“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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No, this isn’t about an exercise routine but rather words that describe our annual Freshman Pre-Pesach trip to Brooklyn. Students made matzah with Hasidic Rabbi Mordechai Twerski, packaged hundreds of canned goods for Oneg Shabbbos, the organization that distributes Pesach food packages to 1,000’s, and prepared nine crates of  raw chicken pieces for the 600 meals that Masbia serves daily for clients who come for dinner. Our visit with Rabbi Deutsch at the “Living Torah Museum” introduced the students to ancient, medieval weapons used by valiant Bible soldiers and kings. The Rabbi tested our students physical stamina and knowledge of Mishna and Gemara sources. We had several winners!

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The money we raise from this year's mishloach manot project will be sent to "The Mount Sinai Medical Center's Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment."

We have been inspired by junior student, David Bernheim who has been shadowing Matis, his Rabbi's son, for more than five years. We had the honor of listening to Rabbi Marc Penner, Matis' father on Friday.

What was especially remarkable about the Rabbi's speech was his use of candor, humor and passion. He also shared a special story with us about David Hamelech. The gemara, the Rabbi explained, teaches us that God divided King David's kingdom because David was not able to have empathy for or able to "put himself in the shoes of" a paralyzed person. We face a similar challenge but  the Rabbi assured us, one that can be overcome  without much effort. 

Please click on "Friday D'var Torah Series." When you listen to Rabbi Penner, you will be as inspired as we were.

Please give generously to our Purim cause, by investing in  research, we can "Unlock the Secrets of Autism."

It's been more than four years since Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was abducted by Hamas, and this tragic case may already have been forgotten by some.

Since November, 2006 a small, dedicated group of Ramaz students meets on Wednesday mornings, at 7:50am, opposite the Iranian Mission. We don't do all that much but we feel that our Prayer Vigil is better than silence. Passersby take our informational cards, some ask questions but many ignore us or frown.

This past Wednesday, to raise consciousness amongst our students, we invited Jay Zuller, a committed activist, to speak. Jay has personally taken up Gilad Shalit's cause. As students entered school, they were given a "Bring Gilad Shalit Home Now" t-shirt to wear throughout the school day.

We urge you to click on "Yom Gilad" and listen to Jay Zuller. Please watch the four minute video clip and you will be as inspired as our students were and kindly PASS THE LINK ON TO FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

We can keep Gilad's picture visible, we can continue to talk about his plight and we can write to our local congress representatives, and more suggestions are on Jay's website, bringgiladhomenow.com. Jay and his family made aliyah in 2009 and he visits Noam and Aviva Shalit every week in their "Ohel," the tent in which the Shalit family lives, next to the President's house in Jerusalem.

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Thirty two, fifth graders arrived at Ramaz and our school resounded with oohs and ahs from these youngsters who attend PS 50 in South Jamaica, Queens. PS 50 children hail from, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Guyana, Ecuador, Africa and Mexico. 

Our high school volunteers worked together with the children in our science lab with Dr. Aharon, solving a blood-typing “mystery,” in the computer lab, “Googling Earth,” in the gym playing sports’ games, and in the auditorium, gift wrapping books for children who live in Costa Rica. 

Spending time and talking with these youngsters whose diverse customs, languages and traditions are different from ours was an enlightening experience. We have since held a winter clothing drive for PS 50 and plan to continue our relationship with our new friends who live just across the bridge. Visit Crossing Bridges: Making Friends and see us in action!  

Blue, green, orange and pink colored t-shirts emblazoned with the words: נס, גדול, היה, שם were worn by our students, boasting each grade’s team. Competitions included: original graphic designs, Divrei Torah, stomp presentations, limud, cheers, songs, films, whacky olympics, college bowl, menorah making, and sports. The many aspects of Chanukah, its history, battles and miracles were all addressed.

Ultimately, בימים ההם בזמן הזה was the message that resounded throughout the school and the light and joy of the holiday was spread and felt by everyone.

Please click on “Battle of the Grades” to enjoy fifty four fabulous photos that have been posted for you to enjoy, thank you Ms. Rabhan!

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