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Why My In-Laws Are Upset
"We enjoyed Mrs. Kanner, Shimmie and Dr. Becker appearing in
your column in the Highlites, but why haven't you been writingthe intro to the Highlites?", commented my very
kind mother and father in law.
I have asked fellow administrators to share with you words of wisdom, to highlight
perhaps the most important strength of our school- a great team which works
together.
In a recent survey done of CEO's about what skills students
need to learn to make them successful in today's workplace, they rated
collaboration in the top five. A successful employee at any level works well
with colleagues, each complementing the other's strengths.
Schools do not traditionally teach collaboration.
Students do homework, take tests, and create papers individually. We all
remember projects which the teacher made us work on with someone else. In
general, one person ended up doing more of the work, and he or she felt it was
unfair.
How do we bridge this gap between what a student feels is
fair in school and what he or she will need to succeed in life? There are a
number of ways that we teach teamwork and collaboration.
One of our bedrock philosophies in athletics is teamwork.
Over sixty percent of our students play at least one team sport at WYHS. I have
found that our most successful teams have been the ones that worked together,
not those that had a superstar or two. The same is true for our drama program.
There are two Class Presidents for each grade and two
Student Council Presidents. Besides
wanting to have a voice for each gender (it's one boy and one girl), we are
trying to teach collaboration to our student leadership.
Chavrutah learning, which students do with increasing
frequency as they move into higher classes and upper grades, is a team effort. In
the past ten years, the general educational community has realized the value of
"cooperative learning". Though it requires a certain amount of maturity,
nothing teaches collaboration better than chavrutah.
I have tried to create a culture of collaboration by
example. I spend most of the day at the conference table (as opposed to my
desk), meeting with groups of people trying to devise the most inspiring and challenging program that we can. May our school community continue to work together to
keep taking our WYHS to new heights.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell
Head of School
Letters to the Editor
Do you have any comments or suggestions regarding this edition of Yeshiva Highlites?
Feedback will be featured in upcoming editions of the Highlites.
Next Week
Sat. Night October 24
9 PM Freshmen Parent Melavah Malkah at
the Tirschwells
Tuesday
October 27
Parent Teacher Conferences
Junior College Kickoff 8pm
Wednesday October 28
Senior Night Out
Thursday October 29
In school Eitan Katz Concert
.
Good & Welfare
Mazel Tov Boys Soccer Team on their trophy for 2nd Place in their division
Refuah Shleima Simcha bat Luna
Nachum Chaim ben Yehudit Rivka
Dovid Menachem Chaim Halevi ben Esther Bayla
Condolences Linda Melcer on the loss of his mother
News Brief
WYHS: Where Chesed Abounds
By Sarah Struhl ('12)
STAFF WRITER
This Tuesday during lunch, many students attended a presentation from Chai Lifeline, an organization that helps sick Jewish children with cancer and other genetic diseases.
At the meeting a video was shown which briefly described all of the
amazing work that Chai Lifeline does to ensure that ill children live
as happy and as normal of a life as possible.
After the poignant video,
the students were informed of the numerous ways that they can get involved.
Whether it's something big such as Chai Lifeline's summer camp, Camp
Simcha , or just making weekly visits and challah drop-offs to a family
who can use a smiling and optimistic face, your support can really make a difference in their lives. Students were overwhelmed with excitement and could not wait to be a part of the incredible chesed that Chai lifeline does daily.
News Brief
Learning on the Weekend?!
Sunday Mishmar @ WYHS
By Simcha Adelman ('12) STAFF WRITER
WYHS's Boys Mishmar is held every Sunday morning from eight to ten in Boca Raton, Hollywood, and North
Miami Beach. Mishmar starts with an eight
o'clock minyan followed immediately by breakfast. Cereal is the norm, but in honor
of our first mishmar of the year held this past Sunday, Rabbi Horowitz brought scrumptious doughnuts that sweetened the event even more. After breakfast the group starts learning entirely l'shem shamayim
without any tests, homework, or quizzes. The boys have a memorable time
learning with their Rabbis (and of course the extra credit is a nice bonus). Mishmar is a
valuable program and boys look forward to every Sunday, even if it the program is so early in the morning.
News Brief
Political Update
Dr. Luchins Discusses the Future of American-Israeli Relations
By Ezra Kurtz ('12)
STAFF WRITER
Thursday
afternoon, the students of WYHS were treated to a fascinating
presentation by Dr. David Luchins. Dr. Luchins, who is the Chair of
Political Sciences at Touro College, addressed the intricate
political relationship that has existed between the United Stares and
Israel since its inception, with emphasis on the steps President
Obama has taken to support Israel.
For instance, Dr. Luchins
explained the major significance of President Obama's address in
Cairo, in which he gave the strongest and only defense of Israel ever
in an Arab capital. Dr. Luchins also gave examples of how the two
governments have worked together in the past, and clarified each
country's stance and political interest in Iran.
This enlightening
lecture truly showed the students the vitality of an unbreakable
American-Israeli political bond.
News Brief
Medieval Madness
Dr. Abramson's Guest History Lecture
By Ilana Ben-Ezra ('10) CHIEF OF STAFF
This past Friday, the senior class was privileged to hear Dr. Abramson, a
respected historian and Dean of Touro South, lead a lecture and
discussion on the burning of the Rambam's (Maimondes) books.
Enthralled by the complexity of the issue, the seniors were active
listeners as Dr. Abramson discussed in detail the multitude of reasons why Jews prompted Christians to begin burning Jewish books - a
ritual the Christians would be sure to continue. Following the event,
both students and faculty present came away with a greater
understanding of the relationship between Jewish leaders of the Middle
Ages as well as their relationship with the Church. Unquestionably,
everybody looks forward to having more opportunities to learn from Dr.
Abramson.
By LeeLee Borzak ('10)
SPORTS LIAISON & SENIOR EDITOR
This
past week at WYHS was Storm mania! With the boys soccer team playing in
the districts, WYHS students really showed their Storm spirit.
Everywhere you looked you saw maroon and gray; in fact, Head of School
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell remarked that this week he saw "the most school spirit in WYHS history."
At
Tuesday's game, tons of students and teachers came decked out in Storm
colors and armed with signs to cheer on our team. Congratulations to
the team on their stunning 6-0 Tuesday victory, which took them to the
next level of districts. Lior Goldstein's ('10) three goals, Arie
Grunberg's ('10) strong defense, and Andy Agus's ('13) remarkable
goalie skills were key assets to the win.
On Thursday,
WYHS students participated in a competition: whichever grade wore the
most Storm colors to support the soccer team in Districts would win a
prize. Congratulations to the seniors for going all out with their
Storm gear, and finding creative ways to incorporate maroon and gray
into their outfits.
At
the second District game on Thursday, again, Storm fans--students,
teachers, and families--showed their support for the Storm. Although
ultimately the boys did not win, they played extremely well. A fan from
the opposing team even remarked that the WYHS boys "played their best
until the very end."
Kudos to all the dedicated fans who not only came to cheer on the Storm on Tuesday
and Thursday, but also stood through the rain to do so. Congratulations
to the boys soccer team on not only an amazing season, but on winning a
very impressive second place in Districts--the best a team has ever
done in WYHS history!
Featurette
Havin' a Ball Meet the WYHS Girls Volleyball Team
In Focus
A Birthday Breakfast Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan & Shimmie's Birthday Celebration
By Elana Kaminetsky ('12) STAFF WRITER
On Monday, all two-hundred forty-two students gathered together, after
a long, but inspirational davening, for a beautiful breakfast
honoring Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan.
Not only was the room decorated with
blue and yellow cups, plates, and napkins, but there were also many
balloons and signs reading "Happy 40th Birthday," a tribute to Shimmie
Kaminetsky's big 4-0. Celebrating our executive director's birthday
only added to the joy of the Rosh Chodesh breakfast. As he entered the
room, everyone began to sing "happy birthday" (while he tried to look
surprised), and the program continued with a delicious cake and
beautiful speech given by Rabbi Tirschwell informing us just how great
'Shimmie' is.
Considering I live so close to him, I got the inside
scoop of what is really going on behind the scenes...
Elana- What did you think about your birthday celebration on Rosh Chodesh? Shimmie- Totally unnecessary, very thoughtful, and enjoyable- I even enjoyed my first piece of cake since Rosh Hashannah.
Elana- Were you surprised or did someone blow the secret? Shimmie-
I started getting hints fifteen minutes before when walking through the
ballroom (and I saw the huge sign and people laughing), but I did not
know prior to then.
Elana- How does it really feel to be 40, as Rabbi Tirschwell mentioned, please G-d, you only have 80 years left? Shimmie-
It feels great. Although I have much more to learn and accomplish in
life, G-d has been good to me in providing me with a beautiful family
(especially you), a wonderful job at WYHS, and great friends and
colleagues.
Elana- Now for the technical aspects...tell us about your position in the school. Shimmie-
I am in charge of all non-educational aspects of the school including
finances, fundraising, facilities, and transportation, just to name a
few.
Elana- What compelled you to move down here and take this job? Shimmie-
I have known Rabbi Tirschwell for close to thirty years. He, and later
Rabbi Brander, encouraged me to move to Boca Raton over a two year
period. I finally decided to move down south, to put all of my efforts
into my job at WYHS. It has been a great move for me and my entire
family.
Multimedia
Picture of the Week
Pictured: While the senior boys wore wild and crazy mismatched clothing, the senior girls showed just how SUPER the class of 2010 is by dressing up as their favorite superheroes.
Culture WYHS Poetry & Prose
Do you marvel at the written word, relishing its beauty and strength? Do you express yourself best through verse and figurative language? If so,WYHS's original literary journal, Allie's Mitt, is already calling your name. Whether you're a poet-laureate from birth or an aspiring author, Allie's Mitt offers you a great opportunity for you to hone your writing skills and to publish your works.
If you're interested, please contact the editor in chief of the literary journal, Keren Marks ('10), at kerenmarks@gmail.com.
Featured below is a poem originally published in the 2009 edition of Allie's Mitt.
-------------------
The
Last Recital
By
Daniella Eson ('11)
Freezing.
Staring
at the
Darkness.
Imagining
What
could have been.
Wiping
the wetness off my chin, I
Shiver
as if already trapped in the
Ice
cold ocean under the Titanic.
I
hear voices
Screaming;
My
ears begin to throb like a beating
Heart.
What
to do?
Where
to begin?
I
sit there and begin to play
Mozart,
Beethoven, Bach, Chopin.
From
the dark musky
Forest
of phantoms, to the
Flowered
golden meadows of the
Sonatas'
sweet song.
My
head is spinning like a Ferris wheel,
The
saddening silence forces me into
Focus;
the crashing lights hit my face.
I
am grabbed, shaken, hurt.
My
breath taken away after each note.
My
lungs are stinging in a desperate attempt, as if
Holding
my breath under the turbulent Water.
My
fingers glide across the grand piano
Like
a falling avalanche-
Aching.
The
Ebony and Ivory keys look like the
Path
I shall take, blending together like the
Gray
of the sky.
Afraid.
The
music slows
Coming
to an end,
I
stop.
They
applaud.
I
weep.
SpiritualityD'var Torah
United We Stand... Against G-d?
Parshat Noach
Rebecca Fuchs ('10) D'VAR TORAH COORDINATOR
In this week's parshah, after Hashem
utterly destroys all existence on earth, saving only Noah and those
with him on the ark, mankind once again sins. They have just been
witness, or at least their immediate ancestors, who are still alive to
testify, have been witness to the greatest destruction of all time. The
reason for the flood was well-known and yet they wished so deeply to
rebel against G-d, that they did so despite the obviously possible
punishment.
This seems completely ridiculous that mankind can be so
foolish and still continue to rebel. One would expect G-d to be
completely outraged at such unabashed disregard of His power. Mankind
not only dismisses G-d's ability to punish, but goes so far as to imagine
that they could overthrow Him! Clearly they have not learned the lesson
intended by the flood and should be punished similarly. Yet their
punishment seems to fall very short in regards to their actual crime.
Rashi
poses the question, "Who was worse; the generation of the flood, or the
generation of the dispersion?" One would automatically assume this
generation. The generation of the flood, according to pshat,
was destroyed because of thievery! Sure, stealing is immoral but is it
really punishable by death? Meanwhile, the next generation, whose
actions of directly rebelling against G-d seem much more severe, is
merely dispersed as a result of its sin.
Why is their punishment so seemingly lenient? What makes them better than their predecessors?
The
difference between the two generations is not their relationship with
G-d, but their relationship with each other. Those in the first
generation were thieves, fighting with one another, and living
selfishly. The generation of the dispersion, however, was unified and
lived with a common purpose, albeit misguided. In such high regard does
G-d hold peace between mankind, that He spared them from destruction.
Their true, and almost greater punishment, is being dispersed, causing
them to lose this unity which they had sadly used negatively. Although
the generation of the dispersion was wrong in their intentions, we can
still learn an incredible lesson from them.
Had that generation used their achdut (unity)
to serve G-d, and to create a better society, the world would be a
completely different place today. Dignitaries dream of a unified world,
in which war is nonexistent, a world that seems completely impossible
at the moment. Perhaps, complete world-peace is a bit hopefully and
unrealistic, but peace between brothers does not seem so unattainable
in comparison. All Jews are inherently connected to one another, and if
all of our nation could overcome our differences and have true Ahavat Yisrael,
unlike the generation at the time of the Temple's destruction, we could
bring the ultimate peace. May we, the nation of Hashem, come together
and through our unity, be reestablished as a leading power in the
world, and ultimately bring the final Geulah. Shabbat Shalom!
