mine, I couldn't believe that, in just a few hours, what had become my summer home would all be gone in a matter of seconds. This "home" that I acquired over two weeks is called Szarvas. There is really no way to encapsulate Szarvas fully in a set of words. Most would call it an “experience”, but even after completing the two week program, it is still hard to explain this “experience.” As its website puts it, Szarvas is a pluralistic summer camp in rural Hungary, named after the town in which it’s located, where children and teens of ages 8-18 from all over Eastern Europe, Israel, India, and Turkey join together for two weeks in the summer to celebrate their Judaism. Founded in 1990 by the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Szarvas strives to re-
vive Judaism after its repression during the Holocaust and during communist rule. In 1999, North-American teens began to join the camp as well; they came to be known as the Szarvas Fellows. Each summer is divided into four two-week sessions, each welcoming 400-500 international campers. Among them are the 20-25 American Fellows, lead by Rabbi Seth Braunstein, who are integrated with the other campers while also spending time apart, learning together as a group. However, after experiencing Szarvas, I can say that it is so much more than what this short synopsis makes it out to be. What is so unique about Szarvas is how much you can do in a two-week time period and, as a result, how much you change in such a short amount of time. Being a third-session American Fellow, I started the program on Thursday, July 21 at the John F. Kennedy Airport, where all 21 of us, in addition
to two counsellors and Rabbi Braunstein, met for the first time and received a Szarvas t-shirt upon arrival. Naturally, I was extremely anxious about meeting the others and expected there to be awkwardness. To my pleasant surprise, there was no uncomfort between us. Our group clicked right away; there was a good feeling among us on the plane ride, and it carried with us throughout the program. We took two airplanes to arrive at our destination - New York to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Budapest, where we would spend an orientation Shabbat together solely as an American group. Although extremely tired, we piled on a bus as soon as we arrived in Budapest on Friday morning and began a tour of the city. That day, we also met the Israeli Szarvas Group (of kids our age), which was having its orientation weekend in Budapest as well, and we saw them periodically throughout the weekend for praying and meals. Continued "Szarvas" page 6
Features 4
The Rampage
Summer 2016/Tamuz/Av/Elul 5776
A Warm Welcome to Ms. Beth Latin
Courses This Year: Geometry, Precalculus, Calculus. Hailing From: The Chapin School.
Previous Courses Taught: Algebra 1, Geometry, Precalculus, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Personal Finance. Hobbies: Running, traveling, dance classes (tap and ballet), singing, playing the piano, reading (books, that is!). Fun Fact: My best four-mile time is 27:16 (6:45 min/mile). Pet Peeve: When people butt in line (my visits to Israel can be stressful!). Most Excited About: Meeting all my new students!
Ms. Rena Dashiff
Courses This Year: Biology, AP Biology.
Hailing From: Two schools in New Jersey - one high school and one college. Previous Courses Taught: At the college - everything from Biology 100 to Anatomy, Physiology and senior seminar courses, at the high school - Biology (9th Grade), Chemistry (10th Grade), and advanced Biology (12th Grade). Hobbies: I will watch any documentary no matter what it's about; I love them all. Fun Fact: I love every part of NYC and love to be in Central Park very much. Pet Peeve: When tourists take up the whole sidewalk and then just stop dead in their tracks - so annoying. Most Excited About: Meet and getting to know all the students.
Mr. Hatam Anvar
Courses/Role This Year: Chief Information Officer, also teaching AP Computer Science. Hailing From: New York, the United Nations International School. Previous Courses Taught: IB Computer Science, Robotics. Hobbies: Snowboarding, mountain biking, engineering and carpentry. Fun Fact: I built an 8' x 10' treehouse 10' above ground, completely suspended, without a single nail or screw in the trees. Pet Peeve: Any type of waste (time, effort, resources, food, money). Most Excited About: Being intellectually stimulated by the outstanding students at Ramaz.
Ms. Ruchi Kumar
Courses/Role This Year: Learning specialist.
Previous Roles: Learning resources department, learning specialist. Hobbies: Yoga, dance, traveling, reading, and outdoor activities. Fun Fact: I've lived in four different countries. Pet Peeve: Subway/Train delays. Most Excited About: Joining Ramaz!
Summer 2016/Tamuz/Av/Elul 5776
The-rampage.org
Features 5
Our New Faculty! Ms. Tamar Benus
Courses This Year: Tanach (9th and 10th Grades). Hailing From: New York.
Previous Courses Taught: Tanach, Talmud, Jewish Thought/Philosophy. Hobbies: Traveling, cooking, and trivia about the Royal Family. Fun Fact: Law and Order: SVU was filmed in my house (Season 14 Episode 13). Pet Peeve: Socks and sandals. Most Excited About: Ramaz chocolate chip cookies.
Mr. Russel Hatch
Courses This Year: Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
Hailing From: I have lived in Manhattan since I began graduate school at NYU in 1995. Before that, I lived in and around Chicago. Previous Roles/Courses Taught: My work as a teacher has largely been in science, and my first love is in fact chemistry. That said, I have had a wide range of teaching and learning experiences. I have taught writing, standardized test prep, music, and science. Most recently, this summer, I taught middle school math and science with the Prep for Prep program (prepforprep.org). For the last three years, I served as Head of Upper School at Greens Farms Academy, a K-12 independent school in Westport, CT. Before that, I spent 14 years as teacher/Science Department Chair at Horace Mann School in NYC. Hobbies: Reading news, fiction, and intellectual history; travel; cooking; running, biking; and swimming. Fun Fact: While working as a teacher, I owned a retail business in Hudson, NY called OTTO from 2004-14, which imported and sold Turkish home goods, which means I've been to Turkey many times. Pet Peeve: Noises (music, etc.) from people's devices in public places - get headphones! Most Excited About: A work commute reduced from 120 minutes to just 20 minutes...or less!
Rabbi Jared Anstandig
Courses This Year: Tanach (Bereshit, Bemidbar, and Yirmiyahu). Hailing From: Metro Detroit, but I currently live in Teaneck. Previous Courses Taught: Kollel! Hobbies: Jumping rope and baking challah. Fun Fact: Rabbi Grossman was my high school teacher. Pet Peeve: Mushrooms. Most Excited About: Lunches. Definitely lunches.
Ms. Perach Haham
Courses This Year: Hebrew (9th-11th Grades).
Hailing From: Petach Tikva, a large city near Tel Aviv, Israel. Previous Courses Taught: History (in an Israeli high school) Hobbies: Reading books and collecting rocks and minerals. Pet peeve: I get nervous when I see disorganization. Most Excited About: Right now, I'm most excited about taking trips in the U.S.A.
Summer 2016/Tamuz/Av/Elul 5776
The-rampage.org
Features 6
New GO Prez Offers Preview of Coming Year
Louise Sitt ’18 Q: What are your plans for the upcoming year? A: I can’t talk about everything we’re planning because there’s a ton of things. I can tell you that the school is changing a lot this year, and as the GO, we really want to be involved in the change to make sure it’s in the students’ best interest. We also really want to make sure you, as the students, have more of a say. For example, we plan on putting an anonymous suggestion box on our website. We are also trying to distribute more polls, like the one we created for each grade’s facebook group regard-
ing the starting time of final exams. We plan on using polls to make smaller improvements, like what to serve for lunch. One main goal is to bring back the Seneca trip, as well as plan more trips. We also want to improve school wide chaggigas. Hopefully, we will also make more apparel for you guys this year. I can’t stress how many things we are are excited for and are planning. We also have a bunch of spontaneous initiatives that we have planned but if I tell you about them, then they won’t be spontaneous…
Q: How are you and the rest of the student body going to communicate? A: At our first few meetings, we spoke about the importance of communication between the student body and the GO. We are planning on continuing the "10 10 news" initiative and announcing important information each morning. We are also going to improve our website, making sure it is constantly being updated with new information. A school app is also currently in the works. Hopefully, the app will be out in time for us to take advantage of it. We also are pushing to give out monthly GO calendars consisting of the upcoming events.
Q: What is your main goal for this school year? A: Our main goal is to improve the everyday lives of the students. We want to foster school spirit, school pride, unity, and better communication. We think that these are the key things that can and should be improved. We mainly want students to enjoy themselves more at school. Q: How will you leave your mark on Ramaz? A: I don't think it’s fair to make a bunch of promises with no guarantee. However, I do try to promise you a feeling of happiness. My goal is to make you feel that your time here was as
continued from page 3 Events of the day included visiting the Holocaust shoe memorial by the Danube River, touring the Dohàny street synagogue, and going on a boat ride on the Danube River with the Israeli group, as we ate pizza for lunch and looked at the breathtaking architecture along the river. We brought in Shabbat together with the Israelis at the local Jewish Community Center with a partnership minyan and then ate a delicious Friday night meal together that had been prepared for us at the kosher restaurant. By the end of the first day, I already felt as if I had known my fellow peers for my entire life. The orientation weekend set the stage for how the entire program would be – a perfect balance between meaningful and fun, with perfect transitions between the two. As a group, we experienced, saw, and discussed serious situations, sights, and topics, but at the same time, we were easily able to shift gears and have a blast together. Additionally, it was at this orientation that we were introduced to the independence that we would be granted in terms of our Judaism. As Szarvas is a pluralistic program, the fellows come from all different walks of American Jewish life, spanning from Orthodox to Reform and unaffiliated. While it was expected that Shabbat be kept while we were all together as a group, there were no rules regarding how we should conduct ourselves throughout the day when we were in the hotel rooms in groups of three or four. This system applied to all Jewish observances, such as kashrut. While the food served to us was strictly kosher, there were not any rules as to what food items people could buy, such as at the airport. It was this independence that sparked so many of the
good as it possibly could have been. These years should be the best years of our lives. I would leave my mark on the school by making sure that you feel trusted, appreciated and empowered. I want you to leave Ramaz feeling like your four years here empowered you to enter college feeling strong and
“ We, the students,
should have more of a say.” competent. This goal can only happen if the communication in Ramaz improves. We, the students, should have more of a say. I would like us to participate in things such as teacher reviews and improve the GO website to make it easy for both teachers and students to leave suggestions for the GO. I think it’s important to know how each student feels because I care for each and every one of you. My goal, truly, is to make sure your high school experience is the best it can be. In addition to this, I feel that the school spirit can be even better than it is now. As student body president, I can now give Ramaz everything I have to offer and do all in my power to raise the school spirit.
Q: What is the one piece of advice that you would give to incoming freshman? A: Definitely to take advantage of all the school clubs. If you’re on the fence about joining a club, try it out! They may seem like a pain when they meet the day before a test, but they definitely are worth it. Personally, I found so many activities that I am now interested in and that I never would've expected. Q: What made you want to be student body president? A: I knew that becoming president would allow me to do what I do best, work with people to get stuff done. I love Ramaz and that is why I commute over an hour from my house to get to school everyday. I want to make the rest of the students feel like Ramaz benefitted them as much as I feel it benefitted me. I knew that becoming President would allow me to do that. Now that I have been elected, I have the opportunity to make you feel that your time here was not just tied directly to the grades that you received. Instead, you will remember all the great experiences you had with your grade, teachers, and friends. I want to make sure that you see Ramaz as not only a school but, instead, as a community.
Szarvas
insightful conversations that I had with my fellow peers about the Jewish laws and how they could be interpreted and practiced, no one way being greater than the other. The independence I was granted guided and tested my Judaism as well, and I learned, beginning with the weekend in Budapest and then throughout the two weeks, that it actually reinforced my keeping of some of the main laws, such as Shabbat. After all, one of the main goals of partaking in the Szarvas Fellowships is to find your Jewish identity. After a Shabbat of praying, eating, walking around the city, hanging out as a group, and reciting havdalah by the Danube river, we wrote in our journals for the first time. These journals are a key element of the Szarvas experience, and this classic Szarvas quote is pasted on the cover: "sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere; and sometimes, in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.” The next day, Sunday, we began our experience together in the actual camp of Szarvas, located about three hours away from the capital. Upon arrival, we set our bags down in our bunks and had our first meal in the well-known Chadar Ochel, or dining hall, and we immediately felt welcomed. It is a place that brings the camp together as a whole, three times a day, for meals filled with both national and Jewish spirit and song. As we would soon see, every meal at Szarvas includes each country's cheer chanted with full spirit at least once, along with other traditional Szarvas cheers and songs. At lunch every day, birthdays are announced, followed by the singing of "Happy Birthday" in all the countries' languages. Meals weren't
our only chance to hear every language being spoken in a public setting, as all the camp announcements were made in every language as well. Lunches usually concluded with singing and dancing to Jewish songs in the Chadar Ochel; everyone made Conga lines, jumped around, or danced in circles, singing the Hebrew words as loud as possible, whether they were familiar with them or not. The food, usually a warm dish with breads, basic vegetables, and spreads, was not so-to-speak "luxurious” and often became material for jokes that we had as a group and with other campers, such as "Hungry in Hungary,” a phrase that campers from every session know. Every country (USA, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and the former Yugoslavia) sat at their own table and with their own age group. The countries, as well as the age groups, vary depending on the session. Age groups at Szarvas are named after regions in Israel; Negev is the youngest, and Chermon is the oldest, with Galil and Golan in between. A typical day at Szarvas is jampacked with activities and is unlike any of the other days that come before or after it; each day has its own uniqueness and is a world unto itself. The regular weekdays are structured in the same way, beginning at 8:15 in the morning with a quick bunk activity called “Mifi,” after which we would head to Mifkad, where the whole camp joins to say Modeh Ani and Shema and learns the theme of the day, and then to breakfast. Three
one-hour slots of time then proceed, followed by lunch, free time, and then three more one-hour slots. These periods of time are set aside for regular camp activities, such as swimming, sports, or art, along with mifgashim, or meetings with another country. In general, four out of the six activities are with another country. First, we would meet the group in a mifgash, and then, we would dance together in another slot of time, strengthening the bonds that we had built earlier in the day. The other two slots of time are for the American fellows to get together without groups from other countries. One is known as peulah, where we learn about debated topics in Judaism and explore our Jewish identities, and the other is known as a "checkin,” which I will describe in more detail later. The three afternoon slots are followed by dinner, a night activity, more free time, and then curfew at 11:30 pm.
To read more about Julia's Szarvas experience, please log onto the-rampage.org to find the full version of the article - "The Szarvas Fellowships."
Opinion The Rampage • Summer 2016
The Rampage Ramaz Upper School
New York • Volume 47 • Issue I • Summer 2016 • the-rampage.org
Editors-in-Chief: Gabrielle Amar* (Online) Gabriel Klapholz* (Print) Jasmine Levine* (Online) Elianna Schwartz* (Print) Managing Editor: Nicole Aboodi* Associate Editor: Tyler Mandelbaum* News Editor: Oriya Romano* Sports Editor: Jacob Hocheiser* Faculty Advisor: Dr. Milowitz Contributing Writers: Julia Levi Naomi Freilich Rebecca Araten Louise Sitt Derek Korf-Korn Melissa Adler Darbie Sokolow Brianna Rubinstein Netanel Kamel 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. The opinions expressed in the Rampage are of the author’s alone, and do not represent the views or opinions of Ramaz, the Rampage, or its Editors.
Denotes member of the Rampage Editorial Board. *
Recycling: Better Late Than Never
Rebecca Araten ’18
This past year brought with it many new developments in school. One of these developments was the recycling bins. It’s difficult to ignore the colorful bins in the lunchroom or to fail to notice the signs and posters that the Environmental Club laboriously plastered all over the school bulletin boards. However, it is equally difficult to ignore the amount of plastic silverware that is still thrown into the black bins or the food waste that is thrown into the recycling bins. As with all new school policies, it can be difficult for students to adapt to the new regulations, yet I am confident that our student body will eventually be able to embrace these changes. The existence of these bins is no longer up for debate; the school has invested time and money in the new recycling system, and it is consistent with our mission statement of “loyalty...to...the democratic traditions and values of our country.” As recycling becomes a symbol of dedication to the world as a whole, it
Derek Korf-Korn ’18
need them. However, it is the extra moment of thought that can pose a challenge, when we have so many other things on our minds. If we are in the middle of a conversation, perhaps we simply toss our plates in whichever bin we see first, or maybe, we are run-
“As recycling becomes a symbol of dedication to the world as a whole, it be-
then it becomes more difficult for us to remember. However, saying brachot can often become routine, making it harder to forget to thank God before we eat and drink. It is my hope that students will take the initiative and think for a moment about where they are putting their trash, until it becomes as natural as Mincha or Friday cookies. When we reach this point, it will not
comes even more apparent that Ramaz should become involved in this effort.” tivated body, will step up to the plate and embrace the challenges that recycling presents. To recycle is to repurpose, but moreover, it is to give a moment’s thought in a world in which our brains are constantly whirring with new information and new tasks for us to perform. Putting the plates in the right bin does not expend extra energy. The Environmental Club has seen to it that the bins are convenient and close to those who
ning to the library for a few extra minutes of studying, and we’re just too busy to pay attention to the bins. Despite these difficulties, it is my belief that recycling can prevail. Paying attention becomes more natural the more we do it, until we reach the point at which it is second nature, when it seems strange to throw a plate in the trash bins. The same is true for reciting a bracha. If we usually forget to make a bracha before we eat,
matter if we know whether or not we should recycle our napkins, because, more importantly, we will want to know. *Note: Napkins should not be recycled.
The Fate of Democracy
This election season is considered to be one of the most turbulent and exciting ones yet. Of course, this situation can be due to the big-mouthed Donald Trump, who has successfully gained the Republican Nomination, and the controversial Hillary Clinton, who has captured the nomination on the Democratic side. However, our country is at turning point right now, from the recent terrorist attacks throughout the States to an intense racial division. The two candidates, if elected, will bring about two completely different outcomes for our country. So, with all of these issue in mind, the voter turnout–as it was in the primaries– is expected to hit a record high.
becomes even more apparent that Ramaz should become involved in this effort. Nevertheless, the bins are often neglected or misused, wasting the recycling resources that are available to us. Therefore, it is my hope that the Ramaz students, as a driven and self-mo-
However, voter ID laws are infamously strict in this country. Some of the laws enacted by state governments supposedly prevent voter deceit; when, in reality, fraudulent voting is non-existent. The truth of the matter is that the laws really serve to suppress minority votes in fear of them swaying the elections. The most recent of these laws that have been struck down by higher courts–mostly federal–are those of Wisconsin and North Carolina, two states that are controlled by the GOP, as they both have Republican governors in office and State Houses with significant Republican majorities. The North Carolina ID law was shut down in late July.
In the case regarding North Carolina, NAACP vs McCroy, a panel of three judges in the U.S. 4th Circuit Court unanimously voted to strike down an unconstitutional Republican voter deterrence plot against Blacks, as the court said, “[the law] targeted African-Americans with almost surgical precision.” In the second case, Wisconsin Institute v. Thomsen, which also took place in late July, judges ruled in favor of Thomsen to discard the eight unconstitutional election laws that were enacted after the election of Wisconsin’s Republican Governor Scott Walker and Republican majorities in both houses of its state legislature. The laws were established
supposedly to prevent voter fraud, but the court described them as “a cure worse than the disease,” referring to the underlying purpose of the laws - deterring voting minorities in Wisconsin, mostly Blacks and Asians. In truth, voter deception is extremely rare, and before any strict voting laws were passed in Wisconsin, there were ten fraudulent votes per election, or 0.0003% of votes. This election term is a demonstration of not only a dramatic shift in leadership and possible outcomes for the country, but also the fate of democracy in the United States as a whole.
Summer 2016/Tamuz/Av/Elul 5776
The-rampage.org
N O I T I S ED
C I P M OLY
Sports 8
S ports The Rampage • Summer 2016
Rio Olympics 2016: Rampage Recap and Review
Derek Korf-Korn ’18
Many expected the 31st Summer Olympics to be disastrous. Ranging from the pollution in the bays of Rio de Janeiro to the concerns of a Zika outbreak, multiple controversies overshadowed the Olympics months before the events began. Held in the heart of Brazil, the 2016 Summer Olympics included more than eleven thousand athletes, representing 207 countries. The athletes competed in twenty-eight different sports. Despite concerns about a terrible outcome, the Rio Olympics proved to be one of the most interesting and unique games ever.
The Controversies Health Concerns Zika Virus
Beginning earlier this year, a Zika virus outbreak in South America - primarily in Brazil - raised international concerns about having the Olympics in Rio. Many feared potential harm to the athletes and, more significantly, a global outbreak resulting from the attendance of the 500,000 international visitors. Some critics even called for the events to be postponed; however, when those efforts were not successful, multiple athletes, namely golfers and tennis players, withdrew from the games over concern for the virus.
The Athletes Michael Phelps
Winning five gold medals and one silver medal in Rio, Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time. He now has a total of 23 gold, three silver, and two bronze medals. Phelps has also won the most gold medals in individual events in history: 13. He has held a total of 39 world records, 29 individual records and ten records from relay competitions.
Simone Biles
Simone Biles, at just 19-years-old, has won five medals total, four gold and one bronze. She is a member of the “final five,” the nickname for the United States women’s gymnastics team. Biles is also the youngest woman ever to walk away from a single Olympics with four gold medals.
Pollution
Another health issue arose in the days leading up to the games: pollution. The sailing and windsurfing competitions were to take place in the Guanabara Bay. Attempts to resolve long-term water pollution problems in the area had been insufficient for many years. When bidding for the 2016 Olympics, the government of Brazil committed to clean the bay. The government, however, was once again unsuccessful – this time due to budgetary restraints. During the games, multiple athletes complained about exposure to disease-filled water from the sewers. When tested, the Guanabara Bay’s water contained almost two million times the contamination of safe clean water. Sailors were warned not to come in contact with the water due to the pollution levels.
Political and Economical Instability
Only months prior to the opening ceremony, the president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, was officially suspended from her civil duties. This political crisis led to mass protests and political instability. Brazilians were already in a tough situation, as they were facing their worst recession in thirty years. With this type of instability, many questioned whether Brazil was equipped to host the games, especially because the total cost would be more than $14.5 billion.
Phelps and Biles were the U.S.A.’s flag-bearers at the opening and closing ceremonies, respectively.
Katie Ledecky
At just 19, Katie Ledecky currently holds three world records, two of which she has beaten five times and one of which she has beaten three times. Making her Olympic debut at the 2012 London games, she beat her 800m record. Four years later, in Rio, Ledecky beat the rest of the field by almost twelve seconds in the 800m. She left Rio with an additional five medals, four of which are gold. She is considered to be one of the greatest swimmers in Olympic history.
Nikki Hamblin and Abbey D’Agostino
Brazil’s crime became a major concern to the visitors and athletes as the games neared. To compensate for growing fears, Brazil significantly increased security around the Rio Village and the stadiums. Despite efforts by the home country, there were still numerous accounts of robberies, severe injuries, and murders. In July, limbs of a person were discovered near the Olympic Stadiums. A fire broke out in Australia’s residence in the Olympic Village. Days later, multiple Spanish athletes were robbed at gunpoint. Additionally, British athletes and members of a rowing team were robbed at knifepoint on two separate occasions. Throughout the Olympics, and in months prior, there were dozens of accounts of crime sprees across Rio de Janeiro.
Two track and field athletes of different countries demonstrated an act of kindness to one another that we may never see again at the Olympics. When competing in the preliminary rounds of the 5-kilometer race, New Zealander Nikki Hamblin fell, forcing U.S. runner Abbey D’Agostino to collide into her. Despite the high stakes of the competition, Hamblin gratefully helped D’Agostino up from the track floor, and they finished the race together. Hamblin helped her fellow competitor despite the American urging Hamblin–who was uninjured by her fall–to continue to run. Due to the accident and the act of gratitude, both runners were granted another attempt in the qualifying rounds of the competition. The Olympic Committee, formally known as the IOC, awarded both athletes the International Fair Play Trophy for their sportsmanship and kindness, an award that has been granted only 17 times in Olympic history.
The Sports
Usain Bolt
Crime
-The 2016 Olympics had a total of 28 sports and 306 events. -Golf was introduced as an Olympic sport for the first time since 1908. -Rugby sevens (a style of Rugby with seven players on each team) became an Olympic sport for the first time. -27 World Records and 91 Olympic Records were broken.
Turning 30 years old just days after his last Olympic race, Usain Bolt did what no man has ever done. He won three competitions in three consecutive olympics, resulting in a total of nine gold medals. With a fear of losing to competitor Justin Gatlin in the 100m, Bolt stepped up to the plate and delivered, but not without smiling on the way. Although he did not beat his previous world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, he is still considered the fastest man in the world.
Sports 9
The Rampage
Countries
Summer 2016/Tamuz/Av/Elul 5776
Refugee Team
Ten athletes all fleeing their home countries in seek of refuge were selected to be a part of the first ever Refugee Olympic Team. The majority of the athletes Russia Four years before the 2014 Sochi Olympics, a member of the Anti-Doping Agency who competed under the Olympic Flag came from countries such as South in Russia, formally known as RUSADA, alerted the World Anti-Doping Agen- Sudan and Syria. According to the IOC, incorporation of the new team into cy (WADA) about an alleged state-sponsored doping system in Russia’s upcom- the Olympics was an effort "to show solidarity with the world’s refugees." ing Winter Olympics. The allegations of the employee were dismissed–some say due to concerns that the issue would leak to the press. However, a journalist’s documentary who heard about the fiasco in 2010–when it first arose–was released in 2014. Investigators at WADA confirmed the accusations made in the documentary and the ones that the employee of RUSADA had made previously. During the months leading up to the Rio Olympics, many officials of the IOC and others around the world called for a complete ban on Russian athletes in the 2016 games. The ban went to a vote, but failed. However, of the 389 Russian athletes who were supposed to attend the Olympics, only 278 were cleared. The other 111 Olympic competitors were removed due to the doping scandal.
Fiji
Fiji won its first Olympic medal, a gold, in Rugby sevens on August 11th, 2016. The government declared the day as a public holiday in celebration.
Medal Count Gold Medal
Silver Medal
Bronze Medal
Total
1. United States
46
23
38
121
2. Great Britain
27
18
17
67
3. China
26
18
26
70
4. Russia
19
18
1
56
5. Germany
17
10
15
42
6. Japan
12
8
21
41
7. France
10
18
14
42
8. South Korea
9
3
9
21
9. Italy
8
12
8
28
10. Australia
8
11
10
29
Country
Arts&Entertainment The Rampage • Summer 2016
Fiddler on the Roof Review
Rebecca Araten '18 Fiddler on the Roof is back on Broad-
way, and it is a perfect match for all audiences. A Broadway classic, Fiddler attracts a large crowd, ranging from senior citizens to children in summer camps. I became absolutely enthralled from the moment the show began, and as I watched the story unfold, I felt myself become steadily more invested in the characters and their lives. Tony-nominated actor Danny Burstein accurately portrayed the lead, Tevye, as well as his struggle to maintain a solid Jewish tradition, while still adapting to modernity. The ideas put forth in the show are extremely fresh and relevant to us, as we deal with these questions about tradition and Judaism each day in a Modern Orthodox institution. While many of these issues are difficult to think about in a standard setting, the artistic excellence of the show provided a perfect opportunity to do so, as it entertained the audience with many witty lines and beautiful music. Particularly
Netanel Kamel '18
A secret government agency, led by high-ranking official Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), recruits some of the most dangerous villains on the planet to execute treacherous missions and save the world. Their mission will probably kill them all. If anything goes wrong on this mission, the government will not be liable and will place the blame on the villains. In order to prevent the villains from escaping, a small bomb is implanted in each member of the squad's neck with the capability of detonating at any time. The assembled team works together in order to complete the impossible missions that they receive. In truth, the squad’s difficult tasks can be deemed "suicide missions.” The Suicide Squad consists of: Deadshot (Will Smith); Harley Quinn, the Joker’s girlfriend
poignant was the song “Anatevka,” which focused on the poor quality of life in Jewish towns, yet stressed that these places were nevertheless homes to the Jews. The highlight of the show was the intricate and
thoughtful choreography, which kept the show moving along. The dance breaks acted as buffers for the deep ideas of the show, giving time to stop reflection and simply enjoy the complicated steps that the cast was performing. Specifically, the number “To Life” depicted a scene in which Russian soldiers joined the rejoicing Jewish villagers in song and dance. The ensuing dance break combined the Russian and Jewish cultures in a way that made the two groups seem like friends. This scene felt extremely hopeful, as it showed the peace that was reached between the two groups who were then enemies. When all differences were cast aside, the Jewish and Russian men were able to bond over joyous occasions and art. Heart-wrenching and also hilarious, Fiddler on the Roof lived up to the standards set by its predecessors, while also appealing to modern audiences in a truly unforgettable experience.
Suicide Squad Review (Margot Robbie); Killer Kroc (Adewale Abaje); Diablo (Jay Hernandez); Ketana (Karen Fukuhara); Slipknot (Adam Beach); and Boomerang (Jai Courtney). The movie begins by explaining how each of the villains were captured. Batman captured both
Deadshot and Harley Quinn.Throughout the film, the Joker (Jared Leto) makes very few appearances. His sole goal is to save his girlfriend, Harley Quinn. While the Joker was in prison, Harley Quinn was his psychologist who attempted to heal his mental disease. In the process, she fell in love with him and assisted the Joker in his escape from jail. As soon as Suicide Squad came out on August 5th, 2016, the critics completely destroyed it. Rotten Tomatoes gave Suicide Squad 26% (4.7/10 stars). According to Critic’s Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes’ website, “Suicide Squad boasts a talented cast and a little more humor than previous DC Extended Universe (DCEU) efforts, but they aren't enough to save the disappointing end result from a muddled plot, thinly written characters, and choppy directing.”
David Cole's Engine's of Liberty Review
Derek Korf-Korn '18 Justice Scalia’s death, which resulted in a va-
cancy in the Supreme Court, caused David Cole, an award-winning legal scholar, to delve into the craft of constitutional law in his book Engines of Liberty. Only twenty years ago, the right for an individual to bear arms was called into question, but in 2008, the Supreme Court confirmed its validity. How did same-sex marriage go from unthinkable before last summer to a norm in American society? The answer is the Supreme Court. In each case that it has faced, the Supreme Court has had the power to determine what can and cannot be a fundamental law. However, instead of focusing on how the Judicial System came to its decision in each instance, Cole argues that citizen activists fought for many freedoms be-
Netanel Kamel '18 Friends pressure high school senior, Vee Del-
monico (Emma Roberts), to join popular online game “Nerve.” Nerve is a game similar to truth or dare, just without “truth.” Users who play Nerve choose to be in one of two groups: players or watchers. Watchers must pay in order to watch other people perform dares in real time. Players receive dares and win cash after completing each dare. Additionally, they receive more followers after completing each dare. Vee decides to perform one dare, which is to kiss a random guy, who turns out to be Ian (Matt Franco). Soon after, Ian receives a dare to sing to Vee publically. The watchers decide that they enjoy Vee and Ian together, and the duo are partnered together as a result. The dares become increasingly more
fore they were considered a part of the constitution. For example, in the 1980’s and 1990’s, gay marriage activists used an approach of state-based gradualism, which eventually led to the Supreme Court victory. Prior to the ruling in 2015, 37 states and our capital, Washington DC, had legalized same-sex marriage. In some sense, the state-by-state legalization encouraged the Supreme Court justices to be on the side of the majority
Nerve Review
dangerous, leading Vee and Ian to the finale, which will determine their entire future. Although this game is illegal, watchers and players are warned to keep quiet due to the known phrase “snitches get stitches.” All users who attempt to get the police involved become prison-
rather than the minority, referring to the 13 other states. Another case related to the work of the National Rifle Association (NRA) that ultimately forced the government to recognize bearing arms as an individual freedom. Preceding 2008, the NRA worked tirelessly to build a membership base of millions of Americans, which was able to swing elections, influence state and federal law, and, most significantly, shape the debate regarding gun freedoms at the Supreme Court level. Engines of Liberty offers a new perspective on how many of the country’s citizens - in addition to its public servants - shape the liberties that affect all of America.
ers of the game. Prisoners of the game must win or else their identities and money are stolen. Playing Nerve automatically causes one’s computer to become a server, making it nearly impossible to shut down the game. According to Rotten Tomatoes, Nerve received a total of 61%, based on critic’s reviews. It also received a 75% audience score. Nerve is based on a 2012 novel. The movie attempts to be very modern in how it is filmed. Many scenes include watching the players’ dares through the smartphones of watchers. “There’s a great idea here and an important message, but it fails to live up to its promise or deliver on the full potential of its concept in almost every way,” said an Imagine Games Network (IGN) review.
Summer 2016/Tamuz/Av/Elul 5776
The-rampage.org
Freshman Orientation!
Photos 11
Crossword 12
The Rampage
Summer 2016/Tamuz/Az/Elul 5776
Crossword Nicole Aboodi '17
Across
6. Actresses Stone and Watson 8. G.O. Treasurer (2 words) 11. New York Rangers' captain (2 words) 12. South Korea's capital 13. James Corden's car show (2 words) 15. 2011 Oscars Winner for Best Picture (3 words) 17. Olympian who won 4 gold medals in gymnastics (2 words) 18. New York Knicks' Head Coach (2 words) 22. September 8th 25. Team that won Super Bowl L (2 words) 30. Drake's most recent album 31. Where the Clintons met 32. Model Hadid
Down
1. Kate and William's son 2. Ireland's continent 3. Friday Night ______ 4. Head of math department (2 words) 5. Scooby-____ 7. Ono who was once married to Lennon 9. Hamilton playwright (3 words) 10. City in which 2012 Olympics were held 14. Frank Ocean's most recent album 16. Purim villain 19. Number of letters in this answer 20. Friday snacks 21. Veronica Mars' trilogy 23. Bobby Murphy's, Evan Spiegel's and Reggie Brown's invention 24. Neil Armstrong, for one 26. Like a number less than zero 27. Subject taught by Ms. Litwack 28. Former New York Mayor Michael 29. Floor location of the office