Parshat Terumah describes the construction of the Mishkan. The Torah details all the materials used and the precise way to construct each vessel placed inside the Mishkan. Let’s look at the dimensions of the Ark, Table, and Copper Altar. Each measurement is measured in Amot (Cubits).

Notice that the measurements of the Altar are all whole numbers and of the Ark are all parts of numbers or decimals. The Table has a mix of both types of numbers.  What can we learn from each of these vessels and their specific dimensions? The Copper Altar was used for animal sacrifices and meal offerings to Hashem. People brought Korbanot to serve Hashem and become closer to Him. The Copper Altar symbolizes man’s desire to connect to Hashem; it reminds us that we can always find a way to be close to Him. Therefore, the Altar’s dimensions are ‘whole’ or ‘full’; when a person makes an effort to serve Hashem, there is nothing missing. They are doing exactly what Hashem wants from them.  The Table, on the other hand, symbolizes something different. The purpose of the Table was to display the Showbread. When it comes to physical things like food, man might think that he is responsible for its existence. It is man who turns wheat into flour and flour into bread. Man might think that he is ‘wholly’ responsible for physical things like bread; hence the whole numbers in the Table’s measurements. However, the decimal measurement reminds man that he is not completely responsible for physical things like making bread and Hashem always has a part in everything. Why are all the Ark’s dimensions decimals? The Ark – the Aron HaKodesh – symbolizes Torah. When it comes to learning Torah, we are never complete. We always have more to learn and higher levels of understanding to strive for.  The dimensions of these vessels give us insight into the mindsets we should have. When we serve Hashem by davening, doing acts of chesed, or making any effort to connect to Hashem, we are whole and complete. If we ever start to think that we are completely responsible for things happening in our lives, the Table reminds us that Hashem has a part in everything. Lastly, when it comes to learning Torah – we are never done. There is always another sefer to learn or commentary to explore. Keep Learning! Shabbat Shalom, Mrs. Chava Epstein

MEMEshenichnas Adar Marbim B’Simcha Rosh Chodesh Adar Brings Special Fun to KYHS

Graphic by Leeanne Mann ('23) and Abby Rosenthal ('23) Click here to view more pictures! Click here to watch weekly video! In honor of Rosh Chodesh Adar this week, KYHS planned a variety of events for the students. Following a special breakfast, the fun began on Tuesday with “Dress Like a Teacher Day,” where students went all out with wigs and fancier clothes to look like their favorite teachers. Notably, Levi Stein (‘21) dressed as his mother, art teacher Mrs. Stein, causing lots of laughs. Popular teachers to dress like included Mrs. Kimche and Ms. Crowther. The teachers, in turn, dressed like their students, which essentially meant wearing hoodies and AirPods. On Wednesday, it was #YeshivaLeague day. Students wore hoodies, joggers, tzitzit on the outside, and velvet kippahs towards the front of their heads to imitate the New Yorkers in the Yeshiva League. Teachers dressed as “Out-of-Towners,” wearing shirts that said “Florida.” On Wednesday afternoon, the Student Council put together a Fear Factor-esque grade vs. grade competition, which involved a lot of baby food, planks, and ginger. In one game, students had to plank for as long as possible. Two students won with times of over nine minutes. Even teachers got involved in “Hawaiian Punch Pong,” a game in which teachers had to bounce ping-pong balls into the opposing team’s cups that were filled with Hawaiian Punch and placed on the opposite side of the table. The MVP was Rabbi Horowitz, who successfully bounced four balls into the opposing team’s cups.  Thursday was Throwback Thursday, and KYHS students and staff threw it back to their favorite eras with unique outfits. Many former KHDS and BMA students relived the good old days, donning uniform shirts, pants, and skirts. On Friday, students wore their favorite jerseys, repping their favorite sports teams. Overall, it was a great week full of many fun activities and dress-up days. Chodesh Tov! Article by Alex Lurie ('21)

Seniors SAVEing Surrounding Communities 12th Grade Students Volunteer at Various Places in Need as Annual SAVE Program Kicks Off

Graphic by Penina Kahane ('22) This year, the senior grade once again is participating in the exciting SAVE program. SAVE stands for Senior Active Volunteer Experience. Each Monday, students are dismissed early to go to various volunteer opportunities including tutoring underprivileged children, helping adults with special needs, or working in a food pantry. This is not only a great bonding opportunity for the senior class, but an incredible, empowering way for seniors to step up and help their communities. Here’s what a few seniors have to say about their experiences: My SAVE location is at JARC, a living facility for adults with special needs. Last Monday, I, together with several of my classmates, joined JARC's dance class. We were able to meet everyone in the class, learn a little about them, and have fun together. We're excited to continue to develop our friendships with them! - Ma’ayan Tzur This past Monday, along with seven other twelfth-grade students, I went to volunteer at the Jacobson Family Food Pantry. During our time there, we stocked shelves and packed many food bags with fresh produce and family meals. I am very grateful that I got the chance to volunteer at such an incredible organization with my classmates. It was a great feeling to give back to the community that has given so much to me. - Leora Cohn My SAVE activity is helping disadvantaged students with homework. However, I realized I learn so much more from them than they do from me. Just like any other second-grader, I enjoyed having wacky conversations and playing games with them. They are so fun to be around and funny too. I remember telling them that I never had pepperoni before and they were shocked beyond belief. It was hilarious. - Al Dimont

Sophomore Students Bond Over Bonfire Student Council-Led Program Brings Achdut to Tenth Grade Class

Graphic by Naomi Reichemberg ('22) and Devorah Lome ('22) This past Wednesday, the Sophomore class had the privilege of staying in school after hours to have grade-wide competitions, dinner, and a bonfire. The boys had a basketball tournament while the girls enjoyed Just Dance. There was also a spikeball tournament including the whole class. For dinner, we had a delicious barbeque with hotdogs and hamburgers. Following dinner, everyone joined outside for a bonfire and cooked s’mores over the fire. It was a blast and a great bonding experience for the grade! Article by Molly Seghi ('22)

Stand With Hussein Students Hear From Egyptian Pro-Israel Speaker

Graphic by Joshua Bernten ('20) Click here to watch his speech This week, juniors and seniors had the privilege of listening to Hussein Aboubakr, a Muslim political refugee from Egypt and educator for Stand With Us.  Hussein was like any normal kid growing up. He went to school and read comic books, however he vehemently hated Jews and Israel. Hussein explained how people are captivated by stories of heroes fighting villains. He and his parents before him, were intrigued by the story of the villainous Jew through propaganda, religious leaders, and news outlets. Once he got older, Hussein was set on cracking the Jewish code by learning Hebrew. He would teach himself every day until he became fluent. He realized he was learning more than just a new language. The Hebrew passages Hussein read didn’t call for world domination. Instead, they spoke of ethics and values, unlike what he had been taught. Jews weren’t the monsters he was taught to believe.  Hussein created a blog to teach the Arab world the truth about Jews and Israel. However, he was met with much resistance. After a visit to the Israeli Embassy, he was arrested and told to shut down his blog. After refusing to do so, Hussein was thrown in an Egyptian prison for two and a half months, where he was beaten and interrogated.  The Arab Spring began shortly after Hussein’s release. Hussein, angry at the government, joined the revolution with the hopes of creating a country with democracy and equality. However, power fell into the wrong hands and Hussein was forced to flee to America as a political refugee.  Years later, Hussein is a Stand With Us activist fighting against anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism around the world.  Hussein ended with a message of hope. He explained that although the Arab world is still infected with the poison of anti-Semitism, it is slowly changing. In fact, Saudi Arabia’s prince and other religious Muslim leaders just visited Auschwitz for the first time for its 75th anniversary of its liberation.  Hussein inspired students with his story of fighting against all odds to find truth and bring about change. Thank you to Hussein Aboubakr for coming to speak!   Article by Al Dimont ('20)

Hotels.Come Listen to Bob Diener’s Inspiring Story Hotels.com Founder and Religious Jew Talks about Value of Jewish Education

Graphic by Ariella Mayer ('23) and Olivia Kahane ('23) Click here to watch the Jed Talk Last Friday, seniors had the privilege of hearing from businessman and lawyer, Bob Diner. Mr. Diner is the founder of Hotels.com, a popular travel booking website many of you have probably used before. He spoke to us to describe his journey and how his Jewish education was his key to success in business. Mr. Diner started by talking to us about his education at Hebrew Academy of Miami, where he sometimes questioned the relevance of Judaic studies. He went on to college in Florida, followed by law school at Cornell. After starting a side business while working at a law firm, he realized the business had taken off, so he quit his job as a lawyer. While growing and leading his Hotel.com business and others, he finally learned how important and relevant his Jewish education was and is. Learning the halachic way to treat his employees created a positive, loyal workforce that propelled the success of his company. Giving 10% of his earnings to charity made the company more giving and appreciative. He also spoke about how Shabbat has been his saving grace — a time to decompress and focus only on family is crucial when running a time-consuming business. Thanks to Mr. Diner, we realized how helpful learning Tanach and Gemara can be to our careers and future out in the real world.  Article by Avigail Greenberg ('20)

Sunny with a Chance of Statistics Alternative Math Classes Teach Seniors A New Side to a Classic Subject

Graphic by Chana Schandelson ('22) The senior class is seeing many changes in their classes and schedules as the third trimester kicks off. For the remainder of the school year, seniors who plan to take an AP math exam in May will remain in their regular math classes to prepare for the exam. All other seniors will not continue their regular math classes. Instead they will rotate between exciting math seminars! Participating seniors were placed into three math groups based on the alphabetical order of last names. There are four possible round-robin modules, but each math group will switch between three of the four offered classes, spending 9-10 class periods with each teacher. The four classes offered are Math in Art taught by Ms. Segal, Financial Math by Mr. Rath, Understanding Math-based Games by Mr. Comis, and Practical Applications of Statistics in Our Lives by Rabbi Lanner. These classes are designed to be “educational and engaging,” according to Rabbi Lanner. Good luck to all senior mathematicians and enjoy! Article by Moriah Rosenthal ('20)

This Week in Pictures

Highlites Staff