Rabbi Kaminetsky spent part of the vacation time on his annual whirlwind tour of the Yeshivot in Eretz Yisrael. On the four day trip, he visited with DRS alumni at Yeshivat Hakotel, Shaalvim, Reishit, Netiv Aryeh, Kerem B'yavneh, Mevasseret, Ma'aleh Adumim, Or Yerushalayim, Ner Ya'akov, Kesher, and Gush.

He also hosted two spirited and joyous reunions, one for shana aleph and one for shana bet, at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh in the old city of Yerushalayim. The trip serves to communicate to our Alumni that the Yeshiva wants to stay in touch with them, to continue to help guide them through the next stages in life even beyond their years at Yeshiva. The Yeshiva also recieves tremendous chizuk from the trip, as we see so many of our boys taking the roots they developed at Yeshiva and growing higher and higher.

Programs are being planned for pesach time, as we welcome many of our Alumni back for pesach, including shiurim and the annual alumni Basketball game.

Rabbi Willig also hosted a unique, first time ever vacation trip for a group of Seniors from his shiur, who spent most of their vacation time getting a taste of Torat Eretz Yisrael by studying in the famed Mir Yeshiva in Yerushalayim.

The boys made a deep impression on the students of Mir, who could not believe that ten American boys would spend their vacation studying torah. The highlights of the trip included private meetings with Rav Usher Arieli and Rav Gedalia Hochberg of Mir, visits to various Yeshivot, and a special siyum by Senior Eliezer Williams, on the entire 127 blatt of Masechet Ketubot, the Masechet the yeshiva learned last year.

This past Wednesday the Mock Trial team competed in the annual tournament run by the New York State Bar Association. At the Mineola Courthouse, the team, playing the defense side, faced a talented Elmont High School squad. But with Baruch Y. Abittan, Elliot Schrier, and Sammy Steiner as lawyers and Baruch S. Abittan, Jonathan Eskowitz, and Eitan Schreier providing expert testimony, there was no way the team could lose. After soundly defeating the opponent, the team hopes to win the next match this coming Wednesday and advance to the playoff round.

It's only the first of two Adar's, but thanks to the DRS G.O., the yeshiva had a rocking Rosh Chodesh. Under the leadership of G.O. President Josh Lobell the whole school was treated to Dunkin Donuts at breakfast, which were enthusiastically received by the student body. Then at lunch, the G.O. ran the first ever "DRS Mad Slurpee Action," as the frozen treats from 7-11 were distributed to students and teachers alike. We are anxiously awaiting the upcoming Adar and Purim activities which the G.O. will coordinate along with the Student Activities office.

Things are heating up at the Israel Guidance Office, and while Rabbi Storch has been quite busy lately (see Mazel Tov x 2 article below), he has nonetheless expertly guided our seniors in the often confusing and overwhelming Israel Yeshiva application process. By now, our students have met with Rabbi Storch and have applied to the Yeshivot which best match their personalities and goals for the coming year.

Currently, the Roshei Yeshiva and Rebbeim from the Israeli Yeshivot are interviewing students to consider them for admittance. This week, the Seniors interviewed with representatives from Sha'alvim, Ohr Yerushalayim, and Mevaseret, with Reishit Yerushalayim, Netiv Aryeh, and Yeshivat Har Etzion (Gush) conducting interviews this Sunday. We anticipate acceptance letters being sent to our students by mid March.

It's down to the wire in the Yeshiva League! We are very proud of all four of our Yeshiva League teams, both in their performance and their midot and sportsmanship on and off the field. With the playoffs looming, there have been several important games in the past week, and 3 out of 4 teams have guaranteed playoff berths.

In a huge game on Tuesday night, the Greenhouse was rocking, as the JV hockey team played cross- town rival HAFTR. In a DRS first, the famous student cheering section held a barbeque tailgate in the parking lot, led by Sophomores Class President Yoni Mandelstam and Zeke Miller. Our boys were victorious by a score of 4-2, on goals by Sophomores Jeremy Bari, Max Ganz, Yoni Orlofsky, and Elie Margulies. Yehuda Newman had another excellent game in goal, and the win put them into a tie for first place. The season finale is scheduled for this Sunday against an undefeated SAR squad at 2:30 at DRS, and a win would clinch the top seed in the playoffs. Come cheer them on!

The Varsity hockey team came off of a hard- fought win against HANC, winning 4-2, and headed to HAFTR for a big game Thursday night. It was a thriller until the very end, and DRS led 3-2 in the 3rd period. But it didn't go our way, as the Wildcats fell to HAFTR in a 5-3 heartbreaker. Captain Dovid Shulman led the team with two goals, and Tzvi Simpson had one. Mully Fein was heroic in goal, playing a great game less than a week after surgery.

The JV basketball team faced off against North Shore Hebrew Academy on Thursday night, and they played tough in a losing effort. Sophomore powerhouse Joey Kramer led the team with 13 points and 14 rebounds.

On Tuesday night, the Varsity basketball squad beat first place HANC, 49-36, for their 4th victory in 5 games. Evan Cohen led the team with 13 points. The big showdown will take place Motzai Shabbat, at 9 pm in the DRS Greenhouse, against North Shore. A victory will put them into the playoffs.

It was a tremendous week for DRS Senior Rebbe, Director of Israel Guidance, and Athletic Director Rabbi and Rebbetzin Eli "Shlita" Storch, as they had twins on Wednesday evening. The first, a boy, was born at 9:15 pm at 6 pounds, 11 ounces, followed by a baby girl, born at 9:24 pm, weighing an even 6 pounds. The shalom zachor will take place Friday night at the Storch residence, 1025 Greenfield Avenue, in Woodmere. May they be blessed with much nachat from their children. Mazal Tov!

There are many exciting events coming up on the DRS schedule! The Freshmen Shabbaton will take place at yeshiva February 25-26, and the annual Ski Trip will take place the next day on the 27th. The 2nd annual Alumni Melava Malka will take place Motzai Shabbat, March 5, at Rabbi Kaminetsky's house. Stay tuned to future issues for more information on these events, and the grade trips coming up in March!

The 50th Annual HALB Dinner will take place, IY"H, on Motzai Shabbat, March 12th at the Sands at Atlantic Beach at 8:45pm, where we will pay tribute to "50 Years of Our History". HALB will honor its past presidents who have worked tirelessly to make HALB what it is today. Rabbi Dr. Armin H Friedman will be the recipient of a Distinguished Educator Award and HALB will also present a special Community Service Award to Mr. John Adam Kanas, President, Chairman and CEO of North Fork Bank.

To place an ad in our souvenir journal or to make dinner reservations, please call 516-791-8200 x107, fax 516-791-6261, e-mail dinner@halb.org or visit our website through the link below.