A Student Publication of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School • 1609 Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York • Vol 54, Issue 1 • September 2019 / 5779
YOF community reacts to Skolnick arrest By Jayne Haddad Managing Editor
A tidal wave of horror, misery, and disbelief crashed on the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School last Monday night as the Flatbush community learned that former Talmud teacher, Soccer coach, and Grade Advisor Jonathan Skolnick was arrested on several charges related to child pornography. The news of Skolnick’s arrest circulated rapidly and flooded group chats immediately after SAR Academy, his most recent employer, alerted their parent body of the situation via e-mail. Instantly, disillusion swept the entire school, shat-
tering the image of Skolnick as “a man that kids loved,” as Rabbi Prag said. Some of the alumni and current students who came forward as part of the hauntingly high number of Skolnick’s victims shared that they felt an overwhelming sense of betrayal, disturbance, and anger. Even students who didn’t fall for Skolnick’s fake persona still felt incredibly victimized by his intrusive texts and violated by his inappropriate pursuit. Faculty were hit hard as well. Rabbi Kramer, a Talmud teacher who sometimes relied on Skolnick for advice on how to deal with students, expressed, “I literally feel like the person I knew is no longer in this world. There is no person
APs take a different course By Terri Elmann Junior Editor
The College Board recently announced changes to the guidelines and curricula for some of its Advanced Placement classes for several the 2019–2020 school year, as well as changes to the registration process and fees. The first change is the way that students and teachers register for the AP exams in May. Registration will now be online; teachers receive a code for their course and are able to send it to their students, who sign up on their own. After the students register, they have access to some sample AP questions. Students now have to register earlier than previous years, and now the sign-up and fees are due in October. The new procedure has been unpopular with students and teachers accustomed to the old method. “This advanced way of registering is cumbersome and not intuitive,” said Mr. Rothbort, the chair of the History department. The second major change is the new frequency of some of the classes. Previously, classes such as AP U.S. History and AP World History were independent studies. A student would be take the class approximately once a week, parallel to his regular class in that subject. However, this year the system has changed. Those AP classes have become mainstream and students can now take them instead of the regular courses. “This is an opportunity for the students to focus more on the AP courses and have more of a chance
In This Issue
School News: Why are there so many freshmen? Page 3
Jonathan Skolnick that I used to know. The only person that exists right now is this horrible monster.” Rabbi Blumenthal, who worked closely with Skolnick and had even extended an invitation to his Shabbat table, shared that when he found out he “almost collapsed on the floor” and was “shaking for three hours.” In addition to shock and disgust, many faculty members expressed a sense of guilt for not having seen Skolnick as the predator he turned out to be. In an open-to-all meeting for parents and alumni at school last Thursday night, Rabbi Beyda acknowledged, “we feel we failed on this,” despite FBI reassurance there was nothing different the Yeshivah could have done. Although the school did not start conducting criminal background checks
on new employees until three years after Skolnick was hired, FBI agent Aaron Spievak confirmed that Skolnick had no criminal history, so a background check would
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of receiving the college credits they deserve,” said Mr. Rothbort, who teaches the AP World class. Not only has there been a change in the class times but also in the curricula. For example, the course material for AP World had previously begun at the year 5000 B.C.E.; now it begins at 1200 C.E. The College Board explained the change by saying it wanted to make the material more modern and relevant. There are some minor changes in the AP Language and Composition curriculum as well. There will be fewer multiple choice questions on the exam, and the reading passages are shorter. The College Board has also created a new rubric for the free response portion of the exam; the rubric uses the same scores but a very different method of tallying them from the previous one. The AP 2D Design course also saw some variation. Instead of an exam, Design students submit a portfolio of their work, along with written explanations, to the College Board to be graded. The number of pieces submitted by students has been reduced drastically this year, from 24 to 15. The Breadth section of the portfolio has been eliminated, leaving only the Sustained Investigation portion. “They [the College Board] are expecting the students to develop their portfolio through the investigation of materials, processes, and ideas, making our formerly graphic-design-heavy portfolio a more mixed-media portfolio,” explained Ms. Cohen, who teaches the course.
“Inquiry Beit Midrash” program gives seniors independence
Entertainment: Is TikTok taking over? Page 5
Fashion: The real cost of looking good at Flatbush Page 7
By Jennifer Salzman Junior Editor
A new optional Judaic Studies learning program has been created for the senior grade. The Inquiry Beit Midrash (IBM) Program allows seniors to learn Judaic subjects including Tanakh, Talmud, Halakha, and Philosophy with a partner, or chavruta, instead of learning in a standard classroom under a predetermined curriculum. The program is headed by Mr. Engel and Ms. Zaltzman. Mr. Engel explained that IBM was designed to provide a “more hands-on approach to learning where the students are part of the learning process.” One of the goals of implementing this new approach is to prepare students for life after graduation by giving them the skills needed to be able to learn on their own or with a partner. This is why senior Ricky Sasson expressed that “the program’s intentions are amazing.” There are faculty mentors who supervise the groups to assure that the students are learning to their potential. They answer questions and bring new explanations that the students might not have seen before. The program was introduced to every senior in May, and 59 out of approxi-
mately 130 seniors joined, with a roughly equal number of honors and nonhonors students. Danielle Tawil exclaimed that she loves the program because it’s very independent, “it gives each person one on one [time] with teachers, and students are able to go into depth with each subject.” Ikey Dweck said that he likes “that we get to choose what we learn and who we learn with.” For some seniors this style of learning is extremely new, and requires adjustment. Because of this, the program began with everyone learning the same topic so that everyone could slowly ease into this new way of learning. Seniors seem to be liking the sense of independence in learning; however, there are concerns that some of them may see this double period as a time to “chill” instead of a time to learn and grow. To hold students accountable, at the end of each day the students submit a Google form where they log what they have learned that day. The IBM program is still in its infancy, and Ms. Zaltzman sees it as a “positive experience so far” and said she is interested in seeing what will happen next.
Sports: New soccer coach is a real pro Page 8 www.theflatbushphoenix.com | 1
From AP classes to Google X
Faculty Freshman:
Ms. Denciger
Joe Tricot (HS ’13)
By Nicole Muravsky Sophomore Editor
Ms. Rochi Denciger, the new chair of the Hebrew department, has been around the world, literally. She grew up in Jerusalem but has also lived in Belgium, then back to Israel, then Ohio, and she finally moved to New York two years ago. Prior to working at Flatbush, Ms. Denciger was the chair of the Hebrew department at Fuchs Mizrachi High School in Cleveland and then a principal at Magen David. She said she decided to come to Flatbush because she heard about how Flatbush highly values learning Hebrew and was inspired by other faculty members. “I feel greatly privileged to be part of the team,” Ms. Denciger stated. One of her goals for her the Flatbush Hebrew department is to stress the cross-disciplinary value of the language. “I’m passionate about the importance of the secular world and to really learn the modern nature of the language of the Torah. The Hebrew language is a connection that we have with our Jewish identity and that is important to be part of us,” she explained. She wants students to feel empowered
by their knowledge and active communication and Hebrew. She hopes that she can educate students in “והמורשת שלהם גבורי האומה,” or about the founders of our culture and about their legacies. After living on three different continents, she realized that the struggle to learn a new language is universal and that the best way to learn is through making mistakes. In addition to her passion for Hebrew, Ms. Denciger enjoys traveling, especially to Israel, and to visit her family in Cleveland. She also enjoys learning about science and nature, and reading with her kids. Bruchim habaim, Ms. Denciger!
Flatbush Family: The Dabahs
Left to right: Sharon, Danielle, and Barbara Dabah
By Jayne Haddad Managing Editor
Roaming the halls of the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School are the adorable Dabah sisters. This trio includes Sharon, who’s in 11th grade, Barbara in 10th grade, and newbie Danielle in 9th grade. These sisters are close in more areas than just age; they share a special sisterly bond and love walking to school together. “I’m more comfortable [in school] because I know more people since I know their friends,” expressed Danielle. She
said that her older sisters have allowed her to feel welcome at school and that teachers almost always recognize who she is because of her older siblings. The girls sit with each other at lunch sometimes and are very comfortable taking a seat next to another sister’s friends. When Sharon’s friends catch Barbara in the hallway, they don’t hesitate to call her over with big smiles. Teachers sometimes mix them up, and so do other students. “People think I’m [Barbara] from the back, and the front, too,” said Sharon. She also shared that she has walked out of the bathroom
The Phoenix Staff Editor-in-Chief: Raquel Silvera Managing Editor: Jayne Haddad Senior Editors: Claudine Hadef, Bonnie Melamed School News Editors: Diana Gindi, Stella Lessler Religion Editor: Rose Sternberg World News Editor: Sarah Dagmy Entertainment Editors: Rachel Lincer, Danielle Mehani Food Editor: Sarina Shalom
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Tricot develops new technology for Google
By Claudine Hadef Senior Editor
Do you ever wonder what the next life-changing technology will be? Finding the answer is Joe Tricot’s full-time job. Tricot uses computer sciences such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing to help develop new technology that can change the way the world works. But before Tricot was a researcher and program manager at X, a division of Google, he was a student at the Yeshivah of Flatbush. During Tricot’s years at Flatbush he wasn’t involved in many clubs or activities but did spend a lot of his time making lifelong friends. Flatbush’s AP and regular classes taught him to challenge himself, which he still does in his day-today life. By taking advanced classes, “I got used to being in a room with people who were lightyears ahead of me, intellectually speaking,” Tricot said. He used the Flatbush setting to help him become more open to ideas. He was inspired to strive and work hard, and after high school he studied business at Baruch College in Manhattan. He took advantage of online courses and got involved in two fields, including working at a neighborhood improvement nonprofit and an advisory tech firm. He had menstall hearing, “Hey Barbara!” on more than a couple of occasions. The girls helped each other adjust to the high school atmosphere by passing down advice, notes, and letting the younger sister know whether they got lucky with their schedule. Sharon and Barbara were even able to have their own little study group for Talmud last year because their curriculum was the same. Since they don’t mind swapping school sweaters, the girls are fortunate enough to have every Flatbush girl’s dream: ac-
Fashion Editors: Rose Kurland, OrDavid Menashe Fun & Games Editor: Reuben Goldstein Sports Editor: Nathan Sidaoui Junior Editors: Carole Cohen, Terri Elmann, Kaden Harari, Michael Oved, Jennifer Salzman Sophomore Editors: Elie Esses, Nicole Muravsky Design: Carolina Cohen Faculty Adviser: Adam Hofstetter
tors in these areas and they taught him not only how to excel at his job, but how to improve himself and his contributions to the world around him. “But at the end of the day, happiness comes from in between; fine tuning the conditions around you to be surrounded by capable, fun people who don’t take themselves too seriously,” Tricot said. Working at X, he scouts for the next potential investment to improve the world, such as self-driving cars and wi-fi balloons. The balance of his work and the people in his environment help make each day more exciting than the next. Most high school students spend their time wondering about who they are and who they want to be; Tricot was not any different. He recommends reading As a Driven Leaf by Milton Steinberg, The Righteous Mind, by Jonathan Haidt, and Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. He mentioned that these books helped cultivate his character. But a lot of his life still relates back to those AP classes. “To this day I’m still the dumbest person in most meetings at work. Which is helpful for turning away a potentially toxic ego and for embracing a more extreme definition of responsibility. Once you admit that pride is the main obstacle in the way of growth, you take control.” cess to a closet with enough sweaters for three. Not everything has been perfect. On the first day of school, Sharon cozied up next to Danielle at her lunch table, only to get sent away by her embarrassed little sister. But at the end of each day, they come together for dinner and rehash the day they just had. Ultimately, Sharon, Barbara, and Danielle reap the benefits of their siblings in their social and academic life.
High School Administration Rabbi Raymond Harari, Head of School Rabbi Joseph Beyda, Principal Ms. Sari Bacon, Associate Principal Ms. Esther Hidary, Assistant Principal / Director of Admissions
YOF welcomes largest Juniors complete freshman grade in decade impressive internships
By Michael Oved Junior Editor
With 183 freshmen spread across seven homeroom classes, this year’s freshman grade is the largest it has been in the past ten years. The increase is not a sudden surprise, as last year’s open house for this year’s freshman class was attended by over 2,000 people, according to the school’s executive office. But what explains the sudden influx of students? While there are many reasons for this surge, according to Ms. Alyssa Shamah, the school’s recruitment coordinator, and Ms. Esther Hidary, the school’s Director of Admissions, a critical factor contributing to this growth is due to “increased applicants from feeder schools.” Elementary schools like Flatbush, Magen David, and Barkai are called feeder schools because they “feed” their graduating classes to nearby high schools. And these feeder schools had a larger graduating class last year that needed to have their students placed. The result: a larger incoming grade. However, incoming ninth graders were not distributed evenly among area high schools; students overwhelmingly chose Flatbush over any other high school. “Flatbush is changing for the better— and families want to be part of this new
change,” Ms. Hidary said. Ms. Shamah echoed that idea, giving a lot of credit to the faculty. “The word is getting out that Flatbush not only has a 21st century campus, but that it has an unparalleled teaching, support and executive staff,” she said. “Our teachers offer new teaching styles that more and more students and families are finding appealing,” added Ms. Shamah. Flatbush also offers many programs not seen at other high schools. “Pathfinders was a huge draw,” said Lauren Mizrahi, a freshman. “When I came to the Open House, I marveled at the fact that, at Flatbush, Pathfinders can help me find my passion and my career path,” she added. Another freshman concurred, saying, “One of the main reasons I chose Flatbush was because of Pathfinders.” Of course, Pathfinders is just one of many ways the Yeshivah helps students discover their passions and develop talents. “Flatbush students can find their passion, and expand on it, not only through the Pathfinders program, but also through the many extracurricular activities, electives, and Tzei U’lmads we offer,” Ms. Hidary stated. With many more improvements at the Yeshivah already planned for this year and the coming years, it may not be long before Flatbush will have to add an eighth freshman class.
Which teachers’ opening day procedures work best? By Raquel Silvera Editor-in-Chief
The first day of school always comes with a lot of suspense and mystery. Will you get stuck with a teacher who teaches on the first day, or the one who goes over rules, or the one who keeps it light day one and begins with fun activities? The teachers at Flatbush each have their own preferences and reasonings behind them when it comes to first day procedures. While no teacher commented that the first day is fully committed to beginning the material, some responded that, depending on the grade and atmosphere of a class, they might start learning in some capacity on day one. Math Department Chair Ms. Shulman commented that because AP statistics is all seniors, “I make sure to cover more on that first day to make sure the students know it will be fun, but no nonsense,” and to combat senioritis from the get-go. However, English and coding teacher Ms. Lamm admitted that, although she’s tried teaching on opening day in the past, “as time passes, I realize more and more how important relationship-building is” and that’s something more easily established through icebreakers. As for going over rules and policies, some teachers swear by this procedure and others have retired it. History Department Chair Mr. Rothbort feels that going through the rules of the classroom sets “the tone for the class and sets out the expectations on day one so students are clear about the objectives of the class and expectations.” On the other hand, Ms. Shulman commented, “It doesn’t
work for my personality. I’m telling them what I will do. I’d rather just do it.” Another example where teachers’ methods differ is how some teachers will give homework right away, whereas others have sworn it off for good. Mr. Rothbort likes to get students working from the start, but Ms. Lamm doesn’t believe in homework and responded that “Multiple studies show that homework has no tangible benefit and might even cause harm.” She found that this method fit her teaching persona and that students have responded well to it. The teachers more accustomed to doing icebreakers or interactive activities on the first day agree that it helps build important connections that will last the whole year. Ms. Shulman agreed that, for an AP Calculus class where students already know they have to take the class seriously, it helps to lighten things up with a fun discussion at first. Ms. Lamm feels that her classroom should be a positive place and hopes her methods detract from student stress. Likewise, AP Psychology teacher and guidance counselor Ms. Levavi, who says she includes a mix of rules and icebreakers in her opening day routine, believes that getting to know students on the first day “sets a tone of warmth, openness and trust.” Whether a teacher wants to come off more businesslike or more open, the first day is a big part of that. It just goes to show that there is no one correct method. It seems the common denominator throughout each teacher’s style is the shared goal of setting the desired tone from day one, whatever that tone may be.
Berkovitz, right, learned about race car design
By Stella Lessler School News Editor
Several Flatbush juniors spent the summer engaged in highly competitive internships to gain knowledge and experience in their subjects of interest. As competition increases for college admissions and acceptance rates at top schools decrease, students must fight even harder for opportunities to give themselves a boost. Summer internships have become increasingly popular among ambitious students, but can be difficult to obtain because many businesses and organizations prefer college-age interns. Nonetheless, some Flatbush students entered 11th grade this month having already completed internships that would be the envy of many college students. Both Ralph Betesh and Stephanie Tarrab participated in a program in July at NYU Tandon School of Engineering called Innovation Entrepreneurship and the Science of Smart Cities (IESoSC). They learned about engineering, business, and leadership. In addition, Betesh was excused from NYU for a few days to attend the AIPAC Saban Leadership Seminar, where he was given the opportunity to meet the top 40 high school activists from across the country and learn exactly how to advocate for Israel in a nationally organized school club called Students Supporting Israel (SSI). Further into the summer, Betesh interned at Israel-based Bank Hapoalim and learned about the bank’s day-to-day finance operations. He even got to sit in on several credit com-
mittee meetings and speak to the head of trading, which “was very cool.” Perla Berkovitz interned at Cooper Union, where she explored the mechanics of race car design. More specifically, Berkovitz worked with three other participants with a machine that simulated a car pressing on the brakes, which assisted their learning and testing of brake design. Etty Jajati’s internship involved a different kind of design. Jajati had the opportunity to learn the various business elements of interior design and work with vendors regarding projects that are currently being carried out it in the field. Barbara Salama shadowed a cardiologist over the summer, allowing her to dive further into the medical field she hopes eventually to join professionally. She stated, “It was very cool to watch echoes [echocardiograms] and see everything we learned this year in pre-med about the heart actually being carried out.” While Salama was checking hearts, David Hidary was focused on brains. As an assistant scientist at Columbia University’s brain lab, Hidary shadowed Dr. Ray Lee, who is revolutionizing putting two people in an fMRI at once to study human interaction. Hidary worked with Lee to develop python programs to provide patients with stimuli, develop artificial neural networks to model the brain in the computer, build a quantum fourier transform running on a quantum computer, and develop a CAD model for an MRI-safe headset for fitting two people in the brain.
D’var Torah: Choosing Lives By Rose Sternberg Religion Editor
“It is not with you alone, but with those who are here and those who are not here that God makes this Covenant and oath… It is not in heaven, nor in the seas beyond your reach…” Every day we go through life the same as the day before. We wake up, eat, dress, go to school, do work, hang out with friends, then go home. We are living, but is it really a life? In Parashat Nitzavim, Moshe tells B’nei Yisrael to follow G-d, to choose to live by following His ways, so that He doesn’t forsake them and future generations. Moshe tells them that it’s a simple choice, something they—we all—can do. A choice within all our reach. “Choose life, so that you will live…” A choice where you are not only
choosing to live, but choosing life itself so that you may live. Choosing to think of not only your life, but also the lives of those around you and your impact on them. It’s our choice whether we lend a hand to our classmate who is struggling in class, whether to say a kind word to the person in the hall, or to ignore those who are struggling and hurting. It takes only a moment, only a single sentence to brighten someone’s life. We can choose to not only choose life for ourselves, but also choose life for others; to choose to show them the good in life when they can only see the bad. It’s our responsibility to help others when they are down, and to lead them back to life. If we don’t, then can we really be living when we feel the guilt of not helping someone when we have the chance?
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After several teen deaths, New school policy defines teacher-student boundaries Juul faces federal ban By Sarah Dagmy World News Editor
A sharp increase in the number of vaping-related illnesses and deaths over the past few months has led to increased calls for the devices to be more strictly regulated or even banned. Walmart revealed plans last week to stop selling electronic cigarettes, and flavored versions may soon be unavailable nationwide. Federal law already bans the selling of e-cigarettes such as Juuls to anyone under the age of 18. Nonetheless, one recent survey revealed that approximately 5 million minors across the United States admitted that they have used Juul e-cigarettes or other vaping devices. The increase in teen vaping, and the discovery of increasingly dire health problems caused by vaping, has raised much concern among parents, teachers, politicians, and health officials. Many believe Juul products are so popular not just because of the erroneous belief among teenagers that vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes, but also because they are intentionally being marketed to underage consumers by offering sweet flavors and a flash-drive look. After years of providing little regulation of e-cigarettes, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) organized a surprise examination of Juul Labs’s headquarters. As a result, the FDA obtained more than 1,000 documents of the company’s sales and marketing operations. The organization sent a warning letter to Juul, accusing the company of violating federal regulations by advertising vaping products as a healthier alternative to cigarettes without any evidence to support the claim.
In reaction to the raid and warning, the Trump administration announced on September 12 that they plan to ban the sale of all flavored e-cigarettes, allowing only the sale of tobacco-flavored products, which are much less popular among underage users. New York and Michigan have already enacted similar bans. In New York, any vendors or shops caught with any flavored e-cigarette products can be fined $2,000 per unit by the state’s Department of Health. And on September 19, two Congressman from Long Island proposed a bipartisan bill that would ban all flavors in e-cigarette and tobacco products. Juul said that their sales have dropped by nearly 85% because they are prohibited to sell flavored pods. Meanwhile, despite a persistent belief among teens that vaping is safe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked vaping to an outbreak of a severe lung disease contracted by at least 360 people in 36 states. During this past summer Juul has also been linked to seven teenage deaths and nearly 500 cases of respiratory illnesses. Nicotine addiction is another adverse effect of vaping, as Juul e-cigarettes have a higher nicotine concentration than regular tobacco cigarettes. Each 200-puff Juul pod contains 59 milligrams of nicotine, which is equivalent to almost three packs of cigarettes. The United States lags behind several other countries in its response to the health risks of electronic cigarettes. Israel and many European countries have banned Juul products outright several months ago, and India announced a ban on all electronic cigarettes starting September 18, with penalties of up to three years in prison.
YOF reacts to Skolnick arrest
By Diana Gindi School News Editor
An updated schoolwide policy addressing student-teacher relationships, particularly regarding texting and social media, took effect at the beginning of the school year, Rabbi Beyda confirmed. The new digital boundary guidelines were emphasized to the YOFHS staff in a dedicated training session prior to the start of the school year. The new policy, which addresses boundaries regarding electronic communication as well as physical interactions between the two parties, was drafted in conjunction with industry experts. The school’s employee handbook has been revised and now indicates that “Electronic and online communications with students, including those through personal devices, must be accessible through the administration and professional in content and tone.” The rule book specifically mentions that “communication with students via WhatsApp should be reserved for class chats,” forbidding any other private one-on-one conversations on the side, except through official school e-mail accounts. Students will be trained on these concepts, along with methods of reporting any concerning behaviors, later this year. Rabbi Beyda, who spearheaded the crafting and implementation of these rules, believes that this policy is necessary for maintaining a safe school community. “We want our teachers and support staff to have warm and strong relationships with students.” Beyda said. “Precisely for that reason, we also recognize that this type of relationship is one which requires clear boundaries. These new policies are intended to set clear guidelines to allow for safe and meaningful student-teacher relationships.” The policies are all the more relevant after the recent arrest of former Flatbush teacher Jonathan Skolnick. Rabbi Beyda
stated that these policies were already firmly in place before the school learned of the FBI investigation and were not inspired by any particular incident. Beyda explained that the school is constantly reviewing and updating its policies relating to protection of children as society changes and technology evolves. Many teachers believe that this new change is beneficial in providing an extra layer of caution between students and teachers. Ms. Marcus, who runs SGO and many other student programs, is “100% in support of the policy.” She added, “I understand why we have to be cautious and cognizant of the appearance of impropriety in our school. … As a teacher, I care for my students and never want them to be in a position where they feel uncomfortable, especially when interacting with adults whom they should be able to trust.” Ms. Lamm, who is also involved in various student activities including the school’s yearbook, agrees with these new policies as well, despite the extra trouble of learning and following them. “The school wants the best for both students and teachers, and having policies and systems in place is best for everyone, even if it’s inconvenient while we learn to do things differently,” she said. Some students believe that the policy takes away from the beneficial bonds made between students and teachers. “I don’t like the fact that we can’t text teachers,” said a junior boy. “I thought that was good for relationship building.” Although the policy may seem like a slight inconvenience to some, other students are on board with the policy. “I totally understand the new school policy regarding boundaries between students and teachers,” said sophomore Estelle Setton. “It creates a more professional environment between students and teachers. Students should not text teachers as if they are ‘friends.’”
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not have helped. In fact, Spievak declared that Skolnick was “as clean as can be” and there was absolutely nothing the school could’ve done to know in advance what Skolnick was hiding. Even some of Skolnick’s victims acknowledged that they never suspected a thing. “When I found out it was him I already knew it had been done to a ton of people,” said a victimized alumnus who spoke to The Phoenix on condition of anonymity. “I never really thought of him as being so suspicious, but … he said some disturbing things that at the time did not look so bad but … now they are horrible.” Some of the victims compared text messages and began to look a little deeper into the scam once Skolnick, through an alias, referred to their personal information, but “were just too ignorant and dumb to report it at the time,” explained another anonymous alumnus. Parents were searching for answers, and at the meeting they asked heavy and difficult questions. In those cases, the panel of administrators, guidance personnel, and law enforcement calmly responded with explanations of recently updated policies (see article, above right) as well as outlets for sharing information with the FBI and for counseling.
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Parents and faculty have commended the way the school addressed the situation, especially in the second e-mail from Rabbi Harari, which was sent to parents and alumni last Tuesday after learning that many Flatbush students and graduates had been victims. The administration’s decision to approach the students in the assembly that morning was also praised, and several teachers mentioned how much they appreciated an e-mail that was sent to all faculty by the Guidance department early Tuesday morning with advice on how to deal with their classes that day. Many students and faculty commended the school’s Guidance department for helping them work through a mix of painful emotions. One current senior who was a student of Skolnick’s revealed that Guidance has been an invaluable place where he can just talk it out and stop “suppressing my feelings.” Many students have turned to humor as a coping mechanism, making jokes and memes at Skolnick’s expense. One of the most difficult aspects of the entire saga for students has been reconciling the person accused of such heinous crimes with the person who taught them Torah. Upon hearing the criminal
charges, several students began questioning everything Skolnick had taught them. Ironically, Skolnick taught many Flatbush students the concept of yetzer hara, the evil temptations that we must constantly fight off. Rabbi Prag, the chair of the Talmud department, said he is devastated that “the kids were...exposed to a man teaching Torah and teaching morality and then is the exact opposite.” Approximately 40 alumni attended Skolnick’s preliminary hearing in a Manhattan courtroom last week, but Skolnick himself did not appear, thus forfeiting bail and remaining in prison at least until the rescheduled hearing. One alumnus who was in the courtroom described the mood there as “teetering. One second, it felt like a high school assembly, holding back laughter in a quiet room. The next, this new reality.” That new reality is something with which the entire community is grappling. Where do we go from here? Talking to students, alumni, and faculty, one common thread seems to be a newfound suspicion. Skolnick, who Agent Spievak described as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” exploited the natural trust between student and teacher. Many students are now more skeptical about
who they can trust, both online and in school. Rabbi Prag’s words of advice are to go on with the mindset of “kabedehu v’chashdehu,” to respect everyone but in the back of your mind always be cautious. Rabbi Beyda urged students that, despite having our trust severely violated, we should still have the strength to trust others again. And some teachers find themselves second-guessing every word or gesture. Senora Ovadia, universally known as one of Flatbush’s most caring teachers, now finds herself hesitant to show students any affection. “I stopped myself four times from complimenting students,” she said last week. But she continued to say that she won’t let Skolnick stop her from being who she is and loving her students to the greatest capacity. As the community continues to grapple with a range of emotions as well as the practical fallout of Skolnick’s alleged crimes, the school’s Guidance team has continually reminded us that every reaction is normal. But perhaps the most normal reaction, or at least the most common, was expressed by one of Skolnick’s victims: “It is hard for me to trust anyone anymore.”
Entertainment Is TikTok taking over? Billie Eilish’s Rise To Fame By Bonnie Melamed
By Audrey Sutton
Senior Editor
Contributing Writer
TikTok, an up-and-coming social media app that’s become popular among adolescents, has been downloaded over 80 million times in the United States, and 800 million times worldwide. TikTok allows users to post short video clips featuring their own recordings, other people’s recordings, and the hottest new songs. The app was released in September 2017 by the company ByteDance and quickly gained a large following. Just a few months later, in January 2018, TikTok was ranked number one in app stores worldwide. TikTok initially became popular because of its resemblance to the app Musical.ly, which was created in 2014 and closed down in 2017. In fact, ByteDance purchased Musical.ly in August 2018 for $1 billion so that they could recreate the once-flourishing app. Though TikTok became popular in early 2018, it truly blew up later in the year when celebrities and social media influencers joined the app. TikTok provides many features for its users, including millions of songs and sounds that can be used to create short videos and clips. These clips can be sped up, slowed down, created with friends, and edited with a variety of filters to ensure a fun and fresh element to keep users entertained. One popular trend on TikTok is VSCO girls. The name comes from the VSCO editing app, which is used for its filters. VSCO girls are mainly millennials who have a strong love for metal straws and scrunchies and typically advocate for
Singer and songwriter Billie Eilish seems to have come out of nowhere and risen to fame overnight. In truth, Eilish has been rising in popularity since she was discovered in November 2015 when she was only 14 years old due to the popularity of her first song, “Ocean Eyes,” on Soundcloud. The song was originally written for Eilish’s dance teacher to use in a recital, but it went viral only hours after Eilish posted it, and has been heard over 19 million times on Spotify. It wasn’t long before the major record label Interscope Records reached out and offered her a recording contract. In August 2017, Eilish released her first album, Don’t Smile at Me, which reached the top 15 in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, all while Eilish was still only 15 years old. She soon collaborated with other famous artists, including Khalid and Justin Bieber. In March 2019, Eilish released the song “Bad Guy” with Justin Beiber, her long-time idol, which reached number one on Billboard Hot 100 and became the number-one song streaming across the United States. Her current album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? reached number one on the Bill-
the environment. This trend gives these girls a certain aesthetic that makes them easily distinguishable. They use metal straws to “save the turtles,” scrunchies to tie their hair up in messy buns, hydroflasks, and have wrists covered in friendship bracelets. They even have a certain lingo consisting of two major phrases: “And I oop,” and “sksksksk.” Among Flatbush students, TikTok is most popular to the freshman class. “It’s very entertaining, and I like to do it with my friends,” explained freshman Danielle Frastai. Other freshmen like the app but not all the trends that come along with it. “I don’t like VSCO girls,” one freshman explained. “One water bottle falls on the floor and 10 girls jump up and say, ‘and I oop,’” joked a freshman boy. However, the senior class does not share the freshmen’s love of the app. “When I was in eighth grade, I made Musical.lys and now I’m embarrassed, but I get the trend,” said one senior girl. Other seniors aren’t as understanding. “TikTok has got to go. I get it if it’s for memes, that’s funny. But these dances are weird and they are taking over people’s lives,” said senior Sylvia Mizrahi. Senior Sarah Frastai agreed, and added, “I’m just worried that they won’t grow out of the phase.”
board 200 and in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, making Eilish the first artist born in the 2000s to have a number one album in the United States, and the youngest female ever to have a number one album in the United Kingdom. Not only is Eilish known as a singer/ songwriter, but she is also famous for her unique sense of style and her new line of merchandise, Blohsh, which contains graffiti-inspired clothing that Eilish rocks on tour and is available for purchase. She’s also known for her baggy clothes, and she recently revealed in a Calvin Klein ad that she wears loose clothing so that people can’t bodyshame her. According to Eilish, “Nobody can have an opinion because they haven’t seen what’s underneath.” Eilish was born on December 18, 2001, in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, where she and her older brother were homeschooled. The siblings grew up surrounded by music as their mother was a songwriting teacher and her father played many instruments. She joined the Los Angeles Children’s Choir when she was eight years old and began writing songs at age 11, taking after her brother who was already writing, performing, and producing his own songs with his band. Suffice it to say, she is very talented and unique and is only just getting started.
NYC pop-up celebrates 25 years of Friends By Rachel Lincer Entertainment Editor
“How you doin’?” It has been 25 years since Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe first gathered at Central Perk, and the time has come for them to reunite for a Friends anniversary. Although rumors of a reunion series have proven false, Warner Bros Television is giving fans a chance to revisit some of their favorite moments. There are numerous ways they’re celebrating, but the main event is a popup in Downtown NYC from September 7 through October 6. Fans can see original props from the show and even stop by a replica of Central Perk for some goodies. There are more than 50 original props on display and rooms dedicated to each of the main characters. One room has five iconic Rachel wigs, as well as Ross’s red sweater from Season 8. Another room has Phoebe’s guitar and smelly cat
litter. There is even a recreation of Joey and Chandler’s apartment, including the dog statue, reclining chairs, and more. As fans continue to walk through the pop-up they can take their very own “I’ll be there for you” photo and attempt to “pivot” Ross’s couch up a flight of stairs. They can also take a picture with Monica’s Thanksgiving turkey and see what it’s like to wear Chandler’s whole wardrobe. Lastly, fans get the chance to take a photo on the famous couch in Central Perk. While diehard fans of the show still dream about a new season, they will get a chance to watch Friends in a new way. The 25th-anniversary celebration includes a feature-length comprising fan-favorite moments, bloopers, and more. It will be playing in theaters for three nights only in September and October. If you’re a big fan of the show, it will definitely make your day, your week, your month, or even your year.
As part of the festivities, fans can sit in Central Perk (left) or try to pivot Ross’s sofa (below)
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Fun & Games Ask Merle Dear Merle, I was walking to class yesterday and bumped into a pole, but when I looked up I realized it was actually a freshman. Looking around I saw more poles, I mean, freshies. Why is this happening?! I thought as a senior I would finally be the tall one, but I’m still the short one. What should I do? Small Senior Dear Small Senior, I can see how being a fun-sized student can be difficult in the face of a grade full of giants. But as a senior, you are a role model for the freshmen. If you stand up tall and show them the way, they will look up to you. Try to be a little more down-to-earth. Realize that you were
once a freshman, too. And that, like you back then, they are full of new-school nervousness. Show them how to make the small stuff count, and to appreciate the little things. Teach them to never come up short and that nothing can dwarf their dreams. With that happy attitude, you will never be overlooked. Sincerely, Merle Hey Merle, Math is hard. Please help! Not A Math Person Dear Person, That’s life. Get used to it. (But if you do really need help with math, there is Math Lab almost every day in room 204.) Yours, Merle
The Natareeze
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GLASS HALF FULL
- We are back! - AP Euro is blowing my mind - My friend got her crutches off - I saw a Yachad member on my way home, and she said she remembered me from Flatbush. She is the sweetest! - I’m now an upperclasswoman and I feel wiser. First lunch is a life changer -Nobody is going to believe me, but I’m genuinely happy to be back in school.
GLASS HALF EMPTY
- I’m back in Algebra...ugh (No offense, Mrs. Benz) -I arrived at a new level of overthinking -The weather is confusing me because I’m drinking chai tea and wearing sweatshirts, but it’s 80 degrees outside. - I’m dropping Drama and Public Speaking because let’s be real, I’m dramatic enough. My sister is in college and I have no one to steal lipgloss from.
THINGS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEK SHOWS+MOVIES The Good Place Chasing Happiness (Jonas Brothers documentary) The Society The Mick Law and Order SVU Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist MUSIC “Crybaby” by Janis Joplin “Shelf ” by The Jonas Brothers “So Am I” by Ava Max “So Close” by NOTD “Creep” by Radiohead
THAT’S SHOW BIZ, BABY
-In drama, we had to walk around the school blindfolded. Anyone who has read this section of the paper is probably expecting a fractured spine or something. However, to my complete surprise, I gracefully made it up the
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Merle, I’m a freshman. Growing up, my older siblings were always busy doing a million things after school. But now that I’m the one in high school, I don’t know where to find a million things to do. So how do I get involved in extracurriculars? Free-Time Freshie Dear Free-Time, That’s a really good question. First of all, ask your siblings. Second, the Commission Fair was September 23rd, and I hope you got some good answers there. Finally, I hear that Flatbush has a great student newspaper. Truly, Merle Hi Merle, I was wondering if you have any advice for someone who stays up until 3
every night and is really tired during the day. Asking For A Friend Dear Asking, Of course I have advice! Try sitting next to the teacher, or repeatedly banging your head on your desk, or slapping yourself, or splashing cold water on your face, or GO TO SLEEP BEFORE 3 AM! Good luck, Merle Have questions for Merle? Send them to askmerle2020@gmail.com
By Natalie Ryba Contributing Writer
stairs like a princess. How is it that with my eyes open, I can’t walk in a straight line, but blindfolded I can walk around the school without even a stumble. - Watching the Jonas Brothers live at a taping for the VMAs gave me my first true sense of nostalgia. It brought me back to how 10-year old me truly thought Joe Jonas would be willing to convert to Judaism for me. - In class, the teacher was explaining the curriculum. I said “I don’t think I can do it.” The teacher said, “Oh no, you’ll be fine,” and that triggered something in me and I went into an intense rant about how I’m too dumb to amount to anything in that class. Then someone walked into the class and said, “What’d I miss?” The teacher says, “A therapy session.”
LET’S TACO BOUT IT
To break the fast, I made zuchhini pancakes that tasted EXACTLY like potato latkes, maybe even better! Recipe makes 3 servings Ingredients - 3 grated zucchinis - ½ an onion minced - 3 cloves of garlic minced -1 egg - Either ½ cup of almond flour if you’re gluten free or -½ cup of Kodiak Cakes Whole Grain Flapjack Mix for something more filling and protein dense -½ tsp of salt - pinch of black pepper Instructions Cook the shredded zucchini in a frying pan. Drain it with a cheesecloth or pat it down with bounty. Sauté the minced garlic and onion till caramelization. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients together and cook on the pan as you would normally cook pancakes Follow me on Instagram @thenatabreeze
The Food Corner Rosh Hashanah is a time where families are able to spend quality time together while celebrating the Jewish new year. Tradition is great, but serving some new dishes can help keep the holiday fresh. So here are some modern plates to add to your holiday table. Honey Roasted Carrots This side dish does not only follow the theme of a “sweet new year,” but also brings out the natural sugars of this veggie. These carrots are so simple to make, and will be a winner alongside your chicken or roast. (Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart.)
By Sarina Shalom Food Editor
(Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten.) INGREDIENTS: • 5 pounds McIntosh apples peeled, cored, and cut into large wedges • Zest of 1 orange • Zest of 1 lemon • 2 tbsp of freshly squeezed orange juice • 2 tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice • ½ cup granulated sugar • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg For the topping: • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 3/4 cup packed light brown sug-
INGREDIENTS: • 1 ½ pounds carrots cut into halves or quarters if thick • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 tablespoon honey • Coarse salt and pepper to taste
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DIRECTIONS: • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. • On a rimmed baking sheet, toss carrots with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. • Roast, tossing once, until tender, 30 to 35 minutes. • Remove pan from oven and toss with honey.
DIRECTIONS: • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 14 x 2-inch oval baking dish. • Combine the apples with the zests, juices, sugar, and spices. Pour into the dish. • To make the topping, combine the flour, sugars, salt, oatmeal, and cold butter into a bowl. • Mix either by hand or with an electric mixer until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is the size of peas. Scatter evenly over the apples. • Place the crisp on a sheet pan and bake for one hour until the top is brown and the apples are bubbly
Apple Crisp Dessert is the final bite of the night and will be the last flavor in your mouth, so why not make it something delicious and festive with beautiful ripe apples? This apple crisp is best served warm and will leave your guests licking their plate clean!
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 cup oatmeal • 1/2 pound cold unsalted butter, diced - Betterine is a great non-dairy alternative!
Standard of Fabulous Looking good at Flatbush has a steep price By Sylvia Mizrachi Contributing Writer
As soon as school starts, the pressure is on. Classes, tests, homework, extracurricular activities, SATs, driver’s ed, college applications … it never ends. From there the list only grows. On top of academic pressures, there are also social pressures. These pressures include friends, actions, speech, and lastly, how one dresses. The school’s official dress code doesn’t mention specific colors or brands, but the unofficial dress code students inflict on themselves is a different story. These days, the “classic Flatbush girl” attire consists of a black maxi skirt, white sneakers, and a hoodie. And boys are expected to wear hoodies/sweatshirts over their button-down shirts, “school pants,” and sneakers. The general style is not difficult to pull off, but the names of the brands can get students overwhelmed. Looking down at the floor in any classroom, you’ll see the majority of the shoes are white sneakers. Chunky Fila sneakers, Adidas Stan Smiths, Nike Air
Force Ones, Adidas Continental 80s, and Vans are the current hype. These shoes range from $40 to $100. But many students raise the bar by wearing Golden Goose Deluxe Brand, Common Projects, Isabel Maurant, Veja, Axel Arigato, Off White, Saint Laurant, etc. Those sneaker brands start at $150 and go all the way up to $600. Even some parents get wrapped up in the trends, and encourage their kids to buy at least one pair of designer shoes to wear to school so their child fits in with the other students. One student who requested to remain anonymous admitted, “My mom said she doesn’t want me to be the odd one out, so she said I can get Isabel Maurants.” Look up from a student’s shoes and you’re very likely to see a sweatshirt. Every day, hundreds of students walk into Flatbush wearing hoodies, crewnecks, or zip-up sweatshirts, even when the weather outside is hot. Just like shoes, Nike, Adidas, Fila, Vans, Champion, and Converse are popular sweatshirt brands. Each brand can range from $30 to $70. But again, that’s just the basics. A soph-
omore said of those brands, “Sometimes it’s just not cool enough. I’m gonna get a MadHappy with my money I made from camp.” MadHappy, Redone, StayCool, Off White, Cotton Citizen, Aviator Nation, Opening Ceremony, and other brands are considered the “cooler” brands at school but carry higher price tags. Students who are unable to afford these brand name sweatshirts often save up their own money for months, or split the cost by sharing a sweatshirt with a friend. Even the brands of school bags have become an arms race of pricey name
brands. Way back when, everyone wore a $20 Jansport bag. Nowadays the halls are filled with Fjallaraven Kanken, Herchel, STATE Bag, Kenzo, MCM, and Prada. These bags start at around $50 and only go up from there. Many students expressed how they have a STATE Bag, which sell for $75–$175 depending on the model, because everyone else has one. Add it all up, and it can cost as much as $1,000 just to get dressed. Being a student at Flatbush is a lot to handle. With the pressures of keeping up with the brands, “sometimes getting dresses is more stressful than homework.”
Embracing the cookie cutter New York Fashion Week features plants and politics By Rose Kurland Fashion Editor
By OrDavid Menashe Fashion Editor
The most notable and anticipated fashion event of the year, New York Fashion Week, just took place. Every year in early September, New York City hosts some of the fashion industry’s biggest names as they unveil their new collections. From Brandon Maxwell to Helmut Lang, anyone who’s anyone showed off their collection earlier this month. This year especially, there were plenty of trends that designers embraced and pioneered. For example, Christopher John Ross incorporated environmentalism into his show, and created green dresses to embody the concept. Perhaps similarly inspired, floral prints are back and bolder; both Kate Spade and Marc Jacobs utilized the spring atmosphere in their dresses. On a more serious note, some design-
ers decided to send political messages through their work. The Prabal Gurung Collection had all their models, most of whom were African-American, wear a sash that said “Who gets to be American,” which sparked debate about America’s treatment of immigrants. Batsheva Clothing, a company that primarily makes women’s dresses with American influence from the Victorian Era to the pioneer age, released a long white dress with the words “Victorian Secret” printed on the bottom. The dress was a statement about how fashion norms are changing and, to an extent, our concept of modesty is changing with them. Fashion is a unique form of expression, so it is no surprise that some designers decided, this year especially, to use their talents and influence to express their thoughts about the world beyond fashion.
The term “trend” has three definitions. The first is a general direction in which something is changing, the second being a fashion, and the third being a topic that is the subject of many posts on a social media for a period of time. In terms of fashion trends, all these definitions are applicable. In any group of 15 girls at school, it’s highly likely that at least 10 of those girls will be wearing almost identical looks. White Nike Air Force Ones, a baggy sweatshirt, Ugg slippers, a colored scrunchie in their hair, and lastly, a chic mini bag. Why do most girls in school dress this way? Are they conforming to what others are doing? Are they doing it to achieve optimal comfort? Or are they just lazy? A variety of girls ranging from freshmen to seniors responded to questions about their similar fashion choices with similar explanations. “It’s just the easiest way to go,” senior Sylvia Mizrahi said. “It’s comfortable and trendy, and gives you more time to think about school and other things, rather than stress about outfits.” Junior Diane Azrak added, “The rooms in the school have two extremes: freezing cold, or boiling hot. Dressing comfortably allows for us to never get
too hot or too cold.” Despite the benefits, some girls lamented the pressure within school to keep up with the latest hoodie and backpack trend. One student commented that keeping up with all these trends gets exhausting. “I bought three new sweatshirts for the school year with the money I made over the summer, only to discover that I was twinning with half the school! When will I get it right?” Despite the positive and negative sides of dressing in Flatbush’s famous “pajamas with a skirt” style, it doesn’t look like these ubiquitous school fashions will be changing any time soon.
Many Flatbush girls wear the same look
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Sports Athletics staff join SAFE department New soccer coach brings pro experience By Alex Mikhli Contributing Writer
Mr. Michael Gurock and Mr. David Dweck are the new leaders of the male half of the SAFE department at the Yeshivah of Flatbush. Mr. Gurock runs the class for the freshman and junior boys, while Mr. Dweck will be running the program for sophomores and seniors. The pair are taking over for Mr. Eli Amzalag, who left Flatbush in June after running the class for five years. Despite their previous focus on Flatbush athletics, Mr. Gurock and Mr. Dweck are more than qualified to teach
new faces to the Yeshivah of Flatbush. Many know Mr. Gurock better as Coach Gurock, as he coaches our boys basketball teams and teaches Physical Education for boys alongside Mr. Gelber. Mr. Dweck has also worked in our athletics department for the past year as assistant athletic director. A lot of Flatbush students also have worked for Mr. Dweck during the summer at his camp, Camp Allsport. The pair’s preexisting relationships with the students make them a perfect fit for the position as the students alMr. Dweck with seniors in his SAFE class ready feel comfortable expressing themselves in class. Mr. Gurock mentioned, SAFE classes. Mr. Gurock’s background “I am very excited and humbled to have as a licensed social worker has prepared the opportunity to partner with David him for this new professional challenge, Dweck in helping and hopefully guiding and Mr. Dweck’s degree in social work the male students at Yeshivah of Flatbush from NYU will help him in running the through SAFE.” classes. Only a few weeks into the school year, Mr. Dweck stressed the importance of many students have already expressed the program for students, saying, “SAFE their approval of the switch. Brian Khaiis a place where they can learn how to mov, a senior in Mr. Dweck’s class, said, deal with the difficult challenges they “This year, I feel like I’m really in an enviface as teenagers and brainstorm various ronment where I can open up and share ways of handling these situations.” As he my experiences.” Additionally, junior explained, in such a pivotal time in a stu- Alan Frastai is grateful for the advice he dent’s life they need the correct guidance got in Mr. Gurock’s class. “I was strugand mentoring to keep them on the right gling with a social issue, and Mr. Gurock path. helped me deal with it appropriately,” he Mr. Gurock and Mr. Dweck aren’t said.
Sportsman Spotlight:
Kal Abed grows into leadership role
Abed scores against DRS
By Nathan Sidaoui Sports Editor
Coming off a 2018 basketball season where he played a majority of the minutes with a group of players a year older than him, it’s fair to say that fourth-year Falcons point guard Kal Abed is well equipped to lead the team in 2019. And when asked about his aspirations for the upcoming season, he showed that leadership by answering about the team rather than himself: “We have a great group of guys with a great work ethic. Judging from the first couple practices, we’ll definitely have the heart to make a playoff run this year.” Abed isn’t just a star on the court, he is also balancing the difficulties of be-
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ing an honors student in Flatbush. The responsibilities that come along with it aren’t simple, as twice-a-week practices can coincide with some school work. “It’s all about scheduling your time correctly,” Abed explained. “At some points you run into some late nights, but that’s what you’re signing up for when you dedicate yourself to the team.” One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a four-year athlete is the relationship you build with your coaches and the players surrounding you. Abed said that some people he never thought he would have a great bond with were enveloped by this connection through the team. He also mentioned that his coaches are a support system for him on and off the court, and he credits them with helping
him improve: “Coaches Gurock and Gus have a great feel for the game. Over the last couple years they’ve really been key in my development of the game.” On the court and in the classroom, Abed has long been accompanied by classmates Isaac Sutton and Alan Sassoon, who have both also been with the basketball team each of their high school year. Sutton and Sassoon had only respectful words to say about their teammate. They explained that Abed’s game revolves around being consistent with his jumpshot, defense, and especially his dedication. The word said repeatedly was “consistency.” A testament to how Flatbush athletes should balance their extracurricular activities with school work, Kal Abed is looking to end his Falcons career with a string of victories.
As starting point guard, Abed leads the offense
Coach Gambarov played in Azerbaijan
By Carole Cohen Junior Editor
New head soccer coach Elshan Gambarov is a former Azerbaijan professional soccer player who is eager to teach his skills to the indoor and outdoor soccer teams. He is now the coach for the boys and girls team this upcoming season. Coach Gambarov is very good friends with Mr. David Dweck, who heads Camp Allsport in the summer. While coaching kids at the camp, Coach Gambarov observed many talented kids from the Flatbush community and sought to supplement that interest by taking over our soccer program, which needed new leadership after the departure of the previous coaches. Coach Gambarov began playing soccer at ten years old in Azerbaijan. “I started playing on the streets,“ he said, and after working hard to improve he was scouted by a coach. At the age of 18, he signed his first professional contract. As a pro player he was a threetime national champion, a two-time National Cup winner, and an Uzbekistan Cup winner. More recently, his list of feats includes being the subject of a biography—Elshan Gambarov by Iosias Jody—and being one of the owners of the Bridgeview Soccer Academy. His main goal is to teach boys and girls how to play real soccer and develop consistently as players. He also wants to encourage his players to build more confidence out on the field because, he says, it’s extremely necessary in strengthening character. Although Coach Gambarov is excited to help each player learn and improve, he stressed the important of a team-oriented mindset. Players “have to respect your teammates, support your teammates, and then they can be better,” he said.