Chesed continues to integrate itself into the curriculum, as the sophomore class participated in their annual chesed trip. Working in conjunction with the Hebrew Free Burial Society, the students helped restore the Mount Richmond cemetery in Staten Island. Everyone felt the significance of this important work, as even the Kohanim in the group got involved, cleaning up the area outside the front of the cemetery.

In keeping with chesed trip tradition, the boys finished off the day at the Rex Plex indoor activities center, where they enjoyed an afternoon full of sports including football, basketball, soccer, and roller hockey. Keep checking the DRS Address for more chesed updates!

The weekend of November 19th and 20th saw Rabbi Friedman's Shiur join him and his family in Oceanside for their annual Shiur Shabbaton. After Davening on Friday night at Congregation Darchei Noam, where Rabbi Friedman serves as the Rabbi, the Talmidim joined the Friedmans at their home for the first Seuda. A drama competition followed at the Shul, where the Judah Schiff team came out as the winner. A tisch was enjoyed by all at the Rebbe's table. A number of Talmidim participated in the Krias Hatorah on Shabbos morning.The Shul tendered a gala kiddush, and after a sumptuous shabbos lunch the boys enjoyed some free time before Mincha, Seudah Shlishis and Maariv.

The boys gathered at the Oceanside JCC on Motsai Shabbat for an hour of ball playing, followed by a pizza and ice cream Melaveh Malka, accompanied by the musical talents of Yoni Mandlestam and Friends. The talmidim wish to express their special thanks to Mrs. Friedman for the great food, and to the members of Rabbi Friedman's Shul for their hospitality!

The annual DRS Wiffleball tournament has quickly become a Yeshiva tradition, and this year's fall classic did not disappoint. The crisp autumn day was perfect for wiffleball, and the excited crowd cheered as Mr. Abramowitz led the singing of the National Anthem and Hatikva. Rabbi Storch, as usual calling the play by play, got the crowd into it, but the matchup itself was exciting enough. Throughout the tournament, last year's champions, led by Seniors David Liechtung, Eli Brecher, Avner Skcozylas, and Michael Schertz, breezed through the competition. It seemed that they would repeat easily, especially when it was determined that they would be facing an unproven Freshman team in the championship game.

However, the Freshmen, lead by Josh Dorf, Nafi Orlofsky, Mordy Ogorek, Sammy Schertz, and Manager Josh Weinstock, utterly surprised the defending champs. The ninth graders put on an offensive show, including two grand slams by Josh Dorf and one by Mordy Ogorek. When time ran out during the game, the score was 15-6 Freshmen. The Senior team hoped that the final innings of the game, played on Thursday, would result in a better performance on their part. They rallied for several runs, but the Freshmen held on to win 22-9.

The game was notable for MVP Josh Dorf's performance, and also the first brother vs. brother game in DRS Wiffleball Tournment History, with the elder Michael playing against the Freshman Sammy Schertz. The proud mother, DRS parent committee co-chair Mrs. Bonnie Schertz, was on hand to take pictures, "shep nachas," and worry about which of her boys would lose. While the Seniors were disappointed, everyone agreed that the tournament was once again a success, and that those Freshies had quite a team!

This past Monday, November 29th, the DRS College Bowl team, under the direction of Coach Howard Abramowitz, went to its first competition at HANC. The team boarded the bus excited, ready for a fun and competitive day. The varsity team had a successful day, winning two of their three matches, while the junior varsity had much less success. However, despite the losses, everyone had a good time and with a few changes, we expect more success in the future.

On the night of November 30, 2004, new debate team coach Gerald Shmuger, Captain Yoni Weinberg, and co-captains Elie Freilich and Sammy Steiner took the DRS Debate Team to their first debate of the year. The debate took place at Central High School for Girls. The topic of the debate was "Resolved: The United States of America should lower the age for legal alcoholic consumption to the voting and military recruitment age of 18". DRS brought 2 affirmative teams (Sammy Steiner and Yosef Weg, Yossi Wargon and Elliot Schrier), 2 negative teams (Yoni Weinberg and Elie Freilich, Dan Shekhtikhen and Yosef Miller) and 2 observers (Yitzy Diskind and Yehuda Grossman).

The team had high hopes that this would be the start of a very successful debating year. Yoni Weinberg and Elie Freilich went 2-0 in the debate and Yoni Weinberg pulled in the DRS high score of 55 out of a possible 60 points. Special congratulations goes to Elliot Schrier, Yosef Miller, and especially Yosef Weg (who racked in 54 points) who debated extremely well under difficult circumstances.

Everyone scored very well, and hopefully this is a sign for things to come this year. Coach Shmuger said that words couldn't describe how impressed and proud he is of this DRS Debate Team. The DRS team is looking forward to December 19, when they head off to MTA for their 2nd debate of the year, and hopefully they can pull off a repeat performance, if not better.

The Yeshiva was once again treated to some very special guest presentations this week. On Wednesday, Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky, Rebbe at Darchei Binah Seminary and Yeshiva Or Sameach, and uncle of DRS students Yoni and Nafi Orlofsky, spoke to the entire student body with a riveting presentation entitled "The Secret of the Dreidel." Rabbi Orlofsky utilized his unique blend of humor and substance to send the message to the talmidim of the importance of seeking greatness in every aspect of one's life.

Rabbi Gralla's Business and Finance class was very privileged to have Dr. Charles Snow, the Dean of the Sy Syms School of Business of Yeshiva University, come and speak. Dean Snow demonstrated to the students the many ways to conduct business, particularly investing money in the stock market. Through a thorough demonstration, the students saw how businesses operate and the ethics that must be adhered to. Dean Snow addressed the various questions from the class in detail and really gave the boys a better understanding of business and finance. The entire class greatly appreciated Dean Snow taking his time and coming to speak, as he taught valuable practical lessons on common business ethics and practices.

If you were at the first Tish of the year, you know how awesome it was. If you weren't there, don't miss this one! Tonight, at Rabbi Kaminetsky's house, join the entire Yeshiva for Mad Tish Action Reloaded!

As Chanuka approaches, the Yeshiva is getting ready for its most exciting Chanuka celebration yet. Rebbeim will be hosting Chanuka Chagigot for their shiurim over the course of the week. Besides the annual Rebbe - Student basketball game, and the famed Chanuka Chagiga, the G.O. is once again running its annual goods and services auction, with benefits going to tzedaka. If you would like to participate in the auction, download the list of items below, and tickets can be purchased at school from the G.O. Stay tuned for a full report and pictures from these events, along with several exciting surprises!