Hands-on Leadership Experience: ILead 2013

Ilead

By Sammy Tbeile

            This past July I had the privilege of going on a program called Ilead with other students from Yeshivah of Flatbush and other schools. I’m sure you’re asking yourself the same question that I’ve heard countless times over the past 8 weeks; “So what’s Ilead?” There isn’t a simple answer - there are no two lines that can sum up our 5 incredible weeks in Israel. Hopefully, I can try to give you a bit of insight and maybe even an answer.

            We got off the plane and quickly realized that this wasn’t an ordinary trip to Israel as we grabbed the bags that contained everything packed for our first 48 hours of camping. Over these 48 hours we got to know each other, our Madrichim (counselors), learned how to build a tent, how to build a fire, some first aid, how to navigate, and failed miserably at a navigation mission. Yes, it was a busy two days but they were nothing compared to some of our later days.
            Don’t get the wrong idea though, Ilead wasn’t some form of twisted Jewish Survivor or Lost. Everything we did on Ilead had a purpose. When we went on hikes (sometimes at 3 o'clock in the morning) we learned about the beauty of the land, and saw an even more beautiful aspect in ourselves as everybody helped each other. The hikes were the ultimate lessons in teamwork. When we went to the Knesset we learned about the Israeli government and had our own debates on relevant Israeli issues. There, we realized the responsibility that leaders have. When we experienced Gadna (or Army Week) we learned about discipline and authority. When we experienced Survival Week (literally getting split up into groups of four in the desert with maps, compasses, and food) we learned not to doubt ourselves, how close we’ve become, and how much we’ve grown. When we went to Sderot for a weekend we were inspired by the families who lived there even though it was tough.

             Ilead was a great followup experience to a leadership course that many of the Yeshivah of Flatbush students took throughout Junior year with Mr. David Galpert, in which we analyzed different leadership styles and techniques through class discussions and Thomas J. Wren’s The Leader’s Companion. The goal of the course was to prepare us to be leaders throughout our senior year and beyond. So, I promised you an answer. Ilead is a program that created a beautiful family of 31 leaders who experienced Israel; broke out of their shells and bubbles; learned countless invaluable life, religious, and other skills; in hopes that they come back and take a leadership role in their schools and communities. So, don’t worry you’ll hear more from us as we incorporate everything we have learned on Ilead and at Yeshivah of Flatbush to improve our schools and communities!

Flatbush Students Spend Summer at the Technion

Jack Bibi (3rd from right) working on a scientific project at the Technion

This summer, two of our rising seniors, Jack Bibi and Jack Terzi, are taking part in an educational experience of a lifetime at the Technion Summer Start Up Camp For Yeshivah High School Students in Israel.

This is a four week program that explores high-tech business development and innovation in a fun and welcoming atmosphere and also emphasizes a personal and team building approach to identify one's creativity, motivation, and passion. This program is organized in conjunction with Jewish Journey (the company that will be coordinating our STEM Israel Trip in January). Students combine business innovation with scientific innovation by participating in academic and hands on workshops, classroom lectures, and by visiting Israeli high-tech firms. Throughout the program, students are divided into teams and work under the mentorship of Technion faculty and graduate students on identifying public needs and developing ideas into a product to solve them.

Yeshivah of Flatbush is proud to support our students' scientific interests and inquiries by promoting programs like these in the summer and throughout the whole school year. We know that both Bibi and Terzi will gain a lot from this program and we are looking forward to hearing all about it when they return. 

Jack Bibi and Jack Terzi enjoying the views of Israel from the Technion

Senior Memories Video Class of 2013

Moot Court 2013

During the hectic week before finals, the Yeshivah of Flatbush held a moot court competition where students competed against each other in classic law setup. The competition started when captains (Michael Shalom, Daniel Cohen and Bob Husni) handed out prewritten cases that students would argue, either as defendants or plaintiffs. They were then scored on their performance in reasoning, legal accuracy and presentation skills. The grand prize went to Albert Mishaan, Isaac Dayan and Morris Bijou, while the runner ups were Rachel Linfield, Binyamin Abramowitz and Nathan Haddad. The sixty students who participated learned about business law and negligence, which was this year’s topic. Special thanks to Mrs. Zerykier, who coordinated the competition and ensured its success, and to the senior judges that took the time to study the cases and judge each one carefully. This year’s competition was a blast, and hopefully next year’s will be even better. 

~Bob Husni 

Boys Baseball Team Wins Championship!

Congratulations to our Boys Baseball team on their Championship Win against SAR!! In an incredibly close contest, our baseball team outlasted SAR by a score of 1-0 to win the Championship Game.

MVP Ralph Navarro hurled a complete game shutout, escaping many perilous situations with grit and determination. Captain Joey Dayon was driven in by Moe Maleh in the first inning and the team held on behind excellent defensive plays by Michael Haddad, Nathan Haddad, Shaya Tawil, Moe Maleh, and Morris Bijou.

The team was led by coaches Eric Hall, Brett Beard, and Jeff Dayon who did an excellent job in preparing the team for such a close game. Notable mention to starters Michael Shalom, Joey Betesh, and Michael Tawil along with all the other members of the team. Go Falcons!!

SGO 2014 Inspire Students During Finals

This June, the SGO 2014 felt it was necessary to create a poster to hang up in the lobby to inspire and to remind students what they are working so hard for during finals time. Because we understand how stressful this time can be for students, we wanted to motivate students to give it their all to finish out the year with a bang before they go off for the summer. After playing an inspirational video of encouraging words, we asked each student to write out their dreams and what they want to become on footsteps which we put on a road. The footsteps and road represent the students choosing their path towards success and fulfillment of their dreams. We also distributed pencils that said "choose your own path." So just remember to work hard and dream big, because finals are the first step in choosing your own path. ~SGO 2014: Lauren Berkovits, Jeffrey Nussbaum, Charles Chakkalo, Rachel Linfiled

Students Perform at Shore View Nursing Home

Students, Michael Zalta, Esther Bildirrici, and Aida Franco recently sang and played the piano at Shore View Nursing Home to uplift the spirits of it's residents. Thank you Mr. Ezra Hanon for arranging this special event.

Introduction of the Mr. Harvey Bachman Internship Program

Mr. Bachman with his wife, Ms. Ruth Waide, and Dr. Gila Sandler

Recently, Yeshivah of Flatbush introduced the Harvey Bachman Internship Program in honor of long time Flatbush Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Mr. Harvey Bachman. Mrs. Ruth Waide, Director of Pupil Personnel Services at the Yeshivah of Flatbush Elementary School and Dr. Gila Sandler, Director of High School Guidance presented Mr. Bachman with plaques commemorating this event. The internship program will allow undergraduate and graduate students a special opportunity to shadow, intern, and learn from our school's exemplary guidance department both in the elementary school and high school. Mr. Bachman's long tenure at the Yeshivah coupled with his dedication and commitment to our students lent his name perfectly to this unique program. 

Students Celebrate Israel "Me Yam ad Yam" at Celebrate Israel Parade 2013

Members of our Student Leadership
marching with local and state dignitaries.

On Sunday, June 2nd our students marched down 5th Avenue in the annual Celebrate Israel Parade in support of the State of Israel. Our students wore a sea of different shades of blue, reminding us of the beautiful blue color of the different seas of Israel. "Me Yam ad Yam" is the Yeshivah of Flatbush theme, which introduces us to the different beautiful seas and beaches of the land of Israel. Our SGO and Senior Council had the honor of marching with the Governor of New York and other dignitaries form New York State and New York City.

Arista: National Honor Society Induction Exercises 2013

Dr. Leon Wieseltier, literary editor of The New Republic addresses students 

On Friday, May 31st Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School honored students for their academic excellence in the annual Arista: National Honors Society Induction Exercises. Students and guests also had the merit of hearing from the renown Flatbush graduate and Dan David prize recipient, Dr. Leon Wieseltier, who is currently the literary editor of The New Republic. The Arista program is a great way for us to recognize the hard work and effort our students put in over their years of high school to succeed academically.

The 2013 Arista Address by Dr. Wieseltier: