Shalhevet High School Mid-Year Report 2022-23 | 5783

Deep Commitment to Torah and Israel

Mid-Year Report

2022-23 | 5783

Critical Thinking and Academic Inquiry

Transformative Personal Growth

Empathetic Dialogue and Discourse

Active Engagement in Our Community and Beyond

Mission

To prepare our students to lead meaningful, confident, and thoughtful Modern Orthodox lives by empowering them to discover their passions, grow as individuals, and contribute to our community and the world.

History & Vision

Since its founding in 1992 by Dr. Jerry Friedman, Shalhevet High School has revolutionized the Jewish education landscape through an innovative educational model that enables transformative personal growth. Guided by values such as critical and creative thinking, empathetic dialogue and discourse, and overall happiness and wellbeing, Shalhevet has graduated thousands of students who have gone on to the finest universities in the world as well as the top yeshivot, seminaries, and study programs in Israel. Today, Shalhevet leads the way in preparing its students to live meaningful, confident, and thoughtful Modern Orthodox lives — committed to Torah values, guided by halacha, and infused with spirituality — by empowering them to discover their passions, grow as individuals, and contribute to our community and the world at large.

Wellness, Joy, and Self-Actualization

Dear Friends,

There is something about the Shalhevet community that is simply indescribable. We’re building something quite special. Newsletters and social media posts won’t ever fully capture the magic of Shalhevet; you need to experience Shalhevet. That is why we’ve created our first-ever Mid-Year Report. It offers a glimpse into our school through some of the many achievements, triumphs, and memories from the first half of this year.

Everything we do in Shalhevet is driven by our values. This report walks through the hallways of those values, beginning with our Deep Commitment to Torah and Israel, which features the ways we love and live Torah, from kumzitses and challah bakes to advanced Gemara shiurim and parent Torah-learning initiatives. Critical Thinking and Academic Inquiry spotlights our crossdisciplinary learning and students’ pursuit of academic excellence. Both inside and outside the classroom, we foster Transformational Personal Growth through student leadership and award-winning co-curriculars and athletics. Empathetic Dialogue and Discourse is manifest throughout Shalhevet, from our communal Town Halls to our mock trial and model congress competitions. At the same time, we recognize the importance of Active Engagement in Our Community and Beyond, so we dedicate holidays to clothing drives and organize grade trips to foster lives of “chesed.” All this is given life with Wellness, Joy, and Self-Actualization, the heart of students’ experiences — where the ruach is tangible, the friendships are built, and the memories are made.

We prepare students for success, meaning, and engagement after Shalhevet, too. They are — and will continue to be — the leaders of thoughtful Modern Orthodoxy on college campuses and in their communities, as they infuse the world with kedusha (holiness). Our robust College Guidance department and Israel Guidance (for shana ba’aretz) help students become their best selves and continue their Shalhevet journeys beyond our walls.

Shalhevet is more than an institution or a high school. At our core, we are a close-knit community, a warm family that places student growth at the center of everything we do. This report won’t capture the vibrant flavor of Shalhevet, but we hope it can give you a meaningful taste.

Rabbi David Block Head of School

Judaic

Studies

Leadership

Spearheads Torat Shalhevet

Our new Torat Shalhevet initative brought rich Torah study to parents and community members through Thursday morning “Coffee & Conversations,” evening learning programs, and shiurim at local shuls, all led by our dedicated staff.

Deep Commitment to Torah and Israel

Shalhevet is guided by a vision of passionate Modern Orthodoxy that is grounded in halacha and engaged in contemporary issues facing the Jewish community and the world at large. We teach students to recognize and infuse spirituality in every facet of life.

Immersing in Gemara at the Highest Levels — Across Grades

This year’s Advanced Gemara Shiurim offered classes tracked by skill level, allowing students across grades to plunge into Masechtot Berachot and Megillah. Seniors in our Beit Midrash Track — Shalhevet’s most advanced Gemara track — are immersing in Masechet Gittin. Before their learning begins, these students kick off their days at our daily Hashkama minyan.

Upperclassmen Take On Rigorous Gemara Bekius Program

16 upperclassmen in the Yeshiva University and NCSY Gemara Bekius Program have already completed the second and third perakim of Masechet Megillah with Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg, ready to finish the fourth perek this spring.

Soulful Singing at Uplifting Kumzitses

From mishmar to Shabbatonim, our kumzitses held throughout the fall gathered students to sing, raise their spirits, and connect to their peers and to Hashem.

Redesigning and Revamping Shalhevet’s Beit Midrash

Now in its final stages, our revamped Beit Midrash is designed for maximizing Talmud Torah — including new mechitzot, new seforim, and a new Aron Kodesh and shulchan. It will foster passion, inspiration, and deep engagement as students connect with Torah and Hashem.

The Reason Behind the Redesign: ‘Shalhevet’

Our redesign is purposeful, centered around the idea in Masechet Shabbos 21a that the Mishkan’s Menorah was lit “so that the flame (shalhevet) ascends by itself.” Like the Mishkan’s flame, our students’ connection to Yiddishkeit and Hashem in the Beit Midrash will be continuously uplifted.

New Mashgichot Ruchaniot Bring Heart, Soul, and Spirit

Our recently expanded Judaic Studies faculty brought with them new programming packed with heart, soul, and spirit, including Rosh Chodesh

Lunch & Learns, chesed days, and challah bakes. Their warmth, dedication, and passion explain why their office is constantly filled with students.

Dedicating Personal Time to Learning Torah

With spaces for our young men and women to dedicate personal time to Torah, this year’s mishmar engaged students in learning Torah outside regular school hours. Rosh Chodesh

Lunch & Learn, launched this fall by our Mashgiach Ruchani team, afforded students another opportunity to nourish their bodies and souls.

Celebrating Simchat Torah as a Community

To make Simchat Torah a school-wide celebration, students and staff joined together for a night of vibrant, spirited dancing to celebrate Hashem’s gift of Torah to us.

Cross-Disciplinary Learning from Science to Art

From journalism and cultural renaissances to environmental science and Jewish history, Shalhevet’s Science, History, and Art Departments collaborated to create cross-disciplinary projects for students.

Critical Thinking and Academic Inquiry

Shalhevet cultivates critical and creative thinking through its rigorous and crossdisciplinary educational approach that exposes students to multiple ideas and viewpoints both inside and outside the classroom. By encouraging a deep sense of curiosity, independent thinking, and a love of learning, students attain not only a preeminent General and Judaic studies education, but also the tools and drive to become lifelong learners.

Smaller English Class Sizes for Better and Faster Learning

With our new English faculty for freshmen and seniors, students experience smaller class sizes that propel their growth in writing, reading comprehension, and engagement. Whether it’s support for our freshmen transitioning into high school or seniors to college, Shalhevet students are prepared.

Launching Honors Courses in Art and Law & Society

Shalhevet’s Honors course offerings included Art History for the first time, and also this fall, they brought back its course on Law, Society, and the Jewish Community.

Students Pursue Academic Excellence With Advanced Studies

For students seeking more advanced classes, Shalhevet offers independently designed college-level courses across subjects, known as “Shalhevet Advanced Studies.” This year, Civics, Biochemistry, Psychology, Civil War, and Computer Science courses remained the most popular advanced classes among students.

Senior Wins 2022 California Young Playwrights Contest

Tehilla Fishman’s (‘23) original play, “Gifted,” won the 2022 annual California Young Playwrights Contest from over 225 submissions. The Playwrights Project will professionally produce “Gifted” in January as part of her award.

A Year of Record-Setting Athletics

In addition to taking home the Glouberman Tournament win, the Girls Varsity Basketball Team also emerged victorious as this year’s Milken Tournament Champions. With an undefeated season of 10-0, our Girls Varsity Volleyball Team were named champions of this year’s Mulholland League. In Division II Basketball CIF Souther Section, Boys Varsity Basketball ranked among the top 30 teams. Our Girls Basketball Team ranked top 100 in California, No. 5 in Division IV, and No. 1 in Southern Section Division 4AA. Girls Soccer is off to the best start in school history — undefeated in the Mullholand League 4-0 and in the season 7-0. With all that, Jewish Hoops America ranked both boys and girls varsity teams No. 1 in the nation.

Transformative Personal Growth

Shalhevet inspires each student to maximize their potential, pursue their passions, and become the best version of themselves. By pushing them outside their comfort zones and providing them with engaging cocurriculars, programs, and curricula, students achieve transformative personal growth — morally, religiously, academically, and socially.

Training and Teaching Students to Lead

The Shalhevet Student Leadership Seminar worked with 30 students — elected to Shalhevet’s Just Community leadership and nominated for leadership roles in co-curricular programs — through bi-monthly meetings focused on, among others, defining leadership, integrating Torah learning, and best leadership practices.

‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!’ Sells Out

With several sold-out shows, the Drama Club’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!” was a raving success among students, community members, and attendees. The stella production shone a light on — and had the audience feel — the majestic and mundane journeys of everyday life.

School Paper Honored for Exemplifying the Best of Student Journalism

Among thousands of articles, School Newspapers Online selected two articles by Noah Elad ‘23 and Olivia Fishman ‘23 from the Boiling Point, Shalhevet’s student newspaper, as exemplifying fantastic writing, modeling student journalism at its highest level.

Choirhawks Invited to Sing at Landmark Events

Shalhevet Choirhawks performed at the LAPD Headquarters for its Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony and at the Museum of Tolerance in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the UN resolution that led to the State of Israel’s creation.

8th Annual Glouberman Tournament

Every year, boys and girls basketball teams from Yeshiva day schools across the country travel to Los Angeles to participate in the four-day Annual Steve Glouberman Z”L Basketball Tournament, held at Shalhevet. Throughout the Shabbaton and tournament, players build new, lasting friendships, face off in competitive basketball, and learn about Steve Glouberman Z”L, whom we lost too soon. A lover of basketball and an exemplar of being a true team player, Steve leaves a legacy of perseverance, community, family, and love. It’s our privilege to honor his memory. This season marked the tournament’s eighth year.

For the first time in Shalhevet history, both our Girls and Boys Basketball Teams won the Steven Glouberman Tournament this November. This is the Girls team’s second win in a row, and it marks the fifth championship school banner hanging in Shalhevet.

Shalhevet Wins Six Awards at Princeton Model Congress

In Shalhevet’s best performance in five years, students won a whopping six awards at the Princeton Model Congress Conference 2022 — with four gavels awarded for Best Delegate.

Empathetic Dialogue and Discourse

Shalhevet empowers students to find their voices, develop personal views, and effectively communicate through discourse, discussion, and debate. More importantly, they learn how to respectfully listen, engage, and thoughtfully process different perspectives. Our students learn to understand and value each other whether in the classroom, the Beit Midrash, the gym, or our weekly Town Hall. spirituality in every facet of life.

Students Discuss the Divides in History and Today

From the Founding Father’s mission for America to the Civil War and law in society, students in Shalhevet Advanced Studies History courses actively engage in classroom discussions to bridge the gaps of today’s fractured discourse.

Civics — in the Past and in 2022

How does the discourse in America today fare with Founding Fathers’ intentions for the USA? Students in Shalhevet Advanced Studies Civics break down and discussed that timely and important question.

Mock Trial Ranks in Top Eight of LA County

After months of case preparation, Shalhevet’s Mock Trial Team reached the quarterfinals, placing among the top eight teams of Los Angeles County in the 2022 Mock Trial Tournament.

Miami Boys Choir, Chat GPT, and Student Responsibilities: Town Halls at Shalhevet

The hallmark of Shalhevet’s community is its weekly Town Hall — an opportunity for students, teachers, and administrators to gather and discuss everything of importance and relevance. Among this year’s 12 Town Halls, we explored the responsibilities of students and teachers, the prevalence of antisemitism on social media, the viral Miami Boys Choir videos on TikTok, and A.I. with Chat GPT. It’s an opportunity for students to voice their opinions, respect others’ views, and balance sensitivity and passion.

Sophomores and Juniors Unpack Chesed in San Diego

At separate points, sophomores and juniors ventured to San Diego for a grade-wide chesed trip aimed at unpacking the essence of “chesed.” Filled with activities and discussions centered around chesedpromotion, students return to school more deeply connected to their classmates and to those in need.

Active Engagement in Our Community and Beyond

Shalhevet encourages its students to think beyond themselves and take an active role in contributing to the common good of our Shalhevet community and the world at large. Dedicated to chesed in all forms, students advocate for meaningful causes, volunteer their time, and learn to become positive leaders and global citizens.

Cultivating a Community of Chesed at Annual Fair

Our annual Chesed Fair streamlined students’ exploration of various avenues of giving, beginning the school year with our eyes and hearts on those who need us.

Organizations like Chai Lifeline, Sharsheret, Yachad LA, ORA, and OBKLA presented their missions to students, offering pathways to get involved and give back.

School-Wide Learning and Chesed Before Yom Kippur

The day before Yom Kippur, the Shalhevet community gathered for Torah learning and all-out chesed, with each grade working alongside a different community organization. Before the year’s holiest day, we spent the day connecting to others and to God.

Celebrating Thanksgiving With Food Bank and Clothing Drives

On the day before Thanksgiving Day, we organized food bank and clothing drives with the Shalhevet community in action. In appreciation of the blessings in our lives, we celebrate by practicing gratitude and giving in the community.

Enjoying Donuts and Dancing at Annual Chanukah Week

We make sure to use every day of Chanukah for communal celebration and festivity. Our week-long programming imbued each day with deep meaning that is uplifted by our Chanukah Chagigah, filled with music, carnival games, and “The Rif,” our student band.

Wellness, Joy, and Self-Actualization

Shalhevet ensures students thrive in our safe and joyful environment, where they feel cared for and are embraced for being their authentic selves. Students form close relationships with peers and faculty that support their overall wellbeing. By creating a warm, energetic, and spirited atmosphere, students are genuinely excited and happy to be in school.

Freshmen Envision Success With Time Capsule Activity

Setting goals enables students to envision success over their time in high school. In that spirit, freshmen wrote the primary goals they hoped to achieve by their senior year and stored them in our Freshmen Time Capsule.

Strengthening Grade Relationships at In-City Shabbatonim

Through exciting and uplifting programming, our In-City Shabbatonim fostered greater social cohesion and strengthened students’ relationships within their particular grades.

A Shabbos Dedicated to the Start of Senior Year

At the annual Senior Retreat, Shalhevet’s Class of 2023 reflected and rejoiced over the year of leadership awaiting them for the beginning school year.

Bringing Sophomores Together for a Day of Bonding

Sophomore Bonding Day was exactly as it sounds: one day devoted to nourishing sophomores’ relationships with one another through fun, social, and uplifting programming.

Supporting Students With Grade-Level Advisory Meetings

Small groups of students met weekly with their new, designated advisor, enjoying supportive and meaningful relationships that are available to them throughout the year.

Senior-Freshman Retreat Continues the ‘Mesorah’

Shalhevet’s newest and oldest students experienced the beauty of “Mesorah” (transmission or tradition) at our annual Senior-Freshman Retreat, held in the mountains of Running Springs. An unparalleled time for bonding, seniors and freshmen shared advice, hopes, support, and connection.

From Kumzitses to Home Games, Feeling the Shalhevet Ruach

The Shalhevet community is built around ruach, and from our deepspirited kumzitses and engaged Firehawks fans, students feel it ingrained in the school culture.

Preparing for Life Beyond Shalhevet

College Guidance Preparing Students at Every Step of the Way

Our College Guidance team, led by Jordan Moss and Priyanka Singh, works with students from day one. Beginning in their freshman year, students meet our College Guidance Department to familiarize themselves with the college application process and core elements. Juniors and seniors attend bi-weekly college counseling classes for hands-on, comprehensive support while preparing for applications and interviews. This year, for the first time, we incorporated a college counseling class and touchpoint meetings for freshmen and sophomores that heighten their preparedness for college applications.

Students Receive Early Acceptances to Top Universities

While college acceptances mainly arrive in the spring, Shalhevet’s Class of 2023 already found immense success in the fall. Students received acceptances from, among others, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, NYU, Boston University, Middlebury College, Brandeis, and Washington University in St. Louis.

Israel Guidance Opening the Conversation at Israel Night

In October, Shalhevet hosted an open Israel night for students and parents to discuss their goals and expectations for their shana ba’aretz — most often at a yeshiva or seminary — following their graduation. We explained our Israel Guidance model and noted important steps to prepare for the Israel application cycle, ensuring parents and students are informed and involved throughout the process. Prior to that night, Rabbi Yagil Tsaidi and Yoetzet Atara Segal met with each senior individually to begin the work. The conversations continue throughout the year.

Seniors Celebrate Completing Israel Applications at ‘Appy Hour’

Seniors gathered to write and complete their Israel applications at “Appy Hour” — our Application Writing Parties, designed to offer students assistance in preparing their materials. Over 80% of senior girls and boys applied to seminaries, yeshivas, and gap year programs.

Creating an Engaged and Excited Parent Community

The Shalhevet Parent Association fosters a sense of connection and community for Shalhevet parents, helping them feel engaged and involved in school life.

Kickoff Welcome for Parents

The school year’s kickoff event welcomed nearly 75 parents for exciting socializing and connection.

Playing Mahjong — Community Style

100 Mahjong enthusiasts and Shalhevet supporters gathered for our first-ever Mahjong event, which featured a tournament and “play-for-fun” option for parents, students, and friends to enjoy through the night.

Hiking in Nature to Bring in the New Months

For Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan and Kislev, parents organized and hiked the breathtaking trails at Franklin Canyon Park.

Chanukah Pajamukah Fundraiser

Each year, this community service project collects and donates new pajamas and sweatshirts to Hope in a Suitcase.

Make and Take a Babka Cooking Demonstration

In January, the Sephardic Spice Girls led a “stirring” evening for parents with the “how to’s” of cooking flavorful Shabbos babka.

Sending Welcomes, Congratulations, and Birthday Wishes (and Signs) Across the City

Throughout the year, a dedicated group of parents deliver signs welcoming new students, wishing seniors congratulations, and sending joyous birthday to students’ homes.

The Book Club for Parents

With 80 participating parents, the Parent Book Club reads several books each year that are discussed in lively group meetings.

Meet Some of the Shalhevet Community

Chavi Wintner: School Community as a Parent

When Chavi Wintner was considering schools for her daughter, she knew the right one would demonstrate genuine commitment and investment in its students. That’s what drew her to Shalhevet.

Chavi immediately noticed how the teachers, rebbeim, and administrators care deeply about each individual student. A second-year parent at Shalhevet, Chavi and her family attend all of her daughter’s basketball games. She cherishes not only the players’ skills but their “behavior, team spirit, and great sportsmanship.” When the team made it to the state championships last year, she watched with amazement at the Kiddush Hashem the girls made with their talents and middot — both on and off the court.

But Shalhevet is in many ways Chavi’s community as it is her daughter’s.

Now in her first year on Shalhevet’s Board of Directors, Chavi is invested in budgeting, fundraisers, events, and community programs — and it’s something she takes great pride in. “I have always been a person that believes if you have something that is valuable or useful to an organization,” she explained, “it’s your role and duty to help in any way you can.”

Elijah Stern: Building Relationships and Values

The relationships Elijah Stern (‘23) forged over his four years at Shalhevet — with friends, faculty, and rebbeim — are ones he knows will last a lifetime

Elijah forged those bonds in all areas of student life. A Firehawks basketball player his entire time at Shalhevet, he cherishes the years spent alongside his best friends on the court, leading and working alongside them. In conversations with rebbeim and teachers, he sought guidance on whichever personal or general questions were on his mind. “The relationships that I created at Shalhevet won’t end when I graduate,” Elijah said. “I see them as everlasting.”

Beyond those connections, Elijah is proud to carry on the lessons and values Shalhevet imparted to him: advocating for his beliefs; making confident decisions; strengthening his relationship with God; embodying his Modern Orthodox ideals; and living as a proud Jew. Whether strolling on the LA streets with his kippah or leading the Shabbos teen minyan at his shul, Elijah feels empowered to be true to himself and his values.

After graduation, Elijah is excited to spend his shana ba’aretz in yeshiva and return to the U.S. for college, where he plans to attend business school and also study sociology. It’s a future Elijah feels eager to embrace and prepared to begin.

Amalia Abecassis: Changing How We Teach Holocaust History Through Art

For Amalia Abecassis (‘23), the idea of joining a vibrant, welcoming, and empowering Jewish community was always something of a dream. At Shalhevet, that dream became reality.

“I instantly felt warmly accepted,” she said. “At Shalhevet, I rediscovered my Jewish identity as the engine of my faith. Surrounded by a Jewish community, I strengthened my connection with G-d and with myself as a person.” Now a senior, the extent of Amalia’s contributions extends quite far.

Passionate about preserving the Holocaust’s memory as the number of survivors dwindles, Amalia turned to the provenance of looted artworks. She wanted to shed light on those injustices while personalizing the victims of that theft. Partnering with a European research organization, Amalia designed an 83-page curriculum that she taught at high schools and presented at public events — alongside partnering with museums and educational websites. At Shalhevet, she led focus groups for sophomores and advanced seminars for juniors and seniors.

Recently admitted to Stanford University, Amalia plans to continue her research and strengthen her identity. “Thanks to my Shalhevet community,” she said, “I have found my true values and feel confident that when I leave Shalhevet, I will continue to embrace them.”

Seiji Shaw: From 6000 Firehawk Robotics to Computer Science at MIT

Since his days with Team 6000 Firehawk Robotics, Seiji Shaw’s (‘17) love for robotics never ceased. Now a Ph.D. candidate in computer science at MIT, Seiji dreams of becoming a professor and studying the mathematics and algorithms of decisionmaking and robot autonomy.

Before MIT, Brown University, and Technion, Seiji was a Shalhevet student, joining in his junior year and helping spearhead 6000 Firehawks Robotics. Between parents offering mentorship and expertise to Shalhevet navigating competitions that ran on Shabbos, the award-winning team found strong community support. “None of this could have happened without Shalhevet,” Seiji reflected.

He credits his teachers for the education that empowered him to thrive after graduating, but among the many things he learned at Shalhevet, one always stands out to him: “Shalhevet showed me it was possible to engage in a fulfilling academic life and be an observant Modern Orthodox Jew.”

At Brown, Seiji helped lay the foundation for an observant Jewish community — a feat with immense challenges. But with Shalhevet’s lessons in mind, he knew it was needed.

“It’s a lesson that I hold today as a grad student,” he said, “and one that I will continue to hold for the rest of my life.”

Rabbi Eli Broner: Making It All About the Students

Since he was 15, Rabbi Eli Broner has loved teaching, and he went into education to impact lives. Now Shalhevet’s new ninthgrade dean, Rabbi Broner does just that.

“I believe in the greatness of each child,” he explained, “and when given the right environment, care, and attention, they can shine and grow into young men and women who make a difference in the world.” This philosophy underlies everything he does.

Rabbi Broner keep his finger “on the pulse of each individual student” by checking their academic performance and coordinating with other staff. To foster personal connections, he makes himself available to and regularly meets with freshmen for academic, emotional, or social reasons. All this complements the programming designed to give students exciting, fun, and vibrant social connections.

That objective is one Rabbi Broner finds across Shalhevet. Everything is geared toward providing students with the best educational experience and preparing them for what lies ahead — as Jews embodying Torah and mitzvot, finding meaning in the world, and growing as human beings.

“Shalhevet puts the student at the center of everything,” he said. “When you are at the center of such a caring and thoughtful environment, you can truly grow to be the very best person you can be.”

Dr. Elizabeth Basheer: Teaching STEM, Biochemistry, and How to Learn

Between her grandparents and her mother, Dr. Elizabeth Basheer grew up in the presence of great teachers. Now in her sixth year at Shalhevet, she continues to inculcate that love for learning in her students.

“Humans are humans because of their ability to learn,” she said. “How we learn and grow defines us — it’s a lifelong process.” Dr. Basheer teaches STEM to all Shalhevet freshmen and one of the nation’s only advanced biochemistry classes in a high school setting. Beyond the details, Dr. Basheer guides students to decipher and absorb information from the world around them while harnessing the skillset to effectively communicate it. To achieve that, she creates her assignments with that goal in mind.

From worksheets focusing on interpreting graphs, charts, and figures to research projects where students convince their peers of their findings, Dr. Basheer emphasizes their method of learning as much as their content of learning.

But what are Shalhevet students outside of academic accomplishment? That answer comes easily to her. “A Shalhevet student,” she says, “is kind, accepting of others, good at communicating, and an independent thinker.” It’s that blend of personal and educational excellence that captures Dr. Basheer’s favorite part of working with Shalhevet.