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YOFHS’ respected Tsei U’Lemad program that offers independent study on dozens of topics, is now legally trademarked for educational services as owned by the Yeshivah of Flatbush. It is the first federally-registered trademark ever received by YOF.

Tsei U’lemad is a Talmudic term that means “go out and learn.” This supplemental program offers students a variety of independent study courses each semester that encourage them to go beyond their typical class studies and delve into new subjects that interest them.

The process began when Tsei U’Lemad Principles of Intellectual Property teacher, Mr. Gaston Kroub (ES 1990, HS 1994), asked his class to start thinking about branding and protecting a brand as a means of generating value for businesses of all types. First, they established that YOF had no other trademarks on record, then they analyzed what existing common law trademarks of YOF could or should be federally registered.

Next, a small group of students, spearheaded by Jacques Douek and Marilyn Shasho, volunteered to acquire information on how to get something registered as a federal trademark. After deciding on the term “Tsei U’Lemad”, they had to prove to the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) the first time the term was ever used in connection with offering educational services. Enter Pathfinders Program Director Mrs. Shifra Hanon, who unearthed a school letter from

GO OUT AND LEARN

approximately 15 years ago that referenced “Tsei U’Lemad”. Armed with this tangible proof, the class was able to file the trademark application in the fall of 2019.

A few months later, the trademark office contacted Mr. Kroub to say that it still needed further proof of Tsei U’Lemad’s first usage. Again, Mrs. Hanon came to the class’s rescue and found the term in a course catalog from 2011. As is common, the class and Mr. Kroub then responded to the USPTO with this new evidence of use. The course catalog was accepted as clear evidence of use by the USPTO right around the time inperson classes were suspended, and Mr. Kroub notified his class of the office’s allowance of the trademark registration on June 23, 2020.

“We were excited to see the fruits of our labor,” said Mr. Kroub. “The support of (Executive Director) Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Rothman and the YOFHS principals was greatly appreciated, and really helped us get it done.”

Now, Tsei U’Lemad® is a federally registered trademark owned by YOF, which means that YOF has to give permission for another school to use the term before it can be used elsewhere.

In the end, Mr. Kroub added, “This project really embodied the spirit of Tsei U’Lemad – challenging ourselves to never stop learning, while having the courage to use what we learn to accomplish new things for the betterment of others.”

Trips to the Met

Six junior Jewish History classes received an interactive experience in ancient art this past year. YOFHS signed on with Mr. Nachliel Selavan of Torah Intermedia for “Judea Under Rome and Byzantium” guided tours of the Roman galleries at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr. Selavan cleverly juxtaposes the timeline of Jewish history with the events and conquerors of ancient Rome from the 1st century BCE until the 7th century CE. Mrs. Miriam Wielgus and Mrs. Michal Schulman led their Jewish history classes on these educational outings.

“The tours are wildly entertaining. Students get a feel for the era and learn about the challenges Jews faced during the time period,” said Mrs. Wielgus.

During the tour, Mr. Selavan incorporated humor, riddles and questions to make learning into an amusing game and sent students on scavenger hunts to find the busts of Roman emperors Augustus, Hadrian and Caligula. He asked students to find Byzantine coins with the image of the Bet Hamikdash, carved scenes of Yonah and the fish, gladiator artifacts, altars and Jewish limestone ossuaries. The class scattered to find everything, learning about additional artifacts in the process. They were surprised to learn that many Jewish slaves who were sent to Rome helped build the Colosseum.

“I believe that most students learn better in a fun, relaxed setting. Museums are informal learning environments that allow students to gain information without even realizing it!” expressed Mrs. Schulman.

“We hope to make these trips a part of the regular Jewish history curriculum because Mr. Selavan’s tours are relevant, meaningful and exciting for our students,” added Mrs. Wielgus.