Welcoming in Shabbat ...

Yavneh students were privileged to hear from Rabbi Dr. Michael Marmur, Provost of Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), who is based at HUC's Jerusalem campus.

photo by Erin Smith '14

Following Friday morning services,  

Rabbi Dr. Marmur, a native of the UK, discussed  

the interesting fact that, in Hebrew, the words  

water (mayim), life (chaim) and face (panim) are all plural nouns, presenting the opportunity for us to think deeply about our lives and their purpose on a day to day basis.

Rabbi Dr. Marmur's visit was made possible by Rabbi Nancy Kasten of Temple Emanu-El, 

and was followed by a tour of our campus,  

which was inspired by a Jerusalem neighbor  

of his, the renowned Israeli artist David Moss.

Carrie Sternberg, Janyce Steinbrecher, Faye Lavi, Audra Ohayon, Jodi Weisblatt, Heather Fecteau, and Megan Baumoel Considine

and Janyce Steinbrecher at Yavneh, and Audra Ohayon and Jodi Weisblatt at Akiba, sponsored a morning of education and awareness for adult women in the community.

"The program was absolutely amazing and informative," said Janyce Steinbrecher.  "We have to think about genetic testing and be aware.  As PTO representatives we felt it so important to give this information to the mothers and women of our Yavneh Family and we look forward to hosting other such meaningful events."

The morning's program welcomed speakers Heather Fecteau, a certified genetic counselor at the Breast Center at Medical Center of Plano and a Education Ambassador for Bright Pink, as well as Levine Academy mothers, Megan Baumoel Considine and Carrie Sternberg, who shared their own personal stories.

The only national non-profit organization focusing on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women, while providing support for high-risk individuals, Bright Pink has chapters in 14 states, Dallas home to the Texas office.

 "Prevention, early detection, and a supportive team mean the saving of lives, thousands and thousands of lives," said Ms. Fecteau.  "We know a lot but we are not detecting the disease early enough.  Eighty percent of women will find a symptom of breast cancer, while only 20 percent will be realized by doctors, and ovarian cancer - it is not a silent disease, it whispers, and we have to listen."

One in 8 women will develop breast cancer, and one in 67 will develop ovarian cancer.

As Jews, the rate is significantly higher as, among individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, researchers have found that approximately 1 in 40 carry an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, compared to 1 in 345 in the general population.

Both Ms. Considine and Ms. Sternberg, although not diagnosed with either disease, were genetically tested after realizing their family histories, noting the importance of doing research to both sides of their family trees, and noting symptoms not normal to their physical well-being.  As "previvors," who survived positive genetic diagnoses and who took surgical steps to prevent the onset of cancer, both of these young mothers set examples for a hope of long lives.

"This program and getting this information out is so critical," said YavnehMom, Julie Shrell, a survivor of Stage 3C ovarian cancer who too found herself a carrier of the BRCA1 gene, a link from her paternal side of the family.  "Women and their families must become educated, we have to be aware, and we must find cures."  To the hope for a cure, Mrs. Shrell, along with YavnehMom and survivor Jill Bach, as well as Helen Gardner and Lynn Lentscher, formed Be The Difference Foundation, which has raised over $600,000 in less than two years, the monies raised to support research for a cure for ovarian cancer.

In a backdrop of support, many Yavneh students and faculty members participated in our 7th Annual "Pink Day," adorned in pink sweaters and pants, kippot and bow ties, also making donations in excess of $115 to Sharsheret, an organization that supports Jewish families managing their own battles against breast cancer.

"There is no magic to being cancer free," said Ms. Fecteau, "but the risks and the chances of tragedy, which don't have to occur, are significantly reduced when you know yourself, you know your history, and you take control of your own health."

The Bulldogs Return to TAPPS! 

After a 12-year absence, Yavneh made the decision to return to TAPPS once regulations were revised and religious exemptions were provided to teams, such as Yavneh, who do not participate in programming on Shabbat.

"TAPPS provides a different level of competition than we can build for ourselves and we are so excited to be back," said Coach Zimmerman.

"Our  players are playing for a goal bigger than the moment as they are now eligible for division, state titles, and national recognition."

According to Coach Zimmerman, the TAPPS association helps to build relationships within the community, it allows students to be recognized for their athletic and scholastic success, and it affords the scheduling of games within a close proximity.

"Our practices become even more competitive and our  

players have a defensive mindset different that in recent seasons and that's exciting," said Adam Karnett '13, a Varsity Bulldog Basketball player.

 "We have additional goals to reach and we're working hard to do that."  

  TAPPS organizes, stimulates, encourages and promotes the academic, athletic and fine arts programs in an effort to foster a spirit of fair play, good fellowship, true sportsmanship and wholesome competition for boys and girls.From 20 member schools in 1978,  

TAPPS has grown to a membership of  

230 schools with a combined enrollment of over 40,000 students. Schools are presently aligned in five classifications with 

districts across the state of Texas.

"TAPPS provides an opportunity for every school to  compete in a number of areas and we're very glad to have Yavneh back in the fold," said Bryan Bunselmeyer, Executive Director of the organization. 

"I've been to visit the campus and met with Coach Zimmerman and some of the students - we're just delighted."

"Belonging to TAPPS gives us new options for our students to compete and display in academics as well as in visual, theatre, music, speech, and literary arts," said Dr. Tim Cloward, Yavneh's Assistant Principal.   

"To be part of an organization with so many schools, raises Yavneh's visibility both in and outside the Jewish community," said Coach Zimmerman.

   

"With TAPPS, we are connected to a partnership of coaches, athletes, students, and administrators.  It's one team I'm thrilled Yavneh is a part of."