The Rebbe of Modzitz  ~  

Yavneh's students and faculty enjoyed a pre-Shabbos  morning with Harav Chaim Shaul Taub shlita, the Modzitzer Rebbe, Rabbi Nosson Scherman, Founder and General Editor of ArtScroll Mesorah Publications, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Executive Director Emeritus of the OU, and Betty and Reb Zvi Ryzman, a Torah scholar, philanthropist, businessman, and author of 11 books on Talmudic subjects, as well as a group of Chassidim from throughout the United States and Israel. 

The visit, coordinated by Rabbi Ryzman and Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried, Dean / Rosh Hakollel DATA, The Dallas Community Kollel and a former Yavneh parent (Benny '05) was filled with ruach, singing, dancing, and learning, a rare opportunity to see what an authentic Chassidic experience is like. 

"Yavneh is a school full of future Jewish leaders and when we have major speakers and leaders in Dallas I always try to expose the students to them; I feel it is an investment which will benefit not only the students of today, but also tomorrow's Jewish world" said Rabbi Fried.  "In sharing the Rebbe, Rabbi Weinreb, Rabbi and Mrs. Ryzman and the entourage of Chasidim we were able to build bridges throughout the community, which is so important."

"From greeting the Rebbe to watching the way his Chassidim flock to him, encountering his genuine warmth and kindness, I know that all of our students enjoyed this monumental visit," said Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Associate Principal/Judaic Curriculum.   "The visit was even more special because Modzitiz is a very special Chassidic group, using music as a vehicle for singular religious inspiration.  It is their belief that music has a unique power to touch the heart and soul of every Jew, to inspire to new heights.  I hope that it did that for everyone who shared in the visit."

"A Chassid lives the whole year for simcha, for joy and to be happy, and as we are now in Adar, it is the time for all of us to do that even more so," said Rabbi Weinreb.  "Today, there are no Jews left in the town of Modzitz, Poland, where the movement was started, but nevertheless we continue to spread their message of simcha."

 "It is the message of the Rebbe, who lives in Bnai Brak and travels to spread the message, that we are one People, of one G-d, and thru happiness and music we should learn and grow - just as you are here at Yavneh - to become full," said Rabbi Weinreb. 

"The Parsha V'yakhel brings all the Jews together at the Temple, a place where we are unified.  It is a bracha to learn and grow here at Yavneh," said the Modzitzer Rebbe, as translated through Rabbi Fried. 

"Together, as we share the light and joy, we will reach the highest level of holiness."

The Rebbe and our other guests were in Dallas for  "A Shabbos with Modzitz," which included davening and celebrations at Congregation Ohr HaTorah and a gala Melava Malka at Congregation Shaare Tefilla.  Coordinated by Rabbi Fried, the group visited Yavneh, Akiba, Torah Day School, TTI and DATA during their short time in Dallas.

"Friday night after services, the Rebbe asked  me how the visit went in school and I replied to him that I am sure that they will never forget that day for the rest of their lives," said Rabbi Tannenbaum.  "It was very impressive to me that he was so interested to know how the visit affected the students.  He had a big weekend planned with hundreds of community members and so many institutions, yet it was very important to him that our students found inspiration from his visit."

"We received comments from our guests throughout their visit that, in coming here to uplift our community," said Rabbi Fried, "they were the ones who were uplifted, from all those whom they met and all they saw."

Freedom from Chemical Dependency Workshops ~   

Educating the whole child, above and beyond the expected and required Judaic and General Studies curriculum, Yavneh students, faculty, and parents this week participated in a series of workshops directed by Freedom from Chemical Dependency, that were dedicated to decision making and life allowances.

"Our association with FCD is about your health, your wellness, and your safety," Dr. David Portnoy shared with the students at the start of the week. "If you have your health, you have everything - you can pursue your desires, your dreams, and your goals.  Without your health, you don't have a shot."

"As a first-rate college preparatory and Jewish Day school, we have a conduct code," said Dr. Portnoy.  "Part of that is to honor our community and we do so in honoring ourselves, and taking care of ourselves.  On-Campus there is a no-tolerance understanding of alcohol and drug use, and we are just as concerned about the lives of our students off-Campus."

Charlotte Kavanagh, an FCD Prevention Specialist since 2008 and a graduate Plano East High School, shared her own personal history of addiction with her audiences.  She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of North Texas. She has worked as a certified Mental Health Technician, a Child Life Assistant, a substitute teacher at a Texas independent school, and a caregiver at Senior Helpers and she has volunteered as a personal recovery assistant /sober coach, and is also a Certified Personal Trainer.  Ms. Kavanagh spoke with the student  body as a whole on Monday morning, and then worked with students in smaller groups throughout the week, a minimum of two sections required of each student.  In addition, Ms. Kavanaugh met with faculty, and separately with parents, to review and discuss education ideas, cues they should be noting, and how best to manage their students and children through the high school years, a time of great pressure, opportunity, and exposure to addictive sources. 

"We need to understand that addiction is a health issue, and those who are addicted need our help," said Ms. Kavanagh.  "We make decisions everyday about what we'll eat, where we'll go, what we'll wear.  We need to make decisions too about what we'll put in our bodies.

Ms. Kavanagh discussed the "why" people choose to, or not to, drink alcohol and use drugs:

WHY:

1)   an escape from reality

2)   peer pressure

3)   internal pressure to fit in

4)   they think it provides 'fun'

WHY NOT:

1)   known to cause health issues

2)   scared of behavior while under the influence

3)   feel a responsibility to friends and family

4)   they've seen consequences to others

5)   it is illegal

Sober for 15 years, Ms. Kavanagh said she still attends AA meetings, and still considers herself "recovering."  She shared risk factors, noting that a person with a familial history of addiction is seven time more likely to become an addict.  She discuss crave and tolerance factors; the more you use, for many the more that is necessary to continue the desired results, and that the age of first use is significant - a person's brain still developing until between the ages of 21 and 28 - and that for a person who begins using alcohol at 15, they are at least four times as likely to become an addict than one who begins drinking at 21.  "For every 12 months that you postpone the behavior, your chances decrease by 14 percent," she said.

"We must protect ourselves, and think of protective measures as a helmet on your brain," said Ms. Kavanagh. "You'd wear a helmet when you ride a bike, do the same - everyday - for your brain."

  PROTECTIVE MEASURES:

1)   connect with a trusted adult

2)   participate in meaningful involvements in your community

3)   involve yourself in a variety of hobbies - stay busy

4)   get moderate amounts of sleep, sunshine, healthy eating, and exercise

"Life is like an elevator - and an addictive life can only go one direction, down," said Ms. Kavanagh.  "You can step off that elevator and get help at any time."

"Part of the education process is to teach decision making - how to make responsible choices," said Dr. Portnoy.  "We are thrilled and honored to have Ms. Kavanagh and the expertise of FCD here to help us in that process."

*** click here for more information 

Bulldog Spirit, Support, and Season make Yavneh History!

Kol Hakavod to the Yavneh Bulldogs, their managers, and their coaches as the 2013-2014 TAPPS season comes to an end.  With a record this year of 10-0 (District), and 32-5 (overall), the team looks forward to their appearance at the Red Sarachek tournament at Yeshiva University (March 27-31).

"I am so proud of everything this team has accomplished on and off the court," said David Zimmerman, in his sophomore season as Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach.  "The friendship, selflessness, and sacrifices they've made for the team and the betterment for each other, is nothing short of incredible."

"The team has learned life lessons as strong Jewish men and that will last forever," said Coach Zimmerman, who has worked with many of this season's seniors since they were just eight-years-old.  "I've coached many of our seniors from Levine, to Maccabi, and now here at Yavneh and they have laid a foundation and legacy here that will not be forgotten."

"Ultimately, I hope they know how much they've done for all of us; the team, their families, Yavneh  as a whole, and for our community - for the younger kids who come and cheer at our games and who want to grow up to be Bulldogs," said Coach Zimmerman.

In their final week of play, the Bulldogs beat the Legacy Christian Eagles, 56-39 in a standing-room only Saturday night game in the Schultz Family Gym, before falling to the Lubbock Christian School Eagles, at Jim Ned High School in Tuscola, the final score 59-54 - a valiant fight by our Bulldogs to the last seconds of the game.

On Saturday night, the gyms spirit was enriched by a halftime Havdalah service led by Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Rabbi Michel Lomner, and Rabbi Michael Friedman.  The floor of the basketball court filled with hundreds of fans, from both schools, arm in arm as they said goodbye to the week past - and praised the week to come.

Tuesday afternoon saw the buses bound for Tuscola filled with our team, dressed sharp to represent, and a full busload of parents, students, faculty, and community fans, adorned in red and white Yavneh Basketball jerseys.  Many thanks to Kineret Cohen, Nicole Schultz, and Deb Silverthorn for turning  around a dream - into design and wardrobe, overnight to allow the stands to be filled with Yavneh ruach, Yavneh pride, and Yavneh colors. (click here to submit your request for a Bulldog jersey - name, contact info, and size request required)

"Our fans are the best.  They have stuck by us and really pushed us in every game, to do our best and we appreciate them wholeheartedly.  Our future is bright, our younger players have learned a lot and they are inspired to continue the success," said Coach Zimmerman.

"Yavneh is a great place for Jewish education and it's a great place for extra-curricular activities, including sports and social action opportunities.  This is a great time to be a Bulldog.  A great time for sure."