Warriors' Week in Review

Dear Parents,

What a fantastic week it has been at MDYHS!  It is an honor to share a glimpse of some of the events and programs of the past few days with you.

Over the course of the year, I have been writing about our exciting developments in the world of Educational Technology, under the wonderful guidance and leadership of our EdTech Director, Rabbi Michael Bitton.  As part of our commitment to make MDYHS the shining star in the use of technology in the classroom and beyond, Rabbi Bitton - together with our new, incoming Chief Academic Officer of General Studies, Mrs. Jennifer Levy, designed a grant proposal for BOLD - Blended Online Learning Day schools - a pioneering program of innovative educational technology.  (For information about BOLD, please check their website at http://www.bolddayschools.org/).  This highly selective program, to which numerous schools across the country applied, announced that they would choose no more than 8 schools to explore a major funding opportunity - designed to infuse blended learning and differentiated instruction throughout the schools that would be selected.  In the end, the BOLD program selected only 5 schools in the entire USA for this extremely prestigious honor.  I am so proud to announce that MDYHS was the only high school in the entire country chosen for this coveted position, and the only school in the state of NY to be selected!  We are extremely excited to be at the cutting edge of educational technology and to be recognized for the excellence of our programs.  I had the pleasure of meeting yesterday with a representative of Education Elements, the organization with which we will be partnering to enhance our extensive program, and I look forward to being in touch with you every step of the way as we develop this further over the months ahead.

Educational technology took another form at MDYHS this week, as students who had expressed an interest in ourComputer Coding and Programming course for next year had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a seminar on robotics at our school.  On Wednesday, the students saw a demonstration of NAO, the most widely used humanoid robot for academic purposes worldwide.  The seminar focused on a fusion of the fields of computer science, engineering, and mathematics.  As part of their workshop, our young engineers created and entered computer coding to the robot's database, getting NAO to perform tasks that ranged from simple to complex.  The 22nd century has already arrived at MDYHS, and our students are at the forefront of its progress and design!  (Please see the attached photos from this exciting program).

Rounding out the extraordinary EdTech accomplishments at MDYHS this week, a team of our administrators and department heads met to plan the details of our E-Portfolio program for the coming year.  In this amazing program, students will be mentored in the design of an e-portfolio, starting in the 9th and 10th grades when specific teachers will give students special portfolio assignments, such as research and reflective essays, group video projects, artwork, etc.  The student's faculty mentor will review these assignments on a regular basis, helping the student to find his or her unique "voice."  In the 11th and 12th grades, the e-portfolio will shift focus, to center on the student's college and career resume.  By the time the student is ready to apply to college, he or she will have a digital compilation that reflects his or her talents, creativity, accomplishments, skills, and personality.  Each student will be armed with all of the elements necessary for success as the bright future and the wide world beckon.

And while on the subject of preparation for college, our 10th grade students experienced the wonderful talents ofMourad Kattan, ably assisted by Morris Kishk, as he led them in an extensive tutorial on SAT verbal skills preparation.  Mourad and Morris distributed their latest vocabulary prep book, and worked with the students on building a strong and expanded vocabulary base.  This alone would be of great note - but the really fantastic news is that our English department, under the supervision of Chairperson Mrs. Rachel Harari, is coordinating the curriculum with the SAT prep work, having Mourad and Morris work together with the department to help ensure the greatest results for our students.  I spoke to a number of students after the program, and they were actually enthused about doing vocabulary work!

This preparation for success in and beyond MDYHS continues with the outstanding work of our dedicated Writing Center coordinator Ms. Katie Chabbott.  Ms. Chabbott has completed a full round of work with the 11th grade classes for their college essays, and is working with individual students on their final drafts.  In addition, she has started working with 9th graders on form, style, and structures of essay writing, so that when these students advance through the grades, they will be ready to give Ernest Hemingway a serious run for his money!  From time to time Ms. Chabbott has shared some of the beautiful, poignant essays of our students, and their depth and eloquence is so moving.  I can tell you that reading some of those essays opens a dimension of the student that is sometimes otherwise not revealed.  Our students are indeed fortunate to have this guidance as they begin to think about what lies ahead in their future.

And speaking of good fortune and eloquence, I was privileged to receive an invitation from Mrs. Frieda Cattan's Jewish History class to attend a special presentation of their own creative design.  The students in this class created a beautiful book - on 1,000 years of Jewish History: from 586 BCE to 600 CE.  Each student had designed at least 2 sections of the book, focusing on a historical theme or figure, such as The Destruction of the Temple, The Career of Josephus, and The Seleucid Empire.  These sections contained original text and stunning artwork.  I sat amazed, watching and listening to each student presenting her own section of the book.  When the presentations were complete, I had the joyous honor of accepting the book on behalf of the school - the class had donated it to our library.  What a fantastic testament to our students' scholarly and artistic talents and their spirit of "giving back" to the community!  (Please see the attached photo from this great presentation).

As our students know so well, the best learning is really not all that meaningful unless it is guided by Torah values andmiddot, touching the neshamah of the student.  Toward that end, we had two powerful events this week that were designed to reinforce that message to our student body.  During his weekly sihah to our boys, Rabbi Joey Haberspoke about using every opportunity one has to "build up" friends rather than intentionally or unintentionally "bringing them down."  Rabbi Haber's vital message was complemented by a special video presentation - designed by our own students, under the leadership of Elliot Shrem.  In this amusing, but meaningful video, students saw different scenarios how they - during the summer - can boost their friends' and their own spirits.  This is a great way to cap off a year of strong learning and great accomplishments in Torah!  And... while that was taking place, our 9th grade girls, under the direction of Mrs. Beth Goldberg, together with Mrs. Shara Netkin, Mrs. Laurie Michaels, and Mrs. Dahlia Dabah, conducted a spirited Minhah Celebration.  Rachel Sardar and Marilyn Terzi had created a beautiful invitation to set this special program in motion.  The entire grade was addressed by Mrs. Jackie Bitton - a much-in-demand speaker at schools and programs across the country, (and wife of our own Rabbi Elinatan Bitton).  Her inspirational speech, containing moving stories and messages, mesmerized the students.  The event was capped off with delicious ice cream desserts and with the distribution of Birkot HaShahar cards to each student.  (Please see the attached photo from this joyous celebration).  The students in both of these events left feeling the warmth and hizzukimparted to them by our caring and devoted faculty.

Finally, as today is the last day of regular classes for the school year, and next week, b'ezrat HaShem, begins the period of final exams and Regents, I know you join me in wishing all of our students the greatest success on their tests.  We have full confidence that they will excel and shine!  As we look to the days and weeks ahead, we have the privilege on Sunday of marching in the Celebrate Israel Parade - I hope you will be able to cheer the MDYHS contingent as we march pridefully up Fifth Avenue, showing solidarity and support for our beloved State of Israel.  Thiscoming Tuesday evening we will honor our glorious seniors at the MDYHS Commencement Exercises at the Walt Whitman Auditorium in Brooklyn College.  (Our 12th graders returned last night from their wonderful Senior Trip to Florida - please see the attached photo of our smiling students at Universal Studios).  And the faculty and administration will be meeting over the weeks ahead to discuss exciting and important programs that will be put in place over the course of the summer and next year such as: plans for a Summer Institute in Deal, NJ for all students interested in taking next year's Behinah Yerushalmit given by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for college credit, and plans for our Middle States Association of Schools & Colleges' Accreditation Steering Committee.  (More on these last two points in next week's letter...).

As always, please accept my warmest wishes for a Shabbat Shalom and for a great week ahead!

The Flame: Last Issue of the Year!!!

Issue 12 4

Warriors' Week in Review

Dear Parents,

What a wonderful, exciting week it has been at MDYHS!  It is a pleasure for me to share a glimpse of some of the programs and events of the past few days with you.

On Monday evening, parents of our entering junior and senior classes were treated to a special workshop on The College Admissions Process: What You Need to Know, How You Can Reach Your Goals - presented by Dr. Susan Greenbaum, former Associate Dean of the NYU Stern School of Business Undergraduate College.  Dr. Greenbaum, using a detailed PowerPoint presentation along with clear, practical handouts, spoke to parents about such important issues as strategic course selection for students, the importance of extra-curricular activities on the student's resume, and how to use a visit to the college campus of your choice to best advantage in the college application process - all with the goal of ensuring a successful admission for the student.  Dr. Greenbaum was followed by our own Mr. Steven Harris, of the Department of College Guidance & Career Counseling Services, who spoke about Naviance, the "Rolls Royce" of college guidance software - which we use at MDYHS for all students.  Rounding out the program was Assistant Principal Mrs. Esther Tokayer, who spoke about the various extra-curricular opportunities at MDYHS.  The evening was so informative and helpful that one parent emailed me after it was over, saying, "...this was really fantastic; it made a huge difference in how I look at the entire experience...I will be more on top of the whole process with my son...tonight, already, we are doing Naviance together."  Dr. Greenbaum has graciously accepted our invitation to return for another workshop in September as part of our Parent Orientation seminars for parents.

And while that special workshop was taking place, across the river in Manhattan two of our students - Leon Betesh and Lisa Chakkalo - were further advancing their careers as radio stars.  Leon and Lisa - together with our esteemed Rosh Yeshivah Rabbi Harold Sutton and me - were the featured guests on TalkLine Radio, hosted by Zev Brenner.  Our young stars were interviewed by Mr. Brenner about the wonderful Sephardic community and about their experiences in MDYHS.  The show featured live call-in questions from various listeners, and our students spoke with passion, sincerity, grace, and eloquence.  The hour-long segment focused entirely on our community and school, and I have heard from listeners how proud they were to hear our students speak of MDYHS with such joy and excitement.  When the archived record of the show is available, I will forward the link.  In the meantime, look for the Leon & Lisa Show soon to be featured on the FM dial!  (Please see the attached photo from this enjoyable visit to the radio studio).

On Tuesday evening, close to a hundred people - students and parents - attended the Sixth Annual MDYHS Entrepreneurship Dinner, designed and led byMr. Joe Naftaly and Mr. Daniel Kamelhar.  A while ago, students in the Entrepreneurship and Business classes presented their various projects in a competition judged by our own Dr. Abe Tawil, Dr. Edward Rogoff, (Professor of Management, and Director of the Lawrence N. Field Center for Entrepreneurship at Baruch College), and Mr. Irwin Dayan (Executive Director of the Sephardic Angel Fund).  The projects were judged based on Concept, Presentation, and Business Plan - and the following teams were announced as winners of the competition: 1st Place - Judy Chalouh for her product Roll-A-Roof; 2nd Place - Lorraine Franco and Victoria Zalta for their product JackPack; and 3rd Place - Lorry Louzeh and Stella Sadaka for their product Smart Cushion.  Everybody present that evening was truly a winner, and the talent, perseverance, and commitment of all the teams really shone through.  The next great product that you buy may well be the result of the genius and production values of a young MDYHS entrepreneur!  (Please see the attached photos from this wonderful event).

Last week I wrote about the exciting, new Academic Majors Program to begin for all entering freshmen at MDYHS this coming September.  After Tuesdayevening's Entrepreneurship Dinner, the Atrium was all abuzz with entering freshmen and their parents - who came to experience the inaugural Academic Majors Fair.  Each of the 13 Majors fields had its own booth hosted by a representative of that discipline.  Parents and students circulated, visiting each of the booths, collecting informative handouts, listening to what each Academic Major entails, discussing, and then enrolling online in their elective choices for this coming September, using iPads provided for the registration.  It was absolutely wonderful to see the students and parents absorbing, probing, circulating, and smiling as they begin the fantastic journey of their successful future!  (Please see the attached photo from this historic program).

While one wonderful group is poised to enter MDYHS, another wonderful group is getting ready to leave - to make their great mark on the world.  On Wednesdayevening, our glorious seniors and their parents gathered together for the Senior Awards and Arista - National Honor Society Induction Ceremonies. Rachel Naftali and Sarah Kabariti, our General Excellence awardees, spoke to the audience, representing the class and delivering eloquent messages of hope and inspiration.  Quite a number of students received well deserved recognition for academic performance, leadership, improvement in their studies, middotand hessed.  Looking around I could clearly see the parents, grandparents, faculty, and the students' own peers glowing with pride as each awardee was called to the podium.  What a great way to recognize the stellar accomplishments of our students!  (Please see the attached photo from this inspirational evening).

These accomplishments - and more - are attained through hard work and commitment.  I am proud to inform you that this week sees the culmination of our students' Advanced Placement exams - well over 100 exams were taken - as well as the completion of our seniors' Behinah Yerushalmit Exam - a 7 hour test administered to our students by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem - after which successful completion can result in up to 6 college credits in Hebrew Language & Literature.  Last year's class scored an average of over 90 on the exam - an outstanding achievement - and I anticipate a repeat performance in this year's exam as well.  And speaking of outstanding achievements, I was so proud and happy to hear the following from our own Rabbi Joey Haber: during the Senior Internship Program, the 12th graders were asked to continue their Torah studies by participating in various shiurim.  Well... even after the program was over, a huge contingent of young ladies decided to continue their classes with Rabbi Haber, eagerly absorbing the beautiful Torah lessons that have become such an integral part of their lives.  This is not to mention the great number of our senior boys who attend daily and weeklyshiurim at various shuls and classes in the community.  Our graduating seniors are doing us - and more importantly, themselves - really proud!

Yesterday, in a beautiful combination of academic excellence, character, and service, our 11th grade  Brooklyn College Credit Class in Nutrition, led by Ms. Shaindy Judowitz, designed and presented an original program, Be Healthy at MDY Preschool.  Our students, in 4 different groups, went to the preschool to teach the younger generation about how to "eat healthy" every day.  The MDYHS delegation presented a puppet show that they wrote themselves and whose puppets and stage were fashioned entirely by the 11th graders - on the theme of nutrition and health.  They then worked with the preschoolers together on projects such as laminated placemats and fruit-and-vegetable artwork.  The entire program was a huge hit with the preschool students and staff - and I am not quite sure who had a better time, the MDYHS class of 2014 or the MDYHS class of 2026.  What a great way to take what one has learned, and give back to the community!  (Please see the attached photos from this wonderful program).

And while on the subject of making learning experiential, some of our 9th and 10th grade classes traveled to Manhattan on Wednesday to participate in a phone-based Educational Scavenger Hunt.  Led by Ms. Audrey Nasar, Ms. Sally Mishanieh, Mrs. Shara Netkin, and Mrs. Beth Goldberg, the students were divided into groups, and were tasked with solving 31 different puzzles that took them all over the city.  They explored statues in Bryant Park, studied the artwork and architecture of the New York Public Library, gleaned information from plaques in the historic Theater District, and interviewed police officers.  All the while, our sleuths learned fascinating facts about the history of New York City.  While the winners of the event were Esty Ammach, Celia Cohen, Gitta Cohen, Lorry Louzeh, and Stella Sadaka, every student returned from this wonderful odyssey with a huge smile.  (Please see the attached photos from this enjoyable and informative competition).

Finally, I just want to present an update on the amazing Forensics Project which our students are about to conclude.  Our "detectives" have interviewed all the witnesses, and have collaborated in discussions on their findings.  As a result of those discussions, the suspect list has been narrowed down to three people:Mr. Alan Arbesfeld, Ms. Audrey Nasar, and Mr. Steven Bonica.  Please do not approach these suspects directly; they may be dangerous!  The students are continuing to look at and compare evidence this week - hair, fibers, fingerprints, and handwriting samples. (Please see the attached photo of our students working in their crime lab).  Ms. Laura Pritchard, Forensic Science teacher at MDYHS, hopes to announce the solution to the crime next week.  For stories such as these, along with all of the news at MDYHS, please see the latest issue of The Flame, our student newspaper, which is being distributed today.

As always, please accept my warmest wishes for a Shabbat Shalom, a relaxing Memorial Day weekend, and for a great week ahead!

Sincerely yours,

Rabbi Saul Zucker

Israeli Day Parade Info

Students are to report to MDYHS at 10:15AM on Sunday, June 2nd.

Students should wear black skirts or pants (no jeans); they will be given a t-shirt at school that morning.

 

We should be returning the high school at approximately 3:00PM on Sunday.

 

The Celebrate Israel Parade is a mandatory school day.

 

Students wishing to remain in the city on their own should fill out and return the attached form signed by a parent no later than Wednesday, May29th to the main office.  Parents who do not sign the form but wish to pick up their child from the parade may do so.  Students will not be released to any adult aside from a parent without the required form submitted in advance.

 

11th graders:  We know that many of you are taking the SAT.  Obviously, you can't be in two places at one time - if you submitted your registration form to Ms. Nasar you will be excused from the parade.

Permission Slip to Stay in the City 2013

Finals Schedule

June 2013 Complete

IMPORTANT!

Dear Students:

Please note the following important information regarding the end of the school year and your academic success.

1. Grading Policy for Regents Courses:

For all courses that culminate in a regents examination, students' report card grade will not exceed or fall below their grade on the regents examination by more than 10 points. Any student who achieves a score of below 55 will be required to do credit recovery.

2. Credit Recovery Policy:

Any student who fails a course in June will be required to retake the course in the summer. All courses must be made up through the Learning Link or through an accredited public school or university. The fee for Learning Link courses are: For each Secular Studies course - $495; For each Judaic Studies course - $295.

3. Report Cards:

Students will be receiving their report cards through the US mail. If a student fails a course, you will receive a phone call asking you to come pick up the report card and sign the credit recovery contract.

4. Tefilah During Finals:

Tefilah during finals and regents exams is mandatory if the student has a 9:30AM exam. Students who do not attend Tefilah and have a 9:30AM exam will be required to complete a project to have their exam graded. Non-submission of a project will result in points deducted from the exam.

Thank you and best wishes for a successful conclusion of the school year.

The MDYHS Adminstration

New and Exciting News!!!!

Dear Parents,

I hope this letter finds you and your family well, having enjoyed a pleasant and relaxing Shavuot.  Since the current school week has been "overtaken" by the holiday, I thought I would use this opportunity to share some details about one of the exciting programs that MDYHS is innovating in the fall - The High School Academic Majors Program.

One of the consistent refrains that I hear at almost every meeting with college deans of admissions is that today's high school students in general often do not have a focus as to where they are going or what they want to study.  The university faculty and administration report that many high school students from across the country spend up to a year and a half "trying to find themselves and to figure out what they would like to pursue."  As a means of addressing this issue, and as a way to make the high school experience even more stimulating and relevant - preparing our students for success in their their future education and career pathways - we have developed the High School Academic Majors Program, after careful and extensive consultation with numerous university deans and faculty members. This program will start, b'ezrat HaShem, in September 2013 for the entering 9th grade, and will build over the next 4 years - but it will also have an immediate impact on all the grades this coming year, as I shall explain below.

The program starts with a one-period-per-week elective course for 9th graders, entitled Introduction to the Majors.  Students will choose 3 elective courses - one for each of the year's trimesters - from among the following 13 different academic major fields:


Arts (including Graphic Design, Fashion, Interior Design, Film, Music, Photography, Jewelry, Cosmetology)

Business (including Management, Production, Sales, Marketing)

Communal / Non-Profit

Computers / Technology (including Coding, Apps Development, Software Engineering, Website Development)

Culinary Arts / Hospitality

Education / Rabbinics

Engineering / Architecture (including Electrical, Biomedical, Civil, Chemical, and Mechanical Engineering)

Finance (including Accounting, Investment, Actuarial Sciences, Statistical Analysis, Stocks & Bonds Markets)

Health Sciences (including Medicine, Nursing, Veterinary Science, Nutrition, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy)

Law / Politics

Psychology / Social Work

Real Estate

Writing / Journalism / Media Communications


In the Introduction to the Majors electives, students will learn what the field is all about; what advancement is available in this career choice; and what is necessary in terms of college courses and internship training - in order to successfully prepare for this career pathway.  The elective course will include guest lectures by people in the actual fields, who will share their own insight and experiences with our students.

In the 10th grade, students will register for 3 elective courses - again, one for each of the trimesters - entitled Fundamentals of the Majors.  These courses will meet twice per week, and will delve further into the various career pathways and preparation necessary for these fields, by presenting an overview of the different courses students would be taking in college and beyond within these areas.  So, for example, a Fundamentals of the Majors course in the area of Law will present to the students the elementary basics of Constitutional Law versus Business Law versus Tax Law, etc.  The 10th grader can choose the same three areas that he or she chose in 9th grade, or three completely different areas altogether.

By the end of 10th grade, each student will have been exposed to at least 3 - and up to 6 - different areas of Academic Majors, in a sophisticated way.  At that point - at the end of the sophomore year - the student will be asked to declare his or her high school major.  In the junior and senior years, the student's five-period elective courses will be in the area of his or her declared Major.  But more than that - there will be units of classes in Limudei Kodesh which will tie in with the major.  Thus, for example, a Health Science Major will have units in Halakhah class about Refuah BeShabbat, End-of-Life Issues, etc.  This exciting tie-in, all in an area that the student himself or herself has chosen, will make the entire curriculum come alive to the student!  And still more - the area of the Senior Internship will be tied in with the student's Academic Major.  By the time the student graduates from MDYHS, he or she will have a certified Major listed on the transcript, will have letters of recommendation by people in that field, will have had work experience and networking opportunities, along with exposure to college level courses in that field, and will understand well what the Torah has to say about areas relevant to that career pathway.  This is an incredible way to prepare our students for their golden future!

As we begin this wonderful program in the fall, we will have the Academic Majors faculty and guest lecturers meet with students in the entering 10th through 12th grades as well, as part of their College Guidance and Career Counseling that we provide to all students, so that the entire MDYHS student body can begin to benefit from this unique program from the outset.

The MDYHS administration, department chairs, and faculty - along with every single college dean that I have spoken to about this - are extremely enthusiastic about this very special program.  I invite you to please be in touch with any comments and questions.  I firmly believe that this program will prepare our students in an unparalleled way - affording them every advantage and opportunity - as they face their challenging and exciting future in college and beyond.

As always, please accept my warmest wishes for a Shabbat Shalom and for a great week ahead!

Sincerely yours,

Rabbi Saul Zucker

Academic Majors Elective Course Night

Dear Parents,

I hope this letter finds you well as we approach the end of the year.  We are excited about our extensive planning for the coming academic year - particularly about one of the crown jewels in the program - the Academic Majors elective courses for all entering ninth grade students.  As you know, the year will be divided into trimesters, and students will be asked to choose three elective courses - one for each trimester - as an "Introduction to the Major: 101 Level Course."  There will be13 different Core Concentration Majors from which to choose the 3 elective courses.

I am writing now to invite you to a special program that we are hosting for parents and students who are entering the ninth grade - the program will highlight what the Majors are and what strategies to employ when choosing your elective courses - all within the context of an evening program that will include an enjoyable activity for parents with their children, designed to make the choices the most effective possible.

Please join us, with your eighth grader, at Magen David High School on Tuesday evening May 21st, at 7:30 pm for this program.  At the interactive, enjoyable activity that evening, you will have a chance to learn all about how the Majors are a key to your child's future, and to enroll in your choice of classes.  I look forward to greeting you at this wonderful program!  If you have any questions, please feel free to be in touch.  In the meantime, please accept my warmest wishes for a Hag Same'ah and for a continued great year!

Sincerely yours,

Rabbi Saul Zucker

The Flame: Issue 11-3

Issue 11 3

Warriors' Week in Review

Dear Parents,

What a fantastic week it has been at MDYHS!  It is an honor to share a glimpse of some of the events and programs of the past few days with you.

On Tuesday, our entire school was transformed by the gloriousSephardic Heritage Expo, designed and supervised by our Jewish History Department Chairperson Ms. Audrey Nasar, with the collaboration of the History and English departments.  Early in the school year, the entire sophomore class was divided into groups and each group was assigned a different topic on the community's precious history.  These topics included Life in Syria, Life in Egypt, Traditions and Life Cycles, Syrian Jews in World War II, theKitab, Pizmonim, Life on the Lower East Side, the Move to Bensonhurst, Syrian Food, the formation of SBH, and of course -the development of Magen David.  As part of their preparation throughout the year, students attended workshops, wrote research papers, designed beautiful and creative artwork, videotaped interviews with relatives, community members, and scholars, and designed "interactive museum-style exhibit booths."  And finally it all came together at the Expo!

On the morning of the event, our own Rabbi Joey Haber introduced a living legend - Mr. Mickey Kairey - who spoke to our entire student body about his own reflections on "the best community in the world" - and was kind and gracious in answering the students' questions.  The morning program included sweet, poignant performances by our wonderful Hazzanut Club, under the direction of Rabbi Jack Savdie, and our Boys Choir, under the direction of Rabbi Nir Shalom.  (Please enjoy these soul-stirring performances at the following links: Hazzanut- http://youtu.be/vDi8jpxjVgo  Choir- http://youtu.be/wTqDRIqR0M8 ).  The program in the afternoon consisted of the freshmen and juniors touring the exhibits - the docents in our Sephardic "museum" were the sophomores who had designed their booths.  I had the privilege of touring the exhibits, and was moved beyond words as the tenth graders told me about their grandparents' experiences in Syria, about the hardships of being a young immigrant, and about the pride in settling and being successful in America.  Highlights of this incredible tour included:

* a simulated immigration experience, complete with passports; a "plane ride" with an in-flight movie of an interview with a woman who shared her story of challenge and success as she came to this new country; and a walk through the customs and passport control at "Ellis Island"
* a recreation of a Lower East Side tenement
* a newsstand with copies of the Victory Bulletin - a community newsletter printed by young women during World War II
* a cooking demonstration (it was absolutely delicious!)
* a Syrian Souk
* a display of cover pages of rare Sephardic books
* an eight foot tall pyramid with the history of the Jews of Egypt engraved on its walls

The entire experience was truly indescribable!  What an amazing way for our students to take the majestic past of the community and bring it forward into their lives!  (Please see the attached photos from this extraordinary event).

The great sense of pride continued into Wednesday, when a select group of juniors were inducted into Arista - the National Honor Society for high school students.  Led by Mrs. Shuli Sharvit in a beautiful ceremony in front of the whole school, our inductees - who have achieved outstanding success in scholarship, leadership, character, and service - accepted the honor and the responsibility of this mantle of recognition.  Representing the entire group, Aaron Harari, Raquel Sabbagh, and Gloria Terzi spoke of their own pathway to academic accomplishment and middot development.  The program was so inspiring that quite a number of students came up to me after it was over to say that they cannot wait until next year, when they hope to join the ranks of scholars and leaders as well.  And so, the torch has been passed from one "generation" of students to another...  (Please see the attached photos from this great program).

And speaking of looking ahead to the future, this week's focus on theSenior Internship Program highlights the accomplishments ofJacqueline Beyda and Molly Maleh, who are working in the field ofChild Advocacy for the New York Foster Care System.  Jacqueline and Molly shadow social workers and child advocates, go to court to observe custodial hearings, and work with children who come through the system of foster care.  In one very moving case, a young girl who was in foster care was having a difficult time, and Jacqueline and Molly sat with the judge of the case and with the family, and over the course of time befriended the young girl, earned her trust, and helped to advocate on her behalf... so much so that yesterday at the agency, in the "bring your child to work day" program - designed by our very own interns - the foster child spent the entire time celebrating with her new "advocates" - Jacqueline and Molly.  Our future professionals have asked the agency if they could extend their internship beyond the MDYHS work dates, and the supervisor told us how much she "loves the MDYHS interns - they are invaluable to the entire program."  (Please see the attached photos of our interns in action).

And the great pride continues further... This coming week, b'ezrat HaShem, students in 8 different Talmud classes will be celebrating siyyumim - their completion of at least one full perek of Talmud.  Five classes have completed the 1st perek of Massekhet Makkot; two classes have completed the 3rd perek of Massekhet Megillah, and one class has completed the 2nd perek of Massekhet Megillah.  This is a fantastic accomplishment, not just for the content that the students have mastered, but for the skills that they have acquired and mastered as well.  In the ceremonies planned for next week, every Talmud Rabbi will be presenting an award to the "outstanding talmid" of each shiur.  I am so proud of our students' wonderful erudition and dedication to their learning, and I know that they will continued to grow me-hayil el hayil!

As I have often written before, dedication to learning and scholarship is hollow if it is not attached to a deep commitment to hessed.  TheMDYHS Girls Choir, under the leadership of Ms. Shaindel Antelis - a rising star in the world of Jewish music - sang in a community wide event for women, to support the Bar Mitzvah Foundation established by the Cornman family in memory of Ezra, a"h.  In a highly emotional day, our talented, young singers not only performed, but they also helped to set up for the entire program, sold raffle tickets and auction packages to help support the Foundation, and added to the sweetness and success of this memorable event.  (Please see the attached photo of our girls at their performance).  And following on the heels of this act of kindness, our students, under the direction of Ms. Elyse Nadjar, hosted a YACHAD program on Wednesday evening.  The activities included a mini-carnival for the developmentally disabled YACHAD group - golf, basketball, limbo, and other fun activities.  The YACHAD staff told us that they had never seen such a spirit of dedication and commitment to get involved as the one they saw in the MDYHS student body.  After the event, the program director wrote to us saying, "we can't stop raving about your students!  They were beyond thoughtful...they are so special."  The truth is - I don't know who gained more from this program, the YACHAD students or our own young hessed activists!  (Please see the attached photos from this inspiring evening).

While the calendar says "May" our seniors are still hearing about their great college admissions.  It is a pleasure for me to extend warm wishes of Mabrouk to Yvette Chaya on her acceptance to the LIU Pre-Pharmacy Program.  This program consists a six year curriculum leading to a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree, and is highly selective.  Yvette - we are so proud of you!  And while on the subject of success in our students' academic careers, I am pleased to note that this coming week we will, b'ezrat HaShem, begin a whole host of AP exams at MDYHS, including those of Chemistry, Biology, Calculus, English, History, Government, Spanish, Psychology, andStatistics.  At the same time, our faculty's amazing Lunch & Learn and after-class review sessions for the Regents Exams continue in full force.  We look forward to the outstanding results and achievements that our young scholars will produce.

Finally, in the area of sports, congratulations to the Varsity Softball Team, under the leadership of coach David Shamah, on their victory over the team of YDE by a score of 2-1, and kudos to the Junior Varsity Softball Team, under the leadership of coach Nathan Zalta, on their double-header win over the team of YDE by scores of 15-1 and 9-3... From the fields to the courts - congratulations to the Boys Varsity Tennis Team, under the leadership of coach Eddie Elbaz, on their "sweep" victory against the team of North Shore High School - played at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows - home of the US Open Tennis Tournament.  Our team won all three singles matches and both doubles matches that were played.  And kudos of the Boys Varsity Soccer Team, also under the leadership of coach Eddie Elbaz, on their win over the team of Ezra Academy by a score of 9-2.  Special mention goes to Liran Cohen who finished the season as one of the Yeshivah League's highest goal scorers with a total of 21.  TheWarriors are unbeatable!  For all the news and events of life at MDYHS, please see the latest issue of The Flame, our student newspaper, which is being distributed today.

As always, please accept my warmest wishes for a Shabbat Shalomand for a great week ahead!

Sincerely yours,

Rabbi Saul Zucker

Junior Day

Thanks to our hard working SGO, the Juniors were planned a great day out to Marine Park and Fun Time in Staten Island.

***Don't forget to hand in your Intention to Run for SGO Office ****

MDY HS in this months IMAGE Magazine!

Mdy Flipped 5 2013 by MagenDavidHS

Arista Inductees

Mabruk and Congratulations to the following Juniors on their induction into the Arista Society:

Caline Chaaya     Hannah Cohen     Amy Yedid    

 Stephanie Laoui

Gloria Terzi     Karen Shamma     Raquel Sabbagh  

   Angela Shaaya

Michelle Wahba     Renee Cohen     Orly Yazdi     Yoni Hadar

Mordi Lati      Aaron Harari

 

Monday Nights Workshop....

Dear Parents,

I just received word from Associate Dean Susan Greenbaum that there was a death in her family, and that the family will be sittingshiv'ah until next week - she has therefore asked that we postpone the Parent Workshop on College Admissions that was originally scheduled for this coming Monday evening.  I know you join me in extending our sincere wishes of nehamah to Dr. Greenbaum and her family during this difficult time.  As soon as I am able to speak to Dr. Greenbaum to set a new date for the workshop I will write to let you know.  Thank you very much.

Sincerely yours,

Rabbi Zucker