Mazel Tov to Rabbi Shimon Kerner and his wife on the engagement of their daughter Meira to Yehoshua Dear.
Mazel Tov to JV Softball coach Yoni Stone upon his marriage last week. Mazel Tov also to his brother-in-law, Rabbi Marc Poleyeff, 9th grade Bekius Rebbe.
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Levy Suionov (5/14), Davi Hazan (5/14), Yisroel Balashov (5/15),
Akiva Cooper (5/17), Yonatan Ganchrow (5/17),
Aryeh Greenberg (5/19), David Prawer (5/20)
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Yom HaZikaron Memorial in MTA
by Bentzion Zuckier ('17)
On Yom HaZikaron this past Wednesday, MTA conducted a program featuring four speakers who told their stories regarding the current conditions in Israel, including the unfortunate incidents of terror. The first speaker was Rabbi Eli Cohn who spoke generally about the importance of Yom HaZikaron, and about taking time out of our busy lives to remember the 23,320 lives that were unfortunately lost while defending, and just living in, the land of Israel. Then, 10th graders Jacob Lauer and Eli Burg, who attended the Makor Chaim exchange program earlier this year and witnessed the effects of terrorism first hand, detailed their feelings when they learned that their friend Akiva Meir, a Makor Chaim student, experienced the tragic death of his mother during a brutal terrorist attack. Shmuli Goldis, a veteran Israeli paratrooper and coach of MTA's baseball team, then told his story from Operation Protective Edge, the search for the three captured boys two summers ago, as well as his personal connection to the ambush and murder of Tzahal soldier Hadar Goldin, HY"D. A clip about Hadar was shown that detailed his kidnap by Hamas militants during an attempted ceasefire and also elaborated on his life and time in the army as a Givati Soldier. After the speeches, the MTA choir sang the Israeli National Anthem, Hatikvah, and Acheinu. Hopefully everyone can reflect on the messages presented on Yom HaZikaron, and deepen our appriciation and understanding of Eretz Yisrael and those who lost their lives for it.
To see more pictures from Yom HaZikaron, please click here.
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MTA Celebrates Israel @ 68!
As the students arrived at school on Yom Ha'Atzmaut, a special sense of Ruach and Simchah could be felt in the air. Before concluding Shacharis with a singing-filled Hallel, Rabbi Taubes addressed the student body about the privilege we all now have to be able to go to visit, live in, and enjoy Eretz Yisreal whevnever we want - something most of our ancestors could only dream about. After an abbreviated morning Shiur, the boys danced and sang their way into The Lion's Den for the annual Yom HaAtzmaut Chagigah.
The Chagigah started with energetic dancing with the Rebbeim. Following the dancing, Yosef Brander ('12), an MTA alum and IDF veteran, spoke about his experiences in the army and in Eretz Yisrael. Yosef, now a YU student, discussed how as a soldier, the transition from the mourning of Yom HaZikaron to the celebrations of Yom HaAtzmaut is a difficult and complicated one. However, it is impossible to have triumphs and successes without hardships, and vice versa. Yosef also discussed how there will always be issues with Eretz Yisrael and it is therefore important to realize that we do not love Eretz Yisrael because it is perfect; it is far from it. We love Eretz Yisrael because it is imperfect, and it is our duty to make it perfect and help the land in any way that we can. We are able to step foot it Eretz Yisrael today only because of those who sacrificed their lives for it, and the future generations will not have an Eretz Yisrael to go to unless we make sacrifices to improve it.
Following Yosef's inspiring speech, there was more energetic dancing. Some teachers also chose to discuss topics that related to Israel throughout the afternoon. Ultimately, it is important to realize how large of a gift Eretz Yisrael is to us, while thinking about ways to improve and contribute to it.
To see more pictures from Yom HaAtzmaut, please click here.
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Hatzioni Hosts Rav Moshe Taragin
by Noam Putterman ('18)
This past Monday, students were privileged to hear from the esteemed Rav and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion, Rav Moshe Taragin, who spoke on pressing current topics - Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut. Rav Taragin described the Jewish people's intense historical connection to the land of Israel, and its ramifications to ourselves as Ovdei Hashem and Bnei Torah, as well as the extent of God's hand in the miracle of the establishment of the State of Israel. He spoke of his own practices that make Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut particularly meaningful to him, and advised the students to do the same. Rav Taragin proceeded to outline the history of the yeshiva movement, ultimately concluding that study in Eretz Yisrael is crucial to personal growth and spiritual development. To some, Rav Taragin's visit was of the utmost importance, as throughout the Shiur he spoke directly to those student who will iy'H learn in Eretz Yisrael this coming year. Rav Taragin's visit was incredibly meaningful, especially before some of Israel's most important calendar dates. We all hope to see many more great Rabbanim come and inspire the students.
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MTA Participates in Gift of Life's "Senior Swab"
by Mendel Weintraub ('16)
This past Tuesday, May 10th, Juniors and Seniors had the opportunity to participate in the Gift of Life's Senior Swab program, which administers DNA swabbing of eligible high school students for the purposes of adding them to a lifesaving bone marrow donor registry. The program is in memory of Dr. Michael Osband, former Chief of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Boston Medical Center, who spent his life caring for sick children and their families.
While students below 18 years of age were unable to have their cheeks swabbed, they were able to submit information in order to receive a self-swabbing kit on their 18th birthday. Dozens of students participated, as MTA joined over ten yeshiva high schools involved with this special project.
This program was also the final Arista project run by this years senior class, closing a year of many great projects. We look forward to hosting the Gift of Life program again next year!
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Senior Athletes Recognized at Athletics Lunch
This Monday was the Athletics Senior lunch, paying tribute to the members of our many sports teams, and especially those who will be graduating shortly. All students who participated in a varsity sports team this past season gathered in the library to mark the conclusion of another successful year of MTA sports, and were served a delicious Chop Chop lunch. Rabbi Schiller then addressed the boys regarding the importance of pursuing athletics while still maintaining a proper commitment to Torah and Judaism. Thank you to all the seniors who contributed to the MTA athletics teams! And thank you to Rabbis Beitler and Kessel for putting this celebratory event together.
For more pictures from the Athletics Senior Lunch, please click here.
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Lions Conquer the Giant Stairs
On Wednesday, April 26th, the MTA Outdoors Club hiked the "Giant Stairs," part of a strenuous hike in Palisades Interstate Park. The park, located along the Palisades cliffs on the west (New Jersey) side of the Hudson River, features interesting historical sites, tough rock scrambles, and several beautiful vistas overlooking the Hudson.
The hike is named for the huge boulders that a hiker needs to surmount in order to hike along the base of the Palisades cliffs. These boulders are actually pieces of the cliff that occasionally break off. The last such break was in 2012, but there had not been one for many years prior to that, so the area is considered safe for walking. It is easy to see the spot on the cliff that most recently broke off, because it is a lighter colored than the surrounding cliff face.
 At the southernmost part of the trail is the Women's Federation Monument, built in 1929 to honor various women's clubs that collected money and enabled the Sstate of New Jersey to buy this piece of land and turn it into a park. Until then the land was owned by various private quarries, which blasted the rock from the Palisades to use as gravel for roadbeds. But when the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs got involved, they managed to get New York and New Jersey to establish the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and they raised the money to buy the land and turn it into a park. The monument, built as a mini German castle, is designed to symbolize the women guarding over the Palisades.
The Mountain Lions will be hiking once more this year, on Friday, May 27th. Stay tuned for details!
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Career Guidance Assembly - A Project of the College Guidance Office
 Interested students availed themselves this week of the opportunity to hear a lecture by Mr. Mony Weschler, Director of Innovation and Technology at Montefiore Medical Center/ Albert Einstein Medical College. Mr. Weschler began by discussing his own background in Chemistry and Computer Science that propelled him forward into his present career - as often happens in the real world. Many train in one field then segue into another.
Mr. Weschler spoke about the need for innovation and how it is transforming medicine. Written prescriptions are being phased out, he claims, because of drug abuse and allergic reactions. Now, information is recorded in a national data bank for all physicians to access. The physician can then know who is allergic to penicillin and who already received a prescription for a narcotic.
He then spoke about 'disruptive innovation,' such as a new stethoscope which is a single piece of technology without the traditional rubber tubes extending to the ears and which can measure heart rate, the oxygen content of the blood, air flow to and from the lungs, and then record the data and send it to other physicians, if needed. This method of innovation is termed 'disruptive' not in the pejorative sense, but rather because it uses a different approach and method of operation which previous practitioners were not accustomed to. A hand held device no larger than a credit card measures heart beat and then sends the information to a cell phone and from there to the doctor to determine if the patient is in distress and in need of an ER or is experiencing a trivial cardiac response to stress.
Technology is advancing and transforming the medical field, resulting in younger physicians entering healthcare with devices that could save lives in ways previous generations never thought possible.
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Soccer Lions Suffer Disappointing Defeat
On Tuesday May 10th, the MTA soccer team finally got the chance to play SAR on home field turf. The game started with a goal by Hudy Weiss ('19), which began MTA's lead. MTA continued to charge on, managing to come up with a two point lead at the end of the half with a score of 5-3, with the help of goals by David Pando ('16) and Ariel Feuerstein ('17). In the third quarter, MTA continued to press, but SAR managed to come back and tie the game 5-5. From then on, the fight continued, but unfortunately, SAR came out out victorious, by a final score of 9-7. The next match is on Tuesday, when the MTA Lions look forward to win their first playoff game versus DRS.
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The MTA Tennis Team put in tremendous effort this week battling Frisch and Ramaz. The matches were close on the Brookdale Park tennis courts. Specifically, Josh Zyskind's ('17) ferocious hitting and spectacular over all playing awarded him an incredible win against Frisch. The tennis team looks forward to their upcoming matches with confidence and excitement, as they look to close out their season on a high note.
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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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A Lion's Life Executive Staff
Faculty Advisor: Elie Hirt
Publishing & Design: Devir Kahan ('13)
Editors in Chief: Raziel Siegman ('17)
Executive Editor: Rami Nordlicht ('16)
Director of Digital Content: Shimmy Socol ('16)
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