If ever there were an eternal light, it would be the twinkle in the eye of Yavneh's own Noni.  Known to Yavneh students and their parents as the queen of all things attendance, Noni will now forever be remembered as the artist of the Schultz Rosenberg Campus' Ner Tamid, now hanging in the Beit Midrash, center-Campus.

The Ner Tamid, the eternal light, is a symbol of the "western lamp," the perpetual light that constantly burned in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It also serves as a symbol of G-d's unwavering presence and of our undying faith in Him.

Noni's flair for the original, which can be seen in the paintings and crocheted pieces in her office, shines through the brilliant colors that now hang high above the ark.  "I've been painting since I could hold a brush in my hand," recalls Noni who said her mother took her to classes when she began coloring the house!  "I went to classes at the art museum at Fair Park as a youngster and I've never stopped learning," said the former UT Fine Arts major.  "I wanted a stylized Magen David (Star of David) and tablets of the Commandments, a modernized Sefer Torah, and shofar.  It's just different enough to be mine."

Noni's Ner Tamid took most of last summer for the artist to create.  "It's a long process from my creating the design to the glass cutting (by sister Bettye), and they we made sure all sides were smooth, we covered each piece with foil, then soldered the pieces together," said Noni.  "We put the 'walls' together and now it's hanging."

A first generation Dallasite, the daughter of Phil who was born in Russia and Bessie who was from Chicago, Noni is the sister of Sara Pfeffer and Bettye Weltman, a glass artist who guided and assisted Noni in bringing the light to Yavneh.  "My sister and I created this piece to immortalize and in memory of our parents, and the parents of my brothers-in-law, and I'm really very proud of it and so excited to see everyone's reactions."

Prior to coming to Yavneh, Noni worked for almost two decades as the bookkeeper at Congregation Shearith Israel.  She's also worked at Congregation Tiferet Israel and Temple Shalom, and, years ago, was the owner of "Noni's Arts & Crafts," in Pleasant Grove where she taught classes and sold her wares.  "A splash of color can change your mood entirely," she said.  "I have to do something 'artsy' everyday, it's really therapeutic and it relaxes me.  On a really bad day, I can't tell you the relief and when I'm feeling good, there's nothing better."

"I hope the kids will appreciate it and always know what it means. I love this Campus, its kids and the people I work with," said Noni.  "This light guards the Torah and I am so proud to have been the one to guard the Torah of this Campus."

Born in Baltimore and transplanted to Dallas when he was in the third grade, Evan transferred to Yavneh, from Allen High School as a junior, having heard about the personal environment, hoping to find a close-knit place to be. "Allen High School was about fifty times the size of Yavneh," he said.  "There were very few Jews, and, in general, really no community.  When I first came to Yavneh, I only knew three kids.  I've made friends in all of the grades and will definitely be keeping in touch!"

The fall will find Evan at Colorado State University where he plans to put his love and respect for nature and the outside world to profession as he pursues a career as a park ranger.  "I love nature and hiking, being outdoors," he said.  "I wasn't made for a desk job and I think that being outside is just where I belong."

A skateboarder for the past five years, Evan's perfect weekend is to hit the park, and the tricks. Jumps, flips, or just skating through the park, it doesn't get much better than time on his four wheels.  "It isn't that I'm so great on the board, it's that riding comes with an incredible freedom and that's a great feeling," said Evan.  "I'd love to accomplish some great tricks, including the tre flip, but I'll get there."

"Evan came to my junior English III class a little late in the year last year.  But immediately, I knew that he was a special person," said Cindy Burke.  "Evan is congenial, dedicated to whatever he attempts, and works well with other students in a classroom setting.  I wish Evan success in the future."

"'Hard work, good.  Hard work, fine.  But first take care of head,'" Evan quotes singer Bradley Nowell. "For me, that means hard work is important but above that, you must always be taking care of your mental health.  That comes from outside, from having the chance to just 'be.'"

The son of Judy and Marty, and Avi and Shelley, Evan is the brother of Saul, Becky '10, Leora '11, Jonah '13, Sam, Tammy, and Jacquie.  A former member of the Yavneh's Bulldog Soccerand JV Basketball teams, Evan has also participated in BBYO's Monsky chapter and Congregation Shearith Israel's USY programs. 

Following with his appreciation for the great outdoors, Evan looks forward to helping Hashinui put together its April 25^th Environmental Festival (at the JCC from 11am to 3pm).  "It's a given to many of my friends and I to 'live green,' but I don't think most people understand the chain effect of their actions when they don't," he said.  "Lots of people think it won't be a problem in 'their' lifetime, but the problems are here now, and they are only going to get worse.  We all need to think."

He may be riding his board, and his plan for life, switch stance, but we'll be certain to see him ride the ramp to the top.

"I decided to go to Yavneh because I wanted to further my Jewish education that started at the Levine Academy and I've enjoyed being here because of the comforting atmosphere that surrounds the campus," said Daniel.  "The students and faculty are different then at most schools because not only do you have teachers for more than one year but, because all the classes are in one hallway you see every teacher on the staff every day."

"Daniel is a modest student who doesn't necessarily put himself forward in class.  But when I saw his raised hand during discussion, I knew that a sophisticated insight would follow. Throughout sophomore English, Daniel honed his critical skills.  I did not need to "push" because Daniel kept raising the bar himself," said English teacher, Dr. Paula Harvey.  "Daniel offers the whole package, epitomizing the best of the Yavneh community and I admire his maturity and willingness to handle responsibility." 

"The best part about Yavneh is the people and how close you become with everyone," said Daniel. "My friends at school are definitely my closest and Yavneh's teachers are dedicated to the students and they are always willing to help out in any way."

"Daniel is a great student who almost every day quietly saves the Anatomy class from a stern lecture on working harder by stepping-up to answer my toughest questions," said Dr. Steven Goldfine.  "He is a real gentleman and a pleasure to teach." 

A native New Yorker who toddled into Dallas as a one-year-old, is the son of Mitch and Cindy and brother of Zac '08 and Clara.  A member of Congregation Anshai Torah and BBYO's Kaplan chapter, for whom he served as A.I.T. President and Secretary/Mazkir, Daniel also represented Yavneh as a member of the 2008-2009 Jewish Youth Tzedakah Foundation program and was proud of the group's allocation of the monies raised to the Blue Card Fund, Jewish Family Service Food Pantry, and Western Galilee Hospital. 

A member of Yavneh's JV basketball, soccer, and tennis teams, a cast member of many of the school's theatrical productions including "Alice in Wonderland," "Hershel and the Hanukah Goblins," and "A Dybbuk," and a general board member of Students Against Terrorism, Daniel has also played in the JCC's Blumenthal Basketball League for four years and represented the JCC soccer team at Maccabi.

Summer breaks don't stop the service minded Daniel as he has spent vacations volunteering with BBYO's  Operation Shema summer program, helping to build up a park for inner-city youth, working at a kids' camp, and at a recreation center.  "I enjoy, during the summer, putting into practice the mitzvahs that I learn about at Yavneh and I look forward to doing that for the rest of my life."

Last summer, Daniel joined a group of students, including Yavneh's Michael Bierman '10 and Samuel Coretz '12 on the Budapest/Israel Tri Teen Program where the boys spent a weekend in Budapest, two weeks of camp at Szarvas, an International Jewish Youth Camp in Hungary, and then to a week in Israel.

After spending next year in Israel, Daniel plans to attend Brandeis University to study government and history.

Hooking hoops, or volunteering voraciously, Daniels gumption will guide him.

"When I graduated from Levine Academy, I didn't apply anywhere except Yavneh," said Libby.  "A lot of my friends were attending Yavneh, and I had heard great things about it.  Because Yavneh is such a small environment, every student knows one another and the student body at Yavneh is a family, not just a group of kids attending the same school."

"Libby is impressive to me because she manages to both work really, really hard and to have a lot of fun," said Assistant Principal, Dr. Tim Cloward.  "She has a great attitude and I have always loved to have her in my classes.  Libby helps create an environment that is laidback but where things get done and everyone on campus loves her."

"Vivacious, earnest, competent that's Libby," said Dr. Steven Goldfine.  "Her straightforward and down-to-earth approach to class work, tests, essays and projects has always been spot-on and productive. She's a great kid and a really great student."

"I like the amount of freedom that is given to the students along with the expectations of hard work.  I have made pretty strong relationships with many of my teachers, which I owe to the small classes and one-on-one time always available to the students," said Libby. "Even though my studies are split between Judaic and secular, I don't think I've missed out on any part of my education.  The day definitely took some getting used to, but overall I think at Yavneh we graduate with a greater amount of knowledge that will help us not only in college, but in life." 

"I admire Libby for many reasons, but I particularly recognize her self-discipline in setting and meeting goals," said English teacher, Phyllis Beilue.  "Libby is not easily discouraged, and she is willing to put forth her best effort.  She is always prepared for class, and she has a love for learning.  Libby's maturity and sweet spirit will serve her well as she sets new goals in her future."

An integral part of the success of Yavneh's Theatre program, Libby, who has served as both Vice-President and President, has had roles in "The Miracle Worker," "Hershel and the Hanukah Goblins," and "A Dybbuk." A four-year participant in HELP/Helping Everybody Live Peacefully, for which she served as Vice President, Libby has also volunteered for Hashinui/The Change, and been a member of Yavneh's Tennis team.  

A native Dallasite, Libby is the daughter of Jim and Sandra Rubin (obm) and the sister of Laura and Elliott. A member of Congregation Shearith Israel and former participant and Secretary/Mazkira in BBYO's Zesmer chapter, it's summers at Camp Young Judaea that have patterned much of Libby's life.

"I love Israel and eventually could see myself living there," said Libby who will make next year's Young Judaea's YearCourse her third trip there. Upon her return, Libby hopes to pursue Pre-Law/Political Science studies at Boston University. "I love being in the truly Jewish culture, surrounded by our People, and seeing how far the Jews have come, even through our many struggles.  My brother is there this year and I love getting the updates of his new Hebrew vocabulary, of hearing everything from the food he's eating to the experiences he's encountering.  I can't wait to not be a 'tourist,' but to really be a part of the country."

Shalom v'shalom dear Libby.  Make the very most, of a very special year, and bring home the memories.

Jonathan Mishler '09

My experience on Young Judaea's YearCourse has been something I will never forget.  I began in Arad on a monthlong Ulpan with Hebrew conversation and the history of the Israeli Defense Force our curriculum.  Once finished, I was moved with my group, which included classmates from Yavneh; Michael Meltzer, Zeke Quittner-Strom, and Natalie Taub, to the army base in Sde Boker. 

For the next two months we got a taste of what it was like to be in the Israeli army on a program called Marva. We were given real army uniforms, which we were allowed to walk around in during our off weekends. We traveled throughout the entire country learning about Israeli army history, we slept in sleeping bags on cots in outdoor tents, woke up each morning at 5am to perform army drills, and we learned how to correctly shoot a Tevor and an m-16, which we were to carry with us at all times.

After this first amazing three months, we moved to Jerusalem, from where I am typing this journal.  More Hebrew Ulpan and a class about the history of Jewish art, I am also volunteering on an archeological dig very close to the Kotel, finding bones, pottery, glass, and more.  Earlier, at another site, we uncovered walls, caves, furnaces, and mikvahs.

I've also had the chance each week to go on a tiyul (field trip) and I've seen much of the local Jerusalem, traveled to Hevron to the graves of our patriarchs and matriarchs, and I've gone bike riding around the Kineret.

I'm looking forward to going to Bat Yam where I will continue to study and where my service will be volunteering in Mada, Magen David Adom, which is ambulance service. After an intensive two-week course, twelve hours a day, I will become a certified Israeli medic. That program will be followed by my own backpacking trip across Europe as I make my way back to Dallas.

This has been a year, on course, to remember!