A Student Publication of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School • 1609 Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York • Vol 54, Issue 4 • January 2020 / 5780
Chesed Mission boasts Flatbush limiting teacher tutoring for final exams largest group ever By Adelle Ayash Contributing Writer
By Michael Oved
The Chesed Mission trip to Israel is bigger this year than ever before, with 74 students attending. This number is a huge jump over last year, when 55 students attended, and roughly double the typical size of the trip in years past, according to Senior Barbara Dayan visited sick children on Chesed Rabbi Besser. Mission last year When Chesed Mission began 18 years ago, it was the trip possible for every single student merely Rabbi Besser with a few fami- who wanted it. Rabbi Besser didn’t want lies, according to Rabbi Besser. This year, any kid to miss out on the opportunity however, the trip has set a new record of bonding with their peers through the with 72 juniors and two seniors. When impactful mitzvot that they will share all these students applied, Rabbi Besser on the trip. What was most important to and Rabbi Galpert weren’t sure if it was Rabbi Besser was that every kid sees firsteven possible to take so many students hand all of the chesed they can do, and and worried that the true goal of the trip with 74 students “imagine the chesed would be overshadowed by the number that can be done,” he said. of kids. The trip is held every January during In the end, Rabbi Besser decided that the winter break, so no kids are missing it wasn’t right to say no to kids who just school. Students visit places throughwanted to be a part of the chesed. He decontinued on page 4 cided to take on this difficulty and make
Rules about teachers tutoring students for final exams have been receiving extra attention this year. According to the Teacher’s Handbook, a teacher may not tutor a student in a subject where, “that teacher has developed or had direct access to the subject department’s current midterm/final.” The concern is that it’s possible a teacher may inadvertently disclose test questions. While there have never been any incidents of tutors giving their students any unfair advantage for a final, the Yeshivah is now adhering more strictly to this policy to ensure there is not even an appearance of impropriety. This is particularly more important now, according to Associate Principal Ms. Bacon, because “in recent years there has been greater collaboration among the teachers for producing most finals.” According to Rabbi Galpert, the administration is now strictly enforcing this particular rule. “This isn’t due to any specific violation” but rather, designed
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to ensure final exams in Flatbush are beyond reproach, he said. In that regard, the administration has taken significant efforts to remind teachers of this. “Our teachers are professionals who understand that it is their responsibility to uphold the school’s rules and standards, and therefore there is no need to do anything more than remind them of this rule,” Ms. Bacon commented. “Integrity is one of our core values, one of the cornerstones of Judaism, and we must always take this seriously.” The point is that even the appearance of a lack of integrity is something the Yeshiva is seeking to avoid, she explained. Reaction among some students and teachers seemed to fall in line. Although some students were disappointed that their list of potential tutors is more limited, and some teachers were frustrated at the loss of potential extra income, all understood the need to reemphasize the existing rule. In fact, most students were more interested in what else is in the Teacher’s Handbook than they were in the issues raised by this policy.
Flatbush boys save Baguette Express By Trina Cayre Contributing Writer
When word got around that Baguette Express was on the verge of being sold to another owner, concerned Flatbush students begged the current owner stay, and their tactics seem to have worked. A few weeks ago, rumors began spreading that Baguette was closing. The truth proved to be a bit less devastating, but still upsetting, for the Flatbush students who eat there. The current owner, who would like to remain unknown at this time, had plans to move out of state and therefore would not be able to continue operating the restaurant. His plan was not to close Baguette but to sell it to a new owner. When Flatbush boys heard this news, they begged him not to sell. And, more important, they started eating
In This Issue People: Page 2 D’var Torah: Page 4 Fun and Games: Page 6
at Baguette even more often. Flatbush student Sammy Reghini, a relative of the owner, explained, “Ever since the group of Flatbush boys begged the owner not to close down, he’s been getting more business.” Baguette Express, located three blocks from school, is a family-owned restaurant that serves baguettes, schnitzel, falafel, steak, fries, and other food to take-out or eat in. Although anyone is welcome there, Flatbush lunch periods fill the place specifically with boys to the point where it has become known as “the no girls allowed zone.” A group of Flatbush boys estimated that they spend on average two out of five of their lunch periods at Baguette per week. Junior Joey Alhadeff said, “This place is the only one with nice baguettes and schnitzel on Ave J.” Another student
Entertainment: Artists we lost in the 2010s Page 5
Baguette Express will remain under current ownership declared, “They make their food with love.” The owner himself seems to be as popular as the food. Students claim that “He is #1,” and the restaurant “wouldn’t be the same without him.” They keep returning because “he’s very nice and if we give him ideas of what we want, he always tries it
out.” Many students expressed that they “love him,” largely due to the fact that “he knows how to handle lunch time.” For now, Baguette is still open under the same owner, much to the delight of Flatbush students; they are hopeful that the warm and accommodating management will remain.
Fashion: How to dress for finals Page 7
Sports: Your teachers’ workout routines Page 8 www.theflatbushphoenix.com | 1