Lion's Tale, Volume 39, Issue 3

n tee ish Jew of

m in gs

The Lion’s Tale Magazine / CESJDS / December 2021 / Volume 39 Issue 3

sho rtco

D L I U I B NG A BETTER

BeneÚts and

organizations

YOUTH GROUP

Sulam partnership expanded pg. 4-5 Fall recap pg. 22-23 Revolution in lights pg. 26-27

Dear reader, We hope you had an amazing HanukOEL ;I EVI XLVMPPIH XS TVIWIRX SYV ÁREP MWWYI SJ ĀþĀÿ As we approach the new year, we XLSYKLX MX [SYPH FI ÁXXMRK XS VIÂIGX SR XLI YTW ERH HS[RW SJ ĀþĀÿ -X¸W WEJI XS say that this year was packed with challenges, resilience and new normals. We began the year with an insurrection at the Capitol. Shortly after, we saw President Joe Biden inaugurated and Kamala Harris FIGSQI XLI ÁVWX JIQEPI ZMGI TVIWMHIRX ;I EPWS I\TIVMIRGIH XLI PSRK E[EMXIH ĀþĀþ Olympics, the delta and omicron variant SJ '3:-( ÿć ERH QENSV KVSYRHFVIEOMRK trials like Kyle Rittenhouse and Derek 'LEYZMR¸W XVMEPW Our school also underwent many important changes this year. After a long period of distanced and hybrid learning, we

ÁREPP] VIXYVRIH XS JYPP MR TIVWSR WGLSSP EX XLI FIKMRRMRK SJ XLI ĀþĀÿ WGLSSP ]IEV -R addition to this, CESJDS welcomed a new high school principal to the school.

The news played an important role in all of these events and brought them to the forefront of our minds. The coverage of these historical events over the past year makes us proud to be student NSYVREPMWXW 8LI 0MSR¸W 8EPI LEW GSZIVIH these events through the lens of our own school, and we will continue to play the crucial role of informing our community.

We do this not only with our print edition, but with our website, which recently won fourth place in the National Scholastic 4VIWW %WWSGMEXMSR¸W 274% &IWX SJ 7LS[ competition. ;I¸VI RSX XLI SRP] NSYVREPMWXW GSZIVing the events of our unusual school year.

The Dimensions Yearbook does a ste stellar

job capturing the student story at JDS. 8LI] NYWX [SR XLIMV ÁVWX QENSV REXMSREP E[EVH TPEGMRK IMKLXL MR 274%¸W &IWX SJ Show competition for yearbooks between ÿĂĂ ERH ĀĄĂ TEKIW 8LIMV WXIPPEV HIWMKR and amazing coverage of our virtual and hybrid school year truly preserved the QIQSVMIW SJ PEWX ]IEV 8LI 0MSR¸W 8EPI WXEJJ appreciates our close working relationship to the Dimensions staff, including current editors-in-chief of Dimensions: Talia Jacobsohn, Kayla Liss and Rebecca Safra.

We hope you enjoy this issue and have an amazing winter break.

Sincerely,

Editors-in Chi f Editors-in-Chief

— news —

— opinion —

Sulam partnership expanded: Pilot program will help support those with severe PIEVRMRK HMWEFMPMXMIW TK Ă ă

Editorial: Teachers need love too: Our educators need our support and better [SVOMRK GSRHMXMSRW TK Ć

Addressing the dress code: Administration meets with GirlUp club to consider changes to enforcement of policies pertaining to school appropriate clothing TK Ą

Policing body cameras: Montgomery County Police should release more footEKI TK ć

CESJDS holds vaccine clinics: Middle and Lower School partner with Safeway XS EHQMRMWXIV '3:-( ÿć WLSXW JSV WXYHIRXW EKI ă XS ÿÿ TK ą

— features —

— in-depth — Building a better youth group: &IRIÁXW and shortcomings of Jewish teen SVKERM^EXMSRW TK ÿĀ ÿă

CRT controversy: Critical race theory should be included in the curriculum pg. ÿþ Amend advisory: Content and time slot QYWX GLERKI TK ÿÿ

— sports —

— a&e —

Opposing antisemitism: After Jewish day school, alumni examine being Jewish in GSPPIKI TK ÿĄ ÿą

Making a splash: New swim coach combines passion for sport and alma mater TK Āþ

A taste of the Middle East: Family owned spice company opens Manoushe Bakery in 6SGOZMPPI TK ĀĂ

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3: '3:-( ÿć XIWXMRK has been occurring weekly for over a year TK ÿĆ

Grounded runners: Injuries present hurHPIW MR ER EPVIEH] GLEPPIRKMRK WTSVX TK Āÿ

12 new tracks going on “30”: %HIPI¸W long-awaited album does not disappoint TK Āă

Coming full circle: JDS alumni who rejoin the school as teachers experience the GPEWWVSSQ MR E RI[ [E] TK ÿć

2

December 2021

MVP madness: TK ĀĀ Āā Fall recap: TK ĀĀ Āā

Revolution in lights: High school musical returns to stage after a year hiatus with µÿąąĄ¶ TK ĀĄ Āą

L`] Dagf k LYd] KlY^^ Mischa Trainor got too stressed trying to come up with a fun fact, so she would just like to share her appreciation for Eitan Malkus.

Jonah Beinart’s favorite dinosaur is a triceratops because they survived as an herbivore.

Editors-in-Chief Mischa Trainor & Eva Bard Mi Managing Editor, Copy Rochelle Berman Assistant Copy Editor Harry Davidson In-Depth Editors Maya Preuss & Lena Nadaner (asst.)

News Editors Sophie Kaplan & Daniela Abrams Opinion Editors Lincoln Aftergood & Lilli Libowitz (asst.)

Features Editors Ella Waldman & Ivan Endelman Sports Editors Matan Silverberg, Aaron Gallo & Ellie Fischman (asst.)

Arts and Entertainment Editors Zara Ducker & Eitan Malkus Editorial Cartoonist Ariana Ravitz Reporters Jonah Beinart, Sam Berns, Ari Blumenthal, Elliot Bramson, Yael Greenblum, Kaylah Goldrich, Adin qŔȍŹ˪ȥnjơɭ࡫ %ơȥȥˊ qŔɽơȥŹơɭnj࡫ FȍȍŔ Kotok, Ellie Levine, Nini Panner, Julia K Rich, Jared Schreiber, Max Schwartz, R Shani Schwartz, Matthew Steindecker, Aaron Waldman & Ari Werbin-Gradel Staff Adviser Jessica Nassau Adviser Emerita Susan Zuckerman

If Lilli Libowitz could swap lives with any celebrity, she would want to swap lives with Taylor Swift. She wants to understand her life all too well.

Editorial and Ethics Policy As the student newspaper of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, The 0MSR¸W 8EPI MW E TYFPMG JSVYQ JSV WXYHIRX opinion and expression. All content is determined by students. Its purpose is to inform the CESJDS community and to express the views of its staff and readers. The staff has made every effort to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of its news.

7MKRIH GSPYQRW VIÂIGX XLI STMRMSR SJ XLI [VMXIV WXEJJ IHMXSVMEPW VIÂIGX XLI STMRMSR SJ XLI QENSVMX] SJ 8LI 0MSR¸W 8EPI IHMXSVMEP FSEVH 8LI 0MSR¸W 8EPI WXEJJ [IPGSQIW

letters to the editor and guest columns, all of which must be signed. The staff reserves the right to refuse any material and may edit letters or columns for length, clarity, libel, obscenity and/or disruptiveness. All SXLIV GSRXIRXW GST]VMKLX SJ 8LI 0MSR¸W Tale. All rights reserved.

Submissions may be emailed to jdslionstale@gmail.com, mailed to The LiSR¸W 8EPI SV FVSYKLX XS VSSQ āĀþ 8LI 0MSR¸W 8EPI MW JYRHIH F] 8LI 7Mmon Hirshman Endowment for the Upper School Newspaper and The Kuttner-Lev-

enson Endowment for the Upper School Cultural Arts and Student Publications, ERH GSQQYRMX] EHZIVXMWIQIRXW 8LI 0MSR¸W Tale reserves the right to refuse advertisement for any reason.

The staff will adhere to the ethics policies of The Society of Professional Journalists and the National Scholastic Press Association. The adviser will be held to the .SYVREPMWQ )HYGEXMSR %WWSGMEXMSR¸W %HZMWer Code of Ethics.

The Lion’s Tale Magazine

3

— news —

Sulam partnership expanded Pilot program will help support those with severe learning disabilities

Mischa Trainor Editor In Chief fter years of turning away students with learning disabilities who require more intense support, CESJDS will now be offering a pilot program to accommodate those students. They will also continue professional development related to supporting students with learning disabilities.

Sulam, housed at the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy, is an independent Jewish special education school. Three years ago, they began partnering with JDS in running professional development training on Universal Design 0IEVRMRK 9(0 MR XLI 0S[IV School.

In addition to professional development programming, JDS is also working with the Sulam school to launch a three year pilot program at the Lower School for students with more severe learning disabilities who require more support than what is currently available at JDS. Students participating in this

A

pilot program would be included in the regular classes but would also have special education teachers in the classroom working with them as well as additional resources. There would also be a lead supervisor to oversee the program and look into the structure of lessons and the curriculum.

JDS is hoping to start accepting applications for this program in mid.ERYEV] JSV XLI JEPP SJ ĀþĀĀ 8LI] raised additional money for this program, and there will be an added fee in addition to the regular JDS tuition for those in the program. µ- [MPP WE] [I¸VI VIEPP] I\GMXIH EFSYX MX ¶ ,IEH SJ 7GLSSP 6EFFM Mitch Malkus said. “I would say that this is long overdue. Most of the students who this will help are students who I think are intellectually capable of doing really VMKSVSYW [SVO FYX [I HMHR¸X LEZI IRSYKL WYTTSVX JSV XLIQ ¶ With this new training on UDL, the idea that before teachers walk into the classroom, they design their lessons to include all different types of learners, teachers aim to

“Before anyone steps in the class ... the teachers are thinking, ‘How do different learners engage in the lesson that I’m doing?

How do different learners access the curriculum?’”

- Head of School Rabbi Mitch Malkus

create accessible lessons for all students. However, with standard differentiated instruction, teachers would try to cater to individual WXYHIRXW¸ RIIHW µ7S - XLMRO MX¸W XLI HMJJIVIRGI between a proactive stance and E VIEGXMSREV] WXERGI ¶ 1EPOYW WEMH µ2S[ [LEX [I¸VI HSMRK MW before anyone steps in the class, ERH MX HSIWR¸X IZIR LEZI XS FI ER individual student, the teachers are thinking, ‘How do different learners IRKEKI MR XLI PIWWSR XLEX -¸Q HSMRK# How do different learners access the GYVVMGYPYQ#¸ -X¸W E WYFXPI FYX VIEPP] MQTSVXERX HMJJIVIRGI MR [LEX [I¸VI HSMRK ¶ Separate from Sulam, a session on supporting students with executive functioning challenges in the classroom took place at the Upper School as part of professional day programming. The middle school and high school faculty participated in this program on Aug. ĀĄ ERH 2SZ ÿ VIWTIGXMZIP] MRGPYHMRK a panel composed of students with executive functioning challenges.

High school Jewish Text

>]\]jYd ]\m[Ylagf ]^^][lk g^ l`] hYf\]ea[

75% of students who receive mental health services attain them through their school *Data from the Washington Post

4 December 2021

Some states report 21.3% of their student population to be “chronically absent,” a 75% increase from preCOVID-19

Nationwide, 7.3 million students [^g^Ûm _khf ma^ Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Infographic by Sophie Kaplan

Department Chair Grace McMillan and history teacher Natalie Levitan began planning their presentation over the summer, originally focusing SR HIÁRMRK I\IGYXMZI JYRGXMSRMRK and talking about how to help students with executive function issues. They decided to add a student panel to allow teachers to hear directly from students. The panel for high school teachers included four seniors while the panel for middle school teachers included three seniors and two middle schoolers.

“It was, in fact, the most TSTYPEV TEVX SJ SYV TVIWIRXEXMSR ¶ McMillan said. “At the end of the day, teachers are so attuned to hearing what students are saying and hearing from students. How do [I QIIX ]SYV RIIHW FIWX# ?8LIA student panel really spoke to that for the faculty when we presented it XS XLIQ ¶ Senior Eli Gordon has ADHD and spoke at the panel.

He suggested that teachers help students with motivation and check in with students, especially those with learning disabilities, because approaching teachers can sometimes be intimidating for them. µ-X¸W KSSH XS LIEV JVSQ XLI students because, you know, the teachers think one thing, but LIEVMRK MX JVSQ XLI WXYHIRXW MX¸W PMOI XLI EGXYEP TISTPI ]SY¸VI XV]MRK XS LIPT ¶ +SVHSR WEMH µ7S - XLMRO MX¸W KVIEX ¶ Since returning to in-person school full time, learning specialist Brett Kugler has not seen any major differences in the transition for students with learning disabilities as opposed to those who do not have learning disabilities. µ- XLMRO MX¸W ER EHNYWXQIRX JSV everybody going from being out of WGLSSP JSV E ]IEV %RH WS - LEZIR¸X noticed anything particular with anybody having any issues. I think EGXYEPP] XLIVI¸W FIIR E TVIXX] WQSSXL EHNYWXQIRX FEGO JSV IZIV]FSH] ¶ Kugler said. “It seems like as a school, generally speaking, people seem really excited to be at school, [LMGL MW E RMGI GLERKI ¶ Gordon, on the other hand, has found the transition a little more HMJÁGYPX JSV LMQ FYX LI LEW FIIR able to manage the transition and feels motivated with only a small

number of days left for seniors. µ- XLMRO MX¸W E PMXXPI FMX LEVHIV FIGEYWI XLIVI¸W QSVI KSMRK SR ERH XLIVI¸W QSVI TISTPI EVSYRH QI XS HMWXVEGX Q]WIPJ 7S MX¸W E PMXXPI FMX LEVHIV FYX ]SY ORS[ [I ÁKYVI MX SYX EW [I KS ¶ +SVHSR WEMH Some of the biggest takeaways from the student panel were that guided notes are not very helpful for all students, and that many students with executive functioning challenges need help with motivation.

To continue this project, McMillan and Levitan are planning more presentations about executive functioning for the future. They also hope to look at the curriculum and tweak certain lessons to make them QSVI FIRIÁGMEP JSV WXYHIRXW [MXL executive functioning challenges.

“It was fascinating to see that, certainly in the high school conversation, the teachers would PSZI QSVI ?STTSVXYRMXMIW XS LIEV from students where they are not FIMRK KVEHIH SR ER]XLMRKA [LIVI MX¸W E GSPPEFSVEXMZI GSRZIVWEXMSR [MXL WXYHIRXW ¶ 1G1MPPER WEMH µ8LI overwhelming majority of high school faculty were excited to be LEZMRK XLEX GSRZIVWEXMSR ¶ In addition to teachers being excited for the future of this program, Malkus is hopeful about XLI JYXYVI SJ .(7¸W VIPEXMSRWLMT [MXL Sulam, and he has also considered UDL training at the Upper School.

Currently, Sulam does professional development programming with other schools but not as extensively as they do at JDS. µ%RH ?9(0A LIPTW EPP WXYHIRXW WS XLEX¸W [L] [I PMOI MX ¶ 1EPOYW WEMH “It raises the bar for everybody. I think what we hope is that this pilot ?TVSKVEQA [MPP FI WYGGIWWJYP ERH XLIR IZIRXYEPP] SXLIV ?MRHITIRHIRX .I[MWL WGLSSPWA [MPP VITPMGEXI MX ¶

Tips for teachers lg `]dh klm\]flk with executive functioning [`Ydd]f_]k 1. Create specific instructions referencing each sub-step of an assignment or project 2. In addition to scheduling formal meetings, provide opportunities for brief check-ins 3. Lesson and unit previews are helpful when provided in addition to study guides or class notes 4. Begin classes with an interactive activity that allows students to fully transition into the new class 5. Be open and understanding with students who require multiple explanations and opportunities for questions

* Information from handout given to JDS faculty

The Lion’s Tale Magazine 5

Addressing the dress code Administration meets with GirlUp club to consider changes to enforcement of policies pertaining to school appropriate clothing Maya Preuss In-depth Editor High School Principal Dr. Lisa Vardi met with the GirlUp club in late October to discuss possible changes to the dress code. Similar discussions have been happening not only at CESJDS but in schools across the country as well.

Three seniors involved in the club, including vice president Zoe Fischman, met with Vardi to share their own concerns as well as the perspectives of other students. They also offered short-term and longterm solutions to what they believe to be problems such as speaking in front of faculty to share experiences with the dress code and working on changing the language of the dress code to be more inclusive.

“A lot of times, students are dress-coded in front of their peers, which we as a club believe is not apTVSTVMEXI SV TVSHYGXMZI ¶ *MWGLQER WEMH µ7S [I LEZI ?WYKKIWXIHA XLIWI additional parameters and guidelines for teachers that will make the dress code more comfortable and WEJI JSV WXYHIRXW ¶ Vardi said she is interested in exploring the dress code and its enforcement and welcomes their perspective. The current dress code incorporates values of tradition-

al Judaism and therefore requires that shirts are long enough to be tucked in, that there are sleeves on every shirt and that dresses, skirts SV WLSVXW FI EX SV FIPS[ SRI¸W ÁRgertips, as well as other parameters.

Additionally, if a piece of clothing is not addressed in the dress code, but is deemed inappropriate by the administration, students can be asked to change. µ-X¸W VIEPP] MQTSVXERX JSV QI XS have student voices in all of these HMWGYWWMSRW ¶ :EVHM WEMH µ;LMPI MX might seem minute, I actually think MX¸W VIEPP] FMK MX MW WSQIXLMRK XLEX EX PIEWX GSQMRK MR LIVI -¸ZI LIEVH EFSYX E PSX ¶ Earlier in the school year, Vardi formed a committee made up of faculty and staff that will hear from students and parents to discuss the dress code itself and its enforcement. The committee is made up of nine female faculty and administrator volunteers, including high WGLSSP .I[MWL LMWXSV] ERH [SQIR¸W history teacher Rachel Bergstein, who jumped at the chance to be part of this committee. µ)ZIR MJ ?XLI HVIWW GSHIA MW written in gender-neutral language, I think that the experience of students and the experience of faculX] MW XLEX [I¸VI VIEPP] XEPOMRK EFSYX

“I would love for every student to feel comfortable with their own presentation of their clothes, their body, their hair, everything.”

-High school Jewish History and women’s history teacher Rachel Bergstein

what females should and should not wear, and that seems not appropriEXI XS QI ¶ &IVKWXIMR WEMH Bergstein believes that the enforcement of the dress code is inconsistent and causes confusion, which she hopes to address in upcoming meetings.

“I would love for every student to feel comfortable with their own presentation of their clothes, their FSH] XLIMV LEMV IZIV]XLMRK ¶ &IVKstein said. “I want this to be a comfortable learning environment for IZIV]SRI ¶ Bergstein and the GirlUp club share the similar belief that the dress code is worded and enforced in a way that shames people and their bodies. They believe that it can be IRJSVGIH MR E [E] XLEX HSIWR¸X GEYWI students to feel singled out because SJ [LEX XLI]¸VI [IEVMRK “We always want students to feel safe in the school regardless of [LEX XLI]¸VI [IEVMRK ERH WLSYPH they be dress coded, we want it to be done in a productive manner that is conducive to a safe learning enviVSRQIRX ¶ *MWGLQER WEMH

DOUBLE STANDARDS FOR FEMALES VS. MALES Sophomore Zoe Epstein

Senior Noam Zaremba

“I think the double standard isn’t as much in the enforcement of the dress code as it is the dress code itself. The trends that exist in clothing items for girls is shorter garments, both shirt and shorts wise. That’s why I believe it is unfair, because the dress code applies more to what girls would wear rather than boys.”

-Senior Zoe Fischman

6 December 2021

CESJDS holds vaccine clinics

Middle and Lower School partner with Safeway to administer COVID-19 shots for students age 5 to 11 Zara Ducker Arts and Entertainment Editor Shortly following the anRSYRGIQIRX XLEX GLMPHVIR EKIW ÁZI XS ÿÿ GSYPH FI ZEGGMREXIH ')7.(7 held a vaccine clinic at the Lower 7GLSSP SR 2SZ ÿă ERH (IG Ą 8LI clinic was sponsored by Safeway, who also sponsored the clinic in the spring for high school students. All students were invited including siblings of students who do not attend JDS and children of staff members.

At the end of October, the FDA KEZI XLI ÁREP ETTVSZEP JSV XLI 4Á^IV &MS28IGL '3:-( ÿć ZEGGMRI XS FI KMZIR XS GLMPHVIR EKIW ÁZI XS ÿÿ “I was really happy when I heard that I would be eligible to get the vaccine because that meant that - [SYPH ÁREPP] FI EFPI XS HS XLMRKW again like go out to a movie and LEZI WPIITSZIVW [MXL Q] JVMIRHW ¶ sixth-grader Layla Barret said.

With the broadened age of children eligible to get the vaccine, it is now expected that the whole school, except the nine children in Gurim, [MPP FI JYPP] ZEGGMREXIH F] .ER āÿ “COVID really has been going YT ERH HS[R E PSX WS - XLMRO MX¸W too soon for us to say for sure what [MPP LETTIR ¶ 9TTIV 7GLSSP 2YVWI Heather Greenblum said. “But we have discussed things like, do we WXST XIWXMRK# (S [I WXST QEWOMRK# Which things do we start to take E[E] IZIRXYEPP]#¶ In the middle school, there is still a small segment of sixth gradIVW [LS EVI ÿÿ ERH [IVI TVIZMSYWP] ineligible to get vaccinated. Because of this, the middle school has been

extra cautious and prohibited students from eating inside. Greenblum explained that once everyone is vaccinated, she hopes that middle school will be able to eat inside again.

“Overall, once everyone is ZEGGMREXIH MX¸W NYWX WEJIV ¶ ,IEH SJ School Rabbi Mitch Malkus said. µ- XLMRO XLI QSWX WMKRMÁGERX XLMRK that would change is that when ]SY¸VI ZEGGMREXIH MJ ]SY¸VI I\TSWIH to someone who has COVID, you [SYPHR¸X RIIH XS UYEVERXMRI ¶ Previously when there was E '3:-( ÿć GEWI MR XLI 0S[IV School, all students exposed had to UYEVERXMRI JSV ÿþ HE]W ,S[IZIV FIcause all Lower School students, except for those in Gurim, are now eligible and required to get vaccinated, they will no longer have to miss as many days of school if exposed to '3:-( ÿć µ- HSR¸X XLMRO ER]SRI¸W VIEH] XS WE] XLEX ER]XLMRK¸W KSMRK XS GLERKI for sure. I think it really matters [LEX XLMRKW PSSO PMOI SR .ER āÿ How much COVID is there in our GSQQYRMX]# %VI XLI VEXIW GSRXMRYMRK XS KS HS[R# 3V LEZI XLI] KSRI FEGO YT RS[ XLEX [I¸VI MRWMHI ERH MX¸W [MRXIV#¶ +VIIRblum said. “ O n c e [ I ¸ V I a l l

VACCINE FACTS 91%

Effective in preventing COVID-19 among children aged 5-11 years

360,000

Kids 5-11 are at least partially vaccinated against COVID-19

440

Children aged 5 to 18 have died of COVID-19 in the United States

Data courtesy of CDC and Nature.com

vaccinated, we are hoping that we can absolutely go into things like no QEWOMRK FYX [I¸VI RSX XLIVI ]IX ¶ 8LI PEXIWX '3:-( ÿć ZEVMERX omicron, presents a new obstacle and adds an extra unknown about what policies can be changed or taken away. As this variant emerges, people might have to be extra cautious about their actions, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not.

Malkus explained that most JDS parents were excited for their children to get vaccinated and got it for their children elsewhere as soon as it was approved. Malkus expressed that there are a small number of families that are still a little hesitant to get their children vaccinated, but he hopes that the long deadline will give parents a little more time to decide and feel comfortable giving the vaccine to their children.

Greenblum is also a mother and has three daughters at JDS, one SJ [LSQ MW MR ÁJXL KVEHI ERH VIGIRXly got vaccinated.

“Having my child get vaccinatIH QMKLX TVSXIGX XLI TIVWSR XLI]¸VI [MXL ERH MX¸W NYWX SYV HYX] XS TVSXIGX IEGL SXLIV ¶ +VIIRFPYQ WEMH µ-X¸W RSX NYWX EFSYX [LEX ]SY [ERX JSV ]SYVWIPJ ]SY¸VI EPWS HSMRK MX JSV everybody else… Just one more TIVWSR XLEX¸W ZEGGMREXIH MW LS[ [I¸VI KSMRK XS OIIT everyone healthy and be able to move on from this, so everyone has XS HS XLIMV TEVX ¶

Photo by Daniela Abrams, LT

“I am very excited for the younger kids to have the freedom to go places without masks and not feel they’re doing something wrong.”

-Miriam Stein, parent of Mae Stein (‘31)

“I am so excited to do more fun things in classes.”

-Third-grader Mae Stein

The Lion’s Tale Magazine 7

— opinion —

Teachers need love too

Cartoon by Ariana Ravitz, LT

Our educators need our support and better working conditions

B

ehind every vibrant classroom and every learning experience in school, there is a teacher. Behind every test and class discussion, there is a teacher. While sometimes we may take them for granted, educators are the backbone of our school and deserve our support.

Every day when we enter our classrooms, our teachers are al[E]W XLIVI TVITEVIH JSV XLI HE]¸W lessons and greeting students with a smile. They deserve the same passion and respect from us, their students.

While teachers are a staple in our society, their pay does not VIÂIGX XLIMV ZEPYI ERH MW SJXIR not enough to properly support a teacher and their family. According to Director of Human Relations Lori Belke, CESJDS teachers receive an average salary of ąĂ þþþ [LMGL [LMPI WMKRMÁGERXP] higher than the national average of Ąā Ąÿþ MW PIWW XLER XLI 1EV]PERH EZIVEKI SJ ąą Ćāÿ TIV ]IEV However, as the cost of living increases, our teachers are still not proportionally compensated. For context, the average cost of a MontKSQIV] 'SYRX] LSQI MW ăĄā ăąć YT ÿÿ JVSQ PEWX ]IEV¸W TVMGI 8LMW steep increase in home prices has

8 December 2021

not been matched by the payment that our teachers receive.

JDS teachers also only receive two weeks of paid family leave.

This is a great disservice. They do such an excellent job educating us students that it is only fair for them to get the chance to spend time with their own newborns for more than two weeks.

Teachers are federally guaranteed twelve weeks of unpaid leave with their kids, but when teachers rely on their salaries to support their families, taking off work for that long is not an option. They are forced to enter their children in expensive childcare facilities or hire nannies; either option is MRGVIHMFP] ÁRERGMEPP] XE\MRK .(7 could rectify this issue by increasing the amount of paid family leave that teachers receive.

-X¸W XVYI XLEX XIEGLIVW EX .(7 receive sick days off, reduced lunch rates and their choice of multiple healthcare plans. However, those FIRIÁXW HS RSX QEOI YT JSV XLI level of mental and physical effort that they exert each day. From manning classrooms to helping students after school, teacher contributions cannot be overlooked.

8LI '3:-( ÿć TERHIQMG LEW SRP] I\EGIVFEXIH XIEGLIVW¸ TVSF-

“In 2021, a

RAND survey found that a quarter of teachers wanted to quit their current job by the end of the year.

30% also wanted to change professions entirely.”

PIQW -R ĀþĀÿ E 6%2( WYVZI] found that a quarter of teachers wanted to quit their current job by XLI IRH SJ XLI ]IEV āþ EPWS [ERXed to change professions entirely.

We clearly need to do more to keep teachers in the classroom.

Even at JDS, turnover has become a problem. Of the JDS Upper School staff pictured in the ĀþĀÿ ]IEVFSSO ÿĄ PIJX XLIMV NSFW at the end of last school year. That is a very high percentage, and we need to work to lower it by improving conditions for our faculty and staff.

We feel that teachers deserve more: more respect, more compensation and more gratitude. We encourage students to reach out to their teachers. We encourage the JDS board and administration to take a closer look at teacher compensation and family leave. We need to improve teacher conditions and give them the regard they deserve.

-The Lion’s Tale

Policing body cameras Montgomery County Police should release more footage % WXYH] SJ XLI FMPP¸W MQTEGX conducted by the county found that this reform will likely “reduce racial inequities in policing and policing outcomes by holding more police SJÁGIVW EGGSYRXEFPI JSV QMWGSRHYGX ERH VEGMEPP] FMEWIH TSPMGMRK ¶ police officers Police body cameras supply auhandcuffed one 5-year-old ditory and visual evidence of events that have occurred. According to 246 E 8I\EW TSPMGI SJÁGIV [EW 100% charged with murder and sentenced of uniformed XS ÿă ]IEVW ERH KMZIR E ÿþ þþþ ÁRI officers are required after shooting an unarmed black to wear body cameras XIIREKIV 8LI JSSXEKI JVSQ XLI SJÁGIV¸W FSH] GEQIVE GSRXVEHMGXIH LMW original statement about this event 51 mins and led to his arrest.

The police officers While this bill can be used as verbally harassed E TVIZIRXEXMZI XSSP MX MW EPWS ÂE[IH the 5-year-old for 51 minutes EW SJÁGIVW EVI SRP] VIUYMVIH XS [IEV cameras when they are in uniform.

This exempts p plainclothes p ERH YRHIVGSZIV SJÁGIVW from this rule.

There is yet another issue as the bill states there will be “ran-

Quick stats 2

Lilli Libowitz Assistant Opinion Editor Montgomery County residents were shocked last March when they WE[ E ZMHIS SJ X[S SJÁGIVW FIVEXMRK ERH LERHGYJÁRK E ă ]IEV SPH %Jrican American boy at East Silver Spring Elementary School. New legislation has just been passed to randomly review police body camera footage -- but this legislation HSIWR¸X KS JEV IRSYKL According to the body camera footage of this incident, the young boy left school and refused to reXYVR XS GEQTYW 8LI SJÁGIVW [EPOIH the boy back to the school while also verbally harassing him. One of XLI SJÁGIVW IZIR [IRX XS XLI I\XIRX SJ LERHGYJÁRK XLI GLMPH MR ER EXtempt to frighten him.

This is unacceptable. We canRSX EPPS[ TSPMGI SJÁGIVW XS GSRXMRYI VEGMEP TVSÁPMRK ERH TYXXMRK ]SYXL MR danger. We have a societal duty to LSPH XLIWI SJÁGIVW EGGSYRXEFPI ERH prevent incidents like these from happening in the future.

The incident at the Silver Spring Elementary School prompted County Council President Tom ,YGOIV XS MRXVSHYGI &MPP ÿĆ Āÿ 4Slice – Internal Affairs Procedures and Reporting Requirements for the random review of police body camera videos in Montgomery County.

dom reviews of the body camera JSSXEKI ¶ ;I EW XLI TYFPMG HIWIVZI E GPIEVIV HIÁRMXMSR SJ [LEX MW QIERX F] µVERHSQ¶ VIZMI[W SJ FSH] [SVR camera footage. To an even greater extent, we need a public volunteer panel to review said footage.

This bill is intended to hold the police accountable and attempt to ensure they are behaving ethically and legally. While I support this bill, I do not think it currently goes far enough.

These cameras are a step in the right direction, however, we still need more reform. This system is I\XVIQIP] ÂE[IH ERH XLIVI RIIHW to be more bills and laws passed to ensure the police are fairly doing their jobs.

Cartoon by Taylor Polonsky, LT

The Lion’s Tale Magazine 9

;JL ;GFLJGN=JKQ

Critical race theory should be included in the curriculum

Ivan Endelman Features Editor After three years of traditional history courses, my senior class [EW ÁREPP] HIIQIH VIEH] XS HMWGYWW GVMXMGEP VEGI XLISV] '68 - LEH no clue what to expect. Would tenWMSRW FSMP SZIV MR SYV HMWGYWWMSR# Would our teacher present biased WSYVGIW# -RWXIEH [I EREP]^IH numerous sources and expressed unique opinions, with complete respect and civility.

Critical race theory analyzes U.S. history through the lens of systemic racism, an idea that has exploded across America in recent years. Americans are divided on whether schools should support, teach or even discuss CRT. This brief senior unit is reÂIGXMZI SJ ')7.(7¸W WXERGI SR XLI XLISV] XLI WGLSSP MWR¸X YRIUYMZSGEPP] IQFVEGMRK '68 FYX MWR¸X shying away from the topic either. &] MRXVSHYGMRK XLI XLISV]¸W MHIEW in a constructive manner, JDS is fostering a better understanding of American history.

8LI WGLSSP¸W ETTVSEGL WXIQW from a framework called the Diversity Equity Inclusion and Justice ()-. 0IEVRMRK *VEQI[SVO 8LI document was carefully crafted

F] EHQMRMWXVEXSVW MR XLI ĀþĀÿ ĀþĀĀ school year and commits to teaching about inequality, injustice and privilege.

-R XSHE]¸W TSPEVM^IH GPMQEXI addressing these topics is bound to trigger some level of alarm. In Washington Jewish Week, parents of JDS alumni raised concerns through an open letter. The letter expresses fear that the framework discourages free thought and mainstreams a radical ideology.

In reality, there is very little evidence to necessitate this reaction. Neither teachers nor students are restricted by this document.

(YVMRK Q] LMWXSV] GPEWW¸W HMWGYWsion, minority opinions were freely shared without any animosity or angry responses. I am glad that our school is able to instill freedom of speech and thought while also introducing us to critical theories.

Despite this, one phrase in particular from the framework has drawn the most criticism. “Students will recognize that power ERH TVMZMPIKI MRÂYIRGI VIPEXMSRships on interpersonal, intergroup and institutional levels and consider how they have been affected by those dynamics while identifying ÁKYVIW KVSYTW IZIRXW ERH E ZEVMIX] of strategies and philosophies relevant to the history of social justice EVSYRH XLI [SVPH ¶ Recognizing “power and TVMZMPIKI¶ [EW WTIGMÁGEPP] GVMXMUYIH in the parent-written op-ed. The

op-ed authors interpreted this inGVIHMFP] WTIGMÁG WIRXIRGI XLVSYKL

BY THE a racial and political lens. While NUMBERS this idea could have been more clearly conveyed, the framework is acknowledging power and privilege as two factors in the larger context of history. of Americans have History Department Chair heard something Mark Buckley teaches CRT in an about critical race unbiased way in his senior classes. theory and believe they have a good idea He views the framework as applicaof its meaning ble beyond the U.S. and race. µ-X¸W ?XLI JVEQI[SVOA RSX NYWX racial. The feudal system was built around the ideas of power and of parents support state or school district privilege, so understanding those dynamics can be applied in a varirestrictions on the teaching of critical IX] SJ HMJJIVIRX GSRXI\XW ¶ &YGOPI] race theory WEMH µ- HSR¸X XLMRO MX LEW XS FI E VEGMEPP] GLEVKIH TIVWTIGXMZI ¶ While some schools have botched the implementation of CRT and become kindling for of parents oppose state or school district conservative pundits, JDS has not. restrictions on the The document itself is a general teaching of critical KYMHIPMRI SJ SYV WGLSSP¸W SFNIGXMZIW race theory and nothing more.

Since its establishment, JDS has been constantly evolving and modernizing its curriculum. But of Americans say the line of unfairly restricting children should start speech or thought is not being learning about racism crossed. Teachers, administrators in kindergarten and students are all doing their part to continue fostering productive, analytical and respectful conversations.

Data collected from

35%

37%

40%

22%

Ipsos and Today

Thoughts on CRT

10 December 2021

Junior Leila Espejo

Senior Elliot Sher

“I support critical race theory but not with only a civil rights perspective. I think there are other types of critical race theory that need to be taught. I think at CESJDS critical race theory absolutely needs to be taught due to the lack of diversity and the bubble we all live in.”

“I believe CRT does have some merit and that America should take a closer look at how it has treated different races in the past. I think it should be taught at schools in a context of here’s an issue that has been of large debate in America and certain politicians believe x and other politicians believe y, and explain their reasoning for beliefs.”

9E=F< 9<NAKGJQ

Content and time slot must change

Jared Schreiber Reporter During the pandemic, the administrators created a program called advisory to foster community.

Even though a period that intends to build community sounds great in theory, the lack of student engagement and interest makes advisory less effective. In order to make advisory more worthwhile, there need to be changes to the curriculum and to its location in the schedule.

High School Principal Dr. Lisa Vardi said that while working at the Bullis School, there was an advisory period two to three times a week that aimed to strengthen their WGLSSP¸W GSQQYRMX] 9RHIVWXERHMRK the importance of these gatherings, Vardi supported the continuation SJ EHZMWSV] HYVMRK XLI ĀþĀÿ ĀþĀĀ school year.

While we have other schoolwide programs such as Kabbalat Shabbat aimed at strengthening inter-grade connections, advisory is intended to facilitate intra-grade relationships.

In advisory, a teacher leads a cohort of students in various activities and discussions. These activities can range from talking about the values at CESJDS to making hand turkeys to having a discussion on mental health. The teacher serves as someone the students can look to for support and guidance.

However, the outcome of this program has been less positive at .(7 %GGSVHMRK XS E 0MSR¸W 8EPI WYVZI] SJ Ąć LMKL WGLSSP WXYHIRXW ĄĂ ą SJ XLI TEVXMGMTERXW HSR¸X believe the advisory program this school year has made them feel closer to their grade. This data from the student body indicates that there must be changes made within the program to make advisory more effective.

A lack of student engagement

can explain why students do not feel the intended effects of advisory. In my advisory alone, after the teacher announces the assigned activity, most students talk with their friends rather than participate. I XLMRO XLMW MW QEMRP] HYI XS WXYHIRXW¸ disinterest in the topic at hand and their frustration that advisory takes away time from their lunch. While there are students who would talk to their friends regardless, I believe that making changes to the curriculum would boost overall participation.

A study from Education Week shows that an increase in student choice can improve their classroom engagement. Just like in a formal classroom setting, students will be more likely to engage in advisory discussions if they are given more of a say in what topics are discussed.

However, giving a choice in selecting advisory topics may not be enough. The administration should also consider students when deciding what time advisory should be held. Currently, advisory is held HYVMRK XLI Āă QMRYXI FPSGO EJXIV lunch that serves as free time for students Monday through Wednesday.

During this time, students attend club meetings, hang out with their friends and continue eating their lunch. Right now, there are only three club blocks in the schedule per week, meaning many students are overbooked. Moving advisory might help alleviate this issue. The student body generalP] EKVIIW [MXL XLMW ERH ĂĂ ć SJ students think advisory should be moved to the passing time that exists on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after Zman Kodesh.

Despite the shortcomings of EHZMWSV] - HSR¸X FIPMIZI MX WLSYPH FI eliminated. The concept of kehillah is a treasured value of JDS, and its strong community is arguably E HIÁRMRK EWTIGX SJ E WXYHIRX¸W experience. In order for students to feel the strong JDS community, the administration must make changes to advisory.

òȶɢǠȶȟȶɭơɽ ¥ơʋŔȥˊŔ òǠŔlj˪ȥ࡫ ȶȥŔʋǠŔȥ Gould and Arielle Reichmann write letters in advisory to soldiers and veterans.

Photo by Jonah Beinart, LT

Sophomores Daniel Schlactus and Alex Reichmann play Jenga in advisory.

Photo courtesy of Dimensions Yearbook

Sophomores Miriam Goldel, Hannah Shank and Meirav Saches decorate cards on Veterans Day. Photo by Julia Rich, LT

The Lion’s Tale Magazine 11

— in-depth —

BUILDING A BETTER YOUTH GROUP Benefits and shortcomings of Jewish teen organizations

Eitan Malkus Arts and Entertainment Editor

12 February 2021

Lena Nadaner Assistant In-Depth Editor

Ella Kotok Reporter

Community and Leadership Junior Tamir Krasna was walking around the hallway with a friend during lunch, eager to widen his social circle after joining JDS in ninth grade, when his friend urged him to go to lunch with a rabbi and free pizza. Seeing nothing to lose, Krasna went to an NCSY lunch meeting. He discovered a Jewish community that not only helped him meet new people, but also gave him a new sense of purpose. µ-X NYWX LIPTIH QI ÁRH WSQIXLMRK XS HS [MXL ?Q]A XMQI XLEX -¸Q RSX JIIPMRK PMOI -¸Q [EWXMRK MX ¶ /VEWna said. “Whether it is just going and talking and hanging out with people and having these conversations and [LIXLIV MX¸W PIEVRMRK HMJJIVIRX XSTMGW MR .YHEMWQ ¶ Krasna is a member of the Potomac chapter board of a primarily Orthodox Jewish youth group, NCSY, an organization that aims to connect Jewish teens and bring them closer to Torah and tradition.

Junior Devorah Freeman is also on the board of a Jewish youth group, United Synagogue Youth 97= E 'SRWIVZEXMZI KVSYT µ-X¸W VIEPP] LIPTIH Q] PIEHIVship skills and my planning skills because I have been able to plan EGXMZMXMIW ERH -¸ZI LEH XS PIEH EGXMZMXMIW [MXL OMHW ERH QMHHPI WGLSSPIVW ¶ Freeman said.

There are other Jewish youth groups, but one of the largest groups in terms of JDS students is BBYO, a pluralistic youth group. Founded MR ÿćĂĂ SR XLI GSRGITX SJ µI\TIVMIRXMEP HIQSGVEG] ¶ &&=3 MW XIIR led and organized, offering leadership training and an “International 0IEHIVWLMT 2IX[SVO¶ [LMGL EPPS[W members to advocate for topics that are important to them, according to &&=3¸W :MGI 4VIWMHIRX SJ 1EVOIXing and Communications Debbie

Shemony.

Joining BBYO, the pluralistic youth group, helped former DC Council President Ruby Mendelson ·Āÿ KEMR TYFPMG WTIEOMRK PIEHIVship and writing skills and gave her a Jewish network. µ- VIEPP] JIIP PMOI -¸Q XLI TIVWSR - EQ XSHE] FIGEYWI ?SJA &&=3¬ - LSRIWXP] XLMRO MX¸W SRI SJ XLI FIWX ways you can learn about yourself as E PIEHIV ¶ 1IRHIPWSR WEMH Shemony said that Jewish youth groups provide a community for teens with diverse interests to come together. Similarly, Mendelson found that BBYO gave her a strong Jewish network beyond her time in BBYO. Likewise, being a part of a Jewish youth group helped Krasna socially.

“Especially in the community I PMZI MR - HMHR¸X ORS[ QER] TISTPI so NCSY really helped me reach and QIIX TISTPI ¶ /VEWRE WEMH µ7SQI SJ my friends in this area I would never LEZI QIX MJ RSX JSV 2'7= ¶ Krasna credits NCSY for helping him strengthen his connection to the Jewish community and helping people become closer to Orthodoxy.

But while there are many soGMEP FIRIÁXW WSQI WXYHIRXW LEZI had negative experiences in Jewish youth groups.

Bullying and Hookup Culture Senior Beck Bender and their GLETXIV 2¸WLEQE &&+ [IVI IRNS]ing one of the many annual BBYO conventions when an online messaging board turned their experience sour. µ-¸ZI FIIR PIKMXMQEXIP] LEXI crimed on these BBYO message boards called Jodel during convenXMSRW ¶ &IRHIV WEMH 8LI] VIGEPP FIing verbally attacked with homophobic slurs and racial stereotypes.

Jodel, a messaging board app that is used at BBYO conventions, LEW WTIGMÁGEPP] GSQI YRHIV WGVYXMR] because of the amount of cyberbullying it propagates. It allows students to send messages anonymously to the entire convention about people they may not even know, which creates a platform to start rumors and GVIEXI ER IRZMVSRQIRX ÁPPIH [MXL harmful hate speech, which Men-

Jewish youth group trivia When was NCSY founded? a: 1998 b: 1966 c: 1981 d: 1954

How many countries is BBYO in? a: 34 b: 97 c: 60 d: 8

Where is USY headquarters?

a: Dallas b: Washington, D.C. c: Tel Aviv d: New York City

How many people were in ʋǠơ ˪ɭɽʋ ƃǠŔɢʋơɭ ȶlj %%ĵ¶ࡳ a: 19 b: 3 c: 54 d: 37 ANSWERS: 1a, 2c, 3d, 4a

A

fter hours, many CESJDS students are a part of and lead another community: Jewish youth groups. As with any organization, there are several issues these groups are trying to address such as safe relationships and LGBTQ+ acceptance. Yet youth groups have also contributed greatP] XS TISTPI¸W PMZIW LIPTMRK WXYHIRXW connect with their Jewish identity and peers.

SOURCES: bbyopassport.org, usy.org and ncsy.org

The Lion’s Tale Magazine 13

Shomer N’siah

Senior Rebecca Safra talks being president of a BBYO chapter while observing Shabbat What was it like observing Shabbat while being a part of BBYO? “It could be annoying coming late to programs or not being [able] to attend programs because they would start before Shabbat ended…

At conventions, not all the programs would be Shomer Shabbat, but I could just modify them or not attend things or just attend the programs that I would be able to participate best in. For the most part, especially if it was on the international level, they are really accommodating.”

How did you continue upholding your traditions while leading?

“We had certain events on Sundays and changed the timing of some programs so that it could be more accommodating for me and other people as well so we could expand who our chapter was reaching.”

Is BBYO really pluralistic?

“On the international level, yes, because on the international level they are really good at respecting different denominations. As it gets down more to the chapters, I think it’s really hard because a lot of it is very teen-led, so that makes it really hard to leave it up to the teens to do it… The Jewish aspect is just overlooked. So I don’t think it’s not pluralistic, I just think that it’s a Jewish [group] but not necessarily doing Judaic activities.”

14 December 2021

HIPWSR LEW [MXRIWWIH ÁVWXLERH “A lot of people have left their GLETXIVW FIGEYWI XLI]¸ZI FIIR FYPPMIH ¶ 1IRHIPWSR WEMH µ- HSR¸X VIEPly know how that could be avoided because it takes a bit for people to change and it cannot just happen SZIVRMKLX ¶ One person who left BBYO because of its toxic environment was junior Molly Isen. She feels the competitive nature of members has overrun the election and leadership systems, with many putting too much pressure and emphasis on getting large roles instead of focusing on the excitement of programs and friendships.

“It was always about social hierarchy, you know, who was better than who, what chapter was more popular than the others, than focusing on the core values of JuHEMWQ ERH GSQQYRMX] ¶ -WIR WEMH “When I told people what chapter I was in, they would automatically make assumptions about me. They would make fun of me because I was ·[IMVH¸ ERH ?WE]A XLEX - WLSYPHR¸X FI MR XLEX GLETXIV FIGEYWI SRP] ·[IMVH¸ KMVPW [IVI MR MX ¶ Freeman believes that USY has similar issues to BBYO with regard to bullying, with most of the cases relating to exclusiveness at big events. µ- XLMRO I\GPYWMSR MW HIÁRMXIP] an issue because of the little amount of people that are in each grade atXIRHMRK IZIRXW ¶ *VIIQER WEMH µ- think people try their hardest to be inclusive, but sometimes it can be hard. There is a bullying hotline for people to call if they are experiencing these things, and in addition, USY has done trainings and workWLSTW HIEPMRK [MXL XLIWI WTIGMÁG MWWYIW ¶ Another issue that is often brought up in regards to BBYO is the hookup environment, where people feel pressured to make out with others at conventions and dances. Isen believes people have XLMW RSXMSR MR XLIMV LIEHW XLEX MX¸W µGSSP¶ XS LSSO YT ERH XLI] [MPP SRP] be accepted by their BBYO friends if they partake in this practice.

“Just the way I saw people treat themselves because they felt like they had to hook up should be frowned upon. These people felt that if they did otherwise, they

“Sometimes I just needed to remember that BBYO was just a youth group. And I shouldn’t stress about it too much.”

-Ruby Mendelson (‘21)

[SYPHR¸X FI EGGITXIH MR &&=3 F] XLIMV JVMIRHW ¶ -WIR WEMH At these dances, there are often LSSOYT µ[EPPW¶ MR [LMGL ER IRXMVI section of the public dancing room is dedicated for people to hook up against. While people are partaking in this, many others in the room are watching and some even record videos on their phones to post on social media. µ-X¸W NYWX KVSWW [LIR MX¸W MR TYFPMG FYX - LSRIWXP] XLMRO ]SY GER¸X VIEPP] EZSMH LSSOYT GYPXYVI 8LI]¸VI XIIREKIVW ;LEX GER ]SY HS#¶ 1IRHIPWSR WEMH µ=SY GER¸X VIEPP] WXST the wall from happening. For every pair of people that the convention staff pulls apart, there is another couple coming up right behind XLIQ ¶ ;LMPI XLMW MWWYI QE] FI HMJÁGYPX to remedy, BBYO has been taking steps to address the toxic element of hookup culture by educating members about romantic relationships and consent. At the DC Council Regional Convention in November, posters were put up around the hotel reminding members about the importance of consent and how it can be implemented. µ;I¸ZI XEOIR XLMW EW E ZIV] WIVMous initiative for us in, ‘How can we MQTVSZI XLIWI WTEGIW# ,S[ GER [I QEOI XLIQ WEJIV JSV IZIV]SRI# ,S[ can we improve reporting so that if something happens that is not conWIRWYEP XLEX MW EHHVIWWIH#¸¶ &&=3 Director of Adolescent Wellness Drew Fidler said.

Fiddler believes that the organization is addressing the issue through educational programming, making boundaries clear to members so that they are able to underWXERH [LEX¸W ETTVSTVMEXI MR PEVKIV environments such as conventions and dances. µ;I¸VI MQTVSZMRK IHYGEXMSR JSV SYV WXEJJ WS XLEX XLI]¸VI ETTVSTVMEXIP] VIWTSRHMRK ?[LIR XLIWI MWWYIW EVMWIA ¶ *MHHPIV WEMH µ7S VIGSKRM^MRK XLEX [I EVI GSQMRK MRXS XIIRW¸ PMZIW where they may be interested in developing relationships with one another, but stressing that that is not the purpose of what we are trying to do. We want to create a safe space [LIVI XLEX¸W EZEMPEFPI FYX RSX XLI TVMSVMX] ¶ Hookup culture seems to be less of an issue for USY, according

to Freeman. µ-X¸W WS QYGL PIWW GSQQSR JSV ?LSSOYTWA XS LETTIR EX 97= FIcause people who do USY do it for the friendships, enjoyment of being together and for the Jewish aspects, RSX JSV XLI LSSOYTW ¶ *VIIQER WEMH Gender Identity and Heteronormativity For Bender, another major aspect of BBYO that kept them from truly having a meaningful experience was its use of gendered language and enforcement of heteronormative ideas. µ,IXIVSRSVQEXMZMX]¶ VIJIVW XS the promoting of heterosexuality EW XLI µRSVQEP¶ WI\YEP SVMIRXEXMSR or cisgendered people as the “preJIVVIH¶ KIRHIV MHIRXMX] BBYO chapters are individuEPP] GPEWWMÁIH EW %>% %PITL >EHMO %PITL &&+ &¸REM &¸VMXL +MVPW SV BBYO chapters. Male identifying teens generally gravitate towards AZA chapters, female identifying to BBG chapters and any and all gender identities towards co-ed BBYO chapters. µ- XLMRO XLEX XLIVI¸W RSXLing wrong with the BBG and AZA WXVYGXYVI ¶ &IRHIV WEMH 8LI] HS however, believe there is “very genHIV LIEZ] PERKYEKI¶ YWIH MR XLI youth group that reinforces strong gender roles. BBYO chapters freUYIRXP] TPER µWMWXIVLSSH¶ ERH µFVSXLIVLSSH¶ GLETXIVW EHHMXMSRally, members refer to each other as µQ] WMWXIV SV FVSXLIV ¶ Many AZA and BBG chapters plan more serious programs that

BY THE NUMBERS 51.2%

of JDS high school students are part of a Jewish youth group

29.2%

of Jewish youth group members at JDS have felt pressured to hook up at their group’s events

43.8%

of JDS high school students rated youth groups a 10 for helping build friendships on a scale of one to 10

86.4%

of Jewish youth group members have never tried to bring awareness or complain about issues in their group

Data from the Lion’s Tale survey of 41 members of the high school

HMWGYWW QSVI KIRHIV WTIGMÁG MWWYIW such as sexism, toxic masculinity, period stigma and numerous others.

“Cisgendered people like having their safe space for their single genHIV ¶ 1IRHIPWSR WEMH While she does acknowledge the issues with the binary structure of BBYO, Mendelson does not think it is as severe as a lot of people make it out to be. She asks that people µKMZI ?&&=3A WSQI XMQI¶ XS EHETX XS changing societal standards.

On the other hand, Bender thinks that BBYO should be doing more to address this.

“Regardless of how much they ?&&=3 WXEJJA TVIXIRH XLEX XLI] EVI TVSKVIWWMZI¬ XLI] HSR¸X VIEPP] GEVI EFSYX RSX GMW?KIRHIVIHA MHIRXMXMIW ¶ Bender said.

Mendelson and Shemony, LS[IZIV EVI GSRÁHIRX XLEX &&=3 is moving in the right direction towards becoming a more inclusive environment for all teens, regardless of gender identity.

“I think the teens are the ones that are pushing this agenda in a KSSH [E] WS -¸ZI HIÁRMXIP] WIIR TVSKVIWW ¶ 7LIQSR] WEMH In addition to an International Leadership Network taskforce on LGBTQ+ inclusivity, many BBYO regions are passing legislation to use more gender inclusive language.

The DC Council of BBGs, which covers Jewish teens in the DC metropolitan area, adopted a legislative motion last year to utilize more gender-neutral language, such as “sibPMRKLSSH¶ ERH µQ] WMFPMRK ¶ NCSY also faces some issues

ʋ čòĵࢫɽ ˪ɭɽʋ ǫȥ࢚ɢơɭɽȶȥ ɭơnjǫȶȥŔȍ ơʽơȥʋ ɽǫȥƃơ Źơljȶɭơ ʋǠơ pandemic, junior Devorah Freeman reconnects with a friend who she does not get to see often. “I was so excited to be with her and really excited to see USY coming back,” Freeman said.

Photo used with permission of Grace Hessberg.

with gender inclusivity, said Krasna. µ- HS XLMRO WSQIXMQIW ?2'7=A [MPP LEZI TVSKVEQQMRK XLEX¸W QEMRP] JSV QEPIW ERH QEMRP] JSV JIQEPIW ¶ /VEWRE WEMH µ- KYIWW XLI] HSR¸X VIEPP] EHHVIWW ER]XLMRK IPWI ¶ Overall, however, Krasna HSIWR¸X WII MX EW XSS QENSV ER MWWYI within NCSY. “Generally, the events try to cater to both genders or all KIRHIVW IUYEPP] ¶ LI WEMH While issues with Jewish youth groups are prevalent, efforts being made by Jewish teens to make these spaces a more comfortable environment for everyone are equally apparent. Both staff and teens are open and ready to adapt and continue to progress their respective organizations.

“Jewish youth groups provide a platform for teens to advocate for things they believe in that they might not otherwise know where to KS XS HS MX SV XS LEZI E ZSMGI XS HS MX ¶ Shemony said.

Alumna Ruby Mendelson (‘21) joins with friends at New Member Weekend in 2019, where she mentored younger members. She was also the “MIT MOM” for her chapter where she recruited members and taught them about BBYO. Photo used with permission of Jeremy Hasson.

The Lion’s Tale Magazine 15

— features —

Opposing antisemitism After Jewish day school, alumni examine being Jewish in college

Ǝǫȥ qŔȍŹ˪ȥnjơɭ Reporter ne Saturday night sticks out among the many college memories of Tufts University sophomore Micah +VMX^ ·Āþ %R YRJEQMPMEV WXYHIRX ETTVSEGLIH LMQ ERH EWOIH µ=SY¸VI E >MSRMWX VMKLX#¶ µ3OE] ERH#¶ +VMX^ VITPMIH “Okay, that means you kill PalIWXMRMER GLMPHVIR ¶ XLI WXYHIRX WEMH According to Tufts Hillel, the school has a Jewish population of ÿą +VMX^ KVI[ YT MR E TVIHSQMnantly Jewish community. He celebrated Shabbat every week, hosted Passover Seders and felt very connected to his Jewish heritage. However, even before his freshman year of college, he realized that he was going to have to defend his Jewish heritage against antisemitism in college.

“Before I even got to campus, XLIVI [EW E ÁVWX ]IEV +VSYT1I GLEX WS XLEX EPP XLI ÁVWX ]IEV WXYdents could get acquainted with SRI ERSXLIV ¶ +VMX^ WEMH µ ?3RI SJ Q] JVMIRHWA QIRXMSRIH XLEX LI [EW Jewish, and the immediate response [EW ·3OE] WS -WVEIP SV 4EPIWXMRI#¸¶

O

“Before I even got to campus, there was Ŕ ˪ɭɽʋ࢚ˊơŔɭ GroupMe chat so that all ʋǠơ ˪ɭɽʋ࢚ˊơŔɭ students could get acquainted with one another. [One of my friends] mentioned that he was Jewish, and the immediate response was, ‘Okay, so Israel or Palestine?’”

-Micah Gritz (‘20)

Gritz said that much of the antisemitism on campus is intertwined with anti-Zionism. Before he got to Tufts, there was push back from the Jewish community against a class GEPPIH µ'SPSRM^MRK 4EPIWXMRI ¶ %Rother time, one of his professors showed a cartoon in class portraying Israel as a classic antisemitic Jewish caricature with a big nose and juggling nuclear weapons.

The relationship between antisemitism on campus and Israel is clear, as according to a poll done by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for ,YQER 6MKLXW 9RHIV 0E[ SZIV Ćþ of openly Jewish college students support Israel.

Gritz feels that a lot of antisemitism on campus comes from a lack of education, not malicious intent. µ- XLMRO XLIVI¸W E XSR SJ QMWYRderstanding as to what antisemitism actually is here both on the administrative level and on the student body PIZIP ¶ +VMX^ WEMH After his experiences with antisemitism on campus, Gritz wants Jews to be educated on the topic. ;LMPI LI ETTVIGMEXIW ')7.(7¸W one-hour senior workshop about antisemitism on campus, he believes

that there is still more JDS should do to educate their students about the hate and prejudice they might face in college.

“I heard personal accounts from ?.I[MWL ,MWXSV] (ITEVXQIRX 'LEMV %EVSRA &VIKQER ERH SXLIV XIEGLIVW FYX - [SYPHR¸X WE] - MRXIVREPM^IH XLEX - [SYPH EGXYEPP] LEZI XLEX ÁVWX LERH I\TIVMIRGI ¶ +VMX^ WEMH µ- XLMRO MX might be helpful for current college students who went to JDS and are JDS alumni to possibly come in and WTIEO ¶ 8YJXW JVIWLQER %PI\ 0ERH] ·Āÿ thought JDS classes on Israeli history helped him prepare for antisemitism on campus. However, Landy thinks that JDS could inform more students by mandating the History SJ %VEF -WVEIPM 'SRÂMGX GPEWW µ-¸ZI EP[E]W WEMH XLEX - XLMRO that the course on the Arab-IsraePM GSRÂMGX WLSYPH FI QERHEXSV] ¶ 0ERH] WEMH µ - XLMRO MX¸W E VIEPP] RIGIWWEV] GSYVWI FIGEYWI [I¸VI EPP being catapulted into a world where [I¸VI RSX KSMRK XS FI YWIH XS XLMW .I[MWL FYFFPI XLEX [I¸VI GYVVIRXP] MR ¶ George Washington University WIRMSV %VM *IYIV ·ÿĆ FIPMIZIW XLEX

þǠơ ơˁǫɽǠ ȶȥ -Ŕȟɢʠɽ -࢚òʠǫʋơ ʋɭŔʽơȍơƎ ʋȶ ʋǠơ ĭȶɭȍƎ ơˁǫɽǠ -ȶȥnjɭơɽɽ ¥ơˁ ĵȶɭȇ ¶lj˪ƃơ ʋȶ Ǝǫɽƃʠɽɽ ʋǠơǫɭ ɢŔɭʋȥơɭɽǠǫɢࡲ Photo used with permission of Shahar Azran.

16 December 2021

Incidents by Category 500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

Destruction of Jewish Property

Denying Jews of SelfDetermination

Genocidal Expression

Discrimination

Denigration

Demonization of Israel

Bullying

0 Historical Antisemitism

has been how comfortable do I feel talking about my Judaism and my customs with people who I might RSX FI JEQMPMEV [MXL ¶ 0ERH] WEMH Landy is not the only one who has at some point felt the need to conceal their identity on campus.

According to the Brandeis Center TSPP EFSYX ăþ SJ STIRP] .I[MWL students have felt the need to hide their Jewish identity both on campus or virtually on Zoom.

Landy is currently a part of the JOC ambassador program. As a JOC ambassador, Landy works with peers to draft proposals for college administrations and tries to pressure the administration to address antisemitic incidents. µ3RI SJ XLI XLMRKW -¸Q [SVOing on is to try and instill a policy here that will allow Jewish students to feel comfortable in their environments, in the classrooms and on soGMEP QIHME ¶ 0ERH] WEMH µ- XLMRO XLEX starts with how the administration VIWTSRHW XS XLIWI MRGMHIRXW ¶ For the administration to respond to antisemitic incidents, they QYWX ÁVWX FI VITSVXIH %GGSVHMRK to a survey conducted by College Pulse for Hillel International and the Anti Defamation League, most victims of antisemitic attacks do not VITSVX MX 3RP] āą SJ ZMGXMQW [LS experienced attacks involving property damage, defacement or vanHEPMWQ VITSVXIH XLIQ SRP] ĀĂ SJ people who were called antisemitic slurs and comments online reported XLIQ ERH SRP] Āā VITSVXIH MRGMdents when they occurred in person.

According to Gritz, people need to speak out when they encounter antisemitism because strength in numbers is key. Without the actual stories of antisemitic attacks, the rest of the world is unable to understand just how problematic the situation is for Jews on college campuses.

Gritz hopes to see the next generation of Jewish college students tackle this issue head on. Dealing with antisemitism is nothing new to American Jews, but students can dispel this hatred by sharing their stories. µ(SR¸X FI EJVEMH XS WXERH YT JSV what you believe in, and share your WXSV] ¶ +VMX^ WEMH µ- XLMRO XLEX E PSX SJ XLI XMQI TISTPI HSR¸X ORS[ [LS to come to when incidents happen.

Organizations such as JOC are here to uplift your voice because when we just keep it to ourselves, no one ORS[W [LEX¸W KSMRK SR ¶

# of incidents

JDS has done more than enough to prepare its students for life beyond high school.

“JDS and other institutions, they fear-monger a lot and say being a Jew in college can be so hard and WS XIVVMFPI ERH ]SY¸VI KSRRE LEZI XS HIJIRH EPP XLMW WXYJJ 2S 8LEX HMHR¸X LETTIR ERH XLEX LEWR¸X LETTIRIH SRGI ¶ *IYIV WEMH *IYIV¸W PEGO SJ ERXMWIQMXMG GSPlege experiences may stem from his EZSMHERGI SJ %VEF -WVEIPM GSRÂMGX discussions. In contrast, Gritz has RSX WLMIH E[E] JVSQ XLI GSRÂMGX ERH therefore is no stranger to antisemitism on campus.

The hostile environment that Gritz witnessed on campus made LMQ VIEPM^I XLEX LI RIIHIH XS ÁRH support. His problem was that he HMHR¸X ORS[ [LIVI XS PSSO µ-X JIPX PMOI - HMHR¸X EGXYEPP] have support from any of the major .I[MWL SVKERM^EXMSRW ERH - HMHR¸X know who to reach out to on camTYW ¶ +VMX^ WEMH µ- IRHIH YT XEPOMRK to several Jewish students, and they were at a loss too. Then, I remember ÁRHMRK .I[MWL SR 'EQTYW .3' back when it was just an Instagram EGGSYRX ¶ JOC is a student-run organization that works to amplify the voices of Jews who have been victims of antisemitic attacks on college campuses. It started a couple of years EKS EW ER -RWXEKVEQ TEKI $.I[MWL3R'EQTYW ERH LEW WMRGI KVS[R into an organization that collects and analyzes data about campus antisemitism, and uses it to educate students and administrators.

Gritz reached out to JOC via a direct message on Instagram saying that he wanted to use their platform to advocate for the Internation Holocaust Remembrance Alliance -,6% HIÁRMXMSR SJ ERXMWIQMXMWQ SR college campuses. They replied and told him that they would be happy to work together and that they were [SVOMRK SR FIGSQMRK E RSR TVSÁX not just an Instagram account.

Gritz then began working with JOC, and worked his way up the ranks, now serving as the Chief OpIVEXMRK 3JÁGIV Landy is also a JOC member.

While he has not witnessed antisemitism directly, he is aware of people on campus who are not open to or respectful of his Judaism and has adjusted his behavior around those people accordingly.

“One of the big differences

Infographics adapted from the Jewish on Campus graphics team

The Lion’s Tale Magazine 17

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3

COVID-19 testing has been occurring weekly for over a year

Photo by Simon Albert, LT

Simon Albert Reporter

E

ZIV] 1SRHE] EX ÿĀ ăþ T Q high school students, teachers and faculty hurry to the GEVHS XS KIX XIWXIH JSV '3:-( ÿć %W they approach the front of the line, they are given a sticker before walking to an empty chair. A feeling of mild dread comes over them as the testers stick a cotton swab into their RSWXVMPW 8LI RI\X HE] E RSXMÁGEXMSR pops up on their phones disclosing the results. %W XLI ĀþĀÿ ĀþĀĀ WGLSSP ]IEV began, CESJDS made the decision XS GSRXMRYI [IIOP] '3:-( ÿć XIWXing. Its purpose is to minimize the spread of the virus in order to create a safe learning environment for students and other members of the JDS community to return to.

Senior Ben Guggenheim, like all students and faculty, goes to weekly testing in order to enter the JDS campus. He has learned to schedule his testing time around his lunch break so that he has time to eat and socialize. This contributes to his optimistic attitude the testing requirement. µ-¸Q KIRIVEPP] FIMRK TVIXX] TSWMXMZI 8LI]¸VI RSX WYTIV MRXVYWMZI ERH MX¸W RMGI XS LEZI XLI EWWYVERGI IZIV] [IIO XLEX -¸Q '3:-( RIKEXMZI ¶ +YKKIRLIMQ WEMH Currently, there are approxiQEXIP] Ćăā '3:-( ÿć GEWIW MR XLI state of Maryland per week. Though this number is lower than MaryPERH¸W LMKL SJ ā Āāþ GEWIW MR .ERYEV] some front line health care workers

18 December 2021

ZMI[ '3:-( ÿć EW ER YVKIRX MWWYI that needs to be approached more seriously.

Registered Nurse and '3:-( ÿć 8IWXIV )PE /ELI MW SRI SJ XLI QER] '3:-( ÿć XIWXIVW JVSQ Capital Diagnostics who administer the testing at JDS. She is a recent graduate from nursing school and has been on the front lines of '3:-( ÿć XIWXMRK WMRGI *IFVYEV] ĀþĀþ /ELI WEMH WLI XIWXW ETTVS\MQEXIP] ÿĆā QIQFIVW SJ XLI .(7 community weekly with her colleagues, giving her further insight MRXS XLI TVSGIWW SJ '3:-( ÿć XIWXing.

According to the CDC, vaccines EVI RSX ÿþþ IJJIGXMZI ERH MRSGYPEXed people can still get infected. Despite this, Kahe is a strong advocate for vaccination and urges everyone to get vaccinated. She also believes that in the future, weekly testing may not be necessary.

“If vaccination rates go up, then weekly testing could probably go down, probably be like bi-weekly or WSQIXLMRK SV JSV WTIGMÁG IZIRXW ERH WXYJJ PMOI XLEX ¶ /ELI WEMH Though there is hope for the school to revert to how it was before '3:-( ÿć XLI ZMVYW MW GSRWXERXP] changing and instills feelings of uncertainty and fear.

The JDS health department has been overwhelmed by the workload GEYWIH F] '3:-( ÿć EW XLI XIWXMRK requires planning, scheduling, coordinating and funding, which is a burden.

“I feel like I have so much

Sophomore Arielle Fellner gets her weekly COVID-19 test by Registered Nurse and COVID-19 Tester Ela Kahe.

BY THE FME:=JK 853 COVID-19 MD cases per week

3230 MD cases in January

21 Cumulative positive tests at JDS

responsibility to keep everyone healthy and for them not to bring '3:-( LSQI ¶ 9TTIV 7GLSSP 2YVWI Heather Greenblum said.

7S JEV XLIVI LEZI FIIR Āÿ GEWIW SJ '3:-( ÿć XLVSYKLSYX XLI HMJJIVent divisions of JDS since starting weekly testing, but overall it has been a safe environment because of the many precautions. Students [LS XIWX TSWMXMZI JSV '3:-( ÿć EVI strictly quarantined and unable to attend school until they have received a negative test. Capital DiagRSWXMGW LEW TPE]IH E WMKRMÁGERX VSPI in the process of getting students back into school and JDS has a stable and cordial connection with them.

“Capitol Diagnostics is run by a HSGXSV [LS¸W VIEPP] [SRHIVJYP ERH [I ?.(7 LIEPXL HITEVXQIRXA LEZI E personal relationship with her. We IZIR LEZI LIV GIPP TLSRI RYQFIV ¶ Greenblum said.

JDS is currently scheduled to GSRXMRYI XLI '3:-( ÿć XIWXMRK JSV the foreseeable future, with hopes to eventually take a step back from all the precautions. As the JDS community continues to receive negaXMZI '3:-( ÿć VIWYPXW [I MRGL SRI step closer to achieving a sense of normalcy.

“I think, if you want to be able to see your friends and go to school, MX¸W FIXXIV XS OIIT ]SY FYX EPWS IZIV]SRI IPWI WEJI ¶ /ELI WEMH

COMING FULL CIRCLE

JDS alumni who rejoin the school as teachers experience the classroom in a new way Ari Kittrie Reporter When alumnus English teacher (V (SV] *S\ ·þć XSPH LIV JVMIRHW from CESJDS that she was returning as an English teacher, they asked two questions: whether Dean of Students Roslyn Landy was still there, and if it meant that she could become friends with math department chair Reuben Silberman.

Since her time at JDS as a stuHIRX MR Āþþć XLI WGLSSP LEW GLERKIH WMKRMÁGERXP] 8LI GLERKI LEW FIIR both physical and social in how JDS works and how it has adapted to the modern day.

Fox recently received a PhD from the University of Michigan with specialties in Jewish Literature and Yiddish, and started teaching English at JDS at the beginning of this school year. *S\¸W PSZI JSV XIEGLMRK LMKL school students stems from her time at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she spent four summers teaching students Yiddish. When a teaching job opened up at her alma mater, she applied.

“I never thought that this would LETTIR FIGEYWI [LIR ]SY¸VI E WXYHIRX ]SY GER¸X MQEKMRI MX [SR¸X FI just you and your friends there as XLI WXYHIRXW ¶ *S\ WEMH When Fox returned to JDS, she noticed how much the school had changed. For example, JDS now holds weekly Kabbalat Shabbat and has stopped giving students “Lion 4PERRIVW ¶ ;LIR *S\ [EW E WXYHIRX these planners were used for doodling in. %W E XIEGLIV *S\¸W TIVWTIGXMZI has drastically changed on how much hard work teachers put in to help students and cater to their needs. Fox used to think that teachIVW HMHR¸X RIGIWWEVMP] GEVI SV RSXMGI what was going on.

“Once I started teaching, I realized I was so nervous about whether Q] WXYHIRXW [IVI KSMRK XS HS [IPP ¶ she said.

Like Fox, sixth grade humanMXMIW XIEGLIV 8EQEV +EWOS ·ÿĀ RIZIV MQEKMRIH WLI¸H FI FEGO EX .(7

transition into teachers. One of the “It never really crossed my “I realized funniest things from her perspective mind after I left JDS because I that all the is how hard it is for them to get used HMHR¸X XLMRO - [ERXIH XS FI E XIEGLdifferent XS EHHVIWWMRK LIV EW µ6S^ ¶ IV ¶ +EWOS WEMH “They forever called me Mrs. She graduated from the Uni- things I had Landy because that is what they versity of Maryland with a bacheenjoyed [IVI YWIH XS [LIR XLI] [IVI LIVI ¶ PSV¸W HIKVII MR XLIEXIV FYX ORI[ WLI Landy said.

HMHR¸X [ERX XS FI E TVSJIWWMSREP EG- over the -X¸W LEVH XS TVIHMGX [LMGL WXYtor, so she started to look for other course of dents will come back to teach at jobs. my life JDS. There are some who express “After a lot of thinking and exa desire to teach while they are at ploring, I realized that all the differ- involved JDS, and others, are those Landy ent things I had enjoyed over the aspects of VIJIVW XS EW µPEXI FPSSQIVW ¶ 8LIVI course of my life involved aspects of teaching.” is nothing Landy loves more than XIEGLMRK ¶ +EWOS WEMH seeing alumni come back to JDS One of the many things she likes about teaching at a Jewish -Humanities because she believes “teaching is the KVIEXIWX TVSJIWWMSR XLIVI MW ¶ school is having the Jewish holidays teacher Alumni come back to JDS to off, unlike at a public school. She teach for different reasons, but there was excited to teach at her alma ma- Tamar does seem to be one unifying theme: ter because she knew she would be Gasko (‘12) JDS is an educational communiwelcomed there. Gasko also enjoys ty where the love of learning is a the close community at JDS. shared value. Teachers who are also µ8LIVI¸W E GYPXYVI SJ WXYHIRXW alumni are grateful for the collective and teachers being very friendly attitude towards the value of Lomed [MXL IEGL SXLIV ¶ +EWOS WEMH MiKol Adam, learn from everyone, 7SQI SJ +EWOS¸W GYVVIRX GSPand want to transmit that same love leagues are the same ones that of learning to the next generation of taught her almost a decade ago. For students. example, Assistant Dean and math µ-¸Q VIEPP] LETT] XS FI FEGO EX teacher Tori Ball was her teacher for JDS and to be the kind of teacher pre-calculus.

XLEX XLSWI XIEGLIVW [IVI XS QI ¶ µ-X [EW [IMVH EX ÁVWX PIEVRMRK XS Gasko said. “It feels really rewardGEPP XLIQ F] XLIMV ÁVWX REQIW FYX ing to sort of come full circle and be now I feel very comfortable and like the kind of adult that I loved being ER IUYEP ¶+EWOS WEMH EVSYRH EW E OMH ¶ EVSYRH EW E OMH ¶ 0MOI *S\ +EWOS¸W TIVWTIGXMZI IGXMZI on teachers also changed regarding arding how much work teachers put in. n. She noticed that as a teacher, a lot of care goes into helping students and d each SJ XLIMV WTIGMÁG RIIHW “I had no idea as a studentt how much work teachers do behind nd the scenes to create a lesson plan n and EPWS WYTTSVX XLSWI WXYHIRXW ¶ +EWko said. “We are constantly asking each other about details about ut you guys in order to better support rt you or constantly emailing and making GEPPW ¶ Both Gasko and Fox found d that even though JDS changed physicalysically, its warm environment stayed ed the same from when they were a student udent to when they were a teacher.

Dean of Students Roslyn Landy L d Fox is now best friends with her former teacher, Reuben has seen a number of graduates Silberman. Photo by Ivan Endelman, LT.

The Lion’s Tale Magazine 19

— sports —

Making a splash

Photo used with permission of Coby Malkus

New swim coach combines passion for sport and alma mater Ella Waldman Features Editor %PXLSYKL ')7.(7 HMHR¸X LEZI a swim team when Lower School P.E. teacher and alumna Gabriella 4MPEVWOM ·ÿĄ EXXIRHIH LMKL WGLSSP her love for the sport came full circle when she accepted the opportunity to coach the varsity swim team this season.

After graduating from JDS and studying kinesiology at the University of Maryland, Pilarski accepted a physical education teaching position in the middle of the pandemic. Originally, she planned on following a physical therapy career path. However, after a change in education requirements JSV XLEX ÁIPH WLI [ERXIH XS ÁRH E job before committing to going FEGO XS WGLSSP XS IEVR LIV QEWXIV¸W degree.

“I was looking for jobs related XS Q] ?FEGLIPSV¸WA HIKVII ERH - WE[ XLEX .(7 [EW LMVMRK ¶ 4MPEVWOM said. “Thankfully, I only had to teach P.E. via zoom for a couple of weeks before they brought me in, MR TIVWSR %RH -¸Q ZIV] XLEROJYP for that because that was not very pleasant, in my opinion, for the kids SV XLI XIEGLIVW ¶ A year later, before Pilarski entered her second year of teaching at JDS, athletic director Becky Silberman offered Pilarski an assistant coaching position for the cross country team. Pilarski instead asked if there were any available volleyball opportunities and subsequently accepted the position of middle school girls volleyball coach. Then, about a month before the winter sports season began, Silberman offered her the swim coach position.

Before college, Pilarski played volleyball and swam competitively.

20 December 2021

In fact, she swam on a team with Olympic swimmer Phoebe Bacon and continues to play on a recreational volleyball team today.

As someone who has been involved in both of these sports for a while, she hopes to create an environment [LIVI LIV EXLPIXIW GER ÂSYVMWL ERH enjoy the sport as much as she does. µ:SPPI]FEPP [EW Q] ÁVWX WIEWSR coaching anything and I really really enjoyed it. I thought it was so fun XS [SVO [MXL ?OMHW SPHIVA XLER - HS HYVMRK XLI HE] ZIV] VIJVIWLMRK ¶ 4MPEVWOM WEMH µ-R 4 ) MX¸W VIUYMVIH and all the kids at the Lower School PSZI MX &YX MX¸W WS HMJJIVIRX ?JVSQA [SVOMRK [MXL SRI WTIGMÁG WTSVX with kids who want to learn that one WTSVX ¶ After coming off of a successful volleyball season where she led LIV XIEQ XS XLI TPE]SJJ WIQMÁREPW Pilarski recognizes that coaching swimming will require a different technique. Because athletes are in the water and not beside her, it is QSVI HMJÁGYPX JSV 4MPEVWOM XS SJJIV quick corrections to her swimmers. µ- GER¸X NYWX FI PMOI OMGO LEVHIV SV - GER FI FYX XLEX¸W RSX EW ZEPYEFPI XS XLI EXLPIXIW ¶ 4MPEVWOM WEMH µ-¸ZI RIZIV HSRI XLMW FIJSVI ?WS -¸Q XV]MRK XS PIEVRA [LEX - GER SJJIV XLEX EVIR¸X just good workouts. What kind of corrections can I offer about your XIGLRMUYI ERH QIRXEP EXXMXYHI#¶ In addition to enhancing her coaching style, Pilarski hopes to help swimmers meet their individual goals and swim their personal bests.

For several JDS swimmers, this means training for the METROS, a distinguished regional swim competition that Pilarski hopes to help athletes compete in.

Aside from individual SFNIGXMZIW 4MPEVWOM¸W SXLIV KSEP MW to emphasize team support and

“My favorite part [of swimming] is how it is simultaneously an individual and team sport. You can work hard by yourself to achieve individual goals while being a part of a supportive team environment.”

- Varsity Swim Coach Gabriella Pilarski

spirit. Growing up, her favorite swim memory was cheering so loudly for her friends that they were able to hear her while they were underwater. Pilarski hopes to bring this same energy, enthusiasm and support to the JDS team. µ1] JEZSVMXI TEVX ?SJ W[MQQMRKA is how it is simultaneously an individual and team sport. You can work hard by yourself to achieve individual goals while being a part SJ E WYTTSVXMZI XIEQ IRZMVSRQIRX ¶ Pilarski said.

Although the logistics of the W[MQ WIEWSR EVI RSX ]IX ÁREPM^IH the team still practices twice a week at the Bender JCC of Greater Washington pool. As of now, three high school meets in the Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swim Dive League are on the schedule, and two more may be added. Additionally, should the swim team join the PVAC League, some middle schoolers may also be allowed to compete with the varsity team.

After the fall season concluded, 4MPEVWOM LEH E GLERGI XS VIÂIGX SR LIV ÁVWX GSEGLMRK I\TIVMIRGI ERH how she hopes to bring what she learned into the upcoming winter season.

“I learned...how much it really is about the athletes and their experience. I was frustrated when we would lose, thinking that there was something … I could have done differently that would have EPPS[IH XLI XIEQ XS [MR ¶ 4MPEVOWM said. “But what it comes down to is, are the athletes feeling like they GER FI XV]MRK XLIMV LEVHIWX# %VI XLI] LEZMRK JYR# %RH EVI XLI] PIEVRMRK WSQIXLMRK# %RH XV]MRK XS QE\MQM^I not just winning, but individual and TIVWSREP KVS[XL ¶

Grounded runners

Injuries present hurdles in an already challenging sport Daniela Abrams News Editor As senior Brandon Portnoy VIEGLIW XLI ÁRMWL PMRI LMW PIKW EVI giving in, and his body has reached its endpoint. Feeling mentally and physically drained, he aches for an excuse to end his race. However, after catching a glimpse of his teammates and coaches cheering him on, LI TIVWIZIVIW ERH VIEGLIW XLI ÁRMWL line, thrilled to have gotten through his race without giving up.

Because running is such a strenuous sport, injuries are inevitable. However, head cross-country coach Jason Belinkie redesigned the cross-country program this year in an effort to help members of the team combat injuries.

“I would actually phrase it as more being proactive around physMGEP ERH QIRXEP LIEPXL ¶ &IPMROMI said. “This involves working with bands, focusing on meditation and TPEGMRK ER IQTLEWMW SR WXVIXGLMRK ¶ Although many may perceive cross-country to be an individual sport, injuries have a major impact on the team.

“On average, almost all girls suffer from some sort of injury throughout the season; typically half XLI FS]W¸ XIEQ HSIW EW [IPP ¶ &IPMROMI WEMH µ,S[IZIV MX¸W LEVH XS WE] what the average time off is, because MRNYVMIW EVI WS MRHMZMHYEPM^IH ¶ Injuries are often seen more in girls because their bodies and bone structure are constantly changing as they go through puberty, and the pressure that running puts on their bones makes them more prone to injuries.

Since runners get injured at different times throughout the season and are often forced to miss important meets, the team dynamic is constantly changing.

“When my teammates are inNYVIH ERH GER¸X GSQI XS QIIXW group runs and Sunday workouts, the dynamic of the team completely WLMJXW ¶ 4SVXRS] WEMH µ;LIR -¸Q RSX XLIVI HYI XS ER MRNYV] -¸Q QMWWMRK them and my mood instantly de-

TPIXIW ¶ Even with these obstacles, XLI &S]¸W ZEVWMX] GVSWW GSYRXV] team succeeded in winning the ĀþĀÿ GVSWW GSYRXV] 4:%' ERH WXEXI championships. However, on the path to their titles, many members of the team suffered injuries. The most common injuries were runRIV¸W ORII ERH WLMR WTPMRXW “I think people get injured so IEWMP] FIGEYWI XLI] EVIR¸X TYXXMRK MR the time to strengthen themselves.

- EQ KYMPX] SJ XLMW Q]WIPJ ¶ 4SVXRS] said. “Yes, of course, I overwork myself, as do many others on the team, FYX XLEX¸W NYWX XLI REXYVI SJ VYRRMRK ¶ Portnoy has suffered through WLMR WTPMRXW ERH VYRRIV¸W ORII %Pthough these injuries are painful ERH QEHI LMW WIEWSR QSVI HMJÁGYPX they did not force him out for a long period of time.

Senior Julia Peppe was not so lucky. Peppe suffered from Achilles tendinitis and a labral tear on her hip that required her to get surgery and take a year long break from running.

“You can either stop running and change your lifestyle a little bit XS EGGSQQSHEXI ?MXA SV ]SY GER LEZI XLI WYVKIV] [LMGL - GLSWI ¶ 4ITTI said.

4ITTI¸W LMT LEH FIIR FSXLIVing her since the winter after her sophomore cross-country season.

She took time off from running for a year and when she returned in the fall of her junior year, her hip hurt even more than before. She took another break and began running again very lightly during the summer going into senior year, but the hip problem worsened, forcing her to make the tough decision to get surgery and end her senior season.

Although these injuries can present an obstacle, many describe the feeling of getting through it and rejoining the team as rewarding.

“The most compelling, best kind of situations where leaders form, are when they are injured, overcome a lot, but choose to return XS XLI XIEQ ¶ &IPMROMI WEMH

Hgjlfgq k c]qk lg j][gn]jq2 Stretching S Portnoy practices daily sstretching routines to rrelieve tightness and prevent injury

Hydration Drinking water speeds ni Ihkmghr l k^\ho^kr process

Compression Extra compression helps Portnoy loosen tight muscles

P Portnoy air i massages his hi legs l while hil iin hi his ffree period. i d He typically uses his Normatec at least three times a week, and this technology helps prevent stiffness in his legs. Photo used with permission of Eli Gordon.

The Lion’s Tale Magazine 21

MVP MADNESS David Fritz

Sophie Kaplan News Editor

J

Sophie So op ph hie ie Kaplan Kap apla an News N Ne ew wss Editor Ed diitto or

Photo used with permission of Dimensions Yearbook

>Ydd J][Yh Compiled by Ellie Fischman

unior David Fritz raises the volume of his music as he attempts to cover up the noise of his quickened heartbeat. Fritz is nervous before his big race at the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference 4:%' GVSWW GSYRXV] GLEQTMSRWLMT but draws strength from his season-long preparations.

Throughout the season and at the PVAC league championship as well as the Boys Varsity Small Private School Maryland State Championships, Fritz led the CESJDS boys varsity cross country team to victory and unprecedented highs.

The team made school history when they won the state title for the second time ever. This win was a high note at the end of an already impressive season where the male team broke a PVAC record for the FIWX XIEQ ÁRMWL MR E QIIX Fritz contributed to these successes by winning each of his in-season races and placing second in his race at States, both of which PIH XS LMQ FIMRK REQIH ÁVWX XIEQ all PVAC. Fritz recounted that the WIEWSR [EW HIÁRIH F] GLEWMRK EJXIV the league record with his team, reco

which was ultimately beaten by a very close margin when freshman Jonah Berman narrowly outran an opponent from the Sandy Spring *VMIRHW 7GLSSP MR XLI ÁREP QIXIVW of the race. *VMX^¸W JEZSVMXI QIQSV] SJ XLI season occurred moments prior to the shotgun at the start of the championship race. Before this race, despite having won all season, he was quite apprehensive.

“There was a good amount of pressure, but I listened to music before the race, tried to be calm and performed. We ended up getting the record, and personally, it was a great VEGI JSV QI ¶ *VMX^ WEMH Fritz said that the season was full of accomplishments, both personal and group-wise, and that he is looking forward to the winter track ERH ÁIPH WIEWSR XS GSQI µ-¸Q VIEPP] TVSYH SJ XLI XIEQ ¶ Fritz said. “We worked really hard, ERH -¸Q KPEH XLI XIEQ [EW EFPI XS show that and be as successful as we [IVI ¶

Compiled d by Ellie Fischman, Assis Assistant Sports Editor

Boys cross country won the state title and the girls’ cross country team won fourth place in the PVAC.

%ȶ %ȶˊɽ ʽŔɭɽǫʋˊ ɽȶƃƃơɭ ˪ȥǫɽǠơƎ ʋǠơ regular season with a record of 8-3 re ŔȥƎ ȟŔƎơ ǫʋ ʋȶ ʋǠơ ɽơȟǫ˪ȥŔȍɽࡲ Ŕȥ

“I am really proud of our team this season.... The girls on my team are super motivational, and not just that, they make sure that I’m happy and excited, and they always ask me what’s wrong.”

- Sophomore Hannah May

“We had this one game where “W we lost 1-0, and we were like, we didn’t have a good game. We were di arguing a lot with the referees. ar It wasn’t good. But then the next game, we came right out ne and destroyed the team we an played.” pl Senior and co-S captain Oren Swagel ca

Photo used with permission of Karen Ravitzz

22 December 2021

Photo used with permission of Ezra Raskin

LYdaY Khgjcaf

J

unior and co-captain of the girls varsity soccer team Talia Sporkin had an exciting fall season in which positive interpersonal dynamics and passion for the sport led the CESJDS team to success. The varsity girls soccer team ÁRMWLIH XLI VIKYPEV WIEWSR [MXL E VIGSVH SJ Ć Ā [LMGL WIIHIH XLIQ ÁVWX MR XLI 4SXSQEG :EPPI] %XLPIXMG 'SRJIVIRGI 4:%' LIEHMRK MRXS the playoffs, where they were elimMREXIH MR XLI WIQMÁREPW Sporkin, as well as sophomore 0IEL ,EVVMWSR [IVI REQIH ÁVWX team all-PVAC by the league. SporOMR EXXVMFYXIH E WMKRMÁGERX TVSTSVXMSR SJ XLI XIEQ¸W KVIEX VIGSVH XS XLI new coaches the team had this year.

“This year we had two new coaches and it was really amazing to see how we bonded with them over the course of the season, and how the dynamic of the team changed [MXL XLI KVIEX ÁX WMRGI [I VIWTSRHIH WS [IPP XS XLIMV GSEGLMRK ¶ 7TSVkin said.

Team relationships are crucial to Sporkin, who got her start in the sport by kicking a soccer ball with

LIV GPEWWQEXIW HYVMRK VIGIWW MR ÁVWX grade. µ- TPE] WSGGIV FIGEYWI MX¸W E PSX of fun and I really enjoy the feeling that it gives me on a fast break when - VYR YT ERH HS[R XLI ÁIPH ¶ 7TSVkin said. “Soccer gives me a lot of great experience to learn how to be SR ERH E TEVX SJ E XIEQ ¶ Sporkin noted that the team success was experienced off the ÁIPH EW [IPP ERH WLI WXEXIH XLEX XLI entirety of the season was very enjoyable.

“This season was a lot of fun because we had not played in two years together, so we were all very excited to come back and actually be able to have a season and that the XIEQ HMH WS [IPP ¶ 7TSVOMR WEMH

Photo used with permission of Ezra Raskin

eǫɭȍɽ ʽŔɭɽǫʋˊ ɽȶƃƃơɭ ˪ȥǫɽǠơƎ ʋǠơ regular season with a record of 8-2 ŔȥƎ ȟŔƎơ ǫʋ ʋȶ ʋǠơ ɽơȟǫ˪ȥŔȍɽࡲ

eǫɭȍɽ ʽŔɭɽǫʋˊ ʽȶȍȍơˊŹŔȍȍ ˪ȥǫɽǠơƎ ʋǠơ regular season with a record of 3-7 ŔȥƎ ȟŔƎơ ǫʋ ʋȶ ʋǠơ ɩʠŔɭʋơɭ ˪ȥŔȍɽࡲ

“This season wasn’t that hard because the other teams we played weren’t all that hard to play against. But overall, we did really ˁơȍȍࡲ ĭơ ˪ȥǫɽǠơƎ ˪ɭɽʋ ǫȥ ʋǠơ ȍơŔnjʠơ and we played really well.”

- Junior Devorah Freeman

“We didn’t get enough practices because of the High Holidays, but ˁơ Ǝơ˪ȥǫʋơȍˊ ˁȶɭȇơƎ ǠŔɭƎ ˁǫʋǠ what we had.”

- Freshman Neely Shemony

Photo used with permission of Ezra Raskin

Photo used with permission of Debbie Shemony

The Lion’s Tale Magazine 23

— A&E —

A taste of the Middle East Family owned spice company opens Manoushe Bakery in Rockville Eva Bard Editor-in-Chief

F

SV ÁZI ]IEVW > > 1Enoushe Bakery traveled its way around the D.C. area selling manoushe at local grocery stores and farmers markets. After a PSRK NSYVRI] > > PERHIH MXW VMGL ÂEZSVW ERH ÂYJJ] QERSYWLI EX E permanent storefront in Rockville, adding much-needed diversity to the fast casual scene.

As soon as I walked into the restaurant, I could tell the food would be delicious. Although I was the only customer at the time, the smell alone brought the restaurant XS PMJI 4PYW MX HMHR¸X LYVX XLEX > > nailed a trendy, yet homey aesthetic. I was quickly absorbed by the green wallpaper covered in cool decorations and the upbeat Arabic music playing in the background.

The restaurant specializes in manoushe, a Middle Eastern ÂEXFVIEH SVMKMREPP] JVSQ 0IFERSR &I]SRH XLIWI ÂEXFVIEHW XLI WXSVI sells spices and other packaged goods. The menu is limited, with only eight manaeesh to choose from. However, the website notes that they plan to add to their menu

EW XLI] µVEQT YT¶ STIVEXMSRW 8LI] also have limited hours, as they are SRP] STIR JVSQ Ă T Q XS Ć T Q JSV the dinner shift.

The restaurant is small and does not offer any indoor seating.

After ordering at the counter, I sat at one of the many tables outside.

The night I went, the weather permitted for a pleasant outdoor dining experience, but as it gets colder, customers will probably have to take their manoushe home with them to enjoy.

I tried the Classic Plus, a ÂEXFVIEH XSTTIH [MXL ^E¸EXEV ERH fresh vegetables, and the Cocktail, E ÂEXFVIEH XLEX GSQFMRIH X[S SXLIV QIRY MXIQW [MXL ^E¸EXEV SR one half and a cheese blend on the SXLIV )ZIR XLSYKL XLI ÂEXFVIEHW all had simple ingredients, the ÂEZSV [EW GSQTPI\ ERH FSPH 8LI manoushe melted in my mouth ERH XEWXIH ÂYJÁIV XLER E X]TMGEP pizza crust.

Although I loved them all, my favorite dish was the Classic Plus.

8LI ^E¸EXEV QEHI JSV E HIPMGMSYW base and the chopped cucumber, tomato and mint brought a much-needed freshness to the RYXX] XEWXI SJ XLI ^E¸EXEV 1] PIEWX

Menu sneak peek:

Classic Plus Manoushe

Za’atar Manoushe

Cheese Blend Manoushe

All photos by Eva Bard, LT

favorite item was probably the cheese blend, which just tasted like a sauceless pizza slice. It was far from bad, but it had the least original taste out of all of them.

I was initially skeptical that the meal would be satisfying because ÂEXFVIEH [MXL ^E¸EXEV WIIQIH PMOI E menu item I could have ordered as an appetizer at a standard Mediterranean restaurant. However, to my surprise, the manoushe stuffed me.

8LI QIRY VERKIH JVSQ Ć XS ÿĂ [LMGL MW VIPEXMZIP] VIEWSREFPI in comparison to the price of an MRHMZMHYEPM^IH TM^^E ,S[IZIV > > wants to make sure customers ORS[ XLEX XLIMV ÂEXFVIEHW EVI RSX pizzas. In fact, their website can be accessed at itsnotpizza.com.

1] HEH IRXIVIH > > EW E ^E¸EXEV LEXIV ERH PIJX EW E ^E¸EXEV JER 7S YRPIWW ]SY¸VI EPPIVKMG XS sesame seeds or gluten, I would recommend this restaurant to IZIV]SRI IZIR TMGO] IEXIVW -¸Q looking forward to an expanded QIRY FYX MR XLI QIERXMQI -¸PP FI NYWX EW WEXMWÁIH [MXL XV]MRK EPP IMKLX ÂEXFVIEHW SV IZIR VITIEXMRK Q] previous order.

Z&Z Manoushe Bakery is located at 1111 Nelson St., Rockville.

Behind the counter, fresh manoushe is prepared within 10 minutes of ordering.

24 December 2021

)* f]o ljY[ck _gaf_ gf +(”

Adele’s discography: 19

Adele’s long-awaited album does not disappoint

Lilli Libowitz Assistant Opinion Editor Grappling with the aftermath of guilt, sadness and shame from LIV HMZSVGI %HIPI VIPIEWIH µāþ ¶ her most intimate album yet, on 2SZ ÿć 8LI EPFYQ MW FVYXEPP] LSRest, as Adele expresses emotions of grief, depression and loneliness we all can relate to. This utter candor QEOIW µāþ¶ %HIPI¸W FIWX EPFYQ WS far.

The album is focused on %HIPI¸W HMZSVGI JVSQ 7MQSR /SRIGki, her ex-husband and the father of her son, Angelo. While Adele is on good terms with Konecki as they co-parent and live in the same neighborhood, the singer has clearly endured much pain from their split. In a Rolling Stone interview, %HIPI WEMH µ- NYWX HMHR¸X PMOI [LS - [EW¶ MR LIV QEVVMEKI 8LI KSEP SJ this album is to explain the divorce to her nine-year-old son.

These feelings are mainly addressed in one of my favorite songs SR XLI EPFYQ µ- (VMRO ;MRI ¶ 8LI WSRK MW EFSYX %HIPI VIÂIGXMRK SR LS[ WLI GSYPHR¸X PSZI LIVWIPJ SV FI in a relationship until she resolved her own issues. She goes on to explain how she struggled with drinking during the split, hence the title of the song.

“How can one become so bounded by choices that somebody IPWI QEOIW#¶ WLI WMRKW µ,S[ GSQI [I¸ZI FSXL FIGSQI E ZIVWMSR SJ E TIVWSR [I HSR¸X IZIR PMOI#¶ 8LIWI raw lyrics are thought-provoking and catchy. I especially like how Adele sings each chorus differently MR XLMW WSRK [LMGL KMZIW E ·ĄþW ZMFI Adele expresses her depression EKEMR SR µ'V] =SYV ,IEVX 3YX ¶ -R this song, Adele takes responsibility for ending her marriage. She reveals her continued numbness from the split in her heartfelt lyrics saying, “I have nothing to feel no more, - GER¸X IZIR GV] ¶ -R XLI FIKMRRMRK of the song it is clear that Adele is struggling with depression, but at the end she sings that she found herself again. While these lyrics sound heart-wrenching, the song is set up to such an upbeat tempo

because it simultaneously serves as a celebration of self-growth and moving on.

My favorite song on the album MW µ)EW] SR 1I ¶ %HIPI VIPIEWIH XLMW FEPPEH SR 3GX ÿă MR ERXMGMTEXMSR of the album release. This song reminds me of her past hits like µ'LEWMRK 4EZIQIRXW¶ ERH µ6SPPMRK MR XLI (IIT ¶ µ)EW] SR 1I¶ VIZIEPW %HIPI¸W RI[JSYRH QEXYVMX] as an artist as she confronts more complex themes. This song is one I could totally picture myself blasting in the car.

While I loved the album as a whole, I really disliked “Strangers F] 2EXYVI ¶ EW MX [EW XSS I\TIVMQIRtal for me. This song is a tribute to Judy Garland and truly sounds like something that was meant to be in µ8LI ;M^EVH SJ 3^ ¶ 8LI WSRK JIPX SYX SJ TPEGI SR XLMW EPFYQ - [SR¸X be listening to it again, unlike the SXLIV WSRKW SR µāþ ¶ Adele collaborated with Max Martin and Shellback to create LIV LMX µ'ER - +IX -X ¶ 8LMW WSRK is fun and energetic. I had high expectations for this collaboration, and the number certainly did not disappoint.

Nonetheless, the standout on XLMW EPFYQ MW µ1] 0MXXPI 0SZI ¶ 8LMW is the most raw and powerful Adele song I have ever heard. It perfectly depicts the story of a mother explaining her divorce to her child.

This song includes excerpts of conversations Adele and her son have had, such as her son saying, µ3M - JIIP PMOI ]SY HSR¸X PSZI QI ¶ before she responds, “You know QYQQ] HSIWR¸X PMOI ER]SRI IPWI PMOI - PMOI ]SY VMKLX#¶ 8LMW WSRK EPWS I\TVIWWIW %HIPI¸W TEMR EW WLI MW SR the phone talking about how she MW µLYRKSZIV ¶ µ[ERXW XS GVE[P YT MRXS E FEPP¶ ERH µJIIPW PSRIP] [LIR WLI RIZIV JIIPW PSRIP] ¶ 8LMW WSRK humanizes the pop star and gives the listener a glimpse into her life.

This album is cohesive and genuinely depicts the process of grief and moving on. I highly recSQQIRH PMWXIRMRK XS µāþ ¶ -X MW ER experience truly unlike any other.

Released in 2008 Favorite song: “Chasing Pavements”

21

Released in 2011 Favorite song: “Someone Like You”

25

Released in 2015 Favorite song: “Hello”

30

Released in 2021 Favorite song: “Easy On Me” Photos from www.adele.com

The Lion’s Tale Magazine 25

REVOLUTION IN LIGHTS High school musical returns to stage after a year hiatus with “1776”

Senior Maia Zimmers, playing Benjamin Franklin, practices with co-lead senior Elyon Topolosky, playing John Adams.

Harry Davidson Assistant Copy Editor After a nearly two year hiatus from in-person productions due XS '3:-( ÿć XLI .SER ERH 1EVvin Rosenberg High School MuWMGEP QEHI MXW VIXYVR [MXL µÿąąĄ ¶ 8LI TVSHYGXMSR HIFYXIH SR (IG ć ERH MX JSGYWIW SR XLI IZIRXW SJ ÿąąĄ through a more modern lens. µÿąąĄ¶ MW E QYWMGEP XLEX LMKLlights the lives of the founding fathers as they attempt to break away from England and draft the Declaration of Independence. The main characters are Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, played by seniors Maia Zimmers and Elyon Topolosky. µ?8STSPSWO] ERH -A LEZI VIEPP] KSSH GLIQMWXV] FIGEYWI [I¸VI VIEPP] KSSH JVMIRHW SJJ WXEKI 7S -¸Q ZIV] I\GMXIH XS FI TPE]MRK FIWMHI LMQ ¶ >MQQIVW WEMH µ-¸Q I\GMXIH FIGEYWI ?*VEROPMRA MW XLI GSQIHMG VIPMIJ SJ the show and therefore is super fun to play. But he also is complex and XLIVIJSVI XLIVI¸W E PSX XS YRGSZIV EFSYX LMQ ¶ Last year, instead of doing an in-person high school production, there was an online production that involved various pre-recorded songs compiled into a video which

26 December 2021

was showcased to parents and students. There was no storyline because all the songs were taken from different Broadway musicals.

In contrast, this year, the cast, ÁPPIH [MXL ĀĄ HMJJIVIRX WTIEOMRK roles, was thrilled to be back on stage performing again. For sophomore Nate Shemony who plays the GSYVMIV µÿąąĄ¶ MW LMW ÁVWX TVSHYGtion since seventh grade. He was supposed to be one of the leads in the middle school musical “Once on XLMW -WPERH¶ MR ĀþĀþ FYX MX [EW GERceled due to the pandemic. µ-¸Q NYWX I\GMXIH XS FI FEGO SR XLI WXEKI EKEMR ¶ 7LIQSR] WEMH µ-¸ZI VIEPP] IRNS]IH VILIEVWEPW ERH spending time with everyone in the WLS[ -X¸W NYWX E VIEPP] JYR XMQI ¶ Acting can be very time consuming and brings with it the challenge of memorizing lines, which requires practice and repetition.

“Every single Friday night, my grandma comes over to my house ERH [I HS PMRIW XSKIXLIV ¶ 8STSPSWO] said. “And then every other weekend usually, my friend comes over, and we spend a few hours together also HSMRK PMRIW ¶ Everybody has something different they do to prepare themselves

TURN BACK THE CLOCK

2017 “Nice Work If You Can Get It”

2018 “Mamma Mia!”

2019 “Chicago”

2020 “Broadway Unmasked”

in that moment right before the curtains open. For Topolosky, this involves eating a banana and doing Āă NYQTMRK NEGOW *SV >MQQIVW WLI always looks around the set, takes a deep breath and tries to internalize XLEX WTIGMÁG QSQIRX XS IRWYVI GSRÁHIRGI MR LIVWIPJ [LIR WLI KIXW SR stage.

Another crucial aspect to having a successful play comes from making sure everything functions behind the scenes, and that is credited to the stage crew. From setting up the props to making sure the lighting is correct, they do so much to make sure everything works well.

Junior Remy Eidelman typically works with the props and is also there to solve issues if they arise during the show.

“I love the community of WXEKI GVI[ ERH JSV QI EX PIEWX -¸ZI made a lot of close friends over the years. And just getting to help put on something makes you feel like ]SY¸VI LIPTMRK WSQIXLMRK FMKKIV ¶ )MHIPQER WEMH µ%PWS JSV QI ?WXEKI GVI[A VIEPP] XIWXW Q] TVSFPIQ WSPZing abilities and challenges me to go SYXWMHI Q] GSQJSVX ^SRI ¶ µÿąąĄ¶ EPWS WIVZIW EW ER IHYGEtional play, especially for the junior

Did You Know?

Backstage Pass

New vocal music teacher Sherry Benedek made her debut for CESJDS productions as music director for “1776”

Meet & Greet the Cast & Crew

class, since it relates greatly to their U.S. history curriculum. µ- EP[E]W XLMRO MX¸W RMGI [LIR departments collaborate with each other like this because I think it can really help students get a better understanding of what they are learnMRK ¶ )MHIPQER WEMH µ- XLMRO KMZMRK a completely different way for us to learn, like through a play, is a really effective way to get us engaged in the content and better understand [LEX [I EVI PIEVRMRK ¶ 8S FI '3:-( ÿć WEJI MX [EW required that there be distance between each family in attendance. In addition, everybody in attendance wore masks and were fully vaccinated. Audiences had the opportunity XS WII XLI WLS[ SR (IG ć ÿÿ ERH ÿĀ with an additional dress-rehearsal performance shown in school on (IG Ć JSV XLI NYRMSVW ERH WIRMSVW µ-X¸W E KVIEX WLS[ ¶ (MVIGXSV SJ Arts Education Dr. David Solomon said. “There are funny moments.

There are very serious moments.

It is a musical that really makes us VIÂIGX SR [LEX MX QIERW XS FI ER %QIVMGER ¶

“My favorite part of being in the show is being ridiculous and having fun with my friends on stage.”

- Senior Noam Siegel, Thomas Jefferson/ Richard Henry Lee “I love being in the show because it gives me a chance to perform in person again. It’s also a lot of fun getting to rehearse with my friends.”

- Senior Eva Schwartz, Abigail Adams/Dr. Lyman Hall “My favorite part of being in the musical is the sense of community, and how we are all dependent on each other to create Ŕ ˪ȥŔȍ ɢɭȶƎʠƃʋࡲࢩ - Sophomore Shiri Cohen, Martha Washington/Stephen Hopkins Senior Will Sexter, picture above, and the main cast of the musical.

Senior Avigayil Fischman-Charry and junior Zach Singerman have a picture taken in their “1776” costumes a couple weeks before the performance.

All photos by Eitan Malkus, LT

Director of Arts Education David Solomon clicks a picture of sophomore ¥Ŕʋơ òǠơȟȶȥˊ ʋɭˊǫȥnj ȶȥ Ǡǫɽ ƃȶɽʋʠȟơ Ǝʠɭǫȥnj ˪ʋʋǫȥnjɽࡲ

The Lion’s Tale Magazine 27

LT

the lion’s tale

Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School ÿÿąÿþ ,YRXIVW 0ERI 6SGOZMPPI 1( ĀþĆăĀ ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

@go hghmdYj Yj] qgmj ;GNA<%)1 opinions?

YES NO 46.7%

<g qgm ^]]d [ge^gjlYZd] 53.3% Zdgoaf_ qgmj fgk] af [dYkk7

59.4% Do you wash your hands Z]^gj] dmf[`7

56.8%

<g qgm hj]^]j \akhgkYZd] eYkck7

40.6%

43.2%

44.4% Do you prefer eating outside 55.6% over inside?

Data from The Lion’s Tale survey of 46 high school students Compiled by Daniela Abrams