Heschel’s Student Government has been fast at work planning annual activities as well as new initiatives.
On Monday, March 24, all four councils of Student Government gathered together to discuss next year’s no-phone during school hours policy. At the meeting, members shared their thoughts on the new initiative, and brainstormed ways to make the policy a positive experience. When the idea of equating the in school no-phone policy to the one on the Shabbaton, freshman Yael Ben-Daniel on the Programming Council said that “students would not like the two being compared. The Shabbaton is a separate event and should remain that way”. The council members also reflected on the way the administration introduced the plan. Students expressed that they would have preferred to have had more in-put on the new rule, which the council faculty advisors agreed with.
To kick off the term, the Hesed and Tzedek council has begun working on the Bikur Cholim initiative, which translates to “visiting the sick” and will hopefully begin next year. This program is similar to one already in motion in the Lower School, where students call to check in on sick classmates. To implement this, members of the committee will communicate with the main office to receive a list of students who are out sick. The committee will then supply the list to student volunteers, so they can email wishing them well. This plan aligns with the Jewish value of caring for the sick and Heschel’s mission to foster a thoughtful and supportive community.
Another committee within the council organized a food drive for Pesach, and focused on finding creative ways to increase student participation within the program. The proceeds went to the New York Common Pantry, an organization which aims to reduce hunger. An ongoing discussion within the council is finding new creative ways to increase food drive participation, since students were not motivated to donate. An overarching goal of the Hesed and Tzedek council is to organize a Town Hall or Hachana block that would incorporate the Tzedek aspects of the council for this and future years. Lastly, the council has been working on the fan-favorite Hoops for Hesed competition. The finals will take place on Yom Ha’atzmaut and the money raised from the competition will be donated to the Hostage and Missing Family’s Forum.
The Spirit Council recently executed another successful Spirit Week. Each day featured a new theme, such as Disco Day, and Western Day — rumored to return next year. When asked about his work on council, freshman Perry Knafo said that he is “very excited for what the Spirit Council is planning.” The council is now working to implement new pep rallies highlighting athletics, providing a time for the school to celebrate each team’s accomplishments. As always, the council is brainstorming new fun activities to alleviate the pressures of work and stress.
The Programming Council was responsible for planning the March 18 Town Hall centered around the role of Artificial Intelligence at Heschel, offering a space for students to reflect on ways the school should update its strict no usage policy. This was the first time the Programming Council organized and picked the topic for a Town Hall, reflecting Heschel’s dedication to giving the students a voice in school decisions. Currently, the council has shifted focus to preparing for Yom Hazikaron. They are also planning games and presentations for Yom Ha’atzmaut. For example, there will be a slide show to celebrate and showcase the evolution of Israeli music throughout the years.
Student Affairs recently introduced “HaShavua,” a weekly update from the Student Government that aims to create transparency, document progress reports from each council, and provide essential information for the upcoming week to the student body. Student Affairs is also working to create a Tefillah Trial at the end of the year, so students can explore different Minyanim and then decide which one they want to join for the upcoming year. Additionally, the council has been rethinking the usage of the cafeteria, exploring possible additions such as an ice machine, a snack bar during Mincha, and breakfast in the morning. The council has also been creating peer advisory applications and reconsidering how to welcome new students, specifically from New Jersey.
Overall, the Student Government is working to improve the student experience through policy discussions and balancing old traditions with new community centered initiatives.
