by Rafi JosselsonAs summer approaches, many students begin their summer reading. To discover some books that students should read, Rafi Josselson asked teachers around the school about their summer book recommendations. Title: The Adventures of Kavalier and ClayGenre: Fiction Recommended by: Dr. Aviv The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay showcases the great contributions of Jewish
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Behind the Scenes; Stage crew plays large role in TLS performances
by Lily Jacobson ’24 Lights. Camera…wait…wait…Mic check. Tape. Props. Costumes. Make-up. Sound. Curtain…ACTION! Junior Noah Holmgren began working on TLS stage crew his freshman year. This year he was given soundboard operation duties, which involve making sure the audience can hear the show and the sound effects. “Without the stage crew the show doesn’t happen,
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🎵 Tradition, Tradition 🎵; TLS sees recent increase in female students wearing tallitot, tefillin
by Rafi Josselson ’25 Since the Rabbinic era, Jewish men have been instructed to wear tefillin and tallit during tefilot. These rituals can be powerful symbols of connection to God and to Jewish faith, but until the past few years, most Jewish women have not been included in the obligation to take on these mitzvot.
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A Purim Party at Leffell
by Naomi Kellman ’25 Chag Purim, Chag Purim, Chag Gadol Hu La’Yehudim. Purim time, Purim time, a big festival for the Jewish people. But why is Purim such an important or popular holiday in Jewish tradition? Last Thursday, TLS came together to celebrate Purim. Along with the four mitzvot obligated to fulfill on the holiday,
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A Trip Like No Other: Freshmen, sophomores prepare for exciting joint Israel experience
by Sophie Zuckerman ’25 The trip you have all been waiting for is now only a week away. There are still many unknowns that remain. Will Israel’s borders be open? Will students be eligible for boosters? Through all these bumps in planning this Israel experience, people like Director of Upper School Admissions Jackie Grosser, who
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Now Presenting: The challenges of theater through COVID
by Ari Mayblum ’25 As if performing an in-person high school musical is not challenging enough, members of this year’s production will have yet another obstacle to overcome by following newly introduced COVID protocols. This year, the High School will perform “The Drowsy Chaperone” which opens on February 5, a comedy about the events that
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Dividing wall, divisive issue? TLS introduces Mechitza Minyan, various opinions surface
by Ary Hammerman ’25 In early October, The Leffell School piloted a Mechitza Minyan, in which men and women are not permitted to sit together and are separated by a barrier. The minyan meets weekly on Thursdays, one of the in-school Torah reading days. TLS was founded as the Solomon Schechter School of Westchester in
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More than Just Cheesecake: TLS Prepares for Shavuot
by Elijah Wiseman Shavuot marks the 50th day in the Omer count since Pesach and celebrates the spring harvest. According to the Gemara, Shavuot represents the day God gave the Torah to the Israelites. In preparation for the celebrations, here are a few facts about it: In the time of the Temple, Pesach was when
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Why is this year different from all other years? 10 ways to make the Passover Seder fun this year.
by Lily Lebwohl Why is this year different from all other years? Ten ways to top last year’s Passover Seder! With our second pandemic Passover approaching, some worry it might be difficult to keep the Seder enjoyable and meaningful due to the lack of people. Keeping the conversation going and catching up is easy to
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S’mores and Bonfires
By Andrew Bosworth “Even in the dark times, finding the light is what it’s about… and smores and bonfires”, said M&K Tefilah elective leader Ariel Simon. Counting the Omer is a Jewish tradition, where one counts the days from Passover to Shavuot. During this period of time, people observing this tradition may not cut their
