Learning With and From Rabbi Eliach YOFHS’s principal emeritus

Learning With —and From — Rabbi Eliach

The Yeshivah of Flatbush’s Principal Emeritus, Rabbi Dr. David Eliach, has been teaching continuously since 1953. Here at YOF, we are blessed that he continues to share his never-ending knowledge with our faculty members, even during these hard times that require some form of remote learning.

Rabbi Eliach was insistent that his learning sessions would continue by phone during the pandemic rules of social distancing. There were ten teachers studying with him during 30-minute sessions every week during spring remote learning. “I feel it is important to guide the teachers, especially the new teachers, to learn the better methods of teaching, to take the same thing that you are teaching and teach it in a new and relevant way to the kids,” explained Rabbi Eliach.

Middle School Judaic Studies Chair Rabbi Avraham Benhamu and his daughter, Elementary School faculty member Evelyn Benhamu, met with Rabbi Eliach singly for private phone sessions. Continuing to meet with Rabbi Eliach in at least some fashion gave Rabbi Benhamu a sense of stability. “He is the one who insisted that the program continue during the virus outbreak,” said Rabbi Benhamu. “He always asks what you want to learn about—he always has something ready to teach or analyze. You can ask him about anything.”

“To me, Rabbi Eliach is synonymous with YOF,”

expressed Head of High School Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari, who attended YOFHS at the time when Rabbi Eliach was principal. He shared that Rabbi Eliach taught him the importance of being able to summarize a lesson in one sentence, and that a teacher has to motivate students first before jumping into a new lesson. “I learned to use the blackboard as real estate that needed to be used strategically to both map out and summarize the lesson at hand.” The lessons of Torah “need to be digestible and relatable to students,” added Rabbi Harari, and explained how teachers can take “kernels of thought” from what Rabbi Eliach shares with them and create their own successful teaching methods.

Sometimes, an informal meeting can prove to be filled with learning too. “I was privileged to accompany Rabbi Eliach for breakfast each week he was at the high school this past school year. He always has words of Torah insights, offers pedagogical methodology, and useful suggestions to share,” said YOFHS Assistant Administrator Rabbi David Galpert.

Middle School Teacher Rabbi Shlomie Felendler has been learning with Rabbi Eliach for the past three years. “Rabbi Eliach always gives me valuable pointers…it amazes me how, as settings change, and the environment is different, Rabbi Eliach goes back to the same foundational principles (of teaching) and he is able to masterfully show how these still apply.”

Seventh grade Chidon HaTanach honors class instructor Mrs. Emunah Tsaidi began meeting with Rabbi Eliach in the fall of 2019. “Rabbi Eliach’s insight into the text and how to teach Tanach in a dynamic way is something I always appreciate,” expressed Mrs. Tsaidi. One of the most important things she learned from Rabbi Eliach was that “The teacher is an actress—even your tone has to change when you read certain passages of Tanakh to the class. Some psukim are best read in a whisper.”

Dear Flatbush Family,

We recently welcomed 2,058 students back through our doors, and we look forward to coming through these past few months as a stronger, more resilient community. Elul was a month of reflection, and as we celebrated the High Holy Days, we thought about the people and institutions that shaped our lives.

To celebrate his 98th birthday on the 18th of Elul, the Alumni Association decided to dedicate the annual Kol Nidrei Alumni Appeal to Rabbi Dr. David Eliach, Principal Emeritus of Joel Braverman High School. Rabbi Eliach came to YOF in 1953 as a teacher and went on to serve as principal, educating and shaping generations of YOF students. Since retiring from the classroom, he continues to make an impact on the Yeshivah of Flatbush Family, and currently mentors several teachers who bring the lessons they learn from him into their modern-day classrooms.

Rabbi Eliach believes deeply, as we do, that tuition affordability should not be a barrier to families accessing quality Jewish education. Last

year, our Yeshivah awarded $11,962,648 in tuition assistance to 818 students from 452 families. The pandemic had a tremendous impact on our community, with tuition assistance requests totaling almost

$15,000,000. We are dedicated to supporting our families, but we can’t do it alone. Tuition fees don’t cover the cost of educating a child; we rely on our alumni to help us fill the gap.

In honor of Rabbi Eliach birthday’s and his commitment to YOF for the past 67 years, please consider a donation in support of the YOF

Scholarship Fund. You can also add a note to him, which will be included in a book as a gift to him. If you prefer making your donation online, you can do so at https://tinyurl.com/YOFKolNidrei.

From your Yeshivah of Flatbush Family, we wish you and your loved ones a שנה טובה ומתוקה —a happy, sweet and healthy New Year!

Sincerely,

Abie J. Hidary (ES ’91, HS ’95) President Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Rothman Executive Director Hila Stern Director of Development

For the past 50 years, I have saved for a gift that I was planning to leave to the Yeshivah after I am gone. I had time to think the past few months, and I know the need is tremendous now, so I decided to give it while I am still alive and can help.

— Rabbi Dr. David Eliach, August 14, 2020

To purchase a copy of Rabbi Eliach’s new book of poems, (“Shurot”), שורות please visit tinyurl.com/YOFKolNidrei

To send your donation to the Scholarship Fund, along with birthday wishes for Rabbi Eliach, please detach the cards at right, fold in half, and place in an envelope.

Mail to us at:

YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH C/O DEVELOPMENT OFFICE 919 EAST 10TH STREET BROOKLYN, NY 11230

If you prefer to make your donation online, you can do so at

https://tinyurl.com/YOFKolNidrei

Yeshivah of Flatbush 919 East 10th Street Brooklyn, NY 11230

Congratulations

Graduates!

Although graduation looked different this year for our Joel Braverman High School and Elementary School graduates, it was no less impactful. Students and parents gathered at MCU Park and celebrated together in the best and safest way that they could. We are so proud of our graduates and wish them the best of luck in all of their endeavors.