Bornblum Bulletin 2019-2020, volume 1

2019-2020 5779-5780

BORNBLUM BULLETIN
VOLUME 1: Illuminate Your World

Our theme this year is, “Illuminate Your World.” We are celebrating all the In This Issue
ways Bornblum illuminates the world of our students, our families and
our community. Mishpachot…………………..….… 2
This issue of the Bornblum Bulletin Faculty Feature ……………….……. 4
shines light on great new SEGway …………………….……… 5
initiatives at school like our new Alumni Love Connections .………… 6
Mishpachot (family) program and Bornblum Family Feature ………….. 7
SEGway, a plan to promote the Tributes …………………………….8
social and emotional growth of our
students.

In these pages, you’ll meet
amazing teachers, creative
students, committed parents and
alumni doing incredible things.
BORNBLUM
And as always, we invite you to join
us for a tour or come to our weekly Kabbalat Shabbat celebration at
2:30pm every Friday to see for yourself the light Bornblum is bringing into
the world.

Know what sparks the light in you.
Then use that light to Illuminate the world.

Oprah Winfrey

FAMILY Through the magic of technology, Babka tzedakah projects will give students the
announced the student’s Mishpacha. opportunity to work with students across
‫משפחה‬ Throughout the year, students will different grades to do good for the world,”
participate in activities together with their says Daniel R. Weiss, Bornblum’s Head of
Michael J. Fox said, “Family is not an Mishpachot. As a family, they will create School.
important thing, it’s everything.” At banners bearing a family crest they create, Mishpachot will also participate in fun
Bornblum, we agree and that is why the as well as other symbols that represent social activities throughout the year and a
Mishpachot program was born. the family and its values. These banners tzedakah challenge in the spring. According
This year, students are divided into eight will hang permanently in Scheidt Hall. to Weiss, “We hope the Mishpachot will not
Mishpachot (families). These families Then, each Mishpacha will design its own just bring our students closer, but that
represent eight core values at Bornblum: t-shirt to wear at Mishpachot activities. parents and siblings will also get to know
achievement, wisdom, leadership, In addition to sitting together at Kabbalat each other and feel a deeper connection to
courage, tradition, curiosity, kindness and Shabbat each week, once a month, the Bornblum family.”
honor. Each Mishpacha has students from students will gather in their Mishpachot
every grade, and students will stay in the to participate in activities designed to
same Mishpacha for their entire time at build family unity and create a close bond
Bornblum. As new students join the between the students across the grades.
school, they will be placed in one of our
Mishpachot. Mishpachot will also choose a service
Our first Mishpacha activity was an theme for the year and will plan projects
opening ceremony at which students to activate around their chosen theme.
were sorted into their respective “Nothing brings a family together like
Mishpachot. Each student walked up to working toward a common goal. The
Babka the Spirit Bear and held his hand.
OUR BORNBLUM FAMILY VALUES

LEADERSHIP WISDOM KINDNESS HONOR
‫מנהיגות‬ ‫חכמה‬ ‫חסד‬ ‫כבוד‬

COURAGE TRADITION ACHIEVEMENT CURIOSITY
‫אומץ‬ ‫מסורת‬ ‫הגשמה‬ ‫סקרנות‬

2

WHAT MISHPACHA MEET THE MANIS FAMILY
MEANS TO ME
Germantown native Brian Manis grew up in something that inspires them and allows
“Family are people who care about me. the public schools.  After graduating from them to keep growing. For Aimee, it's writing.
They give me food and water.” Aiden Germantown High School, he attended UT For Brian, it's film and visual storytelling.
Cenker, 3rd Grade, Mishpachat Ometz Knoxville, eventually transferring to UofM to Sophie's passions are theater and art and
study film and television where he graduated Max's are music and writing. And they have a
“I think family means people who care for with a B.S. in Journalism. Aimee grew up in french bulldog named Buster who is very lazy
you and shelter you and they don’t have Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago where but also very entertaining.
to be related to you.” Jack Shanker, 5th she too attended public high school and then When asked how they ended up as part of the
Grade, Mishpachat Sakranut UT Knoxville, where she graduated with a B.A. Bornblum family, Aimee and Brian explained
in Liberal Arts. After college, Brian and Aimee that Max who was at Riverdale from 1st
“Family are the people you go home to.” married and moved to LA where they lived for through 5th grades, transferred to Bornblum
Dax Austin, 8th Grade, Mishpachat 20 years. last year, “because being at a large and
Manhigut In 2013, the Manis family moved to Memphis, growing public school, there wasn't a lot of
with their son Max (currently a Bornblum 7th opportunity for individualized attention, and a
“I think family are people that are there grader) and Sophie (a junior at Lausanne). lot of curriculum focus was on teaching to the
for you and love you. Family also aren't Aimee works in Content Marketing at FedEx. "middle" in an effort to address the range of
people that give you what you want. Her career has focused mostly on writing and needs.” The Manises wanted Max to have a
They’re people that give you love and brand strategy. Aimee spent many years in the middle school experience in a smaller, more
what you need. Family can be friends too wedding industry in LA, including roles as individualized setting and so far, according to
because they do all of those things. That's Managing Editor of Inside Weddings Brian and Aimee, “This has been a great
what I think family is.” Chandler King, 4th Magazine, Weddings Editor for My Space, PR decision for Max. He immediately felt a sense
Grade, Mishpachat Masoret Manager for Monique Lhuillier Bridal and is of belonging to the whole middle school
the author of Bargainista Bride. group as well as to his own grade.”
“Family means that we all stick together Brian is a Creative Director at Running Pony We asked the Manises why parents should
no matter what.” Ethan VanderWalde, Productions. He worked in the film industry choose Bornblum for their children. Having
7th Grade, Mishpachat Kavod for 20 years while living in LA, focusing on grown up in large public schools, their
film development and producing. He taught response was simple: “It is all about the small
“Family is fun and I like to snuggle with film producing at UCLA and currently teaches class sizes. Teachers and staff truly care about
my family on the couch.” Graham film production at the UofM. He produced the the students and families here. Students feel
Weiskopf, 1st Grade, Mishpachat Garfield films, Gulliver’s Travels and the Dr. part of a close-knit group of friends and
Hagshama Doolittle franchise. because teachers get to know each student
As a family, the Manises are all about creativity individually, they can individualize their
“Love and kindness.” Daniel Schneider, and support of whatever they choose to learning so that no one is feeling lost in the
2nd Grade, Mishpachat Chochma pursue. Each one of them has found shuffle, something that happens in large
“Kindness, happiness and easy going.” schools, even with the very best teachers.”
Simon Wener, 6th Grade, Mishpachat
Chesed

“You always have someone with you.”
Mason Stagner, Kindergarten, Mishpachat
Sakranut

4

GETTING TO KNOW MISS SAMUELS

TEACHING Q&A WITH MISS SAMUELS
‫למידה‬
When you aren’t teaching, what do you like
Have you ever jogged with Julia Roberts or Miss Samuels has an athletic side. She played to do?
told Kevin Bacon he forgot to give his kid both high school and college basketball and
lunch? Well third-grade teacher Ruth always enjoyed surfing at the Jersey shore. I like to make pottery, read and go to
Samuels has. Today she creates pottery and enjoys reading estate sales.
spy novels, especially by author Daniel Silva. What drew you to teaching?
Though she grew up in Memphis, Miss She took this interest to another level After finishing my schooling and being
Samuels spent many years during and after attending classes on interpreting facial part of the corporate world, I decided
college living in New York City. That’s where expressions and body language. Plus, she has that working with children was what I
she met a number of TV and movie stars, a special talent of reading lips which comes in was meant to do. I returned to school,
often just walking down the street. Of handy as a teacher. graduated and began teaching 22 years
course, Miss Samuels did a lot more than ago.
celebrity watching in New York. Asked about her favorite places in New York If you could meet one person, living or
and Israel, Miss Samuels said she loves dead, who would it be?
While living there, Miss Samuels earned hanging out in the area outside the New York Leonardo DaVinci…because he was
her Bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva Hotel and is very fond of Battery Park when the ahead of his time. His curiosity about
University’s Stern College for Women and a cherry blossoms are in bloom. Her favorite everything and his passion for learning
Masters in Social Work from the place in Israel is Rosh Hanikra overlooking the are inspiring.
Wurtzweiler School of Social Work. She also water. What is the best place you have ever
completed a Masters in Teaching from visited?
Hunter College. Miss Samuels “other half,” is Richard St. Martin in the Leeward Islands.
Wurzburg, a former Bornblum parent and past What is your favorite TV show?
In New York, Miss Samuels worked as a Bornblum board member. She has a Friends. It’s funny, many people have
paralegal and a social worker in the Bureau Schnoodle (Schnauzer-Poodle mix) named said I’m just like Monica because I am
of Prisons. She also taught third grade at Piper. obsessively organized. Others say I am
Magen David Yeshiva. like Rachel because I’m kind of kooky
and quirky. I think I’m the best of both
Miss Samuels returned to Memphis in Ruth takes the time to determine how blended together!
2010 where she began teaching at each child learns best and incorporates What is one thing you hope each of your
Bornblum. Though she started as a first their strengths into their daily activities. students learns?
grade and middle school Judaics teacher, She enables her students to exhibit I hope every student learns that there is
Miss Samuels ended up teaching third individualized learning at its finest. something special about a person who
grade general studies where she has been knows - and shows - how unique they
for the last seven years. —Rachel Phelps, Bornblum Parent/Alumna are. Be yourself!

3

INTRODUCING SEGway

Social Emotional Growth

GROWTH exposed to many other SEGway topics that all of our students come to school in
through professional development different places emotionally and socially.
‫התפתחות‬ trainings on topics like teaching self control If they are in an emotionally healthy
‫אישית‬ and emotional self-regulation to students. place, they will learn everything else
A new school counselor to be shared by much more easily, so we must reach out
What happens when a child comes to Bornblum and the Margolin Hebrew to support those who are fragile.”
school in a sad, bad, angry, anxious or Academy will also work with students and One over-arching goal of the SEGway
fragile state? At Bornblum, the new teachers to encourage emotionally and program is to help students, faculty and
SEGway program kicks into action. socially healthy behaviors and parents develop a common language to
SEGway is all about social and emotional environments. use to talk about emotions and resolve
growth. It is based on the theory that we The school’s SEGway coordinator, Rachael conflicts. During the first year of SEGway,
want every student to become their best Rovner, who also teaches first grade at Bornblum will build that emotional word
self during their years at Bornblum. This Bornblum, is charged with helping the bank by focusing on 13 words: empathy,
means providing more than just facts and school’s leadership team implement the determination, courage, cooperation,
information. It means helping to ensure program. Ms. Rovner is working with flexibility, respect, leadership, wisdom,
that students are in an emotionally individual students and teachers to support kindness, honor, tradition, achievement
heathy place that supports learning. the social and emotional growth of and curiosity.
Evidence of the commitment to SEGway students who are struggling in these areas. “Common language is critical,” says Mrs.
is everywhere at Bornblum. From the Ms. Rovner is also working with small Baer. “When everyone knows what it
new sensory path in the lower school groups around creating healthy social means to be fragile, for example,
hallway that allows students to walk the environments. Recently, for example, she teachers and parents can communicate
hallways with purpose or get a needed started encouraging students to sit with easily about how a student is feeling or
movement break from class, to the new someone new at lunch and play with other doing. A parent can call or email school
daily check-in boards in classes, SEGway friends at recess. and say that their child is fragile on a
is quickly taking hold and making a Teachers have implemented daily check-in given day or during a certain time
difference. boards where students can indicate how period, and we as a staff immediately
The school’s commitment to SEGway they are feeling each day. According to Ms. know how to help,” says Mrs. Baer.
begins with teaching teachers to Rovner, “The purpose of the daily check-in
recognize and create opportunities for is to encourage the children to 5
social and emotional growth. For communicate their feelings and to make
example, during in-service, teachers their teacher and themselves aware of what
learned how to recognize and help fragile each person is bringing into the
children who may be experiencing classroom.” After each child sets a daily
anxiety and depression. Teachers will be goal, they create action steps to help
improve their day. Peers observe each
other and read body language and facial
expressions to see if they can anticipate
what each other is feeling, and they share
coping ideas.
Speaking about the importance of the
SEGway program, Assistant Head of
School, Sally Baer said, “We recognize

BORNBLUM LOVE STORIES

Lindsey Lazarov & Leor Reef

LOVE Leor and Lindsey both grew up in Memphis, moved to Chicago to work for Uber on their
‫אהבה‬ graduated from Bornblum and went on to Communication and Public Affairs team.
public high schools. Leor went to White Lindsey was still at Indiana finishing her
Station and then to George Washington senior year of college, but visited Leor in
University where he received a degree in Chicago very often and decided to move
political science. Lindsey went to Ridgeway there after college.
and then to Indiana University where she After moving to Chicago Lindsey worked as
graduated with a degree in Early Childhood an Account Executive at Yelp. Once Lindsey
Education. moved, the couple enjoyed finally being in
Leor and Lindsey visited each other often the same city, having been in a long-distance
and spent time together when they came relationship for five years. In February of
home for holidays and summers. Both held 2017, these Bornblum Alumni got engaged
internships during the summers in on a beautiful rooftop overlooking the
Memphis, Lindsey at the Exceptional Chicago Bean, and yes it was freezing! They
Foundation and Facing History Ourselves planned their dream wedding which was
and Leor at Porter Leath and WKNO. After held at the Peabody Hotel in downtown
college, Leor being a year older than Memphis on September 10th, 2017.  Lindsey
Lindsey, graduated and moved back to and Leor have now been married for 2 years!
Memphis where he became the Campaign She works at Brideside, a Chicago-based
Manager for now Shelby County Mayor, Lee bridesmaid dress shop and Leor works on the
Harris's State Senate campaign. Leor then public affairs team at WeWork.

Marissa Moss & Andrew Magdovitz

Marissa and Andrew’s Bornblum love story company’s Operations Manager. active Memphians and are as they say
dates back to the 1990s when they were Andrew, who graduated in 1999, went “blessed” with two children, Rocky who
both students at then Solomon Schechter to high school at CBHS and graduated is 4 and Barrett who is 2. According to
Day School in the original building on from the University of Indiana. He the couple, “We plan for them to go to
Sanderlin. Though they did not begin moved back to Memphis in 2010 where Bornblum, just like we did.”
dating until 2010 and got married in he works as an affiliate broker and
2013, they shared a common Bornblum property manager with Broad Avenue
past. Realty. According to Andrew, “We knew
each other through the halls of the old
Marissa, who graduated in 1998, went Bornblum school on Sanderlin and
on to White Station High School and socialized a few times through BBYO.”
the University of Kansas. In 2006, The two reconnected in 2009 while
Marissa moved back to Memphis where playing in a co-ed softball league at the
she began working for Dinstuhl’s Fine MJCC. Today, Marissa and Andrew are
Candy Company. Today she is the

6

Jana Ballin and Scott Weiskopf

Both Jana Ballin and Scott Weiskopf their first date, Jana and Scott decided to was awarded the Memphis Dental
attended Solomon Schechter Day take a leap of faith and move to Chicago Society award for Outstanding Young
School. Scott is two years older than together. Scott did his residency in oral Dentist for 2019.  
Jana, which feels like a huge age surgery and Jana worked as a hospital
difference as a child. While the two knew social worker. Jana is currently a stay-at-home mom to
of each other, they weren’t close friends. The two got married in 2011 and had their 4 children. Their oldest child is a
They went to different high schools, but their first son, Graham, in 2013. Later first grader at Bornblum and, according
coincidentally both attended that same year they moved home to to Jana, “is loving every second of it.”
Washington University in St. Louis for Memphis to be closer to family and for
college. But it wasn’t until their last year Scott to join Sexton Oral Surgery. Board of Directors
of graduate school here in Memphis, Fast forward 6 years, Scott and Jana have
that their paths would cross again. welcomed 3 more beautiful children. Marc Sorin
Just as Scott was entering his last year of Their daughter, Nora, is now 4 and their
dental school and Jana her last year of a twin boys, Nate and Jax, just turned 1. President
masters program in social work, Scott Scott is a partner at Sexton Oral Surgery.
asked Jana to dinner through a He’s also currently president of the Jill Shanker
Facebook message. Memphis Society of Oral Surgeons and
In June of 2009, just six months after Vice-President

B C Janice Ringel
A
Treasurer
Can You
Match Our Rachel Phelps
Bornblum
Couples? Secretary

DF Adam Lazarov
E
Counsel
A&F-Jana Ballin & Scott Weiskopf / B&E-Marissa Moss and Andrew Magdovitz / C&D-Lindsey Lazarov & Leor Reef
Lisa Harris,

Immediate Past President

Amy Egerman
Rhonda Feiler
Margo Fogelman

Naomi Katz
Judy Moss
Jerry Siegler
Patti Weiss
Ken Zakalik

7

HONORARIUMS AND MEMORIALS

To make a donation in honor/memory of someone, please visit www.BORNBLUM.org/donate
or mail your contribution to 6641 Humphreys Blvd., Memphis, TN 38120.

GENEROSITY In honor of the birth of In honor of Rebecca and Jacob Phelps
Ayelet Hashachar Cantora Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Taube
‫נדיבות‬ Mr. and Mrs. Larry Moss In memory of Isidore Reef
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Weiss Mr. and Mrs. Larry Moss
Pay tribute to family and In honor of Bornblum students, families, In memory of Lucita Rojas
friends on our Tree of Life faculty and staff Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Weiss
located in Fogelman Hall Ms. Rachel Green-Smith In memory of Arlene Segal
In memory of Jacqueline Feinstein Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Ringel
Each gift comes with Mr. and Mrs. Michael Egerman In memory of Harriet Schaffer
custom inscription of an In memory of David M. Feldbaum Dr. and Mrs. Michael Wertheimer
apple or leaf on the tree Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Feldbaum In memory of Raymond Shainberg
www.bornblum.org/donate In honor of Abby Felsenthal Mr. and Mrs. Michael Egerman
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Bernsen Mr. and Mrs. Bill Eisenberg
In honor of Mollie and Rosie Felsenthal Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Elster
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Felsenthal Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Weiss
In memory of Elaine-Marie Freeman In honor of Rebecca Sorin’s Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Rick Baer Dr. and Mrs. Michael Wertheimer
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Eisenberg In memory of Herman Baruch Trotz
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Elster Mr. and Mrs. Rick Baer
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Weiss In memory of Martha Wagerman
In honor of Josh Fogelman’s 7th Birthday Ms. Marcia Moskowitz
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Berger In honor of Maya and Noah Weiser
In honor of the birth of Nathan Gast Mr. and Mrs. Barrie Weiser
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Weiss In honor of Daniel R. Weiss
In memory of Jake Green Beth Sholom Synagogue
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Elster In honor of Natalie and Kenny Wertheimer
In honor of Julie and Andrew Groveman Mr. and Mrs. Lester Lit
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Weiss In honor of the birth of Ruthie Simons Wohlner
In memory of Sydney Himmelstein Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Weiss.
Mrs. Rachel Krantz and Mr. Edward Goldstein In memory of Arnold Zukerman
In Honor of the birth of Lavi Horwitz. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Egerman
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Weiss Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Elster
In Honor of Susanne and Bruce Landau Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Weiss
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Egerman
In memory of Barbara Lurie Donate today at
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Feldbaum www.bornblum.org/donate
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Bernsen
In Memory of “Cookie” Olswanger 8
Dr. and Mrs. Michael Wertheimer
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Lit