A Crown of Memories

‫כתר תורה‬

Torah lessons

that crown my life

“I have really gained an appreciation for Mrs.
Gibber’s Torah HaBayis class in 12th grade.
Although truthfully it did not resonate with
me in such a tangible way back then, it sure
does now! I remember many of the insights we
learned regarding building our marriages and
homes, and I even read my notes every once in
a while. Those are lessons that affect me daily.

- Leah (Waxman) Moskowitz

”Graduating Class of 2004

51



‫כתר כהונה‬


Crown of  Priesthood
Teachers who crown each moment

“I am truly amazed, humbled and awed by the
enormous amount of time, energy and resources
that our teachers put into preparing and giving
over every lesson. I especially remember Mrs.
Waxman’s classes. Every lesson was so multi-
faceted and led to so many different places.
Looking back I now see how fortunate I was to
have such special experiences. I wish I could
go back and sit through those classes just once
more. Now that I am a teacher, I have a small
glimpse of what it means to prepare for a single
class.

54

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

I also appreciated the tremendous amount of
attention and love that was given over by every
staff member. I felt a personal connection to each
teacher. I was not just a student in their class.
My teachers cared about me, and wanted me
to succeed in every aspect of my life. It wasn’t
just about getting a good grade. It was about
building me as a person in all areas.

- Calah (Murray) Reisman

”Graduating Class of 2004

55

“BYTC is a family that welcomes and embraces
all of its students- caring for them, inspiring
them, and focusing them on pursuing a life
lived according to Torah hashkafos and values.
There, we were guided by an outstanding
Menaheles, staff, and teachers who not only
taught and inspired, but guided us toward a
proper Torah path.

- Noa Singer

”Graduating Class of 2015

56

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“In the middle of the storm
I fail to see
I need eyes- and you reached out in clarity
Guiding me
In all of my large life decisions
I never will have to walk blind
For in my Bais Yaakov mentors
A light in the darkness I know I’ll find

- Liba (Kutoff) Stoll

”Graduating Class of 2012

57

“I am so grateful for the many opportunities of
growth – spiritual, emotional and intellectual
– that were afforded to me on a daily basis in
Bais Yaakov. Teachers were always presenting
something new to learn and be inspired
from. Mrs. Gibber and all other staff offered
unconditional support and concern.

- Faina Vorotinov

”Graduating Class of 2011

58

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

““An open door” doesn’t even come close to
describing Mrs. Gibber’s availability for all
her talmidos. All through my high school years
I knew that Mrs. Gibber was constantly and
consistently there for whatever we needed.
From complaints about homework loads to
advice about how best to deal with a challenging
situation Mrs. Gibber somehow made time
for every single issue. Nothing was ever too
small or insignificant for Mrs. Gibber. We may
graduate Bais Yaakov but Mrs. Gibber’s heart
and ‫ חכמה‬are still available for us. Always.

- Aviva (Herron) Crystal

”Graduating Class of 2007

59

“In Bais Yaakov, our goal was to always make
a Kiddush Hashem. Most of the teachers who
teach the secular studies aren’t Jewish, so we
were always trying to put on a good front and
show the best of ourselves. This helped me
grow in the area of Kiddush Hashem not only
in school, but out of school as well. Wherever I
go, whatever I do, I’m always actively trying to
find a way to make a Kiddush Hashem. Having
this practice during Bais Yaakov really affected
the way I live by life today.

- Tzlil Israely

”Graduating Class of 2014

60

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“I give Mrs Gibber all the credit for making sure
we were up there with all the other schools.
We had everything a big school had plus much
more. There were experiences that only our
school had, we were unique, we never felt
like a small school. We were never lacking.
Productions, Shabbatons, shalosh seudos and
it didn’t stop there. For that alone we thank all
the wonderful devoted teachers, staff, and of
course Mrs. Gibber!

- Russy (Weinberg) Goldstein

”Graduating Class of 2002

61

“My years in Bais Yaakov were very memorable.
The teachers were always there for you and
you didn’t feel ashamed to ask questions. Mrs.
Gibber looked out for every girl. I was lucky
enough to be part of Dr. Goodkind’s art class
every Friday. I not only learned how to paint,
but I also learned patience and many other
traits that have made me a better person. May
Bais Yaakov continue to flourish for many
more years.

- Mollie (Fishman) Harkavy

”Graduating Class of 2007

62

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“A unique quality of being a part of a small
school is the ability for one to easily create
a close connection with the teachers. The
teachers would make themselves available to
us, students, both in and out of the classroom.
Being able to be close to the teachers we looked
up to gave us someone who we felt comfortable
talking to about personal questions we may have
had. Also, if we felt that we needed extra help
in a class, the school would work on getting that
student the help they needed.

- Osnati Chodos

”Graduating Class of 2014

63

“I carry with me many fond memories from my
days at BaisYaakov. Mostly it is a blur of bustling
between classes, running for the desk right near
the heater, late nights doing (or usually in my
case not doing) homework, laughing with my
friends so hard it hurt, Mrs. Waxman’s bekius
packets, Mrs. Wilhelm’s terrifying oral quizzes,
and Mrs. Gibber’s welcoming smile.
I know for me I looked forward to school each
and every day. Everything I gained at Bais
Yaakov I carry with me now. I wish I had a
phrase uttered in school or a class that changed
my life, but I don’t have something that specific.

64

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

What I do have is a mindset cultivated by the
atmosphere and lessons taught in Bais Yaakov,
not just to cope with challenges and everyday
obstacles, but to fully embrace them and accept
them.They are an opportunity to better myself
and focus on what I need to be doing to create
a Kiddush Hashem. This mindset impressed
upon me by Mrs. Gibber and Bais Yaakov’s
exceptional teaching staff has helped to form
me and make me a stronger, more resilient
person, and for that I truly thank Bais Yaakov’s
dedicated Rebbeim and Moros.

- Rikki Segal

”Graduating Class of 2013

65

“When people ask me to tell them about BYTC
I look at them and become speechless. I ask
myself if they really intend for me to describe
the family that it is and the warmth and ahava
that is shared within the building, between staff
and students present, past and future. Everytime
I am asked I try my best to do justice to BYTC
and to desrcibe the hakaroas hatov I feel to my
school that helped shape me into the person I
am today.

- Leah Raizel Braunstein

”Graduating Class of 2014

66

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“Mrs. Waxman has always been my go to
teacher. From Bekyius to planning Shabbaton,
Mrs. Waxman always had something exciting
brewing. She is my role model and someone I
look to for guidance.

- Miriam Simpser

”Graduating Class of 2012

67

Although Mrs. Weinberg is not a teacher at Bais
Yaakov, she has taught me lessons far beyond

“the doors of her office. Through her actions, she
has taught me what it means to be a Bas Melech
and an Eved Hashem. Warm, accepting, giving
and encouraging - these are all traits that Mrs.
Weinberg personifies. She has unfathomable
dedication to Bais Yaakov combined with, the
refined and humble way she runs the office,
the respectful way she treats teachers, and her
attention to every student’s needs. These are
things that we might have taken for granted
back then, but now it’s so clear, how fortunate
we are to have such a gem in our school. Even
now, four years since I graduated, whenever
I see Mrs. Weinberg, she greets me with such
respect and warmth causing me to immediately
remind myself - this is someone I strive to be like.

- Shira Yardley

”Graduating Class of 2012

68

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“I can never forget the day that I was sitting in
a Chumash class with one other student, when
she got up to leave and I was the only student
left in the class room. How touched and moved I
was when the teacher continued her lesson with
the same vigor and excitement as if she was
teaching in front of 100 students. She realized
that not only was she teaching me, but also
generations to come, iy”H, and this instilled in
me a very powerful lesson about how each girl
is so important.

- Shoshana (Marcus) Lang

”Graduating Class of 2009

69

“Mrs. Gibber made me comfortable from the
moment I entered Bais Yaakov. No matter how
busy Mrs. Gibber was, she always made time
for me. Not only was that the case while I was
in Bais Yaakov, but it continued while I was
in seminary in Israel, and beyond. Thank you
Mrs. Gibber for everything and I know you will
always be there for me. May Hashem continue
to bless you and your family in all that you do.

- Reyna Lekowsky

”Graduating Class of 2014

70

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“Mrs. Wilhelm’s Chumash class is one of the most
powerful classes I have ever taken. Although I
am not at the stage right now where I can open
up a Chumash too often (except when I do my
kids’ homework with them!), the conviction
that Torah is Emes, and the realization of the
strength and perfection of Torah that I gained
through learning Chumash and Mefarshim in
the remarkable way Mrs. Wilhelm taught it is
something I will always have.

- Leah (Waxman) Moskowitz

”Graduating Class of 2004

71

“Funny memory: Art is definitely not my
strongest talent. I remember one year I brought
a poster presentation to school and was
disappointed with my project compared to
everyone else’s. Overwhelmed at the thought of
completely redoing my project after the work I
put into it, I started crying. However, my tears
were no match for Mrs. Waxman. She was so
understanding, said all the right things to make
me feel better about the project, and gave me
constructive ideas on how I could fix it.

72

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

She even had everyone go around the room and
say something nice about me in an attempt to
make me feel better about my pre-school level
of artistic talent. When I think of this memory,
it reminds me of how each teacher genuinely
cared about each student’s well being and how
supportive each student was of each other. It
didn’t matter what was going on, each teacher
and student cared about one another as if we
were family.

- Bronia Goldman

”Graduating Class of 2010

73

Our teachers put their whole into everything
they did. Mrs. Wilhelm taught with such passion

“everyday and I was personally a big fan of her
class. Mrs. Mandelbaum had us holding onto
every word as she sped through her lessons
and always showed us how much we knew
and remembered when we got stuck on our
test questions. Mrs. Waxman was extremely
thorough because she truly believed that every
word was important. Rabbi Kutoff used modern
technology to make his lessons clear. Mrs.
Gibber reached out to every student to form a
special connection and still keeps in touch with
us today — we know we can expect that call on
our birthdays! I don’t want to leave anyone out:
Mrs. Oppen, Rabbi Oppen, Rabbi Weinberg,
Rabbi Lieff, Mrs. Friedman — each of them
holds a place in my heart and mind.

- Nechama (Breningstall) Nafisi

”Graduating Class of 2001
74

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“A life lesson that Bais Yaakov has taught me
was perseverance and to never give up. If school
ever seemed too overwhelming Mrs. Gibber
always encouraged us and gave us confidence
to continue. Whether it was memorizing pirkei
avos or taking a chumash test from Mrs.
Wilhelm, I knew that Mrs. Gibber believed in
me and she would make me succeed!

- Shoshana (Miller) Rubin

”Graduating Class of 2008

75

“I learned a lot of lessons in the classroom
about consideration, but even bigger lessons in
chessed came from my teachers living what they
taught. There are two such examples that come
to mind. Any time that I was caught by Mrs.
Gibber doing homework through lunch period
without food, Mrs. Gibber would offer me
instant soup. I also remember once mentioning
to my friends in class that I was hungry, and
Mrs. Waxman readily offered her apple to me.
These lessons in empathy and giving, however
seemingly minor, really stuck with me.

- Bayla Breningstall

”Graduating Class of 2015

76

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“One day, freshman year, one of our secular
studies teachers told us that it is based on our
actions that she is developing her opinion of
Jews as a whole. This struck me. As I went
into the vast world, I realized that I was many
peoples first interaction with a Jew- and I knew,
thanks to this teacher, that my actions could
have the power to effect a person’s view of all
of Klal Yisroel.

- Sarah (Aizman) Lang

”Graduating Class of 2011

77

“Although I physically left Bais Yaakov, Bais
Yaakov never left my heart. Mrs. Gibber and
all the teachers at Bais Yaakov always made me
feel like I had something to offer, and realized
my potential. The experiences they gave me
offered me the confidence to achieve the goals
that I might not have thought I could achieve.
It’s my belief, being that we were a small
group of girls (even though at times it was hard
to believe), our teachers we are able to give
us attention and focus on what each student
needed. Having met girls from larger Bais
Yaakovs at times seemed attractive, but I would
have never changed my experience at my small
Bais Yaakov.

- Gittel (Weinberg) Deitel

”Graduating Class of 2005

78

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“My teachers gave me an appreciation for
learning; resulting in an acquired ambition to
be a lifelong learner. They gave me a love of
the chumash, the Navi, halacha etc. Because
of their talented instruction and knowledgable
grasp of their subject matter, they became my
role models. I realized from them that there is
so much to know and that BH I have all the
years of my life (not just high school) to try to
learn as much as I can.

- Tzipporah Leah (Roberts) Kalatsky

”Graduating Class of 2002

79

“From Mrs. Gibber and Mrs. Weinberg to each
and every one of our beloved Moros, there were
beautiful middos of refinement and regality
to learn from. Even though our teachers were
older than us, the young high schoolers, they
were truly young and vibrant Bnos Melachim,
setting examples for us to keep to a certain
standard and grow.

- Chaya Tzipporah (Waxman) Bernstein

”Graduating Class of 2009

80

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

Mrs. Waxman put her all into each girl and their
needs. She devoted extra time to each student.

“I remember her saying many times throughout
my years in BY, “Every girl is a whole world.”
- Tali (Etziony) Grant
”Graduating Class of 2010

81

“Bais Yaakov provided us with tremendous role
models in the form of teachers and staff members
around the school. They put tremendous effort
into their lessons, and worked with each girl on
her level. The caring and love we felt from Mrs.
Gibber, and the personal connection we had
with the Limudei Kodesh teachers, and some of
the General Studies staff as well, made us feel
valued and gave us the opportunity to develop
ourselves. We thrived under this individualized
attention and felt their care and love, which gave
us confidence and security. The post seminary
girls who taught in the school yearly were an
additional gift to us girls; they were solidly
frum and fun, and gave us what to look up to,
as well as a positive personal relationship.

- Shoshana (Waxman) Grossman

”Graduating Class of 2005
82

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“Though I graduated Bais Yaakov eons ago, the
lessons I learned and the memories we made
remain with me to this day.
Halachos and quotes from Shulchan Aruch that
Mrs. Wilhelm had us memorize roll through my
head on a regular basis. Now I can tell my kids
that yes, memorizing is actually worthwhile,
and mean it. I loved her class and the fact that I
remember so many of her lessons (despite my
old age) is a real testament to her prowess as a
teacher. Mrs. Mandelbaum was also a favorite
teacher. I relish the lessons that she taught us
and regularly think about them.

- Dvora (Maister) Lakein

”Graduating Class of 2001

83

“When I think of my years spent at Bais Yaakov
there are so many different memories that
come to mind. One thing that stands out in my
mind is the warmth from Mrs. Gibber and the
teachers and positive atmosphere around the
school. Bais Yaakov is not just a school, it’s
a home, where every girl feels comfortable
and an integral part. Mrs. Gibber and the
teachers of Bais Yaakov showed how each of
us counts and cared for us as they would their
own children. I remember classes where there
were just a few girls, and the teachers taught
as if there were 30, and when a girl had a cold,
the teacher offered her tea and cough drops.
Not only did they care about our education
and spiritual growth, but they cared about each
of us as a person and showed their love to us.

- Gitty (Prero) Weiner

”Graduating Class of 2011

84

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“Being in such small classes really gave us each
a lot of one and one time with teachers- for good
and bad! Try leaving the class or talking with
two kids in the class- you are sure to get caught!
My best ongoing memory...
I might be the only girl in Brooklyn whose Bais
Yaakov principal still calls to wish me happy
birthday! I feel so special!

- Erin (Delmoor) Friedman

”Graduating Class of 2005

85

“Another beloved memory from Bais Yaakov is
chumash class with Mrs. Wilhelm. I loved every
second of learning in depth with her and always
felt academically challenged. We had to know
every single word, translation and pronunciation
or we’d have to see the dreaded disappointment
on her face. Class was always exciting with
Mrs. Wilhelm and I enjoyed reviewing what we
learned each day. I have not had a class since
with an equal level of challenge and pleasure
from doing the homework. I realized just how
much Mrs. Wilhelm refined my textual skills
when I entered seminary and saw that no one
quite knew the mefarshim in and out like a Bais
Yaakov of the Twin Cities girl.

- Elianna Mintz

”Graduating Class of 2009

86

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“I recall the graceless beauty of those rooms of
learning. As golden laughter and the tinkling
music of frivolity did pass through the halls,
so they now passeth through the halls of my
memory, and lighten all along their way. The
gentle words that tumbled, pearl bright and
smooth, from the lips of giants guideth me
still today, as wendeth I my away along this
twisting road of life.

- Chani Elkin

”Graduating Class of 2011

87

“The teachers in Bais Yaakov truly care about
you, and only want you to succeed. They will
modify your tests if you feel you are struggling,
or make things a bit more challenging if that’s
what you feel you need. They treat each girl
differently and take care of each girls needs on
an individual basis.

- Mindy (Smith) Daitchman

”Graduating Class of 2008

88

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

“When I think back to my years at Bais Yaakov,
I think of the caring teachers who guided me
and helped me choose the right path in life. I
think of the warm atmosphere and the beautiful
“hello”s that I was greeted by each day. I think
of the Torahdik lives that each Mechaneches
in the school represented, which brought me
to achieve and strive to grow more. I miss my
teachers. I miss my class. But most of all, I miss
my Bais Yaakov family.

- Baila Weinberg

”Graduating Class of 2015

89

“Bais Yaakov exists in my memory as a time and
place far away and yet close to my heart. It is
not possible to tease out a single memory or
lesson that shaped my life. It was four years of
memories and lessons, day in and day out, that
contributed to my transformation from child
into young adult.
As part of the very first class at Bais Yaakov,
there were struggles and challenges, triumphs
and successes. We were repeatedly reminded
that while all beginnings are challenging,
we were the pioneers of something bigger,
something beyond ourselves. It gives me great
pleasure to know that those early beginnings did
in fact amount to something bigger, something
beyond ourselves.

90

‫כתר כהונה‬


Teachers who crown
each moment

Bais Yaakov has grown into a thriving school,
a place of Torah and learning that offers girls
a strong high school experience. Each teacher
who has come to teach throughout the years
contributed to the foundation of the institution.
Each student who has come to learn formed
the very structure that made the endeavor
all worthwhile. Each community member
and parent who has donated time and money
supplied the bricks that made the dream a reality.

- Miriam (Maister) Hoffman

”Graduating Class of 2000

91



‫כתר מלכות‬


Crown of  Kingship

Experiences that crown me as a Bas Melech

“BYTC also gave us independence in a unique
way. We were responsible for programs or
implementing things that many times had
never even been done before. When Elisheva
and I worked to plan the Lag BaOmer trip,
or when we worked on our senior yearbook,
it was unknown territory in a way. Pulling
it off successfully really gave us a sense of
accomplishment and confidence. This is so
precious and valuable as we continue on in life
and bigger things are thrown at us.

94

‫כתר מכלהוכנוהת‬

TeaEcxhperesrwiehonccreoswn
theaatchcrmoowmnenmt e
as a Bas Melech

Production was a major highlight for me. I
really appreciate having been part of a small
school where everyone can really make a
difference and contribute meaningfully for the
final result. The fun, late nights, laughter, and
camaraderie are irreplaceable and I feel very
grateful I had that in my growing up years. Lag
Baomer trips are another fantastic memory...
Now I can really appreciate the endless hours
Mrs. Waxman put in to make those overnights
happen. These types of experiences cemented
a stronger bond between us girls that could not
have happened only in the classroom.

- Leah (Waxman) Moskowitz

”Graduating Class of 2004

95

“The memories are endless. Memories of fun
times, of learning experiences, of wacky-insane
stints. Memories that created what was for me my
Bais Yaakov experience. Four fun-filled years,
jam packed with excitement, with learning, with
new and unique opportunities. Four years are
a short time, in the span of an entire lifetime.
But when those four years are your high school
experience, they are not merely four fleeting
years. They become a cache of life-impacting
memories that I hope to never forget.

- Yehudis Kutoff

”Graduating Class of 2015

96

‫כתר מכלהוכנוהת‬

TeaEcxhperesrwiehonccreoswn
theaatchcrmoowmnenmt e
as a Bas Melech

“I have so many wonderful, loving and memorable
memories... Bais Yaakov has never just been
a school, but it is also a home outside of home
for all of its students. Bais Yaakov is a treasure
that glitters and shines. I have caring memories
that will forever be imprinted on my heart. I am
forever grateful for having been given the gift of
attending Bais Yaakov for four marvelous years.

- Shiri Spector

”Graduating Class of 2013

97

“To me, BYTC was so much more than a
school; it was a home- a comfortable, warm,
nurturing environment in which each student
could grow at their own pace and recognize
their unique potential. Bais Yaakov places a
tremendous emphasis on the extracurricular
as well, encouraging a unity that stretches far
beyond 4221 Sunset Boulevard.

- Noa Singer

”Graduating Class of 2015

98

‫כתר מכלהוכנוהת‬

TeaEcxhperesrwiehonccreoswn
theaatchcrmoowmnenmt e
as a Bas Melech

“I have fond memories of a Purim party hosted
at the Mandelbaum’s house, I remember doing
a skit at the JCC and afterwards a prominent
woman of the community told me she laughed
so hard... I have good memories of playing Odel
the cook in a play. I also enjoyed Toastmasters
and debates…

- Chaiky (Wexler) Shertok

”Graduating Class of 2001

99

“Building us as individuals and as a klall
working adults and peers.
Simcha, confidence, a desire for ruchnius,
relationships made up those high school years.
As we look back at this meaningful era
from these happy memories we seem so far.
But they continue to build us, guide us, give us
knowledge, push us,
and help us become who we are.

- Shifra (Kutoff) Garsek

”Graduating Class of 2007

100