Shalhevet news online: When we know it, you'll know it

The Boiling Point
Shalhevet news online: When we know it, you'll know it

The Boiling Point
Shalhevet news online: When we know it, you'll know it

The Boiling Point
Molly Litvak

Molly Litvak, Editor-in-Chief

Molly Litvak joined the Boiling Point in her freshman year as a staff writer and quickly fell in love with journalism. She was Community editor in her junior year, and Outside News editor in sophomore year, where she won multiple national awards for her stories, especially for her report on anti-gentrification protests at Asher Caffe in Boyle Heights. Outside of writing, editing, and leading meetings for the Boiling Point, Molly is the captain of Shalhevet’s Model Congress team, a senior lawyer on the Mock Trial team, and a teen board member of Friendship Circle, where she has been volunteering since seventh grade.

All content by Molly Litvak
WINNER: Jack Sanders, right, led Town Hall, April 23. Jack was elected next year's Agenda Chair Friday.

Jack Sanders is elected Agenda Chair, Henry Fried and Talia Tizabi will lead Fairness

By Molly Litvak, Editor in Chief
May 3, 2021
BOTH: Rabbi Jonathan Perry of Chabad said it is a struggle to be seen as fully Jewish and fully Black. At top, from left, Town Hall was led by Agenda Chair Kate Orlanski, who interviewed Shalhevet teachers Ms. Valencia Wilson and Mr. Fred Leach, and Mrs. Chava Shervington of the Orthodox organization Kamochah.

Town Hall offers view of what it’s like to be Orthodox Jews who are Black

By Molly Litvak, Editor-in-Chief
March 16, 2021
POLL: View a slideshow of poll results by clicking through the Gallery box below.

Covid Tracker – February 23-24

By Benjamin Gamson, Eli Weiss, and Molly Litvak
March 5, 2021
TREATS: On Monday and Wednesday, the first two days of two grades on campus, there was a free fruit cart on the roof and an ice cream truck in the parking lot.

On-campus school expands to two days a week and two grades a day

By Benjamin Gamson and Molly Litvak
February 14, 2021
Covid Tracker – February 9-10

Covid Tracker – February 9-10

By Benjamin Gamson, Eli Weiss, and Molly Litvak
February 12, 2021
POLL: View a slideshow of poll results by clicking through the Gallery box below.

Covid Tracker – January 26-27

By Benjamin Gamson, Eli Weiss, and Molly Litvak
January 30, 2021
RAIN: Covid tests went on as planned Thursday evening in spite of heavy rain. All students who plan to come to school next week were required to get the test.

[Video] Covid tests will be required for all students who want to attend in-person next week

By Molly Litvak and Benjamin Gamson
January 28, 2021
SYMPTOMS: A Shalhevet student who tested positive for Covid-19 told the Boiling Point having the virus felt like a

First confirmed Covid case in Shalhevet student this year is contained

By Molly Litvak, Editor-in-Chief
January 19, 2021
POLL: View a slideshow of poll results by clicking through the Gallery box below.

Covid Tracker – January 5-6

By Benjamin Gamson, Molly Litvak, and Eli Weiss
January 15, 2021
POLL: View a slideshow of poll results by clicking through the Gallery box below.

Covid Tracker – December 15-16

By Benjamin Gamson, Eli Weiss, and Molly Litvak
December 19, 2020
BACK: Rabbi Block taught his senior Advanced Jewish Philosophy class in person for the first time Dec. 1, in the ‘Sarah’ tent outside the Beit Midrash on the third floor. Outdoor temperatures that day were in the upper 60s.

Exciting, live and ‘weird,’ in-person school reopens outside in tents

By Molly Litvak, Editor-in-Chief
December 13, 2020
POLL: View a slideshow of poll results by clicking through the Gallery box below.

Covid Tracker – December 1-2

By Benjamin Gamson, Molly Litvak, and Eli Weiss
December 4, 2020
POLL: View a slideshow of poll results by clicking through the Gallery box below.

Covid Tracker – November 24-26

By Benjamin Gamson, Eli Weiss, and Molly Litvak
November 28, 2020
ROLE: Yoetzet Halacha Atara Segal will continue to be Shalhevet’s Israel gap-year advisor for the class of 2021.

Yoetzet Segal moves to Israel, will keep some roles at Shalhevet

By Molly Litvak, Editor-in-Chief
November 22, 2020
POLL: View a slideshow of poll results by clicking through the Gallery box below.

Covid Tracker – November 17-18

By Benjamin Gamson, Eli Weiss, and Molly Litvak
November 20, 2020
PAUSED: New tents in the parking lot last Thursday night waited for students who would have started on-campus Judaic Studies classes yesterday if not for a last-minute cancellation.

Partial reopening of in-person school is cancelled after LA Covid cases spike

By Molly Litvak and Benjamin Gamson
November 18, 2020

VIDEO: Local Businesses Board Up For Election Day

By Molly Litvak, Editor-in-Chief
November 4, 2020
POLL: View a slideshow of poll results by clicking through the Gallery box below.

Covid Tracker – October 20-28

By Molly Litvak and Eli Weiss
November 3, 2020
GIFT: At the end of a divisive presidential campaign, Rabbi Yosef Kanesfky told his congregation that from a religious perspective, democracy is a gift that we have been empowered with “to impact and affect the lives of other human beings.”

‘Holy conduct’: How to be Jewish during a hard election season

By Molly Litvak, Editor-in-Chief
October 30, 2020
MUSIC: There may be no live music at school, but that hasn't kept students from listening, or being moved by what they hear.

MY LIFE IN A SONG: Middle school carpool opened door to classic rock

By Molly Litvak, Editor-in-Chief
October 23, 2020
POLL: View a slideshow of poll results by clicking through the Gallery box below.

Poll shows only two Covid cases so far among Shalhevet extended community

By Molly Litvak and Benjamin Gamson
October 19, 2020
SMILES: President Trump (center) was applauded at the White House Aug. 13 after announcing agreements to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, with (from left), Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, Special Representative for International Negotiations Avi Berkowitz, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

UAE and Bahrain treaties could signal new era, Israel Consul-General says

By Molly Litvak, Editor-in-Chief
October 5, 2020
UNITED: People of all ages and races converged on the Hall of Justice near City Hall downtown yesterday to protest police brutality against African-Americans. Seniors Maia Lefferman and Avital Jacobson were part of the crowd, which media reports estimated at more than 3,000 people.

George Floyd protests, both peaceful and violent, reach Shalhevet neighborhoods

By Molly Litvak, Community Editor
June 4, 2020
MINCHA: An outdoor minyan observed strict social distancing March 18 in Hancock Park. Officials say that is not permitted in California or Los Angeles, although it will soon be allowed in New York.

New York allowing minyans, Los Angeles not yet

By Molly Litvak, Community Editor
May 21, 2020
Vote moved up to Thursday after Town Hall shows support for new constitution

Vote moved up to Thursday after Town Hall shows support for new constitution

By Benjamin Gamson and Molly Litvak
May 14, 2020
BROADER: Framers of the new constitution proposal this week changed the membership of the Judicial Review Subcommittee they are proposing. Along with the Head of School, it now includes leaders of Fairness and Agenda and an elected faculty representative, instead of just Fairness co-chairs and the Fairness Adviser.

Constitution vote, set for Friday, may turn on whether new document gives students more or less influence than original

By Molly Litvak, Community Editor
May 13, 2020
DIFFERENT: Seniors and a few faculty drove down Cresta Drive in the Yom Haatzmaut car parade April 29. A total of 46 vehicles joined the line, which zig-zagged for 4.9 miles.

A blue-and-white parade of cars celebrates Israel Independence Day in the age of Covid

By Molly Litvak and Alex Rubel
May 7, 2020
HUSSLE: Right after being picked to be part of an alliance with the top two ranked teams, Firehawks Robotics fixed up their robot for quarter-finals, with the help of teams from Las Vegas and Culver City.

Shalhevet’s robot ‘Chaya Leia’ advances to national championship in Houston, but coronavirus cancels the event

By Molly Litvak, Community Editor
March 27, 2020
TOGETHER: These year's Best Picture nominees are (left to right) Little Women, 1917, Ford v Ferrari, Joker, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Parasite, The Irishman, Jojo Rabbit and Marriage Story

The Nine: Short reviews of the 2020 Best Picture nominees

By Jacob Joseph Lefkowitz Brooks, Molly Litvak, Zach Helfand, Nicholas Fields, and Jolie Wineburgh
February 9, 2020
VANDALIZED: Several posters of famous authors and playwrights, including Tennessee Williams, were vandalized in Ms. Nagel's and Ms. Crincoli's rooms.

Fairness Committee may ban students from empty classrooms after teacher files complaint over food mess and poster vandalism

By Molly Litvak and Jacob Joseph Lefkowitz Brooks
January 14, 2020
REVISE: Fairness Co-Chair Evan Rubel, senior Sabrina Jahan and Agenda Chair David Edwards shared a light moment at a meeting on proposed updates to the constitution. Considered the start of an ongoing constitutional convention, the meeting took place Nov. 20 in room 304.

Move to revise Just Community constitution debates who should decide what’s debatable

By Molly Litvak and Jacob Joseph Lefkowitz Brooks
December 17, 2019
POSITIVE: Future Head of School Rabbi David Block is known for having great relationships with students, who reacted positively to news of his appointment.

Rabbi Block to be Head of School starting next year

By Molly Litvak, Community Editor
November 26, 2019
HONOR: Rabbi Abraham Lieberman, who has been teaching for over four decades, accepted the Jewish Educator Award from Mr. Richard Sandler, executive vice president of the Milken Family Foundation.

Rabbi Lieberman wins $15,000 Milken Jewish Educator Award

By Molly Litvak, Community Editor 
November 4, 2019
REVIEW: Making violence funny in Tarantino’s 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'

REVIEW: Making violence funny in Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’

By Molly Litvak, Community Editor
October 13, 2019
LITERATURE: Mr. Reynolds, a lover of great literature and the arts, hosted poetry seminars for students and faculty during his time at Shalhevet.

Nat Reynolds, former Head of School, teacher, mentor, has died

By Molly Litvak, Community Editor
October 7, 2019
MORNING: Freshman Madeleine Bollag scans in to the main minyan at Shacharit during the second week of school. The fob, which she carries on her key chain, transmits her identity to a computer program that takes attendance and shares the information with teachers who need to know.

School installs new scanner system to track who’s in tefillah

By Molly Litvak, Community Editor
September 25, 2019
WRITER: Mr. Forrester is teaching American Literature this year.

New English teacher brings a worldwide upbringing and a passion for playwriting

By Molly Litvak, Community Editor
September 23, 2019
FAIR: Senior Joseph Klores, one of three co-chairs of the Fairness Committee this year, told Tuesday's Town Hall why his committee should help oversee Just Community elections.

Town Hall vote puts Fairness Committee in charge of Just Community elections

By Molly Litvak, Community Editor
September 13, 2019
LEAVING: Rabbi Segal and his family plan to make aliyah to Israel next summer, something they’ve said for years that they wanted to do. The head of school gave a news conference to BP editors last April in his office.

Rabbi Segal to make gradual departure for Israel beginning next year

By Molly Litvak, Community Editor
August 12, 2019
TRENDY: Like many other students, freshmen Eva Brous-Light and Danielle Finn wear scrunchies, a popular hair accessory from the ‘80s, to school -- and not always in their hair.

Bohemian is Back

By Molly Litvak, Outside News Editor
June 6, 2019
PROTECTION: Workers from 911 Restoration put on protective clothing before heading downstairs to the work area. According to Mr. Albert Garcia, those working in the area must wear protective clothing to avoid being exposed to any of the contaminants.

Basement flood repairs will take all summer, officials say

By Molly Litvak, Outside News Editor
May 28, 2019
FIRST: Students in Room 308 this morning heard junior Gilad Spitzer argue against the school election results in the first-ever Fairness case to discuss overturning school election results.

Fairness Committee overturns result of election for next year’s Fairness chairs, committee to have three next year

By Jacob Joseph Lefkowitz Brooks, Molly Litvak, and
May 10, 2019
THOUGHT: Voters considered how to rank candidates in last Tuesday’s Just Community elections in the gym. Races with more than two candidates were tallied according to an “instant runoff” system.

Open Fairness hearing Friday morning will consider possible change to Fairness Chair election outcome

By Lucy Fried, Nicholas Fields, Jacob Joseph Lefkowitz Brooks, and Molly Litvak
May 10, 2019
SUBMERGED: Water in Room B101 was about 3 inches deep at 1:30 p.m. today.

FLOOD: All basement classrooms under inches of water after city main breaks

By Molly Litvak, Outside News Editor
April 2, 2019
President Bush remembered

President Bush remembered

By Molly Litvak, Outside News Editor
March 10, 2019
PERSISTENCE: Students and teachers at Laces High School protest through heavy rain to reach their goals in the LAUSD teacher strike. BP Photo by Maia Lefferman

First LA Teacher Strike in Decades Ends With Smaller Classes, Bigger Paychecks

By Molly Litvak, Outside News Editor
February 28, 2019
BP Photo Illustration by Gilad Spitzer

The Eight: Short reviews of the 2019 Best Picture nominees

By Jacob Joseph Lefkowitz Brooks, Nicholas Fields, Molly Litvak, and Tobey Lee
February 24, 2019
SPACE: Farm animals sold as food in California, including chickens, lambs, pigs and cows, will have had more space to roam during their lives under Proposition 12, passed by California voters Nov. 8.

Prop. 12 passes, giving more space to hens, pigs and calves

By Molly Litvak, Outside News Editor
December 7, 2018
MICHIGAN: The University of Michigan’s Haven Hall, where the American Culture Department has its offices. The department adopted a BDS statement but does not require professors to follow its recommendations.

Michigan professors open new front in academic boycott of Israel

By Molly Litvak, Outside News Editor
December 4, 2018
SCHOOL: The Ilan Ramon Jewish Day School, a K-5 progressive school in Agoura Hills, was in flames Friday afternoon. News reporters on the scene said separate buildings in the back of the school were still intact at 3:30 pm.

Ilan Ramon Jewish day School burns in Woolsey Fire

By Jacob Joseph Lefkowitz Brooks and Molly Litvak
November 9, 2018

Anti-gentrification protests challenge Boyle Heights kosher restaurant

By Molly Litvak, Outside News Editor
September 27, 2018
To save the oceans: No more plastic straws?

To save the oceans: No more plastic straws?

By Molly Litvak, Outside News Editor
September 23, 2018
BERETS: IDF Private Rachel Lester, Shalhevet class of 2012, posed with her camera at sunrise at the end of the Nahal Beret March last summer. The recruits later received their green berets. Photo by Samantha Sharpe.

From fact-checks to Facebook, Shalhevet alum helps IDF tell its story

By Molly Litvak, Outside News Editor
September 7, 2018
BUSY: Mr. St. Germaine will teach Algebra, Chemistry and two kinds of Physics (five classes in all) and has two small children at home and another on the way. BP photo Alyssa Wallack.

Scuba-diving enthusiast is newest addition to Science Department

By Molly Litvak, Outside News Editor
September 4, 2018
BRAID: Ms. Yona Nadelman, second from right, described her Holocaust experiences while making bread with students in the Wildfire Theater May 17. The event was sponsored by the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust and led by Shalhevet sophomore Noa Nelson.

‘La Dough Va Dough’ event weaves challah and history

By Molly Litvak, Staff Writer
May 25, 2018
WIN: The Firehawks celebrated a victory against YULA at Schnitzly.

Soccer team defeats YULA for the first time in nearly a decade

By Molly Litvak, Staff Writer
May 18, 2018
OLD: Most flu vaccines today are grown inside eggs, taking about six months. New egg-less method will take only two.

New DNA production method may mean a much more helpful flu vaccine

By Molly Litvak, Staff Writer
May 8, 2018
BETTER: In an effort to secure a room without a lock, students in Mr. Smith's English class barricaded glass doors with furniture.

[Photo] Lights out, desks up and if possible, lock the door

April 24, 2018
SAFE: Members of the Red and Green teams ran to their partners' laps as they tried to stay in the game.

COLOR WAR: Disputed call gave ‘Coke – Pepsi’ game to the seniors; juniors still have not conceded

By Molly Litvak and Lucy Fried
April 3, 2018
BETTER: Science teacher Dr. Elizabeth Basheer received this year's flu shot and got a mild case of the illness.

It’s not too late for a flu shot — here’s why you might want one

By Molly Litvak, Staff Writer
March 21, 2018
CELEBRATE: Students, teachers and parents mingled over sushi and salads on the roof Jan. 30 surrounded by platters of fresh fruit. It was the Green Team club's first event.

Under twinkling lights, Green Team offers learning, food from garden and live performances for Tu B’Shvat

By Molly Litvak, Staff Writer
February 3, 2018
The gradual Zionist: Yahya Mahamid of Stand With Us tells lunchtime audience how he became pro-Israel

The gradual Zionist: Yahya Mahamid of Stand With Us tells lunchtime audience how he became pro-Israel

By Molly Litvak, Staff Writer
January 26, 2018
RIPENING: tomatoes growing on the third floor were planted Sept. 21

I’ll have the caprese: New student-tended rooftop garden offers herbs to pick, vegetables for sale

By Molly Litvak, Staff Writer
January 3, 2018
CHEMICALS: Freshmen in Dr. Basheer's biology classes began their lab by adding murky, brown 'artificial vomit' to test tubes. Soon, they added other substances to form a solution that would turn the liquid other colors, depending on whether it was a carb, protein, or lipid.

Whodunnit? Biology class analyzes ‘artificial vomit’ to solve murder mystery

By Molly Litvak, Staff Writer
October 19, 2017
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