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From the Desk of Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky
Rosh Chodesh Adar has passsed, and the holiday of
Purim is all but upon us. The special energy of the
chag derives from the hidden presence of Hashem in
the megilla, and in our lives at all times. Our Rosh
Chodesh chagiga and talent show were outstanding,
and we are eagerly anticipating the most spirited Purim
Chagiga ever, with music provided by Neshama
Orchestra, food by our sponsors, and humor and good
cheer by the DRS G.O.
We invite our parents to a special presentation this
Tuesday night at 7:45pm on "A Jewish response to the
Passion", featuring our own Rabbi David Friedman, and
former missionary turned Orthodox Jew Gavriel Aryeh
Sanders. Their presentations to the boys were
very well received, and Tuesday night's program will be
very interesting and enlightening. We urge all of our
parents to join us.
One scheduling reminder: classes begin at
10:00am with Gemara Shiur on Shushan Purim, Monday,
March 8th. There will be Rivlab transportation
from Brooklyn and Queens, but no district
transportation that morning.
Please accept our most warm wishes for a
meaningful, joyous holiday of Purim for each of our
Yeshiva families, and for all of Klal Yisroel.
| Freshman and Sophomores on the Road! |
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Walking through the halls at the Yeshiva last week, all
one could hear was the eager talk of Freshmen, in
anticipation of "Road Trip '04: Boston." The
excitement reached a fevered pitch early Wednesday
morning, as two coach busses pulled into the DRS
parking lot, and 76 students, teachers, and
madrichim hit the road to begin the best Freshman
trip to date.
The trip began in Springfield, Massachusetts, home
of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Everyone enjoyed
learning about the rich history of the game, and the
students particularly enjoyed playing the role of a
Television Announcer, calling a game and
highlights for the Basketball Hall of Fame Channel. After
several games on the NBA court at the
bottom level of the Hall, it was time to move on.
The next stop was the U.S.S. Constitution,
where the group got to meet a real life American
Revolutionary Soldier (see pictures!), and saw the
award winning presentation "The Whites of Their
Eyes," which chronicled the early battles that
took place between the British and the colonists in and
around Boston.
At Quincy Market, the group got a chance to
relax, and visit the many shops and attractions that
make the area famous. In addition, we visited a
very moving Holocaust memorial. After a dinner of
hero sandwiches, it was time to head to the Fleet
Center, for an exciting match-up between the
Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks. The
game proved to be a great one, as it came down to a
last second shot, and the Freshmen had a
wonderful time watching the game and exploring
the arena.
What evening would be complete without some
bowling? That's exactly where the group went, for
an exciting hour of regular and candlepin bowling. Back
at the hotel, Rabbi Emerson surprised the group
with a midnight snack of Dougies before everyone
headed back to their rooms, exhausted but anticipating
an exciting 2nd day of the trip.
The next day began bright and early, with a very
special Shacharit at The New England Chasidic Center,
home of the Bostoner Rebbe. The Freshman had
the opportunity to hear from and meet with the Rebbe's
son, who spoke of the importance of bringing holiness
into the world we live in. Following breakfast at Dunkin
Donuts, the Freshmen met at the kever of the Rav,
Harav Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveichick, Z'TL. Rabbi
Stern spoke to the students of the overpowering
impact the Rav had on Jewish education in America,
and the students recited Tehillim.
After eating lunch at the Prudential Center,
the Road Trip made a completely new stop,
never before done on a DRS Freshman Trip: world
famous Fenway Park! Even the most ardent
Yankee fans in the grade were blown away by this
historic stadium, as we walked on the field and
along the base of the Green Monster and historic
scoreboard. The trip concluded with a relaxing
visit to the Good Times Emporium Arcade,
and a delicious Chinese dinner at Shalom Hunan
restaurant in Boston.
While the 9th Grade was busy making their way around
Boston, the Junior class stayed closer to home,
going on an all-day trip throughout the Tri-State
area on Thursday. Accompanied by their Rabbeim, the
students first stopped at Yeshiva University,
where they were able to tour the campus and hear
a shiur by Rosh Yeshiva Rav Meir Goldvicht on the
miracles of Purim.
Following the shiur, the Juniors visited the world
famous Yeshiva University SOY Annual Seforim Sale,
where they were able to purchase all types of
Jewish books and Judaica, including seforim that
they will use to enhance their shiur learning at
DRS.
The group was then treated to a buffet lunch in the YU
cafeteria. They were greeted by YU Vice President
of Student Life (HALB Dinner Honoree and former
President) Mr. Hillel Davis, and Assistant Dean of
Admissions Mr. Danny Morris. The 11th grade
headed next to New Rock City, where they
enjoyed an unlimited arcade, bowling, and go-carts.
Check out pictures from both trips by clicking on
the link below!
The Student Activities Center has been very busy
planning new and exciting trips for each grade,
and the 9th and 11th grade events of last week were
only the beginning. Stay tuned next week for
information on the awesome 10th grade "Road
Trip: Wildnerness Expedition," coming up March
17-18.
Click HERE for a gallery of pictures from the Freshman and Junior class trips!
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| Triumph at Science Olympiad! |
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On Sunday, February 29th, the DRS Science
Olympiad team competed in its second Science
Olympiad. The competition was held at North
Shore Hebrew Academy High School, and a total of
ten Yeshivot competed. This year's Science
Olympiad consisted of 14 events that required
quickness, imagination, creativity and even athletic
ability in addition to possessing a broad knowledge of
the major sciences; chemistry, physics, biology, and
earth science.
Several events required ability in design and
engineering for building structures such as
cantilevers, bridges, landing strips for falling objects,
and even musical instruments. Each device built had to
perform a task in accordance with the strictly defined
rules for that event. The cantilevers and bridges had
to carry a load, the musical instruments had to be
played in a certain range and on key. Other events
required the performance of tasks that were kept
secret until the start of the event.
Keeping their cool under pressure, the DRS team
did an amazing job medalling in 6 out of the 14 events
for a total of 13 medals including 5 gold. Team
captains Josh Nissel and Josh Lobell, lead our
team to finish in second place overall, just 2 points
short of the top school's score. The proud and
very happy DRS team brought home a large trophy,
which was promptly put on display in the school
lobby.
Throughout the competition, the DRS team
remained undaunted as they faced very tough
challenges, displaying courage and confidence as
the excitement of the day grew. At the awards
ceremony, the excitement mounted even further as the
medals for DRS started to pile up. Finally as
the top three teams were announced, there was an
explosion of jubilation as the DRS team was called up to
receive their trophy. "We were definitely the loudest
team", remarked a very proud coach Dr. Peck.
As DRS boarded the bus to return home there was
talk of "wait 'til next year". We can't wait!
Click HERE for the complete list of medals won by DRS at the Science Olympiad!
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| DRS + Adar = Pure Simcha! |
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The students and G.O. at DRS started the festivities of
with a bang, with a wild Rosh Chodesh program.
Following a special breakfast, the G.O. presented
the first ever DRS Talent Show. Open to
students and faculty, the entrants ranged from the
talented to the humorous, and the just-plain
wacky. Highlights included Rabbi Kaminetsky's
performance of an original composition, a dummy-
ventriloquist tag team performed by Senior
Chanoch Schrier and Freshman Barry Eichenbaum,
Rabbi Cohen's unforgettable fire eating, and
Sammy Goldsmith, Jonathan Hefter, and Jesse
Rabinowitz accompanying Rabbi Storch's body
percussion in song.
As the Talent Show was winding down, a loud
blast of sound could be heard emanating from the
gym. As the students made their way over to
investigate, they found the yet unnamed DRS
school band, headlined by Yair Libin, Maury
Goldmith, Ahron Lederman, and Howie Feibusch,
jamming away in their trademark style of eclectic
Jewish funk. An hour of hardcore jamming and
dancing ensued, with the entire student body
joining together in one circle for the finale, Chaim
Dovid's "Yomamai" Niggun.
Rabbi Friedman even joined the band on the
bongos, as did Rabbi Kaminetsky on keyboard.
Many students, and some teachers, got in the Purim
spirit early, wearing wacky costumes. One can only
imagine what they are dreaming up for the much
anticipated Purim Chagiga Motzai Shabbat!
Click HERE for a photo gallery of pictures from the DRS Rosh Chodesh Adar Festivities!
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| "Passion" and Judaism |
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It has become impossible to escape it. Mel
Gibson's "Passion" movie has captured the attention of
the American public, and the media coverage has been
all-encompassing. The movie raises many important
issues that are relevant to all Jews, regardless of
whether they have actually viewed the movie. The
DRS Student Activities Center has developed a series
of programs designed to combat perhaps the most
serious issue brought about by this movie -
ignorance.
This past week, the entire student body was
educated on some of the facts behind the birth of
Christianity, and how we are to relate to it as Jews.
Each grade met privately with Rabbi David
Friedman, DRS 10th grade Rebbe and Jewish
Historian, who discussed the Halachic and historical
sources that one needs to understand in order to clear
up many misconceptions that exist regarding
Christianity and the Jewish people. Rabbi Friedman
found an enthusiastic audience for each presentation,
as students were able to ask many questions that
had arisen as of late.
The 2nd component of the DRS "Passion" program
took place on Tuesday, with an absolutely riveting
presentation by Gavriel Aryeh Sanders, a senior
columnist for Jewsweek.com, and a former Chrisitian
Minister and Missionary who was actively involved
in reaching out to Jews to bring them into the Christian
religion. As a result of his fascinating life experiences,
he realized certain truths, which ultimately lead
him to convert to Orthodox Judaism. He spoke to
the entire student body about his life, and about many
of the tricks that Missionaries use to try to lure
people to their faith. He stressed the importance
of being knowledgeable of our own faith and sources,
and he discussed communal and individual
strategies for responding to the "Passion" film.
Both of these programs were incredibly successful,
opening the eyes of our students to the real facts that
are too-often muddled under the intense media glare.
On the heels of these events, the DRS Student
Activities Center is proud to invite parents and
members of the entire community to "Passion" and
Judaism, a presentation designed to help parents
address the issues raised in the film, both to their
children, as well as co-workers. Rabbi Friedman
and Gavriel Aryeh Sanders will once again headline this
event, and there will be generous time allotted for
Question and Answer sessions. This important
program will take place on Tuesday evening, March
9th, at 7:45 PM, at DRS. For more information,
download the flyer using the link below.
Click HERE to download a flyer with important information about the upcoming "Passion" and Judaism program for parents at DRS!
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| Purim Chessed @ DRS! |
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Amidst the fun and excitement of Adar and the
upcoming Purim holiday, DRS students took time
out to spearhead several Chessed operations for
our brothers in Eretz Yisrael. Jason Strauss
has spent the last two weeks collecting money
for "Matanot L'Evyonim" in Israel, for Od Yosef Chai.
Eli Cohen coordinated an effort raising money
to send Shaloch Manot to Israeli soldiers guarding our
borders. Together, they raised over $600 for
their programs. Yonah Sapperstein headed a
program to write and collect letters of support, to be
delivered to Israeli soldiers on Purim. Special
thanks to Mr. Deutsch for overseeing the letter
writing, and to all the DRS students for their
enthusiastic participation.
Purim @ DRS: Come Join Us!
DRS will once again host
Megilla reading
and a chagiga, including a live band, great Purim simcha
and
ruach,
desserts, and the ever popular DRS Purim skit.
Megilla will begin Motzai Shabbat at 7:15pm
sharp, followed by
the
Chagiga. There will be no minyan for Ma'ariv.
There will be a minyan Sunday morning in the
Bait Medrash
Eliyahu Zvi for
Shacharit and Megilla, beginning at 8:30am.
DRS Athletics Update
Playoff fever has hit DRS, and we are off to a
2-0 start! Tuesday night, the JV hockey squad
began the second season with a 4-2 victory
over Magen David. The goal scorers for DRS were
Yitzi Lederman, Dani Ross, Max Ganz and Adam
Frohlinger. Yehuda Newman was his usual impressive
self in goal. Next up for the JV wildcats will be to
take on the HAFTR Flames in the conference final on
Monday night March 15th, looking to defend the
conference title.
The JV Basketball team kicked off their palyoff run
with an 18 point victory over local rival Rambam.
The team was down four points at the half but opened
the second with an impressive 12-0 run.
After that, the team never trailed coasting to the
victory. Judd Lindenfeld paved the way with
a DRS playoff record 28 points. The team will
now travel to North Shore on Tuesday Night March
16th for the grudge match. The two teams split
the season series and this time the winner will
advance to the Semifinals.
The Varsity Hockey team received a bye in
the first round but looks to keep the playoff momentum
going when it faces the TABC Storm this
Wednesday, March 10th. The team is looking to
repeat its early season victory over the Storm.
Academic Team Update
Our Mock Trial Team emerged victorious after the
first two rounds, only to be defeated by Solomon
Schechter H.S. in the third round. But the D.R.S.
team did not go down without a good showing.
Lead "attorneys" David Lasher, Noach Lerman and
David Weiss valiantly argued their case defending
their client, a fictitious TV station, which was being
sued in a dispute under the Americans With Disabilities
Act.
"Witnesses" who testified included Eli Brecher,
Baruch Yechiel Abittan and Joey Hirsh, all of whom
proved to be stars in their own rights. On three
separate occasions the mock trial team traveled to
the Supreme Court in Mineola, where they presented
their arguments in real courtroom settings, with bona
fide judges. Kudos to Coach Josh Mallin
on a job well done.
Members of the D.R.S. Debate Team,
consisting of Elihu Herskovics and Yoni Weinberg, Dan
Shekhtikhin and Eli Sklar, Barry Eichenbaum and Zeke
Miller, and Josh Nissel and Ariel Pinn traveled to
Flatbush High School this past Wednesday where they
participated in a heated debate on the topic
of whether capital punishment should be administered
to minors.
Each team won one round and argued
successfully on the affirmative or negative sides.
Special thanks to our own Mr. Herbert Lowenstein,
who accompanied our team and acted as a judge.
Stay tuned next week for important information on the
exciting new Sophomore class trip: "Road Trip o4:
Wilderness Expedition!"
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