April 2018 ~ Nissan - Iyar 5778

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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].

MAIMONIDEScelebrates at 70

is represented in Israel. When you add the multi- was established The State of Israel generational family members, retired teachers, current on 5 Iyar 5708 (May 15, 1948), about 16 months before donors, former students, parents and directors, Maimonides School began its high school program. So Maimonides School’s Israel family literally numbers in beginning with the Class of 1953, Israel grew, matured the thousands. and flourished virtually step by step with Grades 9-12 at called the establishment of ,זצ”ל ,Maimonides. Rabbi Soloveitchik the State of Israel “the most important event in modern קול ,This month, in celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday Jewish history.” As we celebrate this milestone anniver- -profiles seven Maimonides School gradu בגרי רמב”ם sary, we take pride in Maimonides School’s continuing ates living in Israel -- one for each decade. commitment to instilling a visceral connection with They represent more than 300 alumni who have Israel in all of its students. made aliyah. Every one of the 65 graduating classes

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

April 2018 ~ Nissan - Iyar 5778

Page 2 of 9 1950-59: Looking at Israel through Different Lenses, Literally and Figuratively

”Melvin Fisher, Bobby game. Now I do mostly nature pictures ,ז”ל Michael Goldberg ’54, one of Bobby Berren Maimonides School’s earliest alumni olim, Marcus, Maier Sadwin and Haym with a five-year-old Nikon. Cellphones has seen Israel through different lenses, Soloveitchik. “There’s a black-and-white make everyone a photographer, he literally and figuratively. A photojournalist, photo somewhere of the six of us,” he said. continued. “But if you use a good single- he also had a career in social work that Michael earned a master’s degree in lens-reflex or mirrorless camera and put included videotaping testimonies by audio-visual education from Boston the two images side by side, there is a survivors of the Shoah. University, “but I couldn’t really go difference.” anywhere with it, For 14 years Michael served as a social because I didn’t want worker for AMCHA, which today is the to teach.” He ultimately largest provider of mental health and received a master of social support services for Holocaust survi- social work degree vors in Israel. “I would go into the homes from the University of of elderly survivors and gain their trust, Maryland. and do some light home repairs,” he said. “As a teenager I was in He was part of a network of 18-20 part- B’nei Akiva, and that time therapists, many of whom had their is probably where own clinics. “After a fall from a ladder, I had the focus on Israel to quit home repairs.” started,” Michael said. Michael’s social work and technical His first visit to Israel background led to his video recording of was in 1961. He made testimony, inspired by producer Steven aliyah in 1970, part of a Spielberg’s 1994 Survivors of Shoah Visual group that established History project. “The director of AMCHA a community in the at the time had a video camera, and I Judean hills. He lived taped testimony from more than several there for eight years dozen survivors. I would just let them talk before returning to the and not interrupt the stream of memory,” U.S., then relocated he said. The tapes are housed in the orga- Michael Goldberg ’54 to Jerusalem in 1983. nization’s archive. Michael and his wife “One of the most harrowing stories I heard Nitza were married in 1988. “My mother had a strong soprano voice. was from a woman who at age 12 was She sang at Maimonides functions,” Michael’s photography got more serious part of a forced march from Transylvania Michael recalled, reaching back some 70 in the 1970s, after meeting the acclaimed to the east. She was the only survivor in years. “We lived a few blocks from the photojournalist David Rubinger. “He her family. Today she is the matriarch of an school (housed in a mansion at the corner was an amazing man, a photographer extended family of more than 70 souls.” of Washington Street and Columbia for Time-Life and was also picture editor Michael lives in Jerusalem, and his two Road) and Maimonides provided us with at The Jerusalem Post. I published a few sons and grandchildren are in Israel community.” photos in the Post – that’s how I got as well. His older son B.Z. Goldberg, a started.” Michael’s photographs were documentary filmmaker, produced and He added, “Rabbi (Isaiah) Wohlgemuth featured in Jewish publications in Israel prepared me for my bar mitzvah, which narrated the award-winning 2002 docu- and the U.S., and he also did some work mentary Promises. His younger son Dani was at Camp Yavneh in 1949.” Later for the Weizmann Institute. Michael worked at Yavneh as a camp has a recreation and healing retreat near driver and in maintenance. In the mid-1990s, “as the technology Jerusalem. changed, I came to the conclusion that Michael is a member of the second press photography was a young person’s Maimonides high school class – with

April 2018 ~ Nissan - Iyar 5778

Page 3 of 9 1960-1969: “Nowhere Else Can You Have Such an Experience Except in Israel”

The resume of Rabbi Asher Reichert ’67 When he lived in Jerusalem’s Har Nof met Rashie, three of their children, and is a smorgasbord of rich and rewarding section, Asher bused to the Kotel before his mother at the gate. They brought a experiences. But probably the most work every day. “Around that time, the stepladder. inspiring was affixing a mezuzah to one city was reopening a gate that had been “We put silicon around the edge of the of the gates in the Old City of Jerusalem. blocked during the Muslim period. It’s plexiglass, put the klaf in the tube, put the “Who is lucky enough to put up a mezuzah called Sha’ar Haburskaim – Tanners’ Gate.” tube in the slot, and said the brachah,” on the doorpost of a Jerusalem city gate? According to the Jerusalem Founda- Asher recounted. “Then This opportunity might happen once in tion, the gate is on the we all pressed the plexi- hundreds of years,” Asher exclaimed. southern wall, “the glass against the wall to Asher received an undergraduate major second oldest entrance fix the mezuzah in place. in Jewish studies, a master’s in Jewish into the Old City, a To make sure it would education, and semicha, all from Yeshiva pedestrian gate prob- be solid, we mixed the University schools. Next came a Vietnam- ably built in the 12th cement and put a little era assignment as an Army chaplain and century.” on the edges of the plexi- battalion race relations officer at Fort “I noticed after it had glass to make it strong. Hood, TX, with training in counseling, been open for two We were all very moved. clinical pastoral education and organiza- years that there was no Nowhere else can you tional psychology. “And I got a dirt bike so mezuzah there,” Asher have such an experience I could visit troops in the field.” related. He contacted Rashie and Rabbi Asher Reichert ’67 except in Israel.” (They He then taught for a year in Dallas, worked the Ministry of Religious actually got to do it again as a dorm director at Stern College for Affairs and “I asked if I could put it up.” a few weeks later, as the first mezuzah was another year, served as a shul rabbi in While waiting for the official answer, “I damaged, apparently by vandals.) Portland, Maine, then moved back to started learning the halachot of mezuzah The Reicherts live in Beit Shemesh, along- Boston, where he worked as a life insur- with my family so we could properly side his mother. There are five generations ance agent, financial advisor, mashgiach, appreciate this mitzvah if we got to do it.” of their family in Israel, as Asher’s daughter and nursing home chaplain. “I learned that minhag Yerushalayim is Nechama Vazana ’93 and her husband Asher, his wife Rashie, and their five to put them up vertically. I learned the David have two grandchildren. children made aliyah in 1993. “I always halachah is that a mezuzah must be put “I learned from the Rav that the mitzvah wanted to move to Israel, and the atmo- up on the top third of the doorway. But of limud requires you to do the sphere in Maimonides School had long there is an exception for a city gate. There best you can each day,” Asher reflected. been supportive,” he said. “When my it is put up at shoulder height. Also the “I enjoyed being able to learn as much in-laws passed away, we felt there was mezuzah must be in the first handbreadth as I did and be involved in mitzvot all day no reason to stay in America. My parents of the entrance. I was also told that I had when I was the rabbi of a shul, but my independently had decided to move to to put it in the cracks of the stones to not choices leading us to Israel didn’t enable Israel around the same time.” damage the walls.” me to devote myself to learning as much In Israel “I took stock of my abilities and, Waiting for the bureaucratic process to as I would have liked. Now I have reached relying on my English skills, took a short clear, Asher purchased a klaf. “I wore a suit a time in my life where I can pick up what course and became a technical writer,” to work every day because maybe that I wanted to do all along and try to learn Asher continued. “My wife developed her would be the day when I would get to put Torah the way the Rav taught us.” computer skills and eventually became up the mezuzah, and I wanted it to be a He also is picking up a project he launched the office manager and executive secre- significant event. Nobody wears a suit to more than 20 years ago – editing the book tary at Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim. work in high tech in Israel.” that he started with his teacher Rabbi There were several years that I got When the clearance finally came, Asher Isaiah Wohlgemuth, A Guide to Jewish little sleep in order to make life in Israel left his office with “the klaf, a glass tube Prayer. “I hope, God willing, I will be able successful for my family. But I thank God with a stopper, a hammer and chisel, a to do what I can to, in the words of the for the opportunities He presented.” piece of plexiglass, some silicon, a small Rambam, pursuing wisdom and the devel- amount of cement mix and a trowel.” He opment of the world.”

April 2018 ~ Nissan - Iyar 5778

Page 4 of 9 1970-1979: A Teacher Shares Her Musical Talents throughout Greater Tel Aviv

Judith (Herschfus) Spitzberg ’73 She earned an undergraduate degree in missed it so much.” They made aliyah in launched the first full-time music program music from Boston University’s School for 2013. at Maimonides in 1984. When she was a the Arts, followed by a master’s in creative “When you come to Israel, you have to student, “we had no music, no art, and no arts in education from Lesley College. reinvent yourself,” Judy observed. “I gym, so I was determined to bring to the Since 1982 Judy has taught music in both continued taking courses, attended Tech- students the music education I wished we private and public schools, as well as for nion and received a diploma for museum had had as young children.” the Boston Symphony Orchestra and in curator of modern Israeli art. I have done Today, living and teaching in Tel Aviv, the Metrowest in Fram- workshops in museums, but basically it “music here is on a very high level, with a ingham. She noted that the school sent was just to learn museology – there is no variety of venues in which to teach. I am her to Israel for a variety of collaborative end to the learning opportunities here.” projects. very connected to the Music Academy She also works with parents looking for at Tel Aviv University and attend a Judy and Richard Spitzberg’s first supplementary English lessons for their number of operas, concerts, and dance extended stay in Israel began in 2008. children, and at other chugim (extracur- performances.” Richard, a physicist with MIT’s Lincoln ricular activities). “Next year I will be Laboratory, was teaching a course at Levinsky College of assigned to help with Education in Tel Aviv, ‘English Through the the development of Arts,’ teaching educators how to integrate what became the music, art, dance and drama as tools to Iron Dome missile enhance their lessons in fluency, grammar defense program. and diction.” The Spitzbergs resided in the U.S. Judy is fully invested in the metro Tel Embassy compound. Aviv lifestyle. “It’s very chevruti here, a “I had been teaching very social country, very group-oriented. music and art, and I There’s no hierarchy socially nor is it ever panicked – ‘What am lonely,” Judy observed. “People are hospi- I going to do here?’ table and inclusive. If there’s a Shabbat In fact, there was too dinner for five people, what’s one more? much to do!” Judy Going to the movies? ‘Yalla, let’s go.’” recalled. She is also spending a lot of productive She studied at Tel time outside. “I do a lot of off-road biking, Aviv University -- art participate in long-distance group hikes and architecture, (finished the Golan Trail over Pesach) and Judy (Herschfus) Spitzberg ’73 philosophy and music travel extensively.” -- and performed “On one hand, Israel is very industrial Judy attended Maimonides beginning in with ensembles, as well as at social events and high-tech. On the other hand, it’s a first grade. “I always loved Judaic studies, with the university’s music academy. “I very agricultural country,” Judy related. particularly .” Throughout her started to teach music and art at Bar Ilan “Yesterday morning I took a bike ride and student years, “I just knew I was going and then as an educator for the Israel stopped to pick lemons, grapefruits and to be here in Israel,” reinforced by the Philharmonic,” Judy said. “I would teach string beans. So I am an official lekatim, friendships she made with Israeli students teachers how to explain music through an an orchard picker of mangoes, olives and visiting and attending the school. integration of arts activities.” The assign- passionfruit -- whatever the season is, my ment ended in 2012, and “during the friends and I pick it to make oil, juices and next year I came back six times because I other cocktails.”

April 2018 ~ Nissan - Iyar 5778

Page 5 of 9 1980-1989: The Profound Privilege and Pleasure of Living in the Old City

“I never get tired of living here; I love the Old Yishuv Court Museum. He made (promotion). I volunteered on the board it anew every day,” says Eve (Teplow) himself part of the community here as of directors for the only women’s martial Solomon ’81, a resident of Jerusalem’s a renter before we met and there was arts center in Israel, El Halev. I’ve worked Old City for more than 30 years. “Living no question about us living here after as a seamstress, an apartment manager, in the Old City, and playing in ‘G-d’s marriage.” a substitute ganenet (early childhood backyard,’ is like any intimate relation- After she graduated from Simmons teacher), a secretary, a mover, and a ship. When a person is in love, spending College, they were married in August translator.” time with your beloved is never taken for 1985 and moved to Israel. “The Israelis I “Most of all, I’m a full-time mother. It granted.” met in Maimonides and via NCSY helped was always very important to me to be “The walking and activity needed to live influence my decision, simply because available for my children; therefore any in the Old City keeps me healthy,” she they were friendly and pleasant people. work that I took on was staggered and continued. “I don’t have a car, nor do I The fact that my brother Michael ’79 not formatted in a traditional workday,” want one. I schlep more than the was committed Eve asserted. The Solomons have five average person -- pretty sure to aliyah also daughters and two sons. “The entire world I was a donkey in a previous helped me comes to the Old City, so our children life. No, supermarkets don’t know I would were exposed to all peoples. They grew always deliver here. Yes, people not be alone to understand that although the world is constantly ask for Shabbat here, and added not like us, there are many types of people invites (no, we have no extra confidence to and styles of living, but we actively chose sleeping room). Everything my move. It was a specific path.” takes a bit more thought to work a dream come “All our children were named in the place out. But it’s worth it!” true that my where their great-grandfather lived, “Living here is like a kibbutz, you mother ended and they play on the same stones that know everyone by face, if not up making supported Bnei Yisrael during the First by name - we are a family and aliyah only and Second Temples. They know they we watch out for each other. It is about 10 years are blessed to have grown up in the best much like a microcosm of Israeli after I did.” country in the world and they are grateful society in general.” At Simmons, for Dovid’s and my past that brought Eve spent the year after high Eve carried a them to this luxury, because living in Israel school learning at the Machon double major is ultimately a luxury available to all those Eve (Teplow) Solomon ’81 Gold seminary. “Halfway in computer who choose it.” through the year I came to science and “The entire country is extroverted and realize that underneath that rough and philosophy. “I quickly got my first job caring in a way I have never experienced gruff exterior beats the heart of an incred- here in computers, but by the time my in my life,” Eve declared. “I have found ibly passionate and loving people,” she childbearing and nursing years ended, there to be no falsehood amongst the recalled. “I knew that if I ever needed help the industry had changed so drastically people in Israel. They will absolutely tell here in Israel, even someone with whom I that I was no longer fit for it. So in the end, you what they think, while at the same may have just had a full-blown argument computer science was just a fun activity. time fully respecting your opinion and would run to help me.” However, philosophy has served me my your right to have it.” entire life.” In the summer of 1984 she met Dovid “My children have amazing relationships Solomon, who had just moved to Israel. So in Israel, “I have become a sort of with Hashem, irrespective of religion; “His dream was to live in Israel and, in jack-of-all-trades. I work at a gemach. I’m they feel His presence as a reality and call particular, he was attracted to the Old City a jeweler and an artist, trying to estab- on Him freely when they need, and He of Jerusalem. Shortly before we married, lish myself. I volunteer at the Emunah answers, usually positively, but always he discovered that his grandfather was women’s organization. I’ve been a volun- lovingly.” born in the Old City in the courtyard of teer police officer, yacham, for the last 15 years, and recently got my first felafel

April 2018 ~ Nissan - Iyar 5778

Page 6 of 9 1990-1999: New Market Research Manager Represents Israeli Ingenuity

Judah Levine ’95 is a scholar. He majored In 2013, “I decided to shift gears. I Meeting Karen solidified those plans, he in psychology and Jewish studies at completed an executive MBA program said, since for her, aliyah had been a “life- Brandeis, graduating in 2000. He lived in at IDC Herzliya in 2015 and have been long dream.” They lived in New York for Jerusalem for the next two years, earning working in market research since then, a year, then three years in Chicago, where an MA in Jewish studies through Hebrew while still teaching occasionally.” Judah started a Ph.D. in Jewish Thought University’s international school. He holds Today he is manager of research and and Karen pursued an MSW. They were a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. analytics for OG Consulting, Ltd. “Our active members of Congregation Anshe firm provides market research consulting Sholom, which was led at the time by services for mostly U.S.-based clients, Rabbi Asher Lopatin ’82. such as Comcast, GM, Subway, and Amer- “Moving to Israel had been our plan since ican Express,” Judah explained. we got married,” Judah said. After six “We are a small group of both native- months in Jerusalem, the Levines moved born Israelis and olim (from Brazil and the to Modi’in “because of its central location former Soviet Union as well as the United -- about halfway between Jerusalem and States). And we definitely represent Israeli Tel Aviv -- and because of the welcoming ingenuity, in that we’re able to reach English-speaking community here, which beyond the borders of our country to was small at the time and has continued deliver services on par with much larger to grow,” Judah said. U.S. based firms, and we also leverage the “We’ve been very happy here, finding a talents of olim to be able to do so.” great and supportive community. Modi’in “I definitely did not envision this line of is a terrific place for kids, and as ours grow work when we first planned our aliyah, it’s great to see their integration into Israeli but I’m glad to be applying my back- society -- which is sometimes easier for ground and interest in research to a kids than for their parents -- and to see field I had not considered earlier,” Judah the independence Israeli kids have. My commented. “It is definitely an asset to parents also have an apartment nearby, your aliyah to be able to be flexible in and my father fulfilled his dream of terms of expectations for applying your making aliyah a few years ago.” skills and finding what interests you in Judah and Karen have four children, ages the opportunities available in Israel’s 4-12. “Our boys all go to school or gan economy.” right near our house, and Ayelet started “As so many of Israel’s companies target a high school in Pelech near Rehovot this global clientele, being an oleh and native year,” Judah said. English speaker often has its advantages “We are definitely glad we made aliyah, Dr. Judah Levine ’95 and family as well.” despite its challenges, and we don’t take Although Israel was always important the opportunity to live and raise our kids to him, “I hadn’t really considered aliyah in Israel for granted,” Judah testified. “The Judah and his wife Karen made aliyah in until being back in Israel in 2001,” Judah rhythms of the Jewish and Israeli year December 2006, and he finished work on said. “While there, things quickly dete- are particularly different, ingrained and his doctorate in Israel, focusing on modern riorated into the Second Intifada, but I impactful here.” Jewish thought and writing on Martin remember thinking that despite it being “Despite the distance, we’re still able to Buber and other thinkers’ approaches to a very violent and difficult time, it felt raise Celtics fans, and my sisters all have teaching Jewish text in the modern age. right being there. It was at that point come to visit regularly since we’ve been Then he taught for several years in various that I first thought about coming back here. There’s also a great core of class of settings -- gap year programs, adult permanently.” ‘95 and other Maimo alumni spread across education, and universities. Israel, whom it is great to connect with whenever possible.”

April 2018 ~ Nissan - Iyar 5778

Page 7 of 9 2000-2009: Serving on the Frontier of Biological Systems Breakthroughs

Avital Bailen ’09 exemplifies the Israeli example, a group of us would be dropped and hoping to improve, state-of-the-art ethos of tackling big challenges with inno- off in the middle of the desert and asked gene editing and delivery systems.” vation and imagination. to create an army encampment. We had to Her group is also promoting ALS aware- Avital is an undergraduate at Ben-Gurion be creative, organized, and driven in order ness by hosting a scientific conference, University in Beersheva, with a concentra- to create the camp.” participating in an ALS fundraising race, tion in synthetic biology. She describes “While I was a commander, I felt the start- and organizing activities for ALS patients. the relatively new field as “the imple- up mentality most strongly. My fellow Avital and her team will be presenting mentation of engineering methods in commanders and I had to care for and their ALS project at the international iGEM biological systems. These systems, such train groups of compe- as a single cell, are the most complicated, teenagers -- only a tition, effective, self-sufficient machines in the few years younger hosted by world. We attempt to manipulate these than ourselves -- MIT next systems in order to produce an effect or with no instruction October. product we desire.” other than what our (To learn The ultimate goal is a lofty one. “I think commanders had more sustainable solutions to many world exemplified for us.” about this problems, such as pollution, proper food Avital added, “I project supplies, and the bacteria arms-race, can learned how to look visit the only be achieved by better understanding confident in front of Facebook of and adherence to the natural, biological a crowd, even when page @ systems,” Avital declared. “The only way I am improvising iGEMBGU). to fix these problems in a long-term way what I am going to “I hope to that is not harmful to the planet is to incor- say. How to work work in a porate the solutions in already existing with and facilitate field that biological systems.” between my soldiers combines After high school graduation, Avital and my officers. In synthetic served for three years with Karakal, the general, the army biology taught me that I and bioin- co-ed infantry unit of the Israel Defense Avital Bailen ’09 Forces. Then she spent another two years can learn how to formatics, traveling and attending the mechinah for do anything, with such as olim at Hebrew University before begin- little or no oversight. This, I think, is the personalized medicine, protein engi- ning her studies in biology at BGU. core confidence which allows Israelis to neering, or machine learning,” Avital said. take the leap into the world of start-up Avital recalled that her favorite high “The army taught me to choose a course business.” of study which I feel passionate about,” school class was biology, taught by Dr. Avital said. “In the army you learn that Avital is part of a team from BGU working Jerold Halpern. “I didn’t know it at the every stage will have its difficult, chal- on an idea for an innovative ALS therapy. time but this interest was strong enough lenging, and boring moments, but if you “We are targeting the cells which surround for me to want to pursue an entire degree feel strongly about what you are doing, the neurons. In healthy individuals, these in the subject.” Also, former limudei kodesh then those moments are easier to get cells protect the neurons and facilitate teacher Tomer Ben-Shoham “taught me through.” proper brain function. However, in ALS to take initiative fearlessly. This was the patients, these cells become harmful to first lesson in confidence which allows me “The army absolutely promotes the Start- the neurons. So far, most studies target today to accept the challenges and oppor- Up Nation mentality,” she continued, refer- the neurons themselves, and not these tunities that come my way.” encing the 2009 bestseller by Dan Senor supporting cells. We hope this new and Saul Singer. “Each day in the army, targeting will slow the progression of the we needed to deal with huge tasks with disease and create longer life expectancy little or no instructions and supplies. For for patients. In this project we are using,

April 2018 ~ Nissan - Iyar 5778

Page 8 of 9 2010-2018: Torat Chaim, “Incredible Places,” IDF’s Mission All Inspire Aliyah

Doron Cheses ’14 never made it to vitch, Rav Yitchak Sheilat, and Rav Haim total of 20 months because of his leader- . You can find him in Sabato, I learned Torat Chaim -- a living ship status. Israel. Torah. Our learning could really be applied The experience taught him leadership “I was originally planning to attend to set personal goals and give meaning for skills, perseverance “through hard physical YU after finishing a year of yeshivah a better society and future for the Jewish challenges, and learning to stick to the at Yeshivat Birkat Moshe in Ma’aleh people in Israel.” mission and work towards success. Still, Adumim,” said Doron, who acknowledged Military service was another motivating by far the greatest thing I gained from the that aliyah always was on his personal factor. Birkat Moshe is a hesder yeshivah, army was a greater understanding of the horizon. “While spending time in yeshivah, which includes a 16-month military diversity and complexity of Israeli society.” commitment. The yeshivah’s website He expects to receive an assignment to a explains the philosophy and institu- reserve unit, and to continue as an infantry tional pride: “Not content to focus squad commander there. “I will have to only on their studies while leaving the serve for a few weeks per year and partici- mitzvah of defending the country to pate in training, guard duty, and various others, hesder students have carved a other small tasks to retain operational storied niche for themselves in the IDF. fitness.” Birkat Moshe students have earned a reputation as hardworking, idealistic Now Doron is back in Ma’aleh Adumim, soldiers, with a number of our graduates in the fourth year of the five-year hesder progressing to officer rank.” program. “I am committed to the final year, and then I hope to attend university Doron noted that “my year in Israel in Israel,” he said. started one day after the cease-fire that ended Operation Protective Edge “My parents were always emphasizing in 2014. I was amazed by the fact that Israel’s role in the Jewish future,” Doron many of the older guys in yeshivah said. “I was also a camper and counselor had just been in a war for almost two at Camp Stone, run by B’nei Akiva, for six months, yet started off the year as usual. years, in addition to running B’nei Akiva I immediately felt a sense of belonging programming in Newton during my with my fellow students who were plan- senior year.” ning on drafting, so after about five Doron noted that “many teachers at months, I decided that I would make Maimonides always taught us of the aliyah.” Doron Cheses ’14 centrality of Israel in ,” mentioning He drafted into the Duchifat Battalion particularly Rabbi Avinoam Durani and former Judaic studies teacher Rabbi Dr. I made some great friends, travelled to of the Kfir Infantry Brigade in March 2016. Asher Schechter, who now lives about 10 incredible places all over the country, and “After finishing my eight months of basic miles east of Ma’aleh Adumim. really fell in love with the country of Israel.” and advanced training, I completed infantry squad commander training,” “I hope to continue to contribute to Israeli He also was inspired by his teachers. “The Doron said. “I was then assigned as a society and help this country grow and Torah I was learning was not only about squad commander of 12 soldiers through develop into its eighth decade,” Doron halachic topics, but through the teachings their eight months of training.” Doron concluded. of the Roshei Yeshiva Rav Nahum Rabino- actually was active with the army for a

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Page 9 of 9

CLASS NOTES 1992 2004 Mazal tov to Dina Epstein and Eitan Levisohn on the Mazal tov to Elisheva (Klausner) and Ezra Pinsky birth of their son, Leor Jacob. Grandparents are Sybil on the birth of their daughter, Margalit Elana. 1974 and Dr. Steven Levisohn. Grandparents are Miriam and Mitchell Klausner. Mazal tov to Rebecca Jacobs on the birth of her granddaughter, Flavie Karen. Parents are Malachi 2000 2006 Handler and Sarah Simoneau. Mazal tov to Elisha and Rabbi Dov Huff on the birth Mazal tov to Toby Kuperwaser on his engagement of their daughter, Nava Bracha. Grandparents are to Talia Warmflash. Toby is the son of Judith and Dr. 1978 Nendi and Dr. Melvyn Huff. Mark Kuperwaser. Mazal tov to Sarah Jacobs and David Kronfeld on the marriage of their daughter Dena to Tristan Shelton. 2003 Mazal tov to: 1986 Chana Penini and Kenny Gerber on the birth of their Condolences to Mazal tov to Shani Abelson on the engagement of son, Kobe. Grandparents are Cynthia and Leonard Rachel Levine ’87 and Sarah Levine ’88 on the loss of .ז”ל ,her son Zakai Jacobson to Shelly Kaplan. Gerber. their beloved father, Prof. Julius Levine Sarah (Lamport) and Ronnie Lee on the birth of Yoni Kirby ‘05 on the loss of his beloved mother, Lori .ז”ל ,their daughter, Eliana Ruth. Grandparents are Cheryl Kirby and Jay Lamport. Maimonides Alumni Here and There...

Members of the Class of 1969, led by nizers already have requested submissions * * * * * * Debbie (Katz) Cohen, are already hard for a Class of 1969 cookbook, which will be One of the patriarchs of the extended at work planning to celebrate the 50th available for sale after the reunion. Maimonides School family, Dr. J. Aaron anniversary of their graduation -- in Jeru- * * * * * * Herschfus, celebrated his 100th birthday salem. The tentative date is July 7, 2019 this month. Dr. Herschfus is the father of (4 Tammuz). Debbie said the organizers Harvard Law School hosted a screening of “Radical Jew,” a film produced by three Maimonides graduates, Dr. Marvin are targeting not only graduates but also Herschfus ‘72, Judy (Herschfus) Spitz- “classmates who ‘got away’ before gradu- Noam Osband ‘98 about the worldview of Baruch Marzel. The screening was berg ‘73 and Lynne (Herschfus) Blander ation.” She added that the class hopes the ‘78; the grandfather of two, Danny Spitz- annual gathering of alumni and friends in followed by a conversation between Noam and Yehudah Mirsky, associate berg ‘02 and Elan Spitzberg ‘06; and the Israel will overlap with the reunion. There’s great-uncle of two, Moses Sternstein ‘01 also a unique reunion component -- orga- professor of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University. and Lily (Wilf) Mintz ‘11.

Dina (Pittel) Adelsky '02, right, poses with Meirit Cohen '18, Project Shalom volunteer at Jewish Women's Archive in Brookline, MA, where Dina is director of development. "We wanted Meirit to come away from this experience with a sense of the diversity of work that happens at a nonprofit organization, as well as an understanding of how even the smallest project can make a difference," Dina said. "I was so excited to have a Maimo student this year and am glad that it was a mutually beneficial experience."