Graphic by Esti Distenfeld ('26) | | |
Upcoming Events:
Yom Hazikaron Ceremony & Yom Ha'atzmaut Celebration
Apr. 30
Rosh Chodesh Iyar
Apr. 28-29
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Good & Welfare:
Faculty Mazel Tovs:
Rabbi Chaim and Rina Lanner on the Aufruf of their son Yitzy ('19)
Engagements:
Sam Merkin ('19) to Esti Weiss from Seattle, WA
Births:
Arianna (Halbstein ‘05) and Koby Sabghir on the birth of a baby boy
Eric (‘14) and Talia Ditchek on the birth of a baby girl
Natalie and Simon (‘12) Markovich on the birth of a baby boy, Charlie Lev
Amy (Glaun ‘12) and Avi Wolf on the birth of a baby boy, Noah Isaac
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וַיִּקְחוּ בְנֵי-אַהֲרֹן נָדָב וַאֲבִיהוּא אִישׁ מַחְתָּתוֹ, וַיִּתְּנוּ בָהֵן אֵשׁ, וַיָּשִׂימוּ עָלֶיהָ, קְטֹרֶת; וַיַּקְרִיבוּ לִפְנֵי ה', אֵשׁ זָרָה--אֲשֶׁר לֹא צִוָּה, אֹתָם. וַתֵּצֵא אֵשׁ מִלִּפְנֵי ה', וַתֹּאכַל אוֹתָם; וַיָּמֻתוּ, לִפְנֵי ה'. וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל-אַהֲרֹן, הוּא אֲשֶׁר-דִּבֶּר ה' לֵאמֹר בִּקְרֹבַי אֶקָּדֵשׁ, וְעַל-פְּנֵי כָל-הָעָם, אֶכָּבֵד; וַיִּדֹּם אהרן.
(ויקרא י:א-ג)
Why Was It Appropriate for Moshe to Address Aharon at That Moment?
The Malbim explains that the verb "וידם" – "He was silent" – is distinct from other expressions of quiet. This term implies that Aharon had interrupted himself—he was speaking, and then fell silent. In this context, it suggests that Moshe had interjected, and after hearing Moshe’s words, Aharon said no more.
According to the Malbim, we can imagine what Aharon might have been thinking in that moment of silence. He may have believed that his past mistakes, or the shortcomings of his children, had finally caught up to them. Moshe stepped in to comfort him, assuring him that Nadav and Avihu had died not because of sin, but because of their greatness and closeness to Hashem. Upon hearing this, Aharon understood—and was silent.
The Malbim continues by offering a profound insight into how great individuals endure the pain of personal tragedy. They live with the awareness that human understanding is deeply limited compared to the infinite wisdom of Hashem. As Kohelet says: “Do not be quick with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter a word before G-d, for G-d is in Heaven and you are on earth; therefore, let your words be few.” (Kohelet 5:1)
Such people are constantly aware of the kindness Hashem bestows upon them. They live with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Even a devastating loss cannot drain the deep reservoir of trust they have in Hashem. On the contrary—it is we who often operate in spiritual overdraft.
When someone asks, “Why did this happen to me?”—there may not be a clear answer. An answer ends the question. But an approach allows us to continue living with the question, with dignity and faith. An approach doesn’t claim to know the specific reason why something happened—it acknowledges that there may be countless possibilities, and that we do not know which, if any, are correct. But we can still be comforted by an approach—because it gives us a framework in which to carry the question.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Wolk
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A Memoir-able Performance!
KYHS Thespians Grace the Stage in Spring Production
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Graphic by Serena Fialkoff ('27)
Minutes before the curtain rose, I was hit with the all-too-familiar wave of pre-show jitters: sweaty palms, butterflies in my stomach, and a racing heartbeat. Classic opening night symptoms. But as my castmates and I stood frozen in our top of the show positions and Dr. Seidenfeld stepped up to the mic for some impactful opening remarks, I started to breathe a little easier. The nerves slowly melted away, replaced by the calm excitement of finally getting to perform what we’d worked so hard on. In those last quiet moments before the curtains parted, I thought back on the whirlwind of the past five weeks. Hours and hours of rehearsals, line-running marathons, laughter, occasional chaos—and somehow, it all led us here. Standing in the dark, moments before the bright stage lights would shine on us, I felt an overwhelming jumble of emotions. We had poured ourselves into every scene, and now it was time to share the magic.
Brighton Beach Memoirs, a play by Neil Simon, tells the semi-autobiographical story of Eugene Morris Jerome, a teenage boy growing up in a Jewish family in Brooklyn during the Great Depression. As teens living in the 21st century, stepping into the Jerome family’s world felt like time traveling with a purpose. We weren’t just acting—we were living out a piece of our history, one filled with laughter, love, struggles, and everything in between.
While the family dynamics on stage were complex and real, what truly stood out was how much those dynamics mirrored our off-stage relationships. Somewhere between scene changes and shared snacks, we became a family too. Amira Kahn (‘25), who lit up the stage as Kate Jerome, summed it up perfectly: “Brighton Beach Memoirs was a surreal experience for me especially because it was my final performance at KYHS. The show was about family and that really came through with the cast that I bonded endlessly with. I’m beyond grateful that I got to play sisters with one of my best friends, making the experience that much more incredible. This show was a challenge in many ways, but it made me a better actress and I enjoyed every minute on and off the stage.” When the final scene ended and the curtains closed for one last time, I was hit with a wave of emotion. Pride, mixed with a little bit of that bittersweet sadness that comes from knowing something wonderful has come to an end.
So, that’s a wrap on KYHS’s 2025 production of Brighton Beach Memoirs. We laughed. We cried. We gracefully fell down a flight of stairs. But most of all: we told a story that mattered—together.
Article by Eden Pardau ('26)
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Run, Run, Run!
KYHS Runs for Shalva in the Jerusalem Marathon
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Graphic by Lexi Newman ('28)
Shalva is an Israeli non-profit organization that empowers and supports individuals with disabilities—and this April, a group of KYHS students traveled to Israel to run alongside children with disabilities in the Shalva Jerusalem Marathon.
Gabriella Asher (‘25), a student who participated in the Shalva Marathon, reflected, “It’s not just about running, it’s about creating a unified community and allowing everyone to feel included. This was an incredible experience, and it taught me that anyone can be a runner if they believe in themselves.”
To make this meaningful trip possible, each student fundraised to support Shalva’s mission of providing educational, therapeutic, and recreational services to individuals with disabilities. The students raised the money in order to run. For example, Noa Schwartz (‘26) baked cupcakes and sold them to other students and family members to help collect money for Shalva.
The main theme of this marathon is to show inclusivity in the Jewish community. No matter your background, at the end of the day we all come together as one. Everyone can take part. There are various distances that participants can run including a full marathon, half marathon, and shorter races to include any participants that want to run for Shalva. Hundreds of people from around the world come to cheer and support the runners. The energy is uplifting, and the Ruach is inspirational. Izzie Gately (‘26) remarked that “seeing all types of Jews run and cheer together really showed [her] what it means to be Beyachad.”
All in all, our KYHS students feel deeply honored to have had the opportunity to travel to Israel to run the Shalva Jerusalem Marathon. It is a meaningful way of supporting an important cause and experiencing the unity of Am Yisroel.
Article by Miriam Marcus ('25)
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A+ Plan
Study Tips for Upcoming AP Exams
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Graphic by Mikaela Gottheil ('26)
As AP exams approach at Katz Yeshiva High School, students are gearing up for one of the most intense academic stretches of the year. Whether you're tackling your first AP or rounding out your senior year with a full slate, a strong strategy can make all the difference.
First, consistency is key. Instead of cramming the night before, aim to review a little bit each day.
Practice tests are super helpful, especially for timing. Simulate the real exam environment in order to learn to pace yourself.
Don't overlook your resources. Teachers help with review sessions, and there are many online tools like AP Classroom, Crash Course, and Quizlet. Studying with friends can also keep you motivated and accountable.
Senior Yael Melnitsky ('25), who took AP Biology as a junior, encourages underclassmen not to stress too much. “What helped me most was reviewing key concepts in small chunks and using flashcards every day. The test felt so much more manageable by the time it came,” she says.
Finally, prioritize sleep, take breaks, and don't overwork yourself. Your brain works better when you’re well-rested and balanced.
With smart preparation and a positive mindset, you can walk into the testing room confident and ready. Good luck, Storm!
Article by Merav Berger ('25)
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The Highlites Podcast: BEHIND THE BLACKBOARD | With Hostesses Rebecca Freedman ('25) and Rhyan Rackman ('25)! Thank you to Aaron Rosenhouse ('25) for filming and editing! | | Click to RSVP or sponsor! | | | | |
