A Student Publication of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School • 1609 Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York • Vol 51, Issue 3 • December 2016 / 5777
Left to right: Rabbi Sacks, Rabbi Dweck, and moderator Denise Zami
Revered British Rabbeim Visit New York By Marlene Levy Junior Editor
While in New York to attend a number of events, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and Rabbi Joseph Dweck from the United Kingdom took time out of their globe-trotting schedules to hold a question-and-answer session with young adults from the Sephardic community on Tuesday, November 22. Moderated by Denise Zami and held by SCA, the two prominent Rabbis sat down center stage and answered religious questions submitted by the audience. The event started off with Zami’s own question, which provoked the most interesting responses of the eve-
ning. She asked, “Our Syrian community is unique, in that we don’t have inner separations of Orthodox and Reform, although it’s no secret that subsects of the community are looking toward Ashkenazi divisions of the world. Should our community follow a certain subsect? Or is there a different model that our Syrian community should follow?” Rabbi Dweck answered first. He said that everyone learns under the same Torah so the question really is about your education. How are we educated? To what level are we educated? Regardless, if there were subsects or different groups, our community has been very accepting and inclusive. If
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Sprinkler Malfunction Causes Damage Below By Sarah Weingarten School News Editor
On Thursday, November 17, students were dismissed at the end of 11th period when the school’s sprinkler system began showering the auditorium with hundreds of gallons of water. Water collecting on the stage and auditorium floor quickly rushed down to parts of the basement and sub-basement, flooding multiple rooms, locker areas, closets, and staircases in both basement levels. For several days after the flood, massive air blowers and dehumidifiers could be seen drying up the damp air and machinery in the auditorium, by the junior girls’ locker area, the IT office and the copy room. According to Principal Rabbi Beyda, the sprinkler malfunction was actually caused by someone who hit a valve on the sprinkler system by ac-
Sprinklers shower the auditorium
cident. The administration does know the person responsible but did not disclose that information. “There’s not a lot of damage that you’ll see, but there’s some substantial damage to some machinery,” Rabbi Beyda explained. Most notably, the school’s main copy machine was ruined. The machine was relatively new, having been replaced just two years ago in the aftermath of the last sprinkler system malfunction. Rabbi Beyda expressed hope that the school’s insurance policy will cover the cost of all the damages.
South African Chief Rabbi Discusses Shabbos Project By Esther Levy Senior Editor
The Shabbos Project, an annual global movement that brings Jews from all across the world together through Sabbath observance, was held on November 12. Founded by South African Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein in 2013, The Shabbos Project was originally intended to unite the Jewish South African community. It inspired close to
In This Issue Religion: Yaakov not so simple after all Page 4
70 percent of the country’s 75,000 Jews to participate and keep Shabbat, most for the first time in their lives. In 2014 it went global, uniting Jews all over the world. In an interview with The Phoenix, Rabbi Goldstein explained the Shabbos Project, its goals, and why it’s so meaningful. Rabbi Goldstein spoke about the large and extensive widespread of the project by stating that, “Each year, the
response exceeds our expectations.” He remarked that in 2013, when it first started, “the response across the community was overwhelming; through word of m outh and social media, it galvanized a worldwide movement. The following year, many people didn’t quite know what to expect. There were those who surmised—justifiably—that that initial success couldn’t be replicated on a global scale. It turns out they
were wrong. In 2014, an estimated one million Jews in 465 cities and 65 countries took part. Last year, that expanded to 918 cities and 84 countries, with more than 5 000 partners worldwide— up from 1,800 in 2014—driving the project.” As Jews we are all intrinsically linked, but sometimes within different Jewish communities we keep to our-
Entertainment: Movie review: Fantastic Beasts Page 5
Standard of Fabulous: Is Disney racist? Page 7
Sports: Changes for Hausdorff Page 8
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Flatbush Family: Sarah and Ricky Sasson By Mary Jajati Junior Editor
For senior Sarah Sasson of class 4-HN and freshman Ricky Sasson of class 1-HR, the worlds of school and family have collided, and these siblings couldn’t be happier. “Having a sibling in school is helpful in the sense that if I ever need anything or have any questions I can count on Sarah to help me,” Ricky said. Sarah agreed, saying, “It’s great. … You always have someone to talk to about the day and they know exactly what you’re going through.” Sarah said she has given her brother “some solid advice on the basics of Flatbush and about the things he should do to make the most of his time here.” Ricky recognized this effort saying, “When I have any needs or problems she’s always
Alumnus Interview: Margo Braha (’01)
right by my side,” and added that the help was mutual. “If Sarah needs anything she knows I’ll be there.” Sarah said the two are very alike, even though senior year is very different from freshman year. She said, “We both work super hard and try our best in everything we do.” She continued, “My senioritis didn’t fully kick in yet!” The siblings shared that with the few of their teachers that overlap, so far none have compared the two. Ricky noted that “most teachers aren’t even aware of the relationship.” Maybe this is because the two don’t look very much alike. Sarah has said she has gotten a lot of “Oh, he’s your brother!” Sarah and Ricky have more in common than a last name and home address. Both are student athletes, with Sarah on the volleyball team and Ricky on the basketball team. As for other activities, Sarah participates in Yachad and Choices Commission, and they are both on the Tzedakah Commission. Sarah says this is because she “made sure he got involved in Tzedakah Commision because I’m head commissioner.” Flatbush runs in the Sasson Family. Their two older siblings, Harriet and Jack, and both their parents are alumni of the school. Many of their cousins also graduated Flatbush. Sarah has said “I’m helping Ricky out the same way my older siblings helped me, and I’m sure Ricky will pass it on,” as there are three more Sasson children who haven’t entered high school yet. The siblings agreed that they “always” acknowledge each other in the hallways. Sarah says she’ll sometimes even give Ricky a little nudge. Ricky says he always says hi and the siblings might even have a quick conversation while rushing to their next period class. Sarah said she’ll miss seeing her brother every day after she graduates in June, but “not as much as he’ll miss me, of course.”
By Marlene Levy Junior Editor
Margo Braha is now the Photo Editor at AdWeek magazine, but she started out as Margo Didia, a graduate of Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School Class of 2001. Braha says that her years at Flatbush started paying dividends soon after graduation, when she was a student at Brooklyn College. “I took 8 a.m. classes whenever possible most semesters, because, coming from Flatbush, that was considered sleeping in.” At most colleges, 8 a.m. classes are considered early, and are thus unpopular, making it easier to register for them. After college Braha took classes at the International Center of Photography, then later interned with a wedding photographer in the community. She eventually got an internship in the photo department at the women’s magazine Marie Claire, beginning a magazine career that has led her to where she is today. Photo Editor is an integral job at any magazine, and requires a lot of work and coordination. Once given information about an upcoming article, Braha and her team must brainstorm an idea for the photo shoot, hire photographers, hair stylists, makeup stylists, and grooming stylists, find props, and make sure everyone on set is on the same page and is ready to make the concept a reality. Her job often entails working with CEOs and celebrities, which can be tricky due to scheduling issues as well as strong personalities. Braha said that the top-notch Hebrew education she got at Flatbush
has helped her when setting up photo shoots in Israel, as well as in her personal life. Her personal life is about to get much more intense, as she is due to give birth to her first child this month. Even in her ninth month of pregnancy, however, Braha has still managed to come to work every day and set up photo shoots. Braha says that what makes her job so interesting and fun is that she is able to produce the photo shoot and see it come together from concept to final product. She enjoys directing the set and meeting different people, but most of all she enjoys her coworkers. “The people I work with make getting up and going to work every day such a pleasure,” she said.
Faculty Freshman: Ms. Sutton By Robert Adler Contributing Writer
One of two new additions to the Yeshivah of Flatbush’s English department, Ms. Beatrice Sutton works parttime and teaches freshmen. A former English teacher at Heschel, Barkai, and Magen David Yeshivot, Ms. Sutton received her Master’s degree in English Education from New York University. She said she always wanted to work at the Yeshivah, since her four children
attend the school. Ms. Sutton loves being in a school full of children she knows, always striving to make sure that she makes a difference in the students’ lives. She also said that she enjoys seeing smiling students in the hallway. As for the classroom, Ms. Sutton takes a dramatic approach to her teachings, claiming, “The Classroom is a stage for students and teachers to explore the meaning behind selected
The Phoenix Staff Editor-in-Chief: David Azrak Managing Editor: Jane Zakay Senior Editors: Esther Levy and Estelle Saad Religion Editor: Deborah Coopersmith School News Editors: Naomi Sanders and Sarah Weingarten World News Editor: Mimi Lazerowitz Entertainment Editor: Allan Kurland Music Editor: Rena Weitzman
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literary works.” Discussing her relationship with her new colleagues, she says the teachers have been extremely welcoming, especially the English department, who worked as a team to welcome her. Fellow English teacher Ms. Pahuskin stated that Ms. Sutton “is super energetic and really caring about what she teaches her students to make sure they know more leaving the class than before they came in.”
Standard of Fabulous Editors: Sylvia Ashkenazie and Aida Hasson Fun & Games Editor: Diana Hoffstein Sports Editor: Victor Allaham Junior Editors: Daliah Ben-Ari, Dorette Dayan, Mary Jajati, Marlene Levy Sophomore Editors: Sam Beyda, Ezra Faks Design: Therese Berkowitz Faculty Adviser: Adam Hofstetter
High School Administration Rabbi Raymond Harari, Head of School Rabbi Joseph Beyda, Principal Ms. Jill W. Sanders, Associate Principal / Director of Admissions Ms. Sari Bacon, Associate Principal Ms. Ester Hidary, Assistant Principal
Creative Writing Commission Aims to Provide Creative Outlet By Dorette Dayan Junior Editor
The Yeshivah of Flatbush administration has recently approved the establishment of a creative writing commission, “Mortal Poets Society,” which will be available to all students and will meet during first lunch on one Friday each month in the school library. Head commissioner Joelle Cohen said that Mortal Poets Society will have
members peer review each other’s writing in order to learn and improve one’s own work in the same instance. Meetings also will include time for writing. Before each meeting, the participants will be given a general prompt (for example: light, old gods, or youth) with the expectation to evoke emotion and develop the writer’s individual voice. During meetings, members will share their work in what Cohen says will be a positive atmosphere, and will receive
constructive criticism on their pieces. “I want something that encourages creativity and inspires people to be their best selves and to fulfill their destinies in writing,” Cohen said. The name Mortal Poets Society is a reference to the movie Dead Poets Society, which focuses on a group of students in an English class at a prestigious boarding school for boys. Cohen said the commission will share a message portrayed in the movie, which is
that our writing lives after us. People die, but their words can be immortal. Co-commissioner Brenda Tawil explained, “I think that your writing tends to have more depth when you consider that, because you’re then writing for a purpose of sorts, and you hope that even after death, a part of you will linger and can impact a person or a cause.”
Shabbos Project...continued from page 1 selves and fail to unite as one nation. Rabbi Goldstein feels the Shabbos Project is helping to break these divides and that it reminds us “that true Jewish unity is possible.” He expressed that, “Shabbos is such a powerful unifying force because it is a gift from Hashem and it belongs to all Jews equally.” The Shabbos Project has been able to spread its message of the special nature of Shabbos and the importance of Jewish unity through social media, which has played a crucial role in the project’s globalization. Rabbi Goldstein explained that social media has “enabled us to reach Jews from all backgrounds even if they’re not connected to formal Jewish community. The numbers are staggering. Through our Facebook page, we have already reached more than 10 million people (Jews and non-Jews).” This has made him more of an optimist about the future of the Jewish people and reaffirmed his belief in our inherent connection to the Torah. He specified that, “it has shown that Jews in every corner of the globe and from all backgrounds can connect to the power and beauty of Shabbos.” Rabbi Goldstein explained that the Shabbos Projects electric effect, creative energy, and spontaneity does not end once Shabbos is over. He said that for the past two years, “the most remarkable stories have poured in of people transforming their lives and the way they see others. And, though this is by no means the objective or the point of the initiative, there’ve been countless families and individuals so deeply fall in love with Shabbat—with the stillness, the relaxation, the sense of being instead of doing, the sense of space and time it affords—that they’ve incorporated it into their lives on a
weekly basis.” One aspect of the Shabbos Project is its encouragement of participants to share their story and how their participation has changed them or their Jewish involvement. Rabbi Goldstein recommends checking out the stories of Lana Wilder or Marilynn Yarbough for a small taste of the long-lasting and beautiful impression the project has left on many people, ultimately fulfilling its goal of unifying the Jewish people and putting Shabbat back at the center of Jewish life. In terms of planning for this year’s event, Rabbi Goldstein explained, “For the last few months, we have had more than 6,000 partners around the world coordinating activities in close to 1,000 cities.” In some locations these preparations have been in motion almost the day after last year’s event. He specified that their head office team “provides all the marketing and educational material and drives the campaign from the center” and that the projects power “comes from collaboration and partnership between all of our volunteers and our central team of dedicated professionals who hold the project together.” If you’re interested in getting involved with next year’s Shabbos Project, e-mail partners@theshabbosproject.org or visit the website, www. theshabbatproject.org. Rabbi Goldstein said there’s a team of people ready to respond and that they’d “love more people to join our thousands of partners around the world in bringing the project to your community.” “The Shabbat Project has a natural energy—people are naturally drawn to it,” Rabbi Goldstein said. “And I believe that, because of this, the project will continue to grow.”
Rabbi Harari (left) visits YOF alumni currently studying in Israel
Should You Spend a Year in Israel? By Amanda Heskiel As many seniors start thinking about their next steps in life after high school, the question arises of whether to go to Israel for the year. Many students decide to go to Israel for a gap year between high school and college and Yeshivah of Flatbush has the right tools to help you get there. Many diverse programs are available in Israel, whether you want to learn Torah all day or want to have more of a secular program. Additionally, many programs in Israel combines learning with chesed programs, so you will be able to make a difference in the lives of many in a truly meaningful way. Our school brings in alumni as well as staff from the different programs in Israel to discuss what the programs are about and to answer any questions you have. For the boys, we have the “Israel Fair,” where the boys get to meet with representatives from many different schools. Specialized meetings with representatives from the more popular programs for the boys and, more frequently, for the girls are organized
through the Yeshivah. For those who are worried about going to Israel for financial reasons, Flatbush as well as the school to which you are applying have many scholarships that can help allay the cost. Rabbi Harari, Rabbi Lubner, and Ms. Wielgus visit the Flatbush alumni studying in Israel throughout the year. Rabbi Lubner explained that a year in Israel is a year of self-discovery. It is a year to learn about yourself because you don’t get that chance any other time. These programs have much to offer, including college credits for many of the classes, which are accepted at many American universities. For some, this is the chance to mature and gain independence by living away from home for a full year. Spending a year in Israel also allows you to strengthen and develop your religious identity. You will be able to learn why we believe the way we do and practice it. For most people, it is a final opportunity to learn about Judaism in a formal classroom setting. According to Ms. Wielgus, “In short, deciding to spend a year in Israel will be one of the wisest and most rewarding decisions you will ever make.”
we weren’t at peace. He then quoted Abraham Lincoln, saying, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” This rings true in our history and even today, he explained. A split nation can only harm ourselves; united, we have overcome the greatest empires in history. The only people who can defeat the Jewish people are the Jew-
ish people. We shouldn’t ever allow ourselves to become divided. Many groups of Jews have become divided over time but one that has never become divided is the Sephardic Jewish Community, and that is how Hashem wants it to be. “The more open a community is to diversity, the bigger and richer it becomes,” he added.
Contributing Writer
British Rabbeim...continued from page 1 you choose a certain group then you will be accepted. Rabbi Sacks answered second, and though his accent might have been a little distracting, his answer was beautiful and eye opening. He said that the key is to step back and look at history; every great empire or super power of the time persecuted the Jews.
“Every one of those empires have been consigned to history. And our small nation is still standing and able to say ‘Am Yisrael Chai,’” he said. He continued by saying that three times in our history our home was destroyed and we were forced into exile. And every one of those times, it was because there was a split within our nation;
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Dvar Torah
Not So Simple By Deborah Coopersmith Religion Editor
New signage aims to keep love locks off the Brooklyn Bridge
New Brooklyn Bridge Signs Permit Bagels, Not Locks By Mimi Lazerowitz World News Editor
The New York City Department of Transportation posted a new sign on the Brooklyn Bridge in October. It reads, “No Locks, Yes Lox,” and features a color picture of a bagel and lox. This sign is meant to discourage people from affixing “love locks” to the bridge, and to warn them of the $100 fine they would have to pay for doing so. “Love locks” are commonly attached to bridges in Rome, Paris, and other European cities to signify a couple’s eternal love and affection. The couple throws the key into the water, a statement that their love will last as long as the lock remains in its place. However, this romantic gesture is highly destructive, as the weight of thousands of locks leads to the rapid deterioration of the bridges. The practice has begun to catch on locally, and already has caused serious damage. On September 8, the locks caused a wire on the Brooklyn Bridge to snap and led to hours of repairs and delayed traffic. After that incident, DOT employees clipped off the remaining locks and put up signs to ensure that more locks are not put on the bridge. John Jurgeleit, who makes signs
for the New York City DOT, came up with the idea for the “No Locks, Yes Lox” sign. Jurgeleit said, “We did regulatory signs and then [city officials] wanted something a little more whimsical. … As a goof, I came up with this and sent it over and our commissioner, who has a great sense of humor and a love of signs also, she loved it — she went with it ... to my surprise.” The bagel pictured on the sign is an everything bagel from Leo’s Bagels, a deli located near DOT offices in the Financial District. In making the sign, a DOT spokesperson reported, the bagel was photographed so incessantly that it was inedible after the employees were finished. The sign has received a lot of attention on social media. It has quickly become especially well-known on Instagram and Twitter. “I’m glad it gets recognized,” Jurgeleit said. “The Brooklyn Bridge is an amazing structure. There shouldn’t be anything to deface it.” This sign is not the first time that Jewish humor has been incorporated into Brooklyn street signs. In 2000, Borough President Marty Markowitz had DOT officials mount a sign on the outbound Williamsburg Bridge that reads, “Leaving Brooklyn. Oy Vey!”
In parashat Toldot, Yaakov, the third forefather, is born with his twin brother Esav. From the start the Torah says, “. ישב אהלים, ”ויעקב איש תםWhile his twin, Esav, is out hunting, Yaakov is learning. The pasuk uses the word “tam,” which is interesting because the word is translated to simple. One of the four sons in the Haggadah is called the “tam” son (the simple son), so how can we call one of the forefathers “tam”? Sometimes, translations don’t go over so well. Rashi writes that the word “tam” describes someone who is a straightforward, honest individual who is not well versed in the art of deception. To call someone “tam,” according to Rashi is a huge compliment because it highlights the goodness and honesty of a person and his/her character. Yaakov’s significant trait is honesty. Having this in mind, one might be utterly befuddled by Rashi’s comment in Vayishev, next week’s parasha. The pasuk is: וכי, כי אחי אביה הוא,”ויגד יעקב לרחל “ ותגד לאביה, הוא; ותרץ,רבקה-בן Rashi comments on “her father’s brother”: when Lavan came after Yaakov when he left, Yaakov said to Rachel that if he is coming because of some deception then I, too, am a “brother” of deception, but if he is coming for an upright reason than I am like my mother, Rivka who was upright and Lavan’s sister. Dovid Hamelech once stated in Shmuel II that a merciful man behaves in a merciful manner, an upright man behaves in an upright manner, a pure man acts in a pure manner and a crooked man acts in a crooked manner. . תתמם,גבור תמים- תתחסד; עם,חסיד-)עם ( תתפל,עקש- תתבר; ועם,נבר-עם David is saying that there are certain times where it is permissible to be deceitful to protect yourself or others from a person who is deceitful. The problem with these two circumstances is that Rashi originally commented that Yaakov isn’t someone who is skilled in the art of deceiving, so how does the point illustrated in the second source
apply to him? In Orchos Tzadikim, the author explains that characteristics of an individual is his/her recipe and only the chef knows the exact ingredients and proportions necessary to create it. In order to ensure success in every situation, certain character traits are emphasized while others are put in the back corner. There may be circumstances where happiness and empathy, anger and frustration, or patience and tranquility are needed. Each situation requires different in different amounts to ensure success. When we think of Yaakov Avinu the traits of honesty, wholesomeness and purity come to mind, but he determined when to use them. Throughout every situation, it was his ingenuity and intelligence that guided him on how to act. If he was in a place that required something that wasn’t his norm, he overcame his essential characteristics and adapted in order to succeed. This teaches us something vital about the key to succeed. A person who is timid cannot use that as an excuse for failing to utilize strength at crucial times. On the other hand, someone who is naturally loud and boisterous cannot use that as an excuse for potentially offending those who are more reserved. One must continuously adapt to be successful in life; however, one should never forget one’s core principles. As Shlomo Hamelech says in Proverbs, “Give to the wise and he will become [yet] wiser, make known to the righteous and he will add lesson[s].” Each person is given the necessary characteristics in order to thrive and succeed in the role given to them and to worship Hashem. Yet we are still given flaws and we must constantly work on correcting them and refining these traits so that they become our very nature. We are also sometimes put in situations that require us to ignore our basic character so that we may properly worship Hashem. We must always work on making ourselves better and also ensuring that our intellect is at the forefront so that it is driving the situation in the right direction and we are ready to use any characteristic at our disposal, even deceitfulness or anger. To be able to do this is to become truly mighty, because, as it says in Proverbs, “One who is patient is better than a mighty warrior, and greater and more powerful is the person who rules over his spirit than one who can conquer cities.”
Students Observe Nontraditional Chanukah Traditions By Monique Abramson Contributing Wrter
Every year families come together to celebrate Chanukah by lighting the candles, singing songs, spinning dreidels, eating latkes and jelly donuts, and spending quality time with family. Yet, some families have unusual traditions that make their family’s Chanukah different from everyone else’s. Many Flatbush students have their own special traditions that make their Chanukah stand out. Junior Adina Kameo’s unique fam-
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ily tradition started when their family stopped doing Thursday night dinner with the whole family, and instead made Chanukah the time for everybody to come together. They start off their night with a large dinner that all the girls cook together. When they all finish dinner, everyone gathers around the living room table to start their annual Chanukah grab bag, with the oldest person giving out their present first. After the grab bag is over and everybody has their presents, they continue their tradition by bringing out a new game that her brother buys, and they
play it together as a family. Senior Michael Chakkalo has an especially interesting tradition: the Chakkalos light an extra candle every night. The origin of this tradition traces back to when the Jews were being expelled from Spain during the Spanish Inquisition. As these Jews were looking for a place to go, some of them were finally accepted into Aleppo, Syria, on the first night of Chanukah in 1492. To commemorate the day they were finally accepted, some Jews from Aleppo, like the Chakkalos, light an extra candle. Junior Danielle Mosseri says her
family’s Chanukah tradition started off randomly but has been going on for “as long as I can remember.” Every year, they buy ugly Chanukah sweaters and wear them while lighting the Chanukah candles. Also, when it is time for the children to get their presents, they all run over to a pillow and lie down on their stomachs. Once everyone is lying down, “my parents place the presents on our backs and when everyone has one, we all jump up and start opening up our presents,” Mosseri said.
Entertainment Movie Review:
Goodbye, Leonard Cohen
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them By Sam Beyda Sophomore Editor
By Allan Kurland Entertainment Editor
Leonard Cohen haunts the halls of his records like a ghost with one foot in the world he left behind and one in the world he’s yet to know. He’s either carving poems into the walls of eternal darkness, or singing songs in the light of God. In any case, he’s not vacant. He does not cease to be. His writing, his music, become the words and songs of the people he loved, the people who inspired him. This is the seed of the poet laureate, which grows into the tree that casts shadows over his grave, shadows of love and hate and life, his ultimate muse. Cohen was second to none—neither Dylan nor Waits. His first three studio albums, Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967); Songs from a Room (1969); and Songs of Love and Hate (1971), stand as three of the greatest singer-songwriter works of all time, touching upon biblical, philosophical, and esoterically existential themes and concepts while grounding them in the most human of emotions. Cohen, the student of all teachers, gave face to the struggle between archaic concepts entrenched in the old and the new and projected them onto his work. “I came upon a wedding that old families have contrived; Bethlehem the bridegroom, Babylon the bride,” Cohen sings in the brilliant exploration of faith that manifested itself into Songs of Love and Hate’s “Last Year’s Man.” “And when we fell together, our flesh was like a veil that I had to draw aside to see the serpent eat its tail.” In these great works, and in his life in and of itself, Cohen proved his possession of an acute awareness, a complete candor, the jewel uncovered from the wreckage of the great poet. “Well, Marianne. It’s come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine,” Cohen wrote in July to his dying muse, Marianne Ihlen, for whom he wrote “So long, Marianne.” The death of Leonard Cohen digs up a theme most recently displayed by David Bowie in his sonically ethereal tombstone “Blackstar.” Cohen, throughout his life, in the face of opposition, whether emotional or otherwise, took to the pen and guitar. This is untamed bravery, a terrifying effort against demons, armed only with honesty. Death greets Leonard Cohen, who had words for the moments before he’s taken away. “Hineni,” cries Cohen on “You Want It Darker.” “Hineni,” he cries again. “I’m ready, my Lord,” he whispers for the last time.
Music Review:
We Got It From Here, Thank You 4 Your Service By Allan Kurland Entertainment Editor
Eighteen years after the release of their previous full-length studio album, The Love Movement, influential rap group A Tribe Called Quest has returned with We Got It From Here, Thank You 4 Your Service. It is a monument for rap crafted by perhaps the greatest group that the genre has ever produced, marking the end and the beginning and the full realization of A Tribe Called Quest. Q-Tip and company rest outside of time, rapping like 18 years never went by but doing so at a level that convinces
ever so successfully that the years were not spent silently. Time shows itself only with the recent death of Malik “Phife Dawg” Taylor, whose legacy becomes ingrained in the skin of the record. “Have you ever loved somebody? Way before you got to dream?” sings Katia Cadet on the track “Lost Somebody.” “No more crying. He’s in sunshine.” We Got It From Here, unlike past projects, becomes brilliantly encompassing, never holding on one specific theme throughout the whole album, pushing through Phife’s death while paying its due respect. And so it opens with “The Space Program,” one of the most quintessentially Tribe tracks the group has ever released and perhaps the only song that could capably introduce the album to come. It ends with a sample of Willy Wonka’s Oompa Loompa song, and forces its way right into the album’s first single, “We The People,” absolutely booming with arguably the most pow-
Like any great spin-off, J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them draws on its predecessor’s roots to set up a new world, this time with enough magic to build an entire franchise. The film, set in 1920s New York, follows Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) as he attempts to recapture the mythical beasts that he brought with him from London. While this acts as the basic plot of the film, watching Redmayne mindlessly chase after magical creatures we know little about often becomes repetitive. The film’s basic themes and ideas seem to be cluttered by its thoughtless action and mass crowd pandering. What will be the overarching theme throughout the Fantastic Beasts franchise is the growing anti-wizard sentiment in the city. After hauling Scamander in to try and quell these feelings, Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), a former investigator for the magical Congress, ends up on the same side as Redmayne against a powerful magical force that makes Scamander’s cute beasts seem insignificant. While the film is connected in every moviegoer’s mind to the Harry Potter series, Fantastic Beasts is able to progress with little more than a single reference to Albus Dumbledore and the occasional name-dropping of Hogwarts. After all, until recently, erful lead on the record. The song is a perfect example of what makes Tribe so special. Lyrical thoughtfulness coats the group in gold while the production, diversely immersed in foundational jazz and progressive synthetic arrangements, drives their sound forward. The record is teeming with guest features tastefully utilized throughout its 60-minute running time. Gems as diverse and unexpected as Elton John’s samples and vocals (“Solid Wall of Sound”) and Jack White’s punishing guitar lines (“Ego,” “The Donald”) support Tribe in the album. Guest rappers Busta Rhymes and Consequence, familiar faces on the Tribe discography, provide stunning yet often overpowering performances on “Dis Generation” and “The Killing Season,” which features a chorus vocal from Kanye West. Busta Rhymes snaps on “Mobius,” scaring nearly everyone out of their seats into a state of pure attention. The thread tying this
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was just a textbook written by Rowling. Together with Rowling, David Yates, director of the last four Harry Potter films, and Eddie Redmayne do an excellent job bringing the charmingly awkward Newt Scamander to life. Additionally, the beasts are as the title states, fantastic, from a visual standpoint. However, like most franchise-building movies, Fantastic Beasts tries to do way too much in way too little time, often leaving viewers lost between plots, forgetting basic motivations introduced in the beginning and abandoned by the end.v Looking ahead, the franchise’s future seems awfully bright, with Johnny Depp starring as the series’ antagonist, Gellert Grindlewald, the upcoming return of Albus Dumbledore, and the barely hinted-at story of Tom Riddle’s childhood. The film itself is a must-see for any Potterhead. Anyone not yet introduced to Rowling’s wizarding world will soon be enchanted by the magical city of 1920s New York.
album to the industry is the group’s position as the elder statesmen of rap. Remaining members Q-Tip, Jarobi White, and Ali Shaheed Mohammed are all in their forties but make a conscious effort to recognize the new generation, the “gatekeepers of flow” like the infinitely skillful Kendrick Lamar, who appears on “Conrad Tokyo.” ATCQ does not adapt or mold themselves into the cast of the modern era; they dig deeper, exposing themselves and discovering that, even now, the soul of A Tribe Called Quest is unboundedly timeless. This is it. This is what it’s all about. And it comes at the end of it all when the Tribe puts out the overtwo-decade-old fire, but leaves us with enough light to see the golden throne above all of rap and hip hop, the throne shining and empty as the rest of the industry looks up and says, “We got it from here. Thank you for your service.”
www.theflatbushphoenix.com | 5
Fun & Games Ask Merle By Diana Hoffstein Fun and Games Editor
Merle, There has been a question that has been bothering me for two years. I think it’s about time I finally get this off my chest. Every day I come to school and am faced with the same dilemma: Is that gumball machine outside the lounge real? Also, how old do you think the gum is? I can’t be the only one who has this question … yet nobody has seemed to ask! Curious and Concerned Curious, I have to be honest with you and say that I haven’t got the slightest clue. I do remember in my freshman year buying a gumball. However, I don’t remember actually eating it; the quarter was eaten by the machine instead. Your question intrigued me to the point where I took
Your Latest Text By Diana Hoffstein Fun and Games Editor
The staff of The Phoenix’s Fun and Games section asked several students the following question: “What was the last text message you sent?” These are the results: “I’m outside ur door” Do you have any food? “Whyyyyyyyy???” “Bleh”
my own curiosity to Google. I wanted to know how long it would take for gumballs in the machine to expire, assuming it hasn’t been refilled for years. Google taught me that it can take up to three years for gum to expire and/or get crusty. Fun tip: the school was established in 1927. I don’t know about you but I plan on getting my gum elsewhere. Just keep chewing (gum that hasn’t come from that machine), Merle Hi Merle, I think I’m living in a horror movie because every day another one of my classmates is missing. Is it possible that there’s a murderer on the loose that I don’t know about? If so please let me know so I can get out the popcorn. Horror Movie Enthusiast
mates of yours are alive. The only serial killer roaming around Flatbush is the looming deadlines of college applications. So grab that popcorn if you enjoy watching the stress of about 150 seniors. It can be quite riveting. Will he get into Columbia? Does her personal essay portray her well enough? Will those SAT scores make the cut? All these questions do resemble a horror movie except that they’re much scarier than any chainsaw-wielding lunatic. Enjoy the show! Shakily yours, Merle Hey Merle, I keep accidentally walking up to the fifth floor and I’m a senior! Any tips to avoid these embarrassing incidents from happening again? Ruby Red Cheeks
ly avoid them. Even if you finally learn that the fifth floor is nothing but a myth you’ll find embarrassment someplace else. Fall up the stairs a couple of times too many like I have and you’ll get used to the embarrassment. Embrace the things that make you a freshie at heart! Laugh at the fact that you may be a senior but you’ll forever make the mistakes of a freshman. Besides, you’ll be a freshman again before you know it. Stop blushing and start laughing, Merle Dear Merle, We’ve been having a lot of fire drills lately and it has me a little worried. Will we be safe if the school ever catches fire for real? Concerned
Enthusiast, Some may say that applying to college can be murderous. However, whether you like it or not those class-
Ruby, Don’t be embarrassed! I’ve had my fair share of “embarrassing incidents” and learned that there’s no way to tru-
Concerned, You may not have heard about this, but we found out recently that the school’s sprinklers work quite well. Keep looking at the bright side, Merle
“Please stop talking”
“Me”
“Can u send me doc notes?”
“Don’t use this chat for anything but school work”
“Late minyan?”
“Not coming”
“Woah.”
“Come @ 8”
“Np”
“917-887-2701”
“Y’all gotta chill”
“Did u do physics homework?”
“Yay I’m siked!”
“Pics now!!”
“Awwwww mushhhh”
“Her schedule”
“Call me when you get this.”
“Did you just remove me?”
“ANSWER ME”
“smh”
“What’s for dinner?”
“QUANTICO marathon??”
“Yepperoonie”
“Did anyone start studying?”
“Just ditch”
“Netflix password?”
“Study date?”
“GOALS.”
“SAMEEEEEEEEE”
“Nice”
“My ‘rents aren’t home”
“you too!” “WHY ARE PEOPLE SO ANNOYING?!” “Mag”
“Where r u?”
“^^^”
“Carpool?”
“Ugh”
“Noooooo stoppppp”
“Hahahahahaha no.”
“They ate it all” “Can you mark me here?”
“add me back to the chat”
“Do we have a free period now?”
“On my way!”
“I know someone did the homework. Somebody confess”
“Huh?”
“Wake me up in 20”
“Can you pick me up at 2:30 instead? I get out early.”
“For 30 minutes”
“Can someone buy me choc??”
“thank you”
“Anyone ordering Ouri?”
“I love ur face”
“Double lunch?”
“Heavy no?”
“Sorry for late response! I was napping”
“Is he there yet?”
“Can you call my phone? I lost it.”
“What a creep”
“Benny’s tomorrow?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“What room r we in?”
“I owe you 14 dollars”
“Anyone wanna babysit tonight?”
Student Survey: Where do you get your news?
Newspapers
41 (20.9%)
News magazines
10 (5.1%)
Major networks
40 (20.4%)
Cable news networks
64 (32.7%)
Local TV news
20 (10.2%)
Late-night comedy shows
30 (15.3%)
News websites
48 (24.5%)
Snapchat Stories
100 (51%)
Twitter Other social media
43 (21.9%) 51 (26%) 196 responses
6 | www.theflatbushphoenix.com
“Save me a seat”
Pathfinders
Pathfinders is excited to host our December 13th Career Summer Fair Look for presenters during your lunch. Juniors and Seniors: Get ready for Career Day December 13th 8am-10am
Standard of Fabulous Senior Girls Beautify the System
Are Disney Costumes Racist?
By Sylvia Ashkenazie
By Stella Lessler
SOF Editor
Contributing Writer
On Thursday, November 12, the senior girls decided to hold a spontaneous fashion show that showcased floor-length skirts of all colors and patterns. These skirts adhered to the school’s dress code but weren’t the standard solid black skirts most Flatbush girls normally wear. These skirts were flamboyant and flashy with every type of pattern, floral design or color combination you could imagine. Basketball star Sarah Horowitz was the one to come up with this idea, and dozens of girls joined in. “We just wanted to do something interesting to the dress code,” said senior Estelle Saad. The girls also hosted a fashion show during lunch, showing off their vibrant skirts complete with a red carpet and videos for later critique. All in all, this day was a success, and who knows? Maybe the senior fashion show will become a new trend!
The new Disney movie Moana, released on November 23, is about a Polynesian princess named Moana who journeys to find a fabled island, later teaming up with a demigod named Maui. Disney recently has frozen sales of the Maui costume due to claims of racism. The costume and movie are based on a figure from Polynesian oral tradition. The costume featured brown pants with a shirt depicting tattoos, as well as a skirt made of leaves and a fake sharktoothed necklace. Chelsie Haunani Fairchild, a Polynesian and native Hawaiian, said that she felt that the costumes were making fun of her culture and that it is extremely disrespectful to have children pretend to be another race. In response to this, Disney apologized and said it would pull the costume from its website. They said, “The team behind Moana has taken great care to respect the cultures of the Pacific Islands that inspired the film, and we regret that the Maui costume has offended some. We sincerely apologize and are pulling the costume from our website and stores.” Disney has been criticized for creating stereotypical characters in the past, such as white princesses who are typically portrayed as the damsel in distress dependent on a male character for their survival. Only relatively recently has Disney begun to create diverse characters of different races, as well as bolder female leads. Some claim that Moana is simply the latest instance of Disney using stereotypes about a particular ethnicity to make money, while others see it as an attempt by Disney to celebrate Hawaiian culture and spreading awareness of its beauty to others who are unfamiliar with it. Instead of feeling proud that Disney is celebrating the Hawaiian culture, it seems there are many who are offended by it. Marama Fox, a co-leader of New Zealand’s indigenous Maori Party and a member of New Zealand’s parliament, said the Maui costume was “a case of cultural misappropriation and an example of a company trying to profit off of another culture’s intellectual property.” Others had mixed feelings. In a tweet, @livinoffthegrid said, “As a Poly I support our folk involved in #Moana. But this? NO. Our Brown Skin/Ink’s NOT a costume.”
Fashion Fact:
A strand of human hair is stronger than a copper wire with the same diameter.
Sam Says By Sam
Anonymous Student
Hello Flatbush, it’s Sam Says here, and this month Sam says that you should all be excited for
winter. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you all have to just wear big ugly jackets all day; you can still be fashionable by layering! Layer your favorite clothes on top of each other to keep warm while still looking good. This month I’ll be wearing lots of layered sweaters. If you think you’ve figured out who I am, don’t forget to e-mail me! Stay warm and fashionable.
White Sneaker Craze Takes Hold By Ezra Faks Sophomore Editor
It seems like everyone over the past year has bought a pair of crisp, white sneakers. Brands like Stan Smith, Adidas, Vans, and H&M have reintroduced previous designs that became a staple of everyone’s sneaker collection. We all know the look: stark white sneakers with just a splash of color either on the back or side of the shoe. Next time you’re running through the halls to get to your next class, look down for second and you’ll understand. Just about the entire Flatbush student body wears a pair
every day. Some students intentionally don’t follow this new trend because they want to stand out. Jessica Vaysman of class 3-HR said, “The reason I refuse to get white sneakers is because I refuse to give in to everyone else.” The white sneaker movement has been so completely accepted and adopted by the public that now it’s a fashion statement not to wear white sneakers. Whether it’s plain and fresh or striped with a hint of color, most critics believe that white sneakers are in it to stay because of their convenience, crisp look, and neutrality.
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Sports Hausdorff Committee Steps Up Their Game By Estelle Saad Senior Editor
Kassin is hoping to be even more dominant this year
Boys’ Tennis Looks To String Together Victories By Netanel Ben-Shabat Contributing Writer
Hungry and determined to bounce back from last year’s semifinals loss to the Ramaz Rams, the Falcons Varsity Boys’ Tennis team is looking ahead to a successful 2017. Returning from last year’s team are seniors Meyer Kassin, Meyer Tawil, Joe BenHaim, Daniel Sitt, and more. If they’re going to take the team further this year, they’ll have to overcome the graduation of two integral players from last year’s team: former captain Ben Nigri and Daniel Esses. Games are played at the National Tennis Center in Queens, NY. Each competition includes a total of 10 matches played by doubles and singles. Each team needs to present three singles players and two doubles groups. The team with the most match wins is crowned victors of that night’s competition. Coach Mike Gelber has a talented group to work with. The almost-unbeatable Kassin usually plays first to get the team off to a good start. He had one loss last season, which came at the hands of Magen David’s four-star recruit, David Mizrahi. Kassin is hoping that this year he will defeat Mizrahi, along with everyone else he faces. Following Kassin in the singles matches are Joe BenHaim and Meyer Tawil, two talented players in their own right. BenHaim was unbeaten throughout last season and is known to make quick work of his opponents. Juniors Sam Torgumen and Ricky Esses have shown great promise as well and are expected to be major contributors this year. Kassin is determined to leave the juniors some big shoes to fill after he graduates. Looking forward to the coming season, he said, “The Big Three have one last shot to win the first-ever championship for Flatbush and we will try our hardest to bring it.”
This year the committee in charge of planning the Hausdorff Memorial Basketball Tournament improved the program with vans for the team to leave the school and a possible fundraiser, assistant commissioner Amanda Heskiel confirmed. A traffic accident last year involving a car that was transporting players in the tournament led to a change for this year: the school is supplying vans for the teams from the school to where they will be staying on Thursday. The school hopes that this will make the program safer for the athletes. The program’s itinerary will remain the same for the most part, with a Yachad program on Thursday night, following with basketball games on Friday. There will be an Oneg Shabbat celebration after dinner on Friday night, where there will be a kumztiz and more food. All of the meals will be served in the school except the Oneg Shabbat, which will be in the house of Amy and Steven Sasson, parents of students Sarah and Ricky. On Saturday night the teams will play basketball and raffles will be drawn. To raise additional funds the committee is looking into selling fruit and cookies during mincha, though that is not definite. The committee is also raising mon-
ey for the program by selling raffle and split the pot tickets, which are available now. Friday night dinner and Saturday lunch are being catered by Essen Deli, and the Saturday night “Wings and Fries Party” will be catered by Shnitzie’s. Three other schools are participating in the event: Cooper Yeshiva from Memphis, Weinbaum Hebrew Academy from Miami, and Farber High School from Detroit. Junior Varsity teams from each school play in games against each other throughout the course of the weekend, with the championship game on Sunday. Players and spectators alike are excited for the program. Head commisioner Albert Dweck said he is looking forward to meeting people from different communities and to having a great experience, and player Eddie Lincer is excited to “bond with other players.” The tournament was founded in memory of Thomas Hausdorff, a general studies principal at Flatbush for many years, by Coach Gelber and Rabbi Besser. Hausdorff “understood the value of intertwining athletics and Torah,” said Gelber. “That is the annual goal of the tournament. It made no difference who you were or what you wanted to talk about, he knew exactly how to connect with anyone, student and colleague alike. He was a consummate teacher.”
Correction
In the November issue of The Phoenix, an article about the Flatbush Girls Hockey team incorrectly identified Coach Black as the team’s coach. Ms. Chelsea Donovan is the Girls Hockey Head Coach and Ms. Barbara Stern is the team’s Assistant Coach.
Sportsman Spotlight: Yair Aiash By Victor Allaham Sports Editor
The sport with big hits and little shots, also known as volleyball, has lately seemed to be the talk of the school. With the team already chosen and the season around the corner, there remains just one question: What is team captain Yair Aiash doing in order to prepare for the 2016–17 campaign? In a recent interview with The Phoenix, Aiash stated, “I’m working on getting in shape and I’m working on my game, too.” Now in his senior year, Aiash looks to bring a championship to Flatbush before he hangs up his jersey once and for all. “It’s special because it’s my se-
8 | www.theflatbushphoenix.com
nior year and I want to bring a championship home,” he said. In his fourth and final year on the team, Aiash strongly believes that the previous three seasons have given him what it takes to be the leader of this team: “Having the most experience on the team, I know I’ll be able to help them during practices to get better, and on different aspects of the game. In addition, I’m looking forward mostly to developing the future stars of the team.” Aiash is an exceptional athlete. In addition to volleyball, he has been a member of Flatbush basketball for four straight years, and he believes he’s learned a thing or two from basketball that he could apply to volleyball. “Throughout all the practices and
road trips, I’ve learned how much hard work it takes to put in if you want to make it somewhere. I also realized how important teamwork is if you want to win at anything. I believe I’ve learned enough to hopefully earn ourselves a banner up in the gym by the end of the season. Hopefully I’ll be a leader on and off the court.” Despite Flatbush’s recent shortcomings on the volleyball court, nothing is getting in Aiash’s way. He’s “extremely confident” about the upcoming season. “We have the skill, experience, and the coaches to be serious contenders,” he said. “We have a solid group of returning players from last season. Last year, we lacked experience. It was many of the players’ first year,
which undoubtedly affected us.” Aiash will stop at nothing to ensure that Flatbush is the final team standing. It’s his last shot to leave his mark and set the standard for future Falcons volleyball stars. Aiash is more than ready to run the show.