Graphic by Ezra Dimont ('25) | |
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Upcoming Events:
Taanit Esther (Early Dismissal)
Mar. 13th
Chagigah- Purim Night!
Mar. 13th
Purim (No School)
Mar. 14th
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Good & Welfare:
Alumni Mazel Tovs:
Racheli (Goldberg ‘16) and Mikey Pearl ('16) on the birth of a baby boy
Jordan Landes (‘18) on his marriage to Dahlia Panitch from Potomac, MD
David Cutler (‘14) on his marriage to Sarah Lipoff from Monsey, NY
Leor Levenson (‘16) on his marriage to Neima Pollak from Los Angeles, CA
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In Parashat Tetzaveh, Moshe Rabbeinu plays a central role in the construction and furnishing of the Mishkan, the sacred sanctuary in the wilderness. Yet, strikingly, his name does not appear anywhere in the parasha. Typically, Torah passages introduce commandments with the phrase, “Vayedaber Hashem el Moshe lemor” – “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying…” However, in this portion, the text begins with “Ve’ata” – “And you” – as in “Ve’ata tetzaveh” – “And you shall command.” This deliberate omission by Hashem is significant.
Parashat Tetzaveh is always read near the yahrtzeit, the anniversary of Moshe’s passing, on the 7th of Adar. As we mark his loss, his name is missing from the text—a powerful reminder of something deeper about legacy.
Many believe that a lasting legacy depends on how often a person’s name is remembered and spoken. However, true legacy is not about name recognition—it is about the impact one leaves behind. The influence we have, the actions we take, and the values we instill in others are what endure. This idea is exemplified by another biblical figure: Noach.
When asked who the father of humanity is, most would instinctively say Adam. Yet, after the great flood, life on earth restarted with Noach, who set the foundation for future generations. Despite this, his name is not commonly recalled in daily life.
The Torah introduces Parashat Noach with the words, “Eileh toldot Noach” – “These are the generations of Noach,” followed by, “Noach ish tzaddik tamim hayah bedorotav et haElokim hithaleich Noach” – “Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generation; Noach walked with God.” Yet, instead of listing his descendants, the Torah emphasizes his righteousness. Rashi explains that this teaches us an essential truth: the true legacy of the righteous is not in their name but in their good deeds. Noach’s contributions shaped the world and continue to inspire us.
The same holds true for Moshe Rabbeinu in Parashat Tetzaveh. Though his name is absent, his teachings, values, and the Torah he delivered remain with us. This demonstrates that a meaningful legacy is built not by how often a name is repeated, but by the lasting influence of one’s actions.
May we all strive to create a legacy through our deeds, ensuring that our positive impact endures for generations to come.
Shabbat Shalom,
Eitan Himelstein ('25)
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KYHS Goes from Darkness to Light on the Girls Shabbaton | |
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Graphic by Esti Distenfeld ('26)
This past weekend, the girls of KYHS embarked on an unforgettable Shabbaton in Orlando, a weekend filled with adventure, inspiration, and deep connections. From the moment we stepped onto the buses on Friday morning, the energy was electric. Laughter, singing, and excited chatter filled the air as we set off from Boca, eager for what lay ahead. Of course, no road trip to Orlando would be complete without a stop at the iconic Fort Drum Service Plaza, where we ate a quick lunch before continuing on our way. When we finally arrived at the hotel, the excitement only grew. We were greeted with a beautifully arranged açaí bar, a refreshing and delicious start to the weekend ahead of us. As the sun began to set and Shabbos was quickly approaching, we had the chance to take pre-Shabbos pictures, an opportunity to ensure that these special moments would be preserved for years to come.
The Shabbaton’s powerful theme, "Darkness to Light”, was really felt throughout the weekend, specifically from the many inspiring stories we heard from our teachers. Erev Shabbos was nothing short of magical. Our all-girls Kabbalat Shabbat davening was filled with ruach and warmth, setting the stage for an uplifting evening. The beautiful kumzits that followed dinner allowed us to come together as one and pour out our hearts in song. And then came the high-energy scavenger hunt—a thrilling race around the hotel as teams competed to decipher clues and claim victory. Shabbos day was packed with meaningful moments and engaging activities. We attended shiurim led by our incredible teachers, each one tying into the “Darkness to Light” theme and sparking deep reflection. We bonded over delicious food, conversed with friends and teachers, and made new friends too! Izzie Gately (‘26) remarked, "I was so inspired and uplifted by the connections I made on the Shabbaton—with people I already know well and even people I wasn’t friends with before." A highlight of the day was the game run by Ms. Crowther, where we were grouped with other students and had to figure out what connected us—a challenge that had everyone thinking hard. The ultimate reward? A coveted Rhode makeup product, which added even more excitement to the mix!
As Shabbos came to a close, we gathered for one final kumzits and heard an inspiring story connecting back to the Shabbaton’s theme from Mrs. Perl. Marking the end of an incredible Shabbos was an energetic havdalah filled with lots of singing and dancing. Motzei Shabbos took us to Disney Springs, where we had the freedom to explore, grab some ice cream, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere. Whether wandering through shops, listening to the live concert, or just enjoying the night with friends, the energy was contagious. But the adventure wasn’t over yet.
Sunday morning, we packed up and headed to Universal Studios. With perfect weather and an endless array of thrilling rides, the day was filled with adrenaline, laughter, and nonstop fun. Running through the parks, riding crazy roller coasters, and spending time with friends, new and old, made the experience even more special. As all great things must come to an end, we eventually boarded the buses home, exhausted but glowing with happiness. The long bus ride home was a perfect opportunity to reflect on the amazing weekend we just had—one filled with growth, inspiration, and lifelong memories. A huge thank you to Mrs. Hochner, Rabbi Wolk, and the entire faculty for making this experience so incredible. This Shabbaton was one for the books, and we can’t wait to see what next year has in store. Until then!
Article by Eden Pardau ('26)
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Dozens Still Held Hostage Amid Purim Celebrations | |
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Graphic by Esti Distenfeld ('26)
Phase one of the hostage deal has been completed, though the fate of the remaining 59 Israeli hostages held by Hamas is still uncertain. Tragically, 28 hostages have been confirmed dead. In this moment of uncertainty, there are three possible outcomes: the extension of the phase one deal, reaching an agreement on phase two, or the continuation of hostilities. The IDF has made it clear that without the release of the remaining hostages, further fighting may be inevitable.
U.S. President Donald Trump has been firm in his stance, urging Hamas to release the hostages or face severe consequences. He recently met with former hostages, who shared harrowing stories from their captivity, expressing their deep gratitude for his efforts. Trump reassured them that he would do everything within his power to secure the return of those still held.
As Purim approaches, let us take to heart the story of resilience and determination demonstrated by Esther and Mordechai. Despite facing immense darkness, the Jewish people have always emerged stronger, with faith in Hashem. In this difficult time, let us continue to pray for the safe return of all hostages and stand united in support of what is right. May our strength and compassion guide us through these trying days.
Article by Reese Zombek ('26)
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Five Minute Hacks:
Storm Edition- Purim
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Graphic by Netanel Asher ('28)
Adar at KYHS is always a blast and something to look forward to. It is especially true this year with KOSL providing two straight weeks of non-stop Adar fun. This week was all about National Holidays, with the focus next week being dressing up in costumes. On Tuesday, KOSL kicked off the week with National Ida Day (pronounced “Ee-da”), celebrating each of the four students with “Ida” in their names: with Ida Casper, A(Ida)n Struhl, Shalom V(Ida)l, and Jonas Sa(Ida). The festivities continued into Wednesday, National Cheese Doodle Day, as well as National Oreo Day on Thursday and National Cereal Day on Friday.
All of these days were enhanced by generous raffles hosted by Rabbi Wolk, which took place at breakfast and featured exclusive prizes relating to the National Holiday of the day. According to Rabbi Wolk, the inspiration for this year’s Adar schedule is that “part of the KYHS culture is to celebrate the lesser known National Holiday on the calendar to add a little spice, flair, and fun to the school day. Being that it’s Adar, we felt that in order to inject some happiness and joy into the building, we thought that we should have a whole week of these silly holidays in addition to the three dress up days to get us into the Purim spirit.” Next week, make sure to be on the lookout for Mismatch Day, Dress Like a Teacher Day, and Dress Like Your Dream Job Day! Just like every Adar, this year’s Adar celebration culminates with the annual Purim Chagigah, which is sure to be an exciting and unforgettable event.
Article by Ari Gross ('27)
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