Three leaders from the National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY)
took home the grand prize for the Grade 11 and 12 level at the 10th
Annual Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver High School Debates,
Feb. 12.
Dressed in their NCSY team sweatshirts, Greg Lewis, Josh Wener and
Scott Thomas King were each rewarded T-shirts from the Vancouver
B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation and CDs of Israeli rock star David
Broza to go with having their names engraved on a trophy.
The NCSY team argued the government side of the topic "Be
it resolved that money raised in the Diaspora should remain with
Diaspora communities rather than being sent to Israel," defeating
the team Jewish Awareness.
The team Three Jewish Teens and a team from United Synagogue Youth
also competed in the same level.
The Vancouver Talmud Torah (VTT) Alumni team was the victor at the
Grade 9 and 10 level. It defeated the Judaic Revival team as they
debated whether or not Israel should abandon its communities in
Judea and Samaria. The VTT Alumni team, represented by Tamara Nachmani,
Anna Paperny, Lauren Schachter and Melissa, argued the opposing
side of the deliberation.
These debates represented the first year that teams from the Grade
8 level were allowed to compete.
Rachel Granau, Yoni Erlichman, Ayala Ragetli and Andrew Freedman
of Vancouver Hebrew Academy were selected the overall best team
in that level. Representing the pro side, they defeated the Lions
of Zion team while arguing that Israel should withdraw its membership
from the United Nations.
Another VTT team called Jerusalem's Pride also debated in the Grade
8 level.