The Phoenix 2020-2021 Issue 3

A Student Publication of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School • 1609 Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York • Vol 55, Issue 3 • December 2020 / 5781

Older grades being less honest on daily health questionnaire

New Owl device enhances Zoom experience

By Daniel Beyda

out the form truthfully came from the freshman grade. The second most came Junior Editor from the sophomores, the third most Every morning before we enter the from the juniors, and the least from the building, we are required to answer seniors. questions related to our potential expoMost students interviewed specified sure to Covid-19 in order to get past the that the form is usually the last thing on front desk. The question is: how many their mind, and is just a last-second toof us are genuinely taking the time to do as they walk into the school building. answer those questions And as a junior or a setruthfully? nior, there is usually a eeping each At first glance, it other safe and lot more on your mind would seem that most every morning, as ophealthy is a team people would not put the posed to a freshman or safety of others at risk effort which requires sophomores, who may to spare a couple of sec- each of us to play not have as much on onds, but a little bit of their plate. our part.

Kol Yisrael digging revealed that the But nonchalance is opposite was true. Mul- Areivim Zeh baZeh” only one factor when tiple students from each students answer the - Rabbi Beyda grade were interviewed health questions disabout their experiences filling out the honestly. Many students who actively daily health questionnaire, and these in- have Covid symptoms decide not to terviews revealed that honesty depends check the boxes anyway. These stulargely on grade level. dents, who all requested anonymity, Specifically, most students who filled said they genuinely believe their symp-

By Betty Hidary

”K

Entertainment Editor

that Seminar gives students the opportunity to learn lessons that aren’t traditionally taught in a classroom. Lessons

on respect, responsibility, and religious connection are just as important as math and English, and Seminar is the place

The Meeting Owl, an egg-shaped, 360-degree smart video conferencing camera, was recently purchased by Flatbush as a way to improve the experience quarantined students are having over Zoom.

This camera which is currently being tested in select classrooms including the Bet Midrash and room 301, is able to automatically highlight and shift focus to different people in the room as they speak, allowing students at home to feel more like they are really in the classroom.

Many students in quarantine have complained about feeling forgotten when the rest of their class is in a room together. They also had trouble seeing the board, as the single camera in most classrooms usually faces the teacher or faces out at the students, and were not able to effectively pay attention.

Alison Mudick, a junior, said, “At times I didn’t even bother taking notes, because I couldn’t see the board or pay attention.” Now, with the use of the Meeting Owl, students have reported being able to clearly see the teacher, the board, and the other kids in the class. Abby Tuachi, a senior, said, “I liked it because I could see everything, not only the teacher like before, and it felt like I was more a part of the class.”

So far Flatbush has purchased a total of six Owls, each costing about $1,000.

They are being used in classes with large numbers of students in quarantine. The Owl contains a 360-degree camera, a speaker, and a microphone, and is able to connect and function as a part of Zoom.

As of now, Flatbush is not looking to purchase any more Owls, but depending on the level of improvements to the Zooming experience that may change, the administration confirmed.

Entertainment: Will Adele ever release her album?

Page 5

Fashion: Sweatpants are everywhere Page 7

Sports: Meet the Flatbush surfing team Page 8

toms are a result of allergies or a common cold, and don’t want to end up unnecessarily quarantined for a sniffle.

So far, any dishonesty on the health

continued on page 4

After success with seniors, ‘Seminaren’t’ event planned for each grade

By Elie Esses Junior Editor

Seminar is a key aspect of the Flatbush experience. New friendships are made and old ones are strengthened. It’s a time to come together and really get to know your peers, and also your teachers.

With the rise of Covid, shipping off almost 200 kids to live in cramped hotel rooms for a weekend is about as dangerous as you can get, which makes Seminar as we know it almost impossible. This seemingly irreplaceable experience is in need of replacement.

Seminar is to Flatbush what baseball is to America—you can have one without the other, but it just isn’t as fun. Student Activities Director Ms. Marcus explained that Seminar is a huge part of the “reach of the school.” But she also added

In This Issue People: Page 2 D’var Torah: Page 4 Fun and Games: Page 6

Michael Oved (left) and Isaac Chappan enjoyed the day

phoenix@flatbush.org | 1

Flatbush Family: The Shamahs

Faculty Freshman:

Ms. Hadef

By Robyn Beyda Contributing Writer

By Linda Abramson Contributing Writer

Ms. Helena Hadef, Flatbush’s new multi-talented Hebrew Language teacher, is the third member of her household to join the Flatbush family. Her family’s ties to Flatbush are old and broad, as her daughter Simone Amkraut is currently a sophomore and her husband Mr. Eric Amkraut is the school’s Athletics Director. Ms. Hadef ’s mother-in-law attended Flatbush Elementary School in the 1950s, her cousins are now teachers there, and their children are and have been students in the high school.

But Ms. Hadef was not always set on landing a job here. She and her daughter were drawn to the school when they would come to watch sports games with Mr. Amkraut. Once Simone transferred to Flatbush in her freshman year and enjoyed the school, Ms. Hadef decided to make Flatbush a family affair.

However, this is anything but easy.

Ms. Hadef and Simone wake up every day at 6:30 to commute from New Jersey, and they stay in school until around 10 PM due to Simone’s extensive athletic involvement.

Ms. Hadef attended Columbia University, originally intending to become an ACLU lawyer and work in politics.

However, she fell in love with Jewish education and decided to attend the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she earned a BA in Talmud and education. Ms. Hadef has worked as a fellow with dynamic groups of educational leaders innovating to improve Jewish education in the diaspora. In addition, she also obtained a BA in political science with a concentration

in Communist studies from Columbia.

Although Ms. Hadef seems like a natural fit as a member of Flatbush’s faculty, she has had numerous jobs and ventures before finding her place at Flatbush.

From being Vice Principal of a Jewish Day School and Head of School in numerous schools nationwide to running a private Academic Enrichment program, Hadef says that she’s most passionate about working with kids on subjects such as literary analysis, history, politics, and ethics. In addition to her already-full resume, Ms. Hadef took a three-year break from education and became the owner of the only female-owned business in the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem.

She has also owned an Iraqi restaurant in the shuk and a Remax Realty office. Ms. Hadef reflects, “What a trip!”

According to Ms. Hadef, working at Flatbush is unlike any other job because “Flatbush students are simply the most kind, respectful, warm, and humble students with whom I’ve ever worked.” She also admires the administrators, who never stop planning new programs to further enhance our Flatbush experience, from Yachad afternoons and Pathfinder programs to all of the athletic and holiday celebrations. Ms. Hadef longs for the day when she can join the communal singing and dancing that “are so much part of the ruach here.”

Ms. Alyssa Shamah, Flatbush’s recruitment coordinator, and her children Mickey, a senior, and Jamie, a sophomore, are taking the school by storm. A Flatbush family through and through, both Mickey and Jamie attended Flatbush Elementary school. The family truly enjoys having each other around at school.

“You could really rely on each other and be there for one another,” said Mickey.

He sometimes drives Jamie around and gives her advice on life in YOF. A happy parent, Ms. Shamah decided to start working at Flatbush when Mickey was a freshman. She loved the idea of being able to work near her kids. Shamah thinks her close proximity to her kids definitely enhances her experience and brings them closer together. While Jamie is constantly bringing her friends to her mom’s office, Mickey is more independent and distant during school hours, yet both are glad she’s there.

Other than the occasional assistance with lunch or a water bottle, Ms. Shamah doesn’t feel that she uses her position to help her kids navigate their time at Flat-

From Flatbush to Harvard to Mayo Alumna Interview: Rozalina Grubina (HS ’00)

By Marcelle Setton Contributing Writer

Having graduating at the top of her class from Yeshivah Of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School in 2000, Rozalina Grubina currently works as a physician and researcher in Rochester, Minnesota, at the world-famous Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit hospital committed to clinical practice, education, and research that provides care to everyone who needs healing.

During the pandemic, Grubina said the Mayo Clinic adapted by providing virtual care by phone and video for their

patients. The “hospital is now full of patients with Covid-19, with the ICU at near full occupancy,” Grubina said. She explained that her husband, whom she met during her residency, is a hospitalist and cares for Covid-19 patients, which is stressful for the whole family. Along with her own work as a physician, she still has to teach her first grader and find childcare for her two sons. Her parents had assisted her by watching the kids, but because of the pandemic they are no longer able to help.

In addition to working at the Mayo Clinic, Grubina is a leader in her small Jewish community and also taught, prior

The Phoenix Staff Editor-in-Chief: Kaden Harari Managing Editor: Adelle Ayash Senior Editors: Michael Oved, Shelley Shamah School News Editors: Vivian Cohen, Joanie Dweck Religion Editor: Jennifer Salzman World News Editor: Etty Jajati Features Editor: Diane Azrak Entertainment Editors: Renee Cohen, Betty Hidary

2 | phoenix@flatbush.org

to the pandemic, for her religious school in B’nai Israel, her area’s synagogue.

“Flatbush gave me the tools, knowledge, and pride to live a Jewish life no matter where I was or what I was doing,” she explained.

“I look back at my four years at Flatbush, just like my next four years at Harvard, as some of the

Food Editor: Evelyn Tawil Fashion Editors: Sarah Benun, Lillian Louz Fun & Games Editor: Natalie Ryba Sports Editors: Joey Alhadeff, Terri Elmann Junior Editors: Jenna Ashkenazie, Daniel Beyda, Elie Esses, Nicole Muravsky, Jennifer Neuman, Jack Saad Sophomore Editors: Simone Amkraut, Ralph Askenazi Design: Carolina Cohen Faculty Adviser: Adam Hofstetter

bush. “They really figure it out on their own,” she said. “Their cords are broken.”

Rather than going to their mom, Mickey and Jamie usually rely on each other for guidance and input.

While Mickey is in honors and Jamie is not, the siblings don’t think this impacts the way they relate to each other.

They aren’t competitive, and both have different approaches to dealing with homework and tests. “Mickey has a more laid-back attitude,” said Jamie. “I think I work much harder.” She usually relies on Mickey when she needs advice on her teachers and school, and likes when teachers associate her with her brother.

Being forced to stay inside due to Covid restrictions forced the Shamahs to spend more time together. As with many families, the Shamahs grew closer and bonded because of quarantine. “Jamie’s the best. She’s awesome,” Mickey said.

“She’s a role model.”

As a senior, Mickey is preparing to go to college soon. While he is excited for the new opportunities and freedom, the family as a whole admits that they’ll miss having each other around. “I keep telling him that I don’t know what I’m going to do if he leaves me,” Jamie said.

best years of my life,” stated Grubina.

When she came to the high school she barely spoke English and didn’t know any Hebrew, but Rabbi Eliach was there to help her succeed. Almost every day in her freshman year, Rabbi Eliach would sit with her for two periods to teach her Hebrew. The benevolence Rabbi Eliach showed her taught her the importance of recognizing “the hidden potential in people and to invest in people with big potential but little opportunity.”

High School Administration Rabbi Raymond Harari, Head of School Rabbi Joseph Beyda, Principal Ms. Sari Bacon, Associate Principal Ms. Esther Hidary, Assistant Principal / Director of Admissions

Ms. Mayer forms female focus group for doctorate

By Nicole Muravsky Junior Editor

Ms. Mayer is surveying students on many aspects of their education; the results of one question are shown above English teacher Ms. Mayer is conducting action-based research within the Yeshivah of Flatbush for her doctoral dissertation, and has created a focus group of female students to help her do that.

Ms. Mayer is part of a doctoral program at Fordham University to get her EdD, which is similar to a PhD but, as she put it, “A PhD tends to be more theoretical, and an EdD is more action research where you’re putting your theories in practice.”

For her dissertation, Ms. Mayer needed to find an issue or some sort of variance in Flatbush and propose a theory of action that can improve the situation. She said she encountered obstacles when finding an idea for her research: “I thought a lot about what problem I would like to do, and it’s hard because you look at a school like Yeshivah of Flatbush where the motto is ‘standard of excellence.’ They really do live up to that, so it’s hard to find a problem in a school where, at least on a surface level, it looks like there are no problems.” She also commented that an additional challenge she faced was that “our school is remarkably homogeneous in race and religion,” which makes it harder to discern between different groups—something she needs to do as part of the project.

Ms. Mayer chose to analyze the school’s curriculum with a focus on topics that are related to gender, and to research not only whether the material is being taught in a neutral manner, but also in a way that leaves a positive impression on students—especially girls.

The classroom material is significant, but even more so the mode of instruction and what implicit and explicit messages are being imparted on students. For example, she is examining whether there is a lack of discussion about women in classes, such as in History where male historical figures are focused on more extensively.

She explained how the absence of dis-

cussion about women in classes prompts girls to question: “What does it mean as my role as a Jewish woman? Does it mean that I can’t make a difference?”

Ms. Mayer is quick to assert that the latter “obviously is not at all the case” and hopes to work with interested teachers to eliminate any related doubts by adjusting instruction.

Many members of the faculty and female students have seen Ms. Mayer’s anonymous survey that was sent out around a month ago to collect data. At the end of the survey, Ms. Mayer left her e-mail in case someone was interested and wanted to contact her for further discussion; senior Stephanie Tarrab did.

Because of Stephanie’s interest, Ms. Mayer started a focus group that’s open to any female who wants to join, where the participants will have discussions relating to the topic.

Ms. Mayer further commented that she feels particularly thankful to a lot of the faculty members for helping her conduct her research by approving the creation of the focus group and research topic, helping send out the surveys, participating in interviews, and aiding in collecting academic data, facts, and the students’ demographic information, and more.

The doctoral program takes a minimum of three years to complete, but one can take up to ten years to submit one’s final work. By the end of next semester, Ms. Mayer expects to have completed half of her project.

Consequences of a ‘cut’ still evolving

By Jack Saad

and citizenship grades, which prevents many students, inJunior Editor cluding myself, from cutting classes,” CoThe “cut,” given by hen explained. teachers to students for Some students missing class without theorize that these an excused absence, cuts will eventually used to be one of the turn into detentions, most horrifying punand that is another reaishments in Flatbush. son some students shy One who received a away from cutting classcut used to receive es. Other students avoid an hour and a half cuts so they don’t have to detention. That was make up the classwork. true for years— Sophomore Jack Alhadeff until now. With said, “It is very hard to the closing of the make up the material school building, W missed when cutting class, hen a stude the detentions atnt is marke d especially when it is multi“cutting,” w tached to cuts were hat happen s? ple classes.” also put on pause.

This change to the cut has The new consequence for cuts s o m e students wondering if some has been extremely vague, with the only information disclosed being that the par- of these changes might be permanent, ents of a student who receives too many or may have some lasting effects in the cuts can receive a phone call from the future. For example, the freshmen, who have never had a different system of congrade advisor.

Students realized this change ex- sequences for “cuts,” may fall in the habtremely quickly, and many have taken it of skipping classes in the future, even advantage of it. One anonymous senior once direct punishment returns.

The administration did not specify told The Phoenix that he has already received 40 cuts this semester, as he has when the current situation may change, skipped entire days of Zoom at a time. but senior grade advisor Rabbi Galpert On the other hand, some students, in- said, “I don’t know if this system will last cluding junior Jacob Cohen, fear cuts for past the end of the pandemic.” other reasons. “Cuts also affect grades

Testing schedule getting mixed reviews

By Ralph Askenazi Sophomore Editor

The “testing days” that have replaced the school’s usual test calendar this year have students split on the question of which system they prefer.

Some people like the new testing days because, for three days, they can focus solely on tests with no outside things to worry about like assignments, classes, and quizzes. Some people like the free time that comes with much shorter test days, and they also like the fact that there is more time to study. Some people like having all of their tests clustered into a small amount of time instead of scattered throughout the semester.

“I really like it because then I know I’ll only be stressed for one week and don’t have to worry about planning certain things outside of school and worrying about a test coming up that would get in the way, or even teams,” senior Sarah Richter said.

Explaining the thinking behind the change, Rabbi Beyda said, “Assessments concentrated into set periods of time helps students to focus and study. Students will be able to just study and take tests without the added pressure of having to learn new material in classes before and after exams.” Another benefit, he continued, is that “there is equity in everyone taking exams all at once. Teachers don’t need to make multiple exams.

Students at work during the first in-person testing day, December 2

Proctoring will be much more serious, making it more difficult for dishonesty.”

However, with all the people raving about how good these test days are, there are students who are just as strongly opposed. Some teachers have made assignments due on these days, too, and with six tests in three days, stress levels can be high.

As sophomore Ezra Habert says,” I think the idea is great and the concept works and fits perfectly for what the school needs to fulfill, however, when it

gets to that week it becomes very stressful for most students.”

Many people also complained that the finals-like atmosphere makes these tests feel like they are more important than ordinary tests. Additionally, taking two exams a day makes it harder to focus on both exams.

Rabbi Beyda called the testing days “an experiment” and acknowledged that decisions have not been made yet about whether this format will be continued next year.

phoenix@flatbush.org | 3

Multipe Covid-19 vaccines D’var Torah: getting closer to approval

Taking different approaches to the same problem

By Vivian Cohen School News Editor

By Etty Jajati World News Editor

Ever since Covid-19 cases spiked in the United States this past March, there have been hopes of the developments of a vaccine. The approval of a widely accessible vaccine has gotten significantly closer in recent weeks, with positive developments announced by two of the three major pharmaceutical companies working toward producing viable vaccines.

While social distancing and other restrictions have been keeping exposure rates at bay, they cannot be the longterm solution. And the longer we as a national community are held to abide by these restrictions, the harder it will be to maintain them; people grow restless and naturally crave human interaction, and without a definitive end in sight, morale has been wavering. There is still a large chunk of the population that remains extremely vulnerable to the virus; they will remain so until changes are implemented through the distribution of a vaccine.

As for the vaccines themselves, there have been a number of candidates in line for approval and mass distribution, but none has been tested enough to determine whether long term side-effects could potentially arise after treatment.

Operation Warp Speed (OWS), a collaborative group of several federal departments and biopharmaceutical companies, has accelerated development efforts and a fast-tracked the ride to the market for their three candidates of choice: Oxford–AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer BioNTech. All three have only made it to Phase 3 of testing, all three use some method or another to identify and replicate the SARS-CoV-2 protein (the protein that makes humans susceptible to the virus), and all three require two doses of the vaccine for the full effect.

According to BBC.com, “trials of the Oxford vaccine show it stops 70% of people developing Covid symptoms.”

In comparison to Moderna, and Pfizer BioNTech, both averaging at around 90-95% in their effectiveness, Oxford wouldn’t seem like the best choice; however, there are a number of important

factors that put Oxford’s vaccine in the lead as the most promising candidate.

First, Oxford’s vaccine would be a much easier task to administer economically, as it can be stored at normal refrigeration temperatures, whereas Moderna’s requires storage at extreme temperatures of -20°C, and Pfizer BioNTech’s at -70°C; this means if the vaccines were to be shipped internationally, they would have to be on specially equipped planes with massive amounts of dry ice to maintain said temperatures, which would be extremely costly. The cheaper rates of transport for Oxford make it an ideal choice for low-income countries, and they outlive Pfizer’s short-lived shelf life of a mere five days by a wide margin.

Secondly, unlike candidates Moderna, and Pfizer BioNTech, who’ve developed mRNA type vaccines, Oxford’s approach has been to create theirs as a viral-vector vaccine. While the two approaches have been seen to both be extremely effective in their results, and Pfizer has gone so far as to announce that, among their “43,500 people in six countries [tested], no safety concerns have been raised,” mRNA vaccines have yet to be approved for use on humans. So as far as that goes, RNA testing’s better statistics don’t factor in as much as would be ideal.

However, there have been significant questions about the effectiveness of the Oxford vaccine, as preliminary data shows that it was more effective in people who received a lower dose.

Vaccinating the entire world is no easy task, and several factors will come into deciding the final verdict and the best fit. In addition to effectiveness and minimal side effects, considerations include the ability of each company to produce and transport hundreds of millions of doses quickly.

Regardless of which vaccine first becomes available, the first to be eligible to receive it will likely be high-risk individuals such as the elderly and immunocompromised, along with healthcare workers. The timetable for availability is still unknown, but appears to be within the next several months if not sooner.

Older grades less honest about health continued from page 1

questionnaire seems to have had little effect, as there have been very few cases of students attending school while sick with Covid-19, and no known cases of transmission of the disease within the building. But Rabbi Beyda insists that

4 | phoenix@flatbush.org

truthful answers are crucial in preventing the school from going into another lockdown: “Keeping each other safe and healthy is a team effort which requires each of us to play our part. Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh baZeh.”

Tamar, at first glance, was merely a woman of trickery; she disguised herself as a prostitute in order to deceive her father-in-law, Yehuda, who didn’t offer his third son to Tamar after his first two sons married her and died. However, further into the story, when Tamar revealed herself as the prostitute whom Yehuda had approached, Yehuda did nothing other than admit that “she [was] right.” Furthermore, one of the twins that Tamar had borne due to her intimate relationship with Yehuda, Peretz, was the great-x9 grandfather of David ben Ishai, our second and most prominent Israelite king. With this in mind, judging Tamar as only a promiscuous woman is a flawed perspective; she was a far more complex character.

Tamar’s promiscuity can be equated to Ruth’s suspicious acts with Boaz, in order to broaden our perspective on Tamar’s motivation and actions. Both the situation and the text itself hint to this character comparison. In both scenarios, there was a refusal to fulfill the mitzvah of Yiboom, to marry the woman after her husband died: Yehuda refused to marry her off to his last son and Ploni Almoni, the closest relative to Ruth, refused to marry Ruth. In both, the women switch

out of their “widowing clothes” prior to taking action to continue their husbands’ legacies, or fulfill Yiboom; and in both, two root words recur: sh.u.v and n.k.r. Noting that Ruth is, in fact, very similar to Tamar highlights that Tamar’s incentive was just as pure as Ruth’s: she had a desire to make a name for her deceased husband through having children.

However, as with any intertextuality within biblical texts, our Tamar and Ruth comparison has not only similarities, but differences which expound on the deeper message within the story. Although the incentive behind Tamar’s and Ruth’s actions were fairly equivalent, the actions that the two women perpetrated differ subtly. Ruth’s interference with Boaz only reached a point of suspicion; no intimate relationship occured between the two. This is unlike Tamar’s tactic of going through with an intimate relationship with her father-in-law to prove her point. Tamar and Ruth, both longing for a child, achieve that outcome by taking the same action to different lengths. Perhaps this situational distinction signifies that often more than one approach is available when striving for an objective. One must always evaluate the various strategies before selecting the means to accomplish a goal.

After success with seniors, ‘Semin-aren’t’ events planned for all other grades continued from page 1

where those lessons are often learned.

So the school faced a tremendous challenge: having Seminar without having Seminar. They needed to come up with something that would foster school spirit and morale, give students a chance to bond with their grade, and teach some invaluable lessons, all without compromising on Covid safety.

Last month, the first of such events occurred, serving as a sort of experiment for what is to come. Instead of classes one day, the senior grade had their own Covid-safe, Seminar-like program in the school building. Just like on Seminar, students were able to partake in meaningful sessions and listen to some inspirational speakers and videos. They

also played games and tie-dyed “Seniors 2021” sweatshirts, which senior David Shalam described as “so much fun.”

Rabbi Besser confirmed that an equivalent event is being planned for the juniors during Chanukah, and that similar programs—known unofficially as Semin-aren’t—are being planned for the other grades as well. Just like at Seminar, events, sessions, and speakers will be customized for each grade.

However, some students are not waiting for the school to provide such programming, taking matters into their own hands by planning their own weekend events. Junior Lawrence Natkin stated that he and “my boys” plan on “hitting Camelback, since Seminar is canceled.”

Faculty Freshman: Ms. Hadef continued from page 2

Ms. Hadef ’s family embraces the idea of being at Flatbush. Even though some people have not realized the connection given that they have different last names,

it became public knowledge when Simone hugged her mom in the middle of the hallway.

Entertainment Book Review:

TV Review:

One of Us Is Lying drips Julie and the Phantoms with riveting suspense deeper than it looks

By Diane Azrak Features Editor

One of Us Is Lying is a captivating, young adult novel resembling a darker version of the classic film The Breakfast Club by John Hughes, in that it follows the lives of four high school seniors who are accused of murder: Bronwyn the nerdy know-it-all, Nate the bad-boy drug dealer, Addy the blonde with a popular boyfriend, and Cooper the baseball star.

Each of them is thrown in detention along with classmate and school gossip Simon because their cell phones went off in class, but each of them claims they were framed because the phones weren’t theirs. On that fateful day in detention, Simon receives a cup of water mixed with peanut oil, to which he is deathly allergic.

Simon’s death provokes these unlikely friends to come together and clear their names. But everyone has a secret; at what cost are they willing to protect it?

The novel consists of three parts and is constantly switching between the perspectives of the four main characters, contributing to the suspense and personal investment in the characters. Even though the book can be stereotypical, there is nonetheless a level of relatability as just about any reader can identify with one of the Bayview Four. The character growth is also so drastic that it’s inevitable to connect with at least one of them.

This novel was recommended to me by a friend and I thoroughly enjoyed the plot twists along the way. I couldn’t put it down as it had me constantly looking over my shoulder and playing detective myself to find out who murdered Simon.

Quick tip: don’t be misled by the title; everyone is lying.

Adele fans still await mysterious new album

By Jenna Ashkenazie Junior Editor

For months, fans have been waiting for Adele to release her next album, but nobody seems to know when to expect it.

Adele has become a worldwide household name since the popular artist’s first studio album, 19, was released in 2008. This album put the London native on the map and won her the Critic’s Choice award in the 2008 BRIT awards along with her first two Grammys in 2009. Adele went on to release two more albums, 21 in 2011, and 25 in 2015.

She has been taking a break from the spotlight ever since she finished her tour in the summer of 2017. Now though, she is back after announcing her newest album.

Even though the album itself has been confirmed for some time now, the album’s title still has not been released.

The only information given on the title of her fourth studio album is that it will not be named corresponding to the age at which she wrote its songs, like in her three previous albums.

Adele had originally disclosed that

this album would be released last December; however, this clearly did not happen as planned. In January 2020, her manager announced that the album release date has been pushed to sometime during 2020, but due to the ongoing pandemic, there have been even more delays.

According to smoothradio. com, when officiating and performing at a friend’s wedding party in February, she told the guests to expect the album in September.

However in June of 2020, her manager Jonathan Dickes announced, that due to the pandemic, it would not be released in September—it would be “ready when it’s ready.”

In October, Adele made her grand TV comeback hosting SNL, a gig that is usually given to performers who are promoting the release of a new work. But during her monologue she announced to viewers not to expect the album until 2021. It is likely that fans will be reigning in the new year without a new Adele album to enjoy.

By Joanie Dweck School News Editor

Julie and the Phantoms, a Netflix original series, was released this September and has already grown wildly popular among many audiences, with a lasting impact on all ages. The TV-G-rated show tackles love, loss, acceptance, and understanding, highlighting that music and true relationships can be an uplifter in even the darkest of times.

Directed by award-winning director Kenny Ortega, Julie and the Phantoms follows the story of Julie Molina (actress Madison Reyes), a young girl detached from music since the death of her mom, and the appearance of ghost-band Sunset Curve in her life. The band members, Luke, Alex, and Reggie died in a tragic accident 25 years prior only to reappear as ghosts to Julie. While Julie is the only one who can communicate with the band, when they play alongside her they become visible and heard by all those around them. Julie begins to perform again and rekindle her love of music; the boys even collectively rename their band Julie and the Phantoms. All is well until they are bound by the manager of a ghost club, forced to either join his band or disappear from existence. While dealing with love, loss, and struggles regarding what really matters in life (or the afterlife), the boys and Julie fight to find a way to save themselves through music.

Not only has the show itself become a smash hit, but the music in the show has made its way to the top tier. Through the band’s impressive skills and Reyes’s phenomenal voice, the cast album has skyrocketed to more than 1.2 million monthly plays on Spotify. This is Reyes’s first-ever television project, and fans and casting directors alike agree that she is on the rise to stardom.

One song in particular hit audiences close to home. “Unsaid Emily,” sung by Luke (actor Charlie Gillespie), brought many viewers to tears and is a factor in the show’s immense success. Luke had a rough relationship with his parents; they didn’t support his dream of starting a band, so he ran away in order to pursue his dream. Luke’s last words to his mother were harsh fighting, leaving her extremely broken at the news of his death. When he reappears as a ghost, Luke’s song is his apology, an expression of how much he loves his mother and regret of never having made amends.

Some viewers felt as if “Unsaid Emily” was their way of saying “I love you” and “goodbye” to those they have lost in their lives.

Gillespie said in an interview with Seventeen, “We’re waking up with messages and e-mails from people talking about how they lost a grandmother, or their parent, a sibling, or even an animal, and how their lives have changed for the worse since those moments. But then, watching the show, and they’re coming out and saying, ‘You guys really helped me reflect on what used to make me happy and I’m gonna make the effort to bring that back into my life.’”

Julie and the Phantoms proves to be a show for personal enjoyment and also for personal growth and eye-opening messages.

phoenix@flatbush.org | 5

Fun & Games Ask Merle

home. Stay safe, everyone ;) Dear Merle, How do I know it’s all going to be OK? Anxious

Dear Merle, When will I get comfortable in high school?

From, Fearful Freshie Dear Fearful Freshie, If this year were a normal one, I’d say wait it out till Seminar and let loose.

However, for pretty obvious reasons, that’s not gonna happen. I urge you to put everything you can into school. Join every commission to which you want to commit, regardless of the people on that commission, and things will blend naturally. Freshmen have a tendency to be a bit lost and lack motivation, but shooting for the stars from the very beginning will help you put down your roots in Flatbush and find success.

Sincerely, Merle

Dear Merle, What do I do when people wear their masks on half of their face? Should I say something? Should I not?

Sincerely, Worried Dear Worried, Always, always say something. It can be uncomfortable and feel rude. Your brain might be fighting it every step on

the way, but our school has worked too hard to keep us all healthy and in the building. Whether people believe in it or not, wearing a mask (properly) is common decency. Let us all revel and prosper in the sanctuary that we call our second

Dear Anxious, The fact of the matter is, you don’t.

You can never accurately predict what life will throw at you. No amount of worrying or regret will change the past or future. Remember that if you are in the Yeshivah of Flatbush, you have people in your life who deeply care about you. Be kind to them, cherish them. Try to go through life working as hard as you can and being as kind as possible, and you will be happy.

Sincerely, Merle

By Natalie Ryba

Fun & Games Editor

GLASS HALF FULL

• I finally placed on a Kahoot winners podium. Third place, baby!

• Parent-teacher conferences were on Zoom and I may or may not have turned up my mom’s computer volume and then hid in her closet or something when my teachers were spilling the tea.

• Deadlines are creeping up, but that means it’s almost over.

• It’s getting darker earlier in the day and it’s a complete vibe.

• I no longer freeze when I need to spell “Harcsztark.” The trick is H-A-R, City, State, Zip, T-A-R-K • How to get a ride to school: “Ma, can I drive to school?” “Ask your father.” “Dad, can I drive to school?” “Agh, I’ll take you.”

GLASS HALF EMPTY

• In the middle of working on my college essays, the teacher who was helping me said, “Just stop! Your punctuation is horrendous.” It was the highlight of my day.

• I don’t know if anyone else has watched The Social Dilemma but now I make excuses every time I go on my phone.

• I missed a Gins appointment! That’s like dropping a pair of diamond earrings down a sewer.

• It truly bugs me to know that Harry Styles dresses more elegantly than I do on any given day.

• The closest I’m getting to the senior trip to Spain is sitting in the Beit Midrash reading Rambam.

• A few of us sad, quarantined seniors missed Semin-aren’t. But if the good lord spares us and the creeks don’t rise, there will be more programs.

THINGS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEK TV SHOWS AND MOVIES • Parts Unknown • Scrubs • The Undoing • Nigella Bites

6 | phoenix@flatbush.org

• Colin Quinn & Friends SONGS • “Moody’s Mood For Love” by Amy Weinhouse • “Eat At Home” by Paul McCartney • “Born in 77” by King Khan • “Campus” by Vampire Weekend • “Pale Blue Eyes” by the Velvet Underground

THAT’S SHOW BIZ, BABY

• In AP Psych we learned how middle-school kids’ nature is basically formed from all that is evil and wrong with the world. So I notified my 13-year-old sister that she shouldn’t feel bad for being rotten because she is biologically condemned. So then she said, “What’s your excuse?” I am still recovering.

• Picture me, sitting in a Zoom Yachad meeting as we’re planning potential events in this current climate. People are all solemn and focused, but I’m in the far right corner laughing my head off because Rabbi Besser makes jokes about his flip phone and I can’t cope.

• One marvelous Motzei Shabbat, on our way to a bonfire, I was in my friend’s car when she realized, “I need to fill up gas.”

Then another friend said, “Oh, there’s one around this corner.” We pulled into the gas station, but my friend was hesitant because it was self-service. We all got out of the car, put the dispenser in the gas hole thingy, then started pecking at our screens like blind chickens— everyone got on the phone with their dads to know what to do next. My dad was in my ear saying, “Whatever you do, don’t take it out of the car before the machine says it’s done” and in the middle of his sentence one friend took the dispenser out of the car and gasoline shot out, spraying everywhere. The other friend was dripping in gasoline. We asked the man behind us for help; he said “Don’t light a match” and drove away, because that’s show biz, baby!

Follow me on Instagram @thenatabreeze

The Food Corner With the return to full days of in-person school, it is even more vital for students to have a nutritious breakfast in the morning. Sometimes, students feel that making breakfast is burdensome, for some would rather sleep late than eat a balanced breakfast. The beauty of overnight oats is that it can be prepared in advance, a perfect fix for those hectic school mornings.

Overnight Oats Ingredients: • ½ cup raw oats • ¾ cup plant based milk • 1 tsp honey/maple syrup • 1 tsp chia seeds or flax seeds (optional) • 1 tsp chocolate chips (optional, but not really optional!

Highly recommended)

By Evelyn Tawil Food Editor

Instructions: • Mix together the oats, milk, honey/maple syrup, seeds, and chocolate chips • Place into the fridge for at least 2 hours, but ideally overnight. This soaking process allows the oats to absorb the liquid and soften them enough to eat uncooked.

• The next morning, you have a ready-to-eat, creamy, delicious bowl of oatmeal that took little to no time to prepare! You can even take it on-the-go.

• Top with your favorite toppings. I enjoy fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, and bananas), almond butter, and hemp seeds on my overnight oats. Enjoy!

Follow me on instagram @Foodsnobs101

Fashion In with the old, out with the new G-d save the queen’s clothes The thrill of thrift shopping

Victorian styles becoming popular again

By Sarah Benun

By Natalie Ryba

Fashion Editor

Second-hand shopping was once considered an outlet only for those who could not afford new clothes, but thrift shopping has made a fashion comeback, especially among teenage girls and upscale consumers.

With the help of celebrities and social media influencers, shopping in vintage stores has gone from being out of style to the latest hot trend. Top YouTuber and Instagrammer Emma Chamberlain is regularly seen wearing vintage clothing in her posts. Because of her celebrity status, there is less of a stigma in shopping for used clothing. As The Wall Street Journal recently reported, “Even Kim Kardashian West wears vintage designer duds.”

Some Flatbush students, too, have become fans of the thrift store trend. Senior Jeanne Cohen mentioned that “it’s cool to wear things that have a story and a history.”

Thrift shopping has many benefits; it is naturally more affordable than buying all new. Some of the higher-end thrift shops carry designer brands at steep discounts compared to what one would find in department stores.

Since the stores receive new donations every day, you never know what you’re going to discover. The broad and ever-changing assortment makes shopping feel like a treasure hunt. “Thrifting is never ending, every time you go it’s all

different inventory and it’s always an adventure,” says junior Linda Shammah.

Looking for that great bargain buried in the racks also creates an atmosphere of competition among the shoppers.

If you look to stand out and dress differently, thrifting helps you do just that. Instead of wearing the same Zara jacket or Brandy Melville sweatsuit as contemporaries, everything in vintage stores are one-of-a-kind. You don’t have to worry about running into someone at an event or a school day wearing the same thing as you. Instead, your unique clothing will be only yours.

Choosing to wear second hand clothing instead of adding more waste into the world is one way to live by the “reduce, reuse, recycle” motto. As society’s values are changing, more people are becoming more eco-friendly, searching for clothing that is more enduring and sustainable, instead of buying for a single season that is quickly going to go out of style.

Brooklyn has some of the highest quality vintage stores you will find. While there are dozens of options, some of the best ones worth checking out are: • L Train Vintage (various locations throughout Brooklyn) • Beacon’s Closet, Park Slope • Le Point Value, Williamsburg • Awoke Vintage, Williamsburg • 10 ft. Single by Stella Dallas, Williamsburg

Fashion Fact: The “little black dress” was compared to the Ford car when it first came along in 1926, since it was practical and simple.

Fun & Games Editor

It is the truth universally acknowledged that authentic Victorian clothing in all its majesty came with corsets and petticoats that weighed up to 14lbs. But that’s not quite what we see in today’s revamp of the 19th Century style. Designers like Oscar De La Renta, Gucci, and Chloé have been integrating textured fabrics, jacquard print, ruffles, puffy sleeves, collars, and other Victorian fashion elements in today’s runways and magazines. Mainstream stores like Zara, H&M, Artizia, and Mango have been following suit with their more-affordable versions.

Lately the fashion-forward community has been craving everything vintage. Victorian clothing paints an image of a classic, ultra-feminine woman who possesses a subtle hint of regality.

Senior Victoria Haddad finds that people dress how they feel; the Victorian aesthetic is for women that are attracted to the “innocent, pure look.”

Rita Scaba feels that, since modern women “don’t fall under the same stereotypes anymore,” the classic, old-fashioned style is making a comeback because women feel empowered to wear it almost ironically.

In the Victorian era, gender roles became more defined and clothing reflected that shift.

Royals were never to be seen in cloth without textures. Queen Victoria was known for wearing Russian velvet that draped over her quilted gowns with large, priceless brooches and countless layers of ruffles.

In 1981, Lady Diana Spencer wed Prince Charles in an ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown designed by the Emanuels that was worth an estimated $12,000 at the time. In Fall 2019, Oscar de La Renta debuted a strapless emerald ball gown entirely made of rich quilted satin that costs $12,300.

Luckily, anyone can waltz into Zara and find an outfit that emanates a fine femininity equal to its bank-breaking counterpart.

Style has never been this agreeable.

More students getting away with sweatpants

By Jennifer Neuman Junior Editor

Throughout the student population, the preexisting sweatpants craze has grown even more prevalent, with more students from both genders joining.

School authorities disapprove of sweatpants being worn to school; for boys, it isn’t permitted according to the school dress code. But especially as of late, this hasn’t been enough to stop many students.

The weather has always played a part in students showing up in homey attire.

As the degrees drop and winter settles in, tons of students come into the building in their favorite loungewear to withstand the cold and optimize comfort, just hoping they’ll get away with it—and these days, that has become easier.

Part of the growing popularity of

choosing sweatpants over a school-sanctioned bottom is the result of the new morning routine to get into the building. It is no longer a fingerprint and go; with more going on during the current routine, the faculty has been preoccupied with making sure that each student has a proper mask, a healthy temperature, and a working health screening code, so they may not pay much attention to the students’ attire. By the time a staff member at the entrance even has a minute to notice a student’s state of dress, the student is already on their

way to class and the staff member is distracted by the next student who just walked through the door.

As junior Mark Antar says, “Throughout this year, the teachers care more about me wearing a mask than if I’m wearing sweatpants or not; no one really pays that much attention.”

Another component is that students aren’t walking around the halls as often due to this year’s schedule changes, which gives more of an opportunity to hide any dress code violation.

Nevertheless, some faculty members

have noticed and been bothered by the absurd number of students coming to school in sweatpants. Mrs. Zaltzman, the junior and senior girls’ grade advisor, believes that sweatpants are “not very dressy for school decorum” and that students “should come to school dressed nicely and properly.”

Although members of the faculty may be bothered, the administration has been rather lenient with the matter. There are several more serious and important issues that preempt any sweatpants controversy. For example, the enforcement of social distancing guidelines is a priority relative to adherence of school dress code.

Whether it be the administration’s focus on these issues or their understanding toward student behavior, the matter of students not upholding school dress code has been demoted—for now.

phoenix@flatbush.org | 7

Sports Surfing team first YOF athletes Athletics department still adapting to compete in 2020-21 season By Maurice Silvera Contributing Writer

By Simone Amkraut Sophomore Editor

Elbaz during competition

“Pop Up, Pop Up!” . . . “Carve it!” . . . “My wave! My wave! . . . “Keep shredding!”

These cries and more reverberated along the Jersey Shore.

This was the setting on Sunday, November 1, where some of the top high school surfing programs in the Northeast gathered to compete against each other as they battled challenging breakers and rolling waves in the annual National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) Northeast Regional Championships.

And into the fray, Flatbush put forth four of its own to test themselves against some of the best in the region.

It was the unlikeliest of settings for the first formal athletic competition of the 2020-21 season, but perhaps that is absolutely perfect considering this is the most abnormal of school years. Normally, the basketball and volleyball and hockey seasons would be well underway.

But Covid has made sure that would not be the case this year. Surfing, however, is in many ways the ideal sport for this setting. Surfing naturally takes place outdoors, and competitors are forced by the setting to be socially distant.

For the first time ever, Flatbush fielded a whole team, not just one single surfer. Juniors Jacob Cohen and Ari Weingarten, sophomore Shimon Elbaz, and freshman Norman Esses comprised the group of Falcons that would attack the waves that day. Junior Corine Elbaz is also on the team, but was not able to compete.

The event had 13 heats in the opening

round, with 6 surfers in each heat. Each heat would last 10 minutes, in which the surfers would try to ride as many waves as possible. Judges would evaluate each ride, with the top two scoring rides for each surfer counting toward their respective final score.

First into the water for the Falcons was Shimon Elbaz, who was grouped with the one of the overall favorites going into the event. It took nearly half of the heat before the waves picked up and Elbaz found one he could attack. Paddling hard, he popped up and turned in the first quality ride of the day for Flatbush, bringing cheers from teammates and supporters watching from the shoreline.

Two heats later, Cohen took his turn.

Cohen would soon crest a pair of waves, turning in a performance equal to Elbaz’s. Esses later got his first taste of high school competition. Rounding out the opening round of competition, Weingarten battled the toughest surf of the early morning as his heat capped off the opening round of the event.

None of the Falcons had advanced past the opening round. But that did not dim the outlook of any of the Falcons on hand.

There was clearly a very positive take on the day by all who got in the water.

Cohen said, “Surfing has been a passion of mine for the past couple of years. This year Flatbush gave my friends and me a great opportunity to represent the school in the Northeast Regional Championship. The atmosphere of the day was unbelievable, and although we didn’t make it so far it was a really fun day! I was extremely excited to have been given this opportunity.”

The lone female Falcon surfer on hand was equally eager for the next event: “It was so much fun watching and rooting for the boys surfing,” Corinne Elbaz said, “but I can’t wait for our competition so that I can represent the Falcons!”

The Flatbush surfing team is open to all boys and girls who can ride the waves.

Sportsman Spotlight: Ikey Tawil

Balancing is no sweat for Tawil

By Isaac Dweck Contributing Writer

Football is one of five teams for Tawil

8 | phoenix@flatbush.org

Ikey Tawil, a senior in the graduating class of 2021, is an incredible athlete who excels both on the field and in the classroom. As the captain of the soccer and football teams, Tawil is no stranger to pressure. He led the football team to an 8-1 season while undergoing the task of being an honors student and taking many Advanced Placement courses.

As Tawil enters his final season as a Flatbush Falcon he hopes to win a championship, something he has fallen short of three separate times. “I’m looking forward to hopefully playing all of the sports this year despite Covid and maybe winning a championship,” he said. Although he has his goals set high, he understands that the pandemic could cancel the sea-

Safety restrictions due to Covid-19 have wreaked havoc on Flatbush sports, but the school is trying to keep the athletics program going despite the obstacles. According to Athletics Director Mr. Amkraut, the school abides not only by state guidelines, but by the recommendations of Flatbush’s Medical Advisory Committee as well.

New York State guidelines have divided sports teams into three categories based on their risk level of transmitting the virus. Sports that fall into the “HighRisk Level” category include basketball, wrestling, and volleyball, and can only be engaged in via drills and skills work, and players are required to be fully masked at all times and socially distanced. Sports in the “Moderate-Risk Level” category, such as soccer, floor hockey, and flag football, can be played while fully masked. Finally, sports in the “Low-Risk Level” category, such as softball, track, and tennis, can be played without masks.

All sports are required to be played outdoors (except for tennis) and, as such, the school has had to reserve many different fields, parks, and courts. As a result, when weather conditions become unsuitable for playing (i.e., too rainy or too cold), practice gets cancelled. However, Flatbush’s committee has recently permitted small group activities indoors (limited to 4-5 players at once), which has allowed the basketball, baseball, and wrestling teams to retain some degree of the indoor training they once enjoyed.

In terms of how teams are practicing specifically, every team is its own case.

For flag football, playing defense is not allowed, but playing offense is permitted. On the other hand, soccer players can practice both defensive and offensive skills. In softball, there aren’t too many restrictions as the positions are already spread out.

Players observed that the precautions being taken to prevent the spread of the virus are taken very seriously by the coaches and players alike. Everyone wants to keep themselves and their families safe. While some felt that the restrictions put into place for everyone’s safety did not have such a detrimental impact on their ability to play, others experienced various complications. Many have remarked that the masks have made it sons of many of his favorite sports.

Tawil is not only a member of the football and soccer teams; he also participates in softball, volleyball, and baseball.

Many students find it difficult to balance schoolwork and sports teams, but it doesn’t seem to be an obstacle for Tawil, even as an Honors student. Although countless hours of his week are devoted to sports—practicing twice a week for most of the sports he plays—he still manages to keep up with his school work and succeed academically, as “school always came easy for me.” He elaborated, “I never really study for tests or anything so I have a lot of free time to play on all the teams.”

very difficult to breathe while engaging in intense physical activity. Another significant issue that the basketball teams are facing is that they can’t scrimmage, and players feel that they can’t show their full potential during practices. Many teams also feel that they have lost the ability to learn how to work together as a team. Additionally, quarantines have proven to be an obstacle to those who wanted to try out for teams but couldn’t leave their homes.

Meanwhile there are mixed feelings among student athletes about the tradeoffs between safety and enjoyment. Some feel that they can’t even properly prepare for future games and thus that practice is not worthwhile. One player noted that there isn’t the same rush of adrenaline that you get from playing against others.

Players might get used to the lower level of intensity of practices.

In contrast, others have been able to come up with a multitude of reasons why allowing teams to play was the right decision to make. Sophomore Talya Shamoelian on the JV girls basketball team argues that “the players on the JV team are already in school with each other, and the same for varsity.” Practice also fosters many friendships and strong bonds between different grades. Running drills during practice rather than scrimmaging presents an opportunity to improve on skills that aren’t usually focused on.

Although some players are skeptical that they will play any actual games this school year, there are still many advantages of being on a team and having practices. It serves as an opportunity to get out of their houses and stay active. Many enjoy being able to spend time with their friends and have fun. Players are grateful for being able to play at all, even under these irregular circumstances. Junior Esther Mizrachi, on the girls varsity basketball team, acknowledges that, despite everything, “it allows the team to get a feeling of playing together again and it’s a feeling that can be obtained with restrictions or not.”

Overall, the benefits outweigh most negatives of the current situation in most of the players’ opinions. Sports is something to look forward to during these bleak and uncertain times for many students and the school is doing everything it can to give students the opportunity to have fun in a safe environment.

An essential aspect of being on a sports team is the relationships formed along the way. Tawil explained, “My teammates are awesome. We’re all good friends and have a great time playing the sports we love together.” He enjoys having fun and competing with some of his closest friends. He claimed that their chemistry is exceptional on the field because of the strong friendships they have off the field.

Tawil is a great teammate and leader who not only hopes to win, but also wants to create camaraderie and fun on the field.

Tawil’s passion for the sports he plays is apparent on his every team and ignites enthusiasm in the athletes around him.