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From: Rabbi Perry Tirschwell <rpt@wyhs.net>
Subject: Yeshiva Highlites Featuring AIPAC and Student Council Dinner
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Yeshiva Highlites Featuring AIPAC and Student Council Dinner
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The Weekly Newsletter of
Weinbaum
Yeshiva High School

Parshat Behar
Friday, May 16th, 2008
Shabbat begins in Boca @ 7:43

rpt

From the desk of

Rabbi Perry Tirschwell

Hineh ma tov umah nayim, shevet achim gam yachad. It is beautiful when Jews who normally worship at different types of synagogues and attend different types of schools come together in common cause. The power of unity and the loftiness of working together is a critical lesson that we want to impart to our students.

One of the things that I like about working in the Jewish community in Boca Raton, is that we all get along. Five times a year, all the day school principals (Donna Klein Jewish Academy, Hillel Day School, Solomon Schechter, Torah Academy, and us) meet to discuss ways we can work together. Last week's Yom Haatzmaut Day School Parade was a brainchild of that group.

Our joint program with Donna Klein and the Jewish Forums to build bridges between the most passionate teenagers in each of our communities and our sister city in Israel is another way we teach our students to become active participants in the broader Jewish community. The students meet every three weeks, and a group of ten travels to Israel together.

Our Jewish Federation is the venue for and the convener of these and other programs, such as the Israel Under the Stars program at Mizner Park on Yom Haatzmaut. Last week our Executive Director Shimmie Kaminetsky, our President Dr. Sam Lasko, and I participated in a meeting with all of the other federation agencies to explore joint fundraising opportunities.

This year our level of joint cooperation reached new heights. May we continue to build on these successes and sit with our fellow Jews in common cause.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Perry Tirschwell

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Upcoming Events

  • Freshman Shabbaton
    Friday - Shabbat, May 16 - 17

  • Math and Hebrew Placement Exams for Incoming Freshmen
    Sunday, May 18 @ 10:00am

  • Chai Lifeline Presentation
    for Juniors
    Wednesday, May 21

  • SLAB Awards
    Lag B'Omer Friday, May 23

  • Memorial Day - No Classes
    Monday, May 26

  • Sports Banquet
    Wednesday, May 28 @ 6:30pm
    Click Here To RSVP

  • Student Council Elections
    Friday, May 30




  • Good & Welfare

    Mazel tov to

    Mr. & Mrs. Osher Bryn on the bar mitzvah of their son

    Mr. & Mrs. Michael Schiffman on the bar mitzvah of their son

    Condolences to

    Mrs. Kara Wasserman on the loss of her mother

    Refuah Shleima to

    Mrs. Leah Pearl




     


    The Importance of Being Aware


    AIPAC at WYHS

    By Rachel Benaim ('10)

    On Monday morning after davening, Ilana Ben-Erzra ('10), Keren Marks ('10), David Clements('09), and Rachel Benaim ('10) along with Mrs. Andron, were given the privilege of meeting with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. They traveled to Ft. Lauderdale International airport to meet with the congresswoman before she departed to Washington DC and spoke to her in regards to the current American/Israeli relationship and the looming threat of Iran.

    In addition to speaking with the congresswomen, the students were able to present the Stop Nuclear Iran petition to her. This petition is a product of the AIPAC committee's diligent work. After attending the AIPAC leadership conference in December, Ilana, David, and Rachel began working diligently, informing the students about current political issues facing our country today- namely Iran's nuclear program. This petition was a way to inform the students about current events and to encourage them to let their voices be heard all the way up in Washington DC. David Clements said that meeting with the congresswoman was "better than meeting a baseball player."

    As an added bonus, while awaiting the meeting with the congresswoman, the delegates were able to meet with the Florida and Puerto Rico Consulate General to Israel Ofir Bavli, who had been on the news the previous day discussing the current state of Israel. Mr. Bavli encouraged the students to continue getting involved with current events and making their opinions known. Similarly, the congresswoman said that students should be writing letters and sending them to governmental representatives.

    This meeting was a big step for the AIPAC committee and we hope to continue this important work and make further inroads next year.

     

    Basketball, Learning

    and Some Friendly

    Competition

    Wednesday Night

    Mishmar at WYHS



    By Doron David ('09)

    It's Wednesday evening and you're sitting in the last class of the day. The only thing you want is to get home, kick back, and relax -- but not this year! For the first time in WYHS history, the boys had Mishmar with a twist. Learning, food, and tons of basketball gave the guys a nice break and inspired them to learn.

    This year, mishmar was held every other week at a local gym in Boca Raton. The intramural basketball league allowed for students from different grades to interact and become close with one another. The students played and the Rabbis were the referees.

    After the games, we were divided up by shiur to learn for an hour about interesting topics that we could relate to and apply to our daily lives, helping us grow spiritually and religiously.

    This past Wednesday night was the last mishmar of the year, and it was pay-back time. Each grade got a chance to play against the Rabbis and watch them get beat over and over again.

    The changes that have been made to the mishmar program really enhanced our learning and how effective it was. After a long day of school, it was nice to get a chance to enjoy ourselves before continuing in our religious studies. As the year comes to an end, I look forward to next year and the great mishmar programs to come.

     

    Our First Pathfinder

    Alexa Bryn Recognized for

    Extraordinary Contributions


    By Mrs. Marcy Roberts, Director of College Guidance

    Each year, the Pathfinder Awards recognize outstanding seniors from public and private schools in Palm Beach and Martin counties. These exceptional students are honored for their extraordinary contributions to their schools and communities at an Academy Awards-style ceremony at the beautiful Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

    Alexa Bryn ('08) was chosen by a faculty committee to represent WYHS at this prestigious event. During her four years at WYHS, Alexa has had a tremendous impact on our school which will last well beyond her approaching graduation. Most notably, Alexa is the founding editor of the school's highbrow student newspaper, Brainstorm. The Brainstorm has already won awards in local and national journalism competitions.

    With the encouragement of Humanities Department Chair Mrs. Carla Greer, Alexa taught a one period a week Honors Creative Writing Workshop for sophomores encouraging them to discover their own unique abilities to express themselves and their ideas through writing. For the second year, the class will produce a literary journal named Allies's Mitt.

    In her junior year, Alexa served as Vice President for Communications and Head of Public Relations on WYHS' Student Council. Alexa greatly increased the coverage of the school's accomplishments in the local, regional and national press.

    Alexa is a graduate of the prestigious Iowa Young Writers' Studio and numerous other writing and poetry workshops. Alexa has won local and national writing awards such as National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Award and National Scholastic Writing Awards. A summer internship at the Forward, the preeminent Jewish weekly based in New York City, turned into an ongoing freelance position for Alexa.

    Mr. Adam Dobrick, our previous Director of College Preparation, says "the ripple effect which Alexa's leadership has created at WYHS cannot be underestimated."

     

    A Job Well Done


    Student Council Celebrates an Amazing Year

    By Julie Rosenberg ('08)

    On Thursday evening, the members of the Student Council joined Rabbi Spodek, Rabbi Tirschwell, and Claudia Cohen for an end-of-the-year dinner at The Best of Israel restaurant in Boynton Beach. We all enjoyed reminiscing about the school events of this past year, and the ups and downs of Student Council.

    Anosh Zaghi and I briefly thanked all of the members of the Student Council and in particular, Rabbi Spodek, for his tireless efforts throughout the year. Rabbi Tirschwell spoke about Moshe Rabbeinu, the greatest leader of the Jewish people, and reminded us that when it came time for him to step down, Moshe was more concerned with Am Yisrael's next leader than basking in his own glory. So too, we must prepare our replacements in Student Council for the difficult but rewarding job ahead of them.

    Rabbi Spodek gave out meaningful books to the members of the Student Council as a token of his appreciation for all of our hard work. We enjoyed the wonderful Israeli food while also filling ourselves with the last tastes of Student Council comradery.

     


    He Said/She Said


    with WYHS' Environmentalists

    By Ilana Ben-Ezra ('10)

    For the past few months, Elana Linker ('09) and Chaim Thoma ('09) have been working diligently to establish a recycling program within WYHS. They have been recycling everything from paper to plastic, from cans to glass; in short, everything but Styrofoam. They have spearheaded what will hopefully develop into a powerful recycling and green action committee. I had the privilege to talk with them earlier this week about this new and exciting committee.

    What motivated you to begin the recycling program at WYHS?

    He said: During Mr. Eastman's Environmental Science class we learned about the severe impact of our lifestyle on the environment and how we can improve the earth by recycling.

    She said: Seeing bottles in the garbage that should have been recycled and weren't recycled disturbed me.

    What improvements have you seen around the school?

    He said: Now, people say to themselves "I can save the world" and make the conscious decision to recycle as opposed to just throwing out their bottles.

    She said: There are recycling bins all over the school. We recycle hundreds of cans and bottles!

    Why is recycling so important?

    He said: All the recyclable materials that get thrown out go into landfills. If we recycle them, they could be reused and we can save the earth.

    She said: To save the earth and educate people.

    What are your plans for recycling in the future?

    He said: We would love to encourage more people to recycle. There are still recyclable materials being thrown out.

    She said: Our goal is to assemble a massive committee to involve and educate people.

     

    What New Sport Would You Like To See at WYHS Next Year?

    Ping Pong
    Golf
    Wrestling
    Guitar Hero

    View Results

    poll poll poll poll

     



    " I am making Aliyah this summer.

    I know that without the constant message conveyed

    by WYHS about Israel and Zionism,

    I wouldn't be on the path that I'm on now "


    --Danielle Kowal ('04)

    Yeshiva Highlites Staff

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