After a morning of learning on Sunday, the Rambam Men and faculty departed from the Mesivta for a campus they know well. Throughout the day, the students enjoyed numerous activities and opportunities. A pool was opened and watched by Rambam’s Trained Lifeguarding Team. The camp also contains many diverse fields and courts, allowing high-intensity games to run constantly throughout the retreat. Rambam’s various Rebbes also operated learning sessions running throughout the two days. The camp also contains board game and video game rooms for social bonding and fun. Rambam also hosted its annual Trivia Tournament at the event, with a Kahoot made by Henach Barningham (Junior). Congratulations to Yoni Kogan (Junior), for proving his trivia knowledge that day, may all glory be upon him, and to congratulations to the Kahoot Runner-up, Mr. Hillel Goldman. This trip showcased Rambam’s athletic, academic, and spiritual excellence. This day wasn’t only about activities, however, but also social bonding. After all, there is a reason midos precedes excellence! Not only was this trip an opportunity for the freshman to get to know each other better but also the school as a whole. Rambam is proud to announce that its Big Brother Program, launched by Elazar Schwartz and Avi Katz (Seniors), names known throughout the school for their impeccable leadership in chesed opportunities, began at the retreat. Each freshman was paired with a senior. After the pairs got to know each other, and the seniors taught them the ropes of Rambam, passing down their three years of wisdom, they played a game of Human Bingo. Each square listed someone with a certain thing, whether that being the ability to speak multiple languages, or if one has a brother in Rambam, or was born on the fourteenth, etc. The freshman and their big brothers would then have to go find other people who fit those descriptions and introduce themselves. The night also included a senior barbecue, followed by a late-night barbecue for the whole school. The next day began with learning. Assistant Principal Rabbi Avi Haar taught the sophomores, juniors, and seniors, while the freshmen and their bunks’ senior advisors were taught by the principal himself, Mr. Hillel Goldman. His session included a game of them trying to sort pictures that, in truth, could all be found in one picture, from the most microscopic to the most macroscopic. Mr. Goldman tied the whole session together by connecting the activity to the theme of perspective and maturity. After a delicious lunch by Seneca’s chefs, the boys were allowed to go to the lake for some boating. What fun! At the end of the day, the students trekked up to the top of the Camp’s hill and glanced at the campus for a final time this year. Until we meet again, Camp Seneca Lake. The school owes a huge debt of gratitude to the new administration for pulling off such a magnificent retreat, and a thank you goes especially to Rabbi Yitz Milworn, the new Director of Student Activities! The school can’t wait for the Friday night Tisch at Mr. Goldman’s house on November First. Mark your calendars! David Mastour (Senior) Debate Team Kicks Off A Great Season The National Rambam Rhetoric team kicked off the season this week holding tryouts and competing in the first Model Congress Tournament of the year! At tryouts, students were asked to prepare a 2-minute speech, answer questions on that speech, and finally answer two LSAT questions to test prospective members' logical reasoning skills. The school overperformed on tryouts setting the team up for a great season. Furthermore, The first Model Congress competition of the year was held on Wednesday, September 18th. Rambam sent two competitors, Yoni Pfeifer (Junior), and Henach Barningham (Junior), both of whom were at last year's national competition in Iowa. Henach ended up coming in 5th place overall and 3rd in his room! Rambam also sent two presiding officers whose job was to ensure that competition moved smoothly, both of which were successful. The tryouts and the competition both acted as a great start to will certainly be a great year.