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3 valedictorians walk at Touro’s Sunday commencement

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The Tourco College system named three Valedictorians who will walk at commencement exercises set for Sunday, May 26.

Simcha Bordon, Valedictorian of the School for Men at Lander College of Arts and Sciences in Flatbush, grew up in London, travelling to America after high school to study at Passaic Yeshiva, followed by a seven year stint in Israel at Yeshivas Brisk.

“Simcha is an outstanding example of a Ben Torah who concurrently has achieved excellence in his pre-medical studies,” said Dr. Robert Goldschmidt, executive vice president of Touro and dean of Touro’s Lander College of Arts and Sciences.

After graduation, Bordon will begin his studies at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Rachel Tabi, valedictorian of Touro’s School for Women at Lander College of Arts and Sciences – Flatbush, majored in actuarial mathematics at Touro and will graduate with a G.P.A of 3.9.

“Rachel, who spent a year at Darchei Binah seminary in Israel, has demonstrated exceptional achievement in mathematics by passing multiple actuarial tests, outperforming what most college graduates in this field usually do,” said Goldschmidt. “Coupled with her personality and focus on helping others, she will no doubt create a Kiddush Hashem in the professional world.”

 In September she will begin her career as an actuarial associate in the benefits department at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

While most of us were still asleep, Steven Treitel, valedictorian of Touro’s Lander College for Men, would leave his home in Monsey at 5:45 am to make a 7am minyan at Meridian Capital Group, where he worked. Twice a week, he would drive from Manhattan to Queens to take classes until 10:30 pm, only to then make the hour-long drive back to Monsey.

Treitel’s determination enabled him to balance a demanding job with a rigorous academic schedule while earning a 4.0 GPA. Even before his time at LCM, Steven displayed similar ambition and resolve when he spent two years immersing himself in Talmud study at Mercaz HaTorah in Israel. 

“ ‘Lippy’ is a gifted student, with the warm personality, drive, and determination so crucial to success, and with a deep consciousness of his special responsibilities as an Orthodox Jew,” said Dr. Moshe Sokol, dean of LCM. “He is destined to make a difference in the world.” 

Source: Touro College and University System