2013 aNNUal RePoRT SaR acadeMy & SaR hIgh School SaR acadeMy SaR hIgh School Jesselson Campus Dedicated to the Memory of JJ Greenberg z"l 655 West 254th Street 503 West 259th Street Riverdale, NY 10471 Riverdale, NY 10471 718.548.1717 718.548.2727 www.saracademy.org www.sarhighschool.org SAVE THE DATE! TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER: SUNDAY, JANUARY , “We come from SAR, a school that encouraged creativity, taught us humility and to own and mold our own Jewish identity.” — Rebecca SIchel , Class Representative, SAR High School Graduation 2013 WIN DO W S
Transcript
2013 aNNUal RePoRT
SaR academy & SaR high School
SaR academy SaR high School
Jesselson Campus Dedicated to the Memory of JJ Greenberg z"l655 West 254th Street 503 West 259th StreetRiverdale, NY 10471 Riverdale, NY 10471718.548.1717 718.548.2727www.saracademy.org www.sarhighschool.org
SAVE THE DATE! 45TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER: SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2014
“We come from SAR, a school that encouraged creativity, taught us humility and to own and mold our own Jewishidentity.” — R e b e c c a S i c h e l , Class Representative, SAR High School Graduation 2013
WINDOWS
Kedusha
Dveykutדביקות
קדושה
As a Modern Orthodoxschool, SAR Academystrives to maintain and develop a unique balance ofcommitment to Torah andmitzvot with a confident andembracing openness to theworld. Striking that balancedemands inspiration as wellas constant reflection andimprovement. In that spirit,we chose the theme Kedusha to permeate the school environmentthroughout the year.
Our school-widetheme for the HighSchool this year isDveykut, the ways thatthe presence of G-d in our lives does, andshould, shape the waythat we live, thechoices that we makeand the expectationsthat we have. Our goalis for students, faculty,parents and alumni to think about the theory and practice of Dveykut, an attunement to G-d’spresence in our modern world.
I'm tremendously proud of the eight SAR High School “Class of2013” graduates who have chosen to serve in the Israel DefenseForces, including Eliot David and Zach Davidson who enter this year.
Watching our kids leave the building where they also make adifference: interacting with other kids on a Yachad Shabbaton;invigorating a community in Ottawa; marching to salute Israel;and bringing joy, music and laughter to the Hebrew Home.
The true meaning of Kedusha. The significance of Kedushat Dibur (holiness of speech) and Kedushat Haguf(holiness of body) were integrated throughout secular and Judaic academics, chesed and co-curriculars.
Twenty alumni from the classes of 2009-2011 formed our second annual Bogrim Program, with three weeks of intensive learning and service. They studied, taught and worked on independent research. This year’s theme was “Tefillah in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities.” I felt like a proud dad watching them!
Rabbi Tully HarcsztarkPRiNciPal, SaR high SchoolTiKvah fellowgRaNd coNveRSaTioNaliSTgaRdeN STaTe aficioNado'gaNgNam STyle' daNceRgo RaNgeRS!
The gRaNdeST coNveRSaTioN:
The 2012 U.S. elections. From a special mishmar on "Jewish Values & Voting" led byFellows and YU students (including two SAR alumni), to a spirited faculty debateabout how our Judaism shapes our politics, to the mock election, I was impressedwith how students engaged in the election process as Americans and as Jews.
PRoUdeST STUdeNT momeNT:
A student-led initiative proposed a fundamental change to our student government. Inspired by Israel's Proportional Representation System, it established a parliamentarysystem to take on central issues in school life. The resulting Student Council has alreadybeen a voice for school change and a testament to student empowerment and vision.
mediNaT yiSRael, fRoNT aNd ceNTeR:
moST memoRable dveyKUT SPaRK:
a PaSSioNaTe, iNSPiRiNg, accomPliShed facUlTy:
I'm constantly in awe of how our esteemed faculty—rabbis, PhDs, researchers,published authors, community leaders, renowned artists—nurture, challenge and inspire. They combine professional experience, scholarship and humanity.The real success is the close relationships I see them form with students.
devoTed volUNTeeRS:
Through action and behavior, students created an everlasting Kiddush Hashem as part of the Alternative Spring Break Junior Chesed Mission in response to Hurricane Sandy, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, the Educational Alliance’s Head Start program and the Foodbank.
loyalTy of SaR alUmNi:
Rabbi Binyamin Krauss
02 a v i e w f R o m T h e P R i N c i Pa l’ S w i N d o w… 03
The gRaNdeST coNveRSaTioN:PRiNciPal, SaR academySaR alUmNUS (‘84)baal KoReh RUNNiNg Rabbi SKi eNThUSiaSTSPeaKS RUSSiaN aNd geRmaN
PRoUdeST STUdeNT momeNT:
Hurricane Sandy closed our building for two days, but that didn't stop our amazing children who learned math and Torah at CSAIR, HIR/The Bayit, RJC,YIOZ, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and SAR High School.
mediNaT yiSRael, fRoNT aNd ceNTeR:
The newly released Israel curriculum, developed by former SAR principal RabbiYonah Fuld of The Lookstein Center at Bar Ilan University, is now taught throughout Gr. 1-8. Diaries, simulations, time-machines, moral dilemmas and debates bring Zionism, history, geography, culture, tradition, democracy and leaders to life.
memoRable KedUSha SPaRK:
a PaSSioNaTe, iNSPiRiNg, accomPliShed facUlTy:
It's a privilege for me to work with a caring faculty who consistently work to improvethe educational experience at SAR. I was extremely touched when we celebrated ourfaculty and staff's collective learning at the Siyum Tanakh prior to Shavuot, an eventthat epitomizes our core values. Our faculty lead by example, helping students toforge a love for Torah, mitzvot and the State of Israel.
devoTed volUNTeeRS:
It would take more than this Report to thank the many volunteers who lead, call,teach, label, schlep, speak and organize. Designing parade banners, manningBook Fair and Chesed Tent and leading Enrichment Clusters are all examples of the many programs where volunteers dramatically enhance school life.
loyalTy of SaR alUmNi:
Our alumni community has really shaped the SAR of today. They proudly serve theschool as class reps, mentors, board members, PTC leaders, campaign chairs, teachers,involved parents, volunteers. They are invaluable contributors to the SAR experience.
Observing students' powerful connection to G-d and prayer, and reinvigorated davening, as they took part in more than 20 options offered during two inspiringDveykut B'Tefillah weeks including Why We Pray, Musical Tefillah, Artistic Impression,Meditation, Carlebach, Ma Rabu Maasecha Hashem, Outdoor Minyanim and more.
S A R A C A D E M Y & S A R H I G H S C H O O L2 0 1 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
SUPERSTORM SANDYHere is just one of the many letters we received after Hurricane Sandy temporarilyshut down the Academy.
Once reopened, chesed focused on hurricane relief—distributing essentials to area residents,cupcakes to Con Ed workers and volunteering toclean up a campsite. “Olam Chesed Yibaneh.”
David Glazer developed and pilotedan original tefillahmusic curriculum to strengthen third-graders’ connection to Hashem, bring Kedusha into daily lifeand learn how musicenhances Jewish identity. Studies included AveinuMalkeinu, Hallel andMareh Kohen.
Donna Salamon and Rena Rosen, both parent volunteers, created Chanukiyot with Gr. 1-5, whichwere then donated to area shuls.
Students explored texts independently through Gr. 8’s Online Guided Learning Chumash class.Facilitated in Ivrit b’ivrit by Yifat Mor in Israel,and a classroom teacher, students were challengedboth in class and at home as they studied ParshiotKedoshim, Shoftim and Ki Tetze.
IVRIT PROGRAMMING“Judaism came alive for my kindergarten class, K-2, through Hebrewimmersion, studying Parshat HaShavuah, learning about chagim,celebrating Rosh Chodesh, hearing about the parsha from RabbiKrauss in the big building’s shul each week and davening together.
“As a teacher, I strive to inspire, model and imbue my students witha passion for tefillah. How could I create a more meaningfuldavening experience for the kindergartners while teaching them torecognize some Hebrew words? Instead of one big picture on eachpage of our siddur to correspond with a particular tefillah, with theassistance of Morah Irit’s technical skills, we highlighted the actualHebrew words throughout.
“Words like melech, kadosh and olam became familiar to thechildren and this helped them to stay focused and to better connectwith their davening. Listening to their תפילה למדינת ישראלwatching them close their eyes during שמונה עשרה and hearingtheir sweet voices soar towards שמים assured me that this was oneexperiment whose results proved its worth! My bracha for thechildren is that their love and passion for tefillah should continuethroughout their years in SAR and throughout their lives!”
— Morah Rena Rossman
ELC IVRIT PROGRAMELC augmented traditional Judaic Hebrew in the newIvrit program, throughinteractive learning,daily Ma’agalim andafterschool Ulpan.
NEW SCIENCE CURRICULUMThe new curriculum focuses on earth science, environmental studies and astronomy. Dr. Jennifer Fenster joined the Gr. 6 sciencefaculty. An Earth Day museum invited student visitors to scan QR codes from theiriPads to examine the environment and view original public service announcements.
SINGAPORE MATH‘Math in Focus,’ a program based on SingaporeMath, launched in K and Gr. 1, employing a problem-based approach to build math mastery.Roll-out to upper grades is planned.
The Academy
The school year began focused on Kedusha and closed with 91 graduates well prepared to continue their educational journey and commitment to Talmud Torah and Medinat Yisrael.
“ We were the first class to have Rabbi Krauss give us our siddurim. We were also the first class to have our fourth-grade Bracha Bee end in a nine-way tie. We were the first class to be offered an online Chumash course. And we were the first class to have the seventh- andeighth-grade girls’ basketball team win back-to-back championships.” — S o P h i e h e c h T , Class Representative, SAR Academy Graduation 2013
04 h i g h l i g h T S & e v e N T S f R o m …
RECENTLY LAUNCHED... STATE-OF-THE-ART MUSICMore than 450 children, led by Director ofMusic, Hazzan Shim Craimer, used the newmusic lab, recording studio and 24 keyboards, all
privately donated. Gr. 5Eretz Glee, Gr. 6-8 ACapella, the “Stand withUs” music video and anoriginal Chanukah CDinspired us all.
iPAD ONE-TO-ONEPROGRAMGr. 6 piloted an iPadOne-to-One program toenhance curriculum. Ivritclasses produced a virtualtour of Jerusalem while
Humanities students organizeda grandparent
memory project.
SAR HISTORYPROJECTSix fifth-graders created an SAR history exhibit including photos,alumni interviews, a QR-coded game and video of ArturoToscanini.
Student magazine showcases Gr. 7 Ivrit accomplishments.
FIRST ANNUAL“CELEBRATION OF READING INSECOND GRADE”To celebrate the sheer joy and value of reading, all 98 families joined the"Charlotte's Web"book club.
22 new Grade 1-5 co-curriculars ignitestudents' individual passions.
05
920Academy Enrollment
Dear Rabbi Krauss and the entire SAR staff,
This is just amazing. What a beautifulinitiative. It would have been a loteasier for the SAR staff to just cancelschool….the CAN DO ATTI TUDE ofthis amazing school , made possible agood day of learning, which allowedour children to go back to their rou-tines during these not so easy daysfor a lot in our community.
SAR cares. This is what makes SAR avery special school . This is why weare always more than proud to say"we are SAR parents!” Thank you,
— R. and M. Sonnenblick
*For the second year, SAR continued its partnership with YU via theYU/SAR Kollel. Four fellows, senior Semikha students, bring their energyand talents, as well as additional academic and Torah scholarship resourcesof YU, to SAR. The YU/SAR Kollel spearheaded these special programs. Fellows: Daniel Bauer, Jesse Lempel, Eitan Lipstein and Josh Rosenfeld.
ITIMTwice-weekly after school, 20 students engagedin Torah through ITIM’s virtual classroom technology, Elluminat. Led by Rabbis Harcsztarkand Hain, and Lisa Schlaff, they studied IgrotMoshe by Rab Moshe Feinstein and Ramban’scommentaries.
SHAKESPEARE’STRAGEDIESThe senior-level course,"Shakespeare's Tragedies,"acknowledges the GrandConversation by discussingthe existential elements in“King Lear” and comparing“Hamlet” to biblicalnarratives.
VISITING ARTS PROFESSIONALSINSPIRE STUDENTSThe Night of Music and Art showcased students’ work as mentored byinternationally renowned artist Tobi Kahn inthe “Visual Thinking” program,photographer and SAR Artist-in-ResidenceJess Levey and accomplished jazz musicianRabbi Greg Wall who led SAR’s band.
The High School
SAR students seek to be challenged academically, athletically, artistically, religiously and personally. This year, more than ever, programming embraced the individual student’s unique voice, ability and style.
“ There is no yeshiva high school in the country with the relationship SAR has between Judaic and secular studies.”— R a b b i T U l l y h a R c S z T a R K , Principal, SAR High School
06 h i g h l i g h T S & e v e N T S f R o m …
RECENTLY LAUNCHED... CHESED CHAMPIONSMSG Varsity and Optimum Power toLearn, along with NewYork City CouncilmanG. Oliver Koppell,recognized students in this year’s CharityChampions.
12 NEW CLUBS INITIATEDThe followiNg weRe added To The diveRSe aRRay of 80+clUbS offeRed:cheSed: Self-help Volunteers andCookies for a Cause.co-cURRicUlaR: Video,Engineering, CPR Certification,Cooking Club for Chesed, DanceTeam and five others.
07
501 High School Enrollment
LEADING ACADEMIC CENTER FOR SCIENCESAR's sophisticated curriculum is highlighted by The ScienceOlympiad, original hands-on physics labs, science symposia, speakers about the interface of science and Torah, conference visits and the Jerusalem Science Contest. A MEANINGFUL YEAR OF TORAH LEARNING
SAR strives to deepen students personal commitment to TalmudTorah. It is essential to develop the proactive habit of being setting aside time for Torah learning outside ,קובע עתים לתורהof the parameters of the school day. This year we offered thefollowing co-curriculars:
• ITIM • F.L.A.S.H. (Fellows Learning After School Hours)*• Thursday Night Mishmar• Chidon Ha-Tanakh• Torah Bowl• Bi-weekly Dvar Torah Publication – Ruach Se’arah*• YU’s Torah Leadership Network (TLN)*• Family Parsha Program• Bekiut Learning in Advanced Gemara and Tanakh classes.
700 People convening for Kriat Megillah,chagiga and hamantaschen.
The AP Bio SMART Team (Students Modeling a Research Topic) studied,designed and constructed a 3D model of “Imatinib,” an extremely effectivecancer drug, showing how it inhibits the enzyme causing Chronic MyeloidLeukemia. The team participated at a Poster Presentation at RockefellerUniversity. This molecular design is a cutting-edge technique enabling scientists to view molecules in 3D for the first time, enhancing their abilityto design more effective drugs.
Gr. 7 and 8 Girls Basketball team (left) andGr. 7 Boys Basketball team (below), were bothled by coach Jeff Morris. This is the secondyear in a row that the Gr. 7 team won thechampionship. Gr. 6 Boys Basketball team(below) was led by Donny Weinberger. BothGr. 6 and 7 celebrated undefeated seasons.
The annual Gr. 4 Bracha Beetook place on Topsy Turvy Day,the Friday before Purim, withwinners treated to a party withRabbi Krauss. Purim morning,more than 450 peopleparticipated in the AcademyMegillah reading.
Students, parents and teachersparticipated in the annual HalachicOrgan Donor Society (HODS) raceestablished to raise awareness for thepermissibility of organ donationwithin halacha. Five students were5K race finalists.
These students received NY Math LeagueCertificates of Merit.
POETRYPRIZEhadas SpivackMiddle School Literature Section FirstPlace, Siegelbaum Lit-erary and Visual ArtsCompetition
FIRST PLACE!hadas SpivackMiddle School Literature Section Siegelbaum Literaryand Visual Arts Competition
MATHEMATICSCHAMPIONSStudents scored impressive results in six math competitions includingthe first museum of mathematicsmiddle School Tournament. gr. 8math Team: Jonah chill, Nate Katz,Rafi Kepecs, zach Reich, hank Stein.avi Roth won the e2K Program’s international math Riddle contest.
Trophy Case08 a c h i e v e m e N T i N a c a d e m i c S a N d S P o R T S 09
ACADEM
Y
HIG
H SCHOOL
YESHIVA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS
“Team Just onelife,” MatthewHeisler, AlyssaLevy, Talia Marcus,Olivia Tulkoff andDr. Mark Shinar,ran the Rock ‘N’Roll San DiegoHalf Marathon,raising $13,000 fortzedakah in Israel.
SAR math team earns highest total score of allparticipating state yeshiva high schools.
• girls Jv Soccer• girls Tennis• boys Tennis • boys volleyball• girls Softball
AWARD-WINNING YEARFOR SAR MATHEMATICS
• highest total score of all participatingstate yeshiva high schools
• Record 24 freshmen participated in at least four of five freshman mathTeam competitions
• marty Rubin wins first Place, National mathematics contest foryeshiva students
• “math mag” — first Place with Special merit, “best mathematicsmagazine,” american Scholastic Press assn.; gold medalist, “all-columbian” in three categories(reserved for top five percent of allhigh school magazines submitted),columbia Scholastic Press assn.
POETRY SLAMSaR hosted seven high schools at its first annual Poetry Slamcompetition. Poetry Slams allow students to blend traditional poetic forms with contemporary performance styles, enabling themto find new and innovative modes of self-expression.
48%of middle
School STUdeNTS
PaRTiciPaTe iN aT leaST oNe Team SPoRT
126middle School
STUdeNTS PaRTiciPaTe iN
10 SPoRTS TeamSThRoUghoUT
The yeaR
SPORTS REPORT:• Fencing joins team
sports• 17 of 20 Yeshiva
League teams makethe playoffs
• Baseball, basketballand wrestling travel tonational tourneys
JERUSALEMSCIENCE CONTESTThe Walder ScienceLaboratory and Learning Center inpartnership withJerusalem College of TechnologyYannai Segal, CoraWiener, participants
international chidon hatanach, Jerusalem: Shalhevet Schwartz, Fourth Place
40%of high School
STUdeNTS PaRTiciPaTe iN aT leaST oNeTeam SPoRT
190high School
STUdeNTS PaRTiciPaTe iN
25 SPoRTS TeamSThRoUghoUT
The yeaR
S A R A C A D E M Y & S A R H I G H S C H O O L2 0 1 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
ShaRoN maRSoNpublished More Than Four Questions:Inviting Children'sVoices to the Seder,featuring SAR students, past andpresent.
Hatzlacha Rabba!
10 T h e P o w e R o f o U R P e o P l e 11
“We had faculty who taught us, tested us andprodded us. The faculty empowered us tonot only push beyond our comfortable limitsbut to shatter them...”— R e b e c c a S i c h e l , SAR High School Class Representative, Graduation Remarks
Todah Rabbah ToSaR’S PaReNT hoSTSKol haKavod
RABB I E L I E Z E R
g e v i R T z32=(4x7)+4 yeaRS
HE L EN E
f e c h T e R19 yeaRS
R I VK I
S c h a c h e R34 yeaRS
RABB I JONATHAN
K R o l l10 yeaRS
elc claSS PaReNTS
N1 — Miriam Filer, Emilia BassechesN2 — Yardaena OsbandN3 — Josie BunimN4 — Risa Torkin, Rebekah SaltzmanN5 — Lindsay Hakimi, Fagie Tager WachsmanN6 — Elana and Mark WeinbergerN7 — Leanne Levin, Sarah BraumK1 — Laura Brem, Tammy JacobowitzK2 — Yael Baker, Daniella FuchsK3 — Josh Blechner, Randi Shane,
Gr. 9 — Deborah Billig, Deborah FiorinoGr. 10 — Reva Slasky, Debra SternbergGr. 11 — Gabe Goldstein, Lisa OppenheimerGr. 12 — Carmella Abraham,
Co-Chair, David PitkoffPTC Co-Chairs — Tami Bezborodko,
Deborah Stern-Blumenthal
fa c U lT y c o m m i T T e e Sacademy facUlTy adviSoRy commiTTeeSharon Sturm, Lynn Zadoff , Rivki Schacher, Chaya Fine, Susan Rosh, Melissa Rothwax, Rabbi Sheldon Schwartz
high School facUlTy liaiSoN commiTTeeAlicia Germano, Anat Katz, Tammy Jacobowitz
high School QUaliTy of life commiTTeeAvi Bloom, Gloria Schneider
P U b l i c aT i o N h i g h l i g h T S
Rabbi ShmUel haiN edited The Next Generationof Modern Orthodoxy, based on Yeshiva University’sOrthodox Forum. Papers included Rabbi TUllyhaRcSzTaRK’S “Authority and Autonomy: An Ethi-cal Perspective,” and dR. RivKa PReSSSchwaRTz’S “Privilege, Perspective and ModernOrthodox Youth.”
beRgliNd giSladoTTiR received a PhD fromColumbia University in Mathematics Education, completing her thesis “Social Capital and Adolescents’Mathematics Achievement: A Comparative Analysisof Eight European Cities.”
hillel bRodeR delivered “Sebald’s Work of Melancholy and the Photographic Gaze: Rings of Saturn, Reconsidered” at the University of Montpellierconference “Ethics of Alterity in 19th-21st CenturyBritish Arts.”
maRShall meSSeR published his first book, a coming-of-age novel Change at Jamaica.
Thank you to the gracious families whoopened their homes to the SAR community,hosting shabbatonim, open houses, parlormeetings and gatherings:
eNglewood
Deborah and Aaron BilligSusie and Mark CharendoffAdriana Katz and David FoniGila and David Kolb
Jamaica eSTaTeS
Elyssa Bialy and Darin Schnall
maNhaTTaN
Lauren and Jeffrey AltholzJennifer Ash and Seth HabermanRabia and Oliver Mitchell
New Rochelle
Diane Zanger and Noah BerkowitzGila and Richard KatzReva and Ilan SlaskyAmy and Noah Weisberger
RiveRdale
Valeria Altman and Daniel PerlaDonna and David Salamon
ScaRSdale
Reyna and Pierre GentinDana and Marc Jason
STamfoRd
Karen and Ira BergRachel and Jay Jubas
TeaNecK
Faye and David Landes
whiTe PlaiNS
Hudi and Lawrence AskowitzMichelle Brody and Hal BlumenfeldCari CohenAvigyle and Yossi GorodischerCarmella Abraham and Steven KuberskyAmy and Glen LebowitzElizabeth and Yuval MarcusRena and Jason RosenJessica and Gary Rozenshteyn
libRaRy volUNTeeRS
academy:Shimona Katz
high School:(left) Margaret Danishefsky, Shoshi Talesnick
a c a d e m y S Ta f f
h i g h S c h o o l S Ta f f
iN memoRiamavigal KoRach z”lJuly 1, 2013 – 23 Tamuz 5773
Beloved SAR Academy Judaic Studiesteacher 1984-2011
43academy PaReNTSpartnered with faculty and
administrators throughout the year to serve as elc class Parents and
academy grade Representatives, led by PTc grade level coordinators
Nava cohen and liz Spevack
10high School PaReNTS
represented grades 9-12on the high School liaison
committee chaired by carmela abraham.
Joseph cedar, Israelidirector and SARparent, winner of the2011 Cannes FilmFestival Best ScreenplayAward, addressedparents at SAR'sFootnote screening.
The Open KitchenCookbook, in memoryof Sherry Raskas z”l benefits the SAR Scholarship Fund.
www.openkitchencookbook.comgloRia SchNeideR, Audrey Schurgin MemorialFaculty Award recipient, at the Anniversary Dinner.
Our key campaigns —Anniversary Dinner, Auctionand Shavuot Appeal—hadgreat community-wide participation. Contributions of $3.2 million for scholarships
and programming made a tremendous differencefor all of our families. Another $5.5 million wasraised for debt reduction and building improve-ments. We are so gratified by both the financial results and the commitment of our volunteers whomade it all happen. Thank you to our incrediblywarm and generous community.
Balancing a $31 million budget is not a simple task.We are lucky to have fabulouscommittee members whodedicate so much of theirtime to ensure that we
remain fiscally responsible. Keeping tuition flat at the Academy, and only increasing it by $400 atthe High School for 2013-14, required sacrificesand lots of pencil sharpening but we were allpleased to be able to accomplish this.
Perspectives from Leadership
12 2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3 f i N a N c i a l S 13
TeeNa leRNeRd e v e l o P m e N T c o m m i T T e e c h a i R
SaNdy KahNf i N a N c e c o m m i T T e e c h a i R
S A R A C A D E M Y & S A R H I G H S C H O O L2 0 1 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
deaR SaR commUNiTy,We have enjoyed another successful year atSAR— academically and spiritually, ourstudents have thrived. We have felt theembrace of our community from the localshuls hosting us during Hurricane Sandy, tothe support of four area synagogues for our
Shavuot Appeal. This year we have also focused on how to affectthe financial levers that determine budget and tuition. Theselevers include tuition, expenses, fundraising and scholarship.We are certainly continuing to look at funding sources beyond ourcommunity. Beginning the 2012-13 academic year, we becameinvolved with a new partnership between NY Jewish day schools,the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations and Teach-NYS,whose mission is to support a sophisticated advocacy effort andcreate a comprehensive policy to deliver resources to children,relief to parents and funding to Jewish day schools. In June, SARparent Tamar Eisenstat was in Albany working with the OUAdvocacy Group in an effort to lobby the state to provide energyparity to private schools so that SAR could realize savings of
potentially $300,000 under the proposed Energy Parity Act. Bothof these efforts might help SAR realize substantial funding fromgovernment sources.On the fundraising end, we continue to seek out foundations andprivate donors who are as invested as we are in finding a solution tothe tuition crisis. This year, we are particularly grateful to ananonymous donor who provided relief to many High School familiesin the form of a $2,000 Tuition Accessibility Grant (TAG) per HighSchool student. The grant was geared to families who do not qualifyfor scholarship but feel the pressure of day school tuition in asignificant way. We are proud to be pioneers in this effort and hopeto find other ways to help this segment of our community.I continue to feel proud of our community. Our goals are set high,but our mission is vital, and our students, your children,grandchildren, friends and neighbors, are so worthy of ourinvestment.
JacK c. beNdheimPresident, SAR Board of Trustees
what is your“highlight of the year?”
Each year, the fundraising target presents us with a daunting challenge. We are then inspired by ourdonors who understand the monetary demands of a quality education and choose to make SAR a focus of their charitable giving. Kol hakavod toour compassionate community, where people care about each other and recognize the need toinvest in the future of the Jewish people.
Providing families with tuition assistance is a core value at SAR and we need to balance thebudget being mindful of our long history of ensuring that every child who wants a Jewish education can have one regardless of the ability to pay. We carefully review the key components of the budget to ensure that expenditures are appropriate, revenues are as anticipated and our scholarship process is rigorous. It is the fiduciary responsibility of the school to carefullyallocate sacred community funds.
what impact has the Scholarship fund had onyour work?
The results have been dramatic. Inspired by a leadgrant from the Bendheim family, the donors camethrough. $15 million in debt has been shrunk downto $1.8 million. Our mortgage is completely paiddown and the remaining other loan balances will be a target of our fundraising efforts. We look forward to eliminating our debt completely.
Since the building of the High School, we havehad to carefully monitor cash flow, anticipate giftsto the Capital account and manage the variousloan payments. The payments to debt service weresignificant strains on our finances. Dramaticallylowering the loan balances greatly affects the financial health of the school. Future projects will have to be financed prior to beginning anyconstruction. A big change, but a necessary one.
what is the status of the capitalcampaign?
We are encouraging donors to think in terms of anannual commitment to SAR. It helps us greatly inbudgeting and planning. We are grateful that manyof you are participating in that effort. In addition,once our debt is paid off, we intend to shift our long-term focus to building SAR’s Endowment Fund tosupport the future of the school.
Balancing the books of SAR is an intense and ongoing process. While there is a great effort tomonitor expenses, there is always the pressure toinvest in quality programs that will enhance everystudent’s experience. The committee tries veryhard to balance all the competing forces.
what are some of your immediategoals?
2012-2013 ReveNUe SAR ACADEMY AND SAR HIGH SCHOOL
Tuition, grants and other revenue cover 90.0% of our needs. Remaining10.0% is $3.2 million, which was secured through fundraising campaigns.
2012-2013 exPeNSeS SAR ACADEMY AND SAR HIGH SCHOOL
Total Expenses $31.3 Million*Salaries and Benefits are 86% of total.
*Not including construction, improvements, interest expense and loan repayments. All figures unaudited, as of 8.31.13.
86.7%TUITION, ANNUAL FUND AND FEESNET OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS OF $5.8 MILLION
10.0%FUNDRAISING
2.8%EDUCATIONALGRANTS AND OTHER
0.5%ENDOWMENT WITHDRAWAL
66.7%ACADEMIC SALARIES
10.1%ACADEMIC BENEFITS
9.6%BUSINESS OFFICE& FACILITIES —SALARIES AND BENEFITS
5.6%FACILITY ExPENSES
2.1%SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT
2.0%FOOD PROGRAM
1.6%TECHNOLOGY
1.1%LEGAL, ACCOUNTINGAND OTHER SERVICES
1.0%STUDENT ACTIVITIES,TRIPS AND TEAMS
0.2%OTHER ExPENSES
SaR caPiTal camPaigNacTiviTySEPTEMBER 2012 – AUGUST 2013(IN MILLIONS )
LOAN REPAYMENTS $4.86 M
INTEREST ExPENSE .19 M
CONSTRUCTION/BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS .50 M
ToTal caPiTal ReimbURSemeNTS $5.55 m
high School celebRaTeS SecoNdfive-yeaR ReUNioNForty Class of 2008alumni (two-thirds of that year’s graduating class)reconnected with fellow alumni, greeted administrators and shared memories.The ‘08 Alumni Committee members were Seth Botnick, Derek Greenbaum,Matt Greif, Rebecca Newhouse, Jamie Schneider and Leora Yasgur.
TzahalEight SAR High School Class of2013 graduates have chosen to join the Israel Defense Forces,including Eliot David and ZachDavidson who enter the IDF this year. They join 11 fellow SARalumni who are currently serving,and Gavriel Hill (HS Class of ’08) who recentlycompleted his term.
fiRST SaR alUmNi coUPleeNgaged! Naomi Cooper and Ardon Weiner,both Academy ’03, HS ’07 alumni, are now engaged to be married.Mazal tov to the Cooper-Adler and Weiner families.
Mazal tov to Moshe Kamioner(Academy '01) on receiving the Presidential Award of Excellence for Outstanding Soldier (chayal mitztayein) from Israeli President Shimon Peres at the Yom Ha’ Atzmaut ceremonies, held at the Beit Hanasi.
“I have never been so proud to be an Israeli in uniform.”
Ny Post reports onSAR alumna SarahSchloss (Academy ’04) completing basic Army training.
Alumni from the classes of 2009-2011 form SAR's second annual Bogrim program.
academy claSS of 1974Marcy Goldstein & Eran Bellin �P Eilat & Avi Fishman �P Elisheva Rothstein & Ira Kalfus �P Alan Wasserman �P
academy claSS of 1975Howard BalterAbbie & Moshe Greenberg �F
academy claSS of 1976Debbie Ziering
academy claSS of 1977Rena & Jonathan Boniuk �P Rachel & Jay Jubas �P Anne & Mark Wasserman �P
academy claSS of 1978Adrienne Cooper & Arthur Adler �F Tammy & Lawrence Adler �P Deborah & Jonathan David �P Eli KavonCarmella Abraham & Steven Kubersky �P Shoshana & David Noble �P Deb Benovitz-Tepler & Mendy Tepler �P
academy claSS of 1979Esther & Avner BezborodkoFrancesca & Scott Goldenberg �P Yael & Neil Wasserman �P
academy claSS of 1981Allison & Jonathan Bellin �P Sharon Moerdler Green &
David Moerdler-Green �P
academy claSS of 1982Tamar & Ethan Benovitz �F Amy Michelman & Eliran Isaacson �P Joan & Henry MichelmanChani & Daniel Oshinsky �F Linda & William Scheiner �P Aviva & Jonathan Sopher �P Danielle & Steven Thau �P
academy claSS of 1983Naomi Dreisinger & Avi Fischer �P Suzanne & Michael Packer �P Cindy & Jonathan Sherman �P Lizzie & Jonathan Tropper �P
academy claSS of 1984Shana & Binyamin Krauss �P
academy claSS of 1985Ardra & Paul Belitz �P Judith Wolpoff & Marc BergerShani & Josh EisenAbigail & Ari Glass �P Suzanne (Suzie) Karan & Yosef KilimnickDebra May �P
academy claSS of 1986Rosesara & Jonathan Greenspun �P
academy claSS of 1987Hudi & Lawrence Askowitz �P Judith & Matthew Goldsmith
academy claSS of 1988Joanne & Barry Aranoff �P Ali & Daniel Bloom �P Shuli & Avi Steinlauf
academy claSS of 1989Deena & Philip Berger �P Sharon Schuster & Marc FriedmanJoshua GoldbergRena Goldsmith & Jeff KleinAlyssa & Michael Mandel �P Michelle Stein & Michael NachmaniMaren & Robbie Scharf
academy claSS of 1990Dina & Jonathan KaufthalMiriam & Ari Loren �F Adeena & David Rosen �P
academy claSS of 1991Yael & Cory Baker �P Tamar & Jonathan Croog �P Marc HassonHadassah & Meir Lewis �P Ilana & Ari Milstein �P Stephanie & Shachar Minkove �P Elana & Avi Spira �P Staci & Doron Zeif �P Michelle & Robert Zellner �P
academy claSS of 1992Dana & Marc Jason �P Nomi & Akiva Roseman �P Ariel & Joshua Weiner
academy claSS of 1993Lesley & Mark Belkin �P Talia & Alen Gollender �F Sharon & Raphael Sasson �P Denise & Adam Snow
academy claSS of 1994Anat & Avi BloomJennie Rosenfeld & Pinchas Roth �P Regina Spektor
academy claSS of 1995Shifra Landowne & Matthew SchneiderSara Susswein Tesler & David Tesler �P
academy claSS of 1996Alison & Isaac JuddMichelle('97) & Rafi Halpert �P
academy claSS of 1998Sarah Roer-Bendheim & Etan Bendheim �P
academy claSS of 1999Andrew Kleinfeld
academy claSS of 2000Devorah & Meir Bar-DavidNatalie & David JonasYosef & Batya Sharbat
academy claSS of 2002Miriam & Michael BaranyBrittany & Jonathan Cogan
high School claSS of 2007Shoshana Bar-David (Academy '03)
high School claSS of 2008Seth BotnickKira Joel (Academy '04)Noam MintzSamuel Zakay
high School claSS of 2009Sammy Ballan (Academy '05)Arielle Friedman (Academy '05)Shelby Greenbaum (Academy '05)Joseph Teplow (Academy '05)
high School claSS of 2010Franni Bernstein (Academy '06)Sarah Sue LandauShira Lerner (Academy '06)Talya Lerner (Academy '06)
high School claSS of 2012Matthew ParkerOliver SchwalbeAvery Teplow (Academy '08)Sophie Tulkoff
Thank you to our loyal Academy and High School alumni who regularly return to visit, support, mentor and participate. We are enormously proud of who you have become. Like our current students, you continue to bethoughtful, curious, engaged and passionate participants in both the Jewish and secular worlds.
ThaNK yoUalUmNi doNoRS
�P INDICATES PARENTS OF CURRENT STUDENTS �F INDICATES PARENTS OF FORMER STUDENTS
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find us on facebooK www.facebook.com/SaRalumni find us on Twitter @SaRacademy
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claSS of 2012 gaTheR iN JeRUSalemNearly 70 SaR class of ‘12 alumni spending the year in israel gathered to enjoy melave malka in Jerusalem, with Karen goldscheider,Rabbi Jeremy Spierer and ilana mann.
Lisi (Benovitz) Mandel ('89), Gr. 1teacher, was honored as Alumna ofthe Year at the Anniversary Dinner.Her children, Samuel (Academy '13),Mia (Academy '15) and Abigail(ELC/4N), now continue her legacy.The Benovitz family are long stand-ing members of the SAR communityincluding Lisi’s parents, Helene andHarvey, and her siblings Moshe, Tani(’82) and Deb Benovitz-Tepler (’78).
officeRSLudwig Jesselson z"lFounding Chairman, Board of TrusteesLudwig BravmannVice Chairman, Board of TrusteesJack C. BendheimPresidentHarvey BekerChairman, Executive CommitteeMichael JesselsonVice PresidentSidney NewmanVice PresidentDavid M. SableVice PresidentDr. Bernard M. WeinerVice PresidentDr. Harvey BennettTreasurerNachman MazurekSecretary
boaRd of TRUSTeeSHudi Bellin Askowitz ('87)Dr. Tzvi Bar-DavidBenjy BelferLouis BenjaminJeff BogurskyIlana ChillShelley CohenAdrienne Cooper ('78)Deborah E. David ('78)Abe EisenstatStanley Fortgang
Avram FriedmanAlan E. GoldbergDr. Steven I. GoldsteinAlan M. GreenbergRabbi Irving GreenbergMoshe Greenberg ('75)Ira A. GreensteinAri HaitAdam IngberBenson JerusalmiEsther JoelHoward JonasDr. Dov Kahane ('72)Nathan KahnMeyer KoplowDr. Michael KramerFaye LandesJoshua LandesDr. Larry LernerPolina LibermanDr. Donald LissSteven MajorDaniel PerlaSteven S. PretsfelderMichael RaskasTobias B. SchapiroGail SchorrMark SemerElissa Shay OrdanSusan ShayZev SkolnickMarilyn SopherJonathan Tropper ('83)Alan Wasserman ('75)Spencer M. WaxmanJonathan N. Wiener
adviSoRy execUTive commiTTeeDr. Jayne and Harvey BekerDr. Giti and Jack BendheimLudwig BravmannTamar and Abe EisenstatLinda and Michael JesselsonDebbie and Howard JonasSandy and Nathan KahnKaren and Mitchell KuflikDrs. Teena and Larry LernerDavid SableBettina and Spencer Waxman
aUdiT commiTTeeBarry Aranoff, ChairpersonIra A. GreensteinAdam Ingber
develoPmeNT commiTTeeDr. Teena Lerner, ChairpersonHudi Bellin Askowitz ('87)Lawrence BurianDana ('92) and Marc JasonNathan LindenbaumCareena ParkerDaniel PerlaMark SemerBarbara Sopher (’80)Lynette TulkoffRabbi Marc Wolf
SaR academy boaRd of edUcaTioNDr. Laurel Hecht, ChairpersonDr. Jayne BekerDr. Giti BendheimHerbert BlockDr. Elliot CohenDr. Idana GoldbergAtara GorsetmanLamelle RymanRaphael SassonRabbi Benjamin ShillerShoshi TalesnickNoah Weisberger
2012-2013 officeRS, boaRd of TRUSTeeS aNd boaRd commiTTeeS
SaR high SchoolRabbi Tully Harcsztark PrincipalDr. Mark Shinar Director of General StudiesNancy Lerea Associate PrincipalRabbi Jonathan Kroll Associate PrincipalDr. Rivka Schwartz Assistant Principal; Grade Twelve CoordinatorLisa Schlaff Assistant Principal; Israel GuidanceMarjorie Jacobs Director of College CounselingMichael Courtney Associate Director of College CounselingLisa Birnbaum Assistant Director of College Counseling;
Grade Ten CoordinatorCari Cohen Assistant Director of College CounselingRabbi Akiva Block Israel GuidanceRabbi Ruben Gober Israel GuidanceKaren Goldscheider Israel GuidanceRabbi Jeremy Spierer Israel GuidanceShuli Taubes Israel GuidanceShoshana Chanales Grade Nine CoordinatorShira Hecht-Koller Grade Ten CoordinatorGloria Schneider Grade Eleven CoordinatorDr. Russell Hoffman School PsychologistDr. Michelle Humi School PsychologistGila Kolb Associate Director of AdmissionsMichelle Hoch Operations Manager; Grade Eleven Coordinator
bUSiNeSS officeDebra May (Academy '85) Executive DirectorGeet Engel Director of FinanceHeidi Greenbaum Director of DevelopmentAndy Sandler Director of TechnologyNick Fadda Facilities and Grounds ManagerGilad Mor Director of Security
2013 aNNUal RePoRTHeidi Greenbaum Director of DevelopmentHeidi Kane EditorRachel Spinner Development AssociateAaron Steinberg Development AssociateAudrey Weitz Development AssociateGilad Mor Principal PhotographyAhlgrim Design Group Design & Layout
SaR commUNiTy eveNTSacademy claSS of 2013 gRadUaTioNJen Kroll, Marcella Marcus, Reva Slasky, Susan Stein, Shoshi Talesnick, Chairshigh School claSS of 2013 gRadUaTioNPaula Fisch, Joy GoldsmithleaRNiNg To looKSarah Zitter, Tami Weitzman, ChairsNew PaReNT RecePTioNSYael Baker, Dahlia Prager, ELC ChairsShira Wurzberger, Academy ChairAlice Lebowitz, High School ChairShabbaT SPaRKSAmy and Noah Weisberger, HostsSiddUR SPaRKSDonna and David Salamon, Hosts
PTc PRogRam highlighTS — academybooK faiRRachel Berger, Adina Garbuz, ChairscaRiNg commUNiTy iNiTiaTive (New )Leann Levin, Chairelc NighTSophia Hershman, Nomi Roseman (Academy '92), Ricki Scharf, Chairselc welcome PicNic aNd coNceRTStephanie Minkove (Academy '91), Rebecca WolfloST aNd foUNd (New ) Joanne Siegelmabel'S labelS fUNdRaiSeRLilach BarmiShloach maNoTSimone Semer, Joanne Siegel, Toby SmithPaReNT-To-PaReNT lecTURe SeRieS (New )Jonathan Bellin, GuestPaReNT SUPPoRT commiTTeeAndrea Harris, Dina Sterman, Chairs SaR SPiRiTweaRSusie Loberfeldyom ha’aTzmaUT celebRaTioNMarcella Marcus, Susie Loberfeld, Chairs
high School PaReNT commiTTeeSfReShmaN commiTTeeCarmella Abraham, Committee Chair, Hudi Askowitz (Academy ‘87), Tami Bezborodko (Academy ’83), Deborah Billig, Deborah Fiorino, Gabe Goldstein, Bonnie Mannis, Yonina SiegelJUNioRS' college NighTEmily Rosenfeld, Gail Schorr, Bettina Waxman, Co-Chairs, Karen Berk, Randi Carrey, Adriana Foni, Judith Jelen, Laurie Lebowitz, Ellen Rosin, Ruth Seligman, Debbie SmerlingliaiSoN commiTTee 9th Grade Deborah Fiorino, Deborah Billig10th Grade Debra Sternberg, Reva Slasky 11th Grade Lisa Oppenheimer, Gabe Goldstein 12th Grade Carmella Abraham, Co-Chair, David PitkoffPTC Chairs Tami Bezborodko, Deborah Stern-BlumenthalPaReNTS’ Social NighT Careena Parker, Dasi Schwalbe, Chairs
admiNiSTRaTioN & PRogRammiNg 2012-2013
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“ A yeshiva education always has a dual nature, a combination of secular and religious studies. We learn to love Israel as well as the United States.SAR has taught us how to live our lives while always negotiating the winding path of Torah observance in a secular world.”— a d a m a U e R b a c h , Class Representative, SAR Academy Graduation 2013
If you would like to discuss making a giftor leaving a bequest to SAR, pleasecontact Heidi Greenbaum, Director ofDevelopment, [email protected] 718.548.1717 x1256.
