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To Criticize or To Complement ?
One of the greatest challenges for parents and teachers is inspiring
our children to meet high standards, while still making them feel that we love
and accept them if they don't make the mark. This is true for religious goals,
academic objectives and behavioral expectations.
In general, G-d wires children to want to please the adults
in their lives.Everyone wants to have a healthy self image, and the approval
of our role models is very important. This truism is very obvious in elementary
school. As children struggle to individuate from their parents, it becomes less
obvious, but no less true.
Parents and teachers have a superhuman mission.
On one hand, a parent or a teacher who glosses over any and
all shortcomings, does a child a tremendous disservice. Everyone needs constructive
criticism to grow. If every child gets an "A" every time, there is no striving
for excellence and bettering oneself. In addition, a child that is brought up
to think that he or she can do nothing wrong, runs the risk of becoming self-centered.
On the other hand, children who feel that their parents and
teachers did not sufficiently approve of them can spend much of their adult
life subconsciously driven to prove them wrong.These people may amass great
personal and professional success, but are unhappy at the core. This is the
stuff that religious rebellions and therapist's sessions are made of.
Human nature is that people are much quicker to criticize
than they are to complement. Parents and teachers need to put great energy into
expressing their love for the young people in their charge. Catching a child
when they are doing good is crucial.
However, that cannot mean that a child never feels that they
have disappointed the adults in their lives.
To Criticize or to Complement? Parents and teachers are
obligated to do both. Finding the balance between the two is a truly difficult
task with which we all struggle.
Yeshiva Highliteswill appear next on Friday, May 14.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell Head of School
Good & Welfare
Mazel Tov! Erika Stiel ('04) on her engagement to Zazy
Rothschild of Baltimore
Condolences Ephraim Sobol on the loss of
his
brother Jay Refuah Shleima Simcha Chaya bat Luna
Coming Attractions
May 4-13 AP Exams (no Yeshiva Highlites 5/7)
May 12 Yom Yerushalayim Student Leadership Awards Banquet
Shabbat May 14-15 Freshman Shabbaton
Mon May 24 Annual Dinner
Wed May 26 Sports Banquet
Fri May 28 Chesed Hours Due Click here to download the community service form
Wed June 2 Graduation
Journal Dinner Tribute Committee in formation
Anonymous Prosper & Pamela Abitbol Jay & Ellen Adler Phil & Lisa Baratz Menachem & Alyssa Baumgarten Al & Evelyn Begas Marc & Lori Ben-Ezra Billy & Batzi Berman Howard & Carol Bienenfeld Michael & Darlene Bokor Steve & Yael Charlap Michael & Sheryl Dennis David & Sheri Dennis Ben J. & Dorit Genet David & Monica Genet Charles & Simone Griff Stanley & Ana Haar Jeffrey & Jodi Harris Samuel & Anita Heering Moshe & Shari Hirth Merv &
Elaine Jacobs Steven
& Sarah Jacoby Bernie & Melanie Kaminetsky David & Sharona Kay Gary &
Judi Krasna Harold & lori Landa Sam & Arlene Lasko Robert & Linda Levy Dov & Debbie Linzer Scott &
Debra Michaud David &
Joyce Muller Bruce & Cindy Nimhauser Jose
& Fay Poliak Gene &
Georgina Rice Michael & Jill Rose Isaac & Eugenia Rosen Stuart & Hindy Rubin
Benjamin & Diane Saketkhou
Bennett & Chani Salamon
Barry & Dana
Schechter Zorik & Ellen Spektor Marshall & Sharon Stauber Ted
& Linda Struhl Norman & Estelle Wald
"Go Go Go Joseph" was the song playing in everybody's mind after phenomenal play by the WYHS Drama Department, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This past Sunday, the cast and tech crew celebrated the successful play with an awesome Drama party at senior Esther Amram's house. At the party, everyone was treated to a video of the play, as well as a special senior montage made by Mrs. Elizabeth Saddler herself.
Afterwards, Mrs. Saddler gave out awards, reflected on this wonderful experience, and said goodbye to the seniors: actresses Esther Amram, Aliza Friedman, Taryn Katz, Debbie Epstein, Daniella Lieberman, Sarah Shabtai, and Tamar Grunhaus, stage manager Shira Mayersdrof, and techies Rachel Danis, Devorah Gutman, and Jackie Berger.
What a great way to celebrate the success of a great play!
News Brief
Israel on our Minds WYHS Students attend AIPAC Event
By Ezra Kurtz ('12) STAFF WRITER
This past Tuesday, select members of our school's AIPAC committee were privileged to attend a phenomenal speech by Dr. Daniel Gordis. Dr. Gordis, a contributor to the New York Times, the Jerusalem Post and author of Saving Israel: How the Jewish People Can Win a War That May Never End, enthralled the audience with his outlook on the international campaign to de-legitimize the State of Israel. He began by emphasizing that as recently as last month, anti-Israel and anti-Semitic protests had been held in so called Western democracies such as Spain, Germany and England. Whereas countries such as these are clearly unwilling to recognize the monstrosities being committed by radical Islamic terrorist groups, Israel is becoming politically alienated by refusing to capitulate to international demands to remain passive in the face of these threats, such as a nuclear Iran.
Dr. Gordis cautiously spoke of the increasingly endangered promise of Zionism; the promise that Jews will always have a safe haven, should the need arise. However, he warned that should Iran acquire nuclear capabilities, this guarantee will become merely another outdated philosophy. Dr. Gordis concluded his remarks with an ominous challenge-- to do whatever we can to ensure Israel's continued existence, because the rest of the world certainly won't.
Click on the image above to watch a recap of the siyum
Over thirty students and Rebbeim packed into the Kaminetsky home this past Wednesday night in honor of Moshe Kaminetsky ('11) and Arie Hizkiya's ('11) completion of Masechet Horayot during their weekly chavruta at Night Seder. The dedicated duo spoke about the meaning of the masechta in its entirety, read the concluding lines of the Gemara, and partook in a scrumptious barbecue seudat mitzvah. Yasher koach to Arie and Moshe on their devotion to learning Torah lishmah and on their impressive feat of completing a whole masechta.
By Arie Hizkiya ('11) NIGHT SEDER PARTICIPANT
At the beginning of this year, Moshe Kaminetsky ('11) and myself set out with
the goal of of finishing an entire albeit small mesechta of
Gemara.
I felt that our endeavor was really appropriate for Night Seder because it
meant that every week we knew what and with whom we were learning and
were able to resume our study right away. I think that was the secret to out success--setting a plan and adhering to it. When
we finished I felt proud that we had achieved our actual goal.
I hope
this siyum is the first of many for Night Seder participants and will inspire others as
well as myself to reach for new heights in their Torah study and form higher aspirations.
I
would be remiss if I did not thank the entire Rabbinic staff. Over the course of the year, Moshe and I
have required the assistance of all of them, and they have always willingly
helped us. I would just like to express my gratitude to all of the rabbis that
give up their own free time in order to enhance their students' learning.
Featurette
The AP Palette
It's that time again--AP Season! With Baron's, Princeton
Reviews, and SparkCharts stacked up on their desks, Advance Placement students are
assiduously reviewing a year's worth of college-level classwork and
lessons on subjects ranging from Calculus to Literature in preparation for the intimidating AP Exams next week.For those wondering what exactly the AP students have been doing lately, here's an explanation, cookbook style:
Breaking News
On Their Own Merit Six Juniors Receive National Merit Honor
Introducing La Revista Cultural- the WYHS Spanish cultural magazine,
a stunning publication of intriguing articles and colorful pictures edited and organized
by senior Sharon Cohen ('10).
Sharon put her fluency in Spanish to good use as the editor the
Spanish magazine. After being
chosen for the position, Sharon spent much of her free time with Spanish
teacher Mrs. Vivian Kenstenbaum producing this wonderful cultural
publication. I had the privilege
to speak to Sharon about her experiences.
Andrew Wald: What is the Spanish magazine? Sharon Cohen: The Spanish Magazine (Revista
Cultural) is designed to enlighten and inform as well as create a fun way to
learn about the different Spanish cultures in the various countries. Mrs. Kestenbaum has students read it in her
Spanish classes, using it as a teaching method.
AW: How much time did you spend on it? SC: It took about five to six
months to finish the magazine, but it would have probably taken double the
amount of time without all the Spanish articles that the students provided. They did a great job and learned a lot
while volunteering to write articles for the magazine.
AW: What was your favorite moment in making the magazine? SC: I was watching the news one
night and I saw a clip of different Spanish music artists performing in the
White house this past October. As
I continued watching, I realized that in Honor of Spanish Heritage month,
Barack Obama hosted a party, inviting all the famous Spanish artists to
perform, eat, and dance in the White House. Who knew Obama had some Spanish
flavor in him? This immediately
made me realize that it would be a great idea to write about Spanish
celebrities, which we eventually did.
In Focus
Chats with the Rabbi Philosophical Discussions With Rabbi Goldberg
Over the past few months, the upperclassmen Gemara shiurim were privileged to have Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, Marah D`Atrah of BRS, impart his wisdom on unique philosophical and contemporary Jewish issues. Rabbi Goldberg led an informal discussion on Fridays, in which students were encouraged to ask questions pertaining to any issue they may have in Judaism in addition to voicing their opinions on Rabbi Goldberg's prepared topics. I spoke with Rabbi Goldberg about this unique program.
Matthew Wolkowicz: Where did the inspiration for this program come from? Rabbi Efrem Goldberg: There was an article in the New York Times about Rabbi Lookstein and how for decades he has taught Ramaz students subjects that don't come usually up in a classic Yeshiva day school curriculum. I was motivated by the article and when I approached Rabbi Tirschwell he thought the timing was perfect to introduce such discussions. MW: Do you believe that this program is important to continue and possibly advance in future years? Why? REG: It is absolutely critical to continue this program. When I reflect back on my excellent twelve years of formal Jewish education, I can identify tremendous gaps where subjects and ideas that were taken for granted were not discussed or taught. In retrospect, these subjects are often the very foundation upon which the rest of the Torah curriculum rests and therefore they are critical to discuss and reinforce. MW: Do you think this idea will continue after this school year ends? REG: I definitely hope so, but it's up to my boss Rabbi Tirschwell! MW: What are some of the topics you discussed about with this class? REG: We addressed many issues such as why G-d created the world, free will versus determinism, and the Torah's view on homosexuality. MW:What are the general student reactions to these topics? REG: It is rewarding to see students passionately engaged in debating these issues. Clearly the students want to talk about and clarify these important subjects MW:What do you hope to leave the students with by enacting this program? REG: My goal is to impress upon the boys that there is no question off limits, that there is no issue or question of faith that is inappropriate to ask. I wish to show them that the Torah always has meaningful and compelling ways of addressing contemporary questions and challenges.
Tribute
Farewell, Senior Class Thank You to the Senior Highlites Members
On behalf of the entire Highlites staff, I would like to express our gratitude to the "seasoned veterans" --the "Highlites extraordinaires"--for their ineffable contributions to the Yeshiva Highlites over the years. With their vision, creativity, dedication, skill, and commitment to excellence, they have pioneered this publication from a email letter with photos to a comprehensive, "edgy," and aesthetically-pleasing e-newspaper. Seniors (from L to R) David Petrover, Ilana Ben-Ezra, Michael Feit, LeeLee Borzak, and David Spektor will be greatly missed here at WYHS.
We wish them only success as they sail the vast ocean of bigger and better things.
SpiritualityD'var Torah
Back to the Future: Pesach Sheini
By David Spektor ('10)
Pesach Sheni, the "second" Pesach, is on the 14th day of Iyar and this year fell out on this past Wednesday. Many often ask, what is the purpose of Pesach Sheini? Didn't we reach our maximum matzah capacity a month ago? First, it is necessary to understand the holiday's backgound. In the desert, one who was ritually unclean, ta'mei, was not allowed to bring or partake in the Korban Pesach. In Bamidbar (9:6-8), we find that a group of people approached Moshe and Aharon at the time the first offering was brought after the Exodus. Because they were ritually unclean at the time due to carrying Yosef's bones back to Israel, they were not able to bring the offering. This group asked Moshe and Aharon why they were unable to bring the offering with the rest of Israel. The response from Moshe was " Stand and hear what Hashem has commanded you." Then, the Torah relates the laws concerning Pesach Sheni, an opportunity for all those who missed the Korban Pesach in the proper time through no fault of their own to bring this offering and fulfill this special mitzvah.
Even though we no longer bring korbanot today, there is still significance to Pesach Sheini. The sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, said that from this second Pesach, we learn that it is never too late to rectify past mistakes, be it a life full of negative deeds or one simple error. Pesach Sheini thus represents the power of teshuvah -- the power to return. Teshuvah is commonly translated as repentance, but it is much more than achieving forgiveness for past sins. It is, in essence, the power to go back in time and redefine the past.
News Brief
