RKYHS students gathered on their first day back after Pesach break for the launch of the “Kushner Climb.” In each of the weeks leading up to Shavuot, the high school will focus on a specific mitzvah to help students continue to grow to new heights in their mitzvot. The program was introduced today with a focus on Shabbat and ways that students can enhance their preparation for and celebration of Shabbat. In addition to performing each mitzvah for their own personal growth, all the mitzvot that will be done during the climb will be l’ilui nishmat Leah bat Rephael HaCohen, Maya Esther bat HaRav Aryeh Mordechai and Rina Miriam bat HaRav Aryeh Mordechai, the three female members of the Dee family that were murdered recently in a terrorist attack in Israel. Students watched remarks that Rabbi Leo Dee shared at the painful funeral of his wife last week that motivated and helped inspire them to be the best versions of themselves. Learning about Lucy, Maia and Rina Dee from Rabbanit Shoval helped students connect their personal mitzvot to honoring their memories and to do good, just as Lucy, Maia and Rina did in this world.

Members of the Jewish Life Committee introduced this week’s mitzvah of Shabbat and offered ways in which we can prepare for Shabbat and to make it special. There will be opportunities all week to help them enhance their Shabbat as well. RKYHS Yahadut and Yesodot classes will also be delving into these subjects each week in the classroom. Upcoming weeks will focus on the mitzvot of tzedaka, kavod habriyot, brachot, mitzvot shonot and talmud Torah. Each Friday for the remainder of the Omer a new mitzvah will be introduced as the focus of the next week, with related actions and programs, as students “climb” to new heights in their growth.