Upcoming Events:

Boys Shabbaton

Mar. 13

Sarachek Tournament

Mar. 19 - Mar. 23

Good & Welfare:

Births:

Rachel (‘10 Danis) and Avi Ginsburg on the birth of a baby girl, Lilah Elle

Marriages:

Meyer Grunberg (‘14) to Sapir Magen from Kiryat Gat, Israel

Engagements:

Sammy Struhl (’20) to Marsha Joseph from Herzliya, Israel

Spotify KYHS Purim Wrapped

Who Knew Mr. Zakes Was So Fashionable?!

KYHS Enters Purim With a Week Full of Fun Dress Up Days

Graphic by Lexi Newman ('28)

In honor of Purim, KYHS had several fun dress-up days that brought a lot of excitement and school spirit to the halls. The themes included Dress Like a Teacher Day, Throwback Day, and Sports Jersey Day. Dress Like a Teacher Day was hilarious. Students came dressed as their favorite teachers, copying their outfits and styles. Even some teachers joined the fun by dressing like students. It was funny to see everyone switching roles for the day.

Throwback Day was also fun, as students got creative with their outfits and brought back nostalgic looks from past years. Some students even wore their middle school uniforms, which took everyone back to their childhood. On Sports Jersey Day, students proudly wore jerseys of their favorite teams and players, showing off their sports dedication. “The best dress-up day for me was Throwback Day. I dug through my closet to find my old BMA uniform!” said junior Evie Lewinger.

Overall, the Purim dress-up days were an engaging way for students and teachers to celebrate together and bring extra energy and simcha to the month of Adar.

Article by Aviva Sered ('27)

Because Everyone Belongs

The Yachad Club Takes a Very Special Field Trip to Jarc

Graphic by Blimi Farkas ('26)

The best part about high school is the community you become part of when you reach 9th grade. It takes some time to realize it, but in high school there are so many opportunities: chesed projects, helping out the school, sports teams, and, of course, clubs.

While many see clubs as a fun time to spend their lunches, to me, clubs are much more. Clubs are a commitment — they are a group of people who come together with similar interests and hope to make a difference.

For those who may not know, the Yachad Club this year has been more than just a fun lunch period on Tuesdays. It is where students dedicate themselves to learning, growing, and truly trying to make the world a better place.

The goal of the club is not only to become more knowledgeable or aware of those with special needs, but to use these lessons in everyday life and to create a space where everyone feels that they belong.

It may sound cliché, but people genuinely come to Yachad to be their true self. That is what makes the club so special.

About two weeks ago, instead of having our usual meeting where we learn about different disabilities and how to apply those lessons in KYHS, the Yachad Club took a small field trip to Jarc.

Jarc, located on the Federation campus, provides residential support to adults with developmental disabilities. During their lunch period, students chose to dedicate their time, not to sitting with friends or relaxing, but to volunteering with the residents at Jarc.

What made the experience so meaningful was how simple, yet powerful, the interactions were. Students sat with residents, talked with them, laughed together, and played crossword puzzles as a group.

Students were finally able to take the lessons we talked about in the Yachad club, the importance of inclusion and the power of a smile and apply them to our visit at Jarc!

Even though many of the students who came had never even been involved with Yachad before, they made sure to go outside their comfort zone and make a difference. This really is not an easy thing to do and I am sincerely inspired by these acts of chesed.

While it is hard to measure the true impact of our actions, I can confidently say the residents at Jarc seriously appreciated the time we spent together. It was beautiful to see everyone look passed differences and spend meaningful time together.

I am incredibly proud of everyone who came and cannot wait to see all the amazing things these individuals are going to continue to do for Klal Yisroel!

Article by Avi Harris ('26)

Lessons For Life

KYHS Boys Get the Honor of Hearing from Moshe Cohen, a Professional Therapist and Guidance Counselor (and DRS Basketball Coach)

A few weeks ago, the boys had the privilege of hearing from Moshe Cohen, a professional therapist and guidance counselor. Cohen shared valuable insight on how students can handle the daily pressures of life while still enjoying themselves in a healthy way.

Through stories and experiences from people he has counseled, Cohen gave students a realistic look at the consequences of drugs, alcohol, and other forms of addiction, as well as ways to avoid them. He emphasized that addiction is not defined by how often someone uses a substance, but rather by their dependence on it.

One example Cohen discussed was gambling, which he often sees affecting teenagers. Drawing from real cases throughout his career, he explained how what begins as a small bet or a harmless activity can quickly spiral into serious debt and even theft.

Sholom Vidal (‘27) reflected on this point, saying, “It is crazy to see how things that some of us do every day can quickly take a wrong turn and result in severe consequences down the road.”

While it is important to enjoy life and participate in activities we love, Cohen reminded students that moderation is key. By being mindful of our habits and avoiding activities that may harm our well-being, we can make healthier choices for the future.

Article by Avi Weinstock ('27)

Graphic by Adira Baitner ('26)

School lunch is often a better option than bringing lunch from home because it’s warm, fresh, and you don’t have to worry about packing it the night before. At our school, we are lucky enough to have The Grove, which offers a wide variety of food—from poppers and sushi to fresh fruit—so there are plenty of good options instead of the same sandwich every day. They also sell snacks if you’re not in the mood for a full meal. In addition, students fill out a hot lunch form three times a year, making it a reliable option since you know you’ll always have a meal waiting for you, and you can even change up your order! Ethan Stern (’28), who frequently buys poppers from The Grove, says that “buying school lunch is a great choice…especially for freshmen and sophomores who are not allowed to leave campus, school lunch provides more variety and flexibility during the day.”

In addition, bringing lunch from home can sometimes be less convenient. It’s easy to forget to pack it, bring too little food, or end up eating the same thing every day. And sometimes, packed lunches get soggy or just aren’t filling enough. Going out to buy food can also be stressful: it takes extra time, costs more money, and students have to rush back before class. School lunch, on the other hand, is reliable and ready when you need it.

Shira Schebovitz (’27) even says that the school should “bring back the brisket tacos” from the hot lunch menu because they were one of her favorites. With enjoyable options and meals ready during the school day, school lunch is a convenient and satisfying choice for many students.

Argued by Merav Skoczylas ('27)

Every day at lunchtime, students face the same decision: eat school lunch or bring food from home. While both options are common, many students find that bringing lunch from home better fits their preferences and daily routines.

One of the biggest advantages of bringing lunch from home is the flexibility it offers. Packing lunch allows students to choose exactly what they want to eat and adjust their meals based on their tastes or dietary needs. Instead of relying on a set menu, students can bring foods they know they enjoy. Annie Kenigsberg (‘27) shared that “Lunch from home is personalized and you get to choose what to bring every day.” This ability to customize meals is one of the main reasons students prefer bringing their own food.

Another benefit of bringing lunch from home is the freshness and familiarity of the food. Meals prepared at home often feel more comfortable and reliable, since students know exactly what ingredients are included. For many people, eating food they packed themselves can make lunchtime more enjoyable and satisfying.

Packing lunch can also help families save money. Instead of purchasing a meal at school every day, students can bring simple foods or leftovers that are already available at home. Over time, this can make bringing lunch a more cost-effective option.

Overall, bringing lunch from home gives students greater control over what they eat while also offering familiarity and potential savings. For many students, these benefits make packing lunch the better choice for their school day.

Argued by Carly Farbman ('27)