Opening eyes: anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism. Yes, folks, today I will be broaching the subject that you have likely pondered, discussed, and debated so much that it seems like reading this article will finally do your brain in like a mallet to a cantaloupe. “Why,…

Zusha comes home

In Hassidic tradition, they tell the story of Rebbe Zusha of Hanipol, a true tzaddik (righteous man), crying on his deathbed. His students and the community surrounded and offered consolation. One student said, “Rebbe Zusha, why do you cry? You…

Fierce Jewish women

Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are two popular holidays celebrating women in the lens of love and maternity. As lovers, wives and mothers, women are (most often) characterized as warm, nurturing, soft and delicate. And while there is value, beauty…

The first-ever Mr. Hillel competition

12 nice Jewish boys vying for our hearts in an effort to raise money for admirable causes? Don’t mind if we do. Taking place this past Tuesday night at the Kerckhoff Grand Salon, the first-ever Mr. Hillel Competition was a…

Ha’Am chic

Every day is a fashion show, and Bruinwalk is our runway. The outfit a student chooses to wear to school can reveal a lot about his or her character— unless it’s finals week, during which there is a mutual understanding…

Anti-Semitism and today’s desensitization

A few strokes of graphite, easily erased. Technically speaking, that’s all it was. My initial reaction upon finding a swastika drawn on my desk, where my Hebrew 1B class and other sections of Hebrew are held, was somewhat one of…

“If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why?”

My experience at the Bayit began after I was asked this question: “If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why?” This question has been in the “Bayit Interview Question Bank” for a few years,…

Light out of Darkness: Memories of the Holocaust

This past Wednesday, Feb. 17, I had the pleasure of attending a screening of Andrew Rosenstein’s senior film project, Light out of Darkness: Memories of the Holocaust. Running just under two hours, the film documents the stories, memories and testimonials of…

Kosher Korner: Cuckoo for kuku sabzi

Ah, there’s nothing like coming home and finding a hot, fresh pan of kuku sabzi sizzling on the stove. For those unfamiliar with the dish, kuku sabzi is a famous Iranian frittata-like food made with herbs. It looks and tastes much like a prepared…

Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire (and other observations)

On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders became the first Jewish-American ever to win a presidential primary. Sanders defeated former New York Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by a margin of 22.4 percent, with 60.4 percent of…