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December 21, 2012
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8 Tevet 5773
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From the Head of School ~ Dr. David Portnoy
Dear Yavneh Family,
Y ale University
A ustin College
V anderbilt University
N ew York University
St. E dwards University
H ofstra University
While college admissions are but one measure of a school's success, the past few weeks have been exciting ones here on Merit Drive. Our exceptional college counseling program, together with our outstanding faculty, prepares our students well for a range of university experiences. (For a more complete list, scroll down to see below - these six simply lent themselves to the YAVNEH acrostic.)
The key here is what educators around the country like to call "fit." Put otherwise: college admissions is about the right match, not some sort of trophy to be admired. As our current senior class rolls into the New Year with so many great choices, we are grateful and impressed by all their hard work and dedication.
As I have said for years: colleges are looking for exactly what high schools are looking for - rigor, diligence, diversity, a willingness to challenge oneself, and, most of all, for great young people who will contribute to undergraduate life on their campus of choice (aka mentschen) - all of which we have in abundance here at Yavneh.
As we move into winter break, our hearts go out to those in mourning here in Dallas, in Newtown, and all over the world. As we ship boxes of stuffed animals to Connecticut, please be aware of additional security measures we have in place here on campus - additional locked gates, doors and other procedures to ensure the safety and security of the Yavneh Family.
From our students, faculty and staff,
we wish you a peaceful and healthy
Shabbat Shalom, and a Happy 2013!
~~ Dr. P
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Yavneh Calendar
click here for more dates
December
21 to January 1
WINTER BREAK
January
2 ~
Classes Resume
25 ~
Yavneh's
Annual Blood Drive
8am to 3pm Pollman Hall
walk-i ns welcome or 31 ~ 6pm ~
Prospective Families' Pizza & Bulldog Bball
COMMUNITY EVENTS JANUARY 18 & 19 ~
Arnie Sweet SIR @
Anshai Torah -
Rabbi Yitz Greenberg
972.473.7718
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Shabbat Shalom ~
photos by Denise Folz '16 and Valerie Lopez '14
 CHANUKAH CHAGIGA 5773/2013  
 We hope you enjoy the Dvar Torah in this week's Snappy Sentiments and that you'll share and discuss them at your Shabbat table!
Shabbat Shalom ~
Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Naomi Schrager, and the Judaic Studies Faculty.
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Class of 2013: Justin Katz ~
"Yavneh Is: Friendly. Small. Awesome."
Walking the halls of Yavneh, overlooking much of the student body, and many faculty members too, Justin Katz does so always with a smile, always with a kindness, and always with a good heart.
Following his graduation at Levine Academy, moving on to the next stage of Jewish learning, combined with his secular studies, seemed the only move. At Yavneh he followed in the footsteps of his brother Jared '10 - footsteps too of strength and good character.
 "I wanted to continue my Jewish education and I've always known that Judaism was something important in my life. At Yavneh, I knew I'd be able to learn a lot about both my heritage and secular subjects," he said. "The individual attention that you get while at school, both from teachers and from students, really makes Yavneh a family, and everybody cares about everybody. In addition, most of my teachers are so friendly that I can joke around with them and the same thing with the administrators. It's different than at any other school in the city."
"In 2010, I remembered got mixed up with names Justin to Jared vice versa since I have two brothers in AP chemistry and GT chemistry . 'Mrs. Linzey, when are you going to get my name right ?" Justin asked. I answered , when I get 6'2'. Justin has always been a joy to have in my chemistry. His ability to analyze and interpret quantitative results and ability to apply the principles of chemistry to solve unfamiliar chemical problems," said Chemistry teacher, Lourdes Linzey.
"With this ability I say he "thinks like a chemist" and that he's one of my best students!," said
Mrs. Linzey." Justin is a strong reactant and always want to make sure product is formed. I believe he will succeed in everything he takes in college and in life. "
As college and university acceptances are rolling in, thusfar Justin has received his from Indiana University and Texas A&M. With plans to study computer science programming, Justin, who has put together computer from scratch and parts, and who is the "fix-it man" of the Katz residence, wants to put his hobby and ability to practice in profession.
With his math mind always running, Justin is a Rubik's Cube aficionado -speedster is more like it, Justin produced a YouTube video showing his prowess, also how he tested his hypothesis, collected data and made a conclusion.
"Justin is a natural born Mathematician," said Math Department Chair Veronica Thomas. "I predict that he will be an engineer or computer genius and I do hope that he invites me to his Nobel Prize ceremony."
A Dallasite always, Justin is the son of Debbie and Bruce and the brother of Jared and Jenna. A member of Congregation Anshai Torah, Justin has also Hebrew School there for a number of years.
On-Campus, Justin has been a member of the Music Ensemble, for which he has played clarinet, and also a contributor on the school's Yearbook Crew. He is a member of BBYO's David Berger chapter, for which he has served as President, Vice-President of Programming, Vice-President of Membership, Vice- President of Judaism and Social Action, and Newspaper Chairman.
Summer "breaks" have found Justin working at the JCC's Camp Chai and Congregation Anshai Torah's Preschool Camp, attending BBYO's Leadership Training and Chapter Leadership Training conferences, and traveling with his family.
That one might say that Justin Katz is a "gentle giant," is an understatement - but a giant among those anyone would be blessed to be.
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Jewish War Veteran's Auxiliary Essay Contest ~
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photo shared by the
Schulman-Silverthorn Family
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The Jewish War Veteran's Auxiliary
is hosting an essay contest on the topic of
"Why I am proud to be an American."
Entries should be between 300 and 500 words and all submissions must be typed and given submitted
to the Yavneh main office by January 31, 2013.
Gift cards will be presented to the top winners!
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The Bulldog Score!!!
Bulldog Basketball
3 ~ AWAY @ A+ Academy @ 7:30pm
7 ~ HOME vs. Chant @ 7:30
8 ~ HOME vs. Celina @ 8pm
10 ~ HOME vs. HSAA South
Lady Bulldog Basketball
3 ~ AWAY @ A+ Academy @ 6:30pm
10 ~ HOME vs. HSAA South @ 6:30pm
JV Bulldog Basketball
3 ~ AWAY @ A+ Academy @ 4:30pm
7 ~ HOME vs. Chant @ 6
8 ~ HOME vs. Celina @ 6:30pm
10 ~ HOME vs. HSAA South @ 5pm
Be sure to visit Bulldog Sports for more information and complete and updated schedules.
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Well Wishes & Mazel Tov!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
December 22 LuAnn Pitlik & Adam Schor 24 Bradley Riche
28 Arlen Kronbeck 29 Joey Goldman
January 2 Rabbi Sandy Shulkes 3 Aaron Herschberg
4 Lidor Suissa 5 Ella Baum
Mazal Tov to:
 | photo shared by the
Wohlstadter Family |
Justin Wohlstadter '05, who was recently names to Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30: The Next Generation of Media Moguls, Machers, and Mavens list.
Justin, the CEO of Balderdash, previously served as head of product for a GoogleVentures-backed company, Enterpoid. A graduate of Harvard University with a BA in Governent, and Oxford University with a Masters in Comparative Social Policy, and is the CEO of Balderdash. He has served as head of product for a GoogleVentures-backed company, Enterproid, an opportunity that came to him after his involvement with Penny Black, a venture capital company he worked for once he graduated Harvard.
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Mitzvah Makers ~
Yavneh Caring Hearts ~
photos by Dania Tanur '14
Kol Hakavod to Yavneh junior Dania Tanur '14 who spearheaded a caring connection to the community of Sandy Hook Elementary. From throughout the Yavneh Family, and our extended friends, more than 170 stuffed animals and many condolence cards were collected.
A note of concern and compassion, along with four large boxes of the donations, were sent to Congregation Adath Israel, the home shul of the family of Noah Pozner, of blessed memory.
As your worldwide community comforts you - May G-d do so too.
"Dear Adath Israel,
Our Yavneh Academy school in Dallas has gathered stuffed animals and condolence cards for your
community. We could not send a box to each member affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy, but we felt a
connection to your community.
It would be much appreciated if your congregation could allocate the donations to victims and their loved ones on behalf of our community. We are very sorry for your losses, and as long-distance friends, we hope we will be able to provide a sense of strength and solace to the survivors and mourners of Sandy Hook. Our prayers and condolences are with you, your loved ones and your entire community.
We wish you all strength, comfort, and joy from here on,
With much love,
Your friends at Yavneh Academy"
From Dr. Jerald Gottlieb, one of Yavneh's founders and one of the first board presidents, came a thank you as he heard of the project earlier this week -
 "Wow, what a beautiful, responsible act of compassion. Reaching out says so much," he said. In this crazy world that can be so mixed up and so hurt, this kind of action is what turns the world back for the good. Please let Dania know that I was touched and made better by her actions!!"
Indeed what the founders of Yavneh and those who have crossed our path in the last 19 years have built, is a kind of compassion that is a "given" at Yavneh and by our students. What was then, is still.
Todah Raba to Yavneh Volunteers ~
Yavneh students supported the community recently by volunteering as the YES! Event to benefit the Legacy at Preston Hollow. To Rachel Chanon '13, Tamar Cohen '13, Jason Epstein '14, Shelby Gadol '13, Rachel Goodman '13, Kelly Herson '13, Justin Katz '13, Katie Lerer '13, Adam Schor '14, Lauren Siegel '14, Yael Spirer '13, Mika Stein '13, and Dania Tanur '14, and all those who kvell with pride, the following thank you:
Dear Students,
On behalf of all of us at The Legacy, and especially the leadership of this year's The YES! Event benefiting the Legacy at Preston Hollow, we want to thank all of you for volunteering at our luncheon last week. The event was a great success and we raised significant dollars that will provide support for the care of seniors in our community.
Our raffle brought in almost $12,000, and much of that was from the tickets you sold at the event. We can't thank you enough. We could not have done it without your help.
As you begin your winter break, we wish you all a wonderful end to 2012!
Since many of you will graduate in 2013 we know you have great things ahead of you, and we wish you the very best in the coming year!
With sincere gratitude,
Andrea Statman, Director of Development and Patsy Goodman,
Associate Director of Development ~ The Legacy Senior Communities, Inc.
Students 4 Students ~
photos submitted by Rachel Siegel '13Members of Yavneh's Students 4 Students are closing in on securing enough funds to build their SECOND school for children they've never met. The group, which already donated $10,600 to  build a school in Ethiopia, is $3000 short of celebrating the gift of another home of learning.
S4S' has raised another $17,000 to build a school
in the Goz Amer refugee camp in Darfur.
"We're blessed at Yavneh to receive an incredible secular education coupled with  lessons of morals, values, and the foundation of our Jewish tradition," said S4S co-founder Rachel Siegel '13. "It's that education, and the respect we have for it, that makes us want and need to help others."
To be a part of building S4S' school-building efforts, email s4sdarfur@gmail.com.
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College Cues ~~
Class of '13 University & Israel Program Acceptances
Kol Hakavod to the following students who have received college acceptances and scholarship offers. Updated acceptances are in bold. Seniors, be sure to send notice of your acceptances to info@yavnehdallas.org so that we can share your news!
Rachel Chanon ~ Indiana University, University of Kansas
Sam Coretz ~ Lynn University, St. Edward's University
Tamar Cohen ~ Hofstra University, University of Kansas
Lane Engelberg ~ Southern Methodist University,
University of North Texas, University of Texas/Dallas,
University of Houston
Karen Folz ~ Southern Methodist University
Shelby Gadol ~ Indiana University, Tulane University
Hannah Gartner ~ Arizona State University,
San Francisco State University,University of Central Florida,
University of South Florida
Rachel Goodman ~ Indiana University, New York University, Tulane University, University of Texas (Liberal Arts Honors) Jordan Haberer ~ Austin College, George Mason University,
Indiana University, University of Kansas, University of North TexasKelly Herson ~ University of Georgia, University of Michigan,
University of Wisconsin
Justin Katz ~ Indiana University, Texas A&M
Katie Lerer ~ Colorado College, University of Denver
Josh Lynn ~ Southern Methodist University
Shea Miller ~Indiana University, University of Georgia, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin
Clara Moskowitz ~ University of Michigan, Northeastern University,
Tulane University
Yosef Presburger ~ Texas A&M, University of Texas,
University of Texas/Dallas
Kayley Romick ~ Texas A&M, University of Georgia, University of Texas (Plan II Honors), Vanderbilt University Rachel Rudberg ~ Austin College, Southern Methodist University,
St. Edward's University, Texas Christian University, University of Denver Rachel Siegel ~ University of Texas (Plan II Honors), Yale University Yael Spirer ~ Indiana University
Mika Stein ~ New York University
Adam Wilensky ~ University of Kansas
Liora Zhrebker ~ Brandeis University, Indiana University
 Dallas Jewish Community Foundation Scholarships ~
for information and application for the 2013-2014 Dallas Jewish Community Foundation scholarships.
For more information on any of the programs of
Yavneh's Office of College Guidance, email Allyn Schmucker at
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Yearbooks are $75 until January 11 and
$85 from January 14 to March 15
(feel free to contact during the Winter Break)
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YAVNEH WEATHER UPDATES
Announcements regarding Yavneh closing or late opening,
will always be made by 6am (no announce means we're open as usual).
In order to receive updated information about
Yavneh Academy's bad weather schedule, go to
To register your contact information and add Yavneh Academy in 75251 and 75230 to your "current organizations."
You'll then receive an email anytime an update is made.
In addition, postings are made to Channel 5-KXAS/NBCtv.
ALWAYS please, stay warm, drive safe, and be well!
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12324 Merit Drive
Dallas, TX 75251
214.295.3500 
Unless otherwise credited, Yavneh Academy's Etone is written, photographed, and produced by
Deb Silverthorn
Director of Communications
Community Liaison
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