Mazel Tov to Mr. And Dr. Nahum and Rina Felman upon the engagement of son Ariel to Talia Burg. Mazel Tov also to brothers Yitzy ('17) and Jonathan ('18).
Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Steven ('81) and Leslie Socol upon the marriage of daughter Hannah to Kevin Schreir. Mazel Tov also to brother Jake ('16).
Mazel Tov to Eli Rozenberg ('12) upon his engagement to Blima Farkas.
|
Congratulations to Seniors and alumni who were recently admitted to the following colleges:
Yeshiva University
Brooklyn College
City College
Columbia University
Queens College
SUNY Albany
|
Eitan Sklar (6/6), Zach Gurwitz (6/7), Eli Hoschander (6/8),
Yitzy Weiss (6/10), Ean Samuel Lazarus (6/10), Natanel Figa (6/10)
|
MTA Celebrates Over 160 Siyumim
by Noam Putterman ('18)
On Thursday Evening, MTA students and their parents convened in Yeshiva University's Furst Hall to celebrate a massive siyum of the Massechtos that were learned by various shiurim over the course of the year. After a light appetizer, Rabbi Taubes began the program with a D'var Torah, in which he highlighted the great feat that the MTA Talmidim accomplished throughout the year, and connected it to the first Rashi in this week's Parsha, about being 'Ameilim BaTorah, working hard at Torah learning, and stressing the value of doing so with a group of peers. The YU Roshei Yeshiva who graciously held regular chaburas with MTA students, including HaRav Hershel Schachter, shlita, who was present, were then thanked and honored, and YU Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Mayer Twersky, shlita, delivered a derashah, speaking about the importance of the siyum, and how not only the talmidim should derive chizuk from it, but all the more so the Rebbeim, who worked tirelessly to infuse their talmidim with ahavas Torah and yiras shamayim., and the parents as well. He also noted how every talmid should have high yet realistic aspirations, all in our quest to become better ovdei Hashem.
Yehuda Goldberg ('17) was then Mesayem Masseches Sanhedrin, the Be'Iyun Masechta of the year, and explained the connection of the eleventh Perek, Perek Chelek, to the Masechta as a whole. Shmuel Turner ('17) then discussed the Shir Shel Yom, as he and Marc Giahn ('17) were Mesayem Masseches Tamid on behalf of their shiur. Next came the siyum of Masseches Makkos, the Bekius Massechta of MTA. Barak Cohen ('18) recapped the famous story of Rabbi Akiva and the fox in the Kodesh HaKodashim. which concludes the massechta, Yosef Lemel ('17) said the Hadran, followed by Zack Steiner ('17), who said the final kaddish for the siyum of all three massechtos.
Immediately after the siyumim, there was intense dancing in the spirit of Torah, and an enjoyable meal provided by Carlos and Gabby's. Towards the end of th eevening, Rabbi Dr. Yisrael Rothwachs, father of Avi ('16), and an elementary school rebbe of some Mesaymim, spoke of the famous concept of "Kimu VeKiblu" and its relevance to the Mesaymim, teaching how they should strive to reach their Torah potential. To end off the siyum celebration, graduating Senior Rami Nordlicht ('16) compared the siyum to his impending graduation, and spoke of the intellectual effort and dedication required to make such a siyum. Mazel Tov to all the participants!
|
We would like to thank the following families for their generosity in helping make the Siyum possible...
|
Siyum Co- Sponsor
- Jessica and Laizer Kornwasser
Seudah Co- Sponsor
- Dr. Rina and Nahum Felman
- Phyllis and Neil Zyskind
Individual Masechta Sponsor
- Jessica and Dr. Jonathan Landa
Individual Ba'al Siyum Sponsor
- Ayelet and Avrom Forman
- Amy and Daniel Gibber
- Dr. Suzanne and Dr. Scott Mankowitz
- Sherri and Chaim Szafranski
|
Roshei Yeshiva Gift Sponsor
- Esther and Dr. Shalom Buchbinder
- Rachel and Rabbi Steven Burg
- Naomi and Josh Caplan
- Muriel and Jeremy Josse
- Esther and Josh Klavan
Individual Talmid Gift Sponsor
- Shoshana and Sandy Bodzin
- Rena and Jonathan Boniuk
- Naomi and David Fish
- Jennifer and Yehuda Ganchrow
- Dr. Beth and Neal Ginsberg
- Rahel and Dr. Scott Goldberg
- Enid Goldstein
- Janice and Steven Jacobs
- Rachel and Ron Levovitz
- Adeena and Michael Mayerfeld
- Nechama and Steve Pudell
|
|
Senior Trip Caps Off an Amazing Senior Year
by Rami Nordlicht ('16)
This week, the senior class embarked on the annual end of the year senior trip, a three-day adventure that included a whirlwind of activities throughout the Poconos. On Tuesday morning, the seniors hit the ground running at NJ Coastal Sports, where they were treated to basketball, archery tag, a startup game of ultimate, and of course, bubble soccer. After a fun few hours of tackling each other by slamming their inflated suits together, the group made the trek to Dorney Park. As expected, everyone had a great time at the theme park, whether they were availing themselves to the park's numerous rides or shooting away five-dollar bills at the park's basketball hoop. After mincha, dinner, and a brief shiur at a shul in Allentown, PA, the seniors made their way to the Split Rock Resort, where they settled down, played a few hours of basketball, and dug into a midnight barbecue.
The second day of the excursion was dominated by whitewater rafting. Whether it was navigating through the small rapids that dotted the Lehigh River or getting into epic water fights, or reflating deflated rafts whilst singing songs from the Broadway hit Hamilton, everyone had a blast on the river. With their water soaked clothes and sunburned knees, the seniors then made their way back to the resort where they played massive games of softball, volleyball, and tennis. After a barbecue dinner and a few words from surprise visitor and incoming Head of School Rabbi Josh Kahn, the group began what would be the final night of the senior trip, which proved to be one of the most exciting nights of their high school careers. Shortly after dinner, the seniors played ping-pong, billiards, bowling, and classic arcade games, courtesy of the resort. The group then proceeded to take advantage of the resort's pool facilities, where everyone had a great time swimming and heating up in the hot tub, a nice catharsis from the day's more action-packed water-involved activities. Following swimming, the group made their way to an assembly pavilion where they were treated to chulent and kugel, snippets of the senior video, and shared memories from especially hilarious moments that took place over the last four years. The night closed with a kumzits run by Rabbi Tani Cohen, where members of the senior class were able to share more reflections on their high school experiences, and further "chilled out" camaraderie between the members of the grade.
 The final day of the trip, Thursday, began with a bang when the seniors jumped out of bed for shacharis that was immediately preceded by an exhausting and exciting final night. Following breakfast, the seniors had to choose between paintball and mountain biking as their activity for the final day of the trip. Both activities proved to be excellent choices: whereas paintball, which was held at Skirmish, the largest paintball park on the East Coast, was filled with exciting games in modular castles and metropolises in which everyone had a great time gunning down their friends and protecting model forts, the mountain biking trek allowed the seniors to race down a 15-mile beautiful and shaded path alongside the Lehigh River. Exhausted from their epic three-day adventure filled with bonding and reminiscence, the seniors finally dragged themselves onto the buses in what would be one of their final moments together as a grade. Everyone went home Thursday night knowing that they just experienced one of the most fun and exciting trips of their lives, reminiscing about the last four years, and excited about their upcoming graduation.
One final personal note: The 2015 Best Picture-winning film Spotlight showed the world just how exciting the endeavor of journalism could be. For me, it was such a pleasure to report on my school's weekly events in The Lion's Life. And while reporting on the events that take place in a Yeshiva high school in Washington Heights might not always seem nearly as grand as reporting about other activities going on around the world, it was still an honor for me to report on the events of such a fine school.
|
Last "Meet the Israeli Author" Class Sums up Semester
by Raziel Siegman ('17)
This past Wednesday, the eleventh grade "Meet the Israeli Author" class held its final Skype meeting with renowned award winning author, Chana Bat Shachar. Over the course of the year, the students wrote a short story in Hebrew, with the help of Morah Haibi, who supervised and prepared them for the monthly sessions. Every few weeks, they would Skype with Ms. Bat Shachar, who would guide them through their stories with writing advice and strategies. This week, the students made their final edits with Ms. Bat Shachar. Before they said goodbye, each student shared what he gained from the class this year. The responses included learning skills in writing a story - such as painting a detailed picture of the setting and having the main character face many problems - and improving their Hebrew. After all the hard work and challenges throughout the year, it felt great to finally have completed their stories, which will be published in the "Meet the Israeli Author" journal and archived at the National Library of Israel and at Yeshiva University's Mendel Gottesman Library. Thank you to Morah Haibi and Chana Bat Shachar, as well as Mrs. Rosenberg, who organizes this amazing program.
|
by Ephraim Landa ('19)
Immediately after davening on Lag Ba'Omer, the MTA 9th graders piled onto the coach busses and were off to their end-of-year rafting trip! After a 2 hour drive, we got off the bus in Jim Thorpe, PA and changed into our bathing suits, excited and ready to get on the river. After hearing quick instructions from the guides, we got on their busses taking us upstream to the loading point on the river. When we arrived, we split up into pre-made groups, picked out our rafts, and headed out. The day was beautiful, and with perfect water temperature, we paddled down the river, splashing each other and occasionally jumping in and swimming around. About half way through, we stopped for a quick snack and break. When we completed the route, we hopped back on the bus and headed back to the headquarters, where we changed and enjoyed sports and a delicious barbecue, with food grilled to perfection by Rabbi Green! We would like to thank the Rebbeim, Rabbi Green, and Elie Hirt for their hard work, time, and dedication to making this trip a success!
|
Mountain Lions Conquer Beaufort Mountain
On Friday, May 27th, the MTA Mountain Lions had their final hike of the year, a strenuous and exciting hike up Beaufort Mountain to Surprise Lake. The hike, located in Abram Hewitt State Forest along the New York/New Jersey border, is one of the most spectacular in the New York metropolitan area. It includes fabulous vistas over Greenwood Lake, as well as fascinating "puddingstone" rock formations and interesting plants and animals. On the way back, the trail joins the Appalachian Trail for a few hundred feet, which gives a hiker the chance to dream of "through hiking" the entire 2000 mile route, from Georgia to Maine.
Just past the summit, they encountered Surprise Lake, where they took a refreshing dip and cooled off from the hot ascent. They also enjoyed a hot dog barbeque, with food provided by Yosef Kurlantzick ('16). While on the Appalachian Trail, the group met an Eastern Milk Snake, commonly confused with the Eastern Rattlesnake. Fortunately, the Eastern Milk Snake is not venomous, and was not interested in approaching, but it did have a very impressive pattern.
The Mountain Lions are considering an overnight camping and hiking trip sometime in June. If you are interested in joining, please contact Ezra Epstein ('16).
|
Honors College Hears From Professor Chaviva Levin at Final Meeting of the Year
by Bentzion Zuckier ('17)
The tenth and eleventh grade Honors College students gathered in the Library this past Thursday for the last Honors College meeting of the year. The students were served pizza and then the presentation began. The speaker, Professor Chaviva Levin, a Professor of Jewish History in Yeshiva College, discussed Jewish converts and their relation to apostates in the Middle ages. Experientially, she argued, the conversion process of an apostate, or someone who has left the Jewish faith, is similar to that of any non-Jew joining the Jewish people. Both are readily welcomed into their perspective communities, but then often have a hard time acclimating themselves to their new religious lifestyle and culture.
The speech was fascinating and captivating; Professor Levin imparted her idea regarding how to better inculcate converts into Jewish societies. She said that in addition to a Rabbi and a beis din being a part of the conversion process, a Jewish family should voluntarily "adopt" a convert to provide the warm sense of a Jewish home. She also taught about the various mitzvos involved in the relationship with geirim from various halakhic sources. We extend our thanks to Professor Levin for taking time out of her busy schedule to address the students, and to Dr. Berliner for organizing the various Honors College presentations and programs throughout the school year.
|
Miracle on Hard Court: Lions Defeat Top Seeded Cobras
by Ezra Wildes ('17)
On Tuesday night, the MTA Lions Tennis Team came to the courts determined to win their last match of the season. After previous setbacks, they were motivated to do whatever it would take to battle their opponent, Kushner. As MTA arrived at the courts, they watched in fear as the All-Star Kushner team practiced with incredible force and perfection. However, the Lions were motivated to defy all odds by their inspirational coach, Eli Gerwitz ('07). As the sun began to set, the matches commenced. The tension filled the air as the various matches picked up in intensity. With sweat pouring from his beard, Josh Zyskind ('17) aced his opponent and knocked him down with his wicked strikes. Ezra Wildes ('17) strategically battled the flaws of his opponent to take the lead and win his match. Eli Gruenberg ('17) sliced his way to victory throughout an intense and remarkable match. And Josh Hamburger ('17) and Yossi Mandelbaum ('17) flawlessly left Kushner with their jaws dropped winning a total shutout (10-0). Through the tremendous effort and skill of the entire team, MTA managed to defeat Kushner 5-0 in a grueling match that truly depicted the will and talent of the MTA Tennis team. It was a true David and Goliath victory for MTA, resulting in an incredible end of the season.
|
Lions Defeat Hillel Heat in Softball Quarterfinals
by Akiva Richman ('19)
This past Friday, MTA's JV Softball team faced off against the Hillel Heat in the quarterfinals. MTA had lost to Hillel in the regular season 7-0, but the result of the playoff game was very different. As the away team, the Lions started off the game with three straight hits by Eitan Warburg ('19), Coby Sorotzkin ('19), and Gabe Isaacs ('18). With the bases loaded, Daniel Landa ('19) hit a 2-RBI double to give MTA an early lead. Hillel tied the game in the bottom of the inning with a two run home run, but MTA regained the lead in the second inning. Coby Sorotzkin hit a 2-RBI triple, and Gabe Isaacs hit a single to score Sorotzkin. Then, in the fourth inning, the Lions scored seven runs, led by Daniel Landa's three run homer. Later in the game, one of Hillel's players hit a ball to shallow right field. Ephraim Landa ('19) ran out from second base and made an amazing over the shoulder grab. Eitan Pfieffer ('19) pitched for MTA and ended two innings on strikeouts, as the Lions won the game 12-5. The MTA Lions will play their semi-final game this Friday against HAFTR.
|
|
Please share with us your significant family milestones so we may appropriately acknowledge events and losses and properly communicate information.
|
|
Support YUHSB at these stores!
|
A Lion's Life Executive Staff
Faculty Advisor: Elie Hirt
Publishing & Design: Devir Kahan ('13)
Editors in Chief: Raziel Siegman ('17) & Ari Englander ('17)
Executive Editors: Rafi Felder ('17), Bentzion Zuckier ('17) & Rami Nordlicht ('16)
Sports Editor: Aryeh Bienstock ('17)
Director of Digital Content: Shimmy Socol ('16)
|
|
