The yeshiva commemorated Yom Hashoa with a very special program. Several DRS students who participated on the NCSY JOLT program shared their personal experiences and emotions they felt visiting Nazi death camps in Poland. Each participant told a short story and relayed a lesson to their fellow students, who were all visibly moved.

The program began with a stirring short performance of ‘ani ma’amin’ by Yona and Yair Saperstein on the violin and guitar. Following the presentation by the JOLT members, the students were then showed a stirring video produced by Jason Hagler which contrasted images from the holocaust with pictures taken by the JOLT participants of the camps as they look now. The video included moving interviews by holocaust survivors. Rabbi Kaminetsky concluded the memorial event with the “kel maleh” tefilla, and the students filed out of the Beit Medrash as the Saperstein brothers played another moving song. We would like to thank seniors Jonathan Mael, Elie Pollak, Ariel Jacob, Joey Rosenfeld, and Yoni Bryk for sharing their JOLT experiences.

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

This past Tuesday, in commemoration of Yom Hazikaron, DRS students had the amazing opportunity to hear first hand about what it is like to be an Israeli Soldier. While our students have heard from soldiers before, they have never heard from a DRS alumnus who is in the Israeli Army. Josh Rosenfeld (’04) enlisted in the Israeli Army in March during his second year studying in Israel. Thanks to tech-guru Jason Hagler, he was able to speak via telephone to the entire student body in the Bet Medrash. His presentation was especially significant, as it took place the day before his official swearing in at the Kotel. He spoke to the students about what it is like to be a religious soldier in the army, as well as what Yom Hazikaron meant to him. He shared his unique perspective on the day with the students. He also gave special emphasis to why he wanted to enlist and how doing so has strengthened the bond between him and the land he loves.

In addition to the special presentation, students also observed a moment of silence at eleven o’clock, the same time as it is done in Israel. Students immediately stopped what they were doing and stood up when they heard the customary siren. This provided students a moment to reflect on the day and its meaning as well as a chance to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of all Jews.

The day’s program, organized by Rabbi Dov Emerson, Director of Student Programs, and technologically assisted by Jason Hagler, was an amazing success due to their hard work and effort. Overall, the response from the students regarding both the program and the moment of silence was extremely positive, as many students commented that it was an enlightening and meaningful experience.

The DRS wiffleball playoffs once again successfully turned lunchtime into a breathtaking event, as the games were marked by close scores and extra innings. Once again, the championship featured the unlikely match up of a senior squad taking on a hungry team of ninth graders.

“DRS Field” was packed with lunchtime fans as the lineups were announced. The game was very close, and in the end, the freshman team won for the second year in a row, by a score of 5-4. We congratulate the DRS Wiffleball champions of 2006: Gavriel Blum, Avi Kantowitz, Josh Orenbuch, and Yoni Weitz. We also congratulate the runners up, seniors Elliot Samuels, Rick Schindelheim, Aryeh Frager, and Shmuel Leibtag.

By Yitzi Diskind (’08)

Jumping right from the somber day of Yom Hazikaron, DRS celebrated Israel’s Independence Day, Yom Ha’atzmaut, in an extremely uplifting manner. The festivities started at lunch, where the students entered a lunchroom decorated by the G.O. for the occasion, with balloons, special tablecloths and banners. Complementing the festive theme were white and blue frosted donuts that were given to all students. The atmosphere was enhanced throughout the day, as a live webcam feed from the Kotel was broadcast on a large screen in the lobby, where the students could watch the celebrations and tefilot and really feel as one with our homeland.

After a one period break from all the excitement, all the students and faculty went to the Beit Medrash and were treated to a very unique presentation, co-sponsored by Stand With Us, an Israel advocacy group that works on college and high school campuses. The students heard from the middle east media correspondent for one of the major news networks (his name is not being made public for security reasons). What made this correspondent unique is that he is Jewish, and is in fact a ba’al teshuva.

He described his life story, focusing on the period after he became religious in Israel. In 2001, he was hired as the Middle East correspondent after very little background in the profession, and he spoke about the excitement and fear he experienced as a Jew venturing into Ramallah and other dangerous Isalmic areas, interviewing individuals who would kill him if they knew his religious orientation.

While the students at DRS have always taken the time to learn about the issues that relate to Israel, it was very special to hear them explained by someone who actually lived these issues, speaking to the different leaders who determine policy in the Middle East.

The 35 minutes of questions that followed our speaker’s presentation are testament to how well received it was. He received questions about the Disengagement of Gaza, the dangers of working in such close proximity to so many Arabs, hiding his Jewish identity for his own safety, the differences between the Fatah and Hamas, from both students and staff alike. In fact, the students were so enthralled that the reporter had to stop taking questions so that he would not miss his flight. Yom Ha’atzmaut was an enjoyable and educational experience for the entire DRS student body.

We look forward to welcoming the largest DRS Freshman class ever, as 83 students will be joining us in the fall semester as the class of 2010. We are particularly excited at how diverse this incoming class is, coming from schools from all over the metropolitan area.

We are excited to once again present an exciting pre-shavuot shiur program for the general community. This year’s schedule includes presentations from Rabbi Allen Schwartz, Rabbi Meir Goldvicht, Rabbi Paysach Krohn, and Rabbi Herschel Schachter. Rabbi Schachter will kick off the series on Wednesday, May 10, at 9 pm in the DRS Beit Medrash, with a shiur entitled: “The Differences Between Torah Shebichtav and Torah Sheb’al Peh.” We look forward to seeing you there. Men and women are invited to attend.