The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 31

Heschel At Heschel and Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day

By Nina GlesbyEVERY YEAR BEFORE Martin

Luther King Day, the entire Heschel school celebrates a week devoted to Abraham Joshua Heschel. Each day during the afternoon ten minute break, a different middle school teacher recites a famous quotation by Rabbi Heschel over the loudspeakers in the hallways.

This year, teachers Jacob Garmaise and Karen Dorr, decided to combine Heschel at Heschel with the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Day of Service holiday. The idea was to challenge each Advisory to find inspiration in Rabbi Heschel and Martin Luther King’s words, to come up with and commit to a Hesed project.  

At the Martin Luther King. Assembly, each advisory presented its project. Several advisories decided to have a series of bake sales to raise money for different causes such as pediatric pancreatitis research or children’s education.

Continued on page 12

“...Know that every deed counts, that every word is power...”

—Abraham Joshua Heschel

Eighth Grade Visits the Washington DC, US Holocaust Memorial Museum

By Mariel PrivenAFTER SEVERAL WEEKS of

studying the Holocaust, researching Hitler’s rise to power, and reading and discussing Elie Wiesel’s memoir Night, the eighth grade was prepared and excited to finally have the opportunity to go to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum located in Washington, DC. The students first ate breakfast and prayed at the University of Maryland Hillel before climbing into the bus. Excitement and curiosity ran through them as they began their journey to the museum. In order to enter the museum, the students and teachers had to go through security. Only afterward were they allowed to roam the

exhibits. The museum is designed so that one must take an elevator to the top and make their way down. The floors are set up in a chronological order of history, beginning with Hitler’s rise to power at the top of the museum, and ending at the bottom with the liberation of the camps and the

Continued on page 9

   The Middle School Musical: Annie Jr., A Hit!

By Abby FisherTHIS YEAR, THE Heschel Middle

School put on itsfirst annual Middle School Musical. Directed by   Anna Savant with assistance from Adam Lubitz, the production used a special adaptation for young performers, Annie, Jr. It is based on the original book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin.

Little orphan Annie, played wonderfully by Ness Krell,   charms everyone's hearts in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find her parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan, energetically played by Abigail

Sylvor-Greenberg. Annie finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, played by Adam Kern, his personal secretary Grace Farrell, played by Naomi Kazis-Taylor and a lovable mutt named Sandy, played by Sophie Fisher. Songs such as "It's the Hard Knock Life" and "Tomorrow"

Continued on page 11

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3 FEBRUARY 2015

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 32

Letter from the EditorsDear Readers,WE ARE VERY excited to bring you

our third edition of The Heschel Herald! So much has happened since our last issue. We celebrated Heschel at Heschel Week and Martin Luther King Day, the eighth grade traveled to Washington, DC, visited the Holocaust Museum there, and when they got back, went to see a one-man play titled Wiesenthal. And, of course, we had our very first snow day of the year. In this issue, you will find all different kinds of reviews: book reviews, play reviews, etc..

At this point, we aren’t even going to ask for letters to the editors, (but it would make us happy if you wrote one anyway). Thanks for reading, and hope you enjoyed your February break!

From your editors,Nina Glesby, Mariel Priven, and

Carlin Greenfield.

In Memoriam: David Carrby Carlin GreenfieldTHE HESCHEL HERALD IS sorry

to report the sudden passing of David Carr on February 12th in the New York Times newsroom. He was named in the first issue of the Heschel Herald this year, “Journalist of the Issue.” Most Recently Carr was the cultural correspondent for the New York Times, He created "The Carpetbagger," reporting on the "News and Nonsense" from the Red Carpet during awards season. On the scandal surrounding Brian Williams’ false claim that he was shot down by an RPG; Carr said, "We want our anchors to be both good at reading the news and also pretending to be in the middle of it."

In his Monday column, The Media Equation, and in separate articles, he wrote about: issues of free speech and the Charlie Hebdo attacks; new devices both promising and confounding like the collapsible pole, sometimes called the “Narcissistick,” that helps cellphone users

take selfies; personalities in the news like Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks; big media personalities like Michael R. Bloomberg and Rupert Murdoch, and fleeting ones, like Randy Michaels, who was briefly the chief executive of the Tribune Company until a 2010 report by Mr. Carr exposed his coarse behavior and cronyism, and he was forced to resign.

In a statement, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr., The New York Times’ publisher and chairman, said that “David Carr was one of the most gifted journalists who has ever worked at The New York Times.” And in an email to staff members Thursday night, Dean Baquet, the executive editor, described Mr. Carr as “the finest media reporter of his generation, a remarkable and funny man who was one of the leaders of our newsroom.”

He will be missed.

2014–2015

EditorsNina Glesby

Carlin GreenfieldMariel Priven

Staff WritersEli Buchdahl

Leah Namdar-Cohen Anna Dubey

Abigail Sylvor-GreenbergAbby Fisher

Sophie FisherJacob FraimanAyelet Kaminer

Talia KahanAdam Kern

Tova KleinerNoa Levine

Maya LukemanRachel Mehler

Sabina Sternklar-DavisAlexandra WengerTema Zeldes-Roth

Contributing WritersAbigail Jacob

ArtEighth Grade

Students

PhotographyCarlin Greenfield

Karen Dorr

Faculty AdvisorKaren DorrJudy Katz

Layout & DesignKaren Dorr

Please send us your opinions and responses to any of the articles or editorials you read in the Heschel Herald. We will print your letters; it’s fun to see your name in print. Try it.

Little Orphan Esther says, “Purim is coming. Do you know what your

costume is?”Prizes Awarded at the

March 5th Middle School Purim Celebration!

page ���3

Into the WoodsA Film ReviewBy Noa LevineINTO THE WOODS, the

filmed version of the Stephen Sondheim Broadway musical,  made its debut on December 25, 2014, and became an immediate hit. Directed by Rob Marshall, the film has been nominated for three Oscars in the categories of Costume Design, Production Design, and Actress in a Supporting Role for

Meryl Streep.The film follows the intertwining

stories of Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Giant Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and The Baker and his Wife, which is the only story that is not a Grimm Brothers’ fairytale.  Each of the main characters have one wish, and the movie chronicles their journey. The Baker and  his Wife wish for a child, Little Red wishes to get to grandmother’s house, Cinderella wishes to attend the ball, and Jack wishes for his cow, Milky White, to produce milk. The witch, portrayed by the incredible Meryl Streep, has placed a curse on the Baker and his Wife so that they can never have a child. However, she will remove the curse if they can retrieve

four items within three midnights: a slipper as pure as gold, hair as yellow as corn, a cape as red as blood, and a cow as white as milk.      The plot mostly follows the original Stephen Sondheim musical first staged in 1986, but each individual plot has been altered a bit. The musical and the movie remain mostly the same, with the

exception of two differences that this reviewer will not reveal, so as not to spoil the movie for those who have not seen it. Responding to   the criticism of the changes, Rob Marshall, the director, said, “We’ve seen people, who because they are too faithful to the original source material, make a film that doesn’t work...and that is doing the piece a disservice.”

The movie is interesting and engaging, if a little long. The play was originally performed in two acts with an intermission. The movie is just over two hours. Into the Woods is a delightful film that I would certainly recommend seeing.

You Can’t Take It With You

Theatre ReviewBy Talia KahanYOU CAN’T TAKE it With You is a hilarious Broadway show written by Moss Hart and George

Kaufman. The show takes place during the Great Depression and tells the story of the Sycamore family, in which each family

member is taught to follow his or her dreams, no matter how strange they may be.

The play stars James Earl Jones as Grandpa, a man who believes that every living person should live his dreams because life is short, and you can’t take it with you when you die. In this family, every member follows Grandpa’s advice except for Grandpa himself. Grandpa quit his job on Wall Street, deciding instead to spend his days watching any type of graduation. He also does not believe in paying income tax because he believes it unnecessary. Mr. Sycamore, Grandpa’s son-in-law, enjoys testing fireworks in the basement even though his “science experiments” occasionally result in an explosion. Grandpa’s granddaughter,

Continued on page 7

page ���4

A Look Out the WindowA persona poem from the perspective

of a Southern, Black, teenager. 1961

By: Tema Zeldes-Roth

I stopI lookI dream

I stopI lookI dream

I dream of everything I could do if only I were differentI imagine all the thingsI could change if I had courageI yearn for all that I could have if I stopped to askWhy

My life is blank, colorless, emptydevoid of substance, a shella failed attempt at something greaterIt lies, strewn on the floor,kicked around by people who are bigger

And I can’t help but wonderWhy

For what do I live this lifeto serve what purpose

For there must be a reasonwhy I haven’t given uplost all hopeThere must be a reasonwhy I wake up every morningand take a step towards the futureperhaps I am here to make a difference

Yet, this optimism does not prevent mefrom wondering if this

cruelty will ever dull

and whether I can change itIt does not prevent mefrom wonderingif there are many actions, perhaps any actions at allthat are bold enough to sway our oppressors

To these questions I have no answersthey hover on the edge of my consciencea swarm of flies that will not, cannot, be deterred

I welcome them in a half-hearted sort of wayfor without them I am afraidI will never pause, look up from the brutality to which I am subjectto question, to push back, to fightAnd so they accompany mesilent, nagging companionsinto the futuretowards change

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A Conversation Poem: An Encounter With SnowBy Abigail Jacob

It was brisk and windy as I walked home.It began to snow,fluffy, voluminoussnowflakes.A particularly ample flakelanded on the sleeve of my navy blue coat.It caught my attention.

“You seem cold,” said the cluster of frozen water.

“I am,” I replied. “I’m ALWAYS cold”I was too tired out to be surprisedthat the one and only snowwas talking to me.

“I can tell because I can feel the vibrations of your shivers.”

“That’s creepy.And I have to tell you,my chilliness is maybejust a tiny little bityour fault.”

The snowflake apologized profusely,in a clear, fresh voice.I felt badly.I had offended my favorite part of winter.

“You know, I really do lovethe effect you create in this city.Everything gets frothy,and glitters in the sunlightas you softly fall and makeour regular ground special.

And also, SNOW DAYS!There is an entire day devoted to you!”

“That is so kind of you to say!You know, not everyone appreciates me.Some call me an inconvenience.Others call me a hazard.They complain about the slush I become.But I never stop being me.I always return.

Sometimes I miss a year -and I do apologize for those -but I will never stop.

Don’t let anyone tell youto stop being you.Don’t get me wrong,take suggestions!But don’t change who you are,only enhance.

You see,I will never stop being snow,but I will try hard to make sureI stick to the ground,so there can be a snow day.”

I thanked my new friendfor the sage advice.But my unexpected visitorwas nearly gone.

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Boyhood, An Homage to Childhood, Family, and the Miracle of Life

Movie ReviewBy Abigail Sylvor-Greenberg  IN 2002, ACTORS Patricia

Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Ellar Coltrane, and Lorelei Linklater began to create a movie, filming for several weeks. The next year, the same group did precisely the same thing. The next year, the same. So it went for twelve years. In 2014, the result of this long period of filming is a cinema experience unlike any before it, a movie called Boyhood, which chronicles exactly that, boyhood, and with it, so much more.

The film captures primarily the growth of one boy, Mason (Ellar Coltrane), a boy growing up part of a broken family in Texas.  Alongside him several other full and evolving characters: his mother, played by Patricia Arquette, a young mom who struggles to complete school and deal with several abusive relationships; his father, played by Ethan Hawke, who has separated from Mason’s mother prior to the start of the movie and seems to be a sort of dead-beat floater type; and his sister, an arguably less crucial character, who evolves into an example of adolescent angst that precedes Mason’s more closely documented teenaged years. As Mason turns from a dreamy first grader to a somewhat cynical college student,  audiences are privy to many of the great changes that befall his family: Mason’s father’s reformation and marriage; his mother’s completion of college and her marriage; his sister going off to college.  Interestingly, none of these moments are directly captured on screen, not in any conventional way. What viewers witness instead, is a series of quiet scenes, snippets of dialogue, a particularly traumatic haircut, and generally moments of everyday life which when strung together create an

extraordinarily moving story of growing up that is more pure and real than the vast majority of movies being made now.

“Sometimes I remember the details around the event better than the event itself. I never really think of my first kiss much, I think of all the other fun things along the way. And sometimes you’re only an extra when it comes to the big moments from your own narrative,”

said Richard Linklater, director of the film. This is what he sought to evoke as he created what really is an epic compilation of all of the subtleties of growing up, being small in a big world. In this movie, Linklater manages to zoom in very close, to encapsulate a very small and specific story, and still he seems to be telling something much larger than Mason and his family. Coltrane’s performance is sympathetic enough to carry the weight of the enormous film, and nondescript enough as to allow for viewers to attach

their own childhoods to his journey. Mason’s boyhood is a collective

childhood finally captured on film in some sense.

What the movie lacks in a definitive plot, it more than

makes up for in both heartwarming, and heartbreaking fragments of dialogue. For

example, Mason and his father talk about the StarWar movies, or the existence of mythical creatures, to

which Hawke’s character says,  “...I mean, what makes you think that elves are any more magical than something like a whale? “ The film is also home to a lot of philosophical musings. For instance, scenes spent discussing the implications of technology and the importance of ambition (and Mason’s lack thereof), as well as the meaning of life. A particularly poignant line comes from Mason’s mother, who is struggling to accept how fast her life has gone, that it is just  a series of moments. “ I just thought there would be more,” she tearfully says, as her son leaves for college.

These scenes are not bound together by mutual significance to a specific plot. They are connected only by virtue of a single blank-canvas of a boy, who has lived through them all.

Watching Mason journey through time, through all of the subtleties of growing up- those that make all the difference- in the same way a real child does is truly what makes this movie so powerful.  What Linklater and his cast have created will go down as a classic, though it was nominated, and snubbed for the Best Picture Oscar in favor of Birdman, having been called by some fans, “ too subtle for its own good”.  It is a feat in chronicling the fundamental aspects of the human experience that will remind audiences exactly how miraculous real life can be. See this movie, or better yet, see it twice.

page ���7

I’ll Give You The SunA Book ReviewBy Abigail Sylvor-GreenbergHOW MUCH POWER do the bonds

between us have? This is one of the major questions raised by Jandy Nelson’s YA novel, I’ll Give You The Sun. It is a story told in dual perspective by teenaged twins Noah and Jude, living in the beach community of Lost Cove, California. The plot, chronicling the buildup, and fallout of a family tragedy pushes the multi faceted relationship between these two irreplaceable characters through many a hurdle, and many a triumph, all seemingly in search of an answer to the above question. The two fall in love, they fall apart, and ultimately, they reconcile the fragments of their broken bond, bridging the divide between before and after, in a way that seems an almost miraculous testament to the power of fate and destiny. 

The before chapters are narrated by a thirteen year old Noah. He grapples with issues of identity, finding his place in the social construct of the Lost Cove teen circle, as well as embracing and exploring his sexual orientation in a relationship

with the baseball-pitching, popular boy next door, Brian. All the while, a coveted spot at a nearby art school, and his mother’s infidelity force Noah to question everything he knows about his family.  During this time, the twins experience an increasing strain on their relationship, bolstered by their individual social and familial conflicts. There is a definite sense that they are being pushed to the brink.

The after chapters are narrated by Jude; it is three year later and she is 16 years of age. In the earlier portion of the story, Jude has become someone Noah no longer recognizes, willingly objectified by a group of teenaged boys, angry at her brother, and struggling to hold onto the shreds of herself she still loves. “ Do you really want to be that girl?” Asks her mother, time and time again. Yes. This is the answer that Jude ultimately musters. Though it may be too late to tell this to her mother, Jude does eventually find the part of herself that went missing in the wake of events that separates Noah’s piece of the story from her own.

Both twins fall in and out of love with themselves, and with others. They essentially switch personalities between the earlier, and later pieces of the book, this being further proof that they are, in fact, connected. As the twins slowly untangle the web of tragedy which has taken form in their lives, the meaning of their connection changes, becoming more evident, and also less binding. Together, they end up back where they are supposed

to be: Noah, a dreamy painter, and Jude a feisty, fearless young woman. The physical, emotional, and thematic details come together in the end. There is the realization that a bond, even under terrible pressure, always prevails.

In this novel, Nelson creates characters with distinct voices, who readers will root for, despite their definite flaws. She paints a full, colorful picture of the Sweetwine family which matches the vibrancy of its artistic members. The writing style is infused with lyricality and whimsy, as well as a healthy dose of blunt adolescent humor. If one were to have one complaint, it is that the book is very nearly too dense. It is overpopulated with plot twists and philosophical revelations, particularly towards the end.

Still, this book is a gem, one of many facets. The game in which the twins trade pieces of the universe, for which the book is named, is guaranteed to tug at the heart of anyone who reads  it. The love stories depicted will make the most apathetic

souls swoon. This story of t i m e , a r t , passion, and the bonds that hold us together, is one that most certainly should not be missed.

You Can’t Take It With You, ReviewContinued from page 3Essie, and her husband, make candies and sell them with

a quote pasted inside the wrappers. Alice Sycamore, the most conventional daughter, wishes to have a calm, regular family, and live a normal life. Alice’s boyfriend comes from just the opposite family; his father is the president of a bank and despises his job, and his mother is the stereotypically traditional mother of that time, and spends her time cooking and cleaning.

Alice would like for there to be just one peaceful and quiet night enabling her boyfriend to come over for dinner and

meet her crazy but lovable family. Despite all of Alice’s efforts to make it the best night possible, it turns out to be the opposite of what she had planned. In fact, everybody ends up in jail by the end...

This show makes you think about your own life, and wonder if you are really fulfilling your dream and doing what you would like to do. You Can’t Take it With You is an experience and play that everyone can relate to   and is hilarious. Unfortunately, You Can’t Take it With You closed on February 22nd, but if there is another revival, be sure to see it.  Remember you can not take life with you!

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 3 8

Social Action Club News:The Heschel Middle School Has Not Forgotten Darfur

By Dylan Kassin

THE SOCIAL ACTION Club has begun working on our advocacy campaigns for 2015.  The first, which we are drafting, is about the continuing crisis in Darfur and the need for US action in

the form of passage of H.R. 1692: Sudan Peace, Security, and Accountability Act of 2013. To require the development of a comprehensive strategy to end serious human rights violations in Sudan, to

create incentives for governments and persons to end support of and assistance to the Government of Sudan, to r e i n v i g o r a t e g e n u i n e l y comprehens ive peace efforts in Sudan, and for other purposes. This bill  seeks an end to human

rights violations in Sudan, with accountability against violators, and promotes actions for peace.

Petition that will be circulated during Purim:

Dear UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, member States of the UN Security Council and the African Union

Ten years ago the Government of Sudan began a genocide in Darfur. A decade later the suffering in Darfur is not over and neither should be the outcry and global efforts for peace, justice, and relief.

As concerned citizens of the world, we call on you to expend all resources at your disposal to bring an end to the suffering in Darfur and other areas under attack including Blue Nile and South Kordofan; urgently address the humanitarian crisis; bring those accountable for human rights crimes to justice; and protect the vulnerable to bring a just and lasting peace to Darfur and all of Sudan.

Thank you,[Name, Address]

All Is Still, A Poem By Maya Lukeman

Hills move, mountains fall.the clouds are bending low.The sun is dripping down,brushing the grass’ surface.But the bustling city,the one that moves and grooves,is still.

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 3 9

US Holocaust Museum VisitContinued from page 1end of the war, in the room of

remembrance where visitors have the opportunity to light candles in honor of those who perished in the war.

Throughout the museum there were several exhibits that the students found especially moving. One in particular was a room filled with shoes that had once belonged to those who were murdered. Those visiting the museum would stand in the center of the room, and on either side of them were mountains of hundreds of shoes. The shoes varied in all shapes and sizes, designs and styles. Looking at the shoes, the students were able to comprehend the fact that millions of individuals, each with unique opinions and tastes, sizes and ages, had been killed by the Nazi regime.

 Another part of the museum that the students found disturbing was an exhibit with models and replicas of the cattle cars that those imprisoned had traveled in, and the barracks that had become the uncomfortable homes for the Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, and others. The students had the opportunity to walk through the cattle cars and barracks, experiencing the small, uncomfortable, closed in spaces that the imprisoned had to live in for a relatively long time.

      At the conclusion of the visit to the museum, eighth grade students and teachers gathered together in the Room of Remembrance, where they were able to make a private, silent prayer as they each lit a candle to honor those who had died. The students talked about different parts of the museum that were particularly moving and striking. Afterwards, everyone recited the Kaddish as one. The following day was spent reflecting on the experience with different types of art.

Processing Grief Through Art By Tema Zeldes-RothFOLLOWING OUR RETURN from

DC, we did not return to regularly scheduled classes but instead were given time to reflect on what we had studied about the Holocaust and seen at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. The activities aimed to help students process the horrifying information that they had learned and help them sort out their emotions relating to the Holocaust.

The day began with a presentation given by Mathias Salmon, a fellow 8th grader who instead of going on the DC trip, visited Auschwitz  for the Seventieth Commemoration of its liberation. The somber and moving presentation helped set the tone for the day. Mati shared images of Auschwitz and the feelings he experienced there. Feelings that were similar to what we had felt at the museum.

We were then divided into groups, with roughly six students in each one. Each group was assigned a different material that they had to work with to create art inspired by words or images that they collectively remembered. For example, one group could only work with cardboard, while another group could only use black and white paint. Others used color paint, or collage. One group was given tiles to carve for print-making. Otherwise, there were no limitations- each group could create as they chose. This broad and obscure assignment left room for every group to use their own interpretation of the task depending on how they responded to everything that they learned and saw at the museum. When all of the groups finished their work and had written an artist’s statement on their piece, they presented their project to the rest of the grade.

Working on the art projects allowed us to begin to grapple with our feelings

Continued on page 10

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 3 10

Processing Grief Through ArtContinued from page 10

about the Holocaust. It opened a door to future discussions and questions, and it planted the seed for a desire to understand.

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 3 11

Heschel At Heschel and MLK Service Day

Continued from page 1One advisory decided to give

out samples of frozen yogurt on the streets along with a note with a nice message on it.

Another advisory will host a middle school art show and donate the money they earn to a child welfare organization. Some advisories have already started their projects, and others are still planning. The idea was presented to inspire the students to give back to the world, and answer Martin Luther King’s challenge, “What are you doing to make the world a better place?” Heschel students responded with enthusiasm. The assembly ended with the traditional singing of, “We Shall Overcome,” as they watched images from the Civil Rights Movement.

A Civil Rights Journey By Sabina Sternklar-Davis and Rachel MehlerON MARTIN LUTHER King Day

weekend, several eighth and ninth grade students embarked on a civil rights journey sponsored by The B'nai Jeshurun Synagogue Youth Group. On the first two days of the trip, the group traveled through Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama, visiting museums such as the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Rosa Parks Museum; we  met activists, and learned about the community. The group also visited the headquarters of The Names Project, which works toward spreading awareness about the HIV/ AIDS virus,  as well as supporting and memorializing victims of the disease by making quilts with the names of victims. More than 48,000 individual 3-by-6-foot

memorial panels — most commemorating the life of someone who has died of AIDS — have been sewn together by friends, lovers and family members. It was incredibly powerful to realize the impact this virus has had on so many.

Additionally, the group visited the 16th Street Baptist Church, in Birmingham, Alabama, which was bombed by white terrorists in 1963, killing four young black girls who were in Sunday school at the time. While there, the group met and spoke with Bishop Woods, who worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Immediately after, the group traveled to Montgomery, Alabama where the participants met an elderly woman, who told us her personal story of how discrimination against people of color had impacted her life; she shared, too, that she had the honor of meeting President Barack Obama, who was so touched by her story that he included it in

a speech he made several days after meeting her.  

Next, the group drove to Atlanta, Georgia, where we had the opportunity to visit Martin Luther King‘s Ebenezer Baptist Church, and participate in a Sunday morning service, which was very spirited and moving for all in the group. The minister that delivered the sermon even mentioned the words and commitment of Rabbi Heschel! Following the service, we visited Martin Luther King’s tomb stone, which was emotionally affecting. On the last day of the trip, the group spent several hours volunteering at a community garden in a very low income neighborhood by building and painting benches, digging the foundation for a house, and mulching a garden. The group had an incredible experience with a new understanding of the Civil Rights movement.

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Annie, Jr. Continued from page 1were exuberantly sung by a chorus of

orphans that included: Raphaela Gold, Odelya Kalmanofsky, Tillie Germain, Maya Lukeman, Alexandra Wenger, Leah Fruchtman, Sydney Butler, Sabrina Zbar, Abbie Orlinsky, and Eliana Solomon.  

The lighting, operated by Jacob Fraiman under the supervision of Abe Hendin  was well done and truly set the mood for each scene. Students also helped with the sound and Eduardo Szajman served as stage manager. The set captured the time period and the staging and choreography were executed well.  

The entire Heschel Middle School took time out of the school day to see the production and support their fellow classmates.  In addition, this show was a bonding experience; it allowed students from the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades to get to know each other. Students worked extremely hard to put on this show; they missed classes and stayed late after school, but it was all worth it!  The best part of the show was the look of accomplishment on the performers’ faces at it’s close. There was a unique sense of camaraderie and pride. Everyone seemed to have a   special experience and all participants learned and grew a lot through this production.

Throughout the halls of the Heschel Middle School, the sound of students singing and humming the tunes from Annie, Jr can still be heard.

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 3 13

Red Carpet Fashion at The Oscar Awards

By Ayelet KaminerThe Oscars, the day when stars come

to celebrate the best movies of the year and look amazing while doing it. This year, no one was surprised when celebrities stepped onto the red carpet in clothes by designers such as Calvin Klein, Azzedine Alaia and Zuhair Murad. Scarlett Johansson rocked her new undercut in an emerald green Versace dress and a matching statement necklace. Emma Stone wore a green dress as well. The best actress nominee showed up to the award show in a long sleeved chartreuse custom Elie Saab gown which she paired with bright orange lipstick. Best actress winner Patricia Arquette wore a Rosetta Getty black and white dress with an asymmetrical bodice which looked nice on her, and although her hair looked slightly messy, the overall look was elegant and sophisticated. Meryl Streep, everyone’s favorite witch, did not show up in a dress and instead wore a black blazer, a skirt and a white blouse. Felicity Jones looked very elegant in a grey Alexander McQueen  ballgown and a white clutch. Some of the more daring looks were worn by stars like Lady Gaga, who wore a white Azzedine Alaia dress that took 2 months to make and red leather gloves. Yes, you read that correctly, red leather gloves. Though most of the looks that were seen on the red carpet were worn by women, men at the oscars also looked fashionable. Eddie Redmayne, Best actor winner, wore a navy Alexander McQueen suit that looked amazing with his wife, Hannah Bagshaw’s dress. Navy suits seemed popular at the Oscars this year as Ansel Elgort wore a navy and black Prada suit. David Oyelowo showed up in a red Dolce & Gabbana suit that was hard to pull off but he totally did. Through all the celebrations and awards, there was one undeniable fact, and that is that the cutest

dressed couple was definitely host Neil Patrick Harris and his husband, David Burkta dressed in Brunello Cucinelli and Calvin Klein suits. Though it’s sad that the awards season is over, no one can wait to see what’s in store for

next year.

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 3 14

Oscars, Activism, And Social Justice

By Talia KahanThe winners of the Oscars were

announced on February 22nd 2015 at the 87th Annual Academy awards. The Oscars were held in the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The Oscars were hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. The nominees for Best Picture were: American Sniper, The Imitation Game, Birdman, Selma, The Theory of Everything, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and Whiplash. was directed by Clint Eastwood. This is his fourth time being nominated for Best Director and eleventh time in general. It tells the story of the life of sniper Chris Kyle while he is is the army and out of the army. The Imitation Game, which was directed by Morton Tyldum, is about Alan Turing(Benedict Cumberbatch), a mathematician in World War Two who cracked the Nazis’ Enigma code, but was jailed for being a homosexual. Birdman, which won the award for Best Picture, was directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. It is about an actor (Michael Keaton) who once played a superhero and who attempts to remake his career in acting. The movie is about his life leading up to the opening of his Broadway play. Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay, is about the widely known story of Martin Luther King, Jr.(David Oyelowo) and his march in Selma. The Grand Budapest Hotel was directed by Wes Anderson and is a murder mystery involving theft and the recovery of a priceless painting. It takes place in a European hotel and the main character is a lobby boy played by Ralph Fiennes. Last, Whiplash,  directed by Damian Chazzelle, is about a first year music student who plays the drums in a band directed by an overbearing and crazy man, J.K Simmons.  Simmons won the Best Supporting Actor award. The movie addresses how far people can be pushed to achieve greatness.

  What stood out most, were the many eloquent acceptance speeches this year. including Patricia Arquette, who won for Best Actress in the film Boyhood. She stated, “It’s time to have wage equality once and for all, and equal rights for women in the United States of America.” Common and John Legend gave a powerful and heart rending speech at the Oscars this year when they won the Best Song award for “Glory” in the film Selma. Common said, “This [the bridge in Selma] was once a landmark of a divided nation but now it is a symbol for change.” He added, “Selma is now, because the

struggle for justice is right now.” John Legend stated, “It is an artist’s duty to reflect the times in which we live… We know right now the struggle for freedom and justice is real.” John Legend also

stated that today, “there are more black men in jail than there were black men enslaved in 1850.” Because Martin Luther King Jr. worked with and was friends with Abraham Joshua Heschel, we at The Heschel School,  can relate directly to the

speech and understand the importance of the struggle for freedom for everyone. Eddie Redmayne who won Best Actor for his role in The Theory of Everything dedicated his award for everyone who has ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and a plea to find a cure.

G r a h a m Moore, the winner of the Oscar for writing the Best A d a p t e d

Screenplay, The Imitation Game, also gave an inspirational speech. Graham Moore explained, “When I was 16 I tried to kill myself because I felt weird and different. I felt like I didn’t belong.” He then conveyed a message that we can all relate to. He said that even if you are feeling

weird or displaced you should, “Stay weird, stay different.” He told everyone to wait until it is their turn to be on a stage, winning some kind of award, and then to pass on this same message. These are amazingly powerful words for all of us;  we all, in certain places or situations, have felt  like we do not belong, but it’s okay to be “different.”

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 3 15

Eyeglass Fashion, 2015 By Noa Levine2015 USHERS IN several new trends

for eyeglass wearers, among them oversized glasses, cat eye glasses and glasses with graphical forms. Water and ocean themes proved popular, with Calvin Klein, Rodarte, and Narcisco Rodriguez

all releasing glasses with those inspirations in mind. Other trends include all transparent glasses and bright tones.  Ombre effect glasses also proved to be a

popular favorite, because they can be matched with hair color, nail polish, outfits and more.    

Even Prada has gotten in with the trend, making elaborate seasonal glasses, many of which started the popular trends. Warby Parker offers a less expensive alternative to many well known high end brands. All optical glasses are priced at under a hundred dollars, regardless of the need for special lenses (lenses not just for sight.) They are all still stylish and there are many options.

What Came First: The Chicken or the Egg? A Poll and a Geological Solution to A Riddle

By Jacob Fraiman

A COUPLE OF weeks ago I sent out a straw poll about what came first the chicken or the egg here are the results. As of January 31 2015 there were 31 votes for egg and 29 votes for the chicken. This is not surprising that it was so close

because it shows the dilemma. Because the results of my straw poll were inconclusive I had to look at the opinions of the experts. Popular science said that the egg came first because a chicken can only come out of its own egg. NPR said the egg came first because many millennia ago, a period of a thousand years, there was a hen-like creature that was not really a hen,  and it laid an egg and a rooster-like creature that fertilized the egg was not really a

rooster. The egg that hatched-   yes a chicken! So officially, one could say the egg came first!

page � 16

Frozen 2, “Let It Go!” By Ayelet KaminerAfter the success of Frozen, it was no

surprise when Disney announced a sequel for the Academy Award winning movie. Fans of all ages wanted to know what they could expect from the new movie, so Jennifer Lee, screenplay writer for Frozen, provided some exclusive information about what will be featured in the new film. “We asked people what their favorite parts of Frozen was, and everyone said two things, Olaf and “Let It Go,” so we decided to combine them to make a super-duper fun movie for the whole family! The whole movie will be Olaf singing “Let It Go.” It might sound a bit silly, but here at Disney we spent months thinking about what our fans would enjoy, and we realized that people will watch anything that we make as long as it has a catchy title and a character that says random things.”

In 2010, Tangled came out, and although it made a decent profit, it was not nearly as much of a success as Frozen. Ms. Lee was happy to say why she thought this happened.

“There weren’t enough comedic relief characters.” She said “There was that chameleon thing, but he didn’t really say anything. Imagine this- in the middle of the movie, Olaf jumps in and starts singing, “Let It Go.”  It’s comedy gold!” She said, chuckling. Although Lee seems confident that the movie will be a hit, Disney sequels don’t have such a good history. This is mainly because it is hard to add to a happily-ever-after ending.   When Johnny, a six year old fan of Frozen was

asked for his opinion, he said “I love Olaf! He’s so funny!” He left to go to a birthday party before he could discuss the topic more thoroughly. Lino DiSalvo, the animator for Frozen, also seemed optimistic about the movie; he said, “Honestly, I don’t think it’s such a good idea, but I’m happy that I’ll only have to animate a singing snowman.” After a private discussion with Jennifer Lee, he returned to add,  “Frozen 2 will be the best movie ever!” He walked away convulsively laughing. When a parent was asked about what she thinks about the sequel, due to come out in March, she said, “I am not happy! Ever since “Let It Go” came out, my children have been singing it non-stop. This will just

encourage them to sing it more!”Josh Gad, the voice actor who plays

Olaf, said “I’m glad that I’m getting to sing more. In the last movie, the only lines that I had were giggling.”

T h e movie

is set to come out

i n March of 2015, and as Jennifer Lee said “ It doesn’t matter if you watch it or not, because for every person who comes to their senses, theres a five year old who wants to see a snowman singing.”

page � 17

Apple’s New iPhone 6 Campaign- “It’s Not Much Different, But Buy It Anyway”

By Ayelet Kaminer"TODAY, WE ARE launching the biggest advancement in the history of iPhone," Apple CEO Tim Cook said at an event in Cupertino, Calif. "They are without a doubt the best iPhones we've ever done." With the new iPhone 6,  Apple unveiled a new campaign: “It’s Not Much Different, But Buy It Anyway.” In an interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook, Mr. Cook said, “We made the screen just a bit bigger so that it’s almost different, but not. We’ve realized that, no matter what, everyone will still buy our products.” When several of the hundreds of people who waited on line for the new model were asked their opinion, most stated, “I just want to have the newest model, and yes we’re here to

buy it.” One man said, “I don’t really care about any of the new features, I just think that it looks cool to have the latest iPhone model.  Besides, I heard that it can charge in the microwave!.” The people standing on line had been waiting for an average of fourteen hours. The iPhone 6 is a revolution in devices. It’s design provides for it to be hard to hold in one hand and too small to be held with two. It makes a person wonder if they really need it, but who cares about that? The only thing that most want is a phone that looks sleek. Remember, a few years ago Apple released the iPad mini, beginning their journey towards making technology that

nobody n e e d s

b u t e v e r y o n e

buys. Jony Ive, senior vice president of design at Apple puts it best; he said, “One of the hallmarks of the team is this sense of looking to be wrong. It's the inquisitiveness, and sense of exploration. It's about being excited to be wrong, because then you've discovered something new."

page � 18

Grammy Fashion Season By Nina Glesby

I RECKON WE all know that it’s Grammy Fashion season- from just one look around the streets, you’ll find that nearly

all the grammas you know are wearing trendy clothing. From single colored sweat suits to trousers with cashmere sweaters, the Grammy Fashion is totally ‘in’.

Spirit Week is coming to the Heschel Middle

School!

Monday, March 2nd: Wear your pajamas to school!Tuesday, March 3rd: Dress Up

as your favorite book/movie/TV character!

Wednesday, March 4th : The Fast of

Esther (no dressing up).

Thursday, March 5th: Purim! Dress up!

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 3 19

New Teacher: Ido Schwartz-Naor Interview

By Talia Kahan, Anna Dubey, and Alexandra Wenger

Heschel Herald: Where did you come from in Israel?

Ido: I was born in Haifa and I lived in Haifa until I was eighteen. Then I lived in two different kibbutzim, and then I moved to Jerusalem. And now I am here.

Heschel Herald: How many years have you been teaching?

Ido: I taught in Israel for ten years. So I guess this is my eleventh year of teaching.

Heschel Herald: What did you teach.

Ido: I taught Tanach.Heschel Herald: What was

the name of the school you used to teach in?

Ido: I taught in a high school in Jerusalem called Tichon Shelayada The Hebrew University Secondary school.

Heschel Herald: Which grades did you teach?

Ido: I taught seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade.

Heschel Herald: What position were you in the army?

Ido: I was a soldier in the Nachal. It is an infantry, a combat soldier. As a group of friends, we joined the army together. It is called Garin Nachal.

Heschel Herald: How do you like New York?

Ido: I really love it. I have been here many times before. My grandparents are here and I really love it.

Heschel Herald: Do you have any other family in New York?

Ido: I am here with my wife and two children; my daughter Eleanor is two years old and my son Shai is three months old.

Heschel Herald: How do you like Heschel?

Ido: I think that it is a great school. I think that the kids here are very smart and

very cooperative. It is a great school.Heschel Herald: How did you

find your job at Heschel?Ido: There was a teacher here

last year. I knew she was not going to return. So I just applied for the job when I knew she was leaving.

Heschel Herald: What is your favorite part about New York?

Ido: My favorite part... I love the subway. I really love the subway and I love the energy of the city if you know what I mean. It’s busy all the time. I don’t like the weather that much.

Heschel Herald: We know that

expected to come to Heschel at the beginning of the school year. What delayed you?

Ido: I was waiting for my work visa. I was here all the time with my family, but on a tourist visa, and you can not work with a tourist visa.Heschel Herald: What are your favorite foods in N.Y.C?Ido: My favorite foods, well, I eat p r e t t y m u c h everything, I do not like eggplant.Heschel Herald: But what is your very favorite New York food? Pizza? Cookies?Ido: No, no, no. New York is the only place you can get a really good bagel.

Join the Heschel Parents’ Association

for a Middle School

Hesed Event for Parents & Students*

benefitting the Henry Ittleson Center, a residential treatment facility for young, emotionally traumatized children, age 8 - 13. Date: Monday, March 2 Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Where: Heschel High School Dining Hall Heschel students and parents will make gift packages, bake cookies for the children of the Ittleson Center, and decorate planters to cheer up the Center’s common room. Please bring an unwrapped toy or book for a child. Pizza and refreshments will be served. RSVP: bethakern@gmail.com or limorgutkind@gmail.com * This event is for Middle School students and their parents only.

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 3 20

New Teacher At Heschel: Sara Timen Interview

By Mariel Priven and Jacob Fraiman

Heschel Herald: Where were you before you came to Heschel?

Sara Timen: I was living in London and I was working at the Health Foundation of the United Kingdom.

Heschel Herald: How did you find Heschel?

Sara Timen: When I moved back to New York,   I was doing consulting work for the New York Academy of Medicine, and I was looking to move back into teaching. It happened to be that my younger brother knew of the science position that was available. He had a friend who was a f r i e n d o f a friend...long story, and he introduced me to Lori.

Heschel Herald: Where did you grow up?

Sara Timen: I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, specifically a suburb called Beachwood.

Heschel Herald: Are your parents still there?

Sara Timen: My parents are still there but none of my siblings are.

Heschel Herald: How did you get into science?

Sara Timen: I love science. I’ve always been into science. I was a neuroscience major in college, I did a lot of science research. I thought I was going

to medical school, I deferred that, and went into teaching science, through a program called Teach for America, and I taught science for a few years, but then became interested in healthcare. I then went back to graduate school, studying Public Health and Healthcare Policy. I worked for eight years for a Healthcare Policy think tank. And then I decided, for a lot of different reasons, that I wanted to

get back into teaching.Heschel Herald: Did you have a

certain moment that got you interested in science?

Sara Timen: That’s a good question. I loved science as a kid. I loved, when I was little, doing science projects with my father. My dad’s a doctor and he loved science, so we always did a lot of different kinds of science projects together when I was young.   I loved science fairs. So I think, probably in middle school, I really started to get interested. I remember our science teacher brought in a replica of a human

skeleton and the bone remains of “Lucy,” the 3.2 million year old ape, so that students could compare the two. My interest grew in high school; I studied a lot of physics and chemistry. I really liked the physical sciences a lot and that was also what I focused on in college. My enthusiasm grew, and that’s why I like teaching physical science.

Heschel Herald: Currently, what is your favorite type of science?Sara Timen: I don’t think I have a favorite type of science. I am committed to environmental science and health sciences, but I like the technical aspects to the physical sciences as well, probably because I love math.Heschel Herald: Have you taught anything other than science?Sara Timen: I taught math for half a year, and now tutor in math, but mainly science.Heschel Herald: Is there anything interesting that you would like to share with us?Sara Timen: I saw Lebron James play basketball when he was in middle school. I

also lived in Switzerland and England.

Little Orphan Esther says:“Purim is coming.

Do you know what your costume is?”

Prizes Awarded at the March 5th

MS Purim Celebration!

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 3 21

SPORTS The Super Bowl Disappoints Seahawk Fans

By Elijah Buchdahl FROM THE START, the Patriots dominated The Super Bowl. Seattle had only one first down conversion and no completions until 5:36 left in the second quarter. However, they battled back and managed to only be down 14-7, with the ball, driving late in the second quarter. The Hawks got the ball with just 0:31 left in the second quarter, drove all the way to the Pats 11, and then faced a crucial decision: kick the sure field goal or go for it. They decided to go, and Russell Wilson threw a perfect pass to Chris Matthews for a touchdown. Matthews had, earlier in the game, made the first catch of his career, a 44 yard catch that got the Seahawk’s offense rolling. To start the second half, it was all Seahawks, and they were up  24-14 by the end of the third quarter. The previous record for fourth quarter comebacks in the Super Bowl was 7 points. But the Patriots scored two touchdowns and they were up, 28-24, with 2:02 left in the game. Then Seattle embarked on a seemingly fateful drive, looking unstoppable, and after a ridiculous catch by Jermaine Kearse that went off his legs and back into his hands, they arrived at the Patriots one yard line on second down. Then coach Pete Carroll made a very controversial decision to pass the ball, it was intercepted by rookie Malcolm Butler, and Tom Brady and the Patriots had their fourth Super Bowl. The Seahawks had an up and down season. After winning it all, they started the new season 3-3. Many

people thought instead of the Seahawks becoming a dynasty, they were maybe even going to miss the playoffs. However, they quickly rebounded and won 9 out of their last 10 games. They went into the playoffs as the number one seed, and so they would play at home until the Super Bowl. They dismantled the Panthers 31-17, then faced the Green Bay Packers in one of the most memorable NFC title games in recent memory. Green Bay went up 16-0, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a 40-1 record winning by that much going into the game. The ‘Hawks ended up being down 19-7, until they scored a touchdown with 2:01 left in the game. They then converted an onside kick, drove, and scored a touchdown. Going for the 2 point conversion, Russell Wilson was under pressure. He lofted up a pass that hung in the air for seemingly an eternity, then was caught by Luke Willson. So, the Seahawks were up by 3. The Packers scored a field goal, but then in overtime, Wilson led an 87 yard drive concluding with a 35 yard pass to Jermaine Kearse to win the game. It was somewhat redeeming for Kearse, who had dropped multiple crucial passes earlier. The Patriots were also the number one seed in their conference, so they were also the home team for two games. Tom

Brady led the Pats past the Ravens, even though he was down by 14 points two times. Then, at home against the Colts, the Patriots absolutely went wild, demolishing them to the tune of a 45-7 victory. However, reports emerged that the balls that the Patriots used were under inflated, and therefore would have been easier to throw and catch. Two of Patriots, Rob Gronkowski and Brady, scoffed at that notion. Gronk responded by tweeting a picture with the caption “Whoops lol”.

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 3 22

Alert to Chocolate Lovers Everywhere

By Alexandra Wenger

BEFORE 2020, YOU may want to stock up on your cacao beans, because one of the key ingredients in a universal delight -- chocolate -- may be running out. Cocoa beans are hand-harvested twice a year and are usually grown on family farms. When a cocoa tree is planted, it takes about seven years for production.

The trees only grow in tropical regions in South America, Asia and Africa; they grow about 20 degrees below or above the equator, under the shade of other trees.

Political unrest, plant diseases (such as “Frosty Pod”), weather conditions, aging trees and other factors may affect production in cocoa producing countries such as Ghana and The Ivory Coast, the world's main producers.

Because people are eating more chocolates that contain higher percentages of cocoa, chocolate lovers may be in serious trouble. And there are lots of us. According to a Bloomberg report, “Consumer demand for chocolate will exceed cocoa supply by 2020, creating a gap in supply and demand of one million metric tons.”

China,   Western Europe, and North America are the main locations in which chocolate is consumed. From 2008 to 2009,  Europe ate 49.32% of the world’s chocolate. Get ready, because the tasty treat may not last.

Meatless Taco Hamantaschen. This recipe originally appeared on Kosher in the Kitch!Taco Hamantaschen (meatless dairy tacos) for Purim!

Ingredients:1 12 oz. package of Mexican Style Veggie

Crumbles (Lightlife Smart Ground)Frozen ravioli dough pre-cut into circles, defrosted (or wonton wrappers cut into

circles)1 cup of shredded cheddar cheeseGuacamole for serving (optional)

Salsa for serving (optional)Directions:

1. Heat veggie crumbles up on stovetop.2. Place 1 tsp of veggie crumbles in center of each dough circle.

3. Wet edges of dough with water then bring up corners and pinch together to form a triangle.4. Place shredded cheese on top then bake in oven on 350ʹ′ for about 12 to 15 minutes until golden and slightly crispy.5. Serve with salsa and guacamole on top.

Food For Foodies

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 3 23

#Reason4VeganBy Carlin Greenfield

RECENTLY I RECEIVED a letter concerning my articles on veganism and animal rights, before I go on this issue’s Guided Tirade, I will take a minute to answer it.Dear Carlin:I was very impressed and moved by your Q&A article about being a vegan.   I totally agree with you about the horrible cruelty of the industrial food complex.My main question to you is that you seem rather begrudging about any farms or animal products being any better than those of standard industrial farming.   Would you object to eating animal products if they came from farms owned and operated by people who really care about the animals? Long ago I read an article that ultimately led me to become mostly vegetarian.   Its main point was that how animals are treated all their lives is a much bigger sin than the fact that they are killed for food. I found myself moved by that argument.  In fact, if animals are raised humanely, is it a disservice to eat them if they are also killed humanely? If they weren't raised for food, they wouldn't live at all.  It seems to raise the philosophical question of, is it better for an animal to have lived "happily" and then killed for meat, or never to have lived at all?Sincerely - GGThe answer depends on the type of animal product. If the product raised is meat, such as beef and poultry, my answer is no, because less than the killing, it’s the distance from the killing that bothers me. However if the product is an egg raised from a humanely raised chicken, which are challenging to find, because even most small farms use small, dark, and overcrowded chicken coops, but, if it was humanely raised or I collected it in the wild then perhaps I’d consider eating it.

I also have been asked a few questions from fellow students, and after looking through Archival Issues I noticed that they have not been answered, so I will answer them below.

Don't Cow's udders explode if you don't milk them?This is, quite simply, dairy industry propaganda. I often answer this question with another question: did your mother’s breast explode when you stopped breastfeeding? This, although some would debate the similarities between a cow mother and a human mother there is one important similarity: both are lactating females. Quite simply, like your mother when she stopped breastfeeding, if a cow doesn't get milked she will simply stop producing milk.Would you eat meat, dairy, or eggs if it was waste?Yes; although I don't support the livestock industry, if it has been bought by someone else I see no reason to waste it, so, if an animal product was about to be thrown out I would rather eat it then see it go to waste.Okay, to continue, I’m running out of vegan tirades so this time I will be going on a generalized animal rights tirade to start: Seaworld.What is your opinion on SeaWorld and other marine parks?My opinion on SeaWorld is that it is a sorry, sadistic excuse for entertainment. In the wild, orcas swim over 100 miles a day. The tanks at SeaWorld have a circumference of 0.07 miles. The ratio is less than that between twice the perimeter of this page and the thickness of this page. SeaWorld also (in spite of what their press releases say) makes no effort to maintain family ties which, like humans, orcas keep for life. Mother whales have been known to call to their stolen calf for days after the calf has been taken from their mother.What about their conservation efforts?

I will admit that SeaWorld rescues the occasional manatee, however, this could easily be done, and is being done, by a not for profit entity like, The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, whose main concern is the welfare of the marine mammals, not how much money they can squeeze out of them.What about SeaWorld’s educational efforts?What educational efforts? Would you learn about coral by going to the Great Plains? Quite simply, any interactions the public has with the orcas and other non-human animals at SeaWorld are in an environment so foreign to the whales that very little can be educationally gained from them. If you are interested in learning more about the practices at SeaWorld, please see the documentary, Blackfish, which can be streamed on Netflix.

If you have a Question about veganism, vegetarianism, or animal rights, email me at carlingr@heschel.org and I will answer it in the next edition of the Heschel Herald.

Washington, DC 2015

Day One

Supreme Court, Law Clerks

The Capitol

The Alan B. Slifka Middle School ��� February 2015, Volume 5, Issue 325

Little Orphan Esther says:

“Purim is coming. Do you know what your costume is?”

Prizes Awarded at the March 5th

MS Purim Celebration!