accompanied by their coach, Continued on next page
Continued fom previous page
300 students, from 15 different schools. The three-day convention begins on Sunday as schools from around the country fl y in to meet in Connecticut. Once the participants have a chance to settle in and meet their fellow delegates, they soon have their first of five committee sessions. Over the next two days, delegates form coalitions to pass resolutions. They work through their two committee topics and eventually through the extremely stressful crisis, all while making connections for life.
This year our school is tasked with representing Poland and Cuba, each student in their respective committee. The goal is simple: pass resolutions. However, it’s the path to resolutions that is difficult: drafting working papers, collaborating with others, working through crises, and finally drafting resolutions. Although it may seem stressful, delegates soon realize that the conference is as much about having fun as it is being productive. Through the positive atmosphere and
stressful situations, delegates develop skills beyond Model UN. Co-Captain Amit Zalman (‘26) said that, “YUNMUN has helped me on a very personal level. By connecting and networking with other kids from Jewish schools across the nation, I was able to make friends and connections for life. Additionally, it has helped my debate and diplomacy skills in discussing controversial topics and being open minded, helping me learn how to look at the perspectives of others in all aspects of my life.” Similarly, Captain Etta Kurinsky said that YUNMUN has, “helped me to get over my fear of public speaking, grow my leadership skills, and has taught me to work with others in high pressure situations.” These messages, of the benefits of YUNMUN extending beyond the conference itself, have been echoed by nearly all participating delegates. Model
UN develops skills, perspectives, and personality traits that translate directly into everyday life, helping students grow into their futures. Co-Captain Akiva Levine (‘26) said about his participation in YUNMUN that it has, “helped [him] grow from a nervous delegate into a confident captain. Over four years, [he] learned that leadership isn’t about chasing the awards, but about supporting [his] team, setting high standards, and helping others succeed.” YUNMUN isn’t merely about personal progression, it’s a team effort. It’s learning about when to take the fall, when to speak, when to ask, when to answer, rather than taking over the stage. It’s about bringing others up with you, not tearing them down. These messages translate directly into the personal, professional, and educational lives of students and, in reality, anybody.
What’s important to take from YUNMUN isn’t necessarily the working papers, resolutions, or even awards that the delegates work so hard for. It’s the skills, connections, and values that stick for life.
Generations on the Court: Macs Prevail in Electric Game
Jack Kampf (’26)
Fans packed the stands as the Cooper Yeshiva High School Macs and the alumni team warmed up for the highly anticipated Irby and Bernice Cooper Alumni Game, an annual matchup between the current Cooper Yeshiva High School team and its alumni. This year’s game was especially meaningful, featuring five family matchups between current players and relatives, including grandfathers, fathers, and brothers, which made the atmosphere even more electric.
students who wanted to compete, keeping the excitement going.
In the second quarter, the gap remained steady as both teams traded baskets. The alumni stayed competitive thanks to big buckets from
The starting lineups brought instant energy to the gym, highlighted by Rabbi Dr. Brown’s intro music selection and Mr. Elliot Wender’s lively commentary. Once the ball was tipped, the Macs jumped out to an early lead, sparked by a deep three from Benji Schubert (’29) that sent the crowd into a frenzy. The Macs controlled the pace throughout the first quarter and headed into the break with a 20-point lead. During the first-quarter break, Coach Kobi Pinto hosted a skills challenge for junior high
Asher Silberman and Richard Lewis, while senior Ben Frieden knocked down multiple clutch threes to maintain the Macs’ lead. At halftime, the hot shot competition took center stage and featured families who were part of the game. The Kahanes came out on top with an impressive score of 34, capped off by a wild half-court shot from junior Daniel Kahane.
After halftime, the game continued with both teams going bucket for bucket. Ben Frieden stayed hot from beyond
the arc, and Eli Weisfogel (‘27) added key baskets to keep the Macs comfortably ahead. On the alumni side, Benjamin Siegel, Asher Silberman, and JJ Kampf provided scoring to keep the game within reach. At the third-quarter break, a three-point contest was held for players without family members in the game, and alumnus Richard Lewis won with an outstanding 20 made threes in one minute. The fourth quarter opened with alumni coach Mr. Pace Cooper switching to a high-zone defense, which briefl y disrupted the Macs’ rhythm. The alumni made several runs that trimmed the deficit, but the Macs responded and held strong down the stretch. When the final buzzer sounded, the Cooper Macs secured the win, 84–72. Overall, the Irby and Bernice Cooper Alumni Game was an unforgettable experience for my teammates and me. It was especially meaningful for me personally, as my brothers Bentzie Kampf and JJ Kampf surprised me by coming to support me during my senior year.
The Cooper Macs and their opponents the Alumni. Photo: Dotan Weiss ('27)
Icy Issues: How the Storm Froze Our Week
Gordon Chaifetz(’27)
From doomsday preppers to office employees, this snow storm has affected us all. But how did it affect the school? Starting last week, we’ve had to deal with tons of snow and ice all over the roads here in Memphis, Tennessee, basically stopping all efforts to accomplish any work. Memphis seems to have but one snow plow for the entirety of the city which means the roads remain icy as long as it remains below freezing temperatures. Unfortunately, that was the case for the entirety of this week, so roads remained icy. The school administration decided that Monday would remain a snow day and gave students time to have fun in this winter wonderland. As Yakir Rovner (‘28) said, “I had a lot of fun in the snow, building and sledding with my friends.” I think many other students can agree with the sentiment that the day off of school gave us a chance to enjoy playing in the snow. Unfortunately (according to many students), we still had
zoom school for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
To try and help keep spirits high and give students an activity to do, Rabbi Dr. Brown announced three challenges. The Tower Challenge for which students needed to make the tallest, free standing tower out of objects in their home. The Yitziat Mitzrayim Diorama where students needed to make a diorama of Kriyat Yam Suf -
The Splitting of the Sea. The Curling Challenge had students try to slide an object the furthest distance possible on the snow. These challenges had rewards for all of them which were, a picture in the reporter, an undisclosed prize, and a video posted on instagram/ facebook, respectively.
Thanks to the generosity of Baron Hirsch and Rabbi Lichter, the school was able to host davening at Baron Hirsch at 8:30 every morning with breakfast after for the high school students. This was followed by the Judaics classes of respective students until 11:00 with our Rabbis, in person or on Zoom. "I'm erally glad we were able to use space in Baron Hirsch to have judaics classes in person," says Avigdor Zweihorn ('27), "I fee like we really benefited from it."After Judaics classes, students would either have a break until 12:50 if they were an classmen or math until 11:50 if they were an upperclassmen. After lunch students would typically have class until 2:30 unless they were in AP Art History, in which case they ended their school day at 3:05. If only every day ended that early! I think I can speak for everyone when I say that this small break from school was much appreciated, whether or not it was on purpose. Now we’re back to normal school every day. Sigh.
Snow covered school yard. Photo: Avigdor Zweihorn ('27)
ורתי תשרפ
stranger there"
3. The land where Yisro was a priest and where Moshe had lived
4. Yisro advised Moshe to appoint these people to help solve peoples problems.
5. The structure for offerings.
7. The second commandment forbids making, selling, or serving these.
10. The number of days the Jews prepared for Matan Torah.
12. Moshe's second son; his name means "My G-D is help".
13. The sixth commandment forbids this.
14. Loud sounds accompanied the lightning.
came to the dessert.
6. The mountain where the Torah was given.
8. The tenth commandment; don't ____.
9. Hashem said he would carry B'nei Yisrael on the wings of ____.
11. The fifth commandment says to honor them so your days will be long.
14. Moshe's wife who returned to camp with her father.
16. Hebrew word meaning treasure.
17. The mountain was covered in this because Hashem descended in fire.
18. The fourth commandment tells us to remember this day and keep it holy.
The Torah and the Nations
Chaggai Yorav (’28)
In this week’s parasha, we receive the Torah. There is a famous Midrash, (and a song by Avraham Freid) that says when God gave the Torah, he first sent an angel to look for a nation that would like to receive the Torah. He started from the Edomites, who of course asked him what’s in it. But when he told them “אל חצרת” -Don't murder they say no. Now, why did they say no to such a basic moral principle?
Because the blessing that וישע (the father of the nation of Edom) got from בוקעי, was “you will live on your sword” meaning, you will kill a lot of people. So they couldn’t agree not to kill, since that’s their nature. The next were the Arabs. When the angel came to them, they also asked what’s in the Torah. And this time, he told them “בונגת אל” -Don’t steal. And they too, said no. And why? Because of what the angel told Hagar when he found her in the desert. “His hand will be in everything”- meaning, he will steal a lot. They couldn’t agree to do something against their nature. After that, he came to the Ammonites and the Moabites. And they too, asked him what’s in the Torah, and this time he said “ףאנת אל”Don’t commit adultery. And they too, said no. And now why? Because these nations
were formed out of ףואינ (adultery) The daughters of Lot slept with him because they thought that after the destruction of הרומעו םודס the world ended, and they had to sleep with him in order to sustain the world. So how could such nations, that came out of this sin, keep the commandment of Now, multiple questions can be asked on that story. First of all, these three stories have a returning pattern. With all of them, the angel chose the specific thing that was against the nature of each nation. But if for example, he could have told the Arabs “תאו ךיבא תא דבכ ךמא” (which is something that they are known to be very good at). Maybe then they have gotten the Torah instead of us?
Of course not! The whole History until this point led to this very moment, when the Jews got the Torah. The acceptance of the Arabs to receive it wouldn't have changed anything!
Furthermore- it is said “רחב רשא
So the answer is that it is indeed what happened. This midrash is a לשמ, that is meant to tell us that God has chosen us, by showing how we are above nature! The midrash shows us how every other nation couldn’t keep the Torah because of something in their nature. But the Jews on the other hand, did not need to ask what’s in the Torah, because as the chosen nation they were above the level where their nature contradicts the Torah! ה‘ תרזעב, we should all be הכוז to reach this level truly and fully. םולש תבש!
The nations refusing the Torah. AI image by Chagai Yorav
Cooper Clicks
Top Right: Matty Ardestani ('29), Zacharia Levine ('29), and Snowman ('29) enjoy the sunset.
Top Left: Zev Valeriano ('28) attempts to sled without a sled.
Photos: Gordon Chaifetz ('27), Matty Ardestani ('29), Daniel Kahane ('27)
Bottom Right: Gordon Chaifetz ('27) and Yakir Rovner ('28) with the snow Stonehenge
Bottom Lef: Benny Frieden ('28) and Daniel Kahane ('27) enjoy the empty streets.
This weeks issue of The Weekly is sponsored by the Davidovics family.
A lot of what we celebrate at Cooper looks individual, but it isn’t. Conferences, trials, games, even the photos, only work because people show up for each other: teammates, captains, coaches, writers, friends in the stands. This issue is a reminder that the best version of school isn’t a list of accomplishments. It’s a culture where people raise the level around them.
