The 2011-2012 year marks the second "first" year for Sara Laizerovich who was on Yavneh's premiere year staff, teaching Hebrew from 1994 to 1999.  "I could NOT be more happy to be back here," said Morah Sara who remembers when there were just 12 students and the school was based at the Lodge at the JCC.  "Many of the teachers are the same, many of the families are the same - I taught some of the oldest siblings and now I have the youngest, and it's very exciting.

Born and raised in Israel, Morah Sara and her husband, David (President of an internet security company), moved to the United States in 1971.  The couple, whose children were all born in Dallas, has three sons who live in town, Orone who is married to Traci, Ophir - who is married to Sharron, and Leeron - who is married to Erin, and a daughter Neta-Lee - who lives in New York.  In addition, the lights of this teacher's life are her grandchildren Talia, Jordan, Benji, Ethan, Shayna, and a sparkle on the way.

With a Certificate in Teaching from Shein College in Israel, a B.A. in Child Development & Education, from University of Texas at Dallas, and a Certificate in Hebrew Language Teaching & Mentoring, from Hebrew College, in Newton Massachusetts, Morah Sara's life is about teaching.  

"I believe so strongly in a Jewish high school education," said Morah Sara.  "So many children think once they've passed the bar or bat mitzvah time, that they are 'done' learning.  That's when their adult thinking really begins!  That when they begin to know who they are and when they need to be a part of their community, in a connected way. That's what a Yavneh education provides."

"Morah Sara is a great teacher! She is very kind and understanding she often tells us that she knows it difficult and that learning English was difficult for her too," said Tash Guaqueta '14. "I never feel like she is judging me as I stumble through my Hebrew.  Morah Sara kindly corrects my errors and tells me the proper way to say what I want.  Hebrew isn't easy for me, but like all subjects, a good teacher makes a big difference and that makes class enjoyable."

"Our kids really speak the language, they graduate able to carry on a conversation, to make their way through Israel, to daven - they know their stuff," said Morah Sara, who is specialized in the NETA*  Hebrew curriculum, created at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.  "Hebrew is how we connect to other Jews, to G-d, and to our culture.  This is OUR language, our history, it is all of us."

"Morah Sara is a really great teacher and person. Considering my background of not knowing any Hebrew at all, I am really impressed with how much I have learned," said Valerie Lopez '14.  "Of course that is all thanks to my Hebrew teachers, who have helped me read and understand the language. I really appreciate being able to learn with Morah Sara because even though its not always fun and games, she gets right to the point. She is serious in what she does and she wants us to be successful in learning Hebrew because she knows we will use it at some point in our lives."

"The atmosphere here is the same, the students are all mentches, helping each other and the world," said Morah Sara.  "This is a great place with a very healthy sense of competition."

"Kol shenevakesh ana lu y'hee," are the welcoming lyrics of Israeli singer, Naomi Shemer (z"l), posted on one of the walls in Morah Sara's, and the wishes from her to all as we gather with our families and congregations, offering prayers for the year to come.  "Whatever we will ask, let it be."

*NETA seeks to provide a comprehensive linguistic and educational framework that enables Jewish secondary school students to advance to high levels of Hebrew proficiency. Grounded in principles of second-language learning, this framework includes an intellectually rich and sequential curriculum, preparation of a cadre of master teachers, ongoing professional development for educators, consultation to schools, and evaluation of educational processes and outcomes. In so doing, we fulfill our commitment to cultivating a community of Jews who are poised to be active participants in the continual renewal of Hebrew culture and who feel a profound attachment to the Jewish people and the State of Israel.  

Yavneh's Class of 2011 has many "babies of the family," readying to graduate and Carly, the sister of Michael '10 and Philip '07, has followed gracefully in the path her brothers set for her.  A Dallas native, the daughter of Ilene and Sol, and a member of Congregation Anshai Torah and Levine Academy alum, Carly chose to attend Yavneh wanting to continue her Jewish education and appreciating the small class sizes. "I like how close everyone in my grade is and my Yavneh friends are definitely the closest group of friends I have ever had," said Carly.  "I know my relationship with them will last through college and hopefully for the rest of my life."

"We are like a family, and I do not think I could get that at any other school," said Carly, who is looking to become a physical therapist and who is now in the middle of college application season, with her eye on a number of schools on the East Coast.  "Sometimes it's hard to juggle the double curriculum, while at the same time judging priorities, but I like how the Judaic classes teach lessons that we can apply in our General Studies and in life.  They go beyond 'just' lessons of religion."

"Ms. Bierman is so quiet and demure that it took me weeks to realize she was the one student who was always asking the really interesting questions and answering the really hard questions," said Dr. Steven Goldfine, Chair of Yavneh's Science department.  "She is so engaged in class and it is just a delight to have her as a student."

"My teachers are definitely responsible for my success at Yavneh," said Carly.  "Most are very understanding and will work with me personally to make sure i understand things or if I have a problem."

"Carly, Carly, What can I say but all my students should be Carlys.  She is Delicious, Divine, and Dedicated," Monica Ribald, Yavneh's Art teacher, said of one of her 2011 Celebration of Success Art Award recipients.  "Always one to enjoy tackling her projects with sincere devotion, Carly is quiet and reserved and a perfectionist who has high expectations of her results. I love her positive outlook and her resourcefulness." 

Summer travels for Carly include a Summer '10 BBYO Impact Boston tour, during which she volunteered to clean up playspaces for underpriveleged children, and she recently returned from Costa Rica, as a participant of BBYO's Passport Eco-Quest, where she volunteered for ranch sustainability projects by building fences and clearing hiking paths.

Carly has participated as a member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas' Jewish Youth Tzedakah Fund, National Council of Synagogue Youth, the Kravitz chapter of Bnai Brith Youth Organization.  She is a four-year athlete on the Yavneh Bulldog Tennis Team, a Student Ambassador, and, as Yavneh celebrates the tenth year of its Mock Trial program, it's students like Carly that have made it a success.

"I learned how court cases work and now understand a lot of legal jargon," said Carly who has served as timekeeper and portrayed the role of  many witnesses.  "I really enjoy Mock Trial because there isn't the same pressure as in many of my classes and the program leaders make it fun. My freshman year case was my favorite because it was a murder case where I played a witness who saw it all happen, but was in no way guilty."

One of Yavneh's genuinely sweetest on Campus, Carly is only guilty of bringing smiles to all she is near.  

"The best part about Yavneh is the family vibe. I love the one-on-one relationship I can have with Yavneh teachers and administrators," said Millie, a sophomore year transfer from Jaspar High School, for whom Yavneh was a first foray into fulltime Jewish education..  "It is strange to think I have only known this 'family' a few years because we are all so close. I love just knowing that if I ever needed anything, I could go to anyone here and they will help me.  At public school, some teachers never even knew my name, but at Yavneh they know everything about me. It is a great feeling to have that surrounding me."

Another Yavneh Family connection, Millie, the daughter of Ron and Susan, of blessed memory, has trailed her brother Mitch '10, while creating her own path. "The biggest change for me was the sizes of the classes.  Because our classes are so small, it amazed me to see a teacher spend so much time on one student," said the Dallas native. 

"Millie is a graceful, young lady and I have enjoyed being her teacher.  I know that whatever she chooses to study she will give it one-hundred percent," said Hebrew Language teacher, Rachel Boim.  "She is polite and quiet spoken, always greeting me with a warm smile. Millie takes her studies very seriously, always completing her assignments, never with an excuse, and always doing her very best in class."

"Millie is a good math and science student, she has the 'nature,'" said Head of School and Physics teacher, Don O'Quinn.  "This special young lady has overcome great pain and tragedy, forging ahead, and I believe she has great promise for the future."

"Attending a Jewish high school allowed me to learn so much more about myself and about my religion.  The unique scheduling is a very important aspect of Yavneh," said Millie, a member of Congregation Beth Torah, and of Yavneh's HELP/Helping Everyone Live Peacefully and Helping Hands for the Homeless organizations.  "Some might find it hard to understand, but once one becomes a Yavneh student, it becomes the only way one knows. Yavneh is a school where you can be yourself and I am glad I changed my course."

Traveling with classmate Carly on this summer's BBYO Passport Eco-Quest in Costa Rica, Millie helped pave gavel roads and took in the many new sights and experiences.   Completing her summer was Millie's annual "FamilyCation" to Michigan to visit with her extended family.

With plans of becoming a psychologist in private practice, it is the understanding of the way the human mind works that drives her goal.  Not one to leave much to chance, Millie plans on a business degree as well so that every part of her practice is something she can be a part of - from patients to the business end.

It is that hands-on, that wanting to know it all, that makes this sensational student, ready to role.

"Reid obviously dances to the beat of a different drummer. His quirky and unique sense of humor is quite apparent but, behind the practical joker with the most absurd sense of humor, is a young man who is working on some big questions," said Assistant Principal and Social Studies department chair, Dr. Tim Cloward.  "An often brilliant student, he has a very philosophical bent and my personal hope is that he pursues his current ambitions of becoming a writer.  The world could benefit from his unique mixture of humor and intelligence."   

 "I decided to attend Yavneh as I wanted to continue my Jewish education and at the same time be learning in a very independent environment," said Reid, a Dallas native who previously attended Akiba Academy and the Shelton School. "Yavneh provides its students with the tools to get through not just high school, but higher education and here I've learned to be my own advocate and to plan ahead.  Even the most academically demanding ones know how to take a joke and share a smile."

"Reid's quick mind, sense of humor and deep insight consistently enhanced class discussions and his passion for learning increased other students' excitement as well," said former Judaic Studies faculty member, Raffi Rosenzweig who will always remember Reid's creative analogies and unique interpretations in class and an enthusiasm he believes will help Reid follow his dreams to the full extent. "Reid is able to strike a delicate balance of maintaining intellectual sincerity and rigor without compromising his personal vibrancy or creativity. This quality makes him a pleasure to teach and positions him as a role model among his peers."  

The son of Mindy and Rick and brother of Wendy and Louis, Reid is a member of Congregation Tiferet Israel, and a two-year member of Yavneh's Bulldog Basketball team and three-year participant of the school's Mock Trial team.

A JCC lifeguard for the summer of 2011, the longtime Camp Young Judaea camper spent last summer learning about initiative - with, of course, a healthy dose of 'just fun' thrown in, on Young Judaea's Hadracha Leadership program. 

Desiring a future that will have him writing successful television shows and films, Reid refers to his lifetime of comic book reading and film interest, that have given him the tools of good dialogue and well written plots; that which has inspired him to, as he says, "turn sitting on the couch into a productive profession."

Not likely to sit still for long, it's now the write time for Reid to pen his own life's script!

STARS SCHOLARS ANNOUNCE ~

Mazal Tov to sophomores Ben Calmenson and Lauren Siegel who are the 2011-2012 Stars Scholars honorees.  The Stars Scholars Awards, which are renewable and worth up to $20,000, are given to incoming ninth and tenth grade students, coming to Yavneh from a secular school. Scholarships are based on student qualities of academic merit, citizenship, community service, and a desire for Judaic study in an environment where Jewish tradition, history, culture, and the preparation for success at competitive universities come together.

"Star Scholarships are provided by an anonymous donor who wished to encourage bright, young,  high-performing students from public and private secular schools to join the Yavneh family," said Head of School, Don O'Quinn.  "With very strong grades and exemplary records of extra-curricular and community service activities, Ben and Lauren more than meet the criterion."

"I'm thrilled to be back with a lot of my old friends," said Ben '14, who transferred to Yavneh from Shepton High School.  The son of Diane and Louis, Ben is a member of Congregation Ohev Shalom, and a former Levine Academy student.  "I realized how valuable a Jewish education is and how I can really benefit from it.  I think all of my teachers and classes are great, and my first month here at Yavneh was fantastic!"

"Yavneh's small class sizes, the tight knit community, and the preparation for college are some of the reasons I made the switch," said Lauren Siegel '14, the daughter of Stacey and John, a member of Temple Emanu-El, and a sophomore who came to Yavneh from J.J. Pearce High School.   "I've really enjoyed my first weeks here and I definitely appreciate the scholarship."

Prospective students, interested in applying for a 2012-2013 Stars Scholar Award, should contact info@yavnehdallas.org or call 214.295.3500 for more information.

FALL '11 SHABBATON ~ 

There was lots of Shalom in the last Shabbat of 5771 as Yavneh students a nd faculty members celebrated the annual Fall Shabbaton.   With 65 students and

photo by Dalya Romaner  '14

teachers and their families "camping" in on Yavneh's Schultz Rosenberg Campus, there was lots of food, lots of spirit, and lots of bonding, all the ingredients of a successful Shabbaton.

"This weekend was a ton of fun because the free time allowed the students to hang out, talk, play sports, take walks, and overall just connect with each other without outside distractions," said Dania Tanur '14.  "What better place to be connected than on our own campus?  The teachers were great at encouraging ruach and they planned a great Shabbaton."

photo by Dalya Romaner '14

"From sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, we ate, davened, sang and just  enjoyed each others company," said Naomi Schrager, Associate Principal and  

Director of Judaic Programming.   

"We had meaningful divrei torah from our students, learning sessions, student led songs, and great stories from Annette Wolk!  This Shabbaton had, hands down, the best ruach we have ever seen."

Following Havdallah, participants shared in a moving and spiritual Slichot service to bring in the beginning of the High Holy Days.

"My favorite activity is singing and dancing after the meals because you can't help but smile and laugh and sing along with your friends and teachers," said Dania.  "This first Shabbaton of the year really set the tone for the rest of the Shabbatons and the rest of the year."  

JULES KRAMER  ~ IDF Lone Soldier ~

From Jewish Day School student to IDF Lone Soldier Paratrooper,  

the "heart and soul of the army," he said, visiting guest Jules Kramer,  

shared impressions of an experience, rare and amazing, with a drawn Yavneh audience. 

"I wouldn't trade the experience for the world," said Jules whose visit to Yavneh was coordinated by YavnehMom Gail Herson, Program Director of the Jewish Youth Tzedakah Foundation and Education Director of ATID (Academy for Torah in Greater Dallas), which received a grant to bring Jules to Dallas.  "It was dangerous but we were trained very carefully. I'm not sure I'd do it again, but to serve in Israel's army, an ethical army where we put our own lives at risk, every day, was an honor. It's not for nothing and it's what we do because it's the right thing to do."

The former 1st Sergeant, who served for two years and two months, primarily at the Gaza and Lebanese borders and the West Bank checkpoint, spent a gap year in Israel, following his graduation from the Rocky Mountain Hebrew Academy (now the Denver Jewish Day School), during which he decided to make Israel his home.  "I made aliyah at 19, through the Jewish Agency, and after a year on an ulpan learning program, I was drafted," he said.  "I wanted to be in our homeland, the Israel that connects all Jews together."

"You walk in to the army in your jeans, t-shirt or suit, whatever you have on, and in just a day, you are processed and you walk out another door, in a crisp uniform," Jules said. 

The son of Brett and Susan Kramer (she the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas), Jules is preparing to return to his studies, as a tour guide and as a political science major at Hebrew University, also serving as the Director of Strategic Partnerships of the Michael Levin Memorial Center for Lone Soldiers.

"Everyone connected to the Michael Levin Memorial Center has been a Lone Soldier," Jules said.  The Center is an educational, social, networking organization for the Lone Soldiers, those without a family connection in the country, of which there are more than 5000 currently serving.  "We know what they are going through, we know how hard it is, and we know how to make it a better experience."

To learn more about the Michael Levin Memorial Center for Lone Soldiers, visit www.lonesoldiercenter.com or email Jules@lonesoldercenter.com

INVISIBLE CHILDREN ~   

Yavneh students and faculty once again welcomed representatives of Invisible Children, Inc.  

   to campus, to share stories of strife and strength, of struggle and survival.   

 Invisible Children's Christian Huisman, Hayley Johnson, and Maggie Leahy visited, with former refugee Collines Angwech telling of her life in Uganda and  

what it means now to be a part of the solution, rather than the victim of terror.

 "I was born a child into a war.  I slept in the streets and my village was attacked regularly," said Angwech. "My cousin was abducted and forced to kill her own sister.  I was rescued by Invisible Children, and I am now a college student with a future.  So many suffered, and now so many have been saved.  My country is rebuilding but in the Sudan and Congo, in Central African areas there is war.  Because of you, because of me and how my life is now,  I do believe this can come to an end."

Shea Miller '13, leader of Yavneh's Invisible Children project, inspired students with her introduction, the week's dvar Torah, based on the Torah portion of Ki Tavo.   

"The Torah portion talks about the commandment of the children of Israel to dedicate our first fruits to G-d. The hard work we ourselves contribute is only a factor in our prosperity,   

and our success ultimately comes from G-d. We learn not to be greedy and self-praising, rather recognize others for helping to accomplish our goals," said Shea.

"As Yavneh students, we don't usually take the time to realize how privileged we are. We were lucky enough to be born in this environment where we can mold our own future. Yavneh offers so much to students who are willing to take that extra step to help our communities and the world, and we have to remember to take advantage of that privilege. Every time we hear the shofar during the month of Elul, we should not only try to correct our friendships with our friends and school mates, but also try and remember how fortunate we are to be a part of this community in the first place, and give, and do whatever we can to share that privilege, to share our blessings.  Through Invisible Children, we can make a difference for teens we'll probably never meet, but who we can always be connected to."

After a screening of "How Far Would You GO?" Invisible Children's Schools for Schools documentary, through which the students were introduced to teens like themselves who raised monies and traveled to Uganda to learn of the atrocities of Joseph Kony and to see the issue at hand, and the difference it made in their lives, YavnehKids retreated to the Student Lounge where, in just an hour, through the purchase of Invisible Children t-shirts, bracelets, tote bags and more, as well as outright donations, more than $1200 was raised for the group. 

Invisible Children's many programs include the Legacy Scholarship, currently with scholarships to secondary and university learning, its Schools for Schools, its commitment to long-term development, working directly with individuals and institutions, the rebuilding of schools devastated by war, benefiting over Ugandan youth in the areas of water and sanitation, books and equipment, refurbishment of structures, teacher support, and technology and power and its mentor program which provides healthy development for its students.

For information or to make a donation to help support  

Yavneh's Chapter of Invisible Children, please email  info@yavnehdallas.org

THE CLASS OF 2012 ~  

The Class of 2012 were feted with a Senior Breakfast, the first of many special treats this year.  Coordinated by Lizzy Rosenberg Greif (YavnehMom to Jake), and a team of pampering parents, the students heard of plans for celebrations throughout the year, readying all to bid farewell, come June 3.   

Many thanks to all of the parents who shopped, delivered, setup and served our students!

REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11 ~ 

Yavneh students were but preschoolers and in their early elementary years when the tragedy of September 11, 2001 befell our country yet, 10 years later, the students came together to

photo by Dalya Romaner '14

commemorate the day, to speak out about what is important, and to be together to remember the day that became a history, they'll never forget.

"I can recall that day perfectly," said Mina Pulitzer '12, one of the program's organizers of video, poetry, and recollections, who remembers a confused morning until an assembly in Akiba's gym, revealed the day's disaster.  "I was in second grade and on the way to school with my Dad and my brother Miles ('10) in the car.  We were listening to the radio at a very low volume and we were just talking about nothing in particular.  All of a sudden my Dad and turned up the radio when he heard the words 'plane crashed' and 'second tower.'  It was right as we were pulling up to school and we were very confused.  Today, and on every anniversary, it's important to remember."

Bruchim Habaim ~~

   Yavneh's Guests Sharing Davening,  

         D'vrei Torah, & More

HERSON GIRLS SUMMIT DREAMS; RAISING $ AND SUPPORT! 

Kelly '13 and Brittney '09 Herson, and theirYavnehDad Neil Herson may find themselves humming Climb Every Mountain these days, having returned from summiting Africa's 19,000-foot Mt. Kilimanjaro, as part of a group that raised over $66,000 in donations in support of the Save One Life foundation.

Funds raised from the climb will used to develop Save One Life's programs regarding Hemophilia, in Africa, including the support of outreach programs in Zimbabwe, the establishment of a post-secondary and micro-grant program in Kenya, to build up the capacity of the Hemophilia Society of Tanzania to prepare them for sponsorship, as well as other projects and operations. Climbing alongside a patient with hemophilia, a nurse who specialized in the disease, and the mother of a hemophiliac, the girls received quite an education, one that books could never provide.

"Each day brought a unique climate and terrain and once we got above the clouds it became much chillier and drier," said Brittney, now a Junior at UT/Austin's honors program, majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in Hebrew.  "The trees were incredible; they looked like they were taken from the pages of a Dr. Seuss book. As difficult as it was, the natural beauty was a feast for the eyes and helped to ease my mind from my aching muscles."

"By sunset on day four we had finally made it to base camp, 15,000 feet. It was bitter cold, the wind was whipping, and everything was grey with our tent, literally on the edge of a cliff.  At midnight, guided by the light from our headlamps and the gleaming stars, we began our trek to reach the final summit. As we climbed, for seven hours, I almost began to cry, thinking to myself that if I can actually do this, I can do anything," said Brittney.  "This thought, coupled with the positive inspiration of my sister was what kept me going. Despite my eight thermal layers I couldn't feel my fingers or toes and my water was frozen solid, but as the sun began to peek through I knew we were almost there.  Finally, I saw the signpost that had seen so elusive. There we stood at Uhuru peak, 19,340, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, and despite the subzero temperatures, and my frosted over eyelashes, our dream was actualized. We had made it to the top."

"All I knew during those days was the constant rhythm of my feet moving endlessly forward until we broke for lunch or arrived at a campsite for the the night," said Kelly.  "We just kept moving forward.. The one morning I will never, ever forget was summit day. With only three hours of sleep, and clad in seven layers on top, three on bottom, with hand warmers, feet warmers, a pair of gloves, a pair of mittens, a balaclava, a winter hat, and my headlamp, we began our final trek to the summit."

"In the dark of the night, the nine of us pushed our bodies further than they had ever gone. In the freezing cold temperatures, we hiked up and up and up and up...we looked to the left and there was a field of clouds along with the moon shining down on us. I looked up and the stars appeared almost reachable," said Kelly, recalling exchanging encouragement, laughter, and even the occasional Hebrew conversation with her sister.  "In this deeply personal, emotional, spiritual experience, I am so fortunate to have experienced it with my best friend. I felt like I was in this crazy paranormal universe where nothing made sense. Here I was, a 16 year-old girl from Texas in the middle of Africa in the dark of the night, hiking to the tallest point in Africa."

"I am very proud of my daughters in their personal achievements of having conquered the peaks of Kilimanjaro and I know it is something they will remember for the rest of their lives, something I'm sure they will be recounting to their children one day," said Neil Herson a dedicated supporter of the Save One Life program.  "The climb was no 'walk in the park,' but it was a journey that will always be a lasting memory - a true test of their perseverance and willingness to succeed!  The self-achievement for a worthy cause made the experience that much richer!"

PEOPLE TO PEOPLE

For Rachel Rudberg '13, definitely one of Yavneh's "people persons," Summer '11 was all about connecting.  Rachel joined 200 students from around the world, in a two-week People to People Leadership Summit in Medicine, at Johns Hopkins University.

Rachel and her peers interviewed patients and conducted research on various cases.   Learning to conduct interviews; asking about the patient history, family history, present  and past illnesses, and social histories, gave the students a hands-on experience not  

many have the chance to share. "The medical issue my group studied was gallstones and,  

after we were giving the bio of the patient, we had to come up with questions to ask to determine what the diagnoses should be based on the patient's complaints,  what tests should be run and what the treatment would be," said Rachel.    "On our patient, from the results, we determined they had gallstones and Cholecystitis  (an inflammation of the gallbladder, usually resulting from a gallstone blocking the cystic duct)."

Studying risk factors and treatments, learning from a variety of guest speakers, a visit to the NIH, participating in community service projects, and a side trip to Washington, DC, where the group sat in on Congress and went to the National Library, the Cold War Memorial,  the Woman's Memorial, the World War I Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial,  and more, this was a "summer school," with credit to last a lifetime -  

certainly few medical professionals might have a bedside manner to beat that of "Dr." Rachel!

OVARIAN CYCLE - RACE TO CHANGE THE FUTURE

YavnehMom Jill Bach (Michelle '09), Helen Gardner, and Julie Shrell are chairing Dallas' first-ever Ovarian Cycle Ride to Change the Future, co-sponsored by the Aaron Family JCC.  Official Sunday training dates for the Ride to Change the Future are January 15, 29 and February  12.  Membership at the JCC is not required for participation.  To register to participate, go to
www.ovariancycledallas.org

Kol Hakavod to Yavneh Family Riders, all appreciating your donations, are Jill Bach, Andy Cohen (David '07, Emily '09, Jessie '11), Debbie Koeppel (Paige '10), Cindy Moskowitz (Zac '08, Daniel '10, Clara '13), and Deb Silverthorn  

(Click on any name to donate for that cyclist)

Yom Huledet Sameach,  

         Well Wishes, & Mazal Tov!

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 

4  Rachel Siegel  14  Meir Epstein   15  Benji Liener  18  Bryan Benaim  

23  Steven Goldfine  25  Adam Steinbrecher   27  Dr. Tim Cloward

28  Gary Livingston & Mika Stein  29  Jacob Herstein               

 VOLLEYBALL    

GIRLS SOCCER

Memo from Coach Rachel - The Girls Bulldog Soccer team invites all Yavneh girls to participate!  Email adebrighty@yahoo.com for details.  

All games played at Indoor Soccer Zone 

Jake Grief ~~ University of Indiana, University of Kansas  

September 13, 2011 --

José-Antonio Rubio & Yavneh College-Bound! 

Admissions Counselor

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

University of Michigan

College Representatives from far and wide make a point of visiting Yavneh Academy each year, sharing information, application details, and more about their schools. Juniors and Seniors are invited to attend but must bring a signed permission slip from your teacher. The form can be picked up in the counselor's office and at Mrs. Pitlik's desk. Students must present the form to the teacher at least one day prior to the session - and parents are more than invited to join us. 

Locations to be announced the day before each program.

STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY   

MAKE-UP WORK OR MATERIAL MISSED.

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE YAVNEH VISITS * 2011

OCTOBER  

27 ~ BARNARD COLLEGE @ 2pm 

DALLAS AREA COLLEGE REP VISITS (NOT ON YAVNEH'S CAMPUS) 

OCTOBER      

9 ~  DUKE UNIVERSITY @ 7pm 

~ 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 

I am at Mechinat Yeud in Gush Etzion (12 miles south of Jerusalem) and the program is dedicated to a Torah study immersion curriculum which includes programming to strengthen bonds to the State of Israel and leadership skills while challenging students physically and to prepare us for life in many ways.  We do lots of army related activities including a boot camp program and Israeli martial arts classes.  Once

There are students in my group from Baltimore, Philadelphia, and St. Louis and we really became great friends almost instantly.  In the mornings, we study with groups from other yeshivas and so we've made good friends there too. 

Once a week we have counter-terrorism training, weapons training, hand-to-hand combat, and we learn what to do during and after an attack (Don't worry Mom, I'm FINE!). We also have tiyulim, hiking and touring trips, twice a week where we learn navigation skills, see new places and learn about the history.

We have also started community service activities twice a week and, lucky for me - having impressed the instructor with my marksmanship - I am working at the counter-terrorism training facility as an assistant to the instructor (I managed to impress the instructor with my marksmanship).

EVER the Yavneh Bulldog Manager!

The atmosphere here, readying for the High Holy Days is very unique atmosphere.  Everyone, not just your community is getting ready for the holidays and wherever you walk through the streets, everyone wishes you a "Shana Tova" and invites you and friends to share in a meal.

Overall I'm really glad I decided to come to spend this year in Israel. I'm already learning some valuable life skills and I expect I will continue to do so.  If you are coming to Israel, please let me know, as I'd love to see you.