Dear
Friends,
I had the distinct pleasure last night, along with Leslie Pugach, Upper
School Director, of presenting Barrack Hebrew Academy diplomas to the members
of the Class of 2010 at our school's 60th commencement ceremonies.
We, along with families, friends, faculty Board and members of Barrack's extended
community beamed with pride as the graduates came to the podium to receive
their diplomas. Continuing a Barrack tradition, faculty and Board members, with
graduates in the class, presented diplomas to their children.
Although distinctly talented in his and her own way, what all these
accomplished and caring young adults share in common is a love of learning, a
strong sense of Jewish identity, a commitment to social justice and tikkum
olam, a passion for Israel, and the knowledge that they are prepared, in the
words of our outstanding keynote speaker, history teacher Minna Ziskind, "to go out and make history."
We congratulate all our student speakers as well: Benjamin Miller, who presented the D'Var Torah; Dory
Kalimi and Daniel Elkin, who delivered the opening and closing remarks in
Hebrew, respectively; Elisheva Yondorf, who introduced Mrs. Ziskind; Harrison Grass, whose passion, insights and humor delighted
everyone present; and Judy Zwillenberg, who presented the class gift, two flagpoles that
will proudly fly the American and Israeli flags outside our school. What all
the speakers voiced was gratitude to our exemplary faculty who nurtured and
motivated them to succeed.
The on-going connection to our school was also in
evidence as three members of the Class of 1960 joined the graduation
processional: Charlotte Ozer Denenberg of Langhorne, PA; Dr.
Ronald Shienson, of Silver Spring, MD;
and Deborah Wendkos
Sinai who traveled from Israel to join the
celebration.
Joy Pincus Cooper '90, Akiba-Barrack Alumni Association President, presented the association
gift of a stadium blanket to the class. Ariele Zandman Klausner '76, Barrack Board president, greeted everyone and invited our graduates
to "stay in touch" as they continue their exciting journeys.
A special thank you is extended to Class of 2010 advisors
Kim Gillio, Ray Leven, Carol McMichael;
to Dewey Oriente-Cassidy and Dr.
Karin Orenstein who directed the
commencement exercises and provided piano accompaniment, respectively; to class
parents Tama Gorelick, Linda Kriger, and Helene Krupnick who
organized the pre-graduation dinner catered by Max and David's, and attended to
the details of the evening; to Temple Adath Israel for hosting the ceremonies; and to everyone who contributed to the success
of the evening.
We wish a hearty Mazel Tov to all our graduates and a fond l'hitraot ,
and congratulate and thank their families for sharing their children with us
and for investing in Jewish day school excellence.
B'Vraha,
Dr. Steven M. Brown
Head of School
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Proud Faculty Parents of
Barrack Graduates 2010
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All Smiles: Faculty parents smile in anticipation of presenting their graduates with their diplomas. Pictured (l. to r.) are Michael Yondorf, father of Elisheva Yondorf; Andrea Rock, mother of Miriam Rock; Lilach Taichman, mother of Eli Tacihman; Dr. Sigal Strauss, mother of Gillie Strauss; Kathleen Saltz, mother of Sarah Saltz; Rabbi Oded Philip, father of Eli Philip; and Rabbi Steven Razin, father of Yoni Razin. Mazel tov to all!
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For Learning.
Upper School Awards Night
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Barrack 9th through 12 graders received awards, recognizing
their outstanding academic, community service, and athletic achievements at our
Upper School Assembly on June 3.
 Joshua Stein '11, newly-elected
Student Association president, delivered the D'Var Torah. Proud parents and
friends smiled with pride as awards for academic excellence, community service
and athletic accomplishments were presented to their students by Dr.
Steven M. Brown, Head of School; Leslie
Pugach, Upper School Director; Rabbi
Judd Kruger Levingston, Jewish Studies
Director; and Department Chairs: Ray Leven, Hebrew and World Languages; Sharon Levin, Humanities; Rhonda August, Science; Judith Shrager, Math, and Mitchell Kline, Athletics.
We
congratulate all the award recipients and their families. For a complete list
of the award presentations and recipients see these PDFs: Senior Recipients & Upper School Recipients.
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6th Grade Greek and Roman Games
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The third trimester in Judith
Pransky's sixth grade was devoted
to group research projects on Greece and Rome. The students developed
fabulous Power Point presentations to teach the material to their classmates
and created original board games for further review. From Greek and Roman
versions of Monopoly and Clue, to imaginative games invented by the
students themselves, the class amazed everyone with
their creativity.
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Two Tenth Graders Off to the
Galapagos Islands this
Summer
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Inspired by their biology studies this year, 10th
graders Noah Cohen and David Kolansky are off to the Galapagos Islands to expand
their knowledge and study of natural habitats and perform community service,
caring for endangered tortoises. "We are very excited about this eco-friendly experience,"
comments David. "We have never been to this part of the world before, where
evolution began. We will have a chance to deepen our understanding of biology,
study natural habitats and explore surrounding islands." Noah agrees and adds, "This
is a unique opportunity, and when we return to school we want to share our
adventures with our classmates. We thank Mrs. August,
our biology teacher for inspiring us to further our studies." Noah and David
will be joined by teens from across the country, all participating in this special
summer program.
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Hershey Park Trip: Learning is Fun
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The entire 11th grade went to Hershey Park on June 4
to do some great experiments. "A theme park is a 'laboratory' with
special learning opportunities for students to observe events, experience
concepts, and make personal discoveries," shares science teacher Kathleen
Saltz. "Hershey Park offers the unique opportunity to apply
a student's knowledge in a "hands-on" atmosphere. The educational
opportunities are limitless," she adds. The students built vertical and
horizontal accelerometers to take on the trip. They used these devices to
measure how much acceleration was on their bodies as they went through rides
like the Comet and Great Bear. They brought their data home and make
calculations of quantities, like speed and height. Who said education can't be
fun?
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For Leading.
Vocal Ensemble To Perform at Phillies
Jewish Heritage
Night, August 12
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 Members of Barrack's vocal ensemble have the esteemed
honor of highlighting this year's Phillies Jewish Heritage Night. Members will
be performing the National Anthem for the Phillies vs. the Los Angeles
Dodgers game on August 12, 2010 at 7:05pm.
Members will perform the anthem approximately 10 minutes prior to the start
of the game. "Come out and cheer as our vocal ensemble takes center
field, and, of course, cheer the Phillies onto victory," invites Dr. Karin
Orenstein, vocal ensemble director.
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2012 Class Officers
| Congratulations to the officers of the Class of 2012: President- Jeremy Rudoler; Vice President-Nicole Becker; Secretary-Mira Taichman; Treasurer-Molly
Kassel; and Muss Liaison-Natalie Oppenheimer. Congratulations to all
who won and who participated in the process.
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Zach
Taylor To Participate in
National Debate Tournament
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Congratulations to Zachary Taylor '11 who was invited to compete in the National Lincoln-Douglas Debate Finals, as
part of the National Forensics League Debate Tournament that will be held in
Kansas City, MO later this month. He won the National Forensic League District
Qualifier in March. The debate topic this year focuses on the expansion of a
government DNA database. Zachary will compete from June 14-16. Best of
luck, Zachary!
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Jeremy Rudoler:
Barrack HOBY Representative
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Jeremy
Rudoler '12 attended the Hugh O'Brien Leadership (HOBY) seminar
held on June 4-6 in Washington DC. Jeremy was chosen by the faculty to
represent our school at this unique leadership seminar for outstanding
sophomores from schools throughout the country. "This was an incredible
learning experience for me in several ways," reports Jeremy. "The interactive
speakers that met with us had diverse and interesting backgrounds, ranging
from ex-marines to the chairman of the Latin America Department of the World
Bank. The counselors were also great leaders, and taught us how they led
projects in their communities and improved their neighborhoods, high schools,
and colleges. Most of all, the other students attending the program were smart,
motivated, and had visions about improving society. I learned a lot from them,
and I hope to apply that knowledge to my grade." Jeremy was also honored with
the Morrison Award presented at the end of the seminar. This award is given to
one girl and one boy elected by the other seminar participants, and who
(according to the vote) most embody the HOBY principles of integrity, service,
and leadership. Congratulations, Jeremy!
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Human Rights Club
"Speak-Up!" Coffee House
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Congratulations to Barrack's Human Rights Club for
organizing and implementing "Speak Up," an after school Open Mic/Coffee House
event, and to all the participants who addressed the topic of how they would
make changes to improve the world, both on a personal and political level.
Students read poems about feeling trapped and needing to be set free, about the
horrible lives of children in Africa, the fear of absolute power, the horrors
of war, as well as the importance of being Jewish and their hopes for a better
world. They also sang songs about the beauty inside of all of us, and the
changes we can all make if we work together. Many of the poems and songs were
original, written by the student performers.
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For Life.
Akiba-Barrack Milestone Reunion
This Sunday
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Calling all members of the Akiba-Barrack family.
Mark your calendars and plan to join us as we wish l'hitraot to Rabbi
Steve Stroiman, a member of our faculty for 34 years, and honor the
milestone classes of '0s and '5s at our Akiba-Barrack Alumni Association Reunion set for Sunday, June 13, 1pm-3pm in
the Batoff Family Dining Hall. Congratulate Steve, greet former classmates and faculty,
schmooze, and enjoy a light lunch: $25 for adults; $10 for children, ages 5-18
years old. Children under 5 are free. Click here to RSVP today. |
Akiba-Barrack Alumni Brunch For Seniors
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2010 Graduation Speakers: (l. to r.) Harrison Grass, Daniel Elkin, Ben Miller and Dory Kalimi.  |
Members of the Class of 2010 gathered at Temple Adath
Israel on Wednesday, June 9 to enjoy a l'hitraot brunch presented by the
Akiba-Barrack Alumni Association and pose for a college/university shirt photo
prior to a graduation rehearsal. Dr. Steven M. Brown, Head of
School welcomed the students, and Joy Pincus Cooper '90,
Association President, presented them with a gift of a stadium blanket and a
USB, so that they can stay in touch with their alma mater. A good time was had
by all.
2010 Class Officers: (l. to r.) Elisheva Yondorf, president; Daniel Elkin, vice-president; Judith Zwillenberg, treasurer; and Eli Taichman, secretary.  |
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63rd Annual Board Meeting
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 Barrack's
lay leadership, faculty, and friends gathered in the Batoff Family Dining Hall
on Wednesday evening for the school's 63rd Annual Meeting and a
refreshing gelato and fruit dessert reception. The program included remarks by
Board President Ariele Zandman Klausner '76; a D'Var Torah presented by Rabbi Steven Stroiman, who is retiring this year, after 34 years of
service to our school; remarks by Dr. Steven M. Brown, Head of School; a Student Association recap
presented by immediate SA past president, Adam Wachs '10; the election of Board members and officers; and the
debut of Barrack's new school video.
Faculty
Milestones were recognized for outstanding service to the school and were presented as follows:
For 7 Years of Service:
Administrative assistant
Randi Butow; French teacher Dana
Chirileanu; math teacher Phil Lachenmayer; World Languages Department Chair, Ray
Leven; Barrack receptionist and jack of
all trades, Susan Rubin; and
math teacher Frank Tow.
For 13 Years of Service:
Maintenance team member, James Canady, and business office team member, Velma
McCrane.
For 18 years of Service:
Science
teacher John Borgmann-Winter and
math teacher, Marlene Gefter.
And for 36 Years of Service:
Science teacher, Joseph Dougherty.
The
Board also thanked committee chairs, outgoing Board members Rivka Katz and Howard
Langer and outgoing Trustees Daniel Levinthal and Robert
Savett and welcomed new Board members, including: Robin Batoff, Julie
Charlestein '90, George Gordon, and Michael Rosensweig. Tracy
Gordon was also introduced as the new HSA representative. Committee of
Directors Board members Steve Abramson and Jake Kriger called for
a vote to approve the nominations for a second 3-year term of Jerry Batoff and Carole
Ben-Maimon, for the new Board member nominees, and for the slate
of officers: Jeff Retig, Secretary; Mindy Chriqui, Treasurer;
Vice Presidents Steven Abramson, Sivy Blume '61, Cecily Carel, and Jay
Horrow; and President, Ariel Zandman Klausner '76. The vote
was unanimous to accept the nominees and the slate of officers. |
Parents' Corner
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Middle
School Dance
The Middle
School dance is set for Tuesday, June 15, 6-8pm in the Batoff Family Dining Hall
Last Day
of Classes
Tuesday,
June 15 is the last day of the 2010
Academic Year. We wish our students and families a happy, productive summer.
Upper
School Final Schedule
Review day for Upper School students is
set for Wednesday, June 16, followed by
finals on Thursday and Friday, June 17 and 18.
Fall
Trimester Start Date
See
you on Monday, September 13, the first day of the fall
trimester.
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In the Spotlight:
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Hats Off to Our Graduates
Family, friends, faculty and extended community members gathered at Temple
Adath Israel last night for commencement ceremonies honoring the members of the
Class of 2010. Prior to the ceremonies, members of the Barrack community
gathered to enjoy a festive pre-graduation dinner at the synagogue and to snap
photos of the proud seniors.
This fall, members of the Class of 2010 will attend 35 different
colleges and universities located across the country and in Israel. Click here for a complete list, including: Brandeis,
Bryn Mawr, Cornell, Clark, Drexel, Franklin & Marshall, Johns Hopkins, JTS
Barnard and Columbia, Ithaca, Michigan at Ann Arbor, Muhlenberg, Skidmore, Swarthmore,
Tufts, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, University of
Pennsylvania, Pitt, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rutgers, University of
Southern California, Vanderbilt, Wharton, and Yale.
Twenty-four percent of the class will spend a Gap year in Israel and
two members will serve proudly in the Israel Defense Forces.
We
congratulate all our graduates, and their families, and wish the Class of 2010
continued success.
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Calendar
| Akiba
Barrack Alumni Reunion
Sunday, June
13
1-3pm
Batoff
Family Dining Hall
Middle
School Dance
Tuesday,
June 15
6-8pm
Batoff
Family Dining Hall
Last Day
of Classes
Tuesday,
June 15
Middle School Trip
Wednesday, June 16
Upper
School Finals
Thursday
& Friday
June 17
& 18
HSA
Faculty
Appreciation Luncheon
Tuesday,
June 22
First Day
of the
Fall Trimester 2010
Monday,
September 13
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For everything,
there is a season...
| Alumni Life Cycles
Mazel
tov to:
Congratulations to Ross Berkowitz '90 and his
wife Audrey on the birth of Martina. Mazel tov also to also grandmother
Nancy Neff Berkowitz '59 and grandfather Jay.
Lauren
Eisner '99 on her engagement to David Najarian. With a BA from University of Pennsylvania and a
Masters for Teacher's College Columbia University, Lauren teaches middle
school English at Rodeph Shalom School in Manhattan.
Sam Romirowsky '69 on the engagement of
his son, Joshua Romirowsky to Alexandra Garber.
Eric
Sherby '79, who
was one of the panelists at the first joint conference of the American Bar
Association and the Israeli Bar Association, held from May 30 through June 3 in
Eilat. The conference had over 4,000 attendees. Eric spoke about dispute
resolution in American-Israeli commerce. Eric and his wife Laurie live in
Modiin, Israel, with their four children.
Alex Shoulson '06, who graduated Summa Cum Laude from
Hamilton College with honors in dual majors - Computer Science and Mathematics.
He was awarded the Rusty Smith Memorial Teaching Prize and an Elihu Root
Fellowship at Commencement. He was also inducted into Sigma Xi, the Scientific
Research Society. Alex is working this summer as a Hamilton College research
fellow with the U.S. Department of Defense in Rome, New York. He will be
starting a Ph.D. program in Computer Science at the University of Pennsylvania
this fall.
Michelle Pomerantz
Singer '00 and
husband Yonahon the birth of a son, Judah.
| Heartfelt
Condolences to:
Marta Mozes '05 (and her mom Deborah Baer Mozes)
on the loss of her grandmother (and mother), Edith Baer Quinn of blessed memory.
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Photo Gallery
Faculty & Staff Milestones
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Annual Board Meeting
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