Panoply is a Heschel Shabbaton tradition dating back to 2018. During the annual competition, students are divided into small cohorts within their grade to answer questions about obscure topics and niche details of the school.
This year, students entered the ballroom dressed in their grade’s color in preparation, per usual (freshmen wore white, sophomores red, juniors blue, and seniors black). Little did they know, the Spirit Council had been planning a surprise since the beginning of the year.
In the middle of the competition, an AI video of Rabbi Dahlia began playing on the screens announcing that Panoply was cancelled.
Spirit Council Vice President, senior Zack Levy, said, “I was very nervous. The Spirit Council and I worked so hard to change Panoply, and if we messed up, it would be very frustrating. But, the execution was perfect and it seemed like almost everyone loved the surprise.” Levy continued, “In the past, it seemed like during Panoply most people were walking around, dancing and talking, not caring at all. So when the Bar Mitzvah broke out, it sparked excitement throughout the whole room, and it was very rewarding to see.”
A Nov. 20 survey showed that 19% of students preferred Panoply, whereas 81% preferred the surprise Bar Mitzvah theme.
Senior Simon Arenson was among the 19% of students who voted that Panoply was better. Arenson said, “I enjoyed the trivia aspect, and I’m not a fan of the flashing lights and loud noises, so I didn’t enjoy when they kept the parts I didn’t like and got rid of the trivia.”
Senior Hannah Goldman was in the majority, voting that she preferred the Bar Mitzvah theme. Goldman said, “I think the Spirit Council did a really great job organizing an event that got people involved, excited, and genuinely spirited. I do feel a little bad because it’s not really an event next year’s Spirit Council will be able to repeat, but I am confident they’ll be able to think of something equally amazing and new next year.”
VP Levy concluded, “Panoply had a great run, but I think it was time to make a change. Hopefully Spirit [continues] to change it up again next year.”