A Student Publication of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School • 1609 Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York • Vol 55, Issue 1 • October 2020 / 5781
Students struggle to adapt Many ignoring Covid-19 to changed classroom life precautions after school By Adelle Ayash Managing Editor
By Jack Saad Junior Editor
When Flatbush originally shut down in March, no one knew when the return to in-person classes would be. Yet here we are in September, covered with masks, sitting behind plexiglass, completing daily health screenings, showing QR codes, and the list goes on. Overall, the school spent more than $500,000 on all of the changes, according to Executive Director Rabbi Rothman, a considerable investment in safety that has led to whisperings about some of the changes sticking. But many students have not been pleased. Junior Jacob Cohen is one of the numerous students who have complained
about the long hours of wearing masks, and the sweat that accumulates under them as the day progresses. “I would definitely not want to keep many of these changes, especially the mandatory masks,” he said. Cohen is also unhappy with the lack of ability to hear teachers and classmates in the classroom, though he understands the reason behind it is necessary. Junior Ronnie Mizrachi agrees: “Teachers often struggle to give over certain critical points in their lessons because of the lack of engagement from their students. … They struggle to maintain a normal conversation due to masks and plexiglass providing sound and interaction barriers among everyone in
continued on page 4
ASL graduates to full elective Vivian Cohen School News Editor
The extensive list of electives offered to juniors and seniors has adopted yet another option this year: American Sign Language (ASL). This course was previously taught as a Tsei U’lemad once a week during lunch, but increased interest in the class led the administration to ask ASL teacher Ms. Francine Steinhaus to develop the curriculum into a full-scale elective course four days a week. Steinhaus was originally recommended to teach the Tsei U’lemad by Dr. Joyce Fruchter, a former science department chair at Flatbush, after Ms. Steinhaus was recognized for her expe-
In This Issue People: Page 2 D’var Torah: Page 4 Fun and Games: Page 6
rience teaching in various schools such as Shulamith high school and Fordham University. Tsei U’lemad coordinator Mr. Katz agreed to implement the idea, which became popular among students. The idea of communicating with deaf people happens to be of interest to many students, which made ASL a perfect elective opportunity. Electives coordinator Ms. Bacon said she is “always looking for potential electives to offer students so that they can choose from a variety of courses to pursue their interests and passions,” and readily worked on transforming the Tsei U’lemad into a full course. ASL is not an ordinary class; it doesn’t
continued on page 4
Entertainment: Are movie theaters dead? Page 5
With the start of Yeshivah of Flatbush’s new year in very new circumstances, the adage “Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh LaZeh” (“All of Israel Are Responsible for One Another”) has been invoked frequently. While necessary protocols have been instituted and enforced to prevent the rampant Covid-19 from closing the building’s doors, some Yeshivah of Flatbush students engage in a disregard of basic of social distancing and other safety practices after school hours—behavior that has already caused an uptick in mandatory quarantines and was a major factor in Thursday’s switch to full distance learning for seniors. In school, almost all students have been following the Yeshivah’s protocols, but once they exit the building some change their behavior, visiting each other indoors without masks, attending large gatherings, and engaging in various other behaviors widely acknowledged to allow for easy spread of the virus. Although the administration has little say in student behavior outside of school, students’ actions outside of school have already affected the ability of a growing number of them to attend classes in person. Outbreaks have already caused several yeshivot throughout New York to switch to online-onlu learning, and Flatbush has instructed the senior grade to remain home this week due to a multitude of quarantined students. A full shutdown may be the Yeshivah’s fate if the severity of the matter is understood only as being “school rules.” The student body itself is split in their view of the numerous students disobeying these protocols and not following social distancing. Some students side with the argument of senior Ralph Betesh, who missed the first two weeks of in-person learning due to being exposed to the virus: Betesh believes in the school’s protocols and says if students comply with them they can make it through the year without a shutdown. “As long as everyone is safe and socially responsible I don’t mind doing my part and staying home; however, many students aren’t contributing to the cause and they need to be aware of the possible consequences of ignoring the virus.”
Fashion: Mask up in style Page 7
Betesh is recounting the recent exposure to coronavirus that affected a substantial amount of Flatbush juniors who gathered in close proximity and are now stuck home awaiting the result of Covid tests and enduring the ramifications of their exposure. Few students are committing the more egregious offense of knowingly attending school after exposure to people with the virus, but those few have the potential to ruin privileges for others. Freshman Rachel Askenazie agrees with Betesh and is worried for a possible abrupt end to her freshman year because of these actions by other students: “Due to Covid I have already lost so many aspects to my freshman year and I don’t want to lose anything else because my peers aren’t being socially responsible outside of school.” On top of these events many students have been taking their at-home learning to the inside of their friends’ houses, a practice known as “Zoom parties.” According to the administration, this defeats the whole purpose of learning at home, which was supposed to limit the interaction between students. A recent e-mail sent out to students and parents explained that “only one student should use a device to Zoom at a time. It is inappropriate and against the point of protecting everyone’s health to have two or more people using the same device to Zoom into a class.” Overall, school officials have been very impressed with the students so far, and report that that the majority of the student body has shown nothing but respect for the protocols. According to Rabbi Beyda, even the high number of students in quarantine demonstrates the students’ regard for the protocols. “I think we are seeing people being honest and accountable for themselves and I suspect that seeing all these people in quarantine will make students even more careful,” he said. Rabbi Galpert seconded these sentiments and is proud of the student body in its efforts so far. He believes that mistakes are part of the learning curve for students and it will take time to acclimate to this new norm. With time, students will come to comprehend and internalize the consequences of their actions, he insisted.
Sports: Are HS sports coming back? Page 8 phoenix@flatbush.org | 1
Faculty Freshman: Ms. Kleinbart
By Nicole Muravsky Junior Editor
As part of the roadmap to prioritizing the health and safety of Flatbush’s staff and students in response to COVID-19, the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School recruited Ms. Fayge Kleinbart to fill a position that was vacant for over seven years: the school nurse. Being equipped with a nurse on campus has become essential, and Ms. Kleinbart says she is prepared to take on the responsibility. “I hope I can be a resource and help all of the students and staff in any way I can,” she said. Over the last 20 years, Ms. Klein-
Flatbush Family: The Salamas
By Etty Jajati World News Editor
bart gained valuable experience assisting those in need by working at various care facilities, including the Bensonhurst Council of Jewish Organizations, an organization called BINA involving victims of brain injuries, and the NYC HHC Coney Island Hospital. When the opportunity to work at Flatbush arose, Ms. Kleinbart “took it as a sign that Hashem wanted me to move back to working with the Jewish Community and use my knowledge and skills for the betterment of Klal Yisroel.” Moreover, Ms. Kleinbart looked forward to the change from different medical facilities to a school, as she “always liked the school environment.” Her duties of staying thoroughly informed of the CDC guidelines and school protocols contribute to the careful treatment of health concerns and to the overall safety of the school. In addition to being a nurse, Mrs. Kleinbart enjoys learning Torah. For over 15 years she has met with a group of women on Shabbat to learn parasha, navi, and other religious topics. She is also passionate about reading, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family, which is now supplemented by her Flatbush family.
Left to right: Rachel, Sarah, Barbara
By Jenna Ashkenazie Junior Editor
When the new freshmen class arrived at Flatbush at the start of the school year, twin sisters Rachel and Sara Salama were recognized as well-equipped to take on high school. Their senior sister, Barbara, has made quite an impression during her years at Flatbush for being a star in the classroom and on the dance team as well as the soccer field. In fact, this year she was named captain of both teams, and was also selected to participate in Witness Theater. Rachel is following in Barbara’s footsteps, wasting no time joining areas of interest this year, particularly soccer and choir. Coming to a new school is incredibly daunting for anyone, and luckily the twins have Barbara to help them out. She gave them plenty of advice, specifically to take Rabbi Harari’s 8-2 Gemara class and generally to be open to trying new things. Barbara firmly believes that Flatbush has many opportunities to seize and her sisters should take advantage of them while they can.
Do you prefer in-person classes in the morning or afternoon? Student Poll 191 total responses
Afternoon: 113 (59.2%)
Morning: 78 (40.8%)
For the first time since they started schooling, the twins were separated into different classes, though they’re both in honors. They enjoyed being in the same class; it was convenient that if one of them ever forgot a book, she could just go to the other for what was needed. Even though being put in different classes came as a disappointment, there is a silver lining; honors classes have most Hebrew subjects together, and the twins have the same group of friends, so they aren’t embarking on their journeys totally apart from each other. With this circumstance, Sara and Rachel have room to grow as individuals. Although they’re twins, they don’t look very much alike, but that doesn’t stop them from being compared to one another. Many teachers also recognize them as Barbara’s sisters, which they don’t mind too much because teachers adore Barbara. With all that Barbara has accomplished from her freshmen year until now, and everything her sisters will accomplish during their four years here, it is safe to say that the Salama family will be leaving their mark on the school.
Eight years later, Mosseri is Still Here Junior Editor
In high school, Sonia Mosseri was known as a gifted student both academically and artistically. Today she is putting her many talents together as the creator of up-and-coming denim label Still Here. Mosseri, a graduate from the class of 2012 whose last name was Beyda at that time, participated in a variety of extracurricular activities at Flatbush including Studio Art, Soccer, and Creative Writing. She always tried to utilize Flatbush’s seemingly endless creative outlets whenever possible and, like most students, she enjoyed the atmosphere in the halls at school.
“I really loved the level of intellect my teachers and peers interacted on. The deep and challenging discussions added so much meaning to my education. The emphasis on academia and career goals was also a great aspect of high school for me. I think it gave me direction in a time that is often confusing for young adults,” Mosseri said. Flatbush had an important impact on Mosseri’s life because of the dedication required to succeed here. “Flatbush definitely gave me the tools to approach my future with a sense of seriousness and integrity. It taught me to have a work ethic, which is the most important thing you can have walking into any career field. I cannot emphasize this enough,” she said.
The Phoenix Staff Editor-in-Chief: Kaden Harari Managing Editor: Adelle Ayash Senior Editors: Michael Oved, Shelley Shamah School News Editors: Vivian Cohen, Joanie Dweck Religion Editor: Jennifer Salzman World News Editor: Etty Jajati Entertainment Editors: Renee Cohen, Betty Hidary Food Editor: Evelyn Tawil
2 | phoenix@flatbush.org
Mosseri, who also attended Brooklyn College, admits that she made her share of mistakes in high school “I regret taking every little thing with so much weight. I think it’s important to take high school seriously, but it’s also equally important to enjoy the time there, make friends and memories, and understand that sometimes life happens and it’s all going to be OK. Your future is not written in stone, and certainly not dictated by what you do in high school. I have a lot of friends who were not necessarily the best students, but they run really successful companies now and are constantly reading and learning from the outlets and people around them,” she claimed. Mosseri’s advice for current students
Fashion Editors: Sarah Benun, Lillian Louz Fun & Games Editor: Natalie Ryba Sports Editors: Joey Alhadeff, Terri Elmann Junior Editors: Jenna Ashkenazie, Daniel Beyda, Elie Esses, Nicole Muravsky, Jennifer Neuman, Jack Saad Sophomore Editors: Simone Amkraut, Ralph Askenazi Design: Carolina Cohen Faculty Adviser: Adam Hofstetter
Whether it’s for being exposed to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, displaying symptoms, or testing positive themselves, there are a multitude of students currently quarantining at home and attending all classes virtually. This growing group is clearly in for a completely different learning experience compared to those who are learning in person. While numbers of quarantined students continue to fluctuate daily, safety measures are proving to be effective, as the rest of the student body continues to have the green light to take their real seats for half of every day. For quarantining students, there are clear benefits to having Zoom as a tool to be somewhat involved when their classmates are in the classroom—the alternative would be remaining at home, cut off from class communication. In the past, when students missed school they had to take it upon themselves to catch up on material they missed in their absence. If instructed to quarantine, those students are now able to actively stay on top of their workload and take an active part in lessons. They also have more time to do assignments, and a slightly later start time to their day. As is the case with most quarantining students, Max Shalom and Vivian Cohen both tested negative but were kept home as a precaution after contact with an individual who had tested positive (as per the CDC). Cohen recognizes the advantage that hybrid learning presents to those quarantining; “I’ve never realized how helpful having Zoom school is. For the people that are at home, it really makes it for them because you are able
to be just like everyone else for half the day.” Nevertheless, Shalom reports that “it’s harder to learn on Zoom and it’s less fun because you aren’t connected socially to your classmates.” Cohen relates to this issue and adds, “In no way shape or form do I feel connected to the students or the class as a whole. I don’t even feel like I’m in a class; it’s just me and the teacher.” Cohen was understandably looking forward to returning to the building after learning solely on Zoom for the first two weeks of school. “I’m excited to see what it’s like, even if it’s with masks and barriers. There’s nothing like school, being in the building, and being with everyone.” Seniors Rachel Sanders and Ronnie Novick are currently experiencing not only the barrier of being limited to a screen, but also extra physical distance and time zone challenges as they are currently residing in Israel and attending classes virtually. Because of the time difference, the two attend classes from approximately 3:30 PM until 11:00 PM Israel time, leaving their school work for the early hours of the day rather than the evenings. The virtual learning experience allows the two to “be present” alongside the rest of the class, but not without its drawbacks. “In classes it’s hard to participate or answer questions unless the teacher goes out of their way to include those on screen; it’s more of a lecture than a class discussion,” Sanders explained. “All in all, though, most of my teachers have been very understanding and very cooperative with this.” Though the situation is difficult, students and teachers have been working hand-in-hand to accommodate the extenuating circumstances that are not in their control.
What exactly is Rabbi Galpert’s job?
Alumna Interview: Sonia Mosseri (HS ’12) By Daniel Beyda
Quarantined students grappling Arts given department status with virtual participation By Joanie Dweck
By Shelley Shamah Senior Editor
is to go with the flow and be willing to try new things. “I think it’s important to take these four years with a grain of salt and not be so hard on yourself. Try to pick up as many skills and positive traits as possible, but your future is not written in stone. It can come out of nowhere, completely unplanned.”
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
It’s 10:36 AM on a Tuesday. A sophomore boy rushes into the main office. “Where’s Rabbi Galpert? The garbage can spilled all over my classroom.” Rabbi Galpert is in the middle of a discussion with Rabbi Besser about the fate of Chesed Mission. In the meantime, he gets a notice that a group of seniors skipped yet another Friday in school, and as grade advisor, he has to handle it, but first he has to teach his junior boys Tanakh class next period. But his attention is drawn to the office phone ringing. It’s a board member calling to ask about the renovation of the old building, which Rabbi Galpert is overseeing. As he assures the sophomore that maintenance will be up soon to clean the classroom, he notices a Post-It on his desk: a reminder to ask a student to make a flyer advertising Tuesday Night Learning. And this is just a typical slice of a Tuesday morning. Rabbi Galpert actually has, and has always had, a specific job title, but it seems to almost everyone that he simply does everything, and more. “I know he does a lot of stuff, but I
Rabbi Galpert cleans up
don’t know what he does,” says junior Rena Angel. “Galpert just does anything and everything that needs to be done in the school,” sophomore Solomon Terzi said. “He just makes up his own job, there’s no one title to suit him.” But in fact, there is. After graduating YoF in 2009, Rabbi Galpert studied in Israel at Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi for a year and then went to NYU for undergrad and graduate degrees, but he started working part time in YoF as early as 2010, right after he graduated. “When I was in Flatbush, Galpert was a senior, and I remember he ran the school even then,” Ms. Caroll Dweck says. He started out as Attendance Coordinator. As many students know, Rabbi Galpert used to be the first one to be notified whenever there was an attendance
School News Editor
The Yeshivah has had a robust arts program for decades, but this year the high school has put them all together into an official academic department. This decision has been a long time in the making. Before this, there were “great faculty members who have worked and participated in an informal arts department,” according to Rabbi Galpert, “but we have not had a chair or director of the department.” There were no meetings, budgets, discussions, or any formal declaration of a department for the arts. That all changed with the hiring of Ms. Sally Shatzkes as chair of the newly formalized department. Ms. Shatzkes has been the school’s director for the Hebrew play and Witness Theater for many years. She said, “As the importance of the arts within a STEAM [science, technology, engineering, arts, and math] education has come to the forefront and schools across the board have been expanding their programs, YOF realized that they needed someone to take a look at what we have and then expand it in a way that takes advantage of the amazing talent and passion of our arts staff.” There is an ever-growing list of classes and programs that fall into this department such as art, graphic design, music theory, Choir, Traveling Troupe, Dance Team, and Hebrew Play, to name a few. Arts-focused electives such as AP Phoissue, and would greet students (and still does) at the door every morning. But in addition, he also took on the school’s social media accounts. Whether you follow @yofhs on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, the man behind the posts for the last 10 years has been Rabbi Galpert. But Rabbi Galpert has had another job under his belt for the last 10 years, and its description gets longer each year: Student Life Coordinator. At first it was just for seniors. He worked especially closely with the Senior Council to create activities that focused on leadership and Judaism. Rabbi Galpert said he is always drawn back to the senior grade because he “would like to help them build memories for the rest of their lives” and he believes he can help “steer seniors onto their career, college, and future plans.” But he is also involved in Freshman Open House, teaches Tanakh, coordinates and chaperones Seminar and Chesed Mission, coordinates learning programs and classes, and is in his second year as grade advisor for senior boys. And in case that wasn’t enough, he’s the faculty advisor of the AV Squad, too. Any program the school has, you can be sure Rabbi Galpert is involved. “He’s honestly just the pulse of the school. I feel like it wouldn’t run without him because he’s involved in anything and everything,” says senior David Aini. But perhaps the broadest of titles, the one that is constantly under scrutiny, is Assistant Administrator. It seems to many students that Rabbi Galpert has been in the administration for years. “I feel like he does everything a principal does,” says Angel. But there’s more. “The title Assistant Administrator actually covers many areas of the school,” Rabbi Galpert said. “I manage a lot of building operations.” He communicated with contractors, architects, and oversaw
tography and Ms. Kaplowitz’s film class are part of the new department as well. The Arts department also hired a new faculty member, Ms. Mia Erdos. Ms. Erdos is taking over for two of Mr. Novestsky’s freshman art classes and Ms. Kassin’s product design elective. The goal of this department, as described by Ms. Shatzkes, is to bring a “myriad of courses and choices for ALL our students, beginning in freshman year, with opportunities that are scaffolded and continuous so that skills can be taught and then used.” Students who are involved in the arts shared their excitement for the establishment of this department. “I am very happy about the arts being a new department,” shared junior Shira Simchon. “I think it’s very important to implement the arts.” Those interested in drama or dance particularly hope to benefit from this new department and would like for more value to be placed on these areas. Junior Rena Angel believes that the school “should add another musical in the spring, and they should offer programs for student directors and playwrights.” With the new department, there is room for these changes to occur. As Ms. Shatzkes said, “In theater, the general rule is that you never say ‘No.’ And you don’t say ‘Yes, but …’ Because this shuts people down and stunts creativity. You always say ‘Yes! And …’ My hope is to take all the ideas and creativity of our department and to be able to exclaim ‘Yes! And…’” the complete construction of the new building. He also coordinates the maintenance staff and school security to ensure the safety of all students and staff. “Right now a lot is focused on the renovation of the old building,” he said. And still, there’s more. As Assistant Administrator, Rabbi Galpert organizes and arranges finals. Finals time is mayhem for everyone, and students and teachers alike turn to Galpert with every conflict. It’s no wonder everyone awaits the “MAKE THE SWITCHES” e-mail from Rabbi Galpert himself. “I also used to deal with SATs and APs, but I don’t do that anymore.” And what would school be if Rabbi Galpert didn’t hear about a scheduling conflict numerous times a day? He plans student and teacher schedules and programs for the whole year along with Ms. Khalili and Grace Minyan, and he coordinates use of all rooms in the building, whether for classes, meetings, assemblies, or other programs. It may sound like a lot, but Rabbi Galpert relishes his job: “My passion is Jewish education and helping people reach their fullest potential, so they can help and inspire other people to reach their fullest potential.” He said he has wanted to work in Jewish education since he was young, but what he loves most about his job is the fact that it’s not just one job. “It’s so varied! Dealing with the building, scheduling, teaching, they’re all different” he said. But he conceded that it does indeed get challenging “managing all of the different balls in the air.” In fact, it might be easier to ask what he doesn’t do. “I don’t open the safe. I’m just not good at it,” he laughed. He’s also not involved in anything IT, library, or college guidance related. But basically anything else falls into his court.
phoenix@flatbush.org | 3
Entertainment
College newspapers leading coronavirus news coverage D’var Torah: By Sabrina Zami Contributing Writer
University newspapers have consistently been keeping the public informed since the outbreak of the Covid-19. Particularly over the past month as college campuses have emerged as a common source of new outbreaks as coronavirus numbers spike across the United States, college papers continue to be the first to educate the public about the most recent developments of the pandemic, as well as openly speak out against what they see as careless administration policies. These developments have brought many new readers to college newspapers as a source of accurate and timely information, especially while many professional newspapers battle with—and sometimes lose to—economic troubles. Washington Square News of NYU was the first to report a quarantine at NYU’s Rubin Residence Hall, while Alligator newspaper of the University of Florida has been consistently updating their map of local Covid-19 cases. Other university newspapers are similarly stepping up to supplement local newspaper coverage, and these student newspapers
are not at all shy in condemning controversial and possibly unsafe guidelines on their campuses. The Daily Tar Heel of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill rebuked their administrators for not foreseeing and working harder to prevent a Covid outbreak on campus. Furthermore, an editorial in The Daily Orange of Syracuse University stated, “What little faith the SU community had in the administration’s ability to keep us safe … is gone,” after an on-campus party held just steps from the Department of Public Safety headquarters. Readers are certainly responding to the newspapers’ approach at the administrators’ handling of the situation. There has been a recent sharp spike in readership at many campuses, with some papers reaching record-setting numbers. For example, CU Independent and The Campus of the University of Colorado at Boulder have seen 70%–400% more site traffic than before the pandemic. The public is recognizing these universities as increasingly reliable and timely sources of information, with the most up-to-date stories, and readership has expanded far beyond the usual confines of students and alumni.
Students adapt to changed classroom life continued from page 1
the room.” Solutions to the hearing issue has created new problems; some teachers have been wearing two microphone headsets—one to amplify their voices in the classroom, and the other to connect to the quarantining Zoom students. Another issue is with the permanent seating chart for each class. “I sit in the same seat for five periods straight, so after a while I begin to get annoyed from looking at the same scenery and sitting in the same position,” said one exasperated junior girl. “It gets very irritating while learning, especially since I don’t have the best seat.” Other changes are seen as welcome improvements by some. Sophomore Ezra Habert loves the addition of the QR codes. Before the pandemic, he wasn’t in favor of the fingerprint system, as it always took multiple tries and was unsanitary, but now it is very simple to get a code and scan in without touching anything. In addition, many students enjoy the opportunity for outdoor classes. Besides these more major adjustments, some students like senior Leo Rahmey “especially appreciate the free waters provided at door-to-door classroom breakfast.” Rahmey added that he even likes to “stack five in my bag every morning.” Consequences for not following safety protocols have gotten mixed reactions. Some students appreciate the school’s commitment to keeping everyone safe, but others think the enforce-
4 | phoenix@flatbush.org
ment is too harsh. Purple cards have been implemented to enforce the policy that masks must be worn appropriately at all times; senior Joe L. Gindi was issued a purple card and was sent home after not wearing his mask. He sees this as harsh and unreasonable, as “we are asked to keep these masks on for hours upon end and when I removed mine in order to breathe I was sent home.” Regarding designated up and down staircases, most students are either ignorant of the signs or choose to disregard them out of convenience. “Whichever staircase is closer is the one we will use,” senior Virginia Oved said. Members of the faculty have struggled with some of the changes as well. In addition to the various microphone difficulties, some teachers have found it difficult to stay behind the large plexiglass partition while they teach. Junior Jacob Lazerowitz said, “I find it very concerning how nonchalant some of the teachers have acted in class. Barely any of them shield themselves from students using the big plexiglass board.” There is also a general feeling among most students that, although these changes may be necessary, they affect the atmosphere at school. Junior Ronnie Mizrachi is mostly disappointed by the lack of the usual caliber of rigor and classroom environment. “I feel unsatisfied. I hope normalcy is achieved in the near future to provide the spark to Flatbush education that has been dimmed by our current circumstances. It’s un-
The collective whole
Distance-friendly activities Show must go on—but how?
By Jeniffer Salzman
By Renee Cohen
Religion Editor
Sukkot is often referred to as Z’man Simchateinu, “The Time of Our Joy.” But this name seemingly presents a paradox: how can we focus on happiness when we’re leaving our comfortable homes to sit outside in a hut exposed to rain or wind? Aren’t we forced to relinquish our joy in order to concentrate on keeping warm, on chasing bugs away from our plates? The lesson here is that true happiness, the fundamental happiness of Sukkot, isn’t found in physical objects or possessions, but instead, in the success of our relationships, whether that is our relationship with other people, ourselves, or with Hashem. A major symbol of Sukkot is the Four Species: etrog, lulav (date palm), hadasim (myrtle), and aravot (willow). The Midrash says that these four species represent four different types of Jews. The etrog, which has an appealing taste and a pleasant smell, represents a person who learns Torah and acts with proper middot and good deeds. The lulav, which is edible and has no smell, represents a person who
learns Torah but doesn’t perform good deeds. The hadasim, which have a good smell but are inedible, represent a person who performs good deeds but does not learn Torah. And the aravot, which are without taste or smell represent a person lacking Torah learning and good deeds. Despite their differences, these species are brought together on Sukkot to fulfill the mitzvah of the Four Species. Otherwise, the mitzvah is not considered fulfilled. Just like these varying species, in life there exist varying types of people within families, communities, and the world. We must realize that our families, the Jewish people, and all of humanity are an indivisible unit; despite our differences, and perhaps even because of them, there is a dependency running between individuals. We can learn and grow from each other by uniting, working together, and sharing our strengths. Happiness comes from embracing our differences to create successful and healthy relationships. This Sukkot, focus on your relationships and spend time gaining from other people, even—or especially—if they are different from you.
ASL graduates to full elective course continued from page 1
contain much verbal communication, as Ms. Steinhaus herself is deaf. Instead, they communicate with one another through signing “question” or “understand” after they’ve learned a new concept, Steinhaus mumbling words or writing on the board, and Steinhaus reading the students’ lips. They even have masks with clear plastic to make lip-reading possible. Students say this learning environment is the opposite of a hindrance, because learning ASL with a deaf teacher promotes the very purpose of the course and motivates students to acquire a passion for learning. Above all, it is inspiring, as ASL student Batya Khadideh explained. “It’s so beautiful how the teacher uses ASL in her day to day life,” Khadideh said. In fact, Ms. Steinhaus’s teaching in Flatbush is deemed so priceless that in order to ensure her comfort as part of the Flatbush family, the school hired a sign language interpreter for faculty meetings or other events that she attends. fortunate how inhibiting the new learning formats have been for students and teachers to engage in what used to be a common and healthy environment.” Rabbi Galpert suggested that even after many of these changes are phased out, they could come back into effect from time to time to prevent the spread of other viruses, like the flu. For this rea-
To Ms. Steinhaus, there’s no joy as great as “watching the students sign without assistance.” Her personal goal in teaching is to “open the eyes of students and to understand better about ASL and deaf culture.” She also hopes that the skill of comprehension and reception from signing can be integrated into other elements of their lives. Both the teacher and students’ passion for expressing and learning this unique language create a special atmosphere, they say. “It feels special and you see how everything is possible. How even though we don’t use the basic method of communication we’re able to speak to each other and have conversations,” exclaimed one student. Although several more students initially signed up for the elective, currently the class contains only three students. Ms. Bacon hopes to continue the course in future years, but will reevaluate depending on how many students decide to enroll.
son among others, the school plans on keeping the new nurse on staff for future years. The use of Zoom on days when classes are unable to meet may stick as well. Brace yourself— we may have seen the last of traditional “snow days.”
Entertainment Editor
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, some may view it as impossible to find engaging activities for a wide range of ages while keeping safe and social distancing. With this activity-packed list, you’ll now be able to skip the headaches that come with online scrolling and searching! 1. Horseback Riding: Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather by enjoying a horseback riding trail with friends or family. This activity is perfect for all ages who are up for an adventure through the woods. If you happen to find yourself near Colts Neck, New Jersey, ride down to Victory Stables for an excellent experience, with even better service. Another option is Kensington Stables of Park Slope. 2. Axe Throwing: Looking for something different and exciting to try? Kick Axe Throwing of Brooklyn is the place for you. Here, you’ll learn the fundamentals before competing with your group to see who’s the most powerful thrower and who has the best aim. 3. Central Park: There are many different ways to have an enjoyable day at Central Park. Whether that means taking a bike ride, having a picnic, playing some ball, or just enjoying the scenery, Central Park holds potential for all ages and types of people. 4. Scavenger Hunt: New York City is filled with fascinating and fun places to visit. Why not visit them with your friends and family along the journey to complete the ultimate scavenger hunt
created uniquely for your group? POGO Events can set you up with pre-designed hunts or customize one just for you. 5. Trapeze: Learn how to fly at Trapeze School New York- Pier 40. Overlooking New York City, you’ll be able to jump, fly, and land on a net safely, all while soaring through the sky! 6. Pizza Party: No need for a pizza store outing anymore; now it’s possible to turn this hassle into an activity brought to your own backyard! Create a customized menu for your group, sit back, and enjoy bonding over fresh, brick-oven pizza in the comfort of your own home. Direct message @aquaegrano on Instagram to book a night (certified by Rabbi David Chaoi). 7. Six Flags Great Adventure: If you’re a thrill seeker looking to ride high and fast on the most epic rides near you, make your way to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. Get there soon, though, as the park closes January 1 (weather permitting). 8. Movie Night: Host a movie night in your backyard with your closest friends and family. You can rent a screen from a number of places, or simply project the movie of your choice on a flat wall or fence. Bring your own beach chair, get cozy with blankets, and serve individual popcorn boxes for a safe, enjoyable night. 9. Time Capsule: What better way to document your year than with a time capsule? Include coronavirus-related activities, socially distanced pictures, and other once-in-a-lifetime (we hope) memories to reflect upon in the years to come.
Why movie theaters may become obsolete By Ralph Askenazi Sophomore Editor
Across the country, many movie theaters remain closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, and those that have opened are operating at a fraction of normal capacity. Not only will this affect them in the short term, but it may also have long-lasting impacts. While smaller movie theaters with their limited budgets have been hit especially hard financially, this also applies to larger movie theaters and national chains, thanks to increased cleaning staff and a smaller seating limit. Meanwhile, the release of many movies were delayed due to production or distribution issues as a result of Covid, so when the theaters reopened, they started playing older movies. All of these factors have contributed to low turnout. With all the restrictions and health scares, many people didn’t find it worthy to go the movie theaters to see something they had already seen. There are also bigger movie studios
releasing new movies on streaming services or pay-per-view channels instead of theaters, or shortening the theatrical window (the time in which movies are played solely in theaters before being released on demand). One such example is Disney’s Mulan remake, which debuted on Disney+ instead of airing in theaters. A second example would be AMC lowering Universal’s theatrical window from 90 days to 17. This means that within less than three weeks after hitting theaters, many major movies will already be available for video rental online. This isn’t the first time that something like this has happened. The Spanish flu pandemic starting in the fall of 1918 led to similar bans and business closings. One of the many things that closed were theaters, which used strategies to stay afloat similar to what we are seeing today: they followed the guidelines of the time, and tried to reopen as soon as possible. When movie theaters came back after the Spanish flu, the offerings changed. Before, movies were more experimental
School performances being revamped By Elie Esses Junior Editor
“The arts are about human connection, human expression, and creating spaces where people can collaborate. That’s the antithesis of the pandemic!” That’s how Arts Director Ms. Sally Shatzkes described this year’s unprecedented challenges that she and the entire performing arts team are working to overcome. Just as it has in all other areas of life, the novel coronavirus is radically transforming how the arts are being planned and performed in our school. For example, the yearly December Hebrew play will not present a single story; rather it will be in conjunction with the choir and take the form of an awards show with seven different segments from various Broadway musicals. Since a live performance is close to impossible considering the circumstances, a “digital play” will be created. The logistics behind the scenes of this virtual play are more complicated. Each performer will receive personalized audio files with their singing parts that they must thoroughly learn. They then schedule a time with Mr. Weinstein, the choir director, to record their respective singing parts. With the help of Victor Dweck (of Vids By Vic fame) and sound editors, the singing will be aligned with prerecorded acting videos that will be arranged together. While some scenes are only duets, some consist of more than 50 performers in the scene at the same time, like “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray. There has been only one full-cast practice, which convened in the auditorium with everybody in masks and appropriately distanced from one another. Speaking from her own experience as a performer, senior Jeanne Schrem points out, “On stage, you’re encouraged by the people surrounding you and are performing purely in the moment. Without that it might be a little less fun, but this way we can try and try again until we get it just right. It’s hard work. We have
the technology and capability to make the product the best it can be.” Witness Theater, a cornerstone of our school’s performing arts, faces its own challenges. Because the older Holocaust survivors are at a higher health risk, they will have no in-person contact with the students; all interactions have been moved to Zoom. To simplify the Zoom experience for the survivors, the students were instructed to sit in front of a clean, white background, remain unmuted, hold up a vibrantly colored object when speaking, and leave the meeting one by one according to a preset order. Despite its potential inconvenience, being on Zoom has its perks: this year allows survivors who normally travel to Florida for the winter to participate in the program. While optimistic, Ms. Shatzkes certainly has her concerns. When working with the survivors, human connection and touch is imperative; comfort, reassurance, and trust are more easily built through in-person meetings. However, Witness Theater participant David Hidary explains that “at first we [student participants] were nervous that an online environment wouldn’t allow us to develop genuine connections, but I’m much more optimistic after the first session. The survivors were active and talkative and it didn’t seem like Zoom was too much of a barrier.” Unfortunately, the students might also lose out on the “best aspect of being in a play”: normally, over a year of frequent rehearsals and meetings, the cast grows into a family with the privilege of embodying their learned knowledge and sharing it to hundreds. Ms. Shatzkes doesn’t know yet how the conclusory event will happen, but this she cannot foresee even in regular years, and she is confident that no matter what happens, it will turn out spectacular. Hidary expressed a similar sentiment; “I believe that this Witness Theater can be equally, if not more meaningful as those in the past.”
This year’s Hebrew play will not look much like last year’s
and diverse, but after, they became more similar to each other as studios and theaters could no longer afford to take risks. Movies also survived the age when television started to become commonplace and through the era of streaming by offering a different user experience than at-home viewing, including bigger
screens, better sound, and earlier access to new movies. Already struggling to remain relevant in the digital age, movie theaters may never fully recover from the damage they have suffered this year. Like any species, they must adapt if they hope to survive.
phoenix@flatbush.org | 5
Fun & Games Ask Merle
Dear Merle, I’m wearing masks all day and now I’m getting tons and tons of pimples. My face is breaking out, and I’ve been doing everything to keep it contained but it keeps going! What do I do? Sincerely, Broken Out Dear Broken Out, Maskne is real! Trapping those germs, bacteria, and oil on our skin all day is bound to be unwelcome to our complexion. However, we must not see the negative as an incentive to disregard masks because they do protect lives and keep our school open and running. That
being said, there are a few ways to make sure that maskne disappears. Always start your days with clean skin. Wash your face to break that layer of natural oils. Face wash is always best, but in a pinch use very little hypoallergenic bar soap. If you plan on buying a face wash, look for products with salicylic acid because it clears pores and combats the dirt and oil that have set in. Wipe it. Wiping with a toner, or witch hazel, will get rid of surface bacteria and soothe inflamed and sensitive skin. Repeat this twice a day. Go makeup-free while wearing your mask. Girls, while you may have the urge to apply a little foundation or concealer, it is completely unnecessary, since the world can see only a quarter of your face. Makeup will only worsen the maskne. Besides, beauty on the inside is what counts. (But mascara is totally fine.) Drink up. Wearing a mask makes us more likely to ignore the necessity of
By Natalie Ryba
Fun & Games Editor
GLASS HALF FULL
• Last year I was so happy to find out that math wasn’t a requirement for seniors that I didn’t acknowledge the fact that the department basically banned me … and rightfully so, I’ve failed like two finals. • Someone needs to stop me from purchasing a vest from Martha Stewart’s new collection on QVC. • This entire summer, I had to watch my mother at war with a squirrel that likes my porch and doesn’t back down when you step loudly. We spent a lot of time carrying cushions inside the house and out because my mother claimed he’d know how to take revenge on us if he wanted to. • I think I’m a genius. So the night before Tisha B’Av, I stayed up till 5am finishing Coitus and The City just to be deeply disappointed—has Carrie learned nothing? I also woke up two hours later and had to babysit. Not my best plan. • Being in quarantine got me slightly addicted to naps, and social situations drained me the most. I have fallen asleep on many Shabbatot whilst my friends were present.
GLASS HALF EMPTY
• I’m growing up now and it may be time to stop cracking jokes in serious environments, and I want a new line that I can say to really help me contribute to conversations. I was thinking: “In this economy?” • August 5th, CUNY announced that they’ve become temporarily test-optional and when I found out, I evil-laughed. A proper evil laugh. It was thoroughly cathartic, and I do recommend it. • It’s quite endearing to get threatening letters from people who need you to meet your deadlines; it shows that they value your work. • It is autumn, which means it should be socially acceptable to quote autumn-themed poetry. • I was sad that I’m not babysitting the Jersey children in my life till next summer, so now we Zoom and I read
6 | phoenix@flatbush.org
them stories I find on the internet!
THINGS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEK MOVIES AND TV SHOWS Russel Howard: Recalibrate St. Elmo’s Fire The Misadventures of Romesh Young Sheldon The Crown The Last Czars James Acaster: Repetoire MUSIC “My Generation” by The Who “Revolution” by The Beatles “Melt My Heart To Stone” by Adele “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” by Bob Dylan “Happy” by The Rolling Stones “Taller” by Jamie Cullum
THAT’S SHOW BIZ BABY
• Just this summer I learned that what I thought was Italian for “sorry” was really “toothpaste” and I went to Rome two years ago; so to the locals, me shuffling through a crowd sounded like, “Excuse me, toothpaste, thank you, toothpaste, toothpaste” in my charming American accent. That was my shot at being “worldly.” • I like a certain yogurt because it’s virtually lactose free. That is my breakfast but if you’re anything like me, you don’t like that little bit of water on the top. One day I was babysitting at the park and I opened my yogurt and tried to pour that bit of water out and then the whole contents of the container just plopped on a bird right next to the waste bin. Then the toddler I was with said, “Hey, that birdie took your yogurt! Mean birdie!” • I’m a senior now, I guess. Up until a couple of days ago I thought that seniors went through a secret puberty, where they’d wake up with the bravado that kinda scares the principles and a perpetual iced coffee in your hand. But I’m still as unsure of myself as ever, and in fact, coffee-less. Follow me on Instagram @thenatabreeze
proper hydration; that is why we have to be mindful of drinking the eight glasses a day our bodies need to operate efficiently and flush out the toxins that contribute to maskne. Change your mask. Sometimes people forget to change their mask and it has the germs and bacteria from the day before. Changing or washing the mask are good ways to prevent maskne. Merle Merle, Since starting school, I have deadlines looming and workload accumulating, and I am beyond incapable of keeping myself organized. Now what? Shamefully, Queen of Procrastination. My Queen, Being that there hasn’t been a significant workload since early March last year, it is only natural that everyone is out of practice. But believe me when I say we are all more than capable of crossing off everything on our to-do lists. To-Do lists. They are a cliché for a reason. When things are overwhelming, find a clean, doodle-free piece of paper and jot
The Food Corner Searching for the perfect traditional and classic recipe to bake with for the Sukkot meals? This sweet ka’ak recipe tastes delicious and authentic, just like your grandma’s. Sweet ka’ak is a delicacy because of its superb crunch and unique flavor. It is a cross between a biscuit and a cookie, and is usually savory with a hint of sweetness. Sweet ka’ak is twisted into a rod-like shape, brushed with egg wash, sprinkled with a bit of sugar, and baked until perfectly crunchy. Give this recipe a go! It’s fairly easy to make and extremely impressive. Enjoy !
❤
Sweet Ka’ak Recipe: • 4 eggs • 1 ½ cups sugar • 2 tsp vanilla • ¾ cup oil • Optional: 2 Tbsp orange zest • 5 cups of flour • 3 tsp baking powder • Egg wash- one egg and 2 tsp of water • ⅓ cup of sugar (to sprinkle the cookies with) Directions: • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fashion down all of this week’s tasks and the days that they’re due. If you’re feeling wild, put personal things as well; anything from nail appointments, to shopping lists, and people you need to call and email. Allot the appropriate time for each task. I tend to give myself 30 minutes for a task that really needs a full hour and then I fall off schedule and perpetuate the procrastination. If I had originally given myself the full hour, I wouldn’t have the extra pressure that would distract from the attention necessary to complete the work. Completing the task properly is essential to developing a stronger work ethic (and colleges gobble that up), so get cracking, Your Highness. Take a load off. When you come home from school, you’ve got to take a break. A real break. Social media is a hole but Netflix is totally fine. Talk to someone, hang upside down, stare at a wall, play a game, make a collage, take a walk, eat some dinner, or brew some tea. The mind needs a break so it can increase productivity. And then get to it. Merle
By Evelyn Tawil Food Editor
• In a bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, vanilla, oil, and (optional) orange zest. • In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and baking powder. • Combine the wet and dry ingredients. • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes- 1 hour (because the dough is a little sticky, the longer it’s refrigerated the better) • Roll the dough into 4 inch strands (in length), and ½ inch thick. (The thinner the strands the better. When the dough bakes, it expands. Therefore, the skinnier the strand is pre-bake, the more pretty the cookies will look post-bake.) • Twist two strands together until it resembles the shape of a braided rod. • Brush each cookie with egg wash (1 egg mixed with 2 tsp water). • Sprinkle each cookie with sugar. • Bake on 350 F for 15 minutes, watching it carefully until golden brown in color- so it doesn’t burn, but it does toast.
Yellow Boy making big strides By Lillian Louz Fashio Editor
Students across the board have recently been buzzing about Yellow Boy Looks: a new, up-andcoming custom sneaker brand founded by Flatbush alumnus Bert Robinson (HS ’18). White Nike Air Force 1s, the sneakers that became all the rage last academic year, are just no longer satisfying—people crave color. Just three months ago, Robinson started dying, stitching, and painting Nike Air Force 1 sneakers for the public market. This novel idea was not first born with his brand; Robertson admits, “I had this idea for these shoes back in 2018 but with school and work, I never got around to pursuing it.” Throughout high school, he applied his creative eye to his own sneak-
ers by experimenting ways to “color on them, cut them, change them up a bit.” According to Robinson, the spark of converting personal inspiration to the execution of a fashion brand was the lack of obligations during quarantine; “Since COVID… I had too much time on my hands and got to work.” Every Yellow Boy Looks (YBL) sneaker is hand-made by Bert himself to perfectly fulfill the customer’s desires. Students feel a sense of originality while wearing sneakers suited specifically to their style—especially since these are trendy and “cool and flexy,” as senior Yvette Halfon described them. Senior David Cattan agrees: “The shoe turns something plain into something fun and different… it’s a colorful and outgoing shoe that really stands out.” Among many others, Cat-
tan feels confident representing himself through this fashion. Besides being specially crafted, every YBL shoe boasts the brand’s signature stitching around the ankle and the iconic logo painted in the corner. Even the man behind the sneakers themselves is represented through the brand; as explained by Robinson, “Yellow is my favorite color, I’m a boy, and it was all about my looks.” The logo found on every sneaker was designed using “a ‘B’ for my name and the eyes are for my looks—how you see things through my eyes, visions, and ideas.” Despite the brand’s young age, you can already spot these custom, colorful, spunky sneakers all throughout our school hallways and on the feet of teenagers all over Brooklyn. Robinson plans on growing Yellow Boy Looks through social media, collaborations, and potentially expanding out from just the sneaker industry.
The trendy side of the pandemic By Jennifer Neuman Junior Editor
Face masks have become just as much a fashion statement as they are a safety precaution. Back at the start of the pandemic, traditional surgical face masks were in high demand. Now that society has adapted to the necessity of masks, face masks come in all sorts of different variations and designs. Even basic surgical masks are being produced in different colors. Many clothing brands and fashion companies have released their own face masks as well. For example, a popular
jean brand American Eagle designs cotton face masks that have a denim pattern. Urban Outfitters, Aerie, Forever 21, Nordstrom, and Gap are all selling masks to match fall fashion. Most trendy face masks are affordable, ranging from $5 to $25; however, luxury face masks can be sold at a retail price of around $100. Kith, Palm Angles, Cotton Citizen, Fendi, and Helmut Lang are some of the few high-end brands that have released a collection of pricey masks. And people haven’t been afraid to splurge on this new everyday “accessory.” Off-White released a line of face masks that run for $105 each and most of the
designs are already sold out. Although they didn’t begin as fashion accessories, people have been searching for the most stylish and comfortable masks they can find once realizing that they unfortunately aren’t short-lived. Since they take up a large percentage of our faces, masks have morphed into another article of clothing to match and style with outfits. With no end in sight to the current safety precautions, you might as well start upping your mask game!
Woman with Down syndrome models for Gucci By Sarah Benun Fashion Editor
Ellie Goldstein, a British model with Down syndrome, received close to 900,000 likes and tons of positive comments and reviews posted on Gucci’s Instagram account when she was featured in Gucci’s new campaign “Unconventional Beauty” earlier this summer. She is the face of Gucci’s L’Obscur mascara, a beauty campaign in collaboration with Vogue Italia that focuses on nonstereotypical beauty. Alessandro Michele, creative director of Gucci, sought someone authentic for the face of their new beauty product. David PD Hyde, the London-based photographer, chosen to photograph this shoot, shared that his goal is to “push the boundary of beauty by having different types of beautiful faces and bring them together as one unity” to show that “beauty is everywhere and exists in every person.” Choosing a model with disabilities like Ellie Goldstein marks a significant milestone for designer companies and magazines worldwide. Goldstein told Vogue, “Let the world see that anyone can model and act with a disability.” Her aim is to spread awareness and break down barriers for future models with disabilities. The normalized beauty standard for the past century is now shifting to represent people who don’t necessarily fit the archetype, but rather set their own example of beauty. At age 15, Goldstein signed with modeling agency Zebedee Management, which focuses on models with disabilities and alternative appearances who are typically excluded from social media and entertainment. Goldstein finally caught the world’s attention starring in Gucci’s Beauty collaboration with Vogue Italia; she never allowed her condition to stand in the way of her happiness and dreams.
Follow me on instagram @Foodsnobs101
phoenix@flatbush.org | 7
Sports High school sports struggle to return By Joey Alhadeff Sports Editor
Athletic tryouts are being held all over Brooklyn; your Flatbush Falcons are eager to bounce back to their respective sports. But can they? Last March, the world as we know it came to an abrupt halt, and the sports world was no exception. When school went online, extracurricular activities that couldn’t be adapted for Zoom simply got canceled. Much like their professional counterparts, high school athletes suddenly had their seasons abruptly ended. To return to live games, professional leagues like the NBA and NHL created “bubbles” and required athletes to test for Covid-19 as often as every day while constantly being monitored for symptoms. Will this be the case for the Flatbush Falcons? The YOF Athletic Department began assembling teams as soon as the school year began, hoping that their seasons will come to fruition. They held tryouts for most sports in the last three weeks, including basketball, softball, soccer,
baseball, hockey, track and field, and cross-country. According to Athletic Director Mr. Amkraut, the MYSHAL yeshivah league has suspended all league play for now, with hope that the Covid-19 situation will improve and “the league will be able to conduct championship play in the spring.” Sports like basketball, volleyball, and hockey are traditionally played in the fall, but are tentatively being pushed off to the late winter or early spring. Many Flatbush teams, such as baseball, football, and soccer, are holding outdoor tryouts in hopes of a season coming together. Meanwhile, these teams are looking for some action outdoors in the fall, even if that means scrimmaging unofficially with other schools. To ensure safety across the board, Flatbush is following guidelines set up by New York State and its own medical committee. Each sport has its own regulations and restrictions based on the State’s estimation of risk inherent in the specific sport. Some sports can proceed as usual, while others can only run drills and skill training for the time being. Participation in and fan attendance at
any games will also follow the New York State Covid-19 guidelines. Basketball is one of the specific high-contact and high-risk sports that cannot currently be played safely in a competitive manner. Sophomore point guard Sarah Siri commented, “It’s really tough not being able to scrimmage and enjoy the fun parts of being on the basketball team. Doing drills can get a little boring, so I definitely miss playing in a game-time setting and atmosphere. I’m really discouraged and sad that basketball is being held back and might be played in the spring. For me, basketball was a way to unwind and take a break from everything going on in the classroom. I really hope to be able to play in the spring, but being able to play while being safe is also really important to me.” Sion Dweck, star wide receiver for the Varsity Football team, sympathizes with Siri regarding the uncertainty of the season, but is “excited to be back on the field playing football. I really hope the Yeshivah League can figure out a way for us to play this season, but for now, just being on the field is an amazing feeling.”
Take me out to the sofa Sports fans adjust to the new reality By Simone Amkraut Sophomore Editor
It’s March 12 at the United Center. LeBron passes to Caruso, who lobs the ball up toward the basket when LeBron flies in from the shadows with another iconic, monstrous slam dunk! Fans jump out of their seats and high-five complete strangers, innocent to the fact that this would be the last time fans would revel face-to-face for what is still an indeterminate coronavirus-induced timeout on normal school, socializing, shopping, and sports. That was nearly seven months ago. As classrooms became bedrooms, basketball pick-up games became solo shooting in the driveway, and hanging out with friends meant bringing your phone on a walk, many of the traditional sources of pleasure and companionship were stripped away at a time when death and illness made humanity desperate for distraction. When we needed them most, our favorite sports disappeared. But before long they arose like a phoenix from the ashes, providing us with hope that the human spirit is indomitable. Despite neutral-site games, a lack of live fans, and piped-in crowd noise, even a distant and shortened sports season is still a sports season. And for entertainment-starved Americans who’ve run out of shows to binge watch and trails to hike, this is a season to be appreciated like no other.
8 | phoenix@flatbush.org
Like Miriam and the women who timbrels in hand stepped into the churning waters of the Red Sea, the women of the WNBA are those who took charge and paved the way by becoming the first professional sports league to play live sports again. The women played with precautions in place, playing in a “bubble” (a facility in Florida completely sealed off from the outside world) and sticking to a schedule of testing. On July 25, the NY Liberty and the Seattle Storm rang in the new WNBA season on ESPN. Soon, the MLB, NFL, and NBA followed suit. While the players focused on delivering the product on the courts and the fields, the front offices delivered creative solutions to Covid-19 mandates for social distancing. To keep its fans truly involved and invested in the season, it was the NBA that delivered with virtual fandom. Empty stadiums, a lack of fans booing during an opponent’s free throws, no T-shirt cannons—no problem! Fans were given the opportunity to sign up and cheer for their team, and possibly even get a close up on TV! Selected fans received a swag bag: a team T-shirt, a game favor like a rally towel or bobblehead doll, and most important, a code for Microsoft Teams. Sitting in front of their computers as they watched the games, fans’ images were projected into the stadium seats. Although watching sports games in person is currently an unattainable
dream, that doesn’t mean that we cannot still take pleasure in what sports provide from home. Virtual fandom, after all, has its perks: wearing the team jersey on top, you can wear pajamas on the bottom without a drop of guilt. Half-time snacks from your refrigerator cost a fraction of what you pay for peanuts at the stadium. And in the case of one virtual fan at the first game back for the Pelicans, you can bring your goat to the game instead of springing for a goat-sitter! Most important, you can watch the game you love with the family you love and still keep everybody safe. Professional athletes have given up the security of their homes for the isolation of the bubbles, gifting their fans with a sense that “normal” will one day soon be ours again. Though we may not be together in stadiums, we are together in sharing our passion and appreciation for sports and athletes.
Sportsman Spotlight
Sabbagh eager to get back to winning By Terri Elmann Sports Editor
Sabbagh shoots on goal in a game last year
Senior Gerry Sabbagh is the type of athlete that many strive to be. A star player in ice hockey, roller hockey, and flag football, Sabbagh embodies the meaning of an all-around athlete. Being on so many teams while keeping up with Flatbush schoolwork is no easy feat. Sabbagh says his flag football team practices every Friday, the roller hockey team 2-3 times a week, and the ice hockey team on Saturday nights. “In the beginning of high school, juggling teams and classwork was a real issue,” he revealed. “I was able to realize that schoolwork always comes first.” Sabbagh is able to prioritize his work by foregoing practice in the case of an important test or tons of homework. His priorities set an example for his teammates and classmates. As captain of both hockey teams and a valued player on the football team, he is a figure that many of his friends and team members look up to. “He plays with a lot of intensity and heart,” says football teammate Sion Dweck. Sabbagh’s dedication is not just to his sports, but also the people he plays alongside. “I’ve met and played with people I’ll be friends with for the rest of my life,” Gerry said about his teammates. He makes sure that the atmosphere in and out of games is welcoming, ensuring a great experience for all four years. Sabbagh hopes for the chance to fulfill the legacy he started in freshman year. Following the 8-0 record of the football team in his sophomore year, they did not meet expectations last year with a 1-7 record. Coronavirus shutdowns ended the season early, so he hopes to be able to play a full season this year and replicate his sophomore year’s record. He remembers, too, that the hockey teams were prevented from playing in the playoffs due to the abrupt end to in-person activities and wants to be able to continue the streak this year. He and his team want to end their senior year strongly and set a precedent for the student athletes to come.