The Phoenix 2019-2020 Issue 5 by YOFHS

A Student Publication of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School • 1609 Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York • Vol 54, Issue 5 • February 2020 / 5780

Administration considers finals exemption By Stella Lessler School News Editor

The Flatbush administration is s seriously considering a proposal from Senior Council to allow any seniors with an 90 average or higher in any particular class to skip the final exam for that class, members of Senior Council confirmed. The proposal was inspired by Magen David High School, which has a similar policy in place. If adopted, this rule would not apply to every class, as students will not be exempt from any AP finals, or the Israel in World Relations final. Furthermore, this new policy will not apply to any classes in which the requirements of the class cannot allow a final or final project to be replaced. “We understand that some classes have a different criteria that would prohibit them from exempting a student from a final,” Senior Council member Jack Bibi stated. Unaffected classes would include the Inquiry Beit Midrash program, for which students are required to give a final presentation, as well as Hebrew and English, which both require final papers in place of a final exam. Though the proposal has yet to be officially approved, a small number of teachers have already consented to the change. Music Appreciation teacher Mrs. Mauskop, for example, has publicly announced to her classes that she will exempt from the final any student with a 90 average or above and a minimum of 5 “pluses.” Many seniors believe the exemption initiative will have a positive effect on their attitude during the second semester. Audrey Sutton said, “I think allowing seniors to be exempt from a final for having an average above 90 would push seniors to work harder to achieve better grades as they approach the end of the year.” Other seniors expressed support for the possible new policy as they believe it will lift a lot of stress surrounding the end of the year.

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

Increase in applications leading to another large incoming freshman class By Diana Gindi School News Editor

About 265 applicants to Yeshivah of Flatbush high school’s class of 2025 have resulted in a waiting list for admission to the school, the first time in many years such a list has been necessary. The number of applications is the highest in over 10 years, and the incoming freshman class is expected to include seven homeroom classes for the second year in a row. The Yeshivah’s recruitment team, which includes Esther Hidary, Alyssa Shamah, and Sally Hamway, has worked long and hard to draw in more students to our school. By focusing on enhancing the Open House and proper advertising, as well as tours of the school, the team is drawing bigger crowds and increased interest. “We had about 1,000 parents and students at our open house house this year,” said Alyssa Shamah, the Recruitment Coordinator. “We feel that when

kids spend a day in Flatbush, that is what makes them want to come.” The new building has also raised interest in the school. “The new building provides a great environment for the students” Ms. Shamah said. “When you walk in, you can practically feel the energy of the school. A few eighth graders came last week and said that they had ‘the best day ever.’” There has been a recent increase in applicants from so-called feeder schools, which play a huge role in the increasing number of applicants. With the Flatbush eighth grade being around 130 students, almost half of this year’s applications have come from feeder schools. At the same time, there is greater variety in the schools from which incoming freshman are applying. “We are starting to see more applicants from Luria, Mazel, HAFTR, Shulamith, MDS, Ramaz, and more,” said Director of Admissions Esther Hidary. “The growth in new feeder schools is another factor in all of this.”

The current students at the Yeshivah have also recently become significantly happier in school, as shown in surveys, another factor that helps in convincing prospective parents that Flatbush would be a great fit for their kids. “Flatbush’s premier education and proven satisfaction can be recognized by prospective students and pushes them to apply,” Ms. Hidary said. With more freshman classes for a second straight year, some academic departments are considering hiring additional faculty for the coming school year. Ms. Hidary pointed out that this is a good problem to have. “With a trend in the size of prospective students rising each year, we can only hope that it continues to grow,” Hidary said. “With a sterling reputation, sterling education, and happy students, hopefully parents continue to realize that Flatbush is the right school for their children.”

Senior Council to debut Senior Spirit Week By Jennifer Salzman Junior Editor

With the help of Rabbi Beyda, Rabbi Galpert, and Mrs. Marcus, the Senior Council presents a week of fun activities and themed days for seniors. Usually, on Rosh Chodesh Adar there is a Senior Masquerade. For this event, the seniors dress up in costumes and the rest of the school joins them in rikudim led by Rabbi Besser. This year, however, in order to enhance the tradition of Senior Masquerade by extending it throughout the entire week. This special week is being called Senior Spirit Week and will take place from March 1 until March 5. According to Senior Council President Gabby Eisner, Senior Spirit Week was created “in honor of Purim, but also to make as many memories as possible in our few remaining months in Flatbush.” For each day of Senior Spirit Week the seniors will be dressing up in different ways. The planned days include pajama day, jersey day, Senior Masquerade,

Entertainment: How Disney and Nick shows helped shape us Page 5

and Flatbush Heat day (the seniors will dress up in the Flatbush colors or any attire that shows school pride), and class color day (each class in the grade will dress up in its own unique color). Senior Joe Shamosh explained that this week is special because it “gives a little extra to the school besides just learning. The school is giving us something positive to focus our energy on.” By celebrating Senior Spirit Week the seniors hope to leave their legacies in the school, create strong bonds with their classmates, and have as much fun as they can in their remaining time in high school. SGO Treasurer Arlyne Jemal is confident that “it’s going to be great. We got very united over the past two years and I think it’s going to be a success. Especially pajama day, something we’ve all been dying for!”

Scenes from last year’s Senior Masquerade

Fashion: Climate change affecting fashion Page 7

Sports: Michael Soussan, five-sport star Page 8 www.theflatbushphoenix.com | 1

Faculty Freshman: Rabbi Halevy

By Ralph Ashkenazi Contributing Writer

Teaching Halakha and Talmud at Flatbush is just the latest addition to the resume of Rabbi Abe Halevy, who balances his teaching career with his other jobs as a rabbi at a shul and a lawyer. He

decided to work at Yeshivah of Flatbush, specifically, because the school promotes “a scientific and intelligent way to living Jewish life.” Rabbi Halevy said that being a teacher is a challenging job because it can be very difficult to get students interested in the subject, but it’s also fulfilling, “because as a teacher, you’re able to see the wisdom that you impart on your students.” Even despite all the things that Rabbi Halevy wants to improve in his teaching, he’s glad that he’s able to put together material written millennia ago, and explain the material clearly to modern students. He also hopes that when students are finished with his class, they gain a respect and love for Torah. There are always ways to improve yourself, and as a teacher, Rabbi Halevy hopes to make more of a long-term connection with his students, and to learn how to make more of an impact in their lives. He jokes that teaching has given him more patience, since a hard part of teaching is getting the class to quiet down. Against the challenges, there are satisfying and fun parts to teaching, Rabbi Halevy notes, “Because of the subject I teach, and because who we are starts with the Torah, I feel connected with who I am. Along with that, I appreciate being able to develop long-term relationships with my students.” As a final note, Rabbi Halevy hopes that he’ll be able to show his students that the Torah is still important, even in our modern society.

Flatbush Family:

Eddie, Lillian, and Joyce Louz

From left: Lillian, Eddie, and Joyce

By Jennifer Neuman Contributing Writer

Eddie, Lillian, and Joyce Louz are among the many sets of siblings in Yeshivah of Flatbush. Although rarely seen together throughout the school, the Louz

family are a tight bunch. Eddie (senior), Lillian (junior), and Joyce (sophomore) are all very close in age, each one year apart from each other. The siblings feel that the small age difference is the cause of their tight bond and allows them to understand each other better.

The Phoenix Staff Editor-in-Chief: Raquel Silvera Managing Editor: Jayne Haddad Senior Editors: Claudine Hadef, Bonnie Melamed School News Editors: Diana Gindi, Stella Lessler Religion Editor: Rose Sternberg World News Editor: Sarah Dagmy Entertainment Editors: Rachel Lincer, Danielle Mehani Food Editor: Sarina Shalom

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Musician finds inspiration everywhere

Alumnus interview: Sam Setton (HS ’10) By Jayne Haddad

Setton shared that he draws inspiration from everything that surrounds him and makes him who he is: his relationships, emotions and thoughts, media content, and travels. The talented artist came up with the idea behind his latest single, “10,” after watching a single second of a reality TV show. He stated that he related to one of the characters’ fever and flutter when he texted

Managing Editor

Sam Setton, a 2010 Yeshivah of Flatbush graduate, is a brilliant singer and musician who makes his living by sharing his passion with the world. His distinguished “emotive indie-pop” sound and style was streamed over 614.8k times in 2019 alone and continues to grow. Setton’s everyday life never runs on the routine that surrounds a typical 9-to5 job. His days depend on whether he is working a day job. If he is, Mr. Setton wakes up early for work, attends client meetings, and leaves for either the studio, rehearsal, or a performance. His days and nights always revolve around doing what he loves—utilizing his talent to compose music and using his voice to make visions come to life. He attends photoshoots, designs content, and bounces between the City of Dreams to the City That Never Sleeps for weeks at a time. The alumnus admitted that he owes a great deal of his career choice to Flatbush and its community. “Flatbush was where I first found people who liked the music I was creating from scratch. The love I received from friends and other students I never met before was amazing,” Setton confessed. “Flatbush was also the place I realized I love to express myself.”

The trio admits that being all together in school is very useful; they often share review sheets, study together, give each other advice, and fill each other in on all the school gossip. “We tell each other everything, like all the school drama, and we basically know everything about everyone,” Lillian said. The bunch are quick to help each other out, and love looking out for each other. The eldest of the siblings, Eddie, recently did just that by attending Joyce’s Sophomore Seminar as a senior advisor. He admits, “It’s cool to watch them make mistakes and be able to be there to help them, while also watching them learn from my mistakes.” However, he feels he cannot come to Joyce and Lillian for help because he is the oldest of the three, and it is his job to help them. Unlike most siblings, the Louzes don’t mind sharing friends, revealing that it doesn’t affect them at all. However, the middle of the three, Lillian, disclosed that she sometimes feels her siblings interfere

Fashion Editors: Rose Kurland, OrDavid Menashe Fun & Games Editor: Reuben Goldstein Sports Editor: Nathan Sidaoui Junior Editors: Carole Cohen, Terri Elmann, Kaden Harari, Michael Oved, Jennifer Salzman Sophomore Editors: Elie Esses, Nicole Muravsky Staff Writters: Sylvia Mizrahi, Natalie Ryba Design: Carolina Cohen Faculty Adviser: Adam Hofstetter

his crush. Setton was fortunate enough to discover his vocation when he was young. At 12 years old he learned to play the guitar, but it wasn’t until his teens that he started composing the lyrics to his songs. When writing music, Setton doesn’t have a particular audience in mind. “In an ideal world my music will reach people who love the emotional story-telling type music I create and will really appreciate it both sonically and lyrically.” He explained that, depending on the track or audience, his songs usually elicit the combined emotions “empathy, sadness, relief and comfort.” The artist revealed that his biggest challenge as a musician is how much time and effort to put into his music career. He shared that he has reflected on the fact that “the pressure of pursuing music as a career might take the joy out of what I fell in love with in the first place.” Even so, he says that he can’t wait for what’s to come.

with her social life, especially when they interrupt her conversations in the halls. She confessed, “Sometimes I wish I was alone and could do my own thing.” Apart from their shared social life, the three siblings are all doing well academically and, surprisingly, are not competitive with each other. They insist that they are proud of each other, being that all of them are good students and hence don’t mind when teachers compare them to each other. Overall, the Louz siblings agree that being together has definitely impacted their high school experience, and made it better and more enjoyable. Joyce, the youngest of the three, said she has a sense of confidence and pride because she has Lillian and Eddie with her. She added, “I think it makes it more fun when you have your siblings with you, especially since we’re all pretty close and understand what each other are going through.”

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

Students love Trader Joe’s By Rachel Lincer

The Dale Carnegie Workshop for Young Adults

Ǥ Are you ready to discover skills that last a lifetime?

Ǥ – ǡ ǡ Ǥ Ǥ The Dale Carnegie Workshop for Young Adults Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ

Entertainment Editor

Trends come and go quickly in high school, but one thing that seems to continue to gain steadily in popularity among Flatbush students is their love of the supermarket Trader Joe’s. The national supermarket chain is well-known to its customers for low prices and quirky products, many of which are certified kosher. Despite selling items from many national brands, the store is beloved largely for their own selection of Trader Joe’sbrand products, some being lower-price remakes of original products. “I love Trader Joe’s because they have all the best food that’s actually kosher,” junior Adelle Ayash said. They have Scandinavian Swimmers (which are really just kosher Swedish fish) and so many more good snacks!” The store is known for its eccentric style, both in the products offered and the decor. The atmosphere in the stores is designed to make shoppers feel welcome and relaxed. The friendly staff are easy to spot, wearing bright, tropical shirts and the walls are colorfully painted. “Trader Joe’s is the best. I don’t go just to buy groceries, but for the experience. The atmosphere is just more fun compared to that of other grocery stores,” said senior Jack Bibi. As with any trend, some people don’t understand the hype. The nearest store is

Are you ready to discover skills that last a lifetime? ǡ ǡ Ǥ ǡ ǡ Ǥ Ǥ – ǡ ǡ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ

Skills that last a lifetime

ǡ ǡ Ǥ ǣ ǡ ǡ Ǥ • Ǧ • Ǥ • • that Skills last a lifetime

Senior Marsha Zakay fills her cart in Brooklyn Heights, and senior Grace Madeb said it’s not worth the trip. “The location is pretty far, and inconvenient,” she said. “There isn’t so much I buy besides for the Takis and everything spice.” Another student agreed and added, “I really dislike most of it and find the store overhyped, but I can tolerate some things, like the Mac and cheese balls.” Despite a small number of detractors, Trader Joe’s is becoming more and more popular nationwide, with over 500 stores around the country. Starting his business in 1958, the owner, Joe Coulombe, opened a chain

ǣ How Students & Parents Benefit • Ǧ

ǣ • • • • • • • How Students & Parents Benefit •

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Format: Four Half-Day Sessions Tuition: $497.50 Dates: March 8, 15, 22, 29 Format: Times: Four Half-Day Sessions 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM Tuition: Location: $497.50 Yeshivah of Flatbush Dates: March 8, 15, 22, 29 Who Should Attend Times: Young people looking to improve the skills 9:00 12:30 theyAM need– to reachPM their goals and live up to their full potential. Location: Yeshivah of Flatbush

Who Should Attend Young people looking to improve the skills they need to reach their goals and live up to their full potential.

of convenience stores throughout Los Angeles. He originally referred to them as the Pronto Markets, “pronto” meaning opening quickly. After 10 years, Coulombe discovered he could profit more from a full supermarket. In 1967, the first Trader Joe’s opened in Pasade-

na, California. John Shields took over as the CEO after Coulombe’s resignation in 1988, and expanded the supermarket chain nationally. Within 10 years there were around 150 stores throughout the states.

Jewish History department takes students to the Met

Class 3-HR poses in front of the museum

By Michael Oved Junior Editor

Every year, the school’s Jewish History department, led by Ms. Wielgus and Ms. Schulman organize different programs to further enhance the 11th graders’ understanding of Jewish History. Last year, they had the students prepare a gallery to showcase their knowledge about Herod the Great, as well as to encourage them to learn more about him. This year, the department elected to take all junior classes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to further research the topics they are currently studying and see them come to life through art. At the museum, students were

brought to various ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian works, accompanied by their Jewish History teacher and led by tour guide Nachliel Selavan. Students saw ancient Jewish coins from the Roman period, as well as ancient Greek pottery portraying the ancient Jews. The consensus among students is extremely positive. Junior Isaac Sofer stated, “This trip truly opened my eyes to the history of my ancestors and their descendants.” Another student, Madeline Rosow, said, “I really loved this trip. I learned so much, and finally got to see with my own eyes what we were learning about in class.” While the trip appeared seamless from the students’ perspective, it took

Mr. Selavan explains the exhibits to class 3-V (top) and 3-T (above) many hours to set up and organize. Many phone calls, meetings with tour guides and administrations were just some of what went into making this trip a success. But it’s worth it, said Ms. Schulman, referring to the amount of work she and

Ms. Wielgus underook. “It all pays off when we see the sparkle in the students’ eyes when they connect the dots and truly see the things they learn about—in front of them and alive.”

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Coronavirus, and fear, D’var Torah: spreading worldwide The meta and the physical By Rose Sternberg Religion Editor

China: Large quantity of coronavirus detected at Wuhan seafood market

By Sarah Dagmy World News Editor

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, is a new-emerging respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, China. The virus, which began as an adaptation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS, has spiraled out of control, with soaring infections and deaths in China and increasing incidences across the globe, causing concerns throughout the world about the potential global impact, with fears of a possible pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that the extensive coronavirus is a “public health emergency of international concern.” The proliferating, potentially fatal virus is spreading as more and more confirmed cases are being identified around the world. Currently China is infected with over 52,000 coronavirus cases, including roughly 37,000 hospitalized patients in Hubei, the epicenter of the outbreak. Among those, approximately 2,000 individuals are in critical condition; the death toll is over 1,500 according to Chinese health authorities. More than 4,000 patients in China have recovered and been discharged. Many are suspi-

cious whether China’s official reports and statistics are accurate, since the government can mitigate a full report on the extent of the epidemic. Cases are rising globally as well, as there are 35 confirmed coronavirus cases in Japan, 28 in Singapore, and 25 in Thailand, with one death in each of Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Japan. In the United States approximately 15 cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). According to the CDC, symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Some patients can show mild symptoms, appearing in as little as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure, and can eventually recover, but others can develop life-threatening complications like pneumonia if untreated. Pharmaceutical companies and research labs across the world are attempting to develop a vaccine; however, doing so would take months of experimentation and testing. With a lot of uncertainty surrounding the new disease, WHO recommends appropriate precautions to prevent the spread and transmission of the disease, including washing your hands frequently, practicing respiratory hygiene, and maintaining social distances.

Flu outbreak hits hard among Flatbush students

Empty desks have been a common sight

By Elie Esses Sophomore Editor

While the world grapples with a coronavirus outbreak, the Yeshivah of Flat-

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bush is dealing with an epidemic of its own: a flu virus that has kept many students stuck in bed for days at a time. School officials declined to comment on the exact number of absences, but it

In this week’s parasha, God elaborates to the people of Israel on all that he said in the Ten Commandments. He expands on all that was said to lay down a firm base of what is and isn’t proper for the people to do as they conduct themselves in society. He elaborates not on their clothes or their possessions, but on their behavior, emphasizing the importance of kindness when conducting oneself in society, the importance of another human life. Too often, we don’t think or realize the effects we can have on each other. We don’t consider our actions and their effects on others. This parasha reminds us that all people matter, life matters, the here and now matter, because we will have to face the consequences of our actions. What this parasha does is list the

worst and best actions that a man can do. From slavery and murder to prayer and worship, Hashem lists all the crimes and deeds and their subsequent punishments and rewards. Religion is generally thought of as the belief in the unknown, but this week’s parasha presents Judaism as concrete and tangible. We classify all mitzvot as either “ben adam la’makom” or “ben adam le’havero.” That means that while an aspect of Judaism is rooted in Hashem and our beliefs, there is also a strong component that relies on how we treat His other subjects. Being a good Jew doesn’t only mean wearing the right clothes or saying the right prayers, just as tzniut doesn’t only mean dressing properly but also acting properly. Every day we need to not only consider ourselves, but also consider others and how our actions will impact them.

Consumer spending is up while saving is down By David Mosseri Contributing Writer

U.S. consumer spending rose sharply in the last quarter of 2019, a healthy index of the growing economy. However, Americans are also saving less, which could lead to catastrophic consequences if the economy turns bearish. In the final quarter of 2019, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported consumer spending at $14,799 billion, making up 68% of the U.S. economy, while the savings rate dropped from 7.80% in November 2019 to 7.60% in the following month. Many factors affect the savings rate, including Congress’s recent tax cuts, causing Americans to feel more flush and spend more. Although the increase certainly was high. In many classes, several students were missing every day, with different batches of students absent over the course of the first three weeks of school after winter break. In the sophomore grade alone, there were more than 20 cases of the flu. Sophomore Alexa Greenstein was out of school for five days and described feeling “very weak.” Another sophomore, Eve Zeitoune, missed three days and described the sickness as “literally just the worst. I felt like I was dying.” For Zeitoune, almost as bad as the actual disease was the stress of catching up on all the work she missed, especially in math and chemistry. Every grade had its fair share of absences, with senior Grace Madeb putting the number of flu-stricken kids at “about five” in her class alone.

in spending does strengthen the economy, it will only sink Americans deeper into a hole if a recession comes. The savings rate hasn’t been this low since May 2005, just two years before the financial crisis. So, although Americans are feeling more prosperous and more free to spend in a seemingly never-ending bull market, they are becoming less prepared for a financial disaster to occur. 60% of Americans are unable to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense, and that percentage seems to be growing more and more as the years carry on. And although the tax cuts passed by Congress do help further push the country’s GDP, there’s no fail-safe for Americans in case things go south.

Dr. Ditchek, a local pediatrician said that he had a wave of Flatbush students come in with the flu, especially after Sophomore Seminar. Several sophomores and their senior advisors became sick during or soon after Seminar. Students speculated that not getting enough sleep weakened their immune systems, and sleeping in close quarters helped germs spread quickly. Some of the juniors blamed the flu outbreak among their grade on Chesed Mission, as a large number of students came back from the trip sick and missed much of the first week of the current semester. The flu, or influenza, is an issue every year because of the way the virus mutates and changes. Doctors suggest getting a flu vaccine and staying germ-free by washing your hands frequently.

Entertainment Movie Review:

To All The Boys 2 By Simone Amkraut Contributing Writer

While oldest siblings may complain of having to be the “experiment kid’ through whom parents have to learn by trial and error, we younger siblings have to live with the fact that we never get the “firsts.” As the youngest of five, I am all too familiar with that feeling, and that is what makes Lara Jean, the 16-yearold protagonist of author Jenny Han’s 2014 bestselling YA novel To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before so relatable. Lara Jean adores her older sister Margot, but watching Margot date the cute guys and go off to the independence of college leaves Lara Jean feeling like an also-ran. And although Lara is close to her dad and her little sister, Kitty, like all teens she dreams of getting to take part in big-kid play, especially on the field of romance. But Lara Jean’s relatability goes beyond birth order. Lara Jean speaks to every one of us who desires love and romance but fears the potential rejection that is the chance we take when we wear our hearts on our sleeves. So it was no surprise that the 2018 Netflix movie became an instant classic rom-com in a social-media world in which instant fame happens—well— instantly. A cast of great-looking teens representing the hue of racial diversity, a convoluted plot that miraculously works itself out without any seriously broken hearts, and the presence of a quirky but loving family turned the novel and mov-

ie into an instant YA success. For those teens who did not see the movie, the few souls who were perhaps trapped on an uninhabited island, Lara Jean, jealous of her sister’s romantic life, writes a series of love letters to all the boys she likes, and then hides them in a drawer for safe keeping. For Lara Jean, writing the letters is enough, because she is not really ready to pursue romance anywhere but in her mind. Yet, when her younger sister Kitty mails out the letters in a fit of pique, Lara Jean has no choice but to confront the possibility that her secrets have been revealed. Like almost everyone who watched the movie, I loved watching the potential disasters caused by Kitty’s malfeasance, and I loved the fact that, for Lara Jean, potential disaster turns into friendship and romance. And like almost everyone who watched the movie, I waited with anticipation for the sequel, released February 12, 2020. Will Lara Jean’s other fantasy boyfriends appear? Will they prove competition for Peter, her letter-fantasy-boyfriend who becomes her real-life boyfriend? Will Lara find that the boys she likes now that she is older are vastly different from the boys of her letter-writing fantasies? As much fun as it is to follow Lara Jean’s romance on screen and through the pages of a novel, real life experience tells us that secrets are meant to remain secrets, and that one who betrays our secrets is truly no friend. In real life, we can adore from afar a wide array of guys and girls who might be the “perfect one” but finding the perfect one takes individual attention and patience. Finding romance is best done in person, on purpose, and privately, but on the screen, wild letters and romantic mishaps make for great entertainment!

Gadot to shine again in Wonder Woman sequel

By Sylvia Mizrahi Staff Writer

Wonder Woman, a beloved DC Comics superhero, has become a statement for women’s empowerment. The character is played by Israeli actress Gal Gadot, and she will reprise her iconic role later this year in the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984. In the upcoming movie, Wonder Woman faces off against the Cheetah, a villainess who possesses superhuman strength and agility. The movie is scheduled to be released in June 2020. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman has become an inspiring icon for women worldwide, and Godot has done the same for Jews. In the original movie, Princess Diana, AKA Wonder Woman, is an Amazonian princess living on an all-female island of fierce warriors when she discovers a male World War I pilot washed up on the shore. After she saves him, she then promises to use her powers to help restore peace. The movie was a massive hit, receiving 93% on the Rotten Tomatoes “Tomatometer” and topping the box office for most of its run in theaters.

We are what we watch Nickelodeon and Disney helped shape us By Carole Cohen Junior Editor

There is nothing better than coming home after school, falling back onto the couch, and tuning on the latest episode of our favorite show. Everyone knows the theme songs to Zoey 101, iCarly, Spongebob, and countless other kids’ shows on Disney and Nickelodeon. Brides and grooms enjoy their first dance while moving to songs from Disney movies such as The Greatest Showman. Kids all around the world are found singing and dancing to their favorite songs from TV. Even though many of the shows we grew up watching are not classified as educational, there is much that they teach their viewers. When watching different movies or episodes of a series, children

get exposed to different cultures and different areas around the world. This helps children appreciating the world and its diversity. Many Disney princesses help combat racism by exposing children to their various ethnicities and heritages. Pocahontas is a Native American, Jasmine from Aladdin is Arabic, Mulan is Japanese, and Merida from Brave is Irish. This teaches girls from all different parts around the world that they can be whoever they desire to be, no matter where they are from or what language they speak. “I think they use a universal and relatable story in order to teach kids how to deal with the situations they portray in the shows,” said Esther Mizrahi, a sophomore. “Today I find that I am more aware of many topics and situations that I wouldn’t have

been able to deal with without being exposed to the circumstances in Nick and Disney programs.” Watching these comedies based on kids who were around our age helped us be more confident in situations like those that happened in these shows. Some of these situations can be standing up to a bully like in iCarly, or dealing with your little sister (well, sort of) like in Drake and Josh. You can learn from listening to the different vocabulary the characters use, as the writers often throw in some more sophisticated words and phrases that we can understand from context and then use in our daily conversations. Dora the Explorer helped us learn a bit of Spanish, as well as teaching its young viewers problem solving skills such as stopping, thinking, and then acting. Phineas and

Gadot was born in Petah Tikva, Israel. She started her career off as a model and soon transitioned to acting. Before she was Wonder Woman, she was considering giving up acting. Then Zac Snyder, the director of DC’s Batman Vs. Superman, asked her to audition for a “top secret role.” Gadot explained to Jimmy Fallon that Snyder said, “I don’t know if you have this character in Israel, whether she’s big or not, but did you ever hear about Wonder Woman?” Gadot answered, “Yes, yes. I’ll be there. Done!” While filming the movie, Gal Gadot was pregnant. She emphasized that she was physically fit for the role because of her training in the IDF saying, “The military gave me good training for Hollywood.” The Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon wasn’t too happy with this, saying the movie should be banned. They also condemned her for supporting the IDF during the 2014 Gaza war. Of course, the movie made it to the big screen despite the heat, and Godot has continued to be an outspoken advocate for Israel.

Ferb showcased the value of creativity, and shows like iCarly and Victorious showed us that a strong group of supportive friends can get us through almost any situation. We may not have realized it at the time, but the shows and movies we watched provided more than just entertainment. They opened our minds to all sorts of valuable ideas, and provided a shared experience and a common language for our generation.

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Fun & Games Ask Merle Hi Merle, Where are the tennis courts? Confused Freshmen Dear Confused, I could be the classic senior and tell you, “They’re on the roof, of course. Just walk up to the fifth floor, through the big heavy door, and look to your right.” But I’m too nice, and frankly, that joke is too old for me to try to convince you. Instead, take a look in the mirror, and stare at your reflection; in the center of your chest, hidden and unseen, lies your beating heart, thumping its way through each day. Sometimes you may feel like you’re taking hits from every direction. But remember that, unlike in the nonexistent rooftop tennis courts, in the tennis court of your heart, you will always find love.

That’s right, I went there, Merle Dear Merle, As a teacher walking through the halls each day, I see countless students moving their hands, shaking their hips, and acting in all around crazy manner while videoing themselves. I’ve gathered that it’s a trend of some sort, but I thought it would be wise to ask you for some pointers to better connect with my students in regard to the TikTok craze. Aspiring Gen Z-er Dear Aspiring, Here are the deets. They don’t all make sense, but don’t worry, no one really understands it, so you won’t be alone. TikTok is a video-sharing platform mostly used mostly by teens. They’re kids, not adults. Make-up is magic. E-boys and VSCO girls are a hip, alt-inspired look. VSCO is an app turned trend turned lifestyle. Teens with scrunchies and Hydroflasks dancing in sync. Charli D’Amelio is a TikTok star turned teen celebrity for no reason at all. The house is a place where semi-famous people hang out with less famous

The Natareeze

GLASS HALF FULL

•Vacation was great! •I missed everyone so much. •I love that it’s second semester and we get to know our teachers better! (the feeling isn’t always mutual) •Yankel came to visit! Guys, I gave him a lollipop! •OK, we gotta put on our positivity caps because we have a tough semester ahead of us

GLASS HALF EMPTY

•On vacation I drank a lot of water for someone who’s terrified of public restrooms. •What’s more devastating than the coronavirus is the fact that people think it has something to do with beer. •I learned only a few days ago that Batman has no blood relation to bats. •I hate getting tanned because people ask me for directions in Spanish. … I can’t even play along because I took coding. •Since winter break is over everyone is trying to declare the end of winter and I’m not ready. It snowed like three times. I feel cheated out of a New York winter.

THINGS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEK SHOWS+MOVIES Two and a Half Men King of Queens Everybody Loves Raymond The New Adventures of Old Christine The Big Bang Theory

Heyoo Merle, Not to be cliché but I think this whole school thing is starting to stress me out. Day in, day out, from sunrise to sundown, I am here. In the same brick building with the same people, walls and desks. I think I’m beginning to go insane. How do I spice up my school life? The monotony is really getting to me. Bored Senior Dear Bored, Seems like you have yourself a serious case of senioritis. While some students come down with the disease as early as freshmen year, others are only beginning to show the symptoms. A few pieces of advice: Try something new. Go out for lunch to a place you haven’t gone to before. It’s never too late to make new friends, maybe hang out with someone you don’t

usually hang out with, talk to students from the other classes, migrate from your usual pack, and branch out. Better late than never. Mix up your wardrobe. Wear something different. Quirky. Try out a new style, something you haven’t worn before. Surprise yourself and your friends with an exploration of your inner fashionista. Try out a new commission or sport. Start your own club. Or revive a dying one. Take advantage of what Flatbush has to offer before your days as a student are over. Graduate with memories, not regrets. If you try the four steps outlined above and your senioritis doesn’t go away, it may be time to head over to the school nurse. You can find her office next to the tennis courts. Best, Merle

By Natalie Ryba Staff Writer

SONGS “Come Together” by The Beatles “Sunday Morning” by The Velvet Underground & Nico “Brave New World” by The Bongos “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure

THAT’S SHOW BIZ BABY

Silly, uneducated me thought that a GPA is just all your current grades, not all your report cards mushed together. So what I thought was a 90 is really a number that isn’t 90. Consistency is key, folks. On Career Day, when the guests finished speaking, the room was dead silent. The teacher in the room, who also happens to be my teacher, said, “Any questions?” in her voice that triggers that fight-orflight thing within me. So I pointed at one speaker and shouted, “YOUR life sounds like an indie movie,” and then luckily nothing else came out. I was giving a tour of the building to a few eighth graders and when we passed Mr. Hoff ’s room, I said, and I quote, “This guy is so smart, you become smarter just by talking to him, ya know, through osmosis.” Then I had to explain osmosis. Let’s just say I have a hard time getting through to the youth. My family was lighting Chanukah candles on December 24, when we were all silent for a second, I started singing “Silent Night.” Nobody was amused, but hey, that’s show biz, baby! Follow me on Instagram @thenatabreeze

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people in an effort to become even more famous as a group while also individually amassing fame through videoing their attempts at gathering said fame. Sksksk, Merle

The Food Corner The food we eat at home today stems from our ancestors. Their resources, homeplace, and family influenced how they cooked, where recipes have been passed down to us. This baklawa is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert that originated during the Ottoman Empire. The recipe comes from the first wave of Syrian emigres, so it’s as authentic as it gets! It’s a bit time consuming, but to say it’s worth it is an understatement. INGREDIENTS: • 1 lb. filo dough • 1 lb. shelled pistachios • 3 ½ sticks melted butter or margarine • ½ tsp. rose water • 2 tbsp. confectioner’s sugar

By Sarina Shalom Food Editor

• 1 cup granulated sugar DIRECTIONS: • Blanche pistachios for 2 minutes and peel off skin. Ground nuts until they are fine. • Add confectioner’s sugar, rose water, and ½ stick butter. • In a 3-quart ungreased Pyrex dish, layer half of the filo on top of each other, brushing with melted butter in between each sheet. You may have to fold or overlap the sides. • Spread the nut mixture all over the dish, and layer the rest of the filo on top as you did in the previous step. • Chill until set and cut into desired shapes (I like diamonds). • Before baking, brush top with butter. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until lightly golden. • In the meantime, prepare your sugar syrup. Bring the granulated sugar to a boil with 1 cup of water until the sugar dissolves. Let cool completely. • Pour syrup over hot baklawa immediately and leave to cool. • Sprinkle ground pistachios over each slice if you feel fancy. Cut through each slice once more and serve.

Standard of Fabulous Dressing for school’s climate Climate change hits 2020 trends By Judy Tawil can be tougher than it looks Contributing Writer

By Vivian Cohen Contributing Writer

The volatile climate around school makes it difficult to dress appropriately. Winter? In room 209. Summer? In room 306. However, despite the fickle temperature, it is viable to feel snug and comfy in school. When getting dressed in the morning, it is helpful to take into account where the extreme temperatures tend to exist. Responding to a Phoenix survey, students rated several locations within the building as either hot, cold, or neither. While students were roughly split on the comfort of the Commons, 60% rated the new building as cold and 57.5% rated the staircases in the old building as hot; the classrooms’ temperatures varied. Rabbi Galpert explained, “Traditionally, the south side of the building, closer to Avenue J, has the hotter rooms because they get the sunlight.” He continued by pinpointing the issue: the decades-old HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system operates as one unit, making it unfeasible to regulate the temperatures individually for each classroom. Complaints about temperature extremes are frequent. Rabbi Blumenthal, who teaches in frigid room 209, asserted, “There were times when I would wear a jacket and a scarf wrapped around my head to stay warm.” When a junior parent attended College Night last month, she claimed she couldn’t take off her jacket in the Commons due to the cold; however, she later complained in the auditorium of the heat. And after coming from freezing room 204, Marilyn Didia, a junior, exclaimed, “What am I supposed to do? Wear gloves?!”

Seniors Nicole Gani (left) and Raquel Hanono bundle up The majority of the students who completed the survey said they prefer learning in a cold environment to one that is too hot. Nevertheless, most students often wear hoodies, which may contribute to feeling excessively hot in some of the warmer rooms. To prepare for both extremes, a short-sleeve shirt worn under a sweatshirt (or long-sleeve shirt) can help. Junior Yonatan Guy dresses that way every day: “For me, every room is the same temperature. … If I’m hot, I take off my sweatshirt to have short sleeves, and if I’m cool, I keep my sweatshirt on.” This dilemma will hopefully be eradicated in the near future. Rabbi Beyda announced, “Within the next three to four years, the original building will be renovated substantially. It will include new window installations as well as plumbing, heating, and HVAC. The way the building was created in 1963 doesn’t meet our needs today.” Until then, dressing appropriately for a variety of temperatures may be the only solution to this inconvenience.

On February 3, at 4:45pm, it was 56 degrees in New York. I walked outside in a hoodie, no jacket. Whether you like it or not, winter has been canceled in 2020. This may not have been the year to invest in a $1,000 down jacket. Bulky puffer jackets are trending in streetwear, but they aren’t an everyday staple. Thanks to climate change, you should keep any light jackets in your closet all winter. Beanies are still a look at the moment. The classic KITH beanies are worn by most students in the school. However, I can’t recall one day this whole winter on which I needed gloves and a scarf. As Winter ’20 trends continue to roll out, the runways have presented similar styles so far. Neon has been dominating across numerous major brands, and has been for the past few seasons. Although an electric green ensemble seems fitting only for the runway, this winter is more flexible on wearing bright colors than ever before. You don’t necessarily have to feel self-conscious about pulling out a fit initially purchased for spring/summer. Summery prints have not left as expected. Tie-dye hoodies are still everywhere. Brands such as Madhappy were still launching these bright, overplayed hoodies well into the month of January. Classic blue is also trending this season.

The color trends of the season are due to climate change. Suits have also flooded the runways; it has been the year of suits. Thanks to the warmer weather, all you need sometimes is a blazer over a turtleneck. The slightly androgynous look has become a lot more popular over the last few years. It is a comeback of the 80s power suit trend modeling the modern working woman. The puffer sleeve has also made a return. The androgynous aesthetic also applies to footwear. Loafers and combat boots have made an appearance this winter. My personal favorite from the season are Prada leather boots, as seen everywhere on social media. The climate crisis has had an even deeper influence on the fashion industry. Fast fashion is dying out as sustainability makes its way into the spotlight. Buying vintage or clothing made from upcycled materials is just as common as traditional shopping for some people. Many brands are also starting to make a conscious effort to use organic materials and limit waste and water pollution. This is one trend that definitely won’t be dying out anytime soon. Great-looking sustainable brands to support include Veja, Patagonia, Reformation, Levi’s, and The Vintage Twin. Larger brands are slowly implementing sustainable production methods to curate to a younger market.

Rolling up to dress down: why girls roll up their skirts By Shelley Shamah Contributing Writer

This school year, more than ever, the female students at YOF have been rolling up their long Central skirts for comfort. Before the long skirt policy was put into place, most girls wore knee-length pencil skirts that were “more comfortable,” according to alumna Marcelle Setton, but naturally rode up when a girl walked up the stairs. Pat Musco, the school’s dress code monitor for almost seven years, recalls seeing Rabbi Harari “walking up the stairs with his head down. He couldn’t even look up because of the [short] skirts.” The school dress code has been enforced strongly since it was changed in September 2014. If a girl was caught with her skirt rolled up over her knees, she’d be told to roll it back down and would sometimes be penalized with a sign out. Junior Monica Sultan recounted even

being sent home from school. Right before her English final last June, she was “fidgeting with my skirt and just pulling at it” when Ms. Musco told her to leave the building and that she couldn’t take her final. Sultan explained that she was very confused, but Ms. Musco saw it as clearly a clothing violation. “Every girl knows the dress code,” according to Ms. Musco, and that the only reason girls pull up their skirts is because it’s “a way of disobeying the rules of the school. That’s all it is.” However, many students disagree. Sophomore Miri Shasho said, “It’s just more comfortable for me. … I don’t even know how to control it.” Junior Michelle Ryba also agrees that the long skirts are very restricting. “I don’t want my legs to be constricted. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s really hard to walk!” Freshman Stephanie Dayan says “It’s easier to walk and when I’m trying to run up the steps it’s hard to do

when my skirts down.” However, many students, including Ryba, acknowledge that without sweatpants or leggings underneath, skirts should not be rolled up under any circumstances. “It’s just bizarre,” Ryba said. Many students also agree that the dress code has been enforced more in years passt than it has been this year. “This year, I feel like nobody really cares. I usually only get bugged by Mrs. Zaltzman or Pat,” said junior Sonya Bakst. Senior Esther Chrem said that in the past three years, other faculty besides grade advisors and Musco cared a lot more about the dress code, but this year, “teachers stopped caring because nobody listened anyway.” However, not all girls roll up their skirts. Chrem explained that she “tried it out a few years ago,” but eventually stopped because they “just fall right back down again. What’s the point?” An anonymous junior said rolling up skirts

is “obnoxious and looks silly.” That being said, she is “not very pro the Central,” but because it’s a school rule, it should be respected and “worn the way it’s supposed to be worn.” Junior Madelyne Dayan said that she only rolls up her skirt when she doesn’t want it to get dirty from something on the floor. She agreed that sometimes it can be restricting, but it just “doesn’t bother me as much.” Some girls have ditched the whole “plain black Central” look altogether and avoid the need to pull up their skirts. Freshman Belle Shatzkes explained that it’s easier to wear fun, long, and flowy skirts so that she “won’t have to deal with the administration for rolling up a skirt.” Although some may think it’s harder to pick out an outfit that matches a colorful skirt, Shatzkes said “it’s easier to be who you are in the beginning, and if later you want to conform to the plain black skirts, you can.”

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Sports 10 tips for a healthy exercise routine By Nathan Sidaoui Sports Editor

Everybody wants to be healthy and fit, but getting in shape takes discipline, commitment, and knowledge. Here are a few tips to get you started exercising in a way that will benefit your mind and body. 1. Find a gym partner with similar goals who will motivate you to get (and stay) in a good routine. ____________________________ 2. Rest days are just as important as exercise days. Overworking muscles can lead to injuries and have the opposite effect than desired. ____________________________ 3. Make sure to include cardio and ab workouts in your weekly routine. Even 20 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical at the end of a workout should suffice. ____________________________ 4. Be organized. Make yourself a schedule, splitting up muscle groups into 4-5 workouts each week ____________________________ 5. Don’t just do exercises, learn the

anatomy behind your workouts to hit the different parts of each muscle and maximize your training sessions. ____________________________ 6. Watch YouTube videos or visit exercise websites to learn new workouts, finding which ones work for you. ____________________________ 7. Set realistic goals. Don’t expect massive change in a short span of time. ____________________________ 8. When working with weights, focus on getting the correct form rather than increasing weight, especially when you’re new to training. 9. Lots of key strength comes through your legs and forearms, building those muscles can help increase how much you lift. ____________________________ 10. Track your progress, whether that’s weekly weigh-ins or taking pictures of yourself in the mirror, be sure to watch your improvement. Checking the scale too often can be problematic and lead to frustration, sometimes it takes a little time to see a difference.

Sportsman Spotlight:

Soussan has reached playoffs with five different teams By Joey Alhadeff

Soussan has played for the indoor and outdoor soccer, softball, baseball, and Contributing Writer football teams. He helped the softball Michael Soussan has been lighting it team make the playoffs in his sophoup on the soccer field since his freshman more year, and played varsity baseball year, when he was the starting striker and as a junior, making the playoffs there as led the team to a first-round playoff ap- well and winning the rookie of the year pearance, its first in many years. But that award. Soussan played football as well, is just a small slice of his influence on making the playoffs in one out of three Flatbush athletics. years on the team as a wide receiver. Throughout his high school career, But Soussan’s true passion is soccer. He made the playoffs with the soccer team during his freshman, sophomore and junior years, and looks to take the team back to the playoffs this year as a senior. He has served as the captain of the team for the last two years. During Soussan (left) has been captain of Indoor Soccer for two years his sophomore

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year, he was named most valuable player. “I look forward to winning a championship with the soccer and football teams,” Soussan said. “To have a banner in the gym to walk off my high school career would mean everything to me.” Soussan has a strong connection with his teammates. He loves to play with them and learn from them, as well as teach them so that they can become better players. The connections he makes with his teammates help on the field. He has had especially good chemistry with one teammate in particular: his brother Abie who played with him for most of his high school career. With so many sports to balance, Soussan has at least two practices a week

Soussan takes a shot as well as games. “I try to make sure to finish my work before a game or a practice. Being able to be on the field and do what I love makes it all worth it,” he said. Soussan said he is sad that his Flatbush career is coming to a close, but cherishes the memories he has made over the last four years.