Meeting Ari Dembo, Yavneh's newest addition to its Social Studies faculty is like.... well, it's like entering Mr. Dembo's Social Studies World (see link to website below), filled with color, excitement, and an explosion of learning and enthusiasm.

Originally from Capetown, South Africa, Mr. Dembo, who has produced video family histories as a "professional hobby" has him creating from start-to-finish a documentary of the old synagogue in his hometown.  He enjoys playing the guitar, scuba diving, singing, art, gardening, and reading ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!

"I would do it all over again! Serving in the IDF was one of the most incredible opportunities of my lifetime," said Mr. Dembo, the son of Leslie and Ethlee who moved to Israel with his family when he was just 14, and who served in the Navy for three years.  "You learn that it's an opportunity to give back to your country and to contribute in a major way to the existence of our State."

"My time in the Navy gave me a lot, it taught me a lot, and I learned to live and get along with a lot of people," said Mr. Dembo.  "There were great times, and not so great times as I lost a number of friends," said Mr. Dembo who served from 1981 to 1984.

The Passover Seder table brought Mr. Dembo more answers than questions one year as that's exactly where he met his wife Michel, ironically, also from South Africa.  The two were celebrating the holiday in Southern California and, to say the least, the joys of that meeting outweigh any plague the memory of the festival might bring.  The two have a daughter Charle, 12, who is a competitive gymnast and whose passport is as full as her father's.

After emigrating to the United States, Mr. Dembo attended Cal State University at Fullerton before moving to Dallas.  After a "first-life" career as a realtor in California, Mr. Dembo has realized his dream to become a teacher with a degree from UTD.  Not "just" a degree, but one that came with the honors of Magna Cum Laude and his teaching certificate.  After completing his student teaching through an AP History course at Allen High School, Mr. Dembo learned of an opening at Yavneh and made his application.

"I looked at my life to see what would make me happy and from an experience teaching English while in Beersheva, I knew I could teach," he said.  "I asked myself what I was going to leave behind someday - what affect will I have made.  This is my calling - to be in a Jewish school where Zionism, and Jewish identity is important.  I'm eager to give back what my teachers gave me and, in just these first months at Yavneh the connection is fantastic."

"Yavneh created an incredible environment for its students where they are incredibly comfortable and I hope to help get the message out about how great this school is," said Mr. Dembo who is also a part of the teaching staff of ATID, Academy of Torah in Greater Dallas.  "Whatever I can do to help the school grow and expand, in every way, I want to be a part of that."

"For me, travel and learning about the world is magnificent," said Mr. Dembo, whose love for travel has taken him to France, Italy, Spain and beyond, in addition to alternating bi-annual trips to South Africa and Israel to visit family "Teaching World History and World Geography gives me a chance to open the world to our kids."  Once he opens those doors, you can be sure his effervescence is going to be the doorstop that keeps the kids wanting more.

To take a step inside Mr. Dembo's Social Studies World, use the password civilization and visit http://mrdembossocialstudiesworld.shutterfly.com/

Shiran, who moved to Dallas from Israel when she was 11-years-old, is the daughter of Yoav and Rachel (a member of Yavneh's Judaic faculty), and the sister of Meital and Cfir.  She loves to relax by drinking Starbucks, through the aforementioned artwork, by taking hip hop and modern dance classes, or sewing lessons with Linda "the great," creating personal masterpieces in the form of a beautiful dress (as the one seen in her photo for this piece), skirts, and more.

"Shiran is an energetic, lively gal who excels in creative original designs," said Yavneh Art teacher, Monica Ribald.  "She was and is eager to come early and stay late and I could always count on her to help me with organizing supplies."

"Many times she would show up at my door and offer to help," said Mrs. Ribald who, Shiran says inspires her to be a better artist.  "Shiran is first and foremost reliable, self-motivated and an independent thinker.  What a right hand she has been to me."

Always with a pen, colored pencil, or paintbrush close by, Shiran is considering a career as an art therapist; combining her love for design with her love for working with those with special needs. "For myself, art is a peacemaker and I've seen how an autistic child can be calmed with crafts projects," said Shiran.  "I didn't realize that what I've been doing with my pal really is art therapy in a form.  If I can channel how I feel when I draw or paint into working with someone else, to help them feel safe, comfortable with their surroundings, that would be something I definitely would like to do everyday."

Design doesn't stop at the doodles in her notebooks, or the clothing on her back; Shiran enjoys cooking, feeling that the kitchen is the homiest place in her house.  "I love cooking everything," she said.  "I've cooked with my Mom since I was very young, it's something we have in common, and it's another way I can design and use colors to make something beautiful."

"I started my senior high school years at Plano Senior High but only stayed there six weeks before transferring to Yavneh," said Shiran who wasn't sure what she was looking for until just weeks after her arrival.   "Yavneh is so different, so special.  It's not clicky like public school. I found most amazing people ever - and, everyday, I know that no matter what my friends will be there, not just friends - but people I can count on. I really feel that way."

"I wasn't looking for a family of friends when I came here but Yavneh is life changing," said Shiran.  "I don't remember being truly happy before and I'm happier than I've been in years.  I know that lots has to do with the environment of Yavneh."

"We are so excited to have Shiran here at Yavneh. Although she just came to us last year, her peers respect her ability to work well with others and her sensitivity to their needs, and she has already added immensely to our school," said Allyn Schmucker, Director of Guidance.

"You can always count on Shiran to come to school each day with a smile on her face.  She is also a most talented and creative young lady with a great flair for fashion, having designed and sewn many of the skirts she wears to school. I know that her talents will take her far and that Shiran is a young lady destined for greatness!"

A lead on the Yearbook Crew, and a member of Yavneh's Hashinui/The Change environmental club and Students Against Terrorism, Shiran enjoys decorating the school for holidays.  "I remember coming to visit close to Pesach," she said, "and I thought how cool it was to have a school that integrates a Judaic sense into everything."

 "Learning about the 'biology and kosher animals, why are grasshoppers kosher and then the science of the animals,' just doesn't happen at most schools," said Shiran, who appreciates the way many of the Judaic and secular classes cross-educate.  "I don't feel like the morning is Judaic and the afternoon is secular."

 "However, I can't imagine someone wanting to be at Yavneh who didn't want Jewish life to be a big part of their education," said Shiran.  "Studying the language, our heritage, the history everyday is an experience.  We learn and we know so much more.  We are Jews, it's who we are.  We are not just Americans but Jewish Americans."

Shiran's summers have been spent on family travels up the East Coast, taking summer school classes, and spending time with her siblings.  She looks forward this fall to starting work with Yavneh Hebrew teacher, Dorit Bracha, working at Chabad of Plano's Sunday Hebrew School.

Shiran, you have brought the colors of the rainbow to Yavneh in your style and your smile! We are brighter for your being here!

Growing up in an observant home, Leigh realized that it was important to maintain a Jewish identity in all realms of her life.  Having visited Yavneh while her brother Daniel was a student, made an impact.  "I wanted to be able to be a part of an atmosphere where students celebrated their Judaism rather than merely accepting it," she said.  "That's what I found at Yavneh."

"My own experience at Yavneh has been a very positive one," said Leigh. "Socially, I am lucky to have a group of friends who play an integral part in my life and who I depend on and trust completely. Academically, Yavneh offers such an abundance of extracurricular activities through which I have been exposed to areas previously unexplored."

"Leigh is one of the most accomplished students I have ever had the good fortune to teach. No task is too difficult and no challenge is too daunting for her," said Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Assistant Principal and Yavneh's Director of Judaic Curriculum.  "She simultaneously excels in all her classes and manages a myriad of student led activities and organizations. Leigh's motivation and dedication to both her colleagues and her school has always been an inspiration to me."

"What makes Yavneh really special is when the social and the academic merge, a great program is created," said Leigh, a four-year member of Students Against Terrorism and this year's Points for Peace president, The Bulldog Print, for which she has served asOpinions Editor, the Yearbook Crew, Uniting Students of Dallas, on which she has served as Executive Board, and the Theatre Club.  She has been a Student Ambassador, a member of Yavneh's Tennis Team, and the co-Editor of the Yavneh Literary Journal.  Chosen as Verizon Fios' Community Leader of the Week, it is Leigh's commitment to these programs, and those they affect, that earned her the title and a $1000 donation, in her name, to Students Against Terrorism.

"What exemplifies Yavneh's appeal is when I see alumni from one, two, three, even four years ago frequenting the campus," said Leigh, certain she too will be back to visit.  "Each student develops a connection with the school, the connection known as the 'Yavneh family' in which facility and students from all grades share a bond that transforms the everyday classroom. This bond encourages students to come to teachers if they need help with problems in school or in life and that is something so rare and so appreciated."
 

"So much of what we learn in our General Studies courses is being fine tuned in our Judaic classes," said Leigh of Yavneh's dual-curriculum.  "Explication is necessary in Chumash, logic in necessary in Talmud, and often history is required in Jewish Thought and Law.  Rather than looking at it as how may one 'get it all in,' one must recognize that the Judaic Studies program provides an extra foundation on which our General Studies may be built, and ultimately thrive."

"It has been my absolute pleasure to teach Leigh over the last three years," said Naomi Schrager, Assistant Principal and Yavneh's Director of Judaic Programming, who recalls a time when Leigh was a sophomore, excited to learn gemara, that she asked for independent learning sessions.  "She is so motivated to learn and genuinely is interested in everything we do.  Leigh is eager to take initiative, and you can be sure that anything she signs her name to reflects her best work."

"Leigh takes pride in what she does, and never wants to settle for less than the best," said Mrs. Schrager.  "There is no question in my mind that wherever she goes in life, Leigh will always be eager to learn more.  I know she will be very active and involved in her Jewish community in college and beyond and whichever community is lucky enough to have Leigh make her home, is certain to benefit greatly from her talents!" 

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Leigh and her parents Andi and Gary and brother Daniel (Yavneh '08), moved to Dallas when she was just five-years-old.  A graduate of Levine Academy, Leigh is a member of Chabad of Dallas and an alum of the Jewish Youth Tzedakah Foundation program.

Summers spent working, Leigh has experience as both a receptionist in a doctors office and as an analyst and customer service representative for a market research company.  Not yet certain of a career path, Leigh is bound to spend next year in Israel, experiencing "the charm of the land, and trying to discover what I want to be independent of other influences." 

Whatever road Leigh chooses to follow, it's certain that discovery will lead to a gift for those she touches.

(Set your recorders to capture Leigh's Verizon Fios Community Leader of the Week, which is set to air, November 6 at noon on NBC/Channel 5.  The piece should also be available online at  

http://www.insidehighschoolfootball.com/ihsf/fios  after that date.)

YAVNEH STUDENT TEACHERS VISIT LEVINE ACADEMY ~~

The Talmud says "When you teach your son, you teach your son's son."  Yavneh students and Levine Academy almuni Brittany Barnett '11, Carly Bierman '12, Samantha Danilewitz '12, David Dunsky '12, Shelby Gadol '13, Kelly Herson '13, Justin Katz '13, Jamie Kleinman '11, Kayley Romick '13, and Michelle Tanur '11 got a head start with the next generation when they shared a glimpse, through creative skits and lessons, of the 54 portions of the Torah with students at Levine Academy.

"It's wonderful to see the continuity of Jewish education that the kids have," said Wende Weinberg, Levine Academy, Director of Jewish Studies and Programs.  "At Yavneh, they are building on the foundation they received here and we're proud of the relationship and kinship they feel to our current students.  This is their home and we're thrilled they've come back to teach."

"We want to create students who learn, and who want to share that learning," said Yavneh Assistant Principal and Director of Judaic Programming, Naomi Schrager.  "These kids brought the lessons of Yavneh to their alma mater and they did a great job."

 PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES' PICNIC *

WELCOMING THE CLASSES OF '15, '16 AND BEYOND ~~

Many thanks to LuAnn Pitlik and Yavneh's Recruitment & Retention Committee for putting together a terrific Fall Prospective Families' Picnic and Info Session.  Ilene Bierman, Barbara Carr-Goodman, Jackie Danilewitz, Dia Epstein, Pam Fine, Carol Kreditor, and Shani Romick coordinated an evening that welcomed over 100 prospective students and parents. 

Many thanks to faculty members Phyllis Beilue, Dr. Steven Goldfine, Sandy Hall-Chiles, Karen Hazan-Cohen, Don O'Quinn, Naomi Schrager, Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Veronica Thomas, and PTO co-President Terri Rohan, parent Andi Bonner, as well as students AJ Burk '11,  Jori Epstein '12, Elan Kogutt '11, J onathan Sulski '11, and Michelle Tanur '11 who all shared a piece of the Yavneh Experience. 

THE ELISA PROJECT ~~

Dr. Mandy Golman, Program Director at The Elisa Project, addressed Yavneh's students and parents about critically important issues dealing with the positive attitudes towards eating, food, and exercise. Parents heard about the importance of creating a nurturing environment for our teens as they navigate the road from youth to adulthood, and for both students and parents, Dr. Golman addressed statistics of dieting trends and eating disorders in teenagers and advised how to look for warning signs in themselves and their peers, and what to do if they suspect that a friend might be developing an eating disorder.

"We feel that, as a community, we need to facilitate discussions, both with parents and students, about the issues that adolescents and young adults face on a daily basis," said Naomi Schrager, Assistant Principal and Yavneh's Director of Judaic Programming who with Yavneh Counselor Heather Behr brought the program together.  "We feel that by creating these occasions for dialogue, we can help to foster understanding between peers, parents, and staff. The goal is to create a nurturing, safe environment for our students, and to educate them, and their parents, about how to maintain that environment even after leaving Yavneh.

STATISTICS PROVIDED BY THE ELISA PROJECT

~~ 90% of women are dissatisfied with their appearance.

~~81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat.

~~50% of American children have dieted by the 1^st grade.

~~20% of people with anorexia nervosa will eventually die from the disease.

~~ 1 in 4 people with an eating disorder is male.

~~Males tend to start an eating disorder at a later age than females.

~~Males are less willing to admit they have an eating disorder.

~~ Americans spend $35billion - yes, billion, annually on diet products.

"The student groups made it very clear they all know someone struggling with an eating disorder, if not many people," said Dr. Golman.  "Perhaps we can help neutralize some of the stigma of eating disorders as well as be clear about the seriousness of them."

KEY MESSAGES TO OUR STUDENTS FROM

THE ELISA PROJECT'S DR. MANDY GOLMAN

1. That students understand that the body they have been given is unique and a gift unlike anyone else's; they should take good care of it, and not measure themselves by what they see represented in the media. This includes: not dieting, exercising and eating healthfully for reasons other than to be a certain shape or size.

2. That students gain a greater understanding of eating disorders

which are a mental illness, not a choice, and need be taken seriously.

3. That students know how and where to go for help for

themselves or a friend who might be suffering.

 4. Eating disorders are about control and they know no boundaries.

"The response we had from both the parents, boys and girls was wonderful and I applaud Yavneh for taking the time to provide the education to the boys as well as the girls," said Dr. Golman.  "It is always interesting to me how engaged the boys are in these issues of body image and eating disorders and Yavneh was no exception."

PREVENTING EATING DISORDERS

~~ Do not mention body weight: yours, your friends' or anyone else's.

~~ Do not diet.

~~ Do not label foods as "good" or "bad."  All foods are beneficial in moderation.

~~ It is important to eat nutritious foods and exercise regularly because it keeps you healthy (prevents cancer, feel better about yourself), not because it keeps you skinny.

"As parents in the midst of the obesity crisis, we are on high alert. We don't want to have our children have lifelong health issues associated with obesity, yet we don't want to trigger an eating disorder either," said Dr. Golman.  "It is very important that we reach the parents so that they can understand how important their own modeling of appropriate behaviors as it relates to weight control and body image."

For more information, contact Dr. Mandy Golman or Lisa Calhoun at

The Elisa Project at 214.369.5222 or email mgolman@theelisaproject.org. 

Statistics, research, definitions, as well as resources for help are also available at www.theelisaproject.org

TZIZIT WORKSHOP ~~ Balancing Yavneh's classroom learning and Jewish practice, last week's tzitzit project was a wonderful way for our boys to combine learning with the opportunity to tie a pair of tzitzit, or fringe tassels, which have at their corners strings and knots that form a physical representation of the Torah's 613 commandments. The garments that sport these fringes serve as constant reminders of our obligations to G-d and our fellow man.

"The boys were excited at the opportunity and a number of them continue to wear the Tzitzit which they made," said Rabbi Maury Grebenau who oversaw the project and made sure that those students who showed interest in wearing the tzitzit beyond the program, had the opportunity to take home one of the student-made pieces.  "It was an opportunity to raise awareness about an important mitzvah while allowing students to experience the mitzvah with a sense of camaraderie and fun with the rest of the Yavneh family."

YAMIM NORAIM ~ THE DAYS OF AWE;

PREPARATION & PARTICIPATION

Yavneh students readied and rallied through the end of 5770 and into 5771 with a myriad of activities, prayers, and learning sessions.  As we entered the High Holy Days' season, students read selichot, they participated in the tradition of kapparot, and they served as defendants, attorneys, judges and jury as a number of scenarios were played out.

"Just saying 'I'll do better,' isn't an apology, isn't the best you can do," said Raffi Rosenzweig who led the activity.  "You need to have an actual plan when you are ready to atone, you need to look within yourself."

Students frolicked at the Texas State Fair, they hiked through White Rock Lake Park and sukkot breakfasts and lunches were held in the  Schultz Rosenberg Campus sukkah and at the Intown Chabad where students and faculty, welcomed by Rabbi Zvi Drizin, enjoyed an afternoon of music and spirit.  

3 Leora Mitzner  4 Rachel Siegel 15  Benji Liener  18 Bryan Benaim  23 Dr. Steven Goldfine  25 Dory Fine & Adam Steinbrecher  27 Tim Cloward   28 Gary Livingston & Mika Stein

Members of Yavneh's HELP/H

Students, led by Yavneh Judaic faculty member and HELP supporter Ilana Rosenzweig, brought supplies and led activities including jewelry making, face painting and sports.  The Yavneh students put smiles on many of faces of the Family Gateway children, all very excited about their visitors.  Students were privy to some of the stories of young mothers, some the ages of our own students, a powerful and meaningful opportunity.   Great job Shanee Abouzaglo '14, Millie Blumka '12, AJ Burk '11, Samuel Coretz '13, Coreen Golan '12, Sara Jane Goldenberg '11, Dejene Hodes '12, Joseph Kaufman '13, Katie Lerer '13, Shea Miller '13, Bradley Riche '13, Yael Spirer '13, and Michelle Tanur '11.

Adam Karnett '14 who, in September, participated in the Start! Heart Walk benefiting the American Heart Association.  Donations can still be made to support Adam's efforts at

Millie Blumka '12 & Mina Pulitzer '12 who together raised close to $500 through Yavneh's Pink Pin project, donating the money to their Team SusanMargot for the 27th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  The girls' commitment is in memory of their mothers Susan Blumka, of blessed memory, who passed away in January of this year, and Margot, of blessed memory, who passed away in 2002.

BULLDOG BUILDERS ~

A team of Yavneh Bulldog Basketball players scored big points with a North Dallas family, putting up the family's sukkah!  When Jewish Family Service received a request for help from Judy & Howard Bazarsky, they were directed to Yavneh and in a flash, Sam Epstein '11, Itai Guttman '14, Zev Klein '11, Sam Kleinman '14, and Elan Kogutt '11, made their way with ruach and tools to put together the couple's "home" for the week of Sukkot.

"This was a family that needed help, they needed a sukkah and that we could bring the joy of having that complete, there's not even a question," said Sam Epstein.  "When someone needs help, you help!"

"You could tell the kids' work was heartfelt," said Mrs. Bazarsky who, with her husband made a donation to the Bulldog team in honor of the boys' efforts.  "The students showed leadership and kindness and they did a great job.  We very much enjoyed having the sukkah.  I feel so proud to know that our community has such respectful and energetic young men who were willing to give of their free time to carry out a mitzvah."

Gabbi Lewin '08, co-founder of Yavneh's

TOVA STOLOVITSKY '08

Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by all things Zionist. My family, my schools, trips to Israel, and especially the Bnei Akiva camp I went to for eight years all instilled in me a love for Israel and what Israel really means for the Jewish People. The idea of moving to Israel has been ever-present throughout my life. Because of my father's job as a head of Jewish day schools, my family has been forced to move every once in a while. Every time we moved, the idea of making aliyah was always brought up as well.

While I always knew I wanted to spend a year in Israel after graduating from Yavneh, it was after going on the March of the Living, during my senior year, that I knew that I eventually wanted to live here, that I NEEDED to live here, as well. 

My original plan post high school was to spend my year in Israel, then return and go to college at McGill University, planning to make aliyah only after I completed a degree. This all changed during my year on the Shalem & Olami programs through Young Judaea Year Course.

Living and volunteering in such different areas and communities (Bat Yam, Jerusalem and Netanya) gave me such a different perspective on this country, made me feel that I was no longer a tourist, and every day I spent here last year reinforced my need to stay.  I have decided to postpone my army service, the two years for which I am obligated to serve, until after I finish school (an opportunity afforded to new citizens).  My goal is to serve in the Kishrei Ha'chutz, within the International Relations sector of the army. 

Being in Israel for the High Holidays is a uniting factor religiously and culturally.  While it is sometimes hard being away from my family, and the customs I was always used to, my friends, relatives, and family friends have really become my family here and it's a really nice feeling. When people find out that I made aliyah by myself, they usually respond with "wait, so your family is still in the States?!  Wow that must be so hard."   I do miss everyone at home but my friends here have really become my family.  It has been an amazing adjustment but I love it - it's nice to have two families.