This past weekend, eight Scheck Hillel students traveled across the country to participate in RAVSAK's 2015 Moot Beit Din competition. Moot Beit Din is a program for students at Jewish high schools that challenges them to examine the ethical and moral dimensions of halakhah through creative engagement with contemporary situations. Combining the best of debate with legal analysis, Moot Beit Din exposes students to the vitality of the Jewish legal system and its relevance to their own lives. For the eight annual Moot Beit Din, RAVSAK has prepared a case focusing on social media, internet privacy, and communication ethics.
Group B
Matt Levine
Sivanne Mendelson
Julia Ellis
Jacobo Fux
Group C
Abraham Milhem
Joseph Wolf
Mark Hanz
Simon Elharrar
We are thrilled to share that both of our teams performed brilliantly at the competition in their oral presentation and in answering the judges' questions. In the coming days, we will share videos of the debate should be available on RAVSAK's website.
A special congratulations to our Group C team on WINNING SECOND PLACE! This big win culminates months of hard work studying, analyzing, writing, arguing, and practicing, and we are so proud of them. Abraham and Joseph showed strong leadership as returning veterans, and Simon and Mark stepped up to complete a strong team to bring home Scheck Hillel's first ever Moot Beit Din win!
Our Group B team shined as well, both in their excellent written ruling and in today's oral arguments. "I heard many compliments about how well prepared they were, especially for a team with three MBD rookies," said Andrew Butler, Upper School English Department Chair.
"In addition to their strong performances at the competition, each of our all star students made me so proud throughout this trip," said Butler. "Surrounded by 29 teams from Jewish schools from all around North America, our students went out of their way to make new friends and volunteer for leadership roles. Simon led the whole group in birchat hamazon, Abraham helped lead singing during Seudah Shlishit, and Jacobo led a powerful and emotional Havdalah service, in addition to jumping up to lead zemorot any time he could. Julia kept us smiling with her enthusiasm and sense of humor, Sivan stepped up big time in leading her group's presentation and preparing their visuals, and Matt made sure everyone knew who he was (and how much he loves Chabad!) Mark's positive attitude was contagious, and Joseph had us cracking up all weekend, in addition to wowing us with his speaking skills. Overall, a very impressive performance from an amazing crew."
A special thanks to Rabbi Avi Greene, who worked tirelessly with both teams, as they prepared for the competition. Kol HaKavod to all!