Graphic by Ariella Mayer ('23)

What was (is!) the purpose of Yetziat Mitzrayim? In order to not get lost in all the covering of counters, making sure your cups will contain a reviit of wine, cleaning out locker and backpacks, and dreaming up even more excellent places where one might hide the afikomen, it is important to ask this question each and every year.

The answer is simple. While one might think that it was to enable the (teenage KYHS-registered) Jews the opportunity to celebrate Color War about 3,300 years later, that is probably not the answer. Nor is the simple answer that the ensuing freedom was designed to allow the (teenage KYHS-registered) Jews a chance to earn victories at Sarachek, CIJE, and Debate three millenia down the road. Instead, the answer is that Jewish people were destined to build a nation, follow a national blueprint (the Torah), and do the above in their national homeland (Israel). Answers can be presented simply in writing, but actualizing them in reality is another matter entirely, as we see from the current conflicts in Israel between the government and the protesters regarding the question of Judicial reform. As Israel faces increasing pressure from Iranian proxies and forces, as matters in Yehuda and Shomron grow deadlier once again, as the relationship between the U.S. and Israel frays, and as Israeli society's chasm between the Chareidi and secular communities widens, it is difficult to say that it is simple to actualize the purpose of Yetziyat Mitzrayim. 

The games that Native Americans played and their leisure activities provided them with the necessary skills for hunting, fighting, and surviving. Our KYHS activities of the past few weeks, some of which are covered in the articles that follow, hopefully accomplish the same outcomes for the Jewish people and provide our community and our people with the skills and leisure activities that reflect the best of what a guiding-light society can build. Read ahead about our Robotics team, which took top honors at the CIJE event in NY. Learn about the successes of the Boys Varsity Basketball team at the Sarachek Tournament. Our Debaters exceeded expectations and have advanced to the next level of competition. Our Drama department put on two brilliantly clever performances of Clue. And on the theme of How To Build the Better Nation, we heard in person last week from former Prime Minister Naftali Bennet, who shared reflections and anecdotes from his time as Israel's top political leader. 

During the Pesach break, not only should everyone enjoy family and festivities during the nights of the sedarim, but we should also reflect on the purpose of Yetziat Mitzrayim and ask: In what way am I contributing towards building the Jewish future?

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Kasher V'Sameach,

Rabbi Levitt

Who Dunnit?

Two Nights, Two Casts, Two Hilarious and Stellar Performances of Clue

Graphic by Josh Haik ('24)

This week, the KYHS drama department performed two incredible productions of Clue: one on Monday night and the other on Tuesday night. A modernized theatrical version of the classic story, based on the universally-beloved board game, the riveting murder mystery kept the audience at the edge of their seats. The audience was thrown into endless fits of laughter with every joke and piece of improv throughout the show. 

Clue brought students from all four grades together and created a sense of ruach for everyone involved. Freshman Gali Kanoff (‘26) remarked that performing in the comedy “was a great way to bond with people in other grades. This whole experience was amazing and I feel blessed to have been a part of it!” Returning superstar Naftali Keifer (‘23) commented: “Being the lead in Clue was the highlight of my year. It was so much fun! I couldn't have done it without my extremely talented cast, crew and director!”

Our drama department really put a unique spin on the play by modernizing and including many interludes of improv. From Miss Scarlet’s unboxing video of the iconic murder weapons to having the role of the “Ladies” vary from Elder Price and Cunningham to bubbies, the KYHS drama department created a unique and special production of Clue. One of the Ladies, Elior Basson (‘23), exclaimed: “I loved that I was able to play such a unique and distinct character. I hope everyone enjoyed the show and our dramatic deaths. Everyone who worked on the play is so talented and deserves so much respect.”

After closing both performances, many audience members were left with the lingering question: “who dunnit?”. Director Jill Lustig settled the penultimate mystery by remarking: "You want to know who did it? It was all of us, in the rotunda, with no choice but to make it happen". A huge thank you to the amazing cast and crew for making this incredible show possible!

First Show: Click Here to See Pictures & Here to Watch the Performance

Second Show: Click Here to See Pictures & Here to Watch the Performance

Article by Hannah Shapiro ('23)

There's a Storm on

the Court

Boys' Basketball Team Competes in the Sarachek Tournament

Graphic by Rebecca Adler ('23)

This past weekend, many seniors and juniors from Katz Yeshiva High School traveled to New York for the most prestigious tournament for Jewish High School boys basketball teams across the United States and Canada – Yeshiva University’s “Sarachek” tournament.

Many student athletes and fans from all schools travel from all over to gather at Yeshiva University for four days of top-level competition and community-wide celebration. Schools such as Shalhevet, Valley Torah, Maimonides, SAR, Hebrew Academy, and Katz Yeshiva High School participated in intense games of basketball and visited Yeshiva University, getting the opportunity to learn more about their college programs.

Sarachek is also a great social opportunity for students from the 24 schools involved to meet other Jewish students, reunite with camp friends, and make some new connections. After two long days of playing on Thursday and Friday, the games resumed Saturday night and then on Sunday as well. Even though Sarachek is primarily about basketball and watching your fellow classmates compete, as a result of the friendships, bonds, and experiences created over the extended weekend, Sarachek is so much more. 

Article by Ariela Leibowitz ('25)

I'm a Jew and I'm Proud

KYHS Has the Privilege of Hearing from Former Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett

Graphic by Eitan Kaminetzky ('25)

Last week, the KYHS staff and students had the pleasure of hearing from the former prime minister of the State of Israel, Naftali Bennett. Bennett’s speech was introduced by a representative from the Technion, who spoke about the opportunities the school provides. Afterwards, Bennett spoke about the relationship between the United States and Israel, defending the State of Israel, and being proud to be an orthodox Jew.

The former prime minister’s speech encouraged students to think about not being ashamed of their Judaism and their defense of Israel. As sophomore Calev Zak put it, “the speech reminded me to defend my Judaism and stand strong in my beliefs.”

Afterwards, Bennett answered questions that students posed. The questions focused on the proposed judicial reform in Israel and the situation in Ukraine. Bennett was proud to share that Israel was the first on the scene in Ukraine to open a field hospital. He added that the State of Israel is committed to defending Jews in Ukraine, Russia, and around the world. Freshman Akiva Lanner said, “it was so inspiring to hear that an important politician cares so much about every Jew around the world.”

Article by Elisha Horowitz ('25)

We're Right Across from 770...

The Rebbe's KYHS Shlichim Participate in a Shabbaton in the Heart of Crown Heights

Graphic by Aaron Newman ('24)

This past week a few students from Katz Yeshiva High School traveled to New York to attend a Chabad Shabbaton. Accompanying them was KYHS’s resident Chabad minyan leader, Dr. Yosef Wolf. Everyone had an amazing time and Aaron Rosenhouse ('25) shared more with us in this fascinating interview. 

Gabriella: Thank you so much for joining me for this interview. 

Aaron: It is my pleasure. No problem. 

Gabriella: Ok, let’s get started. What was the Shabbaton called and where was it? 

A: It was the Chassidus Club Shabbaton in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York.

G: What did this Chabad Shabbaton entail? 

A: The goal was to visit – some again, some for the first time – Crown Heights. We davened in various places including 770, the shul where the Lubavitcher Rebbe would daven, give out dollars, give out brachos, give inspirational speeches, and learn and teach Chassidus/Torah, Ohelei Torah (a Yeshiva in Brooklyn), and the Men’s Kollel. We toured Manhattan and visited the burial center of both the Lubavitcher Rebbe (Menachem Mendel Schneersohn) and the Frierdiker Rebbe (Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn)—there we davened Shacharis, wrote letters to the Lubavitcher Rebbe asking for brachos, and said Tehillim by their resting place.

G: Why do you feel connected to Chabad? 

A: Being Chabad enhances my view of Judaism. Learning Chassidus helps you understand the deeper meaning of both life and Torah—not everything is 100% physical or 100% perfect, but there are things in the world that are meant for us not to understand. Chassidus teaches that perhaps we do not exist… maybe we are being recreated by Hashem every moment. Our mission as Jewish people is to go out spreading light and sharing Torah.

G: How is the Chabad davening different from other types of davening? 

A: According to my father, Nusach Ari davening is like a combination of Ashkenazi and Sephardic davening. The words are more similar to Sephardic words, but the tunes are more like Ashkenazi tunes. Really, if you are a Jew you’re a Jew, and the nusach in which you daven is not as important as actually davening. For example, Shemoneh Esrei has quite a few differences between Nusach Ari and Ashkenazi Nusach, but whether you are using a Tehillat Hashem Siddur or an Artscroll Siddur, you are 100% yotzei of having prayed.

G: Why do you appreciate davening in the structure of Chabad everyday at school? 

A: When I started my journey as a student in KYHS, I was encouraged by Dr. Wolf to assist in setting up a Nusach Ari-Chabad minyan. Since then, both my davening and my mindset have improved. I enjoy being part of a minyan where the people around me are saying the same words and are saying them with passion.

G: How has being Chabad impacted your life? 

A: Prior to my freshman year I never could have believed that one day I would say that “I am Chabad.”, but since I joined the minyan I have grown in my confidence and my Yiddishkeit. I am proud that I am part of the minyan, I am proud that I am capable of leading davening with passion, and I am simply proud to be a Jew! As I briefly mentioned earlier, whether you are Chabad or Ashkenazi or Sephardic does not matter as much as it does that we are Jews, and we have one ULTIMATE goal. We must take pride in who we are as we set the path for Mashiach to come and take us all out from galus! 

Gabriella: Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to have this interview. 

Aaron: You're welcome. This was great. 

Interview by Gabriella Asher ('25)

Medal for the Metal

Robotics Team Brings Home a Victory All the Way from New York!

Graphic by Orly Dimont ('23)

Last week the KYHS robotics team flew up to New York to take part in the CIJE tech robotics competition, facing 30 other Jewish high schools consisting of 132 teams. 

The teams played a fast-paced competitive game where the objective is to build a robot that scoops up yellow discs on a court and launches them into their hoop, all while competing versus other robots. If the yellow disc ends up in the hoop, you get points and if you miss you lose points. Benny Jaimovich (‘24) described it as “pretty intense.”

The KYHS Robotics team pulled off the victory, beating out all 132 other teams! The win was very well-deserved. Benny Jaimovich (‘24) said, “it was rewarding that after all the hard work and effort we persevered through to bring home the number one trophy.” The robotics win is the first in school history and hopefully the first of many more. Congratulations to the winning KYHS Robotics team on the impressive feat!

Article by Jacob Zucker ('25)