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SEPTEMBER 5, 2014
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10 ELUL - 5774
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From the Head of School ~
Dr. David Portnoy
Dear Yavneh Family,
During the month of Elul, we focus on the important theme of personal change, as we prepare for the
 Jewish New Year. Amidst the daily sounds of the shofar and prayers readying us for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, I am often struck by how fortunate we at Yavneh are at this time of year, for teenagers are all about change! This week, I spoke with our students about societal change, which often seems to move at a glacial pace (ask them how many Jewish U.S. Supreme Court Justices there are - and how many Protestants) - as well as personal change and the challenges that attend it. Utilizing the metaphor of "teaching an old dog new tricks," we discussed ways in which we all might work together toward positive change, both in terms of how we approach our own work habits, personal health, etc. as well as how we look at and behave towards others - by being better listeners, extending benefits of the doubt, and so on. I believe the message has particular resonance for our newest students, for starting high school (or transferring to Yavneh) provides a "fresh start" that is so very important to our teens as they navigate their way through the often turbulent years of adolescence. It is a special privilege to share these high school years with a group of students whose kindness, respectfulness and openness to positive change is so evident each and every day. On behalf of the faculty and staff of Yavneh, I wish you Shabbat Shalom - and Go Bulldogs! --Dr. P
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Yavneh Calendar
September
9-16 |
School Pictures | | 9-17 | Meet the Teacher Night 7 p.m. | |
9-18
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North Texas Giving Day
| | 9-27 | Erev Rosh Hashanah -
3 p.m. dismissal | | 9-25 | Rosh Hashanah - No School | | 9-26 | Rosh Hashanah - No School |
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to download
a dvar Torah from
Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum,
Assistant Principal/Judaic Programming.
Shabbat Shalom from
Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Naomi Schrager, and the Judaic Studies Faculty
To hear more about the Parsha of the week, parents can join Rabbi Yaakov Tannenbaum in the Atrium Boardroom every Thursday morning from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
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The Yavneh Impact
Sarah Wilensky '17
Changing the World, One Lock at a Time
When I was twelve years old, I chose to donate my hair to children with cancer for my Bat Mitzvah project. Upon hearing that one of the congregants of my synagogue passed away from cancer, I was shocked and heartbroken. From that day on, I instantly developed a sensitivity towards people with cancer. I felt this deep yearning within me to aid people afflicted. After my Bat Mitzvah, I was given the opportunity to travel to Israel with my family. While there, I decided to cut off 14 inches of my hair to donate to Zichron Menachem, a Jewish non-profit organization for young patients with cancer. Donating my hair was a meaningful and life-changing experience. Similar to every teenage girl, I greatly appreciated the gift God granted me of healthy and shiny hair. However, I was reluctant at first to donate my precious locks. Although, when I personally delivered my hair to Zichron Menachem and even witnessed a patient with cancer wearing a wig, I felt pride and satisfaction welling up in my heart. This past summer, I donated my hair to Zichron Menachem once more for the same purpose, to make an impact on another person's life.
Performing these acts of kindness have not only influenced me as a young Jewish woman; they have shaped me as a human being. I have come to the realization that God bestowed upon me the gift of healthy hair not simply to cherish alone, but to share with others. Oftentimes in life, we are entirely concerned about ourselves and our physical appearances, that we forget about the welfare of others. We forget that hair is a gift from God and that many people are not blessed with it. We forget about this six letter word called cancer, this deadly disease that steals lives every day. We forget that life is precious and our days are numbered on earth. Therefore, I strongly believe that in order to derive meaning from our lives, it is incumbent upon us to give back to others and to the world.
The next time you look in the mirror, I challenge you to envision yourself without hair
and exercise empathy for children and adolescents afflicted with cancer. Step into their shoes. Live in their minds. Feel their pain. For they are ordinary teenagers just like you who have thoughts, feelings, and dreams for the future.
-Sarah Wilensky '17
If you wish to donate your hair to Zichron Menachem, go to http://www.zichron.org
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Save the Date and join us to kick off Yavneh's 2014-2015 Annual Fund Campaign. Save this link to donate on September 18th from 6:00 a.m. to midnight.
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Well Wishes & Mazel Tovs
Happy September Birthdays to ~
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1 - Sam Schultz
& Zach Schultz
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4 - Hadas Cohen
& Shahar Peleg
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6 - Taylor Blue
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7 - Zev Burstein
& Benji Zoller
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10 - Jenna Katz
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25 - Blake Fonberg
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28 - Jonathan Ochstein
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR...
There are many college nights within the metroplex. Choose the one most convenient to you and go!
Plano ISD College Fair
Tuesday, September 9
6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Plano East Senior High School
Register on-line at www.gotocollegefairs.org
Plano ISD College Fair
Wednesday, September 10
6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Plano West High School
Register on-line at www.gotocollegefairs.org
Highland Park College Night
Wednesday, September 11
6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Highland Park High School
Allen ISD College Fair
Wednesday, September 11
6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Allen High School
COLLEGE REPS AT YAVNEH
FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS
Representatives from various college admissions offices will be on campus to discuss the college experience with you. Posters will be placed on the counselor bulletin board announcing the dates and times. Unless otherwise indicated, the reps will meet in the office conference room. You will need to pick up a College Visit Permission Form at least one day prior to the meeting which must be signed by your teacher. Then, you will need to bring the form to the office conference room. You will also need to sign in at the information session that you were in attendance. The permission slip must be signed by your teacher in order to attend the information session. Please consider carefully whether you wish to attend the seminar. This service is to provide you with valuable information. If you are NOT interested in a particular college, please remain in your classroom. Permission slips can be picked up at LuAnn's desk or in Mrs. Schmucker's office.
The below are colleges and universities that have set up time to visit Yavneh at the time of printing. Please look at the bulletin boards as there will be more schools visiting. These schools have registered as of August 27.
College Reps at Yavneh
SEPTEMBER 8
SCAD
10:00 A.M.
College of Charleston
11:00 A.M.
University of Denver
11:45 A.M.
Hofstra University
2:30 P.M.
University of Miami
3:40 P.M. (Library)
SEPTEMBER 9
Bradley University
2:00 P.M.
Washington University in St. Louis
2:30 P.M.
Franklin and Marshall College
3:40 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 10
Ithaca College
9:15 A.M.
Indiana University
10:00 A.M.
University of Michigan
11:15 P.M.
Goucher College
1:00 P.M.
NYU
2:15 P.M.
Muhlenberg College
2:30 P.M.
University of Alabama
4:00 P.M.
Tulane University
4:00 P.M. (Library)
SEPTEMBER 11
Lynn University
9:40 A.M.
Skidmore College
12:45 P.M.
Boston University
1:45 P.M. (Library)
SEPTEMBER 15
University of Maryland
2:30 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 23
Barnard College
12:00 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 30
Kansas University
2:00 P.M.
OCTOBER 2
University of Missouri
2:30 P.M.
OCTOBER 20
George Washington University
4:00 P.M.
OCTOBER 30
Yeshiva University
11:00 A.M. (Library)
University of Georgia
3:40 P.M.
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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
Yavneh Academy is a beneficiary and partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas |
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