Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School Beyond the Classroom 2023

Beyond the Classroom

YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH

Joel Braverman High School

שובטלפ תבישי לש ןוכיתה רפסה תיב

ןמרברב לאוי םש לע

With over 150 extracurricular activities, there's something for everyone at Flatbush

Academic Teams

Chidon HaTanach

BECOME A TORAH EXPERT who is ready to compete against other schools. Join a dedicated team of students as they review material together with a teacher and take oral and written tests.

College Bowl

COLLEGE BOWL is a great match for students who have a wide range of knowledge and are quick-witted. The team plays against other schools in the Yeshiva League in Jeopardystyle games that showcase expertise in history, literature, science, current events, popular culture, mathematics and other topics.

Debate Team

THE DEBATE TEAM participates in 5-10 tournaments a year at both Flatbush and other yeshivot. Junior Varsity members (freshmen and sophomores) learn how to debate and sharpen their skills in novice competitions, while Varsity members (juniors and seniors) polish their techniques and use their skills to compete at higher levels.

Gavel Club (TOASTMASTERS

FOR TEENS)

GAVEL

CLUB participants practice public speaking and improve their communication and leadership skills. This club is a part of Toastmasters, an organization that teaches these important skills through a worldwide network of clubs.

Math Lab

MATH HELP in all subject areas is available during your lunch if you need additional support in your classes.

Math Team

AN EXHILARATING EXPERIENCE for the calcularian, students on this team practice and execute the toughest of mathematics problems. The team meets once a week to prepare for competitions in and out of Flatbush, including the American Math Competition and the Ulpaniada.

Mock Trial

THIS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE TEAM is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in law and trial procedures. The competition is based on a fictitious fact pattern using affidavits and gathered evidence. Team members role play attorneys and witnesses in an actual courtroom. Tryouts are held in the fall and those selected compete throughout the spring in a tournament run by the NY State Bar Association.

Model Congress

MODEL CONGRESS gives students the opportunity to work in various congressional committees to create new legislation, as well as present, argue and vote on bill proposals at multiple tournaments throughout the school year. Participants experience first-hand how laws are made and learn about controversial political and

social issues through regular practice sessions and intense, but congenial, competitions against other high school students. Model Congress trains students how to conduct proper research and helps them acquire valuable analytical and rhetorical skills.

Model U.N.

MODEL U.N. invites all students who want to change the world, challenge themselves and learn leadership qualities. In this academic simulation of the United Nations, students play the role of delegates from different countries and attempt to solve real world issues with the policies and perspectives of their assigned country. Students will learn a variety of policymaking skills, including research, public speaking, diplomatic practice, teamwork,

negotiating within formal rules of procedures, influencing others, and drafting resolutions all while developing a deeper understanding into current world issues. Students interact with international Jewish high school students and discuss real issues facing the planet including combating terrorism, solving climate change, addressing global health issues and more.

Torah Bowl

TORAL BOWL COMPETITORS use their knowledge of Chumash and Rashi to compete against other yeshivah students in a competitive game. Separately, the boys team and the girls team meet weekly at lunch as well as after school, to learn and prepare for each of the four to five competitions held throughout the year.

Arts & Humanities

Advanced Book Club

THE ADVANCED BOOK CLUB is perfect for students interested in reading classic literature on a college level. The group meets several times a year during lunch to discuss specific books.

Art Club

WORK ON AN END - OF - YEAR PROJECT while honing your artistic skills. This is a new club, and is open to input by its members to create the curriculum. Students can learn and use 3-D modeling to bring their ideas to life.

Chess Team

STUDENTS GO OVER OPENING PRINCIPLES, middle game themes, endings and various strategies with an experienced instructor. Participants represent the school at several tournaments.

Choir

STUDENTS MUST BE EXCEPTIONALLY DEDICATED and ready to attend weekly practices and choral study. Major annual performances include Yom Ha’Atzmaut, the Jason Botnick A”H Memorial Hebrew Play, Witness Theater and the Evening of the Arts. Performances are scheduled throughout the year, both in and out of the Yeshivah.

Creative Writing/Poetry Slam Club

IF YOU LIKE TO WRITE FOR FUN, love adding random thoughts to your journal or are an aspiring song lyricist, come to the creative writing/poetry slam club where you can cultivate your unique voice as a writer. In this club, you’ll have the opportunity to write and practice performing original pieces in a wide

range of genres (poetry, memoir, monologue, short story etc). Club members who choose to do so will also perform original poetry at the annual Yeshiva League poetry slam competition.

Envision Shakespeare Club

ENVISION SHAKESPEARE is an educational theater company that holds an annual high school festival and competition. A scene is selected from a different Shakespeare play each year and each school rehearses it independently. In the spring, all school teams perform their scene for each other and attend theater workshops.

Evening of the Arts

THE EVENING OF THE ARTS showcases the extraordinary talent of Flatbush students and faculty in the performing, visual and graphic arts. Musical numbers performed by the orchestra, choir and solo acts range from pop standards to classical music. Actors present scenes from Broadway plays as well as interpretations of original student work. Art exhibits include paintings, drawings, sculptures, graphic designs and photographs. The Evening of the Arts is dedicated by Trina and Joe Cayre and Family

Fashion Club

IN THE FASHION CLUB, students collaborate with other fashionistas weekly to learn new skills, gain inspiration, and showcase individual designs, all while working on a fashion-related project for the year.

Hebrew Play

THE JASON BOTNICK A”H MEMORIAL HEBREW PLAY, an annual Chanukah production, is one of the highlights of the school year. Performers include students from all grades with a variety of talents. This musical is conducted exclusively in Hebrew. Students can be stage

Evening of the Arts

actors or work behind the scenes on backdrops, costumes and makeup. Past productions include “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Cinderella,” “Beauty & the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “Peter Pan,” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”

Lunch N’ Listen

DURING LUNCH N’ LISTEN, student musicians are invited to play for friends and faculty in the Oved Family Plaza during certain lunch periods several times a year.

Lunch N’ Lit

LUNCH N’ LIT is a student book club that meets during certain lunch periods to discuss interesting books selected every few months.

Masterpiece Theater

MASTERPIECE THEATER is a program that invites students to attend Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, events at Carnegie Hall, and performances at the NYC Ballet. Students meet before and after each performance for group discussions. There is a fee to join this program.

Open Studio

OPEN STUDIO hours offer students the opportunity to use our new state of the art recording studio with guidance from a professional recording engineer. Whether they want to create music, rehearse, jam or record, our studio has all the instruments and equipment readily available.

Partners in Reading

PARTNERS IN READING is a book club composed of JBHS and Middle School students that meets each semester to discuss and analyze the themes of diverse, compelling books, engage in group learning activities and bond over pizza! The program aims to build leadership skills in the high school mentors who lead the groups, forge lasting connections between the students and help instill in them a lifelong love for reading and learning.

Reading Championships

READING CHAMPIONSHIPS is a long standing reading and comprehension contest available for all grades.

Thespian Troupe

THE THESPIAN TROUPE is brought to our school through the International Thespian Society, an officially recognized society for actors. Students need to complete a certain amount of hours in order to be inducted.

Witness Theater

WITNESS THEATER is a unique program that brings together Flatbush seniors and Holocaust survivors through a partnership with Selfhelp Community Services. The year-long project connects the hearts and minds of the participants through an intergenerational collaborative journey. It culminates in a production of the survivors’ stories performed by the entire group on Yom Hashoah evening for the public and during the day for the Yeshivah’s students and faculty.

Yeshivah of Flatbush’s Witness Theater program is being generously supported through The William S. Levine Family Shoah Institute.

Business & Politics

Leaders in Business

THE LEADERS IN BUSINESS CLUB HELPS students better understand how to lead and run a business. The club will be split into three sections: “to know,” “to do”, and “ to be.” This will be done through an in-depth analysis of various case-studies as well as other materials. There will be a speaker series of experienced real-world business leaders. Students will work towards a project of eventually analyzing and “consulting” real-world businesses to help teach students how to create their own business. Students are guided through all the steps with the help of professionals to build their dream from the ground up.

FINANCE CLUB

FINANCE CLUB MEMBERS learn about various businesses and career opportunities and participate in the SIFMA national stock

market competition. Students create their own portfolios in which they invest virtual money. The portfolios are used to compete against other schools across the country. The club meets once a week.

Real Estate Club

LEARN ABOUT THE BUSINESS and work of real estate. Special speakers and programs explain and discuss different aspects and experiences in this field.

Students Supporting Israel Club

THE STUDENTS SUPPORTING ISRAEL CLUB’S goal is to educate students about Israel through a variety of projects including student advocacy activities and fundraisers. Club members also coordinate writing campaigns and visits to Congress to persuade government officials to assist and support Israel.

Chesed Programs

Cooking for a Cause

COOKING FOR A CAUSE PARTICIPANTS gather monthly to prepare and package meals for the needy. Students learn to create a variety of appetizers, dinners and desserts that benefit the clients of the Sephardic Bikur Holim food pantry. Cooking for a Cause is dedicated In Honor of Marlene and Steven R. Shamah.

Environmental Club

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB enthusiasts learn how to take care of the planet by spearheading recycling projects and listening to relevant speakers for more ideas on how to save our planet.

Flatbush Feeds

AT THE FLATBUSH FEEDS CLUB, students work on their culinary skills as they participate in a chesed project to raise money for NYC needy families in need.

Nutrition for a Cause

NUTRITION FOR A CAUSE participants meet monthly during lunch to prepare healthy snacks and treats to be delivered to the SBH Senior Living facility.

Oneg Shabbat

THIS CLUB provides and delivers food to the needy on several Fridays during the year.

Peer Tutoring

PEER TUTORING works two ways: a student who does well in a subject can sign up to be a peer tutor or a student who needs help in a subject can request a peer tutor. The JBHS Library makes the match between those who want to tutor and those who need a tutor.

The Victoria & Jack Aini Traveling Troupe

TRAVELING TROUPE performs for hospital patients and nursing home residents. Students sing, play instruments, dance, act or do a comedy routine to cheer up and entertain audiences.

Tzedakah Committee

THE TZEDAKAH COMMITTEE is responsible for developing new ideas to collect money for specific goals. The group also determines what else students can do and/or donate, depending on events and needs. Examples of fund drives and support campaigns include hurricane relief, organizations and institutions in Israel, breast cancer awareness / Sharsheret, among others. The committee meets weekly.

Yachad/Yachad Play

Creative Writing Journalism & Pegasus

YOF’S AWARD-WINNING PEGASUS, a literary and arts magazine, is a collection of student writings, graphic designs and artwork that is published once a year. Students can

YACHAD is a national organization that mainstreams Jewish people with disabilities into everyday life. The Yeshivah has several programs with Yachad members throughout the year including the Yachad play, a unique production with Flatbush students performed for an enthusiastic audience of family and friends. The play, with story and music usually based on a Disney theme, gives Yachad members a chance to shine. They come to the Yeshivah once a week to rehearse their lines and practice the songs together with our students.

join Pegasus as a writer, artist, graphic designer, editor, or all the above. This publication has earned top rankings in national competitions. The Pegasus Literature & Art Magazine is dedicated by Laura & Joe R. Tawil.

Phoenix

THE PHOENIX is the school newspaper, written entirely by students. The paper is published several times per year and features in-depth reporting on school news, upcoming events, sports, entertainment, divrei Torah and more.

Contributing to the paper helps students hone their writing, editorial and organizational skills. The Phoenix gives students the opportunity to voice their opinions maturely in an appropriate forum and showcase their writing, all under the guidance of an experienced professional journalist.

Writers for Readers

STUDENTS WHO ENJOY writing and/or illustrating can join this group to create and publish a picture book for younger students that will be read and given out to YOF Elementary School classes.

Yearbook

THE SUMMIT’S editorial and creative team works together to collect and compile the memories and photos for the senior yearbook. Focusing on all

aspects of the students’ experiences throughout their years at JBHS, the yearbook staff ensures that the academic, spiritual, extracurricular and personal journey of each student is represented through articles, sidebars and imagery that runs the gamut from poignant to humorous and everything in between.

Summit Yearbook 2023

THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION is a group of elected students who represent the student body. They plan, coordinate and run programs for the students. There are five positions in the government-modeled organization: President, Vice President, Secretary, Leadership

Class Leaders

STUDENTS IN EACH CLASS vote for one student to represent their class. The student is responsible for scheduling changes when a teacher is absent, meeting with teachers about test dates, and other leadership responsibilities. The student also sits in on Student Senate meetings about school issues. Senate meetings are monthly and are a place where principals can discuss class concerns with the student body. Class presidents are also involved in planning SGO events.

Senior Council

THE SENIOR COUNCIL consists of a group of elected seniors who represent their classmates. They help plan meaningful programs to create fun memories for their fellow 12th graders and are key voices in the overall programming and calendar for senior year.

SGO

Treasurer and Commissioner-at-Large. The SGO manages many of the school’s events including Color War, the Club Fair, Chanukah and Purim programs. It also serves as a liaison between the Student Senate and the Administration.

Personal Growth Religious &

Fitness Clubs for Boys and Girls

STUDENTS BECOME FAMILIARIZED with the equipment at the Jack Charles Levy A”H Fitness Center and work on an in-school event to promote health and fitness.

Nutrition for a Cause

A MONTHLY GROUP that meets during lunch to prepare healthy snacks and treats while providing nutritious food to be delivered to the SBH Senior Living facility.

Parade

Celebrate Israel

REPRESENT THE YESHIVAH as a member of the Color Guard holding Israeli and American flags, perform in the marching band or use your artistic finesse to show support at the annual Celebrate Israel Parade on Fifth Avenue.

Women’s Empowerment Club

THE MISSION OF THE WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT CLUB is to empower, educate and inspire female students through motivational speakers and student discussions on the disparates in society.

T Club

PARASHA DISCUSSION and shmoozing over breakfast every Friday. Hear from rotating faculty guest speakers who share their thoughts on the parasha.

Bet Midrash Learning

STUDENTS LOOK FORWARD to spending time with their Judaic Studies teachers and staying after school to learn “lishmah” with them. The Yeshivah sponsors a light dinner to keep the students energized, but it’s the Torah from their teachers that really keeps them going. Our BenHaim Bet Midrash is filled with the sights and sounds of students and staff learning together.

Science & Technology

CIJE Robotics Team

THE CIJE ROBOTICS TEAM, open to 9th and 10th graders, works together to build a robot that will compete in a robotics challenge. The team learns advanced programming, mechanical building and problem-solving. The annual theme and challenge are based on the official Vex Robotics Challenge.

E-Sports

THIS E-SPORTS CLUB is run in partnership with organizations to facilitate a safe space to connect Jewish teens online as they compete in organized video gaming competitions. Students will maintain regular practices and compete in the High School Esports League.

FIRST Robotics Team

THIS IS AN ADVANCED ROBOTICS TEAM for juniors and seniors who want to design programs and build robots to play a field game against competitors.

Girls Who Code

GIRLS WHO CODE learn coding languages throughout the year. The club decides which languages to learn and is open to all female students in all grades.

STEM Club

LEARN VARIOUS TECH and coding skills in this self-paced innovative coding club. The STEM Commission is part of the Dr. Albert Montague A”H STEM Institute.

Tsei U’lemad © Courses

Tsei U’lemad ©

TSEI U’LEMAD© is a Talmudic term, copyrighted by YOF, that means “go out and learn.” Tsei U’lemad© courses offer an opportunity to expand your knowledge in various fields that may not be available to you in your current schedule. These courses are a great way to help you learn about your personal interests, and as an added bonus, they look great on a resume. Tsei U’lemad© courses are offered for a one- semester grade, which is credited upon completion of the course.

2023-24 Course List:

• Arabic • Architecture and Design

• Brain Health and Positive Thinking

• Effective Negotiation • Experimental Psychology

• French • Neuroscience

• Nutrition and the Prevention of Disease

• Personal Care and Healthy Behaviors

• Positive Psychology

• Principles of Intellectual Property

• Russian • Safrut / תורפס

• Science Olympiad

• SHOAH: Holocaust Studies

• Virtual Enterprise: JV

• Yiddish

The Dr. Albert Montague A"H Stem Institute is dedicated by Julie and Steven Montague.

Athletics

Hausdorff Tournament

THIS JV BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT is coordinated by a student committee that helps plan, organize and implement all aspects of the various events related to the tournament. Working on this committee provides the opportunity to mingle with students from teams outside our area.

Athletic Teams

Boys:

• Baseball – Varsity • Basketball – JV & Varsity

• Cross Country – Varsity • Flag Football – JV & Varsity

• Hockey – JV & Varsity • Ice Hockey – Varsity

• Softball – JV & Varsity • Soccer – JV & Varsity •

• Outdoor Soccer – Varsity • Surfing – Varsity

• Tennis – Varsity • Track & Field – Varsity

• Volleyball – Varsity • Wrestling – Varsity

Girls:

• Basketball – JV & Varsity • Cross Country – Varsity

• Dance Team – Varsity

• Gymnastics – Varsity • Hockey – Varsity

• Softball – Varsity • Soccer – JV & Varsity

• Surfing – Varsity • Tennis – Varsity

• Track & Field – Varsity • Volleyball – JV & Varsity