CESJDS / November 2025 / Volume 43 Issue 2
LT
THE LION’S TALE Illustration by Leah Fagin, LT.
ARTIFICIALLY EDUCATED
When does computer assistance become too much?
NEWS
FEATURES
04 Locking down 05 Birthday bash 06 A night to remember
Upper and Lower School campus safety JDS celebrates 60th anniversary
JDS hosts its first Homecoming dance
16 3-2-1 blastoff 17 Pedal to the metal 18 Faith in uniform
Rocketry team places in competition Junior restores classic car in free time
Jewish service in the U.S. military and IDF
DEAR READERS,
Welcome back to another edition of The Lion’s Tale. For our in-depth this edition, we chose to focus on AI and its presence in education. We were curious to better understand JDS’ evolving approach, as well as the potential implications of AI on our intellectual development and future as students. While AI is the most visible focus of the edition, the miraculous return of the living hostages inspired us to shape our editorial around the momentous occasion. We also felt compelled to take a moment to appreciate JDS’ response to the release of the hostages. It is rare that classes are paused to honor positive world events, and we are grateful for the opportunity and space to process as a community that JDS provided. We hope this joyous moment in history will inspire us, American Jews, to rebuild our shared identity. This edition is a huge celebration of teamwork on our staff, with several co-written articles, more than one last-minute article switch and total spread reconfigurations at production. Every single writer, editor and exec on our staff put in hard work and long hours on this edition. Each of them is an irreplaceable part of our team, and we are beyond grateful for how committed our staff is. As this is our second-to-last edition of our term, we want to take a moment to say how much we appreciate our staff and adviser for helping us cultivate our newsroom as a beacon of thoughtful reporting and effective exchange of ideas. We are beyond excited to share this new edition with you, and we hope you enjoy every page.
OPINION
A&E
08 Unity for Jewry 09 A financial future 10 From minority to priority 11 Breaking the Bedouin barrier
20 Reality check 21 Turkey day traditions 22 Keeping it kosher
Hostage deal should unite American Jews Teens must learn to manage money
Double standard in the Middle East
Popular documentaries worth watching Unique ways families celebrate Thanksgiving
New restaurants to check out
We must advocate for minorities in Israel
IN-DEPTH 12 Artificially educated
When does computer assistance become too much?
SPORTS 24 Ping to my pong 25 Fresh focus 26 Tournament timeline
Freshman play table tennis competitively New freshman boys basketball team
Multi-school sport competitions this year
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Sincerely,
PAGE Editors-in-Chief
2 November 2025
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06
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22 Photo credits clockwise from top left: Tali Loeffler, LT; Ethan Josovitz, used with permission; Lindsey Shapiro, LT; Ella Longman, Dimensions; Rachael Spiegel, used with permission.
THE LION’S TALE STAFF Leora Blumenthal’s favorite Thanksgiving food is mashed potatoes
Editors-in-Chief
Jonah Mellen’s favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey
Vivi Ducker & Eliana Wolf
Managing Editor, Copy Maiya Blumenthal
Eliana Abrams’ favorite Thanksgiving food is cranberry sauce
Managing Editor, Web Sophie Schwartz
In-Depth Editor Sadaf Zadeh
Tali Loeffler’s favorite Thanksgiving food is applesauce
News Editors Eliana Abrams & Penelope Terl
Features Editors Lindsey Shapiro’s favorite Thanksgiving food is pumpkin pie
Jordana Dauber & Anna Polon
Maiya Blumenthal’s favorite Thanksgiving food is chocolate pecan pie
Opinion Editors David Federowicz & Lindsey Shapiro Leora Blumenthal & Jonah Mellen
Sports Editors
. er, LT uck iv D
Photos by Vi
Arts and Entertainment Editors
David Federowicz’s favorite Thanksgiving food is stuffing
Tali Loeffler & Mia Forseter Eliana Wolf’s favorite Thanksgiving food is brisket
Reporters Ephraim Blair, Zoe Cohen, Jackson Gill, Kira Koplow, Sophia Leinwand, Eli Loeffler, Lena Lourenco, Dalya Lurie, Liat Netter, Gila Safra, Adam Salomon, Isaiah Segal-Geetter, Aviv Stein
Staff Adviser Adviser Emerita
Jessica Nassau Susan Zuckerman
Check out our new website design:
Staff Illustrator Leah Fagin
THE BEST OF NEWS lionstale.org
Sophomore Shabbaton
Sophie Schwartz, Managing Editor, Web
FEATURES
How public school students get Jewish education
Lena Lourenco, Reporter
A&E
OPINION
Tali Loeffler, Sports Editor
Zoe Cohen, Reporter
Life of a Showgirl Review
As the student newspaper of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, The Lion’s Tale (LT) is a public forum for student 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. Signed columns reflect the opinion of the writer; staff editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of LT editorial board. The LT staff welcomes letters to the editor and guest
Legacy admission should not exist
EDITORIAL AND ETHICS POLICY
columns, 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 other contents copyright of LT. All rights reserved. Submissions may be emailed to jdslionstale@gmail.com, mailed to LT or brought to room 320. LT magazine and website is funded by The Simon Hirshman Endowment for the Upper School Newspaper and The Kuttner-Levenson Endowment for the Upper School Cultural Arts and Student Publications.
AI is not permitted for any generation of content or brainstorming, including but not limited to the following: writing articles or headlines, spread designs, photography, letter to the editor, audio or video. The only AI usage permitted by LT is for the purpose of transcribing interviews. The staff will adhere to the ethics of The Society of Professional Journalists and National Scholastic Press Association. The adviser will be held to the Journalism Education Association’s Adviser Code of Ethics.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 3
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L CKING D WN
Upper and Lower campuses practice safety procedures amid rising violence at U.S. schools Eli Loeffler Reporter s the BluePoint alarm system sounded, teachers quickly shut their doors and windows and students hid into the corners of classrooms, following the instructions for a lockdown drill. On Sept. 26 at 8:57 a.m., students engaged in a planned drill in their classrooms, which is a mandatory activity for schools in Maryland. This drill simulated what would happen if there were to be an emergency situation in which a lockdown of the school premises was necessary. One of these possible scenarios could be an active shooter, or another dangerous threat to the students and faculty at the Upper School building. Schools across the United States have been affected by an increase in school shootings in the past few years. According to Education Week, there have been 234 school shootings since 2018 in which at least one person was killed or injured. In the early fall of this school year, there was a possible threat at the nearby Bethesda Chevy Chase High School (BCC), a local public high school. Arthur Schwartz, a freshman at BCC, experienced his first real lockdown after a bomb threat was called into the school at roughly 2:20 p.m. on Sept. 4. Since Schwartz had just switched from Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School to a large public high school, this was a stressful experience for him. “At first, I didn’t really take it seriously, because it never happened to me before in middle school,” Schwartz said. “But then, when there were a couple of announcements saying ‘This isn’t a drill, this is a real threat,’ then I got startled. I was a little bit nervous because I was confused, and also, I was scared, because I had no idea what would happen.” Schwartz said that BCC takes security quite seriously, as no one can enter the school without a stu-
A
WHAT DO
THE LIONS
THINK? Senior Tyler Portnoy
“It’s scary to live in a time where security at school is necessary.”
Sophomore Leia Barnett
“I feel safe at school because we practice drills a lot.”
Sophomore Eden Kotok
“In our specific area, I don’t know if it’s actually needed.” Photos by Penelope Terl, LT.
dent ID and police officers patrol the hallways to ensure the safety of the students. Due to the number of school shootings that have occurred in recent years, schools have worked on increasing the quality and quantity of security. The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the school shooting in Evergreen, Colorado and the armed attack on an United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility all occurred within the last month. These incidents alarm school security details who want to prevent any chance of a similar event taking place. At JDS, campus security is taken seriously in order to react to urgent situations and prevent any threats to people in the building, according to Head of Security Herbie Epstein. “We’re being proactive,” Epstein said. “We’re not going to wait for something to happen. It’s [the students] who need to take things seriously to prevent [security threats] from happening.” BluePoint, a system of physical alarms that, when pulled, contacts law enforcement directly and triggers a lockdown of the school building, is a security measure that was installed last year. During a lockdown, students gather in a spot out of view from the classroom window in order to prevent any contact between the active threat and students.
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“Before BluePoint, we relied on someone picking up their phone, calling, and then that goes to 911 and then 911 dispatches that to the police,” Epstein said. “[Now, BluePoint] does it all at once, and does the notifications and speeds up the process to get into a lockdown.” Security guard Don King has his own way of contributing to school security when working at JDS: establishing relationships with many students as they walk in every morning. King values creating genuine relationships as well as having knowledge of who comes into the building every day. “I personally have both conventional and at times maybe unconventional approaches to how I work,” King said. “... If I’m able to pick up on [students] feeling uncertain about something, then I can then address it accordingly.” Freshman Gabey Silverberg loves the opportunity to connect with the security guards while also feeling safe while at school. “The strict security protocols and the patrolling security guards at school really make me feel secure as a student at JDS,” Silverberg said. “Also, I love the security guard Mr. King in particular, because he greets us at the door every single morning, which I really appreciate ... I know that the whole entire student body really appreciates his work in the school.”
BY THE NUMBERS
2 10
BluePoint pull stations on each JDS campus
minimum lockdown drills per year
security guards employed by JDS
minimum fire drills per year
4 November 2025
BIRTHDAY BASH Sophie Schwartz Managing Editor, Web With just seven students, the Jewish Day School of Greater Washington held their first class in September of 1965 in the basement of Ohr Kodesh Congregation in Chevy Chase. Today, 60 years later, the seven-person class has transformed into a 858 student, two campus, pre-K through 12th school named the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. In honor of this milestone, there will be a series of 60th anniversary celebrations throughout the school year. According to Head of School Rabbi Mitchel Malkus, rather than holding a single exclusive and expensive gala, the goal is to make every celebration accessible and inclusive. “We’ll celebrate the school, we’ll note the history of the school, and it’ll be an opportunity to sort of mark this moment and also think about the future,” Malkus said. “We’re thinking about it in a way that we felt matched the moment.” The 60th anniversary is particularly meaningful for Malkus, who is marking several personal milestones. This is his 25th year as a head of school and his 13th and last year at JDS. To mark these celebrations, the school has introduced a 60th anniversary logo, adding the number 60 and connecting the numbers with an infinity sign to symbolize both the history and continuity of the school. Alongside it is the tagline “Celebrating 60 Years and Counting,” which, according to Malkus, is a reminder that this anniversary is not an endpoint. It also echoes the Jewish birthday wish “May you live till 120,” referencing the age Moses died and expressing hope for continued growth and longevity. According to Director of Development Sarah Shapiro, a large focus of the 60th anniversary is re-engaging alumni. The alumni network is being rebranded to be more inclusive by extending beyond graduates to also include
NOTABLE DATES
1972
The Jewish Day School is formed
1980
School is renamed Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
1984
First prom is held at JDS
1993
Hebrew Department hosts first Zimriyah
1999
JDS opens Upper School campus
JDS celebrates 60th anniversary with community and alumni social events
alumni parents and former faculty. The idea is to recognize JDS as a student, family and multi-generational experience. As part of this effort, the development department is planning programs such as Alumni-in-Residence initiatives where they will bring back graduates as experts, speakers and panelists for the school. Additionally, they are continuing the Legends From the Lion’s Den celebration, an event that started last year for alumni to come back to the school to reconnect with teachers and friends and celebrate the school’s growth. At this event, they will also be introducing a new David Tobel Alumni Leadership Award winner and inducting new alumni into the JDS Alumni Sports Hall of Fame. “We want to bring our alumni network in and bring them into the building to feel that JDS magic and to reignite that JDS feeling, being in the building and being around students who are experiencing what they experienced in their time,” Shapiro said. “So it really is important for us to bring as many people as we can into the building to be able to reconnect … But it’s not just about nostalgia. It’s also about giving [and] paying it forward.” Shapiro adds that the 60th anniversary also seeks to strengthen connections among current families and students. Inclusive events like a reimagined all-parent social dubbed “S’more Than A
2010
School” will be held, where there will be fire pits, appetizers, music and s’mores. The anniversary will also be woven into existing student traditions so that it feels like a natural part of the school year. According to Shapiro, these student initiatives are not finalized. But when they are, they will be shared with the JDS community. For many, the 60th anniversary also carries deep personal meaning. Eighth grade student Eliana Zuckerman, whose family has been connected to JDS for three generations, feels that the school has shaped her sense of identity and belonging. Her grandmother, Director of Upper School Educational Support Services Sue Zuckerman, has been working at the school since 1984. Since then, she has founded the Lion’s Tale, and all four of her children have attended JDS. “I’m very proud that not only that my family has a strong connection with the school, but also that I can proudly express my Jewish identity in a pro-Israel school without the fear of antisemitism or discrimination,” Eliana said. According to Shapiro, during this moment of leadership transition, the community needs to remember that JDS has been a place of care, how it has grown and evolved over the years, and the importance of bringing together generations of students, families and alumni. “We want the community outside of JDS to see JDS as an anchoring institution, a place that is very firm in what it values, what it stands for, and [that] is looking to the future to see as our world rapidly changes,” Shapiro said.
First Art Chai Lights takes place Information from 2024 Dimensions
Logo courtesy of Sarah Shapiro, used with permission.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 5
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A NIGHT T
Photo from Adobe Express
O
PICK A THEME
REM
SPIDERMAN
EMBER
Freshman Zachary Berman
PINK OUT
Sophomore Sadie Brown
JDS hosts first annual Homecoming dance Eliana Abrams & Sadaf Zadeh News Editor & In-Depth Editor This fall, JDS high school students joined American teenagers in a classic American fall ritual: a Homecoming dance. On Saturday, Oct. 18, students across the high school gathered in the Upper School for JDS’ first official Homecoming dance. Homecoming began at 8:30 p.m. with a Havdalah service (a ceremony marking the end of Shabbat and the beginning of the new week). Students from each grade led the service together as the rest of the attendees wrapped their arms around each other in a circle in the gym. Black and White was selected to be the theme of the event, because it was the most popular request in a form sent out to the high school student body. The gym was decorated with black and white centerpieces, black and white balloons and a large, lightup sign across the bleachers that read “CESJDS HOCO.”
6 November 2025
“The school was really well decorated,” freshman Evy Grunberger said. “The gym looked so nice with all the decorations, and it truly felt like a school dance.” Beyond the decorations, there was a photo booth in the gym and a DJ playing both English and Hebrew songs. Students were on the dance floor throughout the entire night, dancing in mosh pits and singing along to songs. In the cafeteria, there was a snack buffet, including popcorn and cookies, and an assortment of drinks. Homecoming celebrations were not limited to the night, though. While at most schools there is a Homecoming football game on the Friday night before Homecoming, JDS does not have a tackle football team; so, school spirit was presented through the several other fall sports. The next day, on Sunday, Oct. 19, high school varsity girls tennis, JV and varsity girls volleyball and varsity boys soccer played Berman Hebrew Academy teams at home.
OUTER SPACE Junior Sami Goldin
UNDER THE SEA Senior Julian Goldberg
The varsity girls soccer team played away at Berman. According to High School Principal Dr. Lisa Vardi, there have been requests by students for a Homecoming dance for many years. However, the discussion amongst faculty began around Feb. 2025. Eleventh Grade Dean Reuben Silberman had significant involvement in helping plan the event. According to Silberman, many parents contribute by decorating the gym in Black and White theme. “There had been some parental interest, and at the beginning of the year we sent out a survey to see what kind of student interest there was, and it seems like there was a lot,” Silberman said. “But since the year had already started, we ended up with very little time to plan.” The intention behind the dance was to promote community and give students the opportunity to engage in social events with the school, according to Vardi. To coordinate the dance, grade deans worked together with a committee of parent volunteers. While the school funded the food and DJ, parents were asked to contribute to purchasing decorations. Students were only allowed to bring clear backpacks and small purses to prevent illegal substances from entering the school. Additionally, students were only
5.
WILD WEST Junior Max Olin
Photos by Eliana Abrams, LT.
permitted to arrive between 8:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., and were only allowed to leave after 10 p.m. According to Silberman, this rule was created in order to ensure that students stayed at Homecoming. “One concern we had was that kids would come and immediately decide that they weren’t interested and leave,” Silberman said. “That would make it a less fun event and make it less communal. So that sort of led to the rule about when students come and leave.” Another guideline the school set was the dress code. While there was no official dress policy, the school told students to wear clothes that they felt were appropriate for a school-sponsored event, which didn’t necessarily have to fall in line with the everyday dress code. “We had a lot of conversations about the dress for the dance, and we ultimately settled on something that was up to student interpretation, and gave them some agency,” Silberman said. “We want students to develop a sense of responsibility around what is appropriate to wear and when.” In the past, there have been other school-wide dances besides prom. The last event of this sort was MORP, or prom spelled backwards. This event occurred between 2010 and 2019, either held at Ohr Kodesh Congregation or at the Upper School, depending on the year. MORP, unlike Prom, was
open to all students who wanted to attend, rather than only guaranteeing tickets to seniors. According to Dean of Students Roz Landy, th Homecoming dance this year was far more popular than the MORPs that JDS used to run, with a significant show out among freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Landy was pleased with the attendance and anticipates that a similar dance will happen again in the future. “The Homecoming is another activity for high school students to have fun together, to enjoy the music and each other’s company,” Landy said. “Teenagers at JDS are scattered across the DMV and so it is often difficulty for them to socialize on the weekends. The dance gave them something special to look forward to and enjoy.” In future Homecoming dances here are hopes to incorporate students in planning. According to Silberman, if the school wants to expand the budget, they might sell tickets to students rather than allow all students to attend for free. Grunberger is excited to have had the opportunity to attend a Homecoming at JDS. “I think JDS did a great job,” Grunberger said. “It was really exciting to go into high school and be able to have a Homecoming
From top to bottom: 1. Sophomores Eden Kotok and Evie May dance together. 2. Freshman Maya Moyle dances to “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex.
1.
3. Junior Max Olin jumps in a mosh pit with students from all grades. 4. Sophomore Hillel Goldberg sings along to a song.
2.
5. Juniors Gloria Jeruchim, Sophia Leinwand, Lila Sacks, Raizy Moshinsky, Eve Sharp, Tara Hain, Leora Blumenthal and Anna Polon pose for a photo. Photos by Ella Longman, Dimensions.
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The Lion’s Tale Magazine 7
- opinion -
UNITY FOR JEWRY
JDS marked the release of remaining hostages in a meaningful way
S
inging the zemirah, or Jewish
history lesson, the high school
ucational institution. It reminded
Leader Yair Lapid and U.S. President Donald Trump. Following the speeches, many faculty members volunteered to lead discussions about topics ranging from the specifics of Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan to the historical context of Oct. 7. Some students processed through art, while others engaged in discussions about America’s role in the situation, and understanding the specifics of Trump’s plan. The day was not just about celebration, but comprehension. Students compared perspectives and discussed what each leader’s words would mean for the future of Israel. We needed to be together as a community to have these conversations and understand these nuances. To end the day, Jewish Life Chair Robert Shorr organized an optional zemirot, where students from all grades came together to sing and celebrate. This day symbolizes the important role JDS embraced, not just as a school, but a Jewish ed-
pivotal moment for not only Israel but Jewry around the world, JDS helped us understand and appreciate this momentous day. We acknowledge that we are still a long way from peace in the Middle East. This deal does not erase all the mourning both sides of the conflict have endured these past two years. Yet, this day offered us a moment to pause and be grateful for the potential of peace. This day at JDS stood as more than a pause in the school calendar. By coming together to sing, question and reflect, we didn’t just witness history: we participated in it.
song, Vehi Sheamda, a song us that JDS’s role extends beyond joined together after ZK to watch DEAL about perseverance against academics, but about shaping Knesset proceedings and speechwith arms wrapped who we are as Jews in the modern es made by Israeli Prime Minister TIMELINE enemies, around each other, students from world. In guiding us through a Benjamin Netanyahu, Opposition
Oct. 8
all grades marked the return of
President the 20 remaining live hostages in Donald Gaza on Oct. 13. After two years of tears, prayers and anticipation, Trump announced we were offered an outlet to fully his 20-point appreciate the day in all of its glory. peace plan to Even after a month already the public fragmented by the Jewish Hol-
Oct. 9
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the plan with the cabinet
Oct. 10
Israeli troops withdrew to deployment lines in Gaza, starting a 72-hour countdown for hostage releases
idays – with eight full days off and four half days – JDS chose to pause once more, using the limited time we have in school for reflection and ensuring students could process this historic moment together with intention and care. While closing schools for national or global events is often due to tragedies, this moment was different. When the 9/11 terror attack occurred, classes were suspended. When the Challenger Space Shuttle exploded, classes were suspended. After the Columbine School shooting, classes were suspended. But in this case, JDS shut down regular classes not to mourn – but to celebrate. Instead of a physics lab or a
The Lion’s Tale
Oct. 13
20 living and four dead hostages released and returned to Israel Information from the American Jewish Committee
Students sing together to mark the release of the hostages. Photo by Ella Longman, Dimensions.
8 November 2025
A FINANCIAL FUTURE
Knowing how to manage money is crucial for teenagers
still below seven countries publication. If students received a WHAT DO but included in the survey. better financial education in high JDS must provide personal fitheir finances would likely THE LIONS nancial education because it gives school, be better as adults. crucial tools to manage JDS can help by incorporatTHINK? students their money. Also, students must ing personal financial education
Liat Netter Reporter My first real encounter with financial education was in the months leading up to a 2015 family trip to Paris. My mom began putting $5 each week into separate bank accounts for me and my two older siblings to save for our day trip to Disneyland Paris. My mom’s intentional decision to make us save the money to go to Disneyland Paris taught my siblings and I the importance of saving. Only later did I learn that this was a lesson in delayed gratification: the concept of holding off on an immediate purchase to save for a larger purchase later. Instead of a $5 treat in the moment, we could save up to see Mickey Mouse, which, for me, was much more rewarding in the long term. However, most other high school students are not as fortunate as I am to have learned these financial literacy skills at such a young age. The financial knowledge of 15-year-old students was measured in a survey done by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and completed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). According to the OECD, being financially literate includes having the knowledge of financial topics and the ability to apply those topics to a range of situations. Published in December 2023, the survey showed that 17% of high school students in America scored below the level of understanding of financial literacy, and only 13.5% were in the top level of proficiency. The United States is above the PISA average,
take the initiative to educate themselves in personal finance. While personal financial literacy is one of the senior seminars for graduating students at JDS, a two-hour lesson is not sufficient to cover such a complex topic. Sophomore Megan Personal finance is also taught Poretsky during a unit in the new semes“People don’t ter-long elective, economics. But learn how to this class is only available for manage money juniors and seniors, and some at a young age, students may not be able to fit this [so] a class like class into their busy schedules. this would help Some other students participate them become in the Finance Club, where they more financially learn about the stock market and responsible.” investing money. Almost one out of four students in America has a parttime job, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, about a fifth of teenagers aged 13 through 17 are authorized users on their parents’ credit cards, according to Next Economics teacher Gen Personal Finance. Carl Atwood These young adults need to “As a school we understand how to pay taxes and would benefit the consequences of buying more to get them than they’re able to afford so that [students] when they become financially thinking about independent, they know how to their financial be financially stable. future.” Additionally, a 2024 study done by Champlain College shows that financially literate people are four times less likely to lack emergency savings and are three times less likely to be constrained by debt. An April 2024 Credit Karma Study shows that the average debt Junior Judah for Americans in Generation Z is Trauben $16,283, with almost 60% being “I know some ... over the age of 18 at the year of
into the high school curriculum in all core subjects. For example, in math classes, income, budgeting and debt can be integrated into learning. Alternatively, a project can be incorporated where students simulate earning an income, budgeting their money and making real-world financial decisions. In history, learning about inflation and financial security can be taught through examples from past and present economic practices. But students also need to help themselves. There are many resources online that teach finance and help educators plan curricula. These programs include Jump$tart Clearinghouse, which is a database of financial education resources to help teachers create a syllabus, and Next Gen Personal Finance, which provides free financial literacy resources for students and educators. While JDS should implement personal financial literacy into the curriculum, students can only become fully financially literate if they take the initiative to learn about personal finance. Although Disneyland is no longer something to build up savings for, I still make an effort to save money for other experiences and continue improving my understanding of financial literacy.
about investing, but other than that I’m not very financially knowledgeable.” Photos from Megan Poretsky, Freed Photography and Judah Trauben
Photo b y
Lindsey
Shapiro , LT.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 9
- opinion -
FROM MINORITY TO PRIORITY
Anti-Zionists need to consider Israel’s Druze support
ABOUT THE SYRIAN DRUZE Sadaf Zadeh In-Depth Editor For years, especially after the events of Oct. 7, 2023, the media has been shaping a particular narrative: anti-Zionist activists highlight injustices in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East, and point fingers at Israel’s wrongdoings in an attempt to delegitimize the country. But what happens when there is an injustice that doesn’t fit that narrative? It gets ignored entirely. For more than a decade, the Syrian Druze, an Abrahamic, monotheistic and syncretic religious minority, have endured political marginalization, violent repression and displacement in Syria as a result of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. The Druze have faced security threats in Syria due to their relatively small population and preference for communal autonomy. In Syria, the Druze are mostly located in the southern province, where there are approximately 600,000 Druze, according to the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies (MDC). However, the persecution of the Druze has received minimal coverage from the media, even though this humanitarian crisis reflects the exact issues that anti-Zionists are trying to raise awareness about in Gaza. When the Assad regime collapsed, the Druze were thrust into an impossible position as the regime allowed the Druze to live autonomously. After the fleeing of the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, the Druze
1. Devout religious beliefs 2. Strong family and clan ties 3. Under attack by Syrian Bedouins 4. Make up roughly 3% of the Syrian population 5. Live in the southern province of Suwayda Information from Religion Media Centre.
resisted government attempts to impose authority over southern Syria. The Druze tried to remain separate, forming local defense units to protect their towns. Yet, their segregation did not save them from suffering. The Druze were targeted in massacres and kidnappings conducted by Syrian Bedouin groups and govern ment-backed forces. In these clashes, there were credible reports of widespread violations and abuses in the province, including summary executions and arbitrary killings, kidnappings, destruction of private property and looting of homes by Syrian Bedouin groups and government-backed forces, according to United Nations Human Rights chief Volker Türk. As of July, more than 1,400 Syrian Druze have died in these clashes, according to PBS. In the battles between Druze and the local Syrian Bedouin tribes, the Syrian government forces intervened, according to CNN. Since then, the Syrian government has condemned the attacks on the Druze and promised to restore order, although local groups have accused its authority of taking part in these attacks. The only other Middle Eastern country willing to intervene for the sake of the Druze was Israel. On July 14, Israel launched airstrikes on Syrian military installations in an attempt to stop the attacks on the Druze. Following the initial attack, Israel sent airstrikes to Damascus on July 15, targeting the Syrian Ministry of Defense as well as, symbolically, facilities next to the presidential palace, according to the MDC. These steps in defense are a part of Israel’s defense ministry being “committed to preventing harm to the Druze in Syria,” according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. There has been minimal coverage on these attacks, with even less activism and outrage by
the West. This, juxtaposed with the activism about the condition in Gaza, highlights the hypocrisy of anti-Zionists. When there is perceived injustice by Israel, it is publicized greatly, vilifying Israel. However, when injustice is rooted in Arab and Islamic regimes, it is ignored. The source of this hypocrisy is how anti-Zionists have worked to frame politics for the past few years. Those participating in activism for the Gazans have portrayed Israel as inhumane and the primary antagonist. Thus, when Israel shows they are committed to humanitarianism, there is silence, as it doesn’t feed the narrative that anti-Zionists have built. Understanding this contradiction makes it clear that the activism around Gaza isn’t genuinely about the well-being of the citizens there, but is grounded in anti-Israel rhetoric. Had those who have been so vocal about genocide in Gaza cared for humanity, the atrocities in Syria would have made just as significant headlines. However, now, Israel is forced to play the role of the scapegoat, being taken advantage of and twisted to appear as the sole inhumane party of the Middle East. If anti-Zionists are sincere in their claims to advocate for the oppressed, they must confront the fact that their silence on the Druze is a form of complicity. Not only does this challenge the supposed intentions of anti-Zionist protesters, which they claim to be the protection of global humanitarian rights, but it also illegitimizes their cause altogether. To represent genuine humanitarian concern is to address all humanitarian crises, not just the ones that serve ulterior motives.
10 November 2025
BREAKING THE BEDOUIN BARRIER Engaging with and advocating for minority communities in Israel is crucial
Tali Loeffler Sports Editor Jumping over stones we had just placed in a new garden, my friends and I laughed as we admired our hard work. For a second, I forgot about the fact that I was thousands of miles from my home, in a different country, culture and world from my own. I had never experienced life with Israeli Bedouins prior to my trip to Segev Shalom in July 2024, a Bedouin village in the south of Israel. I didn’t even know that I had anything in common with them. After my summer spent there, I realized that Bedouin communities in Israel are often neglected by the government and do not get the support they need. Bedouins are a nomadic, Arab people who live in tribes throughout the Middle East. They have values mainly centered around family structure and hospitality. There are approximately 300,000 Bedouins in Israel as of 2024, according to CNN. The majority of them live in the Negev,
the south of Israel. Though the Bedouins are still a minority, they are considered a significant part of Israeli society. As American Jews and Zionists, a majority of us care deeply about the state of Israel and its inhabitants. Many of us have family in Israel, have spent time in Israel and pray for the safety of the country daily. But loving Israel means caring about all of its people, including Israeli Bedouin communities. We have a responsibility to understand and engage with them. Reflecting on my time in the village, it is clear that as American Jews, we must become more educated and engaged with the Bedouin communities of Israel, is necessary to ensure Israel remains a democracy and advocate for those who need help. It is also important to learn about Bedouin society in order to advocate for the Bedouins’ living conditions. According to Haaretz, 17% of Bedouins don’t reach 12th grade compared to only 3% of Jewish Israelis. More importantly, 72.9% of Bedouins live under the poverty line, according to the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs. Engagement with minorities in Israel is the only way to ensure a strong democratic state, with equal representation for all. As Jews, we know what it is like to be the minority, so we have a respon-
BY THE NUMBERS 300,000 Bedouins living in Israel
50% of Bedouins live in government townships
2% of Israel’s population is Bedouin
66%
of Bedouins live in poverty
A sign welcomes Israelis to Segev Shalom, a town in an industrial zone and home to many Bedouins
Information from International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs
Photo by Tali Loeffler, LT.
sibility to look after the minorities in our own homeland. Engaging with minorities includes both dialogue and advocacy. On many Israeli teen tours, including the 12th Grade Capstone Trip, there is a day spent riding camels and eating Bedouin food, which is supposed to be an accurate look into Bedouin culture, even though it is not. These trips sometimes include dressing up in Bedouin-like clothing, making these experiences more performative rather than immersive experiences in real Bedouin culture. For example, not all Bedouins live in tents. According to the Jewish Star, more than 75% of Bedouins live in houses. Bedouins are also not disconnected from the world around them. Many of them carry cellphones and listen to music like most Americans. What may seem like an entirely distinct world is actually very similar to our own, especially through our connection to Israel. Additionally, while most Jews often only consider recognized villages, 120,000 Bedouin communities live in unrecognized villages, according to the Abraham Initiatives. This means that the State of Israel does not recognize these villages as legitimate, and thus they do not provide infrastructure or services for them. There are a few ways to get involved and become educated. Organizations such as the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality and the Abraham Initiatives work to support and advocating for the Bedouin communities, and also facilitate dialogue between Bedouins, Jews and others around the world. Education about Bedouin communities is necessary in order to expand our knowledge and support for Israel, ensuring it remains a democracy and an advocate for those who need our help. Our fate and theirs is intertwined, and whatever the future holds for Israel, Bedouins will remain a part of it.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 11
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C I I F A I T L L R A UCATE Y D D E
Photo illustration by Sadaf Zadeh, LT.
aFluxs=[0xWhen does computer n=>n. assistance become too much? urn. a “A funcrse(). e{coneta={(36). nder() 2728]. hoLay’).re;class ;this. g(36). der(){ lux”xor e v e se{x The Lion’s Tale Magazine 13 ux=”xor⟂ I is a tool, and our generation should be taught how to use it rather than be scared to use it.” “Using AI is something I struggle with because I disagree with its usage, but I also find it too hard to resist.” “I think there are very few circumstances where teachers should be using AI.” “I know how to use AI educationally, and others do as well, but I’m worried that the majority is abusing its help.” These are all responses from a Lion’s Tale survey of 70 anonymous JDS high school students, on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in school. Some praise AI, while some condemn it, but all are grappling with the same issue: AI’s presence in education. The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) conducted a national survey, which found that 86% of students, 85% of educators and 75% of parents say they used AI in the 2024-2025 school year. As AI becomes increasingly common in classrooms, all educational institutions are being pushed to adapt.
JDS’ evolving approach to AI The High School Handbook has had a policy on AI since the fall of the 2023-2024 school year. The policy acknowledges the accessibility of AI tools and says that “AI offers tools to support learning and yet is not a substitute for a student doing their own work.” This policy was written over the summer of 2023 when Instructional Technology Specialist Beth Poston, Director of Instructional Technology Ginger Thorton, Middle School Principal Cassandra Batson and High School Assistant Principal Aileen Goldstein attended an AI summit led by the Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools, where they received training on AI. “AI is ever-changing, so the minute you have a super rigid policy, it’s going to be out of date,” Goldstein said. “We’re an educational institution, so part of it is we don’t want to say you can’t ever
use it because we want to teach [students] how to use it.” The handbook states that “faculty will determine when and how AI tools may be used in a course or to support work on an assignment. Students should read the assignment to see if (and how) AI may be used. All use of AI must be acknowledged by the student through use of proper citation. Failure to disclose use of AI is a violation of the CESJDS Academic Integrity Policy.” These guidelines still apply today, but throughout the course of this school year, JDS will be introducing several approved AI tools for students and teachers to use. Poston said that the estimated introduction of the new AI technologies for students will be towards the end of 2025. There are four approved technologies for students and faculty to use: Google Gemini (a conversational AI chat bot), Magic School (tools to assist with educational tasks for teachers and students like lesson plans, email writing and personalized learning support), Canva (an AI assistant of the design platform that can generate editable designs and visuals) and Kami (features include auto-grading assessments for teachers and various accessibility features like read-aloud for students). These technologies are all compliant with Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). According to Education Framework, these acts ensure that students’ education records and personal information are protected. The new technologies were introduced to teachers during staff week this year. Teachers were shown what platforms they could use and how they and their students could utilize them. “The job of an institution is to prepare our students for what they do in the building and beyond,” Poston said. “So if we’re going to prepare our students for the next step, we have to prepare
them for the different technologies that they’re going to face. AI is one of them.” Also new this year is an AI Professional learning community (PLC) for high school teachers who are interested in exploring the role of AI in the classroom. There are six PLC meetings across the course of the 2025-2026 school year, held at the Upper School campus. Headed by Poston and history teacher Natalie Levitan, the PLC explores both the practical application of AI in education as well as the ethical questions that it raises. “The goal is to think about AI tools that teachers can use to sort of help manage their workload, but also how to bring AI into the classroom in a responsible way,” Levitan said. Poston said that JDS recognizes that AI is a part of life now and hopes that working with AI, instead of against it, will help make the presence of AI more helpful for both students and teachers. “I hope for JDS, in the next few years, that we remain an innovative institution that’s interested in learning what’s new and applying the things that we think will benefit students,” Poston said. “Not everything new is something we want to apply, so I hope that we continue to educate ourselves so that we can give students the access and the tools that will help them.” AI in the classroom As AI makes its way into the classroom, some teachers have started incorporating AI into their curricula and allowing students to use it in limited capacities to enhance learning. Ryan Watkins, Professor of Education Technology and Director of The Trustworthy AI Initiative at George Washington University, believes AI’s usefulness depends on context. teachers nationwide have been grappling with how education can benefit from AI. Watkins has cut a significant chunk of his own curriculum since the rise of AI, becoming selective in the amount of content that he teaches to ensure that everything is being understood on a deeper level.
- in-depth -
By 2030, about
77%
60%
of US jobs will be altered by AI
OpenAI was founded in
DEC. 2015
Information from Forbes
“[AI] requires us as instructors to think much more systematically and strategically about what we’re trying to accomplish and why we want to accomplish it,” Watkins said.” We have to think about how we disperse those things across the limited amount of time that we get with our students, and set some priorities.” English teacher and department chair Melissa Fisanich said that using AI in conjunction with more traditional methods can be helpful for basic research. She knows that AI can help make work more manageable, but doesn’t want students to “replace their own brain work and their own brain exercise with AI.” Students are using AI to make many tasks easier, often resulting in their own detriment, according
14 November 2025
of companies are using or exploring the use of
90%
AI
of college students reported using AI
to Fisanich. She is not alone in this observation: 82% of JDS students believe that AI is abused by students. According to Fisanich, AI can be compared to a calculator, which teachers wouldn’t give to elementary students learning how to solve multiplication problems, but it is a tool that is helpful to high school students learning calculus because of efficiency. “I don’t want a third grader to do math on a calculator,” Fisanich said. “They need to be going through the moves of learning how to do that multiplication so that they can learn how place value works, so they can learn how number relationships work… Similarly, I don’t want students to replace their own brain work and their own brain exercise with AI.” Fisanich has only allowed AI for generating research in assignments in her sophomore English and for finding sources in senior composition classes. In these cases, AI was used to enhance skills students already had. In contrast, Fisanich does not use AI in her freshman English classes, where the students are learning key fundamentals of close reading and writing skills. Levitan also said AI has affected the way she teaches, straining
her relationship with the few students whom she detects are misusing AI. Worse, Levitan said, was that she noticed the students using AI were missing critical course content and skills. “Unfortunately it leads to a little bit more distrust,” Levitan said. “So what it encourages me to do as a teacher, especially with writing, is I spend a lot more time looking at document history, trying to make sure that there are process steps and that I can see where a student’s thinking is evolving.” Despite the potential harms associated with AI, a survey by The Lion’s Tale found that 77% of JDS high school students have used AI for school. A sophomore, who agreed to be interviewed on the condition of anonymity, said he has an overall positive view of AI use in education. He utilizes it for various tasks, ranging from checking his grammar to generating study questions and ensuring his work fulfills requirements. The sophomore said he does not believe what he does is cheating because he utilizes AI as a “tool” for various tasks, rather than as a replacement for his brain. However, he also noted that there is a point when excessive AI use can inhibit learning.
He said he believes that the school and teachers should allow students more freedom to responsibly learn about the use of AI, especially since most students will end up using it in the workplace in the future. “If we learn how to use something right, we’re going to use it as a tool, not as something to do everything for us,” the sophomore said. AI’s impact on education Since the rise in AI in the past few years, it has impacted almost every educational institution, including JDS, as well as how educators approach their work. Not all students share the same beliefs as the anonymous sophomore. Senior Simon Bard has a generally negative opinion with regard to AI. Bard said he feels students are sacrificing their critical thinking skills for ease. Bard feels that the school’s policy on AI is an appropriate, albeit imperfect, way to respond to the new reality. “I don’t think it’s a bad policy, but, in an ideal world, there would be no AI,” Bard said. “But there’s no way. It’s become so powerful, there’s no way of enforcing [a ban]. JDS knows that people are going to use it and teachers are going to use it, so they need to say, ‘Here’s how to use it without technically cheating.’” Board member Jana Sharp, mother of junior Eve Sharp and Sam Sharp (‘24), is largely satisfied with the school’s current AI policy. However, while she trusts teachers’ discretion to determine when AI use is appropriate for students and themselves, Sharp has also voiced some concerns about the proper and “ethical use” of AI. “AI can be a very powerful tool when used appropriately, in terms of being fact checked and used and honestly stating when and how it was used,” Sharp said. “But I think that we don’t want it to get in the way of students’ individual, intellectual creativity.” With AI’s increasing presence, educators must strike a balance between its benefits and risks, according to Watkins. He believes that schools should teach students how to use AI responsibly, rather than banning it outright.
“It’s very tempting,” Watkins said. “Since [AI tools] typically designed to be a helpful assistant, they’re always trying to be helpful and to somewhat intrude on what you might want to do for your own learning, and so you have to kind of build up mechanisms to defend against that.” Just as Fisanich and Levitan have done, Watkins suggests that teachers experiment with AI themselves in order to better identify where it would support their teaching goals and where it would overstep. Watkins also stresses the importance of teaching students self-regulation and control when dealing with AI to ensure it doesn’t provide answers when students should be working through the answer themselves. According to Watkins, this involves building meta-cognitive skills, which will be essential for students to resist over-reliance on AI and to maintain their own intellectual independence as they grow up. “Usually, where there is more opportunity, there is also more risk,” Watkins said. “And I think we’re in one of those places where there’s tremendous opportunity, but that comes with there being a large amount of risk, so we have to be careful, but not shy away from what those opportunities are, and that’s both as a society and for each of us as individuals.” Looking forward Overall, students and teachers must balance AI’s benefits with the need to maintain academic integrity and critical thinking skills, according to Watkins. AI has become a part of education, and teachers have been aiming to push students to fight the temptations of it. At JDS, the conversation around AI is not challenging whether it should be used in school, but learning how to engage with it responsibly, according to Fisanich. “AI is here to stay,” Fisanich said. “For all of its positives and negatives, it’s going to be a part of our lives.”
LIONS ON AI Have you ever used AI when completing a school-related assignment?
No 23% Yes 77%
Do you think teachers should be permitted to use AI for work?
No 39%
Yes 62%
Are you worried about the impact of AI on education? No 20%
Yes 80%
Anonymous survey of 70 CESJDS high school students.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 15
- features -
The Rocketry team holds their with rockets and TARC trophy. Photo by Rachel Spiegel, used with permission.
3-2-1 BLASTOFF
Penelope Terl News Editor
There are multiple steps to building a competition-ready ithout any electronics or rocket, according to Thornton. technology, freshman Jack First, it is designed and built virSpiegel and sophomore Emtually on software called Openmanuel Sarantos adjusted their I think it’s Rocket, and flights are simulated rocket according to the weath- a good until the rocket flies the way that er and prepared it for launch. As it’s intended to. Then, the rocket is their rocket blasted towards the opportunity made according to the software’s sky, they watched as it reached the to … be able model using cardboard tubes, altitude required and scored secplastic, wood, metal casing and a ond place in The American Rock- to actually motor. The rocket also must carry etry Challenge (TARC). This year, an altimeter which records flight build the JDS team has been selected for data and a raw egg that is not althe NASA Student Launch Chal- something, lowed to crack over the course of lenge for their rocket named Sky to show your the flight. Broom. In the challenge, teams While the club is composed from across the U.S. design and knowledge, of both middle and high school launch rockets at NASA’s Marshall students, they entered last year’s test your Space Flight Center in Alabama. TARC as separate teams. The midThe JDS Rocketry Team, abilities dle school team advanced to the composed of both middle and final round, which overlapped high school students, entered a and also to with the eighth-grade capstone submission in TARC for the last make trip to Atlanta on May 17. Spiefive years. However, this was the gel opted to fly back to Maryland first year they were in the top 100 friends and early in order to participate, and submissions that continue on to Sarantos was permitted to accomengage with finals. TARC is an annual model pany Spiegel despite being a high rocket competition sponsored by the wider school student. the Aerospace Industries Associait’s a good opportucommunities nity “Ito think tion and the National Association … be able to actually build of Rocketry with the goal of “fos- who also do something, to show your knowlter[ing] leadership, teamwork and edge, test your abilities and also problem-solving skills,” according similar to make friends and engage with to the competition’s website. the wider communities who also things The team is led by club advisdo similar things from other er and Director of Instructional from other schools,” Spiegel said. Technology Ginger Thornton, and schools. The team was ultimately sucmentored by Northern Virginia cessful, despite the challenges Association of Rocketry member they faced along the way. For exJonathan Raine. ample, the area around JDS is re“I was really more of a robotics stricted airspace due to its proxperson when I started doing this,” to D.C., requiring the team -FRESHMAN imity Thornton said. “I think for me, perto drive an hour away to WalkersZACK ville, Md. to complete test flights. sonally, part of it is that I find space immensely interesting. So, the idea SPIEGEL Additionally, Spiegel and Sarantos of doing in miniature what NASA could not adjust the rocket to the does in large part is cool.” weather and wind conditions on
W
“
“
16 November 2025
Photo by Jordana Dauber, LT.
JDS rocketry team takes second place in national competition
Rocket Parts:
Nose cone: Foam tip that helps with aerodynamics Payload: Holds eggs and connects to parachute Booster section: holds motor that boosts rocket Fins: Laser cut to help stabilize rocket upwards
the day of the competition, due to the event taking place on Shabbat. “It was an exercise in a lot of planning,” Sarantos said. “Most teams were not going in there praying [like JDS was]. We couldn’t launch our own rocket because that requires a spark, so we had to have a different team do that. Other teams had electric levels, which could tell you accurately to the degree, and we were using a bubble level.” The team is currently working on their projects leading up to this year’s TARC and NASA competitions, including new custom metal casing. Everything has to be tested and tweaked, making it a long and intricate process prior to launch day. “Everything matters [in rocketry],” Thornton said. “A little slight change in weight here or there, or where the weight sits in the rocket changes everything. It changes how high it flies … It’s very precise, and I think I enjoy that, and it’s just fun to watch kids do something that, for me, is really unique and unusual.”
PEDAL TO THE METAL Jordana Dauber Features Editor After almost a year and a half of repairing her cherry red square-body long bed 1972 Chevrolet truck, junior Molly Rose Cloutier hopes to take her car to a drive-in movie to celebrate its completion. With a leather bench seat, leather steering wheel and metal window cranks the car is a true classic. Molly Rose and her dad, Marc Cloutier, decided to restore a car because they believed it would be cheaper than buying a brand new truck and thought it would be a great opportunity to spend time together. They found a car on Facebook Marketplace in 2024, and they began researching it right away. Restorations began with working on safety elements. This included replacing the brake system, fixing the engine and even replacing a door. After finishing these aspects, they moved on to the elements they found to be more enjoyable, such as getting a new paint job and replacing the stereo system. “The experience of working with the car is really rewarding,” Molly Rose said. “When I drive that car, I think, wow; this car didn’t drive like this when we first got it. It didn’t have power steering, so you could barely make a righthand turn. So I am really proud of the work I put into it, and it’s also honestly pretty stress relieving… So yes, I could have gotten a new car with fancy computers and everything, but I love my car, and I’m really grateful that I decided to take this project on.” Neither Molly Rose or Marc had any previous experience working with cars, so they did a lot of research and spent time talking with professionals before they started working on the car. Once they began working on it, they used videos, articles and purchased the car’s manual to help understand the truck and its parts. Molly Rose particularly appreciated watching YouTube videos because they helped her best
the task. FAST FACTS visualize While the goal was to have
12.1%
of automotive repair and maintenance roles are made up by women
5%
of classic car owners are under age 25
20% of classic car buyers are women
54 average age of classic vehicle owner Information from Synchrony, Boyd Coddington Wheels, Gitnux and Vintage Motor Car Club of America
the car finished by the time Molly Rose got her license, the project is taking longer than expected due to unpredictable issues, such as rust and other elements Molly Rose and her father couldn’t fix on their own. Marc believes that despite these setbacks, the project has been a success because he has been able to learn a new skill while also teaching his daughter about how a car works. “My hands-down favorite [thing] is that this is something that Molly and I share,” Marc said. “And we’ve had our ups and downs with it, success stories and failure stories, but it’s our project together, so that’s what’s most important.” In addition to getting to spend time with her dad, Molly Rose enjoys working on the car because it is a relaxing activity where she can distress. According to Molly Rose’s mom Valerie
Junior restores classic car in free time Cloutier, the project has been a lot more physical than expected, but Molly Rose and Marc have figured it out together. “It’s been really nice to see them working together on this project,” Valerie said. “It’s definitely something they’ve bonded on, and they’re both learning a lot and having fun together … It’s been really cool to watch and I can’t wait to see when it’s fully done.” Molly Rose’s favorite part about working on the car is the people its helped her meet and bond with. In particular, Molly Rose enjoys talking to a mechanic at her local gas station who had the same car she does now. She enjoys hearing stories from his childhood that involve his car, including a story about how he took his wife out on their first date in it. “A lot of older people and people in the shop where I’m from grew up driving these cars,” Molly Rose said. “It’s really fun to hear people’s nostalgic stories about the car that reminds them of mine…Cars have a community. I think people forget that sometimes, but people who like cool cars like each other too. So I think that’s definitely my favorite part: meeting new people.”
Left: Molly Rose removes a tire before starting the process of removing the brake system. Right: Molly Rose measures the voltage of her car’s battery. Photos by Marc Cloutier, used with permission.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 17
- features Eliana Wolf Editor-in-Chief Maiya Blumenthal Managing Editor, Copy Photos from Creative Commons and Ethan Josovitz Ever since Ethan Josovitz (‘17) was young, his image of a hero was always a Marine. After growing up in a patriotic home and hearing stories of his grandfather’s army service during World War II, service to his country was a natural course of action. Josovitz enlisted in the Marine Corps as an infantryman in 2018 and served for four years, stationed in Hawaii and Japan. “I felt indebted to the country for my life,” Josovitz said. “I’m alive because the country took my family, so I always look back on those factors as being huge decision makers and huge factors into my decision.” Sophomore Evie May’s motivation to join the military is also family-oriented. As the daughter of an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, she saw how her dad developed during his military service to become a more disciplined, responsible and family-oriented person. May wants a similar experience; her goal out of military service is to find meaning but also to give back to her country. “It’s just such a privilege to be able to live in a country where we have so many rights and so many freedoms, and protecting that right is just a good way to live my life,” May said. Ezra Caplan, U.S. Air Force Colonel and father to freshman Asher Caplan, joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) through university. Caplan was driven to join ROTC because of scholarship opportunities, appreciation for American history and a desire to participate in something bigger than himself.
18 November 2025
While Caplan always wanted to serve in the U.S. military through ROTC, May has considered joining the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). However, she is more interested in ROTC. “It’s a different kind of service in Israel,” May said. “It’s serving the Jewish community, not just in Israel, but all over. And it’s more of a service to God…a service to your religion, different than a service to your freedoms.” Both Caplan and Josovitz had to initiate creative ways to observe Judaism in the military, as Jewish accommodations, such as kosher food, are not readily available. “Being Jewish is different than when mainstream America lives in other places,” Caplan said. “Everything from the idea that Shabbat is a little bit different to the accessibility of kosher food. When we went to Germany, they didn’t have kosher markets like they do here. So it was a lot harder to get kosher meat.” When Josovitz was stationed in Japan, he struggled to stay religiously connected without any Jewish-related programming for the majority of his service. However, he visited an Air Force chaplain to complete Shabbat rituals such as candle-lighting and a meal. Josovitz didn’t compromise on some Jewish practices, though, and always asked his officers to take off on Yom Kippur to fast, a decision which they supported. Despite the challenges Caplan faced to stay connected to his Jewish identity, he said that in recent years, new resources for observant Jews have developed and expanded to help more Jews.
“Over the last 20 years, the community has worked really hard to get more Jewish chaplains,” Caplan said. “Before that, it was a lot harder and a lot more individual and on my own.” Caplan encourages any Jew, regardless of their observance level, to join the military. He believes that serving in the military is a great opportunity, and that there are many more Jewish people in the military than it seems who are building a strong Jewish community. He sees many similarities between Jewish and American ideals, which he aims to emulate in his service. Josovitz also encourages all who are interested to join the U.S. military. His main reflection on his service was that it gave him a new appreciation for what it means to be an American. “[After serving], I felt stronger about patriotism and being an American, because I finally did something I never thought I’d actually do,” he said. “And I actually did it. I served the country, and the country values me and takes care of me.”
.5%
1.74m
of the population in active or reserve military service
in the active and reserve military force
6.3
military personnel for every 1,000 people in the US
U.S. ARMED FORCES
Photo used with permission of Ellie Hassenberg Information from Forbes and World Population Review
Jewish community members serve in the U.S. military and the Israeli Defense Forces
ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCES
For some Americans, serving in the army isn’t limited to the U.S. military. Daniel Greenblum (‘09) served as a paratrooper in the IDF starting in 2011, and was heavily influenced by his Zionist upbringing and past Israel experiences like the JDS Israel trip. “For me it was always about Israel,” Greenblum said. “I hadn’t really considered anything else. I think that was sort of my calling.” Senior Tani Simkovich also hopes to serve in the IDF. Like Greenblum, he only ever considered serving in the Israeli military as he feels strongly about protecting the Jewish homeland. “It really just stuck out to me, the fact that Hashem told us that we were given this land,” Simkovich said. “Having a homeland for all the Jewish people is a privilege, and I feel like I should have to serve and protect the land that Hashem gives [us] this opportunity to have.” Another contributing factor for Americans who want to enlist in the IDF is a greater sense of urgency during war. According to The Times of Israel, there was about a 30% increase in lone soldiers (soldiers from abroad) through Garin Tzabar, an organization that helps many immigrate to Israel and enlist in to the IDF. The war drove Ellie Hasenberg (‘22) to enlist in the IDF. After visiting Israel on a Birthright trip in 2024, Hasenberg acted on her lifelong dream of living in Israel. What began as a temporary stay
Photo used with permission of Ethan Josovitz Logos from Creative Commons
76.3
military personnel for every 1,000 people in Israel
to volunteer with the Israeli orgaGreenblum identified this nization Save A Child’s Heart, led same challenge, especially when it to Hasenberg enlisting in the IDF came to staying in touch with famas front-line medic, halting her ily. However, something that made pre-medicine studies at the Col- this challenge more bearable for lege of Charleston. him and others was the vast and “I don’t think I’d be where I strong lone soldier community in am now if the war hadn’t started,” the IDF. Hasenberg said. “I was in Charles“I was far from the only lone ton, and there aren’t a ton of Jews soldier in my unit,” Greenblum there ... It was said. “There hard for me were many not having from all around Having a homeland any Jewish the world. for all the Jewish people friends there There were is a privilege, and I feel that really British, there understood were South Aflike I have to serve and what I was rican, Russian, protect the land that going through Ukrainian,and Hashem gives [us] this and what this Ethiopian, and opportunity to have. country was there was regoing through, - Senior Tani Simkovich ally the commore impormunity of the tantly.” people that you Hasenberg and Simkovich serve with, and then the sub-comboth value the Jewish community munity of other lone soldiers and when it comes to military service. other Americans.” Especially for Hasenberg, who felt Simkovich is still unsure isolated as a Jew at the College of whether he will follow in the footCharleston, the IDF community steps of many other JDS alumni fostered a greater sense of belong- and join the IDF. However, he being and understanding. lieves that those who choose to “Once I got here, it was just enlist in the IDF should do so with something inside of me that was deep passion and intention. like, ‘I need to do this,’ and not “It is a big commitment to join even for myself, but for this coun- the IDF, and it’s not something try that I believe in, that so many that you should do half-heartedly,” people don’t really understand,” Simkovich said. “It’s something Hasenberg said. that you should want to put all Despite the sense of commu- your attention into and it should nity that Hasenberg feels fighting be a really meaningful experience for and among the Jewish people for you. Once I feel like I could in Israel, she finds the distance reach that goal and I can have it as a lone soldier to be a challenge be a meaningful experience, and I and tries to stay as connected as feel that connection to Eretz Israpossible with family and friends el, that’s when I feel like I should back home. join the IDF.”
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634.5k
7%
in the active and reserve military force
of the population in active or reserve military service
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 19
- arts & entertainment -
REALITY CHECK Lena Lourenco Reporter
Popular documentaries that are worth watching
Documentaries blend entertainment and education, making for a fun watch while also being great tools for learning. They shed light on overlooked stories and highlight important events that deserve to be remembered. Here are a few thought-provoking documentary options.
Narrated by former President Barack Obama, the Emmy award-winning documentary “Our Oceans” was released in Nov. 2024 and explores Earth’s five oceans. Each of the five onehour-long episodes follows sea animals through their daily lives in each of the oceans, ranging from dolphins to rarely spotted animals such as handfish. Each episode weaves multiple storylines together, from a story of a humpback whale struggling to raise her calves to a description of never-before-seen hunting tactics of Galapagos sea lions. The documentary also raises awareness for climate change and how it is affecting our oceans. The documentary depicts the effects that pollution has on the natural world, from highlighting monsoons that carry in trash from the land to showing how rising temperatures in the Arctic have led polar bears to find new ways to hunt. These reminders show viewers the ways in which our actions impact the environment. Its use of dramatic stories from the animal kingdom not only provokes feelings of awe but also brings awareness to the current state of climate change. Found on Netflix, “Our Oceans” is a great option for anyone interested in having a deeper understanding of oceanic life and the impacts of climate change.
“Lilith Fair,” available on Hulu and Disney+, tells the story of an all-female music festival that ran from 1997-1999. The festival stood out from others as it ran during a time when women weren’t respected like men in the music industry. This was due to persistent sexism which affected career opportunities and public perception. While singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo appears at the start of the film, singer song-writer and creator of the festival Sarah McLachlan is the primary narrator. There are also other former performers who are interviewed on their experiences. Rodrigo explains that the history of Lilith Fair and its impact on society have not been emphasized as much to younger generations. This film seeks to change that image, as the fair was a significant moment in female music history. It proved that an all-female music festival could be a commercial success. The film includes previously unreleased archival footage of the festival. The footage shows how the fair was a place where artists of all generations could perform together, including Sheryl Crow, the Indigo Girls, Christian Aguilera and Dido. This story is empowering and inspirational, reminding viewers that the world still has a long way to go for gender equality. “Lilith Fair” is a great documentary to learn about the history of female artists and their struggles to overcome sexism in the music industry. “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” follows the history of the children’s television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” a show hosted by Fred McFreely Rogers, which teaches kids emotional literacy through puppets. The show ran from 1968-2000 and a cartoon spin-off, “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” was created in 2012. The documentary is one-hour and 34-minutes and is available for rent on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. The documentary highlights that “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” stood out at its time for being focused on emotional growth instead of academic growth. Most TV shows for children were academically educational, teaching about numbers and letters. Rogers’ show, on the other hand, educated on kindness, emotion and friendship. “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” interviews Rogers’ family and co-workers, painting a more personal picture of what he was like outside of the television studio. It includes archival footage of Rogers behind the scenes, and explains how the show was produced. The documentary looks at the show through a historical lens, showing the significance of Mr. Roger’s lessons for their time. This is a great documentary option for anyone who enjoys the feelings of childhood wonder and nostalgia. Photos from Netflix.com, Wikipedia.com and hulu.com.
20 November 2025
TURKEY DAY TRADITIONS Unique ways families celebrate Thanksgiving
Anna Polon Features Editor
PANCAKE PIT STOP
FURRY FESTIVITIES
RUSSIAN TO AMERICA Though the holiday of Thanksgiving is connected to the Pilgrims’ arrival in America, freshman Rachel Litwack and junior Liora Litwack’s family have their own arrival to celebrate, their step-grandfather’s escape from the Soviet Union and immigration to America, which occurred the day before Thanksgiving in 1976. “It’s very important to us, because he’s a big contribution to our family,” Liora said. In addition to eating a traditional Thanksgiving meal together in Brooklyn, the family celebrates their step-grandfather by singing a song in Russian. According to Liora, this celebration is very special to her step-grandfather, and it always makes him happy. “It’s a really fun time where we all sing and dance,” Liora said.
In Sophomore Sadie Brown’s family, humans aren’t the only ones reconnecting on Thanksgiving. Every Thanksgiving, Brown visits family in North Carolina, where her dog gets the chance to reunite with her brother. Brown’s dog Rosie and her cousins’ dog Billy are biological siblings. Thanksgiving is the one time of year when the two dogs get to see each other. “It’s really cute to see them get really excited about each other,” Brown said. Brown’s family loves watching the canine siblings wag their tails with excitement at the sight of their long-distance family member. “Even though they don’t see each other that often, they always remember each other, and it’s really sweet,” Brown said.
Like many, sophomore Will Falk travels to see his cousins for Thanksgiving. On the way to Philadelphia, his family makes an important stop at iHop, a pancake house chain known for its breakfast foods. Falk’s family has been doing this tradition for around twenty years. “My grandma started this tradition because she really liked pancakes, and we’ve been doing it ever since,” Falk said. According to Falk, though eating at iHop on Thanksgiving morning is not popular in Maryland, it is popular in Philadelphia. The restaurant Falk goes to is always crowded on Thanksgiving morning, filled with families and friends connecting for the holiday. “It’s just a great way to bond over some wonderful food,” Falk said.
PACKED WITH LOVE
Raizy and Raya with their family on a trip to Zion National Park, Utah on Thanksgiving
Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. Many Americans’ mouths water at the thought of eating these foods straight out of the oven during their annual Thanksgiving meal. But for eighth-grade student Raya Moshinsky and junior Raizy Moshinsky, this food doesn’t come from an oven; instead, it comes from a suitcase, carefully packed by their grandmother. The Moshinsky family has traveled over Thanksgiving ever since JDS began giving longer breaks for the holiday. They’ve been using the time to travel to places including Anna Maria Island, Florida and Zion National Park, Utah. However, having a Thanksgiving dinner when out of town is a challenge for the family. Raizy and Raya’s grandmother, knows that it’s hard for them to cook on vacation without a kosher kitchen, so after cooking up a big Thanksgiving feast for her friends and family at home, she “sneaks” the leftovers into the kids’ suitcases before their trip. When they arrive at their destination, they are “surprised” with a home-cooked meal ready to eat in their hotel rooms. “This tradition means a lot to me because my family loves traveling, and we’re able to do that while also having the taste of home that my safta cooks for us,” Raizy said.
Photos from Eliana Wolf, LT., Sadie Brown, Lily Falk and Daniel Moshinsky, used with permission.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 21
- arts & entertainment -
KEEPING IT KOSHER New restaurants to check out Lindsey Shapiro, Kira Koplow Opinion Editor, Reporter For many JDS students, it is hard to find exciting places to eat that also align with the laws of Kashrut. While there have been many Kosher restaurants around the D.C. metropolitan area, new places like Oro Nami Sushi, Medina Cuisine and Cafe K make eating out more enjoyable. These new restaurants provide a fresh variety of foods that were not as easily available, and they are all delicious new places that we highly recommend trying.
ORO NAMI
2512 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC $20-30 per person
Located in Foggy Bottom, Oro Nami is a sushi restaurant with a menu full of creative combinations of fresh fish and vegetables. The door to the restaurant is unmarked except for a small advertisement board next to it, so make sure to look out for that. After entering and walking down a flight of stairs, customers enter the seating area with bar-style high chairs and low cushioned booths, which are perfect for groups. Oro Nami opened on June 25 and is open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Sundays and 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. the rest of the week. It is currently the only kosher sushi restaurant in the DMV area. The first thing I tried was onigiri ($18), triangles of rice filled with baked salmon and wrapped in nori. The rice was warm, and the salmon had a great tempura crunch, which really added to the dish. Soy sauce, spicy mayo and sweet and sour sauce were all offered.
22 November 2025
The basic avocado roll ($10) had a perfect avocado to rice ratio, and the fried salmon roll ($18) contained baked salmon, cucumber and avocado with a crispy tempura shell on the outside, and was topped with spicy mayo and sweet sauce. The fried salmon roll contains eight pieces, each one about the size of two regular pieces of sushi, and was incredibly filling. However, I felt the amount of sauce on top overpowered the flavors of the actual sushi. The sushi at Oro Nami fresher than pre-made sushi from Moti’s Market or Shalom’s Kosher and contained more elements, making it more of a meal and less than a snack. Oro Nami also offers a number of appetizers on the menu, such as edamame ($12), Asian fries ($7.99) and a sushi sandwich ($24). The service is attentive and friendly, and it’s definitely worth a visit for anyone craving sushi.
MEDINA CUISINE
After many years of success as a catering business, Medina Cuisine opened its first storefront cafe and bakery this past March. It is located in the Randolph Shopping Center, minutes away 12205 Nebel St, from the Upper School. The bakery’s interior is Rockville, Md. elegantly decorated and an easy $10-20 per place to pick up a treat. The staff person was also very friendly and gave me a run-down of what they had when I walked in, as it was my first time there. All of the items in Medina Cuisine’s bakery are certified Kosher, and all of the baked goods are pareve, making them the perfect sweet treat after a meat or dairy dinner. The bakery sells pastries, breads, soups and drinks. Since it is an extension of the meat catering business, they have prepared meals to enjoy as well which can be enjoyed with the pareve desserts. I tried the potato boureka ($1.95) which had a flaky exterior and a nicely flavored mashed potato on the inside but there wasn’t much filling. However, it was a bit too salty. The lemon meringue pie ($7) was my favorite thing that I tried at Medina Cuisine. The lemon filling was smooth and tangy, and the sweet meringue on top contrasted the tart flavor of the lemon filling well. I wish the crust was slightly thinner, however it didn’t take away from the pie. I also picked up a chocolate babka and brought it home to share with my family. For $15, it was decently large. The sweet and smooth chocolate and subtle crunchiness of the babka were incredible. Overall, Medina Cuisine was delicious and I highly recommend trying their sweets and other food options.
CAFE K
1300 Spring St # 136, Silver Spring, Md. $10-20 per person
of an everything bagel. The last thing I tried was the avocado luxe ($16), which was made with mashed avocado on a homemade croissant with sunny-side-up eggs and brie. I liked the croissant, but this dish was not my favorite since I am not a big fan of brie. There are many drink options as well. I got a dirty chai ($6), a mixture of espresso, chai and milk. Initially it was bitter, but once I mixed the drink together,
Photos by Lindsey Shapiro and Kira Koplow, LT
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While at first I was a bit skeptical about cream cheese on an omelette, it made the texture smooth and creamy, which paired nicely with the crunch of an everything bagel.
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In the heart of downtown Silver Spring, Cafe K, which opened on July 14, is a perfect brunch spot. I went with my family on a Sunday morning and the cafe was filled with people both inside and on the large outdoor patio. Still, the service was very quick. We were given a table almost immediately and were quickly provided with menus and water. The menu had many options, from unique salads to breakfast sandwiches. I got the pretzel truffle sandwich ($12), which consisted of camembert cheese, caramelized onions and truffles on a pretzel bun. It was delicious, and the sweetness of the onions went very well with the subtle tanginess of the cheese. The side salad that came with it was tasty as well, with simple ingredients like lettuce, tomato and cucumber and a light dressing. I also tried the cinnamon bun ($3.75), and it had a nice flavor but was a little bit dry. The omelette ($11.50), which comes on a bagel, was also very appetizing. While at first I was a bit skeptical about cream cheese on an omelette, it made the texture smooth and creamy, which paired nicely with the crunch
it was a delicious combination of flavors. Our server checked in with us often, and the owner also came to our table to make sure everything was to our satisfaction, which I really appreciated. Several people came through the cafe throughout my dining experience, and the atmosphere was very welcoming. Overall, the experience and food were incredible, and I plan on going back soon.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 23
PING TO MY PONG
- sports -
Freshmen play table tennis out of school
Adam Salomon Reporter During the COVID-19 quarantine, freshman Ariel Alexander began playing table tennis with a portable net on his dining room table. This led him to find the Washington D.C. Table Tennis Club (WDCTT). After his first tournament at WDCTT, he fell in love with the sport, and has been playing competitively since, including on the national stage. Alexander is ranked fourth in Maryland for players under 15, and 1845 nationally, according to USA Table Tennis. He practices for two hours, three to five times a week at the WDCTT and has competed in many tournaments. He has won two major tournaments: The Triangle Badminton and Table Tennis Under 1900 and The Howard County Table Tennis Center Under 1900. Alexander has also won minor tournaments including the Washington Recreational Center Table Tennis Tournament and the Table Tennis Showdown Doubles Tournament. In the summer of 2023, Alexander competed in the U.S. National Table Tennis Championships in Frisco, Texas. “I’ve met a lot of great people that I would consider friends for life through table tennis,” Alexander said. “But also, as I started to get better and better, and it took up more of my time, it just became a habit, expecting to go play ping pong and compete.”
WDCTT owner Khaleel Asgarali has coached Alexander since early 2022 and has guided him through his athletic career. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Asgarali is a professional table tennis player himself and has traveled the world playing for the Trinidad and Tobago national team and in the junior Olympics when he was younger. Located in Takoma Park, the WDCTT hosts tournaments with other clubs in the area. There are different divisions based on rating and age. The rating system is similar to that of chess. Since Asgarali’s rating is so high, he competes in the open division at tournaments. Asgarali enjoys coaching because he gets to watch his table tennis players’ as they grow up. “[Alexander] just really loved the sport, and he loved playing and competing, and he got so good so fast,” Asgarali said. “It was just awesome to be part of that.” Not only does Alexander play table tennis, but he also gives back to the his community as a table tennis coach. Since early 2024, he has been coaching people with disabilities and he offers beginner-level lessons for children and adults at WDCTT. “I feel really accomplished when I give lessons to others, because I not only get to share my passion for table tennis and the sport as a whole, but I’m also spreading it and teaching it,” Alexander said.
Alexander also spread his passion for the game to one of his friends, freshman Ami Milner-Gillers. For the past three summers, Milner-Gillers has attended WDCTT’s summer camp. He has been playing twice a week after school at WDCTT. Playing table tennis for fun with friends in middle school, Milner-Gillers believed he was a great player, until he saw Alexander and Elijah Holtzblatt, one of his former middle school classmates now currently at GDS, play. He was blown away by their skill, and wanted to learn more table tennis techniques. “I was like ‘I can beat them,’” Milner-Gillers said. “I had no clue how incredibly good they were at ping-pong, and I don’t think I scored one point when I played them.” WDCTT is trying to make the sport of table tennis accessible to everyone. Asgarali enjoys seeing his students improve so drastically, and Alexander was one of those students who picked up the game so quickly. “It’s a very intellectual sport,” Asgarali said. “It develops reflexes and discipline, and it’s just a great sport for kids to play. It’s low risk for injury, and high reward.”
Photos by Alexander Taylor and Ami Milner-Gillers, used with permission. 24 November 2025
A FRESH LOOK
FRESHMAN PLAYING THIS SEASON
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Our freshman team will be as competitive as ever. We’re going to be conditioned, we’re going to be fast, and we’re going to play tough.
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Mia Forseter Sports Editor With only one senior graduating from the varsity boys basketball program last year, and a nearly full boys JV roster from last season, the JDS athletics department knew they had to find an opportunity for male freshmen who don’t make the JV or varsity teams to play basketball. Similar to many public high schools, the athletics department has decided to implement a freshman boys basketball team. The varsity team has already held tryouts, and JV tryouts will be held in early November. Depending on the number of freshmen who try out for the freshman team, the coach will have to make a decision about cuts. “It’s a way to make sure people can play, we can continue the program,” Director of Athletics Becky Silberman said. “Because if we just cut a bunch of people, the next year when our seniors graduate, then we’re struggling for numbers.” Middle school P.E. teacher Spencer Wood will coach the freshman team. Growing up, Wood was not always the biggest kid on the team, and as a result of that and going to a school that recruited for basketball, he did not always get playing time on his high school team. However, due to his love for the game, Wood worked hard on his craft daily, and gained playing time by playing on several local teams.
Head Coach Spencer Wood
New freshman boys basketball team to begin this season
Wood hopes to translate his love and dedication to basketball into his coaching. The team will practice three times a week and will focus primarily on improving individual skills. “It’s a lot of developmental preparation, getting them ready for more, even higher levels of competition and higher levels of basketball,” Wood said. “But don’t get it twisted, our freshman team will be as competitive as ever. We’re going to be conditioned, we’re going to be fast and we’re going to play tough.” Wood currently also serves as an assistant coach on the cross country team. This will be Wood’s first time as a head coach, a role he is looking forward to taking on. “I’m really excited about getting to teach these guys about life,” Wood said. “Because all the things that we learn in these sports translate to real life, whether your job, your family, your everyday responsibilities, time management, collaboration, working with other people, going through obstacles.” The freshman team will be playing against non-conference schools that have similar style teams. Many of these games will be double headers with the JV team, with the freshman team playing the opposing school’s freshman team before or after the JV teams play. To help make space for this team to practice, Silberman tried to be strategic with scheduling, planning for multiple away games
JAKE FORSETER SHOOTING GUARD
SAM OLIN SHOOTING GUARD
to free up gym space. She also set up triple header game days at JDS. In addition to practices at both the Upper and Lower School gyms, the freshman team will also have Sunday practices at the Upper School. Freshman Sam Olin tried out for the boys varsity team, which only took one freshman as a practice player. Olin is planning to try out for the boys JV team. However, if he does not make that, he plans to try out for the freshman team. He said many of his peers have the same plan. “If I ended up on the freshman team, I think I would primarily focus on getting better,” Olin said. “My goal would be to win as a team, but I’m always trying to get better. I think the school is trying to help lower-classmen improve so that in the future, they can help out our varsity and junior varsity teams.” While it is currently undetermined whether the team will continue in future years, as the freshman class this year is larger than most, the freshmen appreciate the additional opportunity they have to be part of a basketball team. “I think it’s good that a lot of students have opportunities to improve,” Olin said. “And I hope these students can really get better to help out the school’s other teams in the future.”
RYDER CHESMAN SMALL FORWARD
Photos by Eric Forseter, Sam Olin and Jeff Chesman, used with permission.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 25
- sports -
TOURNAMENT TIMELINE Multi-school competitions the Lions are taking part in
David Federowicz & Gabi Kittrie Opinion Editor & Reporter
SOCCER SEPT. 20 AT BETH TFILOH The boys and girls varsity soccer teams traveled to Baltimore for a single day tournament at Beth Tfiloh on Sept. 20. Beth Tfiloh hosted Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy, the Frisch School from New Jersey and Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls from New Jersey. Last year, the boys team attended the same tournament and finished the day with a 1-2 record, including a 1-0 victory against Berman. This year, the boys finished the tournament with a 0-0 tie against Beth Tfiloh and a 3-0 loss to Frisch. Sophomore and captain Nathan Yoskowitz still found the tournament valuable because of the connections he created. “The tournament was meaningful because I was able to meet other Jewish people and even people I already knew but had no idea would even be there,” Yoskowitz said. “It
was also a really cool experience to talk to them about their opinions of Judaism and Israel.” The girls varsity soccer team also finished the tournament without any wins. Sophomore Selma Teichman thought that despite losing all three of their games, the tournament was a good way to develop team chemistry on and off the field. “I think that the tournament was a really great low-stress opportunity to work on our passing game and work together better,” Teichman said. “It was also good team bonding because we had a lot of time in between games to just hang out and chill.”
OCT. 29-NOV. 2
MEMPHIS YESHIVA INVITATIONAL
This October, the boys varsity basketball team is returning to the Memphis Yeshiva Invitational for the second year in a row. Aside from the opportunity to travel to Memphis, Tennessee, this tournament is highly regarded by players for its interactive experiences including opportunities to meet other Jewish athletes and participate in post-game interviews. The tournament will take place from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2. JDS’ athletic rival, Berman, will also be participating in this tournament. Although the Lions have faced the Cougars many times locally, this opportunity allows for extra preparation for
26 November 2025
games against each other later in the season. Before the tournament, teams are seeded based on their record in the past year. Last year, the Lions were the 14th seed out of the 16 teams in the tournament and finished with a record of 2-2. JDS will once again be the 14th seed this year. The Lions will spend Shabbat in Memphis at a nearby hotel, and will observe traditional Shabbat customs, such as walking to synagogue and refraining from the use of technology. After a positive experience last year, junior Shia Messler is looking forward to team bonding on Shabbat. “I’m really looking forward
to getting closer as a team, being able to spend Shabbat as a team together and then also working together to compete,” Messler said.
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2
VOLLEYBALL
NOV. 9-10 IN NEW YORK
On Nov. 9-10, the JDS girls varsity volleyball team will travel to New York to compete separately against three Jewish schools: the Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) Academy, the Heschel School and the Leffell School. This is the first time that the girls varsity volleyball team has participated in any trip to play schools in another state. Senior and captain Rachel Fagin is excited for the trip with her team especially with the team’s recent growth and bonding. “We’ve not had an opportunity like this before,” Fagin said. “Given how we have improved over the years, and our level of play this year, it seems like perfect timing for it.” Having the opportunity to play other Jewish schools will be a way for the team to meet and connect with other Jewish high school volleyball players from outside of the area. It will also give the volleyball team the ability to play new teams. “I think we’re going to get a lot out of learning how other [teams] play the sport,” Fagin said. “ ... We can look at things we want to improve on with our play, and we can learn different styles of play.”
3
1. Senior and captain Cyrus Blumenthal was named an
all-star after scoring 74 points total in the 2024 Memphis Yeshiva Invitational tournament. Photo by Sarah Adams, used with permission.
2.The boys varsity basketball team prepares for their flight home from the 2024 tournament in Memphis. Photo by Ryan Eskow, used with permission.
3. Senior Eitan Rattner puts up a shot against the
Maimonides school. Photo by Sarah Adams, used with permission. Cutouts photos by Adam Hirsch, used with permission.
CAPITAL JEWISH HOOPS INVITATIONAL For the first time in JDS athletic history, the boys and girls varsity basketball teams will be hosting a tournament at JDS. This tournament was named the Capital Jewish Hoops Invitational and will take place over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Jan. 17-19. Athletic Director Becky Silberman hopes to make this tournament a yearly tradition. The Lions will host three pluralistic Jewish day schools: Gann Academy from Boston, Massachusetts; Donna Klein Jewish Academy from Boca Raton, Florida and Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The teams will be staying at a hotel near the JDS campus to allow for easy transportation. The athletic department is also hoping to grow the tournament in future years by recruiting more schools, and for it to showcase JDS’ leadership among Jewish day schools. According to Silberman, the goal in creating this tournament was to connect other pluralistic Jewish day schools together. “I felt like the world of pluralistic schools has been left behind,” Silberman said. “It’s hard for us to find tournaments that are accepting of our different levels of Judaism.”
JAN 18-20 AT JDS
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 27
OUT CLUBBIN’ Isaiah Segal-Geetter Reporter
The Imadi Embassy Club is associated with the non-profit organization Imadi, which pairs kids who have life-altering conditions such as developmental disabilities or life-threatening illnesses, with volunteers to spend time together, according to senior and Club President Jesse Fisher. The club meets on Wednesday during CT and is open to anyone interested or already working with Imadi. At meetings, club members plan future events and talk about their pods (the kids that they work with). They also plan to have Imadi employees come speak. “I really love Imadi,” Fisher said. “It’s the best organization that I’ve volunteered with. Everything about it is great, but I felt like within the JDS community [there are] still a lot of people [who] don’t know about this organization.” Model UN was founded this year by sophomore Stella Cutler. She was inspired by her public middle school’s team and wanted to bring the same activity to JDS. According to Cutler, although it requires a lot of work to prep for the competitions. The club can also be very fulfilling with trips when competing with other countries, such as their upcoming trip to Montreal next March. “Model UN is a great opportunity for students who are still in their shell to be able to learn and grow and spend time with other students who share similar interests and have the opportunity to travel and learn more about the world and how international relations are,” Cutler said.
New student groups this school year
Imadi Embassy Club
Model UN Club
Sophomores Evie May and Stella Cutler man the Model UN table at the club fair. Photo from Stella Cutler, used with permission.
Senior Grady Goldstein spends time with his pod at an Imadi event. Photo by Natan Price, used with permission.
Kumzitz Klub
Kumzitz Klub members sing Zmirot to cultivate community after the Gaza ceasefire plan. Photo by Ella Longman, Dimensions.
Kumzitz Klub provides a space for Jewish singing, including Zmirot and other traditional songs, every other Friday during lunch. It was founded by juniors Yarden Wilkenfeld, Raizy Moshinksy, Anna Polon and Lyla Silberg alongside faculty advisor and Jewish text teacher Maharat Ruth Balinsky Friedman. Wilkenfeld said that it began after students who were in Israel over the summer realized that they wanted more of the spiritual singing that they experienced there. A meeting consists of someone standing up and saying something they find meaningful, and then they or another student starts a song. There is also a song sheet for students who are looking to learn the songs. “We plan to just sing some classic Jewish songs,” Wilkenfeld said. “That’s our base plan. We might bring other things. We wanted it to be a very Jewish environment. It’s going to be singing every [other] Friday, welcoming the Shabbat with a holy sense.”