HAFTR Students Produce Documentaries on Holocaust Survivors

Several eighth grade students spent much of the year taking part in a unique and incredible program, entitled Names Not Numbers.

The program, created by Tova Fish Rosenberg, helps students learn about the Holocaust in a new way. Three students were assigned a survivor. The students researched the survivor using books, the internet and a trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City.  They composed their own questions for the survivor. The students learned video interview techniques from a professional filmmaker, including practiced use of the hi-tech equipment.

Using documentary film tools, they conducted actual videotaped interviews with their survivors. They edited their own work with assistance from a professional and completed their own documentary film project.

The student project culminated last week in a celebration with a gala movie premiere at with the community and participants invited. Members of the audience were blown away at the presentation, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

HAFTR and Science Go Hand in Hand

HAFTR High School students recently received many awards at two independent science fairs. The results from Long Island Science Congress’ Junior Division and the HAFTR High School Science, Math & Engineering Fair were announced on April 30. This year, seven groups consisting of 21 ninth-grade students participated in the Junior Division of the Long Island Science Congress, with students winning five achievement awards, six meritorious awards, and two honorable mentions.

In addition, seven students received higher level awards:  Max Lent, who tested for left-right bias; Rachel Gelnick, Gabby Schwartz, and Katie Glickman, who explored the presence of bacteria in water from different sources; and Yonina Keschner, Alexandra Seelenfreund, and Daniella Seelenfreund, who investigated how the amount of living space affects the population growth of guppies.  These students were invited to accept their LISC awards at a special ceremony at The Wheatley School in Old Westbury on May 22.

A number of students received awards for the projects they presented at the HAFTR Science, Math & Engineering Fair. The most prestigious award, Highest Honors with Distinction, was given to Max Lent in the junior division (9th grade). In the intermediate division (10th-11th), the Highest Honors with Distinction was awarded to the teams of Benjamin Dubow, Michael Sosnick, and Matthew Seinuk; Miriam Friedman and Blossom Soifer; Sara Fuchs and Samantha Lish; Atara Schein, Sara Fruchter, and Dean Decter; David Stein, Jesse Margareten, and Jason Sulzberger; and to Matthew Goldstein. 

In the senior division (12th grade), Hillel Friedman, Gabby Lovett, the team of Wade Miller and Eric Hirsch, and Jeremy Weber all received Highest Honors with Distinction for their science research; Hillel Friedman, Gabby Lovett, Wade Miller, Adam Bistritzky, and Rebecca Slochowsky also received the same award for their respective math research. Special thanks to Mr. Stanley Blumenstein and Mrs. Imelda Gallagher for their dedicated efforts on behalf of all our student scientists.  Congratulations to all participants and award winners!