Who runs This Place, anyways?

12 Pages·2012·8.97 MB·English

VolUme lVII, IssUe V febrUarY 13, 2012 / 20 sHVat, 5772
The Yeshiva University
OBSERVER
The official newspaper of Yeshiva UniversiTY’s sTern college for women
at YUNmUN, rwanda’s lessons
for today’s students
By Marganit rauch University Undersecretary Gavi Lankin, SCW
and High School Participants at the ’12, the audience was informed of the
22nd annual YU National Model secretariat’s hopes that this year’s
United Nations were privileged to conference would stress a real focus
hear from Jacqueline Murekatete – a on current global issues so that the
survivor of the Rwandan genocide in delegates would leave the conference
1994, and a human rights activist with the motivation to effect change
who is currently reading Law at in their communities, and in the
the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of world.
Law. The underlying message of
Murekatete works for a non- Murekatete’s speech was her conviction
profit organization called Miracle that genocide can be prevented, that
Corners of the World (MCW), and it all too often stems from years of
bracelets will be sold throughout discrimination, and that it is never
the conference to raise money for something that simply occurs one day,
the initiative. MCW hopes to end out of the blue. Murekatete believes
genocide by raising awareness, as well that education is the key to ensuring
as helping to rebuild the lives of the that future generations will not live
many Rwandans who were affected in a world where a human being can
by the genocide and still lack basic be massacred purely for belonging to a
necessities. particular ethnic group; Murekatete’s Gavriel Brown
In an introduction by continued on page 9 High school diplomats in the 22nd Yeshiva University National Model United Nations.
talmud and tiaras? Who runs This Place, anyways?
Peggy orenstein visits YU with a look at the New Culture of Girlhood
By eLana raskas So you want get done around here.
to change something in Stern. You I should point out that I am neither
By aiMee ruBensteen On want the caf to have better hours. You a freshman, a part-time student, nor
February 6, Koch Auditorium filled want to have more history classes. generally out of the loop. I am a junior
more than 200 seats with professors You want more funding for your club. and I live on-campus. I am a member
and students from SCW and visitors The question is, to whom do you turn of the Student Life Committee (SLC)
from other universities to hear from ? and have the responsibility of talking
internationally acclaimed author and In my past year and a half at Stern, to students about various problems
commentator, Peggy Orenstein, in a I have asked myself this question or concerns that they have, and I am
discussion titled “From Princesses numerous times. Who runs this supposed to talk to different staff
to Pop-Tarts: A Look at the New place? If I want to change something members to see what can be done
Culture of Girlhood,” followed by here, who do I approach? The student to resolve and address students‘
a book signing of her New York leaders? They are fantastic, but how problems. So, I might even know more
times bestseller Cinderella Ate my much power do they really have? than the average student about the
Daughter. The room’s estrogen level Perhaps I should talk to the deans— people who work here at the university.
rose and the anticipation became but is my problem really important The SLC is a vital asset to the student
palpable as Assistant Professor of enough to bother them with? Maybe body, and the faculty we deal with are
Psychology, Dr. Robin Freyberg, I should talk to the Office of Student always very helpful and responsive.
introduced Orenstein. Life…but I don’t even know who they But being on this committee does give
Freyberg began the event by are or exactly what they do. insight into the complicated hierarchy
explaining the importance of having I do not think I am alone in feeling of employees that works at YU. When
Aimee Rubensteen
Orenstein speak on our all-women’s this lack of guidance on campus. Erica the SLC contacts a YU employee, he
Orenstein, left, with Rubensteen.
campus. “Peggy Orenstein’s message Pirak, a junior at SCW, recently or she inevitably needs to contact
about the prevalence of Disney’s expressed to me her interest in someone else who talks to another
princess culture, and its wide- female students, became nostalgic and 24/7, 365-days-a-year of pink taking a Yiddish language course. person who talks to another person
reaching, long-term impact on young for their childhood days filled with on female’s femininity, sexuality She wondered, “Who should I talk before reaching the right one, and we
girls’ self-esteem, body image and hours of repetitive Disney movies and identity. She discussed how the to about this? Is there a head of a have to hope that word travels back
development, resonates deeply with and toys, but soon they began to princess culture of Disney has made language department, or should I go along this broken telephone line to
our students, in particular, as they question Disney’s influence on their children become more materialistic straight to the deans? Do I need to us, the students. Even being in touch
navigate the challenge of developing own psyches. and image-conscious as they grow have a certain amount of students with various faculty members has
into strong, independent, young After years of research, book older. Girls begin to make choices interested before I talk to faculty hardly helped me understand who is
women who may eventually raise writing, and parenting a daughter between their feminine identity and members?” Unfortunately, I could in charge of and who can accomplish
daughters of their own.” of her own, Orenstein explains the feminism at a younger age. Orenstein not offer her much direction. I, too, what at this institution.
Initially, many students, especially long-term impact of Disney Princesses continued on page 3 am left in the dark as to how things continued on page 5
to guatemala and Back: i need a Doctor:
One student’s Life-changing experience super Bowl review tracing the history of Dr. Who
page 5 page 7 Page 10
2 tHe obserVer staff oPINIoNs feb. 2012/shvat 5772
The Yeshiva University Dress Code redux: repeat offenders
Observer
By eLana gOLDBerg Last pigouts, the Stern community is—or
winter, the now-infamous e-mail if not, should be—well aware that we DRESS CODE LETTER: WINTER BREAK 2010-2011 (differences
renee kestenbaum
sent out over break delineating the are not like other colleges. are bolded)
editor-in-chief revised dress code rocked the Stern However, if the administration is
sophie Felder community, and had many women up going to do something, then really do Dear Student,
in arms over what they perceived as it. Don’t hide behind noncommittal We welcome you back for this new semester and wish you much success
Managing editor
a grievous violation of their rights. language and passive-aggressive with your studies and your extra-curricular activities. At the same time
news The turmoil resulting from the e-mail phrasing; it’s weak, and makes we feel we must share with you a matter of some concern.
rachel Benaim made its final aftermath all the more students believe they have the upper The Dress Code at the Beren Campus, in effect in the academic buildings
anticlimactic: after all the hyperbolic hand in cowing the administration at all times, requires students to wear knee length dresses/skirts and tops
Marganit rauch
fuss, the dress code drama ended in, into issuing a watered-down reminder that have sleeves. Unfortunately some students have become careless
Features well…nothing. No reinforcements, echoing the past year’s remonstrations, about observing these requirements. This carelessness is a violation of our
tali adler no repercussions, and most notably rather than taking real action. regulations and is resulting in the erosion of the tradition of respect that
hannah Dreyfus no change. The next question, obviously has been the hallmark of our campus. Therefore, we are reminding you of
So in light of last year’s failed enough, is okay, smarty-pants, what the Dress Code guidelines and are asking for your immediate and complete
Opinions
e-mail, what method did the Stern action do you recommend us taking? support. Thank you for your understanding and for your cooperation.
elana goldberg administration choose as a means of Hiring police adjuncts to roam the
talia rona railing against the now near-iconic halls with clubs and a whistle?
mini miniskirt that leaves very little Suspension? Expulsion? No mitzvah- DRESS CODE LETTER: WINTER BREAK 2011-2012
arts and Lifestyle
to the imagination? note home every Friday afternoon?
atara arbesfeld
They sent out the exact same e-mail, I do agree that the concept of Dear Students,
aimee rubensteen naturally. Same time of year (does punishment seems infantilizing. The With the spring semester upon us, we hope this correspondence finds you
science and health anyone else see the irony in sending truth of the matter is I myself do not well and looking forward to your new classes as well as extracurricular
out a message to adhere to the dress have a clear suggestion for negative activities.
shulamit Bunswick
code specifically as temperatures drop reinforcement of the dress code. But We are so proud of all that is special and unique to the Beren Campus of
naamah Plotzker
and more layers come out?), same what about positive encouragement? Yeshiva University. We invest tremendously in you—as students, as women,
sports tone, and same text. Maybe following the dress code as Jews—and as the focus of University resources, time, scholarship, and
Meira Lerner In truth, that’s a bit of an can amount to some kind of merit- commitment, you project the image of Stern and Syms.
exaggeration. This year’s version based extra credit. Maybe compliant We are aware and appreciate that our students come from varied
staff Writers
introduces a “modest neckline” clause, professors can introduce a component backgrounds and bring those individualized expressions to the Beren
chana Brauser as well as a clear distinction of the to their syllabi that suggests extra Campus; we hope to encourage and empower the multifaceted face of our
erica hasten times the dress code applies: 9a.m.- points, or even just more consideration, student body at Yeshiva University.
8p.m., whereas in the original e-mail for students who follow all rules of the Nevertheless, in a show of mutual respect for each other and for our
Layout
the text simply states the dress code classroom, including dress code. mesorah, and out of respect for our faculty, it becomes necessary to ask for
ann Levenson must be followed “at all times.” The I know these suggestions sound your adherence and commitment to the regulations of the dress code within
Layout staff newer version also carefully applauds meek, and I don’t profess to have any 215 and 245 Lexington Avenue during school hours (9AM-8PM). As an
Stern women’s cultural diversity concrete answer to the dress code immediate reminder, women are required to adhere to the following while
Ma’ayan elyashiv
before delicately insinuating that problem. But I’m also not sending inside both buildings: knee-length skirts/dresses and tops with sleeves
erica hasten
the concept of diversity apparently around a nearly replicate copy of and a modest neckline. At Yeshiva University, our dress code is applicable
Meira shedlo
does not pertain to 215 and 245 last year’s failed e-mail to the entire throughout academic buildings (not just Jewish Studies classes), and is an
Photography Lexington. student body, blindly hoping that this expectation with which all students are asked to immediately comply.
I am not taking an official position time we’ll read the fine print a little We thank you for your understanding and cooperation, and wish you
Julia siegel
on the dress code; I happen to comply clearer, and something will click. continued success in every endeavor as we look forward to a terrific spring
Photography staff with the general laws of tzniut Take one glance around the semester.
Mati engel (modesty) in dress, but that doesn’t school buildings since the e-mail’s
adina Minkowitz mean I encourage or expect others second go-around, and one thing is
to do the same. clear: it hasn’t clicked. And if the want a direct address. I want them compliance as well.
rochel spangenthal
If the administration wants to administration wants to effect real, to meet my eyes and tell me why this Make it so we can’t select “Delete”
Lindsay Wess
initiate change in the university, substantial change, they’re going to is so vital to the successful future of and erase the message form our inbox,
chaia Wiznitzer
my message is more power to them. have to get a little more aggressive, the school, instead of reading it on a and our memories. Otherwise, I look
advertising I think they have the theoretical even if it means risking donor support monitor. If the administration came forward to dress code adherence
nomi teplitsky right, as this is a private institution and incurring a few people’s wrath. I off as more personal and concerned, e-mail winter break 2012-13.
and, no matter how many birthday want the administration to come out maybe we would assume a greater Or maybe next time, it’ll be a very
Business
parties end in drunken 2a.m. Tiberias from behind the computer screen. I stake in the school’s dress code harshly worded tweet.
shira Bindiger
Web
sarit Bassal
text text revolution: Why so scared to Call?
shaindee hirsch
By hannah DreyFus In the past, The moment of truth has arrived. appraising eyes of the person waiting explanation. Interpretation is left
when a guy asked for your number, you Time to respond. on the other end. Real conversations up to the mercy and/or ignorance
used to expect a phone call. Nowadays, Rolling up her sleeves, she carefully don’t provide timeouts between of the viewer, a tricky game to play
you expect a text message. gathers up all her powers of female remarks to compose the perfect (especially with males).
This is not an article to confirm your intuition and emotional insight, response. Real conversations involve Yet, much like getting into a car,
grandmother’s doomsdays predictions. preparing to compose the text that missteps, blunders, jokes that fall we blithely ignore the risks in light
Rather, I pose the question: why have will utterly blow his mind; leave him sadly flat, sarcasm that soars over of the a) convenience and b) deceptive
we turned to texting as a crutch when incapacitated by her genius, wit, and the other person’s head, and the infallibility the medium seems to
it comes to relationships, and is this charm. Another moment. Should I text ever-dreaded, meandering trail into provide. Risk of awkward silence
The Observer is published monthly a pattern we want to re-enforce or that? Too suggestive. Should I tell him silence… – eliminated. Risk of admission of
during the academic year by the Stern re-evaluate? that? Too apathetic. She decides upon While texting may ensure safety ignorance – postponed (Google exists
College for Women Student Council.
It is a most interesting phenomenon a perfectly-balanced, intriguingly- from some of these hair-raising risks, in the interim between text messages).
The staff of the paper retains the right
to choose newspaper content and to to watch a girl texting a love interest. enigmatic, modestly-flirtatious, it comes with a hefty number of its Risks of saying too much, laughing too
determine the priority of stories. While Staring off absently into space (say, appropriately-caring happy medium own. Risks with even more serious loud, or just sounding just plain stupid
unsigned editorials represent the views
sitting in Hebrew class), her small, and remains wholly distracted for the consequences then the unfortunate – supremely mitigated. Texting seems
of the Observer’s editorial board, all
beeping, blinking device buzzes, rest of class. thud of a miscalculated joke. to provide an unbeatable insurance
opinions expressed in signed editorials,
columns, letters, and cartoons are the urgently vying for her attention. Perhaps my description tends While the emoticon (;), , :P etc.) policy. So, just get in the car; just
opinions of the writers or artists and Houston, we have problem. In a towards hyperboles. I apologize if I has widely become the proverbial press send.
do not necessarily reflect the opinions
moment, she is at attention. Expertly, have misrepresented the true stoic, ‘seatbelt,’ protecting against all We fool ourselves into thinking,
of The Observer, Stern College for
phone is obscured from view beneath unaffected nature of the female texting-relating disasters, the both consciously and subconsciously,
Women, its student body, faculty, or
administration. her desk. You watch as a telling gender. My pure implications behind possibilities of miscommunication that texting affords us protection
All Observer content is copyrighted smile spreads steadily across her the observation: texting is often and misinterpretation remain vast. from relationship risks. We conclude
and may not be reprinted without
face. Morning has broken. She sits used as a crutch for our insecurities. Daunting, when considered in full. it is the ‘safer’ option—the option
permission.
for a moment, beaming with self- It provides a means of obscuring There is no room for immediate that provides the most protection
satisfaction. Then, the brow furrows. flaws and mental stutters from the justification, qualification, or continued on page 3
feb. 2012/shvat 5772 NeWs tHe obserVer 3
Peggy orenstein visits YU with a look at the New
Culture of Girlhood
continued from page 1
NeWs
pointed out that Disney could only
market several princess characters
on one product if, and only if, each racheL BenaiM
princess was looking in different Marganit rauch
directions; their eyes never meet [email protected]
and they never acknowledge the
others’ existence. If Cinderella and
Belle, major role models for young
children, are so self-obsessed that
they can’t even look at each other,
how are children supposed to learn
to share attention and recognition?
She suggested that Disney is more
concerned about their princesses than
the children who are playing them.
Furthermore, Orenstein explained The seforim sale:
the impact of pink on girlhood. Every
Julia Siegel
toy franchise has the opportunity to In order to combat the pressure by the Numbers
double its profits by duplicating a within our society and the information
toy in pink. For example, if a family advertising trap below the glass a club or participate on sports teams. being fed to children, Orenstein 15,000 titles ordered
has a son and buys him blue toys, if ceiling. However, it is important to Even though SCW is an all-women’s alerted the audience to be aware of among 20 sections,
they then have a daughter, they will consider that pink toys do not force campus, the pressure of effortless the agenda of marketing companies which take 2 weeks to set up.
need to buy her the same toys but in girls to become subordinate women, perfection is a common overheard and the expectations we mold for 33 events planned,
pink. Orenstein stated, “While pink rather they are important factors topic in the halls, elevators and ourselves. Orenstein proved her point to entertain and enlighten 15,000
celebrates girlhood it also fuses it with to consider when teaching a child lounges. quite clearly when she displayed a customers
appearance.” Girls are bombarded about the numerous other colors in A senior Stern College For t-shirt that had crossed off “Future over 22 days.
with everything in pink. The notion the rainbow. Women student explained she was Princess” and scribbled “Future $1.6 million raised in gross sales,
of pretty in pink, and only in pink, Orenstein urges the crowd that kids glad Orenstein was addressing President” instead. Little girls should also benefiting the 2 official
begins to limit girl’s creativity, isolate are getting younger older (KGOY), this topic because “as a women’s not have to be limited to dressing up charities.
girls from playing with the opposite and somebody needs to step in and college, it is important for us to as a princess, so too, women should 1,287 views on a Youtube video
sex with gender-neutral-colored toys offer guidance. Numerous women be constantly reminded about the not have to be limited to choosing showing 40,000 books
and tell girls that appearance is that feel the need to do it all, and look hot factors undermining our emotional, between being a future princess or being set up, in time lapse, by 130
important. Juggling these dilemmas while doing it. Not only do women on psychological and physical health, president. Women can do it all, and employees,
at an early age, girls naturally become campus feel the need to be getting hindering us from reaching our still have their happily ever after, including 4 (to our count) who
aware of their position in society and the highest marks on their exams, potential and contributing to the they just have to learn to define it on became couples,
usually fall into the marketing and but they also need to be president of world.” their own terms. in a tradition going back at least
30 years.
text text revolution
continued from page 2
from our own flaws and imperfections, so and timing? The unaffected immediacy of
much more easily unearthed over the phone. response that tells you more about a person
What we fail to realize, or at least fail to than any cold, smooth, confident, text ever
acknowledge, is the harm texting can and has could? The pronounced dis-ingenuity of
been known to cause. It is not rare to hear texting has the ability to create castles in
about arguments, break-ups, and even broken the sky—relationships built upon formulated
engagements that can be traced back to one, concoctions of another person, rather than upon
fatal mis-text. One misinterpreted BBM. With the unhindered reality of who that person really
the seeming benefits of obscurity run the high is. For this reason, meeting someone through
risks of miscommunication. We fancy ourselves text and meeting someone in person can be
beneficiaries of the convenient smoke screen shockingly disparate experiences.
provided by texting. Shielded from nervous No, I do not think texting is the root of all
laughter, unfortunate stutters, or awkward evil. Texting, like any form of technology, can
pauses, we fancy ourselves the better off. be an extremely constructive, helpful tool.
What we forget is that there is something I fully encourage taking advantage of the
beautiful, exciting, and worthwhile about the conveniences texting has to offer. Directions,
raw imperfections that punctuate the beginnings lunch date information, a thoughtful good-
of relationships. Getting to know someone is morning or how was your day, an excellent
not supposed to be smooth and seamless. Real method of evading lengthy phone conversations
conversations are not composed of perfectly with elderly relatives, or even an abbreviated
modulated humor and pre-meditated coquettish ‘I’m thinking of you’ when you’re pressed for
charm. Sometimes they involve dumb remarks, time – text away.
and sometimes awkward pauses are inevitable. I simply encourage taking a moment to
Chick flicks even script embarrassing moments, consider why you are so sorely tempted to text
however unconvincing and grossly unrealistic, the next time you have something important,
into the plotline. meaningful, or revealing to share with a
Does it not resonate as uncomfortable that significant other. If you find yourself struggling
texting is, by nature, contrived? Unless the with a tinge of fear or apprehension, challenge
other party is texting you after having one too yourself to make the call. Disclaimer: it very
many cocktails, texts are unlikely to be candid. well might be awkward. You very well might say
Texting affords the time and opportunity to something dumb. Or snort when you laugh. But,
select and create an intentional persona. A text so is the beauty of life. Embrace the awkward
is usually the polished result of pre-meditation, silences. Embrace the glorious, blundering
contemplation, editing, rephrasing, and even imperfections that make relationships real
outside consultation with friends (girls, we’re and people human
guilty). And, once you’re on the phone, why not ask
What has become of the subtleties of tone him out? You pick the place.
4 tHe obserVer featUres feb. 2012/shvat 5772
Jewish life Coast to Coast, California style
By gaBrieLLe hiLLer To an outsider, it may seem “campus” (everything a paradigmatic college campus would
as if a group of 20 YU students choosing to spend their include, minus the dorms), and meet with “Jewglers,” Jews
winter break sitting and listening to speeches for ten days who are employed by Google, to hear what it is like to be
featUres is sort of like class. In reality, however, the CJF mission, a Jew who works at Google.
Jewish Life Coast to Coast, was an unforgettable learning Over the next few days, we met with numerous Jewish
taLi aDLer experience that challenged its participants to open their communal leaders, including rabbis of the local synagogues,
hannah DreyFus eyes and minds to new ideas experiences beyond Jewish the Stanford Chabad and Hillel rabbis, and educators at
[email protected] life in the Tri-state area. the local Oakland Hebrew Day School. At the Day School,
Every year, the Coast to Coast trip visits a different we taught a session to the seventh and eighth graders
region of North America. This year, the CJF set its about Judaism’s view on protests. We were privileged to
sights on the West Coast, with plans to visit the Jewish visit the generous sponsors of our trip, the Jim Joseph
communities of the Bay Area in California, as well as Foundation, an organization whose goal is to support and
Seattle and Vancouver. fund meaningful experiences in Jewish education.
What was the theme of the trip? Ask any participant for We went off the beaten path as well. We visited Urban
a one-word answer: innovation. Residing in the backyard Adamah, a Jewish farm in the middle of a city, and met
Wheat rhymes With meat: food of Silicon Valley, home to companies like Google and with Aryae Coopersmith, co-founder of the House of Love
Mircosoft, Jewish communities on the West Coast are and Prayer, who exposed us to his own spiritual connection
affected by the innovative nature of these entrepreneurial to Judaism. A wonderful Shabbat was spent in Oakland in
stereotypes and Why everyone enterprises. Our goal was to see how this mindset affected Rabbi Judah Dardik’s shul, Beth Jacob. There, we had the
their daily lives and communal structure. Led by Eliyahu special opportunity to interact with his unique, diverse,
Rosen and Keren Simon, and joined at times by Rabbi Ari and hospitable community, learning how to connect with
Thinks I’m Vegetarian Rockoff and Rabbi Kenneth Brander along with his wife, Jews from all backgrounds.
Ruchie, we were ready for our mission. Our next intended stop was Seattle, but a major
First stop: Google Headquarters. No other place could snowstorm shut down the airport and impeded our plans.
By chana Brauser For a while, stereotyping” that takes place based have given a better insight into the innovative nature of We delayed for a few more days in San Francisco, before
I was trying to avoid eating wheat, on a person’s appearance? Based on the West Coast. There, we were privileged to see the Google re-routing to Los Angeles. Although this was not on
as per my doctor’s suggestion to try personal experience, I’d believe it. As the original itinerary, LA ended
and work out some digestive issues. frustrating as it might be to forever up being a wonderful addition to
Whenever people would inquire apologize for my carnivorous ways, the trip. Perhaps because LA is
about my food allergies, I’d reply, “I I’m certain that I too have judged a much more similar to our own
don’t eat wheat,” to which they’d nod person’s eating habits based on his or communities than San Francisco,
sagaciously, “Oh, yes, you don’t eat her appearance. our time there gave us a chance
meat. But of course.” Well, um, no, We all tend to mentally assign see how the lessons we had learned
actually that would be wheat. For people various “types.” Take a applied to communities similar to
some reason, this was a lot harder moment to picture a tall, hulking our own.
for people to digest (pun intended). biker, his brawny arms tattooed with The ultimate goal of the trip was
Why didn’t I eat wheat? If anything, the classic mermaid and mom heart, to learn from Jewish communities
I ought to be avoiding meat, they’d rocking a buzz cut, and it probably on the West Coast with hopes of
assert, because after all, I’m so the wouldn’t be too hard to imagine applying what we learned to our
type to be vegetarian. Mind you, these him ripping in to a big, juicy steak own communities upon our return
conversations would often begin just and washing it down with a couple home. I can say for myself that I
as a fork carrying a piece of meat fistfuls of greasy fries. Now, sit him learned a tremendous amount on
hovered mid-air, en route to my down at the nearest vegan restaurant this trip. This trip exposed me to
mouth. I would try to explain that in front of a plate of stir-fried tofu, the great diversity of the Jewish
meat and chicken were a large part of sautéed Brussels sprouts, maybe a communities and showed me how
my diet and that I wasn’t particularly few sprinkles of arugula for good we are all, essentially, one nation,
interested in embarking upon an measure, and a nice tall glass of iced despite our geographic diversity. To
herbivorous lifestyle. “Well,” came green tea. We’d probably be just a bit Gabrielle Hiller thrive as a nation, we must build
Google Headquarters. From left to right: Akiva Berger, Tzvi Goldfeder, Shimon Farber, Danny Am-
the disgruntled reply, “you look like more comfortable replacing our biker upon our commonalities, not our
balu, Moshe Rube, Daniel First, Isaac Gelbfish, Ephy Weinberg, Eliyahu Rosen (trip leader), Eleanor
you’d be a vegetarian. You’re just so with a free-spirited hipster (head over Carmeli (Jewgler), Deborah Bellin, Tal Meiri, Keren Simon (trip leader), Zahava Rothschild, Mindy differences.
the type.” to your local Trader Joe’s for a quality Sojcher, Gabrielle Hiller, Elana Raskas, Katie Liebling, Naomi Friedman, Tamar Hochbaum, Alex
Porcelain, Adam Goldberg, Yoni Weg
The hard truth: I love dolphins selection), clad in clunky combat boots,
as much as the next person, but I’m oversized glasses, and a might-be-
not particularly inclined to go out thrift-store-but-more-likely-Urban-
and, you know, save them all. Not Outfitters baggy sweater. Wouldn’t to a 2010 AOL News article about a food we eat. Not all vegetarians are started to turn to food as a way to
that there’s anything wrong with you be surprised to see a towering, study that revealed that just holding hippies, not all carnivores are gas- signal to the world, and to ourselves,
those who do. To be sure, I respect svelte model step off the runway and an alcoholic beverage “makes you guzzling bikers, and for all we know who it is we truly are; some food for
the vegetarians and tree huggers of scarf down a couple of Dunkin’ Donuts look stupid.” According to the study, that stick-thin girl who lives next door thought.
the world, but it just so happens that and half a pizza pie? To hear a rough- a boss out to dinner with a prospective subsists on a diet of hamburgers and As for me, you’ll probably be seeing
I do not count myself among them. and-tumble high school jock declare employee will consider the job-seeker full-fat ice cream. And that’s okay. We me scarfing down some chicken from
While I do my best to eat healthy that he’s sworn-off junk food and is less desirable if he orders a drink – live in a world where we are fortunate the meat caf every now and again.
foods and keep my carbon footprint to going totally organic? While it might or even if someone else orders the to have a seemingly endless supply of But since you’ll be focused on your
a low roar, I’m just not the earthiest not be surprising for a woman to order drink for him. Although this negative food choices. Perhaps it is because of own plate of food, I doubt you’ll even
of characters. Yet for some reason, lettuce and cottage cheese (dressing association with alcohol might not be this plethora of choice that we have notice.
despite my best efforts, people persist on the side, please) on a date, who surprising, it’s certainly telling.
on assuming these things about me wouldn’t be rather startled to see a Food stereotyping works both
– in particular, people often take my man do the same? ways: often, we might judge
vegetarianism for granted, and it is A quick Google search for “food a person by appearance and
sometimes only with great effort that stereotypes” unearths a post on immediately assume his or her
I can grab the plate of chicken from the somewhat plainly named www. eating habits, or, alternatively, we
those at the table who assume I’m ireallylikefood.com that offers a might associate a certain type of
just not interested before it is passed rather brilliant, rather facetious, and food with a certain type of person.
on and I am left with a limp veggie altogether unscientific take on the While stereotyping is natural, it
burger of some sort in its stead. typical types of people we associate can inhibit room for individuality.
Does it have something to do with certain types of food. For example, Although it might be tempting to
with my predilection for wearing the author presumes that those who assume I’m a vegetarian because
harvest colors? Hardly a day goes drink lattes are probably Mac users I tend to wear a certain burnt
by without my sporting a scarf or or English majors, that “green” yogis orange scarf and rather long,
sweater of some sort in a burnt orange gravitate toward tofu, and that those dangling earrings, you would,
or forest green, and it just so happens with an Ivy League pedigree tend unfortunately, be off the mark.
that a day doesn’t go by without my to engage in wine tasting. Reluctant You might find yourself feeling a
sporting a red, curly, rather frizzy to offend, the writer assures his bit earthier, a bit more “hipster,”
halo of hair. Could it be that there is readership that he knows many a when you sit down to a nice tofu
a certain “look” that people associate proud SUV-owning carnivore who stir-fry; but perhaps we ought to
Julia Siegel
with certain foods, a type of “food enjoys eating tofu. The writer links try defining ourselves less by the
feb. 2012/shvat 5772 featUres tHe obserVer 5
to Guatemala and back: one stern student’s life-Changing experience
By hannah DreyFus While many of us were home, allowing responsibilities when you
our exhausted minds to lay gratefully fallow for a coveted few arrived at the clinic?
weeks before the return to the school-grind, 11 YU students, 6 DG: We were in
women and 5 men, were having a vacation of a very different charge of triage, which
nature. A student-run initiative, these men and women traveled to is recording vital signs
Guatemala to volunteer in public healthcare clinics and educate before the patient goes
underprivileged children about health, hygiene, and nutrition. in with the doctor. We
Dani Schoenfeld, Shara Feltheimer, and Mark Elmann, leaders were in charge of taking
of the YU Global Health Club, organized the trip. Two trips of blood pressure, height and
similar nature have been successfully run in the past. Giving of weight measurements,
their time, care, passion, and dedication, what these students temperature etc. and
received in return was priceless: the experience of a lifetime. Below recording the information
is a firsthand account from Daniela Garzon, Stern ‘14, an as-yet in the patients file.
undecided major who self-pronouncedly “had no idea what this OB: Sounds like pretty
trip had in store for me.” The Observer interviewed her to find standard practice. What
out a little bit more about what she meant. differences between the
process we are used to
Observer: What exactly was your mission in Guatemala? here in America and the
Daniela Garzon: Our mission was to explore the health- process in Guatemala
care system in Guatemala. We stayed in a hotel in a city called stood out to you?
Antigua, a Spanish colonial town. Every morning we would wake DG: Organization and
up at six and travel, on the Guatemalan buses, to different health privacy. I’ll start with the
clinics in the area. We split up into five separate groups; each latter. Basically, there was
group went to a health clinic in a different town. I worked at a no privacy. All the work we
health clinic in a small town called Santiago. It took us about an did assessing the patients
hour on the bus every morning to get to our various clinics. was done in the waiting
OB: What was it like using the Guatemalan public- room. Americans have a Daniela Garzon
With a girls’ orphanage. From left to right:
transportation system? much more acute sense of
Top: Samantha Selesny, Stephanie Weprin, Gigi Ben-David, Meir Szegedi, Philip Cohen, Solly Silverman, Jonah Wilkof, Rachel
DG: The buses were absolutely insane. The buses they use privacy. We tend to forget Kirshenbaum, Eliana Graber
are retired American school buses that were either donated or that privacy is a luxury. Bottom: Daniela Garzon, Dani Schoenfeld
purchased at a very reduced rate. There were two people manning In terms of organization,
the operation: the driver and the ‘helper.’ The job of the helper what stood out to me was the lack thereof. We were handling working in the clinic?
patients’ medical history, and the documentation was extremely DG: A woman came in with a rare snake bit. That was
difficult to understand. Instead of every patient having a separate interesting. Another time, a little boy came in with a very severe
file, files are assigned to entire families. Our job was to record all burn on his hand. It was actually his teacher who brought him
new information ascertained from the check-up by simply writing in to the clinic.
it down on the last empty space available in the file. OB: How to the Guatemalan patients relate to you and your
One more difference: no strollers. Women carry their babies peers?
on their backs. DG: Because we were wearing scrubs the whole time, we were
OB: Who were the predominant patients who visited in the related to as figures of authority, which was a bit intimidating
health clinic? at times. People assumed we knew what we doing. There was
DG: Mostly pregnant women, babies, and children. We only one instance where I was standing in the waiting room, folding
saw three men the entire week. gauze pads or something equally menial, when a man ran up to
OB: In terms of birth control, were there any programs me and starting gesturing wildly. Turns out he had a serious
designed to encourage/educate patients about the different options bug-bit on his hand, and he was asking us what to do. Looking
available to them? the part becomes a serious responsibility.
DG: Yes! A volunteer actually came right out into the waiting OB: Besides for working in the health clinic, did you and the
room and conducted a mandatory birth control information group do anything else of interest while in Guatemala?
session for all the patients. He explained to the women about DG: Definitely. The town we stayed in, Antigua, is surrounded
Daniela Garzon various different methods of birth control, both temporary and by four volcanoes. One day we took a volcano hike, which was
What medical privacy? Garzon took patients’ blood pressure and other vital
permanent in nature. He stressed the importance of discussing incredible.
signs in a clinic waiting.
having children and how many children you wanted to have with We additionally visited local communities to speak with
your husband. He encouraged the patients to wait between births children about general health (washing hands, sleeping, exercise),
was to literally hang out of the door and scream where the bus and stressed what a responsibility it was to have children....The nutrition (eat from different food groups), and dental hygiene
is headed to passers-by. women sat and nodded along. (brushing teeth). We did interactive skits and activities with
The bus would only come to a complete stop for the popular OB: To ask a rather basic question: how did you communicate the kids to get them involved.
stops. To pick up passengers at more remote stops, the bus would with both the patients but, more importantly, the staff? One of the locations we visited was an orphanage that housed
keep driving. There was a ladder in the back of the bus, and DG: I actually speak fluent Spanish (I was born in Columbia, girls from abusive homes; another was an after-school program
passengers would run onto the bus while it was still in motion. SA). In my clinic, I served as the translator. Most of Guatemala in a small town that didn’t have running water because of
You know the emergency exit on the back of your average school speaks native Mayan, but near the country’s capital, Guatemala administrative corruption. Working and playing with these kids
bus? That’s the entrance people used to board the bus. City, they speak Spanish. was truly a highlight of the trip.
OB: Sounds like quite an intense commute. What were your OB: What was the most serious case you tended to while OB: What did you play with these children?
tstoaiasRrabscshohyuttrelcnsAnuulgsiancnSATo unttafiddetseitsoeedhg nnee shr fimt .w,hdeunnssi ewhcOtztrie ahttr,oiet-adt hessav ta atiygoet ’h oyile fntci x om.arfno e” aotdeoapa anrrahuareme rl semnaeltc -llieoel d ios ol spSyW nfc snin l gs, aIontbluim go - uegemnntecfwstregrhioidn af ed ynneaoo1errleml asye.fmrf ilhyfi rt won ,Wm pab iiutntacsnumos eosoaetehf rsgits tri tlynadiaorv eoiisg at t nngoetmnstno ht r Sn uyooonil flf ioamtt?od tess he on ws uetea fIerwet huanalclatanh rilechrt -atnoy .ocs csu t n tnwgFsswha.tiohl cd tu tP u uae atrlsty rsdee hrlreooylce de?tmrltfeoi sc nh hf sstnatTht-Fooet et aecivdlsifnunrofmpoaso dymrdtklu“ lscoy ru.tewnt krooYrhe nthsor ihn besattoUiewedseeoossstf., PStetstrbh“osPtswthuhhhIehicnryaortenlhs eeereo-svleu woutcmnaoy u usewaeuaaCto ih lrtrl.tdiwddisrclaiioaaopl.ceeoenm lnra trArene n rwgg esnebsssitpt.e t i noe a t, omttrJirWtt.or snihhneh oosc nuiaHgre al eeosDtay sve tl rn,Lekhm t o qeahcuc asnaiavcuentpeeorctnvnooirelrigeuusopmetwdsglnt edtynao i o u sdsA treepdi utte eea n mwnthmscoufrxschg rtta edp euaeusaoenndt enrcs smndnhareoenokt tteaeett me lb tw nT yysntdnybslhChipohe ot s decotewsmneswo.ie no tcl A npetnI pah nh? oaw oerswdt de j ro dicsHeupvsh mhb lAatr pwuisaoaiuof,scitrelso s mlinedt itecbhtslrthims eihixev uy m sofi”fnmtsa ee tot pacos teor nc rfie,e es aeantt gtvldcw chltbt l tiwayotiaii voehhotnioc sinhueohusctaaanegnndeoeoerttt-l;, Only a few blocks from Stern, at the Epiphany Did you know?Branch of the New York Public Library on 23rd Street, hangs a letter from Andrew Carnegie, the famous industrialist and philanthropist, to the city of New York. In the letter dated March 12, 1901, Carnegie asserts that large cities have one library for every 60-70,000 residents, and New York would be the greatest of cities. As such, he promises $5.2 million dollars for 65 new libraries in the city of New York, on the condition that the city maintains them. So how much money is that? Adjusted for inflation, the $5.2 million that Carnegie gave would be worth upwards of $134 million today. WvdRtpjsfitohpajdediuunfuhrouv ooieeia evissfs tmnieer corDODvpdettfhitwt srt dpeethe, r- weoeoBGGoy aerll iirbyw ttwrrenitntetd am: hhge::nh e hhp nha a yg,hnIche Ei uW seeitl,c wafnwata, nt t r mrt vycthdgto/uvhgeesbugsa aGeheoefiie ro aseeu ta nssrrweeo ew rnetiwe tlae gl rprsre etis r aleia n te ia hyraeett,n wnnls?rl s oahhyinr e nwawl ofolta a n fsaraeee-od dcctooleayl eov destk k i iirfem pr w s euelegfl o imidveie llftltsl hntofaenaaeise.yohtp ifntaagrrmo cgnWnie neeet nemoeeu ni sdh , dogtsasnp t‘th rhmo,ewtepti o onak eccaaenhhlmefiaml ueedroiienn e a.fetnnnaussbt -gse ehoyT bf a, dtgaisndrhwfi attm t erh wa ibhahosptiesleaojseveg yuiuanrhr eeilr iulfe denteae’dkcr. dm’easita wrs ogh gDn eo cy rsna howkpnn.l ok cdoaoaiu eonieeiieutoaufu, Iv tlnxt ar odffdr g fnlna teef ugtroddick l’haiatn r rn apr onn d.w tlmwvaaeenwd ufcliegeceWnmoea ikake irtl eolratrrryttudvyoeimih.mea.e lhiio en .tem ltto Aln atInt sdu ysreagTrhatwtrtthet s .. .sno aaelki lo sai,hoiet,s WiT dsstkeof schnumai ah toh, aecsthhee aslrdhhua tc aadimet anqwdht deeeoynhwninseru.ierrreyr iadeodd’fdoaf epy ti’yf im.frwwpn s py ehn et tfiretI,mf arohrai ae,ehtrmt clt et e ytimhlsinosehhewitn nnhe oemieeny ae owtnitsukaine t tgc sfn.l s hds. ftra kywase tAarglas cBoesohi tinio gi wennnmnnnfohutuatmdeesnh’dd’ggoeertttt:,,..
6 tHe obserVer featUres feb. 2012/shvat 5772
Chabad Connects its scattered Children Virtually: a true school of the future
By naOMi schWartz When Chabad for Boys and the Shluchim Online School for a shaliach at the University of Iowa who has social opportunities present in a traditional
Shluchim travel to obscure locations around the Girls enroll over 500 students between ages several children enrolled in the Online School. classroom. Each student is equipped with a
world as emissaries of the Jewish people, setting 4-13. The Online School expects a high level of “It’s well organized, has a good curriculum… headset and microphone, and most use a webcam
up shop near college campuses, large cities, and commitment: no slacking off is tolerated despite [and] is constantly improving.” as well; they can ask and answer questions,
even tiny rural towns to share the vibrancy of the school’s unusual design. Absences and When asked if he believes that his children see their classmates when they are speaking,
our religion with just one more Jew, they must latenesses are recorded (excluding latenesses are getting as good an education as those in use a “whiteboard,” and learn in independent
confront the logistical challenges of providing resulting from technical difficulties,) homework traditional schools, he emphatically replied that, groups in smaller “breakout rooms” within the
their children with a traditional Lubavitch “It may be classroom. All the students gather for Rosh
education and interactions with Orthodox even better!” Chodesh assemblies, or rallies for other events.
chiLDren in the OnLine schOOL Learn tO reaD
children their age. Until recently, shluchim had His third and The school even offers after-hours homework
heBreW as WeLL as yiDDish. they Learn tanya anD
only two options: adding homeschooling duties fifth graders help with volunteer high school students, and
Other chassiDic thOught in aDDitiOn tO chuMash
to parents’ already busy schedules, or sending spend many the eighth grade girls produce a yearbook and
anD navi, haLakha, anD (FOr BOys) MishnayiOt anD
their young children off to board on their own hours enjoy a graduation trip together. Many children
geMara.
at out-of-state schools. learning each go on to board in other communities for high
However, in September 2006, about a year day, from school.
after Skype added video-calling to their list of 8:30 until Much thought has been put into the school’s
features, another method of Lubavitch education is assigned on a daily basis, tests are printed, 2:00, and they love it: when given the option design and technology: video tutorials explain
was introduced, one which has opened the doors filled in, and faxed in to teachers by students, to skip school, they decline – they don’t want which equipment is necessary, how to set it up,
to a whole new level of worldwide Chabad and report cards are sent out regularly. Students to miss class. and even how fast an internet connection is
connection. are encouraged to exercise outside during their Through this program, not only are these required based on the number of children the
Through an organization known as “The recess as they would in a typical school, and children able to study subjects which few others family wants to teach online simultaneously
Shluchim Online School,” shluchim are able the student handbook explains that in order in their local surroundings have even heard (listing connection speeds for up to five
to enroll their children in virtual classes, to maintain a certain level of respect for the of, they are also able to form friendships with children).
connecting them via webcam to teachers and Torah learning that goes on in their classes, children who are in similar life situations: Distance learning has been common since
classmates often located hundreds of miles away. the school dress code is to be followed during the only Orthodox family in miles, constantly the 16th Century (via mail courses), but with
A project of the Connecting Yaldei Shluchim school time. Girls must wear polos or button- welcoming strangers into their homes, always the advent of the internet and instantaneous
[children of shluchim] program (a division of down shirts in pink, blue, or white, and boys are expected to behave as perfect models of ideal video connections, online schooling has become
The Shluchim Office, the international resource required to wear button-down shirts of white Jewish children to the outside world. They often a realistic way to bring learning and community
center for Chabad Lubavitch), the Online School or blue. Students have the option to purchase form such strong friendships with classmates to those who would otherwise have no access
connects teachers from places as varied as school vests and sweatshirts as well, giving the that when the school meets up “in real life,” to a Lubavitch classroom. As technology
Omaha, New York, and Maryland, with children students a feeling of solidarity. which it does several times each year for progresses, increasing benefits become available
living anywhere from Texas to Vermont, South Children in the Online School learn to read Shabbatonim and other programs, the children to the Jewish community, limited only by the
America to Australia. The children are able to Hebrew as well as Yiddish. They learn Tanya feel “bonded instantly,” as “they [already] kn[ow] ingenuity of those who realize the opportunities
see their teacher on their monitors, as well as and other Chassidic thought in addition to each other but have never seen each other [face surrounding them. The Online School helps
any child in their class whose mike registers Chumash and Navi, halakha, and (for boys) to face],” says Blesofsky. these children feel connected and supported
that he is speaking. Mishnayiot and Gemara. “The level of learning The Online School platform utilizes in their roles as shluchim, wherever they are
Combined, the Meyer and Lillian Nigri School is phenomenal,” attests Rabbi Avremel Blesofsky, various tools to make available the same in the world.
feb. 2012/shvat 5772 sPorts tHe obserVer 7
XlVI in review
By Meira Lerner The New which was reminiscent of a Lady bowl record with sixteen completions
England Patriots and the New York Gaga performance. The halftime show in a row. As Patriots fans cheered the
Giants fought hard for more than just featured Madonna, as well as a few 17-9 lead and Giants fans moaned
sPorts
a championship ring. When the two other famous singers, dancers dressed in defeat hoping for another 2007,
teams met on February 5th in Super as Roman soldiers, and a tightrope the game turned around. A Giants
Bowl XLVI, the Patriots played in the walker who was hopefully protected field goal reduced the Patriots’ lead Meira Lerner
name of beloved philanthropist Myra while bouncing on the rope. But who to five points. Another Giants field [email protected]
Hiatt Kraft, while the Giants came to are we fooling? We were all listening goal, making the game 17-15 in the
prove that defeating the 18-0 Patriots to the YU Torah Halftime Show on third quarter. Then, Brady almost
of 2007 was not a fluke. miraculously evaded a sac
Due to the heated rivalry between to throw a long pass down
the haLFtiMe shOW
New York and Boston fans, the game the field that was caught by
FeatureD MaDOnna, as WeLL
promised to be nerve-racking. From Giants linebacker Chase
as a FeW Other FaMOus
Tom Brady’s first throw, what the refs Blackburn. Although the that was all too similar to the Giants’ Mary were successful, the Patriots
singers, Dancers DresseD
called an “Intentional Grounding” Giants did not turn the final drive of Super Bowl XLII, Eli would win the super bowl. If not, the
that resulted in a two-point safety, as rOMan sOLDiers, anD a interception into a scoring Manning passed the ball to Mario Giants would take another ring away
all fans were on the edge of their tightrOPe WaLker WhO Was opportunity, Blackburn’s Manningham for 38 yards. A few more from the Patriots. The pass, almost
seats. The New York Giants refused hOPeFuLLy PrOtecteD WhiLe interception effectively passes before Ahmad Bradshaw tried caught by injured Rob Gronkowski,
to play on the embarrassing low level BOuncing On the rOPe. But prevented the Patriots from to down the ball at the 1-yard line with fell incomplete, sealing the win for
on which the Patriots began the game WhO are We FOOLing? We increasing their lead. 1:04 left of the game, but Bradshaw the New York Giants.
and turned Brady’s mistake into a Were aLL Listening tO the The Patriots, given lost balance and fell backwards for the As New Yorkers celebrate the win,
touchdown. By the end of the first another chance to extend touchdown. Had Bradshaw avoided New Englanders will be asking “What
yu tOrah haLFtiMe shOW
quarter, the Giants led the Patriots their lead in the fourth the touchdown, the Giants would have if?” What if Brady had not given the
On “tOrah anD sPOrts” tO
9-0. quarter, which would have run down the clock and kicked a field Giants a safety on the first play of the
Maintain Our innOcence
Tom Brady, with his characteristic almost definitely sealed goal to seal the win. With Bradshaw’s game? What if Brady had not thrown
in the event that 53-year-
focus and ability to perform under the win, began driving touchdown, however, Giants took the an interception? What if Welker had
OLD MaDOnna atteMPteD
great pressure, steadily brought the downfield. With 2nd and 11 lead, 21-17, giving Brady a minute to made the first down on Brady’s 2nd
football down the field for a successful her OWn WarDrOBe on the Giants’ 44-yard line, work his magic. and 11 pass? In sports, “What if?”
29-yard field goal attempt. Though MaLFunctiOn. Brady passed the ball to an With a four-point deficit, the will always plague players and fans,
the game’s start was disastrous for open Wes Welker for what Patriots needed more than a field goal forever causing those sleepless nights.
the Patriots, they managed to score he hoped would be a first to win the game. Brady quickly passed Annoyed as we may be at a game’s
a touchdown before halftime, leading “Torah and Sports” to maintain our down. The ball, thrown slightly wide, the football downfield, using timeouts outcome, however, is it not that
the Giants 10-9. innocence in the event that 53-year- slipped out of Welker’s hands for an and out-of-bounds to stop the play anxiety-inducing uncertainty – the
Although the Patriots were on a old Madonna attempted her own incomplete pass. The turning point clock. With five seconds remaining ability for a game-winning touchdown,
role by halftime, the score was way wardrobe malfunction. of the game had arrived. on the clock, the Patriots had time basket, or home-run to appear at the
too close for either team to feel secure. And then the third quarter began. Down by two, the Giants would for one last play. Brady was forced last moment when all was thought to
Fans, however, tried to relax by Brady continued his successful passing regain possession with less than to throw a 51-yard Hail Mary that be lost – what makes the games so
watching Madonna’s halftime show, in the third quarter, breaking a super four minutes to the game. In a play would decide the game. If the Hail intriguing and captivating?
february Game schedule sports Quotes
“It ain’t over til it’s over.” – Yogi Berra
“Nothing can defeat you if you make up your mind
to fight, and nothing can save you if you have accepted
defeat.” – Apoorve Dubey
“I don’t want to look back; I want to keep looking
ahead. I’d hate for my defining moment to be my
past.” – Scott Hamilton (Olympic figure skating gold
medalist)
“Even in the most impossible situations, stand tall,
keep your head up, shoulders back, keep moving,
running, looking up, demonstrating pride, dignity,
and defiance.” – Bill Walsh
save the Date!
Be sure to catch the Lady Macs Basketball team’s final home game at
*For more details and game recaps, visit yumacs.com. Baruch College on Sunday, Feb 12!
Note that fencing has a match in the Stern College 11th Floor Gym! If you
cannot make that match, be sure to check out Macs Madness uptown in
Rubin Gym.
8 tHe obserVer sCIeNCe & HealtH feb. 2012/shvat 5772
bring on the brain Games?
By naaMah PLOtzker Google “brain games” School Press notes that “gaming” professionals
sCIeNCe & and you will find a host of websites featuring tend to be more social, confident, and proficient
games that claim they will boost your mental at creative problem solving than their non-
capabilities – not Halo-style shoot-out action gaming peers.
games, but visual and verbal puzzles. Huge University of Rochester professor Daphne
amounts of money are invested into researching Bavelier and student Shawn Green published
HealtH the legitimacy of the brain games industry. For a study researching and reviewing skills
brain games, like for many things that seemed enhanced by
that are not definitely proven, DOn’t heDge yOur regular gaming in Nature
shuLaMit BrunsWick
there is no one answer – their gPa On haLO nights, in 2003. The study reported
naaMah PLOtzker efficacy remains a fiery debate. But knOW that that on standardized
[email protected] In the early 1990s, Dr. Richard there May Be a tests measuring attention
Haier used positron-emission chance PLaying span and information
tomography (PET) scans to test processing time, the
viDeO gaMes can
glucose levels in the brains of gamers far outperformed
cOntriBute tO yOur
individuals as they played Tetris. the nongamers. Later
MentaL Fitness.
High glucose levels in the brain studies also supported the
How an obsession with Coffee is Destroying reflect hard thinking. When the possibility that the visual
participants of the study first began playing, precision of gamers was better than that of
their glucose levels were very high, indicating nongamers. Some examples of improved visual
our rainforests that their brains were working very hard, even precision that the studies found are that gamers
at the game’s most elementary levels. However, were better at visually tracking multiple objects
significant reduction of brain glucose levels after simultaneously (and that gaming actually helped
By shuLaMit BrunsWick It is difficult to with a hefty price tag. Each single cup of this several weeks of consistent play suggested an to improve this skill), that gamers were almost
believe that a bitter, black drink has spawned a brown gold destroys three-square centimeters improvement in participants’ cognitive ability 60% better at distinguishing between shades
nearly worldwide obsession. Coffee has quickly of rainforest. This staggering estimate makes to solve the puzzles. of gray, and that gamers’ speed at making
evolved from its humble origins to a multi-faceted coffee the leading cause of rainforest destruction. Dr. Torkel Klingberg of the Karolinska correct decisions in changing environments is
drink consumed by the gallon by rich and poor. More and more rainforests are cleared to create Institute in Sweden emphasizes positive faster than nongamers’ by 25%. For example,
In the US especially, gone are the days where the “sun drenched” environment coffee growers neurological effects of playing “brain games.” all these skills are useful for driving in traffic
one could order a simple cup of coffee; instead demand. Much of By using brain-imaging, he has shown how the or nighttime conditions.
“BLack as the
consumers spout off long, rattling titles at their this destruction number of dopamine receptors is increased by On the other hand, different studies show
DeviL, hOt as
local Starbucks counter which all wind up to is in vain as “brain training” (dopamine is a neurotransmitter that gaming turns the brain off. Dr. Akio Mori
heLL, Pure
mean the same thing: “Coffee! Stat!” However, more coffee is involved in learning). of Nihon University in Tokyo, who has made
as an angeL,
coffee’s status as one of the most consumed produced than A couple of questions researchers need to something of a name for himself with his
beverages in the world masks the very real truth is consumed. sWeet as LOve” illuminate now are whether the improvement controversial claim that gamers have physical
that our beloved drink is the number one cause Since coffee — charLes in skill at one game can apply to other games brain damage, measured the beta wave activity
of rainforest destruction. production is Maurice De or to real-world skills, and whether all games in the prefrontal lobes of gaming and non-gaming
Legend has it that an Ethiopian goatherd so valuable, taLLeyranD are created equal in this regard. subjects. Beta wave activity indicates cognitive
discovered coffee when he noticed his goats the plants are Skeptics of the benefits of gaming consider activity in that area of the brain, as opposed to
frolicking around a bush with mysterious red heavily sprayed studies such as the one published in the alpha waves. Mori found that not only was beta
berries which, when the goatherd tasted them with pesticides. Many of these pesticides are not prestigious science journal Nature in April 2010 wave activity lowered increasingly the more
himself, produced a feeling of euphoria. A monk, only poisonous to the wildlife and the farmers, to conclude that the benefits of gaming are weak time subjects spent gaming, but that frequent
witnessing the goatherd, took some berries back but contaminate the water as well. Natural at best. The 2010 study tested 11,430 individuals gamers experienced low beta wave activity even
to his monastery and that night, the monks were means of soil regeneration have been abandoned who played “brain games” several hours each while they were not gaming. Much research
more alert to divine inspiration. Coffee soon as the growers push the land to its limit. The week and examined their improvements both has gone into studying whether it is true that
crossed the sea into Arabia and the beverage as results are reduced productivity over time, and on the games’ tasks they had been practicing children who game frequently have difficulty
we know it today was born. In 1615, coffee was soil erosion and acidification. The soil erosion and unrelated tasks. While improvement in separating fantasy and reality and practice the
introduced to Europe and the race to grow and rate around coffee plants is nearly double the the games’ tasks was observed, which the violent behavior they see in the games they play.
produce it was on, with the Dutch coming out rate of subsidence plots, the land a farmer will researchers attributed to the “practice makes In addition, studies have also linked gaming to
ahead and growing a booming coffee business. cultivate for his own needs, because there are perfect” phenomenon, no improvement was seen decreased attention spans.
Soon it crossed the Atlantic and by 1800, Brazil broad expanses of bare soil under the coffee on “untrained” tasks, even when the two tasks The recurring problem that studies of this
was the leading coffee producer in the West. bushes which are vulnerable during the rainy were very similar. issue run into is called endogeneity: is the
Today, with 500 billion cups consumed every season. Proponents of gaming point out potential alleged effect actually the cause, and the alleged
year, coffee is a monster industry, boasting Finally, the emergence of coffee monopolies problems with the 2010 study – quality-control cause the effect? For example, while the gaming
revenues exceeding $10 billion. Brazil and created an unfair distribution of wealth among issues and whether participants engaged in surgeons may have acquired their superior
Columbia lead the pack, producing 22.5 and the supply chain. From the berries to the sufficient training to experience a brain depth-perception and hand-eye coordination
10.5 million 60 kg bags, respectively. finished product, coffee changes hands at least boost. from gaming, it is also likely that this group
However, coffee’s booming industry comes fifteen times before it reaches the roaster and Yet there is little evidence demonstrating already possessed superior depth-perception
the price increases at each step. The farmer may positive effects of “brain games,” so far it appears and hand-eye coordination, and were therefore
earn $0.15/lb., which the roaster and retailer that, though entertaining, they are basically a attracted to tasks, such as gaming, that require
will earn $5.00/lb. to $20.00/lb. Small farmers waste of time. Most of the data researchers have these skills. Or, those who enjoy video games
cannot compete with large plantations and many used to support gaming has actually been from may have been born with lower cognitive activity
small farmers live at subsidence level despite studies of action games. Therefore, a better in their pre-frontal lobes and consequently turn
producing high quality coffee. question to ask would be, can action games be to video games for stimulation, as opposed to
Despite the damage it causes, it seems good for the brain? A study of laparoscopic their more thinking peers, who prefer to engage
unlikely that coffee production will slow; it surgeons at Beth Israel Medical Center is one in more cognitive tasks, and therefore their beta-
is just too lucrative. Uganda exports just 3 indication that playing action games can be wave activity is low even while not playing video
million 60kg bags and they account for 75% positive for mental functioning. These surgeons games. Drawing definitive conclusions is very
of the country’s export revenue and provide perform hi-tech surgery in the abdomen using complicated because in order to do so, rigorous
employment for 80% of all rural workers. Uganda minute incisions, which requires the surgeon longitudinal studies may be in order, but these
is not the only country to benefit economically to have superior depth-perception and hand-eye are difficult to conduct on large groups. Subjects
from coffee. 100,000 small farms generate most coordination. Surgeons who played action games may need to be studied from the time they are
Mexican coffee and coffee’s economic importance for more than three hours each week were found young in order to see how people’s individual
in Columbia has lead to all cars entering the to make 37% fewer errors as compared to their abilities influence their interests.
country to be sprayed for harmful bacteria. nongaming counterparts due to better hand- So don’t hedge your GPA on Halo nights, but
It is clear that the solution will not come eye coordination and depth perception, which know that there may be a chance playing video
from the growers and so, it must come from may have been cultivated by gaming. A book games can contribute to your mental fitness.
the consumers. If people were made to realize published in 2006 by the Harvard Business
that cutting down on their coffee intake would
positively affect our disappearing rainforests,
the demand for the “brown gold” would diminish,
leading to decreased production and, more
importantly, greatly decreased rainforest
Julia Siegel destruction.
feb. 2012/shvat 5772 sCIeNCe & HealtH tHe obserVer 9
You are Not too busy for This No more turning a blind eye:
By ruthie heLLer As college illnesses. Iron contributes to reducing
students, we have a common tendency stress, allowing more oxygen into the ocular and Visual Prostheses
to get into the habit of going to bed late, blood stream, increasing blood flow,
staying awake with barrels of coffee which helps keep our cardiovascular
and munching constantly throughout system up to par. Finally, copper By Batsheva kuhr Randy, a functioning eye. The veins of the eye the “highway” for visual signals to
the day. We have immensely packed helps reduce cholesterol, elevate young man of 20 years old and in the are imitated using frayed red silk reach the visual cortex and the area
lives: going to classes, tons of school energy levels, and acts as a brain prime of his life lost his right eye while thread. The white part of the eye (the of the brain involved in interpreting
work, upholding a social life and stimulant. serving in Iraq. Randy was told that sclera) is tinted using pigments. In the vision. The model was approved in
exploring the wonderful city of New Lastly one of the greatest perks his eye was damaged beyond repair final steps, the prosthetic is sealed Europe and the procedure costs
York. With all of this on our plates, of dark chocolate is that it releases and nothing could be done about his and polished. about $100,000. The product awaits
a healthy lifestyle tends to slip out endorphins, hormones that make us facial disfiguration. Luckily, Randy While ocular prosthetics have approval from the FDA to be sold in
the back door while sleepless nights, feel good and happy. was given an incredible opportunity been around for some time, exciting the US publicly.
bingeing, and stressing become our These are all some fantastic reasons on The Doctors TV Show. He was research is being conducted on a In 2011, another, newer form of
primary habits even though they to keep snacking on chocolate, but it is going to have a second chance at a different kind of prosthetic: visual visual prostheses was developed:
lessen our quality of life. important to keep in mind that these “normal appearance” with an ocular prostheses. This device serves an the visual cortical implant by
You are probably wondering, “What health benefits are strictly related prosthesis. entirely different purpose than ocular Dr. Mohamad Sawan of Polystim
are easy yet effective ways to improve to dark chocolate; milk and white An ocular prosthesis is an artificial, prostheses. While the purpose of Neurotechnologies Laboratory in
my health chocolate non-functioning implement worn ocular prostheses is to cosmetically Montreal. A microcamera, perhaps
without are not over a natural eye that has become disguise a blemished eye, visual mounted on sunglasses or the like,
it has Been MeDicaLLy
having to nearly as disfigured, for reasons such as prosthetics are implemented to restore picks up visual stimuli, transmits
PrOven that a DaiLy DOse OF
really try?” healthy and accidents or cancer. Ocular prostheses some form of vision to patients. them to a processor which then
Dark chOcOLate is a gOOD
It has been will only are made by ocularists. Colloquially, There are many different kinds transmits the signals, via radio
Way tO iMPrOve yOur heaLth.
medically donate some an ocular prosthesis may be referred to of visual prostheses, including the frequencies, to a microchip that is
proven that extra love to as a “glass eye”, as they were originally artificial retina and the cortical implanted in the visual cortex of
a daily dose your hips. made from glass. Interestingly, as implant. Pioneered in the early 1990s the brain. Essentially, the brain is
of dark chocolate is a good way to The key factor in keeping dark of World War II, when glass was no by Dr. Mark Humayun of University directly stimulated by a microchip,
improve your health. This seems like chocolate healthy is portion control. longer as available, ocularists had to of Southern California, the artificial altogether bypassing the eye and all
a myth or even a joke because of its Dark chocolate may contain nutrients, turn to another source for their craft: retina essentially serves to replace its supporting structures.
fantastically delicious flavor, but no however, it is also very high in calories medical grade acrylic. the area of the eye that is damaged. At this point, the quality of vision
jokes here, folks, it is true! The three and fat so make sure to take no more The process of receiving an ocular Specifically, it replaces rods and provided by these prosthetics is fairly
components that make it healthy are than the recommended daily dosage prosthesis is relatively simple, taking cones, cells in the eye that detect light rudimentary. For example, reading
its antioxidants, its minerals, and and, most importantly, savor every only about one to four days and not and send information to the brain. and facial recognition are not yet
its ability to release endorphins in bite. requiring surgery. However, the The artificial retina device works by possible, but identification of simple
the brain. Another essential way to help process of crafting the prosthesis way of a miniature camera attached objects and motion detection are
Antioxidants benefit us because improve your daily living is through is very specific to each patient. An to eyeglasses which takes images facilitated by visual prostheses. For
they prevent oxidation which causes sleep, and not just a few hours of it. impression of the patient’s eye socket and wirelessly transmits them via a those without vision, even these small
free radicals to damage our cells. Pulling all nighters or getting an is taken if there is volume missing microprocessor as an electric signal steps can be pretty amazing. Be sure
Damaged cells could prevent the average of 4 to 5 hours of sleep a from the eye. The ocularist will use to the retinal implant. The receiver to keep an eye out for interesting new
normal functions of our bodies to stop night will have negative long term this mold to form the prosthesis. in the implant interprets the image research on this front.
working, so antioxidants are crucial consequences. It is proven that lack The iris is hand-painted onto the and sends small electrical pulses to
in healthy living. The antioxidants in of sleep can be the number one cause prosthesis to best match the patient’s the cells leading to the optic nerve,
dark chocolate are called polyphenols. of weight gain, memory loss and lack
These are found in a large variety of productivity.
of fruits and vegetables, but eating These new resources will be great
chocolate allows you to get the same positive enhancements for your day- rwanda’s lessons for today’s students
benefit in a tastier way! to-day living and make you feel more
Some of the minerals in dark energetic and lively. Now you know
chocolate include iron, copper, you can grab life’s sweetness at any continued from page 1 a speech given at her high school by arrival in America – that, contrary to
magnesium and potassium. moment of the day and shut out its family was killed solely for being David Gewirtzman – a survivor of the her assumptions, other countries had
Magnesium and potassium help stresses just by closing your eyes. Tutsi, not Hutu, in a country where Holocaust – when she was in tenth been all too aware of what had been
regulate blood pressure, muscle So, bon apetité, good luck and good being Tutsi was considered enough grade. Answering a question by a going on in Rwanda, but that they
function and prevention of chronic night! to sentence a person to death. delegate about why she had refrained had clearly not deemed the genocide
Murekatete hopes that by teaching the from speaking about her experiences of her people important enough to
younger generations about tolerance, until then, Muraketete explained demand attention, or intervention.
The time is now to improve your old, and unhealthy sleep habits! Harvard there will never be a situation where that it took her a great many years Murekatete stressed the importance
sleep clinic gives 5 easy steps to help college students effectively and a person will genuinely believe that to process the events of her childhood, of bringing genocide prevention to
efficiently change their bad habits. a fellow human being deserves death and that she would often wake up in the fore of government attention,
just for being different. the mornings thinking that it had as genocide continues to take place
1. Make sure to create a routine of waking up and going to bed at the Murekatete delivered an emotional been a nightmare, but that hearing in countries throughout the world.
same time every day, so your body gets used to a certain schedule and will speech, detailing her experiences another survivor of a genocide speak Murekatete ended with a word to
work more efficiently during waking hours. during the genocide, and her made her realize how important it the delegates, asking them to take
subsequent arrival at her uncle’s is to educate people about genocide, her message home, and to spread
2. Make sure that you are going to bed when you are sleepy. If you are in Queens. She explained that however painful that might be. awareness about genocide.
unable to fall asleep, get out of bed and do something relaxing like reading. her decision to speak up about the Murekatete commented on her
Do not use your computer or cell phone because the light emitting from Rwandan genocide was inspired by dismay at discovering – upon her
them inhibit the production of melatonin, the “sleep hormone” which makes
it even harder to fall asleep.
3. Set a comfortable sleeping environment prior to getting into bed such
as turning off bright lights.
4. Avoid heavy meals and exercise close to the set time you chose to go
to sleep. You might think exercise will tire you out, but it energizes your
body, making sleep difficult. Exercise is important, but make sure it is
done earlier in the day. Eating a heavy meal before bed causes your body
to expend energy digesting it while you sleep leaving less time for the body
to be totally relaxed.
5. Any stresses or anxiety of the day should be cleared from your mind
before getting into bed. Relax and free yourself of all the stresses that
college brings!
With these five steps you are now well equipped to start a new, healthy
lifestyle.
10 tHe obserVer arts & CUltUre feb. 2012/Kislev 5772
I Need a Doctor:
tracing the History of Doctor Who
arts &
By shuLaMit BrunsWick On November 30, planet in a time space machine. Being so old,
1963 six million people tuned in to a strange he is somewhat senile and doesn’t know how to
and exotic world that would revolutionize science operate his machine.”
fiction in ways few had ever dreamed of: Doctor A brand new show needed a brand new sound:
CUltUre Who. With a 48-year run and over 700 hours of a theme song so unique that it would snare

TV time (and counting), this British television viewers the instant they turned on their TV
show has not lost its magic and continues to sets. The Doctor Who theme music is unearthly,
atara arBesFeLD
thrill and inspire people decades later. eerie, and exciting. Ron Grainer composed the
aiMee ruBensteen Before we begin, introductions are in order. original Doctor Who theme and intended it to
[email protected] Who is the Doctor? Where does he come from? be like nothing anyone had heard before. Delia
The Doctor is one of last surviving members Derbyshire of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop
of the “Time Lords,” beings who have managed worked with Grainer to capture his vision.
to unlock the secrets of time travel. He travels Television composer Mark Ayres writes about
the universe in his time machine, the TARDIS. the Workshop’s innovative process in creating
Giant turtles mourn: He sees it as his mission to right the wrongs their masterpiece. At the time, there were no
he comes across . Any race of the universe, synthesizers; the sound for electronic music
a landscape of Jewish fiction aliens included, may turn to the Doctor for came either from pure electronic sources or
assistance. from recordings of actual live sounds. The
But where does he come from, really? Workshop found the source of their electronic
By renee kestenBauM If you’ve ever whose Rebbe gives him a heter [dispensation] Doctor Who was born in the mind of Sydney sound in a bank of twelve high-quality test tone
cringed when a television show drags out a to visit a prostitute in order to preserve his Newman, head of the BBC’s drama department, generators, which usually function to output
token Jew who is just completely wrong – kippah marriage. This particular situation is an extreme in the early 1960s. Newman collaborated with various tones (square waves, sine waves) for
too bright, beard too example of Englander’s work, but the collection BBC executive Donald Wilson in an effort to passing through electronic circuits for testing,
square – you just is full of characters whose Jewishness informs create a children’s science program that would and equalizers. Each sound in the Doctor Who
may be delighted by their lives without resorting to stereotype. There fill an empty slot during family hour on Saturday theme was individually created using these
Nathan Englander, is Gitta, a 54-year-old agunah [woman waiting afternoons. They hoped this new show would instruments, and recorded to magnetic tape.
an accomplished for a divorce] who exacts her own pressure on her rival the ratings of Newman’s hugely popular Swooping sounds were created by manually
writer who gets boorish husband; there is Ruchama, a mother creation Target Luna. Newman hoped to create adjusting the pitch of the oscillator to a carefully-
it all completely and sheitel-macher [wig maker] who wishes something that would engage younger children timed pattern. Rhythmic hissing sounds were
right. to be beautiful just once more; there is Reb as well as adults, snagging both ends of the created by filtering white noise. Once they had
With appealing Yitzhak who holds a job as a department store viewing spectrum. Newman thought to use the all the sounds they wanted, the recording of
accuracy and Santa Claus to pay the bills. There are also idea of a time traveler to educate children about each sound was trimmed and the pieces stuck
defiant imagination, the scrutinizers of the neighborhood women various historical periods. He came up with the together, creating the music that had to be
Englander portrays as they appear at shul in their holiday-finest; idea of an “alien” time traveler to incorporate “mixed”. Since there were no multi-track tape
not “Jewish one of Englander’s most ingenious thought the outer space theme that had made Target machines like audio engineers today use to mix
characters” but experiments in the collection is the imagined Luna so popular. music, the Workshop invented crude multi-track
simply “characters,” reactions of the Mekylim and Mahmirim [the In his book, A Critical History of Doctor techniques: each length of tape was placed on
complete with their lenient and the strict] of Chelm when their Who on Television, John Kenneth Muir quotes a separate tape machine and all the machines
own desires, conflicts and subtleties. Though village is faced with an edict of “relocation” Newman as saying, “I dreamed of this old man were started simultaneously and the outputs
he has left the Orthodox Judaism in which he during the Final Solution. of 760 years of age who fled from a distant mixed together. The resulting wails, “bubbles,”
was raised, Englander has reflected on religion, Published 13 years later, What We Talk About continued on page 12
and on the ultra-Orthodox, with compassion When We Talk About Anne Frank moves beyond
and with dignity. This skill marks Englander’s individual pains and local interests; more is at
first short story collection, For the Relief of stake this collection.
Unbearable Urges, and resurfaces in What We Among the jewels of these short stories is
Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank “Sister Hills,” an allegory chronicling the Puzzle Corner: Plane letter
in a new context. development of the State of Israel (complete
For the Relief of Unbearable Urges won with Arab-Israeli conflict) through the tale
reviewers over with its title story about a Hasid continued on page 11 By DaviDa kOLLMar This winter break, my friends from Stern travelled to many
different locations around the world, so I wrote each of them a plane letter to read on
the long ride there. As I wrote the plane letters, I noticed that the name of each of their
destinations was related in some way to geometry, as is the word plane letter itself. This
What is Jewish art, The Western Wall? puzzle is a cipher of all of my friends’ destinations. Each letter is replaced by a different
letter, the same letter throughout the puzzle. Happy solving!
By aiMee ruBensteen The Western Wall, If it is art, then what is the proper way to view it WVQAK KYHODA
or Kotel, is more than just a popular tourist as a spectator? In order to understand the Kotel
site; its history is enriched with the Jewish as a piece of art, one must consider American LAKW VXCVAK RZ WTA WDVOXMHPOD WDOCA
experience throughout time. Located in the Old philosopher John Dewey’s philosophy of art.
City of Jerusalem, the foundation of the Western Art exists in order to create an experience for FADQHCO WDVOXMPA
Wall is 19 meters high and dates back over the viewer. Dewey believes that a work of art is
2,000 years to Herod the Great. In its entirety, continued on page 11 ODNT RZ WVWHK
the Kotel stretches
1,600 feet, and MOWALOG ODNT VX KW PRHVK
continues to be one
MDAOW JGDOQVC RZ MVUO
of the most sacred

sites for the Jewish
KJONAKTVJ AODWT KJTADA OW AJNRW
people, as well as
a tourist site for
MRPCAX WDVOXMPA RZ BHOPO PHQJHD
gentiles looking

for a historical,
KWRXA NVDNPA OW KWRXATAXMA
spiritual or

aesthetic
JDVQA QADVCVOX OW MDAAXLVNT
experience. The

structure’s history
ODNWVN NVDNPA
is embedded in
every layer of
WVOXOXQAX KYHODA
every stone, but

can the Kotel be
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considered a piece
of art just because
it is a symbol of the
Jewish experience? Aimee Rubensteen