Panther Post - Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

COMMUNITY Two schools. One paper.

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3

March 2017

Adar 5777

Rabbi Cohen to depart from YULA Girls Tzofiya Bookstein, Staff Writer

Rabbi Yaakov Cohen recently announced that he will be leaving his position in August as Director of Beit Midrash at YULA Girls High School to move with his family to Chicago. He has accepted a position as NCSY’s Midwest Associate Regional Director, and as the group’s National Educational Coordinator. He leaves YULA, where he made a tremendous impact as a teacher and the head of the Beit Midrash Program for five years.

Rabbi Cohen was drawn to YULA, he said, because of “how warm it is, how positive it is--and that I’m going to miss, and that’s very unique.” He works tirelessly in several jobs at YULA Girls. He teaches either Navi, Chumash, or Halakha to every grade. He also leads the Beit Midrash programming, and delivers a weekly d’var Torah during communal mincha.

“It’s a devastating loss, he provides the school with energy and life and makes me excited [about] Judaism. I’m really going to miss that,” said Rivkah Abrams (‘18), one of Rabbi Cohen’s students.

Rabbi Cohen additionally works as an educator in the “Witnesses of Witnesses” program, a Holocaust education initiative founded at YULA Girls. On the annual student trip to Poland, he shares stories with the students, Jewish history of the sites, and important lessons to learn from the

What’s Inside: Purim

trip. Fortunately, he plans to still stay involved in the program and accompany the groups on their annual trips to Europe following his departure from YULA. Chaya Dina Ram (‘18) said about her visit to Poland in Nov. 2015, “Rabbi Cohen filled the trip with inspiration and meaningful ideas that will resonate and stay with us for the rest of our lives.”

“While I’m excited for the new opportunities, it’s going to be tough to leave YULA,” Rabbi Cohen notes. He added that he is excited to bring his experience gained from his time at YULA to the programs he will run at NCSY in Chicago.

He credits much of his success at YULA to the mentorship of Rabbi Abraham Lieberman, who is also leaving YULA at the end of this school year.

“So much of what he’s taught me about education, even though [the position] will be outreach, they go hand in hand,” Rabbi Cohen said. “My role is going to be education so I can definitely bring so many of the ideas and tools, philosophy and approach, that Rabbi Lieberman and YULA [have] taught me.”

His position at NCSY will be to run programs and oversee chapters.

He will work with the different regions to create an inspirational curriculum. (cont’d on pg. 17)

Model UN team takes home 2nd place prize at conference Jonathan Mizrahi, Community Editor

YULA sheds two tiers but takes home hardware in Sarachek tournament Noah Hyman, Sports Editor

Campus safe spaces for freshmen (pg. 12) Feature

Model UN. wow

Robert Avrech (pg. 8) Community

Boys’ new debate team (pg. 6) Politics

Israel under Trump (pg. )

On the weekend of Feb. 10, YULA’s Model United Nations team traveled to Stamford, Connecticut for YUMUN XXVII, Yeshiva University’s 26th annual Model U.N. conference. YULA placed second in the competition out of almost 50 Jewish schools that came in from all over the United States, Canada, and Brazil to participate.

Amira Felsenthal (‘17) and Noah Hyman (‘18) won best delegate in the UNODC and COPUOUS committees respectively. Jack Levkowitz (‘17), Miriam Waghalter (‘17), Issy Kest (‘17), Jake Gottesman (‘18), Tammie Peled (‘19), Julia Levkowitz (‘19), and Elli Zisplatt (‘19) all won Honorable Mention in their committees.

Jack Levkowitz, one of the team’s three captains, attributes their success to this phenomenal teammates, “We had such great members this year,” Levkowitz said. “I’m extraordinarily pleased to have been able to spend my final year on the team

The 26th annual Red Sarachek Tournament at Yeshiva University kicked off Thursday, March 2 with a matchup between YULA and Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy (MTA). The Panthers had previously played MTA at the Glouberman Tournament hosted by Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles back in November, falling 49-36 in a consolation game.

Although the Panthers came into Sarachek seeded ninth, the basketball team’s consistently excellent track record in Sarachek meant they had high expectations. The revenge-game aspect of the rematch with MTA led to great excitement and motivation for both players and spectators.

The energy was evident in the first half of the game, with the Panthers racing out to a 20-10 halftime lead. However, the script turned in the second half for the Panthers when their shots stopped falling. The lack of scoring hurt the Panthers as the

(cont’d on pg. 18)

(cont’d on pg. 18)

1

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

COMMUNITY Advanced Art 11th grade San Francisco Trip Tzofiya Bookstein, Staff Writer

The art trip attendees in San Francisco

On Tuesday Feb. 28, the YULA Girls 11th grade Advanced Art class went on a day trip to San Francisco. They were chaperoned by instructors, Ms. Heather Welch, and Ms. Janice Frew, a YULA English teacher, who were able to offer different perspectives on the art they would see. The girls woke up early Tuesday morning and flew to San Francisco.

After a stop for coffee, they were on their way to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. There, they spread out in groups to see the diverse installations and exhibits.

One of the most haunting works was “The Refusal of Time” by William Kentridge. In the center of a dark room, there was a machine constantly in motion, while surreal and often eerie projected film sequences were played on the walls. It facilitated discussions of the way humans control and are controlled by time.

Class favorites were the Pop Art exhibit, featuring Warhol and Lichtenstein, and the photography exhibition by Diane Arbus. These exhibitions drew questions on the constantly changing definition of art. Anoth-

er amazing installation was “Cloud Cities” by Thomas Saraceno. It drew upon the structure of a spider web, and was made of metal and mirror constructions ethereally suspended by a network of tethers. Shiffy Rav-Noy (18’) shares her experience of visiting the museum. “It made me not want to give up on my art,” Rav Noy said. “It was inspiring to me to see how people took things from their head and made it a reality.”

After walking through the museum, the girls ate lunch in the sculpture garden, and went on a bus to Fisherman’s Wharf. They enjoyed the scenic views and tourist shops as well as an offbeat vintage arcade store.

The group stopped at Ghirardelli Square to have a quick treat before walking up San Francisco’s steep hills to Chinatown. On their way they saw amazing views of the city, the bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge. When they got to Chinatown, they explored the many stores of this historic district.

They then headed back to the airport, exhausted, but inspired by everything they had seen.

Valley students see longer commute times due to recent rains Miriam Waghalter, Community Editor

Los Angeles has had an unusual amount of rainfall for the past several weeks, totalling nearly 13 inches in January and February. And although the rain has improved California’s drought, it has also impacted students’ commutes to and from school who live in the San Fernando Valley.

“One time when it was really raining the canyons closed because there were mudslides,” said Hasya Schweitzer (‘17), who drives in every day from Valley Village . “It took longer to get to school and there was more traffic.” In addition to these occasional mishaps, “It gets foggy and misty so it is a little scary” Schweitzer says.

Chanel Saidian (’17), who commutes daily from Tarzana, has had a bit worse of an experience with these downpours than Schweitzer. “Because of the rain, a lot of the time we have to leave

a lot earlier […] because the traffic will be a lot worse with the rain.”

Many of the students who commute from the Valley have said they have to wake up earlier on days that it rains, in order to leave earlier to account for longer commute times.

“It [makes] me late to school a lot of the time,” Saidian said, recounting one particularly bad day on the freeway as a result of a storm. “I remember there was a storm once and we were on the I-405. We couldn’t see anything so it was really scary.”

Not only does the ride to school make students late, but also “the ride home is longer than usual,” said Neriah Hadad (’17), who lives in Tarzana. “It’s a bit harder to drive. There [are] times where I can feel the wind moving the car.”

2

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

COMMUNITY Different but not disparate: the gedolim on the walls of YULA Boys Yonah Berenson, Staff Writer

Portraits of gedolim (renowned Torah leaders) from the past couple hundred years hang in the hallways of the YULA Boys High School campus.

Some of these portraits depict rabbis who represent YULA’s hashkafah (religious philosophy) as a Modern Orthodox, Zionist yeshiva high school -- but some do not.

One picture features Rav Elazar Shach (1899-2001), who in addition to his Torah knowledge, was known for discouragement of secular education, opposition to service in the IDF, and harsh criticism of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. According to Principal Rabbi Arye Sufrin, the school does not see a problem in displaying portraits of rabbis whose hashkafic views differ from the school’s mission statement because the gedolim are all united by one common trait: “Their vast Torah knowledge and passion for learning,” Rabbi Sufrin said in an interview conducted alongside Dean of School Rabbi Joseph Schreiber.

Having the pictures is a “perfect demonstration and example of what YULA is all about,” Rabbi Sufrin explained, namely, “loving every Jew.” He noted the diversity of rabbis featured on the YULA Boys walls – from Ashkenazim to Sephardim, Modern Orthodox rabbis to Charedim, religious Zionists to those against conscription into the Israel Defense Forces.

The rabbis’ portraits were added to the walls about five years ago in a collective effort by school rabbis and students at the time to “appreciate gedolim and what they bring to the table,” as well as “to instill within

students what is commonly referred to as emunat chachamim [trust in the wisdom of gedolim] and the importance of limud ha Torah [Torah learning] as part of our daily life.” Rabbi Sufrin was not the principal at the time of the project’s initiation, but maintains that these goals still hold true.

Absent from the walls, though, are any pictures of Chassidic rebbes. Rabbi Sufrin said YULA plans to rectify this omission by placing portraits of numerous Chassidic rebbes, inlcluding Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson -- also known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the late leader of Chabad.

When asked about Rav Shach’s portrait, Rabbi Schreiber cited the pleasant and respectful meeting between Rav Shach and a friend of Rabbi Schreiber’s who was then serving in the IDF. Chiming in to the conversation, Rabbi Sufrin also noted that Yeshivat Ponevezh, of which Rav Shach was Rosh Yeshiva, raises an Israeli flag yearly on Yom ha’Atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day).

According to Rabbi Schreiber and Rabbi Sufrin, the gedolim on YULA’s walls unify sometimes-clashing factions of Torah Judaism. Rabbi Sufrin added that every single gadol pictured had or has “the same goals, which are to inspire more Torah learning and to connect to Hashem.” Rabbi Schreiber said,“We celebrate the diversity of gedolim.” Rabbi Sufrin, paraphrasing Torah studies teacher Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom, suggested that the message of the rabbis’ portraits is ultimately: “Most walls divide – YULA walls unite!”

Masmidim students celebrate siyum Joshua Partovi, Contributing Writer

On President’s Day At the end of the siyum, the weekend, the last thing high 18 Masmidim students went to school kids were thinking about the front of the room with Rabwas Torah learning. Well, except bi Abramczik, gemaras in hand, for Masmidim students. and said the Hadran (the prayer On Feb. 20, YULA’s recited after completing a TalMasmidim class made their first mudic tractate) for Masechet siyum (celebration of the comChagiga. When they recited pletion of a significant Torah the Hadran, they said, “Hadran portion) over the completion of alach masechet chagiga, veMasechet Chagiga. The siyum hadrach alan,”-- we will return started at 5:00 p.m. at the home of to you, tractate chagiga, and YULA parents Mr. Jonathan and you will return to us.

Mrs. Rachel Wernick.

Also in the Hadran is a reBesides students, many quest from Hashem that “k’shem parents -- and even some grandshe’azartani lesayem masechet parents -- attended the siyum, as chagiga, ken te’azreni lehatchil did Head of School Rabbi Dov masechtot usefarim acherot uleEmerson, Principal Rabbi Arye saymam,”-- just as You helped Sufrin, Dean Rabbi Joseph Schme finish tractate chagiga, Rabbi Abramczik recites kaddish at the siyum (Source: Mrs. Chavi Gorman) reiber, Director of Student Activities Rabbi Sanso too help me to begin other tractates and dy Shulkes, and, of course, Rabbi Shimon Abramczik, the class’s instructor books and finish them. Thus, as Rabbi Emerson, Rabbi Sufrin, and Rabbi and YULA’s Director of Israel Guidance.

Abramczik all pointed out in their speeches, the siyum represents not just After a Chinese food dinner from Shanghai Diamond Garden, Rab- the conclusion of a large piece of learning, but the starting point for future bi Sufrin introduced Rabbi Emerson and Rabbi Abramczik, who both gave learning. After the Hadran the students recited kaddish de’itchadeta, a meaningful speeches applauding the Masmidim students for their tremendous prayer reserved for siyumim. Once the ceremonial aspect of the siyum was accomplishment and encouraging them to continue their momentum into the completed, the guests sang and danced in celebration. next semester. Then, Masmidim student Noam Gershov (‘17) spoke about “On behalf of the rest of the shiur, I would like to [give] thank the what it means to be a masmid, briefed the guests on the class’s accomplish- Wernicks for graciously hosting us,” said Noah Pomerance (‘18), “And to ments, and Rabbi Abramczik.

Rabbi Abramczik for aiding us in accomplishing one of the biggest spiriAt the end of the siyum, the 18 Masmidim students went to the front tual feats of our lives.”

3

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

COMMUNITY YULA beit midrash floods amid heavy rains Eytan Merkin, Editor-in-Chief

Workers removing the ruined hardwood of the beit midrash floors

Some of the heaviest rains in recent memory caused severe flooding in the YULA Boys High School beit midrash about an hour before Shabbat on Feb. 17. The sump pumps that had been set up by the school’s contractor to deal with drainage issues failed under the heavy rains, causing rainwater to accumulate in the small courtyard outside the beit midrash and eventually rush through both its front and back doors, covering the floor with an estimated three inches of water.

More than a dozen students and parents, along with Rabbi Dov Emerson, Rabbi Arye Sufrin, Rabbi Shimon Abramczik and Rabbi Michael Abraham, came after receiving a mass text sent out

by Rabbi Sufrin calling for immediate help clearing the beit midrash.

“Huge emergency (non life threatening!)” read Rabbi Sufrin’s text message sent to his Masmidim class’s and 10th grade class’s WhatsApp groups. “Our [beit midrash] is flooded from rain!

We need students to come help [right now].”

The group, dressed in Shabbat clothes with shoes off and pants rolled up to avoid the water, made it their first priority to move the sifrei Torah to Rabbi Emerson’s office. Afterwards, they worked together to move as much of the wooden furniture out of the room as possible, spreading the tables and shtenders out into the hallways and the student lounge. Once the cleanup squad had done all they could, they moved into the hallway for a rousing Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv.

Rabbi Sufrin was saddened to see the damage done to the beit midrash, but inspired by the enthusiasm of both student and parent volunteers in their efforts to help out. “Our beit midrash is the center of our campus and the heart and soul of our yeshiva, a place where daily davening and Torah learning infuses our students with inspiration. Seeing it flooded is heartbreaking and devastating,” said Rabbi Sufrin. “But seeing how rebbeim, students, and parents responded so passionately and quickly to save our holy beit midrash was inspiring and uplifting. It is a testament to how incredibly important the beit midrash is to our YULA community.”

Later that night, Don Tinkley, the school’s foreman from Grush Contractors, ran pumps to drain the water from the beit midrash, which was finally clear of water by Saturday night, Feb. 18. The flooring was then removed and the beit midrash sealed off and filled with dehumidifiers and fans to remove all liquid from the room, a process which will take at least another week at the time of writing, according to an email Rabbi Emerson sent out to the school on Feb. 19. In the interim, students have been davening in their respective shiur rooms.

Rabbi Sufrin said that the first day back in the restored beit midrash will be a joyous one. “We already have plans to make a siyum, which will be filled with dancing and celebration,” Rabbi Sufrin said. “There is no better way to reopen the doors to our beit midrash.”

4

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

COMMUNITY YULA Girls choir season begins Miriam Waghalter, Community Editor

This semeson their commitment ter marks the beto the choir, how they ginning of another work with the group, YULA Girls High and how they contribSchool choir season. ute to it.”

The team is training The choir plans on hard under the leadparticipating in two ership of Talya Sawor three competidayi (’17), Sabrina tions by the end of Chriqui (’17), Maya the semester. They Hamburg (’17), Leeat will also serve as Hatsav (’17) and Raentertainment to the chel Kellman (’19).

YULA student body “What is difby having “small ferent about this pop-up performances year’s choir is that it to the school during is student run,” said brunches [and simiSawdayi. The six in lar events],” Sawdayi charge lead practice said. twice a week with no Sawdayi is optimisstaff intervention. “It tic for a successful is up to us to organize season, not only in everything: all the terms of competievents, all the songs, tions but also on each and all the different member’s improvechoreography with ment. “I hope that Kol isha: Girls choir poses before practice the songs.” everyone gains a new Last year, Ms. Chava Tombosky, trained the choir. The skills perspective on singing and that they learn new ways to use their voice.

Ms. Tombosky taught them resonated with the team members, and they I hope that they surprise themselves by putting themselves out there said they feel prepared to advance into this year’s student-led program- and performing in front of people,” she said. ming. “Last year we had a professional as our supervisor so we learned Sawdayi is excited for the team because skills learned in choir from her what to do,” Sawdayi said. “We are bringing in her ideas and carry over to many other aspects of school and life beyond. “Learning making it more student based.” how to properly use your voice when singing in front of an audience In future years, Sawdayi is certain that the students who will teaches [you] how to use your voice when presenting anything in front take on the leadership will be able to work well with the choir “based of an audience.”

Breakfast for the soul: Two rabbis create new post-tefilah study sessions Ilan Bocian, Staff Writer

Two YULA Boys High School rabbis, Rabbi Shimon Abramczik and Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom, have started two separate post-tefilah learning sessions during breakfast, open for any and all students to join.

Immediately after shacharit every morning, in the front corner of the beit midrash, Rabbi Abramczik leads a small group in the study of Mishnayot Seder Mo’ed. Last Sukkot, Noam Gershov (‘17) approached Rabbi Abramczik to inform him of a special program founded by students on the east coast who decided to learn two Mishnayot a day. Inspired, Gershov and Rabbi Abramczik started a similar program of their own.

Similarly, Rabbi Etshalom leads another study group amidst the hectic ambience of the bustling student lounge (which, due to the school’s limited space during construction, has quickly become the most popular place to eat breakfast). Ezri Menachem (‘17) recently made a request to Rabbi Etshalom that they study Gemara together during their daily breakfast period. They agreed upon Masekhet Megilah. Since then, their daily chavruta session has evolved into a full-fledged study group filled with committed students. They hope to make a festive siyum sometime this spring.

Although most students would not try on their own to complete large sections of Mishnayot or Gemarot in such a short period of time, Rabbi Abramczik believes such a feat can be accomplished with a motivated group. Rabbi Abramczik wishes to show his students that it does not take excessive amounts of time to cover all of a masekhet of Mishnayot. He wants to show that not only is such a goal attainable, but

also that it is fun and rewarding.

“We have finished all of Masekhet Shabbat and we are on the road to completing [Masekhet] Pesachim. It is unbelievable what one can do in just five minutes a day!” Rabbi Etshalom said, adding that “the excitement felt around our little table when we encounter a familiar Aggadah [Talmudic story or anecdote] about Megilat Esther or tackle a well-known halakhic issue from the primary sources is palpable and infectious.”

These study groups are open to anyone who wishes to join. Rabbi Abramczik and Rabbi Etshalom hope to continue these programs and hope to attract more students to dedicate themselves to extracurricular Torah study.

Rabbi Abramczik leads the Mishnayot group in the beit midrash

5

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

COMMUNITY Teachers create new debate team for students Benjamin Tarko, Staff Writer

This fall, YULA will add one more item to All of the participants spoken to expressed its growing list of extracurricular activities it prothat the team’s first intra-team debate was an absovides: a debate team. lute success. The team members came out of the History teacher Mr. Gregory Zlotin had meeting feeling confident and excited to continue the idea to institute the team early in the school learning about their topics and debating with peers year. Mr. Zlotin chose English teacher Dr. Timothy in open discourse. After the meeting, Robert Leeds Haehn to be the other staff advisor for the team. (‘17) said, “The debate team gives me another opTogether, the two chose eight students to be portunity to work on my speaking skills as well as on the inaugural team. “It’s truly an honor to be to learn about important issues.” a part of the team,” said Eitan Tennenbaum (‘17).

Topics up for debate range from subjects like the “It’s nice to know that my efforts in YULA have United States’ embargo on Cuba, to a two-state been recognized by faculty.” solution, to safe spaces on college campuses.

The debate team encourages students to The team is very excited to have two qualilearn both sides of every argument, regardless of fied staff advisors, who are experienced speakers, their personal opinions. As teenagers still explorwell-read intellectuals, and knowledgeable in poliing and shaping their political and world views, it tics. gives them a forum for discussion that they other- Eytan Merkin (‘18) speeking about the U.S.’s embargo on Cuba “The creation of the club is a testament to wise would not have. both the openness of the administration to new things The team will face other schools in competition starting next fall, and the dedication of the teachers to benefit the students,” debate team but in the meantime they have already hosted their own internal debates member Noah Hyman (‘18) said. “I’m beyond excited to partake in the this year, in which they pair up students to debate a particular issue. next debate, and in all those to come.”

YULA Girls robotics team places fourth in recent competition Meital Gershov, Contributing Writer

YULA competes in a robotics competition

The YULA Girls High School robotics team created a very impressive robot that competed in several competitions this year. The team also hosted three tournaments and attended one interleague tournament. In total, YULA hosted between 12 and 17 teams from other schools for the five-hour competitions.

The three tournaments hosted by YULA all consisted of the same format, and took place in the gymnasium. The science lab was used as a pit for teams to tinker with their robots and prepare for the competition.

Dr. Alex Fax, Ph.D., was the parent coordinator, and Mr. Shawn Clary, the Director of Technology, assisted with the logistics.

In the interleague tournament on Feb. 5, the YULA robotics team made it to the semifinals, and placed 12th in that round.

The team entered the competitions with the help of Dr. Fax, whose son graduated from YULA Boys High School school three years ago. He advised the team when his son participated, and agreed to assist in coaching the team this year as well. With the help of Dr. Fax, the team entered the First Tech Challenge (FTC) league. The league releases an annual video announcing the year’s challenge. Each team must create a robot de-

signed to accomplish the task issued by the FTC. This year’s robot was built mainly for speed and agility. The primary goal of the robot was to hit buttons on light beacons, but other challenges included picking up balls and shooting them through a hoop.

Throughout November and December the YULA team worked tirelessly to create and modify their robot. The team consists of four people: Rivkah Abrams (‘18), Jennifer Peled (‘20), Rebecca Masliah (‘18), and Elisheva Gross (‘19). Abrams, Peled, and Masliah work on hardware, and Gross handles on software. The team worked together on the completion of the robot. The bottom of last year’s robot was recycled to create this year’s robot, as the team needed to be resourceful with their limited supplies. The base, however, was modified to fit this year’s requirements.

Rivkah Abrams (’18), the team captain, said, “The school has really supported us to create the team and I am so happy I’ve been given the opportunity to open STEM options up for girls. The atmosphere is really fun and welcoming. At robotics, the concept of teamwork gets taken to another level.” Overall, the YULA girls robotics team finished with a fourth place ranking.

6

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

TORAH Evolution of a holiday Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom, Torah Studies

There is an oft-overlooked aspect to our celebration of Purim to which I would like to turn our attention. As recorded in the ninth chapter of Megillat Esther, the kingdom-wide battle between the Jews and their enemies (and perhaps the enemies of the crown) took place, as decreed, on the 13th day of the 12th month, which we know by the Babylonian name of “Adar.” The Jews of Shushan required another day to fight and received permission from Achashverosh, through Esther’s intervention, to continue the fighting into the 14th. The victorious Jews celebrated, as would be expected, on the day after their victories--on the 15th in Shushan and on the 14th everywhere else.

We understand why they celebrated then,but why do we celebrate on those same days? We are not commemorating the anniversary of a miraculous victory, rather the anniversary of a party! Why was Purim not established on the 13th of Adar when the miracle actually happened?

Before addressing this question, I would like to point out another curiosity related to the Megillah. We have foreign words in every book of Tanakh, from the “Hanikh” of Bereshit 14 to the “Pitgam” of Kohelet. Yet, in none of these places is the word translated. The assumption is that the original audience is familiar with this word and does not need help understanding the passage. It is only later generations (like ours) that we need help with Egyptian, Sumerian, Aramaic, Phoenician, Greek, and Persian loan words.The exception to this rule seems to be Megillat Esther. Every month that is mentioned is presented in its Jewish usage (1st, 3rd, 10th, and 12th months) along with the Persian/Babylonian (pagan) names (Nisan, Sivan, Tevet, Adar). The formula is “Ba’Chodesh Ha’Rishon, Hu Chodesh Nisan…” This identification is understandable, as the Jewish people at the time were living at a time of transition when the “old” names for months (numbers) were being replaced with the cosmopolitan Persian names. But there is one Persian word in the Megillah that is also translated in similar fashion. In Esther 3:7, Haman is described as “Hipil Pur Hu Ha’Goral”; i.e. he threw down a “Pur,” which is a lottery. Why does the text need to translate the word? If the audience knows what a “Pur” is, leave it be; if not, just write “Goral” and leave it at that.

The answer is found in the final mention of the Pur. When summarizing the events and the establishment of the holiday, the verse states “Al Ken Kar’u La’Yamim Ha’eleh Purim Al Shem Ha’Pur.” Therefore, they(!) called these days “Purim” on account of the Pur. (Esther 9:26.) In other words, the people, who spoke ancient Persian, named the holiday. For the

Hebrew-speaking audience (which does not speak Persian), the name of the holiday would make no sense unless it understands that a Pur is a lottery--hence the need for the translation in Esther 3:7.

So far, we see that the people named the holiday, but does that not imply that the people also initiated it? Indeed, a straightforward read of the events of that year and subsequent years, as recorded in Esther 9, leads to exactly that conclusion. After the initial year’s celebrations (on 2 different days), the text states, “Therefore, the victorious Jews in the unwalled cities (“Prazim” in ancient Persian means “victorious”–a clever play on “Prazim” in Hebrew which means “unwalled”) celebrate the 14th day of Adar as a day of rejoicing, feasting, and holiday and by sending portions to each other.” In other words, on the following year, the Jews in the unwalled cities initiated their own celebration as a commemoration of the festivities of the year before, on the selfsame day that they celebrated that first year. The only place where they did not celebrate was, ironically, in Shushan! There is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this oddity. As Ramban (at the beginning of his Chiddushim to Masekhet Megillah) proposes, the only place in the kingdom where Jews lived among a non-Jewish population was Shushan. Therefore, it would have been relatively easy to celebrate in other cities, where the population was homogenous and all were in a festive state of mind. To celebrate in Shushan, in the face of the relatives of the vanquished Persian population, would have been unseemly and likely would have reignited violence. Therefore, it took Mordekhai’s decree (Esther 9:20-22) to establish the celebration in Shushan as well. Writing not as a Jewish leader but as viceroy and with the imprimatur of the Empire, Mordekhai decreed that all Jews must celebrate the 14th and 15th every year “just as the days when the Jews rested from their enemies.” In other words, Mordekhai adopted the celebration of the Prazim and enacted a royal decree that every year the Jews should celebrate in that fashion, adding in the component of Mattanot La’Evyonim to the palette of the celebration. As the next verse records, the Jews accepted this “decree” upon themselves and their posterity for all time.

The holiday of Purim, initiated and named by the Jews of the Persian empire, was intended as a recreation of that first year with the spontaneous outpouring of relief and happiness. The leadership affirmed this “grassroots” holiday, and their formal enactment and the acceptance of said enactment by the people made it the holiday that we know as “Purim.”

An Analysis of the Four Parshiot

Parshat Zachor: Amalek’s contempt

Rabbi Meir Prengler, Torah Studies

Rabbi Joseph Schreiber, Dean of YULA Boys

There is a Rabbinic tradition that just like the month of Elul is dedicated to preparing for the days of judgment, so too the month of Adar is the time to prepare for Pesach. In that light, the sages instituted the reading of four special Torah sections known as the “Arba Parshiot.”

On the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh Adar, we read Parashat Shekalim.

In the time of the Beit Ha’Mikdash, every Jewish man age 20 and up was obligated to donate a half-shekel to a fund that paid for the korbanot that were sacrificed during the year on behalf of the Jewish people. The obligation was equal for all men, rich and poor – only a half-shekel, no more and no less. The month of Adar was chosen as the time to give this donation and subsequently for this Torah reading, since many korbanot were needed for Pesach.

The Shabbat before Purim we read Parashat Zachor. The Torah obligates the Jewish people to remember the attack of Amalek in the desert shortly after the splitting of the Red Sea. They came to wipe out our people and Hashem did not let that happen. We have three obligations: to remember what Amalek did, to destroy them in the future, and to never forget what happened. The Shabbat before Purim was designated as the time for this Torah reading since Haman was from Amalek, and Hashem saved our people from his plans.

On the second to last Shabbat of Adar, we read Parshat Parah. Hashem commanded the Jewish people to sacrifice a red cow (the “red heifer”) in a very detailed and special way. The Kohen that prepared the red cow became impure, and the ashes of the red cow were used to purify people that became impure from a corpse. The end of Adar was chosen for this because the idea of purity is essential for the holiday of Pesach.

“You shall obliterate the memory of Amalek…” (Devarim 25:19).

One of the 613 mitzvot is to “obliterate Amalek.” This mitzvah is incumbent upon all Jews in every place and in every generation. Nowadays, however, we are unable to fulfill this mitzvah in its entirety since we do not know for sure who Amalek is. Nevertheless, we are still obligated to despise and uproot this most evil of all nations in any way possible. We must therefore think about and delve deeply into the meaning of this mitzvah and its application in our daily lives.

Rabbi Chaim Friedlander zt”l, the late mashgiach of the famed Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, writes in his book Sifsei Chaim, “The fundamental negative characteristic of Amalek is ‘zilzul– contempt.” zilzul can be defined as the feeling one has that a person or thing is beeath consideration, worthless, or deserving of scorn. It is also a complete disregard for something that is sacred, something of true value. This characteristic of zilzul, contempt, was most evident in Amalek. The pasuk states: “When they ‘chanced’ upon you en route…” (Devarim 25:18). Rashi says that “chanced” is also an expression of “cold”– as opposed to heat. They (Amalek) “cooled you off,” moderated you to tepidness from seething heat. All other nations were afraid to wage war against Bnei Yisrael, until Amalek attacked, thus preparing the way for others. Rashi brings the following parable: There was a boiling bath into which no creature could enter. One villain came and leaped into the bath. Although he was scalded he “cooled it off” for others.

The Rabbis teach that the entire world witnessed the miracle of the splitting of the sea. They tell us that at the time of the splitting of the sea,

(cont’d on pg. 18)

(cont’d on pg. 18)

7

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

FEATURE A Taste of Hollywood Itzchak Maghen, Staff Writer

Mr. Avrech posing with his Emmy for Devil’s Arithmatic

FADE IN:

understand a movie. Most of my students, at a certain point in the workshop, tell me that they realize that most of the movies they see are junk.

They gradually recognize good movies, and then, as they become better writers and more lucid thinkers, they make the distinction between the merely good and a truly great movie.”

You don’t have to want to be a screenwriter, producer, director, or agent to take the screenwriting course. Mr. Avrech hopes his students will understand how “Hollywood sends its messages.” For example, several years ago in an episode of Friends, there was a lesbian wedding. With all of Hollywood’s influence, Avrech said, “I guarantee that episode paved the way for the legalization of same-sex marriage in America.”

Mr. Avrech ended his interview with a movie recommendation: “I believe everyone should see Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1956). It is the greatest movie ever made [...] It’s also the film that most Hollywood writers and directors have carefully studied. If you speak to Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas, they will tell you that the Seven Samurai is the one movie that inspires them above all others. Most crucial, it’s the movie I saw when I was a confused fourteen-year-old yeshiva student. Watching that film changed my life. Seven Samurai made me want to become a screenwriter.”

Former screenwriting student Shaily Yashar (‘15), says that Mr. Avrech taught her a great deal about screenwriting. “I was able to apply a lot of things I learned to everyday life,” Yashar said. “Recently done with her studies at Santa Monica College, and now applying to multiple film schools, Yashar said that Mr. Avrech’s screenwriting workshop was different and better than the film courses offered at her college.

“Mr. Avrech’s class was a workshop environment; every week he would sit with all of us, we would read our work out loud, and he would give us feedback. But the way I learned best was not from the feedback he gave me personally--although it was helpful--but the feedback he gave other people, because you learn from other people’s trials and errors, and not just your own.”

Occasionally, Mr. Avrech brings in films for his students to watch.

Recently he invited another Orthodox Hollywood filmmaker, J.D. Lifshitz, to attend the workshop and talk to the class. Currently, Mr. Lifshitz has two horror films on Netflix, Dementia and Contracted. Mr. Lifshitz spoke about how he got to where he is right now, as one of the pioneers of BoulderLight Pictures, and even offered Mr. Avrech’s students possible internships for the summer. Mr. Avrech’s screenwriting workshop isn’t just a

INT. YULA BOYS - HALLWAY - NIGHT ITZCHAK MAGHEN, JONATHAN MIZRAHI, NATANIEL SAWDAYI, and DANIEL SILVERA, all 16-year-old juniors, walk towards room 220.

Maghen opens the door and…

INT. YULA BOYS - ROOM 220 - MOMENTS LATER … Mr. Avrech stands behind his desk looking at his laptop. He turns towards his students as they enter the classroom. They all take their seats and form a semicircle around Mr. Avrech’s desk. He asks the class if they sent each other their outlines. Everyone nods. *** The foundation of every film is its screenplay. You can have a film with cutting edge special effects, A-list actors, and a great campaign ad, but as Mr. Robert J. Avrech puts it, “If you do not have a solid screenplay, you will have a mediocre movie.”

Every Wednesday at precisely 5:15 p.m, a unique screenwriting workshop takes place in YULA Boys High School. The course is taught by Mr. Robert J. Avrech, an Emmy award-winning screenwriter whose films include Body Double, A Stranger Among Us, and The Devil’s Arithmetic — for which Mr. Avrech won an Emmy Award for Best Screenplay. Mr. Avrech has been teaching the screenwriting workshop at YULA Girls school for five years, and at YULA Boys for two years.

The workshop has multiple goals. First to teach students how to write a mainstream Hollywood screenplay. Second, to expound upon the moral dimensions of movies and TV shows, because, as Mr. Avrech puts it, “Movies don’t just tell stories. Every movie has a subtext.There is a message involved and I want my students to understand that Hollywood is the most powerful instrument of propaganda the world has ever seen.”

A simple example: America, he says, has only won wars that Hollywood supported. According to Mr. Avrech, when Hollywood turned against the conflicts in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, America lost because “Hollywood dominates culture. And politics are downstream from culture.”

Students who remain in the class and continue to take it throughout their high school years gain “a secret knowledge,” says Mr. Avrech. “Everyone loves movies but most people don’t know how to read a movie, how to 8

(cont’d on pg. 19)

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

FEATURE

A Q&A with longtime YULA math teacher, Mrs. Miriam Green Shaina Korouri, Contributing Writer

Mrs. Green teaches an important geometric theorem

The dynamic YULA Girls High School staff is constantly adding new faculty members, each of whom enhance the experience of the students. And there are a few members who have been part of the YULA family since the very beginning. One of those members is Mrs. Miriam Green. Mrs. Green has taught math at both YULA campuses for 37 years. Over the years she has mastered her teaching techniques to provide the very best math education for her students, and has developed a special relationship with each of them.

This week, The Panther Post interviewed Mrs. Green to learn more about her and her experience teaching at YULA over the course of her three decades. Below is a lightly edited transcript of that interview.

right now.

The Panther Post: How many years have you been teaching?

Panther Post: Did you always want to be a math teacher, and if not, what made you want to be one?

Panther Post: What have you seen specifically in YULA students that stands out to you?

Mrs. Green: What I’ve seen is the dedication that they have toward each other, towards their Torah learning and the activities that they have with their mechanchot (Judaic Studies counselors)--and all these to me are pretty special. When I see them getting together for the Shabbatons that they go on, and the various activities that they share together, these are unique types of activities that go on here that I don’t think happen much in a general public school.

Mrs. Miriam Green: I started in 1974, and I started at YULA in 1979. So I have been teaching a long time--do the math.

Mrs. Green: I think I started getting interested in math in junior high school. I had a great 9th grade math teacher and that inspired me. He really Panther Post: What distinguishes YULA from other schools that had a lot of faith in us, and pushed us to do really well. In second grade I made you want to work here for so long? was not good at math. My report card said I didn’t know how to subtract with borrowing. Clearly between 2nd and 9th grade things got better, but Mrs. Green: I think the comradery amongst the faculty has always from about 9th grade I really became interested in teaching and specificalbeen amazing, from the very first year that YULA opened up in ’79, ly in teaching math. and it’s a really rewarding place to work. Seeing the students year after year, making connections with the siblings, making connections Panther Post: How does it feel to have taught both the students and their with the children of students that I had years ago, so I have a lot of parents? second generation going on right now, and that’s always fun for me.

So it’s been fun, clearly I’m not going anywhere for a while.

Mrs. Green: It’s really fun to be teaching children of former students. It’s fun when they come for parent teacher conferences and I remember what Panther Post: After working here for so long and witnessing the they were like as students, and there’s also a lot of parents that I teach dynamics of the school, is there anything you would change about where it’s both the husband and the wife who were former students of YULA? mine, and that’s pretty cool to see. It’s also interesting for me to see how the personalities are the same, or not the same, of the parents and their Mrs. Green: That’s a tough one. I hope that it doesn’t change too children. much in the future. I think we have a lot of really good things about it right now, and I can’t really think of anything that I would want to Panther Post: You’re one of the few teachers who teaches at the boys and change. I’m happy with the classes that I teach, with the people that girls school. How do the dynamics of both differ from each other?

I work with, so I can’t come up with anything that I’d like to change (cont’d on pg. 19)

9

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

NEWS

Trump guides nation through uncharted waters Eliana Sisman, Staff Writer

Throughout the first few weeks of the Trump administration, Americans have watched with emotions ranging from ecstatic joy and excitement to terror and disgust as Donald Trump attempts to translate his highly unconventional campaign and style into a presidential policy agenda.

Among the highlights of the beginning of Trump’s presidency are several important executive orders (especially one on immigration), the confirmation of several Trump nominees for cabinet positions, and interactions with foreign leaders.

Trump’s most controversial executive order so far has been one on immigration, released on Jan. 28, and updated on March 6.

The original order prohibited people from seven majority-Muslim countries from traveling or immigrating to the United States for 90 days, suspends refugee admission for 120 days, and indefinitely suspends the admission of Syrian refugees.

The Trump administration defended this executive order as a moderate and long-overdue effort to protect Americans by ensuring that nobody from war-torn, jihadist-filled areas of the Middle East can enter America without being thoroughly vetted. Meanwhile, opponents said that the ban is un-American and unconstitutional.

Even some supporters of the order criticized its implementation, especially its initial application to green-card holders and its effects on people who helped the U.S. military during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and now wish to immigrate to the U.S. Many have denounced the order as a Muslim ban, although it does not cover all, or even most, majority-Muslim countries, and does not apply a religious test.

The executive order sparked a legal battle over its constitutionality, beginning when a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York granting a nationwide stay on the implementation of this executive order on Jan. 28. The most recent development in this legal battle was the upholding of the judge’s decision by a panel of three of the 21 judges on the Ninth Circuit Federal Appeals Court. After this decision, the Trump administration had several options: rewriting the executive order, asking for a full hearing and judgment from all 21 judges on the Ninth Circuit Court, or taking their case to the Supreme Court. So far, Trump has seemed to opt for the first course of action.

Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (Source: Gage Skidmore)

President Trump has also issued two other executive orders on immigration, the provisions of which include the authorization of a U.S-Mexico border wall, the denial of federal funding to cities that refuse to help the federal government deport illegal immigrants (also known as sanctuary cities), and the hiring of 5,000 new border patrol agents. In addition, Trump issued executive orders requiring government agencies to abolish two existing regulations every time they introduce a new one, lengthened the ban on ex-administration officials working as lobbyists, and revived the controversial Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines. Trump also released an executive order reinstating the ‘Mexico City Policy,’ which denies federal funding to international groups that perform abortions or promote abortion overseas. The policy was first instituted in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan, and his since been perennially cancelled by Democratic administrations and reinstated by Republican ones.

Furthermore, Trump released orders imposing a hiring freeze on the federal government (excluding the military), and instructed federal agencies to waive or defer provisions of Obamacare that are deemed financially burdensome to any person, group, business, or state.

Perhaps Trump’s most long-term impactful decision was his appointment offederal judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the (cont’d on pg. 19)

The trial of Bibi Netanyahu

Lithuanian government plans to build national convention center over Jewish cemetery in Vilna

Mendy Sacks, Staff Writer Currently, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, is under investigation by the national police anti-fraud unit for alleged corruption and allegedly accepting bribes worth thousands of dollars.

Allegedly, Arnon Milchan, a major Hollywood producer, wished to secure a long-term visa in the United States and sought Netanyahu’s help. Investigators say he bribed Netanyahu with gifts, including expensive champagne, cigars, and fine suits.

In December 2016, the national police also accused Netanyahu of purchasing submarines from a German company that is partly owned by the Iranian government, one of Israel’s top adversaries.

Moreover, Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, was accused of using state money for personal use--allegedly purchasing patio furniture, expensive meals, and a nurse for her elderly father.

Police have been investigating this and have recently applied to the Attorney General, Avichai Mandelblit, for formal permission to look into these accusations in detail. Netanyahu denies all accusations of fraud and has said that there is nothing to find. His lawyer, Yaakov Weinroth, said that the alleged bribes from Mr. Milchan were merely simple gifts from a friend to a friend.

Accusations of corruption in the Israeli government also occurred during other politicians’ terms. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Minister of Development of the Negev and Galilee Aryeh Deri both faced jail time for corruption and bribery. Netanyahu is the second longest serving prime minister of Israel. If these investigations continue and are found true, it could force Netanyahu out of office and potentially land him in jail. Tzachi Hanegbi, a Likud minister who has known Netanyahu for over 30 years, said he believes Bibi is “an honest guy” and nothing will be found in the investigation.

Rachel Simon, Staff Writer

10

For the past several years, there has been growing concern among Jewish communities worldwide over the decision of the Lithuanian government to construct a national convention center and soccer field over the Jewish cemetery in Vilna.

In the past, Lithuania’s government has had hostility towards Jews, attempting to hide its history of Nazi collaboration, and even accusing Jews who fought against the Nazis of committing “war crimes.”

For many centuries before the Holocaust, Vilna was a leading center of Torah learning and renowned Torah scholars, the most famous of which was the Gaon of Vilna, Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo.

A brilliant 18th century kabbalist, the Vilna Gaon was the most influential European Torah scholar of his generation.

Many other impactful Torah scholars came from Vilna’s thriving Jewish community. For example, Rabbi Uri Shraga Feibush, a relative of the Vilna Gaon, emigrated to Jerusalem and became president of its Ashkenazi community. Furthermore, many Torah scholars of Vilna’s Jewish community held profitable economic positions in society. Two prominent Torah philanthropists were Rabbi Aharon Gordon of Vilna, a physician to the king of Poland, and Rabbi Yehuda Ben Eliezer Safra Vedayna, a wealthy merchant who built a synagogue in his name. Rabbi Yehuda Ben Safra Vedayna was influential in reducing the severity of restrictive governmental policies on the Jews.

While several of the most influential rabbis from Vilna are buried in Israel, many of them are buried in Vilna’s Jewish cemetery. Numerous Jewish organizations have been established in order to protect this ceme(cont’d on pg. 19)

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

NEWS Trump poll data Ari Willner, Staff Writer

President Donald Trump’s first six weeks in office have come with many surprises and a fast-paced policy rollout, prompting praise and anger across the political spectrum. The YULA community graded Trump between Feb. 21-22 on his job performance up to that point.

On a 1-10 scale, one meaning “awful” and ten meaning “terrific,” 138 students, staff and faculty rated their assessment of President Trump’s job performance.

Like the mock presidential survey results printed in January’s inaugural issue of The Panther Post, YULA landed in the pro-Trump category, with an average of 6.5 across the board. In the mock election, 60% of YULA voted for Trump, and 21% voted for Hillary Clinton.

Across all grades in both schools, Trump’s average rating ranged from a 6.3 to 7.5, with 11th grade girls coming in as the least pro-Trump demographic (average 5.4), and the 12th grade boys coming in as the most pro-Trump demographic (average 8.8). Eighty-two percent of 11th grade girls voted for Trump in the mock presidential ballot.

Among faculty, the sentiment was overwhelmingly anti-Trump, with an average approval rating of just 3.1. YULA’s secular staff gave

Trump a 2.7 average, and the religious staff rated him at a 5.

The average job performance between all grades was within a two-point margin, ranging from 6.3 to 7.5. However, when looking at each individually, the results polarize, which means that the majority of voters either voted very low (1-3) or very high (8-10) .

Surprisingly, the least pro-Trump demographic was the 11th grade girls, with an average of just 5.4. These results were very unlike the presidential ballot, where 82% of that same demographic voted for Trump. The most pro-Trump demographic was 12th grade boys, who gave him an astounding 8.8 average performance rating.

YULA faculty voted very low for Trump, voting in an average approval rating of just 3.1, with the secular staff giving a 2.7 average rating and the religious staff giving an average rating of 5.

As age increased, voter turnout actually decreased, with the 9th and 10th graders providing 34 and 35 votes, respectively, and 11th and 12th graders providing 26 and 27 votes, respectively. Overall, the 138 votes cast in this poll was 100 fewer than the number cast for the mock presidential vote.

Percentage breakdowns for ratings of Trump on a scale of 1-10 Average approval rating out of 10, by grade

Trump ushers in a new era in U.S.-Israel relations Eliana Sisman, Staff Writer

One of the many reasons why President Donald Trump is perhaps the Although the U.S. has always vetoed many of the UN’s most blatantmost unconventional and polarizing major political figure in modern Ameri- ly anti-Israel resolutions, in Dec. 2016 the Obama administration refused to can history is his willingness to dismiss conventional bipartisan consensus. veto a U.N. resolution criticizing Israeli settlements, which was denounced by One such example came during a joint press conference with Israeli many as anti-Israel. In a recent speech at the U.N., Haley described this deciPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Feb. 15. When asked by a reporter sion as a “terrible mistake”, criticizing the body for its anti-Israel bias, and unwhether or not he intended on giving up on the two-state solution, he said “So, derscoring America’s unequivocal support of Israel. This is a marked change I’m looking at one-state and two-state, and I like the one both parties like,” from the attitude and actions of Haley’s predecessor Samantha Powers, who breaking with traditional U.S. insistence did not support Israel as unequivocally for a two-state solution, which has been as Haley did in this speech. the parameters of peace talks for two Yet another area in the U.S.-Israel decades. This move, which sparked rerelationship that has changed dramatactions ranging from warm praise to fuically since Trump became president rious condemnation, is just one example is the personal relationship between of how Trump is drastically changing the American president and NetanyaUS-Israel relations. hu. Unlike Barack Obama, who often Another way Trump has clashed with Netanyahu , Trump seems changed U.S.-Israel relations is through to be getting along quite well with Nehis appointment of Nikki Haley, a Retanyahu. In his joint press conference publican ex-governor of South Carolina with the Israeli prime minister, Trump Netanyahu and Trump at their joint press conference on Feb. 15 (Source: dreuz.tv) and strong Israel supporter, as the U.S. praised Netanyahu as “my friend” and ambassador to the United Nations. The “a smart man, great negotiator,” while U.N. is notorious for its bias against Israel. From its founding in 2006 un- Netanyahu, who seemed to be very confident and comfortable with Trump, til August 2015, the U.N. Humans Rights Council condemned Israel for hu- claimed that “there is no greater supporter of the Jewish people and the Jewish man rights violations 62 times, more than all the other countries in the world state than President Donald Trump”. The relationship between Trump and Necombined. The nearest competitors were Syria (17 times)--where hundreds of tanyahu goes back a long way; the two have known each other for many years, thousands of innocent civilians, including thousands of children, have been and Trump endorsed Netanyahu during his reelection campaign in 2013. killed in a civil war--and North Korea (eight times), a nuclear-armed dictatorAnother area of the U.S.-Israel relationship that Trump has changed is ship ruled by a brutal totalitarian. the American attitude to Israeli settlements. Past presidents were strongly op11

(cont’d on pg. 19)

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

SPORTS

With new coaches, YULA Boys’ volleyball team has playoff hopes Noah Pomerance, Contributing Writer

The volleyball team practicing for their debut game

In its early years since its founding in 2010, the YULA Boys High School volleyball team struggled with basic organization. The team lacked consistent practice times, and players often found out about games on the day of.

The resulting mess meant the team struggled to compete against other teams in the league, ending with records like 2-4, 3-9, and 1-6. With a new coach and a large group of newcomers, this year’s iteration of the team is reloading with a group full of potential. Eli Isaacs (‘18), who has been on the team for three years, believes that this is the closest-knit group the team has ever had.

“We are all close friends off the court which leads to more communication, and easier playing together on the court,” Isaacs said.

The team comes in with the confidence to believe that this is the year they break through and finally make playoffs. Losing the stars of the team Jesse Hyman (‘16) and Yair Isaacs (‘16) leaves a large void, but with their departure comes the arrival of new coaches Kevin Chavez and Corey Geiser, as well as the return of star setter Benjamin Goldstein (‘18).

The coaching change was applauded and met with much excitement from the players. Daniel Blumenstrauch (’18), a second-year member of the team, loves that both coaches strive to bring out the best in each player, saying “a team is only as strong as its weakest link, so it’s really important that both our coaches have been looking to give equal attention to our stars and benchwarmers.”

Returning third-year setter Benjamin Goldstein (’18) knows his responsibilities on the team this year have grown. He said, “With the loss of Jesse and Yair I know I need to step up to lead this team.” Goldstein’s high energy and vocal leadership spreads to the rest of the team as an inspiration. “[Benjamin’s] energy really sets the tone for the team,” said Isaacs. “When he puts it out on the line every practice he shows everyone what it to succeed. I’m really excited for the season and I think this is the year we break out and show everyone what YULA volleyball is about.”

Next up to the plate: Mr. Roger Lee

Panther baseball adds young blood

Rivkah Abrams, Staff Writer

Caleb Aranoff, Staff Writer

This year, YULA Girls is bringing back their softball team under new coach Mr. Roger Yee. Coach Yee was formerly the Yavneh Hebrew Academy girls’ basketball and volleyball coach, and after 12 years he has decided to move on to coaching high school. YULA Girls athletics director Ms. Candice Despain worked with Coach Lee in the past, so when he decided to leave Yavneh, she hired him as coach for YULA’s softball team.

Ms. Despain originally met Coach Yee while running an after school program for Yavneh, where she was impressed with his work.

Ms. Despain also said that another benefit of bringing Coach Yee to YULA from one of the main middle schools is that “he knows the girls in our school and it would be a great opportunity for them all to keep working with each other.”

Ms. Despain hopes that Coach Yee’s previous experience of working with many of the girls on the team will provide a strong basis for them to improve athletically. Since many of the girls already know his style, they are looking forward to a smooth transition into this season. Pitcher Kayla Cagen (‘19) said, “I know the new coach, Mr. Yee, from my middle school, Yavneh. He is an amazing coach and I know he will strengthen our team”.

This year, Ms. Despain entered YULA’s softball team into our local school league, The Liberty League. In previous years, the team only played single games against available schools for practice. Under the mentorship of the new coach, YULA has high expectations for the

Spring is upon us and with it will begin a new season for the YULA Panthers baseball team. This year’s team is led by coach Dennis Cervantes, along with assistant coach Kevin Brockway, and team captains A.J. Kahan (’17) and Oren Rimmon (’19). Rimmon breaks the tradition of the all-senior captaincy by assuming the spot as a sophomore. Asked about his thoughts on this year’s team, Rimmon expressed optimism for the upcoming season: “I think we have a really good team, with plenty of potential, we’ve got a lot of young talent to work with. If our team gels well, I’m hopeful our young players will develop and will help us get a real good shot at making the playoffs.”

This year’s team will certainly be a fresh look for the Panthers, as 10 newcomers join the squad, including eight freshmen (the “young talent” Rimmon refers to) and two seniors, who Rimmon says will add to the team’s depth.

Asked which freshmen he believes will make an impact right away, Rimmon said, “A person that really stood out to me is [center fielder] Daniel Tarko (’20). He’s a person that really practices hard, leaves everything he has on the field, and you will never find him slacking off. Hard workers like him really make it far in this sport.”

Usually, it is the seniors who set the work ethic precedent for the team, but according to Rimmon, Tarko really takes the initiative and sets the example for the team. Time will soon tell whether or not the baseball team’s youth movement pays off.

(cont’d on pg. 17)

12

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

SPORTS Lady Panthers make their mark in RASG Hebrew Academy Varsity Basketball Tournament Madeline Rubin, Staff Writer

For the 12th annual year, the Hebrew Academy Warriors have hosted a girls varsity basketball tournament in Miami Beach, Florida to honor Captain P. Galibut.

The YULA Varsity Panthers were accompanied by Mrs. Natalie Williams and their head coach, Tyree Burnett, in Miami.

The tournament was created to remember the great legacy of Captain P. Galibut and his family. Hosted by Hebrew Academy, most tournament games were played in the Hebrew Academy gym. The Jewish Community Center hosted several games as well.

The YULA Panthers hit the ground running, with their first game against a team they knew quite well, the Shalhevet Firehawks. Playing with intensity and aggression, the Panthers were not able to keep up with the speed of the Firehawks, losing their first game in Miami.

With a good attitude, Captain Sahel Basiratmand (‘17) said “It was really nice to play against friendly faces in Miami, hopefully we will be able to keep up the energy and intensity to be successful in this tournament for the next couple days” Winning one out of their two games on Thursday, one against Rochelle Zell, and the other against Fuchs Mizrachi, the YULA athletes were able to enjoy to sunshine outdoors by heading to Miami beach for the afternoon before coming back to compete in the All Star Skills Competition and three point shoot-out. Sophmores, Rebecca Rabbanian (‘19) and Madeline Rubin (‘19) competed in the skills round alongside seniors Sahel Basiratmand (‘17) and Ariella Javidzad (‘17) who participated in the three point shoot-out.

Javidzad said about qualifying for the three point shoot-out semi finals, “This was my first time given the chance to win anything in this tournament and I am excited to compete against the other qualifiers”.

The Panthers faced Shalhevet again for their playoff game, still unable to come out with a victory after losing Rubin to a shoulder injury.

As Shabbat came in, the girls all joined together for a Shabbat filled with achdut despite the competitive pressures of the past few days. Girls from different teams got to know each other a bit better off the court with an activity following dinner. Shabbat day was filled with the same excitement as the girls enjoyed meals filled with song and divrei torah.

Saturday night was filled with lots of energy as the final games started. YULA girls played HAFTR high school ending in 7th place out of 13 teams in the tournament. After their game ended, they arrived at the JCC to cheer on Shalhevet in the championship game against the Katz Yeshiva Storm.

After a successful and fun-filled trip of basketball and new friendships, the YULA girls team headed home on Sunday morning feeling accomplished with what they had left on the court.

Girls basketball team in Miami

Can LeBron surpass Jordan? Yes. Jonathan Hay, Staff Writer

Statistically, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James has solidified himself as one of the most dominant basketball players in NBA history. James currently ranks eighth in all-time points, 13th in all-time assists, and 20th in all-time steals. He has won three NBA titles, three NBA Finals MVP awards, four regular season MVP awards, and two Olympic gold medals.

James is arguably one of the top two players to ever play the game, right behind Michael Jordan. One could argue that Los Angeles Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant had a better career than James has had thus far. But at James’s current scoring rate, he will surpass Bryant in scoring. In fact, he is set to also surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and take the top spot in the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Although Bryant has more rings than James, James currently has three NBA Finals MVPs to Kobe’s two. James led the Cavaliers last year from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors, who were (and still are) one of the best teams in NBA history -- a team that went 73-9, the best regular-season record in NBA history. No

other team has ever come back down 3-1 in NBA Finals history.

James, at age 32, has already surpassed Bryant when he was 32 in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.

After James lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 finals, if one were to ask what James would need to do to be considered one of the best NBA players ever, you would have to say that he would have to put the greatest five-year stretch by any player in league history. And he has done exactly that.

From 2011 to 2016, James has played in every NBA Finals and has beaten nearly every relevant contender. He beat Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012, the San-Antonio Spurs in 2013, and Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors in 2016. In my opinion, if James can again beat the Warriors again (who added four-time scoring champion Kevin Durant in July) in this year’s NBA Finals, he will solidify himself, hands-down, as the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball.

13

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

PURIM YULA Boys administration releases pictures hailing ocnstruction progress Dec. 10, 2017

Jan. 10, 2017

Feb. 10, 2017

Mar. 10, 2017

Modeling UN, Model UN team issues 127 condemnations of Israel in just 12 hours

YULA implements “safe space” program for freshmen Starting Mar. 1, YULA’s administration approved the anti-bullying club’s “Save our Freshmen” (SoF) program to help struggling freshmen deal with the high stress and difficult workload of high school. The program designates three hallway trashcans as “safe spaces” for those freshmen that need a few minutes of peace and quiet in between classes or during lunches. The program also provides for the “Senior Transportation Service” (STS) for freshmen who are too short to enter the trashcans themselves.

“I really appreciate the lengths the school has gone to in order to make me feel comfortable,” said Aryeh Perelman (’18).

“Even as a junior, I often find myself in search of safe spaces in the school, and this program means that I always know I have a place to go.”

In a team meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 8, the YULA Model UN team brought their UN-modeling skills to unprecedented levels by issuing 127 condemnations of Israel in just 12 hours. The condemnation exercise was brought about by calls from some members of the team to create a more accurate model of the UN than that created in the annual YUNMUN conference in Stamford, Connecticut.

“In order to accurately reflect the UN, we felt we needed to partake in their favorite pastime – baselessly criticizing Israel based on hypocritical double standards while ignoring the issues that could actually use our help,” said a Model UN team member who wished to remain anonymous. “Now we finally feel that we have been successful in our efforts to achieve a perfect model of the UN.”

Roni Etshalom (‘19), Amira Felsenthal (‘17), and Miriam Waghalter (‘17) -- left to right -- flourish their anti-Israel spirit at the conference

Aryeh Perlman (‘18) enjoying his time in a safe space as part of the SoF program

14

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

PURIM EXPOSED: YULA’s The Panther Post revealed as fake news, Panther Post reports

The Panther Post released an exposé on Sunday, Mar. 5, revealing The Panther Post as “fake news.” The Post, which rated news publications based on a wide range of criteria from “article bias” to “length of image captions” said, “The Panther Post has been removed from our list of credible news sources and shall henceforth be considered FAKE NEWS until such time as it passes our credibility criteria. Nothing The Panther Post publishes or has published until now should be considered truthful for the time being.” The Panther Post suggested that readers who now lack a go-to news source should instead check out Likutei Ohr.

Purim Misparim: finding meaning in the Gematria of Purim

YULA Girls Valley students demand 8:30am dismissal

What is the significance of the word “Purim” in Gematria (the numerical value of Hebrew words)?

The administration has been receiving a plethora of complaints from valley students demanding 8:30am dismissal to beat rush hour.

Students have threatened that they will go on strike if this change is not made. They believe that 8:30am is a very reasonable dismissal time for the administration to cooperate with, seeing that they have to make the long trek home while still having to tend to their studies.

A YULA girl who wishes to remain anonymous stated, “If this change is not made, I am better off sleeping at school in order to get to my first period class on time.”

The Gematria of Purim is 336.

Bereshit 33:6 has 5 words.

5! = 120 120 divided by 36 mentions of Haman in Megillat Esther = 3.3 3.3 = the ratio of seconds to chalakim (a Halachic measurement of time).

It takes 1369 seconds to read Megillat Esther (assuming a reading speed of roughly 100 words per minute).

The square root of 1369 is 37.

37 = Hevel in Gematria Hevel is mentioned 6 times in Sefer Bereshit.

Integral of 6 = 6x + c Moshe splits the sea in the 15th perek of Shemot.

The waters of the mabul covered the tallest mountain by 15 amot.

The tallest mountain (Everest) is 29,029 feet tall.

29,029 feet = 8,848 meters.

Ln(8848) = 9.

9 = the area of a bean, in lentils (according to Mishna Negaim 6:1).

Esav sold Yaakov his bechora for lentils when Avraham died at the age of 175.

175 is a multiple of 7.

There were 7 neviot (according to Megillah 14a).

Sin(7) = 0.66 = 2/3 2/3 = the fraction of Moshe’s life that was spent before yetziat mitzrayim.

10 plagues of Egypt during yetziat mitzrayim.

10 + 14th of Nissan when the Jews left Egypt = 24.

The 24th letter of the alphabet is X d/dx (x) = 1 Ln(1) = 0 0 = the number of times it says Hashem’s name in Megillat Esther.

Megillat Esther has 166 pesukim.

The 166th positive mitzvah in the Mishna Torah is to rest on the first day of Sukkot.

Sukkot takes place in the 7th month.

The 7th book of Trei Asar is Nachum.

Nachum is mentioned 1 time in Sefer Nachum.

The Hebrew word for 1 is echad.

Echad is 13 in Gematria.

13 backwards is 31.

The Warriors blew a 3-1 lead.

The traffic with which valley girls have to deal on the daily

It was in there all along – we should’ve seen it coming!

15

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

OPINION

Why I won’t Instagram: In defense of living under a rock Rachel Samouha, Sports Editor

Our generation is marked by the social media phenomenon: the endless documentation of our lives that connects us to people all over the world, and gives us the illusion that somehow we can better communicate now than ever before.

For many reasons, I choose not to use social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter--a decision I am asked about all the time. Before I break down why exactly I refrain from using that specific side of social media, I would like to make a disclaimer: social media is in no way entirely negative. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter allow us to spread the word about causes that are important to us and keep in touch with people we would otherwise be disconnected from. In these practical senses, social media is truly a blessing, but it would also be ignorant to deny the underlying, yet incredibly real damage we all experience as a result of our time spent scrolling through our news feeds and refining our social media presences.

From my personal experience, social media heightens feelings of loneliness, breeds a general dissatisfaction with our actual social lives, and causes us to seek validation from unreliable sources, all while ripping us from the present moment into retrospection.

As I mentioned before, social media is meant to connect us to each other, and supposedly give us more ways to communicate with one another. So why is it that now more than ever, teens report feeling lonely and isolated from the people around them? In order to help better illustrate my point, I would like to examine the art of sub-tweeting, a not-so-subtle stab at another person through an indirect statement made on social media. The sub-tweeter feels better somehow in the moment by passive-aggressively attacking someone instead of having a real and private conversation with him or her, thereby exacerbating the problem while simultaneously making it impossible to confront the issue once they no longer have a phone to hide behind. By normalizing such behaviors we make it harder and harder to have real and meaningful conversations with each other.

In another way, people often use social media as a method to reach out to those around them in hopes of some reciprocated connection, because at the end of the day, many of us just want someone to listen. We’ve all seen it: the sad tweet late on a Saturday night that has a few pity-favorites, vaguely addressing some sort of unhappiness. If said sad-tweeters would just turn to a friend to share whatever it is they feel the need to tell their entire social media platform, perhaps they would feel a little less

lonely. What I mean to say is, 10 times out of 10, trying to communicate something to your entire social media following, plus their friends, will prove far less effective than having an actual conversation about whatever it is you want to get off your chest.

In addition to stripping us of genuine communication, social media instills in many of us a lack of satisfaction with our real-world social lives.

We are constantly bombarded with the subliminal message that everyone around us is happier than we are, has more fun than we do, is cooler than we are, etc. We’ve all clicked though snap-stories, watching all the infinitely more exciting things the people around us are doing, when in reality, if we had been in the exact place those people were, we probably would not have felt so excited.

Social media has turned our lives into a never-ending envy for the greenness of the other side’s grass. This mindset contributes to our removal from the present, leading us to always think about how we appear to our friends on social media, rather than truly enjoying the moments we live through. Most of us are guilty of going to great lengths to ensure that our followers see the coolest, best-looking, wittiest version of ourselves in every one of our posts. We cannot allow an exciting moment to go by without documenting it to ensure that we maintain our social media presence. As the saying goes, “If you didn’t snap it, did it really happen?” But if you were snapping the whole time, did you really allow yourself to enjoy the moment?

Social media has taught us to seek validation and determine our self-worth in unreliable and thus unhealthy places. It saddens me to see people post a picture they were excited about, only to feel disheartened and rejected when they don’t get more than a certain amount of likes within their first hour of posting, and take down their post before anyone sees what an embarrassment it was. We often reduce the value of a great time with friends, our beauty, our wit, or our general self-worth to the amount of likes on a picture to which our followers probably did not even give a second look.

I am not suggesting that we halt all social media use, delete our accounts, and revert to a time before any of this; because that’s not only impossible--it’s just dumb. What I am suggesting is that we all take a step back and become aware of the behaviors and mindsets we adopt through our use of social media. It would benefit us all to be a little more mindful of the ways in which social media affects our lives, and through this mindfulness, assume healthier relationships with social media and with each other.

The debate over drinking on Purim Ilan Bocian, Staff Writer

Every year in the month of Adar the Jewish community celebrates the joyous holiday of Purim. The holiday celebrates the Jewish victory against the evil Haman, who would have destroyed the Jewish people were it not for the efforts of Mordechai and Esther. Purim is a time for raucous, lively celebration, so naturally every year the same question is raised: Is it a commandment for everyone, even children, to drink alcohol on Purim?

While it may initially seem that one is obligated to get drunk on Purim, it’s imperative that one’s own health and safety comes first. Especially in the case of children, where alcohol can result in serious issues both developmentally and psychologically, it is imperative that we remember to celebrate safely.

In the famous Gemara in Megillah 7B, Rava states, “One is obligated to become intoxicated on Purim until he is unable to tell the difference between ‘Haman the cursed’ and ‘Mordechai the blessed.’ ” This may seem clear, but this problematic Gemara has been the subject of many a machlokes (halachic argument). The Rif, the Rosh, the Tur, and the Shulchan Aruch all agree with Rava’s statement without qualification. These Rabbis firmly believe that becoming

intoxicated is required as part of the Purim celebrations.

On the other hand, the Rambam, the Bais Ephraim, and the Rama offer opposing opinions.

The Rambam qualifies his statement in Hilchos Yom Tov, 6:20: When a person eats and drinks on a festival, he should not get pulled into the wine and laughter and frivolity, saying ‘the more of this, the greater the mitzvah of simchas yom tov.’ According to the Rambam, drunkenness and excessive laughter and frivolity are not considered rejoicing, but wild and reckless behavior. We are not commanded to be wild or reckless.

We are commanded to rejoice, because this is a way to serve the Creator of all things… [but] it is impossible to serve Hashem in the midst of mockery, frivolity and drunkenness.

Just like many Orthodox Jews today, the Rambam believes that the commandment to become drunk leans towards being hyperbolic, while the reality is that we must maintain proper decorum while celebrating. Hashem wants us to celebrate, but responsibly. The Rambam offers a better place to overindulge - near the end 16

of Hilchos Purim, Rambam concludes that it is “better that a person should increase his gifts to the poor...for there is no greater or beautiful celebration than to make happy the poor, the orphan, the widow, the immigrant.”

Directly against the plain interpretation of Rava, the Bais Ephraim (Rabbi Efrayim Zalman Margolis, 1762-1828) believes that it is “wrong to get intoxicated. The Gemara relates the tragic [allegorical] incident [of Rabbah’s slaying of Rav Zeira out of sheer drunkenness during a Purim feast] to refute Rava’s ruling, since intoxication can lead to dire consequences.” Like the Rambam, The Bais Ephraim believes that first and foremost comes one’s health, safety, and dignity.

In the same vein, the Orach Chaim (695:2) establishes that “to be thoroughly drunk is completely forbidden. There is no greater sin than this, for it leads to [sin].”

Aside from the canonical Rabbinic warnings, there is a plethora of science-backed information regarding the dire effects of alcohol on a minor’s mind and body. Alcohol is extremely dangerous to health and can pose a substantial threat to one’s physical, psychological, and social well-being. Among many other dangers, alcohol can lead to a decline in memory proficiency and academic

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

OPINION

Snikt! Logan claws its way into our hearts Jonathan Mizrahi, Community Editor

Logan’s clone represents everything Logan fights against in the movie: himself. The clone is a younger, more powerful version of him (and of course clad in a black wife-beater instead of a white one in classic döppleganger fashion). Logan is his own worst enemy, and it is his clone who kills him in their final confrontation at the end of the film.

From the start of the movie with the three minute Deadpool teaser to the final shot where Laura rotates the makeshift cross on Logan’s grave into an X, I was fully engaged in the movie. It was wholesome, violent, and satisfying. Although Logan doesn’t get to buy a boat, he finally knows “what it feels like” to die, and he isn’t sad about it. He is fulfilled.

But what does this mean for the future of Wolverine in film?

Well, while this is supposedly the end of an era (Hugh Jackman has played Wolverine for 17 years!), it is not unconceivable that we won’t be seeing Jackman reprise his role as Logan in future films. Remember that this movie takes place in the future, which leaves room for cameos in movies like Deadpool that are set before Logan. Also, as we now know, Logan has been and can be cloned, so it wouldn’t be hard for Fox to shoehorn in a Wolverine clone in future movies. And it should be acknowledged that we’re dealing with the X-men universe here, so there are multiple timelines. It’s entirely possible that Logan is only dead in one timeline.

Regardless, Logan is my favorite movie of the year (so far), and I urge everyone to see it. As long as you can find a way to get into an R-rated movie, that is.

Logan, 2017 Unexpectedly, Logan is by far my favorite superhero movie ever.

Yes, better than The Dark Knight, better than The Avengers, and better than Guardians of the Galaxy. I went into the theater with pretty high expectations -- I thought it would deserve a three out of five for sure -- but was truly blown away by its incredible story, outstanding action, and unforgettable characters.

I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer intensity of the emotions in Logan. It was an emotional roller coaster, filled with death, love, and laughter.

Logan is a great movie that happened to have superheroes in it, not a superhero movie that happened to be great. Its greatest achievement was not its depiction of its heroes’ powers -- it was their underlying humanity that shown through. It’s not outlandish to think that we might see this movie show up a few times at the Oscars next year.

For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, don’t read any further, and I highly recommend you go check it out the earliest possibility you get. For those of you who have, you’re welcome to read my analysis of the plot below.

Warning: MAJOR Spoilers ahead.

From start to finish, we could feel Logan’s pain. As the movie is set in 2029, he’s been alive for over a hundred years (he even lived through Hiroshima), and the adamantium in his skin is poisoning him faster than his weakened healing factor can fix him.

The last thing a tattered Logan wants is to take Laura (aka X-23 in the comics) -- his child -- to Eden, a safe haven for mutant children that may or may not even exist, while being chased by a group of people that want to capture Laura.

But it’s Charles Xavier’s dying wish.

The movie does not hold back from sad scenes. Logan’s life is in shambles. His only purpose is to kill himself in international waters with Charles, who now has a degenerative brain disease.

The sadness is especially pervasive in one particular scene. One evening, after helping a nice family on the side of the highway, Logan, Charles, and Laura join them for dinner. That night, according to Charles, was the best night he’s had in a long time: surrounded by a family, eating great food, and just being happy. However, the band of people that want to seize Laura, the heads of the lab that made her, track them down to the house, and kill every member of the household in cold blood.

A clone of Logan kills Charles in the madness. Charles had the best night of his life, but at the expense of his own life, and the lives of innocents. When Logan finds him, all he wants Charles to know is, “it wasn’t me.”

Hugh Jackman has played Wolverine in 9 movies

The role of an opinion section

In Praise of Menschlichkeit

Eytan Merkin, Editor-in-Chief

Rabbi Dov Emerson, Head of Boys School

One of the most important aspects of a school newspaper is its ability to teach students to express their opinions in articulate and constructive ways. And the part of the newspaper that does this best is the opinion section. In the non-opinion sections of the newspaper, students are careful to avoid any bias when reporting a story, not choosing a side so that their readers can be free to choose their own once they are given the facts. In an opinion section, thoughtful students are free to take a side and express their views, as long as they do it in a respectful manner.

In most opinion sections, that is.

As we release the second issue of our paper, my greatest concern is the way the opinion section has been handled. The administration has seen fit to allow us to publish only those opinions it deems acceptable for consumption by the YULA community -- but that’s not how expression of opinions should work. The opinion section should be a forum for all opinions, even those not held by the majority of the student body or greater YULA community.

I do understand the administration’s concerns about publishing opinions about controversial issues. YULA strives to cater to a wide audience in our community, an audience that includes some who might be offended by the opinions of some of our students. But the administration should also understand that publishing a student’s opinion does not mean

While there has been a newspaper at YULA for many years, this incarnation of the paper, The Panther Post, is still in its infancy. One of the very real tensions in a school like ours is that on the one hand, the concept of a newspaper is generally based on “Freedom of the Press,” where the journalists are given free reign to write what they want. On the other hand, in our yeshiva, we don’t believe that “anything goes,” and while we try to remain as hands off as possible, there must sometimes be limits to what is written about in a public forum—especially when YULA is providing the physical space and funds for that forum. Where precisely those limits are is something that we decided to actively engage in when we restarted a school newspaper program, and it is something that our administration and student editors will continue to discuss and navigate together.

What has been most gratifying to me since The Panther Post’s inception, and particularly when it comes to sensitive discussions on topics that Eytan alluded to above, has been the mature, honest, and respectful manner in which our student editors have approached our administration. Each conversation has been an exercise in menschlichkeit, and our students have set the tone for ongoing open communications based on an honest exchange of ideas, rather than an ‘us vs. them’ mentality.

We are now reading about the Me’il, a garment worn by the Kohen Gadol that had gold bells along its border. The Torah writes that the purpose

(cont’d on pg. 19)

(cont’d on pg. 19)

17

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

Rabbi Cohen to depart from YULA Girls cont’d from pg. 1

Mrs. Brigitte Wintner, the YULA Girls’ Dean of Students, shares her thoughts, which echo the feelings of many students, parents, and staff: “I am so excited for [Rabbi Cohen] and his family, to be able to move where he has grandparents and parents nearby, and it’s an exciting move for him professionally. But all of us at YULA are very sad to see him go. Rabbi Cohen truly is the heart and soul of the school and it’s hard to think about being at YULA without Rabbi Cohen.”

Model UN team takes home 2nd place prize at conference cont’d from pg. 1

with such incredible people.”

Of course, such great results don’t come without preparation. The team met once a week from November until the week before the conference (in which they met every day). In practices, the team refined their public speaking skills, reviewed U.N. committee procedure, and discussed their countries’ positions on various world issues in preparation for the conference.

According to Roni Etshalom (‘19), a firstyear member of the team, the hard work was all worth it. “The conference was the most exciting social scene I have ever experienced,” Etshalom gushed. “It was a great opportunity to work with other people and learn their countries’ opinions.

Although I did not win an award, the reward for being a part of [the conference] was worth much more. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.”

The team also bid farewell to long-time faculty adviser Dr. Paul Soifer, who teaches history at YULA Boys. Dr. Soifer informed the team that this year would be his last as faculty adviser of the team in an impromptu pep talk in the corner of the lobby of the Crowne Plaza just moments before the conference began.

Dr. Soifer, who led YULA’s Model U.N. team for 19 years, was recognized and thanked at the awards ceremony for his many years of commitment and hard work training multiple generations of YULA students. Dr. Soifer was honored with a standing ovation and raucous cheering by the 500 assembled high school students when he was presented an award by Lizzi Peled (‘13), a student at Stern College, who fondly recalled her time as a member of the YULA Model U.N. team under Dr. Soifer’s tutelage.

First-year Model U.N. team member Daniel Silvera (‘18) was sad to see Dr. Soifer go.

“It’s a shame to see Dr. Soifer step down after so many years of serving as our faculty adviser,” Silvera said. “I was incredibly happy for him to be recognized like he was in front of the whole conference, and I’m pleased that we did so well in his last year.”

YULA sheds two tiers but takes home hardware in Sarachek tournament cont’d from pg. 1

team only managed to score four points in the second half. MTA won the game 31-24.

The first round loss meant the Panthers were headed to Tier II to play Chicago’s Ida Crown Aces on Friday. With their ultimate dream of first place out of reach, however, YULA failed

to dial into the game, falling in a close overtime duel to Ida Crown.

Coach Eli Hami stressed in the post-game that the effort was there, but key mistakes down the stretch hurt the team. Missed free throws, key turnovers, and mental lapses plagued the team late in the game. On a crucial possession with just over a minute to go in overtime, the game was tied with star shooting guard Evan Teichman (‘17) at the free throw line. After making the first free throw, Teichman missed the second and Ida Crown got the rebound. Instead of running back on defense, however, some of the YULA players tried to steal the ball from the rebounder.

The Aces moved the ball up the court in a hurry which led to a foul and two made free throws, giving the Aces the lead. At the end of overtime, point guard Noah Pomerance’s (‘18) three-point prayer fell short on a controversial no-foul call, and with it the Panthers lost 42-39.

The Panthers entered Shabbat in unfamiliar territory, not having recorded a win. However, the next two games would prove that they still had fight.

On Sunday morning, star Alan Gindi (‘17) shocked the team by announcing that he had sustained an ankle injury in the Friday game and could not play in the Tier III game against Ohr Chayim. Without their best player the Panthers again struggled with their shots in the first half, entering halftime up by only one point. An inspiring halftime speech by Coach Hami sparked an outstanding third quarter, in which YULA scored 16 points as opposed to Ohr Chayim’s three.

Guard David Sassoon’s (‘17) play on both sides of the ball sparked the run as he led the team with 16 points and was responsible for key defensive stops. The Panthers survived a late Ohr Chayim run and pulled out a 42-36 victory, sending them to the Tier III championship game on Monday.

The Panthers were in the championship game once again, just not in the tier they are accustomed to playing in. Once again, trainers advised Gindi to sit out for his final game, an emotional turn of events for the team’s leading scorer, who was hoping to play in what would have been his final high school game. It was up to the the rest of the team to pick up the slack against the Kushner Cobras in the championship, coming in with a “do it for Alan” mentality. Joseph Sassoon (‘19) came up big filling in for Gindi in the starting lineup, providing much needed defense throughout the game.

YULA built an early lead which grew into halftime, but both teams came out dead in an ugly third quarter filled with turnovers and missed shots. The Panthers ended the quarter holding a 23-19 lead with one last quarter of the season to go.

Throughout the quarter Evan Teichman came up big, knocking down key free throws late in the game.

The Kobras were finished off with David Sassoon’s clutch baseline jumper with just over a minute left to go. YULA pulled out with a 36-27 victory to win their first-ever Tier III championship. For his clutch play down the stretch in both of YULA’s wins, Evan Teichman was awarded the Tier III MVP. David Sassoon capped a storied YULA career by being named to the Sarachek All-Star team. Although the Tier III championship trophy was far from the aspirations of the team, the hardware capped another season of YULA basketball. The Panthers ended the season with a regular season record of 15-15.

An analysis of the Four Parshiot cont’d from pg. 5

The Shabbat prior to Rosh Chodesh Nissan we read Parashat Ha’Chodesh. This section contains all the laws of the korban Pesach. The Jewish people were told to take a sheep, tie it to their bedpost, and slaughter it on the 14th of the month. They were told to smear the blood on their doorposts and have the seder. The obligation of matzah and the prohibition of eating chometz were given to our people. This Torah reading will prepare us for the month of Nissan.

18

The pasuk in Yermiah says, “A wise man should not praise himself with his wisdom. A strong man should not praise himself with his strength. A rich man should not praise himself with his wealth. Only with this may one praise himself -- knowing Hashem who does kindness, justice, and righteousness.” (Yermiah 9:23.)

Rabbi Tzadok Ha’Kohen of Lublin explains that the message of the four parshiot is contained in this pasuk. From Parashat Shekalim, we learn that one should not praise himself with wealth. Each person could only donate a half-shekel. The wealth of the rich or the poverty of the poor could not be noticed in this donation. We are all equal in the communal sacrifices. From Parashat Zachor, we learn that one should not praise himself with strength. If Hashem would allow Amalek to hurt our people, all would be attacked. Even the strong would be killed. When Hashem saves us from the evil of Amalek, strong and weak are equally saved. From Parashat Parah we learn that one should not praise himself with wisdom. King Shlomo claimed to have mastered all wisdom, however, he admitted that he could not understand the wisdom of the red cow.

How is it that the one that sacrificed the cow became impure, but the ashes of the cow would purify the impure?

After we have absorbed the first three Parshiot, we can then read Parashat Ha’Chodesh. We see the miracles of Hashem taking out his nation with a mighty hand and outstretched arm, and then we can hope to know Hashem who bestows kindness, justice, and righteousness for his chosen people.

Parshat Zachor: Amalek’s contempt cont’d from pg. 5

water split everywhere simultaneously: in wells, in ditches, in caves, in pitchers, and in cups. We are being taught that even in some small measure all nations lived through this greatest of miracles. The nations experienced firsthand the splitting of the sea and were subsequently imbued with a large degree of fear of Heaven. In spite of all of this, Amalek was not “impressed” at all. The Passuk describing Amalek states clearly (Devarim 25:18): “…And they had no fear of Hashem.” Not only was Amalek not overwhelmed nor undaunted, they had the extreme chutzpah, audacity and hubris – the contempt to “cool off Bnei Yisrael” in the eyes of the other nations! Their essential sin and evil is the contempt they display for anything and everything – even those things that may have great value in the eyes of others.

One could ask however, how was Amalek able to attack when Bnei Yisrael were at the pinnacle of their success? The pasuk states: “And Amalek came and fought with Bnei Yisrael in Rephidim.” (Shemot 17:8.) Our Rabbis explain that “Rephidim” can also be learned as an acronym for “Rafu Yedeihem B’Torah” – they weakened their hands from Torah. We are thus being told that the attack of Amalek at this specific time and place was none other than a punishment for Bnei Yisrael. We have been taught many times that Hashem always punishes “measure for measure.” If so, we must ask, how was this particular punishment, the attack of Amalek, “measure for measure”?

The Sifsei Chaim answers that Bnei Yisrael displayed at this time and place a degree of “zilzul”-- contempt.

We are told that “they weakened their hands from Torah,” showing that they did not fully appreciate nor value the true importance of Torah study. In turn, Hashem allowed for the attack of Amalek specifically at this time and place. Who better than Amalek to inflict punishment, since they epitomize this terrible characteristic of “zilzul”– utter contempt for anything and everything.

In our times we are seeing more and more “zilzul” – contempt for things once held to be sacred and holy.

“Zilzul,” the evil characteristic of Amalek, is pervasive in our society. The boundaries between good and evil, appropriate and inappropriate, acceptable and unacceptable are constantly being blurred. The “zilzul” of Amalek has crept its way into our daily lives. The mitzvah to “obliterate Amalek” is more applicable now than ever. We must be diligent to not allow any “zilzul” to creep into our thinking. We must constantly value and appreciate those amazing things that make us special – Limud Ha’Torah and Shmirat Ha’mitzvot – Torah study and Mitzvah performance!

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

A Taste of Hollywood cont’d from pg. 8

workshop but a glimpse at what Hollywood really is and how we have the power to change it.

A Q&A with longtime YULA math teacher, Mrs. Miriam cont’d from pg. 9

Mrs. Green: So it’s been interesting teaching at the boys and the girls school since I started, and I enjoy the mix. It’s clearly different at both schools, clearly more drama at the girls school than there is at the boys school, but each of the schools have different personalities and different dynamics, and the differences get interesting for me as a teacher.

Panther Post: Is there anything else that you want to say about your time here?

Mrs. Green: It’s interesting for me to see from the perspective of when I started teaching here: I was clearly significantly younger, and being one of the younger members of the faculty, and through the years now being a senior member of the faculty...and it’s interesting for me to watch the new people come on. There are a lot of faculty members like Mrs. Margolies and Mrs. Klein, who are my former students, which is interesting as well, and I enjoy watching them come into their own and seeing them as teachers, also remembering them as students in my class.

So it’s been fun watching it from the inside and from the outside as well.

Trump guides nation through uncharted waters cont’d from pg. 10 death of Antonin Scalia. Gorsuch has been widely praised by conservatives as a faithful originalist (one who interprets the Constitution according to what it meant when it was written, an approach generally favored by conservatives) and a fitting heir to Scalia.

While some Democrats have praised Gorsuch, many have criticized him. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has argued that Gorsuch, rather than serving as an independent, unbiased check on the executive branch, would be biased towards Trump and refuse to stand up to him. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has alleged that Gorsuch opposes clean air and water, safe food and medicine, and the rights of employees, women, and autistic children. In addition to criticizing Gorsuch’s positions, judicial philosophy, and record, some Democrats also claim that the seat he was nominated for was “stolen” by Republicans who refused to hold a hearing and vote for Merrick Garland, who Obama nominated to fill that seat. Currently, a Supreme Court nominee needs 60 votes to be confirmed, but Republicans could change that by employing what is known as the ‘nuclear option.’ The nuclear option is when the presiding officer over the Senate rules something a constitutional issue, allowing it to be settled by a Senate majority vote.

Trump has urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to use the nuclear option if necessary, and McConnell suggested he is open to do doing so, saying, “I’m very confident he will be confirmed,” and added, when asked how Gorsuch would be confirmed, “I would say that is up to our Democratic friends.”

Although President Trump seems to be getting along quite well with some foreign leaders, he has come into conflict with others. He recently invited British Prime Minister Theresa May to the White House, where both of them seemed to get along very well, and spoke of the “special relationship” between Britain and the U.S. Trump also seems to have good relations with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

On the other hand, Trump bluntly criticized Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for agreeing with Obama that the U.S. would take in 1,250 refugees who are currently in detention centers owned by the Australian government. Trump also came into conflict with Enrique Pena Nieto, the President of Mexico, over whether or not Mexico will pay for the border wall Trump promised to build during his campaign. President Nieto ended up canceling a scheduled meeting with Trump after being advised

by Trump over Twitter that he should cancel the meeting unless Mexico would pay for the “badly needed” wall.

In summary, the first six weeks of Donald Trump’s presidency have been filled with drama and excitement of all forms. Has Trump started leading America down a road to chaos and autocracy? Has he boldly began keeping his campaign promises and restoring American strength and greatness? Or is the truth about the beginning of his presidency somewhere in between? Only time will tell.

Lithuanian government plans to build national convention center over Jewish cemetery in Vilna cont’d from pg. 10

tery and other Jewish cemeteries throughout Europe.

These organizations include the Heritage Foundation for Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries, Lo-Tishkach, International Jewish Cemetery Project, and many others.

However, due to the Lithuanian government’s recent order to construct a national convention center over the Jewish cemetery of Vilna, a struggle has ensued to uphold the cemetery’s sanctity and preservation.

Even with protection by Jewish organizations, cemeteries in Europe, particularly in France and Germany, have also been desecrated over the past decade. In the face of prevalent anti-Jewish sentiments, more and more European Jews are emigrating to Israel to escape it. Since the year 2000, the number of Jews making Aliyah has been gradually rising, and in 2015, after a terrorist attack in which four Jews were killed, approximately 7,900 French Jews emigrated to Israel.

Approximately 7,500 Ukrainian Jews emigrated to Israel in the same year due to increasing anti-Semitism.

Additionally, it was reported that approximately 5,000 more French Jews emigrated to Israel in 2016.

As of now, the Lithuanian government is preparing to build the national convention center over the Jewish cemetery, but many protesters have organized petitions to protest its construction. On Feb. 7, it was reported by Ein Presswire that more than 38,000 people signed a petition to save Lithuania’s Jewish cemetery.

Trump ushers in a new era in U.S.-Israel relations cont’d from pg. 10

posed to these settlements and regularly described them as obstacles to peace. Although Trump has made a few statements indicating that Israel should “hold on back on settlements for a little bit,” as he put it in the joint press conference with Netanyahu, these statements have been relatively mild. Unlike other presidents who claimed that settlements are obstacles to peace (Obama’s decision not to veto a U.N. resolution in December that was highly critical of Israel was reportedly motivated by his frustration with Israel’s continued building of settlements), Trump has so far only made much milder statements that more settlement building “might not be helpful to peace” and that he would “like to see” Israel “hold back on settlements for a little bit”.

There are some other areas of the U.S.-Israel relationship that Trump has not changed very much, but which he may change a great deal in the near future. For example, Trump has bluntly criticized the Iranian government for its support of terrorism, violations of various treaties and international law, and has described President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran as “the worst deal ever.”

Trump may attempt to nullify or re-write this deal, or may simply try to enforce it as vigorously as possible. Trump also said in his joint press conference with Netanyahu that he would “love to see” America’s embassy in Israel moved to Jerusalem.

19

If Trump decides to make that happen, the consequences, for good or for ill, would surely be another unconventional break from longstanding conventional wisdom when it comes to the U.S.-Israel relationship

The debate over drinking on Purim cont’d from pg. 16

performance; tissue damage within multiple organ systems, including the brain, the liver, and the heart; a higher risk of cancer; interference with normal social functioning and family life; a higher risk of unintentional injuries (burns, falls, and drowning); and a dramatically higher risk of serious injury or death related to driving. Like Rabbah in his aforementioned altercation with Rav Zeirah, alcohol can have unforeseen negative effects, especially in reference to a minor. If we’re debating which way to posek, and one way has severe harmful implications towards children, it is our moral obligation as Jews to decide the other way. The Rama, (Rav Moshe Isserles, 1520-1572), poses that “whether one drinks more or drinks less, the main thing is that his intention is l’shem shamayim.”

How can we endanger the lives of children l’shem shamayim?

Whether or not a kid can have a sip of kiddush wine is for a parent to decide. If you don’t want your child having grape juice for the four cups of wine on Pesach, that’s a parent’s decision to make.

But I don’t think any parent should allow -- and certainly no parent should be encouraging -- their child to get drunk. Several major poskim agree that one’s safety and one’s dignity are more important than the custom of getting drunk on Purim, so it’s an obvious extrapolation to say that no child should be getting drunk on Purim. Like Rama says, one’s intention must be to glorify Hashem’s name through one’s actions, so be safe when you celebrate.

The role of an opinion section cont’d from pg. 17

that the school subscribes to that student’s views. All it means is that the school is willing to acknowledge the diversity of opinions in the school, and allow a platform for those opinions to be explained and debated.

Our newspaper can’t just be a glorified PR piece applauding our Model U.N. victories and Masmidim siyumim. That’s what YULA’s Twitter account is for. If what the administration had in mind when we at The Panther Post began our journalistic endeavor this year was to create a true newspaper, one that gives us students a voice, it should allow for greater journalistic freedom than it currently does.

In Praise of Menschlichkeit cont’d from pg. 17

purpose behind those bells is so “Its sound (i.e., the bells) shall be heard upon entering the Sanctuary before Hashem” (Exodus 28:34). This seems strange. Does Hashem not know that the Kohen Gadol is approaching? The Torah is teaching us a very valuable lesson here: Knock first! Basic derech eretz is a must. Even during his intense spiritual activity, the Kohen Gadol can never forget about middot and respect.

I am very proud of The Panther Post. It is a growing, well-written newspaper. But I am most proud of its staff, our students, who choose to approach all they do not only with excellence, but with a respect and character that has been ingrained in them by their families, our community, and their rebbeim and teachers here at YULA. Kol Hakavod!

Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarter 3 - March 2017 - Adar 5777

OPINION

College admissions tests: What’s the point?

Miriam Waghalter, Community Editor

Faculty Advisor: Jared Sichel Editorial Board: Editor-in-Chief: Abegail Javidzad Editor-in-Chief: Eytan Merkin Executive Editor: Noam Gershov Executive Editor: Moryel Yashar Community Editor: Jonathan Mizrahi Community Editor: Miriam Waghalter Sports Editor: Noah Hyman Sports Editor: Rachel Samouha Torah Editor: Gidon Amsellem Opinion Editor: Daniel Silvera Layout Editor: Jonathan Mizrahi Copy Editors: Rivkah Abrams Tzofiya Bookstein Sivan Hakakian Micah Steinberg Staff Writers: Rivkah Abrams Caleb Aranoff Yonah Berenson Ilan Bocian Tzofiya Bookstein Ethan Kohanteb Itzchak Maghen Negin Nili Joshua Partovi Madeline Rubin Mendy Sacks Daniel Silvera Rachel Simon Eliana Sisman Benjamin Tarko Miriam Waghalter Ari Willner Contributing Writers: Meital Gershov Benyamin Hecht Shaina Korouri Photography: Gavriel Gershov Parmis Fakheri Ethan Kohanteb Rebecca Rabbanian Elizabeth Richter Talya Sawdayi

If you are a high school student looking to go to college, chances are you have at least begun to think about taking various standardized tests, specifically the SAT and/or ACT. These tests are one of the greatest causes of stress in the college process. The race to a 36/2400/1600 (depending on which test you take) can be an expensive, time consuming, and energy depriving experience. Colleges take these scores into heavy consideration when deciding on a student’s admission. But what do these scores really measure, and are they really relevant?

First, let’s take a look at the origin of college admissions tests. Carl Brigham, a eugenicist (believer that certain races are genetically superior to others) at the time, created standardized tests (including the SAT) with the goal of singling out certain races as more intelligent than others. While his plan backfired, as the people he tried to exclude did not fail, the creation of this test does seem to have racist roots. The test has been reformed many times since its inception in 1926, but it certainly was not originally meant to help all students succeed.

Score reports do not necessarily take into account all of the kids who prepare endlessly for these tests. Someone may get the same score without studying as someone else who paid for a yearlong prep program; and a college or scholarship program will likely not know the difference between these two scores. This leads to another factor that the College Board and ACT cannot account for: a student’s economic background. While one child may pay hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to achieve a score, another may not be able to afford the same tutoring. In fact, there is a direct correlation between students’ scores and their family income. Both students may put in an equal amount of time and effort into studying, but one has far more guidance and assistance, while the other must be self-motivated and must decipher the secret nuances of the highly complicated test on his/her own. Is it really fair to compare these students’ intelligences based on this test?

Some argue that these tests are necessary because they put everyone on an equal scale, as some schools may have greater grade inflation or deflation than others. And yes, they are a good predictor of a student’s success in college. But a study conducted by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling demonstrates that a student’s GPA

20

is actually an equal or better predictor of college success. So there does not seem to be a point of making students take these tests if they are not efficient in predicting college success. Maintaining a GPA requires studying specific subjects for prolonged periods of time, which broadens students’ knowledge— the main point of attending school.

This past March, the SAT underwent some major changes. Supposedly, the purpose of the College Board in making these changes is to “connect students to college success and opportunity,” but many thought that the changes occurred to compete with the ACT. In recent years, the ACT has taken many testers from the College Board, and, in order to stay in business, it had to change its ways. At the end of the day, the College Board and the ACT are companies and, despite what their stated intentions may be, they are primarily looking to make a profit.

From personal experience, I can describe a scenario that did not seem to make any sense other than monetary gain for the College Board. When signing up for the May SAT II, I was not sure if I would reach my target score, and thought about registering for the June test if I scored under my goal. However, by the time I would receive my score for the May test, the June test sign-up date would have already passed. I would not be able to even gauge my performance after taking the May test—registration would be closed by then. I had to sign up and pay for the test in June before even sitting for the May test. This seemed like a clear money-grabbing technique. Rather than extending the sign-up date to allow me to make a decision based on my own performance, they put me in a position where I was forced to pay without any knowledge of how I did on the test.

While there are many reasons why tests such as the SAT and ACT are not completely relevant and don’t accurately measure intelligence, they serve as a good lesson for students to learn early on—sometimes you have to do things that you don’t want to do. Did I want to spend hundreds of hours preparing for these tests? No. Did I improve on any of the subject matter that I was tested on? Definitely not. But learning how to take these two tests demonstrates that sometimes to reach an end goal (in this case getting into a good college), there are some things that you just have to get through.