This week in Mrs. Kopel's chemistry classes we wrapped up our unit on bonding with lab activities on molecular structures. All classes built different molecular models using gum drops as atoms and toothpicks representing the bonds. Students then drew the models and the lewis dot structures of their models on their worksheets. The honors class also solidified their understanding of VSEPR theory with balloons. They blew up balloons that represented orbitals of electron clouds and made dimensional models of different compounds and the molecular geometry they exhibit.

In Mrs. Kopel's physics classes we studied force, mass, and acceleration and their relationships. Using the new, large, maker space, we used skateboards and roller blades to lessen friction and pulled each other with spring balances to measure the force it took to pull each other certain distances. We took turns on the skateboards so we could see the difference of force when mass is switched. The classes are now ready to move on to study work, power, and energy before their January midterms.

On Wednesday, December 12th, students in Mrs. Reichardt's Introductory Economics and Financial Literacy classes braved the gridlock seasonal traffic and chilly temperatures to visit New York's financial district. The highlight of their visit was their tour of the  Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Although they have been learning about the central banking system and its monetary policies, their tour made all the information that they have been studying come alive for them.

Of course, the piece de resistance of the tour was entering the gold vaults and actually seeing what  billions of dollars worth of gold actually look like, and being close enough to almost touch them! The group walked on to Federal Hall, to see where our nation's first government officially began, with George Washington's inauguration there, saw the New York Stock Exchange and the festivities in front of it, and posed by the charging bull-hoping that it will bring them all luck with their upcoming stock market project. Many thanks to Ms. Hoenig for accompanying Mrs. Reichardt and her students on this memorable field trip.

November was a very busy month for students in the senior Holocaust Studies class. The students visited the Holocaust Museum and Center for Tolerance in Rockland County, where they participated in a learning workshop about the various forms of resistance which manifested themselves throughout the Holocaust, with the museum's Director of Education, Ms. Abigail Miller. Students then had an opportunity to see part of the museum's exhibit on resistance and write notes to the Jewish community in Pittsburgh, expressing their sympathy and support for them all at this time. Their visit culminated in an inspiring and informative talk with another Holocaust survivor, Mr. Leo Inowlocki, who stressed to the students how important it is to be an "upstander."

Just two weeks later, the students were privileged to have another survivor visit with them in TABC, in their classroom.  Paul Galan is a native of the former Czechoslovakia. He and his family were fortunate to survive the Holocaust through a series of unusual circumstances and a great deal of good luck. Students were absolutely mesmerized as Mr. Galan related their experiences, literally one miracle after another! The students sat spellbound for an hour and a half, and still wanted more. 

In the days that followed, the students have been working on putting excerpts of their testimonies into words for their dramatic script. The challenge is really to isolate only certain portions of stories that must be shared with future generations of "witnesses".

All the students and the teachers guiding them in this project, Mrs. Reichardt, instructor of Holocaust Studies and chairperson of the History department at TABC, and Mrs. Lopkin, TABC instructor of drama and theater arts, have been putting their hearts and souls into this most worthwhile learning project. Acharon, acharon chaviv, last but certainly not least, we will once again be visited by Alan Moskin- a Jewish war veteran and liberator of several concentration camps, who has dedicated himself to educating young and old about the horrors which he witnessed.

TABC Storms the Frisch Cougars in Epic Double Header

Wednesday night, December 12 was a historic night for the TABC basketball program.  Last year's JV team was honored with a pre-game ceremony and banner raising to honor their championship run.  Athletic Director, Rav Yitz Rabovsky, spoke briefly about how winning a championship requires a lot more than just talent and a few good players.  Dedicated coaches, committed parents, and a supportive school faculty, all share in this championship. Once the banner was hung it was time to actually play ball as Frisch was in town for a big doubleheader.

The JV game was a highly anticipated matchup for two very strong teams. Frisch came into the game undefeated while TABC was coming off a very tough loss to the SAR Sting just a few nights prior.  With a packed gym of TABC fans, the Storm came out of the gate very strong as their defense led to many fast break points giving them a sizable first quarter lead. Zevy Samet was unstoppable in the open court and proved to be the difference maker all game long. He finished the game with 32 points!!  But this wasn't a one man team at all as the Storm got huge plays from their big men Ezra Baron and Avery Stepner, who locked down the paint all night and controlled the glass. TABC's intensity on defense and ball movement on offense proved to be too much as TABC pulled away even more in the second half and ended the night with a resounding victory.  

With the JV game on the books it was time for the main course - a varsity match-up of two of the top teams in all of the country (Jewish country of course).  This game had a playoff feel to it and the standing room only crowd was ready from the opening tip. After a slow start for both teams, TABC managed a small lead towards the end of the second quarter.  TABC's famous man to man defense was giving Frisch trouble but the Cougars held strong as they hit multiple tough shots to stay even with the Storm. As the second half began, the Storm looked to have an extra step as they started getting to the rim as their lead grew to 7.  Avi Proctor and Jonathan Haberman were excellent all game while Alex Ostrin was a force around the rim on both sides of the court. TABC's guards were able to keep Frisch's super fast guard Max Zakheim out of the paint most of the night, not an easy thing to do. TABC won by the final score of  57-47 and capped of an awesome night off basketball with a strong statement win against a very good team.  

Hockey Banner Reveal and Double Header vs. Frisch

Thank you to all the parents, faculty and students who joined us for the Championship Banner raising Thursday night for last year's JV hockey team. Following the banner reveal we had a great barbecue and an exciting double-header match up against Frisch. JV had a resounding victory with a final score of 5-1. Varsity was a very tough match up with both teams going goal for goal, unfortunately with Frisch scoring the final winning goal. Great effort by all!