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Friday April 20, 2012
Day 13 of the Omer
|  | Parashat Shemini
Candle Lighting at 7:29 PM |
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Cynicism
The Chametz We May Still Have to Destroy
One of the goals of a yeshiva education is to teach a student to view things critically. Why does the pasuk say it that way? Does this mishna really make sense? Should we really do things the way we have always done them?
An unfortunate byproduct of that training is cynicism. We assume that a store or product loses its kosher supervision because "kashrut is all about politics" and we are convinced that the Rabbi has paskened a certain way because "he doesn't understand regular people". We all say things like this from time to time.
When we make cynical comments, those in our sphere of influence (particularly our children) are not only turned off to the particular halacha, psak and interpretation which we derided, but to other things that this particular Torah personality (or any other) has said or will ever say. We don't realize the tremendous damage we do by voicing our frustration, questions, theories and accusations.
People who are not yeshiva-educated are paradoxically more respectful of religion and religious figures. They assume that the Rosh Yeshiva or rabbi knows more than them, and has an even keener understanding of the human impact of a decision. It is truly refreshing to interact with those who have come to religion later in life (and we are often cynical about their wide eye attitude!).
The recent holiday of Pesach reminds us that parents are the primary educators of their children. The attitude that a child picks up from a parent colors the glasses with which the child views everything they learn and experience religiously. Learning at school is impactful if the attitude a student picks up at home is one of reverence and awe, not skepticism and cynicism.
As we count the Omer towards Shavuot, we make sure that we have excised this chametz-like quality from ourselves. Both the Chacham and the Rasha of the Hagaddah are intellectually bright sons, the difference is their attitude towards religion. Skills and information may be learned in school, but attitude is learned at home.
We all want our children to be the Chacham, that's why we send them to day school. The difference in their attitude is in our parental hands.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell
Head of School
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Coming Attractions
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Sun-Mon Apr 22-3
Rosh Chodesh Iyar
Sun. April 228:00am ACT @ WYHS
Wed. April 25
Yom Hazikaron
Thurs. April 26 Yom Haatzmaut
Chagigah Lunch provided for all students "Israel Under the Stars" Communal Celebration 4:30-8:30pm Sunset Cove Amphitheater Wed. May 2 Boca Parent's Night Out
Fri. May 4
Last Day Senior Classes
Sun. May 6
SAT @ WYHS
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Good and Welfare
| Mazel Tov to
Bassie (Orzechowitz '08) & David Silverman on the birth of a girl
Joseph Hostyk('13) & Ben Ovadia('14) on winning 2nd Place Class A Boys Tennis Championship District Division II Doubles
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Feature Story
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Jews Persecuted in France
Yesterday & Today
A Survivor Speaks & Tribute to Victims in Tolouse on Yom Hashoah
Graphic By Amir Tsarfati ('13)
Written By Aaron Zimmerman ('13)
Every year Yom Hashoah marks the commemoration and poignant mourning of a most horrific Jewish tragedy: the Holocaust. Jews all over the world recall the sickening atrocities the Nazis committed all throughout Europe. Deprived of their civil rights, expelled from their homes, and murdered callously, Jews across Europe were slaughtered with heinous hatred and indifference.
This past Thursday, the students at WYHS were privileged to hear the life story of an amazing woman, Vera Folic. Mrs. Folic grew up in France with a loving family and caring friends. At just six years old, her parents sent to her live in a local convent so that she could hide and evade Nazi roundups. Separating from her beloved parents and infant sister, Vera lived an isolated life stripped of her Jewish upbringing, peers, and loved ones, hiding in secrecy for survival. After years in the convent, Vera emerged alive and well, only to find decades later that her remaining family had been murdered tragically in the death camps.
Upon moving to Israel, marrying, and raising a family, Mrs. Folic realized that she needed to do something more. She did a tremendous amount of research and collected enough information to go back to the convent and reunite with old friends, namely the people who saved her life and hid her sister during the Holocaust. But she did not stop there; Vera spread the word of their righteousness to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial in Israel, to recognize them as part of a special unit for the righteous gentiles that protected Jews during the Holocaust.
Finally, Mrs. Folic addressed the French government and shed light on her saviors' good deeds, which engendered the national honoring and media coverage of the convent's unparalleled beneficence. Mrs. Folic's moving story and valiant efforts surely inspired us all.
The second aspect of the program focused on the recent tragedy in Toulouse, France where four Jewish souls were murdered in cold blood by an Anti-Semitic killer at a Jewish Day School. The correlation between Mrs. Folic's past and the recent tragedies in Toulouse hightens the importance of standing up against Anti-Semitism and racism of all sorts.
The program promoted not only remembering the traumas of the past, but also to rise against bigotry with kindness and toleration of all. Only through chesed and benevolence can we honor our martyred ancestors as well as overcome the evils of today. Let's learn from our blackened history, so that we can create a brighter tomorrow.
Thank you to Dr. and Mrs. Barry Schechter for sponsoring the program in loving memory of Charles Schechter and the six million martyrs who perished in the Shoah.
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News Brief
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College Admission Game Show
Mrs. Roberts Simulates the Competitiveness of College Admissions
Graphic By Jonathan Razon ('13)
Written By Mrs. Roberts
Right before Pesach, the WYHS College Guidance counselors met with all freshmen and sophomores during their English classes to play the "College Admissions Game." Rather than hearing a "lecture" about what it takes to gain admission to competitive colleges, students participated in this interactive "game."
Every 9th and 10th grade student played a role either as a "college applicant" or a member of the mock admissions committee. More than just a "game," students learned about important attributes that colleges seek among their applicants. As college admissions in the United States becomes increasingly competitive, it is more important than ever that students become aware earlier in high school of what it takes to get admitted. Students enthusiastically engaged in the collaborative activity and asked an abundance of thoughtful questions. The ensuing discussion covered a wide variety of topics from first generation college applicants and legacy admissions to extracurricular activities, varsity athletics, and consequences of plagiarism.
At the end of the exercise, students summarized what they learned. Many were surprised to see that the applicant with the highest grade point average was not the one ultimately admitted to our mock college; rather it was the applicant who presented with the strongest overall profile of solid grades, rigor of curriculum, test scores, extracurricular activities, leadership, character, counselor and teacher recommendations, and other personal qualities accumulated over four years of high school. We hope that all WYHS students have returned from Pesach break rested, relaxed, and with renewed determination to finish the school year to the absolute best of their ability - ready to "win" the College Admissions Game.
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In Focus
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Graphic By Eric Ditchek ('14)
Written By Aaron Zimmerman ('13)
Gemara class: old laws with new applications. Recently, Rabbi Josh Grajower has innovated Gemara learning on a refreshingly contemporary scale. The accelerated Gemara Shiur has lately been studying the principles of "HaBah Bmachteret" - a tunneler who comes to rob one's home as well as the stringency with which a homeowner can treat this robber.
Typically, a Gemara lesson in any shiur will include textual dissection of the sugya, regular class discussion on the topics at hand, and analysis of the commentaries. However, in his most recent test, Rabbi Grajower brought an unprecedented twist to the table: real-life cases. On the test, students were asked to analyze actual cases that had recently occurred regarding household robberies and homeowners' self-defense responses.
This exercise not only highlighted Gemara's relevance to our current lives, but it also challenged students, impelling them to demonstrate both a mastery of the material itself and the skill of application. Thanks to Rabbi Grajower's ingenuity, Gemara has never seemed so interesting!
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News Brief
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Graphic By Jesse Slomowitz ('13)Written By Shmuli Goldis ('12)
The Florida & Miami Marlins Appreciation Club (FMMAC) is a new WYHS club devoted to the South Florida baseball fan. Started just this year by Shmuli Goldis ('12) and Ezra Kurtz ('12), it helps bring a comprehensive and in-depth approach into this year's ball club. From their new logo, jerseys, players, and manager to their beautiful and modernly designed stadium equipped with an innovative, retractable roof, the Marlins are rife with excitement this season.
Aside from focusing on the present, FMMAC-ers also delve into the past, discussing the Marlins' two World Series victories and various accomplishments since '93. FMMAC attendees are treated to a fascinating 40 minutes covering everything from recent "Hot Stove" news to highlights and videos of the Fish, namely the keynote segment "Where in the World is Juan Carlos Oviedo?" that chronicles the "journeys" of the former "Leo Nunez" on his bid to return to the majors.
FMMAC began with a vision: to "regain" Southern Floridians who have lost touch with their inner Marlin due to years of lackluster play and subpar payrolls; to walk down the halls of WYHS, not hearing the latest on the New York teams but hearing the buzz of voices all passionately conversing about the latest Miami Marlins topic.
FFMAC looks froward to the 2012 season and beyond; together, our voice will be heard! GO MARLINS
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News Brief
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Written By Ayelet Petrover ('12),
Yearbook Editor-in-Chief
WYHS's spectacularly innovative, dazzling, and vibrant yearbook has finally arrived! After months of late hours and tireless effort, the technical, creative, collage, photography, and editorial staffs have come together to bring our greatest memories of the 2011-2012 school year to life. This yearbook features QR codes, an innovative and interactive way to incorporate technology with print.
Liveliness, leadership, and humor always made yearbook meetings successful and exciting, and the product is emblematic of these qualities. I would like to thank each and every person who has helped craft the beautiful yearbook everyone will soon enjoy, especially Advisor Claudia Cohen, Rabbi Perry Tirschwell, Creative Editor Elana Kaminetsky ('12) and Technical Editor Binyamin Feit ('12).
Each page glowingly corresponds to our surprise theme, so be sure to buy a yearbook of your own to check it out! They are selling quickly, so hurry up and order your yearbook before we run out!
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Ashreinu
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Click on the image above to view this week's Ashreinu. |
| The Yeshiva Highlites Staff | 
| Sarah Struhl
Editor-in-Chief |  |  |  |  |  |  | Ezra Kurtz
Senior Editor | Aaron Rose
Technical Editor | Shoshana Linzer
Creative Editor | Rashel Maikhor
Creative Editor | Jeffrey Herr
Layout Editor | Darren Jacoby
English Editor |
 |  |  |  |  |  | Aaron Zimmerman
Chief-of-Writers | Amir Tsarfati
Chief Photographer | Josh Firestone
Video Editor | Binyamin Feit
Asst. Tech. Editor | Jonathan Razon
Asst. Tech. Editor | Bracha Brauser
Creative Staff |
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