“It feels like I just came home. I love it here.” Rabbi Chaim Albert
Hillel Alumnus Returns as New Rabbinic Head Walking through the hallways of Hillel brings back the fondest memories for Rabbi Chaim Albert. “It feels like I just came home,” said the Hillel alumnus. “I love it here.” As Hillel’s new Rabbinic Head, Rabbi Albert, said that it was the education and Jewish learning at Hillel that led him to become a rabbi. In his new position, Rabbi Albert said he will “improve upon the excellence in Torah study and build upon a culture of honesty and integrity where students are involved in the community with acts of kindness. I want to build an even stronger sense of community.”
Miami Herald Names Hillel Senior All-Dade First Team in Soccer Hillel senior Daniel Benchimol was named All-Dade First Team by the Miami Herald, achieving 23 goals and 17 assists. He played on Hillel’s soccer team, which played in 2010 regional competition. In other sporting news, the girls tennis team won districts for the second year in a row, and the boys varsity baseball team will play in the district playoffs this year for the first time.
Rabbi Albert received his Bachelor’s degree in Talmudic Law from Yeshivat Shaalvim, Rabbinical Ordination from the Talmudic University and a Master’s degree in marriage and family counseling from Barry University. He has led Torah classes and counseling sessions as the founder/ director of the Foundation for Jewish Learning. Rabbi Albert’s hallmark has become his ability to unite classical Torah insights with his clinical background. As Hillel’s Rabbinic Head, he will further strengthen the foundation established by Rabbi Michael Druin, who recently completed his Master’s degree in educational leadership and is exploring opportunities at other schools. They have partnered for this school year. Mazel Tov to Rabbi Druin and Bruchim Habaim to Rabbi Albert.
Hinrichsen Named Principal, Grades 6-12
Middle School Principal Nick Hinrichsen will lead Grades 6-12 next year as principal. Hinrichsen came to Hillel 14 years ago and has served as Middle School principal and Upper School assistant principal. “I am looking forward to continuing the fine work of Tym Bonilla, current Upper School Principal, with my primary immediate goal to expand the Jewish education program in Hillel’s Upper School by introducing the International Baccalaureate curriculum.” he said. Mr. Bonilla plans to return to Kansas to be with his family upon the close of the school year. Hillel is grateful for the leadership he has given the school and wishes him the very best. Mazel tov and thanks to both Hillel principals.
Students Inducted into National Honor Society
Middle School and Upper School students were inducted into the Segula Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and National Honor Society (NHS) in March. The students inducted into the National Junior Society were: Aviel Abuhav, Sarah Angress, Eugenia Bejar, Clara Bendayan, Janna Berenson, David Broide, Vanessa Bursztyn, Shanee Carmel, Alicia Cherem, Brianna Diener, Denise Dorra, Casey Dresbach, Tara Firestone, Sarah Fiske, Beni Gontovnik, Samantha Lieberman, Kiana Matisonn, Joseph Mitrani, Pamela Motola, Dana Sadovnic, Nicole Scheck, Salomon Serfati, Jenna Stein, Raquel Suaya, Andrea Waxman, David Woldenberg, Ariela Zebede and Tali Zighelboim.
Upper School students inducted into the National Honor Society were: Alexandra Dreyfuss, Elizabeth Friedman, Michael Ginzburg, Vera Goldman, Joshua Kleiman, Hannah Landman, Melissa Lanes, Judah Makover, Raquel Ofir, Netanel Rubin, Eli Soffer, Jacob Teichner, Tatiana Waserstein, Myles Wolfe, Jade Wollschlaeger and Sabrina Zarco. Current members of the NJHS are Alice Serfati, president, Shani Azizollahoff, vice president, Jeremy Rosner, secretary, Brandon Berman, treasurer, and Arielle Ben-Exra, Allison Diener, Camila Hojda, Ari Gontovnik, Carli Scheck and Senaya Savir. Current members of the NHS are Shira Papir, president, Dennis Valerstain, vice president, Boris Treskunov, vice president, Rebecca Battat, secretary and Yael Almani, Ilana Dreyfuss, Joseph Franco, Avi Gadish, William Scheinman, Esther Schoonover, Dan Soffer and Joshua Traub. The National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society are the nation’s premier organizations established to recognize outstanding high school and middle level students. KOL HILLEL 3