Upcoming Events:

Boys Shabbaton

This Week!

Sarachek Tournament

Mar. 19 - Mar. 23

Good & Welfare:

Marriages:

Ella Herman ('16) to Josh Bakst ('16)- KYHS's 28th Couple!

Almost everyone knows what lashon hara is, but how many of us actually avoid speaking it? We all know it’s against the Torah, and most of us feel a little guilty when we say it, but somehow it still slips into everyday conversation. In reality, you can barely walk through the halls of a high school without overhearing something that could be considered lashon hara.

The power of words is so significant that a single comment can break friendships and damage reputations, yet if we know how harmful it is, why do we still say it? Why has something so serious become so normalized? And why don’t more people truly understand the weight and impact of the words they choose to speak?

This is why I created the Anti Lashon Hara Club – so people can learn the halachot pertaining to lashon hara while also allowing people to reflect on the way they speak and how important it really is.

Every Tuesday during lunch in room 214 the Anti Lashon Hara Club takes place. The curriculum is from The Chofetz Chaim: A lesson a day; it is exactly what it sounds like. Every day I post a picture from the corresponding daily lesson in the book, and the club members and I get together to discuss what was learned in the past week and its practical applications. Regardless if you believe in Lashon Hara’s Major spiritual consequences, Shmiras Halashon will improve relationships, save reputations, and will seriously make the world a better place. In Parashas Pekudei, Moshe gives a painstaking, itemized account of every ounce of gold, silver, and copper used to build the mishkan, but why did Moshe need to do this?

The Midrash Tanchuma explains that people were whispering Lashon Hara behind his back, claiming he had enriched himself from the public funds. They would say, "Look how fat his neck is getting from our donations!"

Moshe realized that even the most holy project can be tainted by suspicious talk. By being 100% transparent, and by giving these portions of gold, silver, and copper, he taught that a leader must "be clean before God and before Israel." To build a dwelling place for God, you must first silence the "evil tongue" through integrity and clarity.

This carries on to Alshich Hakadosh’s idea of the Mishkan being compared to parts of the human organs.

The Golden Altar: Corresponds to the mouth/tongue.

The Ketoret: Just as the incense produced a sweet aroma that rose to God, our speech should be pleasant and elevating.

The Contrast: If the mouth is used for Lashon Hara, it is like bringing "strange fire" or a foul odor into the Mishkan. You cannot build a "Sanctuary of Wood" if your "Sanctuary of Words" is in ruins.

While the concept of Shmiras Halashon may seem so simple, its impact is so profound. Our words have the power to ruin someone's day, but at the same time are able to make someone smile – our words can have a serious positive impact just as much as a negative one. The “Anti Lashon Hara Club” is not only where we learn how to block out our negative speech, but a place where we push each other to use our speech in an uplifting and impactful way. Before shabbos, try to reflect on your words. Ask yourself: what did I say that could have hurt someone? What did I say that could have made someone's day?

May we all use our speech to spread as much light into this world as possible.

Good Shabbos,

Eliav Bar ('26)

Mardi Gra🎭 < OU Chesed Trip

KYHS Travel to New Orleans for a OU Chesed Mission

Graphic by Lexi Newman ('28)

This past week, a few select KYHS students had the pleasure of going to New Orleans, Louisiana to participate in an OU Relief Missions Chesed and Leadership trip. Very early in the morning the day after Purim, our group embarked on a two hour flight to New Orleans, excited for the various chesed opportunities ahead. Later that night at the Ozaman Homeless Shelter, we prepared food for the nearly two hundred homeless occupants living there. The following day, we took a trip to the Lower Ninth Ward, a neighborhood in New Orleans that is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina over twenty years later. The majority of our time there was spent carefully levelling out the ground surrounding a house with the help of shovels and pickaxes.

Prior to Shabbos, our group visited Green Light New Orleans, a nonprofit organization that promotes energy conservation by distributing energy-efficient light bulbs and rainwater barrels throughout the city, helping prevent subsidence and combat the sinking of New Orleans. Of course, not all of our time was spent volunteering; in between the chesed, we were led on various Jewish tours in order to deepen our spiritual connection with the city. Furthermore, each night came with a fun activity. Whether it was bowling or taking a horse and buggy ride through the french quarter, we got many deserving breaks from all the hard work and effort we were putting in.

When asked about his experience, fellow participant Jakie Kirschner (‘27) explained that “it was really special helping the community of New Orleans in their relief from Hurricane Katrina and similar events. It allowed me to appreciate the privileged life I live and see things from a different perspective.” Needless to say, this trip would not have been possible without efforts from both Rabbi Horowitz and OU liaison Shira Bar Chaim. A special thanks to both of them for leading such an unforgettable experience!

Article by Ari Gross ('27)

"Math is the Only Subject that ACTUALLY Matters"

KYHS Students Participate in Yale's Annual Math Competition

Graphic by Serena Fialkoff ('26)

Last week, the KYHS math team—Eitan White ‘26, Akiva Tokayer ‘27, Zalmy Himelstein ‘27, and Sarra Stein ‘27—traveled to New Haven, Connecticut to compete in the Yale Math Competition. After spending Shabbat at the Chabad and solving an escape room, the math team arrived energized to compete against other Jewish students from around the country.

The competition was organized by Jewish, math-loving students at Yale and was divided into three parts. In the first round, competitors answered questions individually in a quiz-like manner. In the second round, the KYHS math team answered questions in the same exam format. The team delivered a strong performance, coming within two questions shy of the leaderboard. Zalmy Himelstein (‘27) stated, “It was very fun solving math problems and competing against other schools.” The final round was a speed-based team round in which groups attempted to complete increasingly difficult problems. The mathletes were in eighth place, but unfortunately lost their title because they had to leave early to rush to the airport.

Throughout their time in New Haven, the KYHS Math Team met very interesting, kind, and studious people. Akiva Tokayer (‘27) shared, “The math competition was so fun. The competition, the activities, the shabbat—all of it. And, the Chabad was so nice to host us, even though the wife just gave birth the day before we came! It was really a great time, especially the escape room.”

Overall, the trip was both a rewarding academic experience and a memorable opportunity for the team to connect with other students who share their passion for mathematics.

Article written by Highlites writting staff

Senior Boys Luchadores

KYHS's Annual Purim Chagiga was magillanificent

Graphic by Avi Harris ('26)

The Purim chagiga at KYHS was filled with laughter, excitement, and incredible energy as everyone gathered for the annual celebration. The Megillah was read beautifully by some of the students, everyone booing loudly when Haman’s name was called. From the moment people walked in, it was clear that they had gone all out with their costumes! The room was filled with creativity as students dressed up as everything imaginable. It felt like every corner you looked at, there was another costume that made you stop and stare. The senior girls notably dressed up as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and the senior boys as Mexican Wrestlers.

Following Megillah reading, we ate and danced, both highlights of the night. As the music started, students from every grade started dancing and celebrating together. The radiating energy was contagious and soon everyone was smiling, laughing, and dancing together. The night ended with a bang as the seniors presented their annual purim video. When it began, the entire room honed in on the screen. Alexia Abitbol (28’) remarked that “It was a hilarious and creative video that had the entire room laughing and cheering the entire time—especially when you or your friends made it in!”

Article by Orlee Shemesh ('28)

Click Here to access our Purim Chagiga Photo Gallery!