CESJDS / January 2026 / Volume 43 Issue 3
LT
THE LION’S TALE
ED JEWCATION What Jewish learning looks like in the United States
NEWS 04 Turning the wheel 05 Resource rundown 06 STEM spotlight
MoCo updates traffic regulations Tuition aid program
JDS hosts science seminars for students
FEATURES 18 Navigating neurodiversity 19 Splashin’ Assassins 20 Care for hair 21 Cakes for a cause 22 Buzzing with talent
Senior builds college accessibility website
Senior game gains popularity
Community donates locks to organizations Junior bakes for Birthday Cakes 4 free
DEAR READERS,
It’s official. We have begun the final stretch of our senior year, but more importantly, the last days of our time on The Lion’s Tale. We want to take a moment to reflect on the past year after a blur of vigorous copy editing, adventures in New York City for CSPA, relationships built with our fellow staff and personal growth through our time as Editors-in-Chief. We are incredibly proud of the beautiful covers; one-day turnaround articles; expansion of the multimedia program through podcasts, videos and broadcasts; movie reviews; club of the month articles; pro/cons; pizza-making night; and web redesign. But we all know that at the heart of this year’s success are two things: the dedication of the staff and Ms. Nassau. To our staff, we can’t tell you how much we love and appreciate you. Amidst the frantic texts and hallway conversations, we truly are so proud of all the work you do. Every. Single. Day. Most of what makes us sad to leave is that we will miss the raucous meetings, “Hamilton hours” at production and chats over articles and spreads. We are so beyond excited to see where the future takes you, and we look forward to checking lionstale.org in Israel and at college. Ms. Nassau. Thank you for being our go-to adviser and friend. Thank you for advocating for us and believing in us. Thank you for your support of The Lion’s Tale. We will miss you so much. We are proud of our legacy on the publication, and we are excited to pass the baton to the next generation of the Lion’s Tale. We hope next year will be as bright as this one was for us.
High school students perform “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
OPINION
A&E
returns 24 Wicked 08 Breaking free 25 An animated adventure 09 It’s cool to care/I’m on my way! Nuts about nutrients Fortunate to Facetime/Be selfish 26 10 11 Unpausing the week/Living the now 12 Dream big/The art of wasting time 13 Embrace oddity Use high school as a time to explore
Second movie defies expectations
Vivi Ducker/Eliana Wolf
“Zootopia 2” is worth the watch
Maiya Blumenthal/Sadaf Zadeh
Protein craze influences lifestyle habits
Sophie Schwartz/Penelope Terl
Mia Forseter/Tali Loeffler Jonah Mellen
IN-DEPTH 14 EdJEWcation
What Jewish learning looks like in the United States
SPORTS growth 28 Golf 29 Capital hearing 30 Fagin spikes forward 31 Coaching at its best
Sport rises in popularity among youth D.C. sports podcast started by seniors Senior commits to Wellesley College Athletic Director wins coaching award
PAGE
22 PAGE
Sincerely,
06
PAGE Editors-in-Chief
2 January 2026
30
PAGE
04
Photo credits clockwise from top left: Amir Tamiz, used with permission; Leora Blumenthal, LT; Anna Polon, LT and Ryder Chesman, Dimensions.
THE LION’S TALE STAFF Eliana Abrams’ favorite Jewish text is Pirkei Avot Photo by Jac kso n
. l, LT Gil
Sadaf Zadeh’s favorite Jewish text is Jeremiah
Vivi Ducker & Eliana Wolf
Managing Editor, Copy Maiya Blumenthal
Pho to b
Managing Editor, Web
Gill, LT. son ack yJ
David Federowicz’s favorite Jewish text is Song of Songs
Editors-in-Chief
Sophie Schwartz
In-Depth Editor Sadaf Zadeh
Jonah Mellen’s favorite Jewish text is Shmuel II
News Editors Eliana Abrams & Penelope Terl
Features Editors Mia Forseter’s favorite Jewish text is the Book of Bereshit
Jordana Dauber & Anna Polon
Opinion Editors David Federowicz & Lindsey Shapiro
LT. Gill, on ks
Leora Blumenthal & Jonah Mellen
Sports Editors
Jac
Arts and Entertainment Editors
Photo by
Photo by Jac kso n
. l, LT Gil
Sophie Schwartz’s favorite Jewish text is Tehillim
Tali Loeffler & Mia Forseter Vivi Ducker’s favorite Jewish text is Megillat Esther
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
Anna Polon’s favorite Jewish text is Isaiah
Check out our new website design:
Staff Illustrator Leah Fagin
THE BEST OF NEWS
JDS names new Head of School
lionstale.org A&E
Eliana Wolf, Editor-in-Chief
Taylor Swift docuseries review
Leora Blumenthal, A&E Editor
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
FEATURES
Caffeine’s effects on students
Ayla Hurwitz, Guest Writer
SPORTS
Jake Forseter breaks freshman record Lena Lourenco, Reporter
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
- news -
H E T W G N HEE I N R L U T Montgomery County updates traffic regulations in effort to lower crash rates
David Federowicz Opinion Editor
A
s Montgomery County drivers wait to turn onto Boiling Brook Parkway from Parklawn Drive, they are stuck in a line to turn right behind a newly added no-turn-onred sign. This is partially because of new traffic laws and enforcements that were implemented this year by Montgomery County. One of these laws is the addition of over 200 no-turn-on-red signs, under the unanimously approved County Council Safe Streets Act of 2023, according to Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). Though this act originated in 2023, the no-turn-on-red sign installations ramped up this fall. This enforcement action came into effect on Sept. 5, and its main purpose is to eliminate serious and fatal pedestrian and driver accidents. MCDOT Director Chris Conklin believes that this new change will significantly increase pedestrian safety. “Right-turning vehicles at intersections increase risk for pedestrians, particularly for small children, people in wheelchairs and cyclists, who are not always visible to drivers,” Conklin said. “Eliminating right turns at red lights provides pedestrians with an opportunity to cross with fewer conflicts with turning vehicles.” While some say no-turnon-red signs are safer, the signs sometimes slow down drivers from reaching their destination. Even without the no-turn-onred signs, according to Maryland
BY THE NUMBERS
59k
crashes in Montgomery County between 2015 and 2019
1,200
severe injuries in Montgomery County due to crashes between 2015 and 2019
140+
fatalities in Montgomery County due to crashes between 2015 and 2019 Information from Montgomery Planning
Matters, Maryland has the second-highest commute time in the United States. Ilana Cutler, parent to sophomore Stella Cutler and eighth-grade student Liza Cutler, strongly opposes the new signs and hopes for them to be taken down immediately. “I think it is horrible,” Cutler said. “I think that it causes a lot of traffic backup. A right turn on red, done in the appropriate circumstances, is safe as long as proper driving precautions are taken. And, I think that traffic is such a problem in this county, and this is only going to serve to make it so much worse.” Along with the new no-turnon-red signs, the county is adding more speed cameras on “high risk roadways,” according to MCDOT’s website. David Anspacher, Division Chief for Montgomery County planning, says that this is result of pedestrian fatalities. “The main reason [for the new laws] is the enduring issue that we have in Montgomery County and really throughout the country: preventable traffic deaths and severe injuries on our roads due to how they’ve been designed over the past 50 to 70 years,” Anspacher said. According to studies conducted by Montgomery County, one person is killed on the roads in the county about every eight days, which Anspacher said is “quite high for the average year.” In addition to adding more speed cameras, Montgomery County will also be raising the fines for speeding tickets. Accord-
Photo by Anna Polon, LT.
ing to MCDOT, instead of a flat $40 fine for speeding, the new fines will be based on how far over the posted speed limit the driver was going when caught by the camera. For example, the fine for 16 to 19 mph over the speed limit is $70, 20 to 29 mph is $120 and 30 to 39 mph is $230. These fines are in alignment with Prince George’s County’s regulations. These new traffic laws all have the same aspiration in mind. In 2016, Montgomery County joined Vision Zero, an international traffic and transportation movement. The movement focuses on increasing safety, health and equitable mobility for all users of the road by enhancing traffic laws and adding vehicle-controlled measures. By 2030, Vision Zero hopes to have no driving and pedestrian fatalities. In the past six months, numerous new traffic laws have been implemented in Montgomery County, all with the same goal: protecting pedestrians and drivers. Cutler thinks this process may require longer driving commutes, which frustrates Montgomery County drivers. “I think that they should be absolutely removed, because it’s just another thing getting in the way of people getting to where they need to go,” Cutler said.
4 January 2026
RE$OURCE RUNDOWN
Tuition aid program aims to keep JDS accessible while sustaining school operations Ephraim Blair Reporter With a full year of high school tuition at JDS costing $47,150, many families cannot afford to pay the entire amount for a variety of work, health and financial reasons. Over 56% of students will receive tuition assistance this year, up from 52% last year, according to Chief Financial and Operating Officer Elanit Jakabovics. However, the school offers tuition assistance, allowing some students to attend at a discounted rate. According to Jakabovics, JDS gave families over $10 million in tuition assistance discounts for the 2025-2026 school year. These range from a 5% discount up to a 75% discount off the full tuition cost, according to the JDS website. “Our goal is to do what we can to ensure that families have the ability to pay tuition and to send their kids to JDS,” Jakabovics said. “We want to make sure that a JDS education is accessible.” Jakabovics said that this assistance applies only to tuition. Families still have to pay out of pocket for transportation, food, technology, optional Lower School afterschool clubs and other various expenses that are separate from tuition. In the 2024 fiscal year, JDS brought in $39.3 million in revenue, mostly in tuition, to cover $40.6 million in expenses, according to ProPublica. According to Jakabovics, the school supplements lost revenue with donations, returns from the school’s endowment and income from renting out
GET TO KNOW
Helene Rhodes Senior Enrollment and Tuition Assistance Manager
school space for summer camps and sporting events. Treasurer of the Board of Directors Justin Epner (‘04), parent of preschool student Cobi Epner and first grade student Ezra Epner, said that tuition assistance is not only good for families, but also for the school’s finances. Epner says that by offering tuition assistance, JDS is allowing more students to attend, helping broaden its revenue base to fund the annual budget passed by the Board of Directors and management. “We’re a tuition assistance family … If my kids didn’t go to JDS, JDS would be losing the revenue that my wife and I pay for their tuition,” Epner said. “But there wouldn’t be any cost savings. JDS would still be paying the same amount of money to the teachers, to the administrators, to the custodial staff, for the electric bill, for the insurance, for the all the different things.” Although not every family is guaranteed tuition assistance, all families are able to apply for it. According to Jakabovics, this year, only 2.5% of applicants did not qualify for financial aid due to having too high of an income. This accounts for less than 15 out of more than 570 applications. According to the JDS website, the tuition assistance application for the 2026-2027 school year opened on Oct. 19, and closed on Dec. 14 for current families and on Jan. 11 for new and prospective families. Senior Enrollment and Tuition Assistance Manager Helene Rhodes said the school has made an effort to streamline the application for families. Last year, as part of these efficiency efforts, the school adopted Clarity, a system that allows
parents to directly authorize the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to transfer their tax documents without them having to upload them themselves. Epner said this simplification saved him multiple hours, allowing him to complete the tuition assistance application in a two-hour sitting. After a parent submits, Rhodes said that she does an “initial review” of the documents that families submit and reaches out to families for clarification if needed. Rhodes said that she does not make any unilateral decisions, and that her review is followed by a holistic review by a committee that meets regularly to release all tuition assistance decisions by late February. “It’s complex in the sense that every single family has a unique story and a unique set of needs,” Rhodes said. “Every single family has a budget. Every single family wants to contribute to JDS. They want the best tuition rate that they can get. Every family wants to be prudent and responsible with their money.” Epner said he sends his children to his alma mater because he values the unique Jewish education that JDS offers. Tuition assistance helps families like his send their children to JDS at a reasonable price, he said. “An aspect that I don’t think you can really get outside of the Jewish Day School atmosphere is the feeling of connection across time and space to the rest of the Jewish people,” Epner said. “I think that there is something extremely special about the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. That’s what has made it one of the largest pluralistic Jewish day schools in the whole world.”
Favorite hobby: Reading and family time
Years working at JDS: 2.5
Favorite food: A really thick vanilla milkshake with good quality ice cream
Favorite holiday: Close call between Passover and Thanksgiving
Photo by Freed Photography.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 5
- news -
STEM SPOTLIGHT JDS runs science seminars for students
Zoe Cohen Reporter From climate-focused molecular engineering to the digital modeling of cancer cells, this year’s STEM conference emphasized the size of the field. The high school-wide event featured more than 20 speakers to lead sessions that were designed to demonstrate how STEM shapes everyday life for students. On Dec. 3, students spent their afternoons attending STEM-related seminars of their choice guided by local experts, as part of the seventh annual conference at JDS. Starting off the event, keynote speaker Hadas Eleazar-Bittleman (‘16) talked about her work reducing carbon emissions through concrete. Eleazar-Bittleman spoke about the impact JDS had on her career and how it prepared her for a job as a molecular engineer, focusing on changing how cement is made to reduce carbon emissions into the environment. Director of Upper School STEM Alexandra Brown wanted to kick off the conference and seminars with a school-wide speaker, before dividing into student-chosen seminars. “When I am trying to find a keynote speaker, I’m trying to find someone that is doing work in something that’s universally interesting,” Brown said. “[Climate change is] one of those things we all have to educate ourselves about and deal with, whether we are going to study it in the future or not.” According to Brown, the goal of STEM day was to help educate students on the importance of the
WHAT DO THE LIONS THINK? Photos by David Federowicz, LT.
6 January 2026
BY THE NUMBERS 7th
annual JDS STEM conference a
24
seminars at the conference a
17%
of speakers were alumni
301
students participated in conference
25
speakers
Information from Alexandra Brown
many fields of STEM, even if it is not a primary interest to some students, and to show how STEM influences many future careers and jobs. “I think just understanding that STEM is really in every field now and how it’s unavoidable, whether it’s your thing or not,” Brown said. “It’s something that you should educate yourself about, because you’re going to have to deal with it in your career, no matter what you go into.” Students could choose their seminars, with options spanning a wide range of STEM fields. This year’s speakers included alumni, student relatives, local experts and one student. Senior Ella Longman co-led a seminar on the digital modeling of pancreatic cancer with Dr. Jeanette Johnson. This past summer, Longman interned at the Institute for Genome Sciences at the University of Maryland through their summer program. She was asked to continue her work into the fall because her team was impressed with her work. Although Longman is a student, she works part-time at her lab for about 10 hours each week after school. Her work has grown from observing others in her lab to conducting her own science research. “It [the research] originated in just merging two separate models together to create one that would be able to mimic the complete tumor microenvironment in a way that was clear and obvious enough without overcomplicating it,” Longman said. “They were really excited about it, and it kind of gave me the go-ahead to create my own project.”
Sophomore Noa Dvir
“The conference gave us a chance to learn about things that aren’t academic but still equally as important.”
This year’s conference topics included modern dilemmas in STEM, such as the importance of artificial intelligence and its impact in the various fields. Other presenters spoke about the different effects of medicine, how it works and public health. Specific seminars highlighted naval engineering, forensic science and spacecraft propulsion. For his seminar blocks, STEM fellow and sophomore David Loeffler helped manage the volunteer project at Bikes For The World. This local organization builds bikes from donated parts and ships them globally. As for STEM, the organization focuses on engineering and mechanics, making it interactive and on theme. “I really liked the concept of volunteering, because it contributes to something bigger, while still focusing on engineering and adding on to the worldwide impor-
Junior Shia Messler
“It was really cool to experience new concepts that we don’t always learn in our classes.”
Left: Speaker Ilan Gasko (‘19) discusses flooding challenges with students at the STEM conference. Right: Senior Eitan Rattner dusts for finger prints during seminar about crime scene investigation. Photos by Samantha Singman, used with permission.
tance of STEM,” Loeffler said. The STEM fellows prepared for the conference months in advance. They introduced seminars and conducted advisory activities. Each fellow signed up to manage a particular conference session. Loeffler was part of the sophomore committee and helped arrange his grade’s competition over the past few weeks, which was an advisory-versus-advisory contest. “We decided on a balloon rocket activity, and it was challenging, because we needed to find something that was easy and fun and that encouraged communication between our peers,” Loeffler said. Brown said that this year, committees led to more hands-on activities for all students. During advisory, freshmen made stomp rockets, juniors built paper bridges and seniors made paper airplanes, all of which focused on team building and engineering. Throughout the day, students
earned raffle tickets for engagement in advisory or during seminars. Winners of the raffle were selected at the closing assembly and received prizes such as activities with certain teachers or JDS merchandise. As the day came to a close, students reflected on their seminars and grade-wide activities. The goal of the day was to leave students with a deeper understanding of the importance of STEM across many fields, and of its relevance, whether or not it is their main academic interest. “I thought it went really well, for speakers and students,” Loeffler said. “Everyone was engaged and had a great time learning about STEM, and I look forward to next year’s conference.”
WHAT DID EACH GRADE BUILD? Freshmen Straw Airplanes
Sophomores Balloon Rockets
Juniors Paper bridges
Seniors
Freshman Gabey Silverberg
“The STEM conference felt meaningful because it has made me want to be more active in STEM in the future and it has widened my understanding of what STEM means.”
Paper airplanes Photos by Ren Baronofsky, Dimensions. David Federowicz and Eliana Abrams, LT.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 7
- opinion -
KEEP BREAKING FREE Use high school as a time to explore diverse interests
I
WHAT ARE
t’s midway through “High high school students not just to School Musical” and Chad and be a “hoops dude” or a “musical Troy are walking in their high singer person” but to be a “hoops school library. Troy is stressed musical singer person.” about trying out for the musical Chad’s poor judgment of LEO STEINDECKER what it means to be a successful and balancing his basketball commitment. Without hesitation, high schooler is almost laughChad says, “You’re a hoops dude. able. At JDS, we are encouraged Not a musical singer person.” to pursue multiple disciplines Many of our staff grew up and explore diverse paths. In fact, on this movie, blasting “Stick our school is built on the duali1. Finance club to the Status Quo” in their cars ty of learning both secular and 2. Wellness Fellow Jewish subjects. and singing “Get’cha Head In 3. Varsity basketball The Game” in our rooms with Students often feel presan imaginary basketball in our sured to find the singular talent HADRIEL DAYANIM or “niche” that will make them hands. But beyond the catchy songs and adorable characters, stand out and be identifiable. But the message often gets lost. it is such a blessing to be at a time The reality is that Troy was in our lives when we don’t have to the captain of the basketball specialize or confine ourselves to team, and the lead in the spring one discipline. In the midst of the 1. Class president competitive culture we all grow musical. Gabriella won the math 2. Musical ensemble up in, it is easy to forget that high decathlon and was the female 3. Cross country team school is a time designated for lead in the musical alongside Troy. Martha loves science, teens to try new things, learn new NOLYN ZIMAN and loves to dance. Zeke is an skills and discover new passions. amazing athlete, but also has While the end-all be-all is a passion for baking. All the not to show diversity of interests characters were proud of their to college admissions, it shows multifaceted identity that the an innate curiosity to the rest of flexibility and freedom of high the world. We do not encourage 1. Yearbook school allowed them to pursue. students to fill resumes with a 2. STEMinism club random list of discombobulated As this is the last edition and culmination of many staff mem- 3. Varsity basketball experiences. Explore, but not bers’ time on The Lion’s Tale, Photos by Shia Messler and for the sake of resume-padding. we want to encourage our fellow Julia Yoskowitz, Dimensions Pursue true passions, and don’t
SENIORS
DOING?
be deterred if they do not all fit perfectly together. Even among our staff, there is a diversity of activities our reporters and editors pursue. We have debaters, STEM fellows, basketball players, dancers, artists and musicians, and we all feel more prepared to leave high school having experienced multiple disciplines and hobbies. Freshmen: Join the club that does not align with the “story” of the resume. Sophomores: Take the elective class that is of genuine interest, not one that will look best for future college applications. Juniors: revisit the childhood activities that brought you immense joy but that you were unable to continue amidst all the work. Seniors: take a moment to appreciate the accomplishments. The mix of classes, clubs, teams and passions woven together created the identity capable enough to take the next step toward college and beyond.
- THE LION’S TALE
Illustration by Leah Fagin, LT
8 January 2026
IT’S COOL TO CARE
Vivi Ducker Editor-in-Chief I’ve been sold the fantasy of the “effortless” life: the girl who never stresses over the piles of homework, never cries at sad movies and never tries too hard to be funny or liked. For far too long, I tried my hardest to look like I didn’t care about anything because I was told that’s the key to looking cool. But nonchalance should not be celebrated; it’s far more admirable to express our emotions freely. Now is not the time to pretend that we’re okay, that we don’t care. With the loneliness epidemic running rampant and polarization more prevalent than ever, it’s hard for us to connect in the first place. Pretending emotions are uncool is the last thing we need. Nonchalance erases the emotional, relatable aspects of being human. We cling to nonchalance because it feels safe. If we don’t show excitement, we can’t be embarrassed. If we pretend we don’t care, we won’t be disappointed.
I’M ON MY WAY!
Senior portraits by Freed Photography. Baby photos by Adam Ducker (top) Ariel Wolf (bottom).
Eliana Wolf Editor-in-Chief “Don’t worry, I’ll be there in five minutes.” That text is one I send frequently, usually when I am about 20 minutes away from my destination. My friends, teachers and most of society despise my chronic tardiness, and I understand why. The truth is that I am rarely late out of carelessness. I am late because I have a hard time pulling myself away from the moments that make this life feel full. Showing up late is admittedly uncomfortable. I do not enjoy rushing into class with an apology or texting a friend that I am not going to be on time. Yet when I think about why I am late, the answer is usually simple: the walk with my mom went longer than planned or the impromptu breakfast dance party pushed my morning five minutes back. I can’t help that there are only 24 hours in a day, but I also know that I have one life to live.
Indifference becomes a shield that hides the simple truth that most of us are terrified of looking like we tried. I should never be worried that showing I care comes off as overbearing or obsessive. What kind of life is it if all we care about is suppressing our excitement and emotions? I love being extra. I love being loud. I love to overdramatize every situation in my life. I want to know about everything going on in my friends’ lives because I want them to see my genuine interest in them, not because I am obsessive or desperate. I reject nonchalance by being dramatic and showing the people I love that I care about them. If being perceived as loud or “too much” is the outcome, they are qualities I will proudly embrace. Caring isn’t embarrassing; it’s human. We don’t need more people pretending not to feel. We need more people brave enough to show that they do.
And in that beautiful life, I will always choose memory-making over clock-watching. Society treats tardiness as a sign of disrespect and impertinence, but the regret of missing out feels far worse. I know I would regret not being fully present with the people I love because I am too busy preserving a perfect schedule. It is infinitely better to take advantage of life’s blessings than to waste them worrying whether others would be offended over a few minutes of missed time. To be clear, I am not arguing for universal tardiness. There are moments when showing up on time (airports, interviews, weddings, birthday parties, etc.) is paramount. But when the choice is between racing out the door or staying for one more song, one more laugh or one more memory with the people I love, then investing in the people who make life meaningful is worth being a few minutes late.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 9
- senior columns -
FORTUNATE TO FACETIME
All senior portraits taken by Freed Photography. Bottom photo by Dan Blumenthal.
BE SELFISH
Some might call me selfish. I lie about being busy when I don’t have it in me to hang out with my friends. I won’t share my food when I’m hungry. I don’t unplug my almost dead computer so that the person next to me can use my charger. And no, I won’t put my own work aside to help you with yours. This may give you the impression that I only care about myself and have no regard for anyone else. But the truth is, I do care about others, I just know that in some cases I need to put myself first, and that’s okay. Being selfish is okay. Our society has taught us that prioritizing oneself is dishonorable. It is entrenched in us that for a person to be deemed righteous, they must
How lucky are we to live in a time where every friend is just a click away? If you ever want to understand my priorities, walk into my room between the hours of 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. I will likely have math packets spread out on my desk, the computer opened to my English essay outline and in the middle of that chaos: a friend on FaceTime. Don’t get me wrong, my work does not go undone. In the past four years, I’ve spent countless hours cramming assignments at Starbucks, seeking help in math lab and discussing the Arab-Israeli conflict at the dinner table. While all this time was important and rewarding, FaceTime calls are my refuge. Many people—especially my mom who often tries to shut down my calls—see FaceTime as a distraction. They tell me that these calls waste time in the same ways scrolling on social media or playing computer games do. For me, this is far from reality. FaceTime is a productive
Maiya Blumenthal Managing Editor, Copy break, an opportunity to recharge and relax from an intense eight-hour school day. During that break, I am connecting with others and finding a meaning greater than doing well on any assignment. I am learning about my friends: their values, relationships and unique qualities. In between the math packets and searching for evidence for my English essay, I have a nightly opportunity to laugh about the funny joke I heard in Talmud class, hear about my friend’s research project or discuss missed moments from the day. These are real conversations that cannot be replicated by texting or using Snapchat: they are faceto-face interactions that happen to be online. So no, these calls do not distract me from my priorities. While it sometimes means staying up later, these calls remind me of what’s important: balancing hard work with daily laughter and conversation. At the end of the day, that connection makes all the work worthwhile.
Sadaf Zadeh In-Depth Editor
dedicate everything to the well-being of others. What society doesn’t tell you, though, is that it is human nature to think about yourself before anyone else. As I look towards graduation and entering a new chapter in my life, I am able to acknowledge that not everything I do has to be for the good of others. I am allowed to do things for myself; I am allowed to put my own needs first. While it is critical to serve those around us and remain considerate of the people we love, I encourage you to do something for you and only you today. Feel free to say “no” to extraneous tasks. Spend your time however and with whomever you please. Know that your time and resources belong only to you and that you can use it not just for others, but for yourself.
Bottom photo by Farid Zadeh.
10 January 2026
UNPAUSING THE WEEK
For a long time, I lived for the weekend. Monday mornings were the worst. I’d drag myself out of bed, telling myself, “Just get through today. Five more days until Saturday.” But when Saturday came, I realized it didn’t feel like a victory; it felt empty. I spent an entire week waiting for a few good hours, and when they arrived, they never felt like enough. It was like I pressed pause on my own life from Monday to Friday, and expected the weekend to make up for all that lost time. So I tried something different. I started paying attention to the small moments, not in a cheesy “every moment is magical” way, but just noticing the little things that quietly improved my day without me realizing. The laughter that fills the alcove when I am talking with friends during break, or the way my dog greets me when I get home like I am the best part of her day. And somewhere along the way, Monday mornings changed too. I still wake up tired, but I also wake up excited. Excited to see
Bottom photo by Danny Schwartz.
LIVE IN THE NOW
When graduating from middle school I heard that every high school test and grade would be analyzed by colleges, every extracurricular would prove my commitment and the loss of a few points would be harmful to my future. Students believe they must get good grades in order to be successful and that failure condemns them to less. Instead of overloading, focus on being in the now. My sophomore year, I wanted to major in sports management. My junior year, marketing. Now, a senior, I’m applying to college for public health, something I’d never considered. My attempts at early preparation for my future were largely fruitless. I realized that while stressing over the difference between an A- and an A, I was missing the experience of high school itself.
Sophie Schwartz Managing Editor, Web my friends, to play the morning playlist I made for the drive to school and to have at least one moment in the day that makes me laugh. I still look forward to the weekends, to milestones and the big things I can circle on my calendar. But I’ve stopped letting them dictate my happiness. Life doesn’t pause until the weekend, it happens now, in the messy, ordinary and easy-to-ignore parts. Learning to see those small moments hasn’t always come easily. But I’ve learned that joy isn’t always loud and spectacular. Sometimes it is something someone wouldn’t think to write down like a good song, a good laugh or just a second where you feel like you can breathe. Sometimes it is just that quiet sense that for one moment everything is exactly how it’s supposed to be. Don’t just survive the week. Start living it. You might be surprised how much of life you’ve been missing while waiting for Saturday.
Penelope Terl News Editor
Freshman year, I rushed to add extracurriculars my resume. However, I realized that neither myself nor colleges want to see a paper of activities that aren’t meaningful. Instead, I chose the clubs that were most important to me. I cut down my work shifts to have free time. I began to value my time as a high school student, not just as someone working towards college. I’m not telling anyone not to take their education seriously. High school is important. However, I encourage students to slow down. Don’t rush through life looking for the next thing. Try new things. Enjoy high school for the experience that it is, and try to make sure that when you look back, you won’t regret the way you spent it.
Bottom photo by Erika Terl.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 11
- senior columns -
DON’T BE AFRAID TO DREAM BIG
All senior photos taken by Freed Photography. Baby photo taken by Eric Forseter.
Ever since I was little, I have been a realist. In eighth grade, I joined my first travel softball team. When my coach asked, “Who wants to play in college?” nearly every hand went up except for mine. Instead, I looked at the girls who had raised their hands and thought to myself that I was the most realistic one there; there was no reason to wish for something so improbable. Somehow, despite all of this, half a year later, I made the decision that I wanted to play softball in college, and I immediately got to work. While at the time, the dream seemed almost impossible, I believed in my capability to accomplish it and I would not rest until it was secured. Looking back on my journey, I recognize the importance of my dream in shaping who I am today. When I decided to play in college, I was nowhere near the level of a college athlete. Sheer delusion was all that pushed me
THE ART OF WASTING TIME
I love wasting time. And I’m really good at it. Over the course of high school, I have mastered the art of endlessly scrolling on my phone, staring into space or banging my head against a wall. Lately, when I arrive home, I spend over an hour sitting in my car before actually going into my house. I spend at least three hours a day wasting time during the week, and way more on the weekends. That isn’t to say that I’m not a busy person. Between schoolwork, sports teams every season, and a long list of extracurricular activities, I often feel like I don’t have time to breathe. There isn’t a second where I don’t have something that I should be doing. I am used to the scolding from my parents and friends about how I’m really setting myself up for failure. I get told, “You should be more productive with your time,” at least twice a day. But I am being productive
with my time. I’m doing exactly what I need to be doing. To be motivated, I need to put myself under pressure. I need to give myself lazy time to be efficient and productive during the time allotted for work. I need a healthy balance of productivity and wastefulness. Mental rest is important, and sleeping does not count. During the day, it is necessary to have mindless time along with mind-powered time. According to Dr. Peter Stewart, Business Psychologist and Managing Partner at Stewart Leadership, the brain is not equipped to function consistently and efficiently for long periods of time. In fact, wasting time is what produces motivation during focus time. In high school, it is easy to feel like you must always be productive. But remember to also be unproductive. Sit in the car for long hours or lie on the couch staring at your phone. We should all make an effort to embrace time wasting.
Mia Forseter Sports Editor
through the struggles, a belief that I could make it if I challenged myself enough. I consistently took extra reps at practice and at home. I put in the work every athlete talks about, the work that no one else sees, just because I thought I had a shot at my ultimate ambition. My dream pushed me through changing multiple teams, countless people dissuading me and balancing schoolwork, cross country season and softball. When I have been the most stressed and uncertain, following a path I believed would lead me to playing collegiate softball is what pushed me through. I learned that the bigger you dream, the more you believe in yourself and your abilities, the more likely you are to chase after it and accomplish it. The key simply is to chase after your dream, to know that you can achieve it and therefore you have to do the work for it.
Tali Loeffler Sports Editor
Baby photo taken by James Loeffler.
12 January 2026
EMBRACE ODDITY
I love King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. “What is King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard?” the uneducated among you may say. They aren’t the leaders of a cult, rather, they are my favorite band of all time. About three months back, I went to a beautiful concert of theirs where men in dyed hair and bright pink outfits twirled in the mosh pits. “That’s weird,” people may respond. Three years ago, that comment would have made me devolve into a pit of anxiety. I knew people resented weirdness, and I wanted to fit in. So I tried to weed out every trace of weirdness. I cut my long hair and I stopped talking about the things I love. I remember sitting in class humming a King Gizzard song. “What song is that?” someone asked. “Uhhhh, Drake?” I responded. I had censored myself and became another person with a collection of traits engineered to root out weirdness. And it hurt because I love weirdness. Weirdness is the absence
Baby photo taken by Michael Mellen.
PIZZA BOXES ON FIRE IN THE DUCKER OVEN
Jonah Mellen Arts and Entertainment Editor
Photo by Nolyn Ziman, Dimensions.
of normalcy; it shatters patterns we trap ourselves in and injects life into monotony. It’s what adds texture and color to our existence. In a world where conformity is encouraged, it’s the outliers, the weird, who change everything. A man with an obsession with pigeons was called weird for his ideas around electric currents, a man named Nikola Tesla. A failed playwright had an idea for a country, called absurd by his peers. A man named Theodore Herzl. I am weird. King Gizzard is weird; that concert was strange by every conceivable definition. But you know what, who cares! If weirdness is going to make someone feel like they’ve been dropkicked in their manhood, that says more about their spiritual constipation than it does about me. Fight against forces preaching normalcy. And the next time someone asks me “what are you listening to,” I won’t hesitate: “King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.”
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The Lion’s Tale Magazine 13
- in-depth -
EDJEW Photo illustration by Gigi Gordon
CATION E
very morning, while most students around the country sit in their first-period classes, JDS students gather in their selected Zmanei Kodesh (ZK) for time dedicated to connecting with God, through prayer, journaling or even book club. This practice is just one of the unique qualities of attending Jewish day school, giving students the opportunity to engage with their religion as well as pursue academic rigor. For Jews outside of the U.S., getting a Jewish education is the norm. In Mexico, over 90% of Jews attend Jewish day schools, as do 65% of Jews in England, according to Jewish outreach organization Aish. But this is far from the case in the U.S., with 12% percent of Jews, and less than 4% percent of the non-Orthodox population, enrolled in Jewish day schools, according to Aish. When it is time for their children to start school, Jewish parents across the nation decide whether to send them to Jewish day school. What factors go into this decision, and what are the outcomes of a Jewish education? The benefits of Jewish education Throughout history, American Jewish communities have struggled with the challenge of balancing their connection to
14 January 2026
Judaism with integration into secular society. Jewish schools serve two purposes, according to Head of School Rabbi Mitchel Malkus. The first is to develop students’ knowledge in secular (just as any other educational institution) and religious topics. The second is for institutions to shape leaders in the Jewish community. “We want there to be a vibrant Jewish future,” Malkus said. “So if you’re thinking about the purpose of Jewish education, I see it, and the schools see it as future-oriented, to think about what the Jewish community will look like in the future … What we want to do is foster graduates who are confident and compassionate thinkers and who engage the world through Jewish values and ideas.” In practice, this goal is achieved through both formal and informal education, Malkus said. From Talmud classes to the study of the Arab-Israeli conflict, JDS aims to offer a wide range of formal education. This aims to teach Jewish students their tradition and history and give them context outside of school, whether for praying in synagogue or combating antisemitism. However, Malkus said that effective Jewish education pairs this formal education with experien-
31%
of Jewish students in the D.C. area participate in some sort of Jewish program Fewer than
4%
of nonOrthodox Jewish children in the United States attend Jewish day schools Information from Brandeis University and Prizmah
Maiya Blumenthal Managing Editor, Copy Anna Polon Features Editor Lindsey Shapiro Opinion Editor
What Jewish learning looks like in the United States tial learning. At JDS, these experiences include ZK, Shabbatonim, Zimriyah and Kabbalat Shabbat, all of which aim to immerse students in important cultural traditions in a pluralistic way. This experiential learning is not unique to JDS, Jewish day schools and organizations such as the National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) and Jewish Student Unions (JSU) promote these same experiences, according to Rabbi Ephraim Miretzky, Greater Washington NCSY & JSU Director. “Jewish day schools all across the country, they do a great job now understanding that it’s not just about information, it’s not just about the knowledge,” Miretzky said. “It’s also about the experience and living it at the same time.” Jewish day schools also provide students with an environment of Jewish peers. Elana Mendelson, JDS parent to alum Zev Mendelson (‘25) and current Berman parent, prioritized sending her children to Jewish day schools, partially for this social reason, especially since she did not go to a Jewish day school when she was a child. “I went to public school, and I went to Hebrew school after school. I really did not like it, and I did not want my kids to have that
experience, because I feel like you lose the excitement,” Mendelson said. “If you’re in a place with other Jewish kids and you’re learning about your religion and living your religion like you, you get excited about it and you feel like you’re really part of a larger community.” However, this search for community gets more specific as a result of to the variety of Jewish school options. Just in the Greater Washington area, Jewish schools’ practices range from JDS’ pluralistic values to the Yeshiva of Greater Washington (YGW), an Orthodox school that observes Jewish law strictly. While all these schools aim to develop knowledgeable Jewish students, their practices vary. Mendelson sees the variety of options like YGW and JDS, but also including Melvin J Berman Hebrew Academy, Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School, Gesher Jewish Day School and the Torah School of Greater Washington, as assets for the local Jewish community. “I would just say that living here in Washington, D.C., we’re
Nearly
40%
of young Jewish leaders have attended day school
56%
of Jewish day school alumni feel “very close” to the Jewish community right now Information from Prizmah and eJewishPhilanthropy.
so lucky to have different options that meet the needs of so many different types of Jewish families,” Mendelson said. “It just allows people to have the flexibility to go where it meets their needs.” This flexibility, in addition to local Jewish camps and youth groups, has resulted in 31% of Jewish students in the Greater Washington area aged K-12 participating in some sort of Jewish education, whether formal or experiential, according to a 2017 Brandeis study. “[Jewish day school] influenced me a lot,” Freshman Ayla Hurwitz said. “Like, what my morals are, what my values are, how I look at the world, like being a Jew was a really big part of who I am, because I’ve been to, going to [a Jewish day school] and been surrounded by a lot of Jewish people my entire life.” Why families opt out Many parents also opt to not send their children to Jewish day schools for a variety of reasons, including diversity concerns, high
cost and the quality of secular private schools. A large factor for many families is the cost. Like JDS, tuition at many Jewish Day Schools–including The Ramaz School in New York City and Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles–can cost over $40,000 a year, according to Tablet Magazine. While financial aid can be offered, the high cost can still place financial strain on families. The cost of other Jewish activities like camps, youth groups, gap years and synagogue membership fees add up, and some families must choose which of these to spend their money on. Because of high costs, many parents choose to send their children to public schools. Public school costs are included in taxes, making a reputable education free. Montgomery County is a highly ranked school district and has made the 250 most “sought after” districts list. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) parent Kara Blond, whose husband went to JDS (‘92), sent her older child to a
ת ר א ז מ ל ט צ ע ף ש ה נ Photo by Sadaf Zadeh,
LT.
י בם ס ק ח
כ
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 15
- in-depth magnet program at Wheaton High School, where he is able to take specialized engineering classes. This program is one example of application-based programs within the county where students take upper-level courses based on their interests at schools other than the one they’re zoned to. The magnet program is one of many others like the International Baccalaureate (IB) program that Jewish schools do not typically offer. “It’s a pretty amazing opportunity that he can focus, even in high school, on the area that he’s most interested in,” Blond said. “... It’s pretty great that that’s an opportunity in the public school system.” The academic opportunities, paired with the wide variety of extracurriculars that are inherent in a larger school, is what motivated Emma Libowitz, senior at Walt Whitman High School and former Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School student, to attend a public high school. “I knew Whitman offered AP classes, and we have a really strong language department, and [I] love our theater department, and at the time, JDS didn’t have them all,” Libowitz said. “It’s a trade-off, and I chose the unique opportunities of Whitman.” Many Jewish parents also choose to educate their children at non-Jewish private schools, especially in the DMV, where private school enrollment in all three states is higher than or equal to the national average. According to the Pew Research Center, D.C. has the lowest percentage of students enrolled in traditional public schools compared to all 50 states at 45%. Local private schools like the Sidwell Friends School, Georgetown Day School (GDS) and the Bullis School are all known to have sizable Jewish populations. For these parents, it is not a question of money, with private schools such as these costing significantly more than JDS, up to nearly $60,000. Diversity is another big concern for parents and students, including Libowitz. At a Jewish school, the students are of similar backgrounds, whereas secular
16 January 2026
WHY JEWISH EDUCATION? FRESHMAN LEWES APPLEBAUM
private schools and public schools have a range of different students. Living in the country nicknamed the “melting pot,” parents want their children to regularly interact with people of all different backgrounds, according to Hailey Rotker, senior at Northwest High School and president of B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) in the D.C. area. She said that although some Jewish day schools have classes about other religions and cultures, that don’t make up for real-life exposure through her classmates at public school. “The flaw to it [Jewish day schools] is that at my public school, I am exposed to so many different cultures, which people at Jewish private schools aren’t exposed to,” Rotker said. “They [Jewish day school students] don’t know as much about everything else.”
“I really enjoy being able to connect with Other Jewish learning the Jewish opportunities Even without the experience community of attending Jewish day school, Jewish students participate every day.” many in alternative educational opporSENIOR JULIA YOSKOWITZ
“My Jewish education has provided me with a strong background in Jewish values and culture.” Photos by Sadaf Zadeh, LT.
tunities such as Jewish camps, and youth groups. Malkus said that Jewish education is not just about how much Torah one learns in a day, but rather the general connection to ones Jewish identity. Camps help Jewish teens become immersed in Jewish learning environments and teach prayers that many who do not go to Jewish day schools may not be as familiar with, according to Malkus. Another reason why so many Jews attend sleep-away camp is the opportunity to make connections with different types of Jews in a more casual setting than school, which, according to Mendelson, can be much more enjoyable for many. “I think Jewish camp really is a big factor in shaping Jewish kids and people in general, and creates a love of the religion and the friends,” Mendelson said. On the other hand, Rotker, who has been going to Capital Camps for 11 years finds that camp somewhat lacks true Jewish educational experiences because staff tries to make the experience fun rather than educational.
For Rotker, Jewish youth groups like BBYO are a stronger way to understand one’s Jewish roots through learning about more Jewish rituals and holidays. This helps them become closer to their religion by spending time with other Jews, which many public school attendees may not get the chance to do. Rotker feels that her connection to learning about Judaism had grown so much through her BBYO chapter, Ko’ach BBG. She has worked to spread her newfound passion for Jewish education to others. To this day, she has tried to make Judaism a stronger focus in her chapter and others throughout the area in her role as head of Jewish enrichment for D.C. in the previous year. “It was also sometimes easy for people to forget, even though you were in a Jewish youth group, that it was a Jewish youth group and not just a bunch of teenage girls or teenage boys hanging out,” Rotker said. “So, I really wanted to bring that to the center of it and make sure that people knew that we were there because we’re all Jewish.” In addition to youth groups and camps, some teens seek Jewish education through programs offered by Jewish organizations such as the Shalom Hartman Institute and the Tikvah Fund. This form of learning gave Libowitz a opportunity to learn about Judaism despite not continuing her Jewish day school education after middle school. “Doing a lot of learning outside of school made me really want to spend some time, like a concentrated amount of time just really going and delving deeply into Jewish learning,” Libowitz said. “And so I’m considering doing a gap year pursuing that study of Jewish texts.” The future of Jewish education One of the main things that Malkus believes JDS and other Jewish schools in the U.S. can do to improve is expand their reach to more people. “We’d like to see that number [of American Jews attending Jewish day school] much higher,” Malkus said. “In other countries, it’s much higher. So, I think there’s
a huge opportunity to grow Jewish day schools in this country.” One way in which JDS has attempted to expand their reach to Jewish families is through the Ronald S. Lauder Impact Initiative. This program aims to strengthen Jewish Americans’ connection to their religion through increasing Jewish Day School access, citing information supported by a 2007 study by Brandeis University that showed a direct correlation between a Jewish day school education and maintaining a connection with Judaism. Despite the American Jewish education system being less mainstream than in other countries, Malkus says that it is on an upward trajectory, especially as Jewish education is now supported by community organizations and philanthropists. “Jewish education is much more well-resourced these days, although we still need a lot of work and a lot more resources,” Malkus said. “We’ve increased the standards so the quality of the education is significantly greater than it was when I was a kid … so it’s been a lot of growth for the last 40 to 50 years of Jewish education.” Incoming Head of School Dr. Jonathan Levy thinks a next step for the Jewish community is to continue to establish institutions that bring together Jews from diverse backgrounds, a mission he sees as central to JDS. “Part of what I learned in my earlier years of working is the strength of the Jewish community,” Levy said. “One of the most important things that I believe in is bringing together people from different backgrounds who have so much in common. I love to hear the students debating Jewish philosophy [while] understanding that we live in a diverse community.”
WHICH JEWISH COURSE SHOULD YOU TAKE? PROPHETIC VOICES OF JUSTICE
START HERE TEXT
HISTORY
BIBLICAL THEMES IN MODERN TEXTS
LAW PHILOSOPHY IDEOLOGICAL HISTORICAL MODERN ANCIENT
POLITICS IN THE AGE OF KINGS
TOSHBA TANAKH EUROPE
MODERN JEWISH HISTORY
MIDDLE EAST
ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL JEWISH HISTORY
TALMUD
ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 17
- features -
N
AVIGATING EURODIVERSITY
Senior Ellie Strisik-Rosenthal builds website for accessibility in college process Photo by Ellie Rosenthal, used with permission.
Eliana Abrams News Editor
F
rom weighing campus size and dining halls to comparing majors and social scenes, high school students across the country struggle to decide which colleges will fit them best. But for senior Ellie Strisik-Rosenthal, that challenge goes a step further. As a neurodivergent student, she couldn’t find any tools or guides designed to help students like her navigate the college search, so she decided to create her own. In April 2025, Rosenthal founded College For All, a website that helps neurodivergent students navigate the college process. When Rosenthal began researching schools, she realized that existing resources were limited and mostly targeted toward parents. So, Rosenthal began building a platform not just for herself, but for neurodivergent teens across the country. Neurodivergence is a term that describes those with a brain that functions differently from what is considered “typical,” and includes a wide range of conditions including autism, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia. Neurodivergent students face varying challenges in both high school and college, according to the Neurodiversity Hub. “My belief about neurodivergence in general is that it’s a difference and not a deficit,” Rosenthal said. “So this website is really about helping other people navigate what can be a really difficult process for anyone.” The site includes six sections covering topics including college accommodations, student resources and a “scorecard” tool that helps users evaluate colleges based on their neurodiversity support services. In developing the website, Rosenthal conducted interviews with many experts, including therapists, directors of neurodiversity
Rosenthal speaks with Christine Ashby , Syracuse University’s Director of the Center on Disability and Inclusion.
programs and university support staff. She also compiled a list of 50 college support programs specifically designed for neurodivergent or disabled students. Rosenthal did not have a lot of prior experience in designing websites before she developed College for All. “I sort of just had to figure it out as I went, but I really do like graphic design, so it was really fun for me to design the pages and put the pictures I want on it,” Rosenthal said. “It really means a lot to me.” Associate marriage and family therapist Jordan Gill–who was featured in an interview on the College For All website–said that neurodivergent teens can experience intense anxiety about feeling left behind in the college process, especially given the increasingly competitive high school environment. Gill, who was diagnosed with ADHD at a late age, wishes that College For All was around when he was in high school. “It would have made me feel a lot more seen and a lot less alone,” Gill said. “I think so many of the things that proliferated out of those feelings of loneliness and solitude and brokenness and a lack of trust in myself might have been avoided if I felt that there were other people who know what I’m going through.” Since launching the site, Rosenthal has received positive feedback from both organizations and students. In September, she
WHERE HAS THE SITE BEEN FEAUTURED Autism Speaks Vanderbilt Frist Center Bethesda Magazine Oak Wealth Advisor Visit the Site:
spoke at Stanford’s Neurodiversity Summit and was featured in Bethesda Magazine. Her work has also been promoted by Autism Speaks, the largest nonprofit for autism in the United States, as well as Vanderbilt University and the Autism College Network. Students have told Rosenthal how helpful the website has been for them throughout the college process, and praised the connection that the website has brought them. In the past year, the website has received over 3,000 unique viewers. Rosenthal’s father, Jonathan Cowan, is proud of how the resource has helped others. “We have felt immense pride,” Cowan said. “You know the sense of not only that your kid is doing something that is really unique and takes a lot of creativity and drive, but that they’re doing something that is empowering so many other kids who are often ignored or looked down on.” Beyond helping students with the college process, one of the main goals of College For All was to make sure students don’t feel alone, according to Rosenthal. In order to do this, Rosenthal is very open about the struggles she has had with neurodivergence. “I really embrace being neurodivergent myself,” Rosenthal said. “The big message is to empower other people to embrace themselves.”
18 January 2026
SPLASHIN’ ASSASSINS
A guide to the game
Seniors compete in water game
Lena Lourenco Reporter In addition to jerseys and spirit day swag, the senior class is making a new senior fashion statement: goggles and floaties. These accessories also function as protection in a grade-wide senior assassins game. Senior assassins rose to popularity among senior students in the United States in early 2010 through social media and shows like Gossip Girl and iCarly. The basic goal of the game is to get a target eliminated by splashing water on them, typically with a plastic water gun. However, players are safe from elimination when wearing various items that change as the game goes on, including goggles, floaties and oven mitts. “It seemed really fun, and a really great bonding activity for all the seniors that everyone else was doing,” senior Amalia Netter said. The game is entirely student-organized, with no affiliation to JDS. Seniors Lilah Waldman and Jonah Mellen came up with the idea and co-organized it. They first heard about it through TikTok and Instagram and thought it would be a fun opportunity to bond with their classmates. “No grade had really done it before that I knew of so I talked to people, and I was like, this is something super fun we should do,” Waldman said. When creating the game,
Waldman and Mellen first sent out a Google form to their grade asking students if they would be interested in participating and how they would like to play. They then downloaded the app Splashin, where seniors are assigned targets every week, and can see their target’s locations so they know where to eliminate them. Students also have to make sure the eliminations are captured on video and uploaded to the app as proof that players successfully eliminated their targets. Safe zones where students can’t be eliminated include the school building, sports practices, games, jobs, Shabbat and Jewish holidays and anytime someone is driving. In order to play, students had to pay a $3 buy-in that goes towards a $180 cash prize for the winner. Waldman thinks the most memorable part of the game is the unlikely and quirky experiences that came out of it. “When you remember it [the game], you’re gonna be like, ‘that was so ridiculous that I just drove to somebody’s house at seven in the morning to get them out when they’re going to the car on the way to school,” Waldman said. Waldman had a challenging experience trying to eliminate her target as her target was usually only at their house. One day when she checked their location, she saw they were at a rock
ASK THE Senior Noah Lobel LIONS :
climbing gym. Confident in her ability to have the element of surprise, Waldman drove to the gym, expecting them to not be wearing any sort of protection. However, her efforts proved to be futile, as when she arrived her target was one step ahead, wearing goggles while climbing. Senior Josh Dori was hesitant to join the game at first, but now finds fun in the unexpected adventures and the memories the game brings. Dori once showed up to his target’s house and ended up talking with their entire family and going on a 20-minute walk with his target before finally eliminating them. “It becomes a memory that you guys share together,” Dori said. “The game has done a really good job staying in the spirit of fun and it’s given our grade pretty funny videos to watch of people getting out.” As of Dec. 10, there are 10 players left in the game after 13 rounds, and 47 people who have been eliminated. The game ends in a water gun duel between the final two players. “We all know we don’t have a ton of time left at JDS,” Dori said. “So the days that we remember the most are these days where Splashin has brought us together, and all the unlikely but really positive experiences that have brought us together through the game.”
Senior Jonathon Gordon
Senior Carrine Shemesh
How did you get out?
Running down his driveway
After a doctor’s appointment
Photo by Eliana Abrams, LT.
Photo by Eliana Abrams, LT.
Opening her door for a friend
Target is assigned
Track target’s location
Wear goggles or a floaty for immunity
Upload video to app
Splash target with water
Wait seven days for a new target
Photo by Maiya Blumenthal, LT.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 19
- features Molly Elbaum Guest Writer Founder and president of Locks of Love Madonna Coffman developed alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss in her 20s. While alopecia areata has no known cure, there are multiple treatment options to regrow hair, and Coffman underwent two years of steroid treatment, eventually recovering. Years later, her four-year-old daughter faced the same condition. Their shared experiences inspired Coffman to create Locks of Love, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing human hair prostheses to children suffering from medical hair loss, aiming to restore their confidence and sense of normalcy. “I know as a parent it’s a very helpless feeling, because alopecia has no known cause and no known cure,” Coffman said. “So my motivation is to help those parents that are going through what I went through when my daughter was growing up.” Started in Coffman’s garage in 1997, Locks of Love is now a nationally recognized organization located in West Palm Beach, Florida. Unlike other hair donation organizations, Locks of Love does not make wigs. Instead, they provide handmade and full cranial vacuum prostheses that are individually designed. A full cranial vacuum prosthesis is a custom-made hairpiece, created from a mold of the recipient’s head, that uses suction to ensure a secure and seamless fit on a bare scalp. Unlike regular wigs, it won’t slip, requires no adhesives and is custom molded for comfort, allowing recipients to play sports or go out without worrying about their hairpiece falling off. To make high-quality prostheses, the hair donated must be at least ten inches long, both for the prosthesis length and to make it easier for the manufacturer to handle. The applicant chooses the color of their prosthesis, and the manufacturer will take bundles of
donated hair and blend the colors together to create a natural-looking prosthesis. “Once they get their prosthesis, they are right back in the game,” Coffman said. “It gives them back their life, and it makes a huge difference, not only for them, but for their siblings and their mom and their dad. It affects the whole family, and it just changes everything for them.” Applicant families never have to pay for the prostheses. Locks of Love provides hairpieces free of charge every two years until the child turns 21, ensuring they have replacements as they grow and as the hairpieces wear over time. Locks of Love is not the only organization that helps children with hair loss. Junior Mali Osofsky began to donate her hair to the organization Zichron Menachem when she was around nine years old. She was inspired by her sister and has since donated her hair multiple times. “You can come into a group, donate your hair together, and when you start younger, you keep doing it over and over,” Osofsky said. “You feel like a part of things.” Founded by Chaim and Miri Ehrental in 1990, Zichron Menachem is an Israeli non-profit organization whose goal is to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and help their families cope with the illness. The organization provides a wide range of free services, including the creation of wigs from donated hair, day centers, therapeutic camps and more. While the act of donating hair doesn’t require much effort from Osofsky, she knows the long-lasting impact it has on the kids who receive the wigs. She encourages others to get involved in giving back as well. “I think hair loss can be something very demoralizing for kids or anyone,” Osofsky said. “Hair is such an important part of confidence and how we look,
“
I just think there’s a collective energy that is so powerful and you know you’re doing things for a greater good, not just for your own personal looks - Cindy Feldman, owner of Progressions Salon Spa Store
“
CARE TO SHARE
People donate hair to help those in need and it’s just so important to give to people who’ve been going through hard illnesses anyway, to make them feel a little more normal and make them feel like they fit in a lot more, so they don’t have to feel like an outcast on top of being sick.” Hairstylists are also involved with the hair donation process. They cut and prepare the donated hair to meet the organization’s length and quality requirements, ensuring that it can be transformed into a durable prosthesis. Cindy Feldman, owner of Progressions Salon Spa Store in North Bethesda, has partnered with Locks of Love, Zichron Menachem and other hair donation organizations for many years. As someone who has seen people donate hair many times, Feldman recognizes the true impact it has on people. “I just think there’s a collective energy that is so powerful and you know you’re doing things for a greater good, not just for your own personal looks, but it just is so rewarding,” Feldman said.
Junior Mali Osofsky has been donating her hair since she was nine years old. Photo by Gail Javitt, used with permission.
20 January 2026
CAKES FOR A CAUSE
Junior establishes club to bake for Birthday Cakes 4 Free Shira Einhorn Guest Writer Outside of Birthday Cakes 4 Free (BC4F) president Sanjay Shah’s house, five balloons are set up to form the number 10,000. Two volunteers walk up to the house to drop off the 10,000th freshly baked cake. Together, the founder, past presidents and volunteers deliver speeches, take pictures and celebrate the milestone. BC4F is a Maryland-based nonprofit organization that donates over 100 cakes a month to underprivileged children and senior citizens. BC4F began in 2015 by four teenage cousins who realized how important it is for people to celebrate birthdays. Recently, the organization has been the foundation of a BC4F club at JDS. The club meets once a month in the atrium during CT. Junior Caroline Salz, the Board’s Charity Outreach Deputy, JDS School Ambassador for BC4F and the founder of the BC4F club at JDS, brings fresh cupcakes, frosting and sprinkles for members to use to decorate the cupcakes to donate. At the end of the club’s meetings, members enjoy mini cupcakes together. The club’s decorated cupcakes are then donated to BC4F cake drop-off. As a board member, she also participates in the cake drop-offs. Salz has been working with the organization for roughly two years and has baked around 30 cakes. “I always loved to bake,” Salz said. “If I had free time on the weekend, I would just find a recipe.” For Salz, baking is a calming experience; she puts on music or a podcast and gets lost in her thoughts when she bakes. She found BC4F while looking for an organization to complete her Student Service Learning (SSL) hours with. Salz decided BC4F was the perfect way for her to give back to the community while doing something she loves. Junior Ella Kane is a member
BC4F IN NUMBERS 2015 BC4F began donating cakes
11,768
cakes donated as of Nov. 16
1000+
people volunteering
16
school ambassadors involved in BC4F
100+
birthday cakes made each month
12
charities that receive cakes Information from bc4f.org
of the BC4F club and one of Salz’s go-to baking partners. Kane loves to bake and decorate a variety of baked goods, including pastries and cupcakes. She decorates cupcakes with the club every month and has baked 12 cakes for the organization outside of the club. “It’s nice to know that you can help out people,” Kane said, “I’m someone who’s more fortunate, and I can afford to have things like birthday cakes on my birthday. So it’s nice to know that you can help out someone who can’t afford that stuff.” BC4F has donated over 11,000 cakes to people in need all over the DMV. Every month, volunteers host socials, communal baking and decorating events for the organization. Volunteers sign up to bake and decorate a cake at home each month and then drop it off at a designated location. These cakes are donated to 12 charity organizations across the DMV. The Board members then drop the cakes off at the different charities. Board members are also responsible for creating clubs at schools to recruit students, who can earn SSL hours for their participation. “When you have one [birthday cake], you’re reminded that people still care about you,” Shah said. “That’s what our goal is, to remind people that people care.” Shah always en-
joys baking with his family in preparation for the monthly drop-offs. Specifically, Shah feels lucky that he has the opportunity to meet the people celebrating birthdays with the donated cakes. Every month, Shah visits organizations such as homeless shelters, women’s shelters, the Boys and Girls Club and food pantries where BC4F donates birthday cakes. “You can see the people who are going to receive them, which makes it [a] much more gratifying feeling to donate the cakes,” Shah said. Throughout Shah’s presidency, the organization has increased the amount of cakes donated by 33%. The previous president, Shah’s sister Devani Shah, increased the number of volunteers by hundreds. The organization now has over 1000 volunteers. Shah hopes to help the organization grow even more throughout the year. “It makes me think of the smaller things and not to take them for granted,” Salz said.
Cakes baked by Salz in order to be donated to BC4F. Photos by Caroline Salz, used with permission.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 21
- features The cast performs their opening song during dress rehearsal. Photo by Leora Blumenthal, LT.
BUZZING WITHTALENT High school students perform “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
Jordana Dauber Features Editor For most students, JDS musicals entail sitting respectfully in one’s seat watching others sing, dance and perform. But, in this year’s winter musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” the audience was not just watching. The musical not only encouraged audience participation, but required it, as multiple audience members were called up to the stage to compete in the spelling bee. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is an improvisational comedic musical centered around a county spelling bee. There are ten contestants, six of whom are members of the cast, and four of whom were selected
JDS MUSICAL HISTORY Photos from cesjds.org
22 January 2026
from the audience. The show is ultimately a coming-of-age story as the contestants discuss adolescence and share stories. “It is just pure fun,” Director of Arts Education and musical director David Solomon said. “I think the cast has been smiling since the very beginning. They know they have a great show. One, because they’re so talented. Two, because the script is so funny and so strong.” In addition to the six contestants in the cast, roles included three judges, a few parents and other spectators that made up a total cast of 29. Outside of the acting cast, there were also crew members, musicians and other adults who helped put this show together. According to Solomon,
2015
2016
WORDS SPELT IN THE MUSICAL Qaimaqam Lugubrious Crepuscule Acouchi Phylactery Indicant Chimerical
this musical was difficult to put on, as it required rehearsing different versions of the show depending on different audience responses. “Putting on a show is a giant puzzle,” Solomon said. “Everybody has their little piece of the puzzle they’ve got to work on … And so to see everybody’s puzzle piece as it comes together is great.” Junior Max Olin, who played William Morris Barfée, a leading role in the show, enjoyed playing a child in this production. Olin said he frequently plays adults in performances, due to his mature appearance, so he has appreciated the opportunity to play a more youthful character. Olin said that the show was a team effort, especially when
2017
2018
preparing for opening day. This meant compiling the necessary technology, costumes, sets and performing full run-throughs every day in the week leading up to the show. Olin also loved seeing actors in the show improve and enjoy theater, especially because the community was so positive and encouraging. Rehearsal began in mid-September and took place four days a week from 4 to 6 p.m. The first week of rehearsal was spent learning the music, but as time went on, rehearsals focused more on running through scenes on stage. On an average day, all cast members reviewed music and other details of the show for the first hour, and for the second hour the actors with leading roles ran through the script. “It’s really amazing seeing [an actor’s] progression, and it takes our breath away,” Olin said. “The theater experience really builds your confidence in a very effective way, and it’s really interesting seeing how it affects all of us.” For senior and stage manager Ella Arking, being stage crew for the musical allowed her to participate in theater without actually being on stage. Arking was still active in the show’s creation, and part of her job included putting together a list of all necessary props, creating a microphone chart for every scene and recording blocking (movements by the actors) during rehearsals. In this year’s musical, Arking was even occasionally called onto stage at rehearsal as an improvised speller. While an outside company made the set for this year’s musical, the stage crew, which consisted of over ten members, still had numerous tasks, including light-
2019
ing, microphones and helping actors with whatever they needed backstage. This year’s production was the first year the soundboard was completely student-run, with sophomore Gabe Waldman at the helm. While their work was more behind the scenes, the crew members still enjoyed the theater environment. “There is a lot of positivity, especially on stage,” Arking said. “In every rehearsal, I’ll see people cheering for each other, even in auditions … Whenever anyone goes up, there’s so many cheers, there’s so much positivity and support. I see that a lot from the people on stage.” Solomon believes the final piece of any production is the audience, as the cast reacts to the energy of the house, so he was very excited for the performances. According to both Olin and Solomon, since there was improvisation and audience participation in this musical, audience involvement was especially important and helpful. Audience members were encouraged to cheer, clap and participate. “I’m particularly excited about the student matinee, because the JDS student body is so wonderful that they cheer on their peers,” Solomon said. “And I think the humor in the show is humor that they’re going to get. It’s goofy, it’s edgy, it’s silly and it’s a show about kids.”
2021
MEET THE CAST Who: Sophomore Ari Rein Role: Leaf ConeyBear Fun Fact: Rein was almost featured in a Yamaha documentary
Who: Sophomore Ayla Gerstinblith Role: Olive Ostrovsky Fun Fact: Gerstinblith plays the piano
Who: Senior Bee Kotler
Role: Chip Tolentino Fun Fact: Kotler has a dog named Nala
Photos by Leora Blumenthal, LT.
2022
2023
2024 The Lion’s Tale Magazine 23
- arts & entertainment Photos from the Universal Pictures Company
RETURNS Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo defy expectations in their second movie Liat Netter Reporter would have sat in the theater for over two hours, if only to hear the emotional duet “For Good” in “Wicked: For Good.” The song is sung by Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, and Glinda, played by Ariana Grande, at the climax of the movie. I definitely found this second movie-musical in the “Wicked” duology worth the watch. The first film ends after Elphaba leaves the Emerald City while flying on a broomstick singing “Defying Gravity.” At the same time, Glinda remains with the Wizard, who is played by Jeff Goldblum. Elphaba escapes after stealing a magical spellbook called the Grimmerie, in order to prevent further harm to the animals of Oz. I was initially concerned that “Wicked: For Good” would feel slow and unnecessarily long, similar to how I felt about “Wicked: Part I.” But the faster-paced plot and new original music really elevated the movie. “Wicked: For Good” also received worse ratings than the first movie, but I thought it was much better. The second film continues the story with Elphaba living in a hidden treehouse and trying to protect the animals, while Glinda embraces her new title as the “Good Witch.”
I
WICKED COOL FACTS 1. Nine million tulips were planted for the movie 2. No use of CGI for sets 3. Over 1,000 costumes made 4. It took over four hours to paint Erivo green 5. Erivo and Grande sung all their songs live 6. Cynthia Erivo wore prosthetic ears Information from NBC and 29 secrets.
My favorite songs in the second movie were the more emotional ones, two of which were “For Good” and “As Long As You’re Mine.” Both films are based on the hit Broadway musical “Wicked,” but combined they almost double the length of the show. Many insignificant subplots and scenes felt too long in “Wicked: Part I,” including the long scene at the Ozdust Ballroom and when Elphaba saves the lion cub with Fiyero. I did not notice this in “Wicked: For Good.” I felt as though every scene contributed to the main plot and enhanced the character development, which helped build up to a satisfying ending. Additionally, two new songs written by the original composer of the stage musical, Stephen Schwartz, were added to “Wicked: For Good.” The new songs were titled “No Place Like Home” sung by Elphaba and “The Girl In The Bubble” sung by Glinda. I enjoyed the new emotional songs, which helped me further understand the characters and helped tie the movie to the film for which it is a prequel: “The Wizard of Oz.” I also enjoyed how characters who had small parts in the first film had more substantial roles in the second movie. This includes Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose, and Boq. Their roles also helped connect “Wicked: For Good” to “The
Wizard of Oz,” as Nessa became “The Wicked Witch of the East” and Boq the “Tin Man.” A major shortcoming in both movies is the poor singing of Michelle Yeoh, who plays a villain named Madam Morrible, and Goldblum. Their acting was outstanding, but their singing was cringeworthy and disappointing, as the stars of the movie, Grande and Erivo, are both Grammy award-winning vocalists. “Wicked: Part I” was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won two of them for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. This year, Erivo has been submitted for consideration under the Best Actress category and Grande under the Best Supporting Actress category. I am hopeful that Erivo and Grande will win for “Wicked: For Good,” as their performances in the second movie exceed those of the first movie. This award would give Erivo the prestigious EGOT status for winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. “Wicked: For Good” is worth watching because of its spectacular new music, phenomenal singing by Erivo and Grande and its superior plot, which all give the movie a satisfying ending. After sitting in theaters for almost five hours in total, the series came to a meaningful and enjoyable end.
24 January 2026
ANIMATED ADVENTURE
With engaging scenery and characters, “Zootopia 2” is worth the watch After nearly a decade, Disney brought “Zootopia” fans a sequel to the first movie on Nov. 26. While there were some concerns about a second movie changing character dynamics and having a less compelling plot than the original, “Zootopia 2” proves that the franchise hasn’t lost its charm or humor. Millions of fans around the world agree. The first “Zootopia” movie followed rabbit and police officer Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, in the city of Zootopia. Determined to prove herself, Hopps teams up with a fox named Nick Wilde, voiced by Jason Bateman, to solve a case involving predators mysteriously going violent. They discover that the city’s assistant mayor is behind the scheme and trying to frame predators as threats to society. Judy and Nick expose her plan, and the predators are cured. “Zootopia 2” picks up with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde now working together as partners in the police force. Their relationship is dynamic and witty, which really added to the movie as it provided many humorous and entertaining scenes with Nick’s laidback attitude and Judy’s more intense approach to their job. In the movie, the duo is thrown into a mystery involving disappearances across Zootopia. The case introduces audiences to multiple new Zootopia settings, such as the Reptile Ravine district and the underground water tunnels. These new aspects effectively expanded the world of Zootopia in ways that felt both fresh and visually engaging. The creators of the movie used updated animation technology and more detailed character design to improve upon the first movie. Additionally, the new districts introduced in the movie brought new color palettes and architecture, helping each location feel unique. Visually, the movie impresses even more than
FACES TO NAMES
Judy Hopps
Ginnifer Goodwin
Gary De’Snake
Ke Huy Quan
Nick Wilde
its predecessor. The animation reaches a new level of detail, from individual chunks of snow falling off a windowsill to the glowing skyline of the city. What makes “Zootopia 2” especially impressive is how it balances charm with meaningful storytelling. The movie addresses themes such as misinformation, community, trust and the pressure to fit in. These topics help the film’s younger target audience learn about these important topics in a fun and engaging, way without feeling like it is being forced upon them. Once again, the soundtrack did not disappoint. The first movie had excellent music in it, especially Shakira’s song “Try Everything.” “Zootopia 2” only continued the great music with a soundtrack that is upbeat and modern, featuring a new original and catchy song, “Zoo,” performed by Shakira. If there is one flaw, it is that some side characters don’t get as much screen time as in the original movie. I would have liked to see more of characters such as Flash the Sloth or Clawhauser. Still, the new characters, including Gary De’Snake and Nibbles,
brought plenty of personality and meaning to the movie. According to Reuters, “Zootopia 2” generated $556 million worldwide over Thanksgiving weekend. “Zootopia 2” also collected $156 million of its global revenue in the United States and Canada, making the movie the current leader on domestic box office charts. Overall, “Zootopia 2” is a terrific sequel that brings back everything fans loved about the first movie while also adding new layers of depth and adventure. It’s funny, heartfelt and beautifully animated, while also reminding the audience that even in a big, complicated world, kindness and courage still matter. I would definitely recommend “Zootopia 2” to anyone who enjoyed the first movie, as well as anybody who is just looking for a fun, fast-paced movie with a few laughs.
Image from the Walt Disney Company.
Aviv Stein Reporter
Jason Bateman Images from the Walt Disney Company and Wikimedia Commons.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 25
- arts & entertainment -
ABOUT
Recent protein craze influences eating and lifestyle habits “I think nutrition has just become more a fad and more popular because of social media, but we’ve always known that protein is important,” Fish Bard said. “All the macronutrients are important. One macronutrient is not more important than the other. But I think it’s social media, and I think it’s really good marketing that is making protein have its moment.” Her observation reflects a broader pattern in digital wellness culture: social media creates trends. Protein-rich meals, shakes and supplements fit neatly into short videos or “what I eat in a day” posts, tapping into audiences’ desire for tangible results. Brands that sell protein-enhanced products often pay influencers to promote these items, creating a feedback loop where protein becomes both a social and economic currency: something that can be leveraged for sponsorships, social attention and profit. As journalist Brittany Luse noted in an interview on NPR, protein has a positive reputation compared with other macronutrients since it has never been culturally villainized like carbs or fats have been. Because of this, it is easy for food companies to market it as a healthier choice that appeals to consumers. Fish Bard sees the increased attention on protein as a positive development and believes people should actually be consuming
26 January 2026
IC KE N
Junior Henry Brenner
N S HA
TOFU
Junior Gillian Krauthamer
Freshman Ren Baranofsky
TE I
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LIONS’ PROTEIN PREFERENCES
CH
Photos by Lindsey Shapiro, LT.
P RO
Sophie Schwartz Managing Editor, Web Meat, fish, eggs and protein shakes are all part of senior Matty Stillman’s daily diet. These foods fuel his workouts and help him hit his daily protein goals. For Stillman, protein is a strategy for athletic advancement that mirrors a growing nationwide obsession with what people eat to perform, recover and stay healthy. Fitness influencers praise ultra-high-protein diets, grocery stores are packed with protein-fortified versions of everything from Quest protein chips to Catalina Crunch protein cereal and major companies like Starbucks are racing to release their next high-protein product. 61% of people in the United States increased their protein consumption in 2024, up from 48% in 2019, according to food corporation Cargill. The industry is responding just as quickly, with Innova Market Insights reporting that sales of protein shakes and drinks in the United States grew by 122% between 2020 and 2024. The protein trends point to a rapidly expanding market where both consumers and brands are accelerating the protein push. Lori Fish Bard, clinical nutritionist, integrative health coach and parent to senior Simon Bard, believes that the focus on protein is fueled by social media. She says that people are often drawn to things they can measure, and protein is easy to quantify, making it an easy focus in people’s diets.
Photo from Creative Commons.
more than the standard recommendation of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. She believes that this recommendation is OK for the average person, however at least one gram per kilogram of body weight is necessary if hoping to build muscle. “I would say it’s more of a baseline than an optimal amount,” Fish Bard said. “There are different factors, like your age or physical activity or recovery from an injury or illness or health goals that affect how much protein you should be aiming for.” Stillman’s focus on protein intake began in June 2025 with the goal of improving his sports performance and maximizing his weight-lifting results. “I found that protein and your diet had such an effect on how effective all of the training was going to be,” Stillman said. “... If you’re not hitting your protein goals, with the weight room, you’re not going to meet your [strength building] goals.” Protein also plays a role in Stillman’s social life. He said that many of his friends share his interest in lifting and high-protein diets, which creates an environment that reinforces their routines. Additionally, he said that he has seen the overall JDS environment pick up on these habits, with students across the high school being increasingly focused on protein goals. Athletic trainer Julie Rosenthal adds that protein consumption is a global trend, with the U.S.
protein craze being inspired in part by eating patterns observed in South Korea. She said that South Korea has a high prevalence of diabetes, which has encouraged many people to adopt diets that are focused on higher protein and lower sugar to help regulate insulin. But is the current protein craze actually healthy? Rosenthal sees the current trend as overdone. She acknowledges that protein is essential for muscle growth, repair and overall performance, however she also cautions that too much emphasis on protein can be ineffective. Rosenthal says that success depends on other factors including rest and training. Fish Bard, on the other hand does support the current craze. She recommends eating foods from natural sources, saying that animal proteins like chicken, beef, eggs and fish, as well as plant-based options like tofu, quinoa and beans, are excellent sources of protein. However, she cautions that many protein-enriched snacks and shakes are highly processed, which can be less healthy. While these products can help students reach their daily protein goals, she encourages prioritizing eating natural foods and reading labels carefully. “If it reads like a science experiment, [and] you cannot understand half of the words that you’re reading, it’s most likely not a good choice,” Fish Bard said. In addition to choosing high-quality sources, experts add
PROS OF is important. According to Rosenspacing protein intake evenPROTEIN thal, ly across the day is more effective
that spacing protein consumption
1
Increases strength and muscle mass
2
Improves bone density
3
Makes satiation after meals last longer
4
Boosts metabolism which makes it easier to digest food
5
Lowers blood pressure
6
Helps the body repair itself after injury Information from healthline.com
B R IS KET
Sophomore Ruby Spencer
Sophomore Will Falk
Junior Elana Ernst
B
STEAK
AT
O N D ME EY
than consuming large amounts in a single meal. For students who are highly active or athletes with intense training schedules, supplements such as protein bars or powders can be useful, but they should complement, not replace, regular meals. “Protein is best taken directly before or directly after you exercise so that all of your muscles can repair themselves,” Rosenthal said. For students like Stillman, Rosenthal’s strategies about spacing out protein consumption shape his daily habits. He structures his meals and snacks to meet his goals, but allows flexibility so he doesn’t stress if he has a little bit more or less protein. “Balance is always the magic question,” Fish Bard said. “I think it is important knowing that all your macronutrients serve a purpose. So protein is going to serve a purpose, carbohydrates are going to serve a purpose. And fats, we need healthy fats. So I would say, every time you make a plate or every time you eat, think about those three things, protein, carbs and fat, and make sure that all of them are represented.”
ED
A M A ME
Freshman Zev Michaels
Photos by Lindsey Shapiro, LT.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 27
G LF GROWTH
- sports Leora Blumenthal Arts & Entertainment Editor olf is often pictured as a sport for retirees in khaki shorts, but junior Caleb Sheintal sees it otherwise. While playing in a family golf tournament in Quebec, Canada with his mom, Sheintal discovered how calming and unexpectedly worthwhile the sport can be. A sport that combines precision, strategy and practice, golf is attracting more and more young players each year. The National Golf Foundation (NGF) reported that in 2024, 6.3 million Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 played on-course golf, making young adults the largest on-course age group. Maryland alone has over 150 public and private courses. With more teens picking up golf nationwide, JDS students are joining the movement. “[Junior Micah Blay and I] started playing after going to Top Golf for the sophomore Shabbaton,” Sheintal said. “It’s a really fun sport and I really enjoy it.” Sheintal has been playing golf for half a year, and plays about every other weekend at Northwest Golf Course in Silver Spring. However, golfing is expensive. Most courses charge around $40 for nine holes on weekends, a shorter round of golf compared to the typical 18-hole game. Because of this, Sheintal does not play as frequently as he would like. Sheintal often golfs with Blay, who has also been playing for around six months as a way to bond with his dad. Sheintal and
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Most Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) have girls and boys golf teams, with varying team sizes. Each team sends five players to the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) District tournament to compete, which is split into two classifications based on school size. Many MCPS golf practices and tournaments utilize public courses managed by Montgomery County Golf. Sheintal and Blay are not the only students at JDS who are newly obsessed with golf. Senior Leo Steindecker has only been playing for two months, but already loves the sport. Steindecker thinks that being a senior in high school is the perfect time to begin learning how to play golf. “As you start to graduate high school there’s no more high school sports, no more organized stuff,” Steindecker said. “[Golf is] big amongst college-aged kids. It’s easy on the body, too; you don’t have to put too much effort in. But it’s also hard.” What began as a casual hobby among friends has evolved into a shared passion with hopes of becoming an official team. Whether or not a golf program ultimately forms, Steindecker is glad more people are getting into the sport that he enjoys. “Golf is something to work towards,” Steindecker said. “It’s a goal for me to eventually get good, and it’s kind of addicting. You always want to do better than your last game.”
A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO GOLF CLUBS
most precise
least precise Information from MoreSports.com and Hadriel Dayanim.
Sport rises in popularity among youth
Blay hope to start a golf team at JDS before they graduate high school to spread their love of the sport with the community. “I love getting to spend a few hours outside with friends or family and just have a fun time and get exercise,” Blay said. Sheintal believes that it would be possible for this potential golf team to participate in tournaments to bring competitiveness to the team. He thinks this would be a good goal for the team to have so they have something to work towards in their practices. According to Director of Athletics Becky Silberman, JDS has offered a golf team every year in the spring season, but most years nobody has signed up. Silberman says that if anyone did sign up, they wouldn’t have practices, but would just go to the PVAC golf matches which occur a few times a season. Blay imagines a more concrete golf team of around 10 players, with fun and developmental practices. To save money, he envisions practice occurring on JDS fields using nets, rather than on a golf course. According to Blay, it would not be structured exactly like other sports, but it would just be an opportunity for JDS students to improve their golf skills while having fun. “I want to start the team to bring another sport to JDS that I’m passionate about,” Blay said. “I think expanding the athletic possibilities of the school will also allow it to grow and build more communities.”
28 January 2026
DRIVER
maximizes distance, generally the longest club in the bag
WOOD
used for power and distance
IRON
versatile: can have high levels of control or travel far distances
WEDGE
offers precision and accuracy; each wedge has a different loft
PUTTER used for gently rolling the ball in the hole
Golf club photos by Ian Liss. Golf ball photo from Creative Commons.
CAPITAL HEARING Seniors start D.C. sports podcast
Photo by Liam Sher, used with permission. Isaiah Segal-Geetter Reporter When seniors Josh Dori and Adam Salomon first realized that their shared love of Washington Take sports teams could be turned into notes a podcast, they had no idea how on the much of their time would be spent game producing it. Since the initial podcast in September, the duo has produced 11 episodes as of Dec. 9. Dori and Salomon recently started the Dingers N’ Dashers podcast, focused on covering the Washington Nationals baseball team and Washington Capitals hockey team. They started it because they felt like these topics had never been accu- Record the rately represented, even separatepodcast ly, in any podcast. “I looked for a long time, the last couple of years, to try and find a Caps podcast that I liked,” Dori said. “I couldn’t find any Caps podcast that sounded natural and sounded engaging. So I kind of saw that absence, and Adam saw that absence too, and we said ‘Let’s make the podcast.’” To prepare for the podcast, they both watch nearly all Capitals Interact with games and most of the Nationals fans games. The podcast comes out every Wednesday night on Spotify and YouTube. The duo usually spends about an hour recording on Tuesday nights and Dori spends another couple of hours editing, while Salomon creates clips for their social media. “A good clip really captures a specific thing you’re trying to get,” Salomon said. “So like when you’re
TIMELINE OF A PODCAST
Write podcast script
Edit the podcast
on during a podcast, we talk about so many different things [for the clip] it’s really like what will stand out so that people will be like, ‘Oh, I want to tune into this podcast to hear more’ ... It’s got to be focused on one individual thing.” Even though Dingers N’ Dashers is a new podcast, Dori and Salomon have already developed an active audience within both JDS and the wider sports community. Senior Ian Liss is one of their biggest fans. “Overall, just their enthusiasm that they bring every day to their podcast and the short clips they put out online as well as their hot takes and their sports analysis, are top tier,” Liss said. As of December, the podcast averages 150 listeners per episode. Dori and Salomon have been very intentional about using short clips on Instagram or YouTube as a way to gain interest. They also host polls in their Instagram stories to draw more engagement. They believe this has paid off through the metrics that they see as views have steadily increased since they began. “We’re happy when we’ve had an effect on someone to the point where they felt like they needed to add something to the conversation,” Dori said. “So [for] the one we just did on YouTube about why the Angels are never good, these two guys talked in the comments about what players meant to that team, and so it was awesome to see we sparked that conversation.”
Dori and Salomon are hoping to continue the podcast as far as they can into the future but they acknowledge that it will be hard as they are going to be separated soon for college. For this reason, they have intentionally been filmed their episodes over Zoom, so that there will never be a change of scenery for the fans. “We legitimately love this podcast,” Dori said. “We pour our heart and soul into it every week. And so, even just getting to a couple fans a week is enough for us. And so we want to go from there and then we want to build. We want to grow and we want to be the best podcast in D.C..”
SCAN TO VISIT THE DINGERS ‘N DASHERS WEBSITE AND WATCH THE PODCAST
Top three photos by Mason Salomon, used with permission. Bottom two photos by Mia Forseter, LT. Logo by Josh Dori, used with permission.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 29
- sports -
Senior commits to Wellesley College for volleyball
FAGIN SPIKES FORWARD
leyball, and then also her playing capacity.” Eliana Wolf To showcase the work she Editor-in-Chief puts into her volleyball career and Whether diving in conditionto put herself in the running for a ing drills, practicing for tournacollegiate volleyball slot, Rachel ments or running plays with her created a profile on recruiting dateam, senior Rachel Fagin has contabases like Prep Network, tagged sistently put in work to succeed in recruiters on her Instagram page volleyball over the past five years. and played in showcase tournaMaryland After hours of on-court prep, Raments. Rachel is ranked 23rd in Exclusive chel transitions to off-court work the DMV as a libero defensive in the world of film, cold emailing specialist and earned a High AcVolleyball coaches and updating her online ademic Watchlist Award from Club recruiting profile to achieve her Vballrecruiter, one of the biggest goal of playing collegiate volleyrecruiters in the country. Rachel ball. But ever since Oct. 14, her was also named PVAC player of life has drastically changed after the year as a junior for her work MOCO Wellesley College extended an ofon the JDS volleyball team. Volleyball fer to Rachel to play on their NCAA Rachel started talking to Club Division III volleyball team. coaches at the beginning of “[The college recruitment her junior year. process is] a really competitive She started purprocess, particularly for players suing Wellesthat mostly play in the back row, ley after seelike Rachel does for the defening on her sive specialist liberos,” Annaelle recruiting Academy Abell, Rachel’s coach at club team profile that Volleyball Academy Volleyball Virginia, said. the school was Club “So it’s really a testament a 94% match for to her as an individuwhat she wanted out of her al with her commitcollege experience. ment level to vol“I had a dream school for Rachel dives one and a half years that I really to save the thought would be the best place ball during the 2025 PVAC for me, and I got ghosted after Championship, one and a half years of talking with them,” Rachel said. “I was so in which JDS close to an offer, and I didn’t get fell to WIS. it, and I thought that was the end of everything. And I lost my mind this summer. It was horrible. And then after like a week of wallowing in it, I was like, ‘You know what?’ I’m gonna reach out to these other schools. And that’s when I really looked into Wellesley.” Rachel went on an official visit within two months of first contacting the Wellesley coaches. She said she really started communicating with Wellesley because it satisfied her top two priorities: majoring in architecture and playing on a collegiate team. She found that many of the colleges she was interested in playing at did not offer her major of choice, with the closest Photo from Adam options being Urban Studies, City Hirsch, used with Studies or Architectural Studies. permission. However, Wellesley College was
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one of the few schools that offered an architecture program and fit her athletic goals. “Not only do[es Wellesley] have architecture, they have a cross-registration with MIT, and my dad went to MIT,” Rachel said. “It was really important for me to have an engineering connection and be close to Boston and Cambridge, where my mom also went to school, in a city where both my parents really started their careers. That was just really the one thing that got me hooked onto Wellesley, and it’s a relief knowing that I’m going to a place that’s so right for me, both academically and athletically.” Throughout the ups and downs of the recruitment process, Rachel said all her coaches, but specifically Abell, her sister senior Leah Fagin and her parents were her biggest support systems during the process. “Seeing someone you’ve been with for your entire life grow up and achieve their dreams is such a surreal thing to see,” Leah said. “I’ve literally been with her since before birth, seeing her do awesome things and being there to support her, knowing that she also supports me in my endeavors, is just super cool.” Looking back at her work to become a collegiate athlete, Rachel learned that being successful takes time and dedication. She believes that becoming a college athlete is not something that just happens as a result of playing at an elite level; being a collegiate athlete comes with intense dedication and commitment. “The approval of others will never be satisfying enough,” Rachel said. “I’ve learned that throughout this entire process, regardless of awards or just recognition in general. So do it for yourself. If you want to play at the next level, it has to be something that is for you, not for the commitment post, not for the congratulations. It’s something that you need to want.”
30 January 2026
COACHING AT ITS BEST Kira Koplow Reporter It isn’t every year that the Bender JCC Maccabi Legacy Award is presented to someone, which makes it all the more unique that this year, it was given to Director of Athletics and girls varsity basketball head coach Becky Silberman. Given to coaches for their dedication to Jewish youth athletics, the last time this award was presented was in 2016 to JDS cross country head coach Jason Belinkie. Silberman’s award was presented at the JCC Dinner of Champions, which recognizes athletic achievement and fundraises to support the JCC inclusion camp. “It’s really full circle for me,” Silberman said. “I worked at the JCC as a counselor in high school in the inclusion program, and then in the senior program, and I still to this day keep in touch with both campers and counselors.” Silberman qualified for this award because of her participation in Maccabi, the Jewish youth Olympics, which she began participating in while in high school. She played three years of basketball with the organization. Silberman went on to coach three different U.S. Maccabi basketball teams, and coached one year with Maccabiah the global Jewish Youth Olympics. Other awards presented included the Irene and Abe Pollin Humanitarian Award, given to Eva Cowen, who was Silberman’s former boss at the JCC, and the Hyman M. and Phillip D. Perlo High School Athletes awards, given to four high school students, including JDS seniors Mia Forseter and Rachel Fagin. The dinner started with a cocktail hour and culminated with speeches from the award-winners. JDS students went to support Silberman, Fagin and Forseter, including junior Eve Sharp. “It was very meaningful to be able to celebrate [Silberman, Fagin and Forseter],” Sharp said. “I know that they really deserve all
the awards that they got.” Silberman’s coaching work began after college. She studied kinesiology at the University of Maryland. According to her, a common progression from that major is a physical therapist, but Silberman didn’t want to take that route. Since her brother, High School Math Department Chair Reuben Silberman, was already working at JDS, she was familiar with the environment. She applied and got a job coaching middle school girls volleyball in 2011. After that, she fell in love with coaching and continued to coach various JDS teams, including varsity and JV girls basketball. In 2018, Silberman became the Director of Athletics. “I didn’t have the best coaches growing up,” Silberman said. “I didn’t have people who were passionate or cared enough, and I felt like there’s such a missed opportunity for people to learn the love of the game and to learn sportsmanship and teamwork and all that stuff through sports, and I really want to give people the experience that I didn’t get.” Silberman’s coaching extends beyond the court as she’s been able to continue to set her players up for additional athletic opportunities. In her position as Director of Athletics, she’s hired JDS alumni and past players to be current coaches. Varsity girls basketball assistant coach Madison Cuthbert was first coached by Silberman in middle school on her Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team. According to Cuthbert, Silberman was always the coach who pushed her to be her best and saw her full potential. “I think this is well deserved,” Cuthbert said. “Becky has coached a lot of great teams, she’s done a lot, she knows what she’s talking about, she’s honestly so motivating. She’s inspired a lot of girl basketball players, she’s a fun coach, she’s a great person, and I’m super excited that she got this award.”
Athletic Director wins award for Jewish youth sports
Photos by Davida Yitzhaky, used with permission.
Top: Silberman stands between two student award recipients, seniors Rachel Fagin and Mia Forseter, at the JCC Awards Ceremony. Middle: Accepting her award in front of the crowd, Silberman reflects on her coaching experience. Bottom: A photo of Silberman coaching players at the JDS vs Berman game is displayed on the screen as she receives her award.
The Lion’s Tale Magazine 31
SENIOR STAFF WRAPPED
EDITOR IN CHIEF ELIANA W.
EDITOR IN CHIEF VIVI D.
MANAGING EDITOR MAIYA B.
ARTICLES WRITTEN: 43
ARTICLES WRITTEN: 37
FAVORITE SPREAD: 42N3 P.6-7
FAVORITE SPREAD: 42N6 P.18-19
FAVORITE SECTION: NEWS
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MANAGING EDITOR SOPHIE S.
IN-DEPTH EDITOR SADAF Z.
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NEWS EDITOR PENELOPE T.
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SPORTS EDITOR TALI L.
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Photos by Vivi Ducker, LT
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