|
From the Desk of Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky
With the Yom Hadin approaching, and
Sukkot
around
the corner, we wish our Yeshiva family gmar
chatima
tova one final time. Hopefully, if we have
learned
and
grown from our Elul, Rosh Hashana, Aseret Yemei
Teshuva, and Yom Kippur experiences, we
will be able
to appropriately rejoice from our newly developed
closeness to the Ribono Shel Olam, together
with Him in
our Sukkot, during the weeklong celebration.
As this will be the last DRS Address until after Yom Tov,
we would like to invite our Yeshiva family to join us
for all
tefilot
during Shemini Atzeret and Simchat
Torah, as well as
for hakafot, both at night and during the day.
We hope that these days will be the beginning of a
great, productive, healthy year of growth for our
students and safety for our brothers and sisters in
Israel.
| Record Setting Tzedaka Day! |
 |
This past Wednesday, the Yeshiva held its first ever
Tzedaka Day . This project, under the leadership of DRS
freshman Joey Kramer, raised over $950 for
different charities, including money to build sukkot
for Israeli soldiers serving in remote areas of the
country. The idea for Tzedaka day was hatched after
several DRS students wanted to get involved in
activities that could enhance their preparation for the
Yomim Noraim.
Joey Kramer decided to act upon the idea by assigning
representatives from every shiur in order to get
everyone involved. The initial fund raising goal was
$500, but due to an overwhelming response by
students from every grade and shiur, they almost
doubled that amount. Through the enthusiastic
involvement of all of the students and faculty,
everyone in the Yeshiva gained a new perspective on
Tzedaka and its very important role in the life of a
Jew.
|
| DRS Rebbeim Train in Exciting New Approach to Teaching Gemara |
|
|
Continuing the Yeshiva's quest for teaching excellence,
the Judaic Studies department met this week
for an exciting presentation by Meir Fachler of "Gemara
Berura". This Israeli based software firm has begun a
quiet revolution in the way Yeshiva High Schools teach
Gemara, offering a comprehensive software and training
solution for teaching Gemara methodology in a clear
and compelling way.
The staff learned about a unique approach to
teaching the Gemara in steps that can be broken down
and understood on any level, using computers.
Fachler, a leading expert on technology and Jewish
education, explained how this program could
fundamentally change the way Gemara is
taught, giving the Yeshiva a school-wide
curriculum that can be clearly measured and evaluated
at every grade level. The Yeshiva is excitedly pursuing
this initiative.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Gemara Berurah methodology! »
|
| Words of Inspiration...LIVE from Israel! |
|
|
On Thursday, the Juniors and Seniors at DRS
experienced for the first time a live shiur via
videoconference from Israel. The shiur used a
newly installed videoconferencing system that has
already been utilized in offering Rabbi Yissochor Frand's
weekly
halacha shiur to the HALB family. The students were
treated to the inspiring words of Rabbi Asher Weiss
of Jerusalem, who reminded the audience that all
they have to do is initiate the beginning steps of
Teshuva, and G-d, in His kindness, helps them complete
the process.
Everyone was amazed at the capacity for this
technology to spread Torah across many miles in real
time, and we look forward to making use of the
system in
many exciting ways over the course of the year.
Watch for a profile of the shiur in the next edition of
The Jewish Star.
|
| Upcoming Events @ DRS |
|
|
Vacation may be near, but we are preparing for a very
busy month here at DRS! Over the Sukkot holiday, we
will be hosting events both in Woodmere and in Eretz
Yisroel! In an exciting development, Rabbi Moshe
Benovitz will be hosting a Simchat Beit Hashoeva
at his home for all past and present students in Israel
for Yom Tov! Back at the Yeshiva campus, we will
be hosting our annual Simchat Torah
celebration, with full Hakafot and Tefila in
the Bait Medrash.
The first week after vacation will be action packed,
with Senior Freshman Day, 10th Grade Substance
Abuse Seminar for students and Parents, and the first
day of clubs all scheduled.
Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming
Parent Son Melava Malka on November 1st, as
well as the Annual Yeshiva Open House and Yeshiva
Shabbaton at the Swan Lake Resort.
Our Athletic Department has almost completed the
team
schedules for what promises to be an amazing year!
The Yeshiva is pleased to announce that it is once
again offering official DRS athletic apparel to the
HALB family. New for this year are DRS tear
away pants, and a new sweatshirt and jacket.
See the "Quick Links" section to download and print the
order form.
Click Here for the Full DRS Wildcats Sports Rosters! (PDF file) »
|
|
| Spotlight On: Noach Lerman, National Merit Scholarship SemiFinalist |
 |
|
Our senior, Noach Lerman, has been named a
semifinalist in the 2004 National Merit Scholarship
Program. This year approximately 16,000
academically
talented high school seniors have been named
semifinalists. Noach may now advance to the finalist
round, where students compete for some 8,000 Merit
Schoalrship awards.
In his Junior year, Noach
participated in the Write On For Israel program which
culminated with a two-week trip to Israel this past
summer. He is captain of our Mock Trial Team,
Executive of the Debate Team, and has an avid interest
in politics, history and sports.
Our Seniors, Jonathan Hefter, Nathaniel Jacob and
Daniel Loewenstein have received commendations
for
high scores earned in the National Merit Scholarship
program.
Update
from the College Guidance Office
Things are really happening in the DRS College Guidance
office. Seniors are working feverishly on their
applications. This past week we welcomed Ms. Chelsea
Lavington from Queens College who addressed
our
seniors. Ms. Lavington discussed a new major at
Queens College (Bachelors in Business Administration),
as well as the CUNY Honors, CUNY Scholars and varied
CUNY programs. We also had the pleasure of hearing
from Ms. Katie Herbst, Assistant Director, Office of
Undergraduate Studies, New York University.
Ms.
Herbst spoke about NYU's programs, scholarships and
vibrant Jewish life on campus.
Our seniors
asked
relevant questions and walked away with information,
brochures, and an invitation to visit NYU. Keep
watching for upcoming events!
|
|
