Graphic by Esti Distenfeld ('26)

Upcoming Events:

Asarah B'Tevet (Have an easy fast!)

Today

End of Quarter 2 (9th-11th Grade) 

Jan. 15th

Winter Break

Jan. 16th - 26th

Good & Welfare:

Engagements

Jessica Griff (‘15) ​​to Howie Wilamowski, from Riverdale NY

I read the following idea shared by Rav Alex Israel. In this week’s Parsha, Parshat Vayechi, Yaakov is getting ready to bless his children before he dies. The Passuk tells us “All these were the tribes of Israel, twelve in number, and this is what their father said to them; he blessed them all, blessing each one with a blessing appropriate to him.” (50:28)

The Or Hachayim comments:

A BLESSING APPROPRIATE TO HIM: A blessing which matched the inner traits of his soul and his actions. For every soul has a particular virtue. Yaakov wanted his blessings to bring out the inner nature of every son.

HE BLESSED THEM ALL: He blesses them as a collective, for the particular blessing of every one of the brothers will help all the brothers. When one brother has a particular virtue ... a small amount of that virtue will reach each and every one of the brothers.”

The Or Hachayim helps us understand that this verse is emphasising the unique characteristics of each of the tribes. Yaakov gathers them all together so that they realize that each and every one has something unique that he can contribute to the others. Each brother can add his uniqueness to the family as a unit.

This approach stresses the unity of the Jewish nation. The togetherness that Yaakov proposes for his children is one that takes account of the differences between his sons; of their various talents and strengths, their strong temperaments and ideologies. Yaakov suggests that the family can live together despite their differences. In fact Yaakov goes a step further; the family will be built precisely because of the tribe’s differences. It is the unique nature of each tribe which will build a stronger Israel.

I had the privilege of attending the Girl’s Musical this week. Our school is filled with many unique individuals who each have different talents. When a group of talented individuals comes together, each one has the opportunity to shine - not in competition with each other, but alongside each other. Just like Yaakov was trying to teach his sons, we are each individuals with individual talents but when we come together, we are stronger and better together. 

Shabbat Shalom,

Mrs. Lysee Stein

Senior Night Celebration

Honoring KYHS Basketball and Soccer Teams with Unforgettable Spirit and Dedication

Graphic by Gabriella Asher ('25)

This past Tuesday night was senior night for our varsity girls basketball teams. The KYHS gym was electric and full of school spirit as students, parents, and teachers gathered to come support the teams and their seniors. Our seniors have dedicated years and hours to their sports teams, and they will be missed greatly next year. Our fans made posters to show their support and love for the players. Additionally, the girls team decorated their locker room and signed basketballs for each of their seniors with nice messages. Senior night highlights the seniors' hard work and leadership that they have demonstrated throughout their high school years. The game was against Posnack, one of our greatest rivals. Our Varsity girls defeated the Posnack Rams!

Sarah Leff ('27) remarked, “I’m going to miss the seniors so much next year, and it has been so fun building friendships and hanging out with them on the court!”

Eliyah Levy ('25) said, “I’m so grateful to have such wonderful teammates who were able to make senior night so special for me; I loved all the decorations!” 

Not only was it basketball senior night, it was also girls soccer senior night! KYHS's soccer senior night was a memorable and emotional celebration, honoring the dedication and achievements of the graduating players. As the last girls' game of the season, it was a bittersweet occasion that drew the entire community together in support. Friends, family, teachers, and classmates packed the sidelines, waving colorful handmade signs and chanting encouragement with contagious energy. The seniors, donning their jerseys with pride, played with unmatched determination and heart, savoring every moment of their final game. After the match, heartfelt speeches and small gifts were exchanged, creating a touching tribute to their hard work, leadership, and passion over the years. The night was a perfect blend of school spirit, gratitude, and camaraderie, leaving everyone with lasting memories and a strong sense of pride in the KYHS soccer family.

Thank you to all the seniors for their dedication and hard work; you will be missed next year. Also, make sure to come to the boys tournament this Saturday night and Sunday, and cheer on your storm! 

Article by Reese Zombek ('26)

 KYHS Turns Rotten to the Core with Dazzling Girls Musical

Graphic by Adam Ribault ('25)

This year, Katz Yeshiva High School brought Disney’s Descendants to the stage in a dazzling all-girls production that wowed audiences with its vibrant costumes, captivating performances, and powerful storytelling. The show told the story of the children of iconic Disney villains learning to embrace their identities, and it was brought to life by a talented and dedicated cast who worked tirelessly to perfect every line, song, and dance.  

The cast spent months rehearsing after school, often staying late to master choreography and ensure their characters felt authentic. From the bold charisma of Mal and the clever wit of Evie to the regal charm of Prince Ben, every actor poured their heart into their role. Amira Kahn ('25), who played Prince Ben, shared her excitement about being part of the production: “It was so much fun working on this show! Everyone put their heart into it, and the energy on stage and behind the scenes was amazing. As sad as I am that this is my last musical at KYHS, I am really happy that this is the show we did with the people we did it with. We really became a family through this process.”  

While the cast shone brightly on stage, the backstage crew played a crucial role in creating the magic. From coordinating seamless scene changes to ensuring props and costumes were always in the right place at the right time, the backstage team worked quietly behind the scenes to support the cast. “It felt like we were all part of one big team,” one crew member shared. “Watching the actors bring their characters to life made all the work we did behind the curtain so worth it.”  

The production was more than just a show—it was a collaborative effort that brought the entire school community together. I want to give a special thanks to Jill Lustig, the director of the play, who truly put her all into this project. Our Drama Program would not be what it is without her. The all-girls cast delivered a fresh and empowering take on the Descendants story, proving that hard work, teamwork, and passion can create something truly magical. 

Article by Rebecca Freedman ('25)

Friday Fasting

An Explanation of How in-School Fasting Can Elevate This Asara B'Tevet

Graphic by Ezra Dimont ('25)

Fasting days are more than just baseless hunger; they are a sacred time for reflection, connection, and growth. Having school on such a unique day allows students to elevate their day in ways that transcend physical hunger. While the growls of hunger echo through the halls, they remind students of the resilience within, challenging them to overcome the deafening grumbling and understand the intrinsic holiness of the day.

Attending school on a fast day offers a profound chance to create meaningful Torah conversations with teachers and peers. With an aura of dedication to honoring our Jewish history and devotion to Hashem, the atmosphere is ripe for deeper discussions. It transforms an ordinary school day into something spiritually impactful. Teachers, understanding the holiness of the day, guide students to reflect on the meaning of the fast. Students are encouraged to bring a heightened sense of awareness to their learning and to truly engage with the limitless potential of their learning. 

The 10th of Tevet teaches the importance of introspection and the power of meaningful connection. While fasting may be difficult, it challenges students to approach their studies with a new perspective—one that emphasizes not just academics, but spiritual elevation. Through this lens, even the most challenging parts of the school day become meaningful. The hunger experienced on this fast day serves as a path to seek a more profound connection with Torah, helping students transform their school day into a deeply spiritual day. 

By embracing the challenges of fasting and engaging with Torah learning, students turn what could be a difficult day into a day of growth. The 10th of Tevet is not just a day of fasting; it is a day of transformation—where hunger becomes holiness, and where learning becomes an act of dedication. Through the school’s encouragement, students discover the powerful potential of fasting to connect to every moment of their day.

Article by Riley Spitz ('25)