Volume 4, Issue 4 | November 6, 2025

Democracy is in the air as Mercaz students from the ECC through sixth grade spent the week learning about the legislative process, the importance of voting, and the impact of civic responsibility. Our oldest students sat down with State Senator Steve Rhoads to discuss leadership, making a difference in our communities, and campaigning, while our youngest voted on issues no less important (pretzels vs. chips). Curiosity, leadership, and community spirit are thriving at Mercaz!

🏛️ Fourth-Sixth Graders Go Inside Government with Senator Steve Rhoads

Mercaz Academy’s fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students got a firsthand look at democracy in action this week as State Senator Steve Rhoads came for a visit, bringing insider insights into civic responsibility, lawmaking, and representation and even advising our Student Council candidates on their own current campaigns. 

After preparing for the visit with a deep dive into how the New York state and federal governments work and the differences between them, led by Mercaz President Jeff Lichtman, the students met with Senator Rhoads in the Beit Midrash, where the smaller, intimate atmosphere allowed for a truly engaging meeting of minds. Senator Rhoads began by explaining New York’s government and the role of the State Senate, prompting eager and thoughtful responses from our well-informed students, who have also met with Congressman Tom Suozzi and Assemblyman Charles Lavine during previous Mercaz visits.

Emphasizing the value of public service, Senator Rhoads told the students that representing others in government, whether at a state, federal, or elementary school level, should always be motivated by a desire to help and a willingness to listen. The Senator was impressed by the many ways our students already work to make a difference, including donating books and clothes, volunteering at Mercaz to help their peers, and donating hair to benefit children with cancer in Israel. 

The conversation then turned to our own upcoming elections. Senator Rhoads asked students what qualities they were looking for in a candidate and challenged the candidates to explain why they wanted to run. He reminded them that being a representative means serving not just those who agree with you, but everyone in the school. One student summed up the challenge with a smile: “I think whoever wins should make the school a better place—which will be really hard, because this school is already such a great place!”

After the Senator’s general talk, he sat down in a circle with the smaller group of candidates for Student Council to answer their specific questions about running a campaign. Both the Mercaz students and Senator Rhoads came away from the event impressed. “I think he was inspiring,” said one sixth grader, while Senator Rhoads called the students “fantastic.”

“It was really inspiring to listen to the difference that they're making in the school community and in the larger community,” he observed. “Even as 10, 11 and 12-year-olds, it's amazing to see their interest and their passion. They asked some terrific questions, some harder questions than I get out of Albany!”

The Senator added, “I’ve spoken to a lot of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. This is probably the best group I’ve ever spoken to.”

🗳️ Elections 2025: Hallways Buzz with Campaign Posters and School Spirit

📚 Book Lovers Browse the PTA Book Fair

From Mercaz’s newest readers to its most seasoned, there was something for everyone at this week’s Scholastic Book Fair, organized by the PTA. Gaggles of shoppers combed the shelves, featuring everything from board books to chapter books and catering to a wide range of interests and reading levels.

While treasured books are their own reward, the fair also offered students a taste of real-life skills: calculating the value of items, comparing prices, budgeting, making responsible and thoughtful choices, and feeling the pride of completing an “adult” task independently. Happy reading!

🌱 Planting Seeds of Kindness (and Wheat!)

This week in the Mercaz GrowTorah garden, students explored the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim—welcoming guests with warmth and care—through the story of Parshat Vayera, when Avraham and Sara eagerly opened their home to visitors and prepared them a special meal.


As part of our Farm-to-Table experience, students made herb butter from scratch, shaking heavy cream into butter and mixing in parsley harvested from our own garden. We then spread it on egg matzah for a delicious, parsha-inspired treat—since some commentators teach that Avraham’s guests may have visited during Pesach, and that the bread he served could have been matzah!


We also worked together to make our garden more welcoming by cleaning up the space, planting wheat to connect with the bread Avraham served, and composting etrogim brought in by Mercaz students—returning their nutrients to the soil to help our garden grow and thrive.

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