Matrics let us inside their heads, sharing their thoughts on a variety of topics
By Chandrea Serebro
Name the top 3 game changers in the world today?
Jasmyn Lawson; ATTN:; and Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky.
Jasmyn Lawson is a black female programmer who is the former culture editor of Giphy (yes, that Giphy, that provides us with all of the gifs on the internet). Women, especially women of colour, are notorious for being marginalised within the computer world, but Jasmyn is changing the face of our internet by making it more inclusionary and relatable to all people, ethnicities, and religions. ATTN:, an online news and information provider targeted mainly towards young adults and teenagers, making them a part of the political and global conversation. Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, lead researchers on behavioural economics, changed not only the way that social scientists understand the world, but also the way that economists understand people and, thus, influenced the global modern economy.
Your personal role model (living) and why?
My personal public figure role-model is Anna Akana, a YouTube personality with 2,4 million subscribers. All of her videos have a common theme: self-help and personal growth.
Top three issues you want to change?
My top three issues are introspection, empathy, and global warming.
If you could be anything – what would you be and why? And the first three things you would do?
I have had a fantasy for about three years now of being a top delegate in the UN. While I know that the UN is flawed and somewhat controversial, my ultimate aim is to initiate change via ratified laws and policies. As a high-profile politician, I would implement stricter global warming reduction policies. If murdering a human gets a life sentence, then so should murdering trees. I would restructure how countries spend their money and advocate that majority of taxes should be funnelled into education. Equal education for everyone is not only a plausible reality, but is also the solution to poverty and inequality. I would ban global conglomerates from funding scientific research so that the results are not purposely tampered with.
Shani Rosenfeld, King David Linksfield
Your personal role model (living) and why?
I think that if after so many years a child doesn’t come out of school with an immense sense of gratitude towards their mentors, then the school is doing something wrong! My personal public figure role model would have to be the Head and Rabbi of the Maharsha Schools and community, Rabbi Raff – who saw an opportunity to help the Jewish community and took the first jump into the sea of “reduced school fees”. He cares for each child in his school in every possible way.
If you could be anything – what would you be and why? And the first three things you would do?
The question that seems to follow us throughout our school years… and at the end of 12 years, we are expected to give a more serious answer (so forget about saying astronaut, fire-fighter, or princess…). If I could be anything I wanted, and with G-d’s help, I would follow my own calling and become a teacher. A teacher shapes a child in more ways than we know… it is the comfort that my actions can have long-lasting effects that inspired my choice and continues to inspire me the more I think back on my own school years. I hope that my overall actions teach my students three things: (1) Don’t compare yourself to others. We are the writers of our own stories and we each have our own life path. School is there as an opportunity for you to discover yourself and your calling and to encourage you to follow it. (2) Dream big. The only limit is your imagination. (3) Treasure the little things in school and in life… these memories will follow you forever.
Hodaya Vaknin, Maharsha Girls
Name the top 3 game changers in the world today?
Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Dwayne Johnson.
Your personal role model (living) and why?
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is my public figure role model. He is a pioneer of the Hollywood film industry and a leading figure in the world of fitness who also participates in many charitable causes.
Top three issues you want to change?
Climate change and the destruction of nature, government accountability/corruption, and inequality (income, discrimination)
If you could be anything – what would you be and why?
I would potentially like to be a sports promoter, or specifically a boxing promoter. Firstly, I would like to learn about the industry and the legal aspects regarding contract negotiations. Secondly, in this role I would like to further expand my knowledge surrounding video editing so that I could film promo videos which I have always had a passion for as well.
Alexander Korber, Herzlia
Name the top 3 game changers in the world today?
In general, I think that the ‘creatives’ of the world are the game changers of today. In the past, people with talents or abilities considered to be a little ‘out of the box’ were never really given a platform to shine or prove themselves. There are new ideas being brought to the table, and I think this is ultimately the biggest game changer.
Your personal role model (living) and why?
I am in total awe of Malala Yousafzai. Malala is a Pakistani young woman only a few years older than myself. She is a powerful figure who fights for the right of education for female Pakistanis.
Top three issues you want to change?
The first agenda on my list would definitely be changing how women are perceived worldwide.
Secondly, I would address poor access to education. Education is definitely the key to a wiser and more empathetic population. The more you know, the more you can do. Lastly, I would definitely communicate how dire our environmental crisis is. Consciousness is such an important tool to start making serious improvements. If everybody changed their lifestyles in a few small ways, it would make such a difference on the amount of strain we put our planet under.
Simona Stone, Herzlia
Name the top 3 game changers in the world today?
Bill Gates, Mark Zuckeberg, and Nelson Mandela.
Your personal role model (living) and why?
Siya Kolisi, who is an inspirational leader and the first black Springbok rugby captain. Despite a disadvantaged start in life, he achieved the highest possible role in his chosen field
Top three issues you want to change?
General tolerance and respect among all human beings regardless of class, colour, race, religion, or nationality. Teaching people to be accepting of one another and their individual beliefs. Improving basic health and education worldwide. Climate and pollution awareness. The lack of respect for our environment and our world is leading to its demise.
If you could be anything – what would you be and why?
We all know that most of the careers that people will be employed in in the next 10 years have not yet been invented. I would like to be a “game changer” and would like to have an impact on a larger community. Morality and integrity in business would be my priority.
Jason Mervis, King David Victory Park
Name the top 3 game changers in the world today?
Donald Trump, Rav Chaim Kanievsky, Yourself – each person can have the next brilliant idea that will change the world. It could be you.
Your personal role model (living) and why?
Rav Dovid Hofstedter because he is an incredibly wealthy rabbi who used his money to create a Dirshu programme that has changed thousands of lives.
Top three issues you want to change?
Poverty, illness, and peace.
If you could be anything – what would you be and why? And the first three things you would do?
A philanthropist, because you have the means and ability to help many people at the same time as being comfortable in your own life. I would: start a fund for Jewish education for those who can’t afford it; support widows and orphans; donate to yeshivos and kollelim.
Avraham Schnerb, Mesivta Shaarei Torah
Name the top 3 game changers in the world today?
The SARS chief officer for digital and IT, Mmamathe Makheke-Mokhuane; Donald Trump; and “Rocket Man” – Kim Jong Un
Your personal role model (living) and why?
Ben Shapiro, an American, Conservative political commentator. Not only is he ‘one of us’, but is never seen without his yarmulka, showing how he is proud of who he is. I look up to the way he makes a total Kiddush Hashem through the way he conducts himself within his political spectrum, always speaking the truth the way it is meant to be said and is well known for giving over his strong, often controversial, fact-based opinions.
Top three issues you want to change?
The number one issue in my opinion is kids doing the ‘floss dance’ and ‘dabbing’ for no reason. My next biggest issue: when it’s too hot for a jersey, but too cold not to wear a jersey. And, finally, not knowing someone well enough to say hello so you give that awkward smile.
Yoni Glassman, Torah Academy Boys
Name the top 3 game changers in the world today?
Vladmir Putin, Cyril Ramaphosa, the people who mark the matric exams.
Your personal role model (living) and why?
Chief Rabbi, Doctor Warren Goldstein. He is so dynamic and always organising innovative events for the Jewish community.
If you could be anything – what would you be and why?
Part of an Israeli intelligence unit. They protect Israel from being destroyed.
What would you do for fun?
Play Zorb soccer.
Ellie Joffe, Torah Academy Boys High School
Name the top 3 game changers in the world today?
Jeff Bezos, Yuval Harari, David Hogg.
Your personal role model (living) and why?
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. He manages to straddle both the Jewish and secular worlds and is a powerful example of how Judaism can be relevant in modern day society
Top three issues you want to change?
Gun violence, world poverty, stop rhino poaching.
If you could be anything – what would you be and why?
A Kiddush Hashem.
Eitan Chipkin, Yeshiva College
Name the top 3 game changers in the world today?
Despite not really labelling myself as being political, I think the top three game changers in the world today are President Trump (whatever you think of his policies, his behaviour as a president has a ripple effect on other countries and politicians). The moguls of Silicon Valley who were instrumental in the outgrowth of social media (innovators and creators who have the effect of controlling people’s lives). And, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, who spearheaded a campaign for Jews to keep Shabbos in South Africa that grew beyond expectations to include thousands of cities across the world.
Your personal role model (living) and why?
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who is representing Judaism as a global player by being a true light unto the nations as representative of Jewish sophistication and intellectual prowess, fights against anti-Semitism on behalf of Jews in arenas such as the United Nations assemblies and the House of Lords.
Top three issues you want to change?
To fight against discrimination and advocate tolerance; to challenge the lack of connection between human beings that has been compromised by the false proximity that social media creates; and to eradicate anti-Semitism as a Jewish citizen of the world.
If you could be anything – what would you be and why? And the first three things you would do?
I see myself in the position of a leader in either innovation or Judaism. I would ideally like to become an individual that has an effect on the world as a whole, utilising one or both paths. In this role, I would like to spread and represent Orthodox Judaism and be a good example of a Jew that inspires others to adopt the moral code that I have set out to achieve, help build up the community by providing education and skills, as well as financial and spiritual support for those that are in need.
Aharon Rabson, Hirsch Lyons Boys
Name the top 3 game changers in the world today?
Chabad activists, Technology gurus, little kids.
Your personal role model (living) and why?
My grandfather, Rabbi Vigler. Today, the world has become high-speed; there is just too much information that can’t be trusted. We value relationships more than anything else. We look for real people around us to help us make sense of the world. My grandfather lives a quiet life, but he has a huge influence on so many people. He is the real deal.
Top three issues you want to change?
In today’s world the media has taken control over our lives. If I could change anything in the world, I would like to make people go offline for a bit so they could actually ask each other how they are and mean it, be genuine about it; for people to experience actual relationships. And, to take the benefit of mass media to do more good with it – to spread great, amazing ideas and have them go viral instead of the negativity that it is mostly used for. Also, to ensure all Jewish kids receive a Jewish education so that they can feel a sense of mission and purpose that leads to healthy and productive lives, understanding what G-d wants for them.
If you could be anything – what would you be and why? And the first three things you would do?
I would like to be involved in one of the organisations in the world that run Chesed, that change people’s lives and make a difference because that is fulfilling and not egotistical. I would gather around me a team of people who also want and believe in the cause. I would make sure to have a crystal clear message of what I want to achieve, how to help the world. Then, I will find out how to make this happen. I would learn the power of the media and harness it, and reach out to those people who need to make a difference.
Batya Naparstek, Torah Academy Girls
Name the top 3 game changers in the world today?
As I student, I believe that the top game changers are the youth-run organisations such as Echad, Hugo’s Warmth, and many others.
Top three issues you want to change?
The rise of anti-Semitism, violence in schools, and the lack of education, which ultimately leads to unemployment.
If you could be anything – what would you be and why?
As many matriculants may agree, the most dreaded question, over the past year, is: “What do you want to do after school?” And the answer in most cases is that we have no idea. For myself, I have no idea what I am going to do, but the dream would be along the lines of veterinary science or medicine.
Gila Levin, Hirsch Lyons Girls
