Graphic by Ariella Mayer ('23) |
|
“Where do I come from and where am I going?” is a question that we constantly find ourselves asking. This question could not be any more apparent than with the opening words of this week’s parsha: וְאֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת יִצְחָק בֶּן אַבְרָהָם אַבְרָהָם הוֹלִיד אֶת יִצְחָק— “And these are the generations of Yitzchak the son of Avraham, Avraham fathered Yitzchak” (Bereishit 25:19).
Many of us are familiar with the famous question of Rashi as to why the Torah takes the “extra time” to tell us that Avraham was the father of Yitzchak; isn’t it obvious — the Torah just told us that Yitzchak is the son of Avraham?! Rashi quotes the midrash, which recounts that when Yitzchak was born the "leitzanei ha-dor," the cynics of the generation, claimed that Yitzchak was not Avraham’s son but rather the illegitimate child resulting from Avimelech's abduction of Sarah (ch. 20). To “prove” their claim, the cynics pointed out that Avraham and Sarah had been married for many years without children and it was only now — after her time spent with Avimelech — that Sarah finally conceived.
To counter this claim, Hashem ensured that Yitzchak and Avraham shared a strong physical resemblance to the extent that it was clear and undeniable that Yitzchak was in fact Avraham's son. This is the reason, concludes the midrash, that the pasuk reiterates, “אַבְרָהָם הוֹלִיד אֶת יִצְחָק”, to stress Avraham’s biological connection to Yitzchak.
Rav Yoseph B. Soloveitchik, the Rav, raises two very strong questions. First, why is the Torah concerned about gossip spread by idolaters? Second, if you think about it, this gossip was pretty absurd. Everyone knew that Avraham was able to have children because he had already fathered Yishmael. Now that Sarah had conceived, why was it so hard to believe that Avraham was the father?
Rav Soloveitchik explains that the Torah’s real concern was not for fertility or genealogy, but ideology. Would Yitzchak continue the legacy that Avraham had created? Would Yitzchak continue the values and beliefs that Avraham spread throughout the land and instilled within his family? Many assumed that Avraham was unique and nobody would or could follow in the great footsteps of Avraham. It was nearly impossible to imagine that Avraham would have a son who would continue his incredible work and legacy. Rather, Yitzchak must be the son of Avimelech in the sense that he would follow the trends of society around him rather than staying committed to the ideals of Avraham. But they were wrong. Yitzchak remained committed and true to the values that Avraham had established.
The challenge we face on a daily basis and the question we must ask ourselves is how will we take the Torah, the values, and lessons that we learn at KYHS and at home and use them to continue to grow and make our lives extraordinary. As Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l shared in 2018 (at an Olami Summit), “if you make that same decision, that you’re going to be more Jewish, not less, you will together change the course of Jewish history.” We must remember the Jewish values that have been set forth before us and build upon them. We must continue to walk in the ways of our mesorah and help shape the Jewish future.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Hochman
|
|
Rosh Chodesh
Chagigah Causes Crazy
Amounts of Fun
KYHS Introduces a School - Wide
Outside Chagigah
|
|
Graphic by Rivka Reich ('24), Olivia Kahane ('23),
and Dan Himelstein ('24)
On Wednesday, our students and teachers participated in a school-wide socially-distant chagigah in honor of Rosh Chodesh Kislev, which was on Tuesday. The chagigah was originally planned for the day of Rosh Chodesh itself, but was postponed due to the projection of unpleasant weather. Despite this bad news, students were able to stop by the cafeteria during lunch on Tuesday to enjoy a Krispy Kreme donut.
At the conclusion of davening on Wednesday, students received chagigah shirts; each grade’s t-shirts were designed with their unique color to represent the four components of the Nafshenu program.
After sixth period, the entire school convened on the grass field between the cafeteria and the basketball courts. Each grade, divided by gender, was assigned to individual areas to dance. There was no regular circle dancing to ensure social distancing and prevent the pods from intermixing. Students still had a lot of fun square dancing and jumping over each other. With COVID-19 limiting many activities, students were glad to have had a healthy, safe, and enjoyable experience.
Article by Mishael Sommers ('23)
|
|
Making Finances Feel
More Fantastic
Parents Learn the Ins and Outs
Of Financial Aid
|
|
Graphic by Orly Dimont ('23) and Rebecca Adler ('23) |
|
This week, parents of seniors attended a virtual financial aid night co-hosted by College Guidance and Robert “Bob” Friedman from the YU College Admissions Department.Parents were taught about financial aid opportunities and how to save money next year when sending their kids to college.
Mr. Friedman covered several important points about financial aid, including Expected Family Contribution, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS Profiles, and what to do for unique circumstances and years abroad.
Parents also learned about the Cost of Attendance and how direct and indirect costs affect this number. Mr. Friedman carefully explained how some costs can change based on individual situations, while tuition, fees, room and board, and health insurance remain consistent. This was followed by a detailed explanation of the formulas and processes that determine government financial aid. Parents also learned why the formulas exist as they do, with the origins dating back to the 1980s and congressional policies.
Article by Judah Berman ('21)
|
|
Night Seder:
Alumni Edition
KYHS Alumni Give Over Inspiring and
Heilig Divrei Torah
|
|
Graphic by Abby Rosenthal ('23) |
|
This week, Girls’ Night Seder was extra special. Alumni who are currently spending their year in seminary overseas in Eretz Yisrael zoomed in to lead chaburas. Some seniors from the class of 2020, including Chani Kaminetsky, Leora Cohn, and Batsheva Shekhter, joined us for the special event.
It was great to hear last year’s chaburah leaders share words of Torah with us. Junior Denise Mann reflected, “it was so nice to see the alumni from last year straight from the Holy Land and to hear about their new learning styles and experiences.”
Chaburah topics ranged from friendship to the holiness of Eretz Yisrael to learning how to not compare ourselves to others. Alumnus Leora Cohn remarked, “it was so amazing to be back at KYHS learning Torah at Girls’ Night Seder! Even over Zoom and all the way across the ocean, I felt the connection and passion for learning!” We can’t wait to have our alumni chaburah givers join us for Night Seder again sometime soon!
Article By Ariella Greenberg ('22)
|
|
JUMP for Helping Jewish Teens Find More Joy
KYHS Juniors Take Part in NCSY’s
Annual JUMP Program
|
|
Graphic by Highlites Staff |
|
On Sunday, November 15, KYHS juniors Molly Seghi, Shoshana Stadlan, Avi Gurnin, Chana Schandelson, Avichai Shekhter, and Penina Kahane, accompanied by faculty advisor Rabbi Wolk, entered the conference room for a day full of team-building exercises and problem-solving. The program included nine different challenges to help students all over the country come up with a problem that impacts the Jewish teenage community and figure out a way to solve it.
After a great deal of research, the KYHS JUMP team decided to focus on an issue that affects many students: disordered eating. The team spoke with our guidance counselors and surveyed the student body. After discussing and meeting with an NCSY JUMP advisor, they formed "Teenhealthyhabits", a website that educates, connects, and supports Jewish teenagers by connecting them with mental health professionals, nutritionists, kosher chefs, and a supportive community.
At 5:00, schools nationwide logged back into the NCSY JUMP zoom to begin the final competition: presenting the projects to a panel of judges. There were four different boardrooms with about four teams each. The teams all presented their problems followed by their solutions, and the judges declared a winner for each boardroom. Additionally, throughout the different challenges, seed money was presented to the winning schools. The KYHS JUMP team walked away with $100 worth of seed money for "Teenhealthyhabits".
Article by Penina Kahane ('22)
|
|
The Orchard
Alumnus David Hopen ('12) Published
His First Novel
|
|
Graphic by Highlites Staff |
|
David Hopen (‘12) is a first-year student at Yale Law School. Raised in Hollywood, Florida, he earned his master’s from the University of Oxford and graduated from Yale College. His debut novel, The Orchard, was published this week by HarperCollins. Featured in The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Good Morning America and Amazon’s Best Books of the Month, The Orchard is available for purchase at www.davidhopen.com and everywhere books are sold.
Did you always have a love for writing? If so, where did it come from?
As a child, I wrote—and read—relentlessly. My parents served as my original role models, nurturing my love for learning and encouraging my writing from the very beginning. In high school, I had the privilege of studying with fantastic teachers, such as Mrs. Carla Greer and Dr. Laura Becker, whose support further solidified my literary ambitions.
What do you find to be the biggest differences between the secular and religious worlds?
The beauty of Modern Orthodoxy is that it synthesizes these worlds. A virtue of YHS, as such, is that it prepares students to become critically and civically engaged members of the larger world while remaining true to core beliefs.
What did you struggle with most, when writing the book?
I began The Orchard while still in high school and completed the manuscript as an undergraduate. Allocating time for writing amid coursework was not always easy, but I loved the experience of pursuing this dream.
What advice can you give to students moving on from high school into the "real world," since you discuss a similar concept in your book?
The Orchard explores the depth of community and faith. My YHS experience provided me with lasting gifts: a wonderful education, enduring relationships with teachers, lifelong bonds with a spectacular collection of friends. Graduating students would be well served to maintain such roots, all of which enrich the rest of life.
Article by Sophia Hoffman ('21)
|
|
Freshmen Find Fabulous Ways to Bring Bio to Life
Freshmen Have Their First Major Biology Lab
|
|
Graphic by Chana Schandelson ('22)
This week, Ms. Digregorio’s ninth grade students had an exciting biology lab. They learned about how potatoes react to peroxidase and how the temperature affects their reactions. The students all wrote hypotheses and, at the end of the lab, saw what they had predicted correctly or not. Of course, everybody was socially distanced and stood six feet apart. Everything worked out well, and the students had a great time. It’s amazing to see that we can still do fun and educational activities while staying safe!
Article by Aryeh Scharf ('24)
|
|
Graphic by Highlites Staff |
|
|
|
|
|
|
