| Save the Date |
ALL ROADS LEAD TO SARt
Parent Evening
Sat. Night
Dec. 19th 8 pm
RSVP ranlee40@aol.com |
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| Important Dates |
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Tues, Nov 24
Parent Teacher Conferences
Early Dismissal -4:30pm
Wed, Nov 25
Noon Dismissal
Thur-Fri, Nov 26-27
Thanksgiving
No Sessions
Wed- Sun, Dec. 2-6
David Cooper Memorial Basketball Tournament
Wed, Dec 9
HS Faculty Meetings; Early Dismissal 3:30PM
Fri, Dec. 11
First Night of Chanukah
Thur-Fri, Dec. 17-18
Rosh Chodesh Tevet
Motzei Shabbat, Dec. 19
Social Evening for Parents
Thur-Fri,
Dec. 24-Jan 1
Winter Break
No Sessions |
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3 Kislev 5770 * Nov 20 Candlelighting Fri 4:17PM
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Toldot
Havdalah 5:20PM |
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Dear Parents and Students,
Best wishes to the seniors for a wonderful Shabbat on
their in-school shabbaton. As prelude to their shabbaton, today was chesed
day for the grade. Every student participated in chesed activities at a variety
of locations. Many thanks to Rabbi Kroll, Rabbi Bloom and Ms. Meier for
organizing these wonderful events and to all of the faculty who are
participating and making it happen.
This week, the student body participated in a remarkable program
focusing on the homeless problem in the United States. I want to commend
and thank Sara Schwartz for her commitment to this cause and her tenacity in
making this program happen. Kol Hakavod!
Shabbat Shalom,
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| Programs that Enrich Classroom Learning |
Dr. Edward Reichman Presents Stem Cell Research, Cloning and Jewish Law
On Friday November 13, Dr. Ed Reichman did a presentation for the entire 9th grade on the topic of Stem Cell Research, Cloning and Jewish Law. He spoke to them at the culmination of our unit on cells and our discussions of stem cells and cloning.
 Dr. Reichman gave a wonderful presentation and totally engaged the students by asking them questions throughout his talk, often referring to our class discussions and the work we had asked the students to do at the University of Utah interactive stem cell and cloning sites. Dr. Reichman gave the students a real sense that what they are learning about in biology is being carried out actively in research labs and being grappled with in halachic discussion. He showed them the halachic sources that apply to this area of research.
He began by discussing with the students other cases in history in which a new medical advance raised bioethical questions that resulted in halachic decisions. The students were intrigued to see the halachic questions that arose when smallpox inoculations were first begun and the halachic decisions that were made. He then explored with the students the halachic questions raised by stem cell research and the fascinating way in which the Jewish laws in this area have been developed.
 The students' hands were constantly up to ask questions and to answer questions they were asked, using the knowledge they had just learned in their biology courses.
His presentation was a perfect example of the Grand Conversation in which students saw how their Judaism and their secular studies intersect in this very cutting edge area of science.
Dr. Reichman is Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Philosophy and History of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Reichman received Smicha from Yeshiva University and writes and lectures widely in the field of Jewish medical ethics. His area of research is the interface of medical history and Jewish law.
Tobie Brandriss
Bob Goodman
AP Biology Trip to Cold Spring Harbor
 Thirty-seven AP biology students, accompanied by Mr. Goodman and Ms. Tarzik, visited the Dolan DNA Learning Center at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory where they performed two experiments. The first involved a Restriction Analysis in which they cut up DNA using special enzymes called restriction endonucleases. These enzymes are a bacteria's normal defense weapon against viruses, but are now also used as "gene scalpels" when cutting desired DNA sequences to be inserted into bacterial cells. The students cut up Lambda (a virus) DNA and then separated the fragments using gel electrophoresis. This technique is part of the procedure utilized when preparing DNA fingerprints which are used in forensics.
 In the second experiment, the students performed a bacterial transformation. This involved inserting a gene for antibiotic resistance into E. coli bacteria. The students "heat shocked" the bacteria and provided them with calcium chloride in order to increase the likelihood that the bacteria would take in the genes. They then spread the bacteria on growth medium and brought the bacteria back to school for examination a few days later. The bacteria have been modified so that they cannot grow in the human body.
Both experiments reinforced principles that the AP Biology students have been studying for the past month. In addition to the two experiments, we visited an on-site mini-museum that told the story of the development of DNA science in the last 75 years or so. It included a life size replica of the model of DNA that Nobel Laureates Watson and Crick constructed in the spring of 1953. The students were challenged to find an error in the model. They also viewed a short film on cell signaling.
It was a great day filled with cool, cutting edge experiments.
Bob Goodman
Tobie Brandriss
12th Grade Shavua Iyun on Science and Torah
This past week the senior grade was afforded the opportunity to seriously explore the major subject of Science and Torah, as they have been grappling with the many contradictions inherent in the study of Sefer Bereishit.
The week began with three days of intensive study, learning about how traditional and modern sources have dealt with these issues. The students read midrashic and kabbalistic texts, as well as excerpts from Maimonides, Rav Kook, and Rav Dessler to name a few, as well as academic articles. After discussing these articles with their teachers, the 12th grade was ready for the two-day lecture series. We were privileged to hear from world renowned bible scholar and MIT-trained physicists Dr. Gerald Schroeder, author of "Genesis of the Big Bang" and "The Science of God" "The Hidden Face of God" and "God According to God". Dr. Schroeder's unique approach integrates biblical texts and scientific theory in a harmonious and dazzling way, revealing the hand of God in the intricate discoveries of physics. The next day we heard from Rabbi Jeremy Wieder, a Rosh Yeshivah and Bible instructor at Yeshiva University. Rabbi Wieder offered a very different approach from Dr. Schroeder, instead preferring to read Bereishit in a non-literal way. He showed us the long tradition of non-literal interpretation, and the dangers of trying to reconcile Torah and modern science.
The students had a lot to think about after hearing these lectures... we are sure that this Shavua Iyun is just the beginning of their exploration into this fascinating and important subject.
Sara Tesler
9th Grade Biology Students Dissect Chicken Wings to Learn About Body Tissue Function
 Recently, as part of our unit on cells in Biology, our 9th grade students carried out a dissection of the wing of a chicken to learn about tendons, ligaments, skeletal muscle, nerve tissue and blood, bone and cartilage. It was amazing how much more real these tissues were to the students when they found them and worked with them first hand by doing this dissection.
Tobie Brandriss
Bob Goodman | |
| ONLY AT SAR |
Author Rabbi Tzvi Freeman Addresses the Senior Class
On Monday, November 16th, one of the most prolific authors and educators in the field of Jewish mysticism and meditation, Rabbi Tzvi Freeman, spoke to SAR seniors. For three quarters of an hour, Rabbi Freeman held his audience spellbound  as he connected such diverse topics, as computer role playing games, GPS systems, and gentrified Brooklyn neighborhoods into aspects of a Kabbalistic tapestry and worldview. The audience was challenged to bring up any prop or everyday object to see what sort of esoteric lesson could be yielded from them by someone steeped in the Kabbalah. The Rabbi was invited to SAR by the members of the senior elective class, Kabbalah-Keys to Complexity, taught by Rabbi Avraham Kivelevitz.
Rabbi Freeman, author of 9 books, including Bringing Heaven Down to Earth and Be Within, Stay Above, heads the Ask the Rabbi site of Chabad.Org, where that he has personally penned close to 200 "tshuvot" on some of the most complex ethical challenges faced by Jews living in the modern world. He has also won acclaim for his popular Heaven Exposed series, which presents classical Jewish ideas in science fiction form. He was featured in the September 16th New York Times magazine cover story The Right Way to Pray. However the students main connection to Rabbi Freeman, prior to his presentation were his Kabbalahtoons, short animated lessons on the core concepts of Kabbalah and Chasidut presented in an amusing and surprisingly moving manner. The students were taken behind the scenes of the production which involves professional voice talent and cutting edge cartooning. Rabbi Freeman made the case that this restructuring of the deepest mysteries of Judaism in popular form is in the truest spirit of our people's pedagogy, stemming back to Moshe Rabbeinu and the Avot.
After the applause that closed his public remarks, Rabbi Freeman invited students to speak to him privately if they wished, an offer that was accepted by a half a dozen young initiates. The learning experience was dedicated to the memory of Esther Leah Bat Yosef, Mrs. Esther Leah Levin, a museum curator and artist who died last summer. She was the sister-in law of Rabbi Kiveleviz. The Sophomore Shabbaton
The sophomore shabbaton was a phenomenal success, as students learned together, ate together, davened, sang and danced together. On Friday morning November 6, the entire sophomore grade boarded buses and headed for Philadelphia. Our first stop was the National Constitution Center, where we had the opportunity to see the Liberty Bell and see the birthplace of the constitution. Afterward we headed to Bala Cynwyd, the  Philadelphia suburb that hosted us. The warmth and hospitality of the Lower Merion Synagogue, led by Rabbi Avraham Shmidman, were outstanding. So many community members opened up their homes to over 150 students and staff of SAR. Our students continuously commented on the openness and graciousness of their hosts, and we were very glad to hear the hosts comment to us about how exemplary our sophomores were. The theme of the shabbaton was "The Changing Nature of Relationships"- with our learning on Friday night focused on our relationship with God and the learning during the day focused on our relationships with peers and parents. Students really took themselves seriously as they participated in sophisticated  conversations about themselves and SAR. On Saturday night we all went to a corn maze on the way back toward New York. With flashlights in hand, we navigated through the stalks with varied degrees of success. The corn maze adventure was capped by an awesome campfire at which everyone roasted marshmallows. The sophomores are already looking forward to the junior shabbaton next year.
Students Attend "Major Trends in Modern Cancer Research" Symposium On Thursday, November 5, a group of 16 students accompanied by Ms. Brandriss and Mr. Goodman attended an evening symposium at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center entitled "Major Trends in Modern Cancer Research". The program was moderated by Nobel Laureate, Dr Harold Varmus who is now the president of MSKCC. First Dr. Ross L. Levine spoke about "How  Modern Genomic Techniques Can Be Used To Identify Novel Mutations In Human Cancers And To Develop Molecuarly Targeted Therapies". His main areas of study are blood disorders in which there is an overproduction of cells in the bone marrow. His laboratory seeks to elucidate the genetic underpinnings for the activation of signal transduction pathways related to the cell cycle and how malfunctions of these pathways can lead to cancer. A number of the students who attended this trip are currently taking AP Biology and had just studied this concept, so his talk was particularly relevant to them. Then Dr. Lawrence H. Schwartz spoke about "How Imaging Techniques Play An Important Role In Cancer Drug Discovery As Well As In Screening Tumor Characterization, And Assessment Of Treatment Responses". He is an expert in the use of CT Scans and MRI technology in cancer imaging and he specializes in computational image analysis. He explained that these techniques are not only important in diagnosing cancer, but also in assessing patient responses to therapy. After the presentations, there was an extensive question and answer period. The event provided a wonderful opportunity to hear directly from scientists at the forefront of cancer research. These researchers are young and highly respected in their fields. Their presentations were not only informative, but these scientists serve as inspiring role models for our own students who will someday be leading laboratory researchers themselves. Bob Goodman Tobie Brandriss |
| Co-Curricular Programs |
Model UN
Last week, Mrs. Harriet Mandel visited SAR to kick off the first Model UN meeting of the year. Mrs. Mandel is the President of Jewish Global Associates, and the founder of the Global Round Table. Run through B'nai B'rith International, the Global Round Table brings together United Nations diplomats from all over the world to discuss a host of interesting topics and put a "human face on global affairs." Mrs. Mandel spoke to the Model UN team about the importance of multilateralism and "soft diplomacy" in international relations, and bestowed us with a beautiful gift from the Czech Republic's Mission to the UN. She invited all of the team members to take part in future Global Roundtable events, and we look forward to lunching with her and some diplomats when we make our big trip to the United Nations!
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| Post-High School: College and Israel Planning |
On Thursday evening, November 5th, the College Counseling Center hosted the second annual "Pizza Pie & Apply" program for the senior class. In an effort to make the application process a more energetic and engaging time of year rather than a stressful one, the students were treated to pizza and a communal application evening. The seniors gathered around laptops in the cafeteria and went to work on their essays, short answer questions, extracurricular resumes, and other parts of the college portfolio. Marjorie Jacobs, Michael Courtney and Lisa Grundman circulated around the tables to ensure that students' questions and concerns were answered. The seniors were involved in filing applications that have November, December, and January deadlines.
On Wednesday evening, November 11th, the College Counseling Center hosted the annual 11th Grade "Initiation of the College Selection Process" for juniors and their parents. The program featured a seven-person panel, including three members of the College Counseling Team; Hugo Morales, Assistant Director of Admissions at Baruch College of the CUNY; Richard Katz, father of SAR Alum Joey Katz (2009); and current seniors Sarah Casper and Ariel Rosenberg. Mr. Morales spoke about the college admissions process from the perspective of an admissions counselor, while Mr. Katz delivered his feedback to the crowd on how to handle the admissions process from the perspective of a parent. The two seniors spoke about how they managed their college research and campus visits during a most stressful junior year while disseminating other pieces of advice to the students one year younger. As part of the event, the junior parents were given an overview of the Naviance program, the College Counseling tool used at SAR and thousands of high schools around the globe. The program kicked off the time of year when the juniors become a prominent focus of the calendar for the College Counseling Center.
Israel Guidance The Israel Guidance program is in full swing. On Monday November 16th we held our first SAR Israel night. Students and parents had the opportunity to choose from among presentations by over 35 yeshivot and programs in Israel. At the presentations, parents and students learned about the schools and had the opportunity to ask personal questions. Among the schools that attended were: Midreshet Lindenbaum (Brovenders), Ein Ha-natziv, Migdal Oz, Midreshet Moriah, Shaalvim for Women, Midreshet Ha-Rova, Nishmat, Midreshet Yeud, Midreshet Amit, Emunah Ve-Omanut, Tiferet, Yesodei HaTorah, Lev HaTorah, Shvilei HaTorah, Reishit Yerushalayim, Eretz Hatzvi, Machon Lev, Torat Shraga, Har Etzion (Gush), Birkat Moshe (Maale Adumim), Netiv Aryeh, Yeshivat Hakotel, Maale Gilboa, Mevaseret Yerushalayim, Shaalvim, Leadership Yeshiva Academy, Bar Ilan, and Shalem. We are very pleased to have had such broad representation on the part of the schools. Both parents and students found the evening informative and helpful to their decision making process. We would like to thank juniors Shiri Wasserman, Jacob Saal, and Leora Apfelbaum for their help in setting up the event.
In addition to Israel night, over the past few weeks many of the above schools have visited SAR to give shiurim to students interested in their program. These visits have provided students with the opportunity not only to hear about the school but to get a taste of its style of learning as well. We are proud of the way our seniors have conducted themselves during these shiurim. In our upcoming third round of meetings with students, we will discuss their impressions of the various schools and review their applications. We look forward to the continued process of helping students make informed decisions regarding this important year of their lives.
Israel Guidance Staff:
Karen Goldscheider
Lisa Schlaff
Jeremy Spierer
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| Chessed and Tzedakah Programs |
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9th Grade Volunteers at the JCC Washington Heights Food Pantry
On November 5, Ms. Landowne's 9th grade advisory took a bus to Washington Heights to volunteer at the JCC Washington Heights Food Pantry, filling and distributing nutritious food packages to residents in Washington Heights who are unemployed or underemployed. The students quickly mobilized, organizing themselves into an efficient assembly line, and filled close to a hundred packages of non-perishable items within two hours. The students in charge of greeting and distributing also organized themselves, checking in those coming to collect packages, and transporting packages from the packing room to the front entry with speed and responsibility. The students were enthusiastic, efficient, and energetic, despite lots of heavy lifting. The whole advisory had a wonderful time and all look forward to having more chances to volunteer at the Food Pantry again. |
| SAR Athletics |
Track Exceeds Expectations 
Every Tuesday night at 5:30 students from all grades unite to run for track. This is the first year that SAR has started a weekly track team, allowing anyone with the ambition to maintain their health, improve their running abilities and stamina, to join. What makes this team unique is the fact that it is not a competition. Each person is able to run at his or her own pace no matter how athletic one might be. Approximately forty athletes, ranging from freshmen to seniors, participate each week. Track is the largest team that SAR has ever had.  Most importantly, track is stress relieving and fun. With a competition set for the near future, there is a great amount of team spirit.
Coach: Marty Berlin
--Lauren Jankelovits and Rachel Freudenstein
Sports Update
On November 5th, the Girls Varsity Volleyball Team opened their season with a 2-0 victory against Ramaz, it was a great team effort. Liat Wruble closed out the victory with 7 consecutive winning serves. On Tuesday November 17th, they defeated Kushner 2-1. Their record is now 2-0.
On November 5th, the Girls JV Volleyball Team defeated Ramaz 2-1 in their season debut. It was close throughout the game as SAR pulled out the victory. On November 10th, the girls had a tough loss to Flatbush. Continuing their season, on November 17th they defeated Central in a 2-1 victory. Their record is now 2-1.  The SAR Varsity Hockey team rebounded from an early season loss at Frisch to dominate the rematch at home by a score of 6-1. It was a complete team effort that was highlighted by tenacious penalty killing led by Eitan Harcsztark and Jason Cogan and relentless offensive pressure by Aaron Lichtschein and Captain Andrew Hoenig. Defenseman Max Kane scored a pair of goals from the point and Assistant Captain Elisha Friedman, Noah Adelsberg and Joey Katz were stellar on the defensive backline. Senior Goalie Simmy Ratner, sporting his new look, contributed a nice performance in goal for the win. The goal scorers were Kane(2), Lichtschein, Hoenig, Harcsztark, Cogan. The Sting are now 4-1 heading into a big matchup at TABC on Sunday at 6:30pm.
The Boys JV Hockey Team won easily against Kushner on November 10th. Then the team had a tough loss to MTA on Tuesday November 17th, by a score of 1-0. Their record is now 2-1.
On November 12th the Boys Varsity Basketball team lost to Ramaz. Then on November 15th the team strung together a win against TABC 36-32. The team was lead by Sean Klaus, Josh Kann and AJ Varon, each scoring 7 points. On November 17th they lost a tough game to JEC by four points. Their record is now 1-2.
On November 12th, the Boys JV Basketball Team defeated Ramaz 53-41. Jon Nulman lead the STING with 16 and Ariel Friedman scored 12. Adam Schreiber came off the bench to lead a strong defensive effort for SAR. Then on November 15th they defeated Heschel 63-24. Their record now stands at a perfect 3-0.
On November 15th, the Girls JV Basketball Team lost to Frisch. Tamara Sastow and Erin Freilich played well for the STING. Their record is now 1-1.
On November 15th, the Girls Varsity Basketball team defeated Maayanot 27-21. It was a defensive battle throughout. Their record stands at 2-0. | |
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