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What Does YU Do for You?
We are an "independent school"- what we teach our students is determined by our erudite department chairs and administrators, and where our students chose to attend college is up to them and their parents. So what does Yeshiva University (YU) do for us?
YU runs great programs for our students. Yeshiva University Model United Nations brings together over 500 of the best and brightest yeshiva high school students. The Red Saracheck Basketball Tournament brings together 20 boys varsity teams for a great competition and inspiring shabbaton. YU runs a great Bekius Program in which our boys participate and compete. Last week, YU sent its Director of Student Finance to speak to parents interested in any university about the intricacies of student aid on the university level.
YU trains our rabbis for free. Though undergraduate and graduate school tuition at Yeshiva University is commensurate of the other top 50 private universities, smicha (rabbinical school) is tuition free. YU does this because it feels a responsibility to the community, and understands that rabbis cannot afford to be saddled with student loans. YU is presently redoubling its efforts to help schools identify prospective teachers.
YU is the convener of the religious Zionist day schools in the US and yeshivot in Israel. YU has helped the seminaries standardize application and acceptance dates, and is in the process of convening the high schools and Israel schools to discuss curriculum and policy issues. Students can receive a full year of college credit for their intensive academic study in Israel through Yeshiva University, saving parents money and students time.
Professional development for our teachers is a priority for YU. We are working with YU's Institute for University-School Partnership to create a ground breaking program to help teachers to inspire today's teenagers. They provide webinars for college prep and Judaic teachers. They even conducted a survey of the alumni of our and seven other yeshiva high schools, the results of which I will share with you in the coming weeks.
Most importantly, YU educates our graduates. Over half of our graduates have continued their academic and religious growth at Stern and Yeshiva College in a similar environment to our school. It is where our alumni develop close relationships with gedolei Torah, and where many of our graduates meet their spouses.
Thank you to President Richard Joel for his vision of YU leading the entire Modern Orthodox community and creating the Center for the Jewish Future (with our own Rabbi Brander at the helm) to do so. Rabbi Perry Tirschwell Head of School
The Weeks Ahead
Sat. Nov. 6
Girls Night Seder Shabbaton
Clocks Change
Sun-Mon. Nov. 7-8
Rosh Chodesh Kislev
Girls Talent Show
Lazy Man Olympics
Mon. Nov. 8
2:15pm Dismissal Parent Teacher Conferences
College Kickoff @ 8 PM
for Tuniors & Parents
Tues. Nov. 9
School starts at 8:45
No fourth period
Wed. Nov. 10
Rabbi Menachem Nissel
speaks to students
Mon. Nov. 22
WYHS Annual
Golf Tournament
Sponsorships still available. Click here to e-mail Shimmie Kaminetsky.
Mazal Tov
Jessy (Esquenazi '06) and Israel Sasson on the birth on a son, David
Refuah Shleimah
Eliyahu Refael ben Zehava
Dvasha Sarah bat Chaya Raizel
Out and About
Stars Shine in Hollywood Faculty Migrates South for Shabbaton
Graphic By Amir Tsarfati ('13) and Aaron Rose ('13)
Though seemingly hours away from Boca Raton when confronting the I-95 rush hour, Hollywood is an integral part of the WYHS family. Accordingly, this past week, WYHS held its annual shabbaton in Hollywood. Members of the faculty were hosted by various families throughout Hollywood, and expressed wonder and adulation at the hospitality they received. Activities on the shabbaton included a father-son tishon Friday night, a mother-daughter seudah shlishit, an exquisite family luncheon and a brief taste of the school's Judaic curriculum.
Featurette
Challenged to Scavenge
Sophomores Scan Mall for Clues
Written By Rebecca Muller ('13)
Graphic By Jonah Katz ('11) and Justin Stauber ('11)
This year's sophomore night out was an event to remember. The night started off with a delicious meal from the restaurant Asia as classmates had a chance to socialize with each other. The sophomores then headed to the buses for a creative and stimulating scavenger hunt around Town Center Mall.
At the mall, each team was handed an envelope consisting of a list of items and a disposable camera. The teams raced around the mall taking pictures of each item on the list. The winning team was rewarded with a free snack from the vending machine and a free slurpee, gelato, or Starbucks drink. The sophomores had a great time on this exciting night out. Thanks to the Director of Student Activities Mrs. Shira Englander, Assistant Director of Student Activities Rabbi Allan Houben, and the sophomore class presidents for planning this incredible event.
Feature Story
Raider of the Lost Plane
Military Hero Addresses WYHS
To view the video of Brigadier General Effie Etam's speech, click on the graphic above
Written By Elana Gelman ('12) Graphic By Joshua Firestone ('13)
This past Wednesday at WYHS, students were privileged to hear from Brigadier General Effie Etam. This amazing speech was made possible by Caravan for Democracy, an organization run and funded through the Jewish National Fund (JNF). Caravan for Democracy regularly presents influential speakers to promote awareness of the State of Israel's true character throughout America.
Effie Etam shared his incredible story about the Israeli raid on Entebbe in 1976 to free hostages captured by terrorists. Specifically, he recounted his unique role in this heroic operation. He explained that when his commander told him about the hijacked plane in Uganda, he didn't even know where Uganda was and how to get there! Fortunately, using a globe purchased in a local shop and with the miraculous discovery of the Entebbe airport's blueprints, Brigadier General Etam was able to plan a successful operation. Etam then told the gripping story of the seven hour plane ride to Uganda, and his first amazing spiritual revelations as the plane was flying over the stormy Lake Victoria. After landing at the airport, Effie and his soldiers stealthily ran into the terminal, and liberated all the hostages. During the heart-wrenching return home, General Yoni Netanyahu, whom Effie said he was privileged to work with, passed away 5 minutes after takeoff. The Israeli raid on Entebbe in 1976 remains one of the most iconic stories of in Jewish history. Etam said that the most important thing students can gather from his story is to always have strength, courage and persistence in all endeavors. Juniors Elliot Danis and Ross Nimhauser agreed that "the presentation made us realize how important our role is in defending Israel." Etam reiterated that in today's society, which is filled with the anti-Semitic events like the Gaza flotilla or the Goldstone Report, we must have strength, stand our ground, and not make excuses for the Arabs who are trying to manipulate fear. Effie Etam concluded with his most important message; that we must steadfastly believe in Israel and help maintain a great Israel-American relationship, so that in time of trouble, we will always be able to help our brothers and sisters in Israel.
Spotlight
Freshmen Rock the Vote Fundraising, Class Unity Amongst Key Issues
Written By Jessica Hopen ('13) and Avraham Adelman ('14)
Graphic By Andy Agus ('13) and Jason Mark ('14) Just as America recently voted for their politicians, so too the freshman class of WYHS held elections for their class presidency last week. The days leading up to this election were filled with posters hanging on the walls of the school and constant talk about the candidates. After each candidate gave a brief speech regarding what they plan to do as president, all the freshmen went outside and voted for their class representative to the vastly influential WYHS Student Council. After the election results were announced, I had the opportunity to sit down with the freshman class presidents Lilly Katz and Ethan Harris and ask them how theywill utilize the great responsibility that has been entrusted to them.
Jessica Hopen: How has your transition into the WYHS environment been so far? Ethan Harris: I love being at WYHS. The hours might be longer and the work might be harder, but being surrounded by my classmates and teachers is very enjoyable. Lilly Katz: It has been great! The upperclassmen have been so welcoming to me and have really helped me ease into the WYHS family.
JH:Have you had any leadership experience before this? EH: Yes, I was captain of the Hillel Lions Soccer team. This really helped me develop the confidence and leadership necessary to step into this role. LK: I was class president in seventh grade and president of student council in eighth grade. I was also captain of the soccer team last year.
JH: As president, what type of progressive changes are you looking to implement? EH: As president, I want to be able to bring the grade together by making sure we all get involved in fundraisers and special class events. Hopefully we can put together an amazing class trip as well. LK: I hope to increase the amount of fundraisers in our school. I also would like to see our class become more united through a variety of activities that will be planned for them through the Student Council.
Brainstorm
The Brainstorm is a student run newspaper that is published four times a year. It includes articles on a wide range of topics, from fashion and sports, to politics and art. Click on the image above to view this year's first issue of the Brainstorm.
Ashreinu
Ashreinu is a student-run weekly publication that features Divrei Torah on each week's Parshah. Click on the image above to view this week's Ashreinu.
