Summer 2009 - Tammuz 5769 - Maimonides School

Graduation scenes, clockwise from top: senioressayist Tova Ramelson; graduates applaudtheir parents; Marissa Schwartz delivers theEnglish valedictory; Yoni Matz and Talia Deitschpresent excerpts from the writings of theRambam. (Photos by John Cooper)2009 Chidon Ha-TanachContinued from p. 1almost entirely in Hebrew (“sometimesI have to look up a word or two”). He isnot partial to particular editions of theTanach, though he prefers larger type.Menachem, 16, describes himself as ahumble person, and doesn’t feel he hasbeen changed significantly by his newlyacquiredcelebrity. In school, he said, mostof the attention comes from “the Chidonpeople—the others who took the Chidonclass.” He hopes to relax this summerwith some computer games, and alsofind some time to study for the SATs.“We are all so proud of Menachem,”said Rabbi Yair Altshuler, principal. “Hisnational championship is a reflectionnot only on an outstanding student butalso on our school and its commitmentto Limud Torah, Jewish values, and toZionism. For, indeed, the study of Tanachis the study of our basic culture in ourown land.”“Menachem worked very, very hard forthis,” said Mrs. Gale, coordinator andmotivator of student participation inthe Chidon for the past six years. “Healways had a lot of knowledge. But whenhe came back from Pesach break andtold me he had finished memorizingYirmiyahu, I realized that this is how awinner speaks. This is real potential.”Mrs. Gale is providing encouragementand study materials during the summer,Menachem said. He credits his teacheras the “motivating force” behind hissuccess, and also thanks Rabbi YaakovJaffe of the Upper School Judaic studiesfaculty for his assistance. Rabbi Jaffeand his wife Yael, also a Maimonidesteacher, were national winners in 1996and 1997, respectively (before they kneweach other).Chidon success has prompted Menachemto reassess his post-high school direction.“I’ve started thinking more of a religiouscareer track as opposed to before,”he acknowledged.Commencement 2009Continued from p. 1experienced by living “a Torah-centeredlife in a very modern world.”The Maimonides Upper School principalsalso offered praise and counsel to thegraduates.“You guide your way to the future bylooking at the past,” explained Rabbi YairAltshuler, principal. “Never forget to begrateful to your parents and grandparents…Above all, always remember thatyou are part of a long chain that links usforward to the past. Parents, we pass thatchain to your children.”“You set a tone in the school this year ofmaturity, cooperation and substance,”said Ken Weinstein, principal for generalstudies, as he closed the program. “Eachone of you has so much to offer, it’s overwhelming…You made the entire schoola happier place for all of us.”The other 2009 graduates are MeiraAltabet, Avital Bailen, Deborah Bellin,Leslie Black, Joey Blechner, RebeccaBoroda, Asher Cheses, Harry Chiel, TaliaDeutsch, Jesse Ebner, Adam Edelman,Ellie Epstein, Eliana Frim, Avi Fuld,Zehava Gale, Avi Geller, Zevvy Goldish,Pnina Grossman, Dahlia Gruen, JosephHasson, Reava Ishkahov, Rachel Jaret,Jessica Kasmer-Jacobs, Aliza Katz, NatanKawesch, Jona Koplow and MichaelKosowsky.Also, Malka Langermann, Sara MiriamLiben, Benjamin Marks, JonathanMilgram, Benjamin Miller, ArielaModigliani Caviglia, Avi Packer, PinchusPolack, Gabriel Rozman, Hanna Rubin,Aaron Schacht, Joseph Schacht, NicoleSchlesinger, Yosef Segal, Michael Shrager,Oren Shuchatowitz, Erica Singer, LaurenSinger, Hana Snow, Aliza Stein, JesseTurk, Shoshana Weiner, Michelle Wiener,Ariella Wolfson, Josh Yarmush, AsherZimble and Eliza Zisblatt.