Members of Heschel's Model United Nations team, along with English teacher and Model U.N. faculty advisor Shana Goldstein and Spanish teacher Ivania Marinero, attended the annual Brown University Simulated Model United Nations conference. 15 Heschel delegates debated international issues, both contemporary, past, and speculative, with around 1,000 students from around the globe at the largest conference Brown has held to date. In General Assembly committees, delegates assumed the positions of either Argentina or Saudi Arabia and debated issues ranging from the Syrian refugee crisis to solutions for sustainable energy. In the specialized committee, the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea discussed the issue of Korean reunification; the Navajo National Council came up with solutions to combat alcoholism on the plantations; and the Twelfth Latvian Saeima deliberated over how to combat Russian propaganda. The team returned to school with a total of 6 awards: one Best Delegate, two Outstanding Delegates, and three formal commendations. All of the attendees worked diligently, collaboratively, and enthusiastically throughout the weekend and in the months beforehand, ultimately forming alliances, speaking publicly, and writing resolutions on issues of international diplomacy. In addition to working so diligently during the day, the Heschel delegation spent Shabbat dinner and lunch at the Hillel on campus, walked around Thayer Street Saturday night, and laughed together on the train rides to and from Providence. At Model U.N. conferences like these, students from Heschel get the chance to develop friendships with other Heschel kids and with students from other schools, both local and international.
-Isaac Tannenbaum, Heschel Senior
