September 2014 ~ Elul 5774 - Tishrei 5775

Page 1 of 5

Kol Bogrei Rambam is the Alumni Committee’s monthly e-newsletter for and about School graduates. Each month we share infor- mation on individual graduates’ ventures and accomplishments, as well as general news notes, all reflecting the school’s mission of preparing educated, observant Jews to be contributing members of society. Your ideas and accomplishments will help sustain and strengthen this key com- munications tool; please forward to [email protected].

Reflections on a Profound Experience VisitingHar Habayit 8 (Following are excerpts from an account Devarim refers to as “makom asher As we waited at the security gate to by Noam Shapiro ’97. Among those yivchar Hashem.” All of the services, walk up the bridge that leads into Har also in the contingent was his neighbor in sacrifices, all of the myriad halakhot, all Habayit, I was struck by a poignant Efrat, Dvir Weinberg ’96.) of the history, all of the divine sanctity, contrast. While we had spent days and I would be there. preparing, woken up early in the Approximately three years ago, at a panel discussion about Har Habayit in , I heard Rav Meidan (Rabbi Ya’akov Meidan of Yeshivat Har Etzion) speak passionately about the halakhic argument to be made in favor of visiting Har Habayit, as well as the religious and political reasons for doing so. I walked out of the room (somewhat surprising myself) with a profound desire to go to Har Habayit. My halakhic nervousness and general lack of adven- turism took over, however, and I never acted upon those feelings. Fast forward three years. I learned that a trip was being organized by members of my community to visit Har Habayit. After some initial feet-dragging, I decided to join. I spent time learning the relevant halakhot and reading up on the basic archeology so that I Noam Shapiro ’97, left, and Dvir Weinberg ’96, second from right, listen to a guide’s lecture atop would be prepared for the momentous Har Habayit. occasion. morning to immerse in the mikvah, My preparations really did the trick and I was also overtaken by a sense of and eagerly looked forward to this helped get me in the proper frame of excitement and joy. “Samachti biomrim moment, other random tourists from mind. One of the mitzvot that can be li beit Hashem nelech!” How fortunate I all over the world had simply looked at fulfilled when going to Har Habayit was to be able to walk in the areas that their tour itinerary and showed up. As is the mitzvah of “umikdashi tirau” – Jews, far greater and far more pious they nonchalantly filed in, we waited feeling a sense of awe, fear, or rever- than me, only dreamed of even coming on the side, as our T.Z. (identity cards) ence for walking in a place of increased close to. True joy is defined halakhically were inspected. sanctity. I definitely felt those emotions as standing “lifnei Hashem.” And how and wondered if I would succeed in better to experience standing “lifnei Our wonderful tour guide led us in following all of the necessary halakhic Hashem” than walking on Har Habayit. Psalms and song as we walked up the guidelines. I also thought about the notion of being in a place that Sefer continued on page 2

Visit Maimonides on Facebook Follow our Twitter feed, KolRambam Subscribe to our YouTube channel, MaimoTube

September 2014 ~ Elul 5774 - Tishrei 5775

Page 2 of 5

Reflections on a Profound Experience continued from page 1 8 ramp. “Shir Hamaalot liDavid, sa-machti lurking in the dirt, I could only think of ness. There is a piece of land that is biomrim li Beit Hashem nelech!” The the verse “Shualim hilchu bo...foxes walk dedicated towards one thing: unifying sounds of the shofar from Jews through [the ]...” man in the service of God. And it is davening down below serenaded us as attainable -- it is tangible. It is right We walked around to the eastern gate we walked. I looked at my fellow Jews here before us. Lo ba-shamayim Hi. It is and made sure to stay away from any praying at the Kotel, and suddenly real- not in the Heavens. Bringing God into area that was too sanctified to walk ized just how second-rate the Western our life should never feel like too lofty through, any areas where the Temple Wall is compared to where we were a goal. If we think of it as other-worldly, itself stood. As we approached the area headed. As I had learned that week, it remains in other worlds. This surreal of the eastern wall that is just opposite the Western Wall is actually not even place where we can serve God, where the gate which would lead directly the wall surrounding the original Har we focus our energy on feeling God’s into the Temple, I tried to block out the Habayit. It is a much later expansion presence, is actually something real. noise and utter a silent prayer. Jewish that was built following the destruction prayer is officially forbidden on Har The truth is, I have trouble, generally, of the Temple. Habayit so I had to do so very silently, connecting to spatial sanctity. Instead, As we entered the gate, we immedi- barely moving my lips. I feel sanctity in people, in human ately could see the Makom HaMikdash. beings who are kind, righteous, and The religious power of the moment The Al Aqsa mosque was to our right, good, and in certain moments. But I did was a bit of a challenge. Not only along the southern wall, and the Dome experience something on that moun- because of the hateful screams, but of the Rock to our left. As we walked tain. This is where our people served because it can be a shock when a along the southern side, groups of God millennia ago, and this is where dream becomes a reality. When that Arabs, men and women separately, God-willing we will do so again one which was surreal becomes simply took turns screaming at us “Allahu day. and powerfully real. I liken my feelings Achbar” – God is the greatest! Though to the way I experienced marriage, in I didn’t want to go to the mountain they are apparently paid to sit there some ways. Before you get married, with any political agenda. I wanted and do this, their shouts were full of it seems surreal. It’s hard to imagine it to be a spiritual experience only – anger. It was hatred more than reli- what that would actually be like – connecting to God, to my nation, to my gious fervor – yelling at us, rather than the wedding, sharing your life with history, and to myself. But that brings crying out to the heavens. someone, raising children together. us back to the reality point. You could sense their deep resentment And then, thank God, I did experience Perhaps the admittedly political act at our very presence. It was a very sad those things…. of ascending the mountain will have moment for me. This is truly a state of And far from being far-off hard-to- some ramifications on the status quo. churban – destruction. Jews are being imagine parts of life, they simply were. And I think that is OK; in fact I think it is taunted for simply walking along Everything became very real. At first it good. the grounds of their ancient Temple takes away from the magic; I thought Mount. Ironically, there was a part of We can determine our reality by taking this was supposed to be other-worldly! me that thought of the Rambam who the initiative. Isn’t that what religious But then you realize that it is in the describes Islam as an important step Zionists believe? I’m not saying we very reality of the experience, that the in world history towards the ultimate build a Temple tomorrow, but wouldn’t power of what it is comes to be truly acceptance of monotheism. After all, at it be special if instead of the Kotel, the felt. In the simple, real, day-to-day life the end of the day, these Arabs were at Temple Mount itself became the place of marriage -- therein lies its power and least referring to the same One God to where Jews go for their most funda- beauty. whom I pray too. mental spatial-spiritual recharge? To some degree, this is what I expe- Still, it was upsetting. And I felt similar I hope my words and pictures may rienced on Har Habayit. A place that moments of mourning when noticing strike a chord in others who will feels so far off, so heavenly – and yet, the tourists meandering around, Arabs consider being “oleh lihar Hashem – when you get there, you find that at walking through the spot where the Ascending the Mountain of God.” its most basic level, it is a place. It is Holy Sanctuary once stood, as if it were simply a swath of land in . another city plaza. And then later I saw And then I realized: that is its great- a cat. As I caught a glimpse of a cat

September 2014 ~ Elul 5774 - Tishrei 5775

Page 3 of 5 Brand New Jewish Leadership Position for 1992 Graduate

Rabbi Ari Rockoff ’92 is the first to build a “culture of mentorship and a training platform for other boards director of leadership development for membership” in the organization. and non-profits that serve the Jewish the Orthodox Union. The position was community. “We are looking to build an infrastruc- designed specifically for Ari, who most ture with a leadership pipeline system Ari earned his undergraduate degree recently was associate dean for institu- that tracks talent and guides our in the business school at tional advancement for two graduate professionals through their careers,” he University and semicha from YU’s Rabbi programs explained. Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. at his alma He also earned a master’s degree in mater, Yeshiva His first assignment is working with education from the Azrieli Graduate University. NCSY, the Orthodox Union interna- School of Jewish Education at YU and tional youth movement. NCSY main- Ari will be an MBA from Baruch College, with a tains staff in 12 regions across North working with focus on organizational behavior. and South America as well as 400 some 200 OU volunteer college-age advisors. He spent several years on the admin- staff members, istrative staff of YU’s Center for the designing career Noting that many of the advisors will Jewish Future, including as director of trajectories and eventually accept other jobs, he said community partnership. At the Center, connecting his job is “to help them develop skills his colleagues included Rabbi Elly various depart- that will empower them to become Krimsky ’86, Rabbi Levi Mostofsky ments. In an accomplished Jewish leaders within ’95 and Keren Simon ’98. interview the OU and the broader Jewish published in community.” Ari and his wife Deborah have five chil- the OU’s Jewish dren. The family lives in West Hemp- The OU’s motto is “Expanding Jewish Action magazine, stead, NY. Rabbi Ari Rockoff ’92 Life,” Ari said, and one of his goals is he said he wants

Malkah (Marilyn Oppenheim) Livneh ’72 of Hashmonaim found this first Members of the class of 1974 gathered in Jerusalem recently to cele- grade picture (circa 1961) and tried to identify her classmates: first row, brate the 40th anniversary of their Maimonides School graduation: from left: Steven Goldstein, Celinda (Cindy) Levy, Marcia Cantor, Joseph front, from left, Debra (Weiner) Solomont, Jay Solomont and Daniella Silver, Arthur (Avrami) Abelow; second row, from left: unidentified, (Peyser) Teutsch; rear, from left, Debbie (Ginsberg) Gvir, Esther (Green- Malkah, Miriam Douglas, Beverly and Janet Sadoff, Marilyn Zicher, Terry berg) Simon and Rabbi Jonathan Peyser. Debbie Gvir was a member Crystal; rear, from left: Marvin Herschfus (with red tie), Irwin Hipsman, Jonathan Bell, Eli Issacs, Sharon Hauser, Ruthy Neuman, two unidenti- of the class through the first half of Grade 9, when her family moved fied, Philip Furman (with grey jacket), two unidentified and David Hauser. to . Classmates in Israel but unable to attend were Donny Gopen, Their teacher was Mrs. Claire Vindsberg. Carl Sherer and Chaya (Weisenberg) Waldman.

September 2014 ~ Elul 5774 - Tishrei 5775

Page 4 of 5 Maimonides Alumni Here and There…

Ellie (Dubitzky) Berlin ’04 has Kingdom. The three-week Fringe bills tours with the U.S. team. They’re all launched a photography business from itself as the largest arts festival in the insanely athletic.” her home in University Heights, OH, world. 2 2 specializing in babies, children and 2 2 Avi-Hi Youshaei ’08 spent the families. “I started getting into photog- Daniel Lasman ’10, an undergraduate summer as a Tel Aviv-based volunteer raphy after having my daughter, Suri,” at The Johns Hopkins University, paramedic and ambulance driver for Ellie said. “I had a has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Magen David Adam during Operation cheap point-and- Student Program grant to Spain for an Protective Edge. Now he is involved shoot and received English teaching assistantship. “I’ll be with a fundraising effort in support of a DSLR as a gift. teaching English and coordinating a establishing a children’s club, providing It took me until Model United Nations Conference at kids with a safe haven during threats of I was pregnant a secondary school in Madrid,” Daniel attack. “Items such as couches, tables with Mayer to take said. “Additionally I’ll be assisting two and chairs, a projector or TV will be some photography members of the faculty with legal bought, as well as gym equipment, classes, which research projects at the Universidad including two treadmills, CPR dolls and really propelled Carlos III.” The Fulbright Program is other such educational tools,” Avi-Hi my interest.” the flagship international educational said. Magen David Adom volunteers Although she is exchange program sponsored by will supervise and serve as counselors. now a part-time the U.S. government and is designed The link for other details and donations photographer, Ellie to increase mutual understanding is www.fundme.com/en/projects/8348- hopes to expand Suri Berlin between the people of the United Magen-David-Adom--lets-save-lives-- her business after States and the people of other coun- one-rocket-at-a-time her husband Jeff tries. Recipients of Fulbright grants are 2 2 finishes his medical residency. Ellie selected on the basis of academic and noted that she has joined a photog- Jessica Kasmer-Jacobs ’10 has been professional achievement, as well as named assistant book editor at The raphy Facebook group – “for fun only” demonstrated leadership potential. – that features a weekly theme, based Wall Street Journal. Jessica, a grad- on a quote from a poem or song lyrics. 2 2 uate of New York University, reported The group is based in Israel, and its Meira Lerner ’08 is assistant coach that “the bulk of my work consists of members include Ellie’s mother Anne, of the varsity team at Stern editing book reviews that have been who lives in Tel Aviv. College for Women, where she was a commissioned and edited by the senior star student-athlete. “I’ve kept in touch members of the Books Team. I also help 2 2 with the YU athletic department and coordinate long-term projects like our During the summer, several grass-roots coaches since I graduated a year ago, Books-of-the-Year issue and the double outdoor rallies in support of Israel so the head softball coach reached out features we publish every several took place at Copley Square and other to me about helping out with the team months.” Boston locations. Key organizers of this year,” she said. Meira, who is doing these events included Maimonides 2 2 research at NYU Medical Center this David Roth ’07, a semicha student graduates Danit Rozman ’07, Mikhael year, said she tried to “keep a pretty Smits ’13 and Yael Toren ’11. at ’s Rabbi Isaac active post-work life.” That means not Elchanan Theological Seminary, 2 2 only the Stern position but also serving recently combined some family history Alex Edelman ’07 won the Edinburgh as head softball coach at Manhattan’s with insight on religious practices in Fringe’s Best Newcomer prize for his in the spring, volunteer England in a post on the blog called standup comedy performance, “Millen- tutor at Harlem RBI once a week, and “On the Main Line.” The link to his nial.” The honor is awarded to the competitive rugby. “Coming from the piece is www.onthemainline.blogspot. best full-length debut show; the last and Yeshiva Univer- com/2014/08/guest-post-my-great- American to win was in 1997. Edinburgh sity background, it’s definitely a new grandfathers.html. The blog features a Awards are considered the premier type of sport,” she said. “A few of my variety of entries on Jewish texts and prizes for comedians in the United teammates have done international commentaries and related issues.

September 2014 ~ Elul 5774 - Tishrei 5775

Page 5 of 5

Members of the Class of 1994 pose in a familiar spot during their recent 20-year reunion: front, from left: Sarah (Gyenes) Dauber, Shoshana (Sokoloff) Zazula, Leah (Radonsky) Greenbaum, Pesha (Secunda) Fischer, Isadora Binder, Nechama (Kaganoff) Grosberg, Allie Alperovich and Mike Singer; rear, from left: Shoshana (Cohen) Glickman, Beruria (Cohn) Novich, Sarah (Zalesch) Klayn, Bracha (Krochmal) Yusupov, Shlomit (Keehn) Taube, Arieh Taube, David Gillers, Philip Levin, Aaron Levitt and Gil Bloom. In the front is Leah’s daughter Miriam.

A Class of 2012 mini-reunion in Israel: Former student Yaakov Wolff is flanked by Yoni Nouriel (left), who recently began military service as part of his yeshiva program, and David Rubenstein, working for the summer at Camp Koby in Efrat. Yaakov, son of Tzipora and Josh Wolff ’89, made with his family in 2007 and is now in hesder at Kerem B’Yavneh. Maimonides 2004 graduates pose during the celebration of their recent 10-year reunion at the school: front, from left: Rabbi Ben Houben (Class of 2003), Meira (Salzberg) Houben, Sarah (Wecker) Sobel, Yael Skversky, Gabriela Lupatkin, Rachel (Deitsch) and Miriam Wilkerson, Avital Falk and Elisheva (Klausner) Pinsky; middle, from left: Laurie Pultman, Abigail Pick, Jamie (Chiel) Sturm and Danielle Charlap; rear, from left: Chananya Rechester, Avishai Gebler, Daniel Kaufman, Daniel Baronofsky, Joseph Flesh and Sara Segal.

Metropolitan New York alumni mingle during a recep- tion on Sept. 10 in Manhattan. The Alumni Council sponsored the third annual event, which was hosted by the Ramaz School. The evening also featured remarks by Gary Rosenblatt, editor and publisher of The Jewish Week.