Cooking For A Cause, Once Again

Last Wednesday we had another great Cooking for a Cause event. Special thanks to Carol Chera and Michelle Levy, mother of Joseph Levy, for helping out.

Cooking for a Cause allows students to learn how to prepare a variety of entrees, dinners, and desserts while participating in a Chesed event. All of the food prepared in these events are sent to needy families who can then enjoy delicious homemade dinners. For more information about this commission, read this previous post: http://www.myflatbushlife.com/2011/10/helping-against-hunger.html 

Pathfinders Update: Genealogy Research

Over the past few months Yeshivah of Flatbush students, Jamie Baum and Jeanette Eliezer, interned with the Sephardic Heritage Project doing genealogy research. This was part of our Pathfinders Program.

Read about their experience in their own words:

Over the past few months, we interned for the Sephardic Heritage Project. Almost every week, we researched the meanings of family surnames derived from the Brit Milah and marriage records, developing a database of information to be used for Sephardic genealogical research. Our sources included some books on the origin and meaning of surnames, as well as online sources. I enjoyed the internship, as I learned a lot about the meanings of certain names in various languages, in addition to learning how to independently conduct research.  ~Jamie and Jeanette

Their intenship supervisor, Sarina Roffe, had these nice words to say:  

Jamie and Jeanette were extremely helpful to the Sephardic Heritage Project in identifying the meanings of last names in our community. This project is devoted to promoting genealogy in our community. They were reliable, responsible and sincerely interested in the project.  ~Sarina Roffé, President Sarina Roffé Group

Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School Pathfinders Program: 
Beginning in 9th grade, the Pathfinders counselors work with each student to discuss their interests and develop their goals. Students are then given a wide range of opportunities of places where they can volunteer, intern and explore their unique academic pursuits and career ideas. Through the Yeshivah of Flatbush Pathfinders Program, we encourage our students to discover and expand their special talents and abilities and explore career options for the future. Whether a student is actively engaged during the school year or in the summer, we are confident that each Yeshivah of Flatbush student will find a path to success.

What Does Yerushalayim Mean To You?

Join us this Sunday and celebrate Yom Yerushalayim 5772!

Students Gain Insights to Sephardic Past at Baruch College

Students with Baruch College dean, Jeffrey Peck

On Tuesday May 15, some of our students attended the Sephardic American Jewry Communities and Contributions panel and exposition, facilitated and presented by the Jewish Studies Center at Baruch College Performing Arts Center.  Our forty attendees enjoyed a panel of impressive speakers, among them Rabbi Marc Angel, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Shearith Israel and author and editor of over 30 books, Dr. Jane Gerber, professor of Jewish History, noted author and director of the Institute for Sephardic Studies at the Graduate Center of CUNY and keynote speaker, Lucette Lagnado, award winning writer and reporter for the Wall Street Journal and author of The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit and The Arrogant Years.  Jeffrey Peck, Dean of Baruch’s Weissman School of Arts and Sciences spoke of his commitment to establishing a Sephardic Studies department. The program offered a tremendous insight into the Sephardic past and an opportunity to see our ancestors through a critical lens and an academic view.

eKo Commission: Beach Clean-Up

This past Friday the eKo Commission, visited Plumb Beach with 100 empty garbage bags, and 30 dedicated students determined to clean the ENTIRE beach. They covered over 3 miles and filled over 50 FULL bags of garbage! A special thanks goes out to Rabbi Haber and commissioner Emily Schrem for organizing this trip and for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the year!  ~Victor Dweck, Sophomore

WordMasters May Results

Four teams of students representing Yeshivah of Flatbush recently won highest honors in the year end standing of this year's WordMasters challenge, a national competition for high school students requiring close reading and analysis of many different kinds of prose and poetry. Participating with 548 high school teams from all across the country, the school's ninth graders placed first in the nation, in the cumulative standing and the end of the four meets held this year. At the same time, our tenth graders placed second in the nation, eleventh graders tied for sixth in the nation, and the twelfth graders placed first in the nation. The teams were supervised by Mrs. Shifra Hanon.

In addition, we are proud to congratulate our students who have won highest honors for year long individual achievement. Freshmen Sarah Levy and Rebecca Zami, Sophomores Bob Husni and Andrew Hersh all placed among the 22 highest-ranked students at their respective grade levels. Andrew Hersh was one of the two highest rated tenth graders rated nationwide.

Several students earned outstanding results in the year's final meet, held in April: Freshmen Abie Tawil and Victor Zeitoune and Seniors Raquel Lifschutz and Rachel Weintraub all earned perfect scores in this meet, while in the entire country only seven ninth graders and only 19 twelfth graders did so.

Others who excelled in this meet include  the following:

Freshmen:
Eddie Farhi
Sarah Levy
Joey Cohen
Rosie Doveck
Raquel Shalam
Jacob Silvera

Sophomores:
Michele Schewe
Joey Betesh
Joy Feinberg
Ralph Guindi
Bob Husni

Seniors:
Daniel Cizma
Jennifer Lipschitz

A special congratulations to all of our honored students!

Cooking for a Cause: Pasta Week!

This past week was pasta week with the wonderful volunteers at Cooking for a Cause. This week's event was generously sponsored by Mrs. Micky Horovitz, mother of student Elliot Chalme. We made delicious penne vodka, macaroni and cheese, and crazy ziti. Special thanks to our chefs, Mrs. Micky Horovitz and Mrs. Lesly Chera (mother of student Esther Chera).

Cooking for a Cause allows students to learn how to prepare a variety of entrees, dinners, and desserts while participating in a Chesed event. All of the food prepared in these events are sent to needy families who can then enjoy delicious homemade dinners. For more information about this commission, read this previous post: http://www.myflatbushlife.com/2011/10/helping-against-hunger.html

Torah To Go Series: Parashat Emor

Israel Activism Hasbara Symposium

An Israel Activism Hasbara Symposium was held at Yeshivah of Flatbush on on May 3, 2012. Speakers included Joey Cohen-Saban (HS '11), representing the campaign to elect Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries to Congress; Avi Posnick, the regional director of StandWithUs; Benjamin Ryberg, the director of research at the Lawfare Project; Ari Lieberman, an expert on racism and bias on the Internet and Wikipedia; and Michael Ross, a man who fell in love with Israel, converted to Judaism, joined the IDF, and was recruited into the Mossad for 13 years. It was a huge success. Thank you to the Israel Awareness Commission for putting this all together.

Akiva Abramowitz on JM in the AM

Listen here to Akiva Abramowitz on JM in the AM this morning with Nachum Segal and Meir Weingarten, where he spoke about his Chidon HaTanach experience in Israel. Akiva won first place in the Diaspora contest and second place in the international contest. 

Skip to 1:34:35 below or click link: here.

Pathfinders Update: Michael Zalta Performs

Michael Zalta, freshman, used his musical and vocal talents to entertain the residents of Shore View Nursing Home. This was part of our Pathfinders Program, where he pursues his interests in music.

Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School Pathfinders Program: 
Beginning in 9th grade, the Pathfinders counselors work with each student to discuss their interests and develop their goals. Students are then given a wide range of opportunities of places where they can volunteer, intern and explore their unique academic pursuits and career ideas. Through the Yeshivah of Flatbush Pathfinders Program, we encourage our students to discover and expand their special talents and abilities and explore career options for the future. Whether a student is actively engaged during the school year or in the summer, we are confident that each Yeshivah of Flatbush student will find a path to success.

Torah To Go Series: Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

Poetry Slam II

Our students had a unique opportunity to participate in a Jewish Day School Poettry Slam Competition last week. Jonathan Zehavi, Yaron Baazov, Bonnie Azoulay, Tamar Grazi, Jacob Tessone and Miriam Wade all performed beautifully. Jacob Tessone made it to the finals and Miriam Wade won an award for best performance. The theme of the slam was redemption being that it took place right after passover and before Shavuot. Congratulations to all of our Poets and a big thank you to Ms. Robinson, the faculty advisor for the Poetry Slam.

Spring Concert 2012

Our annual Spring Concert is held on Yom Ha'atzmaut and allows students to showcase their musical talents. Here is one student's reaction: 

     Spring concert was a definite highlight for me this year. Being a part of a show comprised of so many styles and so much talent was a most unique experience. From the AV dance to the comedy bits, from the musicians to the singers, the room was filled not only with talent, but with friendship and school spirit. Performing on stage in front of my friends, classmates, and the faculty made me feel even more a part of Flatbush high school. I am able to learn so much with every performance because each time I sing, it is a new challenge where I can build on and gain new techniques. Coming from a small school, I am still in awe that it is almost the end of the year and I'm still meeting new people. Thanks Mrs. Winkler and Michael Grazi for making the show a success for both the performers and the audience. I look forward to many more shared moments on the Flatbush stage.  ~Rachelle Gersh

Check out some of the amazing performances here:

Yom Ha'atzmaut: Israel at 64

Yom Ha'atzmaut was celebrated in multiple ways this year at the Yeshivah of Flatbush!

Our Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations were enhanced by the announcement that Akiva Abramowitz, a senior in our High School, placed second in the world in the 49^th International Bible Contest for Jewish Youth (Hidon HaTanach Ha-Olami) held in Jerusalem. He was first among Diaspora students. Akiva’s hard work, commitment to learning Torah, and natural abilities enabled him to achieve this unique distinction. We congratulate him and Rabbi Taler, who served as his advisor.

Akiva (on left) receiving award from Prime Minister Netanyahu

Please visit the following link to view the award ceremony with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Akiva. The clip begins at 2:18 into the display. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/155164

Students celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut with special Rikudim and singing:

The Tzedakah Commission held two events on Yom Ha'aztmaut to raise money for charity: a boys' basketball tournament and a girls' zumba dance:

Some footage from Tefillah Chagigit on Yom Ha'atzmaut led by Rabbi Dr. David Eliach, Principal Emeritus: 

Yom HaZikaron 5772

The day before Israeli Independence day, our school commemorated the memories of those soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the state of Israel. Special Thanks to Dr. Lea Gerber for coordinating this very moving program.