The Rampage The Newspaper of the Ramaz Upper School
New York • Volume 52 • Issue 1 • Summer 2018 • Tamuz/Av/Elul 5778 • the-rampage.org
Dress Code or Dress Up? Josephine Schizer ’20
According to the new 2018-2019 Preludes, “inappropriate casual attire includes, but is not limited to: t-shirts, sleeve-
less shirts, shirts that are low cut off the shoulder, shirts with cap sleeves, jeans, sweatpants (including joggers), exercise pants, short pants, or short skirts...shirts with large writing, pictures, images, symbols or large logos of any kind...garments which expose the midriff and pajama pants worn under skirts.” Additionally, students cannot wear hats, flip-flops, or any clothing with mesh or cut-outs. For girls, these changes mean that t-shirts and sweatshirts with writing or graphics on them, once ubiquitous around Ramaz, are now prohibited. Also forbidden is the skirt-overpajama-pant look many students used as a more comfortable outfit option, and the leggings girls wear under their skirts can no longer have mesh stripes or cut-outs on the leg. Upon reading the new restrictions, many girls assumed that they could no longer wear any short-sleeve shirts to school. This is not the case, Ms. Krupka clarified, saying that this year, “girls may definitely wear short sleeved shirts, but we are asking them to think about the distinction between ‘overly’ casual t-shirts and ones that are more appropriate for school.” Overall, the new dress code adds limitations to girls’ clothing, but it also allows them more autonomy over deciding what clothing is appropriate for school. In the past, the dress code explicitly outlawed V-neck and scoop-neck shirts. This year, those limitations were replaced with a clause Continued "Dress Code..." page 5
Cannon Ready to Go!
In May 2018, Ramaz announced that Mr. Jonathan Cannon would take over after a yearlong search for a new head of school following the abrupt departure of Rabbi Eric Grossman from the position in the summer of 2017. Hailing from the UK, Mr. Cannon will be the third head of school in seven years, but he has a lot of experience, having served previously as the head of two different schools (one of them being Charles E. Smith Day School) for a total of eighteen years. Mr. Cannon, who started on August 1, intends to spend the first few months in his new position as what he refers to as “a student”: getting to know the school by speaking with the faculty and students and sitting in on classes. Mr. Cannon already has an overarching idea of what he would like to accomplish during his brief three-year stint at Ramaz: developing the school’s identity to help distinguish it from other Modern Orthodox Jewish day schools. “If you look at Ramaz 40 years ago, there was a real clarity of what it was. It was a pioneer of Modern Orthodox education, existing in both the Orthodox and secular world,” he says. “[Today,] the idea is the same, but it doesn’t look the
Natalie Kahn ’19
Continued “Head of School” page 5
RamTEC: Class of the Future Rebecca Massell ’21
The world is changing, and changing fast, though perhaps not as fast as it should in Ramaz. In 2017, more American startup companies were created than in the previous four years combined. Many of these companies are online, therefore requiring the entrepreneur to be able to code their website. It may seem surprising that it has taken the Upper School so many years to institute its own STEM class. The school already offers AP Computer Science. It has an engineering club and coding club, and it also participates in Science Olympiad and has many students who have learned coding in after-school activities or summer camps. The Ramaz Middle School even started offering a STEM class last year. Hoping to produce future coders and engineers, this year, Ramaz is launching a new technology, engineering and coding class called RamTEC (Ramaz Technology, Engineering and Coding), which will eventually converge with other classes at Ramaz, including math, science, music and art. This class is mandatory for all students in 9th through 11th grade,
and seniors will be given the opportunity to take RamTEC as an elective. Ramaz Science Chair Lenore Brachot, who researched other schools’ STEM departments, will be running the RamTEC class. The class will meet twice a rotation for 9th through 11th grade, with the 9th and 10th curriculum focusing more on engineering and the 11th on coding. “As these are such dominant and growing fields in today’s world, it is important for our students to gain exposure to them,” says Mr. Brachot. The class’s overarching goal is to give students a basic understanding of computers and technology.
“As these are such dominant and growing fields in today’s world, it is important for our students to gain exposure to them...” Other Jewish day schools have already strengthened their STEM departments in recent years. Frisch High School prides itself on its flourishing STEM department. At
Frisch, students in ninth and tenth grade have the opportunity to choose between taking Spanish, French, engineering or art as an elective. Many students choose engineering because of the class’ excellent reputation. During the two year program, after learning the basics of circuits and coding, students work in small groups to engineer a project. The projects are then submitted to the Rambam Innovation Award, which Frisch won in 2018. Additionally, eleventh grade students at Frisch are given the chance to take a computer science elective. New Head of School Jonathan Cannon said, regarding the new class, “I believe in connected
Continued “RamTEC” page 5
Inside this issue...
No Fear Junior Year... Is it really as bad as everyone says? Israel page 2 To Gap or Not to Gap... See the latest statistics on the Class of 2018 page 5 No School, No Homework... The great debate of the famous question of summer homework page 6 Wake-Up Crossword... Are you all caught up in world affairs after vacation? page 8
Features 2
Zachary Buller '20
Features
Summer 2018/Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778
Next Step at PHYTOR
This past summer, I participated in Next Step: Israel Internships, a 5-week internship program for teens who want to experience working in a field of their choice in Israel. The program allowed me to both explore my passion for science in a professional setting and tour Israel. Through Next Step, I interned at PHYTOR, a research lab based in the Biotechnology Park of Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. PHYTOR is dedicated to developing plant-based synthetic molecules capable of treating cancer and other diseases. At PHYTOR, I researched tight junctions, extracellular multi-protein complexes that connect adjacent cells and serve as passageways for molecules. A common side effect of many cancer treatments is the opening of one’s tight junctions, which can lead to further health complications, including infec-
Hannah Slager '19 This past summer, I attended Medical Projects UK, a program that offers prospective pre-med students hospital-based work experience. The course was based at London’s Kings College Hospital, but participants came from places all over the world, including Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, Beyrut, Qatar, and Bali. I had absolutely no idea what to expect. In my head, I just imagined a group of teenagers dressed in the required blue scrubs. However, in the end, I really got a taste of what a career in medicine feels like by studying with both attending and resident doctors. Over the course of the program, we were taught all the basics of practical medical. We learned how to
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tion and inflammation in the gut. At PHYTOR, I sought out a solution to this defect by screening natural products and developing synthetic analogs.
Over the course of my internship, I extracted molecules from plants and tested the effect of those molecules on malfunctioning tight junctions. I wanted to know if these specific molecules would close the tight junctions in the Caco-2 colon cancer cells. Using various filtration and distillation techniques, I performed methanol and ethanol extractions from three different
plants from the Middle East: Harmala, Luf and Urtica Nettle. I then tested the impact of each of the three plant molecules on a defective tight junction. As the Harmala was the most effective in improving the tightness of a faulty tight junction, I then performed further testing on the Harmala with the goal of discovering additional medicinal benefits from the plant. While at PHYTOR, I also had the opportunity to work with sophisticated laboratory equipment, including the Rotavapor5 and the Transepithelial Electrical Resistance (“TEER”) measuring device. The Rotavapor is a machine that is used to evaporate a solvent in order to extract a particular solute from a solution. I used the rotavapor to extract methanol and ethanol from the three trial plants. The TEER measuring device is used to
Medical Projects UK
record a patient’s medical history and diagnose basic patient complaints. We were taught how to treat the “A,B,C,D,E’s of how a patient dies” - airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure treatments - and how to diagnose and treat dozens of infections and diseases (both mental and physical). We also gained certification in CPR. We practiced detecting abnormalities in X-rays, such as clots, infections, pneumothorax, fluids, hernias, trauma, heart failure, tumors, and fractures. The doctors didn’t just share their scientific knowledge with us, however. They also taught us the different qualities that make a doctor “good” or “bad.” They stressed that doctors must always make sure that
their patients trust them enough to open up about all their personal health issues. They also discussed the vitality of all the different positions in the hospital, explaining that teamwork is essential for a hospital to func-
tion successfully. There is no role more important than another: a doctor or nurse is just as essential to the team as a porter, cleaner, or occupational therapist. The most interesting part of the program was spend-
determine the integrity of tight junctions. I used the TEER measuring device to determine whether the subject tight junctions had tightened after receiving doses of methanol and ethanol. Next Step: Israel Internships gave me the opportunity to develop my understanding of biochemistry and epidemiology, and experiencing intensive research even for just a short time confirmed my desire to work as a medical researcher in the future.
ing time in the hospital’s simulation suites. Simulation suites, or mock emergency rooms with an electronically-controlled plastic “patient” and equipment identical to the equipment in a real emergency room, offer an amazing opportunity to perform actual doctoral work without any of the potentially fatal consequences. During my time in the simulation suites, I had the chance to put the skills I had learned throughout the week to use. The dummies I used were surprisingly advanced: they could breathe, bleed, blink, react to medicine, and even speak. During each session in the simulation suite, groups of five were given a new “patient” to diagnose and treat with various procedures and
medications. I got to practice extracting blood, measuring blood pressure, inserting cannulation tubes, performing CPR, and giving sutures or stitches on these life-like dummies. The illnesses of “patients” varied from common issues (such as allergic reactions and bronchitis) to more dramatic problems (such as strokes, gunshot wounds, and heroin addiction). Each session in the simulation suites was videotaped for the groups to later watch and reflect on. Spending the week at Medical Projects in Kings College Hospital was a life changing experience: it gave me the opportunity to experience life as a doctor in a controlled but realistic environment.
Student Life
Yasmine Sokol '19
Junior Year in Retrospect
Junior year has a reputation for being the hardest year of high school. From a time-consuming history paper to a never ending stream of SAT or ACT work, juniors truly have their work cut out for them. However, coming out of junior year I realized that all the talk surrounding the year and its unmangeable workload was overrated. I don’t mean to say that Junior year was breeze - it certainly wasn’t. However, my personal experience was that it was not significantly harder than sophomore year. In fact, I received the same amount of work from my teachers in junior year as I did in sophomore year. The only reason Junior year felt more pressured than any other year of high school was because I was studying
for my ACT. Despite all the intensity, however, I still managed to take breaks and hang out with friends while being organized and pacing myself. Things really slowed down once I finished with my standardized testing obligations. After finishing the ACT's, junior year began to feel more like the first two years of high school.
You’re no longer an entering freshman who is overwhelmed by the coursework, confused by the ABC schedule, and intimidated by the senior lounge next to your locker. You’re used to the school and can enjoy it a bit more. Being able to go out for lunch twice a was a huge change for me: it made me feel way more free and independent. Junior retreat is also a unique experience. The extended shabbaton, planned especially in the hope of relieving some of the stress, was a highlight of the year. Junior year is just another year of high school. There is still work, but most of the inten Junior year also has some perks. Juniors sity is psychological: If you know how to budget are the second oldest in the school and there- your time well, it could be your favorite year. fore get the privilege of leaving the building.
"It's still high school, there is still work, but most of the intensity is psychological"
The Rampage • Summer 2018
Features
Sophia Kremer and Hannah Doft'20 A summer program on which you can alpine ski in fresh powder, spot tropical fish on a scuba dive, cliff jump like a true thrill seeker and hike for hours alongside waterfalls and rainforest? That could only be Kanfei! Over the course of 5 weeks beginning in mid-July, Camp Kanfei Nesharim takes campers across the globe to spend two weeks in New Zealand, two weeks in Australia, and one week in Hawaii. Forty students, from the
metro-NYC area, Florida, Israel and beyond come together for a summer experience led by Rabbi Benzion Scheinfeld, who has run the camp for twenty
Kanfei: Exploring the Pacific
four years. The small size of the group encouraged lots of bonding. The grand tour began in New Zealand, where we stayed in Queenstown, a scenic destinations surrounded by gorgeous lake views and a mountain range. Everyday our schedule was packed with hiking, skiing, and even bungee jumping!
ent from Jewish life in New York. We then travelled to the country's capital, Canberra, where we toured the parliament building and saw a copy of the Magna Carta. Since it was winter in Australia, we also stopped in Kooma where we were able to ski for a day. A few days later we arrived in Sydney where we visited the fa"The unique culture and mous Bondi Beach, toured the Sydopera house, and spent Shabscenery we experieced ney bat. We davened at the Central an exceptionally beautiful during our time on Kan- Synagogue, shul with another welcoming comfei offered us a once-in- munity that made us feel at home. Finally, after out flight was a-lifetime opportunity" delayed 17 hours due to a hurricane, Our next stop was Melbourne, we landed in Honolulu, Hawaii. Our Australia. In Melbourne, we were put time in Hawaii was packed with tons up in homes of members of the Jewish of activities, including more hiking community and had a chance to inter- and fun water sports like snorkeling, act with our hosts over Friday night jet skiing, and surfing. We even visited dinner. At dinner, we had the chance Dole's pineapple plantation where we to learn about Jewish life in Australia, enjoyed pineapple flavored ice cream. which we discovered isn't so differ- Everyday in the afternoons we were
given free time to explore the beautiful beaches, shops, and cultures of Waikiki. The unique culture and scenery we experienced during our time on Kanfei offered us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Seeing such extraordinary and exotic parts of the world was truly an experince we will never forget.
Kol Hanearim at Emunah Neve Landy
Paola Mattout ’19 and Becky Tauber ’19 For four weeks in July, more than 200 high school students from around the US travelled to Israel to create a meaningful, fun summer for at-risk children. Kol Hanearim—a nonprofit organization founded by Michael Reidler ’09—is a unique program that tasks American teenagers with spreading love and energy at children’s homes across Israel, working with some of the most vulnerable members of Israeli society and the Jewish nation at large. Kol Hanearim strives to help these special children create their own stories and believe in themselves despite their difficult living situations. In 2008, Mr. Reidler had his first experience volunteering at Beit Elazraki Children’s home. That one influential summer made him dream of helping every child at risk, and only a decade later, Kol Hanearim has sent hundreds of teenagers to seven homes across Israel and one in Odessa, Ukraine. Each year, the organization continues to grow as more high school volunteers are sent, more homes are involved, and more children’s lives are changed. This summer, Kol Hanearim began a program at Emunah Neve Landy in Even Shmuel. This home’s distinguishing factor is its all-boys status, as opposed to the mixed-gender status of KH’s other programs. Around 80 boys are housed at Neve Landy, many
of whom have had traumatic, life-altering hardships in their early childhood. Our job was to give these children, divided into groups and assigned to individual volunteers, a summer they would never forget. Besides for enhancing their yearly summer activities like biking, swimming, and trips to Superland, we took it upon ourselves to plan other exciting events that they had never experienced.
"The connections we made with our children made it feel like we had spent years getting to know them."
One of the summer’s highlights was be ing able to create a Fourth of July carnival for the kids. Most of the children there had never even met Americans before, so it was really special to be able to share something unique to our culture. We planned relay races, an army day, and even a mini-World Cup. The tournament particularly excited the kids because not only did they get to play their favorite sport, but provided them with a chance to play organized sports - something that we take for granted in America, but
they don’t regularly experience. Even the simple act of kicking a soccer ball all day brightened their summers, and you could tell how much these kids appreciated us being there just by their willingness to play for twelve hours straight. Some of the best moments on KH required no planning, from watching Spongebob with the kids to tucking them into bed at night. We were there not only to plan activities and sit with them during meals; we were there to be like older brothers and sisters, providing emotional support and making them feel special. Although at first the language barrier made it difficult to connect with the kids, everyday activities like playing Fortnite and taking selfies made the transition much easier. Whether it was teaching them how to play knockout or dancing to “Juju on that Beat,” there was never a lack of energy. To end the summer, six different children’s homes were brought together with all 220 KH volunteers for a “winter wonderland” party in Tel Aviv, the first such event in Israel’s history. Despite not having experienced the other five homes partnered with KH, it was clear just how happy each child was while throwing snowballs or ice skating with their new American friends. As we were leaving the home, it was hard to believe that we had only been
there for just four weeks. The connections we made with our children made it feel like we had spent years getting to know them. Even after returning to our regular lives, it was clear that the relationships we made were not just for four weeks: the kids who are able to FaceTime, text, and send voice messages do so daily. Although we were there for just a few of the fastest weeks of our lives, the summer that Kol Hanearim allowed us to give to these kids will impact them for years to come. Not only did we create new friendships, we redefined what a summer at Neve Landy looks like. Every year the children will countdown the days until summer because they know that new Americans are coming, and the next summer with Kol Hanearim will be another one to remember.
Features 4
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Summer 2018/Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778
INTRODUCING YOUR 2018-19 G.O.
ent d i s e r P , 9 1 ’ r e nt e Becky Taub d i s e r P e c i V ’20, s e l ife o L h t S n y e r d e u v t S f o A AVP , 0 2 ’ r e m e r K ns o a i i t h a r p e o p S O f o VP A , 9 1 ’ ns o s i a t a n c o i n M u t e m l e m y f Co o P V A , A 9 1 ’ t Paola Mattou
And a Warm Welcome to...
Dr. Yehuda Bernstein - History Ms. Nisha Joshi – RamTEC Ms. Gabby Rahimzada – Tanakh Ms. Kathleen Scheerle - Executive Assistant to Rabbi Stochel Ms. Tammie Senders – Tanakh Ms. Bonnie Shine – Math
And the Class of 2022! Emmet, Rivka, Nathanel, Naomi, Ron, Anna, Cy, Eliana, Alexander B., Joyce, Matthew, Gail, Ziv, Joseph, Mia, Sydney, Jack, Benjamin C., Julia, Rachel, Arlette, Morris, Ethan, Mati, Sarah, Skye, Alexander F., Michael, Nicole, David, Eitan, Fortune, Benjamin G., Jared, Aviva, Jonah, Ella, James, Norma M., Jessica, Eric, Joseph, Harry, Sally, Harry, Carolyn, Samuel, Isabel, Clementine, Ozzie, Michael, Eve, Maurice, Caroline, Jeremy, Shira, Jordan, Benjamin R., Jonathan M., Tali, Eliana, Caleb, Norma T., Jake, David, Julius, Finely, EJ, William, Brayden, Raphael, Corey, Joshua, Noam, Yona, Alexander W., Zev, Simon, and Jonathan Z.
Summer 2018/Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778
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Changes in Dresscode for the New Year continued from cover
stipulating that “shirts that are low cut” are included in “inappropriate casual attire.” This requires girls to take ownership over appropriate outfit choice. “Lines [in the dress code] that may sound more ambiguous are a push to create a conversation rather than saying ‘Here’s your list. Keep to the list, and if you don’t keep to the list you will be punished,’” said Ms. Krupka. “That’s not what the dress code is meant to be.” Ultimately, the administration’s goal with the new changes is to create a dignified environment at Ramaz. According to Preludes, “Just as the workplace insists that employees dress in a particular way because of the effect that dress and action can have on an environment, so too should an educational environment. Our goal is to foster an environment in which the learning process is treated with respect and dignity, as the students and faculty themselves work towards treating one another that way.” “We’re really going to push this idea of dress to feel beautiful, and empowered, and dignified,” said Ms. Krupka, “and I really want these discussions to start taking place in school in a variety of venues.” Girls’ reactions have been mixed. Some had already shopped for school clothes when Preludes was sent out, and now found that their outfits could be deemed “inappropriate.” “Almost all the clothes I own have words or pictures on them,” said James Auerbach ‘20, “and now on top of all my other preparations I have to deal with the stress of finding a ton of new clothes at a price that I can afford.”
Others found that while they appreciated the school’s motives, the changes would not achieve their desired goal. “While I understand where they’re coming from, I think that as students who work tirelessly throughout the school year, we should have the right to wear whatever clothing that makes us feel comfortable,” said Natalie Trump ’20.“I also think that a lot of students, especially upperclassmen, were frustrated by the new dress code because they already had a wardrobe of clothing that they liked to wear to school that they wouldn’t necessarily be allowed to wear after the dress code was changed.” Said Beth Kahn ’20.“I do believe that a dress code does provide a better learning environment and actually does contribute a lot to a student’s focus and concentration in class. However, I don’t believe that the the new dress code rules issued in the preludes are necessarily logical or fair as prohibiting attire with ‘logos’ or ‘large writing’ does eliminate the majority of one’s everyday clothes.” The administration’s goal is to “think first about what we want the school to look like - what does Ramaz look like with our perfect dress code? - and then work backward,” said Ms. Krupka, “When you walk down the halls, what does the school look like in our perfect vision? In your perfect vision as students? Let’s take the administration’s perfect vision and the students’ perfect vision, find the place that overlaps, and then think about what the dress code should be to meet that vision.”
News, Cont. 5
Mr. Cannon Commences Duties as Head of School same, but it doesn’t look the same. The question is: what does it look like?”
There may be no definitive answer, but Mr. Cannon is examining ways to better highlight Ramaz’s commitment to both the Judaic and secular worlds, as well as the advantages presented by Ramaz’s location and extracurricular scene. What Mr. Cannon feels is great about the Upper School is its capability to be the perfect size, 95 to 105 kids per grade and a total student body of about 400, which leaves room for a host of opportunities while at the same time allowing for classes that are intimate and intellectually stimulating. It will be interesting to see how he approaches maintaining that ideal range in light of all the competition from other rising Jewish day schools, among them SAR, Frisch, and Heschel, towards which Ramaz has lost some market share over the years. Mr. Cannon would like to minimize losses in market share to these other schools by working with the students and faculty to give Ramaz a unique purpose and mission. His hope is that prospective students will at least seriously consider what Ramaz alone has to offer. “A school’s being academically rigorous isn’t enough anymore. You need a real pull factor, something Ramaz may have that other schools do not,” says Mr. Cannon. He noted that one potential pull factor is the school’s location. In his view, Ramaz should take advantage of New York City and its many of-
continued from cover
ferings. By letting students leave the building and go on trips, Ramaz could make New York City into the school’s second campus. Upon being asked how to improve the religious environment at the Upper School, Mr. Cannon answered, “Ramaz, as yeshiva school, lives in a space which is authentic. The world out there has people with multiple perspectives and ideologies.” In other words, sometimes living in a vacuum isn’t the answer. Even though Ramaz is a Modern Orthodox yeshiva, and should remain so, it has an esteemed history of tolerance for alternative opinions and ideas. Mr. Cannon is a big proponent of "non-judgmentalism," and believes that Ramaz should not denigrate other strains of Judaism. Throughout the year, he plans to meet with students, faculty, parents, and other stakeholders to get a better sense of the school’s environment and identity. Through this outreach, Mr. Cannon hopes to work towards an answer to the question “What is Ramaz?” “I don’t want to just bring my own opinions to the table, because that’s conceited,” said Mr. Cannon. “Some people have been here for years, I’ve been here for minutes. I just want to be a catalyst, an advocate, a spokesperson.”
Ramaz Institutes RamTEC 2020, literacy in technology is essential.” Students at Ramaz have mixed feelings about the new RamTEC class, thoug they acknowledge the importance of technological proficiency. Michal Seinfeld ’21 says, “I feel like it [coding] will really help me in the future.” However, some students expressed concern with having to take another class. “RamTEC has the potential to be a good thing, but with certain classes, like foreign language, we already have so little time and so much to learn,” said Elizabeth Newman-Corré ’20. Indeed, the additional workload may be too much for some stu-
dents to handle. Some students wish RamTEC were an elective, as it
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class, while others support the decision to make RamTEC mandatory. “It is better that it [RamTEC] isn’t an elective, because that way everyone can have the same experience whether or not they consider themselves a technology person,” says Rachel Araten ’20. “As to whether it will add more stress, we’ll have to wait and see.” Although Ramaz has not been at the forefront of incorporating STEM into Jewish day schools, the creation of the RamTEC class is certainly an interesting addition to the school’s curriculum.
Who knows if it will be a success, or just a stressor? Time alone will tell.
is for seniors, and not a mandatory
Class of 2018: How Many Students Are Taking a Gap Year? Gap Year
53*
No Gap Year
46
*The record is Bar Ilan with 11 students attending. Many American colleges will accept credit from Bar Ilan.
Opinion 6
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Summer 2018/Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778
PINION O The Socialist Renaissance The Rampage • Summer 2018
Yonatan Weitzner ’19
These last few summer months have shown how Socialism is growing, and it seems the Democratic Party is embracing its emerging popularity with open arms. Just a couple months ago, the 28-year-old Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez scored a stunning victory against Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary for New York’s 14th congressional district. Soon after, DNC chair Tom Perez called her “the future of [the] party.” Socialism may help the Democrats succeed in future elections, considering that polls indicate about half of millennials support it. However, if this economic system were implemented in the U.S., the results could be disastrous. Despite Socialism’s obvious failure in South American countries such as Brazil and Venezuela, proponents of socialism like Bernie Sanders often respond to these cautionary examples by pointing out that Nordic countries like Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway have implemented socialism with great suc-
cess. Indeed, these countries provide universal healthcare and free public college, among a myriad of government programs, and also have relatively low levels of income inequality. So socialism is working there, right? Not really. If that were the case, then why are Nordic Americans (that is, citizens of Nordic countries who immigrated to the U.S.) faring considerably better than their counterparts back at home?
...if this economic system were implemented in the U.S., the results could be disastrous. According to the National Review, “Danish Americans today have fully 55 percent higher living standard than Danes… Swedish Americans have a 53 percent higher living standard than Swedes. The gap is even greater, 59 percent, between Finnish Americans and Finns.
The article also cites Swedish economists Jesper Roine and Daniel Waldenström, who found that “most of the decrease [in income inequality in Sweden] takes place before the expansion of the welfare state.” A recent paper by Anthony Barnes Atkinson and Jakob Egholt Søgaard arrived at a similar conclusion for the other Nordic countries. Evidently, Nordic socialism is not nearly as fabulous as American socialists like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez purport it to be. Additionally, Nordic socialism is hardly similar to the strain of socialism supported by Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders. As mentioned earlier, Nordic countries do have high income taxes, and they do maintain a large social safety net. However, their business and regulatory policies differ starkly from those proposed by Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders. The latter want to restore the federal corporate tax rate to somewhere near 35%, and they call for stronger regulations on “greedy” corporations and a $15 min-
imum wage. In contrast, the OECD reports that the corporate tax rates in the Nordic countries don’t reach above 27%. These countries also impose relatively few regulations on businesses and foster some of the world’s most business-friendly economies, and none of them has minimum wage law. American socialists like Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders fail to realize that Nordic socialism — which still underperforms against American capitalism — has only survived because it still retains many capitalist elements. Perhaps, for the sake of America’s future, the Democratic Party should reconsider its engagement to socialism and recognize that capitalism is a superior system.
Should We Get Rid of Mandatory Summer Work? Harry Shams ’19 and Natalie Kahn ’19
YES...
When it comes down to it, summer homework is just an additional and unnecessary stress on the student body. Ramaz students have enough to worry about during the year. To give students summer homework after nine months of nonstop assignments would just be cruel. One tenth-grader, Sammy Aschendorf ’20, stated, “It’s not fair of the school to ask us to do work over the summer. Summer is a time to not work, and with all the work they assign us over the year we definitely shouldn’t have summer homework.” There are three paths Ramaz students usually take when it comes to summer homework. First, some students at Ramaz rush to complete their assignments or read their books in the early months of the summer and consequently forget everything they’ve learned or read once school rolls around in September. Second, some students at Ramaz will simply neglect their summer homework and leave their assignments uncompleted until the night before school starts. At that point, they’re simply cramming two months of material into one night, which is never a healthy way to absorb information. And lastly, most students will simply choose to not complete their summer homework at all. Indeed, how many times have you heard the words “I didn’t read the book” come out of a Ramaz student’s mouth? A viable solution to the issue of whether or not to distribute summer homework is to simply make it optional. Students could choose to not do the work at all, but those who did would boost their average before the school year even began. Summer homework is not universally helpful, but it does have a positive effect on the academic lives of many students at Ramaz. Those who believe working during the summer will help them stay sharp during the months of July and August would be welcome to complete the supplementary work and boost their average before the school year. But those who are less convinced that summer homework is beneficial could opt out of completing their assignments and enjoy their vacation.
- Harry Shams ’19
NO...
Summer homework isn’t meant to be a stressor. In fact, it can actually be quite effective. It only becomes a stressor when students leave it till the last moment before school starts. But when done carefully and in an organized way, summer homework does help ease the transition back into learning in September and makes for a more productive school year. Often, too much class time during the first few weeks of school is spent reviewing material students have already learned when it could be spent already starting new material and therefore covering more over the course of the year. The more material students cover, the less crunch time necessary to finish the curriculum in the weeks leading up to final exams. It's good to make sure students don't come into classes having forgotten absolutely everything from the year - or at least to encourage them to prepare a little - and to be able to jump right into learning and to start off with a stimulating discussion. This is done most effectively by the English department, which assigns one or two books for summer reading in order to have a good discussion right at the beginning of the year. Teachers shouldn’t assign a heavy load of summer work - and usual ly, they don’t - but something to keep students fresh is always good. I’ve never had an experience of a teacher assigning so much work that it’s actually taken up a good portion of my vacation time. Summer is long enough that we can afford to allocate a few days to learning. There are a few problems with making summer work optional. First, if only some students complete the summer homework, a teacher has half a class in one place and the other half in another, which takes away the whole point and makes the teacher’s job more difficult. Second, summer work should be given in the hope of benefitting the student, so making it extra credit can do more harm than help. No one likes summer homework, but from a learning standpoint, it can be beneficial.
- Natalie Kahn ’19
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The Rampage Ramaz Upper School
Arts&Entertainment The Rampage • Summer 2018
New York • Volume 51 • Issue I • Summer 2017 • the-rampage.org
Editors-in-Chief: Natalie Kahn* Harry Shams* Esti Beck* Online Editors: Becky Tauber Suzi Dweck Faculty Advisor: Dr. Milowitz Contributing Writers: Samantah Sinesky Zachary Buller Basia Fellner-Dublin Hadley Kauvar Josephine Schizer Paola Mattout Hannah Slager Rebecca Massel Sophia Kremer Hannah Doft Yonaton Weitzner Yasmine Sokol The Rampage is the student newspaper of the Ramaz Upper School. It is published on a monthly basis. Letters to the editor may be submitted to rampage@ramaz.org. Letters must be signed and may be edited for space and to conform to Rampage style and format. The opinions expressed in the Rampage are of the author’s alone, and do not represent the views or opinions of Ramaz, the Rampage, or its Editors.
Denotes member of the Rampage Editorial Board. *
Hadley Kauvar '19 and Harry Shams ’19
Incredibles 2 Review
Released on June 15, Incredibles 2 sent shockwaves of nostalgia throughout the country. Bringing back the comedy and excitement of the original while managing to introduce new ideas and characters, Incredibles 2 is a perfect example of a sequel done right. The movie picks up where The Incredibles left off, with the Parr family needing to rescue the city of Metroville from its newest threat, the Underminer. But instead of being grateful for the supers' help, the Metroville authorities resent the Incredibles for being destructive. Telecommunications CEO Winston Deaver (Bob Odenkirk) and his tech-genius sister, Evelyn (Catherine Keener), offer the supers a chance to make themselves relevant and indispensable again. Winston convinces Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) to wear a new suit outfitted with a body camera so everyone can see how much she does for the community. As Elastigirl tracks down Screenslaver, a mysterious new villain who hypnotizes people, Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) stays home to
take care of the kids, which ends up being a bigger challenge than he’s used to handling. Director Brad Bird manages to bring back the magic of the original without simply trying to replicate it. Much of the conflict of the movie comes from the inner turmoil of the family rather than just from the agendas of diabolical supervillains (although those do still appear). With roles reversed, family breadwinner and strongman Mr. Incredible takes on the role of caregiver while his wife Elastigirl is off working for DevTech. Bob finds that fighting villains is more his forte than raising children. His angst-ridden daughter Violet (Sarah Vowell), mischievous son Dash (Huckleberry Milner), and “super” toddler Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) end up being more challenging than he could ever imagine. Indeed, part of what makes Brad Bird a unique director is his willingness to explore mature themes in childhood films. Incredibles 2 is not only a film for children. The Parr’s progressive family dynamic may be extremely relatable to the adults in the audience. The only respect in which the film
fails to deliver on expectations is with its villain. Fans of the first installment remember Syndrome as a ruthless and original anti-hero: a memorable villain with memorable motives. In the second installment, however, Brad Bird fails to develop a similarly suspenseful villain. The Screenslaver’s big reveal is less than melodramatic (most will be able to guess the secret identity of the masked terrorist), and his motives are entirely uninteresting. While Incredibles 2 is certainly a movie for the whole family, the people who will appreciate the movie most are those who grew up loving the first installment. If you have fond memories of Edna Mode’s unmistakable accent, Frozone’s nagging wife, or Jack-Jack’s adorable antics, Incredibles 2 is definitely worth a watch.
these features make you feel like you are truly visiting Hogwarts. The concession stands sell jelly beans, reminiscent of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans. The shop sells apparel, among other paraphernalia, for Cursed Child and for each of the four Hogwarts houses. Despite my skepticism, the play itself surpassed my expectations. Some plays are special because of the plot, acting, or music, but this show was entirely made by the sets, atmosphere, and special effects. Quick costume
Additionally, seeing and hearing scenes and characters from the book appear onstage would excite any true Potter fan. The death of Lily and James was heart wrenching. Voldemort, the dementors, and Professor Umbridge were exciting to watch after only reading about them in the past. Some of the actors didn’t live up to my expectations for a show of this caliber. Poppy Miller, who played Ginny, came across as boring and dowdy. Noma Dumezweni, who played Hermione, was similarly disappointing to me. In the play, Hermione came across as muted and serious, losing the passionately studious aspect of her character that is found in the books. On the other hand, Scorpius and Draco, played by Anthony Boyle and Alex Price, respectively, were extremely complex and interesting characters onstage. The relationships between Harry and Draco as well as Albus and Scorpius were fleshed out well. Moaning Myrtle, played by Lauren Nicole Cipoletti, was hilarious to watch. Ultimately, even though the plot of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child isn’t my favorite, watching it onstage with the special effects was still a magical experience.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Review
Josephine Schizer ’20
On July 31, 2016, Harry’s birthday, the script of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was released, exciting Harry Potter fans worldwide. "Cursed Child" release parties drew fans to bookstores to receive their copies at midnight, the first possible opportunity to get their hands on the new addition of official Harry Potter cannon. I enjoyed being back in the Harry Potter universe, but the book itself was nothing special; I thought the writing wasn’t up to J.K. Rowling’s standard, the plot was nothing special, and Albus was a disappointing main character. However, as a dedicated Harry Potter fan, I was still extremely excited to hear that the show would be opening on Broadway. I saw both parts of the play in one day: a Sunday matinee followed by a Sunday evening performance. With a total running time exceeding five hours (though divided into 4 acts), the show took up the majority of my day and felt slightly long - I found myself getting restless for the last 15-20 minutes of each act. The theater itself was exciting, transformed to look like something out of the "Wizarding World." The red carpet adorned with “H”s, the dark green wallpaper patterned in gold, the dark wood, the sconces: all
Samantha Sinensky ’21
changes (such as those caused by polyjuice potion) were accomplished flawlessly on the stage, people flew, objects floated, and spells soared during duels. At times, I was drawn so far into the world of Harry Potter that I forgot to wonder how any of this could be possible and just assumed that it was magic.
A New Way To See the Sea
The National Geographic exhibit titled Encounter: Ocean Odyssey utilizes high definition technology to present an immersive experience, showcasing sea creatures of the ocean and discussing ways in which we can help them avoid extinction. Additionally, proceeds from this exhibit fund marine research and environmental efforts by the National Geographic. Amid the city buzz of Times Square, visitors enter a dimly lit space, mimicking the sensations of plunging into the ocean depths. Rooms with projected walls, twisting mirror hallways, and faux kelp corridors, come together, creating a marine experience, all without getting wet. The decision to utilize technology, with computerized scenes of sea lions, squid, and whales is a modern approach to the aquarium. Gabrielle, the photographer and sales associate for the exhibit said proudly that the exhibit avoids “exploiting animals for profit,” unlike other ocean life exhibits. “This is like going to
an aquarium without risking lives. Here we get to experience the ocean without harming the sea creatures that are already endangered,” she says. Guides are scattered throughout various rooms to explain the various wonders of aquatic life, as well as to point out the harmful role humans play through overfishing and polluting of waters. There is a well thought out pattern in the sequence of the presentation. The first stage of the exhibit creates an awe-inspired respect for the majesty of sea life. The goal is to engage the participants and encourage them to appreciate and love the ecological balance of aquatic life. The next stage is to make participants realize the vulnerability of aquatic life and educate them in our ability to make hepful changes that could preserve the oceanic environment. This is done through a section dedicated to ocean advocacy. Visitors are encouraged to take a pledge on touch-screen monitors, selecting one aspect of their lives to
improve upon that will ultimately have a positive impact on the ocean. Examples include discontinued use of plastic or avoiding certain sunscreens containing chemicals that damage coral reefs in the ocean. Mr. Dennis, a visitor of the exhibit, said the National Geographic “brought [ocean awareness] without pounding it into your head…Seeing the data reinforces that we have control over what we can do to the ocean.” One of my favorite features was the artistic work done by Asher Jay, an environmentalist and artist, illustrating the Earth as pieces of a puzzle and exploring how they interact with one another. Aside from being visually stunning, this artwork highlights the fact that each piece of the Earth is intertwined with the whole. Whether you enjoy getting wet or not, it is difficult to maintain a dry eye when confronted with the fact that it is within our power to preserve our oceans and the magnificent beings that inhabit it.
Crossword
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The-Rampage.org
Summer 2018/Tammuz/Av/Elul
Crossword Puzzle
Harry Shams '19
ACROSS 3. Reddit Founder 4. The ______ Show With Stephen Colbert 7. World Cup Winner 2016 8. 2016 Libertarian Candidate 10. Kennedy Scandal 13. The Wolf of Wall Street 14. E Pluribus ______ 15. The Musk Mobile 18. Declaration of Independence Author 19. Erran ______
DOWN 1. 9-10 November 1938 2. Opposite of an Oscar 5. Rome-Berlin-Tokyo 6. Rebirth Symbol 9. Former Microsoft CEO 11. Stargazing Album 12. _______ in the Lion’s Den 13. Yankee Manager 16. Zionist Paramilitary Group 17. Obama Slogan