WTA middle schoolers’ Moot Court elective, led by Mr. Hoch, spent this semester reviewing a recent California case regarding a school district’s refusal to include on public property a plastic blow-up Menorah next to its Christmas tree. The students discussed the case from a legal perspective. The students also watched a recorded oral argument related to another case in the NYS Appellate Division. For a final project, the students competed against each other in teams, and argued a 2000 U.S. Supreme Court case involving school prayer at a public football game.

The final competition was held last week between the team of Adam Jerome and Zack Tare, versus the team of Kovi Ressler, Yoni Rosenbaum and Liel Machleder. With many students in attendance, listening to the arguments and rebuttals along with challenging questions by the judge, the two teams did an excellent job of presenting their case. The winning team was Adam Jerome and Zack Tare! Kol hakavod to the winners, and to the entire elective group. A special thank you to guest judges from the Scarsdale Community—Renya Gentin and Allen Wieder.