October 2017 ~ Tishrei - Heshvan 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].

Recent Alumnus Joins Team Working to Revolutionize Agriculture

“I’ve always been passionate about food into the water and grow the plants and energy-effective way to feed -- cooking it and eating it,” asserted Ben under LED lights.” everyone in the cities; traditional Niewood ’10. farming can’t do that.” “Because we grow indoors in a That’s wonderful, because Ben and controlled environment, we can vary Ben learned for a year at Yeshivat Orayta Aliza (Shapiro) Niewood ’10 just the temperature, humidity, CO2, and before matriculating at moved to New York to start careers in other environmental variables to get Institute of Technology, receiving a the food industry – Aliza at Hello Fresh, perfect growing conditions for every bachelor’s degree in mechanical engi- a meal kit delivery company, and Ben at crop. Because we are inside, we can also neering in 2015. He was working as a “an amazing modern farming company ensure that there are no bugs in the product design engineer at Nest in San called Bowery Farming.” lettuce without using any pesticides.” Francisco when he spotted the oppor- He added, “That’s particularly beneficial tunity at Bowery on an MIT alumni jobs Bowery is “growing for us kosher keepers.” Bowery produce list. the purest produce is available at some Whole Foods and imaginable by revo- He is one of two mechanical engineers, Foragers stores in the Tri-State area. lutionizing agricul- “working mostly on systems engi- ture,” Ben The company uses a proprietary soft- neering. We design the systems -- continued. “By ware system, vision systems, automa- lighting, irrigation, and HVAC -- that combining the tion technology, and machine learning help the plants grow.” He not only runs benefits of the best to monitor plants and all the variables experiments, takes measurements, and local farms with that drive their growth, Ben said. builds new prototype systems, but also advances made “Because we control the entire process helps harvest the day’s lettuce haul. possible by tech- from seed to store, the Bowery farm “We’re focused on building our next nology, our indoor uses 95 percent less water, and is expo- farm, which will be much larger. After farms create the nentially more productive on the same that we’ll look for new cities in the U.S. ideal conditions to footprint of land than traditional to build farms near, and we eventually Ben Niewood ’10 grow post-organic agriculture.” want to have at least one Bowery farm produce, and good, next to every major city in the world. Bowery has raised almost $28 million in fresh produce is the venture capital and is backed by estab- “In America, our food is consumed so far easiest way to effortlessly make food lished leaders and innovators in the from its source that many people don’t taste better.” food industry. understand the connection between The Manhattan company is operating farming and food,” Ben observed. “For “Bowery’s mission isn’t just to grow its first farm, and is building a second. contrast, in many of the other countries fresh produce,” Ben said. “Our long- “We grow everything hydroponically in Aliza and I have visited, especially in term goal is to use our farms to help a warehouse,” Ben explained. “All of the Asia, people buy far more produce from deal with the world’s impending food plants grow in little plugs made of a small markets whose farms are just crisis. The world’s population is going to synthetic, dirt-like substance. The plugs outside the city they live in. And food is explode over the next 30-40 years. With sit in Styrofoam rafts that float on top of central to any culture; the best part of more people moving to densely-popu- a large tray of water. We put nutrients traveling, and the best way to experi- lated urban areas, growing more ence any new culture, is to try the food.” produce close to cities is the only cost-

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October 2017 ~ Tishrei - Heshvan 5778

Page 2 of 6 Couple Expanding Their In-Home Therapy Service to New England

Susie and Josh Loberfeld ’98 have November. “Now we cover all three Boston very well, I thought this was a been matching qualified physical thera- counties in south Florida,” he said. good opportunity.” pists with patients in the comfort of “Therapists are found through various So now there are three different divi- their own homes since 2011. The busi- job placement sites and word of mouth. sions in three states. They don’t need a ness model has proven so successful Once we are able to give them the lot of full-time staff – only themselves in New York and Florida that they have volume that they are looking for, they and a full-time administrator. There are recently established a new practice, like working for a house calls practice about 35 therapists altogether, with the In-Home Rehab of Boston. because they can make their own business offering just physical therapy schedules. We hand them the referrals “We are an outpatient physical therapy in New York and both physical and and we do all the sales, billing, and company that only does house calls, occupational therapy in Florida. That’s marketing; they do all the therapy.” primarily for Medicare-age patients,” the model for Greater Boston, which is Josh explained. “We offer quality indi- The service is primarily for patients already operational. vidualized one-on-one physical therapy “who either have a hard time getting to In the Boston area, “I go door-to-door in patients’ homes, so there is never any a facility, don’t drive time lost waiting in waiting rooms, anymore, don’t want looking for parking, or taking the bus.” to go out, or just prefer the therapy in He added, “Our physical therapists work the comfort of their on everything from balance to gait homes,” Josh said. training to fall prevention. Therapists “The population we also deal with any type of rehabilitation serve is mostly needs, as well as post-surgical therapy.” 80-plus years old. Josh received his bachelor’s degree in They don’t need finance from in 2002, high-tech equip- Susie and Josh Loberfeld ‘98 and family and spent the next 12 years in the tele- ment. We bring communications industry. portable processes trying to meet doctors and their staffs, and equipment, like electrical stimula- About six years ago, Susie launched a educating them as to how we can tion, ultrasound, bands, and weights.” business delivering rehabilitation benefit their patients,” Josh said. They services to residences in the New York “One of our areas of emphasis is helping also work with hospitals and home area. “She was working at an outpatient them after a fall,” Josh commented. “We health-care agencies. therapy facility part-time and she work with the patients in their homes so Technology is a key to the operation noticed that there was a need for a that they can be more aware of the and expansion. “It’s easier to communi- house-call business,” Josh recounted. surroundings and be sure they can stay cate with the staff electronically. Our “Therapy is a commitment, and people safely at home.” entire system is online,” Josh said. “I who can’t go are not going to get “More services will be needed in the can’t imagine having a company that better. With a house visit, there’s no home as the elderly population uses pen and paper for medical records. excuse. We come to you.” increases,” Josh observed. “You can We do all of our billing with Medicare “I saw the growth and opportunity that expect to see more doctors making and other insurance companies Susie’s practice had, so I decided to house calls. Every doctor’s goal is to electronically.” change course. I left the telecommuni- keep patients out of the hospital.” He Indeed, almost everything is done cations field and joined Susie full-time,” added that In-Home Rehab “can remotely, although they do visit the Josh said. “It was a great decision. I’m no prevent people from going back into markets often. “In New York and Boston longer in corporate America. I was an hospitals, or to rehabilitation facilities or we have mailing addresses, no physical executive, but I always had a board to nursing homes.” offices. Our administrative office is in report to.” Josh and Susie have continued to build Florida – we used to work out of the The Loberfelds moved to Hollywood, FL their brand through expansion. New house but that changed very quickly,” in the summer of 2014 and expanded locations are key to enhancing the value Josh said. The Loberfelds also have their business into the area that of the company, Josh said. “Since I know three children.

October 2017 ~ Tishrei - Heshvan 5778

Page 3 of 6 Lady M-Cats Star Returning to Boston – with Lady Macs

One of Maimonides School’s most cele- the Lady M-Cats’ leader in career points. Michal is also a co-chair and athletics brated student-athletes will compete Tickets at $5 each may be reserved by liaison of the Beren Student Life with her collegiate teammates in Boston writing [email protected] or calling Committee at the university, and has on Motza’ei Shabbat, November 18. (617) 232-4452, ext. 405. A portion of played intercollegiate and ticket proceeds will benefit Maimonides soccer. She is still part of the Maimonides Michal Alge ’14 and the Yeshiva athletics. There will also be a game on School landscape as director of the University Lady Macs will help open the Sunday afternoon, November 19. M-Cat Sports Camp every June and July. Emmanuel College Tip-Off Classic with a match against Michal enters her senior year at YU’s The head coach at Emmanuel the host school. The game Stern College as a co-captain and is legendary. Andy Yosinoff is begin- is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in leading offensive powerhouse. Last ning his 41st season. His teams have 788 the Jean Yawkey Center on season she led the Lady Macs in victories and 17 post-season NCAA tour- the Emmanuel campus, 400 scoring (almost 25 points per game), nament appearances. Coach Yosinoff The Fenway. (Shabbat ends rebounding (13) and minutes played, received the Red Auerbach Award in at 5:05 p.m.) and was tied for steals. She led the entire 2012, given annually to the nation’s top Skyline Conference in rebounding and Jewish college coach. He coached the There will be a special Michal Alge ’14 was the fourth leading scorer. Over women’s basketball team presentation by the school her two-year collegiate career, she has to a gold medal in the 2005 Maccabiah at halftime to Michal, who is scored 560 points. games.

CLASS NOTES 2009 2015 Mazal tov to Yoey Schacht on his engagement to Mazal tov to Kayla Shatz on her engagement to Penina Kozlovsky. Yoey’s parents are Phyllis and David Austin Hauser. Kayla is the daughter of Lisa and 1982 Schacht. Michael Shatz. Austin is the son of Dr. Wendy and Eli Hauser. Mazal tov to Dr. Rebecca (Kolodny) and Steven Schwartz on the engagement of their son David 2010 Condolences to ’11 to Dena Guttmann. Rebecca is the daughter Mazal tov to Talia (Kesselman) and Amiel Abir on of Drs. Nancy and Gerald Kolodny. Esther (Abelow) Tekuzener ’77, Dr. Avram the birth of their daughter, Aya Haleli. Grandparents Abelow, and Gerald Abelow on the loss of are Tamara Kesselman and Dr. Howard Kesselman. ,ז"ל ,their beloved mother, Greta Abelow 2000 retired Elementary School teacher and tireless Mazal tov to Julia Hoffman ’00 and Eitan Hersh 2011 Maimonides School volunteer for 50 years. on the birth of their daughter. Grandparents are Mazal tov to David Schwartz on his engagement Eva and Mel Hoffman. to Dena Guttmann. David is the son of Rebecca (Kolodny) ’82 and Steven Schwartz. Corrections 2004 There were several errors in the most recent Mazal tov to 2012 issue of Kol Bogrei Rambam. We apologize for these errors: Zehava (Bloomberg) and Dov Cohen ’04 on Mazal tov to the birth of their son. Grandparents are Miriam Yaakov Feit is a member of the Class of Yakov Ellenbogen on his engagement to Miriam and Rabbi Jon Bloomberg. 1995. Pearl Klahr. Yakov is the son of Debbie and Dr. Danny Malkin on his engagement to Talia Hershel Ellenbogen. Maya (Krohn) Joyandeh is a member of the Goldberg. Danny is the son of Ruth and Class of 2006. Yoni Nouriel on his engagement to Avigayil Alexander Malkin. Unterberg. Yoni is the son of Daniel Nouriel. The 1965 graduate identified as Alan Gulko in the photo on Page 2 is actually Ely Lamdan. 2008 2013 Alan Katz ’77, new Maimonides School Mazal tov to Arielle (Birnbaum) and Solly treasurer, was omitted as an alumnus serving Mazal tov to Moshe Beiser on his engagement to Silverman on the birth of their daughter, on the Maimonides Board of Directors. Rachelli Schechter. Moshe is the son of Suellen and Elizabeth Lou. Grandfather is Dr. Herb Birnbaum. Joshua Beiser.

October 2017 ~ Tishrei - Heshvan 5778

Page 4 of 6 Graduate’s Virtual Jewish Coffee House Spreading the Spoken Word

Several months ago Rabbi Scott Kahn deeply involved in the field of post-high “Many of our podcasts are concerned ’88 launched -based JewishCof- school Jewish education, as a teacher, with ideas and issues relevant to the feeHouse.com, “a podcast network administrator, and developer of curri- larger Jewish community, with a special producing interesting and provocative cula,” he said. “The yeshiva was unable – though not exclusive – emphasis material, properly recorded and edited.” to recruit enough students in 2015, so a on the Orthodox world. My ongoing potential career change became inevi- contact with my students helps me to Scott defines a podcast as “a form of table. Frankly, I thought then that it was better recognize the issues that matter radio on demand. But unlike radio, a blessing, and I feel doubly so now.” most outside of the bubble in which I podcasts offer easy access without geographic boundaries, and opportuni- ties to engage in whatever topic inter- ests the listener.” The site offers its product in four categories: “Thought podcasts, which consist entirely of content; talk and interviews, covering topics such as finance, dating, Jewish-Christian dialogue, and more; politics and society, which are shows of a more provoca- tive and controversial nature; and culture, comedy and sports -- pure entertainment.” The Jewish thought content presents an Orthodox perspective, Scott explained. “The other categories may have nothing to do with Orthodoxy, although offen- sive language is not used, and many Rabbi Scott Kahn ‘88 and family of the issues addressed affect the Orthodox community.” “It took me a bit of time to find an area live in Israel.” that would be personally and profes- JewishCoffeeHouse currently has more sionally rewarding; I wanted to run my Scott said he is involved in every aspect than a dozen podcasts, featuring not own business, and was fortunate to of the production, from writing to only Scott but also some of his rabbinic discover a real need in the marketplace recording to editing. “I often record in colleagues; former Member of Knesset for high-quality online radio for the a quiet room in my basement, and I Dov Lipman; educators including Anne Jewish world,” he continued. “I surveyed also go to where my podcast partners Gordon ’85 and Rabbi Asher Lopatin the landscape and found that there are,” he related. “So, for example, while ’82; and comedian Molly Livingstone. were too few Jewish-themed podcasts, my ‘Maimonides Minute’ (Rambam- Topics range from halachah and tefillah many typically of inferior quality. Quite themed) podcast is recorded at home, to women’s issues and storytelling. often, ‘Torah podcasts’ are not true ‘Knesset Corner’ with Rabbi Lipman is Scott is an alumnus of Brandeis Univer- podcasts, but classes recorded in front recorded at his dining room table, and sity and was a graduate student at of an audience on an iPhone.” ‘Cup of Salvation’ has been recorded at Oxford University. He studied at several various locations.” In addition, he said, many podcasts yeshivot in Israel and received semichah have failed to address serious issues “Podcasting is far from a niche product from HaRav Zalman Nechemia Gold- that confront the Orthodox community, or fad; I anticipate that it is the future berg and Darche Noam. although “there are certainly exceptions of audio broadcasting,” Scott said. He Scott was co-founder and rosh yeshiva of to this; some Jewish and Torah podcasts added that the technology encourages Yeshivat Yesodei Torah in Beit Shemesh, are exceptional.” continued on page 5 which closed in 2015. “For 15 years, I was

October 2017 ~ Tishrei - Heshvan 5778

Page 5 of 6 Maimonides School Alumni Here and There… Rena (Katz) ’90 and Richard Berger will Rena is a long-time member of the Beginning this year, the tournament be honored for their years of service by Mikvah Committee, serving as chair for name includes a memorial to Leland Leland, who passed away .ז"ל ,Congregation Bikur Cholim-Machzikay the past five years or so. “I'm a volunteer Gelman Hadath in Seattle at the shul’s dinner on shul mashgichah and spend a lot of time unexpectedly about four years ago, was November 12. Rena, who is director of in the kitchen cooking for shul events. an outstanding athlete in the Maimonides operations at Torah Day School of Seattle, We also help out with the shul summer Class of 1982, when our interscholastic has lived in the city since 2003. Indeed, camp, being an extra pair of hands when program was in its infancy. Thanks to the Bergers live right next door to the needed. I do a few other things as well.” the generosity of his family, this tourna- shul. ment will serve as a tribute to his love for * * * * * * * competition and for his friends. “When we met, Richard was very involved The Maimonides School Invitational with the shul, running the chevre kadisha,” Among the alumni leading the tourna- Basketball Tournament in Memory of Rena said. “He was on the board for a ment planning are Sheera (Kessler) Leland Gelman is scheduled for Thursday- few years and is now in his second year ’76 and Ahron Solomont ’76, overall Sunday, December 7-10. The varsity boys as shul president. Richard is a marriage co-chairs; Sharon (Hecht) Kramer and girls will host teams from Atlanta and family therapist so he's very involved ’85; and Claudine (Cohen) Grossman Jewish Academy; Melvin Berman Hebrew – and effective -- in resolving conflicts, ’91. Details can be found at www. Academy in Rockville, MD; Rae Kushner and has been focusing on bringing our maimohoops.org. Yeshiva High School in Livingston, NJ; and community closer together.” Joel Braverman High School of .

Jewish Educator Launches Podcast Resource continued from page 4

“democratization. A good podcast, Relationships,’ a marriage therapist and and split the proceeds evenly. This gives produced at home, can find an audi- relationship coach, approached me each host a chance at a greater long- ence that rivals the ratings of estab- with the idea for a marriage and dating term return, and also allows him or her lished radio networks.” podcast. If it’s a good topic, and we to be personally invested in the success can make it sound good on the air, I’ll of that podcast.” Scott feels his experiences in yeshiva usually give it a try.” “have come in very handy. This is JewishCoffeeHouse.com also doubles as more obvious with regard to the Torah JewishCoffeeHouse.com is not an incubator. “The podcasts have -- by podcasts that we produce; however, supposed to be a non-profit. “As we design -- led to other opportunities. To all podcasting and broadcasting is, like increase our listenership, I hope to give just one example, we have created teaching, the process of transmitting attract advertisers who want to reach a new division of the company that ideas in a clear, stimulating, and enter- the Jewish community,” Scott said. does independent podcast production taining manner.” “Moreover, some of our podcasts may for other providers,” Scott said. appeal well beyond the Jewish commu- Much of the inventory on the site “deals “We are constantly refining our nity. For example, ‘Cup of Salvation,’ with subjects that matter to me,” Scott recording techniques, and on the which is an explanation of the verses of said. “Our ‘Chochmat Nashim’ podcast, lookout for new podcast series,” Scott Hallel tailored for a Christian audience. which is co-hosted by Anne Gordon, asserted. “Our goal is to be the premier The potential advertisers for a podcast addresses issues of concern to Orthodox Jewish podcast network in the world. aimed at Christians are quite different feminists, while ‘Orthodox Conundrum’ I know that there is a long road ahead. from those targeting young Jewish investigates serious issues in the Amer- As soon as new material goes up, it’s adults on the Upper West Side.” Scott’s ican and Israeli Orthodox communities necessary to produce new content. wife Aliza is the director of marketing that some would rather ignore.” I’m always looking for new and better and advertising. podcast series to produce and include Other podcasts are suggested, such “I look at every podcast series as a small under the JewishCoffeeHouse umbrella. as ‘Middle Grade Horror,’ which Scott business,” Scott explained. “When a It’s a real challenge, but I’m enjoying it calls “a light-hearted horror podcast given podcast begins to earn income, immensely.” produced by a professional fiction the podcaster and I are full partners writer in New York. The host of ‘Real

October 2017 ~ Tishrei - Heshvan 5778

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ז”ל ,A Dear Friend Remembers Rabbi Reuven Cohn ’65

By Dr. Tamy (Simon) Chelst ’66 ence with our family was a sine qua When studying Gemara as a teenager, I non; he was intricately woven with us, glossed over the stories of Tanaim and My day stopped, my heart pounded, my as the Simons were connected to the Amoraim, giving examples from seem- feelings experienced a body disconnect Cohns over decades of joint educa- ingly insignificant incidents. when I heard that Reuven had been tional endeavors and life stories. Our taken to the olam haemet. “When I was at Abbaye’s home for families even traced back similar roots lunch, he did the following…” These It is so difficult to imagine an earthly to the shtetl of Slonim in White Russia, seemed like simple mundane corrobo- world without his presence. where Dvorah Cohn’s family were highly rative details, minimally necessary for respected rabbanim and my dad was I have known Reuven for over 65 years. our understanding of halachah. Reuven first recognized as a remarkable student I just finished reading a book where the was able to transmit such stories to his and mentor, and subsequently chosen female main character spoke of one students, friends, children and grand- by the Slonimer Rav to attend the Mirrer man as her best friend. children. On a regular basis, I receive Yeshiva. emails and calls from my dad’s former For years I thought of Reuven as my But it was with regard to Maimonides students and their acquaintances who male childhood best friend. School that Reuven remained for me ask for these memories. I sat at his funeral and listened to details a constant and consistent link to the How will this connection with the past of his present, his warmth toward family past. Reuven was my bridge to our ever be maintained without Reuven? and students, the respect he offered all joint history. A guardian of memories, The current students at Maimonides G-d’s creatures and his overwhelming he knew people as they are today and could visualize the Rav or my father, interest and support of intellectual remembered them as they were in the Rabbi Simon, clearly through Reuven’s thought and creativity. Reuven worked past. He held in mind family links and eyes. That concretized worldview is so hard to be the man the speakers all relationships. He remembered a long now severed. described. He exuded effort to demon- history of teachers and students at strate warmth and loving, caring and Maimonides. He cherished his salient I had an opportunity to visit my parents’ kindness. relationship to this past history and trea- kvarim and that of Rabbi Soloveitchik sured the connection to teachers and last month. On the Rav’s kever is the I am able to identify with this persona advisors, lay benefactors and philan- phrase, “Nistalek le’yeshiva shel maalah.” when I recollect his presence at my thropists who were instrumental in I feel with confidence that Reuven was son Avishai’s Bar Mitzvah in Stratford, building and growing this institution. I “nistalek le’yeshiva shel maalah,” and Ontario and my son Dov’s small second envied Reuven’s good fortune to stay in there he sits sharing stories from his wedding at his wife Michal’s parents’ the greater Boston area. He was given past history with the host of distin- home in Brookline. At the latter simchah the opportunity to share details of the guished personalities who knew him so Reuven read the ketubah, and at the glorious past with present students and intimately. former he gave a dvar Torah. At both friends. smachot, he emphasized that his pres-

Members of the Class of 2000 enjoy a mini-reunion in Riverdale, New York during the recent simchat bat for Amy and Dovid Green’s daughter Odelia: from left, Judith (Lupatkin) Bernstein, Solomon Redlich, Dovid Green, Eitan Kimelman, Noah Liben, and Benyamin Kohanim. Other alumni who helped celebrate included Daniel Bloom ’98 and Rabbi Asher Lopatin ’82.