By Yoni Levenson ('09)

This past Wednesday night, the boys Varsity basketball team faced off against district rival Boca Prep for the right to play against Grandview in the District Championship game.

Preceding the game was a 3-point competition, during which two members from each team tried to make as many 3-point shots as they could in a 1 minute span. Congratulations to Ronnie Rosenbaum, who won the competition and will put his skills to the test again on Saturday night as he participates in the 3-point finals.

After this competition, the game began. Although the game started off neck-in-neck, the Storm eventually pulled ahead to seal the victory. Led by captain Anosh Zaghi’s amazing 31 points and co- captain Eli Baratz’s leadership, the Storm won by a score of 67-46.

Thank you to the Storm fans who cheered the team on to victory, and we hope to see you there again this Saturday night as the Storm play Grandview for the District title.

By Danielle Wolkowicz ('09)

WYHS is on the cutting edge of technological developments which greatly improve teaching and learning. The school’s new interactive, real time video conference equipment is greatly impacting students, teachers and administrators.

Yeshiva University created GLI- Global Learning Initiative- to help Jewish schools across the world connect with each other and share ideas. It purchases and loans the equipment (worth over $10,000) to schools throughout North America. In addition, it has made a shidduch between GLI schools and Jewish day schools throughout the world through the Jewish Agency.

Since receiving the equipment in October, WYHS has used it for various different occasions. An alumnus studing at Shaalvim for Women in Israel spoke at our Open House about how her WYHS experience prepared her for seminary and answered questions from the audience .

Rabbi JJ Schachter, Senior Scholar at YU’s Center for the Jewish Future, taught two interactive pre- Chanukah shiurim to our seniors via videoconference. He truly maximized the potential of this technology, calling on the students from Boca to answer Dallas’ question, and then asking Seattle if they agreed with Boca’s analysis.

Our teachers have participated in an array of professional development opportunities via video conference. Dr. Norman Blumenthal, Chai Lifeline’s Director of Crisis Intervention and Bereavement , lead a well-received inservice at our recent midyear faculty meeting from the Chai Lifeline offices in New York. The teachers have participated in classes with YU’s Dr. David Pelcovitz and shiurim from world renowned scholars such as Rabbi Menachem Leibtag and Rabbi Dr. Moshe Dovid Tender.

When Mrs. Kanner’s daughter had a baby in December, she taught her classes from Yeshiva University! It was like she was in the room- calling on student who rose their hands and taking attendance.

Rabbi Tirschwell participates in a monthly meetings with principals from throughout North America, at which they brainstorm addition ways to use this powerful equipment.

WYHS is looking to expand its uses of the system. Rabbi Spodek is organizing a meeting between our student council , and those at yeshiva high schools across the country. The school is investigating having courses taught to our students by college professors.

By Raquel Amram ('07)

While WYHS students give of their time to help others on a daily basis; it is very rare that they have the opportunity to physically give of themselves. Last Friday, the entire female student body gathered for an absolutely remarkable Chesed event. Twelve girls and two teachers donated their hair to Chai Lifeline in order to make wigs for children who lose their hair as they undergo chemotherapy.

Mrs. Kanner gave an inspiring dvar torah, connecting Tu Bishvat and the seeds in trees to the cutting and donating of hair. We also watched an incredibly moving video of Camp Simcha, the Chai Lifeline summer camp, highlighting the level of simcha that cancer stricken children can derive from a small Chesed.

For many of us, I dare to say that the event ranks as one of the most meaningful in our lives. We were incredibly moved as we watched the video and listened as Chai Lifeline children and parents spoke about the constant struggle, from doctor to doctor, from medicine to medicine—and the way that Chai Lifeline brings joy and hope into their lives.

Mrs. Ellen Shemesh, Chai Lifeline’s director, described the way that losing one’s hair contributes to a loss of self-esteem. By making wigs for girls and peyot and beards for boys, it gives the children a very important confidence boost.

I chose to cut my hair because of the joy that it would bring to another girl or boy. My hair will grow back, but these patients do not have the same luxury. I was thrilled to make such a simple but meaningful contribution to the happiness of a child in need.

Mrs. Shemesh, the director of Chai Lifeline, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I found the event to be very inspirational, it was beautiful to see the girls and staff members truly give of themselves to help others, children that they don't even know. We consider ourselves blessed to have the support of WYHS staff and students, and look forward to partnering in many more projects.”

The WYHS students certainly look forward to donating their hair, their time, and most importantly, themselves, to helping Chai Lifeline patients in the future!