This is the inaugural issue of Schechter Chai-lights, a brief monthly newsletter for parents of alumni, alumni, current families, and friends of Schechter connecting you to all things SSLI, the latest news, events and more. We hope you will share your thoughts and stories with us. |
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Inaugural Issue
October 18, 2020 / 30 Tishrei 5781
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Introduction and Chai-lights
I think it's accurate to say that I haven’t taken a significant breather since arriving at SSLI a year and a half ago. Don’t get me wrong; I tend to thrive on constant chaos and problem solving, which I suppose means that my coming aboard as Head of School at this stage of Schechter’s development was a match made in heaven. And truly, building-consolidations and COVID-19 notwithstanding, I couldn’t be happier with the shidduch. I’m proud of what SSLI has been able to accomplish over the past eighteen months, and proud as well of my small contributions to the greater whole.
Despite the necessity of perpetual motion, I really did have some change-goals in mind for this year. One was starting a preschool, which we have done (more on that below). Another was finally seeing our new website up and running (stay tuned in a couple of weeks for that launch). And yet another was re-engaging some of the disenfranchised from our community. I believe the first step to re-engagement is communication, and so I have been very invested in working on our communications systems over the past few months. This new monthly publication of Chai-Lights is one of a handful of vehicles we are deploying to help our stakeholders (which includes all of you) stay informed about the important developments at SSLI. So let me take a few more paragraphs to tell you about only three of these.
Shorashim Preschool Academy
During my interviews for the Head of School position at Schechter, I mentioned the idea of adding a preschool to the school both for its own sake and as a natural feeder to the school. Such an undertaking during COVID-19 may seem a crazy or impossible idea, but as Herzl aptly said: im tirtzu, eyn zo agada, if you will it, it is not a dream. And so prompted by new SSLI parent Talli Levine, a group of us came together to envision and create something new and exciting for our community. The results of that visioning and many subsequent months of hard work is Shorashim Preschool Academy, a fully collaborative program of the Schechter School of Long Island and Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation, housed at OWHC. Shorashim boasts a play-based, academically rich dual-curriculum akin to Schechter’s own curriculum. In its first year, Shorashim has begun with 85 students from 18 months to 4 years. A number of the Shorashim families are already sending older siblings to Schechter, and we hope these numbers will increase in the years to come. (To learn more, visit http://shorashimpa.org)
Response to COVID-19
A group of staff and faculty has spent many hours over the summer to enable us to open in September. Our planning saw the conversion of all of our common spaces into classrooms, the addition of two tents for outdoor eating and classes, and a significant upgrade of our playground, including an outdoor learning area conceived and built by the fifth grade class and parents. Our Re-Entry Committee, which included staff, faculty, administration and parents (including three academic physicians) created a comprehensive blueprint (the Blue Pawprint), which covered all facets of our re-opening. As a result of this significant collaboration, we have been able to educate our entire school K-12 in our existing building. A full 95% of our students opted to be educated in the building, and the remaining students are learning remotely on Zoom. The results have been impressive to say the least, helping to solidify our reputation for academic excellence even (or perhaps especially) during the COVID pandemic.
Emphasis on Anti-Racism
Schechter has always prided itself on our focus on social justice. I have been told by many alumni that it was at Schechter that they first learned the importance of tikkun olam and specifically working on important societal problems such as anti-racism. This year given the political climate and all that has transpired, we have felt a particular need to re-invigorate our efforts as a school in this area, and have been bolstered in these efforts by our alumni. We have formed a task force to work on evaluating and fortifying our curricular and extra-curricular efforts to support equality and anti-racism, and are currently applying for a grant to allow us to deep-dive into this work.
I hope in the weeks and months to come that I will be able to share more of the developments in our work, and hope as well that you will be able to join me in advancing the goals of the school. As this Shabbat marks Shabbat Breishit, when we start reading the Torah again (and coincidentally the anniversary of my own bar-mitzvah), let me take this opportunity to wish you all good beginnings and an exceptional year.
Kol tuv (all good things),
Dr. Scott M. Sokol, Head of School (aka DokSok)
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We want to express our deepest gratitude to those alumni who have returned to work and volunteer at Schechter this year. As you will see below, the relationships and bonds formed at Schechter last a lifetime: |
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"Schechter is the epitome of the gift that keeps on giving. The unparalleled education, Jewish identity, sense of community and sense of self is something I don’t believe I would have received elsewhere. My Schechter friends and mentors are an extension of my family and for that reason alone, I am always rooted in my home away from home. These are truly unprecedented times and I am in awe of how Schechter continues to provide for our students despite all the challenges. It’s a privilege to be able to give back to the community that has given so much to me." Danielle Truglio (SSLI '13)
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"This year, the pandemic stopped me from going back to campus and I had to take all my classes online. Fortunately, Schechter needed extra hands and I was glad that I could fit it around my classes. Schechter has provided me with an all-around education, secular and Jewish, that I am so grateful for. Besides the wide variety of classes offered, I truly value the relationship students have with their teachers. The close relationships I had with my teachers at Schechter is something I will always miss about high school. I graduated in 2019 before the lower and upper schools were in one building. Now, seeing the new school with my own eyes, what Schechter has done to grow the school is truly outstanding. Currently, I am a sophomore at the University of Maryland studying mechanical engineering. Being home for all my classes is quite different, but I hope to be back in the Spring." Joshua Shleftstein (SSLI '19)
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"I am able to share so many wonderful Schechter memories with the lower school students. I value how much people cared and accommodated my needs. This continued through COVID-19 last year as the school made sure that I was able to complete my student teaching and is now helping me fulfill my professional goals of being a teacher. The Schechter community is always watching out for their alumni. It’s so nice to be welcomed back in this new role and to reestablish relationships with faculty as an adult. It is sometimes hard for me to see some as colleagues and move past seeing them as mentors. Our faculty were always role models for me, and I hope to take on the same role for future generations of Schechter LI students. I love being back." Amanda Kiewe (SSLI '15)
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"2020 has been a strange year, to say the least. Even with all of the challenges that COVID-19 has brought upon us, Schechter has been that support system that has never ceased to give. Needless to say, Schechter is my family (quite literally!), and I am beyond grateful to be part of this warm and supportive community. This past May, I graduated from Binghamton University and am taking a year off before attending medical school. My plan was to get a job and EMT on the side (I finished training and I am certified) until next year rolled around. Little did I know that instead of just a “job,” I would actually be working at Schechter! A pleasant surprise that I could not be more thankful for. My main responsibilities at the school are as the nurse’s assistant, but I also help out with the tech department and serve as a teacher’s assistant for a variety of classes. Working at Schechter has given me much-needed structure and comfort that I don’t believe that I could have achieved working anywhere else. Even though I graduated high school four years ago, it truly feels like I never even left. While I am excited about my future plans, it’s upsetting to think that my tenure here will be short. However, I do know that even when I won’t be working here any longer, that I can always come back and be welcomed with open arms." Asaf Hiltzik (SSLI '16)
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Mazal Tov to Erica Rotstein (SSLI '02) and Ian Kagey on their wedding surrounded by their families, including Erica's brothers Benjamin (SSLI '05) and Lewis (SSLI '08), and sister-in-law Lizette (SSLI '07) (with niece Rhea, kindergarten class of 2024).
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Mazal Tov to Dani Abada (SSLI ‘10) and Evan Rich on their wedding at the Woodbury Jewish Center surrounded by their families.
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Mazal Tov to Josh (SSLI '99) and Leah Cahn on the birth of Elijah Herbert! Congratulations to our Director of Upper School Counseling and Spanish Coordinator Bonnie and Steven Cahn! |
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Mazal Tov to Arinn Amer (SSLI '07) and Avi Hoffman (SSLI '03) on the birth of Salem Taxin! Congratulations to grandparents Dr. Jeffrey Amer and Audrey Peltz and Dr. Mark and Debra Hoffman!
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Mazal Tov to Reyzl Geselowitz (SSLI '06) and Michael Pershan on the birth of Simcha Noam! Congratulations to the Pershan and Geselowitz families!
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Mazal Tov to Rachel Cooper (SSLI '13), daughter of Ken and Susan Cooper, and Aviv Ghalchi (SSLI '13), son of Soleyman and Niloufar Ghalchi on their engagement!
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Mazal Tov to Dr. Zeeve Rogoszinski (SSLI '10), son of Ilan and Ronit, for successfully defending his thesis and being awarded his PhD in Astronomy.
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Mazal Tov to Cayla Rosenblum (SSLI '13), daughter of Mordechay and Lynn Rosenblum, and Gregory Broas on their marriage on August 2! Congratulations to the Rosenblum and Broas families!
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Mazal Tov to Joshua Schwartz (SSLI '10), son of Paul and Simi Schwartz, and Rachel Hollander (SSLI '09), daughter of Larry and Phyllis Hollander, on their marriage! Congratulations to the Schwartz and Hollander families!
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Mazal Tov to Sydney Apter (SSLI '17), daughter of Steven and Lanie Apter, on her engagement to Jonathan Kohan!
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Mazal Tov to Carelle Mann (SSLI '15), daughter of Jack and Nelly Mann, on her engagement to Al Arazi!
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Mazal Tov to Adeena Fisch (SSLI '13), daughter of Daniel and Caryn Fisch, on her engagement to Brian Fox!
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Mazal Tov to David Mendelowitz (SSLI '10), son of Dr. Alan and Francine Mendelowitz, on his engagement to Alana Pines!
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Sofia T. is the recipient of the University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B Anthony Award for her strong leadership in everything she participated in both in and out of school. Schechter is very proud of her accomplishments.
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Congratulations to eleven Spanish students who attained national recognition for excellent performance on the 2020 National Spanish Examinations. We are so proud of Meira D, Yael G., Allen M., Taylor R., Alex S., Arielle S., Natalia S., Sam S., Remy T., Robyn V. and Milla Z.
Students from Schechter have a long history of high achievement on these exams and were taught by Spanish teachers Bonnie Cahn and Karen Volpin.¡Bravo a todos!
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Sofia T., Jake S., Maya R., and Andrew Z. have been recognized as Commended Scholars in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program for their outstanding performance on the PSAT. They are among the top 39,000 out of 1.5 million students who took the exam in October, 2019. Congratulations to all the recipients!! |
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Maya R. is the recipient of the Shield Award. This award is given by the Nassau County District Attorney for Maya's altruism, ethics and moral leadership. The Schechter community congratulates Maya for her exceptional achievements and personal qualities. |
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This months tributes:
In Honor/ in Memory
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One of the ways Jewish tradition encourages us to honor the memory of a friend or loved one is through tzedakah, a contribution to a worthwhile cause. If you would like to honor a person's memory or mark a celebration with a contribution to Schechter LI, you may make an online donation, or send your donation to the Development Office. The family will be notified of your contribution.
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***You are invited***
Schechter School of Long Island
Virtual Art Auction
Nov 19, 7:30PM- 9PM.
Host Gallery: Marlin Art
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Registration for bidding and preview will begin Monday, November 16, 2020.
Register and be entered into a raffle to win a $100 gift card to be used at Champions for Charity, Americana Manhasset or Wheatly Plaza.
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Shop for Schechter
Save the Date: 12/3 - 12/5
Champions for Charity
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Mark your calendar for this annual holiday shopping benefit in support of our community! 25% of your full-price pre-tax purchases at participating Americana Manhasset and select Wheatley Plaza stores will be donated to SSLI, if you designate Schechter School of Long Island as your charity of choice. Register and get your participation number after October 22 by clicking here
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To discuss making a donation to Schechter LI, please email Eileen Bohrer, Director of Institutional Advancement to ebohrer@schechterli.org or call 516.935.1441 ext.1131.
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Schechter School of Long Island | www.schechterli.org |
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