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From: Rabbi Perry Tirschwell <rpt@wyhs.net>
Subject: Yeshiva Highlites Is Back
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Yeshiva Highlites Is Back
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Inspiring & Challenging
Teenagers Since 1998


Parshat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim
Friday, May. 1, 2009

rpt

Teenagers & Cellphones:

A Match Made in…?

In this post 9/11 era, many parents believe that the cellphone insures the safety of their children, by keeping them just a speed dial button away. Focusing on the frightful image of a child's car going off the road and no one there to save them, I believe that most parents are oblivious to the many dangers that the cellphone presents to their children.

Texting & Speaking While Driving-Too many adults are guilty of this. We all understand why car rental companies don't rent to people under 23 or 25. Teenagers are both less cautious and less experienced. Adding the ubiquitous texting and cellphone use to the mix is a recipe for disaster.

They Can't Concentrate on Anything Else- It's hard to get the full attention of a teenager who is constantly checking his cell for the latest text or call. The three to four hour AP, ACT and SAT exams are not being rewritten for this generation, the length of whose attention span is diminishing rapidly.

To Whom Are They Texting & Speaking?- When the phone rings at home, you know who is calling. You have no idea who is calling your children.

Unsupervised Internet- As Computer Crime Investigator Phillip Rosenthal told us, teenagers should not use the internet unsupervised. There are predators and people who misrepresent themselves (not to speak of a lot of inappropriate stuff we wouldn't let into our home). Cellphones with internet pose this additional challenge.

As long as our teenagers are under our roof, it is our responsibility to protect them physically, emotionally and spiritually. Once they leave our homes, we afford them opportunities which we hope they will make the most of.

A few suggestions to avoid these pitfalls;

  • Don't call or text them during class. Call the school office- we're happy to give them a message between classes.

  • Tell them to keep their phones off when driving & in class.

  • Do they really need the texting? Save yourself some money and help your child with all of the above.

  • If they don't have a phone, don't get one. If you can't get the improbable image I mentioned above out of your head, get a prepaid cell (without text or internet capability) to give your children when they drive. Keep it in your room at all other times.

    Each technological breakthrough provides both opportunities and challenges. It is dangerous if we ignore the potential pitfalls and only focus on the benefits.

    In deference to our editors and correspondents writing AP Exams next week, Yeshiva Highlites will next appear on Friday, May 15.


    Shabbat Shalom


    Rabbi Perry Tirschwell

  • Journal Dinner
    Tribute Committee
    in formation

    Pamela & Prosper Abitbol
    Ellen & Jay Adler
    Lisa & Phil Baratz
    Alyssa & Menachem Baumgarten
    Lori & Marc Ben-Ezra
    Helene & Abbey Berkowitz
    Carol & Howard Bienenfeld
    Darlene & Michael Bokor
    Deena & Steve Borzak
    Yael & Steven Charlap
    Tilda & Mark Fisher
    Susan & William Ganz
    Dorit & Ben J Genet
    Monica & David Genet
    Rachel & Neil Greenbaum
    Simone & Charles Griff
    Ana & Stanley Haar
    Lynn Hahn
    Gloria & Stewart Harris
    Jodi & Jeffrey Harris
    Anita & Sam Heering
    Shari & Moshe Hirth
    Sarah & Steven Jacoby
    Melanie & Bernie Kaminetsky
    Caroline & Daniel Katz
    Sharona & David Kay
    Judi & Gary Krasna
    Arlene & Sam Lasko
    Ellen & Jon Lasko
    Cindy & Bruce Nimhauser
    Fay & Jose Poliak
    Jill & Michael Rose
    Hindy & Stuart Rubin
    Diane & Ben Saketkhou
    Chani & Bennett Salamon
    Dana & Barry Schechter
    Ellen & Zorik Spektor
    Linda & Ted Struhl
    Robin & Warren Struhl
    Estelle & Norman Wald

    Join the Tribute Committee

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    Upcoming Events

    Annual Sports Banquet
    Mon, May 18, 6:30pm
    Click here for Reservations

    WYHS Annual Dinner
    Honoring Hirths & Schochets
    Tuesday, May 26, 6:00pm
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    Good & Welfare

    Mazel Tov
    Chaim Rosov on First Prize in the Jewish Museum of Florida's Judaic Competition




     

    Click the picture for a slideshow!

    Click here to test your Israel knowledge!



    Happy Birthday, Israel!

    Celebrating Yom Ha'Atzmaut, WYHS Style

    by LeeLee Borzak ('10)

    The excitement was palpable the second students entered WYHS on Yom Ha'Atzmaut. With everyone wearing blue and white, students were excited to celebrate Israel's 61st birthday. After a delicious lunch of shwarma, falafel, and Idan Raichel music, students and teachers hit the dance floor for one of the most energetic chagigot WYHS has ever seen. As always, Chazak's fantastic musical accompaniment made the event even better. The celebration also marked the last chagiga for the seniors, who sang "L'Shana HaBa'ah B'Yerushalayim" with particular gusto.

    Next, in true WYHS fashion, students played a game which expertly combined fun and learning: Israeli History Bingo. Rabbi Houben asked questions about significant events, years, and people in Israeli history, and the bingo boards consisted of answers to those questions. The entire room transformed into an Israeli-history frenzy, with students excitedly utilizing their Israeli history skills while also learning more about it. Congratulations to the bingo winners, Nikki Charlap ('12), Shmuel Dresner ('09), and Ezra Kurtz ('12)! The entire day was incredible, as the Zionism and love for Israel could be felt in the atmosphere and was truly celebrated.

    Thank you so much to Director of Student Activities Shira Englander, Assistant Director of Student Activites Rabbi Allan Houben, and the Yom Ha'Atzmaut committee for a lively, fun, and meaningful celebration of Israel.

     

    Commemorating a Hero

    Yom HaZikaron at WYHS

    by Perla Maikhor ('09)

    This past Tuesday, we marked our tribute to all the Israeli soldiers who have lost their lives fighting for the country we love, support, and care for most--Israel. The downstairs hallway was covered with pictures of IDF soldiers and images of military combat, which set the tone for the day before the program even began.

    After breakfast, we watched a video about Michael Levin called "A Hero in Heaven." The movie told the story of a young man born and raised in Philadelphia. Michael Levin (z"l) grew up in a traditional, loving Jewish home and, at the age of sixteen, decided that he wanted to move to Israel and join a front-line combat unit in the IDF. Michael's dream was fulfilled when he made Aliyah in 2003 and joined the elite paratroopers.

    Sadly, on August 1, 2006, Michael was killed in combat. Two days later he was buried in the National Military Cemetery on Har Herzl, along with other Israeli heroes. Michael's passion was to become a soldier in the Israeli Army and he always aimed for one goal: to fight for our homeland. Michael was a great hero and left behind a legacy of Jewish pride and commitment. His determination, passion, and optimism serve as an inspiration to everyone. Michael's story definitely helped make the tribute and the remembrance much more emotional.

    After the film, Rabbi Houben addressed the students and really made the message of the movie more powerful. He emphasized the what Michael did was for Klal Yisrael, for the good of his people and his land. This inspirational lesson of altruism is truly something we can apply to our every day lives.

    The program gave us the chance to feel very connected to our most prized possession and greatest gift of all: Israel. May Hashem protect and guide the soldiers in everything they do.

    Click Here to Comment

     

    Blue, Pink, and a


    Whole Lot of Bagels



    Last Friday, WYHS celebrated the births of Yoseph Yonah to Mrs. Vivian Kestenbaum, our resident Spanish teacher, and Gavriella Chana, to Athletic Director Mrs. Rachel Yudewitz and Boys JV basketball coach Mr. Uri Yudewitz.

    After a delicious breakfast, we were privileged to hear from the fathers, Mr. Dovid Kestenbaum and Mr. Uri Yudewitz, who spoke about the babies' names. The event was a clear indication of the closeness of the WYHS family, and a great way to celebrate such a simcha. Mazel Tov!


    You Know You're at a WYHS Baby Bash When...

    You are welcomed to school with blue and pink tablecloths, cupcakes, and balloons.

    The girls start discussing their favorite baby names, while the boys hunt for the last plain bagel.

    You learn the impressive heritage of your teacher's baby's name.

    The rest of your classes are replete with baby stories all day long.

    Click Here to Comment

     


    "You can't fulfill your dreams

    unless you dare to risk it all"



    --Michael Levin z'l



    Yeshiva Highlites Staff

    LeeLee Borzak (’10)

    Editor-in- Chief

    Danielle Wolkowicz ('09) Senior Editor

    Josh Kaminetsky(’09)

    Layout Editor

    Ilana Ben-Ezra ('10) Features Editor

    David Petrover(’10)

    Technical Editor
    Alana Dweck ('09) Photo Editor

    Josh Stadlan ('11)

    Creative Editor

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    Chief of Correspondents

    David Spektor(’10)

    Assistant Technical Editor

    Michael Feit ('10)

    Assistant Technical Editor
    Paul Hess ('11) Staff
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    Rabbi Allan Houben

    Faculty Advisor
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