THE RAMBAM RECORD
The eNewsletter of Rambam Mesivta High School
November 5, 2004

Siemens Westinghouse Competition Regional Finalists

Congratulations to Rambam students Yonatan Schwab and Yisrael Herzberg who have been recognized as regional finalists in the 2004-05 Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science & Technology. Rambam Mesivta is the only boys Yeshiva high school in the country with students who have been named Regional Finalists, and were selected out of over 1,400 students who registered for the competition nationwide.

Herzberg and Schwab worked together on their project, entitled “Synthesis and Characterization of Palladium Nanoparticles.” They now compete against three other teams at the Middle States Regional Finals at Carnegie Mellon University, November 19-20, 2004.

The students conducted their research over the summer under the direction of Mrs. Rebecca Isseroff, AP Chemistry teacher at Rambam Mesivta, and Prof. Miriam Rafailovich PhD, Director of Stony Brook's Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces, part of the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) program of the National Science Foundation.

“What is outstanding about these young men,” said Rabbi Friedman, “is their tremendous commitment to Torah observance and Torah study while they were doing the research.”

Winners of the regional finals are invited to compete at the National Finals in December at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington DC for scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

Israel Night

Virtually the entire parent body of Rambam seniors convened for Israel Night on Monday, November 1st to learn about further study in Israel.

Following an assembly in the shul, the participants attended a series of 20 minute formal presentations by representatives of the various participating Yeshivot.

"For most of our talmidim, a lifelong commitment to Jewish studies after graduation begins with a year of study in Israel," said Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, Rosh HaMesivta of Rambam. "Israel Night marks the beginning of this process to select which yeshiva is right for each student."

In the next several months, Rabbi Friedman, Rabbi Yosef Ziskind, the Director of Israel Guidance and Rambam Principal Rabbi Yotav Eliach will meet with each talmid and their parents to help find a program just right for them.

"Our commitment to Jewish studies on behalf of our students doesn't end with graduation," said Rabbi Friedman. "It builds on what the talmidim have learned here and continues for a lifetime."

Rambam Students Commended

A hearty congratulations to the four Rambam students who have received commendations in the 2005 National Merit Scholarship Competition. These students were selected based on their outstanding results on the 2003 PSAT - NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test - National Merit Scholarship Qualification Test).

Pictured at right are, from left to right: Principal Rabbi Yotav Eliach - the four students commended: Elan Kattan, Adam Kugelman, Aryeh Bernstein, Joseph Essrog - and Rosh Mesivta Rabbi Zev Meir Freidman.

Senator Skelos and Rabbi Billet at Rambam Mesivta Yom Kippur War Commemoration


State Senator Dean G. Skelos, Rabbi Hershel Billet, Rabbi of the Young Israel of Woodmere, and District 15 School Board Trustee Dr. Asher Mansdorf joined Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, Rosh HaMesivta of the Rambam Mesivta, and Rabbi Yotav Eliach, Rambam’s Principal, in a special commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the completion of the Yom Kippur War. The ceremony was held last Sunday in Rambam’s shul with over 200 students and parents in attendance.

Dr. Mansdorf began the formal program by noting the leadership role Rambam Mesivta takes when it comes to Jewish activism on behalf of Israel and other Jewish causes. He praised the school in particular for producing young men inculcated with Ahavat Eretz Yisrael and Ahavat Yisrael, while at the same time the inclination and wherewithal to contribute to the communities in which they live, setting the standard for Orthodox Jewish youth. He then introduced Senator Skelos, as having a “How-can-I-be-of-help” attitude, and as a long-standing friend of the Long Island Jewish community and of Israel. Rabbi Friedman then presented Senator Skelos with a special plaque expressing the thanks of Rambam

Senator Skelos began by noting that much attention is paid to legislative and executive initiatives on the federal level, while those on the state level, which often have a far greater impact on individuals’ lives, are often overlooked. He spoke of several state legislative initiatives in which he played a central role, including Megan’s Law, the EPIC Drug Prescription Program, and The Religious Freedom Act, protecting religious observance and expression in the workplace, and new hate crimes legislation to sharply stiffen penalties.

Rabbi Billet shared some of his personal reflections about the Yom Kippur War, and the contrast between the heady feelings of strength in the aftermath of the Six Day War and the recapture of Yerushalayim, and the hesitancy and humility Israeli and world Jewry felt during and after the Yom Kippur War, which lasted much longer, and had far more casualties.

Rabbi Yotav Eliach then showed a movie clip, narrated by Abba Eban, about the war, following which he distributed maps and other informational materials about the conflict. Rabbi Eliach described the many lessons learned from the war, in particular the lesson that Israel had to demand strict compliance with the terms of agreements made with its Arab neighbors.

Rambam Shabbaton at Kutsher's

Recently, sophomores, juniors and seniors spent an exciting and fulfilling shabbaton at Kutsher's Country Club in Monticello.

This eagerly anticipated annual event promoted learning, achdus, ruach, sports and time spent with one another and the rebbeim outside of the classroom.

The students ate well, learned even better, davened with spirit, vigorously played sports and sang and danced into the wee hours at the melava malkeh inspired by the singing of Sruli Williger.

The Varsity Hockey team opened its season with a big 7-2 win against the North Shore Hebrew Academy on Tuesday, November 2.

The Ravens effort was lead by Senior Simcha Gross who scored two first period goals and solid team defense lead by goalie Yehuda Herschman. Sruli Wertentheil, Daniel Eisenberg, Leon Mayer, Yoav Ehrenhalt and Jonathan Guenoun also contributed goals for the Ravens.

"The players have really bought into our new system and it seems to be working," said Coach Scott Firester. "But I was most proud of the fact that all the players got into the game, including the freshmen."

The Ravens next game is also their first home game on Tuesday, November 9th at 8:30 pm vs. Solomon Schecter of Long Island.

- Freshman Ezra Azizi contributed to this article.

- Photo by Sophomore Chaim Schiff

Rambam offers their students many opportunities for extra learning including the lunchtime Mishanayos shiur led by Rabbi Haar.

Students gather with Rabbi Haar to study, analyze and discuss the Mishna, covering from 2-5 Mishnayot per day. Beginning with seder Zeraim and Misnayos Berachos, they are keeping pace with the world renowned Mishna Yomis cycle.

This year, the learning has been dedicated to the memory of Coach William Wiener, A"H.

Please come join us for our thought-provoking Adult Education Series at Rambam. The following is the schedule for Fall, 2004:

* Tuesday, Nov. 30, 8:00 pm - Rabbi Heshy Reichman presents "Inyunai Chanuka"
* Tuesday, Dec. 7, 8:00 pm - Rabbi Yotav Eliach presents "The Military Strategy of the Chashmonaim and the nes of Chanuka"
* Tuesday, Dec. 21, 8:00 pm - Rabbi Gopin presents "The History of Asara B'Teves and the Churban HaHBais."

They're back! This year's chess team is ready to go under the guidance of Rabbi Moshe Farkas.

"Last year, we won the division championship," said Rabbi Farkas, "So we've set the bar very high for ourselves this year. I have a lot of confidence in this year's team."