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The beginning of the school year is always a great
adventure and as we close our first two weeks of
school, this year's tales are just being written.
Ten years ago, I came to Yavneh and we had thirty students. We are now three times that many. We've grown in number, in faculty, in the courses we offer, and in the levels we are able to offer in almost every subject. Yavneh Academy is known throughout this country for its student involvement and commitment to making this world a better place. We hear from schools who want to participate in our annual Debate Tournament, in our Tip-Off Basketball Tournament, and in learning from Yavneh students about how to make a difference. Those are lessons I'm proud we are able to teach. In order to define excellence, we must always put a plan to the power and this year, to allow me to attend more deeply to the role of Head of School, we introduce Chaye Kohl as our new Principal. We also welcome Rabbi Herbert J. Cohen, Ph.D, of our English faculty, to serve as our Director of Admissions, and Bob Beilue, long known as "Mr. Phyllis Beilue," as our Controller, and we are happy to say "Shalom," to Rachel Boim, new to our Hebrew faculty. Our students want to be here, they have a desire to be here, and our goal is to educate them to succeed in the world, and to have them always excited about being Jewish. To that, we have added Judaic electives to our schedule; Jewish Fundamentals, Jewish History, Oral Law, and Prophets and Scripture. Yavneh is blessed. I see in this school the workings of G-d and I believe that when you are in His house, you must give G-d your very best. We are the beneficiaries of those who have supported Yavneh Academy through thick and through thin. I am just the messenger of those families and I am proud of the message we convey. Yavneh is a place where everyone is welcome, where we teach people to live together, where Judaism is celebrated with joy, and it is the place from where students with strong Jewish identities, step out to become leaders of our world.
Welcome back to Yavneh. Don O'Quinn |
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"Dallas' Jewish community is one of the warmest
communities I've ever been a part of and I've been
welcomed here in a way like never before," said
Chaye Kohl, who has joined Yavneh's faculty as
Principal. In Ms. Kohl, with a resume that includes
leading administrative and teaching positions, our
school begins the year with a new blessing.
Arriving at Yavneh, as she begins her 36th year in a classroom, double chai as an educator she brings twice a lifetime of experience. The students of Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School in Florida, The Frisch School and the Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School in New Jersey, and Yeshiva of Flatbush High School in New York, as well as Adelphi University and Touro College have all reaped her benefit. "Ms. Kohl is a bright and articulate administrator who has also taught for many years," said Head of School, Don O'Quinn. "She is a seasoned principal, one who specializes in organization and structure, and she very much knows how to run a program. In just our first couple of weeks we have seen her stamp and we look forward to all that she will bring to Yavneh." Raised with her brother Benson, in the Brooklyn, New York, Orthodox home of an insurance broker, Sarah, and a Holocaust survivor who in this country worked in real estate, Israel Chanowitz (obm), Ms. Kohl knew, from the age of 13 that she wanted to be a teacher. At just the mention of her children and grandchildren, Ms. Kohl's lessons as a mother, clearly learned and understood, bring a smile that stretches beyond the edge of her cheeks. Alex and Rachel, and their daughters Brooke, Lizzie, and Samantha, Eli and Naomi, and their son Yisroel, and Rachel and Avi have honored her well. "I'm proud that each of my children has become a wonderful human being and that they've followed their dreams," she said. "They are fine, upstanding members of the Jewish community and the world at large and they are people who I am proud to be related to." Ms. Kohl attended yeshiva schooling through high school, from which she graduated at 16, and then received both her BA in English and her Masters Degree, in Judaic Studies, from Brooklyn College. Ms. Kohl's readiness to return to Day School education, after teaching at Adelphi University, and Yavneh's early search for a principal who might allow Mr. O'Quinn to focus on more traditional Head of School duties, came together at a PEJE conference when it was suggested that she connect with Mike Zucker, President of Yavneh's Board of Directors. "After I visited the school, and met some of the faculty and students and others connected to Yavneh," said Ms. Kohl, who, in addition to her role as principal, Ms. Kohl is teaching the Junior year AP English class. "I realized that while I had never before imagined myself in Dallas, Texas, it was not at all about where my next stop was located geographically, but Yavneh was where I felt I could do good things." Arriving in Dallas the weekend before the JCC's Jewish ArtsFest, Ms. Kohl was "thrilled to see the extent of the Jewish community and how it comes together." "Differentiated instruction is what I believe education to be all about," said Ms. Kohl. "Of late, it's become a 'buzz term,' but for those of us who have been teaching for a long time, it's been our way." Ms. Kohl's philosophy, to "teach students first, and the subject second,""chanoch l'na'ar al pi darko, to teach each child according to his or her way," is one that fits the Yavneh spirit and one that will, no doubt, continue with her help, to have our students know that those who lead them, truly care about them. |
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For Asriel Agronin, his experience at Yavneh is about
connections. "I decided to attend Yavneh because it
was the only Jewish coed high school in Dallas but I
enjoy being here because Yavneh is one big family,"
he said. "The students are the children, and the
faculty members are the parents of the family."
Asriel, the son of David and Carol and brother of Dalit '12 and Erez, a senior at Northeastern University, plans to study in Israel next year. His future is high in the sky as he'd like to pursue a career as a commercial airline pilot. "The best part about attending Yavneh is the freedom that the students are given," said Asriel "and the toughest part is all of the work, especially during our junior year. In working out the long and split day, Yavneh students adapt to the environment just like penguins adapt to their climate. It begins in freshman year, the 'adaptation year,' and each year students are given a lot more work, and so we begin our trek to college." Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in New York until 2003, Asriel was 11-years-old when he moved to Dallas. Entering Akiba Academy with no Jewish day school background, Asriel soon caught up to his classmates in davening and Jewish Studies. "Asriel is definitely one student who always takes the mantle of leadership when it comes to davening," Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum said of Asriel who also assists with the davening program at Akiba Academy. "He has great knowledge and understanding of Jewish customs and traditions and he's always wanting to learn and participate in more." Affiliated with Congregation Shaare Tefilla, Asriel also is a member of NCSY (National Council of Synagogue Youth). Dedicated and devoted manager of the Yavneh Bulldogs Basketball Team, Asriel is President of Yavneh's Chess Club and Captain of the Mock Trial Club, of which he's been a member since his freshman year. "Mock Trial has helped me with my overall communication skills; teaching me to think on my feet, to get up in front of a group of people and, in the example of when making an objection during a case, to be able to speak 'on the spot,'" said Asriel, noting that without the dedication of sponsors Warren Abrams and Harry Saginaw, both former Yavneh parents, the program wouldn't be. "We all really appreciate what Mr. Abrams and Mr. Saginaw do for us. They're time is valuable and they make it clear that we matter to them." Given any time on his own, Asriel finds himself enjoying chess, computers, playing baseball, and watching the New York Yankees. Asriel has spent four years volunteering at Medical City Dallas, and this summer, added office manager and computer counselor titles at Camp Mazal to his credit, after which he joined his family on a trip to Israel, stretching the summer to its very end. The sky is the limit for you Asriel. Reach for the stars and you'll still soar above clouds. |
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"I enjoyed my Jewish education at Solomon Schechter
(now Levine Academy) and I wanted to
maintain that Jewish environment," said Michelle who
is part of a class that has, for the most part, known
each other since they were toddlers. "What I have
found and enjoy most about Yavneh is the close
friends I've made and the student-teacher
relationships. Everyone at Yavneh is so close and
supportive of one another."
Readying to file applications for college, Michelle loves to paint with watercolors and create pottery, and hopes to pursue an art degree. With dreams of designing buildings as an architect, or other works as a graphic artist, it's the vision that drives her. "I enjoy the hands-on aspect of art and I love knowing I'll see the physical proof of a final product," she said. "The teachers and administrators are very helpful and are always there for us," said Michelle. "Because we're small in number, we get a chance to know all of the teachers and they really get to know us. They're always there to answer questions whether they are related to school or otherwise." "Michelle worked so hard in my class and we've built a very special relationship," said her Geometry teacher, Veronica Thomas. "We'll meet at Starbucks to work, or just to shoot the breeze like two close friends. I know I can be strict with her and she respects me and we work well together. She has a very special heart." A native of Atlanta, Georgia, the daughter of Alan and Jill and sister of Alicia, Michelle moved west when she was just two-years-old. A member of Congregation Shearith Israel, Michelle served as president of BBYO's Kravitz #1219 Chapter, and is now the NTO Regional Vice President of Jewish Heritage, Community Service, and Social Action. "Caring for others and doing the right thing is an important aspect of Jewish life and I enjoy making that an important part of BBYO," said Michelle, who leads services at BBYO conventions and designed an entire convention around Jewish themes. A founding member of Hashinui, for Michelle saving the world is "what we do. I like informing others about the environment and helping them learn what they can do to make a difference. Last year we made and sold candles and the money helped plant trees in Israel." A member of Yavneh's Spirit Club, Michelle looks forward to Spirit Week each year, leading up to the Dr. Robert Baruch Teaching Tolerance Basketball Tournament. "Decorating the campus gets everyone ready and it's a lot of fun because everyone wants to be a part of it." Summer '08 had Michelle working at MarketNet, Inc. a full-service interactive design and development company, making time for her friends, and using pencil and protractor as she participated in an architecture program at Washington University at Saint Louis. "The responsibility of college life, getting myself up, getting to class on time, and managing time took a bit but I liked it," she said. "It was definitely different than high school life but at the end of the session, when we presented our designs; a scaled model of a reading space, I was proud of what I had done." Whatever the future holds for you Michelle, no doubt the design will be beautiful. |
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Soft, delicate, sweet is the color pink, the favorite
crayon in the box for Sarah Blasnik, daughter of Steve
and Linda, and sister of Julie '07, a sophomore at UT-
Austin.
An artist from her first steps, Sarah has been studying since the third grade with Sofia Khunteyev of Sofia's Art Academy. "I love to draw and paint, and I particularly love watercolor and pencil," said Sarah, who spends four hours a week in art class. "Whether still life or figures, I love the quiet time, the solitude, that art brings me." Still weighing the outlook for next year, Sarah's ultimate dream is to pursue a degree in graphic design and illustration at Savannah College of Art and Design. Born in Dallas, and an Akiba Academy graduate, Sarah appreciates the relationships built between students and teachers, saying "the one-on-one time that we have gives us something special - the faculty becomes part of our lives. We know they love us and you can feel them wanting us to succeed." "Sarah Blasnik was a breath of fresh air as she came into physics class and her authenticity brought an invitation for all around her to be more open and true to whom they were," said Rachael Faubion, a former Physics teacher at Yavneh. "A sense of humor that included laughter about her showed a confidence that is rare for her years. She brightened my day with her radiance of being alive and she generously shared the joy that life seemed to bring her." "Sarah's desire to succeed kept her focused and pointed in the right direction and, as I think back on Sarah, I smile with the assurance that she will continue to brighten this world and certainly my life with the image of her smile." Sarah works at the JCC's Tennis Pro Shop, a job that grew from taking tennis lessons at the J. "I like working there and I love the people I work with," she said. "It's an extension of the community and I always run into friends." A member of Shaare Tefilla and participant in NCSY's local chapter, Sarah has traveled throughout Europe on NCSY's Eurotrip program, visiting five countries and then ending the summer before her junior year in Israel. On that trip, Sarah met David, now her boyfriend, whom she calls her hero. "He's such a good person and he always tries to be the very best he can be," she said. "He thinks about things and he takes time in making decisions. He's taught me a lot." "I saw much growth in Sarah academically, religiously, and in her decision making," said Rabbi Uri Grosberg, a former member of Yavneh's Judaic faculty. "She is always upbeat and positive, an admirable quality in teenagers these days. Sarah has a lot to offer, and it was a pleasure to see her bloom. She enjoys quality friendships and her friends know she can be counted on. I look forward to hearing about all of her future endeavors as I am sure she will have a lot to contribute to the Jewish community at large." Sarah, all the colors of the rainbow, in their brightest hue, will pale in comparison to the canvas of life you will create. |
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Yavneh's Back-to-School Picnic at Churchill Park, a
great tradition, brought together students and their
parents, faculty and alumni, for a kick-off to a great
08-09 year. Many thanks to the Student Council for
coordinating all efforts!
Much of the "more" included students catching up on
the summer memories with old friends and new
students meeting the "family."
Orientation Friday meant
messages from the faculty;
expectations, schedules, and introductions, followed
by ice-breaking, friendship creating, team-building
activities around campus.
Mitchell Blumka, Leigh Bonner, Becca Lipinsky,
Daniel Moskowitz, Sarah Rohan, and Katie
Solomon will join 14 other community teens in
learning the responsibilities of philanthropy and the
complexities of the nonprofit world through the lens of
tzedakah. "The teens were selected by a committee
based on their applications and essays for this
program and we're delighted to have six Yavneh
students among the 20 teens," said Miranda Winer,
director of the program. The teens will work together
to decide how to allocate funds which they have
donated as part of their participation in the program. A
local donor has matched the funds, giving the teens at
least $10,000 to use to make an impact. The group
will meet monthly throughout the school year, with
their efforts culminating in a grant ceremony, on May
14.
Born in Madrid, Spain, Mrs. Epstein lived in Casablanca, Morocco, in New Jersey, Japan, and Hawaii before she moved to Dallas as a pre-teen. A graduate of W.T. White High School and the University of Texas @ Austin, she is the mother of Yavneh alumni Benjamin '05, Sarah '08, and Yavneh sophomore, Samuel. "I wanted to give back to Yavneh for all of the gifts they've given to our children," said Mrs. Epstein. "For the heart and passion of physics they gave to Benjamin, and for the love and respect of literature and debate that Sarah received. For all that Don O'Quinn has done, for the Judaic knowledge, and for the help in raising our children, I will always have a place for Yavneh in my heart." Mrs. Epstein, who has loved art since she was a child, creates jewelry, canvas, and an expansive line of Judaica, all in abstract contemporary design. "We are blessed at Yavneh to have parents who share their time and talents with us," said Don O'Quinn. "We will always be appreciative of Mrs. Epstein for the way she's brightened our halls." |
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8/22 ~ Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum ~
Yavneh Academy Judaic Staff The Tampa Bay Rays team went, in just a year, from last place to first place. It's an amazing accomplishment but what really changed so much. In this week's parsha, Ekev, we are commanded to say the Birkat Hamazon, the blessing after the meal. It seems a given that people say blessings before a meal, and in other areas of life we "talk" to G-d asking for help, for sustenance, when we need it, but there is no Biblical mitzvah, only a Rabbinic commandment for this. It is nature that has us ask G-d when we are in need. It is the after-the-fact that we must remember, and are therefore commanded, to say "thank you." When we are done, it sometimes doesn't seem as obvious but be sure, G-d was involved in the giving, and therefore should receive our thanks. For food, for life, for an education, for all we receive, the "please is important," the "thank you," just as well.
The question is, don't you know people in life who have done good things, they do mitzvot, and yet they've had great troubles, while others, who aren't so good, seem to "get away" with it and live seemingly blessed lives. If we look at the Hebrew, it says "et ha bracha asher tishmeoo, v' ha kalah eem lo tishmeoo." If one reads and understands this, where the word "eem," "if," is missing from the first statement," then we see a slightly different interpretation. The Mabeem, a rabbi from the turn of the 20th century, taught us to not look at the Torah and mitzvoth as the external reward, they are the reward. As we approach the High Holy Days, where we will say the "Una Tana Tokef," we will ask "me yechiyea oo mi yamut," "who will live and who will die." It is not if you give you will be blessed, rather that these are the tools of the Jewish People that give us sanity. As students of Yavneh you are blessed to be on this beautiful Campus with wonderful teachers. Talk to your grandparents and find out what it was like to be Jewish when they were your age. What would they have to do to study Torah with a group of friends. Remember, to be able to do the deed, is the bracha. |
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CHEER ON THE BULLDOGS! VOLLEYBALL SEASON IS HERE!
*** all times are for Junior Varsity starts. Varsity
games follow.
SEPTEMBER
4 ~~~ @ Lucas Christian at 6pm
9 ~~~ @ Winston at 6pm
16 ~~~ @ Covenant at 6pm
18 ~~~ @ McKinney Christian at 6pm
23 ~~~ .vs. HSAA @ 6pm at HOME |
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Belated and best wishes for happy birthdays to:
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
Mazal tov:
FLAG FOOTBALL VOLLEYBALL
DANCE/Bronze Medalist
TABLE TENNIS/Bronze Medalist
BOYS BASKETBALL/Gold
Medalists
GIRLS BASKETBALL/Silver
Medalists
~~~ to Eliana Gershon '09, Regional
President of the Southwest Region of USY
~~~ to Gary Livingston, Schultz Rosenberg
Campus' Facility Manager, on receiving his MBA from
the University of Texas.
~~~ to Akiva '00 and Rachel Wolk, Shimon '11,
Gavi '03, to Yavneh faculty members Annette and
Rabbi Howard Wolk and their families on the birth
of her their daughter, neice, and granddaughter,
Miriam Avigayil.
~~~ to Benjamin Kogutt '04 and Merissa
Lowenstein and their families, on the couple's
recent engagement.
~~~ to Robert '02 and Sara Ames and their
families on the couple's recent wedding.
~~~ to Elie and Talia Rosenberg, to Ariela, '04,
Dana, '07, Steven and Ruthy, Ann, and their
families on the birth of their daughter, neice,
granddaughter and great-granddaughter, Shalva.
~~~ to Debbie Katz, mother of Jared '11, now
President of the Board of Directors of Congregation
Anshai Torah. Condolences~~ May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. ~~~ to Arielle Burstein '11, her mother Brenda Time, and their family, on the loss of their grandmother and mother, Judith Richman. Please call 972-839-6919 for shiva information through Wednesday, September 3.
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YAVNEH CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
5 - 6 ~~~ YAVNEH STUDENT FALL
SHABBATON 8 ~~~ STUDENT & FACULTY YEARBOOK/I.D. PHOTOS
9 ~~~ MEET THE TEACHERS NIGHT
14 ~~~ PTA INFORMATION MEETNIG @
12:30pm 15 - 18 ~~~ FREEDOM FROM CHEMICAL
DEPENDANCY 29 ~~~ EREV ROSH HASHANA * FRIDAY SCHEDULE 30 ~~~ ROSH HASHANA * NO SCHOOL
OCTOBER 2 ~~~ FAST OF GEDALIA * FAST DAY SCHEDULE 8 ~~~ EREV YOM KIPPUR * NO SCHOOL 9 ~~~ YOM KIPPUR * NO SCHOOL 13 ~~~ EREV SUKKOT * FRIDAY SCHEDULE 20 ~~~ HOSHANA RABBA * FRIDAY SCHEDULE 21 ~~~ SHEMINI ATZERET * NO SCHOOL 22 ~~~ SIMCHAT TORAH * NO SCHOOL
26 ~~~ HASHINUI ENVIRONMENTAL FESTIVAL*
11am to 3pm
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING
NOTICE TO THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE BUT
WHO ARE NOT YET REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE
2008 FALL ELECTIONS ~~~
THE KOLLEL PRESENTS:
"PRAYING WITH LIOR"
12TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL JEWISH FILM
FESTIVAL OF DALLAS
RikuDALLAS 2008 |
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| photo by David Fine '08 |
Yavneh's First Student Photo Contest is underway with submissions due Tuesday, September 2. Help create our 2008-09 greetings cards and share your talents through our community. All photos should be turned in to Sandy Freling or emailed to sfreling@yavnehdallas.org
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Notes from Allyn Schmucker ~ College Guidance Counselor
*** The Senior Times, distributed to Yavneh
seniors each month is filled with information and
scholarship opportunities. Parents and students
should also be sure to take advantage of the
scholarship box outside the Counseling Office on the
first floor of Yavneh.
For general college and planning questions and information, email aschmucker@yavnehdallas.org COLLEGE VISITS AT YAVNEH Juniors, Seniors, and Parents ~~~ Representatives from various college admissions offices will be on campus to discuss the college experience with you. Unless otherwise indicated, the reps will meet in the library. You need to sign in at the library that you were in attendance. In addition, you will need to tell your teacher that you will be attending the meeting well in advance. Please consider carefully whether you wish to attend each seminar.
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
TULANE
SKIDMORE COLLEGE
BARNARD COLLEGE
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY at ST. LOUIS AROUND THE TOWN Some schools request advance registration. Check college websites to be sure!
EMORY UNIVERSITY
RICE UNIVERSITY
NYU
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY AT ST.
LOUIS
MIT |
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Natalie Schachar '08 spent the summer before heading off to Barnard College, touring Israel and visiting her new nephew, her sister, and brother-in- law, Jodi & Josh Davidovich, who recently made aliyah. |
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Please send all news and updates for the Yavneh
Academy of Dallas e-zine to: info@yavnehdallas.org
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The first day of school
brought lessons in tefillin
wrapping, coordinating of services, and schedules
filled with Physics and English, Judaics, Calculus,
and more.
*** Yavneh students are once again making a
difference, and making their mark in the community as
participants in the inaugural year of the Jewish Youth
Tzedakah Foundation, sponsored by the Jewish
Federation of Greater Dallas.
*** Thanks to YavnehMom Tina Epstein, as
you walk through the entrance of the high school
building you are certain to have your day brightened.
The beautiful canvas, created and donated by Mrs.
Epstein, brings the spirit and beauty of Yerushalayim
to our front door.
8/29 ~ Rabbi David
Glickman ~ 
