Yeshivas model how Congress works

Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School hosted the annual Yeshiva League Model Congress tournament over Zoom, for the first time, on March 10.

More than 275 students attended the tournament from 15 schools, including Central, DRS, Ezra, Flatbush, Frisch, Idea School, JEC, Katz, Ma’ayanot, MTA, SAR, Schechter, Rambam, TABC, and SKA. The virtual format allowed the conference to be more accessible by eliminating travel limitations, with students from the Five Towns to Florida, all competing from home.

HAFTR Debate and Model Congress team juniors and seniors took responsibility for running the tournament and served as presiding officer, along with students from Central, TABC, SKA, Frisch and JEC.

As a HAFTR High senior and Model Congress co-president, I had the privilege of introducing this year’s Keynote Speaker, Rep. Kathleen Rice, a Democrat who represents the Five Towns and many of the delegates in attendance. She has become a leading voice on national security issues as well as a fierce advocate for veterans and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Rice spoke to the students about her unwavering support of Israel as well as her goal to be bipartisan yet principled, expressing how she strives to strike a balance between finding common ground and standing her ground.

Rice logged off to vote on the Covid Relief Bill; I then shared my own experience with Model Congress. I explained how it fostered my appreciation of democracy, inspired me to be a more active citizen, expanded my perspective and pushed me out of my comfort zone.

Here are some of the words I shared with the delegates: “We hope, as you are debating policy today, albeit virtually, you recognize the power of your voice. We hope that your political and civic engagement does not cease with the click of the ‘end meeting’ button. We hope that today’s conference inspires you to be leaders of tomorrow and fosters a new appreciation for our governmental process.”

HAFTR High School Principal Naomi Lippman, addressed the delegates, commending them on taking part in the event, and thanked Model Congress co-presidents, Daniel Singer and myself, and Alex Libkind, director and coach of HAFTR’s Speech, Debate and Model Congress team, for coordinating the event.

After the opening remarks, Libkind summarized the Model Congress rules and offered students a final bit of advice and inspiration before sending them off to their breakout rooms. Libkind explained how when conversing with God, Moses expertly utilized logic and rhetorical strategy to prevent Hashem (God) from destroying the Jewish people.

Model Congress is a simulation of the United States Congress, allowing students to assume the responsibilities of our elected officials and attempt to address our nation’s most pressing issues. Before the tournament, delegates were assigned to committees and authored mock-legislation, which they strategize about how to defend and earn enough votes to get passed.

A few weeks before the event, students received copies of proposed legislation from other delegates in their committee, which they researched and analyzed to prepare for speeches, questions, and deliberations.

Two judges per round ranked each student’s performance, including a student presiding officer. The tournament awarded first, second and third place overall competitors, best in the entire tournament. Students also earned rankings in their committees.

HAFTR freshman Kaitlin Pollack won first place overall (the first freshman ever to do so), competing in the Small Businesses Committee and Leah Levin, a HAFTR junior, received runner-up in the Homeland Security Committee.

Congratulations to the winners and all of the competitors for their hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication. Though their screens separated the competitors, the event proved to be filled with just as much energy and passion as it usually is in-person.

HAFTR is proud to host the Yeshiva League Model Congress tournament, continuing to provide students with the opportunity to become more persuasive, confident, and effective communicators while also exposing them to a wide range of issues not typically discussed in the classroom in this educational, formative and exciting event.