Vol. V - No. I
A Free Publication
September, 1972
Rnmnz Greets New Faculty By Judy Cohen
There are ten new me-mbers of Rabbi John llcllman, .ludaic Studies the Rtimnz f,qcttlty. The following are Rabbi Hellman has always been bncf introductions. an avid student, who spends much Mr. Robert Bader, Biology and of his tune 111 scholarly pursuits. Math Mr. Bader, whose personal mter Born in \Vashmgton, O.C., he under csts range from philosophy to b::i.skct took his undergraduate .ind some of ball, will be teaching biology and his graduate work at Ycsluva Uni• math. He holds a B S. 111 biology vers1ty. He has earned both rm 1\'l,S. from S.U.N.Y . .1l Stoncybrook. Be in history and smicho. At Yeshivn fore commg to Rnmaz, Mr. Bader he was aw.irdcd o Talmud fcllow taught in a Long lsl:rnd high school. sh1p, Currently he 1s furthering his gr.iduate work :ll the New School Mr. Harvey Cohen, Social Studies - for Socrnl Resc.irch. During his student years at Queens Rabbi Hellman spent lwo years in College Mr. Cohen achieved various England, teaching and coordinating high scholashc honors - member a Jewish studies program at a pri ship in both Phi Beta Kappa and vate school. Aside from philosophy, Phi Alpha Theta, the national his he enjoys sports and music. tory honor society, and was a cum laudc graduate. He later re l\liss Shelley Henderson, Music In addition to her broad range ceived his M.A. m h1storv at the Un1vers1ty o( Toronto and� finished o( professional 111terests m music, ht$: stud1c-s :it P.1C'<.• Collcgl' Mr I\hss H"n<l<'tson finds pleasure m Col.t.'11 h.,::. t..1u�ht .. itY II SQ. W.1sh .J;;ip.111<•-.c- .u t, c.:unping .rnd S(''-' 1111-! mgton lrvmg High School and at Her undergraduate work was comQueens College. He will be teaching pleted at the University o'( Calisocial studies. He is a sports bu[f fornia, and she holds an M.A. from and also enjoys chess, traveling and Queens. She has taught two years on the college level. com collecting. l\lr. Elliot Horowitz, Judaic Miss Sar:i Gelbard, Health and studies Physical Education Mr. Horo\vitz completed his under Information on Miss Gclbard was unavailable. She will be teaching graduate work at Yeshiva, earning degrees in Jewish histo1-y and Jewish hygiene and gym. education. HC' also took postgrad Rabbi Tuvia GrOMman, Talmud - uate courses m Bible at the Hebrew Fath('l· of n two year old son whom University. He will be leaching Bible he labels his favorite pastime, Rabbi and literature. Grossman will be teaching mostly Talmud. He received a B.A., major- l\lrs. DaniCle Lassner, ("French stuing m Jewish studies, from Yeshiva dents please note 'accent grave· on the 'e' '') French University. Both his M.S. in Jewish education and his smicha were Mrs. Lassncr 1s one of Ramaz's earned at Yeshiva. He has served two new French teachers. Born in on the educational staff of Camp France, she w�s graduated from (Continued on Page 4) Morasha for two years.
Mrs. Shelley Henderson (left) Rabbi Tuvia Grossman (right)
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l\lr. Howard llosnrr (left) Mrs. DaniCIIe Lassoer (right)
D,·.IJoch Le11ves1
By Jay Horter Dr. Leon Bock, a tcarh�r of American lus101y, "ill depart from the school after more than ten years at Ramaz. He will leave to become a. full principal in a suburban high school. On August 10, he received notifi cation of his appointment as principal of the new Walter Parnas Senior High School in northern \Vestches ter. Until now he has been assistant principal of PHS 145 in Queens. Dr. Bock, who has enlightened many students on the intricacies of American history, first began tench mg at Ramaz in 1957, when he taught only one class. Since 1961, however. he has taught American history courses to both junior classes as well as one senior class. In addition, he originated and was the !acuity adviser o( the Brandeis Social Prob lems Club and helped organize the Ramaz Debating Te.im. Dr. Bock said that leaving Ramaz after such a long period of associa tion has been hard for him. ··namaz," says Dr. Bock. "has a very special meaning for me. There's no place hke it. For years, I have deliberately p]anned my schedule so as to be able to come to Ramaz." He also admits to a deep respect (or the caliber of Ramaz students, whom he will miss. Dr. Bock, who received his doc torate in American history from Columbia University just last year, looks forward to the challenge o( his new position. He also envisions the possibility ol teaching at the col lege level in the future. However, he promises to return periodically to Ramaz as his schedule will permit.
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Dr. Leon Bock
School Adds New Books to Library The Ramaz school library has add ed 31 new books to its shelves. Most o( the books center on topics that have just recently come mto prommcncc. A large number o( new books deal with Black and Alnca.n culture and history. Others deal with such pertinent subjects as ecol ogy and the Far East. Several new "easy" books on economics have been added. in an eCfort to make the subject morn lucid to the average reader. Mrs. Sylvia Herman, the as sistant librarian, described the books as "A collection any good library should have.'' She also mentioned that the books on Africa were ne cessary, because of the increased emphasis placed on the subject by history and social studies teachers. The collection contains works by such notables as Chaim Potok, J. D. Salinger and B. F. Skmner. The following 1s a Hst of new books. ( Oontinued 011 Page 4)
September, 1972
THE RAM PAGE
Page 2
Introducing ...
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As "e assume our responsibility as the new editors of The Ram Page, we hope to be able lo expand 0111· focus beyond the actual everrday occurrences in Ramaz and lo develop a more nil-encompassing view of what is mosL newsworthy for the Ramaz student. llowever, this ver;• important function can not be accom plished alone. Such an undertaking requires the full tooperalion of The Ham P<1ge's reader . In order lo full,v asccnain lhe aspects or school life most important lo their read2rs, the editors must rel;· upon lhe readers' active involvement i11 discussion of lhcse issues. This can be achieved through lhc Letter lo the E(hlor column as well as through the active involvement of all students in submitting articles of comment and c!'ilicism to The ll.1m Page·s editorial board. There exists a mutually beneficial relationship between a newspaper and its readers. Through involvement in the develop ment of the new paper. lhe reader helps shape a more meaning ful publication, while the newspaper's slaffV benefits from the health;• insights and ideas of its audience. \ e al The H:im P,1j!e Uclicve that the greate1· the input of rcadc1· l'Cnction nnd co1n menl. the more viable and effective a publication The Ham l'ag� will become.
"Str,:rngers Urlorc the Gatrs or Paradise"
Jobs for Ramaz
Theatre of the Absurd
Anyone sta.ving home this past summer who has tried looking for a job, has come up against the popular refrains of ;,No summer positions available," or the ever populal' "You've gotta haYe connections." It seems that most employers are apprehensive about hiring students for summer work or for that matter. any work. When a job opportunity does open up, it is either available only for high school or college graduates, or resel'ved for the boss's nephew in Scarsdale. Yes, "You've gotta ha vc connections.'' Ilerc in Ramaz we ha\'e excellent oppol'tunities for J>l'OYid ing jobs for students who wish lo work ovel' the summer. A school as influential and prestigious as ours must ha,·e various ·•con nections" through the parents of the student body. Other posi tions might become available through lhe spheres of influence established by the Senior Work Pl'Ogram. We suggest the creation of a Job Action Corps lo function with. the aid of Mr. Noam Shudofsky and olher administrators. This committee, to consist of two members from each grade, would manage and correlate job applications from the students. These applications could be modeled on the same lines as the standard employment application, with specific emphasis placed on the student's interests and the field of employment he/she would want to enter.
\Ve urge the G.O. Executive Council to act quickly in ap proaching the Admin.istration with this suggestion. If the school administration is willing lo cooperate. then the G.O. should vote for approval of the Corps. The Job Action Corps of Ramaz should become a reality this year.
pubbshcd monlhly by lhe students of fuunaz High School 125 E. 85th St., New York, N. Y. 10028 - HA 7-1000 Editors-In-Chief lllllel Zaremba. Teddy Wldlanskl Executive Editor Jay Hoffer News Staff ..............Paula Gribctz, Danny Tobin, Phi Up Widlanski Judy Cohen, Diane Osen Technical Staff ..................Shelly Tenenbaum, Philip Widlanskl Pholo,C'raphy Staff .............. Danny Burstein, Danny Wyschogrod Faculty Ad,lsor ..................................Miss Mmam Bock
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\\'hen the Student Faculty Administration Committee was formed two yeal's ago. students were extl'emely optimistic ab_out its possibilities. However, this optimism has change.-1 to pess1m1sm and now students expect vil'tually 110 results at all. The students haYe good reason for complaint. as the committee has not done anything constructive in ovel· a year. This is the result of some basic flaws in the organization of the committee. )leetings arc often ,rhcdule<l only au houl' or two before lhev are helrl It 1� rare that a meeting I':, announced e,·en a day in. ad\'ance. The ob,·1ou::,, answer is an organized schedule of weekly meetings. These schedules should be made available to all teachers and tudents. as well as being posted in prominent spots. i\leelings should start promptly to make good use of the little time available. A monthly or weekly rotation of the chair among teachers, students and administration is an absolute necessity. At the present lime the committee chairmanship rotates once a year. This is manifestly unfair. l t provides a member of one of the interest groups (teachers, students, or administration) with the opportunity to stifle debate by l'ecognizing mostly members of his own group, or by calling for a vote when it is to his or her advantage to do so. Parents should be encouraged to sit in on meetings in order to more fully understand student suggestions. i\Iost important of all is that the atmosphere of the debate should be one of intelligent discussion rather than heated argu ment. Members of the administration, purportedly speaking from positions of expel'ience, often assail student suggestions with long addresses aimed at cowing lhe student. Student suggestions should be encouraged rather than deprecated.
cletterj lo lhe {:Jilor Senior Blues
To the Editors , For the freshman, the start or the school year is undoubtedly exciting, and perhaps even frightening. But for the rest or us, September 12 is just a prelude to another 10 months o( potential boredom, frustration, and anger. This need not be the cnsc. The 1972-1973 academic year brings with it great promise for change.
People may differ on what they This year one-third of U1e faculty will be new, as will the Gc,1cral Studies Headmaster, Mr. Martin Lilker. In addition, Rabbi Baksi, after having served as the hcad master of both departments last year, is well acquainted with the problems or the school. (ConUnued on Page 3)
September, 1972
THE RAM PAGE
Page 3
Movie Review
� The Candidate � By Diane: Osen
The Candidate is a movie about three terms. Since he 1s Mir e lo lose, the politics of getting elected. Bill McKay 1s told that he will be free I l\lcKay is a sincere, dcclicatect poverty to say exactly what he r�cls Mcl<ay lawyer who h.is never even bothered nccC'pls the orrcr to register to vote. Presumably. hfe From this po111t on McKay 15 no I :i.s the son of the governor of Cali- longc1 his O\i.n 1n.ln lie stat Ls go111g fornia has taught ham th::n politics\ to Ted Kennedy's barber regula1 ly. 1s Just "a lot of garbage." At the Although lie h;ts never been very end of the movie he has been re- l1bcral, his political philosophy and duced to a successful politician The speeches arc now filled with all the Candidate is more than just :_Hl ap- standard liberal chchcs. c1 cated by propr1ntc film fo1· an clechon year. n battery of experts He has no BltA:-IDEIS l'ERFORMS AT LAST YEAR'S DEBATE it 1s a good one too. c,pimons. His own personality and The candidate is a film equivalent bchcfs nrc lost. replaced by a new of Joe McGinnis· The Selling or the chansmatic nnagc and some empty President. Bill McKay, played by rhetoric. He has become a. politician. Robert Redford. is discovered by The <Jamlidatc is an rntercsting campaign manager Peter Boyle, who and thought provoking movie. It Amateur lladio - A new club this brown belts already. The club 1s un spcck1lizes in losing. He comes to turns the mcanrngle:ss "political cx radio club 1s for dcr the care of black belt Mike McKa.y with the totally ridiculous pedicncy'" rnto a frightening actuality yenr. the amateur 11'\ f111d111g out how Andrnn, n Ramaz graduate 1dca of trying to unseat a respected and by doing so acl11eves its pur those interested i\-lath _ The mnth club, under to run radio equipment :md how to scnator who has already served (or pose. make their own sets. The club wJ!l direction of math teacher Albert be headed by Sammy Gamoran. Goetz, explores various angles of 111 class. For Art Club - For those who arc mathemaucs not covered tctlcntcd and those not so talented. those who are tired of finding the the nrt club gives everyone a chance derivatives of (1!th degree equations to do their tlung. Faculty adviser - and those interested 111 doing somc thing intercsung, the math club 1s Mr. Leon Smith. your bag. and to act I hope the G.O. ,v1ll (Continued rrom Page 2) _ Brandeis Soclal Problems Club l'hotography Club - A new brC'ccl feel one should be getting out of I seize this opoortumty to effect con One of the most populo r clubs Ill I of Romaz1tc ''-'as discovered last Ramaz. l>ut l doubt that mnny would .;.tructivc chans:;c at Ramaz The C'm the school moves into �nothci yC>nr f!\I •<:�ing �e... r· the amateur photograph<-r Tr con�1de1 -1 hour� of homc\\0tk a plln-'>1s must be- sh1hcd from gttllnt;;, of political heckling, �c-cond 1u:-.t l\d11ng to i anc.I argument, clun uxed by an ..,n- )OU f n d )OUr�df night, which is often the nonn, to the highest grades to getting the some shutters, don't be sur nual debate at the end of t'lc vcar. chck oin the photography pr sed, be an ideal return. While it Is nee- most out of what we can learn. I Acting president_ P hilip Widla�nski. just j i club. Faculty adviser - Mr. Jesse cssary for us to remain in school think it can be done. Chorus - The Ramaz chorus, a Auerbach until anywhere between 4 and 5:30 Dlane Osen 6y very popular club last ycnr, moves d.llly. I cannot find any Ioc:ical rea nhead with n new faculty adviser, Competitive teams: Bowling Team - Captain: Philip son Ior strugghng with homework I Miss Shelley Henderson. For those with a yen to sing we recommend \V1dlansk1 assignments which arc often more Chess and Chcckns - Captain: the chorus. dull and repetitious than they nrc English Dramatics - tlus club, 1Vltchacl Richmond educational. under the d1rect1on of Mr. Sidney Football Team - Captain: Philip Final exammntions a1·e another Solomon has proved so successful. W1dlnnsk1 thing which make the Ramaz stu that 1t not only puts on one nnnual High School Bowl - C.iptain: Jay ... they were swifter than play. it puts on h\ o. For the thespian Hoffer dent's lite miserable. H a student has Cnptnins: Joel in Lhe crowd, English dramatics 1s Soccer Tt_.-am been able to maintain an average of eagles, they were stronger Comet and ka Glucksman; Coach: the place to be. 90 or above throughout the semester, Barry Hclpnn than lions. Hebrew Dramatics - A club that Softball Team - Coach: Barry Hcl I do not t,ce why he or she should works the year round, the Hebrew (Samuel 11, c:.hep. I, verse 23) prm be forced to take a final as well. dramatics club puts on presentations Swimming Team - Coach: Barry Excellence should be rewarded, not at many of the assemblies and has Helprm even appen.red on television. Faculty punished. This system would tnkc a 'track Team - Captains: Mark Shif David Berger adviser - Rabbi Mayer Moskowltz. ter and Philip Widlanski; Coach: heavy burden oft both the teachers Israeli Dancinz- - lsrneli dnncing Barry Hclprin Joseph Gutfreund and students and would at the same provides an outlet for suppressed Girls Track - Captains: Robin Levy, time provide an initiative for more talent. The club dances every year Shelly Motz.kin and Ruth Shrago Eliezer Halfin constructive learning, freed from the in the salute to Israel dny parade. witz; Conch: Barry Helprin final The club's new leader is a graduate Varsity Basketball - Coach: Steve restraint of the omnipresent Amihur Shapira of Ramaz. Miss Shira Nadich. Schacter exam. Who wants to bother with Kara.te - A club that teaches the Girls Varsity - Coach: Sandi Wolfe Mark Slavin note copying or 10-hour cramming .irt of body control self-defense. the Junlor Varsity - Coach: Alvin sessions at the last minute if it Karate club has produced several Smilow Zeev Friedman d0esn't necessarily ha.vc to be that
Preview of Clubs and Teams
cfelter:J lo lhe
Cclilm·
Senior IBlues
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Ilu fl.emorhtm
\lay?
There arc several other changes which I feel should be made, among them a greater student voice in the planning ot curriculum. None of these things can be accomplished, though, without the cooperation of the students, faculty, and administra tion. The latter have shown many times that they �re willing to listen
Joseph Romano Kehat Shorr Andre Spitzer
Yacov Springer Moshe Weinberg
Riskin's Drop-Ins
On 72nd Strc-ct between Broadway nnd West End Avenue there 1s a small building which caters to Jew• ish youth. It is called Bet Saar Shalom. On 69th Street and Amster, dam Avenue there is another building catering to Jewish youth. It is called the Lincoln Square Youth Drop-In Center. There is a very essential d1!-
!ercnce between them. Bet SaC1r Sim• tom is a Judaco-Chr1stian place of worship. Their purpose is to attract young Jews searching for meaning in their religion, and to turn them towards Christianity. The Youth Drop-In Center will attempt to give (Continued on Pate 4)
THE RAM PAGE
Paqe 4
September, 1972
Smilow, Wolle to Heod Teoms AJvm Srmlow, a student ;:i.l Baruch College and a graduate of Ramaz, has been named to coach the Ramaz Jumor Varsity. Smilow played on the Ramaz Varsity for two years and won the coach's M.V.P. in his senior ye�u-, 1970. Sm.1low says that this year will be ''a rebuilding year with plenty of work and exercise." Smilow plans to mcreasc the number of practices a week from one to t\\O. One of the practices will be held m the park, where the team will have plenty of room to jog. In order to co1npcnsatc for the loss of four rncmbcrs of last year's starting team, Smilow felt that this season will have to be one of team effort with a strong team defense. Smilow hopes that he can d1sc1plmc the team so that 1t will n1aturc into a well knlt group of lK1ll p b y ers. Due to a lack of height Smilow feels that he will have to depend on the outside shooting of Barney Greengrass and Johnny Eiseman. Both were members of last year's tc-am. Tryouts for the J.V. will be held on Thursday, September 14, at 5:30 in the Ramaz gym.
School Adds New Books (Continued from Pal:'e 1) Addi.son. - Ancient Africa Bastil1 - A History of l\'!odern Southeast Asia Begin. • The Revolt Berlitz • The r-.•Iystery of the Atlantis Boardman - Economic Ideas of Men Brillient . Portrait of Israel Buchsbaum . Basic Ecology CµUoms • Israel C.S.S.A. - You, Your Child and Drugs Davidson • The African Past Durant . Hjghlights of the Olympics Fishel - The Black American Fitzgerald - A Concise Hlstory of East Asia Grierson - A Critical History of English Poetry Hatch • A History of Postwnr Africa Hazlitt. - Economics in One Lesson T.nt .ou.rPtt.e . A Short History of the Far East Low . Understanding the Stock Market Milne The Balance of Nature Oates . Them Paton . The Land and the People of Southern Africa Peffer • The Far East Plat/, . The Bell Jar Potok . My Name Is Asher Lev Salinger • Nine Stories Skinner . Walden Two Wood . Animals in Danger Forests Are for People
Mr. Alvin Smilow ===-,==========-
Riskin's Drop-Ins (Continued from Page 3) young Jews something .Jewish to 1dent1fy with. Rabbi Steven Riskin of the Lincoln Square Synngogue, who formulated the idea of the center, feels that "Many Jews arc looking for a place to go a more informal type of pl .ice." The center was formed in order to enable young Jews to learn about their rcl1g1on at their own convenience. The center will be a converted library mside the synagogue. It w1ll contain books on Jewish philosophy, laws, customs and history. There will be Jewish classes in both He brew i:inrl English, imd hooks by all the well known modern Jewish writ ers such ;1s Chaim Potok and lforry Kemclman. At th� center, informality will be the rule. A coffee urn and refresh ments will be set up. Young Yeshi va students will be on hand to help people select books. Riskin feels that "Any young per son who wishes to be guided in read• ing and learning about Judaism is welcome.'' However, when asked whether that applied to Gentiles, he said he would not encourage their coming. He feels the center is for guiding Jewish youth. not missionary work. When asked how he would attract the youth, Hiskin said he would use advertising. He said that funds are required in order to pub licize the program and if he had the financing he might put a full page ad in the New York Times. The reading room will start to function after the High Holy Days. It will be open only during evening hours, in order to be available for those working durine the.- day. 'When I commented that thC' centcr would be a perfect work-study project tor Ramazites, Riskin replied: "Now that would be marvelous.'"
Congratulations to
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By Philip \\'idlunski Sandi \Volfe, a graduate of Ramaz and former captain of the Ramaz Girls Varsity, has been named to re place Mrs. Estelle Gurland as coach of the Ramaz Girls Varsity. Mrs. Wolfe, who is better known to Ramaziles as Sandi Block, now at tends Barnard and is a member of the girls varsity there, Mrs. ,volte said she would stress all aspects of the game, but would concentrate on defense. Her in novat10ns will include the inst1tu t1on of a strong zone defense. \Vhile comparing the present team to last year's undefeated hoopsters. Mrs. Wolfe said she felt that not only is this year's team as good as last year's, it is even better. Sandi indicated that her team's toughest competition would come from the Yeshiva High School of Queens. Coach Wolfe also expressed interest in playing private schools nround the Manhattan area. She feels this would give the Ramazons some tough competition they would other wise not face in the Yeshiva League. Prnctices for the Ramazons are ex pected to start in late September or early October .
New Teachers (Continued from Page 1) Ramaz and Sarah Lawrence, and did graduate work at Radcliffe 111 French and Spanish hterature. l\frs. Lassncr hvcd m South Amer ica for eight years. While there she taught French, lectured on "Yidd1sh ke1t," was president of an active American women·s club, and found ed a Talmud Torah. Mrs. Lassncr has done translation work. Her tv,,o children ;:i,re now both Ramaz stu dents. Her other mterests include dramatics, cooking, and bike riding. Mrs. Lassner will also be a college g:Uldancc counselor. lUrs. Ruth Litsky, French Mrs. Litsky JS another addition to the French department. She comes t� Ramaz :tnticipating a "closer per sonal touch"' ,.,, llh both thl' �chool and her pUpLls. She has previously taught at Queens College, where she earned both her B.A. and M. A. In addition, she studied in Nancy. France. Mrs. Litsky 1s a lover of all forms of music. She also enJoys traveling and playing a "modest game of chess."
1\lr. Harvey Cohen
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL 6.0. Buy Your School Supplies from the G.O. Co-op
- paperback books! college board review aids!
MISS CHAY A ZEI'l'Z
looseleaves and paper filler!
on her 1narriage to
- oriental goodies! (Israel)
MR. NACHl,IM SAUER
i\frs. Ruth Lit.sky
loc<1ted in Lunch Room C, 3rd Floor
l\lr. Howard Rosner, Judaic studies Mr. Rosner will be teaching Ju· daic Studies and a course in litera ture. He comes to Ramaz after hav ing taught two years in Yeshiva Etz Chaim. Mr. Rosner earned his B.A., B.S. and M.S. at Yeshiva. He 1s current ly studying for his s-michct and hopes to enter a doctoral program soon. 'Mr. Rosner divides his time between music, sports, and comic books. Evl'ntually, he plans Aliya.
Alas ...
FINAL MJHSL STANDINGS Wins Loses Pct. YHSQ II 3 .785 BTA 4 10 .714 HILi 9 .692 4 Flatbush 6 .538 Hillel 12 .076 JEC II 3 .785 RJJ 4 10 .714 MTA 5 .384 8 Rogosin 3 10 .230 Ramaz 0 13 .000