Friday, March 7, 2014
5 Adar Bet 5774
Parshat Vayikra
Candle Lighting at 6:07 PM


 Out With the Old and In With the New?

  

Our parsha describes the variety of korbanot that were to be sacrificed in the newly-constructed Mishkan. These same sacrifices were brought in both the first and second Beit Hamikdash. There were a number of differences between the Mishkan, the first Beit Hamikdash, and the second Beit Hamikdash. The gemara tells us that the first Beit Hamikdash was holier than the second Beit Hamikdash in several different ways, including the fact that the urim v'tumim was operational only during the first Beit Hamikdash and that ruach hakodesh existed only during that time as well. There is a puzzling pasuk in the second perek of Chagai, however, that states: גדול יהיה כבוד הבית הזה האחרון מן הראשון -- the honor of the second Beit Hamikdash will be greater than that of the first. How could the second Beit Hamikdash have been greater than the first? The Gemara Bava Batra presents a debate between Rav and Shmuel about the interpretation of that pasuk. They both agree that the first Beit Hamikdash was holier; one says though that the second Beit Hamikdash was greater in size, and the other says that it was greater in its duration. I once heard a beautiful homiletic interpretation of the pasuk in Chagai from Rabbi Simcha Krauss of Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi. The pasuk is not to be read as suggesting that the second Temple is greater than the first Temple. Rather it should be read as: The second Temple will be great when it is         מן הראשון -- when it is built upon the foundations of the first Temple. The second Beit Hamikdash was glorious but its greatness came from the fact that it was loyal to the mission of the first Beit Hamikdash.

 

That spirit of מן הראשון is the ethos that should guide our embrace of innovation. This week I, along with several of my colleagues, had the pleasure of participating in Yeshiva University's Innovation in Jewish Education (iJED) Conference. Under the direction of the YU Institute for University-School Partnership, this conference brought together hundreds of Jewish educators from schools across the country and across the denominational spectrum in order to share with and learn from each other. This cutting-edge conference featured both targeted Learning Labs and "un-conference," edcamp style conversations. We discussed and learned innovative educational methods and technologies in the interest of making sure that our students will get the best and most engaging education in our rapidly changing modern world, while making sure that we are always firmly rooted                   מן הראשון. We are so grateful to Yeshiva University and the University-School Partnership for their vision, leadership and for convening this cadre of educators affording us the opportunity to collaborate with our colleagues from around the country.

 

We are looking forward to celebrating Purim next Saturday night. At WYHS we will be collecting matanot la'evyonim that will be distributed to the poor in Israel so that you can fulfill your obligation. Tax deductible checks can be made to Israel Chesed Fund and may be delivered to the school office through next Saturday night.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Jonathan Kroll  

Head of School 

 

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Coming Attractions

Sat. March 8     
Storm Madness

 

Thurs. March 13     
Ta'anit Esther. Early Dismissal

Sat. March 15    
Purim Chagiga

Sun. March 26     
Purim

Sun. March 2
Shushan Purim. No Classes 
Good & Welfare

Engagements

 

Batyah Weiss ('06) to Noah Kadish

 

Marc Finkelstein ('08) to Talia Hiller

 
Bingo-tashin
 Students Help JARC Celebrate Rosh Chodesh Adar II 

Graphic by Simcha Stadlan ('16)
Article by Benjamin Portnoy ('17)
 

This past week, the WYHS boys visited JARC,  a non-profit organization aimed at helping and caring for people with developmental disabilities in a positive and heart-warming manner. At JARC, the students enjoyed playing bingo with their new friends. The school generously donated the prizes, 300-piece puzzles, which were awarded to the winners. Students and residents were both called up to the stage to participate in announcing the bingo numbers. The students interacted with the residents by  cheering them on and helping them win the game. The eleventh and twelfth grade boys made hamentaschen with the JARC residents, which was a little messy, but fun and fulfilling! As we were leaving to go back to school, we said goodbye to our new friends, who hoped, just as we do, that we will return to JARC soon.

Inclusion Infusion
 YACHAD Program Helps Students See the World from a Special Needs Perspective

Graphic by Eric Ditchek ('14)
Article by Corey Reichenberg ('16)

This Monday the sophomore boys experienced what it was like to have certain disabilities. This program was organized by Yachad, headed by Tsippy Rosen and Denise Hirschberg. Students participated in activities that simulated certain disabilities. To begin, we discovered what it was like to have autism by attempting to build Legos while having flashlights shone in our faces, nail files brush against our arms, and spices put under our noses.  Children with autism experience an overload of stimuli in their daily lives, and the severity ranges. From party planning while mute to jumping rope with walkers, the experience was informative and at the same time meaningful, giving our entire class a new understanding and appreciation of living with disabilities.  
We Are AIPAC
WYHS Students Journey to Washington DC for AIPAC Policy Conference  

Graphic by Cherie Landa ('15)
Article by Leah Avni ('14)

This past week I had the honor of attending the AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) Policy Conference. It was truly an inspiring experience that I will always remember. AIPAC is the third largest lobbying organization in America and has been able to get Congress to pass bills such as one that gave Israel 3.1 billion dollars in federal aid. The conference taught me and 14,000 other people the issues going on in Israel, for example the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, and how to advocate for a strong US-Israel relationship. It was such a pleasure to listen to speakers like Congressman John McCain, Secretary of State John Kerry, and AIPAC President Robert Cohen speak about what we need to do to maintain a healthy and strong US-Israel relationship. My group was privileged to meet and talk to 20 Congressmen and women, Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett, MK Penina Tamano-Shata, White House Liason to the Jewish people Marck Neusenchuck, and so many more. At the end of the conference, Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to the conference attendees with pride and assurance that Israel will continue to grow and prosper no matter what threats she may face. Afterwards we went to Capitol Hill to lobby Congressmen and women to sign a letter that would ensure that the US-Israel relationship remains strong. The next day we discovered that the letter was passed and we were all overjoyed to know we made a difference. The AIPAC Policy Conference was an empowering experience, teaching us how we can make a difference.
 
Basket of Victory
Girls' Varsity Reigns Supreme Over RASG Competition   

Graphic by Jonah Rose ('17)
Article by Jessica Griff ('15)
From JDS pre-season champions to second place in the district to Hebrew Academy Shabbaton champions, this year's girls varsity basketball team was a formidable competitor against all our opponents in what was arguably the best-assembled girls team in WYHS history. Starting the season with a three-peat win of the JDS pre-season tournament against Hebrew Academy, we knew we had a great season ahead of us. Despite losing our first district game, we ended the season 15-2, losing only to Oxbridge. We were the runner-up in our district and advanced to the regional quarterfinals. We finally finished our long and rewarding season with a spectacular showing at the HA basketball Shabbaton in Miami. With the support of our many fans who made the journey at midnight to watch us play Ida Crown, we outplayed our opponent and won the championship, avenging last season's disappointing final. In addition to thrilling games, the entire team enjoyed countless team bonding activities, from pregame warmups to a fun-filled shabbaton.  We began the season as 14 individual basketball players and 3 managers from various grades and ultimately united into one solid team. As a junior, I am already looking forward to what we can achieve next season. I want to thank our seniors Shira Clements and Sophie Rose for their great leadership and contributions to the team and Jeff Harris and Chelsea Patterson for their tireless coaching. Go STORM!
Heir of Royalty 
Son of Iranian Shah Addresses Student Body Regarding the Situation in the Middle East  

Graphic by Aaron Senfeld ('17)
Article by Yitzchak Kaminestky ('15)

This past Friday, we were privileged to host the former Shah of Iran's son, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who, according to the pre-1979 constitution of Iran, is in line for the throne. In the late 1970s, when the Shah attempted to westernize Iran, many radical Islamic citizens overthrew the leader, exiling the Shah and his family for thirty-five years. His majesty Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi spoke to us about his opposition to the idea of a nuclear-armed Iran. His majesty explained what he believed to be the best possible way to stop the radical Islamic forces in the Middle East from attaining such weaponry. He proposed supporting the citizens of Iran to overthrow the current regime. Being exposed to a different practical perspective on how to stop Iran and its endeavors to annihilate our homeland and the Jewish people was both a meaningful and informative experience. Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged us to always have a voice expressing what we believe in and to recognize that now is the time for us to express our opinions openly in order to stop Iran.
 

Purim Preview
Trailer for Upcoming Epic Purim Video

Click on the image above to see the WYHS Purim Video Trailer