Mazel Tov to Yitzchok ('08) and Temi Loewy on the birth of a baby boy.
Mazel Tov to Eitan Dreilich ('09) upon his engagement to Shani Schreiber.
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Gabe Isaacs (2/27), Gavriel Niyazov (3/1), Max Landsberg (3/2), Sam Schick (3/2), Reuven Penn (3/4)
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Introducing Daf Aleph: A website of Jewish thought for thoughtful Jews produced by a number of MTA alumni (and a few others) aiming to provide guides to the fundamentals of Jewish philosophy, and more. Click here for something great to share on this week's parsha. |
MTA Sends Delegation to Model United Nations
by Rami Nordlicht ('16)
This week, thirteen MTA students traveled to Stamford, CT to partake in the 26th annual Yeshiva University National Model United Nations (YUNMUN). Accompanied by Mr. Sragow, the student delegates were treated to an excellent three days of debating, collaborating, and intermingling with other students from across the country and around the world. The event showcased the students' ability to dialogue, compromise, and find solutions to current world issues based on the stances of the countries they were assigned to represent.
Shortly after their arrival at the hotel on Sunday afternoon, the delegates were privileged to hear opening remarks from Dr. Seth Siegel, the author of the New York Times bestseller, "Let There Be Water: Israel's Solution for a Water-Starved World." Dr. Siegel spoke about the diplomatic challenges posed by shortages of a resource as critical as water and explained how Israeli technological advancements in the field of hydrology will help shape the 21st century diplomatically, politically, and developmentally.
After a few words of greetings from Mrs. Geri Mansdorf, the Director of Admissions at YU, the acting Secretary General officially declared YUNMUN XXVI in session, and the first committee sessions subsequently began. Over the course of the next day and a half, delegates would participate in six two-hour long committee sessions in which they would argue, innovate, and brainstorm as to how world issues should be resolved. The committee sessions resembled conferences that take place at the real United Nations and allowed the delegates to get a sense of what it takes to resolve crises through diplomatic means.
Between the first and second committee sessions, Ambassador Danny Ayalon, a former member of the Knesset, Israeli Ambassador to the United States and envoy to the United Nations, and current faculty member at YU, addressed the delegates. Mr. Ayalon spoke about how the United Nations, an institution that was once viewed upon favorably for its role in the creation of the State of Israel, has in recent years unfortunately evolved into a corrupted organization that disproportionately votes on resolutions against Israel, and he then outlined how aspiring young leaders can help combat negative bias towards Israel.
Additionally, the delegates were also privileged to hear from YU's provost, Dr. Selma Botman, who spoke about the leadership skills that are showcased at Model UN. Dr. Botman stressed the importance of learning the qualities of leadership at a forum such as YUNMUN and showed how the skills one can learn from public speaking can translate into future success. The speech resounded well with the delegates, who were all too familiar with how hard it was to obtain the skills to speak clearly, publicly, and diplomatically.
Finally, on Tuesday morning, the closing ceremony of YUNMUN took place. Initiating the closing ceremony, President Richard Joel, the President of Yeshiva University, spoke about the importance of seeing the world from different perspectives and angles and developing a multifaceted view on the world and the issues that face it. After President Joel's speech, the awards ceremony began. From each committee, awards of "best delegate" and "honorable mentions" were awarded to three delegates. Congratulations to Ben Tzion Zuckier ('17) on receiving an honorable mention in his committee, DISEC, and to the other twelve MTA delegates, who were all key participants in their respective committees. When YUNMUN was finally adjourned, the delegates left with a great sense of accomplishment and we look forward to even more successful delegations from MTA in the future.
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Freshmen Melave Malka: Students, Parents, Food, Fun, and a Kumsitz with the Willigs
by Ephraim Landa ('19)
On Motzaei Shabbos, February 20th, all the Freshmen and their parents joined together with Rebbeim and administrators at MTA for a special Melave Malka in The Lions' Den. Upon everyone's arrival there, a delicious spread was available and many tables were set up for all to enjoy. Many students sat talking in groups, Rebbeim walked around talking to parents, and parents introduced themselves to other parents and talked to their friends, creating a warm atmosphere of unity. Parents and students were then introduced to a game of "Panopoly" and worked hard to solve puzzles that were places on their tables. At around 9:15, an MTA video was shown; a paper was then handed out for the tables to work on as a team, answering questions about the video. Following a dvar Torah from Rabbi Taubes, there was a beautiful Kumsitz featuring YU Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Mordechai Willig, shlita, and two of his sons, Rabbi Yehuda Willig ('95) and Rabbi Simcha Willig ('00), who led everyone in some amazing singing. Everyone present enjoyed this fantastic evening. Thank you to the committee who helped make this night possible.
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Parents Join Yom Iyun to Learn About Simcha
by Yosef Schatz ('16)
This past Sunday, MTA invited parents to participate in a Parent-Son Yom Iyun learning program. This particular program was open to the Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors and their parents because the Freshmen and their parents had been invited to a wonderful Melave Malka the night before (see previous story).
The day started with an 8:30 minyan in Lamport Auditorium, providing everyone with 20 extra minutes of sleep! After davening, Associate Principal Rabbi Schenker addressed the crowd explaining the itinerary for the day and telling us a little bit about the theme of the program. Rabbi Schenker's remarks were followed by a tasty breakfast with choices of different pastries and donuts to go along with orange juice and coffee. After that, students and their parents were invited up to their respective regular shiurim where they heard words of Torah given by their individual shiur Rebbeim. This part of the event gave parents a chance to experience what a day in Shiur is like for their sons. Following that, everyone was brought back down to Lamport Auditorium where they had the privilege to hear words of wisdom from HaRav Aharon Kahn, shlita, a renowned Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshiva University, who was warmly introduced by Rabbi Taubes, who indicated how proud he is to consider Rav Kahn one of his Rebbeim. Rav Kahn spoke eloquently about the topic of the day, Simcha, and how achieving real Simcha doesn't involve material items; rather it involves helping and understanding other people's situations, especially those less fortunate. The day was then capped off with the "Makor Chaim 4" - the four exchange students from Eretz Yisrael who are attending MTA for 6 weeks - leading dancing and singing together with all the students, parents, and faculty in attendance.
This was yet another successful Parent-Son learning program at MTA and we would like to thank all the Rebbeim, specifically Rabbi Schenker and Rabbi Taubes, for making this possible. We are looking forward to having many more of these programs in the future!
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Juniors Have a Blast in Connecticut
by Razeil Siegman ('17)
On Wednesday morning after Shacharis, the Juniors, accompanied by all their Rebbeim, headed up to Connecticut for their annual grade trip. The first stop was CT Sportsplex, where there was a variety of sports to play in the indoor turf fields. The Sportsplex also had whirleyball, a hybrid of lacrosse and bumper cars, and a large laser tag field. After a couple hours of sports and a pizza lunch, they went to Congregation Bnei Shalom, where they davened Mincha and heard from Rav Doniel Kalish, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the famous Waterbury Yeshiva. Rabbi Kalish described how only once we are Makir Tov (show appreciation) to everyone around us, can we properly serve Hashem and appreciate all that He does for us. Following a delicious Chinese dinner, the Juniors watched the Hartford Wolfpack, the minor league team for the New York Rangers, take on the Portland Pirates. During the first intermission, Shiah Maisel ('17), sang on the jumbotron and received a huge ovation following his performance. Everyone had a fantastic time in the front row seats and many MTA students were even highlighted on the big screen periodically throughout the game.
After the game, the juniors went to Coco Key Water Resort, and went swimming upon their arrival in the indoor pool. To cap off the exciting day, they were treated to a midnight barbeque, followed by a Kumsitz with a story by Rabbi Mendelson.
On Thursday morning, the boys went to the indoor waterpark at the resort, where they enjoyed water slides, the lazy river, and more. After lunch, the juniors packed out and headed to an ice skating rink, where they played broomball, which was quite a unique experience. After broomball, the exhausted 11th graders headed back to MTA.
An amazing time was had by all and we extend a special thank you to Rabbi Green and Elie Hirt who planned the incredible trip.
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MTA Visits the World Famous Seforim Sale
by CJ Glicksman ('16)
The Yeshiva University Seforim Sale, the largest Seforim Sale in North America and the second largest Seforim Sale in the world, has been going on this year since February 7th and will continue through February 28th. The sale offers over ten thousand titles of Jewish seforim and books, including Sifrei Tanach and Gemaras with commentary, works on halacha, novels, history books, cookbooks, and many many more titles and genres. The sale even includes a section of books written by YU rebbeim and faculty. It is an annual success, and, in fact, has sales of over a million dollars!
This past week, all MTA shiurim went to the Seforim Sale and searched through the thousands of fascinating pieces of Jewish literature. Students were able to purchase any of the books they desired.
A scavenger hunt was designed for the 9th grade, in which the students were divided into six groups and had to take pictures of and record seforim that pertained to certain questions. At the end of the hunt, every participant received ice cream as a reward. The winning group received a free pizza lunch together with Rabbi Pearl and Rabbi Cohn. It was an incredible experience and everyone had a great time.
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Mock Trial Starts Off with a Bang
by Shimmy Mandelbaum ('16)
The Mock Trial team played its first match of the year this past Wednesday night. Lawyers Yair Gross ('16), CJ Glicksman ('16), and Avraham Tsikhanovski ('16) argued on behalf of an alleged drug dealer. They faced the prosecution of the Browning High School who supported the police officer who broke into the defendant's apartment without a warrant. The witnesses, Kelly Roberts (the alleged drug dealer), Sam Doolittle (the owner of a daycare next door to Roberts), and Parker Pederson (Roberts' friend), were played by Shimmy Mandelbaum ('16), Ben Bral ('18), and Dovid Tanner ('18), respectively. After three heated hours of opening statements, direct examination, cross examination, objections, and closing statements, MTA emerged victorious. Gaining sixty-four out of sixty-five possible points, the mock trial team left the Manhattan Court House with their heads held high. They hope to continue their success in their next match this coming Wednesday night against the Bronx School of Law and Community Service.
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Students take a break from class and celebrate Purim Katan with dancing and munchkins!
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Please share with us your significant family milestones so we may appropriately acknowledge events and losses and properly communicate information.
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Support YUHSB at these stores!
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A Lion's Life Executive Staff
Faculty Advisor: Elie Hirt
Publishing & Design: Devir Kahan ('13)
Editors in Chief: Shimmy Mandelbaum ('16) and CJ Glicksman ('16)
Executive Editor: Rami Nordlicht ('16)
Associate Editor: Raziel Siegman ('17)
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