| Spring 2008 Newsletter
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| News from the Premier Religious Zionist Educational Movement in Israel |
AFYBA Salutes Prominent Educators at 29th Annual Tribute Event
Rabbi Dr. David Eliach and Professor Yaffa Eliach awarded
the Rabbi M.Z. Neriah Lifetime Educational Achievement Award
American Friends of Yeshivot Bnei Akiva held their 29th Annual Tribute Event on March 26th at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The Guests of Honor were Rabbi Dr. David Eliach and Professor Yaffa Eliach, the premier couple in the field of Jewish education in America. AFYBA was privileged to bestow upon them the Rabbi Moshe Zvi Neriah Lifetime Educational Achievement Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions in their respective fields. Hundreds of the guests in attendance came to express their affection and respect for this very special couple.
Prof. Yaffa Eliach, Broeklundian Professor of Judaic Studies at Brooklyn College and Founder and Director of the Center for Holocaust Studies, is renowned for her scholarly work on the Holocaust. Rabbi Dr. David Eliach retired as Dean of the Yeshivah of Flatbush after 43 years of service. He has long been acknowledged as a “teacher’s teacher,” and has been the recipient of many prestigious awards. Rabbi Eliach never forgot his roots as one of the |
seven founding students of Yeshivot Bnei Akiva under the leadership of Rabbi Moshe Zvi Neriah zt”l at Kfar Haroeh. Thus, the award in the name of Rabbi Neriah is so aptly appropriate.
President of AFYBA, Alan Wildes, served as Master of Ceremonies, efficiently guiding the evening’s program. AFYBA would like to express its deepest appreciation to the Honorary Chairmen, David Azrieli, Malcolm Hoenlein and Prof. Elie Wiesel, to the Vice Chairmen, Dr. Richard Joel, Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, Rabbi Marc Schneier and Hon. Marty Markowitz, to Tribute Event Chairman, Alan Wildes, Honoree Chair, Steven Adelsberg, and to Tribute Event Co-Chairs, Marvin Bienenfeld, Esther Press and Arthur Alexander. Special kudos goes to AFYBA Executive Director Menachem Bar-Shalom, and to Associate Director Amalia Leubitz, for their outstanding efforts in organizing this evening. Yasher Koach! |
The Nordlicht Family Makes History in Acco
Meir and Dahlia Nordlicht lay cornerstone for YBA Hesder Acco’s new campus |
Over the last 5,000 years, the history of the ancient port city of Acco has been intertwined with the history of the Jewish people. It has witnessed both high and low points. One of the high points in its modern day history, generating great excitement, optimism and hope, occurred on Chol Ha’Moed Pesach when Meir and Dahlia Nordlicht of New Rochelle lay the cornerstone for the new campus of YBA Yeshivat Hesder “Ruach Tzfonit” in Acco, following their major gift which will enable the completion of the first stage of the project.
As part of the initiative to appoint AFYBA board members as presidents of YBA schools, Meir chose the Yeshivat Hesder in Acco, recognizing the vital role of the yeshiva in the rehabilitation of the Jewish character of the city. Headed by Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yossi Stern, the Hesder Yeshiva was established five years ago with 30 students as a response to the demographic shift in Acco, with thousands of Jewish families leaving the city. Some 150 young men currently learn in the yeshiva, now located in the Wolfson neighborhood, which has a large Arab population. The new 2 ½ acre campus – on land donated by the municipality - will enable the yeshiva to double in size in coming years and serve as a community center that will impact the Jewish character of Acco.
At a celebratory meeting in City Hall with Mayor Shimon Lankry (Lt. Col, res. and graduate of YBA), Chief Rabbi of Acco, Rav Yosef Yashar, MK David Azulay, Damon Rose, Jewish Agency Director of Northern Region Partnership 2000, as well as other dignitaries, Mayor Lankry emphasized the impact and importance of the Nordlichts’ efforts, not only for the yeshiva, but for the future of Acco. The meeting was followed by the cornerstone ceremony at the building site. Participants included Alan Wildes, President of AFYBA, Albert and Brenda Kalter, Jaime Hartman,
and Director of YBA, Elchanan Glatt.
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Yeshivot Bnei Akiva Make Impressive Showing at Jerusalem Marathon
Asnako Akal from YBA Ohel Shlomo in Beer Sheva took first place among teen participants!
 Yeshivot Bnei Akiva made its debut in the Jerusalem Marathon, which took place on March 27th. This was the 16th annual half marathon, bringing together thousands of people from around the world. A first class sporting event, the Jerusalem Marathon attracts Israel’s leading runners, athletes, men and women, boys and girls, young and old.
The convergence of Israel’s upcoming celebration of 60 years of independence, YBA’s expansion to 60 schools throughout the country and the concern for Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital city has served as the rallying point for YBA’s participation. The primary goal of the campaign was to generate funds for thousands of students in the network, primarily from Israel’s periphery where poverty is rampant, who are unable to meet tuition costs and who lack basic necessities for their subsistence.
Seventy-six young men from ten different yeshivot represented the YBA network, including many new immigrants who, themselves, come from economically disadvantaged homes. In fact, the YBA Front Runners team included Ethiopian students from YBA TO”M near Hadera, track stars who have taken the Israeli championship, as well as competed in numerous international competitions.
Out of the thousands who ran, Asnako Akal (originally from Ethiopia) from YBA Ohel Shlomo in Beer Sheva came in ninth overall, and came in first among the teen participants! In light of the dramatic travails of Aliyah from Ethiopia by many of these boys, who literally walked through the deserts of Africa to reach Eretz Yisrael, it was like witnessing a miracle to see them running joyously in Jerusalem - the city their ancestors could only dream of.
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AMANA ART
YBA Ulpana Amana in Kfar Saba recently opened  an outstanding Art Exhibit by the 12th grade girls who study Art as a “major”. The unique works of art are extremely impressive visually as well as conceptually. The artists present the ideas behind their works, demonstrating unusual rhetoric abilities, as well as depth of thought and analytical powers. 
Congratulations to YBA Ulpana Amana for cultivating these talents and preparing the girls for future leadership.
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YBA Plans New Yeshiva
Further expansion of the YBA network is planned for the 2008-9/5769 school year. A Yeshiva L’tzeirim (a yeshiva for young Torah scholars) will be opened on the campus of YBA Neve Herzog near Ashdod. It will be called “Beit Avraham” in memory of the late Chief Rabbi, Rav Avaraham Schapira zt”l, who recently passed away. This yeshiva will be different from the classic yeshiva high schools in its expanded and broadened Torah learning curriculum, yet will simultaneously offer an academic track leading to high school matriculations. Registration has opened and the response has been positive.
The Rosh Yeshiva will be Rav Avraham Yaakov Schreiber, a leading Talmid Chacham who graduated the Yeshiva L’Tzeirim of Mercaz Harav, as well as Mercaz Harav itself. He served as the Rav of Kfar Darom in Gush Katif and remains a pillar of that community. |
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AFYBA Establishes Rabbinic Cabinet
In recent months, American Friends of YBA has established a Rabbinic Cabinet spanning the continent. The Cabinet (affectionately
called the Rab Cab) currently numbers 40 leading rabbis in the US who have graciously accepted AFYBA’s invitation to become a part
of this group.
The primary aim in establishing the Cabinet is for rabbis of major Jewish communities to show and give support for YBA’s network
of 60 schools and 22,000 students, whose educational philosophy, as practiced daily by its 60,000 alumni, is one of the central pillars supporting the State of Israel today. In the coming months AFYBA plans to begin a rotation of English-speaking Roshei Yeshiva and
Ra’mim from the network, who will take turns representing the Torah of Eretz Yisrael in communities across the US.
Currently, the Rabbinic Cabinet includes:
Heshie Billet (Woodmere)
Kenneth Hain (Lawrence)
Moshe Teitelbaum (Lawrence)
Yaakov Lerner (Great Neck)
Elazar Muskin (LA)
Yosef Adler (Teaneck
Reuven Fink (New Rochelle)Y
aakov Kermaier (NY)
Allen Schwartz (NY)
Steven Weil (LA)
Jonathan Rosenblatt (Riverdale)
Shmuel Goldin (Englewood)
Adam Mintz (NY)
Haskel Lookstein (NY)
Shaul Robinson (NY)
Moshe Hauer (Balt.)
Moshe Benzaquen (LA)
Ari Perl (Dallas)
Yitzchak Cohen (Plano TX)
Barry Gelman (Houston)
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Leonard Matanky (Chicago)
Dovid Gottlieb (Balt.)
Yosef Kanefsky (LA)
Shai Finkelstein (Memphis)
Marc Schneier (NY)
Zev Shandalov (Chicago)
Daniel Korobkin (LA)
Benjamin Yudin (Fairlawn)
Steven Pruzansky (Teaneck)
Efrem Goldberg (Boca Raton)
Hanan Balk (Cincinnati)
Ari Berman (NY)
Shaya Kilimnick (Rochester NY)
Neal Turk (Miami Beach)
Larry Rothwachs (Teaneck)
Shalom Baum (Teaneck)
Shmuel Hain (Riverdale)
Edward Davis (Hollywood FL)
Joel Tessler (Potomac MD)
Naphtali Burnstein (Cleveland) |
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| YBA Launches National Student Council |
Though long taken for granted in the US, the operation of student councils in Israel has made little inroads. This y
BARUCH DAYAN HA’EMET
The Board and Officers of American Friends of Yeshivot Bnei Akiva express their deep sorrow and grief on the tragic loss of Rabbi Jacob and Rebbetzin Devorah Rubenstein z”l.
May the Rubenstein family and the members and friends of Young Israel of Scarsdale be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim and know no more sorrow. |
ear, for the first time in the long history of YBA, student councils have been established in YBA high schools throughout the country. This initiative was launched by YBA Director of Informal Education, Shlomo Ilan, and  was followed by the election of the YBA National Student Council. The National Council is divided into two separate groups, with 58 representatives from the Yeshiva High Schools and 38 representatives from the Ulpana High Schools for girls.
Aside from the valuable experience these students will gain through their activities in student government and the benefits for all the students in their schools from planned programs and educational innovations, the sense of belonging to the extended family of Yeshivot Bnei Akiva will be greatly enhanced. Current
plans include the preparation of a network-wide student newspaper, a project promoting social justice and activities on behalf of the residents
of Sderot.
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| YBA Ulpana Kfar Pines Graduate Awarded International Scientific Prize |
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Dr. Shulamit Levenberg, graduate of YBA Ulpana Kfar Pines, was awarded the prestigious France-Israel Foundation Prize in March at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. She was recognized for her pioneering work in embryonic stem cell research. Last year, Dr. Levenberg was ranked by Scientific American as one of the world’s 50 most promising scientists. Dr. Levenberg is a researcher on the Faculty of Bio-Medical Engineering, the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, and the Stem Cell Center at the Technion in Haifa. She also specializes in tissue engineering and replacement organs for human transplant.
Dr. Levenberg, 38 years old and a mother of five, has been awarded the EMBO and Fulbright scholarships, the Marie Curie International Reintegration fellowship and the Wolf Foundation’s 2006 Krill Prize for excellence in scientific research.
Rav Yoram Tzohar, the Rosh Ulpana at YBA Ulpana Kfar Pines, recalls the great promise Shulamit demonstrated as a student and notes that despite her world class accomplishments she has remained the same modest, noble aishet chayil. Dr. Levenberg, too, credits the Ulpana for making a great impact on her life.
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The Relevance of the Dormitory in Modern Education
YBA Ulpana Kfar Pines hosts Conference
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 The “mother” of the Ulpana High Schools for girls, YBA Ulpana Kfar Pines, hosted a conference of Rosh Yeshivot and Ulpanot initiated by Mercaz Yeshivot Bnei Akiva. After nearly 50 years of rich experience in residential high school education for girls, YBA Ulpana Kfar Pines was chosen to host and lead the conference, which focused on the topic, “The Relevance of the Dormitory in Modern Education.”
With the latest trends moving towards non-residential education, the values and benefits of the traditional framework were discussed from varying viewpoints. Leading the conference was Rabbi Dr. Yehuda Felix, Educational Director of YBA, with Rosh Yeshivot and Ulpanot of residential schools in the network in participation. |
YBA In a Flash
YBA TO”M will be awarded the National Education Prize by the President of Israel at the President’s residence in Jerusalem on June 18th
Sderot Solidarity Day was organized by students from YBA yeshivot and ulpanot around the country. At the same time, school directors have been doing a great deal of their purchases from stores and factories in the city to provide much needed support.
YBA Ulpana Pisgat Zev will receive the National Road Safety Prize
next month from the Ministers of Education and Transportation. The Ulpana developed a special educational program to promote the various aspects of road safety and the reduction of car accidents.
YBA Ulpana Tzfira students were awarded an “Oscar” by the
Ministry of ducation for Best Movie of the year in cinema studies.
The creative girls were headed by Moriah Stern, who directed and wrote the screenplay for the movie “A Divided Soul.”
YBA Hesder Or Etzion published a new Siddur in honor of Israel’s
60th anniversary called “Shirat Geulim” which contains the complete prayers for Yom Ha’Atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim.
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Planned Giving: Partnering for Mutual Financial Gains
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In appreciation of the continued support by our generous contributors, AFYBA has retained Mr. Glenn Gabin of Wealth Preservation Associates with his staff of tax and financial experts who will assist you to develop a customized financial plan, free of charge and with no obligation. This plan will maximize your current aftertax income and minimize your future tax exposure. As an expert in all fields of financial and estate planning Mr. Gabin and his staff, will be able to recommend the use of specialized trusts, cutting edge tax strategies, amendments to your wills, generation skipping techniques and investment options from tax deferred annuities to tax free life insurance investments plans and all other investments that will meet your specific needs.
As a result, AFYBA will receive needed financial support to our yeshivot, provided by the issuing carriers of the selected investments you elect to use, at no net cost to you. For only a small investment of your time, this confidential plan could be the most important step in reshaping your financial future and the future of AFYBA.
Mr. Gabin’s experience and expertise is second to none, a fact confirmed by his clientele which encompasses some 20% of the Fortune 100 companies and some of the world’s wealthiest individuals.
Remember, those who fail to plan, plan to fail! Be a winner, and contact AFYBA as soon as possible and arrange your free consultation: 212-248-0471.
Help yourself while helping one of your favorite causes.
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