“History tells us what happened – fiction tells us how it felt.”

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, a semi-autobiographical novel written by Dai Sijie about the “cultural re-education” of two teenage boys during the early 1970’s, our book selection for Book Day, will do just that: let us feel what communist Chinese policy inflicted on it’s so-called bourgeois population in order to cleanse them from anti-government ideas and pursuits, i.e. cultural and intellectual freedom.

In a witty and winsome story of how the illiterate peasant population in the remote area where the boys were sent was transformed by the young men’s entertaining them with stories based on films and literature, by hearing classical music for the first time, the book will help us understand the recent history of China and the continuing challenge of understanding the Chinese heritage and China’s central role in today’s world. Enjoy viewing a short clip from the film by clicking here.

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Many of you attended and participated in "Celebrating Our 75^th Anniversary," a truly spectacular and memorable event.  We have just posted the student performances online, please click here and enjoy!

Kudos to our gifted and talented directors: Daniel Henkin, Randi Wartelsky, Oded Lev-Ari, Ehran Elisha and Ruth Goodman. Their creativity and dedication to our students is remarkable and greatly appreciated, m'chayil l'chayil.

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After the extraordinary production of Pippin, some of the lead players shared their feelings about the performance: the fun they had, the challenges they faced and the things they learned from Pippin and his trials. Enjoy reading their comments.

Rachel Kastner (’14) played the character Fastrada, Pippin’s conniving stepmother who is manipulative and just wants to ruin everything, a difficult role for Rachel who in real life is a giving, kind and loyal friend to all.

“Everyone is looking for something meaningful in life, something magical. Pippin just happened to think that the only way to reach that goal was to be extraordinary but it’s really the ordinary people who are truly amazing. Pippin realized that at the end. I think we all did.”

Michal Segall (’13) played the Leading Player who is blessed with the gift of magic and narrates the story. The Leading Player is featured singing and dancing in nearly every scene. Michal portrayed the role with a sparkling charisma only as she can and has done in past productions.

“Most of the time Pippin was really focused on what would come next, what would come after and how much better that would be. But, in the end he really was happy with what he had. For me and for many of us in the play we’re always looking for the next best thing. But really, you can find happiness in what you already have.”

David Schwerdt (’13) played Pippin's father Charles, the ultimate authority figure—the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire—whom Pippin describes as the most powerful man in the world. As David said laughingly, “So, I liked being the king and having a little power for once!” On a more serious note, David added,

“As I started reading through the script, I could see the resemblance to the beautiful ‘Book of Kohelet.” It’s finding the meaning in life. For every member of the audience it’s something else. It’s really subjective, the play just let’s people answer that for themselves and that is its beauty. Pippin is seeking an extraordinary thrill but life is really the simple joys, as the play calls it.”

ENJOY THE PHOTOS

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We hope that you enjoyed Sukkot and celebrated joyously with family and friends.  We’ve recently uploaded several new media selections that capture the excitement of our recent programs.

• The United Nations General Assembly’s opening meeting with a call for Palestinian Statehood by President Mahmoud Abbas generated tensions and concerns. These fears were exacerbated by different rallies organized to protest the Durban Conference Anti-racism Commemoration Event. To clarify these complex issues and the serious ramifications of these events, Rabbi Goldmintz spoke to the entire school.

Please click on “State of Palestine” and listen to the Rabbi’s erudite presentation. Rabbi Goldmintz’s presentation addressed many controversial and sensitive issues succinctly and brilliantly. The program was triggered by a well done You Tube produced by The Jerusalem Institute of Justice (watch here)

• Watch the multimedia selection “Book Day: Q&A by Vikas Swarup” and you’ll enjoy revisiting the events of this year’s Book Day. Through many diverse activities, hands-on workshops, colorful presentations and informative sessions, our students were able to “visit” India and appreciate its unique culture.

• Click on the film, “Habitat for Humanity: Building Homes, Building Relationships” and you will see (and hear) how our students struggled with the physical challenges of hoisting lumber, removing debris and laying a new floor. You will also see the fun they had with the teenagers who will eventually live in this newly built home.

Stay tuned to future postings!

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To encourage our students to continue to think about the upcoming year and all that it can be for them, we invited Rabbis Jonathan Morgenstern and Steven Weil, Mr. Charlie Harary and Ms. Gilah Kletenik to speak to the different grades.

Please visit Drashot on Teshuva 5772 to listen to the lectures.

We traditionally have these lectures at this time of year with the hope that our students will be inspired and with renewed vigor and  will make personal commitments that will be personally fulfilling and will also benefit others.

Mr. Charlie Harary is senior lecturer for the Orthodox Union, Aish Hatorah and NCSY. He spoke to the freshmen about “Reaching to the Bottom: How to Have the Life You Want.”

Rabbi Jonathan Morgenstern is Rabbi of the Young Israel of Scarsdale, and spoke to the sophomores about "Davening Doesn't Do It For Me: The Turbulent Relationship Between Teenagers and Tefilah."

Ramaz Talmud and Judaism faculty member, Ms. Gilah Kletenik, Congregational Scholar at KJ and "36 Under 36" recipient from the Jewish Week, spoke to the juniors on “Curb Your Judaism: Why Do Teshuvah? “ 

Rabbi Steven Weil, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union spoke to the seniors about “A Senior's Guide to Yom Kippur.”

We wish you all a year filled with good health, much happiness and the time to enjoy those gifts with family and friends.

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