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Bnei Akiva Schools Newsletter
December 8, 2017 - Kislev 20, 5778
Vayeshev - Candle Lighting 4:22 pm - Havdala 5:30 pm
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"Hmm," said a small voice in his ear. "Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes - and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting. . . . So where shall I put you?"Harry gripped the edges of the stool and thought, Not Slytherin, not Slytherin."Not Slytherin, eh?" said the small voice. "Are you sure? You could be great, you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that - no? Well, if you're sure - better be GRYFFINDOR!"
When Harry Potter dons the sorting hat, it doesn't only see good in him. There is a dark side, ready to learn the dark arts of the Slytherin school. Although destined to become a great leader, Harry is not a simple good sorcerer. There is much in him that could go in a very different direction.
The textual juxtaposition within the last few parshiyot in Sefer Bereshit begs us to consider a comparison between the stories of Yosef and Yehuda. As the story of Yosef and his brothers gets underway in this week's parsha, the narrative is noticeably interrupted with the story of Yehuda and Tamar. Following that, we return to the Yosef story, culminating in the dramatic confrontation between these characters.
If we take our textual cue and compare these distinct personalities, two profiles emerge. Yosef comes across to the reader as touched, blessed with an inherent ability to consistently make the right choices, see good from bad, and maximize opportunities for success. Yosef has a moral clarity that may come across as arrogant to his brothers but can't be considered wrong. Yosef envisions his own success, properly resists temptation in the advances of Potiphar's wife, rises to a leadership position in prison, creates strategic relationships to secure his release, and capitalizes on a improbable opportunity to become the second-in-command in the most advanced economic society of his time.
Yehuda, on the other hand, finds difficulty delineating right from wrong. He speaks out against killing Yosef only after Reuven has already set that tone, and then he suggests selling him as a slave. He keeps Tamar a widow and indulges his illicit desires with a prostitute (as he sees it). When the brothers must convince Yaakov to send Binyamin, again, it is Reuven who speaks up and takes responsibility for the boy.
And yet, to judge Yehuda by his apparently poor instincts would be to misjudge his character overall. Though Yehuda does get off to rough starts but when he is confronted with the consequences of his actions, he rises to the occasion and makes his moral stand. When he could have looked the other way and allowed Tamar to be disgraced, he accepted responsibility and exonerated her. When it appeared as though Binyamin would be lost to Yaakov, like Yosef was, Yehuda stands up for his brother in precisely the way he could not years earlier.
The portraits of these individuals paint a picture of two distinct profiles in leadership. One leader stands as a model of perfection and moral certitude, someone most people cannot relate to in character but only gaze upon in admiration. The other leader stands as a model of human frailty and moral courage, someone highly relatable as a regularly flawed person who must battle his own demons to discover the right path. And yet, it is this second model of leader, the model of Yehuda, that inherits the Jewish kingdom some years later. Yosef may always make the right choice, but the courage to overcome the wrong choice is the trait Jewish tradition most valued in its leadership. Even in an eschatological view, Mashiach ben Yosef is superseded by Mashiach ben Dovid.
It may be admirable to be so good as to get a quick designation in Gryffindor, to be wholly noble and good, but legendary leaders are molded through a struggle with their inner Slytherin. It is Yehuda who carries the mantle of malchut yisrael as a paradigm of perseverance and not of perfection.
Mr. Hillel Rapp
Director of Education
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This past Monday, YOC students heard from Professor Aleem Visram, a Professor at Shulich School of Business. Prof. Visram spoke about his personal struggles and how he overcame them to become the accomplished person he is today. He encouraged students to seek help for mental health challenges they may be having, and inspired students with his stories about building schools for girls in Afghanistan. Students asked many thoughtful questions after the presentation. Thank you to Mrs. Cohen for arranging this inspirational speaker for our students.
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UO Father-Daughter Learning
Last night, Ulpana students and their fathers had a night of learning sponsored by the Legacy Heritage Foundation.The speaker, Rabbi Jonathan Ziring of Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Beit Midrash Zichron Dov, spoke about the sale of Yosef, using art, literary analysis, and psychology to help those gathered gain a deeper insight into this famous story. The fathers and daughters enjoyed a delicious meal from Jacob's Deli while learning together and sharing their ideas about this week's parsha.
Click here for more pictures.
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UO Grade 9 trip to see "Wonder"
Yesterday, the Grade 9 UO class took a trip to Yorkdale with their RGCs (religious guidance counselors) to see the critically acclaimed movie Wonder. With its powerful performances and gripping storyline, the girls really enjoyed the movie and learned a lot from it. Further discussion and reflection will take place at school. Thank you to Ms. Bessin (Prof) for initiating and organizing the trip, and to Mrs. Ben-Meir, Mrs. Fixler, and Hodaya Korkos and Avia Emanuelof for chaperoning.
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19 Kislev is an important date on the Chabbad calendar, which our students learned about at mishmar this week. We held a fabrengen, full of divrei torah and singing. Thank you to guests Rabbi Stein and Rabbi Plotkin for joining us!
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UO Grade 11 Sleepover
The upcoming sleepover for UO Grade 11 will take place on Motzei Shabbos Chanukah, December 16th.
Dropoff for the sleepover is at 9:45pm at Ulpana and pickup Sunday morning is at 9:00am.
More information and detailed schedule will be forthcoming.
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Matmidim Update
Matmidim learn together on Monday, December 11- matmidim with dinner.
There is no matmidim on Wednesday December 13.
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- Sunday, December 10 - YOC Father-Son Learning (no matmidim)
- Monday, December 11 - UO Film Club after school
- Tuesday, December 12 - Tuesday, December 19 - Chanukah - Short day schedule
- Thursday, December 14 - YOC no mishmar
- Saturday, December 16 - Sunday, December 17 - UO grade 11 sleepover
- Sunday, December 17 - Grade 10 Israel trip departs; YOC no school
- Monday, December 18 - Rosh Chodesh Tevet
- Wednesday, December 20 - UO grade 12 Law class trip
- Thursday, December 21 - YOC no mishmar; YOC Film Club after school; UO Challah Bake program after school
- Friday, December 22 - Final day of classes before Winter Break
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| Spanish Club is Or Chaim's newest club, led by Uri Wolfson (shalich) and Ely Abitbol (grade 11). Interested students can learn key Spanish words and phrases! |
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| Pictured are some of the members of the weekly Ulpana Writing Club, who enjoy creative and interactive writing activities each week, led by Mrs. Fixler. On the board behind them is their brainstormed list of alternative words for the overused word "bad". |
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| This past Wednesday, a Zumba instructor from the Prosserman JCC came to lead our students in a Zumba session. |
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| Jonah Mayer and Moshe Zieleniec (grade 12) participated in BMO's 4th Annual High School Market Simulation Challenge at Rotman's School of Management. |
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An informative meeting was held for students and parents in advance of the grade 10 Israel trip. Students are eagerly anticipating the trip's departure on
December 17!
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| YOC Limudei Kodesh faculty had a skype meeting with Rabbi Jay Goldmintz, focused on tefillah engagement. |
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YOC Basketball
JV Knights won their game against Vanier this week, 59-37! Yoni Bensoussan led the scoring with 25 points.
Click here to see pictures from the game!
Next week's games:
- Tuesday, December 12 at 3:15pm - YOC Juniors vs. Mary Ward; YOC Seniors @ Charbonnel
- Thursday, December 14 at 3:15pm - YOC Juniors @ Cardinal Newman; YOC Seniors vs UTS
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Birth:
A girl to Dina Safran ('09) and Avi Silver ('04)
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