CYHSB Weekly 12/09/22

Volume 17, Issue 8

December 9, 2022

CYHSB WEEKLY Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys

Volume 17, Issue 8 Weekly Puzzle: Guess the CYHSB’er Page 3 An Exciting New Year: A Freshman Perspective Page 4 Cooper Clicks Page 5 Midterm Elections: Who’s In and Who’s Out Page 6 Try and Try Again: The Importance of Never Giving Up Page 7

This week’s Weekly is sponsored by Ezra Wiener in honor of all of the Weekly Staff’s hard work.

CYHSB Weekly

Kanye West has made antisemitic comments as of late which are disturbingly similar to some of the things Hitler said. Source: Variety.com

2022 or 1939? The Parallels Between Kanye and Early Hitler Rafi Davidovics (’26) Let me paint a picture for you. A man with more power, followers, and attention than any one man should have, begins to say awful, untrue things about Jewish people. He claims Jewish people control everything from the prices of food to public figures.

He says deranged, inhuman things like that Jewish people will silence anyone who goes against them and even explicitly states he wants to kill all the

Jews. He claims the Jews “own” the people's voice and puts salt in the wound by assuring his followers that no one will prevent him or even attempt to prevent him from saying or doing anything he wants. This lunatic even claims he is being attacked by the “Jewish underground mafia.” When being asked if he thinks these things are racist or not he replies, “Yes that is why I said them. We need to fight fire with fire.” Many of his 1

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supporters flood the busiest streets of to say was Defcon 3, which is a level the city holding banners and of war where the airforce is ready to propaganda in support of his claims completely mobilize in under fifteen while raising their arms in the Nazi minutes. This is a terrifying tweet. salute. He even opens youth It’s one thing when someone with no programs and sends the students the followers says this but with Kanye message “we are back and returning West, who has hundreds of thousands with a vengeance.” of die hard fans who hang on his Now you might think, oh, this every word, it can be incredibly mystery man is obviously Adolf dangerous. Kanye has over 30 Hitler at the beginning of the Holocaust. Sadly and strangely enough, you are incorrect. I am talking about the artist, record producer, and fashion designer Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. Kanye West has been the center of attention for the last couple of months due to his blatantly racist and antisemitic speech and viewpoints. But to Kanye West has achieved the impossible, making truly understand the weight of the situation we have to go back all the Alex Jones look like a sane human being. Source: marca.com way to the very beginning when this whole situation started.

On November 21, 2016, during million followers on Twitter alone, Kanye’s U.S tour, he had a which is more than double the psychiatric breakdown which amount of Jews there are in the resulted in him being hospitalized. world.

This was where the worry about Following his “Defcon” tweet, Kanye's mental health first stems.

Kanye went on a rampage doing Some reports even go on to say he numerous public interviews. He went felt paranoid and many speculate that on Tucker Carlson where he said this simple paranoia episode grew things that were so awful that they into his ideas that the Jewish people had to cut them out of an uncensored are controlling the world. On show. The Shop, Lebron James’s talk October 3-9 2022 the flood gates show, would not even air his opened, and not only did Kanye wear interview because of the awful a shirt with controversial message message Kanye was pushing on it.

White Lives Matter, but that same On the podcast “Drink Champs” he week he tweeted “I’m a bit sleepy talked about “Jewish business tonight, but when I wake up I'm secrets,” and on Piers Morgan he going to go death con 3 on Jewish explicitly stated that he is people.” “absolutely not sorry” for his Now first we have to address, antisemitic remarks. Scarily enough, what is death con 3? Well, death con Kanye seems to admire Hitler, and in 3 is not a thing. What Kanye meant an interview on Alex Jones he said, CYHSB Weekly

December 9, 2022

“Every human being has something of value that they brought to the table, especially Hitler.” He even went on to say “Also Hitler was born Christian. I like Hitler.”

Now you might say, sure there is an extremely antisemitic lunatic with more influence than we can even fathom wanting the downfall of the Jewish people, but nothing will escalate from this, he is just one crazy man. Well, that is exactly what the European Jews said about Hitler, and because of this misconception millions of innocent men, women, and children died for no reason at all.

On the bright side, we are in a significantly better spot in the world than we have been in over 2000 years. We have our own Jewish state of Israel, and it seems like for the most part companies, public figures, and the populous are on our side this time.

Kanye has lost so much due to this, which is extremely reassuring.

Kanye’s listeners on Spotify are down 21% since the “Defcon” tweet and the majority of his clothing brands, deals, and even the law firm that worked for him have dropped him. While all that is good we still have to treat this situation with an abundance of caution, as he is inspiring a new generation of NeoNazis.

Now more than ever we have to stick together as a community and stay strong in the face of baseless hatred. If we are one and we are strong we do not have to fear anything at all. As Sun Tzu says: “If you know your enemy and you know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.”

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Volume 17, Issue 8

December 9, 2022

Weekly Puzzle: Guess the CYHSB’er

He’s a Captain of a CYFL Team He sits shiva for Titan’s losses He drives a Toyota Corolla There will be a different puzzle each week, so stay tuned!

First person to send in a completed puzzle to ezra.wiener@mhafyos.org gets a prize!

CYHSB Weekly

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December 9, 2022

An Exciting New Year: A Freshman Perspective Akiva Levine (’26) new schedules; sometimes a longer many fun school programs and The CYHSB is almost halfway day is a better day." events, including mishmar, through their year and so far it has The year is also different in shabbatons, trips, and speakers. To been great. There are many mark the beginning of the new students, many of whom year, the students had a have just begun high school blast at the JCC waterpark. and are entering a new Just a few weeks later, we chapter in their life. I, along went on a canoe trip in with many others in the 9th Arkansas. This was an grade, find the transition into amazing experience for me this new environment and many other students as overwhelming, yet rewarding we got to know each other once you overcome it. better. Following this trip iiiiiFor the last 12 years of there were many other our life, we have been in all programs such as different sorts of schools, Mishmar, a weekly from nursery, preschool, learning and basketball elementary school and middle program.

Amit Zalman diligently studies for his history test. Photo: school. Entering middle At almost halfway through Ezra Wiener school, our class was put the year, we have already regard to the classes. More through even more rigorous study. enjoyed incredible experiences and homework and assignments are Yet all the while, it was never to programs that freshmen believe given out that make students compare with our first year of high have created memories that will discipline themselves and get their school. As the high school days last for years. As freshman Rafi work done. Additionally, with the etch on, I think to myself how Davidovics said, "All the trips and schedule being longer and some much change has undergone this programs offered during high students even participating in year. The schedule, the classes, the school create memories for me and extracurricular activities, freshmen teachers - all of it had evolved from my friends that will last throughout are compelled to finish their work what I had previously experienced. all my high school experience and in less time. We as freshmen feel I, as a freshman, feel that each even my life."

Last Week’s Solution that this helps us develop a more day is twice as long as the last. For Though high school can seem functional work ethic, acquire nearly 10 hours and 10 periods — meaningless at first, you realize better time management skills, and from morning to night — we study, that this time of your life is to be get more discipline. sit, and power through each class. valued. You should make the most As Freshman Jack Kampf said, " School begins at 7:45 am. and of it, and always do your best.

When I get home from basketball concludes at 4:45 pm. If you attend Though change can be hard, change practice at 8pm every day, I force the daily Masmidim (Gemara is good. There is no reason to put myself to get my work done so I learning) program, you return home yourself under duress with the don't fall behind. When my school at 5:30 pm. Getting used to a new advancing schedule and classes; day ended earlier, I wouldn't feel as schedule took a few weeks but I you should try to be happy and compelled to do my work as much was happy for a change. succeed. I and the freshman are since I had so much more time."

As freshman Amit Zalman said, delighted to be in a new year and Aside from change at an "High school was a new beginning environment in high school and academic standpoint, high school for most of us, but it was nice to look forward to being in these halls has been fun and enjoyable through change up things and experience for the next four years.

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Cooper Clicks

Top Left: DR and Zecharia have quite possibly the worst missed high five of all time. Top Right: Rafi seemingly has a manic episode and attempts to brush his teeth in the middle of a game.

Middle Right: Avi Becker sprouts another head on his right shoulder to achieve full 360 vision of the court. Bottom Right: Yosef calmly tries to explain why knocking out the whole other team to score points was not a foul. Bottom Left: In a brilliant display of ball handling skills Adam Felsher decapitates a player on the opposing team. Photo: J.J, Stein

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Volume 17, Issue 8

December 9, 2022

Midterm Elections: Who’s In and Who’s Out Nadav Lowell (’26) Senate and the House. More than 4 successful as they projected in On November 8, the people of million dollars was spent to boost securing seats for this midterm America voted to seat a new the campaign of Republican Mike election.

Congress. The 35 senators who Doyle against Democrat Summer The current map of the Senate were elected are beginning their Lee. Many Israel-supporting post-midterm elections is 2 seats six-year term along with their twoDemocrats have, therefore, for independent parties, 48 seats for year term the Democrats, counterparts from and 49 seats for the House of the Republicans.

Representatives.

When we look Despite the at the House of projected results of Representatives a massive takeover the vote is of Congress by the similarly close Republican party, with the tally this year's results coming out to showed the 213 seats for the Democrat's victory Democrats and in the race for the 221 for the Senate.

Republicans.

Unfortunately, one While this might political action not seem close committee that did with the largeGoogle’s election map shows an even split in the Senate. Source: Google not achieve a scale votes in the victory was House, it is still AIPAC. switched to other pro-Israeli/Jewish a very slim majority for the Founded in 1963, the bi-partisan organizations for backing and Republicans and the leading votes political organization American support such as AIPAC's rival can go either way.

Israel Public Affairs Committee organization, J Street.

This is a large shock for many AIPAC has made it its mission to Washington post writer Ben political analysts seeing as how it Last Week’s Solution support Israel. To do this they Terris states, “While both groups has become the norm for the endorse the campaigns of call themselves bipartisan, AIPAC opposing party which does not hold politicians in Congress that align has won support from the presidency to take Congress by with their views. The organization overwhelming majority of a vast majority. It was a big has no problem backing up its Republican Jews, while J Street is surprise to all when the members and collectively donated presenting itself as an alternative Republicans only won the House more than 6,000,000 dollars to the for Democrats who have grown with extremely slim margins. Not campaigns of politicians such as uncomfortable with both only this but the Republicans Jared Moskowitz, Robert Garcia, Netanyahu's policies and the completely lost the Senate in its Valerie Foushee, and Glenn Ivey. conservatives' flocking to AIPAC.” entirety. As the two 2 unaffiliated AIPAC supports over 320 iiiiiAIPAC was sure that with the votes in the Senate vote Democrat, politicians on both sides but in right support they would be able to and the Georgia run-off election is recent years has swung to a swing the election in their favor. projected the same, blue will hold majority of Republicans. Since When we look at the outcomes of the majority in the Senate. Despite 2004, they have supported many the midterm elections we can the slim Republican victory for the Republican politicians in both the clearly see that they were not as Continued on the next page CYHSB Weekly

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December 9, 2022

Sometimes We Fall: Fighting to Get Back Up Avi Becker (’24) Sometimes we fail, sometimes we fall. Sometimes we drop to our knees and find it impossible to stand up. The weight of our mistakes presses down on us, pressures us, and we carry it around with us.

In 1992 Derek Redmond was favored to win a medal in the Olympic 400-meter sprint. Preparing for months, if not years, with hours upon hours of intense training, race day had finally come.

After a lightning start, about 150 meters in, Redmond felt a searing pain; in agony he fell to the ground with a torn hamstring.

The Gemara in Eruchin on Daf Tet Vav amud Bet states that one who goes 40 days without any issues ought to be worried. Every painful experience is really a blessing. That bad grade on the test you studied for, that burnt pancake, that day where everything goes wrong, it's for the best. A person ought to rejoice after every mishap in their life. And that’s exactly what Judaism is, a religion of ought. As Harold Schulweis wrote: “Think ought.

Not what is a Jew, but what ought a Jew to be.

Not what is a synagogue, but what ought a synagogue to be.

Not what prayer is, but what prayer ought to be.

Not what ritual is, but what ritual ought to be.

Ought emancipates me from status quo thinking.

Ought is the freedom of spirit.

Ought we not Ought?”

Not willing to give up and determined to finish the race, Derek continued, half running, half hopping along the track, tears of agony and exertion pouring down his face. Breaking through security, a man came to Derek's side. It was his father. "You don't have to do this, he told him. "Yes, I do, Derek cried. "Well then, we are going to finish this together.”

Arm in arm, leaning heavily on his father, Derek limped, sobbing, along the track. Together, father and son continued. Just before the finish line, Derek's father let him go to complete his race, receiving a standing ovation from a crowd of over 65,000.

The Alter of Kelm said “Ask not if a thing is possible, ask only if it is necessary.” For we can do whatever we want, overcome any challenge that comes our way, work through any mishap; if only we had, not the strength, for that is G-d-given, but the courage.

The Alter of Kelm said “Ask not if a thing is possible, ask only if it is necessary.”

Last Week’s Solution Midterms Cont. majority in the Senate. Despite the slim Republican victory for the majority of the House, it was a much closer race than anyone could have predicted. Many swing states in the midterm election were predicted to swing Republican, but states such as Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania all turned out blue.

Another point to take notice of is former president Trump's effect on recent GOP politics. During or after Trump's time in office, his administration lost its large majority not only in the House and the Senate but in the eye of public opinion as well. This is displayed

by The Hill, in a poll shows a 40 CYHSB Weekly

Focus from is to ought, and our mindset is affected. Is faces me toward the present; ought turns me to the future. Ought challenges my creative imagination and opens me to the realm of possibilities and responsibilities to realize yesterday's dream.

Ought and is are complementary.

Without an is, the genius of our past and present collective wisdom is forgotten. Without an ought, the great visions of tomorrow fade.

Ought demands not only a knowledge of history but of exciting expectation. Is is a being, ought is a becoming.

percent decrease (from 70% to 30% of Republicans who would vote for Trump in a 2024 presidential election). As the presidential election in 2024 is still more than two years away, many potential candidates have yet to officially join the running, but with Trump's confirmation that he is in the race, he is likely to go up against other Republican politicians such as his old partner Mike Pence or Floridian counterpart Ron Desantis. Splitting the Republican vote between so many candidates may decrease the chances of one of these candidates succeeding in taking office.

Overall, this year's midterm elections came as a large shock to all political parties. We wait in anticipation of the official statements of any politicians hoping to take part in the 2024 presidential election. AIPAC is continuing its efforts to support Israel with a statement released by their spokesperson Marshall Wittman who said, “We are proud of the efforts of AIPAC activists to help elect pro-Israel Democratic and Republican candidates and defeat detractors of the U.S.-Israel relationship.” From here we will wait and see what the future holds for the future of American politics.

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Volume 17, Issue 8

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Sponsor an Issue A sponsorship is a great way to honor the memory of a loved one, celebrate an accomplishment, or just show appreciation to the CYHSB Weekly. We reach hundreds of people each week, helping to get your announcement out for just $20.

CYHSB Weekly Staff Editor-in-Chief

Ezra Wiener | ezra.wiener@mhafyos.org

Layout Editor Ezra Davidovics | ezra.davidovics@mhafyos.org

Editors

Ethan VanderWalde | ethan.vanderwalde@mhafyos.org Nathan Greenbaum | nathan.greenbaum@mhafyos.org Raanan Vanderwalde | raanan.vanderwalde@mhafyos.org

Complaint Manager

J.J. Stein | jacob.stein@mhafyos.org

CYHSB Weekly Staff

Akiva Levine | akiva.levine@mhafyos.org Amit Zalman | amit.zalman@mhafyos.org Avi Becker | avi.becker@mhafyos.org Baruch Finkleman | baruch. nkleman@mhafyos.org Ra Davidovics | rafael.davidovics@mhafyos.org Joshua Parcover | joshua.parcover@mhafyos.org Yaron Weiss | yaron.weiss@mhafyos.org Benny Freiden | benny.freiden@mhafyos.org Ra Goldkin | rafael.goldkin@mhafyos.org Yosef VanderWalde | yosef.vanderwalde@mhafyos.org Jojo Ardestani | jonathan.ardestani@mhafyos.org

Sponsorship Coordinator

Nadav Lowell | nadav.lowell@mhafyos.org

Administrative Advisors Mrs. Ashley Brown Rabbi Dov Rossman

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CYHSB Weekly

From the Editor As the rst semester gets closer to ending it is important for us to look back and re ect on these last two quarters, and how we can grow as people moving on to the next two quarters. Whether it be watching what we say or voting in elections, there is never a shortage of opportunities to be the best you you can be. Hopefully these next few quarters we will take advantage of these opportunities. Good Shabbos.

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