Graphic by Serena Fialkoff ('27)

Good & Welfare:

Births

Daniella Cohen (‘15) and Josh Traube on the birth of a baby girl, Olivia Adeline (Lieba Esther) 

Engagements

Ava Amar (‘24) to Owen Sausen (‘24) - KYHS’s 32nd couple!

Upcoming Events:

Erev Rosh Hashana

Friday Sept. 11-13 No classes

Tzom Gedaliah

Mon Sept. 14- Early dismissal 2:15 pm

Rosh Hashana Ispiration

By Rabbi Nachbar

"Tomorrow will be Rosh Hashanah — Karanatzia Nacht, Coronation Night!" the melamed exclaimed, looking each boy in the eye.

Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik z’l used to relate this powerful childhood memory: the "unaccustomed feeling and joy" his Lubavitcher cheder rebbe expressed on Erev Rosh Hashanah in the small village of Chaslavitch, Russia. "Kinderlach, do you know what that means!? It's time to put a crown on the 'head' of Hashem! And do you know who places the crown?!" The teacher paused with emotion. "Yankel the Tailor and Berel the Shoemaker…" You and I — each and every one of us, big and small — crown the Ribono Shel Olam as King of the Universe!”

The Rav zt’l reminisced, "Over the years I have said many sermons and written many discourses on the concepts of Rosh Hashanah—but nothing ever made me feel the theme of the holiday as the words of my first teacher, my cheder Rebbe. Every year when I pray Meloch al Kol haOlam Kulo — 'Rule over the whole entire world in Your glory' — I remember those words and I remember him."

This past Shabbos we read Parshas Nitzavim, which opens with Moshe Rabbeinu's words: Atem Nitzavim HaYom, Kulchem Lifnei Hashem Elokeichem — "You are standing here today, all of you, before Hashem your G-d”. And then Moshe lists: “the heads of your tribes, your elders, your children, women, converts, and those within your camp, from your wood-choppers to your water-drawers…" concluding that all are entering together into the covenant Hashem is making on that day.

The Gemara teaches that this "day" alluded to in the parsha is Rosh Hashanah itself, when we all stand together as one before HaKadosh Baruch Hu, unified in our effort to return to Him and coronate Him as King.

Without the awareness that we stand equally "before Hashem," our status, too often,  gets defined by things like social standing, intellect, and resources. Rosh Hashanah celebrates the creation of mankind in the image of G-d — a joyful Yom Tov in which we refocus on the truth that all of us, regardless of our abilities or lack thereof, are Hashem's beloved children. Standing before Him, we are all on equal footing: the tailor and the shoemaker alike.

We each carry different talents and strengths, and every member of Klal Yisrael has a unique role in Avodas Hashem. In a world where we so often size each other up by degrees and professional resumes, it is only when we "stand before Hashem" that we truly recognize ourselves as equals.

Rosh Hashanah is called Yom Zichron Teruah — the Day of Remembering the Shofar Blast — and simply Yom Teruah (Bamidbar 29:1). The Chozeh of Lublin zy'a suggests that Teruah, תרועה,  shares its root with Reus, רעות, friendship. Zichron Teruah, then, is a reminder: Kol Yisrael Chaveirim — all of Israel are not only family, but meant to be friends. On Rosh Hashanah, let's remember our friends, our neighbors, and our extended Jewish family — because to truly coronate the King, we must recognize that before Him, we are all one: His beloved children.

Graphic by Eitan Perl ('28)

With Rosh Hashanah quickly approaching, students at KYHS have been hearing “Teshuvah Drashas” from teachers and rabbis to help us prepare for the High Holidays. These short but meaningful speeches have given students a chance to pause and reflect on the past year, our actions, and the people we want to become.

One of the speakers this past week was Mrs. Marcus, who started us off with an inspiring message about teshuva and the importance of using this time to reflect and grow. Rabbi Nachbar shared an emotional story about his father, emphasizing that Hashem knows everything we do and is always watching over us. His story reminded students that even when we may feel alone, Hashem is always there.



We also heard from Rabbi Dovid Bogupolsky from Boca Jewish Center, who spoke passionately about the meaning behind this time of year. His energy and message encouraged students to think about what teshuva truly means and how we can make the most of the opportunity to grow.

Article By Liel Levy ('27)

First Impressions Matter

KYHS Welcoming Committee Welcomes New Families

Graphic by Technial Staff

The KYHS Welcoming Committee is dedicated to helping families feel at home and connected to our school community. Whether a family is joining KYHS for the first time or already has children in the school, the start of a new school year is an opportunity to build relationships and make sure every parent feels welcomed and supported. Our goal is to create a warm, approachable connection between families and the school, and to help parents feel that they are part of the KYHS community from the very beginning.

To kick off the year, committee volunteers personally called all new families to welcome them to KYHS, introduce themselves, and offer a friendly point of contact for any questions. We also reached out to returning KYHS families who have a new child starting this year, recognizing that each child’s transition is special, even when the family is already familiar with the school. These personal conversations are a simple but meaningful way to strengthen our community, and we look forward to continuing to help families connect throughout the year."

Parent volunteers make a tremendous impact on our students, teachers, and the KYHS community as a whole. If you would like to get involved with KYHS parent volunteering committees, please contact Leah (Lindi) Rosen to share your interests, any specific skills or ideas you may have, and the type of volunteering you would most like to do.

Thank you to the Committee for their continued efforts:

Leah Rosen (chair woman)

Rachel Harow

Cara Harris

Lara Mizel

Valerie Olsen

Andrea Zucker

Article by Highlights Staff



It's Storm Season

KYHS Sports Teams Start Back Up

Graphic by Netanel Asher ('28)



With fall sports in full swing, competitiveness is ramping up at KYHS. With cross country, volleyball, golf, and flag football, there have been an array of games. Girls volleyball had an exciting game against Donna Klein this past Tuesday, and cross country has been consistently practicing for their upcoming track meet. Flag football has had two games scheduled, but due to thunderstorms, both were canceled. However, this has only increased their hunger for wins.

The team now looks to get its first win and establish its dominance within the league. In addition to the competitiveness of our athletes themselves, many students who do not play a sport still take part. Fans have become a crucial part of winning games, often deciding which team has the advantage of a better atmosphere. When a team is losing momentum during a game, a fanbase willing to root for their team can swing play back in their favor. Katz Yeshiva High School students make sure of this. They come to games ready to fight alongside the players, all toward one cohesive effort to win games. People come with signs bearing school slogans and cheers with players' names. During halftime, team managers help players with gear and water to increase the likelihood of winning. Senior Aryeh Gross (‘27) expressed that “everyone coming together for the good of the teams really helps our school camaraderie grow.” This creates a better school environment for students to enjoy.

The average student now has the opportunity to participate in athletic activities even if they aren’t on the team itself. This is what the heart of competitive high school sports is truly about.

Article by Jackie Kirshner ('27)

Highlites Staff