By Yitzi Diskind (’08)

DRS is well known for the achdut that permeates the hallways of the yeshiva. Yet what is not as well known is the hard work that goes into building and sustaining that unity amongst the talmidim. It was with this idea in mind that the sophomore class embarked on Wilderness Expedition 2006. The trip took place at Ring Homestead in Middletown, New York, and it afforded many opportunities for real team building to take place among the students. Soon after arriving at the camp, it was time for the first activity: Ring Homestead’s famous ropes courses. After splitting into groups of eleven, and getting instruction from a group leader on how to put on a harness, everyone went to a station. These physical challenges usually start with one having to climb up a tree, rope, or a ladder. Upon reaching the top, one might have to climb across ropes, walk across a tightrope, go down a zipline, or even jump off a platform in an attempt to catch a trapeze. The students could only succeed at these challenges by working together and encouraging there fellow classmates.

After several hours of grueling but exhilarating fun, the group split into two teams, to see who could build the better fire with paper, tinder and branches they had to find themselves. After the contest, a large fire was built that everyone sat around, strong enough to withstand the rains that started. The weather was incapable of spoiling the spirit of the boys, as they still had their barbeque, the first of two that night. After the barbeque, when the rain had lightened up, the boys enjoyed “movie night.”

Following the movie, it was time for another Ring Homestead classic: the night walk. On the night walk, one would have to hold onto the shoulder of the boy in front of him, while walking though the dark forest. We also had to walk alone through the forest, being led along by a rope. Upon the completion of the night walk, everyone was glad to partake in the second barbeque of the evening.

After a night’s sleep, davening and breakfast, the 10th graders split up by shiur to learn with their rabbeim. Then it was off to the paintball course, where the camp guides divided up the teams and set up the various games. The boys played for hours, playing with different rules whenever they played. During one match, a team might be victorious after having shot all the players on the other team. In a different mode of play, one team had to defend a flag and make sure it stayed on their side, whereas the other, attacking, team, was charged with picking up the flag in enemy territory and bringing it back to their side of the course. After a break for lunch, everyone packed up and the busses headed back towards New York. The first stop in Queens was Landers College. There, the students heard presentations by various staff of the college and were given a tour. It was then on to the final activity of the trip, dinner at Dougie’s. After an enjoyable dinner, the sophomores departed for home in high spirits, having enjoyed an extremely fun trip, having been physically taxed, but having had all the more enjoyment because of the sense of accomplishment that we felt at having succeeded. It was a great trip, a sentiment shared by all the 10th graders, who can only hope that their trip next year can live up to the excellent one they had this year.

By Yona Saperstein (’06)

DRS is proud to have as a student the 2nd place winner of this year’s National Bible Contest (Chidon HaTanach). Sophomore Yehuda Grossman (’08) placed 2nd in the National Bible Contest on Sunday May 14. He took three qualifying exams, which allowed him to compete in the national contest, in which he scored 2nd, while competing against students from around the country. Yehuda was one of only four students in the competition who are moving on to the international round. Yehuda won a free trip to Israel, in which he will tour Israel and compete in the International Bible Contest on national television next year, on Yom Ha’atzmaut. Congratulations Yehuda!

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

Last Thursday was a bittersweet moment for DRS Seniors. It was a day that symbolized the beginning of the end for them as students at DRS; it was one of the last steps towards graduation. That morning the winners of Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the grade were announced. Benjamin Eghbali was announced as the Valedictorian and Yosef Miller as Salutatorian. Later in the day, during a grade meeting, the entire class voted on the Keter Shem Tov Award, one of the most prestigious awards that are given at graduation. It is given to a person whose classmates view to be the most respectful and kind. This year’s winner by a large majority is Ari Feldstein, who was the editor of the weekly Dvarim Hayotzim, worked on the Yearbook, and was the Director of the Senior videos. Congratulations to all the awardees.

By Barry Eichenbaum ('07)

DRS recently hosted its first annual Alumni Shabbaton. What made the event all the more meaningful was that it was hosted in our own yeshiva, with many of the Rabbeim joining the alumni for the seudos and giving shiurim throughout shabbat.

The shabbaton began with an inspiring and leibidik Friday night kabbalat shabbat davening, lead by DRS alumnus Shimmy Ramras. Right before Ma’ariv, Rabbi Asher Stern welcomed the alumni and set the stage for what was to become a memorable weekend. Davening was followed by the seuda in which several alumni offered divrei Torah throughout the meal. The night, however, was not over yet. After the seudah, following a shiur on “Jewish Dating Ethics” given by Rabbi Balsam, the DRS alumni walked to the home of Rabbi Kaminetsky, for a tish that lasted until one in the morning.

The Shabbaton continued with Shacharit Shabbat morning, led by Rabbi Kaminetsky. At davening, Rabbi Shlomo Klapholtz spoke about the two things that DRS truly stands for: ahavat hatorah and ahavat yisroel. Throughout shabbat, DRS rabbeim gave shiurim and participated in discussions with alumni on how to better the yeshiva. As is always a tradition among DRS shabbatonim, Rabbi Kaminetsky gave one of his ever famous talks at the conclusion of shabbat, at a special Seuda Shelishit held at the Storch home. All in all, the first annual DRS shabbaton was a complete success, with DRS alumni looking forward to the next shabbaton in the coming year.

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

Last Wednesday and Thursday the Junior class went on its amazing grade trip, traversing hundreds of miles through five states. The first day started on an incredible note, as the juniors left DRS and headed towards New Jersey, where they had the privilege of visiting Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, and meeting with one of the great Ba’alei Mussar of our generation, Rav Matisyahu Solomon. After that the grade was given a tour of the yeshiva, visiting 4 of its six Batei Medrash. The students were deeply impressed with the sheer volume of learning that was taking place at the yeshiva.

Following the stop at the Yeshiva, the trip headed to a nearby paintball complex, where Rabbi Klapholtz’s and Rabbi Balsam’s shiurim squared off against Rabbi Lebowitz’s and Rabbi Gralla’s shiurim. Of the three games played, two ended in a draw, and one was won by the Lebowitz-Gralla team.

As the busses moved on, the students were tired, but the day’s event’s were far from over. The trip stopped on I-95 on the way to Baltimore for an amazing tailgate barbeque, where the juniors had the opportunity to stretch their legs after a long bus ride, and grab some pre-game hamburger and hot dogs, expertly grilled by Rabbi Balsam and his assistants. Then it was on to Camden Yards, where the students watched the Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3. Back at the hotel, the students were surprised, as was Rabbi Lebowitz, by the presentation of a special birthday cake in his honor, courtesy of Rebbetzin Lebowitz.

Day Two started out just as amazingly as Day One, with a visit to Ner Yisrael for Davening and learning. The next morning, the group headed to Baltimore’s Ner Israel Rabbinical College for Shacharit and some special learning with a number of DRS Alumni who are studying there. It was then on to Goldberg’s bagels for a quick breakfast stop, and then the buses made there way to Hershey Park.

Hershey Park was as fantastic as usual. Everyone enjoyed the roller-coasters and rides. Not surprisingly, many people’s favorite activity was the Hershey Chocolate World factory tour ride, where free samples of chocolate are distributed at the end.

Of course, what would a DRS trip be without a stop at Dougie’s? The Junior trip concluded with dinner and some inspirational words of Torah from Rabbi Gralla at Dougie’s in Queens. We would like to thank all of the Junior class rabbeim for joining us on the trip, and of course Rabbi Emerson for organizing and running it.

By Yair Saperstein (’08)

As they approach the end of high school, the senior class of DRS was given the opportunity to begin thinking about their entrance into the “career world.” Informative presentations from a distinguished panel of parents of the senior class, including Dr. Abittan, Mr. Cedarbaum, Mr. Klapholtz, Mr. Leibtag, Mr. Lukin, Mr. Mael, Mr. Orenbuch, Mr. Rothman, and Dr. Saperstein, gave insight and information to the students on how to be successful in a career while at the same time being orthodox and involved in the Jewish community.

The seniors heard about many career options including real estate, sales, banking, investments, medicine, HMOs, tissue engineering and even managing a baseball team. The students walked away with goodies given out by some of the parents, in addition to the useful information. We thank Mrs. Hefter for her time and effort in arranging this successful program to help the students move on from high school to college and future careers.

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

A groundbreaking event occurred this past Tuesday when over twenty DRS Students were honored by the Number Six School of the Lawrence School District at the school’s annual PTA – Teacher Appreciation Day Lunch. The students participated in a program organized by Mr. Harvey Feldman and Mr. Angelo Siconolfi, the principal of the Number Six School. Students led by chair-people Pinny Kantowitz, Mordy Fenster, and Zeke Miller mentored students at the School’s After School programs specifically its ESL program and its 5TC program. There DRS students helped the elementary school students with their homework and projects.

At the Luncheon, DRS Students were presented with Certificates of Special Recognition as well as Thank You letters. Those students who helped at the ESL program were also given Thank You letters from the individual students whom they worked with. Many of them ended with “I will miss you” and “You’re my best friend.”

This program was viewed by both schools as a tremendous success and plans are in the works to continue the program next year. This is yet another of DRS’s programs emphasizing acts of Chesed and of giving back to the community.

By Yair Saperstein (’08)

Last Wednesday, DRS had the privilege of hosting Rav Paysach Krohn for the fourth year in a row as part of its spiritual preparation for Shavuot. Rav Krohn spoke on the topic of “Eternal Luminaries: Guideposts From The Past For Our Kabalat Hatorah For The Future” He told us how words of wisdom from parents, teachers and Rabbeim stick with children as they grow up and make important decisions. He spoke of Gedolai Hador of past generations, and how they still have an impact on Klal Yisrael today. He told of a ma’amer Chazal, that arichut yamim is necessary - to live full days, even though arichut shanim, long years, are beyond our control. He stressed the importance of learning and serving Hashem every day. This is what “Lo amut ki echyeh” means: “ki” means “as I am” in this context, so “I will live life [to the fullest,] not as if I’m dead.” As Rabbi Kaminetsky said in his opening remarks, Rav Paysach Krohn never fails to inspire as he speaks, and this time was no exception.

This past Wednesday, DRS was treated to an amazing shiur on Yerushalayim, Chevron, and Shechem by Horav Mayer Goldvicht, in honor of Yom Yerushalayim. Rav Goldvicht explained that the lesson of Yom Yerushalayim is Achdut, and Yerushalayim will only stay unified if the Jewish People stay unified as well.

Be sure to join us next week for Rabbi Allen Schwartz, who will speak Wednesday evening at 9 pm, on the topic of “The Experience of Sinai: Defining the Relationship between Israel, Hashem, and the Torah."

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

This past Tuesday, the DRS Varsity Golf team played its first match against Saint Mary’s High School of Manhasset. The team, coached by our very own Mr. Tim Mcaleer, performed admirably even though it was up against a more experienced squad. The match was held at the Lawrence Country Club and the teams played the front nine holes. Overall, the team had a good first showing, and we look forward to the continued development of the team.