TAMUZ 5764 / JULY 2004 s”xc
2 MAZEL TOV TO THE GRADUATES OF 5764 /2004 Every graduation is a cause for joy and gratitude as one ponders both the incredible dedication of Rebbeim, moros, and teachers at the Hebrew Academy and the tremendous potential each graduate has to forge an impact on the world. This June, the Academy celebrated graduations from the Yeshiva High School and the Beatrice J. Stone Yavne High School. All graduates will continue their education, with the overwhelming majority opting to attend yeshivos and seminaries in Eretz Yisroel. Yavne Graduation The auditorium was packed with family and friends who joined in the inspiring ceremony, ably chaired by Dr. Mark Berkowitz, Board member and parent of one of the graduates. Rabbi Naphtali Burnstein brought greetings from the Vaad HaChinuch and Rabbi N.W. Dessler, Dean, presented the prestigious Beatrice Stone Midos Award to Racheli Lever and Hadassah Mann. Hebrew Valedictorian, Devorah Hellman expressed gratitude to her teachers and explained that as the graduates step forth into the world and will be able to utilize the lessons learned, students’ appreciation for their education will intensify even more. General Studies Valedictorian, Adina Gold praised the school, stating, “You have touched each one of our hearts in a way you can only imagine so we thank you, not only for the facts and knowledge that you gave us, but also for the care and devotion in encouraging us to do the best we can.” Judaic Salutatorian, Chana Porter and General Studies Salutatorian, Aliza Ehrenreich concurred that the graduates must now make the physical world a dwelling place for Hashem and enthusiastically embrace a life of mitzvos. Rabbi Avrohom Schwartz spoke of his grandmother, Mrs. Hendel Berliner, who survived the Holocaust and merited to raise an outstanding family in America. He then presented the Hendel Berliner Awards to Devorah Hellman and Adina Gold. Mr. Ivan A. Soclof, President, and Rabbi Simcha Dessler, Educational Director, commended the girls on their achievements. Rebetzin Rochel Sorotzkin added her brachos and, on behalf of Yavne, accepted a gift from the graduates. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of diplomas by Mrs. Neche Moerman, Principal of Yavne, Mrs. Lois Mager, Assistant Principal, and on behalf of the Jewish Education Center, Mr. Seymour Kopelowitz. Yeshiva High School Graduation Parents, relatives, and friends participated in the commencement exercises of the Yeshiva High School which were held in the Beis Medrash of the Jacob Sapirstein Campus. Dr. Howard Goldman, Board member, chaired the event. Rabbi Simcha Dessler congratulated the talmidim and instructed the graduates to view the world around them through the prism of the Torah and its ideals. On behalf of the Vaad HaChinuch, Rabbi Shlomo Eisenberger, praised the class for deciding to dedicate this next year to learning in Israel. Judaic Valedictorian, Menachem Greenfeld referred to the blossoms that remained on Aharon’s rod even after the almond buds had appeared. He postulated that this was proof of the posuk – ashrei ish sh’umel b’Torah, blessed are those who toil in Torah. General Studies Valedictorian, Moshe Abraham expressed gratitude to the Rebbeim for nurturing each student as much as a father does his son thus enabling each talmid to grow in learning and development. Rabbi N.W. Dessler, Dean, presented Judaic diplomas to the talmidim, and Mr. Ivan A. Soclof, President, presented General Studies diplomas. Rabbi Yitzchok Kasnett, General Studies Principal, inducted three students, Menachem Greenfeld, Moshe Abraham, and Pinchas Reich, into the National Honor Society. The program concluded with warm wishes from Rabbi Leib Scheinbaum, Supervisor, who entreated the graduates to, “realize your hope and potential which had been nurtured, embellished and enhanced by your Rebbeim.” May all the graduates go m’chayil el chayil, from strength to strength, and continue transmitting our heritage from generation to generation.
3 Eighth Grade Graduation With confidence and poise each of our talmidim truly impressed the audience with sixty second words of Torah, inspiration and appreciation. The audience was thrilled to mark this occasion in such a momentous way. PreSchool Graduation What could be sweeter than watching these young sailors salute their teachers before they “embark” on the joyous journey of learning in Kindergarten? Parents in all preschool classes celebrated a variety of graduations that highlighted teachers’ efforts to teach about our heritage, promote individual talents, motor and social skills, so that their students will thrive throughout their school years. MAZEL TOV TO THE GRADUATES OF 5764 /2004 INTERGENERATIONAL VISITS Students spread Purim joy to seniors in Menorah Park Center for Senior Living. Students who regularly perform chessed were treated to a special outing to visit seniors. V’DIBARTA BAM Fifth grader, Ari Goldman receiving a brocha from Rav Mattisyahu Salomon, Mashgiach of Beis Medrash Govoha, Lakewood Talmidim from grades 5-8 travelled to Chicago to participate in the national V'Dibarta Bam Siyum and Contest. Moshe Rom received an Award from Rabbi Asher Newman, and Rabbi Hillel Drazin. TORAH SAGES VISIT THE ACADEMY Seventh grader, Yaakov Muskin receiving a brocha from Rav Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg, of Eretz Yisroel
4 As one of the foremost educational institutions in this country, the Hebrew Academy strives to create a learning environment that provides a plethora of educational opportunities that complement the curriculum. Each division provides our students with programs that enhance classroom instruction and reinforce the principles that Rebbeim and moros teach. In an effort to foster appreciation for our surroundings, preschoolers planted saplings in front of the school. Gardeners from the city’s forestry department gladly lent their shovels to the eager students. Kindergartners excitedly received their first siddurim at a momentous assembly attended by parents and grandparents. Each student was made to feel like a prince about to receive a precious gift. Students in the Yeshiva Ketana published a BEAM (Be A Mentsch) newsletter applauding those who help others. The boys also baked matzos before Pesach and The Hebrew Academy’s Boys Choir sang heartily in a choir arranged for a group of Holocaust survivors. Meanwhile, elementary school girls refined their midos and speech in a year-long project appropriately named, The Princess Midos Program. Notes flew back and forth as parents recorded the exemplary traits of their daughters and students admired the fine traits of their peers; this activity culminated with a Princess Ball on Shushan Purim. Students participated in a hands-on havdallah candlemaking activity, baked matzohs and practiced writing Hebrew letters with a quill, just as a sofer, scribe, demonstrated to them. As a year end treat, the girls happily performed for seniors at the community’s monthly GILA program. At the Sapirstein Campus, talmidim in grades seven and eight were busy learning several thousand mishnayos as part of a Sefirah Mishnathon to raise funds for a much-anticipated New York Torah Tour to visit Gedolim. Perhaps they were following the examples of the eight Yeshiva High School talmidim who spent many free hours over vacations and on Shabbos learning masechtos so that they could conduct a gala siyum at the end of the year. Students also spearheaded a cell phone campaign; 339 cell phones were collected and forwarded to a national organization that sent its profits to Israel. Yavne High School students have a long tradition of performing chesed for the community, working as tutors, visiting shut-ins, and helping families in the area. In conjunction with the Irving I. Stone Student Tzedakah Fund, students held several fundraisers for Israel. They auctioned off Purim baskets and raised over $1,000 for Israel; sold flowers for Shavuos and donated the proceeds to the community of Tifrach; and organized a school wide Chinese Auction for Israel. The whole school united and their combined talents shone as the girls performed an inspiring production, which included drama, dance, and choir. EXPANDING OUR CURRICULUM - JUDAIC STUDIES
5 In conjunction with the Ohio State Bicentennial, fifth grade boys visited the Lost Nation Airport, toured the hangar, and enjoyed some close up inspections of planes. Mr. Jonathan Heifetz led the tour. Government elections were held in third grade. Girls elected a mayor and visited Orange Village Hall where they conducted a simulated council meeting in council chambers. Pictured is Michal Goldman. Life was different years ago. Sixth grade girls could not believe the needlework samples that great grandmother, Mrs. Paris explained to the girls was a common hobby in which young girls used to delight. Fourth graders eagerly tackled geography and history as they prepared presentations, games, and activities showcasing many of our states. Asher Solomon, first place winner Vigi Weiner, second place winner of the boys’ Science Fair. Esti Newman and Shoshana Cheron shared first place in the girls’ Science Fair. SCIENCE FAIRS STATE FAIRS POETRY CONTEST TRIP TO CITY HALL VISITORS NASA COMES TO HEBREW ACADEMY Mr. Harvey Schabes, a scientist at the National Aeronautics Space Academy spoke to several classes about new discoveries in space and let students try on a spacesuit. Bracha Greenfeld, a fifth grader, won the city-wide Borders Poetry contest. She read her poem to the proud acclaim of her parents, teachers, and classmates who came to cheer her on. TRIP TO AIRPORT
6 Rabbi and Mrs. Sherman Frankel, recipients of the Alumni Award, were lauded by their son, Mr. Dov Frankel Mrs. Sherrie Sperling honored for 25 years at the Hebrew Academy. Also recognized were: Rabbi Yechiel Friedman, Mrs. Leah Weiner, Mrs. Joanie Feuer, and Mrs. Chavi Matitia Mrs. Suri Goldman and her staff of dedicated PTA volunteers once again coordinated a successful and elegant Chinese Auction to benefit the school. The work entailed in executing this event was evident as families and friends of the Hebrew Academy enjoyed this delightful evening. CHINESE AUCTION 61ST SCHOLARSHIP CAMPAIGN DINNER HIGHLIGHTS Rabbi N.W. Dessler and Rabbi Chaim Stein, Telshe Rosh Hayeshiva Mr. Joel Fox presented Federation’s Charles Eisenman Award to the Hebrew Academy Mr. and Mrs. Alan Schabes were awarded the Phil and Mary Edlis Legacy Award The Hebrew Academy Boys Choir LEARNING NEVER STOPS Mazel Tov to Moshe Schur, first prize winner in the national Masmidei Bein Hazmanim contest. Mazel Tov to Yosef Rashidi - Fazel, third prize winner.
continued on page 8 7 THE WORLD THAT WAS: AMERICA The Academy takes great pride in the latest volume of its Living Memorial series, The Klein Family Edition of The World that Was – America. This impressive compendium detailing the establishment of Torah life in America from 1900 to 1945, is destined to become an indispensable guide to understanding how the European Torah legacy was transplanted to American shores. This broad work, compiled by Rabbi Leib Scheinbaum, veteran Hebrew Academy educator, includes fascinating first-person accounts, over sixty biographies, and hundreds of historic photographs which create a vivid picture of the growth of our Torah-oriented society. The Academy’s Living Memorial program is dedicated to the memory of the one and a half million Jewish children whose spiritual potential was tragically obliterated. PERCEPTIONS – THE PREVENTION OF EATING D ISORDE RS, A Program with a Torah Perspective for Day School Educators The Hebrew Academy of Cleveland has always been in the forefront of Jewish education, striving to create a nurturing environment for all students. In conjunction with The Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation, Mrs. Lois Mager, Assistant Principal at the Beatrice J. Stone Yavne High School, has instituted a school- wide health awareness program and published a curriculum guide for yeshiva and day school educators. This guide provides a step by step approach that increases awareness among administrators, staff members, parents, and students; utilization of this program will benefit school age students in day schools throughout the U.S. NEW PUBLICATIONS ALUMNI NACHAS ENGAGEMENTS AND MARRIAGES MALKAH BRUDNY TO SHMUEL ZEIBERGER MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. ELIYAHU BRUDNY AND RABBI AND MRS. N.W. DESSLER ARYEH ZEV KAMIN TO CHANI SCHON MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. DOVID KAMIN BINYOMIN MEISELS TO NECHAMA LEBA LEWIN MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. ZEV MEISELS AND RABBI YOSEF MEISELS YARDENA FREUND TO SRULY SMITH MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. REUVEN FREUND AND MR. JOSEPH FREUND MOSHE CHAIM NATHAN TO MIRI GOLDSTEIN RUTH NATHAN TO YISROEL MEIR ERLANGER MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. AARON NATHAN AND RABBI AND MRS. CALMAN FISHMAN DOV BIALO TO CHANI REITER MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. SHLOMO BIALO TOVA COHN TO YOSEF NATHAN MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. TED COHN BORUCH SUSMAN TO BASYA ARINSON MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. LEIGHTON SPADONE DOVID MALCMACHER TO DASSI BLUM MAZEL TOV TO DR. AND MRS. LOUIS MALCMACHER AND MRS. LOLA MALCMACHER DENA WARN TO YOSSI HOCHHEISER MAZEL TOV TO DR. AND MRS. STANLEY WARN AND MR. AND MRS. LARRY WARN ELISHEVA NEUMAN TO MOSHE ROSENWASSER MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. BINYOMIN A. NEUMAN RABBI AND MRS. SHLOMO MOERMAN AND MR. AND MRS. LAZAR NEUMAN DOVIE YAAKOV GELERINTER TO RIVKY BROWNSTEIN MAZEL TOV TO DR. AND MRS. ED GELERINTER AND RABBI AND MRS. AVROHOM S. BROWNSTEIN ELCHONON MOSHE FREUND TO BRACHA MIRIAM ZANDSTEIN MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. RONNY FREUND AND MR. JOSEPH FREUND NISSAN HEIFETZ TO YONINA HEFTER MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS BORUCH HEIFETZ, MR. AND MRS. M. HEFTER, MR. AND MRS. MORTON HEIFETZ AND MR. AND MRS. HERSHEL ITZINGER YOSEF HOWITT TO HINDY RADA MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. RAMIEL HOWITT ELANA EHRENREICH TO BENJY BERNET MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. LENNY EHRENREICH ALIZA GOLD TO MOSHE CHAIM DANCZIGER MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. LARRY GOLD, MR. AND MRS. YEHUDA DANCZIGER AND MR AND MRS. EPHRAIM SCHWARTZ YISROEL SHALOM KAPLOVITZ TO YOCHEVED BROG MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. MORDECHAI KAPLOVITZ AND MRS. EDITH KAPLOVITZ TZIRI BURNSTEIN TO ELI LOB MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. NAPHTALI BURNSTEIN CHANI SCHUBERT TO NAFTALI PLACHEK MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. JACK SCHUBERT AND MRS. BELLA KATZ SHIRA FRANKEL TO ELI LAZAROWITZ HILLEL FRANKEL TO MALKA ARONSON MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. SHERMAN FRANKEL DANI BERKOWITZ TO ILANA FLATOW MAZEL TOV TO DR. AND MRS. MARK BERKOWITZ AND MRS. REGINA WOLOVITS MIMI FEIGENBAUM TO DAVID SCHULDENFREI MAZEL TOV TO MRS. PAULA FEIGENBAUM BAR MITZVAHS MR. AND MRS. YISROEL STERN AND DOVID MR. AND MRS. LENNY GLAZER AND MOSHE RABBI AND MRS. ELOZOR SAKS AND YEHUDA LEIB MR. AND MRS. YOSSI ABRAHAM AND SHMUEL MR. AND MRS. SAID MAHALLI AND NETANEL DR. AND MRS. MARK WINTERS AND YAAKOV RABBI AND MRS. AVROHOM SCHWARTZ AND DOVI MR. AND MRS. GREG KRAINESS AND BENTZION MR. AND MRS. LARRY WAXMAN AND BENJY DR. AND MRS. DAVID LEVER AND ARIEL RABBI AND MRS. AVROHOM MATITIA AND YITZCHOK RABBI AND MRS. ASHER NEWMAN AND TZVI MR. AND MRS. REFAHEL MUSKIN AND YAAKOV
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID HEBREW ACADEMY OF CLEVELAND 1860 South Taylor Road Cleveland, Ohio 44118 Change Service Requested kfgraphics Design by KF Graphics • 216.421.8520 “A PEOPLE SURVIVES AS LONG AS IT TRANSMITS ITS HERITAGE FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT” Hebrew Academy of Cleveland Dean: RABBI N.W. DESSLER IRVING I. STONE, k”z Board Chairman (1976-2000) IVAN A. SOCLOF, President MORRY WEISS, Immediate Past President MELVIN WAXMAN, Board Vice Chairman Educational Director: RABBI SIMCHA DESSLER Financial Director: RABBI ELI DESSLER Editor: MRS. SELMA HELLMAN HEBREW ACADEMY NEWS • TAMUZ 5764 / JULY 2004 BIRTHS RABBI AND MRS. TZVI YOEL DESSLER (BOY) RABBI AND MRS. AVI GRUBNER (TWIN GIRL AND BOY) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. REUVEN DESSLER AND RABBI AND MRS. N.W. DESSLER RABBI AND MRS. MENACHEM NEUHAUS (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. DOVID RAPAPORT AND RABBI AND MRS. N.W. DESSLER MR. AND MRS. BUMIE GOLDSTEIN (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO MRS. PATTI POLLACK, MRS. HELEN POLLACK, AND MR. AND MRS. DAVID STERN MR. AND MRS. FISHEL STEINMETZ (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. SROY LEVITANSKY RABBI AND MRS. YITZCHOK WEINBERGER (BOY) RABBI AND MRS. ZEV HERSHFELD (GIRL) RABBI AND MRS. DOVID LANDO (BOY) RABBI AND MRS. BINYOMIN BARKIN (TWIN BOYS) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. MOSHE BARKIN MR. AND MRS. LEVY BIALO (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. SHLOMO BIALO RABBI AND MRS. SHMUEL ROTENBERG (GIRL) RABBI AND MRS. DOVID GOLDMAN (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO DR. AND MRS. MICHAEL COVITCH MR. AND MRS. YITZCHOK DEUTSCH (BOY) MR. AND MRS. BINYOMIN NEUMAN (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. SHIA NEUMAN AND MR. AND MRS. LAZAR NEUMAN MR. AND MRS. SHAUL FLANK (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. MENACHEM FLANK MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. MARTY WEISBERG MR. AND MRS. MARC EHRENREICH (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. LENNY EHRENREICH AND DR. AND MRS. FRED KESSLER MR. AND MRS. LEVI HODAKOV (TWIN GIRLS) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. CHAIM WEISZNER MR. AND MRS. YITZCHOK VITEBSKIY (BOY) RABBI AND MRS. AVRAMI MANDELBAUM (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. YOCHANAN GREENWALD RABBI AND MRS. MENACHEM MEISELS (GIRL) RABBI AND MRS. SHMUEL FISCHER (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI YOSEF MEISELS RABBI AND MRS. DOVI KUTOFF (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. MORDECHAI KOVAL RABBI AND MRS. MENACHEM SASONKIN (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. LEIBEL ALEVSKY AND RABBI AND MRS. ZALMAN KAZEN RABBI AND MRS. MENACHEM SOFER (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. LEIB SCHEINBAUM RABBI AND MRS. YISROEL YEHUDA FEIFER (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. ABISH FEIFER MR. AND MRS. YITZCHOK FIXLER (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. KENNY FIXLER MR. AND MRS. ELI FRANK (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. TSVI SCHUR, MRS. HARRIET FRANK, AND RABBI AND MRS. DONIEL SCHUR MR. AND MRS. DAVID SELTZER (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO MRS. BARBARA SELTZER, MRS. JEANETTE SELTZER MR. AND MRS. REUVEN FREUND AND MR. JOSEPH FREUND MR. AND MRS. YITZY NEUMAN (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. MOSHE NEUMAN AND MR. AND MRS. LAZAR NEUMAN RABBI AND MRS. AHARON LIPA MANN (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. ELOZOR MANN AND RABBI AND MRS. MEIR ZELIG MANN RABBI AND MRS.YOSSI RENNERT (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. PINCHUS KLAHR RABBI AND MRS. YONAH MEIR KAPLOVITZ (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. MORDECHAI KAPLOVITZ AND MRS. EDITH KAPLOVITZ DR. AND MRS. ALAN SCHLESINGER (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. RICHARD SCHLESINGER AND MR. AND MRS. JACK KLEIN MR. AND MRS. SHAYA SHTERN (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. ARNOLD LEVINE AND MRS. MOLLY ROTH RABBI AND MRS. YISROEL MEIR YANKELOWITZ (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. MOSHE EINSTADTER MR. AND MRS. YONAH ROTHENSTEIN (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO DR. AND MRS. ELLIOT DICKMAN AND MRS. BERTHA LAUTMAN RABBI AND MRS. ARIEL KLEIN (BOY) RABBI AND MRS. YAKOV SONNENSCHEIN (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. E. SONNENSCHEIN, AND MR. AND MRS. MIKE FRIEDMAN MR. AND MRS. YAAKOV GECOVICH (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO DR. AND MRS. JEFFREY SCHWERSENSKI AND MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL GECOVICH MR. AND MRS. ZEV GOLDBERG (GIRL) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. YOSSI ABRAHAM AND MR. AND MRS. ELYA ABRAHAM RABBI AND MRS. HILLEL STARESHEFSKY (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND MRS. Y. KATZ MR. AND MRS. RICHARD SOCLOF (BOY) MAZEL TOV TO MR. AND MRS. SIDNEY KATZ AND MR. AND MRS. YITZCHAK SHAMIR