THE RAMBAM RECORD
The eNewsletter of Rambam Mesivta High School
December 16, 2005 / 15 Kislev

Another Rambam Rally - Pep Rally!

Known for its rallies in support of Israel, on Thursday, December 8th, Rambam held another type of rally - a pep rally in support and recognition of the hard work and success of Rambam team sports this year.

On Wednesday, December 7th, the students were given only a series of tantalizing clues about the upcoming "event" plus the directive to wear "Rambam gear" to school the following day.

All Thursday morning, the rumors flew and expectation grew throughout the school. Finally, the announcement was made that all students were to report to Traditions Kosher Deli on Central Avenue in Lawrence for a spirited rally kick-off meal together.

After the all-you-can-eat meal, everyone returned to school and filled the gymnasium for a raucous staff vs. student volleyball game. Both sides were clearly intent on winning bragging rights for the rest of the school year, but the lead in the contest bounced back and forth like the volleyball itself, i.e., until the student squad lead by junior Elliot Tanzman took the court.

Tanzman, apparently thirsting for revenge for the drubbing his team took in the Camp Morasha softball tournament last May, held serve in a dazzling display of volleyball dominance as his team pummeled the hapless group of staff floundering about on the other side of the net. At the buzzer, Tanzman and his squad strutted from the court, whooping and high-fiving in glory.

JV and Varsity Hockey on a Roll

The JV and Varsity Rambam Hockey team continued their impressive showings this year.

The Varsity team continues their strong season with a 4-2 record. Recent victories include a dramatic 6-5 overtime win over Davis Renov Stahler (DRS) on Monday, December 5th. Rambam was down 4-0 going into the final period of the game. After trading goals with DRS, Rambam was still down 5-1. Then Rambam scored two power play goals to make it 5-3.

"We noticed that they weren't covering the far side on the face-offs," said head coach Tvzi Hershenov. "So I had my face-off guy get the puck over to (Chaim) Stauber and he drilled it home."

Then, with only 16 seconds left, Rambam pulled their goalie, and scored a thrilling goal to tie the game! The home gymnasium was absolute bedlam as the overtime began!

Early into the overtime, Aryeh Amsel picked up an errant pass right in front of the net and stuffed it home for the victory.

The JV Hockey team is now a respectable 2-3-1 at the midpoint of the season.

"I won't judge this team based on its won-lost record, but rather based on what the boys got from the team experience," said coach Yaacov Gross. "From that perspective, I'm really delighted with this team so far. The boys have been serious about learning and improving their game, they work hard, there's no name calling or finger-pointing when things go wrong, there's self-control and self-discipline on and off the court. We have some really capable players, but even the substitutes have worked hard and made real strides. In fact, if you look at our games, it's pretty impressive at how many players have scored or assisted or made big defensive plays - it shows a real team effort. All the players understand that they have to work hard and stay focused every game, and that there will be no "easy" wins. And, most importantly - they're having fun at it. We never lose sight of that element of it."

That pretty much says it all!

Aron Schoenfeld's engagement to Penina Lieber turned into something of a high school reunion for the Rambam class of '98. In the picture on the right, can you identify to former Rambam students who are now in the legal field (2), rabbinical studies (2), accounting, the insurance industry, the medical profession and the finance industry?

Mazel Tov to Shmuel Aryeh Unger ('98) on his engagement to Samantha Rosenberg.

Mazel Tov to Yoni Posnick on his engagement to Rikki Blumenkrantz.

Mazel Tov to last year' tennis coach Yehudah Hammer ('01), and his wife, Meira on the birth of their lovely daughter.

You may indeed want to buy a pencil after you watch these 30-second commercials produced by the seniors of the Video Production class. The assignment was to write, storyboard, shoot and edit a 30-second commercial that sells...a pencil!

Click below to check out examples of the students' work.

Group 1 Honig-Friedman-Perl-Guterman

Group 2 Keehn-Katz-Nirenberg-Schwartz

Group 3 Himber-Lax-Fruhman

Group 4 Bar-onn-Levitz-Litwak-Unger

Their next project is a music video!

Varsity Basketball in now 4-3 after a dramatic 49-46 overtime win over Torah Acemdy of Brooklyn (TAB) on Thursday, December 15th. This is the Varsity's third overtime victory this year!

"The team seems to be gelling at a good time," said junor David Zafarani, who lead Rambam with 15 points. "We played smart off their press, and picked up a few steals on ours. That was the difference."

Sophomore forward Jeremy Siegel scored an incredible 40 points as the Rambam JV basketball squad beat Yeshiva Ohr Chadash (OTI) 72-62.

Keep it up boys!

Article contributed to by Charlie Cohen and Ezra Azizi

Please join us for the next lecture in the thought-provoking Adult Education Lecture Series, Wednesday, December 21st from 8 - 9:00 pm.

"An Analysis of Chanukah in Halachah & Hashkafah"
Rabbi Tzvi Hershel Reichman
Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University

Click here to download the detailed brochure.

Our annual Melave Malke will feature the great new film "USHPIZIN" at Rambam on Saturday, December 17, 8:00 pm.

Click here for more details.

Save the date Sunday, December 25th for the Rambam Father-Son Learn-A-Thon to be held at the Mesivta from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. This year's guest speaker is Rabbi Gershon Spiegel on the topic of "Beis Din or Secular Court: How Do You Choose?"

Click here to see the flyer for more details.