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Friday April 27, 2012
5 Iyar, 5772
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Candle Lighting at 7:32 PM |
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AIPAC, Aliyah,
Aid or Apartments
What Is Israel's Proper Place in
Our Hearts & Minds?
The
celebrated Israeli author A.B. Yehoshua believes that in the age of the
modern State of Israel, Jews who live in the diaspora are not full
Jews. Former Israeli Minister Yossi Beilin suggested a few years ago
that Israel's philanthropic supporters in the Golah should invest their
dollars in strengthening Jewish identity in their home countries, rather
than donating them to non profits in Israel.
In
the age of an economically strong and 64 year old state of Israel, is
American Zionism an oxymoron and an anachronism? Is it better (or worse)
for us in the Religious Zionist Camp?
I'd
like to offer my personal suggestions for the proper place of Israel in
the hearts and minds of Religious Zionists who have chosen to make
their lives in the diaspora;
1) Inspiration-
Israel is the source of so much of our religious inspiration- whether
it is our experiencing its kedusha first hand, its significant security
challenges motivating our prayers, or the source of our national pride.
We need to continue to send our children to learn there after high
school, to visit when we can, and to follow its news daily.
2) Israel Needs the USA-
As much pride as we may take in the Israeli military, Israel's entire
population is smaller than a major city and its land mass is smaller
than most American states. Israeli Prime Ministers of all parties try to
court the favor of American Presidents and legislators for funding,
arms sales and political support in their relations with their Arab
neighbors. This is why our advocating for pro-Israel politicians through
our votes and AIPAC is so important.
3) Supporting Aliyah-
Despite the vibrancy of Jewish life in America, I believe
wholeheartedly that the future of the Jewish people is in Israel. I can
imagine that it is significantly harder when that equation involves
grandchildren. However, in the long run, our great grandchildren are
more likely to be committed Jews if they are in Israel
4) Investing in Israel-
Because Israel is so small, it needs to export to be able to have a
prosperous economy. Thank G-d, Israel has weathered the last four years
of the world's economic downturn much better than the US has. Whether
through Israel Bonds, buying stock in Israeli companies, or funding
projects that develop the country, we must invest our people's future,
which is in Israel.
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell
Head of School
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Coming Attractions
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Wed. May 2
Boca Parent's Night Out
Fri. May 4Last Day of Senior Classes
Sun. May 6
SAT @ WYHS
May 7-18
AP Exams
Thurs. May 10 Lag B'omer Sephardi Gras
May 25-28 No School Memorial Day Weekend / Shavuot
Tues. May 29 Boys Gemara Final Girls Chumash Final
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Good and Welfare
| Mazel Tov
Chaya (Berman '06) and Jake Stone on their marriage
Seth & Mrs. Esther Grossman on the birth of a daughter
Condolences Dr. Marla Reis (mother of Jeri ('13) and Brooke ('15) Veingrad) on the loss of her father
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News Brief
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Living the DreamMrs. Goldstein is Making Aliyah this Summer
 Graphic By Eric Ditchek ('14) Interview By Shoshana Linzer('12)
Mrs.
Goldstein has worked at our school for many years as a child
psychologist, helping a multitude of students work through a variety of
hardships and issues. I had the privilege of sitting down and speaking
with Mrs. Goldstein about her making Aliyah to Israel this summer.
Shoshana Linzer: What motivated your decision to make Aliyah?
Mrs. Goldstein:
My husband and I have been thinking about Aliyah for a couple of years
now. This past December was my grandson's Bar Mitzvah in Israel. This
was our pilot trip, and while we were there we decided it was time for
us to move. My daughter, son in law, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren all live there and are anxiously awaiting our move.
SL: What are some things you're excited to take part in upon arrival?
MG:
I can't wait to learn the geography of the land, travel, tour and spend
time with family. I think It's so important to get to know Israel as a
country. I'm excited to catch up with my Judaic learning as well.
SL: What are you going to miss the most about WYHS?
MG:
I will never forget the students and faculty. There is never a dull day
here and WYHS is more than just a school, it's a family. So much
happens every day. I have experienced so many milestones. I will
definitely miss the family feeling.
SL: What is your best memory at WYHS?
MG:
I have always loved graduation. It is different from any other school.
It is a celebration of each and every graduate and highlights what
WYHS is all about - making every student special.
 | | Tribute to Mrs. Goldstein |
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Featurette
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My Goodness! Gratitude!WYHS is Blanketed in Reminders to be Grateful
 Graphic By Jesse Slomowitz ('13)
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward
WYHS's
latest trend: gratitude. Now a spotlighted focus, WYHS is taking even
greater measures to emphasize the importance of being grateful. From
teachers' wearing buttons to the student collage of thankfulness, the
new WYHS gratitude campaign is up and running with no intention of
slowing down! Thanks to Mrs. Roberts for heading this amazing program.
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Featurette
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Israeli Soldiers Remembered and Honored
Students Hear From Rabbi Goldberg and an Israeli Soldier
 Graphic By Seth Fisher ('13)
Written By Jared Samilow ('14)
This week's Yom Hazikaron program was dedicated
to the life and service of Roi Klein, a young Israeli army officer who
was tragically killed in the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War. The
entire student body was shown a collage of photographs that told the
story of the pain and suffering of the sixty-four year burden of
tirelessly combating terrorists and enemies of the State of Israel.
An IDF air force officer specializing in unmanned aerial vehicles, delivered a poignant and inspiring speech which, in inescapable clarity, demonstrated the sanctity and value that Israel assigns to each member of its military- alive or deceased.
To this end, the soldier related a personal story to us; how an IDF
soldier was killed in action while his unit was retreating. When his
unit learned of the man's absence, special reconnaissance equipment and
personnel were reallocated from the front lines in order to undertake
the treacherous mission of recovering the man's body so that he may be
afforded a proper and dignified burial.
Rabbi
Efrem Goldberg of the Boca Raton Synagogue then spoke about the life
and heroic tale of Roi Klein-a major in the IDF who was killed in 2006
while fighting the forces of Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon. Roi
Klein was a member of a unit assigned to capture the Lebanese town of
Bint Jbeil; during the course of the battle, the young major purposely
fell on a live grenade in order to preserve the lives of his fellow
troops. Analysts say that had Roi not absorbed the force of the
grenade's explosion, the shrapnel of the grenade likely would have
caused grave bodily harm to all the others near the blast. Rabbi
Goldberg challenged the students of WYHS to consider what they would do
when confronted with such a perilous and trying situation, and to
reflect on the relative ease and security of our daily lives, a luxury
that many Israelis cannot enjoy.
The
program concluded with the recitation of the Prayer for the Welfare of
the State of Israel led by Executive Director Shimmie Kaminestky. The
essence and purpose of the program is captured eloquently by Gadi
Dreyfuss ('14), "The Yom Hazikaron program brought tears and hope to Jews around the world,
many of whom have lost a brother, a sister, a cousin, a niece, a
nephew, an aunt, an uncle, a father, a mother for the founding of Israel
and for its right to exist as a nation and as a homeland for the Jewish
people."
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Featurette
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Yom Haatzmaut CelebrationStudents Celebrate Israel's 64th Birthday
 Graphic By Amir Tsarfati ('13) In
honor of Yom Haatzaut WYHS learned about making Aliyah and the
importance of Israel to Jews around the world. Click below to see some
pictures from the chagiga and to hear students speak about what Israel
means to them.
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WYHS 5772 Yom Ha'atzmaot Student Responses
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Ashreinu
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 Click on the image above to read this week's edition of Ashreinu. |
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| 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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