Yom HaAtzmaut

Batter Up !!!!!!

Derech Etz Chaim spent Yom HaAtzmaut in Chasmonaim. A little football, a little basketball and the much anticipated softball team. Players from the 2006 AFI Softball Champion Derech Etz Chaim team were on hand to split up with the other shana alef students for a game of softball. (Here is that recognition Dani - finally!!!!!)

Top picture is shana bet bachrum Yaakov Rose (who thinks he is playing cricket) giving it a go and the bottom picture is Ari Manheim (RF, DH) showing us his power stance (Ari, keep that bat back!!!)

After a fun filled day of sun and sports, the boys enjoyed a barbeque dinner with Moshe's parents, Mr and Mrs. Steibel, at their lovely home in Chasmonaim. We wanted to personally thank the Steibel family for opening up their homes to all of us.

Thanks also to Ian King for the photo credits.

Matzah Baking at DEC

L'SHEM MATZOS MITZVAH !!!!!!!!!!!!

Once again the boys at Derech Etz Chaim baked matza with their rebbeim in the comfort of their very own cheder ochel. They kneeded, pounded, rolled, holed and baked (and quickly cleaned up again) their way to hand-made shmurah matzah. Watching the well-oiled, finely tuned "DEC machine" team churning out matzahs every nine minutes is a sight to behold.

Pictured is shana gimel, Jonah Zisquit, waiting for Rachamim to pass him a perfectly rounded matzah to perforate with holes. Afterwhich, he will yell "MAAATTTTZZZZAAAAHH !!!!!!", causing a pole laden R' Sheftel to surface through the window and bring the beautiful flat dough to its purpose and destiny - the burning oven.