Parshat V'Zot Ha'Bracha Candle Lighting at 7:06 PM
3T=K
We all know the formula. Tshuva, Tefillah, Tzedaka bring us
Kaparah (Repentance, Prayer and Charity effect Forgiveness). This age old
formula has guided our Elul programming at WYHS, and is the theme of this
week's Yeshiva Highlites.
Tshuva- The overarching message of the first two weeks of
school was about growth. Signs through the building proclaim the benefits of
"IGP" (Individual Growth Plans). Teachers have begun to meet with students to
help them determine what their academic, spiritual and personal goals for the
year include. Thank you to President Jeff Harris for suggesting and Rabbi Chaim
Lanner for leading this project.
Tefillah- The explanatory minyanimwe began last year have
been expanded to include female students as participants and Rabbi Josh Broide
as a second instructor. They have been very well received. I am amazed at the
stick-to-it-nes of the students through the 75-90 minute shacharit minyanim in
which they have participated during the Aseret Ymeit Tshuva.
Tzedakah- On Wednesday we kicked off the first Tzedakah
drive of the year, for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation. On Thursday, October 21st, we hope as
many members of the WYHS family as possible to participate in the Light the
Night Walk in Miami to help fight leukemia. I urge everyone to sign up as soon
as they possibly can through the link (click of the logo) below. Besides being
an excellent cause, it would mean a lot to the family of a WYHS who is battling
one of these life threatening diseases.
Kaparah- I ask you all to forgive me for anything I might
have done this past year that offended you. I truly appreciate the trust you
have placed in me to lead our school. At times I may take that role too
seriously.!Please point out to me when you feel that I can do a better job at
delivering on our mission, "To Inspire and Challenge".
Wishing you a your family a year of health and happiness,
Gmar Chatima Tova and Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell Head of School
The Weeks Ahead
Wed. Sept. 22 to Sun. Oct. 3 Succot Break
Sun. Oct. 3- Tues. Oct. 5 AIPAC H.S Summit
Wed. Oct. 13
PSAT- Grades 9-11
Chesed Day- Grades 10-11
Yearbook Pictures and YU interviews- Seniors
Sat. Oct. 16
Freshman Parent Melava Malka at the Tirschwells,9pm
Tues. Oct. 26 Parent Teacher Conferences
Refuah Shleimah
Bentzion Kloinimous Kalman ben Leah Rachel
Dovid Menachem Chaim Halevi ben Esther Bayla
Mazel Tov
Mordechai Siev ('06) on his engagement to Rebecca Grazi
Salit Cohen ('01) & Israel Zelekovitzon their marriage
Netanela & Netanel ('01) Schlesinger on the birth of their second son
Condolences
Abe Saiovici ('13) and his family on the loss of their mother and wife
Writing Chapters in the Book of Life First WYHS Blood Drive of the Year
By Elana Gelman ('12) STAFF WRITER
During this past week of Aseret Yemei Teshuva, WYHS decided it was a great opportunity to bring in the blood buses for their triennial visit, allowing the student body to squeeze in a few extra mitzvot before Yom Kippur.
In the spirit of Yom Kippur, students were eager to contribute their own gifts of life by donating blood to the Community Blood Centers of South Florida.
Students proudly wore the fashionable size XXL t-shirts, made sure to partake of the free snacks in the blood mobile, and enjoyed the opportunity to hang out with the friendly nurses. The blood drive was a huge success and allowed the CBCSF to collect a total 31 bags of blood.
Our great head of chesed, tzedaka, and everything righteous, Mrs. Lysee Stein, made this special day happen and coordinated everything from the two mobile buses to the bagels. WYHS would also like to thank the student blood drive chairs Arie Hizkiya ('11) and Lauren Friedman ('11).
Israel Update
To Sanction or Not to Sanction
Students Learn About National Iran Petition
By Aaron Zimmerman ('13) STAFF WRITER
On July 1, 2010, President Obama signed sanctions dictating that any country or company choosing to do business with Iran may not engage in trade or commerce with the United States. However, only 75% of these sanctions have been signed and Iran remains a dangerous menace to both Israel and America.
In a heartfelt and compelling speech this past Wednesday, Rashel Maikhor ('12) enlightened the WYHS student body about the severity of Iran's nuclear threat and how we must respond.
Rashel stressed that we must all make a difference, and that everyone has the potential to contribute to our school, community, and country. The students seized the opportunity and eagerly signed the petition urging President Obama to sign the remaining sanctions.
Tefilah Department
Ready, Set, Repent Upperclassmen Participate in Annual Selichot Program
WYHS kicked off selichot with a multifaceted program held at The Aish Center of Hollywood. The night's activities included a pizza dinner, uplifting speeches, a WYHS-produced video, and concluded with the first recitation of selichot of the year. To further motivate students, everyone filled out cards about who they need to seek and grant forgiveness from. At the end of the program, students tore symbolically pocketed the list of those they need to ask forgiveness from. Thank you to guest speaker Rabbi Nahum Zak for his inspirational words, and to Shira Englander for organizing this event.
Click on the image above to view the video seen at the selichot program.
In preparation for Yom Kippur, students' spiritual and cullinary hunger was satisfied during the Kinnus Teshuvah program. On Monday night, the girls were treated to a kumzits at the Mizrahi home, while on Wednesday, the boys tished out at the homes of their Rebbeim and Rabbi Tirschwell. Both evenings were filled with singing, Divrei Torah, and delicious meals.
Click on the image above to view the Kinnus Teshuvah video.
SpiritualityD'var Torah
Digging For Gold
Parshat V'Zot Ha'Bracha
By Bracha Brauser ('13) STAFF WRITER
The story is told of a man who journeyed out west to mine tons of gold. Soon enough, the man grew tired from all his work and wanted to return home to his family. In desperation, he called the train station, only to find out that the next train was not leaving for another month. When asked if he would like to book a ticket, the man could not commit, hesitant to leave the gold behind. He decided he'd wait until the last minute and just show up for the ride.
On the day of the train's arrival, the man overslept and raced to the train station as the conductor signaled for departure. The man began to panic and chased the train. The conductor looked out the window and, seeing the man running, advised him to drop his bags and jump aboard. The man realized that the bags contained his hard work, yet knew he must choose between returning home or keeping the wealth he had acquired. At the last moment, he dropped his bags and jumped aboard.
We are that man. We spend our whole year searching for "gold": on our tests, in sports, or in the school play. But in the end, it's not those things that make us happy; it is the feeling of closeness we have with Hashem that touches our lives. We must commit to change, even though the train ticket is too expensive and the excuses pile up.
