Wednesday, March 23, 2011

A February and March Roundup

A lot has been going on at RKYHS/JKHA, and we wanted to give you a quick recap of some of the interesting things that have been going on. Ready?

Freshman “Feastival”
In February, our freshmen participated in a Progressive Dinner, nicknamed the Freshmen “Feastival.” After school, students travelled to our host community of West Orange and enjoyed a catered three-course meal at three different homes. At each stop, our Student Activities team led games and activities between bites that allowed our students to get to know each other just a little better than before. Following the main course, we walked to Congregation AABJ&D for dessert and a stimulating d'var Torah from Rabbi Zwickler. A hearty thank you to our evening’s hosts – the Hausdorff, Israeli, Luxenberg, and Moskowitz Families – for helping to make the event a huge success.

Sophomore Sleep-in
Also in February, our sophomores spent a bonding evening together in our fourth annual “Sophomore Sleep-in.” We began with dinner in Teaneck, followed by an entertaining scavenger hunt at Palisades Center Mall. Following bowling and midnight ice-skating, we returned to RKYHS at 3:00 a.m. for video games, ice cream sundaes, an early morning kumsitz, shacharit, and a hot catered breakfast. After a long night, our sophomores went home to sleep -- at last!

Battle of the Bands
Once again, students, headed by Tziona Breitbart organized a Battle of the Bands to raise money for charity. This year the organization was Kids Kicking Cancer. In February, RKYHS students heard from Rabbi Elimeleach Goldberg, who started Kids Kicking Cancer when he lost his own daughter to cancer. Students organized bands from all over the tri-state area to play, including our very own "Perfect Imperfection", who came in second place and "The last weekend."

"We were so excited that RKYHS gave us the opportunity to not only perform in front of our friends but help a worthy cause," said Eitan Rubin. There was similar sentiment from the bands that played from various yeshivot. Once again, RKYHS raised thousands of dollars to help those kicking cancer. Here is just one video of the bands -- Four O'Clock Bagels.


For the rest of the band videos, check out our RKYHS Video Chug YouTube page.


Computer Programming Competition
Last week, RKYHS was one of 39 state schools represented at NJIT’s annual Computer Programming Competition. Seniors Dani Dickstein, Ben Lewinter, and Junior Steven Finkiel were given eight problems, and they had three hours to write Java code to answer as many of them as they could. They answered five of the eight correctly, which was enough to place them in the top half of the participating schools. Congratulations to these students in Dr. Grad’s Computer Programming Class. Dr. Grad is ably assisted by senior Dani Dickstein in teaching this class, in what has proven to be a unique and educational experience for all involved.

Color Wars
Stay tuned for more about Color Wars, which took place on Monday and Tuesday. Our talented Video Chug already has a video up. Let us know what you think!



Monday, March 7, 2011

Video Chug Weekly Update!

This week's Video Chug Weekly Update is live! There are updates on weekly events, including the upcoming Battle of the Bands Competition on March 10, video from Dalia Itzik's visit, an interview by Shira Newman with Mr. Jeff Reiss, and a d'var Torah for Pekudei. 






As always, we would love to hear what you think!

Friday, March 4, 2011

A Captivating Counter-Terrorism Talk

We were eager to have Scott Maraki, special agent with the Counter-Terrorism Task Force of the FBI, address the RKYHS Jewish Civics and Anti-Defamation League chugim last week.


His captivating and engaging talk focused on the various tasks for which he is responsible on a daily basis as he protects Americans from potential terrorism. He emphasized the need to go on with our daily routines but to be vigilant. A lively question and answer period followed.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Making Waves with Model UN


Last month eleven of our RKYHS students were in Stamford, CT, for the 21st Yeshiva University National Model United Nations competition, which is a student-run simulation of the workings of the real United Nations. The event hosted 47 high schools and more than 475 students!

The aim of the program is to allow students to experience and learn about international diplomacy by playing the roles of real United Nations delegates, representing a variety of views -- often ones with which the students may or may not agree. Each of the students must research their country's position, adding both to their knowledge of world affairs and to their appreciation of the importance of preparation and critical evaluation.

One of our students, Edyt Dickstein, served on a model of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) with other students from the United States, Canada, and Brazil. One of the resolutions that she wrote dealt with Eritrean youth who flee to the neighboring country of Sunday in order to escape conscription and human rights violations. Another resolution addressed the Palestinian refugees and their future. We're proud to note that both of these resolutions passed in committee, and Edyt won the Honorable Mention, which is the award given to the second-place speaker.

For more photos, visit the YUNMUN XXI photo album on Flickr and be sure to let us know if you or one of your children/students are in the photographs!