By LeeLee Borzak ('10)

In preparation for the crucial days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur -the Aseret Yemei Teshuva- WYHS has launched its annual Teshuva campaign in order to achieve the ultimate Yamim Noraim experience.

The theme of this year's Teshuva campaign prompts a seemingly simple question: Do you know yourself? Pre-Selichot workshops, given after breakfast by Rebbeim and teachers, were a powerful way to start the Teshuva campaign. They taught students about the meaning behind the Selichot prayers and how to get the most out of Selichot. Grades 10-12 then met at Brauser Maimonides in Hollywood for the first night of Selichot. From movies, skits and an amazing guest speaker, each student was challenged to think about the campaign's question.

Thanks to the powerful program, students were really able to truly connect to the Selichot and strive to improve themselves for the upcoming year. To further promote the message, each student was given a hand held mirror which will hopefully encourage all students to look inside themselves and commit themselves to grow. Every morning after davening, our Rebbeim and teachers inspired us with powerful and gripping mini - Teshuva Shiurim , each with its own message and challenge.

Another aspect of the campaign is Tzedaka. After watching an informing video about the tragic situation in Sderot, students know how much they need help. Each class has its own decorated Tzedeka box and all money will go to helping our brothers and sisters in Sderot.

By Chana Brauser ('10)

This past Saturday night, WYHS 10th-12th graders were treated to an inspiring Selichot program at Brauser Maimonides Academy in Hollywood.

After the students had devoured the pizza and snacks provided, they sat down to watch a video-which turned out to be clips from The Lion King, much to everyone's surprise. Yet in these scenes, Simba discusses what he feels is his inability to move on from his disappointing past-he does not know how to do Teshuva. When a wise mystic monkey, Rafiki, tells Simba that as he sees it, "you can either run from the past or learn from it," he was essentially addressing all the WYHS students present, many of whom suddenly understood why the film clips were being shown.

The teachers then presented a skit in which various guests, including a 'peachy' Mrs. Kanner and her 'gangster' son, Rabbi Houben, visited the set of "The Bob Show" and discussed their various issues in uncovering who they really were and their goals in life.

Students were roaring with laughter by the end of the skit and didn't stop at Rabbi Lanner's entertaining discourse on attempting to discover one's true essence and capabilities. Yet when Rabbi Lanner asked students to fill out an index card for themselves and another student detailing five non- physical characteristics, the level of seriousness increased, and many of the night's topics and stimulating ideas truly sunk in.

By Daniella Greer ('09)

Below, Matt Orlinsky ('11), Shira Wolkowicz ('10), Josh Berdugo ('09) and Leah Wiznitzer ('08) reflect on the things that have inspired them most during our Teshuva campaign and their goals for the upcoming year.

What was your favorite aspect of Selichot night?

Josh Said: Seeing everyone together gathered in unity to connect with Hashem and learn how to reshape ourselves. It really showed me how meaningful it is to be in such an amazing school and to be part of Klal Yisroel.

Leah Said: I really enjoyed the clips they showed us from the Lion King because it gave us such a powerful message of assuming responsibility for our actions. Furthermore, I really enjoyed Rabbi Lanner's speech. The activity we did really taught me that's its not only important how we see ourselves but also what's extremely important is the way we present ourselves to others.

Shira Said: Through Rabbi Shapiro's beautiful and inspirational speech, I learned how one little word can make such an important impact on a persons life. I also learned how vital it is to watch what I say always.

Matt Said: The Dvar Torah that Rabbi Shapiro gave us about having both an open and closed mouth. What he said applies to us so much and it really inspired me to guard what I say.

Josh Said: To work on myself and work on what I say. I also want to learn more Torah and appreciate time more because life is short and there's so much to accomplish in this world.

Shira Said: I am going to try to have an extremely meaningful Yom Kippur and to not speak Lashon Hora.

Matt Said: I want to try to not talk back to people and have more self control over my actions.

Josh Said: Rabbi Spodek! He was telling us how lucky we are to be Jewish and he expressed this thought in such a powerful way. Throughout the shiur he would scream the important lines which intensified even more deeply what he was trying to impart to us.

Leah Said: The story Mrs. Kanner told us really showed me how lucky and fortunate enough to be able to freely keep Yom Kippur. I learned not to take this power to observe Yom Kippur for granted and therefore to take the most out of this extraordinary opportunity to repent and ask forgiveness from Hashem.