1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

YESHIVA DERECH HATORAH
FAMILY ALBUM
VOLUME 9
NUMBER 12
DECEMBER 26, 2014
CANDLE LIGHTING 4:15 PM
27 KISLEV 5775
D’Var Torah — Vayigash
Wednesday-Friday,
12/24-1/2
Regular classes
NO YELLOW BUS
SERVICE
****
This Motzei Shabbat, 12/27
YDHWO Bingo
****
Sunday,12/28
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
(Grades 1-8)
Parent-Teacher
Conferences
NO CLASSES
****
Wednesday, 12/31
Deadline for submission
Of Box Tops for Education
****
Thursday, 1/1
Asara B’Tevet
Friday schedule
(No yellow bus service)
****
Tuesday, 1/6, 3:00 pm
National Geographic Bee
(Grades 4-8)
****
Thursday-Sunday,
1/15-1/25
Mid-Winter Vacation
NO SCHOOL
****
Wednesday, 2/25
Science Expo 2015
(Grades 5-8)
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken fittingly (literally: on its wheel)”.
This verse in Mishlei (25:11) is applied by the Midrash Rabbah to describe the speech of Yehuda. The Midrash explains the use of the word “a wheel”to mean that just as a wheel turns
to show itself properly to all sides, so too were Yehuda’s words to Yosef proper in every respect. The Midrash praises Yehuda’s choice of words, chosen with the utmost care and precision, words that influenced Yosef from many different angles, simultaneously pleading, persuading, and pushing Yosef to reconsider. This is the mark of a leader of Israel.
Another quality essential to a Jewish leader is illustrated by Rebbeinu Tam (Sefer Ha Yashar,
Chapter 13). He writes that when one teaches another or reproves his students, he should not
forget to teach or reprove himself as well. For it is improper to correct another person in an
area which he himself is deficient or to teach what one doesn’t truly believe himself. Whatever emanates from the speaker’s heart will enter the listener’s heart. Rabbeinu Tam
teaches us that every listener has a keen sense that can detect the sincerity of the speaker’s
heart and discern if his words really reflect the depths of his soul.
We can be certain that Yehuda spoke with genuine feeling and conviction with words that
came from the innermost chambers of his heart. Equally certain is that Yehuda’s towering
intellect used all the forces of logic and reasoning he could muster to deliver irrefutable
proofs and evidence to convince Yosef. However, the Midrash tells us that despite all these
powerful factors, Yehuda would not have succeeded had he not been so meticulous in choosing his words. Yehuda’s words shone radiantly in so many ways, much as a beautiful diamond with brilliant facets in a sparkly setting.
If we hope to influence or help improve others, we must be ever so careful to choose our
words and delivery. They are our powerful weapons to convey our thoughts effectively in an
effort to better serve Hashem.
From Mr. Joel Weisblum, YDH Executive Director
No More Doughnuts???
I can’t tell you how many people came over to me this past week complaining about the mass quantities of sufganiyot and doughnuts that were finding their way into the Yeshiva during Chanukah. I looked at the doughnut bills. They were pretty impressive.
There were jelly, custard, vanilla frosted, chocolate frosted, with sprinkles and without. Dozens and dozens of dozens. At first
glance, they were right - way too many doughnuts. Then I started to think about the events for which we were ordering them.
The list was impressive.
First and foremost, it was Chanukah. How can you go through Chanukah without sufganiyot? We got more for the 2nd and 4th
Grade Chanukah play. Every Rebbi received more for the Mesibot that they made in their homes for the talmidim. More came in
(continued)
From Mr. Joel Weisblum, (continued)
for the Middle School Chagigah. The High School Chagigah wouldn’t have been complete without even more. Let’s not
forget the Nachas concert. The Mesibah for the 5th Grade HatchalatGemarrah came after that. All of that was just in the
last eight days.
I very quickly realized that we shouldn’t be focusing on the doughnuts, rather we should be focusing on all the fantastic
programming taking place in our Yeshiva. What a joy it is to behold. It goes on throughout the school year. I’m sure that
all the parents I saw in the building over the last week experienced that joyful feeling first hand. Every parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt and uncle that joined us here to celebrate their children with us left with a big smile on their face, some
were grinning from ear to ear. I’m pretty sure they weren’t smiling because of the doughnuts.
A Look Into Ms. Bergida’s 5th Grade General Studies Class
The 5th Grade is tackling the genre of historical fiction with the novel, Number the Stars, by
American author Lois Lowry. This is our first exposure into the Holocaust, as we follow the
escape of a Jewish family from Copenhagen, Denmark, during World War II.
In reading and writing, we have compared and contrasted stories, made inferences, and
gathered details using graphic organizers.
The class is filled with excitement over our ongoing vocabulary games and championships.
We have been expanding our vocabulary daily.
In grammar, we have mastered sentence structure, subjects, predicates and punctuation.
Our science is really exciting. We are classifying living things. We are learning how biologists
divide all living things into five large groups. These “Kingdoms” are based on how living
things are the same and how they are different. We are studying plant and animal cells,
their parts and functions. During the next few weeks, we will be immersed in preparing for
the upcoming Jr. H. S. Science Fair.
We increased our geography skills by studying the globe and its features. We learned about
the Prime Meridian, the equator, lines of latitude and longitude and so much more. We
have discussed how historians gather and use information in order to study the past. Our
class has explored how ancient people migrated from Asia to the Americas and what life was
like so many years ago.
Lastly, in math, we have mastered multiplication and division and are now in the process of
learning all about fractions and how they are used in everyday life.
“Student of the Week”- 12/15-12/19
Grade 3 — Yakov Bentsur
Grade 4 — Shapse Fuchs
Grade 6 — Jackson Levy (Sci.), Michael Smaris
(Math), Jacob Ginsberg (ELA)
Grade 7 — Noam Abrahams (Sci.), Avi Ahraoni (ELA),
Josh Ebbin (Math)
Grade 8 — Joseph Ginsberg (ELA), Izzy Sendzischew
(Math & Sci.)
ETEL GOLDSTEIN CHESED FUND
If you would like to acknowledge a simcha/honor, or
convey your condolences to someone,
the YDH Etel Goldstein Chesed Fund can do it for you.
Please send in the information and a $5.00 donation to
the YDHWO, c/o Shelley Babich Librarian).
CALENDAR
NOTE:
Although the calendar
does not indicate so,
Parent-Teacher
Conferences
For Grades 1-8
are scheduled for
Sunday,
December 28th.
Doing
Saying over the
Reading
(Adult Signature Required)
at the Shabbat table (Adult Signature Required)
5 minutes each night (Adult Signature Required)
Going to shul Friday night and Shabbos Morning
(Adult Signature Required)
Homework Writing in Yoman Doing the HW Bringing it in to be
checked
(Adult Signature Required In Yoman)
Shabbos Kodesh Checklist filled out with “
”
(Adult Signature Required)
Saying a Proper
5x—
, 3x—
From a siddur or bentcher (Adult Signature Required)
-Reviewed Parasha questions at the Shabbos Table -Said
at the Shabbos Table (Adult Signature Required In Yoman)
Saying a Proper
5x—
, 3x—
From a siddur or bentcher (Adult Signature Required)
Homework Writing in Yoman Doing the HW Bringing it in to be
checked (Adult Signature Required In Yoman)
Davening Maariv At least 3x that week 1 card - at home 2 cards with a minyan (Adult Signature Required)
Saying a Proper
5x, 3x-From a
siddur or bentcher (Adult Signature Required)
Homework Writing in Yoman Doing the HW Bringing it in to be
checked (Adult Signature Required In Yoman)
Davening Maariv At least 3x that week 1 card - at home 2 cards -with
a minyan (Adult Signature Required)
Saying a Proper
5x, 3x-From a
siddur or bentcher (Adult Signature Required)
Saying
and singing
at the Shabbat meals
(Adult Signature Required)
Saying a Proper
5x, 3xFrom a siddur or bentcher (Adult Signature Required)
Davening Maariv At least 3x that week 1 card - at home 2
cards -with a minyan (Adult Signature Required)
Keep them coming:
Keep sending in your box tops for education for a SURPRISE in January.
The deadline for submissions is December 31st. The WO has raised over
one hundred dollars!
Sixth grade has sent in the most boxtops with fifth grade and first grade
as runner ups. You class can win a special SURPRISE!!!
You can find box tops on Kleenex tissues and cereal in addition to many
other products.
Contact your WO presidents if you would like to sponsor a SURPRISE
for the winning class.
Thank you for supporting our school and thank you Morah Shelly for
your help in coordinating this project.
Lillian Eliezer
Malka Husarsky
(917) 817-3048
(917) 974-8461
YESHIVA DERECH HATORAH WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION
Thank you for your interest in the YDHWO. The Executive Board members are happy to welcome
new volunteers and we are interested in hearing your input. Please complete the following information.
Name:
___________________________________________________________________________
What grades are your children in?
_____________________________________________________
Are you interested in becoming a class mother?
__________________________________________
Email address:
____________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number:
________________________________________________________________
When are you available to volunteer?
__________________________________________________
Which projects are you interested in? (Circle all that apply.) Please note that some have daytime
commitments while others have evening commitments.
Chanukah Boutique
Mishloach Manot
Mother’
s Day Flowers
Plant Sale
Grade – Specific events
BINGO
End-of-the-year Event
Father’
s Day gifts
Supperette
Would you be interested in sponsoring any program? ____________________________________
Do you have any goods or services you would be willing to donate?
______________________________________________________________________________
Do you have any suggestions for other programs?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
________________________
We are always interested in hearing your suggestions and we look forward to greeting you personally at our next event.
YESHIVA DERECH HATORAH WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION
Dear Parents:
To facilitate the ordering of Chessed Dollars, we would appreciate your using this order form. It should be
sent with your son or mailed back to Mrs. Sima Sabo (1st floor office), or you may email her at
ssabo@ydh.org. We will have your order for next-day pick-up. Special orders (over) may take up to a
week.
Listed below are the gift certificates which are always available. Please indicate the amounts you are ordering next to each one. Payments by check (made payable to YDHWO) must be enclosed. If you are
paying by cash, you must pay at time of receipt.
Thank you.
DERECH HATORAH WOMEN’
S ORGANIZATION
CHESSED
$ _______
SHOPRITE
_______
WALDBAUMS
_______
PATHMARK
_______
HOME DEPOT
_______
OLD NAVY
_______
BARNES & NOBLE
_______
TOYS R US
_______
MACYS
_______
FOOD BASICS
_______
STOP & SHOP
_______
METRO CARDS
_______
($19.05 OR $38.10)
STAMPS
_______
(SHEET OF 20 FOR $9.20)
SPECIAL ORDER:
___________________
_______
___________________
_______
___________________
_______
_______
TOTAL
NAME _________________________________CLASS___ TEL. # ___________DATE _________
Special Order
YESHIVA SHOP GIFT CERTIFICATES
5
Banana Republic
Baskin Robbins
Bloomingdale’s
J C Penney
Kay Bee Toys
K-Mart
Loehmann’s
Marshall’s
Payless Shoes
Saks Fifth Avenue
Sterns
Syms
T J Maxx
10
20
25