Class of 2018 Visit National 9/11 Memorial and Museum

This week the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School senior class of 2018 took an inspiring trip to the city to visit the National  9/11 Memorial and Museum where we learned and saw many things from before, during, and after the September 11, 2001 attack.

The visit started off with a short film in which three major world leaders, during the time of 9/11, spoke about how it affected not only the United States, but the entire world. It showed how the whole world banded together to help the United States through their time of distress. Then, we walked around the museum portion of the memorial and saw countless videos, heard many stories and voicemails left to the victims, and by the victims, and read many articles about 9/11. We saw many artifacts and objects, ranging from destroyed firetrucks to articles of clothing from the victims from the historic day. There were videos of news reports from before the attack, speaking of the weather and normal daily things and suddenly stopping everything to cover the story of the world trade centers. There were tickets for games that were supposed to occur, train tickets, and many other artifacts from that day. There was also background information on Al Qaeda: who they were and what they did. Lastly, there was an explanation of the effects that 9/11 had on the world.

This visit to the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum was truly inspiring, touching, and informative to all of the seniors. We were all only a year old when the attack happened, and we didn’t really know the degree of the effects, and how traumatizing it was to the United States. We hear stories about 9/11 all the time, but seeing the videos and reading the articles really made us feel like the event wasn't so historic as we may have thought, and that it had a huge impact on Americans and American society.

We then went outside to the memorial pools that have been constructed where the two twin towers actually stood. The memorial was very impactful. The constant stream of water surrounded by all the names of the people who died had so much symbolism for me.

One thing we took away from the traumatic day was how beautiful the weather was and how people thought the day was going to be like any other normal day in the year. The attack was so unexpected, and nobody was prepared for it. Its incredible how the world can change in a matter of seconds. After experiencing the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum we feel more connected to the history of 9/11 and the effects it had on the world.

~Sophia Sued, Class of 2018

Pathfinders Update: Summer Research

Claire Lessler presenting her research

I interned i​​n a bioinformatics lab, the Michael Berger Lab, under the mentorship of a postdoc. Over the course of the summer, I worked on my own project, which I presented to my lab and to Sloan Kettering Cancer Center researchers at the end of the summer. 

The lab I worked for coordinates a large-scale initiative called MSK-IMPAC, in which cancer patients receive clinical genetic sequencing and are then enrolled in clinical trials targeting their specific genomic alterations. One of the main issues with our method is that it is extremely difficult to analyze its effectiveness; the analysis was done once, manually, in September 2016. I created an algorithm called C-TEAM that can conduct the analysis automatically. I then ran current data through C-TEAM and compared current results to those from September 2016 in order to analyze the improvement of IMPACT over time.

I had an amazing time, and I met tons of new and interesting people. I don't think I could have gotten this experience anywhere else. Thank you for the Pathfinders program for helping achive this opportunity.
~Claire Lessler​, Class of 2018

I have learned so much from my experience this summer at The Albert Nerken School of Engineering at the Cooper Union. We have isolated plasmids and transformed different strains of bacteria to produce beta carotene. We did this using various techniques we learned about in AP Biology. We have done DNA purification, cloning using PCR, and followed countless other protocols with the guidance of our teaching assistants.

From the start of this program we have been learning what conducting an experiment is all about. We have been trained to identify a problem and search for possible solutions. We all had to come up with experimental designs in detail that we can conduct to reach our final goal of creating a cricket that is high in vitamin A. We did background research and dissected crickets twice! I have plated bacteria and grown cultures! I have been able to experience how a lab truly functions. I have had the opportunity to do amazing work all because of the Pathfinders program!
~Barbara Chrem, Class of 2018

The Phoenix 2017-2018 Issue 1

Commission Fair 2017!

 From Girls Who Code, to Mishmar, to the Chess team - there are so many ways for Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School students of all grades to take on new opportunities.Yesterday a successful commission fair helped all students, whether they are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior- find new and exciting clubs to get involved in! There was also cotton candy and popcorn for all to enjoy.

The annual SGO Commission Fair was a fun and efficient way to help students discover new activities they’re interested in. Each commissioner had a booth with a display, explaining what their club was, what their purpose was, and why you should join. Next step would be determining if you’re interested- and if you were, you’d sign up. Everyone had a fun time signing up for their favorite activities and clubs- especially the incoming freshmen. Tons and tons of freshmen had each signed up for more than five clubs to see what activities they were intrigued by.

It was exciting for each leader of each club to see so many people take concern and interest in their own clubs, because by the end of the commission fair- almost each sign up sheet for every activity was completely filled!

“The commission fair was a great opportunity to recruit more writers,” says senior Sharon Chappan, commissioner of the school blog, MyFlatbushLife. “It was a great way to recruit new freshmen that enjoyed writing, as well as anyone else in the school that would’ve liked to join,” she says. And for for teachers and principals, it was great for them to see all the happy faces of the new freshmen that looked so eager to sign up for everything.

Another great thing the commission fair had, other than so many students wanting to get involved, is also the fact that there are clubs for EVERYONE to join! There are clubs for so many different hobbies and talents. If students are interested in the culinary arts- there’s Cooking For a Cause. If students were to be interested in writing- there’s the school newspaper (aka ‘The Phoenix’). If one was interested in working with children with disabilities, there’s the Yachad and Ohel Programs commission.

Thank you to the SGO and Ms. Marcus for organizing this special event. Everyone’s excited and ready to get involved, and there are so many different clubs and activities for everyone to sign up for- can’t wait to choose some!

~Eva Cohen, Class of 2021

It's a "Brand New" Year - Shana Tova 5778!

Pathfinders Update: Summer learning about Law and Medicine

I had amazing time this summer learning more about a career in law through the Yeshivah of Flatbush Pathfinders Program. I interned for Mark Salem at the law firm, Salem and Shimko in Brooklyn. I gained so much from my experience there. It taught me what a day in the life of a lawyer can look like. In addition, I was able to learn a lot about our US law. I did administrative work, read and researched old cases, and even sifted through discovery. It was really an amazing opportunity.
~Jared Sutton, Class of 2019

This summer I interned for Dr. Richard Grazi, a fertility doctor, in his office in Brooklyn. I worked on a research project with a resident and did some patient data compilation. I also sat in the back of his office and listened in on consults while he met with his patients. I even got to come into exam rooms and observe procedures like embryo transplants. It was an amazing experience to work there and I learned so much from being there for just a few weeks. Thank you Pathfinders for this opportunity.
~Lena Shamah, Class of 2018

Freshman Day 2017

Yesterday, September 16th was half Freshman Day. To kick off the day we had a Meet the Principals Breakfast, which was very informative because we got to see our principals and hear a short speech from each of them. The speeches from the principals also helped us get to know them better and get more comfortable with them.

Later in the day, the entire freshman grade gathered in the auditorium with our senior mentors. Then, we separated by class and went to a classroom with our senior mentors to participate in fun team-building games. We started out with some ice breakers so we can get to know our classmates and our mentors better and we moved on to a trivia game where the class was split into two and we solved riddles.

Next, we played a game where we had to make tin foil hats, scarves, gloves, and more. This game was and silly which was helpful because it helped us bond and form friendships with the other classmates on our team. After we completed these games, all the freshman girls went to the gym to do more activities. First, we had relay races where we jumped across the gym while our feet  were in a potato sac. Then we split by class and played tooshie volleyball, it is basically volleyball but you cannot stand up. Last we played tug of war. It felt amazing to see everyone being friendly to one another and see us coming together as a grade. The boys also pariticpated in various sports games in the auxiliary gym. Next, all the boys and girls went to the auditorium to watch a slideshow of our exciting day. To end off the day, Rabbi Besser gave us a very inspirational speech about being nice and including all of our classmates. To get his point across he finished off with two powerful videos about not only not being mean to one another but also going out of your way to be nice to your peers. Overall, it was a great day to get to know and have fun with the other students in my grade

~Prissy Baranoff, Class of 2021

Pathfinders Update: Spending Summer Part of Women in Science at Maimonides Medical Center

This past summer I had the opportunity to explore my career interests through the help of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Pathfinders program. I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in medicine, but I never considered a career in Orthopedics. The Women in Science Program at Maimonides Medical Center program is extremely beneficial for girls like me who aspire to be in the medical field. My first day interning I met different doctors, physician’s assistants, medical assistants and x-ray techs. I was able to expose myself to new people and environments. I made new connections and friends who have similar interests in pursuing a career in medicine. Over the course of this program, I was able to experience shadowing a physician and understanding the responsibility a physician has.

Working with Dr. Munyak was an amazing experience, as I learned about different diagnoses and treatments. I also learned that: “patience is a virtue.” Dr. Munyak examines many people a day, but still has the patience to sit down and discuss the illnesses and treatments with worried patients. By doing this, the patients felt more comfortable and secure. Not only did we speak about medicine, we also spoke about my plans for college. I gained so much insight about the B.S/M.D programs. This program allowed me to research and assist doctors in a small, nurturing setting. Shadowing Dr. Munyak provided me with a backbone and confidence I needed to further pursue my dream of becoming a surgeon. Thank you Pathfinders for giving me this opportunity!!
~Maksyem Calka, Class of 2018

Parashat HaShavua Lecture Series: Nitzavim-Vayelech 5777

This week, we launched a new Torah Growth initiative - the Parashat HaShavua Commission. Inspired by students and directed by Rabbi Zelig Prag, we will be having a short lecture relating to the weekly Torah portion. This Dvar Torah will be given during the Friday lunch period, the one time a week all students have lunch together. Students are able to bring lunch and hear words of inspiration from a variety of different faculty members. The inaugural lecture was given by Rabbi Avi Harari.

First Days of School 2017-2018

We are off to a great new school year! Enjoy some highlights from our first days of school in this video.

Welcome Back Video 2017-2018/5778