Graphic by Ariella Mayer ('23)

It has happened to all of us and hopefully it’s not too embarrassing: of course I’m speaking about autocorrect. It’s hard enough finding the right words for text messages, but then those succinctly chosen words are mangled through autocorrect.

Reuven: I'm upset, don't keep squirelmeat from me! Shimon:Squirelmeat?! Reuven:*secrets. 

Mezuza is Medusa. 

Tefilla is refills. 

And lechem is legume 

It’s a mess. 

Rashi quotes the gemara saying that tzara’at is a punishment for lashon hara. It’s a spiritual disease that has physical ramifications. But one thing I noticed this year is all the waiting the metzora must endure through the remedial process – one week, two weeks, or more. The metzora quarantines himself and waits patiently for the kohen to rule on their status. The sore on their body may or may not be tzara’at, but they must go through a waiting process before that can be determined. This is one of the many lessons necessary for the metzora, namely, the importance of stopping and waiting before speaking to try to understand the outcome of his words.

Sometimes when we’re too fast or too loose with our words or our texts, like in the case of autocorrect, those words no longer represent who we really are. Sure, autocorrect is helpful sometimes, but take a step back and think before sending that awkward text.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Shulkes

Names Not Numbers

Commemorating Yom HaShoah with Meaningful Ceremony and Inspiring Survivor

Graphic by Danielle Zaretsky ('24)

This past week on April 18, we commemorated Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom Hashoah. Katz Yeshiva High School’s walls were plastered with posters of meaningful pictures and words. The dress code looked a little different that day with all the students arriving at school in white tops and black bottoms to honor the day. During second period, the entire school gathered in the Beit Midrash for the Yom Hashoah program.

Upon entering the Beit Midrash, students went to the front of the room to light candles for the neshamot of the six million. Several seniors gave a presentation of memorable stories, beautiful Hebrew poems, and insightful videos. The focus of the display was to recognize the six million Jews, including over one million Jewish children, that perished in the Holocaust. 

We then had the privilege of hearing from Holocaust survivor Mrs. Zelda Fuksman. “You are in heaven right now,” were the first words that Mrs. Fuksman said to the students. It really puts things into perspective that we have the privilege and ability to learn in a Jewish school and be in a Jewish environment. 

Mrs. Fuksman was a three year old child living in a small town in Poland with her extended family. She had a happy life. As the war was getting closer to their town her parents packed up to go where her father had a job working in a coal mine. The town was antisemitic and thought of Jewish people as dangerous because the non-Jews thought that all Jews had horns. Her family was forced to travel to Siberia with a wagon and another family. Mrs. Fuksman walked most of the 600-mile journey, even though she was only five years old. The years in Siberia were brutal and painful. Her parents worked from dawn to dusk and brought back black bread for her and her brother. After the war was over, the family returned to Poland to find that they had lost their home and had to go to Berlin because that is where they would be safe. Eventually her family packed up and moved to America. 

Mrs. Fuksman’s main message was to treasure our Yiddishkeit because that is what will keep us strong throughout times of hardship. She spoke about the importance of retelling the stories of the Holocaust. Her words of wisdom spoke to everyone in the room and her story of resilience was incredibly inspiring.

Article by Gabriella Asher ('25)

Meeting is in Session!

KYHS Model Congress Battles it Out in a Series of Fascinating Debates

Graphic by Aaron Newman ('24)

This past week, the KYHS Model Congress team participated in an all-day-in-school competition. Model Congress is “a program that involves learning about the functioning systems of government”, as Benjamin Cohen (‘23) describes it. Topics such as foreign affairs, foster care reform, and various economic bills were discussed over the span of the school day.

It wasn’t all as serious as it sounds, however, as students also engaged in fun conversation and hilarious debates. There was a “crisis” in the middle of the competition where Taylor Swift, Serena Williams, Kamala Harris, and Kylie Jenner were kidnapped in Syria. The Model Congress participants were forced to employ their problem-solving and public-speaking skills in order to resolve the situation. At one point the competition even descended into a discussion of whether or not birds are real.

Overall, the Model Congress participants had a great time, feeling accomplished in their work but also looking back and remembering it as an enjoyable experience. Thank you, Mrs. Crowther, for running this program and supporting the students throughout the year! Results for winners will be coming out next week – good luck to all the contestants!

Article by Zachy Gross ('23)

Student Standoff:

Pesach Edition

Staying Home VS. Going Away for Break

Graphic by Eitan Kaminetzky ('25)

This past week, students excitedly came into school talking about their Pesach break as they settled back down into reality. Some students traveled all over the world in the company of their family to various Pesach programs, while other students stayed home and had a more relaxing Pesach. Various students shared their observations about whether they liked staying home or going away for Pesach. 

Amira Kahn (‘25) said, “I traveled to Israel on a 13-hour flight with my family to visit my brother,'' vastly different from Isaac Kenigsberg’s (‘25) Pesach experience, where he said, “I cleaned my house and set my seder table.” He went on to explain that his sister came home from college and he enjoyed his Pesach at home since he got to spend time with his siblings and family. 

Whether you are going away or relaxing at home, both experiences can be very enjoyable. Ruchama Koenig (‘25) explained, "I went to Mexico where I enjoyed family time in a different environment!” Rebecca Freedman (‘25) said, “I spent time with my siblings and relaxed by the pool with my family!” 

Although many different students chose different ways to spend their Pesach break, they all enjoyed their time off school and their exciting breaks refueled them for the end of the school year!

Article by Ariela Leibowitz ('25)

The Grass is Greener

at KYHS

Introducing the Brand-New School Garden With Blooming Flowers and Growing Veggies!

Graphic by Josh Haik ('24)

After hours of effort and true dedication, a blossoming garden was built at KYHS. The garden is a lively addition to the school and is located on the upstairs patio, where students will find room for everyone to sit and admire the gorgeous flower arrangement and handmade garden bed with sprouting vegetables. This garden would not have happened if it weren't for KYHS’s very own Maya Gamil (‘23) and Daniel Cik (‘23).

Maya states, “I have always been interested in gardening and have my own personal garden. As a result, I decided to share this passion with KYHS. My intentions were to cultivate this empty space and teach students about plants and flowers.” 

The upstairs patio is the perfect place to set up a garden; it has just the right amount of space and is a perfect spot for students to hang out. Maya shares, “I really wanted to restore life to the upstairs patio and thought that this would be a perfect place because there is a lot of sun in that area. Not to mention, it is right next to the rotunda, and I was hoping that many students would sit outside, where they could admire the garden AND get fresh air.”

Support and consistency was needed to make this garden possible. Even if it took months of planning, every day a new goal was reached. Maya proclaims, “Mrs. Hegna has been there to assist in many ways. When I first mentioned this idea to her, she was on board and was very excited to get it started. My father also assisted in building the garden bed that holds the vegetables and herbs. Not to mention, Daniel has been so supportive and has helped me bring my vision to life. Daniel and I have been planning on planting this garden since last year and are so happy that it is finally done. We have spent many months carefully planning and researching many plants that would suit the area best. After hours of research, Daniel and I would stay after school and go to either Home Depot or Lowe’s to buy the supplies that were needed. We also care for the plants and continue watering them every day.” 

Gathering information is key when a plan such as this one is made; it is crucial to talk to a professional to know what to be wary of and the dos and don'ts. Maya recalls, “Although I am very knowledgeable about gardening, there is so much that can be learned from this process. As I mentioned before, we needed to carefully research different types of drought-resistant plants that would be suitable for extremely hot weather. I had the opportunity to hear and learn from professionals that specialize in gardening.”

The KYHS garden embodies the definition of dedication, education, and chesed that should inspire everyone to be the best they can be. If students are interested in cultivating the KYHS garden, contact Maya Gamil at mgamil23@yeshivahs.org for more information.

Article by Debbie Grunbaum ('23)