Dear Yavneh Family,

As we huddled in the downstairs hallway, away from all windows, Yavneh's students and teachers came 

through Thursday's violent storm together - unharmed and a bit humbled.  As I was speaking to the group about personal safety and responsibility, two thoughts sprang to mind.

First, although we are well into the second decade of the twenty-first century, it remains abundantly clear that we are largely powerlessness over the elements we confront, and that a freak storm - or virus, or terrorist act - can do great damage, even though we take all the precautions we should. Rabbi Tannenbaum's Dvar Torah this week speaks of human fragility and the humility that emerges - or should - from it, particularly at this holy time of year, as we prepare for the power of Yom Kippur.

Second, as I discussed with our students and teachers, is the importance of practice in terms of safety and other aspects of our lives.  Each month, we conduct various safety drills - fire drills, lock down, shelter in place - so that we are prepared in the case of emergency.  And the old adage that "practice makes perfect" applies to other areas of our lives as well, including the obvious (academics, athletics, arts) and perhaps the less obvious (prayer, self-reflection, relationships).

We are grateful for the safety of our school community amidst the many challenges the world presents. Please cherish the time we have together, and have an easy fast.

Gmar Chatima Tova (may you be sealed for a good year), and Shabbat Shalom - Go Bulldogs!

--Dr. P