December 20, 2013
Volume 2, Issue 3
BT Catches Weiner Fever!
WHAT'S IN THIS ISSUE: Menorah Contest
2
My Thanksgiving in L.A.
2
Shrek Information
2
Shipwrecked!
3
An Interview with Rabbi Oratz
4
Basketball at Beth Tfiloh Behind the Scenes with the “A” Team By Shana L. `21 and Alana G. `21 We recently went behind the scenes with one of the newest members of the “A” team, eighth grader Ryan L. '18. BTW: Are you excited that you made it to the “A” team this year? Ryan: Yes, I am very excited. BTW: Is basketball your favorite sport to play when you are playing on an organized team? Ryan: It is one of my favorites other than football. BTW: Do you think that when you grow up you will still want to play basketball? If not, what will you do? Why? Ryan: Yeah, I’ll still want to play basketball. I like basketball because I like being able to practice my skills at home and also because it’s very fun. BTW: Do you think that you have bonded with all your teammates old or new over the years? If so, in what way? Ryan: No, because I have already become great friends with them when I am not playing basketball. Cont. on page 4
Middle School Girls Basketball By Hailey G. `19 The Middle School girls’ basketball A team played their first game last Wednesday, December 11th. We played another school called Notre Dame. Everyone on the team continuously worked hard and was very prepared for the game. The team warmed up before the game and when it started every player was ready to play hard! The starting five girls went out and kicked off the game. Throughout the game the warriors ran a series of different offensive and inbounding plays, which helped us get through the strong defense of the other team. The final score was 20-26 Notre Dame. Although we did not win, we tried hard and are looking forward to our next game! If you want to see the action in person come and cheer us on! Hope to see you there!
Weiner Tournament Interview By Sara S. `21 Today I was lucky enough to sit down and interview my own brother, Aaron '15, about being in the Weiner Tournament. BTW: What is the Weiner Tournament? Aaron: It’s a basketball tournament made up of several Jewish day schools. BTW: Who participates in the tournament? Aaron: Heschel, Hanc, Chat Kimel, Ramaz, Chat Wallenberg, Yavneh of Dallas and Beth Tfiloh. BTW: What activities do you do with the other participants besides play basketball? Aaron: You hang out during the day, go bowling, and eat meals together. BTW: What is your favorite part of being in the Weiner Tournament? Aaron: Meeting all the Weiner kids from different schools. I had so much fun interviewing Aaron and I hope I get to do it again!
Menorah Contest Lihee S. `21 We interviewed Mrs. Posten and found out the real truth about the menorah making contest. First, we found out what it was like to be in such an exciting contest. Mrs. Posten told us that it was a LOT of fun and when the first menorah came in, it looked so good that it really encouraged everyone else to bring one in. The next thing we asked about was how the school ever thought of this amazing contest. Mrs. Posten told us that five years ago a teacher named Mrs. R.G. thought it would be a good idea to see what the middle school kids at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School could do, and ever since then Mrs. Posten took the lead. The most important thing she was looking for was a kosher and creative menorah. She was like a cheerleader for the menorah created by Mr. Kuter, Mr. Stevens, Mrs. Perman, and her. A group of judges picked their favorite menorahs. Two of the judges were Rabbi Oratz and Mrs. Posten. When Mrs. Posten saw the number of students who decided to participate in this contest she was filled with joy. The first prize went to Elyana F. '20 with a donut themed menorah. The next winner was Lihee S. '21 with a Kotel themed menorah. Next was Samantha T. '21 with a glass menorah, and last but not least JoJo F.'20 and Selena S. '20 with a Rabbi K. themed menorah. Mrs. Posten said that everyone else who entered was a winner too by submitting such beautiful menorahs.
Have a Great Break! See you in 2014! -BT World Staff
Volume 2, Issue 3
On the sixth day, we went to my Aunt Michelle’s parents’ house for Thanksgiving. We played with all the dogs: my aunt’s sister’s golden retriever, Skylar; her aunt’s Maltese dogs Lucy and Ricky (if you put Ricky near your hair, he might style it!); my By Alana G. ‘21 For ThanksChanukah I went to Los An- aunt’s parents’ yorkie, Wednesday, and my aunt and uncle’s Boston terrier, Brooklyn. geles to see my Uncle Rob and Aunt Michelle, but my dad had to work and could On the seventh (last) day, we went to see the Hollywood sign and the Hollywood not make it. On the first day of my visit, I went to my Aunt Michelle’s parents’ house Walk of Fame. It was super cool! I had an awesome time in LA and I can’t for my aunt’s and uncle’s baby shower. wait until I go there again! On the second day, I went to Beverly Hills. I did not see Chihuahuas, but I did see other cool things. I saw The Ice Cream Lab, where they make their ice cream with liquid nitrogen. I tried some, and it tasted amazing! I also went to Sugarfina where they made everything from chocolate, from typewriters to mini-Menorahs. We were surprised the next day and went to Disneyland! We went on rides, shopped, ate, and we saw a parade! On the fourth day, we went to the Mattel store. After that, my dad flew in and surprised us! The next day we went to The Farmer’s Market. We walked around and tasted food samples.
My ThanksChanukah in Los Angeles, California
High School Musical: Shrek! “In a faraway kingdom turned up-
Performances: February 11th and 13th at 7 P.M February 16th at 2 P.M. Prices: Adults-$16 Students/Seniors-$11
side down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre — not a handsome prince — shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won't shut up, a bad guy with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand...and his name is Shrek.” -Music Theatre International Ticket ordering information coming soon!
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Shipwrecked
“Pinky, where are you?” Steve looked around frantically. And there was Pinky near the edge of the boat. Then he started running away. There was a great chase. We ran around for ten minutes. Shoshanah Z. `21 Finally, we cornered him by the railing. Cont. from BT World Issue #2 “We….have got him….now!” said Micah panting. The pool had this really awesome slide. We all went on it twice “Finally,” said Elizabeth, who was also panting. “All of that except for Leora. When we were about to leave the slide area, running was making me sweat and was ruining my hair. Leora was nowhere to be seen. Then we heard a “WHOOOO “Your hair looks fine, Lizzy,” said Sarah. HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!” coming from the slide, followed by “Thank you.” Leora tumbling down the slide. Then we all got ice cream and swam in the pool while our parents got lunch. Steve was in a “Come on,” I said, “Someone has to get Pinky. beach chair feeding crackers to Pinky, while everyone else was in “I’ll get him,” said Leora. a water fight, girls against boys, except Elizabeth, who was tanShe rushed up to get Pinky, but Pinky jumped into a rowboat ning on another beach chair. hanging from the side of the boat that we didn’t see before. “Do you want another cracker Pinky?” asked Steve as he “You scared him!” shouted Jonathan. grabbed a cracker and handed it to Pinky. “I did not!” shouted Leora. At least, he tried to hand it to Pinky. When he looked at the chair “You did too!” shouted Steve. Pinky was sitting in (if a bird can sit), Pinky was nowhere to be “Well, you were the one who lost him in the first place!” seen. “Come on guys!” said Josh, “Someone needs to go into the “Pinky? Pinky! Where are you?” shouted Steve, drawing many boat and get him.” stares. “I’ll do it!” shouted Leora. “What’s wrong, Steve?” Mom was back with a tray of pizza “No, me!” said Jonathan. and French fries. “Let me try!” said Audrey. “Pinky is gone!” said Steve, who now had tears streaming Everyone argued about who would go get Pinky, while poor down his cheek. Sarah and Tia tried to calm everyone down. I didn’t argue though. “Don’t worry sweetie. We will find him. Ok everyone, we Fine, I might have argued a little. Then all of a sudden, everyone have to find Pinky,” said Mom. started running towards the boat. “Stop! You’ll scare him!” shouted Steve, who was carried away “WHAT!!!!” shouted Leora, “SO STEVE LOSES HIS STUfrom the crowd. PID BIRD AND WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR IT!!” But no one heard him. We all got in the boat and then… “Pinky is not stupid!” said Steve, who was crying harder. “GOTCHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” shouted Leora with a squawking Pinky “Don’t give me that tone young lady!” said mom in her hands. “Fine,” said Rose. But then we heard a snap as both of the cables holding the row“Thank you Rose!” said Steve before giving Rose a hug. boat broke. Everyone screamed, except Sam who said “LET GO OF ME!” shouted Rose. Steve quickly let go. “WWWWEEEEEEEEE!” We then started looking for Pinky. First we looked on the top Then with a splash, and an “AAAHHHH! MY HAIR!” from deck, and apparently, everyone had to go on the slide again. Then Elizabeth, we fell in to the water. we went to look on the lower deck, where all of the shops were (Elizabeth’s idea, and she ended up buying several new outfits, To Be Continued... with money from Josh’s wallet). Then we visited the food court. Everyone was complaining about how hungry they were. Elizabeth bought the food, but with more money from Josh and in an hour we had searched the whole cruise ship and were back on the deck. “Face it Steve. We’ve lost him,” said Audrey. “No, we haven’t!” said Steve. “Let’s check the food court again.” “Give it a break, Steve,” said Aidan. Elianna A. ‘20 “Maybe he jumped overboard, stupid as he is,” said Leora Jacob B. ‘19 hopefully. Jeremy G. `19 Steve burst out crying. Chanan O. `19 Squawk! Josh S. ‘19 “Pinky?” said Steve.
November B`nei Mitzvahs
Squawk!
Volume 2 , Issue 3
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A Conversation with Rabbi Oratz By Joseph L. ‘19 On Thursday, December 12th, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Rabbi Oratz to find out more about him. Reporters asked him several questions, and he responded with a variety of answers. BTW: How many years have you been teaching and how many at Beth Tfiloh? Rabbi Oratz: I have been teaching for 17 years and 8 of them at Beth Tfiloh. This is my second year as the Middle School principal and before this I was the ninth grade advisor and the Director of Judaic programming. BTW: Do you like being the principal of the Middle School and what is your favorite part of your job? Rabbi Oratz: I love being the principal and enjoy watching students grow from being lower schoolers to eighth graders and watching them mature over time. BTW: Can you tell us a little bit about the new iPad program for the eighth graders and will it continue next year?
Rabbi Oratz: This year we started with a pilot program trying to bring iPad mini’s to the eighth grade. With technology changing, it is important that we teach you the skills that you need in the future for high school, college, and the world beyond. With that understanding, we start our fifth grade with desktops, sixth and seventh grade with netbooks, and then in eighth grade with iPads. We hope to continue the program next year but it will be based on student and teacher feedback and if the eighth graders do well with them. I think that the iPads can potentially facilitate learning but can sometimes be a distraction. BTW: What type of student were you in middle school and what was your favorite subject? Rabbi Oratz: I don’t really remember middle school well, but I really liked studying Talmud with my great-grandfather. It really helped me connect with Judaism. BTW: What is special about Beth Tfiloh? Rabbi Oratz: I think what is special is that it is a unique institution where we are one community of Jews from very different backgrounds, who recognize the value of building one Klal Yisrael and truly love and respect each other.
Weiner Tournament Photographs Taken by Hailey G. ‘19
Cont. from page 1 BTW: How long have you been playing basketball for BT? Ryan: This is my 3rd year. BTW: Have you always played for BT or have you played anywhere else? Ryan: In addition to BT I have also played for the JCC. This concludes our article of Behind the Scenes with “A” Team basketball with Ryan L. from the 8th grade. See you next issue!
Important Notice: The first newspaper meeting of 2014 will be held on Tuesday, January 7th at lunch. Anyone who is interested in joining the newspaper is welcome. There will be several important announcements made. See you there!
Volume 2, Issue 3
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