By Zeke Miller (‘07), DRS Address Student Editor in Chief

The DRS G.O. never fails in organizing amazing, outstanding and ruach-filled programs. The awesome Rosh Chodesh Adar chagiga was no exception. The program started off with a delicious breakfast of waffles, pancakes and ice-cream, sponsored by the G.O. After breakfast, the students and faculty witnessed acts of skill and talent by the DRS students and faculty at the DRS Talent Show, including a comedy act by Aryeh Sklar, monkey and foreigner impressions by Ben Samih and Moshe Nissanian, a violin and guitar duo by the Saperstein brothers, a rendition of “Stayin’ Alive” by Ari Slomovic, a poetry recital by Dani Muchnick, a violin impression by Barry Eichenbaum, a jam session with Josh Ginsberg, Eitan Ross and Meir Kirschner, Rabbi Friedman on the bongos, and Jonathan Weitzman downing a huge water bottle in record time.

At the conclusion of the talent show, the students made their way outside to attend shiur. Suddenly, music filled the air. Everyone turned to where the sound of the music was coming from. Yoni Mandelstam had set up another one of his famous “Mandelstam surprises”. He was playing the keyboard while Maury Goldsmith was masterful as usual on drums and Rabbi Friedman made another appearance with the bongos.The school broke into song and dance. For the next twenty minutes the school danced with ruach and achdut, enhanced by elaborate costumes which were worn by some of the students and Rabbi Sussman’s beautiful singing. Once again the DRS G.O. has raised the bar in creating an outstanding Rosh Chodesh program.

By Yair Saperstein (’08)

Two points short of coming in second place, the DRS Science Olympiad team came in third, and brought home a victory, due to the exceptional coaching abilities of Dr. Peck, and the outstanding capabilities of the students. To earn this victory, the students participating in each sub-event had to do perform well individually. Yehuda Grossman and Max Gottfried won gold in Food Science. Benjamin Niknam, Ariel Fromowitz and Yair Saperstein also came in first place in Experimental Design. Yona Saperstein and David Ishaal won second place in Designer Genes, while Ariel Fromowitz and Yosef Krausz also received a silver medal in Write It, Do It. Gavi Unger and Yair Saperstein came in third place in the always exciting “Can’t Judge A Powder.”

The other members of the Science Olympiad team, Jeremy Watman, Avi Bursky-Tammam, Jason Strauss, John Gersten, Zev Klapholz, Alan Seidenfeld, Zach Donner, and Zeke Miller also performed outstandingly well at the competition. Special congratulations to the entire team for reaffirming the commitment to outstanding science research of our Yeshiva.

By Jason Strauss (’08)

The road to number one has begun! DRS has already made its mark in the first round of the playoffs. Last Motzei Shabbat the Greenhouse was packed with seniors and juniors, as well as sophomores and freshman to see the varsity basketball Wildcats take on the MTA Lions. Wildcats towels and Signs with Coach Bank’s picture were given out to the first hundred fans, drums were set up, and led by Adam Frohlinger, the gym was rocking. Immediately after tip-off, DRS got started with a 7-0 run. As the first quarter progressed, Evan Cohen got started with six points that made the difference in the 10-4 lead. In the second quarter the lead was extended with five different wildcats hitting shots, finishing the half with a score of 19-10.

Eli Wagner, who was a starter in the game, hit a three-pointer and two free throws in the beginning of the second half, and by the end of the third quarter DRS had a 30-20 lead. The final eight minutes, however, were full of and-1s, fouls, and momentum changes. Cohen sank a jumper and four foul shots, and Judd Lindenfeld went 7 for 9 at the free throw line, acting as the leading scorers down the stretch and the deciding factor in the 47-35 DRS victory. Cohen concluded the game with 16 points and five rebounds. Lindenfeld finished with 10 points, and Rick Schindelheim had 4 points and five rebounds.

The JV hockey team had a big night on Wednesday against Magen David. DRS dominated the quarterfinals from beginning to end. In the first period, twenty-five seconds into the game, DRS scored the game-winning goal. That defines just how good this team is. Another goal in the first period, one in the second, and four in the third period nailed down the 7-0 triumph. Rafi Goodman had two goals, Sruli Beitler had two, Joshe Weinstock two, and Josh Weinberg had one with thirty-six seconds left in the game.

Not to be outdone, The JV basketball team came from being down ten points at halftime to beat HANC in the first round of the playoffs, and then faced a tough North Shore opponent in the quarter-finals. DRS lead the game throughout, winning by 12 when the final buzzer sounded. The next round of the Varsity basketball playoffs is at Kushner on Sunday afternoon (click on the link below for directions). The Varsity hockey team is playing the first round on Wednesday night at the Greenhouse. In another DRS first, many of the games will be broadcast on DRS Radio, via DRSaddress.com, under the expert play by play and analysis of DRS Rebbe and Athletic Director Rabbi Elly Storch, and amazing engineering skills of DRS Tech Guru Jason Hagler (’08). While you can listen to all home games on DRS radio and read about them in the DRSAddress, the best fans will be there.

By Yitzi Diskind (’08)

After having been in DRS for over a semester, the class of 2009 has gelled in an incredible way, forming new relationships and cementing old ones. They were able to build on that unity on the incredible experience that is the DRS Freshman Shabbaton in Yeshiva. The entire grade gathered in Woodmere for this weekend, with students from surrounding communities invited to their classmates homes near the school. While the students spend most of their time during the week in the halls of the Yeshiva, the experience was different on Friday night, as the grade was joined by Rebbeim and faculty, members of the DRS G.O., as well as DRS Alumni serving as madrichim.

After a delicious and spirited Shabbat dinner, the boys were introduced to another DRS tradition: “Lights, Camera, Action,” where they were separated into groups to create skits about the Yeshiva and Achdut while using a bag of random props. The boys really came through, putting together hysterical and creative skits in a short period of time.

It was then on to Rabbi Emerson’s house for a Tisch, where the boys were inspired by fiery words of chizuk from Rabbi Shalom Rosner, Rav of Congregation Bais Efraim Tzvi in Woodmere, while chomping down on platters full of chulent, kugel, and endless snacks. The Shabbat morning tefilot and laining were conducted by the boys, and the second Shabbat meal was celebrated by shiur at the each Rebbe’s home, with Rabbi Stern’s shiur hosted by Rabbi and Rebbetzin Yudin. Following Mincha, the boys were treated to a unique presentation from honorary DRS rebbe (and part time attorney) Charles Harary on “A Lawyer’s View on the Importance of Studying Gemara.”

The boys returned to Yeshiva after Shabbat to a full blown “Freshman Night” event in the Greenhouse. After getting warmed up in the stands and snacking on Pizza, they joined the loud and enthusiastic student section in watching the Wildcats win against MTA to advance into the quarter-finals. Haysha Shatzman (’09) said, “The spiritual content of the Shabbaton inspired me”. Ashie Schreier (’09) recalled, “My favorite part was the skits,” while Josh Levine (’09) enthusiastically noted, “It was a great experience to spend Shabbos with all of my peers.” The Shabboton truly was a wonderful experience for all, and was a great example of the tremendous achdut that the yeshiva is known for.

This past week DRS Sophomores and Parents joined together for an informative evening that addressed numerous important topics. Kicking off the meeting was DRS Principal, Mr. Harvey Feldman, who discussed junior year electives and the scheduling of courses. He emphasized that students should return their elective forms in a timely fashion to ensure that their choices are considered without delay. Next came Mr. Stewart Rahr, DRS Assistant Principal, with important information on junior Advance Placement Courses and the PSAT examination.

Mrs. Eva Hefter, College Guidance Director, navigated through the murky waters of the SAT I and SAT II exams, as well as the preliminary overview to what colleges are requiring. To end off the program, DRS Menahel, Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky, discussed the Jewish Studies course options and the Israel Guidance program. With the support of DRS Director of Guidance Rabbi Aryeh Yudin, Rabbi Kaminetsky emphasized the importance of keeping open the lines of communication between parents, sons and the Yeshiva.

By Josh Zucker (’07)

An important part of the DRS educational experience is giving the students a chance to hear from guest speakers who can provide the students with new ideas from perspectives that they are not often exposed to.

During the past week we had the privilege of hearing from two Rabbeim, Rabbi Yonason Alpren and Rabbi Daniel Mechanic. Rabbi Alpren was born in Birmingham, England and practiced law there until he moved to Israel and became a Rabbi. Rabbi Alpren is currently a Magid Shiur in Yerushalayim and has been learning in the Mir yeshiva for the past 25 years. Rabbi Alpren spoke to the students about the Power of Tefila as it relates to Purim (Click below for the audio).

Rabbi Mechanic of Project Chazon spoke to the Juniors and Seniors. Rabbi Mechanic began his speech with the words, “Do you believe in G-d?”. From that moment on, the juniors and seniors were sitting on the edges of their chairs. Rabbi Mechanic was trained by Rabbi Noach Weinberg in the ways of Kiruv Rchokim and how to talk back to a missionary. He told us how he made the switch from Kiruv Rechokim to Kiruv Krovim, and stressed the importance of Orthodox Jews understanding why they believe in what they do. He also spoke about the differences between Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, and how to defend the Jewish point of view. All in all, the program was extremely informative.

Join us for the best Purim Chagiga yet! Monday night, 6:30 PM (Ma’ariv), followed by Megillah reading, food, amazing music and dancing, and a hilarious skit by DRS Alum Natan Farber! See you there!

The DRS G.O. and Student Activities Office's annual fund raiser for Od Yosef Chai is in full swing! If you would like to donate funds or volunteer to help collect funds, please call Rabbi Brazil at 516-295- 7700, x111.