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From the Desk of Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky
As Elul 5763 comes to a close, we at Yeshiva have
been preparing our students for the
impending "Yemei
Hadin". Just as in our personal lives, we look back
and
analyze what needs to be improved, and look
expectantly toward the future for a fresh, new
beginning, so too in our Yeshiva, do we reflect on
the
past year of transition and growth, and pray for and
look forward to the continued health, safety, and
academic and spiritual growth of all of our
students.
For the past year, every morning after davening and
before tehillim, the biography of another victim of
terror
has been read in Yeshiva. Our hearts have been
with
our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael all year long,
and at this special time, we add an extra special
tefila
for refua sheleima for the injured, nechama for those
who lost loved ones, and peace for everyone else in
Eretz Yisrael and the world over. May Hashem
answer
all of our prayers for the good, and may all of our
students and their families be inscribed in the book
of
life.
| Energize Your Elul |
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With the Yomim Noraim rapidly
approaching,
Jews the world over are preparing for these momentous
days. At DRS, the talmidim of the Yeshiva have been
preparing as well, with a renewed focus on Teshuva
and
Tefila. This past weekend, the Yeshiva held three
events
that were part of the new "Energize Your Elul"
program.
Friday
The signs around the school read "Mad Tisch
Action
: Friday Night." Indeed, for anyone that attended,
the first DRS Tisch of the year lived up to its
billing. On the night before Slichot began, over 90
students packed into Rabbi Kaminetsky's house to join
together for over 3 hours of singing, dancing, and
inspiration. All four grades were well
represented,
with a particularly impressive turnout by the
Freshmen,
as they were introduced to the unique atmosphere and
achdut of the Yeshiva. The Tisch was lively from the
beginning, as Rabbi Kaminetsky led the singing and
Akiva Feinberg and Steven Genachowsky prepared
divrei Torah. Even Mr. Feldman joined in the act,
making a guest appearance at the Tisch. Halfway
through the Tisch, the ruach was so intense, that
everyone picked up and started dancing outside.
It
was quite a sight to behold, as the students of the
Yeshiva danced around the Kaminetsky backyard to the
lively strains of "Leshana Haba B'yrushalayim".
Well past midnight, as the Tisch wound down,
Rabbis Kaminetsky, Emerson and Yudin led the group
in
lively renditions of such classics as "Minyan Man" and
"Someday."
Motzai
Shabbat
Many in the HALB family are eagerly awaiting another
inspirational Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur in the DRS
Bait Medrash. As a 'warm up,' on Saturday night,
over 150 members of the DRS family and the local
community attended a very special Slichot program.
The attendees were first treated to words of
inspiration from Rabbi Aryeh Leibowitz, an
11th grade Rebbe at DRS, who presented several
practical approaches towards Teshuva and preparing
for
the Yomim Noraim. Following Rabbi Leibowitz's
remarks, Rabbi Kaminetsky led a very moving
Slichot service.
Sunday Morning
The Yeshiva wrapped up the action-packed weekend
with the first parent-son learning event of the
year. Fathers got a chance to join their sons' at
the
Yeshiva for a day of learning. After Shacharit and a
special breakfast, fathers and sons joined together for
an hour of learning a sourcebook specially prepared for
a shiur by Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, Rav of
Congregation Aish Kodesh. Rabbi Weinberger
spoke about the difficulty people have in achieving
success in prayer, and how to improve in this important
endeavor.
With these events and others, the Yeshiva is hard at
work making sure that all of its students have the
opportunity to properly prepare for Rosh Hashana and
Yom Kippur.
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| Yeshiva University Comes to DRS |
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On Tuesday, September 23rd, we welcomed Mr.
Michael
Kranzler, Director of Admissions at Yeshiva University
(Y.U.), who addressed our seniors and their
parents
about life at Y.U.
Mr. Kranzler explained the Y.U. application process
and
required supporting documentation. He then discussed
at length the option to study in Israel through
the YU
programs and explained the opportunity to transfer
credits from an accredited Israel Yeshiva back to YU
upon a student's return. Parents and students inquired
into available honors programs, merit scholarships,
and
financial aid. Mr. Kranzler surprised us by a
recent
change at Y.U. - namely that applications for merit
scholarships may now be filed during a student's senior
year. Finally, Mr. Kranzler informed us of their open
house on Sunday, November 16th and extended a
warm
invitation to our students and their parents to visit
the
campus anytime, sit in on classes and speak with
the
faculty. "Come and see what's real," Mr. Kranzler said
to the attentive audience.
CLICK HERE for a copy of the COLLEGE NEWS with important college and testing information! (PDF file) »
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| The Learning Never Ends |
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Last week at Yeshiva, we had the most successful
kickoff
yet of our acclaimed night seder learning program.
Over 110 students, almost half the Yeshiva, have
made
the commitment to learn at least one hour, two nights
a week, with many learning four nights a week. Most of
the students are paired with an older Chavruta, who
help them review material from shiur or learn new
topics. This year, in addition to the flagship
programs at the DRS Beit Midrash and at Yeshiva Shor
Yashuv, we have programs in Queens, Great Neck, and
West Hempstead. On Thursday nights, participants
in
the various programs end the week with learning and
Dougie's.
In addition to allowing the talmidei hayeshiva to
enhance their week through additional learning, the
yeshiva has also established a new night kollel
that is based in the DRS Beit Midrash. Through this
program, students who require tutoring in Judaic
Studies can learn with an older Chavruta. Please
call
the Yeshiva office at 516-295-7700, or send an email
to yiskam@juno.com for more
information.
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| DRS Sports Update |
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As a new year at DRS begins, our Athletic
Department is hard at work. All of our athletic
teams are in full swing. Teams have been chosen,
practices have begun, and schedules are being finalized.
We have several exciting out of conference
games,
including varsity hockey games against the always
formidable TABC Storm, and the Western
Conference
champion Frisch Cougars. Our Varsity basketball
team
will take on the Kushner Yeshiva High School
for the
first time. In an exciting development, MTA has
joined our division, and we look forward to forming
an exciting rivalry. In another unique development, our
first two alumni are coming back to work for the
Yeshiva. Joey Hirschel, DRS '01, will serve
as the Assistant Coach of the Junior Varsity Hockey
team, while Mikey Davidman, DRS '02, is
joining the Athletic Department as the Special Assistant
to our hockey coach, Larry Gross. On the
basketball side, we welcome new JV Assistant Coach
Sean Steinmetz, who joins returning Head
Coach Jared Solomon.
In non-varsity sports news, the 2nd annual
Wiffleball Tournament is underway. The clear
favorites are the Rebbe team, captained by Athletic
Director Rabbi Eli Storch. The field behind the
cafeteria is the place to be, as 2nd round action heats
up this week. Shortly after the Yomim Tovim, the two
intramural leagues will begin, giving every
student in the Yeshiva an opportunity to play
competitive basketball on a weekly basis. Stay tuned for
schedules and results, in what is sure to be another
exciting Wildcat season!
Click Here for the Full DRS Wildcats Sports Rosters! (PDF file) »
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| Spotlight On: Rabbi Netanel Gralla |
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As DRS grows and its student body becomes more
diverse, the needs of the school expand. Each year,
the Yeshiva is there to meet the challenge of servicing
the student body in the most effective way. As a
result, there are always new faces at DRS,
and this year is no exception. One of our new
Rabbeim, Rabbi Netanel Gralla, in addition to
teaching an 11th grade shiur, is filling an exciting
new position in the Yeshiva. As our Learning
Specialist, Rabbi Gralla serves as a general
advocate for students with special needs. In this
capacity, he fosters clear and constant communication
among students, faculty, parents, and the local school
districts, ensuring that each student is given the best
opportunity to succeed.
Rabbi Gralla has quite a diverse background,
giving him a variety of tools that help him function as
an effective educator. He brings with him many
years of Special Educational experience, having
taught in the P'TACH program at MTA, as well as
several years teaching at Westchester Hebrew High
School. He is not entirely new to the DRS scene either,
having taught in our Mishmar program last year. He
also served as Rabbinic Intern for the Young Israel of
Hillcrest. Rabbi Gralla also benefits from extensive
business and organizational experience, having
served as Executive Managing Director of Worldco
Financial Services for the past four years. We are very
excited that he has joined our educational team, and
we look forward to continuing our tradition of
excellence in servicing all of our students.
Mazel
Tovs @ DRS
Rabbi and Mrs. Yehudah Balsam on the
birth of a
baby boy, Pinchas.
Rabbi and Mrs. Netanel Gralla, on the
birth of a baby
boy, Ezra.
Rabbi and Mrs. Aryeh Leibowitz, on the
birth of a baby
boy, Zecharya.
Rabbi and Mrs. Aryeh Yudin, on the
birth of a baby
boy, Tzvi.
Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Erlbaum, on the
birth of a
baby girl, Adeena Tova
Rabbi and Mrs. Dovid Willig, on the
engagement of
their son Mayer.
Mrs. Marly Berkovits and family, on the
marriage of
their daughter Ruchy.
Mrs. Sue Weinberg and family, on the
Bar Mitzvah
of their son Josh.
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