Schechter Shoutouts: November 2023 :: Solomon Schechter Day School

Schechter Shoutouts: November 2023

/ Nov 1, 2023 /

Dear Schechter Alumni,

I’m so excited to share the first edition of the Schechter Shoutouts with you! In this and future issues, we will offer interviews with beloved former teachers, updates from you (marriages, births, professional accomplishments, etc.) — and some news about Schechter. We hope that you love the different features, and enjoy reconnecting with the school.

I want to express my deep gratitude to Audrey Sobel, Director of Communications; without her tremendous work, this newsletter would never have been possible.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving,

Yoni

Rabbi Jonathan Berger
Head of School

Faculty Spotlight: Mrs. Nancy Rosen

How long were you at Schechter?
I started in June, 1993 as a substitute Mishna teacher in 5th grade, and by the time I left in June, 2020, I had taught Judaics and Hebrew in kindergarten, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, helped out in EC, served as Judaic Studies Head and Director of Teaching and Learning, helped out in Middle School tefillot and shared “sand stories.”

What is a favorite Schechter memory of yours?
One of my favorites took place during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Middle School wing. At the time, I was teaching kindergarten with co-teachers who were incredibly creative, “out of the box” thinkers. When it was time for our presentation, we roared up to the microphone from the far end of the field in the back of a pickup truck wearing hard hats and carrying tools. Even writing about it today brings a smile to my face and to my heart.

What are you doing now?
Since the pandemic hit, I have been supporting our son who has special needs, enriching his days with activities to keep him engaged and connected. We especially enjoy extended nature walks with our dog. We do our best to avoid bears:) I’m also teaching Bar and Bat Mitzvah students, reading Torah in our synagogue, reading tons of books, crocheting kippot and taking lots of photographs. Both my son and my dog have come to grips with the fact that we’re going to stop a gazillion times on our walks so that I can take photographs along the way.

What do you miss the most about being a teacher?
I miss the vibrancy of the classroom: daily interactions with students, getting to know them and their families, teaching and learning with my class…and I absolutely miss their chatter and their jokes! I also really miss working with good friends who over the years became family. In addition, I deeply miss the years I spent learning from and with the incredibly gifted Standards and Benchmarks team at the Jewish Theological Seminary who helped our JS faculty create Chumash curriculum designed to guide our students to think critically and creatively. This was a privilege that I will treasure forever.

What lesson/message/idea do most hope your students took away from learning with you?
I hope that my students remember:

That as we are all created in the image of God, we must nurture, respect and honor that divine spark in others -- and in ourselves.
That the answer to Cain’s question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” is a resounding YES!
That we are part of something greater than ourselves: a community that is both local and global.
That as Jews we are responsible for helping to repair the world
That we should make chesed, acts of loving kindness, a priority in our lives
That the Torah is yours! You have the tools to make the study of Torah a lifelong adventure!
To embrace joy and wonder every day!

Alumni News

Erica (Rabinovitch) Smith-Rapaport (1983) is the new owner of Home to Home Moving Specialist, a family business located in West Hartford, CT. ( see photo)

Aidan Levy (mid 1990s) recently published his third book, entitled Saxophone Colossus: The Life and Music of Sonny Rollins, which just received the Jazz Journalists Association's prestigious Book Award for Biography/Autobiography of the Year!

Allegra Levy (late 1990s) recently celebrated the release of her first jazz-infused album for children and families, Songs for You and Me. To read a feature we did about siblings Allegra and Aidan Levy, click HERE.

Allison (Bacall) Bliss (2001) worked at Hartford Healthcare teaching Providers and Clinicians how to use the electronic medical record system; she now dedicates her time to her son, Leo, who is a current Schechter student! Alli says, “The Early Childhood program exceeded our expectations and Leo loves it. We love that he is next generation SSDS student! L’dor V’dor!” ( see photo)

Mazal tov to Gavi (Lehrer) Forster (2002) and her husband, Brian! Their daughter, Clara Kane Forster, was born on Sept 20, 2023. We wish them many years of happiness.

Mazal tov to Lara Solinsky (2003), who got married over the summer and is working as a School Counselor in the Boston area!

Mazal tov to Alison (Goldberg) Ellis (2003), who gave birth to Miles Blake Ellis on October 30, 2023! We wish much happiness to Alison, Zach, Miles, and big sister Avery.

Mazal tov to Bari Sloves Stein (2004) and her husband Sam! Their daughter, Izabella Poppy Stein, was born on November 10, 2023. In addition to her new role as mom, Bari is also a Dr. of Physical Therapy at NY Presbyterian.

Rebecca Lenkiewicz (2004) has been a builder of community for years. Between multiple roles at the Mandell JCC, as an Event Coordinator at the Pearlstone Retreat & Conference Center in Baltimore, MD, and most recently as Emerging Leadership Director at the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, she has made Jewish communal experiences and opportunities a priority in her life and the lives of those around her. ( see photo)

Brian Solinsky (2005) is enjoying his ophthalmology fellowship at the Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Max Beede (2006) works for the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. A proud Schechter graduate, Max helps new and potential Jewish residents of the Greater Hartford area connect with both Jewish and secular opportunities in the community. If you know of anyone who wants to learn more about Jewish life in Greater Hartford, feel free to contact him at mbeede@jewishhartford.org or visit www.jgreaterhartford.org. Max also serves on the board at Schechter, teaches at JTConnect and is a chapter advisor for West Hartford United Synagogue Youth. ( see photo)

Nicholas McGee (2007) is an architect at a firm in Hartford. In his free time, Nick is a teacher at JT Connect and is the Youth Director of Temple Sinai’s NUTSY (Newington United Temple Sinai Youth) chapter.

Adam Sloves (2007) is in the film business in LA.

Mazal tov to Victoria Mintzer Kohnstam (2008)! She married Josh, her partner of nearly ten years, in September and recently started a new job as project manager at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. ( see photo)

Sophie Kruger (2010) made aliyah last year and lives in Tel Aviv. ( see photo)

Leah Kochen (2011) graduated from PA school in August and recently passed her boards to become a Certified Physician Assistant. She will be working at Medical Offices of Manhattan as a PA in Internal Medicine.

Nathan Schachter (2011) is living in Jerusalem. He recently earned a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development with a concentration in Israel Education in a special program that brings Israelis and North American Jews together through George Washington University and the iCenter.

Jake Gershon (2012) is currently a 3rd year PhD student in molecular engineering at University of Washington in Seattle. Jake is building generative models for protein design, which can potentially be utilized in medical therapeutics and environmental sustainability. ( see photo)

Gabrielle Gershon (2013) is currently a 2nd year medical student at Emory University in Atlanta. She looks forward to beginning her clinical rotations in February 2024. ( see photo)

Alexandra Van der Hulst (2013) recently moved to Los Angeles and has already filmed one commercial and two episodes of a TV show called “Sin City Murders.” Before relocating to the west coast, she performed with Playhouse on Park in two different productions and taught in Temple Sinai’s Hebrew school.

Jonah Gershon (2016) is currently a senior at Cornell University in the School of Hotel Administration. This past summer, Jonah started his own company (Spekld), and hopes to bring his brown butter product to market soon. Stay tuned! ( see photo)

Zachary Sobel-Pressman (2016) will be graduating in May 2024 from the University of Rochester with a B.S. in Optical Engineering; he also works at an optics startup called Clerio Vision. Zach recently caught up with fellow alumnus Coby Noll in Ithaca, NY, where Coby attends school. ( see photo)

Russell van der Hulst (2017) is in the mechanical engineering program at UConn and interned this summer at Eversource.

Serena van der Hulst is co-president of her NUTSY youth group and is a Meyer-Gottesman Kol Koleinu Teen Feminist Fellow for the second year.

Share your Alumni News!

Schechter Scorpions Update

Schechter’s coed soccer season wrapped up last week, leaving the Scorpions with an admirable record of three wins and one loss. The team, composed of students in grades four through eight, was led by captains Avi Kay and Evan Schuyler, both in Amirim/8th grade. The older players were particularly helpful in mentoring our younger players, several of whom had never played on a soccer team. The Scorpions should feel proud of their great effort, sportsmanship, and overall team camaraderie!

Click HERE to see more photos of Scorpions Soccer 2023!

How was the name "Scorpions" chosen?

Do you have insight into the origins of the Scorpions name? Students want to know! Share your knowledge of Schechter history HERE!

Schechter and Israel

The Schechter community has shown its support for Israel at rallies in West Hartford and Washington, DC. We have spearheaded letter/email writing campaigns to alumni, family, and friends in Israel and organized collection of supplies for the troops.

Governor Ned Lamont visited Schechter on October 10, 2023 to show unity with Schechter and solidarity for Israel. Click HERE to read more.

Schechter students feel connected to Israel on a daily basis, through our curriculum, special programs, and our work with the iCenter. To read about our joyous celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut and the adventures of last year's 8th grade trip to Israel, click HERE.

Want to learn more about what's happening at Schechter?

Read about our Purim STEAMfest!

Check out Schechter in the Local News... One Book, One School Program

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