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Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success Akiva Hebrew Day School 45th Annual Dinner Sunday April 26, 2009 Honoring Rabbi Yigal & Mrs. Shulamit Tsaidi Recipients of Akiva’s Ahavat Torah Award Rabbi Ronald Schwarzberg Recipient of the Alumnus of the Year Award Guest Speaker David Victor Cocktails 5:00 p.m. • Dinner 5:45 p.m. $180 per person Burton Manor 27777 Schoolcraft Road Livonia MI 48150 Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success Rabbi Yigal and Mrs. Shulamit Tsaidi Recipients of Akiva’s Ahavat Torah Award Rabbi Tsaidi and Shula are now returning to Israel to build their permanent home. While their stay here has been temporary, their mark on Akiva is enduring. They have taught us by example and by the example of the teachers they have chosen for our children, that Akiva provides not only an education but it inspires a way of life. The success is evident from the sounds of learning emanating from our classrooms. Their lessons are uniquely reflected in the life choices of a decade of students and graduates who have found themselves building committed Jewish lives here and in Israel. For Akiva, the Tsaidi’s have been the perfect fit; their vision matching the mission for which Akiva was founded. Their love of learning and passion for the State of Israel and Jewish people, have reignited the soul of our school. Rabbi Dr. Yigal Tsaidi has been Educational Director of Akiva for the past nine years and Shula has served as both a teacher and Akiva’s musical director. Their spirit and passion has infused Akiva with a renewed vitality and educational focus. Through Rabbi Tsaidi’s leadership, our student body has increased by more than twenty five percent. Our students and our teachers have achieved national acclaim and international recognition for their roles in the programs he has implemented. The doors of our school have been opened to the community as a center for Religious Zionism and of Torah learning with hundreds gathering at Akiva annually for concerts and Israel celebrations. Rabbi Tsaidi and Shula’s tenure at Akiva is the culmination of thirty years as Jewish educators. They have served as spiritual leaders in communities throughout North America including Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Montreal. In each of these communities, they have striven not only to educate the children but to embrace their families as well. Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success Rabbi Tsaidi’s adult education classes at Akiva, in throughout the metropolitan area, have been renowned. Shula has touched us with her music and fed our spirits as well as our palates with her uniquely flavorful meals beautifully and warmly presented. Together, they have opened their home and made us a part of their family. Rabbi Tsaidi grew up in Rechovot, Israel. His father,a natural educator, motivated five out of seven siblings to pursue a career in education. Rabbi Tsaidi served in the army as part of Yeshivat HaDarom’s hesder program. It was during that period that he realized that teaching would be his personal calling. During the 1967 war, when most of the teachers in his Yeshiva were mobilized to the front, Rabbi Tsaidi was approached by his Rosh Yeshiva who said “tomorrow, you are a teacher” and from that day forward Rabbi Tsaidi became one . As for Shula, it was through teaching that she met Rabbi Tsaidi. Shula moved to Israel from Morocco as a very young child. She studied education and psychology in Bar Ilan with a focus on special education, She taught in several different schools throughout Israel including one in which Rabbi Tsaidi’s sister taught. When he returned from Yeshiva University, a match was made. Together they returned to the statesU to attend his sister’s wedding, a shidduch was made. As for her music, Shula was always a singer and accordionist, then when leading a choir in Hillel Academy in Milwaukee she had the opportunity to make a cd with Israeli singer, Yoel Sharabi in honor of Jerusalem’s 3000. Shula believes strongly that too teach a child must first feel comfortable. She found that by connecting to the whole family she could connect to her student. She began opening her home, inviting families means to reaching child. Cooking was a means to expressing a creativity and also a priority in her family where a hot freshly made meal was always wait. Rabbi Tsaidi and Shula are now returning to Israel to build their permanent home. While their stay here has been temporary, their mark on Akiva is enduring. For Akiva, the Tsaidis have been the perfect fit; their vision matching the mission for which Akiva was founded. Their love of learning and passion for the State of Israel and Jewish people, has reignited the soul of our school. Rabbi Tsaidi and Shula have four children, Yaniv, Yahav, Yahel married to Emunah, and Yagil. They are the proud grandparents of Ateret Orah and Aharon Tzvi. Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success Rabbi Ronald Schwarzberg Recipient of the Alumnus of the Year Award Rabbi Schwarzberg received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and and a degree from the Ferkauf School of Psychology. His rabbinic career began at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale where he served first as its Educational Director and later as Associate Rabbi. He then spent more than nineteen years as senior Rabbi of Congregation Ahavas Achim in Highland Park, New Jersey transforming a declining congregation into a vibrant community of more than two hundred and fifty families. Currently, Rabbi Schwarzberg is Director of the Morris and Gertrude Bienenfeld Department of Jewish Career Development and Placement at Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future, and is responsible for the placement and ongoing mentorship of rabbis and Jewish educators throughout North America. Rabbi Schwarzberg has always made it a priority to help Jewish people beyond the boundaries of his own community. He was among the first rabbis to lead humanitarian and religious relief missions to the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and Cuba. He has always been a strong advocate for the State of Israel, leading congregational missions there even during the darkest days of the intifada. He is also proud to have served as Chairman of the United Jewish Communities working together with rabbis of all denominations and partnering with Jewish Federations across North America to support Israel and promote the welfare of the Jewish people. Rabbi Schwarzberg’s Akiva education motivated him to pursue a career in Jewish communal service and helped instill within him the leadership skills necessary to pursue his goals. . He vividly recalls the days of the Six Day War when he, his teachers and classmates huddled around transistor radios at Akiva, listening intently as the miraculous events unfolded. To many, this was a transformative time of spiritual reawakening and renewed connection to the State of Israel. To Rabbi Schwarzberg, this historic event it was simply Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success a reaffirmation of the core values which permeated Akiva and represented the essence of his Akiva education. Rabbi Schwarzberg is grateful to Akiva for the vital role it played in defining who he is today. We, in turn, are inspired by Rabbi Ronald Schwarzberg’s accomplishments as a Jewish communal leader as well as by the dedication and passion with which he continues to advocate for the welfare of our people. Rabbi Schwarzberg is married to Judy and father of Ari (married to Naomi), Elana, Aviva and Shayna. He is proud that Ari, currently studying for Smicha, and Elana, a Judaic studies teacher are in the “family business.” He believes strongly that there is no more critical place in which to invest our talents and our resources than in our Jewish day schools. Rabbi Schwarzberg still maintains strong connections to our Akiva family. He is the uncle of Daniel (’01), Rachel (’05), Adam and Noam (’08), children of his brother-in-law and sister Michael (’74) and Marla Greenbaum, all of whom attended Akiva. David Victor Guest Speaker David Victor is President of the American Israel Public Affairs (AIPAC), an organization described by The New York Times as “the most important organization affecting America’s relationship with Israel.” With the support of its more than 100,000 members nationwide, AIPAC has worked with Congress and the Executive Branch on numerous critical initiatives -- from securing vital foreign aid for Israel to stopping Iran’s illicit nuclear program. In these times of turbulence and change, AIPAC’s voice and bi-partisan efforts are critical to ensuring that American support for Israel remains strong. David Victor has served on AIPAC’s National Board of Directors since 2002. He is a Past President of Detroit Jewish Federation’s Young Adult Division and a former member of the Federation’s executive committee. He is also a former member of the United Jewish Appeal’s Young Leadership Cabinet. In addition he has served on the boards or executive committees of JARC, JVS, MOPAC, Kadima and the Jewish Community Council. David and his wife Kelly (’84) have four children, George, Robert, Adin and Jack . Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success Crowns of Torah Mrs. Alice Berlin Mrs. Dolores Brown & Family Dr. & Mrs. Martin Kornblum Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Sherizen Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Schostak Mrs. Lois Shiffman & Family Torah Builders Mr. & Mrs. Max Berlin Mr. & Mrs. Harold Blumenstein The Cohn Family Foundation Comprehensive Urology Mr. & Mrs. James Grosfeld The Karbal Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Edward Meer The Irving & Ethel Palman Foundation The Rohlik Foundation Dr. & Mrs. Michael Zuroff Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success Torah Benefactors Dr. & Mrs. Howard Korman Mr. & Mrs. Irving Nusbaum Mr. & Mrs. Sam Rozenberg Dr. & Mrs. Jack Schwarcz Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Weil Torah Guardians Mr. & Mrs. William Berlin Dr. & Mrs. Henry Brystowski Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Cook Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Goldenberg Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Kohn Mrs. Myrthe Naparstek Dr. & Mrs. Bert Schreiber Dr. Stuart Teger and Dr. Janelle Konstam Mr. & Mrs. Hershel Wrostlavsky Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success Chai Patrons Dr. & Mrs. David Beneson Mr. & Mrs. Mandell Berman Mr. Paul Fischer and Dr. Karoline Puder Florida Panthers Foundation Dr. & Mrs. Yoni Frogel Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Greenbaum Mr. & Mrs. Seymour Greenstein Dr. & Mrs. Seth Korelitz Dr. & Mrs. Michael Lehmann Dr. & Mrs. Noah Levi Mr. & Mrs. Morris Prostak Mr. & Mrs. Gary Torgow Mr. & Mrs. Robert Weiss Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Wolf Dr. & Mrs. Benjamin Wolkinson Mr. & Mrs. Alan Zekelman Dr. & Mrs. Fred Zwas Mr. & Mrs. Jack Zwick Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success Patrons Abraham & Bessie Hahn Charitable Foundation Alex Saltzman Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Borsand Mr. & Mrs. Martin Brin Drs. Larry and Helen Brown Mr. & Mrs. George Chessler Mrs. Herman K. Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Steven Z. Cohen Mr. David Dombey Mr. & Mrs. Ari Fischman Mr. & Mrs. Ethan Gilan Mrs. Doreen Hermelin Mr. & Mrs. Brian Herschfus Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hiller Mr. Sidney & Dr. Shoshana Katz Dr. & Mrs. Robert Kelman Dr. Gerald Kirzner and Mrs. Leah Ann Kleinfeldt Mr. Eddie and Dr. Susan Kresch Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence Loewenthal Drs. Benjamin & Tammy Movsas Mr. & Mrs. Mark Nadel Dr. & Mrs. Jay Novetsky Dr. & Mrs. William Schreiber Mr. & Mrs. David Tanzman Rabbi & Mrs. Yigal Tsaidi Mr. & Mrs. Bill Weil Mr. & Mrs. Jerold Zwas Mr. & Mrs. Micha Zwick Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success A Message from the Director of Education Rabbi Yigal Tsaidi Note: As I write this message, the holiday of Pesach, “The Time of our Liberation,” is upon us. As you read it, we are about to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Each of these days commemorates the freedom of our people; both are occasions for joy and praise to HaShem. Akiva’s motto is, “Changing the world, one child at a time,” and this is indeed an appropriate goal for our school. However, it seems to me that an even better slogan might be ’”והגדת לבנך, “And you shall tell your child,” the phrase that serves as the source for the all-important mitzvah of the Seder: repeating the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim, the Exodus from Egypt and conveying its timeless messages to our children. Maimonides points out that the mitzvah of discussing Yetziat Mitzrayim is not confined to the night of the Seder. One is also obligated לספר, to recount the story on a daily basis, for the Torah directs us, “Remember this day, the day that you left Egypt” (Exodus, 13), in the same way as it directs us to “Remember the day of Shabbat.” However, it is a second halakha, alluded to in the passuk that begins, ’”והגדת לבנך ביום ההוא...”, “And you shall tell your child on that day…” that applies during the Maggid portion of the Pesach Seder. Maimonides writes, regarding the second halakha: It is a mitzvah to inform ( )להודיעone’s children, even if they do not ask questions, as it says, “And you will tell your children.” The parent will teach in a manner that is consistent with the child’s level of comprehension. Thus, if the child is young or not capable of understanding, the parent might say, “My child, we were all once slaves…and on this night HaShem redeemed us and set us free,” and, if the child is older and more learned, the parent can tell him/her about the events that transpired in Egypt and the miracles that were performed on our behalf through Moshe, our teacher. All of this is to be transmitted in a manner that is consistent with the child’s ability to comprehend. (Yad HaHazaka, Chapter 7: Halakha 2) Note that the mitzvah להודיע/to inform, is based on the same verse that the Haggadah brings in relationship to the child who “does not know how to ask.” It is through this verse, and for the sake of this child, that one is commanded to fulfill this all-encompassing mitzvah of Haggadah. Now, let us understand why, when elaborating on this verse, Maimonides chooses the verb להודיע/to inform. Close perusal of the text reveals that the term sippur/ recounting, connotes the description of days gone by, while the term l’hodiya/to inform applies to events in which the narrator was personally involved. Thus, the Torah exhorts us להודיע, to relate the events that surrounded Yetziat Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success Mitrayim not as empty tales, but as experiences that we have witnessed firsthand. As the Seder begins, we and our children are meant to find ourselves in ancient Egypt, our bodies afflicted by taskmasters; together we relive the bitterness of bondage and together we exult in the redemption that liberates us. All of this requires imagination, understanding, and an abiding love – both for our heritage and for our future. The verb להודיע, to inform, connotes much more than the simple communication of data from one individual to the next. This word shares a root with the Hebrew word da’at, a word that implies not only knowledge, but the loving conjoining of minds and hearts. The Pesach Seder presents a unique opportunity for parents to bond with their children, to teach their sons and daughters “in a manner that is consistent with the child’s level of understanding.” Such, according to Maimonides, is the lesson of the verse that begins, והגדת לבנך. Let us now turn to the word Haggadah, a word that recurs – in one form or another – throughout the entire evening. At the root of this word is gad, as in Maggid, the narrative portion of the Seder. In fact, the famous Arbaa Banim, the “Four Sons” of the Haggadah, are introduced with the word “כנגד/Kinegged.” The root form gad lies also within a phrase that is often repeated in the Talmud, “Gud Assik,” which means to draw forth and to elevate. Finally, the Hebrew word for tendon is gid. As we know, our muscles could not function without the 365 tendons that connect them to our bones. Through the gid/tendon, i.e., the mitzvah of Haggadah, the parent – who may be compared to a muscle – can connect with the child – who, for the sake of our analogy, may be compared to a bone. And how is this accomplished? By offering instruction, “in a manner that is consistent with the child’s level of understanding.” In this way, parents draw their children close and, at the same time, elevate them children so that the children will also form a deep bond with �’, who is father to us all. Thus, the Haggadah tells us that the Torah speaks כנגד, opposite, four sons; at the Seder, these sons must be joined to their father. He must “know” them, must examine their hearts and souls, and just as he rids his home of any particle of Hametz, the father must likewise rid his offspring of any vestige of the slave experience. Only then can the two generations bond with one another. This vision of education as the conjoining of hearts and minds, the purification of body and soul, has guided me throughout my nine years at Yeshivat Akiva. It is one that our teachers exemplify. והגדת לבנךis not the exclusive province of the Seder; it is truly the motto of our school. May this precept continue to govern our relationships with our children – both as parents and as educators. Rabbi Dr. Yigal Tsaidi Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success A Message from the President Dr. Howard Korman Dear Parents, Alumni, Students, Teachers, Administrators and Friends, It has been my honor and privilege to serve as Akiva President for the past year. It was with great pause that I accepted the position as I was well aware of the daunting challenges that face day schools in general and Akiva specifically. After an extensive analysis of our current situation and numerous hours spent interviewing administrators, teachers, board members, parents, students, and important community members, it became clear that our future depends on many facets: improved infrastructure, improved relationships with the Jewish community across all denominations, improved marketing and communication of our strengths and mission, and improved fiscal responsibility. Toward that end, we have worked diligently and have had much early success. We have defined a chain of command to let everyone understand how to access the system and to define accountability among our staff. Through a monumental group effort, we succeeded in amending our constitution for the first time in school history, allowing it to reflect our current mode of operation and facilitate the administrative agility we will need to navigate the troubled waters ahead. We have formed many important committees including a Headmaster Search and Evaluation committee, a Teacher Search committee, a Financial Oversight committee, Give or Get committee, Alumni Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success Relations committee, Constitution Committee, a Website committee, a Fundraising committee to name a few. The number of talented volunteers working day and night on behalf of the school has never been higher and the Board, PTA, and other participants feel the empowerment that they have to make Akiva the best that it can be. We have actively reached out to donors, past and future Akiva supporters, as well as Akiva doubters and have been successful in getting the message out that Akiva has a plan to deal with the future and will remain a recognizable force in the Jewish community. We have had, or are scheduling, Board Meetings at various sites including the Federation Building, the Holocaust Memorial Center, Yad Ezra, JARC, Jewish Family Services and the like to strengthen Akiva’s kesher to the community and to incorporate these important Jewish organizations into Akiva’s fabric. We have developed great relationships and friendships through the process. All should know that we are here to help each other. As a byproduct of our determination to reach out, Akiva’s public perception is growing daily. I urge everyone to jump on the Akiva bandwagon and help drive it forward. We should acknowledge all our wonderful positives and deal honestly with our drawbacks, working as a team to improve our weaknesses. We should proceed with the confidence in the importance of Akiva and our critical role as modern Orthodox Jewish leaders. Most importantly, we should celebrate the glory of Hashem that we share with the greater Jewish community through our most cherished asset: our children. Thank you to everyone here. Together, we are Akiva! Howard Korman, MD, FACS Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success A Message from the Principal Teri Giannetti Students as Partners…… As a school begins to regard the student as a “partner in the learning” the respect, communication and involvement of the students will increase. During the 2008-09 school year, we have increased the level of student involvement in school wide decisions. We have responded not only to the members of our Student Council, but also to individual students who have approached administration with ideas. Members of the student body have sat on committees for school-wide decisions, including the interviewing of staff. Some students have begun some “grass roots” movements for change. Why is this so important? All individuals sense a need for independence. This independence cannot be obtained unless one is able to control at least the most important aspects of his or her life. Students tend to feel they do not have a voice/control in most schools. This can be especially frustrating as they take their first important steps on the road to adulthood. It would behoove the authority figures in their lives to be conscious of and responsive to the students’ need for a level of empowerment. I am not suggesting “turning over the schools to students.” Rather, I am supporting the concept of continually listening to all stakeholders Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success in our system—to staff, to parents AND to the most important stakeholders of all – our students. We must, of course consider the age and maturity of the student, establishing clear parameters as to the type of decisions that are appropriate at various stages of development. At a bottom line, however, students must believe they are important enough to be heard and respected. Once they are convinced that this is the case, they in turn will respect the adults who are listening to them. The building of mutual respect is a process that takes time, but this time is well worth taking. We intend to continue to listen and increase the involvement of students at Akiva during the upcoming years, modeling courtesy and open-mindedness while expecting the same from them. In closing, this piece of writing was inspired by my mentor, friend, and educational partner, Rabbi Dr. Yigal Tsaidi. He has taught me much during our years together— including wisdom that is rooted in the Jewish faith. One lesson that is reflected in the above article is never to make a decision “on one foot.” That is why I wrote about “involvement taking time.” The best decisions and relationships take time and they are never accomplished while standing “on one foot,” right, Rabbi????? Thank you for “grounding” me. I will truly miss you!!!!!! Fondly Mrs. Teri Giannetti Yeshivat Akiva Where the Derech of Torah Meets the Road to Success Honorary Dinner Chairs Dolores Brown Meir & Gail Hennes Jim & Marge Hiller Ed & Gloria Meer Irving & Beverly Nusbaum Jerome L. & Elise Schostak Eugene & Julie Sherizen Gary & Lisa Shiffman Lois Shiffman Dinner Chairs Rosa Chessler Sheryl Korelitz Journal Chairs Pearlena Bodzin Shaindle Braunstein Cohen Patron Chairs Joseph Greenbaum Stuart Teger Andy Weil