Yeshivah of Flatbush Summer Bulletin 2022 by Yeshivah of Flatbush

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Tamm 2022 /

N I T E L L BU BUS T A L F OF H A V I YESH

Y E S H I VA H O F F L AT B US H

Letter from the

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Flatbush Family,

t is with great pleasure that I share with you the Summer 2022 Bulletin. I hope that once you look inside you will feel more proud than ever to be affiliated with our Yeshivah. In these pages you will find chesed stories that exhibit the fine character of our students and faculty and be inspired to join them in helping any community with which you feel connected. You will learn about some of the displaced Jews our administrators and faculty met on a chesed mission to Ukraine, and see how our elementary school girls selflessly donated their long hair to those in need. You will read a letter from one of our graduating high school seniors describing how much our team helped build her confidence to pursue internships and start the next chapter of her life at college. You will notice that our elementary and high school students excelled at the Chidon HaTanach at both the national and international levels. I am positive that you will smile when you see the photos from our creative Early Childhood “messy” day of fun.

Our high school students are honing their writing skills in both poetry and prose, celebrating in class and on stage, while our elementary students have signed up for creative science and art electives after school.

Outside our school walls, Flatbush students and families paid tribute to Israel for Yom HaZikaron and our own faculty and alumni who were formerly in the IDF. More than 4,000 attendees enjoyed celebrating Yom Ha’Atzmaut together under the stars as we heard Yaakov Shwekey sing some of his most popular songs. Many of our 8th and 12th grade students bonded with Holocaust survivors after hearing their harrowing stories. Both sets of student participants worked to portray the truth, the former by creating a professional-caliber video, the latter by enacting a moving performance on stage. Our 1996 alumni reconnected with each other at their reunion this past spring. Recently, two of our esteemed graduates were featured as part of our Alumni Zoom Talk Series and discussed the Abraham Accords. If what you have read inspires you to become more involved, please reach out to me at jrothman@flatbush.org. Our dedicated teachers and motivated children drive us to do our best every single day.

Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Rothman Executive Director

RABBI DR. RAYMOND HARARI (HS ‘72)

SUMMER 2022 |

Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School Head of School Rabbi Joseph Beyda Associate Principal Ms. Esther Hidary (HS ’94) Associate Principal Rabbi Yigal Sklarin Assistant Principal Rabbi David Galpert (ES ’05, HS ’09) Dean of Students Rabbi Naftali Besser Rosh Bet Midrash Rabbi Avi Harari (ES ’99, HS ’03) Director of Guidance Dr. Etty Mizrahi (ES ’97, HS ’01)

President Mr. Abie J. Hidary (ES’91, HS ’95)

Yeshivah of Flatbush Elementary School Head of School Rabbi Yahel Tsaidi Principal, Middle School Rabbi Dr. David Hertzberg Co-Principal, Middle School Rabbi Ronn Yaish (HS ‘92) Principal, Lower School Mr. Robert Berkman Associate Principal, Judaic Studies, Lower School Mrs. Chani Gratzman

Editorial Assistants Ms. Faith Edeson (ES ’04, HS ’08) Mrs. Michelle Kopylov (ES ’97, HS ‘01)

Principal Emeritus Rabbi Dr. David Eliach, Z”L

Design Bottom Line Marketing Group

Yeshivah of Flatbush Executive Office

Yeshivah of Flatbush Elementary School

Executive Director Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Rothman

919 East 10th Street Brooklyn NY 11230 718-377-4466

Director of Annual Giving Mrs. Vicky Amzalag Director of Informational and Instructional Technology Dr. Christine L. Coleman, DPS Director of Finance Mrs. Faigie Gelbstein Director of Operations Ms. Esther Kizelnik Director of Marketing and Communications Ms. Ilana Lax

Director, Early Childhood Mrs. Debbie Levine Greenbaum

Director of Admissions, Elementary School Mrs. Norma Shamah

Y E S H I VA H O F F L AT B US H

Editor-in-Chief Ms. Michelle Olveira

Director of College Guidance Ms. Amber M. Long

Associate Principal, General Studies, Lower School Director of Teaching and Learning Rabbi Dr. David Saltzman

Director of Student Services Dr. Nicole Yossef

Yeshivah of Flatbush Bulletin Staff

Director of Development Mrs. Hila Stern

Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School Al and Sonny Gindi Campus 1609 Avenue J Brooklyn, NY 11230 718-377-1100

Yeshivah of Flatbush Executive Office 975 East 13th Street Brooklyn, NY 11230 718-377-4040

@yofhs @yoflatbush @yofladiesauxiliary Facebook.com/YeshivahOfFlatbush Facebook.com/YOFHS Facebook.com/YOFALUMNI

Letter from the Executive Director A Night of Blue & White

YOF Goes Overseas to Help Ukrainian Jews in Poland

Way to Go Seniors Learn Through Multiple Types of Travel Experiences

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In Their Eyes

Witness Theater at JBHS Tells Holocaust Survivors’ Stories While Bridging the Generations

No Empty Words

JBHS Winning Writers Take the Stage at the Evening of Wordsmiths

Moving Images Names, Not Numbers©: A Movie in the Making 2022 Premiere

Cracking

Bible Big Leagues

YOF Students Compete Internationally and Nationally at Chidon HaTanach Competitions

Code

the

19 ST2EM Days for 6th and 7th Graders Challenge Student Creativity

Messing it up but Getting it Right

Class of 2022 College Acceptances

Reading In Pajamas Event Gives Students an Opportunity to Get Their Hands–and Feet–Dirty

On the Right Path

Locks of Love

Elementary School Girls Donate Their Hair for Chesed

How the Business Initiative of One Class Brought People Together

Hundreds of YOF Elementary School Students Augment Their Days with Special Classes

Helping Hands & Hearts

A Group of Girls Takes a Chesed Initiative to Heart Throughout the Year

Benevolent Boxes

Enhanced Electives

YOF Commemorates Yom HaZikaron and Celebrates Yom Ha’Atzmaut in a Big Way

6th Grade Chesed Heroes

A Senior Shares How Pathfinders Changed Her Life and Motivated Her

Jack 's Training Day

JBHS Hosts Special Fitness Day in Memory of Jack Charles Levy A”H

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TABLE of CONTENTS

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Class 1996

Winning

Sports horts

Around Town

Alumni Reunions

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Alumni

26IMPACT

We Are Proud of Our Alumni Who Are Making an Impact on Israel and People Around the World.

A Celebratory Evening

YOF Installs its New Trustees and Officers and Thanks its Dedicated Board Members for their Invaluable Service

Thank You To Our Annual Donors

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A Night of

Blue & White

YOF Commemorates Yom HaZikaron and Celebrates Yom Ha’Atzmaut in a Big Way

n recognition of Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Yeshivah of Flatbush and the greater community came together on Wednesday, May 4th to commemorate this monumental day in Israel’s history. Thousands gathered at the Ford Amphitheater along the Coney Island Boardwalk to participate in our Yom HaZikaron program and Yom Ha’Atzmaut concert featuring the famous singer Yaakov Shwekey. The warmth of the Flatbush family was palpable as students, parents, faculty, and the community at large a total of more than 4,000 attendees - filled the theater. Flatbush’s deep-rooted connection to Medinat Yisrael was exhibited as alumna Cynthia Benun addressed the crowd. Ms. Benun recently served in the sniper and counterterrorism units of the IDF. After her speech, 14 current YOF staff members and one alumnus who all also served in the IDF, marched down the aisles during the Yom HaZikaron program while proudly carrying

Y E S H I VA H O F F L AT B US H

each of their unit’s flags. Guests took part in a moving candle lighting ceremony and observed a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers. “While our community consists of so many beautifully diverse families, one idea truly unites us all – the Land of Israel. The greatest and most significant miracle our people have witnessed in the last 2000 years is only 74 years young. While we sit physically far away from our home, our hearts and minds reside in the East. We must never forget the revealed presence of Hashem that we witnessed then and continue to witness. We must continue to show our eternal hakarat hatov, our deep appreciation, with hallel and hoda’ah and continue to pray that we will soon celebrate in Yerushalayim HaBenuya together,” expressed Head of Elementary School Rabbi Yahel Tsaidi. Joel Braverman High School Head of School Rabbi Joseph Beyda led a special Tefillah Arvit Chagigit, the prayers instituted by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. After the somber commemoration ceremony, the cheerful Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration began with Yaakov Shwekey singing his popular hits as students hugged each other and wrapped themselves up in Israeli flags. The room was dotted with blue and white and enveloped in bright lights as guests danced along to the music. Guests were treated to both the Elementary School choir, led by Ricky Sasson, and the High School choir, led by Mordy Weinstein, and were happy to sing along to the popular tunes.

CYNTHIA BENUN (HS ‘16) • RICKY SASSON (ES ‘16, HS ‘20) • MORDY WEINSTEIN (ES ‘03, HS ‘07)

Yaakov Shwekey performed an illuminating and inspiring show, joined by the thousands of voices who all knew the words to his songs. YOF 5th grader Jack Hidary was the second star of the show as he belted out the tune of “Kol HaNeshama” to an appreciative audience, in honor of his father, YOF President Abie J. Hidary. Shwekey joined him on stage at the end of the song. The overall experience of the evening was designed to create the same look and feel of the celebrations that happen in Israel. To set the mood, candy, Israeli drinks, falafel and other Israeli snacks were sold at an authentically-decorated, Israeli-style shuk at the event. The event was the vision of Rabbi Tsaidi, Rabbi Beyda, and YOF Executive Director Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Rothman. “This program was a landmark event for the Yeshivah community. Under one tent, the entire Flatbush family congregated to celebrate one of our core values, Medinat Yisrael,” shared Rabbi Beyda. The evening was intended to be one of the most powerful celebrations of Yom Ha’Atzmaut outside of Israel. YOF Events Coordinator Hana Hasson tirelessly planned the evening along with YOF faculty members Rachel Winkler, Sally Shatzkes, Iris Bukobza, Esther Chehova, Iris Sabtaniy, and YOF volunteers Sophia Shamash and Sarah Tawil.

The Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration was dedicated by the Mamiye family.

SALLY (GRAZI) SHATZKES (ES ‘95, HS ‘99) • ESTHER (DWECK) CHEHOVA (HS ‘04)

SUMMER 2022 |

Helping Hands &

s t r a He

YOF Goes Overseas to Help Ukrainian Jews in Poland

JBHS

Head of School Rabbi Joseph Beyda was determined to try to help the overwhelmingly desperate Ukrainian refugee situation, but how? Was there a way that a small but dedicated Flatbush team could help the state of affairs in Ukraine and make a difference? The answer was a resounding yes, as Middle School Principal Rabbi Dr. David Hertzberg and Associate Principal, General Studies and Lower School Director of Teaching and Learning Rabbi Dr. David Saltzman joined Rabbi Beyda, the High School’s Hebrew Department Chair Rachel Winkler and Tanakh Department Chair Talia Harcsztark on a flight leaving for Warsaw, Poland in a matter of days — right before Pesach. “I felt compelled to have the Yeshivah of Flatbush represented in the effort to care, to make a difference… when I went, we went,” expressed Rabbi Beyda. When the team’s flight touched down, the chesed began. Within an hour, the group reached a Chabad house sheltering and feeding roughly 50 refugees who were waiting to be processed by additional aid organizations for resettlement. When the team noticed numerous children among the crowd, some left to find gifts for them, and lucked out when they discovered a nearby toy store. The children were handed dolls, Matchbox cars, toy jewelry, bubble makers, crayons and coloring books to help keep them occupied during their tedious time there. Over a three-day span, the group also visited a community center as well as four different hotels that

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were housing refugees. At the Jewish Community Center, the team helped distribute medical and other essential supplies that were headed to refugees of all religions and creeds and to the fighters on the battlefront. “This exhibited the Torah value of Tzelem Elokim — that as Jewish people, we are responsible for preserving the dignity of all humankind,” noted Ms. Harcsztark. Rabbi Saltzman noticed that as he organized the supplies on the shelves, people who needed the supplies were already coming to take them. “This demonstrated that our work was relevant and necessary.”

Perhaps, most importantly, Mrs. Winkler pointed out that the team became a group of listeners. Numerous refugees, who were touched by the fact that Americans would fly to Poland to help them and recognize their plight, sought comfort in telling their stories. Sixteenyear-old Nasya, one of the few refugees at the Chabad who spoke English, became a makeshift translator. She and her family left their home not knowing what they would face or where they would ultimately be settled. “We were given an opportunity to listen to the refugees… families who left fathers, sons and brothers in the Ukraine, women who came with their children but whose husbands are missing, doctors, dentists and even a documentary filmmaker. All of these people need to build a new life in a new land, but many hope to one day return to the Ukraine,” shared Mrs. Winkler. “We met people of tremendous courage. People who refused to give up. People who were determined to rebuild. But I also met a young boy who was in such pain that he couldn’t even accept a toy from us. I will never forget this moment,” added Rabbi Hertzberg. Rabbi Beyda’s son, Sammy, who graduated from YOF in 2019 and now attends Columbia University, also accompanied the team. “I thought it was important to go as Jews to demonstrate our solidarity, to help show the fact that the entire world, and entire Jewish community, stands behind them and supports them. What I took away is that anything can upend life as we know it at any time, leaving us without many of the comforts and privileges that we have gotten used to.”

At one of the hotels, the Jewish Agency for Israel provided lodging and food for Jewish Ukrainians. It also offered help to anyone who wished to make aliyah and even coordinated flights to Israel. Although most of the refugees were holding out with the hope of returning to their original home, Ms. Harcsztark spoke of how the value of Arevut — looking out for fellow Jews at home and abroad — was embodied, reminding us all of the Law of Return that ensures that all Jews have a place to settle in the Jewish homeland. The YOF team exemplified the most important part of being a Jew — being kind to one another and also recognizing the kindness of others. In Mrs. Winkler’s address to the JBHS students, she made sure to include how Rabbi Beyda’s constant words of chizuk to all he met on the trip “made our new acquaintances smile and cry because the words came from his heart.” Rabbi Hertzberg described how he was reminded of the words of the Haggadah that mention how anyone is welcome to join at the seder. “Rabbi Stambler from the Chabad fulfilled these words literally. He opened his doors to one and all.” Many people wonder what they can do when there is such a great need for help. “Sometimes, we doubt ourselves,” explained Rabbi Beyda. “We’re uncertain what difference we can make. Know that if we follow the Torah’s values, such as Tzelem Elokim and Kol Yisrael Arevim ZehBaZeh — we can make all the difference.”

SUMMER 2022 |

Way to

GO Seniors Learn Through Multiple Types of Travel Experiences

n early April, half of JBHS’s 12th graders and nine faculty members headed to different cities across the United States to experience history and be a part of history while performing acts of chesed for Senior Week. The other half embarked on local adventures around New York City. Since Covid prevented any overseas trip planning, the administration got creative and designed trips closer to home. “We felt it was important for our graduating students to experience different kinds of people from various backgrounds and places, learn to give back to all communities and get accustomed to working outside of their comfort zone. They should feel and see how Jews can make a difference in the world for all kinds of people,” shared Rabbi David Galpert, Assistant Principal. The three chesed-based trips were offered thanks to YOF’s partnership with NCSY’s Relief Missions. One group went to Kentucky, led by Rabbi Galpert and faculty member Sari Mayer, where they helped disaster relief clean-up teams in Mayfield after a series of devastating tornadoes tore through the area. The team also stopped in Louisville, where they partnered with Chabad’s Project Friendship to help sort through clothing. Luckily, they also had time to visit the Louisville Mega Cavern where they went ziplining inside of a huge cave. A stop at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee was a great ending to their trip. A second team went to Houston, where they helped rebuild homes after hurricane damage, worked at the nation’s largest food bank, visited NASA’s headquarters, and went to a Houston Rockets basketball game. The group was led by faculty member Jeffrey Dweck and

Charleston

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Y E S H I VA H O F F L AT B US H

Houston

Parent-Student Liaison Alyssa Shamah, who both made sure that the trip was a success. A third YOF team visited New Orleans with faculty members Adam Hofstetter and Shoshana Mayer, where they helped with building houses, planting trees and distributing food. Exciting additions to the trip included listening to a jazz concert downtown and a horse and buggy ride. The New Orleans Chesed Mission is dedicated by Steven Montague in honor of his wife Julie. The fourth group of students visited Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia with Jewish History Department Chair Miriam Wielgus, STEM Coordinator Tziri Lamm and Rosh Bet Midrash Rabbi Avi Harari. This trip focused on the Jewish history of the area as they visited the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim synagogue, dating from 1749, and helped clean up a Jewish cemetery. They had a great time interacting with community members, kayaking, biking, and testing their strength on a difficult ropes course. Last but certainly not least, the group that stayed local experienced the magic of New York City as they visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Statue of Liberty, the New York Aquarium and the Rise New York exhibit. YOF faculty member Sarah Marcus coordinated the local trips.

NYC

Houston

YOF hopes that all of these meaningful experiences will translate into a lifelong love of exploring both nearby locales and further away places, continuing to perform acts of chesed, and remembering the importance of Torah values. To see a clip of the Kentucky team in action, visit www.tinyurl.com/yofkentuckychesed.

Kentucky

Charleston

New Orleans

JEFFREY DWECK (ES ‘86, HS ‘90) • SARAH (MISHAN) MARCUS (ES ‘98, HS ‘02)

SUMMER 2022 |

e d a r G 6th

CHESED HEROES

A Group of Girls Takes a Chesed Initiative to Heart Throughout theYear

ince last September, The Naomi Houllou A”H Ladies Auxiliary has been busy planning activities for its Heart of Gold campaign that encourages students to perform acts of chesed in a variety of ways. These events, under the leadership of presidents Esther Mishan and Sheila Shamah, encouraged an influx of new parent and student volunteers. The 6th Grade Girls Chesed Team, sponsored by the Douek Family Foundation, is one prime example of how children can inspire other children to bring about change and spread goodwill throughout a community. In the earlier part of the year, the team, comprising about 30 girls, ran a flower market, held a bake sale, staffed a gift-wrapping and card-decorating activity for children in need, and even delivered challah to seniors. More recently, they packed hundreds of Purim baskets that were donated to the Michael Kameo Foundation, cooked mini pizzas and spinach tarts for the Sephardic Bikur Holim Food Pantry, designed a scavenger hunt with the proceeds going to Ukraine, planned another

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flower market and delivered some of the bouquets to area nursing homes. Make no mistake–these girls mean business. Their spring bake sale raised more than $2,000. Since the beginning of the school year they raised a total of $8,000 that will be donated to a worthy cause. Head of Elementary School Rabbi Yahel Tsaidi personally thanked the girls for their chesed contributions during an Oneg Shabbat. He told them how impressed he was that they chose to spend their time doing so much good for others. “What a powerful way to give of yourselves to other people,” said Rabbi Tsaidi. “We think we are doing these things for other people, but in reality, we get even more out of it.” Thank you to Ms. Adele Dwek for spearheading the chesed program and all of the members of The Naomi Houllou A”H Ladies Auxiliary Heart of Gold Committee.

ESTHER (HANON) MISHAN (ES ‘01, HS ‘05) • SHEILA (ARMOUT-LEVY) SHAMAH (HS ‘99) • ADELE (DAYAN) DWEK (ES ‘95, HS ‘99)

Locks

e v o L

Elementary School Girls Donate Their Hair for Chesed

his past Lag B’Omer, the Naomi Houllou A”H Ladies Auxiliary introduced a new chesed initiative called “Haircuts for Chesed”. Students from every division volunteered to donate their hair to people in need through the organization Zichrom Menachem. The morning began with words of inspiration from Early Childhood faculty member Helen Gindi about the power of helping others through difficult times. Head of School Rabbi Yahel Tsaidi acknowledged the girls’ selflessness and presented each of them with a certificate. Hairdressers volunteered their services and a full-service beauty salon was set up in school. The girls, as well as those who came to cheer them on, were treated to breakfast, donuts, a candy bar and goody bags. This good deed encouraged others to participate next year! The program was sponsored by Rachel and Morris Tabush in memory of their grandmothers. Thank you to Lillie Sasson and all of the dedicated volunteers for helping make this important day a huge success.

HELEN (GRAZI) GINDI (HS ‘01) • LILLIE (TAWIL) SASSON (HS ‘04)

SUMMER 2022 |

In theirEYES

n Yom Hashoah, the YOF community came together to watch Witness Theater: “In Their Eyes” in the JBHS Khezrie Auditorium. The performance was the culmination of a months-long heartfelt partnership between our high school students and Holocaust survivors Reb Shmuel Beller, Hadassa Carlebach, Joe (Leiby) Hecht and Zahava Ungar. Witness Theater is an innovative and emotional intergenerational journey for Holocaust survivors and high school students. Working together, the two generations elicit and reveal stories of survival and explore issues of war, loss, and trauma. Over the course of the academic year, with the guidance of a trained drama therapist, the students meet with the survivors and try to draw out their stories. The project culminates with a special performance when students act out scenes from the survivors’ personal stories as the survivors accompany them onstage. The audience witnesses the special connections made between the generations. The survivors shared terrifying stories of their time during the war. Shmuel Beller, born in Poland, was separated

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Witness Theater at JBHS Tells Holocaust Survivors’ Stories While Bridging the Generations

from his family and forced into labor and concentration camps. Hadassa Carlebach, born in Leningrad, traveled with her father who secretly distributed funds that supported several Jewish underground organizations. Her father created safe havens for Jewish children in France during and after the war. He also helped locate, with Hadassa’s help, Jewish children who had found safety in non-Jewish homes. Joseph Hecht, from Romania, was taken with his family first to the Vischo ghetto in Hungary, then to multiple camps, including Auschwitz. Zahava Ungar, born in Czechoslovakia, lost her father in a labor camp and then her mother and two younger siblings at Auschwitz-Birkenau, where she was held before working at a bomb factory, she ultimately wound up at Theresienstadt. The show serves as a vehicle for the survivors’ testimony to be heard. “In Their Eyes” was written and directed by Sally Grazi-Shatzkes, Director of the Arts, Drama Therapist and Witness Theater facilitator. Thank you to Selfhelp Community Services and the UJA-Federation of New York for making this program possible.

A special contribution to this program was made by Vivian and Sam Hedaya in memory of Adele Sultan A”H.

types of writing samples that students shared in front of an audience of 120 parents, faculty members and fellow students.

s d or W y t p Em JBHS WinningWriters Takethe Stage at the Evening of Wordsmiths

he inaugural Evening of Wordsmiths at JBHS this past spring showcased the superb writing talents of freshmen, sophomore and junior students. Poetry, personal essays, excerpts from research papers and memoirs were some of the

Moving

Images Names, Not Numbers©: A Movie in the Making 2022 Premiere

he YOF Elementary School is proud to participate in Names, Not Numbers©: A Lasting Way to Teach the Lessons of the Holocaust. This interactive, multi-media Holocaust project was created by educator, Tova Fish-Rosenberg. English Department Chair and Names, Not Numbers© Project Coordinator Barbara Zelenetz worked with the students throughout the year. Since last fall, 47 8th graders worked with professionals, including a newspaper journalist and a filmmaker, on the production of a Holocaust documentary film Names, Not Numbers©: A Movie in the Making. The film tells the stories of six Holocaust survivors and touches on their lives before the war, as well as on their experiences during and immediately following the Holocaust. Each

Students submitted their work anonymously on a shared Google Doc with the English department to be a part of the Wordsmith contest. English faculty members voted on which pieces they determined were the best, and chose 14 winners (out of about 50 final submissions) who presented their work in the Ashkenazi Bet Midrash at the Wordsmiths event. Winners came from both Honors and nonHonors classes, and received a certificate for their participation. To make the evening more personal, each winning student was introduced by their very proud teacher. Next year, the department hopes to include the 12th graders as well, shared English Department Chair Mica Bloom. “We had so many phenomenal pieces that it was extremely difficult to whittle them down.”

Holocaust survivor was assigned to seven or eight students who interviewed and filmed their story. A packed room of 300 guests watched the premiere of the film in June, followed by a gala dinner attended by several of the Holocaust survivors, faculty members, participating students and their parents. Middle School Principal, Rabbi Dr. David Hertzberg, addressed the audience and said that just as Moses bequeathed responsibility to Joshua, the survivors have bequeathed their stories to the students as witnesses. Head of Elementary School Rabbi Yahel Tsaidi reminded students that they are witnesses not only to the stories of these six survivors, but they also have the responsibility to take on the values these survivors have taught us all and the courage to fight anti-Semitism. Thank you to survivors Susan Charney, Ray Kaner, Susanne Kaplowitz, Jehuda Lindenblatt, Avraham Locke and Arthur Spielman for sharing their stories with our students.

The film can be viewed at tinyurl.com/yof22nnn. Names, Not Numbers© is generously supported by a prominent national foundation. Names, Not Numbers© at Yeshivah of Flatbush is made possible by the Suzanne and Lawrence A”H Fishman (ES’47) Holocaust Education Fund.

SUMMER 2022 |

BIBLE Big Leagues YOF Students Compete Internationally and Nationally at Chidon HaTanach Competitions

n May, JBHS sophomore Elisha Kahan represented the Yeshivah of Flatbush and the United States at the International Chidon HaTanach (International Bible Contest for Youth) in Israel. The competition is held annually on Yom Ha’Atzmaut and tests contestants’ knowledge of the Bible.

YOF

is proud to announce that 55 Middle School students competed in this year’s Dr. Shimshon Isseroff Chidon Hatanach National Finals in the Middle School Division and four high school students made it to the High School Division. Our school constituted almost 25% of the total contestants. The Finals, held at SAR High School in May, gathered eligible students from more than 80 schools and clubs around the country. Congratulations to 7th grader Sylvia Mizrahi, who came in 6th place, 8th grader Salomon Dayan who tied for 11th place, and 9th grader Ariel Eizenberg who came in 10th place.

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Elisha finished in the top ten in the competition. He told the Jerusalem Post that he has “loved Torah since I started learning it in kindergarten.” His favorite character in the Bible is (of course) the prophet Elisha and he learns the Tanakh in the leining melody. At one point in the competition he sat in the same row as Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett, and got his picture taken with President Isaac Herzog! He thanked the event’s organizers “for giving me this opportunity to come to Israel and see the land, its people and its leaders.”

Robots Enhanced & Circuits ELECTIVES S YOF The Human Body I Hundreds of YOF Elementary School Students Augment Their Days with Special Classes partnered this year with Revolution Tutors to bring a series of school-sponsored exploratory elective class offerings and tutoring programs to 500 Lower and Middle School students. What started as an enrichment program last summer for 1st through 5th graders to remediate learning deficits from Covid, blossomed into an array of specialty courses. Here are some descriptions listed below.

Art

nspired by famous painters, students created art using acrylic and watercolor techniques.

Kinematics & Experiments

tudents learned the power of physics as they constructed bottle rockets and participated in an airbending vacuum experiment.

tudents tinkered with circuits and sensors to build their own robot, engineered a batteryfree flashlight, and created laser patterns.

n this interactive course, students learned about the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, nervous, and skeletal systems. They gauged their lung capacities using a balloon and put together their own models of the human body.

The Mad Scientist

udding scientists learned about acids and bases, built their own mini-science labs and enjoyed color-changing slime experiments while they explored thermochromism.

Engineering

tudents built handcrank flashlights and light-up speakers while investigating the inner workings of various engineering projects.

Rockets & Space

tudents launched into galactic learning as they constructed model rockets and space rover robots and experimented with air pressure and gravity.

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t n e l o v e

s e x o b

n e B

Howthe Business Initiative of One Class Brought PeopleTogether

JBHS

STEM Coordinator Tziri Lamm’s Innovation class launched its Little Red Box initiative in early 2022. The goal of the project was to bring back a feeling of social unity after so much was lost during Covid, while spreading kindness throughout the school. In conjunction with the Ti-Tech @MIT program, which is funded by a national foundation dedicated to Jewish day school education, Ms. Lamm worked together with colleagues Justin Engel, Ariella Falack, and Rabbi Yitz Rosenblum to create a multidisciplinary, student-led, project. The students first had to agree on what would be sold, how to sell it, and what the prices would be. After several weeks of brainstorming and discussions, finally the class came up with the idea of filling a small red gift box with components including a miniature plush, hot cocoa packet or candy, and comfy socks, the latter generously donated by YOF parents Carrie and Abie Goldstein. Students took on specific roles in the business. CEO Rosie Ruben expressed how she hoped this initiative would inspire her classmates to continue the cycle of kindness. Senior Joey Falack explained, “Once we started to listen to each other, we were able to create a product that had a great impact on the school and set off a chain reaction among the students.”

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There were three box “drops” between January and May. The first box drop saw immediate success as all of the 100 boxes, priced between $5 and $10, sold out before lunch. Students bought the boxes for each other to show their appreciation for their friendship. The boxes were delivered during class that day and handed them out to each lucky recipient with a smile. In February, the class attempted a second drop, but this one was less successful than the first one. The students had to reassess their marketing and selling strategies before setting up their third drop in May. Student Abraham Tawil noted that the sales for the third drop were “improved by connecting with the people we were selling the boxes to and by setting up the boxes in an open area where everyone could see them.” Although the class disagreed at times about how best to run the business and sometimes had clashing ideas of how to make it a success, in the end, student Lydia Ezon expressed, “We learned how to turn a mess into a masterpiece.” “We felt that the authenticity of this project was important,” said faculty member Justin Engel. “The process was driven by the students from conception to implementation.” Student Linda Shamah’s idea to donate the $1,000 proceeds to the Ukraine Rescue Mission was a highlight of the project. Parents of students in the class were invited to the Little Red Box Showcase event and watched a video that told the story of how the initiative impacted the school.

ARIELLA FALACK (HS ‘05) • ABIE GOLDSTEIN (ES ‘82, HS ‘86)

g n i k c a Cr

Code

the

ST2EM Days for 6th and 7th Graders Challenge Student Creativity

iddle School held two immersive ST2EM Days for 6th and 7th grades in May, when students enjoyed various opportunities to participate in different kinds of science and coding activities. The 6th graders kicked off their day with a speech from Rabbi Shlomie Felendler, 6th grade faculty advisor, who spoke to students on the topic of "‫– "הפך בה והפך בה דכולא בה‬ that in truth all wisdoms are contained in the Torah. Putting recent scientific research beside p'sukim and gemarot, Rabbi Felendler demonstrated how some of the latest discoveries in science are already recorded in our sacred literature. Middle School Principal Rabbi Dr. David Hertzberg introduced 7th grade ST2EM DAY and discussed how the Torah’s approach is to embrace the new, (represented by ST2EM), along with the traditional (the Torah itself). “Although technology presents us with new challenges, the Torah provides us with ways to deal with these challenges,” continued Rabbi Hertzberg. As an example, he discussed using drones to supervise the kashrut in restaurants. All students chose two sessions out of a well-rounded group of topics. Sixth and 7th grade choices included a LEGO robotic dance-off, Wearable Circuitry, Chemistry of Cooking, water filtration and bacteria breeding.

YOF also invited CIJE (Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education) to lead two of the activities. Mousetrap Cars (6th grade) tasked students with building a small vehicle out of household materials. The resulting cars then had their own race! The Drone Olympics (7th grade) instructed students on how to use Scratch to code autonomous drones through an obstacle course. “I had high hopes that the kids would be eager to participate, but they blew me out of the water with their enthusiasm and excitement. They were so into it!” shared STEM Coordinator and Technology Integration Specialist Danielle Orville. The 7th graders also worked with Zumi AI Self-Driving Cars that let them practice with robotics and programming concepts to build their own self-driving robot car. At the end of each ST2EM Day, students participated in a Make-Do (™) Challenge that asked them to collaborate on an engineering project to create something useful with upcycled cardboard. This task used real-world problem-solving skills, inspired creativity and allowed the students to show off their knowledge of technology, math and science. Perhaps 7th grader Simone Izsak summed up the day perfectly, “I really loved ST2EM Day. I wish we could have it every week!”

Middle School Co-Principal Rabbi Ronn Yaish, Ed Tech Coordinator Shirley Lane and ST2EM Coordinator Nathan Wieand also helped create this unique Middle School day.

The Dr. Albert Montague A”H STEM Institute is dedicated by Julie and Steven Montague.

RABBI SHLOMO FELENDLER (ES ‘94, HS ‘98)

SUMMER 2022 |

Messing it up

But Getting it

RIGHT Reading In Pajamas Event Gives Students an Opportunity to Get Their Hands–and Feet–Dirty

his year’s annual Parents and Kids Read for Enjoyment (PKRE) and Early Childhood Reading In Pajamas event was a mess, literally!

On February 14th, 15th, and 16th, Early Childhood parents and kids participated in “What A Mess!”, PKRE’s Reading In Pajamas event dedicated by Terry and Ike Silvera. The Reading In Pajamas program is designed to encourage parents to read aloud to their children and to get children excited about reading. This year’s theme explored the beauty and creativity in making a mess. Under the direction of Early Childhood Director Debbie Levine Greenbaum, teachers introduced the theme to their classes by reading stories about messes. The PKRE team’s lobby installation was inspired by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s Obliteration Rooms. The rooms were interactive exhibits that invited the visitor to “obliterate” an all-white space using polka dot stickers. When it first went up, the installation was a stark white child’s bedroom. Building on Kusama’s theme of obliteration coupled with the PKRE mess theme, classes had fun covering every inch of the space with their own designs and colors. Classes used various mediums such as paint, stickers, glue, markers and nail polish. On all three evenings, Early Childhood students returned to school wearing their favorite pajamas for a night filled with theme-related activities, teacher read-alouds, and refreshments. A2s students participated in the morning. Each class had a huge foam board that students decorated with finger and sponge paintings, stamps and marbles, as well

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as with their own painted bare feet. Other themerelated activities involved organization and math skills. Children had fun sorting and matching laundry, sequencing bedtime routines, and matching pajamas. Once children had their fill of making a mess, they were invited to hear a story. Teachers read either Edward Gets Messy by Rita Meade; Pete The Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin; or A Perfect Mess by Steve Breen. Teachers discussed essential read-aloud tips and techniques with parents and shared important information about the Early Childhood’s literacy curriculum. Thank you to the “What A Mess!” committee: Maggie Betesh, Lisa Simovitch, Bertha Sabbagh, Rachel Tabush, Jacqueline Harary, Hana Hasson, and Jaclyn Pahuskin, as well as to all of the parent volunteers who helped prepare for the event.

The event was sponsored by Franco Mfg., Sol Betesh and Sons Foundation, and The Moret Group.

MAGGIE (DOUEK) BETESH (ES ‘90, HS ‘94) • LISA (AKERMAN) SIMOVITCH (ES ‘93, HS ‘97) • BERTHA (ZEITOUNY) SABBAGH (HS ‘89) JACQUELINE (SHAMOSH) HARARY (ES ‘06, HS ‘10) • JACLYN (RUSINOWITZ) PAHUSKIN (ES ‘02, HS ‘06)

Class of 2022 College Acceptances The 157 members of the Class of 2022 received admission offers from 68 institutions and will enroll in 32 of those schools between Fall 2022 and Fall 2023. *The bold type indicates where this year’s graduates are enrolled. Adelphi University Bar-Ilan University Baruch College (CUNY) Bentley University Binghamton University (SUNY) Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY) Boston University Brandeis University Brooklyn College (CUNY) Broome Community College (SUNY) Brown University City College (CUNY) College of Staten Island (CUNY) Columbia University The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art Cornell University Drexel University Duke University

On the Right

Path A Senior Shares How Pathfinders Changed Her Life and Motivated Her

Fashion Institute of Technology Fordham University George Washington University Hofstra University Hunter College (CUNY) JohnJayCollegeofCriminalJustice(CUNY) Kingsborough Community College (CUNY) Laguardia Community College (CUNY) Lehman College (CUNY) LIM College Long Island University Macaulay Honors College (CUNY) Marymount Manhattan College Medgar Evers College (CUNY) Michigan State University Monmouth University Muhlenberg College NewYorkCityCollegeofTechnology(CUNY) New York Institute of Technology New York School of Interior Design

New York University Northeastern University Nova Southeastern University Pace University Pennsylvania State University Pratt Institute Princeton University Queens College (CUNY) Rutgers University Sarah Lawrence College St. John’s University Stevens Institute of Technology Stony Brook University (SUNY) SUNY Oswego Temple University The New School Touro College Union College University at Albany (SUNY) University of Delaware University of Hartford University of Maryland University of Massachusetts University of Miami University of Pennsylvania University of Texas-Dallas Wagner College Yale University Yeshiva University York College (CUNY)

The JBHS Shifra Hanon Pathfinders Department, directed by Caroll Dweck-Sutton, cultivates experiences inside and outside of the classroom to help students explore who they are, nurture their interests, and develop professional skills. Class of 2022’s Joyce Louz wrote this note to the team before her last day of class. To the entire Pathfinders Department, It would be wrong not to thank you before leaving school and going on to the next chapter of my life, because you have not only helped me throughout these past four years - you have already guided me towards my future. Thinking about what you want to do in life can be scary with the uncertainty of the future approaching - what you’re “meant” to do, what you “should” do, what you need to do in advance. It’s every kid’s biggest dream to think about “What do I want to do when I grow up?” Suddenly, that question turns into a serious reality in high school. I still remember walking into my first meeting with Ms. Hanon, quiet and skeptical, but little did I know how much comfort that office would provide me. Being an anxious teenager not only pushed me to utilize the resources at my school (aka you) but it fostered growth and self-reflection

within me. Despite whatever struggle or worry or awkward encounters I had with professionals/ speakers, I came out of this experience a much better person, happy with who I have become. Networking through Pathfinders gives a kid confidence. Simply speaking with anyone on your team gives a kid hope. You give the students something, during this pivotal time in their lives, that makes an imprint on them forever. And I know you did that for me especially. So I have to attribute a huge part of who I am today, my growth at Flatbush and any success I may have in the future, to Pathfinders. You taught me to go after whatever I want because everything is much simpler than it seems and is always worth a try. I know I’ll be thinking about every single one of you after I leave: Shifra, Doris, Carol, Sonia, Emily, Paulina. Thank you.

Joyce

CAROLL DWECK-SUTTON (ES' 08, HS 12)

SUMMER 2022 |

JACK'S TRAINING DAY JBHS Hosts Special Fitness Day in Memory of Jack Charles Levy A”H

JBHS

students, faculty, and staff came together for Jack’s Training Day, a day of health and fitness in early March in memory of Jack Charles Levy A”H, Class of 2021. In recognition of the importance that health and fitness played in Jack’s life and should play in our own lives, Rabbi Joseph Beyda, Head of School, and Rabbi Avi Harari, Rosh Bet Midrash, spoke about internalizing the halachic duty to take care of our bodies. They acknowledged that Jack worked hard to fulfill this mitzvah by improving himself through exercise and healthy eating. Jack’s parents, Dawn and Ariel Levy, each spoke about Jack’s smile, warmth, acts of kindness, and his passion to help others build their self-confidence. Jack had a keen ability to discern when a friend or acquaintance was in need of support and encouragement. Students also heard from Jack’s cousin Helaina Podolsky who discussed Jack’s positive energy, his ability to make anyone that he encountered feel good, and his desire to live fully in the moment. David Jolovitz, Director of Health and Wellness at the Center, spoke about why we should start incorporating exercise and meditation into our daily lives and shared stories about Jack’s resourcefulness in putting together homemade gym equipment in his determination to get fit during Covid. Millie Schweky, PT, DPT, CPT, discussed Jack’s legacy of striving to reach our goals and always putting our best selves forward. Jack’s classmates created a touching video describing how Jack’s optimism, vibrancy, and warmth left an indelible impact on their lives and taught them a life lesson about maintaining a positive attitude. Throughout the day, more than 20 instructors led workout sessions and healthy food demonstrations that stressed how exercise and eating right can help us achieve balance of body and mind. The YOF family was introduced to Jack's Gym, a beautifully equipped fitness center in the JBHS building, lovingly donated by Jack’s parents, family, and friends. Jack’s Training Day has left a powerful impact on our high school. Students, faculty, and staff are setting their own personal fitness goals and training daily in Jack’s Gym.

Jack’s Training Day was made possible by the JBHS Naomi Houllou A”H Ladies Auxiliary and the YOF Board of Education.

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JACK CHARLES LEVY A"H (ES '17, HS '21) CAROLL DWECK-SUTTON (ES ‘08, HS ‘12)

Winning

Sports s t or h C

S A Dribble & A Dream

ompetitors at the Metropolitan Jewish Day School Basketball League this past spring were no match for our 7th Grade Boys Basketball Team and 8th Grade Girls Basketball Team as they both captured their respective championships. The girls’ coach, Sara Horowitz, inspired her team before the players competed against North Shore Hebrew Academy. “If we play smart, if we play together as a team and if we give 110% on the floor… we will win!” The girls made those words come true quickly when by halftime, the Flatbush Falcons were up 23-12. By the fourth quarter, the team had an eight-point lead. Starters Esther Kroub led the team with 14 points

(three 3-pointers) and Esther Haddad with 11 points. When the buzzer went off, the Falcons were overjoyed to have made a championship win happen. Each player received a trophy. The boys’ team also defeated North Shore, with a final score of 36-33. The Falcons built an early lead, then played great defense down the stretch to hang on for the victory. Michael Souleiman led Flatbush's balanced attack with 10 points, and was helped by Louie Franco's 9, David Kamagi's 8, Elie Mouhadeb's 7 and Solomon Stern's 2.

The Elementary School Boys & Girls Junior Varsity Basketball Team is dedicated by Sarah and Salomon Harari.

Rikudia T Rewards

he JBHS Dance Team came in first place against ten other schools at the Rikudiah Inter-Yeshiva Dance Competition in April. They donated their $2,000 price to an organization that helps Ukrainian Jews. The girls won a beautiful glass trophy and celebrated with dinner and a movie – ”The Great Gatsby”–inspired by the theme of their winning dance performance!

SARAH HOROWITZ (ES '13, HS '17) • DAWN (PODOLSKY) LEVY (HS ‘91) • ARIEL LEVY (ES ‘86, HS ‘90) • DAVID JOLOVITZ (ES ‘98, HS ‘02) • MILLIE (MARCUS) SCHWEKY (ES ‘09, HS ‘13)

SUMMER 2022 |

AROUND TOWN Flatbush Highlights

Grand Feast

indergarten students shared breakfast and activity time with their grandparents for the annual Grandparents’ Day. Students were thrilled to make their own unique teddy bears, decorative picture frames and beaded bracelets. Each student drew a picture of why they love their grandparents. Grandparents’ Day was dedicated by Sharon and Michael Haddad and Nellie and David Haddad.

A Sip & A Story

ifth graders in Maya Ayash’s class presented their non-fiction magazines to each other in a cafe-style setting. With the help of writing support teacher Danielle Betesh, students chose a topic and then wrote five articles based on their research, each in a different text structure. They also included multiple text features to enhance their magazines. Several first through fifth grade classes were invited into the classroom to enjoy refreshing iced tea while perusing the class’ magazines.

Syllabratory Stanzas

nglish teacher Adam Hofstetter’s Creative Writing elective class held a “Syllabration” after finishing their poetry unit. Students wrote a variety of increasingly challenging poetic forms, including haikus, limericks, skeltonics, terza rimas, and ottava rimas. They finished the unit by writing Italian and Elizabethan sonnets. As the students “syllabrated” their mastery of iambic pentameter with a cake, they presented their sonnets to the class and reflected on the challenges and inspiration they found along the way.

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MICHAEL HADDAD (ES ‘76, HS ‘80) DAVID HADDAD (ES ‘82, HS ‘86) MAYA (ROSILIO) AYASH (ES ‘97, HS ‘01)

Going Green

cience Teacher Paul Schwartz’s 7th grade students built their own working greenhouses using wood, plastics, and metal. Students handled the research, design, and construction. After successfully growing two different types of plants ranging from beans, flowers, lettuce and garlic, many students kept their greenhouses in their backyards to continue to work on them.

Alert and Aware

PSP Hosts Bullying Awareness Program for Parents

s part of YOF’s continuous intensive bullying awareness program, parents were invited to attend two sessions led by Debbie Nehmad (HS ‘09) in collaboration with Project SAFE and the Parent School Partnership, dedicated in honor of Esther and Jack A. Hidary. The sessions outlined the difference between bullying and unkind behavior, gave signs of when a child is being bullied or bullying others as well as how to spot and handle cyberbullying. Parents engaged in a series of Kahoot questions outlining different scenarios children may encounter daily.

Students in Harmony

Students Star in a Viral Purim Video and Record YOF's First Elementary School Album

lementary School Music Director Ricky Sasson was looking to combine the singing skills of the students in his Middle School Advanced Vocal Harmony class with the 60-student Elementary School choir that he also leads. His goal was to highlight his students’ individual talents and create an album to be released towards the end of the school year. Along the way, a popular “Encanto” tune metamorphosed into a Purim song, adding a new vocal venture to the group’s schedule. For the “Journey /‫ ”מסע‬album, which includes eight songs, Mr. Sasson encouraged his students to come up with a lot of the harmonies themselves and made sure that all 80 students participated in the background vocals of the album. “I wanted to use a mix of songs that the kids could relate to,” said Mr. Sasson. The children voted on which songs to include on the album, and 40 students were

given solos. The album was released on June 9th and our students were caught singing several of the songs in the YOF hallways. “Journey /‫ ”מסע‬is available on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Even though Mr. Sasson and his students were still working on the album in March, he and his dedicated team of choir and module students took a weeklong break to pursue another project: the filming of YOF’s popular Purim video, “We Don’t Bow Down to Haman,” with lyrics by Elliott Olshansky. There were 12 soloists in the Haman video who learned their parts in lightning-fast time. The video has charmed more than 20,000 viewers on Youtube. Background vocals were provided by some of the module students. “It is an honor to be able to give my students the tools that bring out the best of their capabilities,” shared Mr. Sasson. Watch the Purim video at tinyurl.com/yofpurimvideo. RICKY SASSON (ES ‘16, HS ‘20)

SUMMER 2022 |

Alumni

IMPACT W

e are proud of our alumni who are making an impact on Israel and people around the world.

MAZEL TOV AND MABROOK TO JBHS CLASS OF 2019 GRADUATE PERRY SANDERS who received the award for most outstanding soldier on his IDF base. Perry is serving as a combat medic in the Gush Etzion Brigade. He made aliyah in May 2020 while studying at Yeshivat Har Etzion (Gush). Perry comes from a long line of YOF alumni. His mother, Hila (Segev) Sanders is a YOF high school graduate. His father, David, as well as his siblings, Naomi and Rachel, are all YOF elementary and high school graduates. His grandparents, Jill and Norman Sanders, are both former beloved JBHS staff members.

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ALUMNI TALKS ZOOM SERIES, “Governments Sign Treaties, People Make Peace,” featured Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action at Rabbi Abraham Cooper the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and Jake Novak, Director of Media, Israel Consul General’s Office of New York. They spoke to a group of about 50 alumni and friends on May 23rd about the important role the YOF community has to play in Jake Novak the realization of the promise of the Abraham Accords opening trade and diplomatic relationships between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

PERRY SANDERS (ES ‘15, HS ‘19), HILA (SEGEV) SANDERS (HS ‘94), DAVID SANDERS (ES ‘90, HS ‘94), NAOMI SANDERS (ES ‘13, HS ‘17) AND RACHEL SANDERS (ES ‘17, HS ‘21); RABBI ABRAHAM COOPER (ES ‘64, HS ‘68), JAKE NOVAK (HS ‘88)

Alumni Reunions Class of 1996 THE CLASS OF 1996 got together this past March for its 25th reunion. More than 120 alumni came from near and far, making the trip back to Avenue J to reminisce with their classmates and faculty. Thank you to our reunion committee, Nicole Ashear Dweck, Jaret Feldman, Sarit Israel Perry, Rebecca Mohadeb Cohen, Bradley Rosen, Sophia Sasson Gomberg, Grace Setton Minyan, Stephanie Sutton Mosseri and to our emcee of the evening, Isaac Yedid. A special thank you to Abby Fleishman Miller and Elliot Warren, along with all of the participants in the class video.

Get Involved! Alumni bonds run deep at YOF. For many of our alumni, the friendships made here last a lifetime! Reunions are a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with classmates, teachers, staff and learn what is going on at the Yeshivah today. We encourage you to get involved, volunteer to speak to our students about your career, attend an adult learning class, provide an internship, mentor a current student or recent graduate, and take advantage of our numerous Jewish learning opportunities with faculty. Join our alumni network, www.flatbushalumni.org. Learn about the Yeshivah’s events, network with professionals in your field, and reconnect with former classmates. For questions about upcoming reunions, contact us at alumni@flatbush.org.

Thank You to our Class of 1996 Reunion Sponsors: Gabrielle Antar Nakash, Debra Berenholz Siesser, Joseph Bibi, Shirley Biro Serure, David Blumenthal, Florence Broder, Rachel Eichner Shapiro, Michelle Ender, Zvi Epner, Yitz Feit, Jaret Feldman, Shana Fishman Sultanik, Jack Hedaya, Sarit Israel Perry, Moussa Katri, Janine Lorber Zucker, Rebecca Mohadeb Cohen, Dan Neuman, David Podolsky, Stacy Rosenbaum Behm, Sophia Sasson Gomberg, Shahriar Sedgh, Abie Shamah, Rebecca Silvera Sasson and Ita Tarzik Flug.

Save the Date! Class of 1971: September 11, 2022 Class of 1972: October 30, 2022 Class of 1997: Fall 2022 Class of 2012: Fall 2022 Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! @yofalumni

SUMMER 2022 |

A Celebratory

Evening YOF Installs its New Trustees and Officers and Thanks its Dedicated Board Members for their Invaluable Service

he YOF Installation of Trustees & Officers event took place on Monday, June 13th in the Elementary School. Executive Director Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Rothman welcomed everyone

We can measure success by test scores, enrollment, fundraising, expansion plans, fiscal responsibility and transparency, and so many other ways – but what gives me fulfillment is seeing happy and overachieving students, happy and thankful parents, dedicated and giving board members, and teachers who are consummate professionals, who care deeply for our children and love coming to work. There is no better testament to what our Yeshivah is, and where it’s going. — Outgoing YOF President Abie J. Hidary

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with inspiring words and served as the emcee for the evening. Outgoing YOF President Abie J. Hidary bid farewell to his post and wished the incoming president, Abe Hanan, best of luck in his new position. Former YOF President Robert Frastai, Elliot Horowitz, Steven Sasson and Mitchell Vilinsky were acknowledged for their many years of strong leadership and selfless dedication. The Naomi Houllou A”H Ladies Auxiliary recognized Lillie Sasson and Sheila Shamah for their terms as president and welcomed Sarah Chalouh as the new co-president with Esther Mishan. Rena Ashear, who is stepping down from her board position, was recognized for her 20 years on the board. Limor Madeb and Nicole Oved introduced the new high school Ladies Auxiliary Board members.

We are endowed with an enormous responsibility to frame the futures and lives of our over 2,100 current students. We do so by drawing on our rich heritage utilizing some of the same recipe that has been successful for our more than 12,000 alumni as well as tweaking and changing our formula to be relevant in today’s times. It’s a delicate balance between the past, present and future which we navigate with careful artistry. — Incoming YOF President Abe Hanan

FOUNDERS ($500,000+) Anonymous Avi Houllou

BUILDERS ($250,000+) Anonymous

Securing Our School's Future!

he only way to ensure our Yeshivah’s future is to take care of our future generations, and that is why you should consider making a legacy gift to the Yeshivah of Flatbush. We invite you to partner with us now and make an impact for the next 100 years. Legacy gifts to Yeshivah of Flatbush can take many forms, including cash (outright gifts), stock or mutual funds, bequests, as well as insurance or retirement funds. Outright Gift To ensure the most immediate use and benefit, we encourage donors to consider an outright payment(s) to the Flatbush Forever Fund which is an Unrestricted Board Designated Endowment. Transfer of Stocks or Mutual Funds Transferring appreciated shares of stock or mutual funds directly to YOF’s endowment fund may entitle you to a charitable income tax deduction for the full current market value, without paying the capital gains tax on the appreciation. Bequest The simplest way to ensure that you provide for the people and charitable institutions that you hold dear is to make a provision for them in your will. To leave a bequest to YOF, please share the following language with your legal and professional advisors: I specifically bequeath $____ or ____ % of my gross estate to The Yeshivah of Flatbush, 975A East 13th street, Brooklyn, NY 11230. EIN 11-1630915.

BENEFACTORS ($100,000+)

Reneé and Steven Adelsberg Anonymous Joe and Trina Cayre Foundation Suzanne and Dr. Lawrence A”H Fishman Dr. Ira H. Gewolb A”H Shifra and Ezra Hanon and Family Renee and Albert Laboz Marlene and Hymie Mamiye Stephanie and Jack Mosseri Adele and Louis J. Shamie The Wichs Family

PILLARS ($72,000+) Morris Hanan and Sons Oved Family Terry and Isaac Silvera

CHAMPIONS ($50,000+)

Anonymous Anonymous Blumenthal Family Gail and Josef Chehebar Claire and Robert Frastai Marjorie and Jack J. Gindi Hidrock Properties Raquel and Albert Pardo Sarah Shamah Foundation Helene and Alan Shamah and Family Susan and Sam Shamie Beatrice and Jeffrey Sutton Triangle Capital Group Nathalie and Mitchell Vilinsky

Life Insurance Designate Yeshivah of Flatbush as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.

SCHOLARS ($36,000+)

Retirement Funds Designate Yeshivah of Flatbush as an unconditional beneficiary of your retirement plan (e.g., 401K). If you are 70½ or older you may transfer funds directly from Individual Retirement Accounts to Yeshivah of Flatbush, free from federal income tax. There may also be state income tax savings.

AMBASSADORS ($25,000+)

To make a legacy gift for the Flatbush Forever Fund, please contact Hila Stern, Director of Development, at hstern@flatbush.org or call 718.377.4040 x110.

Lisa and Lee Cohen Lisa and Joseph Jemal Ronit and Hagai Laniado

Anonymous Avital and Jacob Cohen Sarah and Salomon Harari

LEADERS ($18,000+)

Tamar and Dov Deutsch Haddad Brands Family Foundation Khezrie Family Nina and Michael Shamah Shari and Saul Tawil

PATRONS ($10,000+)

Anonymous Benzaken Family Maggie and Elliot Betesh Elizabeth and Joe Braha Rabbi Marvin Chertok and Family Ninette and Raymond Cohen Amy and Steven A. Sasson Pauline and Moey Shabot SUMMER 2022 |

Annually Named Programs We are pleased to continue with our donor recognition program that acknowledges the important role of our major donors in advancing the YOF mission. The Annual Naming Program for ANNUAL DONORS of $26,000 and above is filled with many exciting and robust offerings. The donors below have made annual gifts and dedicated the following programs:

PILLARS ($72,000+) THE NAOMI HOULLOU A”H LADIES AUXILIARY Dedicated by Avi Houllou ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT Dedicated by Avital and Jacob Cohen

CHAMPIONS ($50,000+) DR. ALBERT MONTAGUE A”H STEM INSTITUTE Dedicated by Julie and Steven Montague ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATH DEPARTMENT Dedicated by Sarah and Salomon Harari

PARENT SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP Dedicated in honor of Esther & Jack A. Hidary POLAND HERITAGE TRIP Dedicated by Rachel and Jeff Sutton

AMBASSADORS ($26,000+) ARCHON SERVICE SOCIETY ASSEMBLY NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION CEREMONY Dedicated by the Hanan Family

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEFILLAH PROGRAM Dedicated in Memory of Ralph J. Harary A”H

COOKING FOR A CAUSE Dedicated in honor of Marlene and Steven R. Shamah

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOYS & GIRLS JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM Dedicated by Sarah and Salomon Harari

THE NAOMI HOULLOU A"H LADIES AUXILIARY TEFILLAH PROGRAM Dedicated by Maggie and Elliot Betesh Foundation

JBHS BOYS & GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAMS Dedicated by the Oved Family

EARLY CHILDHOOD PKRE READING IN PAJAMAS Dedicated by Terry and Isaac Silvera in honor of their daughter Victoria

JBHS HISTORY DEPARTMENT Dedicated by the Bailey, Jerome and Horovits Families YOM HA’ATZMAUT CELEBRATION Dedicated by the Mamiye Family

SCHOLARS (36,000+) FLATBUSH FAMILY SHABBATON Dedicated by Haddad Brands Family Foundation JBHS EVENING OF THE ARTS Dedicated by Trina and Joe Cayre and Family NEW ORLEANS CHESED MISSION Dedicated by Steven Montague in Honor of His Wife Julie

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PATHFINDERS CURATED SPEAKER SERIES Dedicated by Triangle Capital Group

Y E S H I VA H O F F L AT B US H

FIRST GRADE CHAGIGAT SIDDUR Dedicated in honor of the First Grade Students and their Tefilot by the Shamie Family GRANDPARENTS’ DAY Dedicated by Sharon and Michael Haddad and Nellie and David Haddad NAMES, NOT NUMBERS© Dedicated by Dr. Lawrence A”H and Suzanne Fishman Holocaust Education Fund PEGASUS LITERATURE & ART MAGAZINE Dedicated by Laura and Joe R. Tawil WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL CARNIVAL Dedicated in Memory of Albert Montague A”H

Annual Donors We would like to recognize the generous contribution made by our Annual Donors to our Yeshivah.

PILLARS ($72,000+)

Avital and Jacob Cohen Sarah and Salomon Harari Harary, Beyda, and Sassoon Family Claudia and Avi Houllou Adele and Louis Shamie

CHAMPIONS ($50,000+)

Anonymous Lillian and Joey M. Allaham The Bailey, Jerome And Horovits Families The Fouerti Family Ralph S. Gindi Foundation Haddad Brands Family Foundation Limor and Dr. Ralph Madeb The Mamiye Foundation / Marlene & Hymie Mamiye Julie and Steven Montague The Oved Family Debbie and Jack Saadia

SCHOLARS (36,000+)

Joe and Trina Cayre Foundation I. Chera & Sons Foundation Hidrock Properties The Judaica Mall LLC. Dr. Isaac Madeb Robyn and Seymour Sammell Helene and Alan Shamah Sally and Joey Shamah Terry and Ike Silvera Rachel and Jeff Sutton Triangle Capital Group

AMBASSADORS ($26,000+)

Maggie and Elliot Betesh Foundation Lisa and Lee Cohen Alice and Steven Goldman Sharon & Michael Haddad, Nellie & David Haddad Morris Hanan & Sons HIS International Tammi and Solomon Mosseri Nakash Family Foundation Nicole and Darren Oved Marlene & Steven R. Shamah and Family Betty and Joseph Sitt Morgan and Abraham Sultan Laura and Joe R. Tawil

LEADERS ($18,000+)

Reneé and Steven Adelsberg Alice and Harry Adjmi Victoria and Jack Aini Yafit and Yousef Althkefati Bella and Albert Bukai Sol Betesh & Sons Foundation Chehebar Family Foundation Frieda and Joseph Franco Raquel and Joe A. Franco Lillian and Eli Haddad Michelle and Victor Hakim Diana and Joseph Hedaya Sally and Zouki Jaradeh Amy and Steven Sasson Sdi Technologies / Ihome Jamie And Mickey Shamah and Sons Rachel and Morris Tabush Nathalie and Mitchell Vilinsky

PATRONS ($10,000+)

Odette and Nathan Accad Gladys and Richard Adjmi Vicky and Abe M. Anteby Racquel and Bobby Ashkenazi Amy and Joseph Betesh Elliot & Raymond Betesh & Family Chalmé Family - Elliot R. Chalmé Foundation Gail and Jojo Chehebar Mazie & Eddie Chehebar Lori and Harold Dweck Freda and Zeke Faham Ninette and Jaret Feldman Franco Foundation Sarah and Jack Franco Adele and Dr. David Khaski Rachel and Morris Lincer Sarah and Albert Maleh Rachel and Ricky Novick Ami and Ralph J. Sasson Elaine and Nathan Shalom Freda and Alberto Smeke Raquel and Raymond Srour Gail and Saul Tawil Jeanne and Ralph Zirdok SUMMER 2022 |

PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

BROOKLYN, NY PERMIT NO. 1110

Yeshivah of Flatbush Executive Office 975 E 13th Street Brooklyn, NY 11230

Mazel Tov & Mabrook! JBHS

SS OF G CLA N I T A GRADU

2022

ARY EMENT YOF EL S OF 2022 LAS TING C RADUA

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Yeshivah of Flatbush | www.flatbush.org

ALUMNI NAME AND YEAR