The Phoenix 2014-2015 Issue 5

INSIDE: Murder in Argentina - Vending Machine Popularity - Merle’s Mad Libs

A Student Publication of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School • Issue 5 • 2015 / 5775

YOF Juniors Leave Room for Improvement on PSAT, PACT Joey Cohen, 4-HR Junior year lies in the shadow of two words that strike fear into the eyes of 11th graders nationwide: standardized testing. This terror has divided itself into a “pick your poison” type of situation: SAT or ACT. Luckily, Flatbush offers preparation opportunities for both tests, the PSAT and PACT. The tests are administered to sophomores and juniors, but the junior year score is a more accurate predictor of performance on the real test, because as Yosef Cohen (’15), with a 1510 composite SAT score, puts it: “Once you become a junior, you realize that it’s crunch time. Time to crack down.”

With that in mind, The Phoenix staff did some junior year prep test analysis.

On the PSAT, our juniors scored in the 60th percentile (according to the Selection Index Percentile, a statistic that compares the percentiles of our students vs. the rest of the juniors who took the exam). This means that, on average, the 11th graders at Yeshivah of Flatbush

scored better on the test than 60 percent of all 11th graders nationwide. Nine Flatbush juniors scored in the top 10 percent of the nation.

On the PACT, no such statistic is offered, as individual scores are the only numbers provided. The mean composite score of our juniors was 19.07; the maximum composite score on the exam is 36. Although the ACT does not offer percentiles, our research indicates that a composite score of 19 on the practice exam is approximately average nationally. This would suggest that, as a group, Flatbush juniors performed better on the PSAT than they did on the PACT. It is important to note, however, that this was our juniors’ first exposure to ACTstyle testing, especially their comprehensive science section.

“Don’t allow yourself to get down after one poor attempt at a standardized test,” an administrator said. “The important thing is to come back stronger and more prepared than ever.”

Raymond Braha (’15), an incoming freshman to The Johns Hopkins University, received a 32 on his ACT, and offers one piece of advice to standardized test takers: practice makes perfect.

72% of seniors who have taken a standardized test say the biggest difference between the two tests is time. The SAT consists of shorter sections, ranging from 20 to 35 minutes, while the ACT has sections that last as long as an hour.

Obviously, the different tests suit different test-takers.

Despite myths that there is a limit to how many times either test can be taken, most colleges allow you to choose the scores you wish to send in. Therefore, it is theoretically possible for students to take either test for as many times as they wish until they’re satisfied.

Making the time to answer practice questions is essential in surviving the standardized testing tidal wave. So, juniors, just keep practicing. The storm will pass.

Despite Hiccups, Fingerprint-Based Attendance Draws Praise Mimi Lazerowitz, 2-HR On Friday, January 30, a new attendance policy was introduced and implemented in the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School. In order to sign in, students entering the building must scan their fingerprints using one of the multiple computers found in the lobby.

Seniors have been using this method for a while and have acted as a trial run for the rest of the school. Most of the seniors described their experiences with the new system as cool and exciting, while very few students felt that it was an inconvenience.

Senior Rebecca Zami said, “I think the new system is a very clever way to prevent students from bending certain rules. It also just makes attendance easier. Perhaps we can finally save some paper and get rid of the various attendance sheets in the morning. Often my fingerprints weren’t picked up, but that’s bound to happen—you will always experience technical difficulties with any device.”

This type of positive feedback gave the administration the reassurance it needed, and therefore the program was able to start for the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen immediately following winter break.

Assistant Principal Rabbi Beyda explained that a major reason that this new program came about is due to problems with the previous attendance system that can be resolved by using the fingerprint system. By law a school must keep accurate records of when students enter the building. Under the old method, attendance was taken during second period and counted for the whole day. This was problematic because if a student was in the office, on a trip, or speaking to a teacher during second period, that student would be marked absent for the entire day. Because of the inaccuracy with this system, faculty members including Mr. Galpert and Rabbi Levy walked around the building every day in order

to find out whether or not a student was actually absent. This was not very productive and the administration realized that the attendance system needed to be upgraded.

The administrative staff decided that the most effective way to take attendance would be to use a point-of-entry system.

A point-of-entry, or POE, system makes sure that a student is marked present in school immediately when he or she walks into the building. It is a way to get the most accurate student attendance records in the most efficient way possible. After coming up with a few ideas such as fingerprint scanning, card scanning, and facial recognition, it was decided that fingerprinting would be the most effective method. Fingerprinting wouldn’t require students to carry around a card, which could possibly be lost or faked, and it would also be much less expensive than a facial recognition system. Other schools Cont’d on page 6

New Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Benzakein Jane Zakay, 2-R Ms. Debra Benzakein knew she wanted to be a math teacher ever since she was in the ninth grade. When she started to see that some of her friends were struggling in math, she offered to tutor them. Soon she saw that she was able to help them bring their grades up. That’s when she realized that she was destined to teach math.

Ms. Benzakein, who teaches calculus at Flatbush, grew up in Staten Island and graduated from Queens College, where she was in a four-year math teaching program. She developed close friendships with many students who were in her teaching program, and she still keeps in touch with them. But college was not all about work; while Ms. Benzakein was in college she took a memorable trip with her older sister to England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Ms. Benzakein lives in Staten Island with her husband and young daughter.

Her daughter, Naama, is 14 months old and really cute! Currently, the hardest thing for Ms. Benzakein is the fact that she has a long day at work that does not end when she gets home. After work she goes straight home to take care of her daughter and make dinner for her family, after which she must prepare for the next day’s classes. In addition, she often stays up late at night to grade or plan tests. This gives her barely enough time to pursue some of her favorite hobbies, such as running. She also has limited time to relax, so she likes to make up for that on the weekends. |1

The Whole Story: Alumnus Interview: Assassination in Argentina Jeremy Chwat (’92) Sarah Levy, 4-HR Argentinian prosecutor Alberto Nisman was found dead in his apartment on January 18, just hours before he was to go before Argentina’s congress to testify against President Christina Fernanda de Kirchner. Days earlier, Nisman had accused the president and top government officials of making a secret deal with Iran regarding the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center. President Kirchner was quick to propose that Nisman’s suspicious death came at the hands of a conspiracy meant to defame her government and destabilize the country.

Nisman was the lead investigator of the unsolved 1994 bombing of the Buenos Aires headquarters of AMIA, a Jewish organization that runs various community aid programs that benefit Jews and non-Jews alike. The bombing killed 85 people and sparked national outrage and sympathy, but more than 20 years later there have been no arrests. Iran has long been suspected to be behind the bombing, and Nisman accused the Argentinian government of making a deal to shield Iran in return for much-needed oil. True or not, the alleged deal was never carried out.

Officials in Kirchner’s government have dismissed Mr. Nisman’s assertions about the secret deal as ridiculous. Kirchner claims that Nisman had been manipulated by Antonio Stiusso, a former senior intelligence official ousted earlier this year. Rogue spies “used him while he was alive and then they needed him dead,” she posted on her website on Jan. 22. Nisman died from a gunshot wound to the head in what was first reported as a suicide but

Abby Shegelman, 4-HR has since been ruled a homicide.

Viviana Fein, the lead investigator in Nisman’s death, has summoned Stiusso to testify, but prosecutors have been unable to locate him. One top official has acknowledged that the government does not even know if Stiusso, who had been regarded as one of the most powerful operatives in Argentina’s leading spy agency, is even in the country.

Kirschner stated she is trying to disband the country’s intelligence agency, which has “not served the interests of the country.” She is urging her country to stay united amidst the confusion and crisis. Thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest for justice and transparency.

Making the situation murkier was the early-February discovery that Nisman had drafted—but not issued—a warrant for Kirchner’s arrest. The unused warrant was reportedly found by police in a trash can in Nisman’s apartment.

This is not the first time scandal has rocked the investigation of the 1994 bombing. A former president of Argentina stands accused of accepting an Iranian bribe to derail the case, a former judge was fired for bribing a witness, and a separate investigator was kidnapped and brutally tortured with a knife and blowtorch. Corruption and incompetence have marked the case’s progression these past 20 years. Now Nisman’a death, Stiusso’s disappearance, and an unused warrant for the president’s arrest can be added to the list.

Meet a Freshman: Bella Guindi, 1-V Robyn Dweck, 4-R RD: What elementary school did you attend?

BG: I attended Magen David for elementary school.

RD: Did any of your siblings attend Flatbush High School?

BG: I am the first child to attend Flatbush High School.

RD: What made you decide to come to Flatbush?

BG: Flatbush has a better education and will prepare me better for college.

RD: What do you like most about being a student here?

BG: I like the teachers, and I’ve made new friends.

RD: Are you involved in any commissions?

BG: I participate in Doctors in Training, the chess team, and I hope to be on the tennis team.

RD: What is Doctors in Training?

BG: It’s a commission where they invite doctors to come speak about their experiences. It’s interesting hearing how these doctors became doctors.

RD: What was the biggest change when you came to high school?

BG: Many things are new to me in Flatbush high school, especially the teachers, learning Gemerah, being in school at 7 AM, and making new friends.

RD: What are you looking forward to in high school?

BG: I look forward to a good education that will enable me to enroll in a prestigious college. I’m also looking forward to the excitement of the high school experience.

2 | www.theflatbushphoenix.com

It is no myth that Flatbush is renowned for inspiring students to do chesed and for sending those students out into the professional world prepared for success.

One such alumnus is Jeremy Chwat (’92), the Chief Program Officer for Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

This incredible organization was founded in 2002. The events of 9/11 and the United States’ ensuing military action in Afghanistan prompted action to be taken to help a new generation of veterans.

“It was started by a group of us who worked at Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (and other veterans service organizations) when we began hearing reports of service members coming back from the battlefields with severe injuries.

We knew that we wanted to start an organization to care for these men and women and, today, Wounded Warrior Project provides 20 separate and distinct programs to over 60,000 wounded warriors and their families,” Chwat said.

WWP’s programs are divided into four main categories: mind, body, economic empowerment, and engagement.

Chwat said the goal is “to honor and empower wounded warriors. Through these programs we provide adaptive sporting opportunities, job placement assistance, mental health counseling, and other supports and services as well as lobby the federal government for laws or policy changes to meet the needs of our veterans.”

Working with soldiers is an unusual profession for an Orthodox Jew, but Chwat says it stems from his experiences at Flatbush as much as from anywhere else.

Cont’d on page 6

17 Things You Should Know Before You Turn 17 Shani Zenilman, 4-HR 1. You need to find yourself friends.

Real ones, not just people you sit with at lunch. Friends who will make you laugh when you’re crying and will stay on the phone with you until 3AM reminding you that you are worth it. Find friends who, when they see your back is aching, will pull your burden onto theirs so you can carry it together.

2. Acting cool and actually being cool?

Two totally separate things. You know what’s really cool? What’s really attractive?

Being yourself. Having fun not because you think everyone is watching, but because you don’t care if they are. “Cool” is not being the most popular kid in school or laughing at the “losers” who are so far below you. Cool is being yourself. Being happy because you’re doing what you want to do, not what you think you should do.

So trust me, save yourself the time and the regret, and don’t bother with “the quest to be cool.”

3. Your family is crazy. Absolutely off their rockers. And the thing about family is that they can be the most hurtful people in the world. But they love you more than anything, and they’ll always have your back because blood is thicker than water, and they’ll stick with you every single time. That’s a promise.

4. You shouldn’t bother with fake people. They’ll just bring you down, and you have better things to do with your time.

So ditch the dead weight. You don’t need to listen to them or their nonsense, and it’s your right to tell them to get out of your life.

5. You should listen to music. The Cont’d on page 6

The Phoenix Staff

High School Administration

Editor-In-Chief: Shani Zenilman Managing Editor: Abby Shegelman Religion Editor: Sarah Levy Entertainment Editor: Rebecca Zami Sports Editor: Joey Cohen Fun Page Editor: Merle Cohen Standard of Fabulous Editors: Emma Burekhovich, Nicole Yankovich Photography Editor: Robyn Dweck Web Editor: Joey Baum Junior Editors: Albert Dweck, Merle Dweck, Michelle Harari, Sarah Torgueman, Gabriel Vizgan

Rabbi Raymond Harari Head of School

Sophomore Editors: Mimi Lazerowitz, Jane Zakay Design: Therese Berkowitz Faculty Advisor: Adam Hofstetter

Rabbi Ronald Levy Principal Ms. Jill W. Sanders Director of Admissions Associate Principal Ms. Sari Bacon Associate Principal Rabbi Joseph Beyda Assistant Principal

Vending Machines Offer Healthy Options, But Are Students Buying It?

D’var Torah: Sealing the Covenant

Merle Dweck, 3-HR

Sarah Torgueman, 3-HN

World War Three has erupted between the vending machines in our very own Yeshivah of Flatbush basement, leaving us to wonder whether water and Matt’s Munchies will win over their rivals, soda and chocolate bars.

The vending machines in the sub-basement seem vital to many students’ ability to survive each school day—so much so that our principals took the initiative last year to make healthier snacks available. “The option presented itself to us and we decided to have healthier snacks for the students because … why not?” Associate Principal Ms. Bacon told The Phoenix.

Was this decision the right one? Have the students’ eyes simply glazed over Matt’s Munchies in search of snacks filled with fats, nuts, and chocolate? The results are mixed.

In an informal poll of 40 students conducted by The Phoenix, 25 professed a preference for chocolate bars, 11 favored Matt’s Munchies, 10 liked soda, and 31 chose water. Three students even asked, “What’s Matt’s Munchies?”

Perhaps a more reliable approach would be to check inventory.

Every Monday and Thursday, Mr.

Leiby Goodman comes into school to fill up the vending machines (sometimes with the help of good ol’ Jimmy).

He stops by the school to check on the snacks to see if they need to be replenished and, depending on what’s missing, he fills them up.

Goodman says that he fills up the Matt’s Munchies every week and a half, selling 40 packages per trip, and fills up chocolates every three days, selling 24 boxes per trip.

The playing field is not quite even, however. Chocolate bars cost $0.75 per bar, whereas each bag of Matt’s Munchies costs considerably more: a whopping Decisions, decisions $1.50.

According to Goodman, “Kids buy lead in the students’ hearts, soda seems much more chocolate because it’s cheap- to have the opposite effect. Three cases er and easier to buy. Matt’s Munchies of water are sold each day, making it the are very expensive. We haven’t made most popular item sold.

“People don’t like to buy soda, but any more money since they were added.

They are only there for the health pros- love to buy water. We sell more water pect. It doesn’t profit the school at all; we than food. Water and chocolate are the just want the school to be healthy, so we two best sellers,” says Goodman.

Thus the principals’ choice to make put healthy foods in there. If there were only healthy foods in the vending ma- healthier snacks available to the students chines, we would make a considerably ends in a tie. The crunch triumphed over the Munch, but with lots of water to help less amount of profit.”

While chocolate takes the obvious swallow the loss.

Problems from Auditorium Sprinkler Flood Still Raining Down Miriam Zenilman, 3-HN The damage from the auditorium’s flooding on December 30 lingers as the three affected levels of the building are still recovering.

Nearly a month and a half ago the auditorium flooded, and the water leaked into the basement and sub-basement levels on the north side of the building.

“The fire alarm went on, sprinklers went off, and water came down,” explained Mr. Galpert.

However, water also made its way into the copy room, damaging the Xerox

machine. “Since winter vacation we’ve been using the machine in the main office” to make copies, said Ms. Minyan.

“We were waiting weeks for a replacement to come.”

Additionally, copies of several final exams and other materials were made at Copy Center, located nearby on Avenue J. A new photocopy machine arrived on February 5.

The SGO room, located beside the IT room, also was damaged by the water leakage, according to Ms. Marcus, the

SGO faculty adviser.

“The floor essentially became soggy,” she recounted. “Everything we stored on the bottom shelves turned wet and moldy.”

Due the lengthy recovery stage, Ms. Marcus is unsure of when the room will be ready for use once again. “We have already thrown out all of the floor tiles and the equipment that had been destroyed,” she said.

Despite this setback, the Yeshivah is back on its feet post-winter vacation.

Parashat Mishpatim begins after Bnei Yisrael receive the Ten Commandments, with Moshe teaching Bnei Yisrael many seemingly unrelated ethical and practical laws. This parasha, along with parshiot Ki Tetzeh and Kedoshim, contains most of our 613 laws.

The numerous laws mentioned in Parashat Mishpatim are precise. They serve as a guide for Bnei Yisrael to live life. For example, Moshe teaches them if someone has a Hebrew servant, the servant shall work for six years and be freed in the seventh year. If someone murders another intentionally, he or she will be killed as well. If the murder was unintentional, he or she shall flee to a designated safe haven. They are taught to fear and honor their mothers and fathers.

The compensation law says that one must requite a life for a life, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. According to Rashi, this is a metaphor to instruct that if someone destroys the body or possessions of another, he or she must compensate the owner with its exact worth. The laws about damages are the main laws discussed and elaborated on in Masechet Baba Kama; someone who starts a fire must pay for the possessions destroyed in the fire, and a thief should pay double the value of the stolen goods.

We can extract from the parasha that Hashem commanded the Jewish people with laws that seem logical, like compensating victims for their destroyed possessions and respecting our parents.

Because Hashem is a “partner” with our parents, as explained in Masechet Niddah, respecting and fearing our parents is analogous to respecting and fearing Hashem. Hashem commanded us with these precise laws in order to live life morally and ethically.

Practicing the laws mentioned in this parasha, in addition to the rest of the 613 mitzvot, creates guidelines for all of Moshe’s era and for the Jewish people for eternity. In Parashat Mishpatim, the Covenant is forever sealed between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael.

Minyan Mentors Help Freshmen Connect Mary Jajati, 1-HR

In recent months, the minyan mentor program, which consists of junior and senior girls mentoring the freshmen, has been focusing on Israel and the IDF soldiers. Ms. Shterenzer, who runs the program, wants to “give the kids inspiration before they pray so they have a better tefilah experience.” She hopes inspiration will come from the students engaging in discussions with their mentors about the present situation in Israel. She also wants students to realize that “tefilah isn’t just for them but that it’s in the plural,” so the mentors also concentrate on interpreting the importance of tefilah. They also em-

phasize the reciting of tehilim for soldiers’ and others to have a refuah shleima.

However, all this effort raises the question of whether this approach is effective. Ms. Shterenzer believes that “this program is successful not only because of the special approach to tefilah, but also because of the positive relationships that have developed between the mentors and the younger students.”

Like many mentors, junior Danielle Ashkenazi, thinks the program “gives the girls a little more kavana and helps them realize the things they should be praying for.” Yet how can students relate to and

pray for people so far away?

That’s where the mentors who went on Chesed Mission come in. Rebecca Zami, one such mentor, says, “The Chesed Mission made me understand why we need to thank these soldiers so much. And maybe I have more of a connection to this topic now, rather than the freshmen in my minyan, but I think that that can only benefit the girls.”

Mentors are “more than willing” to share their experiences from the trip to try and get the freshmen to a deeper level of understanding when it comes to Israeli soldiers. And since it takes time to open

up about topics like this, many agree that it should constantly be discussed because of its great importance and connection to our lives.

Ms. Shterenzer says, “We are producing a pamphlet and dedicating it to the soldiers’ families in order to keep their memories embedded in our hearts and thoughts and to show that we are very much connected with our homeland.

Israel cannot survive without all our prayers and full support.”

|3

Fun & Games Ask Merle Merle Cohen, 4-HR

Music Review: Fifth Harmony Rebecca Zami, 4-HR In a universe where Beyoncé has taken the world by storm, girl power is what it’s all about for female artists like The X Factor stars Fifth Harmony. In their fulllength debut, Ally, Normani, Lauren, Dinah, and Camila embrace their fierce, confident selves, setting a positive example for girls everywhere.

The girls showcase their ability to cover many genres and stylistic techniques in one album. From pop to R&B and from airy, dance music to dynamic, piano-driven tracks, these girls prove they have a wide range with their talent.

Not many girl groups can pull off singing about Instagram while also reviving a classic Mariah Carey sound (an excerpt from “Always Be My Baby” in “Like Mariah”).

Often, certain lyrics and musical techniques seem to be the influence of the static and predictable yet popular radio song, like the many references to celebrities in the song “BO$$” and the familiar beat of “Sledgehammer.” The lyrics tend to be repetitive and seem to mention partying and having fun a whole lot, which, while those aren’t bad things, get old midway through the album. The dynamics of the percussion lay flat and unchanging at times, though the beat is vital considering the lack of layering instruments.

However, these songs stay true to the overall themes of the album like fierceness and female empowerment. The lively affirmation of a woman’s self-worth in songs like “Them Girls Be Like” and “Reflection” is a spirited and jumpy way to promote important messages like positive body image and confidence without the input of men. Speaking of men, songs like “We Know” and “Suga Mama” are a lesson involving the boys one shouldn’t get involved with. The girls shrug off the boys who don’t deserve them with their cool, certain self-worth, not letting anyone play games with them. The meticulous harmonies and raw vocals of each of the girls on these tracks drive the bitter, stinging message of the words.

The overall fun, empowering, and bold tone of the album and the well-executed vocals and harmonies of the undeniably talented 5H stars will definitely help spread their inspiring messages everywhere. Fifth Harmony allows teen girls everywhere to feel infallible control, self-love, and love for others the way they feel about themselves and each other. They’ve certainly made it clear who’s BO$$.

4 | www.theflatbushphoenix.com

Dear Merle, When signing up for classes in college, I couldn’t help but notice that physics is not taught by Rabbi Ricky. How should I go about securing a faculty position for him in my university? Ditto for Professor Paul S. Cohen.

Sincerely, Andrew Hersh (’14) Dear Andrew Hersh, When one leaves the Yeshivah of Flatbush one must accept upon oneself the unfortunate departure from the outstanding faculty such as Mr. Kennard and Mr. Cohen. Yet I can tell you that: one never truly leaves the Flatbush family, because I bet you still get the daily announcement e-mails. Best of luck! Oh, and how’s Princeton?

Yours truly, Merle Dear Merle, I’m a proud graduate of YOFHS, class of 2014. Although I have accepted the fact that I can’t rewind time and I made the

best of my high school years, I can’t help but miss the Flatbush environment. Dahaking in class, roaming the halls, and being on extracurriculars was so much fun. Any tips on how to move on?

Feeling Nostalgic (aka Victor Dweck) Dear Feeling Nostalgic, Hopefully after four years in YOF Joel Braverman High School the Standard of Excellence you’ve been instilled with the core values of this institution. Those values include: parties in Ms. Agassi’s class, getting on Jimmy’s good side, being comfortable in Rabbi Levy’s office, student (senior) lounge raves and the list goes on and on. But most of all Flatbush instills within you a drive to get all your work done, at any hour, with any given gallons of caffeine pumping through your body.

So take the Dahaks with you, Flatbush has plenty of those, but always remember the nights you slaved over a laptop because it’s with that work ethic that you will succeed in the future. Best of luck!

Best wishes from America; do we see a Shana Bet in your future?

Yours truly, Merle

worried that some students are conspiring against me. All that I asked for is to have a picture of my son printed in the latest edition of the Phoenix. He is a big fan of the newspaper and he reads it from cover to cover! Please can you help?

Signed, Don’t Call Me Shirley Dear Don’t Call Me Shirley, I think part of being a teacher is having faith and trust in your students that they won’t stage a coup against you. As for Rebecca Zami, well, she’s another story; I’d keep an eye on her. And though I don’t remember your son’s name (don’t kill me) I hope he enjoys the shout-out. Best of luck! And this will “Shirley” get me a +2 on my next test, right?

Yours truly, Merle

Dear Merle, I am currently a teacher at YOF and I am

Merle’s Mad Libs Merle Cohen, 4-HR When I first walk into school I try and _____________ (verb) the elevator but end up _______________ (verb ending in -ing) the stairs anyway. During minyan I take out a _______________ (noun) from the shelf until I realize that it’s already ____________ (time of day) and rush to breakfast. Because I forgot to take out my _____________ (plural noun) out of my locker, it has started to smell like ____________ (food) but I don’t mind—maybe now I won’t be hungry because my books will smell like ____________ (food).

During ____________’s (YOF teacher) class I try to sneak away to the ___________ (place) but ____________ (number) students have already left the room. When the _____________ (noun) finally rings for lunch I sprint downstairs only to realize it is _____________ (type of weather) outside and I must go grab my ____________ (noun) to save me from the wind. I get a ____________ (noun) for lunch and head back, only to realize that there are still six hours left until the end of day. Uft!

Questions To Ponder Merle Cohen, 4-HR 1. If you put a lamp next to a mirror, does that make it twice as bright?

2. What’s another word for thesaurus?

3. OK, so what’s the speed of dark?

4. If a mime is arrested, do you tell him he has the right to talk?

Kinda Funny Aims To Revolutionize Gaming News Mikey Shamah, 4-HN On January 5, four prominent employees of the video game and game-related content company IGN left to work full time on their side business, Kinda Funny. Greg Miller, Colin Moriarty, Tim Gettys and Nick Scarpino started Kinda Funny: four best friends making videos that will make you laugh about pop couture or whatever they want, plus Kinda Funny Games.

Without being held down by their IGN bosses, the Kinda Funny guys have more direct control of their content.

Kinda Funny Games is host to the “Let’s

Play” podcast and “Colin and Greg Live,” a new daily talk show about gaming news.

Unlike most online new sites, Kinda Funny is not using advertising to make money but rather draws revenue from the crowd-funding site Patreon. Patreon allows fans to give support to creators using monthly subscriptions at certain price points that the creator sets. This allows Kinda Funny to base its content on what the fans want without jumping through corporate hoops. At the time of this writing, Kinda Funny and

Kinda Funny Games have $47,000 per month from backers and reaches about $564,000 a year.

If these numbers are steady, it may be a preview of how video game news is covered. There has been much positivity surrounding the rise of Kinda Funny Games, both from people in the industry and their readers. You can view Kinda Funny at kindafunny.com and support them at patreon.com/KindaFunny and patreon.com/kindafunnygames.

Standard of Fabulous Out with the Cold and In with the Dew Nicole Yankovich, 4-HN

This Month’s Fabulous Freshie: Sarah Cohen, 1-V Some of you may have caught a glimpse of this fab freshie in the Hebrew play; needless to say her confidence and high-spirited personality are not solely reserved for the stage.

Sarah describes her personal style to be that of a tomboy and can always be caught wearing her favorite Converse high tops. This artist takes the DIY approach by doodling and painting crazy designs on her sneakers to give them an extra personalized edge that separates her from the crowd. Whether she’s rocking her favorite color (purple) or trendy distressed denim Sarah can always be found with a huge smile plastered on her face. So be sure to keep an eye out for this month’s fabulous freshie!

Dressy Yet Casual Rachel Wolf, 1-HR Every girl likes wearing dresses, but they may not want to wear one on an average day; dresses have the tendency to feel a bit too fancy. People also have the assumption that rocking a dress requires dealing with uncomfortable shoes. A recent trend might just be the answer to this problem.

Comfy sneakers are a cute substitute to uncomfortable, dressy shoes. Since aching feet are so last season, sneakers can make any dress more casual without ruining the look. Mixing prints and bold colors are a fun way to take elevate this look. Keep in mind that you can’t just wear any dress with any sneaker. I mean, you can, but I can’t promise it’ll look too fabulous. Lightweight dresses should be worn with canvas or eyelet sneakers, while dresses made of heavier fabric would be better suited with suede or patent leather sneakers.

This trend can be worn in so many ways, fitting almost every style. You can go for a sporty, girly, edgy, or even preppy look; the options are endless. Everyone should take advantage of this cute and comfortable trend.

As the winter months slowly pass, I can’t help but look forward to the end of this cold, torturous weather. Spring trends are beginning to make their way.

April will be here before we know it and we must be prepared to look fabulous in its frequent showers with the seasons newest trend: umbrellas.

Say hello to pretty polka dots, fabulous flowers, and trendy tribal patterns and say goodbye to your grandma’s old plaid umbrellas with the little kittens on them. Umbrellas can be the perfect statement accessory to put your outfit over the edge.

Personalized umbrellas are my particular favorite. My sister, Cindy, made personalized umbrellas with her initials and a Cinderella chariot on them to give

out at her Bat Mitzvah. She was scared the rain would ruin her party so she creatively used it in her favor.

I use a pink, “I heart NY” umbrella with purple hearts all over it because my initials are also N.Y. I bought it in a random tourist shop in the city and it’s like having my own personalized umbrella.

Bedazzled umbrellas might just end up being the coolest accessory in your closet. They’re over the top and especially cute for those girly-girls out there.

Now picture a trench coat, red rain boots, and a clear, bubble umbrella.

That’s an outfit with which you can be proud to walk the streets of Manhattan.

Anyone can be the center of attention when donning a rainbow umbrella hat. While that look is not for everyone,

SOF Editor Emma Burekhovich stays dry.

it’s a fun approach to the new accessory for those few brave souls.

Whether you decide to go for the personalized, bedazzled, polka-dot, or rainbow hat look, try stepping up your accessory game with a chic new umbrella.

Killer Heels Daphna Ben-Ari, 4-HN While many people traveled this past winter vacation to many exotic locations discovering different places of the world, I went out to discover something in our own city of New York. While searching, I discovered The Brooklyn Museum of Art and its Killer Heels exhibit. An exhibit on shoes is out of the ordinary and I advise anyone interested in fashion to see it. It showcased heels through history and how they became the most risqué accessory in the 21st century.

The high heel began as an intimate garment which was worn under the lavish dresses of society women.

These heels were made from wood and

Swift’s Got Style

looked like mini stilts. Today, heels have evolved to come in an assortment of many shapes, sizes and colors that are worn almost everywhere. Unlike decades ago, heels are now meant to show off. The exhibit showed many different types of heels along with many videos on the production of heels and showed women wearing them during different occasions. Many different designers were showcased in this exhibit, which of course included Christian Loubutin (famous for his signature red sole) and his famous ballet heel, the Cinderella glass slippers, the Prada flames, and many more. My favorite part was a room at the

Fashion Fact of the Month:

Napoleon Bonaparte decreed that buttons needed to be attached to jacket sleeves to stop his soldiers from wiping their runny noses on their sleeves.

Esther Levy, 2-HR Taylor Swift has proven time and time again that not only does she have an incredible knack for writing deep and meaningful lyrics (and turning them into record-breaking hits), but also she has impeccable style. She’s rocked the crazy-curls-sundress-cowboy-boot look, the sequined glittery dresses in almost every-color, tons of ’50s-inspired housewife dresses, and most recently the red-lip-short-banged-hair-high-waisted-skirt look. Swift has also pulled off a bunch of cat-related clothes, including dresses, cat-ear tiaras, a corny “The Great Catsby” sweater, and she even used her own kitten, Olivia (named after Mariska Hargitay’s character on Law and Order SVU), as an impromptu accessory after the adorable Scottish fold kitten refused to be placed in a cat carrier. Swift even manages to look flawless after leaving the gym. (Seriously, Google it!)

Swift is known for sending her fa-

end of the exhibit with quotes and red Post-Its that are meant for visitors to jot down what heels mean to them.

Catch the exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum of Art in Downtown Brooklyn. The exhibit is extended to March, so don’t miss it!

mous care packages to her fans. After receiving one of her care packages last week, a fan blogged that the clothes Swift had sent her were clothes that she’d actually wear and they fit her perfectly. Swift responded that it was just a lucky guess but still left some suspicious of her infallible perfection in everything.

Putting her suspected magical abilities aside, she’s still a major style icon.

She has great advice not only found in her songs, but also when it comes to style. She defines style as “such a personal thing; it’s your way to be an individual.” Way to lay on the pressure, Taylor. For those still trying to figure out who they are that must invoke a degree of unnecessary anxiety. But there’s no need to fear, since “The fun part about style and your look is that you can change it.” So, nothing will box you in permanently.

Dress to Express Estelle Saad, 2-HN I’ve heard so many times that people dress to express themselves. Even those who take about 10 seconds to get ready each morning, pulling on a sweater and sneakers before running out the door, are expressing themselves; they just happen to be sporting the rolled-out-of-bed look.

It may not be trés chic, but it conveys a laid-back nature and an interest and preoccupation in other things besides looks.

Everything you wear sends a message, and you have to be comfortable with it.

You can look great in anything, as long as you have the confidence. In our school, we dress with tzniut. Some may want to dress differently, but I think that being tzniut sends the right message: that you are modest, and that you dress for yourself first. That look is pretty fashionable, even if it includes a Central skirt. |5

Sports

Chwat...cont’d from page 2

Maleh (back row, fifth from left) with her new family

Sportsman Spotlight: Jennifer Maleh Albert Dweck, 3-HR This season looks to be a great one for junior Jennifer Maleh, a two-sport star who is looking forward to capitalizing on the great softball season she had last year, where she batted an eye-popping .898 and had 22 RBIs. Maleh, who is also on the basketball team, had the makings of a softball star from an early age, starting with playing catch with her father for hours on end. The many days she spent at Yankee Stadium watching Derek Jeter and his teammates helped foment her love of the sport. As she described, “there is just nothing better than going to the ballpark on Sunday afternoons, smelling that freshly cut grass and feeling a rush as the first pitch is thrown.”

When Jen was accepted to Flatbush she was ecstatic knowing the school

had an excellent basketball program but disheartened when she heard that there was no girls’ softball team. But there is no stopping Jen Maleh. She banded together with all her friends and appealed to Mr. Amkraut, the Athletics Director, for a softball team. After a year-long struggle, the Yeshivah’s girls softball team was approved. Maleh was ecstatic and a championship-caliber team was soon put together.

Maleh explained that, while she had tremendous fun playing softball in the team’s initial season, much more valuable was the new family that she gained.

The relationships and camaraderie she developed with her teammates and coaches, she said, were invaluable to her success both on the field and in the classroom.

Jen Maleh

Year

GP

Avg.

Junior Bats: Right H: 5’2”

2013-14

10

.898

1st Base Throws: Right Age: 16

Fingerprints...cont’d from front page

that have started using the fingerprinting system, like the Frisch School in New Jersey, were consulted in the process. They reported that although the system takes a little time to get used to, it is worthwhile in the long run.

When the program officially started for the entire student body, there were a few difficulties; however, those problems were quickly flagged and have since been corrected. The administrators learned a lot from the trial run about how to smoothly run the program.

Initially a few parents had concerns parents about the security of having the students’ fingerprint information on file.

6 | www.theflatbushphoenix.com

HR RBI 2B 3B 4

22

7

4

These parents have been assured that the information is secure and encrypted, and that it is stored as safely as other student information, such as student addresses and phone numbers.

This attendance program is still in its early stages, but it is expected to run smoothly and effectively overall. Freshman Jessica Vaysman thinks that the program will succeed. She said, “It is quick, convenient, and easy for every student to walk into school and scan his or her finger.”

Even though attendance is still being taken in every class, the fingerprinting will become the primary record of student attendance for the day. Eventually,

He stated that teachers at Flatbush and their influence had set his future in motion.

“I must admit that I was not the greatest of students in high school but there were certain teachers and classes that I connected with. One such teacher was Ms. Kaplowitz, whose history and political science classes impacted me greatly and were the foundation for my career in legislative advocacy and lobbying. I distinctly remember Ms. Kaplowitz’ passion for politics and the legislative process and our class discussions were probably some of the first times I was forced to critically think about the issues taking place in the world around me. Another teacher who impacted me was Rabbi Prag, whose kind and caring disposition taught me how Halacha and Mitzvot weren’t just a set of rules and regulations but rather a way of life that fostered honesty and consideration for my fellow Jew and all those who I come into contact with.”

This inspiration led Chwat to see that being an Orthodox Jew does not necessarily mean he must separate himself from society but, rather, try and improve it. This outlook on Jewish values aids him with his work because of the multitude of veterans he encounters who come from various cities around the country—some with no religious Jews at all.

As WWP’s Chief Program Officer, Chwat is responsible for all the programs in the organization, managing a team of over 300 staff members, and a budget of over $180 million dollars a year. He claims that, despite its pressures, it is the most rewarding job in the world for him.

“It can be a very stressful position but equally rewarding as, despite how big 17 Things...cont’d from page 2

kind that you can still feel reverberating through your bones long after the tune fades out. The kind that, when the beat stops, leaves you slightly empty but mostly fulfilled. Because sometimes, a song really can save your life.

6. Don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you want because it “isn’t you.” You define you. No one else does.

So crank up that music and wear those funky stockings because there’s only one of you in the world and you get to determine who that will be.

7. Bad days are unavoidable, but they will end. And there’s no shame in spending the day crying in bed with Netflix and Ben & Jerry’s as your companions. Just remember to get up. Keep fighting.

8. I read somewhere that “First loves do not exist to complete you, but to teach you that you are enough.” Remember that when he breaks your heart. You. Are. Enough.

9. Your parents love you. Appreciate them, even when you don’t understand them. Remember that they’re getting older with you, and they won’t be around forever. So hug and kiss them while you still can.

10. You should try out sleep-away camp. You’ll never feel as complete as you do when you stand in a circle looking at when the students get comfortable with the program, it may even become a rule that if someone does not scan his or her finger in the morning, he or she will forfeit one of the limited sign-ins that students are allowed.

we’ve grown and my job has evolved, at the end of each week I can still name the warriors with whom I personally interacted and whose lives my organization was able to impact. It does not get much better than that.”

After graduating with a degree in Political Science, Chwat was looking for a job in his field. He joined the EPVA as a Legislative Liaison, and then he saw his career soar as WWP expanded and became a way for him to practice lobbying and legislative work and grow close to the people who risk their lives for us.

When asked if he had any advice he would give current high school students, Chwat said that his advice would be not to “overly worry if you don’t excel in all classes or subjects, but rather, try and use your high school experience to find the things that interest you most and that you are most passionate about. These are the things that you should work your hardest at and you can find a way to pursue them in your professional career. At the same time, make sure you are open to opportunities that may not seem to be a perfect fit as you never know when you will find the issue or cause that you want to dedicate your life’s work to.”

Chwat believes that he is lucky enough to enjoy his work and be able to give back to the brave men and women who fight for us. He is determined in the fact that his years at Flatbush were invaluable in shaping his future and his character. “Those years instilled in me a sense of civic responsibility and hakarat hatov for the world around me and those who contribute to it,” he said.

the 42 faces of closest friends. That’s when you’ll discover true happiness.

11. Don’t let your weight weigh you down. Numbers on a scale are nothing compared to the number of watts in your smile or the pricelessness of your personality. You are not your weight.

12. No means no. No question about it. And no one is ever “asking for it.”

13. Never be ashamed of your problems, no matter how minute they may seem compared to the situation in Africa.

Don’t delegitimize what bothers you. Minor disappointments can still be crushing, and you have the right to be upset.

14. Remember that college and SATs aren’t everything. Eventually it will work out. I promise.

15. Spring is awesome, so remember to leave your house, get some fresh air.

Try not to be a hermit—you’re young, so go out and live your life.

16. Try to remember that you are not the center of the universe. Yes, you are priceless and unique, but you are not the sun, and the lives of the people in your life don’t revolve around you.

17. Remember to breathe. It will work out, and you will be OK. 18. (One for good luck.) Take Ms. Stein’s Creative Writing class. It’ll be the highlight of your day and the best decision you ever make.

The Yeshivah of Flatbush, always looking to improve its policies, has seemingly found an effective way to do so using the latest technological advances.