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March 9, 2012
Critical teen thinking
Annual high school debates took place March 1.
OPHIR PICK
March 1 marked the 20th anniversary of the High School Debates, which are presented by Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver and King David High School (KDHS). Each year, the debates provide an opportunity for Vancouver’s Jewish youth to voice their opinions on important issues by developing clever and playful arguments. This year, more than 88 students on 25 debate teams were supported by 150 parents, friends and teachers.
The level of debate each year gets people to think – the students, observers and the judges. This year was no different, with the event centring around controversial topics of concern to the Jewish people on the international stage and, more specifically, those about Israel, issues that many adults and world leaders struggle to discuss calmly and openly. Students debated the following topics:
• Grade 8: “Be it resolved that Israel should not negotiate with terrorists.”
• Grades 9-10: “Be it resolved that an Israeli citizen who was granted a right to settle by the current or any previous government cannot be forcibly evicted.”
• Grades 11-12: “Be it resolved that the government of Israel is obligated to create economic parity for all its citizens.”
Almost everyone has an opinion about most, if not all of these subjects, and that is exactly the debate’s purpose. However, just because each student has an opinion, it’s not necessarily the side for which they are arguing. The organizing committee allots each team a position prior to the debates. For some, their assigned side was exactly the one that they wanted, but, for others, it was exactly the opposite of what they wanted. I ended up on a team arguing against something I strongly support.
This year, the debaters were fortunate that the event featured a large number of students from a variety of schools and Jewish studies programs. Teams participated from KDHS, Pacific Torah Institute (PTI), Torah High, Vancouver NCSY and Shalhevet Girls High School. It was great to see so many students from various backgrounds participating. Most of the time, students in one school only interact with students of the same institution, and they rarely get the chance to mingle or talk with kids from another school. The debates transcended that, bringing people together. As well, different opinions and approaches to the same question came up, which added a unique mix of elements to the debates. It was really enjoyable.
I’ve participated in the debates since I entered high school, with my first debate in the spring of 2008. I’ve had my share of exhilarating victories and my share of defeats. All in all, the debates bring out the more competitive side of the students and, yet, they seem to simultaneously bring out their friendliness, too.
As is always the case, at this year’s event, the moment the moderator introduced the debate, it was “go time.” It was one group versus the opposition, focused and ready. However, once the speeches, cross-examinations and rebuttals were finished, differences of opinion were shelved and all the debaters immediately shook hands.
The topics were often difficult and contentious, but the debates were fun, stimulating thought and uniting the Jewish community.
Kol hakavod to all of the participants, and this year’s winning teams, which were:
• Grade 8 Pro: KDHS Team 1, KDHS Team 2, Shalhevet Team 2
• Grade 8 Con: KSHD Team 5
• Grades 9-10 Pro: PTI Team 2, KDHS Team 9, KDHS Team 11
• Grades 9-10 Con: PTI Team 1, Shalhevet Team 3
• Grades 11-12 Pro: KDHS Team 11
• Grades 11-12 Con: Torah High/NCSY, KDHS Team 13, KDHS Team 15.
Ophir Pick is a Grade 12 student at King David High School and an avid debater.
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