Fall 2014 - American Hebrew Academy

HaGesher ‫הגשר‬
American Hebrew Academy - An International Jewish College Prep Boarding School
haldi
Inside HaGesher
Summer 2014 / 5774 ‫קיץ‬, Volume 10, Issue 4
The American Hebrew Academy’s Newsletter
Four Scholarships Announced
To Support New Students
2
A Postcard form Israel
4
Learning Never Stops
4
Four Corners
Tzedakah Fund
The Marie & Ronald Berman
Scholarship for Excellence
The Shepard Broad
Foundation Scholarship
5
New Faculty and Staff
6
2014-2015
Academy Fellows
8
Where Are They Now?
8
Quotable Quote
9
What The Academy
Means To Me
This
scholarship
was
established to recognize the
diversity of talents possessed
by new Academy students.
It provides the opportunity
for the Academy to motivate
and inspire students to excel
academically as well as to
cultivate
leadership
skills
and character development.
Students who require financial
assistance to attend the
Academy should consider
applying for this special
scholarship. This scholarship
is named in honor of Marie
and Ronald Berman whose
commitment
to
education
and the Jewish people is an
inspiration to their family.
The
Shepard
Broad
Foundation Scholarship was
created to support families
with limited financial resources
from Miami, across Florida and
throughout the Southeastern
United States, who value the
unique Jewish boarding school
experience offered by the
Academy. Students seeking to
further their education, develop
Jewish communal leadership
and who meet the geographic
criteria, may apply for this
generous grant.
Shepard
Broad was a Jewish immigrant
from Belarus who rose to
become a highly successful
banker, lawyer, real estate
10 Shana Tova Greetings
12 This I Believe
13
News, Notes &
Nachas
15
Academy Student At
NASA
15
Energy Efficiency on
Campus
16 We Get Mail
18
2014-2015 Academy
Theatre Season
Important Dates:
Aug 18 New Student
Move-In
The outstanding success of
Academy students continues
to inspire new philanthropic
supporters, who wish to
ensure the gift of an Academy
education is accessible to
future students who cannot
otherwise afford the full cost of
tuition. The Academy’s Office
of Institutional Development
is pleased to announce the
establishment of four new
scholarships which will serve
and enable the Academy’s
international student body to
grow and thrive.
Development of the Dr. Charlotte Frank
Center for Plant Science and
Ecology Continues On Schedule
Aug 19 New Student
Orientation
Aug 20 Returning Student
Move-In
Aug 21 All Student
Orientation
Aug 22 First Day of School
HaGesher
The American Hebrew Academy
This past spring the Academy
Newsletter
Volume 11, Issue 1
Contact us at:
[email protected]
Editorial Staff:
Glenn Drew, Ellen Green,
Richard Smith, Phil Cathcart
Photographs courtesy of:
Andrew Bowen, Rachel Ripps
continued on page 3
announced the establishment
of the Dr. Charlotte Frank
Center for Plant Science
and
Ecology
which
will
create a new laboratory and
experimental learning facility
to advance the study of botany
and ecology. The lab will also
showcase Israel’s leading work
within these fields from both a
scientific
and
practical
application
perspective.
The project includes the
development of approximately
1000 square feet in the
Academy’s
Lab
Science
Building and new curriculum,
furthering
the
Academy’s
environmental mission and
leadership as the only Jewish
Green Ribbon school in the
United States. This project
would not be possible without
the vision and generosity of Dr.
Charlotte Frank.
the new center, travelled to
Israel to meet with partners
who have agreed to assist the
Academy in the development
of the laboratory space as well
as ongoing experimentation
projects for students that will be
conducted for research. Once
completed, faculty biologist,
Louise Crown will oversee the
center’s operations.
In addition to engineers and
designers helping to create
the new lab space, numerous
educators and scientists have
also agreed to assist in this
unique project including Dr.
Over the summer, Glenn Drew, Danny Chamovitz, Dean of
Academy Executive Director, the Biology Department and
who conceived of the idea for Director of the Manna Center
continued on page 3
American Hebrew Academy - An International Jewish College Prep Boarding School
A Postcard from Israel
2
American Hebrew Academy
Governance
Founder
Chico Sabbah, z’’l
1929-2006
Board of Trustees
Leeor Sabbah, Chair
New York, New York
Glenn Drew, Executive Director
and General Counsel
Greensboro, North Carolina
Marsha Cohen
Washington, DC
Joel Fleishman
Durham, North Carolina
Douglas Greene
Potomac, Maryland
Larry Heyman
New York, New York
Bonnie Lipton
Chicago, Illinois
Jehuda Reinharz, Ph.D.
Waltham, Massachusetts
Scott Shay
New York, New York
Michael Steinhardt
New York, New York
Abe D. Tawil, MBA, MA, MD, JD
New York, New York
Joseph Weilgus
New York, New York
Academic Advisory Board
Joel Fleishman, Co-Chair
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
Lee Shulman, Co-Chair
Stanford University
Carnegie Foundation for the
Advancement of Teaching
Stanford, California
Sharon Feiman-Nemser
Brandeis University
Waltham, Massachusetts
Rabbi Daniel Gordis, Ph.D.
Shalem Foundation
Jerusalem, Israel
Christoph Guttentag
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
Ira M. Miller
Ramaz School
New York, New York
Samuel S. Wineburg, Ph.D.
Stanford University
Stanford, California
Dear Academy Friends and
Supporters,
Just a few weeks ago, I travelled
to Israel as I often do, to work
on curriculum development,
research sources for our new
Plant Science and Ecology
Laboratory project and organize
our
students
forthcoming
Semester in Israel program in
which we hope to further our
students understanding of the
modern state. I’ve been blessed
to have travelled to Israel more
times than I can remember since
my youth, but each visit brings
with it new experiences, new
friends and new perspectives.
This most recent visit was no
different. Just days after arriving
in Jerusalem, three Israeli
teenagers were kidnapped and
later found murdered, which
sparked the ongoing hostilities
we have all recently witnessed
on television.
On the evening that the tragic
news was announced, I found
myself at dinner with Jewish
and Arab friends. Close friends
for whom I have deep affection.
Unlike the images we see or the
stories we read in the press, there
is within Israel a strong society
of peaceful, loving people, Jews
and Arabs, who refuse to be
enemies, and who despite their
difficulties, all learn to accept
but don’t necessarily understand
why they cannot live without war.
As an American Jew there is so
much to be proud of when you
are in Israel. But you are often
blind to the cultural differences
that distinguish you from Israeli
Jew, religious or secular, Israeli
Arab, Christian or Muslim, or
Palestinian, until war erupts. It
is then that you recognize the
importance of Zionism, not only
as a movement but as a means
to survival. It is then that you
recognize the human suffering
that is nondiscriminatory and it
is then that you recognize that
“rules of war” are an oxymoron.
Whether you find yourself on
the political side of the doves or
the hawks is of no matter. The
debate will certainly continue
but we must not forget that since
1948, Israel and its people,
Jew, Christian and Arab have
never known peace. Israel’s
army has never stepped down
from its defensive posture. As
an American this is difficult to
comprehend. While the United
States has continuously sent our
soldiers to foreign shores, our
land has not known war since
1865. We don’t wake up each
morning thinking about living in
peace and security.
Since the Academy’s founding
14 years ago, we remain the
only Jewish school in the
United States that has made
participation in our Semester
in Israel program a mandatory
requirement for graduation. And
we have gone to great lengths
to insure that no student of the
Academy will ever be denied
this opportunity regardless of
a family’s financial need. We
believe, notwithstanding all of
the exceptional programs the
Academy provides, there is no
single experience greater than
being in Israel to instill one’s
Jewish identity; a group activity
that becomes a lifelong personal
journey. And so when war erupts
in Israel, as it has four times
during the Academy’s history, I
find myself once again explaining
why being in Israel is so critically
important, the extensive safety
measures we take in our
planning and the transformative
impact we know this experience
has on every student. As I wrote
again this summer to parents
and students about current
hostilities, I recognized that the
content of my letter has not
changed since 2001, only the
dates, and I asked myself, will
this ever end? Throughout our
history, the Academy has never
cancelled a class trip to Israel
and only once postponed and
rescheduled the trip due to acts
of war and terrorism.
Israelis and Americans are
different. In the diaspora,
we are troubled by a Jewish
homeland we support but whose
government refuses to recognize
the legitimacy of pluralistic
Judaism or the conversion
of non-orthodox Jews. And
yet Israel encourages, in fact
depends upon the support of
all Jews and welcomes them
to her borders. It is a strange
dichotomy but it is for now,
reality. At times such as this, we
stand united recognizing that
our own differences can be set
aside for another day when our
very existence as a people is
once again placed in jeopardy
and the lives of so many remain
in harm’s way.
B’Shalom,
Glenn A. Drew
Executive Director &
General Counsel
Summer 2014 / 5774 ‫קיץ‬
Volume 10, Issue 4
Four Scholarships Announced, continued
developer and philanthropist.
He was a personal friend and
advisor to David Ben Gurion
and played a pivotal role in the
founding of the State of Israel.
Zachary Shporer Memorial
Scholarship Fund
Zachary Shporer z”l, was
a 2011 graduate of the
American Hebrew Academy,
who fought a courageous
battle with Leukemia. This
scholarship was established
to honor Zachary’s memory.
Zachary was a true leader,
serving as Academy class
president, captain of the track
team and a board member of
the Academy’s Four Corners
Tzedakah Fund. He had an
innate strength of character
and a passion for Judaism.
His courage, compassion
and kindness were truly
inspirational. New students
who have made a difference
in their communities as
volunteers, working to make
the world a better place
may be selected for this
scholarship. The Zachary
Shporer Memorial Scholarship
will be supported by an annual
gift from the student organized
and managed Four Corners
Tzedakah Fund.
The Gordon Zacks
Scholarship for Student
Leadership Initiatives
3
commitment to improving the
local and global communities
in which they are involved.
This scholarship pays tribute
to the memory of Gordon
Zacks z”l, and was established
through the generosity of
Gordy's friends and family.
Gordon Zacks was a Jewish
industrialist,
philanthropist,
political activist, an author
and advisor to three U.S.
Presidents and five Israeli
Prime Ministers. During his
visits to the Academy, Gordy
became a true friend and
mentor to students. Recipients
of
the
Gordon
Zacks
Scholarship are entrusted to
fulfill the legacy of leadership
epitomized by Mr. Zacks.
the
donors
past
and
present who,
through their
generosity
and ongoing
commitment, have made
these and other scholarships
available.
Named scholarships can
be created beginning at
fifty
thousand
dollars.
Supporters who have interest
in establishing a named
scholarship are welcome
to contact Glenn Drew,
Executive Director. Flexible
payment options and honors
are easily managed to meet
the needs of all families.
This scholarship recognizes
new students who have made
significant contributions to
their communities as volunteer
leaders. These students are
Please CLICK HERE to see all
extraordinary; inspiring us The Academy expresses its of the Academy scholarships
with their perseverance and deepest gratitude to all of which have been established.
Dr. Charlotte Frank Center for Plant Science and Ecology, continued
Mr. Drew visited the Arava Institute for
Environmental Studies located north of Eilat.
for Plant Biosciences and
Program in Food Security at
Tel Aviv University and Dr. Eric
Brenner, Professor of Biology
Red Algae farm located at Kibbutz Ketura.
Red Algae is a natural ingredient used in the
manufacturing of cosmetics and fed to salmon
farms which turns the fish pink in color.
at New York University and
former curator at the New
York Botanical Garden. In
September, Mr. Drew will
A Siemens Energy engineer shows Mr. Drew the
power sub-station which converts and transfers
solar power back to the grid.
be meeting with curators at foodstuffs
with
minimal
Disney’s EPCOT Center who amounts of water, soil and
have created an experimental space.
indoor nursery to grow
Shana Tova from all of us at the American Hebrew Academy!
American Hebrew Academy - An International Jewish College Prep Boarding School
4
The Learning Never Stops: Academy Faculty Use
Summer Recess to Further Their Professional Development
tell you that teaching is an art,
not a science!
To better understand the depth
to which our teachers go and
the seriousness to which they
dedicate themselves, we are
proud to share a sampling of
the professional development
work undertaken this summer.
Feeling perhaps a bit like a
fish out of water, Academy
faculty members take it upon
themselves to return to the
classroom each summer,
and by doing so, become
students themselves. The
Academy’s
mission
for
academic excellence is one
not only learned by students
but mentored by faculty. While
visitors to our campus are
taken aback by the beautiful
facilities and grounds, our
board recognizes that the
Academy’s greatest asset
is our faculty and staff.
Accordingly, a significant
budget
is
allocated
to
encourage faculty and staff
to “continuously learn” and
improve, seeking new and
exciting ways to hone their
craft and inspire their students.
After all, master teachers will
• Social
Studies
Dept.
Chair Charles Newell,
attended
the
Gilder
Lehman Seminar on U.S.
Foreign Relations taught
by Robert Hutchings,
Former Ambassador at
Large to George H.W.
Bush. Mr. Newell was
one of only twenty-five
selected out of one
hundred applicants to
attend this course.
• Mental Health counselor
Kathy Pinyan logged over
fifty hours of training in
the areas of Wellness,
Anger
Management,
Ethics and Boundary
Issues, Grief Treatment,
Crisis Intervention and
Behavioral Therapy.
• Eva Turner, Social Studies
Teacher completed the
A.P. summer institute
for U.S. History at Wake
Forest University.
• Dr. Sankaran and Dr.
Mandel attended the
Center
for
Initiatives
in
Jewish
Education
engineering workshop in
New York, which focused
on engineering design,
biomedicine and hands
on applications with the
Arduino microcontroller
and sensors.
• Dr.
Scott
Culclasure
of the Social Studies
Department, completed
the A.P. Microeconomics
and
Macroeconomics
workshop
taught
at
Davidson College
by
Professor Clark Ross,
who developed the A.P.
Economics curriculum.
• Athletic trainer and coach
Danielle Ross attended
the
National
Athletic
Trainers
Association
(NATA) Clinical Symposia
in
Indianapolis.
The
conference focused on
concussion management,
strategies to prevent
shoulder injuries and heat
and hydration protocol.
At the conclusion of
the event Mrs. Ross’
husband, Dr. Scott Ross
was named one of only
forty-seven distinguished
Fellows of the NATA.
• Science teacher Rinku
Mitra,
attended
the
A.P. Biology workshop
at
Davidson
College
which
included
lab
sessions,
investigative
skill development and
training to help students
meet
College
Board
expectations.
Congratulations to all of these
teachers for their commitment
to self improvement and their
profession, all of which directly
benefit Academy students.
Check out the upcoming Academy Theatre Season on Pg. 18!
Four Corners Tzedakah Fund Continues Jewish Tradition
A student initiative, the Four
Corners Tzedakah Fund, is
a student led, student run
philanthropic fund of the
American Hebrew Academy.
It was created to harness
the energy of students in
performing mitzvoth, while
learning about fundraising,
philanthropy
and
project
management. In the past
five years, the Four Corners
Tzedakah
Fund
has
distributed
almost
fifty
thousand dollars to charities
which
students
have
researched and selected as
recipients. During the spring
of each year, student body
voting takes place to allocate
the funds raised to the
charities most favored.
For the 2014-2015 academic
year,
the
Academy
congratulates
Charlie
Freedman, Allison Naude,
Sophie Goldstein, Abigail
Shay, Gilly Blais, Elana Fauth
and Rachel Sharkey on being
elected to the Four Corners
Tzedakah Fund board.
Summer 2014 / 5774 ‫קיץ‬
Volume 10, Issue 4
New Members Join Academy’s Esteemed Faculty & Staff
The Academy is proud to
welcome new faculty and staff
members for the 2014-2015
academic year. Together,
they join an outstanding
group of people dedicated to
the Academy’s mission, its
students and their families.
Rabbi Jeffrey Amshalem:
Rabbi Amshalem is a graduate
of the Pardes Institute for
Jewish Studies Educators
Program in Jerusalem. He
holds Masters’ Degrees in
Jewish Thought from Ben
Gurion University and in
Bible and Pedagogy from
Hebrew College in Boston,
and a Bachelor of Arts
Degree from the University
of Massachusetts. He has
taught high school students at
The Weber School in Atlanta,
Young Judea Year Course
in Israel, and The Heschel
School in New York.
Louise Crown: Ms. Crown
hails from Liverpool, England.
She will be teaching Biology
and overseeing the new
Plant Science and Ecology
Laboratory space now under
development.
Ms. Crown
earned a Master’s Degree
in Secondary Science from
Lancaster University and
her undergraduate degree in
Biology & Psychology from
John Moores University. In
2010 and 2011, she was
named Teacher of the Year
in Guilford County and is an
expert in Science Curriculum
design.
Crystal Flynn: Executive
Assistant to the Executive
Director. Ms. Flynn is a
highly experienced executive
assistant having previously
supported the Head of School
at Caldwell Academy for five
years. While at Caldwell,
she also worked extensively
with their Board of Directors.
Crystal holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business
Administration from Winthrop
University and a Master’s
Degree in Marketing Research
from the University of Georgia.
Jamie Kolb: Husband to
Social Studies teacher and
Houseparent Eva Turner,
Mr. Kolb joins the Facilities
Department team and is
already a familiar presence
on campus. Mr. Kolb is an
accomplished artist and holds
a Fine Arts degree in Sculpture
from Texas State University.
Jeremy Lane: With both
a Master’s and Bachelor’s
Degree in Mathematics from
Appalachian State University,
Mr. Lane joins the Math
Department from Winston
Salem State University.
Darrell
McDonald:
Mr.
McDonald has been named
the Academy’s new Chief of
Security Operations. With over
twenty years of experience
with the Greensboro Police
Department as a detective,
a member of the Criminal
Intelligence Squad and a
graduate of Tennessee State
University, Mr. McDonald’s
extensive experience in threat
assessment and domestic
terrorism will serve the
Academy community well.
Jean Lojko: A Hall of Fame
and All American volleyball
and tennis coach, as well as
a lettered athlete in volleyball,
softball, basketball, tennis and
track & field in high school
and at the University of North
Carolina, Coach Lojko joins
the Academy from Greensboro
College where she is also
an associate professor of
Physical Education.
Andrew Mock: Mr. Mock
is a familiar face to many
at the Academy serving as
our musical accompanist for
many school performances.
Mr. Mock now joins the faculty
as our music teacher. Named
Arts Educator of the Year in
Guilford County, Mr. Mock
holds Bachelor’s and Master’s
Degrees in Music from the
University of North Carolina.
Mr. Mock also serves as
the accompanist at Temple
Emanuel
and
previously
taught in the public school
system and at High Point
University for thirty years.
David
Press:
Formerly
Director
of
Student
Programming at the Academy,
Mr. Press rejoins the staff
as Dean of Students. Most
recently, Mr. Press served
as
Director
of
Alumni
Relations at Alpha Epsilon
Pi, the international Jewish
fraternity. He earned his B.A.,
Magna Cum Laude, from the
University of Central Florida
where he also earned a
Master’s Degree in Non-Profit
Management.
He brings
ten years of professional
experience in the Jewish
community
working
with
teenagers.
Rachael Smith-Vaughan: As
the Academy’s new College
Counselor,
Ms.
SmithVaughan brings extensive
college counseling experience
as the senior director of
undergraduate admissions at
Bentley University in Boston;
as the College Guidance
Counselor at the American
School in Managua, Nicaragua
and as the Israel Programs
Director at the Central
Agency for Jewish Education,
Overland Park, Kansas. A
fluent Spanish speaker with
degrees in college counseling
from UCLA, a Master's
Degree in Education from
Framingham State College,
and a Bachelor's Degree
in Economics from Emory
University, Ms. Smith-Vaughan
looks forward to working
with Academy students and
advancing the work of our
College Counseling office to
the next level.
Jeffrey Spitzer: A master
teacher in the field of
Jewish Studies, Mr. Spitzer
joins us with over twentyfive years of teaching,
curriculum development and
administrative
experience
at Boston Hebrew College
and Gann Academy.
Mr.
Spitzer earned a B.A. in
Ancient Studies, Summa
Cum Laude, at Columbia;
a B.A. in Rabbinic Midrash
with distinction at Hebrew
University and a Master's
Degree in Philosophy and
Ancient Judaism at the Jewish
Theological Seminary.
Irvin
Williamson:
Mr.
Williamson joins the Academy
as a member of the Security
Department and assistant
athletic coach. Mr. Williamson
earned his Bachelor of Science
degree at the University of
North Carolina and has over
25 years in private industry
as a loss prevention officer,
juvenile counselor and coach.
He joins us most recently from
the Ralph Lauren Corporation.
Hillary
Zaken:
Director
of Communications.
Ms.
Zaken was raised in the
U.S., made aliyah in 1998
and most recently returned to
Greensboro to join her family.
She is fluent in Hebrew
and has been a journalist
at The Boston Globe, The
Washington Post and the
Times of Israel as well as
a freelance journalist for
the
British
Broadcasting
Corporation
(BBC),
The
Christian Science Monitor
and The Sunday Telegraph.
She is a graduate of Bard
College and worked towards
a Master's degree at Hebrew
University in Journalism.
5
American Hebrew Academy - An International Jewish College Prep Boarding School
6
fel-low| felō|
Noun - A recent college graduate, who lives on campus, serves as a member of a House Team and acts as a role model
for Academy students. Fellows an wear many hats, including but not limited to, planning fun community building
programs, helping to instill Jewish values throughout all aspects of campus, teaching in a classroom, being a surrogate older
sibling, giving unsolicited guidance and advice when necessary, chauffeuring, providing a shoulder and giving hugs,
demonstrating life skills such as doing laundry and ironing and most importantly, constantly seeking new ways to enhance
Academy life and support students. We are looking forward to welcoming this year’s new Fellows and our two returning
Fellows for the 2014-2015 academic year.
Nathan Brodsky – 2nd Year Fellow
From: Sarasota, Florida
College: Tulane University with a BS in Psychology and Jewish Studies and a BA in Anthropology
Interesting Facts: Nathan studied abroad in Beer Sheva, Israel and Melbourne, Australia, and was
able to accomplish a life goal of petting a kangaroo
Dena Kaye-Phillips
From: Providence, Rhode Island
College: Duke University, B.A. Psychology and Sociology
Interesting Facts: Dena is an identical twin who loves to sing, play tennis and watch movies. She once
traveled to 9 countries in a 4 month period while studying abroad during her junior year at Duke.
Stephanie Mandelblum
From: Caracas, Venezuela & Sarasota, Florida
College: University of Florida, B.A. Geography, Minor in Jewish Studies
Interesting Facts: Stephanie enjoys all sorts of travel, the arts, the Florida Gators and is most passionate
about educational equity. She is hoping to continue working in the field of education, and very excited to
begin the AHA Fellowship!
Summer 2014 / 5774 ‫קיץ‬
Volume 10, Issue 4
7
Joshua Satok
From: Toronto, Canada
College: Yale University, B.A. in Religious Studies
Interesting Facts: Josh is coming to AHA after finishing working at Camp Kadimah, a Jewish
camp in Nova Scotia, where he has worked for the past six summers. Like all good Canadians, his
favorite sport is Hockey, and he is still waiting, very patiently, for the day when the Toronto Maple
Leafs will finally win the Stanley Cup.
Michael Shapiro
From: Gaithersburg, Maryland
College: Lafayette College, B.A. in Government & Law and Religious Studies
Interesting Facts: Michael is a big basketball person with both national and international experience.
Michael coached the Northern Virginia 16U boys’ basketball team for two years in the JCC Maccabi
Games, which were held in Philadelphia and Houston respectively. As a former varsity player at Quince
Orchard High School, Michael was also selected to represent Team USA as a member of the 17U national
boys’ basketball team in the 2007 European Maccabi Games, held in Rome, Italy.
Andrew Shaw – 2nd Year Fellow
From: Davie, Florida
College: University of Florida, B.S. Business Administration-Management (with minors in Jewish
Studies and Leadership)
Interesting Facts: Andrew enjoys reading, writing, and making music. After college, Andrew spent
ten months volunteering in Israel. His favorite smell is pine, his favorite sound is rain, and his
favorite type of restaurant is a vegetarian Indian buffet.
Lincoln Sklar
From: Bridgeport, West Virginia
College: Ohio University where she majored in Journalism with a focus on Strategic Communications and
minored in Theater
Interesting Facts: Lincoln’s biggest loves are theater, cats and tea. This past spring, Lincoln directed her
first full musical, Spring Awakening: A New Musical, with the Lost Flamingo Company.
American Hebrew Academy - An International Jewish College Prep Boarding School
8
Where Are They Now:
Jerry Kurti, Class of 2009
challenges he faced at the
next level. In addition to the
“warm and inviting” Academy
world, Jerry says, “What I got
from [AHA] prepared me for
university…I felt I was the
most ready at my school. By
the end of the first year, I was
second in my class.”
By Dr. Richard Smith
When I spoke to Jerry Kurti
in the spring of 2014, he was
an excited young man, as he
had just arrived in Greensboro
after a long absence to
reconnect with his Academy
teachers and the friends he
had made in the community.
He was also excited as he had
been asked to address the
many important guests who
were gathered for a luncheon
to celebrate the 80th birthday
of Joel Fleishman, a founding
Board of Trustee member
and academic advisor to the
Academy.
The rest is, as they say, history.
Kurti graduated from CEU with
a BSc in Global Management
and boasted a 3.5 GPA (with
merit) from the college. Like
AHA, CEU featured small
classes, and Jerry “had to be
ready for class because of the
small sized classes which met
only once a week.”
Kurti comes from a business
oriented family which he
hopes, after gaining sufficient
experience, to join. His
father’s company is called
KURT, which means “French
horn” in Hungarian. Jerry’s
older brother Tom, who is
ten years older, is already
associated with the company.
The long term plan is for Jerry
to become part of KURT when
Though Jerry is by now he has gained five to six years
a college graduate, he is experience “abroad.”
still exuberant about his
preparation and experience As for now, Jerry is residing
at the American Hebrew with friends in the San
Academy on many different Francisco area and is hoping
levels. Other than a first-rate to become part of the “tech
secondary education, Jerry community” there.
received something more Kurti knows for sure that he
important. “I got my Jewish wants to work in something
identity at AHA. When I arrived with
a
management
here, I had none,” he said.
perspective, and he feels sure
But more than that, Jerry that things will fall into place
remembers
that
the for him. “I am at a very happy
academic component was place now. I don’t know what
very important, too. After the future holds. I know I can
graduating from the Academy, work in any industry,” he says.
Kurti went back to Hungary
to attend Central Europe
University in Budapest in
the fall of 2009. He recalls
that AHA put him on a firm
foundation for the academic
And for Jerry Kurti, it is not
hard to trace the source of
his current positioning back,
at least in part to the place
where he chose to attend high
school.
Original Artwork by: Gilly Blais '16
Quotable Quote:
At the Academy I’ve learned to value
my relationship with G-d. That isn’t
something I ever contemplated
before. I’m at peace with G-d but our
relationship is a struggle and I am
thankful for that because G-d will
always challenge me to be a better
person.
-Anonymous Student,
Class of 2014
Summer 2014 / 5774 ‫קיץ‬
Volume 10, Issue 4
What the Academy Means to Me
gypsy ways, while at the
same time considering me
foolish for not staying in one
place long enough to reap
those retirement benefits.
But I always stayed open to
the various opportunities that
were presented to me, and
trusted that each experience
would
prepare
me
for
whatever came next.
By Fenna Corry, Math Teacher
Then I did a complete
turnabout and spent ten years
in the corporate world while
living in Oregon, followed by
two years of tele-commuting
for that same company. But
teaching never left me. I
found opportunities to tutor
my employees (some of
whom were working towards
a GED or trying to go back to
college), or to tutor children of
my employees as a volunteer.
I found that I missed the
academic world, and was
delighted to venture back
into teaching in 2008 with
a position at the American
Hebrew Academy. I’m happy
to now be into my seventh year
here. And you know what?
Even though I had previously
felt like a wandering teacher,
arriving here felt like coming
home.
It feels as though I have
“been there, done that,”
with just about every type
of educational environment
available. I started out (many
years ago!) at an alternative
private school in South
Carolina, then worked as a
minority in a Hispanic middle
school in Albuquerque. I then
moved on to a large public
high school in North Carolina,
followed by several years at
a Quaker school, while at the
same time teaching at a private
college, and then a community
college, followed by another
year at a public high school.
All of this was followed by one
year as the math specialist at
a Montessori school, my only
year at the elementary level.
Whew! My colleagues, many
What are some of the things I
of them with the “I’m staying
appreciate about this school?
30 years in the same school
• The people here, students
and collecting my retirement”
and staff alike, have
mentality marveled at my
9
become like family. It’s
a
wonderful
support
system. I get to work with
interesting
colleagues,
and learn from them as
well as from the diverse
student body, who come
from all over the United
States and the world.
I’ve formed some lasting
relationships, and enjoy
staying in touch with some
of my former advisees
and students as they
venture into their next
experiences.
• Though there is stability
in our programs and
curriculum, there is also
much
thought
given
regularly
into
mixing
things up, expanding
on successes, as well
as learning from things
that might not have gone
so well. In other words,
our ideas are heard by
administrators, who are
often open to trying new
things. We are constantly
looking for ways to
improve what we do with
and for our students.
students to stretch beyond
academics. Seeing them
in various events is a
delight and allows me a
different perspective on
my students. I get very
emotional and proud
watching them.
• The facilities are amazing!
Just visit and you’ll see
for yourself. The campus
is beautiful, and allows for
plenty of opportunities to
walk between buildings.
I also love being able
to bike to work when
weather and daylight
permit, and to have a
number of colleagues
who also enjoy being able
to bike or walk to school.
• You might find this hard to
believe, but I appreciate
the school lunch. After
packing my lunch my entire
student and adult life (I’m
a picky vegetarian), I am
thrilled to have wonderful
options each day. A daily
salad bar and fruit bar
round out the other great
selections. The food goes
way beyond what might
be considered institutional
fare.
• You can bet that my public
school teacher friends,
who have to deal with
ever-increasing
class
sizes, are jealous of our
class size, ideally no more
than 12 students. This
ratio allows me to really
get to know my students
and how they think. There
Each morning when I unlock
is no hiding in classes this
my classroom door, I look at
small!
the way I have distinguished
• I love all the ways our that particular key from my
students have to express other keys. The small heart
themselves
beyond sticker on it is my daily
academics.
Student reminder of how much I love
productions,
student teaching, and how much
art work, sports teams, I appreciate the American
boating, the climbing wall Hebrew Academy. I truly have
(to name a few), allow our come home.
American Hebrew Academy - An International Jewish College Prep Boarding School
10
Shana Tova Greetings
‫שנה טובה‬
Sending Shana Tova greetings are a very thoughtful way to add an extra special dash of sweetness in the
lives of your family, friends, business associates and neighbors for the coming Jewish New Year. The
American Hebrew Academy is offering two options for you to acknowledge these special people in
celebration of Rosh Hashanah, while supporting the Academy’s Annual Giving Fund.
Option 1: A greeting card will be sent through the mail to anyone you wish to honor for a donation of $18.00
per card, 6 for $90 (1 card free), or 12 for $180 (2 cards free). Select your greeting(s) from the three cards
offered below; mixing & matching is encouraged. These beautiful photographs showcase the incredible
talents of just a few of our alumni & current students. Greeting A – A photograph of the fall scenery around
the American Hebrew Academy campus taken by Hannah Ripps ’12. Greeting B - A photograph taken in
Israel entitled Masada in the Morning by Sarah Chernys ’15 and Greeting C - A photograph taken in Israel
by Sarah Kusnitz’15 entitled Exploring the Desert. These beautiful photographs will be printed on cards
along with your personal message. (See the order form to purchase your greetings)
DEADLINE – SEPTEMBER 10, 2014.
Greeting A
‫שנה טובה‬
May You Be Inscribed for a
New Year Filled with Good Health,
Happiness and Peace
Greeting B
Greeting C
‫שנה טובה‬
‫שנה טובה‬
May Your New Year be Bright with
Good Health, Happiness and Peace
Wishing You a Sweet and
Happy New Year
Option 2: For thousands of years, the onset of fall has brought greetings of “Shana Tova – To a Good
Year” in Jewish communities everywhere. A fast and easy way to send Jewish New Year greetings to people
near and dear to you is in our special holiday edition of HaGesher filled with New Year Greetings and
mouth-watering holiday recipes. Samples of the types of greetings are shown below. CLICK HERE to view
the 5774 special edition Rosh Hashanah HaGesher. (See the order form to purchase an advertisement)
DEADLINE – SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
1. Select Greeting Size
□ $18 (1/16 page) □ $36 (1/8 page)
□ $54 (1/4 page)
□ $72 (1/2 page) □ $108 (Full)
A Happy and Healthy New Year
to everyone at the
American Hebrew Academy
Wishing family and friends
a very Happy New Year
The Baum Family
The Rosenberg Family
Shana Tova, Uncle Mordi,
May you have a sweet
and joyous New Year!
With Love from the
Weinstein Family
Summer 2014 / 5774 ‫קיץ‬
Volume 10, Issue 4
11
Shana Tova Greetings Order Form
Deadline – SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
OPTION 1: Purchase Academy Jewish New Year Greeting Cards to support the Academy’s Annual
Giving Fund - $18.00 per card, 6 for $90 (1 card free), or 12 for $180 (2 cards free).
Include your contact information, along with the names and complete mailing addresses for the families,
friends, neighbors, and business associates you would like to honor with a Jewish New Year greeting card, as
well as the greeting option number for each and return to:
Email: [email protected]
OR
Fax: 336.217.7011
OPTION 2: To purchase a Jewish New Year advertisement in the special Rosh Hashanah
HaGesher, please complete the form below.
1.
Select Greeting Size:
□ $18 (1/16 page)
□ $36 (1/8 page)
□ $54 (1/4 page)
□ $72 (1/2 page)
□ $108 (Full)
2. Select Greeting
□ Shana Tova
□ Wishing You a New Year of Health, Happiness and Peace
□ Wishing Family and Friends a Happy New Year
□ Design your own greeting ____________________________________________________
3. Print name as you would like it to appear in the greeting
__________________________________________________________________________
4. Provide your contact information below.
Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________
City: __________________________________ State: ________ Zip: _________________
Phone: ________________________________ Email: ____________________________
5. If you’d like to send a greeting to someone who is not currently on our email list, please provide the
address and we will be happy to send them a copy of the special Rosh Hashanah HaGesher
acknowledging your gift to the Academy in their honor.
Recipient’s Email Address: ________________________________________________
Complete and return this form by: SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
Email: [email protected]
OR
Fax: 336.217.7011
We will send you an invoice for the number of cards or advertisements ordered. Once payment has been
received, a letter of confirmation will be sent acknowledging your tax deductible gift to the
Academy’s Annual Giving Fund. If you prefer to mail in payment, please return everything to:
American Hebrew Academy
4334 Hobbs Road
Greensboro, NC 27410
Attn: Ellen Green
For additional information, please contact: Ellen Green, Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement – 336.217.7056
American Hebrew Academy - An International Jewish College Prep Boarding School
12
This I Believe
This I Believe is an international
organization engaging people
in writing and sharing essays
describing the core values
that guide their daily lives. The
project is based on the 1950’s
radio series of the same name
hosted by Edward R. Murrow
who was born in Greensboro,
North Carolina. Founding
faculty member and co-chair
of the English department, Dr.
Richard Smith, adapted the
program concept to his writing
course as a means to inspire
his own Academy students
who created a thought
provoking portfolio of prose.
The following essay was
written by Matt von Ende,
Class of 2011. Matt is the
one and only recipient of the
Academy’s prestigious Chico
Sabbah Leadership Medal.
We exist now in difficult times
for the United States, and
in trying times for the entire
world. Despite the progress
we have made and the strides
we have taken in the right
direction, there remains much
further to go on the path
toward justice, equality and
freedom for all mankind.
Our generation is called to
action. We are presented
with the opportunity of
breaking the stereotype of the
apathetic teenager, proving
that we, as young people,
do care. We have the ability
to stray from the label of the
“generation of tomorrow,”
effectively assuming the role
of the generation that seeks
to change the world now, that
intends to make a difference
remain
intolerant,
while today as well as tomorrow.
ignorance continues to take As we have been fortunate
its toll. Hatred consumes its to lead among the most
vessels. Poverty tightens privileged of lives, we have
its grip. Education remains been granted the responsibility
out of reach for many. And of leading the charge in our
oppression casts its shadow desire for a better world; of
over those who long for a truly proving ourselves worthy
chance at freedom.
of the privilege into which
These are the issues that we we were born. I believe we
face, some of them anyway. are capable. I believe we are
They are serious and they equal to the task!
are many, but we possess Leadership…is not easy! And
the ability to confront and it is seldom as glamorous as it
overcome the issues of our is often portrayed.
day, and for that reason, we
have reason to hope, and It requires that you stand up
to the bully in the hallways;
therefore, to persevere.
that you pick up the litter on
In this great age of information, the sidewalk. It requires that
the citizens of our world have you tell your friend when he
the opportunity to fulfill a is making a wrong decision;
great human undertaking: to that you shut off the water
demonstrate that this world is when it’s being wasted and
what we make it.
turn out the lights when they
Caught up in the motions of
everyday life, many fail to
realize the privilege which
surrounds them, and the
issues which confront our
generation and threaten us all.
There is hunger in our world,
genocide and disease. People
Matt von Ende hard at work, as always!
Matt von Ende
aren’t being used. Leadership
requires that you give up going
to the movies sometimes to
volunteer at the local soup
kitchen instead. It requires
that you take responsibility,
make sacrifices and stand up
for what’s right.
Robert F. Kennedy once said,
“That each time a man stands
up for an ideal, or seeks to
improve the lot of others or
speaks out against injustice
he sends forth a tiny ripple of
hope…”
My fellow students, be the
leadership of this generation.
Be the Hope!
This I believe: Today is in our
hands. Tomorrow is starting
now!
Summer 2014 / 5774 ‫קיץ‬
Volume 10, Issue 4
News, Notes & Nachas
13
C^3 Program To Be Launched By Students:
Continuing Ed Brings New Degrees:
The Academy environment encourages
and supports students in taking initiatives
and leadership roles in activities that
they believe bring value to the campus
community. Academy seniors, Zachary
Bamberger and Moshe “Mo” Katchen,
will be joining faculty advisors, Dr.
Sankaran, Mr. Newell and Mr. LeWinter,
to launch the Coursera Challenge Club.
The aim of the new club is to provide students with the means
and support necessary to take online college classes through
the Coursera Challenge program better known as C^3.
Congratulations are in order for faculty and staff members
who have taken it upon themselves to advance their
studies through the Academy’s Tuition Reimbursement
Program making it possible for all employees to further
their education while also furthering their careers. Mark
Spielman, Director of Student Recruitment and Marketing,
completed his Master’s Degree in Business Administration
at the University of North Carolina, and this summer,
Academy Chemistry teacher, Sam Lemoine, earned his
Master’s Degree in Biochemistry, also at the University of
North Carolina.
Coursera is an education platform that partners with top
universities and organizations worldwide, to offer courses
online for anyone to take, for free. They envision a future where
everyone has access to a world-class education. C^3’s aim is
to empower people with education that will improve their lives,
the lives of their families and the communities in which they live.
The program is completely voluntary and designed for highly
motivated students who wish to experience a college level course
designed by such notable universities as Harvard, MIT, Stanford
and the University of Pennsylvania. The program also offers
students the opportunity to explore areas of study in advance
of their entering university to better determine if it is one they
wish to continue. Students who complete a course will receive a
certificate of completion helping to build their academic resumes.
Better known as a “MOOC” (Massive Open Online Community,”
Coursera was conceived by professors at Stanford University
and offers courses as diverse as Genetics & Society, Statistical
Inference and the History of Beatles Music. Congratulations and
best of luck to Zach Bamberger & Mo Katchen on this exciting
endeavor.
Save the Date!
Prospective Student Weekend
November 7-9
americanhebrewacademy.org/psw
Mark Spielman
Sam Lemoine
Math Students Numbers Reach New High:
In
the
past
academic
year,
Academy students
far surpassed the
previous average
of 80% earning
college
credit
on Mathematics
A.P.
(Advanced
Placement)
examinations.
During
the
summer,
test
scores
were
announced
by
Math Department
chair
Steve
LeWinter,
who
reported 100% of
students earned college credit in A.P. Calculus BC; 87%
of students earned college credit in A.P. Calculus AB and
100% earned college credit in A.P. Statistics! Mazel tov to
all of these students and the faculty on their exceptional
performances.
continued on next page
American Hebrew Academy - An International Jewish College Prep Boarding School
14
News, Notes & Nachas, continued
Michael & Judy Steinhardt Honored by Taglit Birthright at
Mega Event in Israel:
In June, the amphitheater at Hebrew University’s Mount
Scopus Campus in Jerusalem was filled to capacity for a very
special Birthright Israel Mega Event honoring Michael and Judy
Steinhardt.
Mr. Steinhardt is a founding member of the Academy’s board of
trustees. The festive gathering was held to honor the Steinhardts
for their years of support and leadership of the Taglit Birthright
program which Mr. Steinhardt co-founded with Charles Bronfman.
Mr. Steinhardt will be stepping down as Chairman of the Birthright
board, which under his leadership brought over 350,000 young
people to Israel from 65 countries over 14 years at no cost to
the participant. Kol Hakavod to the entire Steinhardt family for
their endless contributions to the Jewish people and the State of
Israel.
Like Father, Like Son:
Founding faculty member, author, park ranger and
historian, Dr. Scott Culclasure, has over his 14 years at
the Academy, inspired endless numbers of students. He is
a master teacher, whose passion for history comes alive
in his classroom and through the many ways in which he
works with students on projects, with media and historical
resources to make history “real.” He has also been the
source for his own son’s passion in the field of archeology.
This summer, David Culclasure, a student at the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was part of a team that
traveled to Israel and who uncovered new mosaics at a
synagogue excavation site in the Galilee.
Several mosaics were discovered decorating the floor of the
synagogue dating back to the Late Roman (fifth century) at
Huqoq, an ancient Jewish village. The dig was sponsored
by the Early Judaism program at the UNC College of Arts
and Sciences, together with several other universities. The
mosaic, depicting the head of an Alexander figure, is highly
unusual as it is the first time a non-biblical image has been
found decorating an ancient synagogue. Congratulations
to Dr. Culclasure and the entire Culclasure family who
have instilled the values of education and history in the
minds of many.
Michael Steinhardt, accompanied by his wife, Judy,
bids farewell to summer Birthright participants
at a ceremony honoring him at Hebrew University’s Mt. Scopus Campus.
A Hoopoe, the national bird of Israel pictured in the Arava, the Great Rift Valley
between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba between Israel and Jordan.
(Photo by Harold Lindenthal)
David Culclasure pictured second to left, front row
with the dig team from UNC.
Summer 2014 / 5774 ‫קיץ‬
Volume 10, Issue 4
Academy Student Interns at NASA
15
By Dr. Richard Smith
While many of us were
lounging by the pool catching
up on our pleasure reading,
rising senior Andrew Caldwell
was spending two weeks
serving an internship at the
Langley Research Center of
the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA).
Serving under a mentor,
Andrew spent the last two
weeks of July working on
assigned tasks in the Project
Management section. This
division, Caldwell said, is
“where we analyze all the
projects which take place
on the base and make sure
everything runs smoothly.
If there is a problem with
the budget…then it comes
through us at some point.”
In addition to this activity,
Andrew received multiple
tours of the “college-like”
campus and also worked for
a considerable portion of his
stay with the IT Department
where he was concerned
with cyber security. On one
occasion Andrew helped
with an assessment of the IT
programs level of updating
quality.
Andrew was pleased with his
experience and concludes
that he has now “seen a career
option” as he heads into his
last year at the American
Hebrew Academy.
We can't wait to see all of our new and returning students
on campus! It is going to be a great year!
Simple Steps Lead To Energy Efficiency & Cost Savings
As the only “Green Ribbon”
Jewish school, so designated
by the U.S. Department of
Energy in recognition of the
Academy’s
dedication
to
energy conservation and
education, we are regularly
seeking ways to improve
our
energy
efficiencies
given our social and fiscal
responsibilities.
conversion to LED lighting.
This summer the entire
dinning pavilion was retrofitted
with LED lighting reducing
the building’s 27,625 watts of
light by 90% while improving
lighting quality. Because LED
lights burn far cooler than
traditional incandescent and
fluorescent lighting, even
greater energy savings will be
While our geothermal energy achieved through reduced air
facility lies at the center of our conditioning demand.
energy conservation efforts, Other energy efficiencies are
we are dedicated to improving being utilized in buildings
our dependency on traditional across campus including
energy sources by seeking computerized controls that
out alternative means that are allow for night, weekend
reliable and economical. At and holiday setbacks, smart
the present time, the Academy start-ups that more efficiently
is phasing in a campus wide heat and cool buildings for
occupancy, power coasting
which takes into account
a buildings thermal mass
when calculating the time
a building needs to reach
a desired temperature and
peak demand management.
All of these fairly simple and
inexpensive steps lead to
tremendous energy savings,
cost savings and rebates from
Duke Energy, our primary
electrical supplier.
American Hebrew Academy - An International Jewish College Prep Boarding School
16
We Get Mail
Dear Glenn,
other campus publications, all students who wanted to go
I hope you are enjoying your including the GW Patriot and to AHA would be able to pay
out-of-pocket. But we both
summer so far. Abigail is HerCampus GWU.
working at Camp Mindy again This summer, Miriam was know it is not a perfect world.
this summer.
awarded a Tower Tomorrow I just wanted to let you know
that my family appreciates all
I am writing to you because it Fellowship through The Israel of the help we have received
has occurred to me that in your Project in D.C. You can find (and continue to receive)
position with the Academy more information about it here: from AHA and that the future
you must sometimes wonder http://www.theisraelproject. will be positively impacted
whether the school’s financial org/tower-tomorrow/
by the faith you have had in
aid investment in certain This fellowship was very our girls as Jewish leaders of
students will return dividends competitive and she is among tomorrow.
to the Jewish community in students from other top
the future. I wanted to let you universities, including several Regards,
know that for Miriam, your Ivies. I’ve attached a photo Julie Smallman
investment is well spent.
of Miriam from a recent trip to
As you know, Miriam is the State Department.
a rising junior at George
Washington
University
majoring in journalism &
mass communication and
minoring in Semitic cultures
and languages, where she
maintains a nearly perfect
GPA (one single A- in 2
years).
This past spring
she was an intern at Project
Interchange, an educational
institute of the American
Jewish Committee, where
she conducted research and
facilitated development and
alumni engagement. Miriam
was also the assistant to the
executive director of GW
Hillel. She is a staff editor at
Wooden Teeth, GW’s literary
magazine, and has written for
At the end of July, Miriam will
be off to Tel Aviv University
where she will study for a
semester. She was proactive
in applying for scholarships
to help offset the cost of the
semester, and was rewarded
nicely for her efforts. She
was most notably awarded a
Blog Abroad Scholarship, so
you can follow her adventures
in Israel yourself once I
have a link to share. One
of the advantages she had
in applying for that was the
fact that while at AMHSI, she
blogged about her junior year
experience there and was
able to provide a link along
with her application.
Dear Glenn and Mark,
Thank you so much for the
AHA car magnet. Some say
I am a billboard, but I am
displaying it proudly already.
Have a great summer!
Ann Marie
Dear Rabbi Plotkin,
Many thanks for your kindness.
It is an understatement to
say that you have been kind
to me these past 4 years. I
may have not been your best
or brightest student, but you
accepted me regardless of
that. You are the reason I Dear Ms. Green,
became more interested in the
Jewish faith. Thank you for all I just wanted to say thank
you for the wonderful tour of
of your wonderful lessons.
your beautiful campus and
A Loving Student
for serving the Israeli Scouts
lunch this past week. We
hope to be able to schedule
this again next year. Thanks
Dear Rabbi Plotkin,
again for your warmth and
generosity to the Israel Scouts
I
didn’t
even
know
about
I know that in a perfect world
Talmud and how it worked and my family.
before coming to AHA and Erica Aronson, Chair of the
now I can say that it’s one of Greensboro Israel Scouts
the most fascinating things
about Judaism to me. I might
even take a class in college Dear Glenn,
on the subject. In addition I am happy of course about
to discussing Talmud, I have the Moot Beit Din competition.
enjoyed the other arguments Our topic, as you know, was
that arise during class and whether the practices of
your insight. I don’t agree the meat industry including
completely with your views kosher
meat
commonly
on the school, but I can admit violate Jewish laws regarding
that they are very reasonable compassion for animals and
and sometimes turn out to be conservation.
correct.
In the Kabbalah & Hasidism
Anonymous Student
Miriam Smallman at the U.S. State Department
continued on next page
Summer 2014 / 5774 ‫קיץ‬
Volume 10, Issue 4
We Get Mail, continued
class we introduced more and
more complicated musical
examples. Several tunes
caught on and showed up
at our Shabbat dinners and
our various services. On one
particular Friday night, the
Kaddish to the tune of the
Modzitzer Hasidism was sung
in all three minyanim, led by
members of the class who
daven in each place and loved
the tune.
international
students
responded to the World
Religions
course,
and
the opportunity to meet
representatives
of
other
faiths.
They
stretched
themselves and found the
overall experience affirming
of what was special to them
about their Judaism, and a
little more prepared for their
role as world citizens.
I feel great personal pleasure
at the graduation of our
senior class. I served as
Houseparent or Associate
Houseparent for those boys
for three out of their four years
at the Academy and feel strong
It seems like a long time ago, bonds with them. Through the
but I was very pleased how Beit Midrash program I have
nicely a class of mostly taught every member of that
In our course on Prophets,
students composed pieces in
the style of Midrash and some
of these were performed or
read in a Friday service at the
Reform minyan.
17
graduating class, most of The process of legal analysis
them for several terms.
consists of being presented a
case, identifying major issues,
Dr. Josh Moss
Jewish Studies, Jewish Life & defining legal terms, looking
Residential Life Departments up past cases and rulings and
applying those to the situation
at hand. Sound familiar? I
feel like I’m sitting back in
your classroom at AHA. You
should know, as well as
Dear Dr. Moss,
your students, that Halachic
I hope you’re doing very analysis is very analogous to
well and enjoying a relaxing legal research, and that your
summer.
I am doing an class very easily gives us a
internship
at
Columbia leg-up when we step into a
University as a teaching research course.
assistant for a Legal Research Thank you and warm regards,
and Writing Class. I wanted
Ross
to tell you that this class could
Class of 2014
have easily been labeled
“Moot Beit Din” in the real
world.
Mazel Tov to
Academy Alum
Jonathan Snitzer ’04 and
his bride Rachel Glotter,
who married in June.
May you share a lifetime
of happiness, good
health and much nachas.
We wish the Snitzer
and Glotter Families a
heartfelt congratulations
on this wonderful
occasion.
Debbie Efraim,
Director
of Foreign
Relations at the
Israel Center
for Excellence
Through
Education speaks
with Glenn
Drew about the
Academy.
Dr. Granit Almog-Bareket,
Director of the Graduate
Unit at the Mandel
Leadership Institute in
Jerusalem, an alumni
parent and frequent
visitor to the Academy,
meets with Glenn Drew to
discuss the forthcoming
visit of the Mandel
Graduate Fellows to the
campus in September.
Rabbi Rafael Cohen, now studying in Jerusalem
has helped the Academy recruit new AHA students
from Colombia where he previously served as the
rabbi in Cali.
Ben Drew, class of 2012 (on left) is spotted with
friends taking in the World Cup and cheering on
Team USA.
American Hebrew Academy - An International Jewish College Prep Boarding School
18
Summer 2014 / 5774 ‫קיץ‬
Volume 10, Issue 4
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19
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