The Phoenix 2021-2022 Issue 7

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A Student Publication of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School • 1609 Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York • Vol 56, Issue 7 • May 2022 / 5782

SGO election results spark Students shrug off complaints about fairness By Jeanette Cohen and Jack Saad

voters’ hands at 7 a.m. Friday morning. Some candidates speculated that Terzi, who was SGO’s Junior Commissioner this year, may have had something to do

Rabbi Galpert claimed that because the candidates were informed of the inJunior Editor and Senior Editor correct start time, they were unable to On Monday May 2, Flatbush students properly campaign while people were were shocked when the names of voting. Mosseri in partictwo previously eliminated candiular had a campaign plan dates reappeared on the ballot. in place with his team to Juniors Mark Mosseri and Joseph catch voters as soon as the Fouerti, who ran for President ballots opened at 10 a.m. and Vice President respectively, “When the ballots opened and lost in what are reported to two hours earlier, I was so be close primary elections, were caught off guard. I feel like I readmitted by Rabbi Galpert and could’ve gotten more votes Ms. Marcus after finding a “disif it started on time,” he crepancy” which may have influsaid. enced results. Mosseri and Fouerti In the original e-mail to the were equally impacted by candidates, Ms. Marcus anthis error, and when they nounced that the ballot would brought it to the attention The new SGO does not include any of the disputed candidates of Rabbi Galpert, he agreed. open at 10 a.m. on Friday April 29. However, the ballot was sent Initially the two apout at 8 a.m., much to the surprise of with the earlier election start time. Terzi proached Rabbi Galpet in hopes of viewmany candidates. However, this did not completely denied this rumor, deeming ing the poll results in order to see how come as a surprise to Solomon Terzi, it “a nonsensical claim used to promote much of an influence the “discrepancy” who was spotted dressed in a suit shaking my opponent’s narrative.” continued on page 4

Honor society, Archon programs combined and moved to evening

By Samantha Ryba Contributing Writer

Every year, the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School holds ceremonies inducting students into The National Honor Society and The National Archon Service Society, organizations that honor students with outstanding school performance and students who have demonstrated excellence in service to their school and community. Pre-Covid, the school typically held two separate ceremonies each year, occuring on consecutive Friday mornings, allowing every student in the school to watch. Due to Covid, for the last two years, the award ceremonies were combined and held online as a single nighttime event. The event will be back in person again this year, but will follow the same com-

In This Issue People: Page 2 D’var Torah: Page 4 Entertainment: Page 5

bined evening format. Rabbi Galpert explained that the administration wants to see what the “best format” for the event will be. They believe that in the evening, the program will be more intimate and more convenient, as it is easier for parents to come at night instead of taking off work and having to rush. Rabbi Galpert also predicted that the audience will be less loud and difficult than during the school day, when the whole student body would’ve attended. The administration thought about making this change during Covid, and decided to try it out this year as it’s the first program to celebrate the students’ excellence in-person since 2019. There are mixed feelings among the faculty and student body about this change. Mr. Saadia, who agrees with the shift to the evening, as it avoids

Special Report: The life of a yeshiva student in other countries Page 3

disrupting classes at a critical time. He stated, “I think it’s a good change. Students should be using this time to prepare for the end of the year and finals.” However, some disagree. “I feel very proud to receive the award,” said junior Stephanie Dayan. “I’m a little bit upset that the whole school won’t be able to watch,” Dayan stated. Dr. Sari Mayer concurred and said, “I think it’s important that the younger grades watch the ceremony. It gives them motivation to work harder, but now that it’s being held at night, fewer students will be attending.” Senior Ronnie Mizrachi sees the merit on both sides. “I think it’s good because more parents and family members will be there,” he said. “But it’s also nice to have friends cheer for you down the aisle, which is what usually happens during the day.”

Fashion: Summer trends worth a look Page 7

gas prices By Elliot Soffer Contributing Writer

Due to inflation, Russia’s war against Ukraine, and other factors, New York has recently hit an all-time high in gasoline prices, averaging around $4.67 per gallon. About a year ago, prices were about $3.00 per gallon. A few questions arise from the sudden increase: does this affect the amount of people on the road? Does this limit the amount of Yeshivah of Flatbush students who drive to school? Do students try to take the train more, in hope of saving money to spend in other ways? A survey of more than 1,000 Americans showed that 52% of them have been driving less and using other modes of transportation. However, most Flatbush students who drive to school say they have still been driving daily, undeterred by those high prices. Many seniors and some juniors carpool with other students where they rotate drivers. Each driver ends up driving only once or twice a week, so their gas usage is already low; higher prices have not limited many from their routines. Other students simply accept the higher prices as fact and move on. Senior Eli Durzieh said, “The prices are really not fair, but you gotta pay what you gotta pay. Part of the costs for going to school is the transportation, so I will end up paying some amount.” Many students see the cost of driving to school as a worthwhile trade-off for freedom and convenience. It may be a little more expensive, but it enables them to be on their own schedule as opposed to having to adhere to the preset schedule of a van or other driver. Prices may be high, but the students are saving in other places, and have an easier time getting to school. Meanwhile, electric cars enable a handful of students to drive to school without ever having to buy gas. Junior Moselle Goldstein drives a Tesla and enthusiastically said, “Gas prices don’t af-

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Sports: Both tennis teams are red hot Page 8 phoenix@flatbush.org | 1


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