The Panther Post: Vol VI, Issue 2 February 2022

Panther Post The

VOL. VI NO. 2 YULA High School Feb 2022 | Adar I 5782 yulapantherpost.com

Girls Drama Club Presents Hamilton

By Nili Torbati (‘24)

Photo by Meira Ives (‘22)

YULA Open House Events Welcome Record Turnout

By Noah Chriqui (‘22) and Adiel Nourmand (‘22), Executive Editor

YULA’s Boys and Girls Division Open Houses, which took place in the first two weeks of November, were huge successes. With a record number of attendees, each division’s Open House events were split into two nights to accommodate social distancing guidelines. According to YULA Head of School Rabbi Arye Sufrin, who spoke at the event, “Open House is more than a recruiting event. It’s an opportunity for YULA to celebrate our students who are developing into genuine B’nai and B’not Torah.”

The Levkowitz Leadership Center at the Boys Division and the Rubin Auditorium at the Girls Division were the centers of attraction at each event. There, student ambassadors for YULA operated information stands for various student-led organizations, including Mock Trial, Model UN, YIAC (YULA’s Israel Advocacy Club), and Model Congress.

The Innovation Labs and Schlesinger Steam Studio were transformed into technological havens. At the former, a Virtual Reality stand allowed visitors to visit space through a pair of goggles. At the Girls Division Steam Lab, visitors had the opportunity to demo YULA’s steam tech.

At Open House at the Boys Division, students introduced their own startup companies to prospective YULA families. Moshe Darvish (‘22) introduced his photography business MD Productions; Aidan Stephen (‘22) showcased his political debate startup app, YapPolitics; and Arshia Kohanteb (‘22) and Jeremy Wizenfeld (‘22) presented their student scheduling app, Planner Peak. “We were thankful for the opportunities to both share our ideas and receive feedback from prospective parents and students,” Wizenfeld said.

At the Girls Division, Drama and Theater students performed a sneak peek of their rendition of “Hamilton,” which premiered in December. According to Girls Division Head of Recruitment and Admission Samira Miller, “Open House is about giving prospective students and parents a glimpse into why YULA is so special. The class sessions, leadership fair, and student Q&A showcase our amazing teachers and students and how talented they are.”

The Open House events would not have been possible if it were not for the enthusiasm of YULA students and faculty. According to Boys Division Dean of Students Rabbi Shimon Abramczik, their collective effort allowed prospective families “to see firsthand all of the potential opportunities for a student at YULA.”

YULA Girls Division’s production of the highly-acclaimed musical, Hamilton, was enthusiastically received by the broader community. The production, directed by Margy Horowitz and featuring a cast consisting entirely of members of the school’s student body, was presented in three performances in December. Each performance drew a sizable (female-only) audience, and tickets were sold out the week prior to each respective show. Many cast members, who had little or no previous theatrical training, had spent several months preparing. The production triumphed in promoting arts and culture and adhered to Orthodox Jewish values.

Beyond the cast’s being well-prepared, many factors contributed to the success of

the production – namely, the choreography. Throughout production, the ensemble could be seen performing well-synchronized, detailed dances in the background.

Additionally, the costume designers, Shira Cohn (‘22) and Orelle Maghen (‘22), worked tirelessly to ensure the actors’ clothing accurately represented the original musical’s wardrobe. Arieli Mahler (‘22), Chana Horowitz (‘23), and Nellie Javaherian (‘24) donned the iconic Schuyler Sisters’ gowns.

Meanwhile, the backstage production members managed the lighting, sound, and props to ensure an optimal viewing experience for the audience. The show’s success, along with the collaborative efforts of the production’s cast and crew, has set the bar high for YULA productions going forward.

Seniors See Most Competitive College Admissions Cycle to Date

By Israel Gootin (‘22), Editor-in-Chief This year’s college application cycle is shaping up to be the busiest YULA Boys Division has seen in a while. Twenty-two out of 48 Boys Division seniors applied via the Early Action or Early Decision programs to 19 different universities, while just seven of the 34 seniors last year applied early to schools. On an international scale, the number of college applications has increased by 11% to over 6,000,000 in 2021, making this year’s admissions the most competitive ever.

Students who apply early compete with a smaller applicant pool, which increases their admission chances, and enjoy receiving their admissions decisions earlier. However, those accepted via Early Decision are legally bound to attend that school, meaning they can only apply to one school via the program.

Those who apply Early Action aren’t bound to the same requirement. The most popular early application schools among YULA boys this year are the Binghamton campus of New York State University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Michigan. They accept 44%, 9%, and 25% of applicants, respectively.

Since such a small pool of applicants are admitted to their top choice universities, students mix and match schools based on admissions difficulty to ensure themselves a spot somewhere. The average YULA student applied to multiple self-described “safety” schools – those with more generous acceptance rates – via Early Action, while reserving their top “reach” school for Early Decision. Many YULA students have also applied to several Regular Decision schools this month.

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AP Classes, Good!

But AP Tests?

For years, the Boys and Girls Divisions could not come to a consensus. With the merger, what will happen next?

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Continued on page 2

Is free food better then Olam Haba?

Read into the Halachik issues faced while taking advantage of food delivery apps via promo codes.

Community Understanding Anxiety and How to Handle It

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YULA Student Tutoring in the Boys Division

By Jake Lewis (‘24) and Israel Gootin (‘22), Editor-in-Chief

By Raphy Amsellem (‘23)

Contrary to popular belief, anxiety does not simply mean experiencing nervousness from time to time. Rather, those with anxiety feel a persisting sense of doubt and unease that evolves in their minds. Over time, it can disrupt relationships with friends and family.

No one wants to be around the guy who is always on edge.

But anxiety is beyond anyone’s control.

In some, it is ever present; in others, it is activated by specific triggers. For the most part, however, it is completely random and unpredictable and presents itself in a multitude of symptoms. “For me, it comes [from] over-

YULA’s Boys Division offers a variety of tutoring services to ensure the success of each student. Through specialized tutoring sessions, students receive personalized academic attention, create bonds with their instructors, and develop communication skills.

The SAT Tutoring Club, headed by Joshua Iskowitz (‘23) and Jake Stephen (‘23), prepares students for the SAT taken in the spring of 11th grade. According to Iskowitz, by teaching insightful test-taking tips and strategies, “the club offers a workable alternative to expensive tutoring.” Members of the club say that this program offers a comprehensive review of the material in preparation for the exam. Iskowitz and Stephen have worked diligently to ensure the program’s success by meeting a few times each week.

Eitan Gelb (‘22) and Ava Chernicoff’s (‘22) Shenandoah Caring Adults Teaching Children How club, also known as SCATCH, allows YULA students to tutor students at Shenandoah Elementary School on Friday afternoons. The tutors create friendly relationships with their students while providing a helpful educational experience. As Gelb explains, “SCATCH is a great way to give back to others.”

Members of Ethan Frankel’s (‘22) Peer-Tutoring Club are paired with students who require guidance in specific subjects. Peer tutors have the opportunity to master their skills in the subject that they choose to tutor as they share their knowledge with their students. Many teachers offer the tutors who participate in this program extra credit for devoting their time to helping other students. The program “pairs the tutees with students who have already taken that exact course, [meaning] they have succeeded and know how to help you succeed too,” Frankel says.

serving of blame.” Many people feel ashamed of seeking outside help and instead internalize their struggles. Studies show that this isolating behavior only leads to more severe symptoms that further develop if left untreated.

Despite the stigma, many effective treatments do exist. Most popular is psychotherapy, a collaborative process in which one works with a therapist. But for many, no third party is needed. Research suggests that the mesolimbic, mesocortical, and nigrostriatal dopaminergic systems are involved in managing anxiety and its symptoms. That means the brain’s release of dopamine, commonly referred to as the “happiness drug,” plays a role in curbing feelings of anxiety. Exercise, a good diet, and enjoyable activities promote the release and reception of dopamine in the brain, which can distract from anxiety in the short term.

But anxiety is not curable. So while the methods outlined above may be helpful, they only temporarily bandaid what is a lifelong struggle for many. Not everyone is the same, so each person must find the methods that best work for them to cope with anxiety. With that in mind, the importance of respecting others’ struggles cannot be stressed enough. You never know what’s going on in one’s mind. You never know what they could be going through.

“ ” The biggest challenge in battling anxiety is the stigma that comes with it.

thinking,” says a YULA student who prefers to remain anonymous. “My every thought passes through a million checks and filters before it leaves my lips. Many times, I completely freeze. It disrupts my conversations.”

The biggest challenge in battling anxiety is the stigma that comes with it. According to research by Hanlon and Swords, “adolescents express a range of negative responses towards descriptions of anxious peers including a belief that they are ‘weak,’ that they are personally responsible for their symptoms, and are de-

(This article was originally written for the YULA Psychology Club)

Seniors See Most Competitive College Admissions Cycle to Date Continued from front page

Most colleges require applicants to complete a number of supplemental essays specific to their schools and programs. The vast majority of universities in the United States tout their “holistic approach” to the college admissions process. That is, they consider more than just grades and test scores before admitting a student, and these criteria include essays.

Although supplemental essays allow colleges to understand applicants on a personal level, they’re also designed to prevent students from “shotgunning,” or applying to schools they don’t know much about, in hopes of admission.

Students who apply to a variety of schools find themselves with a long list of essays to write. Aidan Stephen (‘22) says that he’s applied to eight schools with early November deadlines alone, which has amounted to more than 20 supplemental essays. “Every night, I pump out essay after essay in hopes of meeting the early deadlines. At this point, the amount of work that I put into college applications makes me feel like I’m already enrolled.”

In the third week of December, Eitan Gelb (‘22) was admitted to Princeton University’s Class of 2026 through its Restrictive Early Action program. The Ivy League school – which is ranked as USNews’ #1 in the nation – has just a 5.6% acceptance rate. Additionally,

Michael Nagel (‘22) was offered admission to NYU’s highly-selective Stern School of Business through the Early Decision program; Gavi Steinlauf, Natanel Perez, and Hillel Valensi (‘22) were admitted to Yeshiva University’s Honors program via Early Decision.

Gelb advises underclassmen to “begin their college search now. The earlier you know where you want to go, the smoother the application process will be.”

Most students have backup plans if they don’t get accepted to their top choices early. While many will elect to apply for Regular Decision in January, some also plan to apply via Early Decision II, the admissions program that carries the same binding properties of the November ED albeit two months later. “Washington University in St. Louis is where I plan to submit my EDII application,” says a YULA student who prefers to remain anonymous.

Beyond searching for universities, selecting decision plans, and writing essays, YULA students are also inundating their

teachers with requests for letters of recommendation.

Like supplemental essays, rec letters are considered by colleges as part of their holistic selection process.

“That I get to know my students so well helps me write their recommendation letters,” says Ms. Pam Felcher, who wrote letters for 10 of her students this year. “I’m more than happy to write them, but I must admit that they take a while to complete.”

However, the unsung hero of the complex application process is Michael Heeter, the College Guidance Counselor at YULA Boys Division. Each year, he meets with seniors extensively to discuss their college plans. Once he gets to know each individual student, he recommends schools tailored to them and guides them through applying. “The most important thing I do is [work to meet] both the collective and individual needs of the senior class,” Heeter says. “I’m here to help.”

It’s never too early to start preparing for college applications, according to Heeter. “The clock starts ticking on the first day of ninth grade, so there is no time to waste.”

Photo By Eitan Gelb (‘22)

The Panther Post • February 2022 • Community

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YULA Israel Advocacy Club Awarded $10,000 Grant

By Yael Abesera (‘24)

Photo by Daniel Sentchuk (‘22)

Rabbi Menachem Hecht, who teaches at both YULA Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions, also helps plan student activities, such as Persian Culture Day, Israel Independence Day, and events for YULA’s Israel Advocacy Club (YIAC). Recently, YIAC was awarded a $10,000 grant by the American Jewish Committee to help further its mission of Israel advocacy. The Panther Post spoke with Rabbi Hecht to discuss the club’s recent success.

Panther Post: What led you to become the advisor of YULA’s Israel advocacy club?

Menachem Hecht: For me, personally, Israel is at the center of my life. I believe we cannot take our homeland for granted. After 2,000 years of wandering, I believe that we must do everything we can to ensure a strong America-Israel relationship.

PP: What motivates you to keep fighting against antisemitism? What motivated you to start?

MH: Am Yisrael has constantly faced challenges over our 4,000 year history, and we have always overcome these challenges. We have to be the next

link in the chain, and part of that work is standing up for the Jewish people.

PP: YIAC recently won a major grant. Can you tell us more about it?

MH: AJC just held a $10,000 competition for new ideas to fight antisemitism. There were over 70 applications from Jewish organizations across the country, but they were most impressed with our concept. They loved our student leaders, and we were ultimately selected as a winner.

PP: How will the grant be used to counter antisemitism?

MH: Our idea is that personal relationships at the high-school level will disrupt antisemitism before it even begins. When non-Jewish students who participate in YIAC’s Inter-Community Youth Initiative hear something negative about Jews or about Israel in the future, they’ll think about their friends from YULA. They’ll be reaching out to them to get the correct information and to shut down antisemitism.

PP: Can you tell us more about YIAC’s “Inter-Community Youth Initiative?”

MH: Through ICY events, YULA students get to know students from other faiths, nationalities, and ethnic backgrounds. They get to talk to Catholic schools, Evangelical schools, Armenian schools, and Muslim youth groups to create partnerships. The goal is to build student relationships on our shared status as minorities in the US and to look for ways to stand for Israel and to fight antisemitism and all forms of hate together.

PP: What differentiates YULA’s YIAC from other pro-Israel clubs?

MH: I think the greatest thing about YIAC, and one of the greatest things about YULA, is how passionate and dedicated our students are – how much they care about Israel and how committed they are to making a difference.

PP: How can the YULA community contribute to the fight against antisemitism?

MH: The number one thing is always to know our story and to be proud of who we are.

Inside YULA’s Entrepreneurship Culture

By Jeremy Wizenfeld (‘22), Economics Editor, and Coby Karben (‘22), Community Editor The entrepreneurial spirit shared among the YULA Boys Division student body has been on full display since the beginning of the pandemic. From concession stands to tech startup companies, YULA students are launching their own businesses to much success.

As YULA boys spread out across the Robin Family Plaza at breakfast, students are faced with a long line in front of Etai Turgeman’s (‘22) grilled cheese stand, set up near the school’s front gates. Each morning Turgeman sends out an online order form to the students and operates four grilled-cheese makers at the center of the Robin Plaza. Throughout breakfast time, Turgeman can be seen fulfilling special, grilled-cheese orders with jalapenos, tomato paste, tuna, and sriracha sauce. “The more work you give the computer, the less work you do yourself,” Turgeman says. “That lets me focus on making as many sandwiches as I can to serve student customers.”

On the other side of the Plaza, students will find Yosef Levi’s (‘22) bagel business. Bagels, cream

cheese, Nutella, fresh veggies, three toasters, and occasionally lox leave students with deliciously difficult decisions to make about how best to enjoy their breakfast. “I saw a great opportunity to capitalizatize on the breakfast rush, so I took it without hesitation,” Levi says.

In addition to the breakfast entrepreneurs, Aidan Stephen (‘22) and former YULA student Eli Plotkin (‘22) founded YapPolitics, a political debate platform. The duo’s creation won second place at YULA’s L’Chadash Innovation Challenge at the onset of the pandemic. This past summer, Stephen and Plotkin raised over $80,000 for the company and beta tested their app on a large scale. Stephen describes YapPolitics as a “platform which provides users with a new way to debate politics online by bridging the divide between the diverse affiliation sets that make up the American political spectrum.” They continue to expand their company by developing new features for the app and making the user experience as friendly and welcoming as possible.

YULA also encourages students to engage in entrepreneurship through various academic courses.

Brendan O’Malley, a new member of YULA’s faculty, teaches the Creativity and Business Innovation class, where he helps students work towards making their dream business idea a reality. Of his students’ projects, O’Malley is most excited about “Dan Dan’s Foods, a line of vacuum sealed, local, Kosher certified packed lunches; and MD Productions, a visual arts business with over 100 clients in Los Angeles & New York. [They] have hit the ground running going to market.”

If a student wants to create a tech-related business, YULA also offers an Advanced Programming with Business Application course. Students can create a business, but also gain the necessary skills for managing websites, apps, or any technical aspects of their business.

Academics Faculty

Focus

By Gideon Fishman (‘24) Jonathan Sterling Hall joined YULA’s faculty this year as the new science and STEAM teacher for the Boys Division. Mr. Hall, who has been interested in the sciences since junior high, earned a bachelor’s degree in veterinary science and biology and a master’s degree in education from Bleecker College in Wooster, Massachusetts.

Before he began teaching, Mr. Hall pursued his passion for science by working in the pharmaceutical industry for a number of years. He then began his teaching career in schools all over the world, ranging from institutions in Russia and China to Tanzania and Germany. Now, back in the United States, Hall teaches at YULA. Mr. Hall’s goal when joining YULA was “to make [students] passionate about science [and] to get kids interested in the field.” As such, he teaches Biology and Principles of Engineering to 9th graders and Chemistry to 10th graders.

Now, as the volunteer coordinator for YULA’s Robotics Teams and the First Tech Challenge, Mr. Hall has championed another role at the Boys Division. He plays a large part in coordinating and organizing Sunday competitions on the Boys Division campus with other participating schools and in mentoring YULA’s own robotics teams. All three Robotics teams have increased in size since the most recent 2018-19 season, and more students than ever are enrolling in YULA’s STEAM-focused courses.

“Teaching at YULA has been nothing short of an amazing experience,” Hall says.

“I’m glad to have gotten to know my students and the community, and I’ve loved learning about Jewish culture from them.”

AP: To Test or Not to Test

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By Leora Teichman (‘22), Community Editor, and Israel Gootin (‘22), Editor-in-Chief YULA Girls Division has, for the past few years, allowed seniors to decide for themselves whether they should take AP exams, while the boys are required to pay for and sit for the exams. However, now that the Boys and Girls Division have merged, many students are asking that a cohesive decision be made.

Girls Division General Studies Principal Ms. Yehudis Benhamou believes that there are many advantages to allowing seniors to decide for themselves which AP exams to take. By the time AP exams have begun, seniors would have already applied to colleges and have a feel for where they will attend. Since “many of the colleges that our students are applying to actually do not take credit for the AP exams,” they find it to be a waste of time. “There are many colleges that do accept it, and therefore [we] encourage our seniors to take [the exam], but we do not require it,” said Ms. Benhamou. She firmly believes that seniors will make an informed decision regarding which APs they should take to benefit them in college.

While seniors can save time spent studying for AP exams, there is great concern that not requiring them can lead to a serious decline in participation within the classroom. Ms. Benhamou rejected this notion. She and the other heads of the Girls Division have had “that discussion before about whether forcing seniors to take the APs would make them more diligent in class, but we didn’t find that at all.” The students who want to take the test are studying regardless of a mandate. “What we have found is that if we mandate unwilling seniors to take the test, they get to the test and don’t do anything.”

YULA Girls Division’s AP Chemistry and Biology teacher Mrs. Sandy Waleko says that she is biased towards students taking the exam because “I spend so much time [in the course], and I know my students do, too.” When they enroll in her class, Mrs. Waleko’s students understand that she requires that her students take the exam so she can better see how well they have understood the content of the course.

Mrs. Waleko suggests that it takes a lot of effort to do poorly on the exam. “I think it has only happened once that a girl in one of my classes sat down for the test and scored a 2. It is not common at all.” Most of her

students average a 4 on the exam.

The YULA Boys Division views the issue differently.

Students are required to take the AP exam as a measure of success in the course. According to Principal of General Studies Rick St. Laurent, “the department chairs and AP teachers at the Boys Division voted and agreed that seniors should be required to take the AP exam to earn AP credit on their transcript.” The faculty agrees that the exams help “recognize the strengths of the students,” and that mandating them allows for “an objective measure of the strength of the curriculum and the student population.” The exams also help colleges understand the rigor of the YULA Boys Division curriculum.

Some AP teachers at the Boys Division are also passionate about the exam requirement. Ms. Pam Felcher, who teaches multiple AP English classes, encourages her students to prepare for the exams every year. “If you’re committing to an AP course, you’re also committing to the AP exam,” she says. “I like the exams because they allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and compete on a national level and let me see whether or not I’m doing a good job.”

On the other hand, Mrs. Vickie Bellomo, who has taught AP science courses at YULA for 23 years, believes the choice to take the AP exam should be up to each student and teacher. “Sometimes, unforeseen circumstances arise, so exceptions should be considered on a caseby-case basis.” She says that in her experience, students in other schools who aren’t interested in the AP exam have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in other ways. “I know that some kids commit to community projects and presentations in lieu of the exam. In my opinion, it’s a fair alternative.”

While there are advantages to requiring students to take the exam, the Girls Division decision not to require students to take AP exams hasn’t had many negatives.

Rather, it has allowed seniors to actively choose what will best benefit them.

“Both the boys and girls campuses have gone back and forth on this decision,” Ms. Benhamou admits, but “I think what we will find is that next year we will be on the same page. However, I’m not sure what that page will be.”

Third-Party Gemara Resources Out of Reach

By Andrew Rubel (‘23) The rapid increase in available online Talmud resources has created a unique obstacle for a discipline that typically revolves around text-based learning. Among the most popular are Sefaria and Mercava, which both offer online translations and explanations for thousands of pages of Gemara. While some YULA Rebbeim allow for the use of these resources within the classroom, many maintain a more hardline approach.

Rabbi Aaron Moshe Granick, a first-year YULA rabbi, believes that many translation resources can be harmful to a student’s growth in their Torah learning abilities. “Using a translation highly detracts from a student’s ability to learn Gemara,” Rabbi Granick explains. “These are the years to build your skills. If you’re just going to use [Gemara translations] during this time, you’re throwing them away.” He did, however, note that these resources can be helpful at times. “If somebody has a word or a phrase that they’re stuck on,” they should go for it.

Some YULA rebbeim have decided to permit the usage of Gemara translations within their classrooms. Rabbi Shimon Abramczik, Dean of Students and the head of the Friedman Family Masmidim program, realizes the benefits of English translations of the Gemara, particularly in a student’s pursuit of growth in their learning abilities. “Ultimately, I think that the goal should be for every student to get to the point of being a self-learner, to the point of not needing any outside resources. With that being said, I feel there are amazing tools to help get to that point.”

Given the wide range of translation resources available, YULA Rebbeim have been forced to decide whether or not to allow their students to access Gemara translations independently. Beyond that, YULA students are also making a crucial choice themselves: Whether or not their use of Gemara translations will complement their independent learning.

Students who typically avoid using English translations tend to agree that these resources should only be used in moments of confusion. “I think that every now and then, in a situation where there is a weird word which doesn’t normally come up, it’s fine to go in and look for just this one word’s translation,” said Noam Goldberg (‘23), a member of the Masmidim program. “But to use [an English translation] as your way of learning for every single word in the Gemara, I think that takes away from your learning,” he added.

Baruch Mendelowitz (‘24), also a student in the Friedman Family Masmidim program, tries to limit his usage of Gemara translations: “While I do occasionally use English resources, I prefer to stick to a physical method of learning, studying from the Gemara itself.”

While the debate will continue on the usage of English translations of the Gemara within learning, the ultimate goal for all YULA students remains the same: the furtherance of their Torah learning ambitions and the development of critical lifelong skills along the way.

Features

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David Julius: Nobel Prize for Physiology & Medicine

By Natan Rosen (‘23)

Graphic by Daniel Sentchuk (‘22)

David Julius, a Jewish physiologist and

on neuropharmacology and receptor function.

the outer tips of the sensory nerves, and dis-

professor at the University of California, San

He joined UCSF in 1989 and continued his

Francisco, was awarded the Nobel Prize this

study in serotonin receptors.

covered that it is responsible for heat detection and burning sensations. His research in these

year for his discovery of the protein receptor

Dr. Julius studied how protein receptors,

responsible for our perception of temperature

specifically TRP ion channels, reacted to vari-

and touch.

ous substances by studying chemicals in horse-

receptors in the skin, which aids research

David Julius was born on November 4,

radish, toxins of various poisonous animals,

against chronic pain. Juluis’s research not only

1955, in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. After re-

and the molecules that deliver the burning sen-

ceiving a B.S. (Bachelor of Sciences) degree in

sation of chili peppers (capsaicin). He conclud-

opens the gate to many future developments in

life sciences from the Massachusetts Institute

ed that TRP, a pain-signaling apparatus in the

of Technology, Julius went on to get his doctor-

nervous system, may serve as a potential new

ate in biochemistry at UC Berkeley. Dr. Julius

target for future medicines. Julius then stud-

studied at Richard Axel’s Laboratory, focusing

ied proteins such as TRPV1, an ion channel of

compounds helps future scientists understand

the field of chronic medication, but also acts as an inspiration to Jews around the world who want to make a difference in the medical field.

Keepin’ it

H S E R F

y (‘25) v e l a H a h

By Menuc

The girls in YULA’s class of 2025 are loving

the school and thriving in their first year of high school. Multi-

ple 9th graders have joined sports teams this year and love being a part of them. Michal

Photo by Atara Samson (‘22)

Mahler (‘25), a member of the JV basketball team, said, “I love playing sports, especially as a freshman, because you come into school and you might not know so many people. Participating on a sports team really allows you to be able to make friends both in and out of your grade.”

The 9th graders are still figuring out how to handle their new classes. Anaelle Kupperman (‘25) said that “as a freshman, I am dealing with the workload by preparing ahead as much as I can and using my breaks and free periods to do work.”

Though the workload and tests can sometimes be overwhelming for freshmen, the YULA faculty has been doing a great job of helping them adjust to high school by planning activities and fun events, such as chagiggas, club meetings, programs, and sporting events.

Photo by Atara Samson (‘22)

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Features • February 2022 • The Panther Post

Panther Post The

Editors-in-Chief Israel Gootin Daniella Zisblatt Executive Editors Jake Stephen Adiel Nourmand Managing Editors Ethan Frankel Shoshana Zisblatt Faculty Adviser Pamela Felcher Community Editors Coby Karben Leora Teichman Academics Editors Moshe Feldman Maya Wertheim Sports Editors Benji Monsano Ava Kohanteb Torah & Israel Editors Kovy Etshalom Eliana Waghalter Features Editors Eitan Gelb Yaelle Shaye Opinion Editor Ariella Gershov Economics Editor Jeremy Wizenfeld

The First Step: Understanding Climate Change Part I of a Series

By Jake Stephen (‘23), Executive Editor Global warming has been a focal point of debates about foreign and domestic policies for well over a decade. Myriad propositions to solve climate change have emerged, both for government intervention and individual contributions. Yet no meaningful progress has been made: carbon emissions rise yearly, and climate change has become less of a dystopian nightmare and more of a reality. In this series on Environmental Awareness, we will be exploring the truth about the climate crisis. As the generation is tasked with solving climate change, it is imperative that we stay informed and aware of the situation. This section will focus on the major contributors of climate change and the effectiveness of proposed solutions to combat it.

The global community has been aware of climate change for almost a century, but instead of reducing carbon emissions, humanity has increased emissions by more than 50% since 2000. Through tracking emission trends in the past decades, we can identify three major factors as primary contributors of climate change. The first, population growth, is often the most overlooked. Almost 2 billion more people inhabit this planet than did in the year 2000. These people require not only basic necessities like clothing, food, and shelter, but many also enjoy the luxuries of the modern world – the newest iPhones, fancy cars, bigger houses.

This growing population requires increased production, which emits greenhouse gasses.

Concurrent with population growth, the average person grows wealthier each year. Real GDP, the value of an economy, accounting for inflation, has doubled and in some places tripled over the past decades.

Carbon emissions have risen to fit modern needs and desires, which is more of a problem in the devel-

oped countries of the world. Given that a U.S. computer scientist, on average, produces more carbon emissions than a small village of Ugandan farmers, we face an unavoidable conundrum: Should humanity choose progress or survival?

The most daunting and elusive factor of climate change is the indirect rebound effect, which dictates how individuals’ attempts to reduce personal emissions may be futile, and in some cases, counterproductive. Presumably people purchase electric cars with the noble intention of avoiding gasoline consumption. Ostensibly, this effort should reduce one’s carbon footprint, while also saving the money that would have been spent on gas. This may seem like a winwin, but the indirect rebound effect explains that the money one saved from the purchase of the electric car will inevitably be reallocated to alternative outlets — going on trips or buying imported foods — resulting in an identical or even escalated carbon footprint. Even recycling is susceptible to the indirect rebound effect. Numerous studies in both a lab and field setting have shown that recycling leads to greater consumption of materials, which ultimately does more harm than good.

In essence, the first step in combating climate change is understanding the major factors that have contributed to it. Only then might humanity have a fighting chance at keeping this planet alive.

Culture Editors Yehuda Holender Zahavah Kaplan Chief Layout Editor

Daniel Sentchuk Photos Editors Atara Samson Rafi Sandlow Design Editors Meira Ives Website Editors Arshia Kohanteb

Boys Division 9760 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 Girls Division 1619 Robertson Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035

Graphic by Daniel Sentchuk (‘22)

What Happens When In-Person Socializing Meets Smartphones?

By Aharon Topp (‘24) Psychologists have long understood that positive social interactions encourage the mental well-being of many. In this day and age, however, with smartphones in the mix, social interaction spans long distances and many times lacks face-to-face communication. While some psychologists believe that mobile communication has a positive influence on psychological health, Sherry Turkle in her book Reclaiming Conversation deduces that in using smartphones, many deprive themselves of experiencing spontaneous deep conversations. She feels that cell phones do not only worsen the capacity for intimacy and chemistry with others but also tear apart the social foundation of communities.

In a recent study, 89% of Americans reported that during their last social interaction, they checked their phones, and of those, 82% reported that their phone usage weakened their conversation. Evidently, smartphone usage leads to shallow conversation about sub-

jects that both parties don’t mind interrupting.

Mid-conversation smartphone usage also decreases the empathetic bond between people. Studies have found that with a cell phone on the table, the emotional importance of the conversation diminishes, along with the connection between its participants.

Turkle also points out that humans are so vulnerable to the appeal of smartphones because the devices misleadingly promise constant company, entertainment, and the illusion of multitasking. In essence, smartphones deprive people of meaningful interactions. When people let their smartphones enter their conversations, they may think they are connecting with others when they are actually losing the empathy and intimacy that makes connecting with others possible.

(This article was originally written for the YULA Psychology Club)

Torah & Israel

7

Halachot of Promo Code Scams

By Moshe Feldman (‘23), Academics Editor Food delivery services have offered incentives for first-time users for years, but recently, returning customers have found ways to take advantage of them, too. By creating new accounts under different names on these services, regulars can take advantage of promotions offered to first-time users.

Among these services are Postmates, which offers 50% off one’s first five meals; Uber Eats, which bids a $25 discount for one’s first order; and Doordash, which slashes 30% off one’s first delivery.

While these discounts provide great incentives for customers, dishonestly taking advantage of them can violate several aspects of Halacha. Sheker, lying, is a Torah prohibition. By creating fake accounts and registering as a first-time user, one lies to these delivery services and thus transgresses the prohibition of sheker. Additionally, an issue arises of gezeilas akum, stealing from a non-Jew. Rav Yosef Karo, the author of the Shulchan Aruch, and the Rambam, the author of the Mishneh Torah, understand stealing from non-Jews to be prohibited directly by the Torah. Through the exploitation of promos, one is stealing money from companies such as Postmates or Uber Eats by receiving undeserved discounts.

There is also the prohibition of giving someone a false impression, geneivas da’as. The classic

example in the Shulchan Aruch is if a host opens a new barrel of wine to give his guests the false impression that it was opened for their sake, when in reality, the host chose to do so for a different reason but let them believe otherwise. Rashi believes geneivas da’as is considered geneivah miderabanan, a rabbinic classification of stealing while the Smag writes that geneivas da’as is considered geneivah mide’oraisa, theft transgressing against a Torah prohibition. Irrespective of its classification, by creating multiple accounts, an individual pretends to be multiple people and deceives the company; therefore, this is ultimately a transgression of geneivas da’as.

Lastly, there is a general command to act honestly, yashrus, without deception. In Parshat Va’etchanan, the Jewish people are commanded: “You will do what is considered right and good in the eyes of God” (Devarim 6:18). Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin, in his Sefer Ha’emek Ha’davar, explains that the entire Sefer Bereishit is referred to as Sefer Ha’yashar, the Book of the Straight. This title highlights the upstanding nature of our forefathers, a lofty goal yet still one that everyone should aspire to achieve. Therefore, the deception involved in this method of procuring cheaper food is clearly both deceitful and dishonest.

Graphic by Arshia Kohanteb (‘22)

Can Jews Count the Secular New Year?

By Nava Gelb (‘24) “Three…Two…One…Happy New Year!” was the phrase people heard as the clock struck midnight to mark the beginning of 2022. Yet, according to the Judaic calendar, the year was the same as the day before: 5783. So, does the secular calendar have any significance to Jews? As with many issues of Halacha in contemporary society, there are disparate opinions.

The crux of this issue lies in the greater debate of whether or not we are allowed to use the secular calendar year at all. The Torah says ‫םירחא םיהלא םשו‬ ‫וריכזת אל‬, which is a prohibition not to mention the names of avodah zarah, false gods. The Maharam Shick picks up on this when he discusses marking a gravestone with the secular dates of the birth and death of a person. He explains that this prohibition

also extends to mentioning or alluding to avodah zara. Therefore, since the secular calendar year hints at the birth of the founder of Christianity, which is considered to be avodah zarah, it would be prohibited to use it, according to the Maharam Shick.

However, Rav Ovadia Yosef in Teshuvos Yabia Omer suggests that the secular year may not actually refer to the historical birth year of Christianity’s founder because the actual year is unclear and not entirely determined. This would avoid the problem raised by the Maharam Shick and would address the issue of the potential impermissibility of using the secular calendar year. Rav Ovadia Yosef also interestingly quotes esteemed achronim such as the Shach, the Chasam Sofer, and Maharam Padwa who sometimes used

the secular year as a date in their own teshuvot, which would indicate that it is allowed. The Tzitz Eliezer explains that people mentioning the secular year are not intending it as a reference to any sort of avodah zara, so their use of the secular year would not be in violation of this prohibition.

While most poskim conclude that we are allowed to use the secular year, we should nevertheless hold the Judiac calendar in higher esteem. Still, recent achronim permit using the secular year for practical purposes like writing a check. But many poskim suggest using the secular year on a Matzeivah on the grave in accordance with the Maharam Shick and the Gesher haChaim.

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Culture

8

Behind the Fashion Scene AT YULA

By Raphael Sandlow (‘22), Photos Editor and Zahavah Kaplan (‘22), Culture Editor Even with a dress code in place, YULA students find ways to express themselves and their interests, ranging from sports to style and everything in between.

On the YULA Boys Division campus, students can be seen sporting a variety of footwear. The shoe scene ranges from athletic sneakers to hiking boots and Oxfords. Convenience, comfort, and durability play large roles in a student’s decision to wear a certain brand. For example, the Nike Dunk silhouette, a student favorite this year, features a sleek and simple design; however, while their popularity continues to skyrocket, their convenience and availability have been on the decline in recent years due to their hefty resale price tag. On the other hand, the Air Force 1 silhouette has long been a staple shoe at YULA – it’s affordable, versatile, and easily found in stores or online.

And while YULA students can be spotted on any given day wearing harder-to-obtain sneakers, such as Nike Dunks, Jordans, and the iconic Adidas Yeezy 350, many have abandoned these brands and are instead turning to alternative brands such as Vans, Converse, Reebok, and New Balance for the sheer comfort of these shoes. “They’ll keep my knees fresh for years. Buying one pair of New Balance is equivalent to 10 pairs of Nike,” Josh Fiedler (‘22) advocates. “I’m buying first for the quality and safety of my body and then for style.”

Jacob Goldschein (‘22), who can be seen wearing Ugg slides most days, jokes, “I wear them to recover from soccer practice.”

On the Girls Division campus, the fashion prototype of a YULA girl is a bit more difficult to pin down; however, there are certain unique fashion styles that the YULA girls have embraced. The top choice for skirts is the Dennis black box pleat skirt.

Easy to pair with any top and shoe, these skirts have been a long-time YULA girl favorite. The Dennis plaid skirt variety is a second favorite on campus because many YULA girls embrace the preppy school-girl look of the skirt. While some girls sport black midi skirts to campus during the week, on Fridays, this number rises sharply because the girls wear longer skirts in preparation for Shabbat.

When it comes to shoes on the Girls Division campus, Nikes are an all-time favorite. Black or white Comme des Garçons PLAY x Converse also strongly appeals to the student body, and the number of students who own and wear Veja has been increasing by the day.

“Vejas are a shoe that combines both comfort and style. They’re also easy to pair with any outfit,” Daniella Zisblatt (‘22) says.

PhotPhotos by Arshia Kohanteb (‘22)

ALBUM REVIEW: ‘A Beginner’s Mind’ by Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine

By Marcus Cate (‘23) On this collaboration, iconic singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens joins forces with Angelo De Augustine on one of the most beautiful collections of songs I’ve heard this year.

★★★★

Legendary indie folk singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens released his second album of 2021, A Beginner’s Mind, in late September. On the heels of Stevens’ ambient LP, Convocations, A Beginner’s Mind is a joint artistic effort with fellow singer-songwriter Angelo De Augustine. This collaborative album was conceived in a very atypical fashion: The duo watched a variety of films and wrote music fueled by the inspiration they felt from the movies. The cinematic references throughout the album are noticeable but not overbearing or cheesy. The films referenced throughout transcend eras and genres, ranging from the Wizard of Oz to Hellraiser, and even Silence of the Lambs.

The timbres throughout the record are reminiscent of the variety of styles Sufjan Stevens is known for, from the lush, cinematic arrangements in “Reach Out” that sound straight from Stevens’ Illinois,

to The Age of Adz-esque IDM-influenced drums in the outro of “Lady Macbeth in Chains.”

And though many songs feel like a callback to earlier albums, the tracks on A Beginner’s Mind are not just disingenuous rehash of old material. Augustine’s additional backing harmonies add an ethereal layer to many of the more dramatic moments on the album. The in-

strumentation on the album often has a cinematic flair and fits in with the overarching cinematic theme.

However, the most beautiful moments on A Beginner’s Mind occur on the more stripped-back songs that rely only on vocals, piano, and sometimes, the guitar.

A Beginner’s Mind is the strongest Sufjan Stevens album since 2015’s Carrie and Lowell. With instrumentals ranging from ethereal and orchestral to minimal and indie-folk, the album will certainly be remembered as one of Sufjan’s best. Those who enjoy relaxed, calm singer-songwriter music should absolutely give this a listen.

Top songs: Reach Out The Pillar Of Souls Back to Oz It’s Your Own Body and Mind Photo by Daniella Zisblatt (‘22)

The Panther Post • February 2022 • Culture

9

James Bond: Then and Now

By Nava Gelb (‘24)

“Bond, James Bond.” Everybody knows this British spy who graciously reintroduces himself in each of his 26 movies. The Bond franchise first debuted in the United Kingdom in 1962. Since then, as the series expanded, seven different actors have stepped into the role of the famed 007.

Goldfinger, the third and possibly most widely-known movie with Sean Connery starring, and No Time to Die, the latest release with Daniel Craig, share some surprising similarities. The antagonists are not the quintessential evil men with a thirst to destroy the world. Instead, they are complex humans with original, albeit wicked, plans. Even though they might be labeled as such, the movies are not simply action films. For example, in Goldfinger, the antagonist’s goal is to destroy America’s entire gold supply at Fort Knox. This is not the storyline one would find in a regular combat action film.

The sets’ similarities are intricate and obvious.

The decorations and setups of Bond’s boss’s office in both movies are identical: Both feature the brown leather tufted door. The cars also have the same special effects. For example, both cars feature guns shooting out of the headlights along with bulletproof windows that aid Bond in his escape endeavours countless times.

The movies also each begin with the classic opening: The theme music, lingering in the background, precedes a crime of some sort that sets up the film’s backstory. Although they have different themes for the opening credits, each in accordance with the subject of the respective movie, they all feature Bond shooting a gun into an infinite tunnel. It is called the “gun-barrel sequence.”

Despite the similarities, many notable differences also exist. Foremost, Goldfinger is less action-based and more realistic. Instead of the gun fights, explosions, and other well-choreographed attack scenes featured in No Time to Die, the older

Graphic by Daniel Sentchuk (‘22)

version replaces these scenes with a more thoughtful and sneaky protagonist and conniving adversary.

The reason for this change may be credited to the increasing impatience of audiences nowadays; big explosions and immediate cause and effect violence are now the signature box office lures, not gradual, meandering storylines.

Moreover, the character of James Bond himself has evolved over time into a person more reliant on his team rather than just on himself. Bond’s independence of the past created a less emotional and more stern environment. The newer version is more relationship-driven which creates more nuance and complexity within the characters.

Over the years, though the Bond franchise has vastly changed its style of shooting scenes – and guns – even though the core of the movies remains the same: James Bond movies will always offer a familiar sense of hope and can-do spirit.

Boys Division Final Exams Return After Two-Year Hiatus

By Israel Gootin (‘22), Editor-in-Chief In 2020 and 2021, the pandemic struck, and finals were canceled to accommodate at-home instruction. For the first time in two years, now that in-person school has fully resumed, YULA Boys Division students took semester finals in the Samson Center.

This semester’s finals schedule closely mimicked those of earlier years, with two exams per day for three consecutive school days between January 14 and 18. A fourth exam day, the 19th, was open for AP English Language & Composition students and those taking make-up exams. After the last final, which kicked off the beginning of winter

break, YULA offered students ice cream to celebrate.

This exam period was not only the first time YULA Boys Division freshmen had to taken finals, but also the sophomores. “It’s kind of crazy that this is my second year at YULA, but I’m only taking my first final exams now,” an anonymous sophomore said. “The icecream treat was definitely well worth it, though.”

“It was great to see everyone back in the Samson Center for finals,” said General Studies Principal Rick St. Laurent.

“I’m happy that we could have finals for the first time after a two-year hiatus.”

Photo By Yitzy Frankel

10

Culture • February 2022 • The Panther Post

Shabbat Dips Duo

By Yehuda Holender (‘22), Culture Editor

There is nothing quite like taking your challah on a Shabbos afternoon and dipping it into some delicious spreads. Two of my favorites are the Ashkenazi-loved chopped liver and Matbucha, the Moroccan, spicy-sweet tomato sauce. I have put a twist or two on both of these traditional recipes to take them to the next level. For the liver, instead of the usual gritty texture, I tried to create a more smooth, mousse-like feel by adding raw egg yolks to emulsify, lots of fat for richness, and more mixing in the processor than usual. When making the matbucha, I opted to char the bell peppers and jalapenos in order to achieve a smokey flavor you can only get from an open flame. These flavor packed dips are perfect for a pre-soup appetizer on Friday night or a side at Kiddush, lunch, or Seudat Shlishit.

Chicken Liver Mousse

Matbucha

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

1 lb. of koshered and broiled chicken livers 1 medium white onion, sliced into quarter moons 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced 6 sprigs of thyme, leaves removed (can replace with 1 tbsp. of dried thyme) ¼ cup red wine ¼ cup brandy 2 tbsp. soy sauce 1 stick parve butter substitute, cubed 2 raw egg yolks, separated 2 tbsp. olive oil (plus a bit more for pan) 1 tbsp. maple syrup Kosher Sea Salt

28 oz. can of diced tomatoes ¼ cup olive oil (additional oil needed for garnishing) 5-6 cloves of garlic, peeled and roughly chopped 1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into quarters 1-2 jalapeno, deseeded and sliced into strips (optional-depending on how spicy you like it.)

1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce (warning, this product contains fish so keep that in mind while serving; can optionally substitute with equal amount soy sauce.)

1 tbsp. paprika ½ tbsp. cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika 1 tbsp. sugar Kosher Sea Salt

Instructions:

Instructions:

Prepare livers if not fully koshered or broiled.

Saute onions, garlic, and thyme on medium-high heat until softened and very fragrant.

Add in livers and mix, making sure that the livers do not stick to the bottom of the pan.

Deglaze with wine and brandy until all the alcohol is burned off and liquid is significantly reduced in pan Take pan off heat and pour everything into a bowl. Sit and let cool for 5-10 minutes.

Place all the cooled ingredients into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse for about 30 seconds. Add in a few cubes of the butter substitute and turn the processor on at constant speed.

As the processor whirls, continually add in more cubes, add the raw egg yolks, drizzle in the olive oil, and pour in maple syrup. The mixture should get significantly smoother, slightly thicker, and lighter in color, continually mixing for 4-5 minutes. Add in 2 generous pinches of Kosher salt. Turn the processor off and taste for seasoning: feel free to add more salt or syrup as you see fit.

Pour mixture into a container and place in fridge for 2+ hours, until firmed-up slightly and chilled.

Serve with crackers or challah and enjoy!

Turn gas burner on medium. Place the green bell pepper quarters and jalapeno slices skin-side directly over the open fire until completely charred on skin. Immediately place charred peppers on aluminum foil and completely cover for 3-4 minutes. (If you do not have a gas burner, a grill or broiler would work as well.)

Take the now softened peppers and scrape off the black charred skin (doesn’t have to be perfect). Dice up the peppers and set aside.

Heat a saucepan on medium-high heat and pour in the ¼ cup of olive oil.

Add in the garlic, saute for a minute, then add in all the spices.

Before the garlic or spices burn, add in the can of diced tomatoes. Season with the worcestershire and sugar, deposit the diced peppers into pot, and mix.

Turn heat down to medium and let simmer violently for 1½ -2 hours, stirring every 10 minutes or so, until the sauce has significantly thickened and reduced by at least ⅓. (If you want to avoid stirring so often, turn heat even lower and let simmer for longer, just make sure there is no stickage on bottom of pan.)

Taste for seasoning and adjust with more Kosher salt or sugar.

Finish with a glug of olive oil before serving. Serve cool or room-temp with some challah (pretzel challah preferred) and enjoy!

Opinion China’s Social Credit System: A Dystopian Nightmare or Egalitarian Dream?

By Jake Stephen (‘23), Executive Editor

11

‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Is It Time to Pull The Plug?

By Ava Kohanteb (‘23), Sports Editor

The Chinese social credit system was proposed in 2014 to enhance gov-

Grey’s Anatomy, a show that for most of us comprises seventeen sea-

ernment control and promote social complacency. This system, affecting indi-

sons of mental breakdowns, premiered in 2005 and stars Ellen Pompeo as the

viduals, institutions, and businesses, predicates itself on incentives and deter-

main character, Meredith Grey. The show’s first few seasons kept its watchers

rents that impact all aspects of life. Lower scores are incurred from any behaviors

hooked with many surprising and tragic events. However, after a few seasons,

deemed unacceptable by the government. A reduced social credit score can elicit

the show became predictable and less exciting for most of its viewers. After ten

inspections of one’s company, travel bans, reduced employment opportunities,

years, though, Grey’s Anatomy has resurfaced and returned to the spotlight.

slowed internet speed, and public shaming. On the other hand, those with higher

At this point, it seems as though every high schooler and college student in the

scores, accumulated through a life and career deemed acceptable by the govern-

country watches the show religiously.

ment, enjoy expedited government services, discounts, lower interest rates, and

Pompeo’s character, Dr. Meredith Grey, the heart and soul of the show, has faced countless challenges, from witnessing a miscarriage in the operating

free access to public transportation.

Many have misconceptions regarding the implementation and progress

room, to being hospitalized due to COVID-19 in the most recent season of the

of this system. The Chinese government, contrary to public opinion, has yet to

show. She has also faced the loss of family members and her closest friends. Yet,

achieve a unified social credit system. Local governments and private

these tragedies never hold her back.

enterprises are implementing their own systems in certain re-

After the announcement that the show will return for an 18th season,

gions, and there is seldom communication between them.

many are wondering whether this season will be as brilliant as past seasons, or

Furthermore, this system is perceived by many people in Chi-

whether the storyline has finally become stale. With its original 320 million view-

na as a mere extension of cultural norms in China, regarding transparency and

ers decreasing to 15 million per episode, it is clear that many have lost interest

the promotion of moral behavior. While this cultural practice may seem idiosyn-

in the series. According to Leah Dayani (‘23), “season 12 was the last season for

cratic to Americans, the system receives wide approval in China.

many watchers [because of] the fact that all the beloved main characters were

With the facts laid out, one must consider if the Chinese social credit

officially gone after the death of Derek Shepherd.” Many of the show’s former

system may be a model for a more egalitarian and altruistic form of social and

fans would agree with this statement considering that the number of watchers

economic interactions globally. Ostensibly, using government services and in-

dropped 54% between season 11 to season 18.

frastructure to incentivize good behavior and deter bad behavior is an efficient

Though many have become bored and uninterested in the show, there

allocation of government resources. In some respects, this system is nothing

are still many who have remained loyal to the show. Ornela Massachi (‘23) ex-

more than an expansion of fiscal credit systems throughout the world. However,

plains that “the show is a real addiction, once started, and there is no way to stop.

China’s tactics of gathering information through invasive surveillance cameras

This adds a [feeling] of dedication to the show itself and [to] the characters, and

and direct data uploads render it far from perfect. The social credit system works

people are determined to follow through until the end.” Grey’s Anatomy has cul-

in tandem with Skynet and other Chinese mass surveillance systems to imple-

tivated a fan group who excitedly await each new next season. Though it offers

ment artificial intelligence, data analysis, and facial recognition within the social

a glamorized depiction of the medical field, the show has inspired many teenag-

credit system. Innovative Chinese technology, such as the 500-megapixel “super

ers to think about pursuing a career in medicine. Adiel Nourmand (‘22) noted

camera,” can instantaneously identify a person in a crowd. Many speculate that

that while “thinking about choosing my major for college next year, watching all

in part due to the implementation of the social credit system, many Chinese cit-

seasons of Grey’s Anatomy has definitely affected my view on my major.” The

ies have become the most monitored in the world. Some estimates claim that one

show’s portrayal of a hospital workplace may seem appealing for teenagers who

camera is assigned to monitor every two people. For now, it is too early to tell

want to pursue a job within that field, but, even with all of Dr. Meredith Gray’s

whether this system will pave the way for a novel governing structure or become

suffering, the show glosses over much of the heartbreak and struggle that is part

the dystopian nightmare that many have foreshadowed.

of the job.

The Panther Post’s mission is to examine and report news and community events, while also creating an open space for students to express their beliefs. We ensure that articles are written with accuracy, integrity, and respect.

The Panther Post is the official student newspaper of YULA High School, which has 450 students and 123 faculty and staff members. The paper is a forum for differing views and welcomes comments from its readers in the form of Letters to the Editor. No anonymous let-ters are printed. The Panther Post reserves the right to edit all letters for length. The Panther Post publishes 3-4 issues per annual volume and prints approximately 500 copies of each issue, which are distributed around campus and the greater Los Angeles community.

The Panther Post • February 2022 • Opinion

12

School Vaccine Mandate Pro:

By Gideon Fishman (‘24) and Jake Stephen (‘23), Executive Editor On January 18, 2020, the first case of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States was confirmed. From the onset of the pandemic, people’s everyday lives have become dictated by rules and guidelines in the hopes of limiting the spread. Stay at home orders, mask mandates, and social distancing were introduced to insulate people. Since then, the pandemic has taken its toll: 5,490,000 people worldwide, with 836,000 of those deaths in the U.S. August 23, 2020, the first Covid vaccine was introduced thanks to the collaborative efforts of the federal government and pharmaceutical companies, such as Pfizer and BioNTech, who brought this solution to market in record time. However, contrary to expectations, the vaccine has not removed Covid from our lives.Instead, over a year later, only 62.5% of the population is fully vaccinated.

Many across the U.S. have proposed, and in some jurisdictions enacted, vaccine mandates. These measures seem to have great potential for success when combined with deterrents to remaining unvaccinated. These deterrents primarily take the form of limitations on socializing, such as restrictions from dining in restaurants and other public venues.

While the end goal of the vaccine is the achievement of herd immunity, a more short-term, attainable goal is limiting the spread of Covid by expanding vaccinations. Recently with new measures introduced, such as the expansion of vaccine access to anyone ages five and older, the U.S. has taken big steps towards the safety and protection of its citizens.

Vaccine mandates are a necessary tool in raising vaccination rates across the board and are being utilized in many sectors of life. Mandates have been applied principally by private businesses as a condition for returning to the workplace or maintaining employment. They are also beginning to be applied by schools, institutions, and stores. These legislative steps create pockets of safety within institutions and commercial outlets. And while some insist that these steps trample the rights of Americans, they are no different from basic social etiquette: To be a part of the social fabric of society, one cannot disregard the safety of others. For example, if you have chickenpox, the world has come to understand that you should not expose the public to this virulent disease by walking around carelessly. Common decency and human rationality tell us to stay home. Vaccine mandates merely put this understood social contract into writing. Those who have chosen to get vaccinated enhance our ability to create a mutually secure environment, which is the first step to regaining some semblance of normality.

Some cite the increase in “breakthrough cases,” dubbed as such because they break through the immunity promised by the vaccines, as proof of the vaccine’s inefficacy. However, any such arguments ignore the numerous, proven benefits of the vaccine — including reduced symptoms, lower transmissibility, shortened periods of infection and limited to no risk of hospitalization. The arguments also ignore the understood limitations of modern methods of immunization. Since vaccinations gain efficacy when a larger percentage of the population becomes vaccinated, people should get vaccinated.

Vaccine mandates are the only conceivable, just response that can appease both ends of the spectrum. While many may still argue that those who chose not to get vaccinated are being systematically oppressed by this legislation, ultimately, we must understand that polarization and mass contention is contrary to our shared goal as a nation. Vaccine mandates safeguard the rights of every American.

“

Since vaccinations gain efficacy when a larger percentage of the population becomes vaccinated, people should get vaccinated.

”

Con:

By Emma Greenfield (‘23) On October 1st, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California will require all students and faculty of LAUSD, the Los Angeles Unified School District, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, making California the first state in the country to take such harsh measures. Less than 0.25% of all deaths related to COVID-19 have been children, with six states reporting zero child deaths caused by the virus. So why are we forcing the vaccine on people who are barely at risk?

The COVID-19 vaccine does not guarantee protection against the virus, but merely reduces its symptoms. Regardless of a child’s vaccination status, children and teenagers are rarely hospitalized or dying, so there is no need to require vaccination for them. Additionally, there are better ways to stop the spread of Covid. Both masks and temperature checks are preventative measures that are equally beneficial and do not violate the rights and autonomy of Americans. No one should be forced to get immunized without sufficient long-term data and research. Instead of mandaing the vaccine for all citizens, including non-vulnerable ones, the government should focus on encouraging the voluntary acceptance of it. It is impossible to know the long term effects of the Covid vaccine until all of the relevant data has been collected; children should not serve as the guinea pigs for an emergency FDA approved vaccine.

Another problem for the erroneous policy of vaccine mandates is that many teachers do not want to get vaccinated. According to the standards for these policies, unvaccinated teachers will be forced to quit, resulting in understaffed schools.

These schools will be unable to fulfill their primary goal of educating children and will struggle without teachers and other staff. Many school representatives are particularly concerned about the African American and Latin American student dropout rate because of the low vaccination rates in these communities. They fear the lowering of diversity in schools and academic institutions will result in lifelong consequences these students may face from the impairment of their education. The purpose of school is to educate students in a safe environment; social distancing, masks, testing, and other precautionary measures have all shown to minimize the spread of COVID in school settings. By enforcing vaccines, schools will put students into a position where they will potentially lose out on valuable education.

“

By enforcing vaccines, schools will put students into a position where they will potentially lose out on valuable education.

”