The Goldie Globe (4/21/23)

GOLDIE the

GL BE

A Publication of the Goldie Margolin School for Girls

Breaking News: Yet Another Sports Scandal

By Sarah Kahane ('25)

t was quite the plunge for Jacob Runyan and Chase Cominsky, two professional fishermen. In a matter of mere weeks, Runyan and Cominsky went from nearly stealing top team honors to facing prison time. What was this alleged crime?

Filling the inside of their fish with stones. Tournament director, Jason Fischer, frantically sounded the alarm after gutting their incredible catch, screaming: “We got weights in fish!” The perpetrators could only sit sheepishly behind the cops who were called in to arrest them, as the angry mob closed in.

Sports companies are multi-billion dollar businesses, making them prone to dishonest play. There are many famous instances in which athletes have cheated in order to win. One of the most infamous cases occurred in 1994. Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan were both considered to be great ice skaters. They were evidently rivals on the rink, but it was never suspected that they

had anything less than full respect for each other’s achievements. Yet, right before the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, a man struck Kerrigan with a metal pole on her right leg. In the video, Kerrigan can be seen crying and screaming, obviously in tremendous pain. At first, Harding was not suspected at all and performed in the championship. However, she later came out declaring that her now exhusband and bodyguard had conspired

together and hired a man to break Kerrigan’s leg. At first, Harding was banned from skating, but soon after she was accepted back and placed eighth in the following Olympics.

These sports scandals are evolving into a global public policy issue. Corporations attempt to lure

Continued on page 2

Jacob Runyan and Chase Cominsky sit in court, awaiting judgment for their sports sins.

Photo Credit: toledoblade.com

consumers by aligning their products and services with a certain player. When a scandal erupts around an athletic endorser, the business either skyrockets or drops completely. These scandals are affecting not only the sports industry, but business and the economy as well. So the question of the hour, why do athletes cheat in sports? Psychological research has provided insight that points to the sheer competitive nature of sports.

It may be an understatement to just say that sports can be “competitive.” In fact, sports have become a very important part of culture. In the words of cultural historian Jacques Barzun, “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.” There is such a long history of athletes who have cheated, it is difficult to try to summarize the presence of cheating in sports. The effects of cheating extend to the player’s team, coaches, opponents, and even other sports. One infamous example was when athlete Boris Onishchecko was banned from sports for life after he was caught placing an electrical wire in his fencing weapon.

As sports becomes a more serious industry and continues to develop, there has been a large shift from a concentration on the actual game to the surrounding aspects of the player’s life. The stakes are high, especially the case at professional levels of sports. Winning is a necessary ingredient in the pursuit of excellence, and as a result, athletes can take that further than others might. It’s reminiscent of the cliche saying, “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”

Competitive sports often place individuals in conflicting situations that emphasize winning over sportsmanship and fair play. There are many other factors at play besides just the competitive nature of the sport. Ego and moral functioning may also play a large role in an athlete justifying their act of cheating.

Less than a decade ago, people of all ages saw Lance Armstrong as a role model, a man who overcame cancer and pushed his way to the top, becoming a champion. However, this hero persona quickly faded when he was caught in a doping scandal. Armstrong was stripped of all his medals and titles leaving him nothing but public embarrassment. Many high performance athletes who have similar personality characteristics to Armstrong learn

from him the lesson of winning at any cost, making them highly susceptible to cheating.

These scandals and scams, of course, strongly affect the fans. Many fans are so involved in their favorite team that they have pre-game anxiety and emotional experiences during games. They may even blame losses on biased officiating or cheating. Many children who strive to be like their favorite athlete start believing that using drugs in order to win and become famous is acceptable. Unfortunately, these same children fail to recognize that these players become outcasts in the field and are a shame to their sport.

Though there are a few athletes who choose to turn to cheating, these are the athletes that have their name plastered over every media source in the country. There

still are many honest players who participate in their sport merely because they love the game and enjoy sharing their passion with others.

So, the main reason athletes cheat: athletes want to win. At any level of sports, the difference between first and second place feels like miles. Some even think of second place as being the first place to lose. As a result of this, some athletes may believe winning really is the only thing. People enjoy playing, watching, and winning, so it should be done with integrity and be worthwhile for everyone involved, but to many athletes, the risk of getting caught and being labeled a cheater is worth the money and glory. So, is cheating really worth it? That is the question we all want the answer to.

"Winning is a necessary ingredient in the pursuit of excellence, and as a result, athletes can take that further than others might."

Nancy

Kerrigan screaming out in pain moments after getting hit in the knee.

Photo Credit: bostonherald.com

My Unorthodox Life and Media Portrayals of Judaism

By Neima Rovner ('26)

or many people who have no connection to Judaism, public Jewish figures and media shape their views on the religion. However, in the media, Judaism is often painted in a negative light. This, in turn, causes many people to view Judaism negatively.

Since many non-Jews don’t know any Jewish people personally, they develop opinions on Judaism by what they see on TV or in the news. For example, the reality TV show that was released in 2021, My Unorthodox Life, painted Orthodox Judaism in an antagonistic way. The woman the show follows, Julia Haart, grew up in an ultra-Orthodox community in Monsey, New York before completely leaving the Jewish community and starting her own shoe brand. The show follows her life after she left the community. Haart had a traumatic childhood, which she now associates with her religion. This causes her to constantly paint Judaism in a very negative light on her show. Although Haart often says that she only dislikes “fundamentalist Judaism,” for people who have no knowledge of other types of Judaism, this distinction would fall on deaf ears. The various matters that Haart describes as “bad” on her show certainly do not apply to all of Judaism, or even Orthodoxy. However, for people who don’t understand this, they may use this to develop an inaccurate and generally negative image of Judaism.

Despite the fact that Haart claims to be accepting of everyone and encouraging everyone to follow their own paths, she often, whether consciously or subconsciously, tries to steer people down a specific path. Haart sabotaged her daughter’s marriage, her children’s views, and even their religion. At the beginning of the show, three out of Haart’s four children were still somewhat religious, keeping Kosher, keeping Shabbat, etc. However, those children quickly became less religious and, in the end, only her youngest son was still even remotely religious. She poisons her children’s minds with ideas that Judaism is bad and remaining in a Jewish mindset is evil. When her youngest, Aharon Hendler, told her that he wanted to go to Yeshiva and become more Orthodox, they got into a huge fight. Haart hardly let her son get a word in while she bashed the religion he was choosing. She talked about how she liked him better when he wasn’t as religious, and she pressed her views on him while he sat there and waited for her to finish. Although it may have been better for Haart and her son if she just accepted his religious views, Haart couldn’t live with the idea of one of her children joining the community she left behind.

As My Unorthodox Life became popular on Netflix, it also became popular on social media. The clips from the show have many comments, ranging from hate on Judaism, to hate on the show, to acceptance of all. Many people dislike her manipulative way of parenting. A few people said that she was becoming the people she claimed to be fighting, she was becoming oppressive and closed minded. People noted that she promotes a narcissistic personality in her children. There were a few comments on the videos talking about how people were overreacting, and how she’s a great mother who’s giving every opportunity to her children. The general consensus was that she led by example. The question that remained was “is she leading by the right example?”

For decades, maybe even centuries, Jews have been prominent figures in the world, some who have shown Judaism in a positive light, and some have shown Judaism in a negative light. For the secular world, which doesn’t have much exposure to Judaism, this could frame their entire idea of the religion. This can lead to other Jews receiving the backlash for their actions and words. Therefore, it is the job of each and every Jew, whether religious or not, to ensure that their actions do not harm another Jew, even if it is indirectly. Each Jew has an obligation of making a Kiddush Hashem, sanctifying Hashem’s name, in public and to spread a positive image of Judaism as opposed to a negative image.

Keeping the Memories Alive Film By Film

By Talya Mendelson (’25)

s the last generation of Holocaust survivors begins to pass away, we must find a way to keep their memories alive. When the last survivor of the Holocaust dies, no one will be left that had a first-hand account of the horrors of the Holocaust. No one will be left to pass their stories down to the next generation. There are many programs for Holocaust survivors to sit down and tell their stories. There is even a program that allows people to ask survivors questions, including ones who have passed away.

Heather Maio came up with the idea to use artificial intelligence technology to have a hologram picture of the survivor for people to be able to ask them questions. Maio worked on many Holocaust projects and got the opportunity to speak with many survivors firsthand; she wanted others to have the same opportunities she had. She wanted people to be able to sit in front of the survivors and have a conversation with them, so she came up with the idea to have a Holocaust survivor film their story. Later, they would turn these videos into a hologram that people could ask questions to and learn from. This would be the perfect opportunity to enable their memories to live forever.

Maio introduced this idea to Stephen Smith, the executive director of the Shoah Foundation at the University of Southern California, and he loved the idea. They both received a lot of pushback from their peers and colleagues. Everyone had many questions, except the survivors themselves who thought it was an amazing idea. Many people believed that they would not get the true idea of their stories, and one person even asked why they wanted to talk to people who have passed away. Even with this pushback, they continued with this project. The first survivor to be filmed was a man named Pinchas Gutter. He was born in Poland and was later

deported to the Majdanek concentration camp along with his parents and twin sister at the age of 11. In the concentration camp, they split up his family and he became the sole survivor of his family. Gutter flew from Toronto to Los Angeles to film his story. He was filmed in something that they call “the bubble.” “The bubble” is a dome covered in lights with over 20 cameras from all different angles.

On the first day of filming, Guter went into “the bubble.” They pressed go on the cameras but nothing happened. As he was waiting for the filming to begin, he started to sing to himself. This gave Stephen Smith the idea to film some of his songs. Eventually, they got the technology to work and they began filming. He filmed from nine to five for a week straight; the filming process took so long because they asked him nearly 2,000 questions about his story. You can now visit the hologram of Gutter in Holocaust museums in Dallas, Indiana, and Chicago, where you are able to ask questions and hear his story. Gutter's interview was also tested in schools where students would be able to ask questions through their computers and he would respond accordingly.

Since the end of Gutter's filming, they have filmed 21 more survivors, three of which have already passed away. They shrank the size of the filming equipment required to film these interviews so that they can travel to the survivors. Stephen Smith explains how important it is to get survivors who have different backgrounds, religions, and stories. The memories of the survivors could’ve been forgotten if it wasn’t for these filmings. Their memories will live forever thanks to Stephen Smith and Heather Maio’s hard work. Keeping the memory of these survivors alive is crucial in ensuring we never forget the horrors of the Holocaust.

Pinchas Gutter sharing his experiences of the Holocaust in the form of a hologram.

Photo Credit: theguardian.com

Parshiot Tazria and Metzora: Tzara'at Takes Over

By Adina Steiner ('24)

his week’s Parshiot, Tazria and Metzora, discuss many important topics, one of which being the purification of tzara'at Tzara'at is a skin condition commonly compared to leprosy, but they are not the same thing. Tzara'at has no biological cause, rather it appears entirely due to someone’s behavior.

Specifically, tzara'at appears when someone speaks lashon hara about another person. We learn in perek 13 pasuk 44 that when someone has tzara'at, they are impure:”

,” meaning, “he is a leprous man; he is impure. The priest shall pronounce him impure; he has the affection on his head.”

In the Gemara when it discusses tzara'at, we see that it compares three different types of people: someone with tzara'at, a mourner, and someone who has been excommunicated. The Gemara asks the same questions about each of these groups of people concerning if each of them can wear shoes, if each can wear tefillin, and even if you can say hello to them. When you compare things, it shows that they are similar. It’s easy to see how someone with tzara'at and an excommunicated person can be similar, as they are both separated from the community, but why do we compare these groups of people with a mourner?

One answer Rabbi Fohrman gives is that it could be because someone with tzara'at shares many similarities as someone who is dead, since he has the impurity status as a dead person. We see textual proof of this when Aharon referred to his sister, Miriam, when she got tzara'at as a dead person. However, this answer doesn’t answer the question because a mourner is someone who is sorrowful

because of someone else’s death, and the person with tzara'at is inflicted themself. If this answer was the case, then we’d be comparing the person with tzara'at to the dead person, not the mourner, so how do these two people connect?

The truth is, while a mourner only mourns one person, there is someone else who mourns everyone: the dead person. A dead person is the ultimate mourner, because while someone mourning someone else only loses one person, the dead person loses everyone. This is where we see the connection between a mourner and someone with tzara'at. We are comparing the person with tzara'at not with someone who just mourns one person, but someone who mourns everyone: the ultimate mourner, the dead. Just like them, someone with tzara'at is sent from the camp and they are separated from everyone. It’s as if they are, for a short period of time, mourning all their connections with another person. We also learn that when someone is separated from the camp because they have tzara'at, a Kohen comes and checks if they are ready to return to the camp. How can this be if a Kohen is not allowed to become impure? If a Kohen is impure, then they can’t do any work in the Mishkan, so why are they allowed to greet the person with tzara'at? We see from this how important it is to include people. The person with tzara'at is separated from everyone, to the point where they are mourning their relationships while they are outside of the camp. But still, the Kohen goes to the person, even though they are impure, to bring them back. This sort of commitment to friendship and including others should carry over into our life, and we too should make an effort to include everyone we can.

Chani Vayavodkina (‘24) and Ellie Meyers (‘24) demonstrating the leading cause of tzara’at.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Valeriano ('23)

What Your Favorite Gatorade Flavor Says About YOU

Red: You’re pretty basic. You were probably one of the first to buy the new Taylor Swift album and love putting pictures of your lunch on your Instagram story. You don’t like trying new things, so you turn to the classics like vanilla ice cream and mac and cheese for comfort.

You know what’s up. You are highly intelligent and you obviously know a good thing when you see it. You are easygoing, laid back, and very athletic. In all likelihood, you play at least seven sports. You are everything everyone wants

You are the person with way too much energy. You’ve probably been sent to the principal’s office for disrupting class more than once. Some may describe you as crazy and weird (and they’re probably not wrong), but you just like having fun. You probably also have an imaginary friend you talk to all day.

You are the parent of the group. You’re loyal, trustworthy, and really good at keeping a secret. Everyone comes to you which is why you are also the person with all the tea*. Even though you are loved by all your friends, you prefer to be alone, chilling in your room or taking a nap.

Purple: Let's be real, this is no one's favorite flavor. You only drink this if there are no other flavors.

Pink: You are a very nice and sweet person and have the biggest heart, but you’re not so easy to please. You never come to school without all your homework done and you still have a bedtime around 7:45 PM. You enjoy a challenge (like finding pink Gatorade) and like a little healthy competition.

*Tea is Gen-Z slang for drama or gossip. See page 5 for a Dvar Torah about spreading gossip.

Israeli Independence In Israel

Shoshanah Kaplowitz (SK): What do you do on Yom Ha'atzmaut in Israel?

Sarit Grunwald (SG): The night of Yom Ha'atzmaut coming right off Yom Hazikaron, the Day of Remembrance for the soldiers, there is a special ceremony with the Prime Minister in Jerusalem to start off the day.

In Lod where I live, to start the festivities we daven Maariv with a special Hallel, which includes lots of singing and instruments. Everyone wears blue and white, and people will wear flags or carry one on them. During the night, there are carnivals and everyone comes together to celebrate Independence day. For dinner most people, including my family, eat falafel and other classic Israeli foods. There are usually fireworks going off through the night and a very long firework show that everyone watches.

The celebrations continue into the day when we daven the morning prayers with special prayers for Yom Ha’atzmaut. In the morning around eleven o'clock, they start the national Chidon HaTanach competition, which is a big event and national watch party, similar to the Superbowl in America. Otherwise, many people will go on trips and hike. Everyone in Israel takes off work and school on Yom Ha'atzmaut, so they can enjoy the day to its fullest. In the evening, the Prime Minister has a televised event where he gives out the Prizes of Israel, which is a very important event, where prizes are given to Israelis who do great things. On Yom Ha'atzmaut people come together, do barbeques, and just come to enjoy time together and celebrate the creation of Israel for Jews.

SK: What is the atmosphere like on Yom Ha'atzmaut? What are the general feelings that are going around on Yom Ha'atzmaut?

SG: Everyone is filled with an indescribable amount of happiness on Yom Ha'atzmaut. Everyone is filled with a great amount of pride in Israel and gratitude for the country. It's very hard to describe the feelings that people have on Yom Ha'atzmaut in Israel because they are so intense.

SK: What do you think people will do here in Memphis, or America as a whole, to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut?

SG: I think that it will be hard to have a meaningful Yom Ha'atzmaut in America because it is the day after Yom Hazikaron, so people will just make it the same day and not celebrate it as a special event itself. I hope that this Yom Ha'atzmaut will be meaningful for all the Jews in Memphis, and not just the Jews in the Orthodox community, because I want all the Jews in Memphis to see that Israel was made for all types of Jews to come together. I hope that all the Jews in Memphis will be able to connect to Israel this Yom Ha'atzmaut and feel connected to the Jews in Israel.

Shoshanah Kaplowitz (‘24 Yom Ha'atzmaut,

The GMSG celebrate Israel's Independence last year.

Photo Credit: Brooke Sanderson ('25)

GMSG Hot Takes: Top Five School Lunches

Mac and Cheese

“I like the school's mac and cheese because they

-Natalie Mashinsky ('23)

Chili

"I love the chili at our school because it's so flavorful and it has a nice spiciness to it without being too spicy. I also love the side of chips and rice."

-Shulie Ibragimova ('26)

Pizza

“The school's pizza is my favorite school lunch because it's the perfect temperature and has a nice crispy top.”

-Yonina Lichter ('26)

Chicken Nuggies

"My favorite school lunch is the chicken nuggets because they are like a home comfort food."

-Ellie Meyers ('24)

Baked Potatoes

“The baked potatoes are steamy and flavourful and I love that I can customize my own baked potato to my liking.” -Margalit Goldkin ('26)

GMSG SNAPS

Gala Dinner Takeover

This month's issue is sponsored by Adir and Nina Rovner

In honor of Hannah getting into college

Hannah Rovner ('23) presents Mr McCann's clearly pretty silly honoree gift.

Three GMSGers prepare the delicious sushi salad for the appetizer.

Malka Weiner ('26) and Shulie Ibragimova ('26) carefully set the tables for the dinner.

Yonina Lichter ('26), Emma Wruble ('24), Pesi Katz('23), and Shayna Klein ('25) pose with the yummy hors d'oeuvres.

Elizabeth Valeriano ('23) and Talya Mendelson ('25) working hard in the kitchen cheffing it up.

GMSG Predictions From the Editor

Elizabeth Valeriano ('23) predicts what the GMSG will look like in the next few years.

After four enjoyably long years at the GMSG, it’s almost time for me to say goodbye. I can sense that the school will be making changes, so here are my predictions for what will happen when I’m gone:

Beis Yaakov Uniform:

I think at this point, the GMSG will obviously incorporate a new uniform. I mean, the dress code has been a hot topic for all of the years that I’ve been here, so why not start having a cute Beis Yaakov style fit for all of the girls to wear? Collared shirts and maxi skirts are so in right now! Why else would a few of us have gone to a Beis Yaakov shabbaton a couple months back? To get inspo of course! Pull out your cute button down shirts and pleated skirts because #kneesareanono and knee socks will be your best friend in the next few years!

Zip line to Main Building

It’s such a shlep to walk all the way over to the main building to get lunch, and the admins have heard our complaints for years. So, I predict that they’ll install a zip line that starts at the GMSG entrance and ends at the main building right by the gym. The walk to the gym is way too treacherous, especially in the rain, so a zip line will add some pizzaz to everyone’s day, as well as make the trip quick. Obviously, something as high tech as teleportation would never be an option, so the only logical choice is a zip line.

Starbucks Attached to GMSG

I think the most beneficial thing that this school can invest in is building on to the GMSG. No, not to add a few extra classrooms, but to attach a Starbucks to the school. Think about it, this will benefit the students as well as all of the teachers. The girls will no longer be late to class because they got stuck at the massive line at the nearest Starbucks, now they’ll just be late to class because they’re hanging out in the lounge. The admins will also love this new addition because it will be the perfect spot to gossip in between classes. All of these points lead me to believe that Starbies will obviously be the school’s next venture.

Dr. Kennon will get a new Arch-Nemesis

This might not be a widely known fact, but I’ve actually been deemed Dr. Kennon’s arch-nemesis the past few years. (I won’t lie, I kinda forgot about this myself since unfortunately, I'm not in any of her classes this year.) When I’m gone, someone will obviously have to take my place. Though I must warn you, this title is a huge honor, and I’ve heard that Dr. Kennon has started taking applications. Whoever takes on this role has some huge shoes to fill, so if you’re interested in the job, just pm me and I’ll give you some tips and tricks of the trade. It’s a lot of hard work, but it truly is an honor.

POV: The GMSG in a few years.

Photo Credit: Mispacha Magazine

The newest additon to the GMSG. Photo Credit: wkbw.com

After The Bell

What do you do “after the bell?”

I walk. That’s it, that’s all I do, I walk. When I’m not doing homework or sleeping, it’s a good bet to assume I’m somewhere around the block.

How long have you been doing this for?

Around three years

How did you get into this hobby?

After many long years of sitting in my room and doing absolutely nothing all day, I was once dragged out of my house to walk. I decided it was fun and I began to do it more often.

What was your first big accomplishment when you started with your hobby?

I’ve become known around my block because of how often I walk. Sometimes when I’m walking, random neighbors come up and greet me and ask how my daily walk is.

What have you learned from doing this hobby?

Walking is fun! (Ish) And walking really helps mental health and stability. You should try it! Get out of the house.

Goldie’s Guidance

Dear Goldie,

I have an issue that I am sure can extend to all of your readers. Every time I have to count the Omer, I lose track of the days or forget to say it. It’s just so hard to remember! How do I make sure that I can count all 49 days this year? My Tatti said that if I can successfully count all of them with a bracha, he’ll take me to TCBY and I can choose 3 toppings! This is very important to me, Goldie. Please help!

Yours, OmerCounting245

Dear OmerCounting245,

I can see why making this accomplishment is extremely important to you. I have successfully counted the Omer since birth and now I will impart to you, the next generation, exactly how to do this. You can make a candy jar with exactly 49 pieces of candy. Place it by your bed or in a spot you look at all the time and every night after you count, you can take and eat one piece. In order for you to remember to do this, you must feed your cat (siblings also count) at exactly the same time for the first week. You might forget, but they will not. They will be at your heels come 9 o’clock or so, begging for treats. Pro-tip, you can also do this for remembering to take medication.

Letter From the Editor

Dear Readers,

I hope you enjoyed the last issue of the Goldie Globe that I worked on as Editor-inChief. This year’s staff and I have worked hard to come out with issues each month, and I can’t believe that the year is already ending and my time as Editor-in-Chief is over. I would like to thank our amazing staff for spending hours working on each issue and making this all possible. I seriously couldn’t have done it without them. I wish them much success in producing the last issue of the Goldie Globe of the year, and I hope you all enjoy! Have a good Shabbos!

To sponsor an issue for just $30, email Sarah Kahane at sarah.kahane@mhafyos.org

GOLDIE GLOBE STAFF

Elizabeth Valeriano Editor-In-Chief

elizabeth.valeriano@mhafyos.org

Hannah Rovner Managing Editor

chana.rovner@mhafyos.org

Becky Schubert Assistant Editor

rebecca.schubert@mhafyos.org

Atara Segal

Social Media Editor

General Staff

Sarah Kahane

Shoshanah Kaplowitz

Shayna Klein

Talya Mendelson

Yael Roschina

Neima Rovner

Brooke Sanderson

Dahlia Siegel

Adina Steiner

Emma Wruble

Mrs. Ashley Brown & Rabbi Dov Rossman

Mrs. Ashley Brown & Rabbi Baruch Harris Faculty Editors

atara.segal@mhafyos.org

Instagram: @goldie_globe

Faculty Editors