Graphic by Yael Billet ('25) and Gabriella Asher ('25) | |
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Upcoming Events:
Blood Drive
Jan. 6th
Girls Musical Drama Performance
Jan. 6th - 7th
Asarah B'Tevet (Early Dismissal)
Jan. 10th
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Good & Welfare:
Marriages:
Ashira Meyerowitz (‘20) and Eli Lome (‘21) both from Boca Raton, FL - KYHS’s 25th couple!
Talia Stauber (‘20) to Aharon Yudin from Woodmere, NY
Condolences:
Rhonda Silkin, on the passing of her beloved mother, Cynthia Hellman
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The common saying goes that the past cannot be changed, but the future is ours to shape. But is this truly the case? Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt”l offers a profound perspective that challenges this conventional wisdom, teaching that the past can, in a sense, be rescripted—not through altering the events themselves, but through the way we understand and frame them. He draws this remarkable insight from the story of Yosef. Initially, when Yosef recounts his experiences, he describes them with raw honesty, saying, “I was kidnapped and placed in this dungeon,” an account that underscores his personal suffering and the injustice he endured. However, as the narrative progresses and Yosef's life takes an extraordinary turn, his perspective shifts. When addressing his brothers, he reframes these same painful events as part of a Divine plan, declaring that everything had been orchestrated by God to achieve a greater purpose. This reinterpretation is not mere rhetoric but a transformation rooted in Yosef’s present reality—his rise to power in Egypt and the pivotal role he played in saving countless lives during a time of famine.
Yosef’s ability to see meaning in his trials offers a timeless lesson. It teaches us that while we cannot undo the events of our past, we hold the power to reshape their significance through the lens of our present understanding and faith. Challenges that once seemed insurmountable or devoid of purpose can, with time and reflection, be seen as steps along a path guided by a higher plan. Yosef’s story reminds us to trust in this Divine orchestration, encouraging us to embrace the belief that even the most difficult moments are imbued with purpose, whether or not we can immediately discern it. In doing so, we learn to approach our own lives with greater resilience and faith, seeing not just the pain of the moment but the potential for growth and meaning that lies within. From this, we can learn to view our own challenges as part of God’s plan, trusting that everything that happens is ultimately for the best, even if we cannot immediately see it.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Sandy Shulkes
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Find WALDOIL in the Chanukah Pictures Below! | |
All Chanukah Graphics Created by Technical Staff | |
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Here are the winners of the Boys Tournaments:
Foosball - Shua Schwartz and Gavi Lyons
Ping Pong - Aryeh Gross
Corn Hole - Akiva Lanner and Golan Aghion
3-on-3 Basketball - Ilan Attias, Ami Kieffer and Ronen Ben-Aharon
Spikeball - Caleb Snow and Caleb Zak
Kan Jam - Rabbi Lanner and Mr. Bryan Levin
Chess - Mr. Shea Levin
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Chanukah Teacher Music Video | |
Filmed and Edited by Mr. Zach Cohen | |
Building the Beit HaMikdash Block by Block | |
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Picture Taken of the Minecraft Virtual Game Design of the Beit Hamikdash
This past Monday during lunch, Sruli Muschel (‘26) showed off his incredible rendition of the Second Beit HaMikdash created in the popular video game, Minecraft. In Minecraft, players can use various types of blocks to create impressive structures or buildings, and that is exactly what Sruli did. During his presentation, which was broadcast on the cafeteria TV, Sruli showed off the vast courtyard, the enormous walls, and the Kodesh HaKedashim, featuring a large golden menorah in the center. The sheer size, accuracy, and amount of time Sruli spent working on his creation highlights his dedication, creativity, and Chanukah spirit. The presentation culminated in Sruli lighting the virtual menorah one candle at a time, resulting in an applause from the large crowd that gathered to watch.
According to Sruli ,the inspiration for the recreation was that he had “always wanted to be able to explore the Beit HaMikdash.” Sruli had previously been on VR tours and seen pictures of what the Beit HaMikdash looked like, but by building it block by block, Sruli got to experience firsthand the second Beit HaMikdash in all its glory. In terms of the creation’s actual design in the game, Sruli was influenced by The Original Second Temple, a book by Rabbi Yoav Elan, which explores the layout and design of the second Beit HaMikdash in incredible detail. In short, Sruli’s incredible recreation was an amazing way to increase the Chanukah spirit during lunch, as well as allowing Sruli to show off something that he worked so long and hard to produce in an impressive display of creativity.
Article by Ari Gross ('27)
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Discovering South Florida's Torah Scene
Rabbi Stohl's 12th Grade Masmidim Trip
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As a pre-Chanukah kickoff, Rabbi Stohl took the 12th grade Masmidim on a field trip to visit different shuls and institutions of Torah learning in Hollywood and North Miami Beach. Students were privileged to hear from many inspiring rabbis and community leaders. After Shacharit at Heichal HaTorah, and a festive breakfast of sufganiyot and tuna wraps, the boys attended a shiur about the applications of the monetary halachot they’ve been learning in shiur to real cases that people in the community faced.
One example was a discussion of the halachic ramifications of a hotel that gave less rooms than promised to a popular Pesach program, resulting in many families demanding refunds for their cramped Pesach Seders. One student, David Ellis (‘25), said that “it was really interesting seeing how concepts that we learned in the Gemara work in the real world.” Aspiring lawyer Samuel Jacobs (‘25) found it “uplifting to see how community members like doctors and lawyers got involved in the shiur, contributing their personal experience with the cases at hand.”
After leaving Heichal HaTorah, the students then visited Beis Mordechai, where Rabbi Smith shared his inspiring stories of hashgacha pratit that led him to start a Jewish community in West Hollywood. Following a tour of the shul’s beautiful mikveh, the class shifted gears down I-95 to the North Miami Beach Kollel, where they heard from many amazing members of the community including Rabbi Singer. The Masmidim finished their meaningful day with lunch at Ariel’s Delicious Pizza and mincha. A huge thank you to Rabbi Stohl for organizing this amazing trip!
Article by Yosef Norman ('25)
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A Special Message for Our Model Congress Team | |
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Graphic by Technical Staff
Dear KYHS Family,
I wanted to let you know the results of the Model Congress competition. KYHS had a fantastic showing among the 20+ schools present, as six of our students made the top seven: Ariel Elazar (‘25), Eden Pardau (‘26), Tyler Pilkington (‘25), Abby Rosenblat (‘26), Aliyah Harow (‘25), and Ari Mergui (‘25). Aliyah and Ari tied for second place overall—that was an exciting moment!
I am immensely proud of our students for all the time and effort they put into their congressional performance, but the awards they received are not as significant as the comments I heard from several administrators in the Yeshiva League, who specifically mentioned that this group beautifully represents not only KYHS but also the broader Jewish academic community. Our students consistently conduct themselves with character, poise, and professionalism.
To illustrate, one of our team members struggles with anxiety and self-confidence issues. He was crushed when he did not make the podium in last night’s tournament after all the work he had done. The way his teammates rushed to encourage and support him on our group chat was truly touching. I’m grateful and honored to be able to work with such lovely young people.
Thank you so much for all your support.
Ms. Kyla Crowther
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The Highlites Pod
Behind The Blackboard -
On Ice
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Filmed and Edited by Aaron Rosenhouse ('25) | | | | |
