This past week, we had the opportunity to hear from Rabbi Kenneth Brander, Rabbi Emeritus of the Boca Raton Synagogue, and the founder of WYHS. Now working as a Vice President and dean at Yeshiva University, Rabbi Brander came to address us on the main tenets of Modern Orthodoxy. Starting out with the need for a Jewish state to attain Mashiach, he placed strong emphasis on the importance of Israel. He then went on to explain the value of both Judaic and secular knowledge - all while accentuating the search for holiness in every aspect of one's life. The key to modern orthodoxy is religious application in daily life.

After then stressing the need for more opportunities for women, Rabbi Brander proceeded to explain the profound responsibility of Orthodoxy in connecting and reaching out to all Jews, not just our religious equals. He conveyed to us the need to be part of a global Jewish community - not just limited by our specific religious borders.

Rabbi Brander's speech was an engaging and eye opening message to the Modern Orthodox community as a whole - and a pleasure to listen to.

This past week the entire WYHS student body was privileged to hear from Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich. He captivated the audience when describing his life in Soviet Russia. Rabbi Mendelevich was able to develop a Jewish identity while living under harsh rules prohibiting the practice of religion. Rabbi Mendelevich told a fascinating story in which he and a group of like-minded people dreamed to escape Russia and emigrate to Israel but were denied exit visas. They devised to take control of a small Russian plane to fly over the border. Unfortunately, before they could take off the Russian army surrounded the plane and he was sent to prison. He remained in prison for 11 years, and was beaten and oppressed weakening him physically, but the fire within him, faith, spirituality, and a love for Israel, grew stronger. Worldwide pressure from the Soviet Jewry movement prompted his release from prison and allowed him to finally pursue his dream of moving to Israel. Hearing him speak was truly an inspiration and really made me feel more appreciative for all the religious freedoms I am granted in the United States.

The entire WYHS community is extremely proud of our five talented seniors, Jonathan Attias, Shoshy Ciment, Yitzchak Kaminetsky, Yaacov Siev, and Ezra Splaver, who have been admitted Early Decision to the Yeshiva University Honors Program. Acceptance into this program is highly competitive, and only the very best and brightest students from around the world are invited to join YU's vibrant intellectual community of Honors Scholars.

This year, Yeshiva University had a bigger and more talented pool of applicants than ever before, and WYHS is one of only a handful of high schools around the country where each of the applicants has been awarded the very prestigious Yeshiva University Distinguished Scholarship in recognition of outstanding academic achievement, leadership, service, integrity, religious devotion, and potential.

Among our "fantastic five" are outstanding young leaders, Torah scholars, accomplished musicians, gifted athletes, talented thespians, ardent Zionists, award-winning writers, passionate community servants, brilliant computer programmers, avid readers, and deeply observant students. Thank you to YU for recognizing these remarkable WYHS students, and Mazel Tov and Yasher Ko'ach to our scholarship recipients for bringing honor to yourselves, your families, and your school.