On a Lighter TalpiNote
SeventyPoundsOfSem: Cafe Denia
by Helena Lustig
If you ever find yourself taking a trip on the light rail, be sure to stop at Cafe Denia, in Beit Hakerem. This may seem just another dairy restaurant classic, but the location and feel of it make it worthwhile.
Set in a quaint area of Jerusalem, the calm and airy essence of the cafe create a relaxing atmosphere and a great spot to get lunch with friends. Boys, hit this place up if you’re looking to find a Sem girl — you can bet there will be at least three here at any given moment. The food is really good, the portions are huge, plus — it’s right next to Katzefet.
Students of Midlind: Meet Becky Schwartz
by Nathalie Kahn
What did you eat for lunch today, and was it satisfying?
I had a tortilla with pasta sauce, cheese, and onions. It was sort of like a pizza. I made Ateret lunch too. Yeah, it was pretty satisfying.
Where are you from? Do you feel this sets you apart from all the other girls here?
I am from Riverdale. I don’t really think where we are from has defined us too much as of now. Also, there are other girls from Riverdale.
Do you feel Midreshet Lindenbaum is similar to your high school?
I don’t think so. I think seminary is a different concept entirely.
Do you have a favorite class in Lindenbaum?
Rav Emmet! Because he’s the best!
What is something unique about you?
Despite the fact that I am super neat and my roommate is super messy, we still love each other.
What are you doing next year? Are you excited? Why do you feel this is a good fit for you?
I am going to Brandeis University. I am super psyched! Academically, I think I will do well there, and it’s close to my family — which is important — I have a lot of family in Boston! It’s near a big city, so it’s not too intense. The people seem very open and nice.
What is your favorite activity to do outside of school?
I love going out with my friends!
Is there something particular you’re hoping to gain from your year here?
My goal is to build lasting friendships, and also, to develop the ability to learn Torah on my own for the future.
Chavruta Spotlight: Miri and Zami
by Jamie Klahr
Anyone who has been in the beis past class hours has seen Miri Charak and Rebecca Zami chavru-ing for hours on end. They are always engulfed in whatever they’ve chosen to learn, and if you haven’t encountered them in their Makom, you’ve definitely heard Miri’s laugh from down the hall.
So, I asked myself, what makes them such a good pair?
Could it be because their older sisters also became best friends at Lindenbaum, two years ago? I soon discovered that even though both Miri and Zami had heard of each other prior to their arrival at Lindenbaum, neither had expected to befriend the other. Initially, they had each thought their differences — having grown up across the world from each other — and their varied cultures would impede the possibility of friendship. How wrong they were. While Zami recognizes that their close bond is partially due to their sisters, she insists, “Our sisters were catalysts (of our friendship), but we chose to be chavrutas!”
So, why did they make this choice? Was it because of their shared dedication and commitment to learning?
Despite Miri’s high school’s limited gemara track, she has excelled here in Lindenbaum, and is a vital member of Rav Brofskys’s shiur. In fact, this achievement initially made Zami nervous about becoming friends with Miri. Zami told herself, “I’m just this newbie, and she’s kinda like this expert.” However, Miri’s experience — having been at Lindenbaum for 6 months — ultimately helped her obtain a chavruta with Zami. Zami — even though she’d originally been overwhelmed by Miri’s experience — asked Miri to help her review for gemara, thwarting her initial intimidation. Zami’s bravery and commitment led to the amazing chavruta we see here today.
This chavruta does not only benefit Zami, but helps Miri as well. Miri explains that “Sometimes I get really frustrated, and Zami helps me to understand.”
As an Australian, Miri’s program at Midreshet Lindenbaum is set to soon come to an end. However, Her love of learning has made her eager to continue studying here. Zami quotes Rav Brofsky as having told Miri, “ You have to stay! Zami won’t have a chavruta (without you)!” Anyone who has seen these two knows what a travesty it would be to separate them. Miri and Zami’s allegiance to learning and helping each other is truly remarkable and the recipe for a perfect chavruta.
After interviewing them, it’s clear that the success and chemistry of this pair stems from both their sisters history and their devotion to their studies. Throughout the interview, laughter and friendly bickering consistently erupted between sentences. These impressive girls balance each other with opposite strengths and weaknesses, and constantly thrive.
May all our chavrutas be as inspiring as Miri and Zami’s!
MidLind Obstacle: Mah Jongg — From Wonder to Obstacle
by Yael Bierig
Seminary is a place where friendships form, and those friendship are greatly fostered by living with girls in your dorm. Hanging out in your friend’s room until it’s ridiculously late is a popular activity. In the golden, early days at Midreshet ndenbaum, this was how we spent our nights, and we would truly look forward to these late night chats after long days of learning.
Lately, though, I find myself hanging out alone at night, struggling to find my friends. I ask myself, where could they be? And just as I start worrying that the entire Midrasha has gone on a late night trip and left me behind, I hear screaming and laughter in the distance. I follow the sound, and see a group of girls sitting around a weird rumi-kube-like-game that looks Chinese to me (I think it actually may be a Chinese game).
Yes, Mah Jongg is ruining my social life.
It’s mind boggling to me. Why do my friends care so much about a game of matching Chinese tiles?
Okay, maybe it’s not fair that I’m judging Mah Jongg, because I’ve never sat down and played it. But, even if I wanted to learn to play — which I don’t after witnessing it’s severe addictive qualities — there wouldn’t be enough time. Not because of my busy schedule, but because there is a waiting list to play. Yes, you read that right. It’s crazy! At first, Aviva Kahn — founder of the mahjong cult — was begging girls to play with her, to let her teach them the complicated game. Now, getting time to mahj (slang verb for ‘play mahjong’) is impossible and precious if attained. I’ve been in conversations with girls, and out of nowhere they are summoned to the mahj corner, told — in the Mah Jongg Whatsapp group — that it is their turn, and they immediately put the conversation on hold and run.
Thank Hashem — I am not the only sane girl who has realized the toxic grip Mah Jongg has on my friends. Others, also, have voiced their concerns about this obsession, and an intervention is underway. If you’re reading this article and you are addicted to Mah Jongg, you are not alone. We are here to help you. I write about this as a MidLind obstacle because I truly hope that my friends will overcome this obstacle of their obsession and move on from Mah Jong. Please — I miss you guys.
MidLind Wonder: The Gym and MTV
by Gav Mazurek
At first glance, the gym may seem more like a MidLind obstacle. An old classroom with 2/10 working fans in place of an AC, and the sight (and smell!) of the struggling people around you as they try to accomplish whatever goal it is they set for themselves. We all probably just ate half a Mak’s cake by ourselves, or strolled into Debra Paul’s room and devoured whatever masterpiece she just cooked. We’re lost causes.
However, after one or two visits, your perspective may change when you realize how heavily the pros outweigh the cons. While not all of them work properly, there are still a fair amount of treadmills that enable the room to hold the title of “Gym”. With six treadmills, two ellipticals, two stationary bikes, and couple of mats set up next to a line of different weights and a mirror, the gym maintains an impressive variety in workout regimens.
For me, though, the true supreme facet of the gym is the TV.
The TV. The sleek, black, flat-screen that hangs on the back wall. It can be seen from every machine, and is the main attraction of this room. People come from far and wide — from the second floor, from the third floor, and even from the cherem rooms by Rav Eis’s classroom — to exercise and stare at the tantalizing black slab in the middle of the room. To be honest, it is also perfectly acceptable to travel to the gym simply to stand between the machines and watch TV. After giving up too soon on their strenuous one kilometer run, every gym-goer has experienced the innate sensation of needing to sit in the middle of the gym, and watch whatever music video marathon is running on MTV.
MTV statistically has the highest viewer count in the MidLind gym. This is because of it’s exciting content. Although MidLind students spontaneously discover Wi-Fi in their halls, it is not a common occurrence. Therefore, this TV gives us each a unique glimpse into how the world outside our Midrasha Halls has been doing without us. Without MTV, how would we know that we somehow love Justin Beiber again (great comeback!)? Or, that Hayley Steinfeild is a singer now? And that Sam Smith is taking over America?!
While we need the gym to maintain the illusion that we are staying in shape, it’s primary purpose is to give us a window into our old lives, in a place where we are constantly cultivating our new ones.
