The Phoenix January 2024

A Student Publication of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School • 1609 Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York • Vol 58, Issue 4 • January 2024 / 5784

YOF buys up nearby properties Students

blame portal for detentions

By Aleen Jaradeh Editor-in-Chief

Over the last three years, the school has purchased four houses all within close proximity to the high school building, to be used for the school’s benefit, Executive Vice President Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Rothman confirmed.

The addresses of these houses are 1703 Avenue J, 1709 Avenue J, 1011 East 17th Street, and 986 East 17th Street.

While the school is unsure of the longterm plans for these houses, they already have been making use of them in temporary ways. 986 East 17th St., which was purchased last summer, is currently being utilized “for teacher parking,” said Rabbi Rothman. Two other houses are currently being rented out, providing the school with rental income. Rothman further stated, “We hope to demolish 1703 and 1709 Ave. J in the next 6-12 months and create some outdoor space for students and/or more parking.” However, this is only a short term plan and is also not yet officially guaranteed.

By Caroline Palacci Contributing Writer

School officials say they assume that it will be 2-3 years before more permanent plans for these houses will be developed.

According to Rabbi Beyda, “Nothing will be happening soon because the elementary school needs to be fixed before they continue with this plan. However, the school is planning for the future.”

Although it is too soon to know the final plans for the houses, Rothman expressed, “We are always looking to increase the opportunities and space for our students and staff. Especially with the houses being in such close proximity to the school.”

fear of what might occur. After hearing compelling stories like these from older siblings, cousins, and friends, 67% of respondents to the Phoenix survey said they now fear attending colleges like NYU or Brooklyn College.

Additionally, 60% of the students polled stated that they have already taken into account the rise in antisemitism when deciding where to apply.

Senior Leah Lati stated, “My whole life I wanted to go to NYU, but after the extreme rise of antisemitism, the comments they’ve made, the violence the students engage in, I decided not to apply.” Lati and many other students applied to YU out of fear of having no other options of attending a university which would make them feel safe. Another student mentioned deciding not to apply through Early Decision to certain colleges out of fear of being stuck attending unsafe colleges.

Even at some of the country’s most highly regarded college campuses, large

groups of students have shouted anti-Israel misinformation and slurs and have physically attacked Jewish students. Senior Emma Dayan stated, “The most prestigious universities tend to still be ignorant and immoral, so why should I attend those universities?”

Senior Sonny Cohen stated that he is scared but has realized that, no matter what college he attends, there will always be antisemitism. Regardless of which college he ultimately attends, he said he plans to simply attend his classes and return home immediately to avoid any danger.

On the other hand, several students said that their fear is not enough to turn them away from any specific college. If anything, it should be a motivator to stand our ground as Jewish students in America. “It’s more important than ever to represent ourselves at all institutions.

If we all go to YU we lose our voice, and that’s when the real antisemitism starts,” stated senior Jack Alboucai.

Students have been blaming Veracross software bugs for confusing student detentions; however, faculty members disagree, citing student error for the confusion.

According to junior Charlotte Assouline, “You get the notification maybe a month after it actually happened, which makes it harder to clear things.” She added, “Plus Portals [also known as Rediker] was also better because it was an app and Veracross makes you sign in every time.”

Associate Principal Dr. Michael Atlas insists that there is nothing wrong with Veracross. “It seems that often students are not checking their email,” he said.

“The day after the infraction occurs, every student receives an email notifying them and offering three days to appeal.” He continued, “When I have asked students about it, they often find it in their email, and it turns out they never checked.”

Students have also complained that they cannot easily find their behavioral records and frequently need to contact Rabbi Dushey, who is in charge of attendance, or a grade advisor. Dr. Atlas acknowledged, “One of the features that I would love for Veracross to have is for students on their portal to more easily access any behavioral infractions.” However, he said he still supports the change to Veracross as it is the platform most commonly used among the Yeshiva League.

Head of School Rabbi Beyda, when questioned about comparisons between Veracross and Rediker, commented, “I think it is better” and further explained that he has “not noticed one complaint” about Veracross. He elaborated that the reason for the switch was confusion on the administrative side of the old software. “From the people who ran the back of the system, [Rediker] was complicated to use. From a teacher’s standpoint as well, there were features in the gradebook that were challenging.”

According to Dr. Atlas, YoF has been in contact with both Veracross and other schools that use the software, but it is still unknown whether Veracross will address any issues in the near future.

Entertainment: Percy Jackson finally gets it right Page 5

Fashion: Top products of the year Page 7

Sports: Kyrgio's ups and downs Page 8

The Yeshivah now owns the house immediately next to the Bet Midrash, as well as the three houses on the northeast corner of Ave. J and E17th St.

Rising antisemitism altering seniors’ college plans

By Irene Cohen Contributing Writer

Many seniors are reconsidering attending colleges they have applied to due to the rise of antisemitism on campuses, amplified by the Israel-Hamas war, according to the results of a student survey. The surge of antisemitism on college campuses since October 7 has caused many Flatbush students to reassess whether certain universities are safe.

More than 80% of seniors who responded to a Phoenix survey said they are reconsidering attending certain colleges, even after having applied, due to the fear of being harassed on campus or because a college has not condemned antisemitism. Senior Marsha Kairy said she and her classmates want to walk around freely on campuses and feel safe and protected.

A graduate of Flatbush who currently attends NYU stated they didn’t go to school for a week after October 7 out of

In This Issue Opinions: Page 2 D’var Torah: Page 4 Ask Merle: Page 6

phoenix@flatbush.org | 1

AGREE TO DISAGREE

The book is better than the movie The movie is better than the book

By Rae Levy Contributing Writer

There is nothing like coming home from a long day, drinking tea, and opening up a book.

Sitting and reading may sound like a grandma-like activity, but everyone sometimes needs a chance to mellow out.

Reading serves as a way to escape from reality and into a fantasy world.

Page after page, the stories come alive, engulfing you into a new world of your own choice.

Reading a book is better than watching a movie because reading allows you to disconnect from technology. Reading also helps improve your vocabulary, and isn’t harmful to your brain like staring at a screen. Too much screen time has negative effects on our development (ask any pediatrician). Reading is not overstimulating to your brain, it’s peaceful and calming. When we binge-watch movies or a TV show, we don’t get the opportunity to take in and appreciate the content

we’re consuming. Finishing a good book leaves you feeling energized and gives you a sense of inner peace, yet walking out of a movie theater leaves you dazed and confused.

Further, reading is superior to watching movies because it allows you to use your own imagination to create your own world.

You become an active participant. Especially when it comes to movie adaptations of books, it’s always better to read the book first. Books have more detail, greater world-building and character development, and give greater insight into the characters’ emotions and plots.

Many associate reading with school, but you would be surprised to learn how many fun books are out there. So head to the library right next to school and see their selection. And this Shabbat, tap into your inner grandma, brew yourself some tea, and read a book, I dare you.

By Samantha Ryba Junior Editor

There’s a simple explanation for why I’d choose the movie over the book.

Since I often read, I can tell you that every time I watch the film adaptation of a book, I face a terrifying amount of disappointment. First, when one reads a book, one imagines the characters in a way that often doesn’t match the actors in the film. I am a victim of this phenomenon, so I can tell you how upsetting it was when the Cullens from Twilight weren’t as enchanting as they were described in the book or when Bella turned out to be a dramatic teenager with disturbing facial expressions, not the pleasant brunette that I imagined her to be. For this reason, I’d advise you to skip reading the book all together and watch the movie instead.

Second, I find that it is much more difficult to write a good book than it is to make a good movie. If you’ve both read and watched Crazy Rich Asians, you’d probably understand what I mean.

The book is slow and frustrating, while

Faculty Freshman: Ms. Rachel Erani

By Shirley Jajati Entertainment Editor

We think we know our teachers.

We spend every day with them, so why wouldn’t we? But it’s not until we sit down with them, teacher to student, that we can truly understand their life and their values. In the heart of Yeshivah of Flatbush, we find a beacon of inspiration in our new English teacher Ms. Erani. Her positive, literature-loving, bright light shines in everything she does, whether it’s running a poetry slam that encompasses the complex feelings of every student or encouraging a class of freshmen to find themselves in their

The Phoenix Staff Editors-in-Chief: Jacqueline Halabi, Aleen Jaradeh Senior Editor: Sarah Levy School News Editors: Leah Lati, Bella Shamayeva Religion Editor: Elisha Kahan World News Editor: Aliya Abergil Features Editor: Nitza Hanan Entertainment Editors: Henry Esses, Shirley Jajati Fashion Editors: Sophia Madeb, Sylvia Saad

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writing, she is always there, with a poem and a smile.

Hailing from Magen David Elementary and Flatbush High School, Ms. Erani went on to the University of Pennsylvania, where a pivotal chapter in her teacher career emerged during her involvement in the AmeriCorps program, specifically the City Year volunteer group. Here, along with many other young educators, she immersed herself in the public school system. As the newcomer, she was able to see the flaws in their education system that were unbeknownst to those working there for years. Every defect strengthened her resolve, igniting her passion to serve as a guide and mentor for kids who want to learn.

And so she came to Flatbush, the place where she first fell in love with learning.

Immediately upon her return, she sought out her favorite club from when she was in high school: Poetry Slam, a club open to all who love reading and writing poetry. “Every kid has something they’re good at, skillwise, or passionate about,” Ms. Erani explained. These endeavors, whether poetry slam or other extracurricular activities, become sanctuaries where students discover their unique strengths. “These strengths,” affirmed

Ms. Erani, “show that they are more than their academic scores.”

Ms. Erani uses her English lessons not just to fill her students’ minds with informational content, but as a bridge to relationships. She believes that literature and language serve as conduits for meaningful connections with her students, creating a harmonious symphony of understanding and trust. However, attempting to keep a balance of relationship-building and content delivery, Ms. Erani grapples with the constraints of time. “I sometimes feel the struggle of wanting to build relationships, but I also have 39 minutes to teach my content super well,” she confessed. Through it all, though, Ms. Erani powers through the good days and the bad ones, a beacon of positive energy. With her genuine kindness, she has a way of making others feel valued and appreciated.

She emphasizes a need for respect in the classroom, but also believes wholeheartedly in the notion of respect being a two-way street. “You have to respect your students as well, and then they’ll respect you,” she asserted. This reciprocity forms the foundation upon which meaningful relationships are built, creating an environment of effective learning.

She values every student’s voice in

Fun & Games Editor: Esther Shemia Sports Editor: Paulette Saada Business Editor: Eric Azrak Photography Editor: Victor Braca Junior Editors: Leah Katash, Galiette Mita, Samantha Ryba, Bobbi Salama, Nina Tawil Sophomore Editors: Yvette Dweck, Rachael Kopylov, Emily Tarrab Design: Carolina Cohen Faculty Adviser: Adam Hofstetter

the movie is thrilling and heartwarming. I never actually made it through the final chapter of Crazy Rich Asians, but I’ve watched the movie at least five times.

This brings me to my third point: movies only take around two hours to watch, while books can take weeks to finish. As a busy student, I find myself with very little spare time. If you’re like me, every minute must be spent on something worthy. In the time I might spend reading The Devil Wears Prada, I could be watching its award-winning film adaptation not once, but twice! The same goes for a series like The Hunger Games.

In fact, I enjoyed the movies much more than the books.

So let’s be real. Reading has its perks, but you probably won’t even get through half a book before your teacher posts some lengthy assignment on Google Classroom. If you’re debating whether you should read the book or watch the movie, do yourself a favor and watch the movie.

the classroom and encourages them all to express themselves and their thoughts.

Ms. Erani attributes this expressive mindset to her role model growing up, her namesake, Grandma Rae. Grandma Rae’s indomitable spirit became Ms. Erani’s guiding force, instilling values of self-expression and community service that she carries with pride. From her, she learned that when faced with conflicts, inside the classroom and out, to act with empathy and understanding. “So much of the actions and reactions of others come from an emotional experience. Sometimes all you need is to hear the other perspective to understand that person as a whole,” she reflected. Ms. Erani’s commitment to maintaining healthy relationships with her students, even in the face of conflict, models for others how to step into the delicate dance of disagreement and reconciliation.

Ms. Erani is a lover of all things poetry, literature, cooking, and self-care, but above all is her love of teaching and connecting with others. She perfectly encompasses the harmonious blend of content delivery and relationship-building, of teaching and compassion. She is an inspiration from her roots, her family values, and her commitment to nurturing the minds of the future. As she orchestrates this symphony of learning, the melody is one of literature, growth, and the enduring magic of a teacher-student connection.

High School Administration Rabbi Joseph Beyda, Head of School Ms. Esther Hidary, Associate Principal Rabbi Yigal Sklarin, Associate Principal Rabbi Dr. Michael Atlas, Associate Principal Rabbi David Galpert, Assistant Principal

English final revamped How to handle finals stress Helene Shamah Contributing Writer

Most years, the English final is broken into two parts given approximately two weeks apart: an essay worth 25-30 points that is given in class before the official Finals Schedule begins, and then 70-75 multiple choice questions given as the last exam on the calendar. However, this year, the method of conducting the final has changed.

This year the English final will be the first final, and the multiple choice and the essay will be done together on the testing day, department chair Ms. Bloom confirmed. Previously, students were given 1 hour and 30 minutes to do the multiple choice and 40 minutes for the in-class essay; this year there will be 2 hours for the entire final.

Many students and teachers have different opinions on this matter. Some students find this new system to be helpful and a good idea, while others find it to be overwhelming. One student, Adele Hamway, a junior, states “I think that it’s a good idea since the multiple choice questions can possibly help answer the essay question. It’s also good practice for the Regents exam. But it is bad that it is not the last final, since students want to get the more challenging tests done first.”

On the other hand, another junior, Katie Hidary, suggests that it’s worse for students since they will not have time to finish both sections and instead be rushed through both sections. Sophomore Galit Alsaygh believes it is going to be too stressful to do multiple choice and write an essay all at once.

Another controversy about this

change is the final now being first instead of last; some students think like this, as although we have a full day of school before the final, English tests don’t require a lot of studying. Ms. Bloom, the head of the English Department, thinks it’s better the test is first and not last since the books are “fresh in the students’ minds.”

On the contrary, some students find the lack of time to study and the full day of school before the test to be unfair.

Many students have strong claims on how this new idea could be either harmful or helpful for students. Raquel Gindi, a junior, and Jaclyn Tobias, a senior, both express that this is a good idea since students only have to study, get stressed, and physically take an English test once instead of two separate times.

However, an anonymous junior stated, “I think it’s too long and I won’t have the patience to finish the test. Also, I won’t be motivated since I will want to go home.”

One student who has extra time thinks that it’s going to be too stressful having to do it all at once.

Every year the English Department works very hard to make the English final the most efficient and reasonable that it can possibly be, Ms. Bloom explained.

So this year they chose to include only 60 multiple-choice questions, to allow students enough time to complete the essay well. Many teachers think this is helpful for the student. For example, Ms. Bloom puts forth “It will be good for you guys to really focus on reading, writing, and multiple choice all in one go.” In addition, she thinks that in order to prepare for the final, students need to read all the books, go over some writing skills, and, especially for this test, manage their time.

Commercial real estate continues declining

By Charles Levy Contributing Writer

Anyone looking to buy real estate in New York City should definitely come prepared to spend. The prices of real estate in NYC are some of the highest in the world, mainly due to the city’s many job opportunities and tourist attractions. However, recently, the commercial real estate market has been declining.

Ever since the pandemic, the number of employees working in offices has heavily decreased, even after quarantine ended. Employees grew to appreciate the convenience of working from home, skipping long commutes and having to wear uncomfortable work clothes. This left many offices and office buildings vacant, detrimental to companies that are renting/leasing out commercial real estate. Therefore, many are attempting to get rid of their leases because they’re no longer profiting off such big properties.

It is this exact plummet in demand for the office buildings of NYC that brought down their prices. Manhattan commercial real estate price per square foot in

Quarter 3, 2023 was $596, and is now down by 21% from this period the previous year. Representatives of investment bank Morgan Stanley said, “analysts forecast a peak to trough commercial real estate price decline of as much as 40% worse than in the Great Financial Crisis.”

Vacant offices aren’t the only factor contributing to the plummet of commercial real estate. Increased interest rates have resulted in lower returns on properties because the expenses for holding that property have increased. Before the increased rates, taking loans would often be beneficial to returns on investments, since taking out loans was cheaper and allowed you to do more with your capital.

Similarly, residential real estate has also been declining, though at a much lower rate. In November 2023, New York home prices were down 0.44% compared to last year. Many analysts predict that 2024 will remain a challenging time to buy residential real estate since mortgage interest rates are still relatively high (above 6%) and the supply of residential real estate is scarce.

By Bobbi Salama Junior Editor

Throughout the four long years of high school, it is pretty safe to say that every student has experienced stress in some form. Especially during the hectic finals weeks, students frantically scramble to study for exams day after day. Chats blow up with seemingly never-ending cries for help, with some going as far as to stay up until the early hours of the morning, telling themselves sleep isn’t a priority when there’s a test to be taken.

Afterward, they take the test, lament over their performance regardless of how well they did, and go back to do it all again.

This cycle persists for a week and a half, two times a year.

No matter which grade or class a student is in, many desperately search for a way to escape that cycle of stress and poor time management.

“A significant amount of [guidance] meetings are about stress, finals, and exams,” Dr. Teddy Chattah noted. Most of these meetings come from freshmen and sophomores who haven’t yet figured out how to navigate the testing process as well as the upperclassmen. But this decrease in guidance meetings doesn’t mean upperclassmen don’t experience stress anymore. A survey of all four grades shows that 37% of students who responded get very stressed by finals, and another 26% get overwhelmingly stressed. 77% of students say they stress over three or more of their exams. 89% say that their stress level depends on which test they have coming up, indicating that the subject’s difficulty for the student largely affects how they feel while preparing.

To some, going home early during finals time is enticing. However, the pressure accompanying longer, cumulative finals doesn’t always make students look forward to the extra free time. Having finals weigh so much into one’s class grade can make it difficult to keep calm under pressure, especially in classes such as math and sciences. “They’re already classes that students struggle with from the get-go, and put a lot of effort into, but their scores might not be as high, and now to up the stakes even more does make it more stressful,” Dr. Chattah said.

Though they may seem daunting, there are ways to reduce stress and study effectively. “The first thing is, the more prepared you are, the less stressed you’re likely to be,” said Dr. Chattah. Whether you choose to prepare yourself with the help of guidance or rely on your own methods, taking that time to make sure you study adequately is one of the most important steps to take. The “Chunky” study method consists of breaking down

the entire material into smaller, more manageable pieces. With a lot of material ahead, Dr. Chattah mentioned that it can get hard for people to do something called task initiation: “People get frozen and its very hard for them to start the task at all.” But through this method, it’s easier to study lots of aims and topics without getting overwhelmed by the gravity of the information as a whole. It could be useful to start with the harder topics so you don’t burn out before those, or just block it into the chronological aims given by your teacher.

Also keep in mind to study in a location as far from distractions as possible.

For example, studying in your room is ill-advised because your bed might be a distraction. It would also be beneficial to move your phone away or even out of the room. Studying with friends can help if they’re invested in studying, and teaching a friend or a classmate can also be very useful, as you’re able to demonstrate mastery of the topic and fact check the material you’re unsure about. In addition to teaching, practicing and testing yourself on material also works well.

It’s also useful to have some go-to coping strategies for whenever you get stressed. Deep breathing, taking a break and zoning out, or getting up and walking around are good options.

“Sometimes, taking a break to breathe and take care of yourself is going to be more productive than freaking out and trying to push through,” Dr. Etty Mizrahi said. While studying, having some sort of doodle page or fidget toy can help keep your hands busy and release some nervous energy. Some people also find that music in the background helps them keep their cool while studying. “When your body is calm, you’re not going to forget as much. If your body calms, your mind will also get calm,” Dr. Mizrahi remarked. “Putting on a song that relaxes you helps your body get calmer, and your mind will follow.”

Lastly, make sure to sleep enough the night before the test. Sleep deprivation will hinder your chances of retaining the information you studied for hours the night before. “At those times, it just elevates stress instead of helping.

It’s better to call it quits and go to bed,” said Dr. Mizrahi. Research clearly shows that sleep helps with memory function, making sleep much more productive than pulling an all nighter. Time taken to study instead of sleep can put you at risk of blanking out before or during the test.

Studying for finals is always a very demanding task, but if you’re able to keep yourself calm and study well, you can start taking steps toward breaking that crazed cycle of panic and stress.

phoenix@flatbush.org | 3

Stem cell treatment for sickle D’var Torah: cell anemia approved by FDA Sizing up Moshe

By Samantha Ryba

Science in English:

Junior Editor

a gene called BCL11A that blocks the production of the fetal hemoglobin. To access the HbF, scientists harvest stem cells, which are cells that can be found in the bone marrow. Because these cells don’t have a specialized function yet, they are able to be modified into any type of cell.

Once scientists harvest these cells, they use an enzyme to reverse the block placed by BCL11A. This allows for a continuous production of healthy, fetal, hemoglobin which in turn causes a steady flow of oxygen throughout the body. This procedure allowed for 29 out of the 30 people participating in the trial to experience absolutely no pain for a whole year following the initial infusion.

Though this method of treatment was approved by the FDA, there are still concerns about possible side effects, effectiveness, and accessibility. As of now, participants in the trial have only experienced fever and nausea but since the trial has only been going on for a short period of time, it is unclear what long-term side effects will arise.

Furthermore, the condition only subsided for a year but later returned to patients. People wonder if this short period of relief is worth the extensive procedure that cost around $2 million per patient, and if this treatment could ever become widely accessible.

For the first time in the U.S, gene-editing technology has been approved by the FDA to treat sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell anemia is a disease that targets a protein in the blood called hemoglobin. The protein, located in the red blood cells, is responsible for carrying oxygen through the bloodstream and is essential for the body’s survival.

Sometimes, people inherit the abnormal Hemoglobin S (HbS) protein, which causes red blood cells to become rigid and sickle/crescent shaped. When this occurs, the sickled cells block the blood vessels and it becomes difficult for oxygen to reach the organs. This can result in pain, fatigue, and other complications related to organ damage.

Scientists have recently discovered a way to reverse the disease through a process called “CRISPR” (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats). CRISPR is a mechanism that occurs naturally in unicellular organisms that is used to modify their DNA sequences to fight viruses. Since 2012, scientists have been experimenting with this technology to find out if it can be used to alter the gene sequences in humans. They’ve recently discovered a way to reverse the effects of sickle cell anemia through a trial they’ve conducted. The process starts with fetal hemoglobin.

In the womb, all fetuses possess a form of hemoglobin (HbF) that hasn’t yet had the chance to develop the defective properties of HbS. By the age of six months, infants typically have low levels of HbF. The reason Normal blood cells next to a sickle-blood cell (colored electron microscope image) for this is because of

Czechs weigh gun reform after mass shooting

By Aliya Abergil World News Editor

Czech politicians tend to boast that their country is the safest from gun violence, but a recent mass shooting in Prague might suggest otherwise. On December 21, Prague experienced the biggest mass shooting in the country’s history, The gunman, David Kozak, opened fire at Charles University, where he was a student. He killed at least 14 people and injured more than 20 students at the University. He is believed to have killed his father before committing this massacre, as well as killing a man and his 5-monthold daughter who were found in a forest on December 15.

One of the shooting victims was Lenka Hlavkova, the head of the Institute of Musicology at the University. All of

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the victims were Czech citizens, most of them being students at the school. The injured are all currently being hospitalized, their conditions ranging from critical to minor.

Although the country is mourning this tragedy through bells ringing and minutes of silence, under the direction of the archbishop the government is beginning to discuss possible gun reforms and solutions. As the gunman legally owned eight guns at the time of the shooting and had no criminal background, he was not on the police’s radar. The Czech Republic hasn’t experienced many shootings, so this was a wake-up call for the country and may be the cause of new gun laws.

Across the globe, countries continue to discuss this global threat of mass shootings and are always passing new reforms.

Rebbeinu

By Elisha Kahan Religion Editor

In Parashat Shemot, we are informed twice of Moshe’s growth: “And the child grew up (‫ ”)ויגדל‬and “Moshe grew up (‫ )ויגדל‬and went out to his brothers.” The Maharzav suggests that the repetition hints at Moshe’s incredible height, a whopping 10 cubits according to the Gemara in Bechorot 44a. This gives new meaning to the Torah’s statement in Shemot 17:12 that Moshe’s hands were heavy (see Yehoshua’s war with Amalek).

Rav explains that Moshe could not have spread the tent over the tabernacle’s structure (see Shemot 40: 19) had he not stood this tall. Rav assumes that Moshe could not have used a ladder to complete the task Hashem specifically designated for him. In Sotah 12b, Rabbi Yehuda proves from Shemot 2:6 that Moshe had an exceptionally deep voice as an infant. Finally, basing themselves on Moshe’s proclamations of oratorical inadequacy to Hashem in Shemot 4, Sefer HaYashar and Shemot Rabbah cite the famous story of Moshe burning his mouth as a child.

Rav Shimi Bar Chiya, responding to Rav’s claim that Moshe was 10 cubits high, notes that if so, this would constitute a blemish rendering him unfit for service in the Mishkan. Rav Shimi presumes that surely the cubit (literally amah, arm’s-length) of the Torah is the same cubit of Moshe Rabbeinu, the very one who transmitted to us the Torah. Rav Nechemya points out that Moshe could not have served as a Levi with an unusually deep voice, as that would have prevented him from perfectly carrying out his Levite duties of singing over Korbanot. Finally, the Rashbam seemingly rejects the famous Midrash as unreliable (not stemming from Tanaim and Amoraim), and it is improper to ascribe to Moshe this blemish (which Halakhically might make him unfit fit as a prophet, Kohen, Levi, Nasi of Sanhedrin, all roles which Moshe took on in his lifetime).

Instead, Rashbam explains that Moshe was deficient only in the language of the Egyptian aristocracy. Rashbam implies that Moshe’s very early childhood in a Jewish home was so important in shaping him that even after many years of living in the Egyptian palace, his primary language was Lashon HaKodesh.

Noting the back and forth between Rav and Rav Shimi, and given the Halakhic context, it is hard to interpret Moshe’s height figuratively.

However, Ben Eish Chai does just that, as explained in his Ben Yehoyada on Brachot 54b, for Moshe’s height lay not in mere physical dimensions, but in spiritual dimensions. The Sugya calls for greater examination.

The Brayta in Berachot 54a lists several locations where one must recite a Bracha of Shevach to HaKodesh Baruch Hu for a miracle that occurred there. Mysteriously, one of the locations given is the rock that Og, king of Bashan, wished to throw on Yisra-

el. This law is recorded in the Rif, and brought by the Shulchan Aruch. The Gemara explains that there is a tradition about the rock, even though the story is not Pashut in Mikrah. Og sought to destroy the entire camp of Yisrael by throwing upon them a huge mountain, 3 Parsaot by 3 Parsaot. His plans backfired, and Hashem brought insects to eat a hole through the mountain, which fell out of his hands and slipped around his neck. Og could not escape, for his teeth grew and effectively prevented any attempts to escape from the mountain necklace. Moshe, propelling himself upwards with an axe of equal height to him (10 cubits), managed to jump up to Og’s ankle, hit him, and kill him.

According to the simple P’shat of the Gemera given by Ben Yehoyada, based on the Gemera’s strange use of the word ‫ אבן‬- “stone” in place of “mountain,” Og was practicing a form of magic, where he attempted metaphorical acts with a smaller stone to somehow enact his grandiose plans of squashing Bnei Yisrael.

Leaving Ben Yehoyada’s beautiful Kabbalistic explanation for perhaps another issue, we can still appreciate something is afoot. Moshe was a full 10 Amot tall, and Og (according to the Rambam’s P’shat in Moreh Nevuchim) was a measly 6. Og is seemingly pitiful in his attempts to destroy Bnei Yisrael, for obviously, no black magic could outstrip HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s protection! And yet, in Bamidbar 21: 34, Hashem has to tell Moshe, “‫אל־תירא‬ ‫ ”אתו כי בידך נתתי‬- do not fear him, for in your hands I will deliver him.

Rashi explains that Moshe was scared of Og because he had served Avraham by informing him that his nephew Lot had been captured in the war between the four kings and the five kings. Because of the merit Og had accrued from serving the Tzadik Avraham, Moshe was afraid Og was protected. Three times daily we cite the names of our Avot, and for good reason. Even momentary contact with Avraham was enough to make the righteous Moshe scared of the pathetic Rasha Og! It is only in the nature of Og’s defeat that it is revealed why his merits had failed him. The very merit that Og was trying to highlight was the mountain, the symbol of the Akeidah, the very epitome of Avraham Aveinu’s Emunah in Hashem. But there is no hiding in front of HaKodesh Baruch Hu. Og was planning for Avraham to be killed in war and to take the beautiful Sarah as a wife (see Chizkuni there). And so, Og’s plan literally falls on his head, and his teeth grow to ensnare him and reveal to the world his evilness, as David in Tehilim testifies, ‫ שני רשעים שברת‬- the teeth of Reshaim You break. A pathetic creature once again, Moshe only needs to strike him on his ankle to claim victory. So should our enemies be revealed in their wickedness and destroyed, Bemheira BeYameinu.

Entertainment TV Review: Percy Jackson Disney’s streaming movies

and the Olympians

By Henry Esses

Entertainment Editor

On December 20, the eagerly awaited Percy Jackson TV adaptation was released on Disney Plus, ushering in a month-long treat for fans with the release of weekly episodes. This marks a joyous occasion for a fanbase that has eagerly awaited the show for the last three years.

Following the release of the first three episodes, there has been nothing but praise for the series. The plot is far more true to the books than the disappointing film adaptation, and the child actors’ performances have been phenomenal.

Fans seemed more than pleased with where the show seems to be going and are gripping their seats in anticipation for the next episode.

While the initial anticipation somewhat diminished during the long waiting period, the trailer injected a fresh wave of enthusiasm into Percy Jackson fans.

This adaptation seems like it will distinguish itself by sticking to the source material, unlike the film adaptations from over a decade ago that received backlash for straying too far from the books. In the new series, the actors’ ages align with their characters, and the carefully selected filming locations echo the feeling of settings in the books. The short clips and previews give a glimpse of a story that stays true to the first book from beginning to end, promising a genuine adventure.

Despite this, a lingering sense of anxiety remained among fans, spurred by the memory of the prior unsuccessful attempt to bring these beloved books to the big screen. However, a comforting reassurance emanates from the heart of this production, as author Rick Riordan has taken a central role and is deeply involved in the show’s development. His commitment resonates with a promise to fans: satisfaction.

will hit theaters in 2024

By Lyla Ashkenazie Contributing Writer

As the pandemic spread across the globe in 2020, cinematic theaters were forced to shut down and quarantine was incited, triggering a massive increase in the popularity of digitally streamed movies. Due to uncertainty over when the world would finally reopen, Disney decided to release three Pixar films, Soul (2020), Luca (2021), and Turning Red (2022), by sending the movies straight to streaming on the Disney Plus app. With movie theaters enjoying a rebirth, these three films are finally coming to local theaters at the start of 2024, with tickets going on sale in January.

Releasing the movies into theaters presents Disney with an easy and fast opportunity to recoup their financial losses resulting from the pandemic.

Soul, released on December 25, 2020, follows a middle school music teacher who falls into a coma after an accident and tries to reunite his separated soul and body in time for his big break as a jazz musician. Soul made around $121 million from 16.7 million streams, losing

Disney $29 million dollars as it cost approximately $150 million to produce.

Luca, released on June 18, 2021, is set in a beautiful seaside town in Italy. It revolves around a young boy who experiences a once-in-a-lifetime summer filled with gelato, pasta, and infinite scooter rides. Movie production for the film took about five years, and it is considered one of 2021’s best animated movies. Luca was streamed on Disney Plus 1.2 million times, earning Disney only $49.8 million despite the film’s $200 million budget.

Turning Red, released on March 1, 2023, depicts a 13-year-old girl named Mei-Lee who is torn between the person she is and the person she thinks her mother wants her to be, all while going through the changes of becoming an adult. Though Turning Red broke Pixar’s global viewership opening record within the first three days of its availability on the app, the film quickly flopped and lost Disney a whopping $167 million.

Despite these Pixar films’ praise from critics, their financial failure made it increasingly apparent to Disney that simply making movies available to stream from home was not working.

Social media creators making longer videos

By Shirley Jajati Entertainment Editor

In the blink of an eye, social media has the ability to change completely.

With every day there comes something new. Rewind the clock to the era of Vines, where six seconds was all it took to capture attention, humor, or emotion.

With the conciseness of these videos, creators were challenged to tell their stories within the constraints of a very brief time frame.

Enter TikTok, the heir to Vine’s throne, extending the reel to a minute. Not such a big change, yet one that transformed how we consume and create content.

Users had more room to weave intricate narratives, show talents, and entertain

audiences with a new depth.

As society began to embrace these longer videos, users craved more substance, more context, and more engagement.

Fast forward to the present, and the landscape has transformed once again. No longer confined to a minute, videos now stretch longer, with creators making multiple parts, elongated stories, and extended statuses. This shift has

begun a trend of storytelling, where creators are encouraged to create longer videos.

And yet, beneath the surface lies a challenge that extends beyond the screens: short attention spans. An anonymous freshman at Flatbush stated, “I’m so used to one-minute videos that it’s too hard for me to sit and watch anything longer.” As videos grow in length, the tug-of-war for our attention gains

momentum. It’s a battle of seconds, minutes, and sometimes even hours as we grapple with wanting more depth while struggling to stay focused. The consequence? A never-ending stream of longer videos, where more content combats ceaseless scrolling.

Little by little, we began to desire more from social media, as it became more and more intertwined with our day-to-day lives. Social media is one of the main sources of entertainment in our lives today, and though some struggle to maintain their attention while scrolling, it’s important that the users get a voice in what they want to see, and receive the longer and more in-depth content they desire.

phoenix@flatbush.org | 5

Fun & Games Ask Merle Dear Merle, How do I get more chesed hours?

-desperatefreshie123

Hey, Desperate, Getting hours is a tricky thing in Flatbush. Every night it seems like you’re busy, and I get it. Some nights are practice, others are games, some nights you have to study, and others you go out with friends; it seems like there are no free times during the week. In this case you can go to Esther Spigel and try doing something during lunch. SBH offers many opportunities every night, so it’s important to plan your schedule around the days you want to go. Worse comes to worse, you can go on a Sunday to the center. In that case I wish you the best of luck.

Love, Merle Dear Merle, Why do I have so many absences?

-tiredsenior456 Wsp, Tired, Honestly, I need an answer as well. I have 12 sick days, 7 sign-outs, 4 sign-ins, and 8 unexcused absences. It’s ridiculous.

Getting out of bed is a struggle, and I’ve still been trying to catch up from when I was sick with the flu. My best advice is to

just stick out the days. It feels like Winter Vacation is so far away, but we’re almost there. On the other side is a clean absent record that I bet we all can’t wait for.

Dear Merle, Why is it freezing outside?

-winterjackethater Winter!

I think we just forget how cold it gets. It seems like the cold numbs our brain, the summer melts it, and then we never remember the dreary coldness of December weather. We forget about the days of waking up with legs aching from the previous day, snuggling under your blanket, unable to move, no sun rising with you, it’s just terrible. I hope the sun comes faster so we can forget about this frigid winter.

Love, Merle Merle, Where do I get my Aruba/Punta Cana/Bahama clothes from?

-wintervacalover Another winter username!

I recommend first looking through your old bathing suits and cover-ups, the jeans in your closet and your other siblings’ closets. After you realize you hate everything you own and want a whole new wardrobe, I recommend taking a day off to go shopping, the only exciting activity anymore. There are many stores here in Brooklyn that offer many outfits, and you can also go searching online for hours and hours, or maybe you can take a trip to the city with your mom. Can’t wait to see your outfits in Aruba! I hope your outfits are good enough!

Love, Merle

Connections

By Esther Shemia Fun & Games Editor

Plane

War

School

Book

Cons truc tion

Panini

Jew

Country

Lettuce

Piña Colada

State

Beach

Humus

Household

Hot

Commons

Answers: Vacation: hot, plane, beach, pina colada Israel: hummus, country, Jew, war School things: panini, book, construction, commons Head of ___: school, lettuce, state, household

6 | phoenix@flatbush.org

Merle, Is it hard being Merle?

-merlewannabe Wannabe, I can’t lie, being a Merle comes with great responsibilities. Having to write fun, engaging answers to your questions every issue can take a toll. Some issues are better than others, and it can get frustrating at times. However, the outcome does allow for a satisfying result. When I walk through the halls and hear laughter and see people reading the newspaper, I know they’re laughing because of me. So, while Merle does come with responsibilities and sometimes stress, it’s overall worth it.

Love, Merle Merle, Why is Senior year so expensive?

-brokesenior Hi, Broke, Being a senior is so expensive for no reason at all. I wish I could give you an answer as to why Urban Air was $50, why the ski trip is at least another $100, and why the Poland trip is so expensive, but the reason is because it just pays for the cost of everything. I’m not satisfied with that answer either, because I’d rather everything be free, but it doesn’t work that way. Just know that this money is worth it because this is the last time you get to

experience anything like this, so if I were you I would take full advantage of all the opportunities that are presented to you.

Love, Merle Merle, What’s Magen vs. Flatbush beef?

-flatbushfalcon27 Falcon, The Magen/Flatbush rivalry runs deep. Despite the newest provocative chants, Flatbush and Magen have always been neck and neck. Maybe it’s because of their values, the schools’ pride, or just pure bragging rights, but the feud will always be there. The basketball game just helps fuel the fire that’s already there.

Our number-one ranked boys varsity team’s loss to Magen was a tough one, and missing out on our opportunity for revenge on January 2 was heartbreaking.

We'll get ’em next time. Go Falcons!

Love, Merle

Flatbush Cartoon

By Jacob Nussbaum Phoenix Cartoonist

Standard of Fabulous

Top 10 product Girls’ Seminar styles getting more tzniut trends of 2023

By Sophia Madeb Fashion Editor

In the ever-evolving world of beauty, certain products have made significant impacts throughout the year.

The clean girl makeup aesthetic, characterized by an effortless look and lifestyle, while remaining casual and minimal, has surged through the industry encompassing trends in skincare, makeup, and hair.

One standout in 2023 was the Drunk Elephant products that swept the beauty industry. The biggest of these was their D-Bronzi bronzing drops with peptides.

“The product is sunshine in a bottle,” says the Drunk Elephant website. It works ideally by mixing them with moisturizer, oils, or directly onto the face. It is a versatile makeup product as it can be used as a primer, a bronzer, and a foundation for an effortlessly bronzed look, and retails for $38. Other popular Drunk Elephant products include the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum with hydraulic acid, priced at $49, and the Pronti Polypeptide Refillable Moisturizer. This moisturizer can be used by itself but is best mixed with their bronzing drops. The product is best for dryness and dry skin, retailing for $68. This product saw mass success with over 360,000 moisturizers sold at Sephora in 2023.

Glow Recipe, a skincare brand, grew in popularity with the help of TikTok influencer Katie Fang, gaining traction in 2023. Glow Recipe sells products to achieve both mattifying and “dewy” looks. Their best-selling product was their Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore Tight-Toner, retailing for $35. This toner stands out as it utilizes hydraulic and salicylic acid for hydration, to improve texture, and to minimize pores.

Haus Labs, Lady Gaga’s brand, introduced Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation with fermented arnica, which, although launched in 2022, gained popularity in January of 2023. The foundation offers a wide range of 56 shades and boasts a natural finish while feeling weightless on the skin. It is a long-wearing foundation that is intended to help reduce redness, retailing for $45.

Makeup by Mario, the Kardashians’ makeup artist, launched their Surreal Skin Awakening Concealer, this summer, on August 17, 2023. While less success-

By Raquel Gindi

ful than their foundation, it still made a large splash on the makeup community.

The concealer is a liquid formula, providing medium coverage for covering dark circles, acne, and blemishes, while creating a natural finish.

In the lip domain, Rhode, owned by Hailey Biber, saw immense success with their Peptide Lip Treatment, creating a waitlist of 440,00 people, according to Forbes Magazine. The treatment aims to naturally result in “plump, pillowy soft lips day and night.” The main ingredient in all their products is macadamia nut oil, which has surprised many with a nut allergen, so if allergic to nuts this product is not recommended. The first drop, in June 2022, consisted of three shades: unscented, caramel, and watermelon, priced at $16. Toward the end of the year, on September 28, 2023, Rhode dropped their tinted lip treatments; which are seeing similar success.

Summer Fridays’s Lip Butter Balm is another popular product in the lip domain. It was initially priced at $16 when launched and now retails for $24. The lip product consists of tinted and untinted shades. The three non-tinted shades are mint, vanilla, and pink sugar. The four tinted shades are poppy, vanilla beige, brown sugar, and cherry.

Hair trends of 2023 included the slicked-back look popularized by the celebrity Sofia Alexandra Richie Grainge, who achieved the slick back using a hair mask, which surprised many fans. However, since hair specialists have said that using hair masks for slick back styles can cause hair loss, another product used to achieve the perfect slick back look without leaving baby strands, flyways, and frizz behind is the Samntye Hair Wax Stick. This wax stick is the number one best seller on Amazon, retailing for $7.58. Slick-back styles can either be buns, ponytails, ponytails with a braid, and more.

Additionally, another popular haircut was the butterfly cut characterized by face-framing layers.

Lastly, the hair product used to help damage, color damage, bond building, and hair loss hair is the k18 Biomimetic HairScience, a leave-in molecular repair hair mask, retailing for $29. This treatment mask is designed for all hair types and “uses peptide technology to repair damage from bleach, color, any chemical service such as hair treatments, and heat, to restore strength, softness, and smoothness,” according to Sephora.

Contributing Writer

Girls’ Seminar outfit styles have changed from immodest to more orthodox styles at the Yeshivah of Flatbush over the past couple of years, says SAFE teacher Ms. Penina Ginsberg. In the past, girls would wear very short skirts and dresses, whereas now they are wearing long knit skirt sets and long knit dresses, she said.

Ms. Ginsberg spoke about how in the past, it was very common for girls to get in trouble for the length of their skirts, but because of the new style, very few girls have been getting “skirted” at Seminar.

Ms. Ginsberg mentioned that the reason for this change not necessarily religious observance. “It’s totally dependent on society’s trends at the time. So if celebrities are wearing certain styles, then that’s what my girls are going to end up wearing on Seminar,” she said. “So now, because the trend is long skirts and everything long and sleek, that’s what they will wear. If it’s short and low cut then that’s what they’re going to come in wearing and it’s totally dependent on that.”

Even over the past few years, the outfits for girls have changed. Junior Helene Shamah said, “In freshman year we would wear more silk skirts but now I feel like everyone is more into wearing knit sweater sets or knit long dresses.”

She mentioned that “Last month on Ju-

nior Seminar, I wore a knit dress on Friday night and a sweater set on Saturday.”

An anonymous junior girl said that self-confidence plays a role as well. “In freshman year I felt like I had to impress people and look a certain way so I opted for a tighter dress,” she said. “Now that I’m a junior I realize that’s not what seminar is all about, and I’m so much more comfortable in a looser-fitting sweater dress and I feel like it really did change my Seminar experience that I wasn’t thinking about that.”

The impact on styles is also dependent on a student’s upbringing. Ms. Ginsberg said, “If their home or parents don’t tolerate certain styles, then you would never see it on that girl on Seminar.”

Junior girls said that they got their outfits for last month’s Seminar from stores like Aritzia, Asos, and Zara. Junior Adele Hamway said, “Even though Aritzia is a little more on the expensive side, they have great dresses that are sick for Friday night. It takes like 1-2 days to deliver and that’s great if you ever need a last-minute outfit.”

Junior and senior boys, on the other hand believe that their outfits on Seminar have remained consistent over the past few years. Senior Marco Levy explained, “It takes me max 10 minutes to pack. Personally, I didn’t change what I wear. Every year I just wear a suit in a dark color.”

Long sweater dresses and skirt sets were common at Junior Seminar last month

phoenix@flatbush.org | 7

Sports Kyrgios, ranked no. 470, Students predict Super Bowl teams, winner vows to come back

By Yvette Dweck Sophomore Editor

By Emily Tarrab Sophomore Editor

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios, formerly ranked with a career-high of No. 13 in the world back in 2016, has officially lost his Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) ranking since he’s now been placed at No. 470. According to ATP ranking rules, players ranked over 100 are not eligible to be entered in the main draw of any ATP tournaments, the most prestigious tour; however, for Kyrgios this rule does not apply.

During the summer of 2022, Kyrgios was blazing through the season, making his first Wimbledon final, winning the singles and doubles title at the Citi Open, and finally reaching the quarterfinal at the US Open. These wins provided him with sufficient tour points to boost his rank back to one of the top 20 players on tour, after dropping from No. 13.

Months later, Kyrgios made it to the quarter-finals of the Japan Open but had to withdraw due to a knee injury. He underwent surgery this past January, pulling himself out of the 2023 ATP Tour for the first half of the year to recover.

Resuming this June, he played his first and only match of 2023, losing in the first round of the Stuttgart Open. The night before the start of the Wimbledon Championships, he announced that he tore a ligament in his wrist and would not be able to play in both Wimbledon and the US Open. Consequently, the lack of wins and overall participation failed to gain Kyrgios enough points to secure his

high ATP ranking, drastically reducing it to close to 500 this October.

Kyrgios made sure to remind fans that whenever he decides to return, he will still be able to compete in the main draw because of his protected rank of 21.

A protected ranking is determined by the average rank of a player during the first three months of their injury. This ranking permits players to enter the draw up to nine months after the player’s initial return from their injury, regardless of their uneligible and incredibly low rank at that moment. Alternatively, players below the ATP tour rank can receive a “wild card” invitation from the tournament directors to play, regardless of the cause of their low rank.

Despite having previously confirmed his attendance in the January 2024 Australian Open, on December 8 Kyrgios retracted that statement, claiming that he needs more time to recover from both injuries and to perform at the top level he enjoyed in 2022. He stated that he was “so close to winning a Grand Slam” and that he wanted to give his body “the time that it needs to come back.” This left many Aussies saddened by the fact that he was their likely chance at bringing the Grand Slam title home. Given Kyrgios’s popularity and his controversially infamous and entertaining style of play, he will be sorely missed by lots of tennis fans. To everyone’s surprise, Nick Kyrgios then announced that he would still be in Melbourne Park in 2024, although only as a commentator.

As the NFL 2024 regular season nears its end, many fans are starting to prognosticate playoff and Super Bowl teams.

In the AFC, eight teams make the playoffs. While fans are sure that the top seven teams, with the Baltimore Ravens at the top, are already guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, fans debate whether the Houston Texans will secure the 8th playoff spot or if the Pittsburgh Steelers will steal the spot. Sophomore Jack Abadi said, “Personally, I think the Steelers have a good chance at making the playoffs. Houston started off strong but recently, they have not been so great.”

In the NFC, the 49ers, who are currently leading the conference, and the other top six teams have comfortably secured their spots in the playoffs. The Packers, Falcons, Saints, and Vikings are fighting for the seventh and eighth spots.

“The teams going into the playoffs from the NFC are much more of a mystery than the teams going into the playoffs from the AFC,” sophomore Judah Beyda said, “it’s a difficult prediction to make right now as there are three more games to be played in the NFC.” Since the 49ers and the Ravens both lead their respective conferences, many fans are predicting that they will also square off in this year’s Super Bowl. Abadi said, “The San Francisco 49ers are going to win the Super Bowl this year. They have their quarterback, Brock Purdy, leading an elite offense with help from running back Christain McCaffrey, who is having a phenomenal season and, in my opinion, is the best running back in the league. With Nick Bosa and Chase Young leading the 49ers’ defense, the San Francisco 49ers are definitely the favorites to win the Super Bowl this year.”

Opinions about the Buffalo Bills’ chances have widely varied over the course of the season and, more recently, have strengthened given their excellent

play as of late. Even though the Bills have a top-tier quarterback, they didn’t stand out to football fans in the beginning of the season as they unexpectedly lost to weaker teams like the Jets and Patriots. As the season continued, the Bills improved and started to beat more impressive teams. Sophomore Elliot Cohen claimed, “The most underrated team this year is the Buffalo Bills. Though they were bad in the beginning, they have recently been on fire and beat outstanding teams like the Cowboys and the Eagles.

In addition to that, they have remarkable receivers like Stephon Diggs and Gabe Davis.”

Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles to win Super Bowl LVII. This year, fans are underwhelmed with the Chiefs’ regular season performance, as they assumed that the Chiefs would demolish the teams in their conference. Beyda said, “It’s not like the Chiefs have a bad record, it’s just that I expected more out of them since they have an amazing quarterback and Taylor Swift’s boyfriend. They should have crushed teams like the Packers and Broncos but instead, they lost to them.”

The Eagles started off their season determined to dominate. The Eagles were playing remarkably until Week 13, when they lost to the 49ers. “I thought they just had a bad game. Everyone thought the Eagles just had a bad game and that they would pick up the slack the following week,” Cohen said, “but then they lost the next game, and the game after.”

Fans are unsure if there is enough time for them to get back in shape for the Super Bowl.

Although there will be many possible Super Bowl champions, in reality, most fans are limiting the actual possible winners to a small handful of teams, many of whom have proven to be truly excellent teams over a series of years. The next couple of months are setting up to be an exciting finale to a fun NFL season.

Sportsman Spotlight: Silvers is not cutting corners

By Paulette Saada Sports Editor

Sam Silvers grew up playing football every Saturday in Marine Park with his friends. He joined the Flatbush Falcons football team in his sophomore year, and has been playing on Varsity since last year.

Silvers, along with the rest of the football team, attends practice twice a week at Comer Field, and practices for an hour and a half. He enjoys practice because he enjoys hanging out with his teammates, who he says are all very close. However, sometimes practice isn’t as enjoyable when they have to play outside in the freezing weather. In addition, Silvers explained, “The cold sometimes affects the way I play, both during practice and in games. It makes it harder to catch the

8 | phoenix@flatbush.org

ball, and harder to focus on the game as a whole.”

The Varsity Football team started the season on a positive note, and are ending off the regular season with a record of 6-1. Because of their winning record, they have a bye in the first round of playoffs, and will automatically make it to the second round of playoffs.

Silvers, who plays defense as a cornerback, explains that he thinks his team has a big chance of winning the championship and is very optimistic. “We are going to win the championship,” he said.

The Falcons’ biggest competitors are Netzach and MAY. Silvers said that it will be a challenge to play them but he definitely thinks that his team can pull off the win.

He said that he is sad for the season to be over unless they win the championship.