Graphic by Ariella Mayer ('23)

Of course the week we come back from break and return to our “work schedules” we have to hear all about a nation finally experiencing freedom – way to pour salt on the wound. This week’s parsha, Parshat Beshalach, famously tells the story of the Jews’ dramatic exit from Egypt. In a sudden twist, the Egyptians begin pursuing Bnei Yisrael, trapping them between the enemy and the ocean. The End. 

That’s how this Dvar Torah would have concluded if it were not for the miraculous yad Hashem. Thankfully, I get to continue this Dvar Torah, not only because Highlites has a 250-word requirement for articles, but because the laws of nature were overtly broken for the sake of Bnei Yisrael as the sea was split. This week, KYHS students similarly got the opportunity to experience the laws of nature being broken at the Boys District Soccer games as the Varsity Boys Soccer team put their best foot forward (pun highly intended). Our team was equipped with goalkeepers who had the ability to fly, offensive strikers who had super-speed, and a defensive line armed with super-strength (read more about it in this edition!). While Bnei Yisrael didn’t exactly chant “ole, ole, ole” while crossing the Yam Suf, they did sing shira, which is where we get the beautiful song of Az Yashir that is a part of our daily tefillah. 

Az Yashir is filled with praise and gratitude for Hashem after the splitting of the sea and the drowning of the Mitzrim. However, shira doesn’t just mean they decided to suddenly break out into song and dance the way Troy and Gabriella did before big sports games in “High School Musical”. Shira is a vehicle for the expression of the neshama in moments of intense emotion. It has the unique ability to describe with great koach that which is difficult to put into words. It comes straight from the soul and is converted into something that is able to be said and shared. When we recite Az Yashir each day during davening, it is as if we are receiving direct messaging from the neshamot of our ancestors that enters directly into ours. Through this we are momentarily transported back to that very same time of clarity and utmost closeness to Hashem. Research has proven that it’s the only kind of remote contact that the school WiFi can’t block (100% tested and proven). According to Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann, this could also be the reason why it is written as “Az Yashir”, in the singular, and not “Az Yashiru”, the plural form, even though all of Bnei Yisrael experienced the miracle: shira is a personal experience of the neshama. Our ancestors established a line of communication that has continued to exist through many generations and serves as a reminder for us of how close we truly are to Hashem and His open miracles. 

Shabbat Shalom,

Zohara Lam ('23)

Student Standoff:

Weather Wars

Students Debate the Best Way to Spend Winter Break

Graphic by Highlites Staff



This past Monday our KYHS students returned from a much-needed winter break. Here, we will hear from two students who traveled to different places with opposite climates: Zevi Eisenberger (‘23), who traveled to Cancun, Mexico, and Jonah Schenker (‘23), who traveled to Vail, Colorado.

Zevi- My winter break was so much fun. I got to visit huge jungles, and beautiful oceans and ate lots of avocados. We also did so many fun activities like riding ATVs and diving in water caves, which would have been prohibitive in cold weather.

Jonah- Well I got to go skiing which is so much better. You probably have never even seen snow before.

Zevi- Who cares to see snow when you can get a good tan like me? I would rather be sitting at a beach than freezing my toes off in the cold.

Jonah- You live in Florida, why would you need to travel all that way to see a beach? At least I went somewhere different than what you're used to seeing.

Zevi- Fair. But it's more than just the beaches, it's an experience, and it's fun to get away.

Jonah- So agree to disagree?

Zevi- I guess so.

Well, after hearing two very convincing arguments, what do you guys think: cold or hot?

Article by Merav Berger ('25)

Off-the-Ball!

Storm Doesn't Play Games When it

Comes to Sports

Graphic by Highlites Staff

This week the KYHS boys and girls soccer teams and girls basketball team all competed in districts. Their hard work and persistence led each team to have an amazing season. While the girls soccer team and girls basketball team were defeated, the boys soccer team advanced to championships after winning 2-0 vs. St. Andrews. The student body prepared over the next two days for the big day with a pep rally during lunch to show support for our team.      

The girl’s basketball team competed against St. Andrews on Wednesday at 6pm. After an extremely difficult game, the girls lost by a score of 59-21, ending the season with 8 losses and 3 wins. Amira Kahn (‘24), a power forward on the team, expressed her feelings about the season by saying, “We played against a tough team and we gave it our best effort. Our team has improved tremendously from the start of the season. We learned how to play as a team and more importantly act like one. It was a great season.” Although they may not have won this season, it sounds like the players gained a lot more than they thought they would out of this season and hope to be victorious next year.

On Tuesday at 4pm the girl’s soccer team faced St. Andrews in what defender Rebecca Shammah (‘25) said was “a difficult game that required a lot of communication and focus.” In the end, our Storm girls soccer team was unfortunately mercied by St. Andrew, ending with a final score of 8-0. Although this is the end of their season, they were able to finish off with a winning season of six wins, five losses, and one tie.  We hope that next year the girls soccer team will do even better and continue through to district finals. 

On Tuesday at 6pm, the boys soccer team played against St. Andrews. Each member of the team put their heart into the game leading them to their victory of 2-0! Ayden Frank (‘23), captain of the soccer team, showed his pride in his team by saying, “Coming into the season we had one goal, no pun intended, and that was to avenge our last season and bring Katz Yeshiva High School to their first victory at district finals.” Since they won their last game, the boys continued to the next district game which took place on Thursday. School was dismissed early for everyone to be able to spectate and cheer on their classmates. Everyone who wasn’t standing up cheering sat on the edge of their seats for this close game. Unfortunately after a lot of hard work, KYHS lost by a small margin of 1-0. Congratulations to all the teams on their amazing seasons!

Article by Abby Tache ('25)

Lunch, Learn, Lubavitch

KYHS Students Celebrate Yud Shvat with Special Event

Graphic by Rebecca Adler ('23)

This Wednesday was Yud Shvat, the yahrtzeit of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe and the declaration of his son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, as the seventh. As the leading figure of Chabad, he would go on to guide the Jewish people for four decades. The school had a special event during lunch to celebrate the occasion.

Amidst the eating and singing, the school brought in Rabbi Yossi Denberg from CTeen to talk to the students. Rabbi Denberg talked about how the day was a time for reflection, and how students should grow from it. One point he made to the students was that with each phase of creation there was a goal that the people should be guided by. He emphasized that the goal of our phase was to bring about the time of Mashiach and the end of galut. At the end of his speech, Rabbi Denburg encouraged students to think on the day, and to do more in their life to turn the goal of Mashiach into a reality

Rabbi Denburg’s speech was a great way to get students to learn about a day that is important not only to Chabad, but to Jewish history in general. Shmully Rotenburg (‘23) said that “it was unbelievable seeing so many students gather to learn about Yud Shvat.” By bringing attention to the past leaders of Klal Yisrael, students were able to learn the goals of their generation, and as a result will be inspired to do good in the world.

Article by Samuel Jacobs ('25)

Judah's Journal:

Shabbaton Edition

Tips and Tricks For a Fun and

Uplifting Experience

Graphic by Orly Dimont ('23)

Stuff to pack:

• 2 dress shirts 
• 2 dress pants 
• 4 donuts to bribe Rabbi Horowitz to stay up past curfew 
• A tie
• Cough medicine for when all your roommates get sick

Tips & Tricks for Shabbos:

• Remember to say goodbye to Terry before you go :(
• Make friends with the bus driver – they decide where you go after all 
• Use the massage chairs at the rest stop 
• Be the first to shower in your room so the bathroom isn’t flooded when you go
• Learn to tie a tie before you arrive at the Shabbaton. If you are unable to do so, make sure you have a friend who knows how
• Get a photo with Rabbi Wolk to use as your new WhatsApp profile picture
• Have major shmoozes with the boys since it is an all-boys shabbaton
• Participate in davening and the activities so you actually have fun and make the best out of the shabbaton
• Make a kiddush Hashem because “astronomy will not be taught this shabbaton” – Mrs. Chait

Tips & Tricks for the Park:

• Remember, “you have ADHD” so you can skip the line
• Only walk around with people you actually like because it’s a long day
• Go on Velocicoaster first because the line is literally hours long
• Wear clip-on kippahs for the intense rides
• If you like extreme rides, go to Islands of Adventure
• Check with Rabbi Wolk before eating or drinking something you aren’t sure is kosher because you never know

Article by Judah Frohlich ('23)