Gann students celebrated the autumn holiday of Sukkot with a “Sukkot Smackdown” featuring grade-level debates by faculty and staff that tackled environmental issues from the perspective of “what’s better for earth, what’s better for us?” Head of School Dr. Dalia Hochman emphasized that Gann hopes each student “will be a good person” and “will be able to engage in respectful dialogue across differences.” Debates “for the sake of heaven” are honored in Jewish tradition and civil debate is especially valuable in these times.
Our 12th grade studentsheard science teachers Laila Goodman and Steve Wood compare the merits of organic versus locally sourced food. Mr. Wood contended that local food is more environmentally friendly because it doesn’t require fuel to be transported from distant places and isn’t laced with chemical preservatives.
It also comes from nearby farms, which are crucial to our Massachusetts economy. Laila countered that organic produce is healthier andsuperior in supporting sustainable food systems. Organic food helps conserve healthy soil, which takes millions of years to form. Laila also said transportation accounts for a mere 10 percent of organic food’s carbon footprint.
The ”grass versus turf” debate challenged the skills of Assistant Head of School for Student Services David Ball and Director of Athletics Brad Ballinger for the 9th grade. Brad stated that NFL players sustain 22 percent fewer injuries on grass than on turf. Grass stays cooler than turf, which can soar to a temperature of 165°F in hot weather. Grass also contains few chemicals and does not retain bacteria. Mr. Ball stressed that artificial turf has improved exponentially in the decades since its development. Conceding the NFL statistic, he pointed out that soccer injuries in Europe occur at an equal frequency on turf and grass arenas. He maintained that weather and temperature cause most of these injuries, not the playing surfaces, and that chemicals from turf have failed to show up in either blood or urine tests of athletes.
Director of Jewish Studies Rabbi Dena Glasgow and Director of Israel Education Yoni Michanie also argued grass versus turf, for the 11th grade. Grassroots advocate Rav Dena alluded to the number of girls injured while playing sports on artificial turf. She recalled watching construction workers installing turf and being jarred by the thick layers of plastic being fixed into the ground. Yoni stressed that turf topped grass in the cost-effectiveness category by incurring lower maintenance expenses: turf doesn’t need to be trimmed, fertilized, or watered. Yoni coaches boys’ soccer at Gann and noted that after our recent rain, playing on grass was “like playing in a swamp.”
Opinions collided when Chief Financial and Operations Officer Isaac Judd and Director of STEM/math teacher Alex Lehr debated gas versus electric cars for the 10th grade. Isaac contended that in the United States today “an electric vehicle does not have the economic viability of a gas vehicle.” Alex urged the audience to learn more about the barriers to the wider acceptance of electric vehicles including the opposition of politicians and the fossil fuel industry.
In all debates, students voiced their own opinions, peppering the participants with comments and questions. Debates closed with both contestants voicing appreciation of the other. One student commented that she “liked” one debater’s argument while still disagreeing with its substance. And that reaction was absolutely fine—that was the spirit of the Sukkot Smackdown!
