Blazing a trail and taking the road less taken

With minimal fanfare and their trademark humor, warmth, emotion and uniqueness, the inaugurating class of Midreshet Shalhevet continued on its untrod path and graduated as their first senior class this past Wednesday evening at their current home in Temple Hillel in Valley Stream.

Four years ago, Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman and Rabbi Yotav Eliach united Rambam Mesivta and HAFTR to create a sister school all under the umbrella of Machon HaTorah. At the end of that first year, the union fell apart, threatening the life of this new girls’ high school. The parents of the future tenth grade and the incoming ninth rallied and pulled together. Midreshet Shalhevet was reborn as an independent entity connected to their brother school of Rambam Mesivta. Sharing teachers, and Rambam’s activism, Midreshet Shalhevet also became a school noted for the warmth and camaraderie of its students and teachers as well as academic excellence, now with a student body of over 80 girls.

“I felt amazement and awe to see such a wonderful spectacle,” said Stacy Zeitz, one of the original activist parents whose daughter will now be in the second graduating class of Shalhevet. “It was the light at the end of the tunnel and now we’re here. We saw the growth of these girls as freshmen, helping scrub the (used) desks, the unity and strength, how many of the students who weren’t graduating showed up. And the seniors who said they will come back to see the eleventh graders graduating when they come back after their year in Israel. They were taking pictures together like the whole school was graduating, not just the seniors.”

“Having the opportunity to make the graduation so personal for the graduates was a unique pleasure,” said Esther Eisenman, Menahelet (principal) of Shalhevet. “It was hard for all of us in school to let those girls go: they are part of the very fiber of Shalhevet. But we are sure that they are ready and able to succeed in the years ahead.”

Two of the graduates jointly mc’d, kibitzing, reminiscing, and introducing the speakers against photo backdrops. Four rows of teachers were heralded by Mrs. Eisenman, and the many parents and students of younger grades who came to cheer on their big sisters. Gavriella Pearl was valedictorian and will be attending Nishmat next year. Eliora Habshush was salutatorian and will be attending Midreshet Harova. Before and after the ceremony, moms, daughters and morot exchanged hugs, dads and morim and rabbaim shook hands. At the end of the ceremony they presented a video compilation of photos and videos over the four years of the current graduating class produced by senior Rachel Herskovic.

Rabbi Friedman, the rosh yeshiva, spoke first, quoting Chazal, “yagata matzata—if you toil and put in the effort you will succeed—was the secret of our success,” he said. He also acknowledged the contributions of Yaacov Gross and Dr. Joshua Gindea in helping establish the school. He noted the “many wonderful memories” of the many shiurim and Shalhevet’s first win. “But most importantly you have such a significant chelek, share, in everything that was accomplished by the role you played in making Shalhevet what it is today. You truly have contributed to the landscape and future of Torah education in America and I know that you will continue to go on to do great things for our people in the years ahead.”

Mrs. Eisenman noted that there were 12 girls graduating 12th grade in 2012, “bringing to mind the 12 Shvatim, the first generation of the Jewish nation, which is a fitting analogy to our first graduating class of 12 graduates. Just as Bnei Yisrael is built on the foundation of the 12 Shvatim, our school is built on the foundation of what the families and students of the class of 2012 planted here.” She noted that when Yaakov blessed his sons, he blessed them as individuals with an “eye towards unity,” that “a strong collective is built on the strong individual” and that Yaakov taught us “that each person brings her own strengths to the group. It’s not only better for each person not to simply conform, it’s better for the group. And that is exactly what we have seen in this group throughout their years of high school.” She noted the development of their individual strengths and talents and their unity and connections with each other, the teachers and administration.

“Just as the Jewish people are referred to as the Bnei Yisrael, the sons of Israel, including each of the individual sons in the nation, we, too, at Shalhevet will always feel the imprint of your efforts and your years here. Your individuality and your unity with those of us here at Shalhevet and the greater community will stand you in good stead as you go through life. They will surely bring you success in each realm of your life: personal and professional. It is in fact the very strength that our nation is built on.”

Looking back and ahead, parents, administrators and students who saw the school grow and flourish praised the unity and warmth forged there. “Seeing our daughter being part of the inaugural class of the Shalhevet High School of Girls was an especially powerful moment,” said Mindy Bach, mother of one of the graduates.“To witness the camaraderie among these 12 girls was something to see. I was particularly impressed with these young woman, who could have gone to any high school but were willing to be part of this very special experience and showed such caring for each other and others plus exceptional midos.”

“I never encountered anything like it; it’s like an extended family,” said Judy Wagman, another senior parent. “Everyone accepted everyone; it’s very unique. You can’t find it anywhere. They had a bond from day one. In ninth grade, the faculty was available 24/7, even if they just needed to talk. We’re incredibly proud.”

Mrs. Suri Boiangiu, Assistant Principal, said that the graduation ceremony “was thrilling and moving,” and Eliza Gordon, school administrator, said, “Our girls made us very proud and we look forward to sharing their adventures in the future.”

Nine of the twelve students will be going to Israel next year studying in Midreshet Harova, Migdal Oz, Midreshet Moriah, MMY, Nishmat, Shaalavim for Women and Tiferet. Currently, the students are planning to attend Queens, Touro, Stern Honors, Brooklyn, and LIU.

“I’m so glad and honored to be the first graduating class after all that we’ve gone through,” said senior Shoshana Wagman. “I miss the school a lot and hope to be back and visit in the future. I want to always be a part of it.” Said fellow graduate Yael Bankoff, “Overall it was a great experience and I feel that the small family-like atmosphere you can’t get elsewhere.”

“Shalhevet was an awesome experience,” stressed another senior, Devora Eisenberg, “and I’m sad that it has ended. But I know that the friendships, knowledge and experiences that I gained from there will last me a lifetime.”