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AN EVENING TO REMEMBER
AFYBA’S 28TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE EVENT LEAVES LASTING IMPRESSION “One of the best dinners I have ever attended.”
“I rate dinners on a scale of painful to less painful. Tonight’s dinner was actually pleasant.”
These and more comments and feedback characterized the responses to AFYBA’s 28th Annual Tribute Event.
The distinguished honorees were Arthur L. Alexander of Manhattan, recipient of the Founders Award, and Ruth and Jeffrey Steinberg of Scarsdale, NY, recipients of the Simcha v’Chesed Award. Alan Wildes, President of AFYBA, and Dinner Chairman, Roger Fine of Milltown, NJ, contributed to the pleasant atmosphere and efficient flow of the program.
An address by Hon. Eli Moyal, Mayor of the Kassam-stricken southern town of Sderot, was the highlight of the evening. Mayor Moyal, a YBA graduate, emphasized his roots in a YBA education, noting the impact of Torah and Zionist values, particularly during these years of tribulation, on his fortitude in facing the challenges posed to his leadership of Sderot. These deeply held values and visions were the primary factors responsible for his and his constituency’s ability to continue a semblance of normalcy in their daily lives.
The central theme of the event was a salute to YBA’s 22,000 students who opened their doors to thousands of refugees from the North during the Second Lebanese War. This exemplary act of chesed was symbolized by the gift given to all the guests, a beautiful mezuzah designed by AFYBA board member, Alan Zwiebel who, together with Abby Kanarek, Dassie and Marvin Bienenfeld, Esther Press, Susan Degen and Alter Goldstein made such a crucial contribution to the evening’s success. Yasher Koach!
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SALUTE TO YBA
AFYBA’s Counterpart in Israel Sponsors Gala Evening
Israel Friends of Yeshivot Bnei Akiva, AFYBA’s Israeli counterpart, recently sponsored a gala evening in the Ramat Gan Diamond Center Theater, saluting YBA’s yeshivot and ulpanot throughout the country. Hundreds of dignitaries, friends, parents and staff packed the theater and enjoyed the program, which included brief speeches, a musical interlude and the scholarship awards.
Prior to the event, IFYBA held a radiothon on Radio Kol Chai, raising hundreds of thousands of shekalim for scholarships at the various YBA schools. Calling in from the US were AFYBA President, Alan Wildes and AFYBA Officer, Dr. Rubin Brecher. Scholarships were then awarded as part of the evening’s program to 40 schools in the network. The Guest Speaker was MK Binyamin Netanyahu, who recalled his late grandfather’s special relationship with Rav Kook zt”l, and his commitment to religious Zionist ideals. |
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THE SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT!
YBA Kfar Maimon Graduate Becomes Netivot’s First Pilot |
There is no track of study at YBA Beit Yehuda in Kfar Maimon leading to IAF pilot’s wings. But, the superior academic studies combined with the idealism, values and motivation offered by the yeshiva forge the character necessary to meet such challenges - on all horizons.
E.A. (name withheld by order of IAF security) grew up in the southern development town of Netivot and was educated at nearby YBA Beit Yehuda in Kfar Maimon. On Netivot’s 50th anniversary, he became the first son of Netivot to attain this impressive achievement. |
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E.A. credits YBA Kfar Maimon with “a critical  contribution” to his personal growth and development and recognizes the importance a YBA education had in his formative years. In addition, he sends a clear message to the younger generation in Netivot to set their sights high and never give up. He teaches them that nothing is impossible if you want it badly enough. Growing up in Netivot is not an obstacle. The sky is not the limit! |
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FROM MANHATTAN TO MERON
The Jewish Center Mission visits at YBA Bar Yochai
 Just across the road from the Tomb of Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron, the YBA yeshiva bearing his name has been educating generations of young boys from throughout the Galilee and the entire country. The yeshiva’s exemplary and unique educational approach and accomplishments have resulted in an array of awards and citations over the years, culminating with the President’s Prize in 1997.
In addition to its outstanding academic track, what makes YBA Bar Yochai truly unique is its technological track. This is a residential framework for boys from all over Israel who have a variety of learning difficulties and learning disabilities, dyslectics, attention deficit disorders, behavioral problems and more. Most of the boys would not be accepted by or have been expelled from, other schools. There are no acceptance requirements. Rav Avraham Engel, the Rosh Yeshiva, and his staff have worked wonders with these boys, turning their lives around completely, with a warm, caring, therapeutic approach to each of the boys. Many complete regular high school matriculations successfully and continue in yeshivot hesder and mechinot – a truly unbelievable accomplishment!
Rabbi Ari Berman of the Jewish Center in Manhattan led a mission of his congregants last winter to northern Israel, and, after one long, arduous, cold and soaking day, found a warm, cozy reception at YBA Bar Yochai. The visit was coordinated by Mr. Arthur Degen, member of the Jewish Center and on the Board of AFYBA. Robert and Judith Grauman described the visit saying, “We were very impressed by the Yeshiva and the effects it has on the talmidim there.” Special thanks to Penina Blazer for her photos of the visit. We look forward to the Jewish Center’s next mission and a return visit - hopefully on a bright, sunny summer day! |
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REAPING THE REWARDS
YBA Ulpana Yeshurun: Israel Education Prize
YBA Ulpana Modiin: Religious Education Prize |
 The Ministry of Education has recently announced this year’s recipients of two most prestigious prizes. YBA Ulpana Yeshurun in Petach Tikva, YBA’s largest school with 1,500 girls, underwent a complete makeover during the years of leadership by Rav Shai Peron. YBA Ulpana Yeshurun was chosen for the Israel Education Prize for instituting “a virtual educational revolution” in the fields of chessed, social solidarity and the acceptance of different populations within the framework of the school.
YBA Ulpana Modiin will receive the Religious Education Prize. The Ulpana is eminently worthy of this recognition. The percentage of students that successfully complete their matriculation requirements is tops in the country! But more importantly, the in-depth educational work with each student and the exceptional cases of girls whose lives have been changed by the Ulpana demonstrate clearly that this school is very special indeed. One need only to meet the dynamic and charismatic Rosh Ulpana, Rav Asher Kursia, and his dedicated staff to understand how this has come about. Rarely does one see such a strong sense of solidarity, identification and commitment to a common cause. Modiin, the “City of the Future” is now prouder than ever of its “Ulpana of the Future!” |
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YBA Ulpana Kfar Pines Graduate
Ranked Among World’s Most Promising Scientists |
Scientific American, among the world’s most prestigious science magazines, has ranked the world’s 50 most promising scientists, including YBA Ulpana Kfar Pines graduate, Dr. Shulamit Levenberg. 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 specializes in stem cell research, tissue engineering and replacement organs for human transplant.
Dr. Levenberg, 37 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
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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. YBA is proud of Dr. Shulamit Levenberg and looks forward to hearing of even greater accomplishments in the future.
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YBA Ulpana Ofakim Student Crowned Chess Champion
Bella Atnilov, a senior at YBA Ulpana Ofakim, was recently crowned Israel’s Women’s Chess Champion. This accomplishment did not happen by chance; Bella has been Israel’s Chess Champion at younger age-levels as well. The Atnilov family, who hails from the Caucasus, is a veritable treasure trove of gifted chess players, including the father and younger bother and sister.
Bella has also represented Israel in a series of international tournaments, ranking extremely high. This spring, Bella will represent Israel at the European Chess Championship Tournament in Germany. Despite the family’s difficult financial position they have made super-human efforts to cultivate these talents in their children.
At the Salute to YBA event, Bella was presented with a special certificate recognizing her achievements by MK Binyamin Netanyahu, as well as a stipend to assist her in further advancing her career in chess. When asked of her plans for the future, Bella unhesitatingly states that she will be a doctor. We have no doubt that Bella will achieve whatever she sets her mind to, and will always make the YBA family proud! |
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YBA Orot Israel College for Women
Hosts Academic Conference
The first in a series of academic, research conferences organized by YBA Orot Israel College for Women in Elkana, in conjunction with the School of Education at Bar-Ilan University, was hosted on Orot’s beautiful campus. Over 250 academics, educators and students from around the country attended this conference. The feedback has been most favorable, praising the organization and content of the event.
The theme of the conference was Ha’kippa Veha’kumta, the “kippa” and the “beret,” symbolizing military service. The conference examined the complex relationship between service in the IDF and Judaism in the context of Israel’s Religious Zionist community, including the sensitive subject of National Volunteer Service and military service by women, and the role of yeshivot hesder and mechinot. Top lecturers and speakers addressed the different sessions of the conference, including leading academics, rabbis, educators and senior IDF officers. Orot College is headed by Rabbi Dr. Neriah Gutel.
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NEWSFLASH!
YBA Students Shine in Bible Contest
Congratulations to Tamar Kronman, an eleventh grader from YBA Ulpana Ohel Shlomo who took second prize in the International Bible Contest for Jewish Youth on Yom Ha’Atzmaut, and Zuriel Shushan, a twelfth grader in YBA Ohel Shlomo who came in third place. We salute Rav Yisrael Lifshitz who heads the YBA Ohel Shlomo network in Beer Sheva for his students’ great accomplishments
Chazal tell us: He who wishes to gain wisdom should go south. This adage can now be better understood!
We are very proud of our students, who continue a long tradition of success in this wonderful event. |
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Previous Newsletters:
Winter 2006
Fall 2006
Winter 2005
Fall 2005
Spring 2005 |
