A Student Publication of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School • 1609 Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York • Issue 2 • November 2015 / 5776
Classroom Recycling Bins, But No Recycling
By Gabi Cohen School News Editor
Recycling garbage bins with colorful handprints and green tops are seen in every classroom, but their contents are not actually being recycled, according to Ms. Mikhli, who oversees the Eko Commission. Rabbi Haber, formerly in charge of the Eko Commission, started the recycling project with his student team around five years ago. Several classes sponsored the actual trash cans, others donated money for the rest, an d the Eko Commission set to work. They spray painted the bins, put handprints on them, and put them in every classroom. A great plan, with even better intentions, was thwarted by some unexpected problems. Instead of having separate bins for paper, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles, the donations only allowed for one mixed bin for all recyclables. Additionally, students did not cooperate by properly recycling, often using recycling bins and regular trash bins interchange-
Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel
No matter which bin you use, trash ends up in the same place.
ably. Most significantly, the janitorial staff does not actually separate between regular and recycled garbage. In New York City schools are not legally required to separate recyclables from their regular trash. Hence, the city’s garbage trucks do not collect recyclables from the Yeshivah of Flatbush.
Ms. Mikhli said she plans on improving the situation. Ms. Mikhli and Rabbi Haber both stress how important recycling is in a high school, especially considering the amount of paper thrown away each day. The plan for this year is to properly distinguish between paper and cans to be recycled, and to find a way to make sure it is separated from the regucontinued on page 2
New Teacher Profile: Mr. Horowitz By Mary Jajati Sophomore Editor
After putting in a claimed 10,000 hours of “teaching” before he finished college because of all the time he spent in his chavruta, tutoring, and arguing with teachers, Mr. Shai Horowitz started his first real teaching job straight out of college and has loved it ever since. Before coming to Flatbush to teach STEM I and II, Coding and Physics to
In This Issue Religion: Parashat Vayeira calls for unity Page 3
9th, 11th, and 12th graders, Mr. Horowitz taught at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, a boys’ yeshiva high school in Lawrence. In addition to his classes at Flatbush, Mr. Horowitz is in his fourth year teaching at Kingsborough Community College. Although he didn’t attend Flatbush, his father did, and is “super excited that I’m continuing the legacy,” Mr. Horowitz says. Growing up in Cedarhurst in the 1990s when there was no Facebook, Netflix, or texting, Mr. Horowitz “watched my fair share of TV” because it was the only escape from being productive, talking to people, or getting out. He loves to tinker, fix things and solve puzzles. “That’s probably why I love teaching STEM,” he added, noting that he secretly has a background in math. He also enjoys jogging and watching Breaking Bad. When asked how he spent his sum-
mer, Mr. Horowitz excitedly shared, “I became a father!” His daughter Sophie is three months old now. He also spent three days at a STEM seminar in preparation for teaching the course at Flatbush. There the teachers did many of the projects that continued on page 2
Entertainment: Ask Merle: Can a shape-shifter Holding parties in the new gym? defeat Hitler? Page 5 Page 5
Flood Moves Seminar Back to the Berkeley
By Gabriel Vizgan and Sally Elbaz Seniors and juniors are going back to the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel for their respective Seminars, and students are abuzz to go back to the hotel that holds so many memories. What brought on this change, though? Dean of Students Rabbi Besser, who runs Seminar, was forced to find a new venue for Seminar last year when new management at the Berkeley decided to prioritize potential weddings over Seminar when taking reservations. All four Seminars last year were held instead at the Hotel Somerset–Bridgewater in Somerset, NJ. The Somerset was not only more willing to let Rabbi Besser reserve space months in advance, it had the added benefit of being significantly closer to Brooklyn than the Berkeley is. Despite their nostalgia for the Berkeley, students enjoyed the new hotel. After all, it’s not the building that makes the experience, but rather the time spent with friends and faculty. Based on the positive experience at the Somerset, Rabbi Besser booked all four of this year’s Seminars there. He bartered continued on page 4
Sports: Girls’ hoops to play at Barclay’s Page 8 www.theflatbushphoenix.com | 1
Alumnus Interview: Chaim Theil (’99) By Jane Zakay Junior Editor
Meet a Flatbush Family Sam and Esther Beyda By Diana Hoffstein Junior Editor
Sometimes it seems as if school and family are two separate parts of life. So what happens when your school life and family life collide? Siblings Sam Beyda, a senior in class 4-HR, and Esther Beyda, a sophomore in class 2-HN, have firsthand knowledge of what it’s like to have your siblings in high school with you. To understand the Beydas as siblings you first have to learn a little bit about each of them. Esther’s favorite part about school is when there are exciting events like Color War, Commission Fair, or assemblies going on. You can often find her running with the track team. However, her life doesn’t completely revolve around school. She likes to spend her free time with her friends, and her dream job is to be a makeup artist. Sam says his favorite part about school is “attempting to figure out what lives inside Jimmy’s mustache.” His list of extracurricular activities is long, and includes playing varsity Hockey, the varsity Debate Team, founding the famous Ping-Pong Club, and serving as co-commissioner of the biannual Blood Drive. If there’s one thing you should know about Sam, it’s that he’s a senior. Being 5-foot-3 (taller than his sister) doesn’t change that fact. When he’s not stressing or ping-ponging, he likes to hang out with his friends, play sports, and most of all nap.
The Beyda siblings do say hi to each other in the halls and acknowledge each other’s existence. However, teachers rarely realize that Sam and Esther are siblings. Esther often doesn’t tell the teacher that she’s related to Sam, just in case the teacher doesn’t necessarily love her brother. Sam said that he would only tell his teacher that they are siblings if he had made a good impression on the teacher. Esther views having her brother in the same school in a positive light. Not only does she sometimes look up to her brother, but also she said that Sam is her favorite sibling. “I like having my brother in school with me,” she said. “I like knowing that he’s there if I need him.” She believes that they have gotten closer since they are in school together. They have more in common and therefore more to talk about. Sam helps his sister with homework and helps her when she needs him. When asked for one thing she would say to her brother that she never gets to say, she said: “I love being close in age with Sam.” Sam said he likes being in school with his sister because she catches him up on the school gossip. When he was asked who his favorite sibling is, he responded with: “I’ll say Esther. Only because she’ll be reading this.” As well as they get along, the Beyda’s don’t always agree on everything. The main thing they disagreed on was whether they would like to go for lunch together. Esther said it would be cute, but Sam replied that he probably wouldn’t want to go for lunch with her because he has to keep up his “street cred.” On the topic of Shabbat-o-Grams, Esther said that she had sent her brother one, but Sam had no recollection of it. That leaves only one question: with both siblings in Honors classes, who is the smartest in the family? Sam responded: “Am I allowed to pick myself?”
Mr. Horowitz... continued from front page the students do, and he found himself running into all of the same problems and road blocks that his students face. As a result, Mr. Horowitz says, “when your project or code doesn’t work, don’t be discouraged—you’re on the same level as I am!” Members of the faculty he knew told Mr. Horowitz that Flatbush is a great place to work, but he also chose to work at Flatbush because of its advanced STEM program. “There are multiple and hindering classes as well as robotics and coding. It was sort of my dream job,” he says. What stands out the most about Flatbush is when students thank him at the
end of class. He says, “It boosts my gratification for the energy that I put in, but more importantly, it reflects on the midot of the students as well as the atmosphere their parents and teachers foster.” Describing his teaching style, Mr. Horowitz said, “I try to get students to come to conclusions on their own. Often I will assign a problem to introduce a topic and allow students to discover the material before I present it.” He added, “I expect my students to work hard to understand the material. They should look forward to enjoying the class, which I believe is a natural result of understanding it.”
Chaim Theil (class of ’99) made the most of his time at the Yeshivah of Flatbush. In fact, he says that Flatbush allowed him to get to where he is today: a senior mergers and acquisitions lawyer at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in Manhattan. This law firm is one of the largest in the world, employing more than 600 lawyers. It’s not easy working long hours and dealing with so many contracts. However, Theil’s experiences at Flatbush helped prepared him. “I am being completely sincere when I say that my four years at Flatbush were the best of my life. And each year there got better and better.” Theil said one of his favorite parts of Flatbush was Freshman Seminar, which helped him realize what kind of person he would become. At Flatbush his life became structured, he made great friends, and he spent most of his time in school. Of course, he also remembers waking up for minyan at 6 a.m. every morning, which is earlier than he wakes up now, even with two little kids! Flatbush helped Theil build the skills he uses in his job, from doing paperwork to becoming a good competitor. “I don’t know what it’s like today but when I was at Flatbush SGO was a competitive thing. I put in so much effort and so much time and ended up winning.” That competiveness is something he draws on to this day at work.
Theil said that the amount of work Flatbush assigned was more than he got at NYU, where he received his JD, or in Columbia, where he earned an MBA. He said that Flatbush might seem arduous but it’s completely worth it in the end because you are so well equipped for the rest of your life. However, the experience at Flatbush was a little different for Theil than it is for most students. His mother, Ms. Batya Theil, is a Hebrew teacher in the school, and Chaim was in her class in 10th grade. He says he fought it for a while: “I remember not doing my homework the second day of class and getting a zero in the teacher’s/my mom’s book.” He said that this zero eased the tension between him and his classmates. Meanwhile, things between mother and son were a little awkward at first but they ended up working well together. Theil advises current students to take Flatbush one day at a time. He recommends taking risks, making friends, and enjoying everything the school offers. Theil made the most of his time as a class clown, as a son, and as a fellow student. “I love the idea of current students and alumni sharing stories and history. Flatbush is the greatest school in the world and it is up to all of us to keep it that way.”
Recycling... continued from front page lar garbage. Ninette Smouha, the commissioner of Eko, said that education is an important first step. “We want to educate students about the need to recycle,” she said, “in hopes of inspiring them to take action, sponsor recycling bins, and correctly recycle.”
The Phoenix Staff Editor-in-Chief: Michelle Harari Managing Editor: Miriam Zenilman Senior Editor: Gabriel Vizgan School News Editor: Gabrielle Cohen Religion Editor: Sarah Torgueman Entertainment Editor: Daniella Babaee Music Editor: Esty Fromer Sports Editor: Albert Dweck Fun and Ganes Editor: Merle Dweck Standard of Fabulous Editors: Sylvia Ashkenazie, Aida Hasson Web Editor: Joey Baum Junior Editors: David Azrak, Diana Hoffstein, Mimi Lazerowitz, Naomi Sanders, Jane Zakay Sophomore Editors: Daliah Ben-Ari, Mary Jajati
High School Administration Rabbi Raymond Harari Head of School Rabbi Ronald Levy Principal Ms. Jill W. Sanders Associate Principal Director of Admissions Ms. Sari Bacon Associate Principal Rabbi Joseph Beyda Assistant Principal
Design: Therese Berkowitz Faculty Adviser: Adam Hofstetter
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Continued Knife Attacks Keep Israel on Edge By Florence Deutsch Contributing Writer
Seven Israelis were wounded in a series of attacks in the West Bank on Wednesday, October 20, the same day that a rocket was fired from Gaza at Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip. It was just one day of many in the past several weeks that have featured a major increase in sometimes deadly violence against Israelis. The first of the recent spate of attacks came on September 29, when Palestinians shot and killed an Israeli couple that had been driving home with their four young children, who are all under the age of 9. Suddenly new reports of violence
began to surface daily, mainly featuring seemingly uncoordinated stabbings of Jews by Palestinians. The near-daily stabbings have raised speculation that Palestinians could be embarking on another intifada, or uprising. The newest wave of terror attacks, most of which have occurred in Jerusalem, is reportedly inspired by Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas’s assertion that the Israeli government plans to change the rules about who can visit the Temple Mount. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that there are no such changes planned, but the violence has not abated. On October 12, two Palestinian boys ages 13 and 15 stabbed and critically injured a 13-year-old Israeli boy riding his bike in northern Jerusalem, police said. Both 13-year-olds were treated at the same Israeli hospital, and the Israeli boy is now breathing on his own. An hour earlier, a 16-year-old Palestinian girl stabbed and wounded a border policeman in central Jerusalem. Palestinian rioters torched Joseph’s Tomb in the West Bank later that same week, and hundreds of Palestinian youths
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Palestinian protesters use slings to hurl stones towards Israeli troops during clashes near the Jewish settlement of Bet El, near the West Bank city of Ramallah October 20, 2015. (Reuters)
also hurled fire bombs. A Palestinian flag could be seen in the background of a video clip of the incident. Palestinian firefighters later extinguished the fire, but the tomb was still badly damaged. In a separate incident that same day, an Israeli soldier was stabbed in the town of Kiryat Arba by a Palestinian disguised as a journalist. The soldier was moderately wounded and the attacker was shot dead on the spot.
D’var Torah: Help Others, Be United 60
By Sarah Torgueman Religion Editor
Berkeley Hotel... continued from front page with management and got a good deal, but it wasn’t meant to be. Several weeks ago the Somerset called to say the hotel suffered significant damage from a major flood, and would be closed through January. “That put us in a bind,” Rabbi Besser said. He spent weeks on the phone with various hotels trying to find a replacement venue. He ended up with two options: the Berkeley or a hotel in Connecticut. The Connecticut option would be much more expensive than was originally budgeted, so the Berkeley was booked. The Berkeley, too, cost a bit more than originally planned, but Rabbi Besser decided that he would not ask students to pay any extra. Senior Seminar was settled, but Junior Seminar remained problematic because the Berkeley was booked for the weekend of November 13–15, which is when Junior Seminar was scheduled. However, the Berkeley was available one week later, on November 20–22. The decision was made to push Junior Seminar off by a week so that it could be held at the Berkeley.
Rabbi Besser said that Sophomore and Freshman Seminar, which are planned for February and March, respectively, are expected to be held in the renovated Somerset, assuming the flood damage has been repaired by then. Regardless of where seminar is held, though, the experience is always engraved in students’ memories. As Rabbi Besser put it, “the best part of seminar isn’t hanging out with your friends or spending a weekend away from the parents in a hotel, or even the meatballs and chocolate chip cookies. It’s the spirituality of seminar that really makes the event. It’s coming together with your grade, not just as friends or classmates, but rather as one people—as a part of the Jewish nation.” Whether Sephardic or Ashkenazi, Cuban, Russian, or Israeli, we all celebrate Shabbat. And those four weekends we get to spend celebrating the holy Shabbat with our fellow schoolmates—our fellow Jews—will stay with us for the rest of our lives, whether they are spent at the Somerset or the Berkeley.
As a wave of terror has spread throughout the state of Israel over the past month, we gather with our friends and family this weekend for Shabbat, Parashat Vayeira. Our sadness and fear continues to grow as the terror continues. This Shabbat, put your fears on hold. Congregate with others in Am Yisrael to preserve our unity and show love for one another. There are many events in this parasha that highlight the idea of being kind to others. Rashi writes that Parashat Vayeira begins on the third day after Avraham’s brit milah. Hashem teaches us the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim, visiting the ill. We can see that Hashem shared a tremendous relationship with Avraham; Hashem visited him to show concern and comfort him after his brit milah. The parasha unfolds with the introduction of a remarkable mitzvah: Avraham practices hachnassat orchim, literally meaning “the entering of guests.” When three angels disguised as travelers are invited to Avraham’s tent, Avraham’s hospitality to strangers portrays his love for unity. According to Bava Metzia daf 86b, the
Days later, on October 18, Israeli police began erecting a wall in East Jerusalem to protect a Jewish neighborhood that has been subjected to firebomb and stone attacks launched from a nearby Palestinian village. A series of attacks in Hebron two days later left two IDF soldiers and two Israeli civilians wounded. Meanwhile soldiers were deployed to secure the public transportation in Jerusalem.
angels are Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Michael’s mission is to announce that Sarah, Avraham’s wife, will give birth to a baby. Gabriel comes to demolish the city of Sedom and save Lot and his family. Due to Hashem’s concern for Avraham’s health, Raphael’s mission is to heal Avraham from the brit milah. Hashem sent three angels to help in three situations: Sarah’s inability to have children, Lot’s family’s danger, and Avraham’s pain. Despite Sarah’s old age, Hashem allowed for the miracle of childbirth to occur. The Rambam explains that we must always have faith and emunah in Hashem. We should be able to rely on Hashem for miracles. The Rambam wants us to understand that Hashem is always here to help us. Avraham continues to help others as the parasha progresses. He pleads with Hashem to save the city of Sedom. Even though the city consists of wicked inhabitants, Avraham makes it his responsibility to save them from their doom. It is written in Proverbs, “Tzadik yesod olam,” meaning that the righteous one is an everlasting foundation. Avraham tries to find even a minority of tzadikim so that Sedom will be saved. Despite Avraham’s efforts, the mission to destroy Sedom is not terminated. Gabriel and Raphael, the two angels, are once again taken in as guests, but this time hachnassat orchim comes from Lot in Sedom. The city is destroyed, but Lot and his family are spared. The idea of helping others eminently shines through this Parasha. As we hear about the unabated terrors occurring in Israel, it is essential to stand together. On this Shabbat Vayeira, let us learn from the kindness of Hashem, Avraham, and Lot by performing mitzvot and chesed for one another. As we extend our arms and reach out to help those around us, we will unite the Jewish people. By showing the rest of the world our unity, we will be contributing to the everlasting survival of Israel.
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Japanese Internment Survivors Address Freshmen By Sam E. Beyda Contributing Writer
Three Japanese Americans who were imprisoned in American internment camps during World War II spoke to the entire ninth grade on October 16 at an assembly designed to bring the students’ summer reading assignment to life. This summer, incoming freshmen were tasked with reading the novel The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. The novel takes place through the eyes of Henry Lee, the son of Chinese immigrants, from two perspectives: as a 12-year-old during WWII and as a widower in his 50s in 1986. Young Henry’s dearest friend, Keiko, is of Japanese de-
scent, and as a result she is taken from her home and placed in an internment camp, just like thousands of real-life Nisei (American citizens of Japanese descent) during WWII. Thanks to Mr. Ehrenkranz and Ms. Pahuskin, who organized the assembly, the ninth graders were privileged to have three Nisei internment camp survivors visit the school to speak about their time in the camps. Mike Ishii, the son of internment camp survivors, spoke first and introduced the three survivors. Madeline Sugimoto, Kaz Yamaguchi, and Suki Terada Ports were the guest speakers who described their experiences in the camps. Sugimoto was in the real-life version of same camp where Keiko is placed in the novel, and her father is a highly regarded artist with artwork hanging in the Smithsonian. Yamaguchi was placed in a camp on Ellis Island and later joined the U.S. Army, serving under General Douglas McArthur. While serving, Yamaguchi took part in liberating Jews from German concentration camps. Terada Ports was born in Harlem and was also placed on Ellis Island. Her father was born in Hawaii and therefore an American citizen. Because of this, when Terada Port’s mother, who was Japanese, was put under house arrest, she had to call her husband
Left to right: Ishii, Sugimoto, Yamaguchi, Terada Ports
whenever she wanted the kids driven somewhere. Another speaker was scheduled to attend the assembly, who served in the U.S. Army and liberated Jews from Dachau after living in an internment camp. Unfortunately, he passed away from old age a week before the assembly. Terada Port said it was not difficult for her to adjust back to civilization after the war ended, “because I had my family with me, but for others yes because there was still racism against the Japanese.” When Sugimoto was asked if she has forgiven the United States government for putting her in a camp, she re-
Coaching Class Shakes Up Gym Curriculum By David Azrak
Drama Troupe Returns After Year-Long Hiatus By Naomi Sanders Junior Editor
Ever want to shine in the spotlight but never had the chance? Good news. After a year without Drama Troupe, it’s back, with Director Marius Zilberstein at the reins once again. New head commissioners Addie Abhizer (senior), Shaina Tsatskis (junior), and Jane Zakay (junior) are ready to take on a new year filled with improv, acting, costumes and more.
Girls’ Soccer... continued from page 8 tant coach. Coach Lerner is a graduate of Maimonides Yeshiva near Boston and a former Stern teammate of Coach Koslowe. One major obstacle in establishing the team was locating an area for practice. There’s no appropriate field immediately near school, and most areas that are available for use don’t have lights on the fields, which prevents evening practices. Fortunately, the team is able to use
Junior Editor
Drama Troupe is a group of actors, grades 9–12, dedicated to creating memorable plays during the school year. While rehearsing for their 2+ annual performances, they have lots of fun and learn improvisation skills as well. Even those who are shy about being in the spotlight at first learn to own it up on stage. Zakay describes the emotions up on stage: “I am so confident when I am on stage. I feel as though I am in control.” Drama at Flatbush has changed the lives of many students, giving them an outlet to express themselves through acting. Each person brings something new to the group and through teamwork they put on shows to remember. Students who are interested in getting on stage can talk to any of the head commissioners about getting involved. Everyone else can sit back and enjoy the performances and productions, which are already being planned for later this year.
Comer Field, which is the home of the Flatbush Falcons baseball program, too. Although it isn’t marked for soccer, nor does it contain soccer goals, it is large enough and it has lights, which allows for practice on weeknights in the fall when the sun sets early. Hopefully, Aviator will also be an additional site for practices and possibly home games for the boys’ and girls’ teams. After much consideration, Coach Koslowe and Mr. Amkraut were pleased
Some juniors may have noticed something different about the gym class they take after school: you don’t need to change clothes, there’s no sitting in predetermined spots, and there’s no running. Wait, what? Yes, you heard correctly, some afterschool gym periods are now filled by the newly formed Coaching Class, headed by Mr. Amkraut and taught by Coach Gelber. “I had discussed the possibility of teaching a class on coaching with Mr. Amkraut last year,” Coach Gelber said. “During the course of the year I came across an article in Athletic Management magazine written by Coach Steven Guelph from Billings West High School in Billings, Montana. The article discussed the fact that their community had a shortage of qualified coaches and referees for their youth programs. As a result they started a class teaching both vocations. After reading the article I got in touch with Coach Guelph (we have become e-mail buddies) to invite all girls who tried out to be members of the team. The skill level displayed at tryouts was definitely very impressive, according to Coach Koslowe. “The amount of interest shown in this new outdoor soccer team is very encouraging, despite the little experience in playing outdoor soccer,” she said. During the short season, the team will mainly focus on gaining skills, learning the game, and creating a team-oriented atmosphere of hard work, determi-
plied, “Yes. It was a very sad time, but we shouldn’t walk around being victimized at all times.” Many students found the assembly to be informative, inspiring, and moving. Students said it painted a very clear picture of what life was like in the internment camps, and what it was to be a Japanese-American during WWII. “It was awesome to hear firsthand accounts of World War Two,” freshman Jack Rosow stated. Another freshman, James Tebele, spoke excitedly about how the visitors brought the novel to life for him and made him view Japanese people in a different way. to research this project further. It has been a dream to share these important aspects of working with youth in athletic endeavors. When I shared my findings with Mr. Amkraut we decided to try offering the course.” Mr. Amkraut regards the course as “a supplement that offers a more intense approach to a particular aspect of the subject matter.” The course focuses on both the coaching and leadership aspects of youth sports. Sports fans may learn a newfound appreciation for coaches and coaching strategies in general while developing their own coaching skill set. Those not as excited about sports can still benefit from gaining leadership skills. The course can be both appreciated and enjoyed by people of varying degrees of skill and experience. The course is also interesting in the sense that it counts for two gym periods as opposed to one. Should you already have a pre-placed gym in your schedule and decide to take the coaching class as your second gym, congratulations, you now have a free period. Conversely, if this is your only gym period, you’re set for the week. Will the course become a permanent part of the physical education curriculum? Coach Gelber is optimistic: “It’s a little early in the school year to commit to that … but the early feeling is that the interest in this program is growing more quickly than we anticipated. If we have a successful year, then I guess so.” nation, and unity. Practices will entail high-level training in the hope of becoming a firmly established team, play more games, and possibly compete in a tournament in the near future. Subsequent seasons will have more competitive tryouts and cuts, so Coach Koslowe’s advises anyone interested in playing on this team to build on the instruction taught during the off-season and to come back next fall with advanced fitness and skills.
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Entertainment Book Review: Wolf By Wolf By Daniella Babaee Entertainment Editor
Music Reviews: Lovato, Pentatonix By Esty Fromer Music Editor
The new album Confident by best-selling recording artist Demi Lovato is a fine masterpiece representing 2015’s pop genre, hitting the charts at No. 3. Featured on the album are hit sin-
Ask Merle By Merle Dweck Fun and Games Editor
Merle, What does it take to be an exceptional student? Standard of Drab Drab, As Hannah Montana once said, “Nobody’s Perfect.” She was a wise 11-year-old-acting-like-a-high-schooler (plot twist, usually it’s the 25-year-olds trying to act like it’s normal to dress for a runway in high school). Everyone makes mistakes; that’s what life is all about. I cannot tell you what makes an exceptional student because there is no such thing as one defining exceptional student with a handbook of checklists. The student who strives for greatness has the world at her fingertips. Now, I don’t want you to go through an identity crisis, but I do want you to take the message that there is no such thing as an exceptional student. Exception is a word of case; it is defined by your capabilities. If you mix them all together, I know you will get the best of the world. Always, Merle Merle, How does bumping up classes work? Bump Me Up
Ryan Graudin’s latest novel, Wolf by Wolf, is set in a dystopian world of postWorld War II Germany. In this strange world, the Third Reich and Imperial Japan have won the second World War. We follow the story of Yael, a young Jewish girl who was experimented on in Auschwitz and developed the ability to transform her appearance. As she becomes a teenager, she joins a group of determined rebels. She has a mission: join the famous Axis Tour, a treacherous motorcycle race across the world from Berlin to Tokyo.
Yael has one aim: win the race, which gives the winner the rare opportunity to meet Hitler—so she can kill him. As the race progresses, the reader is on edge, eager to discover whether Yael will complete her mission, especially as she begins to develop friendships and make enemies with her fellow competitors. Wolf by Wolf is a clever and impressive combination of alternate history and fantasy. Graudlin’s thorough research is clearly seen but thankfully the novel doesn’t feel like a history textbook. Instead
it is a fastpaced and well-written journey of a brave and i ntel l i ge nt heroine who attempts to seek revenge on those who destroyed her life.
gles “Confident” and “Cool for the Summer.” Lovato awes her audience perfectly note after note with a fun and bouncy pop vibe. This album gets fiercer by the song and introduces different themes of changing and adapting to the new you. The constant notion is new and introduces features of the overlaying of vocals and instruments into a sweet and savory sound. The message of this album is, in short, be confident, be yourself. [Insert Pentatonix photo here] Following the release of Lovato’s album is a self-titled release from up-and-coming
acapella group Pentatonix that debuted ahead of Confident on the charts at No. 2. The group’s feel-good vibe and new genre introduction blends with their individuality to produce sublime results. This is
no barbershop quartet; there is much that can be done with the human vocal chords and Pentatonix knows just how to hit it. The album will make your ears perk up in joy and make you want to groove along.
Bump, Step one: ask your class president. Step two...nope I got nothing. That’s about it. It’s a feel-it-out kind of thing. Now, if you’re in the unfortunate circumstance where you happen to be the class president and you still don’t know how it works, I suggest resigning. Always, Merle
weekends! I’m just not sure why you would want to imagine the new gym when you want to party. Hey, it’s a good thing you love school so much. If you really wanna get wild, maybe you can even use the lunchroom. But that’s really a question for Ask Rabbi Levy, not for Ask Merle. Always, Merle
Merle, Are you catching all of this? Am I ever! Child, Merle misses nothing. That is the power of Merle. Merle is designed to catch “all of this.” Always, Merle Dear Merle, What’s the deal with the new hockey gym? Can I use it for parties on weekends? #sportsgonewild Wild, I’m not sure we scored a deal on the new hockey gym. Ask the ladies auxiliaries if you happen to know who they are (I don’t). I’m pretty sure we didn’t cut a “deal,” not that I know. I would like to correct you for a second: it is not specifically for hockey. Hockey is a sub-unit of the mass. Coach Black certainly takes great pride in her new gym. I’m sure other teams will get to play in there, too. You for sure can use it to party on
Merle! Why are the freshies so small? We weren’t this small when we were freshies, were we? Tiny in it all Tiny, Why wouldn’t they be? Their smallness contributes to senior identification. If they weren’t small, how would the seniors know who the freshies are? We take pride and joy in identifying a freshie. Yes, you were in fact a smurf once upon a time—blue faced and all. But smurfs are cute, in the most I-don’t-know-what’s-going-onbecause-I-am-being-trampledand-can’t-see-anything-to-avoidstaircase-B-or-is-it-C type of way. Confusion, smallness, and ignorance are what makes the freshies freshies. When you grow to be a senior, you’ll understand. Hopefully you will grow, and if not, go see Papa Smurf. Always, Merle
Dear Merle, What exactly is Jimmy’s official title? Identity Crisis Crisis, Um, maybe it’s just me but I’m pretty sure his title is Jimmy. Maybe my eyesight is off though, it could be Esteban Julio Ricardo Montoya De la Rosa Ramirez (you’re welcome for solving a childhood mystery [Shoot, I can’t take the credit, it’s Yahoo, always Yahoo. Gets me every time]). Always, Merle Dear Merle, Why do we have a tennis court? Sincerely, Confused freshie Freshie, No, no. We have a long way to go. Always, Merle
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Standard of Fabulous Autumn Layering: How to Do It Right By Aida Hasson SOF Editor
It’s the time of year when everyone enjoys pumpkin-flavored things (Well, some people do. Not me, they’re gross.), colorful trees, and, most of all, sweater weather. The time has finally come to pull out your chunky sweaters and crawl inside of them to prepare for hibernation. The number one rule for fall fashion is tons of layering! Here are a few tips to pull off the most fashionable autumn attire this season. Layering is an important factor for fall fashion. It is not only for warmth in the freezing cold classrooms, but also can make any outfit more interesting. You can put shirts on top of shirts, sweaters on top of sweaters, and scarves on top of everything. Here are a few major layering items you should have in your closet. The plaid shirt. It can be worn as a first layer under sweaters, or a second layer unbuttoned on top of a thin shirt. You can tuck it in, leave it loose, or tie it in a knot at the bottom. You can even tie it around your waist for a fun addition to your outfit. With this one shirt, the possibilities are endless. That is, un-
til you run out of ideas to keep everyone from realizing you’ve been wearing the same shirt the whole season. Another major must-have is plenty of scarves. Infinity scarf or regular scarf, the color and warmth that it can add to your outfit is impressive. There are so many different types of scarves and so many ways to wear them. Scarves will be your best friend for the rest of fall. My favorite fall addition is definitely the shoes. Booties, knee-high boots, and mid-leg boots—they come in all different shapes and sizes. Fall boots are so good at what they do: keeping your legs warm and making your skirt look longer. You can even layer your shoes by wearing tights, leggings, or high socks with your boots. The best way to accessorize is with sweaters. Sweaters are a must when it starts to get colder, and there are tons of different styles. From a chunky sweater to a thin turtleneck, you can put them on top and underneath everything. Whether you choose pullovers or cardigans, on top of shirts or thin sweaters, they will always make your outfit fabulous. Giant sweaters are also great to hide things. You can stick anything inside and no one will notice! Try a big furry vest on top of a thin sweater, or a big sleeveless turtleneck on top of a long-sleeve shirt. Try any combination possible. You’ll probably have to if there are more days of fall than the amount of clothes you have, anyway. So why not
have fun with it? Another must for fall is a jacket. Your fall coat will be worn everywhere, so get one that’s stylish and warm. You can wear jackets with big fur hoods, or a simple but chic trench coat. Choose wisely, for you will be putting this on top of all your layers every day and if it’s very big, you might be mistaken for a bear with all those layers underneath. Maybe then you can get away with hibernation. Last but not least, never be afraid to stack different bracelets or necklaces on top of each other. Have fun this season and make sure to keep in mind layering when you go shopping for fall!
more. Make sure your base coat is completely dry before sticking on the tape. Only take off the tape when your second coat is almost dry, but not quite. 2. Loving the Lines: After applying your first color, take another color and paint straight lines across your nails. Common Problems: “As soon as I put the brush on my nail, the line turned into a blob.” Try to wipe off as much nail polish as possible and flatten the brush when you
take it out of the bottle. That way you have a much cleaner line. “I started to make the line but my hand was very wobbly and the line didn’t come out straight.” Try turning the nail you are painting on instead of your painting hand. The line will come out much straighter. 3. Negative Space: A fun nail design that is trending like crazy right now is negative space nails. For those of you who don’t know, negative space nails are when you leave part of your nail showing and don’t put polish on it. There are lots of ways to do this but one of my favorites is by leaving a small triangle at the bottom of your nail and outlining it in a different color. Angle your brush and start from the bottom corner, painting upward. Repeat on the other side, leaving a blank triangle on the bottom. Outline the triangle in a different color. Common Problems: “I got some nail polish in my negative space triangle and now it’s messed up.” Try putting nail polish remover on a Q-Tip and erasing where you want the triangle to be. Once you get good at it, try your own new twist! And remember- practice makes perfect! If you try any of these, send a picture to SOF at standardoffabulous@gmail.com .
Nail ‘Tips’ By Aida Hasson SOF Editor
Nail polish is a great addition to any outfit. Most people do one simple color, but it’s fun to try new designs. Even though you might think it’s really difficult to do your nails yourself, let alone create designs on them, it’s not that difficult. You know the saying, “practice makes perfect.” Trust me, it really works. Nails are a huge part of fashion that people tend to skip. Here are a few very simple but fabulous nail designs to start with and how to fix common beginner mistakes. 1. Chevron Nails: A simple way to achieve this look is by using scotch tape. Paint a base coat of any color on your nails and cut a few pieces of tape. Make sure they’re thin enough that they don’t cover your whole nail. Place the tape on your nail and paint over it with a different color. Common Problems: “I peeled off the tape only to find the base coat stuck to the tape and the second coat all over the place.” Before applying the tape to your nail, stick it to your skin and take it off a few times until the tape isn’t so sticky any-
Fashion Through the Ages Gucci Genius Jeans have been deemed by the Guinness Book of World Records to be the most expensive pair of jeans ever put on the market at $3,134!
Sam Says By Sam Anonymous Student
Hello everyone, it’s Sam Says here with all your fashion advice, from a guy’s perspective. This month I’ll be walking through the halls in my favorite fall color: orange! If you think you’ve figured out who I am, e-mail me at samsays@gmail.com to receive a get-out-of-class-free pass. This month I was wondering… What do you notice or care about regarding the outfit choices of the opposite gender? Do you notice or care at all what they wear? What do you like when they wear, or want them to wear more often? So, I decided to ask and here are my results.
Girls’ Comments on Boys’ Fashion - Yes, I care about how boys dress. It makes such a big difference for their appearance. Guys should wear button-down shirts (preferably rolled up sleeves) tucked into their pants with a belt and nicer shoes. They look so much better when they don’t dress sloppily. – Senior girl - I definitely notice when a boy dresses well. I like when they care about their outfits and don’t just wear the same boring shirt every day. They can wear colorful cardigans or thin sweaters over button-down shirts to change it up. They can also wear cool shoes, which always makes an outfit interesting. – Sophomore girl - Tuck in your shirts! – Almost every girl in the school
Boys’ Comments on Girls Fashion - I notice it but I don’t really care. Everyone shows their personalities differently, and some girls do it through fashion, and I respect that. – Sophomore boy - I do notice what girls wear, and I know that, even though they say they don’t care themselves what they wear, that they look in the mirror every morning. I will not judge a girl by what she wears, or how she defines her style and I find it really great when a girl is not afraid to wear what she wants. – Junior boy Sam Says don’t let other people tell you what to wear. You should always be yourself and not care what the rest of the world thinks, but use these tips if you want to dress to impress.
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Standard of Fabulous 3D-Print Your Fashion
Fabulous Freshie: Danielle Malka
By Esther Beyda
It’s clearly evident that Danielle Malka, 1-R, has a fantastic sense of style. From her shoes to her hair, Malka knows exactly how to make herself stand out in a crowd. One of her personal favorites is jewelry; Malka layers necklaces and wear various bracelets of sizes and shapes to help dress up a casual outfit. Although a very standard color, black is her favorite color to wear, especially
SOF Writer
While 3D printing is no longer new, its impact on the fashion world is. This technology is starting to change the way everything is made—even clothes! 3D printing is an innovative technology that allows you to print layers of plastic on top of each other to create a 3D object. The fashion world has been turning to 3D printing because it lets designers create shapes that are difficult to create in regular manufacturing. For example, Panamanian fashion student Nadir Gordon wanted to create a garment shaped as waves that would crash against the coastline. But how would he create something like that? Gordon went to a 3D printing expert in Panama who helped Gordon design the dress he wanted to design. The problem that would arise here is does the dress fit well? The garment was comfortable to wear, but some of the pieces broke because they weren’t strong enough. After the pieces were fixed, the dress was
the Futurecraft sole: midsoles that shape and fit the size of the wearer’s feet. The Futurecraft sole was created by using the 3D printing technology. Another way 3D printing is being used for fashion is by printing eyeglasses. Nasim Sehat created the new Biz Eyes line of 3D-printed eyewear. She is now using the 3D printing technology to create things that don’t exist yet. Since they don’t exist yet, they will look odd to the viewers. Using the technology gives the eyewear a unique look. Nasim wants the eyewear to be worn in order to express the wearer’s individuality. 3D printing is great for fashion because the designer can create abstract and intricate designs more easily. Many people, like the Israeli designer Danit Pe-
Email your answers to standardoffabulous@gmail.com What’s your favorite fall accessory? A. Definitely the gorgeous jacket selection B. Scarves, scarves, and more scarves C. My fall themed nails are a must D. A s long as its warm and cozy, I’m obsessed
using a 3D modeling program or by using a 3D scanner, which makes a 3D digital copy of the object. Although 3D printing is already amazing, many improvements are still to come. For example, scientists are trying to figure out how to print with materials like silk, cotton, and other natural fibers. They are also trying to make the printing itself faster, smoother, more durable, and more accurate. As we advance technologically in this field, the use of 3D printing in fashion and many other areas will surely take over.
Sports
to be worn on the runway. Although 3D printing is very helpful in cases like these, it is yet to be improved. Two companies that have taken advantage of this new technology are Adidas and Nike. Adidas has just announced
SOF Survey
leg who created from home a line of 3D-printed clothes, are also creating their own fashion pieces with their own 3D printers because it is becoming more mainstream and easy to use. To create a design, first you need to make a virtual design of your object. The virtual is made in a CAD (Computer Aided Design) file
when pairing it with colorful accessories. If she had to shop at one store for the rest of her life it would be Forever 21. From cute shoes to dressy holiday outfits, Forever 21 has everything she needs. Her favorite dress is also from Forever 21. She likes to match this colorful dress with sandals and some fun earrings. One other accessory Danielle loves is a purse. She loves the way purses add pop and edge to any outfit. Her favorite purses are from Marc Jacobs, although she also loves H&M’s bags. Her fashion idol is 23-year-old pop singer Demi Lovato. Lovato’s crazy accessories and beautiful clothes that range from classy to edgy are what inspired Malka to create her own style that’s a mix of fun and fashionable. This Fabulous Freshie is definitely the one to go to with all your fashion questions.
Rough Start for Boys’ Outdoor Soccer By Ronnie Menashe Contributing Writer
The Outdoor Amateur Soccer Champions League (OASCL) season started with disappointment for Falcons soccer. On Sunday, October 18, the boys’ outdoor soccer team traveled to Philadelphia to kick off their season with a series of games against teams from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The outcome was not as planned, as
the Falcons returned to Brooklyn with a record of 0-3-1. Preseason expectations for the inexperienced team were mixed. Several players started playing soccer just a few months ago, yet the team had been competitive against teams who have played multiple times per week since elementary school. Despite the early losses, the team remains upbeat. “Mr. Amzalag and I were delighted to place fourth in only our first tournament,” said Senior Head Coach Rabbi Skolnick. “The [Falcons] players showed more passion and commitment than any of the other teams.” After the first two losses, the Falcons were down in the dumps, but then se-
nior Ralph Kraiem scored the team’s first goal. For the rest of the day, the players were ecstatic. Joey Aini, the team’s co-captain stated that the players need to keep their heads up and keep practicing. “We will succeed over time, no doubt about it,” Aini said. The coaches, captains, and the players all agree that in order to get better results, the team must practice more, and learn to communicate better. Practices may start to look different, with some positions being switched and the debut of new formations. Aini says that once the team communicates better, victories should follow. “We will be winning as a team rather than winning as individuals,” he said.
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Sports Season Preview: Girls’ Basketball Gearing Up for Barclay’s By Caryn Darmoni Contributing Writer
Season Preview: Boys’ Basketball By Joe Terzi Contributing Writer
Mention Flatbush Basketball, and what comes to mind is Elliot Beyda knocking down threes, Coach Gus sprinting up and down the court with manic energy, and Kevin Haddad breaking ankles. Now the team that went 13-0 in 2013 and won the division championship is better than ever, and with a new coach, Coach Gurock, students are starting to rave about how much fun gym has been. The seniors are not messing around this season and are displaying tremendous dedication. Joseph Cayre is tackling AP Calculus to figure out the trigonometric functions of a more effective way to score a basket. Beyda is finally finishing his chesed hours from freshman year, and starting to show his face more and more during first period. Albert Richter has loaded up on Mets attire to see his beloved team compete for its first World Series title since 1986. David Dayan is studying game film by day and researching Donald Trump’s campaign platforms by night. Joseph Gindi is working on controlling his anger. When it comes to this team, everybody is all in and there is no margin for error. The Phoenix was lucky to catch up with varsity starter Albert Richter and ask him some questions about what to expect for the upcoming season. JT: Alright Richter what are your expectations this season? Albert Richter: My expectation this
season is nothing but a championship. We fell short JV season and I’m looking forward to dominating this league this year. JT: What are you most excited for or looking forward to this upcoming basketball season? AR: I’m looking forward to my senior year on the team but I know that it is my last, and I want to end off my Flatbush career by putting a banner in the gym. JT: You have a new coach this year. Was it hard to adjust to his new methods? AR: It’s tough adjusting to new coaches, though I’ve been through three coaches in high school. But thank G-d we got lucky with Coach Gurock. We’re learning a lot from him and I’m looking forward to a great year with him. JT: Is there anything we should expect new this season from the team? AR: Expect nothing but a new attitude. Last year was more joking around; now we’re not messing around. Three hours long of constant running and yelling. 110 percent effort all around. We’ve got a deep 14-man team. Everybody contributes with his own talent. Expect nothing but a championship. JT: Do you have anything you want to say to the students? AR: We need school spirit. In past years other schools have come into our own gym and taken that over. This shouldn’t be happening; this is our home, our Falcons’ Nest. I want everyone coming to games, coming to tournaments. Let’s get loud and ready for a new season. The Phoenix also caught up with Elliot Beyda but his response for every question was “This season is going to be toast.” Yes, the coach’s name is tough to pronounce, and juniors make up most of the team. But with a lot riding on the team this year there is no doubt they are a championship contender. The only thing to do now is to go see for yourself.
Season Preview: Girls’ Outdoor Soccer Big Goals for First Season By Daliah Ben-Ari Sophomore Editor
While most people are getting ready to stay cozy and warm indoors while winter approaches, the brand new Flatbush girls’ outdoor soccer team is ready to run! Interest in a girls’ outdoor soccer team was spurred last year, when the boys’
The Flatbush Falcons Girls’ Varsity Basketball team is extremely enthusiastic about the upcoming season. When asked about their expectations, only optimistic responses were received. “I’ve never been more excited than for this upcoming year,” said Sylvia Franco, a senior and a veteran of the JV team before joining varsity. “With our Long Island basketball tournament, playing in the Barclay’s Center, and our Florida tournament all coming up, we have more things to look forward to during [the seniors’] last basketball season on the Flatbush Falcons.” In addition, there are new members to the varsity team, heightening the excitement of the players. New Falcons include juniors Esther Harary, Judy Blanka, and Samantha Chabot. “Basketball is going to be a bouncy blast this upcoming season! We can’t wait to shoot some hoops against all different schools and to play in Florida at Hebrew Academy,” Harary said.
There has been constant buzz about the forthcoming December 20 game at Barclay’s, where the Falcons will be playing against HAFTR. They are thrilled to be playing on the home court of the Brooklyn Nets and are planning to bring their “A” game. The girls are looking for the “nest” to be filled with Flatbush students showing their support and cheering them on. Let’s go Falcons! team was created. Shortly afterward, a large number of students expressed an interest in creating a girls’ team. The next step was to identify a qualified coach and find an area to practice and play. Coach Edie Koslowe, the girls’ soccer coach, was hired last year to coach the indoor team alongside Coach Shterenzer, so Coach Koslowe was undoubtedly
Sportsman Highlight: Carolyn Kassin By Victor Allaham Contributing Writer
With the school year less than two months old, sophomore Carolyn Kassin is getting ready to contribute to the Falcons as a member of the Girls’ JV Basketball team. Although the Girls’ JV team fell short of winning it all last year, Kassin is back at it, only better and with more experience. It’s been a while since the last time she and the rest of the Falcons stepped onto the court in a game with loud crowds and unforgettable moments. But the wait is almost over and Kassin couldn’t be happier. “I love playing for this team! The best part is becoming friends with the people on my team and the coaches,” she said. A day in Flatbush can really tire you out, sitting in a classroom for ten straight hours, which is one of the reasons Kassin enjoys playing basketball. “I continue to play because I love basketball and it’s a great way to exercise after sitting in a classroom all day,” she explained, adding that while exercise is fun and useful, “playing in an actual game is invigorating.” The JV team started practicing as soon as the roster was set, as they wanted to prepare for the regular season by creating new plays and strategies. They hope to bounce back from a disappointing end to the season last year. The climb to the top began on October 27, when Kassin and her teammates opened the 2015–2016 season against the Ramaz Rams.
qualified to be the coach for the newly formed outdoor team. Coach Koslowe is not only a Flatbush alumna (and former Falcons soccer player), but also she played on the women’s soccer team at Stern College. On the recommendation of Coach Koslowe, Meira Lerner was hired to help out as assis-
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