CYHSB Weekly 3/4/22

Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys

March 4, 2022

CYHSB WEEKLY Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys

Volume 16, Issue 11 Mock Trial: Future Lawyers in Action Page 3 Attention to Detail: Finding the Right Path in Life Page 4 Cooper Clicks Page 5 Yeshiva Decisions: How to Choose the Right One Page 7

This week’s CYHSB Weekly is dedicated in memory of Sruli Semmel, ‫ישראל דוד‬ ‫שלום ז״ל בן רב משה‬ .‫הלוי‬

.‫יהי זכרו ברוך‬ CYHSB Weekly

Students gather at the base of the mountain, ready for some exciting skiing. Photo: Yisrael Meir.

CYHSB Shabbaton: Bringing Students Together Raanan VanderWalde (’22) This past week, the CYHSB went on a Shabbaton across the whole state of Tennessee. This was our first Shabbaton since COVID caused us to lock down almost two years ago. These Shabbatons are great opportunities for our school to have lasting experiences that bond us together, and we definitely bonded - on bus rides, at campsites, on hikes, in hotels, on the slopes, and again on bus rides. The Shabbaton was made possible by the funds raised by the steak dinner; in other words, all the students helped raise the money to go on the trip, which made it even more meaningful.

On Friday morning, all of the students came to the school packed and ready to go. After davening and loading up the bus, we headed on our way to Natchez Trace State Park, which is about an hour outside of Nashville. We arrived at the campsite, and preparations for Shabbat began. We unloaded the bus and settled down in our bunkhouses; many students also helped cook the food and get everything ready for Shabbat.

At five o’clock, we all gathered for Mincha and a preShabbat meal of salami and latkes. We kicked off Shabbat with an incredible and meaningful Kabbalat Shabbat, 1

Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys

led by Ethan VanderWalde. After that, we had a spirited discussion about what items have the biggest effect on our Jewish identity. We then davened Maariv and went right into our Friday night meal. After an amazing meal, we all went to sleep, continuing our incredible Shabbat.

After shacharit in the morning, we had another discussion about how our choices can affect our Jewish identity. We then had lunch, which was filled with many dvar Torahs and some songs. After a long break, we returned to the main lodge for davening and seudah shlishit, filled with songs and meaningful discussions. We ended off our very memorable Shabbat with havdalah. After Shabbat, we played laser tag and went to sleep.

On Sunday, we woke up, davened, and then packed the bus.

After a three-and-a-half-hour bus ride, we stopped to hike at Fall Creek Falls. The hike was incredible! It was filled with waterfalls and overlooks; some students even went into the extremely cold water for the thrill.

We then got back on the bus and headed to our hotel in Pigeon Forge.

After arriving at the hotel, everyone settled in their rooms and unloaded the bus. Many students went swimming while others played pool or games at the arcade. We then ate dinner, and everyone went to sleep.

The next day, we did our normal morning routine. Many students got ready to go skiing on the mountain

March 4, 2022

Students pose while walking along a rope bridge. Photo: Nadav Weiss

of Ober Gatlinburg, while others got ready to go into the town of Gatlinburg. We got up to the mountain at around noon, and many students went skiing for the rest of the day. We all had a great time skiing, and for many students, it was their first time. Ethan VanderWalde, a freshman, reflected, “I loved skiing! It was my first time, and as soon as I got on the slopes, I realized that it was awesome. I can’t wait to go again next year!” Those of us who had been skiing also loved the experience of skiing with our friends. After skiing, we headed back to the hotel for a well-earned good night’s sleep.

Tuesday was the last day of the trip. We all got up early in the morning and loaded up the bus. We headed into Gatlinburg and walked around the city for a few hours. We all enjoyed the tourist shops and

lifts up the mountain, and some of us picked up some souvenirs. We then got on the bus and headed home for our long drive across Tennessee.

This trip was a really important bonding experience for our school.

Nadav Weiss, a senior and copresident of the student council, said, “Being together at school is one thing and spending Shabbat in town is one thing, but being together, all of us, for just one Shabbat was truly amazing. The friendship we have for each other deepened, and we, together as a high school, became a closer family.

We’re blessed that we were given this opportunity for an enriching Shabbaton.”

We all had an amazing time, and none of us are able to wait for our next school-wide Shabbaton.

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Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys

March 4, 2022

AP Students Cont.

Mock Trial: Future Lawyers in Action

Nadav Lowell (’25) I swear by the Almighty G-d that I will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. These are the words that all the witnesses swear to when they give their testimony, whether it be a criminal or civil court. These are the same words that Joshua Parkover, Ethan Vanderwalde, Yitzy Ryp, and I affirmed when participating in the mock trial competition. Also on the team were lawyers Naftali Schochet, Gavi Lowell, and Elisha Serman.

They were all led by the experienced coach Rob Golder.

These students were partaking in the annual mock trial competition. The competition is designed to simulate a real court case experience with all the craziness that is entailed.

During the season, students learn all about the court and its processes.

They also learn important skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, and more. There are many terms to memorize, such as direct and cross-examination, assorted objections, and the roles of people in the courtroom.

The first thing the team does to prepare for the trial is to learn everything there is to know about the case and the pertaining laws and to learn all about the potential witnesses. Lawyers work with the coach to figure out the points and arguments for the case. Typically, after finding their points, a lawyer will partner with a witness to prepare for the trial. They practice everything from learning what to say and ask, to learning all the facts about the witness, like who their firstborn grandchild was. The witnesses have to learn what to say and the lawyers what to ask.

What the witnesses say is incredibly important because it determines the verdict. The lawyers are also incredibly important; their role is to question the witnesses and

CYHSB Weekly

The mock trial team poses for a victory photo. Photo: Rabbi Gersten discredit the other team’s story. On direct examination, the lawyers question their own witnesses, and on cross-examination, they try to discredit and challenge the other team’s witnesses. Another key role is the bailiff or timekeeper. While seemingly unimportant, the bailiff times the team and makes sure they don’t go over. Finally, the coach of the team helps everyone learn their points and acts as a personal taxi and chaperone so the team can get to and from the trial.

This year was a hard season for the boys; however, the team still powered through and participated in practices despite the steak dinner and preparing for the CYHSB trip.

Head coach Rob Golder says, “It is always a pleasure to watch our dedicated students of the CYHSB hold their own against schools with exponentially more students and resources.” (To put this into perspective, the minimum size of the mock trial team consists of about 20% percent of the CYHSB).”

He continued, “[I am] so proud of how this year’s team worked

together and the incredible amount of time and effort that the team put in to make it all possible.”

With points, counterpoints, long practice sessions, and loads to memorize, mock trials might seem too much to actually be worth it.

However, this is not the case.

Naftali Schochet says, “The meetings were long and hard, but it was worth it. Being in the courtroom and actually using what we learned, and then winning two nights in a row made it all worth it”.

He says he would “highly recommend it to any new freshmen or just anyone who would like to join.” Joshua Parcover said “Being in a courtroom is a lot more interesting and exciting than I would have thought.”

Mock trial is a very intellectually challenging program that is also fun.

It is an exciting opportunity that is open to all who would like to join.

Participants have the chance to learn new skills, and the program allows students to get a nice background in law to prepare them for their future endeavors.

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Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys

March 4, 2022

Attention to Detail: Finding the Right Path in Life Yonah Lynn (’25) In this week's parsha, Parshas Pekudei, we read more and more information about the Mishkan being built, the garments, the atonement, and the cloud that appears above the Mishkan. It is hard to understand why this is written about so extensively. How does this mean anything to us today? I mean, why would we care about garments that we're not going to wear or an inaugural service to something we've never attended?

This all should have been written in a book that will be published in the time of Moshiach, right? How does it relate to any overall theme in Judaism? It's just a bunch of blueprints and facts. Well, of course, it means something to us.

Maybe it is for future use in the time of Moshiach, or it is some way of showing us it was very important. But what is the real reason the parsha goes to this length; why are so many specific details and specifications listed in the Torah?

A reason that strikes me as the most important and justified answer lies in a generally overlooked statement in the parsha. This statement says that the Jews did not change anything from what G-d said. Every single measurement was made to the exact inch that Hashem had commanded. Every single detail and nuance was perfected according to what G-d said. Even this may seem unimportant. Why would it

This weeks Parsha goes into great detail describing the Mishkan. Source: ou.org matter if they missed one inch? If the wall around the Mishkan was a single inch smaller than the instructed measurement, it physically would not change a thing. But that's not what it's about.

It's the dedication, the effort, and the extent they go to to fulfill the will of G-d.

This, by itself, teaches us a very valuable lesson about day-to-day life. Similar to the Akeidah of Yitzchak, the giving of the Torah at Har Sinai, and Noah building the Tevah, when you follow the word of G-d without question, you undoubtedly will be on the right

path to success. When carrying out G-d's word, a person does not need to worry about whether it will be the best for them.

Just like in this week's parsha, although the exact measurements may have been a physical burden and difficulty, they resulted in tremendous reward spiritually and, to a certain extent, physically. In any instance in life where you are required to make a choice, take a second to think about whether it will set you up for success spiritually. This will inevitably set you on the right path in life and in the world to come.

Check out the digital weekly at https:// issuu.com/mrsashleybrown!!

CYHSB Weekly

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Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys

March 4, 2022

Cooper Clicks Top: Yosef VanderWalde, Avi Klein, and Ethan VanderWalde pose on a rickety bridge. Photo: Coby Goldblatt. Middle: Yosef VanderWalde, Gavi Peiser, Haarel Zabag, Rabbi Rossman, Joshua Parcover, and Gavi Lowe enjoy a warm camp re. Photo: Elisha Serman. Bottom Le : Nathan Greenbaum, J.J. Stein, Baruch Finkelman, and Yitzy Ryp enjoy and incredible hike. Photo: Coby Goldblatt. Bottom Right: The CYHSB tries not to fa o a bridge. Photo: Coby Goldbaltt.

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Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys

AP Students Cont.

March 4, 2022

Cooper Clicks Cont.

Cooper Clicks

Top: The CYHSB goes across the iconic rickety bridge. Photo: Nadav Weiss. Middle: Nathan Baer, Zev Bosin, Nathan Greenbaum, Shahar Cahana, Ra Somer, Ben Siegel, Coby Goldblatt, Yosef VanderWalde, and Nadav Goldkin enjoy the slopes. Photo: Israel Meir. Bottom Le : Jojo Ardestani, Ilan Lowe , Haarel Zabag, Noam Cahana, Ethan VanderWalde, Shahar Cahana, and Aharon Raanan have a great hike.

Photo: Coby Goldblatt. Bottom Right: Ra Somer, Ben Siegel, Ra Goldkin, Yosef VanderWalde, and Ethan VanderWalde pose in ont of an iconic tree. Photo: Nadav Weiss.

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CYHSB Weekly

Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys

March 4, 2022

AP Students Cont.

Yeshiva Decisions: How to Choose the Right One

Noam Cahana (’22) Yeshiva decisions were released last week. I was once told that going to a yeshiva is not a gap year as many believe it to be. It is a year that can build discipline, teach lessons, and have a person grow in many ways that will affect them in many years to come. This makes deciding a yeshiva very important for us high school students. The effect of it could last for years. I personally have had a hard time in deciding and have decided that in order to make a final decision, I needed to break down yeshivot into categories.

This means analyzing what each yeshiva gives me as an individual.

One goes to yeshiva to learn and should first look at the quality of the learning in a yeshiva. What do they study? Is it centered around Gemara? How much are Tanach and philosophy taught? What is their schedule of learning? For me, all yeshivot study high-level learning and excel in each of these categories, and so I have to ask myself another question. What are the people at each yeshiva like? Are they serious about growing and learning, or do they perhaps have other priorities? One must make sure that they have values and ambitions that are congruent with that of the other students at their yeshiva; otherwise, it will be a very difficult year.

Considering this, one should think about the rebbeim or teachers in the yeshiva. Who are they, and what have they accomplished?

Many rebbeim in these yeshivot are very accomplished not only in Judaic studies but also in certain

Noam Cahana accesses his yeshiva decisions online. Photo: Ezra Wiener

non-Judaic studies. Do you connect with the rebbeim? Do they speak to you? If so, this is a very good indicator of the yeshiva one should go to.

However, what if there are multiple yeshivot in which all of these categories and questions check out? What should one do then?

Ultimately if this happens, it should be only with a couple of yeshivas at most. From here, one should see what alumni they know from the yeshiva. Knowing who the alumni of the yeshiva are and their personalities give one a better sense about the yeshiva; it allows them to explore nuances and differences regarding yeshivot to ultimately inform a final decision.

Ultimately, I believe that all of the seniors will make the right decision about which yeshiva they

will be going to. I was once told that when deciding on a yeshiva, it usually works out no matter what doubts you may have about your decision. Many of us have received help from the rabbis at the Cooper Yeshiva regarding our decision, and for that, I am thankful. The rebbeim at the Cooper Yeshiva have so much knowledge regarding this topic due to their years of experience in teaching.

Making a decision regarding yeshivot may be difficult, but with extensive research, this decision may be made easier. We do have help, and we all will, G-d willing, be attending places in which we will be happy.

Don’t forget about the CYHSB Car Wash on Sunday, March 20th, from 4:00 - 6:30 PM at the front of the MHA. $20 - cash or Venmo.

CYHSB Weekly

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Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys

March 4, 2022

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CYHSB Weekly Staff

From the Editor:

Michael Baum | michael.baum@mhafyos.org

The recent Shabbaton and

Editor-in-Chief

Assistant Editor

Zev Bosin | zev.bosin@mhafyos.org

Layout Editor

Ezra Wiener | ezra.wiener@mhafyos.org

Editors

Benjamin Siegel | benjamin.siegel@mhafyos.org Shahar Cahana | shahar.cahana@mhafyos.org Avi Klein| avi.klein@mhafyos.org Ethan Vanderwalde | ethan.vanderwalde@mhafyos.org Nathan Greenbaum | nathan.greenbaum@mhafyos.org Raanan Vanderwalde | raanan.vanderwalde@mhafyos.org

Complaint Manager

Zevi Kirshtein| zevi.kirshtein@mhafyos.org

CYHSB Weekly Staff

Coby Goldblatt | coby.goldblatt@mhafyos.org Ra Goldkin | ra .goldkin@mhafyos.org Noam Cahana | noam.cahana@mhafyos.org Aidan Kahane | aidan.kahane@mhafyos.org Gavi Peiser | gavi.peiser@mhafyos.org Ezra Davidovics | ezra.davidovics@mhafyos.org Yosef Vanderwalde | yosef.vanderwalde@mhafyos.org Ra Somer | ra .somer@mhafyos.org Nadav Lowell | nadav.lowell@mhafyos.org Jojo Ardestani | jonathan.ardestani@mhafyos.org Nadav Weiss | nadav.weiss@mhafyos.org Yonah Lynn| yona.lynn@mhafyos.org

Administrative Advisors

Mock Trial have offered learning opportunities in which students could strengthen their bonds with others while growing spiritually and mentally.

CYHSB students, specifically seniors, have also had tremendous opportunities to explore communities as they delve into the yeshivas they have recently been admitted to.

We appreciate all that the faculty and volunteers have done to facilitate

these experiences.

-Michael Baum

Rabbi Baruch Harris & Mrs. Ashley Brown

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