THE RAMBAM RECORD
The eNewsletter of Rambam Mesivta High School
June 23rd, 2006 / 27 Sivan

Graduation Day - 2006!

On Thursday evening, June 22nd at Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, the Rambam Graduation Ceremony for the Class of '06 was filled with both happiness for the boys' accomplishments and sadness in their parting as 42 young men began the next phase of their lives. (Click here to see list of Awards and Scholarships earned by the Class of 2006)

As is the tradition for the school, the ceremony featured a light humorous touch. The two graduating senior MCs for the event Ariel Lindenfeld and Aaron Friedman spared no one from their comic barbs and the hilarious photo composites that accompanied their comments.

Rosh HaMesivta Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman issued a concise but poignant challenge to the graduates. While recognizing their achievements, he implored them not to rest on their laurels, and to always seek out greater accomplishments and spiritual growth. He left them with the questions they should always be asking themselves: Have young learned enough Torah? Have you given enough tzedukah? Did you do that special chesed? Did you fulfill your potential? Did you act like a mensch?

Salutatorian Josh Bloom delivered some thoughtful comments on the notion of personal gain versus higher purpose as one journeys through life. He emphasized that one should always do what is right, even if it comes at great personal cost.

Valedictorian Jonathan Ziring spoke about the idea of friendship as it appears in the Torah and connected it beautifully to the event at hand. Ziring quoted the Rambam's interpretation in pirkei avos where he discusses different levels of friendship. The ultimate level of friendship is where friends work together to achieve a higher common goal. He recounted how a group of incoming freshmen from diverse elementary schools came together into one cohesive class united behind the ideals of Torah.

Rambam Principal Rabbi Yotav Eliach then delivered a brief but powerful keynote where, acknowledging the context of the bittersweet nature of graduation, he nevertheless charged the graduates with the task of building on the commitment that they have demonstrated during their high school years and become future leaders of the Jewish people.

In typical Rambam tradition, while diplomas were handed out, Rabbi Friedman lightened it up by granting an honorary diploma to Naomi Rosenblum to mark her 10 years (and counting) of service to the Mesivta. Naomi was given a bouquet of flowers and the graduates rose to their feet and applauded.

After Maariv, everyone shared in the ruach of some chagigah-style dancing and plenty of goodies.

Check out this very funny picture from the Israel Day Parade on June 4th - a colorful bystander inspires the talmidim!

Junior Michael Hagler won second place overall at last week's New York State Science Congress for his research on an innovative means of preventing an asthma attack. Hagler was awarded a cash prize of $350 for the honor.

For the past three summers, Hagler has been conducting research at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center under the guidance of Dr. Martin Bluth.

Hagler demonstrated that sophorolipids, which are manufactured by yeast and have a low toxicity level, actually cut off the asthma attack before it begins, rather than treating the symptoms of the attack after it has already been triggered, as many of the treatment drugs currently on the market do.

Hagler said that this summer he will be investigating the therapeutic potential of this research practically on a full-time basis at Downstate. He was also quick to acknowledge the support he received from Rebecca Isseroff, who teaches Honors Regents Chemistry at Rambam. “She really helped me put my presentation together,” he said.

"Michael is continuing the tradition of Rambam students excelling in advanced scientific research," said Rosh HaMesivta Zev Meir Friedman, "He should be justly proud of his accomplishments, and we are certainly proud of him."