This past Sunday, 13 students and faculty advisors Mrs. Benun and Ms. Wernick participated in the Jewish Education Project's Science Olympiad at Landers College in Queens. The twelve events were spilt among the students in groups of two or three. Faced with fierce competition from ten other Jewish High Schools, Yeshivah of Flatbush was able to medal in five events. They were:
Bridge Building- Michael Dayan and Asher Lifshutz
Chemistry Lab- Elie Cohen and Michael Dayan
Compound Machines- Elie Cohen and Michael Dayan
Green Generation- Rebecca Zami and Shani Zenilman
Picture This- Claire Lessler, Asher Lifshutz, and Rachel Wolf
After the events were over we heard from a special guest speaker, who is renowned for her work in a Bio-tech startup company. The students learned that when they put in hard work and effort they will be rewarded. We would like to thank the Jewish Education Project, Mrs. Benun, Ms. Wernick, and STEM commissioner, Elie Cohen for making this all possible.
The team members were seniors Elie Cohen, Michael Dayan, Johnny Fuzailov, Rebecca Zami, and Shani Zenilman; sophomores David Azrak, Michael Chakkalo, Josef Kusayev, Mimi Lazerowitz, and Naomi Sanders; freshman Claire Lessler and Rachel Wolf ~Michael Dayan
Seniors, Asher Lifshutz, Michal Dayan, and Elie Cohen
From left to right:
Sarah Sultan, Rochelle Gindi, Barabra Bedya, Michelle Shammah, Sari Cattan, Sandra Bukobza.
On Wednesday, February 25, Four girls and I went to the Coterie trade show at the Javitz Center as guests for Blank Jeans. We walked around the many booths of fashion companies and spoke to the designers about how they got into the the fashion industry and about their company. It was an amazing experience because we received a great education while learning about the thing we love, fashion. Thank you to the Yeshivah of Flatbush Pathfinders Program who made this opportunity possible for us. ~Sari Cattan, Class of 2017
History is filled with instances where one, in response to challenges, must stand up for what is right or to simply survive. Hope, passion and will are of course the key driving forces that fuel one’s efforts for survival and fortitude, but what motivates one to stand up in the first place? What actualizes their hopes and passions? What paves the way for their will to achieve?
To answer these, one must look introspectively, at their own experiences and the history of the Jewish people. Mark Twain famously declared the miraculous enigma, “What is the secret of his [Jewish] immortality?” How can a nation that faced such oppression, inquisition, expulsion, holocaust, and identity crisis continue to stand and thrive with such prominent existence in the world today? The secret lies within their motivation to stand tall. Through the use of their knowledge דעת, confidence בטחון עצמי, persistence גבורה , and heritage אמונה בדרך the Jewish people continue to prove that they have what it truly takes to constitute immortality.
As we continue to live and function in an already rocky world, we need to look to our history in order to maintain and strengthen our Jewish Identity. We look to our ancestors such as אברהם אבינו- who had the courage to stand up for what be believed in even when the entire world told him that we was wrong. We look to נח, who relentlessly built his ark despite ridicule and derision. We tell the story of יצחק , who went along with the עקדה, having faith in Hashem and the word of his father even though it meant sacrificing his own life. We look to the mothers, לאה ,רחל ,רבקה ,שרה who despite their hardships, constantly turned to their knowledge, persistence, Jewish heritage and confidence in Hashem to help them survive and continue to GROW the Jewish nation despite all odds.
So as we continue to coexist, and respond to the world plagued by terror. When in university and in the streets of New York our identity and faith is challenged at every angle, we ask you:
What motivates you to continue to stand tall? What helps you fight for what you believe in? How can we maintain and strengthen our Jewish Identity and our values and morals when it all seems so difficult. We hope you will explore and discover the answers and strategies are ones throughout this year’s color war.
So SGO 2015 would like to ask you- When times are tough, what motivates you to stand up?
This year's color war focuses on the theme of Standing UP. Each team represents a different way of representing this: Orange: Confidence - בטחון עצמי Red: Heritage - אמונה בדרך Green: Knowledge - דעת Purple: Persistence - גבורה
We broke out Color War 2015 with this amazing video:
Last Thursday morning, a group of 12 Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School seniors joined a group of 14 Nazareth Regional High School students on a lobbying mission to Albany led by OU Advocacy. The goal was to raise support for the Education Tax Credit bill. The bill would encourage individuals and corporations to make charitable contributions to scholarship-making organizations.
Once we arrived in Albany, we headed to the Assembly Chamber. We were officially recognized on the floor by Assembly Member James Brennan, who represents the district where Flatbush is located. We were then split into groups of four, going to legislators' offices to lobby for the bill. We met with over 30 legislators. Among them were Senators Simcha Felder and Martin Golden and Assembly Member Michael Cusick, sponsors of the bill.
This was the first time many of us had undertaken lobbying for a cause. We learned the importance of speaking out about causes that are important to us. We were also introduced to how politics works in the state government. We also, learned that there is so much more to a bill then simply voting to pass the bill or not. Thank you to Dr. Wolowelsky, YOFHS Dean of Faculty, and OU Advocacy for making all of this possible.
~Michael Dayan, Class of 2015
On Thursday, February 26th, a select group of juniors and seniors comprising our Choices Commission at YOFHS participated in a student-led program coordinated by Ms. Chaya Zimmerman and facilitated by the HS and Middle Division Guidance Departments. The 6th graders were treated to a video presentation, real-life skits acted out by our very own head commissioners, and interactive small group discussions between 6th graders and high school students. Themes explored included communicating kindly with one another and using words and actions to convey respect in all aspects of communication. One glance across the room revealed animated discussion and students engaged with one another as they reflected on various challenges faced by students of all ages. All involved experienced the fun and excitement engendered by a program geared toward teaching all of our students a thing or two about respect and kindness.
A very special thank you to program creator Ms. Chaya Zimmerman, Mr. Avi Smus and the Middle Division PPS Department, our Choices commissioners, and head commissioners Itzik Cohen, Jack Sasson, Brittany Sharvit, and Katie Zami. ~Dr. Etty Mizrahi, Director HS Guidance
On Tuesday, February 24th, Yeshivah of Flatbush Joe Braverman High School had the honor of hosting Mr. Eric LeGrand, former college football player turned motivational speaker. Eric, who was paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury suffered during a game in 2010, has had the resilience and strength of character to become a source of inspiration to all who have encountered his personal journey through recovery. Our entire student body and faculty were privileged to meet Eric during a program consisting of a striking video presentation, a heartfelt speech by Eric himself, and an inspiring Q and A session moderated by Rabbi Levy. Not a sound could be heard in the room as Eric shared his messages to us: Believe, be resilient, make good choices no matter how challenging the circumstances, and you can do anything you set your mind to.
The feedback following the presentation was astounding. All of us at YOFHS were especially inspired by the wisdom imparted to us by this genuine, down-to-earth superstar. Eric thanked YOFHS for hosting him, took pictures with our students, and took the time to personally speak with so many of us. His mother, Ms. Karen LeGrand, was an amazing role model to behold as well. A special thank you to Project SAFE, Yossi Sirote, and Shira Berkowitz for bringing Eric to us. In the words of one of our students to Eric: You're awesome. Stay strong! ~Dr. Etty Mizrahi, Director of HS Guidance
This month, the senior grade embarked on a two day overnight to Stratton Vermont for their annual Senior Ski Trip. Led by Mrs. Wielgus and other faculty members, the seniors enjoyed two fun filled days of skiing and snowboarding. On the first day the students quickly began skiing enjoying 6 inches of fresh powder on a beautiful sunny day. Many students also participated in ski lessons learning technique and tricks. The senior grade had a record number of beginners this year. The seniors also enjoyed a medley of kosher food spanning from waffles for lunch to deli for dinner. The students were exhausted after a long day of skiing and immediately went to sleep at the Stratton Black Bear Lodge.
The second day was much like the first with more sun, skiing and snowboarding. After two long days, the students and chaperones left the mountain satisfied and tired. The seniors were glad to share an intimate experience with their grade and their teachers and are grateful for Senior Council 2015 and everyone else who helped organize the trip. ~Ness Azizo
