Fall/Winter 2012-2013 Newsletter - New Community Jewish High ...

EM$NHMMa NishmaWhat’s Happening“Let the renovations begin!”V O L U M E 9 , I S S U E 1 • F a l l / W i n t e r 2 012 - 2 013

Groundbreaking: November 15, 2012“ The founding Board of Trustees of NCJHS was inspired by a simple vision: that for all of Jewish history, education has been themechanism for sustaining the broader Jewish community. Jews have a proud, rich and ancient tradition and we are committed topassing it along to our children in a setting that emphasizes our positive contributions to the world.”– Scott Zimmerman, President, Board of Trustees“ Children are typically asked, ‘WHAT do you want to be when you grow up?’ This is actually the wrong question. Instead, it should be,‘WHO do you want to be?’ Students of NCJHS in our audience today: You want to be people of vision, of action, of history, of creation.You want to be the adults in this gym today. You want to be the future board members of NCJHS: men and women of vision, action,history, and creation. Through their gifts of time and resources, they make vision happen. Be the parents, teachers, donors, thrivers whocreate sacred space.”– Dr. Bruce Powell, Head of School“ A few highlights of the new campus include a beautiful new Science wing with state of the art laboratories, large, plentiful classroomsthat will provide appropriate learning spaces for our students, state of the art technology for data integration and new faculty andadministrative spaces to provide our teachers and administrators with a comfortable and efficient work space. We will be building a loungethat will serve as a gathering place for our students adjacent to the gym and we have plans down the road for many other projects.”– Mike Greenfeld, Immediate Past President“ There is a tradition that when children are born, a tree is planted. And when that child has grown and is ready to stand under achuppah in marriage, some of the boughs of the tree are cut down and help to hold up that canopy. This cypress tree will be plantedand it will flourish on these grounds. And our hope – our tradition in the making – is that when our almuni are ready to be married,they will return to this school that provided the rich soil that nourished and nurtured and cultivated their roots, and receive a branch fortheir chuppah. What a wonderful way for us to be a part of such a great simcha in the lives of our graduates.”– Rabbi David Vorspan, Rabbi-in-Residence2 New Community Jewish High School • www.ncjhs.org

“ The Senior Class of 2013 is standing onthe threshold of a land we will not enter,just as Moses stood at Israel’s door, afterleading the Israelites on a journey throughthe desert. Even though, like Moses, theseniors are not entering the ‘PromisedLand,’ we still can and will have an impacton future classes. We will continue to beresponsible leaders until we graduate andalthough we will not learn here as highschool students, this will still be our home,and the home of New Community JewishHigh School, to which we will foreverreturn as alumni. As seniors move on, itwill be in the hands of the 9th, 10th, and11th graders to bring the spirit and soul ofNCJHS to this permanent home. It will betheir responsibility to uphold the valuesand morals pioneered by previous classes.And it will be their legacy to create newtraditions at our new home.”– Griffin Lasker, Class of 2013 PresidentBoard of Trustees members, Mark & Ellie Lainer (From left)and President, Scott ZimmermanON THE COVER:Class of 2006 alumni,Talya Vogel and Alex Gadireturn to the place whereit all started in 2002.Their dream is a reality!(L-R) Rabbi Tsafi Lev, Rabbi David Vorspan, Harold Masor (Past President), Dr. Bruce Powell (Head of School), Scott Zimmerman (President),Mike Greenfeld (Immediate Past President), Elana Rimmon Zimmerman (Past President), Student Council leaders.New Community Jewish High School • www.ncjhs.org 3

Making Our Mark In The World: Raising Global CitizensBeginning in ninth grade, NCJHS students choose from alarge menu of clubs which introduce them to communitiesaround the world. ACOH (Acercándonos a la ComunidadHispana) promotes cultural and social awareness of theHispanic community and the ASIAN CULTURE club similarlyeducates through awareness programs and activities. TheINVISIBLE CHILDREN Club raises money to change the lives ofinnocent African children and aims to create a more peacefulUganda. JEWISH WORLD WATCH addresses timely issues inSudan and Congo. The ISRAEL ADVOCACY Club focuses oncurrent events and students elect to travel to Washington, DCto be trained as teen leaders and political activists.The Civil RightsMovement JourneyOur 11th Graders journey through theCivil Rights American South, exploringthis inspirational movement toward equalityand a color-blind society. Students visitGeorgia, Alabama, Mississippi, andTennessee. Teens converse with citizenswho were in the forefront of this period. Astop at the home of Rock and Roll legend,Elvis Presley’s Graceland, introducesstudents to the road of freedom’s musicalinfluence and caps their understanding ofthis transformational chapter in Americanhistory.The NCJHS Global Leadership experienceculminates in a Senior Class trip to NewOrleans where students engage with localcommunities to discuss the continuingimpact of the destruction of their homesin the Lower 9th Ward. Students participatein thoughtful acts of Tikkun Olam (worldrepair) including planting gardens andcreating a carnival for children at acommunity center.The Hand in Hand club donatedturkeys to the Save a PennyFoundation that served Thanksgivingmeals for more than 200 homelesspeople along the Venice Boardwalk.Martin Luther King Jr., Birmingham, AlabamaAlumni continue their global reachthrough study, travel, and work abroad....2006 Caitlin (Meskin) Bank (MiamiUniversity, Ohio, 2010; Special EducationDepartment Chair and Teacher, Redmond HighSchool, Bothell, Washington) studied at HebrewUniversity in Jerusalem. Jason Eisenberg(Indiana University, 2010; second year lawstudent at Southwestern where he received fullscholarship based on outstanding undergradgrades) studied in Barcelona and is fluent inSpanish. Michael Goldrich (UC Berkeley,2010; UCSF Medical School) hosted Japanesemedical students visiting UCSF, then travelled toSoutheast Asia and Japan to reunite with hisJapanese colleagues. David Mayman(University of the Pacific, 2010; GraphicDesigner at Gensler, San Francisco) traveled toIsrael on Birthright. Alex Popper (CarltonCollege, 2010) studied abroad in SoutheastAsia, China, Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. He worksat Google with large multi-regional advertisingagencies; currently deployed in Sao Paulo, Brazildeveloping a team for Latin America. TalyaVogel (UCSB, 2010) studied in Rome andrecently returned from 4 months travellingthroughout Southeast Asia.2007 Adina Alpert ((UCSD, 2011) spentfreshman year in Israel on the Nativ CollegeLeadership Program; traveled to Spain and Italyand re-visited Israel and Europe several times;spent a quarter in Washington, DC on the UCDCProgram. Karen Hen (UC Berkeley, 2013;completed IDF in 2009 as sergeant in FieldArtillery Division as an instructor) studied inRome. Michal Kogen (UCI; works as recruiterfor Hebrew University's Undergraduate JuniorAbroad program in New York traveling around theUS to college campuses to recruit students forthe Undergraduate Junior Abroad program)studied in Israel. Nicole Pampanin (Lewis andClark College, 2011) is an Education Peace4 New Community Jewish High School • www.ncjhs.org

Corps Volunteer in Madagascar where sheAlumniteaches English at the public high school. Shestudied and worked in Ghana, East Africa.2008 Sara Fligelman (ChapmanUniversity, 2012) studied in Israel andparticipated in several pediatric internships. Shecurrently lives in Israel and is pursuing agraduate degree in medicine or psychology nextyear. Aaron Goldman (Pratt Institute, NY,2013) studied architecture in Rome. LindsayHadash (University of Arizona, 2012)participated in Birthright and works at aTelevision Rep Firm in Los Angeles. DrewJackson (UCLA 2012; currently attendingUCLA Law School) served as VP of Challah forHunger; appointed member of the UndergraduateStudents Association Council, the highest officeof USAC’s general representative offices and theofficially recognized voice of the students atUCLA to the campus administration, faculty andoutside community; student Leader of the 10-member Westwood Revitalization Committee.Micah Kantrowitz (University of Michigan,2012; Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School ofYeshiva University in Manhattan) studied inRome and traveled throughout Europe.Danielle Siegel (UC Berkeley, 2012) lives andworks in New York and is part of the Avodahprogram. Ryan Snyder (University ofWashington, 2012) is studying at a Yeshiva inJerusalem. Michelle Weiser (BostonUniversity, 2012) works as the Public Affairs andEducation Assistant for GLAD in Boston andstudied in Sydney, Australia. Elie Vogel (LehighUniversity, PA, 2012) teaches English inIsumizako, a small town north of Tokyo Japan.2009 Oriah Amit (USC, 2013) served as aresearch assistant to a Cambridge professor,researching sleep and dreams in 17th centuryEngland. She plans to study in Amsterdam nextsummer and to participate in the MASAinternship program in Israel the following year.Roee Astor (USC Baccalaureate/MD program,2013, continuing at USC Keck School ofMedicine) studied at Hebrew University ofJerusalem and travelled to Spain, Greece, andHolland. He is going to Peru, joining a team ofUSC doctors on a “doctors without borders”mission to help low income indigenous villageswith medical issues. For a year before startingmedical school, he plans to work in SouthAmerica or Africa/Asia focusing on medicine andpublic health issue. Alisa Goldrich (UCBerkeley, 2013) studied at Tel Aviv University.David Greenfeld (UC Berkeley Haas School ofBusiness, 2013) studied in Barcelona. GilaKreitenberg (University of Washington, 2013)studied in Rome and traveled throughoutEurope. Talia Sobol (Bar Ilan University, Israel)finished her full service at IDF in a field unit as alone soldier. Charlie Toder (Davidson College,2013) studied in Chenna, Southern India, with abiology professor. Rachel Wallace (UCSC,2013) studied in Ghana, East Africa; traveled toIsrael as a Hasbara fellow; and served as a UCPublic Service Fellow in Washington, DC.interning in the foreign policy field. She wroteabout her study abroad experiences in the UCSanta Cruz Leviathan, a campus literary journal,works with the UC Education Abroad Program atUCSC, and serves on two advisory committeesto the Chancellor. Molly Williams (University ofColorado, Boulder, 2013) studied at Tel AvivUniversity. Maya Scherr Willson (ReedCollege, 2013) studied in Ecuador and obtaineda grant to work last summer in Nicaragua for theLa Isla Foundation, addressing chronic kidneydisease among sugar cane workers. She is oneof her school’s 4 nominees for a WatsonFellowship, which may provide resources for ayear’s worth of travel, post-graduation.2010 Andrew Cohen (WesleyanUniversity, 2014) studied in Amsterdam andtraveled throughout Europe. He is President of ,AEPi fraternity. Elisheva Grob (AmericanUniversity, 2014) studied in Australia. KarenKaye (Allegheny College, PA, 2014) studiedItalian and painting conservation at Studio ArtCenter International in Florence, Italy. RachelKipnes (Pitzer College, 2014) studied servicesprovided for women in Gabarone, Botswana(Africa) and is going to Quito, Ecuador thisspring to study and live with a family whileworking on an independent project. KennethSchneider (Chapman University, 2014) studiedat Oxford University in England at the ChristSchool of Economics. Danny Strum (USC,2014) travelled to Israel on Birthright. DavidWeingarten (University of Washington, 2014)was recognized as the inaugural PruzanLeadership Fellow for his work in strengtheningthe Jewish community on campus, for Hillel, andIsrael through AIPAC.2011 Jordan Grant (WittenbergUniversity, Ohio, 2015) will study at theUniversity of Botswana next year. BrandonJackson (UCLA, 2015) will study Europeanpolitics in Britain, Netherlands and France nextyear. Shira Kreitenberg (University ofMichigan, 2015)plans to study inSpain or Praguenext year. MaxLevin (IsraelDefense Forcesparatroopers)participated in theYoung Judaeaprogram in Israeland has made Aliyah. Hannah Macias (UCSC,2015) studied in Europe with “The Grand Tour”program tosimulate 17th and18th centuriesexperiences inEurope. She plansto study in Londonnext fall. ArielPrince (UCBerkeley, 2015)was the onlyundergrad internfor Judge Cottonat the Los Angeles Superior Court. She receivedCal’s Leadership Award for the second timeand is the youngest member appointed toVice Chancellor of Finance, John Wilton’s,think tank.New Community Jewish High School • www.ncjhs.org 5

Athletic Championships: Cross County and Flag FootballCROSS COUNTRY – This was a banner year for the Jaguar Boys Cross Country team. They won the Westside LeagueChampionship for their third time and second consecutive year. All League Cross Country First Team Boys included Zev Caiyem, BenjaminLevy, Samuel Miller, Samuel Seidel, and Ethan Brutzkus; Second Team – Benjamin Antin. Head Coach, Benny Ferdman was awarded WestsideLeague Coach of the Year. The team was also awarded the Westside League Cross Country Sportsmanship Award. The Girls CrossCountry team finished third in the league with Gilly Mizrahi and Shoshana Ferdman appointed to First Team Girls. The Girls team also won theWestside League’s Sportsmanship Award. Kudos to all the athletes, Coach Ferdman (top left) and Assistant Coach, Jared Stein (top right).FLAG FOOTBALL – The Jaguars celebrated their Varsity Flag Football Super Bowl victory with Crossroads school, earning them theCoastal League Championship. These two teams have developed a bond through the last four years. It was a special moment. The final game wasan emotional farewell for the seniors who played their last game for NCJHS: Nick Rivera, Matt Cohen, Andrew Briscoe, Michael Pair, Josh Moalmi, JoeyLieberman, Eli Glancy, Evan Karash, Eli Mandel, and Mayaan Lev. Congratulations to all the athletes and coaches Corey Goldstein and Loren Nelson fordeveloping the championship team.6 New Community Jewish High School • www.ncjhs.org

BOARD OF TRUSTEESRobotics – Members of the Science Academy Robotics team show offtheir first robot. They are preparing for competition in 2013.Science Academy Colloquium – Matthew Bennettof NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA, kicked off thisyear’s Science Academy Colloquium with his presentation, “Bringing theUniverse to You.”NEW CAMPUSOPENING FALL 201322622 Vanowen Street, West HillsGOING DIGITALIf you want to get our digital news,please send an email to: info@ncjhs.organd type “Digital News” in the subject line.Check out our new website:www.ncjhs.orgScott Zimmerman ................................................................PresidentMichael Greenfeld** ......................................Immediate Past PresidentPhil de Toledo ..................................................................Executive V.P.Harold Masor** ..................................................................Finance V.P.Jodi Perlman ............................................................Advancement V.P.Susan Hirsch Goldfarb..............................................Advancement V.P.Linda Landau ......................................................Community Affairs V.P.Ellie Sambol ..........................................................................SecretaryDavid Aberson ..........................................................................TrusteeRoger Bloxberg ........................................................................TrusteeMark Brutzkus ..........................................................................TrusteeHoward Farber* ........................................................................TrusteeMelinda Feldman ......................................................................TrusteeDr. George Fischmann..............................................................TrusteeBruce Gersh ..............................................................................TrusteeJoni Greenberg ........................................................................TrusteeEarl Greinetz..............................................................................TrusteeEllie Lainer ................................................................................TrusteeMark Lainer ..............................................................................TrusteeMarty Lasker ............................................................................TrusteeJudy Levin ................................................................................TrusteeAndrea Sonnenberg..................................................................TrusteeElana Rimmon Zimmerman ....................................................TrusteeJeri Cohen ..........................................President, Parent Organization*Founding President**Past PresidentADMINISTRATIONDr. Bruce Powell ..........................................................Head of SchoolRabbi David Vorspan ............................................Rabbi-in-ResidenceEllen Howard ..........................................................................PrincipalJill Zuckerman..................................................Director of AdmissionsMichelle November..........................Associate Director of AdmissionsBetsy Berger..................................................Director of AdvancementSheryl Myerson..............................Assistant Director of AdvancementDavid Marcus ..........................................................Business ManagerCarolyn Hapeman, CPA ................................................................CFOCheri Mayman ....................Director of Marketing & Newsletter EditorM I S S I O NThe mission of New Community Jewish High School is to raise upa new generation of Jewish leaders for whom Jewish values andtradition shape and guide their vision, and for whom knowledgecreates possibilities for moral action, good character and shalom.New Community Jewish High School • www.ncjhs.org 7

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage PaidPermit 00249Canoga Park, CASAVE THE DATENCJHS 2013 GALASUNDAY EVENING MAY 19, 2013ORPHEUM THEATREKRISTIN CHENOWETHIN CONCERTHONORINGSUSAN HIRSCH GOLDFARBBOB & NITA HIRSCHCalendar of EVENTSJanuary 10..................New Student Applications for Admissions DueJanuary 25 ..............................................................Generations’ DayJanuary 27-30 ..........................................................Musical “RENT”February 2 ..........................................Homecoming Basketball GameFebruary 13 ..........................................Shpiel-O-Rama (Talent Show)March 10 ................................................Science Academy ShowcaseMarch 14-17 ....................................................All School ShabbatonApril 30 ................................................................................Arts FestMay 19 ........................................................................................GalaJune 12 ............................................................................GraduationWinter-Spring HOLIDAYSJanuary 21 ..................................................Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 26 ........................................................................Tu B’ShevatFebruary 18..................................................................Presidents’ DayFebruary 24 ................................................................................PurimMarch 26-April 2 ....................................................................PassoverApril 7 ............................................................................Yom HashoahApril 15 ........................................................................Yom HazikaronApril 16......................................................................Yom Ha’Atzma’utMay 15-16 ..............................................................................ShavuotMay 27............................................................................Memorial DayNew Community Jewish High School • 7353 Valley Circle Boulevard • West Hills • CA 91304 • (818) 348-0048 • www.ncjhs.org