In its first time participating in the inter-school competition, the Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy sent student delegates to the 28th annual Yeshiva League Model Congress.

Hosted by HAFTR in a makeshift Capitol Hill, the Young Israel of Woodmere, the purpose of the competition was to give yeshiva day school students a glimpse of what it takes to get a bill passed, as well as help the students to experience that process first-hand.

Students were faced with the task of authoring their own bill, and then defending that bill in front of their fellow “congressmen” in their respective committees. The competition consisted of fifteen different groups, based on actual committees such as Transportation and Infrastructure, and Research and Development.

Attendees heard from Bruce Blakeman, a councilman for the Nassau County area, who encouraged students to take an active and meaningful role in politics.

RTMA senior Levi Antelis of Hillside, who encouraged the school to participate this year, won the prestigious “Best Delegate” of his committee and was awarded a decorative gavel. Sophomore Gav Meiri of Elizabeth, received an Honorable Mention for his work on his committee’s bill.

“This was a student-led initiative and it was their first time competing,” said RTMA Principal Rabbi Ami Neuman. “As rookies, they were extremely impressive, and for first-timers, their success was unprecedented.”