Graphic by Ariella Mayer ('23)

The first section of the Shulchan Aruch - Orach Chaim, which discusses the laws of daily living - ends with the halachos of Purim. The very final chapter, Siman 697, deals with Purim in a Jewish leap year. The month of Adar is repeated and we celebrate Purim on the 14th of the second Adar that year. The 14th of Adar I is not really celebrated in any significant way, with the exception of the omission of Tachanun and other small ammendations. In what are his very final comments to this section of the Shulchan Aruch, Rema (Rav Moshe Isserliss) mentions that some have the custom to enjoy something of a Seuda. He signs off with a passuk from Mishlei: וטוב לב משתה תמיד - and it is good to always be in a state of merriment and happiness.  The Shaarei Teshuva, another commentary on the Shulchan Aruch, notes a striking parallel. In only a few cryptic words, he notes that the Rema also chose to begin his commentary to Shulchan Aruch, Siman 1, with another passuk: שויתי ה' לנגדי תמיד - Place Hashem before you constantly. Both pessukim focus around the keyword תמיד - constantly. What are we to make of this parallel? Is this a coincidence?  Of course Rema chose his words carefully, and a little deeper understanding reveals a stunning idea - and a message we can carry with ourselves in our lives on a daily basis. There is a beautiful parallel here: (a) Rema begins and ends his comments to Shulchan Aruch - our guide to daily living - with two ‘Tamids’, two constants, and (b) the daily Avoda in the Beis Hamikdash, the Torah tells us, also begin and end with two Temidim, two Korban Tamids. 365 days a year the Beis Hamikdash would be bustling with varying public and private Korbanos, yet there were two which are constant and consistent. No matter the day or the occasion, the Avoda was bookended by the two Temidim.  Rema is teaching a powerful lesson. In the same way that the Avoda in the Mikdash was bookended by Temidim, so too our daily living - represented in the Shulchan Aruch - need to be sandwiched between two constants. And what are they? Firstly, שויתי ה' לנגדי תמיד - the placing of Hashem front and center in our lives. Our lives must be conducted with an awareness that we are in the presence of Hashem and that should guide all our actions and decisions. The second constant is טוב לב משתה תמיד - carrying yourself with a sense of Simcha, a joie de vivre, in our Jewish lives. Torah living is not supposed to be oppressive or stifling. Done right, it is the key to much inner peace and genuine happiness. If one lives one's life with these two constants - awareness of Hashem and a general sense of simcha - then that will carry everything that happens in our Jewish lives. While life will throw many variables your way, these need to be constants in your Jewish life.  We should merit that this Purim we internalize that sense of Simcha which is so vital for our everyday Jewish life. Good Shabbos, Mrs. Kimche

FUNMUN  KYHS Students Participate in a Virtual YUNMUN Through Zoom

Graphic by Rebecca Adler ('23) and Orly Dimont ('23) Last Sunday, the Model UN team didn’t let the pandemic get in their way of their work. Although they were unable to travel to Connecticut, they participated in Yeshiva University’s annual nationwide competition on Zoom. Led by captains Ariella Greenberg ('22), Adin Blumofe ('21), Aiden Harow ('21), and Meir Schochet ('21), the team worked tirelessly from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., serving as representatives from Nigeria and Pakistan. Each committee tackled different international issues, including prison reform, COVID-19, child access to education, terrorism, and the fate of the Kashmir region. They debated, researched, crafted resolutions, and compromised with other delegates to achieve their goals. Team member Aden Light (‘21) remarked, “Considering it is usually done by a person, I was not excited coming into it. However, I really enjoyed it and felt it was such a worthwhile experience. I’m so glad that the event was able to happen this year.” The team had an amazing experience, and participants Aiden Harow ('21) and Shoshana Stadlan ('22) also received Honorable Mentions for their efforts. Especially considering the hardships of this year, students were thankful to meet with Jewish students across the country. Article by Sophia Purow ('21)

You Just Caught a Case? Ms. Debby Levitt’s on the Trace An Inside Look Into What it Means to be the KYHS Contact Tracer

Graphic by Highlites Staff

Zoharah: Where are you from? Tell us a little about your past! Ms. Levitt: I was born in Seattle and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. Since my parents were both educators and we lived in a city without a Jewish high school, I traveled around a lot. I was schooled in Vancouver, Israel, Toronto, LA, and NY. I love math and science so I majored in Biology, Chemistry, and Judaic Studies at Yeshiva University. Though I worked in a lab and took the MCAT, I ended up going into health administration instead of medical school. After I got married, I continued my tour of the US and went to New Jersey, Maryland, back to New Jersey, and now Florida! I worked in health administration for a number of years but had to leave my job to move to Florida. Now I’m really enjoying teaching chemistry and working with the school community to manage the pandemic. Zoharah: What do you like to do in your free time? Ms. Levitt: What free time? I used to read and exercise.  Zoharah: What is your favorite thing about KYHS? Ms. Levitt: I love the people! KYHS students are exceptionally friendly and polite. I’m also really enjoying the faculty camaraderie and the new friendships. A bonus is seeing my children and husband in school! Zoharah: What new challenges has this year brought up for you? Ms. Levitt: This year has been difficult for everyone but ironically it has presented me with an opportunity to bring my health administration experience into action here at KYHS. The time requirement has been challenging but it has also afforded me the chance to meet both students and parents in the school community (see above how I love people).  Zoharah: What are you looking forward to in the future for KYHS? Ms. Levitt: I look forward to meeting the unmasked populace of KYHS once COVID-19 is over and to teaching in a more “normal” environment. I’m also looking forward to getting more sleep. Article by Zohara Lam ('23)

If You Snooze, You Loose Ariella Gross ('21) Gives Her Angle On the Snooze Button

Graphic by Olivia Kahane ('23) We all know the feeling of waking up, groggily slapping the snooze button, and savoring the extra nine minutes of slumber. But many don’t know that those additional 540 seconds of sleep are actually detrimental to their health.  After undergoing “light sleep,” we fall into a deeper slumber, allowing our bodies to regrow tissue, build bone and muscle, and strengthen our immune systems. During the REM stage, we experience high levels of brain activity—this is when we dream and mentally prepare for the next day.  So, how does this connect to the snooze button? The prime time for us to awaken is at the end of our REM cycle; waking up in the middle leaves us feeling tired and disoriented. Since our bodies run according to an internal clock, they prepare us to awaken at the sound of our first alarm. However, when we press snooze and go back to sleep, we begin a new REM cycle—only to disrupt it nine minutes later. Therefore, even though the snooze button allows us to sleep longer, it actually leaves us more exhausted and unsettled in the morning.  Additionally, when we confuse our internal clocks, our bodies won’t know when to prepare to wake up or sleep, meaning you’ll spend more time tossing and turning each night. Lack of sleep—even for just a week—induces heightened stress levels, a decreased ability to focus, and a worsened immune system. Not only are these side effects harmful to your health and productivity, but they also hinder quality sleep, leaving people in a dreadful Catch-22 situation. Whether you snooze once, twice, or more, you ruin your natural circadian rhythm by not setting an alarm for the same time daily and waking up as soon as it rings. When you operate according to your internal clock, your body will help you sleep well by easing your wake up to ensure you will not be disturbed during REM. And if you don’t trust yourself to refuse the lure of the snooze button, place your alarm far away from your bed so you’ll be forced to get up and turn it off. Yes, this will feel unpleasant at first, but the grogginess will wear off shortly, and you’ll begin your day refreshed and ready for action. After all, if you snooze, you lose.   Article by Ariella Gross ('21)

The Shtarkest Schnitzel Around Naomi’s Nosh Takes on a Shabbos Classic

Graphic by Abby Rosenthal ('23) and Chantal Newman ('22) Shalom schnitzlers, and welcome back if you are from the birthday cake crowd and were yearning for a schtickle more of Naomi’s Nosh! Today I will teach you how to make my Grandma Debbie’s famous schnitzel! When I say that my Grandma makes the best schnitzel, I mean that with all of my kishkes! Before I start, though, I must have everyone know that my grandma has taught all of her grandkids the schnitzel recipe, and I can confidently say that I make it best! (Shhh do not tell my sister; she deserves more kavod than that! Rude of you to think of telling her. Karet if the thought crossed your icky mind.) Now that I have established my schnitzel dominance, let us vighter and get right into it!  Usually, I start with ensuring my chicken cutlets are not too thick. This is important because otherwise they will not be delish, and that would be a Shabbos Kodesh disaster! Next, you gotta wash 'em real well. I know that touching raw chicken is not the most appetizing activity but no pain, no gain, right? If you want the schnitzel badly enough, you will follow these stellar instructions to the tee.  Now, gather the breadcrumbs of your choosing, a few farm fresh eggs straight from the backyard of those people who live in Captiva, and a frying pan. Hold the frying pan Rapunzel-style just in case you need to hit any strange men who come in; for example, when Tateh tries to sneak pre-Shabbos ruach schnitzel. And, of course, add the good stuff—the Greek repellent—the oil. If you are sick of my Chanukah jokes, know that I force my carpool to listen to “The Nights of Chanukah” by the Yeshiva Boys Choir ALL YEAR ROUND. Daven for them. Next, heat that oil but not too hot though, if you know what I mean. Now comes the not-so-top-secret family secret. The key, the ikar, of the schnitzel is to dip it in this order precisely: breadcrumbs, egg, breadcrumbs. Chas v’chalila, not the other way around! This way assures that grandma’s love—the good stuff—will be mixed into the schnitzel. The next step is super simple but is often done foolishly. GENTLY throw your battered schnitzel into the oil and flinch slightly too late in order to get that recurring schnitzel burn on the bottom of your right thumb (you know the one; do not lie). But do not, I repeat raboisai, do not burn the schnitzel! It is tempting, I know, but it is not worth it. It will make your Bubbie sad, and you do not want that! To be honest, I do not know how long each side should be fried. I mamish flip it until it looks good.  Make sure you have a tin pan from Mrs. Kaminetsky’s stock, and some paper towels—strictly from Costco—to put your schnitzel on once it looks pretty. PSA, there should ALWAYS be way too much schnitzel, enough for each person on your block to have two large pieces. Once you fry enough schnitzel to feed every member of Shevet Levi twice, you are done with the task at hand.  “Where should I put the remaining schnitzel that does not fit in the garage freezer?” you may ask; Kira Jacoby would be honored to take it off your hands. Moral of the story: if you want good schnitzel, you basically have to be me. I believe in you, though, and you can make it happen. If you want to be like Naomi, just chap a Naomi’s nosh! Article by Naomi Reichenberg ('22)

Match the Mask Adar Edition

Mikaila Shandler ('22), Elie Loberfeld ('22), and Dan Himelstein ('24)

Highlites Staff