Last Sunday, the Rambam Chess Team took a trip to Yeshiva University to compete in the annual Metropolitan Yeshiva League Chess Tournament. After a location change, bagels, pizza, mincha, and 6 rounds of amazing chess, the scores were in. People wondered, could Rambam continue their league and tournament dominance. Rambam has won the league twice in a row, and now-alumnus Shmuel Feder won the YU tournament the previous year with an impressive 6/6. There was much pressure on the team to continue this reputation. With many other schools trying to Rambam, the chess team delivered. Ezra Masri, Marcus Jedwab, and Avi Pearlman all scored impressively, with win/game ratios of 5.5/6, 5/6, and 4/6, respectively. Third place was decided by a grueling set of tiebreaks, but Rambam came out on top. Thus, Rambam students held first, second, and third place. The team now looks forward to the championships on April 23 vs. Heichal, Frisch, and HAFTR, with the very real chance of a championship three-peat. Kavi Pearlman (Junior) Rambam Adar Fun: Chaggigah, Talent Show, and More! Civic Spirit Day at Tweed Courthouse On Thursday, March 20th the Rambam civic spirit club had their event of the year. At 7:20 in the morning the students got on the bus to the beautiful tweed courthouse in Manhattan's financial district. They sat down with 8 other schools from Washington D. C to New Jersey -private and public alike- for opening remarks at around 9:30 where the students were treated with coffee and snacks as they headed down to their activities. On the third floor the student assembled. Led by a Jewish comedy duo, they were instructed to play improv games to break the ice along with unlocking civic skills of leadership, speech, and connectivity. Next they were left back up stairs for a leadership “auction” were randomly assigned groups of students were given 300$ to purchase skills against the rest. This wondrous activity showed the value we place on certain skills and helped build an understanding on what it means to them. Taking a break it was now time for lunch, pizza was served along with fries, garlic nuts, and noodles as the students were able to connect with one another and relate. Yet there was still much to do. Back upstairs the students went and back to learning the students sat. After a presentation to discover your civic love language the students were wowed with a speech from three notable civic leaders particularly the esteemed Judge Ronald Goldman. These speeches really influenced the students and left them with a message that would stick. As the event ended and the students were on their way home they left having a great experience and self growth -truly happy to be a part of it all.