During the last days of Chanukah, SAR High School students took part in one of the most incredible Mac-A-Bee color war competitions ever! After months of adjusting to life in a pandemic, students were treated to a taste of normalcy as they participated in one of the most highly anticipated events of the year.
“Mac-A-Bee is a truly magical experience and this year even more so” says Amanda Klatt, director of Student Activities. “It’s a chance for all students to shine in their respective areas of interest, a true example of experiential, innovative and creative learning, and an opportunity for the SAR faculty and student body to bond and join together with excitement and ruach in a truly meaningful way.”
Naftali Bennett, the prime minister of Israel himself, honored the school by sharing a few words about Chanukah and announcing Mac-A-Bee breakout over Zoom. The announcement was immediately followed by team meetings, tug-of-war, Chanukah candle lighting and T-shirt distribution.
The two days that followed were packed with activities, programs and competitions for everyone. Playing off of this year’s school theme, shemita, students were divided by grade into four teams, each representing a mitzvah that relates to shemita: Team Shabbat (ninth grade), Team Sadeh (10th grade), Team Hakel (11th grade) and Team Yovel (12th grade). After starting off each day learning about the theme, the teams were challenged to produce artwork, songs, videos and cheers about their respective team names. For the artistic among them, there was a lip sync battle, Torah Tik Tok contest, swag and meme design contest, battle of the bands and more. For those who love a good intellectual challenge, highlights included Jeopardy, Escape the Room, a Geography Bee and a Torah Scavenger Hunt. There were competitions in every sport imaginable from basketball to knee hockey, flag football and tchoukball. There were technology challenges like Mario Kart and NFL Madden, chesed opportunities like writing cards to chayalim, and a final school-wide competition of The Amazing Race. There was something for everyone. Congratulations to the seniors who led their team to victory!
“I had such a great time leading the seniors to victory with my incredible co-captains,” says Tali Kobrin (of Riverdale), senior Mac-A-Bee co-captain. “I loved running around the building all day, seeing all my classmates involved in any activity they felt confident in. By the end, when we all sat together to sing our grade song, you could tell how close everyone felt. It has been a long time since we’ve had Mac-A-Bee, and a real chance to all work together as a grade. That made our team victory feel all the more amazing.”
The Mac-A-Bee experience really brought everyone together. Students and teachers were overcome with emotion as they sang and cheered for their teams. The feeling of excitement that reverberated throughout the building, and the unity felt in the gym at the conclusion of the program with an incredible hour-long kumzitz, made this year’s event even more special. It was truly a blessing and miracle for the SAR community.
