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From the desk of Rabbi Perry Tirschwell
Mazel tov on the graduation of the class of 2004/5764 last
week- it was truly a magical evening. DVDs of the graduation
including the moving video will be distibuted to the families of
each senior. Anyone else who would like to order a copy should click here to e-mail Shimmie
Kaminetsky, by Monday morning.
This week's events were overshadowed by the illness and
subsequent passing of the father of junior Michael and
Jennifer (03) Hande. A large group of students gathered on short
notice this past Sunday evening to daven on Mr. Hande's behalf. On
Thursday, over half of the student body attended the funeral. May
the Hande family know no further sorrow.
I'm thrilled to report that the construction of our second
floor is actually ahead of schedule. Next year's calendar
(click on the link below for an updated version) was carefully
planned around the construction. We are looking foward to all the
services that we will be able to provide for our students with the
additional space.
The collection of the college preparatory textbooks
which the school lent the students this year will take place on
Monday morning. A replacement price list for lost books is available
as a link below.
The school office will be open through July 2nd and
will then reopen on July 19th. As always, you can e-mail me at this
address.
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a great summer,
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell
| A Magical Evening |
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 Close to six hundred people were in attendance
as WYHS's largest graduating class yet received their diplomas
amidst much pomp and circumstance on Monday, May 24th.
Following words of praise and motivation delivered by
principal Rabbi Perry Tirschwell and assistant principals Mrs.
Ora Lee Kanner and Mrs. Jessica Schultz, a moving
siyum was presented by the graduates. A dozen
students finished the entire Masechet Sukkah- a major
accomplishment for a high school student.
After the siyum was an incredible video, produced by
Humanities Department Chair Mrs. Carla Greer. The video was
both sentimental and humorous, bringing laughter and
tears simultaneously to the faces of everyone in the room.
WYHS founder Rabbi Kenneth Brander had the privilege
of inspiring the graduates with his message of encouragement
immediately prior to their big moment - when they walked
across the stage to accept their diplomas!
Each student was lauded with a fitting
mishna in Pirkei Avot and a poignant tribute.
Along with a diploma, each student received a leather
siddur, gold-stamped with his or her name and the
school insignia.
For the first time in WYHS history, an honorary
diploma was awarded. The recipient, outgoing President
Mrs. Pamela Turk, was sincerely thanked for her tremendous
contribution to the creation of our high school.
This year's beautiful graduation took place off-campus
for the first time, at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High
School in Parkland. This venue was so perfect, it has
already been reserved for next year's graduation, which
has been planned for Tuesday, May 31, 2005!
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| The Celebration Continues |
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 Tuesday night, the newest WYHS alumni got together with
their classmates and teachers for a Senior Banquet, a
slightly more intimate opportunity to celebrate their
graduation from high school.
The dinner took place at a restaurant in Miami Beach where,
in addition to the delicious meal, students and teachers
shared memories that were both nostalgic and fun.
The graduates had an opportunity to speak, trying to sum
up their feelings and experiences at WYHS. Some of the
students even expressed their sentiments with original songs!
The teachers presented a hilarious skit depicting what might
happen if the teachers took a skip day and the seniors took
over the school!
The banquet also gave the seniors and teachers one last
chance to sign each others' yearbooks before heading
off for the summer.
It was a very special evening and a perfect way to
round out the graduation celebrations of the past few
weeks. Thank you to Rabbi Benjy and Mrs. Amy Horowitz for
coordinating this beautiful event!
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| Blue Fringe, Pro Player Stadium, and Final
Exams |
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 On Rosh Chodesh Sivan, the last Friday of
classes at WYHS, students were treated to a concert
performance by the much adored Blue Fringe. This was an
especially exciting way to end the year, with students on the
edge of their seats until they jumped up and danced like never
before at this final Rosh Chodesh chagigah. 
The energy still buzzed throughout the school last Tuesday,
Erev Shavuot and the last formal day of school for the
year. Many teachers took the opportunity to address their
classes with advice about how to have a productive and
meaningful summer vacation, and students were both excited
and teary to have reached the end of this year.
Last Sunday, many WYHS students took a break from studying
for final exams to participate in Jewish Heritage Day at
Pro Player Stadium, where the Marlins played the Mets in
front of a packed house! The national anthem was sung by none
other than Jewish music superstar Yehuda!, and a special
pre-game show was presented to kick off this unique event.
On Tuesday, students returned to school to begin final
exams. After a restful week off, everyone was raring to
go! Five exams were given this week (six for the juniors), and
three more will be given next Monday and Tuesday before the
summer vacation can officially begin!
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| Elections, Busch Gardens, Finals and
Orientations |
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 Student council elections will take place this
coming Monday. This past Thursday, students running for School
President and Vice President have shared their platforms in
addresses to the entire student body.
After the last final exam on Tuesday, the freshman class
trip will depart for points north and west! Tuesday night
will be spent in Clearwater, with dinner at a kosher
restaurant and an evening of local fun, and Wednesday will be
spent at Busch Gardens in Tampa!
Buses will return on Wednesday night and will
make stops in Boca, Hollywood, North Miami Beach, and Miami
Beach.
Students can pick up final exams at school on
Friday, June 11th from 12-1 p.m.
Attention all athletes! Boys soccer and girls
volleyball tryouts will take place over the summer! Stay
tuned for more information arriving by regular mail during
summer vacation!
Save the date! Orientation for new WYHS parents will
take place on Sunday, August 29th at 9:15 a.m. Incoming
freshmen orientation will take place the following day,
Monday, August 30th from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Upperclassmen orientation (10th-12th grades)
will be held on Tuesday, August 31st from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Classes begin next fall on Wednesday, September 1st!
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Hail to the Chief |
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by Mrs. Pamela Turk, President
As the school year comes to an end, so does my
presidency. Thinking about the past six years, I can't believe
how fast they have gone by. They have been wonderful years as
Rabbi Brander's dream came alive under the leadership
of Rabbi Tirschwell.
I clearly remember the day when I first heard of Rabbi
Brander's idea (June 9, 1994). One year later, standing on top
of Masada in over 100 degree heat, Rabbi Brander once again
mentioned his dream of a high school, which he planned to open
by the time my oldest child would be a freshman.
At that moment I offered whatever help I could
give to this endeavor, and it was soon thereafter that I
received the phone call that it was time to get started. Not a
day has passed since that time that I haven't been connected
to WYHS in some manner.
Although both my daughters have now graduated, and it
is time to pass the baton of lay leadership to Dr. Sam Lasko,
I know that I will always have a connection to WYHS. I am
grateful for everything that my daughters Chava and Shoshana
were exposed to - the wonderful teachers, Rebbeim,
curriculum and activities. They both walked through those
front doors barely teenagers, and graduated as lovely,
educated and religiously-motivated young women.
I truly believe that my time could not have been
better spent. I want to publicly thank my husband,
Jonathan, for making it possible for me to volunteer my time
to such an extent the past six years. Now he is asking, along
with many others, "What are you going to do with all your free
time?" My answer is "Who knows?" - but Rabbi Tirschwell, Rabbi
Brander and Shimmie know that I am only an email away!!
My family and I wish you a Good Shabbos and a wonderful
summer.
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Good and Welfare
Mazel tov to the families of junior Joey
Abady, Mordechai Hodkin(04)and sophomore Ilana
Singer on the bar mitzvahs of their brothers this past
weekend
Mazel tov to the family of junior Jordana
Levontin on the engagement of her brother
Mazel tov to the family of Shalom Weiss (01) and
Yael Weiss (04) on the engagement of their sister, Abby
Mazel tov to junior Jeremy Gelbart on his being
elected Regional President of the Southern Region of NCSY and
to outgoing Regional President Shayna Hoenig (04)
Condolences to the family of junior Adina and sophomore
Dov Tepper on the loss of their paternal grandfather
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