Summer 2009 - Tammuz 5769 - Maimonides School

MOCK TRIAL TEAM WINS ADMIRATION, RESPECT IN ATLANTAThe nine students of the MaimonidesSchool delegation to the National HighSchool Mock Trial Championship inAtlanta returned to the Bay State withnot only a 20th place ranking, but alsoadmiration and respect for their uncompromisingstand on religious principle.The contest took place May 7–10, withtrials scheduled for Friday and Saturday.Back in April, when the school’s requestfor alternate trial times was denied, thestudents were prepared to forfeit ratherthan violate observance of Shabbat.However, an 11th-hour policy reversalopened the door to a full competitiveexperience for the team—not to mentiona memorable Shabbat in the Atlantacommunity.After winning the Massachusetts championshipMarch 27 in a classic courtroombattle in historic Faneuil Hall againstSharon High School, the Maimonidesteam embarked on a six-week ride thatculminated with television appearances,compliments from judges and coaches,and freewheeling discussions with fellowstudents late into the night. Oh yes,there were also two scrimmages andfour trials packed into 33 hours.The 27-member state roster was pareddown to nine for the nationals: CaptainsHarry Chiel, Michael Kosowsky andLeah Sarna, fellow seniors Avi Fuld,Pnina Grossman, Natan Kawesch andHana Snow, and juniors Steven Fineand Benjamin Niewood. The delegationalso included David Fredette, the SuffolkCounty assistant district attorney whoserves as attorney-coach, and RabbiRoy Rosenbaum of the limudei kodeshfaculty.While the students developed strategiesand practiced courtroom techniques inresponse to new case materials, adultsupporters confronted the NationalHigh School Mock Trial Board’s policyprohibiting changes to the tournamentschedule to accommodate religiousobligations. The advocates includednoted Washington Atty. Nathan Lewinand his daughter Alyza, who is a formerMaimonides student; several parentsof team members; alumni; the Anti-Defamation League; and other interestedparties, including former NationalMock Trial Board members.Still, as the group departed for Atlanta,it was expecting to take part only in twoFriday trials, then celebrate Shabbat inthe community as the tournament continuedon Saturday.The team had scheduled three scrimmagetrials for Thursday, May 7, tryingto get as much as it could from what itunderstood would be a truncated tournament.Then, around 9:15 Wednesdayevening, the students learned that thenational organization had consentedto scheduling four official trials—oneThursday afternoon and three on Friday.It turned out that Judge Doris L. Downs,chief judge of Fulton County SuperiorCourt, had declared that the refusal toaccommodate the Maimonides teamwas wrong. She told the national organizationthat she would close countycourthouses, where Friday trials werescheduled, if the schedule was notadjusted for Maimonides.From 10 a.m. Thursday to after 6 p.m. onFriday, the Maimonides team packed intwo practice trials and four actual ones(not to mention a photo session andnegotiations with courthouse security toclear Shabbat clothing on hangers).How was the Maimonides delegationreceived after days of escalating publicity?“From the second we arrived, everyoneknew who we were because of ourkippas, and people would just walk rightup to us and tell us they hoped everythingworked out,” Ben recounted. “Theother teams were super nice and friendly.Before we were accommodated, they allwished us luck when we passed themThe state champion Mock Trial team visits withGov. Deval Patrick in his State House office.and they saw the boys’ kippas,” saidPnina. “The other teams were extremelyencouraging,” Avi added. “Multiple timesthroughout the week, team membersand coaches approached us and told ushow proud they were of us, and we didthe right thing by fighting it.”The students took a van to their hosts’neighborhood; on the way, “we celebratedPesach Sheini with some matzahthat Pnina brought,” Leah noted. “Ourhosts were great. The whole communitywas extremely supportive,” Michaelreported. “They all welcomed us withopen arms and lots of food, and we hadan amazing Shabbat experience there.”“They really showed us the true meaningof Southern hospitality,” said Natan.Pnina added, “The Atlanta communitywas adorable. They were totally sheppingnachas from us.” Friday night dinnerwas at the home of former MaimonidesSchool parents Jeff and Barbara Weener,and the seniors had a nice reunion withtheir former classmate Kobi Weener.Rabbi Adam Starr of Young Israel ofToco Hills hosted a lunch that includedstudents from Yeshiva Atlanta. “We gotto know some really nice kids, and hearall about their lives and school,” Leahsaid. After mincha at Young Israel, thestudents conducted a panel about MockTrial. “The community was so gracious,asking polite questions and commendingus on our menschlichkeit,” Leah said.“Everyone on the team got to answerat least one question.” Ben added, “Therabbi just kept telling us over and overhow much of a Kiddush Hashem it was,and it made us all feel great to know thatthe support of the entire Jewish communitywas behind us.”Continued on page 7