Rashi and Sforno both comment of the use of the word “זקן”, the “old” in this pasuk. Rashi comments “זקן” refers not to someone who is simply advanced in years, but specifically to one who has acquired wisdom through those years. Sforno builds upon this idea; just as we should respect one whose experience in life is based on their age, even more so we should respect someone who has a high level of Torah understanding and constantly strives to be connected to Hashem. Rashi and Sforno both emphasize the value of giving kavod to those whose knowledge surpasses our own. During Teacher Appreciation Week, I wanted to personally thank all of the teachers in this school for dedicating your career to such important work and being there for me and my peers.

In essence, Parshat Kedoshim serves as a reminder of the importance of teachers. Teachers offer us insight, guidance, and understanding of Torah values. We must demonstrate Hakarat HaTov, gratitude, to the people in our lives who play a role in imparting wisdom to us. By upholding these commandments, we can aspire to be kedoshim and mirror the holiness of Hashem.

Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom!

Lily Stein (KY '25)

We had a meaningful and educational Yom HaShoah at KYLS and KYMS.

Our 2/3 students learned the story of Francesco Tirelli’s Ice Cream Shop. Francesco Tirelli loved to eat gelato from his uncle’s cart. So, when he moves from Italy to Hungary, Francesco decides to open his own ice cream store. There young Peter learns to love ice cream as much as Francesco did. But when the war comes and Francesco closes his shop for the winter, he uses the shop for a special purpose―to hide his Jewish friends and neighbors from danger.

Students in grades 4-8 participated in our Yom HaShoah Tekes to commemorate the Holocaust. Students in 4th and 5th grade have been learning about the Holocaust in class and used their time to prepare and lead the ceremony. Our 4th grade students made programs, wrote poems, and created a “6 million display.” 5th grade students researched the stories of survivors, and some students were able to write about their own family member who survived the Holocaust. We were honored to have Mr. Manny Stern, grandfather of our own Morah Toba Stern, come and speak to the students and share his experiences during the Shoah.

This year's Yom HaShoah program at KYHS was a powerful and immersive Living Museum of the Holocaust, with students traveling through different scenes representing different stages of the Holocaust: 1938/Kristallnacht, the Warsaw Ghetto, and Auschwitz.

As we mark Teacher Appreciation Week, thank you to our amazing, incredible, wonderful, talented, and dedicated Kohelet Yeshiva teachers for everything they do for their students and our school every single day!