COMMENCEMENT
2015 Sixteenth Commencement Ceremony
epxtq-zia ly xyr-dyyd xefgnd ly meiqd qwhl Sunday | The fourteenth of June, two thousand fifteen
dZryz oeiqa fˆk | oey`x mei
COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM
“Be a blessing…and through you,
ja ekxape...dkxa dide All families of the earth will be blessed”
dnc`d zgtyn lk
Processional
Pomp and Circumstance
Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Ari Glasgow and Jeremy Rubin
National Anthem
Led by Shira Boyar and Gabriella Orbach
Invocation
Claire Shoyer
Remarks
Alan Crane, President, Board of Trustees
Alumni Greetings
Ellie Deresiewicz, Class of 2012
Student Siyum
Class of 2015
Student Reflection
Ilana Brandes-Krug (English) Ariella Levisohn (Hebrew)
Presentation of Class Gift Members of the Class of 2015 Genesis 12:2-3
b-a:aZi ziy`xa
Remarks
Rabbi Marc Baker, Head of School
Awarding Diplomas
Rabbi Marc Baker, Head of School Ralph Van Inwagen, Assistant Head of School Alan Crane, President, Board of Trustees
Musical Blessing
Members of the Faculty
Benediction
Gabriela Tchubar
Hatikva
Led by Amos Armony and Gabi Shiner
Recessional
Bashanah Haba'ah
CLASS OF 2015
T he mission of G ann A cadem y is to educate, to inspire, and to empower intellectually confident, passionately engaged, ethically responsible Jews who, through critical thinking and the contribution of their unique voices, will create a vibrant Jewish future and build a better world where human dignity will flourish.
T H E G R A D UAT I N G C L A S S O F 2 0 1 5 Shayna Meira Aaronson James Joseph Alavosus Eilon Jacob Applbaum Amos Armony Elana Rachel Aronson Oren Matan Bazer Sydney Ana Blankstein Shira Chaya Boyar Ilana Chaya Brandes-Krug Benjamin Nathan Bryer Melyssa Lily Canonico Harrison Bennett Dale Eytan Jacob Deener-Agus Sarah Juliette Dembling Mitali Bel Desai Michaela Rose DiLoreto Daniel Zachary Dinjian Jaclyn Rae Eagle Alexandra Elovic Melissa Jo Epstein Aliyah Finkel Daniel Meir Geisberg Alisa Rebecca Geller Ari Shimon Glasgow Ari Lionel Jonathan Goldman Shai-B Goldman Hannah Goodtree Alyssa Jo Gorsky Kineret Olivia Grant-Sasson Arielle Adina Grossmann Chila Haber Joshua David Hanau Jessica Sarah Handler Valerie Grace Herman Aaron S. Hunt Michelle Leah Iken Akiva Reuben Marbach Jackson Joshua Daniel Joress Gabriel Kagan Melissa Rose Kaufman Janelle Spring Kesner David Andrew Kleinberg David Elliot Knopf Adam Korbman Rachel Kreidberg Joshua Eytan Lange Noah Lev Lebowitz
Jessica Sarah Handler Valerie Grace Herman Aaron S. Hunt Michelle Leah Iken Akiva Reuben Marbach Jackson Joshua Daniel Joress Gabriel Kagan Melissa Rose Kaufman Janelle Spring Kesner David Andrew Kleinberg David Elliot Knopf Adam Korbman Rachel Kreidberg Joshua Eytan Lange Noah Lev Lebowitz Pauline Leah Lejfer Maya Sophie Leschinsky Scott David Levine Ariella Beck Levisohn Marielle Eva Marcus Atarah Yocheved McCoy Natalie Bianca Mechanic Leah Mekler Omer Nudelman Perl Jonathan Ezra Oppenheimer Gabriella Miriam Orbach Macia Edie Pinkwas Jared Heath Popkin Oron Yehonatan Propp Benjamin Joseph Roberts Leora Katherine Rooney Sydney Melissa Roos Rebecca Ashley Rosenbloom Hannah Dovit Rubin Jeremy Charles Rubin Jonathan Caleb Rubin Sarah Salinger Brittney Yorks Shane Gabi Hannah Shiner Claire Samantha Shoyer Dania Simoun-Tkachenko Maya Rose Sinclair Abigail L. Skerker Jacob William Sang Stockdale Alexandra May Strauss Alexander A. Taglieri Gabriela Tchubar Jared Micah Weiner Jonathan Rainer Gikas Wihl Matthew Adam Wolfman Adam Solomon Yates Jonathan Charles Zackman Zoe Aureole Zimman Sarah Louise Zolondick
Shayna Meira Aaronson
Eilon Jacob Applbaum
"If I am I because I am I, then I am I and you are you. But if I am I because you are you, and you are you because I am I, then I am not I and you are not you."
"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
Menachem Mendel Applying to college forced me think about who I am and the person I want to become. Writing my applications this past fall was a time in which I was able to reflect on what I have achieved throughout my Gann career. I was not only able to show others what differentiates me from everyone else, but I was able to remind myself of my accomplishments. My first meeting with my college counselor during my Junior year made me ponder the reasons why a college should choose me. It was also a time during which I needed to begin thinking about what I considered to be simple questions such as: What size school do I want to attend? And do I want a large Jewish community? Then, as the college process continued into my senior year, these seemingly small questions started becoming more real. Though I did not have any clear answers at first, when I began visiting colleges and writing applications I slowly stared figuring out who I am as a person right now, and what I am looking for in my next four years. As I leave high school, I can confidently say that Gann has helped me to develop my own identify, and has given me a sense of the person I want to be.
Hebrew quotations for Graduation paragraphs Amos Armony
James Joseph Alavosus
Eytan Deener-Agus
"You need to know that just as evil arrogance is a very bad character trait, so too a person needs to have holy arrogance. Because it is impossible to come to the true tzaddikim or to draw near to holiness without arrogance as our rabbis taught, 'Be bold as a leopard.'" Rebbi Nachman If I've learned anything from my three years at Gann, it's that we, by virtue of being students at Gann, challenge the norm every day. We step up, and say "Bam! Pluralism." We accept everyone as whatever kind of person they are, as whatever kind of Jew they are, regardless of our own beliefs. We can find comfort in those people with whom we share religious or other beliefs, but we can also learn from those who have different beliefs. That's what makes Gann awesome. From Orthodox students who take Baalei Teshuva students under their wing, to Rabbis who teach non-religious students about the virtues and downfalls of Judaism openly and without faltering, Gann's Chutzpah haKodesh, Gann's Holy Arrogance, has shown the Jewish community that Jews of every denomination can get along. Jews of every denomination can be friends, and learn from each other, and even embrace new forms of Judaism.
Alisa Geller
Albert Einstein While my experience at Gann can't be conveyed through one quote, this one comes close. During the first few months of freshman year I was extremely hesitant to leave my comfort zone, not trying anything new. School was mediocre, and nothing exciting was happening. After months of repetition I engaged in new activities, reached out to new friends, and took on new classes. Gann has taught me how to try new things and expand outside my comfort zone. Leaving Gann I definitely feel prepared for college: I will pursue new interests and get a more diverse education, making me a more well rounded person.
Amos Armony "You shall not cut [the trees] down, for is the tree of the field man?" Deuteronomy 20:19 In the middle of Deuteronomy, the prophet Moses delivers a speech to B'nei Israel about the rules of warfare. In his speech, Moses informs the Israelites that when besieging a city, every man, woman, and child should be killed and their possessions and animals looted or destroyed. Moses notes, however, that the fruit trees surrounding the city are an exception to the rule because a tree is not a man and therefore it should not be destroyed. I find this passage extremely troubling for several reasons. Why is a tree considered to be more valuable than a person? Why is the murder of innocent civilians not only allowed by the Torah but actually commanded? These questions, and others like them, highlight my relationship with Judaism as I have encountered it at Gann. Since my freshman year, I have struggled to grasp how an ancient text can be adapted both to modern times and to modern morality. And honestly, most of the time, I can't. The important part, however, is that instead of being forced to believe something that I didn't want to, I was given the time and freedom to decide my own beliefs at Gann. For that, I am grateful. The experience has made me both a more critical thinker and a better person.
Elana Rachel Aronson
Shira Chaya Boyar
"You can't stop a teacher when they want to do something. They just do it."
"If you are not a better person tomorrow than you are today, what need have you for a tomorrow?"
J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye
Rebbe Nachman of Breslav
Throughout my four years at Gann, I learned so many academic and life lessons from my teachers and my peers. Gann's faculty offers so many opportunities for us to learn. All the teachers at Gann have their own unique teaching styles that helped me to move forward later in life. Even my classmates helped me if I misunderstood anything or had a conflict. Also, the trips Gann offered taught me many lessons. For example, when I went to Israel, I learned about the history of Israel and how to be independent. Without my peers and my teachers, I would neither have learned so much, nor had as much fun. I appreciate everyone that helped me at Gann and I will use these lessons later in life.
I believe in the power and importance of growth. Every day I learn something new, which makes my knowledge extend its fingers and take grasp of my growing wisdom, and then that same knowledge extends once again to reach deep into my inquisitive state of mind as an intellectually inspired young adult. As a student at Gann Academy for the past four years, the encouraging introspective environment has helped teach me the importance of the essential journey of self-improvement, and how and why this journey should never feel finished. There is always room to enhance, advance, and progress, both as an individual and also as a member of a larger community. There is always an opportunity to master your enthusiasm for believing in and displaying the best possible version of yourself to the outside world. Gann has helped me begin to find just who the best possible version of Shira Boyar is. She is strong, she is curious, she is dedicated, and she is never completely satisfied because her love of exploration grows at an exponential rate. I thank you, Gann, for helping me discover my devotion to the mission of enriching my life by expanding my knowledge, to question the limits of success, to seek out whatever the word "greatness" means to me, and to absolutely always strive to become a better person for tomorrow.
Oren Matan Bazer "The whole entire world is a very narrow bridge But the main thing is not to fear." Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav I would never cross such a bridge in a million years—I'm scared to death of heights— except I have to cross it every day—and so do you. Although we may not have control over encountering the situations in our lives that generate fear, we do have power over whether we choose to combat the experience with fear, or with courage. When I first entered Gann as a freshman I felt the pressure and fear of having to cross the narrow bridge of high school—and I was afraid. Would I make friends? Do well in my classes? How could I possibly not be afraid? But as school went on and freshman year became sophomore year in the blink of an eye, the bridge felt a little bit less narrow. And now as I stand on the other side of the bridge, looking back at my four year journey, I can say that having no fear along the way is impossible. So is Rabbi Nachman wrong? No—fear may keep one from getting onto the bridge, but it won't keep one from crossing it.
Sydney Ana Blankstein "Example isn't another way to teach, it is the only way to teach." Albert Einstein Over the past four years at Gann, I have come to understand myself as a learner. Today I am mindful of the fact that I grasp topics more fully when I am able to follow example and learn by doing. Throughout my academic journey here, my teachers have, through example, helped me soak up information in a way that makes sense to me. They have modeled for me not only a productive way to learn, but an exemplary way to teach. I am heading to college to learn to become a special needs teacher. I feel blessed because I am leaving high school with a deep appreciation for what it means to help students be true to their learning styles. I am leaving high school with a profound understanding of educating by example. I am leaving high school understanding that the process is equally important to the final product.
Ilana Chaya Brandes-Krug "I would say to young people a number of things....I would say let them remember that there is meaning beyond absurdity. Let them be sure that every little deed counts, that every word has power, and that we can, everyone, do our share to redeem the world in spite of all absurdities and all the frustrations and all disappointments." Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel At every turn, my Gann education has been a call to action. This school offers intellectual pursuit, not simply for the sake of knowledge, but as a constant exploration into human experience and human potential. I have found this learning in my classes and extracurriculars, from teachers and students. In and outside the classroom, my teachers have taught me to "close read" classic literature, primary historical documents and Torah. Under their guidance, I've learned to appreciate the complexities and ideals behind systems of law, American and Jewish, while also recognizing the flaws. Their encouragement to explore ways to work within a system of law to create change inspires my approach to social justice. My friends at Gann have been equally influential. I have learned every day from their initiative, actions and insights. Our conversations carry over into the hallways after class, and until 4:00 in the morning on Shabbatonim. I will end with this quote from Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel, which connects Rabbi Heschel's advice to my Gann experience. Patel's words resonate with my relationship to America and Judaism that has grown and developed over my four years at Gann: "I realized that it was precisely because of America's glaring imperfections that I should seek to participate in its progress, carve a place in its promise, and play a role in its possibility. And at its heart and at its best, America was about pluralism." My friends and teachers continue to energize and guide me as I search for my place in the promise and possibility of my communities.
Benjamin Nathan Bryer
Harrison Bennett Dale
"Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement....get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed."
"Things you see from there are not what you see from here."
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
One of my favorite fortune cookies that I have cracked open read: "Every day above ground is a good day." Heschel's quote echoes these words of wisdom by reminding us that the most important thing in life is to live every day to its fullest and to appreciate everything in one's life. I find this teaching to be extremely humbling, as I often find myself stressing and getting anxious over social or emotional situations. Heschel's lesson puts into perspective how important it is to appreciate the good in one's life and to live without regrets because you will never know when the day will come that you will not be "above ground." I try to appreciate and be thankful for my family, my friends, my school, and all the blessings in my life and to never go a day without living in "radical amazement" of my surroundings.
Throughout my time at Gann, I have been convinced that it is a life-changing institution. If not by one particular earth-shattering moment, most Gann students will feel their lives changed by the duration of their high school experience. The power of Gann's methods is apparent in its results—the empowered students who leave the school and change the world. However, Gann is not unique in what it accomplishes. Many schools produce talented individuals who will go on to become effective community members. In contrast, Gann is special in how it accomplishes this, and this difference is what makes Gann so powerful and also confusing to the outside observer. Gann changes lives by engaging students in communities and classic literature, by asking everyone to learn things even if they do not find them meaningful. The pressure cooker that is Gann, the expectation to continuously grow and communicate this growth with others, is impossible to understand from the outside.
Eytan Deener-Agus Melyssa Lily Canonico
Eytan Jacob Deener-Agus
Hebrew quotations for Graduation paragraphs Amos Armony
Menachem Begin
"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?" Rabbi Hillel
I am not naturally an outgoing person. If it were up to me, I would be very content to sit in the background and listen to other people share their ideas. But Gann has helped show me that I do not need to do this anymore. I can be outgoing, and talkative, and stand up for myself instead of sitting back in the shadows of other people. Without Gann, and the friends I have made here, I would not be the person I am today. I would not be able to stand up for myself with no fear. Gann has helped me come out of my shell and find my voice. I have overcome my fear of public speaking. Gann also showed me that I need to be myself. At Gann, I was able to rely on my friends and know that they had my back no matter what happened. Now, I know that I can stand up for myself, or anyone else that needs it, without fear. Because if I don't stand up, who will? And if I don't be myself, who will?
Alisa Geller
Joshua Lange
"Neither shall you stand idly by the blood of your neighbor." Leviticus 19:16
In Leviticus, we are commanded not to be a bystander. Instead of watching our fellow man in trouble, it is our duty as Jews to stand up and help. Much of my high school experience has been defined by the idea of standing up. Gann, to me, always had a unique atmosphere, created by both students and teachers, that fostered being an upstander. I knew that coming to Gann would allow me to explore my young belief that leadership was simply a tool towards change. Early in my Gann career, I decided my way of becoming an upstander was to run for the student organization through which I felt I could make the most change. Beginning the first month of freshman year and ending four years later, Student Council was the lens through which I saw my high school life. I learned through my transformative experience that leadership is not simply a tool, but it is a lifestyle—it's a lens through which to see the world. Being a leader, I learned, means seeing your neighbor in need, standing up, and helping.
Sarah Juliette Dembling
Michaela Rose DiLoreto
"There are stars whose radiance is visible on Earth though they have long been extinct. There are people whose brilliance continues to light the world even though they are no longer among the living. These lights are particularly bright when the night is dark. They light the way for humankind."
"And there are some who say that he must also teach him how to swim."
Hannah Senesh This quote embodies the idea that there is value to all efforts to improve the world—life is fleeting, but people have the ability to make lasting impacts, no matter how insignificant their actions may seem. It also expresses that what we have today in the world is a result of the actions of people from the past, just as what future generations will experience is largely a result of our doings. Throughout my Gann career, I and those around me have been encouraged to fight to improve what we see as important—specifically to improve the circumstances of other people, even those who don't yet exist. I believe that every person has the ability to "light the way for humankind."
Mitali Bel Desai "The only thing that can save the world is the reclaiming of the awareness of the world." Allen Ginsberg Before I started at Gann, I envisioned my high school career ending with a movie-like, sepia-toned display of angst a la Ghost World—a moment of rebellion after graduation, brandishing a middle finger at the institution that had oppressed me. Now that I am actually here at the close of the past four years, I could not feel more differently. That's not to say that high school was easy. I cried a lot, and sometimes my diet consisted primarily of candy scavenged from teachers' desks. But Gann Academy was the place where I discovered who I could be if I was brave enough, and where I met people who were willing to push me to be that person. Gann was the place where I began to learn what it really means to be a person in the world—not just to exist, but to contribute. Over the course of my time here, I have been forced to think deeply about my own ideas, biases and decisions not only as they relate to me, but as they relate to the people around me, locally and globally. I have been encouraged both to take up space and to step back and listen, to learn how to teach and to learn how to learn. A hallmark of Gann, I think, is that it wasn't only my teachers who helped me grow in these ways—it was largely my peers and the friends I made here. As excited as I am for the next step in my life, I am also genuinely sad to leave such an incredible place behind. Unlike my middle school fever dreams of running away from high school and never looking back, I leave knowing I want to return to high school as a teacher one day. The mentors I've had here have made me the person I am today, and I too would like to have that kind of positive influence on someone's life.
Talmud: Kiddushin 29a Okay, I know what you're thinking: Gann doesn't even have a swimming pool! How on earth did they teach her how to swim? Now, this induction is true – Gann doesn't have a pool. However, I truly believe that this commandment outlined in the Talmud is about more than simply teaching your children the physical skill of treading water. Gann did not literally teach me how to swim, but it sure gave me something far more valuable–the ability to navigate the ocean that is life. Throughout my time at Gann I have been challenged academically, socially, and spiritually. Looking back, I appreciate each struggle I have had to overcome. Whenever the current got rough, I learned to stay afloat. I can now take this skill with me throughout the rest of my life, and for this I am forever grateful.
Daniel Zachary Dinjian "You always have two choices: your commitment versus your fear." Sammy Davis Jr. Reflecting on my Gann experience, one thing that I've definitely become more aware of is when I'm facing a "Bechira Point," which is basically a moral crossroad. And I think Sammy Davis Jr. expresses this idea beautifully; we have goals and ideals and standards that we hold ourselves to, but in a lot of cases we're faced with fear: fear of how other people will judge us if our actions deviate from social expectations and norms, fear of pursuing a goal and then failing, fear of ending up ostracized and alone. There are a litany of fears and excuses that keep people from pursuing their goals or living up to their ideals, but I think the worst part is that those excuses and fears are generally instinctive and we don't even know what we're doing. When you see someone having a bad day and you hope their day gets better, if that person isn't technically your "friend," there's a gut reaction that says it would be weird and uncomfortable to go out of your way to talk to him/her. But I think what's made my Gann experience special is that at Gann those gut reactions aren't taken for granted—they're talked about and called bechira points. Gann students are pushed to be aware of the moments where it's our responsibility to choose between fear and the commitment we've made to our goals and standards, and this has definitely helped me to grow into the person I'm proud to be today.
Jaclyn Rae Eagle
Aliyah Finkel
"We must think differently, look at things in a different way."
"If you will it, it's no dream."
Yitzhak Rabin
Theodore Herzl
Though it may be easier to follow others, following ourselves is far superior. Over these past four years, I have learned to strive to be myself, and allow myself to be different. From participating in a class discussion, to figuring out where to sit during lunch, to playing sports, to deciding what to wear, Gann taught me the importance of finding my own voice and perspective, regardless of the majority opinion. Gann is full of endless opportunity, which truly influenced me to explore my beliefs and identity. Although we were all made b'tzelem elokim, in G-d's image, we were also all created different for a reason.
Gann, despite how corny it sounds, has honestly taught me that I can do anything. Over my four years here, I've learned how important it is to follow your dreams and, most importantly, be true to yourself. The question you're faced with at Gann of "Who will you become?" is a perfect example of how Gann encourages students to reach for the stars and never hold back, because if you try hard enough, you'll become the best person you can be: yourself.
Alexandra Elovic "Who is wise? One who learns from every person." Ben Zoma There is something valuable to learn not only from your teachers, but also from those around you. Although in elementary and middle school I believed that the classroom was a setting where the teachers were the sole source of learning, my experience at Gann has completely changed that mindset. I have been blessed with incredible teachers, who have cared deeply for my education and well-being, but I've also had the privilege to experience the rich insights each of my classmates have contributed to every one of my classes. The teachers at Gann have pushed me to challenge my beliefs and have encouraged me to think in new ways while my classmates have assisted me in gaining new insights throughout this journey. I will forever be thankful for the accepting, pluralistic, and academic atmosphere of Gann Academy that has caused my wisdom to thrive.
Melissa Jo Epstein "A little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness." Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi During my time at Gann, I experienced both tremendous highs and challenging lows. Through both, I found that my teachers and mentors were there to support me and to encourage me—to bring light. At Gann, I discovered that the teachers are more than just adults lecturing history or teaching conjectures. Here the teachers are truly a part of the community and are invested in their students' well-being and success. I have learned so much from my teachers not only in my academics, but also in life. Their knowledge, wisdom, and guidance extend beyond the classroom and have the ability to make a difficult situation turn into a positive experience. The light my teachers bring is what has made my Gann experience so amazing and so positive.
Daniel Meir Geisberg "There are no problems, only opportunities for growth." Rebbetzin Dena Weinberg Our lives are full of problems, and we have to figure out ways to overcome these problems in order to move on. The purpose of this quote is to make sure that we see problems in a positive light, so that we recognize each individual problem as a test of character. Gann encourages us as students to view problems in a similar way. Gann asks us: what can you learn from this experience and how can you act differently next time? This approach has led to a lot of personal growth for me and I am grateful for it.
Alisa Rebecca Geller
Shai-B Goldman
"I said to myself: 'Here I have grown richer and wiser than any that ruled before me over Jerusalem, and my mind has zealously absorbed wisdom and learning.'" Ecclesiastes 1:16 My time at Gann has been unforgettable. In the two short years that I attended this school I was able to take amazing and challenging classes, participate in multiple rigorous sports, and form remarkably strong relationships with my teachers. I have forged friendships for life, and had so much fun in the process. I was so lucky to have found such an amazing and welcoming community, and I will always appreciate the uniquely close group of friends I have made while here. When I think back on my experience at Gann there's one word that comes to mind: growth. I think that I have grown and learned more about myself here than I ever thought possible. I have grown academically, taking on challenging classes and finding that I love the material. I have grown religiously and spiritually, through exploring new facets of my identity and challenging my personal beliefs. I have grown to be a better and more determined student through the incredible mentoring of my teachers and advisors. Above all, I think that I am a better person, one who takes challenges head-on and strives to always succeed. Thanks to my amazing mentors and advisors in this school, I now know my strengths and weaknesses better, and I am a better person for it. I cannot thank them enough for the truly invaluable lessons they have taught me. From Junior Fall on Campus to Ma'avar, I have changed, grown, and enjoyed every second of my career at Gann Academy.
Ari Shimon Glasgow "Humor is just another defense against the universe."
Mel Brooks
Life, like high school, can sometimes be a challenge. We stumble and waver as we make our way through it. But at Gann, I always had comedy to fall back on. I found the Improv Team, and even the guidance, lessons, and self-confidence I needed to perform standup out of school. Both inside and outside the classroom, laughter became my outlet, my medicine, and my passion. Hopefully this hobby that Gann fostered might one day lead me to a "Live From New York" gig, but if it doesn't, I know I'll still be living a more relaxed, fruitful life because of it. Without Gann, I would have been a setup with no punch line. But thankfully, the whole joke's there. Buh. Dum. Ch.
"If I am I because you are you, and you are you because I am I, then I am not I and you are not you. But if I am I because I am I, and you are you because you are you, then I am I and you are you." Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk Two of Gann Academy's most pronounced missions include fostering individuality and creating a tolerant and pluralistic environment for all students regardless of their background or opinions. Pluralism in its purest form, in a school context, is when an array of students, from all walks of life, with many opposing opinions, manage to coexist and tolerate each other despite their personal beliefs. Entering Gann Academy, I found it slightly difficult to transition into an atmosphere so different from the household I have been brought up in. Even though I attended JCDS for Elementary school and Schechter for Middle School, it has nevertheless been hard at times to be a practicing Jew. At the same time, however, going to conservative and pluralistic schools has been a transformative and spiritually fulfilling experience. Generally, whenever life throws you bad times, you can make something good out of them. While it has been hard at times to be surrounded by generally less religious people, the same atmosphere helps strengthen my belief and practice because it helps me reinforce what I believe in. At the same time, being in such an environment has made me more tolerant and understanding of other Jewish denominations. So, while the New Jewish High School has taught me to be my own person with my own religious beliefs and general opinions, I have also learned to be more tolerant of other people's opinions and religious practices.
Hannah Goodtree "We must not see any person as an abstraction. Instead, we must see in every person a universe with its own secrets, with its own treasures, with its own sources of anguish, and with some measure of triumph." Elie Wiesel High school is stereotypically thought of as a time when students branch off into cliques of predefined personalities and unchanging characteristics. At Gann, we learn the value of appreciating what each person has to offer, and our grade especially has understood how to harness each classmate's individuality to create a diverse and rich experience. Since coming to Gann, I've come to learn how to approach new and old faces with a fresh perspective on their opinions, ideas, and struggles. I would like to thank Gann for providing and encouraging a constant space for empathy and for allowing the students to explore their own identities as individuals.
Alyssa Jo Gorsky
Arielle Adina Grossmann
"I don't judge others. I say if you feel good with what you're doing, let your freak flag fly."
"You have done more for the collective unconscious of this planet than you will ever know."
Sarah Jessica Parker
Steven Spielberg
Coming into Gann Academy I barely knew anyone, including myself. Throughout these past four years I have been given countless opportunities to discover who I am as an individual. I always loved to read when I was little, but I never took anything away from literature. In my junior year English class I learned more than I could have imagined. I loved every book we read and discovered so much about who I was and the person I wanted to be through those books. Before Gann I was one of the crowd who never voiced her own opinions, but now I don't care if I have different thoughts from the majority. Gann allowed me to realize what my interests are and who I am, and for that I am forever thankful.
Thanks to Children's Lit, I now know what the collective unconscious is: images, symbols, and archetypes that every person in the world knows about without being explicitly taught. It's crazy to think that I have any power to influence the collective unconscious, and yet at this point in my life I completely believe that I could. I mean, why not? Walt Disney did it with the invention of "true love's kiss," a concept that didn't exist prior to him but is now in almost all of our fairytales (once again, thanks Children's Lit). In middle school I didn't believe myself to be capable of anything. I undermined my incredibly active imagination with cripplingly low self-confidence. But the experiences I have had in this high school have transformed that pathetic excuse for self-confidence into a rock solid belief in myself. Stage Managing and Assistant Directing, gaining a best friend who in many ways was the model of self-confidence, having a mentor who walked me through what I loved while letting me shape myself, and getting an A on that essay and a 100 on that math test once. And those are only some of the experiences that I have had and could only have here. I have a lofty goal, but I have never been surer of my ability to achieve it or more excited for all of the failures I'm going to have along the way.
Kineret Olivia Grant-Sasson "The only thing I can stand is discomfort" Gloria Steinem If my time at Gann has taught me one thing, it is that comfort is overrated. It is possible that I only say this because I have always taken my feelings of security at Gann for granted and therefore must remember that it is not often that a high school student will feel so welcomed and supported in her community. So while I run the risk of trivializing the unease felt by so many high school students, I have found that it is in discomfort where true growth lies. At Gann, I have been pushed to challenge myself not only through arts and athletic requirements but in the subtleties of the classroom. My teachers know me so well that they do not tolerate academic or intellectual laziness and encourage me to fight my intermittent tendency towards complacency. Outside of strictly academic settings, my teachers inspired me to always take note of my levels of comfort with the way the world is working at any given moment. When a time comes when I am approaching satisfaction with the way this or that government is functioning or this specific group's standing in society, I challenge myself to educate myself further on the issue until I find progress to be made. Through this exercise I find that the prospect of progress is overwhelmingly more fulfilling then a fleeting moment of contentedness. I hope that I will never settle for what is easiest or more convenient, and that I will grow to find my place in this space between what is comfortable and what is just.
Chila Haber "Truth even unto its inner most parts" Motto of Brandeis University As a freshman at Gann, I thought my life was like a television show. My classmates were the costars and my teachers didn't have lives outside of class. The only reality or truth I believed in was mine. However, my friends and teachers have taught me the importance of understanding multiple truths. Pluralism is an idea that requires an understanding and respect for various truths. Gann's pluralistic design has pushed me to believe in realities other than my own and through my new understandings I am able to have a deeper empathy in my relationships. I am now able to enter college knowing about different perspectives within the world and accept the idea of multiple truths and paths.
Joshua David Hanau
Aaron S. Hunt
"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?"
"Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it."
Hillel Pirkei Avot 1:14
Albert Einstein
If there is one thing that I have learned in my four years at Gann, it is the importance of community and being there for others. This passage discusses the value of being selfless while also taking your own self and well-being into consideration. Before my time at Gann, I never really understood the notion of being there for someone in need, or of someone who would be there for me. As soon as I entered the Gann community, however, I immediately felt as though I had found a place where I belong and have never once looked back. I can say with pure confidence that this community has given so much to me and I hope that I have given something to Gann in return.
Though in my time at Gann I have learned a great deal in a variety of subjects, from the surface integral of a vector field to the psychology of Victor Frankenstein and the concepts of de'oraita and derabbanan, the most important aspect of my time at Gann has been my teachers' encouragement of my intellectual curiosity. As Albert Einstein wrote in 1954, "Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it." My formal classroom schooling is not what will prove most valuable to me from my time at Gann. Rather, it is the intellectual atmosphere at Gann, both among teachers and students, that will affect me for the rest of my life. I will remember my sophomore year Exploration Week trip to Washington, DC, where I witnessed and learned about the inner workings of our government; my trip to the Tsarnaev trial with ten of my classmates this spring; informally discussing biology, math, history, and other subjects with my teachers and classmates; and other informal educational experiences. By encouraging me to seek knowledge on my own and by stimulating my desire to learn, my teachers and classmates at Gann have maintained and grown my love of learning in a way few schools manage. Gann has helped set me up for a lifelong pursuit of wisdom.
Jessica Sarah Handler "It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not free to desist from it either." Pirke Avot 2:16 This Jewish proverb resonates with me because it implores every person to live up to his or her personal potential. It demands that we become productive members of our communities and do our best to repair the world. During my four years at Gann, I have had many opportunities to start the work of repairing the world. In addition to gradelevel community service opportunities, I have participated in Urban Education during Exploration Week and most importantly, Gateways. My work at Gateways over the past three years has been incredibly meaningful to me. I loved sharing my Jewish education with middle school students. I know I will continue my volunteer work beyond Gann.
Valerie Grace Herman "It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education." Albert Einstein At Gann Academy my curiosity more than survived: it thrived. I was given a formal education but what made it exceptional is that we were encouraged by our teachers to question and challenge everything we are taught. This enabled me to learn more about myself and feel valued for my individual expression. At the same time, I learned from my peers, who shared thoughts that would make me think in very different ways, and sometimes make me laugh.
Michelle Leah Iken "We're so quick to go to make things black and white, and to put things in their box. But everything is this mixture—and that's what the world is—this blend of different things." Matisyahu With so many issues in humanity, there is not a clear-cut one side or the other, but more blurred lines. As Matisyahu said, "We're so quick to go to make things black and white, and to put things in their box. But everything is this mixture—and that's what the world is—this blend of different things." There are spectra throughout life with Judaism, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, and so on, and Gann has taught me to acknowledge the mixtures and respect them in such a way that everyone is comfortable.
Akiva Reuben Marbach Jackson
Gabriel Kagan
"You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you shall surely reprove your fellow; and not bear sin because of him."
"If you don't know what you're living for, you haven't yet lived."
Vayikra 19:17 I think one of the most fundamentally hard and rewarding parts of Gann Academy is the constant struggle between personal identity and the pluralistic sea into which it is thrust. We are all minorities in some way, yet we are not encouraged to hide our differences. Rather, we are pushed to express our dissimilar beliefs and experiences. A teacher once told me that if one holds an opinion, one should be willing to argue vehemently for it, and I have had many conversations that have grown heated. While these conversations have pushed me to think deeply about who I am and what I truly stand for, they have also become bridges to friendships which have taught me a lot. I believe this quote from Vayikra is not about asserting moral superiority, but rather a way of exploring this tension between individual expression and interpersonal love. I think that I have an obligation to reprove, but not attack, those with whom I strongly disagree: rather my reproving should be an assertion of an identity in conflict with theirs, a note that they cannot assume that theirs is the only one. Additionally, I believe they must do the same, pushing me to rethink everything. However, I must not lose sight of the fact that everyone I interact with is my family, and I cannot hate them. I have had a wonderful opportunity to learn so much from everyone at Gann, and I believe the community has enabled me to achieve both these values: understanding how I differ from others, while loving them as the wonderful, valuable, indefinable, fellow humans they are.
Joshua Daniel Joress "A righteous man falls down seven times and gets up." King Solomon, Proverbs, 24:16. This verse is talking about the importance of getting back up, no matter how badly, or how many times one fails. In my younger days I was shy and rarely took risks. I was afraid of failure. One day in my BC Pre-Calculus class during junior year, after I got a bad grade on a test, the only thought in my mind was that I wanted to move down into an easier class. I wanted to do what I had always done; I wanted to take the easy way out. In the end I stayed in the class and it was one of the best decisions of my life. I learned a lot in that class. I would not have learned as much and I never would have forgiven myself if I had dropped down a level. By getting back up after I fell down, I was able to achieve my goal. I need to always get right back up and keep getting back up no matter how much I fall down.
Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of blessed memory Before I came to Gann I truly did not know what I was passionate about. Through many extracurricular and academic experiences offered at the New Jewish High School, I have found what sets my heart on fire: building and engineering robots. Building a robot is not just about hardware and software: the engineering process encompasses much more, and that is what I love about robotics. Assembling the robot, piece by piece, is an exhilarating enjoyable moment in the engineering process. It is a wonderful feeling when all of the parts come together. One of the most exciting parts of building the robot is programming, because it is time to put the robot to work. It is a nerve-wracking process, but I love the challenge and the heightened stakes. When my peers and I begin the coding process, we have the end result in sight, but we are by no means at the finish line. Once the final lines of code are written, we begin to practice driving and completing tasks with the robot. When the robot is complete, I feel greatly rewarded and extremely jubilant. To see all of my hard work pay off is amazing. I am determined to continue following my dreams and to build robots that will help make the world a better place. Gann has enabled this experience to be a reality every day.
Melissa Rose Kaufman "I don't speak because I have the power to speak; I speak because I don't have the power to remain silent." Rabbi A.Y. Kook At Gann, every student and every teacher has the power to voice opinions, and with these ideas, contribute to the community. Whether we are starting silent conversations on the walls, sharing our interpretation of a text, or telling a personal story at a Shabbaton "fishbowl," our class has always been one to make sure our thoughts are known. This passion and excitement to share has made members of our class comfortable with one another and with the entire Gann community. Our desire to speak out has allowed me to learn from my peers and, more importantly, discover something that each person in the grade is passionate about. As my four years at Gann come to a close, I feel confident that I can continue to speak, not because I have the power to do so, but because Gann has taught me to never remain silent.
Janelle Spring Kesner
David Elliot Knopf
"Occupy a rightful space, neither too much nor too little. Focus neither on your own virtues nor the faults of others."
"Most often, the person who becomes leader is not the one who knows the way, but the one who behaves as if he/she knows."
Dr. Alan Morinis, on the middah Anavah (Humility)
Yalkut Shimoni (Midrash)
I've always navigated new experiences without judgment, without focus on my own virtues or the faults of others. I have a sense of who I am. I wait to discover who others are through observation and connection. I strive to maintain a sense of who I am, my best self; to be present and true. I am thoughtful about how I enter into space, how much space I take up, and how I use my space. I'm keenly aware of, and sensitive to, how others enter into and engage with space. What intrigued me at Gann is how others use space. This observation has informed my understanding of Anavah: "Occupy a rightful space, neither too much nor too little." I have had many opportunities to observe and practice Anavah through the use of space in the spoken and unspoken, in gesture and in pause. It is interesting to reflect on my connection to space (specifically at Gann) with regard to time, process and my personal connections. I have learned and experienced how space resonates an unspoken connection. I have observed how the Gann community enters into and fills space. Are we learning to be open, engaged, active listeners or are we pushing through and taking up too much? I have also found places inside of Gann where I can preserve my much needed desire for quiet space, a thinking space...and find myself surprised that while I thought I was a quiet seeker, attentive to how much space I take up, someone else noticed my quest and honored my desire, my Anavah.
My freshman and sophomore years at Gann Academy weren't utilized to their full potential. Coming back from the Muss trip junior year, I took a new approach to participation in high school. Where before I saw a secret unbreakable system of daunting student leadership positions, I now saw great opportunities. For the first time I considered myself a true leader. I am not more specially gifted than the next high school student; I just chose to get involved. Trying new experiences at Gann has helped me figure out what works for me and what I enjoy doing. Everyone is human, and we are all capable of becoming leaders and achieving success and happiness.
David Andrew Kleinberg "Every great and deep difficulty bears in itself its own solution. It forces us to change our thinking in order to find it." Niels Bohr Before high school, I was never much of a risk taker. The safer, more illuminated path was the one I often traveled. In this four-year stretch, however, I encountered junctions that forked in untold directions. Each turn I took brought with it challenging terrain whose bumps served to mold me, and there was only one place to go: forward. Gann was one stop on my journey—the one that changed my direction. It was during this pit stop that I became aware of my surroundings, veering off from the road I had been following to explore those I had never imagined. Some led me farther while others brought me nowhere. The distances I travelled only to return the way I had come were not futile, however. For how could I have otherwise found the right course? Through my experiences at Gann, I have learned from my many mistakes—they have refined my very beliefs to set me one step further on the right path.
Adam Korbman "Do not separate yourself from the community." Hillel Mishna Avot 2 4 One aspect of Gann that I've always liked is the way community is strongly encouraged, whether it is having good relationships with teachers, or not letting the grade you are in be a factor when it comes to deciding whom you interact with. Weekly, the entire school meets in one place just to hear announcements from other students, and no one is afraid to get up and say something because we are such a strong and close community that everyone feels comfortable around each other. Gann did a great job of allowing me to feel part of something bigger than myself and I'd like to thank Gann for that.
Joshua Eytan Lange
"What is hateful to you, do not do unto others."
When people ask, "What is the most important rule in life?" most would answer, asked Yet when Hillel was , or in English: love thy neighbor as thyself. to teach a prospective convert the entire Torah while he stood on one leg, he answered, "What is hateful to you, do notdo onto others." In that story, Hillel responds with negativity, telling Hillel, Talmud Bavli, Masechet Shabbat 31a
the convert what not to do, rather than positive command of . Why would Hillel change this positive mitzvah from its directive form that instructs you to love your neighbor, into the cautionary form of a negative mitzvah that commands you to not treat others the way you would not want to be treated? The answer, according to Rabbi Dov Greenberg, is that one must take a step back and discern what is at the core of Hillel's version: saying no. Out of the 613 mitzvoth, 365 mitzvoth tell you what not to do and 248 tell you what to do. This is because there is great meaning behind saying no: by saying no to one thing you are saying yes to another. When a child's parents say no to a second slice of pie, they are saying yes to health. Saying no to using your phone on Shabbat is saying yes to face-to-face communication. When you say no to doing what is hateful to you, you are saying yes to love. So I thank you, Gann, for helping me learn to say no, so that in turn I was—and will be—able to say yes to so much more.
Noah Lev Lebowitz
"Life is 10 percent what you make it, and 90 percent how you take it." Irving Berlin
My immense growth as a student and as a person can largely be summed up by this quote. Throughout my Gann career, whether in Robotics, sports, or the classroom, I have had the opportunity to stretch myself intellectually and venture outside the realm of what I am used to. Not only have I been empowered, but I have been able to empower myself and reach levels of accomplishment I would have never thought possible due to the support of my teachers and their interest in my success.
Polly Leah Lejfer "I don't like to be out of my comfort zone, which is about a half an inch wide." Larry David Since the beginning of freshman year, I have been continuously encouraged and pushed outside of my comfort zone. Like Larry David's, my comfort zone before coming to Gann was very narrow, yet over the past four years it has drastically expanded. Whether spending three months in Israel junior year, flying across the country to New Mexico with no one else in my grade, or simply reading a challenging Hebrew text out loud in class, I have been constantly pushed to do things that made me uncomfortable. While some of these moments of discomfort were extremely hard for me at the time, they have truly shaped the person I am today. As my comfort zone continues to grow, I will always look back at Gann as the place where I learned how to challenge myself and expand my horizons.
Maya Sophie Leschinsky "If I am I because you are you, and you are you because I am I, then I am not I and you are not you. But if I am I because I am I, and you are you because you are you, then I am I and you are you." Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk This quote represents my Gann experience in that it highlights the importance of individuality. During my time here there has been a clear emphasis on being true to oneself and making decisions based on one's own desires and sense of the right thing to do. Being true to myself is one of my greater values because if I were to try to be someone else, there would be no one left to be me. I have been able to explore my individuality within classes and friend groups. Because of this, I feel that I am much closer to becoming and understanding my true self. Over the course of my Gann experience I have grown into myself. Freshman year, I was very unsure of who I was and who I wanted to be. I always went with my friends to the activities they wanted to do instead of asking myself what I truly wanted. Sophomore year, I started to follow myself more often, which helped me to become more of an individual. In my junior year, I started branching out. I made new friends that I now hope to keep through college. I took harder classes, and really tried to look at who I wanted to be and what my values were. Throughout this year I've become more independent, indulged my individuality, and stuck to my values. From all of this, I have truly grown into myself and started becoming the person I hope to be: a person who puts others before herself, a person who works hard for the satisfaction of a great outcome, and a person who enjoys and appreciates life.
Atarah McCoy
Scott David Levine "The miracle is this—the more we share the more we have." Leonard Nimoy Over the course of my four years at Gann I have learned many things inside and outside the classroom. One of the most important lessons I have taken from my time at Gann has been that going the extra mile to give your all and do your best as a person and student pays off for you and your community. Being kind and doing whatever you can in your community and the classroom is so important to having a fulfilling high school experience. I couldn't have asked for a better community to share my experience with—to give my all to and get the community's all in return.
Ariella Beck Levisohn "So that's the dissenter's hope: that they are writing not for today but for tomorrow." Ruth Bader Ginsburg When I first entered Gann as a quiet freshman, I was hesitant to participate in class, and even more unwilling to disagree with other people. I would find myself agreeing with a classmate simply because I was afraid to state my own opinion. Over the course of my four years at Gann, however, I learned how to formulate and defend my own opinions. My teachers and classmates modeled respectful debate and gave me the knowledge I need to represent my beliefs. My time at Gann has taught me to value independence and discussion. Most importantly, though, these four years have given me the skills, wisdom and confidence to dissent from the majority.
Marielle Eva Marcus "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." Albert Einstein In a classroom it is always tempting to rank people by how "smart" they are. But what I've learned at Gann is that there are many kinds of "smart." Some people are great at math, and others have great people skills. One's value cannot be summed up by one dimension of his or her identity. Everyone is integral to the community for the special skills he or she embodies, and appreciating the distinctive qualities of each individual is critical. At Gann I have learned from people who have a vast array of strengths and weaknesses, and I have definitely learned to appreciate this concept.
Atarah Yocheved McCoy
"G-d said to Moses, 'Ehyeh asher ehyeh (I will be that I will be),' and He said, 'So shall you say to the children of Israel, "Ehyeh (I will be) has sent me to you."'" Shemot 3:14 What I am most proud of achieving through my four years at Gann Academy is the ability to stand firmly and assuredly as I am. Despite many stereotypes and assumptions regarding my identity that I have encountered through interaction with peers and teachers at Gann and beyond, I am proud to have emerged from this school knowing how to embrace my identity and explore its complexity without feeling the need to shy away from uniqueness, individuality and non-conformity. Incessant questioning regarding my Jewish identity has been challenging to endure in an educational context meant to promote it, but finding answers that tell the truth about who I am and what my relationship is to the heritage of Judaism has helped me to become the strong, independent-minded, intelligent, African-American Orthodox woman that I am today. I chose the quote above because it reflects a faith and world view that I hope to carry with me as I continue my educational journey. Moshe is initially unsure how to present himself to the people of Israel and thinks that they will not believe him. It is upon this doubt that God shines a light for Moshe to move forward with assuredness and conviction. To paraphrase, he says: You have no real explaining to do, Moshe: "I will be that I will be" and you will be what you will be. I hope that as I enter into a world much more diverse than that within the four walls of Gann, I will be able to emulate this assuredness and always remember that what matters most is valuing my uniqueness and using it to help create a more just world for all of us.
Natalie Bianca Mechanic
Omer Nudelman Perl
"A wise man's question contains half the answer."
"I never fail, I just give myself room for improvement."
Solomon Ibn Gabirol
Guy Stein
This quote pretty much sums up my Gann experience perfectly, and my classmates would probably agree with me. So, while you lovely people sit in the audience of my graduation, I will try and relay my amazing time at Gann Academy to you through it. First, the most basic comparison is from English class. When we begin our analytical writing journey, we are taught the formula of switching around the prompt and adding our answer to make the thesis. Second, as we progress through the grades, we begin having to come up with our own prompts in English and History. Meanwhile, we explore geometry through mini exercises and try to figure out the methods of Algebra II during homework before we are formally taught the strategies. Science progresses in a similar way: we learned biology by performing labs with our own questions and then teaching what we learned to the class. None of the tasks given to us were beyond our capabilities because we had been taught how to go about our subjects and assignments from the beginning of our education. You must be thinking at this point that this paragraph is kind of pointless: I could have learned these things anywhere. But actually, I sincerely believe I couldn't have. I believe that Gann taught me how to think for myself, form opinions, and express myself genuinely. Everyone around us teaches us about the world, how it functions and how to survive in it, but learning this is half of the answer in the question of life. Gann has turned me from the son on Passover who doesn't even know how to ask a question to the wise son who is full of knowledge and curiosity and is ready to embark on the winding, bumpy road that we all know as "life." As the friends and family of the students standing beside me, I would like to thank you all for joining us on the day of our graduation and hope that you give us some questions too.
I was talking to my friend, Guy, about choosing a quote for my graduation paragraph. During the conversation he said the quote above in a joking way, but as I was thinking about it more and more I realized it's actually very true to my life and experience at Gann. At Gann, we are encouraged to learn from our mistakes and take them as opportunities to evolve and grow. We are taught that even our "down moments" can be turned into a brighter time if we look at the positive aspect of the situation and understand that there is no "failure," only "learning." This is a lesson that I will take with me into my life after Gann, and I will always remember that instead of being upset at a certain thing that has gone wrong, it is better to ask yourself what you can do better next time.
Leah Mekler "Take the risk of thinking for yourself. Much more happiness, truth, beauty, and wisdom will come to you that way." Christopher Hitchens From my years studying at Gann I have learned many lessons, but one of the most important has been to think for myself. What Hitchens says about "happiness, truth, beauty, and wisdom" has applied to my life. I have learned to be happy because in thinking for myself I have been able to make decisions that will make me happy. Truth has come my way because I've learned to investigate truth on my own, which avoids false information; I've experienced beauty, through seeing the world through my own lens; and gained wisdom, in discovering that being myself and taking my time is what makes me, me. Going forth, I hope to continue strengthening and polishing my own interpretations of what it means to think for myself. I have come to learn that there are risks in expressing my thoughts, but ultimately doing so always guides me in the right direction.
Jonathan Ezra Oppenheimer "I'm glad to see you've kept your sense of humor." "What else am I going to do? Eventually things get tragic enough and then they circle around to comedy." From the film Wish I Was Here, by Zach Braff My time at Gann Academy has nurtured a significant amount of self-exploration. In my four years of high school I've become more confident in, and more aware of, my beliefs, interests, and habits. Nothing has been as influential in this growth, however, as comedy. Whether it is in one of my quirky one-off roles in a Gann production, a scene during a show with the Gann Improv team, or a sketch created by GNN (Gann's A/V club), so much of my extracurricular involvement at Gann has been related to comedy. This constant comedic exposure has influenced my personality as well. In my time at Gann I've learned to roll with the punches and laugh off the tears. I make a conscious effort to always look at the brighter, more comedic side of every situation, rather than focusing on the negatives. This is a useful skill that I would have never been able to obtain without the many comedic outlets Gann has offered me.
Gabriella Miriam Orbach "No one knows he is fortunate until he becomes unfortunate, that's the way the world is." Chaim Potok, The Chosen Days at Gann go by slowly. A week of school from 8 to 5 could seem like an eternity, especially during this pressure-filled year of hard work and stress. It's only now that I look back on my Gann experience and realize how truly lucky I was. I wouldn't call going off to college something "unfortunate," but I do wish I could have appreciated what I had at Gann more while I had it. I'm so thankful to everyone at Gann for giving me an experience I was so fortunate to have.
Macia Edie Pinkwas
Benjamin Joseph Roberts
"A lot of people pretty much only listen to the chorus."
"Kindness, empathy, and care arise from standing so close, feeling what the other feels."
Lenny Kravitz
Alan Morinis
In my four years of living in the embrace of the Gann community, I was taught not only to think outside the box, and ask the unexpected questions, but also not to live in the bubble that tries to get you to conform to the norms of society. Gann has always gone against the current of the world. Where most kids were worried about dates and their hair, Gann students were worried about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and about the refugees of countries that had nowhere to go and lived in desolate wastelands. I was taught to take off the blinders of societal demands and look more at the occurrences that my privilege and my life has sheltered me from, creating a bubble around my "perfect little world," as some may say. And although we were social activist soldiers, we managed to incorporate our adolescence into our judicial tendencies. We began to listen to the whole song and not just the chorus. What is that, you may wonder. Well, the whole song is every part of the world. There will be parts you don't like, whether the melody, or the lyrics, the guitar solo, or the decrescendo slowly fading into the dark abyss that is the silence. Gann has taught me to break out of the muffled bubbles of conformity, and to try and help others, and listen to all the songs the world has to play.
Throughout my four years at Gann Academy I have learned a lot about compassion. I entered Gann knowing no one and feeling uncomfortable in the small community. One day, early on in my time at Gann, a teacher asked to meet with me, and expressed to me their understanding of how difficult it is to transition into a new community, and how they really wanted me to succeed academically. It was a small gesture that made me feel understood and more secure at Gann. Being a student at Gann has on countless occasions exposed me to unfamiliar Jewish middot and diverse perspectives, for which I have struggled to find sympathy and understanding. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to embrace compassion, because they have made me more comfortable at approaching challenging situations with a sense of respect, understanding, and the ability to learn from them.
Jared Heath Popkin "I think you have to try and fail, because failure gets you closer to what you are good at." Louis C.K. The best way I can think of describing my experience at Gann is this: it has been a series of opportunities to step outside of my comfort zone. From as far back as my first week at Gann, all of my most cherished memories and moments at Gann have been the result of "going out on a limb" and trying something new. For example, one of the most crucial pieces of my time at Gann has been being a member of the Improv team. The only reason I became involved in Improv was that I needed to select an arts course for first semester freshman year, and the Arts Department Chair said that I should pick Improv because it would be "the most fun." Although not all of the times I have stepped out of my comfort zone have been successful, they have definitely helped shape me to become the person I am today.
Leora Katherine Rooney "Everything in the world—whatever is and whatever happens—is a test, designed to give you freedom of choice. Choose wisely." Rebbe Nachman of Breslav, The Empty Chair: Finding Hope and Joy Everything that has happened to me during my four years at Gann has helped me to be able to move forward in the next step of my life. Nothing came easy and nothing came without sacrifice and perseverance, but it all came with reward. I have seen myself grow and develop over the years because of all the challenges I faced. I learned a lot about myself and my peers and what we are all capable of doing, and I couldn't be more proud of what we have accomplished and where we are going. I believe that every one of us was tested while we were at Gann, but we all found our way and gave ourselves the best opportunity to choose our futures wisely.
Sydney Melissa Roos "In my ideal society people will be compassionate, accepting, and empathetic." Hannah Randolph Gann is filled with students who are compassionate, accepting and empathetic. The people at Gann have taught me to appreciate each person as an individual and accept their differences. In many communities everyone feels pressure to be the same, to wear the same clothes, and have the same interests and hobbies, but that's not the case here at Gann. Gann teaches students to be unique and to follow their dreams: whether it is gardening, juggling, or sewing, who cares, because at Gann everyone is accepted. Gann taught me how to be comfortable and confident because of these characteristics. Gann is Hannah's ideal society. In loving memory of my good friend Hannah Randolph (19972012); today we will graduate together.
Rebecca Ashley Rosenbloom
Jonathan Caleb Rubin
"Don't pretend to be something you're not, just be who you are. That's what's really cool."
"Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth 'Rip down all hate,' I screamed Lies that life is black and white Spoke from my skull. I dreamed Romantic facts of musketeers Foundationed deep, somehow Ah, but I was so much older then I'm younger than that now."
Ben Stiller "Be true to who you are" has always been a motto I have strived to live my life by. Being at Gann throughout my high school career has allowed me to be truly comfortable in my own skin and discover who I am as a friend, peer, classmate, and learner. I have felt accepted at Gann for who I am, what my passions are, and my strengths in and out of the classroom, as well as my weaknesses. As I have grown up I have realized the importance of being accepting of all different people, since everyone is unique and has so much to give. The small community at Gann has allowed me to have extremely sentimental connections with my teachers, coaches, teammates, and friends. I am grateful to have been in such a close-knit environment that enabled me to gain confidence and self-appreciation over my high school experience.
Hannah Dovit Rubin "God wills man to be a creator—his first job is to create himself as a complete being. He is created in the image of God, but this image is a challenge to be met, not a gratuitous gift." Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik One of Judaism's foundational beliefs is that we are created in the image of God. As students at a Jewish day school, we strive to not only live up to this image, but also to interpret the meaning behind it. While I don't believe in God, Gann has taught me that God's image is one I create for myself, and by discovering myself through life lessons and friendships, I also discover my own version of God.
Jeremy Charles Rubin "I was soaking it all up in the 9th inning, every pitch, every out, I was just looking around. It felt like the World Series. It was just unbelievable. Just a pure adrenaline rush and pure excitement." Kevin Youkilis Throughout my time at Gann I have learned a few very important lessons. The above quote, by one of my favorite athletes of all time, talks about Kevin Youkilis taking in a moment. Gann has taught me that being present and "soaking it all up" can change an experience. Gann has taught me that being present in the moment leads to a positive community. The way Kevin Youkilis takes in his moment reflects the attitude that I have, and that Gann pushes all students to have, both at Gann and later in life. My favorite aspect of the class of 2015 is our ability as a whole to be present. Walking through the hallways and seeing my peers in serious discussions, playing hacky sack, or just enjoying each other's company, I feel our class's ability to be present. Leaving Gann I will continue to look around, take advantage of opportunities, and be present in all the moments to come.
Bob Dylan, nee Robert Zimmerman I came to Gann an angry atheist. I thought that organized religion was evil. I was wrong. Though some use religion to hide their hate and xenophobia, many use religion to seek a moral and meaningful life. Religion as a means to living a good life is just as legitimate as seeking through art or philosophy because people cannot perceive absolute truth and therefore cannot know anything for sure. These paradigm shifts have led me to wear a yarmulke to define my identity instead of letting others project one onto me. Though I came to Gann an angry atheist, thanks to my teachers and peers, I leave a confused, but tolerant, agnostic Jew. Thanks to my teachers and the staff for creating the safe and nurturing place where I began learning who I am.
Sarah Salinger "The measure of intelligence is the ability to change." Albert Einstein For high school students, change comes frequently but almost always subconsciously. Over the course of our four years here at Gann, I think it's safe to say that all of us have changed and grown in many ways. However, actively changing is difficult for anyone at any age, and at any stage of life. I've personally experienced active change through both my academic classes and my extracurricular activities over the course of my four years. The Gann community, most specifically my own 86 classmates, has created a warm and open environment for me to discover myself both academically and socially. My classmates were able to create a space for each one of us to actively make changes in our own lives without the fear of judgment or failure. I believe that this quality is unique to my Class of 2015, and our ability to create this openness was the product of the larger Gann community.
Brittney Yorks Shane
Claire Samantha Shoyer
"Courage is a special kind of knowledge: the knowledge of how to fear what ought to be feared and how not to fear what ought not to be feared."
"ALICE
David Ben-Gurion When we started off as freshmen, both graduation and our futures seemed so far away. It seemed like we had all the time in the world to explore high school and imagine the people we would become. The only thing we had to figure out was how we were going to finish all of our homework for the next day. But when the four years flew by and all of a sudden we were seniors, the future after Gann became very real. As seniors, we all needed to figure out what we're going to do after we are pushed out of the safe confines of Gann. This is a very scary thought and definitely makes most of us fearful and filled with uncertainty. Without Gann, it is a huge possibility that I would not feel prepared for the future or confident in the fact that I am strong and smart enough to be able to pursue the issues and events that have yet to come. Gann teaches students to embrace what life gives us and to believe that even though the future might be scary, everything will work out for each and every one of us in the end. I am so thankful to the Gann community and the class of 2015 not only for teaching me how to be courageous, but for encouraging me to embrace the challenges that may come up in life.
Gabi Hannah Shiner "Improv is the only belief system I've ever experienced that directly works on how to be. Just how to be. It teaches you how to act and it gets you down to your core choices, choices you would have made as a kid." Ilana Glazer When I first joined Gann's Improv team at the beginning of this year, learning "how to be" was my biggest challenge. I would go on stage to do a scene and immediately assume a crazy character voice or come up with an insane scenario because I was afraid that my uncensored presence wouldn't be funny enough. The opposite turned out to be true. The more I started just saying what came into my head or acting exactly like myself, the funnier I got (I think). Because I stopped putting up a front, I was able to create genuine moments and connections with scene partners, gaining more confidence as an improviser. I have experienced the rewards of genuineness not only on the Improv team but also throughout my entire experience of the arts at Gann. My peers and teachers here taught me that the best performances and most meaningful creations come from letting one's full self be present, imperfectly and unabashedly. Now, I feel all the more capable of performing genuinely in my own life.
She drank from a bottle called DRINK ME And up she grew so tall, She ate from a plate called TASTE ME And down she shrank so small. And so she changed, while other folks Never tried nothin' at all." Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends Over the past four years, I've been involved with activities at Gann that span the spheres of arts, athletics, and academia. There were some Sundays where I'd have Ultimate Frisbee practice in the morning, and then I'd shower, change clothes, and perform in the musical later that afternoon. It was sometimes exhausting to switch back and forth so rapidly. I sometimes felt exhausted and overwhelmed, just like Alice felt in Wonderland as she grew and shrank in rapid succession. But looking back, I'm grateful that Gann provided me with the opportunity to participate in so many different areas and aspects of the high school experience. Going forward, I hope I will continue to engage in a diverse range of activities, even if it means moving quickly from one extreme to another.
Dania Simoun-Tkachenko "There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest." Elie Wiesel Throughout the past four years, I have become increasingly more interested in social justice issues because so many people in the world are voiceless. Through classes at Gann and by following current events, I have come to firmly believe that as people who are lucky enough to have a voice, we have an obligation to use it. Even if speaking out for what one believes in will not result in change, taking a stance on something is extremely important as silence encourages the oppressor.
Maya Rose Sinclair
Jacob William Sang Stockdale
"Hillel says, 'If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?'"
"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."
Pirkei Avot, 1:14
Albert Einstein
The quote above captures both the highlights and the lowlights of my Gann experience that together have made it the most meaningful, transitional four years of my life. Many might say this quote is "mainstream" or "basic" as it is a very widely known Jewish proverb. This in itself is very symbolic of my time at Gann. For a long time, I thought the only way to make friends was for me to be the person others wanted me to be, rather than to be myself. I aimed to have all the right clothes and say the right things (appearing "basic" or "mainstream") in the hopes of pleasing my peers. Throughout my time at Gann, I have learned that the most important thing in life is to be oneself. However, it is a fine balance. One must be able to stick up for what one believes in and be one's truest self whilst also being receptive to feedback and open to hearing other people's opinions. Pluralism. This quote not only stresses the importance of being true to ones self but also the importance of community, both lessons I have learned during my time at Gann. And lastly, if not now, when? As Drake so eloquently put it, "You only live once that's the motto—yolo." This brings me back to being true to oneself. As we all venture out into the world, it is imperative that we stand up for what we believe in, trust our own instincts and be true to ourselves. I have learned the importance and significance of these three things throughout my time at Gann and for that I will be forever grateful.
This quotation expresses one important thing—doing things that help others and the community, rather than only yourself. In middle school and through the start of freshman year, I mostly kept to myself, focusing on my schoolwork and playing sports. I was a part of these activities because they benefited me. I focused on school work so I could impress my teachers and hopefully get into a good college, and played sports because that is what I enjoyed. But at the end of freshman year, I was encouraged by classmates and teachers to run for sophomore grade representative on student council. At first I had no interest in doing this, but in the end I decided to try it. I ended up winning the election, and discovered that I really enjoyed being on student council. What became most meaningful to me was the fact that the goal of the organization was to make the everyday lives of Gann students better. Being part of this was different from my previous involvement in sports, and it made me feel good to be involved in an activity that contributed to the whole school community. Because I continued to receive encouragement from classmates and teachers to stay involved in student council, I remained a grade representative through junior year, and was treasurer this year. I get a lot of satisfaction out of working on behalf of all the students, and I hope they feel I have represented them well. I am extremely thankful that Gann Academy has taught and encouraged me to think of others and work in a community.
Abigail L. Skerker
Alexandra May Strauss
"Judaism is perhaps the only religious civilization all of whose canonical texts are anthologies of arguments."
"Happiness is when you love who you are and you are able to accept yourself and others."
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Although I do not identify with much of Rabbi Sack's Jewish philosophy, he was able to pin down what I believe is the essence of being human: the pursuit of knowledge through discussion and equality. The fact that Judaism's "canonical texts are anthologies of arguments" is what makes Judaism truly appeal to me as a way to live my life. While I like there to be one truth, and usually do stubbornly believe in my own truth, Gann has taught me both the value of figuring out how to support my truth as well as how to understand other people's truths. If I am able to make a strong argument about why my truth is right, or to recognize that I have a weak argument and, therefore, that my belief may be flawed, I am more likely (in the former situation) to help others see the world through my eyes, or (in the latter situation) to be able to obtain a better viewpoint from a peer. I believe that if the world were truly able to argue in the way that our texts exemplify, it would be a much better place, and I am very grateful to Gann for showing me the importance of this skill and for putting me on the path of learning how to learn from others over the course of my life.
Bar Refaeli It wasn't until junior year, when I spent four months in Israel on the NFTY EIE program that I realized the impact the friends I'd made at Gann had on me. I had learned how to branch out and meet new people, but I was still afraid to spend four months with strangers, away from my friends and family. Nevertheless, my friends from Gann were with me the entire time. Even with a seven-hour time difference, they still did everything they could to video chat, message, Facebook spam, and call me. Their support and love helped me out of my comfort zone and into a new home where I was able to make new friends and family and find happiness. Because of the love and acceptance my friends from Gann somehow gave me, I learned how to branch out, defy my comfort zone and love myself and what others have to offer.
Alexander A. Taglieri
Jared Micah Weiner
"The end of something is better than its beginning."
"I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life."
Ecclesiastes 7:8
George Burns
I cannot read this quote without thinking about my 11th grade Jewish philosophy class. On the very first day of the class, I thought that writing down everything I heard would be an interesting exercise. The typing would force me to process auditory information in a novel way. I wrote as much as I could, and at the end of the 55-minute period I had a document that traced all the ideas that had been spoken during the class. Excited about the possibilities offered by my new learning tool, I continued typing each philosophy lesson for the duration of that week. By the next week, I no longer wanted to continue typing, but I already had such a complete record of that which had been said that it would have been a great sadness to miss even a single day. I watched as my average word count per class grew a full 33% as the year went on. By the end of the year, my transcript of the class stretched on for nearly the length of a Harry Potter book. I became able to follow trends in the data: during the first third of the year, for example, the word "God" was said about the same number of times as the word "King"—presumably, that is, because the first third of the year was dedicated to the unit "God as King." The word "think" was used an average of ten times per class meeting. Though the process was tedious, the end result, as Ecclesiastes is saying, is certainly better than the beginning.
Coming out of Gann, I have to wonder if it is really worth it to reflect on four measly years of my life. Sure, some of my most incredible experiences, such as the Israel trip, and some of my closest friends have come out of it, but what is it about this insignificant amount of time that has made such an impression on me? On the one hand, my good friend George Burns has advised me to only look ahead because the things to come are what really matter. Yet, as true as this is, I believe that it is also our history that defines us as people. We should continue to look forward, to new places and experiences, but we should never forget where we came from. From Egypt, from Palestine, from Pluralism.
Gabriela Tchubar "Anyone who does not believe in miracles is not a realist." David Ben-Gurion Since a fairly young age, I have believed that without a sense of struggle and a belief in perseverance, we cannot continue to grow as students and individuals. However, I find that far too often, we let ourselves fall short of our highest aspirations, relenting to the fear that we are not being "realistic" or "practical" enough. Ben-Gurion, a passionate Zionist and Israel's renowned founder and first prime minister, pushes past these inhibitions, providing me with the courage to strive to do the same. Though there are many times when the problems of your world seem unconquerable and you feel as though you have given them your all, the possibility of hope always remains. During my time in the Gann community, I have seen my classmates as well as my teachers achieve feats that others deemed impossible. Learning to balance challenging classes as well as various extracurriculars, I experienced firsthand the power of positive thinking. Though I remain a strong believer that hard work is necessary for success, I come out of Gann with a belief that goes further. I have grown to believe not only in myself but in the world around me, making a conscious choice to leap at phenomenal opportunities out of my comfort zone without much hesitation. So while I realize that there will still be countless times in the future where I may not succeed in the way I plan to, I hope that this never happens because of a fear of failure.
Jonathan Rainer Gikas Wihl "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new." Albert Einstein The best thing about my time at Gann was that I accumulated an eclectic collection of memories and experiences. At Gann, social groups, sports teams, or clubs did not define us. Here, we were blessed with the choice to experience it all. Leaving Gann I am no longer afraid to try something new and there is no greater lesson I could have learned.
Matthew Adam Wolfman "In a place where there is no leader—strive to be a leader. Abaye said: Therefore we learn that in a place where there is a leader, do not seek to be a leader." Talmud (Brachot 63a) Leadership has been one of the most valuable aspects of my Gann career. I have learned that leading means something different in every context, and that every organization requires a unique approach to leadership in order to fully succeed. While being a leader in robotics necessitates particular strength in technical skills, leading a club like JSA (Junior Statesmen of America) requires a more organizational and motivational role than one of proficiency in debating. The idea of taking an appropriate role in a group, rather than the largest or best in any particular area, extends itself outside of leadership. My most humbling, and most instructive, lessons at Gann have come when I was able to recognize others as leaders. I realize that if I want members of a group to respect my leadership, I must do the same for others. I believe that there is a time, a place, and an opportunity for everyone to try to assume leadership, but not before recognizing the achievements of others and absorbing past leaders' knowledge, failures, and successes.
Adam Solomon Yates
Zoe Aureole Zimman
"The apple cannot be stuck back on the Tree of Knowledge; once we begin to see, we are doomed and challenged to seek the strength to see more, not less."
"Our knowledge is a little island in a great ocean of non-knowledge."
Arthur Miller What I see as the very essence of the Gann community is the thirst for knowledge complemented by an undying compulsion to converse. In the classroom I was intellectually dared by my teachers to ask more, search more, and engage more. I was provoked to continuously attempt to understand history, philosophies, ideas and concepts far after the class ended. Miller brilliantly points out that to seek more requires strength, while to remain in a place of comfort does not. Maybe the past four years of my life would have been easier if I chose to settle in a place of intellectual comfort. But my teachers and my classmates made this nearly impossible. Discussing the essence of Judaism, the American dream, racism, childhood, and humanity encouraged me to question the institutions that govern my life. I would have had many more restful nights if I wasn't taught to constantly wrestle with my personal convictions and beliefs, but I would not have wanted it any other way. I was also given the opportunity to express myself and my struggles through art. In the Gann theater I was given the opportunity to reciprocate the gifts of my teachers. I tried to compel them to reconsider their place and their role in the world when they sat as my captive audience. Refusing to accept the infallibility of anything or anyone results in a difficult challenge to constantly seek out truth and knowledge. I am no longer satisfied with facts as they are first presented. Now, as I graduate Gann and make my way into the unknown abyss of the future I will be perpetually seeking the strength to see more, not less.
Jonathan Charles Zackman "At this point, I feel like I can allow myself to be goofy and take more risks, and even if I do fall on my face, I know it's not the end of the world and at least I tried to do something different." Dave Franco I've never been afraid to be different, to stand out. I've embarrassed myself countless times, and on all such occasions I've been taught valuable lessons. Gann has provided a place that I can call home, primarily because of how comfortable I am here as well as the fact that I know I can find someone here who is not afraid to be a goof just like me. I don't only shape myself from my accomplishments, but even more so by my failures. Always live life without having the fear of failing, because when it comes down to it, you will learn your lessons and have your fun, and you will always love yourself for that.
Isaac Bashevis Singer Before I came to Gann, I never really understood how to be open-minded. I didn't learn or experience much that was new or different, simply because I didn't think it was important. Throughout my time here, however, I have realized exactly how important it is to expand my horizons and have an open attitude toward learning from all kinds of different people and incidents I encounter in my life. I owe much of this change I saw in myself to the education and community Gann provided for me. I truly believe I would not be who I now am today without the resources and opportunities this special place has given to me—most importantly, my learning.
Sarah Louise Zolondick "It is true‌that we are not apart from nature but of it. That acting collectively for a greater good is not suspect, and that such common projects of mutual aid are responsible for our species' greatest accomplishments. That greed must be disciplined and tempered by both rule and example. That poverty amidst plenty is unconscionable." Naomi Klein When Naomi Klein said this she was talking about Global Climate Change, an issue very near to my heart, but her words can be applied to a range of social justice issues, many of which I became passionate about at Gann. At Gann I came to learn my interests and connect with other people whose passions are similar to mine. I found that "acting collectively for a greater good" is possible and that I am able to make my voice heard by joining the voices of others. Naomi Klein is right: "poverty amidst plenty is unconscionable." There will always be an injustice that needs to be fought, but I've learned that I can be a part of, and even lead, changes to the world that need to be made. I've learned I can do something to affect the issues I care about, and being part of a fight for the greater good connects me with others to create one strong voice.
C OLLEGE MATRICUL ATIONS Barnard College, Jewish Theological Seminary Boston College Brandeis University (3) Brown University (2) Carnegie Mellon University (2) Case Western Reserve University Clark University Colby College Columbia University, Jewish Theological Seminary Connecticut College Dartmouth College DePaul University Dickinson College Elon University Emory University Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts Franklin and Marshall College (2) Gettysburg College Goucher College Ithaca College Johns Hopkins University Johnson & Wales University Lawrence University Marlboro College Massachusetts Institute of Technology Middlebury College Muhlenberg College POST HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS Binah Kivunim Nachshon: The Israeli Mechina Nativ (2) Nishmat Shnat Sherut Torah V’Avodah Yeshivat Lev HaTorah (2) Yeshivat Ma’ale Gilboa (2) Young Judaea Year Course
Northeastern University (4) Northwestern University Oberlin College Pratt Institute Princeton University (2) Quinnipiac University (2) Rochester Institute of Technology Skidmore College Smith College Southern Vermont College Stanford University Syracuse University (2) The George Washington University (3) Tufts University (2) Tulane University (4) University of Cincinnati University Maryland, College Park (5) University of Massachusetts, Amherst (6) University of New Hampshire University of Pennsylvania (4) University of Rochester University of Vermont University of Wisconsin, Madison Vanderbilt University Washington University in St. Louis Worcester Polytechnic Institute Yeshiva University (3)
BOARD OF TRUSTEES FAC U LT Y & S TA F F
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
G A N N A C A D E M Y FA C U LT Y A N D S TA F F
OFFICERS Rabbi Marc Baker – Head of School Alan Crane - President Frank Litwin - Vice President Lisa Wallack - Vice President Scott Cohen - Vice President Adam Suttin - Treasurer Michael Weilheimer - Secretary Michael Bohnen - Clerk
Hannah Abelman Dana Alalouf Webly Alfred Shira Androphy Susan Appelbaum Rachel Arcus-Goldberg Rabbi Marc Baker Sally Baker Bradley Ballinger Ruti Barak Rabbi Jethro Berkman Rabbi Leah Berkowitz Julie Blazar Catherine Bleyl Lena Bogomolni Dr. June Bowman Jacob Brown John Buckley Craig Byer Gina Carballo Dr. Kevin Cattrell Thomas Cavanaugh Steven Cavender-Wood Barak Cerf Dr. Susan Cheloff Lijia Chen Andrew Chilingirian Charles Clarke Simcha Cohen Bethany Condon Matthew Conti James Crandall Ray Daniels Andrew Davis Placid Dingue Eric Drotch Sarah DuBeau-Farley Diane Dymek Carol Englander Sarah Fendrick Anna Finklestein Timothy Fries James Frieze Zohar Fuller Ayelet Ganani Jaime Gaudor Sherri Geller Sharona Goder-Peled
TRUSTEES Michelle Black Rachel Chafetz Stephen Cohen Lisa Popik Coll Elizabeth Cooper William Foster Shira Goodman Linda Greenseid Carol Harris Elizabeth Jick Debbie Lovich Anya Manning '03 Cynthia Marcus Jamey Rosenfield Mark Rubin Stuart Salzberg Yakir Siegal Benjamin Sigel HONORARY TRUSTEES Carl Blanchard Solomon Eisenberg Josh Elkin Bonnie Hausman Joshua Katzen George Krupp Alan Lobovits Shari Redstone Shira Ruderman Jonathan Sarna Leo Sprecher Sidney Swartz
Robert Godoy Dr. Jonathan Golden Lindsay Goldstein Laila Goodman Samuel Green Rabbi Hillel Greene Leslie Grossman Patricia Hampf Emily Hart Christopher Heap-Senhouse Barry Hershenow Brian Higginbotham David Hubbard Brian Infante Bobbi Jacob Lisa Jacobs Susan Johnson Christine Jozitis Yoni Kadden Rebecca Kadden Rachel Kalikow Stacy Katz Gregory Kee Jeffrey Kellem Sergey Khanukaev Rachel Klein Rabbi Yaakov Komisar Alexandra Lahr Heather Lambert Kevin Levin Rabbi Moshe Lieberman Louise Linder Elizabeth Loewenberg Sheila MacDonald Karl Mader Shoukry Makar Dr. Adam Marshak Colin McAlpine Rabbi Sara Meirowitz Lindsay Metivier Christine Miller Joseph Miller Maria Minchello Elena Morgan Lindsay Murphy Rahel Nessim Joshua Neudel Amy Newman
Jim Nole Elaine O'Toole June O'Toole Pamela Palomera Arias Chana Penini Donald Perkins Helen Phan Jacob Pinnolis Avi Poupko Sam Powell Steve Price Michelle Provorny Cash Katelyn Pustizzi Shelli Putterman-Kenett Lily Rabinoff-Goldman Helena Raffel Luis Ramirez Shlomit Ravid Margot Rendall Sarah Rogers Danielle Roman Carlos Rosado Rhonda Rosenbaum AJ Rourke Farrah Rubenstein Christopher Russo Abby Shapiro Paul Shuster Elisa Silveira Adams Tali Silverman Jason Slavick Dr. Francene Sokol Rabbi David Starr Darren Stineman Vered Strapp Kelly Stubbs David Tabachnik Shaina Tofias Gisele Tzovaras Udi Urman Ralph D. Van Inwagen Jennifer Weinstock Carly Westman Mark Wilkins Dr. Marc Winer Shoshanah Zaritt
T H E S TA R- S PA N G L E D B A N N E R O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air. Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
H A T I K VA H As long as in the heart The Jewish spirit yearns With eyes turned eastward Looking toward Zion, then our hope, The hope of two thousand years, Is not lost: To be a free nation in our land, The land of Zion and Jerusalem.
Kol od balevav penimah nefesh yehudi homiyah Ulfa'atey mizrah kadimah ayin letiziyon tsofiyah Od lo avedah tikvatenu hatikvah bat shenot alpayim Lihyot am hofshi be'artzenu be'eretz tziyon virushalayim.
Birkat Hacohanim
mipdkd zkxa jxnyie 'd jkxai jpgie jil` eipt 'd x`i mely jl myie jil` eipt 'd `yi Y’varech’cha Adonai v’yishm’recha Ya’eir Adonai panav eilecha vichuneka Yisa Adonai panav eilecha v’yasem l’cha shalom. May the Lord bless you and keep you! May the Lord shine His face upon you and be gracious to you! May the Lord lift up His face to you and grant you peace!
Numbers 6:24-26
e"k-c"k:'e xacna
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