Soundbytes Volume 3 Issue3

Dvar Torah
By Tal Meiri

    This week’s parsha, Parshat Noach, begins with a description of Noach and his offspring, continuing with Hashem’s command to build an ark. When it finally becomes time for the Earth-shattering flood of which Hashem warned Noach, the Pasuk says the following.

    And Noach did all that HASHEM had commanded him, and Noach was six hundred years old and the flood waters were upon the earth. And Noach came and his sons and his wife and the wives of his sons with him into the Ark because of the waters of the flood.

    Rashi comments on these words explaining that Noach had little faith, only partially believing that the flood would actually come. It was only once the rain began that Noach entered the ark.      How can we say that Noach had barely any faith? The pasuk says Noach did everything Hashem commanded him, despite the 120 years of ridicule he faced to do so

R’ Lam suggests that the answer lies within the basic nature of mankind. He explains, “A person is not one thing. Some pass the written exam of life with flying colors and still fail the driving test miserably.” It’s not enough to say we have Emunah, but our Emunah should permeate every decision we make. This, however, is easier said than done as Noach illustrated. R’ Lam states that “we can’t know with certainty what we will do when the unanticipated surprises of life leap upon us. All we can do is prepare for the eventuality and the inevitability of “whatever” through study [and] prayer.. because the best time to buy an umbrella is before it rains.”

Based on R’ Label Lam’s “Before it Rains”

Gilad Shalit
    By Orah Laufer

    After 1195 days in captivity, the terrorists holding Gilad Shalit sent the Israeli government a short video of Gilad in exchange for the release of twenty Palestinian prisoners. This video must be seen. After 1195 days, many of us lost hope. How many of us have given up on finding the other missing soldiers listed in the misheberach? How many of us still say the misheberach? Human nature is to adapt to situations at a dangerous speed. Part of our avodah as Jews is to break the teva, to not allow our natural instincts to overcome us. Sometimes need help to do this, and this video was just that. Gilad Shalit is still alive. He is not a lost cause, possibly because of the very tefilot we used to say. Now is when we must continue to recite them. Now is the time we must continue doing our hishtadlus: sending letters to the white house, the red-cross and the U.N. Of all the moments, this is the one in which we cannot lose hope.

                          To watch the video of Gilad Shalit click here.
    To write the UN, President Obama and the Red Cross click here.

Pictures

Word Watch Video

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G.O Breakout!
By Riki Silber

    Walking down Bruriah’s halls, unable to hide my excitement as I avert some curious stares, I meet up with the rest of my fellow G.O. members.The chicken hat that lies on my head is not for horsing around. In fact, it holds a very symbolic meaning to me: my sophomore grade, Bruriah High School, and the future of the Jewish generations.
    Staying in Bruriah late at night during the summer was obviously worth letting my hair down naturally for the elections.Joking around, getting Dunkin’, and making up dance moves was how I spent my last few summer days. Each was one day closer to the much anticipated break out. But as that erev shabbot approached, my nerves began to set in. I started doubting if everyone would enjoy the film as much as we enjoyed making it. Add in another few hours of lost sleep the night before the big showing, and there you have it: a very tired, over excited, nervous wreck. I missed the bus that day.
    It took hours of preparation and filming to create a twelve and a half minute masterpiece for all the girls. Everything went beyond what I was expecting. Nothing could describe the feeling. Let me just mention that there is nothing more rewarding than hearing everyone laugh at parts of the video. The big ending, by far, was one of my best moments so far in my high school experience. The adrenaline and thrill coming from the audience was mind blowing, a complete surprise. I left the ballroom happy, excited, and exhausted.
    That Friday was just a small taste of what to expect for the rest of the year. Hope you loved it! Luckily, I was able to make it into the building that morning, clothed in my mask and shopping bag cape, ready to make this year a “happily ever after”.

Back At Bruriah
By: Elizabeth Gross
Many years ago - well, 4 years ago - I experienced an original encounter with Bruriah. Walking in that first day of school, all ready with my new books and pencils, socks just a little above my ankles, and the scrap of paper that I had scribbled the code on (0 to clear, 613 for the mitzvot, and * because every Bruriah girl is a star! I hope I was allowed to tell you that, since we have a new “swipe your card” system). I was just a small 7^th grader, ready for action.

However, little did I know that the first day of school would begin my Bruriah career: a full time job including individual growth, the accumulation of knowledge, and spreading that knowledge to the less unfortunate who do not have the privilege of experiencing Bruriah for themselves.

After that monumental milestone of a first day, I spent two very eventful years at Bruriah. However, I did not receive the opportunity to continue with 9^th and 10^thgrade. But here I am, back for 11^thgrade, and what a pleasure it has been. This year, my first day of Bruriah was varied from the original. I knew the building, knew some teachers, and had already grew close and accustomed to my friends. Nevertheless, there were many things to learn and get used to. Over two years, the school had changed a lot. But seeing the Word-Watch signs all over the halls, the friendly exchanges between teachers and students, the entire administrations’ smiling faces during the morning davening, all proved that Bruriah is still the same amazing school, setting the bar high for its students and helping them reach above and beyond their potentials. Thank you teachers, thank you students, thank you Bruriah for continuing to be the best school ever!

Israeli News Flash

By Elisheva Greenblatt

On October 14, 2009, the United Nation Human Rights Council voted on the approval of the Goldstone Report. The Goldstone Report, written by Judge Richard Goldstone, accuses Israel of committing “war crimes” in Gaza and stated that Hamas “may have” been guilty of committing “possible” war crimes. It claims Israelis, while in Gaza, committed “chicken massacre” by destroying their egg business. Even though Judge Goldstein is a Jew, he still says, “I love Israel, and as a Jew I must investigate it.” The US called the report “deeply flawed” but has not made any move to protect Israel from its outcomes. Israel refused to take part in the Goldstone investigation and Sweden says they made a mistake by doing so. Sweden will support the report unlike the PA (Palestinian authority) who claims they will oppose it in the vote on October 14^th. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says that if the report is passed it would harm Israel is three ways:

- It would give permission to the Hamas terrorist usage of hiding behind civilians while attacking Israeli civilians.

- It would make the UN look bad. Making them look like the type to agree to crazy decisions.

- Israel would not want to continue on the peace progress for fear of no international backing.

Senior Brunch
By Daniella Leijtman

Who can resist scrumptious munchkins? The Seniors 2010 can’t! On Wednesday, they were treated to a delicious brunch, organized by Mrs. Skaist, Mrs. Peikis, and Aliza. This was complete with water, orange juice, and munchkins. After taking just the right amount, the Seniors sat down to watch a poignant video made by Simchat Tzion, an organization that provides weddings for couples who do not have the means to pay for their own wedding because their parents either died due to illness, terrorism, or an accident. In addition to the aforementioned crucial chessed, the organization pays for the key appliances that the new couple will use in their home, such as refrigerators. Eyes glued to the screen, the 12th graders were awe-struck at the immense chessed done by the Jewish community for others in need. They were eager to raise the prescribed amount of money to sponsor a wedding. To add some icing on top of the cake, Mrs. Skaist informed the seniors that there would be a Bowl-A-Thon in order to provide an element of fun while raising the money. To close off an inspiring commencement of the campaign, Aliza told the 12th grade a stirring story about her engagement and forthcoming marriage (MAZEL TOV ALIZA !!!!!!). She concluded by describing the way the staff at Simchat Tzion were truly devoted and sensitive to her. All in all, the achdus amongst the 12th grade was displayed throughout the brunch, as can be seen by the munchkins…or lack thereof

    Faculty Advisor
    Rabbi Hagler
Editors
Ilona Grudnikoff
Danielle Fersell
Penina Sheer
Lisa Berkman
Neeli Rhodes
Writers
Talia Atlas
     Daniella Lijtman
   Shira Tuchman
     Raquel Miller
   Elisheva Blass
Shira Tuchman
   Tal Meiri
Talia Berlin
Elisheva Greenblatt
Yaffa Fogel
D.V. Goldstein
   Deena Chisik
Leah Atlas
Riki Silber
Orah Laufer
    Photographers
    Yafit fishbach
Ark
Rebecca Davidson
    Camera Women
    Eliana Diament
    Sarah Borek
    Tech Support
    Shulie Kornbluth
Dalia Adler