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SEPTEMBER 13, 2013
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9 Tishrei 5774
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From the Head of School ~ Dr. David Portnoy
Dear Yavneh Family,
Facility with prayer and spiritual literacy are critical goals of a Yavneh Jewish Day School education. To that end, daily Shacharit  and Mincha services teach and reinforce skills that undergird our ritual and synagogue practice. Sadly, we have had too many recent opportunities to mourn losses in our school community and beyond.
As Rabbi Tannenbaum,
Mrs. Schrager and our Judaics faculty powerfully communicated to the students this week, we have found ourselves in the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, while simultaneously marking the 12th anniversary of 9-11-01, the 40th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, together with personal losses in our student, parent and alumni family.
As challenging and difficult as prayer can be, we are particularly proud of our boys varsity basketball seniors and others who have attended funerals and shiva houses to support those in their greatest hours of need. As one rabbi has noted, "We practice our prayers so that we know how to pray when we need it most."
As we prepare for Kol Nidre, we wish you a Shabbat Shalom and Gmar Chatima Tova,
Dr. P.
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The Nurse's Corner ~ Susan Donnenfield, RN
 Please click here for
information about pertussis ("whooping cough"). Cases of whooping cough are being reported in higher numbers than previous years, calling for all adults to be immunized, if not already.
As always, contact your doctor for information on whether you have had your tetanus shot with pertussis component.
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Yavneh Calendar
click here for more dates
September
18 ~ Sukkot
3pm dismissal 19/20 ~ Sukkot No School 25 ~ Sukkot 9am start Shemini Atzeret 3pm dismissal 26/27 ~ Shemini Atzeret Simchat Torah No School COMMUNITY EVENTS
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 Gmar Hatimah Tova
v' Shabbat Shalom ~
Naomi Schrager,
Associate Principal/Judaic Programming.
Gmar Hatimah Tova & Shabbat Shalom ~
Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Naomi Schrager,
& the Judaic Studies Faculty.
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Shanee Abouzaglo ~ Class of 2014
"Yavneh is: Engaging. Challenging. Inspiring."
Shanee is the daughter of Gianina and Shimon, and the sister of Amitai '16,
Maayan, and Yasmine. A member of Congregation Shaare Tefilla, Shanee has found great fulfillment, both socially and in Judaic learning, through her connection with National Conference of Synagogue Youth.
 Participating with Yavneh's Yearbook Crew, Helping Hands for the Homeless, The Bulldog Print, and as a Lady Bulldog Basketball player, in her "off" time, Shanee enjoys riding her bicycle, reading, swimming, writing, and being with friends and family.
An AkibaKid from preschool thru eighth grade, the move to our high school was a natural one. "It only made sense to continue my Jewish education. I enjoy Yavneh because I'm challenged beyond the academics and I'm nurtured. There is a close-knit environment that is shared among the student body, and also between students and faculty."
"I first taught Shanee in middle school where I noted what a strong, enthusiastic student she was. While she does not call attention to herself, she makes her presence felt in important ways through 'quiet' participation and astute insights," said Dr. Paula Harvey, a Yavneh English department faculty person. "I always knew that her input would elevate class discussion and I always enjoyed and learned from her impressive essays. Not content to take the 'well-traveled road,' she carves out her own territory, exploring topics in quirky ways that lead to many 'aha' moments on the reader's part. I also admire Shanee's strength of character and body."
After graduation, Shanee plans to pursue her dream career as a sports medicine doctor. After recovering from her own hip surgery last year, she realized that the healing process is both delicate and extensive. "People don't heal on their own, they really need someone to 'hold their hand' through the process and to teach them how to get stronger," said Shanee, after interning with Dr. Ray Aronowitz, a Dallas-based orthopedic surgeon, where she had the change to watch a number of surgeries, and to see how a medical practice runs.
Shanee has volunteered at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and participated in the Gloria Shields All-American Publications Workshop. "The workshop was very challenging and in five days I wrote four articles," said Shanee, this year the Features Editor of the Bulldog Print. "I wrote about a comic book author, a child with spina bifida, a family whose wife and mother died of brain cancer, and about the life of an only child. These topics were sensitive and tough to cover, but it was important to learn how to write about difficult aspects of life. The workshop and my Yavneh's Journalism program have taken my writing to whole new level."
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photo by Ron Romaner
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Shanee had a dream realized when she joined Dalya Romaner '14 and her parents on a summer trip to Ethiopia. The group visited the school built by Yavneh's Students4Students, and spent time with former YavnehDad, Dr. Rick Hodes, Medical Director of Ethiopia for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. Dr. Hodes connected to Dallas' Jewish community in 2002 when he brought adopted sons to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, having suffered from tuberculosis of the spine. Surgeries to fuse the boys' vertebrae gave them added support - and an added community to call home. Having grown up alongside Semegnew, Djene '12, Mesfin, and Mekonnen, who all attended Akiba and/or Yavneh, for the Abouzaglo/Romaner travelers - the chance to reunite, and the opportunity to see Dr. Hode's medical practice in person, was indeed unique.
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photo by Ron Romaner
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"Rick is a superstar. He gave up his life to take care of others who, without him, would have no life," said Shanee. "I watched him bring 60 patients in on his weekend, free of charge, and care for them. In a room that is maybe 10x20, I saw him manage his patient, their family, visiting medical students ... he's incredible and I'm even more inspired to become a doctor, and to spend some time abroad helping those in such extraordinary need."
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photo by Ron Romaner
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"Shanee is one of those people you read about in the news; a 'young hero, someone who believes in herself,'" said Rabbi Michel Lomner, member of Yavneh's Judaic Studies faculty and an associate with Dallas' NCSY.
According to Rabbi Lomner, Shanee had questions like many teenagers, and she created an environment, "Latte and Learning," where teens can explore. "I was fortunate to facilitate but Shanee is a leader in every sense of the word. She rose to the occasion time and time again, from helping a fellow student to traveling to Africa to help those less fortunate. She's makes a difference."
"Latte and Learning lets us talk about topics that aren't academic - questions many of us have regarding angels and demons, why is there no more prophecy, why are we the "chosen people," and who is G-d," said Shanee.
"Shanee is a role model, whose values are those that reflect a true 'Bat Yisrael,' a Jewish woman," said Rabbi Lomner. "May she continue to bring great pride and nachat to all those who know her and may she continue on to true greatness."
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Meet the Teachers night - PTO Intro Yavneh's PTO welcomed parents new and returning to its first get together of the year, giving all an opportunity to connect names and faces, and to register to volunteer in any number of ways throughout the year. Many thanks to Faye Lavi & Janyce Steinbrecher for coordinating the event.  Head of School Dr. David Portnoy greeted our parents as they picked up schedules for their students, walking in their shoes, making their way through "a day in the life," of a Yavneh student!  Teachers reviewed their curriculum, introduced themselves, and set the tone for the year in session.
Preparing to Atone ~
Setting our Souls for Yom Kippur
 Yavneh's students prepared to bare their souls, giving of their hearts for Yom Kippur. Gathering in the Beit Midrash, students participated in the minhag, custom, of kapporot. The word kapparot means atonement, and is used to refer to, for some chickens that are used in the process, or for others - as we did here at Yavneh, coins to be waved over the individuals heads as they proclaim "This is my exchange, this is my substitute, this is my atonement.  This money will go to charity while I will enter and go to a good, long life and to peace." Tzedekah was then collected and will be donated to share with a local family, to help provide for Sukkot.  Students then viewed video apologies by Ryan Braun, Andy Pettitte, Alex Rodriguez, Miguel Tejada - all of whom found themselves in the public eye - offering their own version of asking for forgiveness of their fans, teammates, and ball clubs.  Students rated the apologies - based on Rabbeinu Yonah's Steps for Teshuvah their understanding of the players' emotion, sincerity, and depth. Continuing their preparation, students reviewed the NCSY produced Teenage Guide to Viduy (confession). Remembering ...
During mincha services on Wednesday, Naomi Schrager, Associate Principal/Judaic Programming, directed students thoughts to the twelfth anniversary of 9/11. "Living in New York on September 11, 2001 provided an incredible feeling of areivut - or  responsibility for each other that grew out of the horror of that day," she said. "As Jews, we are certainly no strangers to calamitous events or tragedies. We have faced evil many times in our history."
"Our survival as a people has always been based on our faith in G-d and in humanity. Rather than dealing with our misfortunes by being paralyzed by our fear, we emerge with an admiration for those who are righteous. We find the stories of the courageous people who fought evil and protected the innocent," said Mrs. Schrager. "We don't let our fears of what might happen prevent us from creating meaningful, worthwhile lives, in which love and trust and optimism still flourish."
In Psalms 8:5-6 we read two opposing images of human beings:
מָה־אֱנוֹשׁ כִּי־תִזְכְּרֶנּוּ וּבֶן־אָדָם כִּי תִפְקְדֶנּוּ:
What are humans that You have been mindful of them,
Mortal humans that You have taken note of them?
We are so insignificant! But then we say in amazement:
:עַטְּרֵהוּ וַתְּחַסְּרֵהוּ מְּעַט מֵאֱלֹהִים וְכָבוֹד וְהָדָר תְּ
But You have made us little less than divine,
And adorned us with glory and honor.
Man has the ability to be insignificant - to lead lives which are not noticed by G-d, or worse yet, can be significant in horrible ways. Humanity has certainly bared witness to many people who have chosen to be insignificant, or worse. But we also have the ability to be just short of Divine. G-d created each of us in His image-it is up to each of us as individuals to either strengthen and embellish on the Godliness inside of us, or to G-d forbid, extinguish the spark of Divinity.
As we approach Yom Kippur, we do with the hope that our lives have not been insignificant and will continue to be meaningful. The chayim tovim which we ask for on Yom Kippur is not the 'good life' of wealth and relaxation - but rather it is the opportunity to live a life which is good. We want another year of meaning and growth.
The brave heroes of 9/11 who ran back into collapsing/burning building to save others are our proof that there is Godliness in the world. We honor them not only to give credit where it is due, but also so that we can be reminded that our lives can be full of meaning and significance.
The Yom Kippur War ~ 10 Tishrei 5734
Yavneh's Hebrew department marked the fortieth anniversary of the Yom Kippur war, with  discussion and a screening of the " War on Yom Kippur," from the Israel State Archives. "I remember it in my head like yesterday," said Dorit Bracha, Hebrew Department Chair who lived in Israel on October 6, 1973 - 10 Tishrei 5734. "Nothing happens on Yom Kippur, not for Jews - and not for non-Jews. There is no noise, no cars or buses, no restaurants, and no helicopters. All of a sudden we heard a lot of noise, and it could only mean something was wrong. Suddenly people were leaving their shuls, soldiers left to go to their units, and the residents went to shelters." Forty years later, as the world continues to wait for peace, we all pray - on this Yom Kippur and on every day, for that peace to arrive.
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Well Wishes & Mazel Tov!
Happy Birthday to:
SEPTEMBER
15 Dania Tanur 20 Jacob Feist 21 Ben Calmenson
Mazel Tov to:
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photo courtesy Cheirif Family
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Benji Cheirif '02 and his wife Leah, and their families, on the birth of baby Yehudah.
Yehudah joins big brothers Moshe and Yosef.
Our Condolences to:
~~ the family of Herbert Blumenthal z"l, the Father of Sarah (Dr. Jerald) Gottlieb,
and the Grandfather of Joey '98 and Rebecca '01.
~~ the family of Muriel Prescott z"l, the Mother of Dan (Stephanie), and the Grandmother of Alex, Ethan '10, and Jordan '12.
~~ the family of Gus Weiner z"l, the Father of Bertta (Scott) Herstein, and the Grandfather of Jillian '12 and Jacob '15.
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The Bulldogs' Score!
for updates, directions, as well as Bulldog Athletic bus departure times for away games).
September
16 ~
AWAY vs. Brook Hill High School at 6pm.
HOME vs. First Baptist Academy at 6pm.
Bulldog Boys Soccer 
The Bulldog Athletic bus leaves
SR Campus for all home
games at 6:15pm.
All HOME games are at
Hobby Field/Samuel Garland Park - Field #7
September
17 ~ AWAY @ Cambridge Dallas at 5:30pm
for more information, directions to away games, and complete and updated schedules.
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MOL 2014
  Yavneh's MOL students are greatly appreciative of our community's support of the program. Yavneh's MOL travelers have partnered with World Wear Project, to provide shoes and clothing for those in need while raising funds for their experience. The collection bin which can accept items including shoes, clothing, belts, purses, wallets, hats, caps, backpacks, stuffed animals, hard toys and pots and pans is located in the Yavneh parking lot against the back fence. For more info about Yavneh's MOL tour, visit www.marchofthelivingdallas.org
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Class of '14 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.
Jacob Feist ~ University of Kansas
College Cues ~~
Allyn Schmucker Director of Guidance/College Counselor
College information sessions are held at Yavneh throughout the school day.
Juniors and Seniors are invited to attend any college information session .
Permission slips can be found in the office or Mrs. Schmucker's office. A signature from your teacher is required and the form must be completed no later than one day prior to the scheduled session. Your signed permission slip is your admission ticket into the session and will be collected at the session then turned in to the attendance office. If a student chooses to attend an information session, it is the responsibility of the student to make up all work and assignments missed by attending any session. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Schmucker at aschmucker@yavnehdallas.org
Upcoming College Admissions Representative Visits to Yavneh
(YL = Yavneh Library YOC = Yavneh Office Conference Room.
Be sure to check the College Counseling Bulletin Board for updates and have all
of the proper paperwork completed in order to attend)
September
17 NYU @ 3:45pm (YL)
October
2 University of Maryland @ 1pm (YL)
9 Yeshiva University/Stern College @ 11am (YL)
(Individual seniors wishing to interview with YU will have
the opportunity after the general program. Please see
Mrs. Schmucker to arrange for an interview.
Off-Campus College Information Sessions
Washington University in St. Louis
Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum
14901 Dallas Parkway Dallas, TX 75254 No RSVP required
Boston University Info Session
Hilton Dallas Lincoln Center 5410 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Dallas, TX 75240 This program will provide valuable insight into the complex admissions process. Guests will discover what makes an application competitive for admission, meet members of our Admissions staff, and learn more about the rigorous academics offered at BU. Click here to register for the BU Information Session
For more information on any of the programs
of Yavneh's Office of College Guidance, email
Allyn Schmucker at
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Please send all news and updates for Yavneh Academy's Etone to: info@yavnehdallas.orgYavneh Academy of Dallas 12324 Merit Drive Dallas, TX 75251 214.295.3500 www.yavnehdallas.org Unless otherwise credited, Yavneh Academy's Etone
is written, photographed, and produced by
Deb Silverthorn
Director of Communications & Community Liaison
Yavneh Academy is a beneficiary and partner agency of  the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas |
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