Thursday, November 10th, Dr. Stein assembled the school, seniors and Sephardis included , for a communal davening.   Rather than give his regular morning announcements, Dr. Stein shared his thoughts on the proper relationship between a Jew and G-d. He questioned; why are the Jews called the servants of G-d? He explained that Jews should always be conscious of a higher being just like a servant is continuously aware of his master.

On November 7th, 11 Frisch students representing Kalliope, the Struggle, and Yearbook attended the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Fall Conference. At the Conference students were able to learn how to improve their publications. Frisch Off the Press and Frisch at-a-Glance were represented as well, though unofficially. Students were able to sit in on sessions that ranged from design to editing to online publications. Eitan Neugut ('12) said,  "The Conference helped identify the weak points of the struggle and create solutions that will ultimately lead towards an overall better Struggle"

Freshmen Retreat was held from October 17th to 30th in the Raleigh hotel. Along with approximately 140 freshmen and 35 seniors, many faculty members attended the Retreat. It was the first time it snowed on Freshmen Retreat, but the snow did not affect any activities. 

Thursday, October 6th at Frisch over 300 students in grades 9-12 decided to “Disconnect to Connect.” Students gave up their cell phones for the entire day in order to enhance their relationships with their peers. Few students had the distraction of texting and were able to focus on better connecting with peers. Students who overturned their phones were given a stress-ball cell phone and were able to participate in a fun filled program 5th period. When the students arrived they were told to sit either on the inside or outside of a giant circle in the shul. Rabbi Morris, along with students Avigayil Jarashow '12, Jenna Kershenbaum '13, and Eddie Maza '13, planned a speed dating session for the students. Overall, the day was a major hit. Eddie Maza ’13 said  “I think everyone really took the program to heart! It was a huge success!”

  Monday, September 19th, marked the beginning of a new Israel education initiative that will be taking place in Frisch over the coming year. In order to make students more aware of issues involving Israel and Israel activism all students will be participating in a monthly assembly ran by AISAC faculty advisor, Rabbi Sher. Today’s assembly was to inform students on the upcoming vote in the UN to recognize an independent Palestine and admit the state to the United Nations. During the presentation, students were taught about the various political viewpoints involved in the issue including those of the United States, Israel, the Palestinians, and Hamas. Rabbi Sher explained the process of admitting a country into the UN unilaterally, and the potential dangers Israel would face if Palestine gains its independence, thereby foregoing the peace process and ignoring former agreements made between Israel and Palestine.

                In addition to the vote on the status of Palestine, on Wednesday the UN will be holding the Durban Conference on racism, where the term Zionism was defined as racism. The Frisch seniors will be banding together with other supporters of Zionism as a civil liberty, not as racism, in protest of the conference.

To visit the AISAC Facebook Page click HERE 
To visit the AISAC Twitter click HERE

The administration  decided yesterday not to have the seniors participate in the demonstration against Durban III, a conference which has defined Zionism as Racism. The decision was made after the school received phone calls from several of the organizations which had been sponsoring the rally telling us that they had withdrawn their sponsorship and were advising Jewish organizations not to participate. Although the purpose of the demonstration and the educational purpose for having students participate in it are clear to the school,  it seems, however, that the rally has to some extent become closely identified with an organization of so-called Messianic Jews. The very people whom The Frisch School trusts year after year to take the lead in Jewish activism and to inform the school about and solicit participation in rallies and demonstrations were the people who asked the school not to participate in this rally. 

With the departure of Rabbi Yaish, there have been many changes to attendance. Now, each teacher has about 20 students to track for attendance. Additionally, there is a new davening attendance protocol. Students now have to sign their names on an attendance sheet when they walk in for davening. Teachers used to take attendance in their assigned section. Students are yet to see whether there will be assigned seating in davening now that attendance is taken in a new manner.

TruMoo chocolate milk is no longer being served in the cafeteria. Some students believe it was a money saving idea by Frisch. However, milk is subsidized by the government. Other students believe it is to allow for a more healthful diet.
The truth is, that TruMoo has no kosher certification printed on the label. Six crates are currently sitting in the kitchen because they cannot be used.
UPDATE
TruMoo is back on the shelves and now have a printed hechsher. The issue was that the hechsher was not printed on the label, though TruMoo remained kosher the entire time.

Today, September 20th,  the Freshman class was informed that they will be taking a trip, September 21st, to learn about the different forms of chessed opportunities in the surrounding communities. The grade will be split into four groups, each exploring a different form of chessed. One group will go to a soup kitchen to pack food for the homeless, while another group will clean up a Jewish cemetery. The third and fourth groups will go to two separate nursing homes to put a smile on the faces of the elderly.  These trips are part of a new chessed initiative, in Frisch, that will focus on helping others and making the world a better place.

Thursday, September 15th, marked the first Mishmar of the school year, given by Rabbi Wald.  Mishmar, this year, has a few changes. Now the faculty member running Mishmar gives a short introduction, which is followed by chavruta learning. The faculty member then ties everything together with a conclusion. 
Additionally, cholent will be served instead of doughnuts from the new school cholent club, which meets on Wednesdays. 

Monday, September 12th, we commemorated the tenth anniversary of 9/11 by gathering our students together for a most meaningful program. The assembly opened with video footage of that tragic day ten years ago, and was followed by a stirring presentation by our own Mr. Russel Moskowitz, a 9/11 survivor who works in our business office. Mr. Moskowitz was on the 79th floor when the attack unfolded. He both related the reality of the incidents of September 11, 2001, and reflected on the events of that day and the impact it has had on his life. His words were designed to have students appreciate their own lives and the often unseen miracles that happen to each of us on a daily basis.

Mr. Moskowitz's presentation was followed by the reading of the Prayer for the Welfare of the United States and an inspiring poem, The Names, by Billy Collins, who was Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001 to 2003. We concluded by reciting Tehillim for the first responders of that day who suffer various diseases as a result of their heroic efforts at Ground Zero. 

The American flag-draped podium and the program set the tone for a somber and solemn, yet reflective and significant, program.