What a Fantastic Year  

We Have Had!

 

It is hard to believe that another year has come and gone in WYHS. When we sent out our first alumni newsletter, we had some programs in the works that came to fruition over the course of the last six months. Our Hollywood Alumni Seudah Shlishiet in December was bigger and better than ever with more alumni families than we have ever had. Our Alumni Shabbaton for the classes of 2010-2013 in February was an amazing experience for our alumni and faculty to spend quality time together over the course of a wonderful Shabbat. Our pre-Pesach alumni lunch-and-learn in March was a great opportunity to spend time with our alumni who have just returned from Israel. All in all, it has been a fantastic year! I encourage you to read some of the firsthand accounts of the programs that I have just briefly mentioned.

 

As many of you may be aware, this will be my last project as Director of Alumni Services. Though I will be leaving this post in a formal capacity, my strong intention is continue to maintain the priceless connections that I have been privileged to develop with so many of you over the last decade.

 

Please feel free to continue to be in touch with me in the future.  I can be reached via email at [email protected] or 561-302-1903. 

 

Have a great summer!

 

Rabbi Moshe Schochet

Director of Alumni Services

 

 
 
 

Hollywood Alumni Seudah Shlishiet

 by: Avi Lasko ('07)

 

  

Over 50+ alumni, spouses, and children came to the 2nd annual Hollywood Family Alumni Seudah Shlishiet at the home of Naomi and Elie Baratz ('08). It was a truly special treat for the growing amount of alumni who now reside in Hollywood. It wouldn't be a true WYHS Seudah Shlishiet without the amazing ruach and divrei torah from the rebbeim and teachers from our years of WYHS. The food was abundant and delicious and the excitement was palpable as alumni from so many years reconnected and introduced their spouses and future WYHS students to the rebbeim and teachers. It was truly an awesome time had by all and a remarkable reminder of the amazing experience we all had at WYHS! We can't wait to do it again next year!!!

 

 
 

Alumni Shabbaton--Classes of 2010-2013

By: Elliot Danis ('12)

 

 

By: Elliot Danis ('12)

This past February, I had the privilege of attending the WYHS Alumni Shabbaton for the classes of 2010-2013. This shabbaton was an uplifting experience and opportunity to spend time with our rebbeim and teachers. We were also able to catch up with old friends, which contributed to making the weekend even more exciting. The shabbaton was well organized and really fun. I definitely feel I had a chance to catch up and bond with the staff that came from WYHS to be with us. The meals were entertaining and the entire experience brought me back to the good times I had in high school. I'm glad I took the ride from Maryland to New York to join my friends and former teachers in a weekend to remember. I would like to thank Shimmie Kaminetsky, Rabbi Hochman, Mrs. Horowitz, and Rabbi and Mrs. Schochet for making the trip up to spend a shabbos with us. 

 

 

Pre-Pesach Alumni Lunch and Learn

By: Elyse Tripp ('14)

  

The alumni lunch before Pesach was full of reunions, laughter, and divrei Torah. We were first treated to a shiur from Rabbi Kroll, who gave us a new perspective on the Seder. Then we ate a delicious lunch while catching up with all of our teachers and friends. It was very special to see that all the staff took such an interest in our lives, schooling, and overall well being, even after graduation. A WYHS event is not complete without Claudia's photo-documentation so that the picture can one day appear in the Highlites. After being away all year, it was nice to come back home to WYHS.
 
D'Var Torah

by Rabbi Yoni Gold ('04)

 

During the season of שבועות, a very famous comment of רש"י comes to mind. On the פסוק in שמות which reads "וַיִּחַן-שָׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל נֶגֶד הָהָר," Rashi deals with a grammatical incongruity. Every other verb in that פסוק is phrased in the plural, but this phrase uses the singular וַיִּחַן. Why does the תורה refer to the camping of the entire Jewish people in the singular form? רש"י writes, based on the words of חז"ל  in the מכילתא, that at this time the Jewish people were כאיש אחד בלב אחד, they were unified as if they were one person. The concept of בני ישראל being "one person" has some very interesting and somewhat conflicting implications.


First, recognizing that we are, in a sense, merely different pieces of the same individual person changes the way that we treat and interact with other Jews. The תלמוד ירושלמי explains the prohibition against revenge as follows:

היך עבידא הוה מקטע קופד ומחת סכינא לידוי תחזור ותמחי לידיה


This משל compares revenge to a person who is cutting food. What if you were to accidentally cut your other hand? Would it make sense for your hand to grab the knife and stab the other hand back in retaliation? Of course that is ludicrous! If both hands are part of the same body, then it doesn't make sense to seek revenge. Recognizing that we are איש אחד changes the dynamics of our interactions with others.


On the other hand, being איש אחד has an interesting corollary that seems to be almost the opposite. While each part of the human body is connected, it is also unique and serves its own purpose. Each member of the Jewish people is connected to every other Jew, and yet is special, serving a purpose that no other person serves. The Vilna Gaon, in his commentary on ספר משלי, writes:

יש בישראל...ראשי העדה, ועיני העדה, ופה העדה, וגוף העדה, ולב העדה, ורגלי העדה...


Some people serve as the head of the Jewish people, some as the mouth, some as the heart, etc. Each person contributes to the Jewish people, and the world as a whole, based on his or her individual traits and strengths. It is in truly being איש אחד that we both connect to those around us and find our own individual voice within כלל ישראל.


This duality is such an important part of the worldview of WYHS. What is true of the Jewish people at large is true of the school in particular. WYHS has always sought to foster each student's individual abilities, but also to maintain a deep connection between us, with each of us as part of a greater unit. No matter where we find ourselves, WYHS will always appreciate our individuality while continuing to view us as a part of the school family.

 

 

  

 

 
Alumni march in
Israel Day Parade 
 with WYHS Seniors





Weinbaum Yeshiva High School/ 7902 Montoya Circle / Boca Raton, Florida 33433 / 561-417-7422