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Yeshiva High-lites Chanuka Edition I
Weinbaum Yeshiva High School
The Weekly E-mail Newsletter of the Weinbaum Yeshiva High School
Special Chanuka Edition I - Friday, December 10, 2004

From the desk of
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell

In keeping with WYHS' mission "To Inspire and To Challange", Chanuka at WYHS is a ruach-saturated week. Our faculty and student leaders have been planning for months and working into the wee hours this week to make the the Festival of Lights inspirational. As I always say, "at WYHS we work hard, but we play just as hard."

The week after Chanuka, our fall Town Meetings continue. We're in Hollywood on Monday, December 20 at the home of the Bryns, and in Boca on Tuesday, December 21 at the home of the Hirths. I highly encourage our parents in these communities to come and share their feedback and suggestions at these "open mic nights".

On Sunday and Monday evenings I had the pleasure of having dinner with various WYHS alumni in New York, where I was attending the annual conference of the Assocaition of Modern Orthodox Day Schools. I was gratified to hear that our grads at Columbia feel that WYHS thoroughly prepared them to debate Israel-related issues.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Urim Sameach,

Rabbi Perry Tirschwell
Principal

Click below for...

Revised December & January Calendar

This Year's Great Chanuka Schedule

Sponsorship Opportunities 2004-5

Buy Roses on Fridays and Support the Seniors

This Month's Student Torah Publication

Israeli Yeshiva Visit Schedule

See the Storm Play in the American Airlines Arena

Buy Shabbat Gifts from the Seniors

Krispy Kreme Delivered to Your Door

Edline

Israel Update for Teens

Our School's New Website


Our Biggest & Best Chanuka Chagiga

Over 350 students, faculty, parents and guests attended our fantastic Chagiga Thursday night. The theme of the evening was Miracles, and a number of them certainly took place throughout the program.

Jewish music superstar Avraham Fried, who just happened to stop by on his way to perform at a concert in Hollywood, led an inspiring rendition of the Candle Lighting blessings and Maoz Tzur.

The unique menu for the evening's festive meal chosen by the Student Chanuka Committee was chicken fingers, franks in blankets and of course potato pancakes (in addition to salad), in keeping with the oil theme of Chanuka. The plethora of Chanuka streamers, signs and lights created a truly party atmosphere.

The centerpiece of every WYHS Chagiga is live music and dancing, provided by the student band "Under Construction". Parents and the student's younger siblings got a taste of what WYHS students look foward to each Rosh Chodesh and holiday.

The evening's multimedia program was an ingenious splicing of the Chanuka story and movie "Miracle" (about the USA Hockey Team's victory over the Russians at the 1980 Olympics), emphasizing the Macabees' victory against a much superior force. The video told a parallel story of students at WYHS.

The climax of the evening was a great powerpoint presentation created by sophomores Jordana Kaminetsky, Avi Lasko and Amanda Markovitch with pictures of all the programs that WYHS has run this year, including Student Orientation, Rosh Chodesh, Post PSAT Chesed Programs, Class Night Outs, and the School Shabbaton.

Thanks to Program Coordinator Rabbi Josh Spodek and the Student Chanuka Committee who put in a huge amount of time into creating the best Chanuka Chagiga in WYHS history.


Students Celebrate at Teachers' Homes

After a great davening with a song-filled Hallel, the students were invited to teachers' homes for a scrumptious breakfast and Chanuka mesiba (party). The senior girls travelled in the early morning to Mrs. Kanner's home in North Miami Beach for a memorable morning with their mentor, which they said was well worth the trip.

Students presented divrei Torah and Chanuka songs were sung. Among the most memorable were sophomore Hillel Lefkowitz' moving words about the Holocaust and divrei Torah about Chanuka by sophomores Raquel Amram, Avi Dennis, Zisa Hoenig, Jordy Kaminetsky, and junior Nicole Treyfus. At Mrs. Schochet's party, juniors Sarah Dray and Devora Greer played the guitar.

Menus included French Toast, Salami and Eggs, student-made Latkes and Omelets made to order by the expert culinary team of Rabbi Horowitz and senior Hillel Wolf.

In response to Rabbi Spodek's request for the students to bring something that "represented" the class, three groups of students produced videos which humorously portrayed their class and rebbe.


Boys JV Storm Is Undefeated!

This week's major victories over Trinity (42-29) and Lake Worth Christian (43-30) give the Storm JV a 4-0 record! In both of these games, the JV truly played as a team.

In Monday's game vs. Trinity, high scorers included freshman Daniel Shimansky with 14 points; sophomore Jason Mann with 14 points; and freshman Aryeh Genet with 12 points. Particularly noteworthy were a number of steals due to the Storm's excellent full court press.

Lake Worth Christian is one of the toughest (& tallest!) teams in our district. However, a combination of the JV's new plays and a significant number of successful foul shots put the Storm head and shoulders above their worthy opponents. Freshmen Aryeh Genet and Daniel Shimansky each scored 16 points (and junior Yakir Bitterman scored 1 point!).

Next week is a big week for the Storm! On both Tuesday and Thursday all 4 teams compete. On Tuesday, the three basketball teams play against and at Grandview Prep and the Girls Soccer plays Jupiter Christian at Hillsboro El Rio. On Thursday, the JV takes on Trinity at Odyssey Middle School in Boynton, the Girls and Boys Varsity take on Boca Prep at its home court, and the Girls Soccer team faces Florida Bible at Hillsboro El Rio.


The Chanuka Fun Has Just Begun

The rest of Chanuka is just as fun-filled and action-packed!

Today (Friday), classes will end at 11:15 a.m. to make time for two exciting programs. The boys will enjoy an afternoon of sports, including shiur vs. shiur baseball games!

By popular demand, the girls chose not to do sports in favor of a phenomenal schoolwide photo scavenger hunt competition between grades!

On Monday there will be a Teacher Slave Auction of goods and services offered by the WYHS faculty.

On Tuesday, there will be a special breakfast followed by a shiur (hence the Eat n' Learn name) by Rabbi Kenneth Brander in memory of the grandmother of Yael, '02, and freshman Tamar Koeningsberg.

During the final hours of Chanuka on Wednesday, the entire school will go to Veterans Park in Boca for two faculty vs. student sports competitions featuring the Boys Varsity Basketball and the Girls Soccer Team.

School will be dismissed early at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 8 and Monday, December 13 to allow students to be home in time to light Chanukah candles.


Alumni Excel in Israel

Each year there are more post-secondary options in Israel for yeshiva high school graduates. To help our girls chose the right school for them, Assistant Principal Mrs. Ora Lee Kanner made a whirlwind trip to Israel during Thanksgiving week to visit each seminary.

In addition to attending classes, Mrs. Kanner heard each WYHS alumna's insights into which students will grow at each women's yeshiva. In return, she gave them guidance about how to make the most of the unique experience which they are priviliged to be enjoying this year.

The girls of our Class of 2004 (pictured above) told Mrs. Kanner that they feel that WYHS prepared them well in terms of skills and expectations. The schools they are attending include Bear Miryiam, Maayanot, Machon Gold, Michlala, Midreshet Harova, Midreshet Moriah, Midreshet Lindenbaum, Migdal Oz, MMY, Shaalvim for Women, and Sharfmans.

Mrs. Kanner's trip was timed to coincide with the end of the seminary recruitment season, so as to help our seniors make decisions about their plans for next year. The last seminary interviews for the Class of 2005 just took place on Thursday. Mrs. Kanner has already met with many senior girls to share the knowledge she gleaned.

Despite her exhausting schedule, Mrs. Kanner was energized by the nachas that our graduates gave her.



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GOOD and WELFARE

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Benji & Mrs. Amy Horowitz on the birth of their daughter Penina Malka, who was named on Thursday at school, followed by a special hot breakfast.

Mazel Tov to Shoshan Kowal, '02 on her marriage in Jerusalem to Shmaayah Levi. Mazel Tov to Shoshana's parents and her sister junior Kayla.

Mazel tov to Founder Rabbi Kenneth Brander and his son junior Tuvia on their participating in the menorah lighting at the White House on Thursday. Click here to view the video of this special event.

Mazel tov to Hebrew Department Chairperson Mrs. Nili Alcalay on the birth of a grandson.

Refuah Shleima to board member Bernie Oppenheim

email: rpt@wyhs.net
phone: 561.417.7422
     
Administration: Highlites Staff:
Rabbi Kenneth Brander Founder Mrs.Claudia Cohen Photos and Layout
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell Principal   Mrs.Amy Horowitz Correspondent
Shimmie Kaminetsky Executive Director   Mrs.Melissa Pereira Coordinator
Mrs.Ora Lee Kanner Assistant Principal   Chava Rubin Student Contributor
Mrs.Jessica Schultz Assistant Principal   Rabbi Josh Spodek Graphics
Dr. Sam Lasko President   Rabbi Perry Tirschwell Editor


This email was sent to rpt@wyhs.net, by rpt@wyhs.net
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Weinbaum Yeshiva High School | 7902 Montoya Circle | Boca Raton | FL | 33433