Club Fair stimulates student interests

Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School recently held its annual Club Fair on Oct. 19, where students were able to see all of the clubs and teams that HAFTR has to offer.

With more than 40 options, students spent time learning about each activity, and then signed up for the programs that interested them the most.

Club leaders set up tables on the front lawn with posters and information promoting their clubs. Students eagerly circled the mesmerizing selection to learn about the different activities.

HAFTR hosts a variety of clubs ranging from culinary to Chesed, ping pong to public speaking, Robotics to roving reporters and many more. These clubs offer students unique opportunities to learn and make friends with students who have similar interests.

Students are encouraged to establish new clubs based on their interests and passions. For example, senior Abby Rabinowitz and I founded the Medicine and Public Health Club. This club gives students who have an interest in science and medicine a chance to learn about the medical field as well as medical issues.

Each meeting focuses on a different medical field. Discussions allow students to delve into the details of what each specialty does, how doctors perform surgeries, what tools are used during certain procedures and the medical ethics behind various situations.

Participants could gain an appreciation of medicine, furthering their understanding and fascination with the medical field.

Whether students participate in this club or any of the others, they are able to explore their interests and engage in in-depth conversations on the logistics and happenings of the particular activity.

Another popular club is the Chesed Club, run by Michelle Kirschner and Hannah Nierenberg. The club offers students the opportunity to volunteer for charity and community service. Students pack boxes filled with fresh food and canned goods for the Sabbath, which are then delivered to people in need.

They also create fundraisers for different charities through bake and apparel sales, and volunteer for different charitable events around the community. This club is a great opportunity for students looking to perform acts of kindness and help their community.

For those who enjoy thrill and mystery, there is the Murder Mystery Club, where students interested in criminology and forensics are given the opportunity to explore homicide cases and attempt to solve the crime. The club leaders, Mia Cohen and Shoshana Schebovitz, provide students with a case, the evidence behind it and all the possible suspects.

Students then study the materials to find clues surrounding the crime, and come up with their own leads to narrow down the suspects. The club continues throughout the year, with the guidance and tips of the club leaders, until the students solve the mystery.

All of these clubs give students unique opportunities to find new interests and learn about a range of different subjects. Students form great bonds with their club leaders, faculty advisors and fellow peers in their clubs, leading to strong friendships throughout all the grades at HAFTR.

Wishing all HAFTR students a great time in their new clubs and a successful year of pursuing their interests.