It was a full house at the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School Open House. One could feel the energy throughout the building as prospective students and their parents participated in an enlightening evening of programming on Motzei Shabbat that highlighted the distinct values embodied at RKYHS and the many opportunities both in and out of the classroom. In addition to the large turnout from the current eighth grade at the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, there were a large number of student attendees from other schools and other geographic regions including Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Passaic and Union counties and Staten Island, New York.
The program began with parents and prospective students gathering in the packed Epstein-Stein Auditorium, which opened with tefillot for Eretz Yisrael as well as a video tribute to the RKYHS alumni who are currently serving in the IDF in the war in Israel. Attendees then heard from a student speaker who shared her perspective on how RKYHS has inspired them to excel academically, take leadership roles and pursue their passions. She spoke about how the smaller size of RKYHS has enabled them to form close bonds with their faculty and students from other grades, feel that their voices were heard and facilitate opportunities that would not have otherwise been possible. RKYHS Principal Rabbi Maccabee Avishur reinforced how each student matters at RKYHS and illuminated how RKYHS gives students opportunities to engage through multiple portals, with a supportive faculty. He explained how each student learns to take responsibility for themselves and for others as they grow and develop throughout their high school years. An informative video featured students and faculty sharing their experiences at RKYHS.
The remainder of the program enabled prospective parents and students to participate in programs geared toward each group. Parents were able to experience the RKYHS difference and values firsthand by participating in a sampling of courses that highlighted the high level of academic excellence and Torah learning offered at RKYHS, such as “Applying Halacha to Contemporary Dilemmas,” “The Poetry of Rachel HaMeshoreret,” “Finding Faith in Difficult Times,” The Magic of Language: Diction, Syntax and Tone,” a panel with current RKYHS students, and more. The Scientific Research Training Institute at RKYHS, where students “learn science by doing science,” was highlighted through students presenting their cutting-edge research.
The prospective ninth graders had their own set of programming. Students learned about student life at RKYHS. Prospective students then had a look inside the inspiring and rigorous academic and Judaic program. Sample courses for the students to observe included topics such as “The Neuroscience of Optical Illusions,” “Foundations in Personal Finance,” “Our Inability to Understand Hashem,” and a hands-on STEM session on Flameworking: The Art and Science of Glass.
The program concluded for all with a chug fair displaying all of the many opportunities for students beyond the classroom.
