Chanukah and Chinuch (education). Hard to imagine what the two have in common, other than their hard-for-Americans-to-pronounce "ch".

Rashi, our 11th century commentary defines the word "chanichav" (B'reishit, 14:14) as habituating or preparing one for a designated purpose. Certainly the Temple, whose recapture and rededication are the miracles that inform this holiday, as well as our yeshivot, are dedicated to the purpose of raising man to a lofty intellectual, moral and spiritual sphere, whereby he can acknowledge and connect with G-d.

Upon further reflection, however, the deeper correlation is to be found in their shared etymology. The root "chen" is the inexplicable quality that is singular to each of us. On Chanukah we commemorate the notion of the sanctity of the individual, as it is that philosophy that the Greeks sought to extirpate.

One menorah for each home is sufficient but not the ideal (according to the Rambam). He interprets mehadrin min hamehadrin, the best of the best, as each child lighting his own menorah, in celebration of our belief that each child emits his own distinct light. So too, the objective of chinuch is to identify the chen, the inimitable x-factor within each student, to draw it out, develop and polish it.

Unearthing that special quality in each child requires its own individual shamesh-(facilitator). Our talented and devoted staff members, with their unlimited love and time, dedicate themselves daily to cultivating the chen in each student. With our chagigah, panapoluka, mesibas at the rebbes, kumzitses, battle of the bands, dancing, special shiurim, intensified drama practice, soccer and basketball at full throttle, Chanukah at WYHS is a time when each child can find the perfect activity and program to engage his singular gifts. It is a time when, like the lights of the menorah, all of our students shine.

Have a festive and happy Chanukah,