BT "Insight": April 2016 Edition

April 2016 Edition

Sheila Dixon: She's Back!

Alyssa M. '17

Photo courtesy of DixonforMayor

Former Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon, who was forced to resign in 2010 after a conviction on one count of misdemeanor fraudulent misappropriation while in office, will be seeking re-election this month.

In the 2007 General Mayoral Elections, Sheila Dixon was a clear favorite. The former mayor won with an impressive 87.8%of the vote due largely to her focus on increasing community police and criminal apprehension instead of a ?zero tolerance? policy. During her tenure as mayor from 2007 to

While Dixon was mayor, Baltimore City experienced its lowest number of homicides in 30 years... eight years later, many voters find themselves unable to trust the former disgraced mayor.

2010, she created the Cleaner Greener Baltimore Initiative which worked to redevelop neighborhoods, strengthen youth programs, expand affordable housing, and end homelessness.

While Dixon was mayor, Baltimore City experienced its lowest number of homicides in 30 years. However, fast forward eight years, and many voters find themselves unable to trust the former disgraced mayor.

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Senior Farewell Tyler M. '16 As my final bell of high school classes rang, my stomach twisted into knots, as if someone was grasping it and wrapping it around their hands like it was a tug-of-war rope. My head split, emotions swimming around me. I walked to my locker, realized I had already cleaned it out, and trudged back upstairs and out the door to my car for some time alone. This was not how last year?s seniors told me it would go, I thought. They said the last day of classes was euphoric, exciting, and uplifting as we would look towards our future. It wasn?t. That day was a reminder of something I could never come back to, something I would never know again: a high school class in the one place I had known my entire life. I have changed homes, camps, friends, and many other things. But one thing that has never changed is where I went to school. I can recall the hundreds, if not thousands, of times that I wished it was all done; that I could go off to college and not come back for a few months or even a few years. But those feelings have dissipated. Instead, it has been replaced with a sentiment of reflection and joy.

Our time at Beth Tfiloh, as I am sure both many fellow BT lifers and my other classmates would agree, has been a whirlwind. And that does not even do it justice. From nap times (which I miss terribly), to recesses and gym, followed by innumerable honors and AP courses, as well as college applications with their rejections, deferrals, and acceptances, the class of 2016 and I have been through it all. In that time, Beth Tfiloh has given each of us a unique bond and platform. We have endured countless hours of Jewish and Israeli education and learned from professionals without equal. This

occurred all while amassing an extremely solid background in secular studies. I have collected something more throughout my 16 years at this institution that I could achieve not anywhere else.

For that, I am proud.

Wherever we go next year, whether it be on a gap year, straight into college, or even the military, Beth Tfiloh will send us packages to remind us of where we came from. Many of us have committed to visiting on breaks, joining Chabads and Hillels, or even doing some kind of daily ritual. Even though we

I have collected something...throughout my 16 years at this institution that I could achieve not anywhere else. are being thrown into the fire, we are prepared. We won?t let the rest of the world change us because we know where we come from and we are proud of it.

I was carried into my first mommy-and-me class at the Beth Tfiloh kicking, screaming, and crying like the baby I was. I can almost guarantee that when I walk out of the sanctuary after graduation, I will be crying the same way. But that is not the end of your Beth Tfiloh story. Hopefully it won?t be the end of mine.

Cheers, Tyler M. and the BT Class of 2016

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The Dramatic Impact of Bar bie's Evolution Alyse M. '17 As one of the most popular toys in America, the Barbie doll has been influencing the mindsets of young girls since its advent in 1959.

For decades, the classic, tall and slender doll, has manipulated how women should look.

According to research from the scientific journal Developmental Psychology, ?early exposure to dolls like Barbie may damage a girl's body image" and potentially lead to an increased risk of eating disorders. Thus, many girls wish to attain Barbie?s unreasonable body shape, which equates to a 6 foot, 101 pound, 29 inch-waisted woman. If Barbie were an actual woman with these proportions, she would be unable to hold her internal organs and produce hormones due to her extremely small waist and lack of body fat.

In response to these concerns, Mattel, manufacturer of Barbie, finally changed the doll's iconic image this past January. Amidst growing movements encouraging women to "love their

bodies" and "embrace their curves," Mattel altered Barbie?s body shape. By adding a tall, curvy, and petite doll, Mattel took a huge leap forward in changing society?s perception of ideal beauty.

Supporters of ?Barbie?s evolution? hope that the

that "the more exposure that kids--both boys and girls--have to diversity at a young age, the better.

Having different shaped Barbies is a wonderful step in normalizing that people come in all shapes and sizes. Children learn so much through their play, and providing them with a broader understanding of body image will most definitely be a benefit to these new dolls."

Body positive activist, blogger, and BT alumna Ally Spector ?13 also added that she "thinks it?s great that Barbie is evolving but [ believes that] the media is still extremely lacking in its attempts to promote body positivity." Although TV, magazines, and social media still endorse unrealistic perceptions of beauty, Barbie?s revolutionary new body types are slowly changing these standards while encouraging women and young girls everywhere to love their bodies.

Courtesy of Mattel doll?s new body shapes will ?help improve young girls' self-image and make full-figured women more accepted in society," says Julie Wosk, State University of New York, Maritime College professor and author in a recent Huffington Post article. When asked what she thought of the new Barbie, Beth Tfiloh Lower School guidance counselor Mrs. Elana Weissman shared

With Bar bie, You Can Be Anything!

-Mattel

Lear ning to Eat Kara E. '16 ?The children in Africa are starving!? ?A clean plate is a happy plate.? ?Finish your broccoli and you can have dessert!? How many of you remember hearing your parents say this during dinner? What entices you more, a piece of chocolate or a carrot stick? Whatever your answer may be, thank your parents! Society and parents?influence on children?s diets create long-lasting habits that continue throughout adulthood.

According to Bee Wilson, author of First Bite: How We Learn to Eat, the human brain has evolved to crave sweet tastes because ?in the wild, [ humans] would have needed a way to distinguish wholesome sweet fruits form biter toxins.? However today, our innate survival skills, mismatched with the reality of the twenty-first century have, ?in some ways, biologically prepared [ humans] for a world that no longer exists,? says David Myers, author of Myers' Psychology for AP. Although humans innately crave sweets, their preferences for sweet foods ?can be modified by pre[natal] and postnatal experiences,? states Jamie Hale, author of The Development of Food Preferences.

The food a mother eats during pregnancy strongly influences a fetus?s olfactory system, developing a ?long-lasting dietary preference very early in life.?

Therefore, mothers are encouraged to eat a diverse, healthy diet to help broaden their babies?pallets.

At ages four to seven months, babies are extraordinarily receptive to flavor. Several studies have shown that when mothers introduce new foods and flavors to infants at this age, babies appear ?open minded? and it ?takes fewer exposures to persuade them to like the new flavor,? and the effect

?[is] long lasting,? says Wilson. In Germany, when researchers exposed seven-month-old babies to a vegetable puree that they particularly disliked, it only required seven attempts to persuade these infants to enjoy this new food as much as their oncepreferred carrot puree. However, because ?childhood habits often stick with people for the rest of their

Our innate sur vival skills, mismatched with the reality of the twenty-first centur y have, ?in some ways biologically prepared [ humans] for a wor ld that no longer exists." lives,? children who learn to eat high-calorie, processed foods and drink sugary beverages develop a fondness for these products, causing them to continue habitually craving them as adults.

From ages two to six, children develop a neophobia towards unfamiliar foods, or a fear of trying new foods. Although this safety mechanism evolved to protect humans from bitter toxins in the wild, it now causes children to reject unsweetened, healthy food. However, if parents interpret this temporary wariness as something permanent, they will contribute to their children?s learned behavior of avoiding healthy food. Therefore, parents should

continue trying to encourage their children to enjoy these healthy foods. As well, children should watch their parents not only survive off of, but also enjoy eating, these foods.

In a country where food is stocked on our supermarket shelves in surplus, why do parents feel the need to force their kids to finish what's on their plate? While our ancestors needed their children to finish their meal when food was scarce, today a child can open up the pantry, fridge, or freezer and eat until their stomach feels stuffed. So why do parents use dessert to bribe their kids to finish their spinach?

This does the exact opposite of their intended goal.

Not only does it create the idea that dessert is a reward, but it also causes children to develop a preference for sweets instead of nutritional foods by making dessert more appealing. Although kids know they should enjoy healthy food, rewarding children with sweets for positive behavior sends a mixed message and also awards them with a feeling of merit.

But we can make a change. How we eat is a learned behavior. Don't continue to eat when you feel full and try only eating one dessert a day instead of snacking on chocolates, chips, and cookies throughout the day. A clean plate is NOT a happy plate. Dessert should not be seen as a reward and should not be exciting. By adopting ideas similar to these, you can help make a difference for yourself and future generations. Eating healthy should not be seen as a diet, but as a lifestyle.

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insight Editors-in-Chief Alyse M. '17 and Jordan C. '17 Managing Editors Ryan S. '17 Design and Layout Alyssa M. '17 Staff Daniel B. '17 Ben B. '17 Ben. B. '18 Kara E. '17 Nathan F. '18 Matthew G. '17 Julius L. '16 Michael M. '16 Guest Writer Tyler M. '16 Faculty Advisor Mrs. Rina Goloskov

Senior Reflection Hannah C. '16 The countdown has finally begun, the numbers have been posted above the locker bay. Thirty days until the seniors?last day of school. After enduring four years of papers, tests, and quizzes, we are finally nearing the end of our high school lives.

Many of the seniors, including me, have wished away the last few months of the year, waiting to be done. However, what many of us do not realize is that once we leave Beth Tfiloh, everything will change. BT has provided us not only with an unprecedented Jewish education, but also with a second home.

Beginning with freshman orientation in August 2012 and finishing with the senior Shabbaton this March, our grade has experienced a lot together. While filling out applications, writing college essays, and trying to figure out where we want to spend the next four years has been demanding and stressful (to say the least), senior year has shown us the importance of our time at BT. Next year, wherever all of us end up, whether it be in college, gap years, or the military (U.S. and Israeli), we will be in the minority.

So few children in the U.S. receive a Jewish education. Throughout our years at BT, we have learned stories from the Torah, how to interpret the Halacha, to love Israel, Jewish values, and much more. Wherever we go, we will need to adapt to our environment because BT kids are unique. It may be hard for a friend to understand the Weiner Tournament or a cholent contest. Therefore, before

Before we know it, we will heading off to a new part of our lives...and BT will be in the past. [But] we all know that BT will always welcome us back with open arms.

we know it, we will heading off to a new part of our lives in August and BT will be in the past. However, once we leave, we all know that BT will always welcome us back with open arms.

As we begin to study for final exams and finish our senior theses, we look forward to internship opportunities and our highly anticipated Poland and Israel trip. However, before we focus on the prospects of the future, we should look back and remember all of the incredible times we shared at Beth Tfiloh.

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BT Student Ar rested After Ar r iving Late to School Ryan S. ?17 Joshua Goldmansonberg '18, a sophomore at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School, was arrested this morning just after 8 am at the 3300 block of Old Court Road and Torah Drive.

rights. Deputy Amdur then dragged the perpetrator into the High School office, where he was given a 4x4 inch unexcused late note, which was to be given to his davening instructor without delay.

Around 8:02 am, on-site officer Deputy Jeffery Amdur was called to the High School office five times in a span of 90 seconds, after High School office staff sensed suspicious behavior outside the front entrance.

?We take security at our school very seriously,? said an anonymous BT faculty member. ?Unfortunately, those aspiring to enter the building between the hours of 8 am and 4:15 pm without a note from a parent are prohibited from doing so.?

Goldmansonberg, the suspicious subject, reportedly utilized the school?s call-in buzzer in an effort to gain admission into the building. However, after failing to show his face to the camera on the buzzer and uttering simple one-word answers such as ?Goldmansonberg? and ?school? to disclose his identity and reason for trying to enter the building, respectively, administrators grew weary of his intentions.

The culprit was then taken into custody by the Baltimore County Police Department, where he later was released on bail of $1 and two lunch detentions.

Those with any knowledge of the cause of the perpetrator?s lateness are asked to contact the High School office immediately

Once Deputy Amdur arrived, the officer opened the doors to the high school entrance, tackled the suspect, handcuffed him, and read him his Miranda

CholentGate: Mrs. Ler man Fixes Cholent Cook-Off Jordan C. '17 The 2015 school year boasted several surprising and shocking events. One incident, however, stands out among the rest; one that left every high school student speechless: Mrs. Lerman?s upsetting Morah Lanner for the cholent cook-off grand prize.

When it was announced that Mrs. Lerman defeated Morah Lanner, a collective gasp could be heard in the theatre. Everyone seemed to ask the same question: How did Mrs. Lerman, basically a rookie, defeat the veteran Morah Lanner at her own game, who was also vying for her fourth straight cholent cook-off title?

Now, students should understand that more shocking outcomes than Mrs. Lerman?s victory have occurred at Beth Tfiloh before, like the Boys Varsity Lacrosse team actually doing well these past two seasons. Although students should not be extremely surprised that Mrs. Lerman won for her very spicy cholent, many believe that, like SpyGate and DeflateGate, there now may be a CholentGate.

Listening to Mrs. Lerman?s long and tiring acceptance speech where she continuously thanked others, including Morah Lanner, for her award-winning cholent recipe, Insight staff decided to investigate as to whether there was any foul play during this supposedly ?fair? contest.

Several pieces of evidence have put Mrs. Lerman?s win into question.

Although most students apparently chose Mrs. Lerman?s cholent as their favorite, Jared H. ?18, who dished out Morah Lanner?s cholent, ran out of his stew extremely quick. Mrs. Lerman?s container, on the other hand, was still half-full at this time, making some question how Morah Lanner?s cholent, the clear favorite, did not win.

However, the answer to this question may have recently been revealed: while analyzing the data, Justin W. ?16 determined that 30 more votes were placed in the plastic basketball than the actual number of students who paid for cholent, and each of these tickets voted for Mrs. Lerman?s cholent in the same handwriting. Currently, DNA tests are being performed on these tickets to determine if Mrs. Lerman truly ?deflated? the contest.

The cholent committee is currently investigating these disheartening and scandalous allegations, coming from one of Beth Tfiloh?s lauded college guidance counselors. If Mrs. Lerman is found guilty, the committee may enact one of several possible ramifications, from a suspension from the cholent cook-off for two years, a fine of ten pounds of cholent for Insight staff, or a loss of four ingredient

picks that cannot be used to make her cholent for next year.

Though it is a shame that such findings should be made following cholent?s most important stage, the committee?s investigation will hopefully not only end CholentGate, but also revive the cholent cook-off?s reputation as a fair and untainted competition.

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In other News....

Mr. Amdur Opens Star bucks Stand in Librar y!

Photo editing by Daniel B. '17

Fixer Upper : BT Bathroom Remodeling Edition

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