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game suspension, Buckley resigns By Alexa Fishman, Editor-in-Chief -

Photo by Alexis Choi used by permission

DEMONSTRATION: Protesters call for democracy in Hong Kong after China decides to name candidates in upcoming election.

Ms. Kongโ s family joins Hong Kong democracy protests led by teen

By Eric Bazak, Features Editor

โ If I were in Hong Kong, I would -

Continued on Page 4

Continued on Page 8

Smaller, closer Model Congress team wins 11 awards in D.C. By Mati Davis, Staff Writer

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Continued on Page 4

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The Boiling Point

November 2014

Community

Ms. Malikov wins Milken Jewish Educator Award Recognition for a teacher who never stops teaching, and can make anyone comfortable with math

By Rose Lipner, Community Editor, and Alexa Fishman, Editor-in-Chief

hugged her and told her how excited they are that she won the award. “Because of Ms. Malikov, I went from being someone who didn’t understand math at all to actually being able to teach other people math,” said junior Shirin Nataneli. Fellow junior Derek Orenshein said her help had changed his attitude. “Ms. Malikov taught me how to organize my math work,” said junior Derek Orenshein. “I learned to love math and appreciate it because of her.” Previous Milken award winners at Shalhevet are English teacher Ms. Melanie Berkey, 2009, and former Hebrew instructor Mrs. Vered Hopenstand, 2001. Educators must have taught a minimum of 15 hours

The day after Math Department chair Ms. Katya Malikov had won the $15,000 Milken Jewish Educator Award, she spent lunch period wandering among the outdoor tables on the patio, looking for people working on math. Just another typical day for Ms. Malikov, who was recognized Nov. 3 for years of math teaching at Shalhevet and Maimonedes. “We are awarding an individual who comes here every day, even when this person can be doing anything else,” said Richard Sandler, vice president of the Milken Family Foundation, at a surprise assembly in the JCC auditorium. “Instead, this individual has decided to dedicate her life to making your lives better.” Cheers erupted from students as they stood and clapped when he called out Ms. Malikov’s name. Ms. Malikov smiled and appeared stunned as she nervously walked to the front of the auditorium, trying to avoid the cameras in her face. “I’m very honored to receive this award,” said

school in Los Angeles in order to qualify. “We focus on teachers, excellence and the EXCELLENCE: Richard Sandler presents Ms. Malikov with the Jewish Educator job they have,” Mr. Sandler told the assemAward. She was one of four teachers to win the $15,000 prize this year. bly. “They have the most important job in society today. The community has to know also started Math Club, a weekly after-school meeting pethe importance of that job because students can go on to riod where students can receive extra help. change the world.” ers. She also is available every day during free periods and Rabbi Segal was away but sent an e-mail. “We are all in this together—the administration who often after school to help students with their homework. “For every student and family lucky enough to have supports us and creates the classes and the students who If she’s not in her room at lunchtime, she is roaming the are willing to do their best. I couldn’t have done it alone, patio to help people with their homework. thank you so much.” Her room is never empty. When class is not in session, Her room is never empty. When class is The annual award, which comes with a $15,000 prize, it’s full of kids lined up to wait for her help. honors four Los Angeles teachers each year for their connot in session, it’s full of kids lined up to “I spend most lunches in Ms. Malikov’s class room,” tribution to Jewish education. wait for her help. Ms. Malikov will also attend a luncheon in her honor in said senior Shoshi Miller. “Even though it is her break, she will always help me when I need her.” December with the three other awardees, Manachem MenAccording to the Jewish Educator Award website, windel Greenbaum of Cheder Menachem, Ariela Nehemne of BP Photo by Ezra Fax

Valley Beth Shalom, and Barry Schapira of Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s Brawerman Elementary School. After 10 years at Maimonides Academy, Ms. Malikov began working full time at Shalhevet as Chair of the Math

November 27

Thurs.

Thanksgiving Break

December First Winterm

Sun.

Wed.

Trustees Event 16-24 Chanukah

Mon.

Rosh Chodesh Tevet

Winter Break Wed.

Thurs.

Choir Concert

24-5

New Years Eve

January Thurs.

Asara B’Tevet

Wed.

Trustees Event

students, achievement in developing curriculum, and the ability respond to the needs of the Jewish and secular communities. After the assembly, students ran up to Ms. Malikov,

been touched by Katya’s devotion to her students,” Rabbi that Katya is THE standard-bearer for Math education in Jewish day schools and beyond.”

Finally, Shalhevet welcomes blue jeans By Alec Fields, Staff Writer

“You just look too casual when you are walking around in blue jeans… like it’s Sunday,” said junior Boaz WIllis. Nevertheless, the proposal passed at the Oct. 23 Town Hall by a substantial margin. “There were roughly twice as many votes in favor the proposal as against,” said Agenda Chair Max Helfand. The paper ballots were counted during the meeting by Micah Gill and Fairness Committee Co-Chair Goldie Fields. Less than a week after the Town Hall vote, which was only advisory in nature. Max Helfand posted on Schoology the Administration’s response. The administration approved the blue jeans resolution with three additions: it does not apply to teachers, the Fairness Committee should create consequences for male students out of dress code and students will monitor other students for compliance with

Many years, one proposal, two Town Halls and an administration meeting later, on Oct. 29 Shalhevet joined the majority of other high schools in the United States and allowed students to wear blue jeans. For most of its history, the Shalhevet dress code barred male students from wearing jeans at all, though the subject of dress code was debated almost every year. Beginning in 2012, denim was allowed but not in blue. Now, blue is allowed, provided that it is neither nor torn, nor light blue. Student reaction was mostly relief. “It is a good thing that blue jeans were allowed, but Shalhevet is not being the trailblazer,” said senior Shana Chriki. “We are just catching up to everyone else.” Agenda Committee Vice So far, the Fairness Committee has yet Chair Micah Gill introduced to establish penalties for students violating this year’s blue jeans proposal dress code. Still, General Studies Principal at Town Hall Sept. 23. and Just Community adviser Mr. Roy Dano“The fact that we could vitch thought the process had worked. wear any color jeans, but we “I like the result and I thought it was a weren’t allowed to wear blue jeans, was just inconsistent, Mr. Danovitch. and I thought it was silly and Three other dress code ideas were also there had to be a change,” Miraised at the Sept. 23 Town Hall. Mr. Jason cah said in an interview. Feld, Coordinator of Ed Tech and Curricular Students and faculty enIntegration, proposed creating a committee BP Photo by Ezra Fax gaged in a lively discussion to design a Shalhevet school uniform. at the meeting. Some felt that DENIM: Sophmore Micha Thau dons And prompted by the September heat blue jeans were just too casual blue jeans, which boys can now wear. wave, students proposed allowing boys to for a high school dress code. wear shorts and T-shirts. “There’s a standard that the “Shorts would be a lot more comfortable,” said sophoschool needs to abide by,” said senior Sigal Spitzer. “It just more Noah Suissa. Blue jeans are clothes you wear on a Sunday, clothes you wear to a friend’s house, not clothes you wear to school.” Even students who favored the proposal didn’t think blue jeans were the best choice for school. “I’m not opposed to the blue jeans proposal,” said sophomore Alex Reich, “but guys look a lot more casual and less put together than they would have with the former dress code.” “I don’t necessarily have a problem with [boys] wearing blue jeans,” said senior Rachel Glouberman. “Yes, I think that it’s a little dressed down, but I think it’s much better than being allowed to wear shorts.”A handful of students thought jeans were just a step above shorts.

site jotform.com. But the results were invalidated by the Agenda and Fairness Committees. “The integrity of the online poll was compromised,” said Goldie Fields. “After a ninth-grader claimed that a YULA student voted on the poll, the results could not be counted.” A second vote was taken during Town Hall Oct. 7 and counted Oct. 28. Students rejected the uniform and shorts proposals. But the T-shirt proposal passed by 27 votes. The administration has not yet reviewed the results and

The Boiling Point

November 2014

The Year of Living DANGEROUSLY A ride too hot to handle By Sigal Spitzer, Staff Columnist HEAT hits Shalhevet. Weather is usually an awkward conversation starter or small talk subject among strangers. This year at Shalhevet though, the weather was the dominant focus of attention within the stuof school. Temperatures reached as high as 104 degrees in September and early October in West Los Angeles. Here at the JCC, it was not unusual for hallways and classrooms to reach temperatures as high as 93 degrees. You could see the temperature readings in “JCC Weather Live” on the Boiling Point’s website, updated day after day until Sukkot break. By the end of sweaty and uncomfortable school days, students were exhausted. So the against Mr. Weatherman and friends, armpit sweat and dehydration. Electric fans were installed in every classroom and personal fans were distributed -- free from SAC (cardboard) and for $13 by Bo’s Barista Bar (hand-held electric). Administrators regularly interrupted classes to dispense cold water bottles and, if you were lucky, Otter Pops too. Schools back east have snow days, but this year Shalhevet had heat days. From Sept. 15 through the 18, the freshmen and sophomores shuls, while the juniors and seniors used the teacher’s area, auditorium, and few air-conditioned classrooms for learning at the JCC. Then, two days before Yom Kippur, Rabbi Segal cancelled school altogether for the next day. It’s one thing to fast, he said, and another to fast after a day of dehydration at school. Most students stayed home, but a hefty handful came to school in the morning for voluntary learning about Yom Kippur. Even as temperatures cooled down enough to have all four grades at the JCC, leading up to Sukkot break the non-air conditioned third teachers moved their classes to the auditorium -- a possibility only when the JCC’s senior aerobics class was not in session. Three or four classes could learn in the auditorium at a time, separated by mechitzot used for davening. by mid September. Not in 2014. Even after Sukkot break, when the heat was supposed to dwindle but temperatures in the low 80s were still common upstairs. So how did Firehawk Nation manage? Whatever brand of water distributed during the day must have been magical. Students were not complaining about the heat, nor were they whining over the locker situation or even the overcrowded staircase. The freshmen were adopting the positivity and optimism of most upperclassmen, while the faculty remained outwardly supportive and understanding of the school’s adventurous yearlong endeavor. But hang on, because the next derailment of the Shalhevet rollercoaster may be winter. Just as most rooms don’t have air conditioning units, they also do not have heat. “At the JCC, the winters are even more excruciating than the summers,” said an IKAR coordinator as she walked by a group of sophomore boys eating breakfast. The JCC’s permanent workers from IKAR and the JCC itself have warned students to bring blankets, sweaters, slippers and warm colder than the outside temperature, especially early in the morning. Classrooms, they said, would reach tempera– another unfavorable environment in which learn and engage. Of course space heaters are less expensive than air-conditioners – So stay on board. The next swerve will be here soon enough!

Community

Textbook ban lightens backpacks in locker-less JCC -- for some By Rose Lipner, Community Editor

Hoping to make student backpacks lighter, Shalhevet has banned textbooks this year. But some kids are still lugging their bags up the JCC staircase, backs their chest. Principal Reb Noam Weissman sent out the new rules via Schoology on Sept. 21, telling students not to carry textbooks in their backpacks and to keep just two notebooks in their bags – one each for General and Judaic studies. He also told teachers to adjust their lesson plans to avoid textbooks, or to photocopy particular pages and chapters if needed. “We don’t have lockers, so students lugging around 25 pounds of books is not healthy," said Reb Noam in an interview. "We are also based a lot on technology, so there are limited reasons why students should need textbooks, especially when most of the

purchased another math textbook— one to keep at home and one to use in class.”

lighter than in previous years. “We are very technology centered in school,” said junior Daniel Soroudi.

out photocopies and many teachers have posted PDFs onto Schoology to limit the books needed for class and to enforce the policy. “Everything we do in class, I try to make it so that we don’t need the textbook—either by putting it on the board or by making photocopies,” said math teacher Ms. Suzanne Halloran. form and ask Stacey Enoch, who works at the front desk, at least two days prior to photocopy the pages. One department that seems to be sticking with books is, perhaps not surprisingly, the English department. All three teachers are having their students bring paperbacks to class, including Waiting for Godot, Romeo and Juliet and The Crucible – all much smaller and lighter than textbooks. “In most of my classes, like AP Psych, teachers are following the no textbook rule, which is really helpful,” said junior Liana Taboroki. “For English, I have to bring my books to school, which just creates a heavy backpack and which makes my day more stressful.” General Studies Principal Mr. Danovitch requires that his British Literature students read physical books instead of on their iPads. He thinks

why I am letting the teachers and students know that students are not BP Photo by Ezra Fax to bring textbooks to school.” LUG: Students climb stairs to class. The textTeachers have mostly complied. book ban hasn’t lightened loads for many. But students still want their books at school so they can work on homework during free periods or at “Teachers can easily refrain from giving Homework Club after school. more weight to their backpacks. a heavy loaded backpack.” “It’s necessary for me to have my “I really don’t think carrying around But even without books, there are textbooks and other materials in each things to lug. books creates such a huge burden of class so that I know what the teacher “I’m not carrying my textbooks weight,” said Mr. Danovitch. “There is is talking about,” said junior Daniella with me because they are either online Banafsheha. “It’s just easier to carry or we are supposed to leave them at who read on the iPad versus real books. everything I need, rather than risk not home,” said sophomore Sabrina Wan- When you read a physical copy of a bringing something and being at a dis- non. “However, I still have my English book, you are engaging with it and anadvantage in the classroom.” books, journals, notebooks, iPad and notating it, which creates a better readAround the hallways, most students computer that I keep in my bag for my er and student.” are just carrying backpacks – in some classes.” And in spite of having written the cases, “rolly” backpacks, which take It’s not that the teachers aren’t try- new policy, Reb Noam seemed all right no elevators at the JCC, wheels do not help get the packs up down the stairs. Adaptations seem to vary by student. “I usually bring my textbooks to school because it’s easier,” said sophomore Sarah Yadegari. “However, I just

ing to limit the weight of students’ bags. Math teachers have bought books for the classroom, Government and science teachers have recommended online textbooks and History teachers do not require students to bring their textbooks to class. Talmud and Tanach teachers hand

with that. “If teachers decide not to follow the policy, then that’s really on them,” said Reb Noam. “But we really hope that the culture of our community is that we want the best for them (the students). We don’t ever plan on being draconian.”

Ms. Sunshine’s new advanced History class By Alexa Fishman, Editor-in-Chief Sitting around a small circular table, the students in Tipping Point prepare to read Castiglione’s The Courtier, a 16th century guidebook for Italian nobles. “I’ll play Sir Frederick,” said senior Daniel Steinberg as he looked over the excerpt. “But can someone help me, because it is such a long part?” When none of the other students volunteered, Tipping Point teacher Mrs. Tove Sunshine agreed to split the part with Daniel. It wasn’t so surprising, since there may not be enough for a dramatic reading, but it does make the class seem like an informal seminar. Even though Daniel was reluctant to getting into character and projecting across the room. “I love Sir Fredrick because he is so nitely not the kind of activity that you do in most classes.” abolish AP classes at school, Shalhevet has replaced AP European History this year with a new, original course called Tipping Point. Mrs. Sunshine, who cre-

ated the Tipping Point curriculum, decided to focus on 150 years of history, instead of the 700 years covered in AP Euro. through the Euro material,” said Mrs. Sunshine, who taught the AP version for seven years. “Tipping Point instead focuses on the years 1500 to 1650, where you can see Western Europe as a whole, and especially England, transform into countries with recognizably modern ideas. “We’re going into far greater depth than Euro and using many more primary sources,” she said. “There’s a lot more general discussion, which I really like.” Senior Tom Amzalag took AP Euro last year. “The class is much more laid back than Euro and there isn’t as much pressure because we’re not cramming for an AP test,” said Tom. “I feel like I can learn more because we can spend vast amounts of time on certain topics.” According to Mrs. Sunshine, the ductory section before Sukkot break, which may be why students think it’s easy thus far. “The class will have a comparable

“It is not as fast moving and there are only a couple objective tests, but there is a lot more writing.” Enrollment may be small because of scheduling: Tipping Point meets during the same block as Advanced Biology and AP Calculus BC, classes that juniors and seniors may need for college readiness. But General Studies Principal Mr. course will attract more students next year. “There is logjam with other advanced courses,” said Mr. Danovitch. “This is a structural issue, not an educational one, and it’s something we’ll be addressing going forward.”

BP Photo by Jordan Levine

Students discuss 17th century monarchies in Central Europe.

The Boiling Point

November 2014

Community

Continued from Page 1

BP Photo by Ezra Fax

ASSEMBLY: Rabbi Segal answers questions Oct. 28 after Mr. Buckley resigned.

I was on the verge of tears when I found out. I was so shocked and unsure of what would happen next.

-- Margo Feuer, 12th grade -

Smaller, closer Model Congress team wins 11 awards in D.C. Continued from Page 1

The boys really came together, we hung out all of us until late in the night and formed friendships that we couldnâ€™t have if the team was that big. -- Micah Gill, 11th grade

BP Photo by Noah Rothman

SUSPENSE: Shalhevet debaters wait to see who has won awards at Princeton Model Congress.

The Boiling Point

November 2014

Community

Judea Pearl challenges students at JSPA conference By Rose Lipner, Community Editor

BP Photo by Goldie Fields

CONSTRUCT: Torah Editor Noah Rothman teaches students how to create a successful Torah Section at the JSPA Conference. -

Wide range of awards for last year’s print Boiling Point By Jordan Fields, Staff Writer -

WIN: Boiling Point received national awards for ‘13-’14.

The Boiling Point

November 2014

Community

Lack of air conditioning sends school to shuls By Rose Lipner, Community Editor Just as teachers and students started getting comfortable at the JCC last month, Los Angeles weather put the

e-mail to parents, teachers and students reporting his decision to relocate the freshmen and sophomores for the dura-

three weeks of school had passed, and all due to the lack

â€œNext week we expect mid- to high-

wrote in an email to parents, teachers

clear to me that we would either need -

rooms at the JCC, including the auditoas three classrooms at a time without

wunderground.com

HEAT: From Sept. 15 to 18 the heat caused the administration to split up the school into three separate air-conditioned locations-- two of which were on Pico.

Colder weather is to come in the following winter months,

during construction of its new building, has air-condition-

A change in the skyline

BP Photo by Ezra Fax

GOING UP: Construction of Shalhevetâ€™s new building on Fairfax Boulevard continued on schedule this month, with beams rising to support all three stories of the new campus. By November

THE BOILING POINT

Outside News NOVEMBER 2014

UCLA and Cedars docs say local teens are not at risk from deadly disease ravaging Africa By Zev Kent and Hannah Jannol, Staff Writers Ebola grabbed headlines throughout October as the usually fatal disease spread out of Africa and into the rest of the world, including the United States. Authorities have said there is no reason for Americans to be alarmed about Ebola, and local hospitals say they are ready if a case arrives here. But there is one concrete thing they say Shalhevet students and other “It’s very unlikely for a high school student to contract Ebola,” said Dr. Moshe Arditi, Executive Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “If they haven’t had any contact with anybody who has traveled from Liberia, they should not be concerned.” would protect students not only actually be Ebola if a larger epidemic does arrive. Dr. Arditi said some initial symptoms of Ebola may be confused as symptoms of ordinary

demiology and Infection Prevention at Ronald Reagan – UCLA Hospital, said all the attention to Ebola could actually improve public health in the U.S. “The case in Dallas has caused a lot of panic,” says Dr. Rubin, “but the reality is, the likelihood of having widespread Ebola infections like they have in West Africa is pretty much zero. “While Ebola has taken all the press, the reality is that 25,000-50,000 Americans die every year from in-

like and were not deemed serious enough to warrant isolation. Now that hospitals are more aware of the similari-

Everyone should get a flu shot. It has nothing to do with Ebola, but it’s very important to be vaccinated from the flu. --Dr. Moshe Arditi, Cedars-Sinai

Ebola patient if an outbreak occurs. has nothing to do with Ebola, but it’s very important to Dr. Zachary Rubin, Medical Director of Clinical Epi-

The likelihood of having widespread Ebola infections like they have in West Africa is pretty much zero.

Ebola is a virus that is carried by fruit bats, and while it does no harm to the bats, it has a 70 percent down with Ebola in this outbreak was a two-year-old African child whose family hunts the bats that carry the virus. Since then more than 5,000 people have died of the disease in the countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, or CDC. Mr. Duncan

--Dr. Zach Rubin, UCLA with symptoms comes in.” At Shalhevet, students had mixed views on whether Freshman Tirtza Schramm and sophomore

BP Illustration of ebola virus by Jillian Einalhori

year from Liberia to Dallas, Texas, unknowingly carrying the virus with

This was one of the reasons that Thomas Ebola patient in the U.S., was originally turned away from a hospital where he

Dr. Arditi says that hospital is prepared for Ebola too. “They followed CDC protocol and ordered protective gear,” Dr. Arditi said. “They are prepared if anyone

turned away from the hospital, then was admitted. By the time he was hospitalized on Oct. 8, he was so the weeks since then, patients whose symptoms have been caught earlier, including the nurses who treated Duncan, have all recovered. Since then, the CDC and other health authorities have issued strict guidelines for hospitals and doctors, both to protect health care providers and to ensure proper diagnosis. The guidelines include the use of full body protecthe suits before being able to treat a patient. Ebola is UCLA Hospital has held drills to practice receiving infected or possibly infected patients. “We have changed the way we screen patients who come to emergency department,” said Dr. Rubin. “We

death from

shots, while junior J.J. Helperin said he would take nasal spray version. Freshman David Khakshooy said he would not become immunized, believing that the shots contain dangerous chemicals. Although teenagers’ risk of

it to your lings, cousins age 5 are hospi-

you’re less likely to transmit grandparents or toddler sibor friends. According to CDC than 20,000 children under talized in the U.S. each year with

65, who comprise the overwhelming majority of deaths from the disease. of school. Ebola, however, seems to be a much smaller threat. “The case in Dallas has caused a lot of panic,” says Dr. Rubin, “but the reality is, the likelihood of having widespread Ebola infections like they have in West Africa is pretty much zero.” If however, there was a case in the Shalhevet community, Dr. Aditi says it would be a bad idea to visit. “It’s probably not best to visit them,” says Dr. Aditi. “If you must, then it’s important to wear all the protective gear.” While preparations continue in Los Angeles, the Africa, where it is a continuing threat. In mid-Septem-

to use them.”

READY: In response to new CDC Guidelines for hospitals and doctors, UCLA Hospital has started preparing for a possible Ebola outbreak. The hospital has an infected patient, and there is new screening for all patients who come into the Emergency Room. UCLA has also bought isolation bers how to use them. The hospicommon, and its symptoms can be confused with Ebola symptoms in the early stages of the disease. UCLA.org

The Boiling Point

Outside News

BP ILLUSTRATION BY Michaela Beida

TableTalk

November 2014

News to help you shmooze

Kehillas Bnei Torah in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem, during the smaller Shacharit minyan. Armed with a gun and mulscreaming Allahu akbar, which means “God is Great” in Arabic, while swinging their weapons at worshipers’ heads until they were shot down by local police. Four worshipers and a policeman were killed. The worshipers were rabbis who attended the synagogue regularly, all olim from the U.S. or England, and all neighbors in the English-speaking

BP Photo by Ezra Fax

DEBATE: Elan Carr, left, debated Ted Lieu at Beth Jacob Oct. 28. Mr. Lieu is now congressman-elect.

Rabbi Avraham Goldberg, 68, British-born. In addition, an Israeli synagogue members. Eight other Israelis were wounded. The Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the killings while Hamas, the Palestinian faction that governs the Gaza Strip, called them “a natural reaction to Israel’s practices.” Earlier, Hamas had helped spread the false statement that Israel was trying to take control of the Temple Mount, which is home to two Muslim holy places, the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeated again and again, including the day before the attacks, that Israel had no such intention but would maintain the status quo under which the religious sites are administered by Jordan. The terrorists were residents of East Jerusalem, had Israeli residency and work permits. One of them reportedly one of them worked in a grocery store next to the synagogue they attacked. In response to the attack, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the demolition of the homes of the terrorists, claim custody of the Palestinian bodies.

Last Thursday night, Nov. 20, President Obama announced million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. from deportation. He said he would direct federal law enforcement agencies, which are controlled by the Executive branch, to use work harder port members of working families. He also said illegal immigrants who had children born in the to apply for green cards, which are necessary to work legally, but not for citizenship. More recent immigrants would still be subject to deportation. “We’re going to keep focusing enforcement resources on actual threats to our security,” President Obama said in an address to the nation on television. “Felons, not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mom who’s working hard to provide for her kids. We’ll prioritize, just like law enforcement does every day.” He said the new policy would mean overhauling immigration courts and visa systems. Eligible immigrants could begin applying for work permits as early as next spring. They will need to register with the government, undergo a background check and start paying taxes.

Although steady bombings from a cadre of countries led by the U.S. has slowed them down militarily in Iraq and Syria, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has been receiving support from terrorist groups across the Middle East and even as far away as the Phillipines, according to media reports. These commitments

By Mark Miller, Staff Writer Elan Carr, a prosecutor and Republican with strong ties to Israel, the Jewish community and Shalhevet, lost the election for the overwhelmingly nia. But he wants to stay in politics and will likely A U.S. Army veteran now serving in the reserves, Mr. Carr currently works as a Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney. His campaign emphasized moderate positions and strong ties to Israel, and he likely succeeded in attracting Jewish voters in a district that includes important Jewish neighborhoods. Mr. Carr belongs to several synagogues in Los Angeles, including Beth Jacob and B’nai David, and he has often shared his experiences with Shalhevet students, partly because he’s known school founders Jerry and Jean Friedman for many years. When he returned from serving in Iraq, they invited him to speak at Town Hall, where he described lighting Chanukah candles in a palace formerly home to Saddam Hussein. He is also a past president of AEPI, the largest Jewish fraternity in the U.S., and has spoken at Shalhevet about the fraternity. During a debate at Beth Jacob Oct. 28 against Democrat Ted Lieu, Mr. Carr said that if elected, he would focus mainly on Israel and education. “I am deeply concerned with the precarious position that Israel is in,” Mr. Carr said. Calling Iran’s pursuit of nuclear capability “the greatest threat facing us,” he added, “I would force those centrifuges to be destroyed.” He also said Congress needs new leadership to establish a stronger relationship with Israel, and that his own background would make him the person to do that. His mother and father migrated to Israel from Iraq and Hungary, respectively, and later moved to the U.S. And

I’m not going to sacrifice my principles to get a committee assignment. -- Elan Carr

helped the Israeli government establish its first-ever public defender’s of-

military involvement. Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that some American military aid to the Iraqi Army is ending up on the black market where ISIS, rich with oil and hostage ransom money, could conceivably buy it. -- Jonah Gill, Outside News Editor

more conservative than his own. He said in an interview with the Boiling Point before the election that if elected, he would not be afraid to oppose them on issues such as immigration. “Let’s take one: pathway to legalized status for undocumented residents in this country who are decent law-abiding patriotic people,” Mr. Carr said. “That’s not popular with my party. I don’t give a to get a committee assignment.” second wealthiest congressional district per capita in the country, with a mean household income of

I have the background that no member of Congress has, and my aim will be to become a leader of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

-- Elan Carr, unsuccessful candidate to succeed Henry Waxman

district extends from Palos Verdes to Malibu, and includes Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Ray, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills. Democratic registration, 28 percent Republican and the rest independent, according to the Secretary of Representative-elect. Precinct-by –precinct vote totals will not be available from the Los Angeles County Clerk until January, so it’s too soon to say whether many Jewish Mr. Carr. Also, Beverlywood is not included because the district starts north of Whitworth Avenue, at the south edge of Beverly Hills.

J.D. at Northwestern University Law School, Mr.

areas with large Jewish populations, including the Fairfax - La Brea area, Hancock Park and Beverly Hills. Mr. Carr attributed his loss to his race opponent’s victories in key areas such as Santa Monica but maintains that he could have won with better resources. When asked during the interview whether he would consider running for a political position

months after Saddam was overthrown. “Leading an anti-terrorism team … I saw up close and personal the dangers facing Israel and the United States from terrorism in the Middle East,” he said in the debate. “I have the background that no member of Congress has, and my aim will be to become

“The answer is yes,” Mr. Carr said. “I won’t run for something for the sake of running. I entered this race because it would have given me the chance to make a substantial impact on my country and Israel.”

“I grew up speaking Hebrew,” said Mr. Carr. “I grew up in an Israeli home.”

formal allegiance tribes gave to caliphs in the Middle Ages. -

a leader of the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress.” Mr. Carr also said that he hoped to address problems in both public and private school education. If elected, Mr. Carr would have joined a Republican caucus led by speaker John Boehner and in-

The Boiling Point

November 2014

Outside News

Ms. Kong’s family joins Hong Kong democracy protests After China decides to choose candidates, thousands take to the streets, led by a 17-year-old Agenda Chair Max Helfand said that there were can make some changes on the current situation in Hong ing a leader at a young Kong by joining the protest.” age. Protests began around “I think it’s very imSept. 22, led by two groups, portant for people to feel one called “Occupy Central empowered and to have with Love and Peace,” and that chance and ability to the other called “Scholarspeak for change,” Max ism.” The former movesaid. “If you start being a ment, founded by law proleader young you’ll be able fessor Benny Tai, hopes to to cultivate your skills, and it promotes creativity peacefully occupying Cenand constructive change.” Police in Hong Kong ter of Hong Kong. have not always dealt Scholarism is the student with the protests lightly, group spearheaded by the making several arrests and now famous Joshua Wong, a also using pepper spray to disperse crowds. University of Hong Kong, Ms. Kong said that she who encouraged students to was not particularly worskip school and join the proried that her relatives protests. testing were in danger, The Chinese consider and she also did not blame Wong an internal threat to the police for taking acpolitical stability. He was tion. “I’m not worried about ed when the protests began, that at all,” Ms. Kong said. Alexis Choi, used by permission held in custody for two-and“I do have some friends SIT-IN: a-half days. in Hong Kong and I someChina announced Aug. 31 that it would pick the candidates in the 2017 election of Chief Executive of Hong Kong. Counter-protests seeking times check their photos a return to normal life gradon Facebook [showing the ually reduced the protest, - violence], but it is their job as part of being a policeman. na from instituting a communistic “Moral and National “I do trust the Hong Kong police and government and Education” program in Hong Kong schools. what they have done so far seems pretty reasonable to me. Hong Kong police cleared a section of the protest site in So as long as there is no violence from the protestors evoccupy the Hong Kong government headquarters, forcing demonstrators, who had started vacating the area before- the proposed curriculum to be canceled. History teacher Mrs. Tove Sunshine said Hong Kong’s hand. Ms. Kong’s cousin, who in English goes by the “People should not be afraid of their government,” said history was unusual. For the majority of the 20th century, name Alexis Choi, is 22 and a graduate student at the Hong Joshua Wong in an interview with CNN. “The government Kong Institute of Education. Like many other Hong Kong should be afraid of their people. Margaret Thatcher signed the Sino-British Joint Declaracivilians, Alexis was upset over China’s decision about the “Five years ago, it was inconceivable that Hong Kong students would care about politics at all. But there was an The declaration gave China semi-control over Hong She described the atmosphere at the protests as very awakening when the national education issue happened. Kong with the prompeaceful. According to her, people donated food, umbrel- We all started to care about politics.” ise that its economy las and other commodities and the students were in charge would still be capiof distributing them among the protestors. talist at least until She protested in the neighborhood called Admiralty, “Being a leader has no limit for age, sex, or race,” Mrs. site of the largest demonstrations. Kong said. “It is okay that he is the leader as long as he is would be 50 years “In Admiralty right now, there is kind of an art gal- mature enough to lead the people.” after the transition lery of the umbrella revolution,” Alexis Oct. 22. “People The famous teen has also inspired Shalhevet students of governments. Curcreated lots of artworks about this revolution and they to be work for political change. Senior Margo Feuer, who rently, China has displayed them in the occupied area. Their artworks are is one of the leaders of Shalhevet’s Firehawks for Israel, control over Hong creative and inspirational.” said Joshua Wong’s accomplishments should inspire teens Others donated toiletries and shampoos in public rest- around the world. and defense. rooms, she said, for the use of protestors who slept over“Britain gave up night in the occupied areas. Alexis was not among those along every so often and it is very special what he is do- Hong Kong because who stayed at the protest sites overnight. ing,” Margo said in an interview. “He deeply believes in “The choices of those toiletries are even more than the authority and ability of the young -- something many maintain a colony kids see as a barrier. He is unafraid to speak to anyone with people who While China did not change its policy regarding the about anything. This is something that is really inspira- were very ethnically election, Scholarism had reason to hope it would. It had and culturally related to the bordering mainland country,” Ms. Sunshine said. Alexis Choi, used by permission “The colony was DEMOCRACY: Ms. Kong’s cousin, hard to keep, but at Alexis Choi, poses at the pro-dethe same time the mocracy protests this summer. people in Hong Kong did not want to lose all the rights they had with Britain. So they drafted a one country, two systems government that will still give the Hong Kong civilians those rights.” hevet, as she assumed Mrs. Fuller’s classes during second semester of last year. She was born and raised in Hong Kong and only moved to Los Angeles last year during the summer. She recognizes that it may take a while for the protests to make any progress. “I think it is going to be a long battle,” Ms. Kong said. “It takes time and I don’t think after a short period of time

Continued from Page 1

Alexis, too, is still waiting.

ernment is still refusing to accept that fact that we want to have the right to nominate and directly elect the chief executive,” Alexis said. “They refused to make any amendment on the proposal. Moreover, the government and the police refused to apologize for the use of tear gas and treating the protestors violently.”

The Boiling Point • November 2014 • Fea!res

MR. Facebook.com/christopherbuckley BP Photo by Goldie FIelds

Above: Mr. Buckley explaining a new schedule at Town Hall. Below: Girls flag football team surrounds coach Buckley for a pre- game speech at the 2014 Loma Linda Tournament.

Courtesty of Ari Feuer

Facebook.com/christopherbuckley

BP Photo by Goldie Fields

Above Right: Mr. Buckley with Mock Trial member Rose Bern ‘13 at the Los Angeles County Courthouse. Above: Flag Football team pours water over Mr. Buckley after a victory at the Loma Linda Tournament in October. Below: Mr. Buckley with Shalhevet alumni at USC.

Left: Model Congress team poses with Mr. Buckley on the steps at Penn. Right: Coach Buckley walks into the Town Hall football pep rally. Far Right: Boys flag football team listens to the coach on one knee during half time Nov. 4.

BUCKLEY

By Alec Fields, stAFF Writer “There is no greater moment in my life than right now,” said Mr. Christopher Buckley, standing amidst a tight grouping of his students one recent evening. “What you guys did for me and yourselves and the school and for us as a group, I will wake up for the rest of my life with a big fat smile on my face.” ball season, when the Firehawks had just captured the Coastal League championship in only their second season, by beating Crossroads 23-19 at Norton Field in Santa Monica Nov. 4. It also happened to be six days after he’d resigned. But it could have been at Penn Model Congress, or Princeton Model Congress, or a girls’ the County Courthouse downtown. enthusiasm permeated every project Mr. Buckley undertook at Shalhevet – from science or statistics classes to the school schedule, from Town Hall to his memorable fan dances at basketball and volleyball games. Within minutes of his posting news of his

He embodied Shalhevet’s commitment to the personal growth of each student. -- Mr. Danovitch, General Studies Principal

Photo credit by Noah Rothman

resignation on his Facebook Oct. 29, dozens of former students commented on his post. A sampling: “I am so sad to hear this. You were truly an important part of my high school experience. You will truly be missed. I wish you nothing but luck in all your future endeavors. Thank you so much for everything!” -- Jacob Ellenhorn ‘13. “You were a central part of my high school experience and my education more broadly;

BEFORE HE RESIGNED, THE BOILING POIN TWO-PAGE FEATURE ON MR. BUCKLEY FO BECAME A RETROSPECTIVE, BUT THE STO

intellectual development. --Trevor Brandt-Sarif ‘10. To this day you’re still one of the most inspiring educators I’ve ever had!! You’re gonna keep impacting people no matter where you go and what you continue to do.” -- Gal Bushy ’06. “I said it before and I’ll say it again: You were by far one of the best teachers I’ve ever had, and basically the reason I became a scientist.” -- Tziporah Thompson ‘11, research coordinator in a neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University. Equal parts teacher, mentor and cheerleader, for more than a decade he was close to students of all types and all interests. “He embodied Shalhevet’s commitment to the personal growth of each student,” said General Studies Principal Mr. Roy Danovich, “and he really took an interest in every kid and made them feel good and developed connections with them that have lasted way beyond graduation,” Initially hired in 2002 as a math teacher, Mr. Buckley at various times taught Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Physics, AP Physics, AP Statistics, Geometry, Algebra, Algebra 2, Pre-calculus, Calculus and Government. He advised the Model Congress and Mock Trial teams. He also founded and coached the boys and girls Flag Football squads. Mr. Buckley led the Model Congress team to win a Best Delegation award at the Penn Model Congress in 2010 and two second-place awards at the Princeton Model Congress, in 2009 and 2012. In just the past six years, the team earned 162 individual awards. “He took a bunch of [students] that did not know how to debate and made us one of the top teams in the country,” said Model Congress co-captain Avishai Rabin. “We were one of the schools that took debate a lot more seriously,” said Shalhevet graduate Eitan Miller ‘12. “I think that’s because of him and because of how well he taught us to debate and to be public speakers.” Only a year after becoming Shalhevet’s principle Mock Trial coach, in 2010 Mr. Buckley led the team to its best showing ever when

they made it to the Top Eight in Los Angeles County. It won two awards in the competition for Best Witness in Los Angeles County in 2010 and 2013, respectively, and also received between 50 and 60 honorable mention awards during his tenure. “He was without a doubt one of the teachers that devoted the most time to every extracurricular that he possibly could, and there is no teacher that could possibly replace him in what he did, just because he did so much,” said sophomore Daniel Soroudi. “He was a great teacher and a great asset in the extra-curricular area. said former Shalhevet principal Dr. Sam Gomberg. “It’s just a shame because Mr. Buckleys don’t come along too often.” In addition to teaching and coaching, Mr Buckley was instrumental in developing the block schedule which debuted in the 20122013 school year, shortening the average school day by over an hour. Mr. Buckley was known for being expert in everything He was so passio from marine he did. His whole he biology, which he studied in thing he did. college, to pro -- Sigal football, history and U.S. politics. He could often be heard in the hallways arguing with Mrs. Keene over the relative merits of Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich. His colleagues said they’d miss his affability and humor. “I’d say he’s a funny, very smart, at times very insightful guy,” said History teacher Ms. Tove Sunshine. “I felt like he was a good friend, and liked working By MAti HurWitz, spo with him and being around him. Christopher Buckle halls of Shalhevet. Congress delegatio dents earned, but b work ethic and exte Growing close to h

COA

ups or whether we last second possibl

Right: Coach Buckley hugs quarterback Jacob Dauer and running back Max Helfand following a win at the 2014 Loma Linda Tournament.

BP Photo by Goldie Fields

Left: Mr. Buckley teaching Chemistry last year.

grinded out a 27-2

playbook, after a m It was 5:20 and wit scrambled to assem label the quarterba

ment. That experience sta

The Boiling Point • November 2014 • Fea!res

MAN

THE

PAT BUCHANAN

TROLL

LEGEND

SOUL

DRAGONS

MENSCH

CHEMISERY

ENTHUSIACTIC

Mock Trizzle

CHARACTER

DEDICATED OMNIPOTENT

STAT

LOVING MATH

FRIEND

FIFA

H I ST O R I C

YOUTHFUL

CHAMPION

FUN

HYSTERICAL

Caring

LOYAL RELATABLE

big bagel

OPINIONATED

TEACHER

COMMITTED

JENsen

could every year.” When he resigned Oct. 29, it was felt throughout the JCC. “I broke into tears,” said football team co-captain Mati Hurwitz. “I couldn’t hold anything back.”

MENTOR

football player Sigal Spitzer. “His whole heart was in everything he did, which enabled the students to compete and do the best that we possibly

BELOVED

YUNMUN

BUCKLES

CRASH

REBELLIOUS

CROSS EXAMINE

JEOPARDY

CENTER

SELFLESS FUNNY CAT HARDWARE Gavel

RED DOT

Beeep

PASSIONATE

INSIGHTFUL

r t

GENUINE

I N S P I R AT I O N A L winner AMAZING

RENAISSANCE MAN

That made the championship win both bittersweet and symbolic of his trajectory -- it was a co-curricular he’d started himself, and the season ended mostly undefeated but interrupted. “He was so passionate about what onate about what he did,” said Debate

l Spitzer, 12th Grade

SHIRTS

KNOWLEDGEABLE

something special that I never could have imagined before,” said Mr. Buckley shortly after he resigned. “I don’t think I was ever happier

HAWAIIAN

SOY SAUCE

TEA PARTY

A BEAR

Quirky

OMT

For Mr. Buckley, coaching football was a dream come true. “My tenure at Shalhevet was already very

PANDAS

strengthened the power that he had when he told us to do something,” said Firehawk running

CUDDLY

COach

heart

his career. As coach, he called all of the plays and strategized with his players. “All the kids on the team had a really good

eart was in every-

RISKY

CANNONBALL

We’ll miss him.” Mr. Buckley told The Boiling Point that

ENERGETIC

INTENSE

TOUCHDOWN

r. e e

BOISTEROUS AMUSER

t a g

BABY SHOWER

DOPPELGANGER

s n d

NERF

SCIENCE FAIR

BP photo by Goldie Fields

BP Photo by Ezra Fax

TRIVIA MASTER

NT HAD PLANNED A OR THIS ISSUE. IT ORY IS THE SAME.

s n 0 s

ACH BUCKLEY

orts editor

ey was the most special person to walk through the I am judging not by the count of gavels that the Model ons received or the individual Mock Trial awards stuby my years of observing and watching his dedication, ensive knowledge of everything he undertook. him as a captain of our football team, I gawked at his were six- or eight-man ball. He worked hard until the le to enable his team to win tough games.

25 win. I stayed back at school with Buckley before our

malfunction with the school printer. th only 40 minutes until kickoff, Buckley frantically mble the playbook, number the sets by formations, and ack’s progressions. With the game plan set, we arrived

ands out to me because it showed his ability to

prepare for our opponents under any circumstance while I watched his passion for the team ooze out of his skin. Ultimately, Buckley led us to a miraculous comeback that ignited our championship run. It reminded me of when girls quarterback Nicole Feder missed the annual YULA game last spring. Coach Buckley redesigned his playbooks for the speedy Nicole Miles to play the part with a series of quarterback run options. After he spent a night prepping, the girls misplaced the playbook before kickoff. But that didn’t deter Buckley from developing the winning formula. Calling impromptu timeouts and sending signals from the sideline, he led the Lady Firehawks to a 14-0 triumph. I know that Buckley did his job well with the girls team, because despite their losing record, the girls entered and left each match smiling and joking around with their coach. They cheer “OMT” (inside joke) and “That’s so Buckley” all game long, whether they were driving or down by 20. Lastly, I actually went to scout Crossroads and YULA with Buckley in mid-September. With Buckley on the iPad and me on the notepad, we studied all of the teams’ tendencies, formations and concepts. “Man-toman with one single-high!” I yelled as Buckley replied, “Doubles left, wide right, singleback.” That was the highlight of my connection with him -- and another manifestation of Buckley doing anything in his power to

position our team to win games. I sat shotgun in the van to focus on the game and strategize with my coach and further develop our covalent bond. We would discuss the blocking schemes to implement against AGBU and Vistamar and also offensive packages. We went through a lot together so his resignation announcement and its aftermath hit me hard. I was bawling upstairs in class, and was nervous that we might not win the championship without him. However, I channeled my rage into passion in our locker room to get my teammates amped and ready for the playoffs. champions!” I screamed with a stream of tears on my face. I could hear him whimpering on my shoulder too. I will always remember Buckley as my coach and teacher, but also as the caring and passionate human being that he was and will always be. He was more loyal and committed to Shalhevet than anyone I have ever seen. Between debate and football there are many words to describe Buckley, but I will stick to one: winner. All he does is win.

Page Design by Margo Feuer and Michelle Hirschhorn

The Boiling Point

November 2014

Fea!res

Torah THE BOILING POINT

NOVEMBER 2014

Students sign up for extra Talmud, no grades involved

By Jacob Perelman, Staff Writer

It’s 9:00 am at Shalhevet and juniors and seniors who’ve grabbed breakfast from the JCC kitchen are trickling in one by one to Berch B for the Advanced Gemara Shiur, or AGS. The mood is cheerful and the banter will soon begin. “It’s a great new course with no pressure over grades,” said junior Joe Schnitzer. “All students are there voluntarily so the whole want to be there, and it’s great learning.” AGS is an optional class which teaches a more advanced style of Gemara studies. It requires that students are at a certain skill level in terms of their Gemara studies, so the class can move at a fast rate without anyone being left behind. Every student that applied was let in but some students were advised to not apply at all. Ninth graders learn on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. They learn Masechet Sanhedrin. 10th-, 11th- and 12th-graders learn together in the same classroom on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays learning the same subjects as one

another. They learn the 8th perek of Masechet Sanhedrin. BP Photo by Ezra Fax Although the class is optional, students are GEMARA: Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg teaches 10-12th graders during AGS, where students are learning Sanhedrin. still obligated to take a Soon after that, sophomore Bennett daven after class. traditional Gemara class As the class began, Rabbi Schwarzberg with the rest of their grade. That means from the Main Minyan, and asked senior AGS students often have Gemara twice a handed out a paper with of Gemara text. “If you recognize this topic and can ex- Mati Hurwitz if he could lein the week’s day. “I had sensed over the years that some plain it, we don’t have to do it,” he said. “If Torah portion. “Every Jew should know this parsha,” students had a thirst for learning Gemara you just recognize it without explaining it, said Mati. Assured by others in the room at a higher level,” said Rabbi Ari Schwar- we are doing it.” Most of the class agreed that they had that someone in Main Minyan would be zberg, who teaches AGS along with Reb seen this topic before but couldn’t explain able to lein it, Bennett was on his way. Noam Weissman. Rabbi Schwarzberg then directed the “That was one of the main motivations it. From then on, the students seemed very class to break up into to chavrutahs, which of the whole Judaic Studies faculty in cominvolved and actively looking at and trans- are pairs of learning partners. He gave ing together and create this program.” As the class prepared to start that day, lating the text. One student was even seen them a tip on how to learn the Gemara bea female student came in and asked Rab- pushing her phone far away from her, as if fore breaking them up to decipher the text. Students divided and read the Gemara out bi Schwarzberg a shaila, or question. Her to focus more on the assignment at hand. Students continued on this path, anno- loud to their partners, and explained it beproblem was that she hadn’t prayed yet and she wondered whether or not she tating and highlighting the text, making tween lines. Everyone interviewed loved the class – note of what the rabbi said – though they should go to AGS or daven. though perhaps the timing could be better. Rabbi Schwarzberg thought for a min- knew there would be no exam. “It is a lot of work to have straight classSenior Zev Marcus came into the class ute and left class to talk with Student Activities Director Raizie Weissman, who with a plate of bagels from his bagel deliv- es from 7:45 until lunch,” said freshman oversees the girls’ singing minyan. He ery service, delivering the bagels to who- Ilan Bouskila. came back in with an answer: she should ever had pre-ordered them.

All-girls minyan most popular By Noah Rothman, Torah Editor The biggest minyan at school this year isn’t the Main Minyan or the Explanatory Minyan or even the popular Hashkama minyan, which starts before school and gives participants a free period before breakfast while the rest of the students pray. Instead, the most popular minyan this year is the All-Girls Singing Minyan, which combines elements of all the other prayer services, meets during regular davening time, and has

“I just like davening,” said freshman Jessica Dawoody. “I like singing in a nice community.” Now in its third year, the females-only service – which originally was for seniors only – began allowing all grades last

feel like I connect better with davening, so this is better for me.” Songs that are commonly sung in the minyan are Ashrei, Shema, Veahavta and Aleinu, among others. The girls also say

“I like the spirit and the songs,” said freshman Tehila middle school minyans, it’s al- Sarir, adding, “I feel like I can’t keep up in the Main Minyan.” Not everyone is there for Senior Adina Weinreb said that might be one reason it’s popunior Rachel Sentchuk noted that lar. the All Girls Minyan has the same focusing problems as other davening at school “A lot of girls In the days leadtake advantage ing up to the High and just talk,” Holidays, it topped said Rachel. “You are supposed to “I like that this be there to daven. minyan is faster, A lot of girls go BP Photo by Jordan Levine and it feels more just to skip Tounited with all SING: Students gather daily for the girls-only singing minyan. rah reading.” girls,” said fresh- The minyan is the largest attended at school with 59 girls. But attenman Kayla Jacodance is just as bowitz. “We just sing most of the way high on the non-Torah reading It starts like other minyans, through it,” said Adina. “It kind days of Tuesday, Wednesday with a teacher – in this case, of reminds them of their middle and Friday. Student Activities Director Rai- school davening experience, so Principal Reb Noam Weisszie Weisman – telling everyone they’re more used to it. I remem- man said he understood and ber my middle school davening wondered whether a minyan Pesukei De’Zimrah, Shacharit – we’d sing everything out loud like this might also work for and the Amidah, with way more and it was more of that type of boys. singing along the way than the environment, rather than like a “There is a better value for mixed minyans have, and with- formal minyan.” out stopping for Kaddish, Tachathis type of prayer service, said nun or Torah reading. the Torah reading distracting, Reb Noam. “If they are getting Leaving out the Torah read- and without it she can focus this experience and want to go ing saves time, but singing ev- more in prayer. erything out loud takes longer “I kind of zone out when they would even argue the same for so on some days the timing alboys.” most evens out.

Cedars rabbi now teaching By Henry Wineburgh, Staff Writer Rabbi Jason Weiner joined

said Reb Noam. “When you combine real knowledge of the material with real passion, you have the potential to be a really great teacher.” Rabbi Weiner received his smicha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York. He said starting at Shalhevet had been easy, even though it was midyear. “They’re open to learning and adjusting, and very welcoming,” Rabbi Weiner said. “It’s been very smooth.” Students agreed. “The transition has been great,” said sophomore Nathan Benyowitz. “He came in, and immediately knew how to connect to us as mature teenagers like other Shalhevet teachers.” Rabbi Weiner said he has high hopes for the rest of the year. “I hope we all get into the

at the beginning of the second quarter, signaling the most recent shift in the Shalhevet community caused by Mr. Christopher Buckley’s resignation Oct. 29. Rabbi Weiner has begun instructing the 10th-grade Talmud class formerly taught by Mrs. Atara Segal, who taught AP Statistics last year and now has taken over Mr. Buckley’s AP Stat class. Formerly an assistant rabbi at Young Israel of Century City, Rabbi Weiner is currently senior rabbi at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he heads the Spiritual Care Department and is in charge of the chaplaincy team, according to the Cedars-Sinai website. He has been an active member of Young Israel’s and relevant,” Rabbi Weiner said, the greater Los Angeles’ Jewish “and we’ll have a great time tocommunities since 2006. gether.” For now, he is only teaching one period at Shalhevet. Principal Reb Noam Weissman said he would make a great addition to the school. “He’s a great guy, known in the community, extremely pasBP Photo by Dorelle Nahmany sionate and a INSTRUCTING: Rabbi Jason Weiner took over great educator Mrs. Segal’s sophomore Talmud class Oct. 30. and scholar,”

The Boiling Point

November 2014

Arts & Cul!re

Arts & Culture

THE BOILING POINT

NOVEMBER 2014

LACMA Hollywood exhibit explains costumer’s art By Goldie Fields, Executive Editor

Bonanza.

Hollywood Costume, an

Mamma Mia, Iron Lady and Julie and Julia

LACMA West, the former May Company department store -

commentary from the

Museum of Motion Pictures. -

Blonde 2

Legally

worn

The Tramp, posi-

superheroes -

face femininity. -

tume designer Deborah

imagined in the pages of a

ing the costume design in Django Unchained, director Quentin Tarantino and costume designer

moment in the script.” And for these iconic -

ham dress.

part of cinematic history.

“Costumes embody the

Many of the costumes on

BP Photo By Goldie Feilds

AUTHENTIC: The Hollywood Costume exhibit displays Mary Poppins’ dress from the movie.

see the eight Oscars won by famed costume designer Edith Head, tory of the designer. At the end appear the ruby

BP Photo By Goldie Feilds

LIGHTS: At LACMA West, costumes

agree on the perfect coat.

The

Wizard of Oz

tion site.

‘Boxtrolls’ is an existential fantasy, set in clay By Eitan Schramm, 11th grade

The website adds that puppets are

The BoxTrolls

town of Cheesebridge, a town dedicated -

embodied in The Boxtrolls, whose story -

it, then photographing it, then repeating

we are reminded us that doubts can be the -

Facebook.com/theboxtrolls

BRAVE: The Boxtrolls teaches that one should embrace all of life’s challenges.

The Boiling Point

November 2014

Arts & Cul!re

Joan Rivers’ contributions went beyond comedy Maayan Waldman, Arts & Culture Editor mous comedian, actress, and fashion critic, but she was a -

get rid of Jersey.” Eden.” numerous death threats and criticism

--Joan Rivers, z”l

this hot was when they were pushing Jews into -

comment from a renowned actress.

ing into cardiac arrest and a coma that

Jewish immigrants to

--Joan Rivers, z”l

born under the name Once

her

yahu said.

career

Facebook.com/JoanRivers

Israel from critics of the Gaza War this past summer.

Love your body? This fashion show says you should. Volunteer models, vendors, and kosher food converged for the second time annually to Maayan Waldman, Arts & Culture Editor perhaps due to the fact that

funds were raised for Dress for Success -

the fashion show, which is empowering women to and

BP Photo By Ezra Fax

LOVE: Karen Halaszi, owner of the Karen Michelle Boutique and co-founder of the Love Your Body Fashion Show,

a team of manicur-

--Karen Halaszi

--Mia Adler-Ozer

to come together and share the space” said -

non-profes-

ticipated.

you can imagine.

sociated with the show. The two women said to-

The Boiling Point • November 2014 • Opinion

Opinion

UNSIGNED EDITORIALS

from other high school students—because after all, no other school teaches moral development Shalhevet students can be just as abominable as

press our urges to engage in mous internet applications

an aspiration that Shalhe

BP Graphic by Gabe Silverstein

New BP policy: What’s published is permanent By the BP Editorial Board to edit the historical record unless the facts of a takes?

remove her name from something published last

publications had clipping libraries and librarians or feature stories, photographs, blogs or stories in

THE BOILING POINT Editor-in-Chief Alexa Fishman

Executive Editor Goldie Fields

Community Editor Rose Lipner

Managing Editor Margo Feuer

Opinion Editor Daniel Steinberg

Chief Layout Editor Rachel Spronz

Sports Editor Mati Hurwitz

Layout Editors Michelle Hirschhorn, Deputy Chief Layout Editor Noa Segal Michelle Greenberg Hannah Diamond

Torah Editor Noah Rothman Features Editor Eric Bazak Outside News Editor Jonah Gill Arts & Culture Editor Maayan Waldman Faculty Advisor Mrs. Joelle Keene

Photography Editor Jordan Levine Advertising Editor Shoshi Miller Technology Artist Gabe Silverstein Website Editor-in-Chief Nicole Feder

National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker Finalist 2014, 2012

Know it when we do.

Story of the Year Awards 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010 All-American 2009, 2012

Simon J. Rockower Awards 2013, 2014

Gold Crown Award 2013, 2014

International First Place Award 2014, 2012, 2011 First Place Awards in Jewish Scholastic Journalism

Gold Circle Awards 2011-2014 Columbia Scholastic Press Association

National Award Winner 2007-2014

www. shalhevet boilingpoint. com

2014 and 2013

Letters to the Editor

When we know it, you’ll know it.

The Boiling Point • November 2014 • Opinion

BP Graphic by Gabe Silverstein

TWO BOILING POINTS OF VIEW:

What should the US do about ISIS? It’s time to strike harder

By Sara Sobolev, 12th grade

By Micha Thau, 10th Grade

created an alliance to rescue thousands of

perpetrator of countless and countinuing

Airstrikes can contain this horrible situation and keep it from worsening, and for now that is the best that can be expected. longer, and its operatives are still on imposing its so called “religious” values cannot turn our back on this global crisis

aerial attacks, moving more operations un lives are too precious, to stop diers is to cede its moral author

course for American involvement and in

Airstrikes can contain this horrible situ

It’s time to fight. There is no denying that American lives will be lost. But we cannot turn our back on this global crisis merely for self preservation.

the objective of airstrikes is to “continue to

but of other countries that have prevailed keep it from spreading, hoping future sta

It is true that the use of airstrikes as the

needs to send in ground forces to prevent

The Boiling Point â€˘ November 2014 â€˘ Opinion

18 HTTP :// WWW . SHALHEVETBOIL INGPOINT . COM / WP - CONTENT / StockTalk U P L O A D S /2013/10/S C R E E N SHOT-2013-10-08-AT-

2.52.17-PM. PNG

On schoolwide Shabbaton, vulnerability ruled and should have kept its crown

Futuristic Israeli company promotes safety now By Boaz Willis, Staff Columnist

then the stock has more than doubled, trad

BP Photo by Ezra Fax

FLAME: By Alexa Fishman, Editor-in-Chief

ing the features to be part of each car and

Vulnerability, we learned from the speaker, Brene Brown, is actually not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.

feelings of closeness, connection, friendship and mutual un

sessions for the group, both centered on the idea that vulner

Students were sharing their deepest problems and secrets with one another, and nobody was judging.

models, including those that come out at a

Happy Hannukah from The Boiling Point

Sports THE BOILING POINT

NOVEMBER 2014

Girls Volleyball relishes winning season and BP Photo by Ezra Fax

SET: The Lady Firehawks spiked their way to a victory against LA Adventist on Oct. 6 at

By Mati Hurwitz, Sports Editor Girls Volleyball enjoyed a consistent and successful sea-

It was such a great bonding experience we couldnâ€™t have had any other way. --Margo Feuer, 12th grade

Need help writing your college essay? Want to perfect your supplementary essays? Looking to improve your writing skills?

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The Boiling Point

Novmeber 2014

Sports

SCRAMBLE: No. 7 Jacob Dauer

mates and Coach Buckley look on. All BP Photos by Ezra Fax

By Zev Kent, Staff Writer -

FINAL: Left, 4 at Norton Field in Santa Monica. At right, he clutches the championship plaque.