By Micah Berger Sollod, Eighth Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno
The issues faced by students at Krieger Schechter Day School and other schools are complex and diverse. From questions surrounding our identity as Jews to ones about how students can complete homework assignments more efficiently, there is no shortage of questions.
Our first question comes from Elijah W. in sixth grade.
Why is anti-Semitism still prevalent today?
Anti-Semitism is still alive and well today, even in Baltimore. As Rabbi Alex Salzberg, an eighth grade rabbinics teacher at KSDS, says, “[Anti-Semitism] is known, sadly, as the oldest hatred.”
I find it quite depressing that people as young as 11 have come to terms with the fact that Jews remain a targeted and persecuted group in many different types of situations. This question’s answer actually comes from one of my favorite topics — history. Manetho, an Egyptian priest from the third century, is one of the first examples of a major anti-Semite. He wrote many works that were scathing attacks on Jews. His ideas have been echoed throughout history, and he would incite pogroms during the third Century.
The Roman Empire was also a major factor in promoting historical anti-Semitisim. There, anti-Semitism was documented continuously throughout their history, making it common for Middle Ages historians to repeat their discrimination. In fact, the Roman Empire was so violent that without it, there would be 200 million Jews living on earth today instead of the current 14 million.
So the answer to Elijah’s question is Jews are targeted because we are a minority; we are different, but we are not ashamed to show it. As Rabbi Salzberg puts it,, “Sometimes Jews are seen as beneath society or sometimes the anti-Semitic view is that Jews control everything, but both of these ideas stem from our uniqueness. Wherever we go, we are always a little bit of an Other.”
Our second question comes from an anonymous eight grader.
How do we open our country and world back up if COVID is still evolving and is able to outsmart the vaccine? What protections could we possibly put in place?
This is a tough question. Despite how complicated this question may seem, the true answer is that we must listen to the experts. I nor you are experts in COVID-19 so when searching for answers in what can seem like an abyss of depressing Zoom calls, it is important we stay united and listen to our experts.
We need to wear our masks, wash our hands and keep our distance from people. Now this may seem silly; after all, we have been told this for years now. However, the issue is not that these things don’t work. The issue is that people aren’t following these restrictions.
Personally, the most important thing we can do to increase the number of people exercising these protections is education. Reaching out to each other and understanding each other is something we are missing throughout much of this pandemic. It’s important to educate each other and remind one another of the restrictions and protections. The chances of contracting COVID will never be 0%, but these restrictions are what will keep us safer and eventually take us out of this pandemic. COVID may be evolving, but no type of COVID can resist handwashing, mask wearing, and maintaining distance. These are simple restrictions that will undoubtedly bring an end to this nightmare.
Our third question is from fifth grader Ilan B.
Why do we only have two 10-15 minute breaks?
The main reason comes from the fact that we are a dual curriculum school with many important periods to cover each day in the areas of both secular and religious studies. While the educational benefits we reap from this are immense, it also means we have a lot to learn. Due to that fact, our classes only last 45 minutes, which makes it hard for teachers to cover a lot of information in a short period of time. You can imagine that shortening periods even more for another break could severely disadvantage a teacher’s lesson plan.
Our fourth question is from an anonymous eighth grader.
How do I change my motivation to do homework, manage my time better, and avoid procrastination and panic?
Imagine the benefits of doing your homework earlier as well as the consequences of doing it later. This will put you in a state of mind to finish these assignments efficiently, leaving more time to relax and avoid high-stress situations. Slowly ease yourself into the assignment. Put on your homework playlist, sit in a quiet area, take a few deep breaths, and begin. Get through as much of the assignment as possible. It is OK and even healthy to finish the rest of the work later that evening or the next day, if time allows.
Micah Berger Sollod is an eighth grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation.
Jmore Juniors Noah S. and Eli S. take a look at the differences between the Jewish communities of Baltimore and Chicago.
Madeline L., a seventh grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School, writes about the phenomenon that has been Starbucks over the past half-century.
Jmore Junior Eitan Beck writes about the pros and cons of having electric cars in the future.
Arguably more than any other time in modern history, trends are more prevalent and pervasive, writes Lily M., a seventh grade student at the Krieger Schechter Day School.