Friday, May 8, 2014
9 Iyyar 5774
Parshat  Behar
Candle Lighting at 7:39 PM


 Celebrating Israel 

  

When Rav Kook was asked why he embraced the secular pioneers who worked to create the nascent State of Israel, he responded with a halachik analogy. The gemara (Me'ila 14) asks how the Beit Hamikdash could have possibly been built with the proper consideration for the kedushat hamakom, the holiness of the place. Wouldn't construction workers need to sometimes take a break from the hot sun and take refuge in the shade provided by the walls of the Temple they were building? Wouldn't that be a violation of using holy property for personal use? The gemara responds: "בונין בחול ואחר כך מקדישין" -- while under construction, the Beit Hamikdash was not considered holy. Only upon completion was the Beit Hamikdash endowed with holy status; therefore, the construction workers were indeed allowed to benefit from the property before it was completed. Rav Kook noted that the masons, contractors, plumbers, and construction workers were allowed to traverse even through the Kodesh Kodashim during the entire process of construction, but upon completion only the Kohen Gadol would be allowed to enter that space, and only once a year. Rav Kook explained that so too all of us -- including the secular pioneers -- are the construction workers, doing our best to create the future state. Every single Jew contributes to the rebuilding of our national homeland. Much as we would embrace all of the builders of the Beit Hamikdash, so too we embrace all of the builders of Israel. בונין בחול ואחר כך מקדישין.


At WYHS we proudly celebrated the miracle of the State of Israel. By canceling all regular classes and devoting the entire Yom Haatzmaut to learning about and celebrating the State of Israel, we communicated to our students the strong role that the value of religious Zionism plays in our lives. Yom Haatzmaut is the only school day on which the entire student body davens together in one minyan. We sang Hallel together and thanked God for Medinat Yisrael. Of course, prior to Yom Haatzmaut we commemorated Yom Hazikaron. We honored all of the Jews who sacrificed their lives in service of the State of Israel. I was personally very moved by both days' programs and as you can see below, so were our students. We were able to see the tremendous strides that the miraculous State of Israel has made in its short 66 years as it continues the process of בונין בחול ואחר כך מקדישין. 

 

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Jonathan Kroll  

Head of School 

 

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Coming Attractions
Sun. May 18
Lag B'Omer

Mon. May 19
Sports Banquet
Good & Welfare

Births

Rebecca (Isaacs '07) and Michael Feldman on the birth of twin boys!

  

Condolence

Mr. Adam San Solo on the loss of his mother, Mrs. Shelly San Solo  
WYHS Annual Journal Dinner
Tribute Committee
(in formation)

Anynymous  

Tammy and Aaron Attias

Miriam and David Attias

Lisa and Phil Baratz *

Joseph Bensmihen

Dr. Rebecca Stern and Steven Berkeley

Batzi and Dr. Billy Berman

Darlene and Michael Bokor

Ruchie and Rabbi Kenneth Brander

Laura and Dr. Meyer Cohen

Heni and Leo Ehrlich  

Forest Trace

Jamie and Menashe Frank *

Dorit and Ben J Genet *

Helen and Sandy Genet  

Monica and Dr. David Genet *

Rachel and Neil Greenbaum  

Drs. Simone and Charles Griff * 

Jodi and Jeffrey Harris *
Gloria Harris and Family

Elaine and Dr. Merv Jacobs *

Sarah and Steven Jacoby

Melanie and Dr. Bernie Kaminetsky *

Ora Lee and Dr. Michael Kanner  

Caroline and Dan Katz

Sharona and Dr. David Kay *

Jennifer and Rabbi Jonathan Kroll

Amy and Dr. David Lasko *
Arlene and Dr. Sam Lasko
Ellen and Jon Lasko
Marissa and Dr. David Levenson
Sara & Dr. Joshua Light

Drs. Debbie and Dov Linzer

Drs. Seema and Joseph Loskove

Joyce and David Muller

Cheryl and Ari Pearl   

Jill and Michael Rose *

Eugenia Rosen and Mike Alpert

Robert Shapiro
Yitz Stern

Linda and Ted Struhl *

Donna and Dr. Benjamin Tripp *

Suri and Dr. Jonathan Winograd

Risa and Michael Zimmerman *

  
Honoring Heroes  
WYHS Commemorates Yom Hazikaron
      with a Meaningful Program    

Graphic by Noah Brown ('16)
Article by Bailey Frohlich ('16)
As we walked into the Yom Hazikaron program, students could tell from the atmosphere in the school that this day would not at all resemble the next day, the joyous Yom Ha'atzmaut. Yes, the somber decorations from the first Yom, Yom Hashoah, were gone, and the hallways of WYHS were stark again, but those same feelings of sadness were ever so present. Students first had the opportunity to listen to Daniel Hezi, an Israeli soldier, speak about how he lost his close friend, Seth, in battle. Afterwards we watched an inspiring video about the American Lone Soldier, Michael Levin, who valiantly died while defending Israel. With tears in our eyes, we then listened to Mr. Tuly Wultz tell us about his son, Daniel, who died as a result of a terrorist attack during his family's visit to the Holy Land. Although we mourn those who lost their lives for Israel, whether it be from war or terrorist attacks, students left the program with a sense of pride in our heroes and were ready for the joy and celebration of the following day, Yom Ha'atzmaut, armed with an understanding of the sacrifice it has taken to defend our beloved homeland.
Yom Ha'atzmaut


Graphic by Aaron Senfeld ('17), Ariella Mamann ('16), and Shara Sakethou ('16) 
We'll Miss You  
Goodbye to Our Dedicated Senior Highliters 

Graphic by Jonah Rose ('17)

Nicole Greenbaum - Your strong leadership and determination throughout the year has made this year's Highlites a true success. With limited resources and a small staff, we never suffered an off week because of you. You got the most out of every Highliter while maintaining your quiet confidence and tzanua demeanor. You have left us big shoes to fill next year, and we hope that you have only success next year and beyond!

 

Eric Ditchek- Being our technical editor, you were able to make us all Photoshop Masters. Your quirky yet endearing idiosyncrasies sometimes gave us pause, but when we really needed you, we could always count on your leadership. With your dueling and underratedly creative wit you clearly had a big hand in making Highlites a success. We wish you good luck and may the force be with you!

 

Sophie Rose- Despite your substantial yearbook responsibilities this year, you always made time for Highlites. Your never ending reservoir of creative ideas has helped create many themes and memorable issues. You have truly lived up to your title of creative mentor, and we hope to use everything you have taught us to continue the success of Highlites next year. We know you will find many outlets for your creativity in the future, but we will always consider you a Highliter at heart!

 

Avi Schneider - Your love for Highlites is deeply rooted like a strong tree. Each Thursday, you take us down the road of success with your expert Photoshop knowledge and your excitement for Highlites's prosperity. We hope you continue to use your sometimes eccentric creativity in your future endeavors. We know you will miss Highlites the most, so we hope you come visit us next year!

 

Avaraham Adelman - As the Video Editor, you have added so much to Highlites with your expert videography. Despite that few people who watch the videos on Highlites every week, you always put all your heart into each of your productions. We thank you for your late nights, editing videos hours after the rest of the staff went home. We hope you have much success in the years to come!

   
This Week in Pictures 

Graphic by Ariella Mamann('16)