YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH
Joel Braverman High School
Welcome
THE YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH
JOEL BRAVERMAN
HIGH SCHOOL
stands at the forefront of American Jewish education, and sets standards of excellence emulated by other academic institutions around the world.
OVER GENERATIONS, we have graduated more than 15,000 students sharing our love and commitment to Torah and Mitzvot, Israel and the Hebrew language.
WE PRIDE OURSELVES on our unique complement of Jewish and American values and an education that synthesizes Torah and General Studies with an unparalleled offering of extra-curricular activities, all in an atmosphere of inquiry and exploration.
Message
WELCOME TO THE YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH JOEL BRAVERMAN HIGH SCHOOL!
From our Head of School RABBI
JOSEPH BEYDA
There is a good deal of impressive material in these pages, but there is nothing like the experience of being on our campus. I invite you to come and visit our Yeshivah to get a sense of the
incredible energy and enthusiasm which pulses throughout the school. Flatbush instills a great deal of pride in its students through the concerted effort of our entire dedicated staff to rise to meet the goal of our mission: to inspire, challenge and support our students as they grow into adults with character, compassion and scholarship, committed to Torah u’Mitzvot, Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael.
Our academics are known for their rigor and high standards in both Torah and secular studies, including all of our Judaic courses conducted in Hebrew, in our Torah b’Ivrit model.
Beyond the walls of the classroom, Flatbush offers unparalleled extracurricular opportunities and student support: seminars, Pathfinders, clubs, teams, programs, guidance, college guidance, chesed, Yachad, Israel advocacy and much more.
Over decades, we have produced thousands of graduates who are empowered to succeed, lead and serve in their communities, in institutions of higher learning, and in the world at large.
Whereas we are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished as a school, we will never rest upon our achievements. We constantly seek to grow and find ways to prepare the next generation of graduates to make their mark on the world.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Joseph Beyda Head of School
YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH Joel Braverman High School
Our Mission is to...
Inspire, Challenge, and Support our students to grow into adults who have character, compassion, and scholarship, with a commitment to Torah u’Mitzvot, Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael.
We Empower our Graduates to...
Succeed, Lead, and Serve in institutions of higher learning, their communities and the world at large.
םשה תבהא / םימש תארי
Awe and love for Hashem inspire lasting commitment to Torah and mitzvot.
תרימש/הרות דומלת
Ongoing Torah study shapes the learner and enables lifelong mitzvah observance.
תמא
Honesty, trust, and integrity are religious imperatives and the foundation of community.
לארשי תנידמ
It is our obligation to pray for, celebrate, support and strengthen the existence of the State of Israel. שדוקה ןושל
Ivrit b’Ivrit and Hebrew fluency are essential to a complete Torah education. םיקלא םלצ
Every human being is created in the image of God and therefore should be treated with dignity, respect, and derekh eretz. המכח
The study of sciences, humanities and the arts fulfills the halakhic imperative to engage in God’s world and prepares students to contribute productively to society.
דסח
Acts of loving-kindness within and out of one’s social circles develop an individual’s character and foster arevut (responsibility to others).
תוכלמה םולש
We proudly support, celebrate and pray for the welfare of the United States of America.
תולדתשה
Diligent and persistent effort is fundamental to achieving growth and excellence.
Educate
At the heart of our high school is the day-to-day learning that takes place in every classroom and corridor of the building. Scholarship, curiosity, and ingenuity drive our lessons forward and create an atmosphere of contemplative study and intense focus. We believe that the quest for knowledge and understanding is paramount and that we must use what we learn to improve ourselves and transform our world.
Foundational Courses
English English classes focus on developing a student’s written voice, developing critical thinking and agency as readers and analysts. Students become skilled readers and writers who ask probing questions, and are trained to organize and articulate their thoughts.
Math Students are required to take three years of high school math including Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II, and are encouraged to take a fourth year of math as an elective (Calculus, Honors Calculus, Multivariable Calculus, or Statistics).
Social Studies Social Studies courses include Civics, Economics, Financial Literacy, Geography, Global and American History, Government, Israel Beyond High School, and Zionism. Students are taught to make informed and reasonable decisions for the general welfare of society.
— The YOFHS History Department is dedicated by the Bailey, Jerome and Horovits Families.
Science Our core disciplines for the first three years of high school are Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students are able to research scientific data and perform lab experiments in our redesigned labs, which serve as the perfect setting for the college-level lab component in the AP Courses.
Tanakh Students experience the unparalleled truth, beauty and complexity of the Torah while developing independent reading and analytical skills. The curriculum concentrates on sections of the Chumash, Nevi’im and Ketuvim. Every lesson connects the Torah’s teachings to core aspects of Jewish thought and philosophy.
Gemara Students study Gemara independently, as well as guided by our teachers, or in chavrutot. The department aims to help students interpret the Gemara with confidence and depth and appreciate the beauty and value of this most important link in the chain of Jewish text and tradition.
Halakhah Students familiarize themselves with key themes, concepts, terms, and personalities and demonstrate the practical aspects of Judaism including laws of tefillah, berakhot, Shabbat observance, kashrut, marriage, and various She’elot u’Teshuvot. Students are inspired to appreciate the Halakhic system and understand the nuances involved in living a full Jewish life.
Jewish History Students are taught that they are vital links in a chain that goes back thousands of years as they learn about major events, key figures, and trends in ancient, medieval and modern Jewish history. They will come to appreciate the relevance of Jewish history to their lives and see how today’s Ashkenazic and Sephardic communities were shaped by a rich and complex history.
Ivrit YOFHS’ reinforcement of the “Torah B’Ivrit” environment illustrates the Yeshivah’s commitment to Hebrew language acquisition and immersion. Students develop skills in speaking, reading, writing and comprehension. Learning combines Hebrew literature and language to fulfill the school’s mission of helping students develop a true relationship to Torat Yisrael, Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael.
After School Learning
Every evening, boys and girls from all four grades join together to enjoy after school learning opportunities using the weekly parasha or an upcoming holiday as a springboard for further discussion. The participants use this time to explore Jewish themes in a deep and meaningful way and consider it an open forum to ask questions. The goal of these programs is for students to see and appreciate the Torah in a new light and understand its relevance in today’s world.
Religious Growth Educational
YOFHS and The Midrash
Students participate in holiday preparatory learning programs, led by faculty members, guest speakers, or discussed chevruta-style, that encourage them to explore the themes and messages of each holiday, while deepening their understanding and connection.
Night seders offer additional Torah learning from 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Monday through Thursday. Students enjoy learning parasha, Gemara, Mussar, Ramban, Neveim and Halakhah with their rabbis in a friendly, informal atmosphere.
Parasha Programming
Each grade participates in weekly shiurim led by the principals. On Friday mornings, students are invited to meet at T Club before classes start to discuss the parasha as well.
Summer Learning
Prayer, Torah learning and continuing the values that YOF has instilled in students during the school year never take a break in summer. The Lishmah summer morning Tefillah program, led by YOF Elementary School Mashgiach Ruchani Rabbi Ikey Tawil, has been going strong for the past two summers, with close to 50 of our middle and high school boys voluntarily coming daily for minyan and a gourmet breakfast. Head of School Rabbi Joseph Beyda gives a daily 30-minute Talmud Torah session that reinforces the spiritual connection with the students through the summer months.
YOFHS offers current students the option to learn together offcampus with alumni at The Midrash, a post-high school joint learning program. On any given day, more than a dozen classes are offered with topics ranging from Gemara to Halakhah to Tanakh. YOF faculty members, including YOF Rabbinical Leader Rabbi Avi Harari and Rabbi Abraham Hayoun, lead these classes, establishing an even stronger connection with their students and inspiring lifelong learning.
The Torah that we teach and learn at Yeshivah of Flatbush isn’t only a subjectit’s a way of life. It comes alive both inside and outside of the classroom. Rabbis, teachers and students walk together on the lifelong journey of finding and understanding themselves in the many words of our Torah.
— Rabbi Avi Harari YOF Rabbinical Leader
Arts & Humanities
Expressive Arts
In their freshman year, students are introduced to Expressive Arts in a curriculum designed to teach the fundamentals of two different performance arts - music and theater.
Ensemble & Improvisation
This interactive course encourages expression and self-growth through improvisation and theater.
Music Technology
This cutting-edge course teaches students to identify the fundamental elements of music through hands-on experience with music production software.
Arts Electives
In their junior and senior year, students have the opportunity to work on portfolios and accelerated projects in AP and advanced art and architecture courses, often geared towards applications to arts colleges and programs.
Visual Arts
In their sophomore year, students are introduced to Visual Arts in a curriculum designed to teach the fundamentals of two different arts - fine arts and graphic design.
Fine Arts
The fine arts curriculum introduces the fundamentals of fine art, focusing on both theoretical and practical aspects. Students explore various mediums and techniques, and develop skills in drawing, printmaking, and painting.
Graphic Design
This dynamic course explores graphic communication and the principles of design, from idea development through final completion of class projects. Project examples include designing a corporate brand, customizing a food truck, and creating a 3-D container.
Electives & Course Offerings & AP Courses
At the Yeshivah of Flatbush, we pride ourselves on offering wide-ranging and challenging courses to match student interests and to prepare our students for college and their future careers. In addition to our core curriculum, we offer a variety of AP and elective courses, as well as Tsei U’lemad® courses.
Tsei U’lemad® is a Talmudic term which means “go out and learn.” This innovative program, officially trademarked by the Yeshivah of Flatbush in 2020, offers students the opportunity to pursue their personal passions and interests through a variety of independent study courses.
Below is a list of just some of our offerings. *TU denotes a Tsei U’lemad® course.
The Arts
• Advanced Graphic Design
• Advanced Studio Art
• AP 2-D Art Design
• AP 2-D Photography
• AP Music Theory
• AP Studio Art
• Architecture and Design (CAD) (TU)
• Fashion and Design
• Music & Media Production
• Music Theory & Appreciation
Business & Law
• Accounting/Marketing/ Business Statistics (Business Core 2)
• Business & Entrepreneurship (TU)
• Business Law
• Criminal & Constitutional Law
• Introduction to Careers in Communal & Not-for-Profit Service Organizations (TU)
• Micro/Macro Economics (Business Core 1)
• Principles of Intellectual Property (TU)
• Principles of Real Estate Management (TU)
• VEI Entrepreneurship
English
• AP English Language
• AP English Literature and Composition
• Journalism & Creative Writing
Foreign Language
• American Sign Language
• French (TU)
Tsei U’lemad®
History, Politics, & Social Sciences
• AP European History
• AP Psychology
• AP U.S. Government and Politics
• AP U.S. History
• AP World History
• Effective Negotiation (TU)
• Experimental Psychology (TU)
• Health & Beauty Trends: Myths & Facts (TU)
• Holocaust & Human Behavior
• Positive Psychology (TU)
• Sephardic Jewish History
Judaic Studies
• Advanced Mishna (TU)
• Practical Halakhah (TU)
• Safrut / תורפס (TU)
Math
• AP Calculus AB/BC
• AP Statistics
• Calculus
• Multivariable Calculus
• Statistics
Science & STEM
• AP Biology
• AP Chemistry
• AP Computer Science A
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Physics 1
• AP Physics 2
• Certification & Mastery in Google Applications (TU)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Jerusalem Science Contest (TU)
• The Science of Nutrition
Inspire
At the Yeshivah of Flatbush, we emphasize that personal growth and development is essential for each student. Whether it be inside or outside of the classroom, our dedicated teachers, guidance counselors, mentors and advisors work hard to connect with our students and guide them as they navigate daily life choices and challenges. Our meaningful trips, chesed activities, assemblies, seminars and classes enhance students’ religious and spiritual identities and allow them to grow into compassionate, conscientious and connected members of Klal Yisrael.
Religious Growth
Inspirational
At the heart of our students' growth is the powerful bond they build with their rabbis and teachers. Beyond the classroom, this connection deepens through inspiring and informal moments that allow students to engage with their mentors in a more personal and spiritual way. Whether dancing together at Rosh Chodesh rikkudim, sharing transformative moments during Seminar, or learning life skills and healthy decisionmaking in SICHA classes, these experiences create lasting relationships that spark meaningful questions, strengthen commitment to Torah and Mitzvot, and foster a genuine connection to Halakhah.
Bet Midrash
The Bet Midrash is the spiritual center of the Yeshivah. At shacharit and mincha, student prayers are uplifted daily by the sheer beauty of the space. Throughout the day, the room is filled with intensive chavruta learning and dynamic classes. This space is also home to our adult Torah education classes and after-school Torah study program.
“Extra Dose of Inspiration”
This new initiative introduces students to an inspirational speaker each month who shares insights on Torah, parasha, chagim, and personal Jewish
growth. Some of our notable speakers included Rabbi Yitzchok Grossman from Migdal Or (the “disco rabbi”), Rabbanit Shani Taragin from Eretz Yisrael and Rabbi Nachman Seltzer, a world-renowned author.
Holiday Parties
During the celebratory times of Chanukah and Purim, several members of our faculty foster the student connection by opening their homes to students, hosting gradewide parties filled with music, food, games, and Divrei Torah.
Seminar
Students participate in a ruach-filled communal Shabbat and engage in sessions designed to stimulate in-depth discussions. These gradewide seminars provide some of the most memorable and meaningful moments of our students’ educational experience.
Tefillah
Tefillah is an integral aspect of the Yeshivah of Flatbush experience. During our minyanim, held in both Ashkenazic and Sephardic customs, rabbis and mentors encourage and support the students in engaging tefillot.
Chesed Activities
Acts of chesed and community service are core facets of the Yeshivah of Flatbush curriculum. Students learn compassion through action. We stress sensitivity and responsibility towards the world. By participating in chesed, students understand the value of volunteerism and grow into confident, self-fulfilled individuals and leaders. Grade-wide Chesed Days give students a chance to immerse themselves in different forms of chesed at local organizations, while forging bonds within their grade. Motivational speakers, from either a local or international chesed organization, come to speak to each grade in order to expose them to different types of chesed.
Cooking for a Cause
Cooking for a Cause is a monthly chesed opportunity during which students arrange meals after school for families in need.
— Cooking for a Cause is dedicated in honor of Marlene and Steven R. Shamah
Chesed
Make Chesed Fun (MCF)
This student-run organization arranges fun monthly events to promote broad chesed involvement with multiple organizations. Events include a carnival, scavenger hunt, benefit concert, Purim delivery and bake-off.
Yachad/Ohel Program
This program brings Yachad and Ohel members who have developmental challenges together with our high school students in social situations including weekly events, monthly learning programs, a theatrical performance, and large schoolwide programs with hundreds of attendees. These interactions teach students the significance of connecting with people who display physical and mental challenges.
Guidance
Guidance Department
Psychologists, social workers and creative arts therapists help students, parents and faculty navigate the social, emotional and academic challenges of the high school years. Each grade has a designated guidance counselor. The Guidance team provides a private and supportive relationship where students can receive academic support and work through social pressures and family concerns.
Grade Deans
Grade Deans ensure the oversight, growth and well-being of all students. They track a student’s academic and behavioral performance and act as liaisons between teachers, parents, the administration, and the student.
SICHA
SICHA (SAFE, Inspiration, Connection, Health and Advisory) provides students with a safe space to connect, converse and contemplate under the guidance of rabbis and teachers. Aside from weekly social emotional classes, students participate in a safe driving program and substance abuse programs. Girls are offered a positive body image program and boys are offered a gambling program. All classes are taught through a Torah lens and incorporate Jewish traditions and values.
Academic Supports
At the Yeshivah of Flatbush, we offer a wide range of academic supports designed to foster growth and success. These may include pull-out classes, after-school learning labs, executive functioning sessions, a Hebrew support program, and testing accommodations. The Academic Services Coordinator works closely with lab coaches, pull-out teacher assistants, guidance staff, teachers, department chairs, and Grade Deans so that students can receive the tools they need to thrive both academically and personally.
Pathfinders Department The Shifra Hanon
FIND YOUR PATH
Our Pathfinders department offers a four-year, individualized mentoring program that offers academic, professional, and extracurricular experiences to every high school student. This innovative program, which complements College Guidance, is an exciting way for students to strengthen their college portfolios, build resumés, network with industry professionals, and learn about themselves. Pathfinders focuses on four key areas:
1. SELF-DISCOVERY: Through special workshops and one-on-one meetings with Pathfinders counselors, the department helps students express their interests and goals and determine their next steps.
2. EXTRACURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT: Students are directed to clubs and programs in and out of school.
3. CAREER EXPLORATION: Through industry-focused trips, guest speakers, and internships, students gain a better understanding of real-world work environments allowing them to make informed choices about their future.
4. PROFESSIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT: Students are equipped with the essential skills they need to succeed in the workplace, including resumé writing, email and internship etiquette, interview techniques, and building their personal brand.
College & Israel Guidance
The College Guidance Department is deeply committed to supporting each student’s successful transition from high school to a wide range of post-secondary opportunities. Through a comprehensive and personalized approach, counselors foster an environment where students are empowered to identify their goals, build balanced college lists, and confidently navigate the application process.
Freshman Year:
Early Engagement and Foundational Support
• Freshmen are paired with a counselor from the Pathfinders department, who helps them explore a wide range of activities both on and off campus. They also participate in an introductory college admissions event with their parents.
Sophomore Year: Exploration and Planning
• Sophomores and their parents attend a dedicated event to learn about admissions requirements, testing expectations, and the overall landscape of the process. Sophomores also visit local colleges and universities where they gain firsthand exposure to academic and Jewish campus life. In addition, they will receive advice on how to choose their junior year courses.
Israel Guidance
The Israel Guidance department helps guide students who want to explore spending a year after high school in Israel, furthering their commitment to Torat Yisrael, Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael. Our experienced counselors guide students through the wide range of programs available, offering personalized support as they navigate their options. Counselors work closely with parents to address questions and concerns to ensure each student finds
Junior Year: Formal Guidance and Individual Strategy
• Every junior is assigned a dedicated College Guidance Counselor. The year begins with a College Kick-Off event for students and parents. Juniors also take part in a semester-long college preparation course. Families meet one-on-one with counselors to review transcripts, build balanced college lists, and develop tailored application strategies.
Senior Year: Application Completion and Final Steps
• Seniors work closely with their counselors through individual meetings to polish essays, finalize college lists, and complete applications. The office also hosts dozens of small, personalized sessions with college representatives, providing students with valuable opportunities to connect directly with schools.
45% OF STUDENTS were accepted to hyper (<8% acceptance rate) and/or highly selective (<9-18% acceptance rate) post-secondary institutions – 11% MORE than in 2024. $1,000,000 awarded in scholarships. Nearly 70% of this year's students will leave with credits towards college.
the best fit. The department also plays a crucial role in finding scholarships, earning college credit, and getting a college deferral for a year of study abroad. Students are invited to go to Israel with their mentors during senior year to visit yeshivot and seminaries and see firsthand what their experience may be like.
OVER 40% OF CLASS OF 2025 students are spending a gap year in Israel.
College Acceptances
• Babson College
• Bar-Ilan University
• Barnard College
• Barnard College /Jewish Theological Seminar
Double Degree Program
• Boston University
• Brandeis University
• Bryant University
• Columbia University
• Columbia University/ Tel Aviv University Dual Degree Program
• Columbia University / Jewish Theological Seminary Double Degree Program
• University of Connecticut
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
• CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College
• CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
• CUNY Brooklyn College
• CUNY City College
• CUNY College of Staten Island
• CUNY Hunter College
• CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
• CUNY Kingsborough Community College
• CUNY Lehman College
• CUNY Macaulay Honors College (Baruch, Brooklyn, City College, John Jay)
• CUNY Queens College
• CUNY York College
• University of Delaware
• Drexel University
• Elon University
• Florida International University
• Fordham University
• George Washington University
• University of Hartford
• Hofstra University
• Kean University
• LIM College
• List College - JTS (Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies)
• Long Island University (Brooklyn and Post campuses)
• University of Maryland - College Park
• Marymount Manhattan College
• University of Massachusetts - Amherst
• University of Miami
• Monmouth University
• Muhlenberg College
• University of New Haven
• New Jersey Institute of Technology
• New York University
• Northeastern University
• Nova Southeastern University
• Pace University (NYC and Westchester campuses)
• Pennsylvania State University - University Park
• Pratt Institute
• University of Rochester
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• Rutgers University (Camden, Newark and New Brunswick campuses)
• School of Visual Arts
• Seton Hall University
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• St. John's University
• SUNY Binghamton University
• SUNY Buffalo
• SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology
• SUNY New Paltz
• SUNY at Purchase College
• SUNY Stony Brook University
• Syracuse University
• University of Tampa
• The New School
• Touro College
• Towson University
• Tufts University
• Wagner College
• Yeshiva University
Israel Acceptances
• Baer Miriam Seminary
• Israel XP at Bar-Ilan University
• Michlelet Mesaveret Yerushalayim (MMY)
• Midreshet Eshel
• Midreshet Lindenbaum
• Midreshet Moriah
• Midreshet Torat Chessed (MTC)
• Midreshet Torah V’Avodah (TVA)
• Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi
• Yeshivat Har Etzion
• Yeshivat Lev Aharon
• Yeshivat Mikdash Melech
• Yeshivat Moreshet Yerushalayim
• Yeshivat Orayta
• Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim
• Yeshivat Torat Shraga
Love of Israel
Teaching our students to love, support and defend the State of Israel is central to our mission. The efforts of our Israel Activism Club, our participation in the Israel Parade and the sharing of our Israel Institute Newsletter inspire our students’ deep connection to our homeland.
Lobbying Trips
Groups of students visit Washington, D.C. annually to lobby on behalf of Israel and the United States-Israel relationship. Students receive extensive training on lobbying techniques and public speaking. Trips culminate with a visit to Capitol Hill where students get a chance to utilize their lobbying skills and meet with congressional representatives from their district.
Israel Activism Club
Israel advocacy experts from AIPAC, Students Supporting Israel, Stand With Us, ClubZ, and Unpacked for Educators visit YOFHS each year to give informative and engaging sessions on the best ways to advocate for Israel. Students meet weekly to discuss current events and become skilled in public speaking about Israel.
Israel in World Relations Curriculum
Every senior will be prepared to discuss crucial topics relating to Israel on college campuses. Students are given the necessary skills and resources to intelligently examine these issues with their peers as they embark on life beyond the high school setting.
Celebrate Israel Parade
High school students and faculty participate annually in the parade to show their public support for Israel. Students work on parade artwork, march with flags, or learn a dance to be performed at the parade.
Special Programs
On Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, the entire school takes part in special programs to reflect, mourn, and celebrate the sacrifices and accomplishments of the Jewish people and the land of Israel. Many students submit writing and performance pieces to these programs.
Yisrael B’Yishivateinu
This new initiative brings guests from Israel to our school, offering students firsthand insights into the daily realities of life in Israel. Recent visitors have included an IDF lieutenant colonel, soldiers, the father of a fallen soldier, and prominent media figures. These in-person, in-classroom encounters deepen students’ personal connection to the people and land of Israel while enriching their exposure to contemporary Hebrew language and culture.
Experiences
Achdut/Chesed Mission
Several times a year, faculty members lead groups of students, parents and community members to Israel to perform acts of chesed. Trip itineraries include visits to victims of terror, hospitals, rehab facilities, soup kitchens, and institutions that help children and adults deal with physical and emotional challenges. These trips have a monumental impact on all participants, especially at this poignant time where students’ connection to Israel is imperative.
NCSY Relief Missions
Over the course of a week, a group of sophomores head to locations throughout the country for NCSY Chesed Missions where they set up pop-up cafés for the homeless, volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and visit food banks. The mission reinforces our students' commitment to Tikkun Olam and spreading chesed.
Poland Heritage Trip
The Poland Heritage Trip offers a memorable experience for seniors to better connect with the lives of European Jews in the pre-Holocaust era and to understand the devastation of the Shoah. This program strengthens Jewish identity, awareness and the commitment to the Jewish people and the state of Israel.
Poland Heritage Trip is part of The William S. Levine Family Shoah Institute.
Senior Trip
Every year in May, the seniors embark on a multi-day adventure together to bond one last time as a grade. Recent trips have included Niagara Falls and Hershey Park.
We believe extracurricular experiences promote personal growth, heighten social awareness, and increase self-confidence. We help our students develop good sportsmanship and take a “can-do” approach to challenges. Through the many opportunities that Flatbush offers, students often find their passion and are inspired to choose their future career and life goals.
We offer more than 100 extracurricular offerings and provide students with dynamic and inspiring opportunities. When students participate in our programs, they gain a better understanding of their personal interests, goals, identities and talents, and learn what it means to be part of a team.
Powered by Students
YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH JOEL BRAVERMAN
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS initiate their own meaningful school experiences. Learning to take initiative, exhibiting leadership skills, and being responsible are core principles in both Torah and tradition. Here, students are encouraged to take ownership of their ideas and turn them into reality. When a student sees a need, identifies an opportunity, or dreams of a new student group, the school provides the resources to make that vision flourish. These moments reflect the Yeshivah’s belief in empowering students to contribute their unique strengths to the community.
Many of today’s most popular programs did not exist until students envisioned them and stepped up to lead. Clubs, academic competitions, chesed projects, and creative arts initiatives are just a few examples of opportunities that began as student proposals and have since become an integral part of school life.
YOFHS fosters an environment where leadership, creativity, and innovation thrive. Every new idea adds to a vibrant campus culture that is constantly evolving and reflecting the unique interests of the students themselves. With countless student-driven initiatives, the message is clear: IF STUDENTS DREAM IT, IT CAN HAPPEN.
Student Voice
Student Representatives
The Student Government Organization (SGO), Senior Council, and class representatives work together to advocate and plan events for students. They run programs including Color War, Rosh Chodesh events, and a Chanukah basketball game. Leaders hold monthly meetings with administrators to ensure student voices are included in decisions.
Pegasus
Pegasus, the award-winning annual literary and arts magazine, is written, designed, and published by students serving as writers, artists, designers, or editors. In 2024, it won 1st Place with Special Merit, Most Outstanding High School, and Best Photograph from the American Scholastic Press Association.
The Phoenix
The Phoenix, the high school’s award-winning newspaper, is written entirely by students and covers school news, events, sports, entertainment, Divrei Torah, and more. It also provides a forum for student opinions. For nine straight years, it won 1st Place from the American Scholastic Press Association, plus a First Place News Reporting award from the Jewish Scholastic Press Association for coverage on antisemitism and college choices.
Phoenix Live
Phoenix Live is a biweekly student life and news podcast featuring school happenings, interviews, and stories from the production studio. Phoenix Live 75 gives a weekly 75-second review utilizing both audio and visual mediums. Students lead all aspects, including content, interviewing, recording, editing, and production. Available on Spotify (“Phoenix Live”) and Instagram (@yofhs).
Summit Yearbook
The Summit is an award-winning, student-run publication that celebrates the journey of the graduating class and chronicles the collective experience of four years at Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School. The Summit won a 1st Place award from the 2024 American Scholastic Press Association.
The Arts
Audio Visual Squad
The A/V Squad helps to run all of the events and programs in the school that require media, including lighting, microphones, video editing, sound effects, slideshows, and more.
Band
Students who are proficient in playing an instrument can jam, rehearse and record their own music as a group under the guidance of a professional musician and band leader.
Choir
Major annual performances include Yom Ha’Atzmaut, the Jason Botnick A”H Memorial Hebrew Play, Witness Theater and the Evening of the Arts.
— The YOFHS Choir is dedicated in memory of Ethel Gordon A"H & Ruth Peres A"H.
Evening of the Arts
The annual springtime Evening of the Arts showcases the extraordinary talents of students and faculty in visual, graphic and performing arts. This multifaceted arts program offers musical numbers performed by the choir and band. Students’ paintings, drawings, sculptures, graphic designs and photographs are on display.
YOFHS Evening of the Arts is dedicated by Trina and Joe Cayre and Family
Hebrew Play
The Jason Botnick A”H Memorial Hebrew Play, performed solely in Hebrew, is open to students of all grades. Students design the backdrop and work on their own costumes and makeup. Past productions include, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Les Misérables,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” and “High School Musical.”
Lunch 'n Listen
This pop-up concert is curated and performed by students, for students. Hundreds of students pack into the plaza to cheer on their friends and sing along at these lunchtime shows.
Masterpiece Theater
The Masterpiece Theater program immerses students in the professional performing arts. Students attend Broadway shows, operas, concerts, and art exhibits. Students meet for preand post-sessions for each event to delve into the meaning and history of each performance.
Music Education
Traveling Troupe
The Traveling Troupe brings the joy of music, dance and drama to the elderly on a monthly basis at various neighborhood community centers and nursing homes.
YOFHS was honored to receive the Support Music Merit Award from the NAMM Foundation in 2025 for being named as a “Best Community for Music Education” school. The Support Music Merit Award recognizes individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement to provide music access and education to all students.
Open Studio
In our professional recording studio, students gain hands-on experience in recording a song, from the initial concept to the final production. All students are invited to work on composition, arrangement, pre-production, microphone setup, and live performance, during Open Studio sessions several days a week. Students take charge of every element of their projects, including vocal editing, pitch correction, mixing and mastering using a professional software of their choice.
Witness Theater
The Witness Theater Program brings together 12th graders and Holocaust survivors through a partnership with Selfhelp Community Services. The year-long project connects the hearts and minds of the participants through an intergenerational collaborative journey, and culminates in a public production of the survivors’ stories performed by the group on Yom HaShoah.
Yeshivah of Flatbush’s Witness Theater Program is being generously supported through The William S. Levine Family Shoah Institute.
Athletics
The Falcon’s Nest
Participation as a Flatbush Falcon provides our students the unique opportunity to display derekh eretz and middot such as responsibility, teamwork, fair play, loyalty, leadership and sportsmanship within the framework of athletic competition. Teams practice in the new, state-of-the-art basketball gym and auxiliary gym.
The Falcon's Nest is the home of our interscholastic athletic program and is an integral part of the Yeshivah of Flatbush experience. The high school offers 22 sports teams, in which more than half of the school participates. Some students decide to engage in multiple sports. Teams practice and compete onsite as well as offsite. In addition, several teams compete in tournaments held across the U.S. and Canada.
Sports Management Club
The Sports Management club, run by the Athletics Department, provides members an experiential learning opportunity in the athletics industry in Sports Marketing and Promotions, Social Media Usage and Strategies, Game Day Operations, Broadcasting and Live Streaming. Members apply this content to the school’s athletics programs by choosing a specialty area and having an “off the court or field” experience that resembles today’s sports industry. Students also have the opportunity to hear from a variety of guest speakers who are in the sports management field.
Jack's Gym
Jack’s Gym was built in memory of 2021 graduate Jack Charles Levy, A”H, honoring his recognition of health and fitness. Aside from an annual Fitness Day event, several physical education classes are held in the space. It is also open after school for students and sports teams.
Boys Athletic Program:
• Baseball – Varsity
• Basketball – JV & Varsity
• Cross Country – Varsity
• Flag Football – JV & Varsity
• Hockey – JV & Varsity
• Soccer – Varsity
• Softball – Varsity
• Tennis – Varsity
• Track & Field – Varsity
• Volleyball – Varsity
Girls Athletic Program:
• Basketball – JV & Varsity
• Cross Country – Varsity
• Dance Team – Varsity
• Softball – Varsity
• Tennis – Varsity
• Track & Field – Varsity
• Volleyball – JV & Varsity
– YOFHS Boys & Girls Varsity Basketball Teams are dedicated by the Oved Family.
We Can't Wait
To See You!
