"Mrs. Russell not only talks the talk, she can walk the walk!," said Assistant Principal, Dr. Cloward of Rhonda Russell, Yavneh's Communications Applications and Broadcast Journalism teacher who joined the faculty in 2007, after 25 years of teaching at Garland and Lake Highlands, and an attempt at retirement.

"My son was serving in Iraq and my elderly mother was requiring more of my time, so it seemed the right time to devote more of my time to those who needed me," said Mrs. Russell, who has taught Speech, English, Theater, Debate, Visual Media, Radio & Television, Video Production, and Broadcast Journalism.  "I soon realized I missed working with children, so I applied for a part time speech teacher position at Yavneh.  After meeting with Dr. Cloward, I knew the students at Yavneh would be a good fit for me."

"We are very fortunate to have Rhonda Russell here at Yavneh," said Dr. Tim Cloward.  "She has years of experience in public school education and is a real professional in everything she does.  Mrs. Russell is the type of instructor who not only does a first-rate job in the classroom, she always has time to be concerned with her students outside the classroom as well."

"Mrs. Russell's speech class is where I can put my creative thinking skills to work," said Clara Moskowitz, '13.  "Mrs. Russell works on each individual's weakness so that everyone in the class can grow and become a stronger public speaker.  I have personally become more confident while speaking in front of my class and I have gained very important skills that will help me in whatever I do later in life."

Mrs. Russell has a B.A. in English and Speech and a M.S. in English, both from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M Commerce).  "As a young girl who was very shy, I found that my own high school speech class helped build my confidence and taught me to express my ideas," she said.  "I hope when each child leaves my class at the end of the year, they leave with confidence and a better self-esteem than that which they entered. I hope to give them also the knowledge of expression and that they will have learned that sometimes it is more important to listen than to speak and that their words and beliefs are important."

"Speech class is a time to help us grow us students, helping us to become more comfortable in public speaking and in writing papers," said Rachel Chanon '13.  "Everyone loves speech class and Mrs. Russell is a fabulous teacher!  She is so nice and is always willing to help us, as we struggle through our assignments."

A Dallas native, Mrs. Russell attended Bryan Adams High School where she was on the Speech and Debate team and always heavily involved in the theatre club.  A small-world side note, Mrs. Russell's father, Dale Reed, worked for a number of years for Julius Schepps, distant cousin to Yavneh's Hannah Schepps '12.

Married to her childhood sweetheart, Lee Higginbotham Russell, the couple has two children, Lindsay (soon to marry Davys Marchiori), and Lee Jr. who is married his own high school sweetheart, Heather.  Lee, a member of the Texas National Guard, has done two tours of duty to IRAQ and Afghanistan.

Mrs. Russell, a guest columnist and contributor to the Dallas Morning News' NeighborsGo magazine,has served as President of the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands, a community based organization that provides scholarships for graduates from Lake Highlands High School, funding community beautification projects and the Child Abuse Prevention Center, supporting the military from the area, and donating to area elementary school educational programs. 

A most proud military Mom, Mrs. Russell is the founder and leader of a support group called the Lake Highlands Military Moms, her efforts recognized in the US 101^st Congressional Record in 2008.   In 2009, Mrs. Russell received the George Washington Honor Medal, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Woman In American History Award, and the Texas Noblesse Oblige Award for leadership, patriotism and honorable service to community.

Producing an annual Lake Highlands Heroes Poster, featuring 67 members of the hometown military that is displayed throughout the community, state and nationally, is a true labor of love. "Honoring our military during these turbulent times is a very special mission in my life," she said. 

Summer season brings relaxation to Mrs. Russell in the form fun with her friends, fishing trips with her husband, and worked on a book she is writing.  "My free time is very important to me as it allows me to reflect, to focus, to rejuvenate and to do things I would ordinarily not have time to do," she said.

"The best part of Yavneh is the children," said Mrs. Russell.  "They are delightful to work with day after day and I love the topics they chose for their speeches.  It is a constant learning experience for all of us.  Each student I have taught has had unique qualities and characteristics.  I can truthfully say that each one of them has left an impression on me in some way."

A graduate of Akiba Academy, Abbie Denemark came to Yavneh looking to continue her Jewish education, and wanting to remain close to her community.  "Though Yavneh and Akiba share a campus, I was happy to find that Yavneh is different," she said.  "I enjoy the independence and trust given to Yavneh students.  Our students and the faculty are really amazing and I believe few schools can say that their students and faculty share such close relationships."    

"I have been asked by my friends, 'you don't get out of school until 5:00? How do you do that,'" said Abbie.  "The long day and double curriculum at Yavneh are a challenge but they do not stop us from participating in many extracurricular activities. We learn to manage our time, to do things ahead of time and to squeeze them in before the due date. Though our lives may be hectic, the planning and time management we need to do help us prepare for college and the many demands on our time."

"Intellectually curious, organized and reliable, Abbie is a solid student and a remarkable young lady," said Director of Guidance and Yavneh's College Counselor, Allyn Schmucker.  "She is a young lady of steadfast character and always hard-working with the motivation to succeed at whatever she does. People depend on Abbie because they know that she will carry out her duties in a responsible and caring way. She has steadily earned the total respect of those who know her."

Looking forward to studying at Midreshet Moriah seminary in Jerusalem next year, Abbie loves the feeling and the deep connection she has to Judaism and the Jewish people when she is in Israel.  Once she returns to the United States, Abbie is considering pursuing teaching as a career.

"Abbie is one of the hardest working and most dedicated students I have ever seen. She seeks to learn and grow from each and every class, unwilling to waste even one moment that she can possibly be learning," said Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Director of Judaic Curriculum.  "Abbie is also quite willing to share her vast knowledge and skills, often volunteering to learn and help others. I am sure that there are many that have gained, and will continue to benefit, from her kindness and generosity in the future."

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Abbie moved to Dallas with her parents Grace and Howard Denemark, and her sister Evie '12, when she was just four-years-old.  A member of Shaare Tefilla, where she has been a youth group leader who has worked with two-year-olds, preschoolers, and elementary school students, Abbie now runs a group for four to six-year-olds every Saturday morning.  A committed member of Dallas' Yachad group, which supports programming for community members living with special needs, Abbie has volunteered with the group for the last four years.

A member of the casts of Yavneh's Theatre department's The Diary of Anne Frank and Alice in Wonderland, Abbie has also served as a member of Yavneh's Ambassador team and volunteer in the offices of the American Diabetes Association and, in 2009, was a recipient of the Schultz Family Community Service Scholarship.  A participant in the 2010 summer Genesis program at Brandeis University, Abbie is an avid reader, she enjoys sewing, knitting, and spending time with her friends.

"Abbie just may be the most unsung hero at Yavneh Academy. She has not held a major elective office, but she was chosen as a student ambassador because she knows that she represents the school within the community," said Mrs. Schmucker.  "Responsible for leading tours to prospective students, she recognizes that her words have real value. She has no athletic headlines, but she is one of the most energetic, tireless workers on any task or project involving assistance to others, either on or off campus.  There is no doubt in my mind that Abbie will go far in life and will continue to bring her strong work ethic to all that she desires."

Abbie's toolbox contains hard work, a kind smile, and a caring heart; all means for great success. 

"I chose to attend Yavneh because it felt right," said Melissa Diamond, who came to us from the Levine Academy.  "When I first walked in the doors, I immediately smiled and felt like I belonged there. What I enjoy most is that we have the opportunity to learn so much about Judaism and that our school is a close community."

"Yavneh's students and faculty are unique," said Melissa.  "You are as likely to have friends who are freshmen or seniors, regardless of your class standing. My school friends and I always help each other out with school work when someone needs help."

"Melissa is a gem and not 'a diamond in the rough,'" said Phyllis Beilue, a Yavneh English teacher.  "She is fully polished and I could always depend on Mel, as she is affectionately known, to come to class with a smile on her face.  She sat in the front of the room and was always the first to volunteer to distribute copies, move a desk, or do whatever was necessary for smooth class functioning."

"At first, the dual curriculum program at Yavneh seems like a lot of work, but if you really want something, or are passionate about something, you make it work, and that's what we do every day," said Melissa.  "We have unique relationships with teachers; we might go out on adventures with them; anywhere from a field trip to a snack stop for ice cream, Starbucks, or out to lunch. We can also talk to our teachers about anything and they are always there for extra help if we need."

"Mel listened carefully in class, prepared her assignments diligently, and made significant progress in her writing, earning a top score on the AP examination in May," said Mrs. Beilue.  "I appreciate her sweet spirit and responsible nature."   

Still waiting to determine her final whereabouts for after graduation, Melissa has thusfar been accepted to Tulane University, Indiana University, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison.  "I want to become a psychologist," she said, "simply put, I want to help people."

Born and raised in Dallas, Melissa is the daughter of Risa and Eric Diamond, and the sister of Jeffrey. At Yavneh, she played on the Lady Bulldog Volleyball team and as a member of the Theatre department's cast of Alice in Wonderland. 

A member of Congregation Anshai Torah, Melissa is a very involved member Bnai Brith Youth Organization's Weinstein chapter, having served on its board six times with leadership roles including that of Chapter President, Sh'licha/Judaic Leader and Community Service, and NTO Regional Board Sh'licha.     

Summers at BBYO's International Summer Programs included leadership training and Jewish identity workshops that she's certain will have longlasting effects. "BBYO is a huge part of my life and it has changed my life for the better," said Melissa.  "The people I've met through its programs have become family to me."

Simply put, Yavneh is glad you are a part of our family!

"As a Jew, I feel I not only need, but want a Jewish education and that's why I chose Yavneh," said Zoe Elewitz.  "My Jewish education is something that is so important to me and it's something no one can ever take away."

"I believe that the members of Yavneh's student body truly want to get the education that we have signed up for and, because we want this, we are driven to do what we have to do. Yavneh's teachers are so obviously passionate about what they teach and they are passionate about us!"

"Zoe's love for life is infectious," said Assistant Principal Dr. Tim Cloward.  "She is open and friendly and always the first one to greet new arrivals at Yavneh.  Zoe takes people in and makes them feel comfortable and we, at Yavneh, are lucky to have her.  She is like an official school greeter and she does it all naturally, out of her natural spirit of generosity.   She is also very open-minded, a very hard-worker and just plain fun to be around."

"My relationship with my friends at school is amazing and we are, for the most part, all very close to one another," said Zoe, who previously attended the Winston School, the Wise Academy, and the Fairhill School.  "We spend so much time together, and with so many classes that are a mix of the grades, we all connect.  It's even easy to connect with the friends we don't have classes with because the Campus isn't very large.  It's easy to see everyone in the halls, coming or going."

A Dallas native, Zoe is the daughter of Marc and Jacque and sister of Zach, an A&M Mathematics and Physics major.  A member of Chabad of Plano, Zoe is proud of having worked as a Camp Gan Israel counselor since she was 11-years-old.  "Chabad is my family, I don't know anything else," she said.  "I love that Chabad is about helping raise people to the observance they want to reach and it's not about 'where' you are, but 'who' you are, and I love who I am when I'm there.  Chabad's camp was a great place when I was a camper, and the bond and relationships I've made with my counselors, and my campers since I've been a counselor, are very important to me."

"It was a pleasure to have Zoe in my Gemara, Philosophy, and Geometry classes," said Sharon Weinstein, a former faculty member.  "When I first met her I thought she was on the quiet side, but I learned quickly that she is not afraid to express her opinion in class, especially if it has to do with her commitment to Judaism. Zoe's comments about the Chabad Lubavitch way of life always brought up interesting class discussions and her smile and upbeat personality always helped brighten my day."

One who hopes as an adult to to find herself acting on the Great White Way of Broadway, and in productions on screens big and small, Zoe has had a taste of the audience's admiration while participating in many acting workshops and in shows including "The Frankenstein Follies," and "High School Musical 2" on the stages of the Plano Children's Theatre. 

Lights. Camera. And for Yavneh's Zoe Elewitz, it's time for action and adventure!

TUESDAY NIGHT LIVE IN JERUSALEM;
ON A WEDNESDAY MORNING AT YAVNEH   

By Rachel Siegel '13  Photo by Faith Medina '11

Ari Abramowitz, soldier and commander in the IDF reserves, and co-founder of TheLandofIsrael.com and co-creator and co-host of  "Tuesday Night Live in Jerusalem," brought Yavneh's Wednesday morning to life with witty jokes about his life with young children, his surprising experiences in the Israeli army and the reality of managing his own TV show.

"Tuesday Night Live," an English news channel out of Jerusalem, Ari also shed light on the unique experience of living in Israel and about how his experiences in the army affect his life at work when he is called to duty as a military commander for one month out of the year, and about his best friend and co-host, who is among the soldiers he commands. 

It was a treat to get to hear from an American in Israel, sharing his unique lifestyle, just one of the many that Yavneh's faculty brings in to enhance our mornings and our understandings of lives as Jews.

A ONE-TWO POSITIVE PUNCH TO THE SOUL OF YAVNEH'S STUDENTS

By Rachel Siegel '13  Photo by Faith Medina '11

The seemingly lean, shy man may not have appeared to have ever hurt a fly, but Yuri Foreman, is not one to shy away from a fight. In fact, as a former World Boxing Association Super Welterweight Champion who remained undefeated for 29 fights between 2002 and 2010, it's what he does for a living.

Through his thick Russian voice, he told Yavneh's students his life story, from his early years in the Soviet Union, to his time in Haifa, and ultimately in New York City, peppered with a sense of humor.

Yuri's address brought a different vibe to the Schultz Rosenberg Campus' Beit Midrash; one of a life completely removed from our own.  One that has him combining his recently developed beliefs in Hashem, that have led him to train for his rabbinical ordination, along with his training in the boxing ring. 

Yuri expressed highlights of the ups and downs of professional boxing - the injuries, the championships, the sacrifices, the excitement.  Yuri, who made it clear that he could not have come as far as he has without an unfailing belief in G-d, also proved to the student body that boxing is a sport of dedication and passion, much more than an aggressive, dangerous exercise.  This champion's story is one of a kind.

ALLRIGHTA, ORAYTA!

By Rachel Siegel

Rav Binny Freedman, Rosh Yeshiva of Orayta Yeshiva and the Director of Isralight in Jerusalem stimulated our thoughts and lead students to draw their own conclusions about Hashem, about the Parsha and about our beliefs.    

Rabbi Friedman posed questions such as "Why do we believe in G-d?," "What does it mean to believe in G-d?," and "How can you be so sure?"  Students were forced to decide for themselves whether or not they will work at being "atheists or believers" as Rabbi Friedman suggested. With inspiring stories from his time spent in the Israeli army to jokes played on students, his determination to make the conversation interactive and interesting made his message that much more effective. 

JEWISH LIFE ON CAMPUS

By Dalit Agronin '12  Photo by Faith Medina '11

Rabbi Ari Israel, Executive Director of the Hillel at the University of Maryland Hillel, spoke to Yavneh's Juniors and Seniors about what they hope to get out of college, and what kind of Jewish life they might be looking to share in for those post-high school years. "Where can I find a good education," "I want a social life," "Hoping to discover things about myself," "I want to discover myself as a Jew," were some of the responses.  Many students agreed on wanting to find schools with a good Jewish population, to find their soul mates, and to be able go to synagogue, closeby.

Rabbi Israel posed a question to the students; What would happen if you were caught in an elevator with someone and they ask you a question about Judaism relating to kashrut, Shabbat, or Israel.  If your cell phone had no service, and it's just the two of you, what are the answers? How do you approach?"  Lessons to learn, life plans to think about.

CHANUKAH CHAGIGA - CELEBRATING THE LIGHTS!

By Naomi Schrager      

Photos by Faith Medina  '11

Final exams and Dallas' cold weather did not keep our students from having an all-out Chanukah celebration.  Our community candlelighting, with students, faculty, and our extended Yavneh family, including many prospective students, was followed by festive dancing and the screening of a number of Chanukah music videos. 

Kol Hakavod to the acting and planning of the students who entertained us. The students then sat on the floor of the Beit Midrash and watched the sequel to last year's teacher parody.  

The acting and plot were top notch, and the video editing  

(done by Zev Klein) was very professional.

We all then made our way to Pollman Hall for a Texas State Fair-esque culinary celebration with oil-based fried foods including cookie dough, candy, and latkes.  A little spinning of the dreidel and a lot of friendship made for lots of chag in our chagiga!   

UNITING STUDENTS OF DALLAS SUPPORTS TEXAS ACCESS TO JUSTICE~ 

Yavneh's Uniting Students of Dallas hosted it's second annual dinner to benefit the Texas Access to Justice Foundation featuring the Honorable Robert Jordan, former United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.  USD, which has raised over $30,000 in two years, also hosted Jennifer Morris, President of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, and President of the State Bar of Texas, Terry Tottenham.  Called a "legend in legal practice," by Ambassador Jordan, a most special guest of the evening, was Yavneh Grandfather Harold Kleinman, the first chair of the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, and for whom the Access to Justice Kleinman Award is named.

The Texas Access to Justice Foundation is the largest state-funded source of civil legal aid. Contributing more than $250 million, to ensure that the poorest Texans can obtain access to the justice system, in 2008 alone, Texas ranks 43^rd in the nation is overall funding for legal services.

Students from the Dallas Law Magnet, Garland High School, and H. Grady Spruce High School, many of whom participated in Yavneh's Mix-It-Up diversity event in October, who attended the event, also helped raise monies for the Texas Access to Justice Foundation.  The evening was catered by Simcha Kosher Catering, and entertainment provided by  

HAITEX; Andy Chiles and Jim Flowers. 

"A week later everyone was still talking about how amazing the night was and I'm proud to be a part of USD's success," said Mina Pulitzer '12, USD President.  "Access to Justice ties together all of the goals of Uniting Students of Dallas - to not only educate about diversity but to bring together different ethnicities, helping those less fortunate."

"Each speaker left an impression," said USD Executive Board Member, Leigh Bonner '11.  "Mr.Tottenham drove home the importance of legal aid for American veterans, Ambassador Jordan underscored the need for Americans to work locally and globally, and Ms. Morris spoke of how crucial legal aid is to the survival of our justice system.

"In government class I learned the intricacies of past cases, their ensuing laws and legal precedents," said Leigh.  "I see it as an obvious injustice that American citizens are not receiving their due rights. I hope that the money we raise can streamline the situation, helping those less fortunate. That would make the night a true success."

"Yavneh's programs look beyond the scope of general fundraising, they look to how they can help others with regard to cultural and educational benefit," said Ambassador Jordan who, as Ambassador, worked closely with President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell in matters such as the historic presidential summit meetings in Texas and Egypt. Ambassador Jordan led efforts to promote stronger U.S.-Saudi ties in both the public and private sectors.  "Uniting Students of Dallas has afforded us a wonderful sense of freedom that doesn't exist in other parts of the world."

"As we think of those who serve our public, I urge each of you to serve your community, your state, and your nation.  Those known to you and unknown, without armor or barricades," continued Ambassador Jordan, who shared stories of his time served in the Middle East and who is now in private practice at Baker Botts, where he oversees the firm's Middle East practice. He also serves as Diplomat in Residence at Southern Methodist University, and as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law at SMU's Dedman School of Law.  "This is what the best of American is about and I urge you to support them."

Lt. Colonel Colby Volkey, a decorated combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps, was honored for his service.  Following a stint in Desert Storm as an Artillery Commander, Lt. Volkey oversaw all the Corps defense lawyers in the Western United States and Iraq.  In addition to his command responsibilities, Lt. Col. Volkey took on high profile defenses, including at Guantanamo Bay and defending the Marine squad leader accused of killing 18 people in Haditha, Iraq.  As a lawyer, who, initially supportive, became disturbed by what he saw, feeling he owed an ethical duty to see that the rule of law was upheld, Lt. Col. Volkey

spoke out about the legal abuses occurring at Guantanamo.

"Hearing stories about what people went through, and how much money they had to save up just to get a lawyer makes you feel more fortunate and, at the same time, makes us want to do more, help more, be there more," said Jake Greif '12, USD's Vice-President. "I feel like we represented Yavneh and our Jewish community well, and I'm proud of the evening's results."

Yavneh's Jordan Prescott '12, Rachel Siegel '13, and Noa Waks '11 also participated in the evening, providing the night's Torah lesson and introductions. "As shown both by the biblical text and the work of the Texas Access to Justice Foundation," said Rachel in her dvar Torah.  "This path toward true freedom is one that must be carved out."

"I have tried to stress to our students that this is not a matter of charity, but of staying true to our own ideals," said Chad Baruch, USD sponsor, assistant principal at Yavneh, and an attorney in private practice.  "No republican government can long endure without an open and transparent judiciary. Each time any citizen cannot obtain access to our court system for basic needs due to lack of financial resources, our government loses a bit of its legitimacy, and we fall short of the promise of American democracy."

"Attending a Jewish day school has taught me that one of the biggest mitzvah I can do is to give charity, to help those in need," said Mina.  "Giving somebody access to the legal system when they lack the money to gain the opportunity to pursue justice, seems to me to be the greatest mitzvah of them all." 

"Yavneh is a small school that thinks big and acts huge.  Our students are engaged in activities, started by students, and the encouragement of student empowerment is key to our program," said Head of School, Don O'Quinn.  "Our students are noted for their maturity, their caring about humanity, and their commitment to changing the world.  These are traits that will take them from their teen years, to successful lives of meaning and concern, of professional prowess and of honor."

Yavneh's Kayley Romick '13 is giving her passport a workout.  Having just returned from spending part of her Winter Break in Brazil, on an international peace and cultural exchange program, still fresh in her memory is her summer trip to Hungary and Israel, a participant, on the  Jewish Agency for Israel sponsored Partnership With Israel Tri-Teen Summer Program.

From July 9 to August 1, Kayley joined teens, including Dallasites Daniel Borejdo, Kolbey Ross Levy, and Ross Yudkin, and others from 16 American Jewish communities, the Western Galilee, and Hungary, for a once-in-a-lifetime "moment."  The group spent 10 days in Israel and two weeks in Hungary, part of that touring, part of that based at Camp Szarvas.

"This was a hard core experience, and a huge growing experience for me," said Kayley.  

"It was a strong trip emotionally, physically, and spiritually - it was nothing less than amazing.   

I spent a great few weeks with students from all over, and we dealt with many types of people, with many cultural differences."

"Kayley is easily one of the most unique people I know," said Shelly Farahan, a North American counselor of Tri-Teen.  "She is someone who stands up for what she believes in. Kayley is fearless, intelligent, spiritual and open-hearted. She contributed her knowledge of Judaism to the group."

For more on Kayley's trip, keep your eye on the Texas Jewish Post in upcoming weeks.

January 7 

Yavneh Alum - Yoni G.'04

First LT - U.S. Air Force 

January 14

Rabbi Michael Cytrin

Yeshivat Lev Hatorah 

December 2
Rabbi Mendel Dubrawsky
Chabad of Dallas  

5 Ella Baum  8 Shimi Wolk  12 Chad Baruch  13 Odelia Shimon  15 Shanee Abouzaglo             21  Elan Kogutt   22 Joram Wolanow  24 Isabella Russell-Ides 26  Jordan Cope   29  Eli Oziel

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS  

1  Phyllis Beilue  3  A.J. Burk  15  Rachel Chanon  19  Talia Klein  22 Avi Bracha  

23  Keren Bar-Haim & Carly Bierman  26  Coreen Golan  28  Gary Levine  

MAZAL TOV to:






~~ Nutcracker ballerinas Tova Kline '12 (left)
(Dallas Ballet Company) and Rachel Rudberg '13  (Texas Ballet Theater) who danced theirway into audience hearts this winter season.

~~ David Margolies '97 & Chalie Harel from Toronto, on the couple's recent engagement.  

~~ Elie & Tali Rosenberg, and their families, on the birth of baby Emmy Leigh.

~~ Yardana Schick '08 & Ohad Agler, on their recent marriage in Israel.

       (see Inklings from Israel for more!!!)

OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ~ 

Helping Everyone Live Peacefully

Yavneh students went with and  

Rabbi Howard Wolk & Ilana Rosenzweig to the Legacy at Willow Bend to pray Kabbalat Shabbat, sing Chanukah songs, and to light the Chanukah candles with the residents.

After the services, with candle lighting led by Shelbi Karlebach '11

and Kiddush by Joseph Kaufman '13, the students had a great time  

interacting with the residents. It was obvious that the residents enjoyed the visit even more as they love seeing young faces that lighten up their day!  

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FEBRUARY

2 to 20 ~~ DALLAS CHILDREN'S THEATRE: "TEEN SCENE THEATER"                           Building a Road to ResilienceThe festival will feature four terrific plays about
                   crucial teen issues; bullying, eating  disorders and body image, teen relationships,
                   and learning differences/ADHD.  For tickets or more information, visit                       www.dct.org 

20 ~~ "BAD CHILDREN OR CHILDREN WHO FEEL BAD"

            @ CONGREGATION SHEARITH ISRAEL - 9:30am

            @ AKIBA ACADEMY - 7:30pm   

                 Featured Speaker: Rabbi Eitan Eckstein, Founder and Director of Retorno,
                 Israel's International Jewish Center for the Treatment and Prevention of addiction.                  For more information, visit www.retorno.org  or contact Sharron Elkins at   

                 shelkins@gmail.com  

FEBRUARY

BOYS SOCCER

FEBRUARY 

20 ~~ vs. T-90 @ 4pm (warmup at 3:30pm) at Indoor Soccer Zone, Field 3 

2323 Crown Road - Dallas, TX 75229

GIRLS SOCCER

Please contact Coach at 469.693.9922 for Girls Soccer information. 

Noa Waks ~~ University of Miami  

~~ JONATHAN NETANYAHU LODGE # 3283 2011 SCHOLARSHIPS   

Since 1989, the Jonathan Netanyahu Lodge of B'nai B'rith is proud to announce the availability of scholarships valued from at least $250 to $500 each.  To be eligible for the scholarships, the applicant must be a high school senior and a member in good standing of the Dallas BBYO.The application will be judged on academic achievement, community service, extra-curricular activities, and financial need.   

Please see Mrs. Schmucker in the Counseling Office for an application.

In addition to a completed application and resume, please send a current high school transcript to:

B'nai B'rith Scholarship

C/o Scholarship Committee

1824 Hatherly Drive

Plano, TX 75023

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: MARCH 28, 2011

~~ SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

There are a variety of summer opportunities available for high school students. Visit  http://www.enrichmentalley.com/  This website is a database of summer programs, and is searchable by type of program, state, etc.  Each listing has a brief description of the program (including cost and application info), with a link to the program's webpage.  I find that it is a well-maintained and invaluable resource.   

~~ YAVNEH COLLEGE GUIDANCE

For more information regarding scholarships, application deadline, and any other college related issues, read the Senior Times or check in with Allyn Schmucker, Yavneh's College Guidance Counselor at 214.295.3500 or email

aschmucker@yavnehdallas.org