Paramus—Yavneh Academy will hold its 74th annual dinner Motzei Shabbat, January 14 at Factory 220 in Passaic. The dinner is the school’s largest fundraiser, and donations from the dinner go toward Yavneh’s annual campaign, which helps sustain their top level education and support scholarship and educational enrichment. “This dinner is not just about raising funds for the school,” said President of the Board Pam Scheininger. “It also gives us a chance to showcase what we are proud of in Yavneh.”
This year’s honorees are Mark (Mendy) and Nomi Schwartz, Sahrena London and Ronit Mershon, Shira Grosser, Pauline Hartwick and Karen Kedmi.
“It would be impossible to mark the end of our capital campaign without acknowledging how much Mendy and Nomi have done to ensure Yavneh’s quality education can continue,” remarked Scheininger. Guests of Honor Mark (Mendy) and Nomi Schwartz have been active members of both the Yavneh and Teaneck communities. Mendy has been a board member since 2006, serving many different roles on the board, including secretary, treasurer and vice president—the role he currently fills. Nomi is well known as someone the school can rely on as a volunteer for its assorted programming throughout the year. Together the Schwartz’s have sponsored many programs. They were active participants in and sponsors of Yavneh’s Benjamin Schwartz Memorial 5K and the one-mile Yavneh Fun Run. They have four children, Benjy (Yavneh 2014), Aiden (8th grade), Kayla (6th grade) and Shana (3rd grade). “It is incredible to be a part of such a fine institution,” Mendy Schwartz remarked.
Their dedication extends to all areas of their life. They are active in their shul, Shaare Tefillah in Teaneck, helping the shul expand from a house minyan to their current building, and Nomi volunteered as one of the first sisterhood presidents and a co-chair of the youth department. “Mendy and Nomi are true pillars of the community,” praised Head of School Rabbi Jonathan Knapp. “Their kindness knows no bounds, and they do so much without fanfare or drawing attention to themselves.”
The Schwartz’s community interests are vast and extend into all areas of the community. Mendy is co-founder and co-publisher of The Jewish Link of New Jersey and The Jewish Link of Bronx, Westchester and Connecticut. He is also a volunteer firefighter for the River Edge fire department, and has served as a Teaneck Councilman, and part of their Parks Playground Recreation Department, Planning Board and Cedar Lane Management. He has also coached TBO and Teaneck Soccer. He blends his experience as a small-business owner and Teaneck Council member to help in his volunteer efforts with Yavneh. During recent major renovation efforts, Mendy had a firsthand knowledge of how local government works and helped Yavneh integrate within the community in order to move ahead with their plans. He is proud of the work Yavneh has put into the building. “Yavneh is a top-notch school, and the superb education has always been there,” he said. “We just brought the facilities up to date to match the superior learning.”
Nomi dedicates her time to many community organizations and is always involved in helping. She was honored by SINAI, and is an active volunteer for Project Ezrah, the Teaneck Mikvah, Tomchei Shabbos and other local and Israel-based organizations.
Sahrena London and Ronit Mershon are this year’s Service Award recipients. London and Mershon worked together to bring the Mighty Milers program to Yavneh. Mighty Milers is a New York Road Runners sponsored program that motivates children to increase physical activity by tracking, logging, and recognizing cumulative student mileage achieved at school. Students voluntarily show up during recess and challenge themselves to literally run the extra mile.
At Yavneh, the program is run by London and Mershon under the supervision of Gayle Clachko, Director of Guidance and Student Services at Yavneh, and has the added benefit of building student self-esteem through creating a socially and emotionally supportive environment for students. Both coaches recognize that the benefit of this running program extends far beyond the track. “Parents often want to play a role in the education of their children, but finding something that is both meaningful and impactful is hard. Sahrena and Ronit’s determination and vision brings fitness, healthy lifestyles and energy to one of the most popular parts of recess time,” acknowledged Rabbi Knapp. Through a strong partnership between administration and parent volunteers, the Yavneh community has created a character building program for students that helps form friendships, create a friendly atmosphere to exercise, fosters good sportsmanship, and even includes a moment to take a deep breath. Students as young as first and second grade take yoga breaks throughout their run and are taught techniques and poses can be used during any moment when they need a break.
While called “Coach Sahrena” by the Mighty Milers at Yavneh, London has experience working in the medical device industry and is currently a teacher at The Frisch School. She enjoys lacing up her sneakers and racing against the students, and she is thankful to be part of a school environment which encourages parent volunteers to create and lead innovative programming for students. A native Californian, Mershon always loved running and now uses her Mondays and Thursdays to help encourage her “mighty milers” run around the Yavneh track. She enjoys the gratification that comes from watching a student’s personal growth through running, and how that growth extends beyond the running track.
This year, all miles that are logged by the Mighty Milers at school are being consolidated together with miles logged at home in Yavneh’s school-wide Running to Yerushalayim campaign; a 5,697 mile journey. The school is currently 25% of the way to its final destination.
Shira Grosser will be recognized with the Faculty Award, but her relationship with Yavneh precedes her job there. A teacher at Yavneh since 1995, Grosser herself attended Yavneh as a student when their building was in Paterson. As a fourth-grade Judaic studies morah, Grosser is known for her energy and enthusiasm in all subjects she teaches, from Chumash to Navi to Hebrew Language. “Shira has the unique knack of opening hearts and inspiring the minds of every student,” said Rabbi Knapp. Grosser loves expanding her knowledge and is always eager to share what she learned and collaborate with colleagues. “Her unassuming nature allows her to be sought out by younger teachers,” Rabbi Knapp explained, and indicated how this makes her an ideal person to head their new teacher-mentoring program. Grosser’s skill to reach all students is further shown in her ability to differentiate her lessons and make them meaningful to all her students. She has expanded her skills by attending various training sessions, and she brings the information back to Yavneh, where she implements the lessons and shares them with fellow teachers.
Pauline Hartwick has worked at Yavneh since 1994 and is a recipient of this year’s Staff Award. Hartwick plays an essential role in Yavneh’s smooth process, with Rabbi Knapp having referred to her as “Yavneh’s unsung hero, and the cog that keeps Yavneh going.” Teachers and staff have come to rely on Hartwick’s organization, knowledge and understanding of Yavneh’s processes. Her understanding of Yavneh’s inner workings is invaluable. “People see Pauline’s results, but don’t realize her dedication and contributions,” elaborated Scheininger. As Rabbi Knapp explained, “If I’m absent, it’s okay and school will carry on. On the rare days Pauline is absent, everyone stops.”
This year Yavneh also honors Karen Kedmi with a Faculty Award. Kedmi started out as a lower school Judaic studies teacher at Yavneh. Her love of both teaching and learning apparent in everything, Kedmi continued to study at the Azrieli Graduate School for a degree in Administration and Supervision. Now a middle school Tanach teacher, Kedmi’s love of teaching as well as her love of Tanach has become part of what makes her an excellent coach for Yavneh’s highly successful team in the Chidon HaTanach. “Karen Kedmi is an outstanding educator and uses everything to enhance her teaching,” remarked Rabbi Knapp. “When she took a course in Sefer Shmuel, she incorporated that course with technology and Ivrit to weave a beautiful tapestry as a Tanach teacher.” She aims to instill not just knowledge, but a lifelong love of Tanach using a variety of techniques and learning methodologies. Kedmi and her husband, Rabbi David Kedmi, are known for their ma’asim tovim, and for their efforts to help others.
Looking at the dedicated list of honorees, Mendy Schwartz remarked, “It is unbelievably humbling to be part of the dinner with these worthy volunteers and staff. These are the people the kids know, and interact with, and understand their involvement.”
The success of the dinner helps Yavneh continue providing their high-level education to all students. To register for the dinner, please visit https://yavnehdinner.adjournal.com/reservation.aspx.
By Jenny Gans
