Yearbook & Scholarship Journal

PROVIDENCE HEBREW
DAY SCHOOL/
NEW ENGLAND

ACADEMY OF TORAH

YEARBOOK

AND

SCHOLARSHIP JOURNAL
2020/5780

Volunteer of the Year Award
Mr. Avrohom Dovid Winter

Alumnus Award
Mr. Reuven Yavner

The Providence Hebrew Day School pays tribute to
the past recipients of the Amudim Award:

1965 – Rabbi G. William Braude 1996 – Senator Claiborne Pell
1966 – Rabbi Eli A. Bohnen 1997 – PHDS Fiftieth Anniversary
1967 – Mr. Max Alperin 1998 – Dr. and Mrs. Richard Rosen
1968 – Mr. Benjamin Brier 1999 – Rabbi and Mrs. Peretz Gold
1969 – The Honorable Frank Licht 2000 – Dr. Marc Diamond and
1970 – Mr. Mark Lifland
1971 – Mr. Samuel Rosen Dr. Cheryl Gottesman
1972 – Mr. Samuel Malkin 2001 – Dr. and Mrs. Steven Schechter
1973 – Mr. Joseph W. Ress 2002 – Mr. and Mrs. Amitai Halper
1974 – Mr. Malcolm Bromberg 2003 – Rabbi and Mrs. Mordechai Nissel
1975 – Mr. Manfred Weil 2004 – Dr. and Mrs. Michael Felder
1976 – Mrs. Ada S. Sydney 2005 – Rabbi Dr. Nachman Cohen
1977 – Mr. Samuel S. Shlevin 2006 – Mr. and Mrs. Shmuel Shafner
1978 – Mr. and Mrs. Louis Sandler 2007 – Mr. Marvin Stark and
1979 – Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Korn
1980 – Mr. Sholes Mrs. Miriam Abrams-Stark
1981 – Mr. Arthur S. Robbins 2008 – Mr. and Mrs. Mordechai Weiner
1982 – Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Sollosy 2009 – Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Novick
1983 – Mrs. Ida E. Pearlman 2010 – Pearlman Family
1984 – Congregation Adas Israel 2011 – Mr. and Mrs. Martin Saklad
1985 – Mr. Howard E. Schachter 2012 – Mrs. Maureen Sheehan
1986 – Mr. Edward O. Adler 2013 – Rabbi and Mrs. Yosef Szendro
1987 – Mr. Robert A. Starr 2014 – The Pearlman Family
1988 – Rabbi Baruch Korff 2015 – Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Katz
1989 – Jay and Judy Rosenstein 2016 – Rabbi and Mrs. Yechezkel Yudkowsky
1990 – Dr. Joseph J. and Selma Fishbein 2017 – Messrs. Bruce, Jeff, and Scott Gladstone
2018 – Mr. David London
Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Ehrlich 2019 – Mr. Jeffrey Savit
1991 – Rabbi Sholom Strajcher
1992 – Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Baron
1993 – Thomas W. Pearlman, Esquire
1994 – Mr. and Mrs. Robert Berlinsky
1995 – Mr. and Mrs. Russell Raskin

Recipients of the Amudim Award of Torah Umesorah,
the National Society of Hebrew Day Schools

Archie Smith Joseph Dubin Isaiah A. Segal
Lewis Korn Morton Marks Thomas W. Pearlman
Dr. Joseph J. Fishbein Samuel Berman
Rabbi Sholom Strajcher

Amudim 2019

Mr. Anschel Strauss receives the
Community Service Award.

Mr. Jeffrey Savit receives the Amudim
Award from Mr. Arthur Robbins.

Rabbi and Mrs. Menachem Weissmann
receive the Young Leadership Award.

A celebration of Jewish unity

Providence Hebrew Day
School

The heartbeat of our
community

Home to Providence Community Kollel,
Congrega'on Sha’arei Tefilla, and
Project Shoresh

Mr. Avrohom Dovid Winter

Volunteer of the Year Award

The coronavirus crisis brought life as we know it to a halt. Mr. Winter gave
of his time, knowledge, and resources to rapidly implement a remote
learning solution that met the school’s rigorous internet safety standards,
while laying the foundation for educational technology in years to come.
Mr. Winter collaborated with our school team, Rabbi Scheinerman, Mrs.
Weiner, Rabbi Lapin, the lay leadership, and, most notably, Rabbi Yehuda
Leib Brown, to create a robust academic program and schedule. Through the
generous funding of NEAT, Inc., and a matching campaign, managed
Chromebooks were deployed to each student. Invaluable direction was pro-
vided by Mr. Winter’s dear friend and colleague, Mr. Muataz Al Mufti, an
expert in K-12 internet safety.
Together with his wife and greatest supporter, Esti, Mr. Winter lives in
Sharon, Massachusetts, and is the proud father and stepfather of ten unique
and incredible young people. He is the founder and principle consultant of
Winter Solutions, Inc., which provides technology consulting and
management for small businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions
around the country.
Mr. Winter is accepting the Volunteer of the Year award in honor of his role
models in chessed: his mother, Myrna Winter, '‫שתחי‬, who has devoted
herself full-time to chessed for the past thirty years; his father, Stan
Winter, ‫ ;ע״ה‬and his mentor Betzalel Bertram, ‫ז״ל‬, who passed away during
the corona crisis.

Mr. Reuven Yavner

Alumnus Award

Reuven (Russell) Yavner, a 2002 graduate of the Providence Hebrew Day
School, currently serves as Assistant General Counsel for the Brooklyn Nets
and Barclays Center, where he is responsible for providing legal counsel for
business and basketball operations of the NBA team and arena.
Reuven graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maryland,
where he was the recipient of the W.E. Sclaretzki Prize for graduating first
in the Philosophy Department. He then worked on Capitol Hill as a legisla-
tive correspondent for Congressman Patrick Kennedy and then for Con-
gressman David Cicilline, before matriculating at Harvard Law School. At
Harvard, Reuven was awarded the Edward C. Smith Scholarship, received
the Paul C. Weiler writing prize, and served as a senior editor of the Harvard
Journal of Law and Public Policy. After graduating from law school, Reuven
worked in the litigation department of an international law firm before mov-
ing into his current role in 2015.
Reuven is an active member of his community and previously served as the
president of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Synagogue while his
wife, Talia, was a medical student.
Reuven is a proud Rhode Islander and attributes his professional and reli-
gious achievements to the education he received at PHDS.
Reuven resides in Kew Gardens Hills, New York, with his wife, Talia, and
their two sons, Gavriel and Leo.

Providence Hebrew Day School/New England Academy of Torah wishes to say thank you to all
who have given their time, energy, and support in making our school a success.

Providence Hebrew Day School/New England Academy of Torah
Officers 2019-2020

President – Mr. Pinny Berlin
Vice President/Budget & Finance – Mr. Reuven Schloss

Vice President/Education – Mrs. Miriam Peromsik
Vice President/Personnel – Mr. Marty Saklad
Treasurer – Mr. Marc Adler
Secretary – Mr. Menashe Lewin
Recording Secretary – Mrs. Leeba Taitelbaum

Board of Directors

Mrs. Beth Abrahim Mrs. Marcie Ingber Mrs. Miriam Peromsik Rabbi Dovid Schwartz
Mr. Marc Adler Mrs. Rivka Kapilevich Mr. Sruli Purec Mr. Marvin Stark
Mrs. Ilana Benz Rabbi Naftali Karp Mr. Russell Raskin Mrs. Ruchama Szendro
Mr. Pinny Berlin Mr. David Kaufman Mr. Norman Rosenfield Mrs. Leeba Taitelbaum
Rabbi Dovid Bielory Mrs. Elianna King Mrs. Gail Rubenstein Mrs. Chana Faiga Twersky
Dr. Marc Diamond Mr. Menashe Lewin Mrs. Elaine Saklad Mr. Mordechai Weiner
Mr. Alexander Flig Rabbi Yosef Lipson Mr. Marty Saklad Mr. Shammai Weiner
Rabbi Shaul Gallor Mrs. Katie Minkin Mr. David Schaeffer Rabbi Menachem Z. Weissmann
Mr. Moshe Golden Mr. Nadav Minkin Dr. Steven Schechter Mr. David Yavner
Mrs. Shoshana Golden Rabbi Moshe Moskowitz Mr. Reuven Schloss
Rabbi Yonatan Gorin

Personnel Committee Capital Campaign Budget & Finance Committee
Mr. Reuven Schloss, chair
Mr. Marty Saklad, chair Rabbi Peretz Scheinerman – Executive Chair Mr. Marc Adler
Mr. Alexander Flig Mr. Amitai Halper – Fundraising Chair Dr. Marc Diamond
Mr. Moshe Golden Mr. David Schaeffer – Building Chair Mr. Alexander Flig
Mr. David Kaufman Mr. Reuven Schloss – Finance Chair Mr. Moshe Golden
Mr. Russell Raskin Mr. Amitai Halper
Amudim Committee Mr. David Kaufman
Mr. Mordechai Weiner Mr. Menashe Lewin
Rabbi Shaul Gallor Mrs. Tzippy Scheinerman, chair Mr. Marty Saklad
Mrs. Beth Abrahim Mr. Shammai Weiner
Education Committee
Mrs. Shoshana Golden Supporting Foundation Board
Mrs. Miriam Peromsik, chair Mrs. Lynn Jakubowicz
Mrs. Beth Abrahim
Mrs. Miriam Lipson
Rabbi Yehuda Menchel Mrs. Miriam Peromsik
Ms. Laura Picraux Mrs. Mindy Schachter
Mrs. Elaine Saklad Mrs. Ruchama Szendro
Mrs. Leeba Taitelbaum
Building Committee
PTF Committee Mr. Amitai Halper, chair
Mr. David Schaeffer, chair Mr. Russell Raskin
Mr. Marc Adler Mrs. Chani Benjaminson
Mrs. Shoshana Golden Mr. Shammai Weiner
Mr. Alexander Flig Mrs. Tzippy Scheinerman
Mr. Nadav Minkin Mrs. Leeba Taitelbaum

Rabbi Peretz Scheinerman

Dean

Dear Graduates,

It is truly a pleasure to write you a le.er of blessing on your gradua'on from
PHDS. Over the past few months, you have all learned a great deal from the
lessons of Covid-19. O3en, children – even those gradua'ng from middle
school – go through life living in a well-cushioned cocoon. Their parents help
them to complete their homework, feed them, and usually shield them from
the challenges of life. This year was different. In the week following Purim,
on a Thursday a3ernoon, school was closed for what was expected to be a
two-week period. As the virus rapidly spread, we were told that we would need to wear masks when out-
side, stay on lockdown, and even stop a.ending the shuls that we were used to davening in daily. You as
graduates took it all in stride and have excelled at distance learning, becoming models for others to follow.
Mazel tov on your gradua'on! You now join the ranks of alumni.

Tonight we pay special tribute to alumnus Mr. Reuven Yavner, an accomplished a.orney for the NY Nets,
where he is greatly admired. Providence Hebrew Day School is proud to have served as a conduit for his
success, based on the excep'onal educa'on he received at the school. Mazel tov to Reuven’s parents, Mr.
David and Mrs. Esta Yavner, pillars of our community, who dedicate their lives to family and community.

Although school was closed, we found we could learn night seder with 1,500 other children around the
globe, and celebrate color war and gradua'ons on Zoom. Having a robust daily schedule rivaling that of oth-
er schools had seemed like an impossible feat only shortly before.

A few weeks ago, we observed Tisha B’Av and mourned the destruc'on of our Bais Hamikdosh. COVID-19 is
helping us rebuild the Bais Hamikdosh, one brick at a 'me. We thrived and accomplished our goals by
joining together as a chevrah, where we all rely on each other. We have seen Klal Yisroel grow closer in
their support of one another. Hatzalah workers and doctors risked their lives to treat those who were ill,
weddings were celebrated in small but meaningful family groups, community members shopped for each
other, and so much more. Tonight’s virtual dinner is a celebra'on of the unity of Congrega'on Sha’arei
Tefilla, Providence Community Kollel, and Project Shoresh, all housed in PHDS and all profoundly impac'ng
our families, our students, and our school.

Tonight we also pay tribute to Mr. Dovid Winter, who is receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award. Dovid
led a cadre of administrators, tech staff, and teachers in opera'ng an outstanding and well-organized dis-
tance-learning program. With his wisdom and countless hours of volunteerism, he arranged to purchase
and distribute 130+ safe Chromebooks for our students. Looking back now, we see that there is no way we
could have been successful without his ongoing diligent efforts.

And our celebra'on is enhanced by all those who have par'cipated with their hearBelt support of the
school, the Scholarship Fund, and the Dinner.

We look forward to a full reopening of school, b”h, and to welcoming you all back in person to PHDS. May
this year be the last in this long golus, and may we all join together with the coming of Moshiach, bimheirah
beyomeinu.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Peretz Scheinerman
Dean

Mrs. Miriam Esther Weiner

PHDS Principal

Dear Graduates,

You made it! The 'me is finally here! As you know from your yearbook theme,
“‫תחת השמים‬...‫ לכל זמן ועת‬- there is a 'me and place for everything.”
You’ve made it - to the 'me of gradua'on! You’ve worked hard and now it is
your special 'me.

Time is a very interes'ng concept, and the Jewish calendar is one unique as-
pect of 'me in our lives. In The Jewish Calendar, Rabbi Dovid Feinstein explores many of the components
that make the Jewish calendar so special. One of the many topics he discusses is why the Jewish calendar
is a lunar one, unlike its secular counterpart. He explores several messages of the lunar calendar, one of
which I thought was very appropriate for you as graduates.

Rav Feinstein explains that each person is born under a mazal, a sign, which has some control over that
person’s des'ny. While that control is not absolute - perseverance and wise use of one’s skills can change
a person - there is a control set by this des'ny. This is symbolized by the sun, which never changes. It may
be covered by clouds or not shine directly on a par'cular spot at a par'cular 'me, but it does not
change. Therefore, the sun and solar calendar symbolize the non-Jewish world and is the prevalent type of
calendar in the world.

For Jews, however, it is different. Our Sages teach us: (.‫ – אין מזל לישראל )שבת קנו‬the signs have no
sway over Israel. This means that the des'ny of the Jewish people is subject to change depending on how
the klal - and each individual - follows the will of Hashem. An example of this can be found with Avrohom
and Sarah. According to nature, they were not able to have children, but Hashem raised them above na-
ture, due to their adherence to His will, and Yitzchok was born.

This ability to change is symbolized by the moon. The moon goes through stages. It grows and shrinks
over 'me. Even at its darkest moment it comes back. So too, the Jewish people. By having us look con-
stantly at the moon to determine our calendar, we are given the opportunity to be reminded of this. Imag-
ine what it must have been like during the 'me of the Sanhedrin, when everyone was eagerly searching for
the appearance of the brand new moon.

As a class that will be remembered as the “Gradua'ng Class of Covid-19” you have had a great deal of
experience in this regard. As you graduate, this is an important lesson to remember. Some'mes things will
be amazing and life will be great, and there will be other 'mes that seem to be so bad that you want to
despair! Please don’t; the good 'mes will return! Always remember that you control your own des'ny -
you can decide the best way for you to grow. With the skills you’ve developed at PHDS and the rela'on-
ships you’ve forged with those who can guide you for years, I am confident you will overcome all obstacles
and go far!

Mazal tov! Please be sure to keep in touch.

Miriam Esther Weiner

Principal, PHDS

Rabbi Aharon Lapin

NEAT Principal

Dear NEAT Class of 2020/5780,

There are simply no words to capture how inspired I am by you all, the
gradua'ng class of 2020: what you’ve been through, how you have devel-
oped, and who you are. I could not find words, so instead I am dedica'ng a
poem to you. The poem is about being locked up and being freed. It’s about all the poten'al inside,
and the magical process of its becoming real. The idea is based upon the Ramchal in his Derech Eitz
Chayim. But it is inspired by you all; it was not edited by Mrs. Levesque, but I hope that you like it. The
poem is called “Light Song.”

A coal – pitch black – Mul'colored bright flicker
in a room completely dark arises in flame,
No trace of a flame, Each moment unique –
not even a spark. a pyrotechnic game

Is that a breeze from the distance? Vital warmth, playful light,
No, it’s more – someone breathing. Flickering bu.erfly.
she’ll refuse to give up Such a delicate danger,
on that coal – s'll believing Can give hope or mys'fy,

And hoping that there’s life But where did it come from?
buried in that coal’s heart. All that beau'ful power?
She keeps blowing, holding on, Different shapes and contor'ons,
“Maybe something will start.” This bright, consuming flower?

It’s all over,” says another, Deep inside that dark coal,
“Despair in its death,” It was there all along,
But look closely - red pulsing – Just wai'ng to be freed,
in rhythm with the breath To sing its light-song

Life s'rring within, Mazel tov, seniors!
from what seemed only ash. Yours,
And then that faint glow Rabbi Aharon Lapin
pushes back with a flash!

Providence Hebrew Day School/New England Academy of Torah
Faculty 2019-2020

Rabbi Peretz Scheinerman, Dean, Elementary and High School Divisions
B.A. Talmudic Law, Telshe Yeshiva Rabbinical College; Ordination Telshe Yeshiva, Rabbi Isaacson;

M.Ed. Adelphi University; Torah Umesorah Teacher’s Certificate

Miriam Esther Weiner, PHDS Principal
Rika Breuer Teachers Seminary; B.A. Touro College; M.Ed. Hunter College; Teaching Certificate,

Bureau of Jewish Education of Rhode Island; Mass. and RI Teacher Certifications

Rabbi Aaron Lapin, NEAT Principal
B.A. Talmudic Law, Ner Israel Rabbinical College; Rabbinical Ordination, Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, Israel;

CLS Fellowship Program, Ner L’elef, Jerusalem, Israel

Mrs. Ilana Benz Ms. Janice Kaidan Mrs. Shayna Stein
General Studies/Safah Safah General Studies
B.A. Wellesley College; History Hebrew Language Studies, Hebrew College; Seminary Teachers Certificate, Chochmas Lev
Certificate in Professional Fundraising, Boston M.Ed. Cambridge College Seminary; Completed Orton Gillingham; Trained in
University Wilson Language Curriculum

Mrs. Beth Berman Mrs. Rochel Karp Mrs. Susan Sugerman
General Studies Physical Education
B.S. University of RI Judaic Studies/General Studies B.A. University of Rhode Island;
B.A. Thomas Edison State College; M.A. Rhode Island College
Yavne Teachers Seminary;
Rabbi Shmuel Taitelbaum
Mrs. Elisheva Bielory Torah Umesorah Teacher’s Certificate Judaic Studies
Rabbinical Ordination, Rabbi Moshe Heinemann;
Judaic Studies Mrs. Shoshana Lapin Milah Certification; Yeshiva Gedolah of Providence
B.A. Judaic Studies, Maryland; Judaic Studies/Resource
M.B.A. Loyola University, Maryland Teacher’s Certificate, Machon Bnos Yehuda, Debra Terrell
General Studies
Mrs. Sara Brown Israel Teacher's Certificate, States of Mass. and Idaho;
B.A. Psychology, University of Massachusetts Dart-
General Studies Mrs. Devorah Laufer mouth; M.S. Elementary Reading and Literacy,
Walden University
B.A. Vilniaus Universitetas/Moreshet Institute Judaic Studies
Mrs. Sarah Cosgriff Uyttebroek
Rabbi Yehuda Leib Brown Ohel Chana Werdiger Learning Institute General Studies
B.S. Marywood College; M.S. Binghamton Univer-
Judaic Studies/General Studies Mrs. Maria Levesque sity; Three years in doctoral program, Boston Uni-
versity
Rabbinical Ordination, Rabbi Zalman Nechemia General Studies
Goldberg, Israel; B.A. Livingston College, Ms. Phyllis Waldman
B.A. University of Rhode Island; English
Rutgers University B.S. Communications Studies/Writing, Emerson
M.A. Rhode Island College College; M.A. Integrated Marketing/Speech Com-
munications, Emerson College;
Mrs. Marsha Gibber Mrs. Miriam Lipson RI Middle School Teacher Certification
Judaic Studies/Resource Judaic Studies
B.A., B.S. Stern College; M.S. Education Beth Jacob Teachers’ Seminary Mrs. Ilana Weissmann
Ferkauf Graduate Center, Yeshiva University General Studies
Mrs. Miriam Peromsik B.A. Thomas Edison State College; M.S. Curricu-
Mrs. Shoshana Golden General Studies lum and Instruction, McDaniel College
General Studies Tompkins Cortland Community College;
Teacher’s Certificate, Michlalah-Jerusalem Cornell University College of Engineering Rabbi Menachem Z. Weissmann
College for Women; B.S. Douglas College, Judaic Studies
Rutgers University Mr. Joel Pinsker Rabbinical Ordination, Rabbi Moshe Heinemann
General Studies
Dr. Kayla Hack B.A. Clark University; M.A. Boston University Mrs. Shifra Yudkowsky
Judaic Studies Judaic Studies
Teacher’s Certificate, Michlalah-Jerusalem Mrs. Tzipora Purec Teacher’s Certificate, Beth Jacob of Jerusalem;
College for Women; B.A. Stern College; M.S. Judaic Studies Teacher’s Certificate, Ministry of Education of the
Jewish Education, Azrieli Graduate School; Seminar Yerushalayim; Rhode Island College State of Israel
Ed.D. Administration and Supervision of Edu-
cation, St. John’s University Rabbi Raphie Schochet Rabbi Yechezkel Yudkowsky
Judaic Studies Judaic Studies
Mrs. Beverly Hall M.A. Talmudic Law and Rabbinical Ordination, B.A. Talmudic Law, Ner Israel Rabbinical College;
Art Ner Israel Rabbinical College, Baltimore, MD Rabbinical Ordination, Rabbi Moshe Heinemann
B.S. Westfield State College
Mrs. Alane Schreiber
Rabbi Avrohom Jakubowicz General Studies
Judaic Studies/Physical Education B.A. Stern College; M.A. Early Childhood Educa-
Queens College; Rabbinical Ordination, tion, Lesley College; M.Ed. Special Education;
Rabbinical Seminary of America; Teaching Mass. Teacher Certification
Certificate, Bureau of Jewish Education of
Rhode Island Mrs. Sarah Seiff
General Studies
Mrs. Lynn Jakubowicz B.A. Thomas Edison State University
Judaic Studies
Queens College, Rika Breuer Teachers
Seminary

Judaic Studies
Faculty

Mrs. Elisheva Rabbi Yehuda Leib Rebbitzen Marsha Dr. Kayla
Bielory Brown Gibber Hack

Mrs. Lynn Rabbi Avrohom Mrs. Shoshana Mrs. Devorah
Jakubowicz Jakubowicz Lapin Laufer

Mrs. Miriam Mrs. Tzipora Rabbi Raphie Rabbi Dovid
Lipson Purec Schochet Schwartz

Rabbi Shmuel Rabbi Menachem Mrs. Shifra Rabbi Yechezkel
Taitelbaum Weissmann Yudkowsky Yudkowsky

General Studies Faculty

Mrs. Ilana Mrs. Beth Mrs. Sara Mrs. Shoshana Mrs. Beverly Mrs. Rochel
Benz Berman Brown Golden Hall Karp

Mrs. Maria Mrs. Miriam Mr. Joel Mrs. Janice Mrs. Alane Mrs. Sarah
Levesque Peromsik Pinsker Rosenfield Schreiber Seiff

Mrs. Shayna Mrs. Susan Mrs. Debra Mrs. Sarah Mrs. Ilana Ms. Phyllis
Stein Sugerman Terrell Uyttebroek Weissmann Waldman

Staff

Miss Blimi Miss Jennifer Mrs. Kathy Miss Shevy
Barker Glazer Frazier Taitelbaum

Mrs. Mindy Mrs. Tzippy
Schachter Scheinerman

Mrs. Tzippy Scheinerman

Director of Special Activities, Grandparent Outreach, and Alumni Affairs

As Director of Special Ac'vi'es, Grandparent Outreach, and Alumni Affairs, it has been
a very ac've and successful year. The school sent out Chanukah magnets to the
grandparents, and every class in the school sent out individual projects to their
grandparents. Grandparents have sent le.ers of apprecia'on and financial
contribu'ons. During the COVID-19 shutdown, I was able to be in contact with many
alumni by Zoom, email, and phone.

As Director of NEAT Special Ac'vi'es, I have tried to enhance the girls’ evenings and weekends, offering them
opportuni'es to bond in many exci'ng extracurricular events. Some of our main annual ac'vi'es have included the
NEAT Retreat, where we headed out to Camp Avodah. Led by five amazing madrichos, we had a blast doing different
ac'vi'es and workshops related to the theme of “Time,” learning how to appreciate and use the gi3 of 'me. We also
enjoyed outdoor swimming, rock climbing, team building, archery, arts and cra3s, and a delicious barbecue. The girls
enjoyed shmoozing and chilling together at the Retreat, which was full of excitement, fun, and achdus. On Chanukah,
we had our community Chanukah Chagiga, where we chose to “Spread The Light” with inspiring divrei Torah, an
amazing choir, a spectacular dance, and a variety of booths based on the special Chanukah foods. We hosted a com-
munity Purim Chagiga, at which the ladies and girls were treated to a fun-filled “Shoo'ng for the Stars” Purim experi-
ence, including fun ac'vi'es, food, and talent shows.

The Chill Room at our home has been a great place to release energy, relax, and play games. Chill Room is where we
laugh, smile, and chill with friends, along with Step It Up, a book-lending library, videos, ping-pong, air hockey,
foosball, and refreshments. All these ac'vi'es have offered us the opportunity to bond and par'cipate in many fun,
achdus-filled moments. There have been many other programs, including the opening Chill Room barbecue dinner and
game nights. The girls were also upli3ed with the annual Avinu Malkeinu live hookup. In addi'on, we played
Bananagrams and Rummikub, and a3er a long day at school, the girls had the opportunity to relax with exci'ng and
inspira'onal movies. In addi'on, I enjoyed hos'ng the Tu B’shvat gourmet breakfast and a pre-Purim sushi-making
ac'vity. Although school closed a3er Pesach, the Chill Room con'nued to func'on with a number of virtual Chill Room
games, cooking ac'vi'es, and scavenger hunts. Many thanks to the madrichos for working on this project and forging
rela'onships that are sure to last a life'me.

Special thanks to Emunah Hekma' and Menucha Widitor for arranging these events and enhancing the many Chill
Room ac'vi'es. I would also like to thank Emunah Hekma', Shiffy Peromsik, Bri.ney Kushner, and Chayala Finkelstein,
who served as Chagiga heads, those who have wri.en ar'cles for the newsle.ers, and everyone for par'cipa'ng and
being part of our family.

Seniors, I especially enjoyed working with you and will miss you all and all that you have added these past four years to
the NEAT experience. Best of luck next year! Keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Tzippy Scheinerman



• Middle school students act as lunchroom assistants when teachers attend meetings.
• NEAT sponsored a chessed carnival to benefit poor children in Israel. Approximately

$500 was raised by the high school students.
• NEAT students assist families with child care, food preparation, and tutoring.
• Older students walk younger ones to and from school when the weather permits.
• Pre-K invites Kindergarten and first grade to a Thanksgiving feast.
• Pre-K and Kindergarten bring in mitzvah notes indicating acts of kindness done daily.
• Kindergarten has a formal program of calling classmates who are sick.
• Kindergarten sends Rosh Hashanah cards to grandparents.
• When the Covid-19 crisis began, students and parents divided the book of Psalms,

and, collectively, they complete the book two times daily.
• PHDS students assist in their synagogues during the week and on the Sabbath.

Alan Shawn Feinstein is the founder of the Feinstein Foundation, which is dedicated to helping the needy
and encouraging youngsters to do likewise. His campaign to fight hunger has raised over $2.5 billion for
thousands of anti-hunger agencies nationwide. There are now over 250,000 Feinstein Jr. Scholars.

Mr. Feinstein Visits Providence Hebrew Day School

To My Wonderful Jr. Scholars,
Never forget you have the power to help other people. No one
can ever take that power away from you. Every time you use
that power, every time you do something that puts a smile on
someone’s face or makes his/her day better, you are making the
world a better place. That makes you a very special person.
Save this yearbook. Every time you and your family look at it,
you and they will remember those you helped and the smiles
you brought to their faces, as well as your school and teachers
who helped show you the way.
Those good deeds of yours will live on forever, and because of
them, so will you!

Your friend always,
Alan Shawn Feinstein

Providence Hebrew Day School

Providence Hebrew Day School

Pre-Kindergarten Morah
J.
Morah
Beth

Shimon Ari Shimon Avraham Brown Yehuda
Bielory Biyevetskiy Biyevetskiy Cline

Penina Meir Azriel Chanina Yehuda Ari
Gallor Golden Karp Karp King

Chana Chaya Mushka Naama Yocheved Meir
Laufer Laufer Lubin Menchel Minkin

Zelda Baila Noey Sara Mordechai Nachum Faiga Bryna
Rosenthal Schloss Schwartz Yeshaya Twersky Yudkowsky
Taitelbaum

Kindergarten

Mrs. Alane Morah
Schreiber J.

Yehoshua Penina Tova
Benjaminson Berlin

Chana Miriam Pinchas Adir Hadassah

Brown Golden King Lubin

Ahron Tehilla Esther Shlomo Yitzchok Dovid
Menchel Minkin Purec Weissmann

First Grade

Mrs. Shayna Rabbi Avrohom Miss Jennifer
Stein Jakubowicz Glazer

Yonah Chaim Yisrael
Abrahim Cline

Yehudis Sara Aharon Yitzchok Faiga
Gorin Kalifa Karp Laufer

Penina Chaim Mordechai Shoshana Menucha
Laufer Lewin Minkin Moskowitz

Tirtza Avigayil Chaim Yitzchok Chaya Bracha
Peromsik Schwartz Yudkowsky Zimmerman

Second Grade

Mrs. Debra Rabbi Shmuel
Terrell Taitelbaum

Yaakov Levi Yehuda Rus
Flig Golden Karp

Lieba Nosson Moshe Yechiel
Laufer Laufer Lubin Menchel

Shlomo Zalman Shalva Yisoschor Refael
Rosenthal Schloss Yudkowsky Zimmerman

Mrs. Sarah Third Grade
Seiff
Rabbi Avrohom
Jakubowicz

Shmuel Justin Moshe Leib
Bielory Brosious Gallor

Shaindel Sarah Yerucham Aryeh Leib
Karp Lapin Menchel

Yocheved Rachel
Peromsik Picraux

Fourth Grade

Mrs. Ilana Rabbi Yechezkel
Benz Yudkowsky

Yaakov Leeba Leah Temima Bayla Chaya
Abrahim Berlin Brown Cline

Moshe Daniel Yehuda Chaya Mushka Yisroel Nechama Leah
Haldorsen Karp Laufer Menchel Minkin

Avigdor Pesach Dovid Azriel Aharon Yehuda Bentzion Ari
Peromsik Purec Rosenthal Schachter Schloss

Tova Kalman Aron Dovid Shoshana Raizel Moshe
Schwartz Taitelbaum Twersky Yudkowsky Zimmerman

Fifth Grade

Mrs. Ilana Mrs. Shifra
Weissmann Yudkowsky

Rivka Yaakov Nosson Mordechai Yehuda
Benjaminson Hack Haldorsen

Eliyahu Shoshana Moshe Chaim
Minkin Pompili Purec

Shalom Meir Yaakov Shlomoh
Schochet Taitelbaum

Middle
School

Middle School

Gitty Devorah Atara Dassi Avigail
Barker Berlin Bielory Bursztyn Flig

Menucha Leah Rochel Miriam Sonya Nechama Chana Miriam Shifra Nechama
Gurkow Kapilevich
Gallor Gallor Karp Karp

Sarah Nechama Liba Tehilla Temima Shifra Bracha Miriam Hadassah
Kivman Rosenthal Rothman
Peromsik Peromsik Purec

Rachel Shira Shalva Esther Leah Adena
Schachter Schwartz Sloane Taitelbaum Twersky Weisman

Middle School

Simcha Sholom Dov Ber Chaim Meyer Daniel
Abrahim Benjaminson Berlin Bielory Buchman

Daniel Tzvi Yehuda Yitzchok Shlomo Sender Meir
Girard Hack Karp Lapin Lewin

Levi Yehudah Yosef Tzvi Yerachmiel Elie
Minkin Minkin Purec Rosenthal Shooman

Rafael Akiva Ayden Akiva Aharon Moshe Binyamin
Twersky Winter Winter Yudkowsky Yudkowsky Zimmerman

“‫”כי שבע יפול צדיק וקם‬ “Whether you think you
‫טז‬:‫משלי כד‬ can or you think you can’t –
you’re right.”
Likes: ‫ גמרא‬class, conserving energy, good
music, food, actual recess, learning ‫תורה‬, Henry Ford
nice people, YESHIVA.
Dislikes: was#ng energy, slow music,
was#ng recess, gym, ‫פריצות‬, annoying
people, school.

I bequeath to Rabbi Yudkowsky an Rabbi Weissmann bequeaths unto Tzvi
endless supply of Torah bucks, and Yehuda the ninth perek of Bava Kamma,
students who actually redeem them. a cool pair of sunglasses, and the
pa#ence to go deeper and deeper in his
learning.

When a boy becomes ‫בר מצוה‬, his first ‫ מצוה‬is to say ‫קריאת שמע‬. What lesson can we
learn from this requirement?

The Radziner Rebbe answers based on :‫גמרא ברכות כט‬. The ‫ גמרא‬says that when you
embark on a ‫דרך‬, a journey, you should first check with Hashem. The Radziner Rebbe
explains from the ‫ גמרא‬in ‫ עירובין‬that this ‫ דרך‬refers to any place of ‫טירדא‬, concern.

When a person becomes ‫בר מצוה‬, he is starting on a journey. His journey is the
journey of life. That journey has the ‫טירדא‬, concern, that the ‫ יצר הרע‬will be too strong for
him. Now he has a ‫יצר טוב‬, and the ‫ יצר הרע‬fights back. As a ‫ בר מצוה‬boy starts this journey,
he needs to “check in with Hashem” by saying ‫קריאת שמע‬.

So too, we when move on to ‫ מתיבתא‬and the rest of our lives, we need to strengthen
our ‫ קשר‬with Hashem, and He will guide us on the correct path.

I bequeath to Rabbi Rabbi Weissmann fondly
Yudkowsky a limousine to bequeaths to Levi a solid mp3
sleep in with all the inter- player, a Friday night
es#ng radio channels, a chavrusa, and Rebbeim who
“Make America Great Again” appreciate the depth of
hat, and the world’s largest spirit and thought that lie
coffee cup. behind his humor.

“Don't tell me the sky's the limit when “.‫”אדם עשוי למשמש בכיסו בכל שעה ושעה‬
there are footprints on the moon.” :‫בבא מציעא כא‬

- Paul Brandt

Why on ‫ פורים‬do we eat a lot and drink ‫?עד דלא ידע‬

Our answer begins with another ques#on. Chazal ask: Why was Mordechai's genera#on ‫מחויב‬
to be killed? The ‫ גמרא‬in ‫ מגילה‬answers that it was because they ate from the meal of the
‫רשעים‬.

The ‫ מפרשים‬ask: ‫ כלל ישראל‬ate because they were forced to, and we know the ‫ הלכה‬is ‫ס‬‫או‬
‫א פטריה‬‫ רחמ‬- if a person is forced to do something, he is ‫פטור‬. So, why were they ‫ מחויב‬to be
killed? The Chasam Sofer answers that ‫ כלל ישראל‬could have done something to prevent the
prohibi#on of ea#ng at this ‫סעודה‬. Had ‫ כלל ישראל‬eaten to sa#a#on beforehand in their
homes, they would have gone to the ‫ סעודה‬already full, and then when they were forced to
eat, it would have been called an ‫אכילה גסה‬, and we know that ‫לא שמה אכילה אכילה גסה‬,
overea#ng a4er you are full is not considered ea#ng. Ergo, they could have never done the
‫ עבירה‬had they eaten to sa#a#on beforehand. The Chasam Sofer concludes that on ‫פורים‬
there is a ‫ מצוה‬to eat a lot because we have to make up for the ‫ עבירה‬of ‫ כלל ישראל‬not ea#ng
before Achashvairosh's ‫סעודה‬.

My years at PHDS really "filled" me up with all of the things I need to move on and succeed in
life. I would like to thank my Rebbeim, Morahs (and janitors) for everything they did for me
by always helping me to succeed in everything I did.

Elie Shmuel Shooman ‫אליהו שמואל שומן‬

Rabbi Yudkowsky bequeaths to Elie: “You don't learn to walk by
A BIG lunch box full of healthy snacks following rules. You learn by
without sugar, a job as home plate doing, and by falling over.”
umpire at the Red Sox vs.
Phillies World Series, tons of ― Richard Branson
geshmake leading a Torahdike life,
and hatzlacha in high school and Likes: sports and cooking
beyond. Finally, Rabbi Yudkowsky
bequeaths to you his phone number Dislikes: having gym without football
to call if you ever need help: 347-968-
7368 "‫"אמור מעט ועשה הרבה‬
(‫טו‬:‫)פרקי אבות א‬
I bequeath to Mrs. Uyttebroek my
rock collection that I obtained from
Casco Bay, because she collects
rocks.

Each Pesach it is incumbent on us to feel as if we were taken out of Egypt. We remind
ourselves on Pesach to appreciate Hashem for freeing us from Mitzrayim.

We did not simply leave. “Yaitz’u birchush gadol” means that we came out of Mitzrayim
with great wealth. That wealth was both material and spiritual. We came out with
material wealth, in that we came out with the Egyp#ans’ valuables. We also came out
with spiritual wealth: we had been brainwashed in Mitzrayim; now we had to change.
We saw the power of Hashem in the makkos, and Hashem brought us out to serve Him.

Now, when we are gradua#ng, we are also coming out of PHDS with great wealth, and
that wealth is both material and spiritual. Our material wealth is our diplomas. Our
spiritual wealth is remembering Providence Hebrew Day School, our teachers, and the
amazing things we learned. Our hearts will always be in PHDS. I feel enormous gra#tude
to my teachers, principals, and parents for all they have done to help me succeed and
graduate from PHDS.

‫”לא עליך המלאכה לגמור ולא‬ “There’s nothing broken that can’t be
“‫ה‬‫אתה בן חורין להבטל ממ‬ fixed.”

‫כא‬:‫פרקי אבות ב‬- - Unknown

Likes: I bequeath to Mrs. Weiner an English Rabbi Scheinerman bequeaths to Moshe a fully
teacher who stays for a very long #me! equipped sound system, and a yeshiva where
Cholent, drumming, learn- he can con#nue to do his acts of chessed and
ing, food in general, music, Dislikes: caring for others with the same tremendous
PHDS!!, my family/ Akiva achrayus and love that you displayed here at
Aharon!! EVERYTHING IS GOOD PHDS. As you grow older, may Hashem give you
the ability to spread this nature of chessed and
maasim tovim to help Klal Yisroel as a group as
well as anyone who could benefit from your
ongoing kindness. Bracha vehatzlacha!

Shabbos is the focus of every Yid’s life. Shabbos serves as a culmination of the previous
week’s effort. As ‫ חז"ל‬teach, one who does not toil on erev Shabbos does not eat on
Shabbos. Shabbos also has an impact on the next week. The ‫ גמרא‬teaches us that the
‫ מלאכים‬who walk home with us on Friday night bless us, “So it should be for the next
Shabbos,” a ‫ ברכה‬that just like the house is beautiful and prepared for ‫מצוות‬, so the house
should be for next Shabbos. The commentators explain that the ‫ ברכה‬is referring not only
to the actual Shabbos of the next week, but also to the days of the whole next week (which
is also sometimes called Shabbos). The ‫ מלאכים‬are saying that our house should be
beautiful and prepared for ‫ מצוות‬all week long.

Providence Hebrew Day School serves as my Shabbos. My success in school each day
hinges on my preparation for class and how much I study. At the same time, PHDS has a
tremendous impact on my future. What I learned and gained from my classes and friends
will positively affect my success in life as I move on to yeshiva.

Thank you, Rabbi Scheinerman, Mrs. Weiner, and all of my Rebbeim and teachers for
helping me experience Shabbos lessons for the past many years. May my observance of
Shabbos throughout my life bring you much nachas.

Teacher Quotes

“I don’t want to see a bird’s-eye view of your throat.”
“That’s messed up.”

”I really don’t want to, but I might have to check the
cameras.”

“Make sure that your desks are in a straight line.”
“Stop drumming.”

“You know, I like you guys, but sometimes…”
“I have a migraine, so please act with respect.”
”If I wanted the money, I wouldn’t be working here.”

Boys’ Memories

howow Naftali’s excuses
lemon WHO ME?!
lime Mr. Puff
ceiling tiles what’s poppin’
Eliezer incidents math
Arnold the back door
stolen chocolate the screwdriver
Naftali’s corner fool
Meir Gilden Oreos
ALEKS the big red button
Ms. Cole Friyay
Moshe’s concussion like
Nirpecha um
Levi’s Torah Buck Levi during yearbook
YEET HLA – private joke
yearbook prep voice crack

IN 20

YEARS…

Levi - Red Sox GM
Huda - the President

Elie - an EMT
Moshe - technical director for

RY Productions

...AND NOW,

IN CLASS

Moshe - helping Rabbi Scheinerman
Elie - eating

Huda - paying attention
Levi - walking and talking

GiMy Barker Likes: Video games, Target, being GiMy Barker bequeaths to
lazy, really baggy hoodies, art, Mrs. Brown a class that is
‫גיטי בארקער‬ snow days, summer, being at quiet, students who use
home, LED lights, vaca#on, Black proper grammar, and an
Friday, empty sketchbooks, infinite supply of new pens.
NeKlix, PS4, new art supplies,
sleeping in, geLng rid of cluMer, Mrs. Brown bequeaths to GiMy a
geLng new decora#ons, cozy sweatshirt, and a world that
redecora#ng, Marvel, baking, is a studio for your crea#ons, not
drawing, pain#ng, dogs, digital art just art and wiMy wri#ng but all
the beauty of a life well-lived; and
Dislikes: STAR Tes#ng, ALEKS, my an apprecia#ve crowd to enjoy it
name, self-centered people, off all in your company.
brand products, people who
chew with their mouths open, “The defini#on of insanity
over-exaggera#on, art blocks, is doing something twice,
normal human beings, messes, and expec#ng the same
bad actors, having guests over,
hypocrites, liMle kids, humidity, result” - Unknown
oversensi#ve people, being
annoyed, loud people, when "‫"דע מה למעלה ממך‬
people waste my #me ‫א‬:‫פרקי אבות ב‬-

In Parshas Lech Lecha, Hashem tells Avraham Avinu to pick himself up and leave the land he was
born in. Hashem promises him great brachos as a result of doing this. The end of Hashem’s
commandment is to go “to the land that I will show you.” Rashi says that Hashem did not reveal
anything about the place Avraham was to go in order to make it more precious to Avraham.

When my family le4 Lakewood and moved to MassachuseMs, I didn’t know anything about the new
school I would be aMending. I remember the first #me I walked into PHDS for my interview, the
place was so unfamiliar, and I wondered whether I would ever get used to it.

Over the next few months, I met new people and got used to the schedule and teachers. I feel so
fortunate to be in a smaller school than the one I le4 behind, and in a place where everyone really
cares about each other. Back when I first started, I didn’t know how much it would mean to me to
be at PHDS, and I am grateful for all the things I have learned since I got here.

Likes: Camp Agudah Dislikes: ALEKS,
Toronto, Canada, STAR tes#ng, annoy-
Toronto, Cousins, ing brothers, being
babies, friends, kids, the oldest, being in
sister, baby girls, liMle charge, homework,
brothers, pulling hair,
figh#ng with Miriam figh#ng

I bequeath to Mrs. Mrs. Brown bequeaths to Atara an
Golden students who audience to enjoy and be inspired by
do well on their tests her stories; extremely challenging work,
and quizzes. because I know you'll rise to the occa-
sion; Klal Yisroel, because I know you'll
(‫ו‬:‫)אבות א‬ "‫"וקנה לך חבר‬ do great things for it; and all the
passive verbs and colloquialisms I made
you excise from your papers, because
you've now earned the right to use
them.

“Be somebody who makes everybody feel
like a somebody.” -Brad Montague

In Koheles, Shlomo Hamelech teaches us about different #mes in our lives: ‫"לכל זמן ועת… תחת‬
(‫א‬:‫השמים" )קהלת ג‬. One of the #mes he speaks of is "‫עת ללדת‬."

Rashi explains that the correct #me to be born is at the end of nine months. This ‫ פסוק‬is here to
tell us how important those nine months are: it would not be the right #me to give birth earlier, as
these nine months are vital for the health of the baby. As we know, a baby born prematurely is
o4en compromised in many ways at birth, and requires interven#on to thrive and catch up to his
peers.

The nine months that a baby grows in the womb can be compared to the nine years of mandatory
schooling one goes through un#l gradua#on. I recognize how vital these past nine years (plus my
two years in Pre-K) have been to my growth. From my Judaic and secular teachers, I have been
given the tools as well as the inspira#on to succeed. From my peers, I have learned about friend-
ship and loyalty. From all those who have been involved in my educa#on, I have learned about
rela#onships, respect, and how to connect to Hashem. Thank you, PHDS, for enabling me to move
on to the next stage in my life as a wholesome, growth-oriented individual.

Rochel Miriam Gallor ‫רחל מרים גלר‬

Likes: ice cream, pizza, Dislikes: STAR testing,
snow days, summer, ALEKS, glasses, the
drawing, sleeping in, dentist, homework,
doodling, flip sequins, and tests.
babies, and Monsey.

‫לה‬:‫” ֵ֥אין ֖ﬠוֹד ִמ ְלּ ַב ֽדּוֹ“ – דברים ד‬ Mrs. Laufer bequeaths to
Rochel Miriam a device that
I bequeath to Let your smile change transforms art into the plain
Rabbi Taitelbaum students the world, but don’t let wriMen word, so you can
who don’t doodle during the world change your con#nue expressing yourself
class. smile.” through art, without ever
having to write a word on the
– Conner Franta work your teachers require.
In addi#on, I have printed a
leMer for your HS teachers
sta#ng that Rochel Miriam is
NOT allowed to write in black
or blue. Ever!

This year’s yearbook theme is “‫ תחת השמים‬...‫לכל זמן ועת‬,” which means that
there is a #me and a place for everything. This reminds me of Rosh Chodesh.
On Rosh Chodesh, we end one month and begin the next. At that #me, we
think about what type of people we have been in the past month, and how
we want to be beMer for the coming month. Rosh Chodesh is similar to
gradua#on. When we graduate, we are finishing elementary school and mov-
ing on to high school. We reflect on what we have been in elementary school,
and how we want to change for high school… and for the rest of our lives.

We should have this considera#on in mind whenever we finish something,
because whenever we finish one thing, we are star#ng something else.

SONYA GURKOW ‫סניא גוורקאו‬

-Spots on the board
-Star testing
-When people pull my
hair
When I get grammar
corrected

I bequeath to Mrs. Brown Mrs. Laufer bequeaths to Sonya a “Sealed ‫”עשה אתה את‬
students who walk in quietly. Time Experience Room,” where you will ‫שלך ואני אעשה‬
experience Pre-K through Grade 7 at PHDS
“To the world you might be in just one hour. You will come out “.‫את שלי‬
one person, but to one person believing you have been with all of us all
along. (We do not need to go in there with ‫— רש“י במדבר‬
you might be the world.” you - we feel that way already!) Additionally, ‫טז‬:‫ג‬
- My mother, quo#ng Taylor I bequeath a gold plaque of honor (made by
Chiram Melech Tzur) for being the kind,
Hanson hard-working girl that you are.

ALL IN TWELVE SECONDS

When you wake up in the morning, it is the &me to think. You can either rush into your day like a slave going to serve his
master, or glide into it with a purpose - like a free man.

When you wake up you have 12 seconds to think about your day, and about your plans for the day. Scien&sts have demon-
strated that it takes 12 seconds from when one opens one’s eyes un&l the body adjusts, and for the blood to run through the body, so
that the person does not faint. In those 12 seconds we say the 12 words of ‫ ;מודה אני‬if we say them carefully, with concentra&on, it
takes 12 seconds.

When you say ‫ מודה אני‬and plan your day, you should take into account two crucial things:

Everyone is like a sun and a moon; we have both parts to us. We rely on the sun to burn its fiery light when we wake up in
the morning. When we do that, we are relying on it to be consistent. Like the sun, we should fill our days with the consistent things
that we do every day. These include a &me to daven and to learn in the morning, because that is when our brains concentrate the
most.

But we are also considered like the moon, which is not consistent. One day it is full and the next it is not. When we look out-
side, we don’t always know if we will be able to see it, for it might be too small. Like the moon, one day we are happy and able to
concentrate and the next day we might not be. We grow with great leaps and jumps, which is also not consistent. When we plan out
our day, we need to include a &me to grow, by connec&ng to people and learning from mistakes.

Right now, at gradua&on, it is the &me to plan out our future, like we do in the morning. We have to plan it considering the
different aspects of the sun and the moon. We must plan our new day with a &me to learn, like the sun, and a &me to grow, like the
moon. Remember: we are ending a day but we are also star&ng a new one.

Rabbi Taitelbaum
bequeaths to Sarah’le a
rebbi who learns as much
as she does so he can know
ALL the answers, and an
oaken cask to keep her
questions in so they can age
like fine wine while she
waits to be called on.

“Knowledge is having the right answer; Likes: Piano, ice cream,
intelligence is asking the right question.” pizza, little kids, candy.

- Unknown Dislikes: When Neli
corrects my grammar,
“.‫”ולא המדרש הוא העקר אלא המעשה‬ when I am not called on,
( ‫יז‬: ‫) פרקי אבות א‬ STAR testing, annoying
people.

It is dark. Darker than it had been all night. A darkness that is so
blinding that it’s impossible to know where I am. Then suddenly the sky
begins to lighten and now I know it is dawn. Dawn, which is a harbinger of
good tidings.

The darkest is before dawn. Now it is a time that is so dark, so dark that
we sometimes don’t even know where we are and what our purpose is. It’s
so dark that we are groping for answers, which we sometimes feel are
elusive. However, this very darkness is the signal to us that the greatest light
is soon to follow! The greatest light: the light of Moshiach. This is how we go
through the darkness every day.We know that dawn is going to follow very
shortly.

‫נחמה ליבא פרומסיק‬ axv{tÅt _|ut cxÜÉÅá|~

“If your yearbook quote encapsu- I bequeath to Mrs. Karp an
lates your whole essence, then you endless supply of bananas for
need to grow more as a person.” – her pet gorilla.
Rina LaReina

Mrs. UyMebroek bequeaths to Nechama Dislikes: umbrellas; Kipling; e.e. cummings;
Liba: A boat that is not made of aluminum ALEKS; STAR testing; people who don’t care
foil; her own real car that is bigger than Tehilla's go about using proper grammar; computers; people
-cart but smaller than Shiffy's Pawtucket school bus; a who don’t know how to let others talk; Color
dollar for every #me she has wriMen or will write the equa- War; “American” ways,(e.g. calling the U.S.
#on for photosynthesis; a list of all of her new names in the “America,” using “they” as a singular pronoun,
Lab, star#ng with "Libby"; a future filled with whimsical abbreviating things, et cetera, et cetera);
Math and Science jokes (but is there any other type?); best texting shorthand; librarian controlled coun-
wishes in all of her endeavors; and a life filled with laughter tries.
and joy.
‫”כל ישראל ערבים זה‬
_|~xáM TÇàtÜvà|vtN utu|xáN vtàáN wÉÉwÄ|ÇzN xÄxÑ{tÇàáN ytÇvç yÉÇàáN .‫בזה“ שבועות לט‬
zÜtÅÅtÜN {xtÜàáN |zÄÉÉáN }xÄÄçN ~tÇztÜÉÉáN ÄxtÜÇ|ÇzN Åç ytÅ|ÄçB
yÜ|xÇwáN Ç|v~ÇtÅxáN ÉvàÉÑ|N ÑxÇzâ|ÇáN ÖâÉàxáN Üt|ÇN áÇÉãN àÜxxáN âÇyÉÜ@
zxààtuÄx náv|xÇvxp xÖâtà|ÉÇáN äxÄÉv|àçN jxzÅtÇáN åçÄÉÑ{ÉÇxáN çxtÜ@
uÉÉ~N é|z@étzá

The word “I” is almost never said in the davening of the Yamim Nora’im. In these tefillos we usually
speak collec#vely, as “we.” Why?

One answer is that when we are davening with more people, our davening is more effec#ve. We are al-
so less self-centered when we daven for others.

Once upon a #me, a student took a test, and finished late. When he went to hand it in, the proctor
would not accept it. The student exclaimed, “Do you know who I am? Do you know who my father is?”

“No,” said the proctor.

“Really? Great!” exclaimed the student, and he stuck his test into the middle of the stack of tests on the
proctor’s desk and ran out the door.

On the Yom HaDin, however, #me is up to do teshuva, and this trick won’t work. Hashem knows who we
are, and we can’t pretend that we’re someone else. We have to actually do teshuva, on #me, and
improve who we are as individuals. Davening with everyone else adds to our merits, but we s#ll need to
take responsibility for our own ac#ons.

Gradua#on is also an end, the end of our PHDS career; and there is nothing else for us to do, because
there is no #me le4. We need to look forward to high school, and to what we will become; and use our
PHDS educa#on to help us achieve what we want to achieve.

Shifra Bracha Purec ‫שפרה ברכה פארעץ‬

Likes: Summer, siblings, Dislikes: STAR testing,
snow days, music, ice homework, ALEKS, tests
cream, yogurt

Mrs. Laufer bequeaths to Shifra Bracha a water “People often avoid making
boMle that refills itself as needed, and my kitchen, decisions out of fear of making a
fully stocked with ingredients and donut mistake. Actually, the failure to
dough. There will be a group of girls there looking make decisions is one of life's
to learn from your skills! The only condi#on is that biggest mistakes.”
you bring your PHDS teachers some goodies once
a week. Rabbi Noach Weinberg

“‫”כי שבע יפול צדיק וקם‬ I bequeath to Mrs. Uyttebroek a company
‫טז‬:‫משלי כד‬- that will continue manufacturing chalk even
in the age of white boards and SMART
boards.

O4en, people wonder what their mission in life is. The Gemara tells us that when parents bestow a name upon a child,
a spark of ruach hakodesh comes from Shamayim to give them Divine inspira#on as to what the child’s mission will be
for life. That mission is encoded in the name that the child is given. If one understands the essence of his name, he can
get a glimpse into his true mission in this world.

The Medrash states a number of reasons for why Bnai Yisroel were zocheh to be redeemed from Mitzrayim. One
reason given is because throughout our #me in Mitzrayim we didn’t abandon our Jewish names and adopt ones of
Mitzri origin.

The Dinover Rav explains that the names Shifra and Puah were of Mitzri origin. They were given to Yocheved and
Miriam to try to change their nature from being compassionate Jewish women to being detached and uncaring Mitzri
women. This, Paroh thought, would enable Yocheved and Miriam to carry out his cruel mission.

The Sforno explains that we o4en think that the grand and great things that a person does are what ul#mately defines
who he is, but we are mistaken. The way that we treat seemingly small and insignificant people and ac#vi#es is
ul#mately the true indicator of what our values are. Reb Yerucham explains that the names of Shifra and Puah indicate
that although they were doing seemingly small and insignificant tasks, they did them with honesty, integrity, and for
the sake of Hashem. This was the true display of the morals that they stood for. It became the prism through which we
can view all of their accomplishments.

My #me in PHDS has taught me the importance of recognizing my life’s goals and striving to accomplish them. Through
the warm encouragement and guidance of the faculty of the school, I feel I was given the tools to con#nue on the path
of Shifra and Puah. At this milestone in my life, it is my wish that the founda#ons that the school has provided me with
will con#nue to be my compass so that I can live up to the essence of my name.

‫ ֶו ֱה ֵוי‬,‫” ֱא ֹמר ְמ ַﬠט ַו ֲﬠ ֵשׂה ַה ְר ֵבּה‬ “Your #me is limited, so
don’t waste it living
‫ְמ ַק ֵבּל ֶאת ָכּל ָה ָא ָדם ְבּ ֵס ֶבר‬ someone else’s life.”

“.‫ָפּ ִנים ָיפוֹת‬ -Steve Jobs

‫טו‬:‫ פרקי אבות א‬- -

Mrs. Hack bequeaths to Miriam the Likes: CBY, Yocheved, Miriam, summer, music,
privilege of not having to daven out siblings, figh#ng with Atara
loud, the ability to talk in the hall while
walking out of line, notes that take Dislikes: Dogs, cats, math, STAR tes#ng, homework, tests,
themselves and much hatzlocha as she
takes her simcha, ruach and many literal people, Toronto, ALEKS, slow music
amazing kochos on to high school.

I bequeath to Mrs. Hack students who don’t play with puMy and slime.

Shlomo Hamelech, in Koheles, teaches that there is a #me specific for every life situa#on and emo#on: “Lakol zman va’eis,” everything has its
specific #me.

Perhaps a deeper understanding of this message, the message of having appropriate #me frames for each occasion, is the no#on of
apprecia#ng the concept of #me in and of itself: the value of what #me, and the #me in one’s life, brings forth.

Rabbi Spero, in his sefer on Yomim Noraim, is puzzled why we read the story of Yonah at Mincha of Yom Kippur. Inasmuch as there are many
Yom Kippur themes incorporated in the story of Yonah, why do we not recount Yonah at Shacharis?

Rabbi Spero explains that perhaps the story of Yonah speaks about life. Not just the concept of life; rather, sefer Yonah describes life on the
brink of death — this being the most precious form of life that there is, as life has no greater meaning for an individual than when the person
is on the verge of losing it. Precisely at that #me, the value of every moment is pronounced.

The Gemara in Berachos (5a) teaches us that one of the ways to bring an individual to teshuva is “Yizkor lo yom hamisah - he should
remember the day of death.” When we think about our mortality and about death, that will bring us to think about life in a more serious
manner. We need to reflect, “What will remain of us a4er we leave this world?” Nothing but a tombstone, with maybe about 20 words on
the piece of stone; but what will those words be? Profoundly, the person’s life legacy, and that legacy is all that remains a4er the person
leaves this world. As Rabbi Spero says, “It will take an en#re life#me of our ac#ons to chisel away those few words on the tombstone.
Nonetheless, if we think about our yom hamisah—for even a moment—and make a commitment to do whatever it takes to carve out our
legacy, then this moment is absolutely priceless.” Rav Simcha Zissel of Kelm on Yom Kippur would stand before the congrega#on and ask, “If
you had a half hour to live, what would you do?”

Rabbi Spero says that at Mincha on Yom Kippur, Yom Kippur is winding down, the sun is seLng, and we have “a half hour to live,” or, more
precisely, a half hour to determine how we want to live: to determine how we will change and be our best, op#mizing the most of life. Rav
Leib Chasman says that from the possuk in Yonah, “Sa’uni ve’ha$lluni el ha’yam - li4 me up and heave me into the sea” (Yonah 1:12), we
learn to value, appreciate, and treasure life, even one more moment of life: “Sa’uni - li4 me up.” Those few extra moments of life, being li4ed
higher, are so very precious.

Yonah teaches us the value of life, how to perceive life, to help us form how we will live and what our life legacy will be.

I want to express my deep hakaras hatov to PHDS for giving me a founda#on of what the value of life is, and for helping me formulate what I
want my life legacies to be.

‫ הדסה ראטמאן‬HADASSAH ROTHMAN

DISLIKES LIKES

Homework Good books
School Pizza
Getting up early Animals

“You always have to say the truth,

but the truth doesn’t always have

to be said!” - Unknown

Hadassah bequeaths to the Mrs. Brown bequeaths to Hadassah Rothman her own prin#ng press
school a never-ending so she can pick up where the world's supply of books leaves off
supply of GOOD books for when she uses it up; a beau#ful forest stream, and people worth
the library that students are sharing it with; and a world of endless light (to match your luminous
eager to read and return personality) and boMomless profundity.
promptly to share the
treasure...

“‫”לכל זמן ועת תחת השמים‬

Everything on this earth has its right #me.
There is a #me for marriage and a #me for gradua#on. We know exactly when we will graduate from 8th grade, but the #me of our
marriage will remain a mystery to us for a few more years. It is rela#vely simple to graduate on #me because we know exactly when
that #me is and what we must do: we must aMend school, do our work, and achieve passing grades. However, it can be quite
complicated to find the right person and know the right #me to marry.
The difficulty of finding the right partner to marry is illustrated in a story from the Midrash. A Roman woman asked Rabbi Yosei bar
Chala4a, “How many days did Hashem work to create the world?” When he was told that it was six days, she asked what Hashem has
been busy with since then. Rabbi Yosei told her that Hashem sits and matches couples. The woman was astounded that this should be
Hashem’s occupa#on. It seemed to her that this would be an easy thing to do, and she decided to prove that she could do it, too. She
randomly matched all her servants and maid servants in under an hour! The next day when they returned to work, they each had a
different injury from figh#ng with his/her alloMed partner, and they refused to con#nue with the woman’s arrangements. The woman
called Rabbi Yosei and declared, “There is no Hashem like your Hashem. When you explained to me that Hashem is busy making
matches, you spoke wisely.”
Shira was busy with a shidduch with Efraim. A4er several dates, Shira felt that Efraim wasn’t the right man for her and told the
shadchan that she didn’t want to see him anymore. Efraim felt differently, that she was the right girl for him and that he wanted to
con#nue da#ng. Shira ignored the pleas of the shadchan and the advice of her friends and family: she simply refused another date.
Finally, she was advised to write a leMer to the Lubavitcher Rebbe to ask advice on what to do. In his return leMer, the Rebbe advised

her to check her ‫מזוזות‬.
When she did so, it was found that the ‫ מזוזה‬on her bedroom door was not kosher. The word ‫ לבבך‬in the paragraph of ‫ואהבת‬

was missing one ‫ב‬. The word ‫לבבך‬, which means your heart, has a double ‫ ;ב‬it takes two people to get married. The word ‫ לבבך‬in
Shira’s ‫ מזוזה‬had only one. There can’t be a marriage with only one person or one heart; Shira’s heart wasn’t yet ready for marriage.
When her ‫ מזוזה‬was repaired then the hearts of these two individuals were at last ready to unite.

The #me for our gradua#on is upon us and we are ready to move on to the next stage of our lives. The #me for our weddings is s#ll

unknown to us. ‫אי"ה‬, when the #me comes for us to marry, we should all find our bashert with ease and the right #me for marriage

should be revealed to us.

Likes: camp, Leah Twersky Dislikes: STAR tes#ng,
vaca#on, snow days, ALEKS, class,
s#cky notes. grammar, homework,
tests.
“We can complain because
rose bushes have thorns or Mrs. Brown bequeaths
rejoice because thorn to Leah a five-foot shelf
bushes have roses.” of good books to read
and ponder; a world of
-Abraham Lincoln good friends and special
people to learn from,
I bequeath to Mrs. ‫לאה טברסקי‬ because I know you'll
Lapin students who appreciate them; and
don’t move the genuinely challenging
desks. assignments!

“‫”סיג לחכמה שתיקה‬
‫יז‬:‫–פרקי אבות ג‬

“‫”לכל זמן ועת לכל חפץ תחת השמים‬

“Everything has an appointed season, and there is a #me for every maMer under
the heaven.”

The ‫ קהילת יעקב‬says that there is a #me for everything if you want it: ‫עת לכל‬
“‫חפץ‬.” There is always #me to learn Torah and do mitzvos. Anything that you want
to do, you will find #me to do.

Becoming a bas mitzvah is a monumental #me in life when every mitzvah starts to
count, and we should do as many mitzvos as we can. It is important to know that
there is never too liMle #me to do a mitzvah: you can do it if you want to.
Gradua#ng is also a turning point in life, and it’s important to remember that we
have #me for anything we want to do, if only we will make #me for it. This is a
lesson that our teachers have taught us, and have modeled for us.

What’s In _______’s Desk?

Atara: nothing, it’s all on top
Sarah’le: all her missing pencils

Miriam: a mess

Leah: her sticky notes
NeLi: all her origami
Sonya: her giant siddur
Rochel Miriam: all her doodles
Shifra Bracha: her sequins notebook
Gitty: all her sketch books and fancy markers
HADASSAH: BOOKS

Nicknames

Muddy (Miriam Rosenthal)

Terry (Atara Bielory)

La La (Leah Twersky)

Shifert (Shifra Bracha Purec)
Uchy (Rochel Miriam Gallor)
Libby (Nechama Liba Peromsik)

HUDI (HADASSAH ROTHMAN)
Sunny (Sonya Gurkow)
Giddy (Gitty Barker)

Sudi (Sarah’le Kivman)

Classic Conversa#ons

Atara Kayla Bielory: It’s not “oy,” its “oh”!
Sarah’le Kivman: No, it’s not; see, it’s “oy!”
Atara Kayla Bielory: No, there is no yud there!
Sarah’le Kivman: It doesn’t need a yud; that’s only for Yiddish!

Sonya Gurkow: I know karate for three-year-olds. Haha.
Atara Kayla Bielory: I know karate for very bad four-year-olds. I’m beMer.

Sonya Gurkow: No, you’re not; good three-year-olds are better. (eyebrow
thing)

Miriam: You’re Labavitch, not Ashkenaz. (the whole accent)

Sonya Gurkow: Maybe, but I’m Ashkenaz.

Miriam: No, you’re not. Mrs. Laufer……… (making everyone look up at us)

Atara: Miriam, we’re Litvish. Litvish and Chabad are both a type of Ashkenaz.
Sarah’le: (with hand motions, calmly): I didn’t want to be part of
the fight but this is what it is………………………………………….
HADASSAH: I’M SO IN THE MOOD OF READING

NeLi: It’s not in the mood of, it’s in the mood for

HADASSAH: I DON’T CARE

NeLi: Well you should

If Had a Million Dollars

Atara would buy a house in Israel
Miriam would get a helicopter
Gitty would buy an expensive art set, invest most of the
money, buy a nice apartment, and get a dog
Sarah’le would spend so much time thinking of
what to do with it and how to invest it
Shifra Bracha wouldn’t know what to
do with it
Sonya would be really con-
fused
HADASSAH WOULD USE HALF TO GET AN
APARTMENT AND INVEST THE REST

Leah wouldn’t know what to do with it
Rochel Miriam would save it
Nechama Liba would give maaser and move to
Antarctica