PHDS 75th Anniversary Celebration

PHDS NEAT

Mazel tov! With much With much hakaras hatov
and wishes of continued
for your success for the entire school
and the legendary honorees
caring and for Dovid and Shiffy Gilden

all of your and

.

Rabbi Nisson Dov and
Tamar Miller

Mazel tov to all of the honorees.
for all of the TLC you

have given to our future generations.
Mazel tov to Providence Hebrew
Day School for celebrating their
75th anniversary.

The Benesch Family

PHDS NEAT

PHDS NEAT A wonderful school
for all our children.
In Honor of
Mazel tov on this
amazing milestone.

Miriam Esther Eli and Wendy
Weiner Hauser

Moshe and Dena In honor of the
Luchins and Family teachers and staff

Moshe and Elisheva Kalifa

Congratulations to all the IN HONOR OF
honorees! RABBI AND MRS. SCHEINERMAN

Congratulations to our and
daughter, RABBI AND MRS. JAKUBOWICZ
FOR THEIR YEARS OF DEVOTED
Mrs. Sarah Seiff,
who hasn't reached 25 SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
Rabbi Joshua and Michele Levy
years of service yet.
May she have continued Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania

. PHDS NEAT

Michah and Miriam Lerner

PHDS NEAT Mazel tov

to our dear sister and brother-in-law

Lynn and Rabbi Avrohom Jakubowicz

And to our dear niece

Mrs. Shiffy Yudkowsky

Your devotion and to Providence Hebrew Day

School continues to be as energized as it was in year number

one. You have enriched the lives of thousands of students by

putting your heart and soul into each and every one of them.

May Hashem bless you with continued and lots of

, and from your beautiful families.

Chayie and Kenny Mittel

Yashar koach to all the
teachers and Staff of the

Providence Hebrew
Day School

for their dedication to
Jewish Education.

Yossi and Shoshana
Laufer
PHDS NEAT

PHDS NEAT

to our teachers for
their years of dedication!
May you go from strength to

strength.

From,
Fishel & Elianna Bresler

In gratitude to the Honoring the memory of
extraordinary teachers
who have skillfully and Rabbi Yitzchok Groner,
lovingly crafted us into
and Rabbi Yossi Goldstein,
who we are today
the founding teachers of Torah to
The Raskin Family children in Providence

1946 emissaries of the previous
Lubavitcher Rebbe .

(with an honorable Chabad of Rhode Island

mention to Mrs. Uyttebroek) Rabbi and Mrs. Yehoshua Laufer

PHDS NEAT

PHDS NEAT

Best wishes to all
the honorees

Mindy and Ira Widman

MAZEL TOV
RABBI & MRS. J.!

THANK YOU FOR OPENING YOUR
HOME AND HEARTS TO SO MANY

AND INSPIRING COUNTLESS
STUDENTS WITH YOUR
DEDICATION AND LOVE.
FROM,

ZEHAVA (RUBIN) & NAFTALI
RASKIN

Kol hakavod to Thank you to all
the teachers and
the great faculty staff at PHDS for

of PHDS your caring and
dedication towards
our children.
From,

Rabbi Mendel & Much !

Chana Gurkow Rabbi Zalman and
& family Devorah Laufer

PHDS NEAT

PHDS NEAT Mazel tov to all of the
PHDS/NEAT Rabbeim, teachers and
In memory of my
grandfather administrators.
May you continue to inspire and
Shlomo Kofman encourage your students for many

and mazel tov on years to come.
the 75th anniversary
Shmuel and Rosalyn Shafner, Silver Spring, MD
of the school
Congratulations on
your 75th anniversary!

Ephraim Weiss Dr. Marc & Ruth Page

* Reliable
* Affordable
* Supervised Work

300 Roosevelt Avenue
Pawtucket, RI 02860

800-886-6627 401-722-6627

PHDS NEAT

PHDS NEAT

With tremendous to We feel very
Rebbetzin Gibber and Rebbetzin Lipson privileged that our
children are among
for the you instilled in me, both
through the lessons in class and as role the countless
students whose
models of living . futures you have

My family and I are forever grateful. molded.
Mazel tov on a well-
With for continued ,
deserved honor.
Aviva Harpaz
Yehuda Leib and
In honor of Sara Brown
Rabbi Peretz and Tzippy

Scheinerman
and in honor of Rabbi Lapin

Fradie Gelber

With hakaras hatov to

Mrs. Beth Berman Congratulations
Mrs. Marsha Gibber Rabbi J.!!!!
Rabbi Avrohom Jakubowicz
Mrs. Lynn Jakubowicz Sam & Jennifer
Mrs. Miriam Lipson Glicksman
Mrs. Susan Sugerman
Rabbi Shmuel Taitelbaum
Mrs. Miriam Esther Weiner
Mrs. Shifra Yudkowsky

for all that you do each and
every day to help each and every

child shine.

Mazel tov!

The Peromsik family PHDS NEAT

PHDS NEAT

We are grateful for all you have
given to teaching the children of

Providence and your selfless
dedication to the service of our

community.

Anschel and Deborah Strauss

With much to
appreciation to
Rabbi Taitelbaum
the staff and
families of NEAT for all he does for the

community. So many of
our are to his
David and Zelda
Shleifer credit! as
well to all the

Dear PHDS, other teachers and
staff who infuse our
Sincere thanks for educating my three community with a
children and helping to make them the
of Torah.
people they are today.
,
Sincerely, Ari and Shayna Stein
Sharon Groh-Mintz
PHDS NEAT

PHDS NEAT

In honor of my dear sister and brother-in-law
Abe & Lynn Jakubowicz

and my niece Shiffy Yudkowsky

Your love and commitment to educating generations
of is truly exceptional.

May Hashem give you the strength to continue for
many years to come.

In honor of With
Rabbi and Mrs. Avrohom
!
Jakubowicz
and Mrs. Shifra Yudkowsky Ruth and Jay
Genuth
Chayke and Tzvi Karp
(Class of
In honor and recognition of
Rabbi Yechezkel and Mrs. Shiffy

Yudkowsky
for all your work of

Your cousins, PHDS NEAT
The Litwack Family

PHDS NEAT

In honor of

Mrs. Miriam Esther

Weiner

We would like to thank the From,
community for their warm Aryeh and Yehudis Victor
welcome. We look forward to
continuing to get to know

everybody!
Chaim Yehuda & Guta Shaps

and Family

In honor of the esteemed to the honorees!
You continue to inspire us with your
and honorable veteran dedication, expertise, and vision!
educators who serve as We thank you for the impact that
true role models in and out you have had on our family.

of the classroom You should continue to go

" "!

The Picker Family Mordechai and Carol Fried
and family
To all these amazing men &
women who have changed so Mazel tov to all of my

thank you for all that you did for teachers!!!!
me when I attended NEAT. You
all helped me become who I am

Your are all truly amazing people.

~Chanita Richard Schectman
PHDS NEAT

PHDS NEAT

-

Mazel tov to each and
every one of these
extraordinary
honorees!

With admiration and
appreciation,
Reva Riffkin

In honor of my illustrious
uncle and aunt

Rabbi Abe and Lynn Jakubowicz
and my special cousin
Mrs. Shiffy Yudkowsky

Your dedication to has
made you a legend. May Hashem
bless you with continued
and from
your children.

Shmuel and Shifra Silber

PHDS NEAT

PHDS NMEATazel tov to Mazel tov Shiffy on this
Rabbi and Mrs. Jakubowicz well-deserved honor
for the well-deserved honor. recognizing your unique
You should be to continue
your in good contribution to Klal Yisroel.
health and . May Hashem continue to bless
you in all areas - in your home, in
The Pick Family the classroom, and in your com-

MAZEL TOV TO ALL munity.
THE HONOREES We are proud to be related!

TONY AND BELA Mindy Shapiro, Devorah,
MILLER Ovadiah, Dovid Yudkowsky and

Families

Mazel tov, Miriam Esther, on this well-deserved tribute.
We know your involvement with the school has had such a

special impact on the students.
May you continue your special work for Klal Yisrael.

Judith and Harold

Abie, Lynn, and Shiffy,
Your devotion to the school and the community at large is
beyond remarkable. So much of what happens in Providence

is due to the Jakubowicz families.
We wish you many years of good health, bracha, and mazal.

Judith and Harold PHDS NEAT
and family.

PHDS NEAT

Our Dear Ilana,
Once more we want you to know how proud we are of
you for who you are as a person and what you do as a

teacher. You are passionate and dedicated to your
students and know how to inspire them.
Your commitment to the school and your
community is remarkable.

With lots of love,
Mom and Dad

Thank you to all the wonderful Mazel tov to the
teachers and staff of PHDS for esteemed honorees and the
making the school such a warm
and inspiring place to grow and PHDS community on this
most meaningful milestone.
learn. May PHDS continue to grow
Mr. and Mrs. Levi Biyevetskiy and flourish, for many

Congratulations to years to come.
Providence Hebrew Day
Rabbi Aaron I. and Chani
School on its 75th Benjaminson and family
anniversary!
PHDS NEAT
Roz Hurwitz & Herb Stern

PHDS NEAT

--

-

-
-
-

PHDS NEAT

PROVIDENCE HEBREW DAY SCHOOL
A LOOK AT OUR FIRST 75 YEARS

Sincere thanks to Mrs. Elaine Saklad
for her historical research and production of the special section,

and to Miss Avigayil Rauch for the graphic design

September 17, 1946: Charter for Providence Providence
Hebrew Day
Hebrew Day School is signed: “For advancing secular
and religious education and furthering by all proper and School ad

legitimate means the dissemination of traditional I know you’ve been worrying
orthodox Hebrew religious and moral instruction…” aout my future education. I’m aware that
you’re anxious to me the best schooling
A building at 151 Waterman Street, Providence, RI, was possible. I’d like to make a suggestion.
purchased for $65,000. A down payment of $20,000 was
I’ve been hearing a great deal
needed immediately; one of the parents said that he about Day Schools-where my public
would give $10,000 if the rest of those present would school subjects are taught by competent,
give the other $10,000. Three people contributed $2000 licensed teacher. The classes are small,
the instruction capable and we kids seem
each, and four others gave $1000 each. to learn mor ethat way.

Then, of course, there’s the
religious part of my education.

Now, I’m proud of being a Jew.
I’d like to know more about my people
which I’m sure will help make me a
better American.

So, Mom’n’Pop, won’t you
check up on the Providence Hebrew Day
School. It may be the answer to your
problem of giving me a better
Education.

Registration for the new school opened in January 1947 Thankgiving
for nursery school through fourth grade, and classes Play

began in February for 93 students. Bus transportation
was provided and hot lunches served. Secular studies
were overseen by the Providence School Department.
In September 1948, enrollment was expanded to the

eighth grade.

Lunchroom at Purim
Waterman 1955

First Board of
Directors

Money was tight; the community at large was not

supportive, making fundraising very difficult. Officers
and board members were often compelled to provide

money, which was sometimes - but not always - repaid.
There was a cook, and women helped serve lunch; this
was important to ensure that non-kosher food would not
be brought to school. The Ladies Association was a key
component in keeping the school running; the women
cooked, cleaned, raised money, and took an active role in

the administration of the school.

September 17, Dean January 3, 1947: February 10, Dean December 1958:
1946: 1947: Building
1947-1950: Advertisement for 1952-1964:
Charter for Rabbi James PHDS published and First day of school at Rabbi Akiva Egozi condemned; classes
Providence Hebrew registration opened Waterman Street move to Temple
Day School is signed Gordon
Beth El until end of
year

In December 1958, during school vacation, the Model
Seder
building on Waterman Street was condemned by the
Providence Fire Department. For the remainder of the Kindergarten
school year, classes were held at Temple Beth-El, and 1963-1964

then moved to Temple Emanuel until a new building Class of
was erected. 1965

A building fundraising drive began in 1959 to raise Students at
$300,000, and 37,000 square feet of land were

purchased on Elmgrove Avenue, between Sargent
Avenue and Savoy Street, in the heart of the Jewish
neighborhood. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held
on June 15, 1960, and the cornerstone dedication took

place on April 1, 1962.

There were twelve classrooms, for a capacity of 350
students. The lower school included kindergarten and

grades 1-6, and the upper school was comprised of
grades 7-9. There was also a multi-purpose room, to be

used as a shul, with a stage, ark, and reading table.

By 1966, it was clear that a new kindergarten room
was needed, and a beautiful, modern wing was
dedicated in October 1967.

1959-1962: March 22, 1962: April 19, 1964: Dean Dean October 22, 1967: September, 1968:
Dedication of 1967-1979 Dedication of new New England
Classes held at Cornerstone auditorium, library, 1964-1967: Rabbi Nachman
dedication at 450 Rabbi David kindergarten Academy of Torah
Temple Emanuel Elmgrove Ave classrooms, Cohen opens
amd Beth-El windows and plaques Jehuda

The students participated in many activities, including Chanukah 1971: First
and Purim celebrations, trips, and music programs. The Day graduating class
School women organized and funded trips for the students,
provided refreshments for special occasions, and sold school of NEAT
supplies in their gift shop. They also organized family-oriented
programming, to help parents learn about and appreciate what
their students were experiencing in school. Some of these

programs included Succos suppers in the school succah, attended

by over 450 people; Purim seudos with original Purim plays

written by parents; and numerous family trips.

In 1968, the high school division, the New England 1971 Faculty
Academy of Torah, was established. Graduates of
PHDS would be able to stay in Providence to complete NEAT Class of
their high school education, and students from across 1979
New England would come to Providence to study.

In March 1973, a building was purchased at 262 Blackstone Classroom in
Boulevard; after renovations were made, it was dedicated, as 1974
a dormitory, on March 24, 1974. The building was dedicated

in memory of Louis and Sarah Fishbein, by their sons.

Dr. Joseph Fishbein,
grandon of Louis
and Sara Fishbein

September 1968: March 1974:
New England Dormitory opens at 262 Black-
stone Blvd, dedicated in memory
Academy of Torah of Louis and Sarah Fishbein,

opens presented by their sons

Under the leadership of Rabbi Sholom Strajcher, the Kindergarten Pay phone
school continued to grow, and outreach to the parent body 1986-1987

and to the community at large was an important focus.

Children of emigres from Russia who settled in Rhode
Island were welcomed into the school; a special bilingual

transitional program was established for them.

In 1984, a yeshiva gedola was brought to Providence, under the Chanukah
1986-1987
auspices of NEAT, Inc. (the dormitory corporation). The young
men lived in the NEAT boys’ dormitory and served as dorm New wing
counselors and role models for the high school boys. The

bochurim of the yeshiva integrated with the families of the

school, giving of their time, energy, and knowledge. “Motzoei
Shabbos Live” father-son learning and the Providence Purim
Parade were begun, and these programs continue to this day.

Additional space was needed, and the “Future Fund” campaign NEAT Class
was launched to raise money for more classrooms, an enlarged of 1982
auditorium, a Judaic library, and other improvements, along with
1982
debt consolidation. The new wing was opened in 1986. Students in

Through the hard work of the dorm parents and the high school class
girls, the dormitory at 60 Taft Avenue, was a welcoming place,

not only for the young women of NEAT, but for community
women and girls, as well. Rosh Chodesh and other gatherings

were held there, and relationships were formed between the
students and the women of the community.

Dean Fall of 1984: September 1986:
1980-1993: New wing opens
Rabbi Sholom Yeshiva Gedola opens,
Strajcher
under the auspices of
NEAT, Inc.

Rabbi Mordechai Nissel, a dynamic teacher in the school, who Barbershop
earned a Masters’ Degree in Education Administration, Quartet

became the Dean in 1997. There was a new excitement in the
school, with innovative programming, such as class dinners,
frequent school assemblies, student council, and contests such

as the “Wacky Menorah Contest.”

Student Council Class of 1995
1994 Girls Dormitory

Recognizing the importance of technology for students and girls performance
the need to provide them with skills for their future, funds
were raised for a computer lab, with networked computers 1994
and printers. Students were given time and resources to Mock Trial

develop technical skills, such as typing, using provided
software, and doing research safely and efficiently on the

internet.
For the school’s 50th anniversary in 1996, a special
dinner was held in the RI Convention Center to honor
Senator Claiborne Pell, who was retiring. Senator Pell,
who was an advocate for education, was honored with
an evening of testimonials, a performance by the PHDS

children’s choir, and a book with ads from school
families and the community at large.

Senator Pell

Dean Dean 1996: Dean Dean Head of School
1993-1995: 1995-1997 School’s 50th 1997-2003: 2003-Present: 2021-Present:
Rabbi Daniel Rabbi Irving anniversary Rabbi Mordechai Rabbi Peretz Rabbi Gidon
Goodman Scheinerman
Fried Nissel Goldberg

There have been many programs to excite the students
about learning. Meet the Leaders Night, Poetry Night, and
Academic Fair are among those that have brought parents

to school to learn from their children.
The PHDS Band enabled students to develop their musical
skills. Playing “The Star Spangled Banner” at Pawtucket

Red Sox games was a highlight for students and their
families!

Chesed, performing acts of kindness, is a focus at PHDS, and

children of all ages are taken to retirement homes to bring joy to
the residents.

NEAT has become a high school solely for girls, and has made a
name for itself as a place aspiring to high academic achievement,

while at the same time, providing a nurturing environment.
Many girls from other communities find a welcoming home here,

living with local families, and they achieve tremendous
academic, religious, and personal growth.

NEAT Production is a highlight of the year to which the girls and
women of the community look forward; it’s such a joy to see each
student shine, whether as an actress, dancer, singer, backstage

crew member, or leader of a committee.
Almost all NEAT students attend a seminary program after
graduation, either in Israel or more locally, before attending
college or starting a career. Graduates are well-prepared for

whatever their future holds!

The events of March 2020 were a shock to PHDS/NEAT, as they
were for the entire world. Immediately following Purim, the school

was forced to close its doors, and distance learning began. The
administration, teachers, and technical staff quickly formulated a
plan, and each student was provided packets of materials and a

chromebook to access online schooling.

The administration and teachers creatively organized Covid-friendly

events. The long-awaited first grade siddur ceremony took place

outside each child’s house, with the parents and first grader, and the
teacher, socially distanced.

The Pre-K and Kindergarten end-of-year celebrations were “drive-by”
events with specially-decorated family vehicles parading past the

school, and the young student having the opportunity to see his/her
teacher in person, from a distance, while masked. The eighth grade

graduation was on zoom.

The NEAT graduates sat on chairs six feet apart on Sargent
Avenue, in front of Rabbi Lapin’s home, while their families and

friends watched the proceedings on zoom.
The Amudim Dinner was a “grab and go” barbecue that each

family ate at home, while watching the program on zoom.

Children who attended Providence 1965 1971 1977
Hebrew Day School in its

beginning years would now be
great-grandparents to those
attending it today; the fourth

generation of students is currently
being educated here.

What would we say to the parents who 1979 1981 1981
risked the scorn of their friends and 1985
neighbors to send their children to a 1985 1987

private Jewish school, sacrificing their time
and their money so that their children
would be educated Jews?

To those visionaries so long ago who
understood that it is through education
that Judaism stays alive, we say, “Thank
you.” Thank you for your sweat, your
tears, your idealism, your hard work. It is

because of the path you paved that
generations of Jewish children in
Providence, RI, have learned about their
heritage and developed pride in their

identity.

To the teachers and administrators of 1991 2006 2012
PHDS/NEAT over the years, we say, “Thank
you.” Thank you for your hard work, your

creativity, your love for Judaism, your
respect for knowledge and scholarship, and
your hopes and dreams for all the children
and young adults whom you have taught.
Thank you for caring enough to prepare them

for their future as educated and engaged
Jews and productive members of society.

To the students of PHDS/NEAT over the 2012 2012 2020
years we say: We are so proud of you and

what you have accomplished. You are
rabbis, teachers, rebbetzins, organizers of
schools, professors, writers, scientists, and
respected professionals who have achieved

great stature. You are members of

communities, volunteers, and purveyors of
kindness. You are husbands, wives,

parents, grandparents, and great-grand-
parents of Jewish children,

raising generations to love G-d and walk
in His ways.

We pray that PHDS/NEAT will
have continued success and merit

to educate many more Jewish
young people, for many years to

come.

PRESIDENTS Dr. Joseph Fishbein Mr. Thomas Pearlman

1947 – 1951: Archie Smith Mrs. Gladys Sollosy Rabbi Mordechai Nissel
1951 – 1952: Max Brodsky
1953 – 1963: Joseph Dubin Rabbi Sholom Strajcher Mr. Archie Smith
1964 – 1965: Archie Smith
1966 – 1971: Thomas W. Pearlman Rabbi Akiva Egozi Rabbi Nachman Cohen
1972 – 1975: Dr. Joseph J. Fishbein
1976 – 1978: Sheldon Sollosy Rabbi Peretz Scheinerman Rabbi Gidon Goldberg
1979 – 1981: Edward Aronson
1981 – 1982: Dr. Edward N. Beiser
1982 – 1986: Gladys Sollosy
1986 – 1989: Jerome I. Baron
1989 – 1990: Judy Rosenstein
1990 – 1994: Dr. Alex Mandel
1994 – 1995: David Yavner
1995 – 1999: Michael Weiner
1999 – 2002: Martin Saklad
2002 – 2006: Russell Raskin
2006 – 2008: Dr. Steven Schechter
2008 – 2012: Moshe Golden
2012 – 2016: Dr. Marc Diamond
2016 – 2017: Martin Saklad
2017 – Present: Pinny Berlin

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

1947 – 1950: Rabbi James Gordon
1952 – 1964: Rabbi Akiva Egozi
1964 – 1967: Rabbi David Jehuda
1967 – 1979: Rabbi Nachman Cohen
1980 – 1993: Rabbi Sholom Strajcher
1993 – 1995: Rabbi Daniel Goodman
1995 – 1997: Rabbi Irving Fried
1997 – 2003: Rabbi Mordechai Nissel
2003 – Present: Rabbi Peretz Scheinerman

Dean
2021 – Present: Rabbi Gidon Goldberg

Head of School

SamsonRealty.com
401-454-5454

346 Wickenden St. Providence, RI 02903

Serving The Community Since 1993