New York allowing minyans, Los Angeles not yet
Molly Litvak, Community Editor
May 21, 2020
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wednesday that religious gatherings of up to 10 people will be permitted there starting tomorrow, but Los Angeles rabbis say they have not heard anything about when davening and religious services might be permitted in Los Angeles or California. Head...
Who suffers, who perseveres
Rachel Lasry, Staff Writer
April 8, 2020
Many of us in quarantine feel like we are suffering. In many ways, we are. Forced not to see our friends and family, deprived of the outdoors, living in fear for ourselves and our families. These are legitimate problems. And there are less severe problems, but still great losses. Like the plans we made....
God, fragility and coronavirus: senior Tanach class seeks religious meaning of quarantine
Sam Rubanowitz, Senior Editor
March 16, 2020
Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg’s senior Tanach class held a Schoology discussion forum last Thursday on the religious significance of quarantine from the coronavirus. “Given the craziness and uncertainty of our current reality,” Rabbi Schwarzberg wrote in the discussion description, “I'd like you all t...
Which Purim Character are You?
March 10, 2020
By Liad Machmali, Torah Editor It’s that time of the year again, when all Jews finally get to wear the discounted costumes they purchased back in November and reminisce in the fabulous story of Purim. This March 9 and 10, we will follow along as we read the drama-filled story of how the Persians ...
Rabbi Tsaidi’s Gemara classes work on improving mitzvah observance
FRIENDS: Juniors Alessandra Judaken and Lenny Wolkind talked on the turf last week. As part of the avodat hanefesh unit for Rabbi Tsaidi, Alessandra decided to focus on shomer negiah." /> Bayley Sandler, Staff Writer
February 23, 2020
Rabbi Yagil Tsaidi has started a mitzvah program that promotes doing meaningful but small things, so students can better themselves over time. He calls it avodat hanefesh, which literally means service of the soul -- though it doesn’t exactly translate. “I call it avodat hanefesh, wh...
Tu B’shvat: Who grows the fruit?
Liad Machmali, Torah Editor
February 10, 2020
The “new year” of the trees, also referred to as the birthday of the trees or Tu B’shvat, meaning the 15th of Shvat, is coming up this year on Feb.10. You can celebrate it by having a seder, consisting of various fruits, nuts and vegetables commonly associated with the land of Israel -- figs, g...
Visit from Rav Judah sheds a Hasidic light on prayer
Liad Machmali, Torah Editor
January 5, 2020
When Rabbi Judah Mischel made his annual visit this year, students once again engaged with a Hasidic perspective that they don’t always encounter in their regular Judaic Studies program. Rabbi Mischel, known simply as “Rav Judah,” says he tries to embody Hasidism personally while teaching i...
With last candle, thoughts on taking Hanukkah into the rest of the year
ENDING: As the menorah readies for eight candles at once, it's a good time to consider to manage assimilation versus authenticity during the rest of the year." /> Rachel Lasry, Senior Writer
December 29, 2019
As Modern Orthodox Jews, we’re all well versed in the practice of combining our authentic selves with who we feel we are supposed to be. We’re constantly struggling, always forced onto the middle ground that lies between being an ordinary American teenager and being a Modern Orthodox Jew. ...
Eight gift ideas for the eight nights
Liad Machmali, Torah Editor
December 10, 2019
It’s time to get lit--literally! Hanukkah is Dec. 22 through Dec. 30. While the Festival of Lights offers the usual Jewish-holiday delicious foods -- without any guilt of course, if you read the suggestions below -- gifts are definitely a highlight as well. Whether you are shopping for a sister,...
School cracks down on pencil skirts; midis and maxis preferred
LONGER: Freshmen Amalia Abecassis, Zoe Miller and Tehilla Fishman worked on a class project last month. This year, girls are wearing midi, maxi and uniform skirts after Shalhevet changed its dress code to ban knee-length pencil skirts. " /> Liad Machmali, Torah Editor
October 25, 2019
Shalhevet changed its girls dress code over the summer, announcing that girls would no longer be allowed to wear pencil skirts unless they are at least knee-length and worn with leggings underneath. According to the policy, which was e-mailed to families July 31 with a letter from Associate Head o...
Sukkot Lessons from Kohelet
Joshua Glettner, Staff Writer
October 11, 2019
It is custom among Jews of Ashkenazi descent to read Sefer Kohelet, or Ecclesiastes, from the Ketuvim on the Shabbat of Chol Hamoed or Shemini Atzeret. But the book’s modern status emerges from a long history of controversy. The Mishna is Masechet Yadim records a debate among the ancient sages over...
Rosh Hashanah 5780: Lessons from Gan Eden
Rachel Lasry, Staff Writer
September 26, 2019
While Rosh HaShanah is mainly known as the Jewish new year, its true origin is often overlooked, which is the commemoration of Creation, and essentially the birthday of Adam and Chava. A short period after their creation, after beginning their time in Gan Eden, Adam and Chava made the drastic mistake of...
For COVID-19 nurses on opposite sides of the world, keeping families away is the hardest part
June 28, 2020
George Floyd protests, both peaceful and violent, reach Shalhevet neighborhoods
June 4, 2020
AIPAC cancels 2021 national policy conference
June 4, 2020
June 3, 2020
In annual spring One-Acts, pandemic reshapes the platform — and some of the plots
May 28, 2020
Students feel heard as school reshapes academic policies for COVID
May 22, 2020