The halls of Frisch are always filled with a sense of enthusiasm, drive and purpose, so it’s fitting that the theme of this year’s Annual Dinner and Scroll of Honor campaign is “Going Places With Frisch.” Whether it’s Torah learning, the arts, humanities, sciences, chesed or athletics, our students and faculty are excited to dive into the learning before them or project at hand. It’s as much about the journey as it is the destination—for when we seek to fulfill or achieve a goal, it’s the learning, growth and finding a sense of meaning that make our journeys all the more valuable and the places to which we are traveling richer and more well-defined.
Frisch is proud to honor several exemplary members of our community and of the greater Jewish community who define our mission and commitment to a purpose-driven life.
Beth Levine ’79 and Sam Bernstein ’79 have the distinction of being Frisch’s very first “Cougar Couple.” Their children—Allison ’07 (married to Michael Fremed ’07), Kimberly ’11 and Robby ’15—all attended Frisch. “It was amazing to watch Frisch through each of our children’s eyes,” said Beth.
The Bernsteins highlight the many friendships they formed at Frisch that have continued to this day. “Many of the people we met at Frisch and the relationships we developed in high school are still in our lives over 30 years later, and I expect it will be the same for our children,” said Sam.
Since they first became involved with the school, the Bernsteins have been deeply supportive of Frisch. Beth is a longtime member of the Board of Trustees and a member of its finance committee. Sam has volunteered on the athletic committee.
“Frisch helped build our strong commitment to Judaism,” explained Beth. “At Frisch, we began to develop the moral compass that guides us in our personal and professional lives. If you take your Jewish values into everything you do as parents, professionals and community members, you will make an impact in a profoundly decent way.”
“Between us, our siblings, our cousins and our children, Frisch has played a big role in our lives at every turn,” added Sam.
Both Beth and Sam feel a deep sense of loyalty to the school for its central place in their lives for so many years. Frisch is proud to recognize them as our Guests of Honor at this year’s annual dinner.
Patty Borodach, the Nedivat Lev awardee, is always seeking ways to advance her involvement with Frisch. Her children—Benjamin ’10, Sarah ’12, Steven ’14 and Joseph ’19—have all graduated or are currently enrolled at Frisch, and Patty, a Barnard College alumna and Columbia University-educated lawyer, has always been struck by the plethora of opportunities available to her children. Patty has been an integral member of the Frisch Parents Association (FPA) since 2008, working on countless FPA activities. Currently, Patty is FPA Recording Vice-President.
David Ruditzky ’92, knows about going places—since he graduated Frisch, David has strode toward a number of accomplishments in the professional and personal realms. Already a successful CPA, David returned to school to obtain his MBA from the New York University Stern School of Business and spent the next few years working at hedge funds before launching his own consulting firm, Ruditzky Consulting. In memory of his beloved father, David chose to found the Avram Ruditzky, z”l, Athletic Fund at Frisch, to assist those at Frisch in need with their sports-related expenses.
Rabbi Michael Bashist, the Rav Shlomo Kahn, a”h, Memorial awardee, is one of our most beloved faculty members. As a Tanach and Gemara teacher, co-founder of the Judaic Studies Learning Center, member of the Israel Guidance Department, senior grade dean and director of the senior minyan, Rabbi Bashist is always, quite literally, heading somewhere at Frisch! On a spiritual level, too, Rabbi Bashist constantly seeks a deeper sense of spiritual understanding and fulfillment along with his students. His bonds with his students are felt especially keenly in students’ senior year, as they stand on the cusp of graduating Frisch and heading to their lives beyond high school.
As the Annual Dinner approaches in just a few weeks, Frisch is continuing to lead the charge of extraordinary educational and co-curricular experiences and achievements.
In Torah learning, Frisch is continuing to modify and advance its Judaic Studies curriculum, seeking to instill strong textual skills in students so they can master both the material and the methodology while also inspiring them to Ahavat and Yirat Hashem.
In General Studies, we seek to cultivate a spirit of inquiry and passion for lifelong learning, inspiring students to think like historians, scientists, mathematicians and writers, and not merely memorize the material at hand.
In Engineering and Computer Science, Frisch is going beyond its physical walls to places like Stern College for Women, where a large Frisch contingent is participating in L’vnot, a Google-sponsored coding initiative. In the Arts, Frisch is reaching new horizons, making use of the new professional pottery kiln and introducing a sewing club to help aspiring fashion design students build on their skills and their portfolios.
In Athletics, Frisch is winning on courts near and far, like that in Los Angeles, where our Cougars participated in the 2nd Annual Steve Glouberman Annual Basketball Tournament and emerged victorious as the tournament winners. The school’s ice hockey team continues its successful streak as the only yeshiva high school in the NJ state league. Elsewhere, Frisch is continually welcoming new clubs, many of which are student-initiated, like lacrosse, Robotics and the Cougar Nation Network live streaming club.
Frisch is going places—and we invite you to come along on the journey. It begins with the dinner on February 11. Please RSVP and donate at www.FrischDinner.com and contact Rachel Roth at [email protected] to discuss your involvement and support of Frisch.
