From the Head of School
Shabbat Shalom

As you may have noticed in last week's Etone, we are exceptionally proud to be ranked in the Top 10 DFW Private High Schools with an overall A+ rating - for the second year in a row!

Moreover, we are thrilled that our Math Team recently returned from a state regional competition, with Yavneh Junior Zev Burstein finishing #1 in the tournament of more than 195 participants, and 3 other Yavneh students (Avi Baynash '16, Ariella Cohen '17, and Sammy Weyser '16) ranking in the top 15.  Our Yavneh Team finished #2 among all schools, following a #1 team finish last year.

In addition, our new partnership with the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education (CIJE) Tech High School Engineering program will introduce new courses in Scientific and Biomedical Engineering for all interested Yavneh students starting in Fall 2016. In short, our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education is thriving at Yavneh, alongside our world-class academic, college preparatory education in English, History, Hebrew and Jewish Studies.

Finally, I'm so happy to announce that Yavneh Junior Zach Epstein was named a finalist for the prestigious Bronfman Summer Fellowship Program in Israel.  The Bronfman is, in a word, the equivalent of the Rhodes Scholarship of the Jewish teen world.  Zach is one of 70 finalists around the country to be flown to Los Angeles for an in-person interview next week.

It's great to be able to share such good news, and thank you for your support in all things Yavneh!

 
Shabbat Shalom!

Dr. P

Almost the entire Torah portion of Vayakhel centers on the construction of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. While we would expect the Torah to be lengthy in describing the exact donations, gifts, and necessary materials, the superfluous language at the conclusion of the discussion is most surprising.  As a postscript to the collection process, the Torah tells us, "Moshe commanded that they proclaim throughout the camp, saying, man and woman shall not do more work toward the gifts of the sanctuary." Immediately after the people stopped bringing materials, the Torah tells us "The work had been enough for all of the necessary labor, and there was extra."

Why does the Torah need to tell us about the orders to stop, is it not obvious that they stopped collecting when they had all that was needed? In addition, the summation appears to contradict itself. On the one hand we are told that the donated materials were sufficient and no more materials were needed. However, in the very next verse we read that there was extra. Which of these verses is accurate? Did the collections suffice or was there in fact a surplus?  And if there was a surplus what happened to the extra donations?

Judaism means so many different things to so many Jews, however the one constant is that Judaism means a sense of community. Irrespective of denomination, sect, or gender every Jew feels that they are a small, yet integral part of a greater whole.  There are many different events and opportunities that succeed in engendering this beautiful feeling from prayer to holidays to life cycle events. However, one seminal event that truly epitomizes the intense communal responsibility that each Jew feels was the building of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle in the desert.





 


Yavneh logo


Yavneh Academy Receives 
Top Ranking

For the second year in a row, we are proud to be ranked in the top 10 DFW Private High Schools with an A+ rating!! Click here to see entire list, including Yavneh's 25th place ranking state wide.
Mark Your Calendars!

March

3-6
Kosher Chili Cookoff
3-177:00 p.m.Spring Play-Pollman Hall
3-18
End of 3rd Quarter
3-23
Fast of Esther - 3 p.m. Dismissal

Megillah Reading and Senior Spiel

3-24
Purim - Noon Dismissal
3-25

Shushan Purim - No School

 
Remember, to hear more about the Parsha of the week, parents can join Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky in the Atrium Boardroom every Thursday morning from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
Yavneh Shines at Math Competition


Mazel Tov to teachers Susan Rapoport and Nikki Friedman and their team of students on an outstanding showing at the Math Competition at Texas A&M Commerce.   Three students, Sammy Weyser, Ariella Cohen and Avi Baynash finished in the top 15 with Zev Burstein taking home first place.  Also a congratulations to the entire Yavneh team of Amitai Abouzaglo, Alan Presburger, Daniel Toobian, Zev Burstein, Samuel Weyser, Ethan Fisher, Ariella Cohen, Jonathan Nurko and Avi Baynash for finishing in second place as a team. 

Yasher Koach!
Please Support Yavneh Academy

If you've not yet made your gift to Yavneh's Annual Fund, you will hear from us soon!

If you prefer to not be called, please click here to donate online today!


Bulldog Bytes

Click here to read BulldogBytes, a blog by Principal Rabbi Maury Grebenau.



SENIOR

Elena Okowita
Parents: Rachelle and Garry Okowita
 
Synagogue: Shearith Israel

Prior School: Levine Academy & JJ Pearce High School

Favorite Class: Mrs. Atkins' English
 
Favorite Co-curricular: Dance
 
Yavneh is...a place where I come to feel like I am part of a family and to continue a Jewish Legacy.


College Cues 

JFS Klein Internship Program
Deadline Extended to March 30 
 
Since 2009, Jewish Family Service has provided teens from the Dallas Metroplex the opportunity to intern at one of the area's many nonprofit organizations. This program was designed as a lasting tribute to Rabbi Gerald J. Klein of Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, in celebration of his passion and commitment to issues of social justice for over 50 years. The program has helped to educate teens about nonprofit agencies and their missions through hands on learning and invaluable training and experiences.
 
If you are interested in applying, please click here for more information.


Community Events


Please send all news and updates for Yavneh Academy's Etone to: info@yavnehdallas.org

Yavneh Academy of Dallas | 1234 Merit Drive | Dallas, Tx 75251
214.295.3500 | www.yavnehdallas.org
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