HAFTR Highlights

Touring Albany, displaying art, celebrating Purim at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School

Posted

The Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR) High School has been jam-packed with activities and eventful off-campus trips. On March 1, an advanced political science class took part in an active political lobbying event in Albany organized by Teach NYS.

HAFTR students, along with peers from Flatbush, Hebrew Academy of Nassau County and Shulamith yeshiva high schools, heard prominent speakers, including Allen Fagin, executive vice president and CEO of the Orthodox Union and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Both emphasized the importance of the mission to themselves, personally, and expressed the significance of the students’ presence in Albany for the strength of the movement. The students was divided into smaller groups for individual activities and n different tours.

HAFTR began by touring the capitol building; first the Senate and then the Assembly. The excursion not only gave students better insight into the political workings of state government, but also enabled them to represent the Jewish population on behalf of a cause significant to yeshiva high schools.

Another rewarding off-campus experience was a visit to the DNA Learning Center, a science center devoted to genetics education, an operating unit of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a renowned genetics research center. Imelda Gallagher’s Advance Placement biology class (I am in the class), explored the complicated field of genetics, engaging in two major hands-on experiments.

Both involved the analysis of gel electrophoresis banding patterns, as well as the insertion of recombinant plasmids into bacteria cells. We were given an extensive tour of the medical laboratory that analyzes blood samples from hospitals and other medical centers affiliated with Northwell Health.

We were shown the complicated machinery responsible for the sorting, modification and analysis of blood samples, receiving a first-hand glimpse of the world of modern medical technology, and the typical work routine of a lab technician. Having studied the intricacies of genetics in class and the complex biotechnology in existence to manipulate DNA, they found that the lab visit was a fulfilling experience that reinforced the information in our textbooks. 

Art on display
Artwork done by HAFTR’s Art Institute program was selected for exhibition in the 22nd annual Juried Competition at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. Veronica Ambalo, Mariyah Bibi, Grace Chabbott, Celia Cohen, Emily Cohen, Leora Gershkovich, Chloe Gottlieb, Sigal Karasanti, Zoe Klein, Miriam Kopyto, Sarah Kopyto, Shelley Horowitz, Perrin Rudensky and Kelly Wietschner, created Holocaust-centered paintings or drawings reflecting the famous Martin Niemoller quotation, “First They Came For …” HAFTR extends its warmest congratulations to these remarkably talented students.

Purim celebrated

HAFTR celebrated Purim (March 11 and 12) with various activities, contests and sports tournaments. The events were initiated with a chesed (kindness) program on Ta’anit Esther after school. Nearly 40 students took part in a Mishloach Manot packing program as several hundred packages were delivered to hospitals and nursing homes in Queens and Brooklyn.

Purim festivities continued the following day with the opening of the new Glaubach Family Student Center and Satran Arena. Students participated in a costume contest and participated in the game show, The Hype. Color War broke out during the show, and students had fierce competitions during Shushan Purim the following week. HAFTR extends its gratitude to Rabbi Jordan Nadelbach, director of Student Activities, and Alyssa Schechter, assistant director of Student Activities, for enhancing the Purim program, making it one worth remembering.