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Bar, Bat, B’not, B’nai Mitzvahs

By Liana Jensen & Baran Naim

Bar, Bat, B’not, and B’nai Mitzvahs are a beautiful part of Judaism. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah is when a child officially becomes an adult. It is an amazing moment for the family whose little boy or girl is growing up. A Bat Mitzvah is for girls when they turn twelve or thirteen, although it is proper for girls to do it at twelve. Meanwhile, Bar Mitzvahs are for boys when they turn thirteen. A B’not mitzvah is for twin girls. A B’nai Mitzvah is for twin boys or for a twin boy and girl.

Before the party, the child has a Torah reading. Mainly, this is for boys, but girls can do it as well. Although, if a girl has a reading, they do not typically read from the Torah. The child reads from a book called the Siddu with prayers such as the Shema.

The child invites all their friends and family to celebrate their special day together. During the party, the child has candle lighting. Each candle represents a family member, or sometimes even their friends. Usually, there is a video montage of the person's life after candles. Once the child enters the party they call it girl/guy of the hour. During child of the hour, we dance, and then once the hour is over the guests eat, do candles, have the video montage, then more dancing.

Normally, the party would have entertainment, such as a photo booth, henna, DJ, dancers, and arcade games. Dancers are usually at the party trying to encourage you to dance or teach you dance moves. There is Henna, arcade games, and photo booths, but people usually do these activities before the child of the hour. Usually, the child would give a specialized item, such as kippahs, hoodies, crewnecks, jackets, and T-shirts. Before the party, the child has a Torah reading to say that they're ready to become an adult. Although kids have a big party it is known as a celebration of life.

Homework and Family Time are Both Possible on the Weekend

By Adriana Hakimian

Homework or family time on the weekend, that is the question. On the weekend many kids are faced with the choice of spending time with their family or doing homework to keep their grades up.

I think both can be done, however, you have to be organized. Think about what your priorities are. Homework first or family time. My advice, make a schedule so you can do both. Next, you set a schedule of time for your options. After you write them on a nice clean sheet of paper or on your phone on a notepad, write down all you hope to accomplish by numbering your tasks. All you have to do is keep it planned so there are no worries. Now if you don’t get it here is an example.

Keep yourself organized instead of disorganized so you can do both homework and enjoy your family on the weekends.

Grades do Affect Us

By Shira Hoffman

How do grades affect us? Do grades affect us by making us feel bad about ourselves? Personally, I know that when I have bad grades I get really angry with myself and feel like I did not work hard enough and like I should have gotten a better grade. It really frustrates me sometimes.

That being said, grades can also affect us in good ways. I know that when I earn a good grade on a test or quiz, I am really proud of myself and I feel that all my studying really paid off. I remember one time I earned an A on my math quiz on a very hard topic. I remember being so impressed with myself because math is not easy for me.

Grades are important but sometimes they are not good and other times they are. Either way, sometimes they affect our confidence which can be challenging since it takes a lot of strength not to let it get to you. My advice, do not ask people about their grades because sometimes we do not want to share.

Peer Pressure Should Be Avoided

By Miah Jackson

Approximately 90% of students have experienced peer pressure, affecting physical or mental health. It usually happens on social media among friend groups, at school, or at home. Peer pressure could have had a negative effect and cause people emotional or physical consequences. The definition of peer pressure is when people try to get you to act a certain way or try to get you to do something.

In order to save students from peer pressure, you can have conversations. They can help children learn the difference between right and wrong. Another thing that you can do is pay attention to how you feel. If you think something doesn't look right then it probably is not. Don't be a follower, be the leader. To go along with this you can talk to the person who is pressuring you, let them know that you are not comfortable, and tell them to stop. Lastly, you could get support from a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher, or school counselor. They can listen to you and help you with strategies.

Negative peer pressure includes taking dangerous risks while drinking, using drugs or alcohol, shoplifting or stealing, or needing to act or dress a certain way.

Credit: https://centerstone.org

And https://www.fcps.edu

The Four Waves Of Feminism

By Kate Kraynova and Aylin Akdag

Did you know that one of the oldest movements in history is feminism? In fact, it started around twenty-four centuries ago. Feminism is a movement that was established to fight for gender equality and to end gender discrimination. There are many types of feminism, but instead, it can be divided into four waves.

The first wave was the first real political movement in the Western world. This wave also included publishing the revolutionary Vindication of the Rights of Woman. It was published by Mary Wollstonecraft in 1792. Another important event that is included in the first wave happened in 1848. Around 200 women met in a church and demanded specific rights, such as the right to vote.

The second wave was inspired by the Civil Rights movement and protests against the Vietnam War. The queer theory became more established & family roles and traditional gender were in question. The second wave was the time when the three types of feminism (mainstream/liberal, radical, and cultural) occurred.

The third wave was the era of reclaiming. More and more women started feeling “unchained” in expressing their sexuality. They spoke, dressed, and acted more freely. Third-wave feminism became more conscious of race. Racial disparities had been ignored by first and second-wave feminists, while the third wave paid more attention.

The fourth wave is pretty complex. Trans rights are being discussed. The unique struggles of women of color are being talked about. Feminism has a diversity of voices now, which helps it to expand more and more.

Self-Care is the Key to Happiness

By Kate Kraynova and Aylin Akdag

What is self-care? Self-care means taking care of yourself and being healthy in many different ways. It is important because it helps you perform at your best, supports your well-being, boosts your immune system, and more!

So how do you start self-care? Ways you can start are by trying to live a healthier life. Such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and more! Practice good hygiene. Do things like shower regularly, brush your teeth twice, etc. See friends or family build your sense of belonging.

Lastly, try doing activities you enjoy every day! Such as drawing, playing sports, and anything else you like! Basic things like this can make your life more enjoyable!

Time Management is the Answer

By Shira Hoffman

Do you have homework and after school activities every night? Do you get stressed sometimes? I do and it stresses me out. How do I manage it? That is a really good question because I have a really hard time managing it.

I often return home really late for different reasons such as dance or tennis practice or hanging out with friends. When I return home I always have homework waiting for me. Since I want to do well in school I run up to my room to do the work. I also have to spend time with family and friends after not seeing them all day. As you can see this can be very stressful sometimes because I have so much on my plate and sometimes it can be hard.

Now, how do you manage all of that stress? To manage all of that work you need to learn time management. We all have the same one hour in a class and we all spend it differently, so whenever I finish all my work in a class instead of doing nothing for the rest of the time normally I will work on homework so that way I have less when I go home. Also, I know that whenever I do not finish classwork in class it becomes homework. You can prevent having classwork and homework if you manage your time better in class and do your best to finish it then.

In conclusion, yes homework and after school activities can be stressful but if you manage your time wiser then you could get both done.

Fathers Day Is Worth Celebrating

By Miah Jackson

Research shows that Fathers Day is mostly celebrated in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Eighty-four countries celebrate Father's Day, but it is not a federal holiday in most countries except for Thailand. U.S president Calvin Coolidge gave his private support to fathers day in 1924, while it became a national holiday in 1972 after pres, Richard Nixon signed legislation designating it on the third Sunday of June. Fathers day is not celebrated on June 19th.

Fathers Day is important because children get to acknowledge and appreciate the father figures in their lives. Fathers would be there emotionally, mentally, or even financially. (Make sure to spend their money right). Also, it gives people an opportunity to show and express their love, adoration, and gratitude to these special people.

Father's Day is not a lot like Mother's Day although you do acknowledge the parents' figure in your life for both, but on mothers day you could celebrate more than moms you could celebrate with aunties or grandmothers, while on fathers day you can not really do that kind of stuff. It seems unnatural to call it fathers day without just celebrating dads.

On Father's Day, you could do so many things to celebrate them such as Set up a scavenger hunt and at the end, there could be a huge prize, Make a homemade gift, Make breakfast and learn about your family's name. Also, you can recreate your baby pictures with him (Made up by me).

In conclusion, Father's Day should be enjoyable, not just for you but for your father. Enjoy Father's Day like any other day, and even if it's not Father's Day you should still love your father and honor him every day.

Lastly, if you are not close to your father you could call him on fathers day, and if you still love him but you can't be with him talk to your guardian about calling him to make his life better and let him know that you still want him in your life.

Source:https://www.familysearch.org