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From:   Rabbi Perry Tirschwell <rpt@wyhs.net>
Subject:   The Last Regular High-lites of the Year
Reply:   rpt@wyhs.net


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The Last Regular High-lites of the Year
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The Weekly Newsletter of Weinbaum Yeshiva High School
Friday, May 27, 2005 / Lag B'Omer 5765
Shabbat begins in Boca Raton at 7:49 p.m.

From the desk of
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell

A great school year ended on a great note with a Sports Recognition Program followed by an after school barbeque last night. After two weeks of taking end of the trimester tests and completing term papers, the students have an extended weekend to prepare for final exams, which begin on Tuesday. The schedule is available right before the end of this e-mail.

We invite all friends of WYHS to join us at graduation on Tuesday evening. Mincha is at 7:15; processional at 7:30 PM.

Mazel tov to Mr. and Mrs. Barry Tokayer on the Bar Mitzvah of their son and to older sister Esti ('07).

Please enjoy this, the largest edition of High-lites that we have ever produced. It covers a range of special end of the year activities. Look for the Graduation Special in the coming week. The regular weekly Yeshiva High-lites will return in the fall.

As always, just hit "reply" to this e-mail if you have anything you would like to discuss with me.

Rabbi Perry Tirschwell
Principal

Seniors Travel
North of the Border

by Amanda Ruben ('05)

For the past week, the senior class spent more bonding time together than ever before. Throughout a flurry of cities, tourist sites, and activities, our collective high school career came to an end in the best, most memorable way. At the end of a day of traveling with Mrs. Kanner and Rabbi Spodek, we arrived on the American side of Niagara Falls, strolling to the magnificent site at night to take in the unbelievable view.

On Thursday, we got an even closer look at the falls through the Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist, and Whirlpool Jet-Boating, each while wearing a different snazzy waterproof outfit. Crossing the border twice in one night was some experience! Once in Canada, we went to Clifton Hills for an evening of Ripley's Believe It Or Not, a haunted house, and a "4- D" movie.

On Friday, after an early morning international trip to Toronto and a hot breakfast, we were off to the Canada's Wonderland theme park. Canada's Wonderland let us venture outside the realms of Orlando to see and experience some new and different attractions, including a backwards rollercoaster.

On Shabbat, we experienced the tremendous hospitality of the the world famous BAYT shul in Thornhill, Ontario. We met several other high school seniors over Shabbat and compared our hopes and aspirations for our post high school year in Israel. The boys were even invited to an oneg at the Mara D'asra Rabbi Baruch Taub's home on Friday night, which was for the senior boys of the shul. Rabbi Taub joined us for Seudah Shlishit, and shared a few ideas which fit in nicely with the divrei Torah that our classmates shared throughout Shabbat. Motzei Shabbat WYHS style always calls for bowling!

Sunday brought us to downtown Toronto, to the famed CN Tower, a Toronto Blue Jays baseball game, and the cavernous Eaton Centre, followed by popular Toronto kosher restaurant Marky's for dinner.

Sunday night we bussed to the province of Quebec to a quaint spot on the Ottawa River for our Monday of White Water Rafting. With our newest addition to the trip, Mrs. Schultz, we made our way to our cabins. The rafting itself was quite an experience, as we could see our breath and frolicked in the river. Aside from the near freezing temperatures, it was an unbelievable day of battling rapids, falling out of boats, and then watching the video of ourselves.

On Tuesday we visited the Old Port of Montreal, Quebec, where we navigated ourselves through a life-size maze, followed by horse- and-buggy rides. At our last meal in Canada we dined on the Canadian delicacy of Poutine, which some (Rabbi Spodek) liked more than others (the rest of us).

However, it was not these activities that made the trip a climactic culmination of our WYHS experience. It was the little things, like all the girls getting together to watch American Idol, going pot luck for roommates on Shabbat, and all the seniors coming together as one. We are richer for having had this bonding experience- it could not have been more perfect. Let's just say our yearbook autographs are much longer than anticipated.

Kudos to Rabbi Spodek and the Class Trip Committee for planning the trip of a lifetime.

"Pardon the Interruption"
To Recognize Athletics

by Moshe Genet ('06)

What a fitting way to end the greatest sports year ever at WYHS- with an awards ceremony and two of those excellent video presentations for which Yeshiva is notoriously famous.

The highlight of this year's program was a designated "Pardon the Interruption" show mimicking the real PTI show on cable TV network ESPN Sports. Each sport was represented by two members of the team. On camera they discussed funny events that occurred throughout the year. Freshman Moshe Wahba stole the show with his hilarious Rabbi Horowitz joke and humorous antics. Possibly, Sephardic Girls Soccer players Raquel Amram ('07) and Shana Maikhor ('05) bit about Soccer vs. "Futebol" was even funnier. A good laugh was had by all.

Each team member was called up and presented a team photo as a keepsake. The last two team members called up were recognized as the MIP (Most Improved Player) and MVP (Most Valuable Player).

Congratulations to senior Jake Singer ('05), juniors Jordan Lieber and Jon Struhl, sophomores Leah Bensimon, Alyssa Muckley and Ali Christina, and freshman Daniel Shimansky for winning the MVP award in their respective sports.

Congratulations to freshmen Daniuel Shimansky and Moshe Wahba, sophomore Malka Hizkiya and Jason Mann, juniors Josh Goldberg, Nicole Tryfus and Sahar Zaghi and senior Jake Singer for winning the MIP award in their respective sports.

It was excellent meeting up with our coaches and hearing their sum ups of our year. Special thanks to coaches Scott Lubin, Jimmy Batmasian, Ozzy, Jon Kaweblum and Errol Thomas for their inspirational speeches.

The Boxer brothers entertained us all with their nifty boys varsity basketball video. Thanks to the Struhl Family for sponsoring that memorable and exciting video montage of the Boys Varsity Basketball's winning season and Tier Two Championship in Yeshiva University's Red Saracheck tournament. It was great seeing old highlights and fantastic pictures from throughout the season.

Go Storm!

click on the logo below to read

Engaging in Disengagement

by Mordechai Siev ('06)

Prime Minister Sharon's Disengagement Plan, which calls from a withdrawal of Israeli soldiers and citizens from the Gaza Strip and parts of the northern Shomron, is a complex issue confronting the Israeli populace and its brethren in the Diaspora. Disengagement is unfortunately causing strife and discord among brothers. The plan has been portrayed in many different lights by the media; a long overdue move for peace, a totalitarian attempt to remove people's free will-and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, one should base his or her opinion based on unbiased facts, not myths or legends.

This is why Mr. Adam Dobrick, as part of our school's program of Israel Advocacy called The David Project, gave a presentation of the pure facts-unbiased and unedited-to each class in the school. Mr. Dobrick provided all the information in regards to the current Gaza situation.

The history of the Gaza Strip was presented to the class from the time of King David, through the British Mandate up to the present time. In addition, the demographics of the Gaza Strip-birth rates, population size, and Israeli to Arab ratios-were all analyzed. This was all done to give the students an unbiased perspective in order to form educated opinions.

The presentation engendered widespread student participation. Spirited debate ensued after each arguement for or against was raised. Social, political and economic consequences were discussed for each scenario in the Disengagement debate. Students walked away with a new point of view on events in the Middle East and much discussion was heard following the presentation.

The David Project, a non-profit organization based in Boston whose target audience is Jewish high school students, has asked Mr. Dobrick to serve as a trainer for teachers in other Jewish high schools in North America. The David Project is arming students with the answers to the questions they will undoubtedly hear on college campuses.

Thank you to the Tepper Family for sponsoring this year's David Project programs at WYHS.

An Inferno of Our Own

by Shira Borzak ('07)

After studying the legendary poem by Dante Alighieri, The Inferno, describing the inner circles of hell and its occupants, Mrs. Greer gave her sophomore English class the daunting task of creating our own versions of the Inferno. Such a creative writing project required a lengthy and detailed description of the hero or heroine, their guide, and the hell in which their sinners resided. However, all or a majority of this narrative was required to be in verse, rhyming as eloquently as Dante did almost 700 years ago.

With such a broad topic, each student in the class came up with original and creative "sins" for their satirical hell. They ranged from bad driving to deplorable hygiene. This past Wednesday, or "Hell Day," all of the student's narratives were read, and delicacies such as devil's food cake and deviled eggs added to the aura.

Calling it "one of the most original and unique assignments I was ever given," Alyssa Muckley greatly enjoyed writing her own version of hell for greedy sinners. One student's Inferno had a more satiric edge, as it described a place for all students who turned in English essays and assignments late. Mrs. Greer was thrilled to read all of her students' papers, whom she said "captured the elegant and descriptive nature that embodies Dante's Inferno."

Summer Reading Lists
click on the correct grade (next year)

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior non-AP

AP

A Siyum, NETA Style

by Jordy Kaminetsky ('07)

On Tuesday, the girls from Mrs. Alcalay's Hebrew language classes enjoyed an evening of fun and at games at their Hebrew teacher's home at an end of the year celebration. Because one of the classes just finished a NETA book on the theme of sports, Mrs. Alcalay decided to invite both of her female classes over to compete in some of the sports about which the students learned.

Following the end of school, we loaded into cars, and drove over to Mrs. Alcalay's north Boca home. As each group arrived, it made a bee line to the pizza and various Israeli snacks Mrs. Alcalay had set up for us. After eating, we all went outside where Mrs. Alcalay had many props to play the games learnt in the NETA books. She divided us into teams by classes, and we competed in several individual races. We had to balance eggs on spoons, run in pairs with one leg in each leg of a pair of shorts, and even guide a classmate across the pool area while the classmate was blindfolded.

Once done with the games, we were going to go sit with our legs in her pool. Unfortunately, as I walked towards the water, I was thrown in by a classmate; and yes, I was completely clothed. So, I threw the classmate in and subsequently, everyone else came in. While some girls sat in the Jacuzzi, others swam in the pool.

In honor of Amanda Markovitch's birthday, we had a delicious cake. Over dessert, Mrs. Alcalay handed out various prizes for those who won their races. For the last segment of the evening we went inside. There, Mrs. Alcalay's daughter Sharon entertained us on the piano as she played and sang.

It really was a lot of fun; not only were we well fed and given prizes, but it was definitely a bonding experience for two classes who otherwise would not be brought together. Mrs. Alcalay's hospitality and creativity made the afternoon truly memorable. It was a lot of fun to go and visit her outside of school; to get to know her as a person rather than a teacher.

What AP Students
Do After the AP

by Shira Borzak ('07)

Preparing for the expansive European History AP that almost half of the sophomore class took on May 5th was a daunting task that consumed our year. However, after all the bubbles were filled in, the DBQ's (Document Based Questions) written, and the study guides were passed down to our younger sibings, three weeks of classes remained until the end of the school year.

You might have thought that the AP European History class would become a joke, a pointless period in the day. Then you don't know our master history teacher, Mr. Dobrick. The past three weeks have been some of the most creative and fun classes of the year.

For our last assignment of the year, as per WYHS tradition, Mr. Dobrick assigned groups of three and four students the task of creating a skit pertaining to the figures and events we studied so intensely over the year. With such a broad range of topics, the performances were different from one another.

One group featured the "Socially Awkward Geniuses,"- Einstein, Beethoven, and Van Gogh" in a parody of a popular dating show. King Henry VIII and his notorious bevy of wives were portrayed on a take off of "Oprah." The Protestant Reformation was interpreted through the "Protestant Eye for the Catholic Guy", with influential religious reformers remaking a staunchly Catholic king.

After portraying the "Big Three" Allied leaders of World War II on a mock MTV's "Real World," Ali Cristina noted that, "this assignment gave us the ability to visualize what we learned, and to connect it to our everyday lives. I believe it was truly enhancing and enlightening." Everyone in the class greatly enjoyed their peers' presentations, which included a special guest star: Rabbi Tirschwell himself, as King Henry VIII of England.

Boys Bid Farewell to a Great Rebbe

by Avi Lasko ('07)

As we bid goodbye to a fantastic year at WYHS, the boys had an exceptional farewell to our very special Rabbi Chaim Lanner. On Thursday, Lag B'Omer eve, the Tirschwells opened their home to nearly sixty boys for a delicious BBQ and a bittersweet program honoring our beloved teacher. The scrumptious hot dogs and hamburgers were grilled by Rabbis Benjy Horowitz and Ben Sugerman, ably assisted by sophomores Avi Dennis and Yoni San Solo.

The program was kicked off by Yoni Brander ('07) who gave a truly moving dvar Torah about Rabbi Lanner being not only a rebbe but also a friend to all of us. Sophomores Chaim Seligman and Yoni San Solo then sang a hilarious song about Rabbi Lanner and his gemara shiur! And, of course, no WYHS program would be complete without a Top Ten List from Rabbi Sugerman! The "Top Things Overheard when Rabbi Lanner Announced his Premature Departure" were rebbe's funniest yet!

The climax of the evening was Rabbi Lanner's speech, which left everyone in the room teary-eyed. He spoke about a rebbe learning more from his students than he can learn from anyone else. He said that each and every one of us has made an impact in his life.

The truth is that Rabbi Lanner has made an impact on our lives in more ways than words can express! The night was filled with nostalgic feelings from all! Rabbi Lanner- we thank you, we love you and we wish you hatzlacha rabbah (good luck)! You will be sorely missed!

Electing a New
Student Council

by Avi Dennis ('07)

The hype and excitement at WYHS was palpable this past week as elections for next year's student council were held. Witty posters and slogans were plastered throughout the school and campaign spirit was in the air. With juniors Tuvia Brander and Sahar Zaghi running unopposed as school presidents, suspense remained only as to who would win for position of VP.

On Wednesday during breakfast, Program Director Rabbi Josh Spodek gave each of the vice presidential candidates an opportunity to address the student body. The candidates presented their platforms persuasively and the crowd was inspired and motivated.

On the way out of school that afternoon, Executive Director Shimmie Kaminetsky and Rabbi Spodek organized official polling places so that each student could cast a ballot for officers as well as for class presidents. The candidates were called at home and informed of the results. Now, with all the votes finally tallied, the results are in;

Class Presidents
Class of 2008- Leora Cohen, Tehilah Weiss
Class of 2007- Raquel Amram, Jason Mann
Class of 2006- Zach Cohen, Sarah Dray

Vice Presidents
Ali Cristina, Jordy Kaminetsky, Avi Lasko, Meir Weiss

Presidents
Tuvia Brander, Sahar Zaghi

click on the image below for the
Final Exam Schedule
click on the image below for the
Book Replacement Costs


email: rpt@wyhs.net
phone: 561.417.7422
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