Mazel Tov to Jeremy ('08) and Shlomit Hertzberg upon the birth of a son.
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Eitan Pfeiffer (12/13), Rami Nordlicht (12/14), Eli Fink (12/16), Eden Sadighpour (12/18)
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Chanukah Chagigah Caps Off Week of Excitement!
by Amiel Katz ('16)
This past week marked the beginning of one of the most joyous holidays of the calendar year - Chanukah! To mark this special occasion, MTA began the celebration with free sufganiyot for the entire school (sponsored by Student Council) on Monday, the first day of Chanukah. But the fun certainly didn't stop there. On Tuesday and Wednesday, virtually every shiur in the yeshiva participated in some sort of Chanukah related event together with their respective Rebbe. Among the events were get-togethers at the homes of some of the Rebbeim, 3 on 3 basketball tournaments at school, trips to sports complexes and other places, and more. Each shiur exclusive event served to foster a bond between the Rebbe and his talmidim and, of course, to celebrate the festival of lights appropriately - by eating oily foods!
The MTA Chanukah extravaganza culminated this Thursday with the annual school-wide Chanukah Chagigah featuring the MTA Band, the MTA Chorus, and the world famous singer Eitan Katz, leading much spirited singing and dancing. Other activities at the Chagigah included the drawing of the winning tickets in our annual Chinese auction, an inspiring dvar Torah from Rabbi Jonathan Schachter, a Rebbe at YU's Stone Beit Midrash Program, and a display of remarkable talent by Avi Matanky, our Director of Admissions, who balanced various items on his chin, and by Rabbi Darren Blackstein, a Rebbe in Ptach and a recognized karate expert, who demonstrated his skill at breaking concrete with his bare hands! Throughout the Chagigah, the entire yeshiva had the opportunity to join together over great food and great singing and dancing to celebrate the last day that we would spend together as a group before the end of Chanukah.
All in all, Chanukah at MTA proved to be both joyous and uplifting as always, and we thank Rabbi Jon Green and Elie Hirt of our Student Activities Office for helping to make it all happen.
Here are the winners of the Chinese Auction.
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Student Council hands out free doughnuts during breakfast in honor of Chanukah!
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Noted Bar-Ilan Professor and Author Speaks to MTA Students
Last Thursday, Professor Nathan Aviezer of Bar-Ilan University in Israel, a world renowned physicist, visited MTA to give a presentation entitled "On Contradictions Between Torah and Science." Addressing the students in Bekius shiurim, Professor Aviezer demonstrated how modern scientific findings actually support the Torah's account of the creation of the universe in Bereishis. After speaking briefly about the story of creation, Professor Aviezer quoted statements from the world's leading astrophysicists and cosmologists regarding the fact that the generally accepted "Big Bang Theory" requires acknowldeging the concept of creation in order for it to make any sense. Following that, he went through the Torah's story of creation day by day, at first contrasting the views posited by the Torah and by science, but ultimately demonstrating that there has never been a real conflict to resolve at all. Topics covered included the "upper" and "lower" waters, the formation of our landmasses, the purpose of stars, and the explosion of lifeforms, among a variety of others. Professor Aviezer's insights helped everyone gain a deeper and more meaningful appreciation of Judaism and of the mechanics behind the beginnings of the universe as we know it, reconciling the two in a harmonious fashion.
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Sgt. Benjamin Anthony Shares Words with MTA
by Avi Rothwachs ('16)
On Monday, December 9th 2015, IDF Sergeant Benjamin Anthony, founder of "Our Soldiers Speak," an organization that brings Israeli soldiers to high schools and universities across the world to discuss current events and provide an accurate point of view on modern day Israel, addressed the MTA student body on precisely that topic. Sgt. Anthony, whose primary focus was to provide an adequate rundown of modern Israeli history and politics, which he asserted that most teen-agers and not really aware of other than in the most general way, began his lecture by guiding the students through each of Israel's wars, mentioning his own personal anguish, and emphasizing the world's support (or lack thereof) during each one. This rundown was then followed by an explanation of the steps one may take today in order to defend Israel in a secular setting should the need ever arise and to counter the misinformation so prevalent in many circles, especially academic ones, today. To tie his speech together, Sergeant Anthony graciously answered any questions the students had after the session and was thanked for doing so. This event, which featured the second Hatzioni provided speaker of the year, proved a huge success and the student body is looking forward to seeing who else the club can attract to MTA.
Sgt. Benjamin Anthony subsequently spoke to the presidents of Hatzioni and said, "Don't call yourselves an Israel Advocacy club. My father used to be a criminal justice lawyer; he used to advocate for thieves and criminals. Those are the type of people that require 'advocacy.' Israel does not need advocacy. You guys are an Israel Education Club. An Israel Promotion Club. Not Israel Advocacy. Israel requires YOU, not your advocacy. Always think before you say anything. Words mean everything."
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Assembly Held to Discuss Current Situation in Eretz Yisrael
by Yosef Schatz ('16)
In light of the on-going crisis in Israel, with terrorist attacks being attempted almost every day, MTA held a special program to update students about the situation in general, and, as Rabbi Taubes pointed out, to encourage us all to do what we can to feel the pain and suffering experienced by our brethren, but at the same time develop the appropriate optimism and confidence in the fact that our enemies will not defeat us.
The program featured remarks from Rabbi Eli Cohn ('00), who related his personal experience having been in Israel just a week ago to attend his sister's wedding. He explained how despite the jubilation and euphoria he felt due to the family simcha which was taking place, there was an overwhelming sense of fear embedded into society, but yet a sense of trust that eventually we will overcome this difficult situation. Following Rabbi Cohn, Jason Blatt ('16), one of the senior presidents of Hatzioni, discussed his recent trip to the Schwartz residence in Sharon, Massachusetts, along with four of his MTA classmates, to join the many people who went to comfort the mourning family of Ezra Schwartz, hy'd, the recent Maimonides High School graduate who was the victim of a terrorist attck just a few weeks ago. Jason helped relate the feeling in the home to the student body, easing them into inderstanding of the reality that is terrorism in Israel today, but also sharing the powerful message of hope and unity among Klal Yisrael at this trying time.
The event, which climaxed with a video presentation by Daniel Rivlin ('17) and concluded with the recitation of two chapters of tehillim, served to inform the student body of the current crisis and to revive our connection to the land of Israel and its people, and did so most successfully.
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Debate a Succes
by CJ Glicksman ('16)
Last Wednesday night, MTA's debate team traveled to Yeshiva University High School for Girls, known as our sister-school, Central, to debate against twelve other yeshiva high schools. The topic they debated was whether or not business owners could refuse to provide service to those who violated aspects of their religious beliefs. Each pair of debaters consisted of one experienced debater and one novice. Because of this, the teams weren't experienced enough to win any major awards; however, the novices learned immensely from practicing and debating with experienced debaters in an experienced debate. Because of MTA's stellar set of novice debaters, the team was able to win over half of their debates. This debate was a learning experience for all debaters, and both novices and experienced debaters are looking forward to the upcoming DRS debate and MTA's own Great Debate.
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Seniors Speak In Public
by Akiva Axel ('16) & Yosef Stern ('16)
The senior public speaking class got into some heated debates this week. The class was split up into seven groups of two and asked to choose a topic of their choice. They argued these debates in front of the rest of the class and Mrs. Levitt, the course instructor, was pleasantly surprised by the impressive arguments. Some of these public speakers even took their talents home, as Ronnie Murciano spoke at his Chanukah party on the topic of our personal Chanukah nissim. We as a class look forward to continue to perfect our speaking skills.
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Varsity Hockey Update
by Rami Nordlicht ('16)
This past Wednesday night, the MTA Varsity Hockey Lions traveled to Uniondale to take on the HANC Hurricanes. The game was of vital importance to both teams, as both were looking to make up ground in the standings and improve their chances of making the playoffs. The Lions came out flying, and took an early 2-0 lead heading into the second period on goals by Yehuda Benscher ('16) and Ari Hagler ('16). In the second period, the Lions really took control of the game, as they were able to shut down numerous HANC power plays through excellent goaltending by Max Herskowitz ('17), aggressive penalty killing by Yehuda Alter ('16), and a shorthanded goal by Yosef Stern ('16). In the third period, the Hurricanes made an impressive push to tie the game and managed to cut the MTA lead to 1, but a momentum-killing power play goal by Stern sealed the victory for the Lions. The Lions will look to further their winning streak when they play the Kushner Cobras on December 19th.
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A Lion's Life Executive Staff
Faculty Advisor: Elie Hirt
Publishing & Design: Devir Kahan ('13)
Editor in Chief: Shimmy Mandelbaum ('16) and CJ Glicksman ('16)
Executive Editor: Rami Nordlicht ('16)
Sports Editor: Daniel Mirsky ('16) and Yosef Schatz ('16)
Associate Editor: Raziel Siegman ('17)
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