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THE ROAR POST “COVERING ALL THINGS SCHECK HILLEL” VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2

– SCHECK HILLEL’S STUDENT NEWSLETTER –

ISRAEL & JEWISH LIFE Recognizing Faults ....................................................................... 3 Hanukkah Celebration ............................................................... 4 Hanukkah & Yosef ........................................................................ 4 Spreading Light ............................................................................. 6 Solly Garber ..................................................................................... 6

Scheck Hillel Barouk’s Girls ................................................................................. 7 JNF-USA ............................................................................................ 8 AIPAC ................................................................................................. 8 Winter Concert .............................................................................. 9

HUMANS OF HILLEL Mr. Schlehuber ................................................................................ 12 Julie Eibinder .................................................................................. 12

January 2026

CURRENT EVENTS NYC Mayor Election ................................................................... 13 Government Shutdown ............................................................ 13 Louvre Heist .................................................................................. 14 Miami Mayor Election ............................................................... 14

SCIENCE COLUMN Neuroplasticity ............................................................................. 15 Designer Babies .......................................................................... 15

SPORTS CORNER Soccer Season ............................................................................... 16 Hillel VS. Ferguson .................................................................... 16

Memory A Letter from the Editor-in-Chief Dear Readers, The world is a mess. We are often reminded of this truth as we are exposed to more and more disturbing headlines. Violence has become rampant. There is no sugarcoating such a fact. However, in the wake of this surge, it is imperative that we carry on the memories of those whose futures were cut short by acts of cruelty. December 13, 2025 marks the date of a mass shooting on the campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. On December 14, 2025, police stormed the iconic Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, in search of two gunmen who opened fire toward a Hanukkah event at a nearby park. As of December 2025, hostage Ran Givli– now deceased–continues to remain in the custody of Hamas. The list is never ending. Next time you light candles on Hanukkah, do not forget the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting who were unable to fully embrace the magic of the holiday. You should instead light a candle in their memory. Next time you light Shabbat candles, light at least one candle in the memory of Ran Givli and the thousands who lost their lives during and after the October 7 massacre. Every time you wake in the morning, take a moment to express your gratitude for living to see another day. Live every day as yourself, whether it be with joy, sadness, passion, or love. Hold in your heart the names of the dead, and make certain that their memories are never forgotten. Each and every person leaves an indelible mark on this world. It is our responsibility to ensure that these marks remain indelible. With Love, Tamar Grobman

Recognizing Faults...With the Maccabim? By Avichai Meisels As the year 5786 began, readers were invited enthusiastically approach the new Jewish year as a time of growth. It was suggested that they take a moment to think about what their primary goals would be, and how they envisioned themselves improving as people. It is now, as the festival of Hanukkah approaches, that it is acceptable to broach a specific subject that is integral in the path to growth: introspection. If one looks back at their past actions–noting their successes and failures–they are able to gain valuable insights about themselves and how they can improve. At a glance, Hanukkah would seem to have no connection to introspection. However, it is worth analyzing the enduring legacy of the heroes of Hanukkah–the Maccabim–to see if these people, who virtuously upheld the honor of the Jewish people, also had flaws for modern day Jews to learn from. After all, the heroes in the Torah are never perfect. As human beings, they make mistakes. Moshe Rabbeinu got angry at B’nei Yisrael on several occasions and was eventually punished. Miriam and Aharon were involved in speaking derogatorily about their brother. The list goes on and on. The Maccabim, a family commonly referred to as the Hashmonaim by historians, certainly had a lot of what one would call chutzpah. They had pride, vigor, and a willingness to fight the Hellenistic superpower so as to reclaim Jewish dignity and sovereignty. Their zeal and bravery are to be admired. But perhaps, upon further reflection, they had a bit too much of it. Shortly after their reconquering of Eretz Yisrael from the Greeks, the Hashmonaim asserted themselves as rulers of the nation. Overbearing attitudes within the family quickly led to mistrust, and internal squabbling, both of which greatly weakened the stability of the state as schisms and factions arose amongst leadership. Intensifying weakness of Jewish leadership set a perfect stage for the Romans to come in and conquer Eretz Yisrael, and the same family that had brought sovereignty to the Jewish people saw it crumble away. For all their virtues, prowess and success… the Hasmonaim sure had their failures. They had major flaws that led to their eventual downfall and the end of Jewish sovereignty for thousands of years. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the destruction inevitably wrought by greed and disunity. Had they undergone proper introspection–evaluating what major flaws they had– they could have been very different leaders. They might have worked on leveling their excessive pride, thereby allowing B’nei Yisrael to flourish as a nation. All humans have great character traits that are to be duly embraced and celebrated. But they also have their shortcomings. Personality flaws, bad habits, and the like that ultimately prove harmful. With the Hashmonaim in mind, it is strongly recommended to everyone reading that they briefly recognize and examine any negative character traits they may have. Whether it is ego, short temperedness, or anything of the sort, all human beings possess flaws that they are capable of noticing, embracing, and working on. Doing so can be intensely meaningful and truly encourage growth.

The Hanukkah Celebration By Lyla Faith Hanukkah is an eight-day-long celebration that begins on the 25th of the month of Kislev. The themes of Hanukkah and the month of Kislev include resilience and miracles, which can be noted in the story of Hanukkah. The story goes as follows: In the second century BCE, Antiochus IV, a Seleucid king, ruled over the land of Israel and oppressed the Jews by prohibiting them from practicing their religion. Antiochus IV’s goal was to force the Jews to abandon Judaism and assimilate into the Hellenistic culture of the Seleucids. A band of skilled Jewish fighters known as the Maccabim emerged in hopes of defeating the massive Seleucid army. After multiple battles, the Maccabim won against all odds. The Jewish army entered Jerusalem, took down the idols placed in the Beit Hamikdash by their enemies, and constructed a new menorah after their golden menorah was stolen. However, when the Jews wanted to light their new menorah, they only found enough oil to last them one day. Nevertheless, the oil lasted eight days, and to honor this miracle, we celebrate the holiday of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is characterized by lighting the menorah every night for eight days and reciting special blessings. The menorah has nine flames, including the Shamash, which is used to light the other eight flames. In daily prayer, we recite the “Hallel” and “V’al HaNissim”. Since the miracle of Hanukkah involved oil , it is a tradition to eat foods fried in oil such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (filled donuts). On Hanukkah, it is also a tradition to play with the dreidel, a four-sided spinning object with Hebrew letters inscribed on each face. In most places, the hebrew letters on a dreidel are nun (‫)נ‬, gimel (‫)ג‬, hey (‫)ה‬, and shin (‫)ש‬, which stands for “Nes Gadol Haya Sham”, but in Israel, the four letters are nun (‫)נ‬, gimel (‫)ג‬, hey (‫)ה‬, and pey (‫)פ‬, which stands for “Nes Gadol Haya Poh.” When the dreidel lands on a certain letter, one may recieve coins, chocolate gelt, and among other prizes. This year, Hanukkah starts on the evening of Sunday, December 14, 2025, and ends on Monday, December 22, 2025. Happy Hanukkah!

Hanukkah & the Story of Yosef By Leeyah Bitton During the holiday of Hanukkah, Jews have a commandment to light the hanukkiah, recite “Al Hanisim” and “Hallel”, and participate in various other customs such as spinning the dreidel, eating traditional foods such as sufganiyot, and receiving gifts. But why do Jews do these mitzvot and customs, what is the history behind them? When the Greek Emperor Antiochus IV started to gain power around 175 BCE, he put many hardships on Bnei Yisrael. He wanted to ban them from practicing their religion by not letting them study Torah or perform mitzvot, and by desecrating the holy objects of the Beit Hamikdash.

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(Continued from Page 4) As a response to this discrimination, B’nei Yisrael prayed to Hashem. Hashem heard their prayers, and answered them by sending the Maccabim to defeat the Greeks. But this was no ordinary win; it was a great miracle. This was due to the fact that the Greek army was significantly larger than the small Jewish army, yet the Jews still claimed victory over them. However, the story does not end there. After the Jews’ victory against the Greeks, Hashem performed yet another miracle for them and made the little amount of olive oil left to light the Menorah last for eight days! Ever since then, on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, we celebrate Hanukkah and commemorate the holiday by partaking in various special mitzvot and customs. With the story of Hanukkah in mind, one can delve deeper into its themes. The Zera Shimshon, a commentary dating back to the eighteenth century, asks a profound question: Hanukkah always falls on the same week as Parashat Miketz, which contains mainly the story of Yosef, but what is the connection between the story of Yosef and Hanukkah? Surely there must be a connection between them! The Zera Shimshon provides us with many proofs as to why Hanukkah and Parashat Miketz coincide. One of his proofs incorporates gematria, which is a system of assigning numerical values in to the hebrew alphabet to find hidden meanings in words and phrases. He starts by saying how the word Antiochus (‫)אנטיוכס‬, the Greek ruler, has a gematria of 156, and Yosef ( ‫ )יוסף‬also has a gematria of 156. Furthermore, the words King of Greece (‫ )מלך יון‬also have a total gematria of 156. These gematria connections show a hidden spiritual link between Yosef and the story of Hanukkah. In Torah study, matching gematriyot often indicate a spiritual connection between people, events, or ideas. Here, it suggests that the Greek oppression under Antiochus was not random; it was connected to the struggles of Yosef, and the B’nei Yisrael’s challenge was a continuation of the spiritual challenges that he faced. The Zera Shimshon explains that the Greeks tried to attack the same aspects of Jewish life that Yosef’s trials impacted: unity, mitzvot, and moral integrity. Just as Yosef rose to restore harmony, the miracle of Hanukkah symbolizes Hashem’s protection and ultimate victory over forces that seek to disrupt Torah and holiness. In addition, another proof that the Zera Shimshon offers is that Antiochus would make the Jews write prohibitions against Torah observance on bull horns, and Yosef was compared to a bull by Moshe. A bull represents strength; just as Yosef faced the challenge of being weakened by others, the Greeks tried to attack the spiritual strength of the Jews by banning mitzvot and writing their decrees on a bull’s horn. Moreover, the third proof that the Zera Shimshon provides is that three main mitzvot that Antiochus instructed us not to keep were observing Shabbat, doing the Brit Milah on a male baby, and observing Rosh Chodesh, which are the three miztvot that Hashem gave B’nei Yisrael to repair for the sin of selling Yosef. In conclusion, the connection of Yosef’s story to Hanukkah teaches us that the struggles imposed on the Jews by the Greeks were not random, but a continuation of the challenges Yosef faced. From this, Jews can learn that every challenge they encounter can be a chance to grow stronger, enhance one’s faith, and bring light into the world, just as Yosef and the Hashmonaim did.

Spreading Light in a Time of Darkness By Ami Kattan Hanukkah reminds the Jews that even the smallest light can push back tremendous darkness. The Maccabim faced a world where their identity, beliefs, and safety were constantly at risk, yet they still chose courage over fear. Today, modern Jews face their own challenges of rising anti-Semitism, the spread of misinformation, and violence. One may think that it is easy to stay quiet, or to assume their light is too small to matter. But Hanukkah teaches the opposite. Every candle lit on Hanukkah is an act of defiance against despair. It is a statement that Jewish identity, hope, and resilience will not disappear. The Jewish community constantly chants the words “never forget”, but it is their responsibility to show the world how to remember that the Jews are not the bad ones. Each flame adds to the next until the whole hanukkiah glows, which represents that when individuals share their light, the entire community shines brighter. Spreading light today means speaking up against hate and choosing pride instead of fear. Just like the oil that lasted longer than anyone expected, the light of the Jewish people can reach farther than ever imagined. And even in a time of darkness, Jews do not dim, they illuminate.

Solly Garber & Solomon Leadership Program By Charlotte Pery Located at the Shul of Bal Harbor in Surfside, FL, the Solomon Leadership program is an inspiring and uplifting opportunity for 11th and 12th grade students. To develop their leadership skills, students learn the essential skills of character building, navigating challenging situations, and understanding others. The selective program strives to help its participants succeed through the enforcement of its eight pillars: character, tolerance, communication, vision, empowerment, persistence, strategy, and judgment. On Tuesdays, adults from diverse backgrounds and professions visit to discuss the pillar of the week with a speech. Afterwards, mentors huddle with their groups of students to evaluate their opinions on the pillar. As the program dives into its 2025 year, the first pillar of leadership students encouter is character. Solly Garber, a father and a Co-Founder at Formation VC, was welcomed as a guest at the Shul of Bal Harbor to speak to the program’s participants about his perspective on character through his journey. Garber grew up in the Five Towns of New York and went to Baruch College. Through his biography, he explains that his initial plans were to work in the entertainment industry as a producer. However, as time progressed, he found himself seeking a career technology and financial gain, leading him to pursue venture capital (VC). Garber further mentioned that his determined, adventurous character led the risky “idea of discovering” to appeal to him. Additionally, Garber expressed that “the odds were stacked against (him)”. With the mindset of core values, the inspiring words are what transformed the students on November 4, as they realized that although his eleven years of hard work may seem long and tedious, his diligence and aspirations are what propelled him to his current position.

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A Photo of Garber, Courtesy of Charlotte Pery

(Continued from Page 6) Garber said that key figure in his life is his grandfather, who owned a supermarket. As customers walked in and out of the store, certain individuals or families were unable to afford the products. As a result, Garber’s grandfather would allow these customers to create accounts that would enable them to make their payments later. He soon revealed that most of them never paid back. However, from this story stems a profound message: the importance of empathy and compassion. Although he might have lost money, Garber’s grandfather was able to accept it for the sake of understanding and creating for himself “shem tov” (“good name” in Hebrew). Overall, Garber utilized his experience at work and with his family to uplift the high school students of the Solomon Leadership program, and was an essential example of the importance of character and facing uncertainty.

Barouk’s Girls By Eva Maleh As of the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year, the senior girls have been gathering on an almost monthly basis for special events that convey meaningful and inspiring messages. With teacher Dr. Hana Barouk planning everything with so much care, she and the senior girls have created a space where they can grow together and enjoy their last year together on a deeper level. Each event is different, but they all help them connect with themselves and each other. The first event in September started the year on an excellent note. The seniors were welcomed into a beautiful challah bake hosted by Michelle Solomon, where they had the privilege to hear guest speaker Deborah Benchimol share her story about her experience with Judaism and finding herself. After her speech, participants prepared and shaped their dough and made each challah special topping them with sesame seeds, chocolate chips, cinnamon sugar, among other fun add-ons. It reminded the girls of the power of young women coming together with purpose.

Photos of the Senior Girls at their Events - Photo Credit: Eva Maleh

In October, the seniors held a peaceful yoga night in order to celebrate Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan. This event was hosted by senior Ester Bazon, and featured guest speaker was Esther Sitbon, the founder of the organization Lehaalot, who shared the impact of her Jewish identity in finding her strengths. After that, the girls enjoyed a calming yoga session focused on mindfulness and finding balance. It was a night of peace and gentle bonding, and allowed the senior girls to experience rest amidst a busy semester. The third event was a creative, hands-on, and meaningful siddur party hosted by Hailey Hardoon. With guidance from the special guest, Leah Bahar from the Eve’s Gardeners podcast, the girls learned to appreciate the beauty of prayer and its ability to be personalized. As she taught, the senior girls decorated their siddurim with rhinestones, pearls, gems, colorful tape, and annotations. It became a night of learning mixed with art, and where they personally created and connected to their spirituality.

Each of these events has made senior year more meaningful and removed much of the burden from the tasks that come with school. Thanks to Dr. Barouk and the amazing women hosts, the girls are able to share moments of real connection and create memories, discover who they are, and grow into the women they hope to become.

Students Represent Hillel at JNF-USA Conference By Bina Sragovicz The annual Jewish National Fund (JNF)-USA Global Conference for Israel is the world’s largest gathering of Zionists outside of Israel. The multi-day event brings together community leaders, educators, donors, rabbis, students, among others in support of Israel and in celebration of the growing American Zionist community. On October 24, 2025, select high school students traveled with student life director Rabbi Arieh Bentolila to the Diplomat Hotel to attend the conference and serve as representatives of Scheck Hillel. The event began with opening remarks from eminent JNF USA leaders, introducing the audience of hundreds to the organization’s ongoing work and impact. Throughout that hour and a half at the main stage, the audience heard from such speakers as JNF USA CEO Russell Robinson, Congressman Ritchie Torres of New York, released Hamas hostage Omer Shem Tov, and his parents, Shelly and Malki Shem Tov. Senior Liat Shechter shared that after praying for Omer Shem Tov’s safe return for two years, to “see him smiling on stage and singing was like seeing a miracle in real life. It was incredible and so, so special.”

Hillel Students Posing with Shelly and Malki Shem Tov at the conference - Photo Credit: Liav Gamzo

Students then attended sessions related to Israel and social media, Middle Eastern geopolitics, modern Zionism, Christians in support of Israel, and more, and even roamed an expo spotlighting other Jewish and Israeli groups. Finally, the Hillel group joined other south Florida Jewish high school groups for an activity powered by the Alexander Muss High School in Israel. The activity, “If You Will It, Then What?”, explored how the students would approach the complexities of governing the ancient Jewish homeland in the modern day. Rabbi Bentolila, who coordinated the trip for the student delegation, emphasized the importance of student participation in the conference. He noted that the event allowed students to “explore how the Jewish world looks at Israel… [and] the beauty of Zionism,” also adding that interacting with other Jewish students from around south Florida is essential for students’ growth. He says that the exposure to such powerful and diverse voices from inside and out of the community will help shape the students, or as he refers to them, “the leaders of tomorrow.”

AIPAC Club Travels to Washington D.C. By Melanie Benlolo & Anael Haratz On October 27-28, 2025, members of our school’s AIPAC club, led by Rabbi Uri Pilichowski, traveled to Washington, D.C. for a two-day program focused on learning about the political relationship between the United States and Israel. Students had the chance to hear from policy experts, visit major political institutions, and meet with experts in foreign policy. The trip included stops at AIPAC headquarters, the Heritage Foundation, the Israeli Embassy, the House Foreign Affairs Committee room, and the White House. The club’s president, Eli Benarroch, shared that the speaker who impacted him the most was Stephanie Hallet, the U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain and the former deputy ambassador to Israel. “She was in the war room throughout the whole October 7 war,” he said. “She actually heard the debates behind major decisions, like rescuing hostages or targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. Hearing her perspective was crazy because she was really there.” Benarroch explained that seeing how the government works behind the scenes was an unforgettable experience. He also said that the trip made him feel more confident about standing up for Israel. “It helped me learn how to fight for my religion and the country I love, and seeing how the U.S. helps Israel every day was really inspiring,” he said.

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(Continued from Page 8) Overall, club members shared that the AIPAC trip gave them a rare chance to see how government works up close. To them, the trip was not just educational; it was motivating and impacted their lives on a deeper level. Many students came back feeling more informed, more connected to current events, and more ready to stand up for their beliefs. <--- AIPAC Students Posing in Front of Capitol Building - Photo Credit: Melanie Benlolo & Anael Haratz

Scheck Hillel’s Winter Concert By Benjamin Ynterian Scheck Hillel’s Winter Concert, which took place on November 13, 2025, was a very exciting event that showcased the musical talent of middle and high school students. From the band program’s performance of songs from the move Moana to the orchestra’s performance of “Crazy Train”, both songs showed the students hard work and dedication towards their instrument and their passion towards the music chosen for the concert. These students were working hard behind the scenes, making sure that they knew the songs and were prepared to play them in front of a large crowd. But with time, effort, and growth, they learned from our mistakes and ultimately gave it their all in the final concert.However, among the large number of students, some stand out for their hard work. Freshman Ezra Leubitz, who only recently joined the orchestra program, was still able to pull off the impressive feat of catching up with learning the music. Others include 9th graders Shaiel Haratz, Rebecca Chelminsky, and Eliya Kislasi all of whom joined orchestra this school year and have put tremendous effort into learning new pieces and mastering the violin. Their dedication was truly shone during the fall concert.

A Photo of the Student Performers in Action - Photo Credit: Alin Bar

The concert started with the beloved Jewish songs “Hatikvah”, “Am Yisrael Chai”, and “David Melchech Yisrael”. For these three songs, lower school kids joined along with the crowd in singing these songs. This created a special connection between those attending the concert and the students on stage. After these songs, the performers moved on to “Ode To Joy” and the “Dreidel Song”. The transition to “Best of Queen” was great because the crowd got to join in on the music once again. Moving to “Crazy Train” also proved to be a very tremendous change, as the technical parts of the piece made the song difficult to play. Lastly, the students played the “La La Land” soundtrack, which was a highlight for many viewers, especially Ethan Lazega’s solo. One another special shoutout goes out to Freshman Natan Fridzon due to his incredible job on the drums. Lastly, The Roar Post gives a big thanks to Mrs. Losada, Mrs. Ruth, the IT and stage crew, and, most importantly, Mr. Villa for making the concert as truly special as it was. It is truly safe to say that the night of the concert was an incredible experience for the student performers, teachers, and viewers. And on a final note to the viewers, The Roar Post warmly invites you to return next spring for the spring concert–it would be an honor to have you with us again.

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Humans of Hillel: Mr. Schlehuber By Mia Fishman

Watch our Video on Mr. Schlehuber on Instagram (@theroarpost)!

The 2025-2026 academic year has seen a number of additions to Scheck Hillel’s factory, one being the introduction of US history and speech and debate teacher Mr. Luke Schlehuber. He was born in Illinois and moved to Indiana in the 2nd grade, where he stayed until he moved to Florida for college. Mr. Schlehuber attended the University of Miami for a bachelor's degree in secondary education and political science, with a minor in math. He went on to teach at ATM Senior High for 11 years before coming to teach at Hillel. He spends his free time with his wife and dog, and enjoys playing golf and wakeboarding. Mr. Schlehuber’s wife works in the middle school at Scheck Hillel, and is actually the reason why he joined its faculty. He said that his wife would often talk very highly about the school, so much so that when a teaching spot became available, he did not hesitate to apply for the position. Mr. Schlehuber had always had the idea of becoming a teacher in his head, but never truly said it out loud, keeping this potential future to himself.

What truly solidified his desire for teaching was nearly the opposite of what drives this passion for most. Instead of having a truly amazing, inspirational teacher who pushed him into this profession, it was a frustrating teacher who performed the job in an unsatisfactory manner. During his senior year, he felt frustrated with the teachers he had, and sought to be a better example for students in the future. Now that he is a teacher, he believes in the importance of not only encouraging students to memorize what they are taught, but also teaching skills that can be applied to students throughout their lives. Now that he has been a teacher for 12 years, Mr. Schlehuber has taught many groups of students at two different schools and has had an enjoyable experience. Throughout these 12 years, his favorite part of teaching has been witnessing children transition into young adults and observe the changes they go through from the beginning to the end of the year. Mr. Schlehuber says that he hopes to continue to develop his skills and contribute to Scheck Hillel by being the best teacher he can be. Some of his goals in the coming years are to produce high-acheving students, continue fostering relationships with them, and introduce speech and debate competitions to Scheck Hillel.

Humans of Hillel: In Memory of Julie Eibinder ‫ז״ל‬ By Dylan Cohen It is with great sadness that The Roar Post shares the passing of Julie Eibinder, a greatly respected Scheck Hillel Alumni. Those close to Eibinder recalled her strong impression on the school community, and state that her presence in Scheck Hillel left a lasting effect through her remarkable kindness, dedication, and character. Eibinder was an exceptional young woman who stood out for her determination, curiosity, and hard-working nature. She approached learning with constant focus and seriousness as she strived to do her best at all times. Her personality profoundly influenced and shaped her peers everyday. Outside of school, Eibinder still kept this attitude as she put in constant effort into whatever she set out to do. She approached every day with a mature and calm mindset, setting a clear example for others following in her footsteps. Alongside her academics and determination, Eibinder was known for the way she gently treated the people around her. Those who knew her during her impactful years often recall how she made others feel comfortable, valued, and respected. She carried herself with humility along with sincerity. Her kindness left a permanent mark on those that got to experience it. Many also recollect that after graduation, Julie didn’t wait to continue working hard as she worked tirelessly to better herself and contribute to her already strong character.

A Photo of Eibinder, Courtesy of Dylan Cohen

As the Scheck Hillel community mourns Julie Eibinder, the memory of who she was, her bright mind, strong work ethic, and caring personality, remain strong and continues to influence those who surrounded her. Julie Eibinder was loved by many, and her loss is felt deeply by the community.

Zohran Mamdani Elected as NYC’s Newest Mayor By Annie Slomovitz On November 4, 2025, Zohran Mamdani was elected as Mayor of New York City. Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991. Mamdani, who associates with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), is also the city’s first Muslim mayor. Mamdani’s main policies include cheaper housing and living rates, public safety, and increasing the minimum wage. His agenda is mainly tilted towards affordability and equity for low-income New Yorkers. Mamdani’s relationship with President Donald Trump was initially reported as a relationship that was hostile and aggressive. During Mamdani’s campaign and in the days leading up to the election, President Trump harshly criticized Mamdani’s policies and beliefs. On the other side, Mamdani called Trump a “despot” and saw Trump as an opponent of the city. After Mamdani’s win, the two met in the Oval Office, where part of their relationship began to shift. However, tensions still appear to remain between the two parties, as Mamdani reportedly referred to the president as a “fascist” even after their meeting. Ultimately, although Mamdani’s win strikes harsh controversy and criticism among certain communities, other New Yorkers are eager to learn how he will lead this city and what he will do during this term. Additionally, people across the country are waiting to see how his complicated relationship with President Trump will affect his mayoral period.

Photos of Mamdani - Photo Credits: PBS & NY1

United States Enters Government Shutdown By Ella Markowicz October 1, 2025 marked the start of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which lasted a total of 43 days. The shutdown began due to a dispute in Congress between the Democrats and the Republicans over whether the new government funding bills would include an extension of healthcare subsidies. Because no agreement was reached, no bills were passed, which caused the government to shut down. This shutdown caused federal workers, such as TSA agents, to go without pay for its entirety. Furthermore, government-run operations, such as national parks and healthcare programs, also faced disruptions. The shutdown ended on November 12 after President Trump signed a bill that Congress passed, allowing most government agencies to be funded through January 30, 2026. While this bill did not include an extension of healthcare subsidies, there will be a vote in the Senate about these subsidies in December.

The 2025 Louvre Heist By Julian Sharvit Located in Paris, France, the Louvre is a museum known for its architecture and vast collection of over 35,000 artworks, some of which include the renowned Mona Lisa and the intricate sculpture, Venus de Milo. However, on October 19, 2025, the Louvre’s history would be completely transformed by a notorious heist. The Louvre Heist took place only thirty minutes after the Louvre opened itself to visitors at 9:30 A.M. local time. A gang broke into the museum’s prestigious Galerie d’Apollon, where the collection of French Crown Jewels are held. The robbers disguised themselves as construction workers, wearing bright yellow and orange vests. Two of the gang’s members, whose faces were hidden by masks, gained entry into the museum’s first-story balcony using a furniture lift. After reaching the balcony, they used a disc cutter, cutting through glass in order to enter the gallery which triggered security alarms. The robbers threatened guards with their power tools and took nine pieces from the display cases. Soon, they escaped through the furniture lift and left with other members of the crew on motor scooters.

A Photo of the lift leading up to the Galerie d’Apollon that the Robbers Used to Enter the Museum - Photo Credit: Dimitar Dilkoff

The crew managed to steal nine artifacts from the museum. However, during their escape, they dropped the Crown of Empress Eugenie in the street, bringing their total haul down to eight. In spite of the robbery lasting an estimated eight minutes, the value of the pieces the robbers stole amounted to 102 million dollars. Although two of the robbers were detained, the majority of the crew was never caught. Furthermore, the items stolen were never located other than the Crown of Empress Eugenie. French president Emmanuel Macron classified the robbery as “an attack on a heritage that we cherish because it is our history”. This heist created lots of anger amongst French civilians, who were in shock as to how such a renowned institution could enable such a simple robbery. It was a wake-up call for the museum’s security branch, as it contained many errors that paved the way for the breach. As of December 2025, police have no confirmed leads as to where the jewels could be stored, begging the question as to whether or not they will be uncovered in the near future.

Miami Welcomes New Democratic Mayor By Gabriella Gorin On December 9, 2025, Miami voted in its first Democratic mayor in three decades. The Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins won with about 59 percent of the votes, not only breaking the streak of republican leadership but also becoming Miami’s first female mayor. Her opponent, Emilio Gonzalez, had endorsements from President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, while she gained support from local Democratic leaders and national figures. Higgins’s winning campaign centered on affordable housing, improved city services, government transparency, and immigration policies.

A Photo of Higgins - Photo Credit: WLRN

Higgins, 61, is a former Miami-Dade County commissioner and was the first non-Hispanic person to be elected into the position in decades. Born in Dayton, Ohio, and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University. Higgins moved to Miami in the early 2000s, where she invested her time in international affairs. She oversaw infrastructure projects in Latin America, worked in the Peace Corps in Belize, and served as a foreign service officer for the Department of State.

After returning to the United States, Higgins worked for Pfizer before starting her political career. Throughout her political campaign, she emphasized restoring professionalism and responsiveness to local government. Before she takes office, she plans to assemble a transition team to signal an active start in office, and plans to begin implementing her initiatives during the first 100 days. She has assured that such initiatives will stand by her motto “competence over chaos”. As Miami's newest mayor, she plans to earn the public's trust and bring improvements to the city after being sworn into office.

Neuroplasticity By Liv Raviv Your brain is always changing in response to what you do, think, and practice. This process called neuroplasticity. When you learn something new, networks of neurons begin to fire together, and with repetition, those connections can strengthen, often summed up as "neurons that fire together, wire together." With time, the brain becomes more efficient at the task at hand, which is why practice can take something difficult, such as solving a type of math problem or perfecting a dance move, and turn it into something that feels automatic. Sleep is one of the brain's secret weapons for learning. While you sleep, your brain doesn't just “shut off”. Rather, it works actively to stabilize memories and refine newly learned skills, much like saving and organizing files after a busy day. At the same time, it can weaken less useful connections, allowing more important information to stand out. That is why spacing out one’s studying and getting solid sleep often leads to better long-term memory when compared to last-minute cramming, even if that cramming feels productive in the moment.

Designing the Future By Sophia Gruszka The concept of family planning is evolving due to a new type of genetic testing. A couple that utilized Orchid Biosciences to examine their embryos before becoming pregnant was a recent subject of notice. The mother sought to determine which of her embryos could be the least likely to inherit her diabetes.

A Photo of the Genetic Testing Process - Photo Credit: The Wall Street Journal

Several embryos were produced in a lab by physicians using in vitro fertilization (IVF). After that, scientists extracted small amounts of DNA from each person and performed genetic studies. The results showcased the predicted chances of the embryos developing illnesses such as diabetes or Alzheimer’s, as well as traits such as projected height and cognitive potential. One of the embryos was shown to have roughly a 40% risk of developing diabetes and slightly lower odds of developing other chronic conditions. That embryo is the one the couple chose.

The parents reported feeling comfortable and hopeful after learning this knowledge, and they regarded it as a chance to provide their unborn child with the best life possible. But behind their decision, technology has sparked intense debate. Critics of this technology warn that it could be the first step toward “designer babies,” where parents start choosing embryos not just for health purposes, but for looks, intelligence, and athletic ability. And since testing costs tens of thousands of dollars, many worry it could make the opportunity available only to wealthy families. Still, there is another side to this controversy. Supporters of the technology believe that it could be one of the biggest breakthroughs in modern medicine. It prevents painful illnesses before a child is even born. As the science surrounding it continues to improve, it could lead to fewer people living with inherited diseases like diabetes and heart problems. However, the future probably lies somewhere in between. Proponents state that this technology could help families avoid suffering, yet critics say that it challenges ideas about what it means to be human, fair, and natural. It forces families to ask hard questions: Should we control our children’s genes? Who decides what a “better” baby is?

Sports Corner: Scheck Hillel Kicks Off Soccer Season By Emily Waich & Sarah Coriat The Scheck Hillel soccer team stepped onto the field against Gulliver Prep knowing they were facing one of the highest-ranked teams in Florida for years. Tension filled the air as the Lions prepared for the match, though they were confident in their training and teamwork. Despite their nerves, the team showed determination from the opening kickoff, matching Gulliver Prep in intensity and refusing to back down.

Lions Supporting One Another! - Photo Credit: Alin Bar

“We knew this game would test us, but we trusted each other and gave everything we had,” said junior Rafael Chaberman, a member of the Scheck Hillel team. Chaberman stated that while Gulliver Prep was one of the strongest and most highly ranked programs in the country over the past several years, he never doubted his team’s potential. “I felt confident in our team even knowing how good they are,” he said. “Before I scored, I felt like we were playing really well and that we truly had a chance to win.” That belief paid off when Chaberman scored an incredible goal, ending the game with a 1-0 victory for the Scheck Hillel Lions. “I was extremely happy and relieved. It felt amazing to see all our hard work pay off in that moment,” he said.

Sports Corner: Scheck Hillel vs. Ferguson Senior High By Mijal Furman

Lions in Action! - Photo Credit: Gavriella Derai

On November 6, Scheck Hillel’s soccer team faced off against Ferguson Senior High School in their first home game of the season. Parents, staff, and students were in attendance and showed off the incredible ruach that Scheck Hillel has. The energy from the crowd was felt by the athletes on the field, giving them more confidence and determination. The game ultimately ended with a 5-2 victory for the Lions. Junior Rafael Chaberman scored an unbelievable three goals, all of which were celebrated by the crowd and players. Junior Emanuel Buchstein scored an additional goal, and Eli Koenig, a sophomore, scored the fifth and final goal of the night. Scheck Hillel’s goalkeeper, Eric Volovisky, made six great saves, ultimately paving the way for the team’s victory.

Although this was one of the first games of the season, it is certain that the soccer team will continue to demonstrate characteristics of determination, sportmasnship, and teamwork during future games. In fact, on December 2, the Lions played against Gulliver Prep, a highly nationally ranked team. During this game, the athletes truly demonstrated their ability to play with these chahtertistics. Along with the talent of the athletes, these core values helped the team remain confident throughout the game. This led to Rafael Chaberman’s incredible goal, which eventually steering us towards the victory. Additionally, Eric Volovisky had twelve game-deciding saves that allowed us to maintain the lead. As a team, the Lions have played highly impressive games that allowed the entire crowd to feel the spirit of Scheck Hillel. Despite this being the beginning of the season, Scheck Hillel’s soccer team is sure to have an incredibly successful year with much support from all students, parents, and faculty!

Feature Stories: Bondi Beach & Nissim Black By Tamar Grobman Bondi Beach Hanukkah Party Raided by Gunmen On Sunday, December 14, 2025, hundreds of Jews in Sydney, Australia gathered together beside Bondi Beach to celebrate the coming of Hanukkah. The last thing the crowd expected was for the event to be stormed by gunmen. The gunmen, 24-year-old Naveed Akram and his 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, opened fire on the crowd, slaughtering 15 individuals and injuring at least 40 others. Sajid Akram was pronounced dead on the scene after being shot down by police. Though his son also faced gunshot wounds, he survived the attack, and has since been charged with counts of both murder and attempted murder. Moreover, footage from the massacre captured the actions of civilian Ahmed Al Ahmed, who wrestled one of the gunmen, seized his weapon, and injured him.

A Photo of a Funeral Held for Victims of the Shooting Photo Credit: NBC News

Police have labeled the shooting as a “terrorist attack”, seemingly due to the connection that investigators have drawn between the gunmen and the Islamic State group, a terror organization. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reinforced these suspicions by confirming “the presence of Islamic State flags in the vehicle [of the gunmen] that has been seized”.

Scheck Hillel Hosts Nissim Black Concert The holiday of Hanukkah is often famed for its customs surrounding gift-giving. This Hanukkah, on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Scheck Hillel presented a gift of its own to the high school student body: a mini-concert featuring Nissim Black, a Jewish rapper and artist. The hour-long mini concert was comprised of both covers and original songs. Throughout the event, Black aimed to energize and inspire the crowd with his music. Songs performed include “A Million Years”, which tackles themes of maintaining endurance and faith during trying times, and a cover of “Tamid Ohev Oti.” But the concert did not consist of singing alone. Towards the end of the concert, Black told the audience the story of his journey to discovering Judaism. Born into a non-Jewish family in Seattle, Washington, Black endured years of turmoil and spiritual confusion before finding his path to the Jewish faith and undergoing conversion. Now a Jewish artist living in Israel, he seeks to convey messages of faith and Jewish pride to his audiences. Students Celebrate the Spriti of Hanukkah with Nissim Black - Photo Credit: @scheckhillel on Instagram

In light of the massacre in Sydney, students celebrated Nissim Black and the holiday of Hanukkah with joy whilst carrying within them the memories of the lost.

Photos

hanukkah SCRAMBLE! Unscramble the Hanukkah-themed words!

HMNEARO

TELG

DNCALE

_______

____

______

DTONU

RDELDEI

LTKSEA

_____

_______

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hanukkah trivia!

FEATURED ARTWORK!

Sponsored by Mu Alpha Theta - Scheck Hillel’s Math Honors Society

Pieces by Karen Dichi (left) & Sarah Litovsky (right)

1. If one candle is lit on the first night of Hanukkah and one additional candle is lit each night (not counting the Shamash), how many candles are lit in total over all 8 nights?

aNSWER key

2.What direction are the Hanukkah candles traditionally placed & lit in?

1. 36 2. Placed right to left, lit left to right

Chief Editor and Faculty Advisor Jason Touvi

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