IN THIS

ISSUE:
Yavneh Academy
155 Farview Avenue
Paramus NJ 07652
(201-)262-8494
The Holocaust
Play Stimulating the Mind, Nourishing the Soul

The United
States and Israel:
A Relationship
in Jeopardy?

School Next
Year…

What’s Hit
Today

An Interview
With…

May 2010
Where Will
 The Holocaust Play
By: Ilana Karp ‘10

The Holocaust play preparation was a major success! This year a group of 8 th graders were even
invited to help Mrs. Lopkin make the background sets for the play. The play was called, "An Unlikely
Hero, the Pinchas Rosenbaum Story." The story is about the life of Pinchas Rosenbaum, the son of a
Rabbi from Hungary, who saved thousands of Jews. Pinchas Rosenbaum was played by Philip Meyer. His
father, Rav Shmuel Shmelka, was played by Josh Birnbaum. Dovid
Asael, another lead role, was played by Ariela Rivkin. Young
Pinchas was played by Leora Hyman. Students are so excited about
the play, as are the teachers. “We have a great story this year, one I
have wanted to do for several years. Many of the students are
stepping up to the plate and showing great talent,” said Rabbi
Shmuel Burstein, Director of
Holocaust Studies before the play.
Everyone been worked very hard
with Dominique Cieri, the director
of the play, to make this event truly
wonderful. “It’s been so much fun coming to rehearsals,” said eighth
grader Marlee Goodman, just days beore the event. “It’s such an
amazing story. Pinchas is such a great person. I can’t wait to see how it
comes out.” The formal dress rehearsal was May 5 th and the final
performance was May 6th at Paramus High school. This Holocaust Play was going to be an amazing
show, and everyone agrees that it was worth the wait!
 The United States and Israel-
a Relationship in Jeopardy?
By: Sarah Hiller ‘11
 
 
 
 
 

A month ago, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden,

traveled to Israel.  His goal: to restart peace
negotiations between Israelis and
Palestinians.  He did not know that the
situation would erupt due to the shocking
statement of the Israeli interior minister, Eli
Yishai, the leader of the right-wing Shas
Party.  In this statement, Yishai anounced
that Israel is planning to build 1600
building Vice President Biden and Prime Minister Netan-
units in the now
yahu before the shocking announcement.

predominately Palestinian Eastern Jerusalem. Biden was offended by this statement, as this was
a blatant rejection of Biden’s efforts towards peace between the two nations. This led
Netanyahu to apologize for the unfortunate timing of the announcement, claiming that he did
not think that this statement would be released while Biden was in Israel.  Biden was still upset
that the announcement would have been made at all, as Eastern Jerusalem is a place which, in
addition to being claimed by Israel, is also claimed by Palestinians as their rightful land. 
predominately Palestinian territory.  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, another long time
supporter of Israel, called Prime Minister Netanyahu and demanded an explanation for the
shocking statement. Clinton also said that the decision was an “insult” to the U.S.  "We
objected to this announcement because we are committed to Israel and its security, which we
believe depends on a comprehensive peace -- because we are determined to keep moving
forward along a path that ensures Israel's future as a secure and democratic Jewish state living
in peace with its Palestinian and Arab neighbors," Clinton said.  When asked about a possible
crisis with Israel over the settlements, she said, "Oh, I don't buy that.  We have an absolute
commitment to Israel's security. We have a close, unshakable bond between the United States
and Israel and between the American and Israeli people."
 
 
In East Jerusalem, Yishai’s announcement was followed by violence by Palestinians who object
to the settlements being built by the Israelis because the Palestinians want East Jerusalem for
their future capital.  Israel’s decision has aroused an assemblage of Palestinians who want to
take revenge on the place that the Israelis intend to become a new settlement. Palestinian
leaders have refused to rejoin peace talks until Israel freezes the construction of Jewish
settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
 
Repeating her comment from earlier, Clinton said that the relationship between Israel
and the U.S. was not in danger.  “We have an absolute commitment to Israel’s security…we
have a close, unshakable bond between the U.S. and Israel,” she said at a news conference. 
U.S. president Barack Obama said that
Israeli plans to build more homes in East
Jerusalem were not helpful for the Middle
East peace process, but the issue had not
led to a crisis with Israel, one of the U.S.’s
closest allies. Obama said, “Israel is one
of our closest allies, and we and the Israeli
people have a special bond that’s not
going to go away...but friends are going to
disagree sometimes.”
 
  Netanyahu has not taken any action
to halt the building process.  He issued a
statement saying that Israel appreciates
and respects the warm words said by
Clinton on the relationship between Israel
and America.  He said that the building
plan in East Jerusalem “in no way” hurts
the Palestinians.  Israeli officials say that the Obama administration misread the situation and
that stopping the building process was never an option.  Obama believes that Israel should not
build in a Palestinian area, because it will only increase tension in the area. 
 

The U.S. - Israeli relationship is not in jeopardy.  Biden, Clinton, Obama, Netanyahu, and
other members of both governments have assured reporters and others that there is an
unshakable bond between the two nations, and that is not going to go away.  Netanyahu claims
that Israel has the right to build in East Jerusalem, as that is truly Israeli property.  Obama
acknowledges that Israel has the right to, but it is not helpful to peace negotiations at this
point.  As supposed to some former presidents, such as George W. Bush, who have had more of
an undying support for Israel, Obama will support Israel, conditionally.  He wishes that Israel
wouldn’t do such things which are going to hurt peace negotiation. 
 

Obama doesn’t want Israel to simply give

up East Jerusalem or any other part of their
country any time soon.  He wishes that Israel
would attempt to make some sort of treaty or
agreement with its Palestinian neighbors
concerning the disputed areas as supposed to
building there without Palestinian knowledge
and agreement.
School Next Year…
By: Corey Berman ‘11
 School next year for the middle school will end at 4:40, as opposed to the current time
of 4:25!  This new schedule will have
some benefits for the middle schoolers,
however.  The new model will give students
additional time for breakfast.  This has
been a heavily discussed topic in the middle
school for quite some time.  This will
hopefully give students time to have a quick
bowl of cereal, fruit, or drink before classes
begin.  The new schedule will also put Mincha,
the afternoon service, into the middle of the
day, as opposed to its current place at the
end of the day.  According to Rabbi
Knapp, this will “highlight the importance of
tefillah [prayer] and not making it seem like an
afterthought to be rushed through as the
buses queue outside.”  Next, the new
timetable will give a little more time for
lunch/recess.  This is very important for middle
schoolers.   Kids have been pushing for this
for years, and it is finally going to be a reality. 
There is one last issue that the new construct will address:  there are currently two times a day
when students attend a cycle of four, uninterrupted class periods.  This can prove difficult for
many, as that totals four classes, each forty minutes- a
total of 160 minutes of straight learning!  Middle school
kids need to have unwinding and reflecting time just as
adults do, and this schedule will address that need. 
Therefore, there will be a mid-morning and mid-afternoon
break/snack time. Some feel that by making these
changes, Yavneh Academy is showing its ability to be a
school which is
constantly trying
to make
whatever
adjustments
necessary to
keep up with the
academic and social needs of its students.  Others
are frustrated that their school day will be extended.
As soon-to-be graduates, two eighth grade girls, who
requested their names be kept anonymous, said that
this decision is, “Brilliant!  It’s good for educational
purposes, as children need breaks in order to nourish
the mind.”  A seventh grade boy who also did not
want his name to be published, shared that,” It’s a bad decision because you get less time at
home to play around and do homework, but it’s good because you get more breaks and time
outside during school.”  Seventh grader Elisheva Fridman has an alternate suggestion; she
believes that, “If Yavneh would shorten class periods to thirty-eight minutes instead of the
current time of forty minutes, then there would be over fifteen minutes for all of the benefits of
the new schedule, without extending the school day one minute!”  Obviously, some are
opposed to this decision while others are comforted that Yavneh is taking many important
factors of student life into account and giving more opportunities for them in the school day. 
This decision has aroused much disagreement among the students of the junior high school .
Only time will tell what kind of environment these changes will bring to the middle school.
We’ll see on September first! 
Shrek Forever After
After defeating a dragon, rescuing a princess,
and saving a kingdom from destruction,
Shrek doesn’t know what to do next. After
settling down with his wife Fiona, and their
three children, Shrek beings to lose his edge.
He used to send villagers running in terror of
the big-bad-ogre; he now autographs
pitchforks and torches. He longs for the good
old days of when he could terrorize the
villagers. The sly Rumpelstiltskin gets Shrek
to sign a contract. The pact causes Shrek to
realize what life would’ve been like in Far Far
Away without him.

Ke$ha
Ke$ha is the popular artist who sings the songs TiK ToK and Blah Blah
Blah. She was born on March 1st, 1987 with the name Kesha Rose
Sebert in Los Angeles, California. Kesha has had a rough life growing up
with her mother, Pebe Sebert, and her two brothers, Lagan and Louis.
She writes her songs based on life experiences, like the storytelling
style of country music. Ke$ha has been described by The New York
Times as a “female rapper into pop music” for her song TiK ToK. Some
enjoy her style of singing and see it as fresh, new and cool, while others
dislike her way of speaking in her songs, as supposed to singing the
whole way through.

Halo: Reach
The game Halo: Reach takes place in the
future, around the year 2552. It is a
prequel to the popular Halo trilogy of
XBOX games. It is about a raging war
between the humans and an alien race
known as the Covenant. At the time of
this game (the year 2552), most of
humanity’s interstellar colonies have
been destroyed. One stronghold
remains: the planet Reach. Players
assume the role of Spartans, a group of
specially manufactured super-soldiers,
who will attempt to fight the Covenant, and preserve humanity’s
biggest secret from the Covenant: Earth. Comes out in fall 2010. Based
on the novel The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund.
American Idol
American Idol is a TV show where
people can show off their talent and
passion of singing. The show is in its
9th season, and is still going strong.
The top 12 contestants this season
are Aaron Kelly from PA, Andrew
Garcia from

CA, Casey James from TX, Crystal Bowersox from OH, Didi Benami from
TN, Katie Stevens from CT, Lee Dewyze from IL, Michael Lynche from FL,
Paige Miles from FL, Siobhan Magnus from MA, Tim Urban from TX, and
Lacey Brown from TX. After performing, the contestants are judged by
judges Randy Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi, and Simon
Cowell. This competition gets more and more exciting every week!
 
An Interview With…
Rabbi Knapp
By: Elijah Lippe ‘11 and Gabe Haymes ‘11

YT: Rabbi Knapp, what inspired you to become a principal?

RK: Originally I started out as a Talmud and Torah teacher. 

YT: What year did you become principal?

RK: I became assistant principal in 2001 and then became principal in the 2005-2006 school year.

YT: Did you have any occupation before you started teaching here, like, the military, etc.
RK: At first I was going to take part in the army as Chaplain, but I got married instead.

YT: Where were you born?

RK: I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

YT: Where do you live currently?

RK: I currently live in Bergenfield, New Jersey.

YT: Like Rabbi Schreiber?

RK: Correct.

YT: Rabbi Knapp, do you think that the recent recession in the economy will/has effected Yavneh in any
manner?
RK: No, Yavneh is a stable school.

YT: Did you play any sports when you were in school or now?
RK: I was once the starter on a hockey team.  In addition, I just retired from the Bnei Yeshurun Softball
League, where I was a third baseman.

YT: In all the years that you have been in Yavneh, have there been any drastic changes?
RK:When I got here, it was already a great school.  But, in addition, we added some new things to go
with the old.

YT: Rabbi Knapp, we have so far gotten lunches from Burgers Bar, Chopsticks, Dougies, and Chickies. 
What do you think about this lunch program?
RK: I find it to be great and for it, you can thank the student council and Morah Baruchov.

YT: Since we are concluding our interview, I would like to ask a final question.  How many kids are there
in Yavneh?
RK: There are 716 kids in Yavneh, currently.

YT: Wow! In my last school there were only 100 kids.  Thanks for the great interview Rabbi Knapp.
RK: It is my pleasure.
 By: Benji Dukas ‘11
 

*based on many 7th graders and some 6th and 8th graders
 Thank you for
Reading!

Faculty Advisor
Rabbi Aaron Ross

Editors
Sarah Hiller and Corey Berman

Writers
Ilana Karp, Sarah Hiller, Corey Berman, Lisa
Appelbaum, Elijah Lippe, Gabe Haymes, Benji
Dukas
Readers: If you are interested in
joining the newspaper for future
Formatting editions, please see Rabbi Ross
or e-mail
Yair Berger yavnehtimes@gmail.com.
YavnehTimes welcomes letters
from readers- whether it be a
response to something you read,
or an idea for a future article.
They must be appropriate. If you
have one, e-mail it to
yavnehtimes@gmail.com.