SAR 2013 Annual Report by Rebekah

2013 aNNUal RePoRT

“ We come from SAR, a school that encouraged creativity, taught us humility and to own and mold our own Jewish identity.” — Rebecca

Sichel,

Class Representative, SAR High School Graduation 2013

WIN DO WS

SAVE THE DATE! 45TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER: SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2014 SaR academy

SaR high School

Jesselson Campus 655 West 254th Street Riverdale, NY 10471 718.548.1717 www.saracademy.org

Dedicated to the Memory of JJ Greenberg z"l 503 West 259th Street Riverdale, NY 10471 718.548.2727 www.sarhighschool.org

Sa R ac a de my & Sa R high Sc h ool

‫דביקות‬

Dveykut

As a Modern Orthodox school, SAR Academy strives to maintain and develop a unique balance of commitment to Torah and mitzvot with a confident and embracing openness to the world. Striking that balance demands inspiration as well as constant reflection and improvement. In that spirit, we chose the theme Kedusha to permeate the school environment throughout the year.

Kedusha ‫קדושה‬

Our school-wide theme for the High School this year is Dveykut, the ways that the presence of G-d in our lives does, and should, shape the way that we live, the choices that we make and the expectations that we have. Our goal is for students, faculty, parents and alumni to think about the theory and practice of Dveykut, an attunement to G-d’s presence in our modern world.

a v i e w f R o m T h e P R i N c i Pa l’ S w i N d o w…

Rabbi Binyamin Krauss PRiNciPal, SaR academy

Rabbi Tully Harcsztark

The gRaNdeST coNveRSaTioN:

The true meaning of Kedusha. The significance of Kedushat Dibur (holiness of speech) and Kedushat Haguf (holiness of body) were integrated throughout secular and Judaic academics, chesed and co-curriculars.

The 2012 U.S. elections. From a special mishmar on "Jewish Values & Voting" led by Fellows and YU students (including two SAR alumni), to a spirited faculty debate about how our Judaism shapes our politics, to the mock election, I was impressed with how students engaged in the election process as Americans and as Jews.

SaR alUmNUS (‘84) baal KoReh RUNNiNg Rabbi SKi eNThUSiaST

PRiNciPal, SaR high School TiKvah fellow

SPeaKS RUSSiaN aNd geRmaN

gRaNd coNveRSaTioNaliST gaRdeN STaTe aficioNado 'gaNgNam STyle' daNceR go RaNgeRS!

PRoUdeST STUdeNT momeNT:

Hurricane Sandy closed our building for two days, but that didn't stop our amazing children who learned math and Torah at CSAIR, HIR/The Bayit, RJC, YIOZ, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and SAR High School.

A student-led initiative proposed a fundamental change to our student government. Inspired by Israel's Proportional Representation System, it established a parliamentary system to take on central issues in school life. The resulting Student Council has already been a voice for school change and a testament to student empowerment and vision.

mediNaT yiSRael, fRoNT aNd ceNTeR: mediNaT yiSRael, fRoNT aNd ceNTeR:

The newly released Israel curriculum, developed by former SAR principal Rabbi Yonah Fuld of The Lookstein Center at Bar Ilan University, is now taught throughout Gr. 1-8. Diaries, simulations, time-machines, moral dilemmas and debates bring Zionism, history, geography, culture, tradition, democracy and leaders to life.

I'm tremendously proud of the eight SAR High School “Class of 2013” graduates who have chosen to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, including Eliot David and Zach Davidson who enter this year. moST memoRable dveyKUT SPaRK:

memoRable KedUSha SPaRK:

Watching our kids leave the building where they also make a difference: interacting with other kids on a Yachad Shabbaton; invigorating a community in Ottawa; marching to salute Israel; and bringing joy, music and laughter to the Hebrew Home.

Observing students' powerful connection to G-d and prayer, and reinvigorated davening, as they took part in more than 20 options offered during two inspiring Dveykut B'Tefillah weeks including Why We Pray, Musical Tefillah, Artistic Impression, Meditation, Carlebach, Ma Rabu Maasecha Hashem, Outdoor Minyanim and more.

a PaSSioNaTe, iNSPiRiNg, accomPliShed facUlTy:

It's a privilege for me to work with a caring faculty who consistently work to improve the educational experience at SAR. I was extremely touched when we celebrated our faculty and staff's collective learning at the Siyum Tanakh prior to Shavuot, an event that epitomizes our core values. Our faculty lead by example, helping students to forge a love for Torah, mitzvot and the State of Israel.

I'm constantly in awe of how our esteemed faculty—rabbis, PhDs, researchers, published authors, community leaders, renowned artists—nurture, challenge and inspire. They combine professional experience, scholarship and humanity. The real success is the close relationships I see them form with students. devoTed volUNTeeRS:

devoTed volUNTeeRS:

It would take more than this Report to thank the many volunteers who lead, call, teach, label, schlep, speak and organize. Designing parade banners, manning Book Fair and Chesed Tent and leading Enrichment Clusters are all examples of the many programs where volunteers dramatically enhance school life.

Through action and behavior, students created an everlasting Kiddush Hashem as part of the Alternative Spring Break Junior Chesed Mission in response to Hurricane Sandy, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, the Educational Alliance’s Head Start program and the Foodbank. loyalTy of SaR alUmNi:

loyalTy of SaR alUmNi:

Our alumni community has really shaped the SAR of today. They proudly serve the school as class reps, mentors, board members, PTC leaders, campaign chairs, teachers, involved parents, volunteers. They are invaluable contributors to the SAR experience. 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Twenty alumni from the classes of 2009-2011 formed our second annual Bogrim Program, with three weeks of intensive learning and service. They studied, taught and worked on independent research. This year’s theme was “Tefillah in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities.” I felt like a proud dad watching them!

SAR ACADEMY & SAR HIGH SCHOOL

highlighTS & eveNTS fRom…

The Academy SUPERSTORM SANDY Here is just one of the many letters we received after Hurricane Sandy temporarily shut down the Academy.

Dear Rabbi Krauss and the entire SAR staff, This is just amazing. What a beautiful initiative. It would have been a lot easier for the SAR staff to just cancel school….the CAN DO ATTI TUDE of this amazing school , made possible a good day of learning, which allowed our children to go back to their routines during these not so easy days for a lot in our community. SAR cares. This is what makes SAR a very special school . This is why we are al ways more than proud to say "we are SAR parents!” Thank you,

IVRIT PROGRAMMING “Judaism came alive for my kindergarten class, K-2, through Hebrew immersion, studying Parshat HaShavuah, learning about chagim, celebrating Rosh Chodesh, hearing about the parsha from Rabbi Krauss in the big building’s shul each week and davening together. “As a teacher, I strive to inspire, model and imbue my students with a passion for tefillah. How could I create a more meaningful davening experience for the kindergartners while teaching them to recognize some Hebrew words? Instead of one big picture on each page of our siddur to correspond with a particular tefillah, with the assistance of Morah Irit’s technical skills, we highlighted the actual Hebrew words throughout.

David Glazer developed and piloted an original tefillah music curriculum to strengthen thirdgraders’ connection to Hashem, bring Kedusha into daily life and learn how music enhances Jewish identity. Studies included Aveinu Malkeinu, Hallel and Mareh Kohen.

“Words like melech, kadosh and olam became familiar to the children and this helped them to stay focused and to better connect with their davening. Listening to their ‫תפילה למדינת ישראל‬ watching them close their eyes during ‫ שמונה עשרה‬and hearing their sweet voices soar towards ‫ שמים‬assured me that this was one experiment whose results proved its worth! My bracha for the children is that their love and passion for tefillah should continue throughout their years in SAR and throughout their lives!” — Morah Rena Rossman

Students explored texts independently through Gr. 8’s Online Guided Learning Chumash class. Facilitated in Ivrit b’ivrit by Yifat Mor in Israel, and a classroom teacher, students were challenged both in class and at home as they studied Parshiot Kedoshim, Shoftim and Ki Tetze.

— R. and M. Sonnenblick

The school year began focused on Kedusha and closed with 91 graduates well prepared to continue their educational journey and commitment to Talmud Torah and Medinat Yisrael. “ We were the first class to have Rabbi Krauss give us our siddurim. We were also the first class to have our fourth-grade Bracha Bee end in a nine-way tie. We were the first class to be offered an online Chumash course. And we were the first class to have the seventh- and eighth-grade girls’ basketball team win back-to-back championships.” — S o P h i e h e c h T , Class Representative, SAR Academy Graduation 2013

RECENTLY LAUNCHED...

NEW SCIENCE CURRICULUM The new curriculum focuses on earth science, environmental studies and astronomy. Dr. Jennifer Fenster joined the Gr. 6 science faculty. An Earth Day museum invited student visitors to scan QR codes from their iPads to examine the environment and view original public service announcements.

iPAD ONE-TO-ONE PROGRAM

Gr. 6 piloted an iPad One-to-One program to enhance curriculum. Ivrit classes produced a virtual tour of Jerusalem while Humanities students organized a grandparent memory project.

SAR HISTORY PROJECT

Student magazine showcases Gr. 7 Ivrit accomplishments.

Six fifth-graders created an SAR history exhibit including photos, alumni interviews, a QR-coded game and video of Arturo Toscanini.

Once reopened, chesed focused on hurricane relief—distributing essentials to area residents, cupcakes to Con Ed workers and volunteering to clean up a campsite. “Olam Chesed Yibaneh.”

new Grade 1-5 co-curriculars ignite students' individual passions.

FIRST ANNUAL “CELEBRATION OF READING IN SECOND GRADE”

To celebrate the sheer joy and value of reading, all 98 families joined the "Charlotte's Web" book club.

Donna Salamon and Rena Rosen, both parent volunteers, created Chanukiyot with Gr. 1-5, which were then donated to area shuls.

Academy Enrollment

920

SINGAPORE MATH

STATE-OF-THE-ART MUSIC

‘Math in Focus,’ a program based on Singapore Math, launched in K and Gr. 1, employing a problem-based approach to build math mastery. Roll-out to upper grades is planned.

More than 450 children, led by Director of Music, Hazzan Shim Craimer, used the new music lab, recording studio and 24 keyboards, all privately donated. Gr. 5 Eretz Glee, Gr. 6-8 A Capella, the “Stand with Us” music video and an original Chanukah CD inspired us all.

ELC IVRIT PROGRAM

ELC augmented traditional Judaic Hebrew in the new Ivrit program, through interactive learning, daily Ma’agalim and afterschool Ulpan.

highlighTS & eveNTS fRom…

The High School LEADING ACADEMIC CENTER FOR SCIENCE

SAR's sophisticated curriculum is highlighted by The Science Olympiad, original hands-on physics labs, science symposia, speakers about the interface of science and Torah, conference visits and the Jerusalem Science Contest.

A MEANINGFUL YEAR OF TORAH LEARNING SAR strives to deepen students personal commitment to Talmud Torah. It is essential to develop the proactive habit of being ‫קובע עתים לתורה‬, setting aside time for Torah learning outside of the parameters of the school day. This year we offered the following co-curriculars:

SAR students seek to be challenged academically, athletically, artistically, religiously and personally. This year, more than ever, programming embraced the individual student’s unique voice, ability and style. “ There is no yeshiva high school in the country with the relationship SAR has between Judaic and secular studies.”

— Rabbi

T U l ly h a R c S z Ta R K ,

Principal, SAR High School

RECENTLY LAUNCHED...

ITIM Twice-weekly after school, 20 students engaged in Torah through ITIM’s virtual classroom technology, Elluminat. Led by Rabbis Harcsztark and Hain, and Lisa Schlaff, they studied Igrot Moshe by Rab Moshe Feinstein and Ramban’s commentaries.

SHAKESPEARE’S TRAGEDIES The senior-level course, "Shakespeare's Tragedies," acknowledges the Grand Conversation by discussing the existential elements in “King Lear” and comparing “Hamlet” to biblical narratives.

12 NEW CLUBS INITIATED The followiNg weRe added To The diveRSe aRRay of 80+ clUbS offeRed: cheSed: Self-help Volunteers and

Cookies for a Cause. co-cURRicUlaR: Video, Engineering, CPR Certification, Cooking Club for Chesed, Dance Team and five others.

The AP Bio SMART Team (Students Modeling a Research Topic) studied, designed and constructed a 3D model of “Imatinib,” an extremely effective cancer drug, showing how it inhibits the enzyme causing Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. The team participated at a Poster Presentation at Rockefeller University. This molecular design is a cutting-edge technique enabling scientists to view molecules in 3D for the first time, enhancing their ability to design more effective drugs.

700

People convening for Kriat Megillah, chagiga and hamantaschen.

• ITIM • F.L.A.S.H. (Fellows Learning After School Hours)* • Thursday Night Mishmar • Chidon Ha-Tanakh • Torah Bowl • Bi-weekly Dvar Torah Publication – Ruach Se’arah* • YU’s Torah Leadership Network (TLN)* • Family Parsha Program • Bekiut Learning in Advanced Gemara and Tanakh classes. *For the second year, SAR continued its partnership with YU via the YU/SAR Kollel. Four fellows, senior Semikha students, bring their energy and talents, as well as additional academic and Torah scholarship resources of YU, to SAR. The YU/SAR Kollel spearheaded these special programs. Fellows: Daniel Bauer, Jesse Lempel, Eitan Lipstein and Josh Rosenfeld.

501

High School Enrollment

VISITING ARTS PROFESSIONALS INSPIRE STUDENTS

CHESED CHAMPIONS

The Night of Music and Art showcased students’ work as mentored by internationally renowned artist Tobi Kahn in the “Visual Thinking” program, photographer and SAR Artist-in-Residence Jess Levey and accomplished jazz musician Rabbi Greg Wall who led SAR’s band.

MSG Varsity and Optimum Power to Learn, along with New York City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, recognized students in this year’s Charity Champions.

achievemeNT iN academicS aNd SPoRTS

ACADEMY

Trophy Case 48%

YESHIVA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

of middle School STUdeNTS PaRTiciPaTe iN aT leaST oNe Team SPoRT

Gr. 7 and 8 Girls Basketball team (left) and Gr. 7 Boys Basketball team (below), were both led by coach Jeff Morris. This is the second year in a row that the Gr. 7 team won the championship. Gr. 6 Boys Basketball team (below) was led by Donny Weinberger. Both Gr. 6 and 7 celebrated undefeated seasons.

YESHIVA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS • girls Jv Soccer • girls Tennis • boys Tennis • boys volleyball • girls Softball

• highest total score of all participating state yeshiva high schools

middle School STUdeNTS PaRTiciPaTe iN 10 SPoRTS TeamS ThRoUghoUT The yeaR

Middle School Literature Section First Place, Siegelbaum Literary and Visual Arts Competition

of high School STUdeNTS PaRTiciPaTe iN aT leaST oNe Team SPoRT

AWARD-WINNING YEAR FOR SAR MATHEMATICS

126

POETRY PRIZE hadas Spivack

40%

“Team Just one life,” Matthew Heisler, Alyssa Levy, Talia Marcus, Olivia Tulkoff and Dr. Mark Shinar, ran the Rock ‘N’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon, raising $13,000 for tzedakah in Israel.

• Record 24 freshmen participated in at least four of five freshman math Team competitions

mSg varsity challenge — bronx champions: College Bowl Team. Zach Nelkin, Hannah Saal, Zev Schwartz, Yannai Segal The annual Gr. 4 Bracha Bee took place on Topsy Turvy Day, the Friday before Purim, with winners treated to a party with Rabbi Krauss. Purim morning, more than 450 people participated in the Academy Megillah reading.

Students, parents and teachers participated in the annual Halachic Organ Donor Society (HODS) race established to raise awareness for the permissibility of organ donation within halacha. Five students were 5K race finalists.

POETRY SLAM SaR hosted seven high schools at its first annual Poetry Slam competition. Poetry Slams allow students to blend traditional poetic forms with contemporary performance styles, enabling them to find new and innovative modes of self-expression.

• marty Rubin wins first Place, National mathematics contest for yeshiva students • “math mag” — first Place with Special merit, “best mathematics magazine,” american Scholastic Press assn.; gold medalist, “all-columbian” in three categories (reserved for top five percent of all high school magazines submitted), columbia Scholastic Press assn.

MATHEMATICS CHAMPIONS Students scored impressive results in six math competitions including the first museum of mathematics middle School Tournament. gr. 8 math Team: Jonah chill, Nate Katz, Rafi Kepecs, zach Reich, hank Stein. avi Roth won the e2K Program’s international math Riddle contest. These students received NY Math League Certificates of Merit.

2013 ANNUAL REPORT

190 high School STUdeNTS PaRTiciPaTe iN 25 SPoRTS TeamS ThRoUghoUT The yeaR

FIRST SPORTS PLACE! REPORT: hadas • FencingSpivack joins team sports School Middle • 17 of 20 Yeshiva Literature Section League teams make Siegelbaum Literary the playoffs and Visual Arts • Baseball, basketball Competition and wrestling travel to national tourneys

JERUSALEM SCIENCE CONTEST

SAR math team earns highest total score of all participating state yeshiva high schools.

SAR ACADEMY & SAR HIGH SCHOOL

international chidon hatanach, Jerusalem: Shalhevet Schwartz, Fourth Place

The Walder Science Laboratory and Learning Center in partnership with Jerusalem College of Technology Yannai Segal, Cora Wiener, participants

HIGH SCHOOL

The PoweR of oUR PeoPle

“We had faculty who taught us, tested us and prodded us. The faculty empowered us to not only push beyond our comfortable limits but to shatter them...” — Rebecca

Sichel,

SAR High School Class Representative, Graduation Remarks

P U b l i c aT i o N h i g h l i g h T S

Todah Rabbah To SaR’S PaReNT hoSTS

Kol haKavod

Thank you to the gracious families who opened their homes to the SAR community, hosting shabbatonim, open houses, parlor meetings and gatherings:

academy PaRe NTS partnered with faculty and administrators throughout the year to serve as elc class Parents and academy grade Representatives, led by PTc grade level coordinators Nava cohen and liz Spevack

eNglewood

Deborah and Aaron Billig Susie and Mark Charendoff Adriana Katz and David Foni Gila and David Kolb Jamaica eSTaTeS

Elyssa Bialy and Darin Schnall ShaRoN maRSoN

published More Than Four Questions: Inviting Children's Voices to the Seder, featuring SAR students, past and present.

maNhaTTaN

a c a d e m y S Ta f f

h igh Sch ool PaReNTS represented grades 9-12 on the high School liaison committee chaired by carmela abraham.

Lauren and Jeffrey Altholz Jennifer Ash and Seth Haberman Rabia and Oliver Mitchell New Rochelle

Diane Zanger and Noah Berkowitz Gila and Richard Katz Reva and Ilan Slasky Amy and Noah Weisberger RiveRdale

Valeria Altman and Daniel Perla Donna and David Salamon

elc claSS PaReNTS Rabbi ShmUel haiN edited The Next Generation of Modern Orthodoxy, based on Yeshiva University’s Orthodox Forum. Papers included Rabbi TUlly haRcSzTaRK’S “Authority and Autonomy: An Ethical Perspective,” and dR. RivKa PReSS SchwaRTz’S “Privilege, Perspective and Modern Orthodox Youth.”

h i g h S c h o o l S Ta f f

Hatzlacha Rabba!

beRgliNd giSladoTTiR received a PhD from

Columbia University in Mathematics Education, completing her thesis “Social Capital and Adolescents’ Mathematics Achievement: A Comparative Analysis of Eight European Cities.” hillel bRodeR delivered “Sebald’s Work of

Melancholy and the Photographic Gaze: Rings of Saturn, Reconsidered” at the University of Montpellier conference “Ethics of Alterity in 19th-21st Century British Arts.” maRShall meSSeR published his first book, a coming-of-age novel Change at Jamaica.

R A B B I J O N AT H A N

HELENE

RABBI ELIEZER

RIVKI

KRoll

fechTeR

geviRTz

SchacheR

1 0 y eaR S

19 yeaRS

3 2= (4x7 ) +4 ye aR S

3 4 ye aRS

N1 — Miriam Filer, Emilia Basseches N2 — Yardaena Osband N3 — Josie Bunim N4 — Risa Torkin, Rebekah Saltzman N5 — Lindsay Hakimi, Fagie Tager Wachsman N6 — Elana and Mark Weinberger N7 — Leanne Levin, Sarah Braum K1 — Laura Brem, Tammy Jacobowitz K2 — Yael Baker, Daniella Fuchs K3 — Josh Blechner, Randi Shane, Lilach Shvartz Bar K4 — Carrie Rose, Shari Hain K5 — Rachel Parker Jetter, Dahlia Prager

Gr. 5 — Judy Federbush, Audrey Weitz Gr. 6 — Aviva Taubenfeld Gr. 7 — Randi Carrey, Rena Karol, Adrienne Turok Gr. 8 — Valerie Altman, Judy Rosman, Gloria Schneider

academy gRade RePReSeNTaTiveS

high School liaiSoN commiTTee

Gr. 1 — Yehuda Kurtzer, Jessica Rezak Schwab, Rebecca Boim Wolf Gr. 2 — Amy Michelman, Matthew Schneider, Elana Spira Gr. 3 — Ilana Gordon, Rena Rosen Gr. 4 — Michal Abehsera, Nina Bruder, Deborah Shapira-Stern

Gr. 9 — Deborah Billig, Deborah Fiorino Gr. 10 — Reva Slasky, Debra Sternberg Gr. 11 — Gabe Goldstein, Lisa Oppenheimer Gr. 12 — Carmella Abraham, Co-Chair, David Pitkoff PTC Co-Chairs — Tami Bezborodko, Deborah Stern-Blumenthal

ScaRSdale

Reyna and Pierre Gentin Dana and Marc Jason STamfoRd

Karen and Ira Berg Rachel and Jay Jubas TeaNecK

Faye and David Landes whiTe PlaiNS

Hudi and Lawrence Askowitz Michelle Brody and Hal Blumenfeld Cari Cohen Avigyle and Yossi Gorodischer Carmella Abraham and Steven Kubersky Amy and Glen Lebowitz Elizabeth and Yuval Marcus Rena and Jason Rosen Jessica and Gary Rozenshteyn

f a c U lT y c o m m i T T e e S iN m emoRi am

academy facUlTy adviSoRy commiTTee

avi gal Ko Rac h z” l July 1, 2013 – 23 Tamuz 5773

Sharon Sturm, Lynn Zadoff , Rivki Schacher, Chaya Fine, Susan Rosh, Melissa Rothwax, Rabbi Sheldon Schwartz

Beloved SAR Academy Judaic Studies teacher 1984-2011

high School facUlTy liaiSoN commiTTee

Alicia Germano, Anat Katz, Tammy Jacobowitz

gloRia SchNeideR, Audrey Schurgin Memorial

high School QUaliTy of life commiTTee

Faculty Award recipient, at the Anniversary Dinner.

Avi Bloom, Gloria Schneider

Joseph cedar, Israeli director and SAR parent, winner of the 2011 Cannes Film Festival Best Screenplay Award, addressed parents at SAR's Footnote screening.

The Open Kitchen Cookbook, in memory of Sherry Raskas z”l benefits the SAR Scholarship Fund.

www.openkitchencookbook.com

libRaRy volUNTeeRS academy:

Shimona Katz high School:

(left) Margaret Danishefsky, Shoshi Talesnick

2012-2013 fiNaNcialS

Perspectives from Leadership

deaR SaR commUNiTy, We have enjoyed another successful year at SAR— academically and spiritually, our students have thrived. We have felt the embrace of our community from the local shuls hosting us during Hurricane Sandy, to the support of four area synagogues for our Shavuot Appeal. This year we have also focused on how to affect the financial levers that determine budget and tuition. These levers include tuition, expenses, fundraising and scholarship. We are certainly continuing to look at funding sources beyond our community. Beginning the 2012-13 academic year, we became involved with a new partnership between NY Jewish day schools, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations and Teach-NYS, whose mission is to support a sophisticated advocacy effort and create a comprehensive policy to deliver resources to children, relief to parents and funding to Jewish day schools. In June, SAR parent Tamar Eisenstat was in Albany working with the OU Advocacy Group in an effort to lobby the state to provide energy parity to private schools so that SAR could realize savings of

potentially $300,000 under the proposed Energy Parity Act. Both of these efforts might help SAR realize substantial funding from government sources. On the fundraising end, we continue to seek out foundations and private donors who are as invested as we are in finding a solution to the tuition crisis. This year, we are particularly grateful to an anonymous donor who provided relief to many High School families in the form of a $2,000 Tuition Accessibility Grant (TAG) per High School student. The grant was geared to families who do not qualify for scholarship but feel the pressure of day school tuition in a significant way. We are proud to be pioneers in this effort and hope to find other ways to help this segment of our community. I continue to feel proud of our community. Our goals are set high, but our mission is vital, and our students, your children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors, are so worthy of our investment.

what is your “highlight of the year?”

JacK c. beNdheim

President, SAR Board of Trustees

2012-2013 ReveNUe

2012-2013 exPeNSeS

SAR ACADEMY AND SAR HIGH SCHOOL

Tuition, grants and other revenue cover 90.0% of our needs. Remaining 10.0% is $3.2 million, which was secured through fundraising campaigns.

Total Expenses $31.3 Million* Salaries and Benefits are 86% of total.

what impact has the Scholarship fund had on your work?

86.7%

66.7%

TUITION, ANNUAL FUND AND FEES

ACADEMIC SALARIES

NET OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS OF $5.8 MILLION

ACADEMIC BENEFITS

TeeNa leRNeR

SaNdy KahN

develoPmeNT commiTTee chaiR

fiNaNce commiTTee chaiR

Our key campaigns — Anniversary Dinner, Auction and Shavuot Appeal—had great community-wide participation. Contributions of $3.2 million for scholarships and programming made a tremendous difference for all of our families. Another $5.5 million was raised for debt reduction and building improvements. We are so gratified by both the financial results and the commitment of our volunteers who made it all happen. Thank you to our incredibly warm and generous community.

Balancing a $31 million budget is not a simple task. We are lucky to have fabulous committee members who dedicate so much of their time to ensure that we remain fiscally responsible. Keeping tuition flat at the Academy, and only increasing it by $400 at the High School for 2013-14, required sacrifices and lots of pencil sharpening but we were all pleased to be able to accomplish this.

Each year, the fundraising target presents us with a daunting challenge. We are then inspired by our donors who understand the monetary demands of a quality education and choose to make SAR a focus of their charitable giving. Kol hakavod to our compassionate community, where people care about each other and recognize the need to invest in the future of the Jewish people.

Providing families with tuition assistance is a core value at SAR and we need to balance the budget being mindful of our long history of ensuring that every child who wants a Jewish education can have one regardless of the ability to pay. We carefully review the key components of the budget to ensure that expenditures are appropriate, revenues are as anticipated and our scholarship process is rigorous. It is the fiduciary responsibility of the school to carefully allocate sacred community funds.

The results have been dramatic. Inspired by a lead grant from the Bendheim family, the donors came through. $15 million in debt has been shrunk down to $1.8 million. Our mortgage is completely paid down and the remaining other loan balances will be a target of our fundraising efforts. We look forward to eliminating our debt completely.

Since the building of the High School, we have had to carefully monitor cash flow, anticipate gifts to the Capital account and manage the various loan payments. The payments to debt service were significant strains on our finances. Dramatically lowering the loan balances greatly affects the financial health of the school. Future projects will have to be financed prior to beginning any construction. A big change, but a necessary one.

We are encouraging donors to think in terms of an annual commitment to SAR. It helps us greatly in budgeting and planning. We are grateful that many of you are participating in that effort. In addition, once our debt is paid off, we intend to shift our longterm focus to building SAR’s Endowment Fund to support the future of the school.

Balancing the books of SAR is an intense and ongoing process. While there is a great effort to monitor expenses, there is always the pressure to invest in quality programs that will enhance every student’s experience. The committee tries very hard to balance all the competing forces.

10.1% 9.6%

FUNDRAISING

BUSINESS OFFICE & FACILITIES — SALARIES AND BENEFITS

10.0% 2.8%

5.6%

EDUCATIONAL GRANTS AND OTHER

FACILITY ExPENSES

0.5%

SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

ENDOWMENT WITHDRAWAL

2.0%

2.1%

what is the status of the capital campaign?

FOOD PROGRAM

1.6% TECHNOLOGY

*Not including construction, improvements, interest expense and loan repayments. All figures unaudited, as of 8.31.13.

1.1% LEGAL, ACCOUNTING AND OTHER SERVICES

1.0% STUDENT ACTIVITIES, TRIPS AND TEAMS

SaR caPiTal camPaigN acTiviTy

LOAN REPAYMENTS

$4.86 M

INTEREST ExPENSE

.19 M

0.2%

S EP T EM BE R 2 012 – AUGUS T 2013

CONSTRUCTION/BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS

.50 M

OTHER ExPENSES

what are some of your immediate goals?

( I N M ILL ION S )

ToTal caPiTal ReimbURSemeNTS

$5.55 m 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

SAR ACADEMY & SAR HIGH SCHOOL

ThaNK yoU alUmNi doNoRS Thank you to our loyal Academy and High School alumni who regularly return to visit, support, mentor and participate. We are enormously proud of who you have become. Like our current students, you continue to be thoughtful, curious, engaged and passionate participants in both the Jewish and secular worlds. P INDICATES PARENTS OF CURRENT STUDENTS F INDICATES PARENTS OF FORMER STUDENTS ● ●

Sa la N Te R /aK iba/ R iv e R da l e gR adUaT e S

Hadassah & Harvey Bennett David A. Goldberg Ruth & Saul Lieman Michael Popkin Evelyn Rubin-Houpt academy claSS of 1972

Tamar & Dov Kahane ● P

academy claSS of 1973

Gil Ehrenkranz academy claSS of 1974 P Marcy Goldstein & Eran Bellin ● P Eilat & Avi Fishman ● P Elisheva Rothstein & Ira Kalfus ● P Alan Wasserman ●

academy claSS of 1975

Howard Balter F Abbie & Moshe Greenberg ● academy claSS of 1976

Debbie Ziering academy claSS of 1977 P Rena & Jonathan Boniuk ● P Rachel & Jay Jubas ● P Anne & Mark Wasserman ●

academy claSS of 1978 F Adrienne Cooper & Arthur Adler ● P Tammy & Lawrence Adler ● P Deborah & Jonathan David ● Eli Kavon P Carmella Abraham & Steven Kubersky ● P Shoshana & David Noble ● P Deb Benovitz-Tepler & Mendy Tepler ●

academy claSS of 1979

Esther & Avner Bezborodko P Francesca & Scott Goldenberg ● P Yael & Neil Wasserman ●

academy claSS of 1981

academy claSS of 1990

academy claSS of 2002

P Allison & Jonathan Bellin ● Sharon Moerdler Green & P David Moerdler-Green ●

Dina & Jonathan Kaufthal F Miriam & Ari Loren ● P Adeena & David Rosen ●

Miriam & Michael Barany Brittany & Jonathan Cogan high School claSS of 2007

academy claSS of 1982

academy claSS of 1991

F Tamar & Ethan Benovitz ● P Amy Michelman & Eliran Isaacson ● Joan & Henry Michelman F Chani & Daniel Oshinsky ● P Linda & William Scheiner ● P Aviva & Jonathan Sopher ● P Danielle & Steven Thau ●

P Yael & Cory Baker ● P Tamar & Jonathan Croog ● Marc Hasson P Hadassah & Meir Lewis ● P Ilana & Ari Milstein ● P Stephanie & Shachar Minkove ● P Elana & Avi Spira ● P Staci & Doron Zeif ● P Michelle & Robert Zellner ●

academy claSS of 1983 P Naomi Dreisinger & Avi Fischer ● P Suzanne & Michael Packer ● P Cindy & Jonathan Sherman ● P Lizzie & Jonathan Tropper ●

academy claSS of 1992 P Dana & Marc Jason ● P Nomi & Akiva Roseman ● Ariel & Joshua Weiner

academy claSS of 1984 P Shana & Binyamin Krauss ●

academy claSS of 1985 P Ardra & Paul Belitz ● Judith Wolpoff & Marc Berger Shani & Josh Eisen P Abigail & Ari Glass ● Suzanne (Suzie) Karan & Yosef Kilimnick P Debra May ●

academy claSS of 1993 P Lesley & Mark Belkin ● F Talia & Alen Gollender ● P Sharon & Raphael Sasson ● Denise & Adam Snow

academy claSS of 1994

Anat & Avi Bloom P Jennie Rosenfeld & Pinchas Roth ● Regina Spektor

Shoshana Bar-David (Academy '03) high School claSS of 2008

Seth Botnick Kira Joel (Academy '04) Noam Mintz Samuel Zakay high School claSS of 2009

Sammy Ballan (Academy '05) Arielle Friedman (Academy '05) Shelby Greenbaum (Academy '05) Joseph Teplow (Academy '05) high School claSS of 2010

claSS of 2012 gaTheR iN JeRUSalem Nearly 70 SaR class of ‘12 alumni spending the year in israel gathered to enjoy melave malka in Jerusalem, with Karen goldscheider, Rabbi Jeremy Spierer and ilana mann. Lisi (Benovitz) Mandel ('89), Gr. 1 teacher, was honored as Alumna of the Year at the Anniversary Dinner. Her children, Samuel (Academy '13), Mia (Academy '15) and Abigail (ELC/4N), now continue her legacy. The Benovitz family are long standing members of the SAR community including Lisi’s parents, Helene and Harvey, and her siblings Moshe, Tani (’82) and Deb Benovitz-Tepler (’78).

Franni Bernstein (Academy '06) Sarah Sue Landau Shira Lerner (Academy '06) Talya Lerner (Academy '06) high School claSS of 2012

Matthew Parker Oliver Schwalbe Avery Teplow (Academy '08) Sophie Tulkoff

academy claSS of 1987 P Hudi & Lawrence Askowitz ● Judith & Matthew Goldsmith

academy claSS of 1988 P Joanne & Barry Aranoff ● P Ali & Daniel Bloom ● Shuli & Avi Steinlauf

academy claSS of 1995

Shifra Landowne & Matthew Schneider P Sara Susswein Tesler & David Tesler ● academy claSS of 1996

Alison & Isaac Judd P Michelle('97) & Rafi Halpert ●

academy claSS of 1989

academy claSS of 1999

P Deena & Philip Berger ● Sharon Schuster & Marc Friedman Joshua Goldberg Rena Goldsmith & Jeff Klein P Alyssa & Michael Mandel ● Michelle Stein & Michael Nachmani Maren & Robbie Scharf

Andrew Kleinfeld academy claSS of 2000

Devorah & Meir Bar-David Natalie & David Jonas Yosef & Batya Sharbat

find us on facebooK www.facebook.com/SaRalumni

find us on Twitter @SaRacademy

Tzahal Eight SAR High School Class of 2013 graduates have chosen to join the Israel Defense Forces, including Eliot David and Zach Davidson who enter the IDF this year. They join 11 fellow SAR alumni who are currently serving, and Gavriel Hill (HS Class of ’08) who recently completed his term.

fiRST SaR alUmNi coUPle eNgaged!

Mazal tov to Moshe Kamioner (Academy '01) on receiving the Presidential Award of Excellence for Outstanding Soldier (chayal mitztayein) from Israeli President Shimon Peres at the Yom Ha’ Atzmaut ceremonies, held at the Beit Hanasi.

Naomi Cooper and Ardon Weiner, both Academy ’03, HS ’07 alumni, are now engaged to be married. Mazal tov to the Cooper-Adler and Weiner families.

“I have never been so proud to be an Israeli in uniform.”

Alumni from the classes of 2009-2011 form SAR's second annual Bogrim program.

academy claSS of 1998 P Sarah Roer-Bendheim & Etan Bendheim ●

Forty Class of 2008alumni (two-thirds of that year’s graduating class) reconnected with fellow alumni, greeted administrators and shared memories. The ‘08 Alumni Committee members were Seth Botnick, Derek Greenbaum, Matt Greif, Rebecca Newhouse, Jamie Schneider and Leora Yasgur.

Ny Post reports on SAR alumna Sarah Schloss (Academy ’04) completing basic Army training.

academy claSS of 1986 P Rosesara & Jonathan Greenspun ●

high School celebRaTeS SecoNd five-yeaR ReUNioN

admiNiSTRaTioN & PRogRammiNg 2012-2013 SaR academy Rabbi Binyamin Krauss (Academy '84) Marcia Jacobowitz Beth Pepper Sharon Richter Rebecca Hirschfield Deganit Ronen Dr. Barbara Gochberg Dr. Adina Shrage Harriet Levin Reva Tokayer Ruthie Stavsky David Glazer Rabbi Yitz Motechin Adina Steinberg Jennifer Sokol Beverly Wolfer-Nerenberg Chavie Wilner

SaR commUNiTy eveNTS Principal

Jen Kroll, Marcella Marcus, Reva Slasky, Susan Stein, Shoshi Talesnick, Chairs Associate Principal Associate Principal Associate Principal Associate Principal Associate Principal Director of Inclusion Program School Psychologist; Guidance, Grades One, Two Guidance, ELC Guidance, Grade Six; Grade Six Coordinator Guidance, Grades Seven, Eight Grade Six Coordinator Grade Eight Coordinator Grade Eight Coordinator Programming Coordinator Director, Communications & Admissions Operations Manager

SaR high School Rabbi Tully Harcsztark Dr. Mark Shinar Nancy Lerea Rabbi Jonathan Kroll Dr. Rivka Schwartz Lisa Schlaff Marjorie Jacobs Michael Courtney Lisa Birnbaum Cari Cohen Rabbi Akiva Block Rabbi Ruben Gober Karen Goldscheider Rabbi Jeremy Spierer Shuli Taubes Shoshana Chanales Shira Hecht-Koller Gloria Schneider Dr. Russell Hoffman Dr. Michelle Humi Gila Kolb Michelle Hoch

ac ad emy claS S o f 2 01 3 gRadUaTio N high Sch oo l claS S o f 2013 gR adUaT ioN

Paula Fisch, Joy Goldsmith le aRNiNg To lo o K

Sarah Zitter, Tami Weitzman, Chairs Ne w PaRe NT Rec e PTioNS

Yael Baker, Dahlia Prager, ELC Chairs Shira Wurzberger, Academy Chair Alice Lebowitz, High School Chair Sh abbaT SPaRKS

Amy and Noah Weisberger, Hosts Si ddU R SPaRKS

Donna and David Salamon, Hosts

PaReNT-TeacheR coUNcil (PTc) chaiRS PTc PRe Sid iU m, ac ad emy

Sara Blechner, Stephanie Minkove (Academy ’91), Adeena Rosen PTc c haiR, h igh Sc ho ol

Principal Director of General Studies Associate Principal Associate Principal Assistant Principal; Grade Twelve Coordinator Assistant Principal; Israel Guidance Director of College Counseling Associate Director of College Counseling Assistant Director of College Counseling; Grade Ten Coordinator Assistant Director of College Counseling Israel Guidance Israel Guidance Israel Guidance Israel Guidance Israel Guidance Grade Nine Coordinator Grade Ten Coordinator Grade Eleven Coordinator School Psychologist School Psychologist Associate Director of Admissions Operations Manager; Grade Eleven Coordinator

Tami Bezborodko (Academy ‘83), Deborah Stern-Blumenthal

2012-2013 officeRS, boaRd of TRUSTeeS aNd boaRd commiTTeeS officeRS Ludwig Jesselson z"l Founding Chairman, Board of Trustees Ludwig Bravmann Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees Jack C. Bendheim President Harvey Beker Chairman, Executive Committee Michael Jesselson Vice President Sidney Newman Vice President

Lynda Vidomlanski

David M. Sable Vice President

PTc PRogRam highlighTS — academy

Dr. Bernard M. Weiner Vice President

PTc TRe aSU Re R

bo oK faiR

Rachel Berger, Adina Garbuz, Chairs c aRiNg co mmUNiT y iNiTiaTiv e ( Ne w )

Leann Levin, Chair

Dr. Harvey Bennett Treasurer Nachman Mazurek Secretary

e lc NighT

Sophia Hershman, Nomi Roseman (Academy '92), Ricki Scharf, Chairs e lc we lco me Pic Nic aNd co NceRT

Stephanie Minkove (Academy '91), Rebecca Wolf loS T aNd fo U Nd ( N ew )

Joanne Siegel mabe l' S labe lS fU Nd RaiS eR

Lilach Bar miS hloac h maNoT

Simone Semer, Joanne Siegel, Toby Smith PaRe NT-To -PaR eN T lec TURe S e RieS (N ew )

Jonathan Bellin, Guest PaRe NT SUPPo RT co mmiTTe e

boaRd of TRUSTeeS Hudi Bellin Askowitz ('87) Dr. Tzvi Bar-David Benjy Belfer Louis Benjamin Jeff Bogursky Ilana Chill Shelley Cohen Adrienne Cooper ('78) Deborah E. David ('78) Abe Eisenstat Stanley Fortgang

Avram Friedman Alan E. Goldberg Dr. Steven I. Goldstein Alan M. Greenberg Rabbi Irving Greenberg Moshe Greenberg ('75) Ira A. Greenstein Ari Hait Adam Ingber Benson Jerusalmi Esther Joel Howard Jonas Dr. Dov Kahane ('72) Nathan Kahn Meyer Koplow Dr. Michael Kramer Faye Landes Joshua Landes Dr. Larry Lerner Polina Liberman Dr. Donald Liss Steven Major Daniel Perla Steven S. Pretsfelder Michael Raskas Tobias B. Schapiro Gail Schorr Mark Semer Elissa Shay Ordan Susan Shay Zev Skolnick Marilyn Sopher Jonathan Tropper ('83) Alan Wasserman ('75) Spencer M. Waxman Jonathan N. Wiener

adviSoRy execUTive commiTTee Dr. Jayne and Harvey Beker Dr. Giti and Jack Bendheim Ludwig Bravmann Tamar and Abe Eisenstat Linda and Michael Jesselson Debbie and Howard Jonas Sandy and Nathan Kahn Karen and Mitchell Kuflik Drs. Teena and Larry Lerner David Sable Bettina and Spencer Waxman

aUdiT commiTTee Barry Aranoff, Chairperson Ira A. Greenstein Adam Ingber

fiNaNce commiTTee Sandy Kahn, Acting Chairperson Dr. Teena Lerner, Vice Chairperson Harvey Beker Jack C. Bendheim Avram Friedman Michael Jesselson Gabriel Lambert Nachman Mazurek Stephen Neuwirth Jennifer Paradise Bruce Schanzer Noah Weisberger

develoPmeNT commiTTee Dr. Teena Lerner, Chairperson Hudi Bellin Askowitz ('87) Lawrence Burian Dana ('92) and Marc Jason Nathan Lindenbaum Careena Parker Daniel Perla Mark Semer Barbara Sopher (’80) Lynette Tulkoff Rabbi Marc Wolf

SaR academy boaRd of edUcaTioN Dr. Laurel Hecht, Chairperson Dr. Jayne Beker Dr. Giti Bendheim Herbert Block Dr. Elliot Cohen Dr. Idana Goldberg Atara Gorsetman Lamelle Ryman Raphael Sasson Rabbi Benjamin Shiller Shoshi Talesnick Noah Weisberger

If you would like to discuss making a gift or leaving a bequest to SAR, please contact Heidi Greenbaum, Director of Development, greenh@saracademy.org or 718.548.1717 x1256.

Andrea Harris, Dina Sterman, Chairs

bUSiNeSS office Debra May (Academy '85) Geet Engel Heidi Greenbaum Andy Sandler Nick Fadda Gilad Mor

SaR S PiRiTw eaR

Executive Director Director of Finance Director of Development Director of Technology Facilities and Grounds Manager Director of Security

yom ha’aTzmaU T c e lebRaTio N

Marcella Marcus, Susie Loberfeld, Chairs

high School PaReNT commiTTeeS fRe Sh maN com miTT ee

Carmella Abraham, Committee Chair, Hudi Askowitz (Academy ‘87), Tami Bezborodko (Academy ’83), Deborah Billig, Deborah Fiorino, Gabe Goldstein, Bonnie Mannis, Yonina Siegel

2013 aNNUal RePoRT Heidi Greenbaum Heidi Kane Rachel Spinner Aaron Steinberg Audrey Weitz Gilad Mor Ahlgrim Design Group

Susie Loberfeld

Director of Development Editor Development Associate Development Associate Development Associate Principal Photography Design & Layout

J UNio RS' co llege NighT

Emily Rosenfeld, Gail Schorr, Bettina Waxman, Co-Chairs, Karen Berk, Randi Carrey, Adriana Foni, Judith Jelen, Laurie Lebowitz, Ellen Rosin, Ruth Seligman, Debbie Smerling liaiSoN commiTTe e

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade PTC Chairs

Deborah Fiorino, Deborah Billig Debra Sternberg, Reva Slasky Lisa Oppenheimer, Gabe Goldstein Carmella Abraham, Co-Chair, David Pitkoff Tami Bezborodko, Deborah Stern-Blumenthal

PaRe NTS’ Soc ial Nigh T

Careena Parker, Dasi Schwalbe, Chairs

“ A yeshiva education always has a dual nature, a combination of secular and religious studies. We learn to love Israel as well as the United States. SAR has taught us how to live our lives while always negotiating the winding path of Torah observance in a secular world.” — a da m

aUeRbach,

Class Representative, SAR Academy Graduation 2013