The Jewish Home | JUNE 13, 2019
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Around the Community
MAY Graduation Awardees 2019 Meet MTA’s Senior Class Honorees
Shlomo Burg
Shmaryahu Friedman
Shlomo Burg Valedictorian Shlomo Burg’s pursuit for academic achievement is parallel to none. Shlomo was the 2018-2019 president of the Arista Honors Society at MAY, was a commended student in the National Merit Scholarship Competition, and was one of three students to receive a State Regents Scholarship this year. He was editor-in-chief for the Ateres Yaakov Star newspaper, G.O. representative, and organizer of a multitude of school activities. It may seem as if Shlomo does not have any time for anything else but, incredibly, he always has time to help a friend and serve as an integral member of both the Mesivta’s football and softball teams. Shlomo was mesayem both Masechtas Beitzah and Seder Nezikin this year alone and is graduating with an amazing 99.45 combined GPA. Although accepted to Queens College’s Freshmen Honors Program, Shlomo plans on spending next year learning in Yeshiva Toras Chaim in Eretz Yisroel. Shmaryahu Friedman Limudei Kodesh Salutatorian Shmaryahu Friedman has the very finest characteristics and middos one can find. He is a 4-year member of the Arista Honors Society at MAY, assistant editor-in-chief of the Ateres HaShavua Torah Publication and a key member of the Mesivta’s Torah Bowl team. Shmaryahu does not miss an opportunity for growth in limud haTorah, having taken full advantage of every optional learning
Dovi Maltz
program offered in the Mesivta including the pre-Shacharis Gemara chaburah, the post-Shacharis Mishnayos chaburah, the Project 24 Bein HaZmanim learning incentive, the Shnayim Mikrah program and every optional mishmar available. He is graduating with a 99.68 Limudei Kodesh GPA and this year was mesayem Masechtos Kiddushin, Beitzah, Rosh Hashana, Seder Zera’im and Seder Mo’ed, as well as 11 total siyumim throughout Mesivta. Shmaryahu will be taking his incredible hasmadah and dedication to Yeshiva Yishrei Lev in Eretz Yisroel next year. Dovi Maltz Limudei Chol Salutatorian Dovi Maltz is a cultured, well-rounded and stellar student at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov. As Torah Bowl captain, Ateres Yaakov Star newspaper editor, Ateres HaShavua Torah Publication editor and editor-in-chief of the 2019 Yearbook, Dovi has had his plate full for the past four years. He was a 4-year member of the Arista National Honors Society at MAY, Student Government Treasurer, and also received a State Regents Scholarship this year. Dovi firmly believes that if it is worth doing, it is worth doing right and doing right now. He has an ironclad honor code for which he is respected by his peers and he is never afraid to stand up for what he believes. Dovi is graduating with a 99.34 General Studies GPA and has been accepted to the Dean’s Scholar’s Program at Baruch College.
Noam Mayerfeld Valedictorian Noam Mayerfeld of Teaneck, NJ, is this year’s MTA senior class valedictorian. Noam loved his four years at MTA, where he built relationships with rebbeim and faculty members, made new friends from different communities, and participated in various extracurricular activities. He served as president of the Debate Club for two years, captain of the Mock Trial Team, and president of the Hatzioni Israel Advocacy Club. He also helped organize the MTA Political Action Club’s lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., served as a Yeshiva Fellowship Chaburah Coordinator, and spent time as a member of the Torah Bowl Team and the Polis publication. Noam greatly enjoyed serving as a Cub2Lion Senior mentor for freshmen this year, creating bonds with the next generation of MTA students. He was also selected to participate in the Senior Fellows Program, where he had the opportunity to work one-on-one with Rabbi Jeremy Wieder, Yeshiva University’s Joseph and Gwendolyn Straus Professor of Talmud and Adjunct Professor of Bible. Noam was named a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. He looks forward to attending Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh next year, followed by the Jay and Jeanie
Noam Mayerfeld
Ephraim Crystal
Schottenstein Honors Program at Yeshiva University. Ephraim Crystal Salutatorian Ephraim Crystal of Edison, NJ, is this year’s MTA senior class salutatorian. Ephraim writes for the school newspaper, The Academy News, and is a member of the National Honors Society. He was the first place winner of the Bronka Weintraub High School Bekiut Program in his Sophomore year. Ephraim is also the recipient of Yeshiva University’s Torah U’Madda Book Award and the College Board’s AP Scholar With Honor Award. He has won several online computer programming contests and plans to major in Computer Science. Ephraim will attend Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh next year, followed by the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Honors Program at Yeshiva University.