Graphic by Aaron Newman ('24)

Last week, the walls were shaking, the trees were still, the nation was scared to breathe. Why? Because of Moshe's tochacha, harsh rebuke, that was given as motivation to Bnei Yisrael. Paradoxically, Parshat Netzavim begins with Moshe exclaiming, אַתֶּ֨ם נִצָּבִ֤ים הַיּוֹם֙ כֻּלְּכֶ֔ם״" – “You stand on this day, all of you.” After a terrifying speech, Moshe tries to calm Bnei Yisrael down, telling them it would be okay and not to worry. If Moshe is soothing the nation after his rebuke, then doesn't it defeat the purpose of Moshe's warning? Many interpret Moshe's rebuke as a warning to living on your own, as opposed to כֻּלְּכֶ֔ם״," which is living as part of a nation. The warning is meant to teach us the importance of being a part of the klal. When we are able to supplement our shortcomings with others' strengths, the entire community comes out stronger. 

In a school of more than 480 students, it is important to become a part of the community rather than stay on the sidelines. As Netzavim implies, we must stand together, and only then can we withstand even the tochacha and harsh rebuke. Rather than nitpicking your peers’ flaws, reach out and help them. Help increase the school’s achdut by both participating in the fun and also getting your friends to join. 

During this time of the year we are constantly reminded to look inwards, but we also need to emphasize the importance of looking outwards. We should strive to look at our school community and become a vital member of the student body. Make yourself a leader of the school and become a person that is indispensable to the institution. So, in future weeks, what is each and every student's job? To go to the Friday Lunch Kumzitz!!

An individual will get lost in the storm. But when we are all united, we take the world by storm!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rivka Reich and Aaron Newman

National WHAT Day?!

Scrambling Students Not Eggs

Graphic by Esti Distenfeld ('26) and Danielle Zaretsky ('24)

This week, we had the pleasure of watching our faculty members compete for the title of “Egg Toss Champion.” As anticipation grew, students gathered on the Great Lawn to view the momentous occasion. Two groups of teachers battled until the eggs were scrambled. The eggs were gingerly passed across the vast lawn, as the distance grew with each catch. Eventually, the eggs were dropped, and Mr. Toms and Mr. Levin were deemed worthy of the extravagant Kinder Egg reward. There was excited cheering from the sidelines and the students joined in the triumph of the day. 

Our school often celebrates days like National Egg Toss Day, and the students willfully participate in the ridiculousness of it all. The acknowledgment of the “National Days” creates a united interest in the commemorative activities and bonds the students together in fun. In the past, we have rejoiced in giant rubber duck auctions, marshmallow roastings, and much more shtick. 

Sophomore Kira Berley mentioned, “I loved watching my teachers have fun outside of the classroom. It was really fun to see how involved they were.” The students are not the only ones who enjoy the activities. On Pie Day, students were able to pie teachers in the face. Everyone loves the random celebrations and students spend their entire day awaiting the lunchtime fun on every national “holiday” we celebrate. As a Jewish school focused on student unity, these days are a great way to create achdut in our school community. We are excited for our next school-wide celebration to keep the energy and excitement going!

Article by Riley Spitz ('25)

Bella's Bits:

The College Crackdown Continues

Graphic by Joshua Reich ('25)

As college deadlines are approaching, the devoted college guidance counselors are constantly making sure that the seniors are fully prepared to face their life after high school. College is definitely not an easy decision, what with the complicated application process, but help is always available! 

The new head of college guidance, Mrs. Michelle LeMar, ran an informative college night on Wednesday to help the seniors prepare for the next important step in their lives. Important questions about gap years, SAT testing, and financial aid came up, and the incredible college guidance team answered perfectly. In addition to college night—in case some students couldn’t make it—college guidance has designated certain lunch periods to help seniors with the college application process.

Students have shared their thoughts about the college guidance process—Tahel Peretz (‘24) feels that, “the college process has become way less complicated because of my guidance counselor,” and, “the due dates have become less daunting because I have someone helping me take all the necessary steps to apply to colleges!”

We need to take the time to appreciate the incredible work that the KYHS college guidance department does for students. We can always use the help when contemplating our future, and Mrs. LeMar, Mrs. Bejar, Mrs. Groveman, and Mr. Wolff are our strongest support beams. The best way we can help them help us is by being receptive to their advice and ALWAYS reading their emails!

Whether the choice is seminary, yeshiva, college, or a combination, KYHS works hard to ensure that their seniors will have an amazing senior year and all their years to come!

Following this, the freshmen navigated the hallways with excitement, arriving at their designated classrooms. With their mentors by their sides, they received Chromebooks and schedules, along with instructions and guidance from their mentors and teachers. Not only did they learn the practicalities of using technology as a KYHS student, but they also had the privilege of meeting a spectrum of staff members, representing various departments within the school, such as athletics, guidance, conduct, and academics. The day continued with picture-perfect yearbook pictures and a delicious pizza lunch. 

The orientation concluded with an engaging icebreaker that linked unfamiliar faces and brewed the start of many new friendships. Finally, the famous Katz Yeshiva High School video was played, leaving the incoming freshmen with pure and utter enthusiasm for the adventures, the lessons, the friendships, and the growth that the next four years will hold. Wishing all the freshmen an easy and smooth transition into the KYHS family.

Article by Bella Srugo ('24)

Color War Breakout?

Analyzing KOSL's every move...

Graphic by Technical Staff

The question hangs in the air: When will Color War take place this year?

Each year, students look forward to this amazing event and try to guess during what time of year it will fall out. Based on KYHS history, color war is usually held around a holiday. Two years ago it was right before Pesach, and last year it was around Purim time. The themes for color war are often related to different aspects of the holiday they fall out around. For example, two years ago the theme was magid vs matzah and last year was nes nigleh vs nes nistar. 

The question still remains: When will Color War take place this year?

When I asked Rabbi Wolk when he thinks Color War will be this year, he wouldn’t divulge any secrets. “Not a chance I’m giving a hint about this year.” It’s not that I thought he would tell me, but it was worth a shot. Since Rabbi Wolk wouldn’t budge, I decided to find out some details by myself. After extensive research, my prediction is that Color War will fall out at the beginning of the year, as it was hinted to in the first day of school video. I don’t think they’ll do it at the same time as the last two years (towards the end of the year) because that would be too predictable. 

Now we have to ask, which holiday will Color War be based on this year? The holiday coming up is Rosh Hashanah, but there’s so much to do before then, getting adjusted to school and preparing for the High Holidays. The next holiday is Yom Kippur, but that holiday is very serious and not a good option for Color War. The third holiday, Sukkot, would be a perfect compromise. 

According to this pattern of connecting Color War team names to a holiday, possible themes could be lulav vs etrog. I guess we’ll have to wait a few weeks to see if my predictions are true! 

Article by Emma Seghi ('25)

Project Tzitzis

Inspiration from a Future Gadol Hador

Graphic by Aaron Newman ('24)

Last Thursday afternoon, all the boys of Katz Yeshiva High School gathered in the Beit Midrash to hear from the young but wise Charlie Breda. Charlie is a 10th grader at Frisch who founded and runs Project Tzitzis. Project Tzitzis is a unique program that gives out free tzitzit universally to every Jewish boy.

Charlie is the biggest mentsch to take time out of his vacation in sunny Florida to give a talk about the value of wearing tzitzit. He is constantly working on Project Tzitzis and handing out thousands of free tzitzit to every Jewish man in need of a pair. Charlie is an inspiration to everyone because the amount of time he spends working on Project Tzitzis; making sure every individual has their own tzitzit is truly incredible. The assembly kicked off with Charlie telling the story of how he started Project Tzitzis. He spoke passionately about how important it is to wear tzitzit and how easy it is to do on a daily basis while gaining many mitzvot. 

Rabbi Frager then spoke to the boys about the significance of wearing tzitzit everyday. He reminded the boys that every single second you wear tzitzit you receive a mitzvah out of the almost-effortless action. After that amazing speech, Rabbi Stohl shared an inspiring Dvar Torah filled with words of wisdom encouraging the young men at KYHS to practice this special mitzvah. 

Following the presentation, each person had the opportunity to get a pair of their own tzitzit from Charlie himself. "It was so inspiring to see a kid our age doing these amazing things," said Akiva Lanner (‘26). The boys proudly stepped out of the Beit Midrash feeling elated to show off their tzitzit by wearing them over their shirts. The boys of Katz Yeshiva High School will forever be touched by this outstanding individual, Charlie Breda. 

Article by Eitan Kaminetzky ('25)