ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT 2020 - תש”פ
YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH ישיבה דפלטבוש
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EMPOWER EDUCATE INSPIRE TH E MI SS I O N O F T HE Y ESHIVA H OF FL ATBU S H IS TO
O UR ST UD E N T S TO D EV ELOP EXCEPTIONA L C H A R ACTER A ND INTELLECT.
T H RO U G H A R I GO RO US TO RAH B’I V RI T A ND GENER A L STU DI E S P ROG R A M W I T H A RO BUST SET OF CO- CU RR ICU L A R OPPORTUN I TI E S I N A S UP P O RT I V E A ND NU RTU R ING ENV IRONMENT.
A LOVE FO R A N D CO MMI TMENT TO TORA H U ’MI TZVOT, ME DIN AT Y IS RA E L , AN D K L A L Y I S R A E L WITH RES PONS IBILITY TO A DVA N CE THE W E L FA R E OF A LL HU MA NITY.
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EDUCATE 16 Elementary School Admissions 17 Joel Braverman High School Admissions 18 My Flatbush Journey 19 A Road to Discovery
Contents
20 College-Bound 22 Award-Winning Publications
INSPIRE EMPOWER 6 Letter from the President 7 Letter from the Executive Director 8 Letter from the Head of Elementary School 9 Letter from the Head of High School 10 Mentoring and Motivating 11 Phenomenal Faculty 12 Student Survey 14 Supporting our Educators
24 Stories That Stay 26 The Future Witnessing the Past 27 Showstoppers! 28 To Live the Dream 30 Our Dedicated Volunteers 32 Alumni
PHILANTHROPY REPORT 34 Strength and Growth 36 Annual Scholarship Fund 38 The Cost of Education 39 Flatbush Forever Fund 40 Ways to Give to YOF
ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT COMMITTEE: Abe Anteby, Zeke Faham, Abe Haddad
ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT EDITOR:
Hila Stern, Director of Development 3
YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Head of School Rabbi Yahel Tsaidi Principal, Middle School Rabbi Dr. David Hertzberg Principal, General Studies Mr. Robert Berkman Director of Teaching and Learning/ Assistant Principal, General Studies Rabbi Dr. David Saltzman Assistant Principal, Judaic Studies, Lower School Mrs. Chani Gratzman Director of Campus Life Mrs. Bethany Strulowitz Director, Early Childhood Ms. Debbie Levine Greenbaum Director, Pupil Personnel Services Dr. Nicole Yossef
YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH JOEL BRAVERMAN HIGH SCHOOL Head of School Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari Principal Rabbi Joseph Beyda Associate Principal Mrs. Sari Bacon Assistant Principal and Director of Admissions Mrs. Esther Hidary Dean of Students Rabbi Naftali Besser Assistant Administrator Rabbi David Galpert Principal Emeritus Rabbi Dr. David Eliach
YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH EXECUTIVE OFFICE Executive Director Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Rothman Director of Annual Giving Victoria Amzalag Director of Informational and Instructional Technology Dr. Christine L. Coleman, DPS Director of Finance Mrs. Faigie Gelbstein Director of Operations Mrs. Esther Kizelnik Director of Marketing and Communications Mrs. Ilana Lax Director of Admissions, Elementary School Mrs. Norma Shamah Director of Development Mrs. Hila Stern
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YOF LEADERSHIP 2020-2022 OFFICERS President: Abie J. Hidary Vice Presidents: Dawn Levy David Oved Ami Sasson Ralph S. Shamah Isaac Silvera Treasurer: Abe Hanan Associate Treasurers: Morris Doueck Albert Hasson Eric Setton Louis Shamie Financial Secretary: Mitchell Vilinsky Associate Financial Secretaries: Abe Anteby Jaret Feldman Dory Salem Sam Shamie Secretary: Jeanne Zirdok Associate Secretaries: Joey M. Allaham David Chabbott Dr. Jack Katri Dr. David Khaski Assistant Secretaries: David Azar Joseph Betesh JoJo A. Chehebar Ruvin Levavi Abraham Sultan Naomi Houllou A”H Ladies Auxiliary: Lillie Sasson Sheila Shamah
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Steven Adelsberg Zvi BenHaim Maggie Betesh Jack Cayre Robert Frastai Marjorie Gindi Mark Goldstein Abe Haddad Abe Hanan Ralph Harary Abie J. Hidary Louis Jerome Albert Laboz Naomi Houllou A”H Ladies Auxiliary Lillie Sasson Sheila Shamah Hagai Laniado Hymie Mamiye Jack Mann Jack Mosseri Solomon Mosseri David Oved Jack A. Rahmey Seymour Sammell Ami Sasson Steven Sasson Alan Shamah Ralph S. Shamah Isaac Silvera Steven Stein Joe R. Tawil Mitchell Vilinsky
HONORARY TRUSTEES Steven Cohn Raymond Gindi Saul Hazan Joseph Sitt Ronald Tawil
EMPOWER EMPOWER OUR STUDENTS TO DEVELOP EXCEPTIONAL CHARACTER AND INTELLECT.
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Abie J. Hidary (ES ’91, HS ’95)
The past year was nothing like any of us thought it would be, and it has made us stronger. We withstood major adjustments to our everyday routines, proved that we can adapt quickly to new and ever-changing situations, engaged our community in praying and learning together, and helped our families deal with major crises. The outcome? The Flatbush Family is more united than ever. As President of the Yeshivah for the past three years, as well as a current parent and an alumnus, I am honored to work alongside our dedicated administration and witness our teachers’ heroic efforts to create a safe environment while working hard to maintain excellence in education for which we are known worldwide. Empower. Educate. Inspire. These are the official words that
embody the spirit of the new Yeshivah of Flatbush Mission Statement – whose creation coincided with the biggest test of excellence in education. To sum up the strengths of YOF in just a few lines was a Herculean task. How do you sum up over nine decades of history? By surveying thousands of parents, alumni, students, faculty, and community members and creating focus groups to dig deep by discussing big issues and big ideas. The Yeshivah of Flatbush’s successes are outlined in these pages. The content will Empower you, Educate you, and Inspire you to be a proud member of the Flatbush Family. You will see how our new Mission Statement encompasses what YOF was, is, and will be for many generations to come.
TO SUM UP THE STRENGTHS OF YOF IN JUST A FEW LINES WAS A HERCULEAN TASK. 6
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Rothman
I am proud to present to you our 2020 Annual Report. The state of our school is strong thanks to the diligence, collaboration and commitment of our educators, parents, students and donors. The Yeshivah of Flatbush remains true to its Mission Statement to empower, educate and inspire our students. Our 2,035 students are taught by more than 500 staff members who aim to give them the best experience possible during these challenging times. Our teachers frequently participate in technology training sessions to become more adept at using various tech tools, which, in turn inspire our children to think differently and challenge their creativity. We continue to educate our students with an emphasis on helping them make stronger connections to Jewish history, and encourage them to use their Torah learning in their everyday decisions and actions. Not only is YOF a school that prides itself on educational excellence, but our team of administrators, directors and lay leaders also maintains the highest standards of operational, financial and managerial professionalism. We have 265,000 square feet encompassing both school campuses, which have never
been safer, cleaner, or more cleverly utilized, operating at maximum efficiency each day. The Board of Trustees and our Officers have worked tirelessly to come up with ways to help our families navigate through the financial hardships that the pandemic has brought to so many. We are blessed with over 150 active lay leaders who serve on boards and committees, contributing their time and passion to making Yeshivah of Flatbush the place it is today. While our parents sacrifice so much to afford their children the gift of a Yeshivah of Flatbush education, our fundraising committee and professionals work hard to supplement tuition with donations. Each of the last three years we have exceeded the previous year’s fundraising goals by 8-10%, and we are constantly looking for new grants, government programs and private funds to help us promote the Flatbush mission of excellence. I would love to share the many robust opportunities offered to our students, and invite you to email me at jrothman@flatbush.org to schedule a time to tour the school. Our continued success is a testament to the loyalty of the entire Yeshivah of Flatbush community, and we are grateful for your support.
We are blessed with over 150 active lay leaders who serve on boards and committees, contributing their time and passion to making YOF the place it is today. 7
LETTER FROM ELEMENTARY HEAD OF SCHOOL Rabbi Yahel Tsaidi
As a young child, my greatest memories are from the many times I had the privilege to sit with my grandfather and hear the stories of my family’s history. One of the stories I remember most clearly was when my grandfather described what it was like to be a soldier in 1948. It was, of course, our first exposure to war, to self-defense and to the techniques of combat as a start-up nation. He shared that as a young teenager, he remembered being taught how to shoot a gun while running through the streets with his older brother. That image above all others is etched in my mind. With a subtle smile captured only in hindsight, he recalled the unpredictability, reliving his encounter with the unknown, trying to navigate uncharted waters on the path to victory. Reflections on any moment in time can be an intensive experience. Reflecting on this past year may require an entirely different set of tools and support! On the one hand, we faced a wide array of challenges: Preparation: We prepared vigorously for something no one knew how to prepare for, and tried to expect and anticipate something that had never before been seen. Medical: We were bound by frequently shifting medical guidance, gathering of new information, and protocols that were being amended in real time. Educational: We trained an entire faculty of teachers, guidance counselors, resource specialists, etc., to learn an entirely new
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platform for education, whose implications were far greater than simply moving online. Community: The varying approaches and beliefs about the virus were accompanied by heightened levels of anxiety. Those differences in a time of chaos forced us all into a more enclosed and protective space. The opportunities for connection, celebration and compromise were naturally less present. Our community had been fractured. In the face of all of that and so much more, we learned a lot about ourselves: Resilience: Our teachers, our parents, and most of all our students, were tougher and more resilient than we had ever imagined. Educational Technology: Our teachers accomplished what would have been designed, at minimum, as a three-year professional development initiative in a fraction of the time. The pace of our faculty’s growth and adaptability was a testament to their dedication and deep commitment to their students and their craft. Our Families: Our parents were faced with unprecedented challenges. Their personal and professional lives were thrown into disarray and many were forced to rebuild from the ground up. In the face of all of it, they remained committed to a YOF education and the sacrifice that comes with it. Our Leadership: Navigating through all of this was no simple task. The rapid pace and magnitude of the decisions placed before us were unprecedented. During these times, every institution leans on its leadership. At
The pace of our faculty’s growth and adaptability was a testament to their dedication and deep commitment to their students and their craft. YOF, we have always found this to be one of our core strengths. Our unified team of lay leaders and educational leaders worked closely together, processing large volumes of information, evaluating the moving variables, with a remarkable sense of measure, calm and clarity.
LETTER FROM JBHS HEAD OF SCHOOL Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari (HS ’72)
This past year – with its losses, hardships, challenges and radical changes to our lives – was like no other. It was vaguely reminiscent of what the Torah tells us about the locust plague: “There had never been locust like this before, nor would there ever be.” The difficulties for our school community have been enormous. The Yeshivah, however, has been resilient, growing with every challenge.
that were warm and intimate despite the Plexiglas®, social distancing and masks.
when students were first able to come back into the school building.
Our students are truly amazing. Facing an unparalleled situation and many obstacles to learning, they applied themselves assiduously to their Judaic and general
Our extra-curricular program has continued to thrive despite limitations: Graduation, Archon and the Honors Assembly took place successfully in completely new formats. Together with other yeshivot, our school hosted a Zoom conversation with Natan Sharansky. Our Arts Department produced sensational Zoom productions of Witness Theater, Evening of the Arts and the Hanukkah Hebrew Play. The Pathfinders Department initiated ESports with Rocket League, preparing them to compete in the spring. Another new Pathfinders offering was Zumi Robolinks, where students learned artificial intelligence. The SGO held a welcome-back carnival and a virtual commission fair to get students involved. The Israel Guidance Department continued to encourage students to spend a year after high school studying in Israel and held virtual meetings with Israel school representatives throughout the fall semester. Our Athletics Department continued to thrive during the pandemic, even adding girls flag football and surfing and adjusting the competitive format for cross country so that our Falcons could compete virtually.
Every step of the way, our administration has been blessed with an engaged, supportive lay contingent. Working more closely than ever before, the school, the boards of the Yeshivah and the medical advisory board were immensely thoughtful, creative and hard-working. Often, plans for opening, best practices for keeping our school safe and rules for quarantine were written one day only to be revised two days later, then revised again the next week. The collaboration across all levels of our school leadership during this crisis was invigorating.
The Yeshivah has been resilient, growing with every challenge.
Before the pandemic, “Zoom” was a word in our lexicon that referred to a camera and “Owl” was the name of a particular bird. Overnight (literally), our exceptional teachers had to reimagine the most effective way to teach and create lessons and assignments that could engage our students remotely. When we were able to return to school on an almost fulltime basis, our faculty took on the task of supporting students stressed by Covid and created classroom environments
studies in ways that sometimes amazed us. When necessary, they did what they had to: They learned half a day at home and half a day in school, studied in the cold, took exams under trying conditions and worked overtime to complete the required assignments. Our school has been consistently filled with smiling faces, especially during those precious moments
At times it has seemed as if the world was standing still – but not the Yeshivah of Flatbush. We are immensely proud of our faculty, students and lay leaders for their accomplishments over these difficult times. 9
EMPOWER:
MENTORING AND MOTIVATING
The Responsive Classroom® Master Teachers cohort comprises Lower School faculty who are dedicated to practicing and promoting Responsive Classroom® techniques and philosophies. These teachers are committed to supporting the rest of the staff in implementing best practices of Responsive Classroom®, including engaging academics, positive teacher language, student motivation and classroom management. They have spent significant time leading professional development workshops for teachers and assistant teachers, coaching individual faculty members with high-quality support, and elevating the conversation and discourse around building a positive culture in the entire Lower School for the benefit of our students.
ENGAGING ACADEMICS
Teachers create tasks that are active, interactive, challenging, purposeful, and connected to students’ interests.
RENEE BUNICK (HS ‘04) 2nd Grade Teacher
CLAUDIA ESSES 1st Grade Teacher
POSITIVE COMMUNITY
Teachers create an emotionally safe environment that makes students feel comfortable taking risks.
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SUSIE SHREM (ES ‘98, HS ‘02) 1st Grade Teacher
Teachers maintain a calm, orderly classroom that promotes selfdiscipline and determination.
DEVELOPMENTALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
ADELE TABUSH 2nd Grade Teacher 10
LEAH WEINER 3rd Grade Teacher
Teachers use their knowledge of child development coupled with class observations to create the right style of learning for their specific classrooms.
EMPOWER:
PHENOMENAL FACULTY
RABBI AVI HARARI (ES ‘99, HS ‘03) received the Ezra Shabot A”H Teacher Appreciation Award. The award goes to a faculty member, selected by our graduating class, who exemplifies the Yeshivah’s mission to inspire, support and challenge our students. Rabbi Harari has been teaching Talmud and Tanakh at JBHS since 2013 and serves as our Rosh Beit Midrash.
RABBI JOSEPH BLUMENTHAL (ES ‘99, HS ‘03) was the recipient of the 2020 Gruss Life Monument Award for his excellence in teaching Judaic Studies at JBHS. Rabbi Blumenthal is also the Chair of the Halakhah Department and has been teaching Talmud, Halakhah and Tanakh at YOF since 2010. He has participated in the YU Lead program, as well as The Legacy Heritage Teacher Institute in conjunction with the Rothberg International School at Hebrew University.
RABBI BENJAMIN KRAMER AND COACH MICHAEL GUROCK Rabbi Kramer and Coach Gurock, both at JBHS, won the Wallach Award for Excellence in Education in 2020. In reflecting on the positive experience of being a Yeshivah of Flatbush faculty member over the last five years, Coach Gurock shared “it is in this special place that camaraderie is formed between the Talmud/Tech guy (Rabbi Kramer) and the Sports/SAFE guy (me).” Rabbi Kramer, JBHS Educational Technology Director as well as a Halakhah and Talmud teacher, added, “In the three decades that I have been privileged to work with so many talented and dedicated educators, I have learned so much about educating and influencing our amazing students. My colleagues are so creative and innovative that I am humbled to be chosen amongst all of them.”
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As a student-focused organization that serves the needs and goals of our student body, YOF constantly
EMPOWER: WE HEAR YOU!
looks to improve itself. Now in its eighth year, the ANNUAL JBHS STUDENT SURVEY includes responses from every student about topics that range from religious and social patterns to academic and extracurricular trends. The survey is conducted anonymously and its feedback, which is collected and analyzed by a third party, is a crucial learning tool for the administration in understanding students’ perspectives. The data is used to establish key performance metrics that help evaluate our growth and decision-making.
8%
10%
6%
5%
24%
ENDORSEMENT
YOF’s positive trend continues with an 8% increase in the top two brackets.
17%
13%
23%
11% 21%
6% 10%
12
44%
14%
13%
2017
2018
15%
21%
42%
34%
2017
41%
22% 2018
2019
2020
4% 7% 19%
24%
45% 44%
12%
40% 45%
11%
5% 1%
41%
“I would recommend Yeshivah of Flatbush to my friends.”
6%
7% 3%
43%
17% 2019
25%
2020
READINESS
“I feel academically well-prepared for my next school environment.” There was a 10% increase in our graduates feeling prepared for college.
11%
12%
16%
13%
27%
28%
7%
4% 6%
14%
27%
MORALITY
“I feel well-prepared regarding ethical decision making.”
45%
38%
There was a significant improvement of 17% from last year in character development.
13%
16%
9%
21%
36%
38%
8%
11%
14%
2017
2018
2019
24% 2020
3% 8%
15% 16%
14%
27%
23%
21%
TORAH U’MITZVOT
28% 41%
33%
35%
32%
27% 10%
12%
16%
2017
2018
2019
“School has enabled my desired Jewish development.”
With a 20% increase from last year, this is the largest and most inspirational improvement in our Jewish education transformations.
2020
LEGEND STRONGLY DISAGREE
DISAGREE
NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
AGREE
STRONGLY AGREE
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EMPOWER:
SUPPORTING OUR EDUCATORS “There is no doubt, from this past year, that technology has taken up permanent residence in K–12 classrooms. It is critical that we implement tech-forward professional development programs to help educators feel more comfortable navigating the virtual classroom.” Jennifer Brown, edtechmagazine.com
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After partnering with Prizmah’s Learning Lab, the Yeshivah of Flatbush Technology and Teaching Summer Institute expanded its reach to Jewish Day Schools around the world in 2020 and offered the tools and skills necessary for technologically successful educators. The Educational Technology (Ed-Tech) team’s technological knowledge combined with their practical experience in the classroom put the Yeshivah of Flatbush in a strategic place to be a pedagogical leader for Ed-Tech educational methods. The Institute’s mission is to help teachers integrate technology into the PreK-12 curriculum in order to drive and expand the scope, quality, and richness of teaching while impacting students’ achievements with measurable data.
PARTICIPANTS BY YEAR 200
192 150
149
100
98 74
50
0
2017
2018
Brauser Maimonides Academy (FT. Day School (CHICAGO, MI)
IL)
UK)
LAUDERDALE, FL)
· Bruriah (ELIZABETH,
· Ilan High School (OCEAN
TOWNSHIP, NJ)
NJ)
· Chicago Jewish
PA)
NY)
ARBOR,
· Jewish Day School of the
· Kinneret Day School (RIVERDALE,
Manhattan High School for Girls (MANHATTAN, High School (BROOKLYN,
· Broughton Jewish
· Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor (ANN
Lehigh Valley (ALLENTOWN,
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2020
2020 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS Primary (MANCHESTER,
sessions offered
2019
NY)
NY)
·
· Shaare Torah Girls
· Shulamith School for Girls (BROOKLYN,
NY)
·
Shulamith School for Girls Long Island (CEDARHURST, NY) · Torah Academy of Bergen County (TEANECK, NJ) · Westchester Torah Academy (HARRISON, NY) · YDE GHS (BROOKLYN, NY) · Yeshiva University High School for Girls “Central” (HOLLIS, NY)
Ed-Tech trainers 14
· Yeshivah of Flatbush (BROOKLYN, NY)
EDUCATE EDUCATE THROUGH A RIGOROUS TORAH B’IVRIT AND GENERAL STUDIES PROGRAM WITH A ROBUST SET OF CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES IN A SUPPORTIVE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT.
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The Elementary School Admissions Department
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS
actively
recruits
new
students,
guides
families through the admissions process and oversees practices allowing for new families to feel welcome and included. Working closely with the Executive Director as well as Early Childhood, Lower School and Middle School administrators, this department consists of three committees of lay leaders who help achieve the common goal of ensuring that all students and families have a positive and meaningful Flatbush experience.
RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE
This committee coordinates events and programs for the recruitment of prospective families. Members are integral in establishing connections with new families and welcoming them into our school.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS BY NEIGHBORHOOD 89
SHEEPSHEAD BAY
488
GRAVESEND
152
18
MILL BASIN
STATEN ISLAND
2
CROWN HEIGHTS
15
NEW JERSEY
KLAL YISRAEL COMMITTEE
This group assists with the recruitment of a broader audience of families. They promote Klal Yisrael within our school by understanding the needs of all of our families and improving their overall YOF experience.
99
FLATBUSH
11
2
LONG ISLAND
BEDFORD-STUYVESANT
8
688
MANHATTAN
MIDWOOD
463
MADISON
RETENTION COMMITTEE
The Retention Committee interviews families who leave the Yeshivah to understand their concerns and share feedback with school administrators. This information is important in identifying areas of growth for the school and ways in which we can improve the educational experience of our families.
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228
140+
50
new student applications submitted for the 20202021 school year
new students added to Early Childhood
new families joined our Elementary School for the 2020-2021 school year
HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS 235
500+
greeting packages delivered to prospective students
one-on-one follow up conversations with parents
480
98
virtual Open House attendees
in-person interviews
225
215
in-person tours of JBHS
seniors and juniors who met with new applicants
Members of the Admissions Department arranged meetings between prospective students from multiple schools and our own students and administrators, who fielded questions in an open discussion. In addition, YOF invited the new students to participate in a week of Judaic learning online, in advance of our Open House, with our rabbis and talented teachers.
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EDUCATE:
MY FLATBUSH JOURNEY I began my Yeshivah of Flatbush journey as a kindergarten student. Since then, the person I have become, the values I have fostered and the relationships I have made have all been impacted by Flatbush. As a self-motivated student, guided by my incredibly supportive parents, the years that I spent in elementary school helped me to develop the foundation for my work ethic and allowed me to create relationships with teachers and students that continue to strengthen to this day.
Jennifer Salzman (ES ‘17, HS ’21)
I have been pushed to achieve feats far beyond my preconceived notion of my own academic capabilities. 18
But it was at the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School that I first began to truly take ownership of my education and student life. I am now in my element, my home and the place where I strive to be the best version of myself in every possible way. My teachers inspire me to learn not just for tests but for the joy of acquiring knowledge. Guided by driven and compassionate faculty, I have been pushed to achieve feats far beyond my preconceived notion of my own academic capabilities. As a high school freshman, I realized that taking advantage of Flatbush on a purely academic level would mean that I would be missing out on some of the most important elements of school. The opportunities for involvement after school are endless. I first chose to join extracurricular activities including the Dance Team, Yachad, Tzedakah Commission, and The Phoenix newspaper. Now in my senior year, I am the co-editor of the yearbook and participated in the Witness Theater program. The Pathfinders Program empowered me to pursue my interests on a deeper level when I got the chance to see a virtual heart transplant
and shadow a cardiologist from Mount Sinai Hospital. However, perhaps the most meaningful part of being a Flatbush student has been how the school became my prime source of religious inspiration. Specifically, I have had the honor of creating very special relationships with Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari, Rabbi Zelig Prag and Rabbi Naftali Besser. These rabbis have guided me, inspired me and educated me throughout every day of my Flatbush journey. My religious and core values have been shaped, strengthened and nurtured by them, and through their guidance and teachings, I have become a true lover of Torah. I also decided to dedicate myself to performing mitzvot, whether through teaming up with Yachad or raising money for different organizations. Community service plays a huge role in what it means to be a Flatbush student. Having had the privilege to go on the 18th annual Chesed Mission, I was awestruck by the 72 students who joined me in giving up their winter vacations to do chesed in the Holy Land. Every day of that trip, whether we were visiting a facility for disabled children or dancing with Israeli soldiers, was filled with inspiring and heart-touching moments that I will never forget. Flatbush has challenged me far beyond any limit I would have ever set for myself. Although I am graduating this year, a part of me will always remain in the halls of Flatbush. I look forward to returning as an alumna when I can help instill future graduates with the same feeling that Flatbush and its faculty have instilled in me.
EDUCATE:
A ROAD TO DISCOVERY
Tsei U’lemad® is a Talmudic term that means “Go out and learn.” This unique program, trademarked by YOF, offers JBHS students a variety of independent study courses that encourage them to go beyond the classroom to learn. We inspire students to broaden their interests, empower them to seek deeper knowledge and provide them with top-notch instructors to educate them on topics that are new and exciting for them.
HERE IS A SAMPLING OF OUR RECENT CLASS OFFERINGS: Advanced Hebrew Journalism American Sign Language Arabic Language and Culture Architecture and Design
JACK SAAD
(HS ‘22)
“The Stock Market Tsei U’lemad® class really sparked my interest in stocks and taught me lessons that I still use in my trading today.”
Art and Marketing of Pattern Design: Advanced
Journey to the Soul: An Intellectual Approach to Understanding Judaism Law and Literature Leadership Development Masterpiece Workshop Program Medical Leaders Prep Program
Brain Health
Mishna Study (Advanced Mishna)
Children’s Literature: Is Children’s Literature Really for Children?
Music Composition/Arranging and Ear Training
Classic American Film Cosmology Emergency Medicine and Anatomy Experimental Psychology French Game Theory in Sports, Medicine, Public Policy and Financial Economics The History and Practice of Fiber Arts The History of Espionage Intro to C++ Intro to the Stock Market Israel’s War of Independence
Nutrition Physiology of Fitness and Exercise Piano Masters Classes and Instrumental Chamber Groups Principles of Intellectual Property Problem Solving in Mathematics Russian Safrut Sculpture Social Entrepreneurship Spanish Literature Sports Business and Governance
Italian Language and Culture
The State of Israel: History, Political System, Culture and Daily Life
Jewelry Design and Marketing
Voices of the Holocaust 19
EDUCATE:
COLLEGE-BOUND
6
4
2
applications on average per student
acceptances on average per student
nationally recognized scholars — a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar and a Presidential Scholars semifinalist
37
$1,000,000+
students accepted to the top 100 U.S. News & World Report schools
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The class of 2020 consisted of 131 seniors who were accepted to 58 academic institutions. Ten of these schools are considered “highly selective.”
awarded in Merit Scholarships
30 college reps visited the YOF campus to recruit our students
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EDUCATE: AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATIONS THE SUMMIT The Summit yearbook is a student-run and -created publication that celebrates the journey of the graduating class. With space devoted to both academic and extracurricular pursuits, it seeks to embody the collective experience of four years at the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School. For the second year in a row, the Summit has won awards from the American Scholastic Press Association. Despite significant challenges to completing a yearbook during quarantine, the team, led by Editor-in-Chief Danielle Mehani, earned two top awards: First Place with Special Merit, awarded to school publications with special and outstanding design and content, and Most Outstanding High School Yearbook, the highest yearbook award in the contest.
Job 7824 Year 2020 Page 942 (962451122) 03/10/2021 9:08 AM
PEGASUS
Copyright © Jostens Inc, 2021
Pegasus won first place in 2020 with special merit, and Shelley Shamah (ES ’17, HS ‘21) was awarded Best Photography Award in the American Scholastic Press Association contest. Pegasus is a literary and art magazine that allows students to express their creativity outside the classroom. It is published on an annual basis and includes poems, essays, drawings, paintings and graphic works. Sarah Dagmy (ES ‘16, HS ‘20) said that “being an editor for Pegasus was such an amazing experience. Reading and editing the works of my peers for the literary and artistic magazine exposed me to the extraordinary and talented works of my fellow students.” Pegasus is dedicated by Laura and Joe R. Tawil.
THE PHOENIX The Phoenix is the monthly newspaper for Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School. Written entirely by students, the publication features in-depth reporting on school news, upcoming events, sports, entertainment, divrei Torah and more. “Through The Phoenix, I was able to explore so many fields of interest,” said Raquel Silvera (ES ‘16, HS ‘20). “It allowed me to pursue my passion for journalism and creative writing.”
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INSPIRE INSPIRE A LOVE FOR AND COMMITMENT TO TORAH U’MITZVOT, MEDINAT YISRAEL, AND KLAL YISRAEL WITH RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVANCE THE WELFARE OF ALL HUMANITY.
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INSPIRE:
STORIES THAT STAY
The mission of Names, Not Numbers© is to transform the traditional study of the Holocaust into a hands-on educational experience. Students meet survivors in real life, interview them, and preserve their stories in a documentary film to be archived in the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Israel. In this way, the memories, stories, and life lessons of these survivors will inspire future generations to combat anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred and intolerance.
5
32
1,700
survivors as well as a secondgeneration daughter of a survivor were interviewed for the movie
YOF students participated in the creation of the movie
people watched the Names, Not Numbers© movie online
Names, Not Numbers© at the Yeshivah of Flatbush is dedicated by The Dr. Lawrence (ES’47) A”H and Suzanne Fishman Holocaust Education Fund.
24
“Throughout this entire program, the aspect that impacted me the most was the thought that we are the last generation that will have the opportunity to actually meet a Holocaust survivor. My children will not be able to have this type of experience.“ VICTOR BRACA
“I will never forget my experience. As I listened to Professor Smadar Rosensweig describing the difficult times her mother, Dr. Yaffa Eliach A”H, endured during the Holocaust, I was moved by her tragic story. Professor Rosensweig delivered her mother’s story with so much passion. It is important that we continue to pass on these stories so they are never forgotten.” RENEE FRANCO
“Being a participant in the program and getting a chance to interview Holocaust survivor Mrs. Ruth Zimbler was a very meaningful experience. As she described her experiences during this terrible time period in Europe, I was able to visualize how terrifying it must have been to be a Jew during those years, how frightening it must have been to be taken away from all you’d ever known. Meeting someone who lived through it all and survived has been very inspirational.”
“Names, Not Numbers© means so much to me. I feel a personal connection because all of my great-grandparents were in the Holocaust. I am so glad that I got a chance to be a part of this program and that I am able to help these amazing, strong people by continuing to tell their story to the world.” LAUREN LEYBOVICH
SHIRLEY JAJATI “Having the opportunity to participate in Names, Not Numbers© was an experience that will remain with me forever. While interviewing Holocaust survivor Mrs. Paulette Barrett Singer, many questions kept racing through my mind. As she was telling us her story, I tried to imagine living a life like hers. We must continue to pass along these brave and moving stories about the horrors these survivors faced.” RUTHY ISRAEL
“The most impactful part of this program, of course, was meeting survivor Mr. Max Lerner. Meeting him and interviewing him allowed me, in a way, to see through his eyes and understand more deeply what it might have been like to live during the Holocaust.” JOE TAWIL
“I will forever remember my experience in Names, Not Numbers©. When I was interviewing my survivor, Dr. Rene David Alkalay, I was touched because when he was telling us stories about his life, he told them with so much emotion. We are lucky we were able to hear the stories from the people who lived through the Holocaust. It is now our generation’s job to pass these stories on.” SHELLEY SAFDIEH
“Interviewing an actual Holocaust survivor is a whole other experience than just reading a book or watching a movie. As I interviewed Mr. Erwin Foley, a hundred questions were spinning through my mind. I couldn’t believe that I was speaking face-to-face with an Auschwitz survivor, a person who survived a terrifying experience that I still can’t comprehend.” LEAH LATI
25
INSPIRE:
THE FUTURE WITNESSING THE PAST
Witness Theater, an award-winning program directed by Ms. Sally Shatzkes (ES ’95, HS ‘98), brings together Holocaust survivors and high school students with a goal to share, understand and experience the stories of the Holocaust.
5,400
2,000
16
5
views of the Witness Theater movie on YouTube
views on Facebook Live
students participated
Holocaust survivors participated
Dear Sally,
I hope in some way we were able to teach them to cherish the ordinary things that we, the survivors, were deprived of. 26
2020 Witness Theater participant and Holocaust survivor, Bella Barsky, reached out to Ms. Shatzkes to reflect on the quality of the virtual showing of “Ordinary Blessings” last spring.
SCAN TO WATCH ORDINARY BLESSINGS: A WITNESS THEATER TRIBUTE VIDEO
I watched the Witness Theater show “Ordinary Blessings” today for the first time. Your speech was so touching. You expressed it from your heart. Your task was very complicated as you had to accommodate the stories of all of us–the survivors–in the shortest possible time and [during] a very unexpected time. I’m amused by all the speeches of every student. They’re so warm, full of love to each of us. I hope in some way we were able to teach them to cherish the ordinary things that we, the survivors, were deprived of. I’m blessed that I had the chance to meet all of you who will carry out the story to future generations of the attempt of the Nazis and their plan of destruction of the Jewish people. The dreams of my parents are fulfilled for me and my family [because of] the freedom we gained a half-century ago. My only dream now is to witness a peaceful and happy time. My love to you, and all of the group. Thank you. I dream to see you all again! -Bella
INSPIRE:
SHOWSTOPPERS! HEBREW TONY AWARDS The Hebrew Tony Awards show honored different faculty and staff members. The show featured a charismatic host (Coach Michael Gurock), acceptance speeches and musical numbers that honored each awardee. This unique production aired on Zoom during a snowstorm to a captive audience of over 1,400 people! JBHS students demonstrated once more that with great challenges comes great creativity.
2,200
22
views of the show
teachers performed
45
7
SCAN TO WATCH THE HEBREW TONY AWARDS
students performed and Tony award-winning produced the show individuals and groups
EVENING OF THE ARTS The 2020 JBHS Evening of the Arts proved that the show must go on! The evening offered everything we would have expected in a live show, and more. A virtual gallery displayed student artwork. An extraordinary production featured musical and dramatic performances by our students and faculty. The event also included the latest virtual edition of our award-winning literary magazine, Pegasus. Evening of the Arts is dedicated by Trina and Joe Cayre and Family.
867
2,217
50
25
viewers of the online show
page views of the art gallery
art pieces included in the exhibit
students contributed to the event
SCAN TO EXPERIENCE THE EVENING OF THE ARTS
27
INSPIRE:
TO LIVE THE DREAM FLORENCE BRODER
(HS ‘96)
“My aliyah was one of the smoothest ever because I had such a strong connection to Israel and advanced Hebrew proficiency which I credit to Mrs. Haramati. It made it really easy for me to get a job, and native Israelis were always wowed by my knowledge of Hebrew grammar. When I first moved to Tel Aviv, I went to visit Bialik’s house because we learned his poems at Flatbush with Mar Raphaeli. I was delighted to see this quote painted on one of the wall murals: ‘’לא זכיתי באור מן ההפקר. This was one of the poems we had to memorize by heart in junior year. I can still recite the first stanza to this day.”
ALIZA (ALYSSA) BERGER
Making aliyah is the ultimate commitment to Zionism. Thousands of YOF alumni made that step and are a living testimony to the strong ties established between our homeland and our home on Avenue J.
EDDA (EISENSTADT) WEISSBERG
(ES ‘82, HS ‘86) “I went on my first trip to Israel with Rabbi Yotav Eliach’s (ES ‘71) camp at the age of 14. I was filled with the Zionistic spirit since childhood — you can’t exactly avoid it when you’re made to speak Hebrew half of the day from first grade as a Flatbush student... Yotav’s camp was my first opportunity to actually visit Israel. I came back from the trip, turned to my Mom A”H in the car and told her “I’m making aliyah.” My mother’s immediate response was “You’ll change your mind.” At that point, I became totally aliyah-oriented, which was fully encouraged by Flatbush. Everything at Flatbush was Israel focused — the general Zionistic spirit, the עברית בעברית teaching style that made us fluent in Hebrew, the yearly march in the Israel Day Parade, and Yom Haatzmaut celebrations. When I came back from my year in Israel, I turned to my parents and said ‘I’m definitely making aliyah. The only question is when.’ I took the leap in July of 2009 and never looked back.”
(ES ‘79, HS ‘83) “I remember fondly the Israeli songs in elementary and high school — “Hakotel” with Mrs. Ribalow, “Halleluya,” which we sang at our 8th grade graduation in 1979 (I later discovered it had been the Eurovision winner that year) and “Etzlenu Ba-Chatser” with one student taking the line for each country saying hello. The Hebrew literature, the dancing with blue-and-white clothes and the programs for Yom HaZikaron, Yom Ha’Atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim. The Zionism course I took and the encouragement to spend a year in Israel after high school. It was so important to have the presence of Israeli teachers, and of course our classmate Esthy Bezalel (now Goldblat), the daughter of a Bnei Akiva emissary, who now lives in the Shomron and whom I’m in touch with to this day.”
28
JACOB RICHMAN
(HS ‘76)
“In 1975, Yeshivah of Flatbush high school marched in the Salute to Israel Parade under the theme ‘Zionism is not Racism,’ and 46 years later, I still remember that march vividly. Whether it was going to rallies to free Soviet Jewry or celebrating Israel events, those extra activities left lasting impressions on me. I moved to Israel in 1984 and still have very good memories of Flatbush.”
MENUCHA (QUINT) CHWAT
PAUL KOPYT
(ES ‘74, HS ‘78)
Past YOF President
“Looking back on my aliyah, and on raising Israeli children, I am filled with gratitude for the ‘read Hebrew books and get pages program’ run by Mrs. Lapid. I read the same books as Israeli children my age, and was able to participate in conversations where Kofiko, Chasamba, Aharon Megged, Devora Omer etc. were mentioned. When my children were reading these books I could say �I read that at your age.�”
AKIVA OFFENBACHER
(HS ‘69)
“Aside from my parents and grandparents, Yeshivah of Flatbush was far and away the most important influence on my decision to make aliyah. Our many Israeli teachers were important role models. They provided curiosity and interest in the country. Rabbi Eliach, Rabbi Haramati, Rabbi Schach and Rabbi Gruzman served as role models for all of us.”
(HS ‘69)
“I came from a home of Holocaust survivors, ardent Zionists, but the Yeshivah developed the love of Zionism in me to a great degree. I am indebted to my mentor, teacher, and head of school, Rabbi Dr. David Eliach, for instilling in us the love of medinat Yisrael, klal Yisrael and torat Yisrael. During the Six Day War, there were daily reports played over the loudspeaker in the High school building to let us know what was happening on the ground in Israel. One broadcast in particular still makes me choke up to this very day. When the head of the paratroopers declared “Har habayit byadenu”, we burst out in tears of joy. We were dancing and screaming throughout the building. To most of us, what was har habayit? At that point, I had never seen it, but I knew what it was. But why did it bring such a strong emotional surge in me? That’s because the Yeshivah managed to instill in us a love for our nation and our history. For all of us, those words were extremely meaningful. All of my children are graduates of the Yeshivah of Flatbush and four of them preceded my wife and me in making aliyah. The culmination of the Zionist dream.”
CLAUDINE (CHEHOVA) ADES
(HS ‘01) MARISSA ROSENFELD
(HS ‘08) “Flatbush instilled in me a love of Israel by always putting it at the center of our learning, both in the classroom and outside of it. More than that, by making time for chesed at every opportunity, the school showed me not only what it meant to be a good student, but a good person. Moving to Israel and working for an Israeli humanitarian organization is no doubt the culmination of these values coming to life. I’m grateful for the lessons, small and big, that brought me to Tel Aviv and to this new chapter in my life.”
“Living in Israel has been something we have thought about for many years. We have taken many trips there with the kids over the years and have felt a special connection to the land every time. We contemplated moving, but it just never seemed the right time. When my daughter was graduating 8th grade from Flatbush, we realized it was now or never and took the leap! We were lucky enough to make aliyah in the summer of 2019. We were able to make lots of friends and enjoy all the great things about Israel before Covid-19. The most exciting moment for us was in May 2020 when I gave birth to our first Israeli baby! To make a brit milah in Israel in the same land that Avraham Avinu made his brit milah 4,000 years ago, not far from our home, was so meaningful and truly made us feel we are living where we belong.”
29
INSPIRE:
OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS TRUSTEES Steven Adelsberg Zvi BenHaim Maggie Betesh Jack Cayre Robert Frastai Marjorie Gindi Mark Goldstein Abe Haddad Abe Hanan Ralph Harary Abie J. Hidary* Louis Jerome Albert Laboz Hagai Laniado Hymie Mamiye Jack Mann Jack Mosseri Solomon Mosseri David Oved Jack Rahmey Seymour Sammell Ami Sasson
30
*Committee Chairs
Lillie Sasson Steven Sasson Alan Shamah Ralph S. Shamah Isaac Silvera Steven Stein Joe R. Tawil Ronald Tawil Mitchell Vilinsky
OFFICERS
Joey Allaham Abe Anteby David Azar Joseph Betesh David Chabbott JoJo Chehebar Morris Doueck Jerat Feldman Abe Hanan Albert Hasson Abie J. Hidary* Elliot Horowitz Jack Katri
David Khaski Ruvin Levavi Dawn Levy David Oved Dory Salem Ami Sasson Lillie Sasson Eric Setton Louis Shamie Ralph S. Shamah Sheila Shamah Sam Shamie Isaac Silvera Abraham Sultan Mitchell Vilinsky Jeanne Zirdok
BOARD OF EDUCATION Sarita Bakst Amy Betesh Maggie Betesh Sarah Chalouh
Sarah Chrem Michele Cohen David Dayan Morris Doueck Eddie Frastai Robert Frastai Celia Gindi Marjorie Gindi Mark Goldstein Abe Hanan Albert Hasson Abie J. Hidary Yvette Hidary David Khaski Gaston Kroub Jessica Lazerowitz Ruvin Levavi Dawn Levy Isaac Marcus Esther Mishan Julie Montague Nicole Oved Dory Salem Gina Samstein
Amy Sasson Lillie Sasson Ralph S. Shamah Louis Shamie Danny Shatzkes Isaac Silvera* Betty Sitt Steven Stein Eric Stern Rachel Tabush Nathalie Vilinsky Jeanne Zirdok*
FINANCE Morris I. Bailey Joseph Betesh JoJo Chehebar Solly Chehebar Morris Doueck Zeke Faham Robert Frastai David Gindi Abe Haddad
Bernie Hafif Abe Hanan* Ralph Harary Albert Hasson Abie J. Hidary Jack Mann Hymie Mishan Isaac Mograby Jack Mosseri Dory Salem Seymour Sammell Lillie Sasson Steven Sasson Eric Setton Alan Shamah Ralph S. Shamah Sheila Shamah Louis Shamie Isaac Silvera Abraham Sultan Morris Tabush Joe R. Tawil Mitchell Vilinsky Ralph Zirdok
YOF volunteers are second to none. Our volunteers invest countless hours and give their hearts, souls, time and skills to benefit our students’ and faculty’s daily experience. Their role is vital in accomplishing the school’s mission and we are fortunate to have them as our partners.
FUNDRAISING Joey M. Allaham David Azar David Chabbott JoJo Chehebar Abe Haddad Abe Hanan Ralph J. Harary Abie J. Hidary Hagai Laniado Limor Madeb Hyman Mamiye Jack Mann Isaac Mograby Jack Mosseri David Oved Joey Oved Seymour Sammell Ami Sasson Ralph S. Shamah* Joey V. Tawil Joe R. Tawil*
THE NAOMI HOULLOU A”H LADIES AUXILIARY
Dianne Abboud Doreen Ades Rena Ashear Yvette Beyda Iris Bukobza Sarah Chalouh Judy Chehebar Mazie Chehebar Esther Chehova Danielle Chetrit Becky Cohen Rochelle Dweck Marjorie Eida Deborah Epstein Sara Evenhar Florette Ghermezian Carrie Goldstein Joyce Haddad Irene Hanan Zahava Harari Rachael Hidary
Yvette Hidary Batsheva Knopfler Limor Madeb Esther Mishan Ravit Mizrahi Stephanie Mosseri Tammi Mosseri Rachel Mouhadeb Rachel Novick Nicole Oved Aliza Salem Minna Samra Ami Sasson Amy Sasson Lillie Sasson* Cynthia Setton Nina Shamah Sheila Shamah* Beatrice Sutton Melissa Tbeile
LEAD
Gennadiy Belenkiy David Chabbott* Esther Chehova
Elliot Douek Isaac Douek Victoria Dweck Maurice Eida Sonny Haddad Joseph Hanono Mazie Kassab Alyssa Mann Esther Mishan* Judy Namer Michael Podolsky Walter Rahmey Norma Safdieh Eddie Salem Robert Setton Jack Tebele Joey V. Tawil Susan Zoltan
MEDICAL
Dr. Jack Katri Dr. David Khaski Dr. Daniel Matalon Dr. Judy Namer Dr. Joe Tawil
MARKETING
Abe Anteby* Rena Ashear Sarita Bakst Sean Chraime Michele Cohen Shai Ghermezian Abe Haddad Abe J. Hidary Yvette Hidary Ruvin Levavi Alan J. Sasson Ami Sasson Aaron Winnick
RECRUITMENT Michele Cohen Sally Cohen Victoria Dweck Claudine Haber Shari Hidary Alyssa Mann Esther Mishan Robin Rahmey
Ami Sasson Eric Stern Nina Shamah* Sara Tawil
KLAL YISRAEL
Arthur Gutman Abe Haddad Batsheva Knopfler Ruvin Levavi* Michael Podolsky Walter Rahmey Eric Stern Sally Shatzkes
RETENTION
Abe Anteby Amy Betesh David Chabbott Marjorie Gindi Ruvin Levavi Dawn Levy* Isaac Marcus Gina Samstein
31
ALUMNI:
FAMILY IN NUMBERS
32
500
50%
78%
users on YOF’s alumni network “FlatbushAlumni.org”
of network users say they are willing to help a current student or a recent grad with mentorships, internships or other networking opportunities
of network users return to the platform to interact with other alumni, look through the job board or read the news feed
1994
1936
4,500
graduates have the most representatives on our online platform
is the earliest class year with representatives on our online platform
alumni receive our monthly newsletters!
1,064
27%
193
alumni hold the title of “Doctor”
of our teachers are YOF alumni
alumni hold the title of “Rabbi”
PHILANTHROPY
REPORT 33
FUNDRAISING:
STRENGTH AND GROWTH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND GENERAL DONATIONS $4,500,000 $4,000,000 $3,500,000 $3,000,000 $2,500,000 $2,000,000
$2,115,894
$2,489,914
$2,968,674
$1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 0
2017-2018
2018-2019: +17.67%
2019-2020: +19.22%
*These amounts do not include the Flatbush Forever Fund (Endowment) and Blueprint for Excellence (Capital Campaign).
34
1,991
$1,484,770
$1,297,413
donations made to the Yeshivah of Flatbush in 2020
total donations made by alumni
total donations made by parents
303 first-time donors
NUMBER OF DONATIONS BY GIVING LEVELS
THE MINYAN BENEFACTORS PILLARS
1
$1,000,000+
1
$100,000+
2
CHAMPIONS
5
SCHOLARS
9
AMBASSADORS LEADERS PATRONS PARTNERS PIONEERS FALCONS SUPPORTERS ALLIES CONTRIBUTORS FRIENDS SPONSORS
15 17 18 29
$72,000+ $50,000+ $36,000+ $26,000+ $18,000+ $10,000+ $3,600+
46
$5,000+
159
$360+
182 243 318
$1,800+ $1,000+ $500+
386
$180+
560
$1+
NUMBER OF DONATIONS BY CAMPAIGN: 1,991 402
RAFFLE
320
GENERAL DONATION
488
ALUMNI CAMPAIGN
234
4
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
4
AUCTION
ENDOWMENT
539
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
AMOUNT OF DONATIONS FROM PARENTS: $1,297,413
$24,041
ALUMNI CAMPAIGN
$156,666 RAFFLE
$651,402
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$265,275
GENERAL DONATION
$36,000
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
$164,029 AUCTION
2020 FIRST-TIME DONORS: $275,641
$18,784
ALUMNI CAMPAIGN
$10,753
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$42,777
AUCTION
$87,560 RAFFLE
$8,000
Our goal is to reach annual donations equal to 10% of the operating budget, or $4.5M of annual giving. Last year we raised nearly $3M, reaching almost 65% of our target goal.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
$107,767
GENERAL DONATION
35
IMPACT:
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND A gift to the Annual Scholarship Fund supports every aspect of a student's experience, providing new ways of learning as well as the ability for the Yeshivah to be responsive to emerging opportunities and challenges. Gifts to this fund make an immediate difference in the lives of students and faculty, as donations are directed to where the need is the greatest and are an important complement to our Capital and Endowment Campaigns. Annual Scholarship Fund donations turn ideas into actions and are critical in achieving our mission of academic excellence. Through their generosity, our donors afford us the opportunity to provide a meaningful YOF experience for every student in our Yeshivah. We recognize our Annual Scholarship Fund donors:
PILLARS ($72,000+)
Julie and Steven Montague The Oved Family
Laura and Joe R. Tawil
CHAMPIONS ($50,000+) Anonymous
The Bailey, Jerome and Horovits Families Ralph S. Gindi Foundation Harary, Beyda, and Sassoon Family
SCHOLARS (36,000+) Joe and Trina Cayre Foundation I. Chera & Sons Foundation Haddad Brands Family Foundation Hidrock Properties The Judaica Mall LLC Helene and Alan Shamah
& Sally and Joey Shamah
Beatrice and Jeffrey Sutton Rachel and Jeff Sutton Triangle Capital Group
36
AMBASSADORS ($26,000+) Morris Hanan and Sons The Mamiye Foundation / Marlene and Hymie Mamiye Tammi and Solomon Mosseri Nakash Family Foundation Nicole and Darren Oved Robyn and Seymour Sammell Marlene & Steven R. Shamah and Family Adele and Louis Shamie Terry and Isaac Silvera
Claudia and Avi Houllou
LEADERS ($18,000+) Reneé and Steven Adelsberg Alice and Harry Adjmi Chehebar Family Foundation Lisa and Lee Cohen Franco Foundation James Haber Lillian and Eli Haddad Samantha and Bobby Harary Debbie and Jack Saadia Amy and Steven Sasson SDI Technologies/iHome
Jamie and Mickey Shamah and Sons Betty and Joseph Sitt Arlene and Marty Stein and Family Nathalie and Mitchell Vilinsky
PATRONS ($10,000+) Lillian and Joey M. Allaham Vicky and Abe M. Anteby Amy and Joseph Betesh Sol Betesh and Sons Foundation Century 21 Associates Foundation Inc. Chalmé Family - Elliot R. Chalmé Foundation Gail and JoJo Chehebar Ninette and Jaret Feldman Frieda and Joseph Franco Sarah and Jack Franco Adele and David Khaski Barbara and Robert Matalon Charles and Brenda Saka Family Foundation Ami and Ralph J. Sasson Rachel and Morris Tabush Shari and Saul Tawil Jeanne and Ralph Zirdok
The list above reflects gifts received by YOF in the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years. If you believe any errors have been made, please let us know by calling the Development Office at 718.377.4040.
MENU OF
OPPORTUNITIES We are pleased to announce a new donor recognition program that acknowledges the important role of our major donors in advancing the YOF mission. The Menu of Opportunities for annual donors of $26,000 and above is filled with many exciting and robust offerings. The donors at right have made annual gifts and dedicated the following programs:
PILLARS ($72,000+) LADIES AUXILIARY
The Naomi Houllou A”H Ladies Auxiliary
CHAMPIONS ($50,000+)
DR. ALBERT MONTAGUE A”H STEM INSTITUTE Dedicated by Julie and Steven Montague
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEFILLAH PROGRAM Dedicated In Memory of Ralph J. Harary
JBHS BOYS & GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAMS Dedicated by the Oved Family
JBHS HISTORY DEPARTMENT
Dedicated by the Bailey, Jerome and Horovits Families
SCHOLARS (36,000+)
KINDERGARTEN FRIENDSHIP CELEBRATION
Dedicated in gratitude to the Early Childhood teachers by the Shamie family
FLATBUSH FAMILY SHABBATON
Dedicated by Haddad Brands Family Foundation
JBHS EVENING OF THE ARTS
Dedicated by Trina and Joe Cayre and Family
PATHFINDERS CURATED SPEAKER SERIES Dedicated by Triangle Capital Group
PARENT SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP
Dedicated in honor of Esther & Jack A. Hidary
POLAND HERITAGE TRIP
Dedicated by Rachel and Jeff Sutton
AMBASSADORS ($26,000+) 8TH GRADE GRADUATION
Dedicated by Nicole and Darren Oved
12TH GRADE GRADUATION
Dedicated In Honor of Marlene and Steven R. Shamah
ARCHON SERVICE SOCIETY ASSEMBLY Dedicated by the Hanan Family
PKRE READING IN PAJAMAS
Dedicated by Terry and Isaac Silvera in honor of their daughter Victoria
NAMES NOT NUMBERS ©
Dedicated by Dr. Lawrence A”H (ES ‘47) and Suzanne Fishman Holocaust Education Fund
PEGASUS LITERATURE & ART MAGAZINE TO VIEW THE COMPLETE MENU OF OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE SCAN THE QR CODE.
Dedicated by Laura & Joe R. Tawil
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL CARNIVAL
Dedicated by Steven Montague in Honor of His Wife Julie
YOM HA’ATZMAUT CELEBRATION Dedicated by the Mamiye Family
37
FINANCE: THE COST OF EDUCATION
The cost to provide all that our school offers is significant, and with the rising cost of tuition, we are diligent about increasing our revenues from other sources. Year after year, our Trustees and Board of Directors, along with our Executive Office and administrators, maintain fiduciary responsibility while ensuring there is no compromise on the quality of education. The Finance Committee, along with the Director of Finance, which meets monthly, ensures that our school runs efficiently by monitoring the budget, analyzing accounting processes and researching future project possibilities. The school also undergoes an annual audit by an outside accounting firm.
Building 5%
Grants 8%
Education 7.5%
Donations 6%
Administration 3%
Other 2%
Other 2%
Tuition 84%
Insurance 1.5% Fundraising 1%
REVENUE
EXPENSES
We convey our deep hakarat hatov to several organizations and foundations that have increased their grants during 2020 to the Yeshivah of Flatbush and funded the costs involved in making sure our school is a safe environment. Some of these funds were for the increased demand for tuition scholarships, which is a strong testament of their commitment to Jewish education. We Thank:
Payroll 80%
$12,207,723 The amount that the Yeshivah of Flatbush awarded in tuition assistance
821 students from 416 families to
38
FUTURE:
FLATBUSH FOREVER FUND
Beyond the Annual and Capital Campaigns, some of our key donors and alumni members are looking to the long term, and building a permanent endowment that can help ensure that Flatbush will always be able to fulfill its mission.
Our vision is to grow a base of invested capital that can
YOF also has over $3M in a board-designated endowment,
eventually provide an annual stream of income. YOF has over
which is being invested according to strict board-mandated
$3M in pledges to the Day School Challenge Fund (“DSCF”),
guidelines. This endowment is a great giving option for those
managed by the UJA-Federation of New York, which provides
looking to have a permanent impact on making Flatbush's
a 50% match on our income. This income directly influences
superior Judaic and general studies education affordable for
our budget and helps to temper tuition increases. DSCF
every family, for generations to come.
invests these funds with the goal of steady growth over time
To make a planned-giving donation, please contact Hila Stern,
and distributes steady amounts with the goal of increasing distributions, net of effect of inflation, over time.
DAY SCHOOL CHALLENGE FUND:
Director of Development at 718.377.4040, x110.
ENDOWMENT ANNUAL INCOME $196,732
Overall Fund:
$4,651,644
Pledges:
$3,132,000
$209,258*
$184,101
$200,000
$142,540 Collected:
$2,217,491
Balance:
$914,509*
* To be paid by 2022.
$100,000
2018
2019
2020
2021 (*projection)
Annual income from the Flatbush Forever Fund is projected to yield $360,000 annually, after all outstanding pledges are collected. 39
YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 919 East 10th Street Brooklyn, NY 11230 718.377.4466 718.377.4040
JOEL BRAVERMAN HIGH SCHOOL Al and Sonny Gindi Campus 1609 Avenue J Brooklyn, NY 11230 718.377.1100
WAYS TO GIVE
TO YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH How Alumni, Parents and Friends Can Support YOF MAKE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT:
ENSURE THE FUTURE:
Cash Gifts
are invested by the YOF Investment Committee to generate income in the future, offering you an opportunity to make a lasting impact. Endowment funds can be established with a minimum contribution of $10,000. They can be unrestricted or directed toward scholarships or other special programs.
can be made easily by credit card, personal check or bank wire transfer.
Gifts of Appreciated Securities, Stocks or Bonds provide considerable tax advantages for the donor when the assets are transferred to YOF before they are sold.
Recurring Gifts are a convenient way to sustain your support for YOF. You can arrange for your credit card to be charged a particular amount at a chosen frequency.
Matching Gifts
FLATBUSH.ORG YOF App is available on
from your employer can multiply your contribution. Ask your employer if it has a matching gift program.
RECOGNIZE A SPECIAL PERSON OR A LIFE CYCLE EVENT: @yofhs @yoflatbush @yofladiesauxiliary @yofalumni
Facebook.com/YeshivahOfFlatbush Facebook.com/YOFHS Facebook.com/YOFALUMNI
40
Endowment Gifts
Naming YOF in Your Will or Life Insurance is a way to support future generations at the Yeshivah while remaining financially secure and able to meet your current needs.
Reunion Gifts demonstrate how much YOF has meant to you. Your generosity may inspire your classmates to donate as well.
“In Memory Of” or “In Honor Of” Gifts pay meaningful tribute to a family member, classmate, teacher or other special person in your life. Celebrate an anniversary or commemorate a yahrzeit by making a meaningful gift at tinyurl.com/YOFTribute .
For more information, please contact Hila Stern, Director of Development, at 718.377.4040 x 110 or visit our website at www.flatbush.org/Donate .
