THE RAMBAM RECORD
The eNewsletter of Rambam Mesivta High School
February 2, 2007 / 14 Shevat

6th ANNUAL MITNADVIM PROGRAM--VOLUNTEERING FOR ISRAEL

For the sixth consecutive year, students from Rambam Mesivta spent the past 2 weeks learning and volunteering in Israel. According to Rabbi Yotav Eliach, who traveled with the students up North, "The fact that so many of our students were willing to give up their winter vacation to participate in this very educational and meaningful program speaks volumes about their wonderful midot and Ahavat Yisrael."

The program featured a balance between learning and helping residents of Northern Israel rebuild and refurbish their shuls, homes and bomb shelters. They cleared rubble, painted walls and provided great chizuk to residents of these cities.

Students saw first-hand the extensive damage suffered by their brethren in communities such as Tzfat, Nahariya and Kiryat Shmoneh. According to senior Noah Moskowitz, "The trip was an important lesson in achdut, and as Jews, we stand united no matter which country we come from". A special program was held by the Livnot U'Lihibanot organization thanking the student volunteers.

In addition to the various daily shiurim the students heard, they were also able to spend the last few days of the trip in Yerushalayim, where they visited various post high school learning programs. The boys were stationed at the Ariel Hotel and heard shiurim at Yeshivat Hakotel, Mevaseret, Shevelei HaTorah and Torat Shraga among others. Rabbi Zev Friedman met the students in Yerushalayim and noted, "This program is unique in that it combines learning and chesed. The students not only learn Torah, but put into practice the ideals of Torah—helping people they don't even know".

RAMBAM NOMINATES STUDENTS FOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

Each year, Rambam nominates its seniors for the many scholarship programs available to them. The process is rigorous, as each program’s standards and guidelines differ. “Our student selection process is very thorough,” says Prof. Lisa Korman, Director of Student Guidance. “Our goal is to ensure that students earn recognition for their hard work and achievements. We look very carefully at the program criteria and only nominate students who have met those standards.”

For the Gruss Life Monument Funds Scholarship Program for Higher Education, which was won last year by Rambam’s Jonathan Ziring, who is now learning in Gush, Rambam has nominated Ariel Habshush, Avi Bernstein, David Barris, Yossi Schlusselberg and Jonathan Lustbader.

For the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program Competition, Rambam has nominated Ariel Habshush, Yossi Schlusselberg and David Barris.

For the NYS Board of Education Scholarship for Academic Excellence, for which school size determines the number of allowed nominations, Rambam has nominated Ariel Habshush and Avi Bernstein.

For the NY State Lottery Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship, Rambam has nominated Charlie Cohen and Joshua Nadelbach.

It will be a few months before winners are confirmed. “We have been honored that these prestigious programs have awarded scholarships to so many of our students in the past,” said Prof. Korman. “I know this year will be no different.”

LIMUDEI KODESH HONOR SOCIETY CONGRATULATES QUALIFYING STUDENTS

Since its inception this year, the Limudei Kodesh Honor Society has been a huge success. To date, the following students have, through hours of dedicated learning, earned acceptance into the Honor Society:

Shtark Level: Chaim Sprung, Yehuda Holzer

Masmid Level: Nissan Holzer, Shlomo Yosef Simpser, Tani Dreillich, Chanan Zupnick, Yechezkel Stepner, Elliot Tanzman

Shteiger Level: Yosef Lefkowitz, Scott Ehrenberg, Aaron Kornbluth, Eli Naghdi, Avi Levy, Mordechai Moseson, Avi Bernstein, Henry Bernstein, Dani Schwab, David Orner

Congratulations to all our qualifying students!

RAMBAM REUNION

Keeping a close kesher with talmidim has always been what Rambam Mesivta is all about. The relationship that begins in high school continues way beyond graduation. Rambam rebbeim are invited to participate in virtually all alumni weddings and smachot (and are there to provide support when tragedy strikes as well). As a testimony to the kesher--alumni stay in touch, visit and attend the annual dinner.

One of highlights of the post high school connection has been Rambam’s Alumni Shabbaton in Israel. This year, in addition to the annual event held in Yerushalayim (hosted by alumni parents Steve and Mychal Brown), there was another reunion held last week in Yerushalyim as well. Talmidim from various yeshivot met to share divrei Torah and shmooze over pizza.

Additionally, talmidim at Yeshivat Har Etzion and Ohr Yerushalayim had the opportunity to hear from Rabbi Friedman who was a guest magid shiur at those yeshivot during his busy stay in Yerushalayim.

On Motzei Shabbos there was another reunion of sorts as Rabbi Friedman joined a beautiful Sheva Brachos celebrating the marriage of Aryeh Deinstag (Rambam ’00), son of Abbe and Dr. Debbie to Penina Eisenberg (sister of Shlomo, Rambam ’02), daughter of Dr. Steve and Malka Eisenberg. After dancing and divrei bracha, Rabbi Friedman was off to the airport having left an indelible mark of warmth and ruach on Rambam alumni.

Last night marked the third match of the year between the two Machon HaTorah divisions. In another hard fought, back and forth battle between the two friendly rivals, the HAFTR Hawks squeaked out a six point victory over the very game Rambam Ravens.

The division champion Hawks moved to 12-1 on the season and will face HANC in their final regular season game of the year. If they prove victorious, the Hawks will have gone from a league worst 1-13 record a year ago to an astounding 13-1 record this year. The Hawks were led last night by their senior captain, Gary Stein, who finished with 18 points and made his last six foul shots down the stretch.

Overall, it was another night of celebration for Machon HaTorah, as the two sides and their fans enjoyed a spirited, well-played game and a night of true camaraderie.

• Avi Holczer (Rambam, 2000), on his marriage to Chaya Osherovitz

• Shayna and Sean Steinmetz (Rambam, 2000), on the birth of a daughter

• The Kagan Family on the loss of Naftali (Tully) Kagan, senior at DRS (Davis Renov Stahler). Machon HaTorah joins with the DRS family and the entire Five Towns community in mourning this tragic loss.

• Rivki Isseroff (faculty), on the loss of her father