(Courtesy of JEP) The Jewish Education Project (JEP), in partnership with Touro University’s Lander College for Men, recently hosted the annual Science Olympiad, a dynamic competition that brought together Jewish high school students from across the region. The event, held on Sunday at Lander College in Queens, showcased the scientific talents and dedication of students from some of the most prestigious Jewish high schools.
This unique tradition began over 20 years ago, inspired by Dr. Linda Padwa, a passionate science educator from Stony Brook University and a former high school and middle school teacher. Having coached her own students through the national Science Olympiad competition for many years, Padwa wanted to ensure that Shomer Shabbat schools and their students could have the same incredible opportunity to participate in a rigorous and inspiring science competition.
Determined to bring this vision to life, she reached out to the Jewish Education Project for support. Together, they spearheaded the creation of the Jewish Science Olympiad, which continues to thrive today, with JEP sponsoring and facilitating the event each year.
Since 2011, Touro University’s Lander College for Men has graciously hosted the event, providing teams with access to its state-of-the-art laboratories and beautiful facilities. This transition marked a new chapter for the competition, as Dr. Ann E. Shinnar, a long-time science educator and associate professor of chemistry, emerita, past chair of the pre-health professions committee, and deputy chair of chemistry at Touro University, joined the effort. Her leadership and expertise brought the olympiad to the next level, elevating both the quality and professionalism of the event. Prior to this, the competition was held in different schools each year, but having a consistent, professional space has significantly enhanced the experience for participants and spectators alike.
This year, the competition brought together teams from the DRS Boys High School, Frisch School, Heschel School, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, North Shore Hebrew Academy, Ramaz School, SAR High School, SKA Girls High School, Torah Academy of Bergen County (TABC), Yeshiva Derech Eres (YDE), and Yeshiva University Girls High School. These dedicated students demonstrated their skills and knowledge across a wide range of scientific disciplines, including anatomy and physiology, botany, chemistry, computer science, earth and space science, ecology, microbe mission, and the electric vehicle challenge, among others.
Dovi Heidings, an 11th grader at TABC, participated for the first time and was especially enthusiastic about the “Write It/Do It” challenge. “It’s a great way to blend social skills with science and engineering,” he shared. “The event as a whole is a great opportunity to meet additional Jewish students with similar excitement and passion for science-based fields.”
Sami Adler and David Schneider from DRS Boys High School in Woodmere, New York are seasoned olympiad competitors, participating for the third time. Having won multiple awards in previous competitions, they were excited to be back, energized by the high-energy atmosphere and feeling confident about this year’s performance. “It’s always an incredible experience,” Adler shared. “We’re ready to give it our all and hopefully bring home more awards.”
Aliza Pinchasov, an 11th grader at SKA Girls High School in Hewlett, New York participated for the first time and shared her excitement about the event. “I was excited to learn science in a fun and competitive way,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to challenge myself and explore new areas of science while meeting other passionate students.”
The top honors this year went to SAR, who secured first place, followed by the Frisch School in second place. Yeshiva University Girls took third place, and SKA Girls High School rounded out the top four. Each individual challenge was scored from first to fourth place, and the overall winners secured their top ranking by consistently excelling in every individual challenge, ultimately earning them the final honors. Many other schools also achieved honorable accomplishments in individual challenges, showcasing the diverse scientific talents present across the competition.
Tova Rich, project manager for professional development and educational contests at the Yeshiva & Day School Team at JEP, together with Shinnar and Padwa, managed the event. The Science Olympiad at Lander College continues to be a highlight of the academic year, bringing together students who are not only passionate about science but also committed to maintaining their Jewish values. As one participant remarked, “It’s inspiring to see so many young minds come together to compete and learn while also upholding our community’s traditions.”
The Jewish Education Project and Touro University are proud to support this annual event, fostering the next generation of Jewish scientists and innovators.
