A Crown of Memories

CROA WN

MEMORIES

‫כתר שם טוב‬

A creation, by Bais Yaakov alumnae, for all those who hold a piece of Bais Yaakov in their hearts.

Edited by Aviva Crystal
Cover, typeset and design by Shira Yardley

Copyright © 2016 Bais Yaakov High School of the Twin Cities
All rights reserved.

No part of the book can be reproduced in any form without written
permission from Bais Yaakov High School of the Twin Cities.

[email protected]
www.baisyaakovtc.org

Published in 2016
Printed in Minneapolis, Minnesota



This treasure trove of memories is dedicated to

Rebbetzin Suri Gibber

who - with the utmost devotion - designs, creates,
and polishes this glorious crown.



This book will reveal to you a most fascinating process. The
process of precious, yet raw, materials, being transformed into
an exquisite work of art and craftsmanship. In these pages,
alumnae of Bais Yaakov share how they were forged into a
shining crown to adorn our school, our community, and Klal
Yisroel. The lessons, teachers, and wonderful memories of Bais
Yaakov affect the alumnae daily. Just as gold lasts indefinitely
without diminishing in its beauty, you will see that, such is the
beauty of the crown of Bais Yaakov.

‫ וכתר‬,‫ וכתר כהנה‬,‫ כתר תורה‬,‫ שלשה כתרים הם‬:‫”רבי שמעון אומר‬
“.‫מלכות וכתר שם טוב עולה על גביהן‬

Rabbi Shimon said: There are three crowns- the crown of
Torah, the crown of Kehunah, and the crown kingship; but
the crown of a good name surpasses them all. (Avos 4:13)

This Mishna in Pirkei Avos will serve as the formation of this
memory book. Bais Yaakov’s ‫שם טוב‬, its most important crown,
is its esteemed alumnae.

Three crowns, three powerful sections of memories…

• ‫כתר תורה‬- The Torah lessons that crown the alumnae. The
lessons that the students of Bais Yaakov learned from
their teachers that, even as the years pass, still crown
them daily.

• ‫כתר כהנה‬- The wonderful memories that the students
have of those who ‘serve’ in the school. The principals,
teachers, administrators, and volunteers all had strong
and lasting impacts on the students.

• ‫כתר מלכות‬- The memories that helped form each alumna
as a ‫בת מלך‬. There were a multitude of experiences in
Bais Yaakov that formed the whole person. Every single
aspect of Bais Yaakov focused on forming and polishing
every strength of every girl.

One crown that surpasses them all

• ‫כתר שם טוב‬- The memories you hold in your hands serve
as a cornerstone for the future of Bais Yaakov. When
one witnesses the far reaching effects of Bais Yaakov,
they can recognize Bais Yaakov for what it truly is; an
illustrious crown.

Enjoy this Crown of Memories!



‫כתר תורה‬


Crown of   Torah

Torah lessons that crown my life

“How can I quantify the memories and lessons
from those four great years?
From Mrs. Wilhelm’s teaching us Chumash
b’iyun and “Rashi is p’shat,” to Mrs. Waxman’s
b’kiyus and making sure we memorized our
Yedios Klalios (I honestly don’t know what I
would have done without that class), to Mrs.
Perez’s halachah, along with Rabbi Weinberg’s
halachah class (my husband loves when I quote
my teachers!) to Rabbi Kutoff’s inspirational
Navi class, to Mrs Gibber teaching us
everything in between, as well as very practical
life lessons (we always have cleaning help!).

8

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

If anyone walked by our school, one thing
was for sure: You’d never know that our class
consisted of five girls at the time and every
other grade also had five. All 20 of us were loud
and proud. Our school operated as if it had 200
girls. In the gym, at production and in classes
secular or kodesh, there was a ruach emanating
through the walls. We were proud. We were a
mix of all types and yet we can honestly say we
all walked with a group of teachers who really
knew us well, who have always been there for
us throughout our lives.

- Estée (Lewkowicz) Silver

”Graduating Class of 2001

9

“I remember the first day of Bais Yaakov, and
the first class, which was led by Rabbi Gedalia
Oppen and the very first question which he asked
at Bais Yaakov. I believe that he was discussing
Devarim, and in regards to the phrase, “to walk
in all of His [Hashem’s] ways,” Rabbi Oppen
asked what does it mean to walk in Hashem’s
ways and answered that it is to emulate Hashem
in His actions: just as Hashem is kind so should
you be kind, just as Hashem is just, so should
you be just, etc. This lesson inspires me daily.

- Dr. Alina Livshits

”Graduating Class of 2000

10

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

“Mrs. Waxman’s voice still rings in my ears
“‫“ ”ובחרת בחיים‬Choose life!”. The powerful
message about ‫בחירה חפשית‬, free choice, and our
power over ourselves, is a necessary reminder
daily. Mrs. Waxman taught it and all of Bais
Yaakov personified it. Choose life, choose
good, choose Hashem. Constantly.

- Aviva (Herron) Crystal

”Graduating Class of 2007

11

“December 2001, BYTC Classroom
“The whole first Perek?!” “By Heart?!”
“No way, I can’t do that!”
“Girls, one day you will thank me.”
I can still hear Mrs. Gibber’s voice trying to
convince us of the merits of learning Pirkei
Avos by heart. I can equally remember hearing
my own inner voice of disbelief, the thoughts
of - to my mind - an overworked and underpaid
10th grader.

12

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

“I am NOT going to thank her one day!”
Well, here I am, and all I can say is - Thank you.
When I can quote PirkeiAvos to myself, or to my
much impressed children and husband; when
those lessons and all the lessons I absorbed in
Bais Yaakov influence my everyday life; when
I look back at such fond memories and realize
how much I truly gained - again, all I can say
is - Thank you.

- Elesheva (Kutoff) Botnick

”Graduating Class of 2003

13

“There are countless ideas and lessons that
I’ve learned throughout my four years in Bais
Yaakov, all of them being extremely important
and subconsciously affecting the way I live my
life on a daily basis. One thing that sticks out to
me the most, would be the year we were told to
memorize the first four Perakim in Pirkei Avos.
It says:
- -- ‫״הסתכל בשלשה דברים ואין אתה בא לידי עבירה׃ דע מה למעלה ממך‬
‫עין רואה‘ ואזן שומעת‘ וכל מעשיך בספר נכתבים״‬
“Consider three things and you will not come to sin: know what is above
you - a watchful eye, an attentive ear, and all your actions are written in
a book (2:1)”

I truly live by these wise words of our
Chachamim. Knowing that Hashem is always
there and constantly watching our every move is
great reminder to help us push away fromAveiros
and stick to Mitzvos in any given situation.

- Tzlil Israely

”Graduating Class of 2014

14

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

Rabbi Moishe Weinberg’s Halacha classes were
very practical, clear, and easy to understand. We

“were taught Halachos that will be very useful
throughout every day of our lives.
- Hendel Prero
”Graduating Class of 2015

15

“Every year, Rosh Hashana time, I think of
Mrs. Gibber. In the beginning of each of my
four years of BY, Mrs. Gibber would give us
this Dvar Torah and I still think about it every
year... “‫“ ”הכל הולך אחר החיתום‬Everything goes
by the end”. You are judged on Rosh Hashana
by the end of the year. That is your chance to do
Teshuva for the whole year.

- Sara (Weinberg) Markowitz

”Graduating Class of 2010

16

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

“Bais Yaakov teaches yideos, hashkafa,
confidence, and of our essence.
It entrenches us within her walls
and remains a deep presence.
Inyanei haparsha, daily Chumash quizzes,
rashai perakim, breaks on the couch in the hall.
Pirkei Avos, Chumash packets, creative bekius
tests, gedolim pictures - recognizing them all.

- Shifrah (Kutoff) Garsek

”Graduating Class of 2007

17

“Very often I am reminded of the short Dvar Torah
Mrs. Gibber would say before the beginning of
each vacation. Mrs. Gibber would discuss how
Yaakov Avinu blessed the Shevatim before his
death, and in particular, compared Yissachar
to a donkey carrying a burden. Mrs. Gibber
would ask us all why Yissachar, the Shevet
that personified Torah learning, should be
specifically compared to a donkey. Mrs. Gibber
explained that the donkey is unique in that even
when it rests, it continues carrying its load;
unlike other animals that must first have their
pack removed before lying down, the donkey
rests with his pack on his back. Similarly,
Yissachar not only personified Torah, but like
the donkey, understood that one never “rests”
from learning Torah; one is never on “vacation”
from Torah.

18

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

Torah should not be viewed as a burden that
one may carry at times and also remove when
it becomes heavy. Mrs. Gibber would finish
by saying that though we will officially be on
vacation, we should not view it as a complete
vacation from Torah learning.
I think that the fact that I heard this Dvar Torah
a number of times helped me to endeavor to
internalize this message into my daily life. Mrs.
Gibber, and my Bais Yaakov experience as a
whole, has taught me that Torah is not a burden;
Torah is sweet and brings only happiness. Torah
is not something that one carries or casts off at
will; Torah is life.

- Sema (Wexler) Sela

”Graduating Class of 2008

19

“There are so many aspects of Bais Yaakov
that continue to reverberate in my mind. I will
never forget the princess mashal relating to the
shofar. I can still hear Mrs. Gibber’s animated
voice saying, “But I’m a princess! But I’m a
princess!” The messages of that mashal were
many, but one that still echoes in my mind was
to never, ever forget my royal status as a Jewish
woman.
I also recall one discussion we had in class on
9/11. Mrs. Gibber spoke about what the word
“nispael” means. It comes from the word “pa-al”
or action. She said that inspiration only means
something if you do an action because of it. We
all felt a certain feeling of being moved by the
9/11 ordeal, but if we didn’t put our feelings
into action; become a better person in some way
because of it all, then what would it be worth?

- Tzipporah Leah (Roberts) Kalatsky

”Graduating Class of 2002
20

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

“I remember my first BY orientation.
Mrs. Gibber explained the importance of the
school’s name- Bais Yaakov. That it is the
woman, the home, who instills the Yiddishkeit
and assures Klal Yisroel’s adherence to the
Torah. This has had such a profound effect
on my view of being a wife. Thanks to that
orientation, I understand the important role I
play in the survival of the Jewish nation.

- Sara (Aizman) Lang

”Graduating Class of 2011

21

“It was a beautiful fall day, unseasonably warm
for that time of year. I had just left work and
was in a big rush to get home. This particular
day was more hectic than normal. As I scurried
out of work and made the seven minute hike
to my car, I couldn’t help but think to myself
how hungry I was. So I opened up my purse and
low and behold I had Nature Valley Granola
Bar prime for consumption. I quickly open the
packaging ready for a bracha as I approached
the crosswalk. But then I remembered. I
remembered in one of my Chumash classes
with Mrs. Neuwirth, we spoke about how it is
not proper for a Bas Yisroel to eat in the street.
But I was starving, I thought to myself, I haven’t
eaten anything all day, there is nobody Jewish
around here, what’s the big deal?

22

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

But no, it was ringing in my ear how it is not
proper to eat in the street. So I closed up my
granola bar, put it back in my purse and finished
my walk to the car. The last two minutes of my
walk I couldn’t help but think back to my days
in BYTC- NINE YEARS AGO. How a simple
midda that was not expounded upon year after
year, just a 1 time lesson, had made a lasting
impression on me. This midda along with
countless other life lessons has remained with
me until this very day. Bais Yaakov is a place
I hold very close to my heart. It is where my
roots are planted and I have grown only with
this foundation. I am so proud to call myself a
graduate of this venerated institution.

- Esther Gittel (Roberts) Nissel

”Graduating Class of 2007
23

Rabbi Moishe Weinberg’s Halacha class comes
in handy. I always think about the halachos and

“I’m proud that sometimes I can tell people the
halacha because I remember it from BY.
- Russy (Weinberg) Goldstein
”Graduating Class of 2002

24

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

“Mrs. Gibber in Toras HaBayis class in 12th
grade (and in her recent visit to EY) taught:
Even the mundane things we do in our lives can
be elevated. We should think of ourselves as the
Kohein Gadol in the Beis Hamikdosh - all our
tasks can be filled with kedusha with the proper
mindset. As an alum who’s building a home,
I think about this a lot. Even when things are
difficult, when I think of it in this way, it makes
everything more meaningful and much easier.

- Tali (Etziony) Grant

”Graduating Class of 2010

25

“A memory that has accompanied me throughout
my life is of the first day of school each year.
Mrs. Gibber would give a mashal of a contractor
who gave his son a lump sum of money to build
a house with instructions of how to go about
doing it. The son decided to cheap out and
pocket the change. In the end, the contractor
tells his son “the house is yours”, and the son
regrets cheaping out on what turns out to be his
own house.
I remember being inspired and energized by the
nimshal; that we should utilize the resources
that we have been given to the utmost, because
ultimately they will result in the edifice of our
own life. This idea influences me until today,
along with the many lessons I absorbed in
BYTC for which I am grateful.

- Etty (Kutoff) Danziger

”Graduating Class of 2007

26

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

“One message that continues to ring in my
ears is the Passuk from Tehilim which says:
“‫אומר אני מעשי למלך‬.” Mrs. Gibber was teaching
us that as Bnos Yisroel we have to constantly
ask ourselves if our actions are befitting for
us, as daughters of a King? This lesson made a
profound impression on me and stays with me
as I live the life of a Bas Yisroel.

- Esti Weinberg

”Graduating Class of 2011

27

“Two memories, from among a very large
collection: Firstly, Mrs Gibber’s Pirkei Avos
tunes with us on Fridays and after davening.
To this day, I occasionally feel that I acquired a
deeper understanding and appreciation of what
a particular mishna in Avos is teaching us. There
have been times in my life where a mishna was
brought up in a dvar Torah or in passing, and
I knew of that mishna and its meaning as Mrs
Gibber and Rabbi Lieff taught it.
Rabbi Kutoff’s Navi class: In so many lessons
he brought out fascinating meforshim and
connections to the Avos. From Rabbi Kutoff
I really felt what it means to be proud of our
mesorah.

28

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

From my very own mother!- Mrs. Waxman-
many lessons! My mother combined being a
teacher and parent, simultaneously, of three
daughters in BYTC, teaching various subjects,
in addition to being an incredibly talented G.O.
advisor...and student mentor to this day. The
descriptions above alone are a lesson. In my
mother’s Bekius and Yedios Klallios classes I
saw and learned from her love of knowledge
of Torah.

- Chaya Tzipporah (Waxman) Bernstein

”Graduating Class of 2009

29

“Every year on Rosh Hashana, I run into Yeshiva
to grab a few minutes of Yom Tov davening.
The room fills up with mothers and children
eager to fulfill the mitzva of Tkias Shofar. And
yet, every year, without fail my mind wanders
to a Bais Yaakov classroom. I imagine Mrs.
Gibber vividly describing the princess calling
out, “I’m a princess, I’m a princess!” These
thoughts give my Yomim Noraim such meaning
and direction.

- Gitty (Weinberg) Danziger

”Graduating Class of 2006

30

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

“One of Mrs. Gibber’s famous quotes is, “It’s
hard, but I’m strong, and with Hashem’s help I
can do it!” Though it may just seem like a nice
chant at first, this quote is something that I go
back to a lot throughout my daily life. It not
only reminds me that once I’ve done my part,
I have to then put my trust in Hashem to make
the rest work out, but it also reminds me of my
days in Bais Yaakov and all the life lessons I
learned throughout my years there.

- Osnati Chodos

”Graduating Class of 2014

31

“Here are a few of the many lessons which have
made an imprint in my mind and continue to
stay with me years later. Every year, around the
Yomim Noraim, I think of Mrs. Gibber’s Dvar
Torah on the words:
“‫”מראשית השנה עד אחרית שנה‬. Every year, we
decide that this will be HAshana- “THE” year
of improvement and growth. Unfortunately,
sometimes it ends being just “shana,” another
year. We need to strive to make the coming year
a year of real growth and spiritual movement.
The opportunity to learn about our Gedolim
of previous years through research reports,
presentations, and being tested on the reports, was
a gift that continues to give to me.

32

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

This experience gave me an understanding
of the scope of our Gedolim, and a feeling of
connection to the greater Jewish nation with
which I could identify.
Mrs. Waxman’s classes gave me a glimpse into
the scope of Torah, and opened my eyes to it’s
magnitude.
Mrs. Gibber’s Toras Habayis class prepared
me for the practical aspects of being a wife and
mother, as we discussed how the physical role
of a woman is as important as that of a Kohen
Gadol. I think of this lesson often- as well as the
advice for us women- such as the importance of
physical help in the home.

- Shoshana (Waxman) Grossman

”Graduating Class of 2005

33

“When I think back to my years at Bais Yaakov,
the thing that stands out to me the most is the
way that Mrs. Gibber and the teachers made
learning Torah and life lessons pleasant.
Every day during davening we say the brocho,
“‫לעסוק בדברי תורה‬.” We thank Hashem for the
mitzvah of learning Torah. Right after that,
we ask Hashem, “‫והערב נא‬, please make Torah
pleasant for us, please help us to enjoy the
Torah.” Enjoying the Torah and considering it
pleasant is the prerequisite for growth in Torah.
I have a lot of Hakaras Hatov to Bais Yaakov for
giving me an enjoyable high school experience,
enabling me to grow and succeed.

- Gitty (Spero) Schonfeld

”Graduating Class of 2011

34

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

“One year Mrs. Gibber challenged us to recite
the Tehilim yomi for one month. That one
month lasted much longer because it inspired
me to continue finishing the Sefer Tehilim every
month for many years.

- Devora (Silverberg) Schnall

”Graduating Class of 2001

35

““It’s hard but I’m strong and with Hashem’s help
I can do it”. This chant comes to mind when I
think back to my years at BYTC. We would
roam the halls chanting this saying which Mrs.
Gibber taught us.
Back then it was a mere saying and now it is
full of meaning and inspiration. I feel that this
specific saying and many other lessons I learned
from Mrs. Gibber are with me in my heart and
are apart of my life.
I remember standing in the Ezras Nashim
davening Shacharis and Mincha with a paper
next to my siddur.

36

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

This paper said “‫”דע לפני מי אתה עומד‬. Although
I don’t have that paper in my siddur with me
since, I still think about it when I daven and it
has an affect on me until today.
Thank you BYTC for all the AMAZING
memories! I’m so fortunate to have been able to
be part of Bais Yaakov and had the opportunity
to have learned from Mrs. Gibber and the most
outstanding teachers and staff.

- Chani Weinberg

”Graduating Class of 2013

37

“A very important and loved lesson I took from
Bais Yaakov is from Mrs Gibber’s Yiddish
lesson, “Ich bein ah yiddeshe meidle” simply
“I am a Jewish girl” and that one “simple”
sentence holds so much importance and
meaning to me as a Bais Yaakov graduate. It
constantly reminds me of who I am and the
potential I have to make Hashem and all of
Klal Yisroel proud.

- Leah Raizel Braunstein

”Graduating Class of 2014

38

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

“I absolutely loved learning Michtav Eliyahu
with Mrs. Gibber. Until today, it has kept me
refocused on my purpose in this world. I also
loved the gedolim unit. I enjoyed learning
about each gadol and his greatness. It was very
special and something that I would not have
learned otherwise.

- Calah (Murray) Reisman

”Graduating Class of 2004

39

“Writing down a memory of my time spent at
Bais Yaakov is not a simple task. Rivers of fond
memories come to mind. I hope to take with
me both the values my teachers embody and
personify, as well as the morals and lessons they
taught. The good times spent with friends as well
as the rewarding feeling of accomplishment are
also memories I will cherish always.
But one specific thing I will never be able to
forget is a chant Mrs. Gibber once taught us.
When we learned it, it was simple fun; we made
up motions and carelessly sang it in the halls.
But as time went on I began to internalize its
message. The chant was, “It’s hard, but I’m
strong, and with Hashem’s help I can do it!”
All difficulties and suffering in life can be
overcome with the understanding that Hashem
is on your side.

40

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

This message went further with a lesson Mrs.
Waxman taught us in ninth grade: the simple
math rule of A + B = C.
If A equals “‫כל מה דעביד רחמנא לטב עביד‬,” and
B equals “‫גם זו לטובה‬,” then C equals the fact
that everything that happens in this world must
be for the best. Understanding this concept
will help one to be able to pass every nisayon
and every hardship thrown at him – with the
realization that it’s coming from Hashem and
that means it has to be for the best. I hope to
never forget this special treasure

- Atara Spar

”Graduating Class of 2015

41

“While we had an abundance of memorable
times in Bais Yaakov with Production, Lag
Baomer trips, or even fighting over who gets to
sit near the small heater in the classroom, I have
to say my favorite memories from Bais Yaakov
come from the teachers and the academics. I
will mention a few that stick out:
I may be a nerd but one of my favorite memories
from Bais Yaakov is memorizing Pirkei Avos
with Mrs. Gibber. While I couldn’t quite carry
a tune, I still remember almost every single
word. Pirkei Avos has such practical lessons
and because of our time spent memorizing it, I
can recall the sayings whenever relevant in my
life. I love that even today the words can just
roll off my tongue.
Last but certainly not least, Mrs. Waxman was
a particular bright light in Bais Yaakov as a
wonderful influence and inspiration to each of us.

42

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

She made us all feel very special on a personal
level and challenged each of us on an academic
level. I loved memorizing nivim and learning
everything possible in Bekios, Yedios Klalios
and Historia. To this day, I will never forget
when she taught us with a guitar:

?‫”וכי ידיו של משה עושות מלחמה או שוברות מלחמה‬
‫אלא לומר לך‘ כל זמן שהיו ישראל מסתכלים כלפי מעלה‬
“.‫ ואם לאו‘ היו נופלין‬.‫ומשעבדין את לבם לאביהם שבשמים היו מתגברים‬

Another favorite quote of mine from Mrs.
Waxman is “It doesn’t matter which rung of the
ladder you come in or out, all that matters is how
many rungs you’ve climbed.” Both of these are
lessons I’ve taken with me through life.

- Elianna Mintz

”Graduating Class of 2009

43

“I will always be thankful to Rabbi Weinberg for
the best Halacha class- I still have my notes and
use them from time to time!
One of my favorite classes at Bais Yaakov-
which I didn’t even realize at the time- was
the Gedolim. I often times hear myself quoting
stories of the Gedolim from the presentations
all the girls gave before davening- and it’s
definitely impressive to my friends and family!

- Erin (Delmoor) Friedman

”Graduating Class of 2005

44

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

“Thanks to Bais Yaakov and its teachers, I have
learned how to be strong in my character, not
waver in my beliefs, and to be proud to say I
am a young Jewish woman who has a strong
hold on her faith. Thank you Bais Yaakov!
- Chana Aizman
”Graduating Class of 2015

45

“Chumash was always a favorite Judaic class for
me in high school. I liked the classes, and even
some of the tests. What can I say? I enjoy the
in-depth analysis that goes with the subject. But
what stands out most clearly in my memory are
those times when what I was learning became
real to me. It didn’t happen all that often, but
there were moments when the emotional impact
of Chumash class literally left me breathless.
I liken it to walking thousands of feet above
the ground on a normal sidewalk, knowing that
you are high up but not feeling it, and suddenly
coming upon a patch of clear glass.

46

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

There is a dizzying moment looking down,
down, down. As you continue along on regular
pavement, the breathlessness of it all will fade,
but walking that path after really feeling the
height won’t be the same, no matter how many
times before you have been told that you are far
above the ground. I remember learning about
‫( תמר‬of ‫)יהודה ותמר‬, ready to give up her life so
as not to embarrass ‫יהודה‬. ‫ תמר‬was pregnant at
this time with ‫ פרץ‬and ‫זרח‬, the ancestors of ‫משיח‬.
She was also about to be burned for a crime she
didn’t commit.

47

Instead of making a public statement that ‫יהודה‬
was the father of her unborn children, she left it
to his prerogative to come forward.

‫”נוח לו לאדם שיפול עצמו לכבשן האש ואל ילבין‬
“‫פני חברו ברבים‬

“Better for a person to cast himself into a fiery
furnace and not embarrass another in public”
Yes, I’d learned this. I’d even memorized it as
my “Pisgam of the week” back in elementary
school. But I hadn’t really felt it. I recall Mrs.
Mandelbaum describing how ‫ תמר‬was carrying
the fate of the world (quite literally), yet still
refused to call out ‫יהודה‬. Didn’t she need to get
her priorities straight? No.

48

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

‫ תמר‬knew that calling out ‫ יהודה‬was wrong, and
she didn’t let the ends (world salvation in this
case) justify the means. She let Hashem worry
about the ends; she did what was right.
And I felt it. It was real. Not “real” in the
watered-down sense that I could take a lesson
from what I was learning, or “real” in the
overdramatized sense that I could picture the
flames and feel the tension. Real in a sense that
resonated within me, so that I didn’t feel I was
being taught, but rather that I was discovering
something there all along.
The breathless moment may fade, but learning
Chumash isn’t the same afterwards.

- Baila Elkin

”Graduating Class of 2013

49

It seems like a lifetime has passed since I was
in Bais Yaakov. I know that I built a solid

“foundation there that helped me become who
I am today, but the details remain hazy in the
wonderful chaos of my life today. However,
once in a while a lesson pops into my head
that reminds me of where it all came from. For
example, for the past few days, I have had Mrs.
Waxman’s song from one of our Shabbatonim
ringing through my head: ‫—ביוםּ טובה היה ּבטוב‬
the lesson is one I can live every day — every
day is a good day, a gift, so be good and do
good! Another example is, in 9th grade, we had
an event where Rebbetzin Tehila Jaeger came
to speak about Tznius. Today there is a lot of
pressure to bend the rules, to push the limits,
and it is helpful to think about how she said a
malach is created for every extra stitch.

- Nechama (Breningstall) Nafisi

”Graduating Class of 2001
50