On Sunday, MTA students had the incredible and unique opportunity to partake in Yeshiva University's special program, "The Haggada's Politics: From 2,000 Years Ago to Today," which featured YU Kressel and Ephrat Family University Professor of Jewish Thought Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and Joseph Lieberman Chair in Public Policy and Public Service at YU Senator Joseph Lieberman, in conversation with Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, director of YU's Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought, who moderated moderate the discussion. 

For more information and to view the program, please click here. 

March 26th served as a meaningful and productive day on two fronts for the MTA students who participated in the school's annual lobbying mission to Washington D.C. The Hatzioni members that partook in this event had been preparing for weeks in advance; researching bills, familiarizing themselves with specific members of congress, etc. Groups were divided into roughly six or seven members per senator or member of congress and had a faculty advisor, guide them through the process. Although each group was led by a member of the YUHSB faculty, there too were two group leaders in every group; a senior and junior,who had lobbying experience. They were privileged to take advantage of this incredible opportunity by leading a group to lobby for something they held close to them, Israel.

While the trip most certainly served as an incredible opportunity, by building upon certain skills, such as public speaking, research, and presentation, it did serve another purpose as well. Each student, (and faculty member) was capable of speaking one on one with either a member of congress, a senator or their aid. This was also beneficial,  because it opened a gate for many students to enter the fascinating and intriguing world of politics, via relations started only yesterday.

The final front that resulted in success was the research aspect. in preparation of the lobbying mission,each student researched both their senator and his or her view on israel as well as one of the bills. The bills which the students advocated for- 269, 615 and 619- discuss both the nuclear Iran crisis, as  will as a further progression in American- Israeli relations. The former topic spanned from imposing sanctions on Iran to negotiations that must be made. The latter topic covered a completely different spectrum, in which students discussed creaking down on BDS, an organization dedicated to the the demise of Israel, as well as furthering military aid and trade with Israel. All in all, the MTAPAC mission to Washington was a huge a success on both the personal and political fronts.

On Wednesday, Mrs. Levitt, along with Dr. Taylor, Mr. Kulnis and the entire 10th grade made their way to Harvey Theater at Brooklyn Academy of Music. "Amazing, marvelous, uplifting and truly inspiring." These were the words said in response by the audience to the play The Tallest Tree in the Forest. The play, a one-man show played by Daniel Beaty grasped many by surprise with his amazing voice and his astonishing portrayal of the 20th century activist, Paul Robeson. 

A star player on the Rutgers football team, as well as a participant on many other extra curricular activities, he still managed to graduate valedictorian of his class and obtained a scholarship to Colombia Law School where he ended up becoming a lawyer. The African American life was a true struggle. This was no different for a lawyer. The racism, the critics and the pressure, it was all there. But being a lawyer is not what he wanted, his astounding voice pushed him to become a singer that he always wanted to be. Meeting his wife Essie, she is portrayed as "forcing" herself onto him making her his wife and eventually his manager. Essie kick-starts his acting and singing career.

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The freshman of MTA were once again privileged to attend a special preview performance of Yeshiva College Drama Society's semester production; this semester, YCDS is present the play The Boys Next Door.

We kicked off the evening immediately after school with a tasty pizza dinner in the lunch room. Following dinner, we went upstairs to enjoy a very funny film which Dr. Taylor picked out for us, The Kid (a silent movie featuring the great Charlie Chaplin). We couldn't finish the movie, however, because the time had come for us to go to the main event: the YU play!

It can be safely said that none of us expected what we would see at the play. The performance portrayed the lives of four men with mental disabilities living in a group home. As we were told before the show, the purpose was not, G-d forbid, to demean or mock the characters, but just the opposite, to show what challenges they have and how even what seem like simple situations to us can be incredibly taxing or even impossible for others. At the same time, the show was meant to be humorous, so we could sympathize with the characters while at the same time laughing with them about the funny predicaments that they found themselves in.

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This past Thursday, MTA students, led by Rabbi Eli Cohn, had the opportunity to participate in the annual lobbying mission for Israel in Washington DC. In advance of the mission, the participants had a training session with representatives of StandWithUs, an organization of strongly pro-Israel professional activists, inclusing Shahar Azani, Executive Director of the Northeast Region, and Jasmine Patihi, Tri-State Area High School Program Coordinator. StandWithUs regularly educates students from high school and college about facts regarding Israel. Shahar and Jasmine advised the students as to how to address certain points and issues about which they would be speaking to their Congressmen and Senators.

by Raffi Anapolle ('15)

This past Tuesday, a group of MTA students were lucky enough to hear from Rav Moshe Taragin of Yeshivat Har Etzion during lunch at a special event sponsored by the Hatzioni Club. Those at the shiur learned that there is even more to Israeli politics than just the question of whether one specific party's ideology is better than that of the next. The main focus in our lives should now be and must always be upon what will be the best path along which we can lead our own lives with the guidance of halacha and Jewish values, and at least in Erez Yisrael, that issue must be considered as well when determining which party to vote for.

Our very own Mr. Dobrick commented on the speech by adding, "let's hopefully make clear that politics has been and must be one of the places where halacha and Jewish values are most clearly demonstrated. It is one of the places where the rubber hits the road."

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This past Wednesday, the day before MTAPAC's mission to Washington DC, students had the privilege of hearing from Avi Schranz, treasurer of NORPAC, a pro-Israel political action committee. He explained how NORPAC's main job is to find funding for members of Congress who have actively supported Israel in the past, and hopefully will in the future, in addition to hosting Israel advocacy events, including a mission to Washington of their own in May. He discussed how NORPAC is run primarily by volunteers - the President of NORPAC himself, Dr. Ben Chouake, is an internal medicine doctor in New Jersey by profession. This just shows that for many people, Israel advocacy is a lifestyle, not simply another job.

Mr. Schranz stressed that to better advocate for Israel, research, writing, networking, and a love for America and Israel are pivotal. He explained how when lobbying the United States Congress, we must always show our representataives how a strong relationship with Israel is also in America's best interest. Mr. Schranz helped tremendously in preparing us, and our mission would not have been the same without the knowledge and expertise he presented to us. 

We thank him for being the final Hatzioni speaker before MTAPAC's mission to Washington D.C. on Thursday, March 26th.

MTA vs MDY

After an intense season opener against Flatbush the Lion's looked to carry their momentum over to the home opener against Magen David. Both teams came out looking extremely flat, as the halftime score was only 2-2. In the middle of the third quarter the Lion's were leading 3-2, however, goalkeeper Yoni Schechter ('15) committed a foul in the box giving Magen David a penalty shot. Schechter made the save with ease, giving the Lions faith they'd come out victorious. However, late in the game MDY scored sending the game into OT. The Lions got many chances on net in OT capped off by a beautiful goal by Zev Markowitz ('15) who increased his Hat Trick streak to two games. 

MTA vs Ezra

The Lions faced off against Ezra Academy on Wednesday looking to improve their record to 3-0. The Lions gave up a goal early, however that did not affect them as they scored two goals right after. Up by 4 at half the Lions continued to pour it on despite losing two players to yellow cards. With help from keeper Yoni Schechter ('15), 5 goals from sophomores on the team, and a Hat Trick from Captain Willy Kluger ('15) the Lions handled Ezra easily, winning 11-6 and improving their record to 3-0. The Lions will play against Magen David on Monday looking to head into Pesach break undefeated.